IM GOING CRAZY THE COMPOSITION OF THIS CARD IS SURREAL HELLO I REVIVED
The point of view and Silver's character taking up majority of the canvas to symbolize this is HIS moment, The way he unsheathes his sword!!! On Dawn's sprite, it looks like its just a glowing light, but on Silver's art here it looks like a glowing metal !! THE WAY HIS HAIR FLOWS AND HIS ARMOR GLISTEN TOO THE NECKLACE AND AURORAL RING AT THE VERY CENTER OF THE PIC HE'S SO VIBRANT AGAINST THE DARK ATMOSTPHERE OF THE ART WHICH MAKES HIM MORE EMPHASIZED😭💖💞💖💞✨✨✨
HES SO COOL THEY ATE ISTG FINALLY ITS A CARD THAT TRULY HIGHLIGHTS SILVER AS A KNIGHT !!!!!
I also love the little details that his armor glows in a purple light, maybe not because of magic, but because one of Malleus' attack is a PURPLE FIRE, Silver's magic is light so ofc it'll reflect its surroundings (like with this card where he's surrounded by a dark pink mist probably from the smoke of the purple fire(?) on his armor and silver hair
The POV of this card also parallels General Lilia too.
worms eye view, focus on the weapon, one eye visible, 3/4 angle, fighting stance position, flowing hair, glowing cape--
Silver back in his last birthday card also said this line, very obvious but I'm still impressed at how this card really matched his new SSR
It literally has the same pose for both Malleus and Silver, the same composition and lighting, the final chapter is just Malleus and Silver possibly repeating the history that Lilia doesn't want to relive again, I feel like I'm gonna cry in the next chapter 😭💔💔💔
additional but I love the little sneak of Malleus' tail here, you KNOW ITS REALLY HIM BECAUSE OF THE TAIL END 😭💞💖 HE'S SO COOL IN HIS DRAGON FORM PLEASE DONT KILL HIM 💔💔💔💔
also side note Malleus' dragon wings have really translucent skin(?), I already knew their wings are semi see through considering this sprite of Meleanor with faded, pale colored wings, but with Malleus I guess its more translucent and more purple?? But it could also appear mkre translucent bcs his dragon form is behind a light source which makes it a bit look like its glowing--
I hope there'll be a trivia about his dragon form, I'm so interested how can he fly with such thin and translucent wings !! but I know they wont elaborate and they'll just magic it away for the explanation lol
side note but what i love the most about Malleus dragon form is that his wings looks like dragonfly wings with its transparent skin and root-like textures on them✨
Meleanor has them too? But her art is on Chibi form so her details on her dragon form is generalized (its the lines on her wings that suppose to signify the skin of her wings are crumpled and with root-textures like Malleus' has)
EDIT
ARMOR OF DAWN SILVER BEING A VOID MAGIC ATK LILIA DUO SSR CARD STOPPP ITS ITA A PARALLEL TO MALLEUS DORM UNIFORM SSR IM CRASHING OUTTT 😭😭😭✨✨✨✨
IF "LIKING" PERTAINS TO IMMEDIATELY PRINTING HIS NIGHTWEAR CARD AND FRAMING IT IN A FANCY FRAME SO I COULD PUT IT ON MY NIGHTSTAND AND SEE IT EVERY TIME I WAKE UP AND GO TO SLEEP, THEN I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT 😭💖💕💕💕💖
VIL DUO?!??@?+*#*+*£$£×€$€× 😭😭💖💕💖💕💖💕💖💕💕MALLEVIL WINNING💖💕💖💕 AAAAAAAA NOW I CANT WAIT TO PULL FOR THIS ON 2027 AIDIWOOEOWIE 🥺✨💕💖
The way I saw this and immediately sighed in relief, they cooked with his outfit, It has a perfect balance of being "casual" while still retaining that air of formality and regalness on him, it doesn't look cheap but his outfit looks comfortable🥺✨💕
The pattern on his shawl is also the forest background of Briarland (or the forest in Sleeping Beauty in general lol), its such a nice addition that maybe the hc that Briar Valley values textile is true bcs even in the royal clothes of a Draconia they incorporate something about their land 🥺💚✨
Also his pose is the type of pose a character does if they want to sing a lullaby for their beloved so that they can sleep and I.... CANNOT GET OVER THAT AHDUQIRIWID 💕💕💕💖💖💖💖
also youre so real hana HDHAHHS not him having to lean down bcs if he straightened his pose, his horns would be out of the borders lol I CANT WAIT TO SEE HIS CUTE PILLOW JUST TO ACCOMODATE HIS HORNS AKDJJWIE
I also imagine Malleus instead of waking up to a sunlight or an alarm, he'll wake up bcs Gao Gao Dragon is beeping lolol
I blink and suddenly its Jan 31 lol Happy New Year, everyone!!🎉✨
I felt like this year wasnt great for me artistically like I always felt I should draw more but couldn't, but I think its better to just be proud of what I did even if its small-🥹
I'm really thankful for all the comments on my art throughout this year as well, they seriously kept me going, that mutuals and random ppl are taking their time to see what I drew, so thank you all so much seriously🥹💖 a simple sentences can do so much and I'm grateful for everyone who has reblogged my artworks and such💖💕
also looking at my art throughout this year is just taking me out--- what kind of art improvement is it when ur art style did improve... a bit?? but you just did the same theme, same characters, same dorm, like last year lol that one Skully jumpscare amongst my river of Diasofanarts is so funny lol
(2023 version) i think my art has a slow progress too but eurgh at least its moving 🚶♀️🚶♀️
I really appreciate the beauty of Malleus New Year's card. But most importantly, other than its gorgeousness, I also appreciate how it pays so much homage to his status and character, from the flowers, the clothes, and the setting. 🥹
We know that wisterias were prevalent in his Dorm Groovy SSR, this time its another flower which is the red plum blossom here😭❤️
In Chinese philosophy, the Plum tree’s blossom is a symbol of winter ending and a herald of spring. The tree’s pale pink blossoms are cherished because they bloom vibrantly and so bravely amidst the winter chill. They symbolise perseverance and hope, as well as, beauty thriving in adverse circumstances.
