okay, I thought I should make this post since there has been an influx of scammers plaguing AO3 comments section and people are falling victims to them. so here it is;
WHAT THEY ARE
so far, there are three main types of these scam bots
bots that tell you AO3 is deleting works, and that you should delete the works yourself because your entire account will be affected if your works get deleted by AO3
bots that tell you your works are terrible
bots that tell you they want to draw comic panels from your works
ALL OF THESE ARE SCAM WITH MALICE INTENTIONS
bots that tell you AO3 is deleting works, and that you should delete the works yourself because your entire account will be affected if your works get deleted by AO3 are just trying to get you to delete your works, most certainly because they want to steal and/or use your works to train their AI and, once you delete your works, it becomes extremely difficult, almost impossible for you to claim ownership of your works when the original works have been deleted. AO3 IS NOT DELETING ANY WORKS.
bots that tell you your works are terrible are also just trying to get you to delete your works, most certainly because they want to steal and/or use your works to train their AI and, once you delete your works, it becomes extremely difficult, almost impossible for you to claim ownership of your works when the original works have been deleted. (more examples here and here)
bots that tell you they want to draw comic panels from your works are trying to hack your password, personal data and credit card information (they will say they see potentials in your work and are interested in drawing comic panels from it, and then they will ask you to discuss this with them on discord where you will have to pay/commission them for the โcomicsโ you will never get, but you will get your password hacked, personal data and credit card information breached and stolen instead, do not fall for them).
HOW TO SPOT THEM
what all these 3 types of bots have in common is that;
most of them (keyword, most, not all) are guest users or empty accounts that have just been recently created.
their comments are all the same copied and pasted scripts that they mass leave on lots of authorsโ works at random.
they will ask you to contact them outside of ao3 by giving you their discord, or instagram, or other social media handle.
their comments are all vague, in the sense that there will be no mention of any specific charactersโ names, no mention of any specific scenes or events from your works (granted, they need to be vague because they are bots, they never actually read your works, and they have to be able to use the same comments on other writersโ works too).
EDIT: Iโve been told they got โsmarterโ and are now mentioning characters by names and also specific scenes from the story. Most definitely because they ran your fic through AI and let AI write comments for them. So basically, if a comment, from someone you donโt know, ends in something along the lines of โIโd like to draw a comic panel about thisโ, โcan we chat on discord (or anywhere outside of ao3)โ or anything thatโd require your email or other personal information, always assume that itโs 90% a scam.
report them for spam then delete their comments when/if you get them.
please spread this if you can. us writers gotta look out for each other. stay safe, everybody โก
EDIT (Dec 10, 2025): NEW TYPE OF BOTS WHO THREATEN PEOPLE WITH LEGAL ACTIONS
EDIT (Dec 15, 2025): BOTS IMPERSONATING LEGIT USERS, WITH REGISTERED ACCOUNTS, BY USING THESE LEGIT USERSโ AO3 NAMES AS THEIR GUEST-USER NAMES IN THEIR GUEST COMMENTS
EDIT (Dec 22, 2025): BOTS PROMOTING THEIR APP/PROGRAM AND ACTING AS AN AD (WHICH I BELIEVE IS AGAINST AO3โS POLICIES) ON COMMENTS SECTION
EDIT (Jan 16, 2026): BOTS TRYING TO PASS FOR GENUINE COMMENTS BUT FAILING AND ACCIDENTALLY MENTIONING NAMES OF RANDOM CHARACTERS THAT ARE NOT PRESENT IN THE FICS OR THE FANDOMS
EDIT (Jan 18,2026): BOTS TRYING TO ACCUSE INNOCENT WRITERS OF USING AI, BY COMMENTING ON OTHER WRITERS' WORKS AND TELLING THESE OTHER WRITERS THAT 'THIS WORK BY THIS SPECIFIC WRITER IS AI'
EDIT (Jan 30, 2026): BOTS TRYING TO TRICK YOU INTO DELETING AND DESTROYING ALL THE WORKS IN YOUR COMPUTER/FILES/DRAFTS
EDIT (Jan 31, 2026): BOTS TRYING TO ATTACK YOU FOR THE LACK OF TRANS CHARACTERS IN YOUR FICS (DOESNโT MATTER IF YOUR FIC HAS TRANS CHARACTERS OR NOT)
EDIT (Feb 2, 2026): BOTS TRYING TO ACCUSE YOU OF TERRIBLE THINGS
EDIT (JULY 28, 2026) BOTS PRETENDING TO BE SOMEONE FROM AO3 SUPPORT TEAM
HEREโS HOW YOU CAN REPORT COMMENTS FROM REGISTERED ACCOUNTS
AO3 team will NEVER contact you via your ficโs comments section!!!!!!!!
if you get a comment from someone claiming to be from AO3 in any way, shape or form, IT IS A SCAM.
if you get a comment from someone claiming they work with AO3 and that your AO3 account has been compromised or restricted somehow and that you must contact xyz or open a link they give, IT IS A SCAM.
they want to hack your account and/or steal your credit card/personal information (because the link they want you to click on will require your login info and/or your other sensitive information!!!!)
