🌠 ᴀ ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪᴅɴɪɢʜᴛ ʀɪᴅᴇʀ 🌠

[Tenzai]

ᴀ ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪᴅɴɪɢʜᴛ ʀɪᴅᴇʀ

To whoever's visiting this thread, hello and welcome!

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴍᴏᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ | 1ɴᴏɴʟʏ
0:00ㅇ──────── 2:26
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This thread was made to hold side stories that couldn't be immediately slotted in within 𝔸𝕟 𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕚𝕕𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 ℂ𝕒𝕗𝕖, a pm story written in a sci-fi fantasy universe by @song and I. Each one of these posts are meant to build upon the backgrounds and histories of its diverse cast of characters as well as the lore of the galaxy and its resident species, cultures, and factions. As such, the timeline of these posts might not be particularly congruent as most of them are self-contained, but they all serve a purpose in detailing the canon, core memories of its characters.

Note to future self. Make cool ass gif for this thread.

 

[Tenzai]

"Able, do you read me?"

A smoke break had always calmed his nerves before missions.​

"Loud and clear, Sev. What's the plan?" Able's earpiece had buzzed to life with chatter from the other fireteams while the hero brought up his plans. They were assigned to an operation to eliminate a rebel commander hiding out within his corporation's headquarters. The seventh hero wasn't the type to lead grand armies like the first, nor was he the type to deliver commands from his vessel. Instead, he was proficient in striking from behind enemy lines and organizing schemes that involved small groups to excise the cancers of the galaxy with surgical precision.

While staring down the citadel that held their next target, the demon took another puff of his cig, blowing it in the direction of his sniper-wielding partner. "Hey, Abe. Give me some of that." Hecate grabbed his attention, pulling his cig out of his mouth to take a puff of it herself. She didn't care about the social stigma that came from looking "involved" with the rebellious, hero-summoned mercenary. To her, he was someone that she could rely on as a spotter and as a friend. Her life was in his hands. Likewise, so was his life in hers. They learned to function together as a unit, relying on each other for each others' weaknesses.

"What? Forget to bring your own, Cait? Don't tell me you've drunk so much that you forgot to bring some ammo too." Able rolled his eyes, chuckling as he pulled out another. Though, before he was able to light it, Hecate pulled the cig out of her mouth and placed it back into his. "No dumbass. I didn't bring a pack on purpose since I knew you were coming along with me." She smirked, turning his eyes towards his lips. "And learn to lighten up a little, would ya? God's. Its no wonder why you're single." The demon grumbled, uncaring of the taste of her lips and saliva. "Oh haha. Funny... Coming from the girl who needed me to kill a flying leech for her." Her face turned red at the embarrassing memory. "Oh fuck you! You know those things are fucking scary! Nothing that small should have wings and teeth at the same time! NOTHING! Besides, aren't you afraid of ghosts?"

The two laughed, always finding comfort in their bickering. It was their slice of life, something that sweetened their already shitty days. Bickering had become their favored method of passing the time, helping them in enjoying the lulls that came during the long breaks in between mission deployment and execution. They were used to spending days together while Seven and the other fireteams had scouted out the enemy well in advance. As a result, they never felt the need to act as anyone else other than themselves; They had no need to. Regardless of whether they liked or hated each other, they were forced to be together at the end of the day.

---

As their day turned to night, the two had sat atop a building rooftop assigned to them. Their mission location had changed once their leading hero had received new information from the scouting teams. Their quarry was on the top floor, guarded by men on each way towards the top. With anti-aircraft defenses on the roof, it meant that whatever engagement that would occur next would have to involve pushing through their entrance or striking from away using something that can't be detected by their radar systems. While the pair looked up to the starry sky, watching as the stars had glittered above them, she was the first to break the silence. "Hey, Abe."

"What is it? I don't have any more cigs to spare."

"If something happened to us... I... Thank you."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ɪ ᴡᴀɴɴᴀ ꜰʟʏ | ꜰᴜᴅᴀꜱᴄᴀ, ᴋʜᴀʀʏ, & ʟᴏᴠᴇ-ꜱᴀᴅᴋɪᴅ​

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I wanna fly can you take me far away
And give me a star to reach for tell me what it takes
And I'll go so high I'll go so high my feet won't touch the ground
Just stitch my wings and pull the strings about these dreams that all fall down​

Able raised an eyebrow, tossing his sniper a curious glance. It wasn't like her to be sentimental. "Thanks for what? I haven't done anything for you." Hecate shook her head in abject refusal, finding a different Able beside her than the one he believed himself to be. "You were there for me. Every single time. That's more than I could have ever asked for." She leaned her head on his shoulder, staring further beyond the stars. "Of course, I'd be. You're my sniper, you idiot. I'm your spotter. No one else is going to take that spot away from you."

She yawned, finding herself lucky to share this moment with him. As she turned, her eyes had blurred. She was extremely farsighted, so much so that her eyes made it difficult to function with anything up close without another's help. Yet, despite her disability and her standoffish attitude, Able had always helped her. Throughout their ride together in the galaxy, he and Sev had remained as the only constants in her life. Seeing the death around her had made her insensitive to all else but the faces that kept reappearing in her memories. "After the war's over. What do you think you'd like to be?... I'd like to be a painter."

"A painter? Cait. No offense, but you could barely see. I... I'm gonna support you with whatever you want to do regardless, but please. Set your eyes on something realistic. I don't want you wasting your time on something that won't work out. You deserve better than that." His sister in arms had reached over to his chin, turning his face towards her as the stars had sparkled on his face. "Fine. Then I want to see you happy." Even if the world was blurry around her. Even if it was only the stars that could be seen in all of its beauty, Hecate had felt as though she could see Able in perfect clarity. She was his other half, her spotter, her best friend. She didn't need to see him with her eyes to know him. With time, every detail of his face and body had been inscribed in great detail, leaving behind only one blur left to decipher: His real smile. "Abe, can you do me a favor?"

Able gulped, wondering what type of sick torment had run through her mind. However, it was seeing her crimson eyes stare into his own like this that had always left a lingering desire to follow through with her wishes. When her eyes sparkled and her voice became soft, he saw her as one of the galaxy's priceless treasures; A friend that he could never say no too; One of the few special people that held sway in his demonic hearts. "What is it? Just tell me. And no, before you ask, I'm not going to help you get out of doing push ups again." The demon grew quiet, listening for her request. "I want to see you smile. Just once, please?" Able blushed. "Are you sure? I'm not that good at it." The more he stared at his sniper, the more he realized how much conviction she held with her request. She truly meant what she said.

"Ugh, fine. How's this, Cait?"

"Wow... You suck at it." Hecate chuckled, taking a picture to save on her phone.

"You should practice more. I think you have a really good smile underneath it all~"​

 

[Tenzai]

"BE STILL, WORM. Cease your petty squabbling. Halt and witness the judgement of the kami."

"Wow.... You really think you're getting Raf wet with that?"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ɢᴏᴅᴢɪʟʟᴀ! | ꜱxᴍᴘʀᴀ
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𝔽𝕦𝕔𝕜 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕞𝕖
𝔹𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕀'𝕞 𝕒 𝔾𝕠𝕕​

Love born of hubris. That's what led to the third hero challenging the second to one-on-one combat once they were alone. The heavens had such an arrogant way of showing off their pride for their flawless warrior creations. As the Eighth hero had told him; By beating an angel in a combat duel, any species, no matter how mundane, would get the right to change the conditions of or void any divine contract. The amount of confidence they held in guaranteed, absolute victory had always pissed the human hero off.

To finally have a chance to wipe their smug grins off their faces while earning the hand of the woman he loved most in the process, Sen had felt no greater calling than this. It didn't matter whether he was among the weakest of the galactic heroes. It didn't matter whether his opponent was the premier archangel Gabriel himself. He was committed to winning this duel; His two primary motivations being: Winning a future with his beloved angel, Gabriel's wife by contract and not of love, Rafaela, and defending the pride of the human race.

To the kami that gave Gabriel his many blessings however, Sen was the antagonist of his story. Behind the mortal, slave rebel stood the combined rebellious spirit of the few humans that still remained in the galaxy. He was of a dying species, a minority born into mediocrity meant only to die quickly. Yet, he refused the fate dealt to most of his kind. By investing in himself through all means, his body became an amalgamation of magic and science. Uncaring of where his power came from, Sen struck deals with the enemies of heaven, of those mechanical, soulless, and demonic, to convert himself into the ultimate weapon. In spite of the gods, he turned himself into a symbol of defiance against their omnipotent, holy authority; Sen was their anathema.

Unlike the mortal races beneath them, they had little need of technological innovation. For the proud gods above, there was no need to improve upon perfection. For an eternity, they have ruled the other species of the galaxy through their sheer contrast in power, wallowing in their golden castles filled with the echoes of their worship in hopes that their blessing would rain down upon their subjects. To Sen, there was no better weapon more humbling to send them crashing down from their self-proclaimed heights than a man born of the species more ordinary than all else: A human slave with an anger intense enough to scorch the heavens; The terrorist of heaven.

"Is that all you got, muscle head?"

"I've met humans who could fight better than you."​

With every collision of their blades came the booms of thunder amidst the storm of steel. Surrounded by passing clouds, sparks had rained from above while the two had clashed atop an airship. Fortunately for Sen, the angel had underestimated just how far he'd come as a human, giving him an opportunity to keep up with the second hero. He had specialized every mechanical component and magical rune on his body just for this moment, studying the angel's moves in hope that every advantage Gabriel had over the mortal would be nullified.

"Your poor taste in words only comes second to your poor sense of judgement." The archangel taunted, wielding both hands as he delivered calamity. Regardless of how much planning could be done against him, he was still the clear victor when it came to overwhelming strength. He did not need the troublesome ploys that the other heroes' had grown accustomed to using for the sake of victory when he himself was more than enough to win every battle. The gods had ensured his victory the moment he drew his blade. No one, not the contracted demonic princes that watched Sen with interest nor the mechanical constructs that blessed Sen with his special eyes and limbs, would be able to take that away. "You're lasting a lot longer than I expected. Good. It means I get to break you down for longer. The gods yearn for your defeat, Sen. To make you an example. Be obedient and surrender."

"Put down your weapon."

"You've lost, already."​

Gabriel's back had shed his wings, striking with his winged carapace as though they were as deadly as his divine weapon itself. Defending against strikes from all three, Sen was forced to go on the defensive, his eyes squinting as it tried to navigate the brightness of the sun that struck back at him. "Gods, you're so fucking annoying with this holier than thou bullshit." The human's eyes had begun to dim to control for the offensive levels of holy light. Though, try as he might to increase the speed of his body, he knew he had a limited amount of time.

Sen had limits to his magic reserves. His body parts could overheat if pushed beyond the limit for too long. Regardless, he still needed to win. Even if this battle would do little to assist the reunification efforts, for the human hero, this victory took precedence over all else. He was fighting for her smile. He was fighting for his family. Sen was fighting for a future he was denied by the gods and he would stop at nothing in order to achieve it... Even if it cost him his pride and his life. The more he analyzed his probability for victory through the endless lines of code that ran through his supercomputer assisted brain, the more he realized that the longer he'd fight, the more likely he'd lose.

Gabriel was too fast to dodge and too strong to block. He was everything his myth had proclaimed to be, heaven's walking calamity. In order for the human to stand a chance against the natural disaster in front of him, he needed to cheat. Fighting an angel fairly was a surefire way to end up as ashes and it wasn't like there were outside observers to judge. The terms of their bout were simple: If Sen were to bring him down, he would win. There was no limits or regulations in regards to what the human could do; This was the angel's way of giving the human ample opportunity to struggle for the delight of the gods that blessed him. Before he was given an opportunity to scheme, his blade had swung its last.

"Your sword has failed you."​

The shattering of his weapon spelled the end of his resolve.​

"I wonder how close are you to breaking too?"​

​

Sen had grown silent. His weapon was in pieces, shattered down to its hilt. "Oh? Have nothing to say?" The angel had approached him, lifting up his soon-to-be sacrifice to the gods for all to see. "They're watching you, Sen. Laughing at your weakness. Judging you for your unforgivable crime of hubris." His blade had irradiated, mocking the difference in strength. He was better than the human by all definitions, his birthright had made it so. "Smiting you would be too kind. Perhaps, I'll offer you a chance at mercy. Go ahead, beg for their forgiveness so you may be spared my blade. I don't wish for your filthy blood to stain any inch of it."

"Fine."

𝕀'𝕞 𝕒 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕝𝕖𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕡𝕦𝕤𝕤𝕪 𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝕞𝕖 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕀 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕗𝕚𝕥
𝕀'𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕒 𝕡𝕚𝕖𝕔𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕗𝕦𝕔𝕜𝕚𝕟' 𝕡𝕦𝕫𝕫𝕝𝕖
ℕ𝕠𝕥 𝕒 𝕟𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕠𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕥 𝕓𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙
𝕀'𝕞 𝕒 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕓𝕠𝕕𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕜𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕕𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕞𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘​

Without question, he lowered himself in the eyes of all the stars above. If that was what he needed to do to grant himself an opening, it was worth the shame and mockery. There would be no crime against the gods more delicious than to injure the perfect archangel in front of all the gods that looked down on him. Gabriel paid little mind to the sudden shift in his behavior, walking over to him before placing his boot on the back of the human's head. "To think, you would ever believe yourself to be of my level. Thinking of a future with my Rafaela. How foolish. What hubris. You make me sick." Gabriel placed weight on his foot, forcing the human to kiss the ground that he stepped on. "Unworthy of me speaking your name."

"Fuck you." His hands had finally found the perfect place. Within an instant, he pushed himself away, tossing dirt at the angel's eyes. "What? You're still willing to fight even after... That?" Sen wiped the dirt from his brow, before aiming the hilt at his angelic offender. "Ha, so you wish to suffer longer. To struggle? With a hilt? What good is a weapon that can't be used to swing?" The gods above had laughed, recording every minute of their battle in the hopes that their greatest enemy would embarrass himself even further.

Bang.

A splash of blood. A puff of smoke.​

His sword wasn't simply a sword. Instead, it was a well disguised gun capable of firing rounds that could pierce angelic flesh. It was meant to be a hidden weapon; A trick that the eighth hero had instilled in him when serving together. He understood that if he approached Gabriel with his pistol drawn, he wouldn't have been given an opportunity to aim somewhere critical. Though, by fighting him where he was weakest, he was able to create an opening, wounding the angel and sending him to his knees while in front of Gabriel's favored gods.

"Oh? What happened to all that shit you were talking about earlier, you cocky piece of shit?" He fired another magic round into his chest, uncaring of committing the crime of regicide. He held little need for the kindness of the gods when they already subjected him to the worst fates imaginable. "A shitty weapon? Have you fucking seen yourself in the mirror? Using swords in this fucking millennium? REALLY?!" Sen fired another round, each bullet refusing to give the angel an opportunity to heal. They were all meant to inflict the most pain possible.

"And I don't want to hear a fucking thing about how much better you are for Raf. You don't fucking know a damn THING about her!" Sen's voice had gotten angry, avoiding unloading the rest as though he wanted to keep the angel conscious throughout his spiel. The gods above had looked in horror, finding their divine warrior on his knees. "Contract marriage? You fucking think that signing a fucking pact would make you understand LOVE?! You don't know a damn thing about sacrifice! You don't how it feels to lose the people you love over the pride of overpowered spoon-fed bitch boys like you."

His throat had grown sore, revealing the extent of pent up aggression he held towards his angelic rival. They were two opposites: A flawed human that understood love and loss and a perfect angel who was gifted everything from birth. "You angels and you kami all think alike. Think you know everything; That you are perfect in every single stupid fucking way. Let me ask you a question. Get it right, and I might just let you lose with dignity." The angel grumbled angrily, struggling to heal off his injuries.

"Tell me. What's Raf's birthday? Hmm?" The angel gave a half-assed response. "There's no need to concern yourself over birthdays when you live for an eternity." Sen had fired another round, whipping the angel's face with the butt of his gun. "The first day of the year, and you can't remember that much?! What was all the shit I heard about your omnipotence?!"

The human rolled his eyes. "What's her favorite drink and what does she love mixing it with?" The angel shook his head. "Why do we need to think about food and drink when we have no need to eat? Worship is all we need. Not the sustenance of mortals- ARGH!" Sen fired again. "Ambrosia and spiced ham. Sometimes with cheese. Have you ever fucking took her on a date?" Wherever the human lacked as a partner, he made up for in memory. By understanding his own mortality, he made the most of his time, even when cursed with immortality.

"Final question. Gods, you fucking suck. What's Raf's favorite sex position?" The angel boasted. "Missionary! The only position worthy of an angel." Sen's eyes grew wide. "Wow, you're just as boring as she said you were... Out of every answer, you tell me THE ONLY WRONG ONE. ANYTHING BUT YOU FUCKING IDIOT!" Instead of firing one round, he kicked the angel to the floor, emptying his magazine.

"I bet you don't even know how she sounds when she cums, DO YOU?!"

𝔹𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕀'𝕞 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕪 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕚𝕟'𝕥 𝕒 𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕞𝕖
ℝ𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕞𝕖 𝕦𝕡 𝕚𝕟 𝕒 𝕓𝕒𝕘 𝕓𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥?​

"Doing the bare minimum just for the sake of your contract. It's appalling that you angels even consider marriage, love up there." Sen's gun had fired its last shell, leaving him with nothing left to fight with. "I guess, from the terms of our agreement. I won." The human was tired. His mana reserves were exhausted. His body was steaming from every exhaust port. Though, before he had a chance to celebrate, he felt a spell slam into him from behind. "What the..." Sen's body was sent to the floor.

"To think, I'd be doing the heavens' work by coming here." The tenth hero had clapped his hands, watching the angel slowly get up from the ground. Without giving Sen an opportunity to stand, shadowy chains had kept him bound to the ground where he lay. "...Fuck are you doing?! Ten? This was supposed to be a duel!" The vampire clapped his hands, smirking as he looked down at the bound human. "I know. I'm just here to make good on a promise. You did such a great job winning, Sen. I'm so proud of you."

Gabriel had looked away, standing up as he reached for his fallen weapon. "Just do what you have to, Ten. Don't speak of this to anyone, you understand?" Ten chuckled. "Oh? And fight against you? I wouldn't dare think of it." The fanged hero had reached down towards Sen's head as Gabriel's weapon had glowed with the fiery anger of the gods. "As for you you, Sen. You have lost your right to love her, as were the terms of the duel." Using Sen's amplified emotions against him, he began to contort his memories of that night against his will. "You lying ffffuck?! I'm nnnot going to stop loving her!"

"Good. It'll make your isolation serve better as a punishment."

"For as long as I breathe, your fond memories of her will cease."​

The angel had branded Sen's face, leaving behind a painful tattoo of his own number to remind himself of his loss. As his memories had given way to the influence of Ten's magic, the only human victor against the heavens had his life torn against his will again. No one was going to defy the will of the kami by claiming victory over their favorite without consequence. Angels were never meant to lose.

𝔽𝕦𝕔𝕜 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕞𝕖
𝔹𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕀'𝕞 𝕒 𝔾𝕠𝕕​

 

[Tenzai]

"So random question."

"If you had to choose a hero to fuck, who would it be?"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇʀ | ᴋᴜᴅᴀꜱᴀɪʙᴇᴀᴛꜱ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Hidden within the chilly recesses of the frozen planet of Niflheim III stood a resort called the Fólkvangr. It was a vacation site that stood as a testament to the frost demons clan's resilience in making the most of the cold wasteland they called home. While most species would consider their world inhospitable, a barren environment void of opportunity and intelligent life; Through willpower and a sheer stubbornness, they have forged themselves a paradise amidst the heated springs. Built atop a series of geothermal vents, a wooden lodge built from Khronnirix planks had acted as a respite from the cold for weary travelers exploring the rimworlds that sat on the galaxy's furthest reaches.

To hide out after the dramatic fallout that occurred in securing the first hero's rescue on Yokoso II, the heroes of the Midnight Cafe have decided to disappear into the outskirts of the galaxy while taking the opportunity to relax and recuperate. Stationed here, the crew of the ship had decided to enjoy the recreational luxuries the resort had to offer. It served as a reprieve from the day to day shifts usually run to maintain the cafe and its attached bar. Even while packed with ember kitsunes and ice demons as a result of the wedding that were to take course within the next few days, it did little to shift their desire to embrace the heated, healing waters of the steamy oasis.

The demon janitor among them had offered a question to break the silence of the springs. After all they went through together, the boys of the ship were deserving of an opportunity to spend time together free from the threats and daily responsibilities. While the others have thought over a response to Able's question, Fate was the first to respond. "... I think, Twelve is my favorite." His friends had given him an odd glance. While the Eighth hero was expected as the default answer, to imagine the Twelfth being chosen first was a surprise.

The Twelfth Hero.

Rio, The Human Pirate Princess.​

"Fucking Rio? Why her? She's annoying. Rude as shit. And dude, she's gay as fuck- ... Unless you have a hate boner for the heavens like Three does." Able rolled his eyes, smiling as he was reminded of his time with the human pirate queen. While serving alongside her during the reunification wars, he recalled the other heroes treating her as one of the two little sisters of the entire group. Even though she might have acted cute sometimes around the fourth hero, she was an absolute menace to all else. She was usually caught bickering with one of the other heroes if not making out with another pretty face from one of the staff aboard her ship.

"I really like how forward she is, Able." Fate pressed his pointer fingers together embarrassedly, sinking further into the hot water. "Like, if she likes you. You'll know she likes you. She acts as she feels and she doesn't hide any of it! I don't think it would be the same with Yan or Rafaela." The quiet god had turned his eyes away from Able's, nervous yet committed to his answer. "A-and, I think she's really hot but not... Dangerously hot like the others." Able judged his choice, squinting further at the god's shrinking form. "If you're in to being dommed. Just tell me already." He laughed. "Nah, you're right. If you were her type, she'd treat you well unlike certain other heroes." He coughed, thinking of his master's obsessive, infatuated brother, Ten.

The eight foot robot scratched his chin while the other two bantered, looping through his programming to determine the best answer given his knowledge of the heroes' history, their physical statistics, and their biological makeup. "In regards to my physical dimensions, I believe that Thirteen would serve as the best sexual partner. She might be the only one that could fit me without stretching to unsafe levels." Thirteen was a slime. Given her species' biology, her form was well-known to be malleable. They could stretch and be deformed without negative consequences. They could be contorted at will before returning back to their normal form once the process of coitus was complete. To Io, this made her unmatched in the sexable category. The others would serve as poorer options for his mechanical extension.

The Thirteenth Hero.

Echo, the Eco-Terrorist Slime Goddess.​

"Her composure is only matched by Eight and Sixteen. The demeanor she speaks and acts with feels professional and intentional. It also helps that her species is known for secreting excess lubricant as well." He had kept going on and on with his reasoning. "While organic species may struggle with her toxic composition, it would do little to affect me. My plasteel frame is resilient against organic toxins; As such, I believe I would be able to please her given her particular average mass and physical build." The robot had cupped his hands in the water, pouring it over himself to mimic the motions he carefully researched on the spa's website. Even if he wasn't able to feel the soothing waters to the same extent as his brethren, his sensors were simulating the comforting warmth that the water had brought inside his CPU. Io had liked it here. It was much more calming than the holy battlefields of his life before his metal cage.

After the other two had voiced their decisions, they swapped their focus to the remaining runaway prince that sat beside them. "So what about you, Dai?" Fate had raised a curious glance. While he had the ability to read the future, he always loved playing the part of keeping certain answers hidden. To be surprised by an answer was a thought more endearing to the timeless entity than boring omnipotence. "Have you ever given it any thought before?"

The robot to his side had buzzed in. "My predictive models suggest he would feel the most arousal from Eight. While Five might share more compatibility as a result of being from the same species, his search history would suggest otherwi-" Dai tossed his towel at the robot's speaker. "WE DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT I LOOK UP, IO!" The fae prince interrupted him. "Gods, I swear you sometimes don't know when to hold back do you? Ugh." He sighed, before turning back to Able.

​

"He's right. I'd choose Eight over the rest in a heartbeat." Able smirked, already thinking of a comeback. However, Dai gave him little room to respond. "I get it, I get it. Its the most basic option. Like, everyone likes her. She's hot as hell. Her personality's magnetic. Her voice is perfect. Whatever, right?" He leaned closer, hushing his tones to whisper over to the other boys. "But you wanna know why I really like her?"

The Eight Hero.

Yan, the Vampire Pariah.

". . . Something tells me she's different in the bedroom."​

Able's eyes grew wide, recalling of him finding his master and her breeding inside of the cockpit. The memory was enough to take him aback, coughing as he turned away to regain his composure. "W-what makes you say that, Dai." His face was blushing red as he acted as though it was the result of the alcohol they drank earlier. "Well, when you're around certain people enough..." Dai hinted at his time with nobility. In combination with his training as a perfect husband for a princess, he was used to being around others who wore noble facades to cover up their hedonism behind closed doors. "... You tend to pick up on certain cues that suggest how people are when they're in private. I mean..."

Dai's confidence in his ability to read the lewd behaviors of others began to bleed out. "I don't think its hard to read what you and Merri have been doing ever since celebrating your birthday in Yokoso." Despite being the smallest man in the spa, he was wielding a massive presence in the crew. "The stains Able? Really? Its like you two aren't even trying to hide it anymore." He gave a devilish smile, wearing a face that only Tayena would see in her lewdest nightmares. "Don't think I'm the only one who could see the smudged lipstick on your neck. The glistening shine of saliva while you two are working shifts too? Its obvious. Too obvious." Before shifting the attention towards Able's sex life further, Io had brought up a question towards the demon.

