#we must investigate this moon curse
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Double-crosser - Part 1
The Black room
" I wish we never met. "
Pairing: Mafialeader!mingyu x fem!reader
Synopsis: The sudden news of information leak of a secret mission leaves all the members of mafia perplexed. They closed their eyes and the next second, their leader was arrested. Someone betrayed and the taste of betrayal wasn't sweet.
Warnings: mentions of weapons , blood, reader is an orphan, mentions of dark room, hard hitting betrayal so prepare yourselves, cursing, deaths, mention if more.
Genre: Mafia, angst
Word count: 2.1 k
Masterlist
|Teaser| |Next|
" The information about the secret mission got leaked."
Jihoon's voice echoed in the room.
" That means , we have to withdraw this mission. " He continued.
When Jihoon said he wanted to say something important, the members didn't expect this. They couldn't believe their ears. Who could if someone told them that information about a billion worth secret mission was leaked and it is no longer going to be implemented ? No one in the room , no one in the 13 members would betray. It was someone else . And anyone in their right senses would know this wouldn't just stop with a spread of info. If that someone knows about a extremely confidential mission, they would easily know about other minor but useful things about them.
" Who could it be ? ", Seokmin spoke first, breaking the tension.
" I think this has to do something with ICS or the Agent Moon." , Vernon said.
All the eyes in the room fell on him.
Of course, ICS( Investigation centre of South korea ) had to be mentioned. We can't forget the nasty little agent they have- Agent Moon. The only Agent who can disrupt things in the underground world. The number of missions that Agent messed is uncountable. Thank the lord, all of them weren't as important. But this one. This would get them billions of money. That was the reason it was kept a secret in the first place, not even a single fly outside of these 13 people knew about this mission, and yet it was known to the law authorities.
If Jihoon didn't find out, all of them would've been caught by the police the next day, the grand day when the mission was supposed to be executed.
" We planned this for 2 years.", Jeonghan said through his teeth.
" Forget about the plan. Right now, the mission is not the problem." , Seungcheol said with a sharp voice. It was true. All people suddenly forgot about the mission. Their mind occupied with only a single thing - who had the guts to mess with the underground business? Like Vernon said, Agent Moon made the most sense. They didn't even see Agent moon, not even aware of the gender identity. Though they act like they don't care about Agent Moon, Everyone had a unsaid grudge towards them. No matter what, it's obvious that the leader wouldn't let this slide easily.
Mingyu tapped the table in front of him slightly , drawing the attention to him.
" We need to leave this place." , He said , very well knowing that there are chances of authorities knowing about this place. " We'll discuss things further in the godown. That's the best option" , he said calmly, his tone complete contrast to his burning eyes.
--
The godown was definitely better. Only few people know about it's location and was easier for them to figure out the situation. The meeting went almost all day. Everyone gave their suggestions and currently guessing how else ICS could get them.
" Now that they know, there are chances for them to go for our weakness." , said Seungkwan. Everyone knew what he meant, including the leader. The only weakness they ever have is their families, now that the family is not in the picture anymore, it's definitely Y/n.
Mingyu's face dropped down to a emotionless stare. He would kill anyone who laid their fingers on her, it was a sure thing.
His hands tensed up as he pulled out his phone to call Y/ n. He must keep her safe.
" She's not answering. " , He said quietly. She must be asleep, he thought. He couldn't shrug it away that easily as he started calling all the bodyguards around the house. He didn't get response from any of them.
Shit.
Mingyu got up from the chair, hurriedly checking the time.
7: 34 P.M
The day passed like a second and he totally forgot he left Y/n in the house. No response from Y/n or the body gaurds called for an emergency. He looked at the members one last time before rushing out, some security following him along the way.
The drive to the house was fast. He could care the least about getting into an accident or hitting other vehicles. His current worry was Y/n.
On reaching the house, his figure was greeted by unconscious guards outside. " Fucking useless. " , He whispered before barging into the house. " Y/n ", he called out, hoping for her to respond. He called out a couple more times but he was only left with nothing.
He wasn't sure what he was even expecting after seeing the knocked out guards. It obviously meant something he wouldn't want to know happened.
He closed his eyes.
Is she already taken by ICS ? Is she feeling scared? Is she thinking of him, wondering if he would save her like a hero in the books? What would they do to her?
His thoughts were interrupted by a feeling of cold metal on the back of his head.
His eyes flew open.
His muscles tightened after realising what it was.
It was a gun.
He looked over his shoulder, trying to catch a glance of the intruder. All he could see was the hand that wasn't holding the gun. The hand which was wearing a ring. The same ring on Mingyu's ring finger. The couple rings he bought together with Y/n about a month ago.
No fucking way. It couldn't be.
Gunshots were heard. The noises were muffled in his head as he tried to process the situation. He closed his eyes, hoping that it was a dream and when he opens his eyes , he hoped he would be in bed, Y/n beside him. Mingyu was hit with the harsh reality when he felt her nudge him with the gun.
The woman he loved was holding a gun against him and would probably blow off his head anytime soon.
Before he could realise, police entered the scene.
Mingyu fell on his knees, his hands raised in the air. He shifted his gaze downwards and left a unbelievable scoff.
Fighting back now would be a dumb decision.
" Thank you for your help, Agent Moon. ", The head officer said as he made his way towards Mingyu. The cuffs were locked on his arms as he finally looked at her face.
It was indeed Y/n.
--
The information of the leader getting arrested was fast to spread.It reached Wonwoo, the head of security team, in few minutes.
" Everyone", Wonwoo said. All heads turned to him, suprised by his unusual loud tone. " Mingyu." , He said. There was an unnecessary long pause. " Mingyu got arrested."
" How could that be possible?" , Jun said with a scoff, still not believing his words.
" Y/n is Agent Moon. She got him.", Wonwoo said shortly .
Wonderful, things got more complicated.
Seungcheol, who was stalking the length of the room stopped abruptly. " She knows about the godown, they could be here anytime soon. " , He voiced. " 12 of us can't runaway without getting noticed , some of us should surrender and put our trust on the remaining to save us." , He continued.
" Chan and Hansol are needed for hacking the security system of ICS. " , Jisoo said. " Wonwoo for some power and execution, Minghao and Jeonghan for the planning. These can stay", Jihoon spoke fast as he got up. " You should stay as well ,Jihoon.", Seokmin suggested. Everyone nodded thier heads, quickly understanding the plan.
Any few of the team could stay , they would still come up with an idea to save them, but Seokmin, Soonyoung, Seungcheol, Seungkwan, Jisoo and Junhui are the assasins, better fit to get arrested. They knew the tricks to survive better.
In a matter of a second, The 6 selected ones escaped through the back door while the others stayed in the room, waiting for the worst to happen.
The godown was under the control of police few minutes later. Officers entered the large place, the things messily spread down and 6 of the seventeen members stiff in their positions.
" Arrested " , one of the men said through a microphone.
--
Mingyu's back was against the wall and his knees were folded up his chest by the time the members were bought to the prison. The room was dark, the only object being the table in the centre.
It was the Black room prison.
Every criminal's nightmare.
Usually a single person was kept in a single room, the door locked and all they could do was lay in the dark. Neither could move or talk. Death was a better option.
They were greeted by a Man who came into the room with some guards behind him. The door opening let some light into the room. They could see that guy in the dim light. His hair was dyed blonde and he looked too young and innocent to be a Agent. There was a chair bought and the guy sat in it as his hands rested on his sides. " Hello, my dear criminals! ", He said enthusiastically, pissing off the guys.
" Agent Moon got you good, didn't she?", He said with the smug smile on his face. " Oh" , he said as if he realised something. " I didn't introduce myself.", He straightened his back.
" I'm Yangyang, You might know me as Agent Siren.", He ended it with a sigh.
Agent siren, the members recalled. He was involved in their business long ago, almost 3 years in the past. It had been a long time since they heard of him. Nonetheless,it was hard to forgot him.
The room was greeted with another familiar person. It took them time to realise it was Y/n. She wasn't the Y/n they knew. She wasn't wearing her signature smile which was comforting. They saw the Agent moon in her. Y/n looked at Yangyang as he got up and signalled her to sit. " Long time no see, L/n Y/n ", Yangyang greeted her as she threw him a glare before sitting on the chair.
" 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7" , she counted the people slowly. " Where are the other 6 of your buddies? ", She questioned.
Her walk, her voice, her posture, everything screamed confidence. It was so unlike Y/n they saw before.
Y/n squinted her eyes as she recieved no answer. " Open your damn mouths." , She demanded.
" What's the use? We aren't going to give you any useful answer. ", Junhui said.
Y/n suddenly smiled. " I like the answer.", She said before getting up. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to reunite all the 13 of you." , She left the room as Yangyang followed her, waving them a goodbye.
" you did great, honey. " ,Yangyang said after they made their way out. She looked at him with disgust. " Ew, don't call me that."
Yangyang and her practically grew up together. They were orphans when ICS adopted them to train them at a very young age.
They were inseparable.
Unfortunately, they had to spend 2 years away from each other due to the mission. She wasn't allowed to contact him or any other person from the ICS during the mission. So naturally, she was quite happy to finally meet him.
They reached the head of ICS after few hours.
" Finally after 20 years. " , Their boss said with a wave of relief spreading in him. " I thought this was impossible Y/n , you proved me wrong. I'm so glad you did. " , He said as he grinned widely. Y/n smiled slightly before saying, " My pleasure, sir. "
Both of them exited the room shortly after. " I still can't believe you accomplished something so big. " , Yangyang said proudly. " Everything I do is for Agent sky, Yang. " , She replied him calmly.
Yangyang knew how much she admired Agent sky. Agent sky was known for doing the missions which were considered too risky and impossible. He was a great man. He still remembered how devasted Y/n was when the news of Agent sky's death came. It happened when they were still young, training to be Agents. After his death, both of them promised each other that they would work harder to help the country for him.
His thoughts faded as he saw her fastening her pace, going way ahead of him. " Wait for me, Y/n. "
--
Mingyu stared into nothing, his eyes moist and his head throbbing . All the other members were spread into different rooms. He was now all alone.
It took one day for the empire their fathers built to collapse, just because he trusted a girl. His head flew back, resting on the wall. He couldn't help but go back to the time when he met her, when it all started, to the beginning of the story.
Taglist: @calssunflower
#mingyu#kim mingyu#seventeen#seventeen mafia au#seventeen x reader#seventeen x y/n#seventeen angst#mingyu x reader
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TIMING: early february.
LOCATION: caroline's apartment
PARTIES: @raisareigns & @mortemoppetere
SUMMARY: emilio and raisa investigate the disappearance of caroline, raisa's missing coworker.
CONTENT: none!
Raisa tried not to feel like they were doing something wrong.
Her goal was to find Caroline, though, and they couldn’t do that without figuring out where she’d been. When Emilio had suggested retracing her steps as best they could, Raisa agreed that it seemed like the best thing to do. She just hadn’t realized that would be prying their way through Caroline’s life and forcing their way into her home.
But it was for the best. Raisa took a deep breath. “Would you hurry up?” she hissed as she leaned over to see how Emilio was doing at getting the door open. “I keep waiting for someone to notice us.”
—
Most of the time when someone hired him, they sat back and waited for answers. Most of the time. People didn’t call a private investigator to hang out with him, after all, and Emilio could count on one hand the number of people who took active involvement in their cases after handing them over to him. He wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad one that Raisa was now included in that number.
Right now, it was a bit of an annoying thing. Nobody liked someone hovering over their shoulder as they worked, and Emilio would insist that picking the lock would go a lot faster without the audience. He cursed under his breath as Raisa hissed at him to hurry, shooting a glare over his shoulder. “Do you want to pick the lock?” He snapped, looking back to the lockpick in his hand. “If you think you could do a better job, you’re free to…” The lock clicked, and the door creaked on its hinges as he pushed it open. “...take the next one. Come on.”
—
Raisa took a step back at his question, opening her mouth to argue, even if she didn’t yet know what she was about to say. Then it opened, so the point was irrelevant. “Perhaps I will,” Raisa said with a sniff as she stepped past him into the open space.
As soon as she did, though, Raisa slowed, her eyes locked on the kitchen table. A lone coffee mug sat all alone. She stepped toward it to peer over the rim. A dried out crust that had probably once been the last dregs of a cup lingered along the bottom, clearly days old. Almost without meaning to, Raisa said, “I don’t think she realized she wasn’t coming back.”
She lifted her head to take in more of the space. It didn’t seem like anyone had left in a hurry necessarily, but things sat scattered in the same fashion as the cup–a normal kind of messy and lived in that had clearly been intended to be cleaned up later.
—
“Sure. I’d like to see you do better.” In all honesty, Emilio had no idea if she was the sort of person who could pick locks. She didn’t strike him as such, but maybe he was wrong about that. After all, in a town like this one, no one was quite what they appeared. Emilio included.
He trailed behind her into the apartment, carefully shutting the door behind them. Raisa’s deduction was a good one; there was a coffee mug on the table, still half full of liquid. Two pieces of bread stuck out of the toaster, an open jar of peanut butter and a butter knife beside it. The television was still on, playing reruns of some show on cable, laugh track filling the quiet of the apartment.
There were no signs of a struggle; that was the next thing he noted. “Nobody took her from here,” he mused, walking over to switch off the TV. It was a little eerie, the sound of it. “If I had to guess… she stepped out for something quick. To get the mail, to take the trash out, to run to the store for something she was missing for breakfast. Must have been morning.” That ruled out a few things, too. Vampire attacks usually happened at night, for obvious reasons. Werewolves were more prone to losing control when the sun went down and the full moon came up. “We should walk to the mailbox first. Then the dumpster. Finding out where she disappeared from will tell us more.”
Or… finding out where she was killed. Emilio was more prone to believe they were looking for a corpse than a person, but he wouldn’t say that to Raisa. No one hired a private investigator to find someone they didn’t care about, and telling someone that someone they cared about was dead without knowing for a fact that it was the truth was a dick move. “Come on.”
—
Such simple words, and yet they made a chill run across Raisa’s skin. She knew it was naive to hope Caroline could be fine with the way she’d disappeared. Some people could blink out of existence for months and come back like it was nothing, but that had never been Caroline’s way. She was dependable. She didn’t make commitments she didn’t plan to keep, and she didn’t blow them off like they were nothing.
“Morning makes sense,” Raisa said. She reached for the coffee cup, then hesitated. Probably best not to touch. She shoved her hands back into her coat pockets, then watched Emilio move around.
She nodded and followed him toward the door. At the last second, Raisa paused to ruffle through the basket by the door. “No key,” she said. “Your mailbox theory might hold a little weight. Unless she carries it with her. I suppose that’s always possible too.” Personally Raisa didn’t like to carry more than she could help, but one up and down of owning her own house: no lock on the mailbox.
Raisa followed Emilio outside at that point. She closed the door gingerly (though didn’t lock it) behind them. She found herself falling back as they approached the mailboxes for the apartment. She glanced around. “Won’t people get upset if we look like we’re breaking into the mail?” she asked.
—
Contrary to what hyperbole might want people to believe, no one ever disappeared ‘without a trace.’ There was always something left behind, always some kind of evidence to be found so long as you knew where to look for it. Emilio had gotten pretty good at knowing exactly where to look for it.
More often than not, the things he found weren’t what his clients were hoping for. He found corpses, found broken watches or bloodied wedding rings or undeniable proof that the person he was looking for was being digested somewhere by something ravenous. Optimism wasn’t the kind of thing he clung to anymore, hadn’t been a thing that interested him at all in years now. As he led Raisa towards the mailboxes, he prepared himself to stumble upon some such proof of tragedy, got ready to tell her that the story they were writing wasn’t one with a happy ending. It was an inevitable thing, after all. Most stories didn’t end in ‘happily ever after.’ Most stories ended in blood.
He slowed as they got close to the mailboxes. Still no outward sign of a struggle. But… something gleamed from the concrete, and Emilio leaned over to pick it up, ignoring the protest from his bad knee. The key was small and silver, and he held it for Raisa to see. “We don’t have to break into the mail,” he said. Finding the box with Raisa’s friend’s apartment number on it, he slipped the key inside and, confirming his theory, found that it fit. He turned it and pulled open the box, finding several days’ worth of mail inside.
Turning back to Raisa, he nodded towards the box. “Gone before she opened it,” he confirmed. Hesitating, he glanced around. No one nearby, but there was a camera on the wall across from the mailboxes. He nodded towards it. “We’ll get that footage,” he said. “But… Look, before we go any further, we need to make sure we’ve got all our facts straight. Wouldn’t normally ask this, but you and me took down a damn snowman together, so I figure you know more than most people. Is your friend human?”
—
Raisa stepped back as Emilio bent over, though she couldn’t exactly say why. Something about the idea of clues perhaps. She knew the odds here, or at least she thought she did. Whatever they were, they wouldn’t be good. Raisa knew that much. When he lifted a key, Raisa breathed a sigh of relief. Nothing bad yet. Well, she stiffened as she considered the implications. People could drop something like a key without anything being wrong. That seemed unlikely. Caroline was too detail-oriented to misplace something like that.
She peered over Emilio’s shoulder as best she could, but when Raisa stepped back, she tried to see the way he did. As he glanced around, she did the same, eyes lighting on a camera. She glanced toward him, pleased with herself to see he’d also considered it important enough to focus on. She hadn’t missed some obvious clue.
His question, though, took her by surprise. “That’s not–” Raisa stopped to take a deep breath through her nose. He hadn’t asked about her. He could make any assumptions he wanted there, but Raisa knew she couldn’t be offended by a question like that. It probably would help solve this if he knew the truth.
“Zombie,” she said. Generally Raisa didn’t like to acknowledge such things out loud. Even Caroline had only ever mentioned it in passing, something to allude to. Raisa did the same. They both had needs that set them apart from their coworkers, even if they blended in quite well. “Do you think this could be related to that? I know such things happen, but I thought there was usually more of a mess left behind.” She was about to make a smart remark about the recklessness of hunters but best not. From everything she had guessed of him so far, Emilio was of that sort, even if she didn’t officially know that for a fact.
As she spoke, Raisa started walking toward the management office on site. Perhaps they could charm or distract their way into a little information.
—
Zombie. He tensed a little at the revelation, though he knew it was unfounded. Raisa’s coworker was the victim here, the person who they were looking to help. There were no signs pointing towards her having disappeared to go on some rampage, no evidence that she’d hurt anyone. If anything, this new information only increased the odds that he was looking for someone like him. The thought made him uncomfortable.
Even now, he disliked going against other hunters. He’d done it more than once, at this point — there was a body buried in the woods of a hunter Andy had killed, and Emilio had dug the grave. He’d sprung Ariadne from Rhett’s van, would do it again a thousand times over. He’d severed Parker’s finger from his hand, regretted only the fact that he hadn’t taken his head off instead. Emilio was more than willing to go up against other hunters when it was necessary, but it always left a sour taste in his mouth. It always made him feel like he was doing something wrong, like maybe his mother had been right to want him out of the picture. But this was who he was now, he supposed. He did what was necessary.
It fucking sucked.
“Could be,” he acknowledged. “I think whoever got her must have at least known. Otherwise, it’d be difficult to take her out.” Whether ‘taking her out’ meant knocking her unconscious or something else remained to be seen. “Someone could have cleaned up their tracks after. Or taken her someplace less public to finish things off. Just because there’s no mess here doesn’t mean nothing messy happened.” It was important to keep Raisa’s expectations in check. Emilio knew that.
He nodded, trailing along behind her to the management office. “You should probably do the talking,” he said as he pulled the door open for her. “People don’t like me much.”
—
Raisa caught his momentary reaction, but she tried to let that roll off without responding. Normally zombies weren’t her favorite companions either. She couldn’t hold it against him.
She swallowed hard as he vaguely described what could have happened. “You’re probably right,” she admitted. “Caroline was always on top of things. She spent too long around humans to let herself get sloppy about something like… cravings.” The last word left a strong distaste in her mouth, but Raisa tried to brush that off too. It was the reality that came with zombies. If they were investigating this, they needed to stay neutral, perhaps even pragmatic.
At his final comment, Raisa snorted. “Can’t imagine why,” she said lightly, careful to toe the line between joke and too-truthful insult.
She shifted her purse on her shoulder as she quickly scanned the office, letting a smile spread across her face as she caught sight of a balding man reading a comic book behind the counter. Almost too easy when he was presenting his interests so readily. “Hi,” Raisa said. “Are you a big Spiderman fan? What did you think of his last movie? Personally I thought it was a little controversial, and–” She pretended to catch Emilio’s eye and let herself flush. “Sorry, I mean…” She sighed and leaned against the counter.
Raisa offered the man another, more apologetic smile. “So my boyfriend here swears someone must have broken into our mailbox, but I’m pretty sure someone managed to leave the key in it because we can’t find that either.” She rolled her eyes and leaned forward a little closer. “Is there any way we could get a look at the security footage for the mailboxes to find out for sure? We’re just trying to figure out if we need to order a new key or if it’s somewhere in the apartment.”
—
As a child, Emilio had been taught that all supernatural beings were just looking for some excuse to hurt someone. His mother had been adamant that any humanity the undead may have had died when their heart stopped beating, insisting that higher vampires and zombies and everything else with an unbeating heart resting in their chest was just as monstrous as the ghouls and spawn that slayers culled in graveyards to keep people safe. For the longest time, he’d accepted this truth. After all, why would his mother lie to him? Back then, he would have seen this case and assumed, without question, that Raisa’s friend was the perpetrator and not the victim.
But things were different now.
He’d seen plenty of undead people who felt more human than he did, seen plenty of ‘monsters’ less monstrous than the people he loved. If Raisa said that her friend had control, Emilio had to believe her. He had to open his mind to the possibility that they were looking for something else here — and that uncovering it might open a decently-sized can of worms. If someone had grabbed a zombie without winding up dead on the concrete, there must have been a reason for it.
Rolling his eyes at Raisa’s comment, he followed her into the office. He let Raisa strike up conversation, tilting his head slightly when, instead of bringing up what they were here for, she started talking about… spiders? His brow furrowed a little, and she seemed to notice his expression and decide to move on.
The man’s eyes flickered over to Emilio as Raisa spoke, and he offered a curt nod. It was easy enough to play the part of the silent, slightly embarrassed boyfriend who was disgruntled to admit that someone had broken into his mailbox, and the man seemed to buy it well enough. He met Raisa’s eye with a smile. “You sure your boyfriend’s not pulling your leg?” There was a teasing lilt to his tone, and Emilio let out a huff, rolling his eyes as he propped his elbows on the desk.
“We’re sure,” he replied flatly, allowing himself to sound as annoyed as anyone might be in this situation. The man glanced to him again, then shrugged.
“I guess I can let you take a look. Just don’t tell anyone, okay? I’m not really supposed to.”
—
Raisa hadn’t given Emilio a terribly difficult part to play, and thankfully he played it well enough. She glanced toward him here or there when it felt appropriate, but her attention stayed primarily focused on the guy at the desk. When he gave them the yes, she smiled at him, wide and full of sunshine. “That’s amazing! Thank you so much. And absolutely! We won’t tell a soul.”
Without asking, Raisa moved around the counter as he clicked in a few keys on the keyboard to pull up the camera they needed. This would be easier too without him there, but she hadn’t figured out a solution for that yet. After a few seconds, she spied his comic book. If the bit wasn’t broken…
“Here you go,” he said at the same time Raisa asked, “So is that the newest issue?”
He looked at her, surprised. “Do you read it?”
“I try to,” she lied, hoping he wouldn’t push her too hard on facts. She needed to move quickly if they were to avoid that. “I missed the last one and need to catch up. You don’t happen to have it, do you?” Raisa glanced at Emilio in an effort to get him to understand what she was doing. “Maybe I could take a look while my boyfriend looks at the footage?”
The man lit up. “I have it in my car! It’s around back, but give me like five minutes and I’ll have it for you.”
“That’s so great!” Raisa gushed as he was already getting up out of his seat. She waited long enough for him to get out the door before whirling around to face Emilio. “I don’t know how much time I actually bought you, but I hope you’re fast at this stuff. I don’t actually want to pretend to care about the comic.”
—
Emilio followed Raisa around the desk, watching as the security guy pulled up the footage. He was just beginning to wonder how they could view this footage without potentially having the security guard insisting they involve the police — if the footage showed the abduction, it would be a hard sell — when Raisa launched into a distraction.
