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submissiveking99 · 2 months

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JUSTICE LEAGUE

Wonder Woman/ Diana Prince/ Princess Diana of the Amazons (Heroine)

Wonder Woman, Princess Diana of Themyscira. Princess of the Amazons. The embodiment of leave, of love and kindness. She sees all life as precious, but she is also a warrior who will do whatever is necessary.

Superwoman (the evil alternate universe counterpart of Wonder Woman, from Earth-3) (Villainess)

Superwoman, Donna Troy. She is Wonder Woman from Earth-3, Earth-3 being the evil mirror earth of DC. Where bad is good, good is bad. She is part of the Crime Syndicate of America, who rule the world in an iron fist.

Cheetah/ Barbara Minerva (Villainess)

Barbara, Cheetah, was a British archaeologist. Diana's friend who had been facinated with the Amazon's her entire life. One day, when in Africa, she had been captured by a tribe and turned into the bride of Urzkartaga, a bloodthirty African Plant God. Forced to go through the ritual, Barbara had not been a virgin which left her cursed.

Trapped in the form of a humanoid Cheetah, with the powers/hermind making her think she could only survive and be satisfied by devouring human flesh. She blamed Diana for this, the Amazon promising that she would save her friend.

Circe (Villainess)

Circe is an ancient, immortal, sorceress and long time foe of Wonder Woman. Circe is a power hungry woman in it's true-est, most open form. Power and domination being all she cares for.

Lois Lane (Civillian-Hero Adjacent)

Lois Lane is an intrepid reporter for the Daily Planet, raised by her general of a father she is more than capable of defending herself and kicking ass when needed

Ready to do almost anything for a story

Power Girl/ Kara Jor-L/ Karen Starr (older supergirl from Earth-2) (Heroine)

(Info about Kryptonite Part 1, Info about Kryptonite Part 2)

Power Girl. Karen Starr, Kara Jor-L. She is also Superman's cousin. She is literally just Supergirl… Only older. She is from Earth-2 like Huntress. She is less playful and more seriously and more powerful, than Supergirl

Livewire (Villainess/reformed as an Anti-Heroine)

Livewire, Leslie Willis, was a radio DJ in Metropolis who got electric powers after a dangerous accident. But she doesn't care about that, she's Livewire now! The sparking goddess of the big city, able to go toe to toe with Superman, baby! She is a real party girl villain, but she does have a bit of good within her….

Silver Banshee (Villainess/Neutral)

Silver Banshee , real name Siobhan McDougall, comes from an old Irish family. The first born of the family is supposed to undergo a ritual to become the Banshee and become the leader of the clan. But when Siobhan tried to do the ritual early/against her fathers permission, her uncle and brother interrupted sending her to hell for years.

Green Lantern/ Jessica Cruz (Heroine)

Green Lantern, Jessica Cruz. The first female Green Lantern of Earth. She suffers from social anxiety, survivors guilt and depression. She is a true Green Lantern and a precious cinnamon bun. I went into detail here.

Star Sapphire/ Carol Ferris (Villainess/Anti-Heroine)

Carrol is the heiress in charge of the company called Ferris Aircraft, Inc. She is the master of the Violet Light of Love, guardian of the the Entity of Love called the Predator, leader of the Star Sapphire Corps. A confident woman who does not take anyones shit, she and her corps works hard to spread the love across the universe.

Bleez of the Red Lantern Corps (Neutral)

Bleez of the Red Lantern Corps. She was the princess of a planet that was attacked, and ripped apart, by the Sinestro Corps. Literally the last surviving member, and "used" by several members of the corps (one of which being someone she was being forced to marry before all this happened) when the ring came to her. She destroyed them all, and joined the Red Lantern Corps. Very angry, and passionate, girl

Zatanna Zatara (Heroine)

Zatanna Zatara. Mistress of magic, casts her spells by talking backwards. Zatanna is one of the most powerful magician's in the DCU, and also a popular stage magician. A show off fun lover, she is ready to party and send demons to hell!

Hawkgirl/ Shayera Hol (Heroine)

Hawkgirl's backstory

Mera of Atlantis, sometimes known as Aquawoman (Heroine)

Mera is the Queen of Atlanus. Agressive, passionate and cocky but still a wise ruler. The red haired queen of the sea has a very rough exterior, but one of the gentlest insides

Vixen/ Mari McCabe (Heroine)

Mari is a model who was born in Africa, Zambesi, that moved to the west. She uses the magic totem on her necklace to channel the powers of the animal kingdom into her human body, granting her their abilities. She is a tough bitch, but also very flirty and sexy/sensual

Big Barda (Heroine)

A former warrior of Apocolypse, a former servant of Darkseid, Big Barda is a highly powerful warrior who escasped the hellscape with her lover. And she then became a mighty, powerful, warrior on Earth. One of it's mighty defenders.

