i hope it's us

A save

this was recommended by AriOct.

Enjoy

...

Your spider-woman and miles is the prowler, but none of yall never knew of each other's identity, till today.

It all started when you were fighting the prowler. “Stay out the spider” the prowler spat, with full venom in his tone and he punched the living shit out of you making you stumble back.

The metal spider legs extracted form your back as you got in a fighting stance about to lock in. “I wouldn't have to if you would just stop being a dick head” you yelled as you attacked his using your webs to trap him.

After a minute of fighting he managed to pin you down to the floor, threatening to drop you over the edge of the building as he was on top of you with his hand raised.

“terminemos con esto de una vez por todas. Araña” (let's end this once and for all. spider)

He raised his hand with a bag ass claw at the end about to kill you, till you heard a huge explosion. Witch stopped him, as he looked up.

The voice in your mask started alerting you.

“Spider-woman, there has been an explosion on the bridge, apparently the Tinkler and her crew is stealing something” You squint your heres and kick the prowler off you in one quick move.

“Listen, since you are a vigilante, how bout you go ahead and help me. There’s innocent people dying, if you care so much then you’ll be helping” you said running and swinging your way to the fight.

You perched yourself on the string and saw a truck laying on its side. Fire was everywhere, people were running, stuff was falling in the ocean. You were about to attack the tinkler till the prowler came in clutch and attacked her first. He looked up at you for a mere second and continued to fight. Giving you time to save people.You took the opportunity and saved some people.

Your suit was jacked up, you had cuts and bruises everywhere. You thought you were done till you heard someone call your name, and some screams followed behind.

“Spider-women!” you look to the sure and see a bus as the edge of falling. The bus driver and some other people were still on the bus, moments away from falling in the ocean. You shot a web at the front of the bus and pulled it forward. Almost all the people were able to get off till the bridge started to collapse again, making you lose your hold. The big pillar fell barely missing the bus as it made a bigger hole.

You quickly sprinted over and webbed it to the ground, and held it steady. Allowing the rest of the people to escape the death trap.

Once everyone was safe and sound, a big chunk of the road just fell. You quickly went to a safe place, and all there was left was a small poison just hanging by some cords. And of COURSE, A Person just had to be stuck and screaming for her life.

You did that cool webbing thing trying to keep it stable enough, but it clearly wasn’t enough. Because some of the webs broke.

You looked around and saw the prowler not too far from you. You tried to ignore him and webbed the roads as you hung in the middle. You pulled as hard as you could to give some of the people some time to go over to the other side. You were so focused that you didn’t even realize that your mask retracted, revealing your identity. Also unaware that the prowler saw you.

Lord was it hard, and lord did it hurt, you're pretty sure your shoulder popped out of place as you heard a pop and a sharp pain ran through your body. Finally all the people escaped. leaving you to finally rest.

Once everyone was safe. You let yourself fall on the payment with shallow breathe.Your mask retracted back over your face and you relaxed. As you did the adrenaline was gone. Your body hurted from the injuries you had previously gotten was catching up to you.

You let out a soft groan as you stood up. You clutch your dislocated shoulder and limp closer to an abandoned car to support yourself. “Lord have mercy” you heaved as you relaxed. But it wasn’t for long till your spider senses went off. Alerting you of a threat. “Oh sweet jesus” You perked up and saw ozcorp men holding guns at you.

“Spider women hand up” one of them yelled. Making you back up confused. “W-what, but I just saved everyone-” you tried to argue but one of them yelled again.

The prowler found time to escape. The people continued to corner you until you were at the edge. You thought it was all over till one of your powers activated.Invisibility.

When you did you took the opportunity to escape, despite you body screaming in pain.You landed in an ally way too tired and in too much pain to keep on going. You stumbled into the alleyway, your arm against the brick was trying to hold yourself up. Letting your mask retract to let yourself breath you collapsed to the ground clutching your shoulder. Propping yourself on the brick was you prepared yourself for the pain. In one quick motion you bang your shoulder against the wall, hearing a loud crack and a pop. putting it back in place. “That must have hurt like a bitch” a familiar voice said, making you jump. It was the prowler. You were about to bust a move, till he stopped you. “Don’t move, you have a broken rib” he said, making you stop. You relaxed slightly, eyeing him as he approached you.

“I’m not gonna hurt you, I'm here to help n/n” he reassured, bending down. Your eyes winded as you hered your nickname. He took off his mask to reveal a familiar face. Your breath hitched as you saw Miles. “M-miles” you said softly. “Sup mami” he smiled softly. A load of questions flooded into your mind. “Wa- how, you're the PROWLER?!” you yelled flabbergasted. He covers your mouth, shushing you.

“Yes I am, but not important right now” he said, making you go silent. He inspected you then finally spoke again. “Can you stand?” he asked, making you glare at him. ”nah I’m doing just fine- of course I can’t walk” you scolded. Miles rolled his eyes, chuckling. You carefully picked you up not to irritate any of your injuries. You hissed in pain as he picked you up bridal style.

After a hot minute of walking he brought you an apartment, it was obviously Aarons apartment. He layed you carefully on the couch and went to the bathroom and came back with a medical kit. “Okay this might hurt”After an hour of screaming and cussing, and crying, you were finally done. Well almost.

“SON OF A FUCKING GUN” you screamed in agony as he poured disinfectant on one of your cuts, and quickly wrapped it. “Are we done?” you asked tiredly, hoping it was a yes. “Far from it ma.” he said, shaking his head, making you groan. You looked around the room and saw a bunch of prowler gadgets. You found it fascinating. But you were interrupted from your inspection when miles spoke up.

“You got a bra or something under that” he said, making you blah and look at him kinda surprised. You smirked, “if you wanna fuck then just say that bookie” you playfully flirted, making him recoil. He rolled his eyes and chuckled, a blush appearing on his face, “ha,ha,ha” he faked laughed, “but seriously,” he asked, looking dead in your eye.

“Of Course, I can’t be free balling out here with my tittes flying everywhere-”,

“okay I get it,” he said, cutting you off not wanting to hear more. You laughed at his discomfort and sighed. “I got a built in bra in the suit but I always were an extra” you admitted

“K, take off your suit” he ordered as he grabbed ointment and some bandages. “Opp-, boy you wanna see some t-”,

“you have a huge gash over your chest,” he announced, making you look down, and you chirped. “oh…. I did not see that” you admit. “Yea I noticed, now hurry”

“Um according to my calculations, you said and i quote” don’t move you have a broken rib”, or something like that,” you shrugged smirking. Miles looked at you and sighed. “Señor tu vas a ser la muerte de mí” ( lord your gonna be the death of me) he complained muttering under his breath.

“Can’t that voice in your mask like, take it off for you or something, I know there has to be some kind of.. Contraction to take it off cuz there's no way” he complained. You smirked at his complaints and shrugged, “what, too nervous to take off your best friends clothes” you laughed. “Need to put on a blind fold” you teased, making his scowl.

“You think your funny”

“I think I’m hilarious”

“If you wanna fight then just say that, I'll gladly run up”

“We did, and I clearly won, I gobbled it all up”

“You thought you ate,”

“I always eat, you always gag, you throw up. You throw up so hard every time that your organs fell out your body, don’t do it ever again” His scowl deepened as he looked at your smug face. He rolled his eyes and kept on treating you.

A week later:

“ Miles I don’t need to be treated like a damn baby, it’s been a week, I’m fine” you complained laying in your bed. “Its takes six weeks for a broken rib to heal, your gonna lay down and stay down” you scolded You put his bag down and pulled out a notebook. “I’ll be writing down the notes in your notebook,” he said sitting on the edge of your bed. Your body hurts like hell. It was hard to move. “You hungry?” he asked. “I have been laying in this bad unable to move, of corse I’m fucking hungry”,

“carfull now or no food for you”,

“I hate you morales”,

“aww I love you too n /n”.

Dance Of Dragons

1.Harsh truth

Winterfell

Once in Winterfell, Prince Jacaerys had taken his chance and won the trust of Lord Cregan. He was a young lord used to ruling his vassals and even more used to the harsh weather and the wild things that roamed the north.

Cregan and Jace became close friends, hunting together, drinking together and discussing political issues. At night the two exchanged stories of their families. Lord Stark was happy to meet another man like him and found his equal in the prince. Jace spent many days in winterfell enjoying the company of the Stark Lord.

It was a calm afternoon, Cregan and Jace were sitting by the fireplace in the main hall of Winterfell as the autumn wind howled outside the great keep. They were discussing the events that were about to unfold in the continent, but both were surprised by the sound of a dragon's screech coming from the horizon.

"Did you hear that?" Cregan asked his friend, raising his head to listen.

Both Cregan and Jace listened carefully in silence as the sound of the dragon's screeching echoed through the castle. There was no doubt that a dragon was near and judging by the sound of its screeching it was flying towards Winterfell.

They exited the main hall and walked out into the great courtyard of Winterfell. The massive black dragon was hovering right above the castle keep, its wings outstretched as it kept up its wailing scream. They stopped outside the main doors and looked up, Cregan observing the dragon with a mixture of awe and fear.

The mighty black dragon made its descent from the sky and landed outside the great doors of Winterfell. It filled the entire place with its enormous size, its wings outstretched and its tail lashing dangerously from side to side. Cregan watched with awe and cautious as the dragon landed, its massive claws gripping the ground.

Jace saw none other than his step sister Jaehaera. The princess dismounted the cannibal and walked towards Jace and Cregan; she was a vision to behold, Cregan thought, her silver hair flying in the wind, and her amethyst eyes staring at the pair.

“Sister, what brings you to winterfell?” Jace asked her as he approached her. Her dragon remained still behind her thrashing its tail back and forth.

“I’m afraid I carry bad news”. She said and looked at her brother with a solemn face, her amethyst eyes filled with sorrow. The growl of the cannibal making the situation worse.

"What is it?" Jace asked, his voice also soft and worried.

“Luke has been killed. I’m sorry Jace.” she revealed .

Jace's heart froze and his breath caught in his throat as his sister delivered the devastating news to him. He had expected that she came to Winterfell with a message, but not that it would be this harsh.

"Luke is dead?" He spoke in disbelief his eyes already watering.

Jaehaera placed her hand on his.

“When he arrived to Storms End Aemond was already there. He taunted him, threatened to take out his eye as a debt was left unpaid. Luke tried to run away. Aemond chased him on vhagar and…” she paused

Jace listened to his sister, his eyes widening in disbelief as she told him the story of his little brother's death.

"And?" Jace asked her, his voice tense. "What happened afterwards? Jaehaera speak!"

“Vhagar ate Luke and Arrax….” She spoke the final words her eyes already filled with tears.

Jace felt like someone had punched him in the stomach at those final words. His breath catching in his throat as he collapsed on the ground.

“Rhaenyra wants you back for his funeral” she kneeled down and spoke more calmly to him.

“Mother must be devastated. The two of them had a special bond” Jace spoke as he shed tears.

“I promise you brother, Luke will be avenged. They will pay for what they have done.” She said firmly to her brother.

“I’ll stay in winterfell to continue the plans with Lord Stark. But you, you must head back to Dragonstone.” She said and helped him back to his feet.

With these last words Jace was off to Dragonstone leaving Jaehaera back in Winterfell with Lord Cregan Stark.

Taglist

@littleshadow17

@lightdragonrayne

HIIIIIIYA BB THE BRAINROT HAS BEEN HITTING THESE PAST FEW DAYS IDK WHAT IS IN THE AIR BUT I KNEW I HAD TO RUN TO YOU!!!!!!!!

okay so its kinda basic honestly. but do NOT think about pantalone returning home to you in snezhnaya after being stationed in liyue for like half a year or so, the longest he’s ever been away from you. he wasn’t one to leave the region at all, but at the tsaritsa’s orders, he had business to conduct at the northland bank. do NOT think about jumping into his arms as soon as you see him, how tightly he’s squeezing you to his chest, his familiar scent engulfing you once again, making your eyes misty because LORD YOU HAVE MISSED THIS MAN‼️do NOT think about how much he’d spoil you with his attention and touches and literal stockpile of gifts he’s bought you while abroad and lastly. do NOT think about how hesitant he’d be to leave your side after that. clingy clingy pantalone :’)

okay byeeeee hope youre doing amazing always 🫶🏻!

HELP NOT THE AIR😭 BUT OMG THANK U FOR GIVING ME THIS BRAINROT I'M LOVING IT SMMM💕💕

I am NOT!! thinking about Pantalone realizing how much he misses and craves your presence while he's away. Like, when he first received the mission, he was quite disappointed and knew he would miss you. But when he's been stuck in Liyue for only a few weeks, it really sets in and hits him that he actually can't see you for months. He thought he could bear it, he's been alone since childhood, but he's finding it harder to keep his composure when he's going to sleep in a fancy Liyuean bed without you by his side.

