ABANDON ALL HOPE

Her books occupied half the shelves in his study, his spare clothes had long since stopped being “spare” and remained at her place, and neither of them could remember the last week they had spent entirely apart since the crisis. What began as a conversation about their living arrangements and finding a larger space together eventually circled back to one revelation: if they were already idealising a home together, there is no reason to delay everything else.

“If we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together, do I really need to wait until we have a house to show it?”

Before she could answer, he reached for her hand and turned it gently in his. His thumb brushed over the bare ring finger before he lowered his head and pressed a kiss there.

(Is he asking what I think he’s asking?)

(I am asking what you think I’m asking.)

The delighted squeal that escaped her was so sudden and bright that it startled a few birds outside her window. Her eyes welled up with tears but she could not contain her excitement. She nearly threw herself on top of him in an embrace, clutching at his shoulders as another squeal slipped free, “Can we look soon—?”

“We can still look for the house,” he said, chuckling. “But I see no reason we can’t start looking for rings… today.”

That had been the original intention: simply to look. But somewhere between trying on rings, discussing dates, and realising wedding planning was a meticulous affair, the rest of the day snowballed into something else entirely.

By the afternoon, they were slipping matching rings onto each other’s fingers and selecting ornate fabrics that would become outfits befitting for their impromptu elopement, which was sealed in a handful of signatures and officiated by the lovely gentleman who did his utmost not to reveal that he had recognised the scribe. (Strange, he thought. Though, not altogether surprising. Alhaitham seemed like the type to elope).

Laughter escaped them both at the absurdity of how easy it was.

Afterwards, they submitted leave requests under the pretense of a much needed vacation. Being the former Acting Grand Sage had its perks, for their request got approved within the hour.

Just like that, there was nothing left standing between them and marriage, and later, they quietly disappeared from Sumeru City without much explanation. Their friends would discover the truth eventually, but for now they intended to travel to a place so far from the Akademiya, no one would think to look for them there.

Tucked in their little corner of no where, they spend their days napping under the golden sun, stealing kisses whenever they please, and growing accustomed to the new, wonderful sound of calling each other husband and wife.

The celebrations can wait until they return.

aaaaaaa i just wanted to say a quick but very sincere thank you to my beloved @/sylure for this beautiful gift. i was so lightheaded after crying over it ;-; the timing of the gift was just… divine LOL. i love you so much! and also honourable mention to my tulip girl rae @/sleepyqinfei for associating this song with ryuhaitham ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡🕊

「 ғɪʀsᴛ ᴍᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ 」 “IT’S WONDERFUL TO MEET YOU! MY NAME IS KAYLEIGH, A PROUD MEMBER OF THE NAMELESS OF THE ASTRAL EXPRESS.”

「 ɢʀᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ 」 “OH, HELLO! IT’S SO LOVELY TO SEE YOU! DID YOU NEED ANY HELP WITH ANYTHING?”

「 ᴘᴀʀᴛɪɴɢ 」 “FAREWELL, MY FRIEND! I HOPE THAT WE’RE ABLE TO SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN SOON!”

「 ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ sᴇʟғ: ᴘᴀsᴛ 」 “WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I SPENT A MAJORITY OF MY TIME WITH BOTH SUNDAY AND ROBIN, PLAYING AND SINGING AND DREAMING BIG... AH, HOW TIMES CHANGE...”

「 ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ sᴇʟғ: ғᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ 」 “ALL I WANT IS TO CONTINUE TO TRAVEL WITH THE REST OF THE NAMELESS AND HELP PEOPLE THAT NEED IT THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE.”

「 ᴄʜᴀᴛ: ʜᴀʟᴏᴠɪᴀɴ 」 “AH, YES, MY WINGS AND HALO... YOU FIND THEM FASCINATING, YOU SAY? OH, I’M VERY FLATTERED! I LIKE TO ADD PIERCINGS TO MY WINGS TO MAKE THEM MORE PRETTY.”

「 ᴄʜᴀᴛ: ᴍᴜsɪᴄ 」 “I LISTEN TO MUSIC AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. I LISTEN TO ALL TYPES, I’M NOT EVEN EXAGGERATING. ALTHOUGH IT DOES DEPEND UPON MY MOOD. OVERALL, I TEND TO LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.”

