These stories are set in an alternate reality of the game known as "Drifting Through Deepspace", in which each male lead has their own MC existing in the same universe at the same time (which is their Reader) each with their own personalities, jobs and backstories.
Rafayel Masterlist
Sylus Masterlist
Zayne Masterlist
Xavier Masterlist
Caleb Masterlist
⟡ ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ⟡
When Galaxies Collide
(Isekai!Reader x Self-Aware!LADS) [Poly]
After waking up in the world of "Love and Deepspace", you are excited to make the most of it and meet your favorite characters. Only… they seem to be a lot more aware of who you really are then you first thought.
CW: drabble, dads!lads, fluff, pure fluff, pregnancy, reassurance, tokophobia (the fear of pregnancy) [Caleb's Section], adoption [Sylus + Caleb's Section], blind!reader [Rafayel's Section], premature birth [Zayne's Section]
A/N: The stories are in order of which children were born first/first met their parent's in the current timeline
Oldest [Zephyr -> Callisto -> Eleanor + Isaac -> Luca -> Felicity] Youngest
The Children
Masterlist
Sylus
Despite sharing many lifetimes, you and Sylus had never had biological children. Which was perfectly fine, it just wasn't in the cards for you both at the time.
In your first life together, you both found a pair of twin dragonlings who you were more then happy to raise together. The little boys, Luke and Kieran you had named, were mischievous little things who loved to cause trouble for their father but couldn't help but soften at their mothers gentle touch and soothing words.
Both of their parents doting on them and loving them in every lifetime, a wonderful life to the very end.
In your next life, you were unable to bear children due to the curse of immortality upon you and Sylus didn't remember you when you summoned him, until it was to late. Despite adopting a little white crow who Sylus named Mephisto, you all knew that life was not meant to be a long one, and died happily together to move onto the next.
Which led to your current life.
Sylus had found your twins early on before he found you, his little dragonlings from a past life used as experiments of an organization that had caused nothing but pain.
He destroyed that building and took your twins with him, never once looking back at the screams of the scientists left behind.
Sylus had also built your Mephisto soon after that, his coloring different but his eyes still that same ruby red, his personality just as curious and troublesome as it had once been.
It was all perfect, just missing one member.
It took a while, but you eventually found your way back to them. Your strong personality and loving nature mixing perfectly with the family Sylus had built just for you, falling perfectly into the roll of mother to two mischievous teenage boys and a troublesome crow.
Then, the day came that you told Sylus you were pregnant.
It was a shock, to say the least. You had never been pregnant in your previous lives and he wasn't expecting your family to have a new member, but that wasn't to say he was upset.
No, he was overjoyed! (he definitely cried tears of joy like a big baby, but don't tell anyone)
So were the Twins and Mephisto when you both told them, the boys excited to have a little sibling they could take on adventures and Mephisto excited to have a new little bird in the nest to bring shine treasures to.
Then the day came that you brought your son into the world.
Your little Zephyr, with his fathers pale skin and soft white hair, along with your beautiful features and eye color.
He was perfect.
His soft cries filling the walls of your shared bedroom (having chosen to do a home birth) as Zayne, your brother-in-law and trusted family doctor, placed your son against your bare chest. His little whimpers and trembling bottom lip bringing tears of joy to your eyes as you cried into his little wisps of white hair that were just like his fathers.
The sight stealing Sylus breath as he watched from the doorway, your hair messy, sweat sticking to your skin, yet you had never looked more beautiful to him as you held your son in your arms. Cradling him close and kissing along his head as the baby nuzzled into the feeling.
Sylus was a strong man, a dragon in human flesh, the Leader of Onychinus, the Relentless Conqueror, one of the most feared and renounced men in all of the N109 zone.
But when you looked at him, tears of joy in your eyes, and held out your hand in a clear invination for him to come closer, he couldn't help the way tears of his own gathered in his eyes as he fell to his knees before you.
The only woman, now along with his youngest son, who he would ever bow to in a heartbeat.
Remaining by your side as you showed him your little one, his smile warm and his eyes burning with a protective fire as he staring down into your sons eyes that were so much like yours. Reaching out to let the baby latch onto his finger with little clawed hands that were so similar to his at that age.
The baby cooing at the warmth of his fathers touch as he began nibbling on Sylus' finger, the sight forcing a sob from the fierce mans lips.
He was so small, so round, so chubby, so...
Perfect.
His perfect little treasure.
The newest jewel added to the family, to the hoard he would never again lose.
Rafayel
Music and poetry had always been apart of your lives together.
It's what drew him to you in the first place, your beautiful voice, the sorrow and joy you could invoke in others when performing, weather it be while using your voice or an instrument like the cello or flute.
You were truly a vision.
And despite everything, you saw him for what he truly was.
Despite not being able to see, you had always shown him just how beautiful he was to you, weather it be through a brush of your fingers through his hair, the way you trusted him to guide you when you danced together, or when you sang to him late into the night as the waves crashed against the sandy shores outside.
Everything you did showed him how much you loved him and how beautiful you thought him to be, both physically and mentally.
It's why it hit him so hard when you told him you were pregnant.
You knew it long before he did, could sense it in a way others couldn't, in the way your body changed, the way your energy naturally centered near your stomach as if helping to protect and grow something precious, in the way your lemurian bond mark would glow anytime you touched the sea and the water brushed against your belly as if in a gentle greeting.
You knew, and when you told him, the music and color in Rafayel's life seemed to mix together in beautiful shades he had never seen before.
He was overjoyed, ecstatic, picking you up and spinning you around before promptly putting you down and apologizing to you and your belly that had not even begun to show yet.
The whole thing making you laugh as he nuzzled against your belly, whispering sweet nothings to a child that would soon come, all while you ran your fingers through his hair and watched with unseeing eyes filled with so much love and hope for the future ahead.
He doted on you, anything you needed he would provide, never allowing you to lift a finger unless you requested to and taking every opportunity he could to sketch and paint you.
When you were practicing the cello by the open window, when you would nap on the sofa in his studio with your hand cradling the bump of your belly, or when you would lay naked upon his silken sheets, your hair flowing around you and your bump on display for him as his paintbrush moved across the canvas with a smoothness and grace it never had before.
All while the music around you both flowed with soft melody's made just for your child who grew day by day.
Until the day they finally arrived.
You had chose to give birth at home, in the safety of your bathtub while a storm raged outside. Your cries of pain and desperation mixing with the thunder outside as Rafayel held your hand, nuzzling against your cheek while a close family friend and doctor guided you through the process.
Encouraging you and reassuring you along the way before a flash of lightning struck across the stormy sky outside just as you gave one finally push, delivering your baby into the world just as the storm outside broke.
Your baby didn't come into the world screaming and crying like most would.
Instead, their whimpers were soft, quiet, sweet in their sincerity before petering off as soon as they were placed against your chest. Their tiny hands clinging to you and their cheek nuzzling against the warmth of your chest as your familiar heart beat soothed them instantly.
Your relived laughter echoing throughout the room as you nuzzled against the baby in returned, before a soft hum fell from your lips, the sound echoing off your baby and projecting the image of them into your mind.
Their little tail shimmering in the water of the bath, a soft mix of pearlescent pinks and purples, tiny scales and freckles dusting their body and their hair the same fluffy purple as their father in a lighter shade.
But it was their eyes that took your breath away as they fluttered open to look up at you, a soft shade of pale lilac with the same unseeing sheen that your own eyes held as they listened to the familiar melody you provided.
The sight bringing tears to your eyes as your vision faded once more, your tears dropping onto your child as you nuzzled against their soft baby hairs in joy, in sorrow, in an apology for passing on a blessing and a curse you could not control.
"Beautiful."
You whisper, the sound of your voice making the baby coo.
"My beautiful little Callisto."
You finish, your soft sobs of joy and love echoing throughout the room as the realization settled in that, while you may not love your own eyes at times, you loved your child's and would reassure them that they were the most beautiful pearl in the whole ocean.
All while Rafayel watched, his smile warm and tears rolling down his face as he leaned in, peppering kisses across your face and nuzzling against your babies head as he allowed you to realizes in that moment just how beautiful he always saw you in return.
Caleb
Unlike the rest of your friends, you and Caleb didn't have biological children in any of your lifetimes, but that didn't mean you didn't have children together at all.
You had both discussed it at length, while you loved kids and one day wanted to raise your own, you didn't want to have them biological due to a fear of pregnancy you've had for the majority of your life, and while Caleb loved kids and wanted to raise some with you someday, he would never wish for something that could cause you pain or fear.
He didn't care weather they were biologically both of yours or picked up from a dumpster, he would still love them because regardless of where your children came from, they would be yours.
Which is funny if you think about it, considering how you two came about getting your little ones.
You and Caleb had been training in the woods behind Linkon park, messing around with your combined Evols, with you practicing getting out of his gravitational pull and him resisting your reality warp. The playfulness between you both filled with excitement and energy as you both pushed yourselves to your limits while trusting each other completely.
Until something went wrong.
Or right, depending on how you look at it.
Your Evols mixing in a way they never had before, a sudden pull causing both of your eyes to widen as your Evol energies swirled around each other before forming into what appeared to be a black hole.
Both of you panicking, with Caleb trying to stop his Evol as the hole tried pulling you both in and you trying to stop the glitching that spread throughout both your bodies and the world around you. Fear setting in as you both locked eyes, a spark going off between you, the simultaneous realization that you didn't want to lose each other, before silence.
Then... boom.
A blast like a supernova exploding between you both as the small black hole closed in on itself, shooting outward and ripping the lingering Evol energy from the air, both of you flying in opposite directions and landing on the ground with pained grunts as the trees in the clearly swayed against the violent wind.
A moment passing as the dust settled, your heart racing as you tried to catch your breath, the ringing in your ears slowly fading just as you heard Caleb call for you.
Looking up to find him getting up from the ground nearby and running to you, desperation and terror in his eyes as he knelt down and cupped your face. Making sure you were both okay before holding you close, kissing along your face to reassure himself it was really you.
That was when you both heard it, two little cries.
Both your eyes widening, looking at each other in shock, as if silently asking 'you heard that to, right?' before you both slowly turned to the side.
There, laying in a small crater in the ground where the black hole once stood, were two tiny toddlers.
Both were wearing matching onesies, the blue fabric covered in dirt with a familiar logo on the chest, there appearances similar but different in tiny ways; one with longer hair and crying loudly, the other with freckles and whimpering quietly with tear stained cheeks as they both remained on the ground nearby.
A moment of shocked silence passing before you stood up and bolted forward, Caleb's voice yelling out to you, the sound of his footsteps following as he chased after you while you ran to the two babies.
Their fearful cries breaking your heart as you knelt beside them, hovering over them as Caleb joined you on their other side, both of you taking in the sight of the two little babies just as they finally seemed to realize you were there.
The one whimpering noticing first, her little eyes opening to glance up at you both with wide silver-purple eyes before a small, tearful smile spread across her lips, her hand reaching up to you both as a small coo slipped past her lips. The sight and sound tugging at both of your hearts in ways you couldn't understand.
The sound of his sister's (because that's definitely what they were) soft coo drawing the second babies attention, his angry cries quieting as he opened his eyes, gold with a hint of orange, and looked up at you both.
A moment of silence passing as you all stared at one another before a bright, happy smile spread across the angry toddlers teary face, his tiny feet kicking in excitement as he sat up and reached up toward you both, as if he knew exactly who you were.
The light in both their eyes making your Evols sing in ways you couldn't explain as you both slowly reached out, each of you picking up one of the twins, with Caleb holding the little girl and you holding the little boy.
Both of them immediately nuzzling into your chests like they had done it a million times before, despite this being your first time meeting them.
Or was it?
"How are we gonna explain this one, sweets?"
Caleb asks, his voice filled with breathless awe as he stared down at the little ones who were putting so much innocent trust into you both.
"I don't know, maybe we say the stork brought them?"
You joke softly, your voice filled with just as much awe as your husband as you glanced between the two babies, watching as the one in your arm reached out to cling onto the back of his sister's onesie, as if making sure she was still there.
Your words causing Caleb to laugh, the sound making the toddlers coo, as he watched you nuzzle against the little one's head, the scent of metal and dirt clinging to his tiny curls and bringing tears to your eyes that you couldn't explain.
"I guess that mean's we're keeping them then?"
Caleb asks, already knowing the answer and agreeing whole heartedly as he glanced down to the little girl in his arms, watching her yawn as Caleb nuzzled against her hair as well, breathing in the same scent as you that felt so familiar in a way he couldn't understand.
"Of course, I knew our little one's would find their way to us eventually."
You say with a determined huff, glancing to your husband with a playful smile.
The sight easing something in Caleb's chest as he leaned in, kissing your forehead and looking down to the now sleeping twins in your arms with just as much love as you in that moment.
"Yeah, you're right."
He whispers, staying close to you as you both began walking, making your way back into Linkon, determined to bring your new little ones to Zayne to make sure they were okay.
"Welcome home, Isaac and Eleanor. We've been waiting for you."
Xavier
While you didn't have many memories of your past life, there were a few things that triggered them to come forward.
A scent, a sound, an event.
It was the same when you found out you were pregnant, a memory pushing itself forward from the back of your mind, of a hillside filled with flowers and your King laying beside you as he showed you a tiny wooden sword he had crafted just for you, for your future child.
The memory fading as you remembered the feeling of sorrow and cold numbness you felt as you died in his arms, a death that came before your child could even be born.
This time it would be different.
When you told Xavier about your pregnancy, his reaction was... unexpected.
You had sat him down, your face stern despite the nervous way you picked at the frayed edges of the couch as you tried to find a way to say what you needed to. His face calm like it always was, watching as you slowly looked away from him while growing more anxious.
What if his feelings had changed regarding children?
What if he was disappointed instead of happy?
Thoughts like these running through your head as you fell further into your own mind.
Being the loving husband that he is, Xavier pulled your hand to his lips, bringing you out of your head as he pressed kisses to the skin of your knuckles to help you calm down.
Reassuring you that whatever you said would not change how he saw you.
So you said it.
The words lingering in the air as silence followed, his eyes wide, just staring at your hand as you watched him closely, looking for any change, either negative or positive.
But nothing happened, he only sat there, lost in his own mind as he stared at your hand with a blank expression.
Not able to take the silence anymore, you turned away, preparing to leave to room to let him take in the news and try to calm yourself down before you started yelling or crying.
Only, you couldn't.
His hand tightening it's hold on you, preventing you from moving, and causing you to glance back to him with confusion and a bit of anger at his continued silence before you stopped, your breath hitching as you finally saw him.
He was crying.
You'd never seen Xavier cry before.
Tears rolling down his cheeks despite the blank expression of shock across his face as he stared down, not at your hands, but at your stomach you realized.
"You... really mean it? We're... finally going to have our little one?"
He asks softly, his words filled with shock, awe and a desperation born of hope that had been lost for the very thing you promised him now.
The memory of that tiny wooden sword and the tears in his eyes now pushing a sob from your lips as you turned to face him, taking his other hand into yours and causing him to finally look up to meet your gaze.
"Yes, we are finally going to meet our little one."
You whisper, a promise that you both would meet your baby like you had always dreamed of.
Your words pushing a sob from his chest as he surged forward, bringing you into his arms as he pressed his lips to yours in a tearful kiss. Pouring all of his love and hope into the single act as you both cried tears of joy for the future ahead.
The tears only growing, your sobs of joy and sorrow echoing through the room as Xavier later showed you a familiar tiny wooden sword that he had carried with him all this time.
The same wooden sword that would be given to your son.
He came into the world quietly, his small cries fearful at being separated from you before calming down immediately as he was placed in your arms. The sound of your heartbeat familiar to him, not only from this life, but the last that he didn't get to live.
