ShuAnn Week 2021
Day 5: Fairytale/Folklore
"Once upon a time, there was a peerless angel,
Ren flexed his wings, dodging a blow aimed for his face, then swept at his opponent's feet, making him scream as he fell. He thudded on the ground and Ren put his sword right on his neck, preventing him from moving. With that, the examiners considered him ready for his duties.
Ren smiled at his fellow angels, those who were taking the test along with him congratulated him while those who were not asked if he could assist them when he was finished with business. It wasn't long before they decided to celebrate his victory and subsequent inauguration into the ranks of the arch angels.
"And an immortal witch,
Ann struggled, kicking, pushing and biting against the stupid man trying to take off her clothes. She didn't know how long she did that, the time filled with tears and screaming all blurring together. But apparently it was enough of a bother to him that instead of trying to have his way with her...
She gasped.
...he pierced her through with his sword. She collapsed and the man left. Ann felt darkness creep over her vision. But then the man said,
"Damn bitch. I guess I'll have to go for her friend. What was her name again? Shiho?"
And her blood burned.
A scream rang out and Ann blinked and it was only then did she realize she was not only standing with a bloody chest, but right before her was her murderer, bathed in the flames that burst from her hands.
"The angel was tasked by his superior to help mankind by hunting the monsters that threatened them, for no one but them could save them,
It wasn't long before Ren recieved his first assignment: a demon tempting humans. It was easy enough to find it while remaining invisible to humans. Exterminating it was just as simple. After making note of each of his succesfully tempted victims, he waited by the side of the one most likely to be next. Thus, when the demon appeared before the human, Ren immobilized it with his runes then destroyed it with one stroke of his sword.
Of course he made sure the human forgot he ever saw him before he returned to report his success. He didn't want to add his death to his list.
Ren observed his work. He was proud of it.
"And the witch tasked herself to help mankind by hunting the monsters among them, for no one but them could save them,
"Are you sure, Shiho? I don't mind staying..."
Her best friend had smiled with amusement. "Ann, you just cursed the old man who was bad mouthing Mr. Smith. At this rate, the village is going to notice and you'll be the first they'll suspect."
"I know, but I'm sure I can..."
"Ann... Don't even say you'll stop using your magic. I know you want to help."
"But..."
"Go, you silly girl. I'll be fine. I'll keep an eye on your parents too. And if it really bothers you, just visit once in a while."
Ann had grumbled.
Shiho had laughed. "Are you really going to ignore the chance of helping people like you did for me?"
That had done it. After she bid her best friend good-bye, she did the same with her parents.
It felt so long ago and yet Ann could still remember the smell of the air, the sound of the village and the warmth of her parents.
But Shiho had been right. She couldn't stand by like that now that she knew she had the power to do so.
Like the farmer she had encountered in another village not too far from her own. He was like many men, with a wife and twin daughters to take care of. But unlike the other farmers, he looked on his fields in despair, all his tools destroyed and all his ripe crops ruined. Taking inspiration from the old stories, she had appeared to ask for some shelter, cloaked and hunched like an old woman, and he had allowed her to, proving his and his family's kindness by giving what little food they could offer, along with explanations for the lack of it.
So then she had an "excuse" to breath life to his field again...and curse the envious man who destroyed it to bad luck and impotency.
Ann smiled. That felt good.
"For a long time, the angel hunted without thought, believing he did good,
Another slice, another monster killed, this time a dragon. What number was it at this point? Ren wondered. The last he counted was six hundred and seven, but that had been quite some time ago. Was it five human years ago? Or ten? Well, either way, it made him wonder how many monsters there were roaming the human world and if it would ever end. He hoped his exterminations were making a difference. It was hard to look at the damage they caused on the humans' lives and find that nothing seemed to change.
But that was all the more reason to keep going.
"And for a long time, the witch wandered in thought, unsure if she did good,
Ann frowned. After healing a wandering bard's leg, she had decided to return to the town where she previously produced a good amount of gold for a wife wishing to help her husband. But where there had been a bustling village filled with smiling people and playing children, there wete now cowering people and mercenaries having their way with them, whether it be the rough way or the intimate way.
She had a suspicion on what caused it. But she didn't want to think about it. The last thing she wanted was her well intentioned deed actually doing more harm than good.