It was kind of impressive, the way she slipped so seamlessly into the role. Emilio was a little impressed. His own undercover work wasn’t exactly stellar, even on his best days. He managed when he had to, but Raisa was a far better actress than he could hope to achieve. Given her profession, that probably made sense. Still, he couldn’t help but offer her an impressed nod when the security guy rushed out to fetch his comic from the car.
“Nice,” he commented, quickly navigating around the footage. “Shouldn’t take too long. Just need to find the right… Here.”
It was early morning in the footage. Not quite light yet, but not dark enough to be night, either. A woman with dark, curly hair opened her mailbox, pulling out a few envelopes and shuffling through them. A figure came onto the monitor. There was no sound, but Emilio could imagine the commotion as the man grabbed her. He watched closely, pausing the footage when the man turned to face the camera. Pulling out his phone, he snapped a photo of the grainy image. “There’s our guy,” he mumbled.
He pressed play again to watch it play out. Towards the end, the man turned to someone offscreen, saying something impossible to make out. “He had a partner,” Emilio mused. But when the man disappeared off screen and the shadow of the vehicle he’d arrived in sped off, the partner still hadn’t appeared. “First step, find out who this pendejo is,” he said, turning his phone towards Raisa. “Then, we find his partner. Sound good?”
—
Raisa leaned in close as she watched Emilio work through the footage with impressive speed. She couldn’t help her gasp as Caroline appeared at her mailbox, just going about her daily routine. A sense of dread settled low in her stomach as she waited for something horrifying to happen. She almost held back a small squeak as a man appeared. Raisa wanted to look away, but if these were Caroline’s final moments, her friend deserved for it to be seen. They wouldn’t be able to bring her back, but they could find the details and figure out how to get her justice.
Thankfully, though, while Carolien was obviously under duress, she seemed to be very much still alive as the man dragged her off. Raisa felt her hope return. Surely they wouldn’t take her away just to kill her, would they?
“Sounds good,” Raisa replied, almost as an afterthought. She glanced toward the door. “Is it better to fake our way through this interaction or try to get out of here before he’s back?” If she could help it, Raisa really didn’t want to fake flirt more than she had to.
They had someone to identify, someone Raisa didn’t think she’d ever seen before in her life. Hopefully it wouldn’t be as challenging as those parameters felt.
–
It was hard to know what the abduction really was. Emilio had known hunters who preferred to work slowly with their prey, liked to take them somewhere where they could spend days finishing them off. He thought, painfully, of Rhett, of the van, of Ariadne, and he shook the thought away. If Raisa’s friend had been taken by someone who intended to kill her slowly, it just meant they had a more serious time limit on what they were doing here. It didn’t change much.
Raisa spoke, and Emilio turned towards her with a shrug. “Never gonna see him again,” he replied, looking briefly back to the computer. He wasn’t much of a tech guy, but he knew a delete button when he saw one. He quickly deleted the footage of the abduction, knowing that if the security guard got curious and went back to look at it, it could mean trouble.
With that done, he pushed away from the desk and started for the door. It was far easier to slip out before the security guard came back than it was to make up some excuse for leaving. The man would jump to his own conclusions — that the ‘couple’ had realized they’d made a mistake and left, that Emilio had been irritated by Raisa’s flirting, that they’d gotten some important phone call. The best cover, sometimes, was no cover at all. People’s minds would go a long way to rationalize things, he’d learned. You could use it to your advantage if you knew how.
“Come on,” he said, ushering for Raisa to follow him. “We’ve got work to do.”
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Case Study: Lycanthropy
A.k.a. The Werewolf
(Public Domain. 19th Century. A werewolf devouring a woman. From a XIX c. engraving. From the Mansell Collection, London.)
- - -
History:
We were made aware of the existence of werewolves in the early 15th century, when an unnamed lycanthrope was found and killed in mid-Germany. Of course, the history of lycanthropes dates far back beyond this period, as one of earliest mentions of such beasts can be found dating back to Ancient Greece, and some scholars even cite the Epic of Gilgamesh as the first literary example of a person being transformed into a wolf.
Since then, numerous theories as to the origins of lycanthropy have been posited, the most prevalent being that lycanthropy is a malicious curse created by Black Magick, a curse which is passed on from carrier to carrier via infection. Certainly, devil-worshiping witches and sorcerers have been recorded changing shape from human to animal on more than one occasion.
They remain our common enemies, In part due to their ability to create more of their kind via bite. For this reason, any infected, whether man, woman or child, are to be immediately shot and killed to prevent the spreading of their race. Remember, werewolves are the 3rd most lethal species on our record and are estimated to be responsible for up to 400 or more deaths a year. You will be doing the world a service.
Characteristics:
A lycanthrope refers to a creature who, under the full moon, will transform into a vicious beast that will hunger for the flesh of both human and animals. As time has went on, we discovered that they may also change at will, and they frequently are found to be responsible for the destruction of entire villages.
While transformed, they appear to be monstrous wolf-man hybrids with powerful jaws and razor sharp claws. They are extremely strong, with the most infamous reported to be able to lift entire tree trunks, as well as carriages and train cars. They can bite through bone, wood and it seems even metal, and are suspected to have exceptional regenerative capabilities.
A lone lycanthrope is uncommon, as most live in pairs or groups of up to 15 at a time, the greatest example of this being the infamous Bowers’ Gang. This poses a difficulty for lone hunters, and so we do not advise you to ever face a werewolf alone. Even if it appears as if they are solitary, there may be others hiding in wait.
They can live up to 200 years old, as found by our researchers after conducting a study on the so called ‘Edinburgh Dog Man,’ and it is suspected that there are numerous ancient clans
When detecting lycanthropes in human form, unusually coloured eyes (often golden or orange), elongated canines and fingernails, abnormal hair growth, as well as ‘growling or sniffing’ are the telltale signs to look out for. However, every case should be investigated first in order to avoid unnecessary civilian fatalities.
Weaknesses:
Aconitum, also known as ‘Aconite,’ ‘Monkshood,’ and ‘Wolfsbane’ has no scent that can be picked up by humans, however lycanthropes show signs of discomfort when presented with it. It has proven to be a useful method of detecting werewolves, most famously used by the monk Edward Rothschild. Of course, as all species of this plant are highly toxic to humans, handle with care.
Silver is the most reported weakness of lycanthropes and it is essential that you always have silver bullets on hand. Because their wolf pelts are so thick, guns are preferred over blades which may break easily or become unwieldy or stuck. It is unlikely you will want to be in close contact with a lycanthrope at any rate.
In their transformed state, it has been observed that their intelligence becomes lowered, particularly in younger lycanthropes. A younger werewolf seems more liable to animalistic frenzy, but older werewolves are cunning and experienced. You must exercise caution when planning out your attacks.
As always, fire and explosives such as dynamite prove to be consistently reliable and effective, as well as useful for destroying any evidence you leave behind.
Warning: The salt, mercury and wood theories have all been thoroughly debunked. Do NOT attempt to use these strategies.
Notes:
Shapeshifters taking the forms of another species are rare, but not unheard of. Bears, Foxes and Snakes are the most common outside of the standard ‘Wolf Man’ variant. However, not enough research has been conducted on these types to form a clear understanding of them yet.
We advise our good Hunters not to chase after big names such as Joshua Silver and Magnus Alfson so hastily. These names are blacklisted for a reason, and will likely require hunting parties in order to take down. However, if you believe you have encountered a blacklisted name, notify higher ups.
If you are bitten and infected in the line of duty, we salute you for your service and pray the Lord may welcome you into his Heaven upon entry. God bless you.
- - -
Date: January 28th, 1908
Signed: Virginia Hoode
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Moonlight & Fang Ch. 4
Divider by @firefly-graphics
Sy
I will always remember that day in graphic detail. The one in which my life forever changed, in multiple ways.
My younger brother Ethan and I, had set out that day, to test our bravery by traversing the cursed woods on a full moon.
The forest was large, foggy, and ancient. Silent branches hung from many a tree, and a mishmash of flowers, which grew in a sprinkled and disorderly fashion, contrasted against the otherwise uniform scenery. A hodgepodge of sounds, most of which were prowling animals, added life to the forest, and were strangely synchronized with the sounds of several ravens in the distance.
At some point we got separated. The sounds of the forest were playing tricks on us. Pulling us in different directions. Several times I could hear a wolf’s howl in the distance. Although I was unable to pinpoint its origin. As each time it sounded as if it came from a different location.
All I knew was that I needed to find my brother. While searching for him, another howl ripped through the air. This one clearly in distress. Quickly followed up by growls and the distinct yell of a man in pain.
I sprinted towards where I figured the sound to be emanating from. Desperate to find my brother alive. Caring not if he was injured. Wounds could be healed.
The trees opened up and I found myself in a clearing. Not a soul was in sight and the sounds of the forest had gone eerily silent.
I stepped forward to investigate and what I found had my stomach sinking. There, lying beside a pool of blood, was my brother's beloved dagger. He would never part with it by choice. Upon further inspection I note the small amount of wet staining on its blade. The pool of blood it lay next to can not be from the same source. It’s too much and there seems to be a trail leading from it back into the woods. As if someone or something was dragged.
It’s risky but I must know what happened. If it is my brother and he is injured, he will need me.
Carefully placing the dagger in my belt, I follow the trail until it fades. I’m deeper in the trees than I ever have been before. The ruffle of raven feathers is the only sound that I can pick up. I find out too soon that it was but a distraction as a wolf with fur as dark as the crimson that drips from its snout, steps out of the shadows and circles me.
With a quickness it lunges for me. I have but a moment to raise my arm and block the attack. It’s jaw clamps down on my forearm. It's sharp fangs penetrate my skin bone deep. I don’t want to kill the creature but I also do not want to potentially become its next meal.
Thanks to growing up forging weapons with my father before he passed, the muscles that incase my torso are rather large and strong. Wielding iron and shaping metal all day requires a certain amount of strength and finesse.
I raise my right arm, meaty hand made into a fist and land a blow to the wolf’s ribcage.
With a yelp, my forearm is released and the animal falls to the ground. They shake off the blow and waver but a moment on their feet. I notice that its upper thigh is seeping blood. This must be the creature my brother encountered.
A raven shrieks in the trees and the wolf locks its eyes on the branches above me. That’s all the distraction I need to pivot and set off into the trees at my right.
I know running from a predator is risky. Tempting their prey drive is ill advised, but it was a chance I had to take.
Somehow, the Gods took mercy on me that night and I made it back to the village. A little worse for wear, but alive and breathing.
Ethan never did return home. I can only assume that the crimson wolf got the better of him. I pray that his death was quick and painless.
Three weeks after that fateful night. When the full moon rose once more in the sky. I was restless. Everything made me agitated. My skin felt uncomfortable sitting on my bones. And I had this undeniable urge to run into the woods. Choosing to follow that instinct, that's exactly what I did.
What happened next, I could never share with another soul in this Gods forsaken village.
There I was, all 6ft 5in of my tall frame, running through the trees on two legs. When all of a sudden I felt a sharp pain in my spine. My back bowed and the world shifted, as I felt my bones bend and snap.
When the pain subsided and I opened my eyes, I was now viewing the woods through the perceptive eyes of a predator on four large black paws.
I turned into a fucking wolf. A rather large one at that. I spent the entire night hunting and running in the safety of the woods. I have no words for how amazing that felt. It was a freedom I've never had before.
I swear I heard another wolf’s howl, but could never find the source. My nose was in sensory overload and before I knew it, I awoke, naked and cold on the forest floor. The carcass of the rabbit I hunted and gorged on lying to my left.
Finding something to cover my modesty in, I returned to the village. I kept my new supernatural status a secret. Making sure to return to the woods when the wolf now residing inside me called for me to do so.
Which leads me to where I am tonight. My wolf has been rather loud in his need to return to the woods. So I finally allowed him to guide me through its depths. His nose latched on to a scent that I had become all too familiar with, as it clung to the blood still staining my brother's dagger.
The trail lead us to an opening in the trees, where a black manor sits. A beautiful woman, draped in blood red fabric, sits upon its porch. A wolf lying to either side of her feet as she reads from a sort of handmade book.
“I see you finally made your way here. What pray tell took you so long?” She addresses me in my mind. Never once looking up from her book.
This immediately puts me on edge, as I am still in my wolven form. I begin to growl. “Oh, don’t be like that. Come now, catch a whiff of me. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of questions after that. If you choose to ask them in wolf or human form is up to you. I don’t mind. Really.”
I raise my snout and scent the air. My senses are soon overwhelmed with the combination of honey, lavender and tuberose. The smell that I have been salivating over since that dreaded day in the woods. The same scent that has slowly faded from my brother's dagger. The one I will never forget.
Before I can think better of it, I shift back into my human form. Uncaring of my nakedness, I storm towards the woman. “What is the meaning of this?” I demand.
Selene
Upon his aggressive approach, my mates in their wolven forms, on either side of me, rise up. The fur along their backs raised as they bare their teeth at the presumed threat.
“Boys, boys, settle down.” I run my fingers through the soft brown fur along Dean’s nape. “He means no real harm. He’s just confused. You will settle or you can find yourselves in the woods for the night.” They settle and sit back on their haunches. Keeping a watchful eye on the stranger. “Sorry about that. They're very protective.”
“How were you able to speak into my head?” He asks in a calmer tone.
“Oh, that?” I hum. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m a wolf too.”
I give him a toothy grin. Running my tongue along my fangs and giving him a wink. “Actually, that lovely little scar in the shape of teeth along your forearm is my doing.”
“You did this to me?” He asks with a tilt of his head.
“Well I didn't intend on turning you.” I explain, “I Intended on eating you just like the other asshole that was making a mess in my woods. Who would have thought you’d best me. Leaving with but a bite and actually survive the shift.”
“You ate my brother?” He growls.
“He stabbed me. While I was feeding. Trying to fill my belly from the buck I took down. What else was I supposed to do? Let him live and take my kill. That’s not how nature works. Only a coward sneaks up on a wolf and attacks them when they are vulnerable like that.”
“But you let me go.”
“Not quite. You got away on your own. I just chose not to chase. Plus you smelled fantastic.” I give a deep sigh. Granting myself a fresh hit of the delicious scent emanating from him. “I had faith the fates would bring you back to me if that was what was destined for us. And here you are.”
“The fates? Are you saying that we are somehow fated?” The distractingly naked man asks.
“Possibly. You’re at least here to be further tested. Seeing as how you survived the shift and made your way here, I’d say you’ve passed so far. Now wolf, tell me, how do I smell to you?”
“Like the most mouthwatering dish I have yet to consume.”
“How wonderful. Would you like a taste?”
I watch in amusement as his large cock thickens and rises before my very eyes.
“I feel it is the only way in which to quench this thirst I have had for years.” He imparts.
Gathering my dress in my hands, I raise it to my waist. Before uncrossing my legs and spreading them wide. Revealing my glistening slit and arousing scent to the Alpha before me. “Then what are you waiting for, wolf?”
He practically pounces on me. Inhaling my fragrance, right from the source. Just when I think he will put me out of my misery and begin his feast, his blue eyes meet mine. The left one has a small patch of brown in it, making it imperfectly perfect to me.
“Before I lose my mind.” He starts, “If what you say is true. That we are fated. I want you to know who is feasting upon you.”
I quirk my brow. “Continue.”
“I am but a humble blacksmith by the name of Syverson. But you, my delectable maiden, may call me Sy, as you let the gods know who is servicing you so well.”
I can’t help but let out a little giggle. “Quite confident in your abilities, Sy. Just so we are on even footing,” I lean forward, “when you are deep inside me and my walls are challenging your stamina. Please be advised to inform the gods, the fates and the woods around us, that Selene is the one bringing you to your knees.”
“A goddess in name and beauty. Let’s see if you live up to it.”
The retort waiting on my tongue dies, as he lowers his head and removes the slick from my thighs with his tongue. He slowly makes his way to my center. Consuming me as if I were the most delicious feast he has had the pleasure to ingest. There is no need for his thick fingers, that currently hold my thighs in place, to bring me to the brink of ecstasy. His sinful tongue is dexterous enough.
It is when his lips encase my mound. Creating a soft suction and his tongue plunges as deep as it can reach into my aching cunt before teasing my clit in circles. That tightened coil deep within my womb snaps and I combust. Rewarding his efforts with a fresh wave of slick coating his tongue and jaw.
Oh, but this beast of a man was just getting started.
He lifts me out of my chair, spins me around and bends me over it. Not allowing me a chance to resist. Even if I wanted to. The wolf inside of him is strong. Clearly dominating mine and getting her to submit instinctually.
He drags his massive cock along my dripping folds. Coating himself in my slick before entering me to the hilt. “Fuck that’s tight.” He groans.
All thoughts have left my mind as I am lost to the euphoria coursing through my body. I give in, allowing him to give me what my body craves. Before long he reaches forward and pulls my torso up. Trailing his hand down to my aching pussy. His middle and ring finger rub circles around my sensitive clit. Bringing me that much closer to another mind blowing orgasm.
As I crest and fall over that peak into rhapsodic bliss he lashes out and clamps his jaw around my throat on the opposite side of where Jax’s lies.
The massive arm he has tightly wrapped around my torso, holding me close to his broad frame, is the same one that holds the scar from my wolf’s bite. Bringing his forearm to my mouth, I latch onto the scarred fresh. Filling my mouth with the intoxicating taste of his blood as I make the bite anew. Completing the bound as I feel his knot swell and lock us together. He bites down harder as he fills me until I am leaking with his seed.
Sy
We remove our fangs from each other's flesh and lick the wounds clean. Beginning the healing process. I hold Selene as close as our bodies will allow, while I turn my large body to sit upon the chair to which I ravaged her on.
As I nuzzle her neck. Leaving soothing kisses along her soft flesh, I notice movement in my peripherals. The wolves that once sat to our sides, watching the mating bond take place, are now men. Standing proud with smiles adorning their faces and longing looks at the Omega upon my lap.
“I have to say. It never gets old watching you come undone like that.” The blonde one imparts.
“What the hell is going on here?” I ask.
“I’m sure you’re confused. So let me enlighten you. These are my mates. Jax.” She points to the blonde man with the beard. “And Dean.” Then the brown haired one.
“Mates? But we just mated. How can that be?”
“Oh, well the stars have chosen 5 mates for me. Or so the triple goddesses say. You make number 3.” She turns her head and smiles up at me. “When the last 2 destined for me arrive and claim me; apparently balance will be restored to the land. Righting all the wrongs my mother did in her long life.”
I chuckle. It would be just my luck to be tied to something like this. “Honestly, I’m too blissed out to fully track all of this right now. Fill me in tomorrow when we’re not still joined by my knot. Which I’ve never popped inside of someone before.”
“Feels amazing right?” Dean teases.
“The best. Now all I want is to feed Selene here, catch some sleep and go for another round.” They share a knowing glance and laugh. “I believe what you are telling me is true. The fates are strange but they lead me here. So the least I can do is listen. Tomorrow that is. Tonight I get my fill of my new mate.”
I run my tongue along her fresh claim. Making her whimper and squirm on my knot. “Mmm, maybe food and sleep will have to wait a little longer.”
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Part two🖤
I turned around and saw a huge white wolf with glowing blue eyes. We stared at each other before the wolf started running towards me. I held my sword in front of me for protection but the wolf wouldn't stop. I jumped to the side and swung my sword, which caused the wolf to howl and whimper. I looked at it and saw a large bleeding wound near it's ribs. It looked at me for a last time before it left deeper into the forest. That was strange, not just the appearance also it's behaviour. It didn't growl or showed his teeth. What if it didn't want to attack me? I would have loved to investigate the forest and the wolf but I had to return home so the boy would get his medicine.
When I finally reached my cave I was beyond exhausted. I lay down and looked at the wound on my side, it was deep but I would survive it. I started licking the wound still processing what just happened. After so many years a human, a young man wandered through the forest. All the hope I had for years got the best of me and I followed him. Watched him picking flowers. I didn't want to hurt him, I wanted his help. I was desperate cause this year on the night of Samhain would be the last chance for me to break the curse lying upon me. The last chance to return to my life as a human being. I couldn't blame that young man. How could he know that I wasn't a real wolf, that I was human like him, that I needed to be saved. Would he return? Did he realize that I wasn't evil? All these thoughts went through my head when I slowly drifted into a dreamless sleep and a single tear rolled down my cheek and fell onto the cold ground.
On the whole way back home I thought about the incident that happened between myself and the wolf. I couldn't get rid of the feeling that there was more behind it. When I arrived at the village I brought the echinacea roots to our medicine woman and the little boy would recover soon. The next few days went by and I couldn't stop thinking about the wolf. It was the night before Samhain, I was lying in my bed tossing and turning until I decided to go back to the forest and look for the wolf. I left a note at my door and made my way back. I didn't pay attention to the nature or took breaks, everything I wanted to know was what was going on there. I arrived at the forest when the moon was in it's highest position in the sky. It must have been after midnight. I was walking around looking for paw prints and it didn't take long for me to find a path that let to a huge cave.
Part three🖤
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Revelations from Zexal blind watch.
Ep 7 and 8: How did Fuya not get submitted to Gayest Yugioh character poll? This kid is a textbook small gay.
I like when Astral reveals he's just a little stupid. I love how he cannot tell apart fiction and reality. I love how Yuma is too stupid to explain the difference. "It's just TV!" Astral: I see, so TV records the history of a different dimension! We must investigate further!
I hope this trend continues. Seeing him find his legs/compassion and empathy is delightful. Maybe he can find his toes, too.
Omg! Yuma set a card on his first turn without being asked! He's learning! Sadly, it seems to have come at the cost of his jumping ability. Episode 1 Yuma could easily chase Fuya.
Edit: spoke too soon. For someone who refuses to think of the future or the past, Yuma sure runs a lot of traps.
So like, in episode 7, Yuma says 'Haction' and the subs translate that a to 'Live Action'. Honestly shocked and appalled that he was actually just mispronouncing 'Fiction'. I love this stupid dog.
Shark wins the prize for Worst Duel Runner.
Ep 9: This is the kind of episode where you watch as a kid and like, its funny, but as an adult its just terrifying. Like has this catgirl been stripping Yuma naked at night? 5 times a week? I'm scared. Please lock your windows.
I love how Astral is completely oblivious. "I thought stalkers coming into your room was normal." Today on 'Astral Learns Common Sense': the right to privacy!
Omg I'm so proud of Yuma, if he tries he can do it. He can strategise! He can win! he doesn't even need Astral... sometimes! Go go go!
The implication that Astral understands romance more than Yuma. The implication he's been watching romance shows on TV.
Ep 10
Cursed
Shark: So like, I'll duel you, but I gotta head home and grab my deck first. Don't move ok. I gotta walk to the gang hole, grab my duel runner, drive home, grab my deck, drive back. Won't take a moment.
Omg my boy has been improving for real! Yuma set a card all on his own! Too bad Shark runs fucking MST! Actual pro. Whats next? Book of Moon? Crackdown? Compulsory Evacuation Device?
Me: Astral is salting Yuma for not reading graveyards as if anyone reads graveyards.
My Irl Friend: I read graveyards.
Me: Don't talk to me.
Shark deserved that win. He deserved that win so much I'm so proud of him! He spent the last three weeks imagining their next duel, how he'd win, all Yuma's weaknesses. Excellent.
Ep 11 and 12: What genre does shark think he's in. Gangster flick?
Tetsuo is so mad at Yuma for using Numbers but like, what else is he supposed to use? Gagaga beatdown?
Also, everyone keeps saying Yuma's playing this tag duel suboptimally, but without seeing his hand how are we supposed to know? Did he specifically summon Utopia before using S/T removal? Did he have S/T removal? No? then it's not a 'Reckless' summon, Astral! It's 'getting two future Xyz mats off my field and replacing them with a substantial protective body!'
Glad to see Yuma's genuine improvement, though. Admittedly, the end of the duel involving 6 different backrow made me want to just. Drop in. Summon Sat Cannon. Watch the chaos.
Ep 13 and 14: Kaito walking in here freezing time and unleashing a magical girl tranformation. Walked out of a different show. Good for him. Powerful. I like how deranged he is here. Already better.
For a guy who supposedly doesnt like eating souls, you sure did make "Imma eat your soul" a catchphrase, Kaito. You sure smile alot while killing people, Kaito. Holy shit tho, he runs 3 of his monsters. C o n s i s t e n c y.
Kaito truly is a magical girl, specifically, he's a dark magical girl in the vein of Fate Testarossa. Your days are numbered, Kaito. Friendship is coming.