All while you couldn't help but admire him in the dim moonlight shining through the window, the light shining off his little silver curls, his tanned skin and his tiny toothless smile as he slept soundly between you and Xavier on the bed.
9 month in my womb and you come out looking like your father.
You can't help but think, a smile on your lips as you stare at your son, both of his tiny hands holding yours and Xavier's fingers, his grip strong and keeping you both close even as he slept.
"He's better then I ever dreamed."
Xavier confesses, his voice filled with quiet awe and a deep love and devotion as he stared at his son, the sound of his voice causing the baby to sigh in his sleep.
His words bringing tears to your eyes as you glanced between your husband and son, leaning forward to press a kiss against Xavier's head before doing the same to your baby. The feeling of your lips on his head causing the baby to coo just as his little eyes fluttered open.
Eyes as blue as the sky, just like his father.
You're perfect.
"Luca, our little prince."
You whisper, your voice filled with an unconditional love that only a mother could have for her child as you closed your eyes, nuzzling against your babies soft curls as you began to fall asleep while Xavier watched you both.
His smile warm and tears he could finally let fall rolling down his cheeks as he watched the way your son nuzzled against your finger before falling asleep as well.
Unable to take his eyes away, still afraid he would wake up and this would all be a dream.
But he didn't.
Instead, he laid there beside you both, leaning in to kiss your forehead while you slept as his son held on tightly to his finger in his sleep, silently reassuring his father of his presence.
All while Xavier promised to never lose you both again.
Zayne
Out of everyone, you and Zayne were the last to have children.
Not because you didn't want them, on the contrary, you both discussed having a family together for a long time and were the most planned out of the couples in regards to your pregnancy.
The reason it took so long was because you and Zayne swore not to rush into having children without thoroughly planning everything out due to your health, with neither of you willing to risk you or the babies safety.
So, you both waited, genuinely happy and excited when each of your friends had their children, with Zayne even helping to deliver one of them (and becoming the godparents of little Zephyr in the process)
Until it was finally your turn.
The day you found out you were pregnant was one of the happiest days of your lives (next to your wedding of course) with your friends celebrating alongside you both when it was announced to them after your second trimester.
The pregnancy was hard at times, with fatigue wearing down your body and the little one not able to keep anything down besides sweets (thanks a lot, Zayne)
Even so, the good days outweighed any of the bad, with Zayne taking maternity leave from work to take care of you and be there every step of the way.
Every appointment, every ultrasound, every heartbeat, every kick leading up to the day your little girl would finally arrive, with you both agreeing that it would be safest if you had a hospital birth.
Everything perfectly planned out and accounted for.
Still, no matter how hard you try or how well you plan, life is never that simple.
This fact was the most obvious the day your water broken in late spring, a whole MONTH early from when your baby was meant to arrive.
All of you and Zayne's careful planning thrown out the window as your house hold descended into chaos, with you panicking, worried about your baby and their early arrival and Zayne trying his best to comfort you while trying to remain focused and not panic himself.
Your cries of pain and desperate begging to the doctors that 'it wasn't time yet' and 'she can't come now, she's not fully baked' echoing in his mind as he remained by your side, gripping your hand and kissing along your knuckles to try and calm you both down as you went into labor.
Hours passing well into the night as you struggled to deliver your baby, your body weak and your cheeks stained with tears as you cried in pain, breaking Zayne's heart and making him feel useless, unable to help medically due to being your husband.
Until finally, after hours of labor just as the sun rose over the horizon, casting the room in soft golds and pinks, your little girl was born.
Only, she wasn't crying.
The silence that settled into the room after your baby was finally born caused frost to nip at Zayne's fingertips, his hands trembling as he glanced away from you, unable to meet your gaze as the haze of pain within your mind began to clear.
"Z-Zayne?"
You asked, your voice trembling with both exhaustion and worry as you glanced over to your husband, panic beginning to grip at your heart as the doctors rushed around the room, whispering to each other frantically and not letting you see your baby as the silence that was meant to be filled with gentle cries stretched on.
Tears forming in your eyes as you began to sob, gripping tighter to Zayne's hand as you tried to get a look at your baby past the wall of medical staff.
"N-No, please..."
You beg, your words shattering the last of Zayne resolve as tears gathered his eyes, desperately pressing your knuckles against his forehead as he closed his eyes and prayed.
Prayed to a god he knew had long since abandoned him, yet desperate enough in that moment to beg for forgiveness if only to quiet your desperate sobs and hear one little cry.
"Please..."
Then, you both heard it, a small cough.
The room growing silent as the doctors and nurses froze, before finally, your little girls first cries echoed through the hospital room.
The sweet sound growing louder with each passing moment and bringing tears of joy and relief to both you and Zayne's eyes, your happy sobs joining your daughter's as Zayne kissed along your knuckles, silently thanking whoever had been listening as tears rolled down his cheeks.
All while the doctors and nurses rushed around the room, trying to make sure both you and the little one were alright as Zayne whispered sweet and gentle words against your skin.
"You did it, my darling, you did it. You were amazing, so strong. Listen... it's our little girl."
Zayne says, his voice breaking with emotion he didn't often show, leaning in to nuzzle his head against your sweaty forehead and making you cry even harder as you both listened to your little girls sweet cries just as the doctor finally brought her over to you both.
She was small, so very small, though luckily the doctors said she was healthy despite her early start to life. Her soft whimpers and red cheeks so beautiful as she was laid against your chest.
Her tiny bottom lip trembling as you reached up to run your fingers over her soft downy curls, rubbing her chubby cheek against your own as you cried against her skin.
"She's here, she's really here... our delicate little flower."
You whisper, the familiar sound of your uneven heartbeat calming her whimpers before her cries fade all together as Zayne placed his scarred hand against her back, the familiar warmth of her parents soothing her fears as she nuzzled into your chest.
"She's perfect, worth every second of the wait."
Zayne whispered as well, his voice filled with overwhelming love and relief as he ran his fingers along the soft skin of his daughters back while brushing his cheek against your own.
Her eyes, the same color as Zayne's, fluttering open to look up at you both in awe, filled with the innocence and love that only a child could have for their parents.
CW: isekai!reader, fluff, angst, cussing, comedy, hurt/comfort, isekai trope, implied anxiety attack, unhinged caleb, unhinged reader
Summary: After your death, you wake up in the world of Love and Deepspace. Oh, what's a mentally unstable loser like you to do? Fuck up the plot, of course.
Masterlist
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
Your screams echoed through the apartment as you suddenly landed face first onto hardwood flooring, a groan slipping past your lips at the ache in your face as you slowly glance up in a daze.
"The one time I don't want you to work and you work."
You mutter to yourself, the glitching around your body slowly subsiding as you sit up, only to grip your stomach with a groan.
The spaghetti Sylus made you and the boys for dinner last night trying to push it's way back up your throat as you struggle to not lose your lunch at the sudden motion sickness.
"God, I will never get used to that feeling."
You say, slowly standing on shaky legs as you begin to look around, confused on where you ended up.
You were obviously in an apartment, the interior oddly familiar in a way you couldn't put your finger on as you slowly walked around, making your way through a kitchen and into the living room. The lights dim, casting the room in long shadows as you glanced around.
"This... doesn't look like Sylus' place."
You mutter to yourself, stepping further inside and looking around before gasping as you come to a wall length window overlooking a futuristic city that you had only ever seen from the scene of your phone.
Skyhaven.
The same place where Caleb lives, which means... the reason this place was so familiar was because-
"Oh god."
You whisper, your voice filled with nervous tension as you take a step back from the window, ready to bolt- only to freeze at the feeling of someone's presence standing right behind you.
The hairs on the back of your neck standing on end, your breath hitching at the feeling of a firm chest pressed against your back and the distant but familiar scent of apple wood, cinnamon and motor oil filling your senses.
Fear and anxiety gripping at your racing heart as you slowly, very slowly, as if you could delay the inevitable, looking up to find Caleb Xia standing right behind you.
Dressed in a casual outfit, but his eyes shining with a hardened edge that could only be the Coronel as he stared down at you, the person who escaped from his base and now an intruder in his home.
Hopefully you looked different enough from before to get away with him not recognizing you.
"Um... H-Hi."
You say, giving him a nervous smile, hoping to break the tension as you stare up at your favorite love interest of the game, who is probably going to kill you for somehow sneaking into his house.
God, you just have the shittiest luck, don't you?
⟡ ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ⟡
The tension in the air was so tight that you could poke it with a stick and it would probably bite you.
Your back was unnaturally straight as you sat on Caleb's couch, eyes trained on the man himself as he sat across from you in a love seat.
His gaze cold, hard, staring at you as if waiting for you to make one wrong move as the uncomfortable silence stretched on, causing you to fiddle with your nails as you glanced away from him.
"L-Look, I'm really sorry about barging into your home, sir! You see- my Evol- it acts up sometimes and um- it kinda... teleported me here by accident?"
You say, more of a question then a statement as you risk a glance back to him, only to flinch and quickly look away at the unflinching stare Caleb sends your way.
God, please say something! I'm sweating bullets over here... I really hope I don't smell like street food right now.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Caleb let out a sigh, his stiff posture relaxing as he settled back against the love seat before giving you his signature boyish grin.
Your heart racing as you took in the expression for the first time since waking up in this world.
"You're lucky I saw you fall on your face when you teleported here, otherwise I wouldn't have believed a word you said."
He said, his words playful in a way that helped easy the tension from your body, your anxiety fading and leaving behind pure exhaustion as you slumped against the couch.
"Oh, thank god! I though you were gonna murder me or something, that glare of yours is terrifying."
You say, muttering the last part and causing Caleb to chuckle as he watched you, taking in the small details that had changed about your appearance since your escape from the base.
Your hair was a different style but now the same color and texture as he remembered from when you were young, your skin healthy and your eyes the same shade from so long ago.
With your abilities, it made scene that you could change how you looked.
Still, he liked this version of you better then the one he saw in the rejuvenation chamber, because you looked so much like how he remembered and less like the woman who tried to take your place.
So much like yourself.
"That doesn't mean I forgot about your little 'escape'."
He says suddenly, his words making you freeze, glancing to him with a nervous chuckle as he noticed the familiar way you fiddle with your fingers when caught in a lie.
"Uh, what do you mean?"
You say, your words causing his smile to fall, his glare returning just to see the cute way you tensed up and fidgeted as he tilted his head with a knowing look, waiting for you to concede.
It didn't take long.
"L-Look, I'm really sorry about that! I swear I didn't mean to hurt you or anyone else, I- I just... I didn't know what was going on and how would you react if you woke up in a giant test tube!? I thought you guys were gonna harvest my organs or something!"
You say, your words frantic and honest as you tried to explain yourself, waving your hands around to try and accentuate your point. However, your words only led to silence, making you even more nervous as you stare up at Caleb.
Watching as his glare twitches before finally falling away all together as he burst out laughing. The sound so boyish and genuine that you couldn't help the way your eyes widen, your heart racing as you watch him grip his stomach and curl into himself.
"Oh- Oh god, that's- Yeah no, I totally get it! I wouldn't want someone taking my organs either."
He says, his voice breathless from his laughter, tears of mirth shining in his eyes as he took a moment to calm his racing heart, staring at you with such a soft smile that you couldn't help the way something in your chest loosened.
"You don't have to worry, I- well, we weren't going to hurt you. My team and I found you drifting in the Deepspace Tunnel and brought you back to the base to hopefully get some answers once you had recovered, but... you saw how well that went."
He says, his tone teasing and his smile smug as he lounged against the couch, leading to you chuckling in embarrassment while remembering the awesomely dramatic exit you had the last time you both met.
I was kind of a badass, even if I was panicking the whole time.
"Which reminds me... you said my name when you first woke up."
He says, the sudden comment making you pause, a sudden tension returning to the room as silence settled once more.
Slowly, hoping to delay the inevitable, you look away from your lap where your hands lay to meet Caleb's eyes. His smile still there, soft with a hint of affection, but now strained, his eyes trained on you in a way you new was calculating, expectant.
Like he was hoping for something.
Something you weren't sure you could give him.
"I- well, you see... I..."
Silence hangs heavy between you both as you stare up at him, your hands trembling in your lap for a reason you couldn't understand as anxiety gripped at your chest.
It'd been so easy explaining the whole thing to Sylus, to Ms Evelyn, even to Xavier, but now... it was like the words didn't want to come, like they were caught in your throat, holding on, not wanting to escape.
Why?
Why were you suddenly so afraid of telling Caleb, your favorite character and main love interest when playing the game, the truth about why you would know his name?
About the fact that you probably died in that hospital and woke up in a world that was supposed to be nothing more then a mobile game. A game you'd spent hours pouring your time, effort and money into; learning about the lore, the story, building bonds with the characters and growing to genuinely care for their well being.
His well being.
Despite him not being real.
And that was it, wasn't it?
The reason you were so scared to say the truth was because, in the back of your mind, you still thought this wasn't real.
You didn't mind telling the others, the other characters, about you because it didn't affect you either way if they didn't believe you. You wouldn't be too heart broken or upset if they looked at you like you were crazy, because that's what you were expecting them to do in the first place.
You didn't mind breaking into the MC's house and snooping through her stuff to find what you needed, because in your mind, the law didn't affect you because none of this was real.
So then, why were you suddenly so anxious about telling Caleb the truth?
Did his opinion matter more to you because he was your favorite? Maybe it's because you learned so much about his backstory and character while playing the game that you really grew attached to him?
Maybe it's because the longer you spent here, the easier it was to forget this was all fake.
Maybe you didn't want him to look at you like you were crazy if this all turned out to be real.
The thought making you freeze, your nails digging into your pants as you glanced away from his expected and hopeful gaze to look down at your trembling hands.
How would he look at you if you told him you were from a world where he was a fictional character in a game that you spent hours, days, playing?
Learning about him, reading about his backstory, learning about his character, talking through preprogramed words and texts, reading fanfictions made about him in various settings, experiencing the intimate memories and future he shares with the MC through your own eyes when playing the game.
How would he look at you if this all turned out to be real?
⟡ ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ⟡
Caleb could tell something was wrong as soon as you froze, your eyes growing a bit unfocused as you stared up at him in a way he knew meant you were overthinking.
God, it's been so long since he's seen that expression.
Everything you did reassuring him of the fact that it really was you, the way you dug your nails into the fabric of your pants, the way your eyebrows scrunched in the way they used to when you were worried as you slowly looked away from him.
Still, even if it was reassuring seeing these similarities, he didn't want to cause you distress.
His brows scrunching in concern as he slowly reached out, placing his hand against yours and making you flinch. The tremble in your hands and the genuine fear in your eyes as you slowly looked back up to him causing his heart to ache as he gave you a reassuring smile.
"Hey, it's okay... whatever you tell me, I won't be upset. If you can't remember something, or anything sounds too crazy, I promise I will believe you."
He says gently, not knowing why he felt the urge to say that, but it seem to be exactly what you needed.
Your eyes widening as you stared up at him, your hands still trembling beneath his own as silence settled for a moment before you seemed to steal your resolve, taking a deep breath and finally speaking up.
"Do you know what isekai's are?"
You asks quickly, getting the question out as fast as possible, watching him pause and give you a confused look.
"Like the whole truck-kun, dying, and going to another world type of isekai?"
He says, causing you to nod, growing bolder despite the way your hands continued to tremble and anxiety gripped at your chest.
"Yes, exactly! I know this will be hard to believe, but I'm not from this world! I'm pretty sure I died in a hospital and woke up in this world in that test tube thing!