I am NOT!! thinking about Pantalone honestly being obvious about his clear pleasure about finally being able to return home, like the soldiers can see it easily. Don't get me wrong, he's a master of hiding his true emotions, but... his smile is a lot bigger, he has a bunch of soldiers carrying loads of gifts for you, trailing behind him. (They are on the verge of collapsing but if they dare let one of your gifts touch the ground they'll be executed later 😭) A conversation between them goes something like : "Which of these do you think [Name] will prefer?" "Why not both, sir?" "An excellent idea." (+ He has a calendar in his temporary office, with a bunch of important business dates etc circled. And then he has the day he finally departs from Liyue circled and an estimate of the day he finally returns to Snezhnaya, with a picture of you near it ;)

I am NOT!! thinking about how you have been seated by the window for hours on the day you receive news that Pantalone is finally back in the country. You have your boots, coat, gloves, hat, all at the ready to pull on in record speed as soon as you see his carriage in sight. You're literally pacing back and forth, heart racing, while your attendants reassure you to the best of their ability. And when he finally pulls up to the front of the mansion, and he steps foot out of it and looks directly, and gives you that particular smile, the one reserved specifically for you, you just. Race into his arms nearly tripping (luckily the snow is shoveled every day near the mansion)

I am NOT!! thinking about how you say his real name very very softly so that he is the only one that could hear it. And his heart just. Melts. <333 You bury your head into his chest, the fluffiness of his coat tickling you, his strong arms wrapped securely around you ;) Meanwhile the regular Fatui and attendants are just like 🧍‍♀️ with their eyes glued to the ground. They know better than to disturb you for the rest of the day. You could spend literal days opening his gifts and you still wouldn't be done 😭

I am NOT!! thinking about how he probably has a stack of paperwork left in his office from his absence, but he's refusing to even think about it and merely sends away the Fatui soldiers who remind him of it, that there are other people waiting on the documents that need his approval. He tells them very simply that he is busy with "other matters" (other matters being you, spoiling you, spending every second with you, telling you stories about Liyue [he saw Childe fooling around too much and lowered the amount of money he gets 😭], listening to you tell him everything you did while he was away, etc... the point here is obvious)

I am NOT!! thinking about how you're probably the one who has to convince him to go back to work again (you're starting to feel bad for the antsy Fatui soldiers, and kind of scared that one of those blue-haired men is gonna pop up again 🚶‍♀️) and the response you get is a groan (his morning voice is insane 😭🙏) and tightened arms around your waist. With lots of very gentle hair stroking, kisses, and encouraging words, he very begrudgingly gets ready to leave and finally take on his very boring duties again. He is not happy about waking up early and leaving his beloved alone in bed again... but such is life. You make it up to him by visiting his office during his breaks and giving him lots of smooches and attention 🥰

I am NOT!! thinking about how you two probably have separate boxes where you kept the letters you two exchanged while he was away. And you tried to hide it from him because you were embarrassed but it turns out he did the same thing, so you just put the boxes next to each other so either of you can read the lovey-dovey messages again ;)

Just read the drabble....youre INSANE 😭 really goes to show how so many things can go wrong with *that* scene. Idk if i should indulge you further....but what if either shenhe, hu tao, or chongyun is the one who dealt the final blow?

Apologies for the wait, anon! Had to gather some spoons for this. c:

... Let's find out what would happen, together.

-

When he reaches them, Shenhe and Hu Tao have the demon on the ground, with their polearms pointed at her neck. But he sees how dark tendrils sneak from behind – how they are about to –

Before Xiao can do anything, he hears the rush of footsteps behind him. In a flash of white and blue, like a flurry of snow – Chongyun flings himself into the fold. Xiao panics, reaches out to stop him. But it is too late. He watches as the young exorcist cuts through the tendrils and bathes the area in an icy chill. His claymore pierces down – and then it is over. The demon is no more, and from her chest bursts forth all of the stolen dreams and tainted souls.

At first, it looks as though everything will be okay. The rain comes to a stop. From outside the forest, the light of clear skies trickles in. A peace settles over the land.

But then – Chongyun collapses.

---

Xiao is the one to take charge of the fallen exorcist. He is so young, so small in Xiao’s arms, as he carries him to Jueyun Karst. Shenhe travels with him while Hu Tao is gone to fetch Zhongli. She is dreadfully silent at Xiao’s side. Though her face betrays nothing, he can feel the despair and the worry that rolls off of her.

When Chongyun shifts in his hold, furrows his brows and lets out a pained sound – Xiao can see how Shenhe flinches. Short of perhaps just hugging her, which he cannot do, Xiao is uncertain how to comfort her. That does not stop him from trying, though. “He is a strong boy,” Xiao says cautiously. “And his energy is still potent. I think he will fare well, once we have roused him.”

Shenhe lets out a stuttered breath, and it is the first time that Xiao has heard emotion come from this woman. “It’s just – he’s so young,” she says. Aching, like a sore, “He shouldn’t be so burdened – if it had been me, it would have been no different – ”

But Xiao will not entertain that thinking. He shakes his head, and he says to her, “We could easily say the same thing about me. I have been riddled by karmic debt far longer than I have not; for most of my life.” He readjusts his hold on Chongyun, draws him closer to his chest. “If I had dealt the blow – it is something I am already used to.” He thinks he sees Shenhe about to argue – no doubt to point out the obvious swell of his belly and the implications it holds. Xiao shakes his head again and he says, “But that is not what happened. You did not deal the blow, nor did I. Chongyun did, and we will have to live with that.”

He knows, of course, that that is far easier said than done – adrenaline fuels him now; but it will not stave off his own guilt forever.

---

The consensus is that it is not as bad as it could be. But it is not good, either. Chongyun still does not rouse, even hours after he has been brought to Mount Aocang to be cared for by Cloud Retainer. When Zhongli arrives with Hu Tao, his analysis returns a grim result.

“His yang energy is becoming more volatile. The karma is exacerbating its effects on him,” his Lord says. “It will not kill him – but he will be forever burdened. This is no longer going to be a nuisance for him. It will be a genuine handicap.”

Shenhe gazes at Zhongli, and she asks carefully, “Will he at least be able to return to the harbor? To his family, his friends?” She sits at Chongyun’s side, and her hands hover over him. “His friend circle is small – but they mean the world to him. I can’t imagine him without their company.”

Zhongli hums in thought and brings a hand to his chin. With a sigh, he admits, “I am unsure. Right now – definitely not; but perhaps with time he might be safe to return to them.”

It is Xiao who decides to take Chongyun under his wing. When the matter of housing and caring for the exorcist arises, a thought occurs to him. His daughter hiccups gently in his belly, and then stretches out lazily. With a hand at his middle, Xiao says to the group, “My baby seems to have inherited some of Aether’s special qualities – she has helped purify some of my karmic debt during this pregnancy. If she could do this for me, when I have been plagued with this for millennia, then maybe – ”

His Lord catches on, and he nods. “Yes, you might be right,” he says to Xiao. “It would not hurt to try. The Wangshu Inn has not suffered from your presence before, and is even used to dealing with whatever fallout occasionally arises from the karma.” With a gentle hand on his shoulder, Zhongli asks, “Are you sure you are up to this, though? You are thirty weeks gone; and this is not a simple task.”

Xiao places his own hand over his Lord’s, and he nods with confidence. “Yes, I can think of no one better suited for this than myself.” Then, he looks to the boy who lays so motionless before them. “I want nothing more than for him to lead a life as unburdened as possible.”

---

A few days pass before Chongyun finally stirs. In that time, Xiao has a separate bed brought into his room, and he dresses it himself with soft linens. He keeps his censer and his vajra handy – though he thinks they will not be needed. From the harbor, Shenhe brings some of Chongyun’s spare clothes, as well as some of his favorite books and trinkets. Xiao takes care to place them around the room; uses them to create a space of familiarity and comfort.

When the exorcist finally wakes, it is late into the night and Xiao is just about to lay down for bed. Chongyun groans in pain as the world opens itself up to him. Quickly, Xiao is at his side and steadying him from tipping out of the bed.

“Easy,” Xiao cautions. “Slow movements – you have been asleep for a few days. Give your legs a moment to catch up.”

Chongyun swallows, but his voice still cracks when he asks, “Where am I? Why am I in so much pain?”

The words pierce Xiao in the heart. He takes a deep breath in and then lets it blow out slowly through his nose. “You have slain a demon,” he says carefully. “You have accumulated karmic debt for it.” After another breath, he tells him, “You are here with me to recuperate. I am hoping your karma can be lessened by my daughter’s presence, like mine has been.”

He is given nothing but silence in reply. Chongyun is still awake – Xiao can see that his eyes are still open and trained on his face. But he looks stricken, and Xiao lets out a shaky sigh at the realization. He is scared, he thinks, of course he is scared. With gentle care, he wraps Chongyun in his arms. The exorcist trembles in his hold, and his arms latch onto Xiao. “You will be okay,” Xiao tells him. In his ear, he whispers, “I promise you, you will be okay.”

---

The changes are subtle, at first. While he was quite a mild boy before, now Chongyun has a bit of a temper. His patience wears thin and is easily disrupted. Xiao notices it first when they sit on the balcony that first day. They have just had lunch, and now they are quietly threading some beads onto thread. It is a simple craft, and really – it is only meant to keep the exorcist calm and still, so that Xiao can sit near and allow his daughter to do… whatever it is that she does.

But a bead slips from Chongyun’s grasp more than once, and the frustration builds in him with sharp intensity. Finally, after it slips from his hand a fourth time, the exorcist growls and throws the entire craft to the ground. The beads scatter everywhere and roll across the wooden planks. Xiao sighs, and he tries to bring a hand to Chongyun’s shoulder – but he is slapped away harshly.

He realizes what he has done a split second later, and already he is apologizing to Xiao and groveling for his forgiveness. Xiao is stunned at first, but he recovers quickly. Without a second thought, he shakes his head and says to Chongyun, “It is nothing. Now we know that you need space when you grow angry. This is a learning process for both of us.”

Chongyun looks skeptical, but he nods and accepts Xiao’s words anyway. They gather the scattered beads again together, and when they think he is calm enough – Xiao encourages Chongyun to try again.

His sensitivity to heat and other sensations grows more intense. Though Fall is just around the corner, the heat of Summer has returned to its peak for now. It is sweltering and oppressive, and it keeps both of them indoors for much of the day. But Xiao has some chores to do, some laundry to attend to. He is reluctant to bring Chongyun with him, but the boy simply shrugs off the concern as though it is undue.

Now, they sit outside as the sun beats down in unforgiving rays. While Xiao scrubs at their linens, Chongyun sits under the shade of a nearby tree. Xiao had made him keep some cold iced tea with him, and he can see the exorcist sipping at it idly. There is only a little left to do, before he can finally place their laundry on the clothesline. The time moves like honey, sluggish in its flow. Just as Xiao is standing to take the newly-washed linens to the line to dry, he realizes that Chongyun has slumped over onto the ground.

He drops the linens, does not care that they fall to the dirt – and he rushes to the boy. Not-so-gently, Xiao tries to rouse him. Chongyun startles awake, and he looks blearily at Xiao. “You need to tell me when you feel unwell,” he says frantically. “I cannot know what you are feeling if you do not tell me.”

Chongyun only nods smally. When he makes no other effort to speak or move, Xiao sighs. He gathers the boy into his arms, and he carries him inside. As he lays him down in his bed a short while later, Xiao says, “We will need to keep you out of the heat from now on.”

But the worst of it – the worst of it is the nightmares. Xiao had thought that the pain would be what Chongyun would voice complaints for – but when prodded, he says that he only feels mild tingles now and then. It is a relief, and Xiao dares let himself believe that his daughter is already doing some magic.

The truth unveils itself at night. Chongyun’s pain is greater than he lets on – but it is not physical. In his sleep, he is restless and haunted. Xiao finds himself having sleepless nights, as he spends that time comforting the boy under his care. One night – Chongyun wails in agony, and his body writhes through it. At a complete loss for what to do, Xiao climbs in the bed and wraps his arms around the boy. He holds him to his chest until the cries subside. When he is this close, Xiao can smell the bitterness of fear that wafts from the boy’s dream.

And then a thought occurs to him.

He has not done this for millennia, and he knows that there are some consequences to bear – but Xiao thinks it might be worth the sacrifice. Before he can think twice or regret the choice – he devours the horrid nightmare that plagues Chongyun’s mind. The thing tastes acrid, and it bloats his belly uncomfortably. But he sees how the boy’s face softens, how his trembling ceases. It is worth it, Xiao reasons, to see him at peace.

---

After a few weeks, things begin to even out. Zhongli is proud to tell them that this seems to be working. “I think you will be able to return home very soon,” his Lord tells Chongyun. “Your karma is lessening at a good pace, and your yang energy is evening itself out – Or, well, as even as it can be for you.”

Chongyun smiles, and it is a bright and precious thing – Xiao has not seen one so unfiltered from the boy before. “Thank you, Mr. Zhongli. You and Adeptus Xiao have been so patient with me.”

