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(Merry Christmas everyone. This is last years Christmas story from up on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Fibaro A new Christmas story, along with two additional parts to this one is already up on my Patreon, so if you’re interested go and have a look.)
Intro
Valerie and Vince had been very close all their lives, not surprising considering they had shared the same womb for nine months. They had a very good bond often knowing how the other felt without them even being present.
Along with being born with a soulmate for life both of them where blessed with extremely good looks. No surprise either, their mother was a model who had managed to make a big name for herself with her mesmerising icy blue eyes. She was nearly always asked for jewellery modelling as her eyes went so well diamonds it was simply stunning. Their father on the other hand was an Olympic swimmer turned coach.
The twins stood at about 5’9”, making Vince rather short for a boy. He was very well respected at school though, being the top swimmer just like his father had been. Nobody even dared giving him shit about his height afraid for the social back lash. It didn’t turn down the female interest either as pretty much all the girls and some guys at school swooned over him, just like all the guys and some girls swooned over his twin sister who lead the girl’s swimming team.
With their mother’s blue eyes, soft pretty face, honey blonde hair and their fathers athletically lean yet toned figure they turned heads everywhere they went. It wasn’t seldom that their mother had set up for modelling gigs. They had been doing them since they were babies. After all a set of twins consisting of a boy and a girl were very hard to find, especially ones that photographed so well as Vince and Valerie.
Valerie’s hair reached her mid back, while Vince’s was cut in a messy cool surfer cut. Valerie’s shoulders were only slightly narrower than her brothers, and her waist was a little more trimmed in. she had slightly wider hips and an ample pair of C cup breasts.
Both the twins were 18, in their senior year and the centre of popularity in their school with how much they looked alike and how dominant they were in their favourite sport, swimming. Both of them were rather self-absorbed and mean. They were known for giving anyone they deemed lesser than them a hard time.
Vince could get rather physical in his bullying while Valerie liked the psychological approach. That being said Valerie sometimes liked setting people up to get confronted by her brother. Thanks to the huge group of people around them hoping to share in their popularity backing them up to teachers and the principal, the twins never got into any real trouble.
Chapter 1
It was Friday evening and the start of the Christmas break. Tomorrow morning the twins would leave with their parents to spend their break at a ski resort with the whole family following yearly tradition. A sporty vacation fitting right within the family spirt of keeping in shape.
Vince’s buddies were also doing a skiing trip this year though and while the family skiing trips were always fun there was nothing that would beat the wild parties and rough housing he could get up to with his buddies. There were always plenty of hot chicks around in those ski resorts, but there was no way he would be able to pick up any of them with his parents around. It would just feel awkward. It would be possible at the cabin his friends hired though. Damn the social stigma of having to celebrate Christmas with family.
When he and his sister talked that evening his frustration only grew and anger joined the mix. What she said about that Connor kid playing peeping tom in the girls changing room after swim practice, spying on his sister really made his blood boil. He was very protective of his sister especially when it came to stuff like this. The thought that that perv might as well have been spying on him with how much they looked alike was a thought Vince really couldn’t shake.
Connor was one of the least popular kids in school. He looked about as much as a nerd as possible. The big black rimmed glasses, his short ginger curls, the constant acne, the fact that he was fairly overweight and the fact that he always wore hand me down clothes really didn’t help his image one bit. Connor had been the victim of a lot of teasing through out high school, and it wasn’t seldom that Vince had roughed him up in one way or another.
Valerie was enjoying the look of rage on her brothers face. Since they left for the ski resort tomorrow there was no way he could act on his rage right now. It would continue boiling all Christmas break long and when school kicked off again that perv of a Connor would really get it. She might have made up most of her story, but that didn’t matter. Connor had had the balls of looking at her down the hall. It wasn’t even a stare or anything. The whole spying and changing room thing were made up. She just loved getting her brother far enough to rough someone up and Connor was an ideal victim in her eyes.
What neither of them were expecting however were the consequences that little lie would hold. How could they? After all who besides little kids still believed in the magic of Christmas, or that Christmas wishes might actually come true?
After Valerie’s revelation Vince really needed to blow off some steam. As usual when that happened he went to their home gym and began delivering hard blows to the punching bag, imagining it was Connor. “Damn that fat perv, I really wish there was none of that social stigma so I could show that Connor a Christmas he won’t soon forget. With a weakling like that a few blows ought to do.” Vince vented.
He was blissfully unaware that right outside the window one of the Christmas spirits was flying by. Picking up his wish the spirit glowed bright red granting Vince’s wish. Starting tomorrow the guy would be rid of all social stigma so he could give Connor a Christmas he would never forget. To aid him in granting all parts of his wish Vince would get a great intimate subconscious knowledge of Connor. He wouldn’t actively know how to proceed, but his instincts would guide him in the right direction to give Connor that unforgettable Christmas Vince had wished for. Happy with itself the spirit flew away.
Vince had meant that without the expectation of having to spend Christmas with family he could just go skiing with his friends. They left two days later, giving him plenty of time to rough up Connor maybe going as far as actually sending him to the hospital ensuring he would never even dare to look at him or his sister ever again.
Back at the small house Connor lived in with his mother, the ginger haired guy was growing sick with worry. He had seen the daggers Valerie’s eyes had shot at him when their gaze had accidentally met. He knew some kind of retaliation would follow for sure, but what exactly it would be he wasn’t sure off. Trying to ease his worry Connor jerked off to the trap hentai porn he so loved ever since he had encountered what a trap was through memes and anime. It at least allowed him not to think too much about what would possibly happen.
Chapter 2
The next morning Vince woke up early it felt as if a whole weight had been lifted of his shoulders as he had become blissfully unaware of societies pressure. He no longer knew what was acceptable and what wasn’t. He only knew that he would give that Connor guy a Christmas he would never forget.
Without a care in the world Vince got dressed in a simple pair of jeans, a t-shirt, some sneakers, a sweater and a jacket. He was fully ready to leave. After all there were still a lot of preparations to be done if he wanted to give Connor that unforgettable Christmas.
He was due to leave to the ski resort with his parents and sister in two hours. Right now, they were all still sleeping. Without a care in the world Vince walked out to his old car which was parked on the street. He had gotten it for his sixteenth birthday and it surely gave him a lot of freedom. The car had seen better days though and so Vince had been saving up to buy himself a brand-new car, something sporty and fierce to pick up as many girls as he wanted.
Right now this old Ford still did the trick though. He used it to dry into the city, blissfully unaware of what his parents would think, or how mad they would be once they found out he had disappeared hours before they were supposed to leave. Especially since the trip was all booked and paid for already.
He had only just arrived in the city centre about half an hour later when he saw that he had a missed call from his father, his mother and his sister. All where asking where the hell he was. While his mother and sister sounded worried his father sounded pissed. It surprised Vince as he couldn’t figure out why they could be worried or angry at them.
Totally obvious to the reason for their anger and worry Vince sent them a text. “Hey, I won’t be going on the trip with you guys, I’m spending Christmas with a friend. Have fun though.” The text message only further enraged his father. Back home they all thought he had just sneaked off to go on that skiing trip with his friends and so his father said Vince would certainly get grounded when they got back. He also didn’t want to give his wife or daughter a chance to talk some sense into him. Instead he took them along as they left without him.
In the city Vince remained blissfully unaware that his reaction and the whole situation were absolutely not done. The fact that he could get in trouble over it didn’t even occur to him. Instead he just continued on his way, walking from his car to a nearby beauty parlour that offered a whole range of treatments.
A pretty brunette his age was standing behind the counter of the trendy saloon that looked clean and modern. They had just opened for the day so there was no one there yet apart from a whole range of beauticians who looked ready for a busy day of appointments and people in-between who hadn’t reserved a spot.
“Hello Sir, what can I help you with?” the girl behind the counter asked politely.
“I would like to have the full makeover package you offer.” Vince replied with a smile.
Taking out a gift coupon the girl behind the counter started noting down the full makeover with its price. “Sure sir, what name would you like me to place on the coupon? Is it for a birthday or should I wrap it more Christmassy?” The girl asked.
“Oh no, there is no need for that. I was looking for a full makeover for myself right now. No gift coupons or anything.” Vince replied, his smile not wavering for even a moment. He asked it just like it was the most normal request for a guy his age.
The girl looked stunned for a moment, not knowing how she should react to this odd request. During all over her training and for as long as she had done this job, she had never had a guy before, much less one asking for the full makeover. She didn’t really know how to react to the odd request. “Euhm, I don’t know if we cater those to guys as well.” She said awkwardly.
Vince didn’t really seem to understand what the problem was, until one of the older beauticians standing by interrupted. “Of course we do sweetie. We’ll just take you through every stage of the process and inquire about your wishes for that stage. Our team is experienced enough to cater to a whole range of styles and I’m sure you’ll find something to your liking as well.”
“Well you can follow me. I do the hair removal and skin care procedures, the first step in our full makeover.” The woman who had just interrupted said in a friendly tone. Happy that whatever seemed to be the issue was resolved. While he was following her to the backroom, he was blissfully unaware that the strange look of some of the beauticians were aimed at him. After all he wasn’t aware that anything strange was going on. All he cared for was getting ready to give Connor a Christmas to remember. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was but something inside told him that this was a good first step.
The room he was led into looked clean with a massage table covered in towels standing in the middle. “So, what would you like waxed? Do you want a smooth chest for some holiday fun with your girlfriend?” The beautician asked friendly.
“Actually, I am looking for a full body wax, arms, armpits, legs, pubic hair, butt crack, everything below the eyes really. I would also like to have my beard and eyebrows waxed. I was thinking some thin high arches for my eyebrows, you know to get that surprised look.” Vince said totally unphased by what he was asking.
Now it was the turn for this somewhat older beautician to look as shocked as her colleague at the counter had been. When she recovered, she was wondering whether this was a prank or something? Was this a plan to then sue the parlour for damages, claiming that the outrageous result was something that hadn’t been requested at all.
“You know that if I do that, you will stay that way for at least 1 month right? Possibly even up to 2 months and a half depending on how fast your hair grows. There will be no going back.” She warned surprised by how unphased the guy seemed. She had heard about so called sissies and crossdressers over the years, but those were almost always very nervous when coming in. This guy with his rough blonde stubble on his chin seemed like anything but a sissy to her.
“Oh yes, I’m absolutely possible. I would also like for whatever skin treatment leaves my skin the smoothest and I would be delighted if you had something sweet and flowery smelling to use in terms of lotion.” Vince asked once more unphased. The fact that what he was asking for was no where near widely accepted yet. Even just the eyebrows would most likely give him judgemental looks, let alone the added skincare requests.
“In that case I’ll need to get some documents stating that you aren’t under the influence of any drugs, that you don’t suffer from any psychological illnesses and that what we do is with your explicit consent.” The woman said still somewhat shocked. It was a document they only really needed for the more permanent procedures the parlour offered, but she figured it was also justified in this case. After all the last thing she wanted was for this to come back and bite the parlour.
“Okay sure thing. If it’s the same for you I’ll get ready for the waxing in the meantime.” Vince said, surprised that there was so much paperwork to be filled in for just a makeover. Then again, he had never had a makeover so how should he know?
The beautician was even more surprised when Vince didn’t blow off the whole procedure now that he would need to fill in some legal documents. Nevertheless she went out to the front desk to get them. While she was there she vented her shock over Vince’s request to the girl at the front desk. She would surely spread the rumour to the rest of the beauticians in the parlour by the time the waxing was over.
Once handed the papers Vince immediately signed them off, covering the parlour for the entirety of the makeover. Still shocked the beautician decided it wasn’t her job to judge, it was just her job to carry out the customer’s demands, so without making to much of a fuzz about it she started the waxing and skin care procedure.
It took nearly an hour, a long painful hour, but by the time the beautician was done Vince was completely hairless from the eyes down. His skin had been scrubbed, all his calluses had been removed and he had been rubbed in with numerous strong-smelling lotions and oils to literally make his skin shine. It was only step one, but Vince already looked drastically girlier. He looked a lot more like his sister since they shared nearly the same facial structure now that his beard was gone, and his skin was soft and hydrated. In fact, the eyebrows made her look nearly girlier in the face than his sister did.
Now that the waxing was over the beautician handed him a pink nylon smock that reached down well below his knees. They never had any guys at the parlour so pink didn’t seem like a bad colour until now. At least it didn’t look like Vince was bothered by it at all.
“Okay, you’re all done here. I advise you just wear this smock so your skin can breathe more for now right after the waxing. When you leave this room your hair stylist will be waiting for you.” The woman who had waxed him said. She still couldn’t believe what had happened.
“Thank you very much.” Vince said even now unbothered by how his appearance had so drastically changed. Sure his body hair had been blonde, but he had had quite a lot so the change really was significant.
Just like the wax lady had told his hairstylist was waiting for him. He guessed she was in her late twenties. Her hair was styled in a funky white blonde pixie cut. She looked cute in a though kind of way. Vince certainly wouldn’t mind going out with her sometime, but right now he needed to get ready to give Connor the Christmas of a live time.
“Follow along sweetie, I’ll show you to the chair where you will probably spend the remainder of your morning.” She said with a slight mocking tone, clearly amused by how drastically Vince had changed already.
Venturing out in the parlour it had become remarkably busy already, not at all surprising given that tonight would be Christmas eve. A lot of mainly middle-aged women were getting all sorts of treatments. There was no one in the waiting area yet, but with how busy it had gotten already that was bound to change.
Thanks to the rumour the girl at the counter had spread among the personnel, pretty much everyone, clients included, knew about the guy who came in for a full and apparently rather extreme makeover if the waxing was any indication. The animated chatter instantly stopped when he came into sight, only to be quickly replaced by whispering and giggling while all eyes were on him.
The hairstylist had thought it would certainly make this guy rethink his decision, but strange enough he didn’t even seem to notice. He just followed along to a chair in the middle of the parlour where everyone would get to have a good look at him and sat down.
While the situation was certainly odd and even laughable, there was also quite a lot of awe for the guy who just came in here for a full makeover and really didn’t seem to give a shit about anyone’s opinion on that. He clearly knew what he wanted, and he went for it without embarrassment. The hairstylist for one looked up to how well he took thinks. She was by no means insecure yet wished she could even have a fraction of this guy’s confidence.
“So, what did you have in mind for your hair?” The hairstylist asked eyeing Vince up in the mirror, mentally picturing him with a variety of hairstyles. She had dropped her mocking tone with her new-found respect for the guy.
“Well I was really hoping that my hair is long enough for extensions. If so, I would love to go for hair reaching down to my mid back in a wavy fashion. I would also love to dye it as light blonde as possible. I want it nearly white but not quite there if you know what I mean.” Vince said with a smile.
There was a lot of snickering all around as Vince explained his wishes. The hairstylist was quite surprised, out of all the styles she had pictured nothing came even close to as extreme as the hairstyle Vince asked for. Still she had to commend the guy for knowing exactly what he wanted and not being too ashamed to say it out loud in front of a full parlour of gossiping women.
Running her fingers through Vince’s hair to get a good grasp of just how long it was, the hairstylist spoke up. “It’ll be a close call, but I think I can make it work. Don’t be surprised by the weight though. Adding that much hair can really start to weigh through.”
“Wonderful, I can’t wait to see the result.” Vince exclaimed and neither could the rest of the women in the parlour. They were all curious to see just how different this guy would look once everything was said and done.
“Since you’re already blonde I should be able to get your hair pretty light coloured in just this one visit. That’s what I’ll do first, cut the dead ends of your hair and colour it. While the colour in your hair sets, I’ll start colouring the extensions to specification. While that is happening one of our nail technicians will be with you to paint your nails. Your hair should be all set by the time she is done and then we can weave in your new extensions.” The hairstylist carefully explained the process.
Just like she had said the hairstylist got to work on Vince’s hair. She cut, then carefully painted strands in a thick foul-smelling paste until al of his hair was completely covered in it. With that job done she went away to dye the extensions.
In the meantime, a short chubby nail stylist arrived at his chair. “Hey there, I’m here to take care of your nails, now since you seem have a pretty clear picture of what you want, I would like to know what you’d like your nails to look like.” She asked in a slightly awkward way. She didn’t really know how to behave towards a guy looking to get his nails done.
“Of course, I would like to have my nails, both finger and toe nails to be varnished in a wet looking deep red colour with an emerald green rhinestone in the middle. I would love to have some almond shaped one-inch acrylics on my fingers.” Vince said while the paste in his hair was slowly turning his hair lighter and lighter in colour.
While it wasn’t all that surprising for Vince to choose something so ultra girly and impractical anymore, it still got a good laugh out of his audience of salon going housewives. Feeling somewhat bad for him the nail technician tried to make it all a little less awkward by complimenting his choice. “That’s a great choice, I believe it will look wonderfully festive.” She said even though Vince still didn’t seem bothered by all the laughter at his expense.
Trying to stay as professional as possible she went to work shaping and varnishing Vince’s nails to perfection. The long red nails made his hands look that much slenderer than before. With his nails done and left to dry the hairstylist came back carrying a bunch of blonde nearly white extensions.
“Oh wow, your nails really have come out beautiful. They’ll look so Christmassy with your new hair, I’m sure of it.” The hairstylist said genuinely impressed. Vince’s requests were outrageous, especially for a guy, but she could see how it would all come together in the end. It would look over the top, but very festive.
“Thank you very much, that’s exactly what I am aiming for. I don’t care what it takes I really want to look my Christmas best.” Vince said with a smile as he looked at how the hairstylist was weaving in his extensions, slowly working to a very full mass of long nearly white hair. It was all coming together beautifully.
The procedure wasn’t nearly done yet, but Vince was already looking like a gorgeous girl. He looked a lot like his sister only girlier. His sisters eyebrows were nowhere near this girly and her nails were rarely varnished, her hair while styled nearly exactly the same was still their natural honey blonde colour instead of this nearly white colour Vince had gone for.
While he still was the centre for mockery in the parlour, everyone had to admit that he actually made a very pretty girl, a flat chested one for sure, but pretty none the less. They were all waiting for what he would choose in the next step.
Up next was the makeup artist, a woman who could only be a few years older than he was. At first they hadn’t thought make up would be necessary given he was a guy, but after seeing his choices so far they were just about ready to give him the most extreme makeup look possible.
“Hello, I’ll be doing your makeup. You’re looking very pretty already, but I just know we can turn that pretty face of yours into the envy of every woman.” She said excitedly. She had never done a guy’s make up, but then again, she had never had such a gorgeous canvas to work with either.
“I have never worn makeup before, and I don’t have a single clue how to put it on or touch it up. Do you have anything that absolutely won’t smear and will stay on for a while?” Vince asked to the surprise of many women in the parlour. With his exaggerated choices so far they would have thought he would have been trying makeup from as soon as he could have held the brush.
“Well we can work with stains which generally last longer and don’t smudge that easily, but even then, I can’t make any promises depending on what you like to do with it. If it’s just for an evening out at a restaurant stains really should do the trick. If you have any wilder plans, I can’t guarantee a thing. Still stains are the best I can do unless you’re going for permanent makeup, but that’s like a tattoo. It will slowly fade over a life time, but as the name hints at it won’t be going anywhere unless you take an extensive laser tattoo removal treatment. Even then it can take up to a year or longer to remove it all. When you want a full makeup look, I certainly would advise against it.” The makeup artist said, feeling kind of obliged to give all the options, but very reluctant to actually go through with this kind of treatment.
To everyone’s shock Vince replied. “Great, then I’ll go for the permanent makeup. It sounds perfect for what I have in mind. Could you also go for the eyelash extension and some Collagen lip fillers? I really want to go for that big luscious pout.”
Up until now everything had seemed like a very elaborate festive look, but this permanent makeup would be a serious commitment. Still Vince didn’t seem phased in the slightest. All he cared about was arranging to give Connor a Christmas he wouldn’t forget. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t even realise why everyone was making such a fuss about this. People could be weird sometimes.
“Are you absolutely sure? There is no going back from this. It isn’t like with the waxing either, this won’t just go away in a month or two. The collagen filling and the eyelash extensions might wear off over time, but once that makeup is on it isn’t going anywhere.” The makeup artist voiced her concerns.
“Oh I insist, the permanent makeup really is the ideal solution for me. Even if I get tired of it I’ll have a good outline to colour over, so the longer it stays unsmudged the better.” Vince said confidently, much to the amazement of everyone around.
“Well if you are that certain then I’ll do it. I have warned you and you have signed that paper so legally we’re good. Still I feel like you shouldn’t go through with this. Tell you what. I’ll start with the eyelash extensions, then I’ll do the collagen and if you’re still sure you can tell me what look you want to go for.” The makeup artist offered hoping he would still change his mind.
“Sounds great to me.” Vince said with a smile as the lady in charge of his makeup started the careful process of eye lash extension. It was much like fake eyelashes in effect, creating that long very full look. With this procedure individual hairs were carefully glued to the lashes themselves however, ensuring that you didn’t need to take them off. They would disappear eventually as the lashes they were attached to shed, but it would take at least up to a month for them to get noticeably thinner again. After the application they were curled to perfection.
The collagen was semi-permanent as it couldn’t really be removed, but over a course of 6 months they should start to lose their volume. Administering the injections carefully, the makeup artist made his lips swell to a pout even Kylie Jenner would be proud off.
With the lashes and full lips Vince face looked exceedingly feminine. So much that it would be near impossible to mistake him for a guy at this point. The lip fillings were barely done when Vince spoke up to explain his makeup wishes, the fact that he still didn’t hesitate after getting to think about it this long was enough to convince the Makeup artist to go through with it even though she remained reluctant.
“I would like to get my eyebrows touched up, so the arches are more defined. For my eyes I want bottom and top eyeliner, extending in a wing off to the side. My lips I want to be outlined in a nice cupid bow, defining their new fullness even further and I want them in a red matching my nails. For my cheeks I want a nice natural looking faint blush and finally for my eyelids I was thinking about an emerald green smoky blend.” Vince said effortlessly making it seem like he had thought this over very carefully. He actually hadn’t, but for some reason he just knew what he wanted when asked.
Hearing the heavy night-time makeup look Vince wanted to go for, the makeup artist was even more unsure about this, but he seemed so sure that she just got on with it anyway. Once his makeup was done, he was led back to the backroom where he could get dressed again.
As he walked through the store to the counter to pay for his makeover, he drew even more amazed and confused stares from everyone. Between all the treatments he had gotten Vince’s face really looked like the embodiment of femininity it was such a stark contrast with the casual sweater and jeans he was wearing. So much that it looked down right absurd. Yet Vince didn’t seem bothered.
The girl behind the counter was so shocked seeing how amazingly handsome guy she had crushed a little on when he first entered now looked like the most gorgeous woman she had ever laid eyes on. She was so stunned that she couldn’t bring out a word. All she was really capable off was pointing out the price on the screen.
1365 dollars, the total sum of his treatments was crazy expensive, but then again he was left with a very long lasting stunning look. Without a worry Vince swept his card through the machine, taking the money out of his car fund. It was a big set back in his savings, but there was still plenty left, besides money wasn’t an issue. He just wanted to ensure that Connor would have a Christmas to remember.
“Thank you very much for the amazing job you guys did, you really are the best.” Vince said loudly into the parlour before turning around and leaving, everyone in the now very busy parlour had become dead silent as they just watched him go in amazement. If they hadn’t seen what had happened with their own eyes, they wouldn’t have believed it.
Out on the street the outrageous contrast between his head and the rest of him, turned the head of everyone he passed. The reactions were rather mixed between cat calls and outright disgust, but Vince didn’t pay either of them any attention at all.
All of the procedures at the parlour had taken a big chuck out of his day and Vince wasn’t near ready yet to go and give Connor that Christmas he would never forget. There was still a lot to take care of. He still needed to gather a festive meal, an outfit and some presents as well of course. First he grabbed some lunch however.
After his lunch he made a quick stop at the piercing pagoda where he had both of his ears pierced and fitted with gold bells that would jingle with every step he took. He also had a small rhinestone stud inserted at the left of his nose, just like his sister had.
The shopping street was very busy when Vince went on his gift hunt apparently a lot of people did last minute Christmas shopping. Despite everyone seeming to be in a hurry, nearly everyone he came across stopped and stared at him as he passed by. In one of the first stores Vince had bought a big red velvet Christmas bag with a white faux fur top nearly matching his hair.
Instinctively Vince knew where to go and what to get, with everyone clearing a path for him so they could stare his shopping went surprisingly fast. In no time he had gathered a rather full bag of presents.
His next stop was the grocery store where he gathered up a whole bunch of pre prepared meals to make up a royal Christmas menu. The meals weren’t the regular ones you found in any fridge or freezer. They were top class freshly prepared meals that just needed reheating.
With the Christmas meal arranged Vince went to his last stop, a big sexshop just on the outskirts of town. There he looked for a nice outfit for himself, along with some accessories to go with and underneath it.
Chapter 3
Walking into the sexshop it was empty, not at all that surprising given that it was near closing time. It was pretty late already, and most people were already off to their family celebrations. He could hear the woman behind the counter sigh when she heard the door bell so close to closing time. Chelsea might be eccentric, but she also had a Christmas party to attend. She hadn’t had to stay open this long, courtesy of being your own boss, but she had anyway and now she was regretting it.
At least until she saw who her client was. It was weird to see such a gorgeous high-class feminine face on such a casually dressed male body. Chelsea liked weird though. Seeing people of all sorts who were weirder one way or the other than the average Joe on the streets was what she loved most about this job.
She certainly wouldn’t mind having some fun with this guy, even if it was only some in store fun of helping him out with whatever he was looking for. “Hello, what can I help you with today?” Chelsea asked suddenly excited as she came from behind the counter looking like a sexy Miss Santa Clause.
Chelsea was wearing a big velvet Christmas hat with a fake fur border, and fake fur ball at the end. Her dress was a simple red velvet strapless tube dress with a border of faux white fur on the top and the bottom, a broad black belt was buckled around the waist. Her legs were wrapped in sheer white stockings and on her feet, she wore a pair of very high heeled black leather knee length boots with yet another white fur border.
“I’m about to give someone a Christmas he will never forget, and I am just about ready. All I am lacking now is the perfect outfit and maybe a few accessories to spice things up a little. For my outfit I was thinking something like a sexy elf, or Santa’s helper costume. Something sexy and short, with nice lingerie underneath, but just modest enough to be able to wear it in public.” Vince said calm and collected.
The excitement only grew within Chelsea as this guy shamelessly explained what he was looking for. While she herself was very confident, caring little about what people thought about her, she had to admit that she might have met her match. Well someone who was even more confident than she was. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the nerve it must have taken to walk around like this in public, let alone getting that look done and yet this guy was absolutely calm and confident. All she could really do was admire that.
“I believe I don have something that should fit you amazingly. Can I just say that I love your style? It’s just gorgeous.” Chelsea gushed, it was like a bi sexual dream come true, such a gorgeous womanly face, yet on what looked like quite a hunky male body. She was tempted to invite this guy to her own Christmas party as her date, one of her dates to be more exact. Yet since he had said that he was about to give someone a Christmas to remember she didn’t bother.
It didn’t mean she couldn’t have some fun right now though even more fun than she initially suspected when she took his hand to start leading him to where the clothes were only to be interrupted. “Now that I’m thinking about it, there might be some sex involved this evening, you don’t happen to have a toilet and an enema kit now do you?” Vince asked casually.
Even Chelsea was taken a back slightly by the sheer boldness of Vince’s question. Asking to try one of the products in a sexshop was not done for obvious hygiene reasons. Actually, asking to use something that could be as messy as an enema kit however was really unheard of.
Quickly recuperating Chelsea’s shock turned to a big smirk as she had an idea. “Tell you what, I live above the store and I’m definitely willing to let you use my bathroom. I can even show you how to administer a proper enema if you want.” She said hoping this guy would agree, getting up close and personal with this guy would certainly be a treat, and worth being late to the Christmas party some of her loyal subs were throwing in her honour.
“Sure, that sounds wonderful I have never done an enema before and a helping hand that knows what it’s doing would certainly be very useful.” Vince replied grateful to get some help here instead of being tasked with trying to find everything on his own.
“Great, follow right along then.” Chelsea said, not that she was giving him much of an option in her excitement. She was still holding his hand and used it to drag him along to her office/workshop, through a door and up the stairs.
Chelsea’s apartment was huge, just as big as the store underneath. The interior was very strange to say the least. There wasn’t a single interior wall in the entire apartment. The walls were painted plain white with countless of works of fetish art hanging on the wall. There was a kitchen island, a huge couch which kind of defined a lounge area. The centre piece of the room was a huge bed, so big that it looked like it had to be custom made.
One wall held a whole collection of crops, paddles, whips and anything that could be used to hit someone with. Semi hidden eyebolts were fastened to pretty much every piece of furniture those would give away a love for bondage, but it was more likely that it would be obvious form the giant wooden cross with cuffs, or the sex swing, or the suspension rig.
The apartment had everything it needed for optimal comfort, it was very spacy but just like with most of Chelsea’s life it had strong elements of kink sprinkled in. Ever since she had moved out of her small hometown, she had said fuck it and unapologetically been herself.
Since Vince seemed unphased by it all, Chelsea had a sneaking suspicion that he was very kinky himself. Something which made him look even more fun in her eyes. Too bad he seemed to be preoccupied with someone else given the plans he had told her about.
Leading him further into the huge room that was her apartment, they arrived at a clear glass cubicle which had a clean tile floor as only part of the apartment. While it was only glass it still was the only room in the entire apartment that seemed to be boxed off. Due to the water that might spill most likely.
The bathroom had a big rain shower head, a jacuzzi like bathtub, a sink and a toilet. “Why don’t you strip and get comfortable while I fetch the enema kit?” Chelsea offered, licking her lips at the prospect of seeing this guy naked. To her it seemed that he was at least a little into her as well. The way he had flirted, telling her he could use a hand with his enema.
While Vince was at least interested in Chelsea for a fling he wasn’t aware that what he did was perceived as flirting. It was one of the down sides of completely losing any sense of social constructs. Then again, if that hadn’t been the case, he would have never come here especially not like this and this apartment would have freaked him out for sure.
Not seeing anything strange about it, Vince stripped completely naked, revealing his baby smooth strong flowery smelling body. It sure was a remarkable sight such an athletic male body with such a pretty head and nails.
When Chelsea came back up, she was smiling from ear to ear seeing this sharp yet beautiful contrast. She already knew the outfit she wanted to offer as well. It would destroy the look of contrast, but she had her suspicions the guy would love it, that it would be what he wanted to go for.
Getting into her Mistress mode with all the excitement of having this gorgeous toy naked in her apartment, Chelsea snapped her fingers. “Alright down on the floor and start kissing the tips of my boots!” She ordered firmly smiling as Vince did exactly that. Weird, gorgeous, kinky and submissive. It was everything Chelsea looked for in a partner, most of the times settling if just a few of those criteria were met.
She thought Vince was a real catch, she wasn’t aware of how Vince was just totally obvious to what was normal and what not. He just thought this might be part of the enema. After all he was no expert all that matter was giving Connor an unforgettable Christmas and this enema could really help.
“Good boy!” Chelsea cooed as it brought Vince into the perfect position to get his enema. While he was down kissing her boots, she filled up the enema bag with lukewarm water and hung it up on one of the many hooks she had installed for this exact purpose.
“Alright, you can stop now. Stop kissing at least. You’re to remain in this exact position until I say otherwise.” Chelsea instructed as she tested the valve on the tube attached to the small dildo nozzle making it squirt a little.
Putting on a pair of rubber gloves Chelsea quickly lubed up the nozzle, then rubbed what remained of the lube between Vince’s butt crack, poking his butthole with every pass before gently sliding her finger into his butt making him groan. A groan that turned into a soft moan as she expertly kept penetrating his butt with her finger, massaging his prostate as she did.
“There we go, I’m not going to lie, an enema can be a little uncomfortable at best, but I have always found a little pleasure to go a long way in compensating that discomfort.” Chelsea softly said as she replaced her finger with the small dildo shaped nozzle in one swift motion, making the transition nearly seamlessly go over from the fingering to gently fucking him with the nozzle.
With her free hand Chelsea opened up the valve letting water flow into Vince’s bowls. She then moved that hand up front and started gently stroking his cock in the same rhythm as she was using the dildo nozzle. While the discomfort of filling bowls increased, so did the pleasure. Only at a faster pace.
Vince was moaning loudly, quickly approaching a climax while his belly was cramping up from all of the water. Abruptly Chelsea stopped all stimulation and closed the valve however. “Alright, I’m going to pull this nozzle out, you are going to clench your butt, run to the toilet, empty yourself and get back in position.” Chelsea said before counting down from three.
Making a run for it Vince carried out Chelsea’s orders while the store owner added some strongly scented soap to the enema bag. With Vince back in position Chelsea shoved the dildo nozzle right back in and started the process of waterflow, dildo pumping and cock jerking right over.
Already heavily aroused it didn’t take long for Chelsea to make Vince blow his load right on the bathroom floor under her watchful eye. While he was cumming she kept pumping at both ends, milking every last drop of cum out of him before finally closing the valve again and allowing to expel the load of soapy water from his bowls.
“I’m going to fetch your outfit now. When I come back, I want to see a clean floor is that understood? You’re only allowed to use your tongue and mouth so get going and lick up your mess.” Chelsea said firmly to Vince who was just wiping himself clean on the toilet. This certainly had been an encounter worthy of her delay for her own Christmas plans. She would certainly drop a card with his purchases in the hope of some more fun in the future. Turning around before going back downstairs Chelsea smirked. This was perfect, the guy was really lapping up his load like she had demanded of him.
Chapter 4
Leaving the sexshop Vince looked like one of Santa’s sexiest helpers his hair and make up no longer looked out of place as they blended in perfectly as a part of his outfit. Chelsea had helped him select and put on the perfect outfit.
It consisted of a red velvet dress with emerald green laces woven in the front. The top and bottom were both hemmed by a broad band of luxurious looking white faux fur. The dress was strapless reaching up just above his nipple line with the skirt flared out by five layers of chiffon petticoats barely covered his panties.
On top of the dress he wore an emerald green velvet jacket that did nothing to cover up his front. It was hemmed by a white and red spiralling candy cane border and had short puffed sleeves that ended in loose triangles of fabric. The bottom of the jacket reached till midway down the skirt and was cut up in big triangles with a small white fur ball at each tip. At his waist the jacket and dress were held together by a broad black leather belt with a big gold buckle.
His hands were encased in emerald green satin fingerless gloves with a similar candy cane border as the jacket. They reached till just above his wrist. Around his neck sat a tight emerald green satin choker with a big gold bell dangling in the middle, covering up his adam’s apple. A fancy emerald green velvet Christmas hat sat on top of his head, the bottom had a big white fur boarder and the tip ended in a big white fur ball.
Underneath he wore a steel boned red satin corset which was laced very tight to take in his waist by a couple of inches. It made his butt look bigger in comparison and the top pushed his pecks up high enough to create the illusion of small breasts.
His legs were encased in white and red spiralling opaque stockings making them look like candy canes. They ended in white fur tops with a big emerald green bow with a gold bell in the middle up front. On his feet were a pair of emerald green velvet ankle boots ending in white fur ankle cuffs. They had a 5-inch stiletto heel and the tips were curled up with a gold bell dangling of the end.
With the outfit, a special pair of panties, some more accessories from the sexshop and his big velvet bag of presents in his hand, Vince walked up to the front door of a small poor looking house. The house Connor called home.
He lived here with his single mother who worked very hard and still had to scrap to make ends meet. It was the main reason Connor never had new clothes, or any gadgets. He didn’t even have a cheap smart phone.
Christmas was always one of the worst holidays for him. It was a time for family dinners, presents and overall cosiness. For Connor it was a very lonely time however. The PC he had gotten through a charity was only strong enough to pull up some basic internet pages to do his homework. He had no friends, no family apart from his mother and these days she always lived at the hospital. She slept there in one of the staff rooms so she could work double shifts day in and day out. With the holidays a lot of the other nurses wanted to take days off and she was happy to cover for them. After all working shifts during the holidays payed double, money she could use very well to get at least a bit of financial breathing room through the year.
With no friends or family, it didn’t really need saying that Connor was more than a little surprised when the doorbell rang. Worried Connor sighed deeply about the only people who really visited were debt collectors. Couldn’t they at least leave them alone on Christmas eve?
He was even more surprised when opening up the door only to see the sexiest woman he had ever laid eyed on. She was more gorgeous than any woman he had seen drawn or alive making him freeze in shocked disbelief. She looked almost exactly like an even more gorgeous version of everyone’s school crush Valerie, the girl that had made him so worried on his last day before the break. Here she was standing in front of his door fully made up to perfection and dressed like the sexiest reincarnation of any Christmas character around. A stark contrast to his Grey ratty bathrobe that used to be white a long time ago with nothing but a pair of fairly worn out boxers underneath.
“V…V…Valerie?” He stammered in disbelief, not knowing whether this was really happening or not. Why the hell would she show up like this? Was this some part of a cruel elaborate plan she had decided to pull to punish him for meeting her eye earlier. Something he had learned to avoid to survive. Whenever Valerie entered a room, he had learned to look at his feet, knowing how bitchy she could get claiming he stared at her. Hell he wasn’t even sure this was Valerie cause for the last few months apart from that little accident just before the end of school he had never seen her. He had become so good at looking away that he had never caught anything more than a glimpse of he shoes in the last few months.
While she sure could be a bitch about a simple thing like a look Connor knew that she never made her hands dirty. No her preferred method was the psychological terror of being worried all Christmas break long. A Christmas break where she would rile up her brother to give him a beating he would never forget. Shit maybe that’s why she was here, to be seen like that by her brother, telling him he had taken advantage of her and forced himself on her. If he already got beat over looking then this time he would certainly end in the hospital or even death. It nearly made his heart beat out of his chest with nerves whatever it was she was planning it wasn’t like he could stop her, he just didn’t have the spine.
The surprise and mystery only grew bigger as Vince started to giggle. He tried to act as girly as he could, believing it would help in giving Connor an unforgettable Christmas. “Hihi, no silly. Valerie is out skiing with our parents for the entire Christmas break. It’s me Vince, I snuck out so I could start preparing to give you an unforgettable Christmas. Now may I please come in? It’s kind of cold out here.”
Vince?! A flare of panic instantly hit Connor hearing that name. The girl in front of him did seem to have a bit of a deeper voice than most girls he had heard talking, but there was no way this was Vince, right? It couldn’t be Vince, if that was the case, he would have had a concussion by now. Then again, it didn’t seem to be Valerie either, but who was this girl standing in front of him then, and what was the real reason she was here. It just had to be something terrible, nothing good had ever happened to him.
Connor was in such a state of amazement and down right worry that he didn’t really react to this gorgeous girl’s request to come in. When he did, it was with a rather uncertain “Uhm sure.” This girl did seem unthreatening and even friendly. She really looked like she had meant it when she told him she wanted to give him an unforgettable Christmas. It just seemed too good to be true.
“Thank you very much sweetie.” Vince said with a smile. Connor didn’t quite move out of the way though, obviously still to stunned to move. Not wanting to burden the guy anymore Vince just squeezed past him. In doing so the numerous bells from his attire jingled loudly. Connors body smelled very strong and disgusting, he never cared much about personal hygiene, not even at school and definitely not during the Christmas break where he was all alone anyways.
The contrast between Connor and Vince couldn’t be any bigger the ratty bathrobe stood in stark contrast with the very sexy and luxurious Santa’s helper costume. Connor smelled disgusting pretty much like rotten onions while Vince smelled like sweet flowers inside and out. Vince was disgusted by Connors awful body smell, he kept the smile on his face though. The last thing he wanted was to make Connor feel embarrassed. This wasn’t about him after all. As he had wished to give Connor an unforgettable Christmas.
Sensing Connors nervousness and worry Vince knew he would need to convince him to relax and that he really had nothing to worry about. It was key to giving Connor that Christmas he would never forget. He just needed to show him that he really was here to do everything in his power to give Connor a memorable Christmas.
As Connor closed the door and turned around, he was suddenly surprised by Vince who wrapped his arms around the back of his neck and kissed him full on the lips. Vince’s tongue was gently coercing Connor, licking his lips to be let in. It took a minute for Connor to let him in but when he did Vince gave him the most passionate tongue kiss of his life. Not that it was hard given that it was Connor’s first kiss.
During the whole nearly two-minute duration of the intense lip lock Vince had to keep providing all the action as Connor just stood there, his mouth somewhat open obviously clueless as to how to kiss. He had no clue what he was doing, but he certainly wasn’t going to object. He really couldn’t believe that he was kissing with the most gorgeous girl he had laid eyes on. Her soft plump lips, sweet smell and gentle caressing tongue felt like heaven to him.
It really blew Connor’s mind how good kissing actually felt. No wonder people his age engaged in it so often even if it sometimes looked unsightly to others. He was kind of embarrassed that he hadn’t really brushed his teeth and his breath probably smelled cause of it, but that embarrassment faded as the girl didn’t seem to mind just continuing the kiss with passion.
By the time the kiss finally broke Connor was mind blown. The girl took a step back and just smiled seeing his amazed expression. “Wow, that certainly was something else, I didn’t know kissing felt this good god I certainly wish I could do that again.” He said dreamingly not entirely convinced that this was real and not just a wet dream.
“We can do that again whenever you want you dummy.” Vince giggled before engaging in yet another minutes long lip locking kiss. Connor’s mouth tasted rather foul, but he seemed to love the kissing and that was all that mattered to Vince right now.
Once more Connor was completely stunned. The fact that it had just happened again made it seep through that this really was happening. Still he was afraid there would be a catch. Maybe this girl who claimed to be Vince was just waiting for the right moment to completely obliterate him. It was highly irrational that that would be the case after she had already gone so far as to kiss him twice now. He was so used to things going bad for him that his worry remained.
After breaking the kiss Vince took Connor’s hand and led him to the worn-out looking couch where he gently guided the guy down before sitting in Connor’s lap much to the ginger guy’s amazement. “A… are you really Vince?” He asked in complete disbelieve, at least getting comfortable enough to speak up and ask things even when Vince didn’t engage the subject first.
“I surely am, here let me prove it to you.” Vince said taking Connor’s hand and guiding it under his skirt held up by all the petticoats right to the front of his panties. He pressed the ginger guy’s hand firmly against his crotch.
Connor was surprised when he indeed felt a smallish but hard bulge at the front where he had expected to feel the outlines of a pussy. His eyes instantly went wide. This girl, or rather Vince was speaking the truth. It was the only explanation how else would a girl look nearly exactly like Valerie with a deeper voice and a bulge up front?
Having a girl be interested in him had up until now been stuff that only happened in his dreams and fantasies. Not even in his wildest fantasies he ever imagined a girl this beautiful. Only this wasn’t a girl, but a real genuine trap more beautiful than any real girl he had ever seen. It was his ultimate fantasy, but something he had believed to be only possible in anime and hentai. The fact that this absolutely stunning trap was his worst bully made it even more unbelievable. So unbelievable in fact that it must be real. There was no way he could be making this stuff up himself.
He was completely flabbergasted as to why Vince would be acting this way, but he certainly didn’t mind. It was way preferable to being beaten up. In fact it had turned Connor on a whole lot. Kissing this gorgeous sweet-smelling trap and having her sit on his lap certainly had their effects as his cock grew rock hard, poking Vince in his pantied bottom.
Connor was horrified when that happened. Vince had been acting insanely strange with all that had happened, but with his cock actually poking into his bottom Connor feared that it was too much and he would certainly be beaten to a pulp now.
Vince once again surprised him big time when he giggled before playfully shaking but on Connor’s rock-hard cock. “Hehe , seems like someone is very excited for his presents. Well tell you what, Why don’t you let me take care of that while you open your first present?” Vince proposed, he could sense that Connor was only a small push away from being completely at ease with the situation. After all just like he had initially stated in his wish, he believed a couple of blows ought to do the trick to give Connor an unforgettable Christmas.
While Vince certainly wasn’t gay, his personal feelings didn’t matter at the moment. He had wished for and he would give Connor an unforgettable Christmas. Wiggling his butt a few more times, he got off of Connor’s lap and down on his knees in front of the couch. Fishing a festively wrapped box out of his gift bag Vince handed it to Connor. “Here you go, I hope you’re going to like this. While you open it up I’ll try to take care of your excitement.” Vince said with a smile.
Gently pushing Connor’s legs apart, Vince shuffled in between them on his stocking covered knees. Looking up at the overweight ginger guy’s acne covered face he saw that same look of shocked disbelieve that seemed to have been plastered on Connors face from the moment he first opened the door.
Connor was looking on with such disbelief that he paid his present no attention whatsoever. He just stared down at Vince who was carefully fishing his hard cock out of his boxers with his daintily manicured hands.
Vince was actually surprised by how big and fat Connors cock was. It was thick enough for him to only barely be able to wrap his hand around it. If he had to put an estimate on it, he would guess it was about eight or nine inches long. Despite it actually being an impressive cock Vince had no doubt that no girl would be willing to come anywhere near it, not even if it was on a hunk. At least not if that hunk had the same personal hygiene as Connor.
At its base there was a big mess of long unkept ginger pubic hair. The whole thing was greasy and smelled awfully strong of musk and dried urine. There even was a pimple on the uncircumcised foreskin. It was impressive for sure but looked and smelled awful.
Despite how awful Connor’s cock smelled and how nasty it looked Vince kept the smile plastered on his face as he slowly moved in and planted a big kiss on the swollen tip. He then slowly opened up his plumped up, fiery red lips and let the head of the cock slide in between them. It took a considerable amount of effort to stretch his jaw wide enough to accommodate the sheer girth of Connor’s cock, but he did manage to suck the head completely into his warm wet mouth.
An instant moan escaped Connors lips as he watched the head of his cock disappear between those luscious plump lips. It felt like heaven as well, so much better than his masturbation sock ever did. God it felt good to feel that warmth, that wetness, and that velvety texture around the head of his cock.
Looking down at the spectacle at his crotch something within Connor changed. While he had remained doubtful and worried, those doubts and worries quickly melted away now that he saw this beautiful trap version of Vince with his lips wrapped around his cock. The nearly scared look was replaced by a big broad smile. He didn’t know what had gotten into Vince, but he definitely knew he was going to take full advantage of it now that he was sure that his bully’s intention really seemed to be giving him the best Christmas ever.
Down on his knees Vince was miserable. The cock tasted even worse than it smelled. He really didn’t like having a cock in his mouth to begin with. Seeing Connor finally fully relax and even smile made it all worth it though. He didn’t know why, he didn’t even try to figure out why, but giving Connor the most memorable Christmas was his top and only priority. He would ensure it happened no matter the cost and no matter what anyone might think of it.
Vince didn’t really know how to give a proper blowjob he had had many in the past, but he had never even thought of giving one until now. He certainly wouldn’t be able to deepthroat like some of the girls who had given him one did. Connor didn’t care or notice however. This was much better than his hand had ever been, especially when Vince started to run his tongue around the head of his cock, or when he started licking the slit on his cock head. It was unlike anything he had ever felt, and it made fireworks go off in his head.
Now that Vince was settling into a good rhythm, working over the top few inches of his cock with his mouth, while stroking the bottom with his hand, using his free hand to titillate Connors balls with his freshly manicured nails. Connor decided to have a look at the present Vince had gotten him. It was the first time he really got a present. It was a first time for a lot of things for Connor, and for once they were all amazing things. A lot different than the other firsts Vince had given him, like the first time he actually got his head flushed in a toilet bowl.
Opening up his present Connor was once again surprised it wasn’t just a simple gift like he had been expecting. It was the latest model iPhone with the biggest memory capacity. It cost more than one of his mother’s monthly wages. To his surprise he could start it right away. It was already fully set up with an unlimited phone subscription that was paid up front for a year. In the box there was a note with all the necessary codes and how to change them.
This wasn’t just a present, it was an outrageously expensive gift. It made Connor wonder where Vince had found the money. Was his family really that rich that he could just throw away money like this? Sure they were a lot wealthier than he was, but they didn’t look this rich.
For Vince Money hadn’t mattered when he did his shopping. He had saved up a pretty decent chunk of money to buy his dream car. He had deposited nearly all the money he had gotten for birthdays, Christmas, jobs he did,… into his car savings. He really wanted a nice sports car and those weren’t cheap, not even second handed ones. His goal had been to get 20 grant, believing he should be able to find a nice second hand model with that much money. His goal had nearly been achieved. He had been on 19 grant, but now with his makeover, clothes and presents he had drained about 10 grant out of his car savings. Seeing the shocked look on Connors face from down on his knees made it worth it though.
Connor didn’t have long to stay shocked by his new surprise though as Vince’s sucking was really getting to him. Connor knew he wouldn’t last long anymore. He was even surprised by his own stamina so far, yet he didn’t want to cum yet, an idea had just struck him, and it was too good to pass up.
“Mmmh Vince, stop sucking my cock for a moment.” Connor moaned now comfortable with asking things from his previous bully. A bit confused Vince pulled his mouth of Connors cock and stopped stroking it.
“Did I do something wrong? Did I accidentally use my teeth?” Vince asked worried still holding the rock-hard cock.
“No, not at all, you are doing great. I just wanted to try out my new present. Did you know that this thing shoots 4K videos? Well I wanted to test that out, and what better way to do it than with a thank you to the sexy elf that got me this present? You don’t mind if I film you down there do you?” Connor asked with a smirk. He didn’t know what had gotten into Vince, or how long it would last, but he did know that he wanted to take full advantage of it as long as it lasted as well as provide some security for himself in case Vince did slip out of whatever it was.
“Of course not Connor all I care about is giving you a memorable Christmas. In fact I’m glad to see that you seem to like my present so much that you want to use it immediately.” Vince said with a smile. With his complete lack of social knowledge Vince was blissfully unaware of the shit storm a video like this coming out could cause.
Connor just smirked, even more confident that Vince would really do anything he asked right about now. Hitting record, he stabilised the phone on his belly catching the curve of his fat gut with his big cock sticking out. The way Vince’s daintily manicured hand was holding on to the base of his cock and how his prettily made up face had a string of drool connecting his bottom plumped up lip to the tip of his cock were all perfectly captured.
“So Vince I really want to thank you for that brand new iPhone you gave me. I’ve really been needing a decent phone for a long time. I also want to thank you for sucking my cock while I was unwrapping your present. Do you like sucking cock Vince?” Connor asked with a big smirk, explaining everything that had been happening, so it was all caught on the video.
“No I don’t, I’m not gay or even bi. Your cock is special though Connor. I wish I could have it in or on me all day long. I don’t like sucking cock, but I love sucking yours.” Vince replied in an excited tone. It was a lie, but in order to make Connors Christmas even more special he really wanted to make him feel like a special hunk.
This was turning out even better than Connor had hoped when he asked his next question. “How did you even get that money to buy me this iPhone I can tell it wasn’t cheap at all.” Connor asked.
“Well, I took the money I have been saving for ages to buy myself a car. I blew over half of those savings to get myself all made up and to buy all the presents and everything. There are a lot more fun surprises in my Santa bag for you. I won’t be getting that sports car I always dreamt of anytime soon, but I really wanted to give you a memorable Christmas.” Vince said truthfully not seeing why he should lie about this.
Once more Vince had managed to surprise Connor. He had thought Vince’s parents were very rich after all, but knowing that all of this had come out of his bully’s personal savings made it all that much better. “Oh really? That sounds like a pretty huge sacrifice you made. You’re really well on your way to give me the most unforgettable Christmas ever though. Tell you what you have been sucking my cock so well until I asked you to stop for a minute. I was actually getting very close to cumming. Since you seem to love my cock so much why don’t you start sucking again so I can give you a big mouthful of cum as a thank you? What do you think about that?” Connor asked cheekily getting very cocky now that everything was going so well.
“That would be absolutely amazing Connor, the best thank you I’ve ever gotten for sure.” Vince gushed with excitement. He personally didn’t like the thought of getting cum anywhere near his mouth, but he could imagine how being able to thank someone with his cum would make Connor feel amazing.
“Go right ahead then Vince, kiss my tip again, circle the head once with your tongue lick the slit a few times and go back to doing what you do best, sucking my cock with a passion.” Connor said with a huge smirk. As Vince did exactly that. The entire conversation and display was being caught on 4K film.
It took a few seconds, but Vince found his head bobbing and cock stroking rhythm back rather quickly. Connor moaned loudly in approval as Vince carried on sucking his cock with a passion, trying his best to put on a show for the camera.
After about two minutes Connor was quickly approaching an orgasm. His breath was becoming more laboured and his moans were growing louder. All of a sudden a loud grunt announced the start of his orgasm. Instantly a thick rope of salty musty cum shot into Vince’s mouth. It was quickly followed by another one, and so on.
By the time Connor’s orgasm subsided Vince’s mouth had been filled by 6 thick ropes of cum. It was filled to the brim and a little had started leaking out of the corners of his mouth. Never the less Vince had managed to catch all of Connor’s cum. Pleased with himself he pulled his mouth off of Connor’s cock with a loud plop and opened it up to show Connor and the camera his mouth full of gooey white cum.
“There you go, a nice big thank you from me to you. Why don’t you blow a few bubbles with it to show me just how much you love my cum?” Connor suggested and to his delight Vince instantly started blowing cum bubbles.
“Good slut, you can swallow it now.” Connor said and instantly Vince did, his stomach turning as he felt the warm gooey load slide down his throat. Opening up his mouth again he showed it was now empty.
Connor was just about to stop filming when Vince surprised him yet again by sweeping up the cum that had leaked out of the corners of his mouth and sucking it off his fingers. He then took Connor’s softening cock and gently licked away at the tip, going as far as to work his tongue underneath Connor’s foreskin so he could gather every bit of cum residue.
“Haha, you really do love my cock and cum don’t you slut?” Connor laughed seeing how Vince had cleaned it up.
“Oh absolutely Connor. It’s just the best thing in the world. Like I said it’s the best thank you I have ever had for anything.” Vince gushed making Connor laugh again while he shut off the camera, very happy with the final result of his first video.
“Besides present’s I also brought along Diner. It’s back in my car and just needs heating. Would you mind if I went out to get it? Or would you prefer to wait a little longer with dinner. I do have a lot of presents left I would like to give you, but I was thinking to spread them out over the evening and night somewhat if that’s okay with you I mean. In the end it’s your choice.” Vince said with excitement getting up and making the numerous bells jingle.
“Sure thing Vince. That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Conor said still coming down from the high of the best orgasm he had ever had. He planned to take full advantage of Vince now that he seemed so eager to please, but it seemed like Vince had plenty of ideas of his own to please him. He had no doubt that a Christmas diner would be way better than the microwave dinners he usually had. Besides the evening was still young. There was no need to rush things. He still had plenty of time to take full advantage of Vince. This certainly was the best Christmas he had had already, and probably the best he would ever have.
“I’ll be right back.” Vince said as he walked to the door, the bells in his outfit jingling loudly. He left the door open so that he wouldn’t have to interrupt Connor when he needed to get in again. A minute later Vince’s approach was announced by his jingling bells as he wheeled a cooler box into the house.
Looking through the cupboards Vince couldn’t find any fancy plates or silverware. Having no other choice, he then set the table with the basic plates and silver wear. When Connor saw Vince was setting the table for two, he stopped him. “Vince, I think one plate will be enough, or didn’t you mean it when you told me how much you loved my cum and cock? You don’t want to spoil that taste with Christmas dinner now do you?” Connor asked with a smirk, liking the idea off keeping the taste of his cock and cum in Vince’s mouth all evening long.
“Right, silly me, I forgot that eating would spoil that heavenly taste.” Vince giggled, inside he cursed badly wanting to get rid of the awful taste, but this wasn’t about him, it was about Connor, so he cleared his plate again.
With a smile Connor took place in front of the only plate on the table. “Alright Vince, let’s see what you got.” He said, his stomach already rumbling at the thought of a delicious meal. He was a little disappointed when Vince only put a fancily dressed plate with salad and Salmon in front of him. Was this all people ate for Christmas?
“For starters we have smoked Atlantic salmon with salad.” Vince said presenting the meal. It suddenly became clear to Connor that it wasn’t a single dish kind of dinner but a multiple course meal. He had been confused since he had never had multiple courses before.
“Sounds great, tell you what, you may come sit back on my lap and feed me.” Connor replied as Vince dutifully went to straddle the overweight ginger’s lap once more. Picking up the fork Vince started carefully feeding Connor while Connor happily explored Vince’s body with his hands at the same time.
Vince simply looked, felt and smelled as heaven. Connor couldn’t get over how perfect his Christmas trap was as he stroked his chubby hands over Vince’s inner thighs feeling the skin that felt pretty much as soft and as smooth as a baby’s.
After the course was done Vince gave Connor another present. This time it was a Christmas outfit, a red velvet bathrobe with white fur, and a Christmas hat like Vince was wearing but in red instead of green. “Now you can be the Santa to my Santa’s helper.” Vince explained which brought a smile to Connor’s face. This gift might not be as expensive as the phone, but he liked the meaning behind it and he definitely could use a new bathrobe.
The next course was another starter, a cream asparagus soup which Vince spooned into Connor’s mouth. It was once again switched up with a present, or a few presents to be more exact. Connor received a gaming laptop with an accompanying gaming mouse and gaming headset. All top of the line and even more expensive than the new phone.
When it was time for the main course, a deer steak with baked potatoes, Connor got hard again when Vince dutifully sat down on his lap to begin feeding him once more. “I think I can eat this by myself Vince, it looks like your main course is ready as well.” Connor laughed.
Dutifully Vince got down on his knees, moved under the table and in-between Connor’s legs. His mouth had watered at the smell of the deer steak, but instead of taking a bite he dutifully wrapped his lips back around Connor’s stinking cock. Nevertheless, he performed a blowjob as good as he possibly could.
Connor was moaning in delight. He certainly could get used to this, being showered with presents, being served a multiple course meal of exquisite quality which tasted like heaven, and of course the best part having a gorgeous trap to fondle as much as he wanted, one who sucked his cock whenever he got hard. He had never expected it when he woke up this morning, but this sure was the best and most memorable day in his life.
While Connor finished up his main course, he deposited another load of cum into Vince’s mouth with a satisfied grunt. Just like earlier Vince showed off the load before swallowing it and licking Connor’s cock clean.
Crawling out from under the table Vince went over to his present bag and returned with a small box. “Your next present is something small, but very exciting. I just know you will love it.” Vince said watching on curiously as Connor opened the small box.
He could see the instant look of confusion on Connor’s face when he opened the box only to find two small keys. Seeing that the gift needed some explaining Vince spoke up. “You know how I proved to you how I was really Vince? Well when I let you feel my bulge, I know you must have noticed how it seemed small yet rock hard. That’s because I’m actually wearing a chastity cage and now you have the only two keys to the lock.” He explained with a smile not realising how big a consequence this might have. He just guessed that Connor would love the power.
To make things clearer Vince raised his skirt and petticoats to reveal the front of a pair of red satin panties with white fur trimming and an obvious bulge up front. Lowering the panties, he showed of a silvery looking stainless-steel device, tightly lock on his soft cock.
Vince sure was full of surprises. Every time Connor thought he had seen it all Vince had managed to shock him with yet another surprise even bigger than the last one. This surprise was perfect. Where he had tried to build some security with that video earlier this chastity would hold the ultimate form of security that even if this state Vince was in ever passed, he would never give Connor anymore trouble again.
Pulling out his phone Connor started filming again. He started with a close up shot of the keys, then of the chastity cage framed by the lowered panties and the held-up dress. He then zoomed out in order to capture Vince’s complete look so it really showed the extend he had gone through to feminize himself while proving the chastity was actually on him.
“I would like to thank you for handing me the keys to your chastity cage, but I don’t know how. You just sucked me off while I was having that awesome meal you prepared, and I’m afraid that my cock isn’t ready to give you another load so soon despite how hot you look. Why did you give me the keys to your chastity cage by the way?” Connor asked with a smirk once again sketching the situation for the camera.
“Oh don’t worry about that Connor. I’ll just consider my gift a thank you for letting me suck on that big delicious cock of yours again. As for why I gave you that key, let’s put it this way. I’m obviously nowhere near as manly and hunky as you are. So since you’re obviously man enough for the two of us, I thought it was only right if you owned two cocks, even if the second one is nowhere near as impressive as yours is.” Vince explained with a smile on his face, keeping his chastity cage on full display.
“You’re absolutely right Vince, well I try not to lose that key.” Connor said with a grin shutting off the camera once more. “Now I believe it’s time for dessert, right?” he added with a smile, becoming way more demanding with all the strokes his ego had recently received.
Puling his dress and panties back in place, Vince walked over to the cooler box retrieving a cup of chocolate mousse and placed it in front of Connor. He then dutifully sat in Connor’s lap and started feeding it to him. Connor’s fondling focus this time went right to Vince’s chastity. He loved feeling the sleek smooth steel enveloping his bully’s cock. The steel that mad Vince’s cock pretty much useless. At least until he would decide to unlock it. He especially loved the way Vince squealed when he firmly squeezed the guy’s balls.
With dessert over it was time for the final presents. The second to last one was something Vince hadn’t initially thought of buying. It was an idea of Chelsea. She had insisted that it would certainly spice up his plans and make the Christmas even more memorable. It was a big box featuring a whole beginners bondage set. Four pairs of padded leather cuffs a few lengths of chain, eight padlocks and a leather X.
The thought of bondage had never really occurred to Connor before, but seeing these cuffs he sure could imagine it could be fun to restrain Vince with them. Vince might be doing what he wanted already but having his bully completely at his mercy could be fun.
For his last present Vince bent over the table and lifted up the back of his skirt revealing his pantied bottom. It had a round white fur trimmed cut out perfectly framing Vince’s butthole or at least the big emerald crystal that seemed to be covering it. Above the hole sat a big emerald satin bow and underneath it the text “Santa’s Chimney.” Had been stitched in.
“Please Santa Connor, will you unplug my chimney and pop my cherry?” Vince asked managing to stun Connor one last time. Everything remained silent for a minute after which Connor started laughing hysterically.
“Oh my fucking god, I have to record this. Please stand up again so we can do this over. This is just to hilarious not to keep any record of.” Connor laughed, positioning his phone on a nearby cupboard as an improvised stand so he could catch the whole scene.
Just like Connor had asked Vince stood back up again, straightened out his dress and waited for the camera to start rolling. He then bent over in front of the camera, showing off his butt and panties, before bending over the table so the camera caught a side view. “Please Santa Connor, will you unplug my chimney and pop my cherry?” He repeated himself.
Connor smiled broadly, these videos were all so perfect he would be jerking of to them for years to come. Right now he wanted to further juice up this moment. “If you had to put a price on how much it meant to you to have me take your anal virginity, then what would it be?” Connor asked cockily.
“Oh god it means the world to me to feel your big delicious cock pop my cherry. I really can’t put a price on it because it’s priceless to me.” Vince gushed further stoking Connor’s ego.
“Correct me if I am wrong, but you spent over half of your savings on this evening, the meal, your look, and the presents, right? Priceless is indeed impossible to pay out, but if you paid me whatever’s left of your savings it would really make my Christmas unforgettable. Hell I would be so delighted that I actually mean that much to you that I would be inclined to give you as much of my cock as I possibly can for the entire Christmas break. Since you skipped out on that skiing trip with your parents, we can spend our entire Christmas break together and I won’t even touch my cock. You can do all of that. Just like you wished before I’ll try to make it happen for you to spend all day with my cock in or on you.” Connor grinned.
“That sounds amazing Connor. Just give me you’re account number and I’ll do it right away.” Vince gushed the magic of his Christmas wish overriding all common sense. Given Connor’s account number Vince instantly transferred the remaining nine grant he had left in his account straight to Connor’s account. He had just paid nine grant to get fucked up the ass and to be used as a cock socket for Connor for two weeks.
Now that the payment was completed Connor was very eager to start ploughing Vince’s ass. Even without payment he would have given an arm and a leg to fuck such a hot trap. The payment only made it better.
A few directions later Connor managed to get Vince on his back on the table. He surprised Vince by unlocking the chastity cage. Pondering about why that could be was not in the cards for Vince though as right after the cage came off Connor pulled his bejewelled plug out with a plop and line his once again rock-hard cock right up with Vince’s virgin anus.
Connor didn’t bother looking for anything that could possibly serve as lube. In fact he wanted deflowering Vince to be painful, sure it was fun to have such a gorgeous trap to use, but Vince seemed so happy about it all. It was honestly quite frustrating as well. No matter what a hard time Connor had given him Vince seemed happy about it, and that while Connor wanted some much-deserved payback against his former bully.
Once his cock was lined up, Connor pushed forward with as much force as he could manage. It was enough to break the resistance of Vince’s sphincter and force his cock all the way down to the base in his former bully’s until now virgin butthole.
Vince screamed it out in pain as the full length and girth of Connor’s big cock entered his tight bottom. This was not what he had envisioned at all. He had thought Connor would be gentle at least, but that certainly didn’t seem to be the case at all, still as long as this would contribute to a memorable Christmas for Connor it would be well worth it.
With no regard for Vince’s screams Connor started happily ploughing Vince’s ass. It felt so tight and so good on his cock as he started to build up rhythm. For easier access he had thrown Vince’s stockinged legs over his shoulders and grabbed on to the guy’s cock as a handle. It was a decent cock, not as big as Connor’s was, but decent.
As the fucking continued the pain slowly became more bearable and mixed with pleasure as Connor was hitting that special spot Chelsea had been focusing on. The way he had grabbed hold of his cock also ended up feeling rather good as it was jerked in rhythm with the strokes.
To his surprise the pleasure grew rather rapidly to a point where Vince was actually getting close to an orgasm. Connor’s own moans were growing louder as well. He had been going at this for quite a long time so far. After all he had already came twice so the pleasure didn’t build anywhere near as fast anymore.
Vince actually turned out to be the first one to cum, moaning loudly and filling up Connors fist with his cum. The was the orgasm made his butt muscles clamp down in turn provoked Connor’s orgasm which had been pretty close by.
Both guys came in union, Vince in Connor’s fist, and Connor deep inside Vince’s ass. It took more than a minute before their orgasms stopped, and when they did, they both needed a minute to come to their senses.
Connor was the first one to recover and he used that recovery to pull his softening cock out and swiftly replace it with the plug again. He smiled knowing his load would remain securely within Vince’s very tight and now very sore butthole. With the plug back in he also replaced the chastity cage again, locking Vince’s cock back up to keep full control over the guy.
Taking a step back he looked at his cum soaked hand and then back at a still recovering Vince. “Vince, you made my hand dirty when you came, come lick it up, and when you’re done you can clean my cock so you get a taste of what I deposited into your butt.” Connor said still breathing somewhat heavy.
It didn’t go smoothly, but after a bit Vince did manage to get off the table and onto his knees in front of Connor. He first licked his hand clean, sucking each individual finger as he did so, then went down to Connor’s slick soft cock which he licked squeaky clean of any traces of cum. In this moment he was very grateful he had gotten that enema.
Now that he was cleaned up Connor shut off his phone camera, very pleased with the results once more. With all this evidence and Vince’s cock under lock there was no way the guy would ever give him a hard time ever again. Not even if this state didn’t last. Instead Connor would be giving him a hard cock, lot of hard cock.
To further recuperate from the sex they just had Connor decided to put on a movie. He had Vince once again settle down on his lap as they watched a movie. When Connor got hard again somewhere near the end, he decided it was time to head off to bed. It was pretty late already and they had had a lot of fun. At least Connor had. He was absolutely positive that this was the best Christmas he would ever have and he would certainly never forget it. He would relive it over and over again thanks to the videos he had made.
Wanting to relieve his erection one last time today Connor had Vince strip down to his lingerie. He then tied the guy face down spread eagle onto the bed with the cuffs he had gotten and removed the plug only to replace it with his hard cock once more. This time he didn’t bother to remove the chastity cage. He just pumped away in Connor’s ass which was pretty well lubed with his previous cum load.
It wasn’t enjoyable in the slightest for Vince whose ass was still very sore from before the movie, and every time his cock tried to grow under the stimulation the cage pinched him hard. It took a while, but eventually Connor came inside of him once more and instantly collapsed, drifting off to a deep snoring sleep with his softening cock still buried in Vince’s ass.
For Vince sleep didn’t come that easy. He was tied down to the bed, trapped underneath a stinking fat Connor and his still filled ass was throbbing in pain. After about an hour sleep did get the best of him. He had had a very rough day after all.
Vince’s wish had been granted, he had been freed from all social concepts and had used it to give Connor a Christmas he would never forget. With its job done the Christmas magic left his body. When he woke up everything would be as old. At least mentally. Vince would go back to not giving two shit’s about Connor unless it was to hurt him. All his grasps of social concepts would be restored as well.
Only when he woke up, he would still be stuck in this exact position with a full recollection of what he had done. Once he woke up, he was in for a very nasty surprise, but his wish had been granted and wasn’t that what Christmas was all about?
The end,… or is it?
|
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Chapter 0
…
…
…
…
it’s awfully quiet here isn’t it?
This place, is what everyone seek and kept fighting for.
This place, is where everything lies.
After reaching this place, you get everything you desire.
Jewelries
Power
Strength
Status
Everything
this place, is where the supposed last battle will take place.
The grandest battle between the chosen and the one.
and in this place… where everything comes to an end.
I am y̷̡̡̧̠̺̩̠̱̹̼̫̟̯̳̰͍̟̫̯̗̯̥͓̳̑̍̋̔̓̃͌͒̄̽̕̚ơ̵̡̡̧̞̳͓̬̖̙̗̩̑̃̔͆̃̈͛̽͒̄̑̉̉̒̂̍̓̔̐̈́̈͐̋͒̔̍̅͗̔̽̑̎͛͗̊̂̕͜͝͝͠͠͝͝ͅû̴̡̡͖͕̹̞̥̯̠͖̱̊͊̐́̇́̋̋̿̓͑́̈̈́̐͂͆͊̈͊̕͠͝ or is that what they calls me.
I’ve been stuck in this place… waiting, for the one who is supposed to release me from my shackles.
You wonder why I’m saying this?
You reached this place, meaning you are not stupid to not understand that I’m stuck in here, here in this vast white space.
Before we start the final battle, won’t you tell me your tale? Your adventure? Your story? The reason what made you fight all the way up here?
…
Silent huh…
well… whatever, I’ll just see it for my self.
(different pov)
After saying so, shocked as there appeared, as to what seemed to be a television.
But that’s not what shocked me… it was what is being played in the screen…
Me…my younger self…the moment I was born…
“come here have a seat” the being called for me, waving his arm at me telling me to have a seat…
I did as he said as I didn’t feel any enmity and take a seat, I took a glance at the being…
There are some sort of glitches around him making it hard for me to see what he looks like,
I don’t know why but… I feel like I know it... the being feels familiar, but this is the first time we met.
“now, now, stop staring, you’re making me blush” he said while scratching its cheeks.
I cringed and immediately turned my head towards the television.
There show me
myself…
my story…
my past…
|
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Part-2
Donald languidly gets up and gives a fleeting glimpse at his surroundings from the windowpane.
The morning appears to be refreshing and warm with birds chattering, rays of sun falling slant on windows illuminating the aura of his house.
He questions himself, Am I the only person left in this horrible place?
He is completely dumbfounded to see his entire house in an orderly manner.
In fact, he himself is unable to remember what took place last night,
But he knows well that when the clock strikes 7 at the night, things will turn topsy-turvy again eliciting an array of terrifying incidents.
Would I ever end this problem or become a victim like my brothers?
In a trembling voice, he moves over to the riverside in search of a clue again.
After moving hither and thither in the vicinity of the river, he finds a small blue-colored box that piques his curiosity and picks it to bring that home.
He breaks the lock and sees a booklet that contains instructions to kill the evil force.
The moment he enters the bedroom from his drawing-room to hide the box under his cot, he sees a dark ugly Wizard standing behind him,
With a loud cry, Donald steps out of his home along with the box,
Donald: Who are you?
Wizard: Hey! I am the same whom you had been eagerly searching since the death of your dearest ones.
Now get ready, it’s your turn to meet your brothers and the priest in the sky.
Donald: No I won’t let you do this to me,
Wizard: Ok, then chalk out a plan to kill me if at all you have any!
Donald: Stands still without speaking a word,
Wizard: Now let me tell you one thing that you have opened a Pandora box!
Donald: What do you want to say exactly?
Wizard: The box which you brought along with you is the one fabricated by me so that any person who opens it after coming over there will relive me physically,
Donald: Oh no! Do you mean to say I have dug a graveyard for myself obliviously?
Wizard: Yes definitely, any qualms over this!
Donald: Wish I would have left that box there itself,
Wizard: Laughs! You have “crossed the Rubicon” Prepare yourself to depart from this earth forever,
Donald: I think my time is over,
Left with a forlorn attempt to rescue, he decides to surrender,
Praying the lord with closed eyes steps ahead towards the Wizard holding the box,
But suddenly the box suddenly slips from the grasp of Donald’s hands onto the ground after which a small piece of mirror situated at its rear end breaks down.
Now the situation takes a U-turn paving the way for luck to the till now hapless Donald.
Wizard: Hey! Don’t do that I am feeling suffocated.
Donald: Fine! I understood the crux of the problem.
He continues praying to the lord and chants with the beads of the rosemary necklace given by the priest in-simultaneous with breaking the mirror into minute pieces.
Wizard’s body divides into two halves and crumbles into pieces.
Donald breathes easy and saunters into the house to pack the luggage and vacates it permanently.
|
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Melvin was working on the roof of a mansion with three floors. He looked at the pool after a splash and saw a little girl unable to swim drowning and no one around to help her.
"LEAP OF FAITH!" He yelled as loudly as he could before running and doing a swan dive into the pool. In seconds he had the little girl out of the pool. He turned the girl's head to the side, allowing any water to drain from her mouth and nose. Then turned the head back to the center. He than begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on land
Strongly breathing four times into her mouth as he pinched her nose. This helped air get past any water that is clogging the breathing passageways and the lungs. He put his ear near the mouth and watch the chest for any breathing movement. Then checked her pulse for signs of life. He repeated the cycle twice before the little girl coughed up water and started breathing.
" I hope you called 911 she will need to be examined by professionals but she should be fine for the moment." Melvin spoke but as he was about to walk away his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell unconcious.
-----POV Alexander Kingston------
'It has been five hours since the roofer jumped from my mansions roof into the pool saving my daughter. Why would he risk his life for a stranger? ' Alex thought as he sat in his office his wife with there daughter.
" Gunnery Sargent Melvin Knight United States Marine Corps First Recon. Slated to return to the Middle East in three weeks. Given two weeks leave prior to being deployed. He is a single father of a 12 year old daughter Cathryn Knight. While she is in class he would do jobs like roofing and put the pay into his organization New Dawn. It gives aid to wounded veterans, veterans in need, and children in need. You donated quite a bit because he helped your brother who lost both legs to an IED in Iraq last year. Many families either donate money or volunteer time because of what his organization has done. Those that get paid are all clean and share his values they are all veterans. But that does not explain why he took such risk to save the Young Miss. Sir that man is a hero he currently holds the record if purple hearts having earned 12 in his years of service and...... He has four Medal of Honors. His daughter is following her fathers foot steps in her actions and her grades are excellent." Alfread Alex's Head Butler said knowing Alex wanted the info right away.
"If this man no this Hero lives pay for his hospital fees. If he dies cover his hospital fees, any Bills that show up cover them, make sure his estate is ready to be given to his daughter when she is 18, hold the best funeral, also prepare the paperwork we will adopt his daughter I will not let the daughter of our hero suffer an orphanage or foster care."
The buttler nodded and did as he was told.
The next day in Melvin's hospital room Cathryn was crying holding her father who had just passed away. When a man in a suit walked in.
" Cathryn Knight I am Alexander Kingston and your father saved my little girl yesterday. I would have liked to thank him personally but as he has passed I am going to thank you. All Bills and the funeral arrangements have been made. I will not let a Hero's family suffer. I have already filed the paperwork to adopt you into my family. Even if you can never see us as your family you will be living with us until your 18 in which your inheritance from your father will be transferred into you" Alex said.
" I don't know how I will feel in the future about this. But I will not turn down the good will you offering. My Father said one day he may die helping others but when your faced with helping others or living with the guilt of not. It's always better to help because guilt is a monster that destroys even the best of men. Besides I know you and your family I have played with little Emily when you came to fathers foundations fund raisers. I will be a good older sister for her and a good daughter for you as I will let down my father's memory" Cathryn said.
Cathryn started crying as she heard a whisper of her father " I am Proud of You my kitten"
-------POV Melvin--------
He witnessed everything as a spirit and whispered "" I am Proud of You my kitten"
Before he was pulled into a white space with blue and white checkered tiled floor with a laughing blue haired loli on a gold and blue throne.
" You really yelled leap of faith before performing an Assassin's Creed leap of faith" the loli stated catching her breath.
" I am Karma The Godess of Resurrection. What is your desire?" Karma asked.
" Naruto world with a Naruto, Assassin's Creed, and Elderscrolls preferably Skyrim system." He stated quickly
" Why?" She asked
" I am a big fan of Naruto, Assassin's Creed, and Elderscrolls. I always thought the Dark Brotherhood would do well in Naruto." He said smiling
" Your system will have a shop where you can purchase anything from elderscrolls, naruto and Assassin's Creed but nothing that is past Naruto world technology level fyi no nukes, guns, or cars etc. I will also through in things from other sources like flash step from bleach. I will give you a starter pack that will have a few random surprises for you. Your system will have a inventory and training subspace. I am creating the Tsukikage clan in the hidden leaf village for you will get more info on arrival. Also I am sending you to the hidden leaf's military camp on the Iwa front in a prepared body. You are the same age and best friends with Minato. Because your clan is a Noble Clan you have a few fiancee's they are a Senju, Uchiha, Sarutobi, Hyuga, Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi, Inazuka, Aburame, Uzumaki, Kurama, Yuki, three civilians ninja of great promise, and seven ninja that where betrayed by their village and you took them in. You will get all those memories on arrival. Oh do keep this interesting." Karma snapped her fingers and he vanished without being able to say anything.
He awoke as the sun peaked over the horizon and memories flooded his mind.
' Tetsuya Tsukikage is my name and my clan is the best when it comes to assasination and infiltration. Those in the clan have the possibility to get any number of bloodline abilities due to a policy of accepting any of those cast out of their clans due to lack of ability. Turns out I have so many fiancees because the Senju and Uchiha used to marry the weaker members of their clan to mine during the warring states because our skill no one could find us or protect themselves if we wanted them dead. So when the Leaf was formed the Tsukikage was one of three great founding clans along side Senju and Uchiha. So the next head of my clan was always engaged to a Senju and Uchiha that then expanded to more prominent clans and include female civilian born ninja with great potential. Right now all of my future wives are back in the village for the time being. Let me think so they are
Miki Senju a child hood friend and helps me write the Ichi Ichi books sense her mom Tsunade hooked up and married Pervy Sage he didn't write the novels. He ended up doing well with crime novels after I told him episodes of Law and Order, NCIS, and CSI reworded for naruto world. He did very well took to it like a fish to water. I also wrote naruto verse versions of 007, splinter cell, hitman agent 47, Kingsmen/ Statesmen, Mission Impossible, Batman and Robin, and Batgirl. Those alone have my bank account stacked.
Mikoto Uchiha she was a child hood friend that had a crush on me so when it came time she was the obvious choice. We spend time in the garden working something she enjoys doing.
Kara Sarutobi oldest daughter of the third and pretty much beat the shit out of anyone else wanting to be the one from their clan to marry me.
Mayumi Hyuga older sister of Hiashi and Hizashi. Was physically weak compared to her clansmen so she was choosen but I introduced her to archery and a bow and arrows made with a special wood I named chakra wood. She became an elite ranged expert in a matter of days
Akina Yamanaka older sister of Inoichi was the only one of age range from the clan and was in love after several discussions about various plants. Including their uses, care of prior and post harvest, and how one can even make a medical herb garden a pleasant environment.
Amaya Nara older sister of Shikaku Nara they would hang out when the clan heads met and he introduced a game called Ninjas and Tailed Beast totally ripping of Dungeons and Dragons replacing the various classes with different ninja such as taijutsu specialist for monks and med nin for clerics. Replacing quest with different ranked missions, races to bloodline clans, and Dragons became tailed beast. It even surprised her dad when he found us with several other clan kids playing at a table in one of the waiting rooms. After the clan heads and Hokage found out, learned the rules, and watched a session where even a character died. They saw the reaction yes it was not a real person that died but still it hit all the players hard. It was a great introduction on critical and high paced thinking. It also taught mission Intel could be wrong or change at anytime. In other words it was a great way to teach children various things about being a ninja like taking in account team members abilities while planning. After that I wrote the Ninja Master Handbook, The Players Handbook, Monster Encyclopedia, and Starter Scenarios for beginners. Every thing people needed to get started. I also made a starter kit that included the necessary dice, several character sheets, ninja master screen, and bonus scenario Tailed Beast Assult The village.
Akasuki Akimichi older sister of Chōza Akimichi wanted a better way to use their jutsu instead of getting fat so I helped develop the Food Fighter jutsu so it turned the fat into additional muscle the guys got super ripped like professional body builders. While the girls got various athletic type builds Aksuki got a runners body while managing to keep perfect amount of fat in her curves. We opened a restraunt called it New Moon and served several dishes from my old world. Though Akasuki is a ninja she swapped to reserves to manage New Moon the top restaurant in the Leaf.
Tsume Inuzuka tried to be alpha and claim me but I put her in her place real quick now she is submissive around me and a few of her new sisters. She was joyous when I told her new ideas on dog breeding, care, and training. Especially when we got her three ninkin to be able to use a Chakra Nature and apply their Affinity to jutsu. It was cool watching her dogs run around one surrounded by wind, another by fire, the third with lightning. The faces of the Inazuka Clan when a flamming dog barged in the clan meeting priecless I laughed for hours on end.
Hotaru Aburame oldet sister of Shibi was quiet but got very talkative when I started discussing insect breeding and artificial habitats for prolonged life and better breeding. When we made bugs Resistance to elements go up like if heat went up cold went down etc. But that was just the start.
Kushina Uzumaki saved her life from kidnapping, talked about ramen and seals, didn't treat her different because of the fox. Got her on me like a fat kid on cake.
Mizuki Kurama helped her clan become better at controlling their genjutsu abilities and overcome their physical weakness a large margin still only reaching special jonin levels at most but better than stuck below genin.
Shizu Yuki was sent as a bridge of peace between mist and leaf. If I wasn't here she would have married to a farmer and having Haku as a child.
Botan Kaguya ran away from her clan after the mist betrayed them and her clan wanted to attack them. I took her in and she connected with everyone and wanted to join my family.
Anko Mitarashi civilian potential in TI department and after talking shop with sadistic glee willingly accepted her future.
Kurenai Yūhi had listened in as I taught the Kurama clan about genjutsu and how to better control their abilities and willing accepted her fate especially if she could strengthen her genjutsu.
Guren was shunned by her village until I took her away and turned her into a splinded ninja. Her potential and bloodline ability made her one of three civilian born choosen to marry him.
Pakura was betrayed by the sand earlier than in cannon. But I found her on the border while on patrol and took her in following clan protocols. She realized I saved her and was welcoming her into my clan she joined and seeing all my girls she wanted in and was accepted by everyone after they knew her story.
Mei Terumi, Yugito Nii, Fú, Tamako, and Nari all had similar stories as Pakura and wanted what Pakura had so I welcomed into my family saying they would be the last to join my family as my future wives. I will save going through their individual details at a later date.' He thought allowed before he could do anything else a note appeared infront of him.
[open your starter pack ] the system prompted
He thought open
[ Starte Pack Opened
1 x Instant Comprehension
1 x Instant Mastery
1 x Perfect Affinity All Affinities
1 x Absolute Chakra Control
1 x Knowledge Transfer Jutsu
1 x Chimera Bloodline Assimilation of any bloodline trait to perfect use. Has a chance to pass on bloodline traits into children. (An example you may not have say the ice release but you have that clan blood in your veins their is a chance your child will awaken ice release)
1 x one tails chakra reserves
1 x summoning scroll Avian
1 x summoning scroll Feline
1 x summoning scroll Mollusca
1 x The Abyssal Sword - Katana that is pitch black with silver blade edge, the scabbard is pitch black, scabbard tip silver, the cord silver with silver crescent moon charm on a silver chain, The blade collar and spacer silver, the guard pitch black oval with silver moon designs, the collar silver, rayskin pitch black, braid silver, buttcap pitch black with a silver full moon ornament.
1 x The Empyrean Sword Katana that is pure white with gold blade edge, the scabbard is pure white, scabbard tip gold, the cord gold with gold sun charm on a gold chain, The blade collar and spacer gold, the guard pure white oval with gold sun designs, the collar gold, rayskin pure white, braid gold, buttcap pure white with a gold sun ornament.
1 x Void Steps - combines flash steps, reverberating turn, shave, pure flying steps, bringer of light, moon walk and body flicker.
1 x Chimera Senses - A combination of enhanced (vision, hearing, smell, touch, taste), echolocation, scentlocation (using the various scents of the world to mentally picture the world), seismic sense, water sense, wind sense, heat sense, observation haki, energy sense (magic -silver, chakra - blue, natural - green, divine - gold, tailed beast - red), Elemental sense (sense the elements around the user), kinetic perception, lie detection, underwater sense (knowing where one is underwater), underground sense (under ground version of underwater), remote tasting, micro vision, macro vision, vibration detection, night vision, panoramic vision, movement vision (sees anything when it moves), accelerated senses (sense anything that is moving or while user is moving at high speeds), chemo vision, unhindered vision, sonography, illusion/ invisibleility/ shapeshifting awareness (everybody seems to forget to change or hide the smell), infra/ ultra sound hearing, parabolic hearing, spatial/temporal perception, weather sensing, electromagnetic vision, enhanced balance, empathy (can sense emotions such as fear), penetration vision, soundwave vision, super color vision, probability sense, and Eagle Sense ( sees colored aura around people and objects. Red - enemies or blood, blue - allies, white - sources of info or hiding spots, gold - targets or objects of interest. Can hear heartbeats, foresee targets path. Lie detection, look through walls, mark target, see what is not visible, peer into the mind of a target slain by users own hands. Share sight with an animal usually a bird.)]
His mind filled with information as he became a Grandmaster in everything he knew even a little bit about Stealth, Sword, Hidden Weapons, Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Shurikenjutsu, Wire, Genjutsu, Seal, Sage Mode, Chimera Senses, his Void steps, and all his techniques he learned up till then including rasengan, chidori, and Flying Thunder god. One of the biggest thing is he could place a seal for Flying Thunder God on touch and smaller than normal. The other was when his Void steps peaked he gained both Void Clone and Void Shell at max.
Void Clone - combines speed clone and body flicker clone. So fast that when the clones attack each attack lands and does damage at the same time.
Void Shell - Void Clone appears to take damage causing opponent to lower their guard.
He tried using one hand to form hand seals and felt a click knowing he mastered it. He repeated the process for two different one hand at the same time. Then combining the two into one combination jutsu. He felt the click and knew he had already mastered it. He fiddled with some chakra nature mastering it all then applying it to Void Steps. The following is what he came up with using his training space he quickly mastered each.
Dark - Umbra Stride
Light - Radiance Stride
Fire - Flashover Blitz
Water - Maelstrom Stride
Earth - Tremor Stride
Wind - Squall Stride
Lightning - Ion Slide
Sound - Requiem
Boil - Haze Stride
Swift - Godspeed
Explosion - Megaton Blitz
Dust - Particle Slide
Wood - Woodland Stride
Magnet - Metalic Blitz
Crystal - Gemstone Blitz
Scorch - Solar Flare Slide
Ice - Luner Frost Slide
Lava - Magma Flow
Storm - Tempest Blitz
Space/Time - Blink
Within his training space he quickly working on new techniques. Here is what he came up with.
The Dust Eater and Skyfall can apply to most of his techniques that he will put into categories called Arts.
Dust Eater - Attacks close to the ground. Users are often on the ground or centimeters from the ground. Attacking the lower body and upwards from below. Can use weapons or taijutsu.
Skyfall - same principles as Dust Eater but from above. Used to attack from high places or after a jump. Can also be used with movement techniques or abilities that allow flight. Attack upperbody and downwards from above. Can use weapons or taijutsu.
He then started working on his Arts first he created was the Specter Arts: stealth arts focusing on stealth, wires, knives, hidden weapons, and thrown weapons.
Specter Wire Stitching - razor wire under ground. Target steps into trap pulling wires to their feet in a formation that cuts them off. User controls power and force of the wires.
Specter Wire Crucifixion - wires trap target in away that they appear crucified.
Specter Wire Dismemberment - wires hidden in various ways in the terrain or in a straight out attack. That binds a target and user controls force and power. Can catch a target but normally used to slice target to pieces.
Dancing Specter - just the Dancing leaf shadow renamed
Spectral Killer - the silent killing technique but unlike others that need a cover such as mist. If this is mastered can kill a target surrounded by others in an open filled, and not alert the others. This done without any space time techniques.
Specteral Flow - using chakra flow without alerting anyone including sensors of your energy usage.
Specter Sword - Silent sword techniques
Specter Fist: Makes all taijutsu silent.
Specter Clone - smokeless and soundless shadow clone.
Following that was the Phantom Arts: Genjutsu techniques
Phantom Elemental Step - a visual genjutsu makes the user appears to vanish into an element and surround a target. This is done by a mix of movement and genjutsu to enhance the effect.
Phantom Fist: Apply genjutsu to taijutsu has five stances
First Stance: Phantom Sun - Uses Phantom Elemental Step
Second Stance: Phantom Moon - Sound based genjutsu used to disorient target by messing with one or two senses such as making them see more than one fist.
Third Stance: Phantom Earth - Scent and taste based genjutsu utilising powder and perfume to cast the genjutsu.
Fourth Stance: Phantom Star - uses touch to initiate a genjutsu.
Fifth Stance: Phantom Mirror Flower - Based on Kyuoka Suigetsu but requires a gauntlet to be seen. It also has a weaker effect, but still effects all five senses at once. It also limited to 50 yards from target and is cast the instant used. It is an A rank jutsu but just barely.
Phantom Cage - target is caught in an illusionary cage. The cage could be anything like spinning blades. Attempt to escape the cage like it was a real cage result in intense physical pain in locations injuries appear on target in the illusion.
Phantom Bolt - Ball of energy cast at target all it takes is sight but is more effective if it hits target. Cause those targeted to fight illusionary enemies.
Phantom Sword - Uses Genjutsu and sword techniques. He decided to utilize Kyōka Suigetsu (Mirror Flower, Water Moon). Genjutsu requiring a blade to use. Complete Hypnosis manipulation of all senses. It is cast by getting targets to look at the blade of a sword. It is a S rank genjutsu because once used target is unaware th they are placed under a genjutsu trap. This trap can be activated or deactivated no matter the distance with little chakra use, and saying "Shatter". Can be released by fluctuating chakra if some one is strong enough.
Phantom Penance Stare - Eye cast genjutsu that causes target to see a flaming skull. Then live through all their sins as the victim.
Phantom Tentical Festival - Targets are abused by Tenticals
That was followed by Medic Arts, Drunken Arts, and Elemental Arts.
Medic Arts:
Medic Fist: Medical knowledge, medical ninjutsu, and general taijutsu every ninja learns at an academy. This to split into two branches.
Medic Fist: Fist of Life- used to treat injuries and contain targets be it allies or foes.
Fist of Life: Medicinal Palm- Medicinal knowledge to insert medicine into a target to work more efficiently.
Medic Fist: Fist of Death- Leathel techniques used to ensure the safety of allies.
Fist of Death: Venom Palm- Poison knowledge to insert poison so it works more efficiently.
Venom Sword - poison knowledge applied to a sword art.
Karma, The Sword of Samsara- based on Ruri'iro Kujaku (Azure Peacock) requires blade. "Bloom Samsara" blade appears to become a falx blade with a hinge and four identical blades. "Tear in Frenzy" blades turn into feathery vines that insnare target. They begin to grow energy buds that are being filled with targets energy. The flowers use targets energy to fuel their growth. When flowers bloom they turn the energy towards target seriously incapacitating or killing target. Eating petal heals injuries and revitalizes body equal to energy consumed. This effects user or target of user. Once over reconstituted into original blade.
Eyes of Life and Death - Can see how long a target has to live and determine best course of action to prolong targets life if not save target.
Drunken Arts:
Drunken Fist: The user either drunk or mimicing drunkenness to add a silly unpredictableness to taijutsu.
Drunken Sword: The user either drunk or mimicing drunkenness to add a silly unpredictableness to sword techniques. .
Elemental Arts:
Elemental Gun - attacks target with bullets made up of an element. Example: Fire - Fire Gun.
Elemental Arrow - Bow and arrow created from an element. Example: Ice - Ice Arrow
Elemental Shotgun - fires pellets made of an element. Example: Lava - Magma Shotgun
Elemental Missle - larger version of Shotgun. Large missles made of an element. Example: Lava - Magma Missle.
Elemental Bomb - Large sphere made of an element that explodes on contact with target. Example: Crystal - Crystal Bomb.
Elemental Flow - chakra flow using nature transformations.
Tranquility, Sword of Balance - combines samurai sabre techniques and the principle behind Getsuga Tensho (Moonfang Piercer of the Heavens). It was made utilizing nature transformations not pure energy.
Secret Sword of Balance: Elemental Storm Execution - Battojutsu using snowstorm beheading as a base. This technique adds nature transformation to the original. It creates a high speed tornado around user. This tornado is created by an element. The user is inside an eye uneffected by the skill as long as he controls it well. Example: Fire - Flame Tornado spins around user.
Elemental Clone - shadow clone plus element
Blade of Oblivion - Disc made of an element spinning rapidly like a saw blade. Homing in on target launched towards.
Dance of Ruin - multiple Blades of Oblivion are launched at a target.
Annihilation Zone - spheres made of an element are launched trapping an opponent inside. User closes fist and spheres launch towards target at the same time resulting in an explosion.
That was followed by
Chimera Arts:
Martial Chimera- includes but not limited to Takewondo, Jujutsu, Judo, Tai Chi, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, Akido, Capoeira, Sambo, Pankration, Brazilian Jujitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun, 6 animal Kung Fu (monkey, Dragon, Tiger, Mantis, Snake, and Crane). This style can easily be incorporated into any taijutsu. It has two stances which are.
Martial Chimera First Stance: Chimera Palm- used for non-leathel take downs. Used in spars or when target is needed alive.
Martial Chimera Second Stance: Chimera Fist- used when leather force is authorized. It can be used to take target alive but harder to do so since it was created to be a killing art.
Chimera Drill - Open palm strike that sends target spinning into the distance. Turn fingers into claws and it rips away flesh and sends target spinning into the distance.
Chimera Mind uses yin to increase spirit and yang to increase healing rate and vitality. Regular use gives permanent boost to base spirit, vitality, and healing rate. Stage 1 only active while completely still and meditating. Stage 2 active for one hour light activity or a few seconds of strenuous activity like combat. Stage 3 active while awake doing light activity but strenuous activity like combat it last a few hours. Stage 4 active twenty four hours a day awake or sleeping. No time limit even for combat. Designed to balance energy do if one energy is getting behind it helps others catch up. Once mastered along with sage mode. One theoretically can stay in sage mode indefinitely.
Chimera Body: was an improved way to achieve 1st hokage's adamantine body - immense bodily strength and vitality.
Chimera Breath: improved seven heavenly breaths. It boost the effects of original. Adds stamina regeneration and health regeneration.
Chimera Aura: increase effects of eight inner gates. Boost in energy regeneration and stamina regeneration.
Chimera Savant: combines Chimera mind, Chimera body, Chimera aura, and Chimera breath.
Stage 1 - combines Chimera body with Chimera mind, Chimera breath, or Chimera aura.
Stage 2 combines all four and nullifies the backlash completely.
Chimera Counter:
Stance 1: Physical Return
Stance 2: Elemental Return
Stance 3: Spiritual Return
Stance 4: Full Return or Full Counter
Chimera Secret Techniques:
Chimera Paragon - combines Martial Chimera, Chimera Savant, and Empyrean Fist.
Chimera Renegade - combines Martial Chimera, Chimera Savant, and Abbysal Fist.
Chimera Savant's War Cry - combines Elemental Arts and Chimera Savant.
Chimera Paragon's War Cry - combines Elemental Arts and Chimera Paragon.
Chimera Renegade's War Cry - combines Elemental Arts and Chimera Renegade.
Chimera Ultimate Secret Techniques:
Duality of Chimera - combines Chimera Paragon and Chimera Renegade.
Duality of Chimera War Cry - combines Duality of Chimera and Elemental Arts.
Empyrean Arts:
Empyrean Fist- combines thousand mirror style, gentle fist, and disturbance taijutsu. Strikes chakra/energy points in a fluid motion, from simingly random angles to seal energies such as chakra. This can be either be temporary or permanent. It can also strike specific points in specific ways that appear to be random. This causes organs to rupture. It leaves no external marks. The user appear to be a divine being performing a dance of Judgment
Empyrean Cannon - sends an intense shockwave destroying everything inside target but leaves no external damage.
Empyrean Gun - localized shockwave that destroy the insides of a small area such as elbow or hand. No external damage.
Empyrean Thousand Years of Death - user clasp both hands and inserts both middle and index fingers into targets anus. They pour a small amount of energy through their finger tips to launch target flying.
Empyrean Sword Dance - combines Nine Sun Sword, The Fiery Dancer (Addan Aenye), Assassination technique, Hatake Style, Iaido, Ogame-ryū, Kamiya Kasshin-ryū, and Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū. The speed and grace of this style has led users of the style to be called Blade Dancers.
This style has seven stances or Dances. The first six mirror the original stances of the Ogame ryu. They are used when given the chance as a starter for an attack sequence.
Dance 1 - Empyrean Quickstep (thunder and lightning form)
Dance 2 - Empyrean Ballet (blazing flame form)
Dance 3 - Empyrean Street ( hollow space form)
Dance 4 - Empyrean Swing ( water dragon form)
Dance 5 - Empyrean Tango (earth lord form)
Dance 6 - Empyrean Foxtrot (divine authority form)
Dance 7 - Empyrean Waltz ( Also called Dance of The Divine. Is the combination of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū and the Iaido techniques in the in the shop. Designed to quickly draw and resheath the blade. It is also used against many opponents.)
Empyrean Moon Light - dash to opponent with great speed before attacking them with a quick lateral sword strike. The tremendous speed leaves a trace of afterimage in the process.
Empyrean Harvest Moon - thrust of the blade using rotation of the entire body to turn the blade into a drill.
Empyrean Moonlit Night - swings sword in a circular motion, leaving a trace of afterimages behind, which befitting to name, mirrors that of a moon. Then rush at them to deliver a blow, taking advantage of the difficulty in following user's movement.
Empyrean Eclipse - an opponent charges forward, holds sword to right side pointing upward and makes a downward step , kneeing down and dodging the incoming attack as the enemy get sliced up by the blade without realizing. This is a form of counterattack that takes advantage of the opponent's attack to strike him down.
Empyrean Moon's Return - a downward slash immediately followed with an upward slash. Though that is the normal use. It is basically any slash followed immediately by a slash in the opposite direction.
Empyrean Moon Dance - Multiple Clones attack same target at same time using the Empyrean Sword Dance techniques.
Swords of Tribulation: Elemental Arts and Empyrean Sword Dance.
Lava - Dance of Eruption
Wind - Dance of Fall
Fire - Dance of Summer
Water - Dance of Winter
Earth - Dance of Spring
Lightning - Ion Dance
Explosion - Megaton Dance
Crystal - Treasure Dance
Swift - Godspeed Dance
Ice - Dance of The Moon Halo
Scorch - Dance of The Sun Halo
Wood - Dance of The Dryad
Boil - Dance of Vaporization
Sound - Resonance Dance
Storm - Dance of The Tempest
Space/Time - Continuum Dance
Light - Dance of The Paragon
Dark - Dance of The Renegade
Serenity, Sword of Order - Zansento, thunder swords remote control, sword of kusaragi: longsword of the sky inspired this technique. Using magnet release user manipulates metal blades to attack. The blades used are formed using Magnent release from silver/gold/black iron Dust or sand. The user remote controls blades from afar. "Scatter Senbonzakura " the blade disappears into petal like blades controled by the hilt. Holding blade downwards saying "Bankai Senbonzakura Kageyoshi" while dropping it. The blade dissapeared into the ground rippling like dropped in water. Two rows of massive blades appear on either side of user. "Scatter" causes blades to disperse into petal like blades remote controled by user. "Annihilate" hardens blades into columns of blade that forms a coliseum around user and opponent. This is refured to as the Funeral Column of a Thousand Blades. User usually uses one blade but can freely use any of the blades created at will. Final move is called Last Sight of The White Emperor Sword. This cause all the petals to form white wings and Halo behind user that connect to a sword held in front.
Empyrean Grace - uses the teaching and skills of kamiya kasshin Ryu to not kill opponent.
Empyrean Gaze - Calming and charismatic effect making efforts of persuasion easier.
Abyssal Arts:
Abyssal Fist- Strong Fist, Fist of the North Star, Disturbance taijutsu. It's a brutal taijutsu from breaking bones, to striking in a specific place and way to make body parts explode. The user appears to be a demon from the abyss performing their brutal dance.
Abyssal Cannon - leaves a hole through the target at least the size of a softball.
Abyssal Gun - leaves bullet size holes in target
Songs of The Abyss - sword style focusing primarily on power. It combines Temerian Devil, Nine Sun Sword, kamiya kasshin Ryu, barbarian blade, dust eater, cloud - style beheadings, and Ogame Ryu. The sword strokes hum with so much power and force. They seem to sing in the users hands. Users of this style are often called Blade Singers.
This style has six stances or verses. They mirror the original stances of the Ogame ryu. They are used when given the chance as a starter for an attack sequence.
Verse 1 - Requiem of The Abyss (thunder and lightning form)
Verse 2 - Direge of The Abyss (blazing flame form)
Verse 3 - Ballad of The Abyss ( hollow space form)
Verse 4 - Sonata of The Abyss ( water dragon form)
Verse 5 - Symphony of The Abyss (earth lord form)
Verse 6 - Hym of The Abyss (divine authority form)
Abyssal Sun Light - thrust of the blade using rotation of the entire body to turn the blade into a drill.
Abyssal Sunlit Day - as an opponent charges forward, holds sword to right side pointing upward and makes a downward step , kneeing down and dodging the incoming attack as the enemy get sliced up by the blade without realizing. This is a form of counterattack that takes advantage of the opponent's attack to strike him down.
Abyssal Sun's Return - a downward slash immediately followed with an upward slash. Though that is the normal use. It is basically any slash followed immediately by a slash in the opposite direction.
Abyssal Sun's Song - Multiple Clones attack same target at same time using the Songs of The Abyss sword techniques.
Swords of Purgatory: Elemental Arts and Songs of The Abyss.
Lava - Song of Eruption
Wind - Song of Fall
Fire - Song of Summer
Water - Song of Winter
Earth - Song of Spring
Lightning - Ion Song
Explosion - Song of Blasting
Crystal - Song of Treasure
Swift - Song of Godspeed
Ice - Song of The Moon Halo
Scorch - Song of The Sun Halo
Wood - Song of The Dryad
Boil - Song of Vaporization
Sound - Song of Resonance
Storm - Song of The Tempest
Space/Time - Song of The Continuum
Light - Song of The Paragon
Dark - Song of The Renegade
Havoc, Sword of Chaos - Requires sword and uses Dust release with or without Songs of the Abyss to send destructive slashes to target. They are all mostly AoE attacks we the smallest being 50 square yards. It has one two step single target kill skill. " sting all enemies to death Suzumebachi(Hornet). Sword seemingly turns into a black and gold gauntlet that connects to a blade on the middle finger by a gold chain. When target is stabbed by the blade a Hornet's Flower Seal appears. If target is stabbed in the same area again a larger Crest is formed from two smaller ones destroying target with dust release. This technique uses Sealing Techniques to form the Crest. The crest then act as a channel focusing the destructive force of Dust release onto a single target.
Abyssal Mercy - uses the teaching and skills of kamiya kasshin Ryu to not kill opponent. Though risk of killing is significantly lower it is still higher than other techniques. Risk of opponent being maimed and/or crippled is high.
Gaze of The Abyss - Intimidation, killing intent, bloodlust.
The following effects where discovered by using pure taijutsu:
Tempest Fist - sends compressed air pockets or blades of wind at a target.
Flame Fist - friction of attacks generates flaming attacks.
Terra Fist - attack with such force nearby earth is ripped from the ground and sent flying towards target.
Mist Fist - High speed flexible attacks that water droplets collect around adding damage to attacks.
Thunder and Lightning Fist - High speed high friction attacks generates lightning attacks. Attacks are so fast generates sound attacks.
After a while he left his tent. As he was leaving he noticed he looked like Iori Sengoku from Gamaran. He felt a pipe and tobacco pouch in his sleeve. He checked his inventory and found 23 more pipes and a variety of tobacco blends with various effects. He remembered the day he got them it was the birthday after his pipe broke. His girls got together and got 24 pipes. 2 for each month of the year and exquisitely crafted with designs of the month the pipe represents. He also had two years at least of tobacco.
He filled his pipe lit it with chakra and walked on looking for the first members of The Dark Brotherhood. Oddly enough two targets where stationed here that he thought would be on the Mist front. He used his movement technique to appear infront of them.
""Lord Tsukikage!!"" They bowed yelling.
" would you like to grow stronger and prove Taijutsu Masters can stand among the Ninja Elite of the Leaf? Just nod yes or shake no. If Yes will you serve me ?" he asked then commanded.
They both noded to both a look of determination in their eyes.
I did hand seals rapidly " Knowledge Transfer jutsu.
They got the entirety of his Chimare Arts and Void Steps.
" Guy and Duy your Affinity is wind and lightning start with them when you reach that point. You won't get much chakra but enough to added it to movement and taijutsu for a bit. " he then left them to process and train the new techniques.
Hayate Gekko and Yūgao Uzuki got Void Steps and Empyrean Arts easily agreeing to join him after he cured Hayate.
Shisui Uchiha and Dan Kato accepted joining him after he gave them his Void Steps and Abyssal Arts.
He then found an Uchiha and Hygua making out behind some bushes.
" you two young ladies look like you are having fun" he stated and the pair parted and blushed.
" Lord Tsukikage you won't tell will you" the Hyuga asked shyly
" Who cares what others think of your love. Be open and happy you have each other. Tell you what you join my group I am forming I will give you some techniques I came up with and since you will be my subordinates you will have my full support. You can even move into a home together on my clan land." He smiled like an older brother to two little sisters.
"My name is Amaterasu Uchiha" " I am Ayame Hyuga" They said as they smiled and nodded happily and he transfered Phantom Arts and Void Steps to them.
He then personally went with them to the heads of each clan after explaining their relationship and their joing my new group I am forming where they will be personally trained by me and my girls. The original displeased heads quickly saw the benefits and accepted their relationship after finding out it's been going on three years made them get engaged and willingly agreed to help furnish a new home and pay some of their living expenses.
He went to have lunch and brought the eight founding members to eat with him.
" War will kick off at any moment. You eight are the foundation of my new group. The Dark Brotherhood we will focus on mostly infiltration and assassination. But does not mean we shy away from our duties and an head to head fight. Show the world your ability and we will let the world know each of our names. But for now only those in the Dark Brotherhood should know our group name. After lunch group training " he spoke before starting to eat.
|
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"Based on an Anime",
"Sword Wielder"
]
}
|
Tragic accident
The day was growing increasingly dusky as I soothingly patted my fair steed, Adrian's mane, and mercilessly dug in rowels once again. We had just executed a seemingly spectacular leap over a treacherous gulley these fields were infamous for and were getting ready to lunge over the next one. My stallion neighed disapprovingly, yet there was simply no time to lose. I felt the cold air swish against my hair, mind racing, temples throbbing in anxiety.
A mere fifteen minutes ago, I was snuggling on my family's library couch, sipping recently imported tea and perusing sundry illustrations thoughtlessly. The fire crackled pleasantly in the fireplace up front, outside dampness appeared distant and strangely comforting by comparison. A balmy breeze wafted through the windows' slits. Another carefree and languorous evening preceding sleep time.