However, when a child was about to be struck and she had to stop it by making the attacker trip with a spell, she knew she had to take responsibility. And, as she feared, instead of the little humble shack the wife she had helped lived in, it was now more resembling a mansion, but not quite as big as an actual one...yet. Inside, her target stood. The husband having gone greedy and the wife loving him and their new life too much to care.
She cursed it all away. Dogs ate their pantries, a riot broke out, and the mercenaries betrayed them, leaving only a man and a woman back at the bottom.
That was only the first time she would have to take back her good will.
She wished it wasn't.
It made her wonder if she should keep trying.
"One day, the angel was tasked to hunt a witch who hurt a fellow angel,
Ren couldn't help but stand stock still.
"Pardon?" he said.
Of course his superior was not pleased, seemingly at him being slow on the uptake. But Ren assumed it was more over the fact that:
"I want you to finish off this witch who had nearly killed one of our fellows," his superior said. "She had been causing quite a lot of trouble for humans so it'd be best if it was quick."
"Yes sir," he said.
And he did as told, beginning his search for this witch. Though he couldn't help but feel a hint of worry.
It wasn't everyday a monster could kill an angel.
"And the day before, the witch stopped that very same angel from killing a half-incubus, half-human boy,
Ann sighed and pulled her cloak down. She hoped she made the right decision this time. She had been torn about dispelling the ghost that haunted the noble she met or not, but it didn't feel right to let the soul stay restless, even if it had a grudge on that noble's family.
She wasn't allowed to sulk though as she caught the familiar scent of a supernatural creature like her and...something she'd never smelled before. Her answer was given when she saw what they were.
The familiar one was a young boy with shaggy brown hair and red, and fearful, eyes.
The unknown one...was an angel.
And he was about to strike the child down.
Her blood burned and a scream tore through the air. The angel tried to fight back, but with her fire, spells and curses, he stood little chance. Thankfully, she wasn't forced to spill holy blood as he made a retreat, though Ann certainly didn't feel like angels were holy anymore if they were willing to kill a child. Said child who was whimpering and shivering in fear.
With careful steps and a soft voice, she said,
"Are you okay?"
The boy risked a peek. "Are..." A hiccup. "Are you going to kill me?"
Her heart ached but she gave him a comforting smile.
"No, sweetie. I won't. Now how about I make sure you are well?"
It was only then did she realize this boy smelt of the other world because he was half demon, likely incubus since he looked human, and she understood why the angel wanted to kill him.
It only made her wish she had killed him.
"And thus the angel and witch crossed paths, the witch refusing to ignore him, and the angel refusing to kill her,
Like every other monster before, Ren gathered information on the witch's habits and activities before actually going to the location his superior told him she would be at. Which was a good thing as he learned that she likely wouldn't be there, if not outright not even nearby for a long stretch, as it turned out she was a wanderer. But more worrying was that it was hard to confirm her abilities as the information varied vastly and it was hard to tell if it even started because of her or another monster.
The only thing that was consistent was that whenever a strange cloaked old lady appeared, it meant fortune for the good and curses for the vile.
Ren wondered if he should kill her.
But he squashed those doubts. She had hurt a fellow angel for no reason. He would have to end her.
To his surprise, he actually found her close to the designated point, in an abandoned house not far from a village. As expected, the witch immediately noticed him and attacked, sending them outside the house. They fought and, for the first time in a long while, it was taking time to finish his target. Each of his attacks, both magical and not, were matched with her own.
But she was not an experienced warrior.
So he saw an opening and sent her flying towards the house...
...where a child's voice screamed.
"Miss! Are you okay?!" the boy said, walking up to the witch.
Ren stared. Why was there a child here?
The witch said as she got up, "I told you to hide! It's dangerous!"
"But..."
"I said go! Before he kills you!"
Ren was confused. "Kill him? I won't kill the child, witch. I can assure you that."
The witch glared at him. "Oh? Why not? Your friend certainly was willing to."
Ren froze. "What?"
"Don't give me that look!" the witch said, figurative fire in her eyes. "I won't let you kill him!"
Something was wrong. He should kill her as ordered but...an angel was assigned to kill a child? That shouldn't be possible. And his superior didn't mention that. So he sheathed his blade and asked,
"You defended this child from an angel?"
Her glare softened but it was still very much fierce. "You didn't know?"
Ren shook his head. "No. May you please tell me what happened?"