Killer Frost (Villainess/reformed as an Anti-Heroine)

Catlin Snow gained powers. The ability to absorb heat, like a vampire does with blood. Her body always, automatically, running in the negative degrees.

Total Muses: 17

#open rp #open to all #open smut rp #smut rp #dc #read rules before interacting #dc rp #comic rp #justice league rp #superman rp #wonder woman rp

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turpentene · 7 months

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manga for the fantasy junkie

If you read a lot of manga and are an isekai/fantasy slut, such as I, then here are some beautiful stories you might like!

Witch Hat Atelier

whimsical. medium magic. mystery. female protagonist

#witch hat atelier

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ydotome · 10 months

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They're cat-sìths. - Mahoutsukai no Yome Season 2 - Episode 12

#Mahoutsukai no Yome #Mahou Tsukai no Yome #The Ancient Magus' Bride #The Magician's Bride #MTNY #mtnyedit #Liza Quillyn #insworth Elias #Elias Ainsworth #Quillyn Liza #Ainsworth Elias #my gifs #my post #long post

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pillowgraveyard · 10 months

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acourtofthought · 2 years

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Blodeuwedd Revisted Part II

The Hero Lleu Llaw Gyffes (a Sun God in some interpretations) is placed under a curse by his mother Arianrhod that he may never have a human wife.

ACOTAR similarities: Lucien’s “father” murders his love, preventing him from taking her as his wife. We later find out Lucien’s real father is from the Day Court with the power of light which ties in to Lleu being a Sun God.

To counteract the curse, the magicians Math and Gwydion use flowers to conjure up the fairest and most beautiful maiden anyone had ever seen to become his wife.

ACOTAR similarities: The Cauldron makes Elain, who is noted as the most beautiful sister, who has become even more breathtaking since being turned and has ties to flowers, his mate.

Some time later, while Lleu is away on business, Blodeuwedd has an affair with Gronw ( (as she is unhappy that she had no choice in being made a bride for someone), and the two lovers conspire to murder Lleu.

ACOTAR similarties: Lucien heads off to the Human Lands for what is initially business reasons (to find Vassa and gain the aid of the human armies). While away, Elain begins an emotional relationship (and near physical one) with Azriel (who would be Gronw). Azriel claims he will have no trouble killing Lucien in the Blood Duel.

Also, Arianrhod is the Celtic Goddess of the Moon, the Stars and the Sky. Often depicted with a moon.

She is the mother of the twins: Llew, a Sun God (and our Hero in the fairytale)

, and Dylan, a God of the Sea.

Arianrhod is also the Goddess of Feminine Power. She was a virgin goddess in the ancient meaning of the word virgin – a woman who is complete unto herself;

a woman who needs no protection from a man.

ACOTAR similarities: "Her gaze shifted to the carved wooden rose she'd placed upon the mantel, half-hidden in the shadows beside a figurine of a supple-bodied female, her upraised arms clasping a full moon between them. Some sort of primal goddess-perhaps even the Mother herself”.

It’s interesting that the wooden rose easily represents Elain, Half-Hidden in “Shadows” represents Azriel, and they are near the figure of a goddess who could easily depict Arianrhod, mother of Llew, and goddess of feminine power. This seems to be foreshadowing of the Azriel Bonus Chapter where he and Elain have their moment in the night where only the Mother might witness them.

It’s also interesting that the rose (Elain) is placed near a goddess who does not need protection from a man. I think we’ve definitely been building up to Elain proving to everyone that she capable of doing things without being coddled and that includes Azriel not believing that she can handle the darkness of the Trove.

The goddess Arianrhod can ALSO shift into an owl:

The Owl symbolizes death and renewal, wisdom, moon magic, and initiations. She is said to move with strength and purpose through the night, her wings of comfort and healing spread to give solace to those who seek her. Again, it's extremely interesting that the carving is being placed by this specific goddess considering Blodeuwedd is also turned into an owl and I've done other posts on how Elain might be akin to a healer.

This part doesn't directly relate to the fairytale but I love that this was on the very last page of Silver Flames:

"she (Nesta) pulled the small, carved rose from her pocket and set it upon the gravestone. A permanent marker of the beauty and good he'd tried to bring into the world."

To me, it reads as foreshadowing that Elain (again, represented by the rose) is about to leave her mark on their world

#pro elain archeron #pro elain #sarah j maas #blodeuwedd #acotar theory #elain acosf #post acosf #ACOSF Lucien Azriel Elain #lucien vanserra #elainarcheron #Elain ACOTAR #elain archeron #pro lucien #pro lucien vanserra

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k00278384 · 1 year

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Contemporary Designer Research:

Sidahmed Alphadi Seidnaly!

Alphadi is a notable Nigerian fashion designer often known as the "Magician of the Desert".

Alphadi started his label in 1984 and his first haute couture line was released in 1985 at the Paris International Tourism Tradeshow. He uses his designs to showcase and celebrate the beauty of the African continent, its rich histories and cultures. He is for the fashion and culture extravaganza. He is the founder of the Festival International de la Mode Africaine (International Festival of African Fashion) or FIMA, supported by UNESCO (1998).

