CHARACTERS: Lux, you/reader
WARNINGS/TAGS: Cults, plane crash, vague religious themes (not to any religion in particular), parental yandere, isolation, false idols, death, blood, gender neutral reader, infantilization, developing stockholm syndrome, manipulation
WORD COUNT: 4.5k
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This one was a popular request! While not one of my favorite yandads, I really did enjoy writing a scenario like this, probably one of my more unique ones so far! Let me know if I forgot any warnings or if you'd like one to be added! I'm pretty sure its obvious I hardly proofread this past a brief look-over ^^;
It all happened so very quickly; one moment, you're just scrolling through your phone with your headphones in and listening to music, occasionally glancing outside of the plane's window to admire the view of the forestry below you.
The next thing you know, there's an explosion coming from the airplane engine. Everything starts shaking rapidly, people screaming as they quickly put on their seatbelts and look for oxygen masks—yourself included.
However, it is no use. The airplane makes a loud nose-dive towards the ground, and before you could even process what was happening, everything goes black.
...
You feel like death warmed over.
When you awake, there is an immediate burning sensation that fills your entire body, particularly your left arm. It feels broken. In fact, all of you feels broken. You feel as if your body has been run over by several trucks. Your face is throbbing.
What the hell happened?
You manage to lift your head. There's blood and bodies everywhere, some of the blood is definitely your own. No one else seems awake, or even alive.
There are small fires surrounding you that provide light in the dark forest. One wing of the plane was blown completely off, but it looks like you're still close to where most of the plane is gathered.
Even if it hurts like hell, you manage to somehow get up on your own two feet.
With the little amount of strength you have, you stumble out of the plane and collapse on the dirt floor outside of the area.
You are panting heavily, looking around at your surroundings. Your entire body screams with agony, every time you breathe, you're inhaling ash.
Despite having just woken up, you already feel yourself about to pass out again from the pain. You stumble as far away as you can from the plane, looking for any other survivors. Surely it can't just be you, right?
Wrong.
No matter how much you look, you don't see anyone even close to being conscious. Not one.
That's when it hits you like a bus—you're going to die.
You fall to your knees, clutching your chest in terror. All that you were able to process before the crash happened was the explosion. Now, all you know is that you're stranded, possibly hundreds of miles away from any sort of civilization.
What makes it worse is the fact that your arm is probably broken, meaning that there is no way for you to defend yourself from anything that lurks in this godforsaken place.
But knowing how doomed you are, is there really any use in that, anyway?
No... The best option would just be to curl into a ball and give up on life right here, right now. You lay on the grass, clutching one of your many wounds, shutting your eyes.
The sound of footsteps and horses galloping makes them snap back open.
Your head immediately whips to where the source of the sound is coming from. Your first thought is other survivors of the crash who woke up the same way you did.
That idea is crushed, however, when you look closer only to find that these people are clothed weirdly—in odd dark green robes with some kind of golden symbol engraved on it.
It doesn't take a genius to realize that these people aren't survivors like yourself.
These people must've been waiting for someone in this forest.
And even if their faces are hidden beneath the cloak, you know their eyes are all glued to you.
Your blood turns ice cold. You try to stand back up, but the searing pain prevents you from doing so, which only results in you falling down to the grass again.
Now, you regret not giving up on life earlier.
These people are getting closer, making a circle around your bloody state.
"Look, Father!" One of them speaks. Their voice is muffled behind the hood over his mouth. "I told you! We heard an explosion nearby!"
Father?
All of a sudden, a taller figure emerges from the group. His attire is slightly different than the rest—the robe appears lighter colored with more intricate designs on it.
He lifts his hood off of his head, revealing a man in his mid to late-forties staring down at you with a grin on his face. He has long blond hair tied in a low ponytail and green eyes that glow in the light of the flames from the crashed plane.
The man's expression turns from neutral to glee. "My dream was correct!" he cheers, causing everyone else surrounding him to do the same. "The Gods have blessed me with a child!"
A what now? You try crawling backwards away from them, shaking your head frantically. You attempt to open your mouth to say something, anything, but your vocal cords don't seem to be working after screaming bloody murder during the crash. Instead, your thoughts come out as coughs from smoke inhalation.
"Oh, my baby," he croons, kneeling beside your injured body. "Don't be afraid, little one. Papa's here now."
