I have an odd question for Amphoreus veterans and those who have multiple playthroughs (I personally have 3 accounts).
My first playthrough on my main was relatively seamless, very little bugs and definitely none of the graphic issues I'm currently experiencing today. I swapped between my PC and my brother's PS5. And again I experienced no bugs on either playthroughs.
However, on my secondary account I have noticed a lot of graphical bugs, especially around the water in the baths but also around other places mainly the passage teleport things and the specific sigil to line up simply would not appear.
Otherwise, a golden line will randomly stretch from NCPs outwards.
I've already reset the system cache twice. This only happens on the PS5.
I'm sure it's just a graphic bug, but I like to think that Lygus has simply given up, and as a result these bugs are making the way through the system.
The question is: has anyone else experienced this? PC or console, and any fixes.
↪️ In which Yuji realizes Nanami and Higuruma have the same taste in women.
A/n: Nanami's turn, AU where he never died.
The first thing someone might notice if they were to visit the Kento house hold is how normal it feels.Not normal like boring, no, but normal in the way the air inside his home is warm, lived-in, and safe. It smells faintly of coffee and something sweet—vanilla, maybe and the low hum of a kettle fills the kitchen like a heartbeat.
You’re standing at the counter, hip leaned against it, fingers idly tracing the rim of a mug while you watch your husband move around the space like he owns it.
Because he does.
Nanami’s broad back is to you, shirt sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows, tie slightly loosened. The scars are visible even from here, the burn that cuts across his face and neck, the one that stole his eye. They should make him look harsher but they don't
“Don’t just stand there,” you say, voice soft but carrying that unmistakable edge of authority. “If you’re going to make coffee, make it properly. You always rush it when you think no one’s watching.”
Nanami pauses.Then, slowly, he glances back at you over his shoulder. “…I do not rush coffee.”
“You do,” you reply immediately, lifting a brow. “And don’t argue with me. I live here.”
“Yes, dear.”
You hum, satisfied, shifting your weight, soft sweater slipping slightly off your shoulder. He watches that movement for a fraction too long before turning back to the coffee machin.
Before you can say anything else, there’s a knock at the door.
Nanami exhales quietly. “That will be Yuji Itadori.”
“Your student?” you ask, already pushing off the counter. “The loud one?”
“…That narrows it down insufficiently.”
You snort softly as you walk past him, brushing your hand against his arm as you go. He stills for just a second at the contact subtle, but there and then continues pouring coffee like nothing happened.
You open the door and there he is. Yuji Itadori stands on the other side, bright, energetic, hair slightly wind-tossed and then he sees you.
He freezes for a moment, blinking rapidly, trying to process the situation
You blink back at him. “Are you going to say hello, or just stand there like you’ve never seen a woman before?”
That snaps him out of it.
“OH!!! sorry! Hi! I’m Yuji...uh...Itadori! Nanami said I could—”
“I know who you are,” you cut in, stepping aside. “Take your shoes off. And don’t track dirt into my house or I’ll make you clean the floors.”
“…Yes, ma’am.”
He does it immediately.
You close the door behind him, watching as he walks in and then immediately looks around like he’s stepped into some alternate universe.
Nanami’s place isn’t what people expect. It’s not cold or minimal or lifeless.
It’s soft.
There are blankets folded neatly over the couch. Books stacked in careful piles. A faint floral scent woven into the air. Your presence is everywhere—subtle, but unmistakable.
Yuji notices and then Nanami walks back into the room.
“…You’re late,” Nanami says calmly.
“By like two minutes!”
“Late.”
Yuji opens his mouth to argue then stops because now he’s looking between the two of you.
At Nanami...tall, composed, scarred, terrifying and of course then to you. Short, soft, warm, standing there with your arms crossed and that look in your eyes.
There’s a long pause and then Yuji deadpans, completely serious. “…You and Higuruma-San have the same taste in women.”
Silence.
You blink once as Nanami… slowly turns his head.
“…Excuse me,” he says.
Yuji gestures vaguely. “I mean...Higuruma’s wife is, like, really pretty and soft and kinda...uh—” he flounders, realizing he is absolutely digging his own grave, “...and you also...have—”
You tilt your head, smiling sweetly. “Finish that sentence,” you say gently.
He swallows. “…good taste?”
Nanami exhales through his nose. “…That is the correct answer.”
You hum approvingly, walking back toward the kitchen. “Smart boy. He can stay.”
“I wasn’t aware that was in question,” Nanami mutters.
“It always is.”
Yuji watches this exchange like he’s witnessing something sacred....or terrifying....or both.
Because Nanami....Nanami, the man who doesn’t bend, doesn’t break, doesn’t tolerate nonsense Is letting you boss him around.
Without hesitation.
Without complaint.
Without even trying to argue.
Yuji leans slightly toward Nanami, lowering his voice. “…She’s the boss, huh?”
Nanami doesn’t even look at him. “…Obviously.”
From the kitchen, you call out, “I heard that. And yes, I am.”
Yuji snorts. Nanami closes his eye briefly.
And for just a second just a second there’s something softer in his expression, something warm, something that only exists when you’re here.
And Yuji sees it then grins. “…Yeah,” he says under his breath. “That checks out.”
Yuji is practically vibrating in his seat now, because starts innocently just tea and coffee, just conversation but the moment he realizes he’s sitting across from Nanami’s wife, something in him locks in like he’s about to hear the greatest story of all time.
And honestly?
He is.
“So,” Yuji leans forward, elbows on his knees, eyes bright with curiosity, “how did you two meet?”
You pause mid-sip, glancing over the rim of your cup toward your husband.
Nanami doesn’t even look up from his coffee.“…It was uneventful,” he says flatly.
You lower your cup slowly.
Yuji immediately points. “He’s lying.”
“I am not lying.”
“You sound like you’re lying.”
You hum, setting your cup down with a soft clink, smile already forming.
Nanami exhales.Like a man who knows he’s already lost. “…Proceed,” he says, resigned.
Your smile brightens. “I was walking my dog.”
Nanami closes his eye. “…Of course you were,” he mutters under his breath.
Yuji perks up even more. “WAIT hold on—” he leans in closer, squinting like he’s putting pieces together, “—you didn’t hit him with a bike, did you?”
You blink. “…No?”
Nanami’s brow furrows slightly as he finally looks at Yuji. “…Why would that be your first assumption?”
