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illyrian-lover-flower · 3 years

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The chosen forest keeper 4

You were once a blooming flower in my heart and all you left behind, as you went, was a withered root inside me

There was no sound, no scream, no sob, no whisper as he landed in the quite garden of her. Those soft flowers of hers smiling at him and his darkness.

Beckoning him to come closer, to come listen as they sung in the howling wind -that cloaked him on this hour-long flight -back to these sad walls of the bright shining estate- his gigantic wings still numb to any touch, while his feet were well aware of the ground he stood on.

His massive form a cloud of shadows as he allowed himself a last time in which he would admire the beauty of Elain’s work.

All these soft, vibrant petals, painting his vision into a sea of pink, blue, violet, white, yellow and orange. It was a vibrating sea that danced to the wind -loved to swing their petite heads in those strong gusts as they seemed to move a last time for their lost flower.

A flower that was more vibrant than he had ever seen. All those colours, she planted among the grounds of her sister’s estate, flowing through her very own blood. Making her the fairest of all the females he had ever met.

‘I was so blind!’ was all he could scold himself with, over and over again. Well aware that the awareness of that would never bring Elain back.

Perhaps if he had truly seen her -not blinded by those vibrant colours of her happiness- he might have been able to save her.

Might have been able to prevent her from this end she chose, might have been able to prevent her from painting the sea in the only colour she dreaded.

Red.

Azriel never really noticed it, had never asked her, why she did not dare to touch a red petal. It should have been obvious. Her paling face, whenever she saw a strawberry or cherry should have spoken volumes to him.

Perhaps it did, his shadows always raging in his ears when he left her to work with those red fruits, but he never listened. Never saw, until now, that no red bloom graced the grounds of her garden.

It all made perfect sense.

Those fearful eyes of hers, when he had gifted her this tool of bloodshed. As delicate and pure the hilt might have been -dainty lilac amethysts, arranged as small delicate Violets at the bottom of the haft of pure white jade, glimmering under the light that caught in the facets at the bottom of the hilt- it was still a tool of bloodshed.

No light gems, no blade -as grey as the clouds before a storm chased them around - engraved with soft vines till the tip of the sharp knife edge- could change this purpose.

He should have known of her dread and yet he was oblivious to it.

Only now were his dull hazel eyes able to see the truth she had hidden for so long - Elain was broken, hurt and destroyed.

Azriel always thought of her as complete, without any fear as she overstepped the pain of her engagement. He always thought she never dared to touch a knife, a dagger, sword or any other weapon due to the respect of life.

Those soft hands of hers having gifted it for so long.

But they weren’t like he thought of them to be. He always thought they were strong-steady- as her hands gave life, only now did it occur to him that they were everything but that.

Elain had trembled. Trembled under the gazes of those she loved and yet no one saw her shivering.

These soft flowers in front of him, that seemed to laugh at his stupid, bulky, form the only beings that were ever there to support her.

In the wake of dawn, the bright song of day or the soothing lullaby of night - they were always there to listen, to calm her.

While the rest of her family left her, occasionally spend hours with her.

Small spell casting lessons with Amren and occasional hours of baking with Cassian the only change of her day when he had left her.

Left her to bleed under those heavy fears, that still crippled him night for night and day for day.

He was foolish to think that Elain did not suffer after her broken of engagement. Those genuine smiles of her, only a facade she kept up. Fooling everyone and most likely herself with them.

But he was too late.

Only now able to hear those silent screams of her – that have long drowned in the sea.

Yet he could not help but hear them.

Shrill screams flooding his ears as his shadows cloaked him, covered him in pain of this loud screech while they also comforted him. Azriel had always sworn he would never break down in front of them, would never allow his shadows to see the fragile parts of their master, but it was too late for that.

They had long sensed the black gap in his heart, that dreaded to eat his whole being, as the spymaster had called out for a companion, a friend – that would never answer his call again.

And yet they did not destroy him, even seemed to caress these frayed edges with soft black tendrils as he was bared open to them.

Welcoming him in a soft veil of shadows that kept him safe from the howling wind in the garden.

Night having long settled above of him as the clouds hung the sky. As if even those vibrant stars cried for a soul that left too soon, the grey companions that covered them, embracing their friends as they covered their glittering tears.

It was as if the Mother herself mourned over the end of a female, who would have been able to bring light into this empty world, letting the sky and nature hang low as she cried.

Perhaps that was the only thing he would ever have in common with the mother.

Tears for the seer, that could have been able to change the world – if only she would have granted herself more time, more freedom.

But Azriel knew that Elain had ripped away her own time and freedom. If her heart would have been healed, having turned into a strong and steady, live giving tree, she would have changed everything. Would have been able to turn the world in anything she wanted to.

Azriel knew of this strength, would have wished to see her bloom into it - showing her sisters, her family, the court, the world, of what she, the seer of the night court, was capable of - but she did not allow it.

Elain having taken the higher chances, of a better world, with her - into a wet grave that promised her freedom.

It was selfish of him, to not wish her this kind of freedom, to want her here again instead - but he was ready to make this selfish step, was ready to swear to the sad Mother above him, as the cold blade of Truth-Teller sliced open the crippled skin of his scarred palm.

Blood dripping onto the live giving land, Elain had nursed, promising an eternal oath with drop, for drop, for drop, as the earth swallowed his red blood greedily.

Letting his hazel eyes bore past these dark clouds, seemingly looking right into the heart of the Mother, as this thin thread stretched between him and the sacred goddess. A bond, a wish, casted between them as the Mother took the prize, he was willing to pay.

A memory for a memory.

It was a lose try to find out who Elain really was - who she tried to be- but it was a chance. A crippled chance to know of her story from the blood that was shed in the sea, bound to stay in this world. And Azriel was ready to give his.

The red liquid dripping and dripping as he sat there in silence - hoping to find the first thing of the seer out- but there was nothing.

Nothing but the soft hue of golden light that caressed the dark realm of shadows around him. His brother and his mate sitting with hunched backs in front of the wide window to the sitting room, as he looked up to them through a clouded vision.

Tears and shadows having created a black pond within the sea of flowers. Glittering under the soft golden stroke of light.

Perhaps it was his imagination, perhaps his shadows, that shooed him back inside - letting light envelop him once again as his ears picked up for the first time, in hours, something different than the howling gust of wind or the ever-ringing words of Nesta Archeron in his head.

It was a sob, a chocked sound that let his heart stutter once again as he entered the golden gleaming living room.

Vassa and Lucien sitting, with hunched backs and founds as their eyes, opposite Feyre and Rhys that did not look verry different than the two red heads.

Azriel knew from the many visits Vassa and Lucien had made, to see Elain, when he did not dare to speak with the bright seer. He had known of their burning hope, that Elain could see and detect what was precious to Koschei, but he also knew of their friendship that had formed.

The fiery mortal Queen was by far no pleasant companion for most, but somehow, she had trusted the calm seer and grew friends with her rather soon. So, it was no surprise that her, always squared shoulders, sagged and shook from heart slicing sobs as she, too, screamed for the seer to return, to help them further, but she would not answer.

Not like the Queen wished at last.

Rhys had left her, and a wide-eyed Lucien, some time before he cleared his throat. All the attention going to him as Vassa still tried to calm down -Feyre also trying to keep her feelings together and not lose them in front of a mortal, but there was no one that could have surpassed the tears as Rhys pulled out a letter, from between the worlds.

It was neatly folded, a big cursive handwriting of black ink -that read ‘Vassa and Lucien’- covering the front of the yellowish paper.

Azriel could not make it out clearly as he watched the situation from afar, the people in the room seemingly not knowing of his broad figure that stood in the doorway. As if he stood behind a mirrored glass, a stranger, an intruder on this moment.

But Rhys voice shattered the glass, made him step through the shadows and hide in a corner as he listened to his brother’s quiet words.

“Nuala and Cerridwen had found this letter in Elain's chamber, do you wish to read it?”

The Queen was still unable to speak, her body still wrecking from sobs, as Lucien answered for her - his normally strong, cheery voice nothing more of a saddened whisper: “Please, read it aloud.”

His brother could do nothing but nod. Those bright violet eyes of his threatening to brim over with tears, once he broke the wax seal carefully, silently reading already over the last words of the middle Archeron.

Azriel did not know how he should have reacted to the broken voice of Rhysand. He knew his brother was trying his best to hide it, but the bob of his throat, the slightly cracked voice at the beginning, gave him away.

And even though he was drowned in sadness, just like his mate and the Queen, he pulled through and begun reading with shaking hands:

“My dear Vassa and Lucien,

it has been my pleasure, to get to know you two better in the last months. Though I do regret the circumstances of your visits - I do not regret a single moment I shared with you.

Never will I forget these moments of laughter I shared with you, even in such a difficult situation, and never will I remember pain when I think back to or bond, Lucien.

There will never course hurt through my mind, when I think of our parting. We parted in union and I am glad we did - your future had been bright to me, like your flames, for a long time now. I can’t express how long I had hoped for you to find your future and when you sought me out, and told me of your wish, Lucien, to break the mating bond - I was glad. And so unendingly happy that you finally saw your own future.

I had hoped I could see it. See happiness coursing through your blood, like sunshine, but I guess my selfishness was bigger than this wish.

Though all I can give to you, as my last goodby and wish for you, is this: Love is a burning thing. One that blooms bright and brighter between two fires, that burn as one. A phoenix chasing between those bright flames as the rays of day will grant the bond of eternal love.

I am afraid that this is all I can offer to tell you. You will have to find the rest out on your own, though I hope a burning companion will stay by your side - all the way.

And for you, Vassa, my dear friend - I can only tell you that I won’t be able to help you further. My life, like it was, having long ended when you read this. Freedom having already embraced me in a fierce hug, but I will give you what I know.

My little knowledge shall be a salvation to your burning curse.

‘Find his pulsing roots, red as blood do, they weave through the sacred grounds of his land. Hissing and burning will they try to chase you away. Spitting curse for curse at you, for every step, for every beat of your burning wings, you’ll make.

But distraction, shall become your enemy. It’s luring song will be stronger than any curse of the heartless wizard, his evil laugh will lead you away from his cruel heart.

A root, as black as a shadow, will lead your way. It’s song a loud symphony of screams and pain as you will find your way.’

I sadly can’t help you more Vassa. I wished to be able to, but please understand that my powers are raw - untamed. Which made it difficult to see anything than darkness, but I hope darkness will not turn you.

You are no coward; my dear friend and I wish for you all the happiness of this world as you will stand proud and tall against your greatest demons.

With this I’ll say farewell.

Perhaps the Mother will want of us to meet again someday.

Elain Archeron”

The Spymaster did not know what to do, how to react, as silence settled over their heads like a suffocating veil of dust, that just started to twirl and dance above their sulking figures, as Rhys rattled the sleeping sadness awake.

But the veil was broken.

Twisted and danced as it could not settle heavily on their shoulders – the Queen screaming, as if she were in pain, while Lucien and Feyre broke out into heavy sobs. A tear spilling from Rhysand’s eyes, while he, the always steady and strong Spymaster, fought once again for stance.

Fighting a battle with his inner self, that just wanted to break and crumble to the floor, he was not able to breath properly, was not able to control the heavy darkness, that twirled restless around the talons of his wings and closed tighter and tighter in on him.

Suffocating but also supporting him as he doubled over.

It had hurt. Hurt to hear these words, hurt to know that Elain had forced the visions onto herself.

Azriel knew that Elain wanted to help her two fiery friends as best as possible, which also meant abandoning her own health if only she could help them.

But the worst was to know she had planned it. Had planned, long before she jumped off the cliff, to end things. To not give this new world, this new her, a chance.

Up until this point the shadowsinger knew, that his family had hoped she did it unprepared and was unaware of her doing, but this letter proved well that she was ready, and willing, to go and leave her family behind like this.

Broken, crying, screaming, sobbing.

“Elain, Elain, Elain,…" was all he heard over and over again in the veil of shadows as he held his heart, trying to stop the invisible bond- he just created with his blood- from suffocating his heart and ripping deeper into the hole that was already there. Little did he know, that this empty voice in his rounded ears, was his broken soul.

Chanting the name of the seer – his friend- over and over again, in the hopes of her return.

But he knew, deep down – his blood singing from it, that she would not return.

And so, did the rest of the room as they all sat as broken souls together. The Queen and the fox, her friends, sitting opposite her family, Rhysand and Feyre, while the Shadowsinger stood hunched in a corner – winnowing himself away as soon as he realized his brothers heavy gaze on his shaking form.

Letting darkness envelop, and carry him away, freely. Every place they would take him to better than these sobs and screams, that wrecked the proud walls of the bright estate. Though he did not think that his shadows would turn, to traitorous, their back at him and drop him off at the only place he dreaded to ever see – the cliff.

The cliff that had helped the middle Archeron into her wet grave, but it could not be seen. All that he saw was a cloud of white fog, that only left some grass open to see – there was no edge, no end of the rock. It just seemed endless and full of freedom as it vanished into the white cloak.

Though wind was howling, ripping fiercely at Azriel’s wings again, it did not drown out the beckoning call of the edge, but perhaps it was his shadows that had lured him in into stepping through the wet dust.

Salty gusts of wind filling his nose thrills as he moved closer and closer to the edge – darkness, fog, salt and wind around him – while his booted feet moved with heavy steps on the wet grass.

Though what left him baffled were the two figures sitting at the edge.

Silence, as thick as the layer of shadows around them, cloaking their mourning forms while they tried to hide away under a violet and a pink blanket. It suddenly felt wrong to be here – to invade the twins' privacy like that- and he wanted to turn around and go.

Wanted to let them mourn in silence, together, over their lost friend.

No word came from their lips, yet they still beckoned him closer. Silently opening up the two blankets between them as they made space for their mourning master.

It were no words that made them bind tighter in the wind and night, no, it was their shadows – that separated them from the world around them- who silently caressed the frayed edges of three broken hearts and forged them tighter together.

No longer master and his students sitting, crying, on the edge, but a family of shadows that had just lost their light.

*******

“Elain! Thank the Mother, you are awake!” Elain could only groan in pain as she propped herself up on her elbows, Fersia’s loud voice echoing through the small hut and her pounding head.

Soft golden hues illuminated the small space, while dancing to the soft gusts of wind that came in breezing through the window, as Elain rested a hand on her throbbing temple “What happened? And, where am I?”

“No need to worry, Goldenrod, you passed out – probably due to nervousness, Mother can be a bit too intimidating for some...”

But Elain only shook her head slightly, regretting it immediately as a pain, as heavy as the hit of a hammer, hammered down on her temple, remembering with awfully sharp senses the blood, the searing pain on her skin, the screeching voices, the darkness. It all came rushing back to her, making breathing once again a hard thing as Fersia rambled on about the effect of her Mother.

“You did not notice?” was all she could say to interrupt the female Illyrian, that sat beside her bed. “What shall I have not noticed?” “The blood...” Elain could only breath the word as she saw the puddle again, singing at her in this screeching voice over and over again:

Drink up their blood – it's yours! Drink up their blood – it's yours!

A shiver wrecked through her body as she remembered it more and more. Panick and guilt trying to trap her once again, while she sat there on the large bed, that took most of the space from the chamber up. But this time Fersia was there – embracing her and caressing her back in soothing circles as soon as the shiver threatened to take over the seer's entire petite body.

“It’s fine Goldenrod. You are safe, you are in my home, nothing will happen to you here – here is no blood.”

She wanted to believe her, wanted to trust the words of her friend, while her nose breathed in the calming scent of freshly fallen rain – it made her remember the forest, the greenery, the calming walks she had done outside of Velaris. This was pure salvation, she thought as she rested and calmed herself down in Fersia’s strong arms, though her traitorous heart could not help but to wish to smell cedar and night chilled mist. It was obvious to her that the seer would miss the shadowsinger, but still she decided to go.

Far away into the woods of an unknown land, for her, this fierce and strong female – that held her so carefully, tried to calm her so badly – being the reason of her entire stay. Being the reason for her bravery to go, but her cowardice how she left her family behind.

It was too late now anyway, was all Elain could try to convince herself as she closed her eyes. Resting, for only a little amount of time, against the smooth leather plates on her shoulder.

“Fersia?” “Yes?” “Can I go for a walk?”

Her friend’s green eyes bore worriedly into her brown ones for a moment, before she gestured to Elain’s belt; “You know how to use this dagger?” The seer nodded, hoping that she would not be in the need of using the tool of bloodshed, that was bound to her belt and covered under the layer of heavy fabric, before she passed out.

Fersia only nodded in return, helping her to get up on wobbly feet and led her to the door. Letting her walk away on soft steps as the loud words of Fersia echoed, even deep in the forest, in her ears over and over.

“Be careful and don’t move that far away from here – I told you it’s dangerous at night.”

Elain could only remember these words as she stumbled over sticks and stones, in the hue of soft silver moonlight, a nervous hand always resting around the delicate hilt of her dagger – Fate seeker. She decided would be the name of the blade. It might not become a legendary dagger, but it would help her to seek the right path on her fate and would be by her side.

This dagger, the cloak and the memories, were after all the only things of her old life she dared to take with her into these new lands.

These dangerous new lands she realized as howling, cooing of an owl and rustles, echoed through the night.

The snapping of a stick to her right, close to her, but not too close as that she could have stepped onto it, making her draw Fate seeker. Pointing the delicate tip of the dagger at the rustling bush.

_____________previous chapter | next chapter__________________________

So, I am not entirely happy with the end, but I hope you can spare me for that😅, anyway I hope you liked it.

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imhereforbvcky · 3 years

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Watch Me Run - Part 21

Masterlist - Series Masterpage - Part 22 (epilogue)

Summary: You inherit a family relic that gives you the gift of foresight but there are others who are interested for more nefarious reasons. You turn to the Avengers for help. (Bucky x reader) Chapter: The rest of the Avengers arrive, and you - reeling from the confrontation with Loki - try to decide what future you want. Word Count: 4386

When a shimmering orange ring grew between the trees, you did not stir, though Bucky raised a weapon. You didn’t share in his surprise when Dr. Strange and the others walked through the portal and into the horror you’d made of the forest.

“What happened here?” he asked.

You didn’t answer, only stared at the bloodied ground and the stone, cold and dark on your chest. Bucky spoke with only a glare. He’d been consoling you for a while now, sweeping an endless river of tears from your skin, rubbing your arms to keep them warm, murmuring comforts like, “I’m here. It’s over now,” and, “It was your life or his, you did the right thing.” But it didn’t feel right.

It felt wrong, and corrupt with power, and not like you at all. You’d been given your first challenge, your first trolley problem, and you’d chosen to trade a life for a life. You’d wanted to be a wise stone-keeper, a selfless seer who led with a compassionate heart, who saved, not took. Now, holding two stones and hands tacky with drying blood, you wondered how you’d lost yourself so thoroughly.

“You’re injured,” Natasha observed quietly, withdrawing her fingers from the place where Loki’s pulse should have been.

“This was a mistake,” you muttered while Tony knelt beside you in an Iron Man suit you’d never seen before: leaner, more like an integrated exo-skeleton than armor.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get here sooner. You shouldn’t have had to do this alone,” his gaze shifted momentarily to Bucky. An array of light flashed over your skin from Tony’s suit, nano-molecular technology began reprinting your flesh, knitting it back together. Dr. Strange stepped closer, to see the nanotech in action as Tony moved on to Bucky’s wounded shoulder.

“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.” Your eyes remained locked on Bucky, pleading with him to understand, to forgive you, absolve you. “I don’t know what else to do.” He hushed you, comforted you with a gentle hand over your trembling fingers.

“You're pretty banged up,” Strange observed, lifting your elbow to examine another scrape. This one was dark and scabbed, new puckered skin blossomed at the edges. His scrutiny landed on a bruise kissing the curve of your jaw. It was a sickly shade of blue-green and fading to yellow at the rim. His eyes met yours and held your gaze, demanding answers to questions he’d not yet asked.

“It can’t end like this,” you whispered, voice tight in your throat and wet with grief. Slowly your eyes lifted to meet this stranger. “I didn’t want to kill him. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. I just… I’m out of choices.”

“How long have you been doing this?” His voice was soft, but his face still held the sternness of judgement, of unimpeachable intelligence. It made you laugh to know what he couldn’t.

“Wrong question, Doctor,” you chuckled, dry and pained.

“What the hell does that mean?” Steve asked, mistrusting your demeanor and eyeing the scepter and its blue stone that he knew could bend minds and crush will.

“Just let her rest,” Bucky growled, helping you to your feet.

“I don’t think so, Buck,” Steve answered slowly, “Not yet.”

Dr. Strange’s scouring gaze turned to a frown. He didn’t like riddles. “so what’s the right question?”

“Time isn’t linear for a stone-keeper,” you explained, stepping forward out of Bucky’s protection. “How do you measure time when you can leap across it? When you spend as much time moving backward as forward? What you really want to know is…” you paused with a raised eyebrow, waiting for his answer.

“How many times,” Steve and Dr. Strange finished together. Steve’s entire body rolled at the realization. The gravity and loss contained in this knowledge. The failure. Strange only stared, somewhat awed and angry that he’d so underestimated you.

“To be honest I’ve lost count of how many times I have relived this moment.”

Bucky was stunned. His jaw, usually so resolute, hung slack. He looked you over with fresh eyes. The healing scrape on your elbow – days old. The mud on your boots caked thick like you’d been in the woods for hours. Your eyes looked tired. No, not tired, drained, exhausted, worn. Even your hair was longer than it should have been, tangled and heavy. The shape of your arms was harder and stronger from fighting the same fight over. Your legs were leaner from running again and again and again. All the gentleness he so loved seemed to have been leeched from your body.

You watched a film reel of emotion dance over Bucky’s face. First horror that he hadn’t seen it before. Then anger for the danger he had failed to protect you from. Then a deep sadness for the tenderness, the playfulness you’d lost – he’d lost. In a breath, he understood why you wouldn’t be consoled. It wasn’t only grief for Loki, it was grief for the person you’d lost. If you could go this far, were you still the same?

“What have you done?” the words slipped out in a heart-broken whisper before he could catch them. They broke across your skin like the sting of sleet and you turned to him with eyes wide, brimming, and desperate.

“I did what I had to!” you cried, grabbing both his hands in yours, clinging to him, begging him to understand, to see you through the carnage. “Don’t you see? It’s my turn now. I have to protect us, to save you. And I will re-write history until the end of time; until there’s nothing left of it to write, if I have to.”

“But you can’t, can you,” Strange’s voice seemed so far away. Yet in one sentence it crushed the dream you had been building. “You can’t save them all.”

“Yes I can,” your gaze never left Bucky’s, your eyes pleading through the hurricane at the gates. “I can. And I will. I w—I would call in every last one of you Avengers. I would demand an army, armies you can’t even dream of. I would rain hell. I’d try anything before I walked away from you.”

Bucky let out a short huff of breath, heavy and fraught. He was stunned by the fire you carried. In seconds he’d watched you turn into a falling star, burning across the sky, growing with anger and desperation until you were consumed.

He shook his head slowly, minutely while he grazed the weeks-old bruise on your chin. He wondered how many battles you’d fought now, how many hits you’d taken. He’d been meant to protect you. He wondered too, when that had changed.

“None of it will help. You’ve created a time loop. The rest of us are frozen until you break it,” Strange explained. “This isn’t your happy ending; it’s a moment between breaths.” You never broke eye contact with Bucky, begging him to understand, to fight with and for you. “You can’t outrun the future forever.”

Your eyes turned to molten steel just before your gaze snapped to him. Your voice was a blade dipped in poison. “You watch me! You watch me run. I am the stone keeper! I will run to the end of this universe and back if I have to. I will run until time gives up and crumbles into ash before I let him die! I will fight until the very last star burns out like a cinder under my heel.”

Bucky struggled to breathe. Watching you was like succumbing to a wildfire. All consuming and raging with grief, you directed all of that heat at Dr. Strange until you felt the cool glide of metal slip into your hand. Cold fingers eased between your own, pulling you back from the dark sky you burned against.

“Enough,” he breathed, just loud enough for you and you only. He stood quiet but certain as you turned back to him. “Enough.”

“Don’t say that.”

“You’ve given enough. You’ve done enough.” He traced a line down your cheek with the backs of his knuckles, gentler than a kiss, softer than a breath, even as you shattered under the new meaning he gave to your own words. “You have to stop this.”

You never even noticed the tears, as they streaked your skin. The tightness in your throat was a nuisance. But the crushing weight on your chest was unbearable, like being cleaved in two.

“I can’t,” you managed, sobbing as you spoke. “He would have your life but I can’t let you go. Haven’t they had enough from us?? I won’t let them take you.”

“I’m already gone,” he soothed, drawing you close until your forehead pressed to his, until you could see no one else, hear no one else. Only you and him. “This… time loop, buying me time… it’s only hurting you. And I can’t have that.”

A breath of a chuckle escaped through your tears.

“It’s making you something you’re not,” he continued. “You’re not a warrior. You’re a Seer. Warm as the sun; you see a cold hurt world and you can’t leave anyone to suffer in it. But this, what you’re doing, it isn’t compassion.”

“I know.”

“You’re holding the universe hostage for one life. And an old one. My number’s come up a few times already.”

You rolled your eyes. “I’m trying to save you.”

He chuckled and shook his head and yours, with foreheads still together. “That’s my job – the saving.” He swept a fresh tear from your cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Yours is to be you, no matter what. You’ll choose the right thing. You were made for more than this... this fight.”

You nodded, met his sure gaze and swallowed hard. “I don’t think I’m a very good stone-keeper.”

He pulled back and shook his head with a gentle curl to his lips. “You’re just scared.”

“No,” you disagreed. “I’ve been scared before. This is something else. I think my grandfather saw you, saw this coming. He told me you’d protect me and all this time I thought it was an instruction, but I was wrong. It was a warning.”

Bucky listened, and watched, his hand slipping over your skin, up your shoulder, cupping the back of your neck and stroking your hair. Holding on for as long as he could.

“In a single night he let me lose everything I ever loved, and in the same night he told me about you. I think he was warning me that it wasn’t over. That I’d love and lose more than I’d ever known.” You took a shaky breath and spoke with a tremble, “I was never meant to carry this stone for long, I can see that now. I’ve lost so much; I won’t lose any more. I’m a selfish stone-keeper, Bucky. I would let this entire planet crumble to dust before I let anything to happen to you. I have to find a way to end this.”

