130bladeworks | corruption au meme

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The saniwa have been corrupted.

It's the most surprising fact of it all. Sayo knew there's the risk of them being possessed and corrupted by evil spirits, being tempted to stray from their path to preserve history. Some of the swords have been diligent, to keep watch to ensure the Citadel stay safe and free from evil.

But none of them expected their master to fall into darkness. Kind, smiling master, who watched over them and tend to their needs. Who Sayo found himself slowly trusting as a master again, when his previous ones made him distrustful to her at first.

Because of that, he never thought he would face her in battle on opposite sides. His true form's held tightly in his hands as he stares at her and sees her lips move.]

Master...

[He knows what to do if a sword get corrupted. And they discussed what to do if they ever see the saniwa again. But it doesn't mean he's fine with it. Even when he's familiar with taking a human's life.]

[ There was a time when Yua knew nothing about the swords she had become a master to. There was a time she stayed up from evening to rising sun, reading all she could get her hands on about them--their pasts, their histories, their former masters... There was a time when Sayo asked her if she needed gold, and she'd hugged him and promised never to let him go.

Knowledge can protect, but also hurt. ]

Sayo... [ Her voice is almost breathless, like it takes effort to speak. ] You're still well.

[ There's the faintest of smile on her lips as she says this, like she's happy to see him, happy to be able to end him like she has the others. Without paying heed to the corrupted swords standing behind her, trying to move between the two of them, she starts walking towards him. ]

I knew you would come for me. [ From inside her clothes, she draws out a charm, letting it glow between her fingers. ] Won't you let me break you, Sayo?

[Back then, things were so much simpler. Sayo had been getting used to having his own body to walk around with, a life where his master doesn't desire revenge or to sell him for gold. A time when he would quietly be around Yua and sometimes, talk to her.

And with time, form fondness and attachment.

He stares at her approaching him and the closer she gets, the easier it is for him to see the smile on her lips. A smile, as if they're not on the battlefield as enemies. At least until she speaks and then, there's a charm. His eyes glance at the glowing charm. She can break him if she tries, and if she didn't, the many corrupted swords behind her will.

He's just a tantou.

Sayo shakes his head.]

No. I'm sorry, Master. [She defected. He should stop calling her that, but he's still attached. His sword hand is shaking.] But I don't want to break.

[He does want to stop hating, to stop being trapped in a cycle of revenge for so long. But not like this.]

corruption au meme

saniwaaaa

sayooooo

;o;