「 ʜᴏʙʙɪᴇs: sɪɴɢɪɴɢ 」 “OH, DID MY HUMMING DISRUPT YOU? I APOLOGIZE, I OFTEN FIND MYSELF HUMMING OR SINGING WITHOUT EVEN REALIZING IT... AN OLD HABIT I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO QUIT, I’M AFRAID!”

「 ᴀɴɴᴏʏᴀɴᴄᴇs 」 “I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE, BUT I TEND TO BE UNFORTUNATELY FORGETFUL... SO IF I EVER ASK A QUESTION I SHOULD ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER TO, OR IF I FORGET SOMETHING YOU TOLD ME; I’M TRULY SO SORRY!”

「 sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ sʜᴀʀᴇ 」 “I DO FOLLOW THE HARMONY, YES, AND I AM QUITE SKILLED AT ‘TUNING’. IT IS A VERY USEFUL TOOL, ONE COULD SAY, AND IT HELPS US TO BEST SERVE AND HELP THE PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE.”

「 ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ 」 “THE FAMILY? YES, I KNOW MUCH OF THEIR INNER WORKINGS DUE TO ONCE HAVING BEEN ALMOST ENGAGED TO SUNDAY, YOU SEE. HM? OH, THAT’S ALL IN THE PAST, AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO FRET OVER!”

「 ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ sᴛᴇʟʟᴇ 」 “STELLE IS TRULY SOMETHING ELSE. SHE IS RIDICULOUS AT TIMES, YES, BUT STILL ONE OF THE MOST CAPABLE AND CARING PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET.”

「 ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴅᴀɴ ʜᴇɴɢ 」 “HE MAY COME OFF AS COLD, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT HE IS ANYTHING BUT. I DARE SAY THAT HE CARES MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE ON THE EXPRESS... SHHH, DON’T TELL HIM I SAID THAT THOUGH! HE’LL LIKELY SIGH AT ME...”

「 ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴍᴀʀᴄʜ 7ᴛʜ 」 “MARCH IS BASICALLY THE LITTLE SISTER OF THE EXPRESS; SHE KEEPS EVERYONE ON THEIR TOES AND IS ALWAYS FUN TO HAVE AROUND! I DON’T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD DO WITHOUT HER, NOR DO I CARE TO EVER FIND OUT!”

「 ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ sᴜɴᴅᴀʏ 」 “OUR RELATIONSHIP IS SLIGHTLY COMPLICATED, AND I DON’T CARE TO GET INTO THE SPECIFICS. BUT JUST KNOW THAT I CARE FOR HIM DEEPLY, AND OUR BOND REMAINS STRONG EVEN AFTER WHAT HAPPENED BACK ON PENACONY AND IN OUR PAST.”

「 ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʜɪᴍᴇᴋᴏ 」 “MISS HIMEKO HAS BEEN KIND TO ME SINCE THE MOMENT WE FIRST MET, AND I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL TO BOTH HER AND MR. YANG FOR NOT ONLY ALLOWING ME TO JOIN THE NAMELESS BUT FOR WELCOMING ME ABOARD WITH OPEN ARMS.”

「 ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴡᴇʟᴛ ʏᴀɴɢ 」 “LIKE I SAID REGARDING MISS HIMEKO, MR. YANG HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT KIND AND HELPFUL TO ME SINCE I JOINED THE ASTRAL EXPRESS CREW. HE IS VERY WISE, AND I CONSULT HIM ON THINGS OFTEN TO HEAR HIS VALUABLE OPINION.”

「 ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʀᴏʙɪɴ 」 “SHE AND I WERE SO CLOSE GROWING UP, I OFTEN FIND MYSELF MISSING HER GREATLY. THANK GOODNESS FOR TECHNOLOGY SO WE CAN TEXT AND CALL AND KEEP IN TOUCH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WITH BOTH OF OUR BUSY SCHEDULES!”

「 ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴘʜᴀɪɴᴏɴ 」 “HE IS SPECIAL. BOTH TO ME, AND IN GENERAL. ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL, AMAZING PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET IN MY LIFE... AND I DON’T SAY THAT LIGHTLY AT ALL WHATSOEVER. EVEN THOUGH I WASN’T ON AMPHOREUS THE ENTIRE TIME STELLE WAS, HE IS MY SAFE SPACE.”