The way this flower's meaning is so matched with Malleus' character is so precious. We know he's "the herald of spring" because his birth brought forth a hope that the Draconias(or the faes in general) won't die out just yet (the ending of winter) and the fact that this flower blooms even in winter probably symbolizes the fact that when he was an egg, he was still perservering to live. This also applies to his life as he grows up. With the way even if his life is riddled with loneliness and exclusion, he makes an effort to go out and adjust himself with others, he doesn't give up even if his reality consistently places him in situation where his goals can never be achieved (that is, him being accepted socially and him being ignorant of human culture but still makes an effort to understand it), he just continues to be hopeful that someone/ some place will invite him, therefore his ability to thrive in adverse circumstances.
The way he slowly rises in this card makes me feel like it symbolizes how slow paced Malleus is "in going out/getting used to outside of his comfort zone", actually lol. He described his admission to NRC as him being nervous because its an unknown place but still hopeful for the experiences that he might get(acccording to the vignette of his GloMas SSR), just like him here rising from the snow and the way he lifts the veil which makes me think he wants to see the world outside of his country's point of view with his own eyes.
Japanese tradition holds that the Plum (or ‘ume’) is celebrated as a protective charm against evil, so the ume is traditionally planted in the northeast of the garden, the direction from which evil is believed to come.
I also read this symbolism which makes me tear up lmaooo 😭Because we know in Book 7, Briarland was invaded from northeast where the Silver Owls originated from 💀 The fact that the plum blossom is a protection flower and he's surrounded with it in this card makes me think that it symbolizes how protected he was during Briarland's era 😭and another thing to dissect from his slow rise from the snow with the fact the plum blossom signifies protection is probably the fact that he took so long to hatch despite many people caring for him.
Side note that in Malleus Bloom Birthday Groovy, it implied that he was born in daytime during a snowfall, and he was happy experiencing the winter, just like in this New Years card where he's smiling against the heavy snowfall 🥹
In Japan, plum blossoms symbolize good fortune, an auspicious flower, along with pine and bamboo, and the arrival of early spring. They are often used as the design for New Year’s greeting cards and other celebratory occasions. (And maybe this is just the likely reason why this flower is here in Malleus' card and I'm overthinking it above lol
Next thing I want to mention is his clothes, that attire reminds me of the formal outfit of a Japanese Emperor (From what I searched, its called sokutai, but what Malleus wears is much more simpler I guess, its a outfit derived from it which is called ikan.) This post is a great overview about these two outfits.
Ikan is the work clothes of nobles and government officials in the Imperial Court after the Heian period.
Sokutai is a formal costume for those from the Emperor to the court nobles in and after Heian period (Heian costume). Ikan is called 'tonoi (nighttime) costume', whereas sokutai is called 'hino (daytime) costume'. (which probably references the fact that he's a night fae)
The point is, what Malleus wears in this card is a very traditional garment that only high ranking Japanese officials can wear. But what he wears isn't the clothes of an emperor yet, but just for a high ranking official, which is accurate to his status that he's still a crown prince not yet the king, because only Maleficia truly rules Briar Valley right now.
I love the decision that they made him wear such a prestigious outfit because the story of the New Years event is the characters working on customer service lol Its like his clothes is a reminder that he is still highly distinguished even if temporarily he's a worker.
Lastly the VEIL !!!!!! That's the thing that catched my eyes the most in this card lol I KNOW they're not referencing a wedding here because the veil don't look the same, but its so good not to mention that the one of the headress of a Japanese bride is called tsunokakushi and its description can be related with Malleus a lot lol.