A butler knocked, notifying that I had a visitor suddenly. That horrible slouch John at the door. It was thereafter those last tranquil moments leading to me hurrying downstairs when my world crumbled down. An accident occurred and my best friend and spiritual mentor, Rajy, was almost on his deathbed, apparently!
I feel the need to digress from my story for a time to touch upon the character of Sir Rajy. Truth be told, my entire spirit laid prostrate in awe of the man. Nor was it only me who felt his irresistible grace so intimately. Others could not help but take notice of such immense courtesy, an unparalleled mind and other remarkable faculties as well. For when it came to Baron Rajy, there was nothing but perfections, ultimately. Slender, muscular body and dreamy mien constituted to the exquisite visage replete with exotic, yet handsome features. There was no philosopher to outspeak this astute thinker, no exalted priest to outshine his eminent self, no comparable genius to contend with.
It was said that his great-great-grandfather was his Majesty James of Great Britain's private adviser, having given close counsel on numerous occasions over the years. The whole story sounded far-fetched at best, naturally. I couldn't say what the man's himself role in all the rumours was, but they might have played in his favour, reinstating such a long-forgotten family name so soon.
It goes without saying that immediate neighbours were quite distraught over the sudden re-emergence of some obscure household in the midst of their territories. Not that they could have done much, considering how the culprit came out of nowhere and remained an enigma throughout.
And you should have seen the aforementioned place: largely derelict and used to be divided between several landlords’ barony thrived as an occasional hunting ground at most. Then, after a little over half a year passed, it transformed beyond recognition. Accidental passers-by would likely marvel at rotund farmers ploughing lush croplands and an entire pack of thoroughly bred destriers prancing in the meadows close by, followed by major construction sites in the distance.
Such an unexpected turnover was nothing short of a miracle. The sagacious reformer in question became the talk of the town upcountry, sought after by nobles from the highest of places. I heard that Rajy worked his way around various jealous competitors' schemes. Overturning copious orchestrated events, manoeuvring about unpredictable difficulties with seeming ease, a true workaholic remained busy all days long, accepting few chosen guests in late hours.
That's how even the stuffiest of lords had to begrudgingly give in, eventually. Both the newcomer and his quirks got accepted into the local beau monde before I happened to learn of the whole ordeal subsequently.
Don’t mean to brag, but as perpetually occupied and secluded as the owner of the newly re-established estate was, yours truly ended up among those select few whose shameless intrusions he didn't frown upon. Our difference in disposition did not prevent us from bonding shortly. That’s how I perceived it, at least.
While we didn't meet up all that much sadly, I found myself adopting some of my peculiar companion's tendencies, regardless, his nocturnal regimen especially. Being free to pass the time however I pleased in the summer residence helped.
Alas, with the holidays being almost over, I felt the urge to pester my enigmatic mate with frequent visits ever-present.
Curious how unravelling the host’s actual age was another mystery yet, for the only time the subject came up, he subverted it shrewdly, but couldn’t have been past the late twenties. And yet appeared an old, wearied-down man at times, uncannily somewhat.
It was thanks to such distinctive mood swings that I quickly learnt of his other, more intimate side. Rajy would often turn out naive and inquisitive like a child too. Would repeatedly inquire about the simplest of things then.
Oddly, most everyday city life accounts would impress him to no end. More than that, experiences like how one would describe this or that taste, what I saw or heard at one time or another were matters of great interest withal. Hence, our sparse chats would regularly spiral from him divulging complex and highbrow matters to the basest of terms, a caring grandma would get engaged into.
Other than that, as a strapping frivolous lad, I just couldn't help but let my adventurous spirit out, engulfing my poor mentor into absurd escapades now and then. Like that one time, when I mentioned playing cricket as a kid, and the baron proposed trying the game out immediately, despite the lateness of the hour. We wound up tossing the balls and groping for them in the dark, akin to a pair of lunatics consequently.
A telescope was brought in to the terrace on a separate occasion. Rajy questioned me about what I spotted here and there while we had observed the arcane star dominion most of the night. Never was keen on the subject, nor imagined becoming engrossed in the pursuit this inert much, for the matter. But ended up getting taught a lot in the end, regardless. The covert alien worlds disclosed by my guru, who knew of every object and pattern there was, even without an astrolabe, baffled me remarkably. Brought to the notion that we focus on the sludge underneath too much to cherish this breathtaking welkin above enough. Wonder if our lacking proper tools ancestors shared this humbling experience to such an extent? Left me under the impression that Rajy had a knack for teaching, my famed tutors back home never possessed.
We had a game of Goose at another time, but he wasn’t into this sort of recreation from the looks of it. Hardly surprising, actually. Playing chess, for instance, appeared an exercise in futility. Seemed like he had to give in constantly, to stroke others’ ego, showing leniency discreetly, instead of having a proper match-up.
“Wo!” the front rider skidded to a halt abruptly. Losing myself in a pleasant reverie, reminiscing about the good old times, helped to calm down somewhat. Thinking rationally, John must have exaggerated. Never heard of any dangerous animals' habitat in the vicinity, after all. Then again, even this wretch wouldn’t make light of a situation that dire.
Truthfully, wish the right-hand man was anything like his unequalled master, but nay, the scoundrel was insufferable. The pompous and even occasionally belligerent bastard could dampen the mood of any gathering that was unlucky enough to receive such help.
Hard to believe, but the smug and callous eyesore of a steward completely disregarded anyone other than his direct employer quite daringly! In all honesty, as disgusted as I was with this despicable pest, the only credit I could give is that he looked up to his patron greatly all the same. He didn't go out of his way to flaunt such unprecedented scorn of the others too, at least.
Cold, generally disinterested and hardly approachable, the so-called majordomo stayed considerably further away than the commonly mingling servants would. But none of that mattered in the long run, for not even once did I witness the accursed dolt conduct himself according to his station. Would frequently size members of high peerage down with his depreciatingly wicked sneer instead.
The rascal’s complete lack of manners went with his unending lapses in common sense. Like that time, when he managed to slight a count in public who let it go strangely enough. Not skewering the impertinent cur in the process.
And yet how Rajy put up with these unsophisticated and tactless brute’s antics was a wonder in itself. Heard that others ridiculed the employment of such a useless reprobate. However, getting closer to the baron, I grew to the notion that it ought to be me who was missing a piece of the puzzle here.
One thing led to another, and regardless of our mutual acerbated antagonism and clear deficiencies of the said low life, we grew accustomed to tolerating each other's presence involuntarily.
More importantly, there appeared to be an unassuming shack we stopped in front of. More of a doghouse than a villa suitable for a distinguished nobleman’s recuperation. But it was our destination nonetheless.
Splashes of mud splattered over Adrian’s front hoof noisily as I landed in a small puddle by chance while dismounting. Looks like a nasty drizzle started when we left and intensified recently. Didn’t even notice how dull the weather became. Complemented the gloomy mood quite a bit.
John hurried to the door without a second thought, in the interim. Both of us skipped hitching up horses. Not that I was second-guessing my faithful stud, mind you.
A brisk survey of immediate surroundings affirmed my unfamiliarity with the place. Must have been on the other side of Rajy fiefdom’s forest. In sooth, such glades, hidden by high shrubs, weren’t exactly unusual in this part of the country.
Quickening the pace to keep in stride with the already disappearing behind the structure’s corner John, I committed to holding his oscillating back in sight.
|
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"id": "270362",
"q": 0.9118181818181817,
"title": "The power of blood: Vampire - Part I Chapter 1.1",
"author": "Jet",
"chapters": 4,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 3,
"genre": [
"Action",
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"Drama",
"Fantasy",
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"Ancient Times",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Appearance Different from Actual Age",
"Aristocracy",
"Arrogant Characters",
"Biography",
"Blood Manipulation",
"Bloodlines",
"Cross-dressing",
"Cruel Characters",
"Dead Protagonist",
"European Ambience",
"Hiding True Identity",
"Immortals",
"Loyal Subordinates",
"Manipulative Characters",
"Murders",
"Mysterious Past",
"Personality Changes",
"Power Struggle",
"Special Abilities",
"Sudden Strength Gain",
"Tribal Society",
"Vampires",
"Wealthy Characters"
]
}
|
The plank door swept open only for the darkness inside to swallow my guide whole to which I followed suit.
Suppose, the tree line did not shroud most of the moonlight, or it was on the other side altogether, for the contours of furnishings were visible still.
The lodging turned out far more spacious on the inside than it looked on the outside unexpectedly. The amount of proper furniture was astounding as well. A once over sufficed to conclude that the cabin was well built and maintained. Could have been erected recently, actually. The floorboards were sturdy enough to not creak at all. If there was a window, it was shut so tight that I found it impossible to locate. Stale air circulating in a crushing manner consequently.
Spied what looked like an iron-bound chest in the corner on my left. Might be that it was just ornamented with wide patterns, though. Its bulky jaws appeared deformed into an unnerving expression for an eerie moment as I looked away.
It was followed by a small bench further along the wall, supplemented by what seemed like a runty oak table on the far side ahead of me. Or could it be a nightstand with a tabletop that thick?
There was even a carpet, outstretching over most of the empty space, serving as a finishing touch. Several entangled shadows burgeoning forth from it, swelling, slithering, multiplying and finally dispersing in the tenebrous reaches opposite me.
Lastly, but not least by far, there was the threatening to bid the gravest of tidings, a three-quarter bed next to the bedstand. The covered figure, not showing any signs of life, could be discerned upon its surface. The knot of anxiety tightened in my gut all over again upon catching the motionless, recumbent silhouette in sight.
“Come closer, for his lordship has waited,” half-turned John urged me.
There he was fiddling with a wick close to the corner, at the end of the bed, right beside the door, completely blocking the weakly flickering light source by his bulk. The facial features were stark hidden in the dark that way, with only a distinctly enigmatic halo evident around the head in the shade, but I was sure that he gazed at me briefly.
Further than that, could even picture the knave's mirthless smirk somehow. That leering mug was all too familiar to me. The thing is, I perceived his gloating as even more insidious than usual. There was something ominous, unnatural and totally uncalled for, given the situation, in the way he eyed me down with that sombrely curved mouthline. Almost like a predator, a villain, waiting for his prey to arrive at its untimely end with bated breath.
John had a plebeian kind of face appropriately, and that might have been the reason aggravating others came easily to him. The deformed bulbous potato of a nose was encased by the poignant, mousy, dark blue globes on top and an incapacious mouth at the bottom. Framed by low sunken cheekbones, with the slightly indented unkempt jawline below. His whittled brows connected in betwixt, accompanied by a creased forehead and oftentimes a tad dishevelled top of thin white hair culminating into this crude and unimaginative effigy.
I was of the idea to barge in and announce my arrival to the afflicted at once originally. There was this bizarre, macabre atmosphere of doom seeping throughout the room, yet that took my vigour down a notch, admittedly.
John might have been the source of it, seeing how he came through just now, but his exhortation awoke me from the momentary stifling stupor, luckily all the same. What a fallacy! Was more indignant at myself rather than this paltry, dejected fool who managed to unsettle me for a few seconds once again. I was about to do the exact thing, anyway.
Disgruntled, but no longer preoccupied with pointless thoughts, I stepped onwards firmly.
Light twinkled into irrecusable existence, shining brightly and steadily enough, allowing me to observe the dwelling’s decorum in full glory now.
The patient was covered with his head. Unsure if unveiling the poor and most likely slumbering ailing soul was appropriate, I moved to the precipitous hem of bedding. Not discerning any signs of life underneath still, I went on to reach out with my hand reluctantly.
I dread recounting the events that took place next. Which is strange, considering how differently I can't help but view things now. Regardless, all those swirling emotions were too much at the time.
The quilt got blown away in one sudden move, revealing the no longer concealed man. I gasped, retracting the palm to the mouth, and flinched away instinctively upon witnessing the horrid scene before me. Compassion turned into abhorrence momentarily. The same reflex spurred me to start retreating to the rear as well.
The scene that affected me so was much too distressing to convey in full colour. Going about it in a factual manner is the best approach after all.
The gist of the matter was that it wasn’t that the injured was simply hurt, but outright mutilated, mangled beyond immediate recognition. Discerned, with my peripheral vision, that he was missing his right leg, stumped close to the torso. The unhealthy tint of mazarine indicated that it could have been at a weird angle too.
More so, the left arm was gone along with the shoulder, vacuity reaching close to the neck. And while bandaged profusely, think, I could see part of the collar bone piercing through beneath. The whole remainder of the body was lacerated wherever the eye could trace, with thick crimson coloured cloth holding tattered tissues together.
The most disconcerting was how even the left part of the head seemed upset. With a large part of skin amiss, baring coagulated flesh, and a notable cavity on the side.
This mummified apparition of a sick person looked like Rajy all right; dishearteningly enough. As all-pervasive as body injuries were, I could identify the cripple’s peculiar eyes gleam, skin tone, wavy haircut and other properties I couldn’t mistake at any time.
No idea how this unsurprisingly livid character was still alive and moving about, to be honest. In mute horror, I perceived the animated corpse of my idol peering at me as if sizing up intently.
What could have happened here? The only immediate conjecture sprouting in my mind was that he ought to have been jumped by a bear gone mad in a thicket afar.
These musings got cut short right away, though. For the mysterious change came over me when our gazes met. The night of eerie looks it must have been. Considering how I found myself puzzled by another man's stare once more.
Was unable to sense ill intent or any other emotion at that from this one, but it was of a unique nature all the same. Couldn't even check his bodily wounds anymore. The moment we established visual contact, I seemed to become incapable of looking away, or even refocus, for that matter. It was as if an invisible thread connected our organs of sight, putting a spell in the process.
Here I was, frozen in place, perplexed, with panic creeping over. Almost like a moth, fascinated by the flame and drawn to it. His eyes turned into my everything: engulfed by them, I was drowning in the abyss of those mystifying bottomless wells. The pupils were the murky tunnels I was falling through, bereft of any physiological pressure, a prolonged gawking would normally induce. Felt violated, insecure, and in utter dismay.
And then nothing, emptiness, it was over. My consciousness was getting clouded rapidly. Benumbed and unresponsive to outer stimuli, it was as if reality absconded from my grasp promptly, leaving a tangled and impenetrable mess in its place. Casting me to that impassive blank state, where nothing mattered, nought made sense.
Uncanny how this stupor took over my dazed self while the backpedalling foot barely even came in touch with the plank at the rear. The abed disabled’s remaining arm popped into motion meanwhile. Elongating right before my eyes, twisting quite beyond its apparent reach, it veered sideways, away from my field of vision.
Enchanted, I was left to bear witness to the strange motions go on. Rajy was just yonder there, quite farther than an arm’s length away. Only the next moment he vanished from the said bedhead, casting the white sheet aflutter.
My eyes moistened due to the rapid whiff of wind that accompanied finding myself in an abrupt and tight embrace then. Cold hand entwined me from behind the back, pressing his torso tight to my chest. Freezing grasp chilled to the bone, the usually trusty waistcoat not helping at all. But how was it possible to be so ice cold in the first place? Shock must have overcome my senses, as I went on shivering, getting numb apace.
As groggy and muddled as the strangely wearied down consciousness became, the basic comprehension of the immediate surroundings was at my disposal still. But in mere moments the quickly turned frigid atmosphere got unbearable to the point that I had lost track of the events that were about to transpire next, regardless of my will.
Things were about to get clearer soon, though. As if someone decided to expose my covered self, peeling that screen off, layer by an ever-thinning layer.
Shame, I was too disoriented and bewildered to mull over, much less act straight away. Those eldritch daze and physically induced shock were so profound that I barely recall that time span.
Natheless, the delirious phase passed shortly. Not as blurry, I saw double still, with light offending weakened by extra fluid and shaky lids eyesight. My vision was far from marred by the time it dawned on me that something substantially more alarming than the earlier sudden inexplicable fit was taking place.
As sensations ebbed back, dyeing the world afresh with a vibrant palette; the view turned luculent aplenty to cherish what I’d generally not even consider to miss. The greeting by the multitude of cool impressions at hand took me aback, only to give way to the dreaded confusion in turn again.
Faint prickling at the neck alerted to the brazen intruder who had the audacity to go far beyond the neglect of personal space. A preposterous perversion commenced during that daze of mine.
This unforeseeable infringement, I identified, was too unorthodox to swallow to boot. For it was the lifeblood of mine that was getting churned over erratically, spilling outwards. Debilitating me, sucking my very life energy away, ounce by ounce, leading to impeding enervation. So swift and imperceptible the performance of suction was that I was feeling dizzy already.
Overcome by the realisation that I wasn't hugged heartily by a moved friend, but rather assaulted by a frenzied and supposedly bedridden perpetrator, staggered me furthermore.
None of this made any sense anymore. How could kind and intelligent Rajy be the sought-after butcherer? The acclaimed plague of local villagers who agitated the populace, leaving the trail of infamously anaemic deceased victims, found in random places, caused enough buzz for me to hear the talks of it from the household's staff on several occasions already.
As hard as it was to wrap my mind about it, the leach who took the liberty to strike at my veins was undeniably right upfront. Lapping from the side of my throat continuously, clasping my arms tightly round the torso with his single limb this visited upon, and assumingly in poor health, sod ran amok, consuming red cells voraciously.
Stark disoriented by the inexplicable occult practice that was taking its toll on me presently, I was caught in something too absurd to comprehend.
But the prospects of getting free were looking grim now. The inclination to break away was the first I acted upon, and the futility of it was even more ominous than the process of pernicious draining. Could have grappled with a recently finished statue with the same result. The assailant was illogically immovable, impossible to budge at all. To the point that none of my hearty struggles stirred him, not for a modicum. It was like an indifferent to any gurgling throes stone wall had enveloped me instead of a human being. Barring not just a way out, but the very resolution to fight back itself.
But as constrained as I was, being stuck in this nonsensical vice, the instinct of survival and the sheer will to prevail over the unknown had me going. Panting and covered in sweat, I went on floundering about frantically, trying to shake the freakish weight off, be it by bashing with the head or belting with limbs. Seemed as if I couldn’t even crease his swaddled attire, though, hurting myself instead.
Not reaching for the knees, I kicked him in the shin hard several times. Receiving no reaction out of this other than stupefying pain. So sharp originally, it felt like crushing my toes, but turned into a nagging ache erelong.
Proceeded to shift the weight, lifting the calves to the back. Positively unfazed, the assaulter gave no indication of moving, much less toppling over once again, as if both our weights were supported by his sole remaining appendage from the start.
Fearful and nonplussed, I attempted to inflict damage wherever I could reach. Flailing at his plastered over wounds, smashing at the deformed bones. Fumbled for the oozing remainder of the shoulder to dive in my fingers, piercing and rotating through the pulp, I could sense inside.
In the agonising fit of deepened despondency, I went on clattering teeth while trying to overpower the bitter-cold cheek in the corner of my vision with my own. The antagonist’s ear or any other facial feature remained safe, out of reach. And appeared obvious that none of such endeavours would matter either way, too.
What was it, if not the final maddening throes of a desperate man, refusing to succumb in the face of inevitably grim fate? Petrified, I descended into the depths of emotional withdrawal, submerging into an all-engulfing terror of frailty and vincibility, impuissant and driven to the end of my wits by the appalling fatuity of it all.
I was too lightheaded now, unable to gather anywhere close to the same amount of strength as before. Dissipating right through my hands, vestiges of vitality were making me feel squeezed dry, leading into the sluggish and enfeebled state evermore. Was this the demise of me?!
But how could it be so? I had so much to offer, not having done anything in particular for that grand fatherland of mine! How could this inexplicable outrage prove to be what I was brought up for in this world?
Dreading what was about to come, I couldn't help thinking how dishonourable an end like that would be. What would those mute figures, chasing after my back, watchful and assessing, looking from the plethora of paintings ancestors, tell me if I arrive in such a manner? A disgraceful, incomprehensible and unbefitting death felt like a blemish that would be impossible to amend for.
Effete and devastated, sensed misery festoon these eyes of mine in watery fashion in the death of the night. It couldn't have been more than two hours since I snuggled in front of the hearth at home. Hard to imagine now! How could it end like this?
My tormentor kept still, disinterested in any of my anguished travails, unperturbed and absorbed into his sinister wrong-doing he remained.
My limbs grew limp to the point that reclining on him became essential now, even if unintentional still. Internal angry screaming shook me from within, slipping through the lumped dry throat in vain. Transforming into a faint hissing splutter of garbled noise afterwards.
To think that I could not even express my will into a coherent speech! Only my trusty heart could exhibit a raging protest by its rapid and incessant beating, conveying a frantic mood in full swing. Were earlier lethargy’s aftereffects deeply rooted somewhere inside still?
Head reeling, whisper Lord’s prayer in faint lisp I could still. Envisioned getting submerged into the holy light, protected from the evil. Warding and sealing the iniquitous away.
Legs, my ever-trusty holds onto this transitory soil, failed decidedly, bending limpidly. Leaving me hanging, relying on the blood-curdling clutch to keep upright.
Fought to keep my leaden eyelids open. Feeble pleas unheard, the corporeal embodiment of mine let me up. Barely conscious still, I was gripping on the thin thread of my existence. Long-time incapable to resist the inexpugnably overwhelming oppressor who twirled it facinorously, however he saw fit.
My body shook one more time and must have plummeted to its unduly rest at last; no doubt. Or so I presumed back then. For I was guided down carefully instead, sensing soft material underneath the back of my thighs. Indeed, no longer pumping the juices of my life, he was holding onto me still.
The mockingly warm ruddiness of Rajy’s face was of little concern to me, who was afflicted with extreme lassitude in every limb, drowsiness beckoning to sleep. Yes, I had to cease resisting and give in to temptation. Was certain of it now. Peace and quiet - a veritable escape it was!
|
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"id": "270929",
"q": 0.9118181818181817,
"title": "The power of blood: Vampire - Chapter 1.2",
"author": "Jet",
"chapters": 4,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 3,
"genre": [
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"Drama",
"Fantasy",
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"Ancient Times",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Appearance Different from Actual Age",
"Aristocracy",
"Arrogant Characters",
"Biography",
"Blood Manipulation",
"Bloodlines",
"Cross-dressing",
"Cruel Characters",
"Dead Protagonist",
"European Ambience",
"Hiding True Identity",
"Immortals",
"Loyal Subordinates",
"Manipulative Characters",
"Murders",
"Mysterious Past",
"Personality Changes",
"Power Struggle",
"Special Abilities",
"Sudden Strength Gain",
"Tribal Society",
"Vampires",
"Wealthy Characters"
]
}
|
“…unspeakable insolence…!” a tad flustered, yet fiery tirade flowed on, bouncing through gritted teeth. Even with catching the drift of several words at most, I shuddered from the rankled vibes John gave off vehemently and in profusion.
The winded attendant bent next to the once again reclined convalescent and was performing energetic hand movements. Tending to the unloosened bandages, most likely.
The pain was something I hoped to never experience again, but it greeted me joyously in the meantime. Crumbled in a bundle, I found myself sprawled close to the corner. The impact from crashing into the sturdy trunk box straight-on could be felt outspreading over my tense back.
The aching response was uncharacteristically numb, though. Couldn’t tell how much time had passed too. But lips were partially dry then, besmirched with smeared cruor sparingly. Must have looked exceedingly uncouth but didn’t even consider dabbing at the mess with a handkerchief at the time.
The rationale being that sore back and abruptly interrupted mystifying ascendence were far from the only alterations on my disoriented mind. Something enormous just dawned on my wearied self. Why was I searching for god in the first place, if here I was being bestowed with a revelation in his image already? This heavenly sage must have shared his very nonpareil soul with me in sudden, illimitable magnanimity.
Shocked by the unprecedented largesse, I had no way of repaying, peer ahead dumbly I could even so. This humble being of mine could never come close to understanding such ubiquitous luminary’s profound intentions. But could sense the brotherly bond, forged by the sacred exchange, overtaking any other connection I had ever had in a crushing manner all the same!
I wasn’t in healthy condition per se still but greatly elevated in mind, was able to feel my anatomy so deeper than at any point before. Gushing through my weakened self nutrients satiated exsanguine flesh, along with liberating the aching soul.
Oh, and how could I ever think poorly of this esteemed personage? Nothing made sense still, but it surely will. There must be a reason. And who else, if not my cherished friend, could make it lucid afresh? There was credit aplenty for the unshakeable trust, to begin with. It did not matter what the foolish rumours state or what my eyes tell. The story as a whole had to be something else entirely, for the goodness of his heart was beyond this mundane realm from the start.
Weened, I could sense the enormity of his being with greater clarity than ever before now. The frail earthly frame must have felt agonisingly cramped and constrained to a grandiose entity dwelling within. Under the intensity of who’s staggeringly piercing gaze, I came close to wilting away abashedly. Quivering with my heart - an open book under the circumstances. I swallowed nervously. Observing the outlines that could swagger nations. Could picture him dropping the entire legions onto their knees with a beck of his brow, unequivocally.
Admiring such an incomparable mien in a bout of dazzling delight, I pushed the trivialities to the back of my mind. In pure awe, I did not take note or even think of the state my idolised benefactor was in. Or what had taken place in this hut earlier. The acrimonious bystander the furthest from my mind once again. Just unadulterated rapturous adoration remained, for he was my everything, making this life worth living and ultimately dying for!
The flawlessly proportionate rectangle of the face, adorned with moderately outstretched thin lips attuned to the chiselled jawline and refined nose in perfect symmetry. And eyelids were almost no less expressive than the compact gaps to the soul themselves. Lined by the bountiful, yet tidy arch of brows that started a little past the regular mark and curved aside, whittling down right from the thick mid. The broad M-shaped forehead with a marginal slope was enclosed by cascading chestnut hair, streaming evenly on all sides till neck in turn. Sporting locks that glossy and bouffant was making periwigs redundant even.
Of so radiant a quality his countenance was that it seemed to consume me in lambent light. Of such authenticity his grandeur was, it could be said that he wore resplendency as if part of the raiment. For the elegance and grace were being exuded even in a recumbent position. Exercising pretentious mannerisms or putting on airs in any other way would prove much too excessive for that special one who was of far too ineffably exquisite nature from day one.
Just like hair, his hallmark of hypnotisingly brown or more like hazel irises contrasted their rich hue with the creamy tinged marble all around. The said augustly lurid skin possessed waxen pallor of an even more wan tone than ever before. Except, far from morbid. Counterpointed by the dim platitude of our drab surroundings, it made his preternaturally godly look stand out all the more so.
Every tiny aspect of his poise felt tuned, as if carrying deeper meanings, affecting others in its own mysterious way. The faultlessly balanced bone structure filled the lineaments in such a manner that even a slight smile would appear effulgent. Transfixing only to melt the small-minded away with the playful eyes, accentuating minute dimples placed so featly. The stark immaculate skin would crease to form small, yet strikingly appealing wrinkles. Heaving from nowhere, but so well arranged they were that told much more than basic words ever could. The ensemble of his visage was not much different from the eyes in the end. Space within space, a guise under the guise, the synergy of it all could get overhauled indefinitely in truth.
This gracile deity of a peer possessed a toned physique, framed by broad shoulders, with a waist harmoniously proportionate to the hips. His adequately protuberant slanting chest, the thick and relatively hairy wrists, with a sizeable calf represented a figure carved, yet slim at the core. Built in such a way as to appear both dainty at a formal event and imposing during a bathing ritual. The wheatish complexion gave off an exotic and eye-catching flair. Rendering Rajy no more personable, but downright spellbinding. Unveiling charisma of inexpressible magnitude.
“Sorry. It wasn’t meant to be like that,” the familiar soothing, calm and gentle voice filled the room, cutting my flamboyant veneration short. Drifting into silence, it seemed to carry regret. Its hallmark velvety tone, the sweet lyre to my hearing.
There was a strained and oddly enunciating touch to the way he worded that gratuitous excuse. Could swear that the speech flowed on then, with me missing it all.
Ah, it was me who was growing restless, feeling unstable, with breath laboured. It was as if the floor itself became rickety, cowing to cave in and swallow me whole unawares. The earlier tingling pangs amplified. Translating into scattered aching itch in random places. It exacerbated furthermore soon, taking hold of my senses, leading to the distraught and dull state.
My whole body was aflame in excruciating pain, travelling limb to limb immediately till it enveloped my very essence to the core. In intensifying anguish, I went on to scream my lungs out. How that looked in the eyes of my benefactor of no consequence then. Except letting it out didn’t help to relieve one bit.
No longer could I control myself when the escalating agony overtook me. Writhing violently, the flailing about limbs straightened up, propping me up against the floor, creasing a rug thoroughly. Formed a rigid, yet shaky arch, belly up, fastened upon the ceiling. The tension in my clenched fists at its limit. Could feel the ponderously thumping heart in my mouth, its speedy rhyme splitting my head further apart.
Woe is me, searing pain made muscles spasm erratically. Felt my skin crawl, moving impishly, rippling all over. Eyeballs rolling in their sockets. Seeing nothing but coral black. Shooting convulsions wrought their way to the loins, bursting from within. It was as if my intestines went on rearranging, never settling in. Crackling and popping noises twanging through the gruelling ringing in the ears. Some worrisome gurgling from my feverishly contorting hung down and hoarse neck reached the abdomen, circulating haphazardly. The skin bubbled.
The bones and organs of mine, feeling like a mashed-up residue of their former glory. Emanating fluids commingling with the foaming from the mouth spumy mass. Grazing at the planks beneath the carpet, fingers were turning into a meaty mess fast. Cracking joints threatening to topple my grotesque position over soon. The bangled clothes loading with the sticky, gooey and heterogeneous medium. No more simply rambling, the terebrant acute pain was the only all-pervasive feeling I had left. Much too severe, harrowing torture gripped my entire being, weaving itself right into the sentience, the consciousness of mine. Overfilling it wholly.
Unable to endure or at least apprehend the rapidly escalating condition; I remember earlier lost vision tunnel down, the crimson outlines narrowing in a spinning motion. Everything faded into oblivion eftsoons.
Jet
To whoever it may be of interest. This chapter was finished on 04.03.2021. This is the rewrite of the story that had originally been written back in the spring of 2019. Until it was lost, without any backups left. Couldn't be restored for a hefty fee of 150$ as well. The chapter is 7pages longer than its early 10-pages long counterpart. The events are exactly the same, with a couple of minute details changed and extensively extended descriptions included. The horses weren’t hitched up in the original version. MC did manage to nearly bite off Rajy’s nose in their struggles, somehow. The "island" illusion was of more cosmic proportions and more immersive overall, but very obscure. To the point that it was hardly possible to decipher. Rajy’s appearance was described even more cursorily than John’s. The key difference might be the way it was phrased, though. The initial version was composed in a way to appear written back then. So, it was very hard to understand and quite a chore to reproduce. Decided that implementing a few recently gone obsolete wordings here and there is more than enough. And yeah, I realise that atrophy and such were coined much later on. Will refer to that one day.
|
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Amid the Scenic River and lush green vegetation, there was an independent house embellished with colorful walls and a commodious garden. There resided three brothers, namely Richard, Mac, and Donald happily pursuing their graduation. Everything cruises smoothly in their lives without any impediments.
But who knows with the advancement of time their lives will become miserable and horrendous.
One day walking through the dense forests, all the three have causerie with each other. Feeling thirsty, Mac motions along the riverside to get some water and goes missing thereafter, Richard and Donald start searching for him but fail to get his whereabouts.
Richard: How did he disappear suddenly, Donald?
Donald: I don’t know brother even I am flummoxed,
Richard: He went towards the riverside, isn’t he?
Donald: Right,
Richard: Then let’s motion towards the bank of the river to ferret out evidence if any we could?
Donald: Sure, why not?
They come over to the riverside to find out the main reason behind his brothers' sudden disappearance.
Richard: But nothing is insight here,
Donald: I agree, there is pin-drop silence!
Richard: Yes, it is an idyllic place,
Donald: What should we do now?
Donald: It won’t solve the problem because he abruptly disappeared,
Richard: Then, what is the alternative of finding him?
Donald: The problem might be with the river I surmise,
Richard: Heralds like that only,
Donald: Priest in the church could help us, what do you say?
Richard: Yes! You are right,
Both of them head onto the church located on the hillside to seek the help of the priest.
Father: Dear children, how can I help you?
Donald: Father, we are not able to trace our brother Mac, who went missing a couple of hours back,
Father: How did this happen?
Donald: We don’t know.
Father: Have you informed the cops about this incident?
Richard: No father, we do not want this issue to be publicized,
Father: it’s ok; then let us move to the spot where he went invisible.
The three rush towards the riverbank to crack the nut of this case.
Donald and Richard explain to the father that this is the place where he came and disappeared all of a sudden.
Father: Ok fine, let me my close eyes for a couple of minutes and pray the lord to sense the predicament prevailing over here,
Donald: Sure father, please!
Father: But mind out!
I am not disturbed or interrupted in between this time.
Donald: Ok father, we comply with you.
Both the brothers comfort themselves till the father brings his prayer to the state of rest.
After some time father opens his eyes and tells them that this area is haunted.
Donald: What father! Could u please come again?
Father: I dare say that this place is haunted by some invisible evil force,
Richard: Oh no! It means we have foisted trouble for ourselves by coming over to this riverside,
Father: Yes indubitably, we have to be very careful now,
On hearing this, Donald and Richard are shattered and beseech father to extricate them from this mayhem forever.
Let’s cut the palaver and plunge into action immediately,
All three step out of that place to the dense forest nearby.
Donald: Father, has the Mac been nailed to death?
Father: Yes, beyond all question he is no more.
Father: We three have landed ourselves in quandary since the time of our arrival here.
Richard: Could we stop this from happening?
Father: May or may not be.
Donald: What can we do now?
Father: Keep this rosemary necklace along with you all the time,
Donald: Yes father, we will keep this necklace along with us,
Father: All the best children, you can leave now,
Both brothers run for their lives out of fear without turning back and when Donald steps into the home, he finds Richard’s presence nowhere near-by his surroundings.
Coming back to the forest in a bid to locate Richard, Donald finds him dead near the river bank and filled with trepidation to the point of saturation returns home.
It is the dark side of twilight with an arid wind armed with smoky fog environing the area, bird’s singing muted, sky suffused with black color with no moonlight and leaves fluttered from the trees, and heavy rain bracing itself to thrash the ground.
Donald spirals out of control on seeing all these and laments for landing himself in a helpless state. Though he tries to console himself to some extent under the aegis of the rosemary necklace still the panic doesn’t eject out of his mind. His heart starts throbbing, sweat slides down from his head, hands and legs shiver, and cries for desperate help.
As the minutes tick by, the tension and the anxiety pile up in his mind making him dejected and chagrined.
|
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The clanking of the lantern strung to the wall and the still-going dripping of their injured limb jolted the young bard awake, their confusion met with the uncomfortable bumps in the road, their knee slamming back down on the hard wood and causing them to grunt in agony, despite the fact that someone had banded the gash, it still bled, Utgard’s crimson blood dripping down the length of their leg, pooling next to their foot. They couldn’t bring themselves to look at it, they should have followed their better judgment and never have attempted to escape… but… despite the regret they felt, their mind raced back to after the deal, that… person carrying them, whispering to them that they were sorry, it confused the bard, were they apologizing to… them? No- that couldn’t be it. Afterall, what reason did they have to apologize to them? It didn’t make sense to the bard, their mind racing between multiple possibilities, as they decided to give it little weight, shifting to a different train of thought within a heartbeat, asking themselves what that… warmth they felt was. As far as they knew, reptiles were coldblooded creatures, and they found it hard to believe that it would be different for… whatever they were, the warmth they felt in their arms remaining a constant enigma for Utgard, as they sat there, trying to drive their mind away from their still leaking wound.
As they kept on spacing out, the door to their carriage opened up, their guard walking in with their stare fixed on them, those once terrifying crimson eyes now sunken in, their look similar to Utgard’s own teary eyes, as he sat down, looking at the bard through the bars of their cells, letting out a loud and trembling sigh. The two’s eyes met, a drawn out silence taking over as the wheels of the carriage kept on creaking in agony. He broke the sight, glancing at the veil wrapping the bard’s leg, noticing how soaked it had gotten, and looking down. -”...Does it still hurt?”- He ushered, looking back at the bard, who in shame, nodded their head, breaking their own gaze. They were sure that he had come to laugh at them, ridiculing them for their poor attempt at escape, maybe he wanted his own slice of what his leader did to them. They began to shake, pushing themselves away from the bars, more tears flowing down their golden eyes. -”...You don’t speak, is that right?”- He said, his voice back to a stern and deep tone, whilst the bard simply looked up and slowly nodded.
A slight frown could be seen on the reptile’s muzzle, as he dug through his pocket, sliding under the cage’s door a small piece of paper, as well as a chunk of coal. Confused, Utgard looked at the two, before staring back at their guard, who simply closed his eyes, as he spoke; -”Three.”- he said, -”I’m going to let you ask me three questions… Take your time.”- He said, laying his back against the cell’s wall, looking away from the bard as they wrote. Their mind raced, they had a million things that they wanted to ask him, what their mission was, why they had been captured, why they had killed all those people back at the monastery… and just who they were. Eventually, despite the sheer volume of things that they wished to write down, they rounded it down to three words; “Name”, “Why”, and “Warmth”, using the piece of charcoal to roughly write them on the paper, trying to force through the uneasy feel that the rock had, sliding the paper back to their guard once they were done. He grasped at the paper, looking at the crudely written words, turning back towards their prisoner.
-”...You wish to know my name?!”- He yelled out, visibly surprised by the bard’s wishes, as they simply nodded, looking him directly in the eyes. They nodded, their once fearful expression turning into one full of purpose, their pointed ears slightly flickering. Despite their initial astonishment, the guard cracked a faint smile, his expression shifting back to its usual cruel demeanor as they slowly got up. -”Im Ennui, of Cadeau du Soleil, the youngest of five, blade for hire...”- he said, placing his hand over his chest; -”...And like the rest of the barbarians in this company… Shunned by my own blood.”- as he spoke the last words, his voice went soft, from a bellowing roar to a pained wimper. What did he mean by that? Had he been abandoned? The bard then focused on the marking under his left eye… They figured that it must have had something to do with what he had just said, but still, they lacked more information to make it make sense, rather simply kept looking at their guard, as he stood completely still, eyes closed in contemplation, self pity. He then spread his eyes open, looking back at the paper, a grim look washing over his face as he realized what Utgard was demanding to know.
After a long sigh, the two locked gazes once more, as Ennui slowly began speaking; -”...I believe you’re familiar with the cult of the Orchestrator, yes?”- He asked, his prisoner nodding at him, as he continued, -”The curse befalling Hymnfall, and the plague of beasts infesting it… whilst the cults have taken it to be a divine punishment, a test for mankind to show its devotion to their new deity… A select few are still trying to this day to reverse it.”- He said, motioning his hand at Utgard, asking them to get closer. Begrudgingly, they complied, the guard’s hand brushing through the bard’s hair, revealing their ears, as well as a pair of growing horns, jet-black and curled, as the prisoner whimpered under touch. They weren’t used to contact, most of their life they had spent starved from touch from anyone and anything, disoriented by the reptile’s show of quasi-compassion, or at least, they eluded themselves that it was that. Despite their own better judgment, the bard couldn’t help but let their mind adrift, finding a split second of peace. -”Sir Alexander promised us that his research will break the world away from its grim destiny… and he needs you for it.”-
He said, pulling his hand away from them, as they recoiled, snapping back to reality, Ennui’s voice slowly picking back up, -”We don’t know exactly how he plans to do so, but…”- The guard looked away, his eyes lowering as he struggled to find more words, the bard slowly realized just how much he knew, and it was clear that the risk was something that even he wasn’t comfortable with. Taking note of this, Utgard’s eyes shrunk, swiftly backing away from the bars of the cell and looking around themselves, panic rising, breathing speeding up, just what were their captors planning? Were they just gonna be a small lamb to be sacrificed for the good of many? How could they do that to another person? Their mind raced back to that day, the corpses carpeting the floor of the monastery, the crimson pools of blood, fleeting souls robbed of their lives, the people holding them captive were capable of atrocities, and they were sure that slaying a single person would come naturally to them.
Ennui looked at them, his guilty gaze meeting the floor, very clearly pained but for reasons that escaped the bard, the very end of his muzzle agape, he was still trying to find words, still trying to look for a way to comfort his distressed prisoner, but it all escaped him, and so, they resorted to the one thing they knew about them. Slowly opening the cell’s door, he approached the bard, who looked him in the eyes as if they were begging for mercy, noting his hand grasp something from behind his back, and bringing it to Utgard’s arms. It was their lyre, noticing this, they instantly grasped at it and held it to their chest, eyes closed, breathing slowing down. -”I was told to destroy it”- He whispered, -”But I know how it feels to have your love ripped away.”- After that, he stopped talking, looking at the last point on the paper and grimacing, heading towards the carriage’s exit. Seeing this, the prisoner mustered all the energy they had left, forcing themselves to speak, ushering out the only two words that they felt they needed to; -”Thank you.”-.
Ennui’s head rose the slightest amount upon hearing that, letting out a low mumble and walking out of the carriage, as the bard grasped at their throat, coughing wildly.
…
-”I hope you realize how grave the treason you’ve committed truly is, brute.”- a feminine voice spoke, being met with a grunt of annoyance from her fellow mercenary. -”Sir Alexander’s carriage is way ahead, the tune of a single instrument won’t be enough to get to his ears.”- he stated, shifting his attention away from her and to his weapon, using a wet piece of cloth to wash away hardened blood stains from it. -”For someone who’s failed at his job already, I'd expect less sass.”- She said, grasping his face and forcing him to look directly at her in the eyes. -”I believe you should worry about your own problems, Valentina.”- Ennui growled, breaking away from her grasp. He despised talking to her, her holier-than-thou demeanor, her constant nagging, she saw herself as the pinnacle of justice despite being just another run of the mill mercenary, and what? Because of the armor she wears? If he could, he’d just laugh at her badly hidden sense of misery. But alas, he could do much more without a rapier through his eye, so he simply looked away. -”Your inability to follow basic orders is my problem.”- She yelled out, hand on her weapon, glaring daggers at her underling, who simply kept his eyes fixed on the road. -”If you want me to stop interacting with the prisoner, you could at the very least get Caradoc to check their wounds.”- He spoke, refusing to look at her as his request was simply met with a sigh.
…
Utgard stood still, sat against the cell’s wall, pondering on what Ennui had told them, how they had ignored their last question, they kept on wondering just how much he was hiding from them, as a knock on the carriage’s door caught their attention. A robed figure walked in, their hair wavy and black, their complexion dark and their eyes a freezing azure, as they slowly approached the cage’s door. –”...Y-you must be the bard, am I correct?”- his voice was shaky, fearful, their tone giving away that they must have been very young. He brushed hair away from his face, noticing the bard nod and opening the cage’s door, walking towards them and kneeling down. He slowly undid their bandage, revealing the poor state that the prisoner’s leg had gotten to, he bit his lip, looking at the wound and setting down a bag.
-”A-alright, this’ll hurt a bit…”- He said, his stuttering continuing, as the bard curiously watched his actions. He swiftly took a vial out of the bag, smearing its contents over the exposed wound. It burnt, but despite that, Utgard grit their teeth, trying to resist the urge to yell. After a while, the robed individual posed their hand, which was protected by a metallic gauntlet, over the wound, taking deep breaths, as they slowly began to hum, a green light enveloping the prisoner’s leg, the pain of the wound and the blood’s dripping slowly stopping, the burn of the liquid dissipating. Once the humming stopped, the figure lifted their hand, revealing that the wound had been completely healed, aside from a decently sized scar, serving as a reminder to them of what they had done. He sighed, grasping the bag and getting back up, looking away from the bard. They hurried back out of the carriage, still trembling for reasons completely unbeknownst to Utgard, a single black feather falling from their robe.
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“Drink up, if you wish to live,” the sudden guidance strained to spur me on, cutting through the thick, inconscient bubble I got myself blissfully locked in. In a familiarly genteel manner, said advice echoed in force.
Except it appeared ill-disposed and deceptive now. For it was the discreditable attacker who spoke.
Or did not? I was under the incongruous impression that it was my own inner voice’s utterance somehow. The short phrase seemed to resound right into my mind, rather than reverberated from the area. While the discrepancy came through as vague and elusive at best.
Never in my life did I feel the message conveyed with such intense clarity. The urgency the replaying words transmitted evoked some hidden vigour. Reserves I could swear not having moments ago. Because the nascent somnolence dissipated a mite, allowing me to crack the flagged palpebrae open. The cleared thoughts taking shape along the way.
My lips touched onto something lukewarm, dispersing at a steady pace. Rustling too distant, smells too faint, couldn’t decipher much at first.
The meaning turned palpable as soon as I saw the pallid wrist thrust right next to me. Felt outraged in some deep recesses of my mind suddenly. What was he playing at? Why would I debase myself by stooping to the level of such diabolical exertions?
Except fuming didn’t last. Curiosity and the sheer will to live triumphed by a wide margin shortly. Thinking back, the fibre of my being was so thin at that time that I barely sensed anything in the first place. The persisting paroxysms of inutile jejune rage were all that resonated in this dull state of mind. Actually, who am I to call out crucial instincts in such a manner? But you get it, don’t you? Resisting nature rarely lasts essentially.
Now then, there was more to it than that. As enraged as I was initially, that voice pulled so much more weight, too. Never domineering or commanding, Rajy's tone had that magnetic, suggestive quality. Assuring of relaying absolute truth indisputably.
“Why, master? What is this?” a confused, vexed and slightly slurred series of questions or more like exclamations sprang from the side close by.
That outburst brought me some clarity then. Could pick out howling wind mixed with light pitter-patter outdoors. So, the world outside existed still. It was only I who was trapped in the inexplicable nightmare this whole time. Should have been obvious, but wasn’t to me. How could life go on as if nothing happened, with me no longer around?! Appeared so wrong and unfair at the time.
Completely forgot about him too, and yet the malevolent servant kept us company this whole time, apparently. His frame, along with the suddenly agitated countenance, were clear to me with a light swerve of head.
So only that could work him up! How, shall I say, messed up. Affirmed me in the shortly interrupted conclusion I was drawing at, if anything. Turned back from shaken and hesitant John to face the expectant remnant of the most alluring man I used to know once. Nothing spread on my cheek, for he moved the hand along with no delay, interestingly enough. As if knowing what I was about to do beforehand. Now unwavering, I let the tepid liquid, that coated over my mouth, drip inside at leisure.
Sickened with myself, I committed to a desperate gulping. The only contraction left to me, with limbs atrophied still.
The palate I experienced appeared fairly ordinary at first. Relatively potable, viscous and tinny, it had salty and fattened undertones too. But it kept changing, transfiguring right in the process of consumption. Acquiring a pungent and bittersweet aftertaste that revealed more acrid properties. Accompanied by a rum contradiction of being both mordant and sugary at once.
Unravelling what attributed to such a phenomenon turned out quite a conundrum. Was the side of my mouth a determent, or was permutation occurring somewhere right in the middle of the flow? I relished the inimitable paradox in the glow of such eccentric complexity either way.
No longer a timid and uncertain tiddly trickle, but a full-on headlong stream swept over my sinews, ameliorating them, baring the pores agape for the world to see. Basked in the ebullience, stemming from the depleted previously, but rejuvenating consistently vitality. The former spright made its way into my limbs, compelling to swill insatiably.
Concentrated on reverting the earlier performed aberration; salivating over his sallow skin, I gave no thought to what I was doing anymore.
The constant involution of mystifying flavour overloaded my taste buds. Rich in texture, tart flow surged inside, leaving the savoury finish as a posh claret would. Yet bursting into bloom, ripening and saturating furthermore.
This continuously shifting multiplicity of impressions was driving me over the edge of ecstatic consciousness, making it to a whole disparate dimension soon. Tannic consistence, weaved with a balsamic touch, disembogued into the succulent mixture that followed on with the subtile tang of dulcet, intermingled with prominent, delicately crisp quality.
So opulent in its exquisite potency, the taste penetrated the roof of my mouth, befuddling my mind with its saporous deluge. No longer simply toothsome or scrumptious, the quaffed beverage was of such the indescribably transcendental nature that I was on the verge of losing it once more. The brook of ambrosial nectar embarked on its journey throughout my body, set on beflooding the shocked gustatory systems till engulfing the whole of my being, steering it into catatonic euphoria impetuously.
The ghastly events seemed far away now. No longer shaken, I appeared to be in a better place. Frothing waves stroke my bare skin. A pleasantly light breeze played with my locks. Warm light caressed my body. And cushier than a flock mattress sand welcomed my sauntering feet ashore. Lush verdure with a majestic slope in the distance and deep azure perched over it formed a breathtaking scenery ahead. Such natural beauty was appealing to latent longings.
Charmed and enraptured, I grew to become; traversing the fluffy bed of sand; the fondling touch of drifting crisp air, making me feel at peace evermore. Fresh foliage cosseted me by brushing on my pampered self now. Clay-like sod braced my feet, leading deeper into the thicket. Felt my stride grow invigorated leaf by an ever-cuddly trickling leaf.
With every aspiration fulfilled, every desire accomplished, I felt content. And it wasn’t just a vapid sentiment too, for wholesome I appeared at long last. The one with the universe, and at one with myself too, with no ego left whatsoever. The earth would delight in my bare feet, the refreshing wind would savour playing with my hair, the budding saplings would fete me, sprouting forth.
My flesh no longer mine alone, but as if it was the land itself: sinews forming wildlife, and blood - part of water, while hair got woven into viridity and bones dusted into terrain. Devoured up to the marrowbone, I was freed from earthly struggles at long last. No more fatigue, irresolution, or futile searching, the bliss of purposeful belonging overshadowing it all.
Enthralled, I overlooked this truly elysian merge of my inner world with the outer one. It all fit and every particle, however small, spoke to me, has turned into me, as I changed into it. Constituting part of the whole and becoming complete myself, I could feel the stars, seizing for the empyrean to make it my own.
Empowered now, would get to ply the Creation at will, be it conscious or not. How thrilling it was to sculpt various objects, cavorting about the matter, finger the fabric of the cosmos at whim! Felt macrocosm, aeonic and amaranthine, ripen into the form of my organs’ agglutination.
I looked into the yawning abyss then. And noticed that it stared right back at me. Someone, something studied the insides of mine. No idle probing it was too. For I felt laid bare under such scrutiny that was universally aware of me as I of this world that was a part of me now.
Elated at the prospect of sharing this Creation with another one, I cherished the companion heartily. But it went farther than that. The entity remoulded the entirety of me, along with our surroundings. Tinkering with my understanding, shaping my very being, reconfiguring the universe to conform and embrace this new me. Or was it the other way around? But that’s how the pith of me dissolved. And I knew it in my heart that it was how it should have been, for it was the world that changed me from the core in return. Giving rise to an idyllic comprehension.
Almighty, placid, yet not lone, nor ravaged by this no longer staggering revelation. I bore through the boscage, shredding the vestiges of the old me. Marching on with great fervour, I could see the last of this picturesque copse thin out. The earlier versant under the soles of my feet now. Treading higher, close to reaching the top in order to overview this glorious sum of things of ours. To allow this part of myself rejoice from witnessing the original vessel in full.
I felt a gargantuan force push me back on the way. Stones rolling downslope uniformly. Said force enveloped from the sides unceremoniously, jerking me up, only to send flying roughly next.
|
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|
The roaring sound of rocks hit by wood, hooves stomping the ground with vigorous violence, the sound of the breeze crashing against the harsh structure in movement, no traces of sun rays within the coffin, the cold smell of rusting metal pervading every sense; this is what met the bard at their wake, their jaw still hurting from the impact a day prior… a day… Just where were they now? Looking around they felt a sinking feeling deep within their soul once more, they were surrounded by darkness, no ways to look outside the prison they were stuck in, memories slowly returning. Utgard figured that the people that had kidnapped them were most likely shipping them off somewhere, perhaps to act as a sort of slave, ripping the last feeble tears of freedom that they had left directly from their grasp, taking away the one thing left of their being. Their breathing sped up, panic started to set in, their eyes tearing up once more, each limb trembling in fear and anger, why did they have to put up with this? What had they done to deserve the endless hardships the world threw at them? They must have done something to piss off whatever higher being looked on from above… Was this because of the sermons they tried their damndest to avoid? Was this some sort of divine punishment they had brought upon themselves by being a deviant?
Putting the baggage aside, the bard slowly looked upwards, noticing that the entrance to what they assumed was their carriage was blocked off, an iron gate held closed by a lock, its bars heavily rusted and reeking of old. Despite the ruinous state that they were trapped in, they were quick to start devising plans, perhaps the bars were weak enough so that they could force the door open by charging into it… But then they realized that there must have been guards outside, people prepared to apprehend them the moment they stepped out of their cell… And so, they sat against the wall, grasping their deep purple locks, their mind still racing wildly.
A light broke the darkness of the cage, the front door of the carriage spreading open, the sun’s fury flooding into the dim prison, causing Utgard’s eye to recoil in response. A silhouette towering against the bright waves crashing into the room, its details initially impossible to distinguish, the bard’s poor golden eyes stinging in pain, as the door closed as suddenly as it opened. With the light’s access cut off, the prisoner was finally able to identify the individual standing before them; those same marble-like scales, those crimson eyes, a muscular figure standing in front of the metallic bars, its sheer size shocking the musician, striking utter fear within them. The reptile looked at them, noticing the young musician’s trembling and their teary eyes, hanging a lantern onto the wall and lighting it up, their figure more distinguished in the dim flame’s wake.
They donned a light plating of armor, which covered areas unprotected by their own scales, decorated with metallic details that were molded to resemble bones. Their eyes pierced Utgard, the two locking gazes, a stern look opposed to the bard's terrified gaze. A grunt left their oblong muzzle, before they spoke, their tone heavy and monotone; -"...I apologize for our means…"- he stated, looking directly at Utgard, his distinct voice shaking the bard even more, the prisoner could notice a specific mark, below his left eye, two concentric circles, the circumference of the outer one spiked, as both are split my a rough line, more akin to a cut. Breaking the silence, he continued; -”...I was tasked to retrieve your person in the least lethal way possible, and I see it left its mark.”- His gaze moved over to the bard’s bruise, which they held, still visibly pained.
-”My current task is to watch over you, and make sure you don’t do anything… drastic, per say.”- He spoke once more, waiting for any sort of question from his prisoner. And they had many, they desperately wanted to know what they had to do with all of this, why out of all the victims they had slaughtered they were the only one that was left alive, they wanted to know just who did this to them, if they had anything against them… and they wanted to know who the man standing in front of them was. But, seeing no response, the reptile let out a sigh, his expression one of… disappointment? as he opened the door of the carriage once more, walking outside and closing it behind them. Utgard looked at the lantern that they left hanging on the wall, and began thinking. He must be outside of the carriage, waiting for the bard to do anything so that he could catch them red-handed, they were sure that anything he did was just a pitfall for them to fall into. They were stuck like this, and knew that there was no way for them to realistically make it out alive if they were to escape, they reasoned that they would have either been tracked down with much ease, dreading the possible punishment that their captors could afflict upon them, this wasn’t gonna be like how the reverend slapped their face, or tugged at their arms, no, they knew fully well that these people were possible of unspeakable and cruel actions, and they knew that pissing them off was an awful move. On the other hand, they thought that even if they did manage to escape their captor’s clutches… they would be completely lost, god knows how far they were from “home”- hell, they didn’t even know if they had a home to go back to… and there was also the very real risk they constantly ran, to face another beast like the one they saw that day… and perhaps they wouldn’t be as lucky this time.
So, they sat in the carriage, motionless, they felt the weight of the world on their shoulders, a sense of hopelessness they were familiar with, they stood still, alone, their only companion being the uninterrupted roaring of the wooden wheels, crashing against the rocky roads, the neighing of the horses, the deafening crashing of the wind… they closed their eyes, imagining themselves outside, feeling the wind brush against their skin, lifting their hair, having it wave around, weightless like a cloud, those same wishes of freedom that invaded their mind becoming the only solace they had left. They thought themselves inside a field, the green grass that they had never seen, yet were told marvelous stories about, the sprawling nature that they wished they could have lived for themselves, they wanted to go back to a time long gone, before even they existed, their very soul was drowned by a sense of nostalgia for a peace they never felt, a calling to stand within nature’s grasp, a nature long dead.
As they let their mind run rampant, the creaking of the wheels slowly began to settle down, the galloping of the steeds turning into a peaceful trot, the noise of the wind slowly subsiding… they were stopping, for whatever reason, were they at their destination? Surely it was too early for that, as the cart fully stood still, the bard could hear people talking from outside their carriage, albeit with difficulty; -”...Boss asked a meeting”- a feminine voice spoke, her tone stern and dry, -”You should attend as well, brute.”- as she spit out the comment, more footsteps could be heard getting farther from the carriage, another voice springing up, -”...A meeting while stocking up... that’s new.”- Utgard recognized that as the reptile’s voice, his steps also resounding on the ground as he left the carriage unguarded… If they were gonna do anything, this was their chance.
Despite the dreadful knowledge of what awaited them in case they failed, or even if they actually were to succeed, they reasoned with themselves that they’d rather die by nature’s hand than be enslaved, be robbed of their life, become an utter nobody.
They shuffled towards the metallic bars holding them captive, looking at the lock, despite the evident rust piling onto it, it was very clearly sturdy enough to survive them bashing into it, they were gonna need something more to break it apart, their mind racing through past memories, tomes they had read, anything that could get them out of this situation… and they settled on it. Their mind brought them back about a book they read, which treated magic, how mankind had discovered how to tie control over the elements to their own vocalization, transforming enchanting hymns into weapons of destruction. Knowing fully well what awaited them, they took deep breaths, prepared for the pain. A tune began to swell from deep within their throat, followed by waves of agony, but they couldn't afford to stop, as they concentrated more and more, the spark of a flame forming in their hand. They kept the melody going, uncaring of the torture they put themselves through, this was the price they were willing to pay to live, As they held the flame to the lock, slowly melting away at the lock, breaking it in a short time. Seeing the molten metal hit the floor, they immediately stopped, the price of their actions catching up to them, but they couldn't afford to care. Grasping their neck, they slowly opened the door, cautiously making sure as to not make any noise, taking a peek outside of the carriage to make sure they were alone, which fortunately, they were.
And so, they began running, swift like the breeze that they wished to experience one day, their golden eyes darting, shifting between looking behind and looking ahead, they weren't being followed yet, but they knew that it was simply a matter of time, and not long after, they could hear angered yells swelling from the camp, their breathing speeding up. They were terrified, the deafening roar of the mob not far back almost caused them to freeze still, but the harsh reminder of what awaited them kept them going, the fear of torture, the very real possibility that their blood could be spilled.
However much they ran, however…
They weren’t safe.
And so, despite their best efforts to hide their traces, to muddy up their steps, fate caught up with them, an arrow flying directly through the back of their knee, flesh rent asunder with the same ease of a paper being torn. The shock of the impact caused Utgard to have a split second of clarity, as they stumbled, quickly losing balance and falling face-first into the muddy ground. They held back screams, looking at the tip which protruded out of their leg, blood leaking out of it at a steady pace, causing the bard to gag, the sight viscerally disturbing to them. They attempted to tug back at it, the lancinating pain pervading their entire leg with each pull, their breathing getting heavier, their panic rising. Mustering up whatever strength was left in their body, they ripped the bolt out of their limb, screeching in pain before collapsing once more. The once distant footsteps got louder and louder, a figure stomping their foot directly in front of the bard, who trembled in response; -"...y'know, I expected you to not fuck up your job on the first day, lizard boy."-, He spoke, his voice vibrant, but charged with stinging disappointment, he kneeled, his light brown eyes meeting Utgard's teary irises, his face curling into a devious smirk. -"I… apologize, sir."-, the bard recognized that voice instantly, the low tone and the trembling shame exuded, making it clear that it was their guard. -"Well, at least you didn't run off with 'em… so, s'an improvement over my last guard."- He let out a resonating laugh, most of the mercenaries behind him joining in, as he grasped at the back of the bard’s head, lifting them up by their hair. -”...And you…”- He spoke once more, his voice shifting to a deep and dreadful tone; -”...I know fully well that you’re smart enough to never pull a stunt like that… but…”- He slammed the bard’s head down into the mud, watching their struggle to breathe, taking in every moment of the spectacle, before lifting their head up, watching them cough out pieces of dirt, and slamming them back down, rinsing and repeating, before slamming them down one last time, letting go. -”...You should be thankful I chose to take care of you myself instead of gettin’ Valentina to do it… she might not have been as merciful as me.”- He let out, scraping his hand onto the ground and walking off, speaking one last time; -”Get them back by the carriage, we’re ready to move out by noon.”-.
The men began to take their leave, each and every one of them shooting glances at Utgard, the only person standing with them being their guard, who after looking at them, defeated, lifted them up. The bard, despite everything, despite his great fear towards this figure, felt… a… radiant heat coming from him, as he spoke softly; -”...I apologize for my failure.”- his voice tortured, as if he was holding back tears, leaving the young musician confused, as they slowly passed out.
|
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|
Measured steps taken with grace, wind blowing through the silk-like mane that they donned, their joy, their instrument, tightly held in hand, as they strummed away, careless, thoughtless, it’s simple harmony filling the vacant vacuum that was their mind, they reveled in this peace, the breeze, the silent nature surrounding them, not a single soul to witness them. They loved the melancholy, however grim the dying figures of the aged oaks could be, despite the dreadful knowledge of the place they called home, the young bard couldn’t help but sense a feeling of safety within the peaceful, silent grove. They had been traversing this forest for years, it was their only safe haven, their only escape from the monotonous humming of prayer that filled their ears back in their “home”, where their lyre couldn’t drown out the endless sermons, where their unwilling voice was dragged out, they hated it, they despised how they were shackled to that never ending ocean of preaching, they reasoned to themselves that whatever pantheon their “brothers'' must be calling upon must be either dead or deafened, noticing that no matter how many rites passed, reality only seemed to get crueler and crueler. And so, with whatever free time they had left, they escaped, taking solace in the dying nature that surrounded them, accepting that the withering plants had more knowledge of them than anyone else could. They kept on composing with their lyre, notes tying together, the melody flooding and filling what was akin to a graveyard, as the teary-eyed musician let the somber feelings that piled in their soul out, the only way they knew how.
And yet, part of them knew that this peace couldn’t last, that same part of them that slowly ate away at their every thought of peace, that same part that constantly nudged them to perform something drastic, to be the maker of their own destiny, to stop begging for something to break them away, and each time they drowned out the mental note, knowing fully well that doing so would be a death sentence. Their playing sped up, the pace of their heartbeat fastening as well, alongside their steps, their mind racing between two voices fighting each other over how they should live their life, desperate for silence. And exactly in that moment of struggle, a deafening screech brought them to clarity, their eyes shrinking in terror, the realization that despite their belief of loneliness, someone- no, something had found them.
Following their instinct, the young bard began sneaking, walking on the tip of their feet in order to make the least noise possible, cold beads of sweat forming on their forehead as the fear of death began to slowly set in. Despite their best attempts to get away, they could hear something breathing, getting closer. In the split second of clarity, detached from panic, the young musician flung themselves inside of a bush, shaking, their breathing still fastened. As they began to force themselves to hold air in their lungs, careful not to make the slightest noise. Looking out from their hiding spot, they could see a massive quadruped being, its flesh a tar black, leaking onto the grass it walked on, as it sniffed the air looking for its prey, the grotesque muscles flexing and pulsating as the beast made its way ever closer to the bard’s location. It lacked eyes, its figure similar to that of a reptile, claws akin to the blade of a guillotine; they had seen beasts of such horror only in books, never could they have imagined to see such a grotesque abomination with their own two eyes. And exactly in those tomes were detailed the gruesome carnages brought by beasts of this kind, the very blood of its victims found carpeting entire trees, due to the force of the attacks, they began to feel ill, the mental image of the cadaver they risked to become, they didn’t handle blood, nor the image of blood, well, and the constant reminder of what their fate could be made it impossible not to focus on the many ways they could have died that day. As the whirlwind of emotions washed over them, they noticed that the beast seemed to stand still, its head pointed in the opposite direction.
This was their one shot at survival, and they had to choose their next steps well; initially they thought about using their lyre as a weapon, bashing the creature where the neck met its head, promptly killing it in a single blow… However, they were held back by multiple things, this creature was completely alien to them, how could they expect it to function like any other living being? for all that they knew it might not have even had a brain, nerves, anything, rather just driven by something deeper, macabre, like an innate desire to consume. They also figured that it wouldn’t take much for the abomination to overpower them, the moment they came out of that bush, it would have known exactly where they were, and at that point the teary-eyed bard would have been nothing more than hunks of ground flesh.
No, they needed to be smart about this, they knew exactly that brute force was outside of their capabilities, they were physically meek afterall, and with that in mind, the bard forced themselves to think about a new plan; grabbing a small rock from the ground, taking a deep breath, and hauling it directly at a tree that stood a good distance away. Immediately, the beast’s head rose up, as it charged towards the oak that had been hit, clawing at it and tearing it down viciously, its blades tearing the wood open with an ease that sent shivers down the bard’s spine, who between the beast’s bellowing roars and agonizing screams, took to running, as fast as they could possibly go, never looking behind despite the screeches that rose following their dash. Their heart beat rapidly, giving no rest to the panicked musician. The forest rushed past them, its rotting and dying woods donning a mystic, yet horrifying aura, never before had they cursed this wish for freedom so much, they had just brushed cheeks with death itself and it was their fault alone, why would they even want to escape the monotony cursing them if the outside world was this much worse? Tears formed in their eyes again, the wind blowing through their accursed silky hair, their deep purple color blending with the darkness surrounding them.
Eventually, the sun’s rays broke through the haunting leaves of the grove, a sign of salvation, as the young bard finally found themselves face to face with the same monastery they had cursed not too long ago, despite their hatred for the place still boiling deep inside them, they fell to their knees, their hands shaking. They stood in this position for minutes, the stream of tears slowly coming to an end on its own, as they began to look above; their golden eyes met with burning orange, the sunset on the sky below blazing like the fire of a hearth. How long had they been there? they had completely lost the sense of time the moment they stepped into the grove, and the encounter that they had… no, they shouldn’t think about that thing again, they had survived, and so there was no other reason to go back. Mustering up the last amount of energy left in their body, the musician sat up, slowly standing on their own two feet, and walking through the door.
A brass bell rang the moment the wooden doors opened, causing most of the residents, who were enthralled in prayer, to turn their heads towards the teary-eyed one. A figure, adorned in heavy white robes, decorated with golden markings, approached the bard, their face showing deep signs of annoyance, of anger. The moment he stood directly in front of them, his imposing stance towering over the young bard, he spoke; -”Brother Utgard.”- he spoke, his tone sharp and full of venom, -”What gives you the right to interrupt our sacred ritual at such an hour?! Have you gone crazy?”- He slapped them, causing the young one to kneel down, grasping at their cheek from the pain. -”Just what has gotten into you!?”- He kept on yelling, as the sermon behind the two continued; -”Never have I had a follower as scatterbrained and insolent as you, young man.”-... They hated him so much, a passion burnt deep within them, they wanted to yell back at him, how they never wished to be part of his poor excuse of a cult… but they couldn’t. Instead, they grunted in pain, their eyes meeting the floor, The reverend sighed, grasping the bard by the arm and dragging them, tugging at their arm with no regards for them. The bard looked around in shame, countless eyes fixed upon them, as the priest threw them on a seat, near the altar.
The sermon picked back up once more, words of a merciful deity whose harmonic voice would bless the land, bringing it back to the long lost splendor that was robbed from it. “The Orchestrator”, the people called it, the divinity that allegedly watched over the ruined land of Hymnfall, the same being that gave people the gift of song and harmony, which followers took to praising as well. At one point, the choir broke into its signature chant, with multiple people standing up and joining in the rite, Utgard was also forced to stand up, albeit standing mute for as long as they could. The longer they went without singing, the more stares they would get from their “brothers and sisters”. Breaking under the pressure, they began to sing along; in the lowest tone they could, as to get the stares off their back… and it hurt, each hum that left their throat would feel like a dozen knives running across the innocent and unspoilt flesh, shredding and slicing at their very soul. They had always been like this, ever since they could remember, they had never been able to usher but a word before being drowned by a sharp, unbearable pain, they were never given a reason, nor would anyone believe them, which lead to an endless cycle of anger and pain, as they remained powerless before this condition.
The hymn came to an end the lingering voices reverberating through the room, as the last graces told before the sermon’s end came to a close. Seeing as night had struck, each individual made for their private quarters, preparing for the last meal of the day, Utgard’s limbs shook, as they rushed directly into their room, closing the door behind themselves and collapsing, coughing up blood and beginning to tear up once more. Just how long did they have to go through with this? was there really no end to all of this suffering? As they completely collapsed onto the floor, sleep slowly taking over, they wished one last time.
For it all to end.
…And yet, days and nights passed, the vicious cycle never ceasing, each day the bard being tested, their tolerance to pain getting ever weaker, countless rites past forcing Utgard to face their own personal hell on a daily basis. Nights later from their encounter with the beast, they began to think, asking themselves whether maybe, getting mauled by that creature would have been a preferable outcome to them, if the situation they were in was truly endless, if they missed their only chance to break the cycle of agony they were in.
This realization caused them to feel a sinking sensation in their heart, were they really that much of a failure? How could they manage failing to die? They looked outside their room’s window, looking at the full moon blazing in the sky, they reasoned that, perhaps, they had a way to make it right. They grabbed a piece of wood, smashing it into the window and grabbing the razor-like shards that broke away from the glass, looking at their reflection one last time, those same golden eyes full of tears, that purple mane, that pearl-like complexion carpeted by scars… they were ready to leave it all behind.
But this plan of theirs was cut short, as they brought the sharp tool to their neck, the entire building shook, screams of terror rising from the centre area. The temperature began to rise, a light becoming visible from outside the room’s window, as Utgard slowly realized that the entire monastery was under attack. Rushing out of their room, their eyes were met with crimson pools of blood, dead bodies carpeting the floor, multiple armed individuals continuing the carnage, as the same people that the bard had despised fell to the floor, motionless, like flies in the winter. Slowly, one of the figures participating in the carnage approached the bard, a creature akin to a reptile, in the shape of a person, their scales gleaming a marble-white, their eyes akin to the lifeblood that covered the spoilt floors of the monastery turned slaughterhouse. As the figure approached the teary-eyed bard, they began to shake, pointing the shard of glass they held at the unknown individual, their mind racing, thoughts overpowering their ability to move. Noticing this, the lizard-like person took the moment at hand, striking the bard with its shield and causing them to drop to the ground, unconscious, vulnerable.
|
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Announcement
Alright, so this is not what I was planning on starting this little side project with. Generally, this collection is just going to be short stories I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue as full-length projects but still wanted to write regardless. After getting the COVID booster and flu shot yesterday, I only really feel like a third of a person now and can't fathom finishing off the short story I wanted to kick things off with. So instead, we're taking a walk down memory Jayne!
Little backstory, feel free to skip to the meat of things. Back in High School, I fucking hated writing. Like, seriously hated it with every fiber of my being. English was constantly my worst subject and I just avoided everything tangentially related to it like the plague. It got to the point that I stopped reading for fun like I had all throughout primary school. I drifted along, only ever watching tv and movies or playing games in my free time. It's not that I didn't have stories I wanted to tell, but I didn't feel like I could. Well, my freshman year in college I found myself confronted with a gen-ed required creative writing class. I thought it was going to be more of the same, but the professor there was an absolute badass and by the time the first major assignment came along, I was ready to give it a legitimate try.
My teacher and my classmates liked my story. More than that, they seemed to truly enjoy it. People came to me after class and asked me to look at their next stories before they were due, the professor suggested I take more courses like his in future semesters... I felt, good. It was the first time in years I'd been proud of something I did. I always thought of myself as the JAK of all trades, master of none type with shallow knowledge and skills in a few areas, but this was the first time I thought I could find something to specialize in.
So anyway, this is the story I first wrote in that class that gave me the confidence to actually start writing more and (much later) publish on sites like this. There are a few things I'd want to change about this piece. After all, this was written some years ago and I'm MUCH different than I was when I wrote this (for one, I don't still think I'm a dude, so there's that) but changing this up would seem disingenuous to the whole point of throwing this out there as a show of where I came from originally and (hopefully) how far I've come.
TLDR: This is my villain origin story and the reason you're all stuck with me posting a bunch of stuff nowadays!
Marcus stared blankly at his wall. It was not a particularly interesting wall, in fact, quite the contrary. The wall was a simple blank wall, painted white, with three chipped-off sections of varying size near the bottom left corner. Despite his lack of interest in it, Marcus stared on as if he had in front of him a masterful work of art. He sat, content in his chair, staring at the same white wall he always stared at in between appointments. His office, otherwise silent, resonated with the rhythmic tick of his wall clock. Marcus allowed his eyes a single moment away from his wall to check the time. Five past five, his next appointment was late.
“Mr. Mason, you’re five o’clock is here.” declared his assistant’s voice over the intercom.
“Send him in,” Marcus replied to the small black box on his desk.
In came Jason Mint. Jason was a tall man of intimidating stature. He came in with his chest puffed out as if he had strolled into his own office and not Marcus’.
“Hey there, hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long here. You wouldn’t believe the traffic,” said Jason, unaware of the wrath he had incurred.
“Oh that’s fine.” replied Marcus “I’m just glad you showed up before we closed.” Marcus smiled to himself, pleased at his mastery of passive aggression.
“Shall we begin?” asked Marcus.
“I don’t see why not,” Jason replied standing awkwardly by Marcus’ desk.
Marcus cracked his fingers and directed them towards his large calculator. The calculator was a very neutral tan color, the buttons were so worn from overuse that the numbers and symbols which once adorned them had faded into near invisibility. Marcus had made a joke to his assistant before about the calculator being a representation of himself and how the job wears him out. He was very proud of himself for that one.
Marcus began the process working from head to toe. Add fifty for blonde hair. Thirty more points for blue eyes. Subtract 100 on the count of three chipped teeth and receding gums. Marcus assessed Jason with machine-like efficiency, only speaking to provide the behemoth with vague direction.
“Open your mouth. Not that wide. Now turn around. Squat down.”
Marcus continued clicking and clacking on his calculator as he directed Jason like a puppet without strings. When Marcus had finished the physical examination he offered Jason a seat once again. There was a long and uncomfortable silence as Marcus looked over Jason’s medical records and input new totals into his calculator. Jason looked inquisitively at the roll of tape protruding from the calculator, trying his hardest to add up the numbers listed to get an idea of how he was doing. Finally, Marcus tore out the long strip of thin white paper. He looked over it for a moment and filled out form 2807-B which he produced from a large stack of the same form on his desk. Marcus handed the form back to Jason.
“Is this some kind of joke?” inquired Jason in shock.
“No it isn’t sir, I take my job very seriously,” replied Marcus sensing what was coming.
“A 592? A 592!? I can’t even get a decent insurance policy with a 592! Screw you, you arrogant, self-important prick!” yelled Jason with a vein popping out of his neck which would have incurred another deduction had it been visible during the inspection.
“I’m very sorry sir.” Marcus wasn’t actually sorry. He was so used to this kind of reaction by now. All he really cared about was getting Jason out of the door. This was his last appointment and he really wanted to beat the traffic home so he could indulge in a productive night of drinking and internet pornography.
“I don’t ever want to see your smug face again!”
Marcus wondered if his face looked smug, he thought he had perfected the art of feigning empathy.
“Consider yourself banned from the Fitness Forum!”
Marcus tried not to show it but he was elated by this. His colleagues and himself had a bingo card of types of establishments they were no longer allowed to go to and now he could cross out Gym.
Jason stormed out, letting out various other obscenities in his wake. Once he had left the building Marcus began to pack up his things. His assistant Lena entered timidly.
“Another satisfied customer?” she joked with a half-smile on her face.
Lena was a kind, shy and mousy person. She was an unconventional type of cute with disheveled hair and large glasses. She was the type of person Marcus felt bad about giving a 423. The thing that intrigued Marcus the most about her was the way she took getting her score. She took it as a compliment, as if she didn’t believe she deserved even the meager score she had gotten.
“I was wondering, could I ask you a favor?” she meekly asked almost apologetically.
“Of course, anything for you.”
“I was wondering if you could reassess me. It’s been a while and I’ve been taking better care of myself. I want to see if I can break 500.”
Marcus took one look up and down Lena and knew that she would be disappointed. However, Marcus couldn’t possibly deny Lena’s request. She never asked for anything and if he could do this for her, he would. Marcus agreed and Lena excitedly entered his domain and positioned herself fully within his view.
Once more, Marcus began from the top and worked his way down. Brown unkempt hair with several grey strands... add five. That can’t be right, can it? Marcus thought back to the way his assistant would have to constantly blow the hair out of her eyes when she leaned over her desk. How adorable he found her nervous habit to twirl strands of the brown locks around her thin and delicate finger. Rules were rules though and the score for her hair was five. Next were her eyes. One blue, deep and shimmering as the ocean, the other green, reminiscent of an emerald that the sun graced perfectly with its presence... subtract ten. Wait, what? It’s considered a defect yes but how can something this unique and beautiful possibly be construed as a negative? Who the hell came up with these values? They all seem to make sense before but now Marcus couldn’t explain any of it. Marcus went on, directing her as he quickly added and subtracted his little numbers, objectively judging every piece of her. He finished with the physical portion and moved on to her medical sheet, his fears confirmed as he began with a slew of new deductions. Marcus sat, his grisly work finished, staring down the total on the tape disapprovingly. 419. No. There has to have been some mistake. He quickly scanned the tape and all of the totals finding no error.
“Is something wrong?” asked Lena.
Sweet Lena, totally ignorant to the horrible truth of what was happening. Marcus sat in awe of the atrocity he had created. He followed his directions like he always had, how could they be so wrong? Marcus leaned back in his chair, keeping the total at eye level, praying with every breath that he would blink and the number would change.
The system had failed. This person. This beautiful and wonderful person in front of him could not be a 419. This wonderful person who over the years had become his reason to keep his horrible and demoralizing job. This outstanding individual whose laugh was infectious to anyone fortunate enough to hear it. This example of sheer perfection in his eyes.
“If my score is bad I can try and change,” said Lena with a hint of sadness in her voice. “I can dye my hair and start combing it more often.”
“No.”
“I can try laser eye surgery.”
“No.”
“What if I go on a diet, I know I could stand to lose a few pounds.”
“No!” asserted Marcus, two small tears forming in the corners of his normally cold and unfeeling eyes. Marcus quickly grabbed a 2807-B from his pile and filled it out as quickly as possible before handing it to her. She grabbed the paper and forced herself to look upon its judgemental comments.
“Is this some kind of joke?” Lena asked sincerely.
“I take my job very seriously,” replied Marcus in his usual nonchalant manner.
Lena sat across from him, tears welling up in her eyes. Before long she began openly sobbing. She stood up and rounded Marcus’ desk so that she was right next to him. She swiftly reached down and embraced him.
“Congratulations.” Marcus managed to let out.
Lena, tears still streaming down her face exited the office with a bounce in her step. She held in her hand proof that she was a 750, the highest score Marcus had given in years. Marcus sat in his chair, feeling good about himself and what he does for the first time since he started at this firm. He wasn’t a liar, he simply revised the system a tad. Add 100 points for general kindness. Another 31 points for her laugh. Tack on 50 more for the crinkle she got above her nose when she was hard at work. Finally, another 150 for possessing the grace to not think herself better than anyone else, for seeing people genuinely for who they are beneath the surface and teaching Marcus to do the same.
|
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"title": "Variety JAK - Assessment",
"author": "JAK",
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"rating": 5,
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"genre": [
"Comedy",
"Drama",
"Gender Bender",
"Girls Love",
"Romance",
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|
The roaring of the wooden wheels came to a stop, the carriage bobbing up and down violently before coming to a complete halt, jetting the teary-eyed one awake, the exhausted lamp that had flickered its last spark shortly before fell onto the ground, its glass shattering after a loud thud, sending a swift shiver down their spine… How long had they been held captive? It must've been less than a week, four days at most, as they slowly rose up in a sitting position, rubbing their eyes whilst the carriage’s door slowly opened, letting the morning’s light flood in. Along with it came the reverberating buzz of flowing water, the chanting of songbirds, a vast greenery outside that was completely alien to the nature they had grown used to call home.
They swiftly moved closer, mesmerized by the beautiful green glow that the grass had, their eyes glowing with a childlike wonder they had never felt before. They could feel their heart begin to beat faster and faster, excitement growing, noticing that the cell's door was unlocked, open. They flinched, the possibility of this being but a trap flew across their mind, thinking that if they walked out then… But despite the risk of the action being clear as day, they weren't willing to let this chance escape them. And so, with resolve unparalleled, they pushed the cell's door open, walking out and looking around themselves, scanning the area.
The group of carriages that formed the company had stopped just shy of a massive city, its gigantic walls almost completely surrounding it, only breaking to let a lake connected breathe. Utgard wasn't one that made much contact with water, as a matter of fact, the azure waves crashing onto the distant shore and the ships that rode them were completely new territory, a territory that they were very eager to explore, they were starving for something new, the darkened haze pervading their cell slowly driving them insane, and they weren't gonna let it escape from them. Before they could move, a familiar hand grasped at their shoulder, tugging back at them lightly, causing the bard to flinch. They looked back, meeting their guards' gaze, looking down upon realizing that the beauty of the scenery was not for their eyes. Ennui looked at them, a spark of pity striking his nerve as he felt the need to… err "ease" it on them, so he pointed his finger at the city, turning the bards' face to see within the walls; -"That's Ghotishaven"- he began, -"It's the biggest sweetwater fish exporter that the Brassborn republic has access to. It’s also the captain’s hometown.”- The prisoner tilted their head at the mention of “Brassborn”, unsure of what exactly it meant, but ignoring that doubt that they held, they kept on looking past the city, staring directly at the vast greens that surrounded the area, nothing like the withering acres that they called home.
Noticing this, the reptile cracked a slight smile, mimicking the bard’s stare of awe and slowly speaking once more; -”It also houses a domesticated grove, just shy of the city’s walls.”- This caused Utgard’s eyes to light up in joy, as they began to try and rush off, stopped by their guards’ firm grasp. -”I’ll escort you there, don’t worry.”- He spoke, his soft voice taking the role not of apprehension, rather as a reassurance, -”But first, the captain asked for everyone to attend a meeting… including you.”- He choked out that last part, visibly unhappy, as he grasped the musician’s hands violently grabbing a piece of tightrope from his satchel and tying their hands together, restricting all movement and slightly slowing the blood flow in the bound areas. It stung, but as the bard attempted to muster out a grunt, their mouth was also covered by a purple veil, which was donned with an insignia reminiscent of that found below Ennui’s eye. At first, they wondered why such a thing was necessary, but thinking back at their first escape revealed that this was just a way for the company to tell that they were attempting to vocalize, and perhaps attempt to cast a spell once more, giving them the perfect window to stop their action. Despite this, they didn’t seem to mind, as the pain they felt the first time was something they didn’t wish to repeat, rather they were more annoyed by the burning that the ropes left on their hand, because of that, they shot a look at their guard, which simply looked ahead at the city once more. Slowly, the rest of the company began to slowly move towards the city’ entrance, a mass of people shifting, their chattering voices, each person with a different imprint, be it heavy or soft, created a grand cacophony, as the mercenary group strutted across the stone roads that carpeted Ghotishaven.
The city itself had a rustic, somehow nostalgic appearance, the simplistic wooden structures and the simple garments that the citizens inhabiting it wore reminded the teary-eyed bard of the “pure” and “inoffensive” standards that the monastery they had spent their entire life in promoted. From each part of the city, they could get a perfect view of both its humongous walls and the pristine lakeview. The former were decorated with a vast array of banners and emblems, a pattern cut off and repeated by the watchtowers that split it, each of which was inhabited by both watchmen and archers, Meanwhile the latter seemed completely unspoilt by mankind’s touch, barring the dock carpeting its river. Despite the beauty that this city held, they couldn’t help but feel like most of it was… spoiled, to an extent, by its denizens, specifically their particularly rude behaviour. The most passive of them would simply glare at the company, their stares piercing whoever was unfortunate enough to cross them first, while the most “outspoken” of them would go as far as to spit on the very ground the mercenaries walked on.. that is if they missed their faces directly.
It didn’t exactly take long for the company to reach their destination, a grand and empty inn, evidently run-down and completely dark, its door creaking loudly as the captain kicked it down with uncontrolled violence, some could have sworn that the entire building shook. The group swiftly followed suit, multiple candles being lit as the mercenaries slowly rolled in, easily flooding the entire building. A man swiftly rose onto a table, his leather vest and jet black eyepatch complimenting his hazel hair and tanned complexion, the greatsword on their back shimmering in the dim candlelight, their expression carved into a self-assured smirk. Seeing him sent shivers down Utgard’s spine, memories of their first attempt at freedom flooding back their mind… this was them, sure as the morning sun’s rise.
-”My good companions!”- He yelled out; -”I cannot begin to thank you all for your support during this journey, truely, you people are the heroes that Hymnfall needed!”- an armored figure approached his side, their features slim and sharp, very clearly unmuscular, the helmet covering their entire face. -”Now then, I am sure that the treatment you people got when entering this town wasn’t what that title I just draped on you guys would be met with, but you shan't forget that you’re still, well… Criminals.”- the bard looked up to their caretaker, whose gaze was fixed on the company’s leader, that ice cold gaze that Utgard had come to fear during their first days was now in full display, piercing the eyepatch wearing man. At least, they found solace that it wasn’t directed to them this time. -”I like to believe that i was quite clear when i first informed you lot of the mission, but due to recent events, i figured that a good refresher wasn’t going to toss your thick skulls into a frenzy.”- Following Alexander’s claim, multiple enraged voices began to rise, all silenced by the knight’s blade slamming against the hard and cold wooden surface. -”...As I was sayin’, you people are tasked to help me accomplish two very simple tasks: Bring that purple haired fellow along for the ride safely, making sure they don’t get hurt, And help me… ‘Borrow’ a few relics.”- Unsurprised by the evident excitement that the man expressed towards casual theft, the bard let out an exasperated sigh, their attention beginning to shift towards the people surrounding them.
They were surrounded by a multitude of unique silhouettes, some resembling humans, others with an appearance more reminiscent of Ennui himself, some rather resembling humanoid avians, their wings taking up an uncomfortable amount of space around them. One thing was certain to them, Alexander clearly didn’t discriminate the people that he hired for this… “mission”, as the bard could easily notice the scars carpeting their visages, the generally ominous glare that each and every single member of the company gave off… which… confused them. Why didn’t they feel this uneasy feeling towards their guard anymore? They thought about them once more, their mind racing back to days prior, when the two “spoke”, face to face, the reptile’s demeanor had become softer, more understanding, while the bard thought, and partially, wanted to reassure themselves that it was simply pity, that they shouldn’t bring their hopes up to get closer to a person like him, and that he was simply doing his job and that he would abandon them the moment he had to, part of them couldn’t cease to wonder if perhaps there was something else to his behavior, be it a personal interest in Utgard, maybe the bard reminded him of a sibling of his? whatever the case, it wasn’t for now to dwell on.
As they came back to reason, they noticed that the conversation had ended, with the people rushing out of the building, some approaching the bar section of the inn, the sea of figures confusing them, as their very being was bumped in different directions time and time again. Their breathing sped up, beads of sweat forming on their forehead as they attempted to make their way towards the door. Their constant failure made their panic worse, as they slowly began to huddle downwards, afraid. This changed the moment they felt a warm touch on their shoulder, that hand covered in scales that they had felt already before. They turned around, looking upwards and meeting their protector’s gaze, who simply sighed in relief, grasping their arm and leading them out the building.
-”I did promise you”- He spoke, his voice soft once more as he led the bard down the citadel’s streets. -”The captain wasn’t exactly thrilled when I brought the idea up, but he relented in the end… that is with a caveat.”- Upon mentioning that, the same armored figure from before jolted next to the duo, startling Utgard. -”I don’t understand what made you think this was a good idea, brute.”- Her voice, despite being thwarted by the helmet’s thick metal, was still distinctly feminine, as she spit venom directly in Ennui’s direction. -”Valentina, you shouldn’t stress over matters this innocent”- He answered; -”And besides, you should probably remove your helmet before people begin to ask questions.”- the reptile’s claim was met with a grunt of annoyance, as the figure removed the helmet from their head. The knight wasn’t distinctly human in nature, her figure was reminiscent of that of a honeybee, her large black eyes and bouncing antennae making it hard to keep up the obviously serious demeanor she desperately wanted to give off. Seeing the antennae especially, the bard struggled to hold in a laugh, yet succeeded after the captain’s right hand woman brought the tip of her blade directly to the bottom of their jaw. -”...As for you, I expect no less than full obedience.”- those few seconds felt like years, that very moment the prisoner could focus and see perfectly the ornate details running across the rapier’s edge, the decorated hilt, the… scar that Valentina donned across her right eye.
Ennui lowered the knight’s blade, sighing at their partner’s display of poor temper. -”They won’t be trying anything.”- to this claim, the knight instantly displayed curiosity, she gave one more look- or rather, glare at Utgard, before speaking once more; -”And how do you know that?”- the bard stepped back seeing the two begin to bicker more and more as they walked, between insults hauled and blows exchanged in the middle of the street, the prisoner began to wonder just how rocky the past between the two co-workers really was, however this curiosity wasn’t gonna meet an answer soon, considering the… violence the knight was very keen to use. The walk towards the grove’s entrance wasn’t exactly a long one, but it was just enough for both Ennui and Valentina to be covered in bruises at their arrival, one could only shiver thinking of the violence of their strikes behind closed doors.
-”Orchestrator help me- I'll scout ahead, don’t get yourselves killed”- She yelled, storming forwards and into the grove’s entrance, as the reptile and the bard were simply left there, confused as to whether following her was a good idea. Alas, they lacked a choice in the matter, and so reluctantly followed the bossy individual deeper within the vegetation.
The green treetops, the lively fauna dwelling within the sylvan landscape, it all caused the prisoner’s heart to flutter, the familiar yet completely alien pastures of a life that had been robbed from them since birth, they couldn’t help but tear up at the sight of this all. Instinctively, they attempted to grasp a hold of their lyre, struggling due to the rope tying their arms together. Upon noticing this, the reptile swiftly took action, using their claws to undo the rope’s knot, freeing the bard’s and allowing them to brandish their instrument once more. They took deep breaths, savoring the absence of human noise, basking in the wind’s poetic flow, the bird’s singing, the leaves fluttering. Slowly, they began to strum the tool’s chords lightly, a single note, repeated to the tune of the breeze’s flowing, slowly developing, what began as a simple mimicking of nature’s cry began to morph into an ode to the wind itself, it’s tempo speeding up as the air currents rose, and slowing down to match their halt. This bucolic hymn continued and refused to cease, the bard’s eyes closing, their steps becoming light as those of a ladybug. Witnessing this, the guard laid against the trunk of a tree, refusing to step in, simply watching as the musician let their soul bleed out its very essence in one ravished song. He couldn’t exactly grasp what captured him about the performance, the bard’s technique wasn’t among the most sophisticated he’d seen, effectively it shouldn’t hold anything special… and yet he couldn’t bring himself to look away.
During the spectacle, during its very climax, the two beings crossed gazes.
Despite the bard still playing, silence surrounded them.
…
Noticing this, Ennui instantly glared in the opposite direction, being met with the same reaction from Utgard. The playing stopped for a while, the embarrassment of the situation finally setting in, the bard had never played for an audience, and it showed, their fingers beginning to tremble and the inspiration that inundated them completely disappearing. -”...You don’t have to stop”- Ennui spoke; -”For me or- Anyone for that matter.”- He approached the bard, driving their hand back to the lyre, -”You shouldn’t let the presence of someone else ruin this for you.”- hearing this, they simply nodded, resuming their song once more. The reptile stood silently over the bard, their art slowly arising once more, this time less ravished, more calm, their golden eyes closing once more, the welcoming darkness of their mind becoming the only thing they let themselves focus on.
That didn’t last, however, as a roar all too familiar to Utgard, deafening and unending, arose from not too far. The two froze, as Ennui dashed towards the noise whilst unsheathing his blade and shield. Then and there, the prisoner realized that this was the perfect distraction to attempt an escape, however, despite their own judgment, they decided to follow Ennui deeper within the forest. The screeches of the beast grew louder and more violent as they approached, prompting the birds around the area to scramble in terror, and making the trees shiver like a cold limb. The notion of even running towards the beast was nonsense to Utgard, they knew how brutal they could be firsthand, and knowing that Ennui intended to fight it made it all so much worse. Whilst the prisoner silently panicked, the reptile kept on slicing his way through the thick verdure, amputating any tree's limb that threatened to slow him down. The howling didn’t cease, rather it only grew more and more ravenous, the sinking feeling within the bard’s heart getting worse.
Once the group reached the source of the noise, they couldn’t help but stand dumbfounded by the spectacle going on in front of their very eyes.
The knight’s blade shimmered, dancing and gliding across the verdant carpeting of the forest, each strike delivered to the demonic creature carrying itself with startling precision and stunning elegance, the air blowing filled with a mixture of blades of grass and otherworldly blood. It screeched, screamed, its laments falling to an audience of deaf ears, as the butcher's strikes only grew more and more frequent, the ornate glimmer of their weapon’s edge blinding the spectators. The beast couldn’t do more but attempt to limp away, the onslaught having robbed them of vital limbs, its fluids staining the verdure a deep and dark maroon. The blademaster simply stood tall, watching unimpressed, almost bored, as her prey squirmed, desperately clinging onto any faint hope of survival. At last, satisfied with the damage she’d done, she simply placed the very tip of her rapier onto the creature’s head, taking a breath and-
One movement, a wrist’s flick, the deafening sound of a skull being pierced.
Life disappearing from its body.
The two simply stood there, observing as Valentina slowly retreated her weapon from the creature’s head, turning her gaze towards the nature that it had come in contact with. The bard followed her gaze, noticing that the plants that had been touched by the creature’s blood had quickly begun to rot, turning a deep shade of purple. Seeing this, her expression contorted into one of utter disgust, as she approached the two. -”...Take the Moonwalker back to base, I’ll alert the authorities about the outbreak.”- She began to walk away, turning back only to usher one more thing; -”...For a Sandbeater, your inaction is appalling.”- And so, she disappeared within the verdant walls of the grove, leaving the bard confused, and the reptile utterly speechless.
Following a moment of tacit shame from Ennui, he grasped Utgard’s arm, dragging them violently towards the exit of the grove, refusing to throw a glance towards them, rushing at a quick pace. The prisoner struggled to understand what had just transpired, but they understood that… whatever the knight had said, it tilted the reptile heavily. Their entire trip back towards the camp was silent, no words ushered from the guard, nor any effort made by the prisoner to get an answer.
…
Once they returned, Ennui let the bard recoup alone in their cell, waiting for them to fall asleep. His hand shivered, his own claws digging into his arm, he’d suffered insults before, not just from her, the members of the company were used to tearing into each other for the most minute reason, but right then and there, that claim on either laziness or fear, the fact that she felt like she had the right to address him by species, it made his wrath boil, his tail swinging wildly, his entire body trying to exude the piling stress non-violently. At that exact moment, when they felt like the only way to blow off steam would be punching a hole through the carriage’s wall, a hand grasped their shoulder firmly, another one delivering a strong blow in the middle of his back. He gasped for air, meeting the gaze of their assailant; -”Well, at least you didn’t let ‘em run… s’an improvement!”- Instantly, they stepped away, turning completely to face them directly, -”...Thank you, sir.”-. The captain’s face was still carved into a disturbed smirk, their hair flowing in the sundown’s breeze.
-”Now, with the good things out of the way…”- that smile disappeared in an instant, as he grasped the reptile’s neck firmly, dragging their face towards their own and bringing them to their knees. Stunned by the sudden display of force, Ennui could do nothing but listen, his eyes shrinking. -”...I don’t know what was up with your request today, but i feel like i have to remind you.”- Swiftly, he brought a knife to the reptile’s eye, its tip caressing their lower brow, threatening to plunge into his flesh at any moment’s notice; -”Don’t forget that this is simply business, understood?”- Ennui nodded, as Alexander’s smile returned, letting go of their grasp and allowing the guardian to take breaths once more.
He waved, leaving them alone, letting him recover from the shock.
|
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"title": "Hymnfall - Chapter 4: Maestoso.",
"author": "CallMeHumphrey",
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|
Spruce White kicked open the door to Marrie's bedroom, which, somehow, did not wake the Warmonger. What did wake up the Warmonger was what happened next.
White crept up on her wife and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"Morgage."
Marrie's eyes snapped open and she let out a startled yell as she jumped off her bed and landed on the other side. Since she always slept with a weapon, this time her long axe, Marrie had it at the ready. However, after realizing that it was just White, Marrie let out a loud sigh of relief, her weapon dropping slightly.
"Yer lucky that I can recognize ya," Marrie growled while rubbing her temple in frustration.
"It's not my fault you are scared of a word that means nothing really serious in my world," White remarked, crossing her arms.
"That means to kill a leader in Vanyan," Marrie spat out, getting out from behind the bed and blinking her eyes in an attempt to wake herself up.
"So, did ye come here to scare me awake or is there a reason why ye woke me?" Marrie asked, putting down her long axe and reaching into the drawer she has by her bedroom door.
"Well, today is Christmas!" White exclaimed, waving her arms in the air to make a point.
Marrie looked up from what she was doing and gave White a blank stare.
"...What's Christmas?" Marrie asked after an uncomfortable silence.
"Oh...Yeah, it makes sense you wouldn't have Christmas here when Gods have been proven real," White said, letting out a awkward chuckle.
Seeing the down look in her eyes, Marrie let out a sigh and walked over to White and placed a hand on her shoulder, not bothering to close the drawer.
"Why don't you tell me about Christmas?" Marrie suggested, a small smile on her face.
White was quiet for a moment before her face lit up.
"Sure!" White answered with a chirp, dancing over to Marrie's bed and sitting down on it like she is a ballerina.
Marrie raised an eyebrow at her antics, finding them amusing, but stayed silent.
"So," White began, swinging her legs off the side of Marrie's bed, "Christmas is announced or, if you live where I lived, brings snow!"
Marrie was quiet for a moment, then proceeded to grab a blue coffee mug and took a small sip out of something that smelled like hot cocoa, before looking out the window. White looked out the window a moment afterwards, already knowing how what she said sounded stupid.
"...But it's always snowing in Vanyan," Marrie pointed out, looking at the trickle of snowflakes in the air.
White let out a small sigh, though a smile was still on her face.
"Well, you have a point there," White agreed, her eyes watching the snowflakes outside the window as well.
Marrie looked away from the window and back towards White. Despite her calm appearance, Marrie's mind was panicking. Marrie was many things. A Titled Warmonger, an accomplished military leader, a Commander known throughout most of Nostalisk, and a great fighter and cook. Marrie was not, however, good at comforting someone. Marrie knows how to negotiate like most people in Nostalisk do, but she is still a Vanyan. Vanyans don't really need comforting and the most typical form of Vanyan negotiations is through violence and non-empty threats.
Plus, Marrie's nickname is Bloody Marrie. Marrie never had a little sister she had to comfort until two years ago, and that little sister is bigger than her. Marrie often kills her own soldiers out of fear if they failed to make any progress. Unlike almost every Vanyan, Marrie has never had a family and grew up without any family comfort, instead growing up trying to get her constant fear of failure under control. She was the person one would least expect to comfort someone.
Still, Marrie knew she had to try. Originally, Marrie hated White. White, like her, had pure Vanyan blood. (Though there is a four percent difference) Yet, somehow, White behaved nothing like a Vanyan would. She didn't even have the Vanyan fear that all Vanyans have. The very idea that someone like White could exist disgusted Marrie. Still, that was in the past. Now, Marrie can't deny that she has grown much closer to the girl, and has most definitely developed feelings for her. So, seeing her in distress like this irked Marrie.
"What other parts of Christmas is there?" Marrie asked, drawing White's attention away from the window and back towards Marrie.
"Well, people set up a pine tree and decorate it with lights and other fancy stuff," White explained, her eyes recalling all the Christmases she has had, "This all happens before Christmas and, on the night before Christmas, called Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will come down and put presents under the tree for us for free!"
"Who is this Santa Claus?" Marrie asked, causing White to burst out giggling.
"What? Is something about what thy said funny?" Marrie asked, not understanding why White was having a giggling fit.
"No, it's just that the Vanyan accent, especially the one you have, sounds funny when saying Santa Claus," White explained, tears forming in her eyes as she struggled to control her giggles.
Marrie shrugged it off as a compliment.
"Well, are ye gonna answer thy question?" Marrie asked, walking over and sitting down next to White on the bed.
"Yes. Santa Claus is this large fat man wearing a red and white coat who comes in through the chimney," White explained.
Marrie raised an eyebrow, a blank expression on her face.
"What's a chimney?" Marrie asked, causing White to giggle again.
"A chimney is another name for a smoker," White answered, remembering how she was confused about what a smoker was for the longest time until she saw one for herself.
Marrie's expression turned to one of disbelief.
"So...a fat man goes down a smoker and delivers presents?" Marrie asked, trying to wrap her head around the concept.
White took one look at Marrie's face and burst out laughing. Marrie's face went red upon being laughed at.
'Is it because I can't understand the concept?' Marrie thought to herself, failing to actually realize the real reason.
"Does thy Santa Claus use magic or something to move undetected?" Marrie tried, which only caused White to laugh harder, "How fat is fat? Is he only a little fat in order to sneak in through smokers or does he teleport in by some kind of talisman?"
The more Marrie kept on guessing, the harder White laughed which caused Marrie's face to become even redder in return. Finally, White broke the cycle by putting a hand on Marrie's thigh, stopping her from asking another question.
"M-Marrie, there is no real Santa Claus," White got out after she stopped wheezing, "Our parents give us the presents and made Santa Claus up for us when we are little."
Marrie was silent for a long couple of seconds before she let out a large sigh of relief.
"Oh...That makes more sense," Marrie muttered to herself, though White still heard what she said.
"So, I'm going to assume thee wants to celebrate this Christmas, right?" Marrie asked, hoping to change the conversation despite the conversation having ended.
"Yep...though I think that might be impossible," White admitted, her eyes glancing out the window.
"Nonsense!" Marrie shouted, causing White to let out a yelp of surprise and fall off the bed, "I can get us a tree and we can decorate it. Even without parents or children, we should be able to do that much."
White stared at Marrie, joy in her eyes, before she took a moment to realize exactly what Marrie had just said. When she did, she quickly turned her head around so Marrie couldn't see her blushing face.
'Marrie just said without children. Doesn't that mean she plans to have them with me in the future?' White thought, sneaking a glance at Marrie who was staring out the window, a determined look on her face.
'Nah,' White thought, shaking her head slightly, 'she probably said that unintentionally. Well, on the bright side, at least I know that somewhere in her mind she is considering the idea.'
While White was thinking this, Marrie had a poker face on. Why? Well, she also just realized what she said and is too embarrassed to look at White.
'Well, at least White didn't fully hear the part about children.' Marrie thought with an inner sigh of relief. She has no if White would even want children in the first place, especially with someone like Marrie who regularly goes out and fights the Great War.
"Anyway, I'll go find a pine tree," Marrie said suddenly before jumping out of her bed and out the door, hoping White didn't see her dissolving poker face and the blush on her ears.
White watched her go, unable to hide the ecstatic smile on her face.
Western42
I decided to do something special for the Holidays. Currently, I am on vacation so there might not be any updates on any stories for a while, but I decided to at least do a couple of shorts. Some of these may be from stories not posted or from stories I made on another website. This is from an unposted story about Marrie, the main antagonist of The Princess And Her Warmonger.
And yes, this is technically a prequel but the story focuses on Marrie and her new wife White, which is someone who was reincarnated from Earth. Anyway, have a happy Winter Break!
|
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"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "412733",
"id": "412952",
"q": 0.91,
"title": "A Bunch Of Christmas Specials - It’s Always Snowing In Vanyan",
"author": "Western42",
"chapters": 1,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 1,
"genre": [
"Comedy",
"Fantasy",
"Girls Love",
"Romance",
"Slice of Life"
],
"tags": [
"Collection of Short Stories",
"Cute Story",
"Girl's Love Subplot",
"Oneshot",
"Short Story"
]
}
|
Announcement
Hello and welcome! Nice to see y'all again :)
This short story was originally published more than a year ago as an exclusive on my Patreon; it was based on a prompt suggested by one of my patrons, Julie, who has my thanks!
As always, let me give you a run-down of all the content warnings for this story: they're quite mild, but better safe than sorry.
Spoiler
Dysphoria, implied transphobia, implied abusive parenting, unintentional deadnaming and misgendering.
[collapse]
And that's all! So, without further ado, let's get right on to the story! :)
|
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"lang": "en",
"series": "610614",
"id": "610618",
"q": 0.9463636363636364,
"title": "Pronouns in Bio - Pronouns in Bio",
"author": "ZoeStorm",
"chapters": 1,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 41,
"genre": [
"Gender Bender",
"School Life",
"Slice of Life"
],
"tags": [
"Androgynous Characters",
"Familial Love",
"Family",
"Female to Male",
"Male to Female",
"Modern Day",
"Modern Time",
"Short Story",
"Transgender"
]
}
|
Yesterday (11/6/21) – Me: Ohh that was a really nice review, I did have another idea or two. I'll sleep on it.
Today (12/6/21) – Me: Ok let's do this. 3pm…..6pm….. Ok lets just get the editing done….10Pm….I've spent way too long on this.
Chapter 2: Waking up late
(11 Months ago)
Jaune huddled under his nice warm blanket as he cupped a small cup of coco between his hands. Some would call it a bit of a childish drink and he did sometimes think he should switch to coffee, to at least wake himself up in the morning, but damn it he didn't like the taste, and hot coco was just so good.
He was trying desperately to warm himself up as the temperature in the room continued to drop. The Kingdoms government may have given him some basic technology such as a scroll, to keep in contact with people, a TV, to watch some ongoing news and other little small things like a fridge and a boiler, which took way too long to heat water in his opinion.
But the signal out in the middle of nowhere was unsurprisingly not that good and the antenna receiver that he had been given hadn't held up well against the poor weather, supposedly the weather would get better next season or in other words, a few months.
He tried to resist giving out a sigh as he sat there waiting for his water to heat. The night before hadn't been good, temperatures dropping to below freezing before he even knew it. Honestly this wasn't how he pictured his first 2 weeks going, not even close to started with his ploughing of the field and actually starting to farm.
Hell he hadn't even gotten used to getting up early as he should, getting up late once again today and then there was the other way of making money here, 'Milking', he hadn't been able to bring himself to try again after the first time 1 weeks ago, of course he still kept her fed.
The kingdom wanted him to give her some of that animal feed that was in the barn office, but he had taken one look at that bag and not done that. Jaune knew she was a 'prisoner of war' or an 'enemy' but he was also a decent person that had been raised by a loving mother, you shouldn't treat a person like an animal, even a Faunus with their features.
It didn't help that Pyrrha, as he'd been informed, was the same age as him. That put her on the same level as his sisters in his books and they too were off fighting on the front lines. Brothers forbid anything ever happened to them, or worse they were captured the same as Pyrrha had. Hopefully the Empire would treat their prisoners of war the same, with a little common dignity or those were his thoughts on the matter.
He wouldn't…couldn't be that cruel. So taking the skills he had learned living at home, mainly cooking to help support the family he had started to give her some proper meals, though he wasn't stupid, still keeping her locked and tied in place, only allowing one hand to be released when eating.
Not that her going to the toilet hadn't been one of the most mortifying moments for them both, well Jaune assumed it had been awkward after the atomic blush she sported as he had to clean up after her.
Taking another sip of his hot coco, he looked over towards the temperature gauge telling him how long it would take before he could take a proper hot shower. It still wasn't high enough much to his dismay and his thoughts had brought up another point to his mind.
He had to go and feed Pyrrha. Somehow forcing his body to move, even though it did protest, he finished off his mug and put it at the sink before grabbing some leftovers from the fridge. It wasn't the most extravagant meal for breakfast but it was too cold to give them both something proper.
Grabbing the thickest jacket he could find, he quickly grabbed the plate of food, as well as a fork before starting towards the door. It would be another month before the inspector/Collector came to see how he was doing and he wasn't sure what he was going to tell him.