*the same scam tactic can be seen on tumblr where these scammers claim to be someone from tumblr team too
DO. NOT. FALL. FOR. IT!!!!!!
hereโs AO3โs official statement about it
hereโs the post I made that covered other types of bots
synopsis : you forgot your lunch after dropping your little sibling off at professor crewels office, but don't worry! theyโre gonna bring it to you no matter what!
Earlier that morning, you had rushed over to the faculty building to drop your baby sibling off withย Professor Divus Crewel, who had strictly agreed to babysit them in his office for the day. In your frantic hurry to make it to your morning lecture on time, you had accidentally left your packed lunchbox sitting right on his polished mahogany desk.
The second the door clicked shut behind you, your sibling spotted the container. Your younger sibling pointed a tiny finger at the bag, looking up at the intimidating teacher with absolute determination.
Your sibling points, making a โmmf!โ sound. They point at the lunchbox, your lunchbox. โ..Food
Crewel adjusted his heavy fur coat, looking down at the toddler standing there in a fuzzy panda hoodie. He crossed his arms, a small, uncharacteristic smirk crossed his face.
"A delivery mission, is it? Good puppy," Crewel said smoothly, his tone surprisingly gentle as he reached down to hand your sibling the handles of the tote bag. "A proper puppy never leaves a pack member behind. Go on, then. Show me your focus."
Wanting to foster their brave spirit, but being far too responsible to let a baby wander Night Raven College completely alone, Crewel immediately calledย Caterย into the office. He ordered the third year student to stealthily shadow your sibling from a safe distance to guarantee their safety. Cater, being himself, immediately whipped out his smartphone to record the entire adorable adventure for his private Magicam drafts.
Meanwhile, you were sitting completely oblivious in a grueling history lecture by Professor Trein, entirely unaware of the chaos unfolding across campus.
Cater stealthily hid behind a stone pillar in the main courtyard, holding back his laughter as his camera rolled. In the center of his screen was your tiny sibling, their small hands gripping the handles of your plastic tote bag with life or death focus. Because they were so small, the lunchbox was practically dragging on the cobblestones as they took slow, tiny toddling steps forward.
As your sibling approached the grand staircase leading to the classrooms, the sheer height of the stone steps made them pause. They looked up at the towering stairs, blinking their big eyes, completely overwhelmed.
Suddenly, a giant shadow fell over them. Leona stumbled out from his usual afternoon napping spot behind the hedges, yawning loudly and rubbing his eyes. He looked down, his lion ears twitching in confusion as he stared at the tiny human blocking his path.
Your sibling didn't run away. Instead, they looked up at the fierce Savanaclaw housewarden, held the lunchbox up with both arms, and let out a small, determined huff.
Leona blinked, clicking his tongue in annoyance.ย โWhat is a herbivore seedling doing out here? Go back to your nest.โ
Your sibling just stubbornly held the bag higher, their tiny feet stamping on the stone. Leona let out a long, dramatic groan, muttering about how annoying kids were, but he slouched down anyway. With one casual swoop of his large, calloused hand, he grabbed the back of your sibling's panda hoodie, effortlessly lifted them into the air like a kitten, and set them down safely at the top of the stairs before walking away to find a quieter spot to sleep.
Cater kept the camera rolling from a safe distance as your sibling navigated the long interior corridors, capturing the exact moment your sibling accidentally dropped the lunchbox. The plastic container tumbled out of the tote bag, sliding dangerously across the polished floor right toward a flight of basement stairs.
Before it could fall over the edge, a tall figure suddenly dropped down from the ceiling beam above. Floyd caught the lunchbox safely in his palm, sliding into a crouching position on the floor right in front of your sibling.
Floyd grinned, his sharp teeth flashing as he tilted his head.ย "Oho~ What do we have here? A tiny little shrimp? Are you lost, baby shrimp?"
Your sibling didn't flinch at his sharp teeth. Instead, they toddled right up to the terrifying merman, reached out their small hands, and patted Floyd's cheek to thank him for catching the bag.
Floyd froze, his eyes widening in total shock before he burst into a loud, delighted laugh. He gently slid the lunchbox back into the tote bag and handed it back, gently patting your sibling's head with one finger.ย "Ahaha! You're so cute! Go on, big shrimp is right inside that room!"
Inside the lecture hall, Professor Trein paused mid-sentence, glaring at the door as a small hand knocked softly against the bottom wood.
The door slowly creaked open, and your tiny sibling stood on the threshold, their panda hood pushed back, gasping for air as they dragged the plastic tote bag right past the teacher's podium. Cater peeked out from behind the doorframe, a accomplished smirk on his face as he finally stopped his recording.
Your sibling toddled straight up to your desk, holding the handles up toward your chest with a proud, beaming smile.
"Food!" your sibling cheered loudly, their voice echoing through the silent lecture hall.
You blinked in total shock, your heart completely bursting as you quickly slid out of your chair and scooped your brave little sibling into your arms. You squeezed them tightly against your chest, burying your face in their shoulder. How cute.
notes : this is a request from @crystalkat6747 , its based off of a clip from school babysitters they sent me! if you haven't watched school babysitters do it rn!! so I was kind of torn on how to make the younger sibling talk because as you know kotaro barely speaks in the anime so yeahhh!
