#-disguise on hand for the Pagoda) for his own personal use and he made it able to fly because of that

[magicwhiskers29]

It came to me that I've been wondering what the general opinion on this is, but I've never asked, so poll time!

I know I always got a very definite impression from the game, but I've seen people assume differently from me, and it always makes me wonder what the general opinion is

[ohwereusingourmadeupnames]

“it’s okay to cry in front of me, you know. you don’t have to carry this alone.” and/or “stop trying to push yourself! you can’t do this on your own!” for starker

I’ll Give Into Yours

Pairing: Peter Parker/Tony Stark Rating: Mature (M) Notes: I tried to fit them both in, but��“stop trying to push yourself! you can’t do this on your own! ended up being what I snuck in there. Thank you so very much for the prompt! Summary: 

Peter is a strong independent superhero that doesn’t need a team. That’s what he thought, at least - until he met Tony Stark. 

do the thing, send in all the prompts

Peter’s first impression of Tony Stark wasn’t the greatest.

The first two minutes of their initial interaction were terrible – in fact, Peter would have slapped him if the stupid helmet wasn’t covering his pretty face. Peter didn’t appreciate the way he barged in and took control of a situation that Peter was plenty equipped to handle. How Tony Stark realized he was Spider-Man was beyond him, but he wasn’t letting anyone get in his way or tell him what to do.

After a solid year of stopping small crimes around Queens and Brooklyn, Peter felt qualified – he probably wasn’t Avenger level, but he understood what criminals were like and could navigate his way through apprehending a thief and cutting off a person he was pursuing. When Iron Man met him at the end of the ally he’d been swinging through, perp in hand, Peter almost didn’t stop – his momentum would’ve sent them both flying to the ground.

“Hey – I almost had him!” Peter exclaimed, his voice petulant. He yanked the small-time thief out of Tony’s grip and went about webbing him to the side of the building. Peter shot a couple extra strands of the web-fluid for good measure. The thought to keep going played across his mind for a second before he was being scooped up, his feet leaving the group. Iron Man had him in a tight grip until they landed on the roof of Starker Tower a few miles away.

“This is kidnapping. Put me down!” By then, Peter felt like an unruly child, his feet kicking in a desperate attempt to dislodge the hands holding him. Superhuman strength had nothing on modern technology. When his feet touched down on the roof, Peter made a quick move to put a bit of distance between them. “I don’t know who you think you are, but you can’t just – do that!”

Peter wanted to pull off the mask and air out the warm skin on his face – he was so worked up, all of his nerve endings were thrumming with adrenaline, the epinephrine in his system making him flushed. He kept his fingers on his web shooters instead. The rough estimation of how much time he’d have to move was two seconds – but he didn’t know how fast the Iron Man suit actually was. Staying on his toes, Peter waited to hear what Tony had to say. There wasn’t any point in running away, the needless pursuit would end with him being caught again, anyway.

“I’ve had Jarvis monitoring your movements for the past few weeks. For someone trying desperately to keep up with a secret identity, changing in the middle of an alleyway is not your best choice.” The helmet pulled back to reveal a perfectly symmetrical face covered in a finely sculpted goatee and messily long brown hair. There was a bit of gray collecting at the temples, but Peter tried hard not to notice.

Lashing out instead, Peter yanked off the mask, the slightest sneer on his face. “Sounds like you’re just an old perv using your impressive technology to be creepy.” Despite wanting it to come off meanly, Peter couldn’t stop the chuckle from slipping from his lips.

It was an absurd thought and sounded even more so coming out of his mouth. “That was just as stupid as it sounded. Sorry. What I meant to say was why are you watching me? I haven’t stepped on your toes, or anything.”

And he hadn’t – he went out of his way to stay low profile and only get mixed up with stuff he knew he could handle. He shuddered to think about Toomes and that fiasco – the whole situation was one he couldn’t just step away from. At the time, there’d been too much personal attachment to let it go. Even that hadn’t caught Tony Stark’s attention.