“So, what comes next?” he whispered, a life between breaths.

“I don’t know. I can’t see that far, but we’re in this together now, okay? We can choose for ourselves. We can choose to end this legacy of blood. As long as I carry this stone, I’m in danger, and the world is in danger of me,” you smiled ruefully. You’d proven your strength and the lengths you’d go. You’d seen Loki’s vision, seen half the universe eliminated and still chose this. Truly, you were a danger. “As long as I carry this stone, I will run to this fight. And as long as you are beholden to answer when they call, you will too. Neither of us asked for this but now it’s up to us.”

He took a deep breath. Your eyes were resolute, honest, while he looked like he might startle at a sneeze. He’d been ready to sacrifice, but not like this.

“I saw a future for us once, in a dream. I don’t know if we can still have that but I want it so badly.” You spoke with urgency and conviction, but he still looked so startled and conflicted. He’d been a soldier for the better half of a century and you stood with the power of time asking him, for once, not to be a hero.

“Bucky, I want to be where you are,” you pressed on. “I want to wake up slow in a place where we don’t have to worry about who’s behind us or what fight is ahead. I want to make garbage eggs with you, with real hot sauce not something we scavenged because we’re too afraid to open the front door. I want to take a walk with you where you’re not looking over your shoulder. I want to see you as happy and as unworried as I dreamed. We can have that. We can!” You shook his hands firmly. “We can make that choice. I’m choosing us, Bucky. I think… I think I finally see what that means. But you have to choose for yourself if you need to keep up this fight.”

His hand gently curled over yours, not holding on, not demanding, not promising, only pressing you closer for this moment you had. For a moment between breaths, he had everything. Even if the next breath ended it all.

Too quickly, your fingers slipped out of his, and you stood before Dr. Strange, talking in surreptitious murmurs. Furtive glances down at the stone hanging about your neck had the breath catching in his throat.

This had been his mission. You were his mission. You were more, and he hated this new plan and his role in it, but his protests had been dismissed. If it were up to him, absolutely nothing would entice him to put you in such danger. He knew now that you were powerful, more than him realistically, but still. It angered and saddened him to think you’d already been making yourself so vulnerable on your own. Over and over and over.

At least now, he supposed, he had some control. It was his only solace as he notched the long-range rifle into the v he’d cut into a pine bough twenty feet high. He could still smell the sharp scent of pine sap on his gloves from the work of it.

It would require every ounce of self-control to follow through. The weapon was only a rip-cord. It had been a mercy, really, to allow him a scope with which to watch over you. He could not – under any circumstances – give away his position or it would all be over and they’d be right be right back where they were with you frantically trying to undo time, re-stitch his wounds, and rewrite the future. Loki couldn’t know his position.

Plan A: he only watched and waited, hating every second. Plan B: he made a kill shot and they tried again.

With endlessly rehearsed steps you moved toward the cabin’s malfunctioning generator. You climbed over the downed tree, just as before, just as always. You recited the same words like a spell to conjure the trickster god. Calling to Bucky who, just this once, would make no answer. The black dagger flew by your head as you feigned tripping. Your boots were tied tight this time. You were prepared.

“Loki,” you breathed, drawing him forth from the shadows like a sleeping memory hidden in the deep.

“Stone-keeper. I’d hoped to keep this between the two of us,” he looked irritated, but you didn’t startle, not this time.

“So do I,” you snarled and clutched the amulet in a tight fist close to your body.

A wicked smile dragged over his features. It curled his lips, lit his eyes, and drew his shoulders forward. He looked more like a prowling cat than a man as he matched each step you took away from him. When finally, you turned at a full sprint into the cold damp woods, he stood for a moment, surprised, before a laugh bubbled up his throat.

Wet musty earth erupted beside you, spraying dark rain over your head as you ducked beneath the shelter of an ancient pine. Chest heaving, lungs burning, you hazarded a look over your shoulder. While you ran, he strolled, letting the scepter do the heavy lifting. Another streak of blue electrified fire ripped through the trees sending splinters and cosmic energy out in ripples.

His laughter began to echo as you skidded to a stop. The fear momentarily outpaced reason as your boots crunched onto the first few steps of frozen lake. The memory of your dream clawed at your brain like hoarfrost but you pressed on.

The water had begun to seep up over the ice in gurgles and your feet were wet and cold. Each step made a crude sloshing noise that matched the untethered rushing of blood in your ears. Fifty feet out, you slid onto your knees when the hard crystals beneath you began to creak and moan.

“You’re rather a difficult person to pin down,” Loki called out over the lake, voice calm and clear as a bell as he stepped onto the ice.

You didn’t speak. Fear and anger beat too strong for words. The ice shifted beneath you like a heaving boat as he moved closer with heavy, unrelenting strides.

“You’re right. Enough small talk. We’ve waited for this moment long enough, you and I,” the grin remained.

“You,” your voice came out an acrid hiss, “have destroyed everything I have ever loved.”

His tongue clicked against his teeth before an exaggerated frown curdled his features in mockery of you. “Well, that’s not quite true, is it? Not yet anyway.” He glanced purposefully up the hill in the direction you knew Bucky waited patiently with a rifle trained expertly on this spot, where you promised to be.

From his perch in the tall pine, Bucky’s jaw clenched. He could hear nothing, but he caught a flash of grinning white teeth as Loki looked up the hill. Too close to be coincidence. He considered firing; he’d always liked Plan B better anyway.

There was nothing more in this world that Bucky wanted than to gently squeeze the trigger. He was physically itching to do it, to pluck this murderous thorn from his side. But instead, he waited, because that’s what Strange told him he must do to keep you safe.

“Now, give me the stone and I won’t be forced to take any more from you.”

“It won’t help,” you almost laughed your answer back at Loki. “I know what you’re so afraid of, and it won’t be enough.”

“You know nothing,” Loki snapped, accustomed to being the smartest in the room. “You simple Midgardians have no idea what lies past your own noses. You least of all, cowering in the woods with the power to unwind time. You could remake the universe to your liking but you tremble at your own gift.”

“It won’t stop Thanos.”

For the first time, Loki stopped his slow progression forward. He eyed you carefully. “Did the sorcerer tell you this?”

You laughed, sharp and bitter. “Now it’s you who cannot see. This is not the first time we’ve met, Asgardian. I have been on this very spot, with you, more times than I can count.”

“Then the odds must be in my favor.” He stepped forward again. A wicked smirk made him seem bolder, wilder, more dangerous.

“No. You see, I’ve had the luxury of time. Of learning. I’ve seen you murder me and everyone I love,” your eyes instinctively glanced up the hill toward Bucky. “Over and over and over. And while those realities might not exist anymore, they were real. I haven’t forgotten and I know you.”

“And you expect me to grovel now, stone-keeper? You think you’ve out-witted me and you want me to what? To beg your forgiveness and weep? Tell you that I didn’t mean to do any of it?” Loki slid forward, gilded boots scraping against the ever-thinning surface of the lake. Suddenly the silver scepter smashed hard against the ice. Cold water bubbled up like a spring. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do to prevent Thanos from taking that stone. And if I must, I will slaughter you like I did your grandfather. You too will die in this barren, frozen waste. Completely alone.”

“No, I won’t. But I have seen you die,” you hazarded a step toward him, rage and hate building beneath your skin, deep in your muscles, down to the bone. “You will claw and gasp for even your very last breath in the emptiness of space. It won’t be my hand around your throat, but it will be the reality I chose for you. Remember that, Loki Odinson.”

His grin widened as heavy strides closed in on your resolute form. “You will decide nothing. I know true power when I see it, and you have none.”

When a splinter in the ice creaked to a waiting cavern between your muddy boots and his golden ones, you froze. He, however, lunged forward with incredible speed, as if there were lightning in his veins instead of ice. A tight fist closed over your wrist and he tore the talisman from your neck.

The chain bit into your skin and burned as it snapped. This was nothing to the fire in his Loki's clear blue eyes as he held the hurriedly welded replica in a trembling palm. This pain was nothing to the pressure he now applied to your wrist, overcome with frustration. Finally his fist closed over the painted stone and the entire trinket crumbled to pieces.

Your smirk faded when he slammed the palm of his hand against your forehead.

You gasped as a memory formed, unbidden, at least by you. The golden shimmering vision unfolded clear as the moment it happened, the moment you lifted the talisman off your neck for the first time since you’d opened the package from your grandfather on that fateful day so long ago. Loki shared in your memory now, watching intently as you passed the Eye of Agamotto, the time stone, into the hands of Stephen Strange.

“You fool.” A bitter laugh pushed through Loki’s sharp nose. “You are an ancient stone-keeper, it was your inheritance and legacy, and you passed such a treasure to a second-rate sorcerer! To a conjurer of-of-of cheap tricks and…” he finally lifted scowling eyes when he heard a sharp crack at his feet.

Bucky’s rifle had carved a blistering hole in the freshly formed ice between you and Loki. The second crack was deeper, solid and echoing. This time it was the lake itself. The chasm between you erupted, spilling water over the surface and soaking your feet.

It was just like your dream, and your feet moved, unbidden, pedaling backward. But Loki followed at the unrelenting pace of a predator.

“Do you think I fear the cold?!” he shouted to you and Bucky and anyone else who might hear. “You ignorant child. I am born of it.” He knelt down, forest green cloak pooling at his feet and pressed one bare palm to the ice. While your face morphed into cold shock, his grin widened as the cold seeped into his skin, turning it a pale, unearthly shade of blue. As he rose again, the color spread higher like ink in water until he was covered in it. “But you were born with tender, warm-blooded Midgardian flesh. Such paltry armor.”

With a single downward thrust he smashed the scepter into the ice with all his might, sending a burst of blue over the surface. The chasm between you yawned wide to swallow you both. Water, glacial cold, crawled up your calves as the ice heaved beneath your feet and you slid towards the opening.

You swallowed the fear, and glanced toward the shore, to where Bucky now stood, shouting. This was not fear, though. You knew fear. Knew it when a dark shadowy dagger had ripped the life from Bucky before your eyes.

No, this was not fear, this was consequence. Finally. The tears sprang forth with a laugh as hope bloomed in your chest. Hope for life, even if not your own. Hope for a future, for a man you saved over and over. Hope that these Avengers whose protection you once sought, would return the salvation you now gave to one of their own.

It came in a rush of golden, glimmering light. A bright orange glow spinning below the delicate wet ice at Loki’s feet. Within the ring, deep grey clouds rolled with lightning. It thundered angry and sharp as the ice burst open with a groan.

Loki fell into the thundering portal, to his brother, to Asgard and imprisonment. You, however, a few feet away, fell into a world so cold your lungs seized, your throat closed, and your eyes bulged. You couldn’t have taken a breath if you’d wanted to. The water slipped higher and higher until you were submerged, skin somehow simultaneously prickling with cold, and numb with it.

The broken ice shifted overhead until you couldn’t see the surface. Your fists slammed against the ice, begging for an opening that didn’t exist. As your lungs heaved, you realized the deal you’d made…

“You should keep it,” you’d admitted then. “But only if he lives.”

Dr. Strange had agreed, had vanished to find a prison worthy of a god from space. And your life? You’d wielded the power of an infinity stone for uncounted days. It hadn’t even occurred to you that you’d need to guarantee your own safety.

It was merciful then that the cold would cloud your brain before the oxygen starved your lungs and your limbs. Just as you allowed the darkness to close over you, to calm you, a silver fist crashed through the ice and plunged into the water, impervious to the cold.

Light streamed down around the glimmering metal plates as he reached for you. Too cold and hypoxic to grasp his outstretched hand, you drifted, watching with clouded eyes and heavy limbs. He closed a tight fist around the cloth at your throat and hoisted you, blinking, clinging in gasping breaths to consciousness.

Part 22 (epilogue) >>

#bucky x reader #bucky barnes #bucky x reader angst #bodyguard bucky #infinity stone bucky fanfic #avengers fanfic

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genshin-impact-updates · 3 years

Text

Version 2.0 "The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia" Update Details(Part 2)

For Part 1, Click Here

V. New Quests

1. New Archon Quests

Archon Quest "Chapter II: Act I - The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia"

Archon Quest "Chapter II: Act II - "Stillness, the Sublimation of Shadow"

�� Beidou's Crux Fleet is almost done with their supply and preparation work in Liyue. As promised, the fleet is ready to take you through the thunderstorms to Inazuma.

The Traveler never stops for long. Now is as good a time as any to embrace destiny and set sail for the land engulfed by storm and tempest... The nation of "eternity"!

◆ Archon Quests "Chapter II: Act I - The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia" and "Chapter II: Act II - Stillness, the Sublimation of Shadow" will be permanently available after the Version 2.0 update.

◆ Archon Quest "Chapter II: Act I - The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia" Unlock Criteria:

• Adventure Rank 30 or above

• Complete the Archon Quest "Chapter II: Prologue - Autumn Winds, Scarlet Leaves"

◆ Archon Quest "Chapter II: Act II - Stillness, the Sublimation of Shadow" Unlock Criteria:

• Adventure Rank 30 or above

• Complete the Archon Quest "Chapter II: Act I - The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia"

• Complete the Kamisato Ayaka Story Quest "Grus Nivis Chapter: Act I - The Whispers of the Crane and the White Rabbit"

• Complete the Yoimiya Story Quest "Carassius Auratus Chapter: Act I - Dreamlike Timelessness"

After the Version 2.0 update, the Unlock Criteria for certain quests will be adjusted as follows:

● The Unlock Criteria for Archon Quest Chapter I: Act II will be adjusted to Adventure Rank 25 or above (originally Adventure Rank 29 or above)

● The Unlock Criteria for Archon Quest Chapter I: Act III will be adjusted to Adventure Rank 28 or above (originally Adventure Rank 35 or above)

● The Unlock Criteria for World Quest "Bough Keeper: Dainsleif" will be adjusted to Adventure Rank 28 or above (originally Adventure Rank 36 or above)

● The Unlock Criteria for Archon Quest Chapter I: Act IV will be adjusted to Adventure Rank 28 or above (originally Adventure Rank 36 or above)

*Of which, the level of monsters in Archon Quest Chapter I: Act II will be adjusted to Lv. 30 (originally Lv. 35). The rest of the adjustments made are adjustments to the player's Adventure Rank for the Quest Unlock Criteria, while other Unlock Criteria and quest rewards remain unchanged.

2. New Story Quests

Kamisato Ayaka's Story Quest "Grus Nivis Chapter: Act I - The Whispers of the Crane and the White Rabbit"

Yoimiya's Story Quest "Carassius Auratus Chapter: Act I - Dreamlike Timelessness"

◆ "Grus Nivis Chapter" and "Carassius Auratus Chapter" will be permanently available after the Version 2.0 update

◆ "Grus Nivis Chapter" and "Carassius Auratus Chapter" Quest Unlock Criteria:

• Adventure Rank 30 or above

• Complete the Archon Quest "Chapter II: Act I - The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia"

*The "Grus Nivis Chapter" and "Carassius Auratus Chapter" Story Quests will not require a Story Key to unlock.

3. New World Quests

◆ New World Quests: "The Art of Horticulture," "Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual," "A Strange Story in Konda," "Sacrificial Offering," "Hayashi of Tanuki in the Forest," "Cleansing Defilement," "Yougou Cleansing"

"The Farmer's Treasure," "Hiromi's Watch," "Gourmet Supremos, Assemble!," "The Gourmet Supremos: The Seashore Strider," "The Gourmet Supremos: The Deep Divers," "The Seventh Samurai," "Tatara Tales," "Sakura Arborism," "Dreams of Sword Art," "Orobashi's Legacy," "Fate of a Fighter," "Gazing Three Thousand Miles Away," "Treatment on the Island," "Sinister Instruction," "Yae Publishing House's Invitation," "Chisato's Letter," "O Archon, Have I Done Right?," "International Travel Log," "Home Lies Over the Ocean," "In Another Land," "Battle of Revenge," "The Gourmet Supremos: The Importance of Eating Well," "The Gourmet Supremos: On the Road," "Pizza From Another Land," and "The Ritou Road."

VI. New Monsters

Pyro Hypostasis

◇ Elemental creatures who protect themselves from incoming attack with their durable shell.

Has two states: Ignited and Extinguished. Extinguishing it with the right elemental reactions will give you an opportunity to strike.

Located at Kannazuka

Perpetual Mechanical Array

◇ A strange, alien machine.

They say that it is a war machine left behind by a nation that has already been destroyed. Composed of several different parts, it can adapt to its combat environment and employ a variety of attacks. It can even split and summon several different kinds of Ruin Sentinels.

Located at Narukami Island

Nobushi: Jintouban, Nobushi: Hitsukeban, Nobushi: Kikouban, Kairagi: Fiery Might, Kairagi: Dancing Thunder

◇ Samurai who have fallen into banditry.

They possess highly advanced martial art skills but use these well-honed skills for banditry, making them dangerous enemies.

Ruin Cruiser, Ruin Destroyer, Ruin Defender, Ruin Scout

◇ Various bizarrely-shaped machines that have taken different forms and functions.

Legend has it that they were war machines left behind by a nation that has now been destroyed. The design of these ruin machines has greater value in the study of biomimesis than the more common Ruin Guards.

Fatui - Mirror Maiden

◇ A Fatui mage from Snezhnaya who can command a Hydro Mirror in battle.

Willing to do anything to achieve their goals, they are the stark opposite of the dignity indicated by the title "Maiden." They definitely will not let their prey escape from the Hydro Mirror created from a Delusion.

In addition, monsters such as Electro Hilichurl Grenadier, Electro Samachurl, Crackling Axe Mitachurl, Electro Abyss Mage, Thunderhelm Lawachurl, and Electro Whopperflower have been added.

VII. Other Additions

● Gameplay

1. New Special Weapon Wish Mechanic — Epitomized Path

· Once you have charted a course towards your chosen weapon, you will obtain 1 Fate Point upon receiving a 5-star weapon that is not the one that you chose. You can obtain a maximum of 2 Fate Points.

· Once you have accumulated enough Fate Points, your next 5-star weapon will be the one you chose through "Epitomized Path."

· Your Fate Points will be reset upon obtaining an "Epitomized Path" weapon during this "Epitome Invocation."

· If you do not choose a weapon, wishes will not accumulate Fate Points.

· You can change or cancel your selection. This will reset your accumulated Fate Points.

· When this "Epitome Invocation" ends, your accumulated Fate Points will also be reset.

2. Adventurer Handbook - The Commission Quests: Region Selection feature has been added for commissions

3. New Gadgets:

Seed Dispensary: A special container obtained from Madame Ping. According to her, this dispensary has the power to "generate seeds"... That is to say, it can create the seeds of various plants according to their special traits, which can then be planted within the appropriate fields within your Serenitea Pot.

Red Feather Fan: Use this to increase Gliding Movement SPD by 30% for 30s.

Electroculus Resonance Stone: A stone that can be used in Inazuma to search for nearby Electroculi.

Electro Treasure Compass: A handy tool used to locate nearby chests in Inazuma.

Memento Lens: A mysterious lens. If you view small fox statues with this lens, you can find things that were not there before.

Mini Seelie: Viola: A memento from the Lost Riches event. Equip it to obtain a mini Seelie companion.

Artifact Strongbox: Gladiator's Finale, Artifact Strongbox: Wanderer's Troupe, Artifact Strongbox: Bloodstained Chivalry, Artifact Strongbox: Noblesse Oblige

4. New Crafting Bench Function - Mystic Offering

Consume a certain amount of 5-Star Artifacts to craft an Artifact Strongbox that contains a 5-Star Artifact

5. New Riches of the Realm and Creatures of the Realm added in the Realm Depot: Redeem the Furnishings "A Path of Value: Luxuriant Glebe," "A Path of Value: Orderly Meadow," "A Path of Value: Jade Field," "Sub-Space Waypoint" from the Riches of the Realm. Exchange seeds and other materials obtained through the Seed Dispensary from the Creatures of the Realm.

6. New Recipes:

○ Inazuma Shimura's: Egg Roll, Mixed Yakisoba, Miso Soup, Tonkotsu Ramen

○ Inazuma Kiminami Restaurant: Tuna Sushi, Tricolor Dango, Tri-Flavored Skewer

○ Street Food Stall: Dry-Braised Salted Fish

○ Complete the World Quest series "Gourmet Supremos" to obtain: Onigiri, Sashimi Platter, Sakura Tempura, and Crab Roe Kourayaki

○ Complete the World Quest "Gazing Three Thousand Miles Away" to obtain: Imported Poultry

○ Obtain the following from the Inazuma Reputation System: Konda Cuisine, Rice Cake Soup, and Butter Crab

○ Complete the Kamisato Ayaka Story Quest to obtain: Sakura Mochi

○ Kamisato Ayaka's specialty: Snow on the Hearth

○ Kaedehara Kazuha's specialty: All-Weather Beauty

○ Yoimiya's specialty: Summer Festival Fish

○ Sayu's specialty: Dizziness-Be-Gone no Jutsu Version 2.0

7. New Achievements such as "Mortal Travails: Series II," "Challenger: Series IV," "Meetings in Outrealm: Series II," "A Realm Beyond: Series III," "Inazuma: The Islands of Thunder and Eternity - Series I," and additions to the "Wonders of the World" category

8. New Namecards:

○ "Inazuma: Sacred Sakura": Reach Sacred Sakura's Favor Level 48 to obtain.

○ "Travel Notes: Grand Narukami Shrine": Reward obtained via the BP system.

○ "Kamisato Ayaka: Folding Fan": Reward for reaching Friendship Lv. 10 with Kamisato Ayaka

○ "Yoimiya: Auratus Spark": Reward for reaching Friendship Lv. 10 with Yoimiya

○ "Sayu: Muji-Muji Daruma": Reward for reaching Friendship Lv. 10 with Sayu

○ "Inazuma: Kamisato Crest": Reward for reaching Reputation Lv. 4 (Inazuma)

○ "Inazuma: Raiden Emblem": Reward for reaching Reputation Lv. 7 (Inazuma)

○ "Achievement: Gate": Reward for completing all achievements under "Meetings in Outrealm: Series II"

○ "Achievement: Traversal": Reward for completing all achievements under "Mortal Travails: Series II"

○ "Achievement: Stone Dragon": Reward for completing all achievements under "Challenger: Series IV"

○ "Achievement: Full Bloom": Reward for completing all achievements under "A Realm Beyond: Series III"

○ "Inazuma: Kujou Insignia": Reward for completing all achievements under "Inazuma: The Islands of Thunder and Eternity - Series I"

○ "Celebration: Wondrous Calculation": Obtained from the "Theater Mechanicus: Stage of Wonders" event

9. New Animals: Pale Red Crab, General Crab, Violet Ibis, Marrow Lizard, Crow, Kitsune, Bake-Danuki, Electro Crystalfly

10. New Materials:

○ Yumemiru Wood: Cut a Sakura Tree down to obtain

○ Maple Wood: Cut an Amur Maple down to obtain

○ Aralia Wood: Cut an Inazuman Cedar down to obtain

○ Otogi Wood: Cut a Otogi Tree down to obtain

11. Spiral Abyss:

Updated the monster lineup on Floors 9 – 12 of the Spiral Abyss.

Floor 9 Ley Line Disorder changed to:

• A Plasma Field will be generated at the edge of the challenge area once the challenge begins. While within the field, characters will be hit by a lightning strike once every 5s and take Electro DMG. The area covered by the field will gradually expand as the challenge proceeds.

Floor 10 Ley Line Disorder changed to:

• There will be a Leader amongst the opponents present in each challenge on this floor. Its Attendants will also be present to provide it with enhancements and protection. Each Attendant will increase the Leader's Element RES and Physical RES by 10%. The Attendants will restore the Leader's HP every 12s, with each Attendant restoring 5% HP. When there are no Attendants, the Leader will not have any of the above enhancement and restoration effects.

Floor 11 Ley Line Disorders changed to:

• Pyro DMG dealt by all party members increased by 60%.

• Cryo DMG dealt by all party members increased by 60%.

Floor 12 Ley Line Disorders changed to:

• Energy Tides are present in this challenge. They will switch between Elemental High Tide and Elemental Low Tide in 10s cycles.

• During High Tide, a large amount of Elemental Particles will be generated when a character's attack hits opponents, restoring 10 Elemental Energy. This effect can occur once every 2.8s.

• During Low Tide, all characters in the party cannot gain Elemental Energy.

Starting from the first time that the Lunar Phase refreshes after updating to Version 2.0, the three Lunar Phases will be as follows：

Phase 1: Shattering Moon

When an active character's Elemental Energy is fully charged, the DEF of opponents hit by the character's Normal, Charged or Plunging Attacks will be decreased by 7% for 10 seconds. Max 5 stacks. Each stack has an independent duration.

Phase 2: Brimful Moon

When an active character obtains an Elemental Orb or Elemental Particle, the character will unleash a shockwave that deals DMG to surrounding opponents. This kind of shockwave can be unleashed once every 4s.

Phase 3: Stalwart Moon

After unleashing an Elemental Burst, the ATK of every character in the party will be increased by 20% for 10s. Max 3 stacks. Each stack has an independent duration.

● Audio

1. Adds voice lines that will trigger when a character is at low HP.

2. Adds Japanese voice-over for some characters.

● Character

Adds new character combat voice-overs under characters' Profile > Voice-Over

● System

1. Adds some prompts for loading screens

2. Adds Barbara's outfit "Summertime Sparkle" to the Outfit Shop.

[Part 3 will be posted in a few minutes.]

#genshin impact #genshin impact updates #official #genshin impact news #genshin impact 2.0 #there's a part 3??? guess that's how you know this is a big one

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prettywordsyouleft · 4 years

Text

The Monsters Witch

Pairing: female reader x Sheol monsters x Choi Youngjae (ft. some of Got7)

World: King of Demons

Genre: demon au / witch au / fluff mostly

Warnings: set in hell, dark entities, death

A/N: Happy birthday to @smooshdelia ! I am so grateful that you and I became friends over King of Demons, and that you wrote the original Youngjae story in this world. However, I know how much you adore Smoosh and came up with this idea for you. I hope you enjoy it.

Word count: 4138

King of Demons series: Havoc // King of Demons // Unfathomable // Sacrifice // King of Demons: The Return // In The Night // Identity // Prophecy // Someone // The Devil Contained

“Me?”