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Description: Following the adventures in Amphoreus, the half-Ali set out to learn more about their heritage
Notes: This work was recovered in conjunction with @crystalkat6747, we thank her for her contributions.There are also so many Ali fics that I'm only linking the immediate sequels and Prequels.
โWoow,โ Phoebe and Eiren gasp in awe as they step out of the palace to find their escort.
A wagon drawn by two creatures with shaggy white hair and iridescent branch-like horns that curled up. Their tails, iridescent and sleek with a fluffy end, swish lazily near the ground.
โYou can pet them if youโd like,โ the driver says.
โWhat are they?โ Eiren asks, slowly reaching out and touching the creatureโs mane.
It leans into his touch, making a soft click of approval that startles him briefly. He pulls his hand back and turns to the driver who nods reassuringly.
Phoebe approaches the other creature, cradling Waddles in one arm.
โTheyโre fae-walkers.โ
โTheyโre really pretty.โ
โThat they areโฆ when theyโre grown at least. I think they're a bit ugly before their fur comes in all the way.โ
โLike a halovian without its feathers.โ
Phoebe pushes up onto her toes but canโt see over the fae-walker, forcing her to walk back around while the driver and Eiren turn towards the speaker.
โMiss. Kesshou!โ
โYour highness,โ the driver greets, bowing his head politely.
โHi, Kesshou!โ Phoebe greets, popping around the fae-walker. โAre you coming with us?โ
Kesshou shakes her head, smiling gently. โUnfourtunatly, no. Iโm afraid the travel might make me a bit sick. Iโm just here to see everyone off.โ
โSend.โ
Even Kesshou turns towards the voice, though she canโt see the speaker. Still, even with her eyes covered, Kakeru can hear the eyeroll in her next words.
โSend. Youโre not funny, you know.โ
โMother thinks Iโm hilarious.โ
โSheโs your mother, of course she does.โ
Kakeru wraps an arm around his cousinโs shoulders and starts turning her back towards the door.
โInto the wagon kids, weโre heading off,โ he calls back over his shoulder as he guides Kesshou back to where their mothers and Jing Yuan wait. โWant me to bring you anything? Pass on any messages?โ
Kesshou hums in thought. โMake sure you take lots of pictures.โ
โWill do.โ Kakeru lets her go just as the Chrysos Heirs start filtering outside. โAny of you joining us?โ
โI will, I want to see this city underwater youโve told me about.โ
โIโll be joining you as well,โ Aglaea announces. Then her gaze flicks up to the cart as movement and an odd shadow catches her eye. โPheobe, you canโt bring Waddles!โ
โBut he wants to come!โ
Agalea sighs and descends the steps to the cart to retrieve Hiromuโs pet. The duck squacks at her, clearly uninterested in leaving Phoebe, while the other children laugh.
โDad, are you coming?โ Niko calls out.
โUnfourtunatly there are things Iโd like to look at here. Youโll have to show me everything some other time.โ
Niko grins, nodding happily, and sits back down.
โHyacine?โ
The girl shakes her head. โCastorice and I are going to help the professor go through the library. Itโs huge!โ
Ayano laughs. โBelive me, he knows.โ
โMom,โ he sighs, making her laugh harder.
โCan someone please hold the duck, I donโt trust that he wonโt run right back to Phoebe,โ Aglaea huffs, struggling to speak as she avoids the squawking and flailing bird.
โCome here Waddles,โ Aoi coos, scooping the bird up and causing it to settle; though it still radiates annoyance. She props him on her belly, and the duck promptly squacks as her son kicks it.
โLast call.โ
โGo!โ
โAlright, alright. Weโre leaving. Lady Hysilens, Lady Aglaea, after you,โ he waves them on ahead. โI hope the rest of you enjoy the palace, Cipher- Wait, where is she?โ
โMove faster bird brain!โ
Kakeru turns around to find Cipher lounging in the wagon next to Orion.
โIโm coming!โ Kakeru turns back to everyone else. โWhy am I the tour guide again?โ
Kesshou points at herself, โBlind,โ she points at her mother, โheavily pregnant,โ then she points at Ayano, โand acting ruler because Iโm blind and mom might go into labour any day now.โ
โI expect compensation.โ
โI wonโt sick Kicho on you when you get back.โ
โThatโs not-โ
โBye Kakeru!โ Orion shouts as the sound of hooves on stone echo across the courtyard.
โBye Mr. Kakeru!โ The otherโs echo.
โWha- hey!โ
Kakeru chases after the slow rolling cart while everyone laughs.
In the end, when he catches up, no one helps him and heโs left to haul himself into the center corridor.
โWhere you gonna sit bird boy?โ Cipher teases.
Kakeru rolls his eyes, climbing over the front of the cart to sit next to the driver.
