pristine realm.

may the stars shine brightly on your path. may the flowers bloom on your trail. affiliated & selective elysia of honkai impact 3rd. est. may 2022 as penned by shea.

[egofelt]

ELYSIA // HONKAI IMPACT

now just who is that pretty elf with the pink hair? 3, 2, 1 — the answer is… elysia ! or just ellie, if you’d prefer ♡

elysia is a woman with a long and complex history, and has been known as many things in her lifetime: a friend, a soldier, a hero, a traitor. as of the present era, while only a ghost of her former self preserved in data & memories, she serves as a guide to humanity — hoping to aid them in saving the world where she and her comrades failed.

she’s a very whimsical woman, an enigma shrouded in mystery who will act as if you’ve been longtime friends. extroverted and without shame, she will gladly chat and proudly flirt with just about anyone — but she has a soft spot in her heart for cute girls. 

of course, she has her fair share of secrets too. any beautiful woman does, or so she says. but while she holds them close to her heart, she has no qualms in answering any questions sent her way either. 

she’s a guide, after all, and although this may not be her elysian realm, you can count on elysia’s helpful tips to steer you in the right direction ! 

it is a rare occasion to see elysia not smiling, and rarer still to hear her badmouth someone. so there is no need to worry — despite how strong she is ( and she is, fearfully so ), elysia will always be on your side so long as you have a soul that shines bright. 

[cloud-ya]

Seven foot frame. Butterflies on her back. When she calls your name. It all fades to black. Yeah, she sees your dreams. And feasts on your screams. We don’t talk about Aponia, no, no, no! We don’t talk about Aponia!

[egofelt]

shicksaltemp​:

⤐ Studying was something that Bronya had always been good at, but in a way it just made sense that this was how she was. “Your comrades… I met Kevin eight years ago when I was searching for something in the Sea of Quanta. He… believed a great deal in humanity, even though I do not believe his methods were correct.” This was just an honest interpretation of how she felt about him, even if they had attempted to stop him from escaping the sea. 

She closed her eyes. Interacting with this woman resurfaced a number of memories. Things she hadn’t thought about in some time. “Fu Hua… is a friend. She helped me save a mutual friend I share with Mei.” 

Bronya blinked dryly at the thought of Mei being drawn in by this woman’s beauty. That was likely a fib on Elysia’s part, considering her friend’s fixation on Kiana from back then. Mei didn’t look at anyone else like she did Kiana. “Her horns… So back when she was a Herrscher, then?” If Elysia had been looking for more of a reaction than that, then she would be disappointed.

There it was. For a blink, an instance, Bronya blushed at being called “cute”. Her weakness, really. But just as quickly as it happened, it faded away. “If we’re being transparent with one another, I was once the Herrscher of Reason. But I have no need for that power anymore.”

     oh, kevin. that sounded like him alright.   ❝   I won’t ask you to try and understand him. That would be silly, especially if your paths crossed in a less than positive way. That said, he’s been through a lot, and lost a great many things. We all did, unfortunately, so I don’t blame him for having become the way that he is now.   ❞ 

     ... back when she was a herrscher? as in, mei wasn’t a herrscher anymore? that was an odd thing to say — elysia wasn’t aware that the transformation could be undone, nor had she believed herself to be away from the elysian realm for such a length of time that such a dramatic change could have taken place.   ❝   Yup, she was taking on the trials of the Elysian Realm as our successor. All of my comrades were interested in her, but I suppose she has that effect on people. Even the grumpiest of Flamechasers came out to meet her!   ❞   and speaking of, hopefully kalpas was behaving himself in her absence.

     ❝   — Reason? That suits you!   ❞   if she was surprised by the revelation, she doesn’t show it. elysia’s expression remains as content as it was moments before. still, she doesn’t attempt to speak of her own history as a herrscher — a much too dreary and tragic tale for a conversation as pleasant as this.   ❝   Mm, but if you don’t need it anymore... does that mean things have calmed down? Last I heard, everything was pretty chaotic - that’s why Mei came to us for ‘answers’, as she put it.   ❞   there were several plausible theories to consider that would lead to their differing circumstances, with an alternate timeline being the one she considers to be the most likely. su had spent many of his waking moments observing them, and from what she had learned from his lectures, many timelines were practically identical to one another — save for some minor differences here and there.     

