calamity devours, breeds and neglects — the glory of tenebrae’s heir, the valour of its warrior, all degenerate beneath the erosion of the cosmos. blood rusts, smothered within the reckoning via limbs of miscreation. their devised collapse, decimation and resurgence assume loyalty of accursed digits. they wander, grope, and survey — pressure supplanting tenderness as they pour into open wound with variant concern for irritation. after all, he is the contagion. ravus has nothing to fear, if not for the vile pollution of ardyn’s lungs. to breath embrace life, he must accept death — a widow to peace within the netherworld, and a paramour to the purveyor of his demise.
molten flesh, conserved by onyx precedence of infection, percolates along ardyn’s hand as it is submerged within foreign chest. the cavity suckles at the immortal’s presence, lifeless tenuity of ravus’s features provocation enough for swiftness of engagement. fingers knead, contract, and squeeze — to embrace a heart deficient of pulse, cavity of ribcage carved open by serration of dagger, requires diligence of a human yet facility of an immortal. ‘ soon , you will come back to me . come back to me , ravus . now —— ’ it’s not so harmful, accepting the darkness.
they lie together, entwined by casualty. ardyn persists, and persists, fluctuation of irises eliciting abhorrence of delay. ravus is almost his ( though he always was ). he will understand, more than he ever has. thus, the fleuret’s skin, organs and psyche betray him; smelted fatality turning redness of human blood loss into the defection of liquid asphalt. a daemon’s emblem. the accursed burns within him now, not as before with the prosthesis, but as a ‘ united entity ’. the scourge works as a bacterium, released within congestion of hand upon heart. ardyn feels a beat return. the crater that has become of ravus’s chest, supporting an elbow now dismissed of its hand’s compressions, tastes ardyn in his separation. he withdraws — varnished with plague’s gore — and smears his method of resurrection onto layers of imperial fabric. cleansed, yet tainted in all respects.
“ —— now , now , ravus … slowly . this may come as a bit of a ‘ shock ’ — ” bestial arm seizes ardyn’s throat, abrupt constriction resonating through to timeless diaphragm. ardyn’s tone releases, particularity in beseech as hands rise to appeal ravus’s assault. appendages contact the anatomy of malformation, senses of the fleuret contorting beneath ardyn’s authority. his daemonization is sequential, as was ardyn’s millennials before, yet an approaching subservience rattles ravus’s opportunity. ‘ the chancellor ’ had taken everything from him, down to the last glimpse of his mother and sister in the beyond. all were remnants of the fire ardyn thrust upon him; a conflagration of manipulation, obsession, and resolve — a determining oppression of faith and trust. ravus should kill him. crush his neck by way of newfound strength — an alternative that was no longer his own. ardyn decides for him now, a consequence of the starscourge.
“ release me . ” grotesque possession of neck diminishes on command, not entirely by ravus’s will. he trembles in resistance to the immortal — mutinous hesitation — yet distortion obeys, venerates, and worships the blasphemy of its creator. a tainted leash, left to be pulled by the depravity of history and ardyn’s vengeance. saturated by ravus’s blood, the two situated within pool, its tarnish now accentuates a furrowed brow. “ — there now , see ? all better . ” irreverence of comment is retracted within pant. if he is to sigh, he pities — and to stare, he grieves. ravus was never meant to understand his pain, only he could not let him go.
“ i have so much more to do , and you’re going to help me . it’s just you’ve been so helpful before … see , our ‘ king ’ must be evaluated —— not by the celestials , not by the goddess responsible for my damnation . no . he must make a choice before my eyes — to kill the brother of his forgotten love , and pursue me … or to allow my commander , ravus nox fleuret , to defeat him . to show mercy to what i’ve created ; what we’ve created . ” to profess he was nothing more than a ‘ pawn ’ falls to ravus’s inference.
rising from the ground in unison, a crooked alignment of spine warps ravus into unstable compliance. they face an eternity with one another, a monster in their own rights. ardyn seeks an instance of contact between them before parting, cursor digit grazing spoil of ebony tears along ravus’s cheek — a reflection of his own baleful appearance when not hiding beneath the façade of humanity. he too shares characteristics of this ‘ creature ’, the likes of which only the gods have seen. reality fades, ushering ardyn into an abyss of self-loathing. it seems a lifetime they were together, and another lifetime to fall apart.
without pause, ardyn turns, abandoning; his sights leading him back into the shadows where he belongs. his ‘ toy ’ must find its target, and its inventor must recoil under his insanity. notwithstanding what appears to be ardyn retreating from his decisions, ravus calls to him, virtually frozen thirty feet behind.
—- Step forth; step forth into that holy shrine. Haste was what your feet needed! After all, she wished to bef r e e d, to walk, to fly and breathe. Yearned for all this, like mortal lungs for air whilst water entered lethally. But recognize the reservedness in her eyes; for no word of drive broke through ceramic teeth.
These explored hallways throbbed in aquamarine radiance and in perfect synchronization with the rhythm of a heartbeat. Whose heart, you ask? – – That of a star. For one single second would it skip though - therefore, shades prevailed until a wave of blue mirrored the purpose of lighting once more. This certain philterfor preference that dropped from him, it fell into a hole of ignorance for good. “Our liege, he says. Ah; he’s playful, this Ardyn— what a treat to talk to; we must say. His humor, not typical for lucian men. However; thy tongue must be wary towards Karma, dear.” – Almost hurtful was the fact, that the deity of waters held a conversation the last, before eons into nothing passed ( talks that were not filled with the quivers of intimidation, of course. ) But even longer, since the reflex of serenity snapped across surroundings. Yes. She laughed. In this very moment. And he had brought it to her. Regardless of the illusion she presented herself as. ‘twas just amusing how this masculine figure tried to grasp the snappishness of a celestial creation.
It took however not much of a moment until filigree vibration stained the Hydraeans vocal cords. As much as the will to phrase one smitten response after the other; something folded out of place by the mention of this brother of his. Why did the goddess believe, that her ears caught a crestfallen undertone beneath the males vocals?
