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

[adornmental]

[That's... unmistakeable, isn't it. The unmistakeable feeling of those tainted soldiers that they stand against over and over, day after day. But there is no unfamiliar member of the Retrograding Army here. There's only Mutsu, calling out and clutching his chest like his heart might burst from it.

It takes a few seconds for what he says to register, because Kashuu is still caught reeling. The sword is finally out of his hands and it's honestly frightening to see Mutsu in this state - strong and reliable Mutsu who would de-manifest just before being caught, whose laugh was always echoing just a few steps ahead.

There's a hushed curse that slips out with his next breath, and he's turned back, but what can he do? He can only fight and defend. They need a different kind of help here.]

Mutsu...

[And he's just thinking shit, shit, don't do this because he knows what to do in emergency situations but he had never wanted to exercise that knowledge.

—Maybe he can delay things if he just...

With a sudden burst of speed, Kashuu darts forward, intent on snatching up Mutsu's vessel. Disarm, keep his real form safe from himself, safe for purification.]

[newtimes]

( Spirits that are attached to their vessels rarely like to be exorcised, and certainly, the truth can be said for dark ones. A parasitic spirit that has laid claim to Mutsunokami's soul, and thus, his vessel, simply can't let it be taken away. Kashuu is quick and Mutsu is still recovering from this ripping feeling in his chest. In the time it would take for him to recover and reach for his sword, he would be vulnerable for Kashuu to disarm later.

Luckily, this spirit is well armed. Kashuu is quick but so is Mutsu's draw. By the time Kashuu reaches the blade, Mutsu's gun is drawn, aimed directly at him. Eyes that had once been clouded now shine with awareness again, )

I~ see~ you~.

( His chest feels lighter. No, not just that. It feels emptier. )

[adornmental]

[A spirit possessing a spirit possessing a sword, huh... Well, it's not like any of them have ever been known for their sterling good luck.

But even with the gun pointed at him, and even as his mind stumbles quickly in confusion to piece things together (he's good at it, at least - battle experience comes in handy more than ever in this moment), he'll try to reach out and nab Mutsu's vessel by the scabbard. Maybe part of him doesn't think he could pull the trigger, even if it's just something that looks like Mutsu right now. The proximity still concerns him, though; he'll retreat if necessary, but banks on his speed.

At the same time, he needs to ask. There's sight in Mutsu's eyes again, but what bizarre world is he seeing? Is he really seeing anything at all? The air is almost suffocating, and that sing-song tone sets his teeth on edge. His lip curls. Whatever is twisting that sunny and open warmth he's begrudgingly grown used to, it's disgusting - it's unforgivable.]

What've you done to Mutsu—? Who are you?!

[Even if he already knows the answer, it's a subconscious thing that he steps around with care.]

[newtimes]

( Ah, not so fast. If Kashuu thinks he won't fire, he's sorely mistaken when Mutsu pulls the trigger, aiming for the outreached hand. He has to look out for his vessel so he can't let a dirty sword like Kashuu take it away. And he steps closer to place his foot on the hilt of his vessel lest Kashuu try to take it again. )

I'm Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki. I've gone through a lot of trouble to get here so-- ( Raising his aim, this time, for Kashuu's head. ) -- I'm going to change the world.

( Speaking of, )

Most of the others are gone for the day, right? ( After breakfast, some of them must have set out for the front lines or their expeditions for the day. How many swords were left at the citadel? How many of them were left behind because they weren't yet strong enough to head out with the rest? ) Maybe I'll speak to the master after all.

What do you think~?

[adornmental]

[It's-- well, it shouldn't be unexpected, because Kashuu subconsciously understands what is likely happening here. But he's always had a little trouble admitting difficult things to himself, so the sound of gunfire has him reeling. He withdraws his hand in a snap but can feel the splinters kicked up from the dojo floor hit the side of his palm. Too close. When Mutsu puts his foot down on the sword, he knows he'll have to abandon that endeavor for now. He doesn't retreat fully, but does put some distance between them.

Only to realize that oh, oops, guns sure do have a much longer range than swords, don't they? Efficient. He doesn't really need to find out firsthand what the rave reviews were all about.]

If you're gonna be difficult, you better be ready for some rough handling, yeah? [But Mutsu's next words chill him, and his posture stiffens considerably. The capable swords are usually gone by now, leaving behind the newest recruits and those who still need repair. The master, too...

In a breath, he unsheathes his own vessel, standing firm in front of the exit. Mutsu needs help, and Kashuu needs someone else to deliver that, but he'll have to make sure Mutsu isn't capable of hurting that help before it even arrives.]

You're not leaving this hall until you cram some sense back through your thick skull.

[He takes up a battle stance with ease - wary, on edge - but there's some hesitation in it.]