Yuji waves a hand vaguely. “Long story. Continue.”
You huff softly, completely unbothered, picking your spoon back up and stirring your tea lazily.
“I was walking my dog,” you repeat, “and someone—” you tilt your head toward Nanami, giving him a pointed look, “....was standing in the middle of the park like a statue.”
“I was observing a cursed spirit.”
“You were blocking foot traffic,” you correct immediately. “Which is a crime in my book.”
Yuji snorts.
Nanami’s jaw tightens just slightly. “I was not blocking—”
“You were. People were walking around you like you were a haunted lamppost.”
Yuji loses it, laughing into his hand.
Nanami exhales again, slower this time, like he’s trying very hard not to engage.
“And then?” Yuji urges, leaning even closer.
You beam. “And then my dog ran straight into him.”
Nanami finally speaks, tone dry. “He did not run. He launched himself.”
“He was excited.”
“He tackled me.”
“He liked you.”
“He weighed forty kilograms.”
Yuji wheezes.
You wave a hand dismissively. “Details.”
Nanami adjusts his eye patch slightly, posture still composed despite the betrayal happening in his own living room. “I was knocked to the ground,” he continues flatly. “In public.”
“You recovered.”
“I was covered in dirt.”
“You looked distinguished.”
“I had grass in my hair.”
“You still looked good.”
.....
Yuji looks between you both, eyes wide. “…You flirted with him after your dog assaulted him?”
You tilt your head. “Obviously.....I'm not blind."
Nanami’s lips press into a thin line. “She apologized,” he says.
“I did not.”
“You did.”
“I said, ‘You’re in the way.’”
“You also said—” Nanami pauses, glancing at you briefly, like he’s debating whether to repeat it.
Your smile sharpens. “Go on.”
“…You said,” he continues carefully, “that if I was going to stand there looking intimidating, I should at least be useful and help you with your groceries.”
Yuji slaps his knee.
“NO WAY—”
“I was being practical,” you defend.
“You handed me three bags.”
“You took them.”
“I was not given a choice.”
“You absolutely were.”
Nanami stares at you.
You stare back.
Yuji looks like he’s watching a tennis match.
“…Then what?” he asks, barely containing himself.
You lean back slightly, completely at ease, completely pleased.
“Then,” you say sweetly, “I decided to make him my husband."
Yuji’s jaw drops.
Nanami sighs, something deep, long and familiar.
“She is,” he says, voice even, “very difficult to say no to.”
You preen slightly at that, completely unashamed as you hold your head high.
Yuji looks at him, then at you, then back again.“…So you got tackled by a dog, forced to carry groceries, and then got proposed to?”
Nanami doesn’t hesitate.“Yes.”
“…And you just....accepted that?”
Nanami takes a slow sip of his coffee then calmly.
“Yes.”
You smile, satisfied, reaching over to adjust his tie slightly where it’s crooked.
He lets you.
Of course he does.
Yuji leans back in his chair, staring at both of you like he’s just witnessed something life-altering.
The first time the Mighty Nein encountered you, it was, in Fjord’s professional opinion, an absolute disaster.
They had been traveling through a stretch of dense woodland, the kind where the canopy grew so thick it swallowed most of the light, leaving everything in a muted green haze and the air was quiet, too quiet and that alone had Beau on edge, her eyes scanning constantly, shoulders tight.
“I don’t like this,” she muttered. “Feels like something’s watching us.”
“It’s a forest,” Nott whispered dramatically. “Everything’s watching us.”
Caleb said nothing, but he slowed his pace slightly, gaze drifting upward. He felt it too of course, it would be impossible not too. It was a dangerous presence but something else, something he couldn't place his finger on but then he felt something above them that made the hair on his neck stand up.
“…halt,” he said quietly.
Fjord stopped immediately. Yasha turned. Jester nearly walked into Beau.
“What?” Jester whispered, already excited.
Caleb lifted a hand slightly, eyes narrowing as he looked into the trees. "There is something—”
A shape moved, it was subtle, almost invisible in the tangle of branches and leaves but once you saw it, you couldn’t unsee it.
It was Large, too large
Nott’s voice came out as a horrified squeak. “Oh no.”
Beau squinted. “Is that—”
“It is a spider,” Caleb confirmed.
It was in fact a spider….A very large spider.
Perched above them, legs stretched across multiple branches, body blending almost perfectly into the shadows. It hadn’t moved yet, it just sat their in silence.
Caleb took a slow step forward, cautious but curious, eyes fixed on the creature.
“…it has not attacked,” he murmured. “Perhaps it is not—”
He shifted his weight and then a twig snapped under his boot.The sound echoed louder than it should have.
And then spider jolted.
Everything happened at once.
The massive shape above them flinched not lunging, not striking….more like startled, terrified.
And then the spider shifted as it fell out of the tree, the transformation was sudden, chaotic as limbs twisted, the form collapsing in on itself before expanding again and suddenly there was a bear.
A very large bear, dropping directly out of the tree.
“….OH! Beau started.
“…NEIN—” Caleb managed before the bear landed directly on Caleb.
There was a solid, earth-shaking WHUMP as several hundred pounds of fur, muscle, and panic crashed directly into him, knocking the breath completely out of his lungs.
Caleb hit the ground flat on his back, all air leaving him in one violent exhale.
The world went white for a second and above him the bear froze, for one long, horrified heartbeat and then you screamed
A full, high-pitched, panicked scream that echoed through the trees like you had just realized what you had done.
Caleb stared up at you, dazed, blinking.“…ich—”
You scrambled off him instantly, shifting mid-motion, fur receding, form shrinking, limbs reshaping until suddenly their was a human on him.
You were a human, standing in front wide eyed. Disheveled and completely mortified.
“Oh my gods—!” you gasped, hands hovering like you didn’t know where to put them. “I’m so sorry…I didn’t....I thought you were—!”
You made a helpless, flustered gesture at… everything, pannicking as Caleb tried to sit up.
Failed as the air still hadn’t returned to his lungs.
Jester clapped her hands in delight. “SHE WAS A SPIDER!”
Beau stared. “She was as bear and nearly crushed him.”
Nott wheezed. “She turned into a bear on him.”
Fjord pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course she did.”
Yasha just watched you, calm but attentive, clearly assessing whether you were a threat.
You looked down at Caleb.
Still on the ground.
Still trying to breathe.