The term is a compound of 角 (tsuno, "horn") + 隠し (kakushi, "hiding"). This derivation is listed in some sources as a reference to hiding a bride's "horns" of anger, jealousy, or other negative qualities, in order to present a more virtuous image for the wedding. However, this interpretation might be a folk etymology resulting from a shift in the reading and meaning.
The headdress and the veil aren't the same thing but I kinda feel like this is the idea they're going for considering the veil is 1) hiding his horns, 2) he's a character associated with being jealous, and most importantly, 3) only the person he is looking at can see his face (which is the point of most wedding veils/headdress, to hide the bride's face so that only her partner can see it).
But long veils, like the one Malleus is holding is also just a garment for a noble to hide their nobility. Which is this is probably the likely reason, considering he's using that veil to cover up his horns and his clothes, the most obvious features of his status.
Also, it could be just a fun reference to the fact that Maleficent in live action wore a long veil to hide her horns so that she wouldn't scare the humans lol
I really appreciate the beauty of Malleus New Year's card. But most importantly, other than its gorgeousness, I also appreciate how it pays so much homage to his status and character, from the flowers, the clothes, and the setting. 🥹
We know that wisterias were prevalent in his Dorm Groovy SSR, this time its another flower which is the red plum blossom here😭❤️
In Chinese philosophy, the Plum tree’s blossom is a symbol of winter ending and a herald of spring. The tree’s pale pink blossoms are cherished because they bloom vibrantly and so bravely amidst the winter chill. They symbolise perseverance and hope, as well as, beauty thriving in adverse circumstances.
The way this flower's meaning is so matched with Malleus' character is so precious. We know he's "the herald of spring" because his birth brought forth a hope that the Draconias(or the faes in general) won't die out just yet (the ending of winter) and the fact that this flower blooms even in winter probably symbolizes the fact that when he was an egg, he was still perservering to live. This also applies to his life as he grows up. With the way even if his life is riddled with loneliness and exclusion, he makes an effort to go out and adjust himself with others, he doesn't give up even if his reality consistently places him in situation where his goals can never be achieved (that is, him being accepted socially and him being ignorant of human culture but still makes an effort to understand it), he just continues to be hopeful that someone/ some place will invite him, therefore his ability to thrive in adverse circumstances.
The way he slowly rises in this card makes me feel like it symbolizes how slow paced Malleus is "in going out/getting used to outside of his comfort zone", actually lol. He described his admission to NRC as him being nervous because its an unknown place but still hopeful for the experiences that he might get(acccording to the vignette of his GloMas SSR), just like him here rising from the snow and the way he lifts the veil which makes me think he wants to see the world outside of his country's point of view with his own eyes.
Japanese tradition holds that the Plum (or ‘ume’) is celebrated as a protective charm against evil, so the ume is traditionally planted in the northeast of the garden, the direction from which evil is believed to come.
I also read this symbolism which makes me tear up lmaooo 😭Because we know in Book 7, Briarland was invaded from northeast where the Silver Owls originated from 💀 The fact that the plum blossom is a protection flower and he's surrounded with it in this card makes me think that it symbolizes how protected he was during Briarland's era 😭and another thing to dissect from his slow rise from the snow with the fact the plum blossom signifies protection is probably the fact that he took so long to hatch despite many people caring for him.
Side note that in Malleus Bloom Birthday Groovy, it implied that he was born in daytime during a snowfall, and he was happy experiencing the winter, just like in this New Years card where he's smiling against the heavy snowfall 🥹
In Japan, plum blossoms symbolize good fortune, an auspicious flower, along with pine and bamboo, and the arrival of early spring. They are often used as the design for New Year’s greeting cards and other celebratory occasions. (And maybe this is just the likely reason why this flower is here in Malleus' card and I'm overthinking it above lol
Next thing I want to mention is his clothes, that attire reminds me of the formal outfit of a Japanese Emperor (From what I searched, its called sokutai, but what Malleus wears is much more simpler I guess, its a outfit derived from it which is called ikan.) This post is a great overview about these two outfits.
Ikan is the work clothes of nobles and government officials in the Imperial Court after the Heian period.
Sokutai is a formal costume for those from the Emperor to the court nobles in and after Heian period (Heian costume). Ikan is called 'tonoi (nighttime) costume', whereas sokutai is called 'hino (daytime) costume'. (which probably references the fact that he's a night fae)
The point is, what Malleus wears in this card is a very traditional garment that only high ranking Japanese officials can wear. But what he wears isn't the clothes of an emperor yet, but just for a high ranking official, which is accurate to his status that he's still a crown prince not yet the king, because only Maleficia truly rules Briar Valley right now.
I love the decision that they made him wear such a prestigious outfit because the story of the New Years event is the characters working on customer service lol Its like his clothes is a reminder that he is still highly distinguished even if temporarily he's a worker.
Lastly the VEIL !!!!!! That's the thing that catched my eyes the most in this card lol I KNOW they're not referencing a wedding here because the veil don't look the same, but its so good not to mention that the one of the headress of a Japanese bride is called tsunokakushi and its description can be related with Malleus a lot lol.
