Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Legend -

K - Kris

S - Susie

R - Ralsei

N - Noelle

A - Angel

Custom Items

LightShards -

Refined pieces of shimmering shards leaking their Light. Grants 10% TP upon party turn start.

+2 Magic, +2 DF, — SoftGlow

K - I should get my ears pierced again. [When equipping it to Kris.]

S - (Why’s she staring at me like that?)

A - (Woaah…….) [When equipping it to Susie.]

R - I feel marginally more physical! [When equipping it to Ralsei.]

A - Woah, what are these!? [When equipping it to Angel before meeting Burn.]

A - Thank you, Miss Burn! [When equipping it to Angel after meeting Burn.]

A - N-no! Get your own, they’re mine! [When attempting to unequip it from Angel without swapping it with another item.]

CowlStaff -

It is a staff made of mysterious black wood whose enchanted brazier enhances SOUL magic.

+16 AT, +0 DF, +12 Magic — LightUpL

Flavor Text:

K - Why does this feel so familiar? [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - Susieee! Give it back!!!

S - Come and get it, nerd! [When attempting to equip it to Susie.]

R - I'm, uh, not supposed to. [When attempting to equip it to Ralsei.]

A - My Guiding Light… [When equipping it to Angel.]

GlowShard -

(As Weapon:) A shimmering shard. It has zero combat functionality. Why did you equip this?

(As Armor:) Has no defensive properties either. Does hold a speck of Light that boosts Magic… a little bit.

+0 AT, +0 DF, +0.2 Magic — LightUpXXS

K - What are these anyways? [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

S - Doesn’t taste good. [When attempting to equip it to Susie.]

R - Um? [When attempting to equip it to Ralsei.]

A - It’s better than nothing… [When equipping it onto Angel after losing the CowlStaff.]

A - I- I’m not using that again! [When attempting to equip it onto Angel as a weapon after re-gaining the CowlStaff.]

A - (Still pretty…) [When equipping onto Angel as an Armor.]

EmptyMantle -

A Mantle with the aspect removed. Useless…?

K - So she got… frozen? [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

S - What's it supposed to do? [When attempting to equip it to Susie.]

R - How did Miss Rhynes do this!?!? [When attempting to equip it to Ralsei.]

A - …Thank you, Rhynes. [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Equipment Items

Armors

Amber Card -

K - Sure. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - It’s stuck to my feathers! [When equipping it to Angel.]

Dice Brace -

K - Says ‘Fuck’ if you look at it right. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Says ‘Angel’! …Kinda. [When equipping it to Angel.]

Pink Ribbon -

K - Sure you don’t want it, Susie?

S - Shut up, dumbass! [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Do I look… nice?

S - Hell’re you asking me for? [When equipping it to Angel.]

White Ribbon -

K - Cute. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - It matches my hair! [When equipping it to Angel.]

Iron Shackle -

K - Booooo~ I’m a ghooost! [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - … Heavy. [When equipping it to Angel.]

Mouse Token -

K - Cool. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Where did we even get this? [When equipping it to Angel.]

Jevilstail -

K - …

S - (Looks like they like it.)

R - (They seem to like it!)

A - (I think they like it.) [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - He- he laughed at me!? [When attempting to equip it to Angel. Plays Jevil’s laugh SFX on first occurence.]

Silver Card -

K - What’d you need so much money for?

A - Y- Y’know! Later. (Please don’t laugh.) [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - (Still sticky…) [When equipping it to Angel.]

Twin Ribbon -

K - Maybe I can make this work. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Can I wrap it around my wings? [When equipping it to Angel.]

Glow Wrist -

K - (Looks like Noelle.) [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Ow! It’s sharp! [When equipping it to Angel.]

Chain Mail -

K - I’m not doing that. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Oh! Oh I get it! [When equipping it to Angel.]

B.ShotBowtie -

K - (Just like school pictures.) [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - At least it gives magic… [When equipping it to Angel.]

Spike Band -

K - Hell yeah. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Still heavy, still sharp... [When equipping it to Angel.]

Silver Watch -

K - Did you steal this from Noelle!?

A - It was an accident! I- I’m sorry! [When equipping it to Kris.]

