And I do mean that. And part of the hype is for how it folds Arcane in, but it also kinda has me worried.
Like, with Arcane and its canon, the best approach to the timeline is to let all of the cuncurrent events that work in a comic-book like environment of connected but mostly self-contained stories (that necessitates that concurrentness given the scope of the stories and the number of artists working on different parts at any given moment) to be spread out into a much larger timeline. Where a strong narrative drive can be better explored.
And with the state of the Noxian invasion of Ionia, especially the Singed of it all, it would be, imo, the best interest of the story to make Arcane as early in this timeline as possible. Before the first invasion of Ionia, AT LEAST. Makes sense, right?
But we see Katarina going against the Black Rose. And we see them talk about the next move while teasing what seems like Riven's Blade. And all of that is very much post-invasion stuff. Like, Katarina has her daggers infused, which also means we're post J3's death and in the middle of the Mage rebellion in Demacia, which is something that with "The Arcane is waking up" from the show, would have fit much more easily into the Sylas is recruited by the mageseekers part of that plotline than being forced to be happening right now.
We're currently 1 step removed from Arcane and shit is already looking wobbly at the seams because it was never intended to work like this, and even though Welcome to Noxus was incredibly hype and might be dethroning RISE to me, it very much needs you not to think too much about the broader universe implications, despite its purpose being trying to sell me on that broader universe.
Can I request Benjamin snuggled up with his mate on a rainy day. She'd be curled up in his lap on the couch or with her head in his lap with a book and him playing with her hair. I could see him just being smitten!
MY CURIOSITY PIQUED, I DECIDED TO FIND out where it came from, eager to uncover the mystery that had set me off in such a hurry. The anticipation was building inside me like a storm gathering strength, each step taking me closer to the unknown. My mind raced with possibilities, each more fantastical than the last, as I pushed through the underbrush, determined to find the source of this compelling call.
"Violet, wait!" Ingram shouted, following after me. His voice was tinged with urgency, but I couldn't stop. Not now.
I ran with great speed, the wind whipping through my hair and the leaves crunching beneath my feet. Every fiber of my being was focused on the destination, driven by an inexplicable need to reach it before it was too late. The forest blurred around me, a kaleidoscope of green and brown, as my feet pounded the earth in a relentless rhythm.
Finally, I saw Carlisle coming to a stop by a large boulder, and I skidded to a halt beside him. My eyes widened as I took in the scene before me—a pack of wolves, four in total, lounging on the ground. Tanya, Kate, and Eleazar were there too, with Kate more ready to attack than her coven. The brown wolf was snarling, his gaze fixed on two male vampires who were sitting nearby, taunting him. Ingram caught up with me, standing right beside me, his breath coming in quick, shallow bursts.
As I looked closer, I realized that the brown wolf was none other than Jacob Black, the fierce and loyal protector of the Quileute tribe. He was training the new shapeshifters when the vampires had shown up, spoiling for a fight. The realization hit me like a wave, bringing with it a mix of fear and awe. Jacob was a formidable opponent, but these vampires were clearly looking for trouble.
I watched the tense standoff between the two groups, wondering what would happen next. Would the vampires back down, or would they attack? And what would Jacob do if they did? The forest was silent, the air thick with anticipation, as we all waited to see how this deadly game of cat and mouse would play out. It felt like the world was holding its breath, every creature in the vicinity aware of the potential for violence.
On the right stood a man with hair as pale as the ashes of a dying fire. His eyelashes were so light they almost appeared to be made of pale grey feathers. He was draped in simple black garments that could have been mistaken for modern fashion, but there was something about them that hinted at a bygone era. His skin was as powdery as a sheet of parchment, and his eyes were a deep, rich burgundy that seemed to glow in the dim light. There was an air of ancient power about him, a sense that he had seen centuries pass and had emerged unscathed.
To his left stood a shorter man with dark, downy hair that contrasted sharply with his friend's ashy locks. His eyes were the same deep burgundy as the other man's, and he too was dressed in simple black clothing that seemed to belong to another time. Like his companion, his skin had a powdery quality to it, as if he were made of finely ground bone. The two of them together looked like they had stepped out of a forgotten legend, their presence both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Carlisle gazed up at the two men, taking in their otherworldly appearance. His expression was calm, but there was a tension in his posture that spoke of the gravity of the situation.
"Vladimir," he addressed the ashy-haired male, his eyes flickering to the other. "Stefan, you're a long way from home."
Kate's voice cut through the air, "What are they doing here?" Her tone was sharp, edged with suspicion and a hint of fear.
"We heard that the Volturi are moving against you," Vladimir's voice was a smooth melody, "and knew you would not stand alone." His words were almost musical, but there was an underlying menace that was hard to ignore.
