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Organization for Transformative Works
In the Light of the False Dawn
Chapter 1: Of the Quiet Tempest
The Nameless Bard hasn’t been to the Kingdom of Mondstadt since he was a babe, but the temptation of their famous dandelion wine is enough to finally win him over. After putting on an impromptu performance at the tavern Angel’s Share and getting drunk at the Cavalry Captain’s insistence, the Bard leaves in search of an inn to stay the night.
Instead of finding himself at an inn, all snug and cozy, the Nameless Bard is found himself by a curious little creature, which leads him towards the looming castle within the capital town. The Nameless Bard proceeds down a metaphorical and somewhat literal rabbit hole, where a name, and the life that comes with said name, is forcibly thrust upon him: Prince Venti.
While he grapples with the political climate of a foreign land—and tries to learn some damn manners—he must also face his growing feelings for the final gift the real Venti left for him: ex-Knight Diluc Ragnvindr.
hiya! here's an alternate universe royalty au for diluc/venti first chapter! i've had this idea rolling around lately but wanted to finally write it. it draws a lot from canon lore but is a different universe and has its own set of worldbuilding lore! not sure when i'll get around to updating it, but i hope as often as possible because i personally really love the idea.
i may also post some trivia tidbits about the world that doesn't necessarily affect the story at all and would just be for flavor here, but may not also!
More than a year ago, back when things were really bad and hopeless, I had a thought that brought tears to my eyes: the idea of introducing him to my grandma during my graduation ceremony.
Because that very scene alone encapsulated every single thing that I felt so hopeless about. If that were ever to happen exactly the way I imagined, that would mean that I would have graduated med school and become a doctor, my grandma would be healthy enough to see me graduate, I would actually have a relationship with him and that the pandemic would have abated enough for me to have a legit graduation ceremony.
Out of the 4 things that I hoped desperately for, 3 things came true. Everything I could have controlled in any way have come true. I'm now a doctor, I love my mans so so much and my grandma is honestly doing so much better than I am at 86.
It's just this dang pandemic is getting worse again such that I'm not gonna have a graduation ceremony. But that's fine. I'm so so happy and at peace. All the factors are in play, it's just a matter of setting and timing I suppose.
Hiccup...
...is dead 👻 (30/35)
...is born with wings 🪽 (9/?)
...has dragon eyes 🐉 (40/40)
...is cursed to become a dragon each sunrise ☀️ (Book 1 – 15/15)
...is still cursed 💫 (Book 2 – 25/25)
...is a merman 🧜🏻♂️ (35/35)
...is a merman V2 🫧 (6/6)
Full summaries below the cut!
Soul Bound 👻
Years after the demise of Berk’s rightful heir, Astrid Hofferson undergoes a ceremonial ritual to inherit the role. In doing so, she assumes a birthright that is not her own in the eyes of the gods.
On top of this new responsibility, she’s unable to shake the uncanny feeling of being watched: a fear proven justified when she finds the mysterious Dragon Master lurking in the woods outside Berk.
It soon becomes clear that things may not be what they appear, and the stranger her village fears may prove to be a ghost from her past in more than one way.
Read on Ao3 here.
Dragon Eyes 🐉
AU. Cloudjumper takes Hiccup & Valka during that fateful raid.
When Hiccup's life is in danger, the dragons gift him with strength, but it comes at a price – he takes on an attribute of his healers: dragon eyes.
After his mother's passing, Hiccup dreams of venturing into a Viking village, though he knows the danger it poses for him. Meanwhile, Stoick the Vast mourns his lost family and continues to wage war on the dragons.
Read on Ao3 here.
By the Light of Dawn ☀️ (Dawnverse: Book 1)
Dragon by day, human by night.
Hiccup’s failed attempt to shoot down the Night Fury costs him more than he could have ever imagined. In the wake of his new curse, Hiccup flees.
Five years later, the village of Berk manages to capture a Night Fury, locking it in their arena for dragon training. But is this deadly dragon more than he appears?
Read on Ao3 here.
By The Shadow of Dusk 💫 (Dawnverse: Book 2)
Dragon by day, human by night.
Six months after defeating the Red Death, Hiccup’s life has settled into a tentative new rhythm in Berk. With the secret of his curse out in the open at last, he must learn to navigate his new normal.
With mysteries hidden beyond Berk’s borders and new threats on the horizon, Hiccup’s story is far from over.