"So who would you choose, Able? Merri isn't around to find out, so I don't think she'd mind if you gave us your opinion. Which hero would you prefer?" Able closed his eyes to think, shifting his mind away from the signs of Merri on his body. Since he was a veteran of the war, unlike the other members of the crew, he held knowledge of every heroine's vices.

Rafaela was an arrogant bitch who was rumored to peg her partners if her bedroom wasn't dead enough already; Cassandra was too weird for his tastes, preferring the company of ghosts and spirits compared to physical people; Yan already had enough baggage to deal with and it was hard not to see her sucking and fucking her way up to the top too; Levy was known to crack puns and field humor during the most serious of moments, making her a great friend but a terrible lover; Rio was too much of a rabid bitch of a sister for him to see her as anything but; Echo was too much like Sen, toxic as hell and motivated by spite... and she was a terrorist; Cleo was too cold and serious for his liking, married to her job while seeing other people as an inconvenience; And June would turn into Jun at inopportune times. Being with her would be gambling on which hero you were going to get every ten minutes. To Able, all of these issues had left only one real answer:

The Ninth Hero.

Mei, the Shapeshifting, Kitsune Spirit Assassin​

While she might have fought against him as his enemy once, she always wielded a carefree personality that Able could vibe with. Mei had never taken anything too seriously unless it impeded her autonomy. She was a demon herself, giving him a layer of understanding unlike anything else with the other heroes too. When it came down to his reasons of why she was the best of the heroines, Mei was reliable, an easy sight on the eyes, and able to shapeshift into any form she desired. What this meant was that, by being with her, he got to be with anyone.

"My vote's with Nine. I mean... Yeah, the other girls all have something special about them too but... Their downsides are fucking huge- I served with them so I know how much of a mess they all are." He leaned back against the rocks, looking up at the stars above. "At least with Nine, she feels like the one with the least drawbacks. When I fought with her back then, she was the only girl I had fun fighting with..." His face turned red at the thought of how she usually flirted with her allies and enemies. "And hey? Who said villains can't be sexy right?"

As the other boys had laughed at their choices and found their reasons interesting, they heard the sound of the sliding door nearby opening. In front of them stood the tallest among the crew: Jin, the ship's dragon-incubi hybrid bartender. "So what did I miss?" Immediately, their eyes had dropped downward, staring at his length in envy. Jin's towel sat at his shoulder as he bore himself to the world around him. He cared little for the opinions of others when it came to his body, finding the spa as an opportunity to relieve himself from the stresses that came with wearing a tight jumpsuit that hugged on his form constantly. While they looked, their minds held similar thoughts.

'This world is unfair. This is Jin's world... And we're all living in it.'
'What type of gifted-ass genetics do you need to pack something like that?'

'And they say the bodies of the kami are perfect. Fuckin bullshit.'
'It appears my simulations of his body were incorrect. I should adjust accordingly.'​

His "above average" length was a lumbering log that confused them. It was hard for the boys to imagine how it would even begin to fit inside his small, lapin friend. Even while soft, it stood as a pillar of spite against all they've known; A reason to align themselves against whatever combination of diet, genetics, and divine luck that resulted in their draconic roommate winning his physical lottery. At the least, they were able to take respite in knowing that Jin wasn't the brightest among them; Yet seeing how his friend would stumble out of her ship or look exhausted after one of their hangouts had caused them to fume with envy.

While the other three organics continued to stare in awe with their fury directed at the gods for their biological misfortune, Io waved, greeting the dragon rebel forward. "We're talking about which heroines would be best to indulge in the pleasures of sex with. Do you have a preference, Jin?" His head had rotated at its neck, simulating the curious tilting of a head. As Jin sat down, he gave them a shrug. "Well, there's only one real answer right?"

The First Hero.

Raf. Gods' Favorite Angel.​

"One. The holy warrior, Rafaela. I'd fucking let her smash me any day." Jin stretched out his muscles in the spa, easing the tensions that came from old wounds. "A woman that doesn't take shit but could deal it out too. Strong as fuck in both soul and body. Is there anyone hotter? Hell nah." He flexed his arms, revealing the results of his daily regiments and regular routines. Even while out of combat, his body was always something that he took pride in. It was all he had for the longest time; His strongest weapon and his biggest weakness. Ever since he found out about Rafaela as a young dragon, he idolized what she symbolized: Perfection in body and mind, ferocity in soul and spirit, endurance through whatever obstacles thrown her way, and conviction to see her promises through. She epitomized all that made up the perfect dragon image he was taught; The perfect idol.

"Hope I could one day match her in strength." Jin looked down at his own scars; Each mark was a memory of a time he blundered in the midst of combat, a lesson to keep for the rest of time. "That way, I could protect you guys and Yume. I'm not going to lose my family again. Never again." His eyes flashed a demonic purple, before returning back to its casual hues. "So? What did you guys pick?"

 

[Tenzai]

'Waterfalls.'

'I wonder why she has a thing for waterfalls.'

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ | ʜᴏᴍᴇ ᴀʟᴏɴᴇ.
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

A vampire clad in power armor sat at the top of a mountain, sketching as he overlooked the aftermath of the battlefield which scarred the beaches that surrounded him. The stars above were falling as massive battleships had cracked the skies, firing impressive magical armaments while they slammed their technological wonders against each other in the hopes that they themselves would reign supreme. This battle was no fight to end the war. It was merely another among many to secure an advantage in the region.

To Salem, the eighteenth hero, all he saw from the heavens above and the grounds below were a waste of life and opportunity. The battlefield had defiled the natural beauty of the planets caught within the crossfire. The ruins of vehicles, the shells of used weaponry, and the remains of broken armor and ravaged corpses had littered the fields in abundance. The booming sounds of thunder overhead had quelled the beautiful song of nature with its deafening intensity. The smells of smoke and ambient mana had torched all semblance of the peace before they came. In contrast to the visible devastation, the picture he built for his beloved masterpiece was free from the horrors he grown too accustomed to. She deserved better than this reality.

His eyes were focused on a river that bled over a cliff; Of a waterfall that fed into a beach lagoon connected to the ocean. While the bodies of his comrades had tainted the waters with their crimson hues, the vision he drew into existence had offered the observer a window into an alternate reality. 'This is what Yokoso would've look like if it weren't for the selfish ambitions of powerful people.' Salem might not have been a visionary as practical as his fifth counterpart. However, where he shined instead was in his ability to see glimpses of the galaxy beyond the war. At least, if peace was unattainable, there was someone who could still experience it.

Her.

The only friend he kept since childhood.​

As she slept on his canvas, Salem built her world around her. Beautiful scenes of memories long past were recreated for her to explore in its entirety. For the vampiric hero, the feeling of creating amidst the destruction was liberating. Her smile was what kept him going through his darkest moments. Her words upon his return were what summoned him back from the brink of despair when the carnage of the war had served too much for his frail mind to handle. It was her that kept him sane. It was her that kept him dreaming.

"Sal. Whatcha up to?" A familiar voice had peeked from behind his shoulder. "Oh, Levy. Its you." Behind him came his undead companion, the eleventh heroine, a porcelain doll possessed by the spirit of a girl who called herself Levy. The two were typically stationed together as a result of being assigned to the second fleet. While Rafaela and her entourage had took the vanguard against the rebel forces, it was Cleo and Gabriel who led the second and third fleets respectively, covering her flanks. Levy gave her friend a dorky smile. "Ooo. Are you drawing again? You know, you should like... Really try working as an artist when all of this is over!" She buzzed, believing in him. "Maybe try drawing comics! I betcha they'll sell like ambrosia!"

"Me? An artist for work? I don't think that's the best idea." The artist responded to her enthusiasm with a chuckle. "Especially when all the work I make comes alive. Can't have one of your ideas running rampant around here again." While he enjoyed their banter, he understood that giving her imagination a physical form was usually a recipe for disaster. He recalled of when her last birthday present gone awry. "Cleo still hasn't forgiven me yet for giving you a mecha dinosaur for a mount... And no, don't think I'm going to give you another one no matter how much you beg."

"Awww come on."

"It was so cool!"​

Despite the oddity that was Levy's personality, he found her presence comforting. She spoke as though she was untouched by the sin of war and to an extent, this made him jealous. Regardless of his attempts to maintain his focus to the world thereafter, the vampiric prince couldn't help but live in the moment. It was hard to focus on better times when the people he's grown accustomed to being around would disappear in a blink of an eye. To be a soldier with a heart was a torturous existence rife with more farewells than greetings. More often than not did he find himself at short, impromptu funerals versus actual parties.

Still, to see her act as his company's mascot had brought a smile to his face. She always appeared to hold the highest opinion of the others she surrounded herself with. "Oh fine. Maybe I'll ask Gem if I could borrow his mecha sometime. I'm sure he'd let me if I ask nicely." She beamed, before sitting on a rock beside him to look at his picture. "How's your girlfriend doing?" At first, he gave a look of surprise before letting that embarrassing feeling settle in. He wasn't ashamed of his masterpiece. In fact, he was proud of her. The two of them had came a long way from his humble beginnings as a young artist. "She's doing fine. Last night, I drew her what it looked like outside my bedroom window. She asked a lot of questions about the stars I've drew. Asked if I went there in person."

Salem's gaze grew kind as he veered upon her sleeping form, drawing a blanket to keep her warm from whatever elements existed inside the immaterial plane. Nearby the waterfall he drew, he written words to simulate sounds of the bubbling water. "I told her that I haven't and that I'll take her there myself once the war's over. Try out the local cuisine, see the interesting people and sights, and who knows... Maybe they might have some sort of special paper that would allow her to take a real glimpse into this world like we do with her. The galaxy's big enough for anything to be possible."

"Well, wherever you go. Take me with you."​

Sal raised an eyebrow, curious as to why she would choose to explore with him. "You sure? I mean, aren't you best friends with Rio? Wouldn't you prefer to spend your next life with her instead of me?" Levy's tone shifted for a bit, revealing a side of her that she showed few others. "I would. Honestly, I'd really like that but... Her and Gem haven't been the same since the thing with Nagi happened and... I wanna see new sights too. I wanna make happy memories. Not sad ones!" Quickly, she returned back to her normal tone, masking her true emotions.

"After seeing ships battle for like the thousandth time, it gets boring. Maybe I just wanna get a drink at somewhere new or collect something cool! Like, I heard that there's some people planning on making a card game that includes us! And all the things we went through!" Her hands shivered with excitement as her hips wiggled with the same energy. "Oooo. Which one of us do you think's going to be worth the most?" She scratched her chin, tilting her head back and forth as she thought of the most likely options. "My guess? Yan would be one, but maybe Sen- Sen doesn't like taking pictures! Oh... But there's Raf too! ARGH, this is hard."

Salem rolled his eyes, unaware of what lied underneath her surface. His priorities lied with two motivations: The protection of his family and the happiness of his sketch. "Alright, I don't think I'd mind the extra company. Maybe we might find something neat- ... Or maybe I could help you study for your mecha-piloting license so you could explore those worlds on your own." He laughed as the porcelain ghost gasped in overdramatic horror. "SAL! How could you?! That's evil! You know I hate studying!" She crossed her arms like a child, turning her head away from him as though he uttered an insult that undermined her existence. "Besides, its not like I need a flimsy piece of plastic to fly one of those things! I've did before... in the arcades- But still! Come on~ Pleaseeeee... Can you take the exam for me instead?" The two continued to banter, passing the time as they awaited for new orders. With every hour that passed, he was making steady progress with his work.

"... And done."​

As the night as turned to day, Levy had exhausted her final reserves of mana, sleeping idly by his side to recharge. Underneath her head sat his neatly folded jacket, cushioning her as she slumbered quietly. With the final stroke complete, Salem was done. He worked throughout the night to give his drawn counterpart a peaceful scene of the world he was in as well as a poem written in the sand to greet her with during the beginning of the day. The waves had moved across the canvas, flowing gracefully as though the gravity of the moons were there to guide the tides as well. The stars had drifted above her head, sparkling the night with their gentle luminosities.

The vampire yawned, feeling the bags under his eyelids as he looked proudly at his work. "I hope you appreciate what I made for you when you wake up." He whispered to his sketchbook. Unlike how it was the night before, the world was given color through the use of markers. Different shades had elicited a sense of depth, giving the drawn girl more apparent space to roam. While the kami that dictated the fate of the real world weren't kind, at the least, he could do what they could not and keep her world safe.

To Salem, it didn't matter how real or fictional she was. It didn't matter whether others have only saw her as the byproduct of his imagination given life through his own mana. For him, the idea that he wasn't alone in his mind was enough. The fact that he was able to keep her safe was enough. He was enough.

 

[Tenzai]

"Hey Six, when do you plan on retiring?"

"Who said I ever wanted to, Ember?"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴜᴄᴋ ᴄʜᴀʀʟɪᴇ | ᴊᴏᴊɪ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

Baby, she never speaks to me
Sorry
I never see you, I never see you, I never see you, I never see you
I never see you anymore​

The mercenary hero sat at the other end of a bar counter, alone and away from the prying eyes of the galaxy. Without a war to fight in, he was left handling drudge work of shifty corporations and less-than-lawful government entities. He was a vampire without purpose, a wanderer that sought a home where none existed. Lacking a partner or family to come back to and missing the familiar environment that fathered brotherhood through combat, Six often found himself staring down at his reflection muddled by alcohol. It was his own saving grace; One of the last mercies that existed in the stars for an old war hero like him. "I hoped I would have gone the same path as Gabriel. To die in combat as a hero rather than live like this."

Ember slid him another glass, taking his empty one away to clean. "You know, you can't keep fighting on forever. Eventually, you're gonna grow too old for it." His old friend placed her elbow on the table, wiping down the glass with a rag as she leaned towards him. "Like me. How about you join the rest of our old group. Settle down... Find someone nice. I'm sure, you'd be a half decent dad if you put your mind to it. Isn't your old friend, Sev, a dad now too?" The human smiled, hearing the muffled laughs of her son talking with his friends upstairs while he games online. "Who knows, you might like it. I've seen how you treated your own in training. I'm sure you could do the same with your own flesh and blood."

Six swirled his glass. "That Tsuna upstairs? How old is he now? Still interested in becoming a superhero?" The vampire gave an exhausted chuckle before downing his drink. He remembered being there when she was pregnant with him, recalling the smiles on their faces when they gave their boss the good news. While serving as a commander of his own company, he became the acting father of his people. Regardless of where he stood morally, they stood by his side through hell itself and bonded over their shared trials. It was this high that he persistently chased throughout his new life; An experience he could never repeat no matter how hard he tried. The galaxy that once afforded him this opportunity was long gone.
His glory days have passed. Heroes were artifacts of a bygone era, entities of mythos treated as celebrities and nothing more.

"No. As much as he might have looked up to you.

He wants a different life for himself. I don't blame him either."​

"We're not known for always being good people." Ember thought back to the countless battlefields she experienced fighting alongside her sanguine captain. Despite their countless successes against the rebel forces, they always left wherever they ended up in a worse state than how it was before. Long-standing structures that served as cultural icons were left in ruins. Stars that gave life to species far and wide were snuffed out in sieges that lasted for months. It made her question at times whether they were truly there for the betterment of the galaxy at some points, though for peace, she was willing to overlook the damage.

"Tsuna's graduating from high school later this week. Turning eighteen soon." Ember grabbed a frame from underneath her counter, showing a family picture of her, her late husband, and her son during the war. It was an image of a battlefield hospital with drones flying abuzz with activity. Her arms were bound, though a smile had decorated her face. It was her birthday. "He wants to go to college and become an architect. Help out the galaxy by rebuilding it rather than tearing it down." Her eyes had flickered with stardust, shining when she relived her past memory. "I'm proud of him, you know? I'm sure his dad's proud too. He's not following after us. Instead, he's choosing who he wants to be for himself."
Her eyes lifted towards her old boss, sitting the frame beside his drink. "Honestly, Six. You should think about doing the same. Everyone else is in the process of moving on and you shouldn't deny yourself the chance to."

She poured herself a drink, pulling a chair from nearby to sit across from him. Her bar was usually empty during the day. Unfortunately, she struggled with making ends meet. However, for her, this bar was her little slice of paradise. Away from the bustle of cities owned by massive corporations, she was free to speak and act as she liked. It was the kind of life she wished for her son to live as well, hence her putting down her retirement into owning a home so far away from the rest of the world. "Learn to put the guns away before you turn it on yourself."

"Let me ask you a question, Ember."​

Six grew silent hearing her words. Time and family had tempered the young mercenary from her violent self down to a loving mother. She couldn't afford to continue living the same life now that she had another that depended on her. However, things were different for Six. "Say, you've lost your purpose, right?" He took another sip of his glass, emptying the liquid down until it filled half of its vessel. "Let's imagine you lost your son during the war with your husband. You'd dedicate your all to pursuing whoever took them from you right?" Ember nodded her head. "And what happens when they're gone. When your enemy is bleeding at your feet, breathing their last. How would you feel?"

She went quiet. The tattoo of his pregnant wife's favorite number was marked on the vampire's forearm for all eternity. It was a constant reminder of who he lost in the war. "I know the answer. Nothing. I've honed myself into a weapon for the sake of revenge only to feel nothing once my purpose was fulfilled. You'd think I'd be able to move on. That with my vendetta at its end, I could focus on other things... But no. That's nowhere near the truth." He closed his eyes, still remembering the look of her face at her funeral. "That's all I am, Ember. A weapon in a world where weapons like me aren't needed anymore."

His hands had tightened around his glass. "And when the only one that understands you chooses to let it all go, how the fuck am I supposed to feel? At least you have a reason to move on. Everyone else does but me." He sighed, accepting his fate. "The new crew I'm leading are nothing like you guys. They don't listen to me. They act however they want... Even if its going to lead to their demise." Six had thought of Yan's capture. It was meant to be him delivering her safely to Sev in exchange for a moment of clarity. However, Sev didn't act the way he had hoped. Instead of seeking the old life, he focused on moving on. If it wasn't for his crew taking advantage of her time of weakness, he doubted Sev would have held the same response. "It's terrible, but what can you do when killing and training others how to kill is the only thing you know how to do."

"When my end comes, I hope I die fighting."​

He lifted a cig to his mouth, lighting up the end with his open hand. "It would mean that everything I sacrificed to be this me would have been for something." Ember appeared defeated, simply putting a hand on his shoulder. "Then die fighting for something you actually care about. Don't waste whatever's left of your life trying to chase old memories. They'll never come back. Trust me, I'd know." Her hand tightened when thinking about her late husband. The ways she attempted to cope with his loss had ranged from therapy down to drowning herself in the same vices he told her to avoid. It was only thanks to her son that she was able to escape her void. Six however, had no one.

"I'll think about it. No promises though."

Baby, can you be a little bit stronger?
Baby, 'cause I need a little longer
You're an earthly comfort
Yet so divine, yet so divine
I never see you anymore​

 

[Tenzai]

"Join us, Exodus. You're running out of time."

"Why should I believe you?"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴡᴏʀᴅ | ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ʜɪʟʟ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

Bitch, I got some buzzards clawin'
At my fuckin' stomach (fuckin' stomach)
I'm from the shadows
Left the gallows, made the summit (made the summit)
Hear the trumpets rollin' in like it's 300
Let the battle feel ravaged, attack, and then we stack the bodies up​

Mechanical constructs stood at the forefront of a shrine surrounded by the bodies of those who failed to heed the rebel's warning. Inside the wooden castle sat one of the beast-kin rebellion's greatest weapons against the up-and-coming empress, a wounded bee hacker capable of leading hundreds of talented avatars remotely. While he might not have been anywhere close to as strong as the combat-focused heroes, he himself was a dangerous threat. Wherever his avatars went, destruction and devastation followed. They were able to connect with electronic devices wirelessly, disrupting communication and mechanical components in their wake. Planets, stations, and industries that relied heavily on technological innovation were the most at threat, finding Exodus akin to a terrorist. Those who were dependent on using technology to fight were also crippled against him. However, to Ex, he was a defender of his people. He was not going to let some other noble take their freedom away.

Nicknamed the white noise as a result of the sounds that played from earpieces when in one of his avatar's presence, Ex was tough to fight. He could jam weapons and freeze armor. He could overheat gear and sap them of their battery. He could restrict the motions of vehicles and ships. He could even turn automated machines against his foes. His avatars on the other hand did not feel pain. They did not act with fear yet their mechanical construct afforded them a wealth of information when it came to reading their environment. For their foes, worst of all, they never worked alone. Usually found in groups of four to ten, they acted in symphony, working well enough together to pose a risk for those ill-prepared. As a result, he was among one of the top targets in the war. There was a bounty on his head; A reward to capture him either dead or alive. Though, past pursuits have rendered him not infallible. If he could be injured, he could be slain.

However, Exodus was too valuable to ignore. While his heart for his own people might have been seen as a weakness, the empress herself had found this a redeeming quality that could be used to persuade him otherwise. He was not merely some villain that wished to turn against the government for the sake of selfish reasons. He was doing this for his people. He was doing this for his home. With enough convincing, he might even prove a worthwhile ally against her robotic adversaries. As a result, while the corporations might have sent hit teams to no avail, her generals had issued an order to one of her finest; The thirteenth hero and her detachment of loyal slime soldiers. Both were resilient against the unique affinities this fragile yet dangerous enemy had made his strength.

From one of the avatar's speakers, her third in command could hear the boy coughing. It appeared that his master's poison was making its way through his foe's immune system. "It doesn't matter to me if you believe me or not, Exodus." The slime warrior shrugged, staring down his mechanical foes. "Truth is; That poison running in your veins? It won't stop until you're dead. What good is protecting your people then when you're only delaying the inevitable?" The avatars that surrounded him had stood still for a moment, taking in the weight of his words. As despicable as they sounded, it was the truth. Exodus wasn't able to escape Echo unscathed. Her attack had managed to wound him, infiltrating his insides as he did to machinery. "Listen to your sense of reason. We have the cure. You could fight on our side for your freedom. You don't have to waste yourself away out of pride."

"These people still need me."

"So what if I die? I'm already living on borrowed time."​

More coughing. With his lungs heaving, he could see his own life spilling through his mouth. His veins were ravaged by her corrupting taint, punishing the poor boy for his hardheadedness. However, this wasn't the first time he experienced a taste of poison. If he were to die by the same means that brought him into this life in the first place, at least, he would die for the people and the home he learned to love along the way. His stubbornness was quickly becoming his downfall. As if inspired by the thought that his end was soon to come, his avatars had raised their energy blades against his trespasser, readying themselves for combat. They glowed with the same hue as the sun through the swamp's mist, a blistering green that reminded him of home. A darker puff of smoke had erupted from the blades once they turned on, revealing that they were poisoned as well. These bee soldiers would not offer him quarter. They were an obstacle that needed to be dealt with.

Thirteen's third in command prepared himself, hardening his membrane into a carapace. His slime became solid, forming additional layers to protect his core underneath. "Exodus, the empress and my goddess have both deemed you too useful to let go of." His arms had contorted in shape into that of a blade while his other had formed into a shield. "If I can't convince you to join us willingly, I'll drag you back myself." Unlike the many soldiers in the empress' employ, Thirteen and her slime tribes did not fancy dependence on technology. Their bodies were their weapons. Supplemented by magic, they were a force to be reckoned with. Arguably, they were one of the few races immune to the effects of his electronic tampering. However, that didn't change how dangerous they were. His blades could still kill a slime if they managed to land against their core. His guns could still shatter their very hearts. He was not a foe to be taken lightly, despite his innocent and weak looking surface.

"Come now. If you really mean what you say, convince me through your actions. Not your words."

"These steps are littered with the bodies of those who couldn't live up to their threats."​

"So be it. Let's see if those rumors about you hold any substance." He raised his blade, aiming it towards the top level of the castle where the slime assumed he was hooked up. "I can't have you disappointing my goddess now." Immediately, three of his avatars rushed him. By acting in conjunction with one another, they did not give any window of space, slicing three blades down into the slime's mass at the same time. Though, before their blades have sunk deep enough to reach towards his core, they froze in place. By hardening his slime, he entrapped their weapons, forcing his core to dodge their swings in the process. "Shit... That's gonna hurt." He cursed, withholding their weapons from them.

"Is that all you got, bee warrior? My goddess had pushed me through tougher trials than that!" The slime knight taunted again. Meanwhile, as he was distracted by the ones wielding swords, three others had placed themselves on the balcony of the castle, aiming their rifles towards him. Seeing the glint of scopes, he pulled back, letting their blades tear out of him as his core dodged the volley of rounds headed his way. "G-good... To see that you're more than what the scouts say about you."

"I wouldn't wish to be the end of someone as brave as you." One of the avatar's had spoken, swinging the leftover slime off their blade. "But this galaxy had pitted us against each other. If I don't put you down, you might end up hurting someone innocent. Apologies." The avatar aimed his swing towards the core, creating a predictive model from the slime's movements earlier.

"Eh, don't worry about me. I'm not stupid." The slime knight chuckled. "And I'm not so prideful as not to come with backup. There's too much riding on this for me to come here alone." From the ground formed several slimes that hid inside the corpses. Catching the avatars off guard, their battle became much more even in the courtyard. Still, there was only a matter of time before they could capture him alive. Until he handled his responsibility as a distraction in full, the hero's vanguard was going to do his best. "Show me how you fare against someone more competent than the corporations. My goddess is on my side, bee. I wonder who is on yours?" He lifted himself back from his wounded stance, his zeal motivating his courage. Though, he held concerns. For someone as young as Exodus, he was much braver than any child soldier he came across before. Whatever cause he was fighting for must have been more important than his own life and future.

"I don't need anyone but myself to protect the ones I love."
There's no turning back now, just fire in the background
The spires overlook the bloody night, it's in the past now

But it's time. The grudge that I been holdin' is brewin' awfully potent
My shoulders shrug, I've had enough, I guess your time is up​

---

"We have to hurry."