The term is a compound of 角 (tsuno, "horn") + 隠し (kakushi, "hiding"). This derivation is listed in some sources as a reference to hiding a bride's "horns" of anger, jealousy, or other negative qualities, in order to present a more virtuous image for the wedding. However, this interpretation might be a folk etymology resulting from a shift in the reading and meaning.
The headdress and the veil aren't the same thing but I kinda feel like this is the idea they're going for considering the veil is 1) hiding his horns, 2) he's a character associated with being jealous, and most importantly, 3) only the person he is looking at can see his face (which is the point of most wedding veils/headdress, to hide the bride's face so that only her partner can see it).
But long veils, like the one Malleus is holding is also just a garment for a noble to hide their nobility. Which is this is probably the likely reason, considering he's using that veil to cover up his horns and his clothes, the most obvious features of his status.
Also, it could be just a fun reference to the fact that Maleficent in live action wore a long veil to hide her horns so that she wouldn't scare the humans lol
The eerie similarity between the corridor of Diasomnia dorm and that of Meleanor's castle:
As well as between the Coliseum hallway and that of the Eastern fortress/Silver Owl Citadel in Briarland:
The former two look exactly the same while the latter two have very minor differences (such as the colour of the flames in the torches).
But what I really wonder is what Lilia's reaction was when first seeing these corridors after enrolling at NRC? There's no way he didn't recognize them right away.
Just what did he feel in that moment? When all those memories came back flooding...? Memories of the past he surely wanted to move on from, but as we could see in his flashback to when he stumbled upon Silver in the crib and found out whose son the baby was, he clearly hasn't. The wounds are still very much there and way too deep. (For a moment, he even considered taking Silver's life so as to revenge the killing/loss of Meleanor and Raverne!)
Unless Lilia had seen pictures of NRC and these exact locations before, it must have been a shocking experience.
And now, he walks through these corridors on a daily basis. Has he gotten used to it, or does he still feel a twinge of pain in his heart every time?
Wait this makes so sense. If Lilia remembers the past, how did he react to the fact that NRC has places akin to Wild Rose Castle???
Most importantly, these locations (the hallway to Meleanor's throne room and the hallway of the fortress) are turning point in Lilia's dream story. On that hallway from fortress, we saw that Lilia got injured from protecting Silver and he visibly got more anxious after receiving the news that Wild Rose Castle was being besieged. On Wild Rose Castle, the same thing happens, Lilia "lost all confidence" that theyre going to survive the battle and we can see his dialogues with Meleanor, that he was extremely anxious now thay he realizes that the princess could die. Both these locations also implied Lilia dying there, he was extremely injured in the fortress if not for Baul's healing, he was insisting to die during his audience with Meleanor. These hallway/corridor were places that triggered General Lilia away from his calmness, so it makes sense that he would exactly remember these locations 🤔✨
But the story in game right now, didnt place him in these locations yet (I dont remember if Lilia ever appeared with that specific cg of Diasomnia Dorm, maybe he did and the writers just didnt want to create a scene pertaining his past yet lol) But I do hope he has some kind of interesting reaction once he realizes the similarity 😭🙏✨
i almost forgot to post it here, but if u want to, you can leave a message in my christmas tree right here, or just repeat some voicelines of meleanor and malleus i'll jump from joy lol
Decorate Your Tree with Love: The Original Christmas Message Service Add a heartfelt ornament to your friend's tree, and we'll deliver your
you can also reply your own tree as well !! i'll try to leave a message 🙏✨
Excerpt: Tomorrow, tomorrow Malleus would return home. Without him. Lilia had planned to never return to Briar Valley. Now, he never would. His home lost forever.
He sent them away.
Two knights, haggard and stalwart, reluctant to leave.
Lilia understood.
They have sworn their life and fealty to Malleus Draconia.
Their care for him extended even beyond something as simple as duty and loyalty,
But they needed their rest.
The journey tomorrow would be a taxing one. They’d need all the rest they could get.
After tomorrow’s journey’s end, there would be no more knighthood for the two. They would need to look for a new path. Their chosen path too painful to continue now.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow, Malleus will take his final journey home. Without him. Lilia had planned to never return to Briar Valley. Now, he never would. His home lost forever.
Malleus Draconia would be returning home in a coffin carried by his two knights.
A coffin Lillia himself put together. Made with glass and magic.
Engraving and weaving intricate designs through slightly shaken hands.
Cushioned with the finest silk Lilia could find on such short notice. A pillow cushion made for horns for one to sleep comfortably. Given long ago.
Not as fine as it could be as a prince deserves.
But Lilia didn’t see the reason why it should be.
Malleus was just a boy.
His boy.
He didn’t deserve to have his sleep cold and unfamiliar.
He should be surrounded by that which he loves and made him comfortable.
And this was just that.
Tomorrow.
Malleus would return home.
Lilia would remain behind.
