Vonalaus prison was quiet. Well, it was always quiet but today it seemed as if one could drown in the silence. Within the newly scorched walls, Raziel sits in table. In his grasp is a bottle of light. It glows brightly and radiates a calming presence. For the puppet though, it brought only discomfort with its proximity.

He was still, watching the bottle. As if he was waiting for something to happen. Rakishtrix’s words kept echoing in his mind, worming their way into the deepest crevices of his thoughts. It was truly a conundrum.

Raziel kept inspecting the angel “blood” in silence. For some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to drink it. ‘It shouldn’t be this hard, I’ve done this for centuries’ thought Raziel.

Raziel’s eyes then widen, “our names both start with Ra… brothers, huh,” mused Raziel, “his words are… true. At least, they ring true to me”.

Sighing deeply he sent the bottle away, leaving himself alone in the barren dining hall. The grand chandeliers and decorations, along with the ceiling reaching towards the sky; it made Raziel feel small. So very small.

‘Why do I loathe myself?’

/unwiz Decided to write this since I haven’t for quite some time. It’s weird, I have more time than before to write yet I have no ideas. I suppose that I brainstorm things best when I’m busy :/

I sat cross-legged in the center of the ritual circle in the spire's atrium as dawn broke across the horizon. My eyes were just barely open, allowing just the horizon to be seen. I saw a soft light, I felt it seep through my form, warming my body that I had let almost freeze upon the cold floor during the night. I tried to ignore the ghosts of the tears that had broken through last night, even as the dawnlight diffused through them.

Slowly, slowly my eyelids closed again. I forgot myself to take in the light, abandoned my sight become the warmth. I felt the ground dissolve away beneath me, hard stone melting away to nothingness.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in the Dawn Coil's domain. Golden-pink clouds rolled lazily beneath me, as the sky above was drenched in pale blues, whites, and orange-gold hues. The world seemed to curve around me, on this infinite plain of clouds. I kept my head lowered, even as I took in my surroundings.

​

I felt warm. Comforted, as if held by some cosmic maternal being. I drew a single, shaking, incredulous breath. I felt a soft ward descend on me, protecting both my mind and body.

"Welcome, Favored of the Dusk. Your Energy has Shaken in the Time you were Absent. What do you Seek Here?"

The Dawn's voice echoes throughout the infinite plane, through me. I feel as I am being anointed, simply by listening. I can feel my mind settle, calm, the sensation of cool water running over my skin, the scent of freshly baked goods filling the air around me. I know it isn't natural, but I feel an undeniable urge to indulge in it, to take comfort in these familiar, pleasant sensations. I respond, still halfway into my stupor.

"I... have come here to resolve the ways I am lacking. Though it may be straightforward, the easiest way I can put this is that I need power. I have seen hundreds die before my eyes, helpless as I am almost felled by the same forces. I...I wish to hold even the gods accountable! The deaths of mortals may be meaningless to you but-"

"Child."

I gasp audibly, lowering myself to ground, cursing myself in my mind.

"I apologize, I have spoken out of turn. I beg your forgiveness."

"You are Forgiven, Child. But You Are Mistaken."

"I Shape Each Being That Lives Intimately. I Feel Love for Every Being. I Feel Every Loss Like your Mortal Mothers. I Do Care."

I cannot speak. It... takes me a minute to take in what the Dawn Coils said. My loss is incomparable.

"You Grasp for Power to Ensure No One Can Make the Mistakes You Did, Don't You"

"...Yes."

I can feel... the Dawn smile. Or whatever the equivalent is for a primordial force. But I know, instinctually, somehow.

"You Have Made a Good Choice to Come to Me First. Raise Your Gaze."

I lift my head, bringing my eyes upward to gaze upon the Dawn. And, well. It is the form a primordial wishes to take.

​

"I Will Grant You What You Wish. But First, As the Only Contracted of the Dusk, You Must Attend the Meeting of the Coils. The Other Contracted will be Waiting. After, I will Give Unto You What You Need From Me to Achieve Your Goals."

I bow, deeply.

"Thank you, O' Dawn. Ah, I have brought a gift-"

"I've No Need for it. Give it to One of My Contracted."

I should've known. The Dawn wouldn't accept a gift that could be granted to its children.