Your face went even more horrified.
“I’m so sorry…! I didn’t mean to…I just.I got scared and then I panicked and then—!”
You took a step back.
Then another.Then…“—I’m sorry!”
And you ran.Just… turned and bolted straight into the forest.
Gone in seconds.
Silence fell.
Leaves rustled faintly where you had disappeared. The Nein stood there still processing what just happened as the leaves slowly fell.
Beau crossed her arms. “Well.”
Nott burst into laughter. “That was incredible.”
Jester bounced on her heels. “I LOVE HER.”
Fjord exhaled slowly. “We got attacked by a spider that turned into a bear that turned into a woman who apologized and ran away.”
Yasha nodded once. “She seemed nice.”
On the ground, Caleb finally managed to suck in a full breath, everything hurt.He pushed himself up slightly, one hand braced against the earth, still staring in the direction you had fled, expression somewhere between stunned and deeply confused.
“…what,” he said hoarsely, “just happened....."
No one answered him of course, because none of them knew how to even answer.
But somewhere deep in the forest you were still running and whether Caleb realized it yet or not that would not be the last time you quite literally knocked him off his feet.
The second time the Mighty Nein encountered you, they were ready.
Or at least, Fjord said they were ready.
They moved more carefully through the forest now, eyes constantly scanning the trees, the underbrush, anything that might suddenly turn into a spider, or a bear, or a woman who apologized and fled like a startled deer.
“Alright,” Fjord said quietly, voice low as they walked. “If we see her again, nobody startles her.”
Beau snorted. “Nobody startles her? She dropped a bear on him for stepping on a twig.”
“That was not intentional,” Caleb muttered, still faintly bruised in both body and dignity. "She also did not drop a bear on me…she was the bear." He muttered as if that made the situation better.
Nott grinned. “I dunno, you looked pretty intentional when you hit the ground.”
Jester clasped her hands. “I hope we see her again! She was so cute!”
“She punched the wizard with a bear,” Beau said.
“She was the bear and she said sorry!” Jester countered.
Yasha said nothing, but her gaze drifted ahead, sharp and observant. “She is here,” she said quietly.
Everyone froze.
You stood in a small clearing ahead, back turned to them, crouched near a cluster of plants. You seemed… calm this time. Focused. Gently brushing dirt from the roots of something you’d gathered humming softly as your body swayed.
No spider.
No bear.
Just you.
Jester gasped immediately, grabbing Beau’s arm about to approach. “It’s her!! it’s spider-bear girl!”
“Don’t,” Fjord hissed, grabbing her sleeve.
Nott snorted. “The one who flattened Caleb.”
“Let me handle this,” Caleb said softly.
Every head turned to look at him.Beau raised a brow. “You?”
Caleb straightened slightly, brushing off his coat as if that alone might restore some dignity from the last encounter.
“I startled her before,” he said, quieter now, more thoughtful. “If I approach calmly… slowly… she will not feel threatened.”
Nott leaned toward Beau. “This is going to go so badly.”
“Yeah,” Beau murmured. “I’m not stopping him.”
Yasha gave him a small, supportive nod as Jester leaned in, whispering loudly, “Don’t get sat on again!”
Caleb ignored them as he took a breath as he began to walk forward.
Slowly. Quietly.
Carefully placing each step, avoiding twigs, keeping his movements controlled, deliberate. His eyes stayed on you, studying your posture, your stillness.
You hadn’t noticed him.
Good....That was good.
He got closer.And closer and he was just a few steps behind you now now.
He hesitated and very gently as he reached out placing a hand on your shoulder. Then that's when everything went wrong.
You exploded into motion.A sharp inhale, a startled gasped as you spun around so fast it blurred, your fist coming up on pure instinct.
CRACK.
Your knuckles connected solidly with Caleb’s face, his head snapped back.There was a stunned pause as Caleb dropped.
Again.Flat on his back.
Their was Silence.Utter, absolute silence as you froze.Eyes wide.Hand still half-raised.
“Oh my—” You looked down at him, then up and saw the rest of the Nein staring at you from the edge of the clearing.
Beau’s mouth was already open.“…no way.”
Nott looked like she was about to ascend from pure joy, as she wheezed, clutching her stomach. “TWICE. You got him TWICE.”
Jester had both hands over her face, vibrating.“Oh my god!!!! YOU PUNCHED HIM—!”
Fjord dragged a hand down his face so slowly it looked painful. “We had a plan.”
Yasha blinked slowly.
You looked back at Caleb who was still unconscious.
Again.
“Oh my gods….I did it again—!”
You took a step back, horrified, hands flying up to your face.
“I’m so sorry….I didn’t…I didn’t mean to…he just….he touched me and I—!”
You made a helpless, frantic gesture, like you were trying to explain the entire situation at once and failing miserably.
Jester immediately stepped forward, delighted. “Hi! You’re back! That was amazing—!”
“Jester, no,” Fjord said, not even opening his eyes.
You squeaked, full panic mode activated. “I didn’t mean to hit him...I swear. I just got scared and—!” You backed up another step.
Beau pointed at you. “Don’t you dare—”
You then took another step back, followed by another as you held your hand to your chest. “I’m sorry!” And then your ran away, again! Gone into the trees before anyone could even try to stop you.
Another long silence fell over the clearing as Nott nodded enthusiastically. “She’s my favorite person.”
Beau dragged a hand down her face, grinning despite herself. “That’s gotta be some kind of record.”
Jester bounced in place. “I love her so much.”
Fjord finally opened his eyes, looking down at Caleb’s unconscious form with a deeply tired expression. “We need to stop letting him approach her.”
Yasha stepped forward, kneeling beside Caleb again, checking him with practiced calm. “He’ll wake up.”
Caduceus, who had been quietly observing, tilted his head slightly. “She is very apologetic for someone who keeps knocking him unconscious.”
“Yeah,” Beau said. “It’s kind of her thing now.”
On the ground, Caleb groaned faintly, stirring, his hand lifted weakly toward his face. “…this,” he mumbled hoarsely, “is becoming a pattern…why does she not like me."
Jester crouched beside him immediately, grinning. “Noooo, she just gets nervous and commits violence.”
Nott snickered. “You’re her favorite.”
Yasha helped him sit up, steady and patient, while he winced, pressing his fingers carefully to his jaw.
“…I think,” Caleb said slowly, voice strained, “we must try a different approach.”
