Twitter: @RoseShattered | roseinspirationandreference.tumblr.com | gatheringofguardians.tumblr.com | guardianofhealing.tumblr.com | phaedronguild.tumblr.com | Hi there, you can call me Rose~ This is an Etrian Odyssey fandom and fanfiction blog mostly. This is also a boy/men/male appreciation blog and I won't tolerate any hate because of that. Don't be shy to send in asks; my anon is always on and you are never bothering me with them. I adore talking about my characters~
I want to talk about the dream I had about a video and am positively pissed that it doesn't exist.
It was called Skull Island, an exploring type of game where players cruise around an ocean discovering small islands that are shaped in the varying different skulls. You'd park your ship in front of this island and do a scan, revealing what it looks like underwater too, which reveals the cool different designs of the skulls, and how there are usually mazes and labyrinths stretch deep below. And then you get to explore them, with each island being different, where you battle anything from a powerful drug cartel to dinosaurs, to even aliens. Where islands were created by militaries for experiments to being unearthly in origin. Of course, the cast were that of magic-using, sword-wielding teenagers, so a rather typical RPG.
I am so mad it doesn't exist because it sounds amazing.
It does sound like an interesting books series, though XD
The Trials of the Shogun (Chapter 11) - Disgaea 7 Fanfiction
AN: Sorry for the wait, fibromyalgia flare ups are always so much fun :’D
Ao3 | Wattpad | Inkitt | FFNet
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Chapter 11:
One would hear the Nachi waterfall long before laying eyes on it. The rush of water, however, was soothing, enticing as Yeyasu and companions drew closer. The tall waterfall was nestled within the beautiful and vibrant forests. The waters a stunning crystal clear.
Nachi was considered to be a tourist spot, but not as popular as others due to the remote location. The only way to reach such a place was on foot. A long hike. And, unsurprisingly, there was a lot of griping from Yeyasu’s companions as they marched along the winding, narrow paths.
Yeyasu himself may have…uttered a few indignancies himself. And possibly demanded someone carry him. But he was a fragile and delicate flower who needed constant attention. Unfortunately, no one indulged him in his demands.
Which was completely and utterly cruel.
A tall orange shrine was located on the path to the waterfall basin. Quaint but striking in appearance. A place demons and travellers would seek to peace or self-discovery.
However, the shrine was not their ultimate destination. Yeyasu knew that the altar for the Guardian Beast was located elsewhere. Within the crystal pools beneath the waterfall itself, if he remembered correctly.
Bypassing the imposing shrine, Yeyasu took the lead, with Fuji on his heels once more. The path toward the basin was narrow, rarely traversed. Thankfully, they were still sturdy.
The thundering of the waterfall grew louder, a sound that seemed to resonate with the scroll hidden in his hoari. It urged him forward and within seconds, he stood by the edge of the pool of water.
Where he spied the very thing he had been searching for.
The stone altar of the Guardian Beast stood in the clear waters of the catchment pool. Just before the waterfall itself. He had always wondered what that shrine stood for, though he had never made an attempt to approach it. It was under the falling water, after all. He never thought it was the summoning tool for a Guardian Beast.
Yeyasu idly patted his hoari, where the scroll rested. He felt its innate energy tremble stronger than before, like it had done on Sakurajima. It was a clear, positive sign that they were in the right place.
Unfortunately, it looked like he needed to get a bit wet.
“At least this altar was easy to find,” Yeyasu muttered as he undid the buckles that kept his cape in place. He grabbed the edge of it and whipped it around in front of him. Only so he could hand it to Suisen. “Hold this for me.”
Suisen tilted his head to the side in curiosity, but retrieved the cape, nevertheless. Yet, confusion soon reigned as Yeyasu began to remove his western style boots.
“What are you-?”
“I don’t want water in my boots,” Yeyasu interrupted as he dropped his boots upon a dry river stone. “I need to reach the altar. Just mind these for me.”
However, Fuji continued to frown. Displeased and likely sceptical. “Yeyasu? What if-?”
“It’s fine,” Yeyasu interrupted again, purposely sounding dismissive. “As I said, I need to reach the altar. And they’ll only speak to the one with the scroll. So, stay here. Hopefully this will be as easy as the first.”
He hoped he didn’t just jinx himself.
Without waiting for approval, Yeyasu turned and walked toward the water edge. The stones were a little bit slippery, but he managed to step into the crystal-clear waters. And immediately shrieked.
“It’s cold!”
He heard a series of muttering and even chuckles from his companions behind him. Sniggering behind his back was so incredibly rude. But he continued to wade forward, the water quickly reaching his thighs. Thankfully, the water was not all that deep as he reached the altar. There was a single stone that stood before the altar, and he assumed that was where he was supposed to go. To reach the altar.