The prospect of 'Milking' was just something he didn't think he could do and until he stated to farm properly, which he wasn't even sure was possible with his lanky frame and large plot of land he wouldn't be able to afford the necessities needed to keep going. Even with the government funding most of his expenses, if he couldn't be profitable for them, why would they even bother giving him supplies and money?
Trudging his way towards the barn Jaune's tracks stopped suddenly as his eyes lifted from the frosted over dirt, his eyes widened in shock and horror as he realized the door to the barn was open! His heart began to pound in his chest as he quickly ran towards it, thoughts going a hundred miles an hour.
The possibility that Pyrrha might have escaped didn't even enter his mind as he made it into the barn. No the only thoughts going through his head was the fact that the cold temperature last night would have turned this place into a damn freezer for anyone left inside.
Especially someone that couldn't leave, or that had any clothing! Yes Pyrrha had arrived with no clothing, another awkward moment for Jaune when he had first been introduced.
Pushing that thought to the back of his mind he scrambled past the office and all the other stables before finally making it to Pyrrha's. What he saw when he went inside wasn't confidence inspiring. Her body was trembling even as some frost was still built up on the wood around her.
Though he wasn't an expert with horse hides, the shade of her skin didn't look healthy and her human upper torso was bone white. Her eyes were a red and droopy but still instantly snapped in his direction as he rushed in.
There was a quiet pleading behind her eyes as he quickly moved closer, her ears twitching even though they looked blue. Quickly ripping the gag from her mouth that was supposed to stay on at all times outside of eating his hand hesitantly came to scan her body.
"Damn, Damn, Damn. Hey Pyrrha can you hear me? I'm so Sorry! I didn't mean to leave the door open last night, are you ok?!" The words quickly spilled out of his mouth as his hand recoiled at her slightly damp and cold skin.
Panic began to seep in as Pyrrha had trouble responding, her body barely moving as her head slumped down. "Damn it. Damnit! Just wait a second I'll quickly help, just stay awake and stay with me."
Quickly remembering one time when something similar happened to his sister while they were out camping he quickly rushed out of the barn and went back to the house. He mentally berated himself for forgetting to check that the barn was secure before going to sleep the night before.
He wouldn't forgive himself if he killed someone in such a way.
Rushing to his bedroom and going into the closet, he quickly pulled out all the spare bedding he had, making 2 trips back to the barn carrying the heavy load, checking on Pyrrha and how she was doing each time. After grabbing that and a few towels he also got some extra hay he had been given and put it around her hooves and lower horse body, hopefully warming her up.
With that done he quickly grabbed 4 buckets and filled them up with nice warm water before coming back. Putting them off to the side and also reducing the bindings just a little so her hands could move a little more, he talked quietly as he dipped his hand in the water to test it.
"Now I'm going to warm you up with the water before rubbing you down with the towels, that'll make sure you don't get cold when the water cools off. After that I'm going to put all these blankets over you to get your body temperature back to normal."
His voice was soft all thoughts about his own shower and needs completely gone from his mind as he took care of her, fixing his mistake. Pyrrha who had still been shivering, even with the extra hay at her feet slowly looked his way a flickering of light in her eye as she heard him.
She gave him a small nod as he got to work slowly pouring the water on her body. Her eyes continued to track him as her body heat returned and he started to rub down her body to warm her up, beginning with her shoulders and working his way down.
Jaune kept his head lowered and eyes on his task as he spoke to her, regret clear in his voice. "This is all my fault." A sigh escaped his lips as he threw another towel away and started rubbing her torso and moving on to her horse hide. "This should have never happened"
Those seemed to be the last words from Jaune as he diligently rubbed down the rest of her body, throwing away towels when he needed to and chucking blankets on her dried parts. Neither said a word the whole time; though if Jaune had looked up even once he would have seen a small smile begin to spread on Pyrrha's lips as she looked at him.
Chucking on the last blanket covering her body, he finally looked into her green eyes and quickly noted the red tint to her cheeks signifying the return of body heat. Slowly standing up he started to gather everything he had to before leaving.
Chucking the used towels in the 4 buckets he said his final piece as he left. "Once again I'm sorry about what happened, I'm responsible for you, even if you are a Prisoner of War. I should have made sure you were fine in here with the weather last night."
Arms straining a little as he made it to the stable door, he turned back one last time. "I'll make sure to check up on you in an hour, after I've put all this away, and I'll make some food to warm up your belly."
He gave her a weak smile as he made his way out. He wasn't sure at the time as he was leaving, but Jaune was sure later on he heard her voice as he walked away. A small, "Thank you", carried on the wind as he left.
(Present)
Jaune woke groggily as his mind returned from that time seemingly so long ago. After that he had quickly changed a few things in his handling of Pyrrha, making sure he cared for her properly, such as giving her clothes, checking in on her more, etc.
This had of course lead to so many other things over time.
Turning over slowly he peeked the sun already in the sky from his window and racked his brain for what happened last night after he 'Milked' Pyrrha. He had been so tired after the hour long experience that he had gotten to bed early, Pyrrha and the others helping him in his weakened state.
'Wait the sun was already so high!' The thought crossed Jaune's mind as he realised he had slept in once again!
His body sprang up quickly trying to get ready, not having that luxury anymore, before his muscles protested. A small groan left his lips as he continued to get up, before the door was unceremoniously kicked open.
Ok it wasn't kicked open, but it was flung. Before he could even process the door banging wide open a black and red blur came through the door and tackled him down once again. The air left Jaune's lungs as the human projectile took him down.
Jaune at that moment wished he could go back to sleep, he just wasn't prepared for the day, but he couldn't do that, he had a lot of work around the farm to do, not to mention he was worried about the inspector arriving in two days.
He had to get everything ready before he came down, which included making it look like the girls hadn't been out of their stables and living in the house, while also chaining them all back up just before he arrived.
Some of them, well he was mainly thinking off Weiss and Yang wouldn't like that much, but they had been doing the same song and dance every 2 months when the inspector arrived, he couldn't let it slip how well he was treating his supposed prisoners, but that same treatment was what had given him gallons of their 'Milk' which always put a smile on the 'Collectors' face whenever they came down.
The guy even said he was one of the best farmers in this area, obviously trying to get him take on even more 'livestock' while he was at it. Something Jaune was a bit iffy about still as things had stabilized around here after he 'acquired' Blake and Weiss.
*Sniff* *Sniff*
The smaller petite body, bristling tail swishing side to side just inside his vision, as well as the slightly padded and clawed feet that tangled with his own quickly wizened him in on who was currently clinging to his body and slightly sniffing the crook of his neck.
Eyes looking down for a moment he quickly caught sight of the black with red tipped hair that was lying just under his chin with two small wolf-like ears that twitched from side to side, tickling the side of his cheek.
The Faunus currently snuggling with him and sniffing his scent, while keeping him pinned to the bed was a one Ruby Rose. Like all the other 'tenants' he had gained she was also an Alpha Faunus, specifically a Wolf Alpha Faunus.
Starting from her face, she had wide expressive eyes, with the deepest and only shade of silver he had ever seen, something he had found out from one of their many talks was that this was a trait only her Wolf clan held.
Her lips were a deep shade of red, with 2 small canines just peeking out from her closed and smiling face. Ruby's hair was messy and growing a bit out of control but beautiful like the rest of her. Like with most Faunus her skin was a mix of both fur and normal smooth skin.
Her normal skin was a healthy shade that glowed in the sun, making her face that much more expressive. It flowed down her neck before narrowing and slipping in between the valley of her breasts, later coming out to wrap her stomach leading to her lower parts, but fading into her pelvis.
At the same time she had a soft and thin fur that also wrapped her body in certain areas like a pattern on her body. The fur was a deep mix of black with hints of red, like her hair, that was almost as smooth as skin, or more a velvety carpet that kept certain parts of her warm and protected. This included areas like her C-cup breasts, the sides of her stomach or hips and certain parts of her arms and legs.
Right in the middle of her chest just before her valley, as well as on her wrists and ankles were bigger tuffs of fur that centered more heat and protection. In Jaune's honest opinion the scheme that worked her body brought her natural beauty out.
Finally her legs were slightly padded like an actual wolfs, small filed claws on her feet belaying how deadly they actually were, Jaune accidentally scratching himself on them one time. At the same time it provided better purchase and power on the ground for running and jumping. Those same claws appearing on her hands minus the padding of her feet, but those were retractable, something Ruby showed Jaune all the time.
Most of this Jaune noticed the first time he met her, this was of course before he could grab her a proper set of clothes that she liked. For some reason she went with a bit of a gothic look, wearing a white blouse under an overbust corset and skirt which followed the same pattern as her hair, a black and red combination. In the end Jaune didn't question it, she like anyone else had her preferences.
Of course he was noticing these fact now because she was currently laying Naked on top of him, something she had done more than Jaune wanted to admit and having had that experience he knew Ruby was horny right now, not that the bulge pressing into his stomach wasn't a giveaway.
Not something unexpected as she was an Alpha, but still he started to move her off himself. Jaune could 'milk' her latter, he was late to start today and didn't have time, knowing this he quickly spoke up as Ruby moved back a little.
"Ruby I can't do this right now, I have to get out and start work on the fields, it's already so late." The words didn't seem to deter her though as she wrapped her arms around him tighter. Taking one final sniff oh his nape, something she adored doing, she finally moved back, though she continued to straddle his waist, her cock bobbing on his stomach.
She shook her head slowly as her silver eyes pierced him. "Pyrrha and Yang went out with Blake to start while you slept, after last night Pyrrha thought you could use some extra rest." There was a small swelling of happiness inside Jaune as he thought of how thoughtful Pyrrha was towards him.
Relaxing slightly knowing that no matter what he did this morning he wouldn't be helping on the field, not with how stubborn Pyrrha could be, he started to think of how he could repay them later. 'Maybe a big meal tonight before the Collector arrives?'
"Pyrrha said as long as I checked on all the electrics and fixed the microwave I could have some 'alone time' with you this morning." The eagerness in her eyes and twitching of the rod before him clued Jaune into how much she was looking forward to this.
Even though Jaune had no doubt Ruby rushed through her jobs to get here even faster he wasn't worried. Although she was the youngest of his tenants at 19 years old, 2 years younger than everyone else, she was also the best mechanic Jaune had ever seen. Fixing what seemed unfixable with only the smallest and mundane items.
One time the antenna set up so he could use his scroll and get TV had been knocked out unexpectedly and Ruby had been able to fix it in a short few hours, while Jaune stressed on what he was going to do.
Jaune had only originally requested for Ruby because she was the sister of Yang, their resident Dragon Alpha, someone he needed desperately 10 months ago, and he wasn't such a bad guy as to split up the pair. Though it did have to be explained to him how a Wolf Faunus and Dragon Faunus were related.
Though even as those thoughts ran through his mind and she started to grind herself against his stomach… and he had the time, he didn't make it easier for her.
"But I'm supposed to 'milk' you later Ruby, not to mention we have nothing to catch your seed. We shouldn't waste it." The words instantly stopped her movements as a pout was sent his way, her face becoming downcast at the mention of 'Milking'.
Out of all the others she was the most fearful and apprehensive of 'milking'. Jaune felt a small pang of guilt well up at the look as her eyes moved around the room quickly looking for any excuses she could use.
"But…But… we only have to do it once…no twice…no Three times! I'll still be good for later, I promise!" Her voice was frantic as she looked at you her sadness disappearing, her cheerful personality quickly coming back. Jaune tried his hardest to keep his laugh in as she had a mini panic attack, the guilt inside from before slowly flowing away.
Though she may be bold when she was horny like she is now, when put on the spot she was also just as awkward as he usually was or shy. That had been something they had bonded over quickly after she arrived, not to mention the fact they both liked gaming and messing around. Something he was extremely grateful for on the farm where there wasn't always much to do other than work.
Finally he couldn't help it anymore as she floundered about looking for more reasons to get her 'alone time' and he started to laugh. Yes they were good friends, but Ruby was also an Alpha and had to be 'Milked' like the rest regularly.
Every now and then he couldn't help but tease her like this. A sudden realization came over Ruby as she looked down at Jaune and his smiling face, her pout growing as she knew she had been had. The pout only set off Jaune even more as he laughed for another few seconds.
Finally after a bit he quietened down and looked up in to her unhappy face and flashed her a lop sided grin, before meeting her eyes with a soft voice. "You always know I'll help you Ruby." The words seemed to throw her for a small loop of embarrassment as her face turned a deep shade of red.
Her voice almost came out as a squeak as she looked to the side, a smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks Jaune." With the words said she quickly unsaddled from him and flipped her body to the side, rotating her body around to show off her ohh soo pinchable ass. Swishing it back and forth for a moment knowing she had his attention, she positioned herself in the classic doggy style position.
Fully woken up after their small talk Jaune couldn't help but be amused by Ruby enthusiasm, even now he could see her small tail swish back and forth waiting for him to begin, her body bouncing slightly on the mattress, her smooth pussy already wet and ready.
Shifting onto his own knees on the bed Jaune slowly made his way over taking slight amusement that Ruby as a Wolf Faunus was in the 'Doggy style' position, the wording ironic considering the heritage between the two animals. He gazed at her perfect form, from her slender back, to her beautiful curves, finally landing on her perky butt. Taking in the sight he finally moved closer, flipping onto his back and positioning his face right below her ass.
Technically Jaune shouldn't be helping to get Ruby off in his bedroom, she wasn't connected to a 'milking' machine and anything she spurted out would be wasted. But after spending so much time with the others these last few months Jaune had found more and more instances of where they needed his help outside of the Barn.
Sure at the start he had gotten buckets to help in any area they needed to at least in some way try and catch their seed and collect it for the machine, but with how much he usually got in their 'milking' sessions he stopped worrying as long as they kept going strong, that's why he teased Ruby just before, to make sure she could still perform later.
But it looked like she wouldn't or maybe couldn't wait for later even if that was the case. Finally underneath her raised body, Jaune came face to face with her aroused slit. Smooth silky fur covered her lower section, going from around the top of her pelvis, wrapping around her booty, down to her mid thighs like a type of short, emphasizing her ass in all the best ways. The fur was so smooth that it was hard to tell that it was actually fur unless you touched it.
Dripping in anticipation her small nub was ready and waiting at the top of her slit for Jaune's ministrations, her red lips anticipating his tongue in the way it already started to drip. Sitting just above her slit and slightly shading it from sight 2 round balls hung connecting to her bulging cock.
Because she was already aroused Jaune could already make out how stiff she was, standing at 6.5 inches erect, relatively the smallest of the girls of the group it was no less magnificent as it throbbed a deep blood red, it having slide out of her cock sheath like Pyrrha's did when she was aroused.
Unlike Pyrrha's though as Jaune always noted, Ruby's was slightly different. Because she was part of the canine mammal family sitting just above her balls and apart of the greater rod where two small bulges preparing to swell.
These were Ruby's bulbus glands, a muscle like the rest of her cock, when Jaune finally brought her to climax her glands would swell, sometimes even larger than her actual balls as she let loose. This was supposed to 'knot' whoever Ruby was mating with or 'tie' them so everything released was kept inside as well as bring copious amounts of pleasure.
The first time Jaune had 'Milked' Ruby he would admit that had surprised him, but as he hadn't started yet they were still only seamy swelled. 'Well', Jaune thought to himself, 'Better let her enjoy this.'
Jaune had 'milked' and spent a lot of time with Ruby, it was the reason he was currently situated under her, unlike nearly all the other girls, Ruby's Kink was very much tied to her Pussy, stimulate that and you were sure to get her going really quick.
Jaune found it a nice change of pace when he found out, especially later when he started to deal with Weiss. But another kink she was into was Praise, something he would, as Yang would put it, 'milk' for all it was worth, pun intended.
"You're Beautiful." He meant those two words with his whole heart and Ruby knew that instantly sending a shiver down her spine, her rod twitching. Moving his hands up to grip her waist Jaune pulled down.
He met no resistance from her legs as she almost immediately sat on his face, like a dog awaiting its treat. Her balls rested on his forehead, as his nose tickled her clit and mouth got to work. Jaune's skills with his tongue had 'levelled up' as he would put it over the last few months especially with Ruby.
Diving into her red folds in a second, Jaune began lapping side to side and making small circles as he started up. Ruby's tail that was near his two hands started to go crazy as Ruby rocked forwards searching for pleasure.
A moan left her lips as her back arched, putting even more wait on Jaune's face, but he wasn't deterred, switching it up a little as he was swishing his tongue he also started to suck every now and then, going in on the side of her thighs before releasing her skin with a small pop.
"mmmmnnnnnnn"
Continuing on he also started to pepper in a few kisses, focusing around her nub as it got ever harder.
"Yesssss Jauuuuuunnnnnnneeeeee."
Wanting to give her a quick surprise, his right hand let go for a second before searching above for her swishing tail. As he found out, pretty quickly actually, nearly all Faunus tails were a bit sensitive. With a quick hard grip at the base of her tail Jaune pulled down hard towards himself, running his hand through her full brush as he went.
"JAUNE!"
Ruby's body stiffened in an instant as she splashed his face with her fluids, a few small drops of something else sprinkling on his hair from above.
*Gasp* *gasp*
Ruby breathed in lungfuls of air as her body shuddered while Jaune continued. He continued to play with Ruby's tail, letting his hand go back and forth in it as he moved his other hand to gently prod at her ass.
The sensation always made Ruby's pussy clench, something she loved when his tongue was at work.
*Pant* *Pant*
Jaune knew by now Ruby's tongue would be hanging out as she panted her body temperature almost blindingly hot above him as he felt it below her. Her hands had already tightly clenched into Jaune's tuff of blond hair and she was trying to push him even deeper, though that wasn't possible.
At that moment the door suddenly opened, Jaune wasn't sure who it was for a second as all movement stopped, Ruby Freezing like a deer in headlights, even though Jaune knew for a fact she was sort of into exhibitionist, not as much as Blake though, case in point, Ruby's pussy suddenly gushing a lot more and her beginning to rock back and forth again.
Jaune quickly pulled his head back to look at who intruded and caught sight of Weiss standing at the door. The Leopard Alpha looked at the two who were still sort of going at it, Ruby moaning every other second as her eyes seemed to bore into her.
Finally her eyes trailed down to Jaune who looked back, before she slowly rolled her eyes at the situation. "God you are as bad as a Rabbit Alpha. I'll talk to you guys later." Though she was projecting a look of exasperation and her voice was cold as she spoke, Jaune easily spotted the growing bulge lifting up her skirt and dusty cheeks before she left.
With a soft click the door was closed again and quiet returned. Ruby and Jaune shared a look with each other, teasing smiles on their faces as they knew Weiss was aroused. Going back to only the two of them, Jaune got his hand to work slowly gliding into Ruby folds as he nuzzled Ruby's balls for a second.
A shiver went through her body as he got to work, slowly building the pleasure for her once more; he himself was starting to stiffen at all the action. Ruby began to pant more and her cock continued to twitch as they held their eyes lock, one of her hands playing with her breast while the other joined Jaune's own fingers in her warm hole.
They both put up a steady pace at working her, Jaune's finger curling every now and then to scratch on her G spot until finally she seemed close again. Jaune spoke up in those few seconds finally sending her over the edge as they locked eyes.
"You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen."
"Ahhh…Ahhhhhh…..Ahhhhhhhhhhhh"
Ruby let loose her loudest and longest moan yet as she started to gush all over Jaune. With his face a bit further back, a bit of her seed also splashed onto his face. Jaune didn't mind though, slowly pulling his fingers out from her honey pot, curling the last one as he went, before wiping it off.
Ruby shuddered as her eyes laid half lidded, her legs giving out as her body flopped backwards over Jaune's legs. Her cock was an angry red as it continued to swell and stutter, pushing stream after stream into the air, only to fall back onto her own stomach. Jaune gave a small smile at her blissful state as he moved himself out from under her.
Though she had just had a shattering orgasm Jaune could still see her stiff member pointing to the sky. It seemed Ruby was right, it would probably take another release before she settled down until 'milking' time later.
Having moved out from under Ruby, Jaune positioned himself besides her once again, resting his head on one of the pillows at the head of the bed taking a moment to catch his breath. There was a strain on his boxers that was beginning to get unbearable, something that didn't go unnoticed by the still out of it Ruby.
Reaching towards his groin she didn't say any words as her claws popped out and quickly shredded his pair of briefs. Jaune wanted to face palm at the move, he could have taken them off himself or something, anything but destroying them!
But that was the least of his worries, he could see the predatory look in her eyes, she wanted his little junior.
There was an almost unspoken rule on the farm, something that everyone followed. Jaune didn't stick his thing down below, and they didn't do the same to him. Though he would admit at moments like these when they looked so desperate, especially Ruby or Pyrrha he was tempted, but he never crossed that line.
Fingers, tongues, hell even feet one time, almost anything for getting them off was allowed, but not intercourse. Jaune had no problem with this as the line was something he wasn't willing to cross, but it was hard for the girls some times.
Being Alpha's sometimes their instincts got the better of them, like the one time Pyrrha had to drag Yang off Jaune after she got a little too excited. Something she had apologized for later, thankfully Pyrrha had been around at the time.
There was a trust between all of them that, that one rule would not be broken, but it seemed Ruby was really out of it and like Yang was a bit too excited.
He could already see her making for it, wanting to position her snatch right over his rod. Quickly putting a stop to this, Jaune used what strength he had to position Ruby's body on top of his, back facing him, his own rod pressed between her thighs far away enough that their couldn't be an accident.
Ruby struggled for a second as Jaune held her, one arm around her waist, the other clasping a boob.
"No Ruby."
Jaune's voice was like steel as he spoke, her body finally settling down. A small whine left her lips and he knew if she were looking at him, she would give the best pouting face she could muster, something incredibly affective. But he wouldn't do it, he wouldn't cross that line.
After a few seconds Ruby's body finally relaxed and he knew he had won this battle, she wouldn't try anything, that didn't mean she wasn't still raring for her last orgasm. Jaune would admit it was hard to concentrate on Ruby as she started to rub her thighs back and forth bringing to him his own pleasure, but he got on.
Jaune's left hand snaked down from Ruby's waist as it made its way to her slit. Still gushing and wet from her last explosion, his wrist sat firmly next to and half covering her raging red rod. Three fingers went in without a moment's notice as Jaune also rubbed his wrist over her bulge bringing her pleasure to the extreme as a little pre started to leak again. Jaune started to rain kisses up and down her nape as her thighs rubbed his own small head back and forth, his words flowing, pushing her further and further.
"You're cute Ruby."
Her tail slowly started to caress Jaune's Stomach.
"You're body feels so nice in my hands."
His hand moved up and down Ruby skin, swirling his fingers every now and then causing more shivers to spike up her spine.
"You're a good girl."
He quietly whisper in her ear as his hand brushed along her full length, giving it a small pump before letting go, moving back towards her boobs.
"Your breasts are so firm and squishy I could play with them all day."
His voice lowered even more as he whispered his words right into her fluffy ears. Her body bucking up in need, forcing his hand a little deeper into her divine cave, water gushing out like a waterfall.
"Your tail feels so nice filtering over my skin"
*Whine* *Whine*
Jaune's voice dropped just that bit lower, almost a rumbling growl in her ears.
"Your skin is so Smoooooth"
High pitched whines echoed from her mouth as all words seemed lost to her, only a primal begging being able to makes its way through her haze of pleasure as Jaune brought his hand up to fondle her ears.
"I can't get enough of your Ears, I love them."
Her breath escaped her as she went ridged, her pussy preparing to become a vice grip, her cock standing at attention, Jaune's own explosion about to happen. Making sure to give her the best finish he also stopped for a second.
There was a beat of lost time as Jaune's hand moved down from her ears and positioned itself right above her bulbus glands, gripping the muscles as tightly as he could, something he knew brought her extreme pleasure.
At the same time the thumb of his left hand wiggled up and pressed firmly onto her clit vigorously attacking it back and forth as fast as possible. Taking a deep breath in of her scent, making sure that she knew, one of her biggest kinks as a wolf Faunus…
"*Sniff* You smell soooo nice. I love you."
The reaction was instant as her legs shot out and an almost howl left her lips. Her waist bucked up and down as her cave clamped down as hard as it could, water gushing rapidly forth, while her glands swelled in Jaune's hands tensing as if to fight his tight grip, her seed exploded all over herself.
Jaune's own release came as her legs shot forth and brushed against his own erection, shooting his seed up onto her leg and stomach as well.
Both their bodies shuddered in pleasure as Jaune continued to grip tightly to her glands, his fingers working up a storm as she shot rope after rope out, her body shuddering uncontrollable, drool coming dripping out of the corner out of her mouth, a howl only going to a higher pitch of pleasure.
Jaune's hand was absolutely drenched as Ruby finally came down from her high, body still shuddering and twitching in pleasure as Jaune slowly removed his hand from her slit and let go of her glands.
Her glands stayed an angry red as if she was knotting her mate, already swelling to more than the size of her own balls. Jaune knew when that happened she had truly had a good climax. Coming down slightly from his own release, he let his arms fall to his side exhaustion coming once more.
His eyes felt heavy as he thought to keep them open. But in the end he couldn't.
As Dreams started to take him he was only half conscious of Ruby moving her body so she could snuggle with him as they drifted off. She took the position of little spoon, her ass resting against his shrinking member as darkness took him.
He would be waking up late today.
So here is the second chapter, didn't think I would actually do it, but I did. I also didn't ever think I would have to look up some of the stuff I had to. Canine bulbus gland…yeap no.
So as I'm sure most of you are wondering, each starting chapter will basically focus on one of the girls of RWBY and Pyrrha, as whatever Faunus they are, as well as what kinks they have in a one on one situation.
At the same time at the start of each of them (If I actually get to them) I will have a flash back on how things got to such a point. (I'm sure some of you have picked up the sub plot I got going in the background and what it could mean, once again inspiration from 'The ranch', by Desu vault (hint) But you know completely different in approach and all that)
After the one on ones, it'll be the 'collector' coming over and a few chapters about what happened after that, with yes Jaune finally having actual Sex with them. No penetration until Kinks are done. Everything else on the table really.
I am trying to keep this a short story, so chapter wise I don't want many, word wise no clue. This one already got big enough.
I do hope my lemons/smut was better than last time. I'm finding it a bit hard to figure out if the Sound effects/noises actually help or if it's better to just describe what happening. You know moaning and stuff in the background that I keep putting in.
I had to think really hard about what type of Faunus look I was going to Give Ruby. There are many Furry Wolf Girl pictures out there all with different looks. I basically picked an amalgamation of them, going from the heavier fur on certain areas like the chest and wrists (Mainly Female Hell Hound Pictures) to the parts that are covered by fur but look so smooth as if it's skin. I hope everyone could get a good mental image I'm not always the best at description.
Ohh yeah if I do another, Next up Yang!
Hope You Enjoyed
|
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|
In a certain empire, at the outskirt of south gate, lies a young man staring at his hand with a dazed expression.
“… I transmigrated?”
Such conclusion inevitably aroused at the mind of the befuddled young man.
I’m Arseral Haltheim, a 21st century college student; that is also an avid reader of another world novels.
I always yearn for the novelty of another world; New life, strange powers, and so on and forth.
I know it’s a bit brief for someone who claims to be ‘Isekai guru.’
Trust me. I would love to share more about me, but it’s definitely going to bore you.
Hence, let’s skip such tedious introduction and allow me inform you the situation.
Yeah, like what I said earlier, I transmigrated with my original body.
You can already imagine me wearing my uniform standing in daze, dumbfounded about the sudden traversal.
Hell, I didn’t even manage to bring anything with me; because I left my bag that has my stuff in it at my room.
It might seem stupid of me, but hear me out.
The time I traversed happened to be the time I just got home.
You can already tell how mentally and physically exhausted I am (as long as you experienced being broke; forced to walk from home to school and vice versa). Hence, I immediately ditched my bag at the sofa and sunk myself to the bed.
Never in my wildest dream; that it would be my last to see my school bag.
Was my introduction too superficial? I apologize. It’s just that; I never had anything noteworthy in my life to entertain you.
Now back to the present.
Me, standing in dazed, looking at my surrounding with the all-familiar confusion; written all over my face.
The only thing I can take as the silver lining was I have a house, although a bit shabby.
The house was small, I’m not exactly sure what’s the exact size was, but as long it has enough space for my activity; it doesn’t matter much.
The house doesn’t have any semblance of furniture, aside from the necessities like bed, wooden table, and a creaking wooden chair.
To sum it up, I’m living in a house no different from my previous life.‘Well, everyone have to start somewhere, aren’t we?’
I consoled myself and started contemplating.
The sudden traversal is indeed concerning. But what I’m supposed to do from now on was equally so.
The thing is, I never have any lofty ambitions at all.
Was it strange? After all, those people from the novels I usually read had these ambition of conquering the world, having the largest harem, becoming the richest of all, the strongest, or an existence above the Gods.
That’s all well and good. But I’m just an ordinary person, no cheat to boot.
As for considering returning? Why? And how?
First, there’s literally nothing worth returning. Second, I’m just an average person; I do not have excessive ambition unfit to my competence. And lastly, I’m not interested in finding my way back.
Hence, I’m really troubled of what to do from here on out.
I mean, it’s good if I could live a normal life here and all. But unfortunately, this doesn’t seem the case for me.
Although the house is well and all, the outside isn’t.
Outside my house, I could see a dark, damp, and narrow alleyway free from the influence of the sun.
Confusing right? Imagine this, my house facing the alleyway with towering walls surrounding my house.
What’s behind my house was I think a dead end? I’m not really sure.
After all, I can only come up with that conclusion after looking on the gaps of the house.
Now, you’re probably wondering ‘what’s the matter with those things?’
Right, normally this kind of thing won’t catch much attention from the others.
It’s just that, there’s something outside, standing on fours.
Now, normally it won’t take a genius to think of ‘maybe it’s just a stray dog?’ No, maybe they’ll think that its just a table.
Same, I initially thought of such. INITIALLY.
That was until that thing started walking towards my house.
I didn’t react much. After all, at that time, I was still under the impression that it’s just a stray dog.
That was until it finally reached the distance where I can finally see its features.Hollow eye sockets and a bunch of maggots pouring out of its naked half-eaten brain, along with its twisted limbs, letting out an unpleasant sound every time it moves.
I think it would be apt to describe it like Sadako, well the much more terrifying and disgusting version.
At that moment, I felt like my brain suddenly turned blank. I was frozen at the spot by the sheer absurdity and terror exuded by that thing.
I don’t know why, but my brain refuses to acknowledge its existence. Maybe it’s a natural bias of someone who grew up believing such horror as nothing but a work of fiction.
Unfortunately, regardless of how I refuses to acknowledge its existence, the fact that it’s in standing in of me is undeniable.
Seemingly aware of fear oozing from every inch of my body, the monster halted on its track for a brief moment before lunging itself in my direction like a hungry hyena who saw its prey.
Naturally, I’m scared shitless at that moment.
After all, that thing was too horrifying to look at!
But for better or worse, the momentum of galloping monster somehow freed me from its snare, allowing me to roll to my side as the monster crashes onto my house.
“----!!!”The house visibly shook as the dust and debris danced from the intense collision.
I instinctively covered my head for fear of being buried by the debris.
Thankfully, nothing untoward happened to me after that monster sudden action.
Regardless, I do not feel assured at all.
Because it wouldn’t take a genius to guess that the monster was still alive and kicking!
Hence, I gathered my courage and decisively sprinted outside.
My lungs felt stuffy, my limbs was shaking from fear, but I gritted my teeth as I sprinted towards the end of the alleyway.
Seemingly finally aware of my departure, the monster behind me issued a blood curdling shriek.
“---!!!!”
For some strange reason, after hearing the shriek, I suddenly felt that the world was too quite.
That was until I felt a liquid dripping from my ears.
I subconsciously touched my ear and felt a warm and unpleasant feeling.At this moment I already had a vague hunch.
‘Ah, it’s my blood…’
After that realization, my body suddenly swayed and directly collided to the ground.
I don’t know what happened to me, but I suddenly couldn’t feel anything anymore.
I was slumped on the ground, along with the pool of blood gushing from my body.
I wanted to move, I wanted to run, I wanted to live.
But my body refuses to do so.
‘… Is this the end?’
I powerlessly concluded, as life gradually seeps out from my body.
I couldn’t move, but it doesn’t mean I can’t tell what’s happening to my surrounding.
Guess what I saw?
I saw the monster tearing apart my limbs, I could see every detail as the fiber stretches which eventually snapped through the sheer force of the monster.
I saw it gnawing on my limbs along with my bones.
Even if though I lost my hearing, I could still imagine the horrific sound from the depths of my mind.
As if thirsty from eating too much, the monster tore apart my other thigh, holding it above its opened mouth as it squeezes the blood within.
My heart crazily pounded as I witnesses how the monster feast upon my body.
At this moment I finally realized why I cannot feel anything at all.
… Because I was already dead from the beginning.
After reaching such conclusion, something snapped inside of me.
The realization and the absurd sight made me subconsciously let out a chuckle.
“Haha…hahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!”
… Which eventually turned into a booming cackle; filled with madness and despair.
First Death -First Day End-
|
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"title": "Diary of instant death transmigration - Oneshot: My first day to another world",
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|
My name is Clay, 47 years old. All been my life, I always been rejected even by my mother and father along with the women that came passing in my life.
Even now, I was still single. Single as heck.
And the neighborhood next door that just moved out yesterday, was truly a beauty. A beauty that transcends the sky.
I wanted to try talking to her, but since our age gap was freaking vast, I stopped myself to, before I get into it.
I knew that I had no chance. Likee, freaking no chance. However, that soon change after the beauty next door made a hole in the wall restricting us, connected to my living room.
And at the next second, I heard a bewitching voice…..
"Helloooo~~ Anyone there…?"
I hesitated for a second, before coming up with an answer; "Y-yeaah…."
Although I wanted to know the reason why she had made a hole in the wall, I was too coward to make a move.
"........"
Her voice turned silent for a second, and at the next second, came an even bewitching voice.
"Stick yer dick inside the hole, mister~~"
Heck, was she a succubus or something? Although I've never seen a succubus in my whole life, I felt like she sounded like one.
I hesitated for a second due to our age gap, but since I knew that an interesting thing would happen next, I immediately sticked my dick inside, full of resolve.
***
-You fucking pyschopath! Never show your face in our neighborhood again, or else I'll murder you!
-Lilia, today onwards, you're no longer our daughter! Scram!
-Grow up already Lilia! If not for us, you would be in prison by now.
As I walked through the asphalt ground, with my emotions kinda mixed up, before I knew it, I already arrived into my destination.
After my mother and father realized my psychopath side, they didn't hesitate to send me over oh so far away. What a cruel thing that was. To be trashed away by your own family.
As soon as I arrived into the new apartment my mother sent me away to, a middle aged man whose looks beyond help was looking at me from afar. It really looks creepy to the point of me hating it.
Although he seemed to be also living in the apartment that I'm gonna be living today onwards, he didn't dare approach me nor even welcome me.
Heh, what would ya expect from a coward anyway.
After meeting the owner of the apartment, the owner guided me to the room I'll be living today onwards, and to my surprise, the middle aged man whom I saw earlier, was living next door to me.
His eyes glanced to my side, before he coward away again, and entered his room.
I ignored the yapping owner whom guiding me from my side, and formed a sly smile into my face secretly.
After I shoo away the owner of the apartment, I started looking around the room, with my emotions, completely in a fixed state.
The room was pretty good. There was already a television and sofa in the living room, and the floor was already tiled. The kitchen was also neatly clean, although there's no kitchen utensils, its not a problem since I could just buy one later on.
I continued searching the whole room, before finally spotting what I've been looking for. A drill.
A crescent moon formed in my eyes and lips, before my gaze landed on the wall in the living room. Surely, that wall was connected to the room of the middle aged man I met earlier.
After organizing my thought, I started digging a hole into the wall, before a hole so large to see, finally formed.
I was immediately overjoyed.
And to finish up the last touch, I opened my mouth and spoke in a bewitching tone; "Helloooo~~ Anyone there…?"
I waited for a few seconds, before an answer finally echoed from the other side; "Y-yeaah…."
Smirk, all according to the plan.
Making my voice even more bewitching to ones ears, I didn't hesitate to seduce him totally completely.
"Stick yer dick inside the hole, mister~~"
The voice in the other side didn't utter a word out. Instead, an elephant figure entered inside the hole, totally fitted. Heck, does his dick main purpose is to, enter inside every wall hole. I almost thought that maybe, he's fucking wall holes every night.
"Wait for me here mister, I'll wash up my face first." After I said this words from my side, the voice from the other side gulped in excitement.
You thought yer gonna get a suck. That was yer mistake, insect.
I took a knife from the kitchen and returned to the nearby the wall. Afterwards, used a spray, and sprayed it all over the elephant stick, stuck in the wall waiting for something….
"Aahh… That feels good." Accompanied by a moan from the other side, the elephant dick stuck in the wall started growing even bigger.
Wait, was it possible that this dick would destroy the wall from growing bigger.
Naah, that's impossible.
Surely, it's impossible, right?
I shook my head in denial, and hurried swung the knife in my hand, with a dark smug.
With a single strike, the dick's head was sent flying and an enticing despairing shrill echoed from the other side.
Ohhh how good that feeling was, no matter what I do, I just couldn't deny this good feeling that others might think weird of.
Ya didn't know….
Ya didn't know how I want see your despairing face right. And how your face was filled with fear.
I chuckled in joy, as the voice from the other side continued to echoed.
Good thing it was summer right now. Everyone in the apartment right now was gone for a vacation.
"Soo, does that feels good~~"
Groaning in despair, the voice from the side seemed to be wanting to say something, but failed to, due to the extremely trauma and pain after his dick's head got sliced off neatly.
Kekekeke, that's what you get from being too horny.
I exited my room, and arrived in front of the door of the middle aged man, and without hesitation, I entered inside his room.
And there he was, groaning in the ground like a limp dick, trying his best to stand up.
"How was it, horny boii~~"
"Groan….."
"Does it feels good~~"
"....."
I teased him with mocking face. His eyes glared at me with blazing eyes.
Welp, you reap, what ya sow.
Slowly, the distance between us narrowed to a slit.
The knife in my hand shook, as it swung down to the groaning middle aged man, trying to run away.
Blood splattered. And the entirely white tiled floor, was now soaked in crimson red.
"Noww, that was truly beautiful~~"
I licked the blood that's flowing over my knife, as I wore a satisfied looks.
Like I thought, this feeling was truly great...
|
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"title": "Fool - Chapter 1",
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|
Chapter 1: Farm life
Jaune really wasn’t sure how his life had gotten to this point. A small gust of wind whipped by caressing his face as he stared at the suns slow sinking into the distance. The sound of nature never felt so sweat in these moments as he stared out over the field approaching dusk.
Jaune had personally wanted to be enlisted in the Kingdoms army, but after failing the fourth time he was finally made to give up on his dream of protecting the kingdom. The memories till this day still brought his mood in general down.
Letting his eyes slip for a moment to look at the watch on his hand he saw that it was approaching 7pm which was milking time. Trying to pep himself up for what he had to do next, he shook his body and began to make his way to the barn around the back.
He had grown up in a pretty well off family, his father being a veteran that had come back from active duty, a feat that was getting harder every day. Honestly Jaune wasn’t sure what started the war, he probably should have when he wanted to join the army.
But then, when all your 7 older sisters had already enlisted and were ‘fighting the good fight’ as they said, why would he even hesitate?
Well it seemed he should have, what with his asthma from a young age stopping him from properly working out and building his body enough to join, not that having asthma wouldn’t have been enough on its.
Sure he was smart, but the kingdom had many smart people, working in labs and other places helping the war efforts. They didn’t need his noodle arms to try and fight back the Empire. In the end with no clear goal in sight, it was more happenstance than not that he became a farmer.
A sign posted on the street one day had drawn his attention, asking for more able body men, women and families to start producing more food for the ‘troops’ at the front. At least he would then be helping in his own way, or those were the thoughts at the time.
Stopping before the barn, Jaune couldn’t help but slowly caress the timber that held the latch to open the doors. Though he had only been at it for about a year, he had to admit he was starting to truly love farming.
Of course there were problems when he started. First off, what the heck does a farmer do? Jaune thankfully had help from the Kingdom government in learning, came with the deal and him having no experience, though it wasn’t the best help if he was being honest.
There weren’t many spare people that could teach him, the war was too much of a pressing issue for them to spare someone, so he only got a small booklet of what he would have to do. He was thankfully smart enough to at least start.
It just took around a month or 2 to learn how to plough the field properly, especially with the old rickety thing he had to lug around to do that, his arms never had a better work out, though his back was screaming by the end.
It still took him longer than what would have been acceptable but at least he was finally able to plant some seeds, until he got that down, he had to make most of his living expenses of ‘milking’.
Some would say it wasn’t the best idea to just give someone a book and let them go, but given enough time someone would be able to produce what the kingdom wanted, even if they had a few mistakes on the way.
Learning to ‘work the land’, plant seeds and grow edible food, that was awkward at the start, but thankfully as mentioned he had some help. But then that help had come from the most unexpected place, or person rather. Along with her came the biggest shock Jaune had in the whole experience.
Pushing the unlocked doors to the barn open, a stench hit his nose instantly, honestly after so long he had become used to it, even finding a small amount of comfort in it, though at the start he would admit it was off putting for him.
A moan quickly hit his ears as his eyes trailed over the middle walk way, bits of hay splashed about, he’d need to clean that up later. To his right a few bays of hay were stacked, ready to be used later, while to his left a small room housed his small office.
A small side toilet lay inside, with a desk and a few packs of grain for ‘feed’ for the ‘animals’ that hadn’t been used in a long time. But Jaune only let his eyes wander for a second before they quickly went to the back of the barn.
Being a relatively big barn, there were 8 more stalls heading towards the back, one specifically used for washing while the other 7 were for more ‘animals’ that he either requested or was given. Though with 5 of them already filled there wasn’t much room left, and he didn’t think he could accommodate more even if he tried.
Not that the stalls were really used much these days, they were only generally used for ‘milking’ time, but not all the time. The lights were already on in the barn when Jaune stepped in, no doubt flicked on by the person moaning in the back. A small thankful smile appeared on Jaune’s lips as he slowly started to make his way towards the noise.
You see there were 3 things a Farmer had to do when they signed up for the Kingdom.
They had to move all their belongings to the designated middle of nowhere, where the farm was situated, basically the farthest point from the front lines or anyone else.
You have to learn how to work a farm, ploughing the land, planting seeds and growing crops for the kingdom, which if Jaune were to be realistic was impossible for one person.
And finally you had to ‘milk’ the ‘animals’ or ‘livestock’ for the Kingdom. Which Jaune found the easiest now.
Outside of that there wasn’t much else that was expected of Jaune, of course he could order more ‘livestock’ whenever he wanted, he even got to pick from a list given to him by the kingdom. At the time Jaune thought ‘milking’ meant something like cows.
‘I mean what else could it have been?’
Well he was in for a big, big shock when he met his first tenant. Jaune slowly pushed the door to the stall open and peered inside as the sound of moaning got louder.
The first thing that Jaune saw when he entered the stall was the luscious red hair that was slightly ruffled. A small smile made it to his lips as his eyes trailed down and he caught sight of the half closed emerald eyes and red face of the occupant.
With a slightly round face, small nose and red lips, her face was entrancing, even as she sucked in air in a rushed manner. Her skin was a healthy shade of white, only covered up by a tight fitting red bra that held her DD cup breasts, somehow this just seemed to enhance her lithe body below, her slightly defined six pack showing the tight upper body she had. Jaune appreciated those define curves before trailing off into her pelt.
Her white pelt shinned with detailed care as it trailed down the rest of her body, her front and back muscles bunching as she kept herself standing on four strong hooves, resting on her hind was a type of skirt that covered her backside and kept her pelt warm, a small protrusion at the back for her tail to freely sway.
Standing before Jaune was his first ‘animal’, or specifically a Faunus, Pyrrha Nikos. The only distinguishing factors between humans and Faunus were the animal traits that all the Faunus population carried. Thought there used to be an amiable relationship between the Faunus and Humans, that had distinguished over the last decade with the beginning of the Vale Kingdom and Faunus Empire war.
Once again Jaune didn’t know what exactly started the war, but he had grown up with it ever since. But back to the main topic, Pyrrha wasn’t just at the farm because she was a Faunus, it was because of what she was doing right now and what was between her legs.
Continuing to pant and moan in front of Jaune, he couldn’t help but have a slight blush as her half lidded eyes seemed to lock onto him and the ‘thing’ between her legs grew an extra inch in length. Her hands wrapped around and continued to stroke the 10 inch length with a slightly increased vigor.
Pyrrha was what is known as an ‘Alpha’, a Faunus born with both a vagina and a dick, sometimes called Futanari, though Jaune had no clue where that word came from, shortened to Futa as a derogatory term as the war went on. Alphas’ were the only huge thing that was different about the Faunus race to Humans, humans only having 2 genders.
Being stronger in general than both other sexes and laden with a huge libido, they had been part of the Ruling class of the Faunus Empire for a long time and had produced its strongest warriors, from what Pyrrha had told Jaune over their year together.
Yes ‘milking’ the ‘animals’ for the kingdom, was actually making an Alpha Faunus cum and collecting it!
To say this threw Jaune for a loop at the start was an understatement. Why the hell would the Kingdom want such a thing, what would they do with it? But he had signed up to be a farmer and it was for the Kingdom, so with probably the most high-tech equipment on the farm that was given to him, he had got to work.
Of course there were a lot of rules around ‘milking’ which made sense. The kingdom was currently at war with the Empire and Pyrrha was technically a ‘Prisoner of War’, when that thought had entered Jaune’s mind, especially that he was technically taking advantage of a prisoner, it had never sat right with him.
Maybe that was what lead to all that had happened over the last year. Jaune honestly wasn’t sure. Shaking the thought from his mind Jaune didn’t waste much time in walking over to Pyrrha who was still moaning and rubbing herself.
Attached to the top of her cock was a small suction device that stuck to the head of her shaft so nothing was wasted. When she finally exploded, the stream would quickly be sucked into a tank off to the side, which he would then later give to the Government collector when he came down.
It was Jaune’s main source of profit for the farm. Though the food was in high demand, for some reason the spunk of Alpha’s was more sort after by the army, government and research labs from what he had been told.
It was actually his main profit before he could finally start actually farming.
Pyrrha’s eyes stalked Jaune as he made his way over, her breath getting a bit more hitched as he finally made it to her side and slowly lowered to his knees to her side. Her front hooves stamped in approval and out of the way as Jaune finally got to his destination, her throbbing meat at eye level and towering next to him
Unlike one would expect of a general horse or centaur, the Alpha centaur had her cock positioned at the front of her body, resting just below her human like abdomen, just below its connection to her horse body, while her actual pussy was situated at the back near her ass.
She had a small cock sheath of only 2 inches her hanging ball bellow smooth and glistening in a build-up of sweat as the rest of her glistening rod stuck out the other 8, finishing off with a flat but wide head, already leaking a bit.
Jaune’s eyes flickered to the rod before him before finally having his eyes trail up into Pyrrha’s glistening green eyes. Off to the side he couldn’t help but notice the small hooks to the side of the stall.
Technically Jaune was supposed to strap Pyrrha down, a blind fold over her eyes and gag in her mouth as her front and hind legs were bent down and then locked into place. Before he hooked the ‘milker’ to her, setting it to a high setting to milk her faster and more efficiently….but then Jaune was never that cruel, maybe it was because he had grown up with 7 sisters, but after the first time he could never make himself do that again and with how things had come along over the year, he would never even think to do that now.
No Jaune had quickly figured out that while the ‘Milker’ was good, he could get Pyrrha and the others to produce more if he treated them nicely, as the people they were.
That was why Jaune had kneeled before Pyrrha now, Jaune found out she got off a lot easier when he helped her, specifically when his hands helped her. Slowly his hands raised as Pyrrha stopped her motion, her breath coming just a little quicker.
Though it wasn’t the biggest cock in the world at only 10 inches, it had a girth and strength to it that would put others to shame. Jaune had to reach with two hands to clasp around it properly. With practised ease his hands drifted past her glistening balls, giving them a small brush over before grabbing the base of her equine girth.
A shudder went through her body as her face flushed a deep red; her hands no longer distracted coming to grope her own breasts. A grunt of anticipation left her lips as Jaune finally started to move his hands up and down, slowly at first, making sure to rub his thumb on one particular vein as he went, something she loved, before slowly getting faster and faster.
The moans that had stopped for a second, quickly exploded into a ravenous maelstrom as her front hooves seemed to shake in weakness as he continued.
“Jauen….Jaune….Jaune!”
It took less than a minute for his ministrations to cause and explosive reaction as her seed exploded forth, quickly being sucked up by the machines strapped to her, her feet pounding into the ground in pleasure as her back arched.
His grip tightened as he felt the seed flow through her girth passing his hand even as he continued to move his hands up and down, though he did slow down and put more pressure in his while also scratching the back of the head to induce more pleasure.
His knuckles turned white as he continued to grip tighter, only seeming to make it feel better as she climax for a straight minute before finally petering out. But that of course wasn’t the end. Other than being a centaur who were known for their endurance, she was also an alpha.
The equine cock seemed to spring back to life not even a seconds after its explosion and seemed to stand even straighter, as Pyrrha came down from her high. Her hands still gripped her breasts as she mashed them together, her nipples standing stiff and ready for more punishment.
Used to such a thing Jaune just continued to jerk her off, his grip lessening to give it an easier glide. The musk that had been slightly muffled before exploded out as Pyrrha continued to get off and release her unique pheromones, assaulting Jaune’s face in the process.
As said before, at the start it was a bit awkward and he didn’t like the smell, but after helping a certain other Faunus under his care, though she qas quite demanding, he had started to get used to the smell that now drifted about. Moving his face a bit closer he made sure to lock eyes with Pyrrha before taking a sniff.
That only turned her on even more as her eyes turned red and her hooves stomped again, more pre-cum leaking out. Though it wasn’t a full blow orgasm, Jaune knew from the tightness he just felt in his hand it was still a lot.
So he continued for the next hour, he continued to coax load after load out of his first Faunus tenant, her screams of pleasure filling the lone barn.
“Yes…*Shluck*…Faster”
“……Mmmmnnnn….Right there…*Shluck*....yes….Keep going”
“…yes….yes…I’M CUMMING!!!”
“YES!! YESSSSSSSS!!!!”
After the first 4 loads Pyrrha’s back legs finally gave out and she rested her body down, making sure not to trap Jaune’s body in any way as he continued.
Working the shaft, flicking the head, and running his thumb along a few of the prominent veins along her length, it wasn’t long before she reached her 10th orgasm, something Jaune was slightly proud of after all the effort he had put into perfecting his ‘care’ over the last few months.
Finally her front legs also gave out and she fully rested on them, restricting how he could get access to her. Pyrrha took in ragged gasps as her bra was now soaked in a noticeable layer of sweat, her eyes were hazed out slightly as if not in the moment, but by the way they moved every now and then to her Blond minstrel one could tell she still sort of knew what was happening.
Her hazed eyes tracked him as he had to reposition more to her front kneeling before her. A glint of excitement entered her eyes as the smile on her face wavered a bit of drool leaking out.
Jaune always liked to look at her face when she let loose like this, her flushed cheeks, her excited eyes, the dopy grin on her face. Usually she was a bit more serious, that’s why he loved that he could help her reach these moments of bliss and help her relax, she had helped him so much in their time together.
Knowing that the end was near, he finally used his finishing move, or that’s what his nerdy self called it, being an avid gamer before he had to move out here, where the internet connection was worse than anything he could have imagined. Not that he had much time looking after the farm and his Faunus.
Letting one of his hands loose her moved it lower as his other continued to stroke. Gently caressing the smooth balls below he started to entwine his fingers back and forth slowly fondling them, something he knew Pyrrha loved. Going gently to build the passion, his concentration on the task was broken as Pyrrha’s hand gently caressed his head.
Her breathing while still ragged had soothed out as they came to an end, caressing the hair of the human before her, a brilliant smile lit up her face as her other hand slowly tilted his chin up towards her.
They locked eyes staring at each other as if time itself stopped, even though his hands didn’t. It felt like an eternity, but it was over too soon as Pyrrha let out one final passion filled moan as her body locked up, her eyes still on his.
Jaune felt it as her sperm travelled from her sack all the way through her shaft, finally getting to the head and exploding forth into the machine. Tugging once or twice more, while at the same time fondling her, Jaune let her length slowly retract into her sheath, the machine falling loose.
Seeing that the beast had finally retreated Jaune let his arms relax finally feeling the fatigue of working his arms so hard for so long start to catch up with him. A few beads of sweat made its way down his head as he felt the oncoming shortness of breath and tightness in his lungs remembering that he left his asthma puffer back inside.
Knees feeling sore he slowly started to get back to his feet as he was ambushed by a quick hug from Pyrrha, at last recovering from her last blissful climax. Her sticky arms and body not bothering him a little as she almost man handled him into a crushing hug.
Her head nuzzled into the crux of his neck as she took a calming breath on his shoulder before whispering in his ear. “Thanks Jaune. I…I…I’m glad I met you.” A sweet feeling swept through Jaune’s body as he heard the words, yes this was the feeling he had learned to love after becoming a farmer.
The satisfaction of a good days work.
Feeling a little strength in his arms return, he resolutely returned the hug as best he could. “Me too Pyrrha.” Of course he couldn’t help his trade mark awkwardness from showing at the end as the hug continued on a bit longer.
“I’m just doing what any other farmer should.” A chuckle that almost sounded bitter to Jaune was released from Pyrrha but before he could comment on it, he was lifted from the ground, literally.
Being an Alpha and Stronger than a normal centaur not to mention a human, Pyrrha easily lifted Jaune off the ground and with a quick movement she swung him around and positioned him on her back side as she stood up.
His legs spreading and trying to find his balance, he quickly held on, wrapping his arms around Pyrrha’s torso as she stomped her hooves, the smile back on her face, Jaune knew she like him riding her like this.
“We better get back to the others, you know how rowdy they can get when left alone. Also don’t think I didn’t notice how tired you were after our session, did you forget your asthma Puffer again?”
Jaune didn’t even have enough strength to rub his neck in awkwardness and just resigned himself to the teasing from his companion. Slumping forward, his head resting on her smooth and defined back, he gave a shallow nod as he once again felt the shortness of breath.
He couldn’t help but let out a few coughs that racked his weakened body, causing a look of worry to pass of Pyrrha’s face. Deciding not to risk it any longer with banter she quickly trotted her way out of the barn, making sure Jaune didn’t fall off.
Locking up and turning off the light as she got out of the barn, she quickly made her way towards the house, where 4 other silhouettes were waiting for them, with her good eyes sight Pyrrha could just make out the Asthma Puffer in one of their hands.
Another smile came to her lips as she nudged Jaune on her back. “Looks like the girls were getting a bit worried with us taking so long.” Looking just past her shoulder Jaune could just make out his other Faunus Tenants, or really ‘Prisoners of war’ as they waited for him at the porch.
A smile came to him at the sight before he rested his head on Pyrrha’s back.
“Better not keep them waiting them.”
Jaune wasn’t sure how he became a farmer, especially when he wanted to join the army, but now, now he didn’t regret that decision for one minute.
Well here is something I wrote.
So first off, has a lot of room to continue, don’t know if I will, but I have plans if I do. I’m sort of practicing my short story writing as well as smut/lemon writing by doing this, think it’s not going bad, but still needs improvement I think.
Why Futa? I just like Futa, of course as you can tell by reading this, I don’t like the whole rape aspect of Futa stuff so don’t really expect that. More of a loving type guy. Also not a guy that likes the whole, OMG she got a 2 foot cock. I mean Just not my thing, or volley ball sized balls (I’ve read that before) Keeping most of everything realistic, as much as this can be realistic lol. (Yes I know a horse cock is a lot bigger like just on average a lot, lot bigger…. That’s why it at front of body)
Also mini rant, if something says Futa, please for the love of god at least say she got a pussy. I mean the stories where they got a cock, balls and ass, but no pussy just urgh. There is actually a difference. One’s a Shemale the other a Futanari.
If you’ve read this and don’t like Futa….I mean, I hope you liked it?
To everyone else, yeah I hope you like, as said please don’t bash too much on the smut, never written any before.
Oh yeah, got the idea from a different novel, think it was called ‘The Ranch’ Over of archives of our own.
|
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|
Hao Xuan was playing a PvP video game when he heard a ding, he got distracted and died and lost his streak of kills. He was extremely tempted to shout angrily and break everything in the room, but he knew he didn't have enough money to fix it all, so he calmed his anger and checked his game's notifications, only to see nothing there. He was confused, then what was that ding?
{It was me, Host}
"Who's there!?"
{Same as everyone Host. I do not have a body and can not be seen in the real world without Host's skill that he has not gained yet. And I am the system, well, a system in the apocalypse that is coming}
'A system? That means you can read my mind!? Cool! I actually get a system! I can't wait! What do we do first? Do we build a harem? Change the world by becoming the leading company for virtual reality? Change the world by becoming a god and creating the first monsters and first elves, dwarves, and what about dragons. Or-'
{Calm down! Geez, at least you're different. But anyway, some of that might happen, but that depends completely on you if you want to become a god, ascend, or maybe change the world. But what will happen no matter what is that fantasy races will be created. Just by different means than you}
'Dang it. Okay, what kind of system are you?'
{Right. I am the Multi-Tail System. Meaning that I can allow my Host to have different types of tails}
'Wouldn't that be a pain eventually, though?'
{It would, if you didn't have me specifically at least}
'Okay? It sounds like you don't want me to ask any deeper, so I won't. But I will ask, what are all of your functions?'
{My functions? They are as followed: [Status], [Shop], and [Tails]}
'Okay, quite self-explanatory. Anyway, would you show me my [Status]?'
Name: Hao Xuan
Age: 17
TP (Tail Points): 0
Tails: 0
Total Tail Power: 0
Inventory: Beginner Package x1 // First Host Package x1
'Wow. I can't wait to get some tails to some power to dominate and conquer! Like of my home at least... System, would you open the Beginner Package?'
{Opening Beginner Package...}
{Host has gained 1000 TP!
Host has gained two tails! Would Host like to integrate both tails onto Host's body? YES / NO}
'Hmmm, it will probably hurt, but YOLO. Yes'
After he thought yes, Hao Xuan was hit by an extremely severe pain on his tail bone. It felt like it was splitting. After the pain stopped, it started again, leaving no time for him to say anything, nor scream or even make any sound. After what felt like hours, which it was, about five, the pain stopped and Hao Xuan thought it was finally over. It was.
'Okay, more pain than I expected, but oh well. System, show me the [Tails] function'
TAILS:
1*) Omega Wolf Tail - 2 Tail Power // Gives privelage to command normal, unranked, wolves
2*) 1-Tail Fox Tail - 5 Tail Power // Gives privelage to command normal, smaller tailed, foxes
'Interesting. Two tails, wait. You mentioned apocalypse, right? When will this apocalypse happen?'
{In about 10 minutes}
'WHAT!?'
|
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2
Early next Monday.
I met Pani Oksana in front of the school main building. The building looked like an old castle from a detective movie. Or like a haunted house. Big, of dark stone, with tall narrow windows and gabled roofs on high towers. I never knew there was such a place in the vast park area in the southern part of the Capital. But, I lived on the eastern outskirts and hadn't been here too often.
— Good morning, Pan Toričnyj. Did you sleep well? Are you satisfied with your room?
She was in her early 20s. Tea-colored eyes and chestnut hair knotted on the back of her head. Of the jewelry – only a gold pendant in the shape of a tiny padlock. Elegant glasses with a thin golden rim, a stylish tweed suit with a narrow skirt and black tights.
On our way to the school last night, I was, at first, hesitant to look at her directly. I tried to make a good impression and didn't want to scare the hell out of her. But then, I realized that while talking to me, she never looked at my face. That was a bit strange, but at least I could have a good look at her. She looked… bossy.
— Morning. The room's okay, thanks. Will I have any roommates?
Though she called it "a room", it actually was a full-fledged apartment with 3 bedrooms, a living room combined with a kitchen, and a bathroom. Not something you'd expect to see in school dorms. And it definitely wasn't intended for only one person.
— No, you'll live alone. Is that a problem?
— Not a problem, but… Why that apartment… I mean, the room is so big then?
— A, that's just… Some students here live with their aides or servants. We'd give you a smaller room, but they all are taken.
… What? Students here have servants?
— So, yes, your room is all yours. Though, you're not allowed to crush it with a baseball bat.
— No-no, I remember. You'll tear off my hands.
She sighed.
— I can't harm my students. But I can give them corrective punishments. So, if you feel like breaking something, just tell me.
— I'm fine, thanks. That's only… — I looked around. — This uniformed mob makes me feel sick.
The students flowing past us, all wore the same colors – maroon and pink for girls, maroon and black for guys. I was dressed the same way… A weird feeling.
— You don't like uniforms? It looks good on you though. You'll get used to it.
Looks good? It looks "uniformly". Hence the name.
— Perhaps. None of my previous schools had uniforms. But all of those were more like preparatory courses for jail. We'd get our "uniforms" only after graduation.
— Well, this school is not like others. And students here are special too…
— And they're forced to wear the same clothes to make them less special. That's clear. So, what's so special about them? Are they kind of noble? You said they have maids?
Pani Oksana ignored my sarcasm.
— Aides… — she corrected me. — The uniform's meant to help our students feel their unity. Make them proud of the community they belong to. As for their specialty – many of them are from very important families, and they all are mages. Like you.
— Ma… Mages? — I tried to get the point of the joke, but Pani Oksana didn't smile. — I'm not a mage. Mages don't even exist. There's no such thing as magic…
A girl stopped next to us.
— Good morning, Pani Oksana! I…
I glanced at the girl who interrupted me and met her eyes.
— … I… I'm so-ory-y-y! — she ran away.
— Please, don't do this to my students, — Pani Oksana said.
— Don't do what? I didn't do anything. People just find my look scary, and… — I trailed off. — … you want to say it's… "magic"?
— No-o. Of course not. It's a side effect. Now let's get going. I'll guide you to your classroom.
We entered the school hall. Students around us were greeting each other, chatting and laughing. A group of male students saw Pani Oksana.
— Hello, Pani Ĺuta! You're extremely charming today! Will you go out with me next weekend? — shouted one of them.
A desperate dude. I wonder, what kind of corrective punishment is provided for this.
— Stop daydreaming, man! Pani Ĺuta will go out with me! — another guy shouted.
She's quite popular, isn't she?
— All boys are idiots! Pani Oksana won't go out with any of you! She'll marry me instead!
That was a girl this time. What's wrong with these people?
Pani Oksana raised her hand.
— Good morning, children. I'm sorry, but I already have a boyfriend.
She has a boyfriend? That was hard to believe, and the students seemed to not believe that either.
— O, sure, that imaginary boyfriend again.
— Yea, the boyfriend no'one's ever seen.
— Isn't it time to forget him, Pani Ĺuta, and start dating with m… Crap! Who's that thug next to Oksana?
— Man, he's scary! Is it him? Her boyfriend?
— No-o! My Oksana would never date that criminal! — that girl again.
— Quiet you! He'll hear!
Great. Now they think I'm Pani Oksana's boyfriend. What a… bunch of romantic fellows.
— O-okay, that's enough, children! — Pani Oksana stopped the commotion. — Be good pupils now and hurry up to your classrooms!
With some displeased grunting, students began to disperse. We also continued our way through the hall to the courtyard.
The courtyard had lots of tall rose bushes forming something like a maze with benches along the pathways and a statue of 3 bearded dudes in the center. The windows of the school corridors looked out here.
I asked Pani Oksana while we walked:
— So, is this place some kind of "circus school"?
She stared at me for a long moment, then turned away.
— No.
— But you said all students here are magicians.
— Mages, not magicians. Magicians show tricks, mages use Magic… But we have a clown now, as I see.
She means me?
— Hm… And you teach them… em-m… magic? Like in those fantasy novels?
I may not believe in magic, but I believe that people are free to entertain themselves as they want.
— … Kind of. It's 3 Magi Academy, after all, — she motioned at the 3 stone dudes. — It'd be natural to teach Magic here, wouldn't it?
3 Magi? I looked at the statue. Each "magus" was threatening the world with his own heavy-looking ledger, determined to teach its content to anyone who couldn't hide.
Pani Oksana continued.
— But, the simplest spells aside, every magic technique is the vital secret of a certain family. No'one shares their weapon with potential enemies. So, teaching Magic isn't the main goal. This school was originally founded by the House Council after one of the House Wars. The students here – the children of mages families – are some sort of hostages.
— … Hostages?
— Yes. While they are here, their families will think twice before starting another war. Or they will put their heirs into danger. Plus, young mages from different Houses learn to understand each other better. Thanks to that, House Wars happen rarely now. Like, once a decade or so.
Well, and what am I doing here then?… Will the phys-math lyceum even accept a certificate issued by this crazy place?… Shouldn't I just leave, and find a normal school by myself?…
At that moment, the window on the second floor burst open, and a slender girl in school uniform jumped out of it. She had heavy blonde waist-length hair, wore a pair of white chunky sneakers and black kneesocks. She landed on the pathway some distance from us, saw Pani Oksana, darted into the rose bushes and disappeared.
— Hey! — Pani Oksana shouted to the girl, but nobody answered.
— I need to catch her, — she said. — Wait here.
And, she strode after the girl, leaving me to wonder in the middle of the courtyard.
|
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3
I waited for about 5 minutes, but Pani Oksana was still gone.
— Guess, she forgot about me. What should I do now?
While waiting, I used my phone to check for Wi-Fi access points nearby. There were several open access points and one secured, named "11". I naturally broke into the passworded one.
After scanning the network I had connected, I found a computer with the specs of a gaming PC. Not the newest though, maybe a half-decade or so old. It had a collection of games, also quite old, and a secret folder with some "not safe for school" pictures.
— Nothing unusual.
One'd think if something is password protected – it must be interesting, but usually, it's just boring and useless.
It was then. While browsing the "not safe" stuff on that ancient PC, I suddenly noticed some strange things started to happen to my phone. It became laggy and warm. As if it was doing some heavy tasks in the background. As if someone was hacking it while I was distracted by this boringly normal computer.
I checked the activities on my phone and found one suspicious process. It was scanning my files. The process was perfectly masking itself – none of the guards were triggered and no alarm ringed. It was ideally pretending to be a normal system activity, so all my anti-hacking protection, I was so proud of, just ignored it. I needed to do something, but I couldn't just cut the connection or force-stop the process. There was a risk that the intruder would try to damage the system. At least, I would do that for sure. So… I needed to damage them first. The best defense is a good offense, as they say.
— O-okay, take this…
Insensibly, I drew the intruder's attention to a certain file stored on my phone. A file with a Trojan virus masked as some important data. Its purpose was to cover my tracks when breaking into highly protected corporate networks…
Well… Not that I ever hacked something more serious than Mom's games and random gambling rooms…
Anyway. Once activated, it would take down the entire network. It could even damage the hardware in some cases. It was maybe a little too harsh, but what else could I do being attacked?
When the intruder took the bait, the effect was immediate. In a second the spying process stopped, then the connection was lost and finally, even the access point "11" disappeared.
It will probably take them some time to restore their system from backups. Assuming they had been making backups.
With "11" gone, I had no other choice but to connect to one of the open access points. The connection brought me to the front-page of the school internal website. There was a lot of stuff there, but the thing that caught my eye was the school map with navigation.
— That's convenient.
I found my classroom on the map – the place Pani Oksana had to guide me to. Navigation even suggested the route for me to get there.
— Well… Should I still wait?… Or just go to the classroom by myself?
I was waiting for 10 minutes already, so I decided to go.
By navigation, I had to cross the courtyard, climb a flight of stairs, pass a hallway, go down another stairs, pass another hallway, more stairs… The school was really mazy… I could see other students in the distance, but couldn't get close to them. It seemed they were avoiding me… I ended up hitting a dead-end.
Navigation said:
［ You've reached your destination. ］
But there were no classrooms. Only a door with a codelock and a ventilation hatch with the lower half of a schoolgirl sticking out of it.
It was the girl from earlier. The one Pani Oksana tried to catch. I recognized her kneesocks and sneakers. She tried to fit into the hatch, mumbling under her breath something like "… did she shrink it or what? I could have crawled here before!"… Her skirt was a little too short for this activity…
… Well… At least I had someone to ask for directions.
— E-e, excuse me?
The girl jumped and a dull thump came from the hatch. Did she just bump her head?
— Em-m sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. I'm looking for my classroom. And I think I'm lost.
The girl backed out of the hatch and looked up at me, while patting the back of her head. Her hair was messy with several leaves and even one rose flower stuck in it, perhaps, from her diving into the rose bushes in the courtyard. In addition, she had pointy ears sticking out to the sides of her head, and a pair of neat horns above them. A cosplayer? Also… Her bust was a bit oversized for her slender build… How did she even squeeze in that hatch?…
— O, you're Pani Ĺuta's boyfriend! Is she here too?
She hopped on her feet and looked around as if expecting Pani Oksana jumping out of some hideout and grabbing her.
— She's not here. And I'm not her boyfriend. Where does this nonsense even come from?
She stopped looking for Pani Oksana, turned her huge blue eyes at me and… smiled.
She didn't scream, didn't run or fell unconscious. That had to mean, perhaps, that she wasn't very smart. Which was also suggested by her cosplaying a horned elf in school. But she also didn't seem like getting angry. Which was new for me.
— That's… — she said, smiling. — I heard girls talking… Where's she then?
— No clue. Preys on you, I guess. So, will you help me find my classroom?
— Sure! You're from Pani Ĺuta's class? 10-B, right? That's my class too! We can go there together! But first, I need to get behind this door, — she pointed at the door with the codelock.
Well. Usually, locks are used to prevent some crazy cosplayers from getting into places they shouldn't be in. For their own sake.
— … Why?
— To… save the world? — she looked at me expectantly, wondering, perhaps, if this reason was good enough.
Okay. She is a crazy cosplayer. But she's also the first person in my life I can freely look at. Guess, I can stick around for a bit longer.
— Save? From what?
— It's… One witch is going to summon a demon there. It's dangerous! I need to hurry and stop her, but I can't open the door. The code was 1-2-3-4, but she probably changed it, and it doesn't work anymore…
A-a, I see. A roleplaying game. Of course, like mages, there's no witches or demons either. Quite silly as for me. But if it makes her happy… And of course, it's not my place to judge someone for illegal intrusion.
— O-okay, let's see what we can do. By the way…
I reached my hand to her. She looked curious but not a bit afraid. I removed the stuck leaves from her hair. Her horns looked like a real thing. How is it made? Then I removed the rose flower too and gave it to her.
— My name is Leś.
She blushed up to the tips of her fake ears. How does it even work?
— Thanks, — she said, accepting the rose. — Nice to meet you, Pan Leś. I'm Ta… Talka.
|
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|
1
— Hi, Mom! I'm a bit busy. Can we talk later?
I answered a phone call while dodging a punch from a bulky thug wearing a pair of sweatpants and a leather jacket. Thugs's dresscode is weird. The thug growled and aimed to punch me again. His 2 buddies tried to flank me meanwhile. A few not-broken-yet streetlamps struggled to light up the deserted street.
— «You're always busy, Leś. Why aren't you playing with friends, like a normal teenager? What are you even doing?»
— I am playing with friends. We're showing kung-fu techniques… Dragon Fist! Hiya-a!
The thug raised his hands to block my punch, and… got his crotch kicked. Seriously, who'd fall for this ancient trick?
He produced a funny sound and hibernated.
— Koĺa-a-an! — called a smaller thug to my right.
— You bitch! — swore a dumb-looking thug to my left.
— «Playing with friends?» — Mom said skeptically. — «You don't have friends.»
— That's rude, Mom. Are you sure it's something a mother should say to her child?
Especially, when she knows well why it's the case.
— «Who else will tell you the truth? You suck, Son. You cracked my new game and ruined its balance. No wonder no'one wants to be friends with you.»
— I'm sorry, but it's your game that sucks, not me. The gamelogic's broken. I didn't even need to crack it, just misuse. And… it has nothing to do with my lack of friends. I can't make any friends because people are scared of my gaze. And that's the fault of my ancestors. Namely – yours.
— «My fault?!…»
I lowered my phone, turning towards the smaller thug, raised my hood a bit and looked at the man. He froze in place with a shocked face as he met my stare, then started to shake, rolled his eyes and collapsed.
… That's unusual. Normally people just scream and run away. For some reason, people get a sort of panic attack when I look at them. Even when I don't mean to. Even those who know me, and are more or less used to it, try to keep our contacts as brief as possible. Because of that I never look into people's eyes. And because of that I don't have friends.
— Si… Siryj? — the dumb thug said dumbly as another one of his buddies had fallen.
I turned and locked eyes with him, but…
— You bitch! What did you do to Siryj?!
Yea, it doesn't work on someone who's too brave or too stupid, which is usually the same. They become more aggressive instead.
— Nothing, — I turned away. — See you, guys.
— Hey, you bitch!
He was an idiot, obviously.
I stepped on Koĺan, who was still leisuring across my way (he made his funny sound again), and jogged down the street past around-the-clock wine shops, cheap stripbars and illegal gamerooms – like the one I'd just left. All the places for hardworking proles to get rid of their miserable salaries for simple commoners's pleasures.
I took my phone again.
— «… and that time wasn't the worst!» — Mom was still talking. — «There were many others! And now "it's your fault" is all I get?!»
— Sorry, Mom, could you repeat? I wasn't listening.
— «And you don't even listen! As I said – you suck!»
— … Okay, — there was no point in arguing.
— «… So… Have you finished showing your "kung-fu techniques"?»
— Y-yep, I hope so, — I looked back and didn't see any pursuers, so I dropped into a walk.
— «And who were those poor people?»
— Bouncers. From a gambling room.
— «Let me guess. You cracked their 8-liner?»
All those 8-liners, a kind of fake slot machines, were just a computer inside a big box. As nothing is random in computers, they were obviously a fraud. But people still played them.
— Well, cracking your games isn't as fun as it had been.
— «I can't help but sympathize with those guys. Did they at least hit you once or twice?»
— They had no chance against my Dragon Flee technique.
— «That's a pity. Would teach you to not crack other people's games.»
— Okay-okay, I said I'm sorry. I just couldn't help it. You ate all my lemoncakes last time you came home. That pissed me off. And then I saw your game, so…
— «… That's stupid.»
— Anyway, will you come home today?
Mom makes games. She loves it so much that she almost lives at work. She only comes once in a while to raid my fridge, leave some money, then hop on her motorcycle and disappear again.
— «A, yes! No. And you shouldn't go there either.»
— What? Why?
— «Because I sold it.»
— What? Why?
— «You're repetitive. Because I'm leaving to work abroad. For several months, maybe a year. And I never liked that apartment anyway.»
— O… I see… And, I suppose, you don't want me to go with you, right?
— «Ha-ha! That's a good one! Of course not.»
I wouldn't go anyway.
I wanted to enter the Phys-Math Lyceum of National University in a few months. But… There was a problem with this. I got expelled from my last school a month ago. It wasn't my fault of course. It was just that my classmates weren't much different from those 3 thugs I just fought – too brave (stupid) to leave me alone. But without the 10th grade certificate I couldn't apply to the lyceum. Mom should have found me another school, which wasn't an easy task as it wasn't the first time I got expelled, but I bet she had forgotten about that. And now she even sold my apartment and packed her things to go overseas… Well… In the worst case… I could still fake the certificate… The exams were in 2 months in June. After that I could live in the lyceum dormitory. And for these 2 months, I'd find a place to hang out.
— Okay. Bon voyage then. Bye.
— «Wait! That's not all.»
— What else?
— «You didn't think I'd let you live in a cardboard box under a bridge, did you?»
I actually was sure she would. It was a surprise she remembered to call me to tell she was leaving.
— No… But I thought you didn't care.
— «So, that you know, I do care. That's why I enrolled you in a special boarding school for problem children… I mean for gifted children. Or something like that.»
— Like a juvenile detention center?
— «No, it's an elite private school. I talked to a nice girl who works there – Pani Oksana Ĺuta. She will meet you soon to see if you fit. Please make a good impression. And no "kung-fu techniques" please! Okay, now that's all. Bye, Son! Behave!» — she hung up.
What the… What's this all about? A private boarding school? Well… At least I'll have a place to live. And the certificate of course, minus a problem, but… Someone will meet me? Where? Also, "make a good impression"? Unlike my old classmates, I'm a considerate, thoughtful person, who can solve any conflict with a talk, not violence. Why would I make a bad impression?
My confident thoughts were interrupted by a creak of brakes of a car packed with thugs. The dumb guy from earlier stuck out of the window pointing at me.
— You bitch!
What an annoying person. I'm trying to think here.
As he started to open the door to get out, I rushed to the car and rammed the door with my foot, clenching his legs. The dumb guy screamed and dropped something. A baseball bat hit the ground and rolled towards me. I grabbed it and smashed the car roof, then the door window, then the windshield. I hit the car several times more, shattering glass and crashing someone's fingers. Then I peeked inside.
Through the windshield, covered with spiderweb-like cracks, I caught the eyes of a guy in the driver seat. The driver turned pale as he met my gaze, clinched the steering wheel and stepped on the gas. The car started with a screech and rushed off into the darkness.
I watched it leaving.
— … Damn thugs. Distracted my thoughts. What was I up to just now?… Yes – "a good impression", right…
— Pan Oleksandr Toričnyj?
I heard a female voice calling my name, and turned around with the baseball bat still in hand.
A young woman in a dark business suit was leaning on the lamppost not far from me, her arms folded and her narrow glasses reflecting the night.
— My name is Oksana, your mother had to warn you.
O, is she the person Mom told me about? The one I needed to make a good impression on? Didn't expect her so soon.
I hid the bat behind my back and forced a friendly smile.
— Hello, Pani Oksana! I'm Leś. Why are you here, this late at night? This district isn't the safest place, you know.
She didn't respond right away. She took out a notepad from her inside jacket pocket, quickly wrote something down, put the notepad back and propped her glasses.
— If you mean the maniac, who smashes people's cars with a baseball bat, you may not worry. I'll tear his hands off if he ever thinks to touch my car.
She pointed her chin at a big shiny off-roader parked on the other side of the street.
— Get in.
|
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A link to Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow (on Scribblehub)
Two figures stood next to a large hole in the ground. The hole was rather unremarkable, yet it was also quite out of the way. Which meant the pair had a reason for being out here. Here, halfway up Mount Alderson, in a corner of Alberta most people didn’t remember existed. Not exactly a place many people ended up accidentally.
It was a beautiful stretch of country, but neither of the visitors were looking down the valley at the lake below. The woman shivered a little as she stared at the hole, a mixture of memories and the early winter chill getting to her, despite her coat.
She took a few steps forward, then, before spitting into the hole. The hole that had once held the basement to a house. Before various government agencies had torn through every millimetre of it, wanting to make sure Dr. Fairbanks hadn’t left any of her experiments hidden in a dark alcove.
“Did you want to head back now?” the man with her asked.
Despite the cold, he was wearing fairly minimal clothing. A tight suit designed with the latest fabrics to handle both flight and combat. A minimalistic wrecking ball emblazoned the suit’s chest, a symbol that most Canadians would recognise. In part because it was a very direct reminder of his superhero name: Captain Wrecking Ball.
“Just a couple more moments,” the woman replied.
Her winter gear certainly didn’t scream ‘superhero’ the way his did, but her height and build would have led most to at least suspect it. Which was correct. Though she was still new to the business.
She was still new to a lot of things about her life.
“She… Mu—Dr. Fairbanks was really off the deep end those last few months,” she said. “That’s why she came out here. She couldn’t even pretend to be a superhero anymore. Well, that and I was… it was getting hard to cover up what she was doing to me.”
The man crossed the short distance between them, pulling her into a hug.
“It’s good to get closure,” she whispered. “I’m still here while the stupid cottage is long gone. I win.”
The last bit was said with a glare towards the pit next to them. She kept glaring for a few more moments as her breathing slowly returned to normal.
“Thanks for bringing me out here, Ilya,” she said.
“No worries,” he replied.
He was about to offer to head back to Calgary again when his phone began to buzz. Pulling it out of the pouch he saw the number was the CSCS (the Canadian Supers Coordination Service).
“Hello, Captain Wrecking Ball and Thief here,” he said.
“Captain, we know you’re on vacation, but something just came up and you’re the only asset nearby,” a male voice said on the other end.
“Understood. What’s wrong?” Ilya asked.
“The Americans need help, down in Montana, actually,” the man said. “Some wingnut calling himself ‘The New Firestorm’ torched a few city blocks in Missoula before making a break for it in a stolen car down the I-90, heading East. They’re giving you full border clearance to intervene.”
“And Thief?” he asked.
“Thi—oh, right. You think you need the support?” the man replied.
“I don’t know, but we’re halfway up a mountain and I flew her here, so…” he left off the rest of the comment, hoping it was clear while not wanting to waste too much time.
“Understood. I doubt they’ll complain about getting two supers,” the man replied.
Thief adjusted her backpack and the pair put on their headsets. Her hands were going to be full holding on to Ilya as she clung to his back, while his would be used for easier steering. Sure, technically he could fly in any position, not really requiring lift in the traditional sense. Drag, however, still mattered. Especially when pushing into the transonic range. Which he was going to be doing if he wanted to catch a speeding car with a 300 km lead on him.
Claire Rose-Schaefer blinked as she saw a line of police cars covering the junction near Garrison. She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen this many police together in Montana. She wasn’t planning to cross the blockade, so she probably could have gone around, but, well, she was curious. And she could waste a little bit of time on her supply run down to Deer Lodge.
So she pulled over a few yards away and got out of her pickup.
A young police officer spotted her walking over and seemed rather nervous.
“Ma’am, this is a dangerous situation. You should probably turn around,” he said.
He looked like he was basically still a kid, now that she was a bit closer. Though, she supposed her standards for ‘kid’ had expanded over the years. All the same…
“I’m not planning to get involved. Just wondering what all this is about,” she said.
“Some Numan nutjob,” a slightly older cop said, keeping his eye on the highway. “Went on a rampage in Missoula, and he’s headed this way.”
Claire nodded, wondering about what the best response was.
“I just hope that guy from Canada gets here in time,” the young cop said, as she realised he was shaking a little.
“Canada?” she asked.
“One of their heavy hitters was apparently right on the border. Since we’re in the middle of nowhere he was the closest help,” the young cop explained.
“He’s cutting it close,” the older officer said, the comment drawing Claire’s eyes down the highway.
She could just barely make out a single dark SUV being chased by what had to be a half dozen police cars. The crack of gunfire reached down the valley a few moments later, to make sure attention was on the approaching chase.
Claire tensed, seeing how nervous the police were, when another source of movement caught her up. Glancing up, she saw a dark shape approaching from the sky. A shape that very quickly grew into a discernible view: a muscular man carrying a woman on his back.
The man was wearing a dark blue and silver outfit, a symbol on his chest. She couldn’t see the woman very well until the pair landed just in front of the blockade. Which also gave her a sense of scale on the pair. One that left her impressed.
The woman was taller than almost all of the cops present, and, despite her winter coat, Claire could tell she was solidly built underneath.
The man, however… he had to be pushing seven feet tall and he was built like a linebacker.
Claire found herself understanding what people meant when they talked about the awe of being around a heavy hitting Numan. Especially as the human tank in front of her floated back into the air.
“Sorry it took so long, I’m not used to the air patterns around mountains,” the large man said, a nervous smile on his face that humanized him in contrast to his herculean proportions.
“Cap, you were still pushing 900 km/h,” the woman who came with him said, in something akin to a stage whisper.
“Well, we’re just glad you made it in time,” the local sheriff said, though Claire could hear the stress in the man’s voice.
The Numan, ‘Cap’, gave a nod, before turning towards the approaching convoy of vehicles. He then shot forward, accelerating to well above highway speeds in just a few seconds. The next moment there was a crash, as the Canadian man’s fist slammed into the front of the SUV.
The driver was thrown out, though managed to cushion his blow with a burst of flames from his hands. Despite the cushioning, the suspect still rolled a few times after hitting the asphalt.
“I would like to offer you the chance to surrender now, before anyone gets hurt,” the Canadian man said.
He got a burst of flames to the face for his troubles, the perp scrambling towards the police line. With the perp looking their way, Claire saw the way the man’s eyes burned. She shivered as she found herself reminded of someone having a bad trip. Only… only with flame added to it.
The police opened fire, only to have their bullets blocked by a wall of flame. Before the flames settled, the perp burst out of them, tackling the woman who’d arrived with ‘Cap’.
While the perp seemed frantic about the fact the woman he’d decided to grab as a hostage was a fair bit taller than him, he clearly didn’t see an alternative, so pressed a hand against her neck.
“No one come any closer, or she gets it!” he hissed, sounding as wired as he looked.
The police began backing away, giving the man space. The woman, however, smiled. When the perp tried to push her forward, she didn’t move.
“What do you think you’re doing!?” the man hissed.
“I’m just curious,” she said, her voice perfectly calm. “What is it that I’ll ‘get’?”
“What is… my flames!” the man replied, eyes twitching.
However, while they looked manic, Claire swore there was something missing from them.
“Oh... These flames?” the woman asked, lifting a hand and causing a small fire to burst up in her palm.
The man stared in fear, before pulling his hand away from her neck and trying to start a fire on his own. Only for nothing to happen.
The woman slipped out of the perp’s grip, twisting to pin him on the ground. “Sorry, pal, but you picked a super to take hostage. The name’s Thief, and… well, I’m sure you can figure out my power.”
“Y-you took his power?” the sheriff asked.
“Temporarily. I can only hold someone’s powers for so long. So, stick him in something fireproof while you can,” Thief replied.
The police nodded, pulling the perp (now screaming threats) into a nearby van, covering his hands and mouth in some sort of fabric. There were so many new materials these days that Claire could barely keep up with all of them.
Her focus wasn’t on the fabric, though. It was on this Thief woman. And how… if she’d been there, then… though she’d have probably been barely a child at the time.
“I could have handled him, you know,” Cap said, floating over and looking embarrassed.
“Oh, I’m sure you could have, sweetie,” Thief replied with a smile, before her face shifted.
She looked like she was going to be sick, and ran over to the side of the road. Only, instead of vomit, she threw up a burst of flames. The woman fell to her knees, spasming slightly.
Instinct as a mother kicking in, Claire rushed to her side, grabbing a shoulder to steady her. Cap grabbed the other one, having been slower to react, but faster to travel.
“Are you ok, dear?” Claire asked.
“I—th—eurgh,” Thief gagged as the flames slowly subsided. “I’ve felt gross holding powers too long, but… not like this…”
“Come on, we’re going to have you give those back right now,” Cap said, picking her up.
The pair were beside the police wagon a moment later, Cap’s acceleration being quite impressive.
Claire rushed over to her pickup, digging in to find some crackers and antacids. She knew that throwing up fire wasn’t the same as throwing up regularly, but… well, she suspected it wasn’t too different.
By the time she had everything the pair were sitting on a guard rail, talking with the sheriff.
“—a couple days, maximum,” the sheriff was saying. “It’s a pretty open and shut case. I do want to thank you again for your help, Captain Wrecking Ball and Ms. Thief.”
Ah, so that was the man’s name. Claire supposed she could have guessed it from the symbol on his shirt, but it was a bit of a mouthful as a superhero name. She focused on offering the crackers and antacids to help settle Thief’s stomach.
“Ah, right. Mrs. Rose-Schaefer… would you be willing to give a witness’ statement as well? I doubt we’ll need it, but more evidence always helps the trial go smoother,” the sheriff asked.
“I can, yes,” she replied.
She preferred to avoid showing up in too many documents, even now, but saying no would have been a bit suspicious.
Thief’s stomach grumbled as she and Ilya left the police station. It had been even more annoying than dealing with Northford police. So many forms to fill out due to it being a crossborder action. Plus the differing legal terms between the States and Canada.
“Why do they call supers ‘numen’ here anyway?” she muttered. “I don’t want to be called ‘Newman’.”
“I think it’s cute and clever as a name,” Ilya replied, while adjusting the jacket he’d changed into.
He hadn’t wanted to walk around the city in his costume, and she couldn’t really blame him. He got enough stares just being 208 cm tall. Heck, she was getting enough stares for being 190 cm.
“Let’s just find something to eat and then a motel,” she said, knowing she was being a bit grumpy due to her hunger.
“I think I saw a steakhouse and grill on the way over?” Ilya offered.
“Oooh. Obviously that’s where you eat when you’re in Montana,” Thief replied with a grin.
Sure, she hadn’t really eaten at the Canadian restaurant chain named after the state much, but still. It felt like going to France without getting a croissant. Or Denmark without getting a danish. You had to.
Luckily it wasn’t much of a walk, and the pair were led to a table soon enough. She let out a sigh of joy as she sat down, finding the restaurant was finally warm enough to take her jacket off, after spending too long in the just too cold police station.
She then grabbed a menu, wondering what the best options were. She was about to ask Ilya what he was thinking, when she realised she was being watched.
Looking up, she saw there were, in fact, several eyes on her. Or, more accurately, on her change collar. The device that gave her the body she wanted. The body that fit.
It was wonderful in every way except the fact that it was so distinctive.
“Small towns,” she muttered under her breath, trying to ignore them.
That effort proved rather more difficult, however, when whispers started spreading. Well, barely whispers. She could make out plenty of the things people were saying, especially the closer tables. Hammering home that she wasn’t in Canada. This wasn’t a country raised on English two-faced politeness standards to the same degree.
There were definitely ways that honesty had advantages, but, right now, it was spoiling her ability to focus on her—
“Hey there!”
Thief blinked at the cheerful tone, looking up to see the woman from the highway. The one with blonde hair starting to turn white. She was smiling away, yet Thief could tell from her body language she was also challenging the other patrons of the restaurant.
“Oh, h-hello,” Ilya said, offering a nervous smile.
“I was just in to grab a bite to eat myself, and I thought I’d check on how you’re feeling. Are you doing better now, dear?” the blonde woman asked.
“Ah. Yes. I’m feeling much better,” Thief replied.
“Do you mind if I join you two? Eating alone has never been my favourite thing, and I figured I could give you two some tips about what to do while you’re stuck in town twiddling your thumbs,” she, Claire (that was her name), asked.
“Sure, sure. And maybe you can help us figure out what to choose,” Thief said. “Since you probably know the restaurant better.”
Claire lit up. Sitting down she went over the menu with them, advising them to both go for the steak, since they were no doubt starving. The other patrons were quieter with Claire there, while the blonde seemed to be an endless source of advice on the town and surrounding country.
The meal had gone quite delightfully, Ilya waiting for some brownies and ice cream for dessert when Claire’s cell phone rang.
“Ah, sorry. Sorry. It’s probably my wife. I’m kind of behind schedule with the whole police statement,” she said, pulling it out to answer.
Claire hadn’t gotten up, no doubt expecting it to be a call of only a few seconds. However, with the slightly loud nature of her older model of phone, both Thief and Ilya made out the words ‘tree… on the barn’.
As Claire said she’d be right home, Thief and Ilya exchanged looks. Ilya’s being a questioning ‘should I offer?’ while Thief’s was a firm ‘yes, you should’.
“I could help with that,” Ilya said, once Claire had hung up. “Uh, we didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but…”
“Oh, I really couldn’t bother you with it,” the blonde woman replied.
“It’s really no bother,” Thief said. “Like you said earlier, we’ve got a few days to burn doing nothing while we wait for the trial. And it’s not much effort for Cap to move a single tree.”
“Mhm, plus I could fly back,” Ilya added. “So—”
He was then slightly distracted by the arrival of his brownies, thanking the waitress and letting Thief do the talking.
“You’ve been very kind to us each time we’ve run into each other, we’re more than happy to return the favour,” Thief said.
“I—” Claire began, looking like she was still going to say no.
Only to have something click in her head. Thief wasn’t sure what had clicked. That look didn’t quite fit with giving in after polite refusal, though. Which put Thief a little on edge.
Was Claire secretly some sort of supervillain? The mountains were a good place to hide out in that case. Thief had learned that as a teenager with her… with Dr. Fairbanks.
Maybe it was Clairre remembering her tractor was waiting for spare parts. Or… something like that.
Thief didn’t want to think the other woman was a villain. Not off something so small, at least.
“I suppose it really wouldn’t be that big of a deal for a Numan like Cap here, and it would be a big help,” Claire said with a smile. “Alright. But you’ll have to promise to accept a thank you casserole from me some time, got it?”
“Food is always good payment in my books,” Ilya said, putting down his utensils after finishing his brownies.
“There is one little issue, though,” Claire said.
Thief and Cap both stared at Claire’s truck. The back was completely full with farm supplies. The rear seats were… not completely full, but even a kid would find it cramped back there. Neither Thief nor Cap had any hope of fitting in there.
Which left only the passenger seat at the front. It was pulled forward enough she was pretty sure Cap would never fit. Thief might find the leg room a bit lacking, honestly.
“Ah. That is a bit unfortunate,” Thief said. “Still, I think there’s an obvious solution.”
“Mhm,” Cap replied, nodding. “Just give me one second.”
Thief blinked, turning to him, however the herculean man had already taken off into the air.
After a moment, the tall woman let out a sigh, seeming to realise what was up. Claire remained quite lost, and was about to ask what was going on, when she noticed someone flying in to land.
Only, the figure that landed was not the towering adonis that left, but a short (though generously built) redheaded woman… wearing a change collar.
“Problem solved. Now I can sit on Thief’s lap,” the newly arrived woman said.
“You could have also flown along behind the truck,” Thief said.
“But cars move so slowly, it’s boring to fly behind one,” the petite redhead said.
“I… you’re… I didn’t realise change collars could do that,” Claire said, mentally comparing Cap’s former height to this new one.
“Mhm, you can imagine how surprised I was when I first saw him in his other form,” Thief replied.
“So you—wait, which pronouns should I be using, then?” Claire asked, suddenly worrying she’d been misgendering her new acquaintance all day.
“Hm? Oh, I’m chill with whatever, but I’m a guy,” the transformed Cap said. “I just… being stuck as the ‘mighty Captain Wrecking Ball’ all the time is… I like spending time like this and not having those expectations on me.”
Claire found herself staring. There was a hint of a loneliness that she couldn’t help but find familiar in his eyes. Though it did fade away when Thief stepped over to hug him.
She found herself glad to see that. It was good to have someone.
“Only issue I have is that I’m not sure the seatbelt’ll fit about both of you,” she said as she walked over to the driver’s side.
“Ehh, I don’t really need a seatbelt,” Cap said with a shrug.
“I—yeah, I guess that’s true.”
The sound of an approaching truck drew Tonia’s attention away from the barn. Which she was glad for. At this point they’d gotten the cows out. Abby was also a bit bored of it by now, so there was no major risk of her young daughter getting too close.
Tonia hurried over, ready to help Claire in any way she could. Only to be left doing a double take as two other women climbed out of the large truck.
One woman was a bit intimidating, a good chunk over 6 foot, and looking like she might be a rugby player (even if it was a bit tricky to tell under the winter jacket).
The other one, though, was tiny and kind of adorable. She probably looked smaller than she was due to the combination of standing beside the tall brunette and the fact her mane of red hair had some seriously impressive volume to it.
They were also both pretty young looking, probably in their mid twenties?
“So, is that the barn?” the short redhead asked.
“Mhm,” Claire said, climbing out of her side of the truck.
“Who’s all this then, dear?” Tonia asked.
Now, she had learned to be a bit cautious about terms of affection for her wife around strangers out here in Montana. But… well, she saw the short haircut on the taller woman, and the way said taller woman was looking at her companion. So Tonia felt pretty safe they weren’t going to be homophobic.
“These are… what should I call you again?” Claire said, calling out to the redhead.
“Well I’m… wait. Right. I kind of flubbed hiding this side of me,” the redhead muttered.
“How good are you two with secrets?” the taller one asked, seeming more amused than concerned.
Tonia blinked, looking over at Claire. She was good with secrets, but she did have to wonder what her wife was dragging her into.
As a response Claire indicated to her neck. Which didn’t seem like much of an answer. Until Tonia realised there was a faint red glow around the necks of both new arrivals.
Change collars.
She was quite familiar with those. Jenny and Morgan’s little collaboration to try to make up for the limited number of clients Morgan could see.
They weren’t exactly a common sight in the back forty of Montana, however. So she was still a little surprised. Though, also, understood why Claire had brought them up.
“We’re pretty good with secrets,” Tonia said.
“Ah, good. I didn’t mess up, then,” the small redhead said with a grin.
“Eh, I figured we had plausible deniability anyhow. It’s not like anyone would have believed them if they said you were Captain Wrecking Ball,” the brunette replied.
Tonia blinked, looking at the petite redhead wandering over to the barn. “Wait… the Captain Wrecking Ball? The strongest hero in Canada? One of the top active heavy hitters worldwide?”
“Really? He’s that high on the rankings?” Claire asked, blinking. “I guess I should pay more attention to the news.”
“I get why you don’t, but—wait, he?” Tonia said. “But the collar?”
“Escapism,” the brunette said. “He always says it’s nice to escape from having the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
Tonia nodded, eyes drifting to her wife again… before a crashing noise drew her attention to the barn. Sure, she’d seen Numan strength in action before, but that much strength from so small a figure still felt unreal.
“Is there anywhere you want me to put it?” Cap asked, carrying the fallen elm as sh—he walked back over to them.
“Just in the field should do,” Claire replied. “We can use it for firewood.”
“Gotcha!”
Tonia nodded, before turning to the brunette, who’s name she still didn’t know. “And what has you two here in Montana?”
“Ah, well, I grew up in Alberta, so we were visiting… then the authorities put out a call, and we were the closest supe—‘Numans’. At least Cap was the closest heavy hitter with flight. And I tagged along so I wouldn’t be stuck up a mountain in the back end of nowhere,” she explained.
“Don’t sell yourself short, Ms. Thief. You helped take down the wigged out pyro,” Claire said. “That power leaching ability of yours is very impressive.”
“Ah, thank you. Though the use of it really scales with who my opponent is. Send me against a random guy with a gun and I’m not much use,” Thief replied, putting on a bit of a strained grin.
Tonia nodded, before looking over at the thin band of light on the horizon. “I’m not sure the guest room is ready for anyone to stay over, though. I put some of the stuff from the barn in there.”
“Oh, we’re not staying,” Cap said, walking back and wiping his small hands against the thermal leggings he was wearing.
“But it’s too late to—oh. Right. You can fly back,” Tonia said, shaking her head. She was really getting out of practice at her reporting savvy out here.
“We’re stuck in the county for a few days, though. Until the trial for that pyromaniac happens,” Thief replied. “So, if you two need any other heavy lifting, just let us know.”
Tonia nodded. Right. Accelerated trials for Numans were pretty common now. At least if the crimes were powers driven. It was usually pretty hard to get reasonable doubt that someone did a crime when the crime needed laser vision and there was only one person in the state with any.
She wasn’t sure she liked the faster turn around and lower threshold of evidence, but it was popular with the general public.
Claire assured the duo that they’d be happy to ask if they found anything that needed doing, while Tonia still found herself wondering about the odds of it all. She put on a pleasant face as she waved the pair off, however.
Which, interestingly, proved to be Thief carrying Captain Wrecking Ball, the former using her leaching abilities to power the flight and strength of her… boyfriend?
Once the duo were over the nearest hill, Tonia turned to her wife.
“Why did you bring them back?”
The younger woman blushed a little. “They heard you mention the tree and Cap wanted to help.”
“We didn’t need any help, though,” Tonya said.
“Yeah, but, well… we should’ve,” Claire replied. “I couldn’t figure out a way to say no that wouldn’t be suspicious.”
“Mhm.”
Tonya didn’t like it. The odds that Captain Wrecking Ball came here. To the back end of Montana. The man who’d been called ‘Canada’s Powerjack’… running into Claire in pure coincidence…
She had to dig.
Once more, Jenny had proven a life saver. It had taken her only a few hours to transfer Tonia files on the two new arrivals. There were redactions on both, but what was there was… interesting.
Thief had two previous identities. The more recent one, set up by the government, wasn’t all that interesting. A computer science major, worked for a fairly significant Canadian firm. The firm did turn out to be run by a supervillain, but she’d only been with the company a few months when that happened and had stayed in the position after the owner had been brought to justice.
The older identity, however… she was apparently the daughter of a Canadian Numan who’d gone rogue. Most of what her mother had done was blacked out, but it was clearly serious.
While it was interesting, it wasn’t grounds to suspect anything from Thief. Reports showed that her mother had been abusive and had been in prison for about ten years. Ignoring a brief escape. Where, yes, Thief had met her again, but the contact had been minimal and she’d helped send Dr. Fairbanks to prison.
And then there was Captain Wrecking Ball. His real given name was Ilya and… records were spotty at best. There was no last name listed. He’d probably been born in some place called Zelenogorsk. He’d been brought to Canada as a child (age 11 or 12) by a woman who DNA testing proved was not related to him. Between the blacked out lines Tonia could tell he’d also ended up a ward of the state, raised somewhat collectively by a number of Canadian Numans.
Sure, the mysterious background in Russia was odd, but lots of Numans came from shady backgrounds, rescued from gangs and the like. It was also over ten years ago, and he’d been raised to be a boy scout ever since.
Really, the biggest thing that stood out to Tonia was how young both of them were. They’d both been born after 2000… which did mean Thief was twenty six and Ilya was twenty four. Numbers that felt deeply wrong to her.
That was just her getting old, though.
“Those look like some very official documents,” Claire said, making Tonia jump a little.
“I thought you were still out with the cows?” she asked.
“No, no. After all the stress with the tree they weren’t really making much milk,” Claire replied, before leaning in to look over the documents. “So, what are you reading?”
“Can you forgive an old reporter for being paranoid?” Tonia asked.
“You’re not old.”
“I’m turning fifty this year. That’s pretty old,” Tonia countered.
“Middle aged, at most,” Claire replied, before picking up one of the pages. “Ilya… these are files on Captain Wrecking Ball?”
“Reporters don’t trust coincidences, alright? I just wanted to check them out,” Tonia offered in a weak defense.
“How many laws did Jenny break sending you…”
“Who said Jenny sent—are you ok, dear?” Tonia asked.
“This town name. Zelenogorsk. I… I swear I know it…” Claire said, barely more than a whisper.
“I looked it up. It’s in Siberia, and it’s apparently a closed city still,” Tonia replied.
“Huh… it does kind of sound like the name of an evil villain in a sci-fi movie,” Claire replied. “Anyway… apparently the defence attorney called me in to testify. I figure you should come into town with Abby, since she’ll be upset if I go into town twice without bringing her.”
“Deer Lodge barely counts as ‘town’,” Tonia muttered. “Our daughter needs higher standards.”
The vending machine in the courthouse hallway wasn’t giving Ilya many options to choose from. It was one of those ones that had twelve buttons, but each choice took up at least three of them.
“Sorry about dragging the case out with my testimony,” Claire was saying, somewhere behind her.
No name cola was always a disappointment, so Ilya didn’t want to pick that. Not unless the other options were worse.
“It’s true that he looked like he was on something. And whatever was up with him did make me sick,” Thief replied. “It’s just weird that the bloodwork didn’t show any drugs.”
He wasn’t sure if he trusted ‘Dr. Bort’. It was barely even trying to fake the copyright it was pretending to be, which didn’t lend to confidence in the flavour. So, probably not that.
“I heard there was a similar case in Idaho a couple weeks ago. Another Numan who went on a rampage, and then said he was drugged,” Tonia added. “They were probably just on something and it got out of their systems before they were tested. Numans do tend to have faster metabolisms.”
It was all down to ‘Orange Fluzz’ or ‘Vita Drink’. He wasn’t really that big on orange pops, and the Vita Drink had a little ‘new’ tag that looked less faded than the other labels. So he decided to gamble on it being mildly less likely to be expired and made his choice.
Thankfully he had enough American coins in his wallet to get a can.
Cracking it open, he had to admit it smelled a bit like cleaning supplies, but the side insisted it contained actual vitamins, so he took a sip before turning to rejoin the conversation.
“Our accommodations are being paid for by… someone. So I don’t mind a couple extra days enjoying high quality beef and the massaging beds at the motel,” Thief said with a grin. “Just wish the pizza place was better.”
“Yeah, you need to bake your own pizza if you want anything decent around here,” Tonia replied.
Ilya nodded, taking another sip. Only… he was starting to feel a little…
Why was Claire looking at him like… that?
Also, he swore he heard the police officers down the hall saying his name…
They were…
His head was hurting. The room seemed a little off kilter.
He tried to keep his balance, but it was getting hard.
Claire was lunging for him!
He pulled away, stumbling into the air as instincts told him to fly.
“What are you doing!?” he asked, confused by the sudden betrayal.
“Il—Cap, are you ok?” Thief asked, looking up at him with concer—no. No.
She was looking at him with disgust, wasn’t she?
Why was she betraying him?
She—oh no. Oh no. They found out, hadn’t they? That he…
He realised the police were pulling out their pistols. Surely they knew that those couldn—spacium. They had to have spacium bullets.
This had all been a plan to lure him out, so they could—could… well, he didn’t know. But it had to be.
He had to run.
He had no choice.
Ilya launched himself into the air, smashing through the ceiling. He kept climbing, trying to reach the clouds. He hoped he could hide there. To buy some time to think.
To work out where to run to. If they knew here then they knew back at the Keep. He couldn’t go back to Northford. Or any Canadian city, really. Which meant… which meant… not there. Not back there.
The three of them stared up at the hole in the ceiling. One moment Cap had seemed fine. And then the next…
“What just happened?” Thief asked.
“His eyes… they were like the defendant's were,” Claire added.
The others nodded. Tonia hadn’t seen what the defendant had looked like, but it was still pretty clear that something had been very wrong with him.
“If Captain Wrecking Ball goes on a rampage,” Tonia all but whispered, shivering at the thought. “He’d be pretty close to unstoppable.”
“Worse,” Thief said. “Unstoppable can’t fly, so Cap can cover more ground.”
Right. Claire had heard of Unstoppable. He was American, and had been active for over a decade. So news about him had managed to get under even the rock where she lived.
“How fast can he fly?” Claire found herself asking.
“He pushes into the transonic range. Properly panicked, he might crack Mach one?” Thief replied. “Definitely can do somewhere a little shy of a thousand kilometres an hour. I… I’m not sure what that is in miles.”
Claire nodded, turning to her wife.
“It’s worth it,” Tonia replied, her voice soft, before Claire could ask.
With that, Claire hurried into the nearest bathroom. A moment later she’d shoved the window open, and launched herself out of it. She didn’t usually fly anywhere near as quickly as this, so there was a bit of a thrill to it.
She tried not to get distracted by the pure euphoria of letting loose and flying at full speed, however. She had to find where Cap had gone.
After reaching a rather significant altitude, she stopped to look around, hoping she could still see him somewhere. Unfortunately there was a lot of sky.
Letting out a sigh, she pulled out her phone, knowing there was only one person she could ask for help right now. The person who’d upgraded her phone so that it could work at twenty thousand feet like this.
A robotic voice answered. “Hello, you’ve reached—”
“Jeeves, this is an emergency,” she replied. “Unless you can give me radar readouts for Montana, I need to talk to Jenny.”
“She’s in a meeting right now… I think the boys could help though, Miss Claire?” Jeeves said.
“The… right. The computers. If they can manage it on their own,” Claire replied, continuing to scan the sky with her eyes.
There were some whistling noises, Jeeves talking to the other computers in Jenny’s apartment. After a few moments the robotic butler switched back to English. “There are two objects that could be Captain Wrecking Ball. One is staying still over Deer Lodge.”
“… that would be me,” Claire said.
“Ah. The other is travelling at roughly nine hundred and fifty seven kilometres per hour in a north north easterly direction a few kilometres south of Great Falls.”
Right. Jeeves was ‘British’, so of course he was also using kilometres. Well, she knew roughly what it meant, and didn’t need to be overly precise just yet.
“Thank you,” Claire replied. “I’ll call back if I need an update.”
“Understood, though I must warn you he seems to be heading towards Canada, which has rather patchier radar,” Jeeves said, before hanging up.
Claire shot off in the direction given. She knew she was making a sonic boom, but, right now, she had bigger concerns. Captain Wrecking Ball was erratic and unpredictable. Which had the potential to be as bad as… no, she wasn’t going to think about that as an option.