“Yes, you,” Jackson confirmed, folding his arms across his chest. “You’re the only one suitable for the job.”

“How do you know?” you wondered, glancing at his right-hand woman hesitantly before directing your focus to the commander in front of you.

“You were once a witch, were you not?” he reminded and you shrugged.

His partner held your file and she began to read out your accolades and what saw of your fall to Sheol. Burned at the stake by the humans above after saving so many of them with your pure magic, you had arrived in a blind rage, wanting to do nothing for anyone ever again.

Yet with your time here, you found yourself unable to sit still. You had helped an ogre with a nasty fungal condition and had tended to an outbreak of the plague with some difficulty. You listened to the world around you and healed it from the wounds inflicted by the entities with no remorse for their actions.

You stood in front of monsters far larger than yourself and placated them from causing havoc and yet equally led a revolution asking for better rights for those who were placed in Sheol simply because the Gods above wouldn’t allow them in.

You, in every sense of the word, were still a witch.

A very good one, indeed.

Still, you didn’t go around announcing that of your powers. Which was why you were perplexed by Jackson’s request.

“The Devil signed off on this himself,” he continued, leaning back in his chair. “We need you to go to the fields. The animals are out of control without their master present.”

“When will he return?” you asked, and the pair merely stared at one another. You frowned. “Is Youngjae gone for good?”

“He’s playing hooky up above.”

“Earthside?” you questioned ignorantly, having never heard of a demon going beyond that before. Jackson smirked and pointed higher. You gasped. “How… wait, a demon can go to heaven and yet someone who did so much good cannot?!”

“It’s a messed up system,” the fellow female in the room mentioned and Jackson nodded grimly. “Don’t try and question it, you’ll never be able to understand that of the Gods’ will.”

“I decline,” you answered, stepping back from the desk between you and the Purgatory keepers. “I’m happy here.”

Leaning forward with surprise, Jackson then eyed you cautiously. “You won’t work with the animals?”

“No. I don’t have any interest in keeping animals.”

“But as a witch-”

“Am I?” you challenged, uncaring of what the file stated. This was precisely what you disliked about labels and expectations. You had given up the status of a witch when you were burned at the stake. The power remained within and you might have used it during your time here. But it was your own, not theirs to request use of as it pleased them.

You suddenly craved solidarity.

Somehow, you knew you could receive just that in the fields. No one dared enter there unless their master was present who kept the creatures mostly calm and harmonious. And even then, no one just boldly stepped foot into the grassy terrain. Creatures of Sheol weren’t all visible to the naked eye. The amount of grass snakes that had attacked the one-eyed beasts in the past had given sufficient warning to all to tread with caution.

Everyone was scared of the fields even the demon lords of this realm.

It was tempting to head there and avoid all expectations.

That would be stepping into what had been requested of you though. It was a double-edged sword and either way you would fall trap to something. Your annoyance of knowing where Youngjae had gone to turned you away from calming the spirits of the animals. It was unjust and frankly, downright abominable. You had no desire to make it to heaven yourself, having been punished by the very Gods for practising in good faith of healing the world that humans destroyed. Yet, you couldn’t agree with being punished either.

There was no place that fitted what you deserved in this realm.

But being away from other humans, entities and demons, well, that could at least be a start. You groaned, your mind had convinced your annoyance to simmer down.

“I will work with the animals,” you announced, receiving smiles from both of them. “However, once their master returns, I shall not be expected to come back here or work with anything else unless I choose to.”

“I can agree to that,” Jackson replied, holding out his hand. “May you find peace within the fields.”

It was anything than peaceful when you arrived in Youngjae’s domain. The stables were in an uproar of noise and damage. Those who had yet to break free were working loudly on doing so, kicking at their stall doors angrily. Others roamed around and got into everything. Feed was sprawled across the aisle with strewn buckets and equipment leading to the other end, where a dark demon horse was pawing at the ground and snorting wildly.

Of course, you leapt into immediate action. You asked the homunculus in the form of a shaggy wolf to lend you its paw, closing your eyes to heal it from the pain of attacking a stall to release the chandelier horned deer. You moved onto the next area, opening doors so the agitated animals could be free. And you continued until you reached the spirited demon horse, lifting your hand to its neck.

“Calm down, my friend.”

It whinnied nervously, trying to rear up in front of you to scare you off. You smiled softly. “It’s okay. I know, your master was wrong for leaving you here. How can you all cope without him?”

Another spirited snort left the beast, though it kept its feet upon the ground. You patted its neck gently, nodding in answer. “I’m here. Please, be calm now.”

Within two days you managed to have the distressed animals listening to you at least. And by the end of a week, you had tidied most of the stables and that of your housing. Youngjae had evidently left in a hurry, even the morning dishes from his last meal were left unattended in the sink. You wondered what was so special about his trip to heaven with a grumble as you tackled the mess.

Although you hadn’t met the Monster Keeper, you certainly had heard enough about him. Some said the boom of noise that filtered down from the mountains of Purgatory were that of his laughter. Others depicted him as the kindest demon here yet there were the group of entities who were adamant that he was wickeder than any of the ruling demons of this place. You hadn’t chosen what to believe in until now. You decided anyone who could leave his creatures to struggle as badly as they had were either extremely cruel or given no choice. Either way, his belongings left a sour taste in your mouth and every time a creature wailed for his return, it added to your resolve that you wouldn’t ever like the man.

After six months of treating the animals, they were mostly harmonious. There was an elephant who would sometimes scream and stampede through the freshly planted vegetable garden you had made or trod down the wildflowers you had willed to grow to bring warmth to the fields. A griffin would also swoop down, pick you up and carry you far away just to drop you off in strange places that you had to trudge all the way back to the stables.

And today, that had happened again. “Seriously! Must we go on these adventures so often now?!”

The mythical creature merely cried victoriously as he flew through the skies, diving through the forest that edged the fields for the first time. You gasped, seeing so many hidden spots to cultivate your potions in that the monsters couldn’t disturb. And then, just as the griffin went to turn around, you spotted something unmistakably white and rare. Struggling in the hold upon your shoulders, the creature whined and let you go, much higher up than usual. The speed in which you fell at was also faster and you struggled to use your magic to land neatly, crumpling onto the forest floor with a thud.

Disorientated, you rubbed at your aches from your undesirable landing before remembering why you had fussed about. Springing up, you dashed through the scrub and trees towards the area you had seen from above.

Much as you hadn’t met the Monster Keeper, you had yet to lay your eyes on the large, hairy, white monster that was always talked about at his side. Slowing when you reached the spot you had seen him in, you guarded yourself as you climbed up to the ledge he was resting upon. The creature was asleep and you didn’t dare step into his space. Up close he was much larger than you had anticipated from in the skies. He didn’t look all that friendly either.

Still, you cleared your throat and the beast stirred awake, glowing blue eyes watching you carefully. “Smoosh?”

He growled loudly, climbing up from his slumbering position and glared at you. You sensed his grief produced the anger displayed and nodded, standing your ground. “It’s okay, I won’t come any closer.”

Smoosh huffed and flopped back down, however, he kept his eyes on you. Sitting down, you stretched your legs out in front of yourself. “Oh, the tree snagged at my skin.”

Placing a hand over your wound, you closed your eyes and relied on your powers to heal it. Smoosh was entirely fascinated by your gift and you giggled when you were finished which startled him.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten you. You’re really cute, you know.” Smoosh grumbled and turned away from you petulantly. Laughing, you leaned back on your elbows. “Do you not like being called cute? I heard that there was a prophecy that one day a human would call Lucifer himself adorable. Can you imagine that?! Our leader would shrivel up and smite her I’m sure. Or maybe he’ll fall in love. We really can’t count on knowing what will happen, right? Just like with Youngjae leaving. I bet you weren’t expecting that.”

Smoosh glanced over his shoulder and then dropped his head miserably. “I bet he misses you too, wherever he is. I’m sure he’ll come back for you. Why don’t you come and wait with me up in the fields? I’m sure you’re hungry too. There’s nothing apart from trees in here.”

For a moment, you thought Smoosh was going to get up. Instead, he curled up further, ignoring your offer as he cried himself back to sleep.

Smoosh continued to ignore your offers for an entire year. Still, you made the effort to go and see him often, taking food with you for him as well. At first, the trek was made difficult. However, you had befriended the demon horse, who graciously allow you to ride her into the forest for you to deliver the food.

Time soon grew irrelevant. Most of the animals now looked to you as their leader and you felt as if you had gained many friends within this part of Sheol. You woke in the mornings with vigour, chatting with all the stabled monsters as you fed them breakfast. And then you went about your day, harvesting your magically grown fruits, vegetables and potions. And when you were done with your chores, you would climb aboard Mystic, as you had named her, and gallop into the forest with the food you had cultivated especially for Smoosh.

Although he was still reluctant to leave the forest, he was always waiting for your arrival, this stumpy tail wagging excitedly. You thanked Mystic for the ride and offered her an apple before climbing up to where Smoosh was bouncing around animatedly.

You giggled. “Careful! If you’re too loud, you’ll cause another sonic boom.”

He tried his best to calm down, though the oversized monster couldn’t quite manage it either, bounding up to you as soon as you were on the ledge and licking your left side happily.

“Good to see you too!” you mentioned, reaching into your bag for the food you had transported. You then held up a hand and gave Smoosh a warning look. He rolled his eyes and stamped his front foot before plomping his butt down. “Well done. Now let me just size this up for you.”

With an incantation chanted whilst your hands hovered over the food, you watched as it tripled in size, a perfect feast for someone the size of Smoosh. He barely waited for you to step back before diving in, making a mess everywhere.

You loved that he was this messy and free.

And when he was done, you curled up in his fur, taking a nap with him until the night arrived. Staring up at the moon, you sighed.

“I was a child of the moon. Until moving here, I hadn’t seen night or day once in Purgatory. Sheol is very special, don’t you think? Every part of this place is different from the next.”

Smoosh hummed in response, lethargic after his dinner. You held up your hand to the sky and made a circle around the moon with your index finger and thumb. Smiling after capturing it in your grasp, you then buried yourself into Smoosh.

“I know you still miss him. I wish you would come down to the house with me. You’d be happier there.”

The monster snorted and you patted his fur. “Seriously. Everyone loves me.”

Mystic let out a long-winded whinny and Smoosh chuckled. You sat up and looked between the two creatures. “Don’t lie! So Griffin still wants to get rid of me and Phantom trod on my cornfield but listen! We’re all happy, are we not?! Who needs a Monster Keeper when you have me, a Great Witch!”

A gush of wind enveloped you then, and you blinked at how it picked you up, levitating you in the air. Mystic grew nervous and Smoosh tried to swat you back down. You laughed then, rolling around in the air.

“Did you hear me, Smoosh?! I’m a witch!” you exclaimed, the wind spiralling you around until you were laughing with enjoyment. “Mystic, let’s race!”

You controlled the wind and dove down towards the ground, flying through the forest. You grinned when you heard energetic hooves thundering along behind you. Dashing out into the fields, you laughed victoriously when Mystic arrived after you, her annoyance displayed in a large playful rear. Flying around her, you played with her some more until you saw a tree fall down.

Smoosh running towards you both. “Smoosh!”

Colliding into his fur fondly, you were filled with joy at his first venture away from the forest. “I’m so happy for you, you adorable giant polar bear!”

Smoosh growled and stamped his foot at your affection, though his tail was moving too fast to hide his satisfaction.

And then Mystic’s distress call ended all the happiness within you.

Looking at the stables in the distance, you sensed it as well.

Your monsters, they were falling ill.

One by one.

“I demand a meeting with the Devil.”

The Gatekeeper looked you over and then groaned. “You’re not here for me?”

“Why would I come for someone I’ve never met?” you answered curtly and the demon shrugged.

“Love at first sight is a thing. Haven’t you heard of the human that caused chaos upon our Leader’s heart?”

You groaned impatiently, forming fists with your hands. “Do I have time to talk about humans right now?! The monsters are dying!”

When you had arrived back the stables, you had already found the chandelier deer down and laboured with breathing. She passed first, and no matter what you tried, you couldn’t revive her.

When the sun rose the following morning, you were fighting to keep three newly fallen monsters alive. They passed by the end of the day.

And when you found Griffin unable to fly the following morning, you had entrusted the care of the monsters to Smoosh and Mystic before flying to the Gatekeeper.

“The monsters are dying?” he repeated, his smile of daggers erasing. “But why?!”

“I don’t know and so I must talk with the Devil! Surely he can help them!”

“I cannot,” a new voice announced and you spun around to find your Overlord standing beside you both. He glanced at the fellow demon and nodded. “Allow her in, BamBam.”

Once taken up to the Devil’s office, you leaned forward with haste. “What do you mean you cannot do anything?! This is your realm!”

“It’s my fault,” he started, rubbing at his face. “I was greedy and now the Gods are punishing this world.”

“For what?!”

“For loving someone I shouldn’t,” he answered sadly, looking towards a portrait of a woman on his wall. He then turned back to you. “It’s not just one part of Sheol that’s affected. My love did too much good for this place. As have you. Which is why I believe the monsters were the first to be affected.”

“This is absolutely absurd! They’ve done nothing wrong! What is wrong with all of you? And where is Youngjae?!”

“He will return soon. The havoc being caused up above will filter down here rather quickly. Please feel assured by this.”

“I won’t feel anything until the animals I care for are back to full health.” Getting up, you glared at the ceiling of the ornate room. “If another single monster falls ill or dies, I don’t know what I’ll do, but I will do something major.”

“Please take this, Witch.”

You glanced at the large vial of indigo liquid. He smiled gently. “It is my blood. If this does not work to save those who have fallen, I have no ideas left.”

Thanking him for the offering, you hurried back to the fields, where Griffin was barely holding on. Taking up a spoon, you poured the glistening purple blood onto it before guiding it into Griffin’s mouth.

Calling upon your inner magic, you summoned your best source of protection and layered it around him.

And then you waited.

You awoke to a shove and a whine from Smoosh. Blearily glancing around, you looked to where Griffin had been resting. The straw bed was empty and you leapt up, searching the stables for him.

A swoosh of air from above when you stepped outside alerted you to look up. Tears ran down your cheeks. “Griffin! You’re alive!”

The mythical creature landed gracefully, raising a talon towards you as he roared cheerfully. Diving into his feathered chest, you cried with relief.

“The Demon King will save you all!”

It was an exhausting period, but the monsters soon stopped dying off. With your powers and the blood gifted to you by the Devil, you managed to endure the hardships thrust upon you all.

You felt as if you would need a long vacation when all this was over.

Before you could settle back into any routine you once held, however, the fields were shaken once again.

You knew a demon was walking into these lands before you even left the house. By the time you had thrown your shawl around your nightgown and stepped outside, you could see the figure was close enough to see you. He paused, though that could be due to the way the homunculus wolf ran to him and howled at his reappearance. The animals, one by one ventured towards the return of their Almighty and you couldn’t help but smile with how bright the field became with light.

You knew you were only a substitute for their true master.

However, Mystic and Smoosh remained at your side, not rushing forward like the rest of them. You glanced at them both and laugh. “Go on! You’ve missed him too!”

Smoosh shook his head and grew broody, turning back for the stables. And Mystic merely snorted before following her close friend.

The demon stopped before you and bowed. “I hear you are the witch who cared for my animals.”

“Well someone had to mend all their broken hearts,” you answered without much thought, the demon growing perplexed for a moment.

And then his laughter boomed around the area. “They told me to be wary of you.”

“How so?”

“A feisty, strong and righteous witch wandered into my fields and strengthened my monsters.”

“I’d hardly say I wandered in.”

“And yet my monsters are stronger.”

“Perhaps that is because of the food I’ve cultivated for them.”

The demon nodded. “They glisten. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” you replied with some surprise laced within your tone.

You blinked. When he first spoke to you, you felt nothing but contempt towards the entity. And now, with his honest compliment, you were easing in mind and heart.

He cleared his throat. “I am saddened that my Smoosh has yet to greet me. What have you done to him?”

Your annoyance instantly returned. “Why, I’ve done nothing but show him appreciation! He was the most broken-spirited of them all with you gone.”

“He’s a tough boy. I bet he was playing you.”

“Honestly!” you exclaimed, marching after the demon now heading into the stables. Mystic stood in the aisle eyeing you both before stomping her hooves impatiently. The demon raced down to the stall where Smoosh was and let out a wail.

“What is wrong with you, my boy?!”

“Absolutely nothing is-” Your sentence cut short when you found Smoosh labouring his breath. For a second, you panicked and gasped when you realised you were out of the Devil’s blood supply. And then you looked at the hairy creature, narrowing your gaze.

“I cannot believe you, Smoosh!” you cried, stepping into the stall and placing your hands on your hips. “Get up now.”

Smoosh let out a dramatic wail and the demon pushed you aside. “Get away!”

“He is playing you, can you not sense it?!” you told him exasperatedly though he ignored you and began to examine his friend. “Youngjae!”

“Dearest Witch, we are not on a first-name basis as of yet. Especially if there is something wrong here.”

You stared at both males incredulously, turning to Mystic who you were certain shrugged in response. Letting out a loud scoff, and twirling your finger in the air to prove the game at hand, you then stormed out of the stables.

Mystic followed you out into the middle of the field and nudged you softly. “Men! They’re awful! He barely thanks me before blaming me for hurting his beloved overgrown snowball! And then Smoosh! Ohhhh I could kill them both!”

Mystic whinnied in agreement, pacing alongside you. Glancing at your equine friend, you nodded determinedly. “You’ll be at my side no matter what, won’t you Mystic? Let’s set up our own place here in the fields away from the others. Just you and me and whoever wants to enjoy our company. What do you say?!”

“I’d be gravely disappointed if you did that,” a voice interjected and you spun to see the demon standing there, shooting a look at the guilty monster trailing behind him. “I’m Youngjae and you are?”

“A witch!”

“The finest witch I’ve ever met.”

“Yes, well, I tried my best. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have plans.”

“To come back with us, I hope. I can tell Smoosh is very fond of you.”

“Not fond enough to not play dirty tactics as soon as his master is home, apparently.” Smoosh whined apologetically at your answer and you let out a huff of air.

Youngjae stepped closer. “Please, a name.”

“Why?”

“Well, I must know of the person who will be spending her existence here with me and my animals, after all. I was instructed by Jackson that he must keep his word in allowing you permanent residence here.”

A small smile crossed your lips at the honourable commander’s mentioning. “And will you allow it?”

“I have no choice otherwise,” Youngjae admitted. “You see, even if I were to say no, I can tell more than half the animals would cause an outcry. Especially these two.”

Both Mystic and Smoosh nodded in agreement.

“I can stay?”

“If you will give me your name. It’s all I ask of you.”

“Just a name?” you echoed and Youngjae nodded.

“Oh, and that of your tales. It’s been some decades since I was here. So much has changed. Flowers growing everywhere!”

You grinned.

Although you were happy to have no humans or entities trouble you within these fields, you were strangely excited for the return of Youngjae. You realised there was a whole series of tales you could tell him.

And before you launched into your first one, you smiled up at the demon before you and uttered out your name.

_________________

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writings-of-a-daphodil · 4 years

Text

Fire Keeper: Chapter 2

Douxie x fem reader

Series Summary: You are Jim's older sister who is taking a break from college and has moved back home to Arcadia. You end up joining Jim and his friends on their adventures.

Masterlist in bio!

Chapter 1: https://writings-of-a-daphodil.tumblr.com/post/626769179653046272/fire-keeper-chapter-1

Chapter 2 summary: You get to see Trollmarket and meet Vendel.

"Hey Douxie," You said smiling at him as he walked past you. Another day of work was coming to a close and you were excited to go home and talk to Jim. You hadn't had the chance earlier with Blinky and Aaarrrgghh's vist and the near miss with your mom coming home. Then it was a school day so you didn't see each other that morning because he left early. Now was the perfect time to talk, your mom was at the clinic and it would be just the two of you.

You had to admit you were worried and scared along with excited. Not only was Jim apparently chosen to be some kind of superhero, but you apparently had some kind of magic. Or at least you were pretty sure you had magic, you weren't an expert or anything.

You were about to open the door to exit the bistro, this time checking where you were going, when Douxie called out to you, "Hey Y/n, do you have a second?"

You turned around. "Yeah, what's up."

"I was wondering, do you like books?"

"Yes..."

"Well, I work at a bookstore and some new books came in if you want to check them out." He smiled at you charmingly and handed you a business card that said GDT Arcane Books.

"I'll have to check it out some time," you said, turning around to leave.

"See you soon Y/n." You grinned as you stepped outside and you felt your heart was beating oddly. You had to admit that you felt excited and giddy over yours and Douxie's conversation. You took a deep breath and tried not to let it go to your head as you started walking towards your car. Douxie was known as a bit of a flirt.

It was a bit of a long walk to your car. You had to park far away today, traffic sucked and the construction wasn't making it any better.

You turned the corner and crossed the street, something felt off and you were eager to see Jim. You smiled politely at the workers as you speed walked away. You began to get out your keys when you heard Jim call your name.

You looked up to see your little brother and Toby on their bikes. "Hey guys, how was school?"

"Jim had to try out for Romeo and Juliet because the amulet activated," Toby explained and you laughed.

"Did you at least get the part?" You asked jokingly. "I don't know, but I'll tell you all about it at home," Jim said. Then he sighed. "I don't know how I'll find the time to do that and the troll hunting thing too."

"Toby and I have your back Jim." You gave your brother a reassuring pat.

"That's right Jimbo," Toby affirmed.

"So what distressed you so much that your amulet reacted?" You asked, backing towards your car.

"That's just it I wasn't distressed back at school," Jim explained.

You opened your mouth to answer, but a thud stopped you. The three of you turned your attention to see whatever it was and found a gigantic black troll standing up the street. It let out a loud roar.

"But I'm in distress now!" Jim yelled hopping onto his bike.

"Trollhunter, Merlin's Creation, Gunmar's bane!" The black troll called out and you realized that this was the troll, Bular, Blinky had mentioned. You shuddered, he was much more terrifying than you imagined.

The three of you stood there frozen until Toby spoke up, "I think he's talking to you Jimbo."

Bular roared again and tried to charge at the three of you, but stopped short. He fidgeted in the shade, growling.

"He's afraid of the sun!" Jim said, sounding slightly relieved.

"Not for long," Toby said, his voice filled with worry.

"The amulet! Surrender it, and I will give you a speedy death!" Bular yelled, creeping closer as the sun began to set. Jim looked back at you and saw your determined face.

"Y/n, get in your car and drive, find Blinky and Aarrrgghh! Toby, go with her!"

"I am not leaving you Jim," you protested.

"Yeah, Jimbo, neither am I. And there is no way I am leaving my bike here," Toby added.

"Fine, but Y/n go find the trolls and meet us at the bridge."

"This goes against all my big sister instincts,” you sighed, “but I'll go. But only so I can get Aaarrrgghh so he can fight that thing. Stay safe!"

You quickly got in your car and drove away towards the bridge. You didn't really know where you would find Blinky and Aaarrrgghh, but home sounded like your best bet. They were there yesterday after all, why wouldn't they come again after dropping that stuff on your brother?

You made a sharp turn onto your street and another one onto your driveway. You barely had time to take the key out of the ignition before you were out of the car and locking it. The sun was almost gone but still high enough to burn the trolls so you sprinted towards the cover of the woods.

"Blinky!? Aaarrrgghh!?" You whisper-shouted their names over and over again until you felt someone tap on your shoulder. You held in a scream as you whirled around to see Aaarrrgghh standing behind you.

“Hi,” he said in his calming voice and you smiled. Now that you had found the trolls the three of you could help Jim and Toby.

“Oh thank goodness I found you. We’ve got a situation. Bular is chasing Jim and Toby, we need to meet them by the bridge.

“Ah, let us go help them then,” Blinky said, turning to run. You broke into a steady jog as you followed them.

The three of you raced to go help your little brother and fear gripped you. It was obvious that Jim was strong, but you were still worried.

Just as you broke out of some trees Jim and Toby rode up on their bikes.

“Master Jim!” Blinky laughed excitedly and you took a deep breath in relief. Jim and Toby were safe.

“Did you tell them what happened?” Jim asked, trying to catch his breath.

“Yeah,” you replied, doing the same. You took a few more breaths and all you could think of was how grateful you were that they were safe.

“Look at you, you're still alive. I knew you had potential Master Jim,” Blinky said, smiling wide. He seemed genuinely proud of Jim and you found yourself growing to like and respect the troll a bit more.

“You have a sweet voice, but you bring death with you!” Toby accused as he still tried to catch his breath. You realized that while your brother and his friend were here and alive, they hadn’t exactly lost Bular.

“You can fight him, right?” Jim asked, exasperated and you had to agree you were begging in to feel the same.

“I could not hope to possess the skill to defeat Bular,” Blinky said.

“What about him? He’s big,” Toby asked and I nodded,” Aaarrrgghh could help.

“Pacifist,” was all Aaarrrgghh said and you sighed, but you had to respect his choice.

“What a waste of a hulking brute,” Toby mumbled and you laughed.

“Thanks,” Aaarrrgghh responded.

Nobody else was able to say anything as Bular once again showed and let out a roar.

“We’ll be safe in Trollmarket!” Blinky yelled, leading the way. The three of you began sprinting while Jim and Toby began peddling. You put all your energy into running and getting away from Bular. As you went through the streets in an attempt to get to the forest Toby’s bike hit something and he fell. Thankfully Aaarrrgghh caught him and you were able to get on your way.

You made it to the canal and the four of you minus Jim went under the bridge. Panic gripped you again as you saw Jim just barely get his armor on and fly into the canal.

Bular began calling out threats that chilled you to the bone because you knew if he got the chance he would go through with them.

They began fighting and you took a few steps towards him. If you could activate your magic then maybe you could help Jim.

Aaarrrgghh grabbed your arm, “No.”

“But I can help him!” You protested and your hands began glowing the same bright orange color as the other day. You held them out in front of you and the same fiery blast rippled out of your hands and nearly hit Bular. It fortunately distracted Bular, but it unfortunately distracted Jim as well, gaining him no advantage.

“What was that? How did fire come out of her hands?” Toby asked, shocked.