Alphadi's work draws upon cultures and design practices from across the continent. Kuba cloth – originating from the ancient Kuba kingdom of central Africa, Kuba is a common feature in his collections. It is made from woven raffia, with the intricate decoration achieved through cut-pile embroidery. Designs are stitched onto the cloth and then raffia fibre is drawn through with a needle and snipped with a knife to make a dense pile, creating a plush, velvet-like effect.

This dress was created as a homage to Tuareg jewellers and their historic metalwork practices. Inspired by the strength of women, the metal breastplate represents the woman as a warrior, the harsh metal contrasting with a billowing layer of printed cotton cloth.

Using a strip of Téra-Téra cloth on the jacket, Alphadi updates this classic skirt suit. A handwoven fabric traditionally made in Tera, Niger, this vibrant cloth is used historically to cover brides on their wedding day. Alphadi references this history, creating a design to represent a strong woman, fully independent and dynamic, pursuing her dreams.

From hats to waistcoats, Alphadi is regularly seen wearing his own designs. He often wears a shallow, rounded hat decorated with embroidery – a style which is popular in many regions in Africa – known variously as the hula, fílá or kofi.

I love everything about his design. Even though the inspiration was drawn from traditional wear, they look absolutely modern. I think he is a creative and very good designer. His designs looks like the innovation of our African attires.

Reference: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/magician-of-the-desert-alphadi

#first year #limerick school of art and design #lsad #art and design #fashion

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kxlinthesky · 1 year

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EPISODE 4 LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 3-5 English Translation

When the light finally faded away, the chapel was dark and silent once more, save for the sound of a woman sobbing. Gone was the jet-black Queen of Demons – Eliza had returned, and the gorgeous snow-white bride clung to Jack’s body, tears streaming down her pale face. Anastasia, awake and alert once more, stood by her sister’s side.

“Jack, I’m sorry... please... come back to me.” Eliza clutched Jack closer as she bawled her eyes out.

Owl heaved a heavy sigh, his eyes sliding from the sorrowful bride to his gun. “... The disassembly... worked,” he muttered to himself. He glanced back in Eliza’s direction. Ellie stood over there as well, though she seemed barely conscious. “Ellie... who are...?”

His question went unfinished as another voice rose nearby. “Master Tristan! The spell...!”

“I’ve halted it for the time being. It’s just a stopgap measure, but it’ll buy us some time.” Tristan gritted his teeth, turning a baleful glare on Cain, who was still cowering in the corner of the chamber. He hadn’t yet regained the strength to stand. The trembling man-child ducked his head under the gentleman’s cold stare. “But I can’t return his soul to his body – there’s a lock in place,” Tristan continued, still glaring. “The ancient alchemy isn’t compatible with modern techniques, apparently.”

“Not compatible?” Owl echoed. “What do you mean, Tristan?!”

“Jack’s soul was ripped from his body using old alchemy,” Tristan replied, “so modern alchemy won’t be able to put it back where it belongs. The very foundations of the two systems are completely incongruous with each other.”

Owl stiffened. “So then... there’s nothing we can do for Jack?”

“Not quite.” Tristan tapped the butt of his cane to the floor again, and with a flash eight soldiers appeared surrounding Cain – pawns, the infantry of chess. The armor-clad warriors drew their swords in unison and held them at his throat. The man curled up even tighter, a reedy high-pitched scream issuing from his mouth like a kettle. “Why don’t we ask Mr. ‘Ancestors Reborn’ himself about the forbidden technique?”

“Wha...?!” Cain sputtered.

“Cain.” The man’s jaw audibly clicked shut at Tristan’s firm voice. “I highly suggest you confess before I am forced to resort to more extreme methods. I am not above torture – I will keep you on the very brink of death. I will make you suffer. Even if you beg me to end your life, I will not free you from your torment. Because, Cain, despite what you might think, I am not the bigger man here.” Not even a speck of warmth or mercy flickered on Tristan’s face. There was only cold fury.

Cain positively shook with fear. “I-I don’t know!” he screamed.

“There’s no way you don’t know, not when you were planning on removing your own soul and transplanting it into Jack’s body. You have to know how to implant a soul into a body, right?”

“U-Uh...?”

Tristan paused for a second. With one eyebrow raised, he dryly said, “You can’t possibly be suggesting that you thought you could take over his body as a soul, right? You would need a proper ritual to secure your soul in place.”

“I what?”

The phrase.

“Star of the land of the living. The shortcut to heaven. Four magicians commanding the elements. With this power, rotate the sky in the black goddess’ night.”

The phrase was a set of instructions on how to remove a living person’s soul. During a lunar eclipse, four alchemists layering four differing elements of techniques together at the same time could complete a soul removal ritual.

But if there was a soul removal ritual, there had to be a soul restoration ritual, too. Plus and minus, shadow and light, everything in this world had its opposite.