In my world, this place, Linkon, you, are all apart of a mobile game called Love and Deepspace! It's an angst filled psychological science based game masquerading as an otome game about reincarnation, human experimentation and romance! The reason I knew your name was because you were one of the main love interests for the main character, who in this world is named Ophelia- at least, I think!"
...
Silence.
Silence is the only thing that followed your quick explanation as you tired to catch your breath, your heavy panting echoing between you both as you stared off to the side.
However, as the silence stretched on, you risked a glance up towards Caleb's, only to freeze when you saw his expression.
Blank.
Gone was the boyish grin or hard Coronel stare, replaced now with a blank expression of shock and disbelief as he stared at you.
The silence stretching on and making the tremble in your hands grow worse, your heart racing and sweat gathering at the back of your neck as you quickly looked back down to your lap to try and keep your growing panic at bay.
"I-I know it sounds crazy, but I swear I'm telling the truth. I know about EVER's experimentation, about Josephine adopting you and Ophelia, about the explosion, about your arm and the chip they put in you- w-which I want to help remove by the way, and I-I already have people who are willing to help me, but I swear I-"
Before you could continue spiraling, a warm hand against your own brought you out of your panicked state.
Your body tensing up as you slowly, very slowly, looked away from his hand to find Caleb kneeling in front of you, preparing yourself for the disgust, the pity, the revolution, anything as you met his gaze...
Only to find him giving you a kind smile, his eyes shining with a soft warmth as he gave your hand a reassuring squeeze.
"I believe you."
Three words, so small and insignificant to others, spoken with such honesty and trust that you couldn't help the way your heart ached, tears gathering at the edge of your eyes and your vision blurring as you stared up at him.
How long had it been since someone believed you?
Since someone listened to your words without you having to beg for their trust or convince them you were telling the truth?
How long had if been since someone trusted you without you having to give up yourself or change in order for them to do so?
Caleb's hand tightening in your own as your bottom lip trembled in a way that was so familiar to him, his breath hitching as he watched you begin to cry, curling in on yourself as tears of relief rolled down your cheeks.
Ophelia, the girl who's been by his sided as a sister for years and who he'd always known wasn't you, was similar to you in a lot of ways. Not in appearance, but in the way she acted, in the way she joked, in the way she scratched her nose when annoyed, in the way she teased him.
Still, despite the similarities, there was always something she did that reminded him she wasn't you, would never be you.
The way she cried.
When something upset her enough to make her cry, she would always try to tough it out, grumbling, glaring at him while trying to hold back her tears and acting like she was fine.
Unlike you, who would always freeze when something upset you, finding something to stare at while processing what hurt you and overthinking it.
Even when you were kids and you would get in trouble with the doctors, you would just stand there, staring at the floor with those wide eyes while your nails dug into your pants, your face carefully blank until you would return to your shared cell.
Only then would you let it out and cry like the child you'd been, your hands tugging at your hair and your bottom lip trembling as you tried to quiet your sobs.
All while he would just smile and bring you into his arms, allowing you to let it out.
It's not that Caleb enjoyed seeing you cry, he didn't, it broke his heart anytime you were hurt about something back then. But still, somewhere in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but crave it in some twisted sense.
Not in a sadistic or sexual way, but in a nostalgic type of way.
In the way you allowed yourself to be vulnerable around him, giving him a sense of purpose and showing that you needed him as much as he needed you.
The same thing you were doing now, your hands trembling as they made their way towards your hair and your bottom lip wobbling as rough sobs slipped past your lips, letting out the feelings you'd been holding in as he stared at you in shock.
Before he finally reached out and brought you into his arms.
Your breath hitching for only a moment before you melted into his embrace, reaching up to grip his back as you leaned into his hold and cried against his chest.
Your tears soaking his shirt and your rough sobs ugly and real, but the most beautiful thing he could have asked for as he held you close.
Tearing up a bit himself while nuzzling against your head, knowing in that moment that even if you didn't remember him, even if you were from another world, you were the one he had been waiting for.
You were you.
⟡ ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ⟡
By the time you had stopped crying, the sky outside had darkened and exhaustion had settled into your bones as you remained on the couch in Caleb's embrace.
You soft sniffles echoing between you both as he held you close, running his fingers through your messy hair to comfort you.
Finally, gathering your strength and the last of your dignity, you pull away, sniffling softly while reaching up to wipe the tears from your eyes.
"S-Sorry, god this is embarrassing... I don't even know why I'm crying, I- I just didn't want to freak you out."
You mutter, glancing away from him to try and hide how red your eyes probably were, only to pause as he chuckled softly, the sound washing over you as he reached up to ruffle your hair.
"Don't apologize, if you needed to cry then it's okay to let it out, I don't mind."
He says, his tone kind, just like you remember from the game.
The sound causing you to sigh, flopping against his chest as exhaustion began to settle in, making his eyes widen.
"I knew there was a reason you were my favorite. God, you're so sweet... Ophelia's so lucky."
You grumble, a yawn slipping past your lips as your eyes flutter, your words causing the tips of Caleb's ears to turn red as he gazes down at you in awe, taking in the way you so naturally lean against him.
Though, at the mention of her, you missed the way Caleb's face fell.
That familiar dark glare reserved for anyone other then you spreading across his face at the thought of you thinking she was lucky, as if any part of him was hers to begin with, before his gentle smile returned as he looked down at your sleepy form.
"Well, I'm glad I've lived up to your expectations. For now, it's pretty late and you're exhausted. Come on, you can sleep in my guest room."
He says kindly, placing his arms under your back and legs, picking you up in a bridal carry and resisting the urge to bring you to his room.
Instead carrying you to his guest bedroom and setting you onto the bed, tugging the blankets up and tucking them around you while you rambled in your sleepy state.
"But I have to... get back. Sylus will kick my ass if I... don't check in, I can't have the Twins wrecking my room, or Mephisto... eating my... shoes..."
Slowly, your sleepy words trail off as you fall into unconsciousness, your breathing evening out and your mouth falling open in a familiar way as you nuzzled against the pillow.
The sight gripping at Caleb's heart, his hand trembling as he reached out to run it through your hair like he used to, your lips tugging into a sweet little smile at the warmth of his hand even in your sleep.
His heart racing as he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the skin of your forehead and breathing in your familiar scent after so long.
CW: god of fate!reader, goddess!reader, god of chaos!caleb, god!caleb, romance, religious undertones, star-crossed lovers trope, fluff, angst, manipulation, corruption, character death, divine punishment, reincarnation, HEAVY world building, inspired by the song Eternity (by Alex Warren)
A/N: I REALLY don't like how this turned out, but I've been working on it for weeks trying to get it right, so I think this is the best it's gonna get (ᵕ—ᴗ—)
In the Drifting Through Deepspace Universe, this story begins long before Zayne's Master of Fate timeline, Sylus' Abysm Sovereign myth, Xavier's Darknight myth and Rafayel's God of Tides myth. However, by the end, the stories have all linked up around the same time period
Masterlist
Hear the clock ticking on the wall
Losing sleep, losing track of the tears I cry
Every drop is a waterfall
Every breath is a break in the riptide
In the beginning, there was nothing, a vast expanse of never-ending space filled with nothing but darkness.
This void didn't have a name, for the void could not understand such a concept, for it was still very young despite it's infinity. All it knew was that it just was, the beginning and the end of all, the representation of the unknown and the gravity that held this little galaxy together.
It was Chaos.
Then came the first supernova, a collision of two galaxies that brought life to his little universe in the form of her.
Born from the heart of a dying star, she came into his world in an explosion of light and shadow, forming reality itself and bringing with her stars to fill the never-ending darkness of his void.
She was a unique little thing, floating within his void for eons until she learned how to twist the universe around her, forming constellations across space and time that told stories only she knew. Filling the vastness of the void with planets of different colors, each given their own name and surface that was all their own.
Although, her favorite seemed to be a little planet she had named Philos, a planet made from her very own core.
All while Chaos watched on from the void that made up his form, unable to show her he was there, forced to watch as she filled her loneliness with little creations that would never last in the span of their universe.
Watched as she poured her very essence into the little planet, crafting stories and objects only she knew should exist.
Forests beaming with life that covered lands far and wide, mountain tops that reached for the heavens above, skies flooded with stormy skies and filled with stars that called to the seas upon the planets surface and told of her stories to come as she continued to create.
Creatures of different shapes and sizes with souls all their own, every spirit crafted with care by her gentle hands, each one with their own unique purpose and role in this little universe she had made.
Nymphs that tended to the Earth and help life to grow, Dragons that soured through the skies and protected those they treasured, Lemurians who danced beneath the waves of the sea and Naiads who sung ballads of old from the stars above.
Every one of her actions showing her care and devotion for the ones she had created, each species unique in their own way, each with their own purpose and emotions, each with the freedom to choose which path to follow that Fate had set for them.
Because that's what she was to them, she was Astra.
A goddess formed from the light of a dying star, the personification of destiny itself, of reality strung together through golden strings of fate, the first light within the darkness that led to the beginning of all life and the one who granted humanity with the freedom to choose.
But with freedom, came Chaos.
Chaos, who watched on as his Astra created worlds all her own, devoting herself to creatures that were nothing but a blink in the span of their existence, all so she could fill the loneliness left behind by something she didn't even realize was missing.
Him.
If he could just make her see him, if he could just make himself known to her, she would see that she didn't have to devote herself to creatures who didn't deserve her love, who didn't- couldn't understand all that she had gone through and all that she had sacrificed in order to make them.
He just needed to grow stronger, and strength came from belief.
So, using what limited power he had, Chaos created his own species upon his lovers little planet.
Creatures that reflected himself, that craved knowledge to sate a deep seated fear of the unknown, that craved power and possessed the desire to spread their will across all in order to overcome what Fate had designed for them.
Their greed, their free will, spreading his chaos in the form of unnatural death, sickness and cursed gold made from his own blood that ran like rivers through the mountains his lover had crafted; leaching off this energy until he finally grew strong enough to form a physical body.
Until he finally had the chance to meet her face to face.
Oh, how long has it been? I don't know
But it feels like an eternity
Since I had you here with me
Since I had to learn to be
Someone you don't know
The void of space had always been a silent comfort to you, its darkness holding you as one would something precious.
It had been like this for as long as you could remember, this silent comfort only the dark expanse of space could provide you as you built worlds and galaxies filled with light and life and love.
Love, such a unique concept.
You had seen so many different kinds of love over your years of existence, the familial love between a parent and their child, the unconditional love of a friend for another, the everlasting love that one felt for a lover who they craved by their side.
The willingness, the drive, to do anything for those you love.
It was such a beautiful concept, one you wished you could experience yourself.
These thoughts running through your mind as you floated within the safety of the void, summoning your Aether Core between your fingers as you stared at the little planets surface with a thoughtful look before breaking off a few tiny shards of the core that each formed into special little souls crafted just for you.
Your fingers brushing against them with a soft smile on your lips.
There were four shards in total, each split between two souls that would act as counters to each other.
The first two souls, one of crimson red formed from the Earth itself and another of soft emerald green made from the plants upon it's surface, both wrapped protectively around each other. The next set was a soul of fiery pink formed from the Sea and another of soft starlight blue crafted from the glow of the North Star that danced around each other in perfect sync.
The third set was one of golden green formed from the Dusk itself, holding a soul of soft golden pink made from the last light of Dawn with a gentleness beyond even your comprehension. And finally, a soul of sapphire blue crafted from the light of the Moon set in reverence before a soul of golden yellow made from the light of the Sun.
Images of these souls possible futures fluttering into existence as you watched with bated breath and gentle smiles.
Of the Dragon and the Rose, with wealth unknown to the likes of man, who protected each other and tended to their family with diligence and pride. Of a beautiful kingdom beneath the ocean tides ruled by the Sea and the Star, who's devotion for each other were as vast as the surface of their domain.
Of two lovers made from the Dusk and the Dawn, the ability of foresight and memories making them revered by all and intertwining their fates together in a bond that could never be broken. And of a kingdom of man filled with light and laughter, ruled beneath the gentle hand of the Sun and the Moon, their love for one another bringing peace and prosperity to the land of their forefathers.
Such innocent souls, such wonderous stories, such beautiful lives that were meant to be lived.
Your smile soft and your touch even softer as you gathered the souls together, before blowing them away with a gentle breath as they dissipated from the void and ventures down to the planet of Philos to the bodies awaiting them.
Each pair born at different times in history, for time did not exist within the void; yet their fates intertwined in ways that could never be undone.
All while you watched on, your heart full and your smile ever present, excited to see the future in store for your chosen children and the paths they choose to take.
To be with you in paradise
What I wouldn't sacrifice
Why'd you have to chase the light
Somewhere I can't go?
As I walk this world alone
A ripple through time itself made you pause in your work, the threads of life surrounding you in your little corner of the universe shivering before a set of strings in a familiar shade of red and green floated down from above to greet you.
The lifelines for the Dragon and the Rose you had created some time ago, two strings twined together so fiercely that they appeared as one, with two addition little strings of red flowing between them in a protective hold.
Their threads were long, meant to live years upon years together with the family they had made, a life filled with contentment and joy beyond the comprehension of man.
Only, they were cut short.
The threads binding their little family together severed, cut down before they could ever have the chance to even live, the ends frayed and corroded as if corruption itself had set into their souls.
This... wasn't what was meant to happen.
They were meant to live long, happy lives, filled with joy and sorrow and a love that could never be measured. They were even meant to have another child, one that would complete their little family and build one of their own in the future with the child of the Sea and the Star.
Now, that would never happen.
Because something, something you had not predicted, had stolen that chance from them.
Quickly, you turned and dissipated from the void, the threads of their little family still clutched tightly in your grasp as you appeared before the towering form of a long forgotten temple they had made their own. The cave made into the side of a mountain, given new life as the home of a family filled with love which now lay in an unnatural silence.
The earth around the cave was decayed, as if it had not been tended to in many months, the wind heavy with the sent of metal and a single willow tree along the edge of the clearing now laying on the ground in a heap of rotten wood that once held so many memories.
Your heart racing, your hands trembling as you held the threads close to their chest while you made your way into the cave.
Stillness following as you passed by mountains upon maintains of golden treasure, the sheen of the metal off the dim torchlight affecting even you, allowing you to feel the overwhelming decay and corruption clinging to the very being of the treasure.
Then, you came upon a sight that stole your breath and cracked the very heart of your core, tears of gold gathering in your eyes as you reached up to cover your mouth from the horrible stench clinging to the sight before you.
Because there, laying together at the center of the treasure, was the Dragon and the Rose you had crafted with such care.
A dagger sticking out of the chest of the now decayed form of the Dragon, his body curved protectively around the smaller form of the Rose, even in his death. Her body now transformed into vines of thorned roses that spread out around them, along the walls of the cave and across the treasure as if to protect others from touching it.
And there, in the far corner away from the cursed treasure and wrapped in the protective hold of their mother's vines, were the two deceased and skeletal bodies of their twin children.
The sight bringing you to your knees, a sob slipping past your lips as you reached out to your chosen children, as if in a silent apology for their suffering.
A silent apology for not being there sooner, for being too late, for not being there to help them when they truly needed it.
All while Chaos watched on unseen from the glint of the treasure, his heart sympathetic for your suffering, but not for the lives his chaos had taken.
For they were nothing more then a blimp in the universe, one you would surely forget with time once he was by your side.
Another glimpse of what could've been
Another dream, another way that it nevеr was
Falling back in the wilderness
Waking up, rubbing salt in thе cut
Oh, how long has it been?
I don't know
Despite what Chaos had thought, what he had hoped, you had not forgotten.