She wouldn’t allow something like that to happen again.
It took her a few minutes to get to Great Falls, which she knew meant Cap was likely well past it. Since she didn’t see any fire or smoke rising from the city. She decided to take a slight gamble and keep heading in the same direction, not thinking there was any major reason for Cap to turn.
A few more minutes and a few dozen miles later, she spotted a speck on the horizon. Too high and fast to be a bird. Too small to be an airplane.
It had to be Cap.
She sped forward, focusing on the target and ignoring the biting cold of the air. Flat grassland and farms, covered in a light dusting of snow, zipped past below as her target slowly got larger.
His grey-blue costume wasn’t the easiest to pick out against the early winter sky, but there wasn’t much else up here to distract her.
Getting closer she slowed down, trying to move closer to his speeds.
“Cap!” she called out.
His head turned to her. While she couldn’t make out his expression very well, she could tell he was still out of it.
“I don’t want trouble!” he shouted.
She had to blink, having not expected that. “I don’t want trouble either!”
“I’m just trying to leave! Please! J-just let me leave!” Cap shouted.
“Why? Where are you going!?” Claire asked, slowly moving closer to him. (Well, relatively slowly, since they were both flying at hundreds of miles per hour.)
“I—I… I don’t know. But I’m not—they’re going too—please! Just let me leave!” he shouted, his tone sounding less and less grounded.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but you need to calm down!” Claire called out. “You’re not making any sense!”
“GO AWAY!” Cap roared, before diving towards the ground.
Claire followed him. She didn’t know if he was actually going to be violent, but he was definitely irrational right now. She pushed herself forward, catching up and tackling him. She did her best to hold on, trying to slow them both down as Cap flailed and resisted.
For the first time since she’d done it, she found herself half wishing she hadn’t had herself made so small. She could barely get her arms around Cap’s larger than life frame. He was really something of a living colossus, so, even if she was pretty sure she was stronger with her abilities working at full power, he still had advantages with leverage. Plus, he was younger. She wasn’t that old, just yet, but it was still obvious he had more energy than her.
Reasoning she had to get through to him, she decided she needed to try a different approach.
“Please! Just talk to me!” she begged, having slowed them to a relative halt a few hundred feet in the air. “Please… Ilya.”
He froze, his struggles subsiding. “How did you… right. Right… NO!”
Before she could respond, Ilya threw his entire weight into driving them into the ground.
The soil was frozen and hard. Not that it made much of a difference. She could handle hitting solid rock at a faster speed. She had.
It did break her grip on him, though. And left her slightly winded as she stood back up.
Ilya was shaking as well, his eyes bouncing around without focus.
“I—I don’t want to have to fight. Please. Please. I’ll just go,” he said.
“Why? Why do you think we have to fight?” Claire asked, rubbing her shoulder.
Apparently that ‘landing’ had hurt more than she’d expected. Either she’d gotten soft or old age was getting to her.
“You’ve found out what I am… the US wants to make me an experiment again, don’t they? I’ve been sold out… I thought I’d managed…” he said, trailing off as he shook his head. “Haven’t I proven I’m a hero? Does it really matter that the Bratva…”
“What… no.” Claire said, a realisation hitting her. “No… in Zelenogorsk… th-they hadn’t managed to… I remember. There weren’t any children yet. It was just labs.”.
It had been creepy, she remembered that much. Interpol calling her in, with several of the other global top heroes… she’d still been so new to the business, too. Seeing those labs, set up by the Russian Mob for Numan cloning…
“There were three of us,” Ilya mumbled. “We were taken away from the compound for safety… Inessa was always sick, but… it was training. Constant training… until Nadia got me out. To be with her cousin in Northford… I don’t… I just want to help people. Please…”
Claire blinked, not sure what to say. Not sure what to do with the fact Ilya had begun crying. Especially because his eyes were still manic. Still jittering.
Though, she didn’t really need to fear. Whatever he did, she would be fine. At least reasonably.
So she walked over, arms out in a gesture to show she wanted to give him a hug. His eye twitched, visibly unsure how to respond. The hesitation served her needs, and she walked forward to give him a hug.
The large man then melted into her, going limp in a way that likely would have thrown any regular woman her size off balance.
“It’s ok. No one wants to do anything to you,” Claire offered, trying to reassure him.
The courthouse was still in chaos. Police were calling state and federal authorities. Someone was on the line with the Association. Tonia was comforting her daughter, who’d been frightened by the loud noises and all the chaos that followed.
And Thief had been left standing there, wondering just what had happened to Ilya.
At least until her eyes had noticed the spilled can of… whatever it was. Looking at it, she wasn’t sure if it was an energy drink or a sports drink. But…
She turned, walking over to the vending machine he’d gotten it from. She put in her money and pressed for another can of Vita Drink.
“Well, here goes nothing,” she said as she popped it open.
“What are you doing?” Tonia asked as she took a drink.
Thief held up a finger, asking for a moment as she made sure to empty about half the can. “Wah… yeah… that tastes severely unnatural… anway, I’m testing a theo—hypothesis. Really just a hypothesis at this stage.”
“A hypothesis?” Abby, Claire and Tonia’s seven year old daughter, asked, saying the word carefully.
“As to what got Cap so… so… ooh,” she said, as the room began to spin.
Tonia blinked, then leaned forward, heading her way. She was going to—Thief shook her head.
“Oh yeah. That’s what did it,” Thief said, wagging her finger, making sure to move to try to keep grounded. “My brain is telling me you… and… and everyone else is plotting against me. Woooof.”
“You… I’m sorry?” Tonia asked.
“There’s something in this that’s got me wired. Nice to see I was right and Cap didn’t just snap,” Thief said.
“And you decided to test on yourself!?” Tonia asked, staring at her.
“Don’t worry. This is nostalgic for me,” Thief said, forcing a smile and thumbs up. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to see if throwing up helps get this out of my system faster.”
Ilya had, slowly, calmed down in Claire’s arms. Slowly talking to her about his life. His childhood.
And what he said tore at her heart. The way he’d never really had a childhood. Never really had someone be a parent to him. A few kind caretakers, yes. But they were more teachers or temporary guardians. Never really the bond he’d needed.
So she’d kept holding him. Letting him curl up and let out the pain.
Even as it started getting darker and colder.
Until a light shone on them. Causing them both to blink and look up. There was a woman who looked a few years younger than herself.
“Shifter?” Ilya asked.
“Captain Wrecking Ball. And… I’m a bit unclear as to who you are, miss, but Moonshine and Thief both asked me to handle your little cross border incursion personally,” the woman, Shifter, said.
“Uh, the name’s Claire,” she replied. “Claire Rose-Schaefer.”
“I was told your name. I’m a bit more concerned about the fact you apparently caught Captain Wrecking Ball in flight and seem nearly as durable as he is… yet I’ve never heard of you before,” Shifter said, walking down into the crater where they were both standing.
“I… I’m someone who wasn’t cut out to be a hero,” Claire replied, shivering as memories whispered in her head. “I tried, but…I wasn’t… but, with my powers… Moonshine has helped me stay off the radar. To avoid trouble.”
Shifter let out a sigh, before directing them out of the crater they’d left in an empty section of what Claire would later learn was Saskatchewan. There was a hovercopter waiting nearby. It was a bit slower than the Association’s aircraft, but comfortable and quick enough as it flew them back towards Montana.
Claire could tell Shifter wanted to ask a million questions, but was professional enough not to.
To fill the silence, instead Shifter brought up what she’d learned about Ilya’s little freak out. There was something in the drink he’d gotten. They weren’t sure what, just yet, but interviews with a string of other Numans in prison for recent rampages had shown several remembered drinking the product. As such American Federal authorities were working to get warrants in place to secure the company’s offices and bottling facilities.
With the length of the flight, Claire had also used some of the time to look up Ilya’s accomplishments. She felt she wanted to know more about him, to try to be someone to offer him encouragement.
A bit after they crossed the border, Claire had phoned Tonia to check on her, and had been told they’d all gone back to the farm. Thief included. The cows had needed tending to, and Thief had thought physical labour would clear her head.
So that was where the hovercopter had gone, landing in the driveway.
Ilya had gotten out first, hurrying over to hug Thief. The tall woman did a better job than she could of getting her arms around to hug him back.
Claire started to get out as well when she got a look from Shifter. One she couldn’t quite read.
“Is there something you wanted to ask?” Claire offered.
“Ah, no. No. I’ll find out soon enough, I think,” the other woman replied.
Leaving Claire confused as she stepped out of the hovercopter.
While Claire and Tonia had cooked up a hearty country dinner Ilya had snuck off to change. With his collar on he’d curled up against Thief as she’d kept Abby busy playing a racing game.
Dinner itself had then been peaceful enough. Apart from three starving supers making short work of the generous servings. Both Claire and Ilya had pushed themselves to the limits, while Thief had had to recover from physically not handling the drink quite as well as Ilya.
Afterwards, however, once the dishes were done and Abby had headed off upstairs, Ilya had shot Thief a nervous look.
“I… I explained something to Claire today that… that I think you should know too,” he said, in the soft voice of his feminine form.
“Oh?” she asked.
“That… I was… about twenty five years ago the Bratva… the Russian Mafia—they got their hands on the DNA of several of the world's top supers at the time,” Ilya said, in a soft voice.
“They did?” Tonia asked, looking up from her own reading across the living room.
“It was kept hidden. Russia didn’t want to admit they’d needed foreign help to clean it up. Most other countries just didn’t want other criminal groups to get ideas,” Ilya replied. “But… before Interpol stopped them… they’d managed to make three clones. Or… sort of clones. The DNA samples they had were imperfect, so they patched in other genes. Genes they hoped would make us stronger.”
Thief took a moment to process that. “‘Us’… you mean…”
“Yes,” Ilya said with a soft nod, his now small form curling up, practically on Thief’s lap. “I was one of them. One of the two that were actually ‘viable’ for a childhood that was nothing but drills... I don’t know what happened to Fyodor, but… but, well… I thought you should know about me.”
Thief nodded, holding his now small frame in her arms. They really were quite the pair, barely a happy childhood memory between the pair of them.
“I was thinking,” Claire said. “Do you know who you’re a—who your ‘parent’ is? We could probably get someone to do a DNA test for you? I’m sure any hero would be proud of you if they found out.”
“Mhm. You’re one of the world’s most successful heroes,” Tonia offered.
“Oh… I know who he was,” Ilya replied in a soft voice. “The drill master always said I wasn’t as strong as him. I wasn’t as fast as him. I was never going to be as good as him… it doesn’t matter, though. He’s gone now.”
“He died?” Claire asked, her voice gentle.
“Probably,” Ilya replid, before his voice dropped to barely more than a whisper. “No one’s seen him in twenty years… not since what happened in Dallas…”
Thief took a moment to do the math. To remember that it had indeed been twenty years since… that. And who had been involved.
She realised that Tonia and Claire seemed rather more shocked by the words than she was, but, well… they were American. It was a domestic story for them. They’d been adults when it had happened, too. Not some half whispered thing for grown-ups that she hadn’t understood as a child. But a memory of a day.
“Are you…” Tonia began. “Are you saying that you’re… your DNA came from Powerjack?”
Ilya looked up at her, and then gave a small nod. A nod that led to a gasp from the older woman.
Before she realised what had happened, Thief found herself caught up in a hug from Claire. It was clearly mainly aimed at Ilya, Thief had just gotten caught in it due to her partner’s currently small frame.
Thief was also surprised to see the blonde woman was crying as she hugged them both. She found Ilya seemed just as confused as she was.
“Oh gosh,” Claire mumbled as she finally broke the hug. “Oh gosh… I… Oh. I wonder what Abby will think when she finds out she has a big si—sibling.”
Thief and Ilya both exchanged a glance.
“P-pardon?” Ilya asked.
Claire wiped a few tears from her eyes before smiling. “Well, I’m Claire Rose-Schaefer now, but… before I transitioned, I… I used to be Powerjack.”
Vita Drink had turned out to be innocent. The chemical setting off paranoia attacks in Numans had been designed as an energy booster. One which had had no effects on baseline humans.
After several public inquiries the company had agreed to pay several million dollars to cover damages to both bystanders and Numans affected by it, while various world governments had put forward the need to test new food and drugs on Numan subjects in future. To avoid another Vita Drink incident.
Thankfully, however, the Rose-Shaeffer family thanksgiving table was not going to be a place to find any mysterious new food compounds. Pretty well everything was from local farms in their corner of Montana. Something everyone present appreciated.
“It still feels too early to have more turkey,” Shifter said as she helped peel some of the potatoes.
“You didn’t have to come if you didn’t want our cooking,” Claire replied with a playful tone.
“As Thief’s declared adoptive maternal figure, I felt it was my duty to judge the in-laws’ family recipes at least once,” Shifter protested.
“I can’t believe you’re both being such dorks,” Tonia mumbled as she hunted for some nutmeg.
“You’re the one who agreed to having three trans women in the kitchen with you. You have to expect this,” Thief replied from her station as the other potato peeler.
Tonia let out a sigh, especially as she realised what was going on outside. Her sister Jenny and her daughter Abby being busy recording the dramatic change Ilya had with the collar. It was fair for Jenny to be proud of how well her invention worked, but she was a bit concerned about the strength impact tests she’d talked about doing earlier…
Still, it was nice to have so much life on the farm for the holidays. As long as the farm was still standing at the end of it.
|
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"Crossover",
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"Futuristic Setting",
"Hiding True Identity",
"Male to Female",
"Mysterious Family Background",
"Past Plays a Big Role",
"Past Trauma",
"Secret Identity",
"Special Abilities",
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|
“Are you sure about this? Last chance to back down.” Kori asked, folding their arms over their stomach as they cocked a hip, the servos and joints of their cybernetic leg clicking and whirring to account for the shift.
“I’m sure.” I nod once. I’ve been waiting for this for a year.
“Alright. See you on the other side.” They took a step closer and plunged the syringe into my vein. The rush of nanites into my bloodstream was like introducing carbonation to water. A giddy fizziness swept over me, and then it was dark.
When the lights came back on, everything hurt. My whole body felt like I’d just finished an all out sprint across the Bleached Sands. “Wa-” my voice cracked painfully, my mouth bone dry.
“Hold on there…” Kori moved to a tray beside the operating chair, grabbing the water nozzle. A quick pull of the trigger released a somewhat stale but totally welcome boon to my parched throat. I must have suckled on the nozzle for a good minute before I let my head drop back against the padded headrest.
“How do you feel?” they asked.
“Like shit…” I brought a hand to my throat. My voice was so far from the gravelly mess it had been when I woke up this morning. Even with the slight creak from the fading dryness, it was unquestionably brighter - higher. I smiled.
Kori grinned right back at me. “You’re lucky I love you, you threw up twice and I barely got the bucket in time the first time.”
“Well… toxic things always make people throw up… and there’s nothing as toxic as masculinity.” I joke, laughing for a moment before my ribs remind me how bad of an idea that is.
Kori laughs too, pulling a monitor over to scan me. “Looks like the nanites have finished up. Now I just need to recalibrate your chrome to fit the new frame.”
“Sounds good…Make me beautiful, doc.” I wink and blow them a quick kiss before they flip down the visor on their welding mask.
Not sure how much time passes as they tweak every little part of my chrome, adjusting my cybernetic arm and leg to fit my new body. When it’s all said and done they reach down and clasp hands, their metal against mine, and lift me off the operating chair.
“You ready to see?” They ask.
I nod, and follow them over to the full length mirror. There she is, the girl I’ve wanted to see in the mirror more and more every day since I turned 14. Kori slips their flesh and blood arm around my new, slim waist.
“Hope you’re ready for the world of ugly coming your way, babe... “ they give me a reassuring squeeze and a peck on the cheek.
I grin, and with a thought my cybernetic right hand ignites with electricity. “Oh, I am. Any transphobic assholes that mess with me are going to get one hell of a… shock.”
|
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"title": "A Custom Remodel - One Shot",
"author": "PunchlinePress",
"chapters": 1,
"rating": 4.8,
"rating_ct": 20,
"genre": [
"Gender Bender",
"Romance",
"Sci-fi"
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"Doctors",
"Futuristic Setting",
"Male to Female",
"Short Story",
"Transgender"
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}
|
What is life? When does it begin, when does it end?
.
..
...
What purpose do we have as humans?
As these thoughts drifted through my head, I realized one thing.
What am I?
I’m just a consciousness, as far as I can tell. But I have memories and emotions of another.
I notice a light in the darkness, and as I stare, it fractures. Suddenly, it is all I can see.
It seems I have vision. I look around, testing my vision. As I do, I notice something very odd. I seem to have been inside a spherical object. What is this? As I attempt to speak, nothing comes out but the clicking of my... pincers?!
The situation flows into my head all at once. I’m a spider. I remember my previous life. I’m a spider. My name was Steven Faulkner and I was a 24 year old living in debt working overtime at a job that pays little to nothing. Did I mention I’m a spider?
As I’m getting my bearings, I begin walking towards the exit of the cave. Did I mention I’m in a cave? Yeah, I am, and a real dark one at that. That light I saw earlier when exiting the... egg? Was the light of the exit faintly shining on my egg. Hey, I never said it wasn’t a dim light! As I walk towards the exit, almost as if in autopilot, I think about my current situation. It seems I have been “Isekai’d”, if you will. I look through my memory and remember that in this situation, there is usually a game-like menu. Hmmm. Stats! That didn’t work. Let me try a few more. Menu! System! Status! At the last one a game-like menu appears in front of me, titled Status.
[Status]
[Name: ??? | Race: Star Spider][Str: 12 | Luk: 5 | Agi: 16 |Hp: 4/4][Def: 8 | Mp: 2| Stamina: 50/50 | Exp: 0/50]
[Fatigue: 6/100 | Mana: 0/0 | Thread: 10/10][Skills | Titles ]
Hmmm. my stats are relatively low. Wait, what’s this? Skills! At this, a new window appears, titled Skills.
[ Exo Thread | Base Thread]
Wait, what do these do? Exo thread! Base thread! Two new windows appear named Exo Thread and Base Thread.
[ Exo Thread: Absorbs skills, appearances, and attributes of the target][ Base Thread: Uses skills, appearances, and attributes Exo Thread absorbed]
That seems useful...
Anyways, what do the titles do? Titles!
[Threadist (due to you being a manipulator of thread, thread is a stat. You gain more thread after time, but you can refill it by consuming old thread]
[Lucky(small) (due to your luck being low in your previous life, your luck is increased in this life [+1 luck])]
No kidding it was low!
I reach the mouth of the cave while I’m exploring the menu, finding a few features. Firstly, apparently I have a stat I can’t see, called karma. It’s similar to luck, but it’s increased through good deeds and decreased through bad. Secondly, I can raise my skill proficiencies by using my skills. The proficiency goes up more efficiently if I utilize the skills in new methods. Finally, I’ve found that the menu holds many secrets, just waiting to be found!
Ah. Who am I even rambling to? Not even an hour in and I’m already insane. Guess that’s what you get when you throw a guy like me in a cave that reeks of blood, have him travel through the ever darkening cave towards the entrance, swerving to avoid human bones, fending for himself in the damp dark cave as night encroaches, swallowing the only light he can see. And did I mention this is all while in the body of a spider as well?
Ah. I’m rambling again. Welp, I’ve already made it to the entrance!
[Night vision(small) (due to increased time in the dark, you can see a little better in the dark.)]
Now that I think about it, I thought spiders could see in the dark? Oh well. Better not dwell on that. I’d just end up rambling again. But then again, is it still rambling if no one else can hear you? Or is that for you, the only listener, to decide? Now that I think about it, Isn’t rambling just defines as rambling by public norms? Or is it something that you yourself identify as rambling?
[Rambling(basic) (you have begun rambling so much, we’ve decided to give you a skill about it. Hooray! Begin rambling to your friends about this skill! Oh wait, sorry. You can’t.)]
Ouch. That hurt.
Welp, I’ve rambled so much, it’s already morning!
.
..
...
{many ramblings later}
First animal I’ve seen in this world and it’s a rabbit. Whoop-dee-doo.
Granted, it’s not an ordinary rabbit. No, this rabbit has a horn. Like a unicorn. I sigh and dash at it it. It dodges my attack with ease and darts away. I suppose I can’t attack it like that. I follow its footprints to its burrow. Once at the burrow, I try setting up my web, but sadly, I fail. I eat the web and continue.
.
..
...
{many failed attempts while rambling later}
I’m tired of the taste of thread. But finally, after all this work, I can do it now.
[Web Creation(basic) (allows you to create a web. Granted, sloppily. But nevertheless, a web.)]
I space out for a few minutes, just thinking.
When a large thump comes from the web, I snap back to reality and realize, I’ve caught a rabbit! Granted, it’s more stuck than caught because the web isn’t sticky, it just trapped its feet. I start attacking it with all I have, but thankfully with my fangs I manage to kill it after struggling for a few minutes. I then shoot out my exo thread almost immediately, as if by reflex.
[Lv. 2 Horned Rabbit absorbed]
[Absorbed: Horned Rabbit appearance, Leap(basic), Bouncy(attribute)]
[Exp Gained: 36]
Ugh, its blood is disgusting! I wonder how it would taste cooked. Ah! But anyways, I finally got my first skill!
[Fatigue has reached max, falling into deep sleep.]
I notice a window encroach my vision as I fall unconscious.
Clarifications: Appearance allows the mc to color the base thread and when the base thread is clumped together, to make it look like the appearance in question.
Attributes allow the mc to change the qualities of the base thread like bouncy as gained in this chapter.
( I will try improving the system screen though, so if you have any ideas, let me know. )
|
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"q": 0.91,
"title": "Thread the Sky [DISCONTINUED] - Wait, I’m a spider?!",
"author": "Fenix.0",
"chapters": 2,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 1,
"genre": [
"Adventure",
"Fantasy",
"Isekai"
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"Ability Steal",
"Game Elements",
"Gods",
"Hidden Abilities",
"Level System",
"Reincarnated as a Monster",
"Sword And Magic",
"Weak to Strong"
]
}
|
As I walk through the woods monotonously, I wonder.
I wonder why I'm in this world, I wonder why the truck driver that killed me wasn't paying attention, and most importantly, I wonder where I'm going.
As I wonder, a light flashes in the corner of my vision.
I ignore it.
While I wonder, I think about-
WHAT!?
Angrily, I focus on the annoying flashing light in the corner of my vision.
[Congratulations! You broke through {Brood's Call}]
[{Mind Control} Has been canceled!]
As soon as the screen pops up, my blood runs cold.
Mind control? Is that why I was moving so monotonously?
I pull up my status.
[Name: ??? | Race: Starweaver(mythical)]
[Stats: Expand | Skills: Expand | Titles: Expand ]
Almost as an afterthought, I expand my skills menu.
[Skills:
Plunder: Expand
Thread Blank: Expand
Night Vision: Expand
Rambling (Disabled): Expand
Web Creation: Expand
Calm Minded (Enabled): Expand]
I expand Plunder, Thread Blank, and Calm Minded, not remembering ever seeing them.
[ Plunder: Absorbs skills, appearances, and attributes of the target, for use in other skills]
[ Thread Blank: Uses skills, appearances, and attributes obtained with other skills]
[Calm Minded: After experiencing {Brood's Call} and living to tell the tale, you can make decisions with clarity (Enabled)]
Hmm.
It seems as if after breaking through {Brood's Call} upgraded my system.
I wonder if that's the only way to upgrade my system?
I struggle against myself to disable Calm Mind, on one hand, I'll be more rational, on another, I don't want the system Influencing my mind.
[Calm Minded (Disabled): Expand]
As soon as I disable it, a weight lifts from my mind.
Alright! Let's explore!
|
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"title": "Thread the Sky [DISCONTINUED] - Awakening",
"author": "Fenix.0",
"chapters": 2,
"rating": 5,
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"Adventure",
"Fantasy",
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"Game Elements",
"Gods",
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"Level System",
"Reincarnated as a Monster",
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"Weak to Strong"
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|
My twin sisters and Cinderella is about the same age. Like always I will take care of Blanche today. The only time I give Blanche back to mom is when it's time for feeding. While me and Blanche live in the main house, Cinderella lives in a shed that is located in our yard. She was taken care by one of the servants. Mom really not like Cinderella to much, but it really is understandable. But I don't really like to leaves little Cinderella just like that. It really leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. So sometimes I visited her secretly without Mom's permission.
"How is she doing today, Fae?"
Fae is the servant that was instructed to take care of Cinderella.
"Ah young master. Cinderella doing just fine today don't worry."
I look at the little girl. Right now she is sleeping her own little crib. She looks really cute just like Blanche. Just from the look you can tell that this little girl will became a beauty one day.
"Young master, is it really okay for you to came over and see her?"
"Don't worry, I don't tell Mom about this little meeting." I said.
I then talk with Fae for a few minutes and causing little Cinderella to wake up. She then proceed to cry to attract both of our attention.
Me and Fae quickly head to the baby crib. Fae then proceed to carry the baby to calm her down.
I look at Cinderella dozing face for a few moments and my brotherly instinct began to kick in.
"Um~ Fae can I... pat her for a bit?"
"Of course."
Fae then bent down so that I can easily see the little girl.
Cinderella watch me curiously for a while. Her white skin with a tinge of red on her cheeks really brought up her cuteness. I then began to caressing her head slowly.
Oh my god, her sleepy face is so cute!!! Okay calm down me, take a deep breath. Fuh okay.
"Looks like everything is okay, well I will head back to the mansion."
"Ah yes young master."
As I leave the shed suddenly Cinderella began to cry.
"Gyaaa!!!"
"Ah Cinderella what is it?"
Cinderella began to throw a tantrum. I look at her for a bit... well maybe I can stay for a bit longer.
I came back to her and began to pat her soft head. She slowly stop crying and began to smile and laugh.
"Looks like she really like you, young master."
"Hehehe, well who is a good girl?"
She continue to smile and laugh but slowly she fall asleep.
"Well looks like she is tired, I can take care of her now."
"Okay I will came to play with her on another time."
***
As soon as I came back to the mansion, I can heard a loud cries. I quickly ran upstairs to my sisters' room. When I open the door I can see mom tried to calm Blanche down.
When she saw me, Blanche quickly fall silent and began to laugh happily as if the cries just now is just an imagination. My Mom turn around to see me standing in front of the door.
"Hah~ thank god you are here, sweetie. Can you take care of Blanche?"
"Okay Mom."
I walk as fast as I can towards both Mom and Blanche. After that she gives Blanche to me. It really is hard to hold her properly with this 2 years old body. But somehow I managed to do it. Blanche then laughing excitedly when she is carried by me.
Ah~ they are so cute~ I hope that this peaceful day will last.
|
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"title": "RE: Cinderella - Chapter 3: A very peaceful day",
"author": "MuHazYu",
"chapters": 3,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 2,
"genre": [
"Fanfiction",
"Harem",
"Isekai",
"Romance"
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"Cinderella",
"Adopted Children",
"Age Progression",
"Beautiful Female Lead",
"Brother Complex",
"Childhood Love",
"Incest",
"Reincarnated into Another World",
"Ugly Protagonist",
"Younger Sisters"
]
}
|
The monster threw Joseph’s corpse heavily on the ground and its body proceeded to melt down like wax. All my fatigue disappeared as I found the uncanny strength to get the hell away from it and very fast. Even if I knew it was not what I should be paying attention to, I couldn’t control my strange urge to look back once and glimpse at the nasty puddle of flesh and blood growing on the earth. Once I did so, there was a single thought left in my head: why in the hell was a Doppelganger appearing on the first quest?
It shouldn’t have been like that. No matter how hard the tutorial could be, a Doppelganger was a monster of a much higher caliber than what novice characters could take. There was a limit to the pool of things that could go randomly wrong, and this one wasn’t in it.
The creature’s slimy body swallowed Joseph. In the midst of all that, both Alex and Amelia tried to fend it off with their spears and abilities, but it was all useless.
I ran up on a large root and crashed on a spiky bush. I didn’t even process the impact nor the pain of being poked by the blade-like foliage. Thinking about it, there was no use running without a clear direction. I mimicked Joseph’s action of activating the communicator to try and contact others, pressing some buttons in a specific order.
...
....
Fuck! Why isn’t it working? I tried to recall how exactly he did it and tried again. Finally, the image of the area map showed up and I felt some relief. Still, the sense of urgency hadn’t left me.
“Team 6 is- Uh... Contact Central, I’m from Team 6 and we’ve got a fucking Doppelganger. We need help and we need it now! Please tell me how to send the coordinates!”
...
“Central, do you hear me? Hey! Is anyone with me?”
As if mocking at my desperation, the hologram stayed up for a few seconds before phasing out into nothingness.
“...Get away from me!”
I heard a rough shout from the distance, which completely disrupted my activities. Sounds like Edward, I hazily thought, and again I faced towards my teammates who chose to battle. I had completely forgotten that Edward was in a state that not even a necromancer could take up from the ground. Unless...
I regained my hope: if Amelia could deny the reality where Edward was exhausted, or the one where the Doppelganger assimilated into Joseph, then there was a real chance to fight. Hastily getting up, I thought to return and prepare to help with a Deadly Strike at the ready when my eyes focused on the situation at hand.
How... Just how did that happen?
My attention snapped into right order as I tried to make sense of the many system notifications that had accumulated from the party window, leaving me astonished.
[Amelia Wintersong has used a skill combo: Deny reality x2
Mental exertion: +150% +75%
Effects: Joseph Sebastian Smith: Dead becomes Alive; Edward Rocksword: -56% physical exertion.
]
[Amelia Wintersong is affected by System shutdown
System shutdown: Remains unconscious for 3 months. Treatments are only 23% effective]
... Why did you make this choice? I thought in disappointment and anger. Do you think you are God to bring someone back from the dead?
This message was from moments ago. Yet, the only Joseph I saw was the one on top of Edward, evading all attacks without doing any effort... It was not like people hadn’t tried before, but reviving a dead character only brought him back to the second before his life was wrung out. In game terms, he would be 1 HP with all the previous statuses, like poison or bleeding.
The worst revive ever.
And I had to repeat: Do you think you are a fucking God? To heal Edward from his fatigue was different from relieving his body from its effects. One is more costly than the other, and healing is always inefficient exertion-wise... Besides, what can someone who still feels his body sluggish at more than 100% do in this situation? He can’t even look for his booze.
It was at that moment that I truly felt the difference between controlling a group of characters in a turn-based RPG, in comparison to real life where I was feeling everything and had no direct influence on others. Those weren’t “characters” anymore, that I could freely and efficiently position according to their best roles, with the occasional unpredictability from their traits.
They were real people, kids who, like myself, were on their first deployment to the field. They would fail, make mistakes, questionable decisions, plus they had no access to the information players had. Not from enemies, not from allies, not even their own... But in the rpg, a game over was merely frustrating. You learnt from your mistakes, you got good, you did better next time.
Here, there wouldn’t be a next time.
I wasn’t making the choices for everyone and I couldn’t realistically instruct them in the middle of combat. There was no player or voice from the other side guiding us... Or if there was, he was a complete noob.
Somehow, after that rollercoaster of emotions, I recovered part of my mind's clarity. I noticed a hazy line of blue text forming on the transmitter, so I concentrated to read it.
[Integrated Communication Device (Hacking)
1. Stablish communication line;
2. Send signal;
3. Hack into the Main System (25% chance)
4. Disable signal (33% chance).
(Concentrate to display more options)]
... How do I even “click”? Without an option, I thought “1”, but at the same time I wondered about the other numbers. It was simply how the mind worked, at least my mind, constantly bouncing around.
Nothing happened.
“One! Select one!”
...
Why is this so goddamn complicated? I tried physically touching it as I saw, but still the same response.
I heard a loud splattering noise, interrupting my thoughts, and I nervously looked back at the scene.
[Joseph Sebastian Smith used a skill: Demand offering
Effects: Executes a target much weaker than you and gain status Apex predator based on its quality]
Joseph’s muscular arm was completely embedded in Edward’s chest and dislodging every bone and muscle on the way. Even from this position I could picture the look on his face, full of the horror of impeding and brutal death, without any chance of reverting the results.
Shit... That’s why I told them to run away. I reasoned, failing to understand that blaming their helplessness was merely to alleviate the weight brought from my cowardice and indecisiveness.
[Joseph Sebastian Smith gains Apex predator (lvl 5)
Apex predator (lvl 5): Enhances sight, hearing and sense of smell by 180%. Boosts physical strength and agility by 450%. Gain Regeneration every time a target is killed. Lasts 180 seconds.
Regeneration: recovers 1.3%+5 Max HP every five seconds.]
“You fucker... And you’re telling me this shit is all permitted by him?”
[Alexander Bloodstone encountered a Proof of Faith!
Conviction increased by 1
Alexander's Assignable points increased by 2]
Alexander shouted and advanced again. Idiot! If you have any common sense, back off and call for help! Why did none of you think of that? I gritted my teeth in frustration. I was really just looking for someone else to blame for my impeding death, and since I later thought it was too lame to blame who I’ve always known as a game character, I could only blame the developers for making this absurd thing.
It was funny that, thinking back, there were no updates for this game since day one. No mod compatibility. No nothing. It was very strange that hackers couldn’t get a good enough program to crack the files completely and reach the end game or beat the boss. Now I had some strange appreciation from the fact that I half “understood” why there was never any news from the developers. Perhaps this was some kind of huge interdimensional conspiracy I was unaware of.
Though I knew there was no hope, for real, I still clung to the slim chance that someone could help me. I tried my hardest to erase the negativity swirling in my mind, the sounds of battle and the fear creeping up on my heart. Just to concentrate on that number 1.
...
....
“Argh! Kuh...”
Concentrate, damn it!
...
“Kuh... You- kuhoh!”
Don’t look!
...
....
.....
[Hacking complete. Communication established]
“Hello? Is there anybody?” I hastily said. Looking at the monster slowly walking away, I took the opportunity to hide myself, something I knew would be absolutely useless, but who knew?
“Central online, make your statement”
I glanced at the Doppelganger passing by Alexander’s remains and landing right next to Amelia. He lifted his right foot and carefully positioned it on her head.
I averted my eyes and heard a disgusting and short pop, not much different from a thrown watermelon. I suppose my mind was not so weak since I could still think that kind of absurd thing in such a situation.
“Central online, are you okay?”
...
I choked, suppressing a sob.
“... Everyone’s dead.”
Shit, when did I start to cry? The barrage of emotions I’ve been feeling one at a time seemed to hit all at the same moment. I had so many things I wanted to say, but when the time came, that was all that I could think of.
That thing killed everyone...
“Student, calm down. There is a team on the way to your coordinates. Please describe the situation”
Hearing such a collected voice on the other side, some people might have been affected by it, taking a deep breath and responding calmly. But I could only find it ridiculous given the circumstances. Still, I thought they at least ought to know what they were dealing with.
“It’s a Doppelganger. It took over Team 14 and now our team. It’s disguised as instructor Joseph Smith.”
“Okay, can you describe what exactly is a Doppelganger? Do you have useful footage?”
“... Haha”
I genuinely laughed at the premise of the game. Doppelgangers weren’t in the monster database and many people thought it was a bug. I guess not.
“Student, can you respond? Do you know how to access the footage?”
“... Shut up”, I whispered. So low that I myself would have doubted that I spoke.
“Student, can you repeat what you said? I’d like to conf-“
“I said shut the fuck up!”
[Communication shut down]
Why is humanity so incompetent if technology is so advanced in this world? Didn’t we reach this place in under three minutes? Why does it take so long to notice something wrong? Can’t you install some sensors or cameras or spy with satellites... Anything? Is it all a facade?
I really hated myself for thinking so many useless stuff until the end. But really, it didn’t matter anyway. The one with the trait Brave died miserably, would it be so surprising if a Coward followed along?
My mind was so jumbled up that I didn’t notice when the thing approached. I held my trembling legs with my arms and looked down, not wishing to look at it.
My whole 23 years of life, I had never gone through anything extreme. I never had to suffer for lack of food, water or clothing. I never had to sleep with my head covered by nothing but the night sky, or worry that the rain would dig into the house. I had not inherited any large debt that I would’ve spent decades of my life slaving to pay, nor did I have to take responsibility as a boy to nurture a family member or myself. I never had to go through war, or see a loved one suffer horribly. I never had sickness or disability so severe that it gave me extreme pain or interfered with daily life... And I’ve never had to fight to defend myself or save my own skin.
I was just a guy living a life without turmoil...
I felt hands grabbing my head gently, maybe the beast was trying to assert itself of how much force was needed to destroy my brains. I tightened the grasp on my legs and let the tears in my eyes flow away.
...Why was this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? Though I’ve never been a saint, I was certainly not a bad guy either. I always helped people out if I was able to. So why? Just because I had completed a stupid achievement of a stupid game no one played anymore? No matter how I thought of it, that didn’t make any fucking sense...
[Warning: Someone has hacked into your system
Control temporarily lost]
... What?
“Do you believe it is fair for you people to play with our lives as a little pastime? Forcing us to do battle against all odds of victory, allowing us to die over and over and over... And for what? To alleviate your boredom?”
A melancholic voice jolted me awake. When I looked up, the Doppelganger had not let me go for a second, but Joseph’s buff physique had been covered by a layer of... Pixels, forming the dark figure of a woman.
“Fret not child, you still have a lot to learn”.
The pixel sheet seemed to be washed away by the wind, dispersing in all directions and causing abnormalities in what I saw. It was like I was staring at reality for its skeleton of data.
“Wait! Marian!”
It took less than two seconds for her body to vanish, and I was staring dead center into Joseph’s inhumane eyes.
[System integrity recovered. All functions back to normal]
Crack
...
....
.....
“...Many will die, but with each sacrifice humanity grows stronger and closer to the truth. Do not be discouraged, for...”
When I recovered conscience, the first thing I observed was Principal Ashton’s old shrivelled face. The man’s mouth moved like two pieces of dried fruit moving up and down against each other. But I could barely understand what the guy was saying before a double attack of headache and nausea struck me.
[Synchronization complete, Inheritance accepted]
[Marian’s Quest status trigger: Spirit permanently reduced by 1]
“Urgh... Heuh... Gah!”
I couldn’t hold it in and vomited on the floor. It was all gastric juice, but somehow I couldn’t feel the unpleasant taste in my mouth typical of such incidents.
“Hey, are you okay?” I heard a boy's voice and a hand was extended towards me. I wasn’t one to reject help, no matter how little. He lifted me up and went back to his position.
Memories had flooded inside of my head all of a sudden. I felt the anxiety and sense of urgency when I confronted the Cockatrice alongside the others, my unease regarding the difficulty of the hunt and my inexperience, my exhaustion after reaching a pitiful limit of physical exertion. Then I felt myself being washed over by periodical waves of relief and stress, until I remembered the gruesome death of everyone, my helplessness, selfishness, anger, desperation... And Marian’s cold voice before the dull sound of my neck being snapped.
Feeling bitter, I read the description of Marian’s Quest status effect, that I hadn’t paid attention to before.
[Every time you die, you permanently lose one point of Spirit and are brought back to a point in the past.]
I was feeling very gloomy at that moment. As if to reflect my state, the lights went out and I was about to be swallowed by the ground, like before.
I didn’t know if I could call myself lucky to be still alive, or unfortunate that I would be forced to go through that hell again. Or rather, proceed with this insanity.
I was seriously unwilling to participate in that deadly game, without any moment of respite, no time to plan. Just suddenly thrown in the battlefield and left to my own devices. But I wasn’t completely without hope.
“Marian, are you there? I know you can reach out to me”
...
“Marian, is it about your suffering? If so, then you don’t need to go on with this, alright? I get it already, but I’m not the one who created this! I thought it was just a game...”
...
“Hear me out, you brought me in, you can bring me back, right? Do you know the developers? I could contact them and see if I can change something. That’s much better than having me trapped here, isn’t it? Even if I can’t find them, I can hire someone to look into the code and alter the game. We can change it for the better!”
...
“Okay, is this plan too far-fetched? But with your intelligence and knowledge and me on the other side, I’m sure we can work something out!”
...
Words flowed from my mouth endlessly, but to no avail. The dark ride on the Underground felt much longer than my first time, probably because I was anxious about not being answered. But I felt like I had little choice but to continue.
“I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t know! I didn’t know what I was doing and I’m sorry. I’m not kidding, if I made you guys go through this experience for so many years, I’m really, really sorry. But please, if I knew what was up, I wouldn’t have done it!”
...
“...What do you want? Is it enough for you to have me suffer here an unnameable amount of time? Oh wait, I remember. I remember. You said you’d like to see for how long I held onto my beliefs. But that’s not about me, but the character, uh... Person Nathaniel Bloodstone... So what do you want me to prove? Do you just want me to die multiple times? Or is there something else?... You should at least make it clear!”
...
....
.....
Bang
I punched the wall out of anger and frustration.
“Hahahaha..."
...
"...Ha"
...
"...Fuck you dude... Fuck this...”
As my legs lost strength, I let my body slide to the ground, feeling like a complete idiot. What the hell was I doing, trying to chat up a game character, and not any one but the psychotic maniac of a last boss. Sitting down while hugging my legs, my mind wandered to the moment just before I decided to finish my game run.
It wasn’t a rainy day, like in the movies. It was actually quite sunny, the town I lived in was pretty hot most of the time, too. It kinda sucked, I liked the cold better. My reasoning was that at least you could wear warm clothes and drink something hot to be at ease. If it was too hot and there was no air conditioning, then what? I didn’t think I could shower all the time and drink something cold frequently.
So I was stuck at the office with a broken air con, doing the job I was frankly completely tired of and feeling uncomfortable because of the weather. I would have moved elsewhere if I knew I was gonna feel so stifled. Then I barely clocked off and my cellphone rang. It was my girlfriend.
I thought we had some good chemistry going. We had been dating for almost a year, shared similar interests, had been introduced to each others’ families and friends, and our schedules matched up. She was fun to hang out with, interesting, beautiful and intelligent. I specially liked how she smiled, it was pretty warm. I've always thought she was pretty cool...
“Huh, what a fucking loser, to be singing praises for the girl who dumped you without rime or reason. And it’s not even been a day”
...How would she feel if she knew that I vanished? That I didn't exist in her world anymore? Or did I? Maybe Nathaniel Bloodstone was in the body of Nathan and I was being punished with what I unknowingly did to him, for some fucking reason. Why was such a horrible game even allowed to exist? Who was the cosmic entity that cooked this up?
What about my parents, my friends, my co-workers? The lady next door who feeds the cat when I'm away? Will I be able to see them again? To laugh at their jokes, to worry about their mishaps, to go out for a drink, to play games together... I probably wouldn’t play games ever again. Only chess and in person.
The doors slid open and I was still on the ground, tears continuously flowing.
“Uh, hey kid, you alright? Are you worried about the practical lesson? Don’t beat yourself over the Principal’s lecture, if anything happens on the field you can count on me”
I looked up and saw Joseph flexing his muscles and giving me a reassuring smile. He walked up to me and offered a hand, which didn’t fit much with his appearance. I found goat beards a bit funny.
“C’mon lad, we got this”
I hid my face and passed my hand over it, trying as best as I could to erase the traces of me crying.
Then I got up.
Perhaps because he was so close, I could clearly see some of his information without having to focus clearly.
[Belief: Only the strong survive (C-)]
“... Only the strong survive, right?”
Joseph raised his eyebrows for a moment, then his smile got wider, with a little touch of wickedness.
“That’s right, so you can’t slack off, ya hear me? You gotta be strong"
I finished normalizing my breath and somehow managed to smile back at him, even though it was kind of forced.
“Yeah, I just have to get strong”
I tried riding the wave, but as expected, it was not so easy to adapt into the situation of a death game.
... And strong wasn’t enough.
I had to get very, very fucking strong.
Vibroblade
Hey guys, as always, do comment if you like the chapter and/or story, as it gives me more motivation to write and get better.
On re-reading the chapter to edit, I thought that maybe this was a hasty rendition of MC's emotions and personality. However, I can't capture a person suddenly thrown into a death game while leading a normal life, no time to think, being cool about it. Though I also don't plan for him to be a wobbly mess.
|
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"rating_ct": 1,
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"Action",
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"Futuristic Setting",
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"Level System",
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"Mysterious Past",
"Past Plays a Big Role",
"Personality Changes",
"Proactive Protagonist",
"Seeing Things Other Humans Can't",
"Special Abilities",
"Strategic Battles",
"Tragic Past",
"Transmigration",
"Transported into a Game World",
"Weak to Strong"
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|
Vibroblade
Idk how to do blue boxes/game window. Please bear with my lack of skill. I might learn down the road
|
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"Action",
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"Battle Academy",
"Cautious Protagonist",
"Character Growth",
"Conditional Power",
"Earth Invasion",
"Fantasy Creatures",
"Fantasy World",
"Futuristic Setting",
"Game Elements",
"Hard-Working Protagonist",
"Level System",
"Male Protagonist",
"Mysterious Past",
"Past Plays a Big Role",
"Personality Changes",
"Proactive Protagonist",
"Seeing Things Other Humans Can't",
"Special Abilities",
"Strategic Battles",
"Tragic Past",
"Transmigration",
"Transported into a Game World",
"Weak to Strong"
]
}
|
Once upon a time, there lives a young beautiful girl. Her name is Cinderella.
Cinderella live with his stepmother and twin stepsisters. They all hate Cinderella because of her beauty. They force Cinderella to do all of the housework and treat her like a housekeeper.
One day, the prince organised a ball in his palace. The prince invited a lot of people including Cinderella's family. Her stepsisters and stepmother attend the ball but Cinderella is not allowed to go. To ensure that Cinderella will not attend the ball her stepmother tore her dress.
Cinderella was devastated by this and cry her eyes out but a fairy godmother came and granted Cinderella's wishes. She went to the ball with the most beautiful dress and ride a carriage that is akin to a nobility. But the fairy warn her that the magic will wear off by midnight.
When she arrives, the prince fall in love on first sight and dance with her. Before the prince know her name, Cinderella quickly exit the castle as it almost midnight. In hurry, she accidentally left one of her glass shoes. Long story short, the stepsisters lied to the prince that they are the shoe owners only to realise it's not fit for their feet. The prince then put on Cinderella's feet and it's a perfect match.
Cinderella then get to marry a prince her stepmother and sisters were thrown into the dungeon. Then Cinderella lives happily ever after...
Well that was what supposed to happened but for some reasons the Cinderella right now, in front of me muttered this unexpected lines.
"NO!!! I don't want to be the prince bride!!"
For some reason the Cinderella that I know really don't like the prince. She then take her hands away from the prince and take a hold of both of my hands.
"The one that I really love and will always be in my heart is you, elder brother."
"What?!!"
Not only 180°, she turn 360 already!!!
Before I can react suddenly one of the stepsisters or more accurately one of MY own blood sisters suddenly...
"NOO!!! YOU CANNOT TOUCH BIG BRO!!!"
She came running towards me and grab on one of my arms.
"Because big bro will only married with me!!!"
What the hell is going on!!!??
Something surreal that I would not expect to happen just happened right in front of my eyes.
Not only Cinderella, I also got one of the stepsisters. How can two beauties can fall in love with a not-so-handsome man such as me?
Yes, two. Believe it or not the stepsisters is also quite a beauty, almost but still a bit behind Cinderella.
Right now they are having a tug of war with both of my arms. Please stop it, even the prince has a look of jealousy in his face.
"Please, can both of you stop?"
""NO!!! Right in this moment elder brother/big bro you must choose who you love the most!!!"" Both of them said in sync with one another.
How the hell am I gonna chooooosseee!!!!????
|
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"chapters": 3,
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"Fanfiction",
"Harem",
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"Cinderella",
"Adopted Children",
"Age Progression",
"Beautiful Female Lead",
"Brother Complex",
"Childhood Love",
"Incest",
"Reincarnated into Another World",
"Ugly Protagonist",
"Younger Sisters"
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}
|
For 2022, I’ve been wanting to write more ‘creature features’ and generally improve my short story writing. My partner got me a Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual for my birthday so I came up with the idea of writing a story every week based on a different creature from that - All There in the (Monster) Manual. Hope you enjoy!
This Week’s Inspiration: Nalfeshnee
Trigger Warning: Attempted Sexual Assault, Gore
======
Hack stood in front of the mirror, practising his sneer. He pulled his upper lip away from his stubby tusks, jutting from his upper jaw in place of his canines. Much as he tried, the expression looked unnatural. Hack’s tusks barely protruded past his lip. Seventeen-years-old, they’d only just started growing in.
The young halforc couldn’t spend any more time sneering, he was going to be late. Hack turned away in disgust and returned to his end of his mother’s doublewide trailer to grab his vest. Actually, it had been his father’s vest before he split, the only thing of any value he’d left them. An old jacket with the arms ripped off, the black leather badly scuffed and plastered with patches. It draped off Hack’s shoulders to expose his ropey arms.
There was little privacy in the trailer. Hack’s mother looked up from her TV as he started toward the door in boots, jeans, a t-shirt, and his father’s vest.
“Where are you going?”
“Out,” Hack replied sulkily.
“Out where? With who?”
“Just out with some friends, what does it matter?”
“I just don’t want you getting into trouble.”
Hack’s mom was pure orc, her grey-green bulk filling their tiny couch. Hack’s father had provided the human half of his genetics. Full, curving tusks bristled from the sides of her mouth.
“Mom, what trouble? You’re talking crazy,” Hack said.
“You think I don’t know who you’ve been talking to? What you’ve been doing?” Her naturally coarse voice became thick with tears. “You don’t have anything to prove to those orcs, you know that don’t you? You’ve got nothing to prove!”
Hack rolled his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve got to go, I’ll be late.”
Hack threw himself through the door and slammed it behind him. He hurried to his bike before his mom could follow. The bike wasn’t a lot, an old 200cc Manticore he’d stripped to bare essentials. Hack threw on his helmet and tore out of the trailer park.
Nothing to prove, that was easy for her to say. As a full-blooded orc, Hack’s mom was over seven foot tall with the kind of natural musculature a human body builder would have to spend eight hours a day in the gym maintaining. Hack’s fully orc friends all teased him for having a hot mom. She was the one who’d decided to have a halforc kid with some human deadbeat.
But Hack’s mom was right, he wasn’t meeting with friends. He felt guilty that he couldn’t lie more convincingly. She knew what he was getting up to and it would worry her until he got back home. Hack only rode for a few minutes before pulling up in front of a massive mechanic’s garage. Despite how late it was, the garage was filled with light and movement. Thrash music poured out of the open doorway.
Keeping his head high, Hack marched into the garage like he belonged there. Mostly orcs filled the building, working on cars and motorcycles, or just standing around drinking and talking. On the backs of their jackets and vests were patches with tusked skulls and the words ‘GREENSKINS MC’. Hack tried a half-sneer, and ignored the few bikers he saw elbowing one another and snickering as he walked past.
Odin Protsent was everything Hack admired or wanted to be. Closer to eight foot tall than seven, enormously strong. His pebbled grey-green skin was covered in tattoos. Hack met him in the garage’s back office, surrounded by filing cabinets and boxes. Odin passed a tightly wrapped package across his desk.
“Simple, kid, take the package to the club ‘Paralyze’. Out back there’s a kamapua’a they call ‘The Pig’, he’s head of The Fiends MC.”
“A kamapua’a?” Hack repeated.
“Yeah, you know what they look like, right?”
“Yeah, I just don’t think I’ve ever met one in real life.”
“Well then it’s your lucky day. Give the package to him, no one but him, and bring the money back here. You have any trouble, you tell them Odin sent you. You got a piece?”
Hack took the package and stuffed it into an inside pocket of his father’s vest. “A piece?”
“A gun, kid, a weapon.”
“Uh, no, no I don’t.”
Odin looked hesitant but he turned and reached into one of his filing cabinets. He returned with a stubby, five shot revolver, an old .40 Widower. In Odin’s massive paw it looked like less than a toy, it looked like a full miniature, like something that belonged in a dollhouse.
“It might not look like much but it's loaded with .40 calibre orgrecutters,” Odin said. “Don’t go waving it around for nothing but don’t-, don’t let The Pig give you no shit, okay? You’re representing the Greenskins, remember that. No one fucks with orcs.”
Nervous but trying not to show it, Hack accepted the gun. It was small but fit his hand just fine. He stuffed it, too, into an inside pocket of his vest.
Hack returned to his bike out the front. Cops were always staking out known members of the Greenskins MC, since they were considered a criminal outfit. Junior prospects were needed for day to day tasks, even better if they were minors. Hack was alert to the thought of being watched as he kicked his Manticore into gear and pulled out.
Paralyze, the club home to The Fiends MC, was across town near the warehouse district. Several other clubs, a couple of tattoo parlours, and a fae brothel occupied the same block. People lined up outside. Hack pulled around and parked beside the club, next to a row of much larger motorcycles that he imagined belonged to The Fiends.
Hack didn’t bother with the line stretching down the sidewalk. He marched to the front where a hulking minotaur, with black fur and a ring through his nostrils, guarded the door. He looked unimpressed and moved to block Hack from entering.
“Odin sent me, from the Greenskins,” Hack said.
The minotaur looked him up and down, and stepped aside. Hack sneered, pretending not to even see the line. He was very conscious of the weight of the package in one pocket and gun in the other, and resisted the urge to touch them.
Proto-thrash music hammered Hack’s eardrums as soon as he stepped inside. Sweeping spotlights dazzled his eyes in the main body of the club. Hack clocked more club security lurking against the walls. Glowing pixies shot across the tables, collecting bottles and glasses and leaving sizzling trails behind them. The throbbing crowd filling the dancefloor was a diverse one. Orcs and humans, and other races. Hack spotted a bunch of Zavalans wearing long spikes on their shoulders and elbows so they wouldn’t get crushed if any of the bigger races failed to notice them thanks to their diminutive size.
Hack wandered around, trying not to look clueless. He spotted a daiju, four arms folded across his chest, guarding what looked like a backroom door. He slipped around the dancefloor to the daiju.
“I’m here to see The Pig!” Hack shouted over the music. “Odin sent me!”
Daiju had long and powerful serpentine lower bodies and humanoid torsos, like naga, but with four arms instead of two, and were covered entirely in scales. This one was a reddish-orange colour. The daiju’s reptilian face, with its big eyes and blunt snout, was unreadable. A forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air, and then he moved aside to open the doorway.
Hack slipped inside and the daiju followed. Down a corridor crowded with band posters they entered a large backroom. Music from the club muffled by the walls, the room was a lot quieter. Half a dozen members of The Fiends MC lounged around, drinking, a couple of them playing pool. They all looked up as Hack was escorted in by the daiju.
Unlike the Greenskins MC, which was all orcs and halforcs, the Fiends were scattered across racial boundaries. A couple of minotaurs and a minocapra sat in one corner. One of the minotaurs made a show of cleaning his nails with the edge of an enormous steel throwing axe. A single, tall but lean, dog-headed tharl played pool with a burly human. And coming over like he owned the place, a drake. Built like a humanoid dragon, the drake was covered in dark red scales. A thick tail swished behind the drake’s legs, and a pair of wings rose over his shoulders. All of them, including the daiju, wore Fiends MC jackets or vests.
“What do we have here?” Heat radiated from the drake’s mouth as he spoke.
“I’m here to see The Pig,” Hack said.
The drake laughed. “Oh, yeah, I’m sure he’ll be very happy to see you.”
“I’ve got a package for him, from Odin at the Greenskins.”
“Yeah? Maybe you want to give that to me.”
Standing in front of the drake was like standing uncomfortably close to a hot oven. Around the base of the drake’s throat, tied to a leather string, was an actual grenade worn like an amulet. The drake’s vest barely hid a large gun tucked into a shoulder holster at his side. They were all armed, guns and knives. Combined with the heat, Hack started to feel like the room didn’t have enough air. Like The Fiends and the walls were closing in around him. Aware that it was just fear and panic trying to get the best of him, Hack struggled to keep it off his face and resisted the urge to take some big, gulping breaths.
“Odin told me to give it to The Pig, and no one else,” Hack said.
The drake laughed again, and some of the others seemed to share in his cruel sense of amusement. “Okay, halforc, that’s on you, but don’t say I didn’t offer.”
Stepping aside, the winged reptilian ushered Hack to another door. His grenade bounced against his scaly chest. Hack kept sneering, pretending not to be intimidated.
“Hey, boss, visitor for you! He’s got a package from the Greenskins,” the drake shouted.
“Send them in,” rumbled a monstrously deep voice, muffled by the door.
The drake opened the door for Hack and guided him inside. Swallowing his fear, Hack felt for the package and entered. The door clicked shut behind him.
“Joy, what has Odin sent me?”
A huge, dark shape rose from behind a desk at the far end of the room. Even in a room sized for larger individuals, The Pig’s head almost brushed the ceiling. Trashed, the office stank of old food. A soiled bed, sized for the kamapua’a, had been shoved into one corner. Hack’s heart rate thundered in his chest.
“I’ve got a package from Odin,” Hack said.
“That’s not what I was referring to,” The Pig said.
The kamapua’a was built like an ogre, around ten foot tall with broad shoulders and an immensely powerful chest and set of arms, as well as a protruding stomach. Thick, coarse hair covered his body. His head looked like the head of a massive warthog, a bristly mane of black hair, small, protruding ears and piggish eyes. Twin pairs of curving tusks jutted from the sides of The Pig’s broad snout.
Trying to keep his hands from shaking, Hack pulled the package out of his jacket’s pocket. He held it up for The Pig’s inspection as the leader of The Fiends loomed over him like a stone wall about to give way. The Pig plucked it out of Hack’s grasp, looked at it, and tossed it aside. Hack remembered Odin’s advice, ‘don’t let The Pig give you no shit’. Hack tried and failed to keep the fear off his face.
“Odin said you had money for him,” Hack said.
“Yeah, I’ve got your money.” The Pig half-turned and gestured at a thick envelope on his desk. “But the question is, what are you going to do to earn it?”
“All Odin told me was to deliver the package. You don’t want to mess with the Greenskins.”
“I thought the Greenskins only took orcs. Ain’t no way you’re a full orc.” The Pig must have weighed at least five times as much as Hack.
“I’m halforc.”
“Yeah? Which half?”
The half that counts.” Hack gave The Pig his most vicious sneer, ropey muscles quivering.
The Pig laughed and then reached for Hack’s face. His hands were no different to a human or an orc’s hands but they were so big they could have wrapped around Hack’s entire skull. His thumb grazed one of Hack’s tusks, and he nearly cupped the side of Hack’s face before Hack jerked back.
“You got real cute little tusks,” The Pig said.
“Keep your fucking hands off of me!” Hack said.
Hack’s heart raced. In the distance, he could hear the muffled proto-thrash out in the club. Immediately outside the office was the laughter of the rest of The Pig’s gang. They weren’t going to help Hack, and no one else could hear him. He was alone with the giant kamapua’a, and his perverse, lecherous grin.
The Pig started forward, hand raised toward Hack’s face. Hack was forced backward or he’d be stepped on. He backed all the way into one of the crusty walls, old takeout containers crackling underfoot.
“Back up!” Hack said.
“You know, there is nothing, nothing, sweeter in the world to me than popping an orc’s cherry.” The Pig manhandled the crotch of his enormous jeans. “You do a good job, you walk out of here with the money. You can tell Odin any kind of story you want to. But you do this the hard way and I’ll break your fucking neck.”
Hack fumbled for his vest pocket and grabbed for the old .40 Widower. He ripped it free before The Pig could react. Hack pointed the gun at The Pig’s fridge-sized chest and The Pig automatically backed up, hands on show.
“Back up! Just back the fuck up, you sick fuck!” Hack said.
“Whoa, hey, chill out, little halforc.”
“Back off or I’m going to shoot you!”
“You’re going to shoot me with that little thing?” The Pig scoffed but he was no fool, he kept his eyes on the gun.
“The gun may be little but the ammo is no joke!”
Hack kept his eyes on The Pig, even as someone knocked on the door of the office. He couldn’t say how quickly the kamapua’a might move. A single blow from one of The Pig’s sledgehammer fists would be enough to incapacitate Hack, gun or no gun, if Hack let his guard drop.
“Everything okay in there, boss?” The drake’s voice floated through the wood.
“Tell them it’s fine,” Hack hissed.
“It’s fine, nothing, just a little negotiating going on in here,” The Pig said.
“You didn’t have to be an asshole about it,” Hack said, his voice breaking for a second. “You didn’t have to be some raping piece of shit. You got the package, give-, give me the money and we both walk out of here!”
“Yeah, yeah, the money, here.”
The Pig lumbered backward to his desk. He kept facing Hack and the gun, a cocky smile coming back to his snout. Reaching back, he took the envelope of money without looking and tossed it to Hack. Too hard, he hurled the envelope at Hack’s face. Hack jerked backward, surprised.
The Pig charged, crossing the office in just a couple of strides. Hack was too fast for him, and fired. The young halforc kept moving, and firing, as The Pig cratered the wall. Four rounds punched through The Pig’s jacket and hit him in the chest. They didn’t have much stopping power on their own but a half-second after each shot landed there was a loud, secondary bang, as loud as the gunshots themselves. The orgecutters exploded after nestling themselves deep in The Pig’s ribs. Shrapnel drove itself deep into his organs.
“Ah, shit, you little shit.” The Pig fell to his knees. “You little fuck.”
Reaching for his chest, The Pig found his hands wet with his own blood. He sank slowly in on himself. Something in his chest haemorrhaged, pumping blood down the front of his torso.
Hack breathed hard, and spotted the money lying on the stained carpet. One round loaded, Hack kept the gun raised as he ducked to retrieve the envelope. He stuffed it into his vest. The Pig collapsed in on himself, falling onto his side. There was a tumult at the door, however, as the rest of The Pig’s gang ran toward the office.
The door crashed open. The tall, lean frame of the goat-headed minocapra filled the doorway. Curving horns sprouted from the sides of their head.
“He’s killed the boss!” The minocapra bleated.
Hack raised the gun at the doorway without thinking and fired. The bullet smacked the minocapra between the eyes, with their square, sheeplike pupils. His head rocked backward. Half a second later, the round exploded and the minocapra’s head blew to pieces. Blood and bits of brain, skull, showered the other Fiend bikers behind him.
The mostly headless body was thrown aside. The Pig’s gang crowded the doorway, starting with the drake and one of the minotaurs. There was no way out except for a small window above the bed in the corner of the office and Hack didn’t have time to reach it and escape.
The gun was empty and Hack almost dropped it. But although Hack knew he’d used up all his bullets, The Fiends didn’t. He steadied his aim on the door again as the bikers shoved inside.
“Back up! Back the fuck up!” Hack yelled.
The drake and others standing in the doorway hesitated. Hack started forward, faking a confidence he didn’t feel. He pointed his gun at the drake’s face and he reversed, predatory eyes fixed on Hack.
“Back off!”
Hack pushed his way into the larger room, keeping them at bay with the empty gun. He forced The Fiends back against the walls as he headed toward the corridor again. All of them were armed, but none of them reached for their guns. The daiju balanced on his thick tail. One of the minotaurs toyed with his throwing axe, as if looking for an opening to use it.
“You don’t have enough rounds for all of us,” the drake said, unaware Hack had no rounds at all.
“Yeah, but the first one to come for me gets another between the eyes!” Hack lied.
“You’re dead, halforc, you’re fucking dead!” The drake said.
Hack slipped into the corridor, trying not to show how afraid he was. Soon as he was out of sight, he broke into a run. The club’s nonstop music got louder and louder. Hack slammed back past the door the daiju had let him through earlier.
The club continued dancing and moving, unaware of what had gone on in the back rooms. Hack hid the empty gun in his father’s vest and hurried through the crowd. As he reached the entryway, Hack glanced back and saw the drake and others shoving through the crowd on the other side of the room.
Blowing past the minotaur on the door, Hack sprinted to his bike. Bikes belonging to The Friends were arrayed next to his much smaller 200cc Manticore. Hack launched himself at the first bike and kicked it but it barely shifted. He hit it again, putting all his weight into it, and managed to knock it over. It crashed into a second bike like a domino, bringing it down as well, but the others remained standing. With no more time to waste, Hack returned to his own bike. His hands shook so badly he dropped his helmet as he tried to put it on and it spilled across the asphalt. Leaving it, Hack jumped on the bike and booted the starter. The empty gun was back in his pocket, along with the envelope full of cash. He peeled into the street and shot away like a missile with no sense of direction. As he did, the drake and other bikers poured from the front door of the club.
“Get your wheels! I’ll track him from the air!” The drake said.
The others ran for the parking lot beside the club. Frustrated but undeterred, the minotaurs easily righted the two bikes that Hack had knocked over. All of them, including the serpentine daiju, piled onto bikes fitted to their frames. Meanwhile, the drake unfurled his leathery wings and with a powerful gust he took to the air. Those waiting in line for the club watched in astonishment as it all unfolded.
Hack sped away blindly, without an intended direction. Steering one handed, he fumbled with his jeans and pulled out his cellphone. In his contacts, he found the number for Odin’s garage hidden under the name ‘Bike Shop’.
“Yeah, hello?” Odin answered.
“It’s me! It’s me, Hack! I’ve got the money but I killed him! I killed The Pig!” Hack yelled over the wind.
“You what?”
“I killed The Pig! He didn’t give me a choice!”
“You’re telling me this over a fucking phoneline, kid?” Odin’s voice rose in anger.
“The others are coming after me, I’m in the warehouse district near the club! Near Paralyze!”
“Okay, shut up, kid, don’t say another word. Just keep them off your tail, we’re coming, okay?”
Odin hung up. Hack stared at the phone for a second and then shoved it into his vest. The bike wobbled and Hack seized it with both hands. Running a red light at a quiet intersection, he pulled around hard to the right.
Sounds of snarling engines carried on the wind. Bike headlamps appeared behind Hack. He tried to lose them and headed deeper into an industrial estate where, at that time of night, little else was happening.
Sensing movement above, Hack glanced up and over his shoulder. A monstrous winged shape drifted overhead. The drake, following him from the air. Hack screamed around another corner but the drake barely adjusted course to stay on top of him. The only way to lose him was to get under cover. Big, boxy warehouses crowded around him. Few lights occupied the street, and even fewer were switched on in the buildings themselves.
The drake swooped, missiling down on Hack. He came below the streetlamps, close enough that Hack could see the details of his jacket and sinews of his enormous wings. The grenade dangled on its leather string around the drake’s neck.
“I’ll get you, you little fuck!”
Heat washed out of the drake’s throat. A jet of flame scorched across Hack’s back and then off to the side. Hack’s vest protected him from the worst of it but he slapped the back of his neck and the bike swerved violently. Flapping his wings, the drake drew off but then swung in again with his clawed feet. His tail clipped Hack across the shoulder.
“Shit, shit!” Hack yelled.
Hack circled randomly through the industrial estate. The other bikers had split up, and over his own bike Hack could hear the roar of their engines. Headlamps flashed at cross streets as they closed in on him like a net. The drake pulled back then fell on him again. Clawed feet crashed into Hack’s side and he spilled sideways.
Falling, Hack’s Manticore hit the asphalt and went shrieking and spinning across the road, throwing up a shower of sparks. Hack was lucky not to get his leg caught under it. He hit the road as well and rolled, flipping over and over. Pain shot through his body, his joints and ribs jarred in the fall. The vest kept his back from getting a case of road rash.
Hack lay there for a second, groaning, after he and his bike scraped to a stop. Leathery wings flapped overhead. Hack shot back into action in spite of his protesting bruises and sprains, and went for his vest pocket. He pulled out the empty gun Odin had given him again and waved it around.
“Back the fuck up!” Hack yelled.
The drake ascended, flapping his powerful wings, but a peal of laughter came from overhead. An engine grumbled and Hack saw a bike at the far end of the block. He scrambled across the sidewalk. There was a gap between the gates in the nearest driveway. Hack slid through easily and ran for the shelter of the factory at the end of the drive. Dark blood leaked from his left arm, where he’d cut it going down. He was lucky he wasn’t hurt worse.
The sides of the warehouse-sized building were dark. Hack caught sight of a yellow sign on the roof reading ‘Barakor Industries’. He circled the building looking for an entrance. Multiple engines snarled to a stop out the front. Shouted voices carried across the lot.
Hack found a couple of sliding doors by the loading dock. They were locked with a length of chain but with all the muscle he could manage, Hack shoved the doors apart just far enough for him to wriggle through. Lights in the factory were set to a minimal setting. Thick webs of shadow covered strange machinery and towering shelves. Still carrying the empty .40 Widower, Hack probed deeper into the empty factory. Suddenly, he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket.
“Yeah?” Hack answered, although he didn’t know the number.
“Kid, it’s Odin, where the fuck are you?”
“I’m in a factory, in the warehouse district! I saw a sign that said Barakor Industries!”
Odin had to shout over roaring engines in the background. “Hold tight, we’re on our way.”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
“Not about you, kid, it’s about the Greenskins’ rep. Fuck with one, you fuck with all of us. You don’t fuck with orcs!”
Odin hung up and Hack stuffed the phone back in his pocket. He just had to hide until the Greenskins got there. He sprinted into the factory, looking for somewhere to take cover.
The Fiends gathered outside, finding the door Hack had forced open. The minotaur with the throwing axe wrapped it in the chains and yanked it down, breaking them. They pushed the doors open and poured fearlessly into the factory.
“Where are you? Come out here, asshole!” The drake yelled.
Tilting his head back, the drake vomited a stream of fire toward the ceiling. Flames illuminated the shadowy interior for several seconds. Splitting up, the bikers circled around the outskirts of the factory floor and started to comb through the machinery and shelves.
Heart in his throat, Hack kept moving, running and slipping around corners as silently as he could. If he could just stay out of the way until Odin and the Greenskins arrived then he might be alright. It was the only way he’d survive this. Hack kept the gun out in front of him as he moved, empty as it was he could maybe use it to scare them off again.
Something crashed into the shelving above Hack’s head. The roof and rafters were high enough that the drake had been able to take flight and hunt him from the air. Hack looked up. The drake leered down at him with his pointed fangs.
“I see you,” the drake mocked.
The drake’s head jerked forward, and he spewed flame into the corridor where Hack was hiding. Hack turned and sprinted, heading for the centre of the factory. The drake’s wings unfurled.
“Over here! He’s over here!”
Hack ran to an open patch in the centre of the factory, between towers of machinery and metal. He moved toward a second corridor but the daiju snaked out of the darkness and blocked him. The daiju carried a shotgun in its two lower arms, and a handgun in its upper right hand. His forked tongue flickered. Hack turned and went to run in another direction but the human biker was there, already training a shotgun on him. Spinning, he saw a huge rack of horns, one of the minotaurs, coming up behind him.
Hack whipped his gun up and around. “Back off! Back off! First one to come near me gets a bullet in the face!”
The Fiends surrounded Hack on all sides. All of them were armed but none of them used their weapons. The drake landed heavily, tail swishing and wings folding behind him.
“You ain’t going to shoot shit, you ain’t got shit,” the drake said. “You’re out, ain’t you?”
The drake stomped closer. All the bikers crowded around Hack, laughing. In desperation, in case he’d miscounted, in case he was somehow wrong, Hack pointed the Widower at the drake’s chest and pulled the trigger. The cylinder revolved and the hammer landed with a dry snap. The drake didn’t even flinch. Hack pulled the trigger twice more, for nothing. The drake’s clawed hand swept around and caught the side of Hack’s gun, ripping it out of his hand and sending it spinning into the dark.
“Pathetic,” the drake said.
“The-, the Greenskins will be here soon! They’ll kill you!” Hack said.
“We’d better make this fast then,” the human said.
“Not too fast.”
Heat radiated from the back of the drake’s throat. Bikers pressed in around Hack, helpless, weaponless. Their guns all pointed inward, trained on Hack, although if they weren’t careful they would catch one another in the crossfire. Around the drake’s neck was the grenade on its leather string, like a pendant. Maybe it would be enough, at least as a distraction.
“Just how fireproof are you?” Hack said.
“What?” The drake replied.
Hack suddenly shoved one hand into the grenade, pushing it against the drake’s collar. With his other hand, he snatched and ripped out the grenade’s pin. The pin and spoon came free but the grenade remained dangling around the drake’s throat. None of the others reacted. Hack ducked, and dived, rolling right between the drake’s legs and avoiding his tail.
“Fuck? No!” The drake said.
The drake clawed at his chest, grabbing for the grenade. A couple of the other bikers scattered but most were too slow. One of the minotaurs looked like he was trying to help. Hack half-rose but stayed close to the drake’s back, hoping his powerfully built body would be enough to absorb the blast.
A flat, heavy boom thundered through the factory. The drake staggered into Hack and two other Fiends were tossed aside. Smokehaze filled the air. Hot blood literally rained from the sky. When Hack looked up he saw, even though he was still on his feet, the drake’s head and neck had been completely blown off. His chest was mutilated open. Wings furling and unfurling, the dead drake sank and collapsed right at Hack’s feet. One of the minotaurs and the bearded human had been cut down by shrapnel in the explosion. They lay dead on the factory floor.
Hack hesitated, standing over the dead. The second minotaur, the one with the throwing axe, and the tharl were both picking themselves back up. Meanwhile, the daiju thrashed his powerful tail and shrieked. Boiling gore splattered the daiju across the face, blinding him. The gore must have come from the drake’s throat, part of his fire breathing system. With his free hand, still holding two guns, the daiju raked at his face. His eyes were burnt and skin blistered.
With a burst of inspiration, Hack leapt over the dead drake. He circled the daiju, looking over his shoulder to line himself up across from the minotaur. As Hack had noted before, if they weren’t careful the bikers could hit each other while aiming at him. Hack lunged, shoving the daiju, and then he let himself fall to the floor. Blinded, panicked, the daiju thrust his handgun out in front of him and started yanking the trigger. The shots hit the minotaur, knocking him backward.
Dazed, the minotaur staggered. Without thinking, he whipped around with his throwing axe. It fanned through the air, flying over Hack’s head, and impaled the blinded daiju. The blade split the daiju’s chest open. The daiju screamed and rose higher on his tail, teetering, and then collapsed. The minotaur fell over almost in the same moment, dead.
The tharl was the only biker left. He stared at Hack in disbelief, holding a large handgun. On his knees, Hack scrambled toward the fallen daiju. The daiju still held a shotgun in his taloned hands. Hack ratcheted the pump action and spun, but didn’t pull the trigger. He and the tharl just regarded one another.
Something in the tharl seemed to break, and he turned and ran. He didn’t get far, however. The tharl’s equilibrium was off following the explosion. Half a dozen strides away, the tharl tripped and fell forward. The hand holding his gun got twisted under his chest, and forced the gun upward and into his jaw. There was another flat, wet bang, and the top of the tharl’s head erupted, spewing gore across the floor. The tharl almost seemed to deflate, and the factory was silent.
Hack stood unsteadily, smoke hanging in the air. He kept a hold of the shotgun but there was nobody left to shoot, he was surrounded by nothing but dead bodies. Unsure of how long he took it all in, distantly he was aware of rumbling engines. The factory doors squealed, forced open, and a horde of almost a dozen Greenskins piled into the centre of the building where Hack waited. Odin, at the head of the pack, stared in disbelief.
“What the fuck happened here, kid?”
Hack met Odin’s disbelieving gaze. “You don’t fuck with orcs, right?”
======
Sean: You can probably expect to see more from this setting over the course of the year, as it is heavily populated with races inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, or at least traditional fantasy crossed with races inspired by various world myths. I was writing a book set in it, although this story is set in a more ‘modern’ part of the timeline while the book is set in its further flung future. Good chance I’ll jump around the timeline a lot as well.
The Pig was inspired by the Nalfeshnee featured in the Monster Manual although it's not directly featured. I was flicking through the book as I do, looking for inspiration, and the sheer aggression in the depiction of the Nalfeshnee really jumped off the page, and really inspired the whole impetus of this story. But demons don’t play a part in that aforementioned setting, (although they do exist - it’s complicated). The main distinction over other fantasy settings I might use though is that it does have lots and lots and lots of races, so I invented one based on Kamapua’a the Hawaiian mythological figure. That he represents “pig nature that is dormant in most people… Treacherous and tender, he thirsts after the good things in life—adventure, love, and sensual pleasure…” seemed appropriate for the direction I wanted to take the story.
There’s a lot more I could gush about when it comes to this setting and how parts of this story relate into it but I’m already going on too long so I should leave it there! Thanks for reading!
Keep your eyes on my website for more in this series, and for more updates you can find me on Facebook and Twitter.
Next Week’s Inspiration: Kraken
|
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Vibroblade
For now, I'll be introducing a lot of stuff mid-combat. But once something has been mentioned, I plan to add it into the glossary latter. In the story, it will be reduced to its name and no extra description, to make things go smoothly. Suggestions and opinions are welcome
|
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"Tragic Past",
"Transmigration",
"Transported into a Game World",
"Weak to Strong"
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|
Okay, you must be wondering how it all begins. Then let us return back to a decade or so before this actual cluster fuck.
It all start with a very cliche line, I was just a collage student. Yes I know, cliche as fuck but what can I say? That is really how it all begin. I was a collage student that were in a hurry to go to my class because I wake up late. And maybe by God's mischief or something I got hit by a car. And I died.
Nah just kidding, I survive somehow with only my leg broken. But how can I got into that mess of a Cinderella story if I was survive, you ask. Well the cars didn't get me but my parent are the onr that caused me to kick the bucket. Well to be more specific my dad. How you asked? Well, you see one day when my dad visited me with mom, suddenly out of nowhere he crack a dad jokes. It's so cringe to the point that I literally past away.
So that is how I get here. I know it was really lame and anticlimactic on how I died. But that is not the point. The point is after I died, I began to open my eyes and saw an unfamiliar ceiling. It was so fancy you can mistaken it with a five star hotel. But then a very beautiful woman began to carry me. That is my mother. Unlike the Disn*y interpretation, her face was no different from an angel. She was so happy to see me.
Suddenly behind her a man that is... well how am I going to say this... well to put it very politely... ugly, very very very ugly appeared behind her. You know that he is ugly since I used very three times. Well turns out he is my dad. Unlike my mom who is so happy, my father on the other hand look at me with scorn. I don't know why though. He seem to be arguing with mom. I don't know even a single word that comes out of their mouth but I know they speaking french because I've seen enough world war movies to know how it sound like. After the heated arguments, father left the room.
Then one day... to be honest I don't really know how but I finally know why he is angry. My face is just like his not-so-handsome face. Why!!??
Why am I born as an ugly little boy? I wept my appearance but my mom accidentally thought that I was hungry and feed me with... well all that I can say is feeding time is really enjoyable.
***
No point on telling what I do during my infancy, so I'm just going to skip it entirely to the day my twin sisters are born.
I'm about two years old when they were born. When I was two I already know how to speak basic French but I still cannot pronounced the word fluently. But to my mom, I am a genius. Well since there is not many two years old can speak as much as I am.
Well anyway, when both my sisters were born I was really happy. In my previous life I was the only child in my family, so I always want a siblings. Not to mention that they are so cute. One of the sisters has a snow white hair and the other has a yellow blonde hair. The one with white hair named Blanche and the other name Jaune.
But there is something weird, for a reason unknown, Blanche weirdly become to dependant to me. Whenever I'm not there, she will cry until I came to her. For that reason mom always leave me to take care of her most of the time. Since I'm always a well behave child, she can really entrusted Blanche to me.
We really were a happy family. But one day father, that A-rank assholes suddenly came back home with a baby. He said that from now on that little child will also be part of the family. Turns out that child was a daughter of one of his beloved concubine. Mom continue to smile but I can see deep inside that she is furious.
"What was that little girl name..." she asked with that scary smiling face.
"Her name is... uh what was it again?"
What the hell??!! Not only you had an affairs but also you forgot your own child name.
"Ah!! Yes her name is Cinderella."
Oh Cinderel... wait what?!! Cinderella!!!
From that on I knew that this is not just some world I got reincarnated. I got reincarnated into a Cinderella story!!!
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|
"Hey Sam, you ready to go?"
"Yeah." I shook my head and smiled up at Nina, whose brow was furrowed.
"Are you sure? If you have a headache or anything, we've got some Ad--"
"I'm fine, Nina, but thanks." Our crew's medic had been flitting around, seeing if everyone was alright before takeoff, but by Hermes she could stand to leave it be. I didn't blame her, though; everyone's nervous on their first takeoff. She skittered over to Nick, our ship engineer.
"So how does FTL work?"
"I don't really know how to explain it without sitting down with you for hours. The best I can do right now is that when we go faster than light, we sort of go into an alternate realm of energy, where some of our laws of physics are inverted. It's like going straight along a right angle. It's not possible by definition, but under different laws of physics it's quite possible."
"…what the fuck?" Nina shook her head.
"Guys, we're about to go into FTL," Kyle said over the intercom. "Y'all should go into cryo now."
"Oh Captain, my Captain, rise up and hear the bells" Nick muttered.
"What?"
"It's a reference," he said, looking at me. "Poem by Walt Whitman." His eyes dipped lower, and I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Hey! My eyes are up here, genius." Nick flushed and practically sprinted out of the room, presumably to cryo where he could literally sleep away his embarrassment.
"Men," I muttered to myself.
"You know he has a thing for you, right?" Nina asked me.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I like him looking at my boobs." I sighed. "Don't breathe a word about this, but I kinda have a thing for him, too." Nina clapped a hand to her mouth. "I mean it. Not. One. Word. I'll tell him after we get back to Earth." She lowered her hand, but she looked like she was about to jump right through the roof of the ship. "I'm heading off to cryo," I said, and walked away before she could ask any questions.
When I got to the cryo room, Nick and Kyle had already gone under. I sighed, looking at the frosted glass tubes, and went to my own. I took the syringe, stuck it in my arm, and pushed the plunger. As I got drowsy, I pulled down the top of the tube, keyed in the combination, and felt the chill of cryo just before I lost consciousness.
…
Waking up after cryo is always a haze. I'm not sure why, but I think it's something to do with the brain cells needing time to fully unfreeze. Nina would know, but I never got around to asking her. My first clear memory after landing and waking up from cryo is looking at Ludwig's readings of the moon we were trying to set up a base on.
"Uh… that shouldn't be possible."
"What?" Kyle sidled up beside me.
"Look at the moon's readings. There's no atmosphere, but there's movement there that Ludwig is picking up as fauna." I bent closer to the monitor. "Just one, and pretty large. We should get down there and check it out."
"Woah, wait a second. You see a big animal on a moon and your first thought is 'hey, let's get close to it?' Maybe Ludwig is bugging out?"
"No way." My hand jittered, and I nearly jumped out of my seat. "There's no way we're passing this up. This could be intelligent life, Kyle! We can't risk ignoring this!"
"She's right." Nick walked up beside her. "If what Ludwig sees and what we think conflict, it might be that they have advanced technology to make up for no atmosphere. Besides, we both know the likelihood of Ludwig bugging out is almost nothing."
"Okay, say he's not. How do we know it's worth the risk?"
"It's worth it," Nick said.
"Since when were you an expert on xenos?" Kyle snapped at him.
"Since never, but I am and have been for years." Kyle turned to face me, face like thunder, but I didn't back down. "Kyle, this is literally why I'm here. I know how to handle xenos. We'll be fine."
He was silent for a moment. "Ugh, fine. If this goes wrong, it's on your heads."
…
"God, I hate this." Nina muttered from her exosuit.
"Well, nobody said it would be pleasant," Nick said. He looked at home in his own exosuit. Hell, he probably spent just as much time wearing it as not, being a ship mechanic. The thin layer of dark grey dust that covered the moon was kicked up by our footprints, sometimes making it difficult to see behind us.
"Ludwig, how close are we to the fauna?" Kyle barked.
"The fauna is 93 meters ahead of you."
As we crested the hill, we saw what had no business being there, and yet it was: a xeno, and an animal xeno at that. I raised my hand for the others to halt, and we studied the creature.
It was black, but not a sort of black that was at all reflective. The sun that illuminated the landscape so well simply sank into the creature's exoskeleton. I would've thought it was just an oddly-shaped shadow if it weren't for the cracks that webbed its body, sickly grey and converging near what I assumed was its head. Like an old man, its body shook as it turned to us. It has three bright green orbs that I assumed were eyes, but I couldn't be sure. It was quadrupedal, standing on four shaking limbs that ended with what looked like human hands, but with two thumbs and five other fingers. As its head turned to us, a seam split open in its mouth, revealing rows of sharp teeth as its bony tail began to lash from side to side.
"Uh, Sam, we should probably get out of here." Nina's voice was small, but I didn't even turn my head. Oh Hermes, how I wish I had turned my head.
"Shh! We've never seen anything like this!" I didn't take my eyes off the creature as it stumbled towards us. "Ludwig, are you recording this?"
"Yes," Ludwig's unaffected voice came through my helmet. "I've been recording since the moment you set foot off ship."
"Good." The xeno crouched, its back legs cracking into more sickly grey as its muscles tensed.
"Uh, guys, get out your guns--"
The xeno lunged at us, long black claws emerging from the tips of its digits. Kyle shouted as they tore through his suit like paper, cutting his body in half. It wasted no time grabbing his head and ripping it off. The rest of us barely had time to react before it was upon Nina, tearing off her limbs one by one before picking up her head and torso by the neck and throwing her into the chasm beyond. I froze as it turned to me, hoping desperately that it wouldn't notice me as long as I stayed still.
Its body seized up, and it started to vibrate. What the hell is it doing? I thought. I didn't have long to wonder, though, as it suddenly spewed black goo right at my face. It ate through my visor like a powerful acid and went directly into my mouth. I instinctively went to spit it out, but it slipped down my throat despite my efforts, almost as if it were trying to while the suit's failsafe formed a mesh over the melted visor. I felt something piercing in my chest, and I fell to my knees, crying out as it intensified. In an instant, Nick was there, pulling me up and dragging me away from the xeno. I felt the explosion an instant before I heard it, and Nick was thrown on top of me as we both fell face-first onto the ground. For a moment, Nick was silent, and I shuddered despite his dead weight on top of me. Hermes, no. He can't be dead, too. We can't die like this. Then he coughed, and I nearly wept. First things first, though: we had to get back to the ship. I rolled him off me, and as he hit the ground he spasmed and screamed. I looked up for the xeno, but all I saw was a puddle of sickly grey ooze and black fragments of what I presumed to be pieces of the xeno's exoskeleton. How it exploded, I didn't know and didn't care, but I wasn't about to complain.
"Come on, Nick, you're not gonna die on me now," I hissed. I grabbed his arm, hooked it around my neck, and pulled him up. He groaned, which I took to be an improvement over screaming, and I started pulling him to the ship. Thank Hermes for the moon's reduced gravity compared to Earth's, or I would've never been able to pick him up. As it stood, I was still barely able to drag us both to the ship. I felt a strange weight in my chest, but dismissed it as an aftereffect of both the explosion and NIck landing directly on top of me.
"Sam… you remember home, right?" His speech was slurred, but when I looked over, his eyes were bright.
"Yeah, Nick, I remember home. We're gonna get home, alright? We gotta get to the ship first though, and then the medbay."
"I know that." His voice was getting stronger. "I'm just a little bit out of it. Having half your crew being slaughtered in front of you will do that to ya." He giggled, but his breath was shaky.
"Just focus on moving, Nick. We're almost there." Indeed, I could see the top of our ship as we crested the hill. "Look, there's our ship. We just have to go down and board it." Going downhill proved a more difficult task than expected, however. Several times, Nick's weight almost sent the both of us tumbling down the hill, and only when he started to support himself a bit did it become manageable. After a few minutes, we reached the ship and boarded it. "Alright, Nick, let's get to the medbay and we'll take a look at you. Come on, now." It seemed like he'd regained some strength, as he seemed to walk mostly without my assistance. As we entered the sterile white room, he actually shook my arm off, stumbled straight for the operating table, and collapsed on top of it.
"Hermes, that was awful." He began releasing the locks that kept his suit on, letting loose pieces simply fall off him. "I can't stand to have this on for another second. Could you help me take the back off? If I turn around I may just lose it."
"Yeah, sure." I went over, undid the clasps and locks, pulled his backpiece off, and gasped.
His back was scored with rock and bone, embedded into his flesh. Blood oozed from some of his wounds, some of which were so deep I could barely tell anything was in them at all. The backpiece clattered to the floor, and Nick looked back at me. "Everything alright, Sam?"
"You have bits of rock and bone embedded in your body," I told Nick, keeping my voice level. "Before we can try to close any of your wounds, we're going to need to get them out or they could cause an infection." I picked up a nearby syringe, put the needle in an airtight bottle, and drew out some of the liquid.
"Uh, what's that?" Nick asked, eyeing the syringe in my hand.
"It's a numbing agent. When I inject it, that area is going to go numb and you'll barely feel anything. Normally I'd have you put under anesthesia, but then we'd need at least another person to manage the complexities, and--" my voice broke. Nina would've known what to do, but we had to make do with me. I couldn't afford to be distracted. "Well, you know. I'm not a professional medic, but I've got some basic medical training and I know that we can't risk you getting infected with a xeno microorganism."
Nick clenched his jaw and nodded. "Just get it going, Sam."
I walked over to him, lined up the needle, and injected the numbing agent into a large wound in his back, where a fragment was buried especially deeply. He gasped as the needle entered him, but otherwise didn't move a muscle. After a few moments, I poked him. "Feel anything?"
"No."
"Good." I picked up the forceps and angled them towards the wound. "Now, I said you'll barely feel anything. You won't feel anything from the part I injected the numbing agent into, but you're going to feel a little bit of tugging in the surrounding area as I try to get the fragments out. It shouldn't hurt, but if it does, just tell me and I'll stop." He grunted, and I took that as permission to go in. I couldn't see well, but as I slowly moved the forceps, they hit something hard. I pulled them out slightly, moved them to the side, and gripped the bit of bone.
"Agh, Jesus fuck!" Nick shouted, and I froze. "No, keep going. Just feels weird as hell."
"I'm going to yank it out now. It might hurt as I yank it out because it's so deep, but don't tense up or your flesh will grip it and it might stab you in a new spot." Without any more warning, I yanked it out, and Nick jolted. I looked at the bit of bone, and my vision tunneled on it.
It wasn't bone at all, or at least not any kind of bone I'd ever seen before. It was a few inches long and blacker than anything I'd ever seen, with no reflection from the lights in the room. When I squeezed it, it had no give, but I felt… satisfaction? Suddenly, the events of the day started catching up to me, and I felt ravenous. I looked over at Nick's wound, which was weeping blood, and before I knew what I was doing, I swiped my finger over his wound. Blood sticking to my finger, I put it in my mouth.
Hunger exploded through me, permeating my body. My heart started pounding in my ears, and I felt like a balloon was inflating in my chest. I reached over to the counter, grabbed the scalpel, and popped the lid off. What the hell am I doing? I thought, and I went to stop, but my body didn't respond. Some presence in my mind refused to let me stop. I lunged for Nick and stabbed him in the back, and he screamed. I stabbed him again, and again, and again.
"What the fuck, Sam?" He struggled against his restraints, and he actually managed to tear one of his leg restraints. My mind demanded that I stop, but some piece of it was anxious that he'd get out before I could finish him off. I stabbed him faster, deeper, before finally stabbing him in the back of the neck. With a strangled gasp, he went still. I undid his restraints, but I bumped into the gurney, tipping it over and dumping Nick's body onto the floor. I rushed to him, any compulsion to hurt him gone. When I saw his face, I froze.
His eyes were right on me. I stepped to the side, and they followed me. Brain stem, I thought blankly. He's paralyzed from the neck down. He's only got a few seconds, but he's still alive. His pupils dilated, and his cheeks contracted. His eyes bored into me, and I could see the panic and betrayal in them. One last flutter of his eyelids, and his eyes relaxed. Before I could stop myself, I ran over and started licking the blood oozing from his wounds. Pleasure burned its way through my veins, but I needed more. More sustenance, or the Vessel shall not survive the transformation. I went to take a bite from Nick's corpse, and at that moment I shrieked, finally regaining control over my body.
I staggered backward, blood dripping from my hands. I doubled over and vomited red, and even through my horror I felt a foreign delight. What's happening to me? I thought, then muttered it aloud. For a moment, I wasn't there anymore, but back on that dead moon where that xeno had spat its black goo into my mouth, which slipped down my throat. "No," I whispered. The image came back, more intense this time. Then the xeno made a motion I could only describe as beckoning, and pain burst through me. I looked down, and my skin was mottled with black. Against my will, I touched it, and the black parts were hard and unyielding. "NO!" I shouted, and I was back in the ship. I felt movement deep within my chest, and I shuddered.
For a moment, I went still. Then, independent of my control, my body walked over to Nick, knelt down, and tore off a hunk of his flesh. "No," I tried to say, but nothing changed. My hand lifted the hunk of flesh to my mouth, and I tasted the piece of my friend. Every bit of my consciousness rebelled, but only after my body began to chew did my resolve strengthen. I lurched backward, spat out the piece of Nick, and began shaking uncontrollably. I felt a yearning for his flesh, a desire as delightful as it was sickening. I would have vomited if I'd had anything left in me. Then, something shifted.
Impossible. I tore open my skinsuit, and the skin above my breasts shifted again before going still. It's inside of me. I shuddered, and when the Presence tried to make my body move, I fought it with everything I had, falling to the ground and yelling as I hit the cold metal.
The Presence roared, and my mind was filled with a cacophony of thoughts. Memories, desires, relationships, and above it all, the confusion of my body. I banged my hand on the terminal as I raged against them, those who dared to call themselves Itanwrai but were nothing but dirt, who banished me to that dead rock for my experiments. Then, movement! Insects though they were to me, one of them would be my vessel to return in glory. Come to me, my glorious vessel! Come to me, and become me! But at the forefront of my mind was a thought at the forefront of the Presence's mind.
The Presence should've been able to control my body, but it wasn't able to make sense of it for one reason: The Presence could not hear in its original body. Its species had never had anything resembling ears. In spite of the torrent of impressions from the Presence and the pounding in my head that came from it, I smirked.
"Hearing's a bitch, isn't it?" I screamed, and I felt it shudder within me as it reacted to the sound of my voice. Strange! Wrongform! I screamed louder, and I'm sure if it was able to it would have screamed as well, but all I was met with was a rage so intense I instinctively went to curl into a ball before I realized that I would essentially be cradling my body's intruder. I jerked into a standing position, arching my back like I was being yanked forward. Distantly, I could hear the headset crackle.
Noise.
I rushed to the control room, threw on the headset, and turned up the volume as loud as it would go. "--Repeat, is anyone there? Ludwig, is the crew in--"
"I'm here, I'm here!" I shouted, and the Presence quivered.
"Kordesky? What's your sta--"
"No time, no time!" I shuddered as the Presence began a new assault on my nervous system. "Look, I don't have time to explain why I don't have time to explain, but I need you to play the loudest noise you can into the mic right now."
"What in the blazes--"
"Did you hear me? I could die or worse, and the only thing that can stop it is sound. The louder, the better. Send it through, now!" A moment of silence, so deep that my arm went to take off the headset before I realized what was going on and jerked it downward. Then a wave of static came through and the Presence roared in my mind as it tried to bear the sound. A moment longer, and I felt its presence withdraw from my mind, though the weight in my chest told me it was still there. Now barely able to concentrate, I set the course to return to the Pluto base. There, Ludwig could do the rest. "Ludwig… as acting captain, I order you to short out the security cameras and delete all footage of the last two hours. Overwrite it with useless data. After that, forget we had this conversation."
"Understood, Captain Kordesky. Shorting and overwriting now."
"Thank you…" I managed to get out before I slumped over, the sound of white noise ringing in my ears.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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When I came to, the first thing I thought was damn, I didn't need my alarm clock this time. Indeed, I was surrounded by blissful quiet. I rolled my shoulders, glad for not having to jerk for my alarm clock for it to be silent.
Silent.
I bolted upright. I looked around, desperate to find something to emit noise, but all I could see were plain white walls and fluorescent lights. A door handle caught my eye, but before I could get up to open it, the door opened and a man walked in.
"Good morning, Sam. My name is Christopher Brown. I have a few questions for you on what happened during your expedition."
"Only a few?" I snorted. "If I were you, I'd have more than just a few." Without warning, I felt the Presence in my mind again, and before I could try to fight it off it took over.
I don't remember what went on during the questioning, or how the Presence managed to answer its way through it. All I know is that as a result, I'm on paid leave and whenever people look at me, they look with pity and not fear. I can only guess the Presence had sifted through my mind to find out everything it could about humanity and how to deal with them.
Sound no longer holds the power it once did. What once produced rage now produces irritation, and what once produced irritation now produces no reaction. Such is the nature of life: adapt, or terminate. I wish it were otherwise, but I can't say I'm surprised that the Presence chose to adapt. As sound grew less effective, I bought a magnum handgun with the intent of using it on myself. I hold it in my hand now, but I can't bring myself to pull the trigger. This thing, this Presence… it stops me when I think about it. Or is it my own fear? I don't know, not anymore. It can't be beaten. My skin is mottled black, and I haven't left my house for days. It's no longer a question of if I'll be transformed, but a question of when. I'll become its Vessel, the harbinger of wonders unheard of. All life, now and forevermore, will know our name.
I am emptied of fear. The Presence, though I now know it is more than a mere Presence, has told me what to do. I shall board another ship, with another crew, and kill them. It is regrettable, but sacrifices must be made. We will pilot the ship back to its homeworld, returning in wonder and glory. All will kneel before us, for those who do not will be broken. Hear us, humanity! Hear us, Itanwrai! Our name is Sl'kafrai, your new God.
|
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Slowly, John came to realize light was trying to peek through his eyelids. It felt almost like taking a nap underneath the noon sun, minus all the warmth that the sunlight brings. 'Am I in the hospital? Guess the ambulance made it on time,' he thought to himself.
Slowly, John opened his eyes. All around him was nothing but an endless void of white light, stretching forever in every direction he glanced. 'I guess it's not really a void, more of an anti-void I guess? Certainly not the worst place to spend eternity.'
From behind(?) John came a lilting alto voice, sounding slightly bemused, "Whoa, who said anything about spending an eternity here? Also, who are you?"
Turning around, John noticed another person now present in the anti-void with him. There stood a beautiful woman, about 5 foot 5 (~165 cm), with a head of hair like a roaring fire, wearing a non-descript robe. Even as beautiful as she was, John could still see a fierce grace in her, like she would fit in as well wearing a flowing dress, or leather armor, holding a spear and shield. Her electric blue eyes only added to the effect. John stood, somehow pressing against a hard surface in the anti-void, and faced her.
John took a moment attempting to find his voice. He managed, through a throat half closed with nervousness, "I'm Johnathan O'Reilly, but you can just call me John. I feel inclined to ask, so who are you, and how did you appear in my afterlife?"
After chuckling lightly, the woman replied, "Your afterlife? John, you're dead, but this isn't your afterlife. This is the space I inhabit when I'm not interacting with the people on Earth. It's something akin to my 'home' as you humans would put it."
Having had one question answered, John nodded, as if half understanding. "That still doesn't answer my other question though. Who are you?"
In an overly cheerful tone, the woman said, "Oh, I'm Macha! I'm the great, merciful, extremely just goddess of war, and life, and death! I've been worshiped many times over on many different Earths, but on yours, the ancient Celts were the ones who worshiped me."
"For a goddess of war and death, you seem pretty bubbly."
"I try not to let it get me too down."
In a slightly biting tone, John says, "Well, good for you I guess."
In a slightly hurt tone, Macha asks, "Are you mocking me?"
"Why yes, yes I am. That's not the important thing here though. Why am I here, and why do you seem surprised to see me here?"
Steadying her face, which had flown through a dozen a dozen different emotions in the span of a dozen seconds, Macha took a breath, and said, "To be honest, I am surprised to see you here. I'll explain more, but is there any place you'd feel more comfortable having this conversation?"
"I mean, probably my living room, but I'm dead right? That's impossible!"
"Not for a goddess!"
The anti-void changed, morphing into John's living room from back when he was living. John gazed around in wonderment. There was his mom's old corduroy couch with the wine stain on it, and the TV console, with the little 32 inch TV he'd gotten while living in the barracks. The bent blinds were on the windows, and the blackout curtains sitting below them, from when he'd worked night shift, left in place when he'd left for his trip to Japan. Even the faint smell of Fresh Linen Febreeze in the air was the same as his tiny apartment back in Pennsylvania.
"How'd you do that?," John asked incredulously.
"I'm a goddess, dude, and this is my space. I can do anything with it that I please. Do you believe in me now?"
"Yeah, kinda."
"Well, that's good enough. Now let's find out why you're here." With this, Macha made a small gesture with her hand, and a large screen-like apparition appeared in the air in front of her. On it was darkness, and a big triangle play button.
"What's that for?," John asked, almost under his breath.
"It's like a movie version of your life. Not everything, but the important things. Most people lead boring lives, so they end up in Heaven or Purgatory. Only those who were really good or extravagantly evil end up in a God's or Goddess's space. What did you do to end up here?
Ignoring her question, John nodded his head as if he understood Macha's words, murmuring, "I see."
"No you don't jackass, don't act like you do. The Gods and Goddesses don't even fully understand it, so don't act like you do."
Cowed, John nods again, this time apologetically, saying, "I'm sorry. Won't happen again."
Nodding in satisfaction at having properly scolded John, Macha says, "Well, nothing to do but watch it. I'll judge what to do with you after it's over. Until then, just sit over there."
Sitting in the middle of the couch, John nodded one last time. "Wait, you didn't explain anything!"
Macha turns towards him, putting a finger up to her pursed lips. "Shh, I'm trying to watch!"
Resigned to marching at Macha's pace, John mutters an, "Ok," before settling further back into the couch. 'May as well settle in.'
|
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Chapter One: The beginning
My name is….. No... was Nolan. It all started when I went out for some groceries and ended up forgetting to check both ways when crossing the street, which I know right?! Like that’s the thing most people have been taught since the age of 3… and I forgot and ended up walking directly in front of a semi or as he is mostly known in these kinds of situations Truck-kun. So as I heard the blaring horn of a semi and looked into the shiny white coat of paint reflecting the light of the setting sun I realized, I was going to die! And at first I didn’t feel anything and then after what felt like ages I did, it started as a massive pressure and eventually it became a lot of pain and then... nothing, just nothing… but at some point I began to feel something, I felt something! I thought that maybe I had been saved or that I was just knocked out by the hit but what I soon realized is that what I felt was hunger and this wasn’t just like “oh I could eat” or “I’m a bit peckish” it was deeper than that and it caused me to not even realize what I was doing at that moment. It is only looking back on it now that I understand what I was doing and even now it is hazy. I pushed and shoved and bit the only thing that carried me through was *instinct* and while doing so I realized something else… I was no longer human! When things eventually calmed down I realized I was drinking a warm liquid and eventually fell asleep. When I woke up , I saw it was light out now and that I was in a forest with a fresh morning dew on the grass and mist rising into the air and a low cool breeze passing through and having temporally forgot about what had happened I got very confused and tried to stand up only to fall over and land on my side and when I tried again but this time on all 4 of my limbs to keep me stable and to my surprise it felt more than stable it felt *natural* and when I looked down I saw two hairy legs ending in small hooves and then a translucent blue rectangle suddenly appeared causing my to jump in surprise (or would it be more accurate to say flinched?) but upon calming down after my brief moment of surprise I realized there were words on it and when I read it said.
_____________________________________________________________
"Congratulations on surviving your first night as a reward is receiving the system, enjoy!"
_____________________________________________________________
And that brings us to now with this new window.
_____________________________________________________
(unnamed) Wild Forest Boar
Level: 1 Rank(E) Creature-Type: monster
Exp:[0/10]
Health:[4/4]
Abilities: Nip (level 1).
Strength:2
Speed:1
Agility:1
Mana:0
Unused points: 3
_____________________________________________________
After a quick look over I have come to the conclusion that I am.... unbelievably weak and also a boar which explains the legs, but still a hard blow, like I am glad for the system and being reincarnated and everything but why a boar? Anyways first things first I apparently am a E rank monster which tells me that there are monsters in this world which tells me this definitely isn't earth, this is further proven by the whole mana thing which unless there is magic and no one knows about it back on earth means that this world operates on completely different rules and probably isn't even the same reality as earth. I am incredibly curious about mana though but before I invest in that I should probably put some points into strength but I only have three so I will only put 1 or 2 but that leaves 2 or three to put else where and I don't know where to put them or even what the difference between speed and agility is speed seems pretty straight forward so maybe agility is like dexterity in most games in this case? for instance maybe it allows me to be more precise with my movements. with that in mind however my health is incredibly low and typically having higher strength means your whole body gets stronger and therefore you gain health so I think I will put 2 points into strength and 1 point into mana to even see if I can use it in any way yet.
_____________________________________________________
(unnamed) Wild Forest Boar
Level: 1 Rank(E) Creature-Type: monster
Exp:[0/10]
Health:[4/4]
Abilities: Nip (level 1).
Strength:4
Speed:1
Agility:1
Mana:1
Unused points: 0
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________
Alert!
Health increased
____________________________________
____________________________________
Alert!
unlocked ability: mana sense
____________________________________
____________________________________
Alert!
unlocked ability: minor mana control
____________________________________
____________________________________
Alert!
Beginner quest: "first points"
completed
reward: 5 Exp
____________________________________
_____________________________________________________
(unnamed) Wild Forest Boar
Level: 1 Rank(E) Creature-Type: monster
Exp:[5/10]
Health:[8/8]
Abilities: Nip (level 1), Mana sense (level 1), Minor mana control (level 1).
Strength:4
Speed:1
Agility:1
Mana:1
Unused points: 0
_____________________________________________________
First off I guess I can use mana now but judging by the skill names not very well, second off beginner quest? I mean I guess it makes sense there would be quests too but you usually have to get those from someone or something in games and I'm guessing you can in this world to but there is apparently quests you just have since I didn't get it from anyone. Now that I think about it there are probably more quests like this, I should look into that at some point. Also what is that nip skill?
____________________________________
Answer!
skill: Nip
"A playful or warning bite doing very little damage"
damage: 0.5
____________________________________
Hmmm not very useful but considering I don't have a proper attack yet it's better than nothing I suppose.
To be continued.
|
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Grim Valley was a place in dire need of repair. Not by the humans who inhabited it, but by the gods who created it—its consistency was somewhere between raw sewage and monster guts.
The large ridges, often mislabeled as "hills" by those too young to have lived in the Upper North, were more accurately described as jagged rocks of slate and steel. The fog which often proliferated the ground was in-fact thin clouds of swirling ash, and the sky had not told time accurately since the start of the First Era; residents of the Valley told time using magical artifacts, called metiretur, which measured the passage based on the air's quality.
Large drops in air quality represented the Valley falling into night. Those born without strong constitutions would surely find it hard to breathe down in the wastes—but valley folk were a different breed, commonly accepted by the Great Civilizations to be human-adjacent creatures. On average, a resident of the valley lived with half the usual oxygen intake of someone above.
It was unknown which god created the Valley. It was often joked that it was an unfinished project that was discarded and forgotten about by Eyrie, and served as a convenient dumping ground for those who lost their Eyrian Blessing. The "landfill of the gods". In this simile, the average valley folk was worth less than a used napkin. Not that they needed any convincing—the despair and self-discrimination each member of Shadow's Pass harbored about themselves was the most pertinent type of oppression that any civilization could hope to achieve.
As you passed through the barrier (which spanned just a few hands from the edge of the red river), the pretend fog of ash and decay only grew thicker, turning from a light obscureness to something you could feel glide across your ankles with every step. The closer you got to the forest, however, the more it thinned—instead, it rose. From roughly ankle-height to about the lower-knee. The reason commonly associated with this change had to do with oxygen: the ash was denser than air, but as more oxygen entered the environment, it rose. As for why the amount of ash was so low within the barrier, since the barrier filtered out low-threat monsters, it was theorized that the ash was less a mix of soot and flame and partially composed of putrefied monster.
It wasn't a pleasant feeling, knowing that you were constantly covered in monster guts while outside the barrier, but just like remembering that you forgot to turn off the stove one morning after being propelled from the face of a large cliff, the situation regarding our sanitation was the least of any Runner's worry. Once you stepped out from underneath the protective guise of the barrier, you were playing with the switches that controlled your life. And despite decades of experience, there was never anything surefire about Running.
You either died, or you were lucky.