โI hate all of you.โ
โMr. Kakeru?โ Kyros asks, leaning over to address the man. โWhere are we going first?โ
โThe Crystal Forest. Itโs this huge forest with giant trees made of purple crystals, and one of its best known landmarks is a waterfall near the border of Skystead. The forest is generally home to Forest Ali.โ
โWhat about wildlife?โ Eiren asks from further back.
Kakeru turns his head a little further over his shoulder to look back.
โPretty tame.โ
โThe Suso-Kiri are probably the only thing youโll need to worry about, since theyโre not all that easy to spot.โ
โEh, theyโll be fine.โ
โFamous last words,โ Cipher clicks her tongue.
โ
Kesshou leans into her motherโs side, biting into another strawberry as they lounge in the garden beneath an umbrella.
โWhoโs winning?โ She asks as she picks up another berry, this one doesnโt feel like a strawberry.
โJing Yuan.โ
โPhainon, try sucking less!โ
Phainon sputters in offense while Jing Yuan and Cyrene laugh.
โHeโs doing well,โ Jing Yuan assures.
โThank You.โ
Phainonโs focus returns to the board between him and the general. The board where he is being completely obliterated. Maybe. Heโs not entirely sure, heโs still working on learning the rules and heโs not certain Jing Yuan is going easy on him.
He holds his chin between his thumb and forefinger, bracing his elbow on his knee.
Cyrene lounges beneath a nearby tree with a book Kesshou recommended, while the two men sit beneath the sun playing a Xianzhou strategy game. Itโs similar to an Amphorean game he used to play at the Grove, just a little more complicated. Complicated enough that heโs losing horribly.
โTake your time Phainon, no need to make foolish mistakes,โ Aoi calls.
โ
The kids stare in awe as the cart finally passes under the crystalline purple canopy, some focus above while others focus on the prismatic projections below. Kakeru turns around, kneeling on the driverโs bench, to watch. He notices Aglaea biting her lip, and follows her gaze to find Cipherโs tail flicking about sharply as she watches the light shift below. He chuckles, catching her attention, and quickly looks away to avoid incurring her wrath.
โItโs like being underwater,โ Hysilens muses.
โA bit,โ Kakeru agrees. โWhen it rains it sounds like windchimes.โ
โIโd like to hear that,โ Mysti says from beside her aunt.
โIf not today Iโm sure youโll have a chance eventually.โ
โAH!โ The peaceful atmosphere is interrupted as Eiren shrieks, jumping and falling into Niko on his left.
The cart shakes with the force, and the fae-walkers startle as their reins are suddenly pulled tight. They rear back, but a slight decline in the path causes the cart to roll into them and they dart forward. The driver canโt do anything to stop them as they swerve to avoid a tree and send the cart colliding into it.
Orionโs head is thrown back into the tree, and he groans in pain as Nikoโs head slams into his lower ribs. Meanwhile Niko yelps as Eiren pins him down awkwardly. To Orionโs left Kyros is thrown from the cart beside the trees, while across from them Hysilens manages to catch herself and Mysti and the other three girls are sent tumbling into the centre.
In the chaos the driver let go of the reins and the fae-walkers disappear.
Before anyone can properly respond, Kyros yelps from beside the cart as a vine wraps around his ankle. Kakeru has no time to draw his daggers as the vine is severed in the blink of an eye.
The cart shifts to the right a bit as a weight settles on the side behind the girls, and then another girl else hangs down from the tree just above Kyros.
Orion rubs the back of his head while Eiren sits up and helps Niko up. Meanwhile the Ali behind the girls hops over them and helps Cipher, Agalea, and Phoebe back into their seats.
The Ali in the tree drops down beside Kyros and pulls him to his feet, brushing him off and then patting his shoulders.
โKakeru, youโve gotten stupid.โ
Around them leaves rustle and a few more Ali pop out of the brush.
โAnd youโve gotten lax! Letting Suso-kiri take over part of the road?โ He clicks his tongue in disappointment. โI expect better of you Shiro.โ
Shiro blinks at him, seemingly unphased, and then grins.
โWelcome home, howโve you been?โ
โThe world didnโt end, so pretty good.โ
Kyros pops up beside him, and he turns to find Shiori giving him a boost to climb back over the side of the wagon.
โAre you okay?โ Kakeru asks.
โMy butt hurts, but Iโll live,โ Kyros waves him off. โWhat about Eiren?โ
โI think he nearly fried my hearing aids,โ Orion winces playfully, covering his ear as if it hurt.
Kakeru and Phoebe chuckled at that.
โIt hurt!โ
โBut once the initial pain wears off you should be fine,โ Shiori says, hanging off the side of the cart. โWelcome to the crystal forest!โ
โMaybe we should make the Suso-kiri our welcoming ambassadors.โ
Shiori laughs. โHey Shiro, how about we kill two birds with one stone?โ
Shiro moves to stand behind the driver and Kakeru.
โI believe you have a special delivery?โ
Kakeru rests on arm on the cart and tilts his head back to look up at Shiro who looms over him.