Zhongli chuckles, and he pats the boy’s head. “Think nothing of it. You are Liyue’s hero. It would shame us to leave you unaccounted for. It was no small thing, the sacrifice that you made.”

Xiao nods, and he brings a hand to his belly when he feels his daughter stretch out. “Yes,” Xiao nods in agreement. He takes Chongyun’s hand gently, and he presses it down where his daughter is stirring. “I cannot thank you enough. My daughter is safe, and she will not have to live in fear of the shadows, because of you.”

It seems that the boy is at a loss for words – but that is okay. The warm look in his eyes and the pink dust on his cheeks is answer enough.

He is not quite the same, when Xiao and Zhongli return Chongyun to the harbor. The boy is still saddled with karma that might never leave him; he is more prone to anger and night terrors, needs to be wary of the heat – But he is still Chongyun, still the sweet boy that they all love; and that will have to be enough.

When Xingqiu and Xiangling see them approach the city gate, they both bolt to meet halfway. They envelop Chongyun in their arms and bury him in affection. Xingqiu kisses at his cheeks and his temples, and he chokes as he says, “I missed you so much.”

At their feet, Xiao recognizes Marchosius – Guoba – as he joins in. He hugs their legs and buries his face into them affectionately. Chongyun laughs, bright and clear and happy. “I missed you too,” he says gently. “I am glad to be back.”

The Marvelous Misfortune of Kate Winthrop

At last, it's time - time to summon the final participant of Diavolo's long-awaited exchange program and begin efforts to improve relations between the three realms in earnest.

If only things hadn't begun to go a little sideways from the start.

A quick drabble about the initial summoning ritual from the start of Obey Me, featuring my OC Kate! :D Follow the link if you would rather check it out on Ao3 instead!

Ao3 Link

The light from the summoning ritual hadn’t fully faded when everything broke out into chaos.

It was Barbatos that caught it first. His eyes widened in alarm as he quickly stepped in front of his lord, his demon form snapping into place.

“Something’s wrong -!”

The bright green flames from the circle abruptly turned black, and then roared higher. Just as quickly, they snuffed themselves out - and as they did, shards of concentrated magic were ejected from the center of the array.

Lucifer swept them out of the way with a broad flare of his hand and wings. Behind him, his brothers also managed to avoid the haphazard attack.

Diavolo stood angrily from his seat, gilded horns glinting coldly in the dim light.

”What is the meaning of this? Who dares interfere in the workings of the Devildom?”

He addressed his query to the pool of concentrated shadow and magic that had completely obscured the chalk lines on the floor. It oozed out slowly, as though testing the boundaries, before it began to pull back.

Lucifer narrowed his eyes. Whatever had been summoned, it wasn’t human.

Finally, the shadows began to coalesce and rise from the floor. They took a humanoid form, but still obscured any details bar the sudden bright, white light that shone from their eyes. No mouth appeared, yet many voices, all whispering over each other, blending together, came forth as it spoke.

”Who summons us? Who snatches us from warm bed and soft starlight, to the underworld of darkness and flame?”

“Us?” Lucifer questioned, catching on quickly to the odd manner in which it spoke.

The entity turned its blinding gaze on him, and he met it steadily.

”We who are many and one.”

Diavolo called out again, drawing the shadow’s attention once more. Most likely in an effort to protect him, Lucifer thought. As though he needed protecting.

“I, Diavolo, crown Prince of the Devildom, have summoned you here, however mistakenly.” The Lord of Hell narrowed his eyes dangerously. “You are not the one I seek. What have you done with the human woman, Kate Winthrop?”

The entity hissed and sharp spikes of shadow grew and bristled along its back. The mention of the human’s name seemed to anger it.

”The Eye is not yours to seek! The Eye is ours - none else may have it! None-“

The figure collapsed in on itself suddenly, shrinking down from its towering 8 feet to a much more...human size.

There was a soft hissing as finally, more of the shadows receded, and a something that was almost human stood before them.

Their hair was still oddly two-dimensional, more shadow and smoke than anything physical, and splayed around their face in a slowly shifting mass. They had dark skin, and an outfit not unlike what one might expect of a lesser demon in the Devildom, though they lacked the requisite wings, tails, or horns. The magic that first alerted Barbatos that something had gone awry still saturated their aura.

Their eyes continued to burn white, and were surrounded by more of the near ink-like shadows. But the rest of their face was un-obscured - and this time, when they spoke, it was with one voice.

“I apologize for Pikko, the one you were speaking with before. We were taken off guard by the…” She glanced down at the half destroyed summoning circle on the ground. “...ritual you performed.”

They looked back up and met Lucifer’s eye, briefly, but didn’t linger long. The Avatar of Pride felt a flash of irritation, but pushed it aside smoothly.

They addressed Lord Diavolo with hard steel in their voice.

“I am called Umbra. Before I answer any more of your questions, I need to know what it is you want with the human Kate Winthrop.”

Lucifer’s brow ticked. He took a step forward, wings flared, and immediately drew this “Umbra’s” attention.

“You have no right to make demands of Lord Diavolo. Answer his questions at once.”

They lifted one hand, now coated in writhing ink, and held it out threateningly towards him. Lucifer scoffed.

“I don’twant to fight you, but I will.” They said. “I cannot answer any of your Lord’s questions until I have been assured that you mean Kate Winthrop no harm.”

Lucifer’s aura flared, and he opened his mouth to retort, but a simple hand motion from Diavolo had him reluctantly stepping back.

The red-haired prince finally sat back in his seat once more. Lucifer nodded to his brothers who had also transformed, though for once been silent, and they too returned to their seats. The Avatar of Pride himself remained where he stood, closest to Umbra, and in between them and his lord.

“A reasonable request.” Diavolo said slowly. Umbra had also relaxed, letting their hands hang loosely at their sides. Though Lucifer recognized a stance ready for action when he saw it - their feet were spread evenly apart, and despite their best efforts, it was easy to spot the tension in their shoulders.

“Very well.” Diavolo went on after considering his words for a moment longer. “We - intended - to summon Kate Winthrop here to be the final participant in an exchange program between the three realms. Two students from the Celestial Realm, two from the Human Realm, and two sent from the Devildom, in order to promote communication and cultural exchange between our worlds.”

Diavolo spread his hands wide, and his usual jovial smile made its way back onto his face.

“So you see - we are not here to hurt Kate at all! Merely provide an orientation of sorts as she begins her year-long stay in the Devildom!”

Umbra stared at them all silently. Thirty seconds stretched into a minute, and Diavolo finally dropped his arms.

“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Lucifer was bristling again, and he even noted Barbatos’s aura flare in irritation behind him before the steward could force it back under control.

But Diavolo only laughed.

“So I’ve been told!” He said cheerfully. Despite the lightness to his tone, Lucifer suspected even their mannerless guest could detect the dangerous lilt to Diavolo’s next words.

The Demon Prince leaned over in his chair and propped one elbow on his knee, the other hand pushing off the arm of his throne behind him.

“Now then, Umbra. I’ve answered your questions. A deal is a deal, isn’t it? So - why have you appeared here, and what have you done with Kate Winthrop?”

The tension in the air was nearly palpable. It sat heavily between them for one heartbeat, two, three-

Then Umbra’s shoulders sagged.

“I’m going to regret this.”

Lucifer tensed, ready for them to prepare some kind of attack, especially when their form was swallowed up by shadows again - but this time, when they cleared, the only thing left behind was…

...a human woman?

”What.” He spat.

Her silhouette matched Umbra’s precisely - but she was entirely human. The inky, smoke-like hair that floated slowly around her head had been replaced by a carefully parted afro, and the all-black outfit woven from shadows was now a pair of jeans, yellow shirt, and leather jacket.

Around her feet, her shadow abruptly darkened and moved on its own - and then up popped one of the little D’s. Except - not. It wasn’t a demon at all… it was something else entirely. Almost all of the aura that had been coming from Umbra was centered on the creature that now clung to her leg, along with what felt like thousands of shards of still-living souls.

The woman bent down and scooped up the tiny abomination in her arms, and coaxed him onto her shoulder. The thing hissed all the while.

She looked back up at Lord Diavolo with an expression that was more grimace than smile.

”I’m Kate Winthrop. And Pikko and I didn’t exactly appreciate being summoned to -“ She paused and looked at the creature on her shoulder, which only grumbled unintelligibly, before continuing, “- right, to literal hell without any warning. And before we discuss your exchange program any further, I’m going to have to make some calls.”

Diavolo had looked shocked, initially, at the revelation. But Kate’s request had drawn a confused furrow into his brow. He opened his mouth to speak, but this time Lucifer beat him to it, a sneer already curling his lip.

“Who could you possibly need to call right now?” He asked her venomously.

She looked at him consideringly for a moment.

“The only demon expert I know. Have you ever met a sorcerer named Faust?”

At the far end of the table, Asmodeous suddenly shot to his feet.

”Have I ever? He didn’t want to make a pact with me back then, but I’d love to get to know him a little better now.”

Lucifer pressed one hand to the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes as his brother’s outburst was apparently a signal to the rest of them that it was time to act out. As chatter erupted behind him, Satan and Asmodeus arguing over whether it was that Faust, and Beelzebub wondering aloud if the creature was a snack (“No!”), Lucifer felt a massive headache coming on.

He imagined it wouldn’t be going away any time soon.

The Song of Battles Lost and Won

Everything's going well and Saizo is on his way back to Yukimura. But when does anything ever go to plan?

Blood sprays the ground beneath my feet, the thud of another body hitting the forest floor the drumbeat to my horrible symphony.

The tingle at the back of my neck, the sing of blades through air, the gurgle of wounds spilling their precious lifeblood to the dirt.

This was my soundtrack as I ran back toward the battlefield.

Jinpachi and Sasuke had already disappeared on their own way; our work was done, the battle was in its final throes.

The castle looms before me, and with the leader of the ambush that targeted the Sanada's main forces just another stain on my blade, the pincer of Sanada and Takeda both had nothing left to stop it.

I emerge from the cover of the trees, slashing open another throat before its owner even realises I'm beside him.

And my navigation was perfect. Just a little way ahead, there was a flash of red atop a rearing mare.

"We have them…!! Fight to your last!”

Yukimura rallies his men with a fierce shout, his great spear in the air for a moment before it is once again brought down upon the next fool to challenge him in the height of his bloodlust.

"Sanada! I'll have your hea-aah!!”

"Hah! You'll have to do better than that if you want it!” His enemy falls to the ground, crushed beneath the hooves of his mare as he powers on.

I pick through the enemy behind him, finishing fight after fight with men too caught up in their own battles to notice my presence.

Praise falls on my ears from grateful retainers, exhaustion clear in their voices, but I am only here for one man, and as I fight my way back to his side, he finally turns to see me amongst the carnage.

"Saizo…!" Yukimura's face lights up, the blood splattering it an uncanny contrast to his sunny grin.

I look up at him, my eyes narrowing for a fraction of a second in answer to the warmth his smile puts in my chest.

Though barely a beat in my dark symphony passes, time seems to still as I feel unease itch in the back of my mind and see Yukimura's eyes flick behind me, widening minutely.

I've turned before I've even considered the source of my discomfort, grip tightening on my blade and my muscles tensing for a movement they never get to make.

The flare of red I chased down to get here flashes across my vision, Yukimura's body flying from his horse to jump in front of me the last thing I see before the unmistakable whistle of an arrow stops suddenly and my oldest companion collapses to the ground, rolling a few times before he stops in a plume of dust, curled up on his side and clutching his chest.

Everything disappears around me. The battlefield falls away from my consciousness as I dive forward, already ripping the fabric from my belt to stop the blood seeping through his fingers.

"Yukimura."

"Nngh… Are you… hurt… Saizo…?” he manages to mumble on ragged breaths.

"Shh…" Rolling him onto his back, I take hold of the arrow lodged just beneath his ribs, pressing my fingers to his lips until I feel him take the pill I offer onto his tongue. "Hold onto me."

He swallows, whimpering quietly before he breathes out and grips my free arm. "Saizo…"

I give him an extra moment for the analgesic to kick in, though my pulse is racing and adrenaline begging me to rush through my treatment. "Why did you do that, little lord?" I murmur to him, watching his breathing start to steady. "I'm here to protect you, you know."

"I know…" he whispers. "But-aaghh!!"

I use his distraction to yank the arrow out, more careful than I've ever been of anything not to twist.

His lungs are still strong. No puncture. Thank the gods.

Tears come to his eyes before I even toss the cursed arrow away, his palms twitching to cling to the wound again even as I wrap it, so tightly I'm sure I hear his ribs creak.

"Saizo… nnngh… Saizo, it hurts…"

"You're just a little dumb aren't you." I whisper to him as I run a hand under his back.

He's heavy, but I barely feel it as I lift him over my shoulders and sprint off to safety.