He’s a riddle already; not too much differing from her. “Yet hear this: To us, the chosen is delivered as the true king of light; no nation or castle. And in no way describing the position as a ruler: But as one to bring cure and hope, to banish the toxin that brings ultimate darkening upon the sky. A sickness planted by the shameful madness of astral fingers. A crown is not worn and not needed. Yet a KING nonetheless the chosen is; placed above any other. For he has the HEART of one, and not a shimmering piece that crests his head. Thus; the title is neither bothering nor… irking. But Trust… See; such is a tree; and names will be its roots. That is why it was inquired.” and was it up to the tree’s carers, if it might die or live for a while.
You will need this t r u s t to call for your Hydraean when in danger, – you silly man.
“Thou have guessed the correctness of our name already. Tiamate suits thy voice the best. ‘The Leviathan’ leaves a sour taste upon our tongue as of late. The use of Tia thou may dare, when not falling into fear and the urge of constant correction.” So… eventually never. This cruel play tugged on one corner of her mouth to push it up to cheek. Behold: the walls reflected her hymns; but no longer were they of the metallic onyx color but slowly transmitted into frosted white the more steps were taken, the more stairs were climbed down. Just as white as her image, yet still drowned into enough shadows, that details of ornaments could remain unseen with ease. “Do not walk blind now. Go to the right.” was her command, softness neutralized. She could feel a shard’s presence nearby. What a crooked situation; when they were on a hunt for parts that once were hers.
a mute commotion undulates the foundation of architecture, vespers of theology surging, revelling, and dispersing amongst the walls. archaic structures, voiceless yet eloquent in their demonstrating the goddess’s temperament, humbly covet his necessity of movement. if he is to wander, he must entrust; if he is to liberate, he must commune. the likes of which both rely on an endearing contract with tongue of a celestial. ‘ tia is more cocky than she would ever seek to let on . there’s an accommodating tease to her as well , or is she merely flattering my attempt at her nature ? what a tricky one , you are — ’
enthralled by his visceral reflex to charm when in the presence of the unknown, or else to hypnotize that of a dismembered legacy ( a siren manacled to the depths ), is illustrated by that of nebulous amusement from atmosphere’s contribution. she speaks of karma, tastes his provocation of the myth, and perturbs the rhythmic parallels of scenic grandeur with fault of ocean’s heart. his playfulness hosts dominance of its measure if only for a moment, but to what end does the walls reflect the calibration of the goddess’s emotion? a nucleus of stars — swathed beneath the seas, and annealed by its remorselessness — could it be so soon that her waters fall under siege? by a mortal man? foolishness permits the conjecture; a silhouette of her laughter covert in its dispute.
rueful nibble of lower lip underscores humility of introduction to his brother. frankness of her retort, imploring a suppression within him undisclosed to that of his own psychology, affirms the cosmos’s partiality, conviction, and allegiance to that which was chosen. not a brother of inheritance, legitimized by the breadth of his jurisdiction, but a savior — shrouded by the aethers and courted by the heavens. a piety unrivalled in all of solheim’s history befell his hands as he grasped eternity, and assumed his fate. neither trepidation nor vanity could be found within the pages written of his ceremony, though ardyn nears a state of holy reputation. the people would sooner see a crown atop his head, the elder brother — but usurping has never been an objective of his selflessness. long may he reign, the healer of mankind. and long may he be supported by his kin.
henceforth, the pleasantry of ‘ tiamate ’ hinges on fondness of breath. the syllables of its mellifluous taste, a potion of his advance to the divine, ferment a muddled excitement within confidence. she presents passage, an exotic brilliance of silver hues frosting halls’ composition. staircase goads exploration, an alacrity within ankles following pursuit of her direction. ‘ do not walk blind , she says — well i’m afraid you’ve made this rather difficult , tia , given the splendour of your home . ’
“ —— and to what will i bring myself toward if i go right ? our first juncture of honesty ? what of the left — ? irritation , i gather . ” obedience conveys resumption, appendages flirting amongst gravity as he strokes hieroglyphic fissures. luminosity evades his touch, pulsating amidst frigidity of colors as though he were an infection, when in truth the labyrinth’s entirety orbits his presence. fibres of the universe curtain his extremities, amber hues glancing over shoulder as he persists the length of the wall. “ am i ——— getting warmer ? ”
woven in blankets — tangled in silence — the pair are far beyond rapt perception. the fleuret, an eternity brimming the weight of inimitable optics, accompanies ardyn’s restlessness with weary lashes and melodic irises. words are affixed to the reserve of tongue; the evening’s resonance dispersing within skulking shadows. the light never lasts, not as it once had. a blessing to those who flourish amidst the darkness, and retreat to its ambiguity like a familial bond.
artful leisure ornaments the pallidity of knuckles as they caress a foreign, restful cheekbone. the man is enslaved to the exhaustion of his anatomy, lethargy burrowed within posture concealed under linen. allowing him to rest remains a persistent wound upon ardyn’s shoulders. nevertheless, ravus surrenders to his gentleness — like an acquiescent lamb beneath the serrated affection of a butcher’s cleaver. ardyn has performed manslaughter in an abundance to accomplish refined iniquity, a sinful disposition of his pride to mutilate those in opposition to his cerebral designs ( methodically, of course ). however, no such desire encounters the mildness of touch within hand against the fleuret. a tenderness bequeaths him. it was moments such as these — intermittent, yet profound — that rehearse putrefied visions of ardyn’s supressed history. precedence of his anguish derides him — relaying his only instances of true joviality, harmony, and love as a countering insult against his mortality, or lack thereof. yet he stays, time and time again. he cannot resist the manifesting pestilence of ravus’s allure, no matter the consequences of the plague within him.
the fragrance of nightfall skitters throughout their ribcages, audaciousness of stupor reigning the naivety of ravus’s intent to sustain consciousness. ‘ it appears i don’t have long with you , now . ’ insensibility characterizes the commander’s flesh upon his accursed’s as ardyn adjusts himself within immediacy. an amending composure — pointer, middle, and ring finger smoothing the length of ravus’s abdomen — incites temperate curiosity of mirroring hands. as one traces, the other sketches — fingers exhibiting each contour of their counterpart’s body. a few crevices elicit squirm of the commander, as is their ‘ reserved locations ’ for the privilege of ardyn’s handle. they smile along one another, foreheads pressing together as a technique of their familiarity. shortly thereafter, incisors contact ravus’s ear, a determinism behind ardyn’s wakefulness. he yearns for — devours — a coveted desire to keep the young male awake. ‘ why must you sleep , i want you to stay with me , ’ he reflects; negligible guilt testifying his reluctance to be left behind as the fleuret must pursue the boundlessness of night’s psychological fiction.