"They're injured, Father Lux," one of them states the obvious.
Despite that being obvious from one glance, it seems this man, Lux, was too happy to even realize until it was pointed out. His expression turns concerned, looking over your tattered self.
You try backing up from him again, but a few cultists gather around behind you so that you have nowhere to escape to.
"Poor thing, you must've been so scared." He tuts, grabbing you by your intact arm gently, examining all of your wounds. "Those burns are going to need treatment. And..." His hand hovers over your broken limb. "This will certainly need medical attention as well."
"Should we carry them back?" another follower asks.
He thinks about it. "I'll bring them on my horse back to camp. Opal, you follow, just in case." She nods. "The rest of you salvage the airplane for any useful parts."
"And if there's other survivors?" one of them asks.
Lux smiles eerily, shooting a glare in the direction of the plane.
"There are none," he tells them firmly. "But if there are, put them out of their misery quickly. They were not in the prophecy." His eyes turn to you, softening immensely. "Let us get you somewhere safe and sound, shall we?" He kisses your bloody forehead. "Welcome home, little one."
Without another word, he scoops you into his arms and carries you bridal-style towards his tan horse. The entire time, he coos at you sweetly.
It's a miracle you've even stayed conscious for so long. Finally, you black out with Lux stroking your face with his fingers as your head rests against his chest.
...
You wake up yet again feeling like death itself.
Although this time, instead of the sounds of screams filling the air, it's replaced by silence accompanied by chirping birds and crickets outside. The burning hot sensation still remains on your skin, but it has decreased significantly from earlier. Your body is covered in bandages all over, and your arm is now in a secure cast.
Even better, you're no longer laying down on grass or dirt, but rather on a comfortable mattress. As your vision becomes less fuzzy, you can see that the room around you isn't familiar either—it's furnished with various paintings and candles.
It's very clean.
You also find that your outfit has changed—you're no longer wearing your bloodied clothes, but rather an oversized cloak similar to the one Lux was wearing.
At this realization, memories of last night's events flood into your mind.
Oh, no. The airplane, the crash, the green robed-cult people—
You notice that your throat is dry. There's a glass of water placed nearby. Despite how painful it is to lift your arm, you muster enough strength to sip the glass and hydrate yourself.
As soon as you place the cup down, however, a new figure enters the room through the door. One you recognize.
"There you are, my baby." The tall man from before approaches you. He's not wearing his cloak this time, but what resembles more of a surcoat. "How was your nap?"
You swallow your own spit in attempt to soothe your dry throat. "What is going on?" is all you can rasp.
"Aww," he coos, walking closer and sitting at your bedside. He strokes your cheek with the tip of his index finger. "Don't you remember, little one? Your airplane crashed last night, and you were nearly torn to shreds."
Torn to shreds is quite the exaggeration, but okay.
"Okay, but," you practically cough out, "who are you? Where am I?"
Lux chuckles. "Everyone here calls me Father Lux, as I am the founder and prophet of this society." His smile grows wider. "As for who I am to you, that would be 'Papa.'"
"I... I have no idea what you mean," you state honestly.
He keeps that smile that you could only describe as eerie. "Despite my followers calling me 'Father', I never viewed them as my actual children. I always longed for a child of my own. Every night, I prayed to the Gods for one. So imagine my surprise when they informed me in a dream of your arrival. When you would come falling from the skies!" He places a kiss on your head. "Oh, I am so very grateful. Even if it weren't in the prophecy, I would have adopted you on the spot regardless, sweetheart. But alas, destiny spoke and gave you to me." He holds both of your hands in his with a loving stare.
You pull away from him immediately, hissing from the pain of your burns and broken bones as a result. "I'm not your child!" you cry out.
Lux's cheerful expression suddenly morphs into a firm scowl. "That wasn't very nice," he says sternly.
"You don't understand," you croak. "I need to get home. Please."
"Honey..." he places a hand on your cheek. "Home is where I am."
Your heart sinks. This guy is insane, you conclude.
And unfortunately for you, insane people aren't exactly reasonable.
Still, you try. "I'm not even a child! Look at me, I'm an adult!"
He just coos at you. "The outside world really corrupted you, didn't it? They fail to acknowledge not all adults are fully developed mentally. And when it is acknowledged, its only to bring shame." Lux shakes his head disapprovingly. "Little ones should not be ostracized in society. Everyone develops at their own pace. Some will mature slower than others. There's no harm in embracing being younger than you are."