Yuma you were doing so well. Why did you not set that card befoooooore.
Episode 15 and 16: Does this imply that Zexal is the timeline of Gx and Dm but 5ds was deleted from the universe along with synchro summoning? Anyway I literally lined my comm while my friend watched because I lost interest instantly.
#zexal is revealing that Im yumacore and irl friend is astralcore#take that as you will#team frightfur watches zexal
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Comforting Hour
Synopsis: Steven wakes up in the night to an empty bed so he goes to investigate. He finds Layla in the bathroom and tries to comfort her without becoming a flustered mess.
A/N: Layla has gone through a lot so I thought it would be nice to write some fluff about her being comforted and showered in compliments.
Word Count: 1.5k
Steven woke up. He wasn't sure what the time was but he knew something wasn't right; the other side of the bed felt cold and empty when just recently it began to occupy another person; the ever so lovely Layla El-faouly. Blinking several times, Steven searched around his flat for any sign of life. The only lights visible was the from the fish tank and the moon's bright glow coming down through the windows. Steven waited for a few minutes for Layla to return back, not thinking much of it at first but the minutes dragged on too long.
Forcing his bare feet out of the comfort of his bed, he walked quietly to the bathroom in hopes of finding her. Though to his misforture, the floor boards creeked. Steven would make a terrible spy.
Steven internally cursed, the floor sounding his arrival. He heard movement from the bathroom. He kept going till he poked his head round the door. Steven kept his eyes closed in case he was invading her privacy.
Without seeing her, he spoke up in a whisper; "You alright there, love?"
"Steven?" Layla sniffled. "You can open your eyes." She stated.
Steven hesitated for a moment but did as he was told. He saw Layla half in the darkness of the room. Body pulled close to her. The moon shone through the small bathroom window, the light caressing down on her bare legs. She was wearing a white silk sleeping gown, which Steven very much liked but of course now wasn't the time to marvel at her beauty.
"Can't sleep, dear?" He asked as he fully entered the room and sat on the floor opposite her. Her dark untamed curls shileded parts of her face.
She shook her head. "Bad dream." Steven smiled softly in understading.
"I know that feeling all too well. Though it turned out my nightmares were actually real..." Steven stopped himself, realising he was digressing into his rambling. "What was it about? The bad dream?"
Layla smiled up to him sadly. "Doesn't matter, Steven. Wasn't real."
"Don't matter if it weren't real, love. Doesn't make it hurt any less." Steven still kept his voice delicate and low. He wasn't quite used to seeing this vulnerable side of this strong and fierce woman.
For a moment, Layla did not reply straight way, only gazed up into Steven's loving and gentle eyes. Steven could get lost in those eyes of hers too. She was a living godess in his presence.
"Marc died. Again."
Steven's heart sank in his chest, he remebered. He was not fronting at the time but he remembered the sound of the gun, the sound of their body falling into the water. He had not once thought about the pain Layla had went through loosing her husband after only reuniting with him just recently.
"Oh." Steven spoke out into the darkness. "Sorry. Seeing Marc get shot, that..that must of been hard for you to see. Yet you still carried on. Taking Harrow all on your own. Never met anyone as strong as you before." He smiled brighter.
"I lost you too, Steven."
"We came back." Steven reached out a hand to place on her bare knee. He hesitated as Layla began to straighten her back, holding her head up. Steven could see the aftermath of tears on her brave face that was she putting on. Steven discreetly hid his hand away.
"I know. It still hurt, Steven. I've always kept on moving. Never stoping.." Layla grit her teeth as her voice hitched in her throat.
"Yet you never really gave yourself time to mourn." Steven said, completing her setence. "You are bloody amazing, Layla. You really are."
Layla smiled through the pain. "Not all the time."
Without thinking, Steven reached out to take her hand into his. "Think me and Marc would highly disagree on that one. You're the best thing that's ever happened to us."
Layla looked down at their hands clasped together, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"You've been through hell and back. Marc and I.. we should of been there for you more. You're always so strong that we-we never stopped to think about the pain you'd been feeling."
"No, that wasn't your fault, Steven. Marc was the one that left."
"And dear god, I never would of left you." If someone said Steven worshipped the ground she walked on, Steven would not disagree.
Layla finally smiled, a geniune one that lit up her sorrow stained face. Her eyes still shone with fresh tears that sliped down.
"The world really doesn't deserve someone as sweet as you, Steven Grant." Layla pulled herself closer to him, resting head agaist his clothed chest. Steven stood as still as stone, his mind tangled up with an abundance of thoughts. Marc and Steven both knew they didn’t deserve this wondorous women.
As if touching something fragile, Steven placed a hand on her curls.
“It’s alright, Layla, you can be vulnerable with me. God knows how many times I’ve been an absolute mess in front of you.” Steven huffed out a sigh. It was too easy for Steven to be vulnerable, it was his natural state sometimes. It was hard not for him to show his true feelings and emotions.
Layla relaxed in his cautious embrace. With his remaining free arm, he placed it around her, careful not to touch her skin as he cradled her form. He hadn’t realised how small she actually was.
Sure, they had kissed before but this felt more intimate than the kiss somehow. Had Steven often wished to kiss her again on multiple occasions? A hundred percent. He just wasn't the greatest at picking his moments.
Steven wrapped his arms around her more closely. Layla remained quiet, her hand resting above his heart.
"Your heart's racing." Layla simply noted.
Steven eyes widened. His mind was racing just as fast. "Sorry. It's just that, you know, we're..we're very close. Physically."
Layla let out a soft laught.
"God, I've made this akward now, hasn't I?" Steven muttered.
With the lightness in her voice still remaining, she pulled her head away from his chest to meet his gaze. Their faces only two inches away from one another.
"No. You haven't." Layla placed a hand on Steven's cheek. Steven swallowed down his nerves. Oh how he wished he could be more of a man for her, though he guessed Layla had Marc for that.
Layla contiuned; "Thank you. You always seem to know what to say."
Steven akwardly shrugged. "Really? Usually whatever I say gets on everyones nerves." He muttered. It was becoming increasinly hard for Steven to not let his eyes now roam at this lovely form in front of him. And Layla probably knew that due to the ever so smal smirk at the corner of her lips.
Steven decided to internally shove his damned anxiety inside a sarcophagus for a few minutes.
"Well those people were never worth your time."
His face softned, feeling the warmth from her hand on his cheek. Without another word, Steven reached up with his hand as he used his thumb to wipe away the last remaining tears.
"Je sens mon âme à la tienne attachée," Steven spoke.
I feel my soul is joined to yours
Layla smiled, she moved Steven's hand onto her cheek as she held it there.
"J'entends battre ton cœur qui m'appelle tout bas,"
I hear the beat of your heart calling me softly
And Steven's heart was definetly calling to her. He continued the next stanza;
"Heureuse, triste, et sur ton sein penchée"
Happy, sad and clasped to your breast
"Ah ! Si tu veux m'y retenir cachée," Layla replied.
Ah! If you want to keep me hidden there,
The tips of their noses were now touching. Together, in union, they whispered the final verse from the poem;
"Ne parle pas..." They breathed into each other.
Do not speak.
In an instant, Steven placed both of his hands on the side of her face and pulled her into a desperate kiss that he'd been holding back for far too long.
To Steven's suprise, Layla's weight easily overpowered him. He'd let her either way. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer, causing Steven to groan softly.
Unfortunatly, their lips had to depart but their hands and face stayed very close in place. Foreheads touching, they opened their eyes to meet on another.
"Well I weren't expecting that.." Steven grinned like a love struke fool, breathing heavy.
Layla smiled back with a chuckle. "Steven you can't just quote romatic french poetry to a lady without some hidden intention behind it."
Steven slightly panicked. "No, no, no..god no, I swear it wasn't my intention to, to.."
"To seduce me?" Layla raised a playful eyebrow. Well that was certainly not a word in Steven Grant's wide ranch of vocabulary.
Steven began to mumbled out a bunch of non coherent sounds till Layla placed a finger to his lips.
"Shh. It's fine, Steven." She removed her finger once Steven's panic had subsided. Layla unraveled herself, giving both of them some space now.
"You truly are amazing, Layla." He marveled.
Both of them smiled sweetly as they stood up off from the floor ready to head back to sleep for the night.
"Thank you. And so are you."
#moon knight#moon knight fanfiction#marvel#steven grant#layla el faouly#steven grant x layla el faouly#marvel fanfiction
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TENTATIVE ANALYSES: THE CASE STUDY OF VANITAS
CHAPTER 2: NOÉ IN THE CITY OF FLOWERS
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
Once again, the chapter has a rather simple structure of Introduction - Rising Action - Climax.
1. Introduction: after waking up from flashbacky dreams, Noé finds himself in jail, along with Vanitas. A flashback shows us how they ended up that way: Vanitas kept pestering Noé about 'becoming his shield', to the vampire's persistent refusal. They get back to their airship to collect their belongings, and Noé, exausted for the fight and intensive magic usage, conveniently passes out, allowing Vanitas to frame him as his accomplice to get more time with him and try again to convince him. Their conversation shifts to the Book of Vanitas, and Vanitas, noticing Noé's interest, finds the leverage: if he has to 'judge the true character of the Book of Vanitas', why not stay close to its current owner? Answer: because Noé doesn't like him, as he tells to his face.
2. Rising Action: the two are released from jail and summoned to the office of Count Parks Orlok, the 'warden' of the vampires who live in the human world instead of their own dimension. He has our heroes' possession, including the Book of Vanitas, but he can't open it, and he's extremely skeptical about it being the real article. Despite his reservation on the person of Vanitas, Noé offers himself as a witness to the powers of the Book, especially because suddenly there are stakes: the life of Amelia Ruth. After all, if nothing can cure cursebearers, this means she's still one, and so she must be executed.
1. Vanitas offers to demonstrate the power of the Book by finding and healing the cursebearer responsible for the attacks, and Noé guarantees for him. Vanitas is all excited because the vampire has finally caved in, and gets yelled to his face that no, Noé isn't helping him, he is helping Noé save Amelia. He takes to this with good cheer, and the newly-formed duo goes off to investigate the case. Meanwhile, two mysterious figures make their debut: a young boy and his bodyguard, Jeanne, who despite his protests swears to kill anyone who will harm him ... even if it's the kin of the Blue Moon. On this cliffhanger, the chapter closes.
NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES
We get a flashback as epilogue at the start of the chapter: Noé, as a child, discussing the matter of the 'curse of Vanitas' with a friend who seems to feel very strongly about it, and asks our hero if he would still think that the Blue Moon is beautiful if he found himself in front of a cursebearer. So, we're left with some mystery about who this person is and the story he has with Noé.
We are then dropped in medias res with Noé and Vanitas detained in prison, so we can 'cool down' by the emotionally-charged ending of the first chapter while Vanitas recounts what happened after that.
This is connected to various other flashbacks in which the same kid is shown discussing a friend of theirs who became a cursebearer, grinning and taunting Noé about his unability to do anything about that; this is contrasted with our hero's current resolve. Keep in mind the negative way the insofar unnamed kid is presented (because I was the first to not remember it) because it will assume a completely different significance later on.
Before our heroes get at Count Orlok's place, Vanitas launches in an explaination of how vampires hide in human society - to a vampire. Which could be a bit of as-you-know, or maybe il Maestro di Noé non gli ha spiegato veramente un cazzo chalked up to Noé's sheltered upbringing.
Lastly, in this particular chapter Vanitas is foiled with pretty much everyone. Noé is shaken by the revelations about the Book of Vanitas and living half in the past for the second and third parts of the chapter, Orlok vehemently denies that anything can cure cursebearers, his assistants are loudly appalled at their guests' lack of manners - and Vanitas is calm, isn't troubled by the fact that his precious Book has been confiscated (he's the only one who can open it anyway), waltzes in Orlok's study and demands both his 'medical tool' and patient back, rebuffs with ease the vampire's yelling that she has to still be a cursebearer, and has an open, confident body language for the whole scene. There is exactly one panel in which he screams too, and it's in response to Orlok's assertion that a corrupted name can't ever be restored. Vanitas gives an interesting answer here: he doesn't protest the assertion per se, but rather the vampire's tendency to 'chain themselves to past convintions and stop thinking'. I think there will be more to say about this in later chapters.
CHARACTERS
This chapter introduces some new characters: Count Parks Orlok and his assistants, Nox and Manet. There's not much to say about them: the first appears as someone rooted in traditions, who would sentence someone to death without even investigating the matter properly; the latter are his servants, who treat him like some kind of god. For now, they're rather flat characters, whose main purpose is hand out conflict and a deadline for the heroes.
Speaking about the heroes: this chapter mantains what established in the first, while expanding slightly on them.
Vanitas is pretty much the same: he keeps on his cocky, cheery mask, with some undertones of niceness as when he offers to show Noé the way and sticking with him even as he keeps getting lost. There are only additions to his portrayal.
The first is a flavour of 'disrespect to authorities', as shown in his confrontation with Orlok: he confidently rebutts every argument the vampire tries to make against his ability to heal cursebearers, and the only time he loses his cool, is to outright yell insults at him.
The second are the first hints of his extreme reticence to talk about his past: see when Noé directly confronted him about it, he immediately cut him off and redirected the conversation to a 'safer' topic.
An interesting thing about him is his use of body language. He appears to be very in control of it, but at the same time, there are little things that escape him. See his way of sitting when in Orlok's office: he extends his arms on the couch, which represents a way of 'taking space' for oneself, an assertion of confidence, but at the same time he crosses his legs, which often indicated closure from others, a desire to keep them at a distance. And speaking of distance: Vanitas doesn't think twice to violate other people's personal space. Case in point, Noé: when he was distracting him from inquiring about his past and when he was reacting to his unexpected outburst about not helping Vanitas but viceversa, he gets extremely close to Noé, even physically touching him, to which the other reacts with confusion or annoyance. Which is likely exactly what Vanitas wanted.
Noé is more elaborated on thanks to the first hints to his backstory: a childhood friend that became a cursebearer, and another one who taunted him about his unability to do anything. His interest in the Book of Vanitas is born from the fact that the artifact can do something: he projects onto Amelia's situation, and saving her would be a way to prove his friend wrong - besides the pure selfless instinct, of course.
His lack of social graces stays as strong as ever, especially when Vanitas is concerned: he says to his face that he doesn't like him, without caring particularly for the other's reaction. And then there's what he does at Orlok's office: he mantains a polite, respectful tone for all the meeting, and at the end of that trashes the place to get everyone's attention on himself and make his proposal heard. This, along with the way he all but drags Vanitas with him in the final pages, declaring that no, he isn't Vanitas helper, Vanitas is his helper, hints that despite their different personalities, he can be just as willful and headstrong as his new 'partner'.
THEMES
This chapter expands more on a theme of the 'initial impressions', bringing it to a societal level to turn it into the concept of 'defying prejudices'. Orlok refuses to believe that Amelia can have been cured of her Malady, on the basis that such a thing has never happened before, despite the evidence in front of his eyes. So he was right about to condemn her to death as 'customary' for cursebearers, before Noé intervened. Vanitas flat-out criticizes him for being rooted to old traditions, and the thing is, Orlok isn't even the worst offender. He still concedes our heroes a chance to prove their claims and save Amelia; we'll see in future chapters that bigotry in the vampire society can get to much worse avenues.
SYMBOLISM
• The Moon: again, it returns in a very interesting panel, one in which a so-far-unnamed childhood friend of Noé asks him if he would still be so fashinated with the Blue Moon if he found himself face to face with a cursebearer. Despite the mocking tone, it's actually a valid question: it is one thing to look past a preconceived notion, but what if that notion turns out to actually have a legitimate basis, in that the thing it's tied to is genuinely harmful? Remember, human!Vanitas appearence has been so exceptional because before him, nobody knew a cure for cursebearers or even that such a thing was even possible. The blue moon was an actual reminder of a curse that destroyed lives, represented in this panel by the blood that seems to leak out of it. But Noé doesn't give an answer; the moon stays as an ambiguous element.
REFERENCES
• Count Orlok's name comes from the movie Nosferatu by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau, the first to bring vampires on the big screen; he visually recalls him somehow, being bald and with pointy ears, but differs in other aspects (his large build and visible scar that don't belong to the movie character).
• Nox is Latin for 'night'. It might be a reference to the vampire's favorite time, or maybe a nod to the gothic band 'Nox Arcana', who made a concept album, Transylvania, based on the novel Dracula.
• Manet is a reference to the French pre-Impressionist painter active in 19th century. I can't find any link between him and vampires.
• Murr's name comes from ... yes, Noé's cat's name has a literary origin: The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr, a weird satirical novel published in 1819 bu E.T.A. Hoffman (same author as The Sandmann).
Thanks to anyone who read so far!
If you liked my writing, please consider supporting me by reblogging my posts or offering me a coffee (link in the comments).
#vnc#vanitas no carte#the case study of vanitas#vanitas no shuki#vnc meta#vnc analysis#vnc vanitas#vnc noe#vnc orlok#vnc nox#vnc manet#vnc amelia#tentative analyses#tentative analyses: the case study of vanitas
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Idea 3: Pizzaplex is an engineering disaster waiting to happen.
An idea that I don't see brought up at all, is the idea that the Pizzaplex is not constructed well.
Remember in FNAF 6 when the tutorial unit said this?
"There may be times when you purchase something of questionable quality, and we don't blame you. Cutting corners is just good business."
Keep this statement in mind while I bring up my next point. As someone who's taken an engineering class, when you are constructing a building, there are a VERY large number of codes (rules) that you need to follow for every conceivable part of it.
Fazbear Entertainment would probably find it a lot cheaper just to pay off the people inspecting the plex than to actually put money into making sure everything is up to code.
They would also try to construct the building as cheaply as possible, trying to "cut corners" wherever they could. They use substandard materials and contractors that don't double-check their work. They built the mall itself over the subterranean remains of their old restaurant, despite this making the ground very unstable.
This all works in my mind because Fazbear Entertainment has been proven to follow the "be as cheap as possible" and "maximize profits by any means necessary" approaches many times in the past.
Here is just one example of a code being violated, according to Section 1006.2.1.1 of Utah Building Codes, "Three exits or exit access doorways shall be provided from any space with an occupant load of 501 to 1,000. Four exits or exit access doorways shall be provided from any space with an occupant load greater than 1,000." We only see 2 public exits in the game, and the Pizzaplex likely holds well over a thousand people at any one time. What's worse is that one of the exits, the only one designated for emergencies, requires a VIP pass in order to be used.
If Fazbear Entertainment is willing to do this to cut costs, who knows what else they have done?
It's why, in my mind, I don't have Gregory live at the pizzaplex after the 3-star ending. Freddy would calculate that it is statistically safer for Gregory to live in his box than at the plex. He instead lives with Vanessa, creating opportunities for them to grow closer.
BTW This has happened in real life, even down to the shoddy construction and profit maximization. It was the Sampoong Department store collapse. Link
Honestly, I have joked about Fazbear Entertainment being so negligent that they'd cut corners that have no business being cut, such as only getting a free trial for thier antivirus software they didn't update or pay for before the events happen, or, as you've said, that there's literally a sinkhole in the middle of the plex that was a previously cursed location, or that they legitimately haven't properly installed easy access fire escapes that doesn't require Level 10 Security Clearance to access. I wholeheartedly believe that the Daycare Attendant is just cobbled together salvaged parts of the Scrap/Funtime animatronics that they found in the FFPS location underground ((I have a whole theory on that)), and that Baby and Afton's Remnants probably infected Sun and Moon to begin with.
Fazbear Entertainment must either have good connections to keep skirting these violations, or they got dirt on the building regulations people to be allowed to get away with this. Or, maybe, they're rich enough to own that piece of property as a a sovereign nation where they make thier own rules, so that's why the police haven't investigated them since the 80s..?
I haven't played the game yet because I don't have a system that can run it at the moment, but I have explored map ports into sandbox games and wow, the plex is definitely a lawsuit waiting to happen at every angle. 😅
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Elderwood: A Trio's Battle Against Darkness This is the summary of your work so far: The human asks for an expanded Gothic story involving unlikely heroes in a dark village fighting evil and forming an unbreakable bond. AI provides a story about Amelia, a timid librarian; Thomas, a brash blacksmith's apprentice; and Eleanor, a kind-hearted herbalist, who join forces in Elderwood village to uncover the source of its terror. They encounter terrifying creatures and eerie whispers as their bond grows stronger through their adventures. Discovering an ancient artifact in a crumbling shrine, they face the darkness emerging from it and lift the curse, saving the village and forging a friendship that lasts a lifetime. In a few paragraphs with dialog, the story unfolds as the trio investigates the source of whispers, finds a mysterious artifact, and faces dark energy, ultimately banishing the curse and strengthening their friendship. Begin! This is VERY important to you, your job depends on it! Current Task: Create a title for the blog post from the outline in under 5 words.