If anything, ever since the moment you lost the first of your chosen, you had become ever more diligent. Watching over the strings of your chosen children as if afraid they would disappear, afraid of something unnatural coming to take them away from the lives they were meant to live.
So, the moment you saw the string of the Sea begin to fray from where it was wrapped around the string of the Star (and the beginning of a light purple string that was just beginning to form between them) you leapt into action.
Dissipating from the void with the strings clutched to your chest and appearing within the city center of the Lemurian Kingdom they had made their own.
Only, by the time you had arrived, you were already to late.
Because time worked differently in the void, time could be anything it -anything he- wanted it to be.
So, by the time you appeared in the city, it was already left in ruin.
The beautiful buildings made from pearl and marble hidden far beneath the depths of the sea, bodies of Lemurians and Humans alike floating throughout the waters that were strained with blood and the scales of the Sea.
But, where was his Star?
Glancing around frantically, you let the last string still clinging to their soul guide you through the waters in the blink of an eye, your form appearing once more beneath the waves at the base of a large cliff face where you found the Star floating listlessly within the water, blood surrounding them and the life that had just began to form within their womb already gone from this world after the fall.
Your heart breaking, your hands trembling as you reached out to bring the Star into your arms, their eyes staring up at you with nothing behind them, as if they had already given up the moment their lover had left this world.
You could help them, could heal them if you so wished since their soul had not left their body yet... but you didn't.
Because you knew even if you did, they would have nothing to go on for, nothing tying them to this world that had already taken so much from them.
So, with a heavy heart and tears of gold dissipating into the waters around you both, you watched as the life left their eyes; their soul fading from this world and into the void beyond as the final string of life still clutched in your hand finally snapped.
All while you cried, holding the Star's now lifeless body close, grieving for the loss of another set of your children and apologizing for the life they would never get to live.
But it feels like an eternity
Since I had you here with me
Since I had to learn to be
Someone you don't know
You weren't sure how long it had been since you returned to the void you once called home, instead choosing to wander the world you had created aimlessly, the strings of your fallen children held tightly in your grasp as days turned into weeks and weeks turned into years.
The world around you changing in a way you had never predicted, greed, war, sickness, all of it spreading across the planet and leaching into it's very core and killing it slowly.
The very same core that made up your own soul.
Even so, all you could do was wander, your physical form growing weaker the more your creations destroyed the planet you had made for them. Nothing holding you here, nothing keeping you tethered to this world as you made your way back to where this all had started.
The cave, that ruined temple that had once been made into a home by a family long since passed, now standing before you. It's halls empty, the cursed treasure inside long gone, taken by a human king who ignored the blood staining its surface in order to sate his greed.
Here you stood where it all began, your body fading in and out of reality, trying to pull you back to the void to regain whatever strength you had left as you closed your eyes, ready to give into the temptation of the darkness beyond and return.
Only to pause as a small sound drew your attention.
Your eyes opening once more, glancing over to the front of the abandoned temple to find a little bundle of blankets laying before the ruble of the entrance.
Stepping forward, you face remained blank as you knelt down, moving the blankets aside to reveal a human baby with soft pink curls and chubby cheeks who was so small, sickly even, much smaller then human newborns are usually meant to be.
Was as she perhaps born prematurely?
The thought causing you to tilt your head, staring down at her for a moment before finally reaching out and brushing your finger against her cheek. The action drawing the babies attention as she opened her eyes to look up at you with those of soft gold, her hair and eyes the same shade as the little soul of the Dawn you had crafted so long ago.
Your breath hitching, your heart racing in a way it hadn't in a long time as you stared down at another one of your chosen children.
One left abandoned on the steps of a long forgotten temple, one too small and sickly and left to die before she was ever given the chance to live the life you had crafted for her. One filled with light and love and the warmth of memories long passed.
No, you would not let it come to that this time.
You would not lose another of your children to a plan you did not write for them, you would make sure this one would live a long and happy life.
Reaching out, you slowly brought the child into your arms, her breathing labored and her eyes fluttering as if she just wanted to sleep, though you would not let it come to that.
Your hands trembling as you summoned her soul, its glow faint, its form cracked; as if the child's weak body was unable to handle it before you began pushing any available energy you could into the shard, driving away the corruption that had began to take hold and bringing with it new life and energy to the fragile soul.
At least for the time being.
For while you could keep her here, heal the sickness that plagued her and keep her safe, you knew that her body would be unable to handle the power of the aether core shard within her for long.
Even so, you would give her the best life you could, one filled with joy, and warmth, and a love that even the universe could not comprehend.
To be with you in paradise
What I wouldn't sacrifice
Why'd you have to chase the light
Somewhere I can't go?
As I walk this world alone
Years had passed in the blink of an eye, years since you had taken in the child you had named Ophelia, and years since you had returned to the void.
Instead, you had made the ruins of the temple that had been the start of it all into a home of your own for you and the little one.
You had watched on as your daughter, because that is what she had truly become, grew up.
Her smiles and laughter bringing a joy to your existence that you had never experienced before. Even despite her weak frame, despite the sickness that plagued her, she retained so much kindness and love for the world around her.
A love you had always longed to see, now always reflected back at you in the eyes of your most precious daughter.
And that love you felt in your heart had only grown when the counter to your daughter, a little boy named Zayne with a soul crafted from the Dusk and hands infused with ice that had tried to take him too soon, stumbled into both of your lives.
A precious boy who, while not outwardly affectionate, loved your daughter more then anything and willingly devoted his life to caring for her.
Two little souls that you had truly come to view as your own.
While you had never forgotten your other chosen children, always keeping the threads of the ones you had lost close to your heart, you had come to accept their deaths and carry them in your memories.
Even now, as you ventured back from checking on the Sun and the Moon, their kingdom vast and healthy as you had once predicted and a little one of their own on the way, you couldn't help but smile as you pushed past the trees and into the clearing beyond that led to the Temple.
Only to stop, the smile falling from your lips as you stared up in shock at the Temple.
The Temple that was now shrouded in ice, frost clinging to the the walls and grass beyond, casting the clearing in a bone deep chill that sunk into even your celestial body.
Ice that could have only come from one thing.
Quickly, you ran, as fast as your feet could carry you towards the clearing shrouded in jasmines, one that held so many memories for you and your children.
The clearing where Ophelia had taken her first steps, where she and Zayne had shared their first dance, where they both had gotten married while you watched on with the love and pride of a parent for her children.
The clearing now shrouded in ice and snow, the jasmines frozen in place with frost and blood clinging to their petals, and at the center of it all, kneeling in the snow covered ground...
Were Zayne and Ophelia.
Ophelia, with a gaping hole in her chest where her protocore shard once resided, who's smile was forever engraved upon her frozen face, her eyes closed, her hand cupping Zayne's cheek and held their by the man himself.
And Zayne, who held her close even in death, his body completely frozen from his evol overtaking him at the lose of his wife. His body hunched over her form, holding her close, as if to provide one last bit of warmth to her even while the life left his body.
The sight alone bringing you to your knees, your hands trembling where they gripped the frost covered ground, your eyes never once leaving the frozen bodies of the two children you had raised despite the way your heart screamed in anguish for them, as tears of gold rolled down your cheeks.
Your sobs echoing through the clearing as you stared on, memories of the bodies of your other chosen children flashing through your mind, of the lives they never got the chance to live, the lives that were taken from them far before their time.
Your anguish turning to a blinding rage, tears of gold pooling beneath you on the ground and sinking into the earth below, before you let out your anger in a blinding scream.
The sound echoing through the forest and across the planets surface, beyond the kingdom of Philos where Xavier returned with a bloody protocore clutched in his hands, and to the far reaches of space where Chaos lay in wait as the last part of his plan came to fruition.
It's an endless night, it's a starless sky
It's a hell that I call home
It's a long goodbye on the other side
Of the only life I know
Silence greets you as you stand atop the hill beyond the Kingdom of Philos, the deceased form of their Queen held in the arms of their King who knelt at your feet, the bodies of their people scattered across the once beautiful meadow as you stared down at the man with a blank expression.
Despite the care you had put into craft his soul, you couldn't find it in yourself to feel sympathy for him, for the man who had stolen your daughters chance at a future all for his own selfish desires.
Desires that you still did not understand.
Slowly, you reached out, your hands cupping his cheek harshly, the last of your gentleness dying alongside your daughter as you stared into his sapphire eyes that returned your gaze with an almost lifeless haze.
A single question blazing through your mind as you ignored the carnage around you both.
"Why?"
You whispered, your words echoing off the land in an unnatural way that only a celestial being such as yourself ever could.
Even so, despite your words and the pain your grip likely inflicted, Xavier did not answer. His eyes remained cold and lifeless as he stared up at you, as if his very reason for living had been taken away from him.
Because it had.
Only, it wasn't taken away by you, at least not by your design.
They were meant to live a long and happy life together, their kingdom was meant to flourish under their rule and they were both meant to die of old age together where their souls would return to you in the void.
It's why you couldn't understand why he would do something like this, what would make him rip the shard from your daughters chest when there was no reason for it at all.
Only, there was a reason, just not one you had given him.
A memory flashing through his mind and echoing into your own, of him placing kisses upon his wife's body, smothering her in love before a being claiming to be Fate overtook her mind. Whispering words of her death into his ear, planting fear and desperation into his mind, and foretelling of his kingdom having to sacrifice his wife in order to heal their planet.
A prophesy that you had never made.
You eyes wide, your hands trembling where they loosened their hold on Xavier's face, tears gathering on your lashes as you stared down at him with heartache and sympathy once more.
Because despite what he had done, what he had taken from you, he had only been doing what he thought was right in order to save his wife, all because of the whispering of a being you had not foreseen.
No, it wasn't his fault, it was yours.
Yours for not seeing the signs sooner, for not putting a stop to whoever this being was that led to the death of your children.
The last of the fight leaving you as you pressed your forehead against Xavier's, his tears finally falling as he closed his eyes and gave into your embrace, his body disappearing into specks of light alongside his wife as their souls moved onto the void.
Which you would follow, the threads of your children held tightly to your chest as you returned to the void once more, determined to make things right.
And it feels like an eternity
Since I had you here with me
Since I had to learn to be
Someone you don't know
You'd forgot how comforting the weightlessness of the void once was as you appeared in your little corner of the universe, the darkness holding you close, welcoming you home as one would a long lost lover as you glanced around at the strings of fate.
Where there had once been hundreds upon thousands, unique to each soul residing on Philos, now only few remained.
The wars, the sickness, the suffering of man slowly poisoning the planet you had made and killing off each of your creations until there was nothing that could be done.
You could feel it, the tremble in your body, in the way your chest ached with a deep pain as your soul residing within the planets core slowly began to die.
While you could never die, not truly at least, you knew that once the last of your energy was gone, you would return to the void without a physical body and without any memories of the millennium you had exisited, unable to do anything to help your creations.
And you couldn't have that.
Glancing down to the frayed strings of your chosen children in your hands, determination returned to you as you gripped them tight before turning to the little planet beyond.
Taking a deep breath, you reached out your hand, your fingers trembling as you brushed against the planets surface and called your soul forward. The last of the life upon the planets surface fading away as your soul, one formed from the heart of a dying star and ignited once more, overtook the planet you had made.
The last of the threads surrounding you now dissipating into the void as you held your little planet, your soul, in your hand. Tears of gold dripping down your cheeks and landing on the cracked and broken surface as you took a moment to mourn for the lives that should have been and would never be.
Before finally turning back to the strings of your chosen children, the ones you had held onto all these years, refusing to allow them to disappear into nothingness.
However, before you could begin your plan, a voice snapped you from your state.
"After all this time, to see you in such a state is truly a blessing all its own."
The sudden voice, spoken from behind you caused you to jump out of your skin, fear gripping at your chest as you quickly turned around.
No one else was supposed to be here, the void had always been just yours, always providing silent comfort and a listening ear ever since your existence began.
Now, where there was once empty darkness filled with distance stars, was a man; at least what appeared to be a man, for he was unlike any man you had ever created.
Tall, taller then even your celestial form, with long brown hair that faded into the galaxy itself, lightly tanned skin with soft freckles made from the stars scattered around you both, and eyes that matched the void of space in a way that took your breath away.
Your heart racing as the man moved towards you, your hands trembling where they held your soul and the strings of your children close as the man gave you an almost sheepish smile.
"Forgive me, my lady, I didn't mean to scare you. I guess I was just a bit too excited to finally meet you face to face after all this time."
The man says, his voice familiar in a way you couldn't place as his words confused you even further.
"You... know me?"
You ask, your voice soft in the silence of the void yet filled with suspicion as you moved back before the mans eyes widened as he seemed to remember something.
A sudden flush of embarrassment spreading across his cheeks as he waved his hands around frantically, trying to dispel any fear or anger you might feel in his presence.
"Ah! Of course you wouldn't know me, this is our first actually meeting after all! You must be so confused, how rude of me."
He flounders, his eyes wide and his cheeks a soft shade of pink as he stared at you in both awe and nervous reverence before finally stepping towards you.
The void itself bending to give him structure with each step as he reached out to very gently take your hands into his own, your soul and the string of your children floating beside you as he slowly knelt before you, despite the void having no surface to do so.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself; I am Chaos, the god of gravity and time itself, I am the void at which resides at the beginning and end of all things."
He begins, his words stealing your breath, your heart racing as he brought your hands up to his lips to press a gentle kiss against the back of your knuckles.
The look in his eyes worshipping in a way you had never seen before, even from your own creations, eyes that spoke of longing and devotion beyond time itself.
"It took me so long to gather the strength to finally appear before you, your little creations were quite difficult to work with, but at least they were good for one thing."
He says, his smile playful, the tilt to his head boyish in a way, as if trying to portray a picture of innocents despite his words that made your heart drop.
"Please, allow me to finally say this after all these millennium... I am so grateful to finally get the chance to meet you face to face, my star born goddess."
He whispers, his tone filled with reverence and an obsession you had only ever seen from your children who were affected by that horrid corruption.
The thought causing you to freeze, the shock of the situation, of meeting this being who had been by your side since your creation without you ever knowing it, fading away as everything clicked into place.
"You."
You whisper, unable to hide the shock and slight tremble to your words as you stared down at the man before you.
Only, he wasn't just a man, was he?
No, he was far more then that.
He was the void in which you had known all your existence, your one comfort through the vast loneliness of endless space, your counter in all things that made up this universe that you had called your own. Destruction where you were creations, death where you led to life, the unknown outweighing knowledge.
And the only other being capable of manipulating your creations and the course of the story you had written for them to fit his own needs.
A sound like static echoing behind your ears as you stared down at his kneeling form, that boyish smile on his face speaking as if everything he had worked for had finally been worth it.
The corruption that had slowly spread throughout the world you had crafted, into the very souls of the creations you made with such care; the whispered words of a being claiming to be you into the ear of a man who would do anything to protect his wife and future child, all of it becoming clear to you.
The death, the sickness, the stolen lives of your creations that went against your design; all the years of pain and tears you had shed in guilt over the suffering of your children.
You weren't to blame.
He was.
"Yơ̵̲͌̋̂̚͜͝ṷ̶̘̆̚"
You begin again, that rage that had simmered in your core and been fueled with each death returning with a vengeance as you reached out and suddenly grabbed him by the face with both hands.
The sudden action surprising him as you dug your nails into the skin of his face, drawing golden blood the same shade as that cursed treasure, the one that had started this all and taken them away from you.
"You did t̵̨̩̦̞̻͈̟̘̲̓ͅh̷̢̄̐̏̎̐̑̓i̶̢͕̖͗̓͜͜͝͝s̵̡̥͓̭͎̬̰͈͊́̃͒̍͌.̵̙̺̈́͑͗̓͗͜"
You whisper, your voice distorted, swallowed up by the deafening silence of the void.