Behind him, Jester bounced on her heels. “Next time we should wave! Or bring snacks! Or both!”
Nott perked up. “Ooh….yes, snacks!”
Fjord sighed. “We are not luring her like a stray animal.”
Beau shrugged. “I mean… it might work
Behind him, the others erupted into laughter. And somewhere, deeper in the forest, you were once again running for your life, completely unaware that you had just become the single most dangerous recurring event in Caleb Widogast’s existence.
Is anyone else flipping stick here? I've already replayed stage 20 and can't finish the survival stage . On mobile my movement stick stops working at the beginning of every phase and on PC it's too slow.
Hawaiʻi is currently in the midst of a natural disaster if you didnt know
Apparently there isn’t much news coverage of this outside of the islands
Towns are flooded, homes destroyed and collapsed, roads collapsed, lives at risk, gas leaks from the flood damage
Haleiwa and Waialua are currently evacuated because the 120 year old dam is at risk of bursting
Mind you that damn is owned by Dole. Theyve known about it needing to be fixed for years and years and years. Despite having more than enough money they refuse
The state has been trying to buy it out from them for years so they can fix it, but the sale hasn’t gone through
Keep in mind that the Dole family were the ones who illegally imprisoned Queen Liliuʻokalani and illegally overthrew the monarchy.
If I see another goddamn person say how sad this is for the tourists whose “trips were ruined” and compare a messed up vacation to people losing their homes, belongings, and livelihoods, I’m going to lose my mind
I am so lucky that my family or friend’s are safe and the few whose houses flooded didnt have it too bad, but so so so many were not as fortunate
If you haven’t heard anything about this until now, I suggest looking into it
The sirens didn’t go off until the flood had been going on for hours. Our state government is spending so much money on a fucking monorail we don’t need rather than fixing the infrastructure.
It’s been the locals and Kanaka doing the most to help get people to safety from the start
POV: You are a clump of hair on the back of Gaius Julius Caesar's head, on the Ides of March in the year of the first consulship of Mark Antony and the fifth consulship of Julius Ceasar (15th March 44 BCE)
SUMMARY: In the midst of one of your journeys between dreams, you end up falling and landing in another dream alone. But you quickly discover that that is Lilia's dream.
CHARACTERS: Lilia Vanrouge x Reader 🦇🦐
TAGS: Fluff; GN Reader; In a Relationship (kinda); Flirting; Kiss; a somewhat flirtatious reader
WARNING: Spoilers from Book 7 and Lilia’s dream (Eng Server)
WORD COUNT: 6.250 words
COMMENTS: This was written as a companion piece to the original dream story, so the parts that are the same as the game (which are relatively few in this case) are just summarized.
I deserved at least a cookie for this! With practically no dream to base myself on like the others, I still surpassed 6k. (How? I don't know.) For you all! After so much insistence, this has to get at least 1k likes. You hear me?! JK.😝
I hope you enjoy 🦇
Dating in a Dream: Idia / Epel / Rook / Vil / Kalim / Jamil / Floyd / Jade / Azul / Jack / Ruggie / Leona / Deuce / Cater / Ace / Trey / Riddle / Sebek / Silver / (Lilia) / ...
During one of those crossings between dreams, amidst so many people, the worst happened and you ended up slipping and falling.
Everyone was startled with worry. Some, like Sebek and Silver, wanted to go after you, but Ortho warned them that doing so could cause more people to fall and get lost. They needed to land in the next dream first and then try to figure out where you ended up. Silver knew you were going to end up in a dream, he just didn't know which one yet, and they were going to try to find out as quickly as possible to save you.
If you had fallen on the ground you could have hurt yourself, but you fell into the water. However, you fell into a river and the current was too strong for you to swim even if you know how.
Seconds feel like minutes when you're fighting for your life, but suddenly, in a moment so quick you barely noticed, some force or thing pulled you out of the water and took you to the riverbank. You cough up the water that was trying to go down into your lungs and look around.
It was night and you were in a very familiar forest, when you realized it was exactly like the Briarland forest, just like in...
*screech*
A sharp, loud sound scares you! You look at the shadows between the trees and a figure reveals itself. You recognize that greenish armor and the frightening bat mask.
“You...” He removes his mask, revealing the serious face of General Lilia Vanrouge. “You were one of those three humans. (Y/N), wasn't it?” He's speaking in that graver voice he didn't use anymore. “What are you doing here? Wait... It's been over a decade. Should you not look way older by now? Humans age much faster than fae.” You see the dreamer's silver bird around his head.
“Lilia!” You get up with some difficulty because of your wet clothes. “Wha- Where... Is this the Briarland forest?”
“Yes. You didn't know where you were? Where are the other two? Ah!” He took a step back, assumed a defensive position and pulled out a green cleaver, his magearm. “What were the names of the other two humans?” He interrogates you.
You reflexively raise your hands and respond with the names Silver and Sebek.
“And what's the blonde girl's name?”
“WHAT? What blonde girl?!”
“The girl in the pink dress. Answer me!”
“What are you talking about? I've never even seen a blonde girl here!”
“Heh.” He smirks. “So you really are (Y/N).”
“Was that a bluff?”
“Perhaps. But you still haven't told me what you're doing here.”
“I... don't know.”
“How can you not know?” He seems annoyed by your answers. “Are you a sleepwalker per any chance? Did you come here in the middle of a dream?” He smirks again.
You didn't know the situation. He really looks like the young Lilia from 400 years ago, not the Lilia you knew. The Lilia you know wouldn't have dragged out that act seeing you in the confused and lost state you're in now. Malleus must have managed to get him back to a deeper sleep. But what did he remember, after all? He remembered you, Silver, and Sebek. In the midst of your spiral of thoughts, a breeze passed by you, and your wet clothes only worsened the feeling, making you shiver with cold.
“And now you're cold? You humans really are weak. Or at least you are, compared to your peers.”
Lilia remains silent for a second, as if an argument were going on in his head, until he sighs and removes the dark cloak he was wearing. He places it on your shoulders and pulls the hood up to cover most of your head and part of your face, especially your ears and eyes.
“Briarland is ruled by nocturnal fae. I suggest you keep your head down if you don't want to get hurt, human.”
He turns around and starts walking away from you. You ask him to wait but he doesn't stop, so you go after him through the trees.
“I am no one's guardian.” He tells you, without taking his eyes off the road. “Find your way back on your own.”
