Apr 4
Every time I kill a character, a part of me dies too.
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Every time I kill a character, a part of me dies too.
The Weight of a Pawn
TW: angst, character death
Ji-seong face claim: g-dragon
Word count: 2k
Dedicated to/plot credits: @celestialswanlake
The moment Thanos saw Ji-seong again, his breath caught in his throat.
It had been over a decade since high school, since the nights spent sneaking onto rooftops and talking about the future—about escaping the suffocating streets of Seoul, about never ending up like the desperate men around them.
And yet, here they were.
Thanos stood frozen in the holding area of the latest game, staring at Ji-seong as if he were a ghost. His old friend looked different—leaner, sharper, the scars on his knuckles speaking of fights neither of them had ever imagined back then. But when Ji-seong turned and their eyes met, a flicker of recognition broke through the coldness of the game.
“Thanos?” Ji-seong’s voice was raw with disbelief.
A thousand emotions crashed over Thanos, but only one escaped his lips.
“Ji-seong.”
Before either of them could speak, a metallic voice echoed through the room.
“Players, proceed to the arena.”
A guard shoved Thanos forward. He barely felt it, still reeling from the shock of seeing Ji-seong after all these years. They moved through a corridor, then emerged into a massive hall, the floor an enormous chessboard of polished black and white tiles. The sight alone was unsettling, but the bloodstains on some of the squares made it worse.
Above them, in the observation balcony, sat Club Pentagon’s elite, their laughter and murmurs blending into a cruel symphony. And at the center of it all, leaning back in his seat with a smirk of pure disdain, was Nam-gyu.
Thanos knew that look all too well. Nam-gyu had always despised Ji-seong, even before the debt. Now, with Ji-seong caught in the club’s clutches, there was no telling how far Nam-gyu’s cruelty would go.
“The next game,” the announcer declared, “is human chess.”
A hush fell over the contestants. They had all seen previous games, had all witnessed the way losses were handled—with bullets, with blades, with execution-style efficiency.
“This will be a team game,” the announcer continued. “Two sides, black and white. The king of each side must survive at all costs. You are merely the pieces in play. Follow the commands given. Sacrifices are final.”
Thanos clenched his fists. No way out. Not yet.
A guard shoved a chess piece into his hand. A knight. He exhaled sharply. That meant movement, a chance to stay ahead of danger. He turned to Ji-seong, whose grip tightened around his own piece.
A pawn.
Thanos swore under his breath. The pawns were always the first to die.
--------------------
The board was set, and the first move was called. The game started slowly, tension coiling with each movement. Players hesitated before stepping onto the indicated squares, fully aware that any mistake could mean their death.
Thanos moved cautiously, obeying the orders of his team’s strategist. Across the board, Ji-seong did the same, but Thanos could see the weariness in his movements. The weight of debt, of survival, of knowing that Club Pentagon controlled his fate—it was crushing him.
Then, the first capture was made.
A pawn stepped into a controlled square. A guard stepped forward, raised his gun, and pulled the trigger. The player collapsed, blood pooling beneath their lifeless body. A few gasps broke through the crowd, but most remained silent. Shocked. Horrified.
Ji-seong flinched, but his expression hardened. He had seen death before.
So had Thanos.
The game continued, each move sending another player closer to their end. The knights leaped across the board, the bishops slid into dangerous positions, and the rooks cut off escape routes.
Then the opposing knight made its move—toward Thanos.
He tensed. There was no way out. If he stayed, he was next.
“Pawn to D4.”
The order came sharp and final.
Thanos’s stomach dropped.
That was Ji-seong’s square.
His friend hesitated for only a second. Then he stepped forward, blocking the knight’s path.
Thanos shook his head. “No—”
Ji-seong turned to him, something unreadable in his expression. “It’s okay.”
Thanos’s breath hitched. “Ji-seong, don’t—”
But it was already done.
The knight struck.
Ji-seong staggered, a blade sliding between his ribs. A sharp gasp escaped his lips, but he stayed standing for a moment, his body refusing to collapse. Blood spilled onto the pristine white tile beneath him.