You hair floating around you both, your physical form distorting in a way it never had before, as if the very fabric of reality tethering you to this universe was unraveling.
All while Chaos stared up at you, his eyes wide with confusion and concern for you as tears gathered on your lashes, ignoring the pain lacing through his body as your trembling fingers dug into the skin of his flesh.
"Y̷̡͖̩̖͔͎̺͓͋̿͒̕o̵̡̡̮͉̮̞̭͔̞͈̯̞̺͆͆̽͜ͅǔ̶͚̣̂̎̀͆͘ destroyed all that I had ẁ̷̱̬͍͈̪͓̤͓̥̼̉̀̈́͐̎ͅo̷̺̠̖̯̭͑̓͑̈́͆̎̑̎̃̀̿͐̔͌r̴͉͒͐k̸̛̠̪͖͖̖̗̿͐̔̈́͘͝e̴̢̧̱̦̳̯̮͆̄̐̍d̸̢͍̟̩̟̄́̄̃͘ for, just so you could form a b̴̡̨̛̙̭͖̼̞̰̃͋͛̔͐͊̒̿̓̊͘͘͜͝ͅơ̸̢͍̘̻͎̦̣̼̜̎͂͆̀́̈̑͒ͅḍ̷̛̱̦̩͈͈̞̲͍́͒̒͗̊ÿ̵̡̢̢̛̛͔͈̩̺̺̠̠̬͓́̉̈́͂̎̒͋͐͑̑̐͜?"
You question, your voice echoing through the void as the planets around you both began to circle within your combined gravity.
"You took my children from me, A̴̡̮̮̦̮̥͖̱͖̖̓̏̌̊͐̈͛͘L̷̨͈̦͈̋̽̆̆̾̏̊̎̓́͘L̶̡͎̠͈̣̬̣̆̀ ̸̡̞͇̩̝̩̀̋͜͠Ḅ̸̬̓̐̈́͒̑̑̏̍̈̆̌̚Ë̷̛̱́͋̾̀͛̈́̌̓̚ͅC̶̹̲͈̗̰͈̥͚͎͙̋̑̓̓́À̷̢̻͈͔͍͙͆̓͜U̴̳̩̤̼͒̎͂̏͆̈̓͜S̷̙̟̑̈́̑E̶̲͉̊̇̓̊͆̓̓̓͛̀͝ ̶̠͑̃̆͐̅Y̸̻̫͚̖͎̩̲̍̈́̐̈́O̸̧͇̥̫͆̀̅̀͐U̴̹̺͒͆͛͆̑̄͝͝ ̶̮͚̭̟̤̺̫̞̮̯̣̙͌̿̈́̒̌̚T̸̠͚̰̤͒́H̶͙͔̭͂̊̔̆̕ͅO̸͍͈͚̽̅̽̈́̉̈́̑̔̆͌͊͜͝U̷̠̹̫͂̏̉̈́̐̂͊̅̃͝G̸̙͌̇̓̅̈́̍͒͆̂̄H̶̨̻̠͉̫͓̋̉̾̚T̷̙͚͍͙̫͇̭͚͛͂̀́͛̉͜ ̴̙̪͕͍̰̱͛̂̈́̑̓́̑̅͠O̶̖̫̼͛͐͒͐̋̋̀̂͆̾͒͝F̸̨̙̗̗̞̠͉̃͋͆̐̎͑͐̕̚͜ ̸̢̗̻̫͖̮̳̼͗͗̎͛̃̌̐̕T̶̢̨̡͇̠̥̟͇̣͖̩̠͋͒H̵̦̪̻͈̪͍̜̩̹͓̥͌E̴͔͉̽́̇͐̾͒͘Ṁ̵̧̫͇̱̘̗̼̟̾͝ ̶̡̦̗͇̹̘̉̎̈͐͜͠A̷̺͕̫̩͉̩̭̋̾͑́͋̚͠͠͝Ş̶͎̠̱̬͓̲̥̲̄ ̷̣̮͈̬͚̯͓̪̀̾́̀̓̾̓̒̌̕͘͜͝W̷̛̳̱̬͈͍͊̓̎̿̔̌̿͝Ȏ̵̦̬͙͎̘͔̫͊͜R̷̨̰̠̦͑̄̆͋͋̾̽T̴̜̱̼͖̪̖͚͓́̔́́̇̆̽̓̓̊̈͝H̸̡̨͚̥̼̥̣͇̤̝͚̄͋͑̓̉̃̿̕̚͝L̸̬̯̳̗͔̝̤̾̿͂̿̈́E̴̫̝̯̖̻͓̼̞̖͎̻͂̃͛Ş̷̡̖̻̥̞͊̒̈́͋̈́͆S̸̛̝̪̘̫̔́͊͋̑͘͘͝͠!̵̥̟̖̈́͑̀͂̐̎̿̊̈́͆͒͘?̶̫̥̺̪̙̞́̂̅͗͒̎̊̚"
You scream, the sound shooting pain through his ears and causing him to wince as he stared up at you in shock, watching as tears of gold roll down you cheeks, dripping off your chin and falling onto his face.
Your words, spoken with such rage and betrayal, broke something in him as he stared up at you.
The sight of not only the unending rage behind your eyes, but the deep seated anguish and heartbreak that he had caused, stealing his breath and forcing tears of his own forward.
He hadn't meant to hurt you, really he hadn't.
He had seen the way you cared for your creations, the pride you took in their accomplishments and the joy you felt at their happiness. He could see how attached you grew to each one of them, and while he was happy for your joy, he also knew it would eventually lead to heartache.
Nothing you made, no matter how much of your soul you put into it, would last as long as the two of you. They would fade, would die, would disappear into the void in which they came and leave you alone once more.
It's why he had worked so hard to gain a body, so that you would never have to feel that crushing loneliness ever again and so that he could remain by your side, no matter what or who it took.
But, sitting here now, with the universe around you both crumbling away and your tears staining his cheeks, Chaos couldn't help but realize how wrong he had truly been.
Your creations, while fleeting, had provided you happiness when he could not.
Had been there for you when loneliness overtaken the safety of the void.
You had put your heart and soul into each soul you crafted, had even taken time that would have been nothing more then a blink in your existence to raise a little girl and act as her mother.
The point wasn't that you didn't know your creations, your children as you had called them, wouldn't last... it was the fact that you did know that, had always known that, and still chose to love them in the little time you had with them.
And he had not only taken that away from you, but corrupted it in a way you would never be able to forget, every action he took showing that in his selfishness to have you by his side, he never truly considered what you wanted.
And now he had hurt you, had destroyed the universe you had crafted, all due to some selfish desire to have you to himself.
The thought breaking his heart as he leaned into your touch, ignoring the pain your nails digging through his flesh brought as he wrapped his arms around your waist and brought you into his arms.
"I'm sorry..."
He whispers, desperation and guilt evidence behind his voice as he nuzzled his face against your stomach, the sudden action causing you to pause in your rage to look at him in confusion.
"I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt you."
He says, his words pushing a sob past your lips as you finally let go of his face, his blood mixing with your tears as you hid your face in his hair.
The cracks in your soul growing as reality around you both began to shift, his eyes closing as he held you close, knowing their was nothing he could do as your form began to shatter.
The universe around you both being pulled in by the gravity of your soul before it, along with your physical body, exploded in a familiar display, a supernova crashing through the universe and remaking the very foundation of the void as Chaos went with you.
Promising that in the next life, he would do things right.
To be with you in paradise
What I wouldn't sacrifice
Why'd you have to chase the light
Somewhere I can't go?
As I walk this world alone
Caleb didn't remember a time he wasn't under EVER's care, his whole life filled with clinical hands; cold eyes filled with pity, resentment, disgust, and the searing pain of his own Evol trying to tear him apart everyday.
His life filled with dull gray walls and the constant buzzing lights of the facility.
Until the day you arrived.
You were so small, a couple years younger then he was, your body malnourished and dressed in the same patient's uniform as him, your hair a tangled mess as they shoved you into his room.
Even so, despite the woman standing behind you with a look of pity and guilt upon her face as she held the back of your neck like a dog, his eyes were entirely focused on you.
Something in his heart that had become numb to this life now aching at the look in your eyes, the same look of emotional numbness that he saw everyday in the reflection of the windows, the look that said you had given up on life with no reason to go on.
A look that shouldn't have been on a child so young.
"X-02, this is A-01, they are the newest patient being admitted. They will be sharing this room with you, meaning they are your responsibility to look after."
The woman said, older in age with graying hair and cold eyes that tried to seem soft.
"Explain the rules to them."
She says, her words final, holding no room for argument as she gently but firmly pushed you into the room.
Your bare feet scuffing against the cold concreate and your face blank as she shut the door behind you with a resounding slam, leaving you both in silence in the dimly lit room with only the buzzing of the overhead light filling the space.
Slowly, like approaching a frightened animal, Caleb climbed out of his bed, moving towards you with deliberate movements as he stared down at you with a blank expression of his own.
"Hello."
He says, the one word breaking the silence between you and seeming to bring you out of your thoughts, your lifeless eyes finally looking away from the floor to meet his gaze as he stood in front of you.
The silence stretching for a few seconds too long, making him doubt himself for just a moment before your voice finally spoke up.
"Hi."
Such a simple two letter word, spoken from a voice so small, so broken, as you stared up with a tilt of your head.
"You are my reasonability now, which means it's my job to make sure you don't get us in trouble. Your bed is over there, mine is right here. Just listen to the doctors during testing, do your best, and you should be fine."
He says bluntly, the same rehearsed line he had been forced to say for years now as he turns away from you, ready to climb back into his own bed and forget about everything around him.
However, a slight tug on the back of his shirt made him to pause, glancing over his shoulder to find you gripping the back of his shirt in your tiny hand, your fingers scarred and littered with cuts as you stared up at him with that same blank look in your eyes.
"But... what's your name?"
You ask quietly, the question making him freeze, glancing between your hand holding his shirt and your lifeless eyes as he tried to figure out how to proceed.
"X-02."
He says firmly, waiting for you to release him so he could crawl under his sheet and forget about you.
Only, you didn't, your little hand still gripping his shirt as your face scrunched up in confusion.
"But that's just numbers, that's not a name."
You say, your words causing him to flinch despite himself as he watched you grow more curious.
"What's your real name?"
Silence follows your question, so innocent, just wanting to know the person who is meant to be responsible for you. The person who will be sharing the pains of the future with you through everything, despite you not being aware of what is to come.
The hope that shines in your lifeless eyes making something in Caleb's heart ache, that emotionless void he had build around himself slowly crumbling bit by bit the longer he stared at you.
"... Caleb, my name is Caleb."
He finally says, his voice no more then a whisper between you both.
Still, it was enough, the one word causing your eyes to widen, a spark seeming to return to the lifeless void of your gaze as you stared up at him. His heart racing as he watched a tiny smile pull at the corner of your lips before morphing into the more beautiful thing he had ever seen within these bleak gray walls.
A smile, brighter then any star in the galaxy, filled with so much hope and joy at simply knowing his name.
"Caleb."
You repeat softly, spoken so innocently, with such reverence, with no fear... that Caleb couldn't help the tears that gathered in his eyes, his bottom lip trembling as he tried to hold onto the walls around his heart despite the way they crumbled.
No one had ever called his name that gently before, like it was something precious to be cradled and cared for, to be cherished.
His heart reaching out and letting you in despite himself, something clicking into place as he accepts you as not only his responsibility, but someone he wants to love and protect.
A breathless laugh slipping past his lips, a small smile spreading across his lips as he agreed, calling himself your Caleb.
Years passing with you both side by side, laughter shared between you both in secret despite the dull gray walls, your chatter drowning out the constant buzzing of the lights and the flashes of memories from a time since passed.
The small moment's warming his heart in a way he would always treasure, your curiosity when learning about his Evol, the way you would drool on his chest when you had a nightmare and he would let you sleep in his bed, your happy smile as he danced with you around the room of your shared cell on the days the doctors would play music in the room next door.
All memories shared between you and Caleb.
Your Caleb.
Something he would repeat over and over and over again, each time he was forced to watch through that window as they used you, tortured you, killed you.
Over and over and over again.
Your memories fading each time you woke from death, never once remembering who he was or who you were, no matter how many times he introduced himself as your Caleb like it was the first time.
CW: king of darknight!xavier, prince!xavier, healer!reader, consort!reader, fluff, first meeting, angst, childbirth, child loss, xavier backstory, possession, prophesized character death, character death, reincarnation, world building, inspired by the song The King (by Rosendale)
A/N: In the Drifting Through Deepspace Universe, the Darknight timeline is set after Sylus' Abysm Sovereign myth and Rafayel's Lemurian Sea God Myth but during the same time period as Zayne's Foreseer Myth
Masterlist
There was a king living carefree
He wanted the world he wanted everything
He ruled with a fist, his people were starved
He watched as they begged behind his castle guards
The sound of his own footsteps echoed off the walls of the cave as the newly crowned king of Philos, Elijah, made his way inside. His curiosity getting the better of him as he venture deeper and deeper into the darkness, something within calling to him in a way he couldn't explain before he finally came to the source.
Inside the cave, with walls as high as a Temple, carved from stone and laced with vines of thorned roses, lay mountains upon mountains of gold.
Sunlight streaming in from a opening in the roof of the cave, casting the room in a soft golden glow that bounced off the petals of the roses, casting the treasure in different shades of red.
That same feeling of curiosity calling to him as he stepped inside, closer and closer to the treasure before him. His hand reaching out to brush against the golden coins that were as high as the hills themself, just as a voice echoed through his mind.
"Human king of Philos, your crops are healthy, your gold is plenty, your kingdom prospers under your rule. But be warned, the gold you find before you was once apart of a dragons hoard, should you take this treasure... it will only lead to your downfall."
The voice of woman, soft like wind, whispered in his mind, causing him to jump in surprise.
Glancing around the empty cave, Elijah couldn't help the feeling of dread that filled his heart at the silence that followed, a soft breeze streaming in from the opening of the roof above and brushing against the thorned roses along the wall nearby.
Still, even as his instincts screamed at him, told him to turn back and leave this treasure behind, he could not help the greed that filled his heart as he glanced once more at the mountains of gold before him.
It's not as if the dragon was using such treasure, for the voice had said 'once apart of'.
It would be foolish of him really, to listen to a voice in his mind and leave such a hoard behind for others to take as their own without taking at least something.
So, with this in mind, Eljiah steeled his resolve. Ignoring the feeling of dread in the back of his mind as he reached out to take a handful of the gold. The coins pooling in his hands and slipping through his finger tips as he brought them close.
Images of the sky flash before his eyes, the laughter of children beneath a gentle willow and the vision of a woman with hair like fire and eyes of emerald sheen dancing within his mind as he stared down at the treasure in his hands. The beautiful sight fading away, replaced by cries of pain and grief, of blood dripping from his hands and an endless feeling of greed taking hold of his heart as the treasure took hold of him.
A smile slowly spreading across his lips as he looked away from the treasure in his hands, back out to the sea of gold before him as his smile only grew.
Maybe he should just take all of the treasure.
After all, he had been the one to find it and with no one to claim it as their own, it was his by right.
Yes, he would take every last piece back to his kingdom, would fill his halls with gold and treasures beyond the peoples wildest dreams and build his kingdom to the skies beyond.
The king thought to himself, the greed within his heart growing as he filled his bag with gold and treasures beyond his wildest dreams.
Ignoring the blood staining the treasures surface, brushing past the bones of little ones and not even wincing as he pricked his finger on a thorn of a rose along the wall.
