corruption au meme

[kbcctv]

CORRUPTION AU MEME

The Sword Army pursues the Retrograding Army through history, encountering familiar settings and reliving old memories. Though strong, with every change in time and setting, the swords dread the old memories. As they fight to preserve history as it is meant to be, the Sword Army must steel their hearts and resist temptation lest they come to fight themselves…

A popular fan theory is that the enemy swords you fight are actually your swords from an alternate universe who wished to change history. For this meme, feel free to make up your own starters or use one of the prompts below. Remember to state if your character is corrupted, not, or if you have no preference.

PROMPT IDEAS 1. How could you let this happen? They wanted to be left alone, their mood was poor, and maybe you should have noticed the signs but now that you have, it’s too late. They can’t stop these thoughts in their head and something in their soul has turned dark and ugly. Is it too late? Maybe you can get through to them… if not, are you ready to draw your sword? 2. Possession. Even the smallest trace of doubt can attract them— evil spirits. Once the dark spirit has latched on to your soul, it takes over and consumes you. Maybe the possession is gradual or maybe it happens suddenly. All you know is that everyone has regrets and anyone can doubt… this could happen to anyone. 3. Cry Wolf. We fought the same battles and shared the same meals together so it was only natural that we would be considered allies and friends. The fateful moment approaches and suddenly it is revealed: One of you is not a true friend. There is a traitor among you. 4. Becoming your own enemy. Your mission is to go back in time and let things happen as they were meant to be but their fall into despair was never supposed to happen, right? And so you went back in time to prevent their misfortunes but you keep failing again and again until, this time, you think you’ve got it. This time, you’ll be able to save your friend - but will you be able to save yourself too? 5. Reborn again. When destroyed in battle, the sword disappears only to return again anew. You can’t choose the fate you’re born with though and this time, someone has returned… from the wrong side.

INSPIRATIONS There are some corruption fanart floating around Pixiv, as well as a FST made by Aki (fletrir). Other canons with similar themes to this meme are first and foremost Puella Magi Madoka Magica, as well as Shin Megami Tensei and other demonic-theme heavy series.

Original premise and coding was done by eskimo, image taken from here.

Comments

[thirdarrow]

"Sayo? Where are you going?"

It isn't the saniwa who notices first, but Kouraitsuru Mitsutada - Takakage's bodyguard of sorts, since the tsurugi had served their saniwa's namesake so many years ago. The two of them make a startlingly similar pair, magic sword and magical owner - so it is two sets of grey eyes which turn to watch the tantou. The rest of their team had fanned out, so it was only the three of them.

"We aren't finished yet."

Takakage is quiet, but perceptive, and his gaze sharper than usual.

[reprizesal]

Sayo pauses, before he looks over at the saniwa and his tsurugi. His large hat turned with his body, allowing his blue eyes to stare at the two. His sword is held tightly in his hand, as if he's on edge. And he is, when he knows that time is continuing to tick away.

"...To the castle."

And he have to go there.

[thirdarrow]

Takakage's expression becomes just so slightly more pinched.

"Sayo, we need to rout Mitsunari's attackers first. We can go later."

While their saniwa is unarmed, Kouraitsuru certainly is - and the other does have one hand on his true form.

[reprizesal]

In any other situation, Sayo would accept it and rejoin everyone else as planned. He knows and understands the enormity of their tasks, even when it sometimes feel so surreal for a simple blade like himself. But then, that's before the changes. Before their mission sent them to this location.

Sayo shakes his head. It's the first time the normally obedient tantou actually shows his desire to disobey so clearly. His stance slightly shifts, ready to move quickly. To do what? Run off? Fight off Kouraitsuru?

"No. I'm going."

[thirdarrow]

The saniwa doesn't move, merely making a sign with one of his hands. It's a very subtle movement, preparations for casting, and he doesn't know if that will escape Sayo's notice. But it is worth a try.

"Why? We aren't supposed to stray from the proper paths of time, you know that."

[reprizesal]

He knows that. It was explained to him clearly at the beginning, laying out the limits of what they can do and cannot. But even Sayo have harbour some thoughts of his own, whenever they passed through or he watched others go to certain, familiar locations. The mountains, the area near the lord's castle, and this very moment.

Sayo thought he saw a slight movement of the saniwa's hand. A sign? Or was he imagining it. He take a step back.

"...Because she's there."

Tama Hosokawa. Garasha Hosokawa. Gracia Hosokawa. She's still alive right now, in that castle. But if they succeed in their mission in routing the Retrograding Army...