“That, Tobias was unpracticed magic which is also why Ms. Lake should not be allowed to fight. You might accidentally hurt Master Jim,” Blinky explained.

“Fine,” you relented, stepping inside the barrier which was quickly closing.

“Jim!” you called out to him right as the barrier closed. Panic gripped you, he was almost inside.

Blinky and Aaarrrgghh reacted, though. You and Toby watched in nervous fear as the two trolls did something and were able to pull Jim inside the barrier. It all happened in a matter of seconds, but your nerves were still fried.

“Oh Jim, you’re okay!” you exclaimed pulling him and Toby into a quick group hug.

The five of you began walking down the gigantic and gorgeous crystal staircase. You marveled at the blue and purple beauties as Blinky and Aaarrrgghh explained things.

If you had thought the staircase was gorgeous, you were blown away by the beauty of Trollmarket.

There were hundreds, maybe thousands of gemstones, all in different, spectacular, colors. It was the most beautiful place you had seen.

Blinky and Aaarrrgghh began leading you through the Trollmarket and you were amazed by all the different trolls there and their diversity. Just from glimpses at their lives you could see that they had a rich culture and possibly an even richer history.

The two trolls brought you three to a sort of balcony that overlooked a chasm and beyond it an island that held the largest gemstone you had ever seen. It was spectacular. The orange color was the same as your magic and you felt a connection to the gemstone, or the Heartstone as Blinky and Aaarrrgghh called it. The name Heartstone Trollmarket now made sense to you.

After a confrontation with a blue troll named Draal—who kind of reminded you of a cross between a gemstone, reindeer, and a hedgehog—the five of you continued on your tour through the market, arriving at The Hero’s Forge.

Eventually your tour was interrupted by Vendel, who was apparently the elder troll. You laughed as he grilled Toby about being the Trollhunter, but stopped when Jim stepped forward with the amulet.

Vendal and Blinky began to argue and Vendel expressed his unhappiness that Jim was the Trollhunter and though you wanted to protest, you held your tongue when Aaarrrgghh gently shook his head at you.

You almost ignored his advice when Vendel ordered Jim to use something called the Soothcryer. When Jim’s test was declared inconclusive you decided that enough was enough and no one would speak to your little brother like that.

“Pardon, but just because your test is ‘inconclusive,’ doesn’t mean that Jim is any less of a Trollhunter and it also doesn’t mean that Blinky is any less of a trainer for believing in him.” You glared at Vendel and unclenched your fists which you realized were glowing.

“Hmm, who are you?” He asked

“Y/n Lake, Jim’s older sister.” You said, continuing to glare.

“So the Trollhunter’s sister is a sorceress, very interesting. If you have a minute I would like to speak with you privately,” Vendel said, walking away.

“You should go speak with him, Ms. Lake. Vendel is a very knowledgeable troll when it comes to magicks and perhaps you will learn something,” Blinky advised and you nodded.

“Blinky right. Vendel smart,” Aaarrrgghh said.

“Thank you, both of you,” you said to the two trolls.

“You are most certainly welcome,” Blinky said.

“Welcome,” Aaarrrgghh added and you smiled.

You turned to Jim and Toby. “I’ll be home soon. Watch each other’s back and stay safe.”

“Bye Y/n, go learn some magic stuff,” Jim said, giving you a quick hug.

“Bye.” You turned to follow Vendel into the next chapter of your life.

*****

Here is Chapter 2. I'm really excited to write this and see where it goes. I hope y'all like it and are doing well/staying safe! Chapter three should be out by either Friday or Saturday. :)

Chapter 3: https://writings-of-a-daphodil.tumblr.com/post/627127268120117248/fire-keeper-chapter-3

#douxie x reader #douxie imagine #toa douxie #wizards douxie #douxie #toa #toa imagine #tales of arcadia #tales of arcadia imagine #wizards #wizards imagine #trollhunters #trollhunters imagine

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vesperlionheart · 4 years

Text

Vesper’s Quarantine ‘Finished’ Reading List

If you’re stuck indoors and feeling anxious sometimes the best thing is to drown your brain in distractions until you’re able to function again. Thus, I’ve put together a list of Sakura centric stories to entertain you. There’s a lot of shameless self promo here, fair warning, but it’s my blog and my blogpost so that’s where we’re gonna start. Some of my favorite fic are ones still being updated but this list includes only stories marked as [complete].

[Finished personal fic]

Obelisk: Kingdom of Man By: VesperChan 'She could swear she smelt sulfur when she exhaled. Nothing good ever came from boys who smelled like sulfur.' An ancient Egyptian curse and a world of dreams opens Sakura up to a life devoid of safety. In the darkness her nightmares bow themselves to her. In the morning they feast on her heart. AU SakuraMany Obelisk: Kingdom of Beasts By: VesperChan One Kingdom down, three to go. Carrying the scars on her heart, Sakura must brave the dreams again as this time, there are more sinister things then men waiting for her when she goes to sleep. The wolves have come to feast and her body will know their teeth. AU SakuraMany Obelisk: Kingdom of Monsters By: VesperChan More than halfway through the curse, Sakura's nightmares hold nothing back as fangs and spells seek to drag her down and bury her with the dead. Monsters have come at least to feast on what is left of her bones and devour her wounded heart. Beyond the scars and bloodshed, her soul is beginning to fade under the dim lights of another enchanted speakeasy and ruby eyes. AU SakuraMany Obelisk: Kingdom of Gods By: VesperChan Entering the final kingdom, Sakura stands atop a castle of sand to face down the gods who first orchestrated the curse and began the bloody tradition of collecting human souls in a little black obelisk. Gladiators, Egyptian gods, and blood thirsty pharaohs paint a vivid picture on the inside of her mind as she sleeps, dreams, and struggles once again. AU SakuraMany Total word count for Obelisk series: 565,292 (just over half a million words)

RED KING By: VesperChan In the wild country where it never snows but always freezes, the Red King marches his armies against the White Tsar. That is why Sakura is swept away from the lonely streets and the empty barracks into a car with a bastard prince and a promise of redemption, but if only she can face the demons that chased her in the first place and be what the king needs in his war. SakuraCentric

Touken Revolution by Vesperchan (rated E) Sakura, a sword smith, is nearly killed for what she really is: a sage, one who can animate weapons into warriors and give bodies to the souls she hears inside swords. Now a refugee in the land of Kiri she's building an army because it's her only hope for survival and maybe even happiness. SakuraKiri Sakura centric

Things We Lost in the Fire By: VesperChan Years later, living alone in the woods with half a dozen dogs, questionable reading material, and crippling non-attachment issues, Sakura realizes she has turned into her teacher. Agebent Sakura Sensei ShiSaku

Jealous gods by Vesperchan When a coup takes the lives of the king and the rest of the royal family, Sakura, the sole surviver, escapes to the edge of the world with Kakashi to strike a bargain with an old god. Her worship in exchange for his power. She's warned he's a dark and jealous god, but that's not enough to sway her. ItaSaku Kakasaku darkItachi AU

Lindworm & the Tam Lin Love a Changling by Vesperchan Sakura travels as a curse breaker across the land, doing what she can to put some peace back into the world. She doesn't think much of it when she breaks the curse on a lesser dragon or a fae knight, but maybe she should have. MadaSaku, HashiSaku Poly

A Confluence of Stars by Vesperchan (my WitcherAU) With the war over between two princedoms, Sakura, a sniper, returns home to celebrate Confluence with her grandmother, the local Story Keeper. She had expected it to be nothing more than just another celebration when the star rivers overlapped and the poor people partied. But, along with the rest of the world, Sakura soon realizes that Confluence did more than just give people a reason to celebrate. A wicked new world filled with monsters and magic straight from Baba's tales spills into theirs, and Sakura is forced to turn to her rifle and her stories to make sense of it. Sakuracentric

Sugarplum by Vesperchan "They will use you up, and love you all the while, until there is nothing left of the girl you used to be." Sakura had been a chosen one, once upon a time, but that was years ago, and all the magic has left her. Still, the world calls her back and she has a new role in supporting the next girl savior many years her junior. ItaSakuSaso

Stag by Vesperchan He was a wizard with a tower and a set of rules he should never break. Sakura was a girl with just a bit of budding magic he decides he can't ignore. Some things were made to be broken. TobiSaku

[Finished general fic list]

Hollow Point by Sariasprincy @sariasprincy Arms dealing is her trade, but young and in a man's world, it takes a criminal mastermind to play with the big dogs without getting bit. TobiSaku/ItaSaku. Crime!AU. Rated M for mentions of adult themes.

Where it Happened also by @sariasprincye He was the new head of Cardio and her new boss, and though she thought him a little full of himself, it seemed there was more to the famed Uchiha Itachi than he led on. Not that she could claim her life was that uncomplicated as well. ItaSaku. Modern AU. Grey's Anatomy AU. Rated M for mentions of adult themes.

Nightmare in Red by @sariasprincy Haruno Sakura used to think the eyes were the windows to the soul, but after witnessing the horrors of the Sharingan firsthand, she's convinced they are the doors. ItaSaku. Nonmass. Rated T

Blurred Lines by @sariasprincyHe was an international criminal. She was a federal agent. And she wanted nothing more than to arrest him - or shoot him - if only he would stop providing her leads to more desirable criminals first. MadaSaku. Rated T.

The Man in Black A man in black haunts her hospital. But what does he want and why is it that Sakura is the only one that can see him? ItaSaku. Modern Myth AU. Death AU

The Choices We Make by @sariasprincyHe was the Head of the Uchiha Clan and she the fearless discipline of the Hokage, but how the hell was she supposed to find the strength to tell him she was pregnant? MadaSaku. Rated M for mentions of adult themes.

halcyon days by jaylene @thefreckledone Sakura sees dead people. Well, two dead people to be exact. Everything changes. Sakura-centric. Indra/Sakura/Ashura.

hands like houses by @thefreckledone Sakura finds herself trapped in the past and discovers a new family along the way, however unwilling she may be. Time travel. Fix-it fic. Sakura-centric.

Borage by @thefreckledone Sakura is in search for answers. What she finds doesn't please her.

Forest Fire by Moor @kendochick-moor Mod AU. Sasu x Saku x Ita. A small spark can launch a forest fire.

Forest Fire II by Moor @kendochick-moor Sequel to "Forest Fire". University AU. Sasu X Saku X Ita. After Sasuke inexplicably broke up with her when he leaves for Oto, Sakura throws herself into her school and social life. Friends like Ino, and surprisingly Itachi, are there to help her along the way. Meanwhile another threat, in the form of unbalanced Uchiha Madara, stalks her, ever nearer.

Tipsy series by Moor @kendochick-moor Mod AU. MadaSaku. The 1-5 part of the "5 Drunkfics" prompts. (Rated 'M' for language & themes)

Akatsuki Sakura AU by moor DeiSaku, ItaSaku. Konoha-verse AU. Akatsuki Sakura AU. Raised by Uchiha Madara as part of the Akatsuki, Sakura is sent to infiltrate Konoha's ranks. Things become complicated when she is promoted to a team with one of Konoha's most well-respected ANBU captains, Uchiha Itachi.

Soulmates by Moor - KakaSaku. Age-swap AU. Based on the "Soulmates" prompt from the October 2015 tumblr KakaSaku fest. Kakashi has a reputation as an enfant terrible; at least, until Sakura sensei takes him under her wing. Rated M for later chapters.

Fancy Footwork by silverfootsteps @silverfootstepswrites For Sakura, there's always been dreary days of schoolwork and unreliable people. Who knew a clumsy womanizer, an accidental pervert, a soft-hearted glutton, and an incredibly sexy virgin would light her life up like this? A friendship founded on dancing and the strange threat that tied them all together: "Fiji". AU

Equinox by silverfootsteps Sakura is half-siren, half-human, and 100% unprepared for what waits for her when she moves to a little seaside town. A place where calling someone a monster always receives the answer: "….well, duh". Monster AU. Multisaku.

Lullaby by Silverfootsteps Sakura is part-siren, part-human, and learning how to deal with a nest of lovable dorks. But nothing seems impossible in the sleepy little town of Old Pines, where magic hangs heavy in the air and a certain werewolf has learned to stop pissing everywhere. Sort of. Sequel to Equinox. Monster AU. Polysaku af.

Butterfly by silverfootsteps After winning her first and only Olympic gold, Haruno Sakura shocks the world by announcing her retirement from skating. When she returns to her little hometown of Konoha, she finds that not much has changed. The same old temples, the same old persimmon trees. Resigned to a quiet life, she settles in for what she hopes will be an uneventful retirement. Skating AU. Itasaku.

Five Kingdoms for the Dead by Evil Is A Relative Term After the Forest of Death, Sakura comes to realize that being weak is no longer an option. However, she finds that change is sometimes painful and that truth doesn't always come easy. Luckily, she'll have some help along the way.

Vertigo by Cynchick Sakura accepts the most critical and dangerous mission of her life, but the price of success may very well be her soul. When your entire world turns upside down, how do you keep from going under? DeiSaku.

An Indispensable Assistant by TayMor Professional. Intelligent. Intuitive. Haruno Sakura is the assistant every boss wants. She is smart, she is capable, and she is experienced. Operating with her own hard and fast rules, Sakura has one, very important personal rule. Never fall in love with your boss. However, being indispensable to Uchiha Itachi will put that rule under heavy duress. AU.

The Third Chance by TayMor reviewsJust because he died didn't mean he got to stay dead. The Rikudo Sennin reincarnates Uchiha Madara as his 26 year old self and he begins his third life broken, humiliated and full of despair. But things change as Madara finds himself competing against Sasuke for the attention of Konoha's favorite medic... MadaSakuSasu Set after the final battle and during the blank period.

Rainy Days by Wynth It took her a while before Sakura was convinced that she was once again in her twelve year old body, but by that time it was too late. •Time-Travel / AU•

Consequences of Saving a Life by BelleDayNight reviewsAt the end of the war, Neji is revived by Sakura. She has saved his life, now she is responsible for it. The Hyuga clan leader covets the power that Naruto and Sakura could bring the clan with unions with Hinata and Neji. Can they survive the politics of the noble clan? Naruto trains with Sasuke and Hanabi for CPE while Sakura and Neji embark on a mission together for the Daimyo.

Take It or Leave It by kc-archive Akatsuki & Sakura. After a moment of shock, Sakura realized that two fully grown, fully naked men were sitting squished uncomfortably together in her bathtub. (dubcon warning)

Till Death Due Us Apart by SpeedDemon315 Ever since he was gone, she never was the same. The world was warm and cheery while she was cold and dreary. She thought there was no hope left for her…or was there? Oneshot, character death [SasorixSakura]

Bringing Back What's Dead by SpeedDemon315 Sequel to Till Death Due Us Apart. She made a promise to herself to discover a way to revive him and have him finally see his son. What happens when your greatest enemy from the past is the only one who can grant your fondest wish? SakuraxSasori

Time Flies Like An Arrow by katlou303 Sakura traveled back in time with the intent of changing everything, but something went wrong, and now she's a four-year-old civilian having nightmares about impossible monsters and losing friends she has yet to meet.

Uneasy coexistence by DeGlace One grinning shark–man. One pink–haired medic. Ankles. Teeth. Kisame x Sakura. Yes, you read that right.

The Art of War by leafygirl Entry for the LJ Kakasaku AU contest. Sakura gets stuck following her teacher after a bet with her friends. But his mysterious life is nothing she ever expected.

Vespertine by Cynchick Two enemies strike a bargain to save what they both hold dear. He will reveal a truth that shakes her beliefs, drawing her into a web of lies and betrayal. She will offer the redemption for which he never hoped and show him how to be human again. ItaSaku.

Caught and Set Loose by Celtic Oak AU. On a mission, Sakura and her companions find themselves in the custody of the wildest clan of the East Province. Forced to accept their hospitality and a redheaded escort, the medic must make the best of her situation, wherever it leads her. GaaSaku.

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ezrinsprose-edda · 3 years

Text

The Sound of the Great Prose Edda

1. Erst was the age when nothing was: nor sand nor sea, nor chilling stream waves; Earth was not found, nor Ether-Heaven, -

A Yawning Gap, but grass was none (Sturluson 16).

What do you see? It is the endless black void, the absence of existence. In the beginning, there was the Yawning Void, otherwise known as the Ginnungagap in Old Norse. The song chosen for the start of the film is light and airy, yet empty as it has no lyrics. Only the sound of synth music and white noise fills your ears as you stare into the nothingness.

White Noiz - Akira Yamaoka

2. Out of the Ice-waves issued venom-drops, waxing until a giant was; Thence all our kindred come all together, -

So it is they are savage forever (Sturluson 18).

The foul race of Rime-Giants are born of venom and ice. Disdained by the gods, they are evil creatures. Now so powerful in their brute strength and numbers, their chaos will soon come to an end. The song chosen for the birth of the giants may sound as if it were from the perspective of the giants themselves as the chorus says, 'You see I cannot be forsaken because I am not the only one. We walk amongst you feeding, must we hide from everyone?' They gloat in their newfound power and use it to wreak havoc.

Forsaken - David Draiman

3. Untold ages ere earth was shapen, then was Bergelmir born; That first I recall -

How the famous wise giant on the deck of the ship was laid down (Sturluson 19).

The sons of the first man Borr slay Ymir the giant. Similar to the following song's title, Ymir's blood drowns the entire race of the Rime-Giants. The flood's only survivor is Begelmir, who boards a boat with his wife and continues the bloodline of the Rime-Giants. However, Ymir's violent death becomes the birth of a new universe. The following song's chorus is 'Bleed me an ocean, let me lie beneath the sky.' Just as Ymir lost his mortal form, his corpse becomes the foundation for the earth and heavens like the song's lyrics: 'I was sexless in clouds again, I was chasing a cold, cold wind. I've become bored with flesh and bone again.'

Bleed Me an Ocean - Acid Bath

4. Of Ymir's flesh, the earth was fashioned, of his sweat the sea; crags of his bones, trees of his hair -

And of his skull the sky (Sturluson 21).

The sons of Borr fashion Ymir's corpse into the earth, his skin into the land, and his skull into the heavens. As evil as the giant was in life, he still serves a purpose for the greater good in death. The earth and sky are now his monument, like in the following lyrics: 'Who felt entitled to hold a place on the earth as a grave for their remains. But no monument for me, please I am not one of them. I didn't need it in life, I won't need it in death. Kiss my ashes goodbye.' This song includes many shifts of tone and speed throughout its 11-minute runtime, from sullen and pessimistic to more hopeful. Ymir's downfall to the creation of the universe has similar tonal shifts.

Kiss My Ashes (Goodbye) - Woods of Ypres

5. How does he govern the course

Of the sun or of the moon? (Sturluson 23)

The children of Mundilfari, Mani and Sol (Moon and Sun) are put into the heavens by the gods. Though they may seem contradicting, they lead the sun and moon across the sky with their chariots. Mani determines the moon's waxing and waning. Sol bestows her warmth on the earth. However, the brother and sister hasten their pace and live in fear of the wolves who vow to seize them one day. On that day, it would mark the beginning of the end, the beginning of Ragnarok. The song chosen for the introduction of Mani and Sol is a tranquil acoustic song with a gentle rhythm that emulates the softness of the sun and moon's light. The artist speaks of the morning sun as a saving grace as well as the anxiety of feeling watched or followed for many years: 'I'd see the light in the shade of the morning sun, my morning sun is the drug that brings me near to the childhood I lost replaced by fear.' There is a darker tonal shift later in the song that parallels the siblings' fear of the wolves and their impending doom: 'That's the price that we all pay, our valued destiny comes to nothing.'

True Faith - Lotte Kestner

6. The moon's taker in troll's likeness. He is filled with flesh of fey men. Reddens the gods' seats with ruddy blood-gouts;

Swart becomes sunshine in summers after (Sturluson 24).

The wolves who prey upon Sol and Mani are Skoll and Hati Hróðvitnisson. Skoll wishes to overpower Sol, and Hati runs after Mani. The wolves were born of an old troll-woman in the forest of Ironwood. The strongest of the wolf race is Moon-Hound, who vows to devour the moon and rain blood upon the heavens. On that day, the sun will lose her light and the roaring winds will be ceaseless. The following song focuses on the predatory pact between the cruel Skoll and Hati as they pursue Sol and Mani until the end of time: 'We fought the daylight, any battle, any war, the call for blood worth dying for. We prayed for twilight, side by side, we stood as pack.'

Where the Wild Wolves Have Gone - Powerwolf

7. The gods made a bridge from heaven and earth

Called Bifröst (Sturluson 24).

There is a bridge that connects heaven and earth called Bifröst. It is made of the strongest material of magical craftsmanship and is multi-colored like a rainbow. However, as seemingly indestructible as the bridge may be, it is destined to be destroyed by the sons of Múspell when they trample Bifröst with their devastating mighty horses. The following song focuses on the bridge's colorful build and the pathway into paradise: 'Take me to the sun, I feel I'm chasing rainbows. Now into your lonely paradise! Are we just dreaming in the city that never sleeps? 'Cause I can't be seeing what my eyes tell me.'

Chasing Rainbows - Bring Me the Horizon

8. What did Allfather then do

When Asgard was made? (Sturluson 25)

Asgard, or Ásgarðr in Old Norse, is the dwelling place of the Norse gods. Allfather allowed the gods to gather and hold counsel there. The town where they dwell is called Ida-field. The house they built is called Gladsheim, and it is entirely made of gold. The house of the goddesses is called Vingólf. In this land, all is made of gold. Here, the gods are seated in their thrones and grant judgement to all. The song chosen for the introduction of the renowned gods is the equally legendary song "Stairway to Heaven," where the lyrics speak of a beautiful place in the heavens where an alluring woman resides, resembling the beauty and light of a goddess. The lyrics say: 'There walks a lady we all know who shines white light and wants to show how everything still turns to gold.'

Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

9. Then strode all the mighty to the seats of judgement, the gods most holy, and together held counsel -

Who should of dwarves shape the peoples (Sturluson 26).

After establishing their town and council, dwarves begin form underneath the earth like 'maggots in the flesh' (Sturluson 26). The gods decreed that the dwarves will be 'shaped in man's likeness.' From Ymir's flesh, the dwarves were created from maggots of the earth to intelligent humanlike beings. The dwarves now assist and build weapons for the gods, hailed for the brute strength and warrior skills. For the introduction of the mighty dwarves, the song chosen is a heavier rhythm with a faster pace and overpowering guitars and vocals. The following lyrics have to do with the dwarves' perspective of being given new life and owing their lives to the gods that pulled them from the earth as maggots, now in man's image: 'We are the new diabolic, we are the bitter bucolic. If I have to give my life, you can have it, we are the pulse of the maggots!'

Pulse of the Maggots - Slipknot

10. The Ash is greatest of all trees and best:

Its limbs spread out over all the world and stand above heaven (Sturluson 27).

Regarded as 'the holy place of the gods,' the Ash of Yggdrasil is the tree of life (Sturluson 27). Its roots reach different parts of the Nordic universe, such as the land of the Rime-Giants, Niflheim, and Æsir. The Ash is the origin of the universe's wisdom, knowledge, and life force. The following song has a gentle, hopeful tune with a fully orchestrated band and choir-like singing. The lyrics speak of knowing all of the past, present, and future and inner-workings of the world but being unable to change them: 'All the balances are clear. Now that our time is here. In our perfect present tense, through our wide rose tinted lens, when the words have all been spent, will we still have learnt it?'

Season Song - Blue States

11. All know I, Odin, where the eye thou hiddest,

In the wide-renowned well of Mímir (Sturluson 27).

It is fabled that underneath the root that leads to the land of the Rime-Giants is the legendary Mímir's Well. The well and its keeper Mímir hold the universe's wisdom and knowledge. The Norse god Odin craved this wisdom, but it would be given to him not without a sacrifice. He gave up his eye to drink from the well. It is a tale of forbidden wisdom. With all this newfound knowledge, Odin may have felt overwhelmed by this drastic change in his power: 'I watched a change in you. It's like you never had wings. Now, you feel so alive, I've watched you change.'

Change (In the House of Flies) - Deftones

12. He convulses so violently that the whole earth shakes – it is what is known as an earthquake.

He will lie bound there until Ragnarök (Sturluson).

The God of Mischief Loki is taken into a cave and tied underneath a large poisonous serpent for his crimes. The snake drips his venom onto Loki's face, causing the earthquakes whenever he writhes in pain. He will bound to the cave until the beginning of the Norse apocalypse Ragnarök. Ragnarök, or the 'Doom of the Gods' in Old Norse, is a series of battles that take place between demons, gods, and giants. This is the end of reign of the gods and the life of man on earth. Gods will die like mortals and the sky will vanish. With it, the sun and stars will be swallowed by darkness and the earth will plunge into the sea. From this destruction, will come a new age. A new earth will be born from the despair. The day that the wolves Skoll and Hati catch Mani and Sol will mark the beginning of Ragnarök. The blood of the sun and moon will stain the sky and the hungry wolves will rejoice in their killing. The final song that concludes this film is a haunting dark industrial melody with dooming lyrics. As if it were from the perspective of the wolves themselves as threatening towards Mani and Sol: 'You're still up in the air and loving your wings. What's gonna happen when you come down?'

Clown - Switchblade Symphony

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theshatteredrose · 3 years

Text

Relic Keepers: Awakening of the Red Lily (Chapter 14) - Original Fiction

AN: Ok, so we’re approaching the meat of this novel quickly. The following chapters should be fun to write :3c This is going to be a long series. So, hope my readers are enjoying themselves, too~

Ao3 | Wattpad | Inkitt | FictionPress

~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 14:

The tunnels deep underground wasn’t as dark the second time around. That was entirely due to the fact that they had powerful high-beam torches with them. But even with a team of Elites acting as escort, Eishirou was still nervous about their surroundings. It wasn’t that much of a surprise. He just didn’t want to encounter one of those large, reckless centipede ShadowDwellers again.

Battling against it in the middle of a large field was bad enough. How difficult would be in these small, cramped, confined tunnels?

He honestly didn’t want to imagine it.

The halls they moved through were that of the ancient tunnelling. The path unilinear. Often curling from left to right, the ground beneath their feet would dip up and down at random intervals. Old, disused torches lined the walls.

And they weren’t the only things. Ancient cave paintings and carvings were etched in other side of the tunnels. The deeper they moved through the passageways, the more prevalent the paintings on the walls became.