Deep into the forest, my horse running behind us, I stop and lay Yukimura down into soft grass, pulling out all the medical supplies I carry with me. Even if I don't have the tools to check for splinters in the wound, I can stop the bleeding, prevent infection, and get him back to camp.

"Saizo…" Yukimura's voice is weak when he calls for me. "I'm sorry… I…"

I cast him a quick glance, my eyes hovering on his for a split second when I see the sorrow in his gaze as he watches me.

"I… I just didn't want… I couldn't… risk losing you…"

His fingers reach for mine where they work over salves and antiseptic oils.

"Quiet time now, Yukimura," I murmur, placating him with a gentle brush of my fingers over his hand before I reach for cloth keeping his blood in.

"Nnnhh… sss…" Squeezing his eyes shut, he tries not to arch up into my hands as I sting his skin with my concoctions. "Haa…"

Blood oozes from the wound with each beat of his heart, the cloth I tear from our robes soaked through all too quickly. The salve to staunch blood flow is being pushed from his body faster than I can apply it.

"Nnngh…"

"Shit," I mutter to myself, my gaze flicking up to his increasingly pale features. Panic unsteadies my hands as I watch his life slip away. There must be something else I could do.

Yukimura sighs quietly, his breath slow and shallow. Tilting his head, he looks up at me, giving me a small smile through half-open eyes. "Saizo…" he whispers my name, reaching up weakly with one hand and catching his fingers in my collar. "It's okay."

Pressing my palm against the wound I lean down with his quiet urging, my brows low and my jaw tight.

"If I die, I'm… I'm glad I… saved you…"

My frown deepens, the ache in my chest feeling as deep as the one beneath my hand.

"That's not how it works, little lord. You don't die before me." Though I don't raise my voice much beyond a whisper, even I hear it crack.

Yukimura's eyes narrow with his smile, the faintest of flushes warming his icy white cheeks. "Sorry… I could never say… before…"

His fingers creep up my neck, muscles straining with the effort before he cups the back of my head and pulls me down toward him.

"I always… loved you, Saizo…"

Gently, he brings our lips together, kissing me so softly I can barely feel how cold his skin is.

My stomach knots, agony rippling up to my heart as I feel him drift from consciousness.

"Yukimura…"

Teeth clenched against the pain in my chest, I stare at his features for a few more seconds before letting my gaze drift down his body to the ripped up bandages lying beside my hand.

My eyes widen minutely. That's it.

As fast as my hands can work, I coat a strip of cloth in salve and twist it into a point, pushing it into Yukimura's wound, deeper and deeper until just a tiny bloodstained flag emerges from his skin.

Barely another minute passes before the blood oozing from his wound slows and I heave a sigh, letting my head fall onto Yukimura's chest and clinging to him tightly.

"You damned fool," I whisper against his blood-wet kimono while the thud of my heart in my ears finally starts to slow, the crescendo of my panic fading to its dull, steady rhythm. "You gods damned idiot."

If you liked this, drop me a kudos on AO3 to let me know. You can also read more of my writing if you want!

She was tiring. She could feel Banjo tiring as the battle raged on. He still moved with fluid grace, evading attacks and returning them with heavy hooves and a sharp horn. But he wasn't as quick as he had been, his shoulders streaked with sweat and blood and his flanks heaving with panting breaths anytime they had a moment of breathing space.

Stevie could feel the trembling of muscle fatigue in her sword arm and in her legs that held her tight to her mount's back. And the magic she used was just about used up. The cuts on both her and Banjo testified that their defenses were failing. But even she, as harmless as she tended to look with a dreamer's stare, would fight until the end.

Her people, her friends and family, required every second of her time to let them escape. She might have been whimsical and prone to drifting off into her own thoughts, but she held tight to the responsibility she had been given.

Perhaps, if they weren't so divided they might have had a chance to remove the threat. But there had been too many that favored avoiding conflict and fleeing their homeland when the Legion came in contrast to those that wished to fight.

Stevie honestly hadn't given in too much thought. She had never been a particularly aggressive person. Her choice to join the calvary being motivated by her love for the unicorns and strong talent for illusions rather than a desire to fight. That being said, the division between the pacifists and army didn't matter to her much. Regardless of the end decision she would defend her people.

Just about to land the killing blow on a Reaver, the sign of movement caught her eye. The slashing blow that ended the monster was done more through muscle memory than anything else as she looked up and stared in wide eyed fear.

Everyone involved in the Fantasian defense knew the Lord Ravagers of Nanook by name and reputation. There was no doubt in Stevie's mind that this bodiless flame had to be one of them.

"Phantylia." A man next to her whispered, his lance dipping to the ground as his unicorn froze.

Phantylia the Undying. Stevie knew of her. The names had been drilled into her brain, repeated as often as necessary for her to actually focus long enough to remember. She favored inner collapse didn't she? Pieces settled into place. The Legion's attack, the division of the Fantasians and now what had to be the final fight.

"...we can't fight her." Stevie knew that in every fiber of her being. Maybe if she had shown her face earlier when the remainder of the Fantasian calvary stood in defiance of the advancing Legion. But now...Stevie didn't have to look around to see the bodies of the dead and dying. She could hear them, or rather hear the silence that their absence caused. "Not now."

The Legion's roar increased in volume as their commander showed her face, observing the remnants of her work. For that moment, Stevie froze. Where was the call of retreat? Or had those that commanded already fell? It was far too chaotic for the girl to search for answers.

The cry of the man next to her jerked her out of that moment of frozen indecision. Another reaver leapt at him, the slashing blades cutting down the unicorn he rode and then finishing him off as he fought to pull free from the corpse of his partner.

That made her choice for her. If anybody was going to survive this, they needed to run. Regardless if they died here, time had just run out. She had to make a choice since it seemed no one else would or could.

Pulling out the pipe that formed part of her sword hilt, Stevie jammed the blade back into its sheath and brought the pipe to her lips. A piercing medley rose above the cries of human and unicorn, the signal for retreat played octaves above the usual horn blast. She could only hope that it would be heard and understood.

Banjo knew it well enough. Rearing he lashed out at the nearby voidranger with what remaining strength he had before whirling around and galloping in the opposite direction. At this point all Stevie could do was hold on and hope that her partner's strength would last long enough for them to get away.

She could see out of the corner of her eyes several others taking the same action. But there were too few. Less than half, perhaps not even a quarter that she could see. She could mourn for them later. If there was a later.

There was no time to search for her brother. As a healer he had remained behind the front lines, needed more for the wounded than for the battle. Another silent hopeful prayer to anything that might listen for his safety, she crouched low over Banjo's neck, urging him on. "We've got to get to the ships." She gasped out a breath as a landing from a leap over a barrier rammed the saddle ridge into her stomach.

No time to get to the bigger ships. With luck they were gone. No, there were smaller ones for much smaller crews, or one human and one unicorn. Stevie was no ace pilot but she could manage well enough to get out.

I hope.

"Are your men ready to withdraw, Major?" you ask.

Reyes shakes his head. "I do not intend to withdraw, not yet. The longer we stay, the more of the enemy we can kill, especially as the range closes. We can bleed them hard, but only if we hold our ground until the last instant."

The green-jacketed officer is right; if his Experimentals hold fast, then they would be able to fire off one last volley at close range, where even bane-hardened plate offers little protection against musketry. Such a measure might thin out the enemy greatly.

It would also almost certainly lead to the deaths of much of the Experimental Corps.

"Will your men be able to get away?" Major Reyes opens his mouth to speak, but before he can utter a sound, he stops. His lip trembling, he breathes in."They won't," he forces the words out as if they were the orders to his own firing squad. "They'll be cut down, most of 'em."

"Then why—" "Because it has to be done!" Reyes hisses through grit teeth. "If the Hussars break through here, they may very well break our army. If it takes the lives of my men to win this battle, well…" He flashes you a wan smile. "At least it will mean this Experimental Corps of ours was a success, wot?"

By the time Reyes is back amongst his men, the first of the Antari are no more than twenty-five paces from the riverbank. Within moments, the sound of musketry dies down. Those with empty rifles are already reloading, whilst those with their weapons already loaded sit in readiness.

The Hussars, perhaps heartened by the apparent end to the green-jacketed skirmishers' fire, pick up their pace. By the time they ride up onto the riverbank, they are moving forward at a brisk trot, the hooves of their massive horses churning the river white in their wake.

The Experimental Corps wait.

The enemy cavalry form up at the edge of the river, pressing themselves into the tightly packed block in which their lance charge might be delivered to the best effect.

Still, the Experimental Corps wait.

Now, the Hussars finally advance forward, a solid block of men, horses, and burnished, bane-hardened steel. Their charge begins as a lumbering thing, but by the time they are a dozen paces away from the first of the green-jackets, they near full-tilt, their great monstrous lances couched, their feathered angel wings wailing in the wind.

As a man, the Experimental Corps fire.

The effect can only be described as devastating; at such a close range, not even bane-hardened steel can reliably ward off a musket ball. The whole of the enemy vanguard seems to collapse in on itself. What was an ordered rank of heavy cavalry an instant before is now a chaos of broken lances, broken wings, and broken bodies.

Yet the men behind the fallen Hussars charge onwards, riding over the bodies of their fallen comrades, the iron-shod hooves of their chargers crushing those of their wounded brethren unlucky enough to be caught in their path. For the Experimental Corps, there is no escape. Now they face mounted and fully equipped Church Hussars with only hatchets, the clubbed butts of their rifles, and infantry swords.

Even utterly outmatched, the Experimental Corps put up a valiant resistance, a half-dozen of them rushing a single Hussar armed only with the stocks of their rifles, only to be cut down one by one. You see one man face down a bane-runed sabre with nothing but a hatchet, only for his opponent's blow to cleave weapon and wielder in two with a single stroke. You see Lewes and his Sergeant side by side; with a desperate lunge, the would-be officer plunges the heavy blade of his broadsword into the side of a Hussar's horse. His Sergeant's blunderbuss roars as he empties its wide-mouthed barrel into the tottering Antari's chest. The Hussar does not get up again, but four more take the fallen horseman's place. Beside you, Lord Cassius shudders as he watches the green-jackets meet their fate. "How shameful, that such men were not born Takaran," he whispers, his voice more reverent than you have ever heard it before.

The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager © 2023. Don's website is located at Dailyscripture.net

Meditation: What is the best and sure way to peace, happiness, and abundant life? The prophet Hosea addressed this question with his religious community - the people of Israel. Hosea's people lived in a time of economic anxiety and fear among the nations. They were tempted to put their security in their own possessions and in their political alliances with other nations rather than in God. Hosea called his people to return to God to receive pardon, healing, and restoration. He reminded them that God would "heal their faithlessness and love them freely" (Hosea 14:4). God's ways are right and his wisdom brings strength and blessing to those who obey him.

The grace and power of love and obedience

How does love and obedience to God's law go together? The Pharisees prided themselves in the knowledge of the law and their ritual requirements. They made it a life-time practice to study the 613 precepts of the Old Testament along with the numerous rabbinic commentaries. They tested Jesus to see if he correctly understood the law as they did. Jesus startled them with his profound simplicity and mastery of the law of God and its purpose.

What does God require of us? Simply that we love as he loves! God is love and everything he does flows from his love for us. God loved us first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding grace and kindness towards us. The love of God comes first and the love of neighbor is firmly grounded in the love of God. The more we know of God's love and truth the more we love what he loves and reject what is hateful and contrary to his will.

The love which conquers all

What makes our love for God and his commands grow in us? Faith in God and hope in his promises strengthen us in the love of God. They are essential for a good relationship with God, for being united with him. The more we know of God the more we love him and the more we love him the greater we believe and hope in his promises. The Lord, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, gives us a new freedom to love as he loves (Galatians 5:13). Do you allow anything to keep you from the love of God and the joy of serving others with a generous heart? Paul the Apostle says: hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us (Romans 5:5). Do you know the love which conquers all?

"We love you, O our God; and we desire to love you more and more. Grant to us that we may love you as much as we desire, and as much as we ought. O dearest friend, who has so loved and saved us, the thought of whom is so sweet and always growing sweeter, come with Christ and dwell in our hearts; that you keep a watch over our lips, our steps, our deeds, and we shall not need to be anxious either for our souls or our bodies. Give us love, sweetest of all gifts, which knows no enemy. Give us in our hearts pure love, born of your love to us, that we may love others as you love us. O most loving Father of Jesus Christ, from whom flows all love, let our hearts, frozen in sin, cold to you and cold to others, be warmed by this divine fire. So help and bless us in your Son. (Prayer of Anselm, 12th century) "

The following reflection is from One Bread, One Body courtesy of Presentation Ministries © 2023.

only escaping or also loving?

“Return to the Lord.” —Hosea 14:3

Like the prodigal son, we may have run away from home (Lk 15:13), done our own thing, and collapsed through our guilt (Hos 14:2). We are sick of seeing pigs live a better life than we do (see Lk 15:16-17). Finally, we decide to get out of sin and ask the Lord’s forgiveness.