Read on Ao3 here.
The Shallows 🧜🏻♂️
Astrid Hofferson makes an unusual discovery in the shallows surrounding Berk: a charming young merman with a mysterious past.
Mer!Hiccup AU
Read on Ao3 here.
The Winged Heir 🪽
The heir of Berk is born with wings.
Or, the Winged!Hiccup AU that's been haunting my thoughts.
Read on Ao3 here.
Sea Change 🫧
A day of exploring takes an unexpected turn when Hiccup discovers a hidden cavern, holding relics from a bygone civilization. Unearthing an ancient talisman, Hiccup learns that he really ought to be more careful when handling objects he doesn't understand...
Or, my (early) contribution to MerMay 2026
Read on A03 here.
For the ask: tell me more about dawnverse plesae ❤❤
Director's Cut Ask Game
Anything specific you want to know? I’m just gonna throw some random things out under the cut, but happy to elaborate on anything else that might interest you more!
Origin
I’ve said it before, but the idea was originally a result of watching My Lady Jane a few too many times in a row and falling in love with the idea of Guildford’s curse.
Core Ideas
I really loved the tragedy of the curse, and one of the most important things for me when I was first outlining By The Light of Dawn, was that there should be no cure. I did not want it to be reversible. Instead, I wanted him to learn to adapt to the situation and all the struggles it entails. I wanted his family and his friends to face that same challenge, without any way to magically fix it. I really like the challenge of that permanence, both physically in the sense of dealing with the transformation and mentally in the toll of having to accept that reality.
With where I started By The Light of Dawn, Hiccup had accepted that there was no cure/he was stuck with the curse – but he hadn’t fully accepted both halves of his life as his real *self*. He didn't see himself as whole. Hiccup had to work through that, just as he had to work through his self-conscious feelings about how the village would perceive him. I wanted that to be a slower process, because after five years of isolation and self-hatred his fears were deeply rooted and not something a 'welcome back' would remedy.
Fun Fact
I actually outlined and wrote the full first draft of By The Light of Dawn in a little over a week. Every tiny gap of free time I had, I just found myself obsessively writing more and more of it. That first pass was messy and needed a lot of editing, but the basic story/structure stayed into the final. It was unique in the sense that I've never been that *focused* on writing something before.
The sequel was a very different story. It was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever written, and it felt like pulling teeth at times...but did end up being one of the stories I’m most proud of.
Outtakes / Bonus Thoughts
On the sillier side: I briefly toyed with the idea of Hiccup sleepwalking in that AU. I thought it would be funny, but I also didn't think it fit the ~vibes~ / overall mood so I cut it, but I like to think he occasionally wanders in the early morning hours and the villagers come upon a sleeping Night Fury. (Perhaps those dreams lead him along the road that goes to the Hofferson house, because his subconscious is drawn to her)
Other random thoughts:
Stoick has reoccurring nightmares about Hiccup being back in the ring (and about him being hurt badly, back before anyone knew the truth). He's never mentioned the dreams to Hiccup, but they continue to haunt him for years
Astrid *does* get to witness a tipsy Night Fury eventually – on Snoggletog when the celebration lasts til sunrise, and Hiccup doesn't realize his glass has been refilled a few times.
Future
If I do end up writing the oneshots, I'm most interested in exploring Hiccup's days with Midnight Sun/Forever Night. I think being stuck in either half of his being for an extended time could be fun to play with! That's the mostly likely next piece, when I get back to that world!
welp here I am. At the end of my holidays about to start my final year of med school. I started it feeling like I was on top of the world but also so so restless and also unhappy with the person I was turning into. Then things got really uncertain and the days got seriously bad and honestly, I’ve never felt the constant need to hold back tears for so long. It was the kind of situation where it was bad but you knew it was gonna get worse and it was gonna drag on. I knew that I was going to pull through and come out the otherside literally bulletproof. But wooboi during that time, I felt so much despair and that I didn’t have enough hope to go around.
I’m way better now and I honestly like where I am in life and the way I act. Plus I’m so so much closer to my family now. For sure, these last couple months took me down a couple pegs, but that’s what I needed. I dunno, I feel like I’m in a good headspace to go through my final year. This was not the holiday that I planned or wanted by any means. My worst nightmares happend, there was so much sickness and death.
But I’m at peace with all the things that happened. Now, I’m ready to bust ass for my medical degree and what will happen will happen