“ —— how did you get these scars ? ”
tersely are the words enunciated, prying ardyn’s sensuality from suppleness of lobe to novelty of heterochromia. even upon the jurisdiction of slumber, sights nearest the border of wonderland, ravus’s digit manages to follow the inconsistency of tissue along stark physique. he had never asked about them before. mutilations of esteem, disfigurements of betrayal, the scars remained with him; some a result of his own doing — reactive castigation — while others an inevitable cruelty. to remind of his defeat; to remind of his imminent vengeance.
intending somnolence guides left hand over watchful eyelids, the immortal veiling ravus’s contrast of hues beneath the temptation of obscurity. lassitude accentuates purpose of motion, the fleuret relinquishing his consciousness to the serenity of imagination. ardyn speaks to no one.
“ i’m afraid that is a tale not meant for your ears ——— sleep well , my … ”
Fingers pick up a letter resting along table edge. His gaze is careful, ruled by torment, slaughtered when he registers its sender identity. "This is one of the letters she wrote me." Distrust rises at the realization; it hurts, a pain that shakes him to his core, an anger rising betwixt the gaps in rib cage. Chaos festers in his veins. "What is the meaning of this? Why didn't you tell me?" He halts into silence, tainted eyes focused upon the chancellor imposing figure.
the breeze hums in recitative joviality. its notes, imprecise within the atmosphere’s evasion of man’s perception, trail along ardyn’s neck as though a piano of the senses. such bliss never lasts — only tempts with transient serenity. ‘ the weather is changing , it seems . ’a fellowship of defective chills fester across flesh, a premonition. is it better to be guarded by this intuition? or, in possessing an immortal liberty to abuse one’s alternatives, is it more endearing to waver upon the ledge of fate? to allow this pitiable twist of instinct to broil in the unknowing? of what end does this forewarning preserve? only the draft is aware. respectively, ardyn closes all the windows.
pace hastens and slackens, an affordable elapse as the accursed’s ankles distract upon interval of ravus’s absence. time has kept him away; a delay unaccounted for by normative obsession. six minutes. thirty minutes. the floor will cave out beneath his stride before the fleuret makes his appearance. but why? where is he? fractionate jealousy belay’s the man’s neck — like a noose — before given the chance of entering the chancellor’s lodging. the commander knows better. so who would venture the risk, and filch their time together? surely it is another’s oversight, for the commander would not allow someone to occupy an evening intended for the chancellor. ravus has been taught, or so assumed. perhaps singular occasion was not effectual in its ‘ tutoring ’.
appendages cringe beneath tension of knuckles, suspicion unforgiving in the hostility of their cartilage. a strained modification of jaw accompanies grind of incisors, affronted hues encountering murmur of door handle with the velocity of a famished serpent. rancor delivers attention, only to be appeased by his acquainted weakness for ravus’s eyes. ‘ oh , how i hate it when you look at me like that —— ’
“ is there word from my sister ? ”
the grace of conciliation is drowned by mention of her. as though a corporal parasite, her fingers ensnare; wrenching at the spokes of his ribs and ravaging the perplexity of his chest. ‘ i sent her away , assured you of her safe passage , and still you regurgitate the subject ? is there no escaping that woman ? ’ a resistance passes under tongue — conscientious — though mangled by an offsetting requisite for poise. do not let yourself be seen, not by him. he needn’t discover the insatiable malice of the daemons betwixt your teeth. you need only nibble on his servitude; a morsel capable of slaking our greed.
“ your sister —— ? aaah , but of course ! i was informed just this morning that she had arrived in lestallum . such a pleasant city . you and i ought to experience it together , one day . ” heels carry deceit, lucid in their articulation. eyes discard posture of the fleuret for an instance, hues embellishing appendages as they shroud the waist of a goblet. scant attention defeats him, entertaining the guillotine of former trepidation. before sustenance of beverage reaches idleness of lips, ardyn recognizes an unnerving silence from behind. it hollows him; belittles his selection of taking the risk. he should have never let ravus come here.
“ this —— is one of the letters she wrote me . ”
how? how is this possible? reality disintegrates, oxidised by the heat of perfidy in his chest. someone befooled him. A TRAITOR. to hoax his disjointed psychopathy into a trap, via calculated resolve or ‘ coincidental fortune ’ — it did not matter. they will be repaid in kind. glass hovers against faltering charisma, tranquility of breath an inconsistent fog against its complexion. he cannot look to him. he knows what he shall see. the letter — a meager blunder of his spite. for reasons unidentified, whether to ridicule the morality of a compassionate sibling, or to sneer at his own, inverse history of familial trauma, it all returned to the same notion. her benevolence is a poison. it vexes, and embitters — trenching into his depraved stratagems. his vindictive mentality despises the oracle, a loathing formed not of his own intentions, as it is he who must now be branded by ravus’s discernment.
“ what is the meaning of this ? why didn’t you tell me ? ”
pretence adorns him. quaking within ear, rhythmic tinges of his pulse collate evenness within turn. his heart throbs with vulnerability, a rarity to be found only when a confounding variable outwits the chancellor. divergent eyes fasten to him, unyielding in their grasp so as to coerce honesty of response. hesitance defines, illustrating the lies of static lips.