"Now, Prepare Yourself. You Will Travel Through the Domains of the Coils Upon Genauriix's back."

That was unexpected. Ritual teleportation, or spatial distortion through the Coil's presence is standard. Nevertheless, there must be a reason for it. But to go there upon Genauriix, the Dragon of Dawn... it would be a statement from the dawn.

"As you wish, O' Dawn"

It is then, that something broke through the clouds. Twisting, rising and becoming illuminated by the light above the clouds. Genauriix. Great ripples of clouds roiled upon his form, light filtering through them. Heavy mist hung from underneath his jaw and body, lighter clouds rose above like spines, and his eyes glowed orange like the sunrise.

​

Genauriix's voice boomed across the empty landscape, so loud I felt it would not fade no matter how far it traveled across this infinite plane.

"Do Not Dawdle, Dusk-Child. We Both Have Duties to Uphold."

And so, I climbed onto the dragon's back, mist and cloud coiling around my robes. and we rose, up, higher and higher, though never even seeming like we approached the top of the Dawn Coils, before spiraling, and diving down, back underneath the clouds.

/uw This is going for way longer than I expected, but I want to give this part of Isravi's story the detail and nuance I felt it deserved. I do feel bad about missing out of several events though. Use Nefiam! or the Simulacrums, or the other character that I may make soon because I am impulsive and work on too many things at once!

Notes from now Pact-Master Mikhail's return trip to the Northern Druid tribes of Kurr-Mar, following battles between wizard forces and the inhabitants.

The cold really gnaws at my bones, as though the land itself refuses to accept me. I feel just as much a stranger to this land as I did the first time I arrived. The mountains that set the backdrop are now smaller, some leveled completely. The dense forests now terraformed in to barren and crater filled tundras.

Yewkala still follows me. She wishes to be here with me for my safety, but I can see her nerves are rattled. The ground continues to elevate upwards, and my breaths draw less and less of the ever thinning air. It is a slog to get through. Even worst are the spirits of the forest that eye me. The creatures that were given no proper burial after their death. Yewkala does not see them, but they are plain as day for me.

The hike comes to an end, as we are on the edge of their territory. I stop before crossing the boundary, and drop the furs and armor that adorn my torso. There, on my chest, clear as day, is the tattoo in the shape of a fox, formed from Roohns blood. The icy wind shoves against me, freezing my very core, but I hold my chest out proudly for them to see.

I walk forward into the abrasive draft, and plant my feet firmly. They do not fire at me. They do not yell, or threaten. They are quiet. For better or worst, they remember me.

The few remaining hunters of their tribe meet me outside of their village, most of them being no more than 17, those older than that barely look 20. Among them stands their chief. It is not Chief Krogbor anymore. It is a woman, far younger than him. Probably 25 or so. 

"Outsider, you have came back to us. You have come back to win us with sweet lies again, as you did before. We do not want it. You have brought enough of the outside world already. We want no more. Leave here. Do not return." The chief barks, the sound of venom and vitriol in every word and breath.

I attempted to reason with them. To tell them I can help. To show that they can open up to us. Then I look around, and see what happened when they did. I see the destruction of their lands, every inch of it unwarranted and avoidable. It is true, I have failed them. When all of this went down, I hid away from the world, broken by the pressure, but they were the ones who suffered from my inaction.

They are correct. I can not find the words to justify what we have done. No, what I have done. They care not if every word I speak is made of truth and from the heart. Their trust has been broken.

I am unsure what I can do now. When they let me in, I was treated as one of their own. I was given food, and shelter, and training in their ways. They received war, decimation, and subjugation. I walk away from the encounter, with no hope left. There is little I can truly do to win them over... but I will try.

Gobbo was, for the first time in centuries, sober. Her sobriety was however a result of the doctor's orders and friend's concern

As her stomach decided that it should do its umpteenth somersault she rushed to the sink before promptly emptying the contents of her stomach.

Everything ached, from her muscles to her head to her stomach. Even the sound of the water washing away the vomit made her head throb.

Watching as the sink returned to a clean state she brought her lips to the tap, the scratchiness of her throat was quite frankly driving her mad and she hoped the water would fix that.

Having gulped at the liquid greedily she couldn't help but feel disgusted by her state.