"We can't have that corpo rath finding him firth."​

While the fighting was fierce around his castle's outskirts, inside, two teams had managed to infiltrate past the robotic guards. One of them was a single agent from a corporation sent to reinforce Echo's detachment. The other had included Echo herself and her second in command, Forrest. As they moved inside, Ex's attention was placed on the weapons of war that sieged from outside his gates, unbeknownst to the intruders that made their way in already.

"Don't worry, Echo." Forrest ran through the dark halls, following their swiftly moving goddess. "I promith, we won't let you down!" Coming from the sewer, the two slimes had managed to slither in through the pipes that made up the castle's plumbing. While Exodus might have expected to be intruded through a door or window, he never expected a species from his own home world to turn against its rebelling protector. "From what I heard, he thould be on the top floor. Thath where all the electrithity ith being drawn to." Her goddess nodded her head, following her memories. "It would feelth right given that he needth thomething that drawth a lot of power to control all theeth machineth at the thame time."

This wasn't the first time she entered this castle before. Its hallways and entrances were all familiar. This was a monument which showed what this death world was capable of building in spite of the odds. A stubborn notion that proved they didn't need the kindness of another species to build a structure that could reach the heavens. All they needed was themselves. Where others have imagined a lack of opportunity, the native had surpassed expectations and led on to create something special. This was their home. Now it stood as a bastion against all that wished this world harm.

Meanwhile, the corporate agents had a slime agent of their own. Through the temptation of a life beyond what this hostile landscape had to offer, they were able to steal the best and brightest minds away for cheap, leaving nothing but the chaff for this planet to decay with. Coming from a different entrance, she slithered through the cracks in the wall only to find refugees on the other side. Wasps, bees, and slimes alike had huddled together while trying to hide away from the violence of the world outside. While they may have felt safe inside, it was only a matter of time before they would become a casualty once the walls fell. Though for the agent, they were nothing more than beasts ill-deserving of sympathy. They were born in trash and they would die as trash. However, that didn't mean they lacked a purpose. Knowing of Ex's particular inhibitions, she grabbed one of the bees among them and pressed a barrel to her head. "You. You're coming with me. Any of you runts try to stop me and she's dead. Got it?" The others quietly nodded in fear, remaining even quieter once they realized that the walls did not protect them from the people outside.

Without any defenders to concern themselves with, the two teams had made it to the top floor. Though the corporate agent was swifter than the two others. Finding the capsule that held her quarry, she pulled the plug, waking him up from his sleep. "Exodus." The pod opened, revealing a puff of smoke followed by the spilling of ink through heavy coughing. Fluids had entered his lungs, showing just how bad the poison was getting. It was eating at his insides, ripping him apart. "I'm not going to ask nicely." The agent pressed the barrel to the bee girl's head. "You're coming along with me whether you like it or not. Boss has big plans for you. A cure too if you're obedient enough."

"Don't be stupid. Unless, you want to be the reason why she dies."

"You're after me right? Let her go."​

Exodus drunkenly drew a blade, falling out of his pod in the process. His arms were heavy. His eyes were weak. Yet he still had the resolve to push onward in spite of his growing blindness. Regardless of how blurry the agent got, he aimed his dagger towards her. The avatars were too far to get in sync with now. It was just him as he was; The flawed bee behind the mechanical mask. "Put the gun down... And..." He coughed into his hands as he was losing his voice. "... Then we'll talk."

Impatient, the hostage-taker walked towards him before slamming his head with the butt of her gun. "No!-" As the bee girl spoke up, the agent placed her weapon at her throat. "Quiet! I have a deadline for his capture and I'm not letting you steal my raise by wasting my time." She turned the barrel back towards the fallen rebel, aiming her weapon at his legs.

"But I can't have you running either."​

As the goddess and her second in command reached the room, they heard gunshots followed by a squeal. "They said they wanted you alive. They didn't say I couldn't hurt you. As long as you're breathing, that's all that matters." Before the agent was able to grab him, she heard a gun cock from behind her. Turning around, she saw the goddess and her closest guard standing beside each other. "Oh? Are you turning on me?! You know that's friendly fire, right? You're going to get court martialed! Both of you!" She threw away the bee hostage before grabbing Exodus by his hair. "Aren't you here for him? Too bad! He's mine. Thanks for the help and all, but I came here first. Even got the footage as evidence."

"Oh? Tho you're recording thith?" Unlike many other seconds, Echo's was belligerent. The only person Forrest was loyal to was slime goddess Echo herself. "Lookth like I'll have something I could feel proud about rewatching later~" The slime girl approached her, unconcerned as to the evidence of her crime. Without giving the agent so much as to a chance to fire, they drew their weapon and shot her core, sending the corporate rat stumbling into a quivering mass that lost her form. "How... Could... You?"

"Simple. The moment you've turned against uth, you stopped being one of uth. Now be a good girl and die already." The elemental slime walked past her, tending to the Exodus' wounds. "The galathy already has too many of you greedy athholes. Echo, can you fix the poithon? I'll take care of the gunthot." Forrest wrapped their slime around his wound, using it as an impromptu bandage to seal him from spilling anything out while applying pressure.

"Shit... W... Why are you doing this for me?" Ex was in tears, in pain from the gunshot. Once seeing them tend to him, he dropped his weapon, finally surrendering himself. The battle was already lost before it began. This castle was meant to be the place for his final stand in hopes that he could earn them a better fate through his defiance. "You know. You're not that bad, Ex. Not juth anyone would put their life down for their own kind. Ethpethally for a world like ourth. Echo thaid you would be interething to have around." His eyes had begun to soften, realizing who came to save him: The same woman that poisoned him. However, instead of holding ill will against her, he bowed with whatever strength he could muster left, in pain from the round that embedded itself in his knee. "Thank you for your mercy but I can't accept your help."

"This is my home. These are my people.

I'm not going to abandon them for my own safety."​

"Well, ith a good thing that we feel the thame way." Forrest gave him a gentle smile, watching as their goddess had offered him the antidote. The war had taken a toll on all they held dear. To find people thinking likewise, even on both sides of the war, had brought a sense of sympathy. Finally, she understood how Echo felt about the boy. Her foresight went well beyond anything expected of an ordinary slime. Following through with her desires, they held out their hand to shake his, not as an enemy, but as a friend.

"Come with us, Ex. Let's make things right again."

Kill, my blade stained, plain face
Say my fuckin' name
As my blood runs black, you can tell we're not the same
See the fire in the sky and embrace of the storm
'Cause I live by the sword and I'll die by the fuckin' sword

Bury me
Six feet deep, with steel around my flesh (my flesh)
By the sword and laid to rest
The stains turn into nightmares​

 

[Tenzai]

ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴅᴀʏ ɪꜱ ᴀ ɴᴇᴡ ᴅᴀʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴇ ᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜰɪɴᴅ ʜᴀᴘᴘɪɴᴇꜱꜱ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ ᴏɴ.
- ᴄᴀʀʀɪᴇ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀᴡᴏᴏᴅ​

---

"Are you really serious about this, Sev?"

"Turning our battleship into a goddamn cafe?"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴍ54 | ᴄᴜʀᴛɪꜱ ꜱᴄʜᴡᴇɪᴛᴢᴇʀ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Able looked around as the nearby construction drones had begun repairs and renovations. After Eight's betrayal, the state of the Midnight Rider was in disarray. The walls were splattered with dried blood and firefight holes. Magical burns were present across the ceilings and floors. Shell casings and shards from broken swords and shafts lay scattered on the floor. However, with time, they had begun to shift into something different. Familiar rooms covered in the trauma of war had been transformed anew, chasing the image Seven's daughter had always dreamed of. "You gotta learn how to move on. Thea's dead. There's no need to fulfill your promises to someone who isn't with us anymore." His jab at his hero's convictions for keeping his end of his promise was a jeer towards his persistent commitment to Yan.

"The family we used to be doesn't exist. Yan left us behind, Thea's gone, and nearly all of the people we called our family have their names inscribed on that fucking wall. Give up, Sev. Wasting your time like this isn't going to bring them back." He hinted at the memorial where the galaxy's finest had been buried. While it commanded respect from all who visited, Able hated it with a passion. It was a reminder of all the people he'd lost; A reminder of all the mistakes he committed which could have prevented his friends from ending up on it.

"And? Don't you think I know that already, Able?"​

"I'm not doing this for only them anymore. I'm doing this for myself." Despite the pain that came with watching their memories be washed away in bleach and paint, Sev stood resolute in his convictions. Washed away were the scars of their past as old stimuli that reminded them of the battlefield were replaced with dining tables and facilities intended for hospitality. This galaxy had no need for soldiers anymore. What they needed was a place that could coexist with the peace they fought so hard for: A home amidst the stars. This ship was his garden, to be tended to so it could adapt to the new world. "All that you see around you is a product of our hopes and dreams, not just theirs alone."

"Besides, don't you visit Hecate on her birthday?" Able went silent. "You and I both know how bleak her fate is, but still, you come back to visit her every year." The seventh hero placed his hand on his best friend's shoulder. "So you know how I feel about doing this. Sure, I could give up on this dream... And then what? What are we supposed to do without a war to fight?" Instead of meeting his friend's spite with an equivalent energy, Sev wielded the kindness he was taught as deftly as he did his own gravity blades. "I'd rather use what is left in my life to pursue something that respects the sacrifices and memories of our friends and family who passed before us than to waste it doing nothing... And I want you to be here and take part of this with me too."

The vampire hero loosened his bandages, still recovering from the aftermath of Yan's supposed betrayal. The effects of his interrogation were still very much present on him. The scars he endured in his escape and in his capture revealed his troubled history. Sev was still the same hero that the demon boy had come to respect, only this time, he needed him for a purpose that lay beyond the death of others. "Let this be our purpose. I don't want you to see yourself as just a weapon when you're much more than that, Able. You're my friend. Someone I could trust in a galaxy full of strangers. Don't forget that I want the best for you too. So please, help me? Even if it's just for now, I would appreciate it if you at least gave this idea an honest shot before moving on." The hero pleaded with his demonic counterpart.

"Ugh... Fine. I hate it when you get like this. You know I can't say no."

"I'll try, but I won't promise you I'd be good at it."​

The demon sighed as he donned an apron, opening the book filled with common cafe recipes. On its pages sat several steps which displayed how to make many popular drinks and pastries from across the cosmos. If he once wielded the tools of war with absolute efficiency, he doubted that the tools he'd find in the ship's renovated kitchen would prove much of a challenge... Or at least, so he thought. The words didn't make sense and neither did the ingredients. It was the first time he saw descriptions that had taken the length of paragraphs to explain why each ingredient was included. The different units of measurement had tapped into the side of his brain that went unused for most of his military career: Math that went beyond the realm of basic operators. 'And what the fuck type ingredient was love?!'

"Thank you, Able. I knew I could always rely on you." Sev smiled, waving the demon over to the kitchen as the horde of drones had stormed around them, cleaning whatever remained of the mess they left behind. "Don't mention it. Think of it as me paying you back a favor. It's the least I could do after all you've done for me." Able thought back to Hecate sleeping in her medical bed for all eternity. Unlike the galactic government, Sev had financed the best care he could to give her a place to rest in her comatose state. Through his hero's kindness, the demon still had a chance of reuniting with his best friend again.

Stepping into the kitchen for the first time was a far scarier experience than any battlefield he ever stepped foot in. Walking into the room filled with aromatic ingredients, he struggled to find any piece of familiarity. The armory that sat on this floor had been replaced with a cafe kitchen renovated with the best this galaxy had to offer. Flanking him from all sides were instruments that he couldn't pronounce the name of. 'What fucking spellcasting scientist named all of these? Sen! And the who the fuck calls a stove a range?!' Each labeled pot and mixing device taunted him, reminding the demon merc of how little he knew of the world outside of a firefight. Still, he promised Sev that he would try his best, whatever that meant. At the least, even if he failed, he fulfilled his duty to his summoner and friend.

"Let's do our best to make something we could be proud of."

"One drink at a time."​

For beings that could exist for an eternity, a kitchen as fancy as this one was more confusing than any labyrinth they previously traversed. Sci-Fi magi-technology had come a long way from what Sev was used to back when he had trained his skills at house work. For the vampiric hero too, not having a chef on board had brought along its own challenge. What it meant was that there was no one to help guide them throughout their culinary journey. They were two souls lost in the confines of their delicious spell book, forced to struggle as they deciphered the hieroglyphs that hid the right amount of sugar.

Still, one by one, failure after failure, they inched closer to making a serviceable drink. Starting in the morning and ending on the night of the day after, the two had cleaved through their supplies. Surrounding them sat the paper bodies of their failed drinks; A pile of corpses that rivaled that of Rafaela during the war. Sugar had covered the floor in a layer of white, fogging their room with hazy white clouds as they navigated the sweet desert below. Spills had splattered across their aprons, flesh, and faces; A sign that their battle was long, harsh, and yet had to be won. Unfortunately, none of the crew he had picked up along the way had any modicum of cooking expertise. Forced to forge a path of their own success, they were cavemen in the dark, striking at their edible rock until it sparked fire.

Able struggled, using too much magic during some processes and too little on another. His strength had worked against him; His grip shaky as it poured milk into the steel cylinders. Sometimes, he would end up making a bag of flour implode while trying to open it in the process. Other times, he had found himself pointing his las-pistol at a mug in the hopes that he could forcefully cook something to the right temperature through the use of threats. Sev was no master either. His body was too practiced in the arts of assassination for him to train it easily otherwise. Whenever he wielded a knife to cut a bag open, he would use the right amount of effort to slice through armor; This leading to more often than not, another mess in the kitchen. Likewise, whenever he was supposed to taste whether something was right, his affinity for checking poison had ruined any semblance of normality. What he considered fine, Able considered disastrous. Though in time, they finally had reached a major accomplishment. A brown liquid that didn't appear nor smell terrible.

"Well, there's only one way to check if it's good right? Bottoms up."

'... This tastes
fucking terrible.' | god awful.'​

The drinks they poured out for each other had brought them to their knees. It was more potent than any blow, spell, or bullet they experienced before. Whatever that poisonous concoction they brewed together was, it acted as though it was alive with a vengeance, choking them from the inside while drawing tears from their eyes. It was divine punishment from the kami of the culinary arts, a manifestation of their hate towards the curious veterans' hubris in seeking another purpose. In just a moment, they had found themselves reeling on the floor only to hear the sound of heavy footsteps approaching them. It was Jin.

"Hey boss, where do you want this? Io said to ask you first before putting in the bar. Thought it would be nice to have but... You might need em too." Their new dragon recruit was holding up a couple of booth tables, one on each shoulder. They were massive in size meant only for parties of eight or more. However, the earth dragon had found them a good warm up. It was his way of helping out after finding just how much his new boss had intended on making a home. A flying cave meant to keep others safe from loneliness was a purpose well worth bringing into reality. The fact that it served drinks of both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety was a nice bonus. In addition, having the other crew members be so kind as to treat him as a friend rather than a body had made him set his suspicions to rest. These people were good people. Lost like him, yet trying their best regardless to make a place where they could belong.

"Oh? Did you guys finally make a half decent drink? I could use one by now." Jin grabbed the entire kettle. "Jin! Wai-" Before the two had a chance to interrupt him, he began to drink their solution from the massive steel container itself. "Hmm? Its not that bad guys. I mean..." He swirled the mixture in his mouth, gargling it before swallowing it down. "It could taste better. But for a first time drink, you did alright." He placed the tables down to his sides, wiping his lips before drinking the rest to Sev and Able's surprise. "Its not? ... Sev! I think we did it! I think we made-" Thunk. The ground shook as the earth dragon fallen over, foaming at the mouth. Immediately the drones had sounded a medical alarm, sending other drones to drag the massive mountain of muscle towards the medical bay.

"... Let's practice in secret next time, yeah? Before anyone else gets hurt."

"Yeah. I don't think we could fix Io like we could fix Jin."
​

"Oh, and Sev?" The demon looked up towards the ceiling from the ground, feeling the fresh tile against his back. "What is it, Able?" The vampire turned to him, trying to muster the strength to stand and continue making poison until it tasted good enough to remain inside his body. "Later down the line. We need to find someone that's fucking great at this... Someone that isn't good at hurting others." Sev gave a small laugh. "You think a normal cafe worker would ever answer that job listing? So many people are portraying heroes around the galaxy for clout... Only way someone would actually believe I'm looking for someone so ordinary is if they fell from the sky. If they come from someplace other than this galaxy."

"There's more people that could make a half decent coffee than angels, you know?" The vampire shook his head. "I wasn't talking about angels. Maybe we should open up our search to the other parts of the galaxy too. I'm sure there are others out there that would like to be a part of this family too." Sev stood himself up, offering the fallen demon his own hand to lift himself. For a moment, Able stalled, refusing to take his hand. "But what if those people don't respect it? What if they want to take advantage of all we built together?" He turned his eyes away, afraid of hurting him with what he said next. "What if they end up like Yan or Ten and ruin everything?" Instead of waiting for Able to take his hand, Sev lifted him up from the ground, staring into his eyes as he spoke with renewed conviction. "That's what I have you for. To protect this place from all that wants to do it harm. You're good at keeping people and places safe. I'm not going to take that role away from you. But, my role?"

"For as long I breathe, I'll do my best to make this ship our home. The place where we belong."

"It's our sanctuary. A place to make memories with family, both old and new."

"... and I'll need everyone's help to make this place a reality."

"A place worth calling𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕚𝕕𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 ℂ𝕒𝕗𝕖 ; A refuge among the stars."

​

 

[Tenzai]

"ᴡʜᴏᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜰɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀꜱ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴛᴏ ɪᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ ʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀ.
ᴀɴᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴀᴢᴇ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴀɴ ᴀʙʏꜱꜱ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʙʏꜱꜱ ᴡɪʟʟ ɢᴀᴢᴇ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ."
- ɴɪᴇᴛᴢꜱᴄʜᴇ​

---

"What do you mean, he made it onboard?!"

"STOP RUNNING AND KILL HIM YOU IDIOTS!"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ᴄᴏᴀɢᴜʟᴀɴᴛ | ᴅᴍ ᴅᴏᴋᴜʀᴏ

0:00 ㅇ──────── 5:32​

↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Crimson Eclipse. Gravity's End. God killer. The Fanged Reaper. The Empress' Shadow. The seventh hero was a vampire of many nicknames, though despite whatever he was called by those who dared raise their weapons and spells against him; Whenever he was in the midst of his enemies, his arrival was seen with absolute terror. Engagement with him was a nightmare come true. Lights would flicker around him, fearing the assassin donned in full regalia. Phones and headpieces would usually release white noise whenever he drew near, often leading to whichever listener was unlucky enough to be the recipient of their call to hear the screams of their fallen comrades being cut off by static. Although this was a side effect of his own gravity well disrupting nearby electrical components, most took it as a superstitious sign that even light and sound itself refused to disrespect his presence. The vampire's unique affinity for gravity had warranted respect from even the immaterial; Elements of the universe were bound to his will, commanded to obedience.

The men that ran had turned their weapons towards the empty hallway behind them. Screams of their fallen comrades had echoed from the other side, leading to these poor souls fearing the worst. While the battle was raging on in the cosmos that surrounded him, Sev understood that time was of the essence. There was little use in maintaining a veil of stealth when the lives of those he cared about were at risk the longer he spent commandeering his enemy's flagship. Once the screams had come to a halt, the lights had flickered in the hallway, hinting at the assassin's arrival. Their helmet's communication had been cut off, buzzing louder and louder until it came to a halt. Immediately, the lights turned off in the flagship, though the hallway wasn't dark. On the other end was a red glow that signaled his arrival. Seven was here.

Immediately, his foes opened fire upon the vampire, raining lasers and lead down the empty hallway. Unfortunately for them, in the midst of their torrent of firepower, Sev appeared untouched and unphased, advancing steadily towards them. Their rounds were contorted in their directions as they neared their target, hitting the walls, floor, and ceiling around him. It appeared that the rumors about the Seventh hero were true, the assassin was just as dangerous as the other heroes were. His promotion into one was no fluke. Though unlike the others, his method of combat had strayed greatly from typical convention.

While Rafaela and Gabriel would smash into their enemies, crashing against their walls with unfathomable amounts of power, Seven was a precise instrument meant to excise the cancerous tumors of the galaxy. They were a sledgehammer while he was a scalpel. He wasn't particularly great in a general battlefield setting. However, alongside Eight, he excelled in sowing chaos within enemy ranks. Their fortresses and flagships, their bastions and hubs; Wherever they hid was his battlefield. Instead of kind words and socially manipulative tactics, he had maneuvered through his trials utilizing his training in small team skirmishes and one on one duels. His armor, weaponry, and magic were all forged and utilized with a single priority in mind: Being capable of bringing any one person unfortunate enough to share this galaxy with him.

His purpose was to be the end of stories.

The last sight any ill-fated despot would see before their downfall.​

Once their weapons had run out of battery, the armored warrior vanished without a trace, leaving the hallway visibly empty. By manipulating light and bending it around him, he was able create his own form of invisibility. "Boss. I... Think we got hi-" Footsteps. Their eyes were betraying them. One by one, they heard their vampiric adversary approach them. Though, without a target to lock on to, their smart-weapons refused to fire. Their computers were designed for much more mundane opponents, not someone who could bend the world to his will. While his soldiers had shook in their desire to fight, their superior pushed them aside, drawing his electric club. "Fine. If you idiots can't handle a fucking fraud, I will." Hearing the footsteps stop in front of him, the man swung only to find his club only to hit nothing. "Huh? I could have sworn." His weapon shook in his hand, feeling the sense of looming dread.

"Hey, m-morons. Help me-" Before turning around, he saw blood pool on the ground beside his boots. The scent of iron had stained the air, afraid of what the monster had done to his meat shields. "Where's Eight? Where's your commander? Tell me. I won't ask again." The assassin's voice. It was rare for Seven to speak to anyone he fought against during one of his missions. However, with his lover imprisoned onboard and a constraint on time, he was forced to interrogate. "I... I don't know who you're talking about." The superior feigned ignorance. If not for the contortion of their voice and the persistent hatred in their eyes, the assassin would have given them the mercy of a swift death. However, Yan had trained the vampire to detect lies even in the midst of hostile territory. If her life was on the line, he would stop at nothing to get the mother of his daughter back, even if he had to disappoint his daughter by being a monster.

"ARGH!" As a punishment for his sin, Seven impaled the man through the stomach with his blade, stabbing it into the ground so they were unable to escape. "Don't lie to me. The only one you're going to make suffer is yourself." He spoke coldly, reappearing from behind him as he prepared a spell nearby. "Your gods won't save you. Your commander and your army won't either. No one will rescue you from me." Writing the runes with the blood of his enemies, he created a weak gravity well. "So I'll let you decide your end through your choices. Either you tell me the truth and I kill you quickly instead of making you suffer..." He twisted his blade, stirring the hilt as he opened the wounds further. "Or I let you endure your misery, only for your self-proclaimed sacrifice to be in vain when I get the answer from someone else."

"Decide wisely now."

"I'm not a patient man."​

"She's... She's locked in the commander's bedroom! That's all I know, swear!" Seven stopped twisting his weapon, triggering the rune to form a gravity well within attraction range of his hostage. Slowly, his body was being pulled towards the center's mass, scraping his insides against the blade as his body sought to free itself without his control. "And what about your commander?" The so-called hero placed a boot on the man's neck, holding his living corpse in place while the gravity well beckoned the claiming of his soul.

"Hurry now, before I start feeling creative with how I want to dispose of you. It would be a shame if you were remembered for being the first to die like this, wouldn't it?" He taunted the poor victim, uncaring of their similar condition. While the two men were warriors pit against each other over the sake of their leader's ambitions, Seven had felt nothing but apathy. The only people who's influence had mattered were considered targets to hunt by his opposing faction. His home was a place to be destroyed. As a result, they were no more than rabid animals seeking slaughter in the vampire's eyes; Rebels of whom the ultimate mercy for was a quick death.

"He's... Giving orders from within the bedroom. Please... Whatever you do to me. Make it quick." The man had lost all fight in his eyes. The flames of rebellion were replaced with the shadows that proclaimed his death. With one quick swing of his other blade, he decapitated the man before releasing his body to be torn up by his whirlpool of mana. "I pray that you become wise enough to choose better in your next life." The vampire muttered through whispers, leaving the corpses of the three guards behind.

---

The captain's quarters.

A blank canvas soon to be painted red.​

The vampiric hero stood quietly against a wall outside the captain's doorway, his weapon glowing with unholy vindication. Here, he felt himself at his most fearsome; A monster at its apex. Before meeting her, he was a weapon without purpose; Cold steel intended to be directed at a target. It was a meaningless existence void of emotion; If not for her efforts in showing that there was more to him than his mentors and superiors realized, it would have been likely that the heroes he fought alongside would have been the same heroes that hunted him down once the war was over. However, through her, he learned the strength of love. Through her, he felt power in his commitments. To her, he learned what it was like to fight for a reason. Even if it was as simple as fighting for the smiles of his family, thanks to them, he never lacked the strength to fight even as his body shut down from exhaustion. Giving up was no longer an option; Not when their futures were on the line. With a quiet pause to steel his nerves for what came next, he took a deep breath before acting.

Instead of going through the door, Seven broke through the wall, catching his quarry by surprise. In his arms was Yan, a barrel pointed at her head to use her as leverage against her rescuer. "Oh, so you're the Sev she's been talking about." She was captured after a reconnaissance mission went wrong. One of her agents went rogue, betraying her to their enemy in exchange for a large sum of credits. "Put your fucking swords down, unless you want to rescue what's left of her grey matter." The vampire looked towards his favorite, giving her a certain motion of his hands to signal to her his intentions as he tossed his weapons down. To the rest of the galaxy, their relationship was unknown. Unlike the few odd people that shipped the two together, the opinion of most was that they saw each other as nothing more than coworkers. However, the heroes knew more. They were able to detect the underlying chemistry that lied between the two. It was this chemistry that gave Seven the trust he needed to save her.