[egofelt]

     ❝   Looks like they’re working hard. How admirable.   ❞   

     she fleetingly ponders on whether or not the scene before her reflects what the survivors of her world had looked like at the end of it all — hard at work, bearing their full strength at constructing a new home. without the support of gods and illuminated beasts, and with the horrors of the recent past haunting them as they awoke to a world thoroughly destroyed by war, she doubts it. even with the few remaining flame chasers by their side, ever the steadfast guardians of those who remained, the future was unknowable and terrifying in the eyes of those who experienced such tragedy firsthand — but still, it was nice to at least dream of them being free from the threat of the honkai. 

     ❝   This is... your home, right? Or where your home will be, in time.   ❞   he had mentioned ‘the harbor’ over tea once, only in passing — a moment of reflection when thinking back on the homes left behind. elysia wasn’t on to forget the little details however, and there was no mistaking how close they were to the sea. this would surely grow to be a magnificent harbor indeed.   ❝   It’s funny how even in different worlds, human civilizations always seem to end up close to the water. Instinct is a remarkable thing!  ❞  

@prithivas​

[egofelt]

Congrats! You will receive your bow, The Whisper of the Past. 

oh yeah. it’s all coming together.

[egofelt]

     from tea parties to late night gatherings, it seemed as if there was a wealth of opportunities to avail of in the ongoing festivities. it was ideal inspiration for her eventual return to the elysian realm — not to mention a good way to pass the time. but, among numerous other opportunities, the one that caught her eye the most was a maze. to be specific, the reward for solving it. a crystal flower created by the pixies to be shared with the one you love, to symbolize faith and dedication to your partner. what a romantic prize! 

     of course, elysia didn’t exactly have a partner at hand, nor did she have any plans to gift the crystal to a special someone. but, that was not enough cause to make her reconsider participating. ever the optimist, she wasted no time in grabbing the first person she found outside the event — a stranger, mind you — and promptly dragged him into the maze. truth be told, she didn’t give the poor boy much of a choice. at least he was being a good sport about it ( and really, wasn’t he the lucky one to be able to experience a fun event by her side? )

     ❝   I thiiiiink we may have possibly taken a wrong turn somewhere.   ❞   with eyebrows knitted together as she tries her best to listen to other participants — a last ditch attempt to discern their location — elysia points to the dead end in front of them. this was becoming a familiar sight at this point in their journey.   ❝   We could always try peeking over the hedge? I can lift you up and put you on my shoulders. That would give us enough height to see clearly!   ❞   

@ashenvaliant​

[egofelt]

shicksaltemp​:

⤐ “MANTIS…” It was a difficult pill to swallow, but that was what this woman was insinuating here. That project was something that had taken place in the Previous Era, but it wasn’t something Bronya had much in the way of an expertise with. She only knew bits and pieces through what she had read in Shicksal’s archives in the past.

Dwelling on it a moment, she tucked some hair behind her right ear. In an elegant manner, of course. She was never one to express much surprise even after having her emotions returned upon becoming a Herrscher, and that was hardly different even eight years later.

Actually, this all sounded a little familiar. “Mei… She visited you before, didn’t she?” She had never extracted the full story from her, but years ago her fellow Valkyrie had made reference to an experience that seemed to touch on some of the things Elysia was saying. “…Ellie.”

     what a smart young lady, to get it right with only a a brief explanation. she must have studied hard — though, it was easy enough to tell from a glance that she was formidable. without being able to judge that kind of thing with only a glance, elysia wouldn’t have survived in MOTH.   ❝   You’re right, I’m a MANTIS. I’m sure if you’re from the current era, you’re more familiar with Kevin and Hua — they’re my comrades.   ❞   

     su was also supposed to have made it to the present era, if she’s remembering correctly. dr. mei had always planned for him to stay by kevin’s side as a deterrent to the worst-case scenario. alas, she knew little beyond that — it was discouraged for the sims to learn too much about the present, and for good reason. 