โWhatโs the magic word?โ
Shiro raises a brow. โThese children, theyโre your students?โ She turns back to the cart. โHow would you all like to hear what your teacher was like during his time-โ
โWhen did I turn into everyoneโs punching bag?! Kesshou threatened me with Kicho earlier.โ
โAwww, how is the little bugger?โ Shiori asks. โAnd howโs Setsu?!โ
โA menace,โ Cipher scoffs.
โNaww, you should bring him by more often. Weโve got plenty of space for him to roam.โ
โMaybe next time, but I think Iโve got enough people to watch this time.โ
โNow, you have something for me?โ Shiro asks Kakeru, who points at the driver. He pulls a small pouch from inside his coat and passes it back to Shiro.
She hops down from the wagon, and Shiori drops down to join her at the back.
โWhatโs that?โ Mysti asks as Shiro dumps a vial into her palm.
The glass reveals a clear liquid inside its pointed shape, closed with a simple golden twist cap. Shiro tilts it side to side, watching the liquid shift and feeling the weight change.
Shiro hums, โWater, more or less.โ
โMore or less?โ
โWaterโs a very broad term, donโt you agree?โ
โWhatโs it for?โ Hysilens asks, following up her previous question.
โShiori?โ
โOn it!โ Shiori chirps, bouncing back on the balls of her feet before waving her hand in a wide arc above her head causing the water from nearby dew to rise into the air.
Shiro kicks off the ground and circles the droplets, guiding them until they catch the forest light just right and reflect rainbows across the ground. Then she unscrews the bottle and catches each droplet in the liquid, turning it into a liquid prism constantly shifting with colors.
โPretty cool, huh?โ Shiori asks, leaning against the wagon next to Erien. โItโs for ceremonial stuff, maybe youโll get to see it in use?โย
She peaks around to Kakeru at the back. He shrugs.
โProbably, if they decide to attend the Academy.โ
โThe Academy?โ Niko asks.
Kakeru turns back around towards rustling bushes. Two forest Ali lead the fae-walkers back towards the wagon and the driver hops down to help reattach them. Kakeru shrugs.
โDonโt worry about it for now.โ
The driver hands the reins to Kakeru who holds them while the man climbs back up.
โEveryone ready to go?โ
Shiro and Shiori sit on the back of the wagon, legs hanging above the path. The shift of weight as they jump up makes Kakeru look back with a frown.
โI wasnโt talking to you two.โ
Both girls look back with a smile.
โJust drive.โ
Kakeru rolls his eyes and waves the driver on.
โSeriously, did you guys have some kind of bully Kakeru intervention?โ
Shiro scoffs as the wagon continues on its journey, the other forest Ali dispersing to return to whatever they were doing before Eirenโs scream.
Kakeru remains a little more guarded as they head through the forest towards the falls and Skystead, while the kids slowly relax and find games to amuse themselves with. Niko and Kyros end up hunched over a book Kyros grabbed before they left the palace, while Eiren, Mysti, and Phoebe play I-Spy. Cypher, Hysilens, and Aglaea fall into casual observation of the dancing lights and things they look like.
Shiro and Shiori keep to themselves, guarding the back of the wagon with casual ease.
Slowly the temperature around them cools slightly and the air picks up a dampness that has Hysilens and Mysti perking up.
Mysti stands and carefully moves to the front of the cart.
โIโve never seen a triple rainbow before.โ
โIn the early morning, sometimes the mist paints the ground in a rainbow,โ Shiori chirps from the back.
โImagine dancing in that,โ Niko gasps, hanging off the side of the wagon to look at the waterfall ahead.
Eiren stands behind him, looking over his head, while on the other side of the cart Aglaea holds onto Phoebe's dress to keep her stable as she leans off the other side. Kyros rests his chin in his palm as he looks over Kakeruโs shoulder.
Theyโre all so busy admiring the dancing lights that it takes Cipher to point out the obvious.
โHoly mountain!โ
Her exclamation makes everyone take in the whole expanse in front of them, or rather the lack of as a massive mountain rises above them. Itโs split in two and rises above the clouds, with the waterfall and sunlight pouring through the center.
Phoebe splutters, โWas that always there?!โ
Shiro laughs. โDonโt feel too bad, most people are so distracted they miss the mountain on their first visit. The fog doesnโt help.โ
โTheyโre as big as the statue of Kephale and home to Skystead, home of the Sky Ali.โ
โAre we going there next?โ Kyros asks.
โSort of. Technically our next stop is Marina, which is on the other side of Skystead. So weโll spend the night there and then move on.โ
โWhy canโt we stay longer?โ Phoebe asks from his other side.
โWellโฆ okay, one, everyone back in the cart. You canโt be hanging off it while we climb this path. Secondly, we could but Marina has a festival coming up. You can visit Skystead at any time.โ
โBut festivals are limited events,โ Mysti finishes.
โExactly.โย
The cart begins a smooth ascent up a mountain path only big enough for one wagon. Well, smooth in that the path isnโt steep, it is however incredibly bumpy. They barely make it to the first flat before people are whining about their butts going numb.
โYou can always walk,โ Aglaea suggests with a laugh.
Phoebe grumbles, shifting around, and Kyros stands up by bracing himself on the front of the cart.