"I...I want to go to her." To save her. He knows the events that lead to her death, he would still have time now.

[thirdarrow]

"You know we can't do that. Everyone's lives depend on things staying the same."

Because time is, ultimately, set in stone. No one can change time, not without changing the whole universe. Causality coming crashing down, like dominoes in an endless chain - and for the sake of everyone that fought to live in this timeline, they cannot let that happen.

"If there's something you want to talk about, we can do it after we go back." Because if Sayo didn't stop right now, he probably won't go back.

Not all Saniwas are soft-hearted enough to crack under this sort of pressure.

[reprizesal]

He knows, he knows that. If he went ahead and save her, things would be a little different for the Hosokawa and those under their care. It wouldn't be just himself, but also Kasen and how history may progress that might be subjected to this rebellious act to change history.

But don't you wish to see her again?

Between the familiar, burning desire for revenge, the voice of temptation spoke to him again.

It's only one life. Another can die in her place.

Sayo didn't respond back to the saniwa or to the offer of talking about it. Why talk, talking won't do anything, actions do. Like how he was stolen, how he was used for revenge.

Words means nothing, only actions.

He finally shakes his head and stares at Takakage with darken eyes, before he quickly turns and run. Run as fast as he can towards Osaka Castle.

[thirdarrow]

As expected.

Takakage's expression doesn't change, quickly raising both hands as a blinding white rune circle springs into existence behind him. A good strategist saniwa must be prepared for all possibilities, after all.

"Seize him."

He doesn't need to keep up with Sayo to strike the sword spirit, white lightning raining down on his target like rain. After all, if the other truly turned, that made him an enemy. Enemies must be dealt with accordingly.

Kouraitsuru is faster, contributing his share to the magic blizzard with water jets of his own. Master and sword are in sync now, as they did with Takakage's namesake and possibly previous incarnation.

Do not let the enemy escape.

[reprizesal]

Before the world seems to turn white, he can sense the magic coming down from above. The white lightning struck him down from above, causing him to stumble and fell to the ground with a pained cry. Before he can get up, the forceful water jets hits and he's pushed along the ground. Despite all of that, his grip on his sword remain tight.

He faintly can taste dirt in his mouth.

Get up, get up, he must go to the castle. He must go there. Don't stop him.

Out of the tantou, he's the strongest. With his strength and sheer desire, Sayo tried to quickly get up and run. He need to get out of their sight, out of their line of fire.

Before those fire starts. If they starts, it'd be too late.

[thirdarrow]

Capture and recall.

Takakage raises one hand, coming to a temporary halt while channeling a good part of his power into his most favoured blade. The tsurugi slows while two pairs of luminescent wings appear behind him, and he rises into the air by about a feet. It isn't much, but the emphasis is on speed instead of height - so he would be able to catch up to Sayo this way.

"Don't do this to yourself!"

Kouraitsuru manages to keep pace with Sayo, still speaking to him, The light coming from behind the two has now reached blinding levels, especially when compared to the darkness of this night.

"She's taken her vows to do what she can for her husband. Do you really want to make her break that promise?"

[reprizesal]

The attacks had weakened him - tantous aren't meant for enduring blows in a battle - but his selfish desire and desperation fueled him to move. Even when he can sense Kouraitsuru catching up on him. The light coming from them seems to illuminate the dark path in front of him.

Don't do this to himself?

Such a cry fail to reach him. As a weapon for revenge, his own personal well being matters little. Only if it directly interferes with his role. However... mentioning her seems to have cast some doubt over his darkness.

Her vows? Sayo can faintly remember something about it. Was it when she first moved into the household? Or before the wedding? He don't know which, only that vows were what first shaped him.

Her vows lead her to her death.

"Qu...quiet!"

Sayo went around a corner

[thirdarrow]

Kouraitsuru doesn't swear, but the twitch in his expression is enough to show his displeasure.

"She wouldn't have wanted you to put yourself in this kind of danger."

He keeps talking, because their Saniwa is gaining on them, and once Takakage is in range he knows that the other will use some sort of chain trap.

"She loves you like one of her children, doesn't she? And she wants you to live on, for her."

The light from behind fades a little, but then grows steadily brighter.

[reprizesal]

Sayo would've notice, but he's feeling too emotional. His mind's coloured darkly by the corruption and his feelings for his old master's wife. Unable to put his feelings into words, he shakes his head.

To live on? How can he do that, when he's trapped by both hatred and revenge? He can only fight and hate, until he's broken free. Even if that means breaking, he can at least try to do this.

Gracia. Gracia, he's coming.