Like other stones, it was slightly slippery. Thankfully, he managed to climb upon it without making a fool of himself. And without getting the scroll wet and damaged.
As he stood before the altar, he was surprised to realise that the stone was dry. Surrounded by water, pooled and falling from high above, but the altar itself was dry.
Maybe…
Yeyasu reached into his hoari and revealed the scroll. He stared down at it for a moment before he leaned forward and placed the parchment upon the dry altar. As he set the scroll down, he noticed the ancient etchings.
“The Waters of the Truthful Lotus…”
Yeyasu was pulled from his musings when he heard a sound over the roar of the waterfall. The distinct sound of…flapping wings. Large wings, if the fact that it resonated over the falling water easily. He instinctively looked up, toward the sky that peaked over the towering cliffs.
That sight was soon blocked by the vision of a large entity.
They appeared to be like that of a heron crossed with a sleek water serpent. The long, spindly legs and wings of a bird, but the long neck and head held serpentine qualities. The feathers that adorned their body were the colours of white and blue. Similar to the waters around them, but the tips of the wings were pitch black. Eyes were also as dark as the night, striking within the scales of light blue.
The Guardian Beast.
They were not quite as intimidating as the one that resided within Sakurajima. But their size, the way it loomed over him, uncaring of the rushing water of the waterfall far above, they were still quite daunting.
He…he hoped they were as chatty as the previous Guardian.
Yeyasu unconsciously braced himself as the Guardian dropped to the waters, positioning themself behind the altar, but with their attention focused upon him. Its long neck craned down to regard him nonchalantly. Despite its size and appearance, he didn’t necessarily feel scared. He should. Much smaller things had caused him to shiver in fright.
Yet, for some reason, he felt that the Guardian before him had no intention of harming him. Not yet, at least.
He could only hope that Fuji and the others felt the same. And if not, then he hoped that they could keep Higan busy long enough for him to speak with the Guardian first. The last thing he wanted was that battle-mad woman unleashing chaos in an important landmark!
“You summon me, child?”
Yeyasu instinctively stiffened when a voice, soft and feminine but calm and elderly, resounded within his mind. Just like before. “Y-yes.”
“Hm,” the Guardian Beast hummed softly as they craned their neck from side to side, as if sizing him up. “You seek the Water Lotus?”
Yeyasu nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
Again, the Guardian Beast hummed lightly as they decided to instead tilt their head from side to side. “Hm. You realise that I cannot just hand it over?”
Again, Yeyasu nodded. “Of course. A trial must be passed first.”
The Guardian Beast unexpectedly made a chittering noise. Much like an excited or overly chatty bird would do. “Indeed. Are you willing?”
Yeyasu squared his shoulders. “Yes.”
He had no idea what the trial entailed, but he had to complete it. No matter what.
Unexpected, the Guardian Beast lowered themself into the water. Nesting themself. Making themself comfortable. “Interesting. What is your name?”
“I am Yeyasu Edogawa.”
He suddenly felt something from the Guardian. A sense of…nostalgia. “Edogawa…”
His family name. Just like the previous Guardian, they had stilled upon the mentioning of his family’s name. Why did that cause the Guardian Beast to react? Wistfully, at that. Had one of his ancestors done the exact same thing?
“The Shogun,” the Guardian Beast hummed pensively. “How fascinating. You are able to read the ancient language?”
For the umpteenth time, Yeyasu nodded his head. “I am able to read it fluently. “
The Guardian Beast abruptly quirked their head to the side, a beady black eye focused directly upon him. “Truly interesting. It is little wonder we are able to speak with you so easily.”
That caught Yeyasu by surprise. “Huh?”
But the scroll. Wasn’t he able to communicate with the Guardians because of the scroll? Wait…he wasn’t holding the scroll at the moment. What did that-?
Yeyasu quickly pushed aside his previous thoughts and squared his shoulders again. “Yes.”
The Guardian Beast flared out its wings, the impressive expanse reaching across the water catchment. “Hm. Now, tell me truthfully, why do you seek to conduct the Purification Ritual?”
“There is…” Yeyasu hesitated for a moment, to sneak a glance over his shoulder. Where his companions stood, together at the very water’s edge. Waiting to spring into action at the first sign of danger. His gaze stilled on Fuji for a beat, noting that the dragon appeared agitated. Not hostile. Just…frustrated, probably. Much like he had been during the first Guardian encounter.
It must be hard for him, for them not hearing one side of the conversation.
“There is someone close to me who is suffering from a terrible curse,” Yeyasu explained as he turned his attention back to the patiently waiting Guardian. “The Empathy Curse. Should he feel the slightest bit of positive emotion, he will cough up blood. He can’t even hug his own daughter without suffering.”
The Guardian Beast quirked their head to the side. “Interesting. You seek for another. Unsurprising.”
Yeyasu furrowed his brow in light confusion. There was that nostalgia again. “What do you-?”
“Why do so strongly wish to remove this curse?” The Guardian asked him abruptly. “You stand before a deity. You ask for mercy from a being who guards the object you desire. What drives your actions?”
“It’s…” Yeyasu stilled, the words hitched in his throat.
The Guardian Beast unexpectedly lowers their head toward him. Their draconic features not half a foot away. “I seek the truth, child. Why do you fight for his man? Say it aloud.”
It…should be ok. The rushing water should drown out his voice. Preventing Fuji from overhearing. There was no need to disturb the…peace they had found.
“I…I love him. I’m in love with him.”
He…he said it out loud. He actually said it aloud.
“I see.” The Guardian moved their head closer still. “And he?”
Yeyasu shook his head. And, despite himself, he raised a hand and let it rest gently against the Guardian’s scales. Just beneath their dark black eye. “No. Probably not.” He could not stop a pained laugh from escaping his lips. “No. Absolutely not.”
It was…just duty and the desire to repay a debt that kept Fuji by his side. And tonic he had created to ease the burdens of the curse was likely the only reason why Ao would want someone like him to be her mother.
The moment the curse was removed…
It was for the best.
The Guardian unexpectedly chuckled. A soft, seemingly all-knowing one. “Is that so?”
Before Yeyasu could respond, the Guardian suddenly nudged their head forward. The abrupt action pushing Yeyasu back, his feet promptly slipping off the rock that gave him refuge from the cold water.
He was…falling backwards.
“Let’s see how he responds.”
What-?
Yeyasu suddenly found himself under water. A realisation that left him…numb. Absolutely no feelings of panic. It was cold, yes, but the way the water rippled upon the surface, the bubbles as they raced upwards, and the streams of golden sunlight filtering down upon him – it was quite beautiful.
But…was he drowning? He couldn’t breathe…
A flurry of bubbles and white water blinded him. Yet, it did not desensitise him. He felt…something. Something wrapping itself around his shoulders and another behind his knees. Then, he was lifted through the bubbles and the shimmers of light.
And he could breathe again.
“What the hell was that?!”
Yeyasu was unable to reply as he was too focused upon his own coughing and spluttering. The unexpected dip was just that – unexpected. He didn’t have a change to draw in a lungful of air. But…why did the Guardian Beast push him? What did it say before he fell?
Let’s see how he responds.
Who…Fuji? Respond to what?
Yeyasu weakly grasped at Fuji’s shoulders. He peered around the catchment pool, but the Guardian was gone. Likely having disappeared shortly after pushing him. “Th-the scroll?”
Fuji hoisted him further into his arms, jostling him slight to ensure a sturdy hold as he all but stalked through the water to the shore. “I don’t give a shit about that scroll right now.”
B-but they needed that. What of the Water Lotus? Did he manage to earn that?
“Yeyasu, are you all right?” Suisen asked him the moment Fuji stepped upon the shore.
“Y-yeah, I’m…fine.” Probably.
As Fuji lowered him down upon a smooth boulder, Yeyasu began to shiver. The water was cold yet the air felt colder. Didn’t help that his thick clothing stuck to him like glue. Hnnng, why did that Guardian push him into the water? That was unquestionably rude!
“What happened?” Pirilika asked as she carefully draped his cape around his shoulders, a small act to offer him some warmth. “It looked like you were getting along with the Guardian. Why did it do that?”
Yeyasu shook his head and grabbed at the edges of his cape, pulling it closer around him. “To…prove something.”
“Prove?” Fuji repeated as he crouched next to him. “Prove what?”
Yeyasu raked a hand through his hair to pull the pink strands from his eyes and forehead. “…I’m not sure. But the scroll? We still need it.”
Next to him, Fuji uttered an exasperated sigh. “One track mind with you.”
“I’ll retrieve it,” Suisen volunteered before Yeyasu had a change to response to Fuji’s muttering.
As Suisen flitted over the rippling waters, Higan looked around at their surroundings and planted a hand on a well-defined hip. “These Guardian Beasts aren’t what I expected. I was expecting more violence.”
Hoped for it, probably.
“I can’t sense any malice to them,” she continued around an exasperated sigh. “Hah, I probably wouldn’t get a worthy fight out of them.”
It was possible that the Guardians knew how violence hungry demons could be. So made themselves scarce. And made trials that didn’t depend on how well someone fought. Well, he hoped so, at least. He’d rather avoid battles, if he could.
Mere moments after setting off, Suisen returned. In one hand was the scroll, thankfully dry and in one piece. But in the other was a blue flower.
“Yeyasu, is this what you wanted?” Suisen asked him.
Yeyasu nodded his head as he breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s the Water Lotus. I managed to get that, after all.”
So, it was worth the trip, after all.
… … … … …
As much as the western traditions interested him, Yeyasu was grateful that Pirilika insisted in having a traditional eastern bath in her Nethership. The large tub, made from wood and waters a toasty forty-degrees. It definitely helped in ridding him of the shivers that had overwhelmed him from his untimely dip in the waters of Nachi’s waterfall.
Yeyasu sunk into the warm, still waters, his head rolling back to rest on the wooden rim of the bath. He still had no idea what that Guardian had tried to do. It was to prove something, but that was all he knew.
They were talking about Fuji beforehand. Was it somehow about him?
Yeyasu lifted his hand from the waters and stared down at the lines cross his palm. The…the only thing he could think of was that Fuji chose him first. Not the scroll, not the Lotus. Him. But that was because he was quite literally drowning. He kinda needed him alive if he wanted to be free from the curse.
But that brought another train of thought; was he the only one who could complete the Purification Ritual? The Guardians seemed only interested in speaking with him. Of course, he had only spoken to two out of five. The other three could be far more feisty or hostile.
He dropped his hand back into the waters. There was only one way to find out.
“For a scaredy cat, you sure are incompetent in being vigilant of your surroundings, huh?”
Yeyasu immediately shrieked as a family voice resounded in his right ear. He sat up straight, slapped his hand over his right ear and spun around. Where Fuji stood, one hand on the wooden rim of the bath and the other on his hip. His expression remained stoic as he arched his eyebrow at him. Not at all surprised by his reaction.
The jerk probably hoped for it!
“Eeeeeeeek!” Yeyasu sunk down further into the water and grasped onto the bath’s wooden perimeter. “What are you doing here?”
Fuji removed his hand from his hip and had the audacity to poke him on his forehead. “I told you; I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”
Well, he did say that. “B-but the bathroom?”
“The perfect place for a kidnapping.”
Eeeeeeeh?! The bathroom? While he was naked!? That was a humiliation he would never live down!
But…if Fuji was nearby. In the bathroom. The maybe he could indulge in just a little bit.
Yeyasu swatted Fuji hand aside. “Hey, you got wet, too. At Nachi. You should have a warm bath, too.”
Fuji arched an eyebrow at him again. An expression that made Yeyasu expect a retort or even insult. But instead, Fuji glanced around the bathroom before he raked his hand through his hair.
“Yeah, I guess it wouldn’t hurt,” he muttered as he pushed away from the bath and turned his back toward him. And then began to remove his clothing.
He…didn’t even tell him to leave.
Yeyasu sunk back into the waters, settling to have his nose just above the waterline. He probably shouldn’t…watch. But he was a pervert, right?
And Fuji was extremely good to look at.
H-he did look away when Fuji unfurled his hakama.
Ok, look, he needed some restraint.
Yeyasu was ever-so pleased that the water was piping hot. He would blame that for the flush that was absolutely raging across his cheeks. He was used to Fuji strutting around without a shirt, the muscles of his chest flexing with every movement, glinting under the light when he was becoming sweaty from battle. The muscles on his back were equally impressive. Rippling much like the waters of Nachi, easy and mesmerising. And of course he couldn’t forget his arms. Strong, powerful, but…gentle when necessary.
But, despite all their traveling together, he had…never shared a bath with him.
Hm…yet, as of recently, he had found himself in Fuji’s arms. A lot.
As Fuji sat down upon the wooden stool to wash before bathing, Yeyasu folded his arms atop of the edge of the bathtub and rested his chin on his forearms. “Hey, Fuji?”
Fuji didn’t pause in his washing, but his tail twitched lightly. “What?”
“…I think an ancestor of mine had done the same thing in the past.”
That made Fuji still before he turned to look over at him. “What do you mean?”
“The Guardian Beasts,” Yeyasu explained. “They regard the name Edogawa fondly.”
“Is that so?” Fuji soon continued his actions, his back rippling with powerful muscles as he dragged a soapy washcloth along his muscular arms. “Well, I guess it’s possible. You did find the scroll in your family library.”
Yeyasu lolled his head to the side to rest his cheek upon his arms. “Yeah. I just…wonder who they helped.”
Fuji drew a bucket of water and threw it over his shoulder, letting the soapy suds roll effortlessly over his back, trailing all the way down to his…ah, tail. “Maybe they helped themselves?”
Yeyasu lifted his head and repositioned his body, to rest his back against the wall of the bath. Allowing him to rest his head back to stare up at the tiled ceiling. “No. It was for someone else. I’m sure of it.”
The way the Guardians spoke to him. It felt as though the ritual could only be fulfilled if it was sought by the one who wasn’t cursed. A selfless ceremony. Not something all that common in a Netherverse filled with demons.
Of course, he could just be making excuses.
Behind him, Yeyasu heard Fuji utter a sigh. And the sound of his wet, bare feet slapping against the stone flooring. A mere moment later, the waters next to Yeyasu was momentarily disturbed as Fuji slid in to sit next to him.
“What are these Guardian Beast saying to you?” Fuji suddenly asked. “Why won’t they let anyone else listen?”
Yeyasu idly shook his head. “I don’t know. They mentioned Jōdai Nihon-go. Maybe they’re only interested in those who can understand the ancient language.”
Both had mentioned them, after all.
“You know, you’re really determined about this.”
Yeyasu uttered a purposely dramatic sigh. “Is that a bad thing? You should be thrilled as it will help you the most.”
“…But it’s constantly putting you into danger.”
Yeyasu rolled his head to the side, to gaze upon Fuji. The dragon had one muscular arm over the side of the tub, the other attempting to balance a wet cloth upon his head. He had his attention forward, staring seemingly at nothing. On a surface level, he looked relaxed, if not a little bit bored.
But his gaze was purposely narrow, his shoulders tense. He was on alert to ensure another kidnapping attempt or attack did not occur. But the tension in his shoulders wasn’t just due to his protective instincts. Not entirely.
Did he…feel a sense of guilt?
“Not really. I mean, we’ve been through worst.” Yeyasu lolled his head lazily to stare at the ceiling again, finding the courage to raise his hand from the waters to lightly slap him on the shoulder. “And I know for a fact that you find said ‘danger’ on the regular.”
Some of the tension in Fuji’s shoulders eased as he allowed his head to drop back. And he uttered a snort of amusement. “Yeah, not entirely my fault. I don’t go looking for it.”
“Oh, of course, you don’t,” Yeyasu replied with a short chuckle before he turned pensive. Sullen. And probably apologetic. “Besides, some of that danger is because of me.”
From the corner of his eye, he watched as Fuji sharply turn his head in his direction, his eyes narrowed with muted anger. “And that’s not your fault.”
Maybe. Didn’t mean he didn’t feel a bit guilty about it.
“Anyway, listen, as soon as we get these other ingredients, the sooner I’ll stop this little expedition,” Yeyasu stated firmly. “So, just suck it up three more times. The Guardians seem reasonable enough. I sure nothing too outlandish will happen!”
"Go sit in the kiddy's corner if you insist on being such a child!"
"They're been hospitalised. And it's all your fault."
"What kind of gemstone is that?"
"Print it out and then delete it. We can't let them find out."
"I'm just feeling a bit arty today, that's all."
"Oh, I say!"
"You're not above the law."
"Night night!"
"No thanks, only the old TV classics for me."
"Ah…why do you have those bones?"
"Everyone has some kind of a phobia. You're not alone."
"Why do you have a file titled 'Ex-Files'?"
"I'm going for the gold. I won't settle for less."
"Scrambled eggs, anyone?"
"Quick, reel it in!"
"What, it was just beginner's luck."
"You're not as clever as you think you are."
"Look, money matters. There's nothing wrong with desiring more money."
"I want everything listed from A to Z before the afternoon."
"In the kitchen!"
I want all creatives to know that no matter how much you bend to the whim of others, how hard you work to make everyone happy, how careful you are with your words or works - it will never be good enough to those making the demands, to those who make you walk around on eggshells.
There will be those who hate you for your creative works. There will be those who hate you for how you are liked and loved by others. Please remember this.
Work on projects YOU want to do. Stay focused on your own joy in the creative progress. Do not take criticism from those you wouldn't take advice from.
This is your time and energy that you are using. So, use it on projects that bring you joy.
Also, giving into the demands of toxic people is rewarding bad behavior. The moment someone starts insinuating or outright stating that you're some kind of bad person for not doing this or that, you need to give them the finger and block them. They'll never be satisfied. They will always find something to whine about.
Write that purely indulgent fanfic. Draw your favourite characters for the millionth time. Not giving a shit about naysayers is freeing beyond belief.
There is a lot of things to be depressed about in this world, please do not let others tell you how to make your creative space.