Thanos moved without thinking, catching Ji-seong as he fell. His friend’s weight was heavy against him, his breaths shallow.
“Why?” Thanos choked out.
Ji-seong exhaled a faint laugh, even as pain twisted his features. “Because you… you always had a future, Thanos.” His voice wavered, but his hand gripped Thanos’s wrist, firm despite his failing strength. “Live for me, okay?”
Thanos felt something inside him break.
Ji-seong’s hand slipped away. His body went still.
And just like that, his best friend—the boy he had shared dreams with, the brother he had lost and found again—was gone.
A silence fell over the board.
Then, the announcer’s voice rang out.
“The match is over.”
--------------------
Nam-gyu stood, peering down at the bloodied chessboard with mild disinterest. He glanced at Ji-seong’s lifeless form, then at Thanos, who was still holding his friend as if refusing to let go.
“Such a waste,” Nam-gyu murmured before turning away.
Thanos barely heard him. His world had narrowed to the body in his arms, to the weight of loss pressing against his chest.
The guards moved in, pulling Ji-seong away. Thanos wanted to fight, wanted to scream, but his limbs felt like lead.
He had survived.
But at what cost?
As he was led away, a single thought burned in his mind.
This wasn’t over.
Ji-seong had sacrificed himself for Thanos’s future.
And Thanos would make damn sure that future meant something.
Analysis
Magic Necklace’s Powers: The Necklace allows its wearer to control Grimm, causing their eyes to glow blue instead of red, indicating submission to the user’s will. It works over long distances and enables strategic coordination of Grimm, as seen with Lemon and Asher controlling various Grimm (Sabyrs, Beringels, Lancers, Manticores) to attack or defend. The artifact is a magical item from an ancient civilization, not tied to a Semblance, suggesting it operates on magical rather than Aura-based principles.
Salem’s Nature: Salem is a unique entity in RWBY, cursed with immortality by the gods and infused with Grimm essence, making her predominantly Grimm-like, especially as her injuries reveal her corrupted form. She has direct control over Grimm, as seen in her ability to command and create them, and her immortality ensures she cannot be permanently killed or destroyed. Her magical abilities are vast, predating modern Semblances and drawing from the same divine magic that created the Grimm.
Application to Salem:
Grimm Control: The Necklace’s ability to control Grimm could theoretically affect Salem, given her significant Grimm essence. If her Grimm nature is dominant (as suggested by her injuries showing Grimm-like traits), the Necklace might attempt to override her autonomy, forcing her to follow the wearer’s commands. The blue glow in Grimm eyes indicates a shift in control, which could apply to Salem if her Grimm physiology is susceptible.
Salem’s Resistance: However, Salem’s unique status complicates this. As the de facto “queen” of the Grimm, she exerts innate control over them, likely through a magical connection tied to her creation by the God of Darkness. The Necklace, while powerful, is an artifact from a bygone era, and its magic may not supersede Salem’s divine-level authority. Her willpower and magical prowess could resist or nullify the Necklace’s influence, especially since she’s not a typical Grimm but a hybrid with human intellect and divine curses.
Practical Challenges: Using the Necklace requires the wearer to be in possession of it and actively use its power. Salem’s combat abilities, magical strength, and command of Grimm hordes make approaching her with the Necklace risky. Historical users (e.g., Lemon, Abigail) faced betrayal or death, indicating the Necklace doesn’t guarantee victory against strong opponents. Asher’s success was situational, aided by external reinforcements, not solely the Necklace.
Immortality Factor: Even if the Necklace temporarily controlled Salem, her immortality prevents permanent defeat. Controlling her actions might delay her plans, but she cannot be killed or permanently subdued. If the Necklace’s control wanes (e.g., if removed or countered), Salem would regain autonomy. Additionally, her ability to manipulate Grimm suggests she might wrest control back or destroy the Necklace, as its limits against a being of her caliber are untested.