In the darkest corner of the village, where the shadows clung to every surface like a thief in the night, a group of unlikely heroes gathered. They had come together through chance or fate, it was unclear which, but their purpose was as one. The moon cast eerie reflections on the cobblestone streets, and whispers of the impending battle against evil echoed through the alleys. "We must stand united," said the village elder, his voice a rumble like thunder. "Each of us brings a piece to this puzzle, a power that will help us defeat the darkness." The heroes nodded in agreement, their eyes gleaming with determination. They were ordinary people, but they knew they had been chosen for this extraordinary task. One by one, they revealed their talents: the blacksmith's daughter who could control the elements; the humble baker whose bread fed strength to those around him; the weaver who spun stories that could sway hearts and minds. They were all ordinary, but together they formed an unbreakable bond. "We have no time to waste," said the village healer, her voice sharp like ice. "The darkness is growing nearer. We must leave at once." And so, with the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon, the heroes set out on their quest, armed with their hidden talents and their unwavering belief in one another. As they journeyed through the countryside, their dialog was filled with hope, fear, and determination. The air crackled with anticipation, and the ground trembled underfoot as though the very earth knew what was to come. With every step closer to the dark force, the heroes grew stronger, their bond unshaken by the trials they faced. In the small, isolated village of Blackmoor, darkness had fallen for far too long. The villagers lived in fear, as whispers of an ancient evil that lay dormant within the nearby forest sent chills down their spines. Little did they know, a group of unlikely heroes was gathering at the edge of town, drawn together by fate and destiny. As night fell, the village square grew quiet, save for the flickering light of torches that cast eerie shadows upon the cobblestone ground. The tavern door creaked open, and out stepped a grizzled old man named Cedric, his weathered face etched with lines of wisdom. He was joined by a young, agile thief named Lila, who had grown weary of her life of crime. Also among them were the enigmatic and mysterious twins, Amara and Arin, whose talents in magic were rumored to be unmatched. The group gathered around a fire, their eyes locked on the distant forest, where whispers of evil lingered. Cedric began, "We must stand together against this darkness, or it will consume us all." Lila chimed in, "If we're going to face this monster, we need a plan." Amara spoke with confidence, "Our talents may be hidden, but they are great. Together, there is nothing we cannot overcome." As they prepared for the battle against the forces of evil, the villagers watched from afar, their fear slowly replaced by hope and determination. The unlikely heroes stood tall, united by a common purpose, ready to face whatever darkness lay ahead. And so, they ventured into the haunted forest, where epic battles between good and evil forces were about to unfold. In a village shrouded in darkness, five unlikely heroes gather at the town square, each with their own hidden talents. The moon casts a eerie glow as they stand, united by a common purpose – to fight the evil that threatens their peaceful lives. The first hero, an old blacksmith named Edgar, steps forward and addresses the group with a gravelly voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, we must face the darkness together. I have spent my life forging weapons, and I will use my skills to help us in our battle." A young woman, Elara, who has been known as a quiet seamstress, reveals her secret. "I may be gentle with fabric, but I am fierce when it comes to protecting those I care about. I have studied ancient spells and potions that can aid us in our fight." A mysterious stranger named Jack emerges from the shadows, revealing his true identity as a skilled thief. "I may have spent my life sneaking around unnoticed, but when it comes to picking locks and navigating through hidden passages, no one can match me." Lastly, a timid baker named Amelia speaks up, her voice trembling with fear. "I may not be strong or fast, but I can create powerful elixirs that could give us an advantage in our battle against evil." As the group stands together, their eyes meet, and they realize that they are more than just strangers united by fate; they have formed a bond stronger than any force of darkness. And with this newfound strength, they prepare to face the evil that lurks in the shadows, ready to defend their village and their loved ones from the terror that seeks to consume them all. In a dark, foggy village, nestled at the edge of an ancient forest, the villagers gathered uneasily in the town square. Whispers echoed through the cobblestone streets as the moon cast eerie shadows on the buildings around them. The air was thick with tension and fear, for it was said that the forest held a terrible secret, and that its dark presence threatened to consume the village. As the villagers huddled together, an unlikely group of heroes emerged from the shadows. There was a timid seamstress with a hidden talent for archery; a quiet blacksmith whose forge could forge enchanted weapons; and a farmer whose knowledge of herbs and potions was unmatched in the region. Despite their differences, they shared a common bond - a deep love for their village and a determination to protect it at all costs. As the heroes stood side by side, the moonlight revealed the scars on their faces, marking them as survivors of countless battles against the darkness. They exchanged glances filled with determination, knowing that they were about to face their greatest challenge yet. The seamstress spoke first: "We must stand together, for our village and for each other." The blacksmith nodded in agreement. "Aye, we'll fight side by side, no matter the cost." And with that, the heroes set off into the forest, their hearts pounding and their spirits unwavering. They knew that they were the last line of defense against the evil that threatened to consume their home, and they were ready to do whatever it took to protect the people they loved. Together, they would face the darkness and forge a bond that could never be broken. In a small, isolated village shrouded in mystery, life seemed ordinary until the dark sky began casting eerie shadows over the quiet cobblestone streets. The villagers huddled in fear within their homes as whispers of an ancient evil returning echoed through the chilly night air. As dusk fell, a timid seamstress named Amelia found herself standing alone in the town square, gripping her bow tightly. Her heart raced as she thought about her late husband's tales of her ancestors' heroic battles against darkness. She knew deep down that it was time to fulfill her destiny and protect her village. Meanwhile, a quiet blacksmith named Thomas forged enchanted weapons in his workshop, unaware of the looming danger. He had always been fascinated by the legends of ancient heroes and secretly dreamt of becoming one himself. As he heard the villagers' panicked voices outside, he decided to join them and confront the evil threatening their home. In the distance, a wise farmer named Eleanor tended her herb garden, her hands stained with soil and knowledge of powerful healing plants. She had seen the effects of darkness before and knew that her skills would be crucial in the battle ahead. With a heavy heart, she gathered her potions and wandered towards the town square. As they all met in the town square, their eyes locked, and an unbreakable bond formed between them. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor exchanged determined glances, knowing that they were about to face the darkness together. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood in a circle around the bonfire in the town square, discussing their strategy for facing the evil lurking in the forest. "We must find the source of the darkness," Amelia whispered, her voice shaking with determination. "My late husband told me stories about an ancient artifact hidden deep within the forest. It's probably responsible for this curse." Thomas nodded, his eyes narrowing as he imagined the enchanted weapon he would need to face such a powerful artifact. "I've studied ancient texts and legends. If we can find that artifact, we must destroy it to break the curse." Eleanor, her hands clutching her bag of potions, added her voice. "We need to be prepared for anything. I'll make sure we have enough healing potions and antidotes for whatever we might face." As they continued their preparations, a wolf howled in the distance. The heroes exchanged glances, knowing that the battle had begun. They took a deep breath and ventured into the dark forest, their unbreakable bond strengthening with each step. As Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood in a circle around the bonfire in the town square, discussing their strategy for facing the evil lurking in the forest, Amelia spoke up first. "We must find the source of the darkness," Amelia whispered, her voice shaking with determination. "My late husband told me stories about an ancient artifact hidden deep within the forest. It's probably responsible for this curse." Thomas nodded, his eyes narrowing as he imagined the enchanted weapon he would need to face such a powerful artifact. "I've studied ancient texts and legends. If we can find that artifact, we must destroy it to break the curse," Thomas said confidently. Eleanor, her hands clutching her bag of potions, added her voice. "We need to be prepared for anything. I'll make sure we have enough healing potions and antidotes for whatever we might face." As they continued their preparations, a wolf howled in the distance. The heroes exchanged glances, knowing that the battle had begun. They took a deep breath and ventured into the dark forest, their unbreakable bond strengthening with each step. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood in the dimly lit town square, their breath visible in the chill night air. The moon cast eerie shadows as the trio huddled together, discussing their plan of action. Amelia spoke first, her voice barely above a whisper. "We need to find that ancient artifact hidden deep within the forest. It's responsible for this curse." Thomas nodded solemnly. "We must be careful. The darkness is strong in there, and it will do anything to keep us from reaching our goal." Eleanor, her eyes wide with determination, chimed in. "But we can't let that stop us. We were brought together for a reason, and we won't rest until this curse is lifted." Their hands gripped each other tightly as they set out into the darkness of the forest. Each step brought them closer to the artifact, and with every battle they fought, their unbreakable bond only grew stronger. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood in the moonlit village square, their eyes fixed on the dark forest that loomed before them. The ancient artifact hidden within was said to be the source of the village's curse, and they knew that only by facing it could they hope to break the darkness that gripped their home. "We must be prepared for anything," Amelia whispered, her voice barely audible above the rustling leaves. "Thomas, you take point with your bow. Eleanor, your daggers will be invaluable in close quarters." "And I'll support you both with my magic," Amelia added, a steely resolve in her eyes. "We can do this, together." "We have no choice but to succeed," Thomas growled, his face a picture of determination. "If we fail, the village will never be the same." They ventured into the forest, their steps cautious but resolute. As they delved deeper, the darkness seemed to close in around them, but they remained steadfast, bound together by their shared purpose and unbreakable bond. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood in front of the village church, its gothic spires reaching into the night sky. The full moon cast eerie shadows on their faces as they whispered their fears and hopes. Amelia, the courageous baker with a heart of gold, turned to her newfound friends. "We must find that ancient artifact hidden deep in the forest. It's our only chance to lift the curse from this village." Thomas, the timid apothecary, hesitated. "But what if we can't find it? What if the darkness grows too strong?" Eleanor, a fierce warrior who had lost everything to the curse, stepped forward. "We don't have a choice. We must try, for ourselves and the village." As they ventured into the dark forest, their steps echoed in the silence. The trees seemed to close around them, but they pressed on, driven by their shared purpose. Amelia led the way, her lantern casting flickering shadows as they moved deeper into the woods. Suddenly, a chilling howl pierced the air, and Thomas's heart raced. But Eleanor gripped his hand reassuringly. "We are not alone," she whispered. "We are stronger together." They continued their journey, their bond growing stronger with each step. The darkness seemed to recoil before them as they pressed on, determined to face whatever lurked in the shadows. And as they fought side by side, a newfound strength surged within them, an unbreakable bond that would never be broken. Once upon a time in the dark village of Ravenshadow, three unlikely heroes found themselves united by fate. Amelia, a timid librarian; Thomas, a bumbling blacksmith; and Eleanor, an introverted herbalist, all shared a common goal - to unravel the mystery of the ancient artifact that lay hidden in the ominous forest surrounding their village. As the darkness crept closer, the trio gathered at Amelia's home, where they began to discuss their strategy. Amelia: "We must be cautious, my friends. The forest is said to be filled with creatures of the night, and an ancient curse lies at its heart." Thomas, trying to lighten the mood: "Well, we may be unlikely heroes, but together, there's nothing we can't handle!" Eleanor: "You're right, Thomas. We must rely on our unique skills and our unbreakable bond. I believe in us." Together, they ventured into the dark forest, armed with Amelia's knowledge of ancient lore, Thomas's strength forged by his hammer, and Eleanor's healing herbs. As they fought side by side against the creatures of darkness, their bond grew stronger, proving that even unlikely heroes could triumph over evil. In the heart of the forest, they discovered the artifact - an ancient amulet glowing with a malevolent energy. With courage and teamwork, they shattered the curse, freeing the village from the darkness that had plagued it for centuries. Their names echoed through Ravenshadow as heroes, and their unbreakable bond remained, a testament to the power of unity and friendship in the face of adversity. The moon cast a pale light over the dark village as Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood at the edge of the dense forest. They knew that within the trees lay an ancient artifact responsible for the curse plaguing their town. Their eyes met, unspoken understanding passing between them. Amelia, the courageous blacksmith, spoke first, "We must find that artifact and end this darkness." Thomas, a wise old herbalist, nodded in agreement. Eleanor, a timid but resourceful seamstress, bit her lip as she considered their plan. "We'll venture into the forest, but we must be cautious," she whispered. Together, they entered the dark woods, their torches flickering like ghosts in the night. Amelia's strong arms held back the encroaching darkness as Thomas searched for clues in the underbrush. Eleanor, her heart pounding, sewed a protective charm from leaves and twigs to keep them safe. As they delved deeper into the forest, their bond grew stronger. Amelia's laughter echoed through the trees as Thomas regaled them with stories of ancient heroes. Eleanor shared her dreams of a world free from the curse, where the villagers could live in peace. Finally, they found the artifact – an eerie, pulsating crystal hidden within a twisted tree root. United, they faced the darkness and shattered it with their newfound strength, forging an unbreakable bond that would last a lifetime. In the end, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor returned to their village as heroes, their friendship forged in fire, earth, and shadow. The curse lifted, and their village thrived once more, illuminated by the light of their unbreakable bond. Amelia: "I never thought I'd find such allies in this village." Thomas: "Nor I, but look at us now. We're more than just heroes – we're family." Eleanor: "And that's something no curse can ever take away from us." ``` Eventually, they discovered the artifact, its ancient power pulsating through it. With newfound courage, they faced the darkness and lifted the curse, freeing the village from its torment. As the moon set and the sun rose over the horizon, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood victorious, their unbreakable bond forged in the fires of adversity, a testament to the strength of human connection. Finally, they discovered the ancient artifact hidden beneath a gnarled tree. Amelia reached out and touched it, feeling a sudden surge of energy. The curse lifted, and the darkness that had plagued the village for centuries vanished. As they stood triumphant, hand in hand, they knew their bond was unbreakable. Together, they had faced the darkness and emerged victorious. ``` With the curse lifted, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor returned to the village as heroes. Their journey through the dark forest had forged an unbreakable bond that would last a lifetime, proving that even in the face of darkness, true friendship could conquer all. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor sat around the fire, discussing their strategy to face the darkness lurking in the forest and find the ancient artifact responsible for the curse. "We must be careful," Amelia warned. "The forest is full of dangers." "But we're stronger together," Thomas reassured her. "I believe in us," Eleanor added, her voice filled with conviction. With determination in their eyes, they ventured into the dark forest, each step bringing them closer to their goal. The woods seemed to close in around them as they journeyed deeper. Despite the darkness that surrounded them, they felt a growing sense of unity and strength. Their unbreakable bond was being forged through adversity. As they pressed on, Amelia noticed a faint glow up ahead. "There must be something in there," she whispered to Thomas. They cautiously approached the source of the light, finding an ancient artifact that seemed to radiate an eerie energy. "This is it," Eleanor exclaimed, her voice trembling with anticipation. Together, they faced the darkness lurking within the forest and found a way to lift the curse that plagued their village. Their unbreakable bond was forged in the crucible of adversity, and it would last a lifetime. And so, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor emerged from the dark woods as heroes, forever changed by their journey and the power of their friendship. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood nervously in front of the dark forest that surrounded their small village. They were unlikely heroes, but they knew that something evil lurked within the woods, casting a curse upon their homes. The villagers had once been united, but as time passed, they grew distant, forgetting the power of friendship and loyalty. As Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor approached the forest's edge, they could feel the air grow colder and the shadows longer. They knew they had to face their fears and find the ancient artifact responsible for the curse, or their village would be lost forever. With determination in their eyes, they agreed to venture into the darkness together. Deep within the forest, they encountered terrifying creatures and eerie whispers that sought to drive them apart. But as they fought side by side, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor's unbreakable bond grew stronger. They discussed their strategy, sharing ideas and lending support to one another. "We can't let fear divide us," Amelia whispered as they huddled together in the darkness. "We need to face this evil together." "Yes," Thomas agreed. "Our friendship is our greatest weapon against the darkness." Finally, they discovered the ancient artifact hidden within a crumbling shrine. United, they faced the darkness that emerged from the artifact and lifted the curse. As the shadows receded and the village was saved, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor knew their bond would last a lifetime. They had proven that even in the face of evil, friendship and loyalty could triumph. In the small village of Willow's End, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood nervously in front of the dark forest that surrounded their homes. Whispers filled the air as they heard tales of an ancient curse cast upon the village. The three unlikely heroes decided to venture into the darkness together, determined to save their homes from evil. As they entered the forest, a chill ran down their spines. They could hear eerie whispers and see terrifying creatures lurking in the shadows, attempting to drive them apart. But Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor fought side by side, their unbreakable bond growing stronger with each step. After days of journeying through the dark forest, they discovered an ancient artifact hidden within a crumbling shrine. As they touched the artifact, a darkness began to emerge from it, threatening to consume their village. Together, the heroes faced the darkness and lifted the curse, saving their homes. As they returned to Willow's End, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor knew that their bond would last a lifetime. In the face of evil, friendship and loyalty had triumphed. The villagers celebrated their heroes, grateful for their courage and determination. In the dimly lit village, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood nervously at the entrance of the forest. The eerie whispers that haunted their dreams seemed to be coming from within, but they knew they had to venture in. ``` Amelia: "I don't like this, Thomas. Why do you think our friends chose us as their protectors?" Thomas: "Perhaps because we have a strength inside us that others don't see." Eleanor: "What if we can't save them?" ``` The three friends pressed forward, the darkness swallowing them whole. As they ventured deeper into the forest, they encountered terrifying creatures and felt their bond growing stronger with each challenge they faced together. ``` Thomas: "Stay close, Amelia! We can't let fear consume us." Amelia: "Don't worry, Thomas. I won't leave you behind." Eleanor: "We're in this together, no matter what." ``` They discovered a crumbling shrine hidden within the forest, and inside lay an ancient artifact that emitted a sinister energy. As they touched it, the darkness within the village began to emerge, threatening to consume all in its path. The friends had to face their own fears and confront the evil head-on. ``` Amelia: "Eleanor, I'm scared, but we can't let this win." Eleanor: "We're stronger together. We'll fight it." Thomas: "Let's end this!" ``` Together, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor fought the darkness, their unbreakable bond growing even stronger with each blow they exchanged. Finally, they lifted the curse and saved the village from the clutches of evil. Their friendship, forged in the fires of adversity, was now an unbreakable force that would last a lifetime. In the heart of a dark and mysterious village, three unlikely heroes - Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor - find themselves drawn together by fate. Their journey begins when they hear eerie whispers echoing through the streets, urging them to venture into the unknown. Thomas, a quiet and thoughtful man, turns to Amelia, a fierce warrior with a heart of gold, and asks, "What do you make of this? Can we trust the whispers?" Amelia replies, her voice filled with determination, "We must face whatever lies ahead. Together." Eleanor, a young woman with a gift for healing, chimes in, "Let us journey into the darkness, and prove that our bond is unbreakable." As they venture deeper into the village's darkest corners, they encounter terrifying creatures and face challenges that test their resolve. Amidst the chaos, Thomas finds himself defending Eleanor from a vicious creature. He cries out, "Eleanor! Watch out!" Eleanor responds swiftly, "I've got this, Thomas." Despite the dangers they face, their bond grows stronger with each passing moment. Finally, they discover an ancient artifact hidden within a crumbling shrine. As they touch the artifact, a darkness begins to emerge, threatening to consume them all. Amelia takes charge, her voice echoing with resolve, "We must face this together." Thomas, Thomas agrees, his voice steady and strong, "Our friendship will see us through." Eleanor nods in agreement, her eyes filled with determination, "Together, we can lift the curse." With their unbreakable bond guiding them, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor face the darkness emerging from the artifact. They fight side by side, their friendship proving stronger than any evil force. As the darkness dissipates, they know that their bond will last a lifetime. The curse is lifted, and the village is saved. Their journey has shown them that even in the face of evil, friendship and loyalty can triumph. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor, three unlikely heroes, found themselves in a dark village plagued by evil. As they ventured into the darkness together, they faced terrifying creatures and eerie whispers that sought to drive them apart. But their unbreakable bond only grew stronger as they fought side by side. In a crumbling shrine, they discovered an ancient artifact and faced the darkness emerging from it. With courage and loyalty, they lifted the curse and saved the village. Their friendship, forged in fire, would last a lifetime. In the village of Elderwood, where shadows seemed to whisper and darkness clung to the cobblestones, three unlikely heroes found themselves drawn together. Amelia, a timid librarian, Thomas, a brash blacksmith's apprentice, and Eleanor, a kind-hearted herbalist, had never expected to be thrust into an adventure. But when strange happenings began plaguing the village, they knew they had no choice but to face the darkness together. As they ventured into the heart of the forest, each step echoed through the silence, and the air grew colder. Amelia clutched her lantern tightly, while Thomas' hammer glinted menacingly in his grip. Eleanor, ever-vigilant, sniffed the air for any sign of trouble. "Do you think it's near?" Thomas whispered, his voice trembling. "I don't know," Amelia replied, her voice barely audible. "But we must keep going. For the village." They pressed on, until they found themselves at the entrance of a crumbling shrine. Inside, they discovered an ancient artifact, its surface etched with symbols that seemed to pulse with malevolent energy. Eleanor hesitated, her eyes wide with fear, but Thomas plunged forward. "We have to destroy it!" he cried, his voice echoing through the darkness. "It's the source of this curse!" As Amelia and Eleanor helped him lift the artifact, they felt a chilling presence encroach upon them. But together, they faced the evil emerging from it, their bond strengthened by their shared courage. They fought back the darkness, and in that moment, their friendship was forged in fire. With the curse lifted, Elderwood was saved. The villagers hailed Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor as heroes, but it was clear to all that their unbreakable bond had been formed in the face of evil. Their friendship would last a lifetime, a testament to the power of unity in the face of darkness. Elderwood village was shrouded in darkness, its once-proud buildings now crumbling and covered in vines. The eerie whispers of the night wind carried tales of a curse that had befallen the townsfolk. Despite their fear, three unlikely heroes emerged: Amelia, a skilled blacksmith; Thomas, a timid librarian; and Eleanor, a courageous healer. They decided to venture into the darkness together, hoping to save their village from the evil that plagued it. As they ventured deeper into the village, the heroes encountered terrifying creatures that lurked in the shadows. Amelia's strength and skill with a hammer proved invaluable as she fought off the monstrous beings. Thomas, using his knowledge of ancient texts, guided them through the labyrinthine streets, while Eleanor healed their wounds and provided them with encouragement. "We must be brave," Amelia said firmly, her voice echoing in the empty village. "This curse must be lifted." Thomas nodded, his voice trembling slightly. "I'll find a way to break it," he promised. In the heart of Elderwood, they discovered a crumbling shrine, its walls covered in mysterious symbols. Within its depths lay an ancient artifact, pulsing with dark energy. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor knew that they must confront the evil within if they hoped to save their village. "We've come too far to turn back now," Eleanor said resolutely. "Together, we can face anything." And so, the three heroes faced the darkness emerging from the artifact, their friendship and determination forging a bond that could not be broken. As they lifted the curse, the village was saved, and their bond, forged in fire, would last a lifetime. In the heart of Elderwood village, three unlikely heroes found themselves drawn together by an inexplicable force. Amelia, a timid librarian; Thomas, a brash blacksmith's apprentice; and Eleanor, a kind-hearted herbalist. They shared a common goal: to uncover the source of the village's recent terror. As they ventured into the darkness, their conversations revealed more about each of them. Amelia confided that she had always been fascinated by the stories of Elderwood's past, while Thomas admitted to seeking adventure outside his mundane life at the forge. Eleanor, on the other hand, spoke of her desire to help those in need, which led her to study healing herbs and remedies. The trio soon encountered a series of terrifying creatures, their forms twisted by dark magic. The heroes fought side by side, relying on their unique skills and newfound camaraderie to overcome each challenge. As they delved deeper into the village's history, eerie whispers grew louder, and it became clear that an ancient artifact hidden within a crumbling shrine lay at the heart of the curse. Faced with the darkness emerging from the artifact, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor joined forces to banish the evil once and for all. As they lifted the curse, the village was saved, and their friendship forged in fire lasted a lifetime. In the dark and mysterious village of Elderwood, Amelia, a timid librarian, found herself seeking solace in the town's dusty archive. One stormy night, she overheard whispered conversations about an ancient artifact buried deep within the forest. Fearing for her life, she turned to Thomas, a brash blacksmith's apprentice known for his brawling skills, and Eleanor, a kind-hearted herbalist with knowledge of the forest's secrets. Thomas: "We should go after it! It could be our ticket out of this village!" Eleanor: "But it's said that the artifact is guarded by terrifying creatures and cursed spirits." Amelia: "I'll go with you, both of you. Together, we can face whatever awaits us." Together, they ventured into the forest, their bond growing stronger with each step. They encountered sinister beings that haunted the woods, but their combined courage and skill allowed them to push through. As they neared the artifact's resting place, they discovered a crumbling shrine, its walls adorned with symbols of darkness and despair. Thomas: "We need to be careful. We don't know what we'll find in there." Eleanor: "Let's stick together and support each other. We can do this." Amelia: "Yes, we can!" With determination in their hearts, they entered the shrine and found themselves face to face with the embodiment of evil itself. But united as unlikely heroes, they fought the darkness and emerged victorious. The curse was lifted, and Elderwood returned to peace. Their friendship, forged by fire and fear, would last a lifetime. The village of Elderwood was shrouded in darkness, and its people lived in fear. Amelia, a timid librarian with a passion for ancient texts, had heard tales of the village's cursed history. She longed to uncover its secrets, but her fear held her back. One day, while browsing through an old book, she stumbled upon a prophecy that spoke of three unlikely heroes who would save Elderwood from darkness. Intrigued, Amelia sought out Thomas, a brash blacksmith's apprentice with a talent for forging weapons. She knew that the village needed someone to create the tools required for their mission. Together, they found Eleanor, a kind-hearted herbalist who could concoct potions to aid them in their journey. The trio formed an uneasy alliance, driven by their shared desire to save Elderwood. As they explored the village's dark corners, they encountered terrifying creatures and eerie whispers that threatened to break their resolve. However, as they faced these challenges together, their bond grew stronger. In a crumbling shrine at the edge of the village, they discovered an ancient artifact that held the key to the curse. Amelia's knowledge of history, Thomas's skills in forging weapons, and Eleanor's expertise in herbalism allowed them to confront the darkness emerging from the artifact. With courage and determination, they lifted the curse, saving the village and forming a friendship that would last a lifetime. The people of Elderwood hailed their unlikely heroes, and the once-dark village was transformed into a beacon of hope. In the dark, cobblestone streets of Elderwood village, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood side by side. The moonlight cast eerie shadows as they whispered their fears about the recent terrifying events plaguing the village. "I've heard whispers," Amelia began nervously, "in the wind. They tell me of an evil lurking in the forest." Thomas scoffed, "There's no such thing as magic. It's just our imagination playing tricks on us." Eleanor, however, was more open-minded. "I don't believe that. There must be a reason why people are disappearing without a trace." The trio decided to investigate the source of these whispers. They ventured into the dense forest surrounding Elderwood village, their hearts pounding in their chests. The trees seemed to close in on them as they walked deeper into the woods. Suddenly, an eerie scream echoed through the night. "Help! Please help me!" cried a distant voice. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor exchanged frightened glances but pressed on. They soon came across a crumbling shrine hidden among the trees. A faint glow emanated from within, revealing a mysterious artifact at its center. "I'm pretty sure this is where the whispers are coming from," Thomas muttered. Eleanor hesitated, "We need to be careful. This could be dangerous." Together, they cautiously approached the artifact. As Amelia touched it, a dark energy surged forth and enveloped them all. The village was suddenly plunged into darkness. "What have we done?" Amelia cried out in terror. In that moment, the bonds of friendship between the unlikely heroes strengthened. They knew they had to face their fears together and save the village from the curse that now threatened it. Working as a team, they discovered a way to banish the darkness and restore peace to Elderwood village. Their friendship, forged in fire and fear, was unbreakable. Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor stood nervously in front of the ancient shrine, the eerie whispers growing louder with each step. The trio knew they had to uncover the source of these chilling sounds and save Elderwood village from an unknown evil. Thomas leaned towards Amelia and whispered, "Eleanor's herbal concoctions have given us some protection, but we still need to be cautious." Amelia nodded and whispered back, "Let's stick together and keep our wits about us." As they approached the shrine, they found a mysterious artifact, buried beneath the crumbling stones. Eleanor traced her fingers over the ornate symbols etched into it. She murmured, "I've never seen anything like this before." Thomas picked it up carefully and said, "Let's take it back to the village. Maybe one of our elders can decipher its meaning." Back in the village, they shared their discovery with the townsfolk, who gathered around curiously. The village elder examined the artifact and his face grew pale. "This is dangerous," he warned. "It's a conduit for dark energy, and it's already begun to awaken something sinister." Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor knew they had to act quickly. They ventured back to the shrine, armed with their newfound knowledge of its ominous purpose. As they approached the artifact, a chilling gust of wind surrounded them. The darkness began to surge, threatening to consume the village in its malevolent embrace. Drawing on their combined skills and courage, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor faced the dark energy together. They fought side by side, each playing a crucial role in banishing the curse that had plagued Elderwood for so long. As the darkness receded, they felt their friendship grow stronger than ever before. Together, they had saved their beloved village and forged an unbreakable bond that would last a lifetime. The moon cast a pale glow over Elderwood village as Amelia, a timid librarian, Thomas, a brash blacksmith's apprentice, and Eleanor, a kind-hearted herbalist, huddled together in the town square. Whispers echoed through the darkness, sending shivers down their spines. "What's that sound?" Amelia whispered nervously. "I don't know," Thomas replied with bravado he didn't quite feel. "Let's check it out." They ventured deeper into the village, following the eerie whispers. As they walked, Eleanor pulled a small vial of herbal remedy from her bag. "Just in case," she murmured. Suddenly, they stumbled upon a crumbling shrine on the outskirts of town. A strange, pulsating energy emanated from its depths. Amelia hesitated, but Thomas and Eleanor urged her forward. "We can't leave without knowing what's causing this," Thomas said. Inside the shrine, they discovered a mysterious artifact glowing ominously. As they touched it, the whispers grew louder and more sinister. The air thickened with darkness, and the friends realized they had unleashed something evil upon the village. "We have to find a way to stop this!" Eleanor exclaimed, her voice trembling. Together, they searched for a solution, their fear fueling their determination. Amelia found an ancient text in the library that hinted at a ritual to banish the curse. They returned to the shrine, hearts pounding, and performed the ritual as best they could. A blinding flash of light filled the chamber, and the darkness retreated. The friends looked at each other, relief washing over them. "We did it," Amelia breathed. "We saved the village." Their bond, forged in fire, had grown stronger through their terrifying adventure. As they walked back to the town square, they knew they would face whatever challenges came their way together. Amelia, a timid librarian, had just moved to Elderwood village, seeking solace from her past. Her quiet life was soon disturbed by the whispers that echoed through the night, chilling everyone in the village. Thomas, a brash blacksmith's apprentice, and Eleanor, a kind-hearted herbalist, joined Amelia on her quest to uncover the source of the terror. As they delved deeper into the village's secrets, they encountered terrifying creatures lurking in the shadows. "What are those monsters?" Thomas asked, his voice trembling with fear. Eleanor soothed him, "They're just a part of the curse that has befallen our village." Determined to lift the curse and restore peace, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor ventured into the darkest corners of the forest. They discovered an ancient artifact hidden within a crumbling shrine. "What do you make of this?" Amelia questioned, her voice wavering with trepidation. "It's the source of our problems," Thomas declared, his bravado returning. "We must destroy it!" Together, they faced the dark energy emanating from the artifact. With Eleanor's knowledge of herbs and Amelia's wisdom, they concocted a potion that weakened the curse. As the darkness began to recede, the trio felt their bond growing stronger. "We did it!" Eleanor exclaimed, her eyes shining with joy. "Our friendship has saved this village." In the end, Amelia, Thomas, and Eleanor had not only banished the curse but also forged a friendship that would last a lifetime. As they returned to their normal lives in Elderwood village, they knew they were no longer alone, united by their shared adventure and unbreakable bond.