「 sᴛᴇʟʟᴇ: ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴋᴀʏʟᴇɪɢʜ 」 “SHE’S A CLEVER ONE, WITH THE WAY SHE CAN BE MATURE AND SERIOUS ONE MOMENT AND THEN SILLY AND ODD THE NEXT. SHE’S BEEN A GREAT HELP TO US SINCE JOINING OUR CREW.”

「 ᴅᴀɴ ʜᴇɴɢ: ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴋᴀʏʟᴇɪɢʜ 」 “KAYLEIGH IS A VERY COMPLICATED PERSON IN MANY WAYS, BUT SHE HAS CERTAINLY IMPROVED ALL OF OUR LIVES ONCE SHE BECAME A NAMELESS.”

「 ᴍᴀʀᴄʜ 7ᴛʜ: ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴋᴀʏʟᴇɪɢʜ 」 “SHE’S AWESOME! SHE REMINDS ME OF AN OLDER SISTER FIGURE, AND SHE IS ALWAYS HAPPY TO LET ME PICK OUT HER OUTFITS AND DO PHOTOSHOOTS WITH ME!”

「 sᴜɴᴅᴀʏ: ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴋᴀʏʟᴇɪɢʜ 」 “KAYLEIGH AND I HAVE HAD OUR UPS AND DOWNS, CERTAINLY, BUT SHE REMAINS MY CONFIDANT DESPITE IT ALL. I TRULY ENVY HER ABILITY TO FORGIVE AND FORGET.”

「 ʀᴏʙɪɴ: ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴋᴀʏʟᴇɪɢʜ 」 “THE CLOSEST THING TO A SISTER I HAVE EVER HAD, WE MANAGE TO KEEP IN TOUCH DESPITE IT ALL. I’M STILL TRYING TO CONVINCE HER TO COME ON TOUR WITH ME AT SOME POINT!”

「 ʜɪᴍᴇᴋᴏ: ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴋᴀʏʟᴇɪɢʜ 」 “AS A TALENTED HALOVIAN DEVOTED TO THE HARMONY, SHE HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN PROVIDING INSIGHT THAT THUS FAR HAS BEEN INVALUABLE TO US. HER AND SUNDAY BOTH HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT ADDITIONS TO THE ASTRAL EXPRESS.”

「 ᴡᴇʟᴛ ʏᴀɴɢ: ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴋᴀʏʟᴇɪɢʜ 」 “MISS KAYLEIGH’S ABILITY TO HELP PEOPLE WITH THEIR EMOTIONS THROUGH EITHER SONG OR TUNING WILL NEVER NOT BE FASCINATING TO ME. I AM THANKFUL SHE CHOSE TO JOIN US WHEN SHE DID.”

「 ᴘʜᴀɪɴᴏɴ: ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴋᴀʏʟᴇɪɢʜ 」 “KAYLEIGH IS UNLIKE ANYONE I HAVE EVER MET, AND I’M HONORED THAT SHE THINKS SO HIGHLY OF ME. THE FEELING IS MUTUAL, OF COURSE, AND SHE IS VERY DEAR TO MY HEART.”

THE REST OF THE VOICELINES REGARDING OTHER CHARACTERS AND/OR MUTUAL’S SELF INSERTS WILL BE MADE INTO A SEPARATE POST SO THAT THIS ONE ISN’T RIDICULOUSLY LONG(ER).

DO NOT THINK TOO MUCH ON SOMETHING I DID NOT EXPLAIN PROPERLY; I WILL LIKELY EDIT THIS POST IN THE FUTURE TO BE MORE COHESIVE.

I USED TO SELFSHIP WITH SUNDAY A WHILE AGO, SO I DECIDED TO MAKE IT PART OF MY LORE.

DISCLAIMER: I DON’T KNOW WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE ON DESKTOP BECAUSE I ONLY EVER USE THE MOBILE APPLICATION, SO IF IT LOOKS BAD ON THE DESKTOP VERSION... I AM SORRY.

SELF INSERT ART CREDIT: @/danhcees ‹𝟹

Rather than speaking, you allow your gaze to drift slowly to the hand still encircling your ankle before lifting your eyes back to Valko's face. The message lands without fail, causing his confidence to falter for a fraction of a second.