The Lord rejoices to see us, for He wants to heal our defection and turn His wrath away from us (Hos 14:5). The only problem is that the Lord wants to love us freely (Hos 14:5). He wants to love us more than we want to be loved. We are afraid of grasping fully “the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love” (Eph 3:18). If we do, we will become aware of our responsibility to love the Lord with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, and all our strength (Mk 12:30). To love like that, we would have to deny our very selves (see Lk 9:23). We would have to repent, not only because selfishness and sin are dead ends, but because God is Love (1 Jn 4:16), Who has loved us perfectly, constantly, and infinitely.

Does your repentance consist primarily of leaving the bad and self-destructive, or are you repenting to return to your Lord and Love? Are you trying merely to stay out of hell, or do you want to see Jesus face to face in heaven?

Prayer:  Father, I want to love You more than to feel good or to go to heaven.

Promise:  “Israel I would feed with the best of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would fill them.” —Ps 81:17

Praise:  St. Patrick miraculously escaped his slavemasters, but even more wondrously returned to free them from their slavery to sin.

Reference:  (For a related teaching on Divine Love, listen to, download or order our CD 52-3 or DVD 52 on our website.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from February 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 15, 2022"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements

Friday Releases for December 2

Friday is the busiest day of the week for new releases, so we've decided to collect them all in one place. Friday Releases for December 2 include Three Pines, Violent Night, HEROES & VILLAINS, and more.

Violent Night

Violent Night, the new movie from Tommy Wirkola, is out today.

When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus (David Harbour) is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint.

Hunt

Hunt, the new movie from Lee Jung-jae, is out today.

After a high-ranking North Korean official requests asylum, KCIA Foreign Unit chief Park Pyong-ho (LEE Jung Jae) and Domestic Unit chief Kim Jung-do (JUNG Woo Sung) are tasked with uncovering a North Korean spy, known as Donglim, who is deeply embedded within their agency. When the spy begins leaking top secret intel that could jeopardize national security, the two units are each assigned to investigate each other. In this tense situation where if they cannot find the mole, they may be accused themselves, Pyong-ho and Jung-do slowly start to uncover the truth. In the end, they must deal with an unthinkable plot to assassinate the South Korean president…

Emancipation

Emancipation, the new movie from Antoine Fuqua, is out today.

Inspired by a true story, one man fights through unthinkable terrors in an attempt to reunite with his family.

Savage Salvation

Savage Salvation, the new movie from Randall Emmett, is out today.

Sheriff Church (Robert De Niro) and Detective Zeppelin strive to keep the peace in their rough town, where residents’ only two interests are the church or oxycodone. Newly engaged Shelby John (Jack Huston) and Ruby Red want a fresh start. They decide to have a family together and get clean, with the support of Peter, Ruby’s brother-in-law (John Malkovich). However, Shelby discovers his beloved Ruby dead on their porch before she could fulfill her final wish: to be baptized in the river and washed away from her past sins. Filled with fiery rage, Shelby embarks on a vengeful killing spree to right all the wrong done to Ruby by every link in the drug dealing chain. Armed with nothing but adrenaline and a nail gun, Shelby picks off dealers and junkies one by one until he gets to the top. Sheriff Church and Detective Zeppelin must race against the clock to put an end to Shelby’s vigilante justice before his fight with the crime lord Coyote (Quavo) turns the entire town into a bloodbath.

Four Samosas

Four Samosas, the new movie from Ravi Kapoor, is out today.

Determined to disrupt the wedding of his ex-girlfriend by stealing her dowry, underachieving, wanna-be rapper Vinny and his neighborhood pals concoct a plan to take her family jewels from a supermarket safe.

The Eternal Daughter

The Eternal Daughter, the new movie from Joanna Hogg, is out today.

An artist and her elderly mother confront long-buried secrets when they return to a former family home, now a hotel haunted by its mysterious past.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover

Lady Chatterley’s Lover, the new movie from Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, is out today.

Connie, born into wealth & privilege, finds herself married to a man she no longer loves. When she meets Oliver, the estate’s gamekeeper, their secret trysts lead her to a sexual awakening. She faces a decision: follow her heart or return to her husband and endure what society expects of her.

Warriors of Future

Warriors of Future, the new movie from Yuen Fai Ng, is out today.

When a meteor carrying a destructive plant strikes the world, a suicide squad is given hours to save their post-apocalyptic city from total collapse.

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, the new movie from Stephen Donnelly, is out today.

On a cold Christmas Eve, selfish miser Ebenezer Scrooge has one night left to face his past — and change the future — before time runs out.

Darby and the Dead

Darby and the Dead, the new movie from Silas Howard, is out today.

After suffering a near-death experience as a young girl, Darby Harper gains the ability to see dead people. As a result, she becomes introverted and shut off from her high school peers and prefers to spend time counseling lonely spirits who have unfinished business on earth. But all that changes when Capri, the Queen Bee of the school’s most exclusive clique, unexpectedly dies in a freak hair straightening accident, resulting in the obvious cancellation of her upcoming “Sweet 17.” Capri, however, pleads with Darby from the other side to intervene and convince Capri’s friends to proceed with the party as planned. In order to appease the wrath of the undead diva, Darby must emerge from her self-imposed exile and reinvent herself — which along the way allows her to find new joy back in the land of the living.

Christmas With The Campbells

Christmas With The Campbells, the new movie from Clare Niederpruem, is out today.

In Christmas With The Campbells, when Jesse gets dumped right before the holidays by her boyfriend Shawn, his parents convince her to still spend Christmas with them, and Shawn’s handsome cousin, while Shawn is away.

Return To Seoul

Return To Seoul, the new movie from Davy Chou, is out today.

After an impulsive travel decision to visit friends, Freddie, 25, returns to South Korea for the first time, where she was born before being adopted and raised in France. Freddie suddenly finds herself embarking on an unexpected journey in a country she knows so little about, taking her life in new and unexpected directions.

"Sr."

"Sr.", the new movie from Chris Smith, is out today.

Like Father. Like Son. Like No Other. “Sr.” is a lovingly irreverent portrait of the life and career of maverick filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. that quickly devolves into a meditation on art, mortality, and healing generational dysfunction.

Three Pines

Three Pines, the new TV series from Emilia di Girolamo, is out today.

Secrets, scandal, corruption: nothing is as picture-perfect as it seems.

Hot Skull

Hot Skull, the new TV series from Mert Baykal, is out today.

In a dystopian world, as an epidemic spreads through verbal communication, a tyrannical institution pursues a linguist immune to the disease.

Slow Horses S2

The second season of Slow Horses, the TV series from Will Smith and James Hawes, is out today.

Slow Horses follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 – Slough House. Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb, the brilliant but irascible leader of the spies who end up in Slough House due to their career-ending mistakes. Joining Oldman is a decorated ensemble cast including Academy Award nominee Kristin Scott Thomas, Academy Award nominee Jonathan Pryce, and BAFTA Scotland Award winner Jack Lowden.

Firefly Lane S2

The second season of Firefly Lane, the TV series from Maggie Friedman, is out today.

What could possibly have ended the tight-knit thirty year friendship of Tully and Kate, our “Firefly Lane Girls Forever”? We’ll learn the answer this season – but first – Kate grapples with the painful aftermath of Johnny’s ill-fated trip to Iraq, while Tully faces a lawsuit after walking away from her talk show, and must start her career over from the bottom. This leads her to search for answers about who she is and where she comes from – including a quest to find the father she never met, against the wishes of her secretive hippie mother, Cloud. In the ‘80s, we see Kate and Johnny first fall in love, creating more than a little drama in the newsroom where they work, as Tully’s career rises and she spars (and flirts!) with cocky sportscaster Danny Diaz. She just might have met her match – that is, if they can stop arguing for five minutes. While in the '70s, teenage Kate and Tully struggle to keep their friendship together as Cloud goes to jail for dealing drugs and Tully goes to live with her grandmother, far away from Firefly Lane. As the girls face the tumult of high school apart, they know the one thing they really need is each other.

Midnight Suns

Midnight Suns, the new game from Firaxis Games and 2K, is out today.

FIGHT AND STRATEGIZE LIKE A SUPER HERO IN THE DARKER CORNERS OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE. Play as The Hunter, a legendary demon slayer who must lead a team of Super Heroes and supernatural warriors facing apocalyptic threats.

The Callisto Protocol

The Callisto Protocol, the new game from Striking Distance Studios and KRAFTON, is out today.

In this narrative-driven, third-person survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player will take on the role of Jacob Lee – a victim of fate thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter's moon, Callisto. When inmates begin to transform into monstrous creatures, the prison is thrown into chaos. To survive, Jacob must battle his way to safety to escape Black Iron Prison, while uncovering the dark and disturbing secrets buried beneath the surface of Callisto. Using a unique blend of shooting and close-quarters combat, Jacob will need to adapt his tactics to combat the rapidly evolving creatures while scavenging to unlock new weapons, gear, and abilities to outrun the growing threat and escape the horrors of Jupiter's Dead Moon.

Need For Speed Unbound

Need For Speed Unbound, the new game from Criterion Games and Electronic Arts, is out today.

Race to the top, definitely don’t flop. Outsmart the cops, and enter weekly qualifiers for The Grand: the ultimate street race. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides and light up the streets with your style.

HEROES & VILLAINS

HEROES & VILLAINS, the new album from Metro Boomin, is out today.

Snake Eyes

Snake Eyes, the new EP from 100 gecs, is out today.

Be good to me (I’m tired)

PART ONE / PART TWO / HAPPY ENDING

Summary: The emergence is all that is on Ikaris’ mind and y/n isn’t on his side. He leaves without a goodbye after a big fight you two shared, but comes back after Sersi and Sprite are attacked by deviants, only to come back to you about to attempt and a note in-hand. Comfort isn’t one of his strengths but he wants to talk you out of hurting yourself. He does something unexpected when you fight against him to save the human race, unknowing. Things happen way to quickly for your idiotic husband(I love Ikaris don’t get me wrong, but he’s dumb).

Song link: I’m tired - Labyrinth, Zendaya

Warning(s): Mention of attempt, Self harm, Spoilers, Heart-wrenching shit, Swearing, Angst, major character death.

A/N: Now hold on, this is going to be two parts bc I feel so unmotivated. I’m not going to spoil in my authors note because it’s visible, I don’t want people who haven’t seen eternals to get mad at me lmao. I have no idea what this is to be honest, I just wrote what I wanted to. If its crap I sincerely apologize. Its been awhile since I've added anything and that's because I started going into inpatient rehab in February, its an explanation not an excuse for attention, thank you. Spoilers under the cut. If this is at the top that means I haven’t written the second part yet.

Hey lord, you know I'm tired                                                                                     Hey lord, you know I'm tired                                                                                 

You pace back and forth deciding whether you should put a tranquilizer in his neck or forgive him for wanting to help erase the only thing that has helped you want to stay alive for the past seven painful millennia. 

Ikaris puts his hand on your shoulder to try and calm your nerves, “I’m sorry for hurting you love, and I understand you care, but the emergence is important.” You turn around just to slap him in the face leaving a red mark, “No, Ikaris. You don’t understand! You don’t care about anything but your duties because you’re an emotionless robot!” His eyes widened, as a tear rolled down your cheek. He wanted to wipe it but knew better than to touch you again. “Well then if that’s how you see me then we shouldn’t see each other anymore,” Ikaris concluded leaving your mouth agape, you soon closed it and nodded. “Fine if you want to be a coward then so be it Ikaris.” He then starts walking toward an open window and flies off into the dark and weary sky. You collapse to the ground weeps following your shaky movement. 

Hey lord, you know I'm tired of tears                                                                      Hey lord, just cut me loose

“When Ikaris left he took a part of my heart with him.” You said to Sersi via phone shedding another painful tear. You just wished that Ikaris never had meant much to you.

Hey Lord, You know I'm fighting                                                                        Hey Lord, You know I'm fighting      

You threw the vase he had gifted to you for your first Christmas married to him, kneeling down you picked up the remaining pieces near you and hugged them close to you. It had finally hit you, Ikaris left you. He’s not coming back because he chose the emergence over you, his wife.                                                      

I'm sure this world is done with me                                                                    Hey Lord, You know it's true

After a day of suffering in silence, you decide that you can’t live much longer without feeling the guilt of the mass murder of humanity that will take place soon, because of your husband. So you did the unthinkable, you took a kitchen knife and moved it swiftly across your wrists. Self-harm wasn’t something you put much thought into, you knew humans committed it often to get rid of their pain but it wasn’t something you thought you would ever need to use, and here you are, cutting yourself like you were your worst enemy.