โSit.โ
โBut Mr. Kakeru-โ
โSit. A numb butt is better than getting hurt.โ
Kyros sighs, sitting back down.
โMy feet are going numb,โ Mysti complains.
Kakeru sighs.
โAre we almost there?โ Niko whines.
โWhining wonโt get us there faster.โ
โWhy canโt we fly?โ Eiren asks, staring up at the soft clouds hanging above them.
โItโs too high and the visibilityโs too poor for most experienced Ali, you six can barely get into a tree without wobbling.โ The kids grumble. โNot to mention Cipher, Lady Aglaea, and Lady Hysilens canโt fly.โ
Eiren sighs, leaning against the side of the cart and looking out over the forest below, while Orion slumps back and Niko leans into him. Kyros leans against the front, watching the path ahead over Kakeruโs shoulder.
Across from them Mysti and Phoebe slump against Aglaea and Hysilens, eyes falling shut while Cipher toys with a coin. Thereโs nothing particularly interesting on their side of the cart.
The path finally rises into the clouds, making it so no one can see beyond the cart, and then it breaks through.
Everyone winces at the sun, no longer dispersed by the clouds theyโd been hiding under since their ascent began. Orion is the first to pry his eyes open.
Above them, just off the edge of the mountain, a pod of sky-whales glide through the air. Everyone else gasps in awe, jaws slack and eyes wide as a young whale glides against a parent. One of the whales bellows.
โAunt Hysilens, it looks like your whale!โ Mysti exclaims.
โSo it does. Do these whales spend any time underwater?โ Hysilens asks, turning to Kakaeru.
โNah, they donโt go below the cloud line.โ Kakeru glances back over his shoulder before leaning towards the driver. โThink thatโll keep them entertained the rest of the way?โ
โIt usually does.โ
Kakeru chuckles, settling back into his seat and pulling out his phone.
The driver keeps his voice low as he speaks, though the wagon behind them is loud as the kids make observations about the whales above. โTalking to your boyfriend?โ
Kakeruโs thumb freezes over the screen and his ears turn pink. โHeโs not my boyfriend.โ
โA shame, you two are cute together.โ
โUgh, you sound like my mother.โ
The driver shrugs, โA side-effect of watching you grow up, I suppose.โ
Kakeru rolls his eyes.
โPheobe sit down,โ Aglaea scolds, making Kakeru turn around.
Phoebe is standing awkwardly to keep her balance and reaching up as if the whales might come to her.
โPhoebe, sit!โ
โHmrph,โ she pouts, dropping back into her seat.
Eventually the whales fade into the distance as the road leads them into Skystead. The kids whine, pouting and complaining about the โboringโ city. Kakeru listens to them compare it to Okhema; the almost marble buildings are mostly stout and wide open, the rising levels as it winds around the mountain.
Unlike Okhema, however, the sun is setting. The marble buildings turn orange in the light as the driver slows the fae-walkers to a stop in front of one of the taller buildings.
Shiori gasps. โYou guys are staying at The Flightless Bird?! I love their desserts, ooo, Shiro, can we stay here?โ
Shiro raises a brow. โWe could just have dinner here.โ
โBut then we have to walk back to your place, and itโs so far!โ
โMiss Shiro, you live here?โ Kyros asks.
Shiro sighs, nodding. โI do, higher on the mountain.โ
Shiori looks at Kakeru questioningly as he comes around the back of the wagon. He shrugs, then offers the two ladies a hand to help them down.
Eiren takes the offered hand, as do Hysilens, Aglaea, Mysti, and Kyros while the others all jump down on their own.
โShiro, can you help them check in?โ Kakeru asks as the wagon pulls away.
โGot somewhere to be?โ
โOrion needs new hearing aids before we get to Marina.โ
She nods. โIโve got them. Booking under your name?โ
โYup, thanks.โ He turns back to the group of half-ali and amphoreans. โOrion, come on, weโve got somewhere to be.โ
โWe do?โ
โWe do, letโs go. The rest of you can check in, Shiro will help you.โ
Kakeru doesnโt wait for any acknowledgement, he just turns around and starts walking down the street. He hears Orion excuse himself and run after him before the boy appears in his peripheral.
The two make it a few blocks in silence, Kakeru watching Orion take the city in beside him, before Kakeru stops suddenly and slowly turns around. His gaze sweeps the dimly lit street, and then he sighs.
โIf you wanted to come along you could've asked.โ
โOrion.โ The boy jumps as Cipher seems to appear out of nowhere beside him. Kakeru shakes his head. โYouโre in a new place, pay attention to your surroundings.โ
โBut I was!โ
โNo, you were admiring the city.โ Cipher crosses her arms with a grin. โ If you were paying attention you should have noticed you were being followed.โ
Orion pouts. โCanโt I just enjoy this vacation?โ
Cipher and Kakeru shrug simultaneously, earning a sigh from Orion as he slouches in on himself. Where they both agree heโs learned he has no chance of winning.
โAlright, enough chit-chat. I donโt want to keep the shop owner waiting, heโs already doing us a favor by staying open this late.โ
The trio turns another corner to find a single shop with its lights still on. Through the window an elderly woman spots them and waves.