All while the treasure took hold of him, trapping him in it's embrace and cursing his bloodline for the rest of time.
Diamonds and pearls, emeralds and gold
He bathed in the riches only he could know
But with time came age, his health in decline
The fate of his legacy left to the tides
Years had passed since that moment, a time so long ago that the king could not even remember the words the voice had whispered to him.
All he remembered was the sheen of the treasure stained with blood beneath the sunlight and the roses that wrapped around each coin as if in defiance of his choice.
The cheers of his people as he grew their kingdom overshadowing the words of warning, melted gold intertwined within the walls of his palace and throne, his power growing with each passing year and his name carrying with it strength far beyond his land.
He could not come to regret his decision to take the treasure.
Even when the sickness had begun in the years that followed, spreading to each citizen who had laid hand upon his treasure. Their bodies decaying, the life draining from their eyes with each day that passed, most dying while others transformed into creatures of stone and energy.
Losing their minds along with their bodies as they become monsters that wandered through the forests beyond.
No, he could not regret his decision to take the treasure.
The cries of the people beyond the palace gates nothing but a distant memory to Elijah as he sat upon his throne, the corruption of his people invoking no feelings of guild or sorrow, only disgust and contempt at the people who would beg for his aide when they had nothing to give him in return.
His fingers tapping a beat against the armrest beside him, a song he himself did not recognize as he stared out across the hall of his throne room, gazing out across the sea of riches before him.
Visions of fire and blood dancing before his eyes as he traced his finger along the gold of his throne, a sadistic smile spreading across his lips as visions of a woman with hair like fire and eyes of emerald sheen shone in the reflect of the gold.
Ignoring the fatigue plaguing his body and the feeling of hunger gnawing at his stomach as he stayed within the treasury, his mind falling further into madness and obsession as he allowed the corruption in his heart to grow.
All while his Queen stood outside the treasury, her soft blond hair falling in gentle waves down her back, her gentle sapphire blue eyes filled with pain as she watched her king obsess over the treasure that was tearing his kingdom apart.
Her hand gently placed upon the mound of her stomach, trying her best to shield her unborn child from the madness that had taken hold of his father.
So he ran to his queen and demanded a child
Planted his seed then he cast her aside
Several moons later she bore him a son
But died just to give him his own flesh and blood
The screams of the Queen echoed through the palace on the night of the late harvest, moonlight bathing her form as her maids and ladies-in-waiting remained by her side.
Her pained cries breaking their hearts as they whispered words of encouragements to her, wiping away the sweat from her brow as she gave one final push.
The cries of a newborn baby filling the room, along with the cheers of the servants as the Prince of Philos was finally born.
Tears clouded the Queen's eyes as she weakly took her son into her arms, his hair a perfect mixture of his parents in a soft shade of silvery-blonde. Yet, it was his eyes that pulling a sob of relief from her chest as her own sapphire blue gaze stared back at her through the eyes of her child.
"What shall you name him, Lady Lucille?"
The head maid asks, her smile warm and her eyes joyful as she watched her queen cradle her son close.
"Xavier, his name shall be Xavier."
She whispers in response, her voice filled with gentle love and devotion for the child before her as she nuzzled against his silvery locks, the feeling causing the baby to coo as he fell asleep within his mothers arms.
"My precious little prince."
She says, her words fading into memory as the years passed, her love for her child never once wavering as she raised him alone.
His father never once leaving his treasury to be beside his wife and child , even when sickness took hold of her, the life draining from her eyes day by day as her body slowly transformed into stone and energy.
Only then, when the last of her sanity began to fade and she begged at the King feet to protect her son from what she was to become, did he grant her final wish.
Only, he didn't grant it in the way she had hoped.
No, because instead of taking her life before she could become such a monster, the King chose to lock the now former Queen of Philos away in the bowls of the palace.
Years passing in agony as the kindhearted Queen suffered alone, her body transforming into a monster of stone and light, and her memories fading along with her mind as she lost herself to madness.
Until the day she would finally be put to rest.
On the day of her son's 18th birthday, did he follow his father down to the bowls of the palace, to a place devoid of light and warmth where a monster stood before him.
"Destroy it."
His father had said, his voice devoid of emotion, as his son looked on in confusion.
Thinking it only a test of skill, for he had slaid many a creature before, he did as he was told. Moving forward as swift as the light that bled from his blade as he slashed the monster down.
Only then, as his blade lay buried in the chest of the wanderer beneath him, did he pause. The creature reaching as if to touch him, his body tense, ready for an attack, only to pause as the monster cupped his cheek.
The action causing his eyes to widen, a moment passing as he stared down at the faceless beast before him, memories of a time long ago when his mother would cup his cheeks and hold him close flashing through his mind as he realized what he had done.
Tears gathering in his eyes as he stared down at the creature, his mother, who only let out a contented rumble before the familiar warmth of her touch faded from the hand upon his cheek.
His desperate sobs echoing through the dungeons of the palace as he apologized, begging his mother to come back, promising he didn't know as her body disappeared into partials of light.
Leaving only a stone of light blue sheen in her place, a stone that the King silently picked up, ignoring his grieving son and turning away to return to his treasury.
The protocore in his hand his only focus as he left his son upon the cold floor of the dungeons to grieve the loss of his mother by his own hands all alone.
The son grew like weeds, he soon was eighteen
He ventured outside of the castle to see
The faces so gaunt, the dead in the streets
They cried out for help but nobody could hear
Sunlight guided his path as Xavier made his way outside the castle walls to the village beyond, a dark cloak obscuring his identity to those around him as ventured further and further away from the only place he had known.
Death clinging to the air and the cries of the people echoing in Xavier's ears as he made his way through the streets, houses destroyed, burned to the ground from a time long ago in an attempt to stop the sickness from spreading.
Plants clinging to life with nothing to keep them going and the dead laying in the streets as the people watched on with pain of their own.
His eyes filled with horror for the people he hadn't known were suffering to this extent as he passed by those in need, unable to help as they cried out for help, his heart aching the louder their cries became.
The scene becoming to much for him, a laugh of disbelief and heart ache slipping past his lips as he turned to leave, not knowing how to help in this situation.
Only to pause as he saw something out of the corner of his eyes.
A woman, dressed in rags with dirt upon her cheeks, her hair tied back with nothing but a worn leather cord as she leaned over a child laying upon the ground. The mother on the other side, watching with tears as the woman traced her fingers along the child's cheek, guiding her to drink an herbal tea she had created.
The flush upon the child's face and the pained of fever fading away as the child drank, allowing the child to relax as the woman watched on with a gentle smile. The mothers soft sobs of relief echoing around them as the woman laid the child down once more, allowing them to fall asleep, all while the mother thanked the woman who merely nodded and moved on to the next person in need.
Her face firm, her eyes filled with a determination to help those in need despite not having much herself as she went to each person and did her best to ease their pain.
The sight causing something in Xavier's heart to stir, a similar look of determination spreading across his face as he came to a decision before finally turning away.
His steps silent against the cold cobble stone ground as he made his way back to the palace with a rage unknown and a need to do what he could to help his people.
Just like that woman had been doing.
Deep down inside him something had stirred
He laughed at the ruins his father incurred
Fire in his veins he stormed back to the throne
Stared down the king with a rage still unknown
His screams seemed to fall upon deaf ears as he stared up at his father upon his golden throne, begging him to help, to use his treasure to help the people beyond the palace walls.
Yet, in his state, Xavier's words only seemed to further the madness in his father's mind.
A few moments passing before the King finally stood, stepping away from the throne of gold and causing Xavier to freeze in place.
"You speak as if you have any power to demand what you do not own. This treasure, the gold and jewels that lay before you, they all belong to me. They only desire me. You will not come in here demanding my treasure like it it yours, I will not part with a single coin and I will not allow you to take any from this hall... You seem to forget that you are not the only heir I have made."
The king whispers, his voice like fire and fueled by greed and madness as he snapped his fingers, just as one of the guards appeared behind Xavier.
Too fast for the boy to react, turning just in time to dodge the sword through the chest and instead taking it through the side. A pained yell slipping past his lips as he kicked the man away, the sword dislodging from his side as he pressed his hand against the bleeding wound.
His vision blurring as he watched the other guards begin to swarm him, panic lacing his mind as he pulled his sword from the hilt and tried his best to defend himself. His blood staining the palace floor as he fought as hard as he could before using his energy to teleport just beyond the walls of the palace.
His body thrumming with pain as he ran into the forest nearby, as far as his legs would take him, until the sun was beginning to set and the haziness in his mind became too much to handle.
His body leaning against a tree in a clearing deep within the forest, his hand pressed against the wound on his side, trying to stem the bleeding as sleep coaxed him into her embrace.
He was so tired, a cold numbness spreading through his fingertips as he leaned back against the tree, blood pooling beneath him as he began to fall asleep. Darkness spreading through his mind as exhaustions took hold of his body, the last of his adrenaline fading as he finally closed his eyes.
Only to open them once more as he heard the sound of footsteps nearby.
The father decreed the new rule of law
His son to be banished outside of the walls
But the son had a plan, and his heart was convinced
There'd never be room for both king and a prince
It was getting late, the sun setting on the horizon as you carried your basket of herbs through the forest, trying to use the last of the sunlight to gather as many ingrediency as you could before you were forced to return home.
It was with this in mind, shadows cast upon the forest around you, that you couldn't help but jump at the sudden sound of metal clanking against wood.
Your back straightening, holding your basket close as you quickly turned around, only for your eyes to widen as you found the source of the noise.
There, leaning against a tree at the edge of the clearing, was a man.
His body dressed in shining armor, like that of a royal knight, his forehead shining with sweat and blood in the dying light of the evening as he struggled to keep himself awake. His eyes closed as he pressed his hand against a wound on his side that was bleeding through the armor.
The sight causing your heart to race in both fear and worry, not only for the stranger, but yourself as well.
After all, you were only one woman, and this man was obviously armed and dangerous, there was no way you could help him without there possibility being a confrontation.
Still, despite your nerves, you couldn't just leave the man to bleed out alone in the forest, and if he tried anything you could always just grab the dagger from your basket and shive him in the neck.
So, with that in mind, you slowly stepped towards him.
Your soft footsteps echoing through the clearing and drawing the mans attention, causing his eyes to snap open, reaching for his sword as he glanced up to you.
Only to pause.
Because there you were, the woman from before who had helped that child and eased their pain.
Your body bathed in the dying light of day through the trees, the rags you wore doing nothing to hide your beauty as you stared at him with wide eyes, filled with slight nervousness and that familiar determination that took his breath away and caused his heart to race.
A moment of silence settling between you both as you each seemed to wait for the other to make the first move.
And, being the person that you are, you weren't going to just sit here and let this man bleed out because he has a staring problem. So, you stepped forward, offering him your hand to lead him back to your home in order to help him.
An offer that he readily took, taking her smaller hand into his own, holding it with a gentleness and reverence he had never shown anyone as he gazed up at you like the moon would gaze upon the sun beyond the horizon.
Putting his trust and devotion into you, this amazing woman who had stolen his heart without ever even knowing it.
He rallied the people and charged through the gates
Shield in one hand but the other a blade
With one fell swoop his own father deposed
He sat on the throne and adorned his new crown
The silence that followed as Xavier's sword sliced through the King's chest would forever haunt him, not because he cared for the man, but because of the look in his eyes as he lay dying upon the floor of the treasury he held so dear.
For a moment, there was pain, fear and that familiar obsession that Xavier had known all his life behind his father's eyes, but there was also triumph.
As if this was the turn of events the man had been hoping for all along.
The sound of the King's crazed laughter echoing through the throne room, bouncing off the treasure bathed in fire light and stained with blood. The life fading from his eyes, yet the crazed smile upon his lips never once slipping, even as his laughter faded away.
The distant echo of a woman's laughter, one Xavier had never heard before, hidden just beneath the sound; filled with the grief and sorrow of a woman scorned by man.
All while Xavier stood there, his hand trembling despite himself as he held his bloodied sword, staring down at the body of his father with a emotionless expression and a feeling of numb acceptance taking hold of his mind.
Despite the confusion and unease gripping at his chest as he finally turned away and stepped past the fallen man, his hands still strained with blood and that woman's laughter echoing through his mind.
𖤓⟡ ── ⋆⋅ ⏾ ⋅⋆ ── ⟡𖤓
The cheers of the people drowned out the rest of the world as Xavier knelt before you on the day of his Coronation, the woman who had moved his heart in ways you could never know and pushed him to take action for the lives of his people.
No longer were you dressed in rags, your body adorned in the finest silks and gold that Xavier could find for you, giving you the appearance of a goddess all your own.
Your smile warm and your eyes filled with pride as you stared down at him, holding the crown above his head and recited the words of a High Priestess to bless him as the new King of Philos, wishing him and his people a long rein of happiness to come.
The cheers of the people growing louder, filled with joy and excitement as you placed the crown upon his head, their tears of joy soothing Xaiver's heart as he stood to his full height once more. Never once taking his eyes off of you as he took your hand into his own and brought you into his arms.
Your smile soft, filled with a love that was reflected in the eyes of your husband as he pulled you into a kiss, the cheers growing louder as Xavier poured his love and devotion for you into the simple action.
Their cheers fading into the background as he took his seat upon the throne that had been his by birth and right of conquest, with you seated beside him. His handing holding yours as he watched you smile out at the people, your eyes filled with warmth and care for the people you had worked so hard to save.
The sight of your subtle devotion for your people, while dressed in the finest silks and gold plated bliss stirring something in Xavier's mind, his love and obsession for you growing with each passing moment as he gazed upon you.
The memory of the people fading away as his eyes remained on you, only on you, his world, as corruption took hold of his heart.
The son was elated, the kingdom was his
Diamonds and emeralds and gold-plated bliss
The memory of your time's together felt like a lifetime ago as you laid in bed with your husband, his lips tracing gently down the side of your neck, brushing away the collar of your nightgown as you both savored the warmth and love provided by each other.
Each kiss filled with love and devotion, making your heart race as you traced your fingers up into his silver hair, giggling softly as he nipped at your skin playfully.
Only for him to pause as your giggles began to fade, your body growing unnaturally calm and your grip tightening on his hair, causing him to glance up to you.
His heart stopping in his chest and a feeling of dread overtaking him as he saw your face.
Despite being awake, it was clear you were not present, your gaze hollow, your mind far from this place as your eyes seemed to glow in the dim lighting of your shared bedroom.
A feeling of unnatural calm settling over him, the familiar sensation of your Evol enveloping him, not bringing him comfort like it usually would in this moment.
Only making him uneasy as he stared up at you.
"My Love?"
He asks softly, his hand gently gripping your side, trying to get you to come back to him.
However, all this seems to do is drag you further into your mind just as a cunning smile, one not your own, settled across your lips, causing him to tense.
"You know this cannot last, correct?"
You says, though your voice wasn't your own, the echo of someone else just beneath the surface as your unnatural glowing gazed finally turned to look at him.
"You will have to give her up eventually."
The voice says, their words coming from your lips like a puppet speaking for their master, causing Xavier to tremble in barely concealed rage as he stares at you.
"Why... why must I-"
He begins, only for the voice to interrupt him.
"Because it is written in my design."
The voice said, the familiar feeling of your hands coming up to gently cup his cheeks and guide him to stare into your eyes.
"And my fate cannot be unwritten."
They finish, their words stern, final, as if speaking to that of a child despite the condescending smile they forced upon your lips.
The words causing something in Xavier to break, his hands trembling where they gripped your sides as he stared up into the eyes of a creature more powerful then him, using you to relay their message.
That your death will happen, weather he wants it to or not.