“Wait! What do you remember about me?” You ask. “About us? You remember Silver and Sebek too. Do you remember Grim?”
“The direbeast who pick a fight with Baur over that ‘risotto’ dish? Heh heh.”
“Yes... um... when was the last time we were with you?”
Lilia turns sharply around, causing you to almost bump into him, your faces very close. It would be romantic if it weren't for the enormous cleaver right below your face, very close to your neck.
“When do you think was the last time you were with me?” He questions you again, his threatening, vivid red eyes fixed on yours.
You say the last thing you remember is leaving the egg at the castle. And discovering what happened to Princess Maleanor.
“That is the last time you remember being with me?” He asks, and you confirm. "Are you sure?"
“Is this another bluff?” You ask, confused.
“So you really do not remember anything after that?” He slowly lowers the weapon, and his expression seems to soften slightly as he becomes lost in thought.
“What do you mean? What happened after that?”
“If you don't remember, then it wasn't anything important.” He says with an impassive expression, turns around, and continues walking.
You try asking again what happened, but he ignores that specific question.
“What do you think you'll achieve by following me around like a lost cub?”
“I'm not sure.” You admit “But it's the best chance I have of... um...” Getting the others to find you and protecting yourself in this dream?
“Surviving?” Lilia says.
“Yes, you could say that.”
“And you think being a pretty face is enough to make me willing to protect you?”
That was so unexpected, and said in a less friendly tone than the one you were accustomed from Lilia, that you didn't know if you could respond in kind or if it was better not to.
“Listen, I'm busy.” He spoke again in an impatient tone. “I'm currently on my way to another kingdom, so you cannot—” He stops abruptly after crossing through the trees to a small clearing.
This time, you couldn't stop yourself from bumping into him, but he didn't even react. You look at the clearing and in the darkness of the night you can see a cozy little house. Upon closer inspection, you recognize it: it's Lilia and Silver's house that you saw in Lilia's memories when you were in his first dream with Silver and Sebek.
“How...? What is this?” Lilia wonders, confused. “There were no houses here before. Wait! More importantly... I was heading the opposite direction! How did I get back here?!”
A breeze passes by you again and you shiver once more.
“I'll check if anyone lives here.” Lilia says, and resumes his walk towards the house. You start following him, but he stops you. “I said I would check the house. Besides being human, you're also too weak. Hide here. And keep your ears and eyes covered. Understood?”
You accept it and crouch down to hide in the bushes while he goes to check the house.
Upon arriving at the entrance, he knocks on the door. But there is no answer. All the lights are off, and he himself senses no presence inside. He checks the door and finds it unlocked, reaches the doorknob and carefully opens it.
‘What the heck is going on?’ He thinks. ‘There are no houses here. I myself have patrolled this part of the forest thousands of times, I know this area like the blade of my magearm. And yet... I feel an absurd familiarity. As if I had lived here...’
He enters cautiously, as if expecting some kind of ambush. But nothing happens. Slowly, the feeling of familiarity and security intensifies until he concludes that this place is safe. As abnormally safe as it is familiar.
Even with that feeling of security, he didn't want to take any risks and went back to the bushes where you were.
“It's clear!” He tells you. “Come!”
You stand up and walk with him to the house. Once inside, Lilia uses his magic to light the candles and the rustic medieval hearth.
“Be careful not to burn yourself.” He says in a slightly playful tone. “I'll try to find something for dinner. You must be hungr—”
“WAIT!” You were going to sit down in front of the hearth, but quickly stood up again. “D-don't worry about that! I can cook. After all you've done for me, it's the least I can do, right? I can even make the same risotto as last time. If you'd like.”
“Really~?” He says this with a big smile, and for a second you see the face of the cute Lilia you’ve met at Night Raven College, until he clears his throat and returns to General Lilia mode. “Y-yes, I would actually like that. If you can do it as well as last time.” He smirks. “I'll get the ingredients then. You warm up. I'd prefer you didn't get a cold... or that you passed the cold on to me.”
When Lilia returned with the ingredients, you were already dry. You tried to give the cloak back to him, but he told you to keep it for now. Fae don't like humans, so you needed it more than him to disguise yourself.
While you were cooking, you noticed Lilia looking at you from a seat at the table, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Enjoying the view?” You risk asking. Playing with Lilia has always been fun.
“Quite~” He responds with a smirk and, shockingly, with the cute tone of voice you know Lilia for. He then seemed to jerk in his chair, as if he himself didn't know where that voice had come from. “I... Sorry, I didn't mean to...” He sees you smiling, which makes him even more embarrassed and blush a little. He gets up, slightly annoyed. “I'll check if the beds are in suitable condition for you to sleep in.”
He only came back when you called him to say that dinner was ready. You sat facing each other at the table by the light of candles and the hearth. As soon as the food reached his mouth, he smiles, extremely pleased.
“Just like ten years ago. It seems your culinary skills haven't worn off.”
“I'm glad they're up to par with your delicate palate.” You laugh. “So, how are you? You said you were going to another kingdom. Why? Vacation?”
“Partially, one can view it from that perspective.” He takes another bite of food and continues talking after swallowing. “You helped us back then... You probably deserve to know the truth. The egg hasn't hatched yet. Dragon eggs need both magic and love to grow. For the first five years, the egg accepted the magic that Lady Maleficia supplied. While it was slow, there was growth. But eventually it rejected her magic infusions. The queen does what she can, but between the egg and her duties as ruler of Briarland... Briar Valley, as it's called now, what she can doesn't seem to be enough. So now I've been given the mission of going out into the outside world to search for a way to hatch a dragon egg. I had just returned from a trip... Didn't turn up a scrap of useful info. I'll be traveling south next. I hope I can turn up something useful on this one.”
So that's where you were. Back when Lilia made all those journeys for Malleus. Journeys that would last 200 years. While Malleus risked dying before he was even truly born.
“Don't make that face.” He tells you, going for seconds on the food. “I can see that you're sad about this, but there's nothing you can do. Worrying about it is pointless for you.”
“Can I go with you on your travels?” You ask instead.
He chokes while eating and starts coughing a lot.
“WHA— *cough* *cough* *cough* You have a lot of nerve to ask me *cough* for such a thing. *cough* *cough* *cough* And for making me choke on my food. *cough* *cough*”
You give him time to drink water and calm his cough.