"Good. It looks like that empress bitch taught her dogs how to follow orders." The man kept his distance from Sev, attempting to make his way to the door. "At least, your little lady friend here would make for a good fuc-" The hero didn't let her captor finish his sentence. He refused to give him an opportunity to insult Yan to his face. Using his gravity magic to send his blade into her captor's neck, he gave Yan a sign to move her head out of the way. While his blade flew, his body wasn't idle either, rushing in forward to grab the captain's hand as it fired. Blood spilled from his shoulder as the bullet grazed his armor plates, tearing the top layer of his skin while the round traveled beside him. Though, instead of letting the captain succumb to his wounds, Sev healed him. "You're not dying until you pay your sins back in full." The hero twisted his blade, gouging his throat open as the healing magic sealed his cuts. While healing might have prevented him from dying, it did little to reduce the pain. "Yan, hurry and extract all the information you can from him. I don't think I could hold myself back from tearing out his skull for too long."

The vampire was angry. This quarry had bruised his one and only in his absence, causing the hero to rip his katana out from his throat, spilling more of his blood across the room. "Pity that I had to stain my blade with your filth." Sev punched a hole in a nearby wall, slamming his fist through to the other side. His armor was the best the vampires could offer him, granting him additional strength with the spells that best matched his affinity. With his mana surging from his emotions and his armor and weapons being used as a focus for it to concentrate through, he was a ticking time bomb, ready to explode. His discovery of emotions acting as a double edged sword, fueling his fight yet preventing him from extinguishing his fire.

"At least, I could take solace in knowing that your legacy will forever be remembered in history books as a failure for a commander."

"That is... If you're even remembered at all."​

 

[Tenzai]

ᴍᴜꜱɪᴄ ɢɪᴠᴇꜱ ᴀ ꜱᴏᴜʟ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴜɴɪᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ, ᴡɪɴɢꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪɴᴅ, ꜰʟɪɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪꜰᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ.
- ᴘʟᴀᴛᴏ​

---

"I must say, these notes feel rather splendid."

"It's jazz, Io. It's something that humans invented."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴋɴᴇᴇ ꜱᴏᴄᴋꜱ | ᴊᴀᴢᴢɪɴᴜꜰ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

As their beloved counterparts were busy out and about exploring Noctua together before the convention, the boys of the crew had taken a moment to enjoy their peace alongside each other at the cafe's bar. Joining them for once were Sen and Sev, eager to take a break from all that befell them after what occurred over the course of the past year. Following a clink of glasses, they were surrounded by the ambiance of human jazz playing softly from the ship's speakers, adding its own unique layer of warmth to the bar that their comfy carpets, their simulated campfire, and their familiar presence didn't already.

"Hey, Sev. Random question." Sen poured the two of them a glass, listening to the others as the boys of their crew gushed over their girlfriends. "Have you ever thought about marriage? There's no war to worry about anymore... And you did say you were interested in revisiting that topic once all the fighting was over." He pulled the bottle of wine back, tapping his own glass against the vampire's. "I've been thinking about one day asking Raf if she ever wants to do a demonic marriage... Something that we could do for ourselves that we don't need the kami's approval for."

"Truth be told, Sen. I have." Sev gave his friend a kind smile, finding it endearing that he would remember their old peaceful conversations from lifetimes ago. "I have her engagement ring in my room. Been thinking about the perfect time to spring the question but... You know how these things go. Never such a thing as a perfect time so..." He tapped his glass back, taking a sip of his blood-red solution. With a pleasant sting that gave texture to the flavor, the vampire could feel his cheeks warm.

"I plan on discussing it with her while the others are away. Once everyone gets settled into their classes in Noctua, we'd have more than enough time to catch up on some much needed space and alone time. Kami knows we could both use that." The father of the cafe's muscles had relaxed when hearing the jokes and bantering of his crew. The peace that his people had sacrificed themselves for had become reality. The cheery looks on his family's faces had made the cost of the renovations and the change in his overall direction feel worth it.

"The crew keeps us busy enough already."

"... But that doesn't stop me from thinking about what's best for our future family too."​

As the two heroes spoke, the boys listened to Io, surrounding him as they peered into his mind through questions. "I quite like this jazz." The robot's mask appeared to be recording the melody to memory, displaying a recording icon while the music played. "It feels... Right." Investing more of his computing power into appropriately simulating the stimulating sensations, unlike the organics that surrounded him, he was able to divulge into the rhythm with much greater clarity than they could ever muster.

Hidden tones buried deep between the presses of the piano keys and the strums of the bass guitar had made themselves revealed, offering hints to the well-read robot of how the original performers must have felt. Perfect imperfections had made their music feel alive. From notes that were played just milliseconds off of perfect tempo to the slightly off-tuning of their pitch of their strings, Io was learning that there was a certain quality that robots failed to mimic which organics were able to understand; The music felt right.

"Can we have more of it?" Jin raised an eyebrow, curious as to the cause of his favorite robot's warm reception. To see any robot feel just as much as Io was surprising to the dragon that once believed they were void of emotion. Io was alive despite his lack of a soul. His existence defied the beast-kin fears through love. He wasn't like the same autonomous masters he rebelled against during his childhood. Regardless of them being made of the same material, exchanging genetic sequences for mechanical blueprints, he was kinder than most. Hell, the robot was even warmer than the warriors he fought alongside. Io never raised his hostility against them, using all the resources and abilities he had at hand to make their wishes a reality. He was a friend to all who called the cafe home. A face far too valuable to be considered any less than family. "The cafe could use something different. Not that I don't like the sounds we play... But it feels like this would be best."

"Well, I'm not against it." Jin shrugged, finding his friend's interest in music endearing. "Beats having nothing playing in the background! That's for sure! Soothing enough as is to drink to also!" He lifted his glass to his mouth, chugging down his favorite beer. Unlike his other companions, the incubi hybrid needed something much stronger and bitter to feel the buzz. His earth dragon physiology made him resistant to most chemical concoctions. "Honestly, I never thought someone like you'd be able to appreciate it." The dragon scratched the back of his head as he eyed down his robotic companion. "Thought you'd prefer something industrial, I guess. Or like... Something more like you?"

Io rotated his head at his neck, simulating the shaking of one's head in refusal. "I'm not fond of how organics would seek to contort the sounds of my kind, Jin. While I understand that some might find that cacophony comforting, I don't. Not to judge them for their likes and dislikes. Its just not something I've ever found myself searching for." However, instead of taking his words as an insult to who he was, the robot took it as an ordinary inquiry. Nothing in Jin's tone suggested it was meant to be insulting and he also had a habit of accidentally being rude while he vocalized his honest thoughts. "But this. This is a beautiful representation of humanity. Of what its like to be human and alive." The drone's mask printed out a smile on his face, simulating his happiness on display.

"I hope one day that I could understand what it's like to feel the same way these musicians do."

"I want to make something beautiful too."​

The robot stared down at his hands, tilting them as he examined his own seams. Because of the nature of his programming, he only knew how to follow instructions. He was meant to be perfect at reconstructing blueprints and ensuring that the metrics of quality were all met during inspection. Creativity was not something that his kind was known for and he knew that well. However, distant from his robotic brethren, the lone thinker was given one directive: To discover the meaning of life and love.

In doing so, he poured his time and energy into reading romantic literature and engaging in the arts, hoping one day to capture what it means to create something others could love. Though, the more he seemed to get closer to putting a science on the abstract, the farther he always became. Still, nothing was going to stop him from trying. After seeing how much his family changed around him after discovering their purpose, he wanted to do the same too. "I know it might be a lot to ask for, but... I would appreciate it if you all could help me understand this more... How to create like you all do." He placed his hand on his chin, leaning towards the others while the music continued to play in the background.

Tai put an empathetic hand on the robot's shoulder. "Of course. I mean... It's only right after what you've done for me already. Tayena wouldn't have been rescued here without your help... And I wouldn't be half as happy without you" The fairy prince was proud of his friend for taking the first step into doing something for himself. To see a robot willingly pursue the creative arts was a rarity of its own; But to have that same robot be the one they all grew to love was another thing entirely. "You're our friend, Io. Ask away all you like."

"Wouldn't hurt to help you out. Especially with all you do for us already." Veil nodded his head in agreement. The mimic was fond of the drone, finding his daily routines all the more easier with Io helping by his side. Io handled the security of the ship as well as most of the cleaning and maintenance required to keep it all running. He commanded armies of drones to inspect and clean after the residents and guests, working tirelessly day and night to ensure that their home was a place they could feel comfortable in regardless of the heroes' and crew's particular eccentricities. "Besides, it would be interesting to see what you come up with."

"You already know my answer. No one here could beat me in a fucking arm wrestling match... But you. Maybe Sev or Raf is they're lucky haha!" Jin grinned proudly, giving Io's full glass a gentle tap of his own. Even if Io didn't drink, it didn't stop the others from pouring him a glass. He was a part of the crew; One of the boys. As different and as odd as he was, the others couldn't help but treat him as though he was alive. "I owe ya a favor or five anyways. Consider it my way of paying you back, chrome head." He winked.

"Dai's right. You're our friend. The best bot I've ever had the opportunity to meet." Fate swirled his Shirley Temple, peeking at Io through his lemon lime tincture. For Fate, Io was an irreplaceable part of his life. While the others were out on their adventures with their girls, he was there to keep him company at home or on little grocery trips and sugar expeditions. In their adventures together, he was able to discover the different cuisines in the galaxy without ever feeling alone. "There's only one right answer after all you were for all of us. Hell, I think even Yume and Merri would say the same too. You're one of a kind and I'm glad to help you out. You deserve happiness too, just like the rest of us."

Able was the last to speak up. He always had trouble with his words when it came to being sentimental, though his time spent with Merri had taught him much about unveiling that vulnerable, emotional side of him. He was different from before. Unlike how it was with Hecate and the previous crew, this group was sticking around for much longer than he ever expected. Without a war to cut their lives short or the threats of an insurgency seeking to destroy all they built, Able was beginning to come to terms with this new life. He didn't need to hide his emotions anymore for his own self-preservation. This crew was going to stay regardless of how strong his fears were. As a result of their built up chemistry, he felt that there was nothing wrong with helping them out along the way, especially if it would lead to Merri's smile in the process.

"Hey, tin-can." The hot headed demon spoke up. "I heard from Merri that there's going to be an open mic in Noctua coming soon. Thought you'd be interested in coming along with us." He turned his head away, trying to look strong despite his kindness. "Maybe you might get some inspiration or something seeing others perform in person." Resting beside the demon was a guitar case meant to help him practice. While there, he imagined it would be the perfect opportunity to sing Merri her song now that he practiced it enough to show it off. But before Io was given a chance to respond, Tai gave an evil smirk. "Aww, isn't that sweet of you to offer. Hey Io! Able's going to be playing for Merri then. Maybe you could ask him what's going through his head when he made that cute song. What was the name again? P.S. I love you?" The prince chuckled devilishly. "Dai, if you don't shut the fuck up."

"If it's fine with you. I'd really like to hear your love song, Able."​

"... Fine. But I won't promise you, I'll be perfect."

"That's fine! I never needed it to be."

"As long as its yours, I'm sure Merri would love it regardless."​

---

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴘ.ꜱ. ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ | ᴘᴀᴜʟ ᴘᴀʀᴛᴏʜᴀᴘ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

I love you, love you oh.
I love you in every universe.
You'll always be the first.
I love you, you're my only one.

I love you, I do.
Love you still, I always will
I want you to know how I feel
And all the promises that I'll fulfill

My only one. My only lovе. ​

 

[Tenzai]

"I'm sorry sir. Your card has been declined."

"Oh... No... It's fine. I'm sorry for wasting your time."​

Lance looked down at his shopping cart filled with the typical essentials. Littered inside the basket included food, toiletries, and other lotions that made living on land as a hybrid shark-kin easier to navigate. HIs exotic people had never adapted to living beyond the frozen seas of their home moon. They were an isolated subspecies that required a rather specific environment in order to survive and thrive. Not only did they share the needs of all living species, they also had to ensure that their moisture was sealed in proper attire and protective-sealant; Otherwise, they would be subject to a pain akin to having their skin melt.

While the richest among them were able to afford the assistive faculties necessary for an easy life on land, the shark wasn't as financially well off. Instead of special suits, he had lotion. Instead of having the special water of his home planet, he had distilled water bottles. Even if it wasn't perfect, it was enough. Lance was an ex-butler laid off from his only job so he needed to save money where he could. With nothing else other than music to guide him, he pursued a degree in music at the only university station that would take someone like him: Noctua U. Using whatever funds he got from working part time as a bartender, he was able to muster a meager lifestyle for himself; That was, until tuition started increasing. With the economy healing after the war's devastation, luxury services had begun to scale with inflation, though his paycheck didn't.

Sighing, the shark grabbed only the barest essentials needed to survive: Top ramen and lotion, leaving the rest behind. Everything else, he deemed he could gather on campus fairly easily. After ringing up and paying for the rest of his goods, he returned to his cramped apartment dejectedly. This was not the life he originally imagined himself leading, but for her, he'd give it a fair shot. "I wonder how she's doing." As he entered, Lance looked up to the poster on his wall which showed the girl who became his best friend and master. She was everything Lance was not, and yet she treated him as though he himself was special. "Hope you're proud of me, Tsuna." He gave her image a polite bow before taking off his shoes and entering in. After starting the burn to boil water in a pot, he pulled out his phone to browse for another job. Bartending wasn't cutting anymore. He needed another gig or two just to survive.

A galaxy full of opportunities

and none of them of which he was qualified for.​

Scrolling through the list of part time job openings, he found himself disappointed at what the station had to offer. From positions for fast food places his biology couldn't work which were rated one star on the local job forums to the listings of security for a convention he didn't have the experience or combat certs for, he was met with result after result of poor options. One by one, he read through the employment boards, finding nothing in return. Some company websites he visited weren't hiring for the position anymore. Other internships he found had an average wait time of nearly a year before hearing anything back. Some even required him to have a degree already as a student. The requirements and bureaucracy had acted like an unbreachable wall, separating the poor musician from good work that could take care of his tuition. Succumbing to his feelings of being a failure, Lance relented in his search and instead looked through the list of gigs in his area.

Immediately, a couple postings have caught his attention. The first involved a competition where there was a cash prize at the top as well as an opportunity to sign with a record label. Saving it to his bookmarks, the shark gave the challenge a tired smile. Even if he didn't win, the least he was able to do was perform in front of people like she did. It was a step in the right direction, another opportunity to change a life. While she played for crowds chanting her name, he performed in front of bars for the few that sat around to listen. While she filled out arenas with her stage presence, he personally invited others to open seats nearby. While she was out there changing the lives of trillions if not more, he had managed to change hers. It was this outcome that pushed him further into the realm of music. Regardless of whether the life he would lead was a humble one, he wouldn't have a regret. Her smile and future were the product of his channeled creative efforts.

Despite the first gig garnering more of his interest, the second gig was an opportunity too good to miss. A cafe had parked nearby with one of its residents seeking a musician to join their ranks. Oddly enough, it didn't appear on any major interest boards. Void of attention and riddled with formulaic language that hinted the posting was made by a robot, it was likely that this was a scam. Still, with his stomach growling and his bathroom nearing emptiness, anything that would allow him to make money through music was not a chance to pass up. He couldn't afford to be choosy anymore. Sending a response out, the shark turned towards his ramen before hearing a near instantaneous response. Whoever was on the other side seemed to be online and ready for his message. Opening the response, Lance's eyes had shined with interest; It was an invitation to an interview. "One step closer, Lance. Just one step closer to her."

---

"Evening, friend."

His first evening at the Midnight Cafe.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴇᴘꜱɪʟᴏɴ ɪɴᴅɪ | ᴄᴜʀᴛɪꜱ ꜱᴄʜᴡᴇɪᴛᴢᴇʀ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"Might I interest you in a drink? My boss told me that I could offer you any of your choice for free." The moment that Lance heard the f-word, his fin-like ears shot upward. His eyes had quickly turned to the menu written on the screens. Lists of many deserts and other pastries invented by the cafe's one and only human had all beckoned his attention. Passing pictures had caused his mouth to leak moisture. It was far too long since he had a genuine treat for himself. "I'll take a... Moonblast please." The glowing pink solution was vibrant, pulsing as it tempted the fish boy from its pixelated screen. "Coming right up." Io chirped, sending a message to the kitchen.

"T-thanks! So uh... About that interview." Lance was a bit shy. Sitting across from an eight-foot tall robot was enough to make any stranger tremble, especially when he was being scanned from head to toe. Io appeared like one of the war machines rumored to fight during the reunification wars. A massive battle drone capable of walking through reinforced titanium, typically known to be unfeeling. Though, judging from the simulated notes and the oddly human gestures, the shark couldn't help himself from feeling at ease. The sense of fight or flight his species had adapted to inherit didn't seem at play. Whoever built this robot must have had another goal in mind separate from the battlefield.

"Of course. Shall we begin?" Io loaded up his questions. "Please answer honestly. I can detect if your kind is lying." Pulling out a notebook, he turned to a page filled with the handwriting of the other boys in the crew. The page was full of interview questions that were meant to help the robot decide whether he would be a great fit. "First question. What instrument do you play and why?"

"I've learned how to play the piano"

"For an old friend to sing along to."​

Lance thought back to his glory days alongside Tsuna. Even if they weren't the most grand of moments, he could never forget her smiles in silence. Together, they were at peace as they performed under whatever moonlight broke beyond the frigid veil of their cool ocean's surface. They didn't need the approval of massed crowds, the fame that won over many, or the riches that glamor would provide; All they needed was each other to make music. She was his other half, the lyrics to his song. She was his duo, the breath to his symphony. She was his air, the strength beneath his wings. Without her, his music felt incomplete though he refused to give up, hoping one day his playing would lead him back to her again. "She was the one who helped me find meaning so I thought, this was my way of thanking her for her kindness."

"Beautiful." Io checked off the first question. "Second question, what does music mean to you?" Lance pondered for a bit. For a robot to ask a question so abstract, he wondered whether he was a robot in the first place or whether he was a living person under a plasteel costume. There didn't seem to be a right answer. However, if the robot was true in its ability to tell whether he was lying, Lance doubted he could do any better than tell him the truth.

"To me, music is the language of love. The language of the soul." The robot tilted his head, curious. "It's the manifestation of our dreams and passions. A window that permeates the surface of our being." The pianist recalled Tsuna's words that moved him. While his truth was a variant of her own, she inspired him to press the keys in the first place. Unlike the cold staff that saw her as a boss or a master, Lance saw her as a friend. In pursuing her happiness, he found his own. "Every step we take in the past and everything we seek to be in the future make up how our music comes out. No one is the same, we're all unique in our pleasures and our pains. Even you." The shark gave his future friend a pleasant smile.

"You have a song of your own that deserves to be played."

"Then can you play a song for me? Whatever you think best suits me?"​

"Of course, do you have a piano I could use?" The robot nodded his head, gesturing his guest towards the bar. Once the two had made it inside, Lance's eyes were immediately greeted with the sight of a piano more fancy than the one inside of the bar. This one appeared new; Its finish so clean that he could see the reflection of his own gills through the black mirror. "T-this?" The shark gulped. This was more than just a simple interview at some random gig. Not even his classmates had played on a piano like this one. This instrument belonged on a stage in a massive opera theater, not some cozy bar in the middle of nowhere. "Are you sure about this?" The more he looked at it, the more he realized that it was something that belonged alongside Tsuna. With the robot refusing to deny him his opportunity, Lance returned him an excited look. If he was ever to perform alongside her, he needed to get used to playing on an instrument as grand as this one.

Sitting on the bench, he rested his fingers on the keys, familiarizing himself with the distance in between notes. Once he felt comfortable, he turned towards Io to give him an inquisitive look. 'A song for a robot that's curious about music. Hmmm.... I might have just the idea.' Lance thought to himself. Finally, his fingers had pressed down towards a key, beginning the familiar tune. It was one of Tsuna's favorite melodies; A song of their people and their curious nature to explore the skies above their moon: Epsilon Indi. "This might be a simple tune, but I digress. Even in the simplest of things, you could find meaning. Complexity and nuance exists in all things, from the most massive of superstructures down to the tiniest cells."

"All that exist within the stars have gravity..."

"... So never doubt just how special you really are."​

Io listened quietly, finding meaning behind every note. As he played, the robot could tell just how much emotion he placed behind every press of the note. Each movement was brought forth from memory, well practiced over years of servitude. Instead of playing it for himself, when in the presence of another asking for it, he could easily imagine having Tsuna hum the same tune by his side. It was how he kept in sync with the songs; No matter how far she was, she still lived on with him in his heart.

"Thank you for giving me a chance to play this. Usually, when asked to perform, people want to hear the popular songs. It's not often I get the chance to choose something myself." Lance gave a polite bow once he finished, only to be surprised once he heard the mechanical clapping of a robot giving applause. "Huh?" Io walked over to him, shaking his hand. "Welcome aboard..."
​

"Lance."​

"Lance. You have a good name. You've earned a place in our family. Consider this your second home, friend." The robot pulled the pianist into a hug, confusing the shark. It was the first time anyone other than her had treated his music so special. "H-hey uh... T-thanks! It'll be an honor playing for you too. Anyways, is this your ship? It's massive and looks really expensive." Io shook his head, rotating his chin back and forth. "No, I'm just its copilot. This is the Seventh hero's ship. You're on the Midnight Rider." Lance's jaw dropped, his eyes left in shock.
​

"Wait... What?"

"HUH?!?!?!?!"​

 

[Tenzai]

Eclipse #7b7b83

Vapor Smoke, Luminance, and Fairy Dust. Eclipse's favored vices.

Ivy #466a6b

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʙɪɢ ʙʟᴜᴇ (ᴍᴜʀᴏ'ꜱ ᴋɢ ʀᴇᴍɪx ᴘᴀʀᴛ 2) | ꜱʜᴀᴋᴋᴀᴢᴏᴍʙɪᴇ ꜰᴇᴀᴛ. ʟᴜᴘᴇ ꜰɪᴀꜱᴄᴏ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Colored plumes had usually followed in the undead, second-in command's wake. It was her respite from the typical stresses that came alongside living with her past. Despite claiming hard-fought victory in the reunification wars, Eclipse wasn't as lucky as her pirate heroine. During one of her final battles, she ended up severely injured, her body afflicted with phantom pains from a curse intended for her commander. Sitting atop one of the rebel's final strongholds, they were ordered to do battle against a master witch doctor known for his potent hexes. Regardless of his short future-sight predicting his own downfall, he sought to bring someone strong down with him: Rio.

It was a trap from the start, the enemy commander using himself as bait. Though as much as Eclipse had tried to convince Rio otherwise, the human heroine stubbornly refused to listen. When her older brother was fighting so hard in the atmosphere above them against rival mecha knights in order to create a window of opportunity, the pirate grew set in her ways. Nothing was going to stop her from helping him out, even if it was going to put her own life at risk.

Twelve's purpose for fighting was tied to Four. She wished to return back to the lives they once lived before the war so strongly, she couldn't imagine a future independent of him. Yet, in spite of her emotional miscalculation of risk, her own gang of pirates had chosen to stick with her in spite of the danger. She recruited them from the slums of the galaxy, offering a new life where they could be respected. Eclipse was one of them, an undead delinquent street rat from the station, Yukari II, also known as Little Tokyo. Now willing to die for the sake of seeing her hero's dream come true.

However, with the war coming to an end, her scars still remained. A mask was typically worn on her face as well as long sleeves and pants to hide old wounds. The hex from that witch doctor tattooed her body, refusing to let her live an ordinary life of peace. Though despite this, she found greater purpose in sisterhood. Unlike many of the heroes, she was not left without a reason upon exiting the war. To care over Rio and the other girls and to protect them from suffering a fate similar to hers became her reason to be; Her reason to persist throughout the pain. Addictive drugs were given new light. Anything that dulled the pain was not beyond her. It was these chemicals and other concoctions that brought out the best of her, or so she thought.

---

"Heal your body all I can. Your mind is a different story.
If you keep going as you are now, there might not be much of you left soon, Eclipse."

A time limit. These drugs were going to bring about her own ruin.​

"Then I'm going out on my own terms." Eclipse sat at the edge of her medical bed, letting the university doctor at Noctua examine the extent of damage on her body using his machines. He was reported to be rather talented with his healing magic; Also rumored to keep his work under wraps as well. As a result, he grew popular as a source of aid for those that were less than law-abiding. As long as someone had the cash to pay him, no questions needed to be asked. Professor Ivy only cared about healing others without the red tape of bureaucracy tying him down, though that didn't stop him from caring about his patients. "Don't you think it would be wise to preserve your mind? If you're around the people you love, I could imagine that they wouldn't want you to be suffering. For you to work so hard for them, I could imagine that they care about you a lot." He voiced his opinion, still applying his healing magic after diagnosing her problems.

"They wouldn't want me failing them either." She scoffed at the idea at first, before seeing her hands shake without the taint of vapor smoke in the air. Her body had grown anxious without indulging in her addictions. Holding her wrist still with her other hand, she cursed her body for acting up in front of the doctor. As much as she wished to resist his logic, he wasn't wrong. Rio had her sent here for a reason. Vi took care of her responsibilities to open up time for her to visit the doctor too. To lie to him and act like everything was fine when it was clear, it wasn't, was to put their invested efforts and energies to waste; That, for Rio and Vi's sister, was a crime only punishable by death. "... Fine. I'll give whatever you have a shot. But if it doesn't work, I'm going back to smoking my shit, got it?"