     ❝   Yes, Mei visited me a lot. She was drawn in by my beauty, no doubt. Did you know I got to touch her horns?   ❞   she says it with so much confidence that it almost sounds like she’s serious — and in some ways, she is. or perhaps she’s just a little too overjoyed that mei spoke of her outside of the elysian realm.   ❝   But from my perspective, I saw Mei only a short while ago. Then, I woke up here. It was quite surprising, but if it means I can meet more of Mei’s cute friends, then I’m not too upset about this strange turn of events. It’s better to support each other in times like these, Bronya.   ❞

[egofelt]

shicksaltemp​:

⤐ She hadn’t expected the readings to come from a person, but the moment the woman pointed it out, Bronya glanced down at the interface of her Moon Ring. It hadn’t quite been working properly since she had arrived, but it could faintly sense Honkai energy. The reading, while faint, was strongest in her presence. “A relief… I suppose.” Although her circumstances for feeling that way were likely for a completely different reason, considering the recent developments in Fontaine.

There was a lot to unpack from the stranger’s words. The comment about them having a “connection” aside, her words indicated that she perceived Bronya as hailing from a different era. “Unique constitutions? Could you explain what you mean by that? We evidently come from the same world, but you’re insinuating we’re not from the same time, aren’t you?”

Realizing she was asking a lot without offering any information herself, she decided to reveal her name. “I’m sorry. My name is Bronya Zaychik. I’m a Valkyrie. Er… Retired, but assisting Shicksal.”

     ❝   My genes were spliced with a Honkai beast! That’s why my ears are as charming and irresistible as they are now.   ❞   

     compared to the side effects suffered by the flame chasers in the early days of the MANTIS surgery, before mei and mobius had perfected the technique through extensive trial and error, elysia had been lucky with her physical transformation. had she been forced to suffer through a freezing touch, unable to hold or comfort the one’s she loved — well, kevin had always been stronger than her.     

     ❝   And as for the time difference... well, I’m sure you’ve heard of the Previous Era, right? That’s what your generation has taken to calling it, or so I’ve heard.   ❞   she says it with a smile, her tone casual and lacking in any form of condescension. elysia was still a guide, after all, even if bronya wasn’t a successor of the thirteen within her paradise. so long as she asked the right questions, the MOTH had no qualms in answering them.   ❝   I’m Elysia — I was one of the soldiers who fought the Honkai back then. Or, to be more specific, I’m the Elysia born from the memories I left behind. You can call me Ellie if you’d like! ♡   ❞ 

[egofelt]

shicksaltemp​:

⤐ Fair skin, pink hair, and long, pointed ears. This woman’s appearance struck a chord of familiarity with Bronya, but she didn’t quite recognize her either. It was more like seeing her had jogged her memory of a description she had been given in the past. Had it been Kiana? Mei? She couldn’t really remember. So much had happened in the past eight years that at times it almost felt like those days were a dream.

Bronya had only noticed her in the first place because she’d seen her perk up in the corner of her eye after mentioning Honkai energy under her breath.

She turned gracefully, silver eyes meeting the woman’s. “When I say “Honkai” do you know what I’m referring to? Very few here seem to understand.” And by “very few” she meant “no one”.

@egofelt​​

     ❝   Hehe, I sure do! You’ve a keen eye, don’t you? We must have a connection for you to be able to tell right away.   ❞   or, a more likely answer, was that she was a woman from the current era of humanity. a cute one, too, with a silhouette that elysia thought for a moment vaugley resembled prometheus ( if only a little bit older ). what a funny coincidence. 

     ❝   The Honkai doesn’t seem to be present here. Or rather, I haven’t encountered anything to suggest it is. Isn’t that a relief!   ❞   

     of course, as a consequence, the inhabits of this city remained ignorant to the existence of honkai. that was for the better, elysia was sure.   ❝   If you picked up on any Honkai energy, you’re probably getting the reading from me. We had to adjust our equipment to account for our unique constitutions, but I don’t think there would be a need to do so in the current era.   ❞   mei had never mentioned anything similar to a MANTIS soldier in the present, at least. other successors might have, but none of them had ever really interested elysia enough to show herself. oh well! 

[isolaradiale]

Welcome to SpiraleFES 2022! Or Day 1 of our Fourth Anniversary Celebration!