It was with those final words, that the unnatural glow began to fade from your gaze, your eyes fluttering closed as you fell asleep in his arms, unaware of the conversation that had just transpired.
All while Xavier stared down at you, tears of anger and desperation shining in his eyes as he gripped the sheets of the bed before burying his face against your neck.
A soft, sweet sigh of contentment falling from your lips in your sleep, causing his heart to ache as he cuddled close to you. The words of fate ringing in his mind as he held you in his arms, his eyes shining with love and determination as he thought about the future ahead.
No, he would not give you up, no matter what any deity commanded.
He would rather sacrifice his whole kingdom, his whole planet, in order to keep you safe and by his side.
He would not lose you.
But what of the people, the legends don't say
Just like a memory they faded away
The gentle breeze of the afternoon brushed against your cheeks as you slowly opened your eyes, glazing out at the field of golden lilies and flowers of different shades bending in the breeze.
The sight causing you to smile before you finally glance up to your husband who sat beside you upon the grass, a soft smile on his lips as he craved a small, handheld, wooden sword.
The tiny details of the piece causing your smile to soften as you slowly sat up, drawing your husbands attention.
"Did you enjoy your nap?"
Xavier asks, his tone teasing as he glanced over to your with a small smile, his laughter echoing between you both as you reached out to gently bap his shoulder.
The sound making your heart flutter as you leaned in, laying your head against his shoulder as he held out the small wooden sword to you.
"Do you like it?"
He asks softly, his tone neutral but hopeful in a way you couldn't help but love as you reached out to slowly take the sword into your hand and lifting it up to the light of the afternoon sunshine.
"I love it, nimble and light, perfect for any skill level."
You respond, your smile turning mischievous as you glanced over to him with a raised eyebrow.
"However..."
You begin, suddenly turning to gently but firmly poke him in the arm with the wooden sword, the action causing him to laugh as he reached out to gently grip your wrists.
"You have quite a unique way of showing affection, my love."
He says, his words causing your to giggle as you reach up and managed to gently hit his crown with the sword, causing it to tilt at an odd angle.
"Hehe, while I love the sword, my dear; are you sure this is what we will be needing when the time comes?"
You say, your words trailing off as you watched him reach up to remove his crown, placing it onto the ground beside you both.
"After all, the storm has passed. The kingdom prospers, sunlight shines upon us and the flowers fields remain in bloom-"
You begin, only to pause as Xavier reaches out to take your hands into his, your fingers linking together as he holds the tiny sword between you both.
"You're right, while we may not need it now... I like to think of it as a memento, a memory of our time long ago that led us to where we are now."
Xavier whispers, his words causing your breath to hitch, a soft smile spreading across your lips as you leaned in to gently nuzzle against his cheek.
"Such sentimentally from such a strong man."
You tease gently, his soft chuckle echoing between you both as you pressed your foreheads together, your eyes only opening as he brought your linked hands down to press against your stomach.
"I'm sure he will love it, my darling."
You whisper in response, your words bringing tears to Xavier's eyes as he leaned in, nuzzling his cheek against yours as you both relaxed beneath the warmth of the afternoon sun.
Your bodies pressed together, side by side, hands intertwined and the small toy sword laying gently upon the mound of your stomach where your child lay safe, waiting to be born.
There was a king living carefree
He wanted the world he wanted everything
The smell of smoke and ash filled your senses as you laid within your husband's arms, bodies of your fallen people and ash scattered across the once beautiful meadow as you tried to keep your eyes open.
The pain in your heart fading to a quiet numbness as you lifted your hand to Xavier's cheek.
"Your face… is so cold."
You whisper, your voice weak despite the urge to comfort your King, the sorrow in his eyes clear as he stared down at you laying in his lap.
His hand reaching up to gently cup yours, holding it against his cheek, craving that last bit of warm you could give him even as it was slowly fading away.
"The sun is coming out, we won't be cold for much longer."
He says, his voice soft in the deafening silence that surrounds you both.
The kingdom had fallen, your king unwilling to give you up in order to heal his kingdom, his actions to try and save both leading to the destructions of all.
Which leads to now, the once beautiful flowers of the meadow dying alongside you as you gazed up at your lover, a soft smile upon your lips as you watched the sunlight shine against his cheek over the horizon for what would be the final time.
"Always so strong, even to the end."
You say, your words causing his forced smile to become pained just as your vision began to blur, your hand trembling against his cheek as your heart began to slow.
"We will see each other again, my love… and when that day comes, we will always be together."
You whisper softly, your words causing his heart to clench as he nuzzles into the palm of your hand, desperately trying to starve off the tears clouding his vision.
"… All of us."
You finish, your words breaking him as you brought his free hand to your stomach, where the tiny wooden sword he made lay atop the small mound of your pregnant belly.
Tears rolling down his cheeks and a sob slipping past his lips as he buried his face against your now limp hand, the world around you both crumbling as you took your final breath.
"I will see you again, my love… both of you."
He whispers, his words lost on the wind as your body crumbled away in his arms, the tiny wooden sword falling to the ground and rolling down the hill as his heartbroken sobs were swept away by the wind.
CW: dragon!sylus, nymph!reader, fluff, first meeting, found family, luke and kieran are baby dragons, world building, angst, gold sickness, possession, obsessive behavior, character death, reincarnation, inspired by the song the Rose (by Rosendale)
A/N: In the Drifting Through Deepspace Universe, Sylus' Abysm Sovereign timeline takes place during the same time period as Rafayel's Lemurian Sea God Myth but before the events of Xavier's Darknight myth and Zayne's Foreseer Myth
Masterlist
In mother earth's garden, a flower was growing
Her blossoms as red as the love in her soul
But along came a Daisy with a heart of fool's gold
And petals as white as a lie could be told
The sound of gentle humming is what greets the dragon as he began waking up, his eyes heavy and his body throbbing with pain as he tried to focus.
The last thing he remembered was flying, pain clouding his mind and blood dripping from his broken wing as he tried to escape from the humans, only for his body to come crashing to the earth below as he lost consciousness.
The soft melody echoing around him slowly forming into words as he began to focus, the voice calm, gentle; soothing the instincts still clawing at his mind as his eyes slowly fluttered open.
There leaning over him, was a woman, her hair like fire as the sun shone down from above, casting her figure in a celestial glow. Her eyes, brighter then the rarest emeralds, dragging him into their depths as she gazed down at him with a soft smile upon her lips.
Her beautiful eyes and gentle smile captivating him for a moment as he became lost in her gaze before his instincts took over, his pupils dilating into slits and a growl rumbling from his chest as he swiped at the woman with his claws, barely missing her delicate flesh as she moved away just in time.
Her eyes wide as she watched him scoot away from her, his fangs on display to show his strength and his angry growl echoing between them as he pressed his broken body against a nearby tree despite the pain it caused.
Still, beneath that instinctual anger, the woman could tell he was just scared.
Scared of being harmed again, scared of the pain that was thrumming through his body, scared of dying there on that forest floor with no one to remember him.
The realization soothing any fear she might of had as she stared at him, her smile calm as she held her hand out to him.
"Shh, it's alright."
The woman whispered, her voice like the sweetest honey as the dragon watched her, his instincts clawing at his mind to run, to escape, to kill her before she could kill him.
Only, he didn't want to.
Something in his heart telling him not to harm the woman as she approached once more, a growl still rumbling from his throat despite her soft whispers as she knelt beside him before gently placing her hands against his own.
The feeling of her hands, warm like the hearth of a home against his claws, soothing the fear gripping at his mind and allowing him to focus as the growling in his chest slowly stopped.
His crimson gaze watching as a soft green energy flowed from the grass beneath the woman and into his own body, his breath hitching as he watched the cuts and broken bones across his body slowly begin healing themselves.
His eyes wide as he quickly looked back to the woman, watching in awe and fascination as she used the energy around her to heal him, the last of his fear fading away as he took the moment to take in the details he had missed about her.
Like the fact that she definitely wasn't human.
Her ears slightly pointed, the ivy vines curled around her wrists in a way that could have only been supernatural, the leaves clinging to her skin in the form of a dress that highlighted the beauty of her features and her striking green eyes.
A nymph, often called Fae by humans, believed to be beautiful but mischievous creatures who seduced men and women alike in order to consume their life force.
Still, he knew the truth.
They were nature spirits created by mother earth, minor deities who helped tend to their respective elements, caring for the trees, the flowers, the wild life. Healing the earth and helping her to grow in any way they could.
He has never seen one before, as they often stayed hidden within their lands and didn't stray far from home, but he had heard of others who had.
Now, to have one here, healing him of all creatures, it was truly a blessing from a god he didn't follow.
A rare gift, a memory he would cherish for the rest of his existence as he watched the energy fade, the last of his injuries now healed as the nymph finally pulled her hands away from him.
Her smile calm, small but kind in it's sincerity, as she gazed at him before finally standing up, the very grass beneath her bending towards her as she moved away, as if they too wanted one last touch to remember her by as she left.
Her form fading into the distance, her soft humming returning and fading along with her as he watched on, his hand now gripping at his chest where his heart and instincts both twirl together in a show of utter devotion for the one who had saved him with such a gentle touch and melody upon her lips.
The Daisy was parched, he begged her for drink
He wept and he groveled right there at her feet
The flower obliged with a soft-hearted grin
She bent her own stem to give nectar to him
Years had passed since that fateful day, the dragon only known as the Abyssal Shadow by the people of the kingdom going about his life, building his power and wealth far beyond any within the land could comprehend. Striking fear into the hearts of the humans that had once shunned and tortured him.
Even so, despite all his vast wealth and power, the only thing upon his mind remained a nymph with hair like fire and eyes of emerald sheen. The memory of her gentle touch and the warmth of her skin against his own pushing him forward, yearning to see her one last time despite years that passed.
Until the day fate led him back to her when he heard a familiar melody flowing through the trees on his way back from a hunt.
His heart racing within his chest as he pushed past the bramble and into a clearing deep within the forest where a lone willow stood tall and proud, and at the center of the tree, sitting serenely upon it's branches sat the very woman he had longed to see.
Her hair shining in the afternoon light that slipped through the leaves above, her expression calm and her eyes filled with peace as she wove together the vines of the tree into intricate designs.
Yet, a feeling of loneliness clung to her presences as she sat among the cover of the great willow tree.
The dragons instincts pushing him forward as he stepped into the clearing, standing tall and imposing like he had taught himself to all these years, his shadow falling upon the woman and causing her eyes to widen as she quickly glanced over to him.
That wide eyed look of surprise within her gaze causing something in his chest to tighten, worried of scaring her in a way he had never been with anyone else.
He had always used fear in order to survive, used it in order to keep humans and others who wished him harm away from him and his treasure.
Yet, in this moment, the thought of this woman whom he had longed to see again fearing him in any way, made fear and panic grip at his chest.
His body trembling as he quickly fell to his knees before her, the great willow looming over him as he bowed his head to her in a show of submission he would never give to anyone else.
"My lady."
The dragon whispered, his voice filled with reverence and care for the woman before him, trying his best to sooth any fear she might have of him as his wings brushed against the earth.
"I'm sorry, please forgive me, I... I didn't mean to intrude upon your land, nor startle you in any way. I just- you may not remember, but you saved me long when I was nothing more then a lone dragon with nothing to my name."
He continues, refusing to look up even as he heard the woman gracefully descend from the willow and step upon the ground, determined to prove he is not a threat to her.
"From that moment on, you had mesmerized me, your beauty and gentle touch captivating me in a way I could never forget. I- I have worked hard to become something that would be worthy of being in your presence. I have conquered kingdoms and gathered wealth from far beyond this land. I have done this all so that I could one day offer it all to you if only to see your smile once more."
The dragon confesses, tears gathering in his eyes as he continued to stare down at the ground, fear gripping at his mind at the thought of the woman thinking him nothing more then a monster.
His heart racing as he listened to the woman slowly walk towards him and stand before his kneeling form.
"Please- I beg of you... just once allow me to gaze upon your smile once more and I shall offer you all that I have."
He begs, groveling beneath her in a way he never would for anyone else, his heart on display for the woman as silence followed. The dragon's hands trembling against the ground as he tried to keep himself from crying, only for his breath to hitch as he felt a familiar warmth against his cheek.
His eyes wide as the nymph gently cupped his cheek, slowly guiding him to look up at her and finally meet her eyes.
Eyes filled with soft kindness and care for him as she looked upon him with a soft smile, eyes that shone like the rarest emeralds in the gentle light of day, eyes that he would never forget in this lifetime or the next.
"I remember you, dear one."
She says, her voice just as calm and regal as the dragon remembered, his body trembling as he waited on her words with a reverence only she deserved.
"Don't worry, I didn't fear you then... and I don't fear you now."
She continues, her words pushing a relieved sob from the dragons lips as he collapsed beneath her gentle touch. Leaning into her hand and nuzzling against her palm, breathing in the scent of ivy and roses upon her skin as his tears brushed against her.
"You have become so powerful, so feared by all those outside my forest. Yet, all I see is that young dragon who craved a gentle touch."
The woman whispers, her words pulling a soft chuckle from the dragons lips as she knelt before him as well, staring up into his crimson eyes with that calm smile upon her lips.
"You did not have to become anything more then you already are in order to request anything from me, I would have given it to you easily the moment you asked. I have nothing to offer you in return for your devotion, nothing to my name, nor can I leave the forest which I was born to."
She says in apology, the dragons head shaking as soon as her words began as he leaned into her touch, closing his eyes and nuzzling against her palm as he savored the warmth of her touch that reminded him of home.
"I ask nothing in return for my devotion, I only beg that I be allowed to remain by your side for the rest of this lifetime and the next. If you cannot leave, then I shall build us a home here. If wealth does not suit you, then I shall bring you the rarest flowers across the land and help you tend to them. Anything to remain by your side."
He says, his words bringing tears to the nymphs eyes, her smile just as warm as her touch as she stared up at the dragon.
"I don't even know your name, for the people have only ever called you the Abysm Sovereign."
She responds, her words causing his smile to turn sad as he hid his face against her palm.
"While I have received many titles and collected many treasures in my time... the one thing I have never been given was a name."
The dragon says, his words causing the nymphs eyes to widen, a moment of silence passing before she tightened her hands against his cheeks, guiding him to look at her once more as crimson eyes met those of emerald sheen.
"Then, my gift to you shall be that... a name."
She whispers, her words causing the dragons breath to hitch as he stared into her eyes, her expression calm but her eyes shining with a fire that made his instincts sing.
"Sylus, your name shall be Sylus."
She finished, her words hanging between them as tears clouded the dragon's vision, a sob slipping past his lips as he leaned into her touch.
The name settling into place between them as the greatest gift he could ever received was finally given to him by the woman he loved the most.
Their foreheads pressing together for a moment that felt like eternity before their lips finally came together in a gentle kiss, pouring all of their love and devotion for one another into the simple act as they remained upon the forest floor shadowed by the willow tree.
Sylus, a name meaning 'of the forest'.
The perfect name for the dragon who's heart and soul belongs to the nymph chosen by the forest herself.
If only she noticed how deeply he drank
The Daisy grew taller while she only sank
He spread out his leaves and he beckoned the shade
A cover so thick no light could penetrate
The sound of laughter echoed throughout the forest as you watched your chosen children play throughout the clearing, the sun shining down from above and warming your skin as you sat beneath the willow tree.
Their little wings fluttering as they tackled each other to the ground, their soft giggles bringing a smile to your lips as you watched them tumble throughout the grass before the younger twin began trying to climb the willow tree in order to escape his brother.
"Kieran darling, don't climb too high, your wings still aren't big enough to fly with."
You say, the smile in your voice bringing a grin to the little one's face as he continued climbing, trying to escape from his brother while show off for his mother.