The accused one clears his throat slightly theatrical, yet his thumb resumes the absent brush along your skin.

"So this touchy-feely-thing you do," you whisper close to his ear, unable to resist nudging him with your foot, "is part of your fearless strategy?"

Valko's expression shifts in offence, his brows raising while his chest puffs up slightly upon making eye contact once more. "Obviously. If something comes through that screen, I've already got a hold of you."

You meet his declaration with a squint and another grin. "To protect me?" Asked rather sweetly now, especially once your finger nudges against his jawline.

"To stop you from running off without me, silly." His answer comes so quickly that you laugh before he can fully register his own transparency.

Regardless of that slip, in that moment all that matters is the pride currently swelling in his chest at the fact he has made you laugh.

Yet when the film moves back into another stretch of dim corridors and lingering silence, his hand never leaves your ankle. If anything, his fingers settle more securely around it, unconsciously seeking the reassurance of your presence while insisting, to both of you, that he is the one doing the reassuring.

The longer you sit there, the more you realise how easy this feels. It is still strange in the best way, this closeness that neither of you has much learned how to navigate yet. There are moments where your own heart almost does a backflip because you are still getting used to the reality of having someone who simply reaches for you, someone who notices the tiniest changes in your expression and tries to make you smile before you even ask for comfort.

When another scene darkens the room as the haunting noises increase, you find yourself torn out of your reverie. Valko's grip tightens again before he catches himself, however, this time you do not tease him straight away. Instead, you feel a weird protective instinct for once, and reach down to scratch gently beneath his chin.

The tension appears to leave him almost instantly then, with his head tilting to your direction before he knows better. Once he catches himself, Valko narrows his eyes and nearly manages to turn away from you, valiantly trying to regain his dignity, ah, but then you find that spot—his favourite spot and your big guy melts into you.

"There, there," you whisper as you smile to yourself while witnessing as realisation settles over him.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," announced so soon and with denial, but the words lose some of their certainty when your fingers move up through his hair. He is still trying to be clever, still trying to keep that playfulness, but it is softening as rapidly as chocolate under the warm afternoon sun.

"I know that you're enjoying this," you tease, which causes Valko to scoff as if you had just accused him of the most outrageous thing ever.

"I'm allowing you to appreciate my excellent cuddle qualities. There is a distinct difference here, missy." The fact that he says it so seriously only causes your smile to grow since he is somehow both completely shameless and embarrassed at the same time.

"Aww, you're truly the kindest ever, baby," you whisper with so much feigned affection that it hits Valko right where it should. You feel its effect washing over him through the warmth creeping up his neck and cheeks, yet more so you evidently see the excited wiggle of his ears and that traitorous thump of his tail.

Valko's confidence stumbles for half a second now that you have found the exact spot where he cannot protect himself through playfulness. "Thin ice," he warns, though his voice is far to hushed now, "you are walking on very frail ice right now, little one."

And the best response? The best response is a bubbly fit of laughter because you find this predator, this scary creature the hunters warned everyone in Linkon City about, nothing but tooth-rotting cute.

"Now, now, Koko, that's not very good behaviour of you."

The words shoot out so unapologetically that they leave Valko groaning. With burning cheeks and mumbled complaints about the unfairness of your tactics, he looks away. However, he does not reject your hand; much rather he makes sure to lean even more of his weight into your palm in insistence.

A smile of fondness pulls at your lips when his ears twitch beneath your fingers, even further now that Valko stills as if freezing will somehow make you forget what just happened.

But you, you gently trace along the shape of one of those traitorous ears, adoring the way his demeanour slips despite how hard he tries to hold onto his dignity.

"Baby, are you embarrassed?" you ask softly, and the rushed, huffed, puffed "No" which is chased by a blow of air seems far too quick to be believable. And yet, such denial only causes an even more endeared smile to decorate your face until you may as well rival the sun in its radiance.

"You're adorable," you whisper to him like a sweet secret. There is no point pretending otherwise when he is trying so hard to convince you he is intimidating with those twitching ears beneath your fingers.