A word of warning first: this is not an event and does not count as event participation towards ranking up. These are merely a bunch of fun activities that persist throughout the summer. While we will be running several events over the summer, you will still be able to use SpiraleFES activities for non-event threads during that time!

Keep reading

[anominous-user]

moths who chased the flames

(unmasked kalpas below the cut)

Keep reading

[egofelt]

codecasts​:​

     ❛   Yeah, too true.   ❜   SHE   nods along with her question, even if it was more of a giant fishing net than a genuine query. After all, she is beautiful— and Hakuno’s been around enough Servants to know strength when she sees it. 

         Recalling the Grail War is… well, it’s not one of her favorite pastimes. She likes to recall certain aspects of it — namely, her Servants — but for the most part… it took coming to this island ( through admittedly very dubious means ) for her to realize the extreme circumstances she’d been living under. Or, more accurately, re-realize.  ❛   I didn’t have a wish, really. Not at first… my goal was just to survive from one round to the next. And eventually that became my wish: survival, pure and simple. I didn’t see the point of dreaming big if I could get killed the next day.   ❜

          Of course, it was a bit more complicated than that. If she were to really look inward, while staying alive was a big enough mountain to overcome, Hakuno doesn’t think it was the crux. It may be cliché, but she really did need every single one of those days to establish some sense of self. Without a sense of self, without a goal to walk towards… well, you’re just walking, aren’t you ?  ❛   In the end… I think making a wish should start and end with yourself. Not so much making a wish as just… setting a goal to keep moving toward. If you put all your hopes into one cup, no matter how magical it apparently is, you’re probably going to be disappointed.   ❜ 

     ❝   Yup, that’s a good way to think. Needless conflict is exactly that — pointless. Your life is there to be lived and not to be thrown away.   ”  

     it was good that hakuno appreciated the value of her life, although elysia was sure she had also seen just how fragile a life could be. in a war, that was assured.   ❝   Disappointment is inevitable, and people will always face hardship — try as they might to avoid it. It’s simply a consequence of being human. And as much as I’m sure people would say otherwise, I don’t think magically having your deepest wish granted would assure any permanent form of happiness.   ❞   placing a finger thoughtfully on her chin, eyes closed, she continues after a moment.   ❝   If anything, suddenly having what you wished for with that kind of magic might leave someone aimless. A person without ambition of any kind would surely be unhappy.   ❞

    had this ‘holy grail’ existed in her era, elysia was sure soldiers would have fought to obtain it. to defeat the enemy, to save the world — a respectable wish. but if seeking it involved slaughtering your few surviving comrades — elysia’s morals would never agree with that. even thinking about it made her shudder. a sign that, perhaps, this topic had been drawn out for much too long. 

     for a fantastical guide such as herself to give such a longwinded speech in the place of witty commentary, for her to speak of such bleakness instead of casting a spell with her charm on the world around her... her tone shifts, body relaxed. she had a reputation to maintain!   ❝   At least you can rest easy now. Live life the way it should be lived — enjoy the things you like, spend time with the people you love. That’s how it should always be, in my opinion!   ❞

[egofelt]

dynameteion​:

♫ While the starry sky was bright above, the city was brighter still and obscured many of them. That said, it wasn’t the sky above that Meteion was focused on. There had been an accident nearby. Not one she knew the specifics of, but she had been told it was dangerous if she continued down that path. So, trying to be helpful, she had decided to help warn others. She didn’t require sleep or anything of the like, after all.

Warn others like that lady with pink hair across the street! Her voice wouldn’t carry, but with her telepathy.

“I apologize, and I mean you no harm, but please do not head down this route! There was an accident, and it is supposedly dangerous!”

@egofelt​

     a voice was all it had taken for elysia to stop in her tracks, expression showing a momentary glimpse of surprise. rather than being spoken aloud, it was more like it was being echoed into her head – or was it her heart? 

     telepathy was an ability she had seen in only a short few people. their psychic power over the mind was awe-inspiring indeed, and feared by a great many people as a result ( understandably so, as the mind was so incredibly fragile ), but something told her this was different. the voice in her head – a voice she could only assume was coming from the little girl on the other side of the road – felt different than how it did during the rare few moments aponia or su shared their gifts with her. how curious – definitely a more interesting turn to the evening than her prior plans, which were easily discarded in favor of crossing the street. 