Of course, the witch was wary. That was reasonable. So in a sign of peace, he kept his sword far away from him and sat on the ground, completely relaxed and open to attack. As he hoped, that was enough to quell her and she explained. When she was done, Ren was remorseful to say the least.
"I'm sorry for everything," he said. "He shouldn't have even attempted to kill the child."
"Even if the child is half monster?" the witch said, bitterness and suspicion dripping.
"Yes, even then," he said, and all ill-will left the witch.
"Okay. Then what are you going to do now?"
"I will leave you two and promise to never harm either of you. I will also speak to my superior about this. This shouldn't have happened in the first place and I shouldn't have needed to kill you for such a reason."
"Really? Even though we're 'monsters'?"
Ren hesitated. It was true, they were supposed to be exterminated for the sake of humans but...
"You're good people," he said. "And we are not supposed to punish the good."
With that, he left and let the witch and boy be.
"So the angel returns to the heavens and is punished for his transgression, falling down to earth,
Ren returned to his home and was quick to question his superior, who was shocked that he had "failed". He asked why was he ordered to kill the witch when it had been in defense of an innocent. He asked why the boy, even if he was half monster, was sentenced to death when he had done no wrong. And he asked if there were any other monsters like the witch and halflings like the boy who were killed before.
But his superior said nothing, only indicating he was listening as his expression hardened as he went on. Then, when Ren finished, he said,
"You are fallen."
Ren furrowed his brow in confusion.
"What, sir?"
"What a shame," his superior said. "And everyone had such high hopes for you too."
With that, the higher ranking angel ordered for others to take him and...
Ren screamed.
Make it stop, make it stop, make it stop, make it stop!
But it didn't. Not for a long time as he felt pain throughout his entire body from his wings and powers being stripped from him. The next thing he knew, his vision was fading as he smelled and felt the familiar scent and texture of grass and dirt.
"And the witch returns to wandering and is accompanied by the boy, until he grew to a fine young man,
Ann had been surprised that the angel left but she was glad for that, as well as for him. Now he was like the angels in the stories: kind, strong and noble. She didn't realize how much she missed seeing someone like that until that moment.
But ended up not being the only one. As soon as the young boy, Goro, was well, he wished to travel with her. She had been hesitant at first, but upon further thought, it was for the best. His mother had passed away and all in the village he came from saw him the same way the first angel did. And through their journey, she taught him as best as she could, and, to her pride, he grew to be a fine young man, kind, clever and ruthless when need be.
So it should have been no surprise that his heart was stolen by a young woman and he himself caught the eye of that woman.
It wasn't just any woman. It was a wifwolf, and she had been protecting her lame mother from a mob after the lycanthopy afflicted daughter. She and Goro saved her and the woman, Akira, thanked them profusely for it. And for a while, they actually stayed with them so they could find a suitable place for them to live, for it would harm the health of Akira's mother should she travel with them. That was how Goro came to know Akira and Akira him.
So when it ended up that she would have them stay in the village Ann lived in, now a city, he stayed with her.
And so Ann was alone in her wanderings again.
"And for the second time, the angel and the witch crossed paths, the angel remorseful for his race and the witch remorseful for his fall, both insisting the other had done no wrong,
Ann had finished another task when a scent she never thought she would smell again came upon her.
No, it couldn't be, she thought.
But her feet sped all the same and she was glad for it. There, bruised and battered and in a ditch, was the angel she met all those fleeting years ago. Except, when she began to carry him to a better spot to heal him, she thought that maybe he wasn't an angel anymore. He no longer had his beautiful silver wings, so smooth and bat-like, yet not intimidating at all, looking as if they were willing to wrap anything in comfort with its fur.
It turned out to be true.
When he woke after she had nursed him for some time, he had been quite surprised, and not digusted, at her treating him. Soon after, he answered the silent question in her eyes of why he was in the mortal realm and without any of his angelic heritage. And it all happened because of him not killing her.
Memories of all the times she had helped someone out of good will only to have them turn to vice, or worse, death, flooded her and she said,
"Sorry."
"Pardon?"
"I'm so sorry this happened."
And then he said, "Well don't be. You did nothing wrong. You only defended someone defenseless and I wanted to find out why I was given the order to kill you for that."
"But still..."
"But nothing. You saved that boy, and now me. So don't feel sorry. I don't regret my choice."