There was one in particular that caught Eishirou’s attention. Enough to pull him to a stop to stare. It was similar to the one he came across before. However, the figures painted purposely as dark and black as possible were in the form of large, hulking humanoids. Yet, they appeared to move on all fours. They towered over the dark brown human figures who held spears and torches of fire as they battled the creatures.

Those creatures…they looked like the ones he saw from his recordings.

Both of them. But it was the one attached to the Elite team that had him the most concerned. Could a ShadowDweller they’ve yet to encounter have followed them?

“Eishirou?” Zayne asked him, worry in his tone.

Eishirou decided not to divulge his concerns with Zayne in the bleakness of the tunnels. “Sorry, got distracted. Just examining a painting. I’ll muse more on it later,” he said as he used his tablet to take a photo.

He couldn’t help but stay close to Zayne as they continued on their way, though. The more he thought about that recording with that humanoid shadowy figure scurrying after the Elite team, the more unnerved he became. There was something undeniably creepy about a humanoid figure with long spindly legs walking on all fours.

No, scurrying on all fours.

A low glow of light in the distance caught everyone’s attention. And they all tensed and fell silent in preparation for a possible confrontation. They couldn’t hear anything, though. Eishirou was fairly confident that a ShadowDweller wasn’t the origin of the light. ShadowDwellers were darker than shadows, so they were incapable of producing light.

He had to remind himself that his preconceptions were from their current research. And as a researcher, he was taught to never say never.

Zayne instinctively grabbed Eishirou by the elbow and pulled him toward him as they moved as a group toward the distant glow.

Eishirou was incredibly surprised to find a small side room through a crack in the wall. And it was filled with low, glowing lights. And those lights originated from patches of mushrooms and fungi. They glowed with neon green and blue lights. Shimmering, but steady. So bright that they didn’t need torches to look around the small room like area.

“Glowing mushrooms?” Eishirou was surprised, but excited by the find nevertheless. After all, he had only read about such things!

“They look pretty,” Rinka admitted with genuine but restrained awe in her voice.

“They also look toxic,” Zayne added, undeniably cautious.

Eishirou couldn’t deny either observation. “They certainly do.”

He slipped out of Zayne’s grip to take a step forward. Toward the closest grouping of mushrooms on the ground. Blue and green mingled together. The lights were gentle, reminding him of fairy lights that would be hung during Christmas or other celebrations.

He crouched down, making sure that he didn’t touch the mysterious discovery. “Luminescent fungi. I’ve never seen one in person before.”

He obviously needed to take a photo and check it against the database. Jacob would be interested to see pictures of them, too. So, he took a couple of pictures. And took another of the whole room.

“Hm,” he murmured as he tapped at the screen of his tablet. “No matches. I’ll need to take a sample.”

“Is that really necessary?”

Eishirou stifled a sigh at the bored, yet exasperated voice of none other than Tatsu.

“We are on a research investigation, Tatsu,” Ernesta chided quickly.

Eishirou didn’t hear a response, but he could feel a pair of eyes on the back of his head. He could also feel some of the tension that was in the air. He couldn’t help but wonder if Tatsu was simply agitated that he was on such a lowly mission. Or if he was actually worried about that other Elite team. He was the one to discover that badge, after all. And he appeared to be a lot more irritated than usual.

But he may just be looking too deep into it.

“This will only take a second,” Eishirou promised as he pulled his bag to his side and rifled through it. Luckily, he had picked up a couple of specimen jars with him. Not to mention some gloves. He couldn’t be too careful. Fungi was notorious toxic in general.

Picking out two of the largest mushrooms that could fit in the specimen jars, Eishirou carefully dug at the ground near the roots and pulled out the entire plant system. With both mushrooms chosen, he carefully set the two into their separate jars. He then set them in a separate pocket in his bag.

“There, done.”

Eishirou pulled out his tablet and instinctively moved toward Zayne as they all moved as a group out of the small room. He concentrated on jotting notes down on his tablet as Zayne guided him through the tunnels with a hand on his elbow. He also took a moment to check their map and quickly noted that they had already moved at least a kilometre. Not in a straight line, but they had travelled some distance and the paths of the tunnel spiral outwards.

He hoped that they would reach an exit soon. They had been fortunate not to encounter a ShadowDweller so far. He could only hope that their luck held out until they at least found a way outside.

As they rounded a slight bend in the path, they were greeted with a dim light in the distance. It was different from the lucent glow of the mushrooms. It was the low light one would associate with the sun. The air felt fresher, too.

“There’s a light ahead. Be ready,” Ernesta commanded.

They fell into silence once more as they walked toward the light. The path began on an incline as they moved, giving the sense that they were indeed heading toward an exit of some kind. Whether or not it they would be able to use the exit was still up in the air.

It took them a moment or two to allow their eyes to adjust to the bright light as they stepped out onto a rocky landing.

After the glare had faded from his eyes, Eishirou scanned their new environment. They appeared to be in a natural bowl, surrounding in steep mountain cliffs. The foliage was as green and lush as the forest Flutterlight Forest. But there was a slight difference; there was a tall white building in the distance. He didn’t recognise it, but it did feel familiar.

“Ah, it’s the lighthouse! I saw that in a recording.”

Of course, it looked slightly different to the one he saw in a recording. It was a mosaic in his vision. But it was still a lighthouse. And he was certain that it was important. It was sure to led to an interesting discovery.

The members of Elite Team 3, however, obviously didn’t feel the same.

“I can’t see the other Elite team,” Tatsu stated, his tone as brisk and terse as ever.

“No, neither can I,” Ernesta replied.

It was extremely obvious where their thoughts were centred on. Not that he could blame them. Elite teams all knew each other. Just like researchers did. If a researcher was lost somewhere, Eishirou would be worried, too.

“You guys should go search for that other Elite Team,” Eishirou suggested firmly.

Ernesta turned to him with a surprised expression on her face. That soon dissipated into a placid expression, though it was obviously a forced one. “…We have our own assignment.”

Yes, he understood that. But it didn’t sit right with him forcing them to do something they weren’t entirely focused on.

Eishirou sighed at gave the Elite leader a pointed gaze. “Look. I’m going to be busy inspecting the lighthouse and surrounding area. If you want to search for your fellow Elites, it’s fine. I know you’re worried.”

Zayne took a step forward and clasped his hand on Eishirou’s shoulder. “I’ll stay with him while the rest of you look.”

Eishirou turned to look at Zayne and nodded his head in acceptance. Yeah, he found that perfectly fine with him. Zayne actually seemed interested in his research, so he was likely interested in learning more about the lighthouse, too. Especially after Eishirou had told him about the recording he had witnessed.

Ernesta didn’t appear all that convinced, though. Torn, maybe, but certainly not wholly convinced. She had been given the task of escorting Eishirou through the Flutterlight Forest at the request from Jacob himself. She was dedicated to her role.

But as an Elite, it was understandable that she was worried about her fellow Elite Teams.

It wasn’t like she was going to abandon him. They lighthouse stood out like a sore thumb. And unlike their previous dealings with the lush forest, this particular area had an open canopy. Allowing for Elites to use their mana wings at will.

“Jacob would understand,” Eishirou added. “In fact, I’m sure he would be far more insistent that I am right now.”

That seemed to helped Ernesta to make her decision. And maybe even put her mind at ease. “We’ll escort you to the lighthouse and secure the area first. After that, we’ll conduct a surveillance of the area further.”

Ok, that sounded reasonable.

Eishirou turned his attention back to the view before them, this time intent on searching for the best possible route to the lighthouse. The foliage of the woods was as dense as ever, but there was a natural trail along the steep cliffs. And it led straight to the tall white structure.

Ernesta took the lead once more as they moved in single file along the path. And they walked in silence, waiting for a noise or disturbance in the environment. Be it ShadowDweller or the other Elite Team.

Thankfully, their trek to reach the base of the lighthouse was an uneventful one.

The lighthouse itself was in a small peak that overlook the basin. With stone steps spiralling toward it. The steps were covered in moss, and broken in some instances. But appeared sturdy enough to be scaled.

Ernesta turned to regard both Eishirou and Zayne with a pointed look. “Do not wander from this area without alerting me.”

“Easy, I’ll be sure to keep him safe,” Zayne replied, both dismissive and reassurance. “I’ve done it before.”

He had. And, honestly, Eishirou couldn’t imagine trusting anyone else to keep him safe.

A placid smile finally appeared on Ernesta’s lips. “Yes, that is true. Very well. We will return, soon.”

The four Elites called out their mana wings and took into the air in order to get a higher perspective of the area. Eishirou saw them off, hoping that they would find some kind of evidence that the other Elite Team had somehow made their way to this area, too.

If not, they were still somewhere in those tunnels.

And he certainly hoped they weren’t trapped or lost somewhere in there.

“Right, let’s see what this lighthouse has for us,” Zayne said as he turned toward Eishirou.

Eishirou nodded. “Right.”

They both turned to face the lighthouse. It was a relatively simple structure. A tall building. It appeared about five stories tall. And made from white stone. Not paint as there was no obvious peeling. Though, it was most certainly had patches of moss dotted across the outer façade.

Oddly, though, there was no windows. He couldn’t see the very top of the structure, but as they walked along the stone pathway that spiral along the peak toward the white structure, he couldn’t see a port or window anywhere.

“It’s the one from the runestone recording?” Zayne asked

“Well, the recording I saw was that of a mosaic, but I’m certain that the mosaic was actually pointing to this structure,” Eishirou replied. “Besides, it’s in the middle of a forest. It’s suspicious, right?”

Zayne stifled a snort. “No kidding.”

After a few more minutes, they finally reached the top of the stairs. They led to a small grassy landing that, in turn, led to the entrance of the lighthouse. However, the door to the structure was not what he had been expecting; the door was large, set within an archway made from old grey stone. The door itself appeared to be made from old stone, too.

“That’s quite the door,” Zayne commented sarcastically.

It most certainly was.

Eishirou quickly approached the door while Zayne moved at a more cautious pace behind him.

There was nothing to be seen on the door. Just a small hole within the very centre. It was likely they keyhole. Though, it wasn’t shaped as normal key, it was quite obvious that something indeed fitted in that slot.

So, since that slot was there…

“It’s likely locked,” Eishirou mused aloud.

“Not jammed?” Zayne questioned as he stepped forward. “Let me try opening it anyway.”

Zayne placed his hands upon the door and steadied himself. He tried pushing it in first before attempting to shift it to the left. There was suddenly the distinct sound of rock grounding against rock.

Had he managed to open it after all?

Unfortunately, the door moved no further.

And Zayne pulled back. “It moved a little. But something is preventing me from moving it further,” he explained.

“I’m going to assume there’s a locking mechanism here,” Eishirou continued to muse aloud. He walked closer to the door and laid his hands upon it and closed his eyes. He soon furrowed his brow. “There’s…also a bit of mana, yet…I can’t access it.”

“Can’t access it?”

“Y-yeah,” Eishirou stuttered, both unnerved and puzzled as he pulled his hands back and opened his eyes. “There’s…something blocking me from accessing it.”

He could feel the mana. It was there. So close. And yet…there was something stopping him from reaching out to it.

“That happened before?” Zayne asked.

Eishirou shook his head, still obviously unnerved. “No…”

It was just…really unnerving to be able to feel something, but unable to reach out to it. Though, it could be because the door itself wasn’t complete. The key or item that fitted into that slot might be the very thing needed for him to reach that mana.

Yeah, that made sense.

Well, he supposed there was little he could do about it. Getting unnerved wasn’t helping anyone. The door might not allow him to access the mana stored within at the moment, but maybe something else would?

“Hm,” Eishirou murmured as he held his chin in thought. “If there is a locking mechanism, then there’s got to be a hint of how to open it around here somewhere. If I can find a runestone or mosaic, then maybe I can pull another recording.”

“You’re reading ability is quite useful,” Zayne unexpectedly commented, causing Eishirou to turn toward him with a subtle expression of surprise. “Can you do that with any object?”

Eishirou shook his head. “No, just objects with mana of intent. Basically, someone infusing mana into an object with the sole purpose to document something.” He paused and rubbed the back of his neck. “W-well, that used to be the way. But I was able to get a recording from that badge. From the badge’s point of view.”

He couldn’t really imagine the owner of said badge purposely infusing mana into their badge just to show something from the object’s point of view. Maybe it was completely unintentional. But that would mean…the owner of said badge had a spike of powerful emotion.

…Like fear.

“From the badge’s point of view?” Zayne questioned with a curious tilt of his head.

“Yeah. Just like that.” Eishirou shifted on his feet as he took a moment to find a way to explain further. “From the point of view of the badge as it laid on the floor. That was honestly a first for me. As is that blockage. I wonder if that has something to do with me or…”

“It might just need a key,” Zayne interrupted.

Eishirou turned his face toward Zayne and gave a small smile. “I think so, too.”

A loud explosion in the distance suddenly erupted and echoed around the basin. It was so loud and sudden that it caused Eishirou to jump. And for Zayne to immediately pull out his mana holsters, move to stand in front of Eishirou in a defensive stance, and attempt to search for the source of the sound.

He soon narrowed in on an area within the forest where birds fluttered into the air in a giant flock. And right behind them was a plume of smoke.

“That sounded like Tatsu,” Zayne murmured. “They must have encountered a ShadowDweller.”

“Wh-what should we do?” Eishirou asked as another explosion was heard.

Before Zayne could answer, Eishirou himself witnessed four figures dart into the sky. Their mana wings and weapons fully materialised. They were quite a distance away, but Eishirou knew that they were the other members of Team 3.

And they were rapidly heading in their direction!

#original fiction #scifi fantasy #young adult #relic keepers: awakening of the red lily #rpglit

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illyrian-lover-flower · 3 years

Text

The chosen forest keeper 7

Is a half spoken truth a half spoken lie?

Word count: ~5.7

A scream ripped through the air – howling like one of the mighty wolves back in her home – followed by the sound of cracking bones as a body crashed down onto the earth. Wings, arms, ribs and legs broken and shattered as the crash echoed through the earth below the Illyrian, who screamed in pain and agony at whatever gods to have mercy with her, but no god listened in on her suffering as the female –dark as night- lay helpless in the dark depths of night. Blood running down her back, bones peeking sharp and pearl white –smeared with red- through her dark skin. Howls and cries of pain shook the females body as her destroyed body trembled of fear, every crack and rustle around her too quiet as she howled and cried, in pain, for help only when darkness loomed over her, did her heart retching cries stop. Those crystal-clear eyes of hers, nursing fear as one of the crystals displayed in the ghostly blue sea, letting it grow the closer this looming shadow got to her. Helpless –a prey- that had to wait and see their last face until a final scream ripped from her lungs, obsidian claws tearing them to nothing but shreds, as they could have been remaining pieces of an old gown.

A grunt went through the forest as the leaves got painted in blood, a male – weakened and with torn wings, that dragged behind him on the mushy floor like an old rug – fought his way through bushes and leaves, limping past mighty trees and hollow caves as the smirking creature approached him. Seemingly playing with the tall male as it chased him almost lazily through the deepest depths of the forest. Drenching the earth in his blood and scent as his weakened body limped over stick and stone – his large hands pressing down on a bleeding bite wound in his side that slowly took his strength away- while he hoped to find the secure path back to his lonely home. Though not even one glowing light of home came into sight as he was backed away in a corner of the dark woods and far away from a calm feeling of secureness and safety.

A steep wall of sharp stones climbing up high in the sky, in front of him, as a wide ledge loomed mockingly far out above his head. Sharp, long stones, like the teeth of the creature who haunted him, hanging spiteful above him as they reminded the bulky warrior of the teeth that just sunk into his very own flesh, probably still enjoying the lingering taste of his life elixir on this long sharp tongue it owned.

A crack of a branch behind him, had his attention ever the more as he slowly backed himself into the sharp stone wall behind him, those cautious brown eyes of his tracing every bush, every tree, for a rattle of leaves – though what rattled were not the leaves in front of him, as it were the sharp stones that came flying down on him like speers, as the last thing he saw was the smirking smile of these sharp pearl white teeth, through which shreds of his torn off skin clung, as it looked curiously over the ledge and howled in laughter as soon as the first stone crashed down on him - only centimetres away from his to death sentenced form. Darkness soon claiming him as the rain of stone needles continued falling down on him.

A scream tore from Elain’s lungs and shattered through the peaceful silence that surrounded both, Fersia’s and her, sleeping forms.

Sweat clung to the fawn like a second skin as she propped her shaken form up on her forearms, panting like a dog, did she sit there. Lazily glowing embers burning and radiating warmth off to her left, while those haunted pictures chased her - so much blood, so many broken bones – so many deaths and screams still vibrating after in her brain, like a hit cymbal, as she tried to get a hold on herself and her shaking body again.

‘A nightmare –nightmares- nothing more.’ was all she could try to calm herself with, though something inside her seemed to be very against this, as if she already knew that there was something more to these bloody pictures. She had dreaded the answer, with churning guts, as she tried to swallow the thought and the bitter taste of them. But it did not work, as those sharp words cut through her heart and brain like a knife through butter, ‘Oh Mother above, what if those were visions!’

Dread filled her guts and soon did she roll of the couch, pillows falling like heavy, thick snowflakes to the wooden ground while the blanket tangled up between her legs –a hungry snake that bit into the flesh of her prey, but Elain was no prey –she decided- as she grabbed the fluffy blanket and tried to stumble out of her soft ankle chain, that let her go somewhere on the short way between the dark bath chamber and the gleaming sitting room. Her force was far too strong as she flung the old door wide open and sank heavy down on the floor in front of the toilet, hurling up the contents of her stomach. The bitter taste of vomit tickled on her tongue and up her throat, while the nasty smell of it filled her flaring nose, the retching sounds of her trembling body all that echoed in those pointed ears of hers and the silent air, as she was bent over the toilet bowl.

“Goldenrod, are you sure you are fine?” asked her Fersia’s sleep rough voice groggily as she bent down next to the seer, holding back the strands of her honey hair, as it had hidden her friend's misery behind a long golden curtain, draping a comforting wing over the hunched form of Elain. But Elain could not answer, not with the strong urge to gag still lingering in her heaving chest. Sweat sticking to her face, like a dust of water clung to one who walked past a waterfall, soft strands of her hair, framing her pale face as the pictures rushed to her again.

Dead, empty, fearful eyes, the sight of rotten flesh, that already harboured hundreds of maggots and flies that flew hungrily around it as the maggots long feasted on the yellow-ish pale skin. White bones, that poked out almost pearl white from torn off limbs, not helping her poor state at all as those pictures filled her mind once again. The small break she had from vomiting soon vanishing as the contents of her stomach crawled back to the surface another time, letting her slump down over the bowl once again. Fersia’s warm wing and her strong hand in her hair, was little distraction for the seer, but it was at least something that tried to get her mind off from all those blood-filled thoughts.

Blood sploshed and spluttered, dried out and got washed away from the heavy rain that sought out these woods. Blood stuck to fearful faces, framed the dead bodies on the lonely forest floor, as the red puddle vanished into a rusty bed bellow the one it once belonged to.

Elain heaved again –those wide eyes sticking to her like glue- as her gaging echoed once again through the quiet hut. She needed to concentrate on something else, anything else, but those pairs of eyes from green, brown, golden, blue, grey and even red.

A heaved breath –like a wind that swished through the grey skies and chased grey, black and white clouds, no matter their size or form, away from the sky and tried to summon the prettiest blue of the world - was all she could do to get rid of the pictures, as she too, tried to summon this beautiful, peaceful blue in her mind again. A clearness in her mind she wished to see sone again, as she concentrated on Fersia’s warm wing, that lay draped across her hunched back and protected her from anything that could harm her more, and her heaving breaths that made her rise and slump ever so often over the toilet bowl.

One, a ragged suck of air.

Two, a heavy blow shivering from her lungs and down to her shaking hands.

Three, a heaving force of air widening her lungs.

Four, a heavy gust steadily leaving her body.

And then she swallowed, the bitter taste of her vomit traveling down her gullet, while her Adams apple seemed to jump at the disgusting taste, that slowly crawled back down into her guts. Elain had to restrain herself from the urge to puke another time, but the calming voice of Fersia, that asked her ever so gently; “Feeling better now?”, was a good distraction for her weak mind. The seer only nodded weakly as she tried to cast a small smile on her lips, but nothing even close to a soft smile came close to the grimace she seemed to have pulled, in an attempt to not worry her friend more than she already did, but the calm Illyrian female noticed her hard try and tried also to smile a little at her, as her strong arms slowly lifted Elain off the ground.

The Illyrian knew the sweet seer would have tried to apologise if they would have sat any longer there, so she swiftly moved to pull her delicate friend up and wadded through softly gleaming darkness - that seemed to layer itself around the fawn with each steady step the bulky female did- with her.

Elain blinked confused up at her friend as she was seated carefully on the soft mattress. Fersia merely told her “Put yourself under the blanket –it's large enough for the two of us- and try to find some rest, I’ll be by your side in no time – alright?” and then her dark form retreated. This large form of hers, that softly loomed over her, backed away into the small bath chamber, where she most likely got rid of the vomit.

Shame washed over the seer as she thought about it and how the female would clean up her mess, she came here to not be babied so much anymore, and yet did it all seem as if it would always be like this as it started all over again, but perhaps –just this once- could Elain allow it to be babied, as she knew that her feet and whole body were still trembling in fear of what bloodshed she had just seen.

Yeah – perhaps Fersia was right, as she merely stated the seer to lay down. And so, Elain did just that, slowly sinking down on the soft mattress as it seemed to swallow up her small weight greedily and welcomed her in a soft soothing embrace of warmth.

She didn’t even think about getting the soft blanket she had thrown so clumsily down on the floor as she had rushed to the bath room, further more did she not even think of throwing the wrinkled blanket, that lay warm and lonely all across the mattress, over her for she knew it belonged to Fersia and she already had started invading her space as soon as she stepped over the threshold. This – Elain’s body slowly sinking into the mattress and enjoying the warmth of it – was the farthest she would go as the soothing smell of freshly fallen rain embraced her.

Fersia.

Rung the name in her head, echoing through it, as her closed eyelids and mouth did not allow the world to know of this name and threw the acoustic noise back –over and over again, like a basin of water, through which a constant drum echoed and vibrated time and time again. This name somehow harboured already so many memories – so many more as she ever shared with her sisters in this new life – though she only knew the female for a mere time of two weeks.

It were two weeks Fersia had spent away from her home –her family- against her will after all. Two weeks that would have not been necessary and Elain could not feel different, than to finally acknowledge the other parasite that kept on nagging at her guts, as she rolled herself in. A small, fragile ball, that lay shattered in this soft bed of feathers as she finally heard the noise of running water. Heavy steps slowly padded over towards the bed. The female merely huffed at her as she placed a porcelain bowl, filled with water, on the top of the dresser – slowly crawling into bed herself as she tried to not disturb the peace of her friend.

But a curious streak inside her bulky frame could not stand it, as she saw the gleaming eyes of Elain seemingly glowing in the dark. She faced the Illyrian, tears almost overwhelming her sad eyes, like the rain did ever so often with the river that was nearby, as she merely looked at the female that crawled to bed beside her and threw, without a second thought, the soft blanket over both of them.

“I told you – you can put yourself under the blanket.” whispered her voice carefully into the dark, as she did not know if her voice would hit a crack in her sweet Goldenrods facade and crack it open. Despite the hard work of her sweet friend to keep it up and just look at her with teary eyes, did Elain still not manage to hide the broken sob as she whispered into the soft veil of darkness around them; “I know – I just didn’t want to interfere any more with your privacy.” Fersia chuckled, as she pulled her sad friend, that almost lay at the edge of the mattress, closer to her and into the middle of the bed, her strong hand still resting on the sweet flowers back as she cuddled closer into Fersia and buried her face in the crock of her neck, where her cold snooty nose grazed the tender flesh of the Illyrian.

She had to restrain herself from yelping at the sudden feeling of soft coldness, but brushed it off as she buried her friend between her arms and wings. Soft cries escaping from her Goldenrods small body “Are you really sure that everything is fine, Goldenrod?” But she did not say no, not even shook her head as she nodded shakily and slow, as if she herself was not aware of the answer, “Yes. It was just a nightmare – hopefully.” admitted Elain’s voice brokenly as she tried to swallow down the uprising pictures, that seemed to have buried their claws as deep as those of a harpoon inside her mind –not willing to let her go – as all those torn limps, shattered cries and echoing screams vibrated through her shaking body.

Trying to cling for a bit of sanity, did her pale arms wound around Fersia, holding on to the female as if her life depended on it, though she assumed it was not her life, but her sanity, that depended on her steady being. “What did you dream about then?” asked her the female carefully, mindful of the wounds she knew could be cut open by just a simple innocent question.

Silence ensued them then, the seer anxious to voice out what she had just seen, but perhaps it was better to talk, perhaps it would be like pulling off a band aid – a long moment of hesitation, before bravery finally decided to pull the sticky material off of the hurting wound, pain always followed, no matter if the band aid was ripped off or slowly peeled off, every inch screaming in pain as the band aid was slowly removed- perhaps it would be just like this, tried Elain to convince herself, as she cuddled closer to her friend.

No sheet of paper would have fit between them, no force would have been able to part them, but there was this small voice, that whispered many things at her, that would have been reason enough to part from the female. But she didn’t care, not when she needed the heat of another living being, that showed her that there was still life beyond the terrible dream she had. And so, took the seer a shaky breath, a small flower on the wind churning fields standing stiff as a stone compared to her voice.

“I saw death... there were … dead people – Illyrians.” corrected she her own choose of words quickly. Fersia said nothing, she only pressed her chin further atop her Goldenrods soft head –trying to calm her with a gentle nudge- but no giggle as soft as the wind, like the female hoped would do, broke the dead silence which had cloaked them once again after Elain spoke this shaky sentence, which had set the Illyrian at edge.

Fersia knew that, since the moment Elain stepped foot onto the grounds of the forest, something kept her bussy, a bit too bussy for the Illyrians taste as she remembered the snow-white face of her friend before she passed out. Something was happening to her, that made the carefree female, that tended to her wounds not so long ago, vanish and replaced her with someone fearful. A delicate creature that seemed to think about every step she took doubled and thrice, but maybe it was better she did so, after all did the female not really have knowledge in the arts of self-defence and combat.

