The Darkling
Also known as: Aleksander Morozova, General Kirigan, The Black Heretic
The centuries-old Shadow Summoner who created the Fold and leads the Second Army under a borrowed name. He offers Alina eternity with one hand and a collar with the other, and fandom has argued about him ever since.
Popular The Darkling Ships
Common Tropes in The Darkling Fanfiction
The Darkling · Alternate Universe (AU)
1.1M works
Stories set in a different universe or setting than canon, from coffee shops to space operas.
The Darkling · Dark Fic
180k works
An umbrella label for stories that deliberately explore disturbing territory — moral corruption, violence, unhealthy relationships, or grim endings — without softening the edges. Dark fic is clearly tagged on AO3 so readers can opt in with full knowledge of what they are getting.
Other Grishaverse Characters
Alina Starkov
9k works
An orphan mapmaker who turns out to be the Sun Summoner, the one Grisha who can tear down the Shadow Fold. Sainthood, power, and the Darkling's attention all try to swallow her whole.
Nikolai Lantsov
5k works
Ravka's too-clever prince, who moonlights as the privateer Sturmhond with a flying ship and a quip for every crisis. Beneath the charm: a bastard's insecurity and, later, a literal demon under his skin.
Zoya Nazyalensky
2k works
The Squaller general with a storm in her veins and a dragon in her bloodline, who armored her grief in beauty and spite. Zoya's slow thaw opposite King Nikolai in the duology made Zoyalai the Grishaverse's adult ship of choice.
Genya Safin
2k works
The Tailor, a Grisha forced to serve a predatory king and scarred by the Darkling for her defiance. Genya's 'I am not ruined, I am ruination' and her gentle romance with David make her the fandom's resilience icon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fanfics feature The Darkling?
The Darkling appears in 9k+ works on AO3, making them one of the most popular characters in the Grishaverse fandom. You can browse all The Darkling fanfiction using the Fanfict Reader app.
What are the most popular The Darkling ships?
The most popular The Darkling ships include Alina Starkov/The Darkling. These pairings feature prominently in AO3 fanfiction.
What tropes are common in The Darkling fanfiction?
Common tropes in The Darkling fanfiction include Alternate Universe (AU), Dark Fic. Use Fanfict Reader to filter and find exactly the type of story you're looking for.
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