The only way for the moon to save the sun is to freely give of itself, to allow the sun to devour it whole.
-
Such a strange mantra had been whispered into Bucky’s ears ever since he could remember. The murmurings always danced on the edge of his senses, taunting him with their song. He could never figure out the meaning of the words until the day his best friend got dangerously ill.
Written for A Stygian Rose, by The Dark Press @thedarkworldanthology!
Stygian
(ˈstɪdʒiən; ˈstɪdʒən)
adjective
1. of or characteristic of the river Styx and the infernal regions
2. infernal or hellish
3. dark or gloomy
4. inviolable; completely binding, as an oath sworn by the river Styx
Welcome to A Stygian Rose, a Dark World Anthology, where fiction of dark and gothic natures come out to play.
Fiction in this anthology are romances worthy enough to be read by Charon as he ferries souls across the River Styx.
Guidelines
This is a NC-17 multifandom event, due to the dark and problematic themes works in this anthology will feature.
Prose only. THE USE OF GENERATIVE AI IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
This event is only for students that are enrolled at Dark University. Meaning, if you are a Dark Academic, Philosopher, or Scholar, you are eligible to participate.
No time limit.
"Choose not to warn" pieces are not only accepted but encouraged for this event. Surprise the world with the deviant machinations of your mind.
Minimum: 1000 words
↳ If you combine a piece for this anthology with the Dark Academia Bingo and/or the Dark Academia Scenarios Flash Event, you must add up the minimum word counts to be eligible for this event.*
⟶⟶ Anthology + Bingo = 1750
⟶⟶ Anthology + Flash = 2000
*The only exception to this rule is using all three events together.
⟶⟶ Anthology + Bingo + Flash = 2225
↳ You may combine works for this event with outside bangs, bingos, and fests as long as our minimums are met.
Ao3 and SquidgeWorld
Once you've reached the minimum word count, you may add your piece to the event collections!
Content
Works for this anthology must be never before seen content, written in the Dark Romance vein.
Works for this anthology do not have to use prompts from the bingo or scenarios flash event. As long as Dark Romance is a key element in the work, it can be any subgenre of fiction.
However, we do suggest the following to help you come up with backdrop for your piece...
Contemporary Fantasy
Cosmic Horror
Creature Feature/Monster Fiction
Dark Academia
Dark Fantasy
Dark Romantasy
Eldritch Horror
Gothic Academia
Gothic Fantasy
Gothic Horror
Gothicpunk
Grimdark Fantasy
Paranormal Fantasy
Paranormal Horror
Paranormal Romance
Southern Gothic
Urban Gothic
Posting
If you'd like us to promote your works here on tumblr, please make a post specifically for this event with links to your submissions. This means, DO NOT include the other bangs, bingos, and fests in the post you wish for us to reblog.
You may tag us using @thedarkworldanthology and #A Stygian Rose!
We'd also like you to add your status at Dark University on your tumblr post. Simply tell us what your aesthetically pleasing name is AND if you're a Dark Academic, Philosopher, or Scholar!
Please use this submission form so that we can get all the necessary information for your works to get added to the event collections and reblogged.
Graphics
You may use these stickers for your aesthetic moodboards and fic covers if you'd like!
We look forward to supporting works from our amazing students at Dark University!
🅴 | 🔞 | dark fiction | bingos and fests | masterpost | mini playlist
tags: alternate universe - post tws, blood and gore, chaos, creature feature, dark fiction, eldritch horror, gothic fantasy, lovecraftian, manipulation, non con body bod, paranormal romance, transformation, violence, sexual content
They should have never gone on that fuckin’ mission, Bucky thinks as he tightly grips Steve’s hand. It’s ice cold but somehow it feels even colder than that. It’s as if Steve’s blood has been replaced with liquid nitrogen that seeps through his skin, causing wisps of smoke to evaporate off of him like dry ice.
-
Bucky's hands are frozen by the time he gets Steve out of the water. Tears blur his vision as he presses his lips to Steve's. They're too cold but he has to keep trying.
Bucky keeps it to himself when Steve starts coughing up black blood.
He tells no one that Steve's skin never gets warm again after.
written for a stygian rose by @thedarkworldanthology
first year | dark philosopher
read ch 1: ‘cuz once you said “don't worry” was when i started to worry
Vesper Lucien, a first year and Dark Philosopher, of Dark University has released another Dark Romance for the anthology!
Blood and Flowers is their newest piece in a Boarding School series called Love Blooms in the Dark. This body of work is a creature feature with paranormal elements.
Ship: James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers [Stucky]
Summary: Bucky is determined to make a good impression.
Warning: Age Gap, Dark Romance, Underage Character(s)
Dark Philosopher, Aspen Blackwood, has done it again!
For Reasons Wretched and Divine is the first chapter from Aspen's, A World so Vicious, so Cruel. The story is set after Avengers: Endgame and has a special twist in the form of non traditional omegaverse. It features gothic and mythological elements with shrunkyclunks!
Ship: James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers [Stucky]
Summary: A wry glint had peaked through the thousand yard stare that marred Steve’s features that day. He didn’t want to impose then but maybe he should have taken Sam up on his offer.
Vesper Lucien, a resident of Dark University has enchanted us at the Dark Press with a new hit!
Mysteries of the Moonlit Marsh is their newest piece set in a Pre-War alternate universe of Captain America: The First Avenger. This story is features the fae, non-traditional omegaverse, paranormal elements and more!
Ship: James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers [Stucky]
Summary: A stolen token. A price paid. Steven yearns, James burns, and he is always watching.
The only way for the moon to save the sun is to freely give of itself, to allow the sun to devour it whole.
-
Such a strange mantra had been whispered into Bucky’s ears ever since he could remember. The murmurings always danced on the edge of his senses, taunting him with their song. He could never figure out the meaning of the words until the day his best friend got dangerously ill.
Warning: Dark Fiction, Dubious Consent, Nonconsensual Touching
A/N: A paranormal romance set in a dark omegaverse!
Tags: Alternate Universe - Fusion, Achillean Romance, Age Difference, Dark Romance, Gothic Fiction, Modern Era, Non-Traditional Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics
Teaser
Playlist
Written for A Stygian Rose, by The Dark Press @thedarkworldanthology!
Summary
Bucky Barnes, an unmated omega at 29 and fresh out of grad school, is considered a spinster and way past his prime. When he receives a mysterious package, his luck seems to begin to change.
“My soul bleeds… and the blood steadily, silently, disturbingly slowly, swallows me whole.”
Devoured (Unholy is the Hunger) by @blackwood4stucky
Dark Philosopher, Aspen Blackwood, has once again graced the curators at the Dark Press with another Dark, Paranormal, Romance!
‘Cuz Once You Said “Don’t Worry” was When I Started to Worry is the first chapter from Aspen’s piece entitled, Devoured (Unholy is the Hunger). The story is set in a post Captain America: the Winter Soldier world. It features creatures, eldritch horror, and gothic fantastical leanings.
Ship: James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers [Stucky]
Summary: They should have never gone on that fuckin’ mission, Bucky thinks as he tightly grips Steve’s hand. It’s ice cold but somehow it feels even colder than that. It’s as if Steve’s blood has been replaced with liquid nitrogen that seeps through his skin, causing wisps of smoke to evaporate off of him like dry ice.
-
Bucky’s hands are frozen by the time he gets Steve out of the water. Tears blur his vision as he presses his lips to Steve’s. They’re too cold but he has to keep trying.
Bucky keeps it to himself when Steve starts coughing up black blood.
He tells no one that Steve’s skin never gets warm again after.
Warning: Dark Fiction, Nonconsensual Body Modification