Conclusion
The Magic Necklace could theoretically affect Salem by attempting to control her Grimm essence, potentially forcing her to obey the wearer’s commands temporarily. However, her divine immortality, magical power, and intrinsic control over Grimm make it unlikely to stop her permanently. At best, it might disrupt her actions briefly, but her ability to resist, counter, or outlast the Necklace’s influence—combined with the practical difficulty of using it against her—means it’s not a definitive solution. It could be a tactical tool to hinder her in a specific scenario, but stopping Salem entirely would require more than the Necklace alone.
(Poor Aritist Representation)
Hi, I lost a fic and can't seem to find it, so I was wondering if you could help me out.
It's set in the Underground. Eren's living in a house and growing a bunch of plants. Levi's trying to lose the people chasing after him when he either gets injured in the process, or is already injured prior to the chase, and crashes down onto one of Eren's flower patches. And Eren doesn't give him his name until later on in the fic after he helped him. (First, an alias, and then I think his real name some time after.)
Repeating History by RosyLilac
Levi had always been a sucker for those gem-like eyes. Those eyes beseeched him to do their bidding; from smuggling literal horseshit for fertilizing his precious garden, to adopting three kids and a teenager without Levi putting the ring on him let alone growing the balls to confess yet ("It's been 18 years, Levi," Farlan reminded him, the long-suffering witness). And the effect didn’t lessen when those eyes were as big as double his head and the owner now a fifteen meter of bone-white, bare-assed, hammer-swinging juggernaut currently begging to be allowed to cross the sodding ocean to meet up with his psycho older nephew and conduct a peace summit with delegations from all over the world.
a.k.a How Eren Jaeger channeled Ymir Fritz, got thrown backward in time, stuffed himself into his aunt’s dead body while stealing a titan, and proceed to save (almost) everybody’s life. And somehow, no matter how many things Eren redid right, Levi still ended up suffering from dealing with his antics. [MAJOR SPOILERS FROM THE ANIME AND MANGA UP TO THE LATEST CHAPTER]
Warnings: violence, minor character death, amputation.
R.
I finally got your attention (2)
First of all thank you so much for the support everyone gave me. I didn't have the time to check daily but I'm suprised that the recent post blew up :).
Requested by @tenshi-san for a part 2
Zhongli x reader, Kaeya x reader
Warning: murder, angst no comfort, death, sensitive words , killed
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
moodboard by @libradoodle1
||Under the Surface - c!Tubbo||
Song: Surface Pressure - Encanto
Fandom: DSMP
(Fanart by smackbear)
*Bang! Bang!* echoed through the heated room as the forge burned through its fuel. In the middle was the sturdy figure, covered in heat protection gear as he handled the hot iron swords.
A sigh left his body as he finally gives into his emotions, remembering everything.
"I'm the strong one, I'm not nervous." Grinding out the sides of the sword to reduce the chips and make the sharp edge, now only in a sweater and heat protection gloves he works the fine blade.
"I'm as tough as the crust of the Earth is." He removes the gloves after finally being done with the swords for the day. Easily lifting the heavy swords into their stands, the scarred figure turns to leave the large forge.
"I move mountains, I move churches." He grabs his winter coat to protect him from the coldness of Snowchester. "And I glow, 'cause I know what my worth is." The yellow radioactive symbol standing out as it took most of the coats back.
He opens the forges door to be met by the cold breeze. "I don't ask how hard the work is." He turns a corner, standing on top of the wall. "Got a rough indestructible surface."
"Diamonds and platinum, I find 'em, I flatten 'em." His feet lay tracks in the snow of where he once was, he turns to look out at the sea, knowing one or two of his mates are out there messing around. "I take what I'm handed, I break what's demanded, but-" A firework full of colours went off out at sea.
"Under the surface." He was still in his suit, standing behind Quackity and Jschlatt. "I feel berserk as a tightrope walker in a three-ring circus." Quackity leans in close to make the boy unsteady as Schlatt drops a large pile of paper work in his hands.