"We didn't do anything we were accused of," Carlisle stated firmly. His voice was steady, but I could hear the strain beneath the surface. This was a dangerous game they were playing.
"We do not care what you did, Carlisle," Vladimir's tone remained unchanged, as if he were discussing the weather. "We have waited for a millennium," Stefan's voice was a darker harmony, "for the Italian scum to be challenged.”
Their patience was astounding. Did they know Gabriel too? The thought crossed my mind, adding another layer of complexity to an already confusing situation.
"We have no intention of fighting the Volturi," Carlisle explained. His words were measured, each one carefully chosen.
Vladimir feigned sadness, "What a shame. Aro's witnesses will be disappointed." There was a mocking quality to his voice that made my skin crawl.
Stefan chuckled, "They do enjoy a good fight." His laughter was dark, filled with a kind of twisted amusement.
"Aro's witnesses?" Eleazar's voice held concern. The mention of witnesses seemed to unsettle him deeply.
Vladimir's voice dripped with sarcasm, "Still hoping they'll listen?" His eyes gleamed with a malicious light.
I couldn't help but ask, "Where are you from? Carlisle mentioned you traveled a long way." My voice sounded small and uncertain in the heavy silence.
"We hail from Romania, child," Stefan replied. His tone was condescending, as if he were speaking to someone much younger and less knowledgeable.
Why did other vampires insist on calling me 'child' or 'little one'? It was infuriating, but I bit back my retort.
"We are the Romanian Coven," Vladimir added, and I stared at them blankly. The name rang a bell, but I couldn't place it immediately.
I remembered hearing about the Romanian Coven in Gabriel's stories about the war with them and the Volturi. Those tales had always seemed like distant history, but now they were standing right in front of me, flesh and blood—or whatever it was that made up their immortal forms.
In a flash, I blinked and turned my gaze towards Carlisle. His golden eyes bore into mine, his lips curling inwards as he lowered his head and folded his arms. It was as if he knew something about Gabriel's origin, something that only those in the Volturi could possibly know. The weight of his knowledge pressed down on me, adding to the growing sense of unease that filled the clearing.
Without a second thought, Ingram and I raced back to the Cullens' home, my heart pounding in my chest. My family was there, except for Ethan, who was nowhere to be found. The Irish Coven was also present, and I sprinted towards them, desperate to share my news.
"Dad," I said, catching Gabriel's attention. "Do you remember the battle with the Romanian Coven?"
He looked at me, confused. "Yes, why?"
"Two of them are here," Ingram explained urgently. "And if they have witnesses of their own, it's not going to be good for us."
"The Romanian Coven has witnesses?" Simon asked incredulously.
"No," I shook my head. "The Volturi does."
Gabriel's reaction was explosive. "What? How is that possible? The Cullens are the ones on trial, not them!"
Helena walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his right arm in a protective gesture. "Why would they have witnesses?" she asked.
"I don't know," I admitted, and Maggie nodded in agreement.
"Their names are Vladimir and Stefan," Ingram added to the conversation. "I don't know if those names mean anything to you, Gabriel."
Gabriel's gaze was fixed on something in the distance, and Helena held onto him tightly. Simon and Alana got up to follow his gaze, and Joseph and Rhona did the same. The Irish Coven watched on in silence.
I turned to see what had captured their attention, and my heart sank. Vladimir and Stefan were standing by the door, their eyes fixed on Gabriel with a bitter intensity.
The tension in the air was palpable as Gabriel and the Romanian coven locked eyes in a stare-down. The deep burgundy eyes of Vladimir and Stefan taunted Gabriel's golden orbs, daring him to make a move. The Irish coven stood back, watching the scene unfold with bated breath.
Vladimir was the first to break the silence, his voice smooth yet dripping with taunts. "Well, well, well. Look who's got a coven of his own," he said, his eyes flickering over to Stefan.
Stefan tilted his head in agreement. "Gabriel has certainly come a long way," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Gabriel's eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger crossing his features. He sighed and stepped forward, trying to diffuse the tension. "Vladimir, Stefan," he greeted them. "It's been a while since we last met."
"Indeed it has," Vladimir replied, his smile fake and mocking. "We've travelled far to see you."
Stefan's eyes narrowed. "We know you used to work for the Italians," he said accusingly.
Gabriel remained calm. "I left centuries ago," he said simply.
Vladimir chuckled. "And why's that? It isn't for control or power, is it?"
Gabriel's expression remained impassive, but there was a steely edge to his voice. "I left because I wanted something more than power. I wanted a family. I wanted peace."
Vladimir's smile didn't waver. "Peace? Is that what you call this?" He gestured around the room, indicating the tense faces of the Cullens, the Irish Coven, and the assembled wolves.
