#stygwrites
LightNews LightNews
aeonianflames.bsky.social
#AutumnRepost Day 13: Written

When I created Vachir, he became not only a beloved mentor but a cherished friend. He also became literate after 40 years due to said friend & I love some of his first written words to them.

✦ #stygwrites 🌹 #vachlore 🌹 #thunderstorm ✦

ellipsus.com/read/4q1NehE...
His fingertips traced beneath Tigerlily’s handwriting and gradually he read the message left so long ago. “To my employer, my teacher, my friend. This may weigh heavy in your hands, but we can share it together.” His tail wagged slow and steady behind him, content. He picked up his quill and dipped the nub in ink. A careful hand scrawled a message in return, one to be shown to certain eyes only when the time was right. To my employee, my student, my friend. The burden is heavy indeed, but you have made it all the lighter. For what is thunder without a storm? - Vachir
October 25, 2026 at 5:34 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
#AutumnRepost Day 7: Scream/Shout/Yell

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/2srsqRq...

Whumptober 2023(?) prompt exploring when Zhyk ran into his mentor after Temur's death. Has "spoilery" character stuff in it & needs some revisiting, but I LOVE complicated family.

✦ #zhyklore 🪻 #starcrossed 🪻 #stygwrites ✦
PROMPT - #17 Breaking Point/#18 "Take my coat." | Stygian | Ellipsus
Ellipsus makes it easy for anyone to write together.
ellipsus.com
October 18, 2026 at 11:14 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Wasn't certain what to post for these, but decided I'd give it a (very late) shot! 🧵

#AutumnRepost Day 1: Dreams

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/zVmpzUP...

An old (2023?) Whumptober prompt I still really like & want to broaden the concept of.

✦ #zhyklore 🪻 #devouringflame 🪻 #starcrossed 🪻 #stygwrites ✦
PROMPT - #8 Back From the Dead/#9 Sleeping In Shifts | Stygian | Ellipsus
Ellipsus makes it easy for anyone to write together.
ellipsus.com
October 18, 2026 at 10:23 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
#AutumnRepost Day 5: Working Hard

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/3VPuhPG...

XIVWrite 2025 prompt that I go back to every now and then, thinking about how very meticulous Vachir is as a whole and how very precise he is while crafting these paper cranes.

✦ #vachlore🌹 #stygwrites 🌹 #thunderstorm ✦
Day 4 - Adytum | Stygian | Ellipsus
Ellipsus makes it easy for anyone to write together.
ellipsus.com
October 18, 2026 at 10:49 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
#AutumnRepost Day 3: In/Out of Trouble

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/3ZFSYMU...

Another 2023(?) Whumpter prompt! Big fan of digging into the fractured psychological side for Zhyk, even in small moments like these.

✦ #zhyklore 🪻 #starcrossed 🪻 #stygwrites ✦
PROMPT - #15 Breathing through the Pain/#16 "No one's coming." | Stygian | Ellipsus
Ellipsus makes it easy for anyone to write together.
ellipsus.com
October 18, 2026 at 10:33 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 30: Vestige
SFW | No Spoilers | 1554 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

(And so I end #FFXIVWrite with something bittersweet but also heartwarming, with a silly little tie-in to the ship name at the finale.)

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/2nmhWVu...

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #wildspark ✦
"You can be a hell of a persistent blighter, y'know that?" Zhyk whispers, heart hammering in his chest. "I take that as a compliment. Being a blighter gained me a skilled handler." J'yhuh smiles tenderly, his voice low and dulcet. "Being persistent earned me your trust."
October 1, 2026 at 2:34 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 29: Layer
SFW | No Spoilers | 1695 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

(Wound care, my beloved! A mild version, but also a glimpse at more lore regarding Zhyk's hands.😌)

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/4e2ls12...

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #wildspark ✦
"Where did you learn?" Zhyk paused in the middle of affixing the dressing, fingertips lingering near J'yhuh's ear. Yet he said nothing as he continued in lieu of an answer, waiting until he was certain the bandage would hold, protection that would hopefully staunch any blood until they reached town in a few bells. "…my mother," Zhyk finally answered as he retrieved the yarrow from J'yhuh's grasp, returning it to his own rucksack. "We lived in the Wood. She hunted oft. Needed to know how to treat herself whether near or far of our kin." The stilted explanation required no further prodding, for now. J'yhuh grazed the side of his head, feeling the layer of gauze carefully wrapped. "A wise woman. She taught you well." Are you proud yet, mam?
September 30, 2026 at 12:18 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 28: On Thin Ice
SFW | No Spoilers | 1319 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛
[Mild CW: Fear of Drowning]

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/60mmp8DRLvOgvMHJpiHkVm/XIV-Write-2026-Prompt-28---On-Thin-Ice?theme=icicle

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #starcrossed 🪻 #wildspark ✦
The large coeurl saunters toward them, ears and eyes alert to their surroundings. Her bright eyes glint as she peers between the two men, landing on J'yhuh in expectation. He gives her sturdy shoulder a pat. "You'd carry Zhyk across the river if he asked, wouldn't you?" Golden eyes turn to Zhyk. He attempts to keep his expression aloof. Her chuff is equally, if not more, blasé. "Don't think she's so keen on it. Prob'ly thinks it's a bad idea to…" Zhyk trails off as Cœur meanders toward the ice-covered river and paws at it, glancing back at the two miqo'te. Lightning sparks off the ends of her whiskers, the crackling sound a common way for her to gain attention. "You were saying?" J'yhuh asks with a cheeky grin.
September 29, 2026 at 12:08 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 27: Confabulate
SFW | No Spoilers | 395 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛
[Mild CW: Implied violence, death, & panic attack]

(Dialogue only attempt 💬)

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/46Xe7nLOFnnKFuZf1IPFKp/XIV-Write-2026-Prompt-27---Confabulate?theme=wickedFog

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #wildspark ✦
"Sulk all you like. Head up, let me clean some of this blood." "Told you it's not mine—" "If not yours, then whose?" "…" "…What happened out there, handler?"
September 27, 2026 at 8:27 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 26: Susurrus
SFW | No Spoilers | 1860 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

(Reconciliation fluff time.)

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/3FKYGSFu9EUNgQFRDHLEId/XIV-Write-2026-Prompt-26---Susurrus?theme=aura

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #wildspark ✦
He rustled through a sturdy rucksack, digging past dried rations and crumpled missives, nudging aside spare bandages and sentimental gifts, and found nestled atop a treasured sketchbook the small wooden container he'd come to deliver. Cœur raised her head lazily on Zhyk's approach. Her golden eyes gleamed in the low luminescence of the fire, regarding him passively as if she had been waiting for the day he'd return. She dipped her muzzle slightly as he held out a palm, leaning forward to bunt her snout against his fingertips in greeting. "She's been restless since you left."
September 27, 2026 at 3:25 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
I can't say it's my most favorite that I've ever written (I have a lot of works I'm proud of & picking one sentence is HARD), but I do love the implications of this one.

#zhyklore #starcrossed #stygwrites
There is no one behind him. No arms to embrace. No voice to tease. No mouth to kiss. There is only a ghost in the mirror and a Shade in the corner of his eye—to be haunted is to be loved, he tells himself.
September 26, 2026 at 9:25 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 25: Cynosure
SFW | No Spoilers | 961 Words | Vachir 🐉

(Perspective from 🐯 @beekcafe.bsky.social's character; I think it went well! 🥰)

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/3OJyZzaZ1FDc1pImTFUhrK/XIV-Write-2026-Prompt-25---Cynosure?theme=afterglow

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🌹 #stygwrites 🌹 #vachlore 🌹 #thunderstorm ✦
Laughter spills from the group and Tiger's horn picks out one in particular—the thunderous, yet warm guffaw of his employer. Even now Vachir sits a good two or three fulms above present company, the au ra distinct in his bulk. It makes it easy to note the easy-going smile on his face; the familiar crinkle at the corners of his eyes and the peek of a sharp fang. It also makes it easy to see as Vachir glances aside and discerns Tiger's location, a flicker of curiosity darting across his angular features. To his present company Vachir speaks and Tiger infers it to be a pardon for his impeding absence—pray, a moment whilst I see to my assistant—which is confirmed seconds later as Vachir rises.
September 26, 2026 at 12:08 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 24: Drift
SFW | No Spoilers | 858 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

(Because I love little moments between Zhyk & Temur.)

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/76drrvbemmlpY94u2G3a4G/XIV-Write-2026-Prompt-24---Drift?theme=aura

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #starcrossed ✦
Always and forever. ...I promise.
September 25, 2026 at 12:03 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 23: Egress
SFW | No Spoilers | 1434 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

(Not enough drama/angst in my recent posts, so time for a FIGHT.)