"Under the surface." Nervously the smaller ram crinkled the paper as Schlatt played with him like a cat toying with a mouse, "Was Hercules ever like, "Yo, I don't wanna fight Cerberus?""
"Under the surface." Tubbo hurrys down the hall with the papers that was given to him from Schlatt with 'TOP SECRET' on it, passing it to the man in front of him. "I'm pretty sure I'm worthless if I can't be of service." Wilbur took the papers with a smile.
"A flaw or a crack" He smiles back at Wilbur before panicking hearing the bigger rams voice, as if he's haunting the young ram.
"The straw in the stack" Feeling as though the President has a grasp around him dragging him down, he struggles.
"That breaks the camel's back." Jschlatt ushering Technoblade with the crossbow. Wilbur having his hands around Tommy's mouth so he doesn't scream out. Hands and body pressed against the box he was now in as the bow was steadied and aimed at him.
"What breaks the camel's back, it's-"
[Tubbo_ went off with a bang due to a firework from [Subscribe to Technoblade] from Technoblade]
Blue, red and white filled the air.
"Pressure, like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa" The blood pouring from his face as the wounds stayed when he came back.
"Pressure that'll tip, tip, tip 'til you just go pop, whoa, oh, oh" Tears began to flow from his eyes, as he bandages himself.
"Give it to your sister, your sister's older." He shuffles to Tommy, the blonde beaming with joy as people cheered. Tubbo taking the pressure off Tommy he accepts the role.
"Give her all the heavy things we can't shoulder." Becoming the President just like he was.
"Who am I if I can't run with the ball?" He shakes his head before standing at the podium about to give his speech.
"If I fall to" He whispers as he begins to change from his normal clothes back into a suit.
"Pressure like a grip, grip, grip, and it won't let go, whoa." He turns to see Dream with Tommy, giving an ultimatum.
Feeling as though Dream has him tied like as puppet. "Pressure like a tick, tick, tick 'til it's ready to blow, whoa, oh, oh." Tubbo cracks.
"Give it to your sister, your sister's stronger." He runs to Tommy, "see if she can hang on a little longer."
"Who am I if I can't carry it all?" He questions his choices and option as he turns to Dream.
"If I falter" Dream turns away with a hard hand on Tommy's shoulder.
"Under the surface." He paces around Fundy and Quackity, "I hide my nerves, and it worsens, I worry something is gonna hurt us." Paranoid Technoblade would come back.
"Under the surface." He runs and runs trying to escape Dreams grasp but he never can. "The ship doesn't swerve as it heard how big the iceberg is." As Techno and Dream began to team up.
"Under the surface." He stumbles over only to see the obsidian grid above him, "I think about my purpose, can I somehow preserve this?"
"Line up the dominoes" The tnt becoming placed.
"A light wind blows" The sound of flint and steel igniting can be heard.
"You try to stop it tumbling" He clutches his head.
The constantly igniting and falling of tnt, "but on and on it goes." Technoblade summoning the withers.
"But wait," Hes back at Snowchester. "If I could shake the crushing weight of expectations." Ranboos standing there with Micheal in his hands, waving at him.
Micheal being let down. He runs straight for Tubbo, tackling the rams legs so he staggered and fell. "Would that free some room up for joy."
Ranboo follows suit and falls next to him in the snow. "Or relaxation, or simple pleasure?" Giggles and soft smiles coming from all three.
"Instead, we measure this growing pressure." Tubbo turns to get up, hands clenching.
"Keeps growing, keep going," His short steps became longer and quicker
"'Cause all we know is." Las Nevadas. He begins to make walls, creating Walltown.
"Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa" The cookie outpost becoming heavily fortified.
"Pressure that'll tip, tip, tip 'til you just go pop, whoa-oh-oh." Quackity and him discussing the outpost and agreeing to give it too him instead.
"Give it to your sister, it doesn't hurt, and" He turns to Ranboo expressing how he can help with anything.
"See if she can handle every family burden" He flexes jokingly as he turns to the door with a large nuclear symbol on it.