You shake your head back and forth. "This is absurd," you tell him desperately.
"Even if I were to let you go, where would you go to?" he asks.
A lump forms in your throat. That's a good question, actually. You have absolutely no idea where you're currently located or how to get anywhere from here.
"Let me tell you something," Lux continues. "We're in dense mountains, deep within forests and surrounded by animals who won't hesitate to devour you alive in an instant. Not to mention, the nearest civilization from here is miles away. I know, because that's the exact reason I chose this place." He strokes your cheek, looking at you with faux concern. "So why don't you take a second to rethink your options here?"
There's a tight knot forming in your chest.
He's right. You literally have no other choice but to stay here.
"What does this cult even believe in?" you challenge, but there's no more anger to your tone. Primarily defeat.
"Cult?" Lux tilts his head to the side. "Oh, silly, this is not a 'cult.' A cult implies we are some sort of strange, extremist religion."
You furrow your eyebrows.
"This," he motions his hands in the air, "is simply a sanctuary. A community." Lux pauses to look down at you. "As for our beliefs, well, everyone is free to believe their own thing, because everyone has a different interpretation of the Gods."
"Then what's your point in being here?" you ask, exasperated.
"Well, there's something we do all collectively believe in. Peace, love, acceptance." He brushes a strand of your hair behind your ear. "Something that you, little one, are very unfamiliar with. I'm here to help everyone else—including you—to escape from all that chaos and destruction."
"From the sounds of it, you're just making yourself out to be a god, talking about dreams and prophecies," you retort. "It seems all these people believe you."
Lux nods. "I suppose that's another thing all my followers can agree on; I'm simply a messenger, someone chosen to lead them in the right direction. But I am no God, sweetheart." He kisses your forehead once more. "Just a vessel of sorts."
You want to tell him he's insane. That this entire place is a complete madhouse.
However, that doesn't seem like the greatest idea at this point. For all you know, this man may be capable of things far worse than death.
Not that you'd have much of an option, anyway. All you can do is sit in this bed as your wounds heal painfully slowly.
"Listen, sweetheart," he whispers. "I promise, you're going to love it here. There are many others your age for you to play with. Here, you don't have to worry about a single thing in life aside from living, breathing, and being loved every moment."
You gulp at that.
"But you don't even know me," you whisper back shakily. "None of you know me."
"On the contrary," he argues. "While you rested, I asked some of my followers to gather identification documents of other victims to bury along with their bodies." Lux pulls out a piece of paper that turns out to be your ID card. "(Y/n) (L/n)," he reads, grinning. "Though, now I suppose that'd be (Y/n) Sampson. My surname, if you weren't aware. It's your surname now as well."
All of a sudden, tears begin pricking your eyes. You can't even wipe them with your injured arm.
Lux quickly uses his own thumbs to brush them away from your cheeks.
"It'll be okay," he coos, pulling your fragile self into an embrace. "You're going to thrive here. I'll make sure of it."
If anything is true, it's that you definitely won't be thriving. Or keeping your sanity, for that matter.
...
For the first few weeks, you remain bedridden, with only minimal ability to walk around due to your injuries.
The house you both reside in is bigger than all the other's houses, you assume. It's a cabin-style cottage made of logs. It appears to have several bedrooms and other amenities such as running water.
Yet no phones, televisions, radios—basically anything related to communicating with the outside world. No form of entertainment.
Well, there's Lux, but you'd hardly call him entertaining.
On the plus side, the area surrounding this small commune is incredibly gorgeous.
There's an endless array of forestry, hills, mountains, and wildlife. There are even certain areas where wildflowers grow. And that isn't to mention the incredible views of sunrises and sunsets every day, even if only outside of your window.
Sure, most of the time, the scenery is blocked by high trees. But it's better than nothing.
Occasionally, Lux will allow you to step outside the house with him and accompany him in strolls around the perimeter.
Today is one of those days.
"This is the best part of living out here, if you ask me," he tells you as the two of you stroll through the gardens. "Look around, angel. Beautiful flowers bloom everywhere, every single day. Gods truly are magnificent beings. You can see their artistry shining through everything." His hand finds yours, locking together.
The only thing that prevents you from recoiling from the touch is the fact that you know it's a losing battle.
Since that fateful night, you've learned quite a lot about this place.