"That's more than enough for me." Ivy nodded his head, satisfied with her answer. Reaching into a nearby drawer, he pulled out some medication that could help her. It was something originally formulated by Sen to assist warriors on the frontlines; Specifically those that fought alongside Rafaela. Through the use of this medicine, those soldiers were able to resist the effects of long-term addiction while using stimulants to keep up with their hero and fight at their strongest amid the battlefield. It was one of his many hidden ways of protecting Raf, even if he himself wasn't strong enough to. "Here, take this once a day. It's something that could help with the shakes. Should make it easier for you to glean off the vapor smoke and luminance. Fairy dust should be fine if you take it once a day."

"That's it? A magic pill? That's all I need?"

"And I want you to find yourself something to do that could distract you."​

"Preferably something constructive. That pill bottle won't last you forever, but it should last you enough to stave off your addictions until you find something more meaningful to ground yourself in." Eclipse rolled her eyes at his second suggestion, taking a pill to reduce the side effects of withdrawal. "A fucking hobby? Seriously? You couldn't just... Rewire my brain? Do some sort of spell? Give me a fucking implant or something?" Ivy shook his head, looking outside the window. "You see, Eclipse. Here's the thing. Your mind is malleable, much more than the rest of your body. Unfortunately, it's also very complicated too- So much so that any tampering on the brain would typically come with unforeseen consequences." The professor returned her a serious look, staring at her through her reflection in the window. "I'm sure you understand just why brainwashing is considered a very serious crime, right?"

Eclipse sighed, relenting once again. The professor had a way with his words. He was much too convincing with his reasoning for her to come up with some witty response. "So what? You want me to knit? Paint or some shit like some old cat-lady?" The more she thought about it, the more her migraine had inflicted pain on her head. Just the mere thought of trying to find an alternative to what she's grown accustomed to was giving her a headache. "No. None of that. I'm not telling you to choose one thing or another specifically... I just want you to discover what you want to do on your own. If those people matter so much to you, then why not find some sort of hobby that would better help them out? Or at the least, something that could make you physically or mentally better for them." He turned his head towards her, meeting the undead veteran at her eyes to show just how much he cared.

"Perhaps other doctors are afraid of you, but I'm not. Use my advice or not, it's up to you, but I won't sugarcoat it." Vine like tendrils breached from his body, shielding him from any sort of physical blows she could think to muster. "It's only going to get worse for you if you keep taking more of that vapor smoke. Even more so if you keep mixing it with Luminance. If you really want to stick around, you need to find a healthier vice than this, Eclipse. There are many out there in the galaxy. Don't think you're locked in to just choosing this one."

Seeing his tendrils come out, she reached for her gun. "Mind putting the vines away, plant boy? I don't want to turn your office into a crime scene." Ivy chuckled, standing firm in his belief regardless of the apparent risk. "This isn't the first threat I've heard before. Nor will it be my last either. But, before you scatter my brain across the flooring... You're feeling better already, aren't you?" Her eyes grew wide, noticing the lack of the ordinary shivering in her bones whenever she reached for her grip. Whatever he was doing was working. "... I am." She pulled her hand off her weapon, sighing as she relaxed her shoulders. "Looks like Rio and Vi weren't wrong about you. You're everything that they say you are. Color me impressed." She reached into her pocket, placing her card on the table in front of her. "Here. Add a little on top of my tab as a thank you."

"So, any advice on where to start?"

"I'd say exploring the campus would be fine. Who knows? You might find something interesting."
​

"I've got a flier from a nice human that a new cafe is opening up soon. Maybe you could start there and invite a couple of your friends." The professor handed her the flier. "If coffee isn't something you prefer, you might be interested in the bar. Odd combination, but hey- I'm not the owner of the ship." His vines re-entered his body, finding Eclipse no longer a threat. "Heard it's being run by a few heroes from the last war. If you're lucky enough, you might get the chance to meet them. Do let me know how you like it. I've been thinking about inviting my colleagues there sometime when I'm out of shift."

 

[Tenzai]

"Hey Clipsy~ Whatcha dressing up as for the costume party?"

"Oh, I don't know... Maybe a witch? What about You?"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ɴᴏᴄᴛᴜʀɴᴇ ɪɴ ᴇ ꜰʟᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴊᴏʀ (ᴏᴘ. 9 ɴᴏ. 2) | ᴄʜᴏᴘɪɴ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

"You think it would be corny if I dressed up as a vampire?"

Violet, the Crimson Meridian's Third-In-Command
#776681​

The two girls chatted, waiting for their drinks at the bar while the cafe's new pianist had found his rhythm. With confidence, his fingers met the keys, embracing each note with love and respect. The admiration of others was unnecessary, the shark demon finding purpose in performing by searching for his own perfection through practice. Without much concern for his own groceries now that he found a job that offered all he needed, he was able to break free of the chains of necessity, honing his craft and discovering the music of his soul throughout his progress.

"Evening, ladies." The bartender brought their orders to the counter, his mind empty and calm as he listened onward. "Your drinks." To Eclipse, he handed her a Zen Star. It was one of the few drinks sour and strong enough to break through her tired, undead taste buds. For the vampire, Violet, he handed her a Piano Woman with double the Karmotrine, infused with aged blood wine to cater to his sanguine tastes.

"Thanks, misterrrr-" She held her note, searching his body for a nametag before being offered a response by the cafe's one and only dragon resident. "Jin." He gave her a kind smile, his devilish features piercing through his draconic veil. "Jin~ I like that name. Suits someone strong and handsome like yourself." The vampire teased, taking a sip of her glass. As she opened her mouth, her fangs were on display. "Mhmm... You should try this sometime. Maybe we could hang out a little and I could order something for us to- Ach-"

"Vi." Eclipse spoke with a stern voice, pulling her by the ear. "We're not going to cheap out on this place. Rio said she likes it here." Vi pouted in response. "Then where is she, huh? And besides, what's wrong with a little light flirting? It worked with other bartenders before-" The vampire gave pause, turning towards the dragon with sweat dripping off her face. "I mean... Aha... You're cute Ji-" The dragon continued giving her a smile, though his aura immediately became intimidating. "I'm happily taken by the only girl strong enough to handle me." He pointed at his tattoo bearing the iconography of his lover's symbol. "And if it wasn't for Rio paying in advance, I'd be charging you too."

"Vi, if you let me talk, I would've told you to relax."

"Well, you can't blame a girl for trying!"​

The vampire gave a cheeky laugh before finally relaxing. For the two gang members, spending time in peace like this was a rare treat. Usually, their leader would have a job lined up for them, pushing them to prepare for a fight or guide those beneath them into order. While Eclipse may have preferred to be on the job, Vi wasn't going to let this opportunity slip. She was going to enjoy this break, refusing to take their freedom for granted.

"I've heard from Rio that she found a nice girl around here." Vi spoke up. "Oh? She always finds girls. What makes this one any different?" Eclipse took a sip of her own drink, raising an eyebrow. "She took this one on a second date. And a third one." Before being able to swallow, she nearly spat out her drink. Rio was never the type to seek commitment. After being spurned by her first lover, she avoided being tied down to someone who could hurt her. Whoever this woman was must have had something different about her for Rio to want to return back for more. "What the fuck do you mean, a second date? You sure it's the same girl? No way she hasn't gotten bored already."

"Positive! Here, take a look." Vi handed her friend her phone, showing a picture of the woman that was claiming more of her time. If anyone other than Gemini was able to grant their boss stability, they would support it. Though, all it took was one look at her phone to realize a few similarities with her celebrity crush. "You're thinking what I'm thinking too, right?" Eclipse facepalmed, nodding her head. "She looks almost exactly like Yan too. Let me guess, does she come with a kid?"

"Tell me Clipsy, what do you think?"

"Swear that milfhunter never changes."​

"Even back during the war, she had a thing for older women with kids." Eclipse sighed, thinking back to her flings while they served together. Battlefield nurses, daughters of friendly generals, and even administrative staff were known to frequent her bedroom. "I blame her brother for getting her interested in those types in the first place. That spoiled princess sure loves getting breakfast cooked for her after sex." Vi gave a knowing smirk, finding Eclipse's comments endearing. "And? Rio wouldn't be Rio if she wasn't going after hot moms." The vampire's fangs had given her smile an edge. "Who do you think she'd be chasing after otherwise? Sen?"

"... Actually"​

"Yeah. That's the only guy keeping her bi." Eclipse reached into her jacket, pulling out a sugar stick to keep her mouth occupied. If she wasn't supposed to smoke for the meantime, at least, she was able to find a little comfort in sweets that gave her mouth the same feeling. "If it wasn't for him being so obsessed with corrupting that angel, I wouldn't doubt that Rio would have been in his bed instead. Those two run on the same wavelengths sometimes. I mean, come on. Have you seen their god kid? I'd even call him their own with how much thought they put into him." While the galaxy knew little of D, her gang was clued in to the hidden hero by their leader. Rio was proud of D's accomplishments, considering him robbed when his pilot took the medal in his place.

"... You think building D would make her count as a mom? Or like... A god mom?" Vi gave Eclipse a puzzled expression. "Does building your own robot make you a mom?" The vampire never thought much of robot parenthood. It confused her at first when Rio brought up just how alive D was. For a while, she couldn't distinguish him from any other construct until she heard their past conversations through old recordings. His speech felt no different than any other while being raised up. Somehow, her hubris had given way to making Rio a godmother in her own right, regardless of how the others had felt. She knew just how hard raising someone was and yet she still sought out those who were raising others. By some extent, it was starting to make sense as to why she looked for them in the first place. "I don't know, and I don't think I'll ever know." Eclipse idly drank her glass, turning towards the shark at the piano.

"So, what's that guy's story?"

Happiness Found Under Moonlight
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴍᴏᴏɴʟɪɢʜᴛ | ʙᴜɴɴʏ ʜᴏᴘ ᴜᴘ ʜɪɢʜ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Jin turned back to the girls, hearing Eclipse's question. Even though he spent a couple days as their newest hire, the dragon never got the opportunity to really speak to him... until now. "Hey, you're Lance right?" He wandered over towards the pianist's side, making him a soft drink to accompany the tunes for the night. "I don't think I had the chance to introduce myself to you either. My name's Jin. I'm the cafe's bartender." With an open hand, he gestured over to where he liked his drink to be placed. "Nice to meet you, Jin. Thanks for the drink. Glad I could be here and make music for you all."

"So tell me about yourself? What's your story?" Lance continued to play, eager to finish the rest of his medley before taking a break. Once he got started performing, it was hard to pull him out of that headspace. Music was his passion. To create for the delight of others was his soul's calling. "I don't think there's really anything special about me. Learned to play for an old friend who isn't with me anymore." His eyes were gentle, staring blankly at the window as he looked at his past through his reflection. "Thought that if I could get good enough, one day my music would take me back to her. That time has yet to come, but I'll never stop looking forward to it."

"If I'm good enough to earn my place performing here, I'm sure I've improved much since then."

"Your smile speaks a lot already. Hope I become someone worthy of your generosity too."​

 

[Tenzai]

Haku #e6f8f9​

"Yeah, I've been broken hearted! Blue, since the day we parted~" "Why, why, did I ever let you go?" ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴍᴀᴍᴍᴀ ᴍɪᴀ | ᴀʙʙᴀ ↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Auri #ffae41​

I've been cheated by you since I don't know when
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn
I don't know how, but I suddenly lose control
There's a fire within my soul​

A pair of void dragon siblings rested underneath the shade of the fae's evergreen floating island gardens, taking a break from their hike in a forest clearing that resided by a gleaming river. Their journey through nature was meant to distract the brokenhearted dragon. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to work. Instead of finding peace in the solace, his mind was freed to focus on the pain of his recent past. "You know, Haku. You gotta learn how to move on." His sister, Aurelia, sighed in emotional exhaustion. "No reason to remain hung up on some girl that didn't think you were enough. It's her loss anyways." The crossing of her arms was accompanied by the shaking of her head. "AND CAN YOU STOP SINGING THAT KAMI-FORSAKEN SONG SO LOUD! Its annoying as fuck!"

Haku laid in the shade, looking up at the passing mountains that flew beside the clouds in the sky. "She was the girl that stole my first kiss. My heart, Auri." When alone in his thoughts, even the clouds above had reminded him of her. "The same cute face that ate McDonald's with me on our first date. Fish Filets and sunsets." His headphones blared on, playing breakup music as the wind had brushed past the giant trees around them. Looking at the heavens, the dragon wondered what the gods were planning with him. What was his suffering meant to accomplish? "What are the chances I'd find another goth baddie like her? Ach- Hey- What was that for?"

His sister flicked his forehead, trying to return him back to reality. "That's for not getting the bigger picture. Your chances are actually pretty high, you idiot. You just gotta look in the right places. There's tons of other goth girls out there that are LEAGUES better than her in places THAT AREN'T HIGH SCHOOL. Gods, I don't even know why you'd ever settle for someone like her!" Auri's voice was harsh as usual, though she cared deeply for her brother. They were the only family each other had after they lost their parents early in the war. "Besides, wasn't she just a cashier at a fast food chain that was known for giving head in the bathroom by the dumpsters? Come on, Haku, you're a BODYGUARD of a HERO'S SECOND IN COMMAND for kami's sake! You deserve better than some cheap, backstabbing gold digger from high school that's using you for your wallet, dumbass."

Infatuated after experiencing love for the first time

His first love's red flags were treated as her quirks.​

"But-" Auri cut him off immediately. "No buts! And don't you dare say it's cute that you get to spoil her either!" Once she got herself going, she stubbornly refused to let go of her tirade until she believed she was finished. "She was a walking red flag, Haku. What about her only wanting to hang with you after you got your paycheck? Where she'd only be down to fuck if you took her to a five star restaurant with an expensive gift? Or what about every time you both took pictures together, she tagged them with shit like, "pretty much dating a hero at this point~"? Those are the only pictures she takes with you. Haku, she wanted you for the clout and the bag, not you." His sister groaned. "Ugh, how could you be so smart everywhere else, yet be so clueless when it comes to dating?"

Haku wiped the tears off his face. Even if his heart was unwilling to see her as the one who got away, his mind was much more reasonable. The details Auri shared with him were grounded in truth. "I'm not trying to rag on you over who you choose to love, Haku. I just... I really care about you." She wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close to her side. "When I see some other bitch take your heart and disrespect it, of course I'm gonna be mad! Gods, you don't know how fucking infuriating I got over her!"

"How do you think I felt when I saw her browsing through tinder? Or what about when we visited her and she was a mess and all dismissive and shit? You know! The time when she had those other dragons and incubi over?" She rolled her eyes at the memory. "The ones she said were only her special friends? Just like you?" Auri became quiet for a moment, giving him a moment to think. Once she opened her mouth again, her anger had cooled. Where there was tension, it was now replaced with empathetic tones. "I'll be frank. If she wants a harem that could gangbang the shit outta her, good for her! Great, she got all the dick and pussy her heat could ever need! But what she wants isn't what you want. And there's nothing wrong with wanting something different, Haku. But there's something wrong with acting fine when she has to lie to you to get what she wants without losing you."

"You deserve to find someone that treats you right."
​

"Remember how you felt when you found out my wolf-boy ex cheated on me?" Auri pulled his sleeve, revealing a couple scars her brother took in their physical exchange. "How you protected me during that whole fucking mess? Think of this as my turn to be here for you too. A thank you for... You know... Being my hero when I needed you the most." Haku placed a hand on hers. "Anytime, Auri. I uh... I kinda never thought that I'd ever go through the same." He chuckled, brushing his hands over the tall grasses once his heart started to relax. Despite the pain inflicted on it, he wasn't alone. The only friend that could understand him was by his side through it all. "I guess we both suck at choosing the right people to date. I wonder if its genetic." He joked, lessening the tragedy of their reality. "If it is, I'm fighting both our dad and mom in the afterlife! And I don't plan on losing!"

He sighed before placing his hand on his heart, feeling it still stricken with grief over the death of his supposed relationship. "Heart still hurts like a bitch but... I'll be alright. Thanks for that. I wonder why something that could feel so good could hurt so bad." Haku sat up, pulling his knees to his chest as he leaned towards her shoulder for comfort. "If it didn't hurt, it would have meant you never truly loved her." Auri patted him on the back, letting him rest his head on her shoulder. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that, Haku. No one deserves to be hurt like that. Especially not you." Her eyes were full of warmth, finding herself staring at her reflection as her brother navigated through his own thoughts. Slowly, her arms wrapped around him automatically. What he needed now was a hug, not a lesson. "It'll be alright. We have each other." Her hand reached towards the back of his head, stroking his hair to calm his nerves. "So let's just focus on killing it at the tourney coming up, yeah?"

"And hey, maybe we might even find someone better there too! If we win, we could impress them!

Hopefully whoever comes next doesn't have heats."​

 

[Tenzai]

Fari #849d7e​

In fields of monochrome, I find my rest. In our next life, my love. I will make up for this failure with my eternity.​

Anne #d74553​

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ɢɪᴍᴍᴇ ʟᴏᴠᴇ | ᴊᴏᴊɪ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

Look into your heart and let me know
Do things turn black and gray as they go?
When I'm far too gone, can you show me love?
Give me love​

Her druidic, tribal prince dropped to one knee surrounded by the corrupted bodies of those he once loved in his childhood, his crimson life painting the flowers that decorated his homeland. The red hues that spilled on the familiar canvas around him had torn apart its monochrome visage, forever staining his sacrifice into the soil. Fari was an animist mage driven against his pact with his people by the call of his soul, drawn to love someone he shouldn't. Through tragedy, he found his other half. Foregoing the risks of the unknown, he realized his purpose: To fulfill his duty to protect his beloved and see her dream come true even if he was to become a sacrifice.

Saint Anne. The warrior princess hailing from what was to become the kingdom of Avredia. In order to forge a home and future for her people, she enlisted the help of many prominent adventurers and mercenaries. Among them was Fari, an heir to his tribe known for the strength of their bonds with the spirits of the forest. He was a tracker and a mage, though his unique upbringing had led to more unorthodox uses of his magic. Where other mages may have focused on typical convention, seeing some spells are stronger than others, Fari on the other hand saw use in every spell. From those implemented by farmers to those only considered worthy of demons, he utilized each spell indifferent to cultural influence. As a result, he became dangerous and unpredictable, though his kindness kept him grounded.

However, despite the strength she amassed by her side, she was still at a gross disadvantage. Marauding demons had made life hell for those unfortunate enough to be born during their age of strife, outnumbering her allies ten to one while matching them in combat power. Regardless of this fact, she stubbornly resisted against their will. Somehow she always managed to come out victorious after each rebellious bout, her victories in defiance of the odds being seen as a sign of divine intervention. Whichever god she earned the favor of must have been truly on her side. Her fame had become widespread, her banner being seen as a symbol of unity and divine favor. While the others might have followed her to earn respect, riches, and glory by her side, Fari was drawn to another side of her entirely; The side that lay behind closed doors.

Her followers only saw her as the patron saint of luck. Victory against the demons.

Fari on the other hand had seen her as a close friend. Someone trustworthy to share troubles with.​

While the two were away from the prying eyes of others, Anne bickered and complained over the state of many things. One that constantly came up was her issue with her people's deification of her. Where she wanted people to respect her as a leader, instead they worshiped the ground she walked on. Where she preferred loyalty through chemistry, many among her cohort only saw her as a means of upward mobility if not a biological manifestation of their favored goddess. She was misunderstood, made a figure beyond life due to the strength of her people's culture. Though, for Fari, she was just another soul wandering this living plane as he was. By treating her as a normal person, he earned a place in her tent as her favorite.

Oftentimes, their grounded speech would bring them together. Whether that may be the result of them complaining over the same tasteless foods, voicing out their completive tones over a match of chess, or taunting each other with a good time during their training and sparring matches; By treating each other as equals, they became more than friends. She saw him for more than what her army did. Where others saw some ordinary runt from the forest, she found a partner. It wouldn't be long for love to bloom between them, their shared life or death experiences being the perfect opportunity for chemistry to develop. Familiar faces were a rarity in this war; Especially if it was one where both could find comfort in.

Though she brought him to the heights of his life, working with her and gaining a reputation had brought upon his own damnation. His tribe had became a target to the schemes of hell. Discovering where she found her boon of a partner, instead of fighting them where they were strongest, the demonic generals had targeted where they were weakest. His forests were hard to defend, open to attacks from all directions. In being hidden, they hoped to find their safety. With one of them gaining notoriety among the devil's ranks, it was only a matter of time before they would arrive to them with force.

Their raid was swift and deadly.

Those who survived their vile flames were corrupted beyond all recognition.​

His village unfortunately resided on the outskirts of their territory. It was an easy enough target for the demons to overwhelm before reinforcements could arrive. While he warned his people in advance, their stubbornness to dwell in the same place their forefathers did for generations had become their undoing. Who was this child to dictate the fate of their village? What hubris must he have in order to think he knows better than the eldest offspring of their ancestors? Even if he was the blood son of the tribe's father, Fari's opinion held little sway to the elders of the village who lived for lifetimes more. His father and mother, while loving of their child, also sided with the elders that guided them instead. Even if they didn't agree with them completely, their obedience to their mentors and their desire to protect the village ran deeper than blood.

It made it all the more tragic for the tribal prince to find their familiar faces turn their blades and spells against him. Once the demons had destroyed his village, they continued marching deeper into his homeland in an attempt to flank the saint's holy army from behind using the souls they corrupted within to reinforce their ranks. Feeling vindicated by a sense of revenge for his village, the tribal prince marched with a few of the saint's own. It was hard for the poor druid to convince her cohort to invest resources, especially when they deemed the man no better than a dirty rat that sought to gain from the scraps of her holiness. Still, finding the same resolve to fight against the odds, Fari marched against the demons. Her words were unable to sway him from changing his fate.

Outnumbered, the druidic prince and the few friends loyal enough to protect him had fought in a field near his burning home. Horde by horde, they were charged at their position, though they stood strong, eager to get revenge for all the innocent lives lost in the fighting. As the corpses had piled into mountains with a river of black blood ripping through the serene scenery, they grew exhausted but kept fighting onward. Mana burns and soul fire weren't enough to slow the prince's hands. As long as his family was avenged and his lover could advance onward, he was going to fight until his body could fight no longer. Eventually, his father and mother had approached him, glowing in eyes and demonic in presence. Trying to sway the druid towards the corruption, they used his parent's voices and mannerisms, beckoning him to switch sides. Though, his love for them and his desire to see his saint's dream true had protected him from their coercion, forcing him to duel his own flesh and blood.

The demons had stood apart from them, watching as they dueled for hours until eventually, Fari gained the upper hand. With a spell lingering at the edge of his spear, he thrusted it into his father, sending his soul to the afterlife and bringing his body peace. His mother came next. Without a body to protect her, Fari made quick work of her, sending his spear flying towards her skull. Finding the druid too fierce a foe to fight, their general withdrew. There was little point in sacrificing anymore demons against an enemy too resilient to die.

In spite of his victory, Fari wasn't as fortunate as his saint.

Without Anne by his side. His luck had finally run out.​

The wounds on his body were too great to heal. With the mana he expended during the heat of the battle, his soul was on death's door. With the coldness of the world around him overtaking his body as his warmth escaped his fleshy vessel, Fari knew that his end was fast approaching. Closing the eyes of his parents, he laid by their side while gazing up towards the moon above. "If I knew that night would be our last, I would have held onto you a little longer, Ana. I would have liked to see these fields with you one day. I'm sorry that my death would ruin the beauty of the flowers." Even as his body began to fail him, the druid was smiling. His purpose was fulfilled. He and the few companions that sacrificed their lives with him have achieved a feat that could be seen as grand as the saint's own. Regardless of whether there won't be anyone around to share it, he knew that his lover would know the truth. His sacrifice had meant something.

Though oddly enough, while he made his death have meaning, there was still a feeling that was pestering his heart. He ached for her, the phantom pains drawing confusion from his mind. "I... I hope you'll be happy once you find peace. That my sacrifice would make the future you're fighting so hard come to fruition. I wish you and your people nothing but the best the gods above can offer." Again, his heart quaked at his words, stirring in his chest. It was unsettling. All the way up to this point, he thought he understood what he was meant to do: To be a spark in her moment, a weapon to find peace. Yet, here he was questioning his own purpose. Something wasn't right. He wasn't fulfilled.

Regret. What he felt was regret.
​

Why was he meant to die for them to find peace? Why can't he embrace the same peace he fought so long and hard for? Fari sacrificed everything to accomplish every feat so far. He lost his village, he lost his people, and now, he was going to lose his future. His heart trembled, feeling disdain at his own position. It was unfair that he was forced to give so much and yet not live long enough to reap the rewards. All he wanted was to be happy with her.

Closing his eyes and coming to realization wasn't easy. It was much too late to alter his decision now. Instead of quietly waiting for his own death however, he chose to pray. With the ground as his altar and his feats well worthy of respect, he lifted his eyes to the skies and called upon whichever gods that blessed his beloved. If they weren't looking at him now, he deemed he could get their attention if he used whatever was left of his own body as a sacrifice. "Gods of Saint Anne, heed my call." His strength was draining fast as he mustered whatever remained of his voice, calling out into the empty void of the stars above him.

"I don't need heaven. I never wanted it." The stars twinkled above Fari, shining their spotlight on the dying man for this one moment. "All I ask is for a second chance to find my beloved again and my soul is yours to take." His fist gripped as the pain from using his wounded lungs to speak began to overtake him. Still, he continued onward, drawing more attention towards his torment. "This world was never meant for me. Not at this time nor at this place, but I still prevailed. Take value in my persistence and grant me deliverance from this torment. Bless me with an existence where I could live by her side in peace and my eternity is for you to decide." As he looked around for an answer, instead of finding holy energy in his presence, he found something else. A specter of death rose from shadows within the corpses, answering his call before all else. He was a raven that sought to scavenge the souls of the battlefield: A reaper.