Cain turned a sickly shade of white. One trembling hand slowly rose to clutch at his heart. “W-Wait, so then I – I could’ve died...?”

“... So you really thought you could take his body without the proper spell.” Tristan clicked his tongue so hard his teeth audibly clacked. “You utter buffoon.” There went their one lead. At this rate, they wouldn’t be able to put Jack’s soul back where it belonged. He’d contained it in the chapel with his alchemy for the time being, but he couldn’t keep it up forever. Once the spell ran out, Jack’s soul would ascend to Heaven, leaving his body to rot away.

He would die.

“No!” Owl whirled on Tristan, panic shining in his gaze. “Tristan! There has to be something else we can do!”

Tristan merely shook his head sorrowfully. “... I’m sorry,” he murmured. There was probably something around here somewhere that could tell them the ritual for restoring souls, but they didn’t have enough time to track it down and decipher it.

Eliza’s head rose. She’d heard their conversation. “Sir Tristan... that can’t be...!”

Tristan ducked his head, avoiding her pleading gaze. His face twisted with regret. There was nothing he could do.

Right then, however, a new voice piped up. “Star far removed from the land....”

“Ellie?”

“When the time comes to shine your light upon your home once more....”

It was Ellie. Owl whipped around to find her standing before the pedestal holding the fallen model of the solar system. She still looked like a faint breeze could knock her over at any minute, but she was fixated on the script carved into the base. “It can’t be,” Owl gasped, rushing over to her side. “Ellie, can you read this? I can’t believe it...!”

The girl swayed. Owl hurriedly grabbed her shoulders, keeping her upright. A tiny voice whispered in his ear. “... Discover the lost god of healing... destroy the order of twelve... in the black goddess’ night....” As the last words fell from her lips, her head lolled to the side. She had passed out standing up.

“Ellie!” Owl kept her from toppling to the floor. However, as he did, he spotted Cain creeping toward the door to the chapel. The despicable wretch was trying to escape. The detective saw red. “Don’t you dare run away!” he roared. “You tried to kill my friend! You won’t get off that easy!”

“N-No, I wasn’t – I didn’t think I was trying to kill anyone!”

“Save your excuses for the police! And don’t bother with keeping your mouth shut, either – once this is over, I’ll expose every dirty little plot you came up with!” Owl declared. He shot a meaningful glance over to Ralph, standing by Tristan’s side, who gave a polite bow in return before quickly striding up to block Cain’s exit. Owl handed Ellie off to Hannah before stalking toward the conniving bastard.

As the detective approached, Ralph informed Cain, “I do believe the only right you have left is to pay for your crimes.”

“Wait! Stop!” Cain was white in the face now as he yelped. “If you do that, your standing will go down the drain!”

“Our standing?”

“Yes! I-I’m friends with someone in the secret service! You’ll have to redo the wedding from scratch, and my brother doesn’t have long either – I’ll be the only one left who can succeed the family! The government won’t let anyone get in my way!”

The corners of Owl’s eyes twitched in fury. Tristan mirrored his son’s expression. “If you throw that agent’s name around like that, I hope you prepared yourself accordingly,” the latter warned. “They have no problem with eliminating any inconveniences.”

“E-Eliminating –” Cain’s voice rose sky-high with panic. A cold sweat broke out along his forehead. His eyes darted around at a dizzying pace before locking onto the man standing in the corner of the room. “Th-That won’t happen, right?! I’m valuable to you!” he yelled.

His imploring eyes sought out the other man –

“Right, Mr. Mastema?!”

Mastema had been silently observing everything that had happened in the chapel from the start. All eyes swung to him. He seemed rather dismayed by having the spotlight suddenly thrust on him, refusing to speak a word.

“You won’t... throw me away, right?” Cain continued, disheartened by Mastema’s silence. He geared up to plead his entire heart out, but –

“Haah, how boring. So this is the fullest extent of your villainy, hm? Really, there is nothing quite so unpleasant as this.” Mastema’s reply was impossibly cold, piercing through Cain’s whining like a knife. “Aah, and here I thought I would get to collect some superb azoth. What a waste.”

“Wha...?”

“If a body has failed to yield azoth once, it cannot be farmed again. And the younger sister has already had some strange sort of protection cast upon her, so making her take that drug would be utterly pointless. And to think, after so many decades the McCreeches had produced two daughters! Coming here was a colossal waste of time!” Mastema sighed long and loud, his shoulders slumping almost dramatically.

There was one person in the room who could possibly understand what he was saying. But unfortunately, it was that very person who spoke up next. “Mastema, what are you talking about?” Tristan all but demanded.

Mastema tilted his head. “Alas, Tristan, it would seem that I will no longer be able to enjoy a game of chess with you. A pity, that.”

Tristan unthinkingly took a step back. The politician’s eyes were darkening to a deep crimson, shining with a dull, oppressive light.