Gabriel's eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and determination. "Yes, Vladimir. Peace. And I will do everything in my power to protect it."
"Let me guess," Vladimir said, his voice dripping with amusement. "Some of them have powers of their own."
Joseph spoke up, trying to deflect the attention away from us. "Hey, I'm not helping you guess which one," he said, trying to lighten the mood.
Gabriel's voice boomed across the clearing. "Enough, Vladimir. We're not here to fight."
Vladimir laughed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, Gabriel. Always so aggressive," he said, adding insult to injury.
The stare-down continued, the tension mounting with each passing moment. It was clear that this was only the beginning of a long and difficult battle.
"We're merely suggesting that we have a certain level of familiarity with the Volturi," Stefan spoke softly, his words laced with a hint of caution. "Especially when it comes to vampires with extraordinary abilities."
Gabriel's demeanour shifted, his once composed facade crumbling before my eyes. The mere mention of the Volturi had the power to reduce him to a shell of his former self.
"I'm sure you're well aware of their reputation," Stefan murmured, his voice tinged with a dark edge. "Thanks to the infamous witch twins.”
"The witch twins?" Simon's voice cut through the tense silence.
"Jane and Alec," Gabriel replied, his eyes never leaving the two vampires before him.
The room was consumed by an eerie stillness as Vladimir and Stefan exchanged a knowing glance. Gabriel remained frozen in place, his gaze fixed on the pair before him. Vladimir's deathly stare bore into him, a silent warning of the danger that lurked in the shadows.
"Do you really want to risk losing any of them like we did?" Vladimir's voice cut through the tense silence, his eyes piercing into each of us.
Gabriel's golden eyes narrowed, his hands clenched into fists. The table shifted slightly, as if it were about to launch itself at the Romanians.
Stefan stood with his hands in his pockets, a smug expression on his face. "To be perfectly honest," he drawled, "we hope that this controversy caused by the child will finally destroy the Volturi."
I felt a surge of anger rise within me, my hair lifting slightly and my teeth grinding together. "We're not fighting them," my father said firmly. "We'll tell them it was just a misunderstanding.”
"But it's not Renesmee's fault," I interjected. "It was-"
"We don't care whose fault it was, girl," Stefan interrupted, his tone dismissive.
"Well, you should care," I retorted, folding my arms across my chest. "We're all here right now because of it."
"You senseless child!" Vladimir bellowed, his face turning red with anger.
I heard Ingram growling behind me but it was Gabriel who responded.
"Don't yell at my daughter!" His voice thundered through the room, and the table lifted off the ground, hurtling towards the Romanians.
Stefan caught the table with ease, throwing it to the ground with a loud crash. Gabriel referred to me as his daughter, and I couldn't help but feel a small smile tug at the corners of my lips. But the Romanians were chuckling, their eyes glinting with amusement.
"Daughter, huh?" Vladimir sneered. "By that, you mean you turned her?"
"She joined as a newborn," Gabriel explained, his voice calm and measured.
"Really? You both look so alike," Stefan remarked, his eyes flickering between us. "But there's one small, minuscule detail," he further drawled, his voice dripping with sly amusement. "Are you prepared to sacrifice your entire coven for it?"
Vladimir interjected with a sharp retort, his words slicing through the tense air like a knife. "Just like we lost ours?"
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted from uneasy to downright hostile. Gabriel lunged forward, his teeth bared in a feral snarl, and the Romanian vampires responded with a menacing growl as they charged towards him. Then, Ingram grabbed my arm and pulled me closed to him, clearly not wanting me to get involved with it. Helpless, we could only watch as he engaged in a fierce battle with his opponents. He moved with the grace and precision of a seasoned warrior, his movements fluid and calculated as he fought tooth and nail.
In the days of his vampire youth, Gabriel was a guard in the Volturi, fighting for power against the likes of Vladimir and Stefan. In the heat of fight, he landed a punch on Vladimir's stomach, but the Romanian retaliated by grabbing hold of his face and pushing him away. Stefan then kicked Gabriel in the chest, causing him to stumble back.
Undeterred, Gabriel stretched out his hands and sent his opponents flying back into the wall, their backs colliding with a resounding thud. They sneered at him, but my father was not one to back down from a challenge. The Romanians charged at him, pushing him with all their might.
Gabriel turned on them, swinging blindly and trying to smash their faces in. He kicked at their legs, elbowed them, and beat them with his whole body. Despite being twice their size, the Romanians surprised him with their ferocity. Gabriel fell over a bench, but Joseph joined in the fight, his fists a blur as he punched the Romanians over and over again. His face was scrunched up in fury, like a raging bull, while Rhona screamed at him to stop.