Now that 'compliment' convinces Valko to pull back just enough to gather what remains of his dignity and lift his chin the slightest bit, as if trying to level you with a look of dominance. "I am intimidating," he argues, which almost works until you continue your scratching.

His expression says he wants to defend his pride, but the warmth in his cheeks and the relaxation of his body language say something entirely different.

"And I'll have you know, that this is a completely normal reaction to excellent head scratches," he adds, as though that explanation is enough to save him. "It basically counts as foul play."

"Okay, okay. You're adorable and intimidating," you correct, and the way he looks away with a little huff tells you he knows he has lost this game too.

But how could the master of physical touch stay sulky for long when met with the invitation to enjoy the warmth of your embrace? So, when you open your arms, Valko stares at you for a merely a moment of contemplation. Will accepting the invitation damage the reputation he has spent years building? Mh, the dramatic sigh sounding from deep within his lungs carries an exaggerated reluctance of someone who absolutely wants what he is pretending not to want. Then, he already climbs onto the couch and into your arms.

"For the record, pancake," he murmurs as he settles on top of you with his arms wrapping around you and his weight grounding you so completely, "this is because I am proving my earlier point. I am, in fact, excellent cuddle material… and you can't resist me."

It is almost comical how unfazed you remain while running your fingers through his hair and whispering a praise of "Of course you are."

The answer makes him smile thanks to the unveiled amount of honesty and adoration in your response. He simply gets to be loved, and that feels wonderful enough to make him grow mellow in an extra dose of sweet excitement. Here, with you, he can be warm and playful and soft without worrying.

His hands move slowly over your arms then, as he settles more comfortably. His touch is absentminded and increasingly familiar even though this kind of closeness is still something you are getting used to. After all, Valko is a usually a little unashamed in his affections towards you, nuzzling into your neck and breathing you in without much hesitance.

The instinctive movements only come to pause when he realises you have noticed.

"You're scenting me again," you whisper while scratching his nape with gentle gestures.

Somewhere between embarrassment and shamelessness, Valko offers you a shrug and words that are rather imprinted on your skin than announced to the world. "Maybe I like it when you smell like me," he admits with a softness that rarely gets to see the light of day. "Maybe I like that I can do this with you."

Your heart flutters enough for his very excellent hearing to effortlessly pick up on its stumbling rhythm. This level of intimacy causes even all the horrors that first made him jump to play on long unminded, as the world and his senses narrow down to you. \

You, and how gently you move your thumb over his cheek before returning to his weak points. As you scratch at the base of his ears and treasure the soft twitch of them, you take the chance for a final teasing attack and whisper "You were scared of the movie."

At which Valko immediately lifts his head and gives you a look full of exaggerated disbelief at such an absurdity. "I was protecting you," he insists, as his hand moves slowly across your arm, lightly tracing your skin while his tail remains curled comfortably around your thigh.

The unapologetic giggles you offer him are a blow to his pride that he would never want to trade for all the fear he could instil in the world. "Ah, yes, you hiding behind my legs was a tactical response," you conclude in such a joyful lilt that Valko can't offer more but heavy weight defeat.

Now that surely knocks the air out of your lungs while big arms squeeze your waist as this very large bundle of love rubs his cheek against your shoulder. "A tactical cuddle," Valko mumbles with complete seriousness.

It is hard to remember a time where you haven't laughed or giggled as much as you have since meeting Valko. Almost every lighthearted situation results to a soreness of your cheek muscles and a terrifingly growing fondness in your heart.

And Valko grins too, because he loves that he can make you laugh. He may still be learning what it feels like to be someone's comfort, yet it is undeniable that there is something almost strange about how easily this bond has happened between you; how naturally he has gone from sitting guard on the floor to letting himself be held, teased, and cared for. He still tries to pretend he is the one in control, still throws in sarcastic comments whenever he feels too softened around the edges, but you both know the truth when he keeps leaning closer every time you touch him.

By now the movie is forgotten, the fear replaced by warmth, and Valko stays exactly where he is with his ears twitching beneath your fingers and his heartbeat steady against you. That is how is nuzzles eventually turn into tenderly placed traces of his love—leaving kisses most tenderly along your neck and cheek until your lips find another naturally.

It is a gentle thing, mayhaps even a little uncertain, but definitely a sweet kind of kiss belonging to two people that are finding a home in another brick by brick.