Firstly, you have a bedtime that cannot be broken for any reason whatsoever.
Secondly, Lux does indeed consider himself your father, but gets upset if you do call him "Father". That's something only for his followers, as he genuinely believes you are more than that—his actual kid. Or "baby" as he prefers to refer to you as sometimes.
Lastly, there is absolutely no way of escaping. You're hundreds of miles away from anything remotely close to civilization, and even then, Lux has eyes practically everywhere, making sneaking off impossible. Especially when everyone in the entire village is in constant awe and praise towards you.
There's no doubt in your mind that anyone would snitch on you immediately should they spot you trying to make a run for it.
So in short, you're stuck here until your untimely demise.
"Why are you so quiet, sunshine?" Lux suddenly asks.
His voice snaps you from your thoughts. You blink a few times.
"I'm thinking," you shrug.
"Mhm." Lux hums disbelievingly. "About what?"
"About my family and friends who must be worried about me." It's the only thing you have been thinking about lately. "They probably think I'm dead." Just like everyone else.
Lux drags out a long sigh. "Good. Let them think that."
Ouch.
"Do you not understand?" He stops in place. "You and I were destined to meet. It was fate that brought you into my arms that night. All of it happened for a reason." He cups your face in his large palms, tilting your head up to look into his green eyes. "Do you really think its a coincidence that not only did you survive a plane crash where most died, but that it had to crash in these mountains? In this location of all places?" He clicks his tongue. "Nothing happens unintentionally."
You narrow your eyes at him, ready to give him a snarky remark in response, but think about his words. "'Most'? So you're saying some did?"
"Hm?"
"You said most died."
He stiffens momentarily, almost as if debating on telling you the truth. "Some did live after the fall," he admits eventually. "Not everyone, of course. Only a few. But they were in pain. Too much pain that could be helped. The medic only has so many supplies, all that should be used on you."
You freeze, giving him a wide-eyed gaze.
"Lux," you barely choke out the name, "are you saying that you killed them? When they were still alive?"
"'Papa'," he corrects. "And it was mercy kills. It was better this way, honey. Imagine having survived an airplane crash, but in agony with limited medical care."
"So if I weren't in your stupid prophecy, you would've killed me too?"
"No." Lux says it with absolute certainty. "Whether you were or weren't, you would be right here, with me." He presses a kiss to your temple. "Even when they are dead, the outside world still wishes to tear our bond... now no more talk of that dreadful place and situation. We're supposed to be enjoying this beautiful evening together."
...
More days pass, though you aren't sure how many. It feels like its been forever, but its likely only been three weeks at most.
Either way, you miss the outside world. A lot. Never did you think you'd be saying that.
You miss your family. Your friends. Technology. Entertainment.
But alas, none of that can happen out here, in this stupid mountain cult society with their insane leader.
Their insane leader that wants to adopt you as his own child, apparently.
You're allowed to go outside more often now, but he always appoints someone to watch over you and supervise every move you make. After all, you're supposedly the equivalent of a toddler, so you need constant supervision. Like toddlers often do.
The people your age or older get to choose if they still wish to be treated as children or like adults. You don't mind that, but you wish you got the same option of choice they did. You're often forced to play with them outside.
From the looks of it, it'll be hard to escape. Not only are you doomed from a geographical standpoint, but there are always guards, even at nighttime.
Yet perhaps luck will be on your side. Maybe if you get out of here, you can find the crash site. All planes have some kind of way to track them, right? Maybe they are looking for you. You know they'll likely assume you're dead if they don't find you at the wreckage.
Even then, its not like you're on an island. Maybe you'll find hikers, or someone who isn't insane who lives here.
You decide its worth trying only after you're more physically healed.
"Stargazing?" Lux asks you suddenly.
He's standing nearby on the porch of your shared cottage home, sipping some hot beverage. Probably tea. Its chilly, and there's a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.
You nod wordlessly. You have to admit that its probably prettier than the view back where you live. Less smog and air pollution blocking everything.
Lux smiles, putting his cup down to join you. He wraps one arm around you to keep you close.
"These mountains provide us with such peace," he states. "Away from cities and towns full of chaos, where we can bask in nature without the stresses of society plaguing us. I think you're already healing because of it."
"Healing," you echo bitterly.