"Joseph!" Ingram called out for his older brother.
"Stop it!" Helena's voice boomed through the room, her eyes blazing with a fierce determination.
Gabriel and Joseph stood their ground, their bodies tense and ready for the onslaught of the Romanian vampires. But despite their efforts, the bloodthirsty creatures slithered through their defences like a serpent through the grass.
Vladimir's hand connected with Gabriel's face, the force of the blow nearly sending him crashing to the ground. "I'm sorry!" he cried out, his voice filled with desperation.
"Gabriel!" Joseph's voice was a thunderous roar, his eyes blazing with fury.
The skin on Gabriel’s throat was raw and bleeding, but even as we watched, it began to knit itself back together. "I'm sorry," he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Too late," Vladimir sneered, his eyes glittering with malice.
"Fifteen hundred years too late," Stefan added, his voice dripping with venom.
I glared at the Romanian vampires and then to Helena, looking like she was on the verge of tears, but she couldn't release them. There was none left to shed.
"But I am sorry!" Gabriel's voice was filled with desperation, his eyes pleading with the vampires to understand.
"He is sorry," Maggie's soft voice spoke up from the background, her eyes filled with compassion.
The Romanians snarled, their eyes flashing with rage. "You think apologising will change anything?" Stefan bellowed, his body coiled like a spring, ready to attack.
"Violet, get—!" Ingram was about to command me but I didn't listen to him at that moment.
With a flick of my wrist, the purple force field erupted from my fingertips, crackling with energy. It surged forward, a blur of violet light, and slammed into Stefan's gut with a sickening thud. He crumpled to the ground, gasping for air, while Vladimir rushed to his side.
Stefan's eyes widened in shock as he struggled to catch his breath. "You see that?" he wheezed, his voice laced with disbelief.
Vladimir nodded, his expression awestruck. "Your daughter has a powerful gift," he murmured, his eyes flickering to me and my father.
Joseph beamed with pride. "We got our maxima right here," he declared, puffing out his chest.
Simon shot him a warning glance, but Stefan merely chuckled. "A maxima, huh?" he mused, his lips curling into a sly grin. "Well, if the child isn't going to destroy the Volturi, then perhaps she will."
Gabriel's voice was a thunderclap. "NO!" he roared, his eyes blazing with fury.
"She will." Alistair said that to me before disappearing to the attic. And now again with the Romanians but this time, it was out of vengeance rather than cowardice.
Destroy the Volturi? Was that really what they thought I was capable of? I didn't want to fight. I didn't want to hurt anyone. I just wanted to be a witness, to observe the world around me.
"What if we have to fight?" Ayla's voice whispered in my mind, her words echoing through the emptiness of my still heart.
I didn't know. I didn't know what I was going to do. All I knew was that I had a power, a gift, and that it was up to me to decide how to use it.
Gabriel's abrupt departure left us all reeling, our emotions raw and exposed. Helena's desperate attempt to reach him fell short as the door slammed shut, sealing off any chance of reconciliation. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air, suffocating us with its intensity.
The Romanians, unaffected by the familial drama, stood stoically as we struggled to process what had just happened. Gabriel's trauma had resurfaced, triggered by something we couldn't quite grasp. His fighting and reaction had left us stunned, unsure of how to move forward.
Joseph tried to ease the tension. "It's okay," he said, his voice soft and reassuring. "Gabriel's on the roof. He didn't run away."
Vladimir, always quick with a quip, muttered to his friend, "That wouldn't be the first time."
I couldn't bear to stay in the living room any longer. I needed to find Gabriel, to make sure he was okay. I tapped Ingram's arms and he reluctantly released me from his grasp. Pushing past Vladimir and Stefan, I sprinted up the stairs and onto the roof.
We are two exhausted STEM university students and we’re trying to restart our old studyblr aspirations. This time with additional help from friends and each other (and ADHD medication)!
Eddie (he/they) is an electronic engineering student specializing in cybersec going into his fourth year of uni in the UK.
Violet (she/they/he) is a biochemistry and molecular biology student going into their third year of college in the US.
Fun Facts About Us:
Edward has recently made a vicar cry
Violet once got lost in her own town where she has lived her entire life
Ted’s dad once spilled tea on all their A-Level Chemistry notes and he spent the whole weekend rewriting them while crying
Violet once almost committed arson due to a mishap with a lab hood, a Bunsen burner, some ethanol, and no supervision
We both suffer from the mentol eelniss but we are trying our best <3
This is not a fun fact but it should be mention that Violet’s brain is nicknamed Brian and Edward’s brain is nicknamed Vladimir. Any references to the aforementioned two are our brains. They do not work the way we wished they would.
We hope you will enjoy our misadventures into trying to be better students!