He enters and quickly approaches the button. "Watch as she buckles and bends but never breaks." His hand just above the button, ready to push it. His open palm closes into a fist. "No mistakes, just." He turns to leave.
Standing outside the prison. "Pressure like a grip, grip, grip, and it won't let go, whoa." Sams sword going straight through the hybrids chest as red and green began to drip onto the grass below. A scream came from the young ram.
"Pressure like a tick, tick, tick 'til it's ready to blow, whoa, oh, oh." Tears feel heavily from the ram as the fight continued around him.
"Give it to your sister and never wonder." He yells at Ghostboo, "If the same pressure would've pulled you under." Realising the tears flowing more from the ghost he pulls away, tugging at his own hair.
"Who am I if I don't have what it takes?" He screams
"No cracks, no breaks" Technoblade giving him the picture of Micheal Ranboo was holding before death.
"No mistakes, no pressure." He readies himself to reek havoc on those who's wronged his family.
[ SACRIFICE ]
Settling Dust Prompts
[ SACRIFICE ]: knowing that the circumstances only allow one of them to survive, the sender sacrifices their life in order to guarantee the receiver’s survival and safety.
----------
It was apparent to both Mario and DK that Bowser decorated with too much lava. The two of them were like kids playing floor is lava - but for real this time, hopping between blocks and powerups to proceed. Despite the danger, there was a relatively jovial mood between them as one could not pass up the opportunity to 1UP one another with each display of parkour growing ever fancier.
He had been laughing moments earlier before they reached what looked like a fun maze of sorts built of blocks that didn't even require you to jump between them. Seemed like the dungeon decorator ran out of ideas or something.
"Bet I pick the right path first ~ "Mario boasted, getting into a starting position.
"Uh-huh ~ BET YOU DON'T!" And with that DK stole the right path right away, galloping along it quickly with a grin as Mario complained behind him and took the other route.
Interestingly enough...the blocks began to explode one by one some time after they'd been touched. DK didn't notice it quite at first because he'd been racing along full speed ahead, but when he slowed down to check over his shoulder and see how the competition was going, he noticed all the blocks behind him were gone. Well...no going back now!
The routes criss-crossed each other a number of times - some with Mario overhead, and some with him below. Each time they passed one another, each had something snarky to impart about the other's progress so far.
DK could see the edge of the lava pit ahead of him, but the sudden drop-off from his route was abrupt. He had to grab the side of the block and hoist himself back up when he almost ran full force into the air. A quick glance around the now single block showed he was just above a small stretch of block road that connected to exit platform. One hop down and he'd be good! Just then Mario zoomed around the corner of the path, and laughed as he noticed DK wiggling in place to get ready and hop down to his level. Guess he'd gotten the right path all along...
As DK joined him on the lower level, the block they were both on decided it didn't want to wait to crumble and instead - under the weight of two, disintegrated instantly. "Ack!" DK was quick to grab the side of the unbroken road and pull himself up and was relieved to see that Mario had done the same to the other side. Seemed the blocks had a timer for singles only. "Hey!" He gestured for Mario to jump over to him. "Hurry up, you already touched that one and-"
Why was Mario just...standing there? His gaze was pinned to the little bit of road left that would lead them onto stable land, but...if the first block they touched together instantly sent them down, then the one DK wanted Mario to jump to would as well, and without the luxury of the yet to split block behind them...only one of them would have the chance of pulling themselves up to the other block. Only one of them could, actually. If they held on together, they'd both drop into the pit.
"Mario!?" DK yelled louder this time, kneading his knuckles against the block anxiously as the one beneath Mario splintered and cracked. "C'mon, you can make that jump!"
"No..." Mario sighed, giving DK a smile. They'd had a fun run-through, but. "I picked the wrong side of the block to climb. It's game-over for me."
"We can make it work-cmon! I'll...I'll get you up on the side here and you can run it instead. It was your path! Mine was the dead-end!" He doesn't want to move, but his instincts tell him to back up as he feels the block under him rumbling.
"You're gonna do fine. Go and get'im- for me."
The block breaks. Player 2 becomes Player 1.