It wasn’t shame or grief that stayed his hand. He would rather be quartered and shamed in front of all of Briar Valley for not protecting Malleus.
He was simply too tired to make the journey.
A truly cowardice move on his part.
He didn’t think he could watch them lower Malleus’ body into a special pit made for his burial; in a mausoleum made for past royalty without throwing himself into it to join him.
A Father couldn’t bury his own son. He didn’t have that strength in him.
Trembling fingers wipes at stinging eyes. No, he can’t.
Not right now.
He doesn’t want his tears to mar Malleus.
He bathed Malleus with fragrances of evergreen and the sweetness of vetiver and oak moss.
He smelled like home.
Lilia has never prayed to a higher being before.
Rarely believed in them.
Having seen what he had. War. Bloodshed. Death.
But he prays now.
Please
Please.
It was too quiet.
Bath time was never this quiet.
Running after a spitfire. Once on four legs and then two. Stumbling. Always hating bath time.
It was loud. It tested Lilia’s speed even back then.
But they both adored it.
Lilia prays.
Please.
It’s too quiet.
His prayers go unheard.
Lilia smooths the silk, tucking it close. He didn’t want him to be cold. Lilia moves the gifts lovingly given close to Malleus, knowing how he would have preferred to have them next to him.
Malleus is cold. Too cold.
He stares at the items before him:
Lilia remembers passing by Silver’s room a few days prior. Broken sobs muffled by the door. Lilia hesitated for a moment. Contemplating passing by, letting the boy deal with his grief. No. How could he? When it was restraints and buried feelings that led them all to this situation?
When Lilia enters the room, it’s to a hunched back and shaking hands. The moon reflects silver strands but what stands out the most is the brown of acorns spread around. Lilia is quick to hug Silver and the boy breaks down in his arms.
An acorn bracelet.
To live a long and healthy life.
He remembers watching Sebek when the boy thought he was alone, chipping away at stone and wood.
Over and over.
At every chance he could.
Sebek had chosen to wrought a crest of his own design, to wish his lord happiness and reunion. For him to be surrounded by love.
Lilia watched him silently, supporting him from the shadows.
Lilia’s eyes blurs as he lays a hand over the plush.
A gargoyle plush.
He had seen it during one of his travels. Had thought of Malleus right away.
Malleus loved gargoyles even from a young age. Lilia recalls the excitement he felt when he gave the young one his present.
Malleus’ smile had been worth it. His smile bright as he hugged the plush close to him until Lilia had called it a gargoyle, then he had pouted and called it a grotesque because, “It had no use.”
Lilia remembers the laugh he gave out then, “Of course it has a purpose, it’s to protect you when I’m not around. He’ll protect you until I arrive, be it from your dreams or anyone until I arrive.”
Malleus had smiled wide with fangs then, cheeks slightly red with childlike joy as he hugged Lilia.
Lilia had thought Malleus had outgrown it. Having not seen it for decades.
What a surprise it had been to find it on his bed. When he had finally, finally, taken the courage to enter his room.
A frail and old thing. Mended over and over. With stitches uneven to expertly sewn. From the nimble hands of a child to that of an adult.
Lilia recalls breaking down right then and there. Clutching the plush to his chest. Rocking back and forth as if he held a child.
His boy. His boy. Where is he now? Why won’t he awaken? Why won’t he answer?
The scent of evergreen was still fresh from where he had buried his head. A plush still in use. Lilia cried til his voice was hoarse.
A journey’s end.
His end.
Never again would he see that smirk
Nor calm a storm's anger
Never again would he be able to pat midnight strands as they looked upon him with fondness.
Never again would he be able to say-
I love you
Lilia's knees hit the floor.
I love you.
Lilia gasped.
His breathing coming quicker, uneven.
Malleus knew.
He had to know.
Right?
“The Senate! Even Grandmother lied!”
No. Malleus had to have known.
“What dream would you like, Lilia? One with mother and father? One where you live happily with Silver?”
Frame shaking.
No.
Did he never say?
Hands clawed into his face.
No. No. No!
He must have.
He never did.
Lilia dragged his body up, heavier than ever before.
Ignoring the stinging from the cuts he made.
Please.
Body barely holding himself over the one in eternal sleep.
A hand gently cupping a too-cold cheek.
Lilia prays.
The Great Seven.
The Thorn Fairy.
Any Powers That Be.
Please let him hear these words now.
It's too late.
It's too late.
Lilia grits his teeth against the wobble of incoming grief.
Please.
I beg of you.
Let him hear me.
"I love you."
Words spoken in a cracked voice.
"I love you, Malleus."
Lilia sobbed, clutching at the robe beneath him.
Don't take him aw-
"I love you too, Lilia."
He froze.
His heart stopped, and the very blood in his veins froze, but it was the hand on his own that had his gaze shooting up.
Soft green stares back at him as tears fall from one freshly awoken.
A desperate cry with a flurry of movement.