“ you had not allowed me the opportunity —— i thought i would first offer you a drink , as you have worked far beyond budget this evening . of proper etiquette , no ? i wanted you to enjoy reading her letter , as we are not ourselves when par —— ravus !! ” the door instills a tremor throughout the room upon exit. a remorseless quaver of tainted anatomy — unnerving, belligerent, and mutinous — ascends the helix of abhorrence smoldering in amber gaze. he’s gone. placement of a letter he was certain to be hidden elsewhere, not on the frontier of table’s visage, could only mean one thing. someone moved it. was it a threat? a message? the accursed paid no heed. he knew where culpability prospered. there would be only one who committed this offence; only one with the audacity to enter his quarters without permission.
—- Wavering rigour was to shift the air, could he feel? (‘TIA’) – – incredible how three simple letters sparked an unique kind of amusement… no… JOY within her. Just as if a drop of a forgotten nuance spread through water’s structures, replacing transparence with vibrancy. Keep in mind: no speck ever dared to speak her true name since they ever stepped on ground after the plague escaped the gates of hell. How long it’s been? Far too long. - And now that one in truth did not hesitate the use of it in regular mannerism… you could say, it’s a refreshing experience for the Hydraean. A first. However, porcelain brows had risen in reaction to the spilled fragment that possessed the gentle but sinful sensation of familiarity. But to be that ‘close’ to a human? Allowed by her, of all the divine rulers? The world was a orb filled with strange things, wasn’t it? And truth be told, to hear his correction ignited her mercy. Thus, you could consider it as a catalyst to elicit a somewhat—
Could it be? A smile in full illumination?
To admit freely, such was a RARITY. Thus, thou shall appreciate the small hint of softness offered to thee. Almost untrue, surreal. Like a construction of the fantasy that’s hidden in the darkest corners of her mind. For, alone her thoughts were of the same complexion as one ancient temple. Corridors and levels which one goddess held, were visualized into venerable architecture.
And now she returned his commentary - no sign of shame or anger on the tip of her tongue. “Oh, our time knows no end. Endlessly could we roam to only look up at the sky and watch from dawn to dusk; unlike itinerant mortals - and for that alone we agree: The two of us shall. Thou may follow our light.”– – – if you were courageous enough.
A motion twitched from her, to guide him forth and impersonate the fluidity of a river’s travels - similar to that of ocean folk. Those were most likely depicted as sirens by the timeless artwork of worshippers. But oh, you knew the tales about these, did you not? Fatal misfortune could they bring upon you, the more you permitted to be drawn by their otherworldly beauty and grace, deeper… and deeper into the unknown. She’d wonder if this regal man believed what’s been told - and if so; applied it to the Leviathan’s repute as well? Undeniably; no matter if he made best attempts to hide the fact with luster elegance and relaxation; she sensed tension and the fear of unwary wording from his side. - Rather not upset this deity, correct? - regardless of any current dainty appearances; he was right: she still could drown his unworthy existence. But here she refrained from doing so. It would be a waste of purity. A purtiy that was to touch her core.
However; one of her magnificent traits always demonstrated piercing ignorance, whilst awareness still completely hid its presence behind mercury oculars. One never knew what reigned beyond there. Were you the one who would explore this untamed thoughts though?“It has come to recognizition that an essential detail is still undiscovered yet, as we would prefer not to call thou a stranger. Whilst our birth name is known… by which one wishes the King to be called, we wonder.”
wilful, yet subconscious were the intentions of the divine: to look down upon its creations, both goddess and man. a precocious fascination, nurtured upon her elicited smile, alludes to a sparked enthusiasm behind enraptured, burnt golds. shards of his affection glimmer across observation, optics entangled with the countenance of a forthright mirage. she flatters him in pause, whilst he adulates her numinous sorcery. ‘ let us not forget , she is but an illusion . to guide me , taunt me , and leave with me upon my forging the pact …·’ yet of all the years in being within a woman’s presence — scant, to say the least — never has a smile beguiled him as it has now. gentiana’s was different in so many respects. tiamate’s was comprised of an uncommonness — one lost within the wars prior to his anointment. there was only so much literature could express of her proclivity to behave so humanly, as recorders of history were not as perceptive as he. ardyn will remember this instance.
blunder of tongue, in regarding her by familiarity undeveloped on a mutual front, is liberated thereafter; discharged from posture and left as a misstep exuded within the past. a sliver appends his throat as a reminder to take heed in his riposte with the celestial. an intuitive warning — several of which have spared him in circumstances prior — relays the supposition of her not being one to forget ( NOR FORGIVE ) very easily. to charm her retention away from his tendency to associate an affinity with abbreviated names will be quite the task. in spite of this, she urges them further, as though comforted by his dubbed ellipsis. ‘ perhaps i will spare her the flusterment of tia until such a time neither of us are in need of air . for i fear she may kill me , otherwise·. ’ not out of hostility or maliciousness, but in extracting the beating organ keeping him alive, and concealing it within a box for her bedside table. out of love? a jest, to be sure.
“ it is a name you want —— ? and to whose entitlement do i owe the pleasure of granting it ? does it irk you to address me as king ? a mortal between men and gods , yet no crown situates my head as does my brother’s ? let us not forget , it was the draconian and crystal who chose me above izunia . ahaha , it would be wrong of me to insist you address me as ‘ your liege ’. so allow me to entertain your speculation —— ”
“ caelum is not a name i hold exclusively . i share it with my brother , as you know , who reigns as sovereign over our kingdom . as for my own , given name —— ardyn , if it please you . ” would the siren be lured by the legitimacy of izunia? successor of their family’s bloodline in donning a crown fit for the continuum of history? or would the words of this savior act as a philter for her preference? anecdotes of the chosen’s favorable mesmerism — oft spread amongst the gossip of the capital’s women — regales his charm’s superiority over their lawful monarch. he does not see what his conceit does not encompass, that is, the reality that his brother is negligible in comparison. ardyn’s accumulative knowledge and selfless charitability are supplementary to his nature. a token of his being selected by the cosmos.