Once you pull away then, you immediately catch the colour across his cheeks before Valko can even turn his face away and pretend he is unaffected. He is way too dazed over the sensation of your lips against his.

But that purry tone laced into your comment calls him back to the present. The mere whisper of, "I saw that blush," while already tracing the heat dusted across his freckles makes the evidence even more obvious.

CHARACTER STORY 1: BIRTH OF A DEMIGOD

Every child of Castrum Kremnos knows the story of the revered Huntress, who coveted a piece of Nikador’s power.

Long ago, at the birth of the world, the Titan of Strife brought ruin throughout the lands. Wherever they walked, destruction followed, and the people of Amphoreus scattered to the winds upon hearing the Titan’s bellows of rage.

Not long into their reign of terror did a peculiar phenomenon happen. On the ashen battlefields covered in blankets of blood and pungent corpses, the mighty Nikador stood tall, their lance pierced into the heart of a king who died valiantly. The Titan’s divine golden blood poured from a wound created by that very same king. It dripped into the mortal's chest cavity, mixing with his blood and seeping into his bones. The winds of the barren land howled, storm clouds rolled in, and the decomposing body of the king became one with the earth.

His blood was all that remained— yet to dry, and still set aflame by the gold of the Titan’s. Nikador’s lance, cold and sharp, split open the ground. From the cavity torn, a Demigod of War and Wisdom crawled out. Brought to life by the blood of the gods and a forgotten king, they raised their spere and swore an oath.

"I will sing the world my truth, for there is no greater honor for a warrior than the passing of their legends."

Despite their valiant nature, they took homage in the destruction of their kin, and began to lead the people who built their homes atop the Demigod’s birthplace— later to be known as Castrum Kremnos, the city ruled by the Gods of War.

ABOUT : VOICELINES

first meeting: good morrow! i don’t believe we’ve met before. i am artemis, one of okhema’s several bards, and the infamous “dissembled poet.” should you need a tour guide around the holy city, i’d be delighted to regale you with okhema’s many tales.

greeting: what a wonderful day for a stroll. care to join me?

parting: fare thee well, my friend. may our paths converge again on the new dawn.

about self: identity: i’ve always known that my past would catch up to me one day. let me reintroduce myself. i am artemi of kremnos— the huntress of unity and titankin of nikador. should you ever need my help, simply call my name upon the wind. i am the aide of humanity, and the protector of warriors.

about self: title: ah yes! the “dissembled poet”! a name i garnered not long after arriving in the holy city many years ago. heh… it’s utterly endearing, isn’t it? humanity is truly fascinating.

about self: duty: as kremnos’ revered huntress and the god of unity, it has always been my duty to guide the people and unite them under the lance of fury. however… the fall of era bellica resulted in a rude awakening for me. kremnos no longer needed my guidance, and so… i hung up my bow and retired… finding solace among the wilderness.

chat: the lute i carry with me was once gifted to me by mnestia. many millennia ago, they heard me singing amongst the branches of cerces’ divine body, and claimed that a vocalist must be accompanied by a musical companion. it has not left my possession ever since.

hobbies: ask anyone in the holy city, and they will tell you the story of a wandering bard from afar who occupies the streets nearly everyday. ask a kremnoan warrior, and they will tell you the legend of the huntress who brought unity to kremnos and taught the people how to hunt. over my lifetime, i’ve had many hobbies— but they never stuck. one day, this lute will be but a fragment of the life i’ve lived, alongside my varied collection of weapons stored in my vault.

annoyances: i’ve found many peaceful spots to meditate along my journeys. however, time after time, there was always an interruption. whether it was the clashing of blades during era bellica, or the countless cries echoing across the seas as the styxians fled their home, i never found the peace and quiet i needed. even now, my body can barely relax with all the hubbub in the holy city. *sigh* i guess the only time i’ll find the solace of silence will be at the end of the west wind.

something to share: although i am a symbol of war and strife, the people of kremnos saw a softness in me i never knew i was capable of. oftentimes, children would approach me, waving wooden swords into the air, begging me to teach them how to be a warrior. how could i refuse, when after their training, they’d weave laurels into my curls and offer me fresh pomegranate juice. …now, all of those fine warriors i trained are long gone… *shaky exhale* i hope they’ve found a semblance of peace with thanatos.