"The gods won't answer you, Fari, but I will.
Do you seek to exchange your afterlife for a second chance?"

"My life is your offering, friend."​

Fari didn't address the reaper with fear. Where he saw death in this life, he saw hope in the next. If Anne was truly lucky, the dying soul had little doubt that their fates would bring them together again. No matter how far she is, whether they are lifetimes apart, somehow the druid held on to a hope that they were bound to reunite again. "I will make you the manifestation of finality. An eternal existence where you would see the end of it all. The future fate of all that exist, divine, hellion and all in between; Will be yours to write. The same gods you pray to will treat you with fear. The same demons who took your family away will make sacrifices in your name. It won't be as gratifying as heaven's exalted offerings... But I promise you'll see her again. Every promise I make is absolute. So, do you still wish to receive my blessing?" Fari nodded his head, reaching out to shake the reaper's bony hand. Shedding the flesh of this life, his soul was ready for the next. "I do."

"Then let me be the first to greet you as who you were always destined to be."

"Welcome to my side, Fate. Let's bring about oblivion."

Caught in a river of records and dreams
Oh, will you keep up with me?
Everyone's looking for someone to hold
But I can't let you go​

 

[Tenzai]

Seon-ji #1ABC9C​

A blessing for his genesis. "You want my blessing for your marriage? Of course, Leon."​

Leon #FBA026​

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛᴇʟᴏᴍᴇʀᴇꜱ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

And we go beyond the farthest reaches
Where the light bends and wraps beneath us
And I know as you collapse into me
This is the start of something​

---

Far above the clouds, the phoenix paladin had made his home.​

His dominion was an empty plane of mist and snow, hidden from the eyes and judgment of other gods.
​

The fox men kneeled in front of each other, sharing Ice-thorne tea as the snow rained around them. The peace of the peak was serene. The spirits of nature around them had given their resident paladin respect by remaining still in his presence. The fog appeared to follow his will as well, granting the two a special view of the moon above the neighboring mountain. This was Seon-ji's home. Here, on a snowy planet that sat within the outskirts of heaven's realm, the Phoenix Shard was free to hone his own mind through meditation and discipline. He stood as an oddity compared to his anointed ancestors and holy allies. Unlike the rest that came before him or acted alongside him, he cared little about whatever species a soul resided in. He believed good could exist in all people, regardless of what the rules of heaven may suggest.

"Wait- That's it? You're not angry at me or anything?" Leon scratched the back of his head, confused as his master's kindness and understanding. "The other paladins told me over and over again whenever I asked that you'd smite me! That there's no way you'd support something like my marriage." The ember kitsune gulped, nervous that he was making a mistake. While he wouldn't take back his marriage, loving Skadi more than his oath to the kami, he still cared about the approval of the one paladin that saw his training through. To Leon, he was the father figure he always looked up to. His strength and patience were virtues he always wished to mimic himself. "Didn't the kami order that interracial marriage with demons was a sin considered unforgivable?"

Seon-ji took his cup of tea, taking a sip to give himself a moment to process Leon's words. Closing his eyes to ground himself in the Icethorne flavors, he constructed a response befitting and respectful of his favorite student's feelings. "Why would I ever be angry at you for wanting true love, Leon? I could tell how much you feel for her from how much your body changed already." He lowered his cup, staring into the eyes of the child that worked so hard to follow his footsteps. "The rules of the kami are meant for only the kami to follow. Not for ordinary people like you and I. Our rules are different. The only unforgivable sin you could commit is acting against the will of your heart." He smiled, looking down at the wedding ring that rested on Leon's ring finger. "Your wife has good taste in fashion." He lifted his gaze towards his face, seeing just how much he changed from being with her. "... And good taste in men."

"But Seon-ji, we're the farthest thing from ordinary! Wouldn't the kami get angry?"

"The kami won't stop me from doing what's right. They shouldn't stop you either."​

"The gods are far from perfect, I'm sure you know that already." The snow fox's demeanor changed from kindness to a bitter cold. "Their paladins are meant to be the manifestation of their will. Unfortunately, that much is true. Even I myself act in the favor of my goddess." Lifting his sleeve, he revealed the extent of his old wounds. Divine fire had afflicted Leon's mentor, though where the pain might have been overwhelming for most, for Seon-ji, it was manageable. "They've turned their weapons against me before, claiming my goddess was a false kami. Others have tried to steal me away from my purpose, attempting to convince me that my love and devotion to her aren't real." He shook his head. "In the end, their convictions weren't strong enough to stop me... And they shouldn't stop you either. No one should deny you your purpose. Not the kami, not the paladins, and not even I."

"Wait..." Leon's eyes grew wide. He never once imagined that his mentor held such a polarizing stance. "So who are you in love with then? What motivated you to endure all that, Seon-ji?" His mentor tapped Leon's wedding ring, hinting at his level of devotion. "I've chosen to commit myself to a human goddess eons ago." He pulled his robe, revealing her brand on his chest. "My endurance stems from my love for my wife. My passion for her runs far deeper than the so-called faith that the other paladins proclaim themselves having for their kami. Divine strength doesn't come from the power of the kami alone nor the holiness of one's blood, but of the strength of your beliefs. The power of your bonds."

"Let me tell you a secret, Leon. If the brand on my chest doesn't make it clear enough already." His master placed a hand on his brand, feeling it pulse as his heart felt strongly for his wife. "I'm not an angel nor a pureblood kitsune. I'm a fox demon. The same as Nine but weaker." His eight tails waved at the same intensity of the wind, revealing themselves in all their splendor. "Yet, you see me performing the same feats as exceptional as our ancestors before us. Think for yourself. Why is that? What makes us so strong?" Leon scratched his chin, trying to find a reason yet finding none. Hearing his master be much more like him than he thought had brought relief to his mind. Seon-ji really did understand him. "I don't know? Why?"

"Love, trust, and conviction. It is what molds us. What gives us our strength."

"It is the fuel of miracles. Not the grace of the kami, as much as they would want you to believe."
​

The sun began to rise above the clouds, breaking apart the snowy visage that hid their surroundings. "As long as you have those three, I assure you, whatever you're doing is right." Seon-ji took another sip of his tea, his eyes glowing with the reflection of the sun. Through love, his old wounds became history. Through trust, he became fearless of the unknown. Through conviction, he had found a purpose that mattered to him. The phoenix shard's marriage to his kami gave his feelings substance. The love of his goddess had made him resilient to the malicious thoughts and actions of others. "You never needed my blessing, Leon. You yourself are more than enough. You were always enough. Why do you think I chose you? Your love for her is the only blessing you need."

"I'm proud of you for learning my lesson. To follow your heart rather than blindly follow orders."​

Leon's tails began to wag behind his back, betraying his feelings to his master. To be accepted and understood was all he wanted. "Then can you bless my kids? I'd like it if you were to be their godfather. Maybe even their mentor." The fox husband chirped. "I brought my wife here. I didn't know if you would be fine with having a demon in your estate so I asked her politely to wait outside." Seon-ji chuckled, finding his level of respect endearing. It stood in stark contrast to how he usually was greeted by the other paladin captains. "Of course, Leon. Please be my guest. She's welcome inside just as much as you are. Oh, and do tell me all about her too. I want to know about the girl that managed to win my favorite student's heart. Any name in mind for your firstborn too?"

"Seeun. Thought it would be nice to name our child Silver in our native tongue!"

Let the tides carry you back to me
The past, the future
Through death
My arms are open​

 

[Tenzai]

Able #B8312F​

Hecate #008aa5​

Jupiter #c45b56​

The Songs of Hell. Triumph through pain.

"I can't handle this. I can't play! It's too fucking hard."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟᴏᴠᴇʀ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴅᴀʏ | ᴄᴜᴄᴏ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

Time changed, we're different
But my mind still says redundant things
Can I not think?
Will you love this part of me?​

"That's what she said! Ach-" Hecate punched her captain in the shoulder, rolling her eyes and smiling at his usual banter. "You're a fucking idiot, Jup." The three demons laughed, spending a night together under the stars as they camped in the wilderness. While it may have been an ordinary mission for the other two, it was one of Able's first ever since being summoned to the vampire's ranks. "Relax, Cait. It's just a joke." Jupiter smiled, before turning his attention over to their newest recruit.

"Anyways, it's like anything else, Able. All it takes is practice. Here, I'll show you how to play my favorite song. Who knows? Maybe you'll make some girl really happy with it someday." Sev's second in command gestured the demon spotter's attention towards his hands. Resting within his grip sat an ordinary electric guitar hooked up to a portable amp, a scene considered a rarity among the queen's ranks. It wasn't often that someone would invest themselves in music while worrying for their lives. In Able's hands were an acoustic guitar, picked up from a previous station. His best friend and roommate gifted it to him in exchange for him pursuing a passion beyond warfare alone. "Just follow after me, okay? We'll take this as nice and slow as you like."

Trying his best, Able's fingers struggled to muster the same practiced motions of his master. No matter how much energy he invested into it, his song didn't play the same exact perfect sounds. His notes weren't as beautiful as Jupiter's own. His strings weren't touching on the same frequencies. His tempo was off and his mind was struggling to keep in track of strumming and tabbing at the same time. It felt as though Able was fighting his own music. Seeing this, Jupiter squinted before resting his electric guitar by his side.

"Able. That was beautiful. What do you mean, you can't play?"

"HUH?! WHAT TYPE OF SHIT ARE YOU SMOKING JUPITER?"​

"I'm a fucking wreck. My music is whack as fuck. Didn't you hear?" Able cursed his own performance, struggling to see what Hecate and Jupiter saw in him. "All I've done was choke my guitar's neck. Nothing that came out of it sounded as good as yours! I get it... That there's nothing wrong with my guitar... So what is it? HUH? Am I just bad? Is that what you're trying to tell me?!" His anxieties at doing anything else were overwhelming. The idea that he could be capable of doing anything else, let alone good at it too, was beyond him. "Look, Jupiter. I'm only good at fighting. That's all I've done since I left home. I can't do school. I can't build shit. I'm not good with people. All I know is how to destroy. How to kill. What makes you guys believe that I'm anymore capable than all of that?"

Before he could continue on his tirade, Hecate shoved her shoulder into his stomach. "Able... Diablo. If that's all you were good at, we wouldn't have wanted you here as our friend." Her eyes were soft as her words. The Able she saw was a friend that would stop at nothing to protect the smile of those he cared about, not some monster that he himself believed. "Cait's right. Able, you're more than you think you are. The fact that Hecate saved up two of her checks to spoil you for your birthday means that she has faith in you, dumbass."

Able gasped, staring down at the guitar. "Y... You saved up all that for me? Two months... Just to get me this?" The moment he realized just how much she cared for him, the same anxieties that told him he wasn't enough was quelled. Hecate was not a generous demon. She was greedy and selfish, her willingness to steal his jackets to make her own or steal his blankets to bundle up during cold nights had made him wary of the fact. To have her act against her own ordinary personality for his sake was eye-opening to the struggling guitarist. "... Thank you, Cait. Sorry. I just..." She shook her head, smiling. "You giving it a chance is enough, Able. While I'd like it if you could learn how to play for me... If it's too much, you could give up. I won't hold it against you, alright?" Her words summoning a flame within him, Able perked up. He never wished to be a disappointment to anyone.

"Fine, I'll give it a second shot. Hit me with your worst, you fucking assholes." The demon lifted his guitar for a second go, causing his best friend to sit up in excitement. "I'll give you the trashiest music to listen to whether you like it or not. Don't blame me if Seven comes to tell me to shut up. If he does, I'm blaming the both of you for enabling this shit." His devilish arrogance came back to him, drawing a smile on his campsite companion's faces.

I'll take the bumpy road, it'll probably break my legs
As long as I don't show you what's ruining my head
Funny thing about you is you read me pretty well

But you haven't found me yet at the bottom of the well
Annoying you with smoke signals, asking you for help
'Cause your immediate presence lifts me straight away from hell

"Then let's take it from the top, shall we?"

​

---

"Hey fuckface, I'm back."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟᴏᴠᴇʀ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴅᴀʏ (ᴀᴄᴏᴜꜱᴛɪᴄ) | ᴄᴜᴄᴏ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Able visited his friend in the hospital, opening the windows to give Jupiter some fresh air. "So soon? And here I thought, you'd give me more time to miss you." His wounded captain chuckled, teasing him. "Welcome back, Able. It's always a pleasure whenever you visit me." Jupiter rolled his wheelchair over towards his friend, shaking his hand and gesturing to him to sit in an open chair beside him. While he might have been one of the lucky ones, escaping Yan's so-called betrayal with his life, he lost his legs in the process of doing so. Saving Hecate's life cost him his mobility, though the smile on his face revealed no regret. If given the chance, he would make the same decision again. "Visiting Hecate too?"

"Of course, Jup. I always do. But that's not the main reason why I'm here." Able pointed to his back, his guitar case hanging from his body. "I came for you, idiot. I wanted to play for you again." He sat down in front of Jupiter, drawing his guitar from the case and tuning it to his preferred frequencies. "I think I nailed your song down, but I wanted you to be the first to hear it. It's only right since you said it was your favorite." Jupiter smirked. "Oh? So are you falling in love with me now? Stop it Able, you're going to make me blush. Hell, you'd even make me swoon~" Able clicked his tongue. "No you fuckin asshole. Besides, I've already found a girl I wanna call my own... I wanna make sure this song sounds good to you first before I play it for her."

"Aww. You're growing up, you know that? The Able I once knew would have never gone after anyone, let alone be interested enough in romance to say something like that." His retired captain patted him on the back, proud at seeing his friend change in the peace. "Maybe sometime, you'd give me a chance to meet the special girl that won you over." Able looked down at his wounded body. "Well, whenever you get your legs. I'd be down to introduce you sometime. When are those things coming in anyways?" He took a few practice strums as he spoke. "The doctors didn't give me a date. They said what they have in plan for me is experimental, so it's taking a bit of time for it to be made and delivered. Who knows, once I get my legs back, maybe I could travel the galaxy with you guys someday. I'd like to go home and play again."

"That would be nice. Sev did say something about visiting Hell sometime to take care of old business. Maybe then, I'll ask him to take you with us." Able's eyes stared towards the door across the room for a moment. "Hopefully Hecate could wake up by then. It would be nice to go together again like old times." He sighed. "Anyways, shut up and let me play for you dummy. I can't focus if you keep distracting me."

"Of course, Able. Feel free to take it from the top whenever you're ready."

​

 

[Tenzai]

ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛʜᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴛ — ᴛʜᴀᴛ — ɪꜱ ʜᴏᴍᴇ.
- ᴇᴍɪʟʏ ᴅɪᴄᴋɪɴꜱᴏɴ​

---

Amelia #DADABC​

The Lengths I'll Go to Protect... ...You | ...Our Home​

Gemini #50C878​

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴏꜰꜰᴇʀɪɴɢ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

And you are a garden, entwined with all
You are the silence on sacred shores​

"What the fuck do you mean, Gem?!" Amelia grabbed her brother's sleeves, ripping her fingers through the fabric to hold on to him in place with emotional intensity. She stubbornly refused reality, seeing that letter as a product of nightmares. "What do you mean you got drafted?!" The war that was soon to rage above them had threatened their very way of life; Their home; Her family. "It must be a fluke or something. Has to be. Maybe they got the wrong name or address or some shit! Like a different Gemini! Or- Or maybe! Maybe it was just a test to see if their mailing system works!" Her voice was shaky, nervous at their potential mandated separation. "There's no way there's recruiting people like you! ... Right? You're only human!"

"Lia..." Gemini placed his hands on her shoulders, looking her into her eyes. "When I chose to enlist in the military academy to afford us a home, I knew the risks." His own orbs were soft, treating her as a father would his daughter. "It's the cost of affording an ordinary life like this. The only reason why the academy would pay a human like me so well was because they knew that a draft was likely. Every star within the empress' control must produce an offering; A tithe of manpower, supplies, or equipment... And now it's my turn to join the ranks." Her brother took a deep breath, understanding the nature of the galaxy's strife. While unfair, it was reality. He wasn't any better than a mercenary. Instead of fighting for the peace of the galaxy, he joined to ensure himself and his sister a place where they could live in peace. Any home was better than living on the streets.

"So what? Boo fucking hoo. They could go fuck themselves finding someone else to sacrifice. But not you!" Lia held onto Gem tighter. "Anyone but you!" Coming up from nothing, Lia held little value in what most other girls her age would want. Instead of worrying about friends, she worried more about whether she'd find food to eat. Instead of worrying about classes or romance, she thought more about what place she could safely sleep. Her parents had abandoned her from an early age, leaving her to find her own way to an adoption center. It was there where she met Gemini and became inseparable. He was a constant face in a sea of shifting environments. He was a persistent source of good when the world around them had nothing kind to offer. It was only him that she found value. Everyone else was a resource to take money from. It was better to take advantage of other people before they took advantage of you.

"You're my home Gem! This place wouldn't be the same without you!"

"What if we run away? You won't have to die for something stupid!"
​

"We're already used to living outside anyways!" Lia buried her head in Gemini's chest, hearing the sound of his calm heartbeat. "Besides, I'd rather live out there with you than alone in here! Anything beats being alone! Please." She mumbled into his shirt, uncaring of the mess she was making on him. As tears ran down his clothes, her brother wrapped his arms around the back of her head and pulled her close. "I don't care about this house. I don't care about the money. If that's the price of losing you, they could have it all back. I don't fucking need it. I just... I don't wanna lose you too. You're all I have left." She was on the brink of breaking down. For years, each other were all they had. As a result, they grew dependent on each other, finding contentment in their counterpart's smile.

Before Gemini could mutter words of comfort however, the two heard a strong knocking at the door. Gem turned to the sound but Lia's feet stood resolute in their conviction. She wasn't going to let him go without a fight. "... Lia. I'm doing this for you. I'm fighting for a future where you could live in peace without having to worry about money again." He took a step forward. "What's the point of living if you're not here, huh? Why care about me so fucking much if you planned on leaving me too?" She dragged him a couple steps back, pulling him further away from the door. It was a tug of war between two people who deeply cared about each other. Neither side was willing to buckle.

"Why fight me so much, Gem? I thought you loved me?" Lia's words had contorted the feelings of his heart against him. "What happened to our promise of never letting each other fight alone? We're a team! We're meant to be together!" She always knew how to rip into his conscience. The strength of their bond had given the two understanding of each other like no one else. "So what is it, huh? Is it really money? The gang could take care of us. We don't have to follow the rules if it's going to end up getting you killed."

Gemini shook his head. "It isn't that. The clean money is nice and all and it's good that I don't have to worry about you or I getting arrested in order to afford a home, but that's not the main reason why I'm going." Lia lifted her head from his shoulder, her tears making her face look like a mess. Meeting his eyes, she continued her interrogation. "Did you get caught in some sort of psyop? Charm magic? Some succubi bitch working for the empress offering ass for a bonus?" Even though his face didn't appear to make her guess likely, her mind still reached towards every possible answer. "I could ask one of my girls to help you out! They're far better than whatever pencil skirt pretty face they could toss at you! Hell, they'll even love you right too! At least they know your value!" Gemini shook his head again, putting down Lia's guesses one by one. "It's not that either."

"Then what is it?"

"I've told you before. I'm doing this for you. For us."

This is a giving, an offering
In your favour, a sacrifice in your name
But I know you've got a taste
So just take a bite of me​

His broad hands stroked her hair, ignoring the growingly impatient knocks that came from the door. Once set in his ways, it was difficult for anyone to sway Gemini's mind. "I've gotten trained and certified for the highest paying position they would offer a human here; A mecha knight." Lia was confused at Gemini's decision. It sounded dangerous, causing her mind to be puzzled as to why someone so keen on limiting risk would choose a position like that one.

"Once I retire, I plan on making all our dreams a reality. From starting an adoption center of our own to exploring the galaxy with you. Everything we missed out on when younger too, we'll be able to make up for when I get back. I'll be able to spend the rest of my life around you then. All I ask is for your patience and faith in the meanwhile. But I'll need you to take care of this place while I'm gone. This is our fight, not just mine. I'm not fighting for the empress, I'm fighting for our future home."

Finally hearing his thoughts, her heart had settled for the most part. "They're going to assign me to some of the galaxy's brightest minds. And you know me, Lia. I'm not the type to take risky gambles. I promise you that I'll come back for you. So smile, okay? I don't want my last memory of you for a while to be one of you crying." He wiped the tears off her cheeks as she stuttered while thinking of a reply. "Fine... But... I don't... I don't want you to be alone. I want to be with you. That's my only condition." Her brother was surprised at her response. He never imagined her taking orders well. "Well... If you want to fight alongside me, how about you take yourself and your girls over to the academy and see if its' right for you... How about this."

He leaned down, meeting her eyes at her level. "If you manage to pass your exams and you go through the bootcamp without failing, I'll request whoever's in charge of me to deploy me in the same place as you. How does that sound?" Lia nodded her head. While she never did well with tests or exams before, if her proximity to Gem was on the line, she was willing to do whatever it took to succeed, even if it included reading and studying.

"So I just pass an exam and do a little training?

...And I get to be stuck to you? Sounds easy enough!"​

"Just watch, Gem. I'll catch up to you and be your commander! Or captain! Or... Uh... Whoever the fuck is in charge of you!" Her rebellious spirit returned to her, reigniting the fire with Gemini as well. "But you better keep your end of the promise too! If me and all my girls catch up to you, you better demand a deployment change... Or else I'll break your favorite gundam! You know the one! The one I gave you as my first present!" Her brother did an exaggerated gasp, relaxing once he found her typical self returning to her. "Of course I will. I doubt my request is going to be refused if you're in their ranks anyways." He chuckled, feeling her arms let go.

"I have faith in you, Lia. Make me proud."

Turn the page once again
Give up the game and let me in
My arms belong around you
So take a bite, I want to know​

 

[Tenzai]

Theodoros Phoenix Lord of Ashen Eternity #B2BEB5​

For you, princess. I'd sacrifice eternity.​

Dorothea The Peasant Princess #bf7f5c​

Sharing their final sunset, Theodoros held his lover's hand.

Unlike many who fell before him, he was lucky enough to say goodbye.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛʀᴀɴQᴜɪʟɪᴛʏ ʙᴀꜱᴇ | ᴄᴜʀᴛɪꜱ ꜱᴄʜᴡᴇɪᴛᴢᴇʀ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"Who knew, I would shed tears over something as ordinary as the sun's departure." The light of the passing sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the two in peace as their world came to an end. Beyond the mountains stood armies that marched against him. It was only a matter of time before their capital would suffer ruin. "This was meant to be a happy memory. I'm sorry you had to see me... cry, Dorothea." His fingers interlaced with hers, squeezing familiar non-verbal syllables that were meant to tell her: I love you. "I promised I would be strong before I saw you off. Gods... Now look at me... I must make a terrible lord, don't I? I'm unable to keep a promise to the woman I love most, let alone my domain and my people. A failure that doesn't deserve his title."

The phoenix's hand shook, scared of the future that would befall him. Even if he knew he was going to come back to life again someday, he never knew when that time would be. His memories of this life would be lost as was the curse of rebirth for his kind. Worst of all, he didn't know whether his lover would be around whenever his eyes opened again. His ashes could lay dormant for years, decades, or centuries even. By then, his love would have long returned to dust and her memory would cease to exist. It was a fate deemed unfair, yet try as he might to change the outcome, Theodoros had a responsibility to fulfill: To protect his love, his land, and his people to the end. To do any less was to fail in his purpose as their ashen king.

However, before he spiraled any deeper, Theodoros felt Dorothea's hands squeeze his back. "Dorothea?" His fight was not his own to fight but theirs. The men and women at his command were here to carry out his dreams to the best of their abilities. The walls around their home had stood steadfast against invasions time and time again. Theodoros wasn't alone anymore. Dorothea was a reminder of just how much they came forward from who they once were as strangers. Gone was the fear that separated them. In its place was love. Gone was the desire of being anything else but themselves. In its place was respect and a wish to see each other at their most genuine. She loved him for him. His people loved him for him. It was by this very love that made him strong. The king was not kind by choice alone, but by the grace of his people and his loved ones. Even if the sages had guaranteed defeat, fear wasn't going to stop him.

The hands he loved were the same hands that saved him.

"Forgive me, my dear."​

"Every time I find myself losing my mind, I always end up waking back up in your arms with your hands in mine. Funny how these things are." Theodoros lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her skin. "You always call me strong. Yet, I'm the one who's always in need of you." While he was her guardian, she was his guardian angel. Her smile was warmer than the blaze that erupted from his spells and bows. It was that gentle kindness she always treated him with that made him fall in love with her in the first place. His emotional vulnerability had given way to the blossoming of their chemistry. "It just makes me wish that we've had more time. Maybe in another life, I'd be able to wed you and love you properly. I'd like a life where I could live with you in peace, darling. Maybe one where we could have kids someday too."

"I'm sorry things have to end like this. It was never my intention for our love to be cut short due to the ambitions of others." Theodoros pulled her hand inward, drawing her into a hug. Feeling her breath on his neck and the beat of her heart against his chest, he was reminded of the life he was fighting for. "But I can't have you fighting these fights. This is my war. Not yours. You never asked for this." Reaching towards his back, the ashen lord drew his pouch of gold to place in her hands. "Take your family and whoever friends you can and leave. As far away as you can, until you find peace for yourself and your future generations." He held her hands closed once she held the pouch, unwilling to take it back.