Hands desperately clutching and pulling Malleus to his chest. ignoring and uncaring of the damage he caused to fine silk clothes.
His Heart.
His Heart Returned.
A wail vibrated the walls alerting the heavens high above.
A sound unheard of for centuries.
True Love brought back a Son to His Father.
Happy 1 Year Anniversary to Baby Malleus hatching and to the love that changed Lilia Vanrouge forever. You both worked so hard and I’m so proud of you two. I love them both so much. True Love My Beloveds. 😭🥳💞
I’ve been working on this project for about a few months on and off (it was fighting me as much as I was fighting it; while half the time sick lolol) 😂😆. It’s a project that I was very passionate about, so I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I loved writing it. This fic started because of the need, the need damnit, I have of Lilia and Malleus to say “I love you” to each other verbally. You know what they say, make your own wishes come true.☺️🥰💞
Shout out to my beta reader, @world-of-hearts, Amy for beta reading this and all the feedback/ideas she indulges me with when I go to her for opinions. Some of these scenes (like Sebek’s gift) were influenced by our talks and picking at each other brains.💕🫶💚🫂
There are deleted scenes, commentary, and some fun facts that I included below that I hope you guys will like 💕🫶 (I haven’t had a fic with deleted scenes, etc. in such a long while, so you know I was going all out with my battle with this story lolol). I am rambling too much lolol. I'm just excited to share this piece. 🌺💕💚
Thank you so much for reading. ☺️🙏💚
Deleted Scenes:
Silver’s Acorn Bracelet:
Lilia shakes and recalls words that would be branded in his mind forever.
“It was a gift that even Malleus was jealous of.”
“You always asked me if I was envious. What if I am?”
He would have been, wouldn’t he and Lilia was blind to it all.
An acorn bracelet that could grant long life let alone bring back a loved one.
A gift given out of love.
A gift that would never have the chance to do as intended.
(AN: I didn’t keep this scene because I didn’t want the gifts to be ‘useless’ nor did I want the scenes to get to depressing. Because these gifts are given out of love and thought, it wouldn’t feel right for their feelings to reflect bitterness and what could have beens.
And yes if that line, “You always asked me if I was envious. What if I am?” Seemed familiar, it is. It’s from this fic. You can technically think of this fic as a sequel to that one if you want.)
Sebek’s Gargoyle Gift:
Something from Sebek, he had seen Sebek toil away at tools and books during the few times he was relieved of his watch. Chipping at stone till hands are raw and grazed with cuts. Gargoyles. Sebek had chosen to put gargoyles. Something Malleus adored. Gargoyles. Ones who are feared and misunderstood but also strong and protectors. Just like Malleus. Lilia had offered to hang the gargoyles by the sides of the coffin, but Sebek refused.
He wanted them with his liege, so he wouldn’t be lonely. Gargoyle who became a grotesque. Purposeless and just for show. Just like him.
(AN: The same reasoning as Silver’s this was taken out. I didn’t want a gift that given out of love to be seen so negatively even by the characters. After all, it was their last gift to their liege and someone they loved.)
Lilia’s Rose:
His vision blurs as he looks at the flower placed right next to Malleus’s head
A dried-up flower from Malleus-a memory Lilia revisits, magic low, only glimpses of a prideful yet shy smile, presenting him with a rose he had grown. Some petals singed from excitement, but shyly given.
Lilia had kept that flower, preserved it with magic; when his magic started fading so did the spell on the rose but he kept it safe and loved all the same.
(AN: I took this out because Malleus wouldn’t want Lilia to return his flower to him. Young Malleus gave it to him out of love for Lilia. Malleus would want Lilia to keep it and likewise, Lilia wouldn’t be able to part with it. It’s precious to him, just like the Acorn bracelet is.)
Malleus's Hug:
Malleus holding him just as tight, cries muffled against a shoulder that had felt big when he was younger but small to him now.
(AN: I did initially describe Malleus returning the hug but then took it out. This whole story was in Lilia’s POV and I wanted it to stay that way. It felt as if I was breaking the narrative a bit by switching and I didn’t want that. It started with Lilia and ended with Lilia.)
Fun Facts:
Malleus’ Scent
Vetiver, Oak Moss, and Evergreen are the scents described in Malleus’ Valentines 2024 room fragrance. It smells like the forest and while strong, it’s also has gentle tones. It smells like home to Lilia because it’s smells like the forest surrounding the cottage. The woods that protect his home and also the very lands Lilia has always known and grew up on.
It smells like home because it smells like Malleus since he was small to how he’s grown now. To Malleus, Briar Valley has always been his home; but most of all, it was that cottage that he felt the most comfortable and free.
You can read more about the scents and their details here
Lilia’s Heart = Malleus
There’s this special analysis that I will write based on this that I’m really looking forward to releasing. But essentially, as a preview for you all, it’s how Malleus is the reflection of Lilia’s heart. He is Lilia’s heart. Malleus, who is the reason why Lilia finally manifested his UM, is also the reflection of his soul.