Only a ragged breath of her sweet Goldenrod, that hit cold against her skin, was able to distract her from the thoughts of worry that slowly started to churn in her mind like a summer storm. “Fersia, I have seen Illyrians run, crawl, jump, beg and plea for their life's as if they were slowly guided into the gates of hell.” whispered Elain’s frightened voice in the dark.

The pictures she long wanted to forget slowly chasing after her again, just like the cruel creature she had seen smiling, with fangs as long as her arm. A shiver ran down her delicate spine alone at the thought of this, Fersia’s stern voice that had followed after her, did nothing to ease her frayed nerves, as the meaning of her words sank in; “No Illyrian does that – even in front of the devil, do they not plea and beg. Illyrians are a proud folk and we stand to what we have done, Goldenrod, no devil will make us ever regret what we have done. The folk of Illyrians isn’t known to be fearful – after all, most of us don’t even fear death, so it is unlikely that they would beg in front of the devil, furthermore – I think there are higher chances that an Illyrian murder’s the devil and takes the reign in its own hands than to beg.” tried Fersia to joke around, as she knew of the trembling state, in which the delicate female was and this was by far the only thing she could think of doing, though it seemed to have been the wrong thing, as Elains next question had her cold and without an answer – not even a lied one – she could have whispered into the sweet darkness around them. “So, it was something worse than the devil?”

“I don’t know.” was all Fersia could admit as she let the seconds pass to minuets and let silence ensue them. This was simply the only answer the Illyrian could think of, for she knew that the light of her sweet sunshine was already dimmed enough. Elain did not need another cloud as dark as the shadows lurking above her head, the seer had already enough of them lurking and waiting behind her. This was a worry she should not face, one that should not be burden upon her delicate shoulders as even some of the female Illyrians here had their struggle with facing what had long come for them, dragging her sweet Goldenrod into this was something neither of them needed right now.

Fersia was, after all, already worried enough of the seer as she knew that she was a helpless little fawn that might own a dagger, but had no clue how to use it, though there had been times were she had proven her talent with this simple blade of hers. Though there were also times in which she hesitated to grab the hilt of her dearest belonging –like she told her friend once- and searched for another solution instead. A sweet little fault she searched and used in any situation of violence or danger she faced, where others would have long drawn the master piece of a dagger.

There was always a long hesitation whenever she dared to wield the beautiful blade, that seemed to swallow up the light as the sweet sunrays had caressed the light silver and traced the delicate runes that meandered down the middle of the knifes blade. It had caught Fersia’s breath the first time she saw it, a piece – a fracture- of sunshine, for a sweet shining ray that respected the life of everything and did not care for who it was that needed her help – not even if that someone who needed her help was a poison spitting Illyrian that bled out on the floor and still hissed at the delicate female to go her day and mind her own business.

A low rumble of a chuckle echoed through Fersia’s chest as she remembered that fateful day, were the last she had seen were the determined glowing eyes of that sweet female, that now lay shaking in her arms. It hadn’t taken the Illyrian long to change the topic as their encounter still lingered fresh, like a bouquet of flowers, in her mind; “How was your stroll through the forest, sweet Goldenrod.” “It was fine …" answered the seer with hesitation, before she added “I had seen many herbs I could use for medicine.”

The Illyrian could only give way to this low chuckle that bubbled from her, as she pressed her chin softly further atop her silky hair that seemed to tickle her nose trills with her sweet smell of lavender, though a salty note of sweat seemed to cloak a bit of the scent, it still was the one of her Goldenrod. “I see, ever the mindful healer.” it was meant as a light, playful attempt to light the atmosphere that seemed to grow heavier and heavier as the glowing embers gave past to a mellow cloak of darkness, that seemed to drown out any light from outside, but Elain went stiff as a board at those words. Her soft hands digging lightly into the skin little below the stems of Fersia’s wings as she muttered “I am not that much of a thoughtful healer.”

“Why would you say that, dearest?” voiced Fersia her thoughts softly out as she drew back and carefully pried the face of her sweet friend up by the chin to meet her gaze, but those soft eyes of Elain’s were anywhere and everywhere, just not on the worried face of the female that hugged her so tenderly. “Elain?”

“Please don’t get mad at me, promise?” the seers voice was shaky for she knew that was due to the nagging feeling at her guts as the thought settled in that she was to tell the truth now and only now. “I promise.” spoke Fersia with a soft voice and a slowly nodding head. Swallowing down the poisonous feeling of guilt did the seer speak of what she had hidden even from the ears of her dear friend “Fersia, I could have long let you go home after I had healed your wounds, but I didn’t want to part ways with you so soon – since you were since quite some time the first real friend I had again – and I really enjoyed my time with you. But since you got so well soon, I got scared that you would leave right away and I panicked and then I made you a globeflower tea.” spoke the seer in a fast voice, rushing only some of the words, she held back, out. But Fersia only chuckled as Elain added embarrassed “And I am really, really sorry that I had made you stay so long against your own will.”

“Goldenrod, it’s fine. I enjoyed the time I had spent with you too and besides – this was my first holiday since, maybe three centuries?” questioned the female herself. It was really too long for her to remember when her last holiday was, after all, her tribe always counted on her and her services as well as her cautious eye, that no one else seemed to have as all her family only saw the thick branches of the trees in the forest and never a lurking creature behind a stem, that only waited for their prey, so it was the best to never take a holiday. Never would the Illyrian have imagined that she would have to take a holiday like this – half dead and yet cared for by a sunshine incarnate, which she had the pleasure of taking home.

Though Elain’s sweet voice rang complaining through the air, it did nothing to bother the Illyrian of the fact what this wicked little female had done. Elain did not need other allegations, as she already had enough served on her own plate “But Fersia – it's not fine. I used my knowledge of herbal lore against you and was the worst friend I could ever be to you, only because I was afraid to be left alone again.” “Elain, I don’t think you could ever be alone. After all, the sun is never alone too and you most certainly are the sun to me, so it would wonder me if you said you were alone, furthermore you seemed fond of your family – whenever you talked about them.”

“My family …" whispered Elain quietly as she remembered in a far distance all these faces she had left behind. Her sweet younger sister, who always seemed to have a loving gaze and kind smile on her face, whenever she even thought of her dearest mate, who had welcomed the seer so welcomingly among his table and family, Rhysand, who always seemed ready to jump into action for those he loved. The High Lord is a good male, remembered the seer herself thinking all this time ago, and even after these years she still felt the same about him – he was the right one for her sister. Rhysand had gifted her sanity where others would have long gone mad and even though these times – in which Feyre was close to madness – were long before the seer was even thrown into the Cauldron, she still was able to see the dead eyes of her sister. The quiet grey sea, that had long given up hope as she did not know what –or who- to believe as she only was a playball back then and did not dare to think herself as worthy of anything, but the High Lord of Night – whose worried and empty violet eyes – like a starless night in Velaris- had haunted her for so many nights, as Elain knew that he too had struggled with himself, as he did not dare to think that this life he had now, was something he deserved as he had seen back then the dead silence in Feyre’s eyes. To have them both so happy and looking at each other so lovingly, was something both deserved since a very long time, and yet the seer could not help but feel the nagging in her guts, as she knew the churning sea of salt in her little sisters' eyes as soon as she heard of her passing.

‘It had to be.’ tried Elain to convince herself, as she tried to recall all the other faces. The scolding silver eyes of Amren –her mentor- whenever she casted a wrong spell during their lessons still haunting her from time to time, as they did nothing but to conjure a smile upon her face, as this stern, strong voice of the female –that loved to stand and pace with her arms in her hips- rung in those pointed ears of hers. The seer did not have many memories with the golden Truth-teller Morrigan, but she remembered the golden gleam in her eyes and the silver one in Feyre’s eyes, whenever they went out in the ever-buzzing city. She was a mystery to the seer, but all she could imagine from her, was what the Shadowsinger gave way ever so absentmindly whenever he had deemed it as right to visit her in this quiet garden of hers and lose himself among the many vines, leaves and branches.

Perhaps it was this look in his ever so beautiful hazel eyes, whenever he talked about the female, that made her heart sting. Though this sting was nothing compared to the one she felt when she thought of their last change of words, that had made her feel so cruel and heartless, that she was not able to face this kind male, who only wanted the best for her, ever again. His ever-gleaming eyes a stream of quicksilver that meandered through the rich brown inside his eyes, that reminded her with the specks of dark green, of the deepest nature. His eyes a portrait painted by the mother, to always remember the nature he was denied for so long and yet did she destroy this peaceful painting as she yelled at him “ I thought you, of all people, would understand at least a little bit!” The seer flinched as her own cruel words rang through her ears like a heavy drum, that seemed to reach every part with in herself that already felt sorry for so long. Yet she never dared to speak to him again, did never dare to change another word with him again for she did not know how much she would hurt him or have the strength to make him believe that he –the most caring male, with a heart of gold, caged in a cell of shadows that did not seem to writher under her dim light of happiness she tried to cast on him, though she herself did not even believe an ounce of this played brightness – deserved to have company and had just as much right to be by her side as Lucien.

But his flinch, when she had thrown these words at him, still remained between them as he backed away day for day further from her and left her. Thinking that it would be the best for the sweet seer to stay out of his realm of shadows, fearing that she might see parts of him he himself did not acknowledge yet as he also had anxiety creep through his bones that he could upset her again.

Azriel had not wanted to hurt her by gifting her this dagger, had not meant to pry in the wound as he had sought her out after Solstice, did only want the best for her as he wanted her to have at least a little weapon with which she could defend herself, but he believed her when she had yelled at him that he not understood, did not know of her pain, but he did. And still he had not fought back as the seer hurt him worse than she could have ever done with the beautiful dagger that had rested in her palms.

A sob tore from her lungs as she saw him leaving again and again and again – never returning.

She hated herself for this, hated herself that she had only seen the eyes of her family after this encounter under a thin veil of grey. The black eyes of Nuala and Cerridwen only black stones to her, as this veil of dust had swallowed up all the emotions that were ever hidden in their obsidian eyes.

Sobbing did the seer remember everything she had left behind, as she clung to the anchor who had brought her in this new world and promised her sanity.

“What is it, Goldenrod?” asked her Fersia worriedly as she pat her soft her slowly. “Nothing, it’s just … I had remembered their faces again.” “Of the died Illyrians?” “Yes.” lied Elain, as she did not want to tell the Illyrian just yet what was truly on her mind.

“It’s fine Elain, you know nothing can hurt you here, right?” “Of course.” whispered the seer into the settled silence of night, as all the warmth around her came from the female that clung to her like a baby to a teddy bear, the gleaming embers long having died down to grey ashes as the two females clung to one another as if their life depended on it.

And even though Elain knew, that her mind had not carried her to the dead faces, she still could not help but to wonder what the stern voice in the forest had wanted from her; Strange things happen on these grounds, too much blood –on both sides- had drenched this earth in the past months. They need each other’s help, only with combined forces will they be able to find the source of poison, that is seeping into every root and leave around here.

Perhaps she knew what the voice wanted. Perhaps she long had an idea in the back of her mind as the churning voice had settled around her, but perhaps she was just scared to feel this feeling – this searing feeling, that seemed to burn her flesh off of her living being- again.

But maybe this was the only solution to her questions and Fersia seemed to be the only key that could open the door to her answers. “Fersia?” “Yes?” mumbled the large female into her hair. “I want to meet you Mother again.” said Elain sternly. She did not allow doubt to creep into her thin voice, as the small quivering of her lips was all she deemed as right. The Illyrian only nodded groggily at the sweet female as she simply voiced; “Then we will need every ounce of sleep we can get, you know, she can be a lot of trouble sometimes.” chuckled Fersia into the dark

Elain only nodded as their voice seemed to have become one in the darkness, through which tiredness slowly weaved their hand, like a lover walking hand in hand; “Good night.” was the last the two females voiced.

Though they both knew, sleep did not come easy for liars.

___________________ previous chapter | next chapter____________________

So, hi everyone and I am all wishing you a lot of love for Valentines day😘😘❤❤. I actually had planned so much for this day, but school sadly kept me troubled and I just had not the time to write as much as I wanted. And yes, I know that this is not really Valentines like, but it was sadly all I could afford. I am hoping that what I had planed for this day will be ready at easter, beacause I don’t plan on updating it one by one, but all together.

I still hope you had a lot of fun with this chap. and hope to have you thrilled for the next one (though I do have to admit, the end is a bit rushed, or? What do you think?)

Taglist (please tell me if you want to be added or removed):

@tanaquilpriscilla

@generousfanfan

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carryonsimoncarryonbaz · 4 years

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My fic for the Carry On Countdown day 2 prompt Role Swap.

Simon returns for eighth year at Watford but to his dismay the roommate he's been pining over for three years is nowhere to be found. Simon searches for Baz, avoids Agatha and tries to come to terms with the feelings he has for his missing roommate.

Mirror Man

Simon

I run up the stairs to our room. I don’t know what I’m expecting. Baz never gets to Watford this early.

I do. Every time. I check myself out of care the day Watford opens the gates for the new school year.

Baz always shows up the night before classes start.

I just thought . . . I hoped . . . well, I suppose I really wanted this year to be different. That he’d come early, to savour our last year here. That I’d get a few more days with him.

The room is empty when I open the door. It doesn’t even smell like Baz anymore.

It smells a bit like the dirty socks I forgot in the corner.

He’s obviously not here.

I open the window to air out the room. Baz always fusses about the window but I don’t think he’d argue today--it’s warm and there’s a breeze.

And it might make the sock smell go away before he gets here.

I think about incinerating the socks but I don’t trust my spells yet. It’s hard after the months in care.

It’s hard in general. My spells are never reliable. It’s always hit or miss. Mostly miss.

I think about tossing my socks in the moat so the merwolves can choke on them, but that’s not being ecologically responsible so I end up washing them in the sink.

I put away the few things I brought with me from the home and hang up my new uniform.

And then I lie down on my bed and think about Baz.

Grey eyes.

Black hair.

That Baz is a vampire.

The fact that Baz Pitch is the most beautiful boy I’ve ever seen.

And I’m hopelessly in love with him.

Emphasis on the hopeless part.

Baz hates me. He’s hated me since the day we met--the day the Crucible brought us together.

He hates me for being the Mage’s Heir. For doing the Mage’s bidding. He despises me for being so thick and such shit with my magic. For how I look, how I talk, the way I eat, the fact that I keep the window open at night.

For everything, I think. I thought I hated him too. I thought that was why I watched him all the time. Why I followed him, why I sparked the arguments with him, the reason I couldn’t let him out of my sight.

It was fifth year when I finally realized how I felt. The night I followed Baz into the Catacombs and found him by his mother’s tomb. Drinking from a flask and saying . . . saying things that made me rethink everything.

I stopped following him to the Catacombs after that. Even if he is a vampire, he still deserves privacy to grieve at his mother’s tomb undisturbed.

I stopped following him at all. For awhile.

I didn’t know what to think. And I couldn’t stop thinking.

About Baz.

The way his hair had fallen out of its usual slicked back severity that night to fall in waves that framed his face.

I liked that. I liked it a lot.

Or how his eyes had been half-lidded, his body relaxed as he rested against the stone wall of the Catacombs, his cheekbones highlighted by the flickering torchlight.

He was beautiful.

I’d never thought of him that way before but once I did, I couldn’t stop.

I wanted to touch his hair. Sweep it behind his ear and trail my fingers along his jaw. I wanted to look into his eyes and have all his focus be on me, to see his gaze soften as our eyes met.

I still want that.

That and a whole lot of other things.

I’m being stupid, of course. None of that will ever happen.

Baz can’t stand me. He barely tolerates sharing a room with me, if I’m going to be honest.

And even if he didn’t hate me, he’s dating the most beautiful girl at Watford.

Which means he’s straight.

He’s been with Agatha since the end of fifth year. They’re breathtaking together--her milky gold hair set off by his dark mane.

They match--both posh, both wrenchingly beautiful, both comfortable in the world of Mages, confident of their place in it.

And then there’s me. Simon Snow. Orphan. Filled with magic I can’t control. A weapon to fight the dark creatures that threaten our world. The Mage’s protege.

With a future that can only end in flames.

I’m supposed to be Baz’s nemesis.

I’m not supposed to be pining over him.

I look over at his empty bed, the way I’ve looked at it countless times over the past years, when Baz was actually in it.

This is our last year at Watford. This is our last year together.

These are the last few months I’ll ever have a chance to be this close to Baz Pitch.

Fuck it all.

I should probably quit moping and go find Penny. Stop obsessing over a boy I’ll never have.

It doesn’t stop me from picking up Baz’s pillow as I walk by his bed. I breathe in the faint hint of cedar and bergamot that clings to the fabric before I leave the room.

The days pass and Baz doesn’t come. He isn’t at tea when the first Visiting occurs. He’s not at the welcome-back picnic.

He isn’t in our room the night before the term starts and he doesn’t show up for classes the next day.

Or the day after that.

The professors stop calling out his name after the first week.

The rumors that fly through the dining hall are varied and absurd.

He’s gone off for a dark coming of age ritual.

He’s left Watford to work for his father.

He’s apprenticed himself to an herbalist, like his crazy aunt.

He’s vacationing in Ibiza.

I don’t believe any of it. Baz would never miss school. He wouldn’t leave eighth year unfinished.

He’d certainly never let Penny finish first in our class.

He wouldn’t abandon his mother’s legacy.

Baz wouldn’t do any of that. I know him. I think I know him better than anyone.

And I think something’s very, very wrong.

I start stalking his best friends Dev and Niall. I pester them with questions and harass them about Baz but I don’t think they know any more than I do. They’re vague and insulting when I corner them but there’s a hint of worry in their eyes when I do.

Agatha’s taken to sitting with Penny and me for meals now that Baz is gone, but she won’t answer any of my questions about him.

“I don’t want to talk about him, Simon. I don’t know where he is. I’m not his keeper.”

She sits next to me in class. She gives me the smiles she used to save for Baz.

It feels all wrong.

I scour the Catacombs for any sign of him. It’s overrun with rats down there, which tells me all I need to know. I won’t find him there.

I comb the Wavering Wood for clues. I hack at the underbrush and hack off the resident Dryad when I do.

“What do you seek, Chosen One?”

“I’m looking for my roommate, Baz.”

She glares at me as she twirls her parasol. “The blood-eater is not here, Mageling. Seek him elsewhere.”

“I’ve searched everywhere.”

“Then perhaps he doesn’t want you to find him.”

“Listen, if you do see him, could you let me know?”

“He is not here and you are a menace.” She turns away and floats back into the dimness of the forest.

Typical.

I see Agatha on the ramparts a few days later. I follow her up. I wonder if she’s waiting for Baz.

If she’s yearning for him like I am.

She’s a lovely sight, leaning over the walls, her hair streaming in the wind, her pale face lit by the moon.

She’s a vision in her white dress.

She’s also probably freezing. It’s cold up here.

Agatha turns when she hears my footsteps on the stones. Her eyes are wide and dark as she smiles at me.

It’s that smile. The one she used to have just for Baz.

“Were you looking for me, Simon?”

I wasn’t, not in the way she thinks at least.

I’m starting to get the idea that Agatha might be hoping I was searching for her.

I’ve probably given her a reason to think that. I’ve watched her with Baz for so long. Watched him take her hand, stared at her fingers as she curled a strand of his hair around her finger, seen her lean in close to whisper to him. Adjust his already perfectly knotted tie.

I’ve watched her do every single thing I’ve wanted to do to Baz since fifth year.

I’ve got a list.

And for the first time I realize I may have been giving Agatha the wrong impression. That she’s taken those longing looks and stares and assumed they were for her.

My stomach clenches at the thought. Merlin, I’ve made a mess of this. I never meant to lead her on.

I think back to the last time I saw Baz.

He was in the Wavering Wood--holding Agatha’s hands in his and staring at her so intently.

The way I wish he’d look at me.

I’d made a sound I think, as Penny clutched my arm, and they’d both turned to look at me--Baz’s gaze turning right back to Agatha in an instant, dismissing me in a way that made my heart squeeze painfully in my chest.

But Agatha had stared back at me--long and steady, almost appraising.

I didn’t know how she could take her eyes off of Baz, how she could turn away from him.

I never could. I’d never look away. I’d never turn my back on him.

But then the Humdrum had snatched me away before I could embarrass myself any further.

Agatha’s still waiting for an answer from me.

“Uh . . . um . . . I was just wondering why you were wandering the ramparts.” The next words come out before I think them through. “Are you waiting for Baz?”

The smile turns into a frown. “I’ve told you, Simon. I’m not his keeper. I’m not waiting for him. Not anymore.”

I’m not sure what she means by that.

“Then why are you up here? You don’t even have a coat. It’s bloody cold, Agatha.”

It is. The wind is icy and there’s been a distinct chill in the air all day. I see a shiver run through her as the next gust of wind washes over us.

I take off my duffel coat and drape it over her shoulders. She makes an attempt to protest but sinks into it gratefully when I insist, shoving her hands deep in the pockets. There’s a flash of white in her hand as she does, a piece of fabric clutched between her fingers.

“I just needed to clear my head,” Agatha says, leaning on the ramparts again, her shoulder brushing mine.

“And did you?” I don’t know why I’m making small talk but I can’t just leave when she’s wearing my coat, now can I?

Agatha turns to me, reaching out her hand to take mine. “I did.”

I’m not sure what she’s doing. Her fingers are cold as they thread between my own.

“I’ve been thinking, Simon.”

I swallow but I don’t have anything to say. I have the distinct feeling I’ve gotten myself into a situation here. And I’m likely to bollocks it up even further, knowing me.

“Thinking about you. And me. And Baz.”

Merlin and Morgana. It may be cold up here but I break into a sweat at her words. Can she know how I feel about Baz?

Bloody hell.

“I don’t know if you’re aware, Simon, but Baz and I broke up at the end of the school year.”

This is news to me.

“I didn’t . . . I hadn’t realized.” My mind is racing. Is that what was happening that day in the Wavering Wood? Had Baz broken up with her?

“No, I suppose you hadn’t.” She squeezes my hand. “You’re such a dear, you know.”

I’m starting to feel very uncomfortable.

“I made some realizations that day and came to the decision that Baz and I really weren’t suited for each other.”

She broke up with Baz? Who would break up with Baz?

I drop her hand. “Is that why he hasn’t come back?” I can’t quite keep the accusatory tone out of my voice.

“I’ve no idea. I haven’t spoken to him.” She flips her hair back. “I honestly don’t think he was all that upset about it. It wasn’t as if we were in love, or anything. We just sort of drifted together in the first place and then drifted apart. It happens.”

I blink. “But . . . but . . . you and Baz, you’re not . . . you aren’t . . .” I’m blustering. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Agatha broke up with Baz.

Baz, the boy I’ve loved for three years.

Baz, who hates me.

Baz, who’s missing.

“It was nice while it lasted, Simon, but it’s not like Baz is the only boy at Watford.”

He’s the only one for me, I think.

Agatha reaches out and puts her hand on my wrist. “We should go in, Simon. I’m sure you’re freezing.” She hooks her arm around mine and tugs me towards the stairs.

I’m in a daze. I’m not really paying much attention to what Agatha is saying until we’re at the bottom of the steps. Mummers is to our left and the Cloisters to our right. This is where we should part ways.

“It’s been nice sitting with you and Penny and getting a chance to get to know you.” She squeezes my arm as she says this and I’m on alert again. “I’d like to get to know you better.” It’s almost a purr and she’s smiling that smile at me again.

Oh.

“Ah . . . yeah . . . it’s been nice getting to know you too.” I’m stumbling over my words. “Uh . . . and for Penny too. It’s nice for her to have another friend.”

“Hmm. Yes, of course. Friends.” She draws the word out as she looks up at me from under her lashes and she’s a vision--all golden hair, deep brown eyes, milky skin. She’s gorgeous but all I feel is a sense of dread.

I have the distinct impression Baz’s ex-girlfriend is hitting on me. Which is not what I want in the slightest.

Fuck. This is all my fault. I was right--I’ve given Agatha the wrong impression. She’s obviously convinced I’ve been pining over her, rather than Baz. What a bloody mess. How do I manage to always bollocks things up?

I need to get out of here. Find a way to brush her off without pissing her off as well. Good luck with that. I’m shit with words.

“Uh . . . so I’ll see you tomorrow then?” I’m so stupid. That’s encouraging her. Merlin, I am absolute pants at this.

“Yes, I’d like that.”

Oh fuck. Tomorrow is Saturday. I wouldn’t have to see her at all and now I just put my foot in it. I’m a fucking disaster. How do I do this to myself?

“Um . . . see you at breakfast then.” I’m trying to minimize the damage. Maybe that’ll work. I unhook my arm from hers and take a few steps towards Mummers.

“Oh, Simon! Your coat.” Agatha starts to shrug out of it.

“No, it’s alright. You wear it. You’ve got the longer walk.”

Her lips curve up again. I know it’s supposed to be attractive but it just makes me more agitated.

She pulls the collar of my coat up, snuggles into it and says “Smells like you. Like a bonfire. Warm and cozy.”

And that’s it. I can’t have her keeping my coat. I can’t have her snuggling in it and looking at me this way and thinking about me like that.

“Um . . . why don’t I just walk you back now and I can take it with me then?”

That makes her look even happier.

Fuck.

She takes my arm again, pulling me close, and we start to walk towards the Cloisters, Agatha chatting at me the whole way there.

She’s talking about Christmas and the Club and the parties her parents have for the holiday. I catch about half of what she’s saying.

I can’t really pay attention. My brain has short-circuited at the idea that Agatha might be attracted to me.

I need to put a stop to this. I’ve accidentally led her on but now that I suspect she’s got an interest in me I can’t let it keep going.

Mostly because I’m not attracted to her that way.

But also because I know how hurt Baz would be to know Agatha turned her attention to me, after breaking it off with him.

Likely more furious than hurt. It would make him hate me even more.

It feels disloyal to him to even be walking with her this way--arm in arm, her head practically resting on my shoulder.

It’s a relief when we finally reach the Cloisters and Agatha slides my coat off. She hugs it to her for one instant before handing it back and my stomach plummets.

I put it on and busy myself with the buttons, backing away from the door as I do.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then, Simon.” “See you at breakfast, yeah.” And then I make a run for it, literally jogging across the courtyard to Mummers and taking the steps two at a time to get to my room.