     ❝   An accident? I see, I see. I’ll stay away then. Thanks for the warning!   ❞   there was no point in ruffling this girl’s feathers and going against what elysia knew to be genuine concern.   ❝   Have you been warning people all night? You’re such a good girl... mm, but it’s still worrying seeing one so little out here alone. It’s important for ladies to rest while they’re still growing, too.   ❞

[egofelt]

hopescion​:

         kiana had no reason to rush . she knew that too . there was no sign of anyone she knew here , no immediate sign of danger , no sign of honkai even being a thing - a valkyrie wasn’t even needed anymore . but standing in one place was never good for her . she was someone who needed to keep going , even if she had no idea where she was going . 

          which is exactly why she was running through the city , trying to learn everything she could about it . where everything was , the different types of people , if there was any way to get her powers back to protect those she loved . but she really wasn’t looking where she was going and immediately ran straight into a bundle of pink . 

         “ ahhh - sorry , sorry ! hey , are you okay ? ”

@egofelt​

     ❝   I’m okay, don’t worry about me ~!   ❞   

     dusting off her outfit, carefully ensuring not a single stitch of eden’s beautiful work was damaged by the sudden collision, elysia offers a hand to help the girl stand once content that all remains as it was.   ❝   You didn’t hurt yourself, did you? It would be a shame for such a cute girl to get injured. I could never forgive myself — hurting a lady is the most grievous sin of them all! Are your knees alright? Need me to fetch you some bandages?   ❞      

     yes, there was no denying it. she’s a very cute young woman! cute — and strangely familiar to boot. there is a resemblance there, undeniably so, to a treasured friend who was, to elysia’s knowledge, a world away. the personality, too, appears to match ( or at least it had once upon a time — as the end had approached, and the weight of the world became heavier as time went on, seeing his awkward smile became a rarity afforded to a select few ).        

[egofelt]

sarkazmercenary​:​

WALKING INTO A DEN OF thieves would always spin upon the yarn of risk, whether one were cautious not to prick their finger or otherwise. something to be expected, especially when one found themselves in far seedier places. yet when a pair of amber eye fall upon the scene she’s so graciously happened upon, only that of a seeming interest sparks like a wildfire in her gaze. not entirely of what lays out before her, but that of what the woman says following suit. ❝ Eh? You must not be looking hard enough. This place has got lots of girls with horns on ‘em. ❞ the retort is casual, a bare-minimum acknowledgement of flattery, to accompany the tilt of her head.

well, at the very least she can’t say this little rendezvous was uneventful—

where she once took a moment to inspect the situation, the scene in its entirety being taken in as if a curious appraisal, she continues to saunter onward before halting right where the unfortunate informant lay knocked flat out. one foot inches forward, giving the guy a rather unforgiving nudge or two.

❝ I mean, yeah. I was coming to pay this guy a visit, ❞ she replies with ease, one hand finding her hip as she now offers a glance to size the other woman up. ❝ If you were looking for anything good from him, you’d be paddlin’ up the wrong creek with all the dodgy info he’s got. Don’t even gotta mention the anger issues brewing in that noggin. You probably let this guy get off easy, too. But it’s all good, no biggie. ❞ shoulders lift to a shrug it off, never betraying her intentions to come back when there would be a little more privacy. ❝ But hey, if you were wanting to get your hands on a lil info, we could call that tea a transactional exchange. Not like we got anything better to do with this guy out like a light. ❞

     ❝   Oh?  Well, if you say he’s not to be trusted then I’ll take your word for it. Clearly, you know him better than I do.   ❞   call it a gut feeling, or perhaps just a newly found interest in the woman before her, but elysia had a hunch that following this person would be much more beneficial ( and amusing ) than spending time with an unconscious man. 

     how dull it would be to wait for him to wake up, and to surely face his ire as soon as he had realized what had transpired  – and at the risk of ruining her clothes in yet another scuffle? honestly, there was no point in wasting any more of her incredibly valuable time!  besides, the people who had directed the flame chaser his way, thinking on it now, had all been his men. it was no wonder they had been so adamant he was the ‘best around’ when it came to information – he probably wouldn’t have paid them otherwise. 

     stepping towards the door ( quite literally skipping over the unconscious body ), a smile is worn proudly as her eyes twinkle in excitement. but really – who wouldn’t be invigorated in the company of a beautiful woman?   ❝   Well then, shall we be off? If you haven’t any preferences, I know a nice cafe nearby we can visit - they have the cutest snacks to match your choice in tea.   ❞   a charming place, and more importantly, a venue where it was easy to find a quiet booth without fear of people crowding.   