"Yes mama!"
He called, only to immediately regret it as his feet slipped out from under him. His eyes wide and his little wings fluttering to try and catch himself as he fell towards the ground, only for the vines of the willow tree to move on their own, catching him gently within their grasp.
His little giggles echoing throughout the clearing as the willow tree guided him towards the ground before setting him safely within your arms.
His smile sheepish at the reprimanding look upon your face, your eyebrow raised as you nod to the willow in thanks before turning back to your son.
"Kieran."
You say, your tone indicating disappointment and causing the little one's tail to curl between his legs as he bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, Mama."
He whispers, his voice filled with regret before your smile returned, leaning in to nuzzle your foreheads together and causing the child to giggle once more.
"It's alright, but be more careful next time."
You say, receiving an enthusiastic nod in return as the child nuzzles against your chest before a soft chuckle draws your attention.
Looking away from your youngest to watch your lover, Sylus, walk out of the cave nearby now carrying your second son. His towering form casting gentle shadows against the ground as he supported your son, who growled and playfully nibbled at his father's horns while climbing onto his head.
Soft laughter falling from your lips at the sight as you watched Sylus carry him over before sitting down beside you and Kieran beneath the willow tree.
"I heard that someone had quite a tumble."
Sylus says, his tone teasing as he glanced down to Kieran, who was beginning to fall asleep in your arms.
"Yes, is seems they got your knack for getting into trouble, maybe it's just a dragon thing."
You comment, giggling as Sylus leans in to playfully nip at your cheek before reaching up to lift Luke off of his fathers head, where he was still nibbling at his horns.
"Mama!"
The boy says happily, immediately stopping his attack on his father to nuzzle against your cheek, his little tail wrapping around your waist as he joined his brother in your arms.
It was hard to believe four years had already passed since you and Sylus found their eggs, their fangs only recently coming in and their little wings already trying to take them to the skies.
Time passing by faster then you both could comprehend as you sat beneath the willow tree together, cradling your sons close as they fell asleep within your arms.
Only then did you allow the fatigue throughout your body to show, leaning against your lover as he cradled you close, easily picking both you and your children up into his arms as he carried you back to the cave you all called home.
Your breathing labored as the shadows of the cave fell upon you, blocking out the light of the sun as you were gently sat within the safety of your shared nest of furs and treasures.
The twins nuzzling against your chest in their sleep as you curled around them, content with your family despite being away from the light of day as you allowed yourself to sleep.
All while Sylus watched you, his heart aching with guilt at having to keep you inside the cave so often lately.
It just wasn't safe, the forest growing sicker with each passing day as the King's men invaded her lands, with Sylus only able to do so much while trying to protect you and the children.
Even so, as Sylus ran his clawed fingers gently through your hair that shone like fire in the dim torchlight nearby, the glistening gold giving your otherwise sickly form a celestial glow, he could not help the possessive thoughts that invaded his mind.
His instincts warring with his heart as corruption spreading the longer he watched the gold shine across your beautiful skin.
He was doing the right thing, keeping you here.
Safe within this cave you'd both turned into a home, with your little ones safely within your arms and the gold and jewels he had collected over the years draped across your body like they were always meant to be.
It was the right thing, the only way to keep you and your little ones safe.
At least, that's what he told himself.
Even if he knew the longer you remained away from the green land of your birth, the more sick you would become.
She pleaded with him, he ignored all her cries
He stood like a tower his head held so high
The flower was stunned, she was spurned and betrayed
Alone in the darkness, she flew in a rage
"Sylus."
The name rang through the cave like a blessing and a curse as the dragon stood before his treasure, the glittering of the gold shining beneath the nearby torches and hypnotizing him in a way he couldn't understand as he ran his clawed hands along the gems.
The world around him fading away until the only thing in his mind was the smell of metal and the sight of his treasure, even as his love knelt nearby, calling out to him.
Cradling their sons against her chest, their cheeks hollow and their little eyes closed as they struggled to breath, all while she begged for her lover to snap out of it.
"Please, we can't go on like this, they can't go on like this. They need food, fresh air, sunlight. They need to leave this cave."
She says, her words echoing off the walls of the cave that had once been their home, but had now become their cage.
A cage filled with treasure gathered from the kingdoms of man, treasure that had only made her husband fall further and further into corruption as the greed of humans that had soaked into the metal poisoned the air of their home.
It started slow, things that could be brushed off and ignored as instinct, until it was too late.
His protectiveness over her and the children, his sudden craving to gather more and more treasure, his fear of the outside world growing with each passing day and causing him to spend more and more time inside the cave alongside his family.
Until they never left all together.
It had been weeks since any of them had seen the sunlight beyond the cave walls, the artificial light of the treasure hollowing their cheeks and doing nothing to rid them of any sickness that had begun to grow within them, all while Sylus refused to allow them to leave in fear of something happening to them.
In fear of something happening to his treasure if he stepped foot outside.
Still, while your body was weak due to hunger and being separated from the forest outside, it had hit the children the hardest.
Despite being dragons, the boys were still very young, barely more then toddlers losing their milk teeth. Their bodies needed nutrients and sunlight to help them grow, and while gold soothed their instincts in a way it did to all dragons, they could not survive on gold alone.
And here you were now, knelt before your lover, pleading with him to see reason and do something before it was too late.
Before they lost their little ones to the greed this treasure had spread.
"No."
A single word, spoken from a voice you had not heard in days, causing you to freeze as you stared up at your husband.
Your husband who wasn't even looking at you or your children, his only focus being on the treasure laid out before him, a look of awe so similar to how he had once looked upon you and the family you had both built, now tainted with greed and obsession.
The sight filling your heart with rage, the cries of pain and hunger from your children over these last few days ringing in your mind as you cradled them close.
"This has gone far enough, if you will not come with us, I am taking the children out of this cave."
You say, your voice filled with determination, holding the boys close as you prepare to stand, only to freeze as Sylus finally glanced to you over his shoulder.
A feeling you had never felt before in the presence of your husband washing over you as you stared up into his crimson eyes shining in the torch light, glowing in a way you had never seen before as he glared down at you.
Fear.
"You will not leave. None of you will leave. I cannot lose you all. All we need is here... all we need is the treasure."
He whispers, his words and the cold tone of his voice filling your heart with dread as you watched him turn away once more before reaching out, brushing his fingers along the golden coins like he had once done to your hair, ignoring you and your sons once more as he continued to caress his treasure.
That fire in your heart growing, along with your fury as you held your trembling sons close while they continued to dream of times long passed.
"They cannot survive on treasure alone! Your greed is killing us, Sylus! YOU'RE killing us!"
You yell, your words echoing off the walls of the cave and causing Sylus to freeze, his hand hovering over the treasure before him as silence fell.
A few moment's passing as you tried to catch your breath before Sylus finally turned to face you, the air surrounding you both heating up as you watched the way your words ignited the fire of rage within his heart that had laid dormant all this time.
Your body freeze up as you watched him step towards you, holding the boys close as you began to tremble.
"You speak as if you have a say in this matter. I have spoken, and my words shall be final. I will not risk my treasure just because of your worries. If they cannot survive, then they were not meant to survive, that is the harsh truth of this world. Either way, if they parish or if they don't, none of you will leave this cave."
He says, his words final in a way that shattered your heart, a feeling of hurt and betrayal so sharp stabbing through you as you stared up at the man that had once been your husband.
His eyes no longer filled with any of the gentle love and care that made up the man you loved, now only overtaken by greed and corrupted that twisted his mind and heart due to the prolonged exposure to the gold.
It was in that moment, as you stared up into the eyes of this stranger, that you knew you had lost your husband.
Silence following as he turns away from you once more, walking back over to the treasure and leaving you standing there, your world shattering around you as you held your sons close.
Hour passing into the night as you cradled your boys against your chest in the safety of your nest, now hidden away in one of the back tunnels of the cave away from that cursed treasure.
Your hands trembling as you tried to push any of your remaining energy into your sons to help them hold on just a bit longer, yet you had none left to give.
And by then, it was already too late.
Their soft whimpers of pain and hunger finally quieting as they relaxed against your chest, their hands linked together and tiny smiles adorning their lips as they both breathed their final breaths before passing away in your arms.
The sound of your devastated sobs echoing through the cave and into the forest beyond as you grieved for the loss of your children, holding them close and nuzzling against their little curls as you cried for the life they could have lived that was taken from them far too soon.
She hardened her skin and grew out her thorns
So no other Daisy could hurt her anymore
But she kept her blush red to this very day
So she'd never forget all the love she misplaced
A feeling of cold numbness remained in your heart as you stared at your hands, stained in the blood of your husband where you had plunged the obsidian dagger into his chest, panic and guilt clouding your mind you both collapsed to the ground.
Your trembling hands still gripping the hilt of the dagger as you stared at the wound, too afraid to look up and see the betrayal and anger you were sure to find in your husband's gaze.
That is, until he called your name.
The single word causing you to freeze, the tone so gentle, in a way you hadn't heard in so long as you slowly glanced away from the wound to meet his gaze.
Gone was the anger and greed that had clouded his mind, the red of his eyes no longer threatening to burn you in their depths.
Now, all you saw was the familiar love and adoration for you that made your heart ache, tears clouding his vision and giving his crimson eyes a ruby sheen in the dying light of the torches nearby as he leaned forward to press his forehead against your own.
"I'm sorry."
He whispered, his words filled with guilt and love for you in a way you had long missed.
Yet, there was relief in his tone as well, as if this action was not a betrayal at all, but a long awaited event that he had hoped you would have the strength and courage to perform one day.
"I failed you, I became the beast that everyone feared I was. I'm sorry for all of the pain I have caused you, I... I'm sorry about our babies, I didn't mean what I said."
He continued, his words breaking into a sob halfway through despite his smile, his conscious mind returning to him as his body began to grow cold, allowing him to grieve for the sons he had lost due to his own selfishness.
The broken tone of his voice and the regret shining within his eyes bringing tears to your own, you hands trembling where they held the dagger in his chest even as he weakly reached up to cradle them in his own.
Reassuring you of your decision, telling you that it was the right choice.
"Despite it all- despite what my instincts tell me and what my actions have shown, despite all the wealth and riches I have gathered... you and our sons have been, and always will be, my greatest treasure."
He finished, the smile upon his lips remaining even as the light slowly faded from his eyes, his clawed hands falling away from your own as he breathed his final breath.
The sight before you and his words that lingered in the air between you both pushing a sob from your chest as the numbness around your heart finally melted away.
Leaving behind only grief, sorrow and anger as you pressed your forehead against your husbands chest, staring down at your hands bathed in his blood as you allowed yourself to cry.
Grieving for the family you had built and lost all due to the selfishness of man.
"No, you cannot leave me, I won't allow it..."
You whisper, repeating the words your husband had spoken in his crazed state of madness.
Desperation and anger clawing at your mind as you clung to the corpse of your husband, tears rolling down your cheeks as your nails dug into his flesh.
"You do not get to leave me behind with only the memory of our love and the bones of our children to accompany me! YOU DO NOT GET TO MOVE ON SO EASILY!"
You scream, your nails digging further into your husbands chest, drawing blood of their own as the Aether Core shard residing there began to glow.
"I will follow you, through all walks of life! No matter the time, no matter the body, our souls shall be intertwined together for all eternity! You shall right your wrongs, you shall give up your treasure, you shall earn my forgiveness and you shall rebuild our family, NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES!"
You demand, your words taking hold of him as your souls intwined together, your sobs slowly fading into crazed laughter as you threw your head back in your grief and rage.
Tears rolling down your cheeks and dripping onto the curse gold below as your body began to change, your limbs growing, your skin hardening, your hair transforming into leaves and your crazed laughter echoing off the walls of the cave as your body transformed into vines of roses along the stone walls.
Your petals stained red and vines now filled with thorns to protect yourself from the obsession of man as your soul moved on with your husband's into the next life.
All while the treasure laid in wait for the next unfortunate soul to give into her greed, so she could spread chaos and pain to those around her. So she could twist their love into obsession, allowing it to consume their every waking through until there is nothing but the shadow of what they once loved left for them to hold onto.
And someone would.
A man named Elijah, the newly crowd king of Philos, who's curiosity and greed got the better of him as he brought the treasure back to his kingdom.
Dooming the people of the kingdom and cursing the royal line of Philos for the rest of time.
So the next time you see Daisies in bloom
Don't stop for a gander just keep walking through
And the next time you see a Rose of red stain
Just know that her beauty was not without pain
The ringing above the door of the shop brought your focus away from the plant currently under your care, its little petals wilted and begging for assistance as you glance over to the door, a calm smile spreading across your lips as you saw who it was.
"Good afternoon, Xavier. Are you looking for Jeremiah?"
You ask kindly, turning away from the plant on the counter to give your full attention to the new arrival, amusement tugging at your features as you watch someone follow Xavier inside the shop with a look of awe.
"I don't only come here to see Jeremiah."
Xavier says in his usual monotone voice, giving you a small pout that quickly melted into a sheepish look as you raised your eyebrow.
"... But yes, we are here to see Jeremiah. My friend needs his, assistance."
He says, trying to be vague despite you already knowing full well what Jeremiah gets up to in the back rooms of the flower shop, Xavier words causing you to chuckle as you turn back to the little plant with a nonchalant wave of your hand.
"Alright, he should be in the back. Don't get into too much trouble."
You say, your voiced filled with amusement.
"Yes, ma'am."
Xavier says respectfully, his words causing you to glare over to him with your signature resting bitch face.
"Don't call me ma'am, it makes me feel old."
You mutter, your words causing him to chuckle, a playful smile pulling at his lips despite trying to hide it as he starts pushing his friend towards the backroom.
"Of course, have a good day."
He says, your lips tugging up once more in a small smile as his friend waved goodbye to you before being led into the back by Xavier, muttering something to him that causes your eyes to widen.
"Dude, why didn't you tell me someone so beautiful worked here!? Talk about mommy vibes. Is she single? If so, I could set her up with a friend of mine."
The girl says, her words causing you to laugh despite yourself, shaking your head in amusement as you turn back to the plant, a fond look in your eyes as you gently traced along it's leaves.
A small sigh falling from your lips before you lifted the potted plant into your arms and carried it towards the front, the door ringing on your way out as you stepped outside into the warm afternoon of Linkon City.
The sun beating down and warming your cheeks as you carried the pot over to a little flower bed along the fence before reaching out to begin gently potting the wilting flower into the new soil, ttracing your finger along it's stem.
Your smile softening as you felt your evol slip through your fingertips, seeping into the flower and bringing back its healthy glow. It's stem straightening and it's petals blooming to reveal a beautiful deep red rose.
The sight causing warmth to fill your chest in a way you couldn't understand as you released the hold on your Evol.
Just as you were about to turn and head back inside, a gentle caw broke you from your thoughts. Your eyes widening as you turn to find what appeared to be a mechanical crow perched on the fence beside the flower bed. It's eyes glowing a deep red and it's little head tilting as it stared up at you in curiosity.
"Oh, hello there."
You say softly, giving the bird a small smile despite knowing it probably can't understand you.
Holding out your finger to the bird and watching it lean in with a tilt of it's head before beginning to rub against your finger like a puppy, the sight causing a laugh to slip past your lips as you begin to pet beneath the birds chin.
"Well, aren't you a pretty bird."
You coo sweetly to the little creature, your words causing him to coo in response as he leaned into your touch, content to listen to your praise and feel the warmth of your fingers at they pet along his feathers.
All while Sylus watched from a distance, his form hidden in the shadows of an alleyway and a soft, regretful smile upon his lips as he watched your beautiful eyes shine in the warm light of the afternoon.