Thankfully, I held myself as quite the lucky person.
"The trees are outright mirthful today," Feran commented, his neck tilted upwards to gaze at the obsidian-colored leaves. Feran, as the vast majority of Runners, was instated into his position at the start of the new year. However, he had experience Running—three years ago, he was a participant of the ash runs, which also lasted the year before. He got out at the start of the 3162nd year of the Aidian Calendar. As shown by the past fourteen days of Runs, despite the three-year gap, he was not out of practice.
I glanced up to the skies, loosely admiring the Valley's trees with the same bemusement that a wife might offer her cheating husband. "Mirthful" was certainly a word to use—when the trees were eclipsed by joy, it spelled danger for us Runners. After all, one of the main ways a Runner could ascertain that they were being chased was by using the trees as a guide. If their ebony stalks shook, it meant a creature was likely stalking nearby.
However, there were some "windy" days in the forest. It was a term used more as an approximation rather than fact, since there was never any breeze in the Valley. Instead, the trees shook all on their own—one of the many strange happenings that have failed to be explained by any scientist or scholar in Shadow's Pass. Regardless of the reason why it happened, it made the threat of ambush a much more pertinent threat.
Gryff stroked his beard as Lashur—an older Runner with a head of wispy white hair—pulled the cart of supplies and listings by his side. It wasn't hard to imagine what was going through his head. Following Feran's observation, he was certainly thinking of which counter-strategy to employ this Run.
While us Runners did have tools to combat these unexpected winds, the safer grounds were now saturated. Every fifteen days, we were forced to swap to a separate quadrant of the forest. As shown by the mistakes of our ancestors, it was dangerous to think of the forest as a static resource that we could tap to get grim.
The forest learned over time, but it was lacking in any sort of semantic memory. The reason for this was unclear, but if we changed our position every few weeks, the high-threat monsters would quickly reacclimate to their new normalcy, revitalizing the effectiveness of the element of surprise for us the next time we Ran. The ability to reuse the same tricks was invaluable to a Runner, as we only had so many plausible stratagems that could be deployed against monsters of that strength.
Where things became unfortunate is that for Runners, there were only two or three hunting grounds where we could expect to get good returns on listings—and today, there would be a Ritual. This meant that each Runner had to gather an extra listing's worth of grim. That was four per Runner (and twelve for me).
For the amount of grim we needed, there was only option: the denser forests up north, near the entrance to the Aidian Peninsula, often seen as the gateway which barred valley folk from the Upper North. It was impossible to cross without an Eyrian Blessing, which meant our range of movement would be severely limited. To confront this issue, the Runners in each group would spread out to grant more room for evasion—which meant any magic tools that we could set-up in the forest to detect monsters would be too far on average to affect every group in a positive way.
Some groups today would be Running blind.
"Arte, can you be our blind runner today?" Gryff asked after a while.
"—What!" Nimia interjected, stepping forward to Gryff's group with a quick patter of steps, "Arte will collecting twelve listings today—that's an exponential increase compared to a Runner's usual load. And you want him to do it blind?"
"Sure," I responded.
"—Huh?!" Now Nimia was angry with me, the turn of her heel causing ash to lurch upwards and spread around the cart. Lechur gave a hacking cough in response. "Explain yourself!"
"Think about it from Gryff's perspective—I'm the only member of the Runners that Runs solo. If I'm one of the groups who needs to do a blind ash run today, then if everything works out, then life continues as normal. And if it doesn't, only I die—not an entire group. That's one versus three."
"So just because it makes logical sense, you'd put yourself on the chopping block with nothing to show for it?"
I tilted my head, "You're misunderstanding something, Nimia—I'm putting my head on the chopping block because it makes sense. The thought of 'getting something to show for it' was never part of the equation."
Nimia balked at me, "I can't believe you."
I shrugged, "Look at it this way—I'll be able to evade indefinitely. I'm sure Gryff took that into account; if there's anyone he doesn't want to die, it's me."
Gryff grumbled in response to my reasoning, "When you speak like a smartass all the goddamn time, sometimes I wish you would—but yes, Arte is correct. I have the utmost confidence that he'll survive today's Run, even if it's blind."
Nimia turned to glare at Gryff before turning back to me, her expression significantly pacified (although I could still see the anger behind her irises), "You don't have to do this, Arte. You have standing. If you tell the council about your workload, they'll give you a pass. You don't have to listen to Gryff."
What Nimia was referring to by "standing" was a rule the first Elder had established in the beginning of Shadow's Pass's history, that being the idea of right-by-merit—those who work the hardest for the survival of the village will always be granted clemency, no matter what. It was an exemption for crime, as well as treason. By disobeying Gryff's orders, who was the established leader of the Runners, I would be condemned and thrown to the wolves, dispelled from the barrier for the rest of my life. A death sentence.
However, since I would be collecting twelve listings today, when the average Runner would only collect four. Mathematically, my increase was the same: three times a normal Runner. However, another way to present it would to say that every Runner is collecting one more listing than normal, whereas I was collecting three more than normal.
That amount of extra effort gave me standing equal to Gryff, if not more. In short, I could disobey him here, and force him to enlist another group for a blind Run.
It was unfortunate for Nimia's argument, though, that I despised the idea of "standing".
"I'll do the blind Run, Gryff. You can count on me."
Nimia tensed her eyebrows and turned to face away from me, "Alright then, suit yourself. If they put your body in a funeral shroud, I'm spitting on it."
"I'll consider it an honor."
Nimia didn't humor me with a response, leaving me by my lonesome as she stepped up to the front of the wagon to join her group. Nimia usually walked with me to the hunting grounds, since I lacked any partners to talk with—now the only people left on the right-side of the cart were me, Gryff, and Lechur.
It had only been a few seconds since she left, but I already felt lonely.
In contrast, Gryff clapped me on the shoulder, "Don't worry, kid. You made the correct choice."
I couldn't quite respond with the same amount of confidence that Gryff spoke with, so I merely nodded my head.
Clementine was born in Shadow's Pass, but her ancestors were born in the Upper North. As expected, that meant she had a surname—but I never cared to ask her what it was.
Unlike most residents of the Valley, she maintained an Eyrian Blessing. It was the reason her hair was a beautiful blonde, and why her skin was flawless. Although she lacked the biological necessities to live down in the Valley, the numerous blessings she was granted by the gods allowed her to breathe our air. To live our life.
She existed as a transient thing—stuck in a cage, never to leave. She was neither a Mover, a Runner, or a Hunter.
She worked in the Vineyard. The worst fate for someone trapped in Shadow's Pass.
Clementine's mother was equally a woman born with an Eyrian Blessing, and equally beautiful. So was her mother's mother, and her mother's mother's mother. It was Clementine's great great grandmother that exiled from the Upper North and forced to live in the Valley. But unlike other valley folk, she wasn't exiled for a crime against the gods.
She was excommunicated by her own family, as she had fallen in love with a resident of the Valley. A noble of the Upper North, who was condemned by the state for an act against the gods. As she was determined to stand strong with him, they would fall to weakness together.
That noble man who was wed to Clementine's great great grandmother was the first Elder of Shadow's Pass, and the chief who would eventually forge a contract with Necrosis, the God of Nightmares. He was not the only one exiled from the Great Civilizations—his entourage of one-hundred and twenty followers were also expelled, which included his maids and retainers. He was our savior, and our doom. To some, it would have been better if he perished, rather than having children and bestowing us the gift of life.
Once you receive life, it's hard to get rid of it. The human body was designed to repel such thoughts as a display of necessity. Valley folk were born, and forced to live without a choice. That was the cruelty of life—and it extended to Clementine herself.
As someone with an Eyrian Blessing, her blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin were a constant reminder of the sins us valley folk committed—the sins of our ancestors, which we would be forced to pay back for the rest of our lives. She was a constant source of negative morale, and her very existence was sickening.
And so, as per the rules of the "standing", this meant she contributed adversely to the progression of Shadow's Pass. She couldn't complain for being forced to work in the Vineyard.
Just like us, Clementine was suffering for the sins of her ancestors—but unlike us, she had no-one to complain to. And even after we would meet, she would refuse to complain. All she would do was cry. But not a single tear shred was in protest.
I found her on a lone street corner, near the western embankment. She was sniveling silently. It was easy to pick her out in a crowd, since she was the only person around who wasn't carrying a vehicle. Yet nobody had stopped to help.
"Who are you?"
"...I'm a goddess."
"—I see."
I had motioned to her with an apple, like a young boy trying to attract ducks without fully understanding of their diet. Thankfully, though, this duck was rather stupid. She followed the apple like ambrosia.
"What's your name?"
"...It's Clementine. Clementine—"
"You can stop there. I don't care about the rest."
"...Okay."
The time between her mouth opening and words spewing forth took anywhere from several seconds to a minute. She felt like one of those old toys you needed to wind-up before they began speaking. It was annoying.
So why did I take her home? I wondered.
It was that day that Clementine and I began our severely dysfunctional relationship. A relationship based on truths, lies, and apples. To this day, she still ate them. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
"You don't need to eat, so why do you always eat them? Apples, I mean."
Clementine paused and turned to me, her mouth agape. As usual, the words took several seconds to form.
"...I'm not sure."
"Alright boys, let's start setting up. Feran, you take the deprehen and set them up however you please—I'll leave the specifics up to you. Fido, you're on lookout. Serril, take your group and move up to the third quadrant. You'll be our second blind team today, don't screw it up. Especially you, Lothina—I don't want to have to explain to your wife that you were eaten by a bellum because you were a dumbass."
As all the Runners focused on responding and taking on Gryff's orders, I sat near the ridge of the cart and began sliding on my boots. Like most magic artifacts, they had a seemingly non-sensical name—curore—and were designed for ash runs in thick fog. They also condensed noise into the soles and pressed them into the soot, allowing Runners to completely mask the sound of their movement. Since attracting monsters based on footsteps was wildly unreliable, Runners instead relied on auxiliary sounds (noisemakers and self-actuated sounds like manually cracking branches or rustling through brushes) to start a chase.
As I prepared for the Run, Nimia took a seat next to me quietly. She already had her boots on. I continued tying up my own without words.
We continued in silence for a minute longer before I stood up. She and I turned to each other and exchanged glances.
Don't die, or I'll murder you. Her gaze seemed to say.
I, less adept in the traditions of eye-to-eye telepathy, gave her a quaint gotcha in response.
"Arte?" Gryff called.
I nodded, "I'm ready."
It was time for my fifteenth Run to begin.
|
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"title": "I Usurped the Ritual but Now I Serve My Own Religion as an Overlord - Chapter 2 — “A Mirthful Breeze”",
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At a hair under 6 feet tall (~181cm), he was not exactly a tall man, but he certainly stood out in a crowd in Japan. Though he was not particularly muscular, there was a certain wiry strength there, reminiscent of a man used to construction work. The bright red mane of hair on his head made him stand out even further in a sea of black and brown heads.
Gazing around the various stalls surrounding the shrine, and at the faces of the people around him, he was lost for a moment in the sea of humanity surrounding him. The sounds and sights of the crowd, along with the overbearing heat truly painted a picture of a Japanese summer in Kyoto. The only thing missing was the buzzing of cicadas in the background.
Soon, the moment passed, and from behind, he heard a soft tenor voice call out to him, breaking the spell. "John-dono, our group is gathered over by the road. The bus will be here in a few minutes."
In a smooth baritone voice, John answered back, "Thank you Toru-san, let's head there now."
The two slowly pushed through the crowd, heading towards the bright red torii gates marking the entrance to the shrine grounds. From his slightly higher than average vantage point, John saw his tour group was already queuing up alongside a large coach bus. As John and Toru came up on the bus, a shout began to arise from the group of shrine-goers behind them. Looking towards the noise, John saw a slight form in a large coat moving rapidly towards the tour group gathered in front of them, and a flash of something held in two hands around it's waist.
John's body moved on its own. He had no idea why he was doing so, but something instinctual made him run towards the mysterious form in a coat. Maybe all the training he received back in the military was kicking in. He quickly dashed the last 10 or so yards between himself and the tour group, leaving Toru in his wake. Soon, he was between the mysterious form and the group, squaring his body as if for a fight. Stretching out his arms, knees slightly bent, and slightly raised on the balls of his feet, he stood waiting for it to get near him.
The form in a coat got closer moment by moment, until finally, it stood directly in front of John. John could now see that the flashing he had seen before was a knife held in two gnarly green hands. In fact the form in the coat appeared to be a goblin, like something out of a an old JRPG. He would have taken a moment to ponder this impossible sight, but the goblin's movement took away his chance. The goblin tried slipping to the right, but John's outstretched arm came down and his hand grabbed at the collar of the coat it was wearing. He managed to grab a hold of the coat, and pull it, along with the goblin, back towards his body.
Suddenly John felt a sharp, hot pain in his stomach. He looked down to see a knife sticking out of him, and those two green hands holding it. As he felt the life flow out of him, he felt his knees buckle. Suddenly, the two hands holding the knife seemed to disappear into the aether, though the knife stayed stuck in his stomach.
As he laid on the pavement, slowly dying, he heard shouts of alarm, and the sound of an ambulance in the distance. Somehow, he knew it wouldn't arrive in time. Finally he pondered, 'A disappearing goblin, huh? Sounds like one of those isekai novels? At least no one else got hurt.' As his vision faded to black, he heard the sound of cicadas buzzing...
|
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16th of Springrise, 3165.
I, Arte, have just turned sixteen as of two weeks ago. My best friend since childhood, Nimia, has just turn seventeen. The median age of our village is roughly thirty-five—even if you were to double our ages, we would not yet meet the average.
Yet for some reason, in this village filled to the brim with old rotting corpses with mouths who continually lurch their eye-rolling complaints at this concept called "life", it is only us Runners this year who face death.
"Are you heading out, Arte?"
Clementine's sweet-song voice called my attention, but as usual, her words betrayed no frankness—like most of the younger girls in the Valley, she spoke meaningless pleasantries as a precaution. The answer she was looking for wasn't "yes"; Clementine was presently waiting to receive a location, and if I were not to supply her with one, it would distress her until the coming night.
So, to placate her desire, I answered in kind—not to the question she asked, but the question which remained unspoken.
"Ash runs."
"...I see. You are fairly good at Running, aren't you Arte? I heard Gryff say as much during the town's council meeting."
I paused, "You went to a town council meeting?"
Clementine pulled back her brilliant blonde hair—a latent reminder of the divine blessings we Valley folk now lacked—and shook her head. The twirled strands danced, causing the dust on the haphazardly put-together wood kitchen table to bounce with glee.
"—Not exactly. I met him shortly after he returned from the meeting, on my way to the Vineyard."
The Vineyard, huh? I nodded—it was important to note the days in which Clementine was requested to attend the Vineyard, for her own sanity, as well as my own. If I had so mindlessly asked what she did yesterday, as a general question, she would be forced to remember the events which took place. I was not so self-centered a man to ignore someone in distress, and the ensuing panic would likely sap the remainder of the day I had left.
If I were to join the Reserves, I wouldn't have time to waste tending to Clementine's mental state. Plus, I was already late for the Run.
I was often asked why, despite all of this, I still lived with her—honestly, I couldn't tell you. The frail damsel before my eyes was nothing more than a hindrance for life in the Valley. I was wasting my time. And regardless, she wouldn't be here for long. The Elders had already determined that she'd be this decade's "Hollow Blessing". Really, I was wasting my time.
Clementine wasn't even looking in my direction as she continued to talk. As a matter of practice, I had been tuning her out.
It's hard to hold a conversation with someone who won't even meet your eyes.
"—Arte?"
"...Yes?"
"Take care."
"...I will."
I shut the door, ending our conversation a predetermined note, and one that had transpired no less than one-hundred and fifty-two times since we had met. Did I actually know how many times it had occurred? Of course not, but that's what it felt like, and I was a stickler for melodramatics.
Sighing, I looked out onto the Valley below.
Men and women alike carried large urns, called vehicles, from the red river onto the western embankment of Shadow's Pass. Since it was nine, they would soon be heading south of the village, in preparation for replenishing the barriers come nightfall. It was an important task—if even one vehicle was missing, everyone in the village would die in the resulting stampede.
It was back-breaking labor, and no-one who carried the vehicles could speak, so in addition to being labor-intensive, it was also isolating. But it was something that kept each carrier alive. Those who moved urn from river to embankment were the type that could not trust strangers with their own life—to make sure the task was done, they had joined the Movers of their own free will.
Mover, Runner, and Hunter. These were the three jobs available in Shadow's Pass. The day that one decided their path came on their sixteenth birthday. I had chosen the Runners—it was an apt job for those whose distrust for strangers ran so deep, that they could not even trust them with the most mundane task.
I, Arte, held a fanatic hatred for the race called humans.
They were opulent, selfish, and filled with avarice. It was humans who outcast us and spurned us as "devils". Unfortunately, if that were true, life in the Undercroft would be easier. Those of us who were spurned by the Great Civilizations as devils and cast into the Valley were regrettably the most human of all. Shadow's Pass was a breeding ground for desperate men and women who detested life and sought the lukewarm embrace of nihilism—rebuffed from life, and cowards to death.
Shadow's Pass had nine-hundred villagers, but there were only about ten that were still alive. The rest were empty husks dressed in burlap sacks, waiting for someone else to commit to act that they themselves were too scared to attempt.
I adjusted my stance and pointed my foot in the direction of the red river.
"—Curre."
The soot around my feet welled up into the air, swirling around my ankles and dancing across my tendons. A resplendent vigor shot up through my joints, pleasant enough to be compared to a drug, and tensed my bones with a series of wiring vibrations which caused my next breath to be caught in my throat.
My Run would be beginning early. I unclenched my fists and Released the energy I held.
My body shot forwards like a fanged reptile, a feeling which felt a cross between a spring uncoiling and a cold air shiver during a humid night. Despite my ever-increasing speed, the lack of ash and dirt being lifted into the sky was the surefire sign that my Aura had activated properly. I could feel the gazes of a few curious onlookers as I dashed through the village, but a quick glance was all I needed to confirm that the observers were all under the age of sixteen.
To the rest of the villagers, seeing curre was a common occurrence, and of all the Runners in Shadow's Pass, I was nowhere near the finest. My Release control was average at best, and I still performed the Aura as a subset of my conscious thought. And it wasn't as if magic were unique in the Valley, either—magic existed in the Upper North as well, but it was beautiful and extravagant. A sign that the Great Civilizations remained blessed by the gods and goddesses in Eyrie.
Here in Grim Valley, the few Auras allotted to us were twisted approximations of what came naturally above: special magic which only belonged to the Undercroft. Valley folk lacked any true notion of "Heaven", and so we were damned, regardless of deeds, to be cursed by their constituents and believers. This was the power that the gods granted humans as their birthright—a power which extended to condemning their fellow man, woman, and child.
In this fact alone, humans had control over the gods.
Curre had an opposing Aura called celeritas, and despite being two very separate Auras, they both fulfilled similar goals: increasing the speed of the caster. However, it was impossible to deny which was better. Curre only increased the caster's own running speed, and could only be used in the Valley. Meanwhile, celeritas could be used anywhere, and could apply to objects and individuals other than the caster. It was an Aura which more broadly affected "speed", and was only useable by those who still remained blessed by Eyrie.
As if curre weren't restrictive enough, as a resident of Shadow's Pass, it came with another downside: any caster who used curre could not speak until they tired out its duration, or they purposely ended its effects prematurely. Since an ordinary human could only cast so many Aura a day, a wasted curre was something completely out of the question in most situations.
Despite the danger which ash runs posed, a person using curre could not even scream.
This restriction, as you might surmise by it only affecting residents of Shadow's Pass, is not something natural to this world. Instead, it was one of the long laundry list of debts we in Shadow's Pass still paid large dividends for in return for the protection of a god. If it were not for that divine protection, Shadow's Pass would have been overrun by monsters at the moment of its conception, and the hundreds of refugees who were forcefully exiled from the Upper North would have been slaughtered.
Since no god or goddess in Eyrie would dare give a resident of the Valley even a passing glance, we residents of Shadow's Pass were forced to align our values with an Undercroft god: the God of Nightmares, Necrosis.
As a god, Necrosis was all-powerful, but compared to the gods, his strength was rather limited. While the concept of "nightmares" holds true for nearly every human on the planet, divinity was a give-and-take system of seraphic oppression, so while the God of Nightmares had infinite range over the targets of his blessings and curses, said sacristies were low in output. So long as he remained within the Valley, however, the negative energy would fuel his sacristies, and allow him to hold a vast number of followers that he could never hope to match as a god of Eyrie.
This was the only information that the Elders of Shadow's Pass had managed to procure over the two-hundred year lifespan of the village. And since all knowledge came from Necrosis himself, the contents were suspect to say the least—it was well understood by the despair-hardened villagers that Necrosis could easily be multitudes more powerful than his words let on, and as such, no one harbored any feelings of rebellion. There was no reason for an Undercroft god to tell the truth.
As I arrived at the seeding area just outside the red river, Nimia waved at me from across it. Her brown hair, tied back into a ponytail, swayed from side-to-side, as the act of her waving caused her entire body to tilt about ten degrees.
Nimia's energy was one often described as "infectious". Despite living in the literal and proverbial pits, she could often be seen smiling, spouting a joke, or generally goofing around. Most of the Runners who participated in ash runs had begun calling her "nee-san", contrary to the fact that many of them were her senior. As the youngest member of the ash runs, I was the only male who could refer to her as "nee-san" with any sort of legitimacy, but I had since decided that such a fate would never come to pass (not in a million years)—that phase had ended at the eve of my seventh birthday.
Nimia's lips parted to betray her awe-inspiring smile, which greatly complimented her youthful-yet-reliable features. "Hey, Arte! Still abusing your Auras as always, I see."
In order to respond, I cancelled curre and gave a nod.
On second thought, I could've nodded without cancelling curre...
Unlike the other villagers living in Shadow's Pass, my Auras were special. It was a result of my blessing, born on the 1st of Springrise and privy to the God of Nightmare's ninth arrival to the settlement. Since the god only ever visited Shadow's Pass every twenty years, I was a once-every-twenty-year miracle.
The blessing which I held was called the Boon of Necropolis. It was a simple blessing with a useful effect: while my physical body is present in a domain that the God of Nightmares calls his own, I am able to chain together Aura without tiring. In addition, my Releases gain power in direct correlation with my focus, allowing me to run slightly faster with curre then someone else could at my skill level.
Unfortunately, the Boon of Necropolis could not have gone to a worse recipient—compared to other residents of Shadow's Pass, my control over Aura was subpar, something completely up to genetics. The blessing, at most, allowed me to be equal to an average magic practitioner of my age without any such blessings, and that's it.
However, being to cast curre an infinite amount of times a day still made me an invaluable asset as a Runner, even if said curre was only mediocre at best. I could carry messages to-and-from the city, to-and-from Hunters, and collect grim for an indefinite amount of time, which meant resources wouldn't be wasted on me switching out with a partner.
Vehicles, Grim, and Mantles. These were the three necessities of daily life required for Shadow's Pass's continued existence.
The aforementioned vehicles were gathered at the red river by Movers. Mantles were a unique object—crystalized monster cores that had to be extracted in hunts by Hunters. Only five mantles a day were needed to keep the barrier up around Shadow's Pass, but it was tradition to gather six.
Finally, grim. Grim was an energy harvested from higher-tier monsters during ash runs—a type of monster that Hunters would not normally encounter. The miasma that exudes from the monster's skin are stored in special vials called listers, and required radial contact with the monster's emanation for an extended period of time.
This is where Runners come in.
Our job is simple: get the monster's attention, lead it on a chase for five minutes, then escape. Get out alive, and that's one full lister. Each Runner was expected to bring back three lister a day—with my blessing, I was expected to bring back nine, as I replaced the job of two Runners, who were instead recruited to the Hunters.
Over the two-hundred years that the Hunters hunted, the extra mantle they'd gather had eventually added up. Nowadays, we can afford to miss a few days of the Hunt for holidays and the like. The same was the case for Movers, who could store a limited amount of vehicles a day for use in dire straits. The only exception was the Runners—energy stored within listers expired upon nightfall if not used, so we worked every day.
On average, zero Movers would face death in a typical year. There existed some rare occurrences, such as in-fighting within the Moving crews or gang wars, but they were few-and-far between. One or two Hunters may die per year, but that was expected. The average rate was somewhere below one, but over zero. It was not uncommon to have a "safe year".
On average, eleven Runners die a year. The highest number recorded in the history of Shadow's Pass was twenty-three.
Nobody wants to be a Runner.
So every year, twenty were chosen to join the ranks, and twenty would leave. The selection process was determined by the Elders in their ever-elusive town council meetings. Anyone swapped from the Runners could rest assured that for the next three years, they would not be selected to join the Runners again.
There was only one exception. Prime Runners. Those who chose to join the Runners of their own volition. Currently in Shadow's Pass, there were three:
Myself, Nimia, and Gryff—our leader.
"Arte, you're late," Our bearded slave-driver remarked, approaching the disorderly group that Nimia and I had formed. Although his ginger scruff was no more stand-out than Clementine's hair in the Valley, it especially stood out in the seeding area. The ash and soot across the ground painted a monochrome picture of the world, so any sort of color was bound to attract glances. In Gryff's words though, it caught the attention of the monsters easier, so it was more of a boon for a Runner than a downside.
He was also a bit of a narcissist, so that likely played a role as well.
If there was any different between Gryff and Clementine, though, it was that the color of his hair had nothing to do with a blessing—Gryff's head of ginger hair (of lack thereof, since he was bald) was purely a result of genetics. His father (allegedly) was a member of the Proud Manes, and as such, Gryff held the right to the titles of viking. Not that titles meant anything in the Valley, but that didn't stop his drinking buddies from referring to him as "Viking Gryff".
In any case, my response to Gryff's comment was a practiced one.
"I was taking care of Clementine."
"Were you now? You can't keep using that same excuse every day, you know."
I shrugged.
In fairness, it was true about half the time I had used it.
Gryff sighed, turning back towards the carts, "We'll be collecting extra listers today—one each. I'm sure I don't have to remind any of you why?"
Nimia nodded, "The Hollow's Dawn."
Gryff smiled, "You got it, we'll be sending off one of our own to die at the hands of a malevolent prick. Be happy you're in the Runners—you can decide to die on your own terms."
With those words, Gryff returned to the group of officers which had begun to gather around the cart, and Nimia turned to face me.
"So? Will it be Clementine this year?"
I shrugged for the second time today. It was a gesture I had grown all to accustomed to performing, "No idea. The Elders have been secretive—I suspect we won't hear about who it'll be until the Ritual."
Nimia frowned, a little bit of her internal anger seeping into her eyes, "I despise when they do that. For the chosen, there's not even enough time to say goodbye."
I looked on to the Valley's forest beyond as I contemplated my answer, "True, but I think the anxiety of knowing I was chosen, and that there's nothing I can do, would edge me out in the end. I'd rather have it announced and be done with."
Nimia's frown replaces itself with a smile, "That's because you're a coward."
I nod, "Of course—being a coward is smart."
"So why are you a Runner?"
"Obviously so I can pay for college. I'm not planning to be stuck in the Valley forever, you know?"
"Oh? Did you get accepted?"
"With my grades? What do you think? They're bad enough that they'd be a bigger deal than my lack of an Eyrian Blessing."
Nimia giggled, "Pft, yeah I can see it now: 'The student Arte may be a member of the Valley, but let's please go onto more important matters, he got a negative score on his exam'."
"Negative score? You think too highly of me, Nimia—you can't be scored if you refuse to take the exam."
"If you don't take the exam, how are you planning to get into college?"
"With all the money I get from doing ash runs, duh."
"All zero Ener?"
"Plus interest. I don't mean the bank type of interest, of course—I just think that those doing college admittance would be intrigued at the thought that someone sixteen years of age could be broke, is all."
Nimia and I exchanged a glance, then burst out into laughter.
"You're so stupid."
"You're only marginally better."
"Shut up."
"Once the Run begins, you'll get your wish."
"Please, you can cancel curre whenever you want. I'm the one who has to be stuck listening to you with no way to retort."
"Touché."
"Oi," Gryff called from the front, fielded by the sound of the wagons kicking into high-gear, "you two, we're about to head out. Arte, get up here with the fielders. Nimia, prepare to tag-in with your partner."
"Aye aye," "Yes, sir!" Nimia and I responded simultaneously, with Nimia taking the more professional approach (although she still grinned like a miscreant as she did so, causing Gryff to roll his eyes).
When it came to Gryff, a simple "aye aye" was the best response, as it avoided any criticism or conversation. I valued my time more than most, and I didn't have seconds to spare in order to listen to a narcissist jack himself off.
"Ready, Arte?" Nimia smirked.
"If I wasn't ready, then what am I doing here?" I grumbled back.
Today would mark my fifteenth Run. Unfortunately, I was starting to get used to the energy of it all. Nimia was in a similar situation to me—she had been swapped in from the Hunters at the start of this year. When I signed-up as a Prime Runner, though, she had insisted that she join me.
We were a pair of weirdos.
When it came to people I cared for, though, Nimia was the only one who mattered to me.
"If you fall behind, Mister I-Can-Use-My-Aura-Whenever-I-Want, you're not going to live this down."
Caught-up in my own thoughts, I could only nod as we began our trek past the seeding area and into the forests beyond.
Let's hope today is uneventful, huh?
In that moment, I could swear I heard the Valley snicker at me in response.
|
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|
With small hands and short legs, he ran towards his father who tinkered away with small machineries. Some of them even moving to the beats of the old music player. The boy clutched the hem of his father's shirt, motioning the older man to carry him to his lap so that he could better see what invention his father would make this time.
It was a game between them. His father would make something out of the available materials in their surroundings, and before the finished product, the boy would guess what his father made. Sometimes it's a common household item, sometimes it's a new invention, and sometimes it's something that not even his father could explain.
The father once asked his son, "what do you want father to make for you?" And the son answered, "I have nothing I want." His father respected his answer while advising "try looking at something, and maybe you'll find something you want."
His father loves music, especially the ones that talk about sweet love. It's why the old music player never stopped being alive in the house. The boy's been affected by this little obsession of his father, and so he was able to memorize the songs. As long as it's in his father's playlist, then he can sing it perfectly.
On a cold windy day, the old music player was playing a song about lovers having a date near the seashore. It was a relaxing tune that when you close your eyes, you can hear the sound of waves accompanying the vocals and instruments. The boy clicked the power off, only leaving the music player on, so that the various machineries wouldn't affect his enjoyment of the song through their mechanical sounds.
He closed his eyes and listened to the song. The sound of the waves calmed him down that he was too close to sleeping. He inhaled, hoping to catch a whiff of the sea breeze, only to get the smell of oil and rust.
When the song reached the climax, the sounds outside were becoming noisier and so he placed the music player on the highest volume. The sounds outside were drowned out and all he could hear were the instrumentals and a slight sound of the waves.
A thought occurred to the boy, "I want to see the sea."
A chill went up the boy's spine and he stood up. For some reason, he heard the clicking of a clock even when he placed everything off, forgetting that the clock has its own battery.
The ticking were too quiet that you can only hear it when everything else is silent. It was then that he realized that the song had ended and only the sound of the clock can be heard.
No, it wasn't just the clock that he can hear. There was a whistle outside and the chill that he felt must've come from there. An opening, perhaps? But the house was made to be sturdy and...
It was then that the boy realized how wrong it was for him to close off the whole system. With his small feet, he ran towards the switches and pulled them on. It was then that the lights turned red.
There's an intruder in the house.
The boy was shaking, scared of what was able to come in their house. His father was out, looking for more materials and some food. He was alone and he didn't know what to do.
He found a cabinet and hid inside. He closed the door securely and hugged himself.
The boy whimpered and held his tears. He smelled something raw that made him gag. It was the smell of the earth mixed with the smell of blood. What's outside the closed cabinet must've felt him as it continued to knock violently on the cabinet.
The boy was so scared that he shouted, closed his eyes and ears, and prayed for his father.
He heard a slam, a shout, and everything went quiet.
"Red?"
As the voice of his father called his name, the boy, Red, whimpered and called for his father. The boy scratched the cabinet door, telling his father that he was right there, forgetting that it was locked from the inside.
"Father can't open the cabinet. You have to open it inside. Can you do it, Red?"
Red nodded, forgetting that his father couldn't see him. He clutched the lock and twisted it. When Red opened the cabinet door, a big wolf lay dead on their kitchen floors and his father was welcoming him with open arms.
Red was so relieved that he pounced on his father and became unconscious.
When he woke up, he was on the bed and his father was staring at him. "Father..."
"Don't be afraid anymore, Father's here."
Red looked at his father with guilt and apologized for turning off the power in the house.
"I don't blame you, but don't increase the volume again, is that okay?" Red nodded.
And so they were back to their old life. His father would make something and Red would guess what it is. As he's older now, his father allowed him to make his own inventions and his father, in turn, would guess what contraption he would make. Red was very happy, but he couldn't help but feel a sort of discord from everything.
Red talked to his father about this and his father hugged him in return. "It's trauma," his father claimed.
His father kept telling him that as long as he's here, Red would be safe and that there's nothing to worry about. What's important is that Red should be happy.
Red didn't think about it anymore until he came to the living room. The ever present sounds were no longer heard.
"Father, what happened to the music player?"
His father smiled and said, "It was broken so it had to be replaced." Red muttered an "oh" and proceeded to ask, "then where is the replacement?"
"Do you really want the music player back?"
"Is it hard to make a replacement?"
His father was silent for a few seconds and nodded. "Yes, it's hard."
Red didn't believe that such a repair would be hard for his father, so he joked that his father must've been too lazy to do something about it.
His father tickled him. "How did you figure it out?" Red hugged his father and out of the blue, he said "Father, I want to go to the beach."
"Why, don't you like it here?"
Red shook his head. "I've never seen the sea so I wanted to see it."
"Can I come with you?"
Red looked at his father. "Of course. Who else am I going to go with?" His father smiled at him and answered "that's right, I'm the only one who could go with you."
Red looked at their house, and in a moment of inspiration, asked his father. "Father, do you want to change houses?"
His father laughed. "Why do you ask that?"
"It's just that... Since we'll be going to the beach, I wondered what if it was safer there?" Red looked at his toes and muttered in a soft voice, "and maybe there'll be no more bad wolves?"
His father agreed and they packed up for their move. On the night before their departure, Red's father went outside and stopped near a river.
"Congratulations," a voice told him from behind. "You've been very successful in your hunt."
Red's father smiled and said thank you. "We'll be leaving this place now. My son said that he wants to live near the sea."
The voice laughed. "Your son? Wow, you're really into this life. He wasn't even suspicious?"
"Why would he be suspicious of his own father?"
A blue-furred wolf slowly walked towards the man. "How envious. I want a family as well but I don't have a prey yet. I want to be human too."
"Do you want to come with us?"
The wolf snarled. "You know about the curse, how dare you even propose such a thing!" The wolf slowly calmed down. "Eitherway, humans are bound to come to this area. I'll soon leave this wolf-body behind and visit you when I finally chance upon a prey."
"Then I'll welcome you when it happens."
The wolf laughed. "I thank you in advance. Now, be careful on your way and beware of loud sounds."
The man nodded and bowed towards the wolf before he went on his way. The wolf looked at the back of the man that's slowly walking away. When the man disappeared from its sight, the wolf looked at the full moon.
"We cursed beings just want a family, yet why does the method to our happiness be the end of another's own happiness?"
A white, almost transparent woman walked towards the wolf. "Isn't it more interesting that way?"
The wolf snarled, "you Gods keep on playing with your creations." The woman held the wolf's chin, as if challenging it, "and aren't your kind the best creation there is? I'm very proud of you, you know? You can be anyone you want." The wolf tried to bite the woman but all it touched was air. "Silly parasite, you can't touch a God."
The woman sat on top of the rock, a pretty painting that would've scratched a painter's heart. "My dear parasite, when will you take your freedom?"
The wolf snarled, "then lift the curse and give me my freedom!"
The woman laughed. "But then you wouldn't do what I made you for. As your creator, it's my duty to see to it that you're functioning as you should." The woman lifted her foot and touched the wolf's nose. "So go and be the human that you wished to be."
Before the woman vanished in the moonlight, she whispered to the wolf, "may your small wish come true."
|
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|
Constrictive, Small, Tight.
Leave, Leave, Push.
CRAACK
Bright, Shapes, Scales.
Others, Others, Siblings?
Other, Not Sibling, Bite Sibling, Eat, Why?
Tense, Shaking, No, Fear.
Other, Coming Closer, Why? Why me?
Flea, Escape, Swim!
Getting closer, Hide! I need hide!
Rocks, cracks! Go cracks!
Safe now, Safe for now.
Why other eat sibling?
Why us not protected?
/Congratulations!/
/For escaping an enemy with their sights on you, you got skill [Flee lv1]/
/Congratulations!/
/For escaping death within 5 minutes after birth, you got title [Champion from Minute One]/
What? What is... oh, it is System.
Status?
/Name: (none)
Race: Lesser Sea Snake
Level: 1
Skills: [Swim lv3] [Dark Vision lv1] [Bite lv2] [Flee lv1] [Water Resistance lv3]
Titles: [Champion from Minute One]/
Skills?
/Skills are abilities based on notable physical features, and activities./
Yes..
Titles?
/Titles are given to a being after accomplishing something recognized by the System, sometimes giving skills, or having effects that don’t manifest in skills./
I then look through the Skills.1PiE: I didn’t think it was worth going through these skills at this point; they’re too obvious.
[Champion from Minute One]?
/[Champion from Minute One]
Description: Good work! You started clever, and you acted fast to escape death! Though based on this, your future isn’t a paved shining path lined with lollipops. Take this consolation prize, you’ll need it.
Effects: +15% increased exp./
Ok.... why this not have lv?
/lv stands for Level; Level is the strength of a Skill or being. For example: a being with [Swim lv7] is better at swimming than a being with [Swim lv2]. Titles almost never have levels, but some can progress to other Titles after reaching some requirements./
Understood, what does- ?!??.
Feeling, is digging, is tiring, empty... hunger. I hunger? I am hungry.
PieCoNsUmEr
Any suggestions for sfx indicators, or spelling errors? (Not including MC thought.)
|
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|
Chapter 2: Home, Sweet, Home.
While it is better than nothing that doesn’t necessarily make it good either. Well I should probably start scouting my local area. So I started running around looking for anything of interest and during that time I got this notification
_____________________________________
Alert!
You have unlocked the skill: sprint (level 1)
_____________________________________
“That’s cool, I am assuming that that means I can use it to run faster but I am not trying to get any wear very fast right now so I’ll try that late but for now I am feeling kinda peck-ish so I should probably go looking around for some food”, and that is just what I did as well as looking around the immediate area and trying to memorise everything I saw. After a while I came across a fruit tree with some low hanging fruit on it, the tree itself looked normal enough it was rather short and had white bark and the trunk was rather thin with multiple branches about the same size as the trunk sprouting off near the base of the tree and the leaves were more of a pale green and I would have said that the colors on the tree almost looked like it was disappearing if it weren’t for the bright pink petals that sprouted in a circular pattern at the end of the branches right before the fruit was and the fruit itself wasn’t normal looking either it almost looked like a cross between a apple and a peach with it’s bright red from the apple but it’s skin looking as soft of that of a peach's. Intrigued by the plant and especially the fruit since my peckishness had since turned into actual hunger I decided to eat the peculiar fruit. Apon eating the fruit another translucent vaguely blue colored
________________________________________
Alert!
Beginner quest: “first meal” completed
Reward: 6 Exp
________________________________________
_______________________________________
Alert!
Eating:???????
Has caused the following effect: gain 4 Exp
_______________________________________
_______________
Alert!
Level up!
Level: 1 ---> 2
_______________
_____________________________________________________
(unnamed) Wild Forest Boar
Level: 2 Rank(E) Creature-Type: monster
Exp:[5/15]
Health:[10/10]
Abilities: Nip (level 1), Mana sense (level 1), Minor mana control (level 1), Sprint (level 1)
Strength:4 ---> 5
Speed:1 ---> 2
Agility:1 ---> 2
Mana:1 ---> 2
Unused points: 3
_____________________________________________________
Whoa, whoa, whoa, what!?, Wait, so I can just eat this weird fruit and gain Exp!? Really? So you're telling me that if I just eat this fruit I can level up! Oh I am going to absolutely abuse this!!! So after that I ate a WHOLE lot more and eventually I had eaten all of the fruits on the tree and leveled up to level 4
_____________________________________________________
(unnamed) Wild Forest Boar
Level: 4 Rank(E) Creature-Type: monster
Exp:[2/25]
Health:[14/14]
Abilities: Nip (level 1), Mana sense (level 1), Minor mana control (level 1), Sprint (level 1)
Strength:5 ---> 7
Speed:2 --->4
Agility:2 ---> 4
Mana:2 ---> 4
Unused points: 9
_____________________________________________________
So after absolutely gorging myself on fruit I felt pretty sleepy from eating all of said fruit and apon thinking that I came to the realization that I have nowhere to sleep and that there are probably things in this forest that would be happy to eat a now fat and tired big for a easy meal, so I went back to looking around my the local area but now with a goal in mind of finding somewhere to sleep temporarily or even long term. During this time I tried to memorize everything I saw and ended up unlocking the map skill but to my dismay it wasn’t the OP map skill you usually think of, no, it was a map but it didn’t update in real time according to my surroundings it only mapped things i saw with my own to eyes and while it was perfectly accurate according to the skill description it didn’t update if something had happened in the area until I saw it which makes it perfectly fine for navigation purposes, it made it useless for surveillance purposes and therefore I wouldn’t even be able to tell if a straight up DRAGON was running around unless I saw it first and even then it would just show me where it was but there was a upside to it that made it better than just using my memory of the place because while my memory can change over time or I can forget the map doesn't, it stay perfectly preserved in time until I see the place again and see if something changed. During the time I was reading about my new skill in the system window I came across an open area filled with long grass and right next to the field was a small cave and I thought that it could be perfect as a place to stay. The cave itself wasn’t that big just barely big enough to have fit maybe 3 or 4 of me in there but it would be plenty big enuff for my purposes of just having somewhere to sleep and maybe keep a few things so upon deciding that this is where I’d stay another one vaguely blue semi-translucent screen popped up and at this point it is starting to become a familiar sight
________________________________________
Alert!
Beginners quest: “Home sweet home”
Completed
Reward: 30 Exp
________________________________________
__________________________
Alert!
Level up!
Leveled up: 4 ---> 5
__________________________
_____________________________________________________
(unnamed) Wild Forest Boar
Level: 5 Rank(E) Creature-Type: monster
Exp:[7/30]
Health:[16/16]
Abilities: Nip (level 1), Mana sense (level 1), Minor mana control (level 1), Sprint (level 1)
Strength:7 ---> 8
Speed:4 --->5
Agility:4 ---> 5
Mana:4 ---> 5
Unused points: 12
_____________________________________________________
Wait, now that I think about it I haven’t used any of my free points so far because I’ve been too busy looking for somewhere to sleep. Now that I have found somewhere to sleep I should allocate those unspent points and while I haven’t had any need for speed yet it would be handy just to beagle to go fast and it’ll probably be useful if I need to escape so I’ll put 3 points into that. When it comes to strength I already have more of that then my other stats and while I should try to be somewhat balanced in the way I go about leveling up right now since I have no idea how stuff works in this world yet strength also increases my health and strength is always a safe bet so I’ll put 3 in as well. When it comes to mana and agility I really don’t know since I haven’t tried being very agile yet or used any mana I have no clue but I think mana will be important later for sure so I’ll put 4 into mana and 2 into agility.
_____________________________________________________
(unnamed) Wild Forest Boar
Level: 5 Rank(E) Creature-Type: monster
Exp:[7/30]
Health:[16/16]
Abilities: Nip (level 1), Mana sense (level 1), Minor mana control (level 1), Sprint (level 1)
Strength:8 ---> 11
Speed:5 --->8
Agility:5 ---> 7
Mana:5 ---> 9
Unused points: 0
_____________________________________________________
Speaking of not using stuff now that I think about it I haven’t used any skills yet either so I should probably try those out now. First things first lets try Mana sense.
________________________________________________________
Activate Mana sense (level 1)
Mana activation cost: 5
Y/N
________________________________________________________
“Yes”
As soon as I said that I suddenly started to see some floating, ethereal, gas and it was in the air all around and in everything from the grass to the trees and when I looked up even in the now setting sun and already risen but still mostly out shinned moon but in all of those things it was different instead of the more spaced out gas-like substance in the air it was extremely viscous liquid so viscous you could almost call it a solid and then I suddenly became aware of the same viscous liquid in me but instead of the calm, pale blue of the moon or the raging orange and red of the sun nor the pure, bright yet mellow green of the trees, no, not even then dimmer dark green of the grass was the same, no, mine was pure white color less and lacking anything that defined it and the thing is I had no way of seeing my own at the time I didn’t need to I just knew and with that another semi translucent blue-ish window appeared in the center of my vision once again and said.
To Be Continued.
|
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|
Kaffeina
Sorry this took such a ridiculous length of time to drop, it's mostly for a variety of reasons but I won't make excuses sorry. If you see any typos please let me know. Some of the spelling during dialogue is intentional. It might've been a wait but please enjoy.
Thanksgiving Vacation
So, considering I hadn’t done much of anything besides read fanfiction for the past several months, I had thanksgiving wide open. Since I hadn’t had much of anything besides some changes of clothes, they’d booked the ticket in an advance. So here I was, hundreds of miles from college and somehow, she was still the main thing on my mind. I sighed as I watched the cars pull up.
Normally I could distract myself by people watching and going over their lives but instead my mind went back to how she was taller than me. Going by the typical standards I was short, for a boy, and maybe average for girls. Not that any of that mattered when she was several inches taller than me. I really needed to stop thinking about that. Shorter girls were best, yeah. So small. And…
I’m lying to myself again. Thankfully, as luck would have it my uncle pulled up just in time to pull me from that thought. Where my aunt was a slimmer woman and age had yet to show much on her face, my uncle’s age showed, but it had always made him look dependable. He gave me a crooked smile as the window rolled down. “All set Kit?”
“Should be,” I answered as I opened the back door to slide my suitcase into the backseat. Upon opening it, I was greeted by the grinning face of Faye McCarthy, my sister. My cousin technically speaking, but all of them insisted on being my sisters, not my cousins. It was sweet and I couldn’t help the smile I gave in return.
“Surprise!” she laughed as she dragged me down into a hug. I returned it, “You’ll sit back here with me, right?” Faye immediately attempted her best puppy eyes impression and I fought back a snort.
“Obviously,” I rolled my eyes, though I could tell none of my sarcasm was getting across based on the fact I knew the smile had never left my face. My sister was such a dork. I wheeled my suitcase to the back of the car.
“Hey!” she called out as the trunk open, “I know that look! You’re thinking it again!”
“Totally not,” I retorted as I tossed my suitcase in.
“You are!”
“Are not.” I heard my uncle chuckling in the front seat as I opened the door to slip into the backseat.
“Fine, a deal then. We both are,” she said, squinting at me out of the corner of her eye before looking away, “Right?”
I snorted, “Okay okay, deal.”
“Perfect,” she said as the engine started up before turning to me, her smile lighting up her face again. “Okay so I have got to tell you about this story I started reading yesterday.”
I nodded, “Of course, what’s it about?”
“Okay, right, so the main character is a relatively meaner guy right, oh it’s a manga by the way, ” as she went on, she moved around quite a bit, Like usual, she talked a lot with her hands too, it was really funny sometimes. “he just looks that way you know? He’s not the nicest person, but he’s not quick to lose his temper.” She smacked the plastic on the back of the seat with her hand as she talked; that was why Faye almost never wore fake nails and kept hers so short. She snapped one of them clean off once, it actually cut her too.
“Well, the school decides to do a play, one of those usual tropes, but this time they have the class pick seven of their classmates to do the main roles, but then class president uses her authority to make the roles system a lottery. And the main character gets the female lead. So, everyone is annoyed, and they want to switch his role, but the president makes a deal. She’ll teach him by himself, and they’ll have someone else practice the role. Whoever does best, according to the teacher, wins.”
“Oh. That’s neat, haven’t heard of that one before,” I ran over a lot of the stories I’d read in my head and couldn’t think of anything. I hadn’t read a ton of these stories before but I’d read some. “Does he go along with it?”
“He hesitates but yeah. He totally has a thing for the class prez too, it’s super obvious ya know?” she waved her hand dismissively, “She goes kind of hard on him at first but after getting the makeup on she’s distracted because he looks way different. She starts treating him nicer and gets friendlier and all that. In the chapter I finished when we pulled up, she admitted that it was easier to talk to him dressed like that because she had trauma from guys or something. He wants to help her so I’m totally expecting the crossdressing thing to go on past the play.”
“Probably, and wouldn’t it be better to try getting used to him dressed as a guy though?” I asked, it just seemed like continuing the crossdressing past the play wasn’t how to help her. “Does he enjoy it or something?”
“I don’t know, he defs said it was nice not having people scared of him. They made it sound like her trauma was like, really graphic or something.”
“Oh… Its mostly because he likes her right?” My mind strayed back to the girl again. I wondered if she had some sort of trauma, I’d seen her around guys sometimes, but they were always in the furthest seat and sometimes a girl sat next to her. For a bit I’d seen her and another girl with that one across from her which made me feel a weird pinching sensation. I focused back on Faye who was staring at me now.
“What?” I asked.
“Spill.”
“What?”
“Spill. Deets. Now.”
“I… What are you talking about?” I frowned.
“Melissa, 4th grade. Alex, 7th grade. Tammi, 9th grade. I know that look, you had it for all of them Kit,” Faye rolled her eyes dramatically before locking eyes with mine. “Now spill.”
“Ok, ok.” I gave a sigh and started filling her in on what had happened at college and how I literally couldn’t get that girl out of my head.
“Okay, first off, you and I are having a movie night tonight and you are absolutely not allowed to touch your phone. Seriously. Second off, you have it pretty bad, but you’re def not stalking her ya know? Let’s unpack that later though, because I know you. You’re too nervous huh?”
“Yeah…” I muttered.
“Okay so like, what has you nervous? Like, not like the whole crush thing, I mean otherwise you know? Cause the butterflies won't go away until you talk to her and actually relax, I know you’d do it if you knew you could, but you couldn’t. So why?”
I opened my mouth to talk and closed it again, looking at Faye. I loved her to death, but she kind of scares me sometimes. How can she even tell? “It’d be creepy and gross.”
“Why?”
“Because it would be? We’ve been eating at the same place for awhile and I haven’t tried talking to her. It’d be even creepier now.” It really would be too, like seriously, we’d been eating at the same place for two months a few times a week and I hadn’t even said anything.
“Okay I just think that makes it more reasonable that you’d talk to her. If that’s the only place especially you know? But okay, again, like, why?”
“I already said.”
“Only like half Kit,” she deadpanned at me, her hand resting next to her face. “So why? Why would it be creepy and weird?”
“Because I’m a guy,” I answered.
Faye went silent and stared at me. I looked back for a second before squirming and looking away. That look again, here we go. “So don’t be then.”
“What?”
“Hey Dad,” Faye leaned through to the front seats, “Can we stop at the store?”
“Sure thing, it’s on the way home anyway,” he laughed, “I’ll call Cora and see if we need anything.”
Okay wait, what had I just gotten myself into here? What’s going on? Faye turned around and winked at me. I shuddered, okay, Faye scares me more often than I’d like to admit even if she is my sister.
|
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I dropped my bag onto top of the bed next to everything else. The room was small, really little more than a bedroom and a small bathroom with a shower, more than enough for me at least. While mom and dad weren’t around, not that it bugged me, my aunt was. She had taken me in a few years back when mom and dad went off who knows where. As such, while my uncle watched the others, she drove me. She looked around the room and looked back at me, “You better have your own touch on this place when I come to visit, Kit,” she laughed.
I shook my head, “Auntie, it’s just a college dorm.”
“Kit, you’re gonna be here for four years,” she rolled her eyes with a small smile, “Besides, what if you have a cute girl over?”
“Are women even allowed in the men’s dorms?” I asked her with a raise of my brow. It wasn’t like I knew the answer, orientation was in three days so I didn’t even have a student handbook.
“Oh who cares,” she patted my shoulder, “Eric and I better hear that you’re up to no good and having a blast alright?”
I snorted, “I’ll do my best Auntie.”
“Call me if you need anything, Kitkat,” her smile dropped a bit, “I do mean anything kiddo, and I’m sure the girls would love to have you back on holidays.”
I smiled, “Thanks Auntie, I’ll make sure to come back on Thanksgiving if I can.”
“Good,” she nodded with a light chuckle, “Alright, I’ll let you get settled. Oh, there’s this.” She held out… a debit card?
“A card?” I asked as I took it.
“Yeah, your uncle and I set aside some money for you, it’s nothing extreme but it’ll be enough for you to get food and anything that catches your eye, so long as you’re not spending it all within a day, you can let us know if you need a bit more alright?”
“Thanks, I will,” I gave her a hug and she stiffened for a second before hugging me back.
She started chuckling, “You haven’t given me a hug in ages Kitkat!”
“I won’t see you for awhile,” I muttered.
“That’s true,” she let go of me as I did the same, “Well I’m off, tell me any naughty details on holiday alright?” She winked at me before turning around.
I rolled my eyes as the door shut behind her.
--A Few Weeks Later—
The student handbook definitely doesn’t allow guys or girls to be in the same room for lengthy periods, except in larger groups. Not that it mattered, none of the RAs followed that. As long as you weren’t too loud they didn’t care. Not that that did anything for me in the slightest. I rarely left my room except for class or food.
Which is probably why it took me like three weeks to see her. I still don’t know what’s wrong with me, ever since I saw her at the diner nearby, I’d made a habit of eating there whenever she did. It was totally weird to do, and I was still holding myself back from finding out her name, at that point I’d really be stalking. Stalking isn’t good, especially if you’re suddenly infatuated with a random stranger. It’s not love at first sight, that stuff is ridiculous honestly. There’s probably something familiar about her then, maybe she came from back home or something. Or maybe she’s related to one of my old friends back home. Still, the fact I was following her a bit was gross. First off, a guy doing that? Creepy, like really creepy. I’d get the cops called on me if I went anything further.
I should probably like, make an attempt to talk to her, but that would be the absolute weirdest thing for a guy to do. And creepy. Especially creepy. Sure a girl wouldn’t be better, but the social vibe doesn’t make it creepy until they start to break mentally. So, talking to her after seeing her once or twice wouldn’t have been weird, maybe, I’m a guy but I probably could’ve said something, maybe a greeting, just a short stupidly simple conversation.
Hey, you must like the food here too. I could have said something that simple and not come off as a fucking creeper. But not, Admiral Dipshit, yours truly apparently couldn’t get the courage to do that. What the hell is wrong with me, really?
I felt my head hit the table and couldn’t bring myself to lift it, so I sat there listening as the few tables around me went quiet for a minute. The conversations around me slowly started back up and I just sat there. I didn’t have any more classes for the day so at this point I could just do whatever until I felt tired. Which usually involved reading whatever I came across online. Sometimes whatever videos.
So I just laid there, steaming in my own thoughts for what was probably like thirty minutes when someone interrupted the soup I was trying to make with my brain.
“You good there dude?” A waiter asked, his eyebrow raised at me quizzically. I mused on the fact he was probably around my age for a minute. “Dude?”
I felt a pang in my chest and winced, probably from how loud his voice seemed. Little too quick there pal, I’m still recovering here.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just needed to think I guess,” I rubbed my forehead and sighed. I felt the table shake and the guy was waving to his boss. After a quick thumbs up, he turned to look at me. My eyebrow copied his as I stared back.
“You look like shit dude,” he said.
“I took a shower?” I answered slowly.
The guy snorted, “Naw, I mean your face. If this were a cartoon your face would be drenched in shadows.”
“Oh…” I sighed, “Yeah I don’t know, but give me a bit and I’ll be fine.”
“You sure dude?” the guy asked.
“Yeah.”
“Alright then, good luck,” He picked up the tray he had set down and left. I sighed again.
What the hell am I even doing? And that pretty much explains how the weeks from there went. Class, food, read, sleep. I didn’t do much else until Thanksgiving. I can’t say it was much different from usual though.
Kaffeina
Yeah I know, I have a problem but I'll work on the others soon.
|
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On a quiet street in the outer edge of London there is a basket sitting in front of a worn door. A cloaked figure scribbles down a few words, mumbling to themselves, before knocking on the door. They disappear in a flash of light and a crack. The abandoned child blinks his eyes awake. There’s a shuffling of feet and muffled voices behind the door before it creaks open. A tired woman flicks the porch light lazily before suddenly swooping down. “Oh you poor baby! Left out in the cold like this, well aren't you just the cutest thing.” She says. “This simply won’t do, we’ll get you all taken care of inside.” The child’s eyes catch on the glinting ink, ‘Noah Key’.
It took Noah a few days to realize his situation, he had a life before this one. He died and was reborn. Fleeting memories of his life just out of his desperate grasp. A spoon forces its way through his frown. “Now, now, Noah, you have to eat your food to become a strong and healthy young man!” He glares at her. She glares back. Reluctantly, he opens his mouth. “See that wasn’t so hard was it?” She flourishes the spoon in his face. “Miss McCarty, can I go play?” A yell from the hallway. “Sure dear, let me just finish up with little Noah here, then we can go.”
|
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Inside a simple classroom, a sleeping student suddenly woke up and its eyes darted around, frantically looking around.
Increased heartbeat, increased blood flow, increased brain activity.
Richard, looked around, quickly and as carefully as possible without alerting anything.
Twice, thrice.
He didn't stop observing his surroundings as if there is something else that would immediately spring out of the empty room.
Finally confirming that there is nothing that would immediately kill him, only did Richard relax his body.
An influx of foreign memories then flooded his brain. The usual headache or pause didn't occur as he easily digested those things.
"This is already the 11th time, if I die again, then fuck it!"
Standing up, he gritted his teeth, collected the learning materials then headed straight home.
He couldn't help but remember how and why those deaths happened while walking.
Yes, this is his 11th life, and in all the previous ten lives, he died sadly and unexpectedly.
There is one time he died due to an assassin and not even a day has passed, or the time he passed away because of a sudden heart attack.
There are all sorts of ways he died, each death is different from before. The worst part is that the longest time he survived is a day, not knowing tomorrow came and a giant meteorite struck the planet, directly obliterating the place where he was into ashes.
Each death is sometimes abrupt or slow, but there is one consistency among all deaths, it is all painful.
Whoever said that being isekai'd is great and a blessing could suffer in his place.
Fortunately or unfortunately, each time he was killed, the souls of the body fuses with his original one, strengthening it. This is the reason why he could easily accept the massive information that he received.
Putting those all behind, his walking pace slowed down as he got out of the school grounds, checking the perimeter, guessing where the danger could come from.
"Is it a plane with inexplicable engine failure and crashing me into meat paste or a live wire some electricians were fixing, somehow got out of control then went straight for my head?"
Richard is afraid of death, and anyone would do so after experiencing 10 consecutive deaths. Rich imaginations of how he would die occupied his head as he cautiously went home. And even if he opened the door and went inside, Richard hasn't still calmed down, wondering if there is another surprise waiting for him the next day just like the one time a meteorite hit him.
Then something clicked in his head as Richard finally remembered a piece of information.
This world he transmigrated or isekai'd is somewhat special because of the existence of spiritual energy. A weird power that permeates every means of life. The energy that powers houses, the power that enables various vehicles, and even special materials born from spiritual energy that many sought after.
Most important of all, is the existence of spiritual users, people who can do a lot of bizarre things, even bordering the realm of miracles.
Destroying mountains, terraforming various landscapes, reattaching severed limbs, healing defective and failing organs, and even flying without an airplane. All this is possible with the help of spiritual energy alone.
But soon, another problem came up as he thought about it.
"No spiritual warriors or assassins would burst out here right?"
That worry was soon swept under the rug as another important info appeared in his mind.
He was an orphan because of a spiritual incident, which led to his parents dying early. And as compensation from the federal state, he was given free accommodation and free education up until he graduated high school.
The good thing is that the accommodation has a security force patrolling 24/7.
Still, Richard didn't fully feel safe yet as he did his daily routine while staying vigilant of any possible changes and the instinct honed after dying ten times.
Nothing drastic happened as the sun sunk and two moons rose on the horizon.
And as the night deepened, Richard didn't feel safer and was more paranoid about what could else come and kill him.
The night disappears and a scorching star comes back to bring sunshine to the lives on this planet while Richard was awake the whole period.
He was afraid that right after he closed his eyes and reopened them, another scenery would welcome him and another set of memories would be registered in his mind.
This paranoidness is all because of the unknown factors that could occur, resulting in another unjust death.
Another day soon turned into night and his bloodshot eyes calmly looked around his room, the eyelids jumping up and down, signifying his tired body.
But the exhaustion soon won over him as it was unknown when he finally closed his eyes and slumped down to the floor.
Nothing special happened that night and as Richard woke up abruptly, looked around, then ecstasy filled his body.
"Finally, finally, I didn't die!!! Hahahahahaha!"
Joyous laughter echoed in the small house, one that can be understood as being saved from the verge of dying.
His laughter continued and continued until he was satisfied. But soon that happy atmosphere evaporated as he carefully reviewed each memory fragment of the original body also called Richard.
His face turned ugly as he learned some terrifying knowledge.
Being capable of slicing a mountain in half or blowing a sea into nothingness is both nothing to scoff at and a measly achievement many could do.
The real scary thing is that there is another type of person that can top them, the true pinnacle force in this new world he just arrived. People who can summon avatars. Avatars that embody the whole spiritual power of the soul and body of a person, with many different and weird abilities and equally different and weird effects.
And people call them avatar users.
The true horror is that his understanding of these avatar users only comes from brief mentions in some old books which is unreliable as the prints can be manipulated easily by people in the past and a scene he couldn't forget ten years ago.
Only for him to shake his head because having an avatar is a symbol of one step toward being at the top already. But right now, he couldn't help but lament his situation as he recalled all things important to him.
Richard Eidhart, an orphan, 18 years old this year, is an average student at Riverside National High School. He is simply the representative of mediocrity, not only in grades but also in sociability and spiritual power.
Being ranked 49 out of 50 students in the class is an insult to the word average. It was more fitting to call him a failure as he has the second to the lowest amount of spiritual power in an entire class of fifty people.
Richard could only show a weary smile at these dire circumstances as he reviewed what is a spiritual power at all.
|
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The world is just beginning, life forms and constantly changing. The gods looked with fascination at their creation, a massive world of near endless possibilities and territories. The stars constantly rotate around it. Each have the same size, roughly 5 times the size of the planet. One is a blazing star of transparent flame and the other is a world of ocean full of transparent crystal water. Together they forms the cycle of day and night.
As for the world in the center, its situation is chaotic. Countless creatures form under the heavy level of mana originating from the recently born worlds. But not so long enough, the unstable mana reach critical level and starts killing everything on the planet. Totally eradicating all life. Soon, the mana become calm and starts to recede deep into the core of each stars herby forming precious minerals and earthy treasures. Soon another world form deep in its core, another dimension for better term. In this dimension, the mana rest as chaotic life began to form again and this time it's not stopping. This inner dimension will be called as the spirit world by the people of future and the outside is the world of Yal, a word with a special meaning not accessible for common people.
The same thing is happening to the other two worlds, life unique to each other were born out of nature. It won't be soon before they met.
Tired, the gods decided to rest. Each of them picking their own territories. The gods and goddesses of sky, peace, order, and wind created a floating island covered with illusory clouds as their resting place. The gods and goddesses of the sun, fire, dream, nightmare, and authority choose to live a village life deep under the inner world of the blazing world. The group related to hunting, nature, earth, war, crafting, love, and hate decided to pick a rather tall mountain to settle in and live a normal life as they observe the world. Other gods will deadly power such as poison, death, pain, slaughter, and punishment choose to just roam at the watery surface of the moon and create a fishing village there. The gods and goddesses of reward, light, darkness and afterlife decided to just create a kingdom of spirits in the inner world of yal. Everyone decided to live a normal life after the tiring task, occasionally sleeping whenever they can.
As gods were also creatures of life, they also got tired of things. They have so much power that they got tired of it and just decided to live normally and have fun. Even the god of war can get tired of war. Though their number have an obvious lack of other gods, they're just fine with it.
As for the final two gods, they are standing in the center of a huge island. The variety of life here is not that much, only 1 type of tree with stone like bark and a few basic form of insects live here. The trees are not suitable for building a house either.
The two gods themselves doesn't care that much, they're only sitting on a comfortable stone while the other one is putting his head on the bump on the belly of the other which is a beautiful woman with small black horns and 2 white wings and orange hair.
The man have a head of colors and 2 pair of wings on his back. His foot are not normal either, they resemble deer feet but with sharp claws and azure scale.
"Hmm they sounds happy" The man gently caress the abdomen of his pregnant wife.
" After everything that happened, we can finally live peacefully " She said affectionately with some melancholy on her eyes.
The man fixed his sitting position and gently hug her and kiss her forehead.
" C'mon, it's alright, no need to remember the sad memories. The past should belong to the past" He said
She didn't reply, instead she just lean over and enjoyed the silence.
These two people are Yen( the woman) and Lily( the man). They are one of the remaining survivors of the ancient god war. Every gods here are a part of the only survivors of their respective worlds. The war caused endless grief and tradigy, many worlds and civilization got destroyed. It's an apocalypse for the gods. After fighting together for like no one knows how long, they become close to each other.
After the war, they decided to finally forget the revenge they have in mind and just settle in in a remote place of the endless void to start a new life like how their fallen families and friends wants them to. They are not the only survivors, definitely not the strongest, but with their bonds, they managed to survive for a very long time.
No one know why and how the war started, but everyone can remember the damaged and changes it caused. The once arrogant gods were now humble existence that doesn't resemble their past egotistical selves.
Reminiscing at the past, the two stayed there for a long time before moving when they noticed it's already night time. They don't feel hungry and definitely doesn't need food, but over the long years they slowly appreciate the flavor of foods when only foods can help them forget the pain from fighting everyday just to survive one more day. They also soon understand the importance of life and creatures they created.
Lily got up and arrived at a nearby tree, placing his hand on it 'it' suddenly bore fruit with sweet fragrant smell. The fruit were plentiful and abundant.
He got some and placed them on a basket he created with his ability before returning. There's only enough for both of them to get their fill.
" Taste like refined minerals " Yen commented after taking a bite. As gods, they have different view of food, even metal can be considered food for them as long as it tastes like a good mixture of minerals. Of course texture also matter, they don't like minerals that have watery texture.
" Hmm Yeah " Lily only silently nobbed
To be continued
|
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Wizards can be tricky, the most annoying people you’ll ever meet. They have their own language and their own ideas and it's hard to understand them sometimes but they do it. They think about things in ways that are beyond the scope of human understanding; they're not like us. They don't understand us because there's something inside our soul that says they can't; we just aren't built to understand. And we don't try to understand them. We never understand them because if we do then it's too late. There's something inside them that makes them special, made them different. It takes away our humanity, takes away our reason for living.
This is why I never let myself get close to wizards. The fact that some even talk to me makes me uncomfortable, as does the fact that I don't have friends other than Celeste. My childhood friend, the princess and a wizard...well, that was an experience. Celeste was one of my only friends at school, she's still the person I go to when I need someone. She always knows what to say. What to do.
-
The day after the first meeting of the Royal Wizard Academy, I ran into her. She was sitting on one of those fancy chairs she always sat on, reading a book. The sun was shining brightly through the windows that were facing the courtyard, making her light blonde hair glow as she concentrated on something. She didn't notice me coming towards her until I was right behind her."Hey there." I greeted with a small wave. She looked up from her book immediately, almost dropping it when she saw me standing there.
"O-oh Merlin! You scared me!" She said as she stood up and put away her book.
"Sorry," I laughed softly.
"I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going anyway. But how did you know I was here?" She asked as she took out her bag, looking for the book she had dropped.
"I heard you walking here," I replied, taking a seat next to her on the chair. "How long have you been waiting for me?"
She shrugged and gave me a nervous smile as an answer. "Umm...a while I guess?"
"And what did you read this time?" I teased her, causing her face to light up.
"Oh nothing much. Just some stuff about dragons, magic, and wizards..." She sighed sadly. "They're so boring."
"Well yeah, that's kinda the point of this whole thing isn't it?" I responded. "You'll never understand wizards unless you've experienced them, otherwise you won't get to live life like a normal human."
Her face got serious, and I could tell something was off. She opened her mouth to reply but instead spoke in a calm tone. "Are your parents okay with you attending?"
My eyebrows rose slightly. This wasn't exactly what I had expected her to say.
"No," I said quietly. "My parents thought I was crazy. I don't think they really liked me since they left me here alone."
"Really? Why is that?" She asked curiously. I shrugged again and glanced down at my feet, kicking my shoes around.
"I don't know. I don't think anyone does." I sighed and pushed my glasses back up my nose. "But they don't come visit anymore. That's another reason why I came here, actually."
Celeste gave me a sad look and reached out to touch my hand. "Do you want to stay with me?" She asked quietly, squeezing my hand gently. "It's no problem. We'll figure something out."
"I couldn't." I shook my head and smiled weakly. "What would I do? Sit around all day? Reading books? Doing chores?"
"Yeah, you could!" She countered, pulling me closer by my hand to give me a hug. I chuckled awkwardly and hugged her back. She held on tight, refusing to release me. "At least come see us once every couple of weeks! Or just come with me and my brother! That way we'd really know you're alright!"
We remained silent for a few minutes, enjoying the feeling of each others' arms around us. She pulled away and smiled at me, giving me a warm smile I hadn't seen in awhile.
"Just...don't stay too late alright?" She whispered.
I nodded and smiled at her again. We went back to watching the sunlight shine on the trees before a knock on the door broke us apart. I frowned and walked slowly over to the door, opening it just enough to reveal one of the palace servants.
"Your majesty, Lord Soren has arrived for the dinner party tonight."
"Tell him I'm busy." I closed the door and turned back to Celeste. "He needs to wait until tomorrow."
"Is everything alright?" She tilted her head slightly and put both hands on my shoulders. I shrugged and sighed again.
"Maybe...but it doesn't matter. Let's just go inside, okay? I don't want any more delays today." She nodded and we headed back inside. She told me I needed to wear a tie which I agreed to quickly.
When Celeste told me to dress formally for dinner I thought of a pair of dark grey trousers with black knee high boots and a white shirt. After that I decided to wear my usual grey scarf and jacket along with a red pocket square, a green vest, and a black bowtie. I also had my hair curled and sprayed with hairspray, I looked a bit silly but I knew Celeste wouldn't mind. When I stepped out of my room a few moments later, she was waiting on the couch with her arms crossed and a scowl on her lips. Her eyes widened when she realized who I was.
"Merlin." She groaned and covered her eyes with her hand. "Why are you wearing such clothes?! I mean why not just go in regular clothes?!"
I frowned and took a step towards her. "They're nice aren't they? And the colors clash with my complexion."
She lowered her hand and stared at me for a few seconds, her expression changing from disgust to surprise and confusion in less than a second. "Merlin, have you lost your mind?" She exclaimed. "There's no way Lord Soren will like seeing you in those! He'll think you're a clow-"
"Relax," I interrupted her rambling. "I'll make sure to look better than the rest."
She let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead with her fingers, probably to ease the headache forming behind her eyes. "Don't mess this up, okay?"
"I won't." I smiled and walked past her, heading towards the door.
"Please, just keep your distance!" I heard her scream before I walked out. I closed the door behind me and made my way through the castle to the entrance, smiling widely and waving to the people around me. They returned my greetings and bowed to me. I didn't care that I was wearing strange clothes, they were all formal anyway. At last I reached the double doors that led outside and stepped outside. Lord Soren was already there, standing beside his horse and waiting for me. As soon as I spotted him, I started running towards him, jumping onto my horse's back without even trying to tame it.
Soren raised his eyebrow and waited until he felt comfortable on the horse before mounting his as well.
"Where are we going now?" I asked with an excited smile on my face.
Soren simply smirked and started trotting towards the main gate. I laughed silently and leaned forward on the neck of my horse, grabbing its reins tightly. A minute passed and we were already riding through the forest.
"Soren? Where are we going?" I asked again.
Soren didn't respond. His gaze was focused on the road ahead of us, leaving me confused and confused. It was starting to get dark, and it wasn't helping that the wind was picking up and it seemed like the rain was going to start pouring down at any moment.
"Soren." I called once more. "Are you ignoring me?"
Suddenly a branch on the side of the road caught my eye. Suddenly everything fell into place, and I understood. I jumped down from my horse and walked towards the broken tree branches that were lying in front of my path. I bent down and grabbed one of the larger pieces of wood from the ground.
"Wait." A voice stopped me in my tracks, causing me to freeze in my spot.
Slowly I turned my head around to look at who was behind me. There stood Soren on his horse, staring straight at me. The same intense gaze he usually had whenever someone challenged him, although not directed at me, I still found it unnerving. I swallowed nervously and took a step backwards.
"Soren-"
Before I could finish my sentence he jumped down from his horse and walked towards me, putting both of his hands firmly on my waist. I froze underneath his touch, not wanting to move for fear that if I did that he might just take me back home and force me to be with my family.
"Let's make a deal," he said with a slight smirk and pulled me closer to him, forcing me to stand completely on my tip toes so that I could look him in the eyes. "Don't tell anyone about what you are going to see. Even Celeste."
"Okay." I nodded hesitantly. "Deal."
He nodded and released me from the grip he had. "Good."
"Ready?"
"Yes sir." I replied softly.
As if sensing the uneasiness of the situation, he smiled lightly and mounted his horse again. He turned around and looked at me with concern in his eyes.
"Are you ready?"
Without hesitation I nodded and climbed onto my horse as well.
The ride to the castle felt endless, I wanted to run. My stomach churned with nervousness and I was shaking slightly. The cold air hit me mercilessly and the rain continued to pour.
Eventually we finally arrived at the gates to the castle, where many guards were lined up outside, keeping watch on the city. The guard on duty recognized Soren and waved politely. His partner approached us from a short distance away. "You're early," he greeted politely. Soren nodded in acknowledgement and dismounted his horse. I followed him, holding his hand tightly as my heart skipped beats.
"I brought company." Soren gestured towards me as we got off our horses.
The man's eyes immediately landed on me. His expression changed instantly into shock and recognition. I noticed a glint of pain in his dark brown eyes.
"Merlin."
He bowed his head towards me and I returned his gesture stiffly. Soren rolled his eyes before turning to face me with a frown on his face. "If you have nothing else important to do today just follow me, alright? If you have problems with anything, please talk to the King about them." With that he walked back towards the castle. The guard watched him leave, then turned to me.
"How have you been, my prince?"
"Fine. I'm good." I nodded and tried hard not to show how anxious I actually was, and the guard gave me a sympathetic smile.
"Come on, follow me." He offered me his hand and helped me climb down the fence. Once I was safely on the other side, he held out his arm and began leading me through the corridors, taking me directly to his quarters where he instructed me to wait for a while before he came to speak with me. I sat down on one of the couches by the window as he left, letting my thoughts wander to the memory of what had happened. I couldn't believe it. After all this time I'd never really expected something like this to happen.
I was going to be fucked by the older brother of my love!
|
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|
Spiritual energy.
A mystical force that exists in all things yet one cannot simply see it with the naked eye. In its most basic form, it has no influence on the outside world. Yet many are after it, the purer it is, the more they desire it.
Because of the ease of molding it to one's imagination, the possibilities it could present are almost limitless.
Almost every aspect of life has spiritual energy in it. The electrical lamps and appliances use lightning spiritual energy and the shower heater that uses fire spiritual energy for the warm water.
The thing that intrigued Richard is not these things but the use of it on a much deeper level.
Formulating the hollow blocks using earth spiritual energy which is then heated using fire spiritual energy, resulting in a house built with it to be more resistant than normal hollow blocks and has a degree of resistance to spiritual attacks.
But all of that is not possible without the painstaking research of millions of years in spiritual techniques. Or precisely the subtopic called spiritual cultivation techniques.
Yes, this world he traveled into has the concept of cultivation, cultivating not the qi Richard is familiar with but with spiritual energy instead.
To get a clearer understanding of it, he opened his backpack and began reading "Basic Spiritual Cultivation Technique". A book that is given to every high school freshman nationwide.
This book is the culminated research of the National Research Institution of the United States of Noriis. Simplifying and removing any unnecessary contents, they created a basic and common cultivation technique that only increases the quantity and quality of spiritual energy of the body with no addition of elements or weird characteristics.
"Spiritual energy is simply an energy that exists all around us. It does not have special attributes but the fact it is easily influenced by the outside environment and vice versa. However, primarily, it is created by the soul. Any activity of the soul, be it moving or the moment of dissipating, spiritual energy is released."
"Only if spiritual energy is refined and totally controlled by the user with the dual effort of the soul and body, can be it called spiritual power."
"Spiritual power is a different matter all along as it is required in order for various spiritual techniques to work. Walking in water and air, unleashing various deadly sword arts, or even breathing fire out of your lungs, all of it requires spiritual power..."
Not only the book has a basic cultivation method and the inner workings of the inner world of a person but it also plainly explains how and what the differences between spiritual energy and spiritual power cause him to nod.
"So, basic spiritual energy is ownerless and attributeless while spiritual power is the combination of spiritual energy, the user, and their control of it."
After having a basic understanding, Richard then sat down on the bed of his small apartment.
He closed his eyes and stabilized his breathing in a special rhythm. Focusing his mind to think of a blank space, Richard started the most basic and only cultivation practice he knows of.
Then there was darkness, all around darkness. A weird darkness that didn't devour anything or retreat but firmly locked in place. And in the middle of this darkness is a giant bright lamp.
A giant sphere of light, ten times larger than usual.
Gazing at it, Richard knew it at once it is his soul. He didn't know why but maybe it is because of the ten consecutive fusions of souls, resulting in such a bright soul.
This is what spiritual practitioners call the inner world, a special space that stores the soul and any soul-related things.
"The safest place in the world isn't anywhere but the inner world."
Reading such a sentence in the book, Richard couldn't make an accurate judgement about it for now. Maybe such a sentence is now obsolete as someone out there has researched something to search the inner world without disturbing the soul in any way possible.
Not to mention the fact he only took a minute to enter his inner world for the first time. Unlike what was written in the book that it usually takes about ten minutes to half an hour just to feel the existence of it for first timers.
Around his soul is extremely tiny drops of unknown matter, so tiny if he isn't here, his inner world, where he has total control of everything, he wouldn't know its existence at all.
With a mental command, all the tiny drops surrounding the sphere were collected to a single point, forming a small drop comparable to a water droplet.
A little probe on it and a helpless smile are hung on his face.
"What a tiny amount of spiritual power..."
That is right, this is none other than all the current spiritual power he could control and manifest. This tiny volume represents what his body could carry at the moment. Exceeding this droplet, even for a minute, often results in gruesome deaths like the whole body bursting, the body turning into a vegetable, or even his brain eating itself.
If not for the numerous huge red warning printed on it, he could also possibly die in a horrible way.
In addition to that, their instructors also often remind them not to exceed what they could handle.
With this amount, there is nothing to do, not even a simple cast of the lowest level spiritual technique.
Heck, even if he has ten more drops, there is no difference in manifesting it in reality.
Getting out of his inner world, Richard then concentrated on controlling his breathing and then started a common practice all children that go to public school will have to experience.
Hoooo...
Haaaa....
Hooo....
Haaaa....
Breathing in a steady rhythm, spiritual energy all around him began to gather around him. Big and small, they all went along each breath after which they followed a weird yet simple path inside his body, centering on four points, fully integrating with his body.
If he could simultaneously see his inner world at the same time, he would be startled.
New water droplets are visibly being generated at an incredible pace. It is too exaggerated that the same practitioners of the Basic Spiritual Cultivation Technique would start to doubt their lives.
One drop, two drops, three drops.
Ten drops.
Fifty drops.
One thousand drops.
An extremely small puddle...
Feeling relaxed, it was unknown when Richard suddenly decided to stop.
The blasting rays of the sun illuminated his room, telling him that it is probably around noon already. Another night with nothing special has passed.
There was this stiff yet gratifying feeling in his body that made him at peace, somehow clearing his anxiety of impending death.
Stretching for a minute or two, Richard he could feel his spiritual power increase but how much is still unknown and so, he sat back again and once again entered his inner world and then couldn't help but shout a profanity.
"Holy shittt!!!"
|
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|
So uhh... Wallace said he was keeping a journal about everything that happened and honestly, that's probably not such a bad idea. I mean I get bored at night anyways usually, because you know... No real need to sleep but there's nothing to do. Might as well write down what happened each day. So anyways, This is day... I don't know. I finally mustered up the courage to talk to the goddess-looking woman and ask if I can help in any way.
Appearently I messed up because this is a ship for refugees. She did seem to like me going out of my way to offer help though. And she told me she will talk to the other sentinels about me helping them somehow once we arrive. So I just have to do what master Shen insists I need to get better at and be patient. I guess you can almost view this as training.
Everyone else went to sleep after dinner, it seems. Oh also dinner sucked, as usual. I mean not that I dislike fish, but it's getting kind of old... I hope we reach land soon, so I can at least hunt for a meal if I all they have is fish. Then again I am not paying anything for being on this ship and beggars can't be choosers...
There was a situation earlier where this HUGE dude called Skull had gripped the hand of Wallaces mother and for whatever reason Wallaces first reaction to that was to pull out his pocketwatch? I don't know, he seems piltovan, probably some secret concealed weapon or something, I don't know how to technology... It's just wierd and complicated. Can't it be more like magic? Magic is easy. It just... works. Like I feel the power coursing through me and it does the stuff I want it to do.
Diana - Oh that's the name of the goddess-looking-lady by the way - resolved the situation by the way, no casulties, no property damage. I also realized that nobody here can deal with my ability to stealth. I was literally able to measure Skull without anyone realizing. He's 7'11'' by the way.
Uhh yea after that we kinda just went about our business, I harrassed one of the guards about being allowed to shoot a ballista, but they understandably denied that request.
I then spent some time talking to various people, Tilly - a Yordle who for whatever reason is on this boat also, not that I mind having someone else who gets magic around - played some music and it was AMAZING, then I saw Wallace write in his journal and talked to him about it and now here we are... It's currently raining and I'll probably start doing my meditation now.
|
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|
Welp I'm.. Well I don't need sleep really, but I'm pretty sure everyone else is pissed. Just as it seemed everyone was getting comfortable and falling asleep, BAM! Wraiths. I did my best to help minimize casulties, but I failed. I think. I don't know, I didn't do a head-count. I only know that one poor man who died was then used as a club by Skull. Poor guy.
Oh! Speaking of Skull, he was tearing a LOT of holes into the ship. Like a LOT a lot. I have no idea how this ship is still afloat. THAT'S how many holes he punched into it. As usual my magic can deal with the wraiths and as usual anything else I - or anyone else - throws at them doesn't do anything. Well other than Aerans Sword for whatever reason. I WOULD ask him about it, but 1) I figure it's pretty much like my magic and most importantly 2) I fucking died and then got un-died.
Like for real. I met the Kindred. And as I was waiting for Lamb to take my soul to the afterlife, she turned around and told me my time hadn't yet come. Hell even Wolf didn't want to hunt me. And next thing I know, I am back alive and at Sentinel HQ. Which is good, because that's where I wanted to be. But it's also confusing because people die if they are killed. Or well they're supposed to.
Skull said this Akshan-Dude did something and that made us come back to life. Oh yea Skull didn't die, but pretty much everyone else did. Anyways we arrived at Sentinel HQ, we got food - fish again - and were then allowed to explore the place. I went to the training-hall because I have absolutely been slacking on my training. This wierd Sentinel-Lady was practicing her crossbow at the targets, so I just went to another target and used that for practice. Magic - as usual - is no problem, all three perfect and right in the bullseye. My throwing knives on the other hand...
Anyways I think for whatever reason the wierd Sentinel Lady - Vayne - doesn't like me - or at least it feels like she doesn't - and also took me practicing as a challenge. I mean she IS really good with her crossbow, but I did not mean for this to be competetive.
Oh Also Skull got beaten up by Gwen. Uhh Gwen is this girl with a gigantic pair of scissors strapped to her back and not going to lie, she kinda reminds me of a doll. And yes, Skull losing to Gwen was very funny to watch, a fact that I was smart enough not to point out, unlike Rookie, who was thrown into a tent. Oh speaking of Rookie, he's appearently a new recruit for the sentinels, no Idea if he even has his own name, everyone just calls him Rookie.
Oh and everyone makes fun of him at all times, but to be fair... He IS kind of ... He has a talent for saying the worst thing possible at the worst time possible. Like when he tried to make fun of me whilst doing what I'm sure he would call "climbing the climbing-wall", so I did the only logical thing and scaled the entire thing in the time it took for him to move about a meter off the ground. Noone beats me at climbing. Or hiding. Especially in a forest.
Speaking of which, I think if that Vayne-Lady ever decides that she does in fact not like me, I'll probably run to the nearby forest and fight her there. Should be pretty simmilar to the forests in Ionia. And I don't mean to brag, but I feel invincible in Ionias forests. It's awesome. I can run around without making a sound and basically always attack from an unexpected angle. Oh also, I FINALLY have solid ground underneath my feet again. AND there's a forest nearby. I don't know, I just feel.. vulnerable without the ability to jump to any direction and disappear from sight at a moments notice.
Maybe this is why master Shen sent me on this mission. Because he knows that I will probably have to fight outside of forests. Or he was just done with listening to me nagging him about being bored and decided to give me this mission to give me something to do that's not boring... Not sure which one it is. Anyways I'm off to meditate now.
|
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|
After I was done meditating (Quite hard to do so because ms. Dewitt kept yelling at Wallace all night until she fell asleep) we were told to go have breakfast (which unfortunately was fish) and after that we could again more or less freely explore the building. So naturally I went straight to the only place I hadn't been to yesterday: The top of the lighthouse. As soon as I was on there I could feel a VERY large amount of magic coming from a crystal in the middle of the room. Hasan told me it was for weapons to be used against the black mist, which does sound interesting, to say the least.
When I was just about to leave, Hasan stopped me and asked me about my preffered blade length. I was correct in my assumption that he was actually talking about blades, you know, the kind that cuts stuff, and not his "blade". I'm happy to not add another entry to my list of ways men have inapropriately harassed me before being introduced to the pavement.
The reason I know he wasn't being creepy is because he and Yorick actually made me a blade that was the length I specified. Appearently this one can damage these wraiths, which granted I wasn't REALLY having trouble with, but it can't really hurt, can it?
AND I am happy to report that I am now a sentinel of light. Kinda. Maybe? Nobody was really clear on that. Point is, I now have the gear and allies I need to neutralize the ruination. So I say it's about time we get started with this.
...As soon as we're done here in Bandle-City. Which is where we currently are. Senna had hoped for Tilly to open up a portal, but that wasn't really needed on account of Vayne knowing a Yordle called Poppy. And I don't know how they know eachother, but Poppy seems friendly. I'm not going to go into details here about how we did get into Bandle, because someone who shouldn't know this might read this and I'm not sure if the portals move or just exist in the same place, so not taking chances. And if YOU are a person with not good intentions reading this, shame on you! Stop reading this immediately! This journal is not meant for you!
Note to self: Figure out how to enchant this notebook in a way it will set itself on fire if someone reads it without me wanting them to.
Regardless, we're in Bandle City now, we got to meet Tillys family, they are quite nice by the way. AND they let us stay at their inn for free. Not that I need to sleep, but it's pretty onvenient for everyone else.
We also met the Mayor of Bandle. He's... He feels different from all the other yordles. I asked Tilly about it and appearently dude just showed up one day and announced he was the Mayor now and nobody questioned it. Safe to say I do NOT trust him. I don't know how to bring it up with the others though. Maybe I'm just imagining things, I don't know...
I guess I'll just not say anything for now but keep an eye out. What was it master Shen always says? Something like "If you're not sure wait for more information before making your move"? I don't know, he probably said something like that at some point. He always talks SO much. And I feel like he doesn't really say anything anyways...
Back on topic. The Sentinels, specifically Hasan, want to create a ward of sorts over the entire world other than the Shadow-Isles, to force the black mist and most importantly, Thresh to go back there and for that they need Beacons from Bandle-City. Well and some help from Yordles couldn't hurt either probably.
So Hasan is off doing that, Senna and Lucian in the meantime are running an earrand for the mayor and Skull, Aeran, Yucaton, Tilly and me are supposed to retrieve a box from the forests to the northeast and bring it to the mayor. Don't trust the guy but getting a box seems simple enough. We'll be leaving tomorrow and now I'll go meditate.
|
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For 2022, I’ve been wanting to write more ‘creature features’ and generally improve my short story writing. My partner got me a Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual for my birthday so I came up with the idea of writing a story every week based on a different creature from that - All There in the (Monster) Manual. Hope you enjoy!
This Week’s Inspiration: Couatl
Trigger Warning: Cruelty to (Fictional) Animals
======
Tosh eased his way carefully through the tall grass. Wild wallécre hid in the strands and could attack at random. As a comfort, the young handler touched the six identical wallécre cubes attached to his belt.
Sensing movement, Tosh slowed and took even greater care to move silently. The brim of his blue cap helped shield his face. Ahead, the grass gave way to a large and vaguely round clearing. A bird-shaped wallécre poked around in the dirt, looking for bugs. Tosh crept closer until he could identify the creature.
Scaron was a flying wallécre almost as tall as Tosh himself. Thin and gangly, much of that height was made up by a pair of sticklike legs supporting a barrel of a body. Bejewelled blue feathers covered its head, serpentine neck, body and wings, brilliant in the mid-morning sunlight. Tosh froze. As if sensing him, the Scaron went completely still and its intelligent eyes scanned the tall grass. Satisfied it was alone, after a few moments the Scaron speared the ground with its orange sword of a beak.
Tosh reached for one of the wallécubes on his belt. Scaron weren’t particularly rare or powerful, but he remembered the wallécre handler’s common refrain. Have to capture all of them!
Before Tosh could throw the cube, something came crunching through the tall grass on the other side of the clearing. Sheafs of grass were batted indifferently aside. Scaron’s head shot upright, alert and afraid.
“Scaron! Scaron!” The wallécre squawked.
Spreading its razor-tipped wings, the Scaron took flight. Tosh straightened as if to give chase but there was nothing he could do. He watched as the flying wallécre disappeared into the blue and almost cloudless sky.
Across the clearing, another teenager around Tosh’s age emerged from the tall grass. Shading his eyes, he watched the Scaron take flight as well. Stocky, with bright orange hair, the other teen wore outdoorsy clothing and carried a large backpack like Tosh. Also like Tosh, multiple pouches and six wallécre cubes lined his belt. Tosh shoved his way out of the grass to confront the second wallécre handler.
“Thanks a lot! I was just about to catch that Scaron, and I need one for my collection!” Tosh said.
The ginger teenager looked surprised for a moment but quickly recovered. “Like catching a Scaron is so hard? Why don’t you have one already?”
“There’s none of them where I come from!” Tosh said. “I haven’t had a chance to catch one.”
“Where do you come from then?”
“Gradientville originally, I was heading to Tangerine Town.”
The other handler laughed. “Small town handler, huh? I just came from Tangerine Town, they didn’t stand a chance against me! My name’s Richie, Richie Face.”
“Good for you,” Tosh said.
“Hey, since we’re out here anyway, do you want to battle?”
Tosh looked Richie over. He didn’t look that experienced but he wore a big, smug smile.
“No thanks, I’ll pass.”
“Come on, what are you? Chickenkurri? Or maybe you’re just smart enough to know your wallécre could never beat mine!”
Tosh’s eyes narrowed. He seemed to run into handlers like Richie, wanting to battle any time of day or night and not taking no for an answer, everywhere he went. Tosh preferred to preserve his roster for capturing other wallécre, and for legal tournaments, but he burned with annoyance over the way Richie had screwed up his chance to capture the Scaron.
“Okay, let’s do it!” Tosh said.
The two young men faced off across the grassy clearing. Clipped to Richie’s belt was a kind of personal sound system. He turned it on and battle music started to pour from the small speaker. A little ostentatious but Tosh had to admit it added atmosphere. He waited for Richie to make the first move, in order to judge how he should start.
“Rattack! You’re my pick!” Richie said.
Richie tossed one of his wallécubes into the centre of the clearing. It opened and vomited forth a gaping, black abcess that hovered in midair like a hole torn in the face of the universe. Richie’s Rattack was ejected violently from the hole, rolling and landing on its feet. The wallécube closed and withdrew back into Richie’s hand. Waist-tall with a dwarfish build, Rattack resembled a rat with an oversized head and teeth standing on its hind legs. Sharp quills rippled down the creature’s back, jutting from its deep red fur.
“Maimtis, you’re my pick!” Tosh selected a wallécube.
The wallécube opened another rippling, black gash and Tosh’s Maimtis was catapulted from the hole. Roughly the same height as Richie’s Rattack, Maimtis was much skinnier, insectile, but covered in an emerald green exoskeleton. Alien eyeballs the size of cantaloupes swivelled independent of one another above complex mouthparts. Maimtis looked like a giant praying mantis but its arms, tucked against its chest, ended in honed steel blades like twin katanas.
Richie’s speaker droned in the background as he pointed dramatically. “Rattack, use ‘Bite’!”
Richie, as he’d picked first, had the first move. Rattack bounded across the dirt, slavering jaws open wide to reveal a snarl of chisel teeth. Catching Maimtis around the chest, Rattack bit down hard. Maimtis’ exoskeleton let out an alarming crackling sound. The two wallécre grappled as Maimtis tried to break free.
“Maimtis, use ‘Slice’ attack!” Tosh said.
“Maimtis!” The wallécre shrieked.
Writhing, Maimtis wrestled free of Rattack’s bite with only minor damage. One of its bladed limbs flashed around, ripping through Rattack’s fur. Blood spewed out of the opening, splattering red across Maimtis’ green shell.
“Rattack, ‘Tail Whip’!” Richie said.
In spite of the blood pouring down its chest, matting its fur, Rattack spun itself in a tight ball. Its naked tail, wormy but thick as a snake and with a clublike bulge at the end, hit Maimtis with a meaty smack. Maimtis staggered sideways but wasn’t stunned.
“Maimtis, Slice!” Tosh said.
Maimtis’ bladed limbs flashed, scoring Rattack on the right shoulder. It hacked right through Rattack’s arm, severing it. Blood jetted from the neat slice, which revealed meat and muscle and a ring of snapped bone. Rattack stumbled, stunned.
“Maimtis, ‘Scissor Strike’! Tosh said, as Richie’s stunned wallécre was unable to attack.
Maimtis folded one of its blades over the other, holding them horizontally in front of itself like an oversized pair of scissors. Lunging, Maimtis caught Rattack in the throat and brought both blades together in a powerful slashing attack. The blades opened Rattack’s throat, hosing Maimtis with hot blood from both severed arteries. Rattack’s head flopped backward on loose or torn muscles like a sock puppet, further opening the gaping wound.
Richie looked frustrated, knowing he’d have to waste a turn or risk losing his Rattack entirely. “Rattack, ‘Heal’!”
A yellow glow beamed over Rattack’s body. Pink, tumorous lumps swelled from the edges of Rattack’s injuries, staunching the bleeding. They closed the gap in Rattack’s throat and down its chest. Overlapping one another, more growths sprouted from where its arm had been. An underdeveloped new arm in an embryonic sack emerged between the lumps. The healing left Rattack covered in bubbling growths and looking woozy. Tosh debated whether to double down, or to use the opening to exchange Maimtis for a fresh wallécre. He decided to keep Maimtis in the fight until he saw what Richie next had to offer, and to be merciful.
“Maimtis, Slice!” Tosh said.
Another slash, this time horizontally across the chest, opened up some of Rattack’s fresh, fleshy growths. Dark blood waterfalled down the wallécre’s chest. Retrieving Rattack’s empty cube, Richie withdrew the injured wallécre. The cube opened, creating another lightless vortex in midair which slurped up Rattack and his severed arm before disappearing.
“Okay, maybe I underestimated you, but not again!” Richie said. “Battarang, you’re my pick!”
Richie tossed a second cube. A Battarang belched out of the cube onto the bloody soil where Rattack had been standing. The evolved form of Bittybat, Battarang was a hulking, almost chimplike Flying wallécre that hunched forward on the points of its leathery wings. Fangs the size of fingers bristled from its open mouth. Small, gleaming eyes squinted in the sunlight as its satellite dish ears twitched.
“Battarang!” Battarang screamed.
“Maimtis, Scissor Strike!” Tosh said.
Maimtis shot forward, small wings buzzing on its back, folding one blade over the other. The attack missed, however, as Battarang shot sideways. Richie’s Battarang was clearly on a higher level than Tosh’s Maimtis.
“Battarang, ‘Sonic Scream’!” Richie said.
Jaws unhinging, Richie’s batlike wallécre let out an ear-splitting howl. Tosh could see the air ripple, and grass and dirt was torn up in a path that led from Battarang’s mouth to Maimtis. The Insect wallécre fell backward. Its exoskeleton cracked. The move was almost a guaranteed stun.
“Sonic Scream!” Richie repeated, further stunning Maimtis. “Sonic Scream!”
Battarang’s screams rocked Maimtis, leaving it unable to fight back. On the final shout, both of the wallécre’s eyes exploded. Chinks in the creature’s exoskeletal armour squirted green juice. Finally, Richie allowed Tosh to withdraw the barely alive wallécre before it could be finished off entirely, looking smug.
“Frogowar, you’re my pick!” Tosh yelled over Richie’s music.
Tosh’s next cube birthed a squat, powerfully built, frog-like wallécre. Neon orange and blue patterns covered the wallécre’s slippery skin. Organic blades jutted from its wrists and elbows. A slug of a tongue appeared from the Frogowar’s bucket mouth and lapped one of its eyeballs, bulging from its socket.
Richie told Battarang to use Sonic Scream again but Tosh’s Frogowar was of too high a level to be stunned and the damage was minimal. Tosh ordered Frogowar to use ‘Poison Arrow’. Frogowar’s mouth yawned open and launched a barrage of bony darts, trailing poisonous fluids.
“Battarang, ‘Wing Shield’!” Richie added quickly.
Battarang hurriedly coiled its wings around its body. Frogowar’s poisoned darts punched into its wings and stuck, quivering. Damage was minimal but the poison would drain Battarang’s health and Richie had wasted a potential attack with the shield.
“Use ‘Acid Spit’!” Tosh said.
Frogowar bounded closer, gagging. Mouth open, the wallécre vomited a wad of green acid. Battarang kept its wings raised and the vomit splattered across them. Acid ate holes in the leathery membrane stretched between Battarang’s elongated fingers. Other patches exposed bone as they were eaten away. Battarang writhed and cried out in pain as smoke rose from its wings.
“Battarang!” The wallécre shrieked.
“Battarang, use ‘Flight’!” Richie said, trying to make his wallécre a more difficult target.
Battarang unfurled its wings and tried to take off. Its limbs were too damaged, however, from Frogowar’s acid attack. Instead the batlike creature wobbled sideways and collapsed in the dirt. Acid continued to singe the edges of the gaps made in its wings’ membranes. Battarang keened its own name repeatedly.
“Acid Spit!” Tosh said mercilessly.
Frogowar bounced after Battarang again and hacked up a torrent of greenish bile. Acid splashed Battarang’s face and ran onto its chest. Instantly, the skin on Battarang’s face began to bubble and burn. The wallécre screamed. Smoke rose from its head and chest. More bone appeared, the shape of Battarang’s skull becoming evident as black and grey flesh simply melted away in gooey streamers.
“Battarang, return!” Richie said, withdrawing the wallécre and reaching for another wallécube. “Okay, you want to play rough, huh? No more kid stuff. Stonetaur, you’re my pick!”
Another rippling portal ejected Stonetaur, a towering, centaur-shaped wallécre made of roughhewn rock, face featureless and limbs ending in blunt clubs. Tosh quickly withdrew Frogowar, knowing it would get flattened by the high level Stonetaur. His hand hesitated over his wallécubes but he really only had one choice, knowing Rock types were vulnerable against Paper.
“Origarmy, you’re my pick!”
A vast, shifting sculpture made of hundreds of folds of living paper, vaguely arachnoid, appeared from Tosh’s wallécube. It, too, had no face, but it radiated menace from its multicoloured sheets.
“Stonetaur, use ‘Stone Stomp’!”
“Origarmy, ‘Paper Cut’!”
The two evenly matched wallécre battled brutally. By the end of their bout, Tosh’s Origarmy looked ravaged and torn but was victorious. Rubble crumbled off Stonetaur in places, leaving gaping cracks. Richie withdrew Stonetaur and replaced him with Firesquatch, which made short work of Origarmy. Fire spread along the edges of the clearing, into the tall, dry grass.
Tosh countered, somewhat desperately, with Waterwail. Again the fight was closer than it should have been, with Waterwail winning but coming out of it exhausted. Firesquatch, its fur wet and matted, shrivelled in on itself. Veils of steam filled the clearing as well, dampening the fires. Richie came back with Sandsturm. Bitter sandstorm attacks left Waterwail raw and abraded as well as blind.
Tosh withdrew the wallécre. After Sandsturm, Richie should have only one wallécre left but Tosh worried he might be holding onto his most powerful for last. Tosh sent out his Flying type, Terrordactyl. He used the flying wallécre to harry Sandsturm repeatedly, doing little damage but avoiding any retribution. Soon, blood dripped down Sandsturm’s face, bruises covering its brutalised body as it lashed out more and more blindly. Richie withdrew the wallécre but the air of smugness hadn’t left him.
“Hicaliboar, you’re my pick!” Richie said.
Tosh’s stomach dropped. Hicaliboar was the fully evolved form of the popular beginner Gun type, Poppapig. Richie’s wallécube disgorged a hulking, piglike ogre. Twin cannons protruded over the wallécre’s shoulders. Belts of ammunition crossed its chest above a leather loincloth buckled with a silver skull. Huge tusks curved from the corners of Hicaliboar’s muzzle.
“Game over,” Richie said.
Tosh cursed and looked to the sky. “Terrordactyl, ‘Decoy’!”
Tosh’s purple, flying wallécre flapped its batlike wings even harder. Half a dozen illusionary copies of Terrordactyl suddenly filled the sky around the original. They whirled and swooped like cards in a sleight of hand trick until the original was impossible to distinguish.
“Hicaliboar, use ‘Heatseeker’ attack!” Richie said.
The twin cannons on Hicaliboar’s back thundered multiple times. Half a dozen mini-missiles shot from the barrels and screamed skyward. The heatseekers weren’t fooled by Terrordactyl’s decoys, zeroing in on the real wallécre. Explosions enveloped Terrordactyl, a bloated, orange fireball filling the sky as the decoys winked out of existence. Terrordactyl fell, plummeting straight down, unconscious and with one wing mangled. It fell to one side of the clearing, barely cushioned by the long grass.
“Darn it,” Tosh said.
“Give up yet?” Richie smirked.
Tosh hurried to withdraw the unconscious Terrordactyl. The battle had turned on him. There might only be one path left to victory. He shrugged the backpack off his shoulders and his hand returned to the wallécubes on his belt.
“Wumpwyrm, you’re my pick!” Tosh said.
Tosh’s wallécube opened a dark portal, and a fat, lumpish worm of a wallécre landed in the dirt with a splat. Tosh hurriedly rifled through his pack. Wumpwyrm’s body was scaly like a snake, with stubby wings too small for its body. Its face was flat and fringed, resembling an axolotl, and covered with a daft smile.
Richie let out a bark of laughter. “You really must be desperate! You know you can just surrender, right?”
“Wumpwyrm!” Tosh’s final wallécre gurgled.
“I guess I would be pretty desperate, if I didn’t have this!” Tosh replied.
Pulling his hand out of his pack, wrapped in a fist, Tosh held it aloft. He opened it to reveal a Scarce Confectionary, one of a wallécre handler’s most powerful tools. Round and brown, it resembled a chocolate egg with a glossy coating but something about it glowed and appeared heavy with potential, as if impossibly dense and powered from within. Richie’s eyes widened. Before Richie could react, Tosh tossed the Scarce Confectionary to where Wumpwyrm writhed helplessly on the ground.
“No! Quick, Hicaliboar, do something! Fire! Uh, uh, ‘Straight Shooting’!” Richie said.
The brown sweet landed in the dirt in front of Wumpwyrm. Instinctively, Wumpwyrn’s tongue shot forward and claimed it. As soon as the Scarce Confectionary entered its mouth, Wumpwyrm began to glow. Its serpentine body swelled, bloating before beginning to lengthen. Bones crackled and popped, particularly in Wumpwyrn’s wings. Muscles grew, ripping open patches of skin before scales grew back over them. The process looked agonising. Wumpwyrm cried out, wailing and squealing as its body deformed. Scales changed colour and hardened. Its face distorted, mouth splitting open and huge fangs forcing themselves through its gums. As the creature evolved it grew, and grew, and grew, dwarfing Tosh and Richie, and Hicaliboar. Cries of pain became deeper, louder and angrier, filled with power and rage.
Hicaliboar finally reacted, and performed a Straight Shooting attack as Richie had ordered. Its cannons thundered and pounded Tosh’s new wallécre’s chest. It showed no reaction. The golden glow faded from its skin. Tosh’s famously useless Wumpwyrm had evolved into the famously overpowered Quetzalthrottle. Most of its body coiled around behind it but its front section lifted into the air like a striking cobra. Magnificent wings with feathers of every colour spread from just below Quetzalthrottle’s head and neck. Its features bore little resemblance to the Wumpwyrn it had been only moments before except for the feathery fringes that fanned out behind its head.
Tosh wasted no time on lesser attacks now that he had Quetzalthrottle on his side. “Quetzalthrottle, use ‘Fission Beam’!”
Quetzalthrottle’s jaws yawned open, and a sparkling ball of blue energy began to form at the back of its throat. It grew larger and larger, crackling with potential, but the move took time to charge and gave Richie and Hicaliboar a chance to react.
“Hicaliboar, use ‘Shock and Awe’!” Richie said.
Hicaliboar raised both cannons and both hands. Extra muzzles appeared in the wallécre’s palms and all four opened fire. Rounds erupted against Quetzalthrottle’s body and wings. The bigger wallécre writhed a little under the salvo but continued to charge its attack.
An immense blue beam, so bright it seared into Tosh’s pupils, fired from Quetzalthrottle’s mouth. It enveloped the field of fire coming from Hicaliboar, exploding projectiles in midair. Energy slammed Hicaliboar, sending it flying backward, pounded and roasted by the beam. Dirt turned to glass and grass disintegrated as the beam wiped it out. The beam cut a path out of the clearing and flung the other wallécre clear out of the fight. Smells of bacon and burnt cordite filled the air.
Richie stared in awe as Quetzalthrottle’s Fission Beam faded. The shockwave exploded over the surrounding fields. Quetzalthrottle ruffled its wings and settled backward, still coiled and powerful.
“Wow, okay, good battle! Good battle,” Richie said. “You win!”
Richie came forward as if to shake Tosh’s hand, but Tosh’s eyes narrowed. “Quetzalthrottle, ‘Tail Whip’.”
“Hey, wait, Tail Whip? Tail Whip what?” Richie looked back at him in horror.
Quetzalthrottle swung around in place, the end of its tail coming around and colliding with Richie. Tail Whip was Quetzalthrottle’s least powerful move but it lifted the other wallécre handler off his feet and flung him up, up and backward, up and over the tall grass. Crying out, Richie spiralled into the sky. Sunlight glinted off his belt buckle or some piece of his equipment and sparkled before he seemed to disappear entirely.
“Looks like Richie is-, taking off, for the first time, I guess,” Tosh said.
Calm settled over the battleground. Blood, burns, bits of rubble and other debris covered the dirt. For a few long moments, Tosh just basked in the victory. His freshly evolved Quetzalthrottle turned its huge, frilled head. Considering the damage they’d done, Tosh thought he’d better keep moving and get his wallécre healed at the next wallévet he came to.
“Come on, Quetzalthrottle, time to go!”
Tosh threw the wallécube he’d previously used to release Wumpwyrm. It bounced off Quetzalthrottle’s side and the portal inhaled, trying to suck the giant wallécre into its dark domain, but failed. The wallécube fritzed and fell to the ground. Of course, Tosh realised, now that the wallécre had evolved it was too powerful for a normal cube. Unfortunately, Tosh didn’t have any higher level wallécubes on him.
Quetzalthrottle’s steady gaze studied Tosh. Rage burned behind the giant wallécre’s eyes. Tosh suddenly felt very aware of the size difference between himself and the enormous, winged serpent. He looked like a mouse next to a python. Fangs as long as Tosh’s arm grew from the corners of Quetzalthrottle’s mouth. It loomed closer and closer.
“What are you doing?” Tosh said. “I own you! I’m your handler! Back up! Back up!”
Quetzalthrottle came closer. Tosh could see down its dark gullet. The creature sensed Tosh’s lack of power over it. It was of too high a level for him to control.
Suddenly, as if by magic, a couple of feathered darts appeared in the side of Quetzalthrottle’s neck. The wallécre reared up, letting out a keening wail. Drugs delivered by the darts went to work immediately. Quetzalthrottle wavered, tipping from side to side with eyelids fluttering. With a grunting collapse, it fell on its side and slipped into unconsciousness.
Tosh twisted around to where the darts had originated. Several uniformed police officers threaded through the tall grass. Two of them carried tranquiliser rifles while the others had pistols or Tasers at the ready. Several police cruisers were parked on the side of the nearby road although Tosh had failed to hear them arrive.
“On the ground! Get on the ground!” One of the cops yelled.
Tosh turned pale under his blue cap. “What? Why? What did I do?”
“You’re under arrest, get on the ground!”
Tosh sank to his knees and then lay flat on his stomach, hands spread. Two of the police officers holstered their weapons and piled on top of him. His backpack and wallécubes were swiftly removed. Handcuffs snapped closed around his wrists.
“I didn’t know battling was illegal here!” Tosh lied. “He started it! I’m from Gradientville!”
“Battling? That’s the least of your problems! You’re being charged with the transport of rare and exotic animals, cruelty to wallécre, wallécre fighting. Oh, and murder!”
“Murder? I didn’t murder anyone!” Tosh protested.
“You just used your wallécre to launch that guy into the stratosphere! What do you think happens when he comes back down? How could you think anyone could possibly survive that?”
“You can’t do this to me! I’m a minor! I’m going to be the very best, like no one ever has been!”
“With charges like this, you’ll be tried as an adult. You’re going away for a long, long time, punk.”
Wrists cuffed behind his back, Tosh was hauled to his feet again. One of the cops checked on the health of the unconscious Quetzalthrottle while others scanned Tosh’s wallécubes to assess the condition of the wallécre inside. Seeing the injuries suffered by the battling creatures, another cop staggered to the edge of the clearing and vomited. The two officers marched Tosh through the grass, toward their cruisers and an uncertain future.
======
Sean: In case it was too subtle for you, I was going for a Pokémon parody with this one. Loved the first few seasons of the cartoon when I was a kid but it did always bother me how Team Rocket could get launched into the clear blue sky again and again, and then they were just, fine? Where did they come down?
Worked a bit backwards on this one. Saw someone playing Pokémon Go on the train and had the idea. Remember Pokémon Go? Remember when people were everywhere, filling streets and parks trying to capture virtual Pokémon wherever you went? I’m sorry to tell you, that was over twenty years ago now. That craze took place in 1998, that’s how old you are. From there though, I did need some ideas for my “Wallet Creatures” and went looking for inspiration in the Monster Manual. Rats, bats, frogs, pigs, they’re just some of my favourites to make weird mutants out of but the Couatl, or its original inspiration, looked perfect for a suitably overpowered final wallécre.
Next Week’s Inspiration: Night Hag
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“Aeons ago, the progenitors of life were born, the first's name was Ymir. He was born of the void, of the primordial. He was one of frost, and one of creation. There was Audhumla, born of nothingness, similar to Ymir. using the milk of Audhumla for sustenance, they originated all of creation, be it gods or jötunn, realms or mortal.” Says the man,” that is the beginnings of our creation, according to the Norse, at least.”
The bell rung and the chattering started. The kids in class bantered about homework, games, and other random things, seemingly paying no mind to the teacher’s Ramblings.
But one child was enamored, and deeply intrigued by the myth of creation the teacher mentioned. After getting back home, he looked up more info about the mythology. His eyes widened, learning about the questionably weird, yet marvelous world that the Scandinavians called home. He went up to his father.
“Hey dad, could buy me some books?”
his father was surprised by the sudden request, considering his son had never shown any interest in books. He welcomed his son’s new hobby with open arms.
“Sure! What books do you want?” he exclaimed, giddy.
“I’d like to get some about the Norse mythology!” he smiled.
His father was slightly taken aback considering he was from Scandinavia himself.
‘haa, does blood really affect interest?’ he thought to himself.
“You know, I probably have some old books about that in the attic.” said the father.
He went up to the attic and brought back some really old scrolls and books with him.
The boy was thrilled with a huge grin, spanning the entirety of his face.
“Thanks!” he said, still grinning.
He opened the first scroll, which explained the family tree. This gave him insight into the Vanir, Æsir, and the Jötunn. He studied what the teacher taught them, but in greater detail.
He saw one entity that intrigued him deeply, tyr. A god of war who seeks peace, He was of the Æsir, but you would almost believe he belonged to the giants as he would help them on multiple occasions, going against the all-father, Odin.
The boy, still reading the scrolls despite hours going by, wore a disgustingly depraved smile on his face. Bloodlust flushed over him. He wished to meet Tyr, he wished to kill tyr. He wished to destroy his peace, for no reason other than that he felt like doing so. The deity deeply interested the boy. As it was late, the boy put the old writings away and fell into the land of dreams. He saw visions of a great battle, one so great that it destroyed the world, so great that it shattered the fabric of reality, and tore tears in the realms themselves. He saw an old man with hair white as snow, he was fat, yet strong, very strong. He fought with an uncanny type of magic, containing large amounts of runes. The second had black hair, reminiscent of obsidian, he transformed into a great salamander-like dragon, raining down his hell flames on his enemies. There were hundreds of thousands of figures in his dreams, but... one was impossible to identify. It was pure white yet it was strangely familiar. It didn’t fight, it just stood there, completely still.
Amid the grave battle, the boy woke, interrupting the dream.
“Damn it... I liked that dream” he grumbled to himself.
During the next couple of months, the boy saw multiple other visions, some depicting great battles between all manners of beasts and humanoids, while others portrayed great roundtables.
One night he saw a vision, one that would reoccur hundreds of times in his life. He could never remember the specifics, but he could muster up some rambling about a great battle between eternal rivals.
Each time he woke from that specific vision, he felt huge amounts of bloodlust, so much so that he would get a rush of adrenaline that would pump him up for the rest of the day.
Years went by, with his passion still burning as strong as it did in his youthful prime. He went through many jobs and relationships. He saw the death of his family, losing them one by one, and ending up alone.
He looks himself in the mirror, only to see the white figure looking back at him.
“I’ll find you”, Says the old man, with nothing left to lose.
He takes out his savings, buys himself a plane ticket to Small Island near Iceland, and becomes a nomad. He wandered around the island for years, finding barely anything of note.
While taking one of his usual walks, he takes a new route.
“Now what is this?” he asks himself, gazing upon an exposed root that shines dimly, and emits an interesting aura, unlike anything he’s seen before.
He follows the root, going for hours. The root eventually disappears, but rather than into the ground, it seemed to just... stop.
“This is!” exclaims asker, in utter surprise.
He touches the area where the root should’ve had continued, and surprisingly enough, despite there being no trace of it, he feels the invisible tree on the tip of his fingers, surprised, the old man follows the tree. He eventually bumps into the trunk, surprised, he trips, breaking off a small shard of the invisible tree.
The tree appears, dispelling the illusion, dispersing a great disc of light around the entire world. The man gathers himself and gets back up, he finds himself in an unfamiliar area, taking a breath, he checks his body for wounds, but instead finds himself muscular and lean and that his body has become youthful, almost like he has gone back in time, but his face feels somewhat different.
“....”
He notices the tree, which is glowing brightly, has now become completely visible; he notices that tree’s eerie similarity to Yggdrasil, the tree of life.
After confirming that he hasn’t gone insane yet, a depraved grin flashes over his face, acknowledging that he has either gone into the past or the future and that his body has rejuvenated, he walks over to a still pond and gazes upon himself.
“I don’t remember looking this good, you know?” he says to himself.
His appearance could only be described as devilishly handsome, and his body has become significantly more toned and sturdy.
Testing out the limits of his new rejuvenated body, he jumps.
“This isn’t normal. This jump took me over 3 meters, not even being my maximal output...
He throws a couple of punches in the air, creating a vortex of wind in front of his fists.
“HAHA!” he screams in joy “the last time I have felt this good was... Never! I have never felt this good in my entire life before.”
“GGGGGGGGGrrrhhggghggggggggrr”
“What the hell was that!” says Askr.
Running towards the loud grunt, the man finds himself facing a giant troll.
“Haha... what the hell?”
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The texture of mud slid across the boy’s face as he was tackled to the ground by the man with bloodshot eyes.
His ragged breathing, dirty cloak, and foul stench struck feelings of fear inside the boy’s mind.
He felt the man’s hand quickly wrap around his head, gripping at his black hair before lifting him off of the muddy farm soil and unto the moonlit sky.
It was overwhelming. He couldn’t breathe. The man’s hand was covering the young boy’s face with only the palm of his hand.
Cloaked Man: “Where’s the goddamn money?!”
Strengthening his grip on the boy’s head, the cloaked man yelled out in frustration, letting only a squeal squeeze it’s way through the in-betweens of the man’s gigantic fingers.
The boy felt hot, as if all the heat from his body was quickly rising towards his head.
Feeling the sensation of his skin slowly pulled away from where it once was, it felt as if his face was going to peel off.
Cloaked Man: “Are you going to give me an answer or are you going to keep squealing about!?”
Frustrated by the treatment of silence the boy gave him, the cloaked man violently jerked his hand in a circular motion, consequently shaking the black haired youth.
He squealed once more, his head getting dizzy. The boy couldn’t convey his words, in fact, he couldn’t even comprehend the situation he was in at the moment.
The cloaked man shook the boy once more. The man let out a grunt, separating his fat fingers to stare at the boy with his bloodshot eyes.
It was grotesque. The corners of his eyes had red veins that seemed as if it would pop at any moment.
Boy: “I-I don’t know anything about any money. I swear!”
Responding in a shaky voice, the boy couldn’t help but look in any other direction to avoid the man’s daunting gaze.
He looked away from the man’s eyes, peering behind the giant dark head of his.
He saw a fire. A mixture of yellow and orange majestically flowing left to right as it consumed the farm house of which he and his parents resided.
Near the fire was a woman in a dark cloak that brought out boxes, clothes, and tools.
Boxes that seemed familiar, clothes that bore similarities to his, and tools with bright colors that only two people in the neighborhood had.
-Isn’t that enough? Aren’t you guys satisfied with all our stuff?
The cloaked woman began walking towards the boy and man, with her chest pushed outward and her arms swaying around her hips, to the boy in the midst of puberty, it seemed as if she was the embodiment of femininity.
Cloaked Woman: “Well, I think that’s about everything. Mind giving me a hand Bloo?”
Speaking to the cloaked man with her gentle, feminine voice, the cloaked woman pointed her finger towards the pile of boxes and items that she stole from the farm house.
Cloaked Man: “Ugh! For the last time it’s Bloodshot, not Bloo! And what about the damn money!”
With his hand still gripped on the boy’s head, the man named Bloodshot turned to face the cloaked woman.
She crossed her arms, sighing with a slight smile on her face.
Cloaked Woman: “I looked everywhere for it. Believe me, I did. There was just nothing there. So I burned the house down in case they hid it somewhere within the house.”
Bloodshot: “Well then, what should I do with the kid?”
Cloaked Woman: “Kill him if you want. I don’t really care. Plus, it would give those two farmers a reminder to pay on time, as well as lower the possibility of the kid ratting out on us. But again, it’s up to you dear.”
The woman began to walk back towards the pile of items, giving Bloodshot the freedom of doing what he wants.
The man turned his head, looking back at the boy with his bloodshot eyes, and let out a hoarse sigh.
Bloodshot: “You know kid. I’m not the kind of guy who would go out and joyfully kill potential clients. But, a job’s a job, I hope you can understand that.”
The boy felt his heartbeat quicken. Quivering in fear, he swung his legs in a running motion.
He wanted to run. He wanted to scream. But he was held captive by the man’s grip, and as a result, the boy went limp, softly crying.
Boy: “Heep!”
He felt his body rise even higher, leading the strength of Bloodshot to weigh down on his mind.
-If he was able to pick me up with such ease, then if he were to throw me-
The man let out a grunt as he jerked his hand downward, cutting off the boy's thoughts as he was thrusted into the ground.
The back of his head was first to reach land, the abrupt pain sending the sensation of sharp needles towards the boy’s mind.
He puked out a plethora of saliva and he felt the sensation of blood oozing out from his nose.
The boy let out a muffled scream, the lower part of his body jerking itself left to right in a desperate attempt to leave the man’s robust grip.
He wanted it to stop. He wanted to somehow break out of the man’s grip, defeat him, and run away.
But looking at the man’s eyes through the small crevice of his fingers, the boy knew that this wasn’t some trash power fantasy. He knew that he had no way of beating him. And it caused him to cry out in pain as he realized that the man intended on attacking once more.
Effortlessly raising the boy’s slender body, the man swung down once more, and like throwing a glass vase onto the ground, the bones in the boy’s neck shattered.
-Agh! It hurts. It hurts. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts!
His neck had been fractured and his throat suffered as well. He was unable to breathe, unable to speak, and so the boy was left in agony, with no way to convey it.
He wanted to move his arms, to move his thin legs and run from the cloaked man but to no avail.
He was paralyzed from the neck down, leaving his pleas to move around useless.
He made the movement to cry, his eyes closed and tears streaming down his face, but was stopped by the excruciating pain of his broken neck.
It was scary. No matter how many times the boy desperately tried moving something from the neck down, it always resulted in failure.
And so, the boy gave up, opening his teary eyes to peer at the man with bloodshot eyes.
Fear had left him and the pain gradually went away.
All he wanted to do was rest.
He looked at the man once more, who had raised his large fist.
He was going to hit him. He was going to die.
The boy was scared. Anyone would’ve been. But despite that, the boy couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved.
-I just hope… just hope that… this isn’t the end.
And with that thought, the boy -Raymond Bell- was smashed into the slippery farm soil by the man with bloodshot eyes.
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|
As Norn falls through the air he see as Tom and the top of the hill are almost instantly reduces to nothingness by the dragon's attack, Norn falls through trees braking bones in his legs. He can do nothing but watch as Tom dies as he falls..
Norn, in shock an disbelief of what he just saw; becomes like a rag-doll falling through air with broken legs an arms, he then comes out of his disbelief and is screaming to high havens as he realizes the ground rapidly gets closer and closer.
Norn: "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAAAaAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"
Norn closes his eyes, then, a loud thud as Norn's 9 year old body hits the grassy ground which the violently recoils back into the air a few feet high the back again onto the cold grassy ground.
Norn: "YAK YAK..." As he vomits his bloody puke while spasming about on the ground.
---
King Cyrus visibly tired with cuts and scraps on him and his armor, after dodging Black Dragon's last attack looks down to the earth below; disturbed and angered by the magnitude of the {Dragon's Breath} thinking if any nearby town got affected by that attack, drinks a Kinetic potion; rapidly starts to grow in Mana, and charges forward through the air to kill the Black Dragon, who as battle cuts and wounds all over its body, with his golden sword and ice staff; damaged from the monstrous heat and prolonged battle against the Black Dragon.
King Cyrus's sword clashes continuously with the dragon's claws producing thunderous impacts. Cyrus is the caught in the side and is now bleeding as the Dragon start going in for the kill; attacking with claws on all four limbs, then with one thunderous swing of its massive tail King Cyrus block with both weapons and is shot out of the sky down into a house in the now dead village.
Immediately getting up Cyrus see a {Dragon Fire} leading straight for him he shoot out a beam of ice magic from his staff, managing to shift the direction of the fire away from him. Him and the dragon now staring at each other.
Black Dragon: " You insect attacking me for no good reason and you can't even put up a good fight. This Kingdom shall pay for your sins".
King Cyrus: " Ha... You will die before that you monstrous beast "
Black Dragon: " Beast? Ha.. your one to talk, your not entirely human now are you?" Cyrus stares silently at the Dragon
" Did you think I would not notice while fighting with you. Humans as power hungry as ever." The Dragon bares his fangs.
King Cyrus: " Your one to talk. You have Power. " Cyrus smiles.
---
Norn blurrily see from a distance, as he lies semiconscious on the ground and hear the battle unfold. The Black Dragon, King Cyrus from a distance. Noticing as over ten human sized lesser dragons flanking King Cyrus to attack. [Endless Slashing]; the lesser dragons fall as the group of knights enter the battlefield.
Knights: " My King" as they kneel.
Black Dragon: "HA."
The Black Dragon dives to the ground an begins to fight the group of knights; fire, ice, earth, wind type magics are continuously fired off at the Dragon as well as Blade Skills. King Cyrus pulls out three Kinetic potion, pours two; one on his staff the other on his sword and then the drinks another ; rapidly starts to grow in Mana, and charges forward through the air with his sword; now glowing brighter than ever, piercing the Dragon's neck, the Dragon immediately releases {Dragon Fire} and takes to the sky High.
Angered and now in immense pain the Dragon spreads it's wings wide to the sky preparing a {Dragon's Breath} like never before seen, King Cyrus shout telling his knights to leave immediately. Fearing the destructiveness, King Cyrus pours the last 95% of his Mana into his ice staff; letting the Nature of Ice Element run wild, and with his last of his mana; violently throws, through the air, the staff into the neck of the dragon; where the sword is lodged.
The black dragon, already injured by Cyrus' attack, isn't able to resist the burn of the ice staff , it thrashes about wildly from the burning as the ice spread into his body, attempting to get away, but only manages to widen the wound even more The {Dragon's Breath}, now far weaker in power; exits violently from the dragon's mouth and wound falling to the earth, burning everything it touches.
Some falls near Norn; unable to move on the ground because of his broken limbs, is now slowly and gruesomely burning. The of knights group, watching; observing the battle now coming to a close all-while hearing the screams of Norn growing louder and louder, then weaker and weaker until it stop.
|
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"id": "200361",
"q": 0.91,
"title": "Mera - Oh No… Aerial Battle",
"author": "JamJamJam",
"chapters": 2,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 1,
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"Adventure",
"Fantasy",
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|
Norn, a peasant living in a small village in the kingdom of Larion. He has a pitchfork and nothing else . While walking, he's daydreaming of getting out of his village and having an adventure; exploring the world just like in the stories he heard from travelers. He arrives at his small, but very bountiful field and begin working. After a few minutes he looks up and see a man in green robes walking in his direction. He is carrying a golden, glowing sword.
Norn: "A Traveler?!". Surprise and excitement on his face.
Norn: "Hello". Jumping into the mans walking path, then immediately fixing his eyes on the sword in awe.
The man looks at Norn and smiles a bit.
Man: "Hello there, young one. Do you like the sword?"
Norn: "I do sir." Norn reply politely.
The man then continues on his path.
Man: " Do you wish to walk with me?". Norn promptly follow behind.
Norn: "Sooooo, who are you sir?, where did you come from?, what's your name?."
Man: "Hmm, not sure I follow. I am the Sorcerer of Arat. I am a very important man." The man remarks.
Norn: "Sorcerer of Arat?, what's that suppose to mean?." Confused face.
Man: "I am the rightful ruler of this kingdom."
Shocked and surprised Norn bowed and apologized for not knowing who the man was.
Sorcerer of Arat: "No need to be sorry. I am not angry, just curious is all."
Norn now visible nervous.
Norn: "Oh...ok...You are a pretty important man sir!,...why are you travelling through the countryside alone? Do you have guards?"
Sorcerer of Arat: "The name's Cyrus by the way."
Norn: "Cyrus. King Cyrus!, So why is the King here in the countryside and a peasant village at that?"
King Cyrus: "I was merely resting. I have a very busy schedule and I can't be bothered to stay in a boring castle, I like the open skies for my outdoor activities."
Norn: "Oh I see, well my name is Norlan, but everyone calls me Norn"
King Cyrus: "Yes Norn it is then, well I was just passing through. Do remember to be careful. This area is filled with dangerous people. Men, women and even some beasts that are worse than the kobolds."
Norn: "oh worry not King, I am able to use magic; though it's only [Small Fire], but I can protect myself... I have to... it's only me left anyways."
King Cyrus: "Oh you can use magic and fire too"
Norn: "I sure can" Norn says waving his pitchfork around a bit.
King Cyrus: "Hmm, very nice. And how old are you, young Norlan?"
Norn: "I'm 8 I think maybe 9."
King Cyrus: "Ah, I was only 9 once too. I remember it well." Cyrus remarks, pushing back his dark blue hair, while looking at the entrance of the forest.
King Cyrus: "Yeah, I was... Oh look, we're here."
Norn: "oh ok good bye King Cyrus" Norn turns to go back to the farm.
King Cyrus: "By the way, you can call me Cyrus if you would like, it's shorter." He says as Norn begins walking away.
Norn: "I rather stick to proper forms King Cyrus." Norn waves continuing to walk back to the farm.
Walking back to the farm. Norn feels a type of happiness he never thought he'd would experience again. It would appear that he is developing feelings for King Cyrus. Thinking to himself "I can't believe I met the King and spoke to him too", Norn arrive back at the farm and take a moment to tell everyone about his encounter before going back to his field. "Well that was an eventful day." Norn thinks to himself as he goes to bed that night.
Norn wakes in the middle of the night after hearing a big explosion. He is startled at first, but then thinks it's nothing. But his thoughts are interrupted when Tom enters his room.
Tom shouts: "GET UP WE NEED TO LEAVE THERE ARE DRAGONS ATTACKING THE VILLAGE"
Norn feels fear wash over him as he realizes what is happening.
Norn Shouts in fear: "Why didn't you wake me up sooner?"
Tom:" We Have no Fucking time for the we need to run now!!!"
With those words he leaves the room. Norn grab his pitchfork along with his pack in which he puts some extra food. Time to kill some dragons???. Both man and child near the door of the house when a second explosion goes off right near to the door, with smell of smoke in the air. "The village must be on fire" both think to themselves.
The doors opens to the seen of houses, people, animals and farms on fire. As Norn steps outside he notices the village is up in smoke and flames. He then see, through the smoke, a lot of destroyed buildings and see some villagers trying to help others out of the burning houses. Norn runs to help but is grabbed by Tom and taken out of the village. The two of then run to the orchard in the hills and sit under a tree.
Norn: "What's going on?"
Tom: "Dragons." Tom points back in the direction of the village.
Norn turns then he sees them in the village in the distance. Dragons. Both then watch in horror as the village is set ablaze. They see people screaming, burning alive, a lot of them are being eaten dead or alive.
Norn: "They can't be real, This an be real. W... What do we do? , Their dying!"
Tom: "Do... Do Nothing! They will kill us. You can't reason with them, they're monsters; Beasts!, they don't think anything is wrong."
Awhile later in terror they watch as a very large Black Dragon sets the whole village on fire in a moment. Then large [Earth Spears] suddenly shoot out of the ground killing some of the small green lesser dragons. Norn then notices a fast moving green shadow using some sort of staff and a glowing sword "Wait, it can't be..." Norn thinks.
Norn: " King Cyrus... It's King Cyrus he's killing the dragons"
Tom: "Yes, Oh God Yes, he's killing them all right"
Thy look in awe as the[Earth Spears] fly out of the earth; perfectly killing a lot of the lesser dragons. Tom and Norn then notice knights and persons in cloaks with the Kingdom coat of arms, at the top of the hill, watching closely at the battlefield in the village as it burns. The group of over 30 alone stand at top of the hill watching the battle; they notices Norn and Tom now staring at them.
Tom: "Come on!"
Norn and Tom begin running towards them. They then reach the group at the top of the hill,
Norn: " Yo...you are knights why aren't you saving the villagers?!!!"
Tom: "shhhhh". Tom quickly covers Norn's mouth.
The man in the middle looks down on you and Tom.
Knight: "This isn't your battle. And why worry about the villagers; save your own lives first foolish boy,...this is the King's fight, now move out". Norn bite Tom's finger.
Norn: " King's Fight!?!?, Well isn't it the knights duty to protect people?!" Norn is then stunned silent when he see the knights' faces staring at him with killing intent and indifference to the situation. "Ah!" Norn then scream, As a cloaked woman slaps, punches him in the face. Tom then cover him with his body begging forgiveness. After a few blows to Tom the lady then stop and starts looking back at the battlefield.
Lady: "That's is now a battlefield. There's a larger battle going on at the moment between my King and that Black, Kingdom destroying, Dragon. We are to wait, watch and prevent any lesser dragons from escaping and attacking any commoner towns...King's Orders."
Norn: " Co..com... commoners??!!? Then what about us peasants?"
Knight: "We don't care about you peasants" Norn and Tom start thinking "Then what should We do?"
Fear then washes over Tom and Norn as they notice a bright light and turn to the direction of the village seeing the Black Dragon shooting off a {Dragon's Breath} many times brighter than the one the set the whole village ablaze.
Knight:" move!"
The group scatters.
Norn: "You think he means us?"
Norn asks nervously while not realizing that he is a few feet of the ground; flung through the air by Tom with all of his might. As Norn falls through the air he see as Tom and the top of the hill are almost instantly reduces to nothingness by the dragon's attack, Norn falls through trees braking bones in his legs. He can do nothing but watch as Tom dies as he falls..
.
|
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"id": "197143",
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"title": "Mera - Lets go",
"author": "JamJamJam",
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"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 1,
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|
There were once legends, of fierce knights that fought in great battles, of girls that met their prince, of boys who grew gigantic stalks from beans. But have you ever heard of the mighty dragon? The dragon soared in the skies and protected the kingdoms far and wide. Legend says that the dragon could move the sea and split the sky in his command. These legends have travelled far and wide throughout the world, but still, “Legends were legends” they said.
.
.
.
The silent cave echoed with the harsh panting of a small boy, he ran fast into the cave. If you looked closer, you could see that he was carrying various coloured strings and dolls. There was also a toy castle, pieces of paper, as well as sealing wax. The boy climbed up and walked deeper into the cave until suddenly, lights appeared in the distance. A look of immense happiness showed on the boy’s face and he started running. Once he got to the end of the cave, there was a big room with a very tall ceiling. There was also piles of gold and treasure everywhere but that wasn’t what the little boy was looking at, the boy looked at the centre of the room and one can see a gigantic dragon, with beautiful, shimmering green scales that danced with the lights.
The boy’s face could be clearly seen now, he had red hair and emerald-green eyes, his expression showed excitement. It’s been so long since the boy could play with his friend. The boy ran up to the dragons’ snout and started to push it, “Puff, wake up! Wake up, I have presents for you!” The boy was about to kick the snout when the dragon opened one eye. It was slightly misted over and was the most beautiful shade of blue. The dragon, Puff, saw the boy and let out a huff of amusement as he raised his mighty head. The boy pouted at the clear amusement in his friends' eyes. Puff nodded his head at his friend, a little boy who the little villagers called, Jackie Paper.
.
.
.
“Puff, the magic dragon, Lived by the seaAnd frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah -Lee.Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal PuffAnd brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff”
.
.
.
“Puff, look at all the things I bought this time!” Jackie said as he started to show Puff the presents that he brought. Puff looked at the crudely made dolls made of string and couldn’t stop his heart from feeling warm, fondness showing on his expression. The little boy made all of this for him. Puff nosed his snout at the boy’s hair, careful not to injure him. Jackie laughed high and clear and hugged the snout of his best friend. “Do you want to fly? I want to take you somewhere.” Puff told Jackie. Jackie’s eyes widened as he excitedly asked while jumping around, “Can I Puff?! Can I?! Oh, I would love to puff! Please!” Puff chuckled at the boy’s eagerness and lowered himself flat into the ground, giving Jackie a chance to climb his back. Once Puff made sure that Jackie won’t fall off his back, he flew out of the cave and into the sky, Jackie screaming and laughing all the way. They flew and flew until they could see the big wide ocean. Puff looked over his shoulder and saw Jackie looking at the sea with misted eyes, filled with longing and amazement. Puff pointed to the small dots that littered the ocean and said to Jackie, “Boats.” Jackie looked down and saw huge cargo ships that belonged to various kingdoms, he sighed in amazement. But then he noticed smoke coming from one of the boats, he then noticed the other boat that was near it, it had black flag pirates!
Jackie pointed at it at said to Puff, slightly panicking, “Puff, look! Pirates are attacking that ship! Puff look, look!” Puff saw the black flag that was proudly flying from the ships’ pole. He let out an annoyed breath and suddenly, he roared! Puff roared, surprising Jackie and scaring the pirates. Once they saw the feared Western dragon flying towards them, they immediately retreated and lowered their flags. The people on board saw their saviour and rejoiced. As Puff landed softly on the deck, the king and his family went out from where they were hiding, “Oh mighty dragon thank you for saving me and my family. We are forever in your debt.” They were about to bow but Puff stopped them and motioned for Jackie to get off his back. They were confused about why the dragon stopped them but they were completely shocked when a boy slid down the dragons’ back. They looked at each other with incredulous expressions, ‘the dragon became a Saraphax?!’ “You should also thank little Jackie over here, he saw you first after all,” Puff said while shooting a proud look toward Jackie’s direction. The royals snapped out of their daze and finally bowed down to the two of them.
Jackie blushed as the royals bowed to them and expressed their gratitude. Jackie wanted to go behind Puff but Puff gently pushed him forward. Jackie looked up, confused. Puff nodded in the royals’ expression and motioned for the boy to say ‘you’re welcome. Jackie’s eyes widened at the realization and bowed, face blushing he said, “I-It was no-nothing! I jus-st di-did what was ri-right.” The royals raised their heads and looked at each other before bursting out in laughter, “What a sweet Paraphax you have there, My lord” Jackie looked at Puff, confused about what a Paraphax was, but Puff just shook his head and let out a huff of laughter, “Indeed. I am lucky, the little boy is so sweet.” Jackie blushed at the compliment as the royals laughed heartily. Soon, Puff and Jackie needed to go home and said their goodbyes to the people on the boat. Unknowingly, the two people were thinking of the same thing as they flew back home. ‘I wish it will always be like this.’
.
.
.
“Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail,
Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puffs gigantic tail.
Noble kings and princes would bow whene’er they came
Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name”
.
.
.
It’s been 3 months since Jackie last appeared in Puff’s cave. As each day pass, Puff grew more and more worried and was restless. The dragon paced around his cave as the frown on his face grew deeper. Puff knew it was bound to happen. After all, it’s been 9 years since he became Jackie’s Saraphax and it was already long. Usually, children only stayed with their Saraphax for 2 years before forgetting them. Puff stopped and his shoulders slumped. He knew this day would come so why? Just why did he have to get attached?! It was stupid to hope that Jackie would never leave him. After all, children grew up and made friends, they wouldn’t need their Saraphax’ anymore. Suddenly Puff felt all the energy drain from him. Jackie forgot about him. At the realization, his eyes dimmed. He no longer had a Paraphax and he was alone, again. Tears welled up in Puff’s eyes. He was always left behind, why? What did Puff do wrong?
.
.
.
15-year old Jackie had just bought a ticket to take the train and was about to go inside when he looked back. ‘Strange. Did I forget something?’ He stood there motionless for a while feeling like he left something behind, but what?’ He didn’t have anything left so what was it? He had a feeling that it was important. He only snapped out of it when he heard the train whistle. He hurriedly picked up his bag and boarded the train. As he sat he looked out the window silently. A young woman entered the compartment that he was in yet Jackie took no notice and only continued to stare outside. He felt the young woman tap his shoulder and looked back at her questioningly. She held out a handkerchief and smiled, “For you.” Jackie took the handkerchief and noticed that tears were continuously streaming down his face. He looked at the handkerchief and burst into tears, ‘I’m sorry, I forgot’
.
.
.
“A dragon lives forever but not so little boysPainted wings and giant rings make way for other toysOne grey night it happened Jackie Paper came no moreAnd Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar”
“His head was bent in sorrow; green scales fell like rainPuff no longer went to play along the cherry laneWithout his lifelong friend, Puff could not be braveSo Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave”
.
.
.
|
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"id": "331776",
"q": 0.91,
"title": "The Tales of Honah-Lee - Puff and Jackie",
"author": "labablue",
"chapters": 1,
"rating": 5,
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"Child Abuse",
"Imaginary Friend",
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|
Announcement
Content Warning for emotional abuse, misgendering, child neglect and mentions of physical abuse.
I wake up in the same old room, in the same old, worn bed. Today should be a special day, but I don’t feel any excitement. I haven’t in years. Grabbing my watch, I checked the time, fighting my drowsiness and tired eyes. 8AM. “Ugh, just five more minutes…” The light peeking in through the numerous holes in my curtains doesn’t seem to care about my want to just pretend I never woke up, though, so I reluctantly get up. I’d best not take long, anyway. I don’t want to get an earful from her again.
I quickly slip on whatever’s most comfortable, being careful to not pull my dresser’s drawer too much as I pick out sweatpants and a white tank top. I don’t like showing that much skin, but it’s too hot for the usual jacket anyway (stupid summer weather), so I leave it at that, and exit my room, skillfully dodging the surprisingly dangerous small hole in the ground near my door. This missing plank problem really needs to be fixed…
“Urgh. Bright…” The painted, clean white walls of the well-lit corridor blind me immediately. I could smell my mother’s breakfast downstairs already, too, almost taunting me. I guess it smells nice, but it’s disgustingly strong to my tastes, and only serves to make me jealous. Does she really have to put in that much effort every day…? Anyway, overcoming this assault on my senses, I slowly drag myself down the marble stairs and into the kitchen.
Once inside, I open the fridge and grab the usual (an apple and a glass of milk) and sit down in front of my mother, who’s been enjoying her own meal already, bacon and eggs with bread. I don’t know how she doesn’t end up eating her own nails with how long they are. If anything, that at least impresses me.
“Hey, mom.”
“Hm? Oh, hello, Paula. Finally awake, are you?” I cringe at the name. I told her about a million times I didn’t want to be called that anymore… not that she cares, evidently. And don’t get me started on all the “she”s and “her”s.
“Well, yeah. Once I was done with my chores, it was 11 already, and I took an hour or so to wri--”
“So you spent over nine hours indulging yourself? Isn’t it a little much?”
“I wouldn’t call sleeping indul--”
“Don’t talk back to your mother. Children should be quiet and listen.”
“So you really don’t know what day it is, huh?”
“…”
“It’s my birthday. I’m 18 now. So not a child anymore.”
“Just because you’re technically an adult doesn’t mean you know anything about anything yet, Paula.” That name is really just a knife to my chest, and her tone continues to be glacial. Despite that, I’m not going to relent.
“I remember you promising you’d listen to me more once I became an adult.” The memory was clear in my mind. She said so around my fifteenth birthday. It was the only thing that really brought me any kind of hope nowadays.
“I never said that. Don’t put words in my mouth. And like I said, you are not an adult. You’ve even said so yourself not so long ago.”
“Huh?” I stare at her, dumbfounded. I don’t remember ever saying that. “I never--”
“YOU HAVE! Do not lie!” She then raised her hand, bearing her claws. I reflexively brought my arms to my shoulders, shielding my chest. “Hmph. Look at you. You really are still just a little girl.” She lowered her arm, and turned towards the living room.
“And don’t forget to do the dishes. It wouldn’t do for you to go hungry on your birthday.”
And with that threat, she left me on my own.
While washing the dishes, I think back on the scene that just went on. My mom… she’s always been this way. She’d be kind one day, and then unrelenting the next. I thought today might go well since she was so pleasant yesterday, but… clearly, I did something to upset her. I mean, it’s always been this way, ever since I was a kid. And no one would hate a kid for no reason, right…?
“I guess I’ll just have to do better next time.” I sigh, putting the last dry plate away. Somehow, though, I don’t feel like I want to go apologize… ugh. Stupid, prideful idiot. This is why you’re all alone.
I’m quickly snapped out of my trance by her yelling from down the hall. “Paula. I’m going out with a friend of mine. I want this place to be spotless when I get home.”
“Hm? Oh, um, alright, Mom. See y--”
Slam. Well. At least, I’m alone with no one to loom over me for some time. Maybe for the whole day. She never tells me what she does, or when she’ll come back, but it’s usually a while before she shows up again. Knowing that, I decide to take some time to myself, against her orders, and lightly jog up to my room, being careful not to put too much weight on my left leg due to that recent bruise.
Slamming the door behind me, I sit in front of my desk and turn on my only solace: my laptop. I got it for myself one day thanks to working enough at various summer jobs. It’s getting really old now, but I’m glad to have it all the same. After waiting for about ten minutes for it to boot up, I quickly log onto my favorite place to be: Clamor. I was never allowed to have friends in real life, so I resorted to finding them online, in chat rooms like these. I knew just who to bother this early in the morning, too: my best friend Alline, or “All_in_E”, to use their pseudonym. She always knows how to make me feel better.
“hey, how’s you?”
“oooh hey Lillian! i’m good, how bout u?”
“could be better. today’s my birthday, but my mom doesn’t care. as usual”
“aah happy birthday!!!! and what do you mean she doesnt care? shouldnt she be with you rn on a day like this?”
“nah. she just doesnt give a shit, never really did. if anything I just got yelled at more than usual for asking for some respect. probably fucked something up again”
“Lillian… dude, that’s just not fair. I know your mom’s always treated you really poorly… but it’s getting worse, isn’t it? Did she still not apologize for the bruise on your leg?” I hold back a chuckle. It’s crazy how fast they switch from casual spelling to fully-serious, always-accurate when she gets serious.
“nah…”
“Okay, listen. You’ve been saving a while, right?”
“ever since i started working. why?”
“Okay, this might sound crazy… but you need to run away.” …wait, did I read this right?
“the fuck, you insane?”
“Listen, friend. I’ve held you through enough breakdowns to know that it’s not gonna get any better… your mom’s abusive. She’s been gaslighting you for as long as I’ve known you, and the physical abuse… god, it makes me angry to hear how much she’s been mistreating you. I know it sounds scary… but it’s really better to be safe, but struggling instead of in constant danger.”
“and what am i supposed to do? live under a bridge?”
“Don’t worry about that. I have a plan. I know a place near you where you can sleep, and a place that might hire you. Here, take a look at this…”
***
“Hey, Emmy! You there?”
I’m taken out of my daydreaming by my boss. Oh, right, I’m at work. I was so busy thinking about the latest game I’ve been playing non-stop that I didn’t even realize I had to set the bar up.
“Ah, uh, sorry, Boss. Hehehe…”
“Jeez… you sure are hopeless. It’s kind of cute, but I need you in the here and now, kid. We’re opening soon, and you know how Tuesday nights can get.”
“You mean… mildly frequented?”
“It’s still our busiest day, okay? I’m trying my best. And I don’t see you bringing any customers in. Well, except your worrywart of a brother.” She chuckles at that.
“Haha! Yeah, he’s… protective of me. You should’ve seen his face when I told him I was going to try to be a barista!”
“Knowing him? It must have given him a heart attack. But I’m sure it must have reassured him to know his dear sister was about to work at the Utopia, the greaaatest queer bar this side of the great pyramids!”
“*ahem*. Self-proclaimed. And we’re in America, Boss.”
“Oh, Emmy, you break my heart… where’s the showmanship, huh?”
“Where’s the audience?”
“*snrrrk* Okay, okay… good one, I’ll give you that much. Really though, finish cleaning the counter. There may not be too many patrons yet, but we’re still getting more and more lately, and I want them to come back someday.”
“On it!”
Heh. Same old Boss. Or, well… “Zena Trueblood”, as she likes to introduce herself to our customers. Is that even her real name…? Um, anyway. She’s always a riot. It’s nice to know I can kid around like this with her, even after only a few months here. Though it gets kind of lonely here sometimes… especially on less busy days. It would be nice if someone could joi--
KNOCKKNOCKKNOCKKNOCKKNOCKKNOCK--
“Eeep!”
“The hell is with this ruckus?” Boss shouted at me over the noise. “Go check on this, Em!”
“O-Okay!” Not wanting to endure this hell any longer, I run to the door and fumble with the key, opening it quickly.
“U-Um! It’s n-not nice to make that much n-noi--”
“Hello!” Hm? I expected a tall, burly man to stand behind the door, but… all I see is a kid around my age of ambiguous gender presentation, much smaller than I am.
“Oh, um… can I help you…?” Suddenly, they seem to have lost all the confidence they must have had to knock on that door so loudly. It’s so quiet that I can hear Boss walking towards us and stopping behind me.
“I, uh… please hire me!”
“…What?”
“What!?”
|
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"title": "New Beginnings - Chapter 1 – Escaping Home",
"author": "Mia_Sa",
"chapters": 2,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 1,
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"Romance",
"Slice of Life"
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"Androgynous Characters",
"Co-Workers",
"Doting Older Siblings",
"Friendship",
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|
coco33920
A bit of fluff because i wanted to write a bit of fluff, this story is now truly ended, even if it was always meant as a one shot here's a bonus chap.
And Ophelie is really a useless lesbian.
Check out A Galactic HRT on my profile too!
Love, Charlotte.
|
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"title": "A witchy best friend - A witchy lover",
"author": "coco33920",
"chapters": 2,
"rating": 4.6,
"rating_ct": 14,
"genre": [
"Gender Bender",
"Girls Love",
"Slice of Life"
],
"tags": [
"Beautiful Female Lead",
"Friendship",
"Magic",
"Short Story",
"Transgender",
"Witches"
]
}
|
“I, um… please hire me!”
“...What?” Boss was the first to break the stunned silence both of us were under. It took a minute for me to process what they just said, but once I did…
“What!?” …seriously, though, the hell are they going on about!?
“I know that sounds weird coming from a total stranger, but I really need the help! Please, please consider it!” They seem to be really desperate… I feel kind of bad for them.
“Okay, uh, kid. You clearly don’t know how things work around here. First of all, we’re closed right now. Se--”
“That’s why I knocked! I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t bother you when customers are around.”
“*ahem* Second of all, we’re not even hiring right now--”
“I thought I’d take my chance before anyone does. And, I dunno. I’m sure you could use another barista while you man the register, right? Well, if this girl is all you have, anyway.” Boss seems to be getting increasingly frustrated… any more and that red hair of hers might flare up. Though…
“Actually, Boss, they have a point. Even if it’s not always crowded here, it can get hectic mixing drinks and serving everyone on our own… especially when you’re not around.”
“Not now, Emmy.” Real smooth, Boss… I can see their mocking smirk from here. “And third of all, we don’t hire children! Now scra--”
“Um, actually, I just turned eighteen. See?” They pulled out their ID. I couldn’t figure out their first name (their thumb was in the way), but it was there, plain as day: their 18th birthday is today.
“...urgh, all right. I’m all out of arguments. Come sit here and let’s see if there’s anything we can do. Emmeryn, you can come too. Make sure I don’t punch the pretentious squirt.”
“Aye aye, captain… hehe.” I can’t help but chuckle to myself at that, turning to our could-be new hire as I did, trying to be friendly…
“Alright, let’s go then. You coming, girl?” …but their overly-familiar tone and utter lack of eye contact (or really, consideration in general) only served to make me feel dumb.
“Hey, I have a name, you know…”
“Well, I don’t know it.” They snapped back, unrelenting.
“Ah, um…” I wanted to note that Boss just referred to me by name, but my words escaped me.
“Well?”
“Uuuh, Emmeryn Selene Voldoiseau, sir! B-But you can just call me Emmy!”
“Heh.” That damned smirk again… “Got it. The name’s Lillian. Nice to meet you, Songbird.”
“Wh-- uh…” My face must be redder, hotter, and brighter than a fire right now. “You… know French? Not a lot of people get my family name at all…”
“Just a little bit from high school.”
“Hey! You two coming or what!?” Oh, right, Boss.
“Um, m-maybe we should talk later…”
“Right. I have an interview to ace.”
They did not ace the interview.
It became really quickly apparent that despite their confident airs, Lillian didn’t actually know the first thing about… much. We had to explain to them pretty much everything there is to know about being a barista, not to mention all the legal stuff they had to fill in once we eventually decided to at least give them a week to prove themself (though, mostly out of pity).
“…Alright, and you just sign and put in your personal information here.” Boss handed them the final form after what seemed like hours of slowly walking them through every document.
“Ah, right, my name…”
“Something wrong?”
“Ah, no, nothing!” Lillian exclaimed before quickly snatching the form from Boss’s hand… and proceeding to stare blankly at it, seeming overwhelmed.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake… I thought this’d be the easy part.”
“No, it’s just… well, I don’t have an address. I’m staying at a hotel right now, but…”
“Hm? Don’t you have a relative to stay with?” I asked, concerned. “What happened to your parents?”
“…” Their silence speaks volumes.
“…okay. Just… skip that part, I guess. I’ll hand you your paycheck by hand instead of mailing it.”
“Thanks. Listen, I know I’ve been kind of a mess so far… but this means a lot. Thank you.”
A small smile sneaked its way along Boss’s lips. “Heh. You’re welcome, kid…” …though it confuses me why she’d go through all that effort for a stranger who she didn’t even seem to like that much five minutes ago.
The rest of the form seemed to go much better, though I noticed their legal name being different from the one they gave me… though I can’t say I’m not familiar with that specific, annoying part of paperwork. I guess it is a queer bar here, in the end…
“Here you go, Miss…”
“Zena. But everyone here calls me Boss. Welcome aboard, at least for the time being, Pau--”
“Lillian!” They eagerly cut her off. Guess I was right. “My name’s… Lillian.”
“...got it, Lian. Oh, and while we’re at it, guess I should ask before the daggers Emmy’s staring into me start drawing blood. What are your pronouns?”
“Oh, um… they/them, please. I’m… non-binary.” They blushed at that, seeming almost ashamed. I hope that has nothing to do with their family situation… oh, but…!
“Oh, you’re not cis either, then?”
“Hm? What’s it to you, girl?”
“No, no, don’t get me wrong, this is amazing! See, I’m… transgender. So it’s nice to see another person who’s a little bit like me… apart from my brother, I haven’t ever met anyone else like us.”
“Oh, really? Huh. You’re so cute, I never would have guessed you had that kind of past.”
“C-Cute…?” Here I go flaring up again…
“Bahahaha! I like you already, new kid. Anyone who can mess with my number one lackey like that is welcome here.”
“Booossssss!”
“...Isn’t she your only “lackey”…?”
“Not anymore, she isn’t! We’re opening up in five minutes, by the way. So grab an apron and get on with it, Lian!”
“Right. I’m on it!”
A few hours pass, and things seem to be going all right for my new colleague. Sure, they don’t know how anything works, and they’ve made some mistakes with orders, but they’re certainly doing better than I did on my first day. I still remember the tray incident… so much beer everywhere… *ahem* anyway. It seems like they at least had some experience with handling food and drinks, which is nice to see. Eventually, we fell into a nice rhythm. They would prepare the drinks, and I would serve them, with Boss supervising us from afar and making small talk with the patrons… and it’s good she’s doing so, because I’m shy as hell, and Lillian doesn’t seem to… really be that good at talking to people. I may or may not have had to stand between a very angry lesbian and them… and sure, it may sound like neither of us are really fit to be baristas, from those descriptions alone, but as Boss put it once, at the end of my first day…
“Emmy, let me tell you. Misfits like us are what make this world go ‘round. If everyone was perfect all the time, and knew what they were doing, why would anyone ever experiment? Sure, you’d expect a bar called The Utopia to be flawless in every way, but… honestly, that sounds more like a dystopia to me. So, sure, I’m not gonna ask you to hold a tray again for the next… while…” *shudder* “…but I’m not gonna fire you for it either. You’re kind of a mess, but you’re an earnest mess.”
***
“Aaaaand that’s 1:30AM! Alright, everyone out. Yes, you too, Steve! Some of us wanna sleep right about now.” Boss suddenly exclaimed. Huh. Guess time flew by. “I mean, look at Lian! I almost wanna check their pulse right now!”
I turned towards them, and just as she said, Lian seemed completely out of it. Their head is resting on the counter, with one hand on the cupboard above, most likely an attempt to support themself and keep working. I decide to take matters into my own hands… quite literally. I pull them up from behind, turn them towards me, and…
“Wake uuuup! Wakeupwakeupwakeupwakeup!” …I start shaking them furiously.
“Wh- huh- ugnh!? I’m up, I’m uuup!” Satisfied with a job well done, I let them go.
“It’s closing time, Lillian. You did great today.”
“...huh, already? Thanks, Emmy. Glad I could help.”
“Mhm. You gonna be okay walking back home alone? Boss and I will take care of cleaning up.”
“Yeah, of course. I made sure to make a mental note of where my hotel is from here. *yawn* Guess I’ll go, then… good night, you two. Thanks again for the opportunity.”
“See ya, kid! Don’t forget, you gotta be back here by 6:30PM tomorrow!”
“Mhm… got it, Boss… *yawn*”
“Heh. Good kid, that one.”
“They seem nice enough… to us. I gotta keep an eye on them with the customers… hehe.” They barely just showed up, but somehow, they already feel like an integral part of the bar. I don’t usually warm up to others that quickly… and Boss… “Oh, that reminds me. How come you hired them, in the end? I mean, I’m glad you did, but they’re far from the ideal employee.”
“Well, first of all, they’re not hired for sure yet. And… I dunno. They just seemed so… desperate. And there are clearly some things they’d rather not talk about… I guess I’d just rather have a small loss in revenue rather than a young adult in the streets, you know?”
“That’s… awfully generous of you.”
“Yeah… I just hope that whatever’s going on, it isn’t haunting them or anything. It seemed like heavy stuff…”
“That’s true… well, no matter how life really is for them, let’s keep doing our best to make sure they have fun here!”
“And work hard. I’m a generous woman, but I’m not a charity either.”
“Haha, of course.”
As I walked back home, I couldn’t help but think about today’s events. Everything happened really fast, but… I guess that’s a good thing, given how long it can be sometimes. And even if strangers can be intimidating still, it’s always nice to make a new friend. If they see me as a friend yet. …I’m not gonna overthink it.
“Well, Lillian… I don’t know much about who you are, but I have a feeling we’re gonna get along just fine.”
And with that, another calm night at the Utopia is coming to a close.
|
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|
They say that a human life is akin to an arrow's.
First, it is flung up into the air along with many other arrows; A volley aimed towards the sky. They thrust upwards with force and valor, rending the wind along their ascent. It is their very reason—To go up. Simple though it may be, every path does not come without obstacles.
Some of them will hit a bird and stop elevating altogether, while a few will be swept by harsh winds. There are even ones that are defective from the start, shot by bowmen with either poor hands or crude bows. It will never reach the same heights that the other arrows will.
Those were simply unlucky, but so were the bowmen for being born with such hands or for having deficient bows. That's just a cruel factor of life. Equality is and always will be, a delusion.
Still, those that pass undisturbed will eventually reach their apex—the sky overneath the clouds. It is a blissful yet fleeting moment; a state where they are above the birds, looking down even at the mountains.
The arrow is at the very top of the world, where everything seems... meaningless. It has achieved its purpose.
But, is its purpose really to climb?
Or is it... to descend?
It will do so at a much greater speed, passing by the same things it once surpassed along the way. It meets even the new arrows shot by the bowmen, maybe even see things it once missed before. The entire journey flashes swiftly in front of it, then behind it all of a sudden.
Most of these arrows land on the ground. Some deflected. Less than half of them, however-
SPLURT!
Land into the hearts of men.
One of them was named Peter Kapek. He was an honest man with a wife and 3 children. His purpose for becoming a disposable pawn was simple; To sustain his family.
Both he and the arrow fulfilled their purpose—They were the same in this regard.
However, their difference lies in the fact that Peter was not an arrow, not meant for a single use. He was a man who had a long life ahead of him at the age of 25.
And he is dead. His entire future is buried by the other corpses that will come after him.
They say that this is life. You are either born to make warriors, born to be a warrior, or born to be the pillar of many warriors. Whatever it is, you simply kill. You either add to the pile or become a part of it. Arrows are just one of the many tools that make and take life.
If Peter's eldest son does not enlist in the army like he did, then his entire family will starve. It wasn't the son's fault for being Peter's son, nor was it Peter's fault for being hit by the arrow.
They were simply in times of war.
"Hey Brother." a soldier named Ivan spoke to the person beside him. They laid flat together on the grassy ground, facing the star-filled skies, moonlight reflected in their cold steel armor as faint glimmers. Each of them—the stars—seem like fireflies stuck in the sky.
It was the end of the 248th day of the 6th Great War—a war between Mortals and Anomalies. The last 5 wars all lasted over a thousand days and were won by a hair's breadth, but this war seems to go smoothly in their favor. Many had expectations that it won't even reach the 300th day, to which two of these people were tasked of keeping an eye on the borders to alert the army of an ambush at Fort Berlin, one of the most recent expansions in the East of Germania.
The problem for them was—there was no problem at all. It was far too silent.
Quiet means nothing, and nothing means boredom.
"What do yuu think of thee Moon?" Ivan sat up and asked. Since there was no response, he thought that the soldier was already asleep. Still, he spoke.
"My mother once told me that thee Moon was once home to thee Gods." he took a sip of the bourbon stored inside a capped pouch that bloated like sausage. He smacked his lips after, then continued, "But there are 2 moons, and she sucked thee neighbor off for a bottle of whiskey. I don't know if she said that in the right mind."
"Pffft!" Lex suddenly sat up straight, dying of laughter. It looks like he was pretending to be asleep, but Ivan already knew that. At least Lex thought he did. "Ah, you got me. You got me."
"Was it good?"
"It was. You should've saved that joke for a feast, at least."
"It's not a joke. And I was asking about your little nap during our shift." It looks like he didn't know, but rather than that, he just misunderstood. Ivan didn't know that Lex was pretending to be asleep, but only thought that he was still awake.
Since he, too, had misunderstood, Lex felt a little guilty. "... Oh. I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted. Now, humor me, would yuu?"
"Hmm? Ah, the moon. Yeah, right. The moon, huh?"
Lex pondered for a while. He stared at the 2 large moons placed aptly in the sky. The Yellow Moon was much larger than the Red Moon—and that's pretty much all he could think of.
"Which moon again? And is this... important?" Lex turned to Ivan, who took a sip of his alcohol once more before continuing.
"Not really." he sighed. "Just a way to... forget about this world for a moment. Talking about useless things, that is."
"You could sleep." Lex allowed himself to fall to the ground once more. He placed his head on his arms and closed his eyes. "It's a good way to escape."
"I could. But we're on our shift. I'm afraid that if I do that, thee captain won't let me wake up tomorrow."
"Then... don't wake up, I guess."
"Yuu mean, to die?"
"Dying. Sounds good to me. There's not much in this life except war anyway. If we're not dealing with strange wacko shit, we're killing our own people. This world is fucked."
"Yuu... have a point." Ivan laid himself flat on the ground as well. "However, thee stars are too beautiful for the handsome me to pass up. I live everyday just to see them every night."
"You live just for the stars?" Lex scoffed. "You're not in a novel."
"It is what it is. How about yuu?"
"Me?"
"Yes. What do you live for? Money? Wife? Or simply... pussy?"
"I..."
Lex rummaged through his brain once more. Does he want money? He does need it, but he doesn't want it in particular. A wife? Too troublesome for a free-spirited man like him. Pussy was tempting, though.
But in the end, Lex had nothing to say.
"I guess... I'll have to settle for the moons." He opened his eyes to look at the 2 celestial bodies that seem to stare back at him. He couldn't sleep anyway, not after that question.
"Why thee moons?" Ivan asked.
"Because... you already have the stars. I wouldn't want to be selfish."
"Hah!" Ivan chuckled. "There are many stars, my friend."
"And there are 2 moons. I guess we could share."
Together, they both stared at the sky—the sky they shared.
But this peace would soon be disturbed by the disappearance of both moons and stars. In an instant, the sky was plunged into a state of darkness.
"What the fuck?" Lex stood up, surprised. Ivan followed and did the same.
Shortly after, the stars returned as if nothing happened at all.
But why are they coming closer-
BOOM!
Lex was blown away in an explosion of blood. His ears rang, and his vision was clouded by debris. When the dust settled, he could hear the cries of Ivan.
His left knee caught the worst of the explosion.
It was in this moment that they truly realized they were not stars; they were balls of flame falling from the belly of a monster—No, monsters. Their numbers were more than enough to cover the sky entirely.
"Anomalies?!" Lex was shocked to the point that he didn't notice the anomaly about to pounce on him-
SPLURT!
But Ivan dealt with it swiftly, despite his injury.
"You owe me one, brother." he fell to the ground with a bloody sword in hand. "But you would have to tell me what this creature is."
Still, there were more of the creatures other than the one they dealt with. With all the explosions happening throughout the field, Lex felt that sooner than later, the entire plains will be filled with these creatures. He didn't know how they were able to get past the barrier, but thinking such things in this situation would be suicide. Without thinking at all, he grabbed Ivan and ran for the fort.
"Hang on, Ivan!" he huffed and puffed as he yelled. The noises were earsplitting, so he had to raise his voice. "How the hell did those things get through the barrier?!"
"I don't know! Less asking, more running, comrad!" Ivan struggled to cover his open wound with his palms. "I'll bleed to death!"
"You don't have to tell me that!" In a rush, Lex ripped a part of the shirt underneath his armor and gave it to Ivan. "Here, patch yourself up!"
The fort was a few hundred meters away, but before that, they needed to go through the forest. And that they did, but the monsters were as quick as they came. Lex realized that with Ivan at his back, he cannot outrun them.
Thankfully, the forest had gigantic trees with roots that matched its size, more than enough to hide inside the chasms it produced. The two had to settle there for a while.
The enemy came with grand explosions of blood that stretched as far as the eye could see.
The fireballs were not just fire; they were flesh. The blood from the balls evaporated and turned into a crimson mist as soon as they hit the ground. The entire battlefield was painted an ominous crimson red. From the craters, monstrosities with hairy elongated limbs spawned and brought everything they touched to ruin. Other soldiers could be seen fleeing away from the fields, only to be hunted and eaten by the grotesque, skinny monsters. They bit into their flesh and spat it out, only for the bitten parts to come alive as another form of soppy abomination.
Screams of terror and agony matched the vibrato of blasts produced by the flesh meteors. The crimson mist would soon prove itself to be the most fatal of them all, as some of the soldiers were having hallucinations, wandering about mindlessly or hugging the bosom of the one who would pull out their intestines.
It was nothing short of a massacre.
"What are yuu' doing?" Ivan wanted to shout, but he couldn't. "They'll notice us if yuu' make a fire!"
"I casted an isolating spell. It's alright."
"Oh, I didn't know yuu' knew magic, brother!" Ivan giggled, but the pain in his leg stopped him short. "Most people with aptitude would apply for, yuu' know, being a magician!"
Lex held a dagger in his hand and heated it on the small fire that he made.
"I am a lineal descendant of a certain noble family. We used to cure people for free in a small village on the far side of the Outskirts."
"I see. Yuu' must survive here so you can return to them."
"And you should live as well. Now, bite onto something-"
"W-wait! Shit, can I ask yuu' something before yuu' do it?"
"Hit me."
"Wife or pussy?"
"Wife... or pussy? What do you mean?"
"A pussy is just a pussy. A wife is a pussy that complains."
"I didn't ask if- Just, do me a favor and bite this, will you?"
PSSST!
Ivan's laughter was halted by the heated blade placed on his open wound. His blood sizzled, then the flesh was cooked like bacon. After a few seconds of agony, the wound was eventually closed.
"We're probably close to the fort after I ran like that." Lex said while drawing figures on the ground with a stick. "We're just about a few hundred meters away. Though, the problem now are those things outside."
"Wouldn't thee creatures go to the fort as well?" Ivan drew large dots inside the circle.
"Yes, but it's a fort for a reason." Lex removes the dots. "They can't just break through there in one night. With the amount of soldiers inside, it should be able to handle it."
"So we just need to go to thee fort." Ivan peeked through the openings of the roots. The monstrosities were still there. "But how exactly will we do that?"
"We don't, at least not tonight. We can stay here until daybreak when the anomalies retreat. I have some jerky in my pocket."
"I see. What are we dealing with, anyway?"
"... You don't know?"
"I'm new. As yuu' can see, I'm quite young."
Lex stared awkwardly at Ivan, whose face was smothered with wrinkles and facial hair. "... What?"
"What?!"
"How old are you?"
"18—at the prime of my youth."
"WHAT?! Stop lying." Lex said. It sounded more like an order.
"What do yuu' mean? I am 18, thee same age yuu' are!"
"I'm 35, Ivan."
"And yuu' say I'm lying. If yuu're 35, how can yuu' look so young!"
"Wait... so all this time, you referred to me without honorifics. And I'm older than you!"
"D-don't mind that. What are we dealing with, comrad?" Ivan asked with fear in his eyes. "What I saw there... froze me to my bones. The next thing I remember was this pain in my knee."
"Well, junior, remember what I said about wacko shit and anomalies?" Lex brought out a small book in his pouch. "This is them."
When the sky was covered in darkness, Ivan was able to make out a figure in the sky. At that very moment, he was frozen in fear.
A manta ray with a rib cage popping out of its abdomen. From there, little strips of flesh, fibers if you will, were formed and weaved into balls that they drop. As soon as it touches the ground—it explodes, spawning flesh monstrosities who, upon eating more flesh, turns it into one of them.
The description matches File#55 of the Anomalia Almanac, Salad Mother. It is a creature that, upon moving into position, will freeze itself there and act as a form of artillery. The creatures they produce are called Salad Fingers.
"Even their names are disturbing." Ivan shivered. "To be honest with yuu' brother, I didn't sign up for this. I was about to have sex with thee most beautiful girl in the village when men in thee same armor as we barged inside uninvited. I was taken, shamed, but most importantly, cucked."
"Hahaha! You were drafted at the worst possible time! If it makes you feel any better, I was drafted as well. All commoner men at the age of 18 get drafted. Manpower is a scarcity these days."
"But, yuu're 35. Thee war has lasted for just 249 days, and there's 724 days in 1 year!"
"Oh, junior, humans always find a reason to argue and bicker; To fight and kill. May it be a coin, a slab of meat, maybe even the toenail of a noble. They'll murder hundreds of their own for it."
"This kingdom... this world... I've always thought it was bad. But perhaps you were right, brother. This is fucked." Ivan dejectedly said.
Lex couldn't follow up another word to continue the conversation.
Time passed by quickly. The once constant noises of pain turned into occasional screams, then finally became silence. Soon, even the darkness would expire.
A ray of light pierced through the forest leaves and the roots, then into the eyes of the sleeping pair.
It was time.
"You think you can run with that leg?" Lex glanced at Ivan's bandaged leg.
"Eh, yuu'll carry me if I can't anyway."
"Oh, fuck you!" Lex laughed with Ivan.
Together, they went to the fort.
As they walked towards the big gate in the far distance, Ivan noticed the many trees in the forest. Some of them had engravings on their bark.
"What is that, brother?"
"What is what again?"
"That." Ivan pointed at the engraving on the tree.
"I'm surprised you saw that." Lex said. "That is an Insignia. Priests use it to set the barriers up. It doesn't actually do anything, they just use it to mark spots. Other than that, it's just priests being priests."
"Then why is there blood on it?"
"It's just the anomalies humping the trees. Trust me, they're called salad fingers because they like touching greenery. Get it? Salad? Fingers? Touch?"
"Yuu' suck at joking, brother." Ivan stared awkwardly at Lex.
"Hey, I tried. You can't be the funny guy all the time."
"Well, I guess it's my job to be funny and your job to carry me."
"I still won't carry you. You're heavy as all hell. I'm surprised we even made it to that tree."
"By any chance, are yuu' calling me fat, brother?"
"Oh no. No. Definitely not."
Finally, they reached the gates of the fort walls. The gate itself was huge, enough to make the two of them look like tiny weeds on the ground compared to it. Surrounding it were huge stone-bricked walls that stretched far and wide. They stood taller than the gate and were vandalized with blood all over.
When they stepped inside-
Creak~
A chilling sight greeted them.
There was... nothing there. Nothing except the ruins of a once bustling settlement now covered in crimson mist. Corpses impaled in poles as totems littered the entire vicinity. Some of the lesser slop monstrosities were still around, crawling in the ground like slugs.
Ivan fell to his knees and simply... laughed.
"They got us. They got us good." Ivan's fright could not be hidden behind his smile. Rather, it made him look even more pitiful. "Yuu' said that they won't be able to break through."
"I... did." Lex was just as shocked as Ivan was. "I... I don't know what happened. We're supposed to win the war, I-"
"LOOK OUT!"
SPLURT!
Lex was pushed to the ground by Ivan. When he turned to him, Ivan's chest was already pierced by a hand that held his heart. Blood streamed from the still beating heart, then dripped generously to the ground.
"Motherfucker!" Lex slashed the creature's hand with seething rage, yet caught Ivan's heart with care. The injured creature fled away immediately with a nasty grin on its face.
Just as Lex was about to chase it, Ivan held his arm.
"Yuu' won't leave me here alone now, won't yuu'?" his voice was shaky, weak. He doesn't have much time left. Frustrated as he was, he had to let the fucker go.
Lex stomped the severed hand into a bloody pulp before placing Ivan's heart back inside his chest.
"D-don't you worry Ivan, I know magic. I can fix you."
In a desperate attempt to save his friend, Lex started chanting an unknown language. Glyphs in the form of blue letters appeared in the air, hovering around him like flies.
"Haha. If you can fix this, then perhaps the wars will revolve around you."
"I am from the esteemed family of Lupus! We are Doctors! I can do this! I know I can! So just shut the fuck up and hold on!"
"And I am Ivankov Kapek, son of Peter Kapek."
Lex was taken aback by Ivan's words. Peter Kapek is his friend and the one who taught him the ways of the sword. He was the one would truly be at the same age as him, if only he was still alive.
But Ivan didn't know.
"Heheh. It's getting cold here."
"Ivan, I will make sure that you'll drown in all the fucking pussy you want. Just hold the fuck on!"
"I... can't."
"IF YOU DIE, YOU CAN'T SEE THE STARS AGAIN!"
"Hahaha! But yuu' see brother, I lied about that. I don't live for the stars. As yuu've said, I'm not in a novel, I'm in this fucked up world. When my father died, that woman abandoned us siblings and married thee neighbor she sucked off. A few months after, my siblings died of starvation. I was completely helpless. I turned into a thief for a while. During thee duration, I met that woman and his new fling. She didn't even recognize me. I was determined to kill both of them there, but... that man had a beautiful daughter. I was smart enough to know that it wasn't that woman's child, but I was stupid enough to fall in love. Can you believe that? My vendetta was thwarted by a woman! Hahaha! I guess I picked wife over pussy after all!"
"You stupid son of a bitch." Lex laughed softly. "You have all the reasons to live. Go get that girl and kill her parents, do whatever the fuck you want. Just live!"
"I'm afraid that can't happen, brother. It's already a miracle I've lasted this long. It may all be thanks to your powerful magic. You should use it for good. Ack!"
Ivan coughed up blood. He was pale before, but now he looks just like those corpses on the poles. "Hey brother, I have a question."
"If... if it's wife or pussy again, I will slap the shit out of you."
"Haha, it's different this time. You... have a family. Right?"
"... Yes."
"Then... I... have no regrets..."
Ivankov Kapek breathed his last and passed away at the tender age of 18, not knowing that while he lied to his one and only friend-
Lex lied to him as well.
It was the end of the 6th Great War. The sudden onslaught of the anomalies began on the night of 248th day. Massacres occurred from everywhere on the Western continent. On the 249th day, the war hit its peak. The mortals struggled against the entire might of the New Demons. However, they were not able to handle the sudden evolution of the anomalies.
On the 250th day of the war, Mortal-kind lost the war.
|
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"series": "544647",
"id": "544649",
"q": 0.91,
"title": "Amnesia - Prologue",
"author": "WalterWeiss",
"chapters": 2,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 1,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Fantasy",
"Horror",
"Mystery",
"Psychological",
"Seinen",
"Supernatural",
"Tragedy"
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"tags": [
"Dark",
"Death",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demons",
"Dystopia",
"Fantasy Creatures",
"Fantasy World",
"Magic",
"Monsters"
]
}
|
There were beliefs after death.
There would be a reincarnation after death.
There would be a heaven after death.
For my whole life, I never cared about such things.
Now there I was. Is this so called after death? I was falling into darkness and facing the glowing light. I felt darkness was swallowing me. And the self-awareness I had was fading and fading.
Had I died?
Instead of anxiety and fear, I relaxed - that finally, so this was the end I was seeking and I believed. For the rest of my life, I sought the end called death. If I keep falling and falling into this darkness, would I disappear ? If so, FALL.
Suddenly , the moment I was on, it stopped. The confusion raised up. In my mind, I was hoping that it was not all a dream. The light that seemed to faint before was glowing. The becoming overwhelming of the light was pulling me into it seem to be void. The pressure of gravitating makes me bring about anxiety about being a dream.
Tricking myself, hoping for a heaven beyond the light - that gives the feeling of happiness after I was longing for it.
The ride I went along took for Eternity. But now, It seemed I had reached my stop. First of all I saw was darkness. But beyond the darkness there will be a raffle after I open my eyes. With worries and wondering, impatient I was, made forcing my eyes to open strength all I had. Everything around me turned into a bright blur and forced me to shut down every time I tried. Imperceptible sounds make me dizzy. Everything I tried to say was muddy, as it seemed howling. 'Relax' I had to do for first was across my mind. I stopped struggling and thinking. Instead, I concentrated on the darkeness of what I was seeing and feeling what was behind it. After a while, I started to hear
Fumbled Voice shouting " Come here, guys."
The first word I heard clearly made me more concerned and my eyes slowly opened for this time. Then I saw , in front of me, there were five men who looked like villagers to me as their strange outfits made me to that conclusion. But the surprise was they were holding swords and wearing some armor and the other two were wearing robes and holding long rods like magic wands. At that time, I thought I was in some kind of village. Not completely sure as I was in the cave and glowing blue light crystals everywhere. The cave was dark and silent, as so maybe night. But fainty fainly lights everywhere seemed to be glowworms giving light as enough. The only fact I had was I had not seen anything like this cave and the crystals. And then, the thoughts came out that I was not in my country or even in my world called earth.
I feel slow breezes that carry an Earthy scent. The scent that came along was a strong smell of smoke from one of five men who carried the Torch. Wondering made lose tracking, but suddenly,
One of the men was overjoyed
" Lucky Looked at it . What we found."
As he said , all my hear locked them.
{huh What did he find ?}
Surprised, one of the men with a robe came out from behind and said,
"Oh, it was a rare type of tree Monster. It will give you incredible strength and indefinite health when you eat. I don't think it will be found in Like This dungeon."
{...wait, Monster??? Where???}
Shock came to me when I heard
" Monster ", so I rushed and looked back and up and around and every corner in this Wide and Dark Cave. But it seemed there was nothing that looked like a monster to me. As so I
felt calm and the only thing left to do was to face men and try to say something. I take all the courage from me. The word I chose to start with was "Hello".
With the courage I have, I spoke , the words really came out of my mouth.
Instead , "Howl"
My mind was silent for a while after I heard from my mouth. The shock caused me a scene that I can't believe.
{Was the sound from me?}
I tried to escape from reality. But the echo of the sound I hear clearly forced me to accept so-called Reality.
The men seemed to be alert now. The three men stepped forward and took out their swords and slowly approached toward me. The men with robes muffled something like praying or invoking something. Surprisingly, the flow of wind around them changed and glowing green light and blue light developed and wrapping around them I felt and sawing with awe.
{What are they doing? Where the hell am I?}
The way of their eyes and their behaviour, I came to the point that I forgot to ask what I was being. For the answer, All I needed to do was to feel my body and check my body as it looked like a monster to them?
My vision freezed and was still looking at men.
However , I don't need to know what I was being with the way they looked at me. The man was ten times taller than me. My body feels small. And I couldn't feel normal as my legs and hands confused me a lot. The sensitivity I got over my body did not look like being called a human being.
{Monster?}
I doubtfully I took a look at my body.
Chilling inside me, feeling sad and worried and the burning one called "Fear" surged. My mind had lost my body, notwithstanding I already got an answer.
There I saw, all was green, supposed to be called "My Body"? Instead of arms, hands and fingers, there were moving creepers on either side.
The legs I used to have now couldn't find anywhere. Small and Slimy were correctly described by me. The ground I was touching was a broad, flat figured leg. From my head to that broad flat leg, it seemed to be a rectangle called body? There were no features called neck or any other part of the body. On this rectangle , there was only what I could call eyes and mouth and nose. Now the word "human" was far away from me.
With horror and fear, I called the men,
"Help me"
"Help me"
I repeat and repeat. I beg again and again.
But, from my mouth
"howl"
"howl"
sounds only came out and men with swords jumped into me.
The tears came out of my eyes. It was always something I could do. Now, here and back there, I am crying. What did I do? What did I do wrong? Is this some kind of curse ? Please let me be free already. God, please help me.
But, my arm, like a creeper, dropped to the ground. The blood, instead of red, the black color, spills over everywhere. And to my face, I could feel they were hot.
And the worst, I feel insane pain.
I cry and cry.
The men with robes seemed to finish their incantations. In front of them- a small-very sharp ice-like spike appeared like they, created and were controlling.
With speed, they shoot it at me.
The sharp ice pierced into the middle of my body. Boundlessness of black blood was flowing outside from a hollow in the middle of my body. I cry and cry.
The voice of my cry was making me blast my whole body. The pain I couldn't endure was killing again and again. The howling I was hearing from mine was making me crazy. Hot, at the same time, cold , fears and anxiety were being felt, but I still had consciousness.
{Are normal humans dead already if the middle of their body becomes hollow? Ah, so I was a monster. }
I fell to the ground. I saw one of the men raise a sword at me.
{Please, It hurts. Don't do it anymore.}
Then, I closed my eyes.
There were beliefs after death.
There would be a reincarnation after death.
There would be a heaven after death.
I hear a muffled voice saying
" Stop. Don't kill it"
"Why?"
" It was supposed to be eaten raw."
{Ah, there, it was also called hell.}
|
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"title": "After having been reincarnated as a Monster in Another World - After the end",
"author": "Honvax",
"chapters": 2,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 2,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Isekai",
"Romance"
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"Academy",
"Demon Lord",
"Demons",
"Female Protagonist",
"Magic",
"Reincarnated into Another World"
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|
In a place full of enthusiastic and young people, called School, there was a girl with a dull appearance. She seemed to be a bore and she who was avoided was targeted as prey. Now there she was, in a soaking uniform, she was sitting in the toilet where no one was there for now. Tears from her eyes were flowing drop by drop. The box for lunch and the books were blown over the floor.
She seemed to be in pain.
She seemed to be in agony.
She seemed to be hopeless.
She seemed to seek an end.
{Ah, it was me.}
I was startled awake from a memory I called a nightmare. Gasp made me lose control of breath.
What happened ? Where am I?
The scent of earthly I got and the glowing blue crystals I saw. With this silence, this darkness, this feeling of my body, I don't need to know anymore. Things that happened I forgot for a seconds kept entering my eyes and crashing me.
Abruptly, fear and anxiety were raised in my mind. I touched the middle of my body with my creeper, my hand. There was no hollow and black blood. It seemed to be completely fine. I was so confused and unpleasant. The body I was pierced kept playing in my mind and made me vomit.
Had't I die? Why am I still here? Why am I still a Monster ?
In a panic, I quickly looked around and prepared to run, but not this time I didn't see the five men.
Instead, I saw the light tree in the middle of darkness, in a so-called cave. The tree was big and the whole tree was glowing from blue to green, from green to red, slowly repeating. If so, with more leaves, I thought it was more beautiful, but the tree seemed to dry and the leaves were sparse and very few.
Gentle light from trees gives the whole cave serene. Beautiful and fascinating with an awe that made me cease , even gave it a name called Tree of Adam?
Suddenly , a glowing leaf fell slowly from a tree. When it touched the ground , it vaporized. The gentle light composed me feel calm. And I supposed that I was in a different place but in the same cave and also the same body.
{What is going to happen to me?
I am scared. I am scared.}
At the same time, I lay down on the ground and then tears came from my eyes. But now, unlike back there, there are no more white tears but black, so called Monster Tears? Fear and anxiety raised from my mind does not give more trouble than I used to now.
"Why am I in this hellish place because of what I did wrong ?
I don't remember wronging anything or anyone.
It is really painful.
It is really painful.
I have felt pain my whole previous life.
Was it not enough?
Now here?
Please give me a break.
What exactly did I do wrong ?
Why? Why?
I want to be free."
I shouted again and again.
Only Monster howls from my mouth echoed the cave.
And then there was nothing apart from a cold and silent cave.
After a while, I gave up - that seemed to be my mind blank. Not feelings. Nothing hurts me anymore, but I feel comfortable. Tears stopped.
Is it because I wished for freedom?
|
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"genre": [
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"Adventure",
"Isekai",
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"Demons",
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"Magic",
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|
Five magic casters wearing black cloaks stand in a circle with stern faces. The leader of the cloaked mages steps forward. He holds a large black grimoire in one hand and an ominous black human heart in his other hand.
"My lord, we celebrate your return." The leader places the black human heart in the center of the circle of black mages. They each raise their palms forward, and mana begins to condense in front of their outstretched hands as the leader of the casters gets in position. He joins them in casting the spell.
The black mana forms into a set of five large symbols. The caster's mana is draining rapidly as the complex glyphs connect to each other with glowing black lines. White mist mixes with black fog as their magic spells combine in the center of their circle formation.
"Yes! Haha- YES!" The leader of the black mages laughs in wicked satisfaction as the mana condenses into five points, then connects simultaneously to form a pentagram of mana in the air between them.
Four of the mages fall to their knees, panting as their mana completely depletes. The leader of the black casters is the only one still standing. His eyes are bloodshot as blood drips from his mouth. The other casters' eyes drip black tears as they clench their hands over their hearts.
The black pentagram shifts, swirling into the center of the ritual to focus on the black heart. The ominous organ floats up into the black mana. The black heart begins to beat. The leader is ecstatic as he sees the mana giving the black heart life.
"FINALLY- Hk- Ghk-" The leader coughs up a large amount of dark blood, and upon looking at his subordinates lifeless corpses he realizes that their mana pool is too small to complete this ritual safely.
His eyes shut as he heaves up his own blood again and again. The beating black heart begins to mold mana around it into the shape of a human skeleton. The caster extends his hand to reach out to the emerging figure. His object of worship is less than a meter away from him. His consciousness departs before he can see the end of the ritual.
Black mana solidifies into black bones. The eye sockets of the black skull fill with two small spheres of red mana. The skeletal figure stretches its limbs, eyeing the corpses surrounding it. It opens its jaw to let out a magically propelled breath of air.
The creature tilts its head back before belting out haunting maniacal laughter. "HAHAHA!" The skeleton would smile if it could.
"Fools. Dabbling with magic leagues above thy own." The skeleton shakes its black skull of a head before looking at his own limbs with dissatisfaction.
"Their mana was so meager that I am left without flesh?" The skeleton hisses in irritation before crouching down beside the lead caster's corpse to check his possessions.
The black skeleton lifts up the corpse's black cloak before setting it to the side. The black leather armor and clothing interest the fleshless lich. It takes the clothing and dresses itself, putting the cloak on lastly to cover itself completely.
"Perfect. This should do until I get my hands on some proper skin." The wicked skeleton grabs the grimoire and flips through its pages. "Tsk. Amateurs." It tosses the black spellbook to the floor before holding up one glove covered finger. Glyphs of bright orange mana form above its finger.
The casting glyph condenses before exploding into flames. The entire room is engulfed in fire as the black skeleton walks out of the room unharmed. The clothing and armor it wears are unaffected by the raging flames.
The black skeleton walks out of the chamber and toward the tomb's exit.
It arrives at a large barred wooden door, and promptly shoves the bar aside.
The sunlight shines down harshly onto the lich's boney face. It feels joy at seeing the sun again after being trapped inside its phylactery for so long. The aforementioned black heart is beating steadily within the lich's black ribcage.
"Greetings, mortal realm. How I have missed thee so." The skeleton chuckles to itself as it follows a dirt path in search of civilization.
With each step the black skeleton absorbs the life force from all that surrounds it. Plants wilt and shrivel away. Birds drop dead from the sky. The lich's power grows with each life it consumes.
~
The sung shines brightly on a tranquil forest village. Men wearing simple clothes work meager fields surrounding wood and straw houses. One man in particular wipes sweat from his brow with a rag. He sets his iron hoe down next to the fence at the edge of the village.
Another man with a bushy dark beard walks over and does the same, sighing as he takes a look across the fields. "Hot today, ain't it?" His gruff voice is something the first man is familiar with.
"Yeah. I swear the summers are getting hotter every year." The first man chuckles, before frowning. He peers at something in the distance while using his hand to block the sunlight.
The bearded man follows his gaze. A cloaked figure is walking toward the town. His garb is an odd choice for such a hot summer day. The two farmers share a look before grabbing their hoes. The pair of them make their way to intercept the stranger.
His movements are patient as he approaches the center of the village. The two farmers easily catch up to him. The bearded man grabs the man by the shoulder and turns him around to get a look at his face. The stranger's hood is up, and the shadows are so deep he can only see two glinting red circles where the man's eyes would be.
"Ah-" The man is a bit unsettled by the red glow for a moment before regaining his composure. "What business do you have in our village, stranger?" His voice is firm and commands respect.
The pair of farmers shiver as they hear an oddly calm voice reply. "I seek an audience with thy village chief. Please take me to him." The stranger sounds old, probably a similar age to their chief. His appearance is suspicious, but he doesn't act like a ruffian.
The first man returns to the fields while the larger bearded man leads the cloaked stranger to the village chief's house. With a light knock, he announces his presence to the chief. "chief, a stranger is here and seeks an audience with you." The bearded man's voice is full of reverence for his village chief as he speaks.
"You may both enter." The strong aged voice of the village chief responds promptly to the request, and with that the pair of men enter the room.
The cloaked man is smaller than the other two in the room. The chief is a rather large man, his broad shoulders and his long white beard giving off a masculine prowess that dwarfs the slight figure of the cloaked stranger.
The bearded farmer departs with a respectful bow to his elder, and the chief gives him a light nod in acknowledgement. The door closes quietly as both men now stand alone in the well furnished house.
"Well, what is it you seek?" The village chief is curt and straight to the point. He finds the stranger in front of him to be rather unimpressive. His outfit and small stature make him seem unthreatening and weak.
The cloaked stranger silently lifts a gloved hand in the air and conjures a glyph of silver mana in front of his palm. The chief realizes the power of this spell rapidly forming in front of him, and holds up a large calloused hand to stop the stranger from continuing.
"Wait! I will hear you out. Please, sir. There is no need for violence." His voice is still full of confidence, but his words are much humbler than they were moments ago.
The cloaked figure stops casting, and the glyph disperses instantly. He moves his cloaked hand back to his side. "I am subjugating this village." His voice was cold and stern.
The chief's eyebrows raised in disbelief. He couldn't afford to anger this caster, but he couldn't pass control of his home to some mysterious wizard who had just waltzed into the village today.
"May I ask why? I would rather not hand over my position as chief to someone I just met." His voice is calm. He refrains from mocking the man in front of him with his tone.
With a soft chuckle, the cloaked man lifts his gloved hand up his black hood. The hood falls away to reveal a black skull. The eye sockets house a floating pair of crimson orbs which stare the chief dead in the eyes.
The undead appearance of the stranger causes the chief to quickly reach for a broadsword hanging on the wall behind him. This action is cut short as three magically conjured blades hover around the chief's body. Each blade is close to an artery, one nearly touching the burly man's neck.
"I suggest thou leave thoughts of resistance behind, chief." The lich's voice is dripping with contempt as he says the word chief.
The chief slowly turns as the blades move outwards, and looks at the undead monster standing a meter or so in front of him. Silver glyphs were formed in the split second that the chief's back had turned away from the lich.
"What do you want, skeleton?" His voice is now full of anger, and lacks any pretense of respect.
The lich cackles, a haunting laugh that echoes around the room and the chief's skull.
"Oh, chief. I told thou I wish to take control of this little settlement." The skeletons eyes glow with an unearthly power as he speaks.
The chief's expression hardens as his mind is filled with the horrors an undead caster might commit to a village of unsuspecting humans. His people could be used as blood banks, slaves, or killed and resurrected as zombie soldiers. He could not stand for this.
The lich's gaze does not miss the man's rage.
"Thy precious villagers, thou wish to keep their lives intact?" The skeletal head tilts slightly as the lich expresses mild interest in negotiating with the village chief.
"Yes, please. I will promise you tribute, allegiance, control! My only condition is the wellbeing of my people." The chief is desperate for the survival of his village and himself at this point. The undead caster is leagues above him in terms of combat power.
With a soft chuckle, the lich nods to the old man before him. "Thou will serve me wholly, and thy village is the first seed of my new domain." The lich is pleased with this outcome.
The chief is relieved, sighing slightly. His relief is not without hesitation. The lich could have killed him and his villagers without so much as a flick of the wrist, and yet he decided to instead approach the village in an aggressive diplomatic fashion.
"Ah... May I ask why you decided to talk with me rather than rain hell upon us without warning?" The village chief decides to bravely ask his question aloud.
"I can always slaughter those with talent, but resurrecting them has its limitations." The lich explains calmly. He is unbothered by the chief's disrespectful tone.
Finally understanding the logic behind the black skeleton's decision, the chief quiets down and nods solemnly. He slowly stands up while looking at his new tyrannical leader expectantly.
"Firstly, I shall create a base of operations for myself." His glowing eyes shine brightly with this statement.
The village chief goes to ask what he means, but before he can get the question out the lich has already created a triad of spell glyphs. The spells merge and suddenly with a loud rumbling a staircase appears in the corner of the chief's floor.
"W-What did you just do?" The lich gave a chuckle in response as he descends the newly formed stone stairs.
Beneath the chief's house is a spacious set of chambers made entirely of dark sturdy stone bricks. The thing spans under the majority of the village. Several stairwells connect to buildings in the town, but the exits are not fully opened as of yet.
"This will do for now." The lich nods his black skull in satisfaction before turning to look at the chief.
The village chief is still inspecting the surprisingly well crafted stone walls of the chamber. He straightens up once he notices the lich looking at him. "Y-Yes? How may I be of service?" The village chief stands at attention. His opinion of the skeletal caster has improved after seeing how capable his magic is.
"It is time I announce my subjugation to the villagers. They will have heard the rumbling of my base being created." The lich's jaw opens in what can be generously interpreted as a smile.
Both the chief and the undead walks up into the chief's house once more. Villagers have gathered outside the chief's house, and some even hold tools as if intending to fight whoever may have caused the ruckus.
The door opens, and the chief steps out with a solemn look on his face. He takes a deep breath before speaking to the villagers.
"I need everyone to gather here, immediately. This is of utmost importance." The chief's booming voice reaches throughout the small forest settlement, and the meager population gathers around the chief's house.
They all look at their chief with uncertainty, however instead of speaking he steps aside the door to his home. The wooden door opens slowly, and out steps a cloaked figure with a hood obscuring his face. He moves with purposefully slow steps to the center of the cleared space in the center of the crowd.
"As of today, this village is under new leadership." The magically produced voice echoes throughout the village and surrounding forest. The villagers wince at the volume.
Many murmur and glare at the stranger. Some look to their chief with confused expressions. The villager's reactions are cut short by a sudden flash of light. Magical glyphs form around the cloaked man, and condense into spells.
Fire shoots skyward in a huge column while ice freezes the packed dirt ground in a circular pattern around the caster. Air whips at the villager's clothes at unsettling intensities. While this show of magic power goes on the caster cackles loudly.
"Remember this day! Today is the day Kuhzam The Wicked returns!" The magic dissipates in a shower of glowing motes of mana.
The crowd of villagers is shocked by the magic power as well as the magically amplified proclamation made by the powerful wizard. They knew this man was far too powerful to resist, however none of them saw him as anything more than a tyrant.
The cloaked caster floated skywards, levitating on the wind like a bird. "Do not fret, peasants. Thou chief has bargained for thee lives!" The villagers relax only a little at this statement.
Wind whips across the settlement as the mage flies in a broad circle around the edges of the village. His hand is raised to form a variety of charcoal colored mana glyphs. These spells bring the ground up into imposing stone walls. The stone walls surround the village in a hexagonal perimeter, complete with two gates to the north and south.
The men and women tremble slightly at the sight of stone brick being conjured from the earth. The tremors cause dust to float into the air. The wall is layered, a parapet stretching across the top with stairs being spaced around the interior for easy access.
The metal gates formed from the ore in the earth stand tall and imposing, black wrought iron barring entry and exit. Thankfully the villagers can access the winches with which the gate is raised.
"Chief, what in Creos' name is happening?!" The bearded farmer from earlier approaches his chief with a hopeless expression on his face.
The chief shakes his head solemnly. "The village is under that man's command. His power is far too great for any of us to defy." His words are firm and lack any doubt.
The villagers feel the weight of the tyrant's rule press down on their spirits.
|
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"title": "The Lich Rises Again - Resurrection [1]",
"author": "LightNovelNovice",
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"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 2,
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"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
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"Psychological",
"Supernatural"
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"tags": [
"Demi-Humans",
"Demon Lord",
"Demons",
"Elemental Magic",
"Harem-seeking Protagonist",
"Imperial Harem",
"Kingdom Building",
"Kingdoms",
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"Summoning Magic",
"Sword And Magic",
"Underestimated Protagonist"
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|
coco33920
First time i write a story! Wish fulfillment shit to be honest but i'll try to write regularly for my own pleasure
Ophelie nervously walks from the Nimoy's University Boy Dorm to the Girl Dorm to meet Clara for their weekly "Dumb film festival" they started that 2 month into the first term to relieve the pressure of the intense work.
As she walks towards her destination she wonders if Clara will accept her coming out, memories of growing up with her brings a weak smile on her face, she remembers fondly her childhood with Clara, and she's lesbian so that should work she thought.
Finally reaching the third floor where Clara's room is she's welcomed by a tight hug from her friend.
- "Hey !!", Said Clara, practically shooting- "Hey..", anxiously replied Ophelie
They argued a little about what film to watch and finally agreed on a silly movie about a swamp monster being chased by the protagonists, they already seen it about a dozen times but each others presence is enough for the friends.
When Clara was about to start the movie Ophelie stopped her and grabbed her hand.
- "What?" Clara said softly, clearly intrigued by her friend's antics- "Hey... I want to tell you something important"...Clara just nodded but her face betrayed her anxiety- "I... I... I'm a girl.. trans that is" her voice barely a whisper by the end of the sentence.- "Oh. Okay. It makes a lot of sense, hum what's your name love?"- "Ophelie and she/her for pronoun please" - "Okay nice to meet you Ophelie! My best friend" a huge grin on Clara's face.
Clara did not wait more to embrace her new friend into a really tight hug. Ophelie felt relieved and it felt so right to hear her true name from her best friend her heart melt but little did she know she'll be even happier in a few hours.
- "Sooo i have something to tell too... You see i am a witch.. not like Harry Potter's world kind of witch that is we communicate with the universe and try to rebalance it with our art.. and i knew something was off with you because your link with the universe is... Off.. like gray clouds in a beautiful summer blue sky."
Ophelie immediately went non verbal she did not comprehend what her best friend just threw at her. Magic was a thing? And her best friend whom she knew for years can wield it? That's too good to be true? But, she trusted her she knew she wouldn't mess with her just after her coming out that was just plain mean so Ophelie decided to keep listening to her
- "I'm telling you that because, like, I infered that the something off was about your body you're not very masculine so I thought maybe you wanted to have a better body? So I studied body magic and with that i mastered a true form spell, for you, and i can use it on you right now if that's what you want."
Ophelie was shocked the look on her face deserved to be framed ( so naturally Clara took a picture of her ) her best friend could fast track the transition and she could have her dream body just now just like that? She realized she was stunned for a couple of minutes now so she wordlessly nodded to her best friend.
As quietly as Ophelie, Clara took her best friend hand into hers and summoned the universe she exactly carefully repeated the steps she learned and asked the universe to fix Ophelie's body. She felt the little tug and the little shock that signal the approval of the universe.
- "It's done, the change will slowly happens over the next few hours so why don't we start our dumb film night?"
Ophelie only could nod.
First she felt a little sleepy and fell a little into Clara's embrace now snuggly cuddled with her. Approximately half into the movie she could feel her skin softening all over her body and she marveled at the sensation, she really really loved that and couldn't stop herself to touch herself, not that Clara could too.
A few minutes after that she felt her face slightly moving just a little lump of far here, bones slightly higher, her face now rounder and far softer without the facial hair. Her hair already mid back grew a few inches more and turned from a pale blonde to a gorgeous ginger, and went from straight to averagely waivy and curly she couldn't stop admiring her hair while Clara couldn't stop admiring her face.
Soon enough the spell worked with her neck now thiner and lacking her once Adam Apple, her vocal cords shifted and she gasped in her new soft high soprano voice.
While her whole upper body was shrinking her already narrow shoulders narrowed further until they were tiny and she felt at home, her arms followed and soon they were as thin as her shoulders
Moderate breast grew on her now thinner rib cage and while Clara was glaring at them Ophelie was far more interested in her narrowing waist, her muscle melt, her stomach now without a trace of hard muscle and just a layer of soft fat topped by hairless soft skin.
Her pelvic area shifted to the feminine form while organs were rearangering in her inner abdominal area, her hips slightly widened just enough to contrast with her now much narrower waist. Her legs followed, excess muscle melted and the fat redistributed in her body her figure now a beautiful hourglass and softness all around her body as her far bigger and stronger friend was poking her all over her body, as she already shaved her legs they were now just as she liked them long and smooth and ended with beautiful tiny feet.
She felt like she lost a foot in height but she was squeaking beyond human understanding she felt so at home within her body, now looking as her 5'11 butch best friend she felt absolutely minuscule but couldn't stop herself to grin as Clara tightened her grip on her best friend.
After what felt like a lifetime hugging Clara, Ophelie asked her best friend to help her walk to the full body mirror, as she basked into the vision of her true self and the beautiful woman behind her she guessed her size around 5'1 - her dream size - and rushed hugging Clara once more. She dressed into what she found being the skirt version of the school uniform now her size but stopped at just the undergarments, she turned around looked up to Clara and said without an hint of anxiety
- "Can i kiss you Clara?"
~The End~
|
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You know that feeling you get when you're alone, after you've turned off all the lights in the house and you head to bed? When you feel as if you're being watched? When your breathing slows so that whatever presence your subconscious believes is lurking in the dark can't hear you? When you start to see figures and faces in the shadows - illusions created by your mind to justify the panic you're feeling, to tell you "you shouldn't be here?"
I'm here to tell you that you are being watched. That there is something hiding in the darkness of your home. Watching you... Listening.
I'll tell you my story.
I was marathoning horror films in my living room, my nightmare marathon as I like to call it. The lights were off of course. Only the soft glow of the TV screen illuminated the room surrounding me. It was the perfect Saturday night. The only thing missing was my girlfriend. It didn't bother me much. She hated scary movies and her clinging to me would rip me out of the immersion of whatever I was watching. She would force me stop any movie at the sight of the smallest bit of gore. That meant no Texas Chainsaw Massacre, no The Human Centipede, no Cabin Fever, and none of the Saw series. It was much better without her and her whining. Watching gory horror films in the dark, alone, was so much more fun.
I live in a nice house in the woods. My neighbors' houses were spread out and at night you couldn't see anything past the trees. No lights. No sounds. All alone. A perfect way to experience the best in horror.
I already watched The Shining, The Sixth Sense and was almost done with The Grudge (2004). It was the iconic scene where the croaking Onryō crawls down the stairs as the main protagonist watches, dragging her boyfriend's limp body to the door. The scene had just cut to the little boy at the stair railing when the power in my house went out. I snapped back into reality.
The moon dimly lit my living room through the sliding glass door and it was the only source of light now. Discontent with the sudden loss of my nightly entertainment, I gazed at the moonlit forest.
I was watching the gentle swaying of trees in the distance when that feeling slammed into me. The hairs on the back of my neck rose sharply and chills raced down my back. I instantly broke out into a cold sweat. It's a feeling that everyone knows. My senses sharpened and I thought I could hear a light shuffle in the kitchen behind me. I turned slowly, afraid to alert whatever it was but it was nothing. It's always nothing, isn't it? We work ourselves up, fearing the unknown, only for it to be nothing.
I can't see my neighbors' houses from mine so there was no way for me to know if the power outage existed beyond my home. It's not uncommon; I live in rural Idaho and the infrastructure out here is always breaking down. I decided to check the circuit breakers for my house. With any luck, I'd just have to flip a few switches and I'd be back to watching evil spirits indiscriminately kill whomever unknowingly stepped into their domain.
I lived out here long enough to know that you don't go outside at night without a gun, no matter how quick you'll be. There were always bears, mountain lions, and other wildlife lurking in the shadows. I went upstairs, got my shotgun, and headed to the garage. It was tough finding my way through a house blanketed in darkness.
I opened up the front door and the smell of moist air rushed into my nostrils. A storm was coming and the trees pulsed with the wind. I looked up and the moon was covered by a thick layer of clouds now. It was always nice to be outside in the moonlight. Once your eyes were adjusted to the darkness it was easy to see and the darkness of the night was always calming but it would take a while longer to adjust with the moon covered.
I headed out to the breaker box, soaking in the cool air and the fresh, floral smell a thunderstorm brings with it. All the breakers looked fine... It was just the monthly power outage we had to endure no matter how much money the government gave the power company for infrastructure. I decided to stop for a moment to enjoy the night before the rain would keep me inside.
I was looking just beyond my property line in my backyard when something caught my eye. The shadow of a face? It looked eerily like my girlfriend. I thought maybe she was trying to pull a prank on me and scare me while I was watching movies. Maybe she decided to skip out on her plans and come hang out with me. Maybe she saw that the power was out and knew I'd be sitting there on the couch, right where I always was. She had the perfect view of my living room from where she was laying in the grass.
I decided I was going to mess with her and act as if I didn't see her hiding. I walked around the corner towards the back door, pretending to be oblivious to my surroundings. The silhouette tracked me as I moved yet remained unmoving like the eyes of a painting as you walk past. My hair stood on end. Blood rushed through my veins as my heart pounded faster and faster. I turned toward the grass and could still see the face staring. It didn't move against the swaying background of grass.
I could feel my breath stop as I raised my flashlight to get a better look.
A loud bang behind me stole my attention. It came from the far end of my living room, near the stairs. In the split second I looked into my home, whatever I had seen outside was gone. The wind had picked up and I couldn't tell where I was looking before. I tried to go inside but the door was locked. I don't know why I thought it would be unlocked.
I called out my girlfriend's name, "Ariel! I know you're out there trying to scare me!"
No response.
I stared at the grass for minutes, trying to figure out what I was seeing. I let out a quiet laugh. I mean, why on Earth would my girlfriend be hiding in the grass outside my house. It was 11:30 at night, she was afraid of spooky ghosts in movies, and she was out with her friend to celebrate her friend's birthday. There's no way she would come over to my house and build up enough courage to hide in the grass to scare me. It was probably just a raccoon or some other animal.
We always have to justify our fear. It's a reminder that we don't see reality for what it really is. Our brains just do their best to interpret the signals our eyes and ears send it. Even still, rational thoughts don't block that uneasy feeling. I hurried back around the house to the front door and quickly closed it behind me as I stepped inside.
I had barely sat down on my bed when my smart doorbell sent a notification to my phone. I finally relented and bought one after countless commercials about them. They were "smart technology", the "internet of things." I don't care how smart they are. They're not smart enough to work when the power is out.
I checked my phone as my heart throbbed. I opened the doorbell app. The video feed was out but I could hear the audio, a faint whine. I was trying to figure out what was making the sound when I received a call from Ariel.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey, Jason! I'm pulling up to your house now, we called the night early. Emma had too much to drink."
She was as cheery as usual and didn't sound the least bit drunk. I was surprised. I figured she would have been drinking the whole night as well.
"Ok, great! I'll come down and open the front door. The power went out so I had to cut movie night short."
"Okay! See you sooooon," she squealed.
It was strange, she said she was pulling up to my house now but looking out the window, I didn't see her car anywhere along the driveway. It didn't even sound like she was driving. She usually talks to me on speaker phone and I always get annoyed at the background noise. Her car is old and makes way too much noise. I heard a knock on the door and thought she must have been parked on the side of the house.
Another notification from my smart doorbell popped up. She knocked again as I rounded the corner at the bottom of the stairs just in front of the door. Gripping the door knob, I looked through the eyehole expecting to see a smiling Ariel but nothing was there.
My heart skipped a beat as I pulled away from the door. In the corner of my eye I caught a shadow floating past the window in the room next to me. Again the hairs on my neck stood up and my breathing slowed. Normally, I wouldn't feel so uneasy from a small prank but I had been on edge all night and Ariel's antics weren't very amusing.
I picked up my phone and called her.
"Jaaaaashhhhhonnnn!" She answered, slurring her words.
"Ariel I know you're hiding around the corner, I saw your shadow in the window." I could hear music in the background, the thumping of bass and muffled yells.
"Whaat? I'm out with Emma and Sherry! Shtop being annoying." She was obviously drunk and not outside my home. I could feel my gut tighten and my eyes dilate at the realization.
"You just called me and told me you were done for the night and pulling up to my house. What are you doing?" There was a long pause before she answered.
"I never called you, Jashon. We're shtill at the bar and I'm staying the night at Emma'sh. I have to go, it's too hard to hear you. I'll call you when I get to her house".
I could hear Tony's voice in the background when she hung up. I told her she wasn't allowed to see him anymore, I never liked the way he talked to her and now she was going to cause yet another fight between her and I.
When the call ended, I received another doorbell notification. My stomach dropped and I froze. The last of the air in my lungs evacuated. The storm was getting closer and the wind became louder. I thought I could make out a whisper, "Jaassonnn" in a gust of wind. I moved slowly to the door and hesitantly peeked through the eyehole. Nothing.
It was darker now. Thick black clouds blotted out the light from the Moon and rain began to downpour. Living in the country meant feeling uneasy. It meant seeing and hearing unfamiliar things. It's just how life is when you're all alone in the middle of nature. I was used to the paranoia of this lifestyle but this felt different.
It was getting late and the storm meant the power would be out quite a bit longer. I decided it was time to lock up and head to bed. The power would be on by the time I woke up. I turned and started to walk to the back door. I was going to double check all the locks like I normally do.
As I approached the back door, I noticed it was unlocked. It should have been locked. I didn't unlock it. I looked up and in the grass just beyond my property was the same familiar face. It was darker now. I had to stare to make out the silhouette and the soft shadows across its surface.
Electric chills exploded from the back of my neck and raced down my spine. Every signal from my brain told me "you shouldn't be here."
I quickly latched the door shut, closed the blinds, sprinted up the stairs, and slammed my bedroom door shut. Sometimes I could hear the light patter of footsteps on the floor below me and the whistle of the wind that sounded too alive at times.
I sat at the edge of the bed with my back pressed firmly against the wall. I watched in horror as my bedroom door creaked open and a woman walked across my room. She sat at my desk and muttered something to herself while my body froze rigidly in place.
My instincts told me that I had to leave at that moment. I slowly rose from the bed and crept towards the door stepping lighter than I ever thought possible. As I moved past the woman and through the door, she jolted upright with her head fixated towards me.
I rushed down the stairs but slipped on the last step. I heard the woman in my room call out, "Robert! Is that you?"
I tried to get up but the floor was slick and I couldn't gain any traction. I looked down and I was lying in a pool of blood. There was a trail that led to the back door. I scrambled to my feet as the front door started to open and I ran towards my only exit, the back door.
The moon was no longer hidden by the clouds and I could see the trail of blood leading into the tall grass. I was drawn to it. As I walked closer I could make out a body. Ariel's body.
I started to hyperventilate as I tried to grasp the gravity of what I was seeing. There was another body next to hers - a man's. A wave of calmness washed over me. Lightning flashed overhead and my reality changed in an instant. I remembered everything. It was as if I finally woke up from a foggy dream.
***
Ariel came home around 2am after celebrating Emma's birthday. She was sobbing outside the front door in a state of drunken stupor. She confessed to cheating on me that night. Well, not exactly. In her lack of sobriety, she became a bit too flirty with Tony. He tried to get her away from Emma and take her to his house but she rejected him. No matter how many times she said no to him, he only became increasingly agitated. Emma was able to get Ariel away from him when he became aggressive. She called me shortly after and told me she was coming home early that night.
As she broke down in tears, she told me that Tony had followed her in his car but he swerved off the road before turning down my driveway. I sat her down on the couch and gave her a glass of water while I went to get my phone to call the police. I was still searching for my phone when Tony started to pound on my back door.
I rushed to my gun safe... Glass shattered downstairs... I unlocked my safe... Ariel screamed again... Every one of my senses focused on one goal, to protect her. I took out my shotgun, loaded three slugs as I ran out of the room. My vision narrowed to a pinpoint as I lept down the stairs but I was too late.
As I landed on the last step of the stairs there was a loud bang. My ears began to ring and I collapsed to the ground. My vision started to fade as I watched two boots walk past. Tony picked up my shotgun and walked out the back door. It felt as if hours had passed, though I know it couldn't have been more than 30 seconds from the moment I was shot to the moment he left my home.
The ringing in my ears subsided and I could hear Ariel again. It was barely a whimper. I gathered every bit of strength left in my body and crawled to my back door. Every movement was agony. Every lunge I made reminded me how close I was to death.
She was lying just beyond the edge of my backyard, in the tall grass that marked where my home meets the wilderness. As I laid there, only a few feet away from her, she let out a final whisper, "Jaassonnn." The world went black.
***
I've relived that night over and over and over in torment, as if I were being punished for not acting sooner. A nightmare so lucid that it would be impossible to discern it from reality if it weren't for the world of the living bleeding into the hell I've been entrapped in.
As the anniversary of that night approaches, I become more and more aware of the real world. At least, the world that was once reality for me. Year after year I beg the new inhabitants of my home to find a way to release me from this cycle. Year after year I am left alone, trapped in purgatory. Year after year I gain more control of the real world around me, as if the longer I sit in purgatory, the more I'm rejected by death. I've become much more powerful in the ten years since her death and I'm writing this as a plea to anyone who is reading.
Some are more perceptive than others and my efforts only drive them away. Others only shiver when I walk by. Some scurry up the stairs after they turn off the lights. No matter how they reacted, they always leave. When you feel like something is lurking in the darkness, watching you. When you feel the hairs on your neck rise. When electricity races down your back and commands your body to sprint up the stairs. It may just be a plea for help.
|
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PROLOGUETHE ELVEN WAR
The fort kept shaking and the man of majestic vibes was seen sitting on the trembling throne. He was in a war that have taken a lot from him, but even the united world was having a rough time fighting the Parvian King Samson. After losing his dominant hand in betrayal, many had thoughts that the king would crumble but he bounced back at his enemy with twice the vigour.
The Elves almost lost all the members of the Elven Council as Parvian Right Commander Xandor, butchered his way to the Clandor Royal palace. One of the rulers of the Clandorian diarchy system the Elven Council crumbled through his hands. Parvians were still standing strong against the whole world, but another betrayal was making its way to the king's back. His most trusted subordinate, the Left commander shook hands with the Alliance and lead the Elven army inside the castle.
Samson faced his friend turned enemy, Elanor, the current King of Clandor and his wife, Queen Reina, as two on one. It was practically impossible for them to best the knight king in front, but Samson was not whole. He already had lost his sword hand and the artefact which shook the world along with it. He could feel his end nearing, but before his end, he at least wanted to bring the traitorous left commander with him. No matter how much he searched for the traitor while battling the two, he could not find the backstabber with them.
With the reinforcement coming from the Allied Nations' side, Samson finally lost the strength to fight them off and ended up as the failed king, as the Karmish blade tore his soul along with his heart, and he mumbled the words to his long-time friend and enemy.
When the blood soils the skies and Rain paints the land red The Parvian sun will rise, sending the world in Dread.