K - I’m calling the cops.

A - I- I didn’t mean to! Can I return it!? [When equipping it to Angel.]

Tension Bow -

K - …why’s everyone so quiet? [When equipping it to Kris.]

Mannequin -

K - New hat. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - I’m still upset. [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Dark Gold Band -

A - I’m still ups- wait, what even is this!? [When equipping it to Angel.]

SkyMantle -

A - Another one!?!? [When equipping it to Angel.]

Spike Shackle -

A - Do I have to wear it? [When equipping it to Angel.]

Frayed Bowtie -

K - I can make this work. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - It looks ugly… [When equipping it to Angel.]

Dealmaker -

K - How’s it hanging, dipshit? [When equipping it to Kris. Makes Spamton talking SFX every occurrence.]

A - He's talking to me!? [When equipping it to Angel. Makes Spamton talking SFX every occurrence.]

Royal Pin -

K - (Could stab someone with this.) [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Makes me look snazzy! [When equipping it to Angel.]

Shadow Mantle -

K - …Hope this was worth it. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Thank you, Susie! Thank you! [When equipping it to Angel without Kris in the party.]

K - …

A - (They’re staring at me…) [When equipping it to Angel with Kris in the party.]

Lodestone -

K - Mom’s magnets? [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Oh, more grazing!

S - (Like a horse?) [When equipping it to Angel.]

Ginger Guard -

K - Did we steal this from my mom? [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - (I wanna eat some cookies…) [When equipping it to Angel.]

Blue Ribbon -

K - Gimme a ‘FUCK!’

S - FUCK!

R - F- frick!

A - It was one time!!! [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - I don’t think I’m athletic enough. [When equipping it to Angel.]

Tenna Tie -

K - (...Tenna.) [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - It- it’s way too heavy! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

WaferGuard -

K - (I miss Gerson.) [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - This’ll keep me safe! [When equipping it to Angel.]

MysticBand -

K - (…Still doesn’t work.) [When equipping it to Kris.]

K - …

A - I’ll do my best! [When equipping it to Angel.]

Power Band

K - My favorite flavor. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Is it a… juice bracelet? [When equipping it to Angel.]

PrincessRBN -

K - Nah, I’m keeping these on.

A - (KRIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) [When equipping it to Kris.]

K - Can I have the gloves?

A - No! They’re mine!

R - (Aww, she likes it!) [When equipping it to Angel.]

A - W-wait! No! I just got them!!! [When trying to remove it from Angel, first occurrence.]

A - Stop!!!! Please!!!! [When trying to remove it from Angel, second occurrence.]

A - …fine.

R - (She's… crying.) [When removing it from Angel, third occurrence. Activates dialogue flag.]

A - It's- it's okay if I wear them again? [When equipping it to Angel after dialogue flag.]

A - … [When removing it from Angel after dialogue flag]

GoldWidow -

K - Bwaaaahh!!! Spider!!!

A - Eek! N- no! Get away!! [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - AAAHHHH!!! S- s- stop it!! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Weapons

Wood Blade -

K - I’ve got better. [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - I can lift this one- ow! Splinter! [When attempting to equip it to Angel, first occurrence. Deals 1 damage. Can’t kill.]

A - Owwieeee… [When attempting to equip it to Angel, future occurrences.]

Spookysword

K - Are you actually scared of it!?

A - No! (Maybe a little.) [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - I- I’m not scared! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Trefoil -

K - Hell yeah! Forbidden moss! [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Where did this come from!? [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Twisted Sword -

K - What- what the hell is this thing!? [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - I- I think- I think I’m going to puke. [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Bounce Blade

K - It looks dumb. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - (It looks dumb.) [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Mecha Saber -

K - *chkchkchkchk* *snap* Shit. [When equipping it to Kris.]

S - Quit fidgeting with it!

A - A-ah! Sorry! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Saber 10 -

K - It… loves me? [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Ow! Ow ow ow!!! No!!!! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Winglade -

K - Is this an… enemy? [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Oh! It has feathers! Like me! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Broken Sword -

K - Hah. You got scammed. [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - (I got scammed…) [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Jingle Blade -

K - (...) [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - Is it… actually mint-flavored? [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Mane Axe -

K - (Susie…) [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - (Susie…) [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

BraveAx -

K - Can I dual wield? [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - I- I can’t even lift it! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Devilsknife -

K - What a weirdo. [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - He- he laughed at me!? [When attempting to equip it to Angel. Plays Jevil’s laugh SFX first occurrence.]