Now the tide is rolling in I don't wanna win

You had thought in the beginning Ikaris would change his dutiful ways, and forget the stupid emergence to be with you. Sersi and the others could figure out a way to stop it, all of you together have a ton of power. Earth could be saved, but as time passed and Ikaris never showed your mind slowly gave up, Ikaris meant the world to you. If he didn’t love you as much as he loved his duty then there was no point in fighting to stay alive for the thing you loved. After all, you had gone through with him, you weren’t enough for him although he would always be enough for you.

Let it take me, let it take me I'll be on my way

Hello! Could I request nsfw yandere headcanon/pet play kink for “Please just stop! I’ll do whatever you want me to. Anything but this.” and “I’ll fuck you over and over until you spread your legs when you see me.” with Grand Duke Leuvis?

Leuvis/F!Darling: "I'll fuck you over and over until you spread your legs when you see me."

TW: noncon, pet play, tentacles/monsterfucking

____ had already been wary of Leuvis's strange tone when he'd finished bathing her--something she already hated, being stripped and fondled while he washed her. She wasn't a demon, but she was still an adult capable of something so simple. When he'd dried her off and she'd reached for her clothes, Leuvis shook his finger and smiled at her through his mask. "Ah ah," he chided. "I have something else to put on you."

____ clutched the towel wrapped around her and tried in vain to find any sign of emotion behind his mask. What was he planning? She knew better than to refuse or try to get him to change his mind outright, so for now she had to play along and hope she could win his favor later on. "I see...what did you have in mind, my Lord?"

Leuvis rested one bony hand on her shoulder and took what looked like a length of ribbon out of his coat pocket. When he dangled it in front of her, she realized that it was a leash with a silk collar attached to the end. There was a small golden medallion as well on the collar, engraved with Leuvis's crest. When ____'s eyes widened, Leuvis let out a low chuckle. "You look surprised. Don't you think it suits you?" He brushed her cheek with his finger and held the collar up to clasp around her neck before she could react. "A lovely collar for an even lovelier pet."

____ felt the cold metal and soft silk against her skin, and a shiver ran up her spine as Leuvis leered down at her. He'd never had her wear anything like this before. The line of the leash leading from his hand to her throat left a sick, uneasy feeling in her chest. She WASN'T his pet. She wasn't some stupid animal, lower than him and meant to be owned. Even if she was a captive, she still had her dignity, dammit. "It...it's very luxurious," ____ said carefully. She smiled shyly at him. "What nightgown should I wear with it?"

Leuvis moved his free hand and wrapped it around ____'s waist. "You don't have to worry about that," he replied. "Tonight, you won't wear anything. I want to see how adorable you look with just this and nothing else."

____ froze and stared up at him. She had gotten used to being stripped and bathed by him, but she'd never been naked around him aside from that. She couldn't. She couldn't be so exposed like that, with just a collar around her neck like a dog! Before she could open her mouth to object or come up with some excuse, Leuvis tore ____'s towel off of her body; the fluffy terry-cloth that had been keeping her warm and feeling secure fell to the ground, and goosebumps immediately raised on her body. She immediately moved to cover her breasts and cross her legs, but Leuvis tsk-ed and pulled the leash forward to make her stumble forward.

"Don't hide yourself from me," he said sternly. "I'm your master, and you are my pet." He felt her tense and heard her let out a small gasp as he thumbed over one of her pert nipples. "Do pets wear clothes, my dear?"

____ clenched her fists and felt her face heat up as Leuvis touched her. "O-Only if their master dresses them up," she replied tersely, looking away from him.

Leuvis moved his hand to play with her other breast. "And do good pets say 'no' to their master?"

____ bit the inside of her cheek and she remained silent. She couldn't just lie down and take this treatment. Even if she knew it could have painful consequences, she wasnt going to let Leuvis have his way completely. She pointedly kept her mouth shut and pressed her lips together, refusing to give him an answer. Leuvis cocked his head slightly and pressed the edge of one of his sharp fingers against her nipple. "Surely you know the answer, don't you dear?" His voice was dangerously soft.

____ felt tears welling up in her eyes from Leuvis's finger and from her struggle to stand her ground. She could defy him, but that satisfaction would be temporary. And she knew how sadistic Leuvis could be when he wanted to punish someone...was it even worth it to resist him? She glanced back up at Leuvis and tried her best to focus her gaze on the middle of his mask, too scared to meet his eyes directly. "I...I do," she said hesitantly. Her mind raced to try and find a way to avoid provoking his ire. "But I can't say it out loud." Another half-truth that left a lump in her throat.

Leuvis's grip tightened a bit around her and she winced. "And why is that?"

____ swallowed nervously. "Because," she replied quickly. "The answer...it-it's 'no.'" She tried to keep her lips from wobbling as she gave Leuvis a demure smile. "And a good pet never says 'no' to her master."

Leuvis stared silently at her for a few seconds, and her heart raced as she desperately hoped he wouldn't see through her lie. He finally let out a small laugh and pulled her by the leash into his arms, dwarfing her with his draped-over clothing and large frame. He picked her up and pressed his mask up against her cheek. "Very clever, my dear," he replied. "I'm lucky to have such an entertaining little pet." Behind his mask, ____ swore she could see his gaze darken. "Even when you try to misbehave."

He set her back down and gently tugged on the leash to goad her into following him. ____ tried her best to breathe and keep calm as he led her into his bedroom. "I suppose that part of the blame lies with me," Leuvis mused. "I've definitely been spoiling you. But you still need to be properly trained and taught your place--you're not a stray running around in the woods anymore."

____ crossed her arms and dug her fingernails into her bare skin. Surviving out in the wilderness had been difficult, to say the least: hunting and foraging for food, concealing her presence and memorizing all of the best hiding places for miles whenever she heard Demons coming by her camp, and spending countless nights staying awake out of fear of being discovered and eaten while she slept. Every day was a struggle to survive and stay sane. When she'd finally made a mistake by unknowingly scouting for a new camp near Leuvis's estate, she had been ready to die the moment he and a few of his hunting buddies had found her collecting water at the edge of Goldy Pond. The moment she'd heard their footsteps and saw three Demons closing in on her, every part of her body had just shut down all at once. Instead of trying to flee or fight, she had collapsed into a paralyzed heap onto the ground and could do nothing except stare up at her would-be killers with wide fearful eyes. Looking back on it, it had reminded her of whenever she would hunt rabbits in the woods and how some of them had just submitted to their fate as prey and looked up at her the same way as they waited to be eaten. Maybe that was why Leuvis had decided not to throw her into one of his hunting parties; there was no fun in hunting prey that had already given themselves up to you so easily.

____ snapped out of her thoughts after a sharp tug to her leash caused her to stumble and fall to the ground. "See? You're already proving my point," Leuvis scolded. "When I ask you a question, you answer me."

"I-I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I was distracted. I didn't mean to ignore you."

"Distracted?"

"I was thinking about when I was on my own," ____ explained. "When I was a...a stray. Before you gave me a better life." Again, not quite the full truth, but not a lie either. And this time he seemed to actually believe her; he slowly reached down to tilt her chin up to look at him, and she could see the corners of his mouth turned up into a smile behind his mask.

"I see." He brushed his thumb over her cheek and then her bottom lip. "Even if you weren't listening, it seems you answered my question anyway." His smile widened. "You are grateful for everything I've done for you." She looked up at him with that doe-eyed expression on her face that pleased him so much, and he lifted her up again to place her on his bed. Even for a Demon it was massive, and when he set ____ on the bedspread her legs dangled over the edge like a doll on a shelf. "And I want you to show me that you're grateful."

____ whimpered when she felt Leuvis push her down to lay her flat against the bed. He'd never done anything more than fondling her while giving her baths or absentmindedly touching her while she was in his lap as he read a book or enjoyed a glass of wine. When she saw him reach up to unbutton his coat and then remove his shirt, she backed away from him on the mattress and let out a fearful cry when he took her by the waist with one hand. "Stay still," Leuvis ordered. His fingers dug into her skin as he held her in place. "Stay."

____ choked back a sob and complied, going limp and sinking into the silk comforter underneath her. His grip loosened and he traced circles into her upper thigh before he finished undressing himself. "Good girl."

A nude Demon was something ____ had never thought she'd encounter before, and certainly not like this. Leuvis's body was similar to his face and hands in terms of proportion and color. His body seemed to have muscles made of thick white strings of sinew that resembled a human form, but only in the barest sense. His pelvis was similar to that of a skeleton's, with a strange appendage in the middle that almost seemed like a shell composed of two "plates" of hard muscle. Leuvis stroked the seam between the two plates with a few fingers and let out a soft sigh; a thick black braid of tendrils slowly made its way through the crack and eased its way out, and ____ felt an intense wave of panic as it gently writhed its way out and shone with a bit of slick fluid.

Leuvis took the appendage into one of his hands and ____'s back with the other. The tip wriggled between her thighs and she broke down crying, squeezing them together as tightly as possible to keep this...thing...from invading her. "Please, please, don't," ____ begged hysterically. "Please stop! I'll do anything you want me to, anything but this!"

Leuvis held each of her thighs with one hand and firmly held her in place as she squirmed underneath him. "I know you're scared, but that's only because this is your first time being played with," he insisted irritably. His voice strained a bit as her thighs tightly enveloped his cock. "I'm not going to hurt you, I'm training you." He increased the length of his tendrils just a bit and made the braid separate, and soon he felt the tip of one of the tentacles brush against her labia. Her breath hitched at the strange sensation, and soon another tentacle made its way to flick at a sensitive bud of flesh that made her face flush. Her nipples hardened from the stimulation below and a strange mixture of warmth and something entirely new began to build up inside of her.

Eventually ____'s crying subsided a bit and she sniffled as Leuvis gently spread her thighs apart to feel even more of her. Now that she was starting to realize how pleasurable this could be, it seemed she was becoming much more obedient. Leuvis slipped one of the tentacles not playing with her clitoris inside of her tight walls; the two of them moaned in unison and ____ automatically moved her legs a bit further apart to accommodate more of him. The shiny medallion from her collar jingled a bit as he rocked her hips back and forth, and Leuvis smiled. He took her leash and tugged it to turn her head towards him. "See? There's a good girl," he praised in a soothing voice. "You're already doing so well, and this is just the first night of our little 'training.'" He chuckled breathlessly and eased another tentacle inside of her; she let out a delicious little gasp and her eyes rolled back slightly as she finally started to move her hips a bit of her own accord. "I'll fuck you over and over until you spread your legs when you see me."

War of Royalty

Yay! It's done!

CW: Slavery, medieval whump, whipping and branding referenced, noncon stripping (again, nonsexual)  taken in by royalty, whumpee thinking fluff is punishment, intimate caretaker, forcefully carried, begging 

Masterlist

The king held a golden goblet in the palm of his hand, occasionally glancing from the ambassador to the boy at his right hand. He was visibly trembling as all eyes at the banquet were glued on him, tracing his scars, staring at the healing whip marks curling over his shoulders. The king however, just kept looking longingly into his face. 

“Are you not hungry, Eden?” He asked, nodding towards his overfilled untouched plate. “No! It’s n-not that, your majesty, It’s just... sh-should I not be serving you? I should be refilling your wine, or washing plates.” Eden tucked his head waiting for the hand to dig in his hair or a strike to the back of the head... But alas, he just laughed.

“Nonsense! I want you here.” He raised his goblet before bringing it to his lips. Eden hoped his red cheeks weren’t as visible as they felt. “Then tell me, what's something about you? What hobbies have you dabbled in?” He asked. “I... used to set up picnics in the field for my master when he was tired.” Eden let a smile creep across his face at the once happy memory. 

“A picnic mm? That sounds delightful.” He painted a grin on his face before waving the guard over. “What on earth is a picnic?” He whispered. “Ahh, it’s like a feast.. but outside and on the ground, my lord. It’s quite dreadful.” The guard whispered back. “A feast... In the ground, eh?...” The king muttered to himself, stroking a hand through his beard. 

He then noticed half the table was more indulged in the boy than their own plate as Eden had sunk further into his seat. The king took a breath, before leaning towards the guard. “Then set up this picnic for the boy and I.” He spoked. “Wh-what? My lord, that’s far too dangerous! We would have to set up a wall of guards protecting you!” He protested. The king slowly cranked his head till they made eye contact. 

“Then do it.” He hissed. 

-

Eden’s legs trembled as he was walked down the corridor on the king's arm. “Your majesty, why are we leaving early?” Eden asked. "That’s a surprise.” He smiled, unaware that his words only pierced more fear into the boy's heart. 

The gates leading the courtyard swung open, revealing a sea of guards fully armored in a perfect circle around the hill. Their backs were to the center as they faced outwards, their swords centered with their body at their feet. Eden instantly tensed in horror, knowing this process all too well; the stake in the ground, the crowd gathering to watch the whipping, the cheering and laughter at his every cry.  

“Y-your majesty wait!" Eden begged, crumbling to his knees while pressing his forehead to his feet, mumbling pleas and apologies. “Calm yourself, boy. You’ve done nothing wrong.” He soothed, but it was like his lips were running without him. “Eden! Look at me.” The king finally commanded, his voice raising to a level he had never heard before. He then snapped his fingers as two guards stepped aside, revealing an embroidered blanket with full plates in the center.