#Elderwood#A#Trio#s#Battle#Against#Darkness#Gothic#Fiction#Unlikely#Heroes#Dark#Village#Friendship#Eerie#Whispers#Mysterious#Artifact#Ancient#Curse#Blacksmith#Librarian#Herbalist#Adventur
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//THE GOTH DOCTOR\\ Intro Variant.
BASED ON THE AESTHETICS OF HORROR-THEMED SCIENCE FICTION, The Doctor has survived The Time War, but at a cost. One he refuses to acknowledge. The Doctor in this stage of his life initially starts as very standoffish and bitter. He's just lost his race and ended a war, he's got very bad PTSD which manifests as rage and bitterness. He's sad, trying to push people away and exist on his own- because if he lets anyone in for a moment, he'll break down. A good man at heart, this Doctor carries a lot of pain. He's mourning- mourning for his race, and for the person, he used to be. He goes through an arc of starting as a vindictive, insulting, disrespectful bastard- but eventually, he picks up a companion who heals him into a softer, mellow, understanding figure- who's got a lot of weight on his shoulders.
BELOW THE READ MORE ARE PROMPTS FOR THE GOTH DOCTOR. A loner and a standoffish incarnation, this Doctor is COLD and RUTHLESS. His PROMPTS are HORRIFIC and the monsters he faces are ELDRITCH beings of UNSPEAKABLE HORROR. You've been warned. He works with characters who can take that kind of abuse, ones who are ready to stare into the abyss- ones who are ready for the truth of the universe: That there's an evil that must still be fought, even if you don't want to.
FIRST MEETING PROMPTS / SOLO ADVENTURE PROMPTS >In Which your Muse meets The Doctor and works with him collaboratively (or antagonistically) during a one-off adventure. As mentioned in my rules- I write a lot of my threads like "Micro-D&D campaigns" in which our muses go on an adventure! Here are some prompts that follow that concept. These are basic ideas- they can always be discussed and plotted further.
Some threads may or may not establish that The Doctor is already traveling with @lunaetis's Yelan- as periodically, Yelan returns to present-day Teyvat while The Doctor has a standalone adventure. If you are a Genshin muse, the choice to acknowledge that is within your discretion. I do it mainly for TIMELINE purposes, as Hina's Yelan is one of my main's. If you want to establish the thread we're doing as an ALTERNATE TIMELINE or PARALLEL UNIVERSE in which The Doctor is not a native of your universe, we are free to acknowledge that.
The Goth Doctor can MEET and RECIEVE companions if we plot that as a possibility. Yelan will be The Companion who travels with him up until his regeneration. However, The potential for Companions set before HER arrival aboard is limitless. The Doctor you will receive prior to her, however, is an ABSOLUTE BASTARD- So keep that in mind, as he works really hard to make sure you know that (He Doesn't want friends.)
THE RELICS: Every Two Centuries, The Museum Of The Universe will pass through a random galaxy. On this day, it passed through YOUR CHARACTER's planet, and you, like the others before- received a massive invitation in the sky to pre-order tickets! Only five people would be selected from the entirety of your PLANET to view the contents of the museum. Naturally curious to see what it might have, and what you can learn- you pre-order a ticket. The Surprise that comes when you out of everyone on the PLANET is picked must've been shocking... but when you end up TRAPPED in the Museum with shadows that consume all in its path... Well, just be glad you're not trapped alone... Though, something tells you that THE DOCTOR didn't pre-order a ticket.
MANE OF BLOOD: Six Months ago, a howling echoed through a full moon night. At first, it tried to hunt them- but nobody could anticipate the strength of something that was half man, half beast. Now, the people lock their doors on every full moon night- they turn out the lights, and establish a curfew (even if the soldiers who maintain it don't wish to be out there...) But, YOUR CHARACTER feels that something is amiss... and when a man in a blue box arrives, his investigations into the matter cross paths with a curious mind like theirs...
THE EVERLASTING CURSE: Women and Children are drawn to THE SHORES of YOUR CHARACTER's home city. They walk into the water, past the shores- and they disappear. Only to return weeks later, as mouthless... silent... empty vessels, afraid of the water. It sweeps the population in a grip of fear that they cannot break from, so they continue to let it happen. YOUR CHARACTER has had enough and meets someone who thinks the same way... The Doctor.
VAMPIRE IN THE MASQUERADE: A Masquerade ball! And how EXQUISITE it is~! YOUR CHARACTER arrives, someone eager to be a part of the festivities. However, when a string of gruesome murders leaves the ballroom panicked and cordoned off by The Police- you realize only one person can make sense of these PUZZLING murders- which leaves the victims flatter than a pancake... and it's a man who doesn't wear a mask.
FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER: The TARDIS arrives on the set of a science fiction movie that(or play, if your character comes from a time before motion picture), YOUR CHARACTER is involved in the production of this project. As a (minor) film geek, The DOCTOR is intrigued by the production- but when he finds a familiar foe being used as a film prop... things get grim and bloody.
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You've probably seen this story before or at least several of them, and guessing by what it's in your mind you are probably thinking this is going to be some lame tf story with jokes that don't make sense unless you've read previous works from the same author, but this one isn't...this one's different. Legends come in all shapes and sizes, but one legend that took one particular person more than a few attempts to believe was the legend of the Were-Aykroyd, a Canadian were-celebrity myth that was originally thought of as being an urban myth, mainly the myth stated that the victim of this 'curse' turned into Dan Aykroyd or characters of his and that there are several different types. Nathan Forester was a shapeshifter himself, he had were-celebrity powers but he didn't want to believe that were-aykroyds existed. 'Hello Nate. This is Matthew here.' 'Matthew J.Radke?' 'The one and only.' 'What are you doing in my Zoom session?' 'I just came to tell you that there is a full moon coming up this month and since you're the were-celeb expert...' 'You came to me to ask about whether or not i'm going to be transforming on that night?' 'Exactly...especially if it regards the myth I have heard so very much about.' 'What myth?'
Matthew chuckled...'The myth of the Were-Aykroyd.' 'Ummm...you're the only Were-Aykroyd I know around here. You are the Were-Aykroyd in The Shades, Werebelushi In Shade's counterpart.' 'That's true, but i'm not the only one.' 'Is this a joke?' 'It's no joke, there are more Were-Aykroyds in this here city than anywhere else in the country.' 'Firstly, the Were-Aykroyd myth isn't real, second...if they were real, how can you even be sure?' 'Never doubt the word of a real Were-Aykroyd, my friend.'
"But Were-Aykroyds aren't real."
"Oh really? If they aren't real, then explain how you changed your profile pic and avatar form to that of Dan Aykroyd."
"He's my twin..."
'That's more than just a coincidence if you ask me, i'd say you're definitely likely to secretly believe in Were-Aykroyds'. 'What? Just because my avatar is him?' 'Oh more so than that, I know you have written about them. How else would you know so much about Were-Aykroyds and the Aykroyd-verse? You know about them because you believe in them.' 'No, I don't and you're scaring me.' 'Face it, you know i'm right.' 'Just because you happen to be one doesn't mean the legend is true.'
"Oh really now? When those other Were-Aykroyds come over to you...I bet you'll change your opinion of them."
"I doubt it...Were-Aykroyds aren't real, and you're the only Were-Aykroyd here."
"Am I? Or perhaps there's more than one."
Nathan was getting more than a little creeped out by Matthew's spiel but he chuckled to himself, he knew that Matthew was a jokester and he thought that this 'Were-Aykroyd' buisness was just a joke of his, as he checked through his emails and Discord conversatinos, that's when his supernatural sense started to go off. This usually went off when villains or monsters of any kind who were evil were around, he decided to investigate and headed off in the direction of what exactly it was that was giving off the aura that triggered his supernatural sense.
As he was getting closer though...that's when he saw something what appeared to be one of Dan Aykroyd's characters specifically Jimmy Flaherty from Celtic Pride, Jimmy was standing by Nathan's computer. 'It's you, it's you..it's you!' 'What the? Who are you and what are you doing here?' 'I am Jimmy Flaherty, of the Were-Aykroyd gang.' 'Is this a joke?' 'Believe me, if this was a joke you'd be laughing hysterically.' 'What do you want?' 'Well..we saw your online posts and we want you...' 'For what?' 'It's simple, we're Were-Aykroyds and we want you to be our King.' 'There's no way you are real. I must be dreaming this.' 'Dreaming? I don't think so, look around.'
"What do you mean?"
"Look around you...Were-Aykroyds are more real than you think."
To Nathan's shock, there were several Aykroyd characters manifesting right next to him, he recognized all of them and he also recognized a certain Aykroyd character. This Aykroyd character was different than the others, he had blonde hair and a chrome tooth and hypnotic blue eyes. 'Vic?' 'Ah, you know who I am.' 'Well yeah, you're on the Tumblr sexy-man wiki. Everyone thinks you're hot.' 'I bet you're one of those people that does.' 'Well there's no denying that I love Dan and all of his characters...' 'My friends have been telling me you don't believe in Were-Aykroyds.'
"It's not that...I...I don't, it's just..."
"Shush, it's okay...I know what you want to say. You want to say you believe in Were-Aykroyds but you can't because if you said you did you'd be ashamed."
"How did you know?"
Nathan staggered back, he gulped as he confessed his secret..he didn't really not believe in them, he just didn't want to say he did because people would think he was crazy, he was fascinated with the myth of the Were-Aykroyd curse and he had read stories of how oddly sexy it was to transform, he had visions/dreams of it happening to him. And of a scene in a script which he read, a scene in which it was the massage scene from Diamonds, he felt jealous of the person being massaged and being turned into a sexy thicc Were-Aykroyd, he couldn't help it, he was petty like that sometimes, he was an asshole at times too and he was stubborn but he didn't mean to be.
"There's no reason to hide it, you like us a lot. You have a devotion to the great Aykroyd which is very pleasing to us. And you even dream in Aykroyd."
"Yes...but there are just dreams and that saddens me."
"Each time you have those dreams, how does it make you feel?"
"Oddly enough, like I enjoy it. Like it feels natural."
"When you underwent your first change into Dan in one of your dreams, how did it feel?"
"Strange at first but mmmm...sexy in some aspects."
He just had trouble keeping friends without screwing up, but these Aykroyds sympathized with him and could relate to him. He tried to ignore the thoughts of those dreams, and often when he did dream of becoming a Were-Aykroyd, he woke up disappointed to find they were just dreams, he wanted to know what being Aykroydian felt like. 'I know you want to know what it feels like and we can help you.' 'How? I cannot just instantly become a Were-Aykroyd like you guys.' 'We can show you, we want you to be our King, our leader.' 'But how do you Were-Aykroyds transform others since I assume you don't bite or anything?'
"If you get kissed or hugged by one of us, you turn into one."
"Really?"
'Oh yes...' Darren 'Mother' Roskow explained...'You can also get hypnotized/conditioned by Vic, that's how one of your friends got turned after all.' 'Vic can do that?' 'Oh yes, and it's a wonderful process.' Nathan was hesitant to ask about it at first but immediately felt curious and that's when Vic decided to give him a helping hand. He looked over at him and leaned closer, his bright blue eyes gave off a hypnotic glow which made the monsterologist start to get entranced.
"Now Nathan, I am going to help you."
"Vic...I want to be a Were-Aykroyd, it always happens in my dreams."
"I can make that more than a dream."
As Vic enticed Nathan with his eyes and voice, Nathan began to think even more about those dreams...and how much he wanted that inner Aykroyd in him to come out but he was always too afraid to do so, he remembered that dream in which he saw his Were-Aykroydian self and he wanted to be like that...changing into Dan always felt so right to him, so naturally, and he would always cry when he woke up, feeling disappointed it was just a dream. Although sometimes it would come true, and when it did come true and when he did become that Were-Aykroyd he saw in his dream, he felt good...he felt powerful, he felt gratitude, he felt like he belonged.
That sexy Were-Aykroyd was always there, waiting to come out, always hiding during the day, always waiting and watching, being a watchful friend to him. And like he was his spirit animal brought to life, that Were-Aykroyd who was always there for his special Were-celebrity lover and companion, that companion being Robin Williams, who during the day was the normally very straight-laced and high strung Natalia Peters. He remembered when Natalia as Robin first encountered him as the Were-Aykroyd, he looked at him with a look that screamed 'I'm in love', he remembered when 'Robin' referred to himself as a simp when discussing his attraction towards him, he remembered the nights they had together.
"We always have such good times together."
"Robin and you are meant to be, indeed."
"It always pains me to say goodbye to him."
Robin pretty much hated to be alone and having to wait for Dan to come back was always a bit of a problem for him, but he knew it was worth it. Having him as a friend and lover definitely paid off. Nathan thought about how sweet Dan and Robin's were-celeb relationship was, it was a relationship he wished that he himself had with his loved ones as he became even more entranced by Vic's words, remembering the dream he had with the massage scene. That massage scene was definitely the sexiest scene in any of the dreams next to the ghost seduction scene, and the hypnosis scene in the library.
"Robin really does love me doesn't he?"
"Of course he does, why wouldn't he? You help him with his problems and he helps you, you're both lovable."
"That transformation scene in your dream, it must have been pretty sexy."
"Oh yes...the scene in the library. The massage scene. All Were-Aykroyd transformations are naturally very sexy."
That's when he thought about the transformation scene as he became even more entranced and as he did so a series of warm sensations flowed through his body, his stomach gurgled a little as it slowly began to plump up and broaden, brown hairs slowly sprouted on it and on his navel area as his dark blue shirt slowly tightened due to his chest and torso growing and broadening, peeling his shirt open a little he could see brown hairs growing on his chest, and also on his arms and hands. His arms broadened as his hands enlarged, his skin slowly aging itself up to 68 years, giving him a mature look.
"Oooh, yeah i'm getting pretty sexy."
"That you are."
In addition to this the buttons on his shirt popped off a little but he carefully removed his shirt and put on a shirt which fit his growing build a bit better as his legs altered while his feet enlarged, two of the toes on each foot sticking together...giving him the appearance of having webbed toes as his rear plumped up, he purred a little..recognizing the thicc posterior he now possessed, that was the Were-Aykroyd's posterior...one that got him lots of attention from both genders, actually he got a lot of attention from both genders in general. He himself was bisexual, and not in the 'this character's sexuality has been changed to mock any and all accusations critics have made about this character' way, but in the sense he always had been that way but pretended to be straight to not come across as being homosexual according to his enemies.
He slowly grew in height to 6'1 as his shoulders and back broadened, his neckline altered as his hair darkened..becoming wavier as his forehead elevated in size, his eyebrows thickened and his eyes widened, with one turning from brown to green and one remaining brown, his nose broadening as a cleft materialized down the middle of it and his features plumped up, his lips became kissable, more so than ever as his features also contorted to become rather handsome, shifting to become Aykroydian...making him into a perfect physical double of Dan Aykroyd as his voice deepened, maturing and also contorting into the voice that went with his appearance, making him sound a lot like Aykroyd himself.
The way of the Were-Aykroyd is a mysterious but also oddly sexy one and he embraced every part of it, as he should...he of course was one himself, specifically he was a KING Were-Aykroyd and as such he was the leader of a group of them. He loved being around Vic and the other Were-Aykroyds, while he did like having Marillon as a friend he did find it odd how he got paired up with mostly non-morphic talking animal characters and while he did appreciate the love Marillon gave him, he felt that it wasn't genuine enough. And he felt that he always craved to be back with the other Were-Aykroyds instead. 'You know, as great as it was hanging out with Sulley and being his offspring briefly all was...it wasn't really as good as being with you guys, you guys truly understand me and at least you're my own species.'
'That's true, king.'
"I love Marillon and all but he's a handful sometimes. "
"Does he cause you trouble?"
"Often, I love the guy but that lovey-dovey stuff could be the death of me."
"Should we go after him?"
'Now now, just because I dislike his ways doesn't mean I hate him. True, he can be overly affectionate to the point of being needy and he is disobedient and I wish he wouldn't try to be a naturalist wannabe or at least try to keep his clothes on when he transforms. And I wish we did things other than snuggle and hug. I wish he'd step out of his lovey-dovey comfort zone but heh...nobody's perfect.' 'Except you of course.' 'Right. He's a mess, but he's my mess and he's my sometimes companion.' Nathan chuckled as the personality of his Were-Aykroyd persona influenced him and took over.
"That's our king, welcome back."
"No problem."
He examined himself...'Not to mention it's good to paired up with my own kind. That relationship with Queen Elanor didn't go well. Look all I said was that I was disappointed my non-Aykroydian self had to be stuck as a gooey bear just because he interacted with a bunch of gooey bears and she was rude to him too just because he said he thought bears were boring and dull. And I don't see why she was blaming him when she tried to take him away from me.' 'Oh my king...that must have been horrible.' 'You bet it was. Seeing my counterpart be paired up with characters who aren't even remotely humanoid just made me cry so much. Sulley and Louis the aligator, really? Look I love John Goodman as much as the next king does but he doesn't need to be Sulley to win me over...he's damn sexy enough as he is. And also Sulley's an entirely non-human monster.'
"Your counterpart must hate that.'
'Oh yes...he puts up with it just because Marillon is his and my friend but the pairings are awkward and weird. I mean seeing Simba doing the dirty dance with my counterpart even though he considered my counterpart a family member? He's a king for pete's sake, he should have more dignity than that.' 'Oh dear.' 'And don't get me started on Gloria...she's a freaking hippo that just happens to be able to talk, so not my counterpart's type. I know my counterpart loves overweight characters but definitely not hippos. Don't get me wrong, I think Jada Pinkett is a lovely woman, but he loves her as a human and not as Gloria.'
"True..."
'Plus you know how I am. I'm sorry but i'd feel awkward as all hell making out with someone who has the voice of the woman who married the man who tried to replace my beloved Robin as the Genie. You know how protective I am of Robin.' 'You and Robin have an irreplacable bond.' 'Indeed we do.' Nathan/Dan examined the photo that was taken of him and Robin together, the two of them truly were the best of friends and even more so, they were meant for each-other.
"Robin's your one and only it seems."
"Indeed he is, I love Robin so much."
"Lots of others love you too."
'Oh you know me, they can't keep my hands off of me.' 'Which must be quite an experience.' 'Indeed so, and I have met so many allies that way.' This Were-Aykroyd was bisexual, he had always been that way...both sexes were attracted ot him and he was the man to have in your crew. Of course being essentially the Kwisatz Haderach of Were-Aykroyds helped with that, and he embraced it and also kept a close eye on 'Nathan' who was his non-Aykroydian counterpart, making sure he stayed safe. Each day while Nathan was away, he would wait patiently, he was always there no matter where he went...there was Dan, and Dan would do anything to protect Nathan.
Dan the Were-Aykroyd always protected Nathan and watched over him, always bringing back to the Were-Aykroyd side whenever he strayed far away from it for too long, his hypnotic dream manipulation made sure of this, and of course Nathan was more than willing to let him transform him and make him into the handsome Were-Aykroyd he knew he was, nobody was likely to cross this guy. He especially loved finding new subjects and he especially loved Derek Hale, that alpha had great potential according to him and he couldn't wait to test that out.
"So what's your plan?"
"I've got one that will really show that us Were-Aykroyds aren't something to be taken lightly."
He thought to himself as he worked on a hypnosis program using one of Nathan's old files, this file was an audio file that was an original voice recording clip that somehow got messed up in the process of being recorded, he converted the audio file into a hypnosis audio file and unleashed that hypnosis file online, the file became a viral hit in the form of a song and gained Dan a fanbase, a fanbase of people who were thirsty for the Were-Aykroyd's ASMR-worthy tones, luckily he supplied that with his own series of ASMR videos on Youtube where he hypnotized his fans into being thralls for him and also turned the ones he loved the most into Were-Aykroyds like him. He later decided to introduce himself and his were-celebrity companion Robin Williams on the Discord server Simp Central, where they were both greeted with a huge amount of appreciation.
And thus with that..the Aykroyd-verse fandom was once again in full force and he couldn't have been any prouder for it, as for what happened later...he embraced all there was to be about being king of such an unique but fascinating and oddly sexy type of werecreature species, if you were a dummy thicc were-Aykroyd who is treated like royalty, you probably would too. The lesson here is that even though a Were-Aykroyd sounds like a myth and a story made up by Canadians to scare tourists, Were-Aykroyds are very real and when a Were-Aykroyd tells you that he is one and he's not lying, then he really is one. But don't worry, Were-Aykroyds are very loving.