"Indeed." He tilts his head upwards towards the starry sky. "Isn't this so much better than looking at your phone? Than hearing traffic noises at ungodly hours of the night? No stressful paperwork, no worries about working nine to five just to have a roof over your head or decent living conditions?"
You want to disagree, but you can't. Because technically, he isn't wrong. It is nice. Even if you'd prefer your other life to this.
But maybe you can change the topic to something useful.
"Do hikers come by a lot? Or outsiders, in general?" you ask.
He shakes his head. "I know what you're thinking. And no, sorry to disappoint you. The last outsider we had was about two or so years ago."
You grimace, looking down at the dirt.
"Your home is here," Lux continues, kissing your temple. "You have no responsibilities here. You can play all the games you want, make all the friends you desire, enjoy the beauty of the outdoors every morning until nightfall. And most importantly, you're safe, cherished, and adored. How could you ever wish for anything else? Do you think you have a family out there that loves you more than I do?"
"You don't love me. Besides knowing my name, you don't know anything about me," you mutter.
Lux gives a light smile. "I've been urging you to tell me more about myself, it isn't my fault you little ones are so stubborn; but I don't need to know everything about you to know that this is what you need. Here, you have a warm bed to sleep on every night. Plenty of food to eat. Fresh, clean air, a caring father, and lots of friends."
"I don't even know them," you reply curtly.
"You will in due time." Lux runs his hand up and down your back comfortingly. "You shouldn't think so much. Leave those matters to me, all right?"
...
Its been about a month and a half when you're feeling much better physically.
Mentally, well... you'd rather not think about that.
Every few days, the cult has some kind of celebration. Everyone is singing, dancing, eating, laughing. There are bonfires, flower arrangements, all of it.
You never participate, despite all the coaxing. But given you plan to escape tonight, you might as well. Maybe you can give Lux the false notion that you're beginning to enjoy it here.
Then, when everyone is having a good time, you can just slip away and pray the guards are too distracted to notice you.
As soon as Lux sees you shuffle outside to the event, he lights up.
"(Y/n)!" he exclaims happily. He's wearing a much more bright robe, as the rest of the people are, as well as a flower crown out of sunflowers resting upon his head. He takes a glass of grape juice and offers it to you, which you accept.
"How lovely it is to see you joining us!" he continues.
"Just felt like being social today," you lie with a shrug.
He claps his hands together giddily. "Oh! I knew you would adjust!" Lux brings you into an unexpected embrace that crushes your bones.
You force yourself not to wince or recoil, and instead lightly hug back.
Lux proudly shows you off to everyone. They all greet you excitedly. You respond, though with far less enthusiasm. The entire time, your eyes scan every inch of the area, trying to find out the best route to run away through, and where all the guards are located.
At some point, you don't even feel as if you're faking your enjoyment.
Everyone is so eager to hear what you have to say, and the food is delicious. You even end up wearing one of the flower crowns one of the other little ones (as they are referred to by Lux), put on your head.
Unfortunately, before you can even slip away from everyone, you end up exhausted, plopping yourself onto Lux's lap while he eats by one of the bonfires.
He seems shocked at this, and you are as well by your own actions, but he wraps his strong arms around you and pulls you closer to his chest.
"Oh, look how tired my sweet baby is," he coos. "Looks like it's past your bedtime."
Despite everything, you sigh contentedly and lean against him.
Maybe just this once is fine. After all, you haven't done this since you were actually a child. Plus, you're exhausted.
Tomorrow is another day, and this definitely isn't the last celebration they'll be having.
"It was so wonderful to see you smiling and laughing tonight," he tells you, brushing the hair out of your face. "And the other little ones were so happy to see you. I think you have the entire community wrapped around your finger." He boops your nose. "Including myself, of course."
"Is (Y/n) tired? I was gonna show them the kites we were making earlier today!" one of the littles exclaims to Lux.
He smiles. "Sorry, little one, it appears so. I think it's not far off from your bedtimes too." He helps you up, keeping a firm hand around you to support you and your sleepy state.
Once you get home, he tucks you in your bed, gently removing the flower crown to place on your nightstand.
"Sweet dreams, sunshine. Thank you for spending the day with us, it meant the world to everyone. Especially Papa." He leans down to kiss the top of your head. "I love you so, so very much."
With that, he blows out the candles and closes the door behind him.
You'll escape, you're still sure of it. Just... not tonight.