“And why do you think I would take you with me?”
“You said that fae don't like humans. Am I correct in assuming that it’s the same the other way around? That the humans don't like fae very much either?”
“Fae from Briar Valley don't exactly have the papers to enter human lands. Not formally, at least.”
“So, wouldn't it help to have a human with you on those trips? Perhaps to help with the locals?”
“... Perhaps... He leans forward with a smug grin, places his elbows on the table and his chin on one of his fists. “But why do you want to come with me?”
The last time you took the risk with him, it had a fun outcome. The Lilia you knew was there somewhere, so you decide to try to bring him back to the surface again.
“Because I like you.” You admit it bluntly. “And I want to spend some time with you.”
“What...” He widens his eyes and blushes slightly. “Are you courting me by any chance? Where did you get so much audacity from?”
“Let's just say that I feel comfortable talking to you like this.” You smile.
“Well stop it. I didn't give you permission for that.”
“And yet you don't seem bothered by it in a bad way.”
He slowly stands up and leans across the table in such a way that his nose almost touches yours.
“Are you sure you don't remember anything after handing over the egg?” He asks with a smirk very similar to the Lilia you know.
You take another risk and ask him what happened. In response, he puts his hand on the back of your neck and pulls you closer, making your lips meet his. And it was such a provocative kiss!
As soon as he breaks off the kiss, he picks up his dishes and takes them to the sink. He doesn't wash them, just leaves them there.
“There are two bedrooms in this house.” He tells you as he walks towards the stairs. “You can choose your own or come meet me at mine. The choice is yours.”
You go up the stairs and see two doors. One of them is open, the room is empty but the bed is made. The other door was closed and you could hear the sound of metal, presumably armor.
If you choose to knock on the closed door, Lilia will open it calmly and with a smirk on his face. The vast majority of his armor already removed.
“Afraid of the dark?” He asks, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame. “Or of the mean fae?”
“Who knows.” You say. “Maybe I just feel lonely at night.”
He raises his eyebrows slightly, a little surprised that you're being so direct, but right after he smiles with that half-closed look.
“Oh... poor thing... And wicked. You're putting me in such dire position. How could I possibly turn down someone as cute as you?” Once again, you can't tell which Lilia is talking. He leans away from the door frame and walks back into the room, leaving the door open for you. “By all means, make yourself at home.”
Later in bed, if you want to get closer and hug him, he'll welcome you with open arms, and let you lay your head on his chest. But before he lets you fall asleep, he wants to talk to you for a little while.
“How come you don't remember anything after that day?” He whispers in his deep voice. “And how come you haven't changed in ten years? I'm not human, but I know that's not how humans age.”
You don't know what to answer. What kind of explanation could you possibly come up with? It's Lilia, you can't come up with anything that has to do with magic without him realizing it's a lie.
“What do you remember before falling into the river?” He asks you, clearly suspicious.
It wasn't a good idea to tell him this was a dream. It was just you and Lilia, if he started to wake up, darkness would surely appear, and you couldn't fight it alone. Your only chance was to hope that the others would find you in that dream and save you. So you end up admitting that you don't remember anything before that. The only thing you knew was that you had a feeling you were waiting for Silver and Seek to appear, and that for them to find you, you had to be near Lilia.
He remains silent for a moment. Before suddenly grabbing your wrists to pin you against the mattress and positioning himself on top of you. His red eyes gleamed in the dark with an intimidating gaze as he seemed to analyze you. After a few seconds he sighs and lies down next to you again.
“I sense no strange magic in you. I know you're not telling me the whole story. I can hear your heart and I just checked your pulse. But at the same time, I don't believe you have bad intentions. Even though...” He smirks. “The change in your heart rate might have been my fault. Fu fu. I'll let you rest now. You need sleep more than I do.”
You look at him suspiciously.
“I won't startle you again. I promise.” He brings his lips close to your ear. "Unless you want me to."
He'll laugh when he sees you flustered and wish you goodnight.
“Night's blessing~” He whispers after you've already fallen asleep.
When you wake up, you realize you're alone in bed. You look around, but you see neither Lilia nor his armor. However, beside you are his cloak and bat mask. Could it be that... he left that there for your protection and then went away? You stand up quickly, startled. The farther away the dreamer is, the more likely it is that the geographical point where you are will disappear, and who knows what might happen to you if that happens. You rush down the stairs, calling for him.
You arrive downstairs, the dishes, to your surprise, are washed, the hearth is unlit from the previous night, and once again there's no sign of Lilia. You check all the few rooms in the house, even the bathroom, but nothing.
You go to the front door and the moment you open it, Lilia appears as if he himself had also run to the door. He hurries inside and closes the door behind him.
“What are you doing?! I told you to use my cloak to disguise yourself. I left it on the bed right next to—”
You hug him. The feeling of realizing that he hadn't gone away and was just out side was an overwhelming relief.
“You thought I had abandoned you, didn't you?” He says in a calmer, more understanding voice. He sighs and returns the hug affectionately. “I never abandoned my troops, or the royal family. Not even when Maleanor hit me with her lightning bolts. You even saw that.” He chuckles, but then speaks in his most seriously truthful tone. “You genuinely thought I would do that to you?” As soon as he senses you're ready to loosen the hug, he looks you in the eyes. “A creature as fragile as you?” He smiles smugly. “You would die out there without me. I can't let that happen. I need my cute human guide with me on my next trip after all.” He kisses your forehead before kissing your lips. “As long as you live, I will be by your side whenever you need me.” He whispers to you with his forehead pressed against yours. “You hear me?”
If any tears run down your face, he will wipe them away with his thumb.
“Now go get the cloak and my mask. We'll leave as soon as you're ready.”
“Where are we going?”
“Scalding Sands.”
The way time works in dreams can be strange. You could swear that the trip to Scalding Sands was ridiculously shorter than it should have been in real life. Could the dream also have been slightly altering your perception of time?
You needed to change your clothes and put on something more appropriate for that heat, so you managed to get some local and fresher pieces. And unlike in Briar Valley, it was Lilia who needed to hide his ears and eyes.
One of the locals warned you about thieves, so Lilia thought it would be safer for you to walk arm in arm. This is also because there were many people around, so it was safer for you not to be separated.
“Greetings, travelers!” One of the Merchant at the stalls calls out to you. “Could I interest you in a magic lamp?”
“A magic lamp…?” Lilia wonders.
“That's right.” The Merchant picks up a pretty golden oil lamp. “Just give the lamp a little rub, and a genie will come out. The genie grants you three wishes. Doesn't that sound grand?”
“Indeed...” Lilia agrees, but not without a hint of skepticism. “Could it hatch a dragon egg if I wished for that?”
“A dragon? Like out of a fairy tale? Absolutely! I'm sure the genie of the lamp could do it. Though I should mention this one's just a replica. No actual genie inside, I'm afraid. It'd still make for a swell gift! Whaddya say?”
“It's very pretty. And there's even a story behind it. It could be a nice gift for someone who's waiting to hear more stories from you.” You comment, remembering how much Lilia likes souvenirs.
“...No, thanks.” He decides “I'd rather not add unnecessary bulk to my baggage.”
“I think souvenirs are half the fun of a trip, but suit yourself.” The Merchant says and then changes his tone with you. “If you're not buying, then scram and make way for real customers!”
You move away from that stall.
“Don't waste your energy sulking at that merchant.” Lilia tells you. He puts a finger in your chin to make you look at him and he smirks. “Even though that grumpy face of yours is pretty cute to look at.” And he gently kisses your cheek.
“A fairy tale, hm?” Lilia thinks aloud. “Yet dragons are still very much alive and well… Perhaps that means the legendary genie is still alive somewhere too. It might be worth gathering more info about. But the sun's rays are so strong here. I can barely stand it... *sigh*”
“What if we take a break in a shady spot?” You suggest. “We might even find someone selling refreshing drinks.”
“Perhaps you're right. I won't be able to retain any information if I get sunstroke.”
You continue on your way, always trying to stay in the shade, until you spot a stall selling coconuts. The merchant had a machete and was cutting open the coconuts so that customers could drink the water from them. Lilia was confused when he saw the coconut, wondering what kind of fruit it was. You buy two, and the merchant cuts them just enough for you to drink, without letting any of the liquid from inside escape. Lilia is pleasantly surprised, and when he finally takes his first sip, in the shade of one of the buildings, you can see his expression of tremendous relief.
“You humans are incredible creatures.” Lilia comments while the two of you enjoy your drinks. “Ten years was all it took for one tiny village to flourish into a bustling metropolis. Humans have progressed far beyond what we fae could have ever imagined.” He looks at you and your relaxed smile. “You seem more comfortable now.”
“Yeah, I really needed this drink.” You say.
“I meant that you've already adapted to this dream.”
“That too. I— ... Wait, what?!”
Lilia's expression changes drastically to his relaxed face, and he laughs heartily.
“D-did you know?” All the romantic moments you spent with him in that dream flashed before your eyes. “Y-you were awake this whole time?!”
“Unfortunately not.” He sighs. The sweet, friendly-voiced Lilia you knew had returned for good. “After you all escaped my first dream, Malleus managed to get me back to sleep. But I also managed to find a way to wake myself up again, however I needed a trigger for that. And it turned out you were that trigger. Khee hee hee.”
“What do you mean? What did you do?”
“It's a quite complex and specific form of magic, but basically I made it so that anyone who entered my dream would start a chain reaction that would help me remember things little by little. My house in the forest, for example, was one of the consequences of this effect. It was only built a few centuries later.”
“So... how long has it been since you...”
“It was gradual. I think I only became fully aware that this was a dream shortly after we arrived here in Scalding Sands. *sigh* I can't believe you saw what I looked like back then.” He says, embarrassed. “I was such a boring guy. So serious and sullen.”
“But you were talking like him until now. You even declined the souvenirs.”
“I kept acting so as not to scare you. That's why I only told you when I realized you were already comfortable here.” He smiles with half-closed eyes and speaks in a low, quite seductive tone. “And something tells me that my... affection helped the process. Fu fu.”
You get flustered and he laughs sweetly, as if trying to reassure you.
“Aww, don't worry. You just went with the flow. My earliest memories are a little foggy, *sigh* but I'm almost certain that I was the one who started it. You didn't feel obligated to take on this role, did you? I know I would never force you to do that. I would help you regardless. You are aware of that fact, correct?”
You confirm that you didn't feel forced into anything, even when he was being his most grumpy self. And you even end up admitting that you actually kind of took advantage of the situation.
“Oh, how evil.” Lilia says dramatically hurt. “Taking advantage of poor ol' me for love and affection. *sniff* How could you?”
You playfully hit him and he laughs.
“Wait... and how do you know I'm not one of those darkness creatures?” You ask.
“Fu fu. Perhaps my younger self had his methods.” He smiles smugly. “All I know is that for as long as my foggy memory allows, I was completely convinced it was the real you.”
“I WILL NOT TOLERATE SUCH DISRESPECT!”
You and Lilia are startled by a familiar thundering voice.
“Well... It seems your saviors have arrived. What a shame, our trip would have been so much more fun now that I didn't have to pretend to be my younger self.” His disappointed expression then changed to a mischievous smile after he seemed to have had an idea. “But they don't know that yet. Ku fu fu fu...” However, he soon backtracks on his idea, and sighed in disappointment again. “But unfortunately, it's not a good time. You need to get back to your mission, and time is of the essence. I can't even have proper fun with you. What a nightmare. Khee hee.” He stands up and feels his ponytail swaying. “Oh, but before that... I'm fed up with this long hair. And I miss my pink streaks, they are so cute~”
You follow the sound of the commotion.
“COME BACK HERE AND FACE ME, THIEF!” You hear Sebek yelling and when you look you see him, Silver and Grim running after a man with a bag in his hands.
“Oh, I see.” Lilia says, now with his short hair and pink streaks, but still wearing Scalding Sands clothing. “Why don't we go to a higher point to see how this ends?”
“We're not going to help them?” You ask.
“Help them?” He smiles confidently. “I trained them to be royal guards of Briar Valley. Catching a mere thief barely counts as homework. Come, let's go up to that building!”
He picks you up and takes flight, carrying you in his arms to the top of one of the houses they were about to pass by. If you are afraid of heights or feel any kind of vertigo, Lilia will be happy to hold you by your waist to make you feel safer. You look down and enjoy the show.
You see the thief running down the street, bumping into people and pushing barrels and wooden crates in his path to try and throw Silver and Sebek off his trail. But in addition to being able to easily avoid any obstacle, they also help as many people as they can along the way: catching them before they fall, picking up merchandise and returning it to the merchants, all in quick movements so as not to lose the chase.
Until they realize they're reaching a dead end where the only way to escape is to jump over a wall. Silver and Sebek exchange glances, and Sebek leaps over one of the walls onto the awnings of some stalls and runs along them while Silver continues down the street.
The thief begins to climb the wall without noticing that Sebek is almost reaching him. As soon as the thief jumps to the other side of the wall, Sebek jumps from the last awning over the wall and lands in front of the thief, trapping him between himself and the wall. The thief gets scared and stupidly turns around as if to try to climb back over the wall, but Silver jumps off it and lands in front of the thief. Sebek quickly grabs the thief by the arms and throws him to the ground, pinning his wrists behind his back. He then takes the bag and hands it to Silver.
“Very good.” Lilia comments with satisfaction as you watch from above Sebek handing the thief to one of the guards and Silver the bag to the other. “I don't think it was their best time, but it was great! Let's meet up with them now. I saw Grim staying behind and stopping at a fruit stand. We'd better go see if he caused any trouble there. Khee hee.”
Sebek and Silver caught up with Grim first, and to everyone's surprise, the merchant was giving Grim the fruit for free because he was eating it with such relish that he was attracting more customers.
“Regardless, you shall not abuse other people's generosity like that.” Sebek reprimands Grim.
“Oh, that melon looks delicious.” Lilia says, with his face and yours hidden by the scarves on your heads. “Could you pass me one of those, young man?”
“Hm? Sure. Let me just— Wait! THAT VOICE!”
Lilia pulls the fabric away from his face, revealing it and his short hair with pink streaks, while laughing. You imitate him and reveal your face as well.
“You took some time to track down (Y/N).” Lilia says. “I not only had time to realize that I was in a dream again, but also to travel from Briar Valley to Scalding Sands.”
Meanwhile, Grim had jumped into your arms and started whimpering, for finally being reunited with you.
“Father!” Silver sees the dreamer's bird around his head. “We return to your dream? And you're awake?!”
“Not completely. Just enough to know what is happening. You could say I'm having a lucid dream. I would ask how the mission is going, but there's no time. Grab (Y/N) and get back to work!” He says with a determined and confident smile.
“But...” Silver says with some emotion in his voice upon seeing Lilia well again. “You should come with us! You—”
“Silver!” Lilia interrupts him, assertive and calm. “I am his main target. If I'm with you, it will only complicate your mission further. There's no time to lose, go quickly!”
“….Yes, sir!” Silver and Sebek respond.
You all cling to Silver to leave.
“Oh, Silver, Sebek, one last thing.”
“Yes, father?”
“Do not lose (Y/N) again!” He says, with a serious expression, that you've only seen in General Lilia until now. “I trained you two to be guards, and the person who needs your protection the most right now is (Y/N), as they're the only one without magic. Do not forget that!”
“Y-YES, SIR!” They both respond with the same urgency. “PLEASE FORGIVE US, SIR.”
“I do. Now get going, quick!”
After everything that happened, the only time you were able to be with Lilia in peace was at Castle Wildrose, at the gathering that he and Malleus prepared for all of you. You saw Lilia, Malleus, and Silver dancing with the memories of Maleanor Draconia, Dawn Knight, and Queen Leah. And after dancing with some of your friends, you retreat to look for Lilia.
You don't see him anywhere, but knowing him, he must be watching you somewhere. So you decide to go outside to the balcony, darkened by the night.
“Looking for someone?” Lilia suddenly appears upside down behind you.
As soon as he puts his feet on the ground, you can't resist hugging him.
“Awww~” He returns your hug. “I scared you, didn't I?” He says in a soft, low voice. “Back in Diasomnia... I’m sorry.”
He'll hold the hug for as long as you want, and you’ll feel his embrace tighten with affection. When you loosen the hug, he will give you a reassuring smile.
“I'm really lucky to having a friend as caring as you. Me and everyone else inside this castle. So why don't we go back and enjoy the party with all of them? After all, we only have until dawn. ...Hm? You seem to have something to say.”
You bring up the topic of his last dream where you were present and ask him if that meant he had a crush on/fancy you.
“I knew that's what was on your mind.” He says with a sigh, an awkward smile and in a tone that suggests he's trying to downplay the situation. “How embarrassing. Not only did you see my younger and... what's the word these days? Edgy self? But you also realize that I had a little crush on you? Heh heh, It's silly, isn't it? Someone my age and with my history falling in love all of a sudden. Don't worry about it. Your friendship is the most important thing to me. That little detail can remain in my dreams.” He says it while smiling the whole time.
“But what if the feeling is mutual?” You ask. “What if that's what I'd like to talk to you about?”
“Then I would have to warn you that you would be committing a mistake.” Lilia says, still calmly, but without the smile. “Although the excuse that the life expectancies of a human and a fae are extremely different no longer applies, since the time I have left may be the same as yours right now, you should still look for someone better. Someone like you doesn't deserve a war general known for the lives he took, to the point where the blood on his blade and hands became part of his name. And you yourself don't deserve that name, as I told Silver, but the boy insisted. I'm sure you'd be happier with someone else. A prince, for instance, would suit you better. Someone who could give you the world if you asked for it.”
“Your name? Like in marriage?” You say. “Well, maybe this is one of those moments when you decide to be old-fashioned, like Silver said when he asked for your last name.”
“And what do you mean by that?” Lilia inquires with a sulky face.
“I know marriage is important and should be considered carefully, but you're skipping the entire dating phase. What's wrong with two people having fun together just to see how it goes? And then find out if the relationship really has a future or not? Nowadays there are many ways to be with someone. You can even just... enjoy the time together.”
He is initially surprised by your words, but then he smirks, his red eyes half-closed.
“Ooooh... I see~ Ku fu fu. You insist in reminding me why I fancy you, don't you? Very well, if that's what you want, how could I refuse such an inviting suggestion?~”
He glances inside the castle, then at you, picks you up in his arms, and suddenly takes flight with you, taking you all the way to the castle roof. He laughs at your reaction, whether it's one of shock or amusement.
“If you want that much to make the most of our time together...” He sets your feet down on the roof, but continues to hold you by the waist and pulls you closer. “Then let me be a little selfish and have you all to myself first~” He says before kissing your lips.
If you would like to read more from me, you can find it in my pinned post: INDEX
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