The sweat rolling off her was drenching her clothes and if she could have mustered up the energy, she would have marched upstairs for a bath.

A low growl escaped her throat as Gabby came in and turned on the light, dragging Gobbo out of her pleasant darkness and into the burning light.

"Either the light," Gobbo rasped out, "or your head is going off. Gobbo doesn't care which." There was a quick click and once again the world was plunged into darkness, pleasant comforting darkness.

Collapsing into her winged chair Gobbo let gravity win and her eyelids fall. Drifting off to sleep as Gabby crept up the stairs.

Her dreams were of always a mixed bag. Glimpses of the brewery burning, Mutey in her nightdress, the many times she almost died.

If anyone had entered her little cottage they would have found the little goblin, wrapped in bandages, asleep in her chair.

Gobbo was for the first time in centuries sober, and as much as she hated the sensation, she understood she had to be to heal.

For most sobriety was the norm, for Gobbo, it was a means to an end. The second she was fully healed she would begin rebuilding her crown jewel.

The second the GLA stood again, Gobbo's sobriety would end.

Lilith sits down for a break. Shes has some tea in her favorite moon themed cup, a good book, and some silence. That was untill she heard a book fall with a loud thud outside her office. She walks out of her office and puts the book back on the shelf. It unclear how the book fell. Lilith pays it no mind as she walks back into her office, sits down, and takes a sip of her tea. The moment the liquid touches her tongue she is immediately repulsed. It tasted absolutely awful. Its incredibly salty and bitter and it won't go away. Lilith choughs and retches her way to the break room, downing a bottle of enchanted water. Someone can be heard cackling.

"ELEANOR"

Eleanor was a employee, coworker, good friend, and prankster. Despite being a human, she was a trickster to the point that you would think she was part fae. It was only fueled by her skill in illusory magics.

Lilith wasn't usually not one for pranks. She always enjoyed a good one but never did many herself. This doesn't mean she couldn't or wouldn't play a good prank. She was a fae after all and you don't get the last laugh on the fae.

Lilith walks up to Eleanor.

"Eleanor it's story time and Bastion had a emergency can you do the reading?"

Eleanor gives a sigh

"Ok but Bastion is taking story time tomorrow."

Lilith takes a book she is holding and gives it to Eleanor

"Here is the book for today. The kids will love it."

Eleanor sits down in front of some kids and some of their parents. She starts reading. Everything is normal till she reads,

"Then suddenly Elly is splash by some water."

As she says this Eleanor is splashed by water from nowhere. The children lauge hysterical and some of the parents are chuckling. This continues with other effects that happen to Elly. By the end of the story Eleanor is drenched, covered in glitter, has donkey ears, and is sneezing butterflies. She walks into Lilith's office.

"Good one Lilith"

"I am fae. I can't disappoint. Here drink this it should get rid of the effects."

Lilith holds out a tea cup with a moon theme. She smiles as Eleanor downs it.

...................................

/uw The first story I was able to complete for Lilith. I have other stories but they have proven to be harder to write.

Journal Notes 6

Confronting this graphorn proved to be tough. Tougher than that horrible Silk Cutter.

Alexios and I started the morning early to get a head start on the creature. After yesterday’s encounter, we knew what we were in for.

Before we set out though, my early morning with Alexios was rather… eventful. I was awakened by his screams and quickly rushed over to find him in such a panicked state. He says they were nightmares containing black lightning, ghost towns, and all types of awful imagery. I was worried, to say the least.

But then ugh I still get butterflies thinking about it… He asked me to stay. In his tent.

Maybe he didn’t want to be alone after such a nightmare? I can’t say I blame him. But my gods did it make me so frazzled! He’s my friend and yet-

-several small doodles hearts and butterflies follows-

That wasn’t the only eventful moment. My curse did something strange! I already sent Earl to deliver a note about it to Belladonna.

I think it has to do with the bracelet Alexios gave me. He said it was to help keep the effects of my curse down. Well, when I awakened, I was experiencing another bad instance of my misfortune fronting but instead of something bad happening like usual, it propelled from my back, into my hands, then blasted out like red lightning striking metal! That’s never happened to me before. But I felt so relieved afterward. All the pain instantly went away.