"And so, with nowhere to go, the fallen angel follows the immortal witch as she wanders, helping her as she does her self-appointed duty,
Even if that was the case, she still said, "I still don't want to just leave you when you're healed. Do you even have any plans at all?"
The former angel stared.
"Um..."
Ann couldn't help but giggle. It wasn't everyday one would see an angel, much less a dumbfounded and embarrassed one.
"So, how about you come with me? I want to at least try to restore your wings."
The angel was quiet in contemplation.
Eventually, he said,
"Okay. I'll come." Then he gave a slight bow. "My name is Ren, the, well, former Angel of Humility. What is yours?"
Ren huh? What a nice name, she thought.
"Nice to meet you too, Ren. My name is Ann, Witch of the Night."
"Him learning of her strengths and faults,
Ren couldn't help but be baffled on how Ann made it this far with how...little she actually planned. True, she had a goal, in this case restore his wings and help those in need, but she didn't actually do more than wander for the latter and just try various things for the former. Though he would admit he wasn't much better at the moment, but still, at least he was looking into his options and formulating what to do with them.
Of course, Ann had noticed the look he was giving her in her latest attempt to give him his wings back and said,
"What?"
"Are you sure this won't injure me, at least?"
"I'm pretty sure."
He tried a different angle. "We don't want to run out of medicine."
"I can just heal you then."
"For any passersby, not for me." Because while her healing could easily cure injuries, sicknesses were another matter, and there was a chance of Ren getting sick from the experiment.
Ann stared dumbfounded. "Uh..."
Ren sighed, trying very hard to hide his fond smile. "How about we first make sure we have extra medicine before we try?"
She sighed much more dramtically than him, slumping forward like a puppet falling over. "Okay. You have a point. I'll look for some more herbs..."
"And look for a more suitable spot to experiment? I don't think in the middle of a forest is good for possible fire accidents nor a place for us to stay."
It seemed that it was only then Ann realized where they were and chuckled in embarrassment. "Whoops."
And so they did just as he said before they gave Ann's latest concoction a try. Unsurprisingly, it didn't work. All it did was change the color of his hair to blonde.
Still, despite that, it was heartening to see her be so expressive, so open. Even without his angelic powers, he knew that she was immortal. She never got sick, any injuries she had only inconvenienced her like that one time her head got chopped off and he had to hold it so she could heal it back on, and she gained no signs of ageing. Most immortals, like many of the gods and goddesses that the higher ranking angel warriors dealt with, were incredibly selfish and often ruinous towards humans. Ann was one of the rare few immortals who wasn't even close to that, kind and bright yet fierce and protective.
She never hesitated to helping those in need but is always cautious of giving too much, knowing that to "give a man a fish, you feed him for one day, but teach a man how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime". She would always treat the plants and animals with tenderness. And she would always make it clear how much she liked or disliked something, her expression and declarations making it quite clear. More often than not, he would do things just to see her reaction, and thus be on the recieving end of both radiant smiles and burning glares, quite literally on many occasions.
It was quite hard to resist teasing her when she was so responsive, but he knows that she never hates him for it. She was much too kind for that.
That was one of the many things he loved about her.
"Her learning of his strengths and faults,
Ann couldn't help but find it ironic that despite his former title of Angel of Humility, Ren was absolutely smug whenever he was right about something or showing off. To say the least, she had singed his hair a few times before remembering he wasn't an angel anymore. Yet despite his seemingly prideful attitude, he only ever did it in a playful manner, like he purposefully acted arrogant just to rile her up, and only after they did anything together. He never bragged about his abilities before finishing a task like so many prideful men she had seen before their words didn't match their deeds.
And he would also do both silly and comforting things whenever she felt down, often in the aftermath of punishing someone or being unable to save a life, like telling her a funny story or making her favorite meals. He was kind like that. He always seemed to notice little things and does something about it, like when she would always complain about having trouble keeping her flame up in windy nights and in just a couple of days, he got a lantern, trading some of the items they found in their journey, or whenever she has a seemingly well thought out plan...only to point out a major flaw. And he would always deflect any praise she gave him, saying it was nothing and he needed nothing more than thanks.
But she couldn't help it. She wasn't alone anymore because of him, so she worked harder to get his wings back.
"What are you doing now?" he asked when they made their current home in a room in an inn as it stood above a leyline.
"Trying to see if I can extract my immortality..."
"What?! Why?!"
"Well none of spells work, or any of my concoctions, or any of my concoctions that had a spell or few. And they were all my most powerful so far," she said. "So I thought that meant that I needed something even more powerful than that. And well, immortality's pretty much the most powerful thing ever, and I have it, so maybe that would work."
Ren frowned. "Ann..." he said, ready to lecture.
Ann couldn't help but laugh. "I know, I know, Ren. If I do that, I might lose it, but don't worry. If it seems like that's what'll happen, then I'll stop trying this way."
He didn't look completely convinced. But he still said, "Okay. If you say so." Then he added, "But just know that you don't need to this. It's been a couple of months already. I'm fine without my wings."
Oh she knew. He was quite adaptable, she found, not having taken too long to adjust to only walking as well as the maintainance a mortal body needed. And in tandem with his kindness, it meant he was rarely ever bothered by anything, so long as it did no lasting harm.
But that just made her love him all the more and want to at least try for him.
And who knew? Perhaps knowing how to extract it would be useful one day. Ren always told her to be prepared for anything.
"But then, one day, another angel appears, ready to kill the immortal witch and the fallen angel,
It was another day and another person helped, this time a young woman forced to marry a cruel man. It was quite simple and Ren always smiled when he remembered Ann's plan to break the marriage by humiliating him in front of various people who had to approve of the marriage for it to pull through. Right now he and Ann were celebrating the aftermath at the forest near that woman's castle, Ren readying the fire to cook and Ann setting up the things needed for him to do so.
Then he felt it.
Ren ducked and a sword cut open air. Ann shouted and fired a spell. But the blast of magic did nothing on the angel's armor. The angel advanced, he retreated and Ann met the enemy. He had no other choice but to watch as Ann did her best to fight the angel. He didn't want to leave, but he had nothing that could possibly help her.
Of course that choice cost him.
Despite her power, Ann still wasn't a warrior even after all this time, and so once again she left an opening that incapacitated her, the angel driving several swords that appeared out of the air into her limbs. With that done, the angel came right for him, holding his neck and choking him.
"By order of the the highest angels, you, fallen angel, have been sentenced to death," she said.
"No!" Ann said, tearing through her flesh to escape the skewers.
He struggled of course. He always would. But his now human strength meant nothing to an angel who had both the power of the heavens and the protection of its domain. He could feel his consciousness fade, bit by bit, as the air within him depleted...
"Not wishing for their deaths, the witch offers an exchange, her immortality for her cooperation, and the angel agrees, leaving them to the fates,
...but he still had enough sense to hear Ann say,
"Let's make a deal!"
And the angel paused, if only to say, "An angel does not disobey orders, nor do they make a deal with a monster."
"Not even if it meant giving you my powers and immortality?"
"No...Ann...Wait..." Don't do that, he wanted to say, but he was still choking for air, even as the angel turned her head to face Ann.
"You...would give those up...?"
"In exchange for the heavens to never bother us or our families, I will give you my powers and immortality."
"... Then how would I know you would keep your word?"
"For I am Ann Takamaki and I swear to the heavens, the earth and the underworld that I will honor this exchange," Ann said, standing tall and regal, even with the dripping blood from finally freeing herself of the swords. "Will you swear the same?"
If Ren wasn't distressed before, he certainly was now. Names had power on the supernatural, especially those involved or practiced in magic. That was why Ann had never told him her full name. It was a vulnerability that could be taken advantage of, an easy way to destroy her, especially for an angel...and especially if she offered her power and immortality.
He tried to speak but he was already having trouble staying conscious. Thus, once again, he could do nothing as the angel that held him also swore to honor the exchange, naming herself as Makoto, the Angel of Intuition, and the deal was sealed.
For the second time in his life, his body forced everything to fade into darkness, the last thing he caught before it did was,
"I'm...sorry it had to be this way..."
"Don't worry. I know you're just trying your best."
"The fallen angel wonders why the mortal witch did so, wonders why would she give up something so precious, and she merely tells him she loves him,
Thankfully, it didn't take long for Ren to awaken after Makoto attacked. But when he did, he was silent, just staring at her from the makeshift bed she crafted. She knew why. It didn't take a psychic to know.
"Why did you do that Ann?" he eventually said.
"To save us," she said.
"I know you could've figured something out."
"Before you get killed?" she said, smiling wryly.
"Yes," Ren said, because of course he would answer with sincerity.