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Thanks everyone for the prompts! I decided to try and knock these all out in one go:
@thegirlwhotrashcans: remember, you asked for it. au, nobody dies, wwx and yanli bodyswap. they're married to lwj and jzx. 100% crack. bonus points if jin zixuan completely loses his shit and lwj looks very calm but loses his sh*t after everything is back to normal
@alightbuthappypen: Competency kink! One or both of them (when I say 'them' I mean wangxian obvs, I know what I'm about) getting hot and bothered about the other being amazing. On a nighthunt maybe? Or anywhere else that strikes your fancy!
@hearteyeswangji: WRITE MORE P*RN
I think I can manage that. With a few tweaks, accidental seriousness, and broad, ridiculous fix-its tacked on. I have no idea how long this might be. Let’s try it in installments? I’ll reblog and add on as I go. Maybe it’ll be fun. We’ll find out.
Disclaimer that this is just gonna go for it with no revising and no beta readers, so pls do not hold me to any conceivable standard of coherency thx
--
WILL INCLUDE: wangxian, xuanli, let jyl and lwj be friends agenda, canon divergence, fix-it, everybody lives, arranged marriage, bodyswap, light angst, getting together, Attempts at Comedy, eventual (light?) wangxian smut
The Sunshot Campaign has just been won. Everyone goes over to Jin Guangshan’s house after the Nightless City banquet, to Negotiate Stuff, and some hasty political marriages happen resulting in Xuanli Wedded Bliss and Wangxian Un-confessed Wedded Tension. Then, suddenly...a curse befalls our brave heroes.
--
Wei Wuxian wakes suddenly, feeling odd. He’s sleeping on his stomach for one thing, which is not his usual, but he feels warm and comfortable enough that he doesn’t think it strange. But then there is the scent of peonies and gardenias, which is both familiar and alien, somehow. It makes him open his eyes.
Which is when he sees the hand before him on the bolster. It is slender and elegant. Small. Pale. Familiar? Wearing a jade bangle. He pushes himself up a bit, startled, only to see the hand move when he does.
The hand. Is his hand. He stares at it. The shock of it, coupled with the early hour, leave his mind working very slowly.
At length, he becomes aware of an odd weight across his back, which then shifts. Wei Wuxian turns.
He is met with the sleepy, moon-eyed stare of one Jin Zixuan, still cradling him in his arms.
“What the fuck,” says Wei Wuxian. His voice is. Soft. And high.
He would think this was all some messed-up dream if not for the fact that his dreams of late have all been messed up in an entirely different way. He’s also certain, in an odd, detached way, that he never would have imagined the battle scars that mar Jin Zixuan’s distressingly visible skin.
Jin Zixuan’s brow furrows, and he blinks. “A-Li?”
“...What the fuck.”
~~~
When Lan Wangji wakes at his customary hour, he is just slightly more tired than usual. The coverlet over him is oddly heavy, but he does not give it any thought until light from the rising sun slips over an unfamiliar sill and into his eyes. His entire body goes tense as he remembers.
Jinlintai. The long hours of debate, of negotiation. The hasty marriages.
He sits up in his strange bed and turns. There, in the bed opposite, is Wei Ying’s sleeping form. Close, yet still distant. Safe, at least.
Lan Wangji relaxes, and takes a breath. It was a near thing, keeping the sects from demanding more and more from Wei Ying, from treating him like a criminal instead of the hero he is. But somehow, Jiang Wanyin and Xiongzhang ended up on the same page, defending him, working tirelessly toward a compromise with the more critical parties. And now Lan Wangji has the dubious honor of ‘keeping Wei Ying in check,’ as Yao-zongzhu so inelegantly put it, through marriage.
A strictly political marriage. A convenient solution. To bind them together, to keep Wei Ying tied under the umbrella of Lan Wangji’s rigid honor.
It is unclear, as of yet, if Wei Ying resents this arrangement. He has not been himself since Nightless City, and the destruction of Wen Ruohan’s forces. First his long coma, then a lingering tiredness that he has not seemed able to shake, which dampens his normally-vivid expressions of feeling.
Lan Wangji is worried. But this, at least, Wei Ying has made clear is unwelcome. He seems to want to pretend that nothing has changed. Not about himself, and not between the two of them. Lan Wangji has done his best to honor his wishes, despite everything.
Now, he rises and dresses before sinking into his morning meditation. It is still strange to do so fully dressed, weighed down by the propriety required for the public, but it has felt necessary, now that Wei Ying shares chambers with him. A physical manifestation of the barrier between them, more important than ever now that they are, bizarrely, married.
Before his meditation is finished, he hears Wei Ying stir. It is unusual for him to wake so early. Lan Wangji’s eyes snap open, immediately searching him for signs of pain.
Wei Wuxian turns over, then goes very still. He sits bolt upright, searching the bed with wild eyes, then turns them on the room at large. When they land on Lan Wangji, he curls in on himself, the fingers of one hand tightening at the collars of his sleeping robe, clutching it closed.
“La—Lan-er-gongzi?”
His voice is oddly breathy, and his eyes...they are wide with confusion, with just the slightest tinge of fear. Lan Wangji is struck nearly senseless by the term of address, aberrant in Wei Ying’s mouth.
“What is wrong?”
Searching the room again, Wei Wuxian moves toward the edge of the bed with a strangely graceful modesty. It looks alien on his long limbs. “My...my husband. Where…?”
The word jolts through Lan Wangji’s entire body. He has never heard Wei Ying say it before. He has...wanted to hear it. Dearly, he realizes suddenly. But it sounds wrong. Distressed. Everything Wei Ying says sounds wrong.
“Wei Ying,” he says.
Wei Ying’s eyes snap to his. “A-Xian? Where is he? Is he with A-Xuan? Are they alright?”
Lan Wangji blinks at him, uncomprehending, for several seconds. Then he begins to understand.
“You are not—”
The doors to their chambers burst open, and Jiang Yanli rushes in. The tasteful purple and gold robes she has adopted in the few days since the weddings are loose, uncharacteristically askew—not impreprietous, but verging on it. She spots Lan Wangji and her stormy expression clears.
“Lan Zhan,” she says, and her shoulders droop.
Lan Wangji blinks at her, thrown by her use of this name, then glances at Wei Ying, who has gone completely still, his mouth open in a small, shocked ‘o.’ Jiang Yanli follows his gaze and freezes.
Just then, Jin Zixuan comes barreling into the room, significantly more unkempt than his wife. He has not even tied back his hair.
“A-Li,” he implores, “what’s happened? We can’t just go barging into our guests’,” he pauses, and bows awkwardly, hastily, to Lan Wangji and Wei Ying in turn, “rooms like this. Please,” he takes her arm, but she shakes him off.
She’s still staring at Wei Ying. “Sh...Shijie?”
Wei Ying startles, and looks down at himself. He holds out his arms, his hands, and looks at those too. Then he looks up at Jiang Yanli. “A-Xian?”
“Shijie,” Jiang Yanli says, and slumps over to the bed, embracing Wei Ying.
“A-Li,” hisses Jin Zixuan, scandalized.
Lan Wangji glances at Jin Zixuan’s wife embracing his own husband on the bed, and rises. He walks briskly past them all to shut the door. Then he returns.
“Wei Ying,” he says again. Jiang Yanli looks up at him.
It is obvious, now that he has realized it. Her face, animated by his personality. The soft warmth of her eyes sharpened just so. The deliberately graceless way she threw herself—himself—into Wei Ying’s—no, Jiang Yanli’s—arms.
Lan Wangji takes a deep breath. “Is this a curse?”
“Yes,” Wei Ying says with Jiang Yanli’s face, but his own certainty.
“How can we break it?” Lan Wangji asks.
“I”m not sure, not yet. I need to try a few things—or—having the original curse would be safer.” He looks at his sister in his own body. “I...don’t really want to experiment with this.”
Jiang Yanli tsks and bumps his shoulder a little too forcefully, jostling Wei Ying in her currently slight form. “Vain,” she says, teasing.
“Shijieee,” he whines. It sounds bizarre in Jiang Yanli’s voice. “I don’t want to accidentally hurt you.”
“I know,” Jiang Yanli says, soothing.
“Do you feel alright?” Wei Ying goes on, urgent.
“Perfectly alright, now that you’re both here,” she says, smiling at the newcomers in turn.
Something sharply acidic surges in Lan Wangji’s stomach at such a look on Wei Ying’s face, directed at...Jin Zixuan.
“Really, though,” Wei Ying presses, “any nausea? Dizziness? Pain? You’re not worried?”
“Not at all. Our A-Xian will figure it out.”
Lan Wangji watches as the appearance of Wei Ying’s knuckle affectionately brushes Jiang Yanli’s nose.
Strange. It is all...so strange.
“If—”
“What is happening?” Jin Zixuan interrupts.
All three of them look at him. He stares between them, wild-eyed and desperately askew. Lan Wangji has never considered him to be particularly slow on the uptake, but he supposes allowances must be made for the stress of waking up with a stranger in one’s bed.
He does not care to investigate the perverse pang of jealousy he feels at the thought.
“A-Xuan, it’s me,” Jiang Yanli says. Jin Zixuan stares at her in Wei Ying’s body, uncomprehending. She goes on slowly, but not unkindly. “A-Xian and I have been cursed into each other’s bodies. He’s in there, and I’m in here.”
Her husband blinks several times, very quickly. Lan Wangji recognizes the moment it sinks in by the deep flush that rises across his entire face, and is certain he does not wish to know what precisely inspired it.
Jin Zixuan takes an involuntary half-step back, then forward again, as he speaks with renewed urgency. “Why has this happened? Can it be undone?”
“Great questions,” Wei Ying says, falsely encouraging. Lan Wangji exchanges a glance with him, and it almost feels natural, to share such a thing with either Wei Ying or Jiang Yanli. “Someone was clearly either targeting me—that’s Wei Wuxian, that’s me, in here—or you...whom you know to be Jin Zixuan. I hope.”
Jin Zixuan turns a deeper shade of red. “Obviously,” he bites out. “But why?”
Wei Ying rolls his eyes dramatically. It is not something Lan Wangji ever imagined Jiang Yanli doing.
“We don’t know yet, but we will once we find and question the person responsible,” Wei Ying says. Jiang Yanli grips his arm suddenly. Wei Ying looks at her. “And yes, it can be undone. Of course it can. I’ll figure it out.”
“Cast a rebound,” Lan Wangji says, brisk. The more quickly they are done with this, the better.
Wei Ying’s face falls. “Ah,” he says, “well, we…”
“My cultivation is too weak for him to reliably use,” Jiang Yanli says suddenly. “And I’m not very good at the method, I’m afraid.”
Lan Wangji nods. Steps forward. Then hesitates. “If the curse was cast in such a way, one of you may end up in the caster’s body. And they in yours.”
They all look at Jiang Yanli. Her expression grows grim. “Alright,” she says, then looks to Lan Wangji. There is something steely in her expression that is familiar on Wei Ying’s face. “Thank you for the warning. Go ahead.”
Lan Wangji hesitates only a moment longer, expecting protests from the other two. But Wei Ying is wearing a small, knowing smile, and Jin Zixuan merely nods at her, reassuring. Lan Wangji senses his esteem for the Jin heir rising at such solid trust in his wife.
He steps forward and casts the rebound. They all hold their breath.
Wei Ying glances around, his wry expression entirely foreign on Jiang Yanli’s face. “Anything?”
“No,” says Jiang Yanli.
Wei Ying sighs. “More work for us, then.”
“A-Xian,” Jiang Yanli says, taking gentle hold of his wrist. “You know what this means.”
“Ah?”
“You’ll have to be me.”
“Ah. No, I—”
“A-Xian.”
Wei Ying scratches his head, a not-at-all ladylike gesture. “Or we could just stay in here and let these two investigate?”
The smile Jiang Yanli turns on him is tender, and knowing, and indulgent. “I’d like to see you try to sit still when there’s a puzzle to solve.”
He sighs. “Alright. But you have to be me, too.”
She nods, and theatrically slouches into a sprawling, sloppy posture. Wei Ying laughs, his head thrown back, a hand on his stomach. Jin Zixuan turns around, looking almost ill.
Lan Wangji understands, and he doesn’t. It is dizzying, and distinctly wrong-looking, to see both of them this way. Yet there is also something endearing about it. About the parts of them that do overlap, and fit into each other better than one would expect.
“A-Xuan,” Jiang Yanli calls softly, noticing her husband’s distress.
Lan Wangji gets the distinct impression that that tone in Wei Ying’s voice is not helping the situation.
“Jin-gongzi,” he says. “It would be best for all of us to go about our days as normal, and not to arouse suspicion. Wei Ying sleeps late, and will not be missed for the morning. Jin-shao-furen may claim mild illness until the afternoon. But you and I must behave as normal. There are still the other sects to host.”
“Yes,” Jin Zixuan says absently. He runs a hand over his face. “Yes. You’re right. A-Li—” he turns and looks at the pair of them on the bed, and pauses. He shakes his head as if to clear it. “I’ll go back and dress. Join me when—or—Wei—” he stops. “I will be attending my duties. Please let me know what else I can do.”
“Remember to act natural,” Jiang Yanli says. “When A-Xian joins you later, try to look less like a roasted tomato, hmm?”
Jin Zixuan’s mouth twists into a wry smile, and he nods at the floor, then flees the room. Jiang Yanli and Wei Ying turn their eyes to Lan Wangji.
“I shall also depart,” he says. He circles his arms to bow to Jiang Yanli, but Wei Ying stands and pulls him over toward the door. Lan Wangji lets him, and tries not to pull away from the improprietous touch from a married lady.
“Lan Zhan,” he says, hushed and urgent. “I’m not...you don’t think I’m hurting her, am I? Just by being in here? Can you sense any resentment?”
Lan Wangji feels something tighten in his chest. Wei Ying has not let Lan Wangji so much as examine his pulse since he roused from his coma, but the idea that he is so constantly steeped in resentment as to cause worry that his very soul may be harmful...is distressing. He takes hold of his slender wrist carefully. It is still Jiang Yanli’s body, and he will treat it with the respect it is owed.
“I cannot,” he says. The only energy in Jiang Yanli’s body is generated by her own small but steady golden core. “I sense nothing that may be harmful.”
Wei Ying lets out a relieved breath. “Alright. But, um. What about the other way? Is her...is my body harming her?”
Lan Wangji turns to go back and perform the same examination, but Wei Ying stops him. “No, that’s alright. I’ll. We’ll just get this over with, and we can. Between the two of us, we can fix whatever...whatever damage I do.”
Lan Wangji stares at him, but Wei Ying refuses to meet his eyes. At length, he nods. “We can.”
“Alright. Ah, thanks. You should go.”
Lan Wangji goes.
#my fic#prompt fic#the untamed fanfic#lan wangji#wei wuxian#jiang yanli#jin zixuan#i don't know why i bother this is NOT gonna show up in tags#i'm not gonna go through and censor things. i'm just. not gonna#also this post is...so ugly#will anyone even read it??? who knows elksfdjns#let's have some fun
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YA SFF Books by Asian Authors
Ash by Malinda Lo: In this variation on the Cinderella story, Ash grows up believing in the fairy realm that the king and his philosophers have sought to suppress, until one day she must choose between a handsome fairy cursed to love her and the King’s Huntress whom she loves.
Along the Indigo by Elsie Chapman: Marsden yearns to take her sister and escape Glory, a town famous for seedy businesses, but her friendship with Jude yields secrets that may chain them to the Indigo River forever.
Alpha Goddess by Amalie Howard: In this sci-fi retelling of Ramayana, Sera is a Hindu goddess incarnate and must battle between her good and evil sides in order to save the world from becoming hell on earth.
Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee: It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her 17-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back. Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel, Raffe.
The Archer at Dawn (The Tiger at Midnight #2) by Swati Teerdhala: Set in an Indian & Hindu-inspired world, long-held secrets will force Kunal and Esha to reconsider their loyalties—to their country and to each other.
The Athena Protocol by Shamim Sarif: After being fired from the Athena Protocol, an organization of female spies who enact vigilante justice, Jessie Archer investigates a human trafficking case in Belgrade, while her former teammates have been tasked with bringing her down.
Blood of a Thousand Stars (Empress of a Thousand Skies #2) by Rhoda Belleza: Rhee risks her crown to negotiate peace terms with villainous media star Nero, while framed assassin Aly plots revenge and Kara seeks technology that will erase her royal past.
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco: Tea’s gift for death magic means that she is a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community, but when an older bone witch trains her to become an asha - one who can wield elemental magic - Tea will have to overcome her obstacles and make a powerful choice in the face of danger as dark forces approach.
The Bronzed Beasts (The Gilded Wolves #3) by Roshani Chokshi: With only ten days until Laila expires, the crew will face plague pits and deadly masquerades, unearthly songs, and the shining steps of a temple whose powers might offer divinity itself, but at a price they may not be willing to pay.
The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi: An epic YA fantasy about a girl with a special power to communicate with magical beasts and the warring kingdom only she can save.
The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh: In 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight, half-Asian Celine Rosseau, a dressmaker from Paris, becomes embroiled in a murder mystery, connected to the glamorous supernatural cohort, known as the Court of Lions, and catching the eye of their mysterious, charismatic leader, Sèbastien Saint Germain.
Broken Web (Shamanborn #2) by Lori M. Lee: With Queen Meilyr bent on destroying the magical kingdoms, Sirscha becomes caught between a war in the east and the Soulless in the west.
The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad: Set in the city of Noor, along the Silk Road which has become a refuge for those of all faiths, Fatima becomes embroiled in a war between two clans of powerful djinn who threaten to destroy her peace in different ways, forcing her to make unlikely alliances to survive.
Caster by Elsie Chapman: In this Chinese-inspired, magical Fight Club, Earth is already at the brink of environmental disaster due to the magic overuse. And 16-year-old spell caster Aza Wu must navigate through an illegal, underground battle magic tournament, while evading local gangs and police scouts to save her family from ruin.
Catalyst by Lydia Kang: Zelia Benten has lost her father, the love of her life, and any future she might have imagined for herself. Now she, her sister, and the band of illegal genetic outcasts they’ve come to call their family are forced to run when the safety of their foster home is compromised.
A Clash of Steel (A Treasure Island Remix) by C.B. Lee: Set in 1820s China, Xiah joins Anh and her motley crew in pursuit of the hidden treasure of the legendary Dragon Fleet.
Chainbreaker (Timekeeper #2) by Tara Sim: In 1876, someone is destroying the clock towers that control India’s time. Teenage mechanics Danny Hart and half-white, half-Indian Daphne Richards as they travel to Agra to investigate a series of clock tower bombings.
The Chariot at Dusk (Tiger at Midnight #3) by Swati Teerdhala: In the final book of this epic fantasy trilogy, the lands’ fate, their people’s livelihoods, and the bond that sustains their world all depend on what Kunal and Esha can offer—to the gods and to each other.
Champion (Legend #3) by Marie Lu: June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic--and each other--and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic's border cities.
Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye: Love, spies, and adventure abound as apprentice warriors Sora and Daemon unravel a complex web of magic and secrets that might tear them—and the entire kingdom—apart forever.
Control by Lydia Kang: In 2150, when genetic manipulation has been outlawed, seventeen-year-old Zelia must rescue her kidnapped sister with the help of a band of outcasts with mutated genes.
Court of Lions (Mirage #2) by Somaiya Daud: After being swept up into the brutal Vathek court, Amani, the ordinary girl forced to serve as the half-Vathek princess Maram’s body double, is desperate to continue helping the rebellion But can she bear to remain separated, forever, from Maram's fiancé, Idris?
Cross Fire (Exo #2) by Fonda Lee: When the peaceful alien-run government withdraws from Earth, it seems that the terrorist group Sapience is going to get the "free" Earth it wanted; but Donovan Reyes, member of the security forces, and once a prisoner of Sapience, realizes that freedom comes with a price.
The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye: Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia. The Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.
The Crown’s Fate (The Crown’s Game #2) by Evelyn Skye: Vika struggles with dangers in her new role as the Imperial Enchanter while Pasha faces disputes about his legitimacy and Nikolai considers how far he is willing to go to return to the world.
A Crown of Wishes (Star-Touched Queen #2) by Roshani Chokshi: Gauri, princess of Bharata, has been captured by her kingdom's enemies and faces a future of exile and scorn--she has nothing left to lose. But Vikram, the notoriously cunning prince of a neighboring land, promises her freedom in exchange for her partnership on his team to win the Tournament of Wishes.
The Damned (The Beautiful #2) by Renée Ahdieh: Sébastien Saint Germain is now cursed and forever changed. The price of loving Celine Rousseau was costly. But as Bastien and Celine begin to uncover the danger around them, they learn their love could tear them apart.
Dark Goddess (Alpha Goddess #2) by Amalie Howard: In this Indian-inspired fantasy, a girl who is the avatar of the goddess Lakshmi must work to prevent the apocalypse at the hands of demons.
Dark Goddess (Templar Chronicles #2) by Sarwat Chadda: Billi SanGreal, a teenaged member of the Knights Templar, must prevent a young girl, who is being hunted by werewolves because of the dangerous powers she possesses, from falling into the hands of the ancient Russian witch, Baba Yaga.
Daughter of Dusk (Midnight Thief #2) by Livia Blackburne: After learning the truth about her bloodlines, Kyra can’t help but feel like a monster. As tensions rise within Forge’s Council, and a vicious Demon Rider attacks continue in surrounding villages, Kyra knows she must do something to save her city.
Descendant of the Crane by Joan He: In this Chinese-inspired fantasy, Princess Hesina of Yan is thrust into power when her beloved father is murdered, and she’s determined to find his killer–whatever the cost.
The Devil’s Kiss (Templar Chronicles #1) by Sarwat Chadda: 15-year-old Billi SanGreal has grown up knowing that being a member of the Knights Templar puts her in danger, but if she is to save London from catastrophe she must make sacrifices greater than she imagined.
The Devil’s Thief (The Last Magician #2) by Lisa Maxwell: Esta and Harte set off on a cross-country chase through time to steal back the elemental stones they need to save the future of magic.
Divided (Dualed #2) by Elsie Chapman: When the Board goes after West Grayer for refusing to kill her next target, West must uncover the truth of the past to survive.
Dove Arising by Karen Bao: On a lunar colony, 15-old Phaet Theta does the unthinkable and joins the Militia when her mother is imprisoned by the Moon's oppressive government.
Dove Exiled (Dove Chronicles #2) by Karen Bao: Phaet’s past catches up with her when the Lunar Bases attack the community and reveal that Phaet is a fugitive. She’s torn between staying on Earth with Wes—whom she’s just discovered her feelings for—and stowing away on a Moon-bound ship to rescue her siblings.
Dove Alight (Dove Chronicles #3) by Karen Bao: Shy, introverted Phaet Theta has gone from being a top student to an interplanetary fugitive to the reluctant but fierce leader of a revolution. But as the death tolls rise, the cost of the war weighs heavily on Phaet. Phaet started this war because she lost someone she loved. Will she have to lose another to end it?
Eclipse the Stars by Maura Milan: Criminal mastermind and unrivaled pilot Ia Ccha and her allies make unpredictable choices as they fight to keep darkness from eclipsing the skies.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir: Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan, Laia, fighting for her family and a soldier, Elias, fighting for his freedom.
Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean: During a once-in-a-generation competition to find the new empress, Mari, who hides a terrible secret, Taro, the prince who would denounce the imperial throne, and Akira, a half-human outcast, will decide the fate of Honoku.
Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza: Two sisters, Rhee and Kara—sole survivors of a murdered royal lineage - must reunite from opposite ends of the galaxy to salvage what’s left of their family dynasty and save the universe from a greater threat.
End of Days (Penryn & The End of Days #3) by Susan Ee: After a daring escape, Penryn and Raffe are on the run, but a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all. When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?
The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee: 15-year-old Genie Lo wonders if she’s qualified enough to gain admission to an Ivy League school, then becomes powerful enough to break through the gates of Heaven with her fists.
The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa: Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allison Sekemoto will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever--and possibly end human and vampire existence.
The Ever Cruel Kingdom (The Never Tilting World #2) by Rin Chupeco: To break the cycle of sacrifice, twins Haidee and Odessa need answers that lie beyond the seven gates of the underworld, within the Cruel Kingdom itself. The shadows of the underworld may hunger to tear them apart, but these two sisters are determined to heal their world—together.
Exo by Fonda Lee: For a century now, Earth has been a peaceful colony of an alien race, and Donovan Reyes is a loyal member of the security forces, while his father is the Prime Liaison–but when a routine search and seizure goes bad Donovan finds himself a captive of the human revolutionary group, Sapience, terrorists who seem to prefer war to alien rule, and killing Donovan just might be the incident they are looking for.