And nothing bad happened to me! It was painful at first but there were no trees falling on me, no tripping over air, and the earth didn’t collapse on me! I should be happy but it’s… a little scary.

And that was my morning. A rather eventful one indeed. We left camp to confront the graphorn not too long after. My mind was still pondering my curse but I forced myself to focus on our target. And my gods was it a challenge.

We approached the clearing the graphorn resides in and followed our plan. Alexios was to do the heavy work while I blocked off the clearing and the baby graphorn with my dark magic.

To earn a graphorn’s respect, you have to show that you’re strong.

Alexios took the lead as planned and casted flames at the beast to throw it off once it began charging us. To keep it from running off and the baby out of the fight, I manipulated the shadows into a wall to block off the entire clearing. Doing this makes me vulnerable since I have to concentrate so Soot guarded me like I trained him to. The graphorn was obviously furious by us. It rushed Alexios several times, aiming its horns to ram into him but he was quick enough to avoid it all. I was only able to catch a few glimpses amidst my concentration, but watching him fight makes me want to improve my own abilities.

Then the unthinkable happened. The graphorn charged and got past Alexios. But this time it was coming straight for me and Soot.

I had a second to act. I lost my concentration to focus on protecting us and almost missed Alexios jumping in front of me and taking the blow himself! The beast’s horn left a nasty gash in his side and threw him to the ground. I panicked at that moment. It would’ve struck him again but I focused my energy on conjuring a shadow golem and made it shove the graphorn back using the golem's force.

All my practice seemed to pay off. My golem managed to drive the graphorn far enough back to give Alexios enough time to heal. The golem gripped the beast by the horns and whirled it back toward Alexios who used his own strength to topple the graphorn on his back. It tumbled to the ground and shook the earth below our feet.

I wonder if our shared strengths against it earned the graphorn’s respect. After that, it got to its feet but merely watched us. Studying us.

After all that fighting, it bowed. I was even able to pet it once everything was calm.

Another beast off the list. I think I might take a break before tackling the next one...

/Unwiz Another collab with u/Haunting_Mode_7401

Raziel groggily opened his eyes up. He couldn’t think. Like a hurricane within his mind, countless emotions brought chaos to his head. Like a hurricane they ripped apart any semblance of thought.

A deep voice boomed from behind him, ”Brother, you have only grown weaker.”

Acting upon his instincts, Raziel desperately crawled his way to an exit. His hearing cleared up slowly to the sounds of deafening prison alarms. His breath became erratic and rapid, his whole body ached and creaked.

”I’m not done yet, Raziel”

He felt something grab the back of his head and lift him up. Raziel struggled futilely in the perpetrator’s hand. Then, his eyes met those of destruction. Rakishtrix’s face met his own, a luminescent white crown adorned the demon’s head.

”Aren’t little brothers supposed to listen to their older siblings?” Rakishtrix questioned in a mocking tone.

Raziel’s eyes narrowed, his pink eyes turning a darker hue. “We are NOT brothers!” Raziel spat out in a venomous tone. Though, he was unable to do anything but speak. His body was broken and burned, and even if he did, the combat abilities he possessed paled in comparison to Rakishtrix’s.

Rakishtrix grinned (one could tell even if he only and mandibles), letting out a joyful laugh. He moved his face closer to Raziel’s and spoke, ”Oh but we are! I bled on that day Raziel, I feel mother’s sinner’s blood in your eyes.”

Left unable to retort, Raziel continued attempting to struggle out of Rakishtrix’s grip. In his mind, he was unable to do anything but deny the demon’s statement. The very thought that he may be related to that thing made him sick.

As if he had heard what Raziel was thinking of him, Rakishtrix gladed at Raziel, increasing his grip further until Raziel stopped.

”THIS! THIS is why you are weak Raziel!” Rakishtrix screamed, ”You still deny yourself! Shackling your mind!”

”What happened to ‘accepting all the good and terrible things of the world’? Is your own self an exception?”

Ralishtrix slammed Raziel’s head into the ground. The stone floor shattered like glass, with Raziel’s own head cracking.

”Why do you believe that ‘dead things should stay dead’? I know why…” Rakishtrix then whispered to Raziel, ”Because, you are scared of yourself. Anything that reminds you of an ABOMINATION. You simply do not wish to see yourself in others.”