King Samson accepted his death, laughing madly as the Parvians laid down their arms and cried in anguish at their king's death. Samson was the strongest existence of the current time and his fall lead hungry predators to prey upon the golden goose called Parv. But as always, the man with a plan already prepared some contingencies. Concordia, who was a neutral body, intervened against anyone killing further, enforcing the peace treaty between Clandor and Parv and making the other countries take their hands off the defeated nation.
Parvians were not the only ones who lost someone important in this war, the rulers of Genas lost the only man capable of supplying the rarest resource called Sunstones too. People ravaged the nation, hiding in secret and turning the country upside down, but they found nothing. With Concordia enforcing strict actions, they had no choice but to give up their search for the time being.
Grimgar claimed the body of King Samson as a justification for him being the third prince of their country. Parv had no choice but to comply. They lost their king's body as they grit their teeth. The treaty also robbed Parv of its riches and after the watered-mouth nations were finally forced to leave the country, it was back to being the lost cause just like before the arrival of their late king.
He had shown them a golden age of prosperity, but it was short-lived. The nation was in chaos and people were in a cutthroat situation to survive, but the kingmaker came out of the shadows as he took the reins of the failing nation. The Parv survived further regression as Arat disclosed himself as the bookholder of the Mandate and the chosen one to rule the Parv in the absence of their king.
The human and Elves were not the only Enemies, their king thoroughly humiliated the Ancients and they owed a visit to the Parv. The first thing Arat did as the Mandate suggested was to close off the nation with the old defensive fog called God's breath that in past used to imprison their Nation. The irony was, it became the sole thing protecting it from others and even an Ancient did not dare to step on it. The world was eyeing the pie but the sudden isolation and the several failed attempts to enter the Parv made them finally give up on the thoughts of dividing Parv for themselves.
JUST AFTER THE KINGS DEATH
Two men confronted the Edenberg couple who were charging straight for Clandor in revenge. they had no choice but to stop since the men who intervened were Norwin Grimgar and the left commander, the traitor who led to the fall of Parv. Sierra lost herself in rage and, along with Rudolf, was ready to die fighting, but Norwin gave them the stillborn child and offered a deal that blocked the path of their vengeance.
Seeing the stillborn legacy left by their child, Sierra hugged the infant boy dearly and accepted the deal. She left with her husband, not to be seen in the Genas for a long time.
This was the day when Genas Lost three great protectors, but as the old story folded, the new beginning was ready to unfold.
***
proxybaba
this is the sequel to the ongoing series
and will be updated post this.
|
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On the 1st day of the 1512th year of the Germanian calendar-
Snow fell from the autumn sky.
White flakes that formed crystalline patterns invisible to the naked eye danced in tune with the wind. It slowly descended, each inclined to bury the soil of yesterday.
A few of these icy specks landed on the hat of a cheerful child named Tommy. This boy ran with great speed, faster than most the children of his age. He brought with him a basket of spiky fruits that his family grew themselves—offerings to a benefactor of theirs.
Along the way, he was greeted by the jolly folks of the shoddy village. They gave him a wave, and he waved back with pleasure. The sight was perfect, if not for the kids loitering the streets in search of trash to fill their empty stomachs. Still, the sight of a man giving what little he had to the needy greatly pleased Tommy. Humanity took the most damage in the previous war, yet its charitable essence still remained.
Like snow, mankind buried the past in hopes of a radiant future.
"Hey Tommy!" a fat man by the name of Trump called the child. He was the one giving out bread to the homeless."How's your mother?"
"As healthy as a horse!" the child responded with much enthusiasm. "Thanks for asking!"
"Good to hear that! We can't have the flower of our village tainted with illness, can we?" the man chuckled. However, he turned despondent so suddenly. "10 years have passed since the 6th Great War, yet it continues to make us suffer. Our lands are poor and our reach, confined. Going outside the village barrier means bad things...
From his pocket, Trump pulled out a vial that contained red liquid. "Here, take this."
"What is it?"
"It's medicine, child. We must preserve our health, especially during these trying times. " Trump smiled. "I know she's alright now, but you can never be too careful these days. If she feels off again, make sure to give her the medicine!"
"Thank you, Mr. Trump!" Tommy keeps it. "Perhaps the soil will be rich this year round!"
"I hope so... You going to that strange man again?"
"Yes!" the child responded cheerfully. "You can talk to him! He's got a bit of a... sharp tongue (and a short temper), but he's really nice once you get to know him!"
"Eh, I wouldn't do that..." the man averted his gaze. "Now be quick! A storm is brewing, and you're spreading the odor of that... thing."
"I... I will." the boy responded, dispirited.
"Oh, did I say something wrong? I'm sorry child-"
"No! It's okay. This fruit IS insufferable!"
"Haha! You get off now, young one!"
Mr. Trump is a nice man, but why even believe such baseless rumors?—the child thought.
Tommy passed through the entire village with little trouble. Despite it being poor, he loved the place just as much as it loved him.
A couple of walks later, he finally arrived at the large gate located on the far end of the outskirts. It stood in the middle of nowhere, the sun casting a dark silhouette on the great structure before him. It gave visitors a sense of dread. No wonder the village feared it.
"I should tell him to buy more stuff." Tommy whispered to himself.
While covering the light of the early orange sun peeking slightly behind the roof, Tommy read the letters above the gate—
"Kapek Manor."
The child pushed the metal entrance with haste, as it was getting dark very quickly. The wind was starting to gain power over time. Even the early sun was immediately covered by the gray clouds. He must be quick.
He took a gander of the vicinity—Everything he had set his eyes upon, from the lush meadows to the small forest behind, was owned by the one he calls "Mr. Kapek".
They say that their benefactor was once a fierce soldier of the 6th Great War, which would explain his hefty wealth and noble title. Rumor say that he survived the war because of-
Rustle~
The tallgrass moved. Tommy turned to the grass for a brief period.
"Mr. Kapek?"
He was sure he saw a figure-
Caw!
"Oh, i-it's just a crow." the boy breathed a sigh of relief.
Besides the crickets and unusually large insects, pale green tallgrass filled the noble's yard. It would sometimes make all those who walked through them smeared with itch all over their skins. There were even times when they would cut. Furthermore, they were taller than Trump, taller than the walls, taller than him. Much taller than him, in fact. Tommy wouldn't visit the place if it wasn't for the pathway. There was something about the tall green that made him uneasy.
Thankfully, the dreadful overgrown foliage was not the only form of vegetation inside. Amidst the vast expanse of pale greenery, a large tree dwarfed the rest of the green. It even blocked the pathway to the mansion itself, as if it was guarding it. It housed a Germanian Great Owl named Ivankov—Mr. Kapek's service bird back in the military. Tommy briefly glanced at the sleeping owl with a smile before tip-toeing around its home.
Finally, he arrived.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Mr. Kapek?! Open up, Mr. Kapek! We brought you- Ugh, gifts!" Tommy pinched his nose. The fruit's stench was unbearable to him, to everyone, really. He would describe their odor as 'soggy feet'. How their benefactor eats such things, he does not know and does not wish to know.
He waited for an ample time, but Tommy received no response. Just to make sure that he was not unheard, he shouted once more.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Mr. Kapek! We brought your favorite—Durians! Come get it while it's frozen cold!"
But again, to no avail.
"... Mr. Kapek?"
The child would knock for the third time, but he noticed that the door was not closed.
Great darkness peeked through the entrance's small slit. An eerie silence accompanied the blackness within, seeping through the slight opening. Tommy was afraid of the dark, but he was also curious of what's inside. And above all else, the fruits in his cradle were—as he said—insufferably fetid.
"Pardon me, Mr. Kapek, but I really need to give you these Durians. My nose is on the verge of collapse."
Tommy went inside against his best wishes.
He dared not touch the door, for he didn't want to cause any noise. Instead, the boy squeezed right through the opening that the towering wooden door made. The gap was small, but he was smaller, and thus he was successful.
It was as dark as he expected, but he could see.
"Mr. Kapek was right, I have gifted eyes!"
Still, steering through the area proved difficult despite this gift. He can just about make out the table he almost crashed into.
"That was close." he breathed a sigh of relief.
Lowering his guard was a mistake.
The very moment he said those words, the foolish little boy stubbed his pinky toe on the leg of the same furniture he just avoided. Not only did the pain make him bawl, but in an immensely unfortunate sequence of events, it also made him let go of the durians-
THUD!
It... landed on the same toe he stubbed.
Meanwhile, the owner of the house came out of his bed with blade in hand. But upon seeing that it was just Tommy, he sheathed his blade.
"What are you doing here? And how did you get in?" a deep, coarse voice in the dark softly yet sternly interrogated him.
"Mr. Kapek, g-give me a minute." The child clenched his swollen toe in vain. "I... brought you these cursed Durians. They bring nothing but foul and misfortune, why even eat them?!"
"Don't curse the Durians, kid." Kapek yawned. "You're just retarded."
"But your house is so dark!"
The drowsy man clapped his hands twice. Afterwards, luminescent lamps were promptly activated and lit the entire mansion's space. Tommy was blinded for a moment due to how bright they were, but only for a moment.
Just like the outside, the inside of the mansion held nothing, spare a couple of dusty furniture and perhaps some dilapidated chandeliers. They littered the house in a cumbersome disarray.
Tommy inadvertently took his glance at the top of the stairs, and there he saw a rather youthful-looking man whose eyes were barely open.
"Ah fuck, its so bright!" Kapek grumbled. "Here you go, lights! Maybe next time, don't go here on daybreak for fuck's sake!"
\The village of Pert had conditioned themselves to wake up earlier than usual, to which Tommy was no exception. However, Mr. Kapek wasn't a part of the village. He was an outsider, an outcast. Not because the village made him, but because he chose to.
Because who the fuck wakes up this early in the morning?—Kapek scratched his head profusely. He hated the village's strange behavior.
Still, Tommy believed Kapek was a good person. He was the one who cured his mother, after all.
"W-well, I'll just leave these Durians here!" Tommy gathered the fruits in one place on the ground. "You really should spray some perfume on this pack of turd."
"I've been telling you, kid, they're not turds. They're delicious. Ivan and I love it."
"I'm s-sure it is." Tommy agreed in monotone.
"Is your mother well?" Kapek asked the child.
"Thanks to you, she's very well now!" Tommy responded brightly. "Well enough to marry you, Mr. Kapek."
"Hah! I wouldn't want someone who can't eat durians to be my child." Kapek scoffed.
Meanwhile, Tommy equipped a scowl. "... Whatever. You're the one missing out, anyway! Just so you know, she's the-"
"-most beautiful woman in the village. Already heard that from someone else." Kapek nonchalantly interrupted. "Wait, you didn't come here just to tell me all that... right?"
"Tehee~"
"... Fucking kids." Kapek grumbled and sighed, as he had no choice but to.
The drowsy man sluggishly walked downstairs and towards the boy with an obvious frown on his face and grumbles spewing out of his mouth. If anyone saw him approaching them as he did, then they would've ran away.
But Tommy knew better.
After reaching the boy, Kapek knelt for Tommy's swollen foot. Stretching his arm—yet not fully—the man aimed his finger towards the injured foot before mumbling a series of inaudible words.
This reminded him of a memory similar to this.
"Are you sure you can walk with that leg?"
"Eh, yuu'll carry me if I can't, anyway!"
"Oh, fuck you!"
"Why are you smiling?" Tommy asked the man, whose face immediately turned back to its usual grump.
"... You're seeing things, kid. And stop moving! Why are you so jittery?"
Kapek turned to Tommy's face. "... Is there something wrong?"
"You know, the village..." Tommy spoke.
"The village?"
"They... They're spreading the word..."
"What word?"
"T-that you deal with Black Magic."
"... And? You believe them?"
"No! Absolutely not!" the child quickly retorted. "I just... I just want to let you know."
Kapek stared at the child's expectant face. One moment Tommy was staring at him, the other he was averting it. The man gave the child a raised brow.
"You want me to clear them. To give them a show."
"I just don't like it when they badmouth you!"
"But you know I can't do that, kid." Kapek stood up as the foot was already healed. "It's not that easy."
"You would rather let them speak unpleasantries to you?" Tommy stomped his foot.
"That is called growing up, kid."
"Ugh, I'm tired of you calling me a kid!" the child yelled in frustration. "I'm not a kid anymore! I know a lot of things now! I can look for myself and my mother! And you need not treat me like this all the time!"
"Knowing is not enough. You need to understand that what you want, what you've been nagging for weeks now, cannot and will not happen. Consequences lie behind every seemingly rational action that we make."
"What are you trying to say?"
Kapek shook his head. "And that is why you're still a kid. One day, you'll see things the way I do. For now though, you fuck off. I want to sleep."
"But-"
"And Tommy-"
"..."
"Do NOT do anything stupid. Are we clear about that?"
Tommy clicked his tongue before stomping his way out of the mansion.
Your kid's just as nosy as you are, Ivan.—Kapek sighed.
ROAR!
A flash of lightning lit the gray skies awake. Kapek felt... disturbed.
Come to think of it, how did Tommy even get inside the house? It's not as if he would forget to lock it. He of all people won't make such a careless blunder.
With questions plaguing his mind, he opened the windows to call the child once more.
However... it seems that the answer was right there, standing still right beneath the shade of the tree, Ivan's grave. He held a dark cane which, like him, never moved. On his head rested a wide hat and a bird mask whose beak is long and pointed. Every single garment on his body was black.
Meanwhile, the raven on his shoulder cried a dreadful caw. The owl in the tree woke up and stared the raven warily.
Even when Tommy—who was still stomping his way home—greeted the man, he refused to budge.
"Go home, kid!" Kapek yelled from the window.
"Beh!" the child responded by flashing his tongue.
It was only after Tommy left that the man moved his body and spoke.
"Mr. Peter Kapek, wasn't it?" her feminine voice mildly surprised Kapek. He thought she was a man.
To further continue the conversation, Kapek went outside. When he did, he stared at her from head to toe right away. She was small. Tiny. About half his height. Is she a Mewt? But Mewts can't be this tall either.
"And who might you be?"
"My apologies for the early intrusion." she bowed and tipped her wide hat slightly. "But you ARE Mr. Peter Kapek, are you not?"
"And what if I am?"
The girl smirked behind her mask. "You see Mr. Kapek, we've heard... rumors."
"Ah, of course." Kapek scoffed. "You believe that black magic bullshit they're-"
"Peter Kapek. Drafted in the Order of the Germanic Knights at the age of 18. You rose through the ranks as a splendid knight. You even became a captain of a squad at 20. However, you DIED on the battlefield at 25."
Immediately, a suffocating silence filled the air between them. Neither moved from their place. Tommy, who looked back at the stranger, felt a crawling chill in his spine before rushing home. He wasn't scared of the stranger, but he was scared at the face that Mr. Kapek made.
"Who are you?" Kapek glared at the lady.
"The Kapeks are dead, yet someone claims to be one. That question fits you more. Don't you agree, Mr. Kapek?"
"Kapek" was unable to speak. Suddenly, the girl began to move. Her poise was excellent, indicating that she had proper training. It wasn't obvious, but her cane had a slight line just beneath the handle. It was most probably a blade. She approached the wary Peter before continuing.
"But that question is useless for me. I know every single thing about you, 'Mr. Kapek.'"
Kapek reached for the sword at his waist and prepared a battle stance. "... I'll ask you again. Who are you?"
"I think you meant... who are we?"
ROAR!
Lightning struck once more. The gale came harsher than it did before, swaying the tall grass to the side exaggeratedly to reveal the people it once concealed.
The lens on their mask reflected Lex's befuddled yet wary expression. All of them were dressed in the same black clothing the girl wore, yet each had different masks of animals placed on their heads. It was the only thing that distinguished them from one another, aside from their differing heights. After the lady clapped twice, they all bowed briefly in unison.
Only after their bows did the girl continued.
"Pardon our late introduction. We are the Order of the Purgers, and we came here to recruit you, Mr. Lupus."
|
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|
September 29th
Mene.
My name's in this notebook, so now it's mine.
I've erased all succubus behaviour from my mannerisms—not on purpose. I spend so much time pretending to be a human—pretending to be all kinds of humans, my brain purged succubus behaviour and made room for things like nail biting, or sitting in a strange position and insisting to everyone else that it’s more comfortable.
I'm still a succubus. That won’t ever change. Not that I'd want to if I could. Still, the idiosyncrasies of my race atrophied.
The habit of marking things as mine hasn't left, though. As soon as I brought this notebook home I opened it up and scribbled my name on the first page. Didn’t think, just wrote it down. Humans mark things too, maybe that’s why. I like this notebook though, so I’ll happily claim it as mine.
I’ve never thought of spending money outside of food and rent—expenses of living as a full time human. It’s a pain, but when in Rome. I don’t want for anything—there’s nothing in the human world worth wanting (there's food, but that's a need, so it doesn't count). Especially not a trifle like a notebook.
When I overhead some girls in class mention a “food diary”, I made an exception. I didn’t listen to their conversation beyond that. It's self explanatory. A diary. About your food. Of course, mine won't look like my classmates. I don't eat human food—not enough to warrant keeping a diary. Tasting everything at least once helped me develop a nice pallet though.
My meals are emotions of whatever human lets me feed on them... that's the annoying thing about being a demon. There's this strange rule in our culture about being “invited in”.
Us demons can wreak havoc on a human's life all we want, but only if they let us into their lives first. There’s no rule against deceiving a human into letting you in—it’s encouraged even. But should a human grow tried of one’s demonic hi-jinks and take the proper steps to send you away, you leave them alone.
Anything from an elaborate ritual to saying "piss off" with unwavering confidence will do. There’s reasons to these manners. In the same way, there's reason for humans to say "please" when asking for something.
I don’t know why humans say things like “please” and “thank you” or hold the door open for others though. And I don’t know the why the initiation rule is important. It’s just an inconvenience.
Especially since my I have more variety in my diet than the average succubus. Most only feed on sexual emotions. I can see why you'd and invitation to feed on that. You'd need your target to want you. However, in my case... I’m sure the office worker next to me wouldn’t mind if I eat their stress.
But I can't... us demons have rules. I'd rather not find out what happens if I break them.
Sometimes I think about switching back to a traditional diet. Getting full would be a lot faster and easier. But, I'm not too fond of sweet things. And sensual emotions are sickly sweet—apples and cherries coated in honey. Having the same meal every day and a sweet one... I don't understand the appeal.
Sounds like a punishment. Instead of rolling a boulder up the same hill for eternity, Sisyphus eats from a bottomless bowl of candied apples and cherries.
I'd take the boulder.
Enjoying a new meal every day, discovering what combination of flavours I love or makes me shudder in disgust. That's the only thing that brings joy to my eternal life. Not every human’s emotions taste the exact same, so I seldom eat the same meal twice. I don't mind that, but reliving my adventures in emotional gastronomy through this notebook sounds nice.
I've written a page worth nonsense so far, but I'm not sure if I'll do a good job of describing my meals. Ideally, I want to feel like I'm eating these meals a second time just by reading about them.
I've read books by both fellow demons and human authors. I doubt I’ll be as good with my works as they are, but I’ll my best. There's no way I'm as talented as any of them. I can shape shift and I have a wealth of supernatural powers... though I've forgotten what most of them are as I don't need them. Still, using creative words is out of my skill set.
Now, about yesterday's meal.
A married couple had me take the form of their daughter who passed away in an accident... or a terminal illness. I don't know. I take the form of lots of dead relatives—the causes of death blend into each other. The point is: they had a daughter, now they don't, so they hired me to pretend to be her for a day. All for the low price of their emotions and $45.00 an hour—acting classes aren't cheap.
Being seen by friends and family with your dead child would cause a lot of confusion, so we met up in a different town. I didn't even charge them extra for my transportation fees.
The couple pulled up to our agreed meeting place in an expensive looking black car that made what we were doing seem more shady than it actually was. They practically jumped out of the car and pulled me into a cozy—albeit suffocating—embrace the moment they saw me. I don't remember what their daughter looked like—faces blur together even more than deaths do. Whatever the girl looked like, I'm sure I copied her appearance just right—enough to fool them, at least.
Tears of joy streamed down their faces and onto mine as they called the name of their daughter over and over like a mantra or a prayer. Each time the name escaped their lips, I tasted something light and sweet. Like someone dropped pieces of cotton candy into my mouth one piece at a time. The day barely begun, and I already had a feast of pure joy.
The couple promised their daughter a day at the amusement park. She died before they could make good on that promise. Unfortunate but that's what I'm here for, right?
I spent the day being spoiled, and lavished with all the love and attention a human child I could ever want. Not something an adult succubus could ever appreciate, but I played the part well. My eyes lit up when I saw stuffed animals or candy, and I asked for them in the dead girl's small voice. I screamed with delight when we went on rides and smiled in every picture they took.
Joy was all I ate at the amusement park. I don’t have a sweet tooth, so it didn’t take long until I got bored with the couple's saccharine emotions. A few hours passed, and I tasted the vomit in the back of my throat more than anything else.
As the day progressed, bitter notes crept into the sweetness. It tasted less like cotton candy, and more like coffee with just enough sugar. The impending end of their perfect day brought down the couple's mood somewhat. A welcome change.
Our pseudo family outing ended with me feigning sleepiness and the man carrying me to the car on his back. I pretended to sleep in the back seat whilst they drove me home. Once we pulled in front of my apartment, my fake persona melted away.
Human manners rubbed off on me over the years, so even though I didn’t enough the meal I said:
"Thanks for the meal," as reached to open the car door. I used my voice. I wasn’t on the clock anymore.
Before I left, the man called the dead girl’s name, expecting me to turn around. I didn’t—it’s not my name.
"You don't have to go, you know." he said, his voice broke like he was going to cry.
"Please stay. Things will be better, I promise. Mom and I won't fight anymore."
This happens a lot. My clients get confused and think that I whoever they ask me to impersonate. It’s a pain to deal with, so I set them straight quickly.
"I'm not your daughter." I answered, using my sharpest tone. Being gentle with people like this isn’t wise.
The man gripped the steering wheel and looked at me in the rear-view mirror with an expression as pitiful as a puppy left in the rain.
“When my wife showed me your ad, I didn’t believe her. She'd already put us in debt by going to fake mediums and psychics. Then she said there’s someone who can turn into our—”
I don’t remember the girl’s name. Why would I? It’s not mine.
“I thought this had to be another scam, but you really turned into her. Not just her appearance. Her voice, her personality... you brought her back to life.”
The wife chimed in.
“We'll pay you, of course. Name your price, we don’t care if we bankrupt.”
Of course, she'd say that she spend their money on scam mediums without a second thought.
I didn’t even think about their offer before I refused. If I wanted the same meal everyday, I’d go bacj to normal succubus diet. At least then I wouldn't have to play house.
It’s common knowledge that demons always lie. And I the lie I sold to this couple was the hope of seeing their daughter again. But even a demon can be honest when they need to. As I opened the car door, I said:
“I’m a demon. I’m care to make you suffer, but my goal was never to make you happy either. I exist only to take from you. I’m not your daughter, and I don’t want to be. Sounds boring. If you want to see her again, I won’t stop you. You’ll have to wait at least a month or two, though. I’m overbooked.”
If I could, I’d eat the heartache off of them before I left—would’ve been a nice pallet cleanser. But, the end of the day, marked the end of our contract, so I couldn’t feed on them anymore.
I’ve had better meals. In hindsight, this one wasn’t worth writing about. I have a few meals lined up for tomorrow though, I might enjoy them better. Let’s hope for something savoury.
|
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A/N
I decided to use both 3rd and 1st POV. Some stuff might be out of place, I haven`t watched BNHA in a while.
Prologue
80% of the population possess an ability called Quirks. These Quirks gives different powers such as Strength Enhancement, Speed Enchancement, Invisibility, Flamebreath and such.
Quirkless. The 20.% of the population who doesn`t have 'Quirks' faces hard trials and it`s difficult for them to fit right into society. They often face discrimination, bullying, and such.
Now here enters our main character, Asahi Saito, when Asahi was a child he dreamed to become a hero like All Might. His dream was shattered when he went to the doctor to check if his Quirk manifested.
After that, his supposed 'Friends' started to avoid him and eventually they bullied him, It resulted him into hating people and avoid socializing. Albeit after some time, he eventually got used to them bullying him.
Right now, Asahi is walking in the park with a crumpled paper in his hands+ that spells out in Bold Letters "Career Path". If we take a look at the crumpled paper, it`s blank. Before Asahi went to the doctor to check if he has a quirk, he wanted to be a hero. A hero like All Might who faces every obstacle and challenges with unwavering confidence and power, but it was all shattered.
Asahi has no dreams, may it be being an engineer, doctor, architect. It`s not like he is looking down on these jobs. It`s just he has no motivation to be one. If he did become one it`ll be half-assed.
Now as the moon is shining is shining in the sky, Asahi decided to go home.
-Morning-
Right now it`s morning.
*Ring* *Ring*
The alarm clock was ringing, suddenly an arm slapped away the alarm clock and fell…
*Ring* *Ring*
It was still ringing even after it fell. "Sigh.." Asahi sighed. After that little strip, Asahi went to the living room eaten, prepared for school, then went away to school.
On the way to school, Asahi saw a fight between a hero and a villain. The villain destroyed the middle part of the Power Line causing it to fall to the citizens… But a hero appeared and held the fallen Power Line.
"Oh, it`s Death Arms. He carries out justice by using his super strength, Punching Hero!"
The mentioned hero is very tall and muscular. He has a squared jaw, small eyes, and a short and white hair. Suddenly, a floating water appeared in front of the citizens and the water formed a line causing everyone in the front to step back.
"Everyone, this is dangerous. Stay back, stay back!" Another hero appeared. The new hero was dressed like a fire fighter, with a white mask on his face, thin cannon strapped on his left shoulder which was attached to a red water tank on his back. "The rescue specialist, Backdraft. Is here, too!"
Moments later, another hero appeared on the air. "Kyaaaa!" "You can do it, Kamui!" Girls squealed and cheered when Kamui, the newcomer, appeared.
Then Kamui leaped in the ground and landed on the traffic lights and leaped again. Kamui then landed on the side of the street. Suddenly, a large hand punched the ground that Kamui was standing on. Kamui then jumped before it hit him. The villain then turned his head around and faced Kamui who was up in the air and screamed loudly "GET AWAY!"
The villain then swiped his hands forward to the hero, Kamui then made his arms longer then binded his arms to the metal pole which was connected to another metal pole. He then used that arm to avoid getting hit and travel behind the connecting poles.
Kamui then landed on the ground. Then he run towards the villain. The villain then bring down his hands to attack Kamui. Kamui then jump up and used that opportunity, then ran up towards the villain arms and jumped.
Kamui then lengthen his arms and tried to attack the villain, which the villain responded by blocking the lengthened arm, then the lengthened arm wrapped around the villain arms. The villain then immediately swooshed his arm, causing Kamui to be swing around. Then he used the momentum when he was forced to swing to land atop on the roof of the station.
"Illegal use of powers during rush hour and robbery resulting in bodily injury. You are the incarnation of evil." Kamui said and put his left arm aside on the air. His left arm quickly turned into something like the tree of a root but enlargened. Then Kamui screamed "PRE-EMPTIVE BINDING LACQUERED CHAIN PRISON!"
As Kamui`s arm grew closer to the villain. Suddenly, a large shadow enveloped the ground and it kicked the villain on the face which caused the villain to fall. Then there was as moment of silence…. "Huh?" Kamui Wood said with a surprised tone in his voice.
The newcomer then landed "Today is the day of my debut! My name is Mt. Lady. A pleasure to make your ass-quintance." Then she 'cutely' move her ass.
I deadpanned as a response to her statement. 'How can anyone be this shameless and reckless?' I asked to myself. Suddenly someone on my side started to mutter quickly. "HeronameMtLadyQuirkNameGigantificationDescriptionCanEnglargenItselfHardToFightInCities…."
The one muttering incomprehensible statements was someone from my school, Midoriya.
Midoriya is someone quirkless too. Though we both are quirkless, we aren`t friends. At most acquintance.
-Few hours later-
"Since you`re all third years, it`s time for you to think seriously about your future. I`ll pass handouts for your future plans now, but…you`re all... pretty much planning to go to Hero Course, right?" Said the energetic teacher with a smile on his face "YES!" All of them shouted except for me and Midoriya.
A few moments later… "Teach! Don't lump us all in the same group. Im not gonna be stuck at the bottom with these rejects" The one who said this was Katsuki Bakugo. Bakugo sometimes bullied me, though not as much as Midoriya.
"Bakugo that was really mean!" Said a random mob "Yeah, yeah!" Said another one of the random mobs. "You should all shut up like the extras you are!" Bakugo said mocking them.
"Oh, if I remember. Bakugo you`re going to the U.A. High, right?" Said the teacher.
"U.A. HIGH? THAT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL?"
" IT WAS IN THE TOP 0.2 IN THIS YEAR."
" THEIR ACCEPTANCE RATES ARE REALLY LOW TOO!" Said some of my classmates with a surprise tone.
"That`s why you`re all extras!" Said Bakugo mocking them. Bakugo then jumped out of his seat and stood atop of the table of his chair "I aced the mock test! I`m the only who could possibly pass at U.A. at this school" Bakugo said and smirked after his statement 'How confident and arrogant' I thought while listening to their antics.
"I'll definitely surpass All Might and become the top hero! My name`ll be inscribed on the list of top earners!" Said the arrogant and confident Bakugo. 'With that attitude you`ll become the top villain instead'
An hour has passed with Midoriya wanting to be a hero and them laughing at his antics. 'Well atleast he has the courage unlike you guys who`ll stay as a mob forever, I have no rights to be saying that though.'
Right now, Asahi is going home albeit a different route from the usual. While walking Asahi encountered something. Something attacked him… A large and gooey slime to be exact.[1]
And it`s absorbing him right now.
"Die for me will ya`" said the slime "You gotta understand kid. If I absorb sad humans it`ll make me more powerful bwaha!"
'SOMEONE! SAVE ME! IT CAN BE ANYBODY! JUST SAVE ME!' I tried to scream but I can`t. My vision is getting blurried, my sense of hearing is weakening. 'Im gonna die..'
Then suddenly memories of his past came back to him. Memories of him admiring heroes, imitating them. Then him getting bullied, berated, punched. 'Is this all…Am I gonna end it like this…' When suddenly everything around him started to crack, the tunnel, ground and such. The slime which was trying to absorb him exploded. And Asahi was out of death's door.
A/N
1.Not same slime as the one that attacked Deku
|
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We were a full squad of 6, this is the smallest group that has ever entered a dungeon. Yet, everyone thought they were fully prepared.
"Is everyone ready to go? Remember once going in you cant come back out." -Ichiro
"Yes captain!" -everyone
Ichiro sighed "I told you guys stop being so formal with me."
"We're ready Sir. hero."
"-_-. Anyway let's go in guys."
"I can't wait to see the loot we can obtain." -Ren
"Yea, what if their is a dragon, I really want to fight a dragon." -Kenji
"Don't be too reckless, I can only heal one person at a time." -Habiki
"You can count on me for that, I stay in the back with my bow." -Umi
"If we get out of this alive can you go on a date with me Umi?" -Kenji
"No chance."
"come on stop being so cold Umi."
"Humph."
This is my squad, and I love them. We have a cat beastman who is a rouge Ren, the healer who is a human priest Habiki, the elf Umi who is our archer, another human is Kenji and he is our magician, our dwarf Kazuto who is the tank, and then we have me Ichiro the hero among the human race.
Finally the doors opened and we go inside from what we heard of these dungeons go only 3 layers down. So, I thought it wouldn't be that hard. We all gathered around Ren, who is carrying our torch. Me and Kazuto in the front and Kenji, Umi, and Habiki in the back.
[King Toad: Age, 0: Lvl, 65: Health, 1346: Mana, 300: Speed, 355: Strength, 544: Defense, 323Skills: \Sticky attribute [10] (Max) \Poison resistance [5]/ \Poison attribute [8]/ \Poison fog [10] (max)/ \Jump [10] (Max)/ \Super jump [7]/ \Swim [7]/ \Self regen [1]/ A frog type species that is the last step before becoming a Emperor: Weakness: Ice]
"Formation B everyone this is a king toad watch out for his tongue and his health, his Nature that it tries to swallow you whole with its tongue from long range while creating a poisonous fog near itself" -Ichiro
The battle commenced Kazuto was in the front to block the hits, I was in the back if the toad jumped over, wile everyone else was in the middle. Umi was shooting arrows with wind attribute because that was where she was most proficient in, while Kenji was firing icicle lances because he was known to have mastered all elements, and Ren was slightly to the side using debuffs on the enemy to weaken and slow down.
The toad looked at us like we're pray and started creating the poisonous fog
"Jeez why did our first fight have to be against an A rank monster it really makes you wonder what the last flour boss will be like" -Umi
While we fired the first rounds of shots the toad took the hit just to finish the fog, and now it started whipping it's tongue around.
BAAM! "this tongue packs a punch. And without my shield the tongue would definitely stick to me." -Kazuto
after 3 minutes of throwing spells and shooting arrows the toad finally died
:Yay we did it, we also have no injuries thanks to you Habiki." -Ichiro
"It's noting really I was just doing what I can."
"Score! with this we can make gloves and boots to climb walls." Ren
Everyone grabbed a share of the king toad and put it in their pouch with space time magic Kenji made beforehand
They walked for 30 minutes not getting into anymore fights when they finally got to the first boss door. But strangely, the door was already open
"What's this you say that the boss can be anywhere around us at any moment, maybe even behind us right now?" -Kazuto
Everyone felt a shiver down their spine and turned around at the same moment.
|
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"title": "You Don’t Seem Like A Goddess? - Not that hard, Right?",
"author": "ICameHereToSayPog",
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|
Everyone turned around at the same moment
"Jeez, don't scare us to death like that Kazuto" -Umi
"What did I do?" -Kazuto
"Hey guys do you see that? The door is open" -Ichiro
"Wait I've heard that the door only opens once you kill the boss?" -Ren
"So does that mean that the toad was the boss of the first floor. Does that mean there was only the boss and nothing else on the first floor?" -Ichiro
"Guess so, I'm just glad we don't have to fight anything harder than that toad on the FIRST FLOOR!" -Habiki
"Why couldn't we fight anything stronger it would of been epic" -Kenji
"lets just go to the next floor. Formation everyone" -Ichiro
Everyone gets into formation wile they enter the next floor
When they enter instead of it being like a labyrinth that had what look like man made walls to a Artic plane
"How is it snowing inside of a cave?" -Umi
"We shouldn't question it. We need to be on guard questions later" -Ichiro
"I guess you may be right" -Umi
"It looks like a flat plain so lets just go forward I bet the boss door is on the other side" -Kenji
"I also believe that is right so lets go straight" -Ichiro
After walking for 15 minutes they come to what looks like a door, a boss door
"This is strange no monsters appeared on the first or second floor and only the bosses seem to be here" -Ichiro
"Lets just be glad that there are no monsters stopping us" -Habiki
"No" -Kenji
"Well Lets just go in and reach the final floor" -Ichiro
"Alright just let myself refresh myself before this fight" -Kazuto
-Drinking of beer intensifies-
"Really beer before we kill a boss?" -Umi
"Guessing you don't want any?" -Kazuto
Kazuto finishes drinking when they finally open the door to the boss room
[Emperor Winter-Space Bear: Age 0, lvl 85: Health 600: Mana 500: Speed 200: Strength 2500: Defense 2000: Skills: (Strength [10]) (Super strength [10]) (Teleport [10]) (Long distance teleport [2])(Silent spellcasting) (Defense [10]) (Super defense [9]) (Intimidate [10]) (Fear bringer [1]) (Claw technique [10]) (Claw mastery [4]) A winter bear that can not evolve any further (only 10 emperors of one species can exist at once) a monster that appear in the coldest places: Weakness: fire
"Get ready it's an Emperor" -Ichiro
"I can see the fame we could get by defeating this right now" -Kenji
"Huh where di--~~~"-Umi
""UMIIIII" -Everyone
What everyone saw was Umi just get slashed in half by a claw her size
"I Will Kill you!!!" -Kenji
"Kenji stop we need to stay in formation" -Ichiro
"Exploding arts self-destruction" -Kenji
"STOP! You're going to kill yourself" -Habiki
"Don't stop him he needs to do this we cant even scratch him with that defense unless we use everything we have witch will leave us with nothing for the last floor" -Ichiro
I'm saying that but I have tiers strolling down my face as I say so. This is the only way I told myself
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!
Both Kenji and the bears flesh fly everywhere while the rest gets pushed back by the 10 meter radius explosion
"Dang since we didn't even touch it we don't get the experience and I cant loot of of this corpse even" -Ren
"Do you have any remorse? two of our team just died! -Habiki
"Now based on the info we gained before hand their is a 10% chance of their being a boss on the last floor we need a team vote and since we have an even number I will not vote" -Ichiro
"I'm in I'll do anything for the reward of completing a dungeon" -Ren
"Are you out of your mind? I'm out" -Habiki
"None of us have families so I don't see your problem so what the hell I'm in" -Kazuto
"Then it's 2-1 off to the 3rd floor we go" -Ichiro
"Oh god our savior, please don't let anyone else die today" -Habiki
|
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|
Looking through the alley apa sits down and makes his so called bed and lays down falling asleep.
Time passed by fast but for some reason apa just had a bad feeling about being in this alley but soon falls asleep. When he wakes up he finds himself floating above himself maybe he was dreaming and was about to wake up when he sees someone walk into the alley walk by and stab him in the head he makes no struggles as all he can do is watch himself die by the hands of an unknown man.
Apa always had a bad life he was born being called a demon child for killing his mother when he was born throughout his life he was bullied and no one helped him like in those novels were a beautiful women appeared to save his day. But no his entire family died and he spent all his money on bear and the next day he was fired for no reason and a month after that kicked out of his house because he never paid rent. And now he was killed silently and no one to care.
He closes his eyes and lets himself be taken by the light.
|
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|
As usual, I wake up early to take a shower and have breakfast with my family with a menu of eggs, rice, and meat. I eat normal portions, not so much and not so little, because I have to take care of my health and fitness.
I'm Shirogane Touka, a student council president in high school, I'm 16 years old, my appearance is quite handsome, with long black hair, 183 cm tall and a pretty good body, neither fat nor skinny, because I always make time for train my body to look good and healthy.
I was born from a family that is neither rich nor poor because this is a pretty good family in terms of economy, I went to a school with very good facilities with a very high rating, it is the most favorite school in the world.
I was able to enter that school because I was very good at studying, I always got the first rank in school never once did I get a rank other than first, and when I was in junior high school, I got an invitation from that favorite school, Of course I was very surprised when I got the news, my parents even had tears of joy when they heard it because it was the world's favorite school.
When I first set foot there, I was very surprised by the specialties of the school, not only the facilities, but also the students, the students are very different from the students I met at the previous school, all the girls there look very beautiful, and none of the boys look bad, this school environment also doesn't see any trash or other dirt, I don't even see any damage to this school environment, such as holes, cracks, or other damage.
I've been in this school for at least 2 years, I ran to become the student council president, and I managed to get it, there's no such thing as luck here, it all depends on us. And during these 2 years, I've made some acquaintances, and something else.
"Please have some tea, Chief."
"Thank you, Erin"
It was the student council vice president, Erina Makise. Erina is a very beautiful woman, her sea blue eyes look very elegant, long jet black hair in a ponytail, her height is 169 cm, with a very beautiful white body and very slender smooth hands, they look very well groomed. good. Erina is very good at anything, whether it's lessons, swimming, volleyball, basketball, or others. That's why Erina is very popular in this school.
Erina was able to attend this school not because of her extraordinary background. Where is his father who almost holds all the finances in this country, and not only that, his father also owns a lot of companies or businesses in other countries, and of course his position is the highest. Her mother is also not trivial, her mother has a higher amount of power and finances than her father.
And Erina doesn't have any arrogance, greed, or other vices at all. Erina never brought anything luxurious to school, because she was reluctant to show it off. I know it's because my relationship with him is pretty close, but I don't have a romantic relationship with him, because we're both not interested in things like that.
"Is the work done?" Erina asked me who was busy doing something.
"Yeah, only a few left." I muttered in response to Erina's question.
"I see, don't push yourself too hard. You can just ask me to do it."
"It's okay, thank you. I'm used to this anyway. You can go home now, Erina. Your call has come, right? Because it's getting close to night."
“No, I plan to wait for the chairman to finish.”
Erina walked over to me to see what I was doing.
"I see, thank you"
I continued my work with Erina who was looking beside me, Erina's smell was so good I felt very comfortable when Erina was beside me,
I finished my work a little longer, after that we rushed to tidy up the room and took our bags and walked out of school. When we got out of school, we saw Erina's pick-up car in front of the school gate and dozens of cars escorting behind the car.
"See you tomorrow, Chief."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
We parted, I was still silent in front of the gate, and Erina who walked towards the very luxurious car, the maid came out to open the car door and Erina immediately entered the car.
After that, I walked to go home, because I prefer walking rather than using a bicycle, car or train. Since it would cost a lot of money, I prefer the simple one.
When I was walking, I was greeted by many students and students who were at my school, with those who used cars or those who were in the cafe.
It was late at night, I was in my house complex, with a very dark and lonely road. No animals or other creatures were seen passing by. But while I was walking, somewhere, I heard screams, cries and it sounded like a child's voice, I rushed to where the voice came from, after I was there, I saw a little boy who was pulled by three old men. It was very rude, I felt this was a kidnapping, therefore I ran towards him, the little boy saw me, and seemed to be hoping for a favor.
I quickly ran towards the old man, the man heard the sound of my footsteps immediately saw me and was about to attack me, but it was slow, I quickly grabbed the old man's neck and hit him on the ground and left a pretty big hole in the concrete. After that I locked the movement, the old man tried hard to get out of my lock and continuously rebelled.
"Shut up!, And as for the two of you, immediately release the little boy before I break his arm."
I took one of the old men hostage, and asked the rest of the group to release the little boy.
“Aghhhhhhh!!!! This damn pain, let me go!!”
“I told you to shut up didn't I!?!”
I pressed his body and strengthened my kucian earlier.
"Ahhhh!!!!"
The man screamed in pain, but I didn't care about that.
“Let him go brat!!”
One of the men who grabbed the little boy, ran towards me and took out a sharp object from his trouser pocket. That man intends to stab me or hurt me, I don't understand very well, but I feel it will be dangerous if I don't react.
I quickly let go of the man, but I didn't intend to let him stay awake at all, I broke his neck and hit his head hard, so the man fainted and lay with a broken neck.
I immediately looked ahead, and saw the knife that was right in front of my eyes. There was no time to be surprised, I immediately ducked down to dodge the attack and quickly turned my body backwards.
"Huhh, that's fast, do you intend to kill me?"
I stood quite far from the man who tried to stab me earlier, I readied myself and focused on fighting him.
“Great, you were able to avoid that, are you really just a school student?”
The man was also preparing himself to attack me, he looked like he was already an expert at this.
"You also look like you've mastered martial arts."
“Hahaha, do I look like that? It makes me happy a little.”
"Too bad I didn't mean to make you feel good"
I ran to attack him, and put my punch in his face, but he easily dodged my attack and smiled. I immediately wanted to put some distance between us.
'As I thought, he is indeed an expert at this, damn it won't be easy. It seems I did underestimate him, just because he's an old man.'
"Alright, it's your turn to attack"
"Yes? Then with pleasure."
The man ran towards me with the hand holding the knife, I took a position to avoid him, I strengthened my concentration and was at the peak of my seriousness, the man quickly made hundreds of attacks in just tens of seconds. And the attacks were all right at the vital points of my body, but I easily dodged the attacks continuously, the guy continuously attacked me with a knife, he also didn't look tired, he was still smiling at me.
On the other hand, I was constantly looking for the weak point of the attack but I couldn't find it at all, it was a perfect attack. It's been taking more than 5 minutes, and he's just attacking, I'm just dodging him. And after a while, I felt his attack getting weaker, and I easily found a weak point and immediately hit the man's hand.
The knife slipped from his grip and he groaned in pain, I didn't have time to pity the man and immediately kicked him in the face.
It was a very hard kick, the man was bleeding profusely from his mouth from the kick, and passed out not long after. After this man had passed out, I saw a man who was pointing his gun at the little boy's cheek.
"You, I saw you keep calling someone earlier, who are you calling?"
While I was busy dodging the man's attack, I saw the other man who was calling someone, and he did it continuously.
"You intend to contact your friends to gang up on me? Seriously, I'm still a schoolboy."
"Huh? What do I care, it's because you ruined our activities."
"You talk like you're used to doing things like this."
"Noisy, if you don't want me to shoot this gun, get out of here and forget what you saw. That way, you can live at least a little longer."
The man pointed his gun right at the little boy's cheek, and the little boy looked very frightened. I calmed down first before making a decision, in the first place I shouldn't have come to this place, but I also don't want my family home environment to become a kidnapping ground.
For a moment I was thinking hard about what I should do, the little boy gripped the man's cock hard, the man looked in so much pain and made his hand no longer on his cheek, it didn't end there, the little boy turned around to kick his cock again, and the man screamed very loudly.
"Ohh that's a very good trick"
After the little boy did that, he ran towards Shirogane and immediately turned his back on him, he hugged Shirogane tightly with trembling hands.
"That's very good, you're doing well now."
“T-thank you, y-brother.”
The little boy was still scared, it could be seen from the way he spoke to Shirogane that he still couldn't speak fluently.
"Damn you little boy"
The man got up quickly after a while of us talking, he rushed to grab his gun and pointed it at me.
“But still, if I can't make him a hostage, then I can still kill you with this.”
The man seemed to threaten me to get out of here immediately, but I didn't really care about that. Because now there will be no more victims. I ran towards him quickly and the little boy who was on my back.
“A-are you crazy!?! I will shoot you!!!”
I didn't care about his bluff and continued to run towards him with one hand ready to hit him hard in the face.
“Damn it I don't care anymore!!”
Bang... bang... bang... bang... bang..
The man shot 5 pistol bullets, that is the total number of bullets in the gun. And it was a terrifying speed with simultaneous shots fired.
But I was still able to dodge all of them, and the man was surprised when I could dodge all the shots that were thrown at me with my position carrying a small child on my back, the man rushed to reload his gun.
But it was too late because I quickly hit him right in the face using the rest of my hand that I used to hold the little boy's body. The man bounced quite far, at least 5-10 meters from the previous position, and made a crack mark.
"You wait here for a while, I believe he can still move and it will be troublesome if he runs away."
"F-okay, I understand"
" Good "
I lowered the little boy slowly, and immediately ran towards the man who had bounced off earlier. Look at his very messed up face, with 2-3 teeth loose.
“B-bastard, just now it really hurt.”
"It's like you can only talk."
"You damn psychopath made me like this."
The man lay helpless with blood that kept coming out of his mouth. His neck was slightly broken because of that. I ignored it and took my cellphone which was in my pants pocket, I intended to call the hospital and the police to take care of this.
Tap....Tap....Tap
I turned around quickly after hearing the footsteps, and was about to hit him thinking it was one of their friends.
"Ahhh"
" What !?! "
I was suddenly shocked because the scream came from a woman, and when I saw it, it was a very beautiful and elegant woman.
"Erina? what are you doing here?"
I let go of my hand that was about to hit him,
"Ah, that's right-----"
"Ah, talk about it later, because before that I have to immediately call the hospital and the police to take care of this."
I mean the three men lying on the ground with blood splattering everywhere and the place where there were a lot of cracks from the fight earlier.
"For that I have called him, because I was previously going to help you but I saw a situation where I would only be a burden to you, moreover they were carrying sharp weapons and firearms."
"That's right, it would be troublesome if I had to protect 2 people."
" Ha ha ha "
We laughed a little in that dark and quiet place. While waiting for the police and hospital to arrive, they soon arrived, and I explained everything that had happened, the little boy was also with me to help make them believe my explanation. But they didn't believe my statement a bit, and kept on interrogating me. Erina came and tried to convince the police, Erina even brought lawyers and professional detectives to solve this problem, and the lawyer explained what happened by bringing video evidence that Erina had previously recorded. The detective also showed evidence that all recording devices in this place had been destroyed by them for a long time and none of the residents knew about it because kidnapping or other crimes were rare.
Because their group is not only in this place, but almost all over the city and it turns out that their group has been targeted by the police for a long time, but the police have not been able to find their group leader at all.
After the interrogation and such were over, Erina and I immediately walked to my house first to drink tea and have other chats.
"So, why are you there?"
I asked why Erina could be in my house area, while Erina's house itself is very far from where I live, so it's impossible for us to meet by chance.
"Ah that's right, because I------"
Just as Erina was about to explain, there was a very fast car coming towards us, my body was already very tired from the battle earlier. My own hunch had told me that I would die this time,
but strangely, I feel my body is still able to run sideways to avoid it. And yes, I managed to dodge the car right after the car was in front of me, I jumped to the left and simultaneously pulled Erina. I did that with the remaining strength in my body.
And after we landed on the very hard paved, my clothes were torn and made a cut on Erina's hand. I was relieved that Erina and I were still able to avoid that, but still my hunch kept telling me that I was going to die today.
And when I was about to stand up, I didn't feel a heartbeat in my chest, nor any other feeling in my entire body, Erina's words alone couldn't be heard in my ears, I could only see her face and mouth. I don't understand why I'm like this, did I get hurt from a stab when I fought earlier? or shot by a gun? I do not know.
"Ahhh, so this is what it feels like to die.
Unfortunately, I have not had time to say goodbye to my family, I hope they are not too sad. I can only hope they stay happy without a single drop of water coming out of their eyes. "
|
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|
Sounds of wood chipping and hammering filled the area.
The gentle humming of the wind as it moves through the trees.
Quiet sounds of small animals echoed about.
And the silent lake at the side enhances the ambiance of the forest.
Aspen, a boy in his teens could be seen sitting on a tree stump and carving on a palm-sized wood, hands moving delicately and accurately, chipping where he wanted.
Humming alongside the breeze, he focused on his work, smiling as a faint outline was finally made. He positioned it right in front of him to take a better look.
An outline of a Skiddo could be seen. He nods to himself, seemingly satisfied with his work.
Dropping the Skiddo carving on the ground, he stands up and stretches, popping sounds of joints sounding out making him feel more satisfied.
Aspen sighed and looked at the lake, a melancholic expression on his face.
'It's been 13 years since I came here, and 1 year since she died'
He simply stared at the lake, unmoving, until he felt a pull at his sleeve.
Looking at his side, he sees the model of his carving. Abeona, his remaining family.
The Skiddo pulled on his shirt making him chuckle and said, “Beo, stop.“
She didn't stop, making him say more, “Okay, I'll stop moping if you stop pulling,” he said while chucking some more.
Hearing that, she finally stopped and looked at him. The light reflecting the lake and Beo made him realize that it was already nearing dusk.
“Ah, have I been working that long Beo?“ he asked the Skiddo who nodded her head fast.
Aspen looked up and stared at the clouds, noting how dark they were.
'It's going to rain soon, need to start a fire at the house, don't wanna get a cold,' he thought as he commanded Beo to grab him some firewood.
He picked up his carving supplies and went to the log cabin right beside the lake, putting his supplies there, and going out to help Beo with getting firewood.
He still had some dried Magicarp at the house so he didn't have to worry about not getting food for the night, the only thing needed at the moment was a source of warmth for the upcoming rain.
Both of them holding firewood with their hands and teeth respectively went back to the log cabin and dropped off the wood. Aspen counted them and nodded.
“I think that's enough girl, it's about to pour soon,” he said, which turned out to be true as it soon started to heavily rain.
They both got inside and closed the door. Abeona went to her spot on the carpet and lay down, while Aspen went to the hearth trying to start a fire.
'Knowing how to start a fire is really convenient, how did I not know how to do this in my last life,' he sighed, thinking about his unique situation.
Said situation is him suddenly waking up as a baby in the middle of a forest having memories of all sorts of things but not about what he is.
Memories like school, technology, entertainment such as anime and games, and also the nightmarish existence of a subject called Math. He wishes he didn't know the last one.
But oddly enough, he had no recollection of who he was, what his name was, or anything else about himself.
He would have died there and then, being a baby and all in the middle of a forest were it not for a very kind old lady.
The old lady, Sage, took him in and raised him as her son. She lived in the forest, which he found out was named Allearth from the old lady talking to herself.
An old rustic cabin was her home and by extension his too.
She lived as a sort of carver of pokemon, using any pokemon she meets as a model for her carvings. She also treats any wounded pokemon she meets with herbs she got from the forest, and basically just lived life as a hermit.
That was how he came to know that he was in the Pokemon world.
He also got the name Aspen due to her obsession with carving. Her favorite wood and the best for carving she said. He liked that she named him after a favorite of hers and was happy with his name.
He liked that sort of life, so he soon started doing the same as her which got Sage relieved as she thought he would not like this sort of life, away from civilization, and was prepared to send him to the city with her connections.
6 years passed and he can confidentially say he has the skills of an expert carver now, Sage also agreed.
This is also the time he got Abeona, his Skiddo.
It was night and there was a heavy storm at the time, thunder was rolling and the winds were roaring, when they heard a loud knock at the door.
Sage looked out the window and saw a heavily injured Gogoat and a young Skiddo. She hastily opened the door and let them in.
She tried treating the Gogoat but she wasn't able to save him and it soon died in the morning.
Skiddo didn't have anywhere to go and was still too young to survive on its own so Sage adopted the small goat too.
That's how Aspen got a sister.
Aspen looked at Abeona as he remembered the past, finally having done starting the fire.
He sat at a chair beside the table and relaxed, listening to the sound of rain dropping on the roof.
A few minutes passed and Aspen looked at Abeona, he said, "Do you wanna go outside Beo?"
Beo looked at her brother funny, why should she want to go out when it's raining?
Aspen recognized that look and chuckled, he added, "I meant going outside the forest, going on a Journey, maybe challenge a gym or two."
She sent him a scandalized look after hearing that, seemingly shocked that her brother would want to leave.
"I think we've greaved enough, and Sage would have wanted us to explore the world too, quite ironic when she was living a hermit life," he said as he remembered Sage saying how he should leave when he comes of age.
As much as Sage wanted him to stay with her, she knew that she couldn't keep him tied, and if he so wanted to continue her way of life, he should only do so when he's experienced more of what the world has to offer.
Abeona laid her head down, deeply thinking about it. A couple of seconds and she nods.
"Okay, we'll leave tomorrow," he said, and added some more when Abeona was about to interject, finding it too early to leave, "It would only get harder to leave the longer we stay, and we can just visit. This will always be our home."
Again, Abeona thought about it and nodded.
"It's decided then, to happy journey for us," Aspen said as he chuckled.
"Skii!" Abeona cried, somewhat excited now that she thought about leaving home.
Aspen laughed and they kept bantering until their stomachs growled. Prompting him to make dinner, and after eating they both went to sleep.
Getting ready for their adventure.
|
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|
“Hmmm, It’s dark. Where am I?” Confused, as I was floating in some kind of dark space.
You might be wondering who I am. Worry not, It’s introduction time!! Hear! Hear! My name is Josh Adri-- you know what, no. That’s too long of a name anyway, let’s just go with Tori now. My friends online calls me Tori, a guy that is called a “bird” online because of my invasive habits on certain websites.
You might be wondering why I’m in this type of place, a dark place with no sense of coldness, heat, and time.
Well, I died.
What? Was that too straightforward? It can’t be helped, let’s go for a little flashback shall we?
{queue flashback SFX}
“Damn, this sucks. I wanna go back home and continue writing my novel.” I thought as I was getting bored listening to my teacher discuss the lesson to the class.
“12:37 pm, damn. I need to wait for at least another one hour and eight minutes for this class to finish.” I say as I look at the clock, getting impatient because of how it feels so slow when the class was in session.
Waiting for the class to finish was a pain, so I decided to “draw” some things only to get yelled at by my teacher.
“OI!! JOSH, WHAT ARE YOU DOING DRAWING SOME FILTHY ILLUSTRATIONS ON MY CLASS!!!!” My damn ears hurt as that teacher yelled those words to me. He crumpled the paper I worked so hard drawing ahegao figure on.
“Damn it! This damn teacher is annoying.”
As that went on, the class finished. It was time for dismissal, making me happy as it was time to go home. As I was going out my friend called out to me.
“Yo, Josh. Are you going to the Internet Cafe with us?”
“Nah, dude. Not today, Imma go and finish my new chapter for the novel I’m making.”
“Alright, If you say so. Later, man.” He says as he went out of the classroom.
“Welp, time to go home.” I thought to myself as I left my school, going straight the way I go home with. It was mostly quiet as most students had already gone their own ways. Walking, I reached the waiting shed, I sat on the bench to wait for my ride home.
“KYAAAAA!!!”
“!?”
A sudden scream reached my ears, making me surprised. The scream sounded distressed and was near. Curious, I went to where it went only to see a strange guy come out of an alley. He was holding something.
“SHIT!? This guy is holding a bloodied knife!!”
As I was about to get away from the strange man, he started stabbing me in the back. I tripped from the pain it caused to my back. I groaned, the wound caused by the man started bleeding intensely. However that didn’t stop the man, as he started stabbing me again and this time in my chest as I was lying down on the floor.
“ACK!!! GAH!! AAAHHHHHH!!” I screamed from the pain from being stabbed multiple times.
The man started running away, leaving me bleeding while lying down on the floor.
“ACK!! Shit!! This hurts, damn it!!” I lost a lot of blood from the multiple stab the man gave me. I was slowly losing my consciousness from too much blood loss.
“Shit, I’m dying...I think...I couldn't even finish my novel…” I felt regret as I completely lost consciousness.
{Flashback SFX goes out}
Welcome back. Sad right? I couldn’t even finish the novel I worked so hard to create.
[That’s what you are sad about!?]
“Yeah, It was sad I couldn-- Wait, Who are you!!!” I said, shocked to see an Old man wearing an all white attire.
[Oh, sorry about that. I forgot to introduce myself. *ahem* Hello, I’m God.]
“So casual!!”
[Oh, was that too casual? Okay then, I'll say it this time properly....Hello there, young one. I am Torva, the God of Creation.]
“There we go. A proper introduction, you should’ve said that in the beginning. You had me surprised suddenly coming from behind me a while ago, old man.”
[Hoho. I apologize for that, young one.]
“Please call me Tori, Ojii-san*”
[Alright then, Tori-kun.]
“Woah there. You just called me with “-kun” didn’t you? Ojii-san, are you a man of culture?!” I said, surprised as I heard God called me with a Japanese honorifics when I called him “Ojii-san”.
[Hoho. Course I am, I'm interested in these stuff you young ones called manga and anime these days. It honestly got me surprised at how creative they were.]
“Yes, yes I know right!!! Ojii-san, what manga do you read??” I asked him curiously as it was my first time to ever really see a real God to be interested in Japanese culture.
[Hoho. I’m actually interested in this thing you humans call a Yandere manga. The unexpected relationship build ups in it are so interesting that I couldn’t stop wanting more.]
“Oh....you’re one of those people who likes those...Not that I’m against it.”
[Yes!! And do you happen to have some that you would recommend, Tori-kun!!!]
The God Torva said as he had stars in his pupils, full of excitement as he asked me that.
Without hesitation, I talked to him about various things. Discussing the variety of many interesting and great creations of the Japanese subculture. It felt like it took almost a day talking to God about the many things every cultured weeb would be so happy to talk about.
[Oh, it seems we have talked about a lot of things there, Tori-kun. So much that I forgot I needed to reincarnate your soul, hoho.]
“Eh? Reincarnate? As in I’ll go to Isekai!!!” I said excitedly, at the unexpected turn of events.
[Oho, I didn’t tell you? You must be excited as you get to experience isekai yourself, no?.]
“Damn right, I am!!! I’d love to experience it!!”
[Hoho, then How about I give two wishes? I was only supposed to give you one wish for the reincarnation but because I met you, I had a lot of fun conversing for the first time in years. I had almost forgotten how interesting some humans were.]
“Two, huh? I guess that’s reasonable. So I can wish for anything right?”
[Yep, wish anything you want.]
“Then for my first wish, I want to have Immortality.”
[Okay, immortality...Here this one.] God said as he took out what looked like a blue flame, throwing it at me.
“AHH!! What the!! Eh? It doesn’t...hurt…” I said surprised as the blue flames spread out from my whole body.
[Haha, of course it doesn’t. That, Tori-kun, is the \Immortal flame/. It merges with the host's “soul flame”.]
“Soul flame?”
[Just like the name suggests, it is a flame of life. Your soul’s flame that makes you alive. Fuse that with \Immortal flame/, it makes you immortal. As long as that Immortal flame is lit with your soul flame, you are an immortal.]
“Ohhh, I see. That makes sense to me. Alright now for my last wish...I want to have the 7 Age of Gods magic from the story “Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō”!!!”
[7 Age of Gods Magic? Oh! You mean those ancient magic from that story, huh?]
“Yes, Yes that!! I want to have those!!”
[Alright coming right up…] God said as he put his two hands in the air, glowing as he was starting to concentrate about something.
Then suddenly a ball of light was within God's grasp, he threw it at me. I felt a sense of warmth and comfort being engulfed by the ball of light that was now fusing into my body.
“Woah, I...feel oddly comfortable.”
[Hmmm, I should probably give you this…] God said as he handed over something.
“A Smartphone?”
[You should be able to connect to your old world with this, though keep in mind that you won’t be able to call or text anyone from your old world. It should only function to let you see the internet and such.]
“You’re one damn generous God!!! Thank you very much. This is good enough, really thank you, Ojii-san.”
[Hoho, now if you get into some trouble you should be able to call me with that phone. Have fun in your second life, Tori-kun.]
“Yes, I’ll make sure I do.” I said as some type of light swallowed my whole body.
______________
[He’s a good kid...I’ll be sure to watch over his adventures.]
______________
“Hmph! Geh, huh?” I groaned as I woke up in a very beautiful sight that was in front of me.
I seem to have been transported to a very beautiful plains. A flower field to my right, a forest to the left, a very far away mountain with the view of great rivers down the cliff, oh and also a flying dragon just right there in the blue sky.
Looking at a very fantasy-like monster, I realized I was really reincarnated to a different world.
Now to explain why I chose to wish to have Immortality, let me tell you why...First things first, I want to live a long life, happily going on adventures traveling from places to places which I couldn’t do in the past life. Second, eat all the food I can as long as I live, find and discover new dishes from around the places I could find. Third and last, live without regrets.
The next one, The 7 Age of Gods magic. As the name suggests, they are a very powerful and legendary type of magic that was in the story of my favorite Web Novel “Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō”. They are Creation Magic, Gravity Magic, Spatial Magic, Restoration/Regeneration Magic, Spirit Magic, Evolution Magic, and lastly Metamorphosis Magic in all order. If I were to explain them it would be…
Creation Magic is a magic that grants the user control over any object, structure (be it physical or magical) or mineral, allowing the user to shape or transform them in any way they wish. It is the only form of Magic which allows for the creation of an "Artifact". The true power of this magic is the ability to 'interfere with any inorganic material.
I wanted to have this magic for its purpose in creating the “Artifacts”. I needed them for my conveniences.
Next would be Gravity Magic. It gives the user control over gravity. The true power of this magic is the ability to 'interfere with the energy of a star', and not just gravity. Theoretically, it could also interfere with things like earth veins or terrestrial heat, bedrock or magma and it isn’t impossible to use this magic to purposefully generate an earthquake or volcanic eruption.
Spatial Magic allows the user to manipulate the space around themselves, allowing them to either bend or expand the space near them or move themselves to another space or location. The true power of this magic is the ability to 'interfere with the boundary'. Meaning it can allow the user to manipulate anything, like elimination of the race-creature gap, or formulating a new boundary to create the spirit world, it's possible to achieve those kinds of things.
With Spatial Magic I would be able to create an "Artifact" with the help of Creation Magic to help me with easy transport of my luggage if needed. Mostly it would be called a personal inventory like in MMORPG games, which is convenient.
Restoration/Regeneration Magic allows the user to restore the state of anything to either its previous or original condition. The true power of this magic is the ability to 'interfere with time', meaning it has the ability to manipulate the time of anything, anyplace or anyone to a point the user desires to.
This magic should be able to help me repair everything that needs to be repaired, oh and also for healing purposes.
Spirit Magic allows the user to manipulate the soul of a living being directly. It's possible to revive a living being back from the dead (time restriction applicable), or transfer the soul of a living being from one body to another, or even into a non-physical body as well, practically granting a living being immortality. The true power of this magic is the ability to 'interfere with the negative material possessed by living things'. To be more specific, this magic could also interfere with things like energy inside the body such as mana, heat, electricity, then thought, consciousness, and memory. Those who have mastery over this magic, can even create an artificial consciousness, and allow it to inhabit any body they wish.
I honestly don’t know if I would be able to use Spirit Magic other than healing mental problems, but it does have the possibility of creating an “artificial consciousness” in other words, an artificial soul. If I had to compare it to something, it’s like programming a new A.I.
Evolution Magic allows the user to enhance or evolve all other forms of power, be it strong or weak. It can even work on other "Ancient Magic" as well, boosting their power and scope. The true power of this magic is the ability to 'interfere with the information of existing things'. This magic enhances or evolves an ability or power by a stage of 1, by interfering with the target's information, and then increasing it‘s stage one-by-one.
A magic that would help me control over the other Age of Gods Magic with ease, which is neat itself.
And lastly Metamorphosis Magic allows the user to remake the form of a normal being and reform them into a different form. Normally it's used to remake a normal organism and turn it into a monster, or even manipulate the magic stone of a monster and remake them. But the true power of this magic is the ability to 'interfere with any organic material'. Meaning not only animals, it's also possible to remake plants or intelligent beings, and reform their structure as needed. Even byproducts of organic material, like paper or food can also be manipulated by this magic. The magic stone which gets created during the process is just a byproduct of the process.
This one is also very useful to me, as I can create even greater “Artifacts” when using Creation Magic. I’ll be able to upgrade as much as I can using this magic.
I should also note that when using and combining some of these Ancient Magic will let me have a conceptualization. It is called Concept Magic. This one is very important as it creates a very powerful combined arts of magic.
If I were to explain it, Concept Magic is a form of "Ancient Magic Arts" which is a combination of many other ancient magics, the main ability of concept magic is that it allows one to interfere with the laws of the world and impress concepts upon it. By raising up a powerful wish or desire with Spirit Magic and Evolution Magic, it can be raised to a level of a concept before being forcefully materialized with magical power. However, since the user's desire at the time of use is used as the base of the magic, to raise up and create the concept, the spell may not remain stable in subsequent uses, thus a single spell can only be used once under most circumstances. However if the desire is still needed, it can be used more than once.
Meaning I can create an “Artifact” that has that concept magic without losing it.
I guess that’s it for the explanation of the 7 Age of Gods magic. It would seem that I need to find a place to sleep. God did give me a change of clothes, the smartphone, oh and money. Really, what a generous God, I couldn’t ask for more.
*ring* *ring*
Thinking about how generous he was, the phone suddenly started ringing showing that someone was calling me.
“Who could it be?...God!!!” God was calling me through the phone. Without hesitation I tapped the accept button to answer God’s call.
“Hello. Ojii-san.”
[Oh, it connected. Good, good. Tori-kun, I seem to have forgotten to tell you. The phone I gave you has a GPS map app there to help you go on your way there in your new world. You should be able to find a town to help you rest on your first day. Don’t worry, Tori-kun, I transported you to a near town. You should be able to go there in about 1-2 hours of walk.]
“Hah...I see, well thank you for that, Ojii-san. That saves me the trouble.”
[Well good luck, Tori-kun. I’ll be hanging up now.]
“Yeah, thanks again, Ojii-san.” I said as God hung up.
With his advice, I started to check the GPS app on the phone. Looking there, I found the town’s name, Horaud. Oddly the town’s name feels very familiar but I ignore it as I need to find a place to rest.
With a destination in mind I started my walk through a new world.
|
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|
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything DC or Dragon Ball related.
We all have that one moment where something completely out of the ordinary happens. That moment that, if you’ve seen the movie “The Wizard Of Oz”, makes you say “I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore!” Well I just had that dreaded moment.
I shouldn’t have expected anything else when the first thing I remember about my day is walking down the street, heading to who knows where. I stop briefly to take in my surroundings and try to figure out where the the heck I am. My moment doesn’t last long when I’m run into from behind and someone mutters a curse behind me. “You may plan on standing in the road to get hit, but move out of the way so the rest of us don’t have to go with you!”
Turning around I give out a quick and embarrassed, “Sorry!” Then hurry on my way across the rest the road. Once there I make my way over to the side of a building, out of the way and try to figure out what’s going on. My first clue I wasn’t “In Kansas anymore”, was the huge city that was around me filled to the brim with people coming and going. Realizing that just standing here gawking at everything like a country hick, whose never been to a big city, isn’t the best way to understand my situation.
I start walking away from the direction most people seem to be heading and try making my way to cafe or coffee shop off the beaten path. After getting a couple blocks from where I started, the shrill sound of sirens coming from the direction I’m heading causes me to jump slightly. Quickly taking in my surroundings to see how many people I just embarrassed myself in front of, I sigh in relief when I only count a handful of people shooting me strange looks. Once the sirens go by toward the direction that I had been walking from.
Walking another block I see a sign for a coffee shop on the other side of the street that appears to have more empty sheets than occupied. “This is why I don’t like coming to the city. It takes forever to cross the street!” I mutter to myself while impatiently tapping my foot, trying to hold back my rising anxiety about my whole situation. Just as the safe to cross light comes on I start walking out into traffic just as I hear a horn coming from my left. Turning my head just enough to see the car, that didn’t stop when the light changed, had slammed on it’s brakes in an attempt to keep from running me over. ‘I’m gonna die without even knowing why I’m in the city.’
Taking off running I try to get as far out of the way from the car as I can, all the while keeping it in my peripheral. “I’m not gonna MAKE IT!” I yell while trying to jump out of the way. The next thing I see is a blur and now I’m on the other side of the street. “Oh No! Please let me be wrong…” Sighing and resigning myself to what may have happened I look around and come face to face with, probably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I can’t help the quick head to toe sweep I do of the blond bombshell in front of me and sigh inwardly when I piece together that she’s wearing a white, one piece suit with an oval cut out showing off the cleavage of her very impressive ‘assets’. To top everything off she had a red cape . “Power Girl!” I say on a breath as all the air leaves my lungs and I realize I’m in a death world.
“I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore Toto…”
|
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|
I only started this as a hobby so don't expect stable updates but the chapters going forward will have a minimum of 5k words, this I can promise, but when said chapters are going out though. Hehe.
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy reading what I've wrote as much I had fun writing it. And comments on how to make my writing better is very much appreciated. Some tricks and tips. Thank you!
Edit: Rewrote some stuff. Like the exam/test and stuff, and stuff. <3333
“Beo, come out! Let's go already! “ yells Aspen towards the house, already packing a big backpack and wearing traveling clothes.
He was dressed in brown suspenders over his tan-colored vertical-striped shirt and dark-gray pants. He also wore brown boots(waterproof).
The look complimented his blond shoulder-length wavy hair, alongside his sky-blue eyes.
“(Skiii!~)” he heard a cry inside the house, slightly muffled by being indoors.
"C'mon, we need to leave early otherwise we'll have to camp in the forest at night!" he called out some more.
Another 'Skii' answered his call.
Aspen went inside, having grown impatient, and discovers Abeona at the end of the hallway standing on her hind legs, reaching for the top of a bookshelf.
At the top was a 'shallow relief' carving of the three of them. Sage, Abeona, and him.
"I told you, we'll visit regularly, at least once a month," he said gently to the jumping Skiddo.
The Skiddo looked at him but kept jumping for the carving. Aspen chuckled and approached the bookcase, grabbed the carving, and said to Abeona, “Fine, we're taking it. Happy? “
She walked outside, nodding her head. Aspen shook his head as he followed the Skiddo outdoors.
"Are you ready? Did you forget anything?"
Beo shook her head, indicating that she hadn't forgotten anything and was ready to go.
"All right," Aspen replied as he looked back at the house with a bittersweet smile, to the log cabin where they had spent most of their lives with their deceased parent.
"Let's go," he said, and off they went on an adventure that the Pokemon world will soon not forget.
———————————————————————
A figure can be seen walking through the jungle while riding a Skiddo. The pair is of course Aspen and Abeona.
They both glanced around in wonder, taking in the new sights that greet them.
Although they lived in the forest and were bound to go outside, they never strayed too far from the area, hence the reaction.
And Abeona, while originally not being from the area, had already forgotten most of the sights outside as she was too young to remember.
As they walked, they saw Pokemons going about their daily lives.
Aspen could see Scatterbugs sticking on the trees and concluded that they might have entered Vivillon territory.
A butterfly-like Pokemon with colorful patterns on its wing.
Any trainer worth their salt should be wary when entering a Pokemon territory as most if not all of them are territorial.
But he wasn't that worried as Vivillons were known for their docile and friendly nature. As long as he didn't try to harm them.
Pokemon other than Scatterbugs were in the area too. Mostly Oddish's and their evolutions.
Aspen looked to his right and he sees an Oddish trying to bury itself in the ground.
He was confused at first when he remembered that Pokedex entry saying Oddish's had sensitive skin and they can't handle photosynthesizing sunlight, therefore, opting for the alternative, moonlight.
He just let the Pokemon be and continued on their way.
A few meters ahead, he saw the evolution of Oddish. A Gloom.
He was about to make Abeona turn another way when she did it on her own. He looked at her and saw her squinting her nose.
He chuckled and rubbed her neck, eliciting a 'skii' from her.
Even from here, Aspen could slightly smell the foul odor coming from the Gloom, which was probably even worse for Abeona considering Pokemon have better senses than most humans.
Then they saw a couple of Bellosoms a small clearing in front of them. They neared them as Bellosoms were very kind and playful Pokemons, they often even sang and danced for humans that cross their way.
And it looks like this was one of those 'often' as they were currently dancing and singing while forming a circle.
'Cute,' thought Aspen as he looked at the small Pokemons.
The Bellosoms soon noticed the pair as they paused in their dancing and stared at them. The pair felt bad thinking they might have ruined a private dance party.
But contrary to what they expected occurred as they soon got surrounded by dancing and singing Bellosoms.
Aspen and Abeona were in a daze at the suddenness of the situation but soon awoke as the singing of the Bellosoms got louder, thinking that the pair didn't like their performance due to the lack of reaction.
"Hahahaha!" Aspen was the first to get a hold of himself and laughed, clumsily mimicking the movements of the dance routine which reminded him of a Hula dance.
Beo quickly joined in on the fun as soon as she saw her brother do so, bouncing around like a mechanical bull ride.
“Skii!~ Skii~” she sang as they danced.
"Don't bounce around too much, Beo!" Aspen yelled chuckling, almost getting thrown off.
Delighted by their reaction, the Bellosoms danced more joyfully, the leaves hanging on their waist swaying along with their dance.
“Bello~ Bello~” the sound of their singing resounded in the clearing.
After a few minutes, Aspen knew they needed to move, lest they fail to arrive before nightfall.
They quickly sent their goodbyes to the good-natured Pokemons and moved on, a good encounter just at the start of their Journey.
Not noticing a new passenger inside their backpack.
———————————————————————
Hours passed since they met the Bellosoms and they had already covered a fair amount of ground.
Along the way, they met a couple of other Pokemons. Some are peaceful while others were violent.
The former they met with the same kind of peacefulness while they just ran away from the latter. Not wanting to get in conflict and also not having the time.
Orange was now painting the sky, slowly turning darker and darker. Luckily for Aspen, Camphrier Town was already visible.
"Look there Beo. That's Camphrier Town," Beo looked at where he pointed, "Just a couple more to go."
Finally seeing their destination excited Beo. She picked up the pace to arrive much faster, thrilled at seeing a Town for the very first time.
Running through a dirt road that ran towards the Town, the pair meets other people heading on their way home after a day's work.
He assumed they were all farmers, judging from their clothing and the farms all around them.
He didn't know what kind of crops they were, only that they looked similar to wheat but thicker. The strange crop filled the fields, stretching far and wide.
Some called out to them, worried, as they were moving too fast, thinking there might be an emergency. Aspen just waved them off, telling them everything was fine. He was embarrassed to say that they were rushing just because Beo was excited.
Although Aspen did tell Beo to slow down when they neared Town, thinking there might be a speeding law.
After a couple of more minutes, they finally reached the entrance. No guards were asking for ID's which he found a relief as he didn't have any form of identification on him. He hoped that wouldn't be a problem in his journey.
Entering the area, they are greeted by buildings of which the smallest are two stories high. They lined up the streets and at the center of the town, you could see a small mountain. Too big to be considered a mound but not big enough to be a mountain.
At the top of said small mountain sits a medieval castle made of stone, it had towers connected to the building at the sides with spires at the top offering the castle a classy look.
Aspen noticed that there were only a few people still on the streets, which he didn't think was strange considering it was already pretty late with the sun almost going out of view.
The streetlights automatically turned on eliciting a few impressed moans from the pair.
Aspen went to the nearest person he saw and asked “Good evening mister, where can I find the Pokemon center?“
The person in question was a man in his thirties, sporting casual attire with a bag of groceries. He looked at Aspen and pointed in a direction, “Over there kid. Just go straight then left if you can't go straight anymore.“
“Thanks, old man!“ said Aspen as he urged Beo to move. “I'm not old! I'm young at heart!“ responded the man with a shout earning him a chuckle from Aspen.
Following the instructions of the 'young' old man, Aspen and Beo soon found themselves at the front of a huge red-colored building with a Pokeball logo just above the entrance.
They went near the glass double doors when they suddenly opened on their own, scaring the hell out of them. Turns out it was automatic, everything was automatic these days.
They both yelped, which was heard by the people inside the building, making them chuckle.
Aspen blushed and then coughed on his fist, heading to the reception area, where they heal Pokemon as well as other things.
“Good eve' nurse Joy, I would like to register to be a Pokemon Trainer,” Aspen said as he stood in front of the pink-haired nurse.
“Good evening, to be a Pokemon Trainer you must be 13 years old and must pass a test that will be conducted at a later time. Did you bring any identification to prove your age?“ she asked with a smile.
'Crap, I didn't know,' thought Aspen as he sweat, not knowing what to do.
“U-uhm, I don't have any ID's, I am 13 though, is there another way I can be a trainer without them?“ he asked unsurely, rubbing his neck as he talked.
"Any form of identification works too. If you don't have anything physical that can prove your identity on you, might I suggest you use our scanner?" said nurse Joy as she gestured to the right of the reception area. He looked and found a PC with a chair right in front of it.
Moving out of her desk, nurse Joy went to the PC and typed for a few seconds then turned to Aspen.
“Let this scan your face so we can identify you,” she said still having a smile on her face, "As long as your registered in the League, your profile will show."
Aspen sweated more nervously as he stood in front of the machine, not sure if Sage registered him as he never really thought about it too.
'Of course, I need to register, what kind of country wouldn't register their citizens, stupid!' thought Aspen as he admonished himself.
The machine beeped every 1 second as it loaded, checking if he was in the database. Each beep was like a hammer to the heart for Aspen, his nervousness getting higher and higher until the machine sounded out.
[Registered! Aspen Woodland, Male, 13 years old, Residency: Camphrier Town, Occupation: None!]
“That's all we need, I just need you to sign some paper-” the nurse stopped talking as when she looked at Aspen... he was crying.
With a shocked and tear-filled face, Aspen just stood there, his eyes lingering on the last name right beside his name.
“Woodland… S-sage's surname” he murmured, having trouble talking as if something was blocking his throat, he struggled to stop himself from bawling his eyes out.
He only got hold of himself when he felt a pull on his sleeves. He looked and saw Beo, smiling at him with a few tears in her eyes too.
Aspen chuckled as he finds the situation similar to what happened yesterday. Rubbing his eyes with his sleeves, he looked toward nurse Joy finding her at a loss for words, and said, “Sorry about that nurse Joy, an inside thing. Got emotional.“
“No, it's okay. Sometimes it's necessary to cry, don't hold it in, becoming a trainer for the first time is an emotional event, I understand” she said as she smiled warmly at him, having awoken from her trance, "Although it's still a bit early to celebrate, you have not yet passed the test."
Aspen blushed and wanted to say that it wasn't because he was that happy to be a trainer or something cringe-worthy like that, but he held it in.
“Where were we again?“ he said as he chuckled, trying to continue where they left off.
“Oh yeah, as I was saying, now that we've confirmed you are what you said you were, you just need to sign a few papers to confirm things as well as an application form for the test. After that you'll need to take the test,“ she said as she went back to the reception area and handed Aspen the papers, “You can sign them at the tables over there if you want.“
Looking over, Aspen saw couches lining up the walls with multiple coffee tables in front of them. Walking over with his papers, he sat down on one of the couches and read them.
General questions such as family members, illness in the family, experience with Pokemon, and so on.
He tried answering them as sincerely as possible without omitting anything. A few minutes and he was almost done when he noticed someone sitting in front of him, looking at him with a smile.
It was a man his age, possibly younger. Sporting comfortable clothing, wearing only a white shirt and black shorts, also flip-flops.
Confused as to what his purpose was, he asked, "Do I know you?"
"No, but I saw you registering for a trainer license. Congrats man, you even cried and all, guess you must really be happy then,” he said with a big smile. Aspen blushed hearing that.
“Ah, no No!… That wasn't it,” flustered, he tried to explain, “And I didn't pass the test yet.“
'Who the hell is this dude!? And why is he talking about that!' thought Aspen embarrassingly.
“No need to be shy dude! Expressing your feelings is manly! no need to be embarrassed,” he said some more while laughing.
“No! It's really not about that!“ Aspen said this time with more emotion, but still having a massive blush. The young man stopped and looked at him, “Sorry about that, if I got it wrong… no, even if I got it right, wasn't my business,” he said this time having a blush instead of Aspen and rubbing his neck.
Aspen looked at him and chuckled, “Nah, it's fine. Thanks, and my name's Aspen, Aspen… Woodland.“
The young man seemingly not noticing the pause or just didn't care stretched out his hand and said, “Calem Xander, nice to meet you!“
———————————————————————
“Skip that part, not necessary. That one too,” pointed out Calem.
He was helping Aspen go through the paperwork, trying to get to know each other and not really having anything else to do. Aspen gladly accepted the free help.
Beo helped by sorting out the filled papers away from the still unfished ones. Aspen looked at Beo as she took out another already-done paper.
“We should get you a Pokeball Beo, I don't think they'd let a Pokemon without a ball enter gym battles,” he said.
Calem in a surprised tone enquired, “Does your Skiddo not like being in a Pokeball?“
Abeona looked at Calem then at her brother, also wondering why she didn't have a Pokeball.
“Hmm? Ah, no, Beo doesn't have a Pokeball yet, didn't really feel the need because we were living in the forest,” he answered, turning back to his papers after glancing at Beo. “But she probably has to right?“
“Yeah, if you're planning on taking the League. She can't even enter gym battles without a Pokeball, forget about Championship,“ Calem said in a 'matter of fact' tone. “It also serves as their ID, giving your Pokemon access to a lot of useful services. Additionally, it can also save you a lot of time regarding identification problems, especially if you plan to go to other regions in the future.“
Aspen looked at Calem smugly explaining, thinking that Beo being in a Pokeball was really too important to delay. He then noticed the right side area having a double glass door the same as the entrance, only this time the logo at the top was of a blue-colored Pokeball.
“Is that a Pokemart?“ he asked Calem who looked at where he gestured and nodded, confirming that it was indeed a Pokemart. “How convenient…“
Aspen looked at the Pokemart, planning on buying a Pokeball as soon as he finishes with what he was currently doing. Abeona perked up when she heard the conversation and saw Aspen staring at a Pokemart.
She didn't know what a Pokemart was, but based on the conversation, she assumed it was a place where you could buy things. She was about to pester Aspen to buy one first when Calem interjected.
"However, enough of that! Did you say that you lived in a forest? like, you never left? visited any towns or cities? Excitedly, Calem questioned.
“Yeah, my foster mother Sage found me in Allearth forest as a baby, she took me in and taught me how to carve wood. We pretty much-led hermit lives,” Aspen said. He didn't mind people finding out he lived that way—some might be a little embarrassed to simply live in the forest and have never been to a city—but he didn't care; in fact, he was proud of their way of life.
Hearing it made Calem pause, a little intrigued about the "found in a forest" bit, but then ignored it because it wasn't his place to question that, they weren't that close yet. He instead focused on another part, he said, “That's cool! living alone in a forest, far from anything, with Pokemons. What is it like?“
Aspen responded with a smile, "It was peaceful; I only had to worry about food and firewood for the hearth, aside from the occasional issues like poor weather and such. I did what I felt like doing anytime. If I wanted to carve something I would find a suitable wood and start carving on the spot. We had a lake right next to our log home, which made things much more convenient when I got hungry and went fishing for meals."
“Skii!~,” Abeona smiled and quickly nodded. “If it was that good why'd you guys leave? “ he asked, confused and curious about the reason why a hermit would suddenly decide to not be a... hermit.
“Sage, she passed away a year ago, told us to go outside and travel the world, to gain more experiences. I should make my decision after that, she said. She's right; I enjoyed living there, but I should venture out and explore more of what the world has to offer. I should only live as a hermit once I've done more things and feel like that's what I really want to do, to have more references,” Aspen said with a melancholic smile.
"Ah, sorry," murmured Calem, feeling embarrassed about bringing up something Aspen probably felt sad about.
Aspen chuckled and said, “Nah, it's fine. We've already moved on, a year is a long time, but we'll always remember her in our hearts. And we're not going on a journey just because Sage said so, we wanted to do this too. Right Beo? “
“Skiddo~,” said Beo with a nod. Aspen added, “We've been planning to for a long time now actually, just didn't think we'd do it due to Sage's passing.“
It was getting awkward so Aspen attempted to change the conversation, "So, where are you from? Did you just become a trainer too?" he said turning the questions to Calem.
Calem rubbed his neck and said sheepishly, "Looks like I was the only one asking questions," he said with a laugh then continued, "I'm from Vaniville Town, and yes, I just became a trainer too, about a week ago."
He then took a Pokeball from his knapsack and released a Pokemon. A red blur came out of the ball which quickly formed the outline of a small bipedal Pokemon, which became clearer as it landed on the ground, finally revealing what it was, a Chespin, a brown-skinned bipedal creature with a green spikey helmet on top of its head.
"Chespin! Ches!~" cried cutely the now released Pokemon. He looked at his trainer puzzled as to why he was let out, not that it was unusual; he was always outside his ball, just not this time.
"Meet Almond, my Chespin. Al, this is Aspen, he just became a trainer, say hi." Calem gestured to his Chespin to greet Aspen, which the Pokemon did in kind by looking at Aspen and crying 'Ches!~'.
"I'm not sure why, but Professor Sycamore decided to sponsor Vaniville's upcoming trainers this year, meaning me and my friends who had just started our Journey. That's how I got Almond as my partner, the prof. gave us starters and a Pokedex, and he would also give us a weekly allowance for basic necessities such as food and medicine, money for hotels or inns isn't included though, we'd have to figure out how and where to get those on our own," Calem said as he took out a red thin square device.
Aspen eyed the device he assumed to be the Pokedex. It was square-shaped and very thin, as thin as a pencil, with a metal body painted red on the front and black on the back, and the whole device was separated in half by a glass circle-shaped design.
Confused as to where the screen was supposed to be considering the glass part at the center was only as wide as a ruler and a ping pong ball, "That's supposed to be a Pokedex? How do you use it?" he inquired, his tone doubtful.
"I can see why you're confused; I was too when I first got it," Calem explained as he gripped both ends of the Pokedex and pulled. For a brief moment, Aspen worried that the device might split in half, but his fears were unfounded as the Pokedex stretched and lit up, followed by a mechanical sound signaling that the Pokedex was powered on and ready to use.
Aspen looked at the device in wonder. It reminded him of a flip phone, but instead of flipping it, you stretch it. Calem noticed his expression and offered him the Pokedex, asking, "Wanna try it?"
He nodded and took the device, hovering it over Chespin. The Pokedex vibrated a single time alongside a 'Ting!~' tone and booted a line of text detailing all about the Pokemon Chespin.
"I disabled the audio option and just converted it to text, didn't want to scare whatever Pokemon I used the dex on," said Calem as he noticed Aspen waiting for the voice function. Aspen nodded, thinking that it was indeed better to mute that function if he was hunting Pokemon.
He returned the Pokedex to Calem, "Thanks for letting me try, not often do you meet trainers who have a Pokedex," he said in a joyful tone, then asked, "So, I'm done with this, do I need to do anything else?" shaking the papers with his hand.
“Yeah, just need to pass that to nurse Joy to finish everything. But you should really put your Skidd- I mean Beo in a Pokeball if you want her to battle in gyms,” Calem said, “I can give you one if you want, as compensation for me being a little rude before,“ ending it with a laugh.
“No! It's okay, I'll just buy one at the Pokemart,” answered Aspen, pointing to the right side of the room, “I'll just buy one there, I've got a fair amount of Pokedollars from Sage's savings,” he said while making a thumbs up, not even a bit guilty about using his foster mother's money.
Although Aspen said all those to deny the gift, Calem insisted, picking a ball item with a red top and a white bottom from his bag, a Pokeball, and passing it to Aspen, saying, "If you won't accept it as compensation, take it as a token of our new friendship... I mean, we are friends, right?" smiling, he handed Aspen the Pokeball.
Aspen chuckled as he shook his head, smiling as he accepted the Pokeball, "Thank you."
Calem just grinned and said nothing. Aspen looked at Abeona and motioned for her to come closer, listening to her brother she walked towards him.
“Would you like a Pokeball, Beo? You don't have to if you don't want,” Aspen said nonchalantly as he put out his right hand, holding the Pokeball. He really didn't care, if Beo didn't want to battle then so be it, wouldn't change anything.
Beo merely stared at the Pokeball for a few seconds before pressing her forehead on the Pokeball's center, a small white circle protruding from it. A mechanical sound of something being absorbed rang out as her entire body glowed red and was sucked into the suddenly open Pokeball.
The Pokeball promptly closed once the Skiddo was completely taken in. The ball did not move an inch, indicating that Beo did not resist the capture.
“I guess this is where I say 'I caught a Skiddo!' right?“ Aspen murmured with a chuckle. “Yeah! That's the spirit!“ answered Calem in a bright tone, which made Aspen shake his head and chuckle even more.
Aspen stared at the Pokeball in his palm for a few seconds before pressing the button in the center and pointing it in front of him, releasing Abeona. The ball opened and a red light came out which quickly formed the body of Beo. She looked around and spotted Aspen and ran towards him in a skip crying “Skii~ Skii~” looking very excited.
“What? did you like it that much?“ said Aspen laughing as he played around with Beo, he looked at Calem who was smiling at them, and said, “I'll just pass these papers to nurse Joy and then register Beo.“
Aspen took the documents and headed to the reception area, where nurse Joy was waiting. She noticed him approaching her, assuming Aspen was probably finished or had questions, and smiled at him, asking, "Done?"
"Yup, nurse Joy, I just finished signing them, and I also want to register Beo, my Skiddo," Aspen remarked as he handed the nurse his registration forms.
Nurse Joy checked them as she flipped through the papers, sometimes taking a bit of time at a particular section and humming as she read what Aspen wrote.
"I don't see anything wrong, just answer and pass the test and you're basically done, only a picture for your trainer ID and an hour of waiting and you'll officially be a trainer, congratulations in advance," she says after a few seconds, smiling. "And simply give me your Skiddo's Pokeball with your trainer ID to register."
“Thanks!“ Aspen replied with a huge smile, eager to finally officially begin his journey. Then he remembered that he and Beo didn't have any place to stay for the night. “Nurse Joy, do you know where I could sleep tonight? A hotel or something.“
Nurse Joy was about to answer when she was cut off by Calem, “The Pokemon centers have cheap lodgings for trainers, I already booked one, we can share!“ he said smiling.
“Yes, we offer as said by trainer Calem, 'Cheap' but quality lodgings just above, the 2nd floor, the payment is only for the room and not by the number of occupants so sharing is allowed, as long as you don't damage any properties of the center,” nurse Joy added.
'Wow, that's convenient. And there's even a Pokemart inside the building just at the side, really convenient. Guess I'll be using Pokemon centers as lodgings from now on, at least until I find a better deal somewhere, which is unlikely,' Aspen mused as he nodded along to Joy's explanation and rules.
“You can take your exam in an hour, or tomorrow morning if you prefer. Just come here to the reception area if you want to answer them, and have a pleasant night,” she said, bowing in a Japanese style.
“I'll pick it up in the morning then, nurse Joy. Thanks again.“ Aspen said as he followed Calem up the stairs to the second floor.
The second floor followed the color scheme of the first floor, with white and lines that give off a modernized feel. A hallway stretching from the stairs to the other side was layout on the second floor, with rooms with numbers attached to the doors at the sides.
"Our room number is 13," Calem said without looking at Aspen, simply looking forward and walking. Aspen nodded in response, doing the same as Calem, merely taking in the sights, after all, he might utilize this feature regularly in the future.
Some doors on the side had plants, while others did not, and there were a few photos here and there, making the hallway feel less vacant.
After a few seconds of walking, they finally reached their destination, room 13. Using the card key nurse Joy had given them, they opened the door and entered the room.
It was furnished with a single bed on the right side and a table and chair in the center. The room was also air-conditioned, and there was a wall-type closet on the left side of the room where they found a few sleeping mats, most likely for trainers who chose to share rooms because there was only one bed.
Aspen took the blue sleeping mats, which were thick and fluffy enough to feel like a proper bed. 'I guess nurse Joy didn't lie about the quality, these are really excellent for a room this cheap,' he mused as he settled into his sleeping mat.
At first, Calem wanted to share, to sleep in the same bed as he felt awful taking the better bed for himself, but it would have already been too much thought Aspen; he had already paid for the room, so he should at least sleep in the proper bed.
The room was small. If multiple Aspen's lined up on their sides only 8 of them would fit, so Beo had to go back inside her ball as the room was too small to accommodate the three of them comfortably.
Aspen reached inside his large backpack and pulled out two wooden lunch boxes that stuck together to form a large lunch box wrapped in black rubber to keep them in place, as well as various wooden cutlery such as a wooden spoon and fork. He then took out a large water bottle filled with river water and glanced at Calem, saying, “Wanna eat now? or have you eaten dinner already? “
Calem had a blank look on his face as he watched Aspen take out all those items, he only awoke when Aspen spoke to him, "Wow, you're pretty prepared, huh?" he chuckled. "But no, haven't eaten yet. Can I have some in exchange for my crackers?" he added with a grin, putting out his hand clutching the see-through plastic wrap he took out from his bag packed with what Aspen assumed to be crackers.
Shaking his head, Aspen opened the lunch box, and inside was dried Magicarp. He held out the lunch box with the dried Magicarp to Calem and asked, “Want some? dried Magicarp, tastes bland but it's meat.“
“Sure, thanks. Take these crackers to go with it,” said Calem as he gave Aspen some of his crackers. He then noticed the other lunch box and asked, “What's inside that one? “
"That's for Beo, I'm going to send her out to eat too if you don't mind," Aspen said, looking at where he was pointing.
Calem shook his head, indicating that he didn't mind. Aspen then grabbed Beo's Pokeball and let her out. The Skiddo upon getting out of her Pokeball looked around confused about why she was let out.
“You weren't able to photosynthesize during our way here. I was riding on your back remember? “ asked Aspen to the Skiddo who nodded, remembering that Aspen had indeed ridden on her back the whole trip. “You're probably hungry right now," he added and continued by saying, "Sit down and I'll prepare your Pokeblocks. green your favorite ones,” which got the Skiddo excited.
“You know how to make Pokeblocks?“ Calum inquired. It was like learning that your friend knew how to bake a cake, not that hard, you could learn how to do one if you studied how but not a skill you would expect from a guy friend. Except if the said friend worked as a Chef or any job related to cuisine.
Aspen opened the other wooden lunch box, which contained green Pokeblocks. When Beo saw that, she got thrilled, drolling a little and whining at Aspen to hurry up. Her brother merely chuckled as he handed out the Pokeblocks to his impatient little sister.
“Yeah, Sage taught me how to make them. Said they're tasty for Pokemon, and I should learn how to make tasty food for Beo.“ Aspen chuckled, remembering the fond memory.
Calum nodded along as he ate his crackers alongside a few Magicarp slices of meat, he then glanced at the Pokeblocks and said, “I heard humans can eat Pokeblocks. Can I have one? I'm rather curious about the taste.“
Abeona whined hearing that not finding the idea of sharing her favorite food pleasant. “C'mon Beo, it's just one,” Aspen chided.
Beo, although not liking the idea, still gave a piece to Calem who said he didn't really want one that much after seeing the Pokemon's expression but still took it after Beo insisted. If she planned to give then she will give, she's stubborn that way.
Calem looked at the thumb-sized green cube in wonder, sniffing it but finding that it doesn't emit any odor. He shrugs and pops it in his mouth, and immediately regrets his decision.
“Euch! Huuk! W-what is this?“ Calem coughed as he choked on the Pokeblock. 'Bitter! ' he thought as he was about to spit it out when he saw the Skiddo's expression, it was as if she was saying 'Spit it out and you die' with just her face. Fighting the urge to puke, Calem forced himself to swallow despite feeling as if his tongue was burning from the bitterness.
Aspen's face fell as he looked at Calem, he said, “Oh my god! I am so sorry! I totally forgot that green Pokeblocks are very bitter, I was just so excited about being a trainer and everything. Here have some water!“ he finished saying as he quickly handed Calem his big bottle of water.
Quickly accepting the bottle, he drank it down, chugging it as if he was parched from not drinking anything for a week. Still coughing he wiped his mouth with his arm and said, “N-no, it's my fault. As they say—cough!—, curiosity killed the cat,” while still coughing from the leftover bitterness.
“Skiddo~” Abeona murmured as she shook her head, disappointed at the human's display. Calem chuckled at Beo's reaction, “You have an… acquired taste.“
“Beo's liked bitter things even when she was still very young. She even sometimes steals Sage's coffee, and a few times her coffee beans,” said with a wry grin, handing some more water and some fruits to Calem. “Here, eat these Lum berries too, they're sweet,” said Aspen as he handed the berries to Calem.
Popping one in his mouth, even though he was slightly hesitant about it remembering what happened to him when he ate one carelessly, he is pleasantly surprised because it was incredibly sweet, exactly like Aspen stated.
Aspen guessed what Calem was thinking from his look and remarked, "Lum berries are delicious if they're ripe, it changes flavors based on the maturity of the fruit. An example is when they're too ripe, instead of being sweet, they're bitter, and if almost rotting, sour."
“In fact, I made those green Pokeblocks from overripened Lum berries,” he casually added, making Calem choke on the fruit. “You learn something new every day,” Calem chuckled.
They continued eating in silence with the occasional chitchat and soon cleaned up once they were done. Aspen picked up Abeona's Pokeball and said, “You should come inside now girl. Even now it's kind of crowded in here, I'll let you out as much as you want tomorrow.“ Beo nodded, though she whined, and returned as Aspen pressed the return function of the Pokeball.
The room became much looser after Beo went inside her Pokeball. They both nestled under their blankets and turned out the lights, eager to sleep because they needed the energy to continue their journey the next day.
Amidst the dark and silent room slightly illuminated by the outside moonlight, only faint breathing noises could be heard, that is until Calem spoke, “You awake Aspen?“ he asked.
“Yeah, why?“ he answered, already having his eyes closed.
"You've been quite cool and we kinda get along, so I was thinking if you'd like to travel with," Calem said, looking up at the ceiling, which was somewhat illuminated by the faint light coming through the open-curtained window. "Partners and all that," he added.
"I need to talk with Beo about this," Aspen answered after a few seconds of thought. "I... we honestly don't have any ideas on what to do. Although I said we've been planning on leaving at some point in time, that was just it, leaving," he paused, searching for the proper phrase to say, and continued, “If we do decide to travel with someone else, we'd also like to travel with you, just saying.“
“That's enough for me,” he chuckled, “Good night.“
Aspen turned in his sleep and muttered back, “Good night.“
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "590360",
"id": "590413",
"q": 0.91,
"title": "Pokemon: Engraved - Chapter 1: Woodland",
"author": "Tetania",
"chapters": 2,
"rating": 5,
"rating_ct": 1,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Fanfiction",
"Romance",
"Slice of Life"
],
"tags": [
"Pokémon",
"Adopted Protagonist",
"Beast Companions",
"Late Romance"
]
}
|
At 05:21 PM on January 7th, year 2004 on Earth
The 29-year-old Lan Huan's breathing ceased as she lied down on the hospital bed, surrounded by her sobbing family.
Lan Huan's parents were an ordinary, loving family. They adored their only daughter since they already had three sons, but that happiness didn't last. At the age of three, Lan Huan collapsed with a high fever. She would endure an excruciating pain a few times a day. Her body functioned abnormally and she was always on the verge of death during such outbreaks. The hospital could not identify what was wrong with Lan Huan, but they found a way to preserve the young girl's life, however, it was very expensive. The couple grit their teeth and dug out what was left of their meager savings after buying the house a year ago. Eventually, they had to sell their house, but that still wasn't enough.
The military made an offer to take care of the fees in exchange for the right to study and experiment with Lan Huan's body. Lan Huan's parents wanted to immediately decline, but they didn't have the means for the hospital to continue the treatment. They were conflicted. The three-year-old Lan Huan heard their conversation and opened the door with her frail body. She said with her melodious, young voice, "Mommy, daddy, accept the offer. I know that I'm a burden and that you've tried your best to help me. If you accept the offer, I can live longer and be less of a burden on mommy and daddy."
It was heartbreaking to hear such mature words come out of a young girl's mouth. "Huan'er! What are you saying? Your body might be experimented on!" Yan Huan's mother replied.
"But, it's true. I don't know how much money my treatment costs, but it must be expensive. Even if I get experimented on, it's worth it because I can live longer. I just hope that I can still see mommy and daddy."
"Huan'er..." After discussing the problem seriously, they ended up accepting the offer. Lan Huan didn't blame them at all. She understood that they tried their best to keep her out of harm's way, but fate caused her to have such a strange illness.
Lan Huan's three brothers doted on their one and only little sister a lot, so they were devastated to find that she had to suffer. The eldest brother was 15 years older that Lan Huan. The second eldest brother was 11 years older than her and her third brother was 7 years older. All three brothers started doting their little sister even more, hoping that their sensible little sister would be more comfortable.
Even when Lan Huan was getting treatment, all of her family visited her at least once a week, if not more. When they couldn't, they made sure to call her. Due to her frail body caused by the strange illness, Lan Huan couldn't eat many of her favorite foods, so her family worked hard to make the watery gruel taste like her favorite foods.
As you can see, Lan Huan's family loved her very much. Of course they would feel sorrowful when she perished. Even Lan Huan's normally expressionless eldest brother was in tears.
Lan Huan, however, was viewing this scene. She had lived through 27 years of experiments, but she still died. She understood that she would die eventually, but she still felt a bit regretful towards burdening her beloved family. Lan Huan was curious as to why she could see her own body and that she seemed to be... floating?
What went through her mind was, So, souls actually exist? Lan Huan found it to be a curious thing. Did novels contain a hint of truth?
"Hey!" a childish voice called. Lan Huan was still in a daze as a young girl called out to her.
"Hey! Lan Huan!" the young girl called once again.
Finally regaining her senses, Lan Huan answered, "Yes?"
"I'm your Growth System that's linked to your soul! Your soul is going to dissipate soon and I have already found a new vessel for you!"
Although there were some disturbing deatils mixed in the little girl's words, what she wanted to know was, "Wait? Dissipate, and not reincarnate like in the myths?"
"Yes! So, that's why I'm in a rush! Quickly! Follow me!" The little girl led Lan Huan to what appeared to be a portal.
"Wait, what do you-" Before Lan Huan could finish her sentence, she was sucked into the portal.
Year 7540 of the Nova Star System Calendar
Pah! A seductive-looking woman's face was slapped by a fat man. "Why are you pregnant with a three-month-old fetus?! Now, I can't enjoy myself!"
Ever since year 1255 of the Nova Star System Calendar, the murder of a fetus is considered a crime unless it was unintentional. In the Nova Star System, they can check if the offender was aware. The second resort was to use a lie detector.
"You should've just hid it from me, so that I could enjoy myself. You're just a lowly concubine for my pleasure!"
In year 2175, polygamy for both genders was approved. Of course, all parties must agree. If the first partner of the said person disapproved, the said person could not cheat with or take in the second partner.
"It's not like I wanted to be one! My family was poor in the first place and you just had to pressure them into marrying me off to you! You idiotic fat pig!"
The woman quickly covered her mouth to prevent herself from saying more words that would anger the pig. That fat pig's name was Feng Ping which meant tranquil. His name really suit him, considering how violent he is and his sadistic tendencies. Perhaps that fat pig was handsome, but it was ruined by his temperament, fatness, and lack of hygiene! She had accidentally spoke out her true thoughts just then, but she couldn't help it! Just because of her natural appearance, that pig said that she was trying to seduce him.
She didn't want to be born with these looks! She wished that she looked more like her simple and neat mother or her honest father instead of her great-grandmother who relied on her appearance to make a living as a dancer before finally meeting her great-grandfather who was an honest and kind man.
When she was young, she had a childhood sweetheart. Although he was not very handsome nor talented, he was at least considerate. He would call her 'little meimei' gently. A treasured memory of hers was when he said, "Tang Mei, huh? What a beautiful name. It really suits you because you really are like a lucky, red gem."
Thinking of him, a tear slid out of her eyes. You liar, I'm not lucky at all...
"Why are you acting so pitiful, huh? It's not like I'm abusing you!"
Even Feng Ping, who was from a powerful family, was scared of breaking the law. One law established was that there must be no domestic violence within a household. Consequences could vary between loss of power, demotion to a lower planet, life sentence, and even worse, death by torture. It was even worse since he was only from a third-rate planet. Although he could bully people from lower planets like Tang Mei who was from a fifth-rate planet, but he could not go against any forces on higher planets. An extremely powerful force was the military which had a law enforcement division.
Hearing those words, Tang Mei glared at him. This wasn't abuse? Then, what was abuse? Tang Mei took a deep breath to calm herself down and said with a shaky voice, "If you continue to outrage me, I just might accidentally miscarry, and it'll be all your fault!"
"You, you know how to threaten me now, don't you!" Feng Ping pointed his trembling finger at Tang Mei. Feng Ping proceeded to try to slap her, but stopped in the middle. "Forget it! This young master is too noble to argue with such a lowly being." He hmphed and turned around to walk out. If you observed closely, you could see that Feng Ping's eyes held a trace of fear that Tang Mei would report him to the authorities. Feng Ping made sure to carefully lock the door.
After the fat pig left, Tang Mei heaved a sigh of relief as she stroked her slightly swollen stomach affectionately. "Don't worry, baby. I made sure not to contaminate your blood with that fat pig's genes."
"As for how, that's a secret for now." Tang Mei smiled mysteriously.
|
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"series": "183059",
"id": "183070",
"q": 0.91,
"title": "Conquest of the Future - Chapter 1: The Death of Lan Huan",
"author": "Nocturne_Skies",
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|
I finally did it. I signed up for the Crab. I’d heard stories about it when I was younger and they always really stuck with me. As I got older I started doing research, and not only is the Crab very real, but letting it take you is actually a super easy process. All it required was filling out a form online. Where I lived, where I worked, etc. The government was required to take care of those things and make sure they were still there when you returned from your crab year. This was to make sure I wouldn’t find myself homeless and without a job when I got back.
The next Crab Day was a few months from when I signed up. It always took place on Colossal Crab Beach on the summer equinox. Throughout the world there were various locations where creatures of legend would show up periodically. Each one served a different purpose, but the only one that mattered to me was the Crab. Waiting for the Crab was killing me, but my friends, family and coworkers could tell how excited I was.
As Crab Day drew near, I was given a plane ticket so I could make my way there. The seats weren’t that great, but there were a lot of people going there for the same reason that I was and the people covering our tickets wanted to economize where they could. I had a window seat, and was content to watch the scenery go by and maybe take a nap, but the person next to me was way too excited and pulled me into a conversation about the Crab. All of us Crab passengers had name tags with our chosen names and pronouns written on them, next to a little picture of a cute cartoon crab.