knowledge: the flame-chase journey… yes, i’ve long been in the know. it’s a farce, to put it simply. there is nothing good to gain from history repeating itself. …i should know… this body has seen countless eras of destruction, and has been reborn from nikador’s blood too many times to count. *deep sigh* i long for the day this cycle comes to a close, and i no longer have to see the dawn of a bloodied battlefield when i open my eyes.

about nikador: there once was an era when nikador was free from madness. back then, i was a mere fawn stumbling on two legs attempting to catch up to my kin. with a gentle hand, they picked me from the wreckage and taught me all they knew. …even now, i wonder if i’ve made them proud.

about mydei: “the son of gorgo will be crowned in blood” — a prophecy spanning a millennia. mydeimos… inheritor of my kin’s divinity, and the final king of the kremnoan dynasty… it will be the greatest honor to die by the hand of the new lance of fury and bringer of strife.

about phainon: my little sparrow, how he has grown. the impossible task he swore to uphold led him down a fate worse than death itself. and yet, underneath it all, he is still the same boy with that sparkle in his eye with whom i met all those years ago… *laughs softly* that is a will capable of destroying worlds. i cannot put into words how proud i am.

about hyacine: child of the skyfolk, descendant of a nameless warrior. she united the clans, bringing them together to prove the strength of humanity to a god who long forsook their own kin. there is none i respect greater than hyacinthia, bringer of peace.

about aglaea: as much as i wish i could harbor disdain for that goldweaver, the truth is… i cannot. for every time i peer into her eyes, i see mnestia’s beauty staring back at me. mnestia… who was always so gentle, and treated me with the utmost kindness… if they’re still in there somewhere, the goldweaver’s heart is anything but cold.

about tribios: the holy maiden of janus. i met her once— just once —when i visited janusopolis. the girl was no older than tenth and third years at that time, and the priests of janus had an iron grip on her shoulder. a tragedy it was to see her fracture…

about hysilens: the holy woman of the seas. ah… the banquets once held under phagousa’s reign were plentiful and splendid. many a time was i invited to personally partake in their revelries. the waters that once flowed with splendor are now corrupt and murky with the souls of the dead. and lady hysilens… her violin lays shattered and quiet in my vault… the sweet sound never to be heard again.

about cerydra: the mighty empress of okhema! upon one dawn, she snapped her fingers and appointed me as her personal bodyguard! that young woman was the liveliest of the chrysos heirs— so boisterous, undeniably clever, and her personality infectious. her decline happened so fast… i hold my own regrets of that day.

about cipher: “if i don’t spend my money, the prophecy will never come true” oh how foolish that girl is. despite her efforts to escape her fate, it will inevitably encroach on her one day. her steadfast will is admirable, but… no one escapes destiny. not even the gods.

about castorice: “the maiden of war” was a name mentioned across every battlefield a millennium ago. the angel of death seized by aidonia has yet to find the meaning of what it means to “live.” i hope, in her desperate attempts to chase after the truth, she understands how glorious death truly is.

eidolon activation: the peak of the summit… a view i wish i could etch into the very fabric of my being and remember for eternity.

character ascension: wisdom and unity are needed to achieve victory in war.

max level reached: from blood, i rose. by strife, i will meet my end.

trace activation: the stag’s steps remain grand, even when the hunter lets go of the arrow.

added to team with mydei: on your command, lance of fury.

added to team with phainon: make me proud once again, little sparrow.

added to team with hyacine: let us unite our allies.

added to team with aglaea: i will stand with you this once, lady goldweaver.

added to team with tribbie: holy maiden, allow me to act as your shield.

added to team with hysilens: such a sweet sound…

added to team with cerydra: it would be my honor to guard you once more, imperator.

added to team with cipher: destiny is inescapable, child of dolos.

added to team with castorice: should death take me, i will cherish the warmth you give me.

added to team with trailblazer: my friend… let us grant our foes a glorious death.