Ann couldn't help but chuckle before she said, "I thought you would've guessed by now. You're always telling me to have a plan."
"Plan?"
"Well, okay, I did come up with it on the spot but...I knew then that they would chase us forever. By doing that, by asking for very powerful protection in exchange for very powerful magic, we won't have to worry about them hunting us anymore." Though she added, "Though I was pushing it a bit by also including any possible relatives. I'm sure it would take a lot to bind all of heaven to not interfere with not one, but two lineages."
"But still...you gave up your powers, your immortality. That's not...something you just give away lightly. Why would you do that for me?"
Ann smiled if only to ignore her heart suddenly racing at what she was going to do.
"Simple," she said. "I love you."
For the first time since they met, Ann managed to stun Ren into a stupor. It wasn't for long though as she soon found herself in his arms and her lips captured by his own.
Then he said, "I love you too, my guiding light."
And time blurred as they let passion guide them through the night. Before she knew it, it was day once again and she found herself in the arms of the man she loved, reciprocating it to his fullest.
"And so, the man and the woman return to her home village, where they lived happily ever after." Ren smiled. "The end."
Miyu, however, did not share it, pouting as she said, "That's it?"
Ren blinked, unsure what to think of her reaction to the tale. But that was easy to remedy. So he said,
"Yes, that's it, my little dancer. Did you not like it?"
"No, it's just..." His daughter shuffled and shifted under her blanket, Ren practically hearing her catch her thoughts with a rope. "I feel sad that the witch gave up her powers and that the angel lost his because he didn't want to kill her...now they're not so cool anymore..."
Ren stared. Then he laughed, loud and hard, much to his daughter's annoyance as she started to, rather fruitlessly, hit his chest to make him stop. He only laughed harder and leaned against her bed.
"Papa! It's not funny! It's a part of them!" she said, her zest then leaving her to be replaced with melancholy as she continued. "I'd be sad if I had to give up a part of me..."
That, however, did make him stop and he look at his daughter with a proud smile. Of course that was why she was upset. She had such a kind heart. But...
"That is true," he said, pulling his daughter into his arms, who easily accepted and snuggled into him. "But they got something much better in return."
"What is that?"
"Love. After all, I did say they lived happily ever after, did I not? And that meant that, even if they lost those powers, it was worth it."
"Hmm... I still wish they kept their powers..."
Another laugh, for he could not help it with the joy and pride and amusement that welled from his heart.
"I'm sure you do, now go to sleep my little dancer, or Morgana will get you," he said, rubbing her hair in affection.
As he expected, his daughter froze in fear of the family cat before quickly covering herself in her blanket, feigning sleep with fake snoring. He had to keep up his smile otherwise he would laugh again at her as he stood and got out of her bedroom...where he was greeted by his wife with a raised eyebrow and a slight smirk.
He returned it and said, completely innocent, "What?"
"What was with that story?" she said.
"It's a fairy tale, of course. Our dear daughter wished for one. How could I deny her?"
She rolled her eyes but still kept up her good natured smirk. "You know what I mean. You can't just tell her that as if it was a fairy tale."
Ren dropped his smirk to replace it with a warm and grateful smile, walking up to Ann and holding her close, making her squeak on surprise.
"Ren?"
"Well it is to me, my love, because sometimes I can't believe it to be true," he said, bearing his heart to her.
Her own jovial mood was blanketed with a warm and loving one that matched his own as she wrapped her arms him.
"Well, when you put it that way, I guess it is quite a good fairy tale," she said.
Author's Note: The End...
...for this fic.
Anyways, Miyu cameo! Aka one of the kids I came up with for ShuAnn. I would say more on her buuuut...this won't be her only appearance for the week. So I'll say more on her then!
As for this fic...originally the idea for it was just inserting Ann and Ren into a fairy tale or folklore story (Rapunzel/Tangled was the primary candidate because, well, blonde girl and noble rogue...which I might still do at some point) but then I thought of using their Ultimate Personas for a story and then that led to me wanting to go "Hans Christian Andersen style", aka make a new tale that has elements from actual fairy tales. So, being the mythology and folkloric enthusiast I am, this is what I ended up with and boy did I have so much fun with it.
See if you were able to catch all the references to both the mythology and the game by yourselves! I had waaay too much fun taking whatever bits I felt were appropriate for the fic.