     ❝   I’m sure your unfinished business will still be here when we get back. I’m pretty confident in my strength! ♡   ❞ 

[egofelt]

hydrodie​:

@egofelt​

💧 Finding herself in an unfamiliar world so suddenly was not something Yelan had predicted, but it was certainly something she was prepared for. If she ever had a reason to investigate beyond Liyue’s borders, skills in that area would have been necessary, and those skills could be applied to this situation as well. 

Gathering information was of the utmost priority, and to those ends she found herself in a rather pricey bar in the Golden ward. Casinos and the like were rampant there, as were sharply dressed people that were, by and large, completely drunk. They were easy prey, but after a few drunken rambling encounters, Yelan targeted someone that appeared a little more put together.

“Alone at a bar on a Friday night? It seems like a waste, attractive as you are.” The pink-haired stranger was sitting at a table, and Yelan leaned against it with one of her hands. Was she flirting? Technically, but it was part of an act to try and get her to lower her guard and that was the full extent of it. “I’ll be straight with you. I’m new here, and I’m searching for a little bit of guidance.”

     ❝   You have an excellent eye for beauty, then.   ” 

     it had been a boring night, all in all. an emptied glass in hand, elysia had been sitting alone for quite some time. the bar had proven unsuccessful, and so she had moved to a small table – a place to silently observe the chaos of the night and hope for a more amusing encounter. thankfully, lady luck had not abandoned her yet.   ❝   I’m rather new to this place as well, but I’m happy to share what I’ve discovered so far with someone as lovely as you.  ”   

     the same couldn’t be said for others lurking around the ward, drunk on alcohol, excitement and the feeling of freedom that came from such a carefully crafted destination – designed in such a way that they felt that spending their money was only natural. that, and elysia was sure that some of the shadier folk around here would demand a lot more than a nice chat for some information.

     ❝   Well, provided you’ll stay for a drink.  I think that’s only fair, don’t you?   ❞

[egofelt]

emptyrule​:

     it seemed that today she was going to know no peace. Morgan does not know why nor for what reason this woman had decided to start pestering her, and quite frankly, she doesn’t care to know. this was supposed to be a relaxing shopping trip. summer was practically already here and she needed new attire for the season. it’d be easy to just use her sorcery for a wardrobe change, but she might as well see what this mall has to offer.

which had been going fine until the pinkette decided to follow her for the last 30 minutes.

    “ I don’t recall giving you permission to touch my hair.” her tone is flat, expression falling into annoyance as the other continues her actions. “ Nor did I invite you along. “

@egofelt​ – starter call !

     ❝   Ah, I’m sorry ♡ I really tried to resist, you know. Unfortunately, I am helpless to the allure of a beautiful girl.   ❞   she allows the strand of hair to slip from her fingers, expression drawn into a mock pout as she breathes out a dramatic sigh.   ❝   Do you do something in particular to make it look so lovely ?  I would compare it to spun gold !    ❞ 

     ❝   Besides, you’re going shopping for the summer, right ?  I can tell from just a glance - call it a woman’s intuition, if you’d like. I, as it just so happens, am tragically without my favorite designer by my side... so I have to update my wardrobe as well !    ”   the loss of eden’s company was a devastating one, but as befitting her place as second in command, elysia would be strong even while alone – at least, until fate had it in mind to reunite them ( as she had no doubts it would, someday ).   ❝   I think between the pair of us, we can find something that will aptly suit our beauty, don’t you agree ?    ❞   two sets of eyes were always better than one – but of course, elysia would use any excuse in the book to stay in the company of one who had so keenly caught her interest. 

     like a moth to a flame, she was unrelenting when it came to satisfying her own personal intrigue – and this woman, mysterious as she was, had a certain air around her that elysia could not just abandon.