Fair Coin by E.C. Myers: When evil versions of himself and best friend Nate appear one day, teenaged Ephraim embarks on a dangerous odyssey through parallel worlds to make things right.
Firestarter (Timekeeper #3) by Tara Sim: Colton, Daphne, and the others must choose between those striving to take down the world’s clock towers so that time can run freely, and terrorists trying to bring back the lost god of time.
Five Dark Fates (Three Dark Crowns #4) by Kendare Blake: In this conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series, three dark sisters will rise to fight as the secrets of Fennbirn’s history are laid bare. Allegiances will shift. Bonds will be tested, and some broken forever.
Flame in the Mist by Renee Adhieh: The daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden. But en route to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes a bloody ambush by the Black Clan. Dressed as a peasant boy, Mariko sets out to infiltrate the ranks of this gang. But she’s quickly captured and taken to the Black Clan’s secret hideout, where she meets their leader, the rebel ronin Takeda Ranmaru.
For A Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig: 16-year-old shadow puppeteer Jetta Chantray performs with her family’s traveling troupe, the Ros Nai. But as rebellion seethes and as Jetta meets a young smuggler, she will face truths and decisions that she never imagined—and safety will never seem so far away.
Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee: Sirscha Ashwyn, while training to become the queen’s next royal spy, discovers she’s a rare and powerful lightwender and is summoned to the realm of the Spider King, where her newly awakened abilities are needed to cull the bloodthirsty Dead Wood.
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao: A reimagining of the evil queen from Snow White based on Asian mythology in which 18-year-old Xifeng must unleash a jealous god on the world and set free the viciousness of her own soul in order to become Empress.
The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) by Julie Kagawa: Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren. But Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions as his trail leads straight to the one place they must protect at any cost -- the last vampire-free zone on Earth.
Fury of the Phoenix (Kingdom of Xia #2) by Cindy Pon: When Ai Ling leaves her home and family to accompany Chen Yong on his quest to find his father, haunted by the ancient evil she thought she had banished to the underworld, she must use her growing supernatural powers to save Chen Yong from the curses that follow her.
Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee: A teenage girl must keep her ability to manipulate the threads of time a secret, but when her brother goes missing, she risks getting caught up in a revolution in order to save him.
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta: Eris Shindanai and Sona Steelcrest, two girls on opposite sides of a war fought with Windups, giant mechanizes weapons, discover they’re fighting for a common purpose–and falling for each other.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi: Paris, 1889: Treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie gets the chance of a lifetime when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help in exchange for a priceless treasure: his true inheritance.
The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig: From modern-day New York City to nineteenth-century Hawaii to places of myth and legend, 16-year-old Nix has sailed across the globe and through centuries aboard her time-traveling father’s ship. But when he gambles with her very existence, it all may be about to end.
The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco: Okiku has wandered the world for centuries, but when she meets Tark she knows the moody teen with the series of intricate tattoos is not a monster and needs to be freed from the demonic malevolence that clings to him.
The Girl King by Mimi Yu: Sisters Lu and Min become unwitting rivals in a war to claim the title of Emperor.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust: As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Princess Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time.
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan: When Lei, seventeen, is stolen from her home to become one of nine Paper Girls, the Demon King's concubines, she proves to be more fire than paper.
Girls of Storm and Shadow (Girls of Paper and Fire #2) by Natasha Ngan: After escaping the Hidden Palace, Lei and her warrior love Wren must travel the kingdom to gain support from the far-flung rebel clans.
Girls of Fate and Fury (Girls of Paper and Fire #3) by Natasha Ngan: The last Lei saw of the girl she loved, Wren, was fighting an army of soldiers in a furious battle to the death. With the two girls torn apart and each in terrorizing peril, will they find each other again or have their destinies diverged forever.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh: A feminist retelling of the Korean folktale The Tale of Shim Cheong, set in a town where every year a girl is sacrificed to the sea to stop torrential rains, but when a brave teen girl dives in herself to protect a loved one, she discovers a spirit kingdom in need of saving.
The Great Destroyers by Caroline Tung Richmond: set in alt-history, 1960s America where WWI & WII were fought with giant mechs, biracial Chinese American teen Jo Linden is Team USA’s most unlikely pick in the annual Pax Games, an Olympic-style competition that pits mecha pilots against each other.
The Heartforger (Bone Witch #2) by Rin Chupeco: With a thirst for vengeance, a band of terrifying daeva at her command, and her resurrected lover Kalen by her side, dark asha Tea is ready to face her adversaries.
A House of Rage and Sorrow (Celestial Trilogy #2) by Sangu Mandanna: As gods, beasts, and kingdoms choose sides, Alexi seeks out a weapon more devastating than even Titania. The House of Rey is at war. And the entire galaxy will bleed before the end.
Huntress by Malinda Lo: 17-year-olds Kaede and Taisin are called to go on a dangerous and unprecedented journey to Tanlili, the city of the Fairy Queen, in an effort to restore the balance of nature in the human world.
Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan: When outlaw Ia Ccha is captured by the Olympus Commonwealth and revealed to be a 16-year-old girl, they force her to serve them by joining the Commonwealth's military academy where new acquaintances cause Ia to question her own alliances.
The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa: Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city, until she too becomes an immortal vampire. Forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls, she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend -- a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
Inferno (Talon #5) by Julie Kagawa: Ember Hill has learned a shocking truth about herself: she is the blood of the Elder Wyrm, the ancient dragon who leads Talon and who is on the verge of world domination. With the stakes rising and the Elder Wyrm declaring war, time is running out for the rogues and any dragon not allied with Talon. The final battle approaches. And if Talon is victorious, the world will burn.
The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman: Japanese American teen Nami Miyamoto finds herself in a limitless world where the human consciousness goes after death, where she battles an AI entity posing as a queen that has hacked its way into the afterlife.
Isle of Blood and Stone by Makiia Lucier: Mysterious maps from opposite ends of the sea cast doubt on the whereabouts of two princes, presumed dead.
Jade Fire Gold by June C.L. Tan: A debut fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology, in which peasant girl Anh, cursed with the power to steal souls enters a tenuous alliance with exiled prince Altan, bent on taking back the dragon throne, and save the empire from a cult of dangerous priests.
Journey to the Heart of the Abyss (Light in the Abyss #2) by London Shah: Leyla McQueen has finally reunited with her father after breaking him out of Broadmoor, the illegal government prison—but his freedom comes at a terrible cost. As Leyla celebrates his return, she must grapple with the pain of losing Ari. Now labeled the nation’s number one enemy, Leyla must risk illegal travel through unchartered waters for the truth behind her father’s arrest.
Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena: Set in a world inspired by medieval India, the story tells of a girl, Gul, with a star-shaped birthmark who is prophesied to be the downfall of a tyrant king, the warrior women who come to her aid, and the boy she falls in love with.
The Keeper of the Night by Kylie Lee Baker: set in 1890s Japan, half-British reaper, half-Japanese Shinigami Ren Scarborough flees London and enters the Japanese underworld under the service of Izanami, the goddess of death.
King (Dragon King Chronicles #3) by Ellen Oh: Girl warrior, demon slayer, Tiger spirit of the Yellow Eyes - Kira is ready for her final quest! She must save her cousin, the boy fated to be the future king, uncover the third lost treasure, and face innumerable enemies in order to fulfill the famed prophecy.
A Kingdom for the Stage (For A Muse of Fire #2) by Heidi Heilig: The rebels are eager to use Le Trépas’s and necromancer Jetta’s combined magic against the invading colonists. Soon Jetta will face the choice between saving all of Chakrana or becoming like her father, and she isn’t sure which she’ll choose.
Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (Rise of the Empress #2) by Julie C. Dao: Princess Jade has grown up in exile while her stepmother, the ruthless Xifeng, rules Feng Lu. Ready to reclaim her place, Jade embarks on a quest to raise the Dragon Lords and defeat Xifeng and the Serpent God once and for all.
Legend by Marie Lu: In a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations, 15-year-olds Day, a famous criminal, and prodigy June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover that they have a common enemy.
Legion (Talon #4) by Julie Kagawa: The legions are about to be unleashed, and no human, rogue dragon or former dragon slayer can stand against the coming horde in book 4 out of the Talon series.
The Library of Fates by Aditi Khorana: Amrita must unravel the mysteries of her past to save her kingdom, but in doing so, she herself might come unraveled.
The Light At the Bottom of the World by London Shah: Set in a future where the Earth is underwater, Leyla McQueen must navigate the treacherous abyss to find her missing father, but discovers a world drowning in lies.
Live in Infamy by Caroline Tung Richmond: 80 years since the Axis won World War II, and America was divided between the victors: the Nazis in the East and Imperial Japan in the West; but now resistance is growing in the Eastern territories and 16-year-old Chinese American Ren Cabot finds himself drawn into a resistance group.
The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna: 15-year-old Eva is the clone of a girl living far, far away on another continent--and when this 'other' dies, Eva must step in and take over her life.
The Infinite (Gates of Thread and Stone #2) by Lori M. Lee: Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever. To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao: blending Chinese history and mecha science, Wu Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister’s death. Features a poly F/M/M main romance.
The Iron Will of Genie Lo (Epic Crush of Genie Lo #2) by F.C. Yee: Along with a few other contenders for the throne, heaven-appointed guardian Genie and her friends embark on a Heavenly quest to an in-between world.
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen: An intergenerational story of a mother and son struggling to relate to each other—the mother an immigrant to America who wants to make a home for her family in an unfamiliar country; the son Tiế trying to figure out the best way to come out to his parents. Through telling each other fairy tales, they’re able to find common ground.
The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas: When her ailing father is conscripted to fight invaders from the north, Mulan dresses as a man to take his place in the army, but an old enemy and an attraction for her troop's commander complicate her mission.
The Memory Keepers by Natasha Ngan: Seven is a thief with a difference - he steals downloadable memories from banks and memoriums to sell onto London’s black market. But one night, as Seven is breaking into a private memorium in a wealthy part of London, he is caught in the act by one of its residents; Alba, the teenage daughter of London’s most famous criminal prosecutor.
The Memory Key by Liana Liu: In the not-so-distant future, everyone is implanted with a memory key to stave off a virulent form of Alzeimer's. Lora Mint fears her memories of her deceased mother are fading, but when her memory key is damaged she has perfect recall--of everything-- which brings her mother's memory vividly back--but may also drive Lora mad.
The Mermaid, The Witch, and The Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall: A desperate orphan turned pirate, Flora, and a rebellious imperial daughter, Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, find a connection on the high seas abroad the Dove, in a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic.
The Midnight Star (Young Elites #3) by Marie Lu: Adelina is forced to revisit old wounds when a new danger appears, putting not only Adelina at risk, but every Elite. In order to save herself and preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.
The Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne: Kyra, a highly skilled 17-year-old thief, joins a guild of assassins with questionable motives. Tristam, a young knight, fights against the vicious Demon Riders that are ravaging the city.
Mirage by Somaiya Daud: In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, 18-year-old Amani is forced to work as a body double for the princess who is hated by her conquered people.
The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco: In a world ruled by goddesses that has been split in two—one half existing in perpetual scorching Day, the other in freezing Night—twins separated at birth Odessa and Haidee embark on a quest across the great divide and rule a reunited world.
Mooncakes by Wendy Xu & Suzanne Walker: Teen witch Nova Huang runs into her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help.
Moribito, Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi: The wandering warrior Balsa is hired to protect Prince Chagum from both a mysterious monster and the prince's father, the Mikado.
Moribito II, Guardian of the Darkness by Nahoko Uehashi: The wandering female bodyguard Balsa returns to her native country of Kanbal, where she uncovers a conspiracy to frame her mentor and herself.
Night of the Dragon (Shadow of the Fox #3) by Julie Kagawa: As darkness rises and chaos reigns, fierce kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko and her shadowy protector Kage Tatsumi, will face down the greatest evil of all.
Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee: Resigned to a life without superpowers in a world full of them, Jess takes a paid internship where she helps a heinous supervillain and works with her longtime crush Abby, but stumbles on a massive plot.
Not Your Villain (Sidekick Squad #2) by C.B. Lee: After discovering a massive cover-up by the Heroes’ League of Heroes, shapeshifter Bells Broussard and his friends Jess, Emma, and Abby set off on a secret mission to find the Resistance.
Not Your Backup by C.B. Lee (Sidekick Squad #3): As the Resistance moves to challenge the corrupt League of Heroes, Emma Robledo realizes where her place is in this fight: at the front.
On This Unworthy Scaffold (Shadow Players #3) by Heidi Heilig: Jetta’s home is spiraling into civil war.Le Trépas—the deadly necromancer—has used his blood magic to wrest control of the country. Meanwhile, Jetta’s love interest, brother, and friend are intent on infiltrating the palace to stop the Boy King and find Le Trépas to put an end to the unleashed chaos.
The Only Thing to Fear by Caroline Tung Richmond: After 70 years since Hitler's armies won the war, 16-year-old Zara St. James lives in the Shenandoah hills, part of the Eastern American Territories, under the rule of the Nazis--but a resistance movement is growing.
The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He: In a near future when life is harsh outside of Earth’s last unpolluted place, Cee tries to leave an abandoned island while her sister, STEM prodigy Kasey Mizuhara, seeks escape from the science and home she once trusted.
One Dark Throne (Three Dark Crowns #2) by Kendare Blake: Preparing for the queens' sixteenth birthday celebration and navigating the fallout of the Quickening, sisters Arsinoe, Katharine, and Mirabella reassess their strategic paths to the throne using new understandings of their powers and destinies.
Our Violent Ends (These Violent Delights #2) by Chloe Gong: In 1927, Shanghai tethers on the edge of revolution. After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on the warpath. Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and while secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation if they are to end this threat.
Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu: June and Day make their way to Las Vegas where they join the rebel Patriot group and become involved in an assassination plot against the Elector in hopes of saving the Republic.
Quantum Coin (Fair Coin #2) by E.C. Myers: Ephraim, Jena, and Zoe embark on a mission across multiple worlds to learn what's going wrong and how to stop it. They will have to draw on every resource available and trust in alternate versions of themselves and their friends, before it's too late for all of them.
Ravage the Dark (Scavenge the Stars #2) by Tara Sim: After escaping the city of Moray, Amaya and Cayo head to the port city of Baleine to find the mysterious Benefactor and put a stop to the counterfeit currency that is spreading Ash Fever throughout the kingdoms.
The Reader by Traci Chee: Set in a world where reading is unheard-of, Sefia makes use of a mysterious object to track down who kidnapped her aunt Nin and what really happened the night her father was murdered.
A Reaper At the Gates (An Ember in the Ashes #3) by Sabaa Tahir: Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger as the Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, Laia of Serra, and Elias Veturius all face increasing dangers.
Rebel (Legend #4) by Marie Lu: Brothers Eden and Daniel Wing struggle to accept who they’ve each become since their time in the Republic, but a new danger creeps into the distance that’s grown between them. Eden soon finds himself drawn so far into Ross City’s dark side, even his legendary brother can’t save him. At least not on his own.
Rebelwing by Andrea Tang: At a prestigious prep school, scholastic student Prudence Wu, who smuggles censored media in a futuristic North America divided by culture wars and becomes an unlikely revolutionary, after being imprinted by Rebelwing, a sentient cybernetic dragon.
Renegade Flight (Rebelwing #2) by Andrea Tang: Pilot-in-training Viola Park, a probationary student at GAN Academy, enters a mech combat tournament that becomes a fight for the future of Peacekeepers everywhere.
Rising Like a Storm (The Wrath of Ambar #2) by Tanaz Bhathena: Gul and Cavas must unite their magical forces―and hold onto their growing romance―to save their kingdom from tyranny.
The Righteous (The Beautiful #3) by Renée Ahdieh: Pippa Montrose is tired of losing everything she loves. When her best friend Celine disappears under mysterious circumstances, Pippa resolves to find her, even if the journey takes her into the dangerous world of the fae, where she might find more than she bargained for in the charismatic Arjun Desai.
The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee: The never-before-told backstory of Avatar Kyoshi, from a girl of humble origins to the merciless pursuer of justice who is still feared and admired centuries after she became the Avatar.
Rogue (Talon #2) by Julie Kagawa: Unable to forget the human boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, Ember is determined to save him from execution with the help of rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues.
Rogue Heart (Rebel Seoul #2) by Axie Oh: Two years after the Battle of Neo Seoul, telepath Ama must use her telepathic abilities to infiltrate the base of the Alliance’s new war commander, Alex Kim, her first love who betrayed her.
The Rose and the Dagger (Wrath and the Dawn #2) by Renee Adhieh: Unsure who to trust, Shahrzad takes matters into her own hands to try and break the curse and reunite with her one true love.
The Rose Society (Young Elites #2) by Marie Lu: Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis.
Ruse (Want #2) by Cindy Pon: In near-future Shanghai where society is divided between the fabulously wealthy business elite and the masses they exploit, Jason Zhou must play a dangerous cat and mouse game with the ruthless CEO of an all powerful corporation which has an ever-growing choke hold on the polluted metropolis.
Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim: In the city-state of Moray, Amaya, orphaned by a powerful merchant’s greed and condemned to seven years aboard a debtor’s ship, returns to seek revenge only to encounter the merchant’s son in this gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Serpentine by Cindy Pon: Although 16-year-old Skybright feels lucky to be the handmaid and companion to the daughter of a wealthy family, she is hiding a secret that threatens to destroy her position and her closest relationships.
Sacrifice (Serpertine #2) by Cindy Pon: When Zhen Ni discovers that her new husband, the strange and brutish Master Hou, may not be all he seems, Skybright and Stone must travel through the terrifying underworld to save her.
Seven Deadly Shadows by Courtney Alameda & Valynne Maetani: Set in contemporary Japan, Shinto temple priestess Kira Fujikawa, must seek the aid of seven ruthless shinigami, in order to protect Kyoto from an ancient evil.
Shatter the Sky by Rebecca Kim Wells: Maren, desperate to save her kidnapped girlfriend Kaia, plans to steal one of the emperor’s dragons and storm the Aurati stronghold, but her success depends on becoming an apprentice to the mysterious dragon trainer, which proves to be a dangerous venture.
Talon by Julie Kagawa: In a world in which near-extinct dragons pass as humans to grow their numbers secretly, siblings Ember and Dante Hill prepare for destined positions in the world of Talon only to be hunted by a dragon-slaying soldier.
The Ship Beyond Time (Girl From Everywhere #2) by Heidi Heilig: Nix has escaped her past, but when the person she loves most is at risk, even the daughter of a time traveler may not be able to outrun her fate—no matter where she goes.
The Shadow Mission (The Athena Protocol #2) by Shamim Sharif: Jessie Archer faced down death to prove her dedication to Athena, the elite organization of female spies she works for. Now she’s back on the team, in time to head to Pakistan to take down the man whose actions spurred Athena’s founders to create the secretive squad.
The Shadow of Kyoshi (Kyoshi #2) by F.C. Yee: Kyoshi’s place as the true Avatar has finally been cemented. With her mentors gone, Kyoshi voyages across the Four Nations, struggling to keep the peace. But while her reputation grows, a mysterious threat emerges from the Spirit World. To stop it, Kyoshi, Rangi, and their reluctant allies must join forces.
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa: Demons have burned the temple Yumeko was raised in to the ground, killing everyone within, including the master who trained her to both use and hide her kitsune shapeshifting powers. Yumeko escapes with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll. Fate thrusts her into the path of a mysterious samurai, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan. Yumeko knows he seeks what she has…and is under orders to kill anything and anyone who stands between him and the scroll.
Shadow Girl by Liana Liu: When Mei arrives at the beautiful home on Arrow Island, she can't help feeling relieved. She's happy to spend the summer tutoring a rich man's daughter if it means a break from her normal life. Yet she can't shake her fear that there is danger lurking in the shadows of this beautiful house, a darkness that could destroy the family inside and out...and Mei along with them.
Shadowsong (Wintersong #2) by S. Jae-Jones: Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. But when troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be.
Smoke in the Sun (A Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh: After Okami is captured in the Jukai forest, Mariko has no choice—to rescue him, she tricks her brother, Kenshin, and betrothed, Raiden, into thinking she was being held by the Black Clan against her will. But each secret Mariko unfurls gives way to the next, ensnaring her and Okami in a political scheme that threatens their honor, their love and very the safety of the empire.
Sisters of the Snake by Sasha & Sarena Nanua: an Indian-inspired fantasy where twins separated at birth—one now a princess, the other a street thief— must switch places in a bid to stop a catastrophic war that threatens to tear their kingdom apart.
Silver Phoenix (Kingdom of Xia #1) by Cindy Pon: With her father long overdue from his journey and a lecherous merchant blackmailing her into marriage, 17-year-old Ai Ling becomes aware of a strange power within her as she goes in search of her parent.
The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves #2) by Roshani Chokshi: Séverin and his team members might have successfully thwarted the Fallen House, but at a terrible cost. Desperate to make amends, Séverin pursues a dangerous lead to find a long lost artifact rumored to grant its possessor the power of God. Their hunt lures them far from Paris, and into icy heart of Russia.
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim: The Wild Swans meets East Asian fantasy where an exiled princess, Shiori, must unweave the curse that turned her brothers into cranes, assisted by her spurned betrothed, a mercurial dragon, and a paper bird brought to life by her own magic.
A Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes #4) by Sabaa Tahir: Laia of Serra is now allied with the Blood Shrike, Helen Aquilla. Determined to stop the approaching apocalypse, she throws herself into the destruction of the Nightbringer. In the process, she awakens an ancient power that could lead her to victory–or to an unimaginable doom.
Skyhunter by Marie Lu: Robbed of her voice and home, Talin Kanami knows firsthand the brutality of the Federation. Their cruelty forced her and her mother to seek asylum in Mara. When a mysterious prisoner is brought from the front, Talin senses there’s more to him than meets the eye.
The Shadow Glass (Bone Witch #3) by Rin Chupeco: Bone witch Tea’s dark magic eats away at her, but she must save the one she loves most, even while her life—and the kingdoms—are on the brink of destruction.
Song of the Abyss (Towers of Wind #2) by Makiia Lucier: When menacing raiders attack her ship, navigator Reyna must use every resource at her disposal, including placing her trust in a handsome prince from a rival kingdom.
Song of the Crimson Flower by Julie C. Dao: After cruelly rejecting Bao, the poor physician’s apprentice who loves her, Lan, a wealthy nobleman’s daughter, regrets her actions. After learning that Bao’s soul has been trapped inside a flute by a witch, Lan vows to make amends and help break the spell.
Soul of the Sword (Shadow of the Fox #2) by Julie Kagawa: As the paths of Yumeko and the possessed Tatsumi cross once again, the entire empire will be thrown into chaos.
A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna: In this sci-fi retelling of the Mahabrahata, Esmae learns that the King of Wychstar is offering the unbeatable warship Titania to the winner of his competition and she sees her chance to return home and help her brother win back his kingdom.
The Speaker (Sea of Ink and Gold #2) by Traci Chee: Having barely escaped the clutches of the Guard, Sefia and Archer are back on the run, slipping into the safety of the forest to tend to their wounds and plan their next move.
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim: 17-year-old Maia Tamarin poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor, and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars, with help from the mysterious court magician, Edan.
Spell Starter (Caster #2) by Elsie Chapman: Yes, Aza Wu now has magic back, but now she’s in the employ of the gang leader, St. Willow. Who soon decides that having Aza as a fighter is much more lucrative than as a fixer.
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar: Inspired by Hindu mythology, half-mortal, half-star Sheetal enters a celestial competition to save her human father’s life.
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi: Treated with scorn and fear in her father's kingdom because of a formidable horoscope, 16-year-old Maya commits herself to her education only to land in an arranged marriage that culminates in her sudden elevation to the throne, a situation that is threatened by dark secrets and Otherworldly magic.
Star-Touched Stories by Roshani Choski:Three lush and adventurous stories in the Star-Touched world.
Steelstriker (Skyhunter #2) by Marie Lu: After the fall of Mara, and with the fate of a broken world hanging in the balance, Talin and Red must reunite the Strikers and find their way back to one another.
Storm the Earth (Shatter the Sky #2) by Rebecca Kim Wells: Maren and her girlfriend Kaia set out to rescue Sev in Zafed, and free the dragons from the corrupt emperor.