Auto Axe -

K - Hey, Angel. Check this out!

A - N-no! I- I think I’m okay! [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - (...)

S - (Is she… already crying?) [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Toxic Axe -

K - (Should chase Angel with this.) [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - Gr- gross!!!! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

JusticeAxe -

K - That was badass, Susie. [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - You’re the best, Susie! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Absorb Ax -

K - (Didn’t even get to drink any juice.) [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - N-no! It’ll stain my feathers! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Red Scarf -

K - (It looks cute.) [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - It looks cute! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Ragger -

K - Niceeee. [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - Scr- Scratchy! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Dainty Scarf -

K - (Makes me think of a grandma.) [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - I wish I could wear that…

S - Wait, why can't you? [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Cheer Scarf -

K - Nothing to smile about. [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - …Where did this come from? [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Fiber Scarf -

K - Thanks, Nubert. [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - …Feels really nice. [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

A - Oh, I can clean my LightShards! [Attempting to equip it on Angel if she has LightShards equipped, takes precedence over following.]

A - Oh, I can clean my GlowShard! [Attempting to equip it on Angel if she has GlowShard equipped.]

A - Oh, I can clean my GlowShards!

R - Um, great!

S - (Do you really need that many!?) [Attempting to equip it on Angel if she has two GlowShards equipped.]

Ragger2 -

K - (She was really bad at the teacups.) [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - Super scratchy!! No!!! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Puppet Scarf -

K - You and me both, mister. [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - (Someone’s staring at me…) [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Flex Scarf -

K - Oh, I’m familiar with these.

A - (Why?) [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - It's a heart! Like me! [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Scarf Mark -

K - *Snickering*

R - Stop writing on it! [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - I’m already holy enough. [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Snow Ring -

K - Why… do I have this? [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - (WHY DO I HAVE THIS!?) [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Thorn Ring -

K - What the fuck is this supposed to be!?!?

A - I- I don’t know!! I don’t know!!! [When attempting to equip it to Kris or Angel.]

Freeze Ring -

K - … [When attempting to equip it to Kris.]

A - … [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Everybody Weapon -

K - Sure. Whatever. [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - …huh? What… shape is this? [When equipping it to Angel.]

Black Shard -

K - (...)

A - (... I don’t regret doing it.) [When equipping it to Kris.]

A - N-no. I- I don’t do well with swords.

K - (...) [When attempting to equip it to Angel.]

Consumable Items

Items without numeric values have their values unchanged.

Dark Candy +40HP -

A- Too sweet… +35HP [When using it on Angel.]

Darker Candy +120HP -

A - Ick! N-no, my tummy… +1HP [When using it on Angel.]

Revive Mint -

A - Wh- what!? Those are precious! [When attempting to use it on Angel.]

GlowShard -

A - Pretty… [When attempting to use it on Angel. Nothing happens.]

Top Cake +160HP ALL -

A - Wait- We shouldn’t!! No!!! [When using it on the party.]

Spin Cake +140HP ALL -

A - I feel… funny. [When using it on the party.]

Darkburger +70HP -

A - I- I’m gonna puke! +1HP [When using it on Angel.]

Lancer Cookie +1HP -

A - Oh! This is actually quite nice! +60HP [When using it on Angel.]

Giga Salad +4HP -

A - It's simple, at least. +30HP [When using it on Angel.]

Clubs Sandwich +70HP ALL -

A - It’s- It’s okay! I don’t… need any. +0HP [When using it on the party.]

Hearts Donut +Varies -

A - …what's in this? [When attempting to use it on Angel.]

Choco Diamond +Varies -

A - It’s really sweet… +20HP [When using it on Angel.]

Favorite Sandwich +500HP -

A - I- I’m gonna cry! [When using it on Angel.]

RoulsRoux +50HP -

A - Th- there are worms in this! [When attempting to use it on Angel.]

CD Bagel +80HP -

A - Oh! Third Sanctuary!

S - Third… what? [When using it on Angel. Plays the opening Third Sanctuary riff.]

Rotten Tea - +10HP -

A - N- no! You can’t make me! [When attempting to use it on Angel.]

DD-Burger +60/+70 -

A - Gross!!!! +10HP both bites. [When using it on Angel.]

Light Candy - +120HP -

A - Hey Susie, here! For you! +0HP

S - Hey, this rules! +120HP [When using it on Angel.]

Butler Juice +100HP -

A - Is it made from real butlers? [When using it on Angel.]

Spaghetti Code +30HP -

A - Doesn’t taste like spaghetti. +29HP [When using it on the party.]

Revive Dust -

A - Hey! D- don’t waste those! [When attempting to use it with Angel in the party.]

S.POISON -20HP -

A - I won't drink something called S.POISON!

K - (Damnit.) [When attempting to use it on Angel.]

Dog Dollar -

Angel admired DOGDOLLAR! [Used in battle by Angel.]

Pipis +100HP KrisOnly -

A - W-What!? You- You have one!? [When attempting to use it on Angel.]

TV Dinner +100HP -

A - It’s… not that bad? +85HP [When using it on Angel.]

Flat Soda +20HP -

A - I didn’t mean to hurt you, Kris.

K - … I know. +20HP [When using it on Angel.]

TV Slop +80HP -

A - No I'm not- I’m not eating that. [When attempting to use it on Angel.]

Exec Buffet - +100HP ALL -

A - It’s… fine. +75HP [When using it on Angel.]

Deluxe Dinner +140HP -

A - Oh, it’s actually good! [When using it on Angel.]

Ancient Sweet +400HP -

A - N- no- ack! D-don’t bring it c- closer!

K - More for me. [When attempting to use it on Angel.]

Rhapsotea +115HP -

A - Hm hm Hmmmm!~ [When using it on Angel.]

Scarlixir +160HP -

A - Eck. Susie you can have the rest +100HP

S - Sick! +60HP

K - (I wanted some...) [When using it on Angel.]

Bitter Tear - FULL -

A - Feels… refreshing. [When using it on Angel.]

TEAS -

Kris Tea:

A - …Hot chocolate. +150HP

Susie Tea:

A - Mmh!!!! +400HP

S - (She’s bouncing up and down…)

Ralsei Tea:

A - … +150HP

R - (She’s… crying. But smiling?)

Noelle Tea:

A - It’s… kind. +120HP

K - How do you describe tea as kind?

ANGEL TEA:

K - … +5HP

A - (I knew it.) [When given to Kris.]

S - Tastes like red. +120HP

A - (Is- Is that good!?) [When given to Susie.]

R - It’s nice! +90HP

A - (...I hope so.) [When given to Ralsei.]

N - Weirdly... familiar? +15HP

A - … [When given to Noelle.]

A - …bad. +2HP [When given to Angel.]

Chapter Text

You had always thought you'd just fizzle out eventually. Dying this way would be interesting at least. You had expected to die from your hair shorting out from overworking yourself, or pissing off the wrong person in the wrong fight, or going stone. Just like everyone else. Like Frets and Mayne and Desnia and all the corpses you kept walking away from.

Working for a ‘brighter future’ was something you never really believed in. You just did your work to… have something to do. People were grateful to you, but you were always distant from those thanks. All you ever did was take their GlowShards and do your art. It wasn't worth thinking about anything else.

You knew how to work with Light and light both. You knew the best cuts to make them diffuse pleasingly when hung from the lamp poles, and you could tell at a glance when a LightShard went bad. You could even see the difference between the wavering of a GlowShard about to glimmer once more, and one that's about to become an empty husk, just by glancing at it.

You didn't need anything else. You didn't even need a future. You had your little lightwork and one day you'd die.

When two Lightners suddenly appeared in the abandoned blocks, it was a surprise to be sure. You'd somehow forgotten there was another world up there. Your memories of it had faded into nothing but a dull electrical hum in your mind.

You entertained them, for a while. The one with wings was fascinated with your lightwork in such a pure and childlike way. She was called Angel, and her purple, cooler friend was called Susie. They were… fine, you guess. Weren't put off by the way you talk, didn't seem to care much about ‘proper politeness’ even though Angel called you ‘Miss’. Like you're some kind of schoolteacher. Hah.

And then Rhynes died. Capodastro broke the news, the poor fellow in tears. Murdered with ice magic, they said.

You think that you... liked Rhynes. She never came to collect any LightShards for herself, but she'd just come over and… chill out with you. Watch you work. It made you feel… appreciated. But now she's gone. Capodastro is a good, stout person but you don't think that Kulsel Town can last another few months with Rhynes gone. That anchor that kept you all floating above the inevitable end is gone, and it was time to finally fall.

And now… the Titan.

You stand in the middle of the street, watching it approach. Seeing the little glowing stars of the two Lightners doing battle with it. Darkners running to safety around you, Capodastro was organizing an effort to find buildings for people to shelter in, but… you didn't listen to them. You just watch it happen. Wait for it to happen. For the dark sky to fall onto you and finally end your half-life.

The Titan had lost interest in the Lightners and it was approaching fast. You wonder, idly, if you should close your eyes when it arrives. Would it hurt less if you didn't see it coming? Would you care if it made it worse?

Then, the Light.

The luminescent glow of the six-winged Angel races towards the town and burns a brilliant blue. But as impressive as the Light is, it isn't enough to stop the Titan. You didn't expect it to. Ever since you learned about them, Titans are the end. When they arrive, that's it.

The blue fades and you sigh. It's time to die. Do you have any last regrets?

You wish you spent more time with Rhynes, yeah, but that's a pointless regret now. You wish you got to cut gems other than GlowShards. You liked making things to wear, rather than to hang up around everywhere… once in your life. Who did you make them for? Who'd wear them now?

… Does it even matter anymore?

You close your eyes.

…

Something's different. There's a pressure in the air, something that makes your hair stand on end. Like something is… glowing.

You open your eyes to see the Angel's Light shifting hues from that faltering blue to a vibrant red, and you nearly lose your balance as the foundations beneath you begin to quake. You look down, seeing the cracks spread… not through the ground, but around it. Surrounding the side of Kulsel Town as far as you can see.

Angel raises her staff high, and the Light flows from her. You can see the waves, the vibrations inherent in it, almost too bright to bear... then they glow an even brighter, even more brilliant gold. You see a LightShard illuminate. Then another. Then another. One by one, every single one of your LightShards, the ones you had memorized the names of and fractals of and the cuts of, glow with an impossible, dazzling quantity of Light. Constellations explode into your vision. You try to brace yourself, but you can't tear your eyes away from it all. You can't look away for a second.

Each of your works are designed to carry your signature. A wavelength tuned to a specific cut that you devised yourself, one that you snuck into every single LightShard you cut. And in this moment you can see that signature dancing with another's. One that's bright and full of hope. A harmony, singing with your own somber song.

And, in another surge of Light... Kulsel Town rises.

“...what?” You whisper, lost in the sound of the Light.

You hadn't thought about what sort of life you had before you wandered into Kulsel Town. Seeing the survivors huddled around the few GlowShards they had, fighting for scraps of Light. You'd never really cared before. You always felt like… a ghost. A dead woman walking into a town full of the dead. You acted cheery sometimes, sure, but you never believed in any of it.

But as you're surrounded by this- what can only be holy Light as Kulsel Town hovers up, faster and faster, you can see it again and you choke on your breath as the town gently comes to a stop.

The Grand Fountain. The pillar of Darkness that gave your world form.

You're… home.

You're home.

You never thought you'd get to experience this again. The way your hair goes from its usual low red to a familiar, long-forgotten, brilliant shade. The sound your voice makes when it isn't crushed by the Dark anymore. The way the Fountain shifts and changes color and…

And... you're alive again.

You survived.

…

Maybe you… maybe you should try cutting those gems now, after all. Maybe, heh, maybe Vino would like to wear them. She's always been vain. Maybe you can even make something for those kids, if they can survive the Titan. You think they will. You start mentally drafting up what you can make with what little you have left over as you walk to your workshop. Maybe you can... make something entirely new, now?

You have time to try now, after all.