ABOUT : COMBAT VOICELINES

battle begins: weakness break: strategy formed, follow my lead.

battle begins: danger alert: entering the arena.

turn begins 1: glory unto death.

turn begins 2: unity breeds victory.

turn idling: the predator does not hesitate.

skill 1: hear my cry!

skill 2: bathe in blood!

enhanced skill 1: i will rend your heart asunder!

enhanced skill 2: bow before me!

hit by light attack: a mere scratch.

hit by heavy attack: give me all you got.

ultimate: activate: i shall sing you my truth…

ultimate: unleash: witness the wrath… of the gods!

downed: to the earth… i return…

return to battle: fate has other plans.

health recovery: may you be blessed with vigor.

technique: unite under my spere!

battle won: impressive. your acts of heroism will be recorded in my next epic.

treasure opening 1: i saw nothing… just make sure you aren’t caught.

treasure opening 2: hmm… nothing of value.

precious treasure opening: and i thought the kremnoan vaults were impressive…

successful puzzle solving 1: wisdom prevails.

successful puzzle solving 2: child’s play.

enemy target found: ready your weapon.

returning to town: mm… the wind greets us… what a beautiful day for a streetside performance.

ABOUT : BUILD MATERIALS + INFO

ASCENSION:

fear stomped flesh x15

courage torn chest x15

glory aspersed torso x15

harbinger of strife x65

traveler’s guide x291

credit x580,000

TRACE:

grit of strife x18

resin of valor x69

lance of retribution x139

daythunder anamnesis x12

tracks of destiny x8

credit x3,308,000

RELICS:

sacerdos relived ordeal - (best in slot)

scholar lost in erudition

PLANAR ORNAMENTS:

inert salsotto - (best in slot)

rutilant arena - (second best)

tengoku livestream - (third option, still good)

firmament frontline: glamoth - (for atk focused team / sub dps ONLY)

STATS:

main: crit dmg -> spd

sub: crit rate -> hp

for atk / sub dps teams: atk -> spd -> hp

+ bonus ss from my disc dms LMAO

Her books occupied half the shelves in his study, his spare clothes had long since stopped being “spare” and remained at her place, and neither of them could remember the last week they had spent entirely apart since the crisis. What began as a conversation about their living arrangements and finding a larger space together eventually circled back to one revelation: if they were already idealising a home together, there is no reason to delay everything else.

“If we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together, do I really need to wait until we have a house to show it?”

Before she could answer, he reached for her hand and turned it gently in his. His thumb brushed over the bare ring finger before he lowered his head and pressed a kiss there.

(Is he asking what I think he’s asking?)

(I am asking what you think I’m asking.)

The delighted squeal that escaped her was so sudden and bright that it startled a few birds outside her window. Her eyes welled up with tears but she could not contain her excitement. She nearly threw herself on top of him in an embrace, clutching at his shoulders as another squeal slipped free, “Can we look soon—?”

“We can still look for the house,” he said, chuckling. “But I see no reason we can’t start looking for rings… today.”

That had been the original intention: simply to look. But somewhere between trying on rings, discussing dates, and realising wedding planning was a meticulous affair, the rest of the day snowballed into something else entirely.

By the afternoon, they were slipping matching rings onto each other’s fingers and selecting ornate fabrics that would become outfits befitting for their impromptu elopement, which was sealed in a handful of signatures and officiated by the lovely gentleman who did his utmost not to reveal that he had recognised the scribe. (Strange, he thought. Though, not altogether surprising. Alhaitham seemed like the type to elope).

Laughter escaped them both at the absurdity of how easy it was.

Afterwards, they submitted leave requests under the pretense of a much needed vacation. Being the former Acting Grand Sage had its perks, for their request got approved within the hour.

Just like that, there was nothing left standing between them and marriage, and later, they quietly disappeared from Sumeru City without much explanation. Their friends would discover the truth eventually, but for now they intended to travel to a place so far from the Akademiya, no one would think to look for them there.

Tucked in their little corner of no where, they spend their days napping under the golden sun, stealing kisses whenever they please, and growing accustomed to the new, wonderful sound of calling each other husband and wife.

The celebrations can wait until they return.

aaaaaaa i just wanted to say a quick but very sincere thank you to my beloved @/sylure for this beautiful gift. i was so lightheaded after crying over it ;-; the timing of the gift was just… divine LOL. i love you so much! and also honourable mention to my tulip girl rae @/sleepyqinfei for associating this song with ryuhaitham ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡🕊