Alina Starkov X Reader - Blog Posts

Moon Helios

a/n: Omg I’m so excited. So much happened this chapter and my Aleksander’s here. Finally took me long enough 😬. The main series starts now! I would like to remind everyone to look at the trigger warning now. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. Always please enjoy.

꓄ꃅꀤꌗ ꎇꂦꈤ꓄ ꀤꌗ ꎇꀭꍟꋪꀸꍏꈤ

Word Count: 5,439k

Series trigger warnings:Child abuse, anxiety, religious trauma, racism, manipulation, division of canon, Alina hate?, trauma, ptsd, bullying, insomnia, self-neglect, mental health issues, guilt tripping, cult theme, blood consumption, cannibalism?? Lost of murder, talks of SA in other characters, S/A, Sexual acts, future smut, predatory behavior(not from Aleks) and all other shadow and bone stuff

Act II : The Fold

Chapter Eight

It was nightfall, the clouds has blocked the moon from view. The letters lay heavy in her lap. There was only one she truely wanted to open. Her lovely Drazan who had never once swayed from her loyalties. The letter on tea stained paper smelt of pine. Opening the letter it read.

     To my beloved amber,

The days grow shorter every day that I am not in your presence. All is well enough here, worry not. I’ve taken charge of the youngling’s classes as you requested. Niko has been helping me a great deal. He misses you, I think he still blames himself for your leaving. Lord Egon is still devastated and unmoved. He refuses to join in any of the celebrations. I suppose he only ever enjoyed them because you did. He runs council adequately enough.

 I fear for him sometimes, the other masters grow more brazen with each passing day. Master Kai has demanded my sister’s hand. Arabella has tried to sway our father but to no real avail. I will soon plead my case to Lord Egon, I know he would act in our favor. Master Kai is relentless in his pursuit of her, my little rose bud. I fear for her sometimes, that I will awake and she will be gone. 

I don’t truly know what to do, it would be easier if you were here. You’d fixed this whole thing and probably kill Kai for us. On a happier note Adam has found himself a bride, she’s quite the gem. They are due to be married in the coming year. You would like her, she rather feisty, and always challenging him. She never wins but it gives us all a good laugh. 

Kheli is all the same, he still teaches the youngling’s dance class. He was always more particular about dance than our blades. He has yet to ask Adara to dance with him. It’s rather pitiful to watch. She is always staring right at him too. It’s amazing how much a coward some can be. How I can be

Nevertheless almost everything is well. I fear you will be called back soon. I know you’re busy in the ravkan army. Why you decided to join will never be understood by the others. I hope Alina and Mal are well. I’m sure you’re all still catching up a ton. How’s Maja? I’m sure she misses the smoked meats I would bring her. I miss you greatly. I’m sure we will see one another soon. 

         With all my Love, your Devoted Helios

                                 Drazan Vlaev

Y/n sighed into the air of the night. She too missed Drazan, he was a rare light in her life. The saint herself must’ve sent him to her. She looked about the camp without a care. All these soldiers knew nothing of her faith.

They all looked down at her, like she was less than them for it. A faith they didn’t understand. Cultist they all whispered as she walked. Like she was a mad for believing in a higher power. They had saints, why couldn’t she have just one. 

The Sol Saint was one of prophecy, they had to believe in a being that didn’t exist yet. All Helios were bound by blood to this saint. No one would deny her faith. She bled, She killed she loved, and she would betray anyone for her saint. Those were the sacrifices of a Helios. 

But deep within her  mind, she pondered . Could she sacrifice Alina? Could she sacrifice Mal? Could she sacrifice all those she cared, dear to her heart? For something she wasn’t even sure it was real. Would she do it? This was the kind of question she should be asking herself. She was a Helios first before anything. Before a sister, before a daughter, before a friend. 

She had earned the title that had been bestowed upon her . 

The Blood Helios, none who ever encountered her had left with their lives. She bathed in their blood by herself. And then offered it upon the altar of her saint. 

She was the Blood Helios, and no one would deny it. 

She stood next to Mal as the Skiff was boarded. Maja sat obediently as her side, her snout raised high in the air. Y/n rolled her soldiers hand off her gun to Mal. She pet the soft curls of Maja’s white fur. With the soft roll of her shoulders the armor poured down her body.

From her neck it came like silver tears, slowly enveloping her body. Mal raised his brow as she took the gun back. He stares in awe along with the others whom had never seen the cultist in her armor. Y/n moved to the front where Natacha stood, the Inferni in charge of this skiff.

“Looking as lovely as always.” Y/n smiled at the dark skinned woman before her.

“You’re not to shabby yourself.” The words were soft. The pair had become akin to friends. They often flirted softly with one another, truly it was all playful banter. Y/n turned her head, Alina was on the skiff. What in the world was she doing her. 

Y/n quickly moved over, her small family was arguing quietly. Maja’s eyes followed Alina and Mall tenderly. 

“Alina get off this fucking Skiff.” Y/n grabbed into the girls arm. Alina smirked triumphantly and moved past her. 

“Tell them you’re too sick to go.” Mal pleaded.

“I’m never that sick.” Alina argued.

“Lie if you have to!” Y/n gripping tightly into Alina.

“And what’s your lie? I’m with you.” Y/n shared a look with Mal. She gently pushed her sister it to his side.

“Mal, fix this.” Y/n then turned around, her blood boiling. She smelt the smirk coming off his sister. How stupid could she been. She could all but feel the vibrations of anger coming off the other cartographers. What has her sister done.

Natacha sent her a small look of concern as Y/n stood back by her side. Y/n’s eyes never left Alina’s. She clicked her tongue, Maja moved to her side. The large wolf sat down and growl at any soldier that got too close to her. Natacha clapped her hands moving forwards, Y/n followed suit. 

“Here’s how it goes. We go into the Fold, it gets dark but we like it dark. That keeps us from drawing attention. That’s how we travel. The only light we use is the blue one at the mast.” Y/n kept her eyes on Alina. She looked so defenseless standing alone.

“It’s weak but safe.” Natacha continued. 

“But you’re an Inferni, right? So why are you here if we’re supposed to keep things dark?” Raisa asked. Y/n rolled her eyes at the stupid question, cartographers were the smartest. 

“For when the dark comes to keep you.” Raisa raised her brow. 

“And what’s about the Cultist?” Y/n turned her gaze to the cartographer leader. 

“For when we cannot defeat dark with fire, we send in someone who will devour the darkness.” Natacha’s voice carried an emblem of anger. The other soldiers turned to her with fear in their eyes. Y/n saw the small smirk that was sent her way. 

Natacha never ceased to amuse her, and to feed into the cultist, rumors that many believed about her.

“Where’s your general? Kirigan?” Mal asked. Y/n blinked a few times at the mention of the Darkling. He could stay in the dark where he bathed. The skiffs sail was released and the  skiff jutted forwards.

“That’s our cue.” Natacha and Y/n moved in sync. Y/n now stood at the front of the skiff and Natacha by the blue light. From above the squaller began to move the skiff towards the fold. 

Natacha sent a small nod towards Y/n, with a smile the Helios moved towards her sister’s side. Y/n stood in front of her as the small ribbon holding her hair back came loose. From the front the sergeant began to speak, but these words did not matter in her mind.

Alina was on a skiff, Mal was in this skiff. The two people she never wanted to see the inside of the fold. The heavy winds blew her hair back, the ribbon followed off. Y/n barely turned her head to look at it. Alina’s scarf had too come off. 

She watched the two pieces of fabric float through the wind. Her eyes followed them till they passed the dock. On the dock a man stood, shrouded in black. He watched the skiff so intently, Y/n knew he couldn’t she see herself staring back at him. 

It didn’t matter, as Alina sough out her armored hand. Y/n clutched it softly as Mal. came to her side.

“I’m pretty sure this the first time I’ve seen you all armored up.” Mal’s words should’ve brought a smile to her face. It didn’t.

“In we go.” Natacha mumbled. Y/n reached to her side, pulling out the small cuff. It was of pure gold and has a sun rested in its middle. She placed it in her forearm. The metal infused with her silver armor, a soft glow embroidered it. 