“ i suppose it is only appropriate , given your merciful tidings thus far —— to what name should i elect you ? so as to not offend , of course … ”
cursory fondness of breeze adorns gesturing radiance of upturned lips as three males occupy the quarters of one. an inducing elation cajoles smirk of complexion; ardyn’s pace — entertaining the proximity of his sentinel — remains an impelling compulsion. to estimate how long the healer had scavenged the man’s breathing space was a numeral of conjecture. to infer ardyn’s affects on the male, however, was a different story entirely. as such, it was effortless for the brothers to recognize cor’s unease, and to act upon this notion was a lenience purposely delayed. what could possibly be wrong with toying with a god? nothing, as far as the king of light was concerned. an afternoon of clothing alterations was but a harmless pleasure for the agile hands, and deft creativity of eos’s savior to be.
reticence, a formality when in the presence of not one — but two kings ( one of which without crown ), manifested an excuse for the trio to remain silent until such a time as the caelums necessitate answer. naturally, the elder of the two brothers could listen to himself narrate his every concept. to pretend as though such a soliloquy was genuinely fascinating remains an arduous challenge for the youngest, izunia, though his tolerance for his sibling is exercised nonetheless. that is not to say ardyn’s reflections were any of the sort repetitive, or irking — rather, a hereditary disinterest from one brother to the next. ardyn thrives within cognition, appropriating any means of conversation from the intellectual stimulus of another. to say the two present foil characteristics — ones periodically brought forth to their attention — was an understatement.
“ oh , i’m not sure . it’s so hard to decide . perhaps it’s the lighting —— no , that can’t be right . ahh … we were on such a good streak with you , cor — hmmn … but something is missing . ” solitary finger meets indeterminacy of cognizance, tapping the flat of its deliberation on cusp of chin. a mirror, impartial to the flush of the deity’s cheekbones in having the chosen so near, communicates ardyn’s ambition. to refine the attire of the man to remain at his side — dutifully hitched — takes time he never bargained for; an aesthetic obstacle to his patience. notably, ardyn has always prioritized the augmentative appeal of others before himself ( as his comes naturally ). thus, cor leonis must be handled his way.
initiative vacillates behind amber optics; composition of stature immune to cor’s alluding for izunia’s rescue. ‘ help me , ’ says the lamb, but it had long wandered into the fox’s den. fortunately, ardyn is gentle — of moderate appetite; no more voracious than the ‘ shepherd ’ from whom he departed. a fox will be without supper, instead dining on the companionship of that which wandered to its territory. an emotive generosity to be lost, come further exposure to the scourge. the flavour of cor’s nervousness tugs lips beyond that of conventional amity; a clever trick of appendages as they converge to proximate belt clasp.
“ let us ——— experiment further . i say —— start with nothing . i simply cannot work with a half - finished canvas . your preference for clothes is hideous when not appointed to you , brother . how i ever let you decide his garments thus far escapes me — ” before alacrity of digits permits ardyn to unfasten the leather strap of cor leonis’s waist, fingers are halted, seized by divinity; the verbosity of motion lost behind paled, azure hues. forthcoming nudity alarms the god; his brother as well.
clearing of throat, reverberated from one of two closest the mirror, is protracted; a reluctance shared transversely to window sill as izunia removes himself from sunlight’s luminosity and approaches the merger of hands.
—- As it appeared; the little insight of rejection towards his request caused certain faltering in the way of word choice and changed drastically, as he molded these with more care by now. However… you savior of the plagued, healer of the sick; take a closer look at this dreamlike animation of a godly creature as old as time. Only for you had she granted ever so half-heartly a form unseen by many, in order to gather your trust that this contract required. Even if she could not permit a presentation of REAL structures to grasp truly. With that in mind one would wonder where her true body laid in secret - followed by the reason. Was she sitting just in the hidden, with inner laughs about his foolish question? Or were the needs for friendly actions the actual matter?
Was she a sleeping one, only to be awoken once the pact would have solid stance? ( Not to confuse, the title of a cursed princess did not suit her; since no warmth of a kiss would wake her surely. ) Queston over question. The answers remained a secret until the moment of their uncoveration.
Fickle were these hums that slipped.
He did not fail to entertain the siren with hoaxes and stumbling expression, so unintended - he almost managed to flatter this glimmering mirage, which was adorned by crystalline particles - enlightening the darkness of this forsaken temple. “Thou shall be forgiven – for now. Yet; do we request in return for our guiding hand a hint of trust.” ALMOST folded the grace of a smile along her delicate line, yet a denying reflex erased it into utter blankness once more. She was a dame of iron - not a soft woman.
If his words were mirrored - even in silence - she was assured they would taste sweet upon her tongue. How tempting: Leading his existence into nothingness by treacherously pointing him into false directions… or as he suggested; Trap this stranger. ( in this case the ever so fascinating male) A never returning chance you would assume, to keep his presence beside her, in order to suppress this dull desolateness that prevailed her imposed ‘prison’. But: counterproductive in its essence was this thought. FREEDOM, that would be the goal. Preferably for both of them.
“As inviting an eternal conversation with this chosen may be, we surely can fantasize about a better place to do so. Therefore, worry not, we would not trap but instead lead thee to objects that thy hand must lay upon. Three in number.” Only a touch, more would he not need. One could witness the maiden’s image to finally float in slow motion, circling around his masculine frame, whilst more words escaped. Details most intriguing were examined. His eyes and strands… what uncommon beauty - for a human being. “Carved from the remains of our shell, these shards carry great magic within - in relevance for our bond, this will be key. Do this and thine will be our assistance, along with thy freedom.”
modification of etiquette does not go unnoticed. eloquence of imploration, an aspiring dance with the siren, successes across tidal breath and gloaming eyes. as anticipated, ardyn swift to recognize fault in untimely demands, his reconciliation with the goddess charms her lips against gravity’s descent. modest smile, quickly returned to the suppression of her impassive repute, graces not only her complexion — but the heart and reactivity of the caelum. he favors her forgiveness, a humble incline of features expressing regal commendation ( A BOW ). her wrath is avoided. a blessing to their acquaintance, a curse upon their downfall. the sorrow to be spared — if only she were to slay him, here.