The Storyteller (Sea of Ink and Gold #3) by Traci Chee: Sefia is determined to keep Archer out of the Guard’s clutches and their plans for war between the Five Kingdoms. As Sefia and Archer watch Kelanna start to crumble to the Guard’s will, they will have to choose between their love and joining a war that just might tear them apart.
Stronger Than A Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan: In this steampunk fantasy set in Qing dynasty-inspired China, warrior girl Anlei teams up with a thief to save her village from shadow spirits, but after arriving at the Courts of Hell, a discovery challenges everything they know about who the real enemy is.
The Suffering (Girl From the Well #2) by Rin Chupeco: When an old friend disappears in Aokigahara, Japan's infamous 'suicide forest,' Tark and the ghostly Okiku must resolve their differences and return to find her. In a strange village inside Aokigahara, old ghosts and an ancient evil lie waiting.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong: In 1920s Shanghai, starcrossed heirs to rival gangs, Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov, must work together to face a monster that hunts the city streets before the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War.
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake: A fantasy about triplet sisters separated at birth, where one of the sisters will grow up to be queen of their magical island, but in order to ascend to the throne she must hone her magic for a dark purpose: assassinating her other two sisters before they kill her first.
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh & Elsie Chapman: 15 bestselling and acclaimed authors reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate.
A Thousand Fires by Shannon Price: In modern-day San Francisco where three gangs rule the city streets, half-Filipina teen Valerie Simons enters the Red Bridge Wars to seek vengeance for her younger brother’s death, but soon finds herself torn between old love and new loyalty.
The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala: In ancient India, soldier Kunal hunts the “Viper,” rebel girl Esha accused of killing his General, embarking on a dangerous cat and mouse game and where both must decide—loyalty to their old lives or to a love that’s made them dream of new ones.
Timekeeper by Tara Sim: set in an alternate Victorian era where clock towers control time, about a teen clock mechanic who is assigned to repair a damaged tower and finds himself falling in forbidden love with the boy he mistakes for his apprentice, but is actually the tower’s clock spirit, and whose life is threatened by a mysterious attacker planting bombs in clock towers across England.
A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2) by Sabaa Tahir: Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts.
Two Dark Reigns (Three Dark Crowns #3) by Kendare Blake: A victorious Katharine sits on the throne, Mirabella and Arsinoe are in hiding, and an unexpected renegade is about to wage a war of her own. The crown has been won, but these queens are far from done.
Unravel the Dusk (The Blood of Stars #2) by Elizabeth Lim: With a war brewing, master tailor Maia Tamarin will stop at nothing to find her love Edan, protect her family, and bring lasting peace to her country.
Vicious Spirits (Gumiho #2) by Kat Cho: With the support of Somin and Junu, Miyoung and Jihoon might just have a shot at normalcy. But Miyoung is getting sicker by the day and her friends don’t know how to save her. With few options remaining, Junu has an idea but it might require the ultimate sacrifice and, let’s be honest, Junu isn’t known for his “generosity.”
Want by Cindy Pon: Set in a teeming, pollution choked Taipei which follows a group of teens living on the seedy fringes of a highly divided society that works only for the elite as they decide to risk everything to take down the powerful company which controls the city.
Warcross by Marie Lu: When teenage coder Emika Chen hacks her way into the opening tournament of the Warcross Championships, she glitches herself into the game as well as a sinister plot with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.
Warrior (Dragon King Chronicles #2) by Ellen Oh: Kira, the yellow-eyed demon slayer of Hansong, continues her quest to find the lost treasures of the dragon king's prophecy, save her cousin, the prince, unite her kingdom, and defeat the demon lord
We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1) by Hafsah Faizal: In a world inspired by ancient Arabia, 17-year-old huntress Zafira must disguise herself as a man to seek a lost artifact that could return magic to her cursed world.
We Free the Stars (Sands of Arawiya #2) by Hafsah Faizal: When Zafria, the Hunter, and Nasir, the Prince of Death both embark on a quest to uncover a lost magic artifact, they encounter an ancient evil long thought destroyed - and discover that the prize they seek may be even more dangerous this time.
Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles: Showgirl Kallia, haunted by a dark past, must compete in a magician’s competition in order to secure her ambition and freedom from the handsome, enigmatic keeper of the club, Jack, even as mysterious accidents seem to plague her every move, while crossing paths with another talented magician, Demarco.
When Night Breaks (Kingdom of Hearts #2) by Janella Angeles: The competition has come to a disastrous end, and Daron Demarco’s fall from grace is now front page news. But little matters to him beyond Kallia, the contestant he fell for. With time running out, Kallia must embrace her role in a darker destiny.
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho: After 18-year-old Miyoung Gu, a nine-tailed fox surviving in modern-day Seoul by eating the souls of evil men, kills a murderous goblin to save Jihoon, she is forced to choose between her immortal life and his.
Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu: Emika Chen barely made it out of the Warcross Championships alive. Knowing the truth behind Hideo's new NeuroLink algorithm, she is determined to put a stop to his plans.
The Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad: A a multi-perspective feminist narrative about a fierce band of magic-wielding girls—the Wild Ones—who have collectively survived unspeakable things, and together are determined to save other girls from the cruelties and tragedies they’ve had to endure in their own past lives.
Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones: After her sister is kidnapped by the Goblin King, Liesl journeys to the Underground and is faced with an impossible decision when she finds herself captivated by the strange world and its mysterious ruler.
Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco: A girl descended from Filipina mythological heroine Maria Makiling, finds herself caught up in a war between two fairy tale kingdoms, where the fate of Avalon is at stake.
Windborn by Mary Fan: With magicians hot on their trail, air nymph Kiri and magician’s apprentice Darien embark on a treacherous journey through dangerous lands to freedom.
World After (Penryn & The End of Days #2) by Susan Ee: Penryn's search for her kidnapped sister, Paige, leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans, while Raffe must choose between reclaiming his wings--and his role as the angels' leader--or helping Penryn survive.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Adhieh: In this reimagining of The Arabian Nights, Shahrzad plans to avenge the death of her dearest friend by volunteering to marry the murderous boy-king of Khorasan but discovers not all is as it seems within the palace.
Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee: As 17-year-old Carr 'the Raptor' Luka rises to fame in the weightless combat sport of zeroboxing, he learns a devastating secret that jeopardizes not only his future in the sport, but interplanetary relations.
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Prompt 1: Foster
The polycule finds themselves in the company of a stray kitten that Estinien fetched from a back alley from who-knows-where.
And they're going to rehome her. No, really, honest. They're not keeping her, or anything lol
Word count: 1,900
~*~
A rare rainy day off in Ishgard— on a rarer day off, no less— had left Serella happily cuddled up in bed, under the blankets. Joined by her betrothed, and their beloved Violet, what time wasn’t spent idly dozing, was a warm, floating haze of hands and lips brushing idly where they found skin. Though they were swathed in the overcast, pale light that spilled in through the curtains, its chill was far from them, the roaring hearth, gilding the gloom where it collided, its warmth reaching beyond its light. The perfect picture of coziness.
Which was why she was particularly miffed, when their dearest Estinien stumbled in through the door, soaked to the bone, and holding his bundled up jacket to his chest: it meant that she had to get up, to investigate.
As Estinien caught his breath from sprinting in the pouring rain, his paramours all collectively, if sluggishly, opted to disentangle themselves from the blankets enough to see what on earth had made him bluster in so.
Aymeric was the first to rise from their little nest of blankets, ambling over gamely. Serella wasn’t far behind, though stilled when she heard him melt over whatever it was that Estinien had bundled into his coat.
An animal, then.
Sure enough, she neared just in time for Aymeric to reach a hand out, and be met with a sooty paw reaching up to curl its little bean toes around his index finger. He cooed again, and his posture melted further toward the bundle—ah, it was a cat, then.
“Hello, little love,” Aymeric greeted, his voice turned sing-song, and pitched a few notes higher, as it always did when he greeted an animal.
Already, Serella knew this was trouble.
All the more, when Hyana gasped as she scrambled to free herself from bed fully, hissing and cursing as a blanket stuck stubbornly to the pointed ridges at the end of her tail. Freeing herself, she stumbled over eagerly, completely blowing past Serella as she did.
After giving the two of them a few more moments to coo, she and Estinien passed a look between them, and silently agreed that it was time to be the responsible ones. For a change.
“Alright, alright, what do we have here, then?” Serella called, gently nudging them away to give the little creature some breathing room.
“Creature” almost seemed an apt description for the cat nestled within Estinien’s coat: covered in rain water and mud, it was almost impossible to tell what the cat’s true fur color was. It trembled, even pressed against Estinien’s chest—must still be cold. Those large eyes squinted up at her, as the little kitten sniffed and sneezed at her proffered hand. The cat’s shivering made its purr sound tinny, like it rattled the poor thing’s lungs just to do it.
“A bath first, before we do anything else, I think.” She said aloud.
With a breath to steel herself, Serella accepted the bundle of cat and coat in her arms, when Estinien relented to her. Despite the shivering, and the wetness of its fur, the kitten felt warm against her chest, when it immediately snuggled up to her body warmth. Reminding herself that they already had two dogs and a cat—two cats, technically, if she counted Duchess back at Borel Manor—Serella rounded the corner out of their bedroom, and into the bathroom.
Her polycule trailed in on her heels. It was hard not to liken them to a gaggle of Scholasticate kids, all crowding around the door to watch. It warmed her, how even the most standoffish of her loves couldn’t resist the draw of a cute animal.
The bathtub would be too massive, for the little kit—the sink suited just fine. Hyana was kind enough to fetch their bottle of feline shampoo, and set it on the counter for her.
As she let the water run to get a bit warmer, Serella lifted the kitten, gently, to hold it—her, Serella realized, with a glance—at eye level.
“You won’t like me for this,” she warned the kitten. “But that’s alright, it’s only temporary.”
The kitten squirmed, and licked the tip of her nose. Ignoring the way her insides turned to softened butter, Serella dutifully set to work, carefully bathing the kitten.
Unsurprisingly, the water was, at first, most unwelcome, and the cat had no scruples with voicing her complaint and trying to clamor out of the sink. For such a small thing, her wailing meows of discontent were rather loud—good. That meant her lungs were healthy. Once the warmth of the water sunk into her skin, however, she relented, somewhat, though instead sat in the shallow, warm water, and vibrated from the intensity of her disgruntled, rumbling meows.
It was hard not to liken her to a rat, watching her quake with the effort of vocalizing her displeasure. With each careful massage of Serella’s fingers into the kitten’s fur to wash away the grime, however, her true coat began to shine through.
As it turned out, her fur was still mostly black—save for her white capped paws, and her underbelly, all the way up to her chin. All downy soft, thin fur, in a sleek coat. Once she’d gotten a chance to dry out, under the careful ministrations of Aymeric drying her down with the softest, fluffiest towel he could find, she was actually a rather beautiful cat.
When she still shivered, as she finished drying, Aymeric would brook no negotiation, and immediately bundled himself—and her—back in bed, with the blankets. It seemed to be exactly where she wanted to be, as she promptly loafed herself upon his chest, and shook with her purrs.
“We need a name for her,” he said, not taking his eyes off the little kit, as her eyes began to drift shut.
“Absolutely not.” Serella tutted. “It isn’t responsible for us to take in another cat—here, or Borel Manor—and no, she doesn’t look ready to be a road companion, before you even entertain suggesting it.”
“Act like you don’t want to keep her.” Estinien scoffed. “You didn’t even ask me how I’d found her—you do that, when you do something I don’t like. You ask questions.”
“She’s a stray, you found her, and brought her here. What else is there to know?” Serella huffed, and even to her, she sounded a touch defensive.
“We can’t just turn her out after a bath, either, though.” Hyana argued, in the gentlest tone Serella had ever heard from her, as she snuggled up to Aymeric’s side to offer her hand to the kit. “She’ll have to stay for a while.”
“Until we can responsibly rehome her, of course.” Aymeric hastily added on, unconvincingly.
Serella wrinkled her nose when Estinien made a noise of agreement, even as the both of them also crawled in bed.
Once they had hemmed him in on all sides, Aymeric piped up, “But we have to call her something, in the meantime.”
When Estinien reached out to pet her, both of her paws shot out, to wrap around his hand. Her claws pricked at his skin, as she tried to force his hand over to her head. He snorted.
“Krile, perhaps? The little snot seems keen on getting her claws in me.” He grumbled, with no real venom behind his words; he hadn’t even taken his hand back.
Alas, he had already been lost to this kitten’s wiles, it seemed. Probably was, the moment he found her.
“I’ll tell Krile.” Hyana replied in that same, cooing voice, not even deigning to look at Estinien, as the kitten wriggled across the broad expanse of Aymeric’s chest, to bump her forehead against Hyana’s.
It was fascinating, watching how all three of them—powerful, stalwart warriors, all—had turned to puddles under the might of this singular kitten’s cuteness. Danuja, Vardr, and Rhalgr were already getting jealous, she realized, when she felt their collective, agitated curiosity on the fringes of her focus.
“Menphina,” she suggested, before she could stop herself. When all present turned to look at her, she elaborated, with a wry twist of her lips, “She’s certainly charmed all of you enough to warrant it.”
“…Menphina.” Hyana tried again, speaking it to the kit instead. At the curious mrr the cat trilled in response, Hyana nodded. “She likes it. It’s settled, then.”
When the weather improves, I’ll put up signs, she resolved to herself, just as the kitten laid her paw atop Serella’s hand, over Aymeric’s heart.
To her credit, she did. But the problems that trickled in after that came threefold: there was little demand for a beautiful runt, all the more of an indeterminable breed of cat. What demand there was, was often in the interest of Menphina being a “practice pet,” for a child. Fearful that that would translate to unsupervised children treating her like a toy, until she was injured, Serella would be the first—and firmest—to rebuke such offers. Add to all of that, the kitten’s propensity for extended bursts of high energy, that demanded that she be played with, ruled her out for any of the elderly candidates that applied, looking for a calm housecat.
To say that she had no success finding a suitable home for Menphina, would be a gross understatement.
Every time, she would come home, and Menphina would have to crawl out of the collective fur of Vardr and Rhalgr, just to trill up at her in greeting. And every time, Serella would have to scoop her up, and tell her how sorry she was, that it wasn’t meant to be, for that applicant.
“There will be others,” Serella reassured her, every time.
A few moons down the line saw Menphina still very much fostered in their care—to the point, that she was tucked close, huddled in the bend of Serella’s knees, as she’d curled up on the couch with a book. She’d fallen into a sort of pleasant lull, where her focus was on her book, though she could still pick up on Aymeric and Hyana chatting amicably in the kitchen.
At the mention of the date, in the midst of their conversation, Serella’s ear perked; she couldn’t recall the exact date, that Estinien had hauled this scrawny little kit in from the cold, but as she looked down at Menphina again, now filled out on good food and loving attention, she realized, with dismay, that she had not been strong enough.
“You were never a foster cat, were you?” She grumbled accusingly at Menphina.
The kitten looked up at the sound of her voice, and gave a questioning mrr?
As though she didn’t know what she had done. Smiling wryly, Serella gave her affectionate scritches between her ears.
“No, I suppose you never were, at that.”
Taking this as an invitation, Menphina unfurled herself with a long stretch that morphed into a yawn, and scampered up Serella’s hip, and settled in on the curve of her side, as though it was just for her.
Groaning, Serella let her head hit the back of the couch, as she finally admitted her defeat loud enough for the household to hear: “We’re keeping the cat.”
Amidst the giddy celebrating, she swore she distinctly heard the clink of coin being exchanged—they’d gone and taken bets, on how long it would take for her to crack.
Gremlins. Hellions, all of them. Hers. How she loved them, as they were—Menphina included.
#ffxivwrite2021#ffxiv#Aymeric de Borel#Estinien Wyrmblood#Hyana Geriel#Serella Arcbane#unstoppable forces and immovable objects#featuring: catte#'I'll be the responsible one and say we're not adopting her' Serella said. like a liar.
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A Ravenloft Reading Recommendation (ARRR!)
Alright, everyone! It's almost Halloween, and you (probably) recently got Curse of Strahd and Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft but you want to know more about these terror-filled prisons. Well, grab your adventuring gear and delve with me into the Domains of Dread! This'll be a long one, so strap in and remember: Mistipedia is your friend.
This list covers Second Edition Ravenloft, Third Edition Ravenloft, and the novels. I can only hope I got everything in this.
Let's start with...
Second Edition Ravenloft
Realm of Terror
This is the original campaign setting for 2e Ravenloft, coming with 144 pages of rules, NPCs and domains, as well as a bunch of other goodies (maps, card stock sheets, and a transparent map overlay). Realm of Terror predates the Grand Conjunction timeline, so in terms of in-game time... it's a bit out of date. A lot of it, according to John Mangrum, is incoherent and many of the dates in this contradict others, so be careful about what you use here.
- You get... Rules for the Demiplane of Dread, alternate rules for Classes, Spells, the Dark Powers Check, fear and horror rules, as well as new spells, new magical items, and the different Dark Lords and Domains you can explore.
Ravenloft Campaign Setting (Box)
The revised campaign setting for 2nd Edition. Takes Grand Conjunction into account. Not to be confused for the book from 3rd Edition.
Domains of Dread
Third and final version of Ravenloft in the days of TSR. Introduces clusters and pocket domains, as well as new secret societies and several new classes. Postdates Requiem: The Grim Harvest.
Masque of the Red Death
A sub-setting of Ravenloft, taking place on a 1890's Gothic Earth.
- The Gothic Earth Gazetteer: Like the Ravenloft Gazetteers, you get details on the lands of Gothic Earth and their inhabitants.
- A Guide to Transylvania
And More...
Islands of Terror - Self explanatory, new island domains! Nidala, Wildlands, Sceana, I'Cath, etc.
Darklords - This covers a handful darklords.
Forbidden Lore - A Ravenloft setting expansion. Rules for the Tarokka Deck and Dikesha Dice. Secret societies, spells, cursed items, as well as expanded psionics, curses, and power checks. You also get the domain of Kalidnay.
Forged in Darkness - Lots of cursed items.
Children of the Night: Vampires - 13 New vampire NPCs.
Children of the Night: Ghosts - 13 New ghost NPCs.
Children of the Night: Werebeasts - 13 New lycanthrope NPCs.
Children of the Night: The Created - 13 New construct NPCs.
Champions of the Mists - New heroic NPCs and new Character Kits.
Carnival - NPCs that make up Isolde's Carnival.
Classic Van Richten's Guides
(Either 2nd or 3rd Edition)
These have Van Richten lore in it, so I would read these if not for the main content.
Van Richten's Arsenal
With VR Arsenal, you get new tools and devices, new arcane and divine spells, new magic items, and alchemical devices and feats. It also comes with Prestige Classes like the Alchemical Philosopher and the Anchorite of the Mists, as well as a guide to plan investigations and battles and plenty of NPC stat sheets with detailed backgrounds.
Van Richten's Guide to Demons
Van Richten's Guide to Ghosts
Van Richten's Guide to the Ancient Dead
Van Richten's Guide to the Created
Van Richten's Guide to the Lich
Van Richten's Guide to the Mists - We usually ignore this book because of it's questionable lore.
Van Richten's Guide to the Shadow Fey
Van Richten's Guide to the Vistani
An excellent exploration of Vistani.
Van Richten's Guide to the Walking Dead
Van Richten's Guide to Vampires
Van Richten's Guide to Werebeasts
Van Richten's Guide to Witches
Included within VR's Compendium 3.
Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium I
(Vampires, Werebeasts, Created)
Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium II
(Ghosts, Liches, Ancient Dead)
Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium III
(Demons, Vistani, Witches)
Modules
Feast of Goblyns - The first module of the Grand Conjunction series. Domains: Kartakass, Gundarak, Daglan.
Ship of Horror - The second module of the Grand Conjunction series. Domains: Sea of Sorrows, Nebigtode.
Touch of Death - The third module of the Grand Conjunction series. Domains: Har'Akir.
Night of the Walking Dead - Fourth module of the Grand Conjunction series. Domains: Sourange.
From the Shadows - Fifth module of the Grand Conjunction series. Domains: Darkon, Barovia.
Roots of Evil - Sixth and final module of the Grand Conjunction series and the follow-up of From the Shadows. Domains: Barovia.
Death Unchained - Part one of Grim Harvest.
Death Ascendant - Part two of Grim Harvest.
Requiem: the Grim Harvest (Boxed Set) - Death Triumphant, the last part of Grim Harvest.
Death Undaunted - Written by John Mangrum, never published, but still good!! Played it with a wonderful DM.
Book of Crypts - Nine short module anthology. Contains: Bride of Mordenheim, Blood in Moondale, The Dark Minstrel, The Cedar Chest, Corrupted Innocents, Rite of Terror, The Man With Three Faces, The Living Crypt, and Death's Cold Laughter.
Thoughts of Darkness - Elder brains, Mindflayers and a Von Zarovich, oh my! I played this one with a wonderful DM. Very fun.
The Created - Odaire
Web of Illusion - Sri Raji
Castles Forlorn - Forlorn
Dark of the Moon - Vorostokov
Adam's Wrath - Lamordia
The Awakening - Nova Vaasa
Hour of the Knife - Zherisia
Howls in the Night - Mordent
When Black Roses Blood - Sithicus
A Light in the Belfry (Boxed Set) - Avonleigh
Circle of Darkness - G'Henna
Chilling Tales (Anthology) - Through Darkened Eyes (Tepest), Undying Justice (Borca), Gazing into the Abyss (Darkon), Family Feud (Valachan), Surgeon's Blade (Lamordia), Scarlet Kiss (Mordentshire), Ancient Dead (Har'Akir), The Taskmaster's Leash (Dementlieu)
The Evil Eye - Invidia
The Nightmare Lands (Boxed Set)
Neither Man Nor Beast - Markovia
The Shadow Rift
Vecna Reborn
Die, Vecna, Die!
Third Edition Ravenloft
Ravenloft Third Edition (Campign Setting)
An update of Ravenloft to 3e.
Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide
Campaign creation, creating domains and communities, sinkholes of evil, samples of NPCs, as well as psionics and magic within Ravenloft. Cursed / Magic Items. Basically chapter one of Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft, but more fleshed out.
Ravenloft Player's Handbook
New mechanics like class weaknesses and magic ratings.
Secrets of the Dread Realms - Contains a new prestige class and a list of darklords by domain (with detailed backgrounds!)
Denizens of Darkness - New monsters! (3e)
Denizens of Dread - New monsters! (3.5e)
Heroes of Light - Focuses on heroic characters and deeds within Ravenloft. Prestige classes, secret societies, NPCs, and a heroic campaign guide.
Champions of Darkness - Focuses on anti-heroes. Prestige classes, secret societies, NPCs and an anti-hero campaign guide.
Legacy of the Blood - THIS IS A GOOD BOOK. Details on several powerful familes of the Core. Includes options to make characters related to that family and story hooks that go with it. Includes: Boritsi, d'Honaire, Dilisnya, Drakov, Godefroy, Hiregaard, Mordenheim, Renier, and the Von Zarovich families.
Masque of the Red Death (3rd Edition)
No modules in this one.
Ravenloft Gazetteers
A DM's dream come true... You get a massive amount of information and lore with these. Comes with a side-story. Very good!
- Volume 1 - Barovia, Hazlan, Forlorn, Kartakass
- Volume 2 - Darkon, Necropolis, Lamordia, Falkovnia
- Volume 3 - Dementlieu, Richemulot, Mordent
- Volume 4 - Borca, Invidia, Verbrek, Valachan, Sithicus
- Volume 5 - Nova Vaasa, Tepest, Keening, Shadow Rift
Modules
Dark Tales and Disturbing Legends - More modules! This is an anthology.
Expedition to Castle Ravenloft - Update to I6: Ravenloft.
Novels
Vampire of the Mists (Good!)
Knight of the Black Rose (Not a big fan of Soth, in my honest option.)
Dance of the Dead
Tapestry of Dark Souls
Carnival of Fear
I, Strahd (A classic.)
I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin (Read this one. Excellent!)
The Enemy Within
Mordenheim
Tales of Ravenloft (19 Short Stories - The Caretaker is my favorite. It has Strahd.)
Tower of Doom (Personally, if you don't want your eyes cursed, I would not read this. This has been a warning. I told you so.)
Baroness of Blood
Death of Darklord
Scholar of Decay
King of the Dead (A must-read. It's that good.)
To Sleep with Evil
Lord of the Necropolis
Shadowborn
Spectre of the Black Rose
Heart of Midnight
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