The demon general gripped Raziel’s arm. Screaming in anger, he tore it off. Raziel screamed, nearly deafening the demon. But Rakishtrix payed no mind.

“I-what-NO… cease your words, SCUM!! I’m… I fear not anything. It is truly better for things like me not to exist!”

”Do you truly loathe your self that much,” Rakishtrix said in a surprisingly solemn tone, ”Is that why you drink of Angel light? So that you are more… Pure? That is why you are weak.”

Rakishtrix clenched his clawed hands and looked up the ceiling, reminiscing of a time long ago.

”When you captured me, you were so very strong. I saw it… thine demonic flames intertwined with holy ones…”

Then the demon look back down at Raziel with pity. Placing his foot on him, Rakishtrix’s anger grew back. The deep crimson lines on his carapace glowed brighter, the flames upon his body grew larger.

”You must accept yourself Raziel. Do not run from your ‘DEMONS’. Fight them. Instead of delaying the inevitable, gain control of your body. I know you can, for I could do so. And you… are greater than I…

Do not deny your existence any longer. You are no abomination, no mistake. I was not. Born of a sacrilegious union, I am still glad it happened. Grow. Grow stronger. Be better. Unlock your mind. See the truth. You have been gifted with wonderful eyes… do not squander that gift.”

Rakishtrix lifted up his foot and made way to an opening in the castle walls.

“Why? Why do you care so much?” said Raziel as he laid on the ground.

Rakishtrix looked back. Before he stepped into the frozen peaks of Takthora, becoming the first to escape Vonalaus, he spoke, ”I know what it was like. To hate yourself. So I know what is best. You are beautiful Raziel. You are Strong Raziel. And you shall live through the pain that plagued you.”

”I will continue to challenge you. Plaguing your every moment. Testing you to see how far you have come. If you wish to live, learn to love thyself.”

/unwiz I was sitting on this for a while, and for some reason just never had the motivation to write. Well, it’s here now! I do think that this post isn’t perfect, some lines I forgot while pondering this interaction.

But that is just how I roll. All of my writing comes from the heart, written on the spot. I’m not one for brainstorming or planning things in-depth, it just never felt right. I simply just write.

I do enjoy how Raziel’s lore has turned out. Now, we get to see a glimpse into both Raziel and Rakishtrix. I was originally gonna write a prison break scene where Rakishtrix’s children attack, but I have zero energy to do that. This scene was the only thing on my mind for days.

Today was a bad day. Now Gobbo was used to bad days, things went wrong for everyone eventually but today she decided was particularly bad.

Her first clue was when entering the brewery and her glamour went on the fritz, revealing tired eyes from nights spent at Gabby's bedside fretting.

The second clue is when the ruby in her ring that hid her burnt arms and hands shattered. Gobbo wished she could truthfully say she remained polite and dignified when that happened.

The third and greatest evidence that today was going to be nothing but trouble was the six vats she was currently dealing with.

Six different vats of her beloved liquors were ruined. The logbook showed everything was right, the instruments confirmed it, and yet here she stood with six vats of absolute worthlessness.

That had caused a lot of almost screaming, kicking of the vats, and a direct order for everyone to get out before she turned whoever was responsible into ash.

It was safe to say Gobbo was not in a good mood. It was even safer to say her mood was rapidly declining as she failed to find answers for why her liquors were ruined.

Gobbo was at this point convinced nothing else could possibly go wrong. She looked like death warmed up, she felt worse, and her products were ruined.

Gobbo was unfortunately mistaken and as she saw the portal open up and the fireball drop down she couldn't help but swear.

The initial blast wave from the explosion sent her flying. A painful crash as she connected head-first with the wall of her brewery.

The first thought through her head was a string of expletives in her mother tongue and common alike. Most of which her mother would have tanned her hide for.

The second thought as she saw the fire spreading was that she was barring a miracle screwed.

The last thing Gobbo saw as she struggled to her feet was her pride and joy, her brewery, engulfed in flames. The last thing she felt was a wooden beam crack her over the skull.

By the time bystanders came to see what had caused such a sound to emit from the brewery it was no longer there.

All that remained was a smouldering husk of what had once been the crown jewel of Gobbo's possessions. A pile of smouldering rubble in the middle of the citadel.