“But right here, right now, I have found it – such great joy, along with my faith!” Mastema’s mood switched on a dime, his tone brimming with delight as he raised his arms over his head. “The Lost Flask is here! The time has come where I might rise to God’s side!!!”

No one quite knew what to make of his little speech. For a moment, everyone was still. Then in the next instant, everyone began to doubt their own eyes.

Because in that moment, a pair of gigantic wings spread behind Mastema.

The sheer impossibility of the scene before them robbed each and every person of their speech. The wings were not alchemical in nature – they were genuine. Bona fide. Real, actual wings, white and feathered and huge and powerful, almost like –

“... An angel...?!” someone gasped.

Mastema muttered, “It is vexing that I should show these in front of children of man, but....” He spread his wings wide. “Bow down before me, humans!!”

Mastema’s wings flapped behind him. He began to rise into the air almost gently. Gusts of wind accompanied each flap, powerful enough to nearly knock the others off their feet. Owl and the others lowered themselves closer to the ground to weather the gales.

“Now, let us return to where we belong,” Mastema whispered.

Owl glanced up at that, and what he saw was Hannah... and Ellie in her arms. By the time his brain registered what he was seeing and he realized just how bad that was, it was already too late. Without giving anyone time to blink, Hannah let out a shrill scream as a hurricane of wind rocked the chapel below. A CRASH! echoed through the chamber, followed by a hailstorm of glass shard clattering to the floor in a glittering waterfall. In the midst of all the chaos, Mastema vanished – and so did Ellie from Hannah’s arms.

“Ellie?!”

They’d lost sight of them in the span of a second. The group had no time to process the situation before they turned their gazes up toward the shattered skylight.

“I bid you farewell, detective. I will be taking the flask.”

Mastema stood in midair above them, a wicked smile slashing his face. Ellie was in his arms, still unconscious. The unbelievable scene unfolding before their eyes left Owl trembling.

“You don’t need to respond, by the way,” Mastema added, his smile widening impossibly further.

“You bastard!” Owl desperately wanted to chase after them, but he didn’t know any techniques for flying through the sky. Mastema continued to rise higher and higher into the air while the detective stood below, powerless. “Ellie! Open your eyes!!” he screamed.

But his efforts were for naught. Ellie’s eyes remained closed.

Mastema was taking Ellie away.

Owl’s heart pounded against his rib cage in horror in time with phantom alarm bells ringing in his ears.

He had to do something. He had to do something!

But he couldn’t. His mind whirled at the speed of light, but a solution wouldn’t come. His vision grew blurry at the edges as despair clawed at his throat.

But just then, a new voice shouted from atop the bergfried.

“I won’t let you take her!”

With his white cape whipping in the wind, the man hurled a silver rope toward Mastema. The end wrapped around his ankle, halting his escape.

“Hude Lou?!” Owl screeched. It was indeed the infamous phantom thief, pulling a rather uncharacteristic move that left the detective reeling below. “Why are you –?!”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doing this for you.” Hude Lou yanked on the rope, pulling Mastema closer. “I just need her, too! Now get over here, you damn Demon!”

“Demon? Me?” Mastema scoffed. “You honestly think a filthy little rat like you can keep me down?” A single flap of his magnificent wings summoned a gale storm that slashed the silver rope to ribbons, the pieces transforming into mercury as they plummeted to the ground.

Hude Lou managed to withstand the fearsome wind, however. He pulled several more cards from his pocket, each packed to the brim with his alchemy, and spread them out before him. “You won’t escape me...!” He waved his cane, activating the spell his cards had formed. “Glacier Road!!”

He flicked the cards with his finger, and in the next instant a great slab of ice solidified in midair. More hunks materialized one by one in rapid succession, forming a clear path up to where Mastema hovered. Hude Lou dashed along the icy road, closing the distance in a flash. As he hurled another card, the thief shouted, “Sleep under the frozen earth forever!!” Silvery ribbons of light trailed the card as it hurtled straight for Mastema –

“Aah, this is boring.” Mastema twisted lazily in midair, his wing slapping the card away as if it was nothing more than a pesky fly. He lashed out with a single merciless kick that connected solidly with Hude Lou’s chest, sending the thief flying backward and knocking the breath from his lungs. His feet lost their purchase on the icy surface.

“Hude Lou!” Owl shouted desperately as the thief plunged to the ground. His words echoed through the dark chamber in vain.

“Sit quietly, O livestock of God.”

The flapping of wings grew further and further away, and the gleeful voice in the heavens grew deeper and deeper with their despair.

“For the promised time has arrived!!”

And with that, Mastema vanished, leaving a hopelessly weak detective to glare up at the sky.

“No... Ellie....”

Owl stood still as a statue with no way to chase after them, drowning in his own helplessness. He had watched a young girl’s abduction before his very eyes, and he had done nothing to stop it. A dark void resided where his heart should be, devoid of even the faintest glimmer of hope.