inadvertently, surpassing his own premeditated skepticism, ardyn submerges himself within her oath and the harmless banter to follow; eyes fixated upon revolution of the deity. she turns — orbiting — weightless throughout the air. her encasing, affective fluctuation of motion elicits a surge within him. the beat of his chest is more flustered than the words of his tongue — rather ludicrous of internal composure — yet the pulsation’s quiver does not conclude until such a time as she returns to frontal sights. she certainly knows how to exercise the authority of her eyes, that is, in negotiating an opinion of his physique whilst transitioning around his person. to what judgment did she reach? ‘ not so charming, as your brother, ’ perhaps. or, more likely, ‘ your conceit is not supported by your exterior profile. ’ to speculate her assessment leaves intellect vulnerable — susceptible to detection — as she is soon to identify absence of retort. suppositions are better left to the inanimate loyalties of pillow.
“ i am most gracious , tiamate . i assure you — my faith is absolute ; my trust , everlasting . as were it not , i would hardly risk the ailment of inundated lungs . that is not to say —— you would drown me , though you are a goddess in possession of the right to do so . ”
gradient dignity along shoulder’s breadth inclines, rolling back to support an inflating ribcage. a sighescapes him, lowering swell of chest to customary settlement as brows furrow with the commencement of voyage. she has agreed upon notion of escort; apprised him the numeral of three archaic mana to locate. so what of this hesitation? this grievance of his ankles, so disproportionately reluctant in their hinges? to postulate would prove dangerous, as to what degree would he wish to stay? to be truly lost within these walls, alongside the humanesque deity, as formerly japed? these questions are governed by the essentiality of his undertaking: the battle against the plague of the infernian. he mustn’t deliberate. only move.
“ ——— be that as it may , it would be foolish to squander any more of your time . the intricacy of this ruin lies with your familiarity , tia . ehn — beg pardon … tiamate . ” formality of regard will bring him untimelydisgrace. neglecting flaw of discourse, he proceeds summarily, extending arm to the fiber optic radiance of her illusive anatomy.
shadows quiver, scurrying from the inconsistencies of stinted flame. an assorted dimness evinces presence of candle, several of which are scattered amongst ardyn’s resolve, and remain aesthetically linear to his intensions ( though undisclosed ). an aspiring perfume of ash, elicited by strand of wick, gestures appendages through fragmented, smoky tendrils. hueless wisps are entangled within bare digits, fleeting in their encirclement, whilst flesh ruminates the confidence of heat. a calmness follows the chancellor to the perimeter of occupied coverlet, an estranged glimmer amidst narrowed gaze. eyes are obscured of their predatorial observation, yet an allure festers betwixt gaze of counterpart and the looming chancellor.
i consider anyone who is passionate about ardyn’s character to be a friend. with that, i want both my mutual and non mutual followers to know that you can approach me as though we were more than just acquaintances. if it’s to vent, confide, or simply chat about ffxv, theories, ardyn, astrals or other material-- do so!
i am a legal adult, and will be including content on this blog that is not suitable for all users. posts may contain graphic, sexual, gory, and other explicit subject matter. although most of these will be rare, i should inform you all of the possibility. i will not write adult content with minors, but everything else is welcome and encouraged.
posts will also contain extensive humor and fun. feel free to participate!
triggers will not always be tagged as i am unaware of all content that may prove harmful. i advise you to follow/read/scroll with caution. i will, however, diligently avoid all triggering content within writing. if there is something you cannot write about that may or may not be well known, please inform me. i seek to make my followers and partners comfortable at all times.
i live in a pacific time zone (pt). blog will become less active into the late evening, around 22:00 my time.
hate of any kind will not be tolerated on this blog. that includes, but is not limited to, hate towards ardyn izunia, darin de paul, the rest of the cast and characters of ffxv, hajime tabata, ffxv as a whole, and so forth. you can dislike something. you can have your opinion. but please, be respectful to and of others’ personal views and passions.
responses exceeding 500 words can take anywhere from a week to a few months for me to reply to. i only ask that you be as patient as you can, and forgive my slow pace.
skype, snapchat, and cellphone is available to mutuals only; cellphone exclusive to those i have been in contact with for quite some time, as i have an international phone plan for the purpose of close friendships.
mutual following
do not take offense if i don’t mutually follow you. if i don’t follow you back, that is not because i am uninterested in your blog. instead, i am highly selective with a) the content i wish to see on my dash and b) those i would like to partake in writing with.
even if we interact, i may not follow you back. this includes, but is not limited to, personal blogs following me that have little to no ardyn/ffxv content on their blog, characters who i perceive to be underdeveloped or intrusive (see “writing partners”), and so forth. if you’re uncertain if you fall in this category, please do not hesitate to inquire.
if i follow you, i do not expect you to mutually follow me back if that is not something you are comfortable in doing. however, if we are mutual followers and you unfollow me at a later time, i will be inclined to unfollow you as well. it is very rare that i unfollow someone, but it does happen and generally for a reason.
if you feel our characters have the chance to be the foundation of incredible plots, memes, etc and i still have not followed you back, message me. i always welcome new users. please bear in mind i may decline your suggestion to become mutuals, but i will not do this without reason. it could be something as minor as i already have an exclusive (or mains, plural) for the character you write, or something else more serious such as you partaking in any sort of hate against ffxv or its affiliated characters.
do you write as ardyn? wondering if it's weird to follow another user who portrays the same character? don't worry, i'm as nervous as you are. however, fear not! i am certainly open to chatting ooc / ic with other ardyn writers. if you are to follow me, chances are i will follow in return. the likelihood of me following first is very low as i am hesitant trash but please feel free to contact me. always. a fellow ardyn lover ranks high in my books.