Kakeru holds the door open for Orion and Cipher while greeting the woman who ignores him in favor of approaching Orion.
โIโm so sorry Kakeru didnโt warn you about the dangers of your abilities.โ
Cipher burst out laughing.
โOh, no, Mr. Kakeru was very clear about the dangers. I just didnโt have much of a choice.โย
The lady laughs. โArenโt you sweet.โ
โStop testing my student please, Iโve had a long enough day as it is.โ
โYou can call me Granny Miko. Come with me, letโs figure out what kind of primal stone you need.โ
โCipher and I will be here if you need anything,โ Kakeru waves.
โSure,โ Cipher agrees, not looking up from a case of stones in the middle of the small store.
โNo oneโs told me why weโre even here!โ
โYouโll be fine!โ Cipher calls out as Granny Miko leads Orion into the back room. She listens to the careful footsteps approaching her and grins. โRelax, Iโm not gonna steal anything.โ
โUh-huh.โ
She stands up straight, raising her arms above her head and stretching back with a grunt. Then she wanders over to the front counter and leans back against it, arms crossed and one ankle over the other. Kakeru stays somewhat in the center of the room, across from the door to the back room.
โWhatโll you do, if the kids stay at the Academy?โ
โHavenโt decided yet,โ she shrugs. โItโs not like Iโve got someone to stay for.โ
โThatโs not true. Youโre just not the type to stay in one place just for a kid.โ Cipher raises a brow. โDonโt worry, his hearing aids are out by now.โ
Cipher looks towards the door and sighs, her usual cocky and teasing demeanor relaxing.
โHeโs a good kid, and he looks up to you. I donโt think he needs me hanging around too.โ
โThat doesnโt mean he doesnโt want you around. Believe me, thereโs a difference. But if youโre intent on going off on your own, I think I know someone you could talk to. Thereโs this group called the galaxy rangers, everyone kind of does their own thing.โ
โBlegh, they sound righteous. Rangers.โ
Kakeru huffs a laugh. โLet me at least introduce you to Boothill. Even if you donโt want to become one, it wouldnโt hurt to have some well traveled friends.โ
The door to the back room opens, catching their attention. Cipher pushes herself from the counter and walks over to Kakeru.
Orionโs hand overs over one of his ears as he tilts his head a few times. Granny Miko gently smacks his hand away, scolding him for touching it.
โWell?โ Kakeru asks.
โItโs-โ Orion pauses, making a face, โitโs weird. I donโt know how to explain it.โ
โThese ones are better than those mechanical ones, more resistant to the elements and stress.โ
โNot that Madam Herta's hearing aids were bad but, these ones sound clearer.โ
Kakeru and Granny Miko head towards the counter so he can pay. Meanwhile Cipher peers into Orionโs ear and the boy quickly cups his hand around it.
โI am not going to steal your hearing aid, Iโm not a monster.โ
โSorry Miss Cipher, itโs justโฆ shiny?โ
Cipher scoffs and heads towards the door. โCome on, Iโm hungry.โ
โ
Having lived in Elsaria his entire life, and traveled across it regularly, Kakeru doesnโt find quite as many of the sights as breathtaking as the first time. Dancing lights and mountains that reach past the clouds are just another day, the ocean reflecting the sun like twinkling stars is nothing compared to the way clouds of dust swirl together in space to create new wonders.
Heโs seen it all and more, so watching the kids splash along the shore of Marina offers a little bit of that wonder back to him.
Aglaea laughs, shielding herself as Phoebe and Niko splash her. Cipher, of course, is as far from the water as possibleโ perched on a stone outcrop along the shore. Eiren joins her, reading a book heโd picked up from the Skystead library yesterday. Mysti and Kyros stand ankle deep in the tide, searching for little critters, while Hysilens stares out at the blue horizon lost in thought.
Kakeru takes his shoes off, letting the sand sink between his toes, and joins her.
โWhat do you think?โ
โItโs much brighter than my home, but no less beautiful.โ She turns her head, leaning slightly to look past Kakeru. โIโm glad sheโs able to experience it.โ
Kakeru follows her gaze to Mysti, and he smiles.
โSomeday youโll be able to show her the ocean on Amphoreus, donโt forget.โ
Hysilensโ expression remains ever cool and impassive. โPerhaps. The witch said it could be thousands of years before Amphoreus returns to what it once was.โ
โI think youโll get to see it again, and host a wondrous feast to celebrate your return.โ
โI hope youโre correct.โ
Suddenly Mysti and Kyros yelp. A shadow appears before them, not tall enough to loom but enough to shroud their patch of wet sand in shadows. They both jump back and look up to find a young woman staring down at the same spot they had been. She looks up with a smile.
โAre you looking for shells?โ
Kyros slowly shakes his head. โAnimals.โ
โOh! Then you should check out the tidepools, you can find all sorts of little guys there.โ
โGood afternoon, Cori.โ
Cori perks up and waves wildly at Kakeru.