Bloody hell. That’s all I need now, Agatha taking a fancy to me. What a disaster. I jam my hands in my coat pockets as I walk to my wardrobe.

There’s something in the left hand pocket. I pull out a wadded bit of cloth.

It’s one of Baz’s handkerchiefs. I’d know it anywhere. It’s got his family crest on it: flames, the moon, three falcons. I clench it in my hand.

It’s what Agatha was holding.

I know there are half a dozen just like it in the drawer across the room but this one feels precious to me. I bring it up to my face and inhale.

It smells like Baz.

I’ll make this right with Agatha tomorrow. I’ll figure out what to do, what to say, to stop whatever she thinks is going on.

I tuck the handkerchief under my pillow.

Distancing myself from Agatha isn’t as easy as I’d hoped. She sits next to me at mealtimes. She’s in more than half my classes.

I’ve taken to studying in the room because she comes to the library to sit with me and Penny now. I’m sure it’s going to affect my marks, not studying with Penny, but it’s too awkward having Agatha there.

She bumped her leg against mine today and then kept it there.

I had to pretend to go look for a book in the stacks when shifting away from her didn’t work.

I should just tell her.

Not that I fancy Baz. I’m not telling anyone that. I haven’t even told Penny.

No, I’ll have to tell Agatha I don’t think of her that way. Which I’m sure will sound absolutely lame and ridiculous, as she’s the most gorgeous girl in school and the rest of the blokes would likely kill for a chance to date her, now that she’s not with Baz anymore.

I still wonder about that. I can’t imagine why she broke it off with him. I mean, yes, he’s a snide arsehole and an arrogant prick but he’s never been that way with her. He’s all courtly and chivalrous, polite and attentive. He’s fit and smart and posh as hell. An Old Family name and Old Family money. Quite the catch and drop-dead gorgeous to boot.

It doesn’t make sense.

Maybe it’s the vampire thing. But surely she knew before now? She couldn’t be dating him for three years and not know, could she?

I mean, I know.

And yes, fine, it’s not confirmed or anything. I haven’t caught him in the act of draining a rat. I don’t have proof, photographs, a written confession--all the things Penny demands as evidence.

But I know.

And I don’t care.

Really, I don’t.

He’s not that kind of vampire. I know he doesn’t go after people. It’s rats and rabbits and squirrels. It’s probably just enough for him to get by. He doesn’t even go after Ebb’s goats and they’re easy prey.

Except Ebb would likely incinerate him on the spot. She’s tetchy about the goats.

Baz has had every opportunity to drain me dry and he hasn’t--and it’s not just the Anathema that’s keeping him from it. He could easily have done it in the Catacombs. Or in the Wavering Wood. Fed me to the merwolves when he was done with me and blamed my absence on one of the Mage’s missions gone wrong. No one would have known.

But he hasn’t.

That has to mean something.

I know I was an arse about it fourth and fifth year. I’d shout about Baz being a vampire to anyone who would listen.

No one really did. They all thought I was mental.

And then, that night, when I saw him in the Catacombs by his mother’s tomb--that’s when I knew I was right.

I could see the freshly drained rats in the corner. I could see, even by torchlight, that his face had more color to it.

It was the circumstantial evidence that I’d been seeking but it felt hollow when I had it in my grasp.

I’d turned away. Left him there. Left him and went straight to the library.

To the Magickal Records.

To read everything I could about Natasha Pitch. And how she died.

It made sense then. They’d Turned Baz that day. It wasn’t written out anywhere or mentioned at all.

But knowing Baz, seeing him in the Catacombs, hearing what he said, reading the accounts--it isn’t that hard to piece it together. He was Turned the day his mother died.

He was a child and they killed his mother and Turned him. I’d happily incinerate the lot of them if Natasha Pitch hadn’t done it already.

Baz has been hiding it ever since. He’s been trying to live his life as a Mage and repress that other side of him.

All the pieces fell into place. Why he was so secretive. Why having a roommate--any roommate--would be torture for him. Why he kept his distance from almost everyone in our class. Except Dev and Niall, who are basically family or close to it.

And Agatha.

All I did was make life more miserable for him.

So I’d stopped. Stopped accusing him of being a vampire. Stopped following him down to the Catacombs. Stopped picking fights with him about every little thing.

But I couldn’t stop watching him. Couldn’t stop trying to stay close to him.

Couldn’t risk something happening to him.

Or the chance that someone would find out what he is. Especially the Mage.

I suppose you could say I was watching over him. That sounds better than stalking, I think.

We’d not been at each other’s throats by seventh year. We had a pattern. A way of moving around each other, navigating the spaces in our room, our interactions distant but almost civil.

It was what had made me so hopeful for this year. That maybe Baz was as tired of fighting as I was. That the first steps we’d taken last year might take us on a path to something different.

Not what I longed for but maybe, just maybe, we could find a way to be friends.

But he’s not here.

He’s not here and every day feels like the emptiness he’s left behind grows bigger.

It’s a weight on my chest, like I can’t take in a deep enough breath, as if there’s not enough air for me to breathe anymore.

The days pass.

I stop looking for Baz.

I know it’s not his step on the stairs. I know he’s not in the seat behind me in class. I know it’s not his feet rustling the leaves in the Wavering Wood (he’s much stealthier than that).

I know it’s not him on the football pitch.

He’s nowhere he should be and that hurts.

I avoid Agatha as best I can. I’ve taken to avoiding meals just so I don’t have to sit with her. Or I’ll just rush in, stuff my face for a few moments at the table, and then rush off to my room with a few bacon butties or scones in my hand.

Penny thinks I’m being ridiculous. “Just tell her you’re not interested, Simon.” She kicks my leg under the table. Agatha left breakfast early to finish her Political Science essay so Penny and I are finally, blissfully alone. “You’re not a good match, so just tell her already and let’s stop this hide and seek you’re playing.”

“I’m not playing hide and seek.”

“You practically run out of the room when she comes in and then she’s wandering around looking for you. It’s aggravating, Simon.”

“I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”

Penny glares at me over her glasses. “You think it’s any better leading her on like this?”

I groan. “I don’t mean to lead her on, Penny. I thought she’d get the hint by now.”

Penny’s eyes narrow. “Communication, Simon. You can’t expect people to read your mind. Just tell her it’s a bad idea and move on.”

She’s right.

Confrontation unnerves me. This kind, I mean, the kind I can’t solve with my sword.

I’m good at confronting goblins and orc-upines and all manner of dark creatures, but I’m shit at talking about things like this. Feelings. Relationships. I’ve just got no clue how to go about it and I’m sure I’ll bollocks it up. I’m shit with words.

I grab fistfuls of my hair and groan again. “You’re right, Penny. I know. I’ll figure out a way to tell her.”

“There’s nothing to figure out, Simon. It’s just a short conversation. ‘Agatha, I just want to be friends.’ That’s it.”

“Ugh. I know.” I pull on my hair again. “Did I tell you she’s invited me home with her for Christmas?”

“Simon, you know you can’t go.”

“Of course, I’m not going to go. I’ll go back to the home, like I always do.”

Her eyes soften and she reaches across the table to take my hand. “I wish I could bring you home with me, Simon, you know I do.”

I squeeze her hand. “I know you do, Pen. You all barely fit as it is. You don’t need me sleeping in your bathtub.” I’m trying to lighten the mood. I know Penny hates the idea of me being in the homes. She was going to write a stern letter to the Mage about it fifth year but I wouldn’t let her.

“I’d sleep in the bathtub if it came to that, Simon. But Mum’s told me I can’t bring you, even if I spell you invisible. It’s just too much.”

I know it’s my magic. And me, in general. I put Professor Bunce on edge.

She’s sensitive to the overabundance of magic in me and it gives her a headache. And I’m generally in the way: knocking over stacks of books or messing up her papers or making a bollocks of a spell. It’s an effort to have me there for a weekend.

There’s no way she could tolerate me for all of Winter Break.

I can’t say Agatha’s offer isn’t tempting. I’ve never spent Christmas with people. In a house with a real tree and a fireplace and a holiday meal and people who actually like each other sitting around a table together.

There’s usually just a pathetic fake tree at the homes, with donated gifts beneath it, and a shoddy Santa on Christmas Day for the little ‘uns.

We usually get a sham of a Christmas dinner. Turkey and gravy, a dollop of lumpy mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts and then a pudding of sorts. There’s still never enough to make me feel full.

So I can’t say it’s not tempting. It is. More than Penny can imagine. But it’s not fair to Agatha to take her up on the offer.

If she were Penny I’d do it a heartbeat. But things are already far too awkward with Agatha and I can’t go under false pretences. I don’t want to be her boyfriend.

And I think she’ll rescind the offer when I tell her all I want is to be friends.

It’s fine. I’ve spent every Christmas of my life in the homes so far and I can manage one more. It’ll be the last one anyway.

I’m on my own once I graduate from Watford. Out of the care system forever.

I’m buttering another scone when the doors to the dining hall fly open. At first I think it’s another Visiting but when the figure steps through the doors my heart thumps hard enough to almost burst from my chest.

I know that face. I know it as well as my own.

Black hair.

Grey eyes.

Baz.

I stand up, knocking my chair over. Penny clutches at my sleeve.

He doesn’t look right. He’s too thin. Too grey.

He’s limping.

Baz.

Our eyes meet.

It takes everything in me to keep from running to him. Penny’s fingers are digging into my forearm. I think she’s going to leave bruises.

He’s not looking away.

I could never look away.

Baz

Snow is the first person I see, making as much of a racket as usual, surging to his feet and knocking over a chair as he does, the clumsy oaf.

I feel like I can breathe again at the sight of him. Something loosens in my chest at the familiarity of his face. Those ordinary blue eyes. Bronze curls in a tangled mess.

Our eyes meet and I can’t look away.

I don’t know why my gaze always targets him. No matter who else is in the room, I find myself seeking out Snow.

He’s thin. He shouldn’t be so thin. He looks as worn and strained as he does on the first day of term. This isn’t how Snow should look. His cheeks should be filled out by now, from the mountains of butter-slathered scones he’s devoured, the stacks of roast beef sandwiches he’s inhaled, the endless piles of bacon butties he loves.

I look like shit myself, if Fiona is any judge. I know I’m thin, frightfully pale and saddled with this ungainly limp still. Fuck the bloody numpties.

Snow hasn’t looked away so neither do I.

The thought comes unexpectedly and I don’t know what to make of it.

We match.

I look away. I can’t keep my eyes locked on Snow with those kinds of thoughts in my head.

Thoughts like the ones that would come to me when I was near mad with thirst and desperation while I was with the numpties.

Blue eyes.

Bronze curls.

The fact that Simon Snow is the most powerful magician alive.

That the image of him in my head was what kept me from succumbing to the darkness.

I don’t know what that means.

#carry on countdown #coc 2019 #Simon Snow #baz pitch #carry on #snowbaz #my writing #my fics #role swap

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newmayhem · 4 years

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Ha'Shmla Dictionary

Disclaimer: None of this is mine, everything was collected from Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’ old websites, the wiki, and the old message boards. Anything written in the first person is a direct quote from Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. For all the entries in the The Den of Shadows Reference series, check the tag or this page.

This dictionary in particular is courtesy of @sleepyspoonie.

WORDS

a – from, of, after

acita – nice, pleasant, nicely, pleasantly, to be nice, to be pleasant

adad – less, to have less, lessening

adir – more, to have more, increasing

Ahnleh – Fate, Eternity, Illusion, Destiny, the eight deity/concepts in the pantheon combined with the concept of Choice and the ability of Choice to change EVERYTHING

Ahnmik – Power, Power of Will, eternity, illusion, bondage, peace, strong and emotionless thought

ahoke – remain, to remain, what remains

a’le – a form of informal improvisatory dance, putting a twist on an old form (example: sakkri’a’le , harja’a’le), literally “according to your will”

ale – will, intent, that which is intended to happen

aleya – wish, to desire, to want

Anhamirak – Freedom, Free Will, eternity, illusion, passion, war, strong and thoughtless emotion

aona – heir to empress / emperor, lord / lady, ruler of second highest status, literally “future ruler” or “after the current ruler” (a = from /after, ona = current ruler)

ase – good, well, to be good

ashe – informal generic good-bye or farewell, to say good-bye, a separation

asta – because, caused by ___

awebre – song, to sing, melodic, musical, music

ayan – end, to close, closed, closing

azne – fear, to fear, frightening, afraid

ban – ability, to be able (to), able

banzi – great, greatly, one who is great

battou – enough, to have enough, sufficient

bitte – taste, flavour, to taste

brokan – eternal, timeless, forever, eternally, always

Brysh – Death (both the concept and the entity responsible for it, so always capitalized

btaleh – naïve, naively, one who is naive

carnan – gift, to receive, given

cia’Brysh – end, the end, to end, an ending, ending place, final

ciacin – hello (generic formal)

cin – hello (generic informal), to say hello, a greeting or a meeting

cia’Namid – beginning, to begin, a beginning place

cinca – day, the day, a day, daily

cincanon – night, the night, a night, nightly

cincara – Good morning! , a morning hello, morning, young, new, foolish

cincarre – Good afternoon / evening! , an afternoon or evening hello, afternoon, evening, old, wise

cjarsa – silver (the substance AND the colour)

cocoon – to fade, faded

dasandi - discovery, to find, found, finder

devan – to stand, resolved, adamant

Diente – King or Queen of a diverse group, less powerful but less isolated than Ona and Aona

dinga – to follow, to pursue, follower, pursuer, one who follows, a following, a hunter, one who hunts, hunting

divi – stars, star, starry, like a star

Ecl – Uncreation, Nonexistence, Void, all that does not/cannot exist, illusion, eternity, the future, insanity, delusion, delirium

efelna - green

einir – to change, in the sense of becoming something else, not in the sense of replacing

elar – a dash or hyphen used to separate lines of writing or individual thoughts (-)

elavie – a shapeshifter

enae – death, dead, to die

epule – to rely on, trusted, reliable

fal – hand, reach, reaching, the ability or power to reach, all that is within your scope/power

falianam –bereft, to bereave, to take away, literally “empty handed” or “unable to reach / obtain / have”

falmay – to help, to assist, assistance, literally “to give a hand” or “to lend a hand” or “to give what-is-within-your-power”

falnas – hand, to touch, to reach out for something, literally “reach-feel” or “ability to feel/touch”

fant – anger, to become angry, angry

fente - wing

ferat – skin, to feel (something)

fide – faith, faithful, to have faith (in)

frel – to make, to build, maker, builder

gah – sight, to see, visible, gift

gah’Ahnmik – darkness, dark

gah’Anhamirak – beauty, beautiful, light, bright, glory (as of brightness)

gase – beauty, to be beautiful, beautiful

gen – you (informal), your

geniam – liar, to pretend, false, actor, to act, lying, deceit

girian – gold, golden, gilt

ha – speech, language, to speak, speaker

habre – rose (the flower), rosy

haile – savior, hero, to rescue, saved

halaur – disturbance, to be out of place, interloper

hanlah – easy, effortless, without difficulty, not hard to do

hanlah’melos – the first dance a dancer learns, one dancer with one scarf, literally “easy scarf-dance”

hara – echo, to echo, echoing, literally “speech-child”

harja – attraction, to attract, seduction, to seduce, a form of dance with 6 variations, all using either a drum or no accompaniment at all in the background

hatia – lose, to lose, lost, loser, losing

he – sound, to hear, audible, audibly

heah – thought, to think/know/believe, believed, thoughtful, thinker

heah’ne – crazy, literally “little thought”

he’Anhamirak – noise, noisy

heasha – memory, to remember, remembered

hehj – do, did, does, will, am, are? The Generic Question Word (what? when used in conjunction with another question-word)

hehja / ke – if/then

hehj’ban - can ___? may ___ ? literally “what way” or “what ability”

hehj’heah – how ___? literally “what thought”

hehj’hena – what ___? literally “what is”

hehj’sheni – when ___? literally “what time”

hehj’lo – where ____? literally “what place”

hehj’rsh – who / whom ___? literally “what people”

hemet – to realize, realization

hena – to be, having existence, is, am, are

heur – brilliance, to shine, bright

ihelo – to become, becoming

ikku – belief, to believe, reasonable/plausible/believable

im – creation, to become, new

intre – silence, silent, silently

irmalo – brother, fraternal

itil – dancer, to dance, dancing

jacon – need, to need, necessary

jas - love, understanding, compassion, charity

jaes – jewel, art, magic, that-which-is-valuable-or-useful, skill, talent, purpose, use, value, treasure, that-which-is-precious

jaes’falnas – a dance that uses props, either fire, blades, or crystals (the “jaes” or jewel), literally means “jeweled hand”

jaud – moonlight, to shine, to glow, the colour of moonlight

jeira – blue, royal blue

jkair – flight, to fly, able to fly, ability to fly

jol – war, to war, of war, warlike

ka – no, negative, the opposite of ___

kaen – correction, to fix, incorrect

Kain – Thunder, music, air and water, living in the now

Kain’he – air (thunder-sound, literally)

Kain’he’nese – breath, to breathe (literally “air-life”)

kajaes – without magic, without skill, useless, without a purpose, worthless, having no value

kala – worship, to worship, a worshipper

ka’rre – pain, to harm, painful, torture, to torment, literally “no relief” or “opposite of healing / rest”

Kaya – Lightning, dance, fire and earth, living in the now

Kaya’gah – light, bright, literally “lightning-sight”

Kaya’he – fire, to burn with flame, literally “lightning-sound”

Kaya’he’tasa – heat, to burn with heat, hot, literally “fire’s greed”

ke – yes, affirmative

ke’ke – and, also

keiel – hatred, loathing, to hate

keyi – hope, hopeful, to hope

kin – effect, result, what happens because of a person’s actions

kisu – to kill, killing, killer

kontiel – avalanche, tumbling, to tumble

ksmarjan – fantasy, imagined reality

kyrai – informal ‘she’

kyrait – informal ‘he’

kyrsh – informal they, them, their

la – I, me, mine, my, to be called, named

lakin – fault, responsibility, to be at fault, to be responsible, credit

lalina – humanity, human

lalintoth – friend, friendly

la’pt – us, we, our, ours

lar – to strive, to struggle, the superlative form: ____est

larmaen – center, crucial

las – every, everything, all

le – will, to want, desire or will, chosen, to choose, to make a choice, ability to choose

le’Namid – birth, literally “will of Namid”

Leona – kingdom, literally “will to command”

Leonisa – divine realm, literally “kingdom of gods”

Leon’Namid – beginning realm, before creation or birth

leoser – sleep, to sleep, sleepy, sleeper

live – wake, to wake, wakeful

litae – blaze, large fire, blazing, ardent, zealous

lo – place, location, placement, habitation, state-of-being (both physical and spiritual place); sometimes used as ‘of’, but not in the usual way

locina - yesterday

lockli – forest, to grow, sheltered

mael – elite, the colour silver (but NOT the substance)

maen – within, inside, contained by ___

maenka – beyond, not within, outside

mak – true, correct, accurate, precise, pure, right, real, reality

mana – lord or lady, keeper, person of power, person of responsibility, Master or Mistress

mareksa – foreboding, to forebode

marl - white

may – to give, to lend, loan, aide, gift-of-the-temporary-sort, gift-of-the-moment, an act of kindness or charity

Mehay – Creation, Existence, all that exists, all that is created, soul, past, the universe, illusion, Reality, eternity

mehn – creation, to create

melos – scarf or sash, a form of dance involving the use of scarves, having 13 variations, including hanlah’melos, pan’melos, and melos’girian

melos’efelna – a dance involving two dancers (lovers, in this case) with three scarves, literally “green scarf-dance”

melos’girian – a dance that serves as wedding vows for the dancers involved, literally “golden scarves”

mijrasi – edge, outside, external

mir - maybe

mirshna – to sense (non-tactile), intuition

nanon – to avoid, unpleasant

naral – blade, sharp, to cut

nas – touch, to touch, to feel, tactile, gift

nasa - command, order, imperative verb tense

nelar – breath, to breathe, literally “to strive for life”

nepon – flower, to blossom

nese – life, alive, to live

Nesera – dance, dancer, to dance as a religion, literally “life-child” or “little dream”

nesma – distress, upset, to upset

nie – an apostrophe used to separate concepts and phrases in writing (‘)

nikir – pair, to wed, twinned

nira – loneliness, single, one, alone

noreil – secret, a secret

norvio - black

o – to, unto, for

o’hena – you’re welcome, of course, literally “because it is (so)”

ona – empress / emperor, lord / lady, ruler of highest status, Current Ruler

ontiel – to radiate outward

o’saerre – a hawk shapeshifter, literally “unto the serpent(s)”

oun – balance, balanced, balancing, to balance

pala – earth, dirt, soil, to plant, to bury pan’melos – the most complex of the 13 melos forms of dance, a single dancer working with 10 scarves, but never touching more than one at a time

pata – change, to change, changing, as to trade something for another thing or replace it, not as to become

pallion – to deepen, deep, true

peraine – older (thing, person), to age, old

plena – dumb, stupid, idiot, ignorant, fool, foolish

ptenal – surround, enclose

quean – fire, to burn, hot, to die in a fire

quemak – mongrel, impure, false, half-breed, mixed-blood, untrue

ra – child, offspring, creation or idea

rael – rage, to anger, enraged

rahvis – (no known definition yet)

rai – formal ‘she’

rait – formal ‘he’

rakuvra - cobra

rashtanis

ravi – to give or to make something, or to make something happen

raviban – permission, literally “give/make (a) way”

raviheah – teacher, to teach, literally “give/make knowledge/thought”

regre – to show, reveal, visible, displayed

rrasatoth – beloved, lover, to love romantically

rre – rest, relief, healing, restoring, to rest or be healed or sleep, restful, relieving, a healer

rrobhi – to bathe, clean, pure, purified, cleansed

rsh – formal they, them, their, one (hypothetical person, not number), one’s, people, a person, a person’s

rspar – ash, to crumble, crumbling, ashen, like unto ash

saerre – a serpent shapeshifter

sakkri – spirit, essence, spirits-as-in-ghosts-or-faeries-or-angels, a form of dance unaccompanied by music and which uses no props (scarves, knives, fire, etc.)

san’Anhamirak – pliancy, to bend, pliant, freedom, abandon, literally “essence of Freedom”

san’asi – a sakkri involving 3 dancers, literally “raising the gods” or “invoking the essence(s) of ___”

sanice – consent, blessing, to bless, to give consent

savirnak – sacrifice, to sacrifice, to give up for another

seatratil – year, yearly, this year

sendra – wet, water, fluid

ser- to approach or come, to linger, to stay; to observe, to watch for the purpose of knowing something; to be like a shadow, shadow, shadowing

sera – dream, literally “future-shadow” or “future-watching”

serdinga – lurker, to lurk, spy, to spy, literally “shadow-following” or “watch-following”

sheeva – cold, to shiver, to be cold

she – now, this moment

she’da – story-dances, the only form of dances accompanied by vocalization, and it is spoken instead of sung

Sheni – time, timely, a time or era, Time (as an entity)

Shre – choice, to choose, chosen, Choice (as an entity)

sine – to leave, gone, to be dismissed

sneska – to shed, to discard, discarded

solilei – fall, to fall, fallen

sotre – to flap (wings)

stankhu – reason, to have a reason

suni – malevolence, evil

tacarre – evening, night, good-night, a night-time Good-bye

tara – heat, hot, to be hot

tasa – greed, too much

tasashe – always, formal generic Good-bye, in a ‘see you later’, non-permanent sense, literally “too much time (until we meet again)”

teska – thanks, to ask/request, please, thank-you

thayd – caution, to be cautious

thu’queh – to question, to ask questioningly

ti – to move, mobile

tih – stop, to stop

tipa – to shift, to move

tirna – butterfly, like a butterfly

tisa – too little, not enough, deprivation

toth – love, lovely, loving, loved, beloved

tshin – piece, to shatter, broken

tu - two

tuon – together, to move toward ___

valnis – mountain, high place

varl – to give, gift

varl’Nesera – blessing, literally “give dance”

vehl – teardrop, sad, to cry

vehlar – heart, living, alive

vem – blood, to bleed, alive

vem’Ahnleh – a very nasty curse, literally “bleeding Fate”

vemka – bloodless, cowardly, coward, ignoble (not of noble blood), mongrel, half-breed, polluted, impure, weak, weakling

veritas – eye, seeing, to view

vesake – sorry, apology, to apologize, to be sorry, to be or feel guilty

vesara – presence, to have presence, to be present

vino – ocean, sea

vis – taste, possessing flavour, tasty, to taste

warum – part, piece, individual, drop, unit

wihfar – birth, to be born

wim – ownership, to own, owner, to control

wimashe – to exist, to go about one’s life, generic formal PERMANENT good-bye, literally “may the future be yours”

wimvi – food, to eat, literally “to own the taste”

yao – lucidity, clarity, clear, to be clear

yarroh – spark, to spark

yelok – to reduce, to lessen

yenna – tower, towers, high place(s), perch, mews (a place where you keep trained falcons for falconry), nest, aerie / eyrie (the nest of a wild bird-of-prey), a noble’s home, fortress, guarded place

zil – fear, to flee, one who flees

zinan – destruction, to destroy

GRAMMAR

There are four standard sentence forms. Remember these abbreviations, okey?

P – prepositional phrase

I – inflective phrase

S – subject phrase

V – verb phrase

O – object phrase

a- plural (“pt”) if necessary [you won’t always be USING a plural, after all]

A – adjective or adverb

N – noun in the prepositional phrase

“nasa” – imperative

Q – question, interrogative

v – truth value (ke, ka, or mir = yes, no, or maybe)

T – tense of the whole sentence

Got all that? Here we go.

P-I-S-V-O Example:

a’S’A-V’A-A’O

Example: pt’heah’heah-heah’heah-heah’heah

“Thoughtful thoughts think thoughtfully thoughtful thoughts.”

P’N’A-a’S’A-V’A-a’A’O Example:

I = nasa’v OR I = T’Q’v Example:

PHRASES

Hehj’hena? - What happened?

She’hehj-la-ha? - Am I speaking?

She’hehj’ban-la-ha? – Can I speak?

She’hehj’heah-la-ha? – How do I speak?