He was powerless.

Completely, utterly powerless.

There was nothing at all he could do.

As the full reality of the situation hit him, Owl felt his gun starting to slip from his grasp. It wasn’t long before the rest of his body followed suit, and he crumpled to the floor.

“It’s too soon to give up.”

The chapel doors swung open, revealing a lone stranger. He looked somewhat similar to Cain... but this person was older, with deep wrinkles and graying hair.

“We need to return Jack’s soul to his body. The lunar eclipse is nearly over,” the stranger declared, before swaying dangerously on his feet.

“Arby! You’re out of bed...!” Tristan hurried over to the man to lend a shoulder.

This man was the head of the McCreech family, Arby. He leaned heavily on Tristan’s arm for support, then turned in Owl’s direction and, to his surprise, lowered his head. “Mr. Owl. Right now, saving Jack is the top priority. His noble heart is a beacon of light for our family – we cannot see it extinguished. With the orrery in its current state, if we allow the eclipse to pass tonight, we will lose our one and only chance. Even Tristan will not be able to hold his soul forever.”

Owl glared up at the sky, where not even a few moments ago Mastema had been, before his gaze fell to the floor. His fingers tightened around the grip of his gun. For a few seconds, all was silent.

Then the detective rose and hurried over to Jack. “... I was asked to make Anastasia’s sister a happy bride! And that won’t happen if you don’t open your eyes!” he growled. “... If we’re going to put his soul back... what Ellie read has to be a clue.... How did it go...? Think, Owl...! Don’t let her gift go to waste...!!” His eyes slid shut, reciting the second phrase.

Star far removed from the land

When the time comes to shine your light upon your home once more

Discover the lost god of healing

Destroy the order of twelve

In the black goddess’ night

“Does ‘star far removed from the land’ mean the soul?” he mumbled. “So the ‘shine your light once more’ bit –”

Tristan perked up. “That must be the soul restoration ritual! Those words will tell us how to do it!”

“But what’s the ‘lost god of healing’ mean...? The black goddess’ night is probably the eclipse, but we have to figure out what the ‘god of healing’ is!” What did it mean? Was it meant to represent something?

“Hurry, Owl!” Tristan shouted. “We can’t use the model anymore! We have to rely on the real eclipse for this to work!”

Above them, the moon through the shattered skylight had mostly regained its former shine.

They had no time.

“God of healing... of healing...!” Realization hit Owl like a punch in the gut. “A doctor...! Jack, you’re a doctor! Do you know anything?!”

So he screamed, but Jack was still unconscious. He couldn’t answer.

“Jack!”

Owl was at his wit’s end, impatience frying his brain as he desperately tried to come up with something, anything. He wanted to bring this man back to life, this impossibly kind, honest man. Eliza needed her husband. There was no way on Earth that Owl could let him die.

“You can’t die!” Owl shouted. His hands clutched the collar of Jack’s jacket. As he did, something shifted in Jack’s breast pocket. It was a white handkerchief – no, it was a pair of gloves. The gloves that Jack said Eliza had sewn for him.

Owl froze for a few seconds, his eyes locked on the white fabric. “This is....”

Realization struck again.

“The Rod of Asclepius!”

Owl released his collar to frantically dig the gloves out of Jack’s pocket. He spread them wide. There it was – the quick cast formation carefully sewn on the back of the hand, bearing the mark of the Rod of Asclepius.

“Asclepius – the God of Healing!”

Asclepius was a Greek god of medicine. His signature item, always depicted as a snake entwined around a rod, was a widely recognized symbol of medicine as well.

“Owl?” Tristan called out.

Owl thrust the gloves out for his father to see. “This is it!” he yelled. “Asclepius used Medusa’s blood to revive the dead! And that’s why Zeus killed him, but later he became a constellation!”

“A constellation.... I see!”

“Right, but even though it crosses the ecliptic it’s not a part of the twelve zodiac signs! So it’s the ‘lost god of healing!’ The thirteenth zodiac!!”

Next to Owl, Anastasia gasped and leaped to her feet. “— Ophiuchus!”

“Exactly, Anastasia!” Owl turned to the girl. “Tell us where Ophiuchus is!!”

Without hesitation, Anastasia pointed into the horoscope. “Between Scorpio and Sagittarius!”

No one doubted the astrology expert in the room for a second. “Thank you, Anastasia!” Owl lifted Jack’s body and carried him to the center of the horoscope, then made a mad dash for the circles lining the outer edges of the diagram... specifically the ones marked with the emblems for the Scorpion and the Archer. He knelt in between them. “I destroy the order of the twelve zodiacs!” he shouted, then slapped his palms in between the Scorpio and Sagittarius signs. “Tristan! Release Inescapable World, the chessboard’s in the way!”

“I won’t be able to hold Jack’s soul if I do!” Tristan shouted back. “The eclipse is ending – this is our last chance!”

“I know! I swear I’ll put it back in his body before it can get anywhere!”