From her hand a crossbow of light emerged, an arrow already knocked in it. The glow died down quickly as she raised the crossbow. She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. Alina and Mal were now her top priority. All others could be forsaken. 

The darkness enveloped her body, it as oddly warm to her. It encased her, welcomed her home as it always did. Opening her eyes she listened to the growling of the Volcra that flew around them. She could feel every vibration they caused. Terror coated Alina’s face as she clung onto Y/n. 

As the skiff moved slowly, Y/n watched the darkened sky’s. When the first marker approached she rolled her shoulders. The holy cuff didn’t shine as it did in the sunlight. It was muted now, but no less dangerous.

“Marker one.” Natacha voiced as she passed the two sisters. Alina looked behind her to the Inferni.

“How many more are there?” Y/n opened her mouth to soothe her sister. Not many Y/n would lie.

“Thirty seven.” Natacha said walking away. Y/n sighed softly as she watched Alina’s face drop. Mal looked back at the two sisters. With a nod from Y/n he tore his gaze away. The anger Y/n felt was all the same, Alina should not be there. 

The volcra above screeched and growled as they flew. The rhythmic vibrations of there wings was enough to lull Y/n to sleep. It seemed to push at her eyelids, to force them down. She could never listen to closely to the volcra or she would sleep.

Raisa’s accusatory gaze found Alina’s as they passed a fallen ship. A particularly loud growl frightened the gunman into to ready positions. Y/n remained where she was. She pushed Alina to sit on the floor as she joined the grisha. They moved about the skiff quietly, but no where near as silent as Y/n. 

With all the armor on she was still as silent as snow. Slowly the blue light began to go out. Natacha moved to it quickly, hitting the glass. Y/n quickly moved next to her and opened the lantern. She sprinkled in a soft blue powder from a small pouch at her side. She blowed softly on it, the blue flame caught once more. 

Natacha and Y/n shared a calm look for a few seconds till the sound of a lighter interrupted the peace. Y/n whipped around to see one of the soldiers holding a lit lantern. A tremble seemed to be through the air. 

“Blow it out! What are you doing?” Natacha whispered, there was a tremor in her. From behind the boy came growling. Horrible, gut wrenching growling. From behind the boy a Volcra rose to its full height. Y/n shot out the golden arrow from her bow quickly. 

The Volcra screeched and flew away with a limp. It was all too late though. Another Volcra swarmed down, grabbing the boy. It bit down onto his leg and flew off no matter how many arrows she shot. The lantern fell down, its fire quickly emerging across the wooden boards.

From all around the Volcra growled. Y/n looked back at Alina, she was crouching next to the fire. Y/n stood in front of her sister, crossbow knocked with another arrow. Like the demons they were the Volcra swept through the skiff. The squaller moving the skiff was gone next. 

Y/n began to fire automatically, each golden arrow erupted in sunlight when piercing the flesh of the Volcra. They reappeared after every shot fire. Raisa was gone next, the Volcra having taking a bite of her shoulder. The blood drips onto her face as the Volcra carried her away. Y/n dropped down, shielding Alina as the side broke down in flames.

Y/n stood back up her hands going back to her cross bow. She fired each arrow as a body fell next to her. Alina’s vibrations were quivering as she shrunk away from the man’s still moving corpse. Y/n coughed as smoke rose up. Her helmet slowly infused into her neck.

Y/n pulled the thing off, she needed to be able to see Alina. Her eyes drifted for a seconds to Mal. A Volcra swept over him dangerously close. Y/n shot out an arrow. It wasn’t fast enough. Mal ducked before the Volcra could grab him. The crossbow disappears in a buff of gold as she reached down. 

She pulled the twin daggers from her side, lodging them into a Volcra that swept too close to her. They cried out in pain as she raised her hand, the daggers flying back to their master. This was a suicide mission and Y/n knew it. Not many would survive this. 

Y/n looked down at Alina for a seconds. She knelt down and handed her sister a dagger.

It was a subtle plead.

“Don’t move.” She commanded as she moved away. She couldn’t let all these people die, it would be a shame to her abilities if she couldn’t save them. Her dangers flew from her hands and came back. It was like a dance as she moved quickly around the skiff, killing any Volcra in her path.

Maja barked wildly, attacking all the Volcra in sight. The ones that got to close to her and Alina that was. Her teeth were coated in black. 

“Come at me! Come at me you cowards!” Natacha screamed as a Volcra took her by the shoulder. Y/n threw herself forward towards the Volcra. Her dagger flew into its neck as she tore its head from its body. It’s blackened blood sprayed all over her as she caught Natacha in her arms.

She was breathing hoarsely, there was a hold in her neck. Y/n pushed her hands into the large wound on her shoulder. Tears flooded her eyes, this wasn’t happening. Natacha had always been kind to her. Didn’t care for her extreme faith. 

“No no no no no no! NO! Don’t close your eyes!” Y/n held her friends tore body as she died. Her blue kefta was destroyed as she laid down her body. This wasn’t supposed to happen, not to them. Y/n stood up and her daggers formed into large swords. They sliced the Volcra clean in half before two grisha.

Y/n heard screaming, Mal’s screams. She turned around, sweat and blood dripping down her face. She threw herself forward quickly. Blood seemed to envelope her vision as she stabbed into the flying demon. Mal’s body dropped down as Y/n pieced its wings. The stupid animal dropped down, its blood all over her. Y/n coughed as the blood dripped into her mouth. 

She crawl desperately over to Mal, who was held by Alina. She hadn’t protected them like she promised. She failed them. She gripped into Mal’s other hands as the chaos continued around them. She could feel his vibrations, they weren’t as strong as normal. 

She failed.

Tears covered his face as she whispered his name, “Mal?” Maja whined softly and licked the side of his face. 

The fire flickered around, its lights illuminating her face. The two sisters clung into him as nothing else seemed to exist. Her mouth tasted of iron and rot. She could help but sob as she held him. Her family, her small family was about to be smaller.

His vibrations echoed in her ears as she sniffled. Alina cried at her side as they held him. They two refused to let go of him. Her armor fell she clung to him, his skin to buzz. She felt a ringing in her ears, like a twinkle. 

“I’ll meet you two at the meadow.” His words froze her sobs as he spoke. She couldn’t let such a thing happen. She cried softly as she felt wind blow around her. Alina was pulled up, a volcra’s claws around her waist. No……

Y/n still clutching Mal’s hand threw herself up. Her bare hand caught into Alina’s, fear and panic all over her face. It was warm, as she clung into her family her body became warm. A light began to grow out of her body and she clung to them. 

Light exploded from her body, the overwhelming sensation grew as another source of light grew with her. It surrounded around the skiff, throwing the shadows back from the world. Then her world was blank.

Everything was foggy, her vision, her hearing her mind. She could feel every vibration around them. The heavy hands around her, as her legs laid limp. They dragged her to gods know where. She was bleeding, somewhere in her body she was bleeding. Probably her leg, it felt like it was on fire.

Where was Alina. 

Where was her sister…..

Well her saint she supposed. She watched it happen, her sister could summon light. Alina has saved them all. What was left of them she guessed. 

She could hear the loud and quickly movement of the guards, the healer that ran next to them.

“Mal…. Lina…..Maja….” She coughed as she felt a bone boop back into place. 

“Careful! Are going to hurt her dragging g her like that!” The healers voice was timid but loud. The men dragged her didn’t listen as she moved. Her ears rung, she could feel the blood dripping down her ears. Her armor was covered in a thick layer of blood.

Maja barked loudly as she followed. The men tried to kick at her. Y/n jerked away ready to kill them for trying to hurt her wolf. Maja growls as she followed them. Her fur was covered in black. Y/n knew how much she hates to be messy. She would give her sweet girl a nice hot bath once this was over. 

She opened her eyes to a fuzzy worlds. Grisha moved out of her way, dread coating their faces. She must’ve looked like animal, wounded and bloody. Her hair fell, covering her face. 

“Where is she?” The healer squeaked at the sound of her voice, rough and dangerous. The young healer and blinked a few times as she held her hands together.

“Behind us,” She paused looking at the man dragged Y/n. “Stop dragging her like that! You’re going to break her arm.” They did not listen as the healer followed them. The black tent was moved aside and she was forced in. Her knees hit the ground, her armor clanking. She coughed for a seconds and took in a breath.

She focused herself, listening to the vibrations of the world. A hush has fallen over the tent. It opened once more and she felt Alina. Her eyes jumped open as she felt her sister pull away from the guards. Alina’s trembling hands wound around her shoulder. The cold bits of armor touching her sister’s skin.

Y/n hugged her sister tightly, her hand resting atop her head. Alina smelt of smoke, not the normal scent. Her legs and body was weak. But she smiled at Alina as the girl pulled back. 

“Bring them closer.” Her eyes snapped to the voice before her. He stood, back to them as guards grabbed into the girls. Her elbow forced its way to a guards face when her tried to grab Alina. She stood on her shaking legs, hiding her sister behind her.

She took a small step for them, Alina clung to Y/n. Her smaller frame hidden behind the grime covered armor of her sister. Y/n would not let this man anywhere near her sister. Her…. Her saint. 

Slowly the man turned, her eyes went blank. It was him. The Darkling, The black general, the shadow summoner. He was the man who plagued her dreams. His dark eyes were the ones that she would think about. 

Alina grabbed onto Y/n’s hand, her armor now covered her once more. Y/n glare at him, piecing into those dark eyes like she never had.  If only looks could kill. 

“Closer.” His words were like honey to her ears. All she could feel now was him. His vibrations were steady, like an unmoving mountain with the force to shake the earth. Y/n would not submit and move closer.

She remained right where she stood. A pillar of strength and might. A Helios ready to slaughter any in her path. Alina gently nudged her, obviously afraid of reprisals. Y/n took a small step, Alina followed behind.

“Well?” He asked. The glare did not leave her face. She studied him, he was perfect. At every angle he was perfect. Just like in every dream he was perfect. He was taller than her, like in her dreams.

“Well what?…” After a few seconds Alina timidly added, “Sir.” 

She hated the way Alina sounded so afraid. The way she hide behind the strength that her sister held. Her hand trembled still.

“What are you? His gaze wasn’t on Alina. They two stared deeply into the other. Y/n’s e/c eyes refused to break away. His dark origins watched her every move. Like a hawk he stared at Y/n.

“Alina Starkov, Assistant Cartographer, Royal Corps of Surveyors.” Alina trembled. She didn’t speak, she didn’t owe the Darkling the luxury of her name. His eyes didn’t leave hers. He just waited in silence for her name. Glaring at him she relented.

“Y/n Starkov, Private Commander, Royal Corps of Combat, Blood Helios of the First Army” His lips perked up at the sound of her voice. She didn’t like that at all. 

“They’re all gone.” Alina mumbled.

“It’s our fault. That’s why we’re here ain’t it?” She whispered clinging into Y/n’s hand. The Darkling raised his hand suddenly. 

“Answer the question.” Why was he speaking like that. Why was he staring at her. They way he spoke, moving like he was trying to coax a frightened doe towards himself. Is that what he thought her? A scared doe? And not the blood thirsty beast. Maja growled as the Darkling slowly leaded against the table behind him. 

“What are you?” Y/n felt Alina flicker, she was confused.

“A mapmaker, sir.”

“A Helios.” They laughed. A growl came from Maja and Y/n in sync. They dared to laugh int here faces. Where was the honor in this grisha.

“Quiet.” They all went silent. Maja too quiet down and sat by her side. He hadn’t even raised his voice an ounce. He made Maja just sit down by her side. No one had even done such a thing to her wolf.

The Darkling stared at her, his eyes trailing down her. He tore his eyes away looking around the tent. 

“So who actually saw what happened?” There was a hush over the crowd. His eyes turned to the dirty Suli girl at there side. She was one of the grisha whom she decapitated the Volcra in front of.

“Zoya? You manned the main sail.” His voice was a bit more harsh now. A twinkle of anger was on his face.

“We were attacked barely two markers in.” Zoya swallowed and continued. “Someone lit a lantern.” His eyes trailed back to Y/n’s. 

“And?” 

“The Volcra went after the ruffle man and our Inferni first, the Cultist tired to kill most of them but-

“Cultist?” He asked. She moved her eyes to Zoya, they seemed to darken. Y/n had saved her life. Ungrateful fucking girl. Cultist they still called her. After she saved them they would still call her cultist. 

Zoya frozen back a little upon the question. She looked back at Y/n and the Darkling seemed to make the connection.

“The armored one was killing the Volcra.” Zoya restated. She couldn’t even be bothered to call her what she was. Helios, was it that hard to remember. The Darkling nodded in her direction, his eyes never leaving Y/n.

“And then there was a searing light, one white and other a more silver color.” Zoya finished.

“It was them.” The other voice rang out. Y/n glare at the man who spoke. Alina hid further behind Y/n.

“Our Helios and mapmaker.” He tilted his head.

“Is this true? Can you both summon light?” Alina shook her head in shocked. The Darkling followed her motion mocking her. He mocked her sister. Her saint! The fear that radiated off Alina was enough to make Y/n want to kill this Darkling. 

“Where did you grow up?” Y/n wasn’t sure how to answer. For her first twelve years it was in Keramzin, but after that it was in the sanctuary. She wouldn’t tell him where her home was. She didn’t need to.

“Keramzin.” Alina muttered, The Darkling’s eyes remained on her own. Like he expected a different answer. He would get none. 

“And when were you tested.” Never, that was only answer. They hadn’t been properly tested. The scars on their hands were proof enough.

“You don’t remember?” He asked. She pushed Alina further behind her body as the Darkling moved towards them.

“Well let us just make certain.” Every step he took was a personal attack. He removed his ring and pushed a small claw like blade from it. She felt Alina quiver in her grip. Her heart sank to the bottom pits of death as she took a step back.

“Lift up your sleeve,” He paused looking at her. “Remove your armor.” He stood right above her. She didn’t think, the dagger manifested before she could stop herself. It pressed into his stomach as she clutched it. 

“Move closer, and I will gut your intestines out and shove them down your throat.” A collective gasp rang through the tent. The oprichniki took a step towards her, the threat that she was. He simply waved them off, like fussing children.

“Why do they call you cultist?” He softly asked, the faintest of smirks on his face. She twisted the blade in her grip. 

“Because I have killed and will kill for my faith.” He hummed once. Her heart began to beat loudly in her ears. Its intensity changed, beating harder with every pulse. She choked in her breath as the dagger hit the floor. 

She stood there as she felt her body begin to shift. Her gaze tired to the other grisha, the ones in red kefta’s. One of them had his hands together, he was messing with her. It wasn’t enough to shake her though. She coughed softly as she took long slow breathes.

Another soon joined him, then another, and another till all the Heartrender’s stood firm. Her body sank to the ground as she fought the effects. Blood dripped down her nose, mouth and ears. She coughed as she tried to force her way back up. 

The Darkling took small steps around her. His eyes never leaving her fighting crumpled form. She watched in horror as he grabbed onto her sister, her Alina. Maja growled and barked loudly, piercing through all their ears. However the wolf refused to leave Y/n’s side as she tried to fight.

The room began to buzz as she hands shook. The vibrations of every living thing amplified. The heartrender’s hands began to shake as the dark room began to shift. Slowly she lifted her body, fighting there manipulations of her body with her own. 

The first grisha who stood to stop her glare, his harsh eyes trying to force her back down. It was too late now, her armor had deflected most of the others. Her vibrations only grew as others covered their ears. 

The moment she stood up right a wave of light hit her. She body froze as she watched. From the small cut came a blaze of light. It was the sun ten fold. Her mind was blank. Alina really was her saint. The very saint she was supposed to protect with her life. 

She fell to one knee in shock as the lights slowly faded away. Alina’s eyes drifted over to Y/n’s so fearful of what she was. The two sisters didn’t have words. What words could they express.

Alina was her saint. The being she’d been worshiping since childhood. A saint that was prophesied to come. No one knew when, it was an old tale. 

Y/n had killed for her, in the name of her sister. Her saint that she never knew about. How could she now know. Before the globes, before she left she held Alina. Held her hand, her body so many times. 

The two were always cut up, maybe that was why. She couldn’t move as the oprichniki grabbed into her. She watched for a few fleeting seconds as they dragged her sister away. 

Her body flew up trying to follow. A right hand gripped into her arm. She looked back and there he was. The Darkling. Her natural enemy. What was she to do now. She pulled away, she wiped at the blood. 

“Where are you taking her!” He tilted his head. 

“What are you.” Again with such a stupid question. 

“Where is she going?” He stared down at her, marveled at what we before him. She blinked a few times, unsure. 

“Let your armor fall.” Scoffed out loud, her eyes rolling back. She would sooner die, she would sooner kill every single person in the tent than let him any closer. Maja barked loudly, he sighed once. 

The same heartrender from before held his hands up. Whining Maja slowly laid down, her eyes fluttering. She felt his arm tightly around her. She jerked away, trying to reach her wolf. 

“Stop it! What are you doing! STOP IT!” She yelled. He just looked at her, like a predator would its prey. He has no idea she was the apex in this situation. His gaze was so strange as she jerked her arm. 

“Lower your armor.” She didn’t stop, he froze for a moment then added a gentle, “Please.”

She sighed as the armor slowly rang back up her body. Her uniform was tattered and blood seeped through the pants. Her pulled her closer, his grip around her sleeve. She could smell him, it was intoxicating. She looked up at him, her mask breaking for a moment.

She was afraid, angrily she was afraid. What kind of soldier was she to be afraid of her enemy. That was how wars were so often lost. His hand gently grabbed her broken sleeve pulling it up. 

His bare hand went to regrab her. She shock for a few seconds, terror engulfed her. It was like the water was forcing its way down her lungs once more. Her secret was about to be exposed to her enemy. Her breath left her body in pieces.

“Please… don’t.” She’d never begged before. His eye softened as his bare fingers brushed against her flesh. They just stared for a while. Something inside her changed, like a small switch was flipped. His grip became more prominent and there it was. Shadows erupted from him, casting themselves all over. 

And then without so much as a prick she was glowing. Her body was warm as silver began to spread out of her body. It was like a ragged inferno that only grew. Around them the shadows mixed with her silver, twisting and braiding together. 

Gasps came from all those in the tent, it was like eating the formation of a star. She didn’t move, didn’t breathe as it all stopped. A real smile came onto his lips as she stood horrified. 

Blasphemy…. That was what her life now was. She was blasphemous. 

“A moon summoner…” He paused and then there was a softer voice. “And an amplifier.”

She was ruined now, nothing would save her now. 

Divider create goes to @astralnymphh

Moon Helios

a/n: we start the actual series with this chapter. This will also be the end of act one. I will post the act two characters later tonight or tomorrow. Enjoy and READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

꓄ꃅꀤꌗ ꎇꂦꈤ꓄ ꀤꌗ ꎇꀭꍟꋪꀸꍏꈤ

Word Count: 4,162k

Series trigger warnings:Child abuse, anxiety, religious trauma, racism, manipulation, division of canon, Alina hate?, trauma, ptsd, bullying, insomnia, self-neglect, mental health issues, guilt tripping, cult theme, blood consumption, cannibalism?? Lost of murder, talks of SA in other characters, S/A, Sexual acts, future smut, predatory behavior(not from Aleks) and all other shadow and bone stuff

Act I : The Return

Chapter Seven

The snow hadn’t stopped, if anything it only raged on. Y/n stood overlooking the sanctuary. Her armor glimmered under the sunlight. A bag was slung over her shoulder, golden circlet in her hair. Her hair woven into a braid with the comb from Ville as she stood next to her grey horse.

It nudged its nose into her metal stomach as she pet its mane. Maja laid on the ground sleeping soundlessly. Footsteps came up behind her.

“You’re really leaving?” He sounded hopeful, maybe this was a joke. Turning around she met Niko’s brights eye. She stared at him for a while. 

“I have to go. I promised I’d be back.” Her eyes were blank, hardly softened at the sight of him. He scoffed softly kicking at the snow. The snow bounced into Maja’s coat and she growls softly. He mockingly growled back at him. 

“Will Egon even let you leave?” She nodded her head soundlessly. She didn’t care whether or not he would let her. He couldn’t stop her even if he wanted.

“Alina is going to join the ravkan army, I can’t let her do that alone.”

“Bullshit! Mal will be with her won’t he?” Slowly she turned her gaze back to the snow wrapping itself on the ground. 

“It’s been five years Niko, I have to go back.” He glared sharply at her back. Niko couldn’t understand it, the want to go home. He hated his home, and he had a real one. He knew the orphanage was not her home.

“Why? You are home!” He yelled grabbing at her shoulder. She shrugged him off as her armor slowly fell. The thick wool cape cascades down her shoulders. Her thick black gloves embroidered with roses held tightly onto the ropes.

She attached the small cart that would hold Maja and a few trinkets of hers. Her palace wasn’t to far, she would drop the stuff off before leaving.

“How many years have I suffered for our saint.”

“We suffer always for her! It is our sacred duty as Helios.” He uttered. Y/n moved Maja into the small cart so that she could sleep. She covered her wolf in thick furs to keep the snow off her.

“I was twelve when they took me, when they took me from Kermazin. When they took me from Alina and Mal.”

“I was twelve when I was blinded. I was thirteen when my flesh was burnt and cut, the scar is still as red are the poker used. I was fourteen when I bite off a chunk of my friends hand.” She told him as she turned around. Her gaze was hardened. 

He couldn’t speak, what could he say to combat her words. He too had be scared by the life of a Helios.

 “I was fifteen when I was sent to Fjerda, forced to kill the boy I loved for a fake ring. I was sixteen when I murdered my best friend.” She trembled as her words left her throat. She mounted her horse, her hands gripping the harness. Niko grasped into her gloved fingers, a single tear falling down his cheek.

Slowly she reached her hand down, the soft leather brushing the water from his face. She held his check for a few seconds, her eyes softened. 

“I was sixteen when my friends tried to take the bones from my body. And now has a seventeen year old I have murdered countless I have become something truly ruthless. And I am afraid.” She uttered. 

She pulled back, her face hard once again. Adjusting her cloak she pet her horse, Tidal’s mane. 

“I am afraid because I have enjoyed it far too much.”  She turned away from him, the horse slowly pulling away.

“You’ll be back? Sooner or later?”

“Later, I believe.” With that she was gone. Her horse sped off into the storm of snow. 

The ravkan camp she’d been placed in was less than ideal. Alina nor Mal was with her. She was late, too late to join in and become a mapmaker with Alina. 

So now she was a simple soldier, a gun for hire. Y/n walked down the path with a humming softly. Her mind wandering as she dropped down a piece of bread to Maja. 

The hungry wolf as she was ate every bite growling happily. Y/n smiled as she watched her beloved pet run forwards. 

“The Fjerdan bitch has graced us today.” She groaned softly as she turned around. The others in the battalion had always like to use that on her. 

“How can I help you boys?” She asked with a smile. The trio behind her smiled softly. 

“Guess what?” The taller one, Lief said with a smile. She cocked her head to the side.

“We’ve just been assigned to guard the cartographers, your sister is in the group we’re going to protect.” Her eyes widened at his words. 

“What?” Her voice was barely there.

“They’re due to go to the camp near the fold. Generals worried about all the grisha with fire around our maps.” The short red head answered slinging his arm around her shoulders.

Her head tuned to him, her eyes baring down at him. A low and hateful growl came from Maja and she moved near Y/n. Quickly Roam the red head moved away. 

“They are called Inferni, and they are a part of this army. They’re not gonna destroy our maps.” She uttered softly.

“Yeah well we’re going to guard them so pack up your bag please.” Driud’s told her with a smile. Y/n sighed softly as she picked up Maja, keeping her white paws out of the mud.

She held tightly into her wolf as she walked about the camp. Maja all but purred as her legs dangled in the air. Placing her down in her tent Y/n begins to pack up. Her mind drifts to her true north.

Alina and Mal.

Y/n stood, her breath quivering as she saw her. Her sister, her Alina. She stood with a smile on her face. She was laughing at whatever Mal had said.

Mal, he was safe. He was safe with her. Her eyes swelled with tears as she took a step forwards. They were both dressed in ravkan army uniforms. 

“You two look ridiculous.” The pair froze. Slowly turning to Y/n. Like a firework Alina shot off towards her sister. She tackled her to the ground, hugging her tightly. Y/n had become a mass of tears as she fell with them. 

Mal’s arms were more muscular than when they were children. Alina was just as slender as she left. She could hear the whispers from behind her family, along with Maia’s soft growling. 

Slowly Y/n sat up with them both in her arms. Hesitantly she raised her gloved finger to Alina’s cheek, brushing away her tears. Mal laughed softly as he helped the two girls up.

“You’re back!” He laughed as he crashed into her again, his arms tightly wrapped around her. She went stiff for a few moments then nuzzled her head in his neck.

She inhaled him deeply, he smelt of pine and dirt. Ever her tracker. She pulled away with unshed tears in her eyes.  

“You both look hideous.” She whispered quietly as she pulled away. Alina rolled her eyes softly as she took a step towards her sister. 

She was different now, taller and stronger. Her eyes harder, her smile halved. She sighed again as Maja came to her masters side. Maja sat patiently as her calf as she stared at the strangers in front of her.

“You have a dog now? You never mentioned that in your letters!” Mal asked as he bent down. He reached a hand out to pet Maja. Like a puppy the war dog hide behind Y/n. She growled softly from between Y/n’s legs. 

Maja cast her blood eyes up to Y/n with a quirked look. Y/n slowly pet the soft white fur with a gentle smile. Mal frown softly as Alina laughed. From behind there commanding officer called to them. 

Y/n watched their eyes fall and she took a step forward.

“What are we waiting for? We have a country to protect yea?” Alina and Mal shared a looked. Then Y/n ringed her thick cloak from her body. She too was dressed in a first army uniform.

The trio laughed softly as they began to walk towards the camp once more. Y/n lingered behind for a moment. The more she stared at Alina the more she looked like Isla. Wide eyed and soft.

Y/n would do anything to make sure it stayed that way. 

Y/n walked to her commanders tent with a groan. She knew what this was about. It was always the same thing. She hasn’t gotten into any fights the last month. 

Well she has but it was a betting ring so that didn’t count. Maybe it was because before the messaged came to her she was on her way to a fight. She didn’t care much as she entered the tent.

“Lieutenant Bohdan, you asked to see me.” She answered as she stood stiffed. The older man cast her a glare as he threw a letter on the table. Its wax seal of the Lantsov line, double eagles. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

“They’ve sent another letter requesting your presence in court.” He answered to her as he held a look or annoyance on his face.

“Tell them like every other time that I am busy with the safety of this glorious nation.” She mocked softly as she sat down. Bohdan groaned softly.

“You cannot deny a summons from the king for much longer. He desperately wishes to meet you, the Blood Helios of the Ravkan army.” She rolled her neck and sighed.

“You are the first of your kind this word has truly seen, your cult doesn’t like outsiders. Yet you joined his army.” She scoffed again. Cult. What did they know of her way of life. Cult, the word was sickening.

So they devoted their lives to a saint. Others had done the same yet they were call cult. Even now, so far away from the Helios court she still prayed. How could she not, her…… her rose was now with her saint.

“He thinks he is blessed. Arrogant would be a better word for him.” She mumbled. Bohdan cleared his throat. The Lanstov was still king she suppose. 

“You are closest thing he has to a weapon on this side of the fold.”

“And yet I always cross the fold.”

“Every shipment you e even been on had made it both ways. It is no coincidence your name is always pulled.” He answered. She could feel the guilt in his words. 

“I will not go, burn the letter.” Her Lieutenant groaned softly taking the letter. He threw it over a candle and let it burn. 

“The next letter will not be denied, you will go.” She scoffed again and stood.

“I owe to no allegiance to your king, I do not serve him. I stay in her army because my sister is here. Nothing more or less.” Bohdan nods his head.

“The king will not be pleased.” He answered with a tight look. She shrugged softly as she stood up.

“Tell him that I had already crossed the fold too late for him.”

Bohdan sighed softly taking a deep breath. Y/n wasn’t a soldier to him. She served her own caused whatever that may be. 

“Honestly Bohdan do you really think the King is sending these letters? I bet it’s his little apparat who sent it, or maybe even his black general.” She amused. Bohdan raised a brown. 

“It matters not who sent it, the next one will not be brunt by me.” Y/n looked at the ashes and sighed.

“Very well, I will burn the next one then.”

Then she turned and left, Maja followed her. Summons from the king, please, she would ignore it. She didn’t need his approval to do anything. She was the Blood Helios of the first army, but she had not loyalty to Ravka’s king.

He was pig, greedy and glutinous. Some king he was, he wouldn’t even march into battle with his soldier. He didn’t plan any attacks or even show real support for his men and women.

No, he simply sat on his throne get fat next to his wife. A queen who spent the ravka’s money. As she pulled off her coat and entered the tent of sweaty men she grimaced. 

Her hands were bandaged as she found a challenger. Battles for coin were simple enough. Always helped get the blood pumping. As she finished her match quickly, earring some neredi. 

As she stared down at the currency of Novyi Zem she knew who she had to send the money to. As she turned to leave she caught Mal’s eyes. Her own glazed over him as he fought. 

She smiled and stepped towards him to watch. She could feel the disapproval of his eyes as she stood holding her small bag. 

As he own matched finished she handed him a clean rag. The brothers cheered at her side as she felt the vibrations of another move. 

“I’ll take a turn. How about it? Just you and me.” With the flick of the man’s wrist, the dust swirled at them. On instinct Y/n’s armor flashed in her body. Her arm pulled at Mall as she shield him from the dust. 

As her helmet fell she met the squaller’s eyes with her own. Mal rushed forwards to fight but was held back. 

“If you lose, you'll be in the medika. If you win, they'll throw you in the brig.” The older soldier announced holding Mal back. The arrogant squaller all but laughed as he swirled the winds again.

“Come on! Anyone!” Stepping forwards Y/n let her armor fall. Her wrist were bandaged yes but not fully covered. As if injured she wrapped them up completely, leaving no skin showing. 

“Anyone?” She asked with a blank look. The squaller turned to her with a wide smile.

“I’ve heard of you haven’t I? The cultist of the first army.” She smiled stepping towards him. Mal moved out of his friend’s grip and grabbed at her wrist. 

“Y/n,” He started but she wasn’t paying him any mind. She was almost glad her reputation proceeded her.

“You asked for anyone, don’t tell me you’re afraid now?” She mocked gently. The tent had gone all but silent. The older soldier in charge stared at Y/n. She never was one to turn down a fight. 

“Y/n we need to go find Alina.” Mal interjected attempting to pull her back. She sighed softly allowing him to lead her out. She pulled back her hand and let it fall.

“Fjerdan scum.” Before Mal could think she’d already whipped around. She move faster than the squaller could see. Her fist ached into his face as she collided with his body. 

Scum? She was not scum. She had not made a name for herself as the Blood Helios to be called scum. It took seven soldiers to pry her off the bleeding man. Mal has quickly grabbed onto her shoulder and leaned her away.

Her bandaged were coated in crimson as she left. Speckles of the red dripped down her face. She didn’t think much of it, wasn’t the first time, wouldn’t be the last. 

“You never can back down from a challenge can you.” She was silent as she walked next to him. Mal would never understand her. Alina could never understand her. But they saw a change within her.

They couldn’t hold her as easily, she pull her arms away. She wouldn’t sing to them anymore. She could hardly bring herself to draw when with them. 

“I’m sorry.” She answered. Mal chuckled softly as nudged her shoulder quickly. 

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing, you just need to learn to not be so angry all the time.”  She hummed softly. Her anger had protected her for the most part.

Maybe Mal was right, maybe she should control her anger. However what good was her anger if concealed. 

Y/n smiled softly as she allowed Alina to pull her into a ground hug. She hadn’t wanted to but gave her sister this. Alina has been on the road for a few weeks now. 

Whether she likes to admit it or not she missed the smell of her sister. Charcoal, paper and sweat. She smelt of the drawing room Egon helped her craft in her palace.

Egon.

They hadn’t spoken much since she left. It had only been a few months but the distance was jarring. She missed her ꎇꍏꀸꀸꍟꋪ. He’d always been next to her.

When the hunger of fasting took all her strength, he helped her stand. The sword became to heavy in her arms, he trained her to lift it. When she wept over Ville, he had held her tightly. When she sat as her roses grave, he tied the blue ribbon for her.

From Niko’s letters Egon wasn’t much better. He was gloomy and rarely partook in the celebrations anymore. He would hardly smile when the young and older Helios would dance together.

Niko had been begging for the past week for her to go back. If only for the lighting of the barrier celebrations. Y/n knew she would be able to go. Bohdan would understand.

She just couldn’t go.

There was something deep, primal gnawing at her core. It had kept her rooted in place, in the first army. Something was about to happen. She could all but feel it in the vibrations of the world. 

The earth itself was trying to speak to her. Try as hard as she could, Y/n didn’t know what the words were. The song the earth played was off key for her.

“Come on Y/n, the bells just rung.” Alina smiled softly. Y/n blinked at her sister with a smile. Alina tugged gently as her hand. Her normal back gloved with roses on them protected her.

Y/n followed behind her sister, the innocent look on her face brought a smile to her own. It was times like this Y/n felt like the older sister. In reality the sisters didn’t know.

They had arrived at the orphanage the same night in two baskets. 

Each basket had a small note stating their names and nothing else. They chose to believe themselves twins by different fathers. 

By the time Bohdan has begun to speak Y/n was already done. She left Maja back at her tent, so the others crowded around her. She watched Alina’s gaze move to the poster. The propaganda that ravka has made against the Shu Han.

She reached down and squeezed Alina’s hand. Alina’s chocolate eyes bore up at Y/n’s harden e/c eyes softly. Y/n looked down for a moment and gave her a slight smile. The cold leather was peaceful against Alina’s skin.

There was a Fjerdan poster too, it simply didn’t bother Y/n as much. She was Fjerdan, that would never change. She learnt the language, learnt her peoples customs. There was a beauty in the great ice land, not grisha but to her.

The snow was cold and fierce. The air thin and made you cough. The people unamused. They were everything she was in one way or another. Fjerdan has her heritage, nothing could ever change that. So why would she bother. 

“Gunman Y/n Starkov and Tracker Malyen Oretsev.” Y/n head perked up, her eyes on Mal. 

“Did he? But you’re in our unit.” Alina mumbled her eyes on Mal. Y/n scoffed softly, Bohdan had to be wrong. Mal was to stay with Alina since she would be crossing the fold.

“It has to be an error. It has to be.” Mal uttered.

Scoffing Y/n replied, “It better be.”

“Didn’t sound like an error, Mal.” Alina answered dropping Y/n’s hand. Her gloved hand returned to her side as she stared down at them both. As they were dismissed Y/n stepped forwards towards Bohdan. 

“Mal?”

Well, if it does work, I'll get to visit Ketterdam.” He amused as she walked away.

The skiff placement was in fact not a mistake. Bohdan’s hands were tied in the issue. The Darkling wanted a tracker in the other side of the fold to look for something. Rage boiled inside of Y/n.

They had stuck a deal months ago. She would go into the fold as many times as need to ensure her family stayed together. Twelve times has she journeyed through. Twelve times had Bohdan kept his promise.

She wanted to scream at the sky. Her family wasn’t safe ever. If she prayed more to her Sol saint then she already had, she would look mad. Extremist, cult girl, fjerdan bastard. She could the names ragging war in her head. 

She could keep Mal safe, no doubt in her mind. Something was just off now. The world was trying to warn her, but she could not hear. Hearing had never been her strong suit. Blood first questions later. 

Her rose was much better than hearing. She had to hear. With no voice or eyes, to hear was her only vice. When twig crunched, she would hear. Every secret and lie she heard. 

It was her roses gift from there saint. Y/n wondered what her saint would think of her now. Was she a disgrace? She’d left her saints temple. Her saints army to join one of a false king.

Her saints was a holy one, made of the sunlight that could burn and break as well as glow and shine. Did her saints admire her devotion. The blood she’d spilt in her name.

“I thought I’d find comfort here.” Y/n smiled faintly as she watched Alina sit next to her in the perch. The entire laid before them.

“Planning a coup?” Alina giggles. Y/n shook her head softly. 

“Hate to burst your bubble Lina, the only coup I would dream of planing is the ravkan kings. Not this base.” Y/n countered with her most gentle smile. Alina stare at her sister for a few moments.

“You weren’t at dinner.”

“I wasn’t hungry, plus the cook doesn’t like me.”

“I know the feeling.” Y/n’s brows curled upwards at her words. It was no secret many didn’t like the two sisters. Y/n didn’t understand it.

“I could sacrifice the cook, like how everyone thinks I worship.” Alina laughed brightly. Her smile reached both side of her face, showing off her pearly white teeth. Even coated in sweat and dirt Alina was still beautiful.

There was an innocence to her face. Round like a child in a way. A small bit of baby fat, the smallest amount. Meals were an odd thing in this army. Y/n was trained for hunger, Alina less so.

“Do you even wonder how our life’s would be if…. If you never left.” Y/n hummed softly.

Such a word would never exist. It couldn’t. Y/n was hand picked by her saint to become a warrior.

“I am nothing without my saint.” She whispered so low Alina could not hear. It was a confession she only dare to utter with other Helios. It was a chant she would sing into battle in her saints name. 

“What was that?” Alina asked, her voice calm. 

“If I’d never been taken I would still be here. Not as just a gun for hire but more. I’d like to think I’d be a commander by now. With money so you and Mal would be with me. You could draw as much as you want and Mal… Mal could find and keep as many bunnies as he’d like.” 

Silence engulfed the pair. Alina’s eyes were 

strictly on Y/n. The soft shadow the lights brought to her face. The hallow bags under her eyes. The gentle shimmer to her skin under the moonlight. The single hair out of place. The way her e/c were muted so slightly.

“I think I would’ve liked that.” Y/n then looked back at her. Their eyes met, neither sister looking away.

“I doubt I ever would’ve gotten so far here, not with my fjerdan side so prominent. Maybe I could’ve been a pirate instead.” Alina laughed again as Y/n let out a small giggle. Alina smiled more so, the tiniest laugh has escaped Y/n.

“We’re both misfits, me half Shu, you Fjerdan Y/n.” Alina mumbled. 

“Finally found you both.” Mal’s distinct footsteps came up behind them. Y/n stood and grabbed her satchel.

“That is my queue to go.” Y/n said standing up. Mal furrowed his brown and went to grab her arm.

“Why?” She raised her shoulder. 

“Maja needs to be fed, before she eats Lief. She has been eyeing her muscles.” Her family laughed at her words once more. Laugher, the most addictive drug. 

As she left there laughed was gone. Like any drug she would protect and covenant it. 

Divider create goes to @astralnymphh

Moon Helios

a/n: My god did I take forever to make this chapter. Whoopsies. Anyway this is the last chapter till the actual plot. I’m so excited to write the actual plot now. Lots of triggers in this so READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

꓄ꃅꀤꌗ ꎇꂦꈤ꓄ ꀤꌗ ꎇꀭꍟꋪꀸꍏꈤ

Word Count: 3.461k

Series trigger warnings:Child abuse, anxiety, religious trauma, racism, manipulation, division of canon, Alina hate?, trauma, ptsd, bullying, insomnia, self-neglect, mental health issues, guilt tripping, cult theme, blood consumption, cannibalism?? Lost of murder, talks of SA in other characters, S/A, Sexual acts, future smut, predatory behavior(not from Aleks) and all other shadow and bone stuff

Act I : A Helios is Born

Chapter Six

The wind whipped furiously around the sanctuary. The banners marked by a raging sun blazing across the silks. It was cold, it’d been fair to cold. 

As Y/n’s grey eyes trailed over the younger Helios in trainings, the blinding ceremony had just commenced. They were clumsy as tripping over their own feet. 

You never really knew how much you needed your eyes till they were gone. Although sight allowed one to see again it wasn’t the same. Colors were dulled, lights were less. 

“Enjoying the snow?” Egons voice came from behind her. She didn’t turn to him as he went to her side. His large hands pressed again the railing. 

Maja growled softly from where she sat. The snow dressed her coat, almost blending in. She didn’t like Egon, she’d almost bit his fingers more times than Y/n could count. 

“No.” Egon couldn’t help but frown. Her answers had been short and never in full sentences anymore. That silver comb was  laced in her hair by Isla no matter what she was doing.

“Ready for the ceremony?” She didn’t answer just turned away. Her armor was cold, the metals almost froze in the snow. Her cape, long and lined with wool danced behind her. 

“꒒ꀤꈤꃅꂦ꒒ꂵꍟꋪꋪꍟ, be ready for your ceremony.” He urged her. Her hands went to her neck, pulling off her collar. She held it out for him to take.

“I’m not permitted this.” Egon gently took her armor. She was right, in the trial the children would be allows one dagger as there weapon. 

His eyes fell on her smaller frame. As she moved inside he watched her. He watched Maja and his ꒒ꀤꈤꃅꂦ꒒ꂵꍟꋪꋪꍟ disappear into the sanctuary.

In truth he worried, there was the small chance she would never survive this. It was a fight to death after all. 44 in training, only 22 would survive. 

He held confidence in her, she was trained by his hand. But her opponent would not be one she would be able to kill, he knew that well enough.

It was warm in the arena. The sand was heated slightly by one of the Inferni whom had kept their powers. Y/n stood, digging her feet in. 

If she was to die then she didn’t mind it to be her. She was the last ceremony of the night. Everyone who survived had killed a friend tonight. In turn they had regained their eyes.

Would Alina be able to live with her death. Mal had answered her letter, he and Alina were well. Underfed but well. The guilt festered deep within her. While her sister and best friend were underfed she slept on a full stomach overnight. 

Alina, she missed her sister’s dark eyes. The tree bark colored eyes were just brought enough to tell where the irises stoped and pupil began. How Alina’s thick locks would blows gently in the breeze. She missed Alina…. But did Alina miss her as much.

“Announcing Y/n Starkov, ward of Egon Waldow.” Aratha’s voice was mellow. Y/n supposed so many years of conducting these fights would do that to a woman.

“And Isla… Isla Vernio, ward of Egon Waldow.” Y/n froze, her blood going cold. Slowly Isla’s blurred frame came into her sight. 

Isla.

Why was Isla in the arena with her. This wasn’t supposed to happen like this. Niko had checked. 

She was supposed to kill a random boy, Avich or something. It been easy to kill Avich, he was weak hearted. To kind for his own good, not bad with a sword but horrible with a dagger

“ӄɛɮɮɛռ ready!” Aratha yelled. Y/n couldn’t move. Isla moved into her stance. Her breathing picked up as she dropped her knife. It hit the sand, not a sound echoed around her.

“No… wait !” Y/n uttered finding her voice but from above Kanos nodded his head. 

“FIGHT!”

In seconds Isla was charging towards her. Isla’s blue knife sliced through the air as Y/n dodged. 

“Isla!” Y/n yelled as her friend attacked her relentlessly. Isla was quick, always had been. Her vibrations were all over the place, it made it hard for Y/n to track her.

Y/n began to move around, turning and dodging very moved Isla made. 

“ISLA! STOP!” Isla’s movements became sloppy, frazzled. 

Y/n caught her friend’s arm, twisting it and pushing the knife out of her hand. Isla slammed her head back and Y/n backed away. 

“Isla stop this! I’m not going to fight you.” Y/n could keep the quiver from her voice. Not this. She couldn’t do this.

She could softly hear Niko’s voice screaming. Niko was alive? Had he lied to her? Of course he’d lied to her. Her mind raced as she went through everything.

Maybe Niko had never been her friend. Only tried to gain her trust in order to get her killed. Maybe it was all a lie. Everything was a lie.

Before she could realize her back was against the sand. Isla’s knife inches from her face. Isla’s knife was in her face.

“Isla…”

As the knife inched closer to her throat she couldn’t see anything. Her vision was turning colors. Her hand moved before she could stop it.

GRAB THE BLADE! 

DRIVE IT INTO HER CHEST!

She felt the cold metal dig into her skin and then it was gone. The sound of flesh being pierced echoed through her mind. The choking on blood invaded Y/n’s ears as she caught Isla. 

“No no no no no no no!” Y/n repeat as she clung to Isla. The tears burned down her skin as she sobbed.

Isla clung onto her arm as she choked. Y/n looked up at the perch. Her eyes filled with terror as all the blood began to soak her. 

Egon wasn’t there.

He was supposed to watch all the fights.

Kanos stared down at her, eyes blank as she stared up at him. His eyes…  were those tears. 

Kanos never cried, he couldn’t. What had he done that he was crying?

……………………

…………………………

……………………………….

He couldn’t have? Could he?

The moon moved over the arena as Isla shook Y/n. Her eyes slowly moved down as she sobbed. Isla’s eyes were dulled and she could see. All the colors, everything was so vibrant.

Y/n’s eyes began to dart around as she saw everything. Isla’s blood was a deep crimson and it soaked through her ceremonial clothes. 

Isla’s vibrations were slowed, almost gone. 

Her hands moved slowly, covered in her own blood. 

“Burry me with the roses so I’ll always be pretty but I’ll always have my thorns.” 

Y/n held her face as she watched the lights in her chocolate eyes left. Her beautiful chocolate eyes were now visible her. Her soft skin lost its warmth, leaving not a trace of life. Y/n felt her breath stop. Her eyes stared down at the blood in her hands.

She could feel herself shake, she could feel her own vibration were everywhere. She could hear her surviving trainees screaming yelling. 

She could hear Egon yelling faintly. She could hear everything faintly. The ringing in her ears grew louder as she held onto Isla. It became so bright as her own screams entered her ears. 

Her scream didn’t sound like hers. Her screams sounded like something else. Like the screams of the volcra or ʊռʊɖɛǟɖֆ. Or the wailing of a banshee. It was so bright, there was light all around her. She left a pair of arms around her as she screamed.

The light only grew as she screamed and then…………..

Nothing, just black.

There was too much snow, the pale pink roses were covered in frost. The dug up ground covered in snow. Niko’s bright crystal eyes stared over at her. 

She was knelt down tying the blue ribbon to the post. A large sun at the top of the wood. In her hands she held tightly into Isla’s collar. 

As per tradition the winner of the fight would take the dead’s collar. Melt it down and add it onto your own armor as a sign of respect for the dead. But Y/n had left the grave in three days.

She merely sat in the snow covered ground still in her bloody clothes. Her hair was become dirty. The bloody was racked under nails. Her own collar had not yet been given back to her. Egon knew she would be far to dangerous with her armor at the moment. 

Niko stood behind her, his crystal blues full of unreleased tears. Rosica stood to his left, her blonde locks flowing in the breeze while Zan stood on his right, his arms crossed. 

“She hasn’t left her grave.” Niko whispered as the snow whipped around them. Zan sighed gently, looking over at Rosica. The emerald eyes girl nodded her head as she gripped into Niko’s arm.

“Niko, I’ll take her for a walk or something. Clear her mind.” Niko scoffed softly. Y/n would not move from the grave. Her body was too weak, it was by the saints grace she didn’t have frostbite yet.

“And do tell me how you’ll move her?” Niko snapped his cloak blowing in the wind. Rosica smiled gently as she held onto his face. She leaned up and placed a gentle kiss on his plush lips.

“Don’t worry about it, I have an idea.”  She pulled away from him keeling down next to the unmoving girl. She pushed away some of Y/n’s h/c hair and leaned down in her ear.

“I was think of getting some winter roses for the grave. Isla would like those wouldn’t she.” Y/n’s dead gaze slowly tracked to the girl at her side. With a slight nod the blonde pulled Y/n to her feet.

Niko’s eyes widened at the sight and moved over to her. His arms found there way around her form. She seemed so small now. Her fire was gone now, not even a spark left. 

He pulled his cloak off, wrapping the material around his shaking form. Rosica’s eyes faltered and she shot her gaze over to Zan. His eyes did not meet hers as she moved back to Y/n.

“There’s some flowers at the border, come.” She whispered in the emotionless girls ear. Rosica attempted to lock her hands in Y/n’s but Y/n pulled her hand out of the other’s grasp. Rosica smiled softly at her as she watch the dirty girl curl around herself.

Her brain was blank yet so many thoughts raced all at once. This had to be false. Isla wasn’t dead, she was simply sleeping somewhere. Or hiding away from her. 

Maybe this was all another test for her. But Y/n’s mind kept pulling her back to the blood. She never been covered in so much blood.

With Ville it was different, she still wasn’t sure if she loved him. Did she love him? Or had she been so convincing in her own lie she had known.

He was kind, and strange in a way. His face had been etched into her memory. The way he stared up at her had been different. He stared up at her with love in his eyes. Even as his blood began to cover them his held the same expression.

Isla didn’t.

Was it fear that she felt in her final moments? Did she fear her when she died.?

Did Isla fear herself in her final moments.

“Look at all the roses.” The blondes words brought her from her thoughts for a moment. She turned to the pale and frost covered roses. They bordered on a lake that was partially frozen over. She brought her tired legs over to the edge of the pond.

Her knees hit the snow covered ground without a sound. Rosica stood over her as she dug the flowers out of the ground. The weak and cold dirt caked under her nails as she pushed the earth away. The blondes eyes darkened as she stared down at Y/n

She never been cruel to her. She stuck by Isla. She was kind enough, helpful enough. But the spell she casted in Niko was too great. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair that a girl he hated for so long became the object of his heart before her. 

“You know Y/n, I never really liked you.” Her words made Y/n pause. Something was wrong. There were no birds singing. No a sound was present. Something was wrong. 

She slowly placed the rose, roots in all on the pile of other roses. 

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I just never really liked you. You were always so… brutish, not to mention bloody.” Rosica snarled as she stood over Y/n. This was wrong. She shouldn’t have gone with Rosica, Y/n barely knew her. She was Niko’s lover if anything at all.

Niko had almost never brought Rosica around her. She wasn’t sure why but now in the moment she knew that this girl was not her friend.

“Niko used to hate you, I don’t know why it changed. You aren’t very pretty, so you couldn’t have made him fall in love that way. Your personality is nothing special either, you’re just cold.” She continued. The bushes began to shake as another figure approached.

“What is this?” Y/n asked not looking back at the pair.

“Your death.” Zan voiced. She turned her head to him. It didn’t really surprise her, Zan should have don’t something like this ages ago. She’d disfigured him after all, no amount of kind words could change that.

“You are a special breed half-breed. I never would’ve know had Kanos not placed me in that arena with you. Your power is astounding!” His face was as manic as his words. 

“The only powers I have are the gifts of Helios. I’m no grisha like you.” She snapped as she glared at the pair.  Zain’s smile curled up, showing off his perfectly white teeth.

“Adam felt it, the power in your bones that day in the arena. I never got close enough to touch your skin but he did. I gather so did Kheli but he wouldn’t give us many answers.” She furrowed her brows at his words. 

This made no sense, not a single word spoke to her made sense. After the ceremony she had gain powers. Strength in the flesh, mind and spirit, but all helios’s were granted these powers. 

“You’re an amplifier.”

The words sent chills down her spine. She wasn’t sure what an amplifier was but it sounded familiar. Like a concept she was in the cusps of grasping 

“Took me some time to figure it out but,” he paused laughing crazily. “They hid it so well. All of them. You have NO IDEA! No idea how much that council protects you!”

Her eyes faltered for a moment. Staring down at the snow covering the woods. She should have never felt Maja in her room. She should’ve brought her war dog with her. 

“What are you talking about?” She asked her tone surprisingly gentle. Rosica’s harden gaze faded for a moment. This wasn’t the viscous girl she was ready to kill moments ago. 

“An amplifier is a creature whose bones grant more power to a grisha. You amplify us. At least you will once we’re done with you.” She curled up her lips. He was wrong, he had to be. Niko was a grisha and he never once brought this up. 

A few moments of pure silence past as they all stare at one another. She could hear the snow falling into the ground. Niko had never touched her skin. He was afraid of his own powers. Saints grace….

Niko had only ever grabbed anyone by their clothed shoulders or arms. After the arena fight Kheli refused to touch her. He was reject her hand at every turn and grasp onto her clothes back instead. 

His way of showing love was touching. He enjoyed hugs and hand holding more than Isla ever had. Yet he’d never touch Y/n, every memory of her experiences with grisha had been the same. One touch then never again.

“Where’s Adam? He told you of this?” Her words were soft, quiet, small.

“He’s a fool, he wanted nothing to do with this.” Perhaps that was what hurt her more. Adam was more a stranger to her than Zan. She killed someone she cared for she he and the others could escape the village in fjerda. She never done such a thing for Adam. 

She didn’t react as her entire body was pushed into the ice waters. She flared around as the pair grabbed onto her legs, arms and body keeping her down. The corners of her vision became darkened as she thrashed. 

The water enclosed upon her as its cold waters filled her lungs. She screamed and gagged as she tries to break from there grips. But she was weaker, tired, and broken. Y/n had to admit that they were rather smart to choose now to kill her.

GET UP!

It was that voice again. It was different this time. His will voice was deep, harsh but there was a sense of fear she’d never heard before. She continued to thrash about as through her blurred vision she saw a blade. 

Her jerking slowed as her vision began to blacken. Her lung became heavy as she inhaled the salty lake water. It burned down her throat as her fight began to diminish.

THERE’S A BLADE AT YOUR SIDE! 

GRAB IT!

Quickly obeying the strangers voice her freezing hand reached to her side. The cold metal cut at her fingertips. She knew there was never a blade on her. She wrapped her hands around the hilt and brought it up.

The blade slashed around….

It planted dip into flesh. Red filled her vision as her body was pulled from the icy waters. Her eyes faded in and out as screams entered her ears. A pair of cold wet hands held tightly onto her.

She was rolled on her back, her head falling limply to the side. There he was. A mass of muscles, taller than any man she’d ever seen. His body covered in thick bounds of metal that curved around him. His sword was ginormous, the hilt alone was bigger than her hand.

Water was pulled from her throat as she gagged violently. A pair of gentle and delicate hands pulled her head into there lap. Her eyes shut for a while.

The world was too loud to ignore. 

“No! Please! We didn’t mean any harm!” Was that Zan? Begging?

A dark chuckle echoed through the cold air. 

“Then why did you try to kill what was mine!” His voice was deep and cruel. It echoed like a famine that would slaughter thousands. Like a battle that saints knew would be bloody. 

Zan’s screams would quickly cut off as the sound of metal meeting flesh entered her ears. Slowly her eyes opened, above her was the most beautiful woman she ever seen. With perfect blonde hair that flowed elegantly around her shoulders. Her beautiful crystal eyes stared down at her worriedly.

Slowly her own eyes drifted away, going to the side of her. Rosica laid on the ground by the lake. Her throat slit in two as the crimson pooled around her.  

The roses she’d pulled from the ground were coated in blood. They seemed to drown in the puddle of it. Her eyes flickered, she’d seen this before. Those bloody flowers were the same in her vision.

Alina, Y/n, and Mal all laid in the meadow field as they hid from grisha testers

Blood covered flowers 

A white stag standing in a snow covered forest

A pair of piercings eyes so dark they looked black peering down at her

Black armor covering her as a strange light admitted from her hands

After her head injury those images had been planted in her head for the past few years. They had been burnt into her very soul. 

“Will she live?” His voice held that touch of fear she was so used to. Another man she hadn’t seen nodded his head gently. His long locked curled around each other like gently ocean waves. His bright blue eyes stared down at his calmly. 

“You’re are certain?’ The blonde women who held her sighed softly.

“Ares, my love, she will live, her memories of this will be fogged.” She could hear yelling, so much yelling in the distance. 

“We must go nephew.” The ocean eyed man said as he stood. The blonde who held Y/n kissed her cheek softly, her eyes began to drop even more. As her body touched the cold floor she felt a warm large hand in his face. 

“Be bloody, be ruthless…. My little blood Helios.” With that, they were gone. And all faded to black. 

Divider create goes to @astralnymphh

Moon Helios Act I Faceclaims

Niko Dubinsky

Isla Vernio 

Egon Waldow

Rosica Nevera

Kheli Vemra

Zan Ostrowski

Adam Peev

Alina Starkov

Malyen Oretsev

Ares

Aphrodite

Poseidon