โAfternoon, Mr. Kakeru! Ready to head out?โ
โI think so.โย
Kakeru looks back at Cipher and Eiren. Eiren is making his way down the beach but Cipher remains on her perch.
โCifera?โ Aglaea calls, approaching the other five with Phoebe and Niko.
โHave fun!โ
Aglaea and Kakeru sigh simultaneously, Kakeru turning to look over his shoulder.
โI guess she changed her mind,โ Kakeru muses, turning back to Cori.
โWell, we were all kind of surprised she was coming along,โ Orion says, earning nods of agreement from the other kids.
Cori laughs before cutting herself off with a cough. โSorry, that was rude.โ
โOh donโt be. She deserves it.โ
โI heard that!โ
Aglaea smiles. โWill you be staying in the upper part of Marina or heading back to Skystead?!โ
โI plan to try all of the fish theyโre cooking for this festival, after that who knows!โ
The kids laugh at that.
โBye Ms. Cipher!โ Orion calls, waving.
โHey! Iโm not leaving yet! I have manners!โ
โA highly debated claim,โ Hysilens throws out as though she were commenting on the weather.
Cori clears her throat to stifle another laugh.
โCome on, we should get going.โ
Hysilens and Mysti follow Cori towards the water without a thought, Kakeru following behind them, while everyone else pauses. Aglaea raises a brow and clears her throat, and the other kids look between each other in confusion.
The four turn around, Cori peaking over Kakeruโs shoulder from the back.
โArenโt you forgetting something?โ
โCipherโs not coming, I donโt think there's anything else.โ
โWe canโt breathe underwater like Ms. Hysilens and Mysti,โ Eiren states with a deadpan that has Kakeru cracking a smile.
โWell have you tried?โ He teases.
โI held my breath for thirty seconds,โ Phoebe answers, completely seriously, crossing her arms, โand Niko nearly passed out.โ
โAunt Hyacine wasnโt happyโฆโ
Kakeru opens his mouth, then closes it, then looks to Aglaea for confirmation. She sighs and nods, and Kakeru turns back to the kids.
โWhy would you do that?โ
โIt didnโt seem like a bad idea at the time,โ Niko defends himself, shrugging.
With a sigh, Kakeru pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes.
โI was going to say, donโt you trust me, but maybe thatโs not the best idea.โ He nods back at Cori. โSheโs got it handled.โ
โIn the interest of avoiding a very long and very boring explanation, letโs keep it at, itโs magic. Real simple stuff too.โ
โSo, what do we need to do?โ Eiren asks.
โJust, get in the water and donโt panic. Or do, itโll only stress you out.โ Cori turns on her heels and gestures for everyone to follow her. โWatch your step!โ
She takes a few more steps and then suddenly drops down.
Mysti rushes forward, though the water drag slows her down, and Hysilens reaches out after her. She stops suddenly, looking down, and just as suddenly Cori jumps up and pulls her down.
Hysilens grabs onto her, getting dragged off the ledge with her niece.
โMysti!โ
Everyone wades past Kakeru, slowing down as they reach where the two disappeared. Aglaea puts her arm out to keep the kids back as they peer over the ledge to find Mysti floating beneath the surface laughing. Hysilens is relaxing next to her. She opens her eyes and waves at those still above the surface.
Kakeru chuckles.
โIn we go,โ he says before jumping feet first off the ledge.
The others watch as the bubbles clear and Cori swims around Kakeru like an excited puppy.
Mysti looks up at the rippling surface and then turns to Hysilens who gives her a nod. She swims back up, breaking the surface and sitting on the ledge. The water comes up to her chest and she kicks her legs under the water.
โThe waterโs nice,โ she says, looking up at her friends and Aglaea.
โThe idea of being able to breathe underwater is weird.โ
Mysti nods along. โI guess. It kind of feels like flying, letting the water carry you, and like breathing cool morning air.โ
โWhat about the emptiness below? Isnโt it kind of scary?โ
โAt first,โ Mysti laughs, โand then you explore it and itโs like looking at the night sky.โ She holds out a hand. โTrust me?โ
Era erasa.. Year 4915.. Month of freedom.. Hence you the replacement of the chrysos heir of law was born.. All your life,you were taught to be the better replacement after the death of the previous chrysos heir of law, cerydra had been assassinated by her loyal knight hysilins the chrysos heir of ocean without getting the chance to return her coreflame.. You may ask who taught you? The council of elders did! Yet lady aglaeaโs comforting words soothed you.. The mother you never asked her to be.. The chrysos heir who saved you from your nightmares.. The Noblelady who lost her humanity was your caretaker who saved you from slavehood and gave you the affection of a mother when she couldn't have her own due to her duties to the flamechase journey..ย
โChild..you shall never be like her..you are your own person..you are your own humanityโ she murmured holding you close to her as you sobbed.. You couldnโt stop..not after the harsh words and names the elders had called you for not meeting their expectations.. You didnโt want to be someone else.even if it was lady cerydra known for her many titles, one of them being โtyrantโ which sometimes made you wonder why they called her that.. How could you? A slave since birth who happened to be blessed with golden blood be a chrysos heir of law like her?
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