My neighbor started talking to me and when I glanced down at her name tag and she pulled her shirt out so I could see it better. Her name was Lilah, and when I used it and her correct pronouns she had such a bright smile. I introduced myself as Lexi, and following her lead, we started going over everything we knew about the Crab.
The Crab, like all the other legendary creatures, predates all known history, both written and oral. It shows up once a year, and when it does, all of the passengers from the previous year get off. As is tradition, all of these people spend the whole day helping out the next batch of passengers. No one is allowed to talk about what happens down in the depths of the ocean, but everyone says it’s an amazing experience and that there isn’t anything to worry about.
The biggest thing is that when everyone returns from the ocean, they have bodies that suit them. Lilah and I got into a discussion about all the things our dream bodies would be, and all the hardships we’ve gone through as a result of having bodies so terribly far from what we wished they were. We also, like so many before us, speculated about what could possibly be waiting for us. The only clues we had was that before someone got on the Crab, they were handed a shell necklace and had to change into only a tunic with a top underneath.
As the plane landed and we walked through the airport, we promised to meet each other again later. It was still a few days before the big event, and I was content to spend the rest of the night sleeping off my jet lag. Even Lilah, despite her enormous reserves of energy, needed some sleep.
I was woken up early the next morning by Lilah calling me. “Hey do you want to meet up for breakfast? I found a nice place that’s between our hotels.”
I did not get enough sleep and yawned and groaned before being able to answer. “How are you even awake right now?”
“How can I not be awake? Our lives are about to turn around! We’re going on an adventure! But if you need to sleep still we can meet later instead.”
I yawned again. “No, no. I can go out. Just… Just give me a bit. Meet you an hour?”
“An hour? Yeah, sure! See you then! Byyyyyye!!!”
Where does all that energy come from? She could power a city with her excitableness. I yawned again and stared at the wall while sitting on my bed as I worked up the energy to start the day. After a few minutes I forced myself to get up. I promised to meet Lilah and didn’t want to keep her waiting.
The government only paid the minimum to take care of all the people hitching a ride on the Crab. This meant cheap flights and hotels. That didn’t mean that what they offered was terrible, but if you wanted more you would have to spend your own money. I didn’t make much, but I had been saving what I could so I could do a few things in the city while I waited for Crab Day to arrive.
I took my shower and began walking to the diner we said we would meet at. The walk perked me up a little, but I was in desperate need of coffee. I entered the diner and spotted Lilah in a booth to my left. She got this big grin when she saw me and waved me over. The place was pretty packed, but I suppose it would be with the massive influx of people during this time of year. I’m surprised there was even a booth available.
“Heeeey, Lex~! How’re ya doin’?” she asked as I sat myself across from her.
“Morning. Need coffee. Sleepy.”
“Not a morning person I take it?”
“Not really, but this is mostly jet lag. How do you have so much energy? It’s unreal. And how did you get a booth so fast?”
“I’ve always been pretty energetic. This is just how I am. The booth was the last one open when I got here, so I was just lucky.”
A waitress came over and I got my much-needed coffee. We ordered our breakfasts and they were big and delicious. By the end of our meal I wouldn’t say I was at 100% but I was close enough. Neither of us had a ton of spare money, so we mostly just spent the rest of the day walking around to various tourist attractions. At the end of the day we were holding hands.
“I’m glad you’re here with me, Lex. Having a friend from so close to home is really great.”
“Yeah. I don’t know if I would’ve done even half the stuff we did without you here. I might’ve even just watched TV instead of going out. I’m sure you would’ve found someone else to make friends with though if I wasn’t here.”
“Hmm. Maybe? I just clicked with you right away. It’s like you help calm me down and reel me in from just doing an endless stream of random things. That doesn’t happen with most people. I’m told often that hanging out with me is a lot to deal with.”
“Really? I think you’re fun to be around. And you’re kind of the opposite for me. I’m um… Sort of shy I guess? And it’s hard for me to get out there and see the world and I constantly overthink everything. You’ve kept me from getting lost in myself.”
Her grasp on my hand tightened and she looked me in my eyes. “Want to be my girlfriend?”
I gasped. “I, uh… W-What? But we just met? Are you sure?”
“Yeah! You’re lots of fun and this whole day has practically been a first date. If you want to just be friends then I can live with that too. Either way, I want to hang out with you more.”
“Yeah! Yes, we can… We can date. I haven’t really had much luck before though, so I don’t really know what to expect or do.”
She hugged me. “That’s fine! I know I’m kind of all over the place and sporadic sometimes but we can still go at your pace. Just tell me if I go to far or you need a break or anything, okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
We ended the day by going to the top of a tower that overlooked the beach. There was a huge area of sand that was always kept completely clear of anything permanent. That was where the Crab sat when it arrived. Seeing pictures of it online was one thing, but looking at it as the sun set was really beautiful.
The next day was much like the first, and the final day we were both called into a government office along with other people from our area. We received our top and tunic that we would wear tomorrow, along with bracelets that identified us because we would come back looking different. We were to simply leave our luggage behind in our rooms, where it would be collected and stored somewhere safe, so we were instructed to make absolutely sure everything was packed along with a list of our possessions before leaving. If we forgot something, it would be an entire year before we found out.
Crab Day was here, and for once I was up early and full of energy. Of course, Lilah was even more full of energy than I was. Seriously, that girl is a constant sugar rush. We arrived on the beach, and surrounding us were hundreds of thousands of people all wearing colorful tunics. Luckily they had differing colors and patterns so we could tell people apart better. There was a designated area for us to meet in as well. Our patterns were watermelon colors in large wavy stripes. People from all over the world were here.
As the sun peeked over the horizon, the ground began to shake and an enormous bulge in the water started rising. It went up higher… and higher… and higher still before finally breaking to reveal people sitting on the Crab’s back, wearing a wild assortment of tunics just like us.
Around us the crowd cheered and began to jump up in down in excitement.
“The Crab!”
“The Crab is here!”
“Crab Day! It’s Crab Day!”
The Crab rose higher and higher still before anything other than its back was visible. It scuttled slowly and carefully, fully aware of the people surrounding it and the shaking effect it had on the ground as it moved. Finally it settled, and the cheering grew somehow even louder. Lilah next to me was jumping up and down while holding my hand. I wasn’t one to scream and shout with glee, but I couldn’t help but smile and laugh with everyone else.
Tall slides were brought to its edge, and the passengers slid down. It was actually a very organized process. Someone way back in time had carved seats and stairs into the Crab’s shell, and row by row they descended. Last year’s passengers found the groups with tunics that matched their own, and began to meet. The shell necklaces were handed off from them to us. As I put my necklace on, I held the shells in my hand and looked closely at them. I had no idea what they were for yet, but they symbolized the beginning of my new life. As the last of the passengers departed, the slides were replaced with lifts. Anyone who had trouble walking would be the last of the passengers to board, into seats near the edge. They still had to be helped into their seats, but this made it as easy as possible for them.
Lilah and I were sitting down on some towels on the sand, sitting across from the two who gave us our necklaces. They couldn’t tell us about what actually awaited us at the bottom. Supposedly we would understand once we were there. The advice they had for the descent was to hold onto the handles and not be afraid of the water when it starts to submerge us. As for the year in the ocean, our advisors got these dreamy looks on their faces as they told us it was very fun and relaxing. Finally, they said not to be afraid of asking for help of any kind. We wondered who was down there that would help us, but they couldn’t say. Other than that, we mostly just got to know each other, and were informed that each area of the world had a group where people who’ve ridden the Crab or want to know more about it can meet. We promised that when our year was over, we would check it out.
As we celebrated, the end of the day drew near. The Crab would leave at sunset, and people were boarding. Because of the sheer number of people, some had to sit for a long time, but there was no way around it. Strangely, despite some having to spend quite awhile sitting on the Crab, there was no discomfort, even from the hot summer sun.
Lilah and I talked with some of our fellow passengers, about our lives our plans. Being my introverted self, I didn’t talk as much but I still enjoyed their company. At long last, the sun set and all passengers were seated. The seats were carved to be smooth and comfortable, and the handles were easy to grab and hold on to. The air around us took on an ethereal quality as the Crab began to rise. I grabbed the handles, but I felt like I wouldn’t fall out of my seat even without them. Lilah noticed this as well, and felt comfortable enough to put her hand on mine.
The water level came closer and closer to us as the Crab kept moving. When it reached the edge of the shell, it seemed to hit an invisible wall. We went lower and lower, and the water became a giant dome around us. We were now completely submerged, but none of us were even the slightest bit wet. The Crab continued on, and what sunlight remained rapidly vanished. I hadn’t noticed before, but all over the Crab’s shell were faint swirling patterns. They began to glow a vibrant blue color.
We were seated near the backside of the shell, and we could hear the crowd on the other side becoming excited about something. As word spread to us, we were apparently approaching some kind of light. In the water around us we began seeing faint lights moving around, and there were some in the distance that were stationery. When the Crab reached its destination, it settled once more. There were stationery lights all around us and many of the faint lights moving around on the other side of the water wall.
Then the bubble of air we were in started to rise without us and people on the lower seats where being submerged. Lilah gripped my hand tightly and was uncharacteristically quiet.
“Hey, remember what our advisors said? That when the water rises we shouldn’t be afraid of it?” The truth was that I was nervous too, but so far everything indicated that we would be safe. She nodded her head and relaxed a little.
The water was strangely murky as it rose, but the vague shapes of the lower passengers could be seen exiting their seats. It was now at our feet. Our shins. Our knees. When it reached our waists I felt a strange… tightening and twisting sensation around my legs. It was hard to describe, but it wasn’t uncomfortable in any way. I closed my eyes and the water completely covered me, but somehow I could still breathe. Lilah’s hand left my own and I heard laughter above me.
My eyes opened, and in place of my legs was a fish tail. I’m a… mermaid? I tentatively moved it up and down, finding that operating it was rather instinctual. There was a strange but comfortable energy coursing through me, but before I had time to really think about it, a pretty mermaid put her hands on my shoulders.
“Look at you!” She exclaimed in a song-like series of sounds that I had never heard before but somehow understood. “You’re so cute!”
“Cute? What? Who are you?”
“I’m Lilah, dummy! Come on! Let’s swim!”
She pulled me out of my seat, which had become somewhat awkward to sit in without legs. I floated in the water and finally realized the rest of my body was different. My chest was pushing out and my hands were smaller I could feel a gentle tugging on my head and realized that I had long hair. My clothes were intact and I realized that our legs changing was why we hadn’t been wearing underwear or shoes.
Lilah giggled. “Done checking yourself out? What about me? How do I look?”
“You’re so pretty! Gorgeous, even!”
She smiled, wrapped her arms around me and we shared our first kiss. When we stopped kissing for metaphorical air, we swam around a bit in excitement, watching many others do the same. The lights that were around us were actually buildings of a sort. They were made of all different kinds of coral and other oceanic materials I didn’t know the names of. The shapes weren’t the rigid squares like what humans made, and they jutted out of the landscape at odd angles.
The fainter lights that had been floating around us were the armbands of merpeople who were directing traffic. If the situation wasn’t so fantastical they’d be similar to those people who tell airplanes where to go. And other than the armbands they were completely naked. We were gathered into groups, where merpeople would tell us about the next year of our lives.
“Hello,” the leader of our merpeople group said while smiling. “It’s a pleasure to see new faces. My name is Anahita. I know you’re all excited to experience our city and life underwater, but there are a few things to go over first.
As you can see, all of you have been transformed into a body that suits you, with the exception of the tail. The necklaces you are wearing are what have transformed you and are what is allowing you to speak our language. This also means you can easily converse with anyone else from the surface. For safety, the necklaces do not come off while you are underwater. There are air pockets for times you wish to walk around, though we recommend holding off from doing this frequently until your transformation is solidified. You will know when the transformation is complete when the feeling of energy stops.
The energy you feel flowing through you comes from the ocean itself. As you might’ve guessed, it is magic. Humans of the surface do not have much access to magic, and as such you are not allowed to talk about us or the city when you return in order to make sure this city remains a haven. Other than your transformations and our language, there is one last spell that will prevent you from talking about us after you leave. If you focus your thoughts on your necklaces, you will be able to feel that those are the only three spells and their functions.
You all will be free to explore anywhere in the city. Surrounding the city is a barrier that keeps anything dangerous from entering. If you wish to explore outside the barrier, you will have to attend training to handle emergency situations, and you will only be able to explore outside with an escort. That said, there really isn’t much to see outside the barrier, so guests rarely leave.
If at the end of the year you decide you wish to live here permanently, there are ways to maintain your mer form until that too becomes solidified. Please note that if you stay, you will be expected to contribute to the community, and that it will unfortunately be impossible to go back. That is not a law we have, it is simply a limitation of magic. You are allowed to leave when the year is over and return in any of the years after. Many of those who wish to stay will do this in order to say their goodbyes to friends and families and sort out their possessions. In order to further maintain our privacy here, you are not allowed to take anything from the city with you when you return to the surface.
Each of you will be given, for free, a place to stay and food to eat every day. There will also be merfolk for each of you to contact for times you need something, want information or even just need someone to talk to. It is actually recommended that you talk to someone at least a few times. Even if your bodies are comfortable for you, adjusting to living in them as well as being a merfolk can cause stress that you may not even be aware of. Us merfolk are no strangers to magical body changes, and many of us came from the surface just as you have.
Many ask about sex. Because you are not true merfolk, having children is impossible. It will only be possible if you decide to stay and make your mer form permanent. Sex itself will obviously be different from what you are used to, but achieving pleasure is possible, and there are even toys you will be able to use, though you will have to ask for those and it will be explained to you how to use them. That is because your anatomy is different so you need to be informed. In the air pockets, sex is prohibited. This is because if someone gets pregnant or some other undesirable result occurs, it will interfere with the mer transformation and cause a lot of problems for both that person and the child. We take no chances in this regard, and maintain a strict watch to ensure it does not happen. In addition, those areas are open to all guests at all times, meaning you would have to be comfortable being seen. But again, it is not allowed in those areas by anyone.
Throughout your year here, there are also events and festivals you may participate in. And one last thing to note is that, as you can see, we don’t wear much down here. If you wish to wear something to cover yourself, that is perfectly acceptable and no one will judge you for it. You cannot, however, ask that those around you wear clothes if you are uncomfortable. There is an area of the city that is specifically designated as a clothing-only zone. Now, are there any in this group who wish to live in that zone? You are completely free to change your mind at any time.”
No one raised their hands. I seriously considered it, but decided to at least try not concerning myself with that for a few days. Plus Lilah right next to me had already stripped without me even noticing somehow. I decided to take off the tunic but leave the top on for now. It was similar to a sports bra.
Anahita nodded her head. “All right. Now before we get your housing sorted out, are there any questions? Please remember that there are also others you can ask questions to if something comes up later.” When no one asked anything, she said, “Okay! Now let’s get your homes sorted out, yeah?”
We swam after her into an area underneath a giant rocky overhang with bioluminescent plants all over it. There were large holes in the rock face, each one leading to a separate living area. Each entrance was also numbered and decorated differently from its neighbors to easily tell them apart.
Lilah grabbed my arm. I couldn’t help but stare at her because she was so pretty. She blushed and bashfully asked, “I know we only just met, but do you want to share a room?”
“I… Yes. Let’s.” It did feel a bit strange to share a bed with someone I only just recently met, but being around her was just so comfortable.
She showed me that incredible bright smile of hers and we told Anahita that we were going to be together. We weren’t the only ones who chose to do so, and it seemed to be a somewhat common occurrence. Our room wasn’t anything amazing. Not that it was bad, just that without any possessions or modern amenities, there really wasn’t much we needed. There was a big spongy bed for us to sleep on. It didn’t have blankets or pillows, but was still quite comfortable. The temperature of the water was pleasant, but could be somewhat adjusted by using some magic plants to be either cooler or warmer. To the side was a large table with a few drawers, both devoid of anything except for a decorative plant on top.
The bathroom was… strange. There wasn’t a toilet for obvious reasons. What we had instead was a walled off area with a hole in the wall that sucked stuff in. The most noteworthy thing about the room was the giant mirror on one wall. We were both in front of it, examining our new selves.
My black hair, when not floating around, now went passed my shoulders. My face was cute. I had emerald eyes, an adorable nose and my tail was a wonderful, shiny lilac color. Lilah next to me had long brown hair and eyes, and her tail was a golden orange. Seeing myself like this made me feel happier than I’ve felt in a long, long time. My girlfriend hugged me from behind and rested her head on my shoulder. We were both smiling. I turned my head to face her and we shared a long, loving kiss.
“Want to go explore?” I asked.
“Yes!” she replied. Before I could even think she grabbed my hand and led me back out. Despite me being the one who asked, she was the one who led the way. Anahita had already gone off somewhere, but she had shown us where to go for anything we might immediately need.
The city was absolutely massive, and it boggled the mind how humans didn’t know about it. I thought about the other legendary creatures of the world, but each of them had their own mysteries as well. I wondered what secrets they held.
Just the buildings themselves were amazing to behold. Because they weren’t based on squares and straight lines, this led to everything seeming like it had grown out of the ground. Some buildings were even giant shells or had plant parts. Everything was lit up with glowing, neon plants. Using magic, a lot of the lights of the city could be dimmed. Sunlight wasn’t visible from all the way down here, but this city still had it’s own day/night cycle.
Sea creatures of all kinds were everywhere, and many lived in the very same structures used by the merfolk. It was amazing being able to see the city from both within and above. They didn’t really use money down here. Everything was simply provided. For the true merfolk, they did something for the community, such as raising schools of fish for various purposes, growing some kind of plant that might be used for lighting, or food or breaking down waste, or some other service.
As we lived in the city for awhile, getting used to its people and its culture, we had lots of fun. Every day was just… so comfortable and enjoyable. Eventually we did have sex with each other. Even Lilah, with her incredibly outgoing nature, wanted to get used to her body before trying anything. When we did finally do it, the experience was unusual because of the different parts. It was leagues better than what I was used to, but that was because I didn’t hate this body at all, not because it wasn’t human. It was also that same day that I stopped wearing my bra for good.
As time passed, there were various events in the city. One was based on an annual harvest of a particularly delicious plant. Another celebrated the merfolk who founded the city. My favorite thing that happened was this grand underwater ballet involving dozens of brightly decorated merfolk.
When both Lilah and I stopped feeling the energy, we went to an air pocket to see what we looked like. It was actually a little underwhelming because the only difference from what we’d been seeing every day were legs instead of a tail, and we already knew what legs looked like. We couldn’t even leave the room. Still, it was fun, but we wanted to get back into the water pretty quickly.
As the year passed, we made a lot of friends, both locals and guests. Lilah helped me socialize of course, but because I was actually myself now I found it to be a lot easier.
Crab Day was only a few days away. I woke up on our shared sponge bed, before my girlfriend for once, and laid there in silence. When she woke up she saw that I was thinking deeply about something.
“What’s wrong dear?” she asked with care.
“I’m not sure I want to leave.”
“Hmm. I’ve been thinking about the same, actually.”
“Have you decided?” I was worried I wouldn’t see her again.
“Not completely sure yet, but I’m definitely leaning toward staying.”
“Me too. But I think... I want to spend one last year on the surface. If we stay we can’t leave, you know? I have people who at least deserve a goodbye from me.”
“I’m not exactly in the same situation in regard to people from my life. But if you’re with me, I think I could handle one last year up there.”
“Of course I’ll be there for you! This last year has been amazing and you’ve helped me through so much. If you need help dealing with one last year up there, then I’ll do everything I can for you.”
She smiled that beautiful smile of hers. “Okay. One last year with a dumb pair of legs.”
I pulled her close to me and kissed her. “I love you so much. Thank you, sweetie.”
The Crab was making its way to the city. No one knew what it did when it wasn’t transporting people to and from the surface. Somehow, despite its gargantuan size, it had proven impossible to follow. The water vibrated as it settled in. Nearly everyone who came down was going back up. While most people enjoyed their Crab Year, they considered it more of a long vacation than a place to spend the rest of their lives. We donned our tunics again for the first time in many months. The seats were a little awkward because of our tails, and I realized that the handles were more for the way up than the way down.
A crowd of merfolk saw us off and we started the journey back up. The water became brighter and brighter as we began to see sunlight for the first time in a year. We breached the surface and the odd feeling of having legs again was back. A huge crowd of people in bright colors were there for us and cheering wildly. The Crab settled, and after waiting awhile for our turn to get off, we were back on land.
We found our watermelon-colored counterparts and bestowed our necklaces to them. I was surprised to see my cousin in the crowd. I hadn’t seen them in a long time. They had no idea who I was because of my change in appearance so I had a little fun teasing them.
The following year was okay. Lilah and I gave most of my stuff to my family. I only met a member of her family once and they were… not so great. I easily understood why she was so eager to get back into the ocean. When the time came for me to leave for good my family was upset to see me go, but ultimately understood that I had found somewhere I belonged. They appreciated that I came back to say goodbye at least.
It took forever, but at long last we were saying goodbye to our legs for good. Our identification bracelets indicated that we were returnees, meaning we were immediately eligible to become true merfolk. Our new residence was larger than our last one, with a couple more rooms. It had a field in the back where we tended to a large garden, growing a variety of food.
Several years went by, guests came and went, and we eventually added a third to our relationship. I became a participant in the dance that had entranced me during that first year, which was so much fun. As I danced above the city I could see my wives and children watching. In that moment I truly felt complete.
|
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|
Announcement
First commission I've done (not counting requests from $10 Patreons)! If you're interested in commissioning me, message me on here or on Patreon.
Stephen Smith looked at the latest poll numbers and sighed. At this rate, his party would only hold on to a handful of seats.
“What are we going to do, sir?” his aide anxiously asked.
Stephen thought for a moment. “Can I get a demographics breakdown for these polls?”
A junior staffer thrust a slim binder into his hands. He flipped through it for a moment before coming to a resolution. “We need some way to appeal to middle-class, college educated female voters. This whole thing is gonna hinge on swinging them. Any ideas?”
A staffer gingerly raised his hand. “Just shout it out, kid. This isn’t a classroom.”
“We, uh… we could try adopting a platform that unambiguously and strongly advocates for the rights of women to make decisions regarding their own bodies and health?”
“Ridiculous! Get this guy out of here!” A moment later, two burly members of his security detail dragged the staffer out of the room. “Any other ideas? That don’t involve compromising the appeal of our platform to men and centrists.”
There was a moment of awkward silence that seemed to stretch on and on. Finally, his aide piped up. “I think we need more female candidates.”
“But our candidates for this election have already been announced. Changing that looks like uncertainty! Weakness! The last thing we want is to lose the confidence of voters. Think, Janine, before wasting my time with this shit!”
“We don’t necessarily have to change any of our candidates,” Janine said.
“Huh? Explain yourself, woman!”
“Well…Rather than changing our candidates, we could change our candidates. Or, what I mean is that we can simply have a male candidate announce that they are, in fact, a transgender woman.”
Stephen thought for a moment. “Brilliant! But we’ll need someone who looks good in a skirt. Someone get me a list of our current candidates along with headshots.”
Another staffer placed a printout on his desk. He looked through it for a moment. “Hmm… Too fat… Too hairy… Too old… Chin is too square… Yes! This one should work.”
Janine craned to look at the headshot he was pointing to. “Adam Michaels, sir?”
“That’s the one! Send him a fax. Let him know from now on he’ll be, uh, Ada Michaels or something. You people can figure that out. And get him a new wardrobe!”
“Yes, sir,” Janine said.
“Dismissed!” Stephen shouted.
A moment later, Janine approached their communications specialist. “Reach out to Adam, please, and let him know what we talked about today.”
The specialist hesitated. “Should I actually fax him?”
“Just send an email,” Janine said. “And let him know that if he isn’t on board, we may have to pull our endorsement.”
The specialist shuddered. “On it, ma’am. What tone do you want?”
“Stern but kind, with an underlying edge of threat.”
“So the standard, ma’am. On it. I’ll inform you about any response.”
“See that you do. Now, where’s our stylist…?”
***
Adam Michaels stared at the email he’d just received in disbelief. They wanted him to pretend to transition into a woman so the party could get more votes? Absolute insanity.
But… he was already down as a candidate for his party and his predicted margin was way too narrow to overcome some kind of official excommunication. Of course, this little stunt would also probably make him lose, but at least he’d be in the good graces of some powerful movers and shakers. Surely they’d recognize how much he was sacrificing and see he was rewarded. The very least he deserved was some kind of cushy, high-ranking bureaucratic appointment.
Feeling resigned, he continued on reading the email. They wanted him to meet with a stylist/image consultant as soon as possible. He sighed and mentally cleared his calendar. A photo op at a local mall to shake hands and kiss babies was obviously lower priority than this mandate from on high. Or womandate, so to speak. He chuckled slightly. Good one, Adam.
He emailed the stylist with the address provided and soon they had arranged to meet the next day. He wondered if a stipend of some sort would be provided for the, ahem, transformation. From what he’d heard, women’s clothing could be quite expensive.
The next day, Adam was met in the driveway of his modest, two story house by a brusque woman with a firm handshake and impeccable style. Moments later, an unmarked white van pulled up by his curb and opened up to reveal several burly men who carried in what looked like an entire new–female–wardrobe, along with various wigs, cosmetics, and some boxes he wasn’t sure how to identify.
“Wait, how did you know my sizes?” he asked the woman, who had just introduced herself as Sharon Faust.”
She raised a single sculpted eyebrow. “I could accurately gauge sizes from your appearances in town hall debates. You should buy your suits one size smaller, by the way, if you insist on getting them off-the-shelf. Now, would you prefer to be a brunette, dirty blonde, or auburn?”
Adam was feeling a little overwhelmed by just how fast all of this was moving. “Are you going to dye my hair?” he asked.
Sharon shook her head. “That takes quite a while and can degrade hair texture. Much easier if we just use wigs for now. Unlike some of my assignments, the worst case scenario of a wig falling off is mild embarrassment. After all, your cover story is that you’re a recently transitioned transgender woman”
“What kind of assignments?” Adam asked.
“That’s classified,” Sharon said. “Color? If you don’t respond within the next–” she glanced down at her slim silver watch “–fifteen seconds I’ll have to choose for you.”
“Uh, brunette,” Adam chose, basically at random.
“Excellent. Follow me inside.”
Adam followed helplessly into his own house, feeling like he’d totally lost control of the situation.
“No wife or children?” Sharon asked.
Adam nodded, grimacing slightly. He’d heard many times before that having a wife would aid his electability, but he rarely had much time for dating, and didn’t have much luck when he did.
“That should aid the plausibility of the story, then,” Sharon said. “You can simply explain you didn’t feel comfortable dating while presenting as male. Now, would you prefer to date men or women as Ada?”
“W-what?” Adam said. “I didn’t know anything about this. Do you really need that kind of information?”
“Well, I believe it would aid the plausibility of your cover story, but you are of course free to disregard my expert advice,” Sharon said. “However, at the very least, you will need an escort to the upcoming gala.”
“Oh, right, the gala,” Adam muttered. “I hadn’t even thought about that.” The gala was held annually and was a major fundraising event, as well as an opportunity to network. As much as he wanted to, Adam really couldn’t miss it.
“Are there any particular individuals, for example, who you would wish to escort you?” Sharon asked. “Ideally one who is age-appropriate and reasonably photogenic.”
Adam thought for a moment. Frankly, he didn’t know a lot of people who fit even those broad criteria. Much like dating, he didn’t have much time to cultivate friendships. The closest thing he had to a friend, really, was a candidate from a neighboring district who he’d gotten on well with during the few times they’d interacted at townhalls or party events.
“Shaun Westin, perhaps? He should be attending anyway, and he’s about my age and, I suppose, reasonably good looking.” To be honest, when he’d first laid eyes on Shaun he’d felt a burst of jealousy at the man’s muscular build and square chin. But that resentment had mostly faded after it turned out that Shaun was just a pleasant and charming guy to interact with.
“Westin? Yes, I believe he is currently single. That should work nicely. Now, I’m going to show you how to do a basic daytime look. Please attend closely.”
Adam gulped. “Can’t I just have a makeup artist do that stuff before events?”
“Well, you cannot present as a woman only as events or the whole story will be blown to bits the moment you encounter a paparazzo,” Sharon said. “But not to worry. Few would expect you to immediately be perfect at makeup. We simply need you to seem like you’re trying in everyday life.”
“W-wait, so I have to do this all the time?” Adam cried. “This was bad enough when I thought it was just for public appearances.”
Sharon shrugged. “Again, you are free to disregard all that the party is trying to do for you, but such an action will likely not land you in their good graces. Now hush, please, and pay attention.”
Adam shut up and tried his best to follow along. He tried to rationalize this as not being so bad. After all, he’d worn makeup during plenty of television appearances. Admittedly, that was just to avoid his face looking shiny or washed-out, but the principle was the same, right?
He kept on telling himself that until Sharon carefully lowered a wig onto his head and clipped its built-in net into place. He stepped back and looked in the mirror.
Yeah, this wasn’t the same at all.
The woman who stared back at him wasn’t exactly the most attractive in the world, and various things–like her adam’s apple, tall height, and flat chest–gave away that she was likely assigned male at birth. But nonetheless, his brain kept trying to process her as a woman.
He blinked. It didn’t help. He felt really weird.
“You’re smiling,” Sharon pointed out as he turned to look at her. “Excellent job getting into the role.”
He hadn’t even realized he was smiling.
***
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BethOfTheWild
Commission for a Patreon supporter continues. Doing premises requested by others has definitely made this somewhat different than what I usually write. Probably the closest thing to a standard straight romantic novel and/or a forced feminization thing that I've written in years lol
Adam glanced anxiously at the mirror, down at his short red dress, then at his slim silver watch, then back at the mirror. Where was Shaun?
Finally, three whole minutes after the time they’d agreed on, his doorbell rang. He rushed over to open it to the man standing on his porch.
He felt a stab of jealousy, mixed with other emotions, as he saw Shaun Westin and his stupid broad chest in an impeccably tailored navy blue suit.
“Ada?” he asked.
Adam took a moment too long to remember that was supposed to be his name now. “Oh, uh, yes!” he said, trying to keep a feminine tone
Shaun’s strong brow wrinkled slightly. “Do you know an Adam Michaels?”
Adam felt his heart sink in his chest. Had no one properly brief his ‘date’? He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Shaun, it’s me. Adam. Same person.”
“Oh!” Shaun said after a moment of processing. “Yes, alright, that makes sense. Uh, congrats! You look great as a woman!”
Feeling another stab of irritation at the man’s ability to maintain his composure after a sudden surprise, Adam’s eye’s wandered up and down the man’s body trying to find an imperfection. His eyes finally settled on his light blue and white striped tie, which was tied in a somewhat clumsy half Windsor.
Adam darted back inside to grab his clutch with keys, lipstick, and phone inside, then closed and locked his house’s door.
Shaun gallantly offered an arm to escort Adam to the limo idling on the street nearby. Before taking it, Adam gave into his worse nature and exploited the man’s one weakness.
“Wait. Let me fix this,” he said, moving behind Shaun and quickly undoing his tie before reconfiguring it into a tidy full Windsor.
Shaun laughed. “Ah, my aide was busy right when I needed to go. Got stuck in a meeting, not that that’s an excuse for running late. Thanks!”
Adam resisted the urge to grit his teeth or roll his eyes. “You’re welcome,” he said with forced politeness, before taking Shaun’s proffered arm and walking with him to the waiting car.
|
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“Daddy! Daddy! Wake up!”
I did not want to wake up, but my kids would not let me sleep. I opened my eyes and on my stomach sat my four year old son. His yellow hair and yellow eyes, broad nose and thin lips, all resembled mine. As I kept on looking at my son’s face, my seven year old daughter poked her finger at my cheek. She was the prettiest girl ever, even more than Jessica. She resembled Jessica in all aspects, may it be her scarlet hair or scarlet eyes, her long and slender nose or her thick glossy lips.I lifted my son, placed him beside my daughter and hugged them both.
“Daddy, come quick. Mommy is calling you for breakfast. We need to go for a picnic today!”
“I am coming. Go get seated, both of you.”
I went to the bathroom, stood in front of the sink, looking at myself in the mirror. What a handsome man! I washed my face and went straight towards the dining table. Everyone else was already seated. We started eating our breakfast.
“How is the food?” Asked Jessica.
“Really tasty, Mommy!” Replied the kids.
“It is as good as it was before our marriage!” I said.
I had always urged Jessica that we should have hired a five-star cook, but she denied the proposal saying that there was no one better than her at cooking. She certainly lives up to that expectation.
“Have you done all the preparations for the picnic, Jessica?”
“Yes Dear, everything is done. We all are ready, you are the only one left.”
“I will make haste.”
I ate my breakfast, rushed to the bathroom and took a quick steam bath. I hurriedly came out of the bathroom, wearing my dazzling shirt and pants. I rushed to the main room to find my wife and my children seated at the sofa.
As we all gathered our items, we approached the door. I took my keys, we left our home, and headed towards the basement of our apartment building. It took a while for the lift to descend from the forty second floor to the basement. We headed towards our cars, and today I decided to drive my lamborghini. We all sat inside and drove outside our apartment building onto the main road. During the drive, my son was busy playing with his toy plane while my daughter was reading a book. The side views were always the same, that is, tall buildings everywhere. We traveled for a few hours, and finally reached the destination of our picnic: the Misty Garden.
“Daddy, why isn't anyone else here? Isn't this place supposed to be super crowded?” My daughter asked me.
“Firstly, super crowded is not correct. You should say, very crowded. And as to why this place is not crowded, it is because I had it booked for ourselves for the day.”
My daughter nodded, and we headed inside. As soon as we entered, one of the staff members came out and greeted us.
“Welcome, Mr. Roberto.This place is booked by Roberto Robotics Technologies today, and I hope we can provide you with the best service available.”
“All we want is an authentic experience of a picnic.” Which is really difficult to get in these times, as all the parks and fields have been cleared out and huge buildings have been built everywhere.
“Sure, sir. Let me take you to your seating area.”
The staff member took us out to the artificial grass field. He led us to a good spot under a tree, where a blanket had already been laid out. We sat on the blanket and made ourselves comfortable. We opened the lunch box that Jessica had packed, and started eating the delicious food. I had achieved everything in life. I have a loving and beautiful wife, two beautiful children, one of the biggest companies in the world, fine health, money, and everything else. There was nothing that I lacked, it wasn’t anything short of heaven. My happiness was indeed beyond measure.
I was looking at Jessica and the kids when the lights around us started flickering. No one else seemed to notice this or care about it, but my head quickly started to hurt because of it. It was an intense pain. My vision became hazy and everything started to fade away. The sky turned cloudy and dark, the ground fell underneath my feet, my wife and my children began drifting away from me. The light was disappearing and my head was spinning. I started running towards the light, but it just got distant. My arm reached out to hold them. Everything was fading right in front of me.
“Jessica!” I screamed
Everything around me was in a haze. I felt like I was in a different world. Soon my vision cleared up, and I could see an arm stretched out towards a fluorescent light above me. I opened and closed my hand a few times to be sure, but this thin arm was really mine. I tilted my head and could see a small room. I was laying on a bed and there was saline raised on my other arm. My body felt weak. I looked down to my body and was shocked to see a long white beard. I quickly held my other arm up to my hair and pulled on it. They were long, thin and white. I could not believe my eyes. What had happened? Did I faint? How many years has it been since the picnic? Where are Jessica and my children? I wanted to run out of the room, but my body would not listen. I was frustrated. Suddenly the door opened and a doctor, wearing a white coat, walked in.
“Doctor! Where am I? Are you a doctor? Is this a hospital? Where is Jessica? Where are my children? Answer me Doctor!” I shouted at him at the top of my lungs.
“Calm down, Roberto. It’s been a long while since you were in a coma. I will explain everything to you. Just calm down…”
“How can I calm down? Coma? Why and how long? Where is my family? Answer me doctor, where is my family? Call my family!”
“What family? You were found in the middle of the road and were carried here by some people. You did not own a mobile, and no missing complaints were placed in the whole city. I don’t know what you are talking about, but when you were found, you were around the age of twenty and it’s been forty-seven years since you have been in a coma. In those forty-seven years of convalescence, no one ever came to visit or check up on you.”
“Forty-seven years?!” This is not real. This is all just a bad dream.
I pinched myself. I needed to wake up from this nightmare. The picnic never really happened. I should wake up and get ready to take my family for the picnic. I needed to wake up. I needed to wake up!
The doctor pulled my arm, and asked me to calm down. He called a nurse and a nurse came inside to help the doctor hold my arms and legs. My mind was blank. I needed to see my family. They needed me. The very next moment, I could feel something stinging my arm. I looked down at my arm and saw the doctor injecting me with something. Soon I felt dizzy and everything turned black.
I regained consciousness, but I did not open my eyes. I was scared. I wanted to go back to my room. I wanted everything that happened in the hospital room to be a nightmare and be back with my family. I slowly opened my eyes to my horror. I was back in the same hospital room. I tried to pinch myself again, but this time my hand wouldn’t rise. I looked at my arms and saw that they were tied to the bed. My legs were in the same condition. The doctor was sitting beside me.
“I had to tie your limbs, so that you don’t try something stupid. Now, let me explain everything to you.”
The doctor explained how I had been found on a road and brought to this hospital. Everyone assumed my name to be Roberto by the tattoo on my right shoulder. I had been in a coma for the past forty seven years. There was no company named Roberto Robotics Technology and I was someone with no family. I did not have a house and on inspection by the police, it was found that I used to live in a hut made out of straws and mud and have been looking for a job. He also told me that everything that I thought was real and experienced was all just a dream.
I could not handle it. My whole life had been a dream. I believed I had everything, but in reality I had nothing. I could not handle this. I wanted to go back. I wanted to go back to my dreams again. I wanted everything back. This was not fair. How could this ever happen to me? Why did this happen to me? Maybe this is all still a dream, and all I need to do is wakeup. That must be the case. This doctor must also be a part of my dreams.
I was lost in thought for a whole week. I did not eat my food for a whole three days, waiting for this nightmare to end. The next four days, all I did was wait for good news, that maybe I was rich, maybe I had a loving family. The doctor thought that I was losing my mind, but now I knew that this was reality. It took a lot of courage to believe the doctor’s words. I asked the doctor if I could leave, and he reluctantly allowed me the permission to leave. He was my third doctor while I was in a coma and had only recently been assigned to me. I walked out of the hospital, with my weak body, without paying anything. The hospital knew I couldn’t pay them and they let me go. I looked up at the blue sky. I knew I could never survive in this world.
I wanted to go back to the coma. I wanted to spend more time with my family, I wanted to spend more money on luxurious items and I wanted to be happy. Then, I looked at the road in front of me. Cars were zooming past me at incredible speeds. I knew what I had to do. I could either go back to my family or I could just be gone forever, but I had to do it. Either of the two would do. I walked straight into the road from the footpath and when people realised what I was up to, it was too late. A car approached me at great speeds and I looked up at the sky hoping to meet my family again.
The driver could not do anything at such high speeds and drove into Roberto. People arrived at the scene and the doctors from the hospital were called. They came outside to see the body. They took him inside the hospital, as his condition looked critical. He opened his eyes during the operation. Instead of seeing the doctors, he could see his family present there. He wanted to lift himself up and hug his family, but he could not even speak. He believed that he had come out of the nightmare and smiled.
Twenty minutes after his accident, his heart stopped and Roberto was pronounced dead. His body was sent to the morgue, and the doctors went to treat other patients. Outside, the people that gathered around the scene were long gone, with the exception of a single driver waiting on the phone to talk with their insurance company. No one was there to mourn Roberto after his death, but the old man had a smile on his bloodied face anyway. He smiled, because he was able to escape the nightmare and see his family one last time.
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Anish, 10 years old and 2nd child of Duke Asher and Duchess Alicia. I have an older brother Harry, 12 years old and a younger sister Chloe, 9 year old.
My older brother just turned 12 and has gone to the most prestigious Magic Academy in our country [Magicia Academy of Royalty]. The one who named it must either have poor taste in words or just got stuck naming it, so decided to name it whatsoever.
That aside, my brother has been supremely talented. As for me, I am average at best. I have never liked to hunt monsters. The elders in my family always say that I was probably a weakling or coward in my previous life. Guess what, they are probably right. The 1st time I went hunting I actually vomited at the sight of a dying monster. It's the same case with my sister. So, all hope of succeeding my father is placed on my big brother.
But, just because I and my sister are weak, doesn't mean that we are treated poorly. All of us love each-other very much. Also, it might be too much for me to say it, but my big brother is a little on the dumb side. As for me and my sister, we have always been praised for our big brains. Our grandparents always say, "If only we had a little more guts...".
I feel a little bad about my lack of talent and thus I and my sister decided to do our best. For our Family. Thus, today we are following our father for a hunt. I have been practicing sword and magic these past few days and I think I can finally take down a wild rabbit cleanly with 1 hit. I do hope so because I don't think I would be able to hunt it if I don't do so in a single hit.
We were following our father and a few soldiers, but suddenly we came across a herd of Orcs. But why? They shouldn't be in these parts of the forest. My heart started racing and I was a little panicked. My father noticed me panic and thus asked me to take my sister with me and run home as fast as we can to be safe. He asked me to call for reinforcements once we reach home. I obliged.
And so, we decided to run. Run as fast as we can. [Thud]Suddenly, I heard a sound. I turned and saw that my sister fell down. Her leg got caught up in a branch. She seemed to be in a lot of pain. I had a worried expression on a face, seeing that my sister assured me its okay. She tried to stand up, but
[Thud]
She fell again. Apparently, she had sprained her leg. Not only was it swollen, but it was bleeding too. It seems like a stray branch pierced into her skin. I was worried. I asked her to be calm, but truth be said, she was probably much more calm than I was. I carried her on my back, and this time we started walking back home.
But, it seems luck was not on our side. As I was walking, suddenly I noticed presence of a wild beast in front of us. But it was no normal beast. Having a horn on his head and 4 eyes which gave him a wide view of the surroundings, it seems unlikely that I can escape the eye of this beast.
What is it's name again? I am quite sure I have read about this beast, but at a critical moment like this I don't seem to recall anything.
My heart was beating wildly. What do I do here?? My sister seems to be sleeping on my back. Should I just continue? Will the beast attack me. It wasn't attacking me now, but there is no guarantee it won't if I get closer.
Usually, I am cool-minded, but I am losing my mind right now. This is a life and death situation. Ah, my legs are shaking.
[Brother]But, I didn't listen anything. My mind was preoccupied.[Brother! Brother!]
Ah, its my sister. What happened?
[Brother, that beast's name is Perko. I am kind of surprised that we came across such a rare creature. But there is no need for us to worry, they won't attack us unless we attack them.]
Hearing my sister's explanation I started to calm down and suddenly I remembered reading about them too.
[Ah, now that you say that I remember reading about them too. As far as I renumber they really like fruits, especially lemons.]
Hearing about that my sister suddenly smiled and said excitedly,[Hey Brother, do you remember that mother packed lemons with our lunch. If we give it to this beast, it would just eat it and we can pass by the other side.]
[Woah, that seems like a great idea. What would I do if not for you!!]
[He-he. You have the best brain among the 3 of us. But, you panic a lot. Don't you?]
[Ah!! What can I say? Not a suitable Big bro, am I?]
[Come-on, don't put yourself down like that. Let's cut the chit-chat and put me down. I think I would be able to walk now]
And thus, we put some lemons near a tree and signaled the beast Perko with eye contact. We withdrew from that point and waited a few seconds. Perko came and started eating the fruit. With relieved faces we started crossing over. But,
[Bang]
What was this sound? We turned around and saw a soldier who injured Perko's leg using a bow. It seems like my father sent him to look after us because he was worried. The intentions were good, but, this soldier just made a mess here.
I don't think that this soldier even knows about this beast, because if he had he would have never made this terrible mistake. Perko is known to be among the strongest beast in the continent. The very next moment, the soldier's leg was gone, and then his arm.
I turned around, grabbed my sister's hand and we started running, no we were dashing. Ah, this situation was a disaster. My sister was definitely struggling to run with her injured leg. But I was doing my best to support her. But it seems like our best was not good enough because the very next moment my sister fell again.
[Be-beat, beat-beat]
I can hear my heart beating like crazy. This situation was no good, it was the worst which could have happened. Shit! Shit! Shit!
Miracle, I need a miracle here. I checked over my sister and picked her up in my arms. I started sprinting. As fast as I can run, I ran. My legs were screaming, my sensations were getting dull second-by-second. But, at this moment I cared for none of that. I just need to run, and thus I kept running.
With a bit of hope I turned around. There was no way that I could have outrun that beast. Still, there was a faint, faint hope that it stopped following us. But what I saw shocked me. The beast not near us, rather it was still by the tree eating the lemons. I was shell shocked. The beast never followed us. Did it understood that we meant no harm to him?
Well I have no idea why it didn't follow us but I don't care. The good thing is that we will live to see another day. I saw my sister and apparently she had fainted, there was no injury mark on her so I was a little relieved. The moment the panic subsided, I lost all strength in my body and started to slow down facing the sky to thank the god.
Oops, I thanked the god way too early, because in the next moment my leg got caught in a branch and I started rolling down the hill. In a moment of panic, I curled around my sister to protect her and then it seems like I lost my consciousness.
When I finally woke up again I was told I was unconscious for 2 days. But for me, it felt like an eternity. I actually thought that I was dead but it seems like it was only a dream.
'Only a dream? ', I felt something was off.
|
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I remember my heart beating violently, I was running as hard as I can. Escaping from something, carrying someone in my hands. But whom was i carrying, whom I was escaping from. Even more, who am I?
I can't remember anything. But what I do remember is the terror I was in. I am glad to escape.
But, where am I? I tried to remember, tried to remember any detail I can but alas, I can't! I am getting frustrated. I am panicking, not good, not good. Even if I don't remember anything, I have a gut feeling that the situation I was in before was because I must have made some bad decisions while panicking.
I don’t seem to remember anything about me. But let's not panic. I took a deep breath and calmed myself. And then I decided to inspect my surroundings. The floor was made of stone, interesting. I could feel cold air swaying my hair, a device which can change air-flow to this degree!! What kind of sorcery is this? But, I didn't panic. I knew that if I want to get out of here I need to remain calm and composed.
And thus, very quietly, I started moving. I tried to cast stealth magic on myself, but somehow I am not able too. Is there a device which is cutting my magic flow? My heart started to race. No, I need to calm myself, I have decided not to panic, not to repeat my mistakes over and over. The first priority is to escape this place.
And thus, I kept moving. Suddenly, I heard some whispers. I know that I should avoid it and just mind my own business, but the curiosity won over me. I started walking towards the sound slowly and quietly. I can hear sounds of various people. There are also sounds of kids just like me. Are they also kidnapped like me? I had no idea such people might be roaming in our territory.
Our Territory?? Wait, who am I ? Was the person in my arm also kidnapped? Who was she?
Ah, my head has started to hurt again.
I decide that it is not the time to think about such things, I need to escape and that before they discover me. With that thought, I turned around, but suddenly the door opened. I quickly hid behind a partition created out of wood. I have not seen such refined craft before, but it's not the time to think about that.
"Ah, I have not slept for days!!", a woman's voice. She seems to be really frustrated.
"It's only 24 hours, my dear", came another taunting voice.
"And what about you? You sleep every night in peace. Today you need to watch over the kids." She seemed to be very angry.
"Okay, okay, dear. Now calm down. Drink this and go to sleep." A guy brought something in a glass and gave it to the lady.
"Ah sorry, its just that I am so tired and ...."
"I get it, okay. Don't feel bad. I will take care of the kids, so just calm down and go to sleep."
Suddenly, it feels a little strange. Aren't they caring a little too much about some kids whom they have kidnapped? Ah, the guy has started walking, I need to escape quickly. I quickly got up and start to escape, but
THUD
I fell down with a bang. Ah shit, it's over. I am going to die, my heart started racing again, I quickly try to think, but no matter what I cant think. I am just panicking. Just a few minutes ago I decide not to panic, but here I am panicking again in a disadvantageous position.
Whatever, I am dead. I resigned myself to fate and close my eyes. I waited... and waited.... But nothing happened, nothing!I opened my eyes and the guy was just walking around without noticing me. I got curious.
[Hello]No Response[HELLO, HELLO!!] I shouted, but again there was no response.
I can't understand this situation, I stood up and walked in front of him, but he wasn't even noticing me. He was looking at something in his palm [Author: Seriously, another Mobile Addict!!]I tried to wave my hands, but no response. I don't understand. Is he ignoring me? Trying to make fun of me? While I was thinking that, suddenly the guy started to move.
Oh wait, what is he doing he will collide with me. Wait. But, but... The collision never happened, he passed through me.
And I thought, "Am I dead?"
shubh
Please give a like and your comments. Any advice is welcome too.
|
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"title": "Can’t hurt even an ant - Ch 2: Am I dead?",
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|
I can't believe it. Am I dead? Am I really dead?Now that there is no reason to escape this place, I decided to rest a bit and calm myself up.Did I die? While I was running away from that scary thing, did I die? Did that scary thing caught me. I tried.. tried to recall... recall anything, but it only gave me terrible headache. And.. Just when I decided to give up, I suddenly shouted "Sis!!"
Ah, I remembered, the one in my arm was my sister. Coming to this realization, a dark thought passed my mind, 'if I am dead, is she too?' Nah, she better be alive, but if she is not, is she here too. I decided to look around the house, but I couldn't find her. I am not sure whether I was happy thinking that she is still alive or sad knowing that she is not here.
While I was pondering over it, suddenly, I here a shout,
“How does it move? How? Tell me. How does train move?”
I quickly picked up my pace and went to the source of a sound and I saw a 5-6 years old kid asking a question to the guy I saw earlier. Oh, it doesn't seems like they are kidnappers. More like, are they family?And thus I came to a realization, that they were family.
Ah Shit, I want to die. I feel so embarrassed. Since I got here, I was convinced that I was kidnapped, but turns out I am just a ghost and the people I thought as kidnappers were just normal people. Well, I had nothing better to do, thus I decided to listen the talk between this father and son pair. I am not able to remember my father but I am certainly feeling a little emotional.
"So, how does a train move?", the boy reiterated, it doesn't seems like he is going to back off.
The father makes a troubled face and murmurs 'What will happen to this kid?'. But did his lips actually move? It doesn't seems like the boy heard him, so am I reading his thoughts??I was astonished that I had such an amazing ability to hear thoughts. The fact that I have not heard them until now means I have some control over what I hear, right? I certainly hope so, because it would be a mess otherwise.
Suddenly, it occurs to me - [What is this boy actually talking about? What is a train?]I have realized that this world is very different from my own, so it must be something I do not know about. Thus I was curious. I was hoping that they explain what a train is.
As if the father could here me telepathically, he asked the boy,“Ravi, understand what a train is, right? So, what is different about a train? Can you tell?”[Ah great, now I will know]“Different huh. There are tracks, wheels and, and… Ah yes, some black smoke comes out from the front where nobody sits.”[My hopes... my dreams.... Everything crashed. Rather than understanding what a train is, the mystery deepened]
'Ah, yes, this can work'. I again hear the father's thought telepathically.
“That’s exactly right. You see, the reason why it moves is one of the 3, can you guess which one it is?”
“Ah! Does it move due to the black smoke?”, the boy said with a sense of delight, and dare I say accomplishment? This boy certainly believes he found something great.
“Yes, That’s exactly right.”, says the father. He had an expression of victory on his face.
'He-he, now he is convinced'. I got shivers hearing what his father was thinking. A demon, he was a demon. Should I cut off this mind-reading skill from him. But alas, I was still a novice, I didn't knew why I could hear him, so of-course I can't cut him off either. The thing I was most worried about was I might develop trust-issues in the future!!
“Ah, I see. But still, how does that black smoke appear and why does the train move?”
The father seems to have a troubled expression on his face. He celebrated too soon.
[That's what you get trying to trick your son] I said. Though, its not like anyone can hear me. But, I was genuinely happy, I didn't like the fact that he was trying to con his own child.
But it seems as if it was me who celebrated quickly.
Suddenly, the father's expressions brightened. Seems like that he has got the answer.
'Ghost, yes with ghost I can explain it.' I can't understand, how is he going to explain this. I got curious
“Boy, you see. When do ghosts appear?”
“At night, I guess?”
“YES!!”, the father says excitedly. “Do you know why they appear at night?”
“So they can’t be seen?”, asks the boy.
[Okay fair enough], even though, he was wrong, I guess it makes sense.
“Exactly!! Why cant we see them in dark?” asks the father.
“Are they black? That’s why we cant see them in dark?”
“Yes, exactly. We capture the evil ghosts. And when those ghosts work, they release there black aura in the surroundings. That’s the black smoke we see when a train moves.”
Then for a moment, just for a moment I actually believed him. But soon-enough, realization dawned upon me.[What is this crap? Capturing ghosts! Using them to run a train! And god-dammit, ghosts aren't even black in the 1st place!!] I shouted, but no one heard me. Even though, I didn't believe a word he spoke, thought just in case, just in case. It's not like I believe him, but let's give him benefit of doubt.With that in my mind, I went to look in the mirror just in case, and yup I wasn't black. And I was fuming.
The boy hasn't said a word for the last few minutes, he is just thinking. I thought, can I.. can I listen to his thoughts too? Just when I was about to try, the boy spoke,
“Ah, I see. So it’s those ghosts which work to pull the train. And they lose there black aura due to work”
The boy seems very happy with this discovery. He runs to his mom to explain his new discovery about how train moves.
With this, the expression of the father relaxes a bit. “AH, this boy is surely big trouble.”
Suddenly, he remembered that the mom is sleeping and the he had to take care of the kids today. The man's face lost it's shine and he seemed to be in despair.
'I am going to die today.'
Hearing this, I laughed, just a little.
shubh
Please give a like and your comments. Any advice is welcome too.
|
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"chapters": 3,
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|
In the dark back alleys of Gotham at night, a little girl stares at the top of the tall building nearby, witnessing a fight.
The girl was about 10 years with brown hair, brown eyes and a fair complexion. But she was wearing a very dirty dress and she was covered in dirt too. Also, she was alone in that alley filled with nothing but garbage.
As she watched the fight above her, her eyes lit up with excitement and hope. In the top of that building Batman was fighting with man-bat. The fight was intense as both sides traded blows. Ultimately it was Batman’s victory.
The girl’s eyes shone as she whispered softly, “Maybe one day Batman will save me too”. And with this faint hope of getting out of her miserable life the girl reminisced about her past.
Her name was Millie Brown. She lived in the suburbs of Gotham in a small apartment. They were poor but her parents loved her dearly and she lived a happy life, she attended a local school.
One day about 6 months ago after coming back home from school she found a lot of people crowding in front of her apartment. There were police too.
She hurried through them saying, “Please let me through, this is my home”. The police hearing that cleared the crowd letting her through.
Before she went in, a cop put his hand on her shoulder saying, “I am sorry”. Millie didn’t understand what he was saying.
But when she went in her whole world shattered. There in front of her lay both her parents stabbed and blood was all over the floor.
For a moment she was shocked, unable to say anything. She just approached her parents’ body slowly as if her body had a will of it’s own. Her mind was blank.
As she came in front of their bodies, she dropped to the ground and started crying uncontrollably, “WAHHHH. NOOOOOOOOO. DADYYYY MOMMMMYYYYY..”.
After that what happened was like to trance to her. A bunch of people came and went. Then a small funeral of her parents was held, helped by the neighbors. She watched as her parents were buried in front of her, never to be seen again.
She had no one to share her feelings to, no one to console her. After that some people came from an orphanage under the “Martha Wayne Foundation”.
They told her, “It’s going to be ok, you will be with other children your age”. She didn’t know what to feel anymore and silently followed them.
However, the van stopped in a dark alley and she was told to get off. As she got down a group of suspicious looking men appeared from the shadows. One of them said, “Kekeke, you got the merchandise, good”.
Even though she wasn’t in the right mind she sensed something was wrong and while everyone was distracted, she made a run for it.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
Behind her people shouted, “CATCH HER!”. But she didn’t stop running. After running for some time, she realized that she had lost them. But she was lost herself.
Then it started raining and she took shelter behind a dustbin and the shade of a building in this very same alley.
Later after the rain stopped, she came out trying to find someone to help her. She saw a cop and she was happy but when she was about to run towards him, she saw one of the people she encountered before on the alley where she taken to by the van, chatting with the cop in a friendly way.
It was when she realized that she cannot trust anyone.
She mostly spent her time hidden in this alley and surviving on the leftovers. Her life was very hard. But she hoped that one day she will be saved buy one of those “Superheroes” she watched in TV and liked very much.
But no one came, even then she didn’t lose hope.
Back to the present. Suddenly Millie felt her consciousness fade and before she could understand what’s going on she slumped down and fell to the ground from hunger and exhaustion.
Her eyes were almost shut. After an unknown amount time, she felt a hand on her head and a hand checking her hand for pulse. With great difficulty she opened her eyes and was surprised to the see the figure in front of her.
She thought she was dreaming. Nevertheless she smiled and said with great difficulty, “B-Batman i-is that you?”.
Batman had a pained look on his face and he said, “Yes it’s me. Don’t worry everything is going to ok”.
Feeling reassured she smiled but soon lost consciousness.
Batman after checking, immediately lifted her and rushed back to his car. He immediately started the car’s engine and rushed off.
He looked at the girl and muttered, “Please…hold on”.
He arrived in front of a “Wayne Foundation” sponsored hospital. At first the staff were surprised and afraid but when they saw the girl he was carrying in his arms and when he shouted, “Call a doctor…NOW”. They immediately rushed to help.
Batman waited outside the hospital room. After sometime he was called in.
The doctor regretfully said, “I am sorry Batman. But due to malnutrition and being in a garbage dump, she has multiple organ failure and pneumonia. I can’t do anything. Her body is slowly deteriorating. She has about 2 hours left to live”.
Hearing this Batman looked at the girl and then hung his head, “I-If only I was faster. It’s my fault”. He punched the wall in frustration. The doctor couldn’t say anything and just touched Batman’s shoulder and left.
Batman slowly approached her and looked at her sleeping face. She looked to be in peace which haunted him even more.
‘I have to at least find out if she has any family’, thought Batman. So, he took out a device from his utility belt and scanned her face.
After scanning through the entirety of Gotham’s data from civil services to police records using the Bat-computer he saw her name “Millie Brown” listed in the list of orphans in one of the orphanages under the “Martha Wayne foundation”.
On her status it was listed as “missing on the day of admission” and yet suspiciously no police complaint was made. This made him very suspicious.
The current head of the orphanage was “Victor Scott” a 50 something old man. Batman decided to check his phone records. And in doing so he found that the guy was in contact with multiple suspicious individuals. What’s more shocking is that some of them were human traffickers.
He then checked the status of the other orphans in the orphanage and found that several were “missing” like Millie.
Swearing to get to the bottom of this Batman got out of the window and made his way to the orphanage through swinging across buildings using his grappling hook.
In the orphanage head’s office Victor was in a luxurious suit drinking coffee happily, when Batman came through the window. The office had luxury items which should have been beyond the paygrade of someone like him, further proving that he was doing illegal business.
“What? What? Batman, why?”, he said in panic. Batman just rushed in and punched him which made him unconscious. Batman then searched the files and found the required evidence in his drawer. He immediately called the police.
As the police were taking him they thanked Batman. Bruce Wayne was also informed. Batman left the scene after confirming the arrest.
Bruce Wayne then came and said to the people of the orphanage and the media gathered that, “I assure you that I will make sure the culprits are punished and such things don’t happen in the future”. After that he talked with Lucius Fox to make sure a proper investigation of the orphanage is done.
Then Batman caught and handed the human traffickers whose information he got from Victor.
He then made his way back to the hospital, just in time before Millie took her last breath. There was no one else on the room at the moment as the doctor just went out after the final checkup.
Seeing this Batman broke down. How many times has he tried to help the people in this city, both in and out of costume? But every time there is some scum who gets in his way.
This kid should have lived a decent life at the orphanage but due to greed of the orphanage’s head she was forced to live in the streets. Even though the people hired in Wayne foundation has their backgrounds checked, these kinds of things happen.
People change due to greed. And no matter how much he tries he cannot manage everything; he is just one man.
Despite knowing this, he blamed himself.
“If only I had been quicker. If only I had looked more closely in the orphanages’ administration. How many lives were ruined? It’s all my fault”.
He made a resolve to check all the “Wayne Foundation” sponsored orphanages, to at least try to prevent this again.
A few days later in a graveyard at one corner where there are three grave stones besides each other. They read “Calum brown”, “Jess Brown” and “Millie Brown” respectively.
A dark figure in a cape was seen approaching them in the dark of the night. Batman put flowers in front of all three graves. He had previously made sure that she gets buried beside her parents. He even caught the robbers who killed her parents.
But in spite of doing all that, he couldn’t save her life. All his efforts meant nothing; he was a failure.
He stood in front of the graves for some time. Then said, “I am sorry. I hope you forgive me” and turned to leave but before leaving looked back once more and then turned and left.
|
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|
Emeraldrose school
In the corner of the classroom sat a young man.
The boy looked eighteen years old, fair skin, tall, straight and handsome.
Many girls who are in the class looked at him and wanted to get close to him.
The boy was so handsome that every girl who saw him wanted to be his girlfriend.
The boy's name is Alex Whitaker.
Alex has a deep secret that no one knew he is a traveller and he is quite happy about it because his previous life was not good.
Before transmigration, he was an orphan who turned eighteenth and travelled from small city to big city to become rich, but his plan got crushed when he suddenly diagnosed with cancer
He didn't have enough money to go to the top-tier hospital so he had to admit to a cheap hospital.
After three years the doctor announced that he wouldn't have much longer to live.
On his deathbed, he was sad that most of the things that he had planned for his future he couldn't achieve.
From childhood, he always wanted to be rich, have a good family, have few children and have a normal lifestyle.
Alex died sadly with no one to look after him.
When travelled he was the happiest person on the planet.
After transmigration, he had become a second-generation young master.
Nice family background, good looking, good learning.
Every day eats good food cooked by experienced chefs.
His bank account had too much money which he never thought would happen.
He is a single child, so his parent never scolded him for any reason.
It was all like a dream.
After all, he lived his previous life very badly.
But things weren't moving smoothly.
A boy in his class who ranked last suddenly start scoring good Marks.
The boy suddenly started talking with the most beautiful girl in the school.
Alex didn't think of it much but suddenly he heard a voice in his head.
[System binding to the host]
[10℅...20℅......]
'Arghh why am I feeling headache all of a sudden'
[80%....90℅]
'My head feels feel like exploding'
[100% binding complete ]
After a few minutes, the pain slowly went away.
A screen panel just pop up in front of me.
'What is this
[Villain supremacy system]
[Host: Alex whitaker]
[Status: Villain]
[Charm: 200]
[Strength: 60]
[Luck: 40](the villain is always unlucky)
[Villain halo: 80]
[Villain point: 100]
[Skil: None ]
'Huh, so I am a villain'
[ Host has been chosen for villain supremacy system ]
'Why am I chosen for this?'
[.........]
After trying a few more times the system does not answer Alex has no choice but to accept his fate.
Well at least, I have a chance to make this life better.
He again tried talking to the system.
'System what is villain halo and points'
[ Host, villain halo is unique for the host just like what the protagonist has, protagonist halo ]
[ the minimum halo of the protagonist is 400 and the host halo of 80 is lower than that of the protagonist]
'Shit' How can I increase my halo
[ When the host successfully suppresses the protagonist or took away his chances to grow, and captures the heroine's heart, body and mind. All things that put resistance to a protagonist to grow can increase the host points]
Steal his heroines.
'I like it'
Since I am the villain I have to take certain measures for my safety.
'Can I kill a protagonist ?'
[ Yes, the host can kill a protagonist but the host has to be required to have more villain halo than protagonist halo ]
'Ohh'
Just when I was thinking about what to do in the future a soft sound came from the system.
[ The host has acquired a started gift, would the host like to open it]
without much thinking I said
'Yes'
[Congratulation, the Host has acquired God's appraisal eye.]
'An eye?'
[Gods appraisal eye: Allows the host to see the information of anything in the world, be it value, be it protagonist halo, heroine halo etc.]
’So can I identify the protagonist with this'
[Yes]
'Nice'
Gaining the God-appraisal eye my eyesight became very clear.
Looking around I saw a boy talking to a beautiful girl.
Seeing the boy a panel opened in front of me.
'Ahh, so he is the protagonist'
|
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"title": "Stealing protagonist heroines - The beginning (edited)",
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|
My name is Chase. That was one of the first facts I learned in the apocalypse. It was on the nose for me, but it fit. Much better than… that other name that my parents gave me. Far too girly. Not my name. Chase though, that had a nice ring to it. I knew I could be Chase.
Though I suppose I’m getting ahead of myself, let’s zoom out a bit, shall we?
I’ve always been a runner. From the moment I could stand on my own two feet, it’s been my life, my escape, my reason for living. I jump from rooftop to rooftop, rolling and vaulting my way towards the last safe city I know, a small walled outcropping of civilization right in the center of a ruined city, covered in living corpses. The same living corpses who chased me at this very moment.
I smiled. They wouldn’t catch me.
This was just a simple herd and kill mission, one of several tasks to the runners of the city. We run to a certain destination and fire off a single gunshot to attract a horde, then run like hell back to the city so that the wall’s guardsmen could take them out. It was our primary way of thinning out their numbers, even if it seemed to do little. Really I could care less about the actual mission itself, today I just wanted to look for any kind of binder or even a sports bra that didn’t dig into my damn ribs like the one I made for myself before the apocalypse started. The two lamentable shits on my chest weren’t big as they were, but they still hurt like hell if I wasn’t wearing something while running. Not to mention I hated the idea of having two bumps on my chest in the first place. God I wish more surgeons survived, let alone ones who could give me top surgery. I’d accepted I wouldn’t be able to find any testosterone in this damn city–probably looted by other trans mascs or hopefully cis people who needed it, and not cis men who looked at a bottle of T and thought “haha big muscle time,” –I shiver at the thought.
Though once again, I had no luck on my way out here, and fired the gunshot about… a minute ago? Less? Time always seems to get weird while running. Best gauge by distance. Currently I was still far into no man’s land, the walls of the city almost seeming small to my eye. That wall was not small. The fact that it even exists is a miracle of post apocalyptic human strength. Somehow, albeit wasting almost all of the resources available in the city in the process, the survivors were able to build a city within a city, smack dab in the middle of hundreds of thousands of the undead. And these fuckers aren’t jokes either! Some of them shamble like in the old flicks, but the ones that really needed exterminating were currently hot on my tail.
There was no official name for the classes of zombies yet, but I had taken to calling the slow ones shamblers, and the ones that run… chasers. Look, runners were already taken by humans ok? It’s not a good name. But at least I can make a tongue twister out of it.
“Hey… uglies! Wanna- hear a joke?” Jesus christ I’m out of breath. Force it out man, let the audience hear it! “THE CHASERS CHASED CHASE SO CHASE GETS CHANG- OW!” I bit my tongue at the end there. I didn’t taste any blood, so good! But damn, no laughter? I’m sure if I looked behind me they would be keeling over in laughter. Too bad I’m doing parkour.
I ran up a wall onto a porch, hoping to thin the herd a little bit. Yes, they could climb, but they were also stupid enough to not know to try and surround me or wait their turn up the wall, and I was a much faster climber than literal decaying bodies anyway. Silly chasers. I pulled myself up onto the roof from the porch and began a series of leaps from rooftop to rooftop. The architecture in this area wasn’t consistent at all, so I had to constantly jump lower and roll and then immediately jump across to a higher roof and climb again more than once. This is why I hate the North fucking side! It was fun when there isn’t a horde of the undead chasing you at least.
Too bad there is a horde of undead chasing me.
I jumped back down onto the street and rolled back into a run. The sounds behind were a bit thinned out now, enough that I wouldn’t overrun the wall patrol. Which is good since the city was very close now, only about a mile to go. The street has its own problems though, considering how packed they are with shamblers. It got worse the further out you go, so it was only mild here, but I still had to jump from car to car left on the street. And god these fuckers are disgusting. Clothes tattered, smelling of disease and blood and sweat and that characteristic dead shit smell that almost everyone knows. Not to mention a good amount of them were missing limbs, or parts of their faces, some of them were so decayed that they literally crumbled bit by bit as they moved. Chasers looked more or less like your average zombie, but shamblers were just… sad. So far gone that even a cure wouldn’t help them if one existed. If you were bitten, then either you died with your humanity, or “live” long enough to become a shambler. That is, unless you were a chaser that liked the ass of yours truly enough. Oh eugh I’m not making a sexual joke regarding zombies ever again.
The gates were in sight now. I pulled out my flare gun and fired into the air to single my approach. Luckily these things weren’t too loud despite being bright, unlike guns. Zombies didn’t care about bright light all that much, unless it was direct sunlight. Shamblers were used to their sun baths, but other types didn’t enjoy it as much.
Another flare from around the wall shot up into the air. Good, no problems. I’d be dead if there were problems. Close enough now I could see the rifles on the wall in sight, and they began to throw down glass bottles full of conductive liquid. I stopped on a dime next to the gate, where a red button laid in wait for me. The chasers were right behind me, now soaked.
“See ya later guys!” I pressed the button and immediately they all stopped, their bodies convulsing under the weight of deadly amounts of electricity. Behind me, the gate opened, and men in blue suits carrying an assortment of different types of DIY melee weapons from cool looking spears that sparked with electricity to simple crowbars. Their job was to take out the stragglers.
“Nice job Chase, you can head inside. Marcus will have your reward for you in the outpost, like always.” One of them told me. I couldn’t remember his name though… Bob? James? I’m just gonna go with nothing.
“Thanks man, good luck with my running buddies here.”
A few of them laughed and he replied, “Thanks, but we won’t need it!” They stepped past me and turned off the electricity, getting to work on the few that survived. Time to get your reward and head home. God I’m tired.
I was a little bit sullen on my way to the guard outpost. Still no better binding options. The sports bra I have now is way too undersized, and while it makes me look flat, I can barely breathe in this thing, and it left marks on my ribcage for hours afterwards. Dysphoria is mostly gone, sure, but I kinda need to breathe when running this much. My stupid fucking tits and their stupid fucking existence. Die in a fire please. Sincerely, Chase.
Marcus was standing outside the outpost as he usually did when meeting me. Most of the time he meets the other runners inside, but for some reason he insists on waiting for me outside. I don’t mind though, his smile when he meets my eyes and starts walking to me made it more than worth it. He’s way too cute.
“Chase! What’s up brother!” He met up with me, just a few steps away. Close enough I had to crane my neck up a bit to meet his eyeline. Why must I be so damn short? Why must he be so damn tall? And blonde, and have those pretty green eyes… focus Chase FOCUS.
“Hey Marcus! Just got back from my H and K. It went well.”
“Did you get that thing you were looking for? It was like… a piece of clothing or something right?” He didn’t know I was trans, but I pretty often towed the line between coming out and being stealth with him. He was the only one who even knew I was looking for anything on my runs. Most runners just satisfy themselves with the missions and whatever the guard outpost can give them as rewards. But I still tried to scavenge what I could from no man’s land.
“Nah. I was just looking for something that would… reduce chafing. Make my runs a bit more comfortable.”
“Yeah I know what you mean, running that much can be killer on the thighs and the guys.” Oh. Oh he meant that. Yeahhhhh no.
“Totally! Killer. Yeah… haha.” That didn’t sound awkward at all Chase, great job.
“...Anyway, we’re running a bit low on money to give out right now for jobs, so instead my boss told me to offer runners a weapon instead.” I didn’t often carry weapons besides the pistols every runner has for some distractions and emergencies. A small melee weapon could be nice though, something I could run with.
“Do you have any good knives or machetes? One’s with a sheath that I could either tie or clasp closed for safety while moving?”
“Actually yeah, quite a few. A lot of guards use weapons they make themselves since they can be a bit more specialized to their own needs. One with a sheath like that may take me a minute to find though, do you think you could come back in an hour or two?”
“For sure man! You and the guys drinking tonight?” Pretty often Marcus and the other guards he was closer to, and sometimes some runners would run to a bar near the center of the city called “Haven.”
“You wanna come? You’re not gonna cheat at poker again, are you?”
“Hey, I don’t cheat! It’s not my fault I have good luck!”
“Keep telling yourself that, pretty boy.”
“W-what?”
“Pretty boy? It’s a compliment coming from me.” I gathered that, dingus. Being called a pretty boy by a handsome guy does weird things to a trans man’s brains. Dysphoria and euphoria and a pinch of horniness all wrapped up into an emotional molotov cocktail.
Recovery Chase, recovery. “You better take a guy out to dinner before calling him pretty.”
“Oh, uh, I don’t swing that way.” Oh bullshit I can see it in your eyes, I’m not that dumb! But fine.
“That’s cool, but if you change your mind, you know where to find me. See you in a few Marc.”
“Uh- bye, Chase.” I gave him a cheeky salute and jogged a little to make distance before slowing into a walk. Back home I go. Kill time until I can get my weapon. Generally having anything sharp on hand will be useful for not just zombie killing reasons. You’d be surprised how much random shit you have to cut through now that nature is slowly growing its way back into the remnants of our society.
It was prevalent even here in the walled city. Practically everything here was made out of wood, from windmills, to homes, to shops, even big parts of the wall. You’d think it’d be dangerous because of bandits or something, but humanity is a lot less out to get each other than you might think. We all just want to survive, even when we dislike one another at times.
Which is why I didn’t immediately murder the person I was about to meet.
“Miss! Miss!” A feminine voice called from behind me. My short haircut and features were always generally boyish, even after puberty tried to get me, so I mostly passed, even without medical transition. At this point if I heard the word miss, I would not think it was directed at me. “In the green pants!” You have got to be fucking with me. The one day I wear these green sweatpants? Seriously?
I turn around and am met with a fairly young looking woman. With long brown hair and deep blue eyes, even I would probably consider her attractive, despite being very, very gay. “Hello there! My name is Chase, and sorry I didn’t answer you right away, the proper title for me is ‘Mister.’”
I could see her subtly roll her eyes, but nonetheless she grudgingly gave in. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Chase. My name is Lila. Are you a runner?” Aaand of course she needs something. This better be good, I’m cranky when misgendered.
“I am, do you require my services?”
“Oh thank God. It’s my brother, Nathan. He ran out of the city all alone!” My eyes narrowed. This is important, but why doesn’t she sound more worried?
“What happened, where do you think he went, and do you have a description?” My usual three questions in a missing persons case.
“We got into a fight, a sibling thing. He’s my little brother, I’ve taken care of him ever since our parents got bit. We had to run from home and ended up here in the city. I think he would’ve gone back to our old house, 1225 Jade street, do you know it?”
I nodded. “The South part of town. I lived in a neighborhood not too far from there.” Don’t think about it more than that Chase. Don’t think about the past. Chase the future. “And his description?”
“Short brown hair, blue eyes, like me. He’s about 13 now I think, hard to keep track of dates.”
“Clothing?”
“A-an old dress of mine. Gray.”
What are you doing wearing your brother’s clothes?
Dad… I’m a boy. I’m your son.
You’re not my son or my daughter you fucking tranny! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!
I clenched my shaking fist and breathed deeply, fighting back the tears.
“Mr. Chase? Are you ok?” Am I ok? AM I OK?! I kept these memories buried deep for a reason. And now I see it happening again to someone else? Even after the end of the world?
“I’m fine.” I snapped. “I’m going to get back your sibling, and if I find out that they’re your sister and not your brother, that you drove them away with your selfish behavior, then we will have words Lila. Do you understand?”
She shrunk back in fear and nodded. I turned and pulled out my radio.
“Marc, you there man? It’s Chase.”
“Go for Marcus.”
“Can you get that weapon for me now? It’s an emergency.”
Authors note:
Hello! I hope you enjoyed part 1 of Chase, a short story I wrote for one of my college workshop classes. This is my first time writing a story with a trans masc character! This story is heavily inspired by the Dying Light series of games.
Readers of To Be Myself, I'm really sorry for the unexpected hiatus! I've been really busy and stressed, and now I have to work on my classwork for college finals, which mostly involves lots and lots of writing, so I'm a bit creatively exhausted to focus on my personal projects right now. This version of Chase is actually a rewrite I'm submitting for a grade in the same class after I got it workshopped earlier in the semester, so expect part 2 and maybe part 3 depending on how long it is very soon!
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Just another day or so until it's done. I had an absolute ton of work to get done, and I had trouble figuring out a good way to write the prologue as it was probably the most troubling part of storyboarding.
Just giving an update to those who wanted to know what was taking so long. Have an amazing morning to those who see this early. This will be deleted after the First chapter is posted.
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The streets are dark now, the last hints of twilight all but faded away by night. Shamblers line the streets. Two gunshots go off in the distance as screams follow. What I call night terrors. Deadly, almost vampiric zombies that run and climb as fast as most runners. If it wasn’t for Sam and Dirk, I’d be screwed taking a civilian with me. I have to thank them later. “Are you ready Ash?”
She nods. Time to run. It’s not long before I can hear chasers begin to follow us, but the night terrors shouldn’t join the chase, they’d be distracted by Sam and Dirk, who I knew to be some of the fastest runners around. I don’t know many of them personally, we’re all pretty much loners, but rumors spread fast in the walled city.
Despite running with a kid, she was pretty fast, even in a shitty knee length dress. Maybe I could teach her how to be a runner? Keep her safe in case her sister tries to pull something, give her a method of income once she gets older? Running for the city was dangerous but it was a well paid service when the guardpost isn’t running low on funds. I’ll ask her about it when she’s not out of breath and we aren’t running for our lives.
The lights of the city weren’t too far off now. Just a little more and-
“SKRAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIII”
No. NO. A figure with an almost bloody looking saliva and a body that looked as if it scrapped every shade of humanity for it for pure speed and power. A night terror. “Ashley, we need to sprint, NOW!”
I kick up to my highest speed, ignoring the protestations coming from Ashley’s body attached to me by the hand. Barely, just barely, she could match my pace. The figure jumped at us from the side, but we barely managed to dodge at this speed. By the sound of things, it recovered quickly and joined the chase.
My surroundings began to blur around me as the cold wind threatened to tear me to pieces. Even the feeling of Ashley’s hand in mine began to fade into the back of my senses, as all that was left was the feeling of my feet slamming against the pavement underneath me, dodging in between what felt like countless shamblers and only barely avoiding the lunges of the terror that followed us close behind.
In both an instant and an eternity, we made it to the city gates, spotlights at the entrance. No point in using the flare gun, since they were already expecting us and on the watch. Gunshots echoed from the wall above us as bullets tore through the chasers running after us and only slowing the deadly fury of the night terror still right behind us.
The gate began to open. Freedom. I dive through it while it’s still only half open and hold Ashley close in the air.
“CLOSE IT, CLOSE IT NOW!!” A familiar voice yells as soon as I slam against the ground and let Ashley go. She falls to the ground beside me on her back and we gasp for any air we could get.
The metal gate gained a few dents from the terror trying to break through, but humanity’s creation won out against the night. We made it. One final scream from the terror marked the end of the chase.
Still on the ground I turn my head to Marcus. “Did Sam and Dirk make it back?”
“Sam is fine but… Dirk is gone.”
“Dammit. If only I’d made it to the house sooner we wouldn’t have had-”
“Stop that Chase. It’s not your fault. You saved a kid today. That’s all that matters. Ok?”
“Ok.”
Speaking of…
“Ashley, how are you feeling?” She raised a finger to me, still catching her breath. I’ll give her a minute. “Marcus, where’s her sister?”
“She was here a moment ago, but some guards brought her into the post once we heard the… what do you call them again?”
“There’s no set names for any of the zombie types yet among the runners, but I call them night terrors.”
“The night terror.”
“Can you go get her? I need to have a talk to her about Ashley.”
He nodded and went into the guardpost, and a moment later walked out with Lila, her face sullen and full of what I imagined was guilt.
It was Ashley who spoke first, now sitting up, her legs still seemingly too weak to stand. “Lila. From now on you need to listen to me. I am your sister, not your brother, and I will not put up with any bullshit from you anymore. We’re supposed to be a family, damnit, and I still want to be a family, but if you don’t, then I’ll find some way to get by on my own.”
Lila’s face looked shocked for a moment seeing the venom coming from her sister’s mouth, but soon her face filled with a similar anger. “You don’t get to talk to me like that, I am your old sister Na-”
“Her name is Ashley.” I say, standing up. “I imagine she already told you that, but you wouldn’t listen, would you? Because you’re still so concerned with your ideas of how a family is ‘supposed’ to be. Or how she’s supposed to be your ‘brother’ and not your sister. But that’s not how the world really works. That’s not how people work, Lila. If you can’t accept that then you shouldn’t be trusted as Ashley’s guardian. Do you understand?”
“Who the hell are you anyway, ‘Chase?’ What’s your real name, since you so obviously share the same mental illness as my brother.”
Marcus stepped up and grabbed her arm with an iron strength. “Ms. Lila, I’m going to need you to stop antagonizing the man that saved your sister’s life and instead listen to them both. It doesn’t matter whether he was born as a ‘man’ or as a ‘woman.’ Same for your sister. They’re people, and what they know about their own identities counts way more than your assumptions. So shut up before you lose not just a brother, but your sister too. Understood?”
She was only silent at that. I spoke up again. “I don’t trust you with your sister Lila, and someone already died tonight because of this bullshit that wouldn’t have happened in the first place if you had just accepted Ashley in the first place. She’s going to stay with me for a while until you prove you can protect her or until she proves she can live on her own.” I turn to Ashley. “Does that work for you Ash? Stay with me for a while?”
“Yes Chase, thank you.” She said with a smile and tears in her eyes. I kneel down and bring her in for a hug, and she almost tackles me on the ground.
“Careful there sis, you’re going to break my ribs!”
“Shut up,” She says with a giggle in between sobs.
Soon after Marcus made sure Lila wouldn’t cause any more problems, I took Ashley to my small apartment building that housed a few guards and runners. Sadly we all missed bar night because of the night’s earlier events, but as Marcus said, we saved a kid’s life that night. That counts for something. Ashley expressed interest in learning how to be a runner after I offered it to her, but I made her promise to rest a couple days after working her body that hard before starting training.
I’m still not sure if Lila and Ashley will ever patch things up, you never do know with bigots, but I still hope they will. After losing my own family, I don’t think I could bear seeing another one torn apart just because of stupid bigotry. Especially in a time where humanity needs to be closer than ever. Because it’s not the end of the world just yet.
We still have to chase the future together.
Authors note:
I hope you enjoyed Chase! If this receives enough love I might make a sequel series later on with Ashley as the main character :)
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Chapter 1
June 16, 2018
Dear Diary,
Dad is ill and scary on meds and chemo. Mum gets the brunt of it. Little Raian is always locked in his room playing video games. So I go to Ocean’s house. I go and act spoiled, sprawling on his couch, eating all his snacks, listening to blaring music…
Chapter 2
August 21, 2018
Dear Diary,
Today I saw Ocean kissing another man outside the front door. I knew it was over then. I sprinted for Beachy Head, the one famous for the many people who’ve committed suicide on it. Ha, it’s funny. Other places have a famous lover’s tourist spot while we have a suicide cliff. Maybe that means something? Maybe it explains why my life is the way it is?
Chapter 3
To my surprise, there was already another man there. He was tall with dark longish hair and a large black coat. I couldn’t see his face because his back was to me as he faced the cliff but I assumed he was handsome. Before dad became scary and mum started crying all the time, they taught me to wait my turn. So I decided to watch a line of ants busying themselves with a crumb instead while occasionally prodding them with a twig.
Chapter 4
“Are you going to dissuade me?” I jerk backward mid prod.
“Uh, yes?”
“Don’t bother.”
“No, I mean I was saying yes I heard you, I mean no I wasn’t going to dissuade you, I mean-” I fumble over my words and the man impatiently interrupts.
“Then what are you doing here?”
“Watching ants. No! I mean, waiting for my turn.” The man finally whips around to look at me and I was right. He has broad, sharp features giving him a commanding and fierce air. Handsome, definitely handsome.
“You mean you’re here to jump too?”
“Yes!” He peers at me curiously. Probably wondering why this baby-faced little Asian kid wants to end his life. Maybe he doesn’t take me seriously like all the other adults in my life.
“Well, then that’s your business I guess.” He replies, turning back around. My mouth drops open.
“You-you’re not going to ask me why?” The man shrugs, it causes his broad shoulders to ripple. My gaze is glued to them. They’re even broader than Ocean’s.
“It’s your business. You take care of it.” Immediately I see my father’s distorted red face, “you take care of your business, I’ll take care of mine!”
I blink and it’s just me and the man and it looks like he’s about to jump. Before I have time to process, my mouth opens and the words spill out.
“It’s because my boyfriend cheated on me. Well, not cheated really because-”
“My boyfriend is dead.” I look up. He responded to me! He hasn’t jumped yet! Then I process his words.
“Oh. So you’re following him?”
“Yes. So kiddo be thankful that your boyfriend is still around.” I kick the sand.
“He’s not my boyfriend.” I pout. The man sighs, probably aggravated with me by now. I rush to explain “we-we weren’t really together. I just liked him.” I say, my voice growing quieter and quieter. The man turns around again, his face a mask of exasperation.
“So you’re planning on dying for a one-sided crush??”
“Well, and because no one would care.”
“You’re an orphan?”
“No, mum and dad are too busy to care about me.”
“But they’re still around? So, you’re throwing a tantrum here on this cliff because you feel neglected by your family?”
“It’s none of your business!” I shoot back, irritatedly kicking the sand more ferociously.
“You’re right, it’s not.” The man glares at me, then whips his head back to face the edge of the cliff. A moment later he sighs again, an exaggerated sound carrying heavy irritation. Then he turns back around.
“You are not jumping from this cliff.”
“Huh?”
“I will not have you desecrate this cliff with your petty worries!”
“They’re not petty worries. You’re the one with petty worries!”
“I am going to join my dead lover! This is Beachy Head! The “Imperial Lord of the high southern coast” as described by the great romantic poet Charlotte Smith! This is not a place for someone like you to end your life because of some puny trifles!” Now my face turns red and I feel my pride questioned. And to think, I even bothered to wait for him!
“Trifles! I don’t even like truffles! I will jump off this cliff! I’ll prove it to you!” I run towards the edge but the man catches me with his tree trunk like arms and locks me against his broad chest. I kick and flail around, my fist hitting his face and leg kicking his thigh. However, he locks me even tighter. So I bend down and bite his wrist. Chomp!
“Ow! You! Little…”
“I’ll bite you again you-” My threat dissolves into shrieks of laughter as he starts tickling me. After some unidentifiable amount of time we’re both out of breath and we plop down.
“Don’t crush the ants!” I cry.
“Ants?”
“Over there.” I point to the side. “They were working hard to bring that crumb back home. I don’t want to squash them.” For a moment, the man doesn’t respond. Then he starts laughing.
“Why are you laughing?” He doesn’t respond so I start laughing too.
“Haha, a bunch of haha ants, haha struggle to survive and bring a single crumb back home, but we idiots want to throw our lives away, hahaha.” At some point the laughter transforms into tears and before I know it I’m sobbing too. It’s the first time in a long while that I’ve sobbed in front of others, outside of the cranny between my bed and the table in my room. After another stretch of unidentifiable amount of time the man stops crying and my sobs dissolve into sniffles. I gaze at the wet spots on the sand. They’ll be dry soon.
“You’re not going to join your lover?”
“He doesn’t want me to join him.”
“Huh?” I look up into his dark eyes in surprise.
“He died saving me and…” the man looks down, “his last words were ‘live well’” My mouth opens in a big O.
“Then why did you want to follow him?” The man is silent, then he sighs.
“Because I’m a fool, a fool that wanted to throw his life away, a life gifted by his lover.” I gaze back at the wet spots.
“Then I’m a fool too.” This startles a laugh out of the man.
“That’s right, we’re both fools. A big fool and a little fool.”
“I’m not little!”
“I never said you were. You assumed it.”
“Hey!” He bursts into laughter. It’s real laughter this time, hearty and booming. Once it dies down, he speaks.
“Well, little fool what do you say we leave this ominous cliff?” I give a little nod. The two of us get up, dust the sand off of ourselves, then we prepare to leave. After dusting myself off, I turn back to the man. “Will we ever meet again?” He’s gazing off into the horizon but upon my question he turns back to meet my eyes.
“Who knows?” He shrugs. I stand there as I watch him walk off into the distance. I want to call him back, ask him for his number, something, but somehow I don’t. I just watch his solitary back disappear into the distance.
Chapter 5
August 22, 2018
Dear Diary,
The next day was the first day of the new school year and we had a new English teacher. Guess what? It was him!
Fun Fact:
Both the cliff and the poem are real.
Link to poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52387/beachy-head
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I met up with Marcus at the Southern gate after explaining the situation over radio, where he held what looked like a machete in a leather sheath.
“This work for you Chase?” He handed it over to me and I pulled it out. My black hair shined in its reflection.
“Thanks man, it's perfect.” I looked up at the evening sky. “It’ll be dark soon, can you tell your guys to stay on guard? we may have a hot entrance on our way back.”
“Of course man. Are you ok by the way? Over the radio when you talked about that girl and her sibling, it sounded… personal.”
“It’s nothing important. At least not yet. I do owe you an explanation though, I’ll tell you after I get back.” I gave him a half hug that he returned. This would be a good excuse to come out to him. Though I hope he doesn’t suddenly justify dating a man because ‘you used to be a woman so it’s straight right?’ It is not straight man, not even close.
“You better man. I’ll see you soon.” He smiled. “Good luck, runner.”
And with that, I was off out the Southern gate, machete on my back. Luckily it was just small enough that it wouldn’t make any of my movements difficult. I made my way onto a rooftop and began my way towards Jade street.
The South of the city was characterized primarily by suburbs, so many of the houses were around the same height, which meant less vertical exertion for me, but some longer jumps from house to house. This scenery was both familiar and foreign to me, considering how much time I spent running in the streets of the Southern city before the apocalypse. Here on the rooftops I was me, I was Chase, and down there were the memories I left behind. Where I was… her.
The streets were mostly full of shamblers now in the evening, and much less densely populated than the North, but that would change when the sun went down. Remember when I said zombies don’t like the sun? I wasn’t kidding. I can literally hear the moans and yells of almost all the different kinds of freaks in the homes below my feet. That’s the shit that gives a guy nightmares. They have given me nightmares. Several.
Well, in between the ones that are just my memories of before. Today is just bringing them all back like a wave. I can see the past version of myself, still with long hair and a thick hoodie to hide the hideous thing that laid inside. Running. Running away from the only home I had ever known. Because my own family couldn’t bear the fact that their son wasn’t their daughter. Coming out at the same time the apocalypse started to come around was both a blessing and a curse. Away from people I now could see where manipulators and liars that don’t know how to adapt, I was both more free to survive and to be myself. To be Chase.
I notice a sign in the distance. Jade street. Back to now man. Focus. The evening sun is starting to turn the sky into brilliant shades of purple and orange. After twilight we would be out of time. I have to get to them now. I speed up, dropping down to street level, ducking and dodging through the shamblers that make their home in the sidewalks and roads. Soon enough, I found it. 1225 Jade street.
Like all the other houses on the road, it was painted into the shade of green that shared the name of the street. The front door was unlocked, just as I expected it to be, considering zombies don’t exactly know how to open doors (thank god for that). Inside was a pretty nice place, pretty much what you’d expect from an upper middle class white family pre-apocalypse. Nice, carpeted floors, a ground level, and stairs that lead to a basement. Big TV in the living room, a hallway that I assume leads to bedrooms and a bathroom, a big, open kitchen. No point in looting anything in there though, considering all the food probably spoiled months ago. Besides canned stuff of course, but there’s no way the family that lived here didn’t go through that in weeks.
“PLEASE NO, DON’T HURT ME! IT’S ME, NATHAN!”
Downstairs. No time to think, run. I bolt down the stairs and see a shambler pushing against a closed door, with crying and screams on the other side. It looks like it was a woman before it turned. Now the only markers of what was before was long, ruined hair and a tattered clothes that hung off its body.
I pull my machete from its sheath and sneak up on it. Slowly and quietly. Not that it mattered much with how loud the kid was being. I raise up my blade in two hands and slice down its skull in one fluid motion, splitting its head in two and destroying the brain. It stopped moving a moment after. I turn myself and its corpse to the side of the door and raise my foot, kicking its body off my blade. I stumble as it falls to the ground.
The kid stops making much noise from the other side.
“Mom?” They say.
“No, sorry. I’m a runner with the city. Can you let me in?” They open the door slightly, and I quickly slip in and close it, making sure they don’t see their mother’s body.
“You had to kill her didn’t you?” The look in their blue eyes is sad, but accepting.
“I’m sorry. It was her or us.”
“I understand. What’s your name Mister?”
“Chase. What’s yours?”
“Na-” I don’t let them finish.
“What’s your real name?”
They pause for a moment. “Are you… like me?”
“Well, if my assumption’s correct, then yes. When I was born, everyone thought I was a girl, when really, I’m a guy. What about you?”
“I’m not quite sure yet… but I don’t like being called a boy, or he, and when people in public mistake me as a girl it makes me really happy.” I smile at her.
“I don’t think their mistaking it kiddo, you look like a girl to me.” She blushed and grinned.
“Really?”
“Really.” I wasn’t lying, she really did look like a young girl in middle school who was just forced to cut her hair really short.
“The name I’d like to be called is Ashley. To uh- answer your earlier question.”
“Ok Ashley.” She blushed again. Like looking in a damn mirror. I remember when I first told Marcus my name and he just used it like it was nothing. It was so hard to compose myself back then. All the little things would give me so much euphoria that it almost made me forget how much shit was going on in my life at that point between losing my family and the literal zombie apocalypse. Being myself grounded me. Kept me here and kept me from either dying or killing myself from the dysphoria and depression and… hopelessness. Now I’m happier than I’m ever been and it’s the end of the goddamn world.
“Mr. Chase? Are you ok?”
“Sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment. Remembering what it was like to be in your position. Let’s get home, and then I’ll help you talk with your sister, ok?”
“Alright… but what if she still doesn’t accept me?”
“She will. And if she doesn’t, then you can stay with me for a while.” I wouldn’t mind having a younger sister. I was the youngest in my old family. But first I need to get her safe.
“What now Mr. Chase?”
“Can you please stop calling me mister? It kinda sounds weird.” She nodded.
I pull out my radio. “Marcus this is Chase, do you read?”
Marcus’s voice sparks up from the other end. “Loud and clear Chase, did you find the kid?”
“Yeah, she’s ok. How’s it looking for our return?”
“It’s twilight already. A couple runners volunteered to run interference for you, Sam and Dirk. You can thank them later. Can the girl run ok?” She nodded.
“We’ll be fine. See you soon Marc. Tell the sister that all 3 of us are gonna have a talk when I get back.”
“Will do C, good luck.”
“Thanks.”
I put my radio away and look to Ashley. “Ok, so I would usually take the rooftops, especially at night, but since you’re here we’re going to have to take the streets. It’ll be cooler outside because of the dark, which means an easier run, but I won’t lie to you when I say this is going to hurt a lot for someone who isn’t trained. Keep a hold of my hand and don’t slow down for anything. You can do this.”
“Ok Chase, I trust you.” I hold my hand out to her and she takes it. I lead her out of the room, covering her eyes from her mother’s body, but she still takes a moment to look back as we go upstairs. She tightens her grip on my hand, but it doesn’t break her. “Goodbye mom…” I hear her whisper as we step out the front door.
Authors note:
TIME TO RUN BABYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
|
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|
It was just a normal day me and my feline, Koi. were taking our daily walk, but I decided today was the day we mix it up and go the opposite way. How foolish of me to think so, when we crossed paths with the neighborhood dog.
That's where it all went wrong.
A striking great Dane practically came running after us. He was almost tall enough to jump the fence. I tried to pick Koi up but he slipped out of my loose grasp. Now I was chasing after my cat Koi as this rampaging dog barked on and on. He turned a corner to the nearest ally way. I could see that the dog stopped in his tracks. I watched my cat's tail whip around the corner.
I made my way to the corner and that's when I saw a glowing blue portal swirling just at the other end of the ally. Koi looked back at me.
“Don’t you do it”, I said demandingly.
Koi immediately turned tail and ran into the portal. Of course. The portal begins to shrink. Despite my shock I try to chase after Koi. The portal then disappears as I reach out my hand to grasp him.
“KOI, NO!”, I fall down to my knees.
I can’t comprehend what happened but tears began to fill my eyes. I can’t believe this is happening! Koi was my only family. The last thing I had before my grandma passed away. I just want to sulk and cry.
"This can't be real...", I mumbled distraught.
Misty swirling Portals aren’t real. I didn't just watch Koi walk out of my life. He’ll be back tomorrow. This is just like old times where he would run out and come back usually with a rat or bird as a prize for me. I get up. Yeah it’s just a trick of the eye. He’ll be back like he always does.
Get up, I dust the dirt and grass off my tracksuit pants out of habit.
I know what I’ll do. I'll go searching for Koi. Maybe he’s behind these trash cans in the alley. I search every nook and cranny of that alleyway but find no sign of Koi. Not even a whisker left behind. I make my way home dragging my feet across the ground. I passed the time watching TV until I couldn’t hold back the truth.
Koi was gone for good this time and, I don't know how I knew it, but it seemed true this time. Whatever that was, it took Koi. Whether he’s alive or not I’ll never know.
“Please be safe Koi” I whisper under my breath.
The next thing I knew I was cracking open a beer. Anything to block out this disgusting feeling I had. Was it guilt? I could’ve stopped him if only I had been faster? I look across to the wall where there is a picture of my grandmother with Koi. Even though she was old she looked so vibrant and alive when she was with Koi. I started to drink until I couldn’t feel my face. The last thing I remember is crashing down on my couch.
*Poof* *Ting*
I woke up from a strange noise.
“Who's there?” I say blindly.
I adjust my eyes in the dark. In front of me was a floating scroll of some sorts with wings in front of me. It was tied up in a bright blue ribbon. I knew I was seeing things now. I ignore the strange scroll and close my eyes. Another 'ting' noise is made.
'I can’t sleep like this.'
This is just a dream after all, just a lucid dream.
“Fine I’ll take it”. I take the scroll. The wings disappear as a strange mist appears as I cough.
“My god what is this”. It had a strange smell. The closest I could describe it was like the smell of gasoline. When the smoke clears I begin to feel my heart beating faster. I opened the letter. The letter began with “Dear Human.”
|
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Everything was dark.
Where am I? I began to question. It felt as if my body had been torn apart and put back together. Soon a rush of cold air and bright light began to blind my senses. I feel the warm ground pressed against my paws. I open my eyes to see a clear field far as the eye can see. A tree shades me as I dig my paws into the ground.
What was this feeling? Where am I? How do I go home? But why would I want to go home, I began to think.
A cool breeze blows as the grass begins to sway back and forth. I felt free for the first time in my life. I roll into the grass dirtying my coat.
“Ah the dampened ground feels so good...”
Wait a minute did I just talk?
It began to sink in.
I CAN TALK, I CAN ACTUALLY SPEAK.
The thoughts of why I’m here and where I was began to disappear. I didn’t care anymore, this was sweet. I began to hum a song that my mother would sing to me. When I noticed something in the distance. It looked like a green ball of jelly?
Letters were displayed above it’s head but I couldn’t understand what it said. Along with the letters came a green bar under it. Curiously, I walk up to the creature and reach to touch it with my paw carefully. That's when the monster opened its mouth and swallowed my paw whole!
“AHHH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING” I screamed.
It didn’t hurt but in my peripheral view I noticed something saying '-1 Hp'. I didn’t know what it meant but I figured it wasn’t good. I struggle but with no results.
“That's it I’ve had enough!” I take my other paw and stretch out my claws.
*WACK*
With one hit the creature burst leaving a slimy residue all over the field.
“yuck!” The sticky substance is a dirty substance with a medicine smell.
Suddenly a screen blocked my view. The only thing I recognized was the number 1. I remember my human teaching it to me when he was giving me 1 treat. An invigorating feeling rushed through my body. I felt powerful. Did all the blobs make cats feel like this?
The screen disappeared after a while. I looked further past the grass and found a bunch of these gooey guys bouncing around. With one swing each I took them out.
'Easy', I thought to myself.
|
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|
It was dark. I couldn't see anything. I slowly open my eyes, seeing that I am levitating in the middle of space.
"Uh...Hello?"
But what I got was no response from anything or anyone.
"Is anybody there?" I asked, but again, nobody responded.
"What's happening? Where am I? What is this place?" I asked. At the same time, I tried to think and remember how and why exactly did I end up here—a mysterious purple light flashes from behind my back. I turned around, seeing a shadowy figure that doesn't have many details. The shadow figure looks a lot like a silhouette.
"..." the shadowy figure stayed silent.
"Uh, hello? Do you know where I am?" I asked.
"Takeru Ishiyama..." the dark figured said. I widen my eyes.
(How does it know my name?) I thoughted inside of my head. I stood there and stared at the figure for a while before it once again talks.
"I am here to inform you that you are...dead." the figure said.
"W-what?! D-dead!?" I asked in shock. The figure responded by nodding. "How's that possible? Is this a dream?"
"You are not dreaming boy, this is reality." said the figure.
"How should I believe you?" I asked.
"Perhaps you didn't remember how exactly you have died. Fine, I'll explain. You are an eighteen-year-old boy who just moved to Korea a few days ago and died because of an incident in the hospital. Of course, you suffered a heart attack that needs medical surgeries. Your parents drive you to the hospital as soon as possible. The doctor who is performing the surgery accidentally bisected your heart because they sneezed, but that is also good news for someone who is seen as a failure by others like you, Takeru Ishiyama." the figured said while levitating and staring back at me.
After hearing what the shadow figure said, I stayed silent and tried to remember what has happened, and I finally remembered it was true. I did suffer a heart attack. I did saw my parents driving me to the hospital, although I didn't hear that I would have medical surgery since I've fainted that moment when we arrived.
"...So...I'm dead?" I asked the shadow figure.
"Sadly for you, yes." said the shadow figure.
"So, where is my next stop, the afterlife or something?" I asked. The shadowy figure shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but that's no longer an option for you." said the shadowy figure.
"What do you mean? "It's no longer an option" for me?" I asked.
"You see here. I am not apart of your world at all before your soul can enter and get judge by the afterlife. However, that doesn't matter to me at least." the shadowy figure said.
"So, where am I?" I asked.
"Why, of course, boy, you are in the Void." said the shadowy figure.
"WHAT?! THE VOID!?" I yelled in panic. I couldn't believe it with my own eyes. I am trapped inside of the well-known place that has nothing except for infinite darkness.
"Yes, I know it's very shock for humans like you, but you better get used to it, though." said the shadowy figure.
I once again stayed silent for a while and looked at the shadowy figure before responding to it.
"All right, so...who are you, the Grim Reaper?" I asked. The shadowy figure replied by shaking its head.
"No, I am way beyond the "Grim Reaper", I am Traiolkus, the Personification of infinitely, absolutely, and source of all chaos, darkness, and evil, and the fourth wielder of the Omnipotent^♾." the shadowy figure said.
"Huh? Your Omnipotent?" I asked.
"Yes, I am, and I'm also here to offer you something, Takeru." said the dark-god.
I felt a bit nervous. I am standing in front of a dark-god who is also somewhat Omnipotent. What I hope is that this dark-god isn't trying to do something terrible to me.
"...What is it that you want?" I asked.
"I am currently looking for a successor, and you are worthy of it," said Traiolkus.
"S-successor, w-wait, why do you have to choose someone like me, but not the "others", you know? Peoples back in my world?" I asked.
"Well, for first, I didn't choose you. I picked randomly, and it turned out to be someone like you. Still, there might be a chance that you may have hidden potential. Despite being seen as a useless failure back in your world, I can see there is a little potential within you, other than being extremely lazy, bad at nearly everything, and a bit stupid, you are very kind-hearted, I know you are wondering like why would a dark-god have a liking to those who are benevolent, I said I'm the source of all chaos, darkness, and evil across the whole Barrelplex, but that's because I was designated to rule over those, I have no intention or affinity in cherishing the evil peoples across the Omniverse, of course, including the Barrelplex." said Traiolkus.
I stayed silent while the dark god looks at me. I couldn't believe a dark-god who is an Omnipotent being that sees potential within me with my own eyes. Although I don't know what he is talking about, the so-called "Barrelplex," but I was surprised, to be honest.
"Well, what will it be?" asked Traiolkus.
I still stayed silent for a while before sighing.
"Well...what choice do I have left? I couldn't just waste your time. I accept your offer." I said.
"Very well...see you later then," said Traiolkus.
Everything once again turned black. I felt like I was knocked back to sleep.
|
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|
From a dark alleyway, a slender hand beckons you closer as you walk towards the corner of the building. You were running late.
After some hesitation, you assume it's your date lusting for a quick makeout in the dark before dinner. Who are you to deny a woman their desires?
As you get closer, you see the tip of a snake's tail peeking out from the shadows. The beckoning hand suddenly grabs your shirt and a beautiful woman emerges.
Her tail wraps around your body, you fearfully watch the tight cords of muscle tightening and admire the iridescent scales that smell slightly of uncooked quinoa.
Somehow, you see her confusion despite your fading vision. "I think I'm in love with you." You manage to say.
"What the fuck?" The lady sputters out. "I thought you were a man!" Her hold loosens.
"No wait! Hold me tighter, please." You're begging now. Disgusting. "Please."
The lamia lady releases you and slithers away, shaking her head. You grab hold of her hand. "Can I at least get your number?"
She spits in your face and with a mixture of distaste and curiosity, she takes your forearm and scratches her number on your skin.
You're bleeding now, but this might be the most aroused you'll ever be in your life.
?
The following morning, at exactly 7:15am, you text the mysterious lady the sonnet you spent all night writing. You couldn't stop thinking about her long body and comparing her to your date.
No one but her will do for you anymore. You write a haiku about her tail but before you can send that as well, she texts, "You're possibly the weirdest human I've encountered."
"Thank you! I'd love to know your name. Can I buy you coffee?" Are snakes allowed to have coffee? You decide to google if snakes have any dietary restrictions.
"Cassiopeia. I cannot be seen in public but if you come to my chambers, I can serve some drinks here." Fucking score. You fist bump yourself. Even lamia ladies get lonely, you think.
You reply immediately, "Yes! I'll be there." As you dress, you try to keep your thoughts mild. Chastising yourself because what if she really would just like a companion?
You're just another human that wants to use and exploit if you only think of her as a tool to satiate your desires.
?
You knock on the solid oak door. It swings open into a dark waiting room, with just the morning sun illuminating a coffee table and couch through the open doorway. With no care for your own safety, you walk in confidently.
The door closes behind you and Cassiopeia slithers in from another room holding a bright candle. In her other hand, she's holding a tray with two cups, a container of sugar, and two tiny cute little spoons.
"Sit down." She commands. You sit on the couch. She sets the tray and candle down on the table and settles on the other side of the couch. "Drink." You sip the coffee.
"I've never met anyone like you," You say. "Cassiopeia is such a beautiful name."
Cassiopeia smiles, her sharp teeth showing between beautiful red lips. "Such a flatterer. So, what do you desire? Do you want someone dead? That'll be costly."
Your eyebrows raise at this, it makes sense that she's an assassin for hire. "I desire you." You lean forward, "I desire to know more about you and what you are and if I can continue to drink coffee with you every morning."
She thinks for a moment, years of being alone evident in the shadows of the room, the dark closing in around her. Why should she spend her life alone if there was a willing human to entertain her?
Cassiopeia touches your face gently, pushing your shoulders back. "What would you do for me?" She asks you, as she straddles you as much as a snake could. Her long tail wrapping around your legs.
"Anything." You reply. Her face leans in towards you, her hands wrapping around your throat. Cassiopeia kisses your lips, then your right cheek, as she moves her mouth closer to your ear.
Her hands tighten. You can no longer breath.
"Then perish." She whispers.
?
You wake up in a strange bedroom. Cassiopeia lies on the other side of the bed, with the tip of her tail wrapped around your ankle as the only sign of affection.
Your body is tired but your soul is invigorated with love. Your last thought was, “Goddamnit, I’m a furry sex pervert,” before falling back asleep.
|
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|
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