She’hehj’hena-la-ha? - What do I say?

She’hehj’lo-la-ha? – Where do I speak?

She’hehj’rsh-la-ha? – Who is speaking?

She’hehj’mak-la-ha? – Why do I speak?

Shen’hehj-a’la-gen-ha? – Are you speaking to me?

She’hehj’ban-maen’teska-gen-ha’intre? – Could you speak quietly, please?

She’hihj’heah-gen-heah-la’ha? – How do you know I’m speaking?

A’she’hehj’sheni-gen’heah-rai’ha? – When do you think she will speak?

O’she’hehj’lo-gen’he-la’ha? - Where did you hear me speak?

A’rai-a’she-hehj’rsh-ha? – Who will speak to her?

A’rsh’pt-she’hehj’mak-la-le’ha? – Why do I want to speak to these people?

WRITING SYSTEM

#Reference #kiesha'ra #Nyeusigrube #Den of Shadows #amelia atwater rhodes

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blankdblank · 5 years

Text

Anaticula Pt 10

Pt 1 - Pt 2 - Pt 3 - Pt 4 - Pt 5 - Pt 6 - Pt 7 - Pt 8 - Pt 9 -

I’ll skip the tags. Unless you want onto this series’ list.

The end of the Flora & Fauna Competition, the second semester, a relationship and onto the summertime adventures. Some hints at what’s coming up and OC is sent off with Hagrid to fetch Harry. :D

…

“So no name yet for Cubbie?”

You shook your head glancing at the now three foot tall cub chasing a snowman you had enchanted for him to do so while you huddled in an open breezeway to complete the final touches on your note sheet allowed for the first of your semester exams. Beside you Charlie sat brushing his Demiguise’s fur back before adding his hat to match his sweater. “Nope, he doesn’t answer to anything I’ve tried. Above that I guess he does tend to turn his head and run to me when I huff though.”

Charlie chuckled, “Maybe that’s part of the lingo, he thinks that’s his name.” you rolled your eyes and finished your sheet, putting that away you pulled out his quiz cards making him groan earning a glance from your cub that went back to playing.

“You wanted my help studying.”

He closed his jacket around his Diricawl with boots and a woven poncho and put his notebooks away in his bag listening to your first testing question.

A final day of studying after the final game of the Puffs vs Ravens bled into the lull of days until you were off to separate homes for Christmas this year. Weasley home was now headquarters for their full brood as the Malfoys, Tonks’ and Longbottoms were all at your family home. Another year’s worth of updates and a few more pictures were sent off to the Dursleys without a hope from you to hear anything in return, simply taking enjoyment that the option for a response was possible one day.

New Years bled into returning back to school again with more tales to share with Tulip from you and Opal. The final week brought on Ravenclaw vs Slytherin, continuing their usual pattern of a stunning back and forth ending with a close call differing the score by the snitch points.

February followed as always with the coveted battle of the Weasley clan with your now five foot tall cub bouncing eagerly in the snow filled sand pit at the base of your team’s hoops granting him ample space to bound around until the seemingly endless battle carried on. Though at the end of the month a final inspection of your creatures and plants, Newt had come out and brought his suitcase with him remaining calm you watched your cub trot eagerly beside his mother, who had come to claim her son to guide him through his first big hunt in the wild Newt would take them back to their home in the wild to do so. Charlie about was in tears handing over the stubborn bird he had spent months chasing after and the easy departure his Demiguise had him having to leave the room to keep from causing a scene.

Still you held your place with a puzzled expression as Miranda claimed your bright green plant and final copy of your journals while Newt shifted closer to you pleased to see Opal under your hair in the room and started to ask you about your latest tests on Phoenix potions. Usual tears seemed painful, and were well known to be so while also the strongest possible thing able to repair the damage done. In a dig into his own pocket he passed you a few options you might be able to try from his own studies since hearing of her injuries. When the last of the judges had gone your eyes dropped to Idris in your arms, now the size of a watermelon with a two foot long white to blue gold tipped tail with a matching flopped over plum of feathers on top of his head.

“Um, I thought you had to take all our choices.”

Newt eyed Idris then let out a weak chuckle, “We could try, we have before, but they always return, same as Phoenix and Thunderbirds.” His gave you another grin saying, “I will keep you posted on your cub. They do enjoy their time in the wild, and even though he seems aloof now he will want to see you again. I’ll be sure to help you set up dates for him to come and visit you. Of course might be a bit, the males tend to need a break with their keepers while they choose mates for their own cubs.”

You giggled saying, “Of course.” His eyes dropped to Opal again as you said your goodbyes and you turned to head back to your dorm while Idris accepted your lift up to ease his take off for a daily flight with Fawkes.

Under your hair Opal asked softly, “Is he coming back?”

Softly you replied, “Not to stay. He’s fully grown, off to find a mate of his own soon.”

“Could I use his swing then?”

Softly you giggled to yourself, “Of course.” Stirring a grin onto her face.

Without further distraction you were able to focus on your studies and side potions with the twins. Your first success was taking an often used trick by Remus for when you had to take potions tasting miserable. Chocolate. It was an easy idea, nice and simple that stirred an avalanche of products to tests. Sending out simple requests after quidditch practices, and especially your match against Slytherin in April there were ample chances to try each.

Simple scrapes, aches and bruises eased with a cherry flavored energy burst, the one working the best towards healing was the dark chocolate with cherry energy burst successful in healing most minor injuries you went to marking a note for stocking up on the foil wrappers you had already designed for them over the previous months. 30 in each batch had you off to a decent start and soon enough with your family and the students you were onto your fourth batch before long while working on a few variations for without the energy burst to try and have more effect from the Phoenix tears.

May was half over and Charlie’s worrying had reached its crescendo, NEWTS had begun in the final two weeks and his six chosen courses to test for stunned most of the sixth years coming up on their own exams the next year. But finally it was over and all he had to do was wait for the results with the final game of Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw to end the year off right. The final month more and more you seemed to be avoided by him and at the train ride home you understood why.

After packing he came to find you sitting up after another bad dream down in your Chamber hoping not to wake the guys. A folded letter was passed over and wetting his lips Charlie stated, “They accepted me in the Dragon Breeding grounds in Romania, want me there right away.” More and more he seemed to just spew all he could in hopes of easing this change. As best you heard there was a wish for your happiness, being able to be with someone your own age and not have to wait on him to possibly return when all he’d ever wanted was to spend his life with dragons. Wordlessly he left the room without any idea on what else to say, content that you hadn’t cried or objected to his reasoning.

You understood, you did, probably more than he ever considered. In his absence you moved away from your desk to sit in one of the armchairs, legs easing up in front of you drawing your forehead against your knees with hair rippling to a deep black. At once a sharp gasp filled your lungs for the round of sobs that followed in your pained weeping for the lost hope of your chance for a normal relationship.

You were the formerly dead girl, Slytherin’s Heir, keeper of deadly animals and daughter to a Wizard supposedly still in hiding from the Ministry itself behind a now well known rule against your dating. All that on top of your secret trips for snake venom in the summers and self appointed tasks of Horcrux hunting while befriending Death Eaters no less. Who in their right mind would want to date you in all this? Muggles had crazy cat ladies, you guessed you would be the crazy Dragon lady. But in all that mental drama you flooded upon yourself you still hoped that one day if you did turn to that, that maybe just maybe, Charlie might want you then.

Around you arms circled you with the twins folding awkwardly into the chair intertwining their legs around you. “He might have taken six NEWTS but Charlie’s hit a branch too many falling out of the dunce tree.”

George, “If it helps your owl just popped up. Something bout a trumpeting viper out in Peru, Regulus wanted to know if we would mind him grabbing us at the station.”

Fred, “Course Malfoy’s dropping off Draco again right after, so it’s straight out from the station and back again.”

George, “Nice clean break.”

You nodded and sniffled again, “Ya. I just think, it was all a bit much. Unofficial and, then the studying and extra creature tests. He can go play with his Dragons and I can refocus on our shop and taking down Voldy and the final horcrux.”

The pair of them kissed your forehead saying, “Let’s go up and write back, head out straight from the station. Cedric is up, rounding up some snacks, got a letter from his dad about the change in his plans too, looks like our last win earned him a new broom.”

Making you giggle. “Let’s go celebrate our adventurous summers.”

That last night as your hair shifted slowly from black to deep forest green you snacked and chatted with the trio only to shift into a giant pile on Cedric’s bed for a short nap until sunrise. Staying in your dorm you waited for the others to head down and chose to take a stop into the kitchens for a simple breakfast and then gather your things to be early to the train.

A flash of silver hair was all Charlie could spot between his younger brothers in the distance by Cedric in your loading your things into the train and climbing on before he could say anything to you about why you weren’t at breakfast. The station wasn’t any different, just when he thought he had a chance to talk to you your trunks were added to an enchanted pouch and Regulus zapped your owls home and guided you through the crowds to another platform off in the distance once you had each tightly hugged Cedric goodbye.

…

Plots and thievery seemed to be a new occurrence in Azkaban Prison. For the first time an Auror had come to the infamous jail to break someone out of it. In the flurry of hexes and curses another plot was held. For nearly a decade another innocent has faced those battles cells managed by the blind creatures guarding the prisoners. Framed for an attack then used as an example one Barty Crouch Jr had held his cell, the one conveniently across from yours. Between flurried hexes and cursed with shouting prisoners all about another Barty slipped through, behind him Mrs Crouch under an invisibility cloak with Polyjuice potion ready. Another visit was paid weeks prior and samples were taken. In her dying days from withering due to the framing and imprisonment of their son by her own husband Mrs Crouch withered and made one simple request, that in her dying days she take the place of their son to be buried in the jail so he might go free and begin anew.

The scrawny young lad now worn and weak from his time in the dark dank of his cell, lost to his own thoughts until you had arrived. Under the same cloak once the transfer was made another curse was given and after pretending to confirm the security of his own son in the attacks by those who volunteered to claim you the boy followed the order his father gave. Silent and obedient under the Imperius Curse he made his way home beside their house elf Winky, tasked to always ensure his safety and secrecy. But as always not every curse is lasting and when a chance at freedom hit young Barty he fled the house he was raised in, his supposed haven, off in search of a way to aid his new master, the survivor of the Dementor’s Kiss.

“Another Crouch dead!” Your eyes scanned over the headline on the Daily Prophet in your hands you unfolded as you propped your feet up on Regulus’ legs across from you in the train car after your latest trip to secure venom samples and read, “Mrs Crouch, wife of Bartemius Crouch Sr has been reported to have passed away. This on the heels of the passing of his Son Bartemius Crouch Jr in Azkaban Prison. Formerly charged with the torture of two Aurors even with the suspicion of his innocence and sentenced to life in prison by his own father.” The article wasn’t very long but it started to delve into the flurry of other witches and Wizards Sr had put away through his career and finished with a statement on his dedication to the Ministry and how it would continue to be so.

With your brow raised you eyed the picture of Jr and then tilted it to Fred, “This is him?”

He nodded and George replied, “Ya, dad said he’d just graduated practically when he was locked up.”

Eyeing the picture again you caught a familiar flick of his tongue and you said, “I know him.”

Fred, “You saw him, in there?”

You nodded, “Though he looks different. Or, well, looked.”

George, “No doubt they should have to keep up on pictures through the year for what it does to you.”

Fred, “Not that it affected you.”

You shook your head, “No, he was there for nearly a decade.”

A warning bell sounded alerting you to your near arrival to the station causing Regulus to stir finally and grumble at the cramp from his back he stretched out while you lowered your legs from his knees. Brushing his hair back from his face he gave you a sleepy grin eyeing the paper in your hands, “Ah, see you’ve seen the news. Real pity bout Jr, wasn’t half bad, we shared a dorm in school, me him and Snape, with this guy that kept mumbling about something called nargles. Always gave a new name when someone asked what his was, bit odd for a Slytherin.” He shook his head then furrowed his brows at the window seeing the storm looming outside.

Outside the train you shouldered your satchels and strolled out, making your way off to the doorway leading to Diagon Alley. Off through the crowds you found your way to Olivander’s through the doorway you found Narcissa and Draco standing with matching grins while he cradled his new wand in his palms then peered up at you showing off his new wand, “Got my wand. Hawthorne and Unicorn hair!”

You giggled, “Very impressive.”

Your eyes turned to Narcissa, who passed you the books and supplies they had purchased for his first year at Hogwarts in and enchanted carpet bag, “Thank you for watching him. We should be back a week before the big send off.” She smiled at Draco, “At least we managed to convince Lucius Draco was better off in Hogwarts over Durmstrang.”

Regulus chuckled, “I am certain Lucius’ll learn just how much better off he’ll be closer to home.” Inching out her smile, “Enjoy your trip.” She nodded and turned to leave after kissing his cheek.

With a grin your hand smoothed over his shoulders saying, “Come on, let’s go see if we can find out what’s going on with Harry.”

Peering up at you Draco asked, “What’s going on with Harry?” his eyes scanning over your hair shimmering in its subtle white shade you used to travel through the muggle stations and towns spreading his smile.

Fred, “Minerva sent word the Dursleys took off with Harry trying to hide from his acceptance letter.”

George, “Dumbledore is tracking them down.”

Out through the city you found your way into the Leaky Cauldron to use its muggle doorway to head back through the muggle city to get back to the Grimmauld Place entrance to your home.

Releasing the bag it floated up to Draco’s room while you made your way into the sitting room finding Minerva chatting with Snape over tea alongside Hagrid and Albus. Wetting your lips while Regulus sent your bags and trunks up to your rooms, he the twins and Draco joined you on the armchairs across from the couch the teachers were filing beside Hagrid’s enlarged armchair to fit him comfortably.

Albus began the talk stating, “Miss Black, we managed to track down Harry. He’s out in a shack by the sea. Hagrid has agreed to head out to fetch him and return him here to Regulus’ care.”

In his pause Snape stated, “Perhaps it is best you go as well.”

Minerva nodded, “Yes, give her a chance to explain why she has been refusing to answer your letters.”

“Harry says she cries when she reads them. It is possible that would only worsen things, seeing me.”

Snape’s head tilted, “It would be far better than if I were to go as per Albus’ original plan. Petunia hated me then, I cannot imagine things getting better this time around.”

Nodding you glanced at Hagrid asking him, “When are we going?”

Hagrid stood setting his cup down, “Best be heading off, storm looks mighty testy.”

Finishing your tea you patted Draco’s shoulder, “I’ll be back soon, hopefully no worse for wear.”

He grinned at you, “I’ll be here. Might help Neville with that new planter he’s been building.”

Fred and George stated, “We’ll hold down the fort and wait for the Grangers to drop Hermi by.”

On his feet Regulus gave you a calming hug and peck on the forehead, “Even if she’s cruel now, there’s time to change her mind.” Firing a wink at you in your turn to join Hagrid out to the front door.

At the base of the stairs you joined him onto your father’s motorbike, a grin spreading onto your face as you climbed into the side car asking, “Dad knows you have this?”

He nodded, “Of course. Fired off a message to him earlier bout the trip, said I could borrow it again.” He grinned at you settling onto it, fixing his coat around him, “After he went off to find Pettigrew he leant it to me to transfer Harry to the Dursleys the first time.”

A soft giggle left you fixing your flannel over your shoulders covering your spaghetti straps on your Darth Vader tank top that pooled in your lap over your overly pocketed black jeans tucked into your boots. “I remember him driving us around in this when I couldn’t sleep. Mum used to love it.”

He chuckled kick starting it before starting the drive down the street towards an abandoned block where he took off hitting the shielding knob as he did cloaking the underside of the bike in what appeared to be a small storm cloud following the breeze. Glancing over at you he asked, “You didn’t happen to read the papers?”

Peering over at him inside your protected bubble around the bike you asked, “About Mrs Crouch?”

He nodded, “I only ask, you didn’t happen to spot Barty Jr-?”

You nodded, “In Azkaban, ya. His cell was across from mine.”

“Bad shake that one got. Not even a trial, but, then again that’s how the ministry was, still is if you ask me, answers first, turn up a fist at those showing the proof.”

You nodded and then asked, “Any clue on who the new Defense Professor will be?”

“Oh, Quirrell is taking a whack at it.”

You nodded, “Who’s taking up Muggle Studies then?”

“New lad, some bloke named Tennant, uh, David, I believe.” After a pause he added, “Bout Snape’s age I reckon.”

“Hmm.”

“You signed up for it?”

You nodded, “Yes. Arithmacy, Runes, Divinations and Muggle Studies.”

“Ooh, full lot. Jewels would have been proud on that.” Making your smile inch out again as you smoothed your hair into a long messy braid to keep it from whipping around with your bangs you brushed back behind your ear. His free hand shifted to pat on your propped up knee, “An incredible marvel you are. Doesn’t take a seer to know you’re meant for great things.”

Peering ahead you watched the flowing storm you were following and passing through in your protected bubble. In the grey darkness night soon fell around you before you spotted an old ramshackle shed of a hideaway on a stone island on the edge of the sea. Waters crashed and swirled harshly around with sheets of rain pounding on the tilted and badly worn roof and walls of the two story structure. Landing on the seaside for lack of room on the island Hagrid led you to the water’s edge where he drew out a jar with a pair of Hippocampus inside. Opening it he eased them out into the choppy waters and guided you over to them and helped you onto one of their backs. Weakly you smiled at it and stroked the back of its neck in its glance at you happily while Hagrid eased onto his and led the way off to the island.

Around you the waters splashed over you both heavily while you clung to their necks drawing in a deep breath between massive waves they ducked under to spare you from its attack. At the shore they both waited for you watching as you dismounted and walked across the slick rocky path with your hand fixed on Hagrid’s offered arm to keep you steady in the blustering wind whipping your braid over your shoulder and your bangs into your face.

Knocking brought on no answer over the loud storm and with the door locked with seal melted into the handle against spells to unlock it Hagrid gave it one swift kick sending it down onto the dusty ground loudly. Behind him you walked through the doorway and stepped aside for Hagrid to ease the door up again, “Sorry bout that.” Waving a finger to mend the hinges into place again.

From the stairs you watched Vernon and Petunia climb down slowly with a shotgun aimed at Hagrid while Petunia’s eyes locked on you as you searched around the room for Harry. Vernon drew your eye saying in a far from terrifying tone, “Now, I’ll give you fair warning, you, you lot get out!”

With furrowed brows Hagrid walked over folding his hand around the barrel of the shotgun he folded upwards, “Dry up Dursley, you great prune.” With a blast of the shotgun that went through the roof your eyes locked on Petunia’s, “Now, we’ve come for the boy. He’s some shopping to do.”

Vernon, “You can’t take him. We swore when we took him in to put a stop to that foolishness.”

Stepping carefully around the fireplace you grinned spotting Harry, who raced over to you folding around your middle, “Jaqi!”

Giggling softly you asked, “You didn’t think we’d leave you out here, did you?”

Petunia, “He is not going!”

Looking up at her you stated, “You don’t have the right to refuse him an education.”

Petunia, “I will not have him turning out to be-,”

Tilting your chin you asked, “Be what? A freak?” She swallowed dryly pursing her lips, “That’s what I hear you called Mum and aunt Lily.”

Narrowing her eyes she asked in a mocking tone, “Isn’t this wonderful, we’ve a pair, witch, in the family.” Her head tilted slightly, “I saw them for what they were, them and that black haired boy, always running about muttering about that school. Look at what that got them! Blown up!”

Scoffing at her Harry stated, “You told me my parents died in a car crash!”

Hagrid huffed in disbelief, “A car crash?! A car crash killed Lily and James Potter?!”

Vernon, “We had to say something.”

Hagrid, “That’s madness!”

While Harry stepped behind you in your move closer to your aunt you locked your eyes with her, “Blown up?” her eyes watched the tear rolling down your scarred cheek exposed as you brushed your bangs back behind your ear, “You don’t know the half of it. You got to read it in a letter. Never had to see it yourself.” A tear streamed down her cheek seeing the pain in your eyes, “Harry is going to school.”

Vernon, “He will not!”

Your eyes locked on his shouting back, “What would you have us do? Hmm? Hide him away while the man responsible for tearing our worlds apart rises to power again searching for him?! Guess where he’ll come looking first!” Tilting your head to the side you asked, “How long do you think you’ll last? Till you get, blown up, too, hmm? You may not like me, you may never like me, but freak or no freak, you’re family, and I have so few relatives left I won’t let you get yourselves killed too in your own damn stubborn pride.”

Your eyes narrowed and before they could answer Hagrid said, “Come on lad. Best be off to beat the shops closing.” Harry nodded folding his hand around yours in your glance to Dudley, who watched your hair ripple from white to silvery blue again on your path to the door. Out into the rain again you led Harry to the waiting steeds you eased Harry on before you as Hagrid helped you on then mounted his own beside you. With the door sealed Hagrid grinned at you both, “Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday Harry.”

A grin spread onto his face as you whispered, “Deep breath.” Watching the next wave come rising up on your side, following the reminder he did folding around the creature while you folded around him in its duck under the water. Over to the shore you rode then dismounted for Hagrid to hide the pair away back into their jar to be taken back to Hogwarts again.

Holding Harry’s hand you led him back to the waiting motorbike for the blustery ride back to the muggle streets outside the Leaky Cauldron where the bike was shrunken and passed to you, under your arm Harry walked with you inside the run down looking building. On his way through to the fireplace to head back to Hogwarts you waved at Professor Quirrell at the bar, who raised his glass to you with a grin in return in your path to Diagon Alley.

From your pocket you passed him his letter saying, “The Grangers are meeting us in Olivander’s and Regulus will have Neville with them. Molly asked us to pull together a set of supplies for the rest of the group she’s sending with Ron.”

His grin spread and he asked, “It’s not that hard, is it, studying in Hogwarts?”

“Only if you don’t try.” His eyes rose to the brick wall ahead of you curiously watching as you drew out your wand to tap it against a set pattern of bricks leaving the whispering crowd of Wizards in the dining hall behind you to enter the bustling city.

“What house do you reckon I’ll get?”

You shrugged, “Hard to say, Lily and James were in Gryffindor with Dad and Remus, though my mum was in Ravenclaw, Regulus got Slytherin, so it’s really a toss up. Either way, family is family, it’ll be hard to be rid of us with a sorting.”

Winding through the bustling crowds all turning with lips parted at the pair of you together, a few pictures were stolen for the Daily Prophet and along the way you were joined by Neville, who claimed your other side right away with Draco right beside him. Straight away Ron rushed to Harry’s with Hermione grinning happily in her bouncing stop between her parents by Regulus’ side while the twins moved behind you to rest their chins on your shoulders. While the Grangers eyed the bustling streets to Olivander’s, where each of the kids took their turns being guided to a wand of their own as Draco stole the chance to claim your side.

All together you watched as the total was counted up leaving the Grangers nipping at their lips realizing they had no currency for this world. A subtle tap at Hermione’s side turned her head to you seeing the coral coin pouch you offered her stirring a curious grin onto her face inspecting it, your soft, “Happy Early Birthday” spread her lips as she peeked inside spotting the hefty amount of coins in each of the separated sections stirring her to rush over to give you a tight hug.

Softly she stated, “Thank you. I won’t let you down.” You giggled to yourself in her trot to the counter where she counted out the right amount of coins while Regulus set the coins for the rest of the children around you.

Whispering to yourself, “I know.”

Fully paid you followed the full shopping list until it was all gathered up, an eager Witch however stepped out of the owl shop along the way stirring up your grin as she held out a snowy owl saying, “Hagrid asked me to deliver her myself to you.”

Gently Harry accepted her and she darted back inside granting you the path again to continue on again to finish your list until you were free to return home again. Inside you watched Harry and Ron dart off again as the twins carried off the requested supplies off to the burrow, mainly Percy’s, who had raced through your kitchen that morning stealing a victory hug from you as he screeched out happily that he was chosen as prefect and finally got to sit for his OWLS this year.

Off to their rooms Neville and Draco’s supplies floated as Hermione eyed her stack of textbooks happily, soon to be added to the few you had leant her years prior, behind her parents off home again with a glance at the time. At Draco and Neville’s sides you joined the twins in going to inspect their planter they had fixed up for a few difficult plants and one of your rare snake breeds that both feeds and helps trim them for protection.

In the muddle of days between your final trip through the Amazon your mind raced back to what Petunia had said, again and again you reminded yourself what Regulus and your father had assured you would happen, they would come around, it was all just pain. They needed someone to blame, someone to hate until they got to the other side of it, they would come around.

Each night however you would jolt up out of sleep panting at the odd dream of you speaking with Quirrell alone in his new classroom as he removed his turban. Steadily you would settle again after hearing your mother’s screams searing through your dream with a whisper of “Shh, Stay Hidden,” her last words to you. Exhaling slowly your hands rose to rub your face as your silver eyes shut, in your hunched pose you sat until you felt your heart steady again and you opened your eyes now in their usual shifting between green and purple. A turn of your head brought the sunrise to your attention making you roll your head and climb to your feet from your cot in the tent you were camped in with pitch black curls pooling down over your back. Readying before the others you started breakfast and sent them grins on their way to get changed.

Settling at your side Regulus settled his hand on your back asking, “Another bad dream?”

After a nod you said, “Yup.”

“Quirrell again?”

“I don’t get it. Just talking with him, and out of nowhere, just screams.”

Regulus nodded leaning in to kiss your forehead, “I’ll write to Snape, ask him to keep an eye on Quirrell.”

“Thank you.”

“Any other feelings, smells, hints at all?”

Wetting your lips you replied, “There was a raspy breathing, something about his viper in the cage along the wall. The snake seemed agitated at him, avoiding looking at me,”

Regulus nodded, “Like it knew he wanted to hurt you?” You nodded, “Ok, maybe he will be cursed, or hexed, possessed. I doubt Quirrell would harm you on his own.”

“I know, he didn’t seem himself.” Turning your eyes to the Twins you grinned at them and asked, “Scrambled eggs and toast?” They nodded and moved in to bring out the plates for you all passing the snake you had caught the day before that was willing to return with you avoiding having to re-home after its portion of the Amazon was being torn down.

Pt 11

#LIFE IN HOGWARTS #Summer's over #fred and goerge weasley #Regulus Black #Charlie Weasley #Break up #Visions #nightmares #Fetching Harry #Barty Crouch Jr #Quirrell #minerva mcgonagall #Hagrid #Dursleys

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