“wha-?” Eden shyly looked up at the king. “You’re not taking me to get whipped?” He blinked. “Ah-of course not! Why would you think that?” The king couldn’t hold back a laugh as he grabbed Eden’s elbow. “I thought you might like some privacy. I could use some as well after all these war meetings over sea. I just got home! I want to relax for a night.” His arm tightly wound around the boy's arms, practically pinning them to his sides.

He plopped him down on the blanket across from him, struggling to get comfortable, although it wasn't half as miserable as the king was expecting.  Eden's eyes kept nervously glancing at the wall of guards, but his chin was tilted back. "Don't look at them, look at me." The king smiled, handing him sliced fruit from the plate. Eden accepted it as he huffed a sweet, real smile.

-

“My lord, did you enjoy the banquet?” Madeline asked, bowing before refilling his glass once more. “A bouquet is business for a king my dear, but the picnic with the boy was quite nice. I just wish he wasn’t so frightened, he expects a slap across the face every time I look at him.” He puzzled. 

“He’s quite well behaved, is he not? I think we were all expecting a handful with all those scars, especially that burn on his chest.” She said as she fixed the last winkle on his bed. 

“... What burn on his chest?”

There was deafening silence in the room as the servant's face drained from all color. 

-

The gates slammed open as two guards held each of the boy's arms, dragging him into the throne room. “Please wait! What's going on?!” Eden cried, his feet could hardly touch the ground as his toes grazed the carpet. His tearful eyes found the king sitting on his throne, his face painted with dread as he rested his chin on his hand. He didn’t look up when the guards held the slave before him. 

“Wh-what’s happening?” Eden panicked, seeing the woman from earlier, her face staring at the floor red with guilt. 

“Strip him.” The king muttered, his eyes averting Eden's horrified gaze. 

“-what?” He gasped, his pupils dilated before two hands ripped the clothes off his back, it’s tattered white pieces falling around his feet. He let out a choking cry, turning his head from the countless eyes that widened. The room instantly erupted with anger when the brand became visible; the brand of an illegal trade set up by his previous master. 

“This is treason!”

“An insult to our kingdom!”

“Who did this to the boy? I’ll have their head!”

“SILENCE!” The king ordered. The room fell silent aside from Eden’s crying. 

He rose from his throne, approaching until his hand reached the boy's cheek. “Look at me.” He spoke, feeling him tremble in the palm of his hand. 

“I can’t.” Eden rasped, hiding his face within the king's hand. He choked on a sob when he was suddenly pulled into the king's chest, the guard's grasp disappearing as he was held by nothing but the king's gentle embrace.

“Who did this to you?” He gently whispered in his ear, curling a hand in Eden’s hair. 

“I-... I can’t!” He sobbed, burying his face into the fur of the king’s robes. He felt him sigh a long, disappointed sigh. Then, the comfort was taken away, falling back into the harsh grasp of the guard's cold metal hands. 

“Return Eden to his chambers, let him rest for the night.” His hand lingered on his cheek for a moment as he blindly leaned into it, before it slipped away. "Send the four horsemen! I want whoever owned this slave to be found immediately! Turn every stone on its back! Tear the city apart if you have to!” He hissed, swinging his cloak around before collapsing back in his throne. 

“I want their head for what they've done to this boy...” 

ʕっ• ᴥ • ʔっ Thank you for reading!~ @tears-and-lilies  @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @starnight-whump  @bumpthumpwhump @whumpcreations @myst-in-the-mirror @heathenville (ahhh, If I forgot a tag, I am so very sorry, give me a poke and I’ll fix it right away)

Wrong victim

Pure comedic self indulgence because we all need a funny break before shit starts to really go down in To bargain for immortality. Set quite a few years after the game events, around 2025, and is pure ridiculousness so enjoy.

////

Her response to being unceremoniously shoved in the back seat of a car that looked like it's seen far better days was merely an annoyed grunt. It turned into an eye roll when the man that climbed in after her pulled everything out of her pockets. 

"Wouldn't want you calling anyone," he said with a toothy grin while waving her phone in front of her. 

"Trust me, that won't be necessary," she replied in a deadpan voice. It's not like she would call the police, she wanted them involved even less than her kidnappers probably did. As for other people she could reach out to, a phone call would be redundant really. "Do be careful with it, I'd hate to lose the photos of Daniela sleeping upside down." 

After maybe ten minutes of driving down the barely illuminated outskirts of the city, and having her pockets emptied, dagger included, the burly man driving pulled up inside a parking lot. It was large and overgrown with weeds and vines reclaiming spaces that had been left without human activity for who knows how long. The lamp posts were nothing more than useless concrete pillars as they provided no illumination, resulting in her pitiful captors having to use flashlights as they made their way into the dilapidated factory. 

Nicole sneered at the sight of collapsed walls and rusty metal walkways, reminding her of the one particular Lord she couldn't stand the sight of. She decided a distraction was needed from unpleasant memories. 

"Abandoned factory?" She whistled. "How many cliche movies have you guys watched?" 

She let out a chuckle when the man that had previously taken her phone shoved her ahead. Hopefully they wouldn't tape her mouth shut, there was so much fun to be had by mockery alone. 

It didn't take long before all three of them entered a dimly lit room, numerous candles placed all around, either on desks or candle supports nailed to the walls. The three more people inside were wearing long black robes and white masks covering their faces. Nicole had to laugh. 

"Oh so you're that kinda crazy." 

"Shut the fuck up and stay put," the man holding her hands behind her back said while pushing her into a chair. 

He then moved to a table and Nicole couldn't help but scowl at how unceremoniously her beloved dagger had been thrown on the wooden surface. Afterwards, he put on a mask not unlike the others, except with red streaks going down from the eye holes, and started to prepare something in the middle of the room. The others joined in on the task, all but the one man that had been put in charge of making sure Nicole stayed put. Because of course she could easily escape five people much bigger than her at any given moment. 

She decided to take a look around, at the various dusty books opened on pages she couldn't quite make out from where she was sitting. A few pages were laying around, either with diagrams or with scribbled notes. Had she really stumbled upon a cult? She couldn't wait to have a laugh about it with her family. 

"So," she started, craning her neck a little so she could see her captor's face. "Who you gonna sacrifice me to huh? I wanna know before you slice up my throat or whatever you're planning on." 

A confused and suspicious look was thrown her way, surely due to the complete nonchalance she spoke with about what would surely be her untimely death. "The… the devil," was his unsure reply. 

Nicole let out a small laugh. "Oh trust me, you do not want to meet her. Though devil is not quite the word," she continued despite a few other pairs of eyes landing on her. "Maybe a pissy fungal overlord with an unhealthy obsession for crows. Yes that's more like it," she finished with another chuckle. 

The man with a slightly different mask, who seemed to be their self appointed leader, got up from where he was nailing something to the floor and walked up to her in a few long strides. His eyes were barely visible, but anger was clearly distinguishable. 

He pulled out a knife, old, rusty and with a black worn out handle so typical of a kitchen utensil, and so incredibly ugly compared to the beautifully ornate daggers that decorated her home. She had to laugh when the dull blade got pressed to her throat. 

"Will you shut up for one minute?!" He raised his voice slightly, as much as someone who was doing something they didn't wish to be caught doing would dare to. It didn't deter her though. 

"Oh sweetie this is just what foreplay looks to me," she started with a grin that made her wish she had fangs like the better part of her relatives. "But please do me a favor and stay quiet, there's no fun in hunting if my darling finds you within five seconds due to you screeching like a broken squeaky toy." 

The man blinked for a few seconds, taken aback both by the words and by the apparent passivity towards having a knife at her throat. He stayed like that until one person that was working with some ropes behind interjected. 

"Of all the people you could've taken, how did you find this unhinged bitch?!" 

"I'll take that as a compliment," Nicole said, bending slightly to the side so the person that had spoken up would have a clear view of her sickly sweet smile. 

After that exchange, her captors seemed happy to move things along quicker, working in silence and begrudgingly ignoring any remarks she would throw their way, including an observation on the downright dreadful quality of the rope they had. Quality that she regrettably got to experience when her wrist and ankles got tied to the nails in the floor, having her lay down in a starfish position. It kind of reminded her of sprawling on the bed she shared with Cassandra simply to annoy the brunette. 

After loudly reciting something in latin, the leader bent down, same rusty knife in hand, and tipped her chin upwards to expose the neck. She did let out a wince when the blade sunk deep in her flesh and got dragged downward, towards her chest, leaving behind a choking sensation and the taste of copper in her mouth. The knife however only made it to the base of her neck, before the sound of metal crashing caught everyone's attention. 

"What the fuck," the man whispered, thankfully pulling the blade out so her skin had the time to begin stitching itself back together. She still had to turn her head around and spit some blood that made its way into her mouth. 

Before anyone else had a chance to speak up, the door was kicked open, one of the rusty hinges breaking completely, to reveal a rather angry Cassandra with her sickle in hand, ready for bloodshed. 

There were a few seconds of stunned silence before the blade was unceremoniously thrown into the first person's skull, spinning through the air for only a few meters before getting embedded into the bone with a sloshing sound. Anyone else trying to escape through the one door was met with a similar fate. One person had their knees kicked inwards before a knife held at the same belt as the sickle came down to slash their throat. Another had their head smashed to bits against the nearest wall in the blink of an eye. And last, the burly man that had driven and kept an eye on Nicole, had his heart ripped through the bottom of his ribcage when Cassandra shoved him against one of the tables, scattering the books and papers that were by then stained crimson. 

The remaining man, the leader, got grabbed by the shoulders and forcefully shoved into the same chair she had been sitting in not too long ago. 

"Stay put and I'll let you live," Cassandra spoke, all the cruelty polished over decades upon decades of sporting the title of the family's most sadistic coming through those few words. 

He gulped and nodded, eyes glossed over by the pure human terror now so unfamiliar to both of them. 

She then turned around, expression softening like a switch had been turned behind golden eyes. "Nicole," she started, barely an edge of concern and irritation at the sight of her wife's bloody skin. 

"Hi babe." The self satisfied grin almost had the brunette chuckling while she retrieved her sickle and Nicole's things. 

The weapon was used to cut her free, a grimace pulling the corners of her black lips downward at the same quality observation her wife had priorly made, no doubt. A hand was offered to Nicole to pull herself up, while the other presented the familiar dagger that was gifted to her so many years ago. 

"Will you do the honors love," Cassandra asked, with that beautifully sadistic smile. 

"Of course," came Nicole's reply as her hand wrapped around the leather covered handle. 

With some of the wretched ropes gathered from the ground, Cassandra made quick work of the man's hands and legs, securely tied to the chair and voice frantic. 

"You said you would let me live!" 

Cassandra laughed, a low ominous sound, while grabbing the mask and throwing it on the floor. She did love to see the terror in her victims' faces after all. 

"Unfortunately my wife made no such promises," she finished with a forceful pull of hair that kept his head in one place as she moved to the back of the chair. 

Nicole approached with the dagger already out of its holster and tapped the blade's point against her lips in thought for a few moments. She could simply slice his throat and be done with it, or stab him and leave him to bleed out, choking on his own blood. A hum made its way past her lips. No, no that would not do. 

She grabbed a fistful of the man's shirt, pulling it up almost to the neck. After a few mental measurements and approximations were made, the tip of the blade finally found its way into muscle, drawing thin trails of blood and pained screams. It took a good five minutes to carve all the intricate details she wanted to, the swirling patterns cutting cleanly through skin, courtesy of her wife keeping the blade sharp and in top condition. 

After she was content with the level of detail, and screams subsided to pathetic sobs, she took a step back and, with a hum, looked at Cassandra for a reaction. 

"Oh dearest," the brunette said, looking over the man's shoulder and down at the bloody cuts on his abdomen and chest, forming a crude yet not unfitting replica of the Dimitrescu crest. 

At the adoration that made its way past the cruelty in her wife's eyes, Nicole smiled and gingerly took a hold of her unoccupied hand, bringing it close to her lips and leaving a small kiss and a barely visible blood imprint on each knuckle. 

"I take it that you approve of my… design choice," she asked with another glance down at the jagged lines that formed their family's symbol. 

"It's wonderful," Cassandra replied, fangs shimmering slightly in the low light, exposed from the proud smile that tugged at her lips. 

A gorgeous smile, really, that made something swell inside Nicole's chest no matter how many times she saw it. Truth be told, her rendition of the crest was quite lacking, never having had the artistic skills to quite capture the intricate details that formed it. Nevertheless, if it brought a smile to her wife's lips, she was more than content with it. How unfortunate that it had to be ruined. 

She let out a sigh, still holding Cassandra's hand. "Too bad those pigs at the BSAA would quite disapprove of us leaving such things behind. Oh well," she shrugged, bringing the hand she was holding over to the man's abdomen. "Better it be ruined at your hands." 