writing partners
it is a rare occasion that i post inbox/starter memes. if you are interested in interacting with my ardyn, the chances of that happening through a starter call is slim (although not impossible if you are a shy individual, most of whom i love and admire). however, i try to frequent the inboxes of writers i am interested in writing with. if i’m not quite confident in directly contacting you, should you see me obsessively liking a majority of your posts, chances are i am intrigued by your character and wish to do something together.
if and when i do post starter calls, plotting calls, open starters and any such other forms of initial interaction, they are reserved for mutuals only. that is, you must be following me if i am to reply to something you reblog. however, non-mutuals are always welcome to send me ooc inbox memes and questions.
you may strike/bludgeon/assault ardyn without asking me first. however, be reasonable. if you’re unsure if you’re crossing a line or godmodding me, please talk to me about it. i would be more than glad to work something out. if you don’t want to ‘spoil’ a surprise you have in store for me within an upcoming reply, such as an attempt on ardyn’s life, you can hint to it as best you can in-character or through messaging.
ardyn is remarkably flamboyant and charismatic, bordering grandiloquent. there could be instances he may allude to flirtation in order to achieve (dis)comfort of those around him. do not read into this as an investment into a platonic or otherwise sexual relationship. i do have individuals i ship with ardyn, and the chances of me stepping out of those select few are very slim. however, if i am exploring something, i will try to make it evidently clear in either my written reply or the tags belonging to it.
i highly recommend keeping an eye on my tag for your url as i frequently tag users in posts i associate with you and/or your character. most posts will be musings of a lighthearted/hilarious nature, but i assure you ‘the feels’ will also make an appearance. example: /tagged/yoururl.
i find it exceedingly difficult to accept threads with original characters. this is not because the creativity behind them is poor, but due to the frequency they intrude on canon. this includes, but is not limited to, being a long lost child of a canon character (especially ardyn), a pre-assumed lover of ardyn's, someone who miraculously carries the same abilities as the lucis bloodline, etc. however, i have seen very talented writers behind original characters that are completely unrelated to the canon plot and have no qualms with them. that is, unless i see it impractical that our characters could fit into one another's universes. for example, ardyn belongs to a fantasy-based reality, but i could not see myself writing with a character from 'adventure time' albeit has 'royals' and so forth.
shipping / mains / exclusives
this blog is ship exclusive, but is not single-ship. what does this mean? well, there are multiple characters i ship with ardyn. however, once a main (and/or exclusive) partner is established, and we agree upon shipping the two of them together, i will not write ship related content with another url who portrays the same character. not all of these roles have been filled/taken, though a select few have. if you are curious as to whether or not i ship ardyn with your character (and do not already write the ship with another url), please contact me. there have been times i don't ship something initially, as i may have never been presented with the idea, but i love development and chemistry.
i have yet to format a mains / exclusives page for myself. however, in the meantime i will make it abundantly clear who possesses which title(s). exclusivity entails that i will not be writing with any other interpretation of the same character, i.e. entirely dedicated to one url. this includes, but is not limited to, sending memes / prompts to other urls who write the same character, answering ic asks from other writers of the same character, and so forth. exclusivity is highly devoting (and also an honor, when approached about it), and may take a long time for me to decide. this requires that i forgo all other interaction with writers who portray the same character as you. however, there are times you find partners who are nothing short of an aesthetic "soul mate", and you may not ever see yourself writing the same level of content / depth with anyone else. this allows us to develop our urls together, and i find it quite beautiful. understand that if you wish to be exclusives, i hold this very personally.
mains are very precious to me. if exclusivity is not for you, as it isn't for everyone, i am more than happy to discuss being mains. i will have more than one main of the same character, typically limited to two and sometimes three if it is a highly popular character (such as noctis). being a main entails that my primary "focus" will be your url when looking for interaction with the character you write. for example, if i am following nine noctis blogs, and am mains with two, the two i am closest with will receive far more of me in their inboxes, sending them prompts, memes, gifsets, and so forth. mains will always be given priority in finishing responses. that is, if i owe six replies (none of which are "mains" of mine), and a main responds (giving me seven replies to finish) i will typically write back to my main first. in no way am i dismissing what i owe to writers not in my list of mains, or discounting any interaction our characters have had thus far, it is simply my loyalties. i take exclusives and mains very seriously, as i find a high level of respect in those titles.
parting notes
do not underestimate your own capability to write. if you are deferring interaction with me out of insecurity, anxiety, or unintended intimidation on my part, i assure you i would enjoy nothing more than conversation. it delights me to my very core when i receive a new follower and/or mutual, so come visit your chancellor if but for an afternoon.
if you prefer ooc introductions first, by all means. i would love to meet the person behind the muse as i find plotting comes more naturally if we familiarize ourselves with one another’s preferences, (dis)comforts, and passions.
take care out there, and watch out for daemons in the night (wink).
millenniums prior to noctis’s birth, two brothers are burdened with the plague of mankind: a daemonization of its innocents known only as the starscourge. ardyn, hallowed as the healer of the people and liberator of this corruption, is chosen by the crystal to purge the world of darkness. while exalted by the task, torturous as it may be, ardyn must now face the anguish of extracting the daemons from eos and encasing them within himself.
among those of the highest prestige in niflheim’s empire, a relationship both artificial and expendable in the eyes of the immortal, ardyn charms the façade of its intensions by taking hold of iedolas’s political matters. a befitting chancellor for an otherwise covetous government, he seizes any and all opportunities to remove distance from himself and the nation of lucis, both on account of ulterior motives and to rekindle that which was his dismal past-- the city of insomnia and the kingdom over which it presides.
following the assassination of regis lucis caelum and niflheim’s successful extraction of the crystal, ardyn’s unforgiving patience begins to reap benefit. clad with imperial authority and recognized internationally under the surname 'izunia', the chancellor employs diligence in arranging coincidental meetings with the late king’s son, noctis, and his companions. with conspicuous generosity, against that which would be expected of an enemy, he lures the young men into the maw of deceit so as to inspire the advent of noctis’s ascension. such charity is not without consequence. nevertheless, in keeping the party uninformed, ardyn’s hostile incentives remain undisclosed.