Tristan gave no further argument. He released his alchemy, and the chessboard disappeared from around his feet. Owl raised his head to the shattered skylight. The eclipse was about to end.

“Disassembly formation!”

An alchemical formation dazzled to life under Owl’s hands. The circle emanating from his palms widened, tracing the path of the horoscope below. However, the solid foundation of the ancient alchemy didn’t show even the slightest hint of letting Owl’s magic in.

“Damn it – this is one hell of a spell,” Owl muttered. He pulled his gun out of his breast pocket, mind working overtime. “Look like I have no choice but to break it....”

“You don’t have any disassembly bullets left!” Tristan yelled.

Owl screamed back, “But this is the only option!” He tightened his finger on the trigger.

But before he could fire, something clattered to the floor in front of him with a faint but audible clink. He jolted and glanced up to see a tiny shard of a red stone just tumbling to a halt before him.

“A fragment of azoth...?” What was it doing here?

A face flashed in the recesses of Owl’s mind – one clad in a black-and-white mask, wearing a white top hat.

“Hude Lou?!” He glanced around wildly, but there was no sign of the infamous thief. “... Damn him.” This had to be the other half of the azoth he’d pulled out of the tiara. He didn’t have any idea why the thief would hand it over to Owl, but.... “No time to waste,” he decided. He had seen it with his own eyes several times over – he knew what kind of phenomenon this stone could create. There was only one course of action he could take now.

Owl scooped the azoth up and the circle under him instantly expanded. A colossal surge of energy welled up from his hand. The air crackled around him like lightning. The power he was putting out now was leagues beyond what he could normally pull off. He was, for lack of a better word, awestruck. “The stone can amplify alchemy this much...?!”

But he could marvel later. Owl raised his gun, aiming through the layers and layers of golden transmutation circles, and fired.

BANG! The gunfire reverberated in the air. The vibrations spread throughout the entire horoscope, and as they went, the blue and white tiles began to crack and split apart, almost as peeling a mask away.

And then, from underneath the crumbling tiles, a brand-new horoscope appeared. There were two of them now.

Anastasia gasped, “A new symbol...!”

She was right. Nestled between Scorpio and Sagittarius on the second horoscope was a new mark – the sigil of Ophiuchus.

“If the lost god of healing is here, then the order of twelve is destroyed!” Owl yelled. Hanging above them in the night sky... the final traces of the black goddess remained. “It’s broken! Bring him back!” he screamed to the last dregs of the eclipse.

And then, within the ring of thirteen signs, the ancient pattern suddenly began to twinkle. The circle flashed with a brilliant white light. An even brighter, more massive pattern began to spread.

It was the soul restoration ritual.

“The horoscope itself was the alchemical tool?!”

The light swallowed Jack’s body. Standing above him, Owl quickly screwed his eyes shut as the light threatened to swallow him, too.

“Inescapable World!!”

CLACK went the sound of a cane striking the floor. At the very edges of his vision, Owl could see Tristan activating a new technique.

“King of Time...!!”

In an instant, the colors around him inverted. Everyone trying to rush over to Owl froze in their tracks. The world had gone completely still.

There was only one man in the world with the power to control time itself, and that was Tristan.

“That move of yours... should really be against the rules,” Owl mumbled, even as his consciousness slipped away from him.

original written by Nagaya Kawaji here

#kotonoha project #one bit of dialogue here is actually from file 22!#not exactly the same though -- it's been retranslated to better fit the context

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gerdusbronnart · 27 days

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The Ruby Necklace: A Tale of Legacy, Love, and Ancient Wisdom

In the heart of a bustling city, amidst the cacophony of life's demands and desires, there existed a quaint little jewelry shop. Tucked away in a corner, its windows adorned with sparkling displays, it beckoned passersby with the promise of beauty and significance.

Within the confines of this cherished establishment, an exquisite ruby necklace lay nestled in a velvet-lined case, its crimson hue radiating warmth and allure. For generations, this necklace had been passed down through a lineage of strong, resilient women, each adding their own chapter to its story.

The tale began with Isabella, a young bride whose eyes sparkled with excitement as her groom presented her with the ruby necklace on their wedding day. It was a symbol of their eternal love, a token of his devotion.

As the years passed, the necklace witnessed the joys and sorrows of Isabella's life—birthdays celebrated with laughter and tears shed in moments of grief. Through it all, the ruby gleamed as a reminder that love endures through every trial.

But it was during a fateful journey to distant lands that the true story of the ruby necklace was revealed. In a remote village nestled amidst towering mountains, Isabella encountered a wise old woman who spoke of the ruby's ancient magic.

According to local lore, the ruby possessed the ability to heal wounded hearts and mend broken spirits. It was said that those who wore the necklace would be blessed with love, joy, and prosperity.