The next second, claws dug deep into flesh, slicing the muscle and everything underneath all the way up to the throat. It left five deep gashes over the fine cuts of her dagger, but the satisfaction did not dwindle. On the contrary, when the gurgling sounds finally stopped and the body went limp, her smile was still there, turning into light laughter when Cassandra licked her fingers only to visibly cringe. 

"Say what you will about the dungeons, but at least we feed our livestock well," she spat, taking out a napkin from a pocket and wiping her fingers clean. "But with that disgusting thing out of the way, let me help you with that," she continued, grimace morphing into a sly smile when her eyes landed on Nicole's still bloody neck. 

She gave her no time to disagree, not that she would, before she pushed her backwards slightly into the edge of a table. Nicole wasted no time in lifting herself up on the wooden surface, bringing their faces just a tad closer to being on the same level. 

Cassandra dipped her head down, lips leaving teasing feather-like kisses on her jaw before lowering even further so she could drag her tongue up the length of her neck. It made a shiver run down Nicole's spine, that turned into an impatient tug of her wife's hair when the motion was repeated again and again, until no traces of blood could be seen on her neck, save for the crimson stains that made their way to the hem of her shirt. 

Their lips met in a hungry kiss, full of fangs and smeared lipstick and the taste of copper so familiar to the both of them, albeit for different reasons. When Nicole's hands went to the first buttons of Cassandra's blouse, their kiss was broken with a sly smirk. 

"This is such a dreadful place for such things, don't you think," the brunette said, all too amused by her wife's exasperated sigh. 

"You started it," Nicole complained, but before the words were fully out of her mouth, she was tugged off the table and on the way out, ready to get back home and have a laugh about the irony of her capture. They would have to pick up where they left off at a later time. 

SHADOW V SHADOW - reader x Azriel PROMPT -  I have a request. Can you make one where azriel's partner is kidnapped and tortured by people from the court of nightmares? then he gets desperate, but finally manages to find her, he arrives pissed off at the place and at the end of everything is right please?.

Rhys knew Azriel would never forgive him if he denied this request. His brother was practically vibrating with rage when he returned from Rask. His search for you took him to any whisper of  a lead he could find. Without another option, he requested - more of a demand but Rhys could see why- to pay Kier a visit.  Rhys gave Kier the courtesy of a day of preparation.  Azriel dressed in his darkest armor, and didn't hide the way his siphons glowed bright in the throne room. Rhys quieted the gathering with a hand, and Az let his shadows do the work. He scanned the crowd for anyone who looked to be nervous. Well, more nervous than usual in the presence of their high lord.  "I think you all know that we have been busy of late." Rhys drawled. He scanned the crowd as well, his mind flicking from one person to the next. "Back left, take him and leave. There may be more that notice you." Azriel walked off the platform, and turned to mist. + The first male to meet his end was the one who spat in his face and promised him that you were already dead. The next was smarter. He saw what was done to his friend and begged Azriel for mercy. "Your mate is locked far below." He quivered in his seat where Azriel had tied him. "But he watches her. He watched over us all."  "Who?" Azriel ground out, the tip of his dagger carving a crescent into the high cheekbone of the noble Fae. "Riker, he's below. He's far below, where Kier's magic does not touch."  "You've been useful." Azriel nodded, then jutted his dagger into the male's stomach. His hands did not shake. He wiped them on the male's tunic and left the body where it was tied. He had more digging to do, apparently.  And Kier was the first person he would ask. + "Who's Riker?" Rhys asked casually, holding Kier's mind in the now empty throne room. Kier's body twitched in defiance of Rhy's control.  "I dont-" Kier gasped. Azriel stepped closer to the male, menacing. The shadows crept up Kier's legs. Azriel did not flinch when Rhys' power squeezed the breath from him. "Dont be shy. Tell us all about it." Rhys coaxed. Finally, Kier gave the slightest nod. And Rhys let him drop to the floor, gasping for air. Azriel kept his shadows around the male, just in case. "Riker was a story. A legend from when I was a child. No one has heard of him since the Final Battle of the Prison." He gasped, and sputtered on the floor. When he looked up, his eyes were bloodshot. They still narrowed at Rhysand.  "What were the legends of?" Azriel demanded, ready to let his tendrils of darkness assert themselves over the male. Kier managed a laugh, then looked to both of them quizzically. "You're serious." He sighed, and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Rhys was not amused. His claws danced along the edge of his consciousness. "He was a horror to all. Not a Fae.. not really. He possessed the bodies of fae to do his bidding. Like a poison, he takes control and forces you to do as he wishes. If its killing, or stealing, or fucking. Anything. You have no control."  Azriel's stomach dropped to the floor.  He and his brother glanced at each other, and Rhys nodded a curt dismissal to Kier. "Dont look for him. He will use your magic to destroy anything." He warned, giving Rhys a long look before limping from the throne room. + "The shadow will bring freedom to us. We will leave this hole and be free." The priestess said, as if reading from a book. See recited the words like they were Holy. You cringed in disgust. It wasnt the first time you'd heard one of the eyeless creatures say it, but it was one of the scariest encounters since you'd been taken. The dead eyes of the withering priestess were haunting. Perhaps taken was the wrong word. You seemed to just wake up and decide to start walking. Your mind screamed against what you were doing, but you couldn't stop. Your bare feet led you from your bed and Azriel, down the ten thousand steps, and through rocky terrain of the mountainside. You walked and walked, feet bleeding until you came to the small rock crevice in the side of the mountain.  You fought yourself, your mind panicked. Your body squeezed between the crack though, and you tried to reach down your bond to Azriel again. A dark shadow that was not him clamped down on your mind. Your panicked thoughts dissipated, and you couldn't remember why you were fighting anymore. You walked expertly down the worn path through the rocks, as if you'd walked it a million times before. The dripping walls let in a minimal cold whisk of air. And without thinking, you walked yourself into a cell at the end of the long hall. And sat in the center of it.  The priestess that locked the door behind you was withering. Her cheekbones sunk in, and the opal atop her head was gray, dull. "Welcome." She said, voice otherworldly.  + Azriel circled the mountain at least fifty times before he landed. Cassian was waiting for him at the small entrance they had found. "All clear, let's go." Azriel placed a hand on the pale rock and ducked his head inside. Cassian grabbed his wrist. "We need to be careful. Rhys cant help us once we go in there." He gave his brother a stern look. Azriel brushed off the concern, but nodded.  The path was well worn into the stone. And there was where Azriel picked up the first hint of your presence since you had been taken. His heart painfully kicked up speed. The blood on the floor was minimal, but it was there. Cassian noted it too, and set a pace too slow going forward. Azriel wished he could let his muscles be free to run straight down the long hall and find you. He listened to his brother though, trusting him more than his instincts. The sight of you was the biggest relief he'd ever had. Then, the biggest fear. Your eyes were dull, hollow. He tried reaching for your bond, but it was gray and limp. Like there was nothing at the other end of it. He called for you, then he was screaming down the tendril that once was light and happiness.  And nothing called back. Cassian's breath caught in his throat, Azriel turned to his brother. Shock was there in his eyes, and gut wrenching terror.

 A dark spindling shadow was curling around him, seeping the hazel from his eyes and replacing it with the same dull gray that stained yours. He was frozen. As hard as he tried, Cassian couldn't fight the tinging fog that possessed him. It crept into his mind "Hello, lord of bloodshed...." They whispered to him. 

 Azriel threw himself at his brother, knocking the shadows away with his siphons. His own dark mist fought the fog that slowly filled the room. The fight was intense between them, Az's darkness was losing. They sputtered to life and kept them at bay while Cassian recovered from the shadowsinger's blow. "Go. Take my mate and run." Azriel growled at him.  Cassian's eyes went wide, and he glanced to the cell where you sat. He and Azriel went into action at the same time, Azriel striking the dark figure that seeped down from the ceiling. Human in shape, but it revelaed nothing beyond that. It was a ghost, a large demon waiting to strike. It hovered over the Illyrians, and they began a fight against a shadow itself.

It was a trap. Idiot. His mind screamed at him. Cassian blasted his shield out, knocking your cell door out of the way. You didn't move. Az's stomach flipped, his eyes piercing you. But you did not feel it. You didn't feel a damned thing, even as your mind thrashed against the control the demon had. "Shadows will free you...." The dark tendrils whispered into your mind. Then, the room went totally dark. Ravik's power coursed through the ancient stone walls. Cassian barreled into the fight with his brother, shoving the dark figure back. The black clouds swirled around their fighting forms. It grew and grew until Az couldn't see his own siphons anymore. 

He gave a final scream down your bond, latching on to that link and pulling. Then he saw the fog there. The layer that overtook your thoughts. "Spread this sickness. Spread the knowledge. Love the Master." They chanted. It made his stomach coil. He went deeper into your mind and pushed, pushed out and kept that shadow away long enough for you to do the rest yourself. You shoved and fought and kicked it away. Your mind was exhausted, but you held onto Az's cool grip like it was a tether to reality. Then, you saw everything clearly again.  The darkness that encapsulated the two Illyrians avoided you. Like a bubble, they spared you from the blindness that kept Az and Cas from killing their target. You saw the golden sword strapped to Az's back instead of Truth Teller. And the reason they freed you instead of fighting first became clear. You took the sword from its sheath and shoved it into the figure between the brothers. Morrigan's sword sputtered light through the dark folds of the shadows. It hissed and popped, then.. it was gone. The shadows consumed it, then the golden light started seeping from every corner of the room. The light was blinding, then it was ringing. The piercing sound rattled the floor, then the walls. The sound of rock cracking and reforming was loud only for a second. Az felt the blood running down his jaw from his ears. His shadows turned him into wind itself. He took you and Cassian with him, and led him winnowed out of the crumbling mountainside. His wings flared, keeping you from plummeting to the ground together on the exit. Cas was right beside him, used to the strange feeling of Azriel's form of winnowing.  The ground shook where you landed on the coast line. The morning light shone through the dust that erupted from the top and side of the mountain. The house of wind on the diagonal side remained intact. But the opposing side collapsed, rolling boulders and trees and dirt all the way down to the ocean. The waves could not stand against such a force. Cassian kept a shield up just in case. Cries of terror sounded from Velaris. Az fell to his knees in the wet sand, and hid his face in his palms.  "Az... It's okay." You breathed, falling to his side with him. "Where's-" "He's gone. I can feel it. You killed him." You said with a hysterical laugh. The memories of being locked in the cell seemed dim now. Azriel stared at the trees and dirt falling, revealing the inside of the mountain that bordered Velaris. He tugged on the bond and you smiled, pulling him close to you. He rested his head on your shoulder as you observed the destruction together.  "I'll check for any injured..." Cassian took off, flying high above the ruins once they settled. Winged pets of the Hewn city began flying out of the mountain. Rhys was landing beside you and Az in an instant. "This is coming out of your paychecks." He said with a smile. Az couldn't spare one back. The terror of what he had released into Prythian dampened the mood. "We killed it. We did this." You spoke softly to him. Trying to ease the guilt he felt. He brushed you off. "As if you had a choice. It was a trap for Cass and I. One that I fell into so easily that-" You shook him through the bond, jarring him out of his despair. "Dont be so self centered." You thought, the tingle of a wink flowing through you. His feelings were a mask to you. "Dont do that." You were getting more and more frustrated with him by the second.  You caught him by the hand and wrapped around him in the sand, not caring if you got dirty. The ocean behind you roared and crashed, fighting against the new land that had spilled into it. "He already owes Mor another sword, take it easy on him." Cassian joked with the high lord. He landed with a softness that left the sand dry where his wings swooped down. The sheer power of him was waiting for its turn to be let loose. You could tell by those siphons flaring repeatedly.  Az's were dull. You clamped down on your frustration. Cassian began his report. "Some of the.. darker monsters wont live. But the smarter ones are already tunneling down. The court of Nightmares seems to be waiting it out." He spoke with expertise, staring as the dust settled on the mountainside.  The four of you stared at the ruined hillside for a long while. There were no injuries. No deaths. the cave in was so far from the borders of the Hewn city that the worst damage done was a few broken sculptures inside the throne room. The dust finally settled and you still watched, even as night fell. Rhys left to deal with the repercussions of the madness, but Azriel stayed wrapped around you, peeking at the ruin every now and then. He tried to hold back the waves of fear and shame that threatened to overtake him. You felt them there, and didn't push him. Cassian's breath caught. Then, a few brave souls ventured out of the tunnel systems that had been exposed. You watched tensely, observing how the group behind them reacted. They marveled at the twilight sun setting over the ocean. Rhys flew high above them, circling. Ready to destroy if they threatened the city. After a few moments of staring at the ocean and outside world, they turned back inside.  The high lord landed besides you again, his power blooming from him. Waiting to be released. Rhys sighed, and folded his wings in. "The court of nightmares just may be the new twin city of Velaris."