“Nick Fury took an interest in you after your altercation with Adrian Toomes. It took a little bit of leg work to narrow down the search, but Jarvis finally found something. There is only one Del Mar’s pagoda in all of Queens, New York.” Peter watched as Tony walked out of the Iron Man suit while he spoke, his hands crossing over his chest when he eventually settled in front of him.

Peter let himself take in the older man now that he could see all of him. He wasn’t nearly as tall as he figured he might be. His smaller stature made the bulk of his muscle stand out a little more, instead. 

There was obvious knowledge sitting behind eyes that were dark in the late hour, but probably beautifully rich in color. The cat t-shirt pulled across the glowing arc reactor was almost enough to break his resolve; Tony Stark was the ultimate contradiction.

Shaking his head of the thought, Peter forced himself to focus on the hardened look being thrown his way. “We could use someone with your skill and smarts, Peter Parker.” Tony seemed to admit it reluctantly – his feet shifting a little as he spoke down towards them.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Peter mumbled, his hand coming up to run his fingers through sweaty locks sticking to his forehead. “And you thought this was the best way to approach me? I thought you were a genius.” He shook his head and walked back towards Tony; their heights much similar now that Peter was a little closer. “I’m not interested, anyway. Working alone has been going just fine for me so far.”

At the very last second, Peter stuck a hand out, his fingers gripping Tony’s shoulder. “Try something else next time, Mr. Stark. Something a little less stalker-y, maybe.” He didn’t stick around to see what Tony had to say, he simply jumped off the edge of the roof and started to swing back towards his studio apartment.

The thought of seeing Tony Stark again brought a smile to his face. It might be fun to see just how long he could hold out.

----

The very next morning, Peter woke up to a loud knock on the door. Glancing at his phone, he realized just how long he’d been asleep and popped up and off his bed. Not bothering with a shirt, Peter walked to the door and pulled it open. Tony must have been about to knock again; his fist was raised, and a surprised look flashed across his face.

“This is only slightly less creepy,” Peter said in greeting, a grin settling on his lips. “Do you want to come in?” He opened the door wider, giving Tony a better look at his shirtless chest and the front part of his apartment.

With a flash of satisfaction, Peter watched Tony’s eyes trail shamelessly down his tightly muscled chest and abs. Tony looked up at him after a moment, only the slightest bit of flush spreading across his cheeks. “Jarvis is very thorough,” he answered, his hands settling into the pockets of his dark blue jeans as he took the smallest step into the apartment. Peter shut the door before Tony spoke again. “I thought I’d try again, anyway.”

Peter threw him an amused look and walked further into his apartment. It didn’t take super-hearing to know that Tony was following him. The prickling of his skin told him Tony was still looking at him closely, those hazel eyes roaming over him in an attempt to categorize and calculate – Peter recognized the look on the older man’s face; it was one that graced his own all the time.

He went about putting coffee into the French press – the kettle already on the stove on its way to boiling. Pulling down two cups from the cabinet right above the sink, Peter let them rest on the counter and turned back towards Tony. “What are you trying to do? Recruit me?” It seemed like a simple question, but the look the man shot him was loaded, multi-faceted if he was reading it right.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I thought I was trying to get you to at least listen to the pitch Cap’s been practicing for the last couple of weeks. Then I met you – and here I am. Not as Iron Man, but Tony Stark, instead.” He shrugged then, a crease between his eyes forming as he looked at Peter curiously.

“Your suit is awful. I respect the fact that you want to stay low key and work by yourself – but at least let me equip you with something that’ll help you be a better version of your one man team.” Suddenly emboldened, Tony pulled out his StarkPhone, thumbs flying over it. With a quick tap to his glasses that more than likely housed Jarvis within them, Tony was pulling a multi-dimensional design up from the phone he set on the counter. “I drew up some specs last night.