As Isabella sat enraptured by the old woman's words, she felt a sense of wonder wash over her. Here was a tale woven with threads of ancient wisdom, each word dripping with the weight of centuries of belief and tradition. The old woman spoke of rubies as more than just gemstones—they were talismans of power, symbols of protection, and vessels of divine energy.

Throughout recorded time, rubies had been revered for their potent protective properties, believed to safeguard their wearers from harm and evil. Isabella listened intently as the old woman recounted tales of antiquity.

In the Middle Ages, rubies were thought to hold the key to victory in all circumstances, offering special protections against maladies and danger. Sorcerers and magicians wielded ruby amulets as shields against malevolent spirits, harnessing the gemstone's mystical energy for their own purposes.

But it was the stories of ancient Burmese warriors that truly captivated Isabella's imagination. Rubies, revered for their supposed invincibility on the battlefield, were inserted under the skin to ward off spears, swords, and bullets. They buried rubies under the foundations of buildings for protection against evil spirits

As the old woman spoke Isabella felt a newfound respect for the gemstone resting against her skin.

In sacred traditions across cultures, rubies held a place of honor. From engraved images of the Buddha to Islamic tales of Atlas carrying the earth on his shoulders atop a large ruby, the gemstone was steeped in symbolism and significance.

The ruby symbolized the divine sacrifice of Christ on the cross, its deep hue reminiscent of the blood shed for humanity's salvation. Isabella couldn't help but recall biblical accounts of the gem-encrusted breastplate of the High Priest of Israel, where a ruby shone among the precious stones.

Intrigued by the woman's words, Isabella returned home with all this knowledge.

And so, the ruby necklace became more than just a piece of fine jewelry—it became a symbol of hope and renewal, a beacon of light in a world fraught with darkness.

Evenings around the crackling fire held a special magic for Isabella. As the flames danced and flickered, casting a warm glow over the room, she would gather her loved ones close and weave the tale of the ruby necklace.

With the ruby necklace cradled in her hands, Isabella's voice would take on a gentle cadence, drawing her listeners into a world of ancient wisdom and timeless tradition. She would speak of the ruby's journey through generations.

As the fire crackled and popped, Isabella would recount the stories she had heard—the tales of rubies as talismans of power and protection, revered by warriors and sorcerers alike. She would speak of the ancient beliefs and customs surrounding rubies, from their use in battle to their role in sacred rituals and ceremonies.

With each word, Isabella would infuse the story with her own sense of wonder and reverence, honoring the legacy that had been passed down to her. And as the night wore on, her listeners would hang on her every word, captivated by the magic of the ruby necklace and the stories it held.

When Isabella's daughter, Sophia, came of age, the necklace was passed down to her, carrying with it the legacy of her mother's love.

With each wearing, Sophia felt a connection to the past, a sense of belonging that transcended generations. Today, as the ruby necklace graces the neck of yet another generation, its significance remains unchanged. It continues to embody the timeless bond of love and the enduring strength of the human spirit, proving that sometimes, the most precious treasures are those steeped in significance.

Sophy started asking questions about her ruby necklace and this is the information she gathered.

What is a ruby? Ruby gemstones are a variety of the mineral corundum. More specifically, they are the red variety, which is colored by chromium. Other colors of corundum are classified as sapphire. The word “ruby” comes from the Latin word “ruber” for the red hue. All rubies are red, yet they can have orange, pink or purple tints.

How are rubies made?

Rubies form deep underground where it's super hot and pressurized. When oxygen and aluminum atoms are squished together, they make a rock called corundum. Add some chromium to the mix, and you've got yourself a ruby! Sometimes, if there's also ferric iron around, the ruby might have a cool orange or pink tint to it.

Where are rubies found in the world?

The best rubies come from Burma (Myanmar), but you can find them in other places too! They're mined in places like Afghanistan, Australia, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.

How hard are rubies?

Rubies are tough, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale, just one step below diamonds. That means they're super durable! But here's a fun fact: even though rubies are tough, sometimes the chromium in them can make little cracks. It's kind of like how a tough guy might have a soft spot! Despite that, when rubies grow big and crystal clear, they can be even more valuable than diamonds. So, while diamonds are the hardest gemstones, rubies aren't far behind!

How rare are rubies? Rubies are like rare treasures in the gemstone world! The rarest ones are found in Myanmar, because they're super high-quality and have the most amazing colors. Finding good quality rubies that are bigger than one carat is like finding a needle in a haystack! That's why they're so rare and valuable. It's like they're the unicorns of the gem world!

What are rubies used for?

Rubies are often used to make stunning jewelry, but they're also used in many other things! Both natural and man-made rubies are super strong and glow red, so they're used in watches, medical tools, lasers, and more!

How big is the largest ruby?

The current titleholder of the largest ruby is the 125West Ruby. This unpolished rough-cut gemstone weighs 8.2 pounds, That is a whopping 18696 carats.

She also found out that ruby is the birthstone for July. It’s also the traditional gift for 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

So this is our story about rubies. Subscribe for more stories about fascinating gemstones.

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