"When I find you again... Whether it be in this life or the next... Or whatever time beyond, I'll be sure to treat you right. We'll catch up for all the lost time we spent apart." He drew closer before giving her a kiss on the lips. It was the last he would ever give in this life. "Gods... I already miss the taste of your lips and you haven't even left yet." He gave a flirty smile, aware of his doom fast approaching. Their last moments together were unlike any other pleasure he felt before. A tear drew from his eye, streaming down his chin as he went for another kiss. Followed suit was another and another... And another. "I love you, Thea. If I can't have you in this life... If we can't be together as we are now... Please save yourself for me in the next."

"I promise I'll find you again."

Of fire he was reborn, to ash he will return.
​

With his kingdom in flames, Theodoros rested back on his throne. A stream of crimson ran down his body, pooling at the floor beneath him as more gushed out his wounds. Though, as his enemies had breached the doors of the throne room, he stubbornly refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing him die. Sitting atop his throne wearing a smile on his face, they found the corpse of the ashen emperor satisfied over the fulfillment of his duty in the closing act of his life. His sacrifice had given Dorothea and the rest of his fleeing people enough time to escape with their lives. The deaths of him and the loyal soldiers that stayed behind to protect their families had not gone in vain. Trapped underneath the remains of his burning castle, his body was buried under a casket of fiery gold to be reduced to ash.

Though, while his enemies had claimed glory in his death, the true treasure of the kingdom, her people, was not lost in his final battle. His true treasure, Dorothea, was able to escape with her future away from the violence. In defeat, he found victory. In sacrifice, he chose life. When faced with choosing who was to die, he transcended selfish authority and chose the future of those who raised him versus his own. He was more than a gift from the gods; Theodoros was a miracle to the people who loved him.

In every lifetime, I'll always choose you.​

---

"I call this the Song of Healing, Thea."

"It was you who inspired it."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜱᴏɴɢ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ | ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴇɢᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴢᴇʟᴅᴀ: ᴏᴄᴀʀɪɴᴀ ᴏꜰ ᴛɪᴍᴇ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"It feels weird. Seeing your smile feels so... Right." Pressing his fingers on the keys, Theo followed the practiced motions of a song he meant for Thea. Hidden within the intensity of each keystroke were feelings hidden underneath an ethereal veil. His soul called out for her, aching to make amends for their time spent apart. Oddly enough for Theo, it felt like this wasn't the first time he performed for her like this before. Her ginger touch as she wrapped her arms around his chest from behind and the slightly off tune humming of her throat trying to match his music were all too familiar. "Have we... Met before? No... That can't be right." He shook his head. "I'm sure I wouldn't have forgotten your face, Thea. Especially not with a smile like yours."

His hands knew where to go even with his attention turned towards his prisoner. Theo understood that he didn't need to treat Thea so kindly as her warden, yet he found himself wanting to. Her kindness was bringing out a side of him that his father knew nothing about. It felt like doing something like this for her was what he always wanted. A storm of puzzled thoughts had invaded his mind. At first, he thought he was subject to some sort of charm magic. However, after spending enough time with Thea, seeing her flaws in all of its tragedy in contrast to his perfection, he doubted that she could muster any spell that could affect him without help. Seeing her so imperfect had made him want to be there for her more. If his father was too busy to watch over her, Theo made it his responsibility to care for her in his absence.

As he continued to play, he noticed her hands drift towards his own. "Hey- What are you..." Before he had a chance to protest, his body relaxed. "... Here. Let me play the rest for you first. I'll show you how to play after." Theo unknowingly gave her a smile, his demeanor shifting towards something much more compassionate. Thea gave him all the attention he lacked from others. She freed him from the burden of loneliness. Their chemistry was so infectious that the other members of the staff had found the sight of them being together too endearing to report. Only Thea knew how to make him smile. Thea was able to keep his mind from spiraling out of control. "I'd like to hear the sounds of your music too, you know?"

"Everyone has a song."

"You have a song of your own that deserves to be played too."​

 

[Tenzai]

Able The Demonic Transcendental Lover #B8312F​

Dai The Runaway Fairy Prince #61BD6D​

Fate The Kami of Futures #D1D5D8​

"You think Sev's gonna be pissed if we're snooping through his things?"

"Relax, Dai. We'll be alright. I promise."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: 5:32 ᴘᴍ | ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇʟɪ
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The demon patted the fairy prince's back, finding his hesitancy to commit to their heist cute. "I already paid off Io to look the other way. As long as we're not going to touch anything dangerous, we should be fine. Besides, why be so scared now? The heroes aren't onboard to catch us and the others are visiting the club fair... Only thing we have to worry about is taking too long." Motivated by spite for their draconic resident's gifted genetics, Able held conviction in revenge. Nothing was going to stop him from shifting the power imbalance in the boys' favor.

As the demon opened up old boxes, he searched for an old remote that acted as a metallic wand. "A long time ago, back during the reunification wars, Sen invented something that could be used to shrink or grow someone temporarily. He never told us what it was for specifically, only that it was meant to help Raf." He turned towards his two accomplices. "I'd say, it would be the perfect thing to use against Jin. We could take a couple inches off his height! Maybe a foot or two for a day! See how he likes it being called short!" Able snickered. While Jin might have treated the others as family, there were times where he would unconsciously say things that would tap into the other boy's insecurities by accident. For Dai, it was his physical strength. For Fate, it was his social anxieties. For Able, it was his size.

Able wasn't as big as his demonic counterparts. Even if he was roughly the same size as the other members of the crew, he was well aware of just how different he was from the ordinary twilight demons. It was a common tease that his hellion-versed comrades would give him while serving by his side. Hecate was known to engage in this banter especially, joking about how Able and her were the same height despite his particular subspecies being known for growing to much larger sizes compared to her. Over the course of months, Able awaited the opportunity to finally set his plan in motion. No one was going to get away with calling him short, not without suffering the consequences through a harmless prank.

"Guys, I don't think this is the best idea." Fate stood back from the three, aware of what fates lied in store for the fairy and the demon. While his future sight might not have been able to navigate him towards his optimal future, it was more than enough to warn him that the two were steadily approaching a trap that would transform them in a way neither of them expected. "I'm not saying that Sev would be the type to set traps where he stores his gear, but the other heroes, I'm not so sure." The kami's mind took him to the undead heroine herself, well known for the pranks she'd set up for the other heroes to stumble into years after the war had concluded. In the grand scheme of eternity, she cared little for the duration in time between her effort and her reward. The looks on the faces of those she pulled a trick on were timeless and priceless.

"What? Only hero that would do that is Lev. Sev would never let her in here!"

"I think Able's right here, Fate. Yan and Sev are too responsible to let someone like her in a place so dangerous.
You might be overthinking it."​

"... And it wouldn't be bad if something humbled him a little." The prince grew reinvigorated in his search hearing Able's explanation as to why he needed help. He was here to return a favor initially but to find out that they were aligned in goal, it was enough to drive the fairy's legs forward and his hands onward. "You have to admit, Fate. Jin can be a little much sometimes." He scratched the back of his head, thinking of the numerous times his mouth would act on its own.

"Oh Dai. Not you too." Fate sighed, ensuring he kept his distance from the two. "I mean, sure. Jin can be a little extra but I don't think he means any of it." The kami attempted to calm the two down. "If it wasn't for Yume keeping him in check, I doubt he'd even remember what he ate yesterday, let alone what he said." Despite his words, they were persistent with their search, eagerly looking through boxes tagged with the label of the first division: The unit of heroes that included Sen. "Guys, really. Its not going to end well for you."

"Fate. Are you with him?" Able's eyes glowed, halting in his search and turning his attention to his friend. "If you are, be honest and I'll pay you a little extra to keep your mouth shut about it." He smirked. "That way, you and Santana will have a little extra to fuck around with on your arcade dates." Dai's fairy ears perked at the sound of her name. "Oh, didn't she say she was planning on moving in with you too?" The moment he heard, Able's mouth was left agape, his jaws dropping as far as they could go. He never saw Fate as someone capable of bagging any girl, let alone someone as audacious as the lucky demon herself. "Wait, what?! She's moving here? With you? No fucking way! FATE'S ALL GROWN UP! DAI! OUR BOY IS FINALLY A MAN!" He charged the kami, making his hair a mess with a loving knuckle rub. "Gosh and here I thought you'd never bag someone! Tell me. What's your secret."

"Well..." Fate blushed, embarrassed about how their first date had sloppily ended. "Let's just say, we knew each other for a while. Met each other a long time ago, you know?" He kept the fact that they were transcendental lovers hidden, speaking as though their relationship was born through ordinary childhood chemistry given time to bloom. "When we finally reunited and found out who each other were, things just fell into place... And we stopped taking our time for granted." Speaking about his girlfriend had caused his heart to stir in its chest, sending a wave of calm to bask over his body. Whenever he thought about how they met, the social anxieties that typically kept him nervous would melt away. Seeing this, the boys had given their heartfelt response.

"Aww, she sounds perfect for you." | "Aww, you two are so fucking cute."

"Thanks guys. I'm just lucky I had the chance to find her again."
​

"Fuck you mean, Fate? She's lucky to have found you!" Able nudged his best friend with his shoulder. "Yeah, Fate. You're honestly a lot better than you think you are. Trust me, I know." Dai agreed with Able, knowing just how bad the dating scene was when it came to the nobles of his past. Fate never seemed like the type to choose prestige or material gain over romance. The way he presented himself had always driven Dai to wonder what his heart was in search of. When he would catch his friend staring longingly into the sparkling abyss of space, it always appeared as though the kami was searching for something he lost. "Treat yourself better. You're better than many princes and princesses I know, definitely."

Fate gave an embarrassed smile, struggling to comprehend the weight of their complements in full. Given his extended lifespan, the amount of time he spent with a family that cared about him and a love that sought to keep him by her side made up a miniscule portion of his memories. Every time he expected apathy or disdain given his particular divine responsibility, instead he found understanding and compassion. These people didn't see him as a kami, they saw him as a friend. "Oh s-stop it you guys. I don't need the praise. Really..." He tried to hide his blush behind the collar of his puffy jacket. As a result of their kindness, he decided to help them. "If you're looking for Sen's remote, its in that box over there." Masking his divinity with another lie, he spoke. "I heard from Sen about it when he was organizing his things in the armory. But be warned, i-"

"Thanks Fate!" Able and Tai rushed over to it without letting Fate finish, quickly opening it up before being hit with a pink smoke that occluded their side of the room. Seeing it fast approaching, Fate stepped into the doorway until it cleared out on its own. In the boy's place were two similar looking girls, causing confusion to envelop the both of them.

"What the fuck?!" | "W-what's this?"
An automated message played from within the box.

"Haha. Gotcha Sen! This is revenge for tossing me in the laundry!"​

"Maybe being a girl would make you less angry all the time!" It was a recording of a younger Levy's voice meant for a different target. "Heard from Yanny that you were stressed over getting caught by Gabe! So, I thought- Hey! Why not make you a girl! At least this way, Gabe will never find out! Its not like he knows what girl cum looks like anyways!" She sounded victorious behind the mic, regardless of how careless and likely it was for someone unintended to get caught in her trap. "And you said you couldn't be pranked!~ Now, before you worry about trying to purify me again, the transformation isn't permanent! It only lasts a day which means you get to have a day to Raf to yourself!~ Have fun cumming your brains out over and over again~ Buh bye!"

"... Lev, I'm gonna kill the shit out of you when I see you again."​

 

[Tenzai]

Sev​ The Seventh Hero | The King of Crimson #F37934​

Sen The Third Hero | Heaven's Antithesis #00FFFF​

Gemini The Fourth Hero | The Dawn of Humanity #50C878​

"Sen, it's never too late to change your mind. You still have time to redeem yourself."

"So what? You want me to apologize to that arrogant prick?!"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟᴇᴠɪᴛᴀᴛᴇ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

I can lift you up
Your body is mostly blood
Like water, a perfect flood
Engulfing me again, oh

And I can tell you won't
Remember my cracking bones
The trauma we can't regrow
Just as you leave again, no​

Love lost to hubris. "Who's side are you on, Gem?! Mine or Gabe's?" Sen gripped his glass, shooting a furious gaze towards the two heroes. As he spoke, his throat's muscles strained, still sensitive from the brand inflicted by the star of calamity himself. "He beat me... That fucking angel beat me fair and square... No amount of alcohol is gonna make me forget what I've lost." His voice cracked as his eyes struggled to hold back the tears of regret. His mind absorbed Ten's magic in full, believing his loss to be his own. With no one else to bear witness to the miracle that took place by his hands, the other heroes had come to the conclusion that the human had failed in his gamble. Their love was never meant to be.

"This stupid brand burns whenever I get close to her. It gets mind numbing just thinking of her sometimes. No drug nor drink is strong enough to weaken the pain. No fucking spells or painkillers could make it bearable." His grip cracked his glass, causing whiskey to spill from its fissures. As Gem opened his mouth to respond, the human scientist shot him down. "I don't wanna hear anything from you. You don't understand me, Gem. At least you have a wife to come back to. A family that believes in you. And what do I fucking have, huh?" Gemini was silent, simply letting Sen rant to let his feelings out. "Half a fuckin galaxy that hates me and a shitty husband that brags about how well he's fucking the girl you love." Finally his eyes burst, letting out of a stream of weakness not known by anyone else other than the first heroine herself. "What am I to do? The only reason why I'm here anymore is because I don't want the other half of the galaxy to hate me too for betraying my post."

Seeing Sen break down had caused Sev to give pause. His once frozen pureblood heart, now thawed by a love for Yan, was able to feel. He felt the pain emanating from Sen's voice. The emotional tragedy made physical through the throes of pain his friend went through was a sad sight that beckoned compassion where he once thought he had none. Somehow, the severity of his loss had spoken to Sev on a much deeper level. The vampire was made human. "Sen, maybe... It wasn't meant to be. At least for now." He attempted to mend his friend's broken heart through sympathy. "But come the end of the war, things might be different."

"Wow, an immortal telling me, a human, to wait?"

"I'm sorry that I wasn't blessed with eternal life."

And we imitate
A story of perfect days
A ballad we fabricate
As you forget your words again, oh​

The fate of all humans was to live as brightly as they could during the miniscule amount of time they had to exist. Compared to many of the other heroes, Gemini, Rio, and Sen had only been around for a second of their long lives. It was a well known curse to love a mortal as someone who wasn't; To understand that their time was finite compared to one's own. Yet, in spite of the differences and in knowing his own mortality, Sen had chosen to love an angel. He chose to go against the rule of the gods by challenging their beliefs over their perfect judgment, testing their definition of love by showing their favorite child how it felt to be wanted. He corrupted her with happiness, showing her what satisfaction and freedom felt like. While many might deem the human terrorist a monster to all that was divine, to many angels, he was someone that the kami took seriously; A prophet in his own right.

His hubris had given him a strength beyond any that the kami could offer him. Though it was by that same hubris that he met his biggest downfall. "It's unfair, you know? Why the fuck do the kami get to decide that some species get to be immortal while others don't? ... Why am I cursed to be forced to say goodbye when I have so much I want to do, so much I want to live for?" Sen stared at his own human reflection, struggling to comprehend why fate had brought him here. Was he not supposed to fall in love? Was his tragedy divine punishment or was it a future of his own design? Whatever the answer was, he knew he wouldn't like it. Knowing the truth wouldn't change his fate either. A brand was considered permanent from the perspective of a human, its longevity based on the life of the one who inflicted it. "Is it wrong to be in love?"

"... Be honest with me you two. Was I too late to love her?"

And is that all you need
To merely pretend to be
Falling in love with me?
Forgetting the agony again, oh​

As Gemini thought about Raf's reactions to him, he doubted it was the case. Rafaela appeared happy by his side. Her emotions were much more vivid, hiding little when only in the presence of other heroes that didn't include her husband. Her smiles felt all the more real when they were imperfect. Her laughs were heavy and strong, her anger was much more genuine, and the eyes and smile she wore when by his side felt too honest to fake. There was undoubtedly some chemistry between the two. The more the human mecha pilot thought about it, the more he noticed how good they would have been together if it wasn't for her forced marriage.

Sev on the other hand noticed her apathy when she was around Gabriel. While positive emotions were still very new to the vampire in love, he was much more adept at reading hostility and neutrality. As an assassin, it was of utmost importance to wield every potential advantage. It was what kept him alive in spite of the odds. Detecting the fractures in loyalty of guards and other close staff had given him an edge above the vampires that saw mortal chemistry as beneath them. It was by this experience, the social skills taught by the Eighth hero herself, that hinted at a lack of care towards her husband. From the looks of it, Sev assumed that their marital arrangement was held more out of obligation than any stronger bindings. The two were incompatible otherwise.

"No. You were too late to love her without conflict with Gabriel, unfortunately."

"No, not at all. Just sucks that you had to go through Gabe."

Will you levitate
Up where the angels inhabit?
Will you levitate
Where I won't reach you?​

The two men refused to lie to him. While they both might have had their own individual thoughts about it, they both came to the same conclusion: If Gabriel wasn't there, things would be different. Regardless, believing that Sen's choice to duel with the angel of calamity would only go so far in helping him recover and helping them achieve their goal. They came here to bring their friend back into their ranks as the empress ordered. He was deemed too necessary to the war effort to be left idle for too long.

Inspired by a desire to see the mastermind find happiness, Gemini was the first to speak up. "You're right though. I don't understand what you're going through and I won't act like I do." He placed his hand on Sen's shoulder. "But that won't stop me from wanting to be there for you, Sen. We're brothers in arms. Family baptized in fire. I don't plan on ever leaving you behind." He shook his head. Despite his ease with speaking to the other heroes, even the kind hero himself had preferences. He didn't like Gabriel nor his company. Even if Sen was deemed intense, he pursued the goals of his heart to its furthest extent, stopping at nothing to see his dreams through. Seeing someone as ordinary as Sen go above and beyond the works of heaven was a testament to his willpower and an example of the best humanity had to offer. "You're a friend to me, Sen. Nagi saw something special in you that drove her to your side, and the more time I spend with you, the more I see the same qualities that make you special. Don't give up, friend. There's more to life than this."

"You know what would really piss off Gabriel?" Opposite of Gemini, Sev knew how to appeal to a different sense: That of spite. It was Sen's driving motivator. He didn't pull off miracles for the sake of doing good, he did so for the sake of proving that the kami weren't the only ones capable of miraculous works. One by one, his magi-tech inventions pulled away the veil that separated the mortals from the heavenly bodies. Sometimes, he would even exceed expectations, causing more planets to shift in their focus from absolute worship of the kami to a tenuous acceptance that they existed. Being so close to Sen had exposed the vampire to this side of him, giving the hero a unique insight to the mind of heaven's antithesis. "Live. Find happiness that stems beyond Raf. If he's as prideful as I think he is, to see you succeed in spite of the odds would make him furious."

"If he hates you that bad, use that hate to your advantage. Use it as your fuel."

"Be better than him. Be better than the fools arrogant enough to call themselves perfect."

Will you levitate
Up where my love doesn't matter?
Will you levitate
Where I won't reach you?​

 

[Tenzai]

Sen The Third Hero | Heaven's Antithesis #00FFFF​

Rafaela The First Hero | Heaven's Favorite Angel #A38F84​

"Be better than him? What a load of shit."

Frozen in time, broken and paralyzed.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜱᴇʟꜰɪꜱʜ | ᴅᴇᴍxɴᴛɪᴀ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

Drown me in despair
I'm broken, way beyond repair
From sulking, over the times that we'd never get back
Drunk every night, with cigarette pack​

Staring back at his own reflection, the third hero could find nothing but flaws. The brand of the second had stained his neck, the burnt tissue forever reminding Sen of his loss to his angelic foe; The defining moment that ruined the rest of eternity. The traits he once prided himself which brought about this new life with his beloved angel, he cursed with flared aggression. What was the point of acting with hubris when their relationship was doomed from the start? What was the reason for his persistence if he would only face setback after setback after setback? Even after his main obstacle ceased to be, there was another even more stubborn foe in his place, reveling in the pain he dealt to his human adversary. To be brought back up only to be shattered again was a fate worse than being left alone. The pain in his heart had dragged him back into his accursed reality; His living hell.

No matter how powerful he got, no matter how much he could change, Sen could not reverse the past.​

After hearing his wife getting fucked by not only his biggest adversary, but the vampire known for his sadistic tendencies and emotional manipulation, He didn't know to what extent was truth and what wasn't. Try as he might to obtain peace by getting the full picture, there always seemed to be another secret to be revealed that could torch the sanctity of his mind in the post-war. He was forced into a fate where he was to be kept apart from Raf as punishment, only to be punished for his inability to claim victory over his divine rival. With no one understanding what occurred on his side, all they could do was assume that the words that came to his mouth about Raf and his duel with Gabriel were the truth. He lost fair and square. The strength of his determination, his human hubris, and his love combined were unable to bridge the gap between the human hero and heaven's guardian. Raf's love was too far out of reach. Her assigned ex-husband was too tall an obstacle to climb, too strong a wall to break through.

Frustrated at the new knowledge unveiled during his fight with Ten and Tayena, his human fist slammed the bathroom's mirror, shattering his image and staining his flesh in crimson. Ten's power was a curse that still gripped the poor human's mind over all of these years, turning his own love against him as a potent weapon to keep the human under control. He was a slave to his emotions, the strength of his feelings acting as a double-edged sword. While it was the fuel that motivated his campaign against the gods that took everything away, it was also the dagger that dug deeper whenever his past had returned to haunt him. Unlike the other heroes, Sen's power had come at a cost. The stronger he felt because of it, the more it hurt him to wield it. Yet in spite of that...

...His love wasn't enough to ensure his happy ending.

It was never enough. The galaxy demanded more from him than anyone else. This was his cross to bear.

But it's only fair that I'm broken, way beyond repair
I know that it's all my fault, I'm guilty as charged​

"Why does it have to be so damn hard to love you?" Sen slumped onto the sink, glaring at his cuts as the wounds on his skin healed quickly. The hubris that fed into his chase for immortality had come back to haunt him. What was once meant as a way to ensure he could love his wife forever had turned into a curse that prevented him from putting an end to his own suffering without extraordinary pain. The depths of his love was an abyss that knew no bottom, a trap that swallowed him whole with no way out. This was a pit of his own design, a curse that not even the sickest kami could fathom.

Thunk, thunk, thunk. Sen slammed his head repeatedly into the broken mirror, sending glass shards into his skull only to have it be healed and resisted through his strengthened skeleton and supernatural healing. No matter how much pain he could inflict on himself, his blessing had forced him to remain resilient in this new life, though it did nothing for his mind. Before he was able to repeat his own traumas a fourth time, his head froze in its tracks, finding a little yellow sticky note written with his name on the corner of the mirror. It was a normal reminder for him to take his meds from Yume. Beneath her neat handwriting was Raf's that celebrated his appearance. A little scribble to let her God know just how handsome he was.

Feeling tears run down his face, he grabbed the note, initially thinking he would tear it apart. Though as hard as he tried, his hands stubbornly refused to ruin it. This little piece of paper was a sign of how far they came together as a couple and as a family; A sign that he wasn't alone anymore. "Why does it have to be hard to let you go? What the fuck is wrong with me?" He groaned in heartache, struggling to make sense of the chaotic feelings that fought for dominance in his chest. He was happy, yet he was sad. He was angry, yet he was relieved. The emotional turmoil of Ten's brainwashing had run counter to the love his family had shown since. Rafaela might have ended up being fucked by them in her past, but she wasn't the same woman he met in Yokoso anymore, nor was she the same woman he was forced to leave behind after his defeat either.

I'd end it all, but that's not what you'd want
So it's hard to bear, 'cause I know you still care

Rafaela did what he believed was once impossible. She told him she loved him.

Her actions since had proven the strength of her convictions. She meant every single word.​

Rafaela sacrificed her reputation in heaven and her relationship with the kami for a chance to make things right. By praying as she was defiled, she made her decision known to the gods above of what truly mattered to her and what didn't. Each night, she also reminded him of how much things had changed between them by being the last face he saw when he slept and the first he saw when he woke. In their past life, it was often where he would have to leave before her partner would come back, a life of infidelity they both had grown accustomed to enjoying in secret. In this new life however, they were able to enjoy the simple things like sharing a bed together or being in public around one another. Regardless of whether he was fighting in his nightmares or struggling with his physical reality, she was always present and within reach. The feeling of her muscles on her body whenever he hugged, loved, or kissed her had brought him peace, especially in the most tumultuous of moments. Raf wasn't going to leave him. If she wished to, she would have done so already.

As Sen looked at the arm that held his note, he saw the aetheric brand he inscribed on his prosthetic. It was his illuminant dedication to their new life as a couple: His version of a wedding ring. He sacrificed his arm for her in an attempt to pursue a kinder eternity, stubbornly refusing to let even death take him away from their future together. It was an equivalent exchange: Her divinity for his life. By setting down their past to become anew, they were able to move on from the chains that held them before... Or so he thought.

"She loves me... I know she does... She must if she's willing to go this far for me..."

His eyes glowed with Ten's color upon feeling his redemptive energy. His cursed spell: Forced Capitulation.

"So why does it have to hurt so fucking bad?!"

I've been well prepared
To go now, I'll be somewhere
You know how I tend to leave all the ones that I love
Just to pretend like I won't give a fuck​

Brainwashing wasn't the only weapon the vampire used against his enemies. To those he didn't have the time for, he had a library of spells meant to bring about their ruin and wield their bonds against them. He was the prince of betrayal; A powerful sociopath who's world only included himself and the people he was obsessed with. Everyone else was a pawn in his gambit, a sacrifice to be used to obtain an advantage. If Seven was a one man army capable of destroying all who got in his way, Ten was the man who could make armies turn against one another. The strength of bonds might resist his brainwashing, but the trust and love was another tool for his repertoire; A resource that could be used as ammo.