eos, riddled in darkness as the true king withstands the crystal’s convolution of time, places ardyn in a position of illicit authority. branded a usurper by the ignorance of lucians, he awaits the return of his deliverer; one who provides ardyn’s only means of liberation from the corruption that suffocates his mind and the people he once saved. for 2000 years, ardyn has outlasted the daemons within him; utilizing their morbidity so as to manipulate eos into the starscourge of years past, and formulate his own demise. only in 'the beyond' can noctis fulfill this task, and purge the world of darkness by eliminating his ancestor. whilst situating himself atop the throne, ardyn readily anticipates an uprising over the oncoming years. after all, how could a traitor, an assailant to the caelum family, call himself a king? those who do not know history-- who do not understand ardyn’s origin-- will fear noctis’s absence. the duration of which, at the current time, is unknown.
tragedy takes its course, but can also be suspended upon resurrection. what negligible instances of loyalty ardyn conferred unto eos are limited to his past, his current motives, and only one other-- ravus nox fleuret. curiosity paid homage to the heir of tenebrae, seeing that he renounced all birthrights to take action against the late king regis. thus, the boy’s determination permitted timeless reverence from the immortal as ravus aged. maturing into far more than a mere commander, now forced to the 'guillotine' after the catastrophe of leviathan’s rite, ardyn solicits the infernal divinity of ifrit. imploring that the astral unite with ravus, after having exposed the fleuret to unbearable daemonization out of a selfish desire for affinity between them, and to coerce a battle against noctis, distinguishes fidelity. an affection of this nature, within the accursed, has been unexpressed since the millennium of his betrayal. having ravus returned to his side, diabolical in his restoration, brings ardyn a level of satisfaction formerly unaffiliated with the corrosion of his mind. the infernian will be his and his alone, sheathed within the fleuret whose resilience inspires, if only for the time they have left before the crystal’s champion returns.
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basic information
FULL NAME: ardyn lucis caelum.
ALIAS: ardyn izunia.
LABELS: healer of the people, chancellor, creepy old man, jester, the immortal accursed, usurper.
GENDER: male.
AGE:
BIRTH DATE:
STAR SIGN: gemini.
ETHNICITY: white.
ROMANTIC STATUS: biromantic.
SEXUAL STATUS: gray-asexual, as is capable of feeling sexual attraction but does not actively pursue relationship(s) and/or intercourse.
RELIGION:
SPOKEN LANGUAGE: common tongue, language of the astrals.
OTHER: regis lucis caelum, kin; noctis lucis caelum, kin; ifrit the infernian, astral summon; gentiana, undisclosed; ravus nox fleuret, ambiguous; iedolas aldercapt, emperor.
physical traits
EYE COLOUR: amber, when human; pallid gold with black sclera, when daemonic.
HAIR COLOUR: burgundy, mahogany.
SKIN COLOUR: sun kissed.
HEIGHT: 190cm, 6'3" (rounded).
WEIGHT: 172lbs, 78kg (rounded).
PHYSIQUE: slender, fit.
bestiary
LEVEL: final boss.
HEALTH POINTS: 200'000.
STRENGTH: 4'760.
VITALITY: 164.
SPIRIT: 152.
IMMUNITIES: death, alterna, poison, and stop.
ABILITIES: political influence, phasing, warp-strikes, elemental sorcery, controlling time, illusions, weilding armiger weapons, summoning astrals.
alignment i
NEUTRAL EVIL: characters of this alignment are typically selfish and have no qualms about turning on their allies-of-the-moment. they have no compunctions about harming others to get what they want, but neither will they go out of their way to cause carnage or mayhem when they see no direct benefit to it. they abide by laws for only as long as it is convenient for them. a villain of this alignment can be more dangerous than either lawful or chaotic evil characters, since he is neither bound by any sort of honour or tradition nor disorganised and pointlessly violent. neutral evil characters consider their alignment to be the most valuable as they can advance themselves without regard for others.
in an age long past, benevolence shrouded a once selfless caelum. his compassion for humanity, the people of whom he endeavored to save and protect, rendered ardyn deified in the eyes of the salvaged some two millennia ago. a fateful malady known as the starscourge distorted human existence and mutated people into daemons, the likes of which his brother, not yet chosen by the crystal, was to defend as king. by the gods’ will, ardyn had been chosen: endowed with the ability to eradicate this incurable scourge and restore a ravaged mankind. however, the honor of surpassing his brother in assuming the role of savior, thereby subjecting his body to the arduous strain of hosting myriad daemons, earned an adverse and unanticipated reward.
entrenched jealousy from izunia, in conjunction with distaste among the astrals in witnessing ardyn’s newly ‘tainted’ body, resulted in condemnation for his transgression. deemed impure, ostracized and humiliated by his kin and denied ascension to the astral realms, the gods blighted ardyn with the curse of immortality. millions of lives were spared by his sacrifice; notwithstanding these actions, eternal damnation was bestowed upon the healer. loyalty expelled, ardyn was to suffer the fate of traitors and envy, to live forevermore in a void of betrayal.
time ceased to exist. a deepening hatred of the hypocrisy that forged his hell was all that remained. an eternity passed, and with the once cordial affection for his brother, people, and gods now poisoned by the precipice of his madness, he seeks redemption. donning the alias “ardyn izunia”, his objectives are set into motion as another champion of the crystal arises, thousands of years later. having noctis lucis caelum (cxiv) under exclusive focus, ardyn’s ruthlessness takes a substantial peak. longing for the day on which to battle the true king since his degradation, he reclaims grace, charisma, and scrupulous manipulation as his patience has provided him with a vulnerable target and destined sovereign.
with the niflheim empire’s political operations under ardyn’s discretion as chancellor, and his natural eccentricity magnetizing noctis’s group to his confidence and dubious generosity, the world of eos and its inhabitants have all become a means to an end in extinguishing the blood royal-- both the crystal’s champion, and ultimately, himself.