You can kind of get the idea of what I mean UM wise through this fic. (Which you can also think of this fic as a sequel to if you choose.)
The Bathing Scene
The bathing scene is inspired from my culture. We bathe our dead loved ones and then wrap them in cloth. Of course in this, Malleus wasn’t wrapped in cloth but he was bathed by a loved one. In my culture, only those close to the one who passed away/family can do this ritual. During this bath, you’re not allowed to cry because that would take away “the purity” of the bath. So that’s why Lilia didn’t allow any of his tears to fall or touch Malleus.
I thought it was very fitting and a perfect way for Lilia to reflect his grief/cherished memories to show. When else would you wish for your prayers to come true the most? Except at this most vulnerable time?
Strikethroughs Texts
I don’t normally use too many strikethrough texts in my fics because I worry if it’s readable/hard to read for the audience. But for this fic, I made an exception.
I felt for Lilia and the story it was needed. My thought process was that the strikethrough texts was a part of Lilia that was keeping him together. A part of him that was in denial but also that part that is the last bit of strength and that inner voice in your head.
I don’t know if I’m explaining it well but when Lilia says, “I love you.” You’ll see the strikethrough texts are gone from then on. In this way, it shows he’s overcome that last bit that held him back. He was finally able to express himself and his love fully which leads to Malleus waking up from his True Love.
“Lilia’s knees hit the floor.”
This was the first scene written and literally everything came after. I had nothing else planned besides this line. This scene was the start. Something about the shock and impact of Lilia falling to his knees in realization. It just…it hits you? You know? Because it’s Lilia. And eventually, I was able to find the right ending to continue from there/end the story. It really is about trusting the process.
OHHH NYGOF SIDIWJIEW WHY WAS THIS SO PERFECT IN CHARACTERIZATION LIKE I CAN PERFECTLY PICTURE THIS HAPPENING TRULY IN GAME 😭🙏✨ YOU DID GREAT HANA 😭😭 YOU MADE ME TEAR UP NOTGONNALIEEE JAJSIW
also great timing of my playlist to play the light behind your eyes by mcr like wayyy to play a funeral song about a fic about "putting down a loved one"😭😭
OKAY but the way i immediately jumped by the mention of vertiver and oak moss though I SEE YOU I SEE WHAT YOURE DOING AAAJHSJAH I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THAT AS MALLEUS' FRAGRANCE 😭😭🙏✨
i love the gifts you have chosen for them, like all of them were meant to be kept and last forever 😭
THE GARGOYLE PLUSH PART WAS SO HEARTWRENCHING THOUGH STOPPP YOU REALLY WENT ALL OUT ON THAT PART thats when i started to tear up HELP 😭✨🙏✨🙏✨✨✨
"He’ll protect you until I arrive, be it from your dreams or anyone until I arrive.” I internally sobbed OMGGG and the fact tgat Malleus has kept it since he was a kid and mended any damages it had over the years ??? GODFFF its like how Malleus treats Lilia in a way where he'll always be attentive in fixing anything "wrong" about his well being 😭✨
I also love the build up on his confession!! Like it felt like before he said it, he was fighting off this regret that he didnt say it sooner, but its too late now so he tried not to say it until the regret came off too strong seeing Malleus so lifeless around him so he still said it even if he expected that it was too late 😭 IT WAS TOO GOOD AUGHHUSHDUAU
"Never again would he see that smirk Nor calm a storm's anger Never again would he be able to pat midnight strands as they looked upon him with fondness.Never again would he be able to say-I love you" AAAAAA PEAK BUILD UP MY ANGSTY HEART WAS FEELING IT *ALLLL* UP 🙏✨✨✨😭😭😭😭😭
AND THE ENDING AAAAAAA im glad it was a happy end i wouldve ruminated over this for a week HSHAJHS MALLEUS IS LILIA'S HEART IS SUCH A GOOD INTERPRETATION THOUGH AAAAAAA like how Lilia after losing his life purpose after the war, only thought of Malleus as his reason to live, like it was his heart 😭🙏✨ ITS SO GOOD
OHHH but i really love the deleted scenes the gifts were perfect and the way they'll all wither once Malleus passes was so angsty I LOVE HEART WRENCHING SCENES LIKE THAT AHSHAJAHD✨✨✨
AND MAYBE ITS JUST MY DELUSION BUT AUGHHH THIS. THIS SENTENCE:
Tomorrow. Malleus would return home.