There's no such thing as a perfect relationship. Everyone has cracks. Everyone has demons.​

'Perhaps my absolution is knowing that I'm torturing you as much as you do to me.' Unfortunately, as Sen attempted to find hope in their happy memories, others had made themselves known. Her past words that tapped into his insecurities had echoed in his mind, drawn by the vampire's curse to the surface. It was here where Sen's weakness lay. 'Torture. Is that it? That's what she's building me up for? So she could ruin me even more for the rest of eternity?' The same mind that brought forth evidence of their change was being contorted by his antagonist's invasive energy. 'Knowing I'm on your mind when you'd rather attend to criminals than to me. That's the closest I'll ever get to heaven, isn't it?' He grew silent as his memory played on repeat. "Oh, I think I know how. I bet you'd love hearing how many people have fucked me. You want a number?! Too bad I can't give you a total, I've lost count already. Hey Sen, how many people do you think are in the resort?! Maybe next time, I'll let you watch."

Words had once felt emptier than physical torture. As a slave, he was accustomed to being treated terribly by his owners and the many that associated with them. After finding his own freedom, he found out that the galaxy beyond was the same. Shame would always follow in his wake, pestering him wherever he landed. Though, despite his resilience to the hatred of others, hearing those words come from a woman he deemed as his beloved was heart shattering. By speaking those words, Rafaela proved to him just how much he failed to move on. She proved him wrong by showing that even he was vulnerable to emotional trauma. That by loving someone, he was opening himself up to a world of hurt. Yet, he persisted for her, eager to live a life he didn't regret. He chased everything he missed once given a chance at reunion. Now however, it felt fake. Their past was catching up to him. This must have been divine punishment for stealing gods' favorite from the kami. Regardless, his heart stubbornly refused to let her go. What was torment to someone who experienced it before? '... Fine then. If this is the cost of being with you after failing you, I don't care how much you hurt me.'

To see what we've build become a ghost town
Swallowed by guilt, like my pills, I've broken down

"But if you can't remember why you loved me, I believe my journey ends here."

"I know why I love you, Raf, but I just don't think its enough anymore. You deserve better."

Every night I go through withdrawals
But it's only right for all of my wrongs
I'd be easier to bear, if you never cared​

'But I'll make things right. I promise. I'll use whatever's left of me to make up for everything I couldn't be.' In the quiet of the bloody bathroom stall, Sen made up his mind. 'Even if you hate me. Even if you always hated me. I don't care...' He picked himself up from the bloody pool below, dragging himself towards the broken mirror. 'I don't care if this love was never real in the first place. I'll love you and I won't change even if it kills me.' Stumbling out of the bathroom, he staggered over to his desk to grab a box from the top shelf. 'If the gods say we can't be... If Two or Ten or whoever else gets in the way again... I'll fucking off them myself.' Opening the box, he pulled out a knife with a special property that could seal even the divine themselves; An unassuming weapon of apocalyptic proportions.

'I just wish you hated me as much as I do. It would make dying easy.'

But I wished you hated me as much as you tried to
But you'd never hated me as much as I do, oh, no​

Once he reached towards his bedroom door to open it, Sen found Yume standing on the other side with a meal meant for him in her hands. To the lapin engineer, it was clear that something was wrong with her father figure. His eyes were glowing an unnatural color, hinting at the spell casted on him during his fight with Tayena. "Out of the way, Yume." His mind was not in the right state. His clothes were stained in blood. If given the opportunity to leave the ship, it was likely that this would be the last time she would see him.

"That's an order."

And my only fear for when I'm no longer here
Is that you'll find someone else who deserved all your tears
I know that sounds selfish, but I just can't help it​

 

[Tenzai]

Koa The Imprisoned Writer #FFFFFF​

I promise never to take my time with you for granted again... Yuli.

Ninety more days of Spring. Ninety more days until I get to see you again.

Dear Yuli,​

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴏᴄᴇᴀɴ | ꜱᴛᴀʀʙᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴏꜱᴛ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Sitting alone in his cell, the prisoner wrote away his days of punishment. After getting incarcerated for his violent acts of self defense to protect the girl he loved, the imprisoned man had become absorbed in a new passion: Writing. Words after words, pages after pages, he broke his sentence into sentences by finding comfort within the lines. Foolish pride over maintaining a fearsome appearance played no precedence in his mind when compared to speaking with the girl he loved over mountains of literature. Instead of spending the rest of his days working out or communing with his cellmates, he was often found reading in the prison library to have more to talk about. He learned then not to take even the peaceful moments for granted. That sharing a passion itself was something to be protected.

The guards had found him as an odd sight compared to the other inmates. While his tattoos betrayed his previous loyalties to past families that cared little about him, the way he presented himself when he spoke about his girl to cellmate and guard alike had made him likable to most. He didn't think too hard about anything and wore his heart on his sleeve. When asked if he would do it again or if he regretted his decision, he would typically respond with, "Of course, I'd do it again. Why would I regret protecting someone I love? Who wouldn't fight to keep the people you treasure safe?" As his hands spilled more ink onto the page, preparing another letter to his beloved, he wrote another stanza.

Thank you for the book you recommended to me. I never thought I'd be a fan of romantic novels before but... I'd like to take you to the same places that Princess Meredith did with Diablo on her adventures. I want to see the tallest peaks with you and make snowmen. Maybe try out snowboarding for once. Heard that it isn't too different from surfing! Oh, we could also share a drink of hot cocoa. I never had it before but I think it would be nice to try it out.

I also want to see the ocean with you too. I've been thinking about how you look in a bikini and the thought, if I had to be honest, never left my mind since first inception. God, you'd look beautiful in one. Maybe when I get out, we could make up for some lost time and-

Knock knock knock. Another prisoner glared at the writer through the bars, slamming the metal to get his attention. "Hey, dipshit. I heard you were talking shit about me back in the mess hall. The fuck was that about, huh?" Though despite his adversary's attempts to intimidate the Samoan and interrupt his dedication to the craft, he kept writing, uncaring of the intrusion of others. It wasn't until he swiped away the writer's pen that he stopped to look at the angered prisoner.

"Finally! Are you fucking deaf or something?."
The prisoner joked towards the other inmates, curling his fist in preparation to fight the Samoan man.

"What do you want? You're interrupting my writing time."​

Instead of reacting with fear or anger however, the prisoner was caught off guard by his apathetic response. Koa felt little about the prisoner, refusing to care enough to recall the prisoner's name. He was a waste of space in the giant's eyes, a childish imbecile seeking to earn their pride by taking on what appeared to be a gentle giant. "I'll give you one chance to step away before you regret your mistake." Jin glared at the shorter man, unafraid of what damage he could inflict. Finding this as an insult to his existence, he drew a shiv from his pants, aiming it towards Koa. "Tough words coming from a dead guy! I bet you're scared shitless ain't ya? Isn't that why you don't wanna fight? Too scared you're going to get hurt?" He motioned his shiv over his own neck. "Or are you more focused on your girl getting wrecked by your friends at home while you're stuck inside? Hmm? Come on bitch, answer me."

Getting up quietly, Koa rolled his sleeves to his elbows, revealing the scars he received in fighting before. There was nothing his body had yet to experience in battle. While brawling stopped being his first choice, it was never an option that was off the table. Unlike the writers he indulged hours upon hours upon, he was not above violence. "Don't say I didn't warn you." Before giving his opponent a chance to respond, in combination with the shifting of his hips, his fist crashed against the prisoner's chin, sending him towards the bars behind him. "Get up." Koa walked towards him, gesturing to the man to get back up to his feet. "Unless, that's all there is to your words. Come now. Show us all the strength of your convictions. Prove to me that there's substance to your anger." Hearing the well-spoken prisoner speak, others began to chime in on Koa's side. Cheers had irradiated from the prison cells as guards looked idly to the sides to avoid arousing the anger of a patient man.

The man stumbled to his feet once again, holding the bars for support. "You'll pay for that!" Charging Koa, he thrusted his makeshift knife in one hand, grazing as the giant weaved his head out of the way. Turning his fist around, he smashed it against Koa's face, only for it to remain in place. His chin was tougher than what he once imagined, standing resolute against whatever force he could muster. "Is this your definition of paying? Your own beatdown?" Spitting in the man's face, Koa grabbed his arms and held him in a grapple, slamming his face against the bars for the rest of the prison to see.

"Were these the guys who put you up to this? If so, I hope you serve as a fine example of what happens to idiots who disturb me." Slamming his head over and over again until his knees spilled over, Koa was relentless once his peace was disturbed. Blood splashed on the pages he intended to send to Yuli, causing him to curse at his own misfortune. While his body was strong and his mind was slowly becoming refined, Koa believed that his heart was the strongest muscle of his body, the only one worthy of taming it being his beloved. Leaving the body there for the doctors to handle, he returned back to his chair to go back to writing.

Maybe in a different life, I would've been someone you could be proud of. I would wish for nothing more than to be the reason for your smile, not the reason for your tears. But alas, in this life my love. I'm not immune to the call of my soul. I follow the path it has set in motion for me, and I hope that wherever it ends would be right by your side. The day I first met you on that beach, I would've called it love at first sight if not for you making me fall over and over again with your smile. Even if you were drowning and I had to save you as a lifeguard, it was that moment you took my first kiss that I realized I loved being held and seen as a savior. I yearn for opportunities to do more for you. To be your hero.

Until then. Until the Spring ends and the Summer comes. Until the showers stop and the sun stakes it claim over the skies. I will wait here patiently, writing always back to you, Yuli. Only ninety days until I see you again. Ninety more days until I get to hold you and love you right.

The dragon licked the envelope before sealing his message inside. As the guards approached him with handcuffs in hand for the sake of controlling the prison around, he gave no fuss. "If its fine, I'd like to get that letter out today." He asked the security staff politely. "Its nearly my girlfriend's birthday and I want her to be able to hear back from me."

Love, Koa. Your one and only.​

 

[Tenzai]

To think, we'd reunite like this. Was I too late, Meredith? ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏ | ᴊᴏᴊɪ ↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Abel Her Widowed Prince #de7fe5​

Caught off guard while struck by grief, the poor girl didn't realize where she was until it was too late.

A car accident.​

Only then, in the ICU where she was sent, was Meredith reunited with her kindred soul, Abel. Fading in and out between the throes of death, the two lovers would find each other through windows across a hallway in passing. "God. If you're listening. Please take me instead of her." Her purple eyed beloved would pray beneath his breathing mask, mustering whatever strength remained in his crushed lungs in hopes that his words would reach the heart of some benevolent god. However, the more he woke up, the more he saw her life fading and his returning. He felt as though he was living a tragedy in slow motion. Why was he to learn of who she was now instead of anytime before? Why were they fated to meet at the end instead of their beginning?

Whatever kami dictated this fate for them was unfair.​

As Abel's energy returned to him, his body stubbornly healing away the wounds he once believed were severe enough to reunite them quickly in the next life, he felt a surge of anger. He was angry at the doctors for failing in their purpose to save her. He was angry at the distracted driver who was just a little too slow to veer out of her way. He was mad at the bystanders who didn't choose to step in. But out of everyone else he could be angry at, Abel was angriest at himself. He wasn't there to save her. Only when his mind was rearranged after a fight gone wrong was he able to remember her.

Day by day, hour by hour, he heard the slowing of the frequency of her heartbeats through the beeping of her heart monitor. It was growing increasingly obvious to the poor boy that he was running out of time. Soon, he'd be left alone. Soon, his Meredith would be no more. Using his anger and regret as fuel to push his body forward in spite of its pain, Abel hatched a plan. If the doctors were going to stop him from reaching her otherwise, the best thing he could do was wait until most of them were gone. After reading their movements for long enough, he noticed a short period of time when the hospital staff would transition into night shift where the immediate vicinity would grow silent. It was then that he hoped to reach her, to hold her, and to hug her. He'd be damned if anyone would stop him from kissing her at least once in any lifetime.

His pursuit of love had made him resilient.

Against foes mundane, eldritch, hellion, or divine, and all that exist between,
Abel's love had persisted through them all​

In past lives, Abel fought dragons and demons for Merri, the fires of hell doing little to dissuade the flame in his heart. The firearms of soldiers, the rumblings of mechanized weapons, and even the explosions of artillery had done little to rattle the transcendental lover's resolve of returning to his beloved alive. The commandments of the divine could not persuade him to feel otherwise, nor could the depths of the abyss drive fear in him when his love was at risk. For her, he would be willing to fight anyone who stood in his way. Neither the constrictions of social norm or legality could prevent him from doing what he must to ensure their happy ending.

It was this very love that persisted throughout all things that made it especially difficult in the few but tragic lives where they found each other too late if they found each other at all. Luck wasn't always on their side. Lives long passed and forgotten held trauma to the likes that none other knew before. Being born in the wrong time and place were often key features that led to tragic endings. Yet still, in spite of the risks that came with gambling with destiny, his soul yearned for her evermore. Whatever few lives they spent apart would serve to build up the need to find each other again and make up for the time spent in each other's absence.

Unlike the many supernatural foes that befell him, doctors were the least of his concerns. Finally having the moment, he ripped out the needles embedded in his arms, lifting himself from his own medical bed against the doctor's orders. His feet felt like anchors with how much they refused to budge. Though his will was enough to drive his body forward. His arms were much more obedient to the call of his heart, grabbing on nearby pieces of furniture as they dragged his legs forward. One by one, he climbed his way towards her, eventually reaching the door of his own room only to be met with the vast expanse between them that was the hospital hallway. With no furniture to rely on, he knew what must be done. For Merri, shame was the least of his concerns. No one else's opinion mattered as much as hers did.

"I'm on my way, darling. Just hold on a little longer."

One more distance left to bridge.​

Falling forward once the door opened, Abel began to crawl his way towards her. Blood dripped from his arms, painting the floor with his life. As a result of straining his body, his wounds began to reopen. Sutured slashes from stabs and cuts had ruptured, undoing much of the healing his doctors had worked so hard to accomplish. Bruises from fists, feet, and bats had made his body ache as he drew himself one excruciating inch at a time. Though, in spite of the overwhelming tide of pain, his heart stubbornly persisted. There was nothing that hurt more than to live a lifetime with regret.

In a minute that felt as though it lasted an eternity, Abel crawled his way to the other side of the gap, reaching the door that separated the two lovers. The entrance to her room was among the final walls he had to breach to reach her. The distance between the floor where his hands lay and the door knob was a mountain to be climbed, a challenge his mind was set to accomplish. Driving himself to his knees, he reached out to the knob as though he was swiping at stars, missing at first but landing a hold on the knob with his other hand. Just one more step to go. He kept reminding himself, his spirit urging his exhausted body onward. Stumbling into her room, he crawled to her bedside, pulling at the the side of her bed to lift himself to her side.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Merri." He whispered, lowering himself to give his sleeping princess a kiss. Only when her eyes opened groggily was he able to show her his smile. "I've made it. Gods, I missed you so fucking much." Abel reached towards her hand, uncaring of the lack of time they had to spend together. If he was to have a minute with her in this lifetime, he was going to savor every second of it. "To think, I'd only have the chance to speak to you now... In a place like this." He shook his head, focusing on her. "It so damn unfair." He laughed at his fate. "Only you can make a hospital room feel romantic."

In the silence, despite Meredith's inability to muster up her voice, Abel felt her hands wrap around his arms. Touch was their love language. It was what gave each other comfort even when the world sought to take it away. In every single life they shared, it was their constant. "I missed you too." Pulling back her mask for a moment, his lips met hers again while she was awake so she could love him all of her senses in tow. Her sparkling eyes were able to render him in full. Her touch could sense the warmth of his lips and tremble of his heartbeat. Her ears could hear the sound of his love and confession. Her tongue was able to taste the spice she ached for. Her nose was able to pick up on the scents that brought her heart to ease. It was all of him that he wished to give. In that short moment, he wanted to make up for all her time spent in wait. "I love you, Merri. I've finally made it home." Holding her hand, he drew it to his heart for her to feel him so she knew he was real. This was no dream. The Abel she was looking for was the same man that found her.

Unfortunately, as the two had finally reunited, doctors coming back to fulfill their night shift had caught the intruding patient's blood trail. Entering his room and seeing the state he was in, they attempted to convince him to no avail. Abel wasn't going to leave her side consensually, not after all he had to go through to find her. Sensing that his life was at risk with the blood he was spilling on the floor, instead of letting him remain, they sedated him by force. Fighting them off one by one until his knees buckled, his vision blurred into nothingness. This life wasn't meant to have a happy ending. However, this was no where near enough to make him give up. Unlike weaker romances, their feelings transcended the mortal realm. The bonds between their souls were so strong, that even death was unable to keep them apart.

"Maybe in the next life, my love. I wouldn't be too late when I find you."

"I'll reincarnate and find you again. Pinky promise."​

 

[Tenzai]

Sagittarius Astralys The Great Devourer #b78fcc​

For you my love. I will bring, apotheosis. ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜱɪʟᴠᴇʀ ʟɪɢʜᴛꜱ | ᴄᴏᴄᴏɴᴜᴛꜱ ↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

What was eternity to that which existed before creation?

What was the end to that which will exist beyond revelation?

Primordial Apocrypha.
Deny my existence, I do not care. I will outlast your galaxy and all the so-called gods which rule it. I will live beyond your eternity. ​

Some say that there are concepts which exist beyond divine omnipotence, that some ideas are above comprehension. Others say that light was created to push back what existed within the darkness of the greater unknown, that even the strongest of those which knew existence would fear. Regardless of what heretical beliefs exist within the minds of those who fear the gods, even the kami above understood that their divinity has limits. The Greater Dark which lied within the expanse between galaxies was host to beings beyond imagination, beyond the influence of those which lived within the borders of the known galaxy. To those capable of surviving in such a hostile alien environment, they were nicknamed the void dwellers to the few species unlucky enough to know about them.

During the reunification wars, it was rumored that the empress and many of the heroes had worked with some of these immaterial beings to turn the tides of war. It was said that those who were able to convince a void dweller to work with them had access to dangerous powers that defied understanding. While public imperial records have expunged all written interaction with these ambiguous entities, to those that had the highest levels of security clearance, they knew that reality was far more complicated. These monsters were key in garnering victory for her side, essential to obtaining an advantage in some of her most difficult battles. Even if their loyalty was in question, being seen as uncontrollable weapons of mass destruction who's motives were for the most part unknown, they were too useful to avoid wielding; Too vital of an advantage to ignore.

For the most part, these void dwellers were indifferent to the chaos erupting within the realm of light. Regardless of who won, nothing would change for them. They would continue in their existence, unceasing as they bore witness to further change in the universe. However, to the few that did take an interest in mortal affairs, they have found the reunification war to be a great source of entertainment. It was a welcome difference from the typical cycles of creation and destruction seen over the course of several eternities. To those that got involved with the war, it was a rapidly changing drama, regardless of whether it was to come to a brief end on the cosmological scale. Among those that took part, Sagittarius existed as one of the strongest. Nicknamed the Great Devourer by those granted the mercy of avoiding his apathetic destruction, he was a force to be reckoned, only to be called by the one woman that managed to convince him to take a part, agent Moonlight, also known as Sabrina.

Once believing that those who held souls were nothing more than insignificant specks of dust too ignorant for their own good, it was Sabrina who proved Sagittarius different. She was the one who taught him that mortals were so much more than misinformed blinks in the moment. Summoning him by sacrificing a long lost fragment of an elder god through a forbidden ritual, instead of proving his assumptions right that all she wanted him for was his power, she greeted his aspect with a romantic dinner. She made the war appear second to their conversation as she explored his thoughts and personality. Unlike the many he met along his long lifespan, she didn't see him as only his objective state. He might have been a danger to her; A risk to all unfortunate enough to be onboard the same ship. Yet despite that, she injected her humanity into him. Sharing her emotions and offering him the opportunity to indulge in ordinary satisfactions, he felt what it was like to be mortal, and he liked it.

Through her, he rediscovered existence as a gift.

To be was to have the opportunity to experience satisfaction.​

---

To all that wished to take his chance away however

He delivered ruination.​

Stubborn rebel worlds weren't granted the mercy of existence once his patience had been tested. To those that would treat his human with disrespect, Sagittarius offered swift calamity. Futile was the strife borne of pride if it would lead to one's demise. Yet, in spite of the numerous worlds that he made example of his power, the rebels that sought their own version of freedom kept rising up against him. Confused by their strong will, he learned in time that there were more emotions to the living other than love and fear. It was their defiance in overwhelming odds shown by both sides of the conflict that made him understand what it meant to be alive. To be was much greater than the pursuit of happiness alone. In part, it was to bring about a destiny by one's own strength, to live out a dream that would exist beyond them.

As he further explored the meaning of existence, Sagittarius wondered what his dream had looked like. Was it necessary to have a goal so grand as to change the fate of the galaxy, he wondered, or was it enough to desire something simple? Though, as he investigated his own purpose, he found insight through the lives of the many heroes his beloved had associated herself with. To those powerful enough to make worlds bend the knee to their will, many among them had sought simple livelihoods. Some wanted nothing more than to be the parent of their offspring without concern for war, others had sought to make their home world a better place, some only wanted to be with their family or to retire in peace, and some only wanted to use their rank as a means to pursue their own happiness.

Each hero showed the depths they would go just to follow ordinary ambitions. It was these larger than life idols which Sabrina introduced to him that showed him, there was nothing wrong with seeking out a normal life with a human wife. If these mortals would go so far risking their life to pull off wondrous feats for something as ordinary as producing children, then who was he to let them work harder than himself? If Sabrina could show something like him, one who knew much more than most, a new world to explore, it was only right to do what he could to bring her world into reality.

For you my love. I will bring​

Apotheosis.​

---

"Usagi. To think, she'd nickname you that. It's fitting."

"I've heard good things about you from Yan too. Come now. Let's make history."
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅʟᴇꜱꜱ | ᴄʏɴᴛʜᴏɴɪ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Sailing through the midst of the void between stars, the Midnight Rider was caught off guard by a surprise raid from a rebel fleet seeking revenge for the loss of their fleet commander on Ursula V. As a result of his name coming out to the public to highlight his achievements, Seven became a feared figure among the enemy ranks. Unfortunately, his reputation was a double edged sword. While his presence on the battlefield had become a morale boon for his allies and a nightmare for his enemies, those that wished to see him dead now knew the vampire underneath the armor. As such, a massive bounty was placed on his head to bring the Crimson Eclipse down.

Outnumbered, outgunned, and on the run, the Midnight Rider flew full speed ahead as its hull began to melt while traveling through a pocket of superheated space. Without assistance, it was only a matter of time before the crew inside would be exposed to the vacuum of space. Seeing his beloved and her friends in danger, instead of waiting for her to call him, Sagittarius decided to intervene, his aspect appearing in the cockpit for its captain, Seven, to meet. "I don't care whether my name exists in the scribbled history of your kind, vampire." Despite his desire to help them, the void dweller was largely apathetic to their cause. The survival of the crew was his only priority, not the fame that came with it. "But I will be damned if I let this empty space be your grave." Standing in front of him and appearing in a form that wouldn't drive madness, the eldritch lord bowed as taught by his human to show Sev a sign of respect.

"I will stop them here. Continue on your path to safety and do not speak of what you see."

"For they are listening... And they are far less compassionate than I."​

"Raise your head, friend. Even if I'm of noble blood, it means nothing to me when we're brothers in arms. We are all the same when under the mercy of fire." The Seventh hero placed a hand on Sagittarius' shoulder. "I'll do what I must to keep Sabrina and the others safe. You can trust me. They are my family, as you are, and I'll do what I can to ensure we make it out of this alive." He smiled, the cold veil over his heart drawn back to reveal gold refined through Yan's passionate flames. "If you want to keep this secret, I'll be sure that word of this won't escape the ship."

"Good. I doubt there would be many that would believe you. Though Sabby said your word was good. I trust that you will do what you must. Don't prove her words wrong." Vanishing from this plane of existence, it wasn't more than a second before numerous massive rifts had torn into the fabric of time and space around them, revealing a different galaxy on the other side of the portals. Whatever was on the other end appeared to be bright, the darkness of space being inverted into white matter while its solids remained dark in contrast. Coming from these wormholes were massive tendrils the size of capital ships, each reaching out to smash those too fast to grab. Those unlucky enough to be too slow to escape them were clung onto, being dragged into a separate reality far less kind than their own. The enemy fleet had seemed more like pests to whatever existed on the other side. It was hard to tell whether the tendrils all came from one amorphous mass or whether they were many that sought to answer Sagittarius' call. Still, regardless of whatever the truth was, Sev was grateful. With the storm of lasers and blasts coming to an end, the ship was safe enough to make an exit in one piece.

Hidden deep within imperial records, the escape from the rebel raid was recorded as the product of Seventh hero's masterful piloting skills and his crew's diligence in manning and maintaining their stations as he navigated through an asteroid field hidden within the void of space. However, another more accurate record existed that never left the ship, ensuring Sev kept his end of the promise to Sagittarius. Inside of the Midnight Rider sat a library full of classified documents. Among the files guarded by their resident robot copilot sat a thank you letter written by Seven and the rest of the crew. Within it sat personal accounts of their experiences as well as one of the few pieces of recorded video and audio that held Sagittarius' presence. While he usually avoided being recorded for the sake of Sabby and his new family's safety, despite him finding out about it later on, Sagittarius didn't act on it. Instead, he saw it as a testament to how far he would go for her and left it be. By being so visible despite his own cautionary attitude, he saw it as physical evidence of him bringing his human one step closer to her dream.

By acting on his own, he learned of another mortal feeling he had yet to experience in his eons before:

Pride.
Through her, he stopped living a purposeless existence. His infinite eternity had come to an end. He found meaning in mortality and became reborn.​