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/1wfBK0uzi8wSn8SrUe0RdW/XIV-Write-2026-Prompt-23---Egress?theme=aura

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #wildspark ✦
"Talk to me, handler. Don't up and run." J'yhuh's expression was grim, focused, trying to read past the roiling anger in Zhyk's body language. He knew he should allow Zhyk to leave, let the man cool his head, but something else demanded he confront the issue here. Now. Before it grew to be something beyond them. Before he might not see the other miqo'te again. "Let go," Zhyk warned, low and quiet. "Not until I know you're going to talk." A dark violet tail whipped through the air; he was never good at hiding his emotions. "Let. Go." "…No."
September 24, 2026 at 12:33 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 22: Train
SFW | No Spoilers | 1408 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛
CW: Mild Violence

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/5u6GVpHz3w18qZL4RuJ7bi/FFXIV-Write-2026-Prompt-22---Train?theme=aura

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #wildspark ✦
Aether spills into view, a crystallization of energy. A flashover of material unseen to most, soulspun magicks erupting in a contained torrent of heat, vivid azure flames igniting in the palm of his hand. The shape of scythe forms in smoke and flame—as Zhyk darts forward, the weapon becomes as tangible and weighted as any other, crashing into a hastily lifted shield. Sparks fly between them as metal screeches against metal. The raging fire clings to the curved edge of the scythe's blade, each strike producing a flare of heat. Yet when he manages to snag the tip into his opponent's armor the blaze dims, flickering low like a candle. The scorching heat, too, diminishes. "Kind of you," the blonde miqo'te quips and brandishes his shield, cracking hard against the scythe to dislodge it.
September 23, 2026 at 12:22 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 21: Better Late Than Never
SFW | No Spoilers | 773 Words | Vachir 🐉

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/41SG2P236bNOlhjGL3ZmkD/FFXIV-Write-2026-Prompt-21---Better-Late-Than-Never?theme=orchidNoir

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🌹 #stygwrites 🌹 #vachlore 🌹 #thunderstorm ✦
"I asked a handsome, capable man to help me. Of course he would listen." Vachir's eyebrow lifted. "Tigerlily does not seem the sort." Delicate laughter trickled from Shigeyasu as he turned to set the teapot down. "He is your employee. I spoke your name and set him to task. Ambitious it seems." He straightened the sleeve of his kimono before kneeling comfortably across from Vachir on a cushion at the low table. "Or driven by a desire to impress his employer, perhaps? Conduct unforgotten, forever a thought in your mind?"
September 21, 2026 at 11:07 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 20 (Free Day): Syrup
SFW | No Spoilers | 100 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

(An actual drabble, woaw!)

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/1RRQsoLyMBe5iL8RZnodqc/FFXIV-Write-2026-Prompt-20---Syrup?theme=maple

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #wildspark ✦
His hands are sticky from collecting full buckets of maple sap in the cool spring morning, exchanged for empty pails. The sun's burgeoning warmth dances across Zhyk's face as he rests near the provided campfire, clutching a mug of hot spiced cider, teeth chattering. J'yhuh chuckles beside him, a mug of his own between similarly sticky palms. Work, coin, and company shared—why not warmth as well? He leans his shoulder into Zhyk's, their breath clouding the space before them in tandem, quiet comfortable conversation as they watch the guild inventory their work. Zhyk smiles softly, tail curling around J'yhuh's.
September 20, 2026 at 11:13 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 19: Liminal
SFW (Mild Gore/Violence) | No Spoilers | 357 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/PRxZHGc9Q845RWWCJWZBX/FFXIV-Write-2026-Prompt-19---Liminal?theme=figEspresso

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore ✦
For Zhyk, sleep is best done when his body cannot take another step. When he's forced to seek last minute shelter and lay down his arms, succumbing to the body's weakness. When all that remains is the blessed comfort of stillness and silence. Yet at times it feels as if he lingers on the precipice, heartbeat slowing. The space between grows longer and longer— Thump… … … …thump.
September 20, 2026 at 2:45 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 18: Reason
SFW | No Spoilers | 612 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

(Yeah okay so maybe I might like Zhyk x J'yhuh a little bit--)

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/5eYvU5Kru3N3ifisjJj4F7/FFXIV-Write-2026-Prompt-18---Reason?theme=orchidNoir

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #wildspark 🪻 #slowburn ✦
"…I already accepted the drink. You've no need to keep heaping on praise." "And what if I wanted to?" The question was asked so smoothly and blithely that Zhyk almost thought he misheard it. A mouthful of mead ended up down the wrong hatch, causing him to cough and sputter, cheeks warming— —due to the mead, of course— —until he'd gotten under control enough to shoot J'yhuh a disgruntled glare.
September 19, 2026 at 2:39 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 17: Fret
SFW | No Spoilers | 422 Words | Vachir 🐉
CW: Implied Violence

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/7h5ofLYGbUMftV2L4vYOGM/FFXIV-Write-2026-Prompt-17---Fret?theme=figEspresso

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🌹 #stygwrites 🌹 #vachlore 🌹 #thunderstorm ✦
I tried to convince them otherwise. He shakes the thought from his mind; he has no time to dwell on such things. The dread creeping along his spine will have to wait until he's found time alone, when he can lament the breaking of vows and curse the "blessing" so cast upon him. The sounds of battle filter toward him faintly. Steel clashing against steel, the crackle of lightning, a growled shout he knows is Tiger's.
September 17, 2026 at 11:55 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 16: Steel
SFW | No Spoilers | 1033 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

(As I'm not going into BST quest lore, I'm not considering J'yhuh himself a spoiler.💖)

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/1KrgZiIcLaToILHybzMwnh/FFXIV-Write-2026-Prompt-16---Steel?theme=aura

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore 🪻 #wildspark ✦
Stripped to simple linens and with a waterlogged collection of kindling, J'yhuh plies flint to steel. Tiny sparks glint and leap from his hands, gold-orange promises of warmth for bodies damp with cold. They land among the gathered foliage, a valiant effort to start a fire, but the kindling just won't catch. Zhyk looks to the storm outside, the cascade of water thundering overhead. It's an odd comfort despite how he hates the chill his sodden clothing brings. He crouches next to the improvised campfire, heedless of the sparks glimmering in the air, and presses a palm flat beside the wet kindling. J'yhuh halts. "Zhyk, what are you—" A wisp of smoke curls from beneath his hand.
September 17, 2026 at 1:27 AM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 15: Prodigy
SFW | No Spoilers | 238 Words | Vachir 🐉

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/5thgPTo12x9wQGEQ2rCrY6/XIV-Write-2026-Prompt-15---Prodigy?theme=redVelvet

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🌹 #stygwrites 🌹 #vachlore ✦
Vachir had always wondered what talent he possessed. He could not weave artistic delights nor sing like the birds overhead nor keep a melody, however simple, on the morin khuur. He was prone to frustration, short-tempered and rash, storming away from what he could not accomplish as easily as his brother. Only as he grew older did he regret how desperately he clung to the idea of innate talent, how much he longed to be skilled in something, anything.
September 15, 2026 at 8:49 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 14: Against the Grain
SFW | Minor Spoilers (BST NPC) | 931 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/4UQuZAU5uEnc3hoVft8gU/XIV-Write-2026-Prompt-14---Against-the-Grain?theme=aura

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore ✦
J'yhuh stirs the stew and whistles, summoning a drowsing Loosefrox to his side. He ladles a bowlful for the goblin before urging her to rest; there was a long day ahead tomorrow. "Well, fletching an arrow wasn't one of those things. You've the upper ground this time, handler." A sound mixed between an stifled chuckle and a pleased hum slips from Zhyk's mouth. His tail twitches against the ground in agitation, yet his ears lower fondly. Strange how a simple word—a role of minor importance—could pull him in directions both tender and skeptical. He flips the arrow shaft in his hand and sets to carving out the nock. "Small hill to climb. I've not much talent in this. Nothing beautiful, s'just something what works." "Efficiency is its own sort of beauty." Another bowl of stew ladled and placed carefully beside Zhyk, though this time J'yhuh lingers to peer over his shoulder.
September 14, 2026 at 11:13 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 13: Covenant
SFW | Minor Spoilers (BST NPC) | 640 Words | Zhyk 🐈‍⬛

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/17cSxLXUFaAQ8eirRDkTqT/XIV-Write-2026-Prompt-13---Covenant?theme=aura

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🪻 #stygwrites 🪻 #zhyklore ✦
"If you decide you'd like a teacher in future…" J'yhuh offers softly, but Zhyk denies him yet again. There's a flicker of something in J'yhuh's eye, an assessment perhaps, though no push for Zhyk to accept. There is a push of the Cu Sith at his back, the broad dirtied forehead of the beast thumping into Zhyk's spine affectionately. A ghost of a smile as he scritches behind its horn. It tries to rifle through his rucksack. He chides it tenderly and fetches strips of dried jerky meant for dinner. The Cu Sith eats, inhaling what it's offered. Hunger, as well, is a feeling Zhyk knows far too keenly, a gnawing sensation beyond only the belly and further into the soul. An emptiness unending, voidal in nature. At least he can fill this creature's stomach and ease its appetite. J'yhuh hums.
September 13, 2026 at 5:10 PM
aeonianflames.bsky.social
Day 12: Fusion
SFW | No Spoilers | 333 Words | Vachir 🐉

🔗: ellipsus.com/read/6lqdF5uZvQg9KFwCEBdH3b/XIV-Write-2026-Prompt-12---Fusion?theme=aero

✦ #FFXIVWrite2026 🌹 #stygwrites 🌹 #vachlore 🌹 #thunderstorm ✦
Vachir took several paces back, putting space between them. He waited until Tiger's breathing evened out, then lowered into a defensive stance. "Again," he commanded, beckoning with a tilt of his horn. "We train until dusk." As Tiger shifted his weight and studied his mentor's form, Vachir couldn't help but feel a burgeoning joy in their shared comradery.
September 12, 2026 at 11:03 PM