I love this sentence bcs it making me think of MELEANOR AND LEVAN AJSJAJSJJA I kinda thought returning home was returning to the stars so if Malleus dies it means that he can finally be together with Meleanor and Levan AAAAAAA 😭😭😭😭But I kinda know thats not what happened, i think they just brought him back home AND IM JUST THINKING TOO MUCH 😂 alas my mind gotta insert Meleanor everywhere ✨💕🙏
He would rather be quartered and shamed in front of all of Briar Valley for not protecting Malleus. AUGHHH THIS HITS AS WELLL the peak of his unconditional love was that when Lilia treasures someone he really gives it all 😭🙏 he disregards his pride or his life if it meant that they can live AND YOU PERFECTLY CAPTURED THAT AKDJWKJE
Now im just inagining Malleus' mausoleum looks like the chamber for his incubation when he was still an egg (I cant remember the name for it lol but its Mallegg's Room) 😭 It'll be kinda poetic to see a place akin to where it started (his hatching) to where it MAY end (his death)😭🙏✨
AND OHHH I LOVE THE IDEA THAT THE STRIKETHROUGH TEXT WILL BE GONE AFTER LILIA FINALLY ADMITTED HIS LOVE AJDJJWJD like a heavy burden is lifted and his thoughts became clear bcs he let go of all his restraints now that he can still be with Malleus after almost losing him 😭✨ and I also love the fact those text were most prominent when he had to put him down now but he couldnt just yet 😭🙏✨
AND AAAAA The bathing scene was quite painful too !!! its so good how you mentioned that Malleus used to be rambunctious about it but its so depressinh for Lilia to see him not protesting about it now that he's lifeless AAAA I LOVE IT THATS SO DEPRESSING 😭🙏✨✨✨
I love how the first line of the fic involved Lilia collapsing lol Thats really what he does after losing someone, when Meleanor died he also collapsed on his knees like there was a thud sfx in game which meant he kneeled after the realization as the night sky of that day slowly disappeared and all he managed to save on that day was only the egg on his hands AAA I FELT LIKE IT WAS A NICE CALLBACK
I actually also love the fact that in the end, Malleus hug didnt made it lol I felt like it was saying that Lilia's love was that unconditional, Malleus doesnt have to repay or return it with anything, he doesnt require Malleus to love him back (even if he does lol) as long as he lives on and he can see him content with his life 😭🙏
ok enough with my rambles 😂 you definitelt worked my sobbing emojis with this fic hana😭😭😭✨ I'LL BE THINKING ABOUT THIS AKJDKAKS 💕💖💕 GRAGHHH I LOVE THE IDEA SM 💕💖💕 happy 1 year anniversary to the malleus and lilia content that still crashes our hearts no matter how many times its repeated😭🙏
Who will be Meleanor and who will be the Knight of Dawn, just see the green one as henrik
https://m.happymh.com/mangaread/xiyou/1136650
anon dear, just because you'll say the magic words "Meleanor" and "Knight of Dawn" doesn't mean you can convince me to click unverified suspicious links 🫵
Vil eat your heart out, the fairest one of all is him!!! I said what I said 💕💕💕💚💚💚💚
Rapunzel!Dawn would be so perfect. Long hair with flower braids. Getting along with animals. Sassy horse maximillion (like silvers Samson). The lantern lights on the boat. Ahhhhh would be beautiful.
THE LANTERN BOAT SCENE LITERALLY IS PERFECT FOR HIM 😭😭💕💕💖💖💖 Us taking him out of that suffocating tower governed by Henric and for the first time he experiences having fun and actually living 😭✨🙏💖 im imagining we're Flynn Rider jn this AU, if so, I would let him hit me with a pan 🥰🤩✨kidding, but aaaa imagine if in this au, he still retains his swordsmanship ?? so if you trespassed his tower youre immediately up against a knight (although hes just quite like a trapped prince rather than a knight😭)
im imagining a whole cinematic now 😂but what if in the lantern scene is when he proposes to you?? like not exactly a marriage type of proposal, but just him giving his auroral ring to you in exchange for getting him out of that tower even for a short while, since he was always confined there he doesnt have much treasure to give us so he proposes his auroral ring to us in repayment for the happy memories we had spent with him😭💖✨✨
AOUGHHHHH WAITTTT PAUSEEE PAUSEEEE henric's father being the reason why dawn is orphaned in the first place will be such a tragic lore, knowing how loyal he was to him??? KJSKWKS OOOOHHH I WANT ITTTTT I WANT ITTTTKSJD😩😩😩🙏🙏🙏✨✨✨
and yeahh i wanna see dawn's family cuz he really looks out of place with the silver owls (actual magicless kingdom while hes too magically powerful) this theory that he was possibly forced to be conditioned within the silver owls parallels with silver's lore too, but dawn in this case just had a bad parent 😭✨
i still think that sebek's line where he says that if lilia didnt love silver, then he shouldnt have taught anything to him and just raised him to follow orders(smth like that) i still think that foretells smth to knight of dawn 😭🙏✨
i almost forgot to post it here, but if u want to, you can leave a message in my christmas tree right here, or just repeat some voicelines of meleanor and malleus i'll jump from joy lol
Decorate Your Tree with Love: The Original Christmas Message Service Add a heartfelt ornament to your friend's tree, and we'll deliver your
you can also reply your own tree as well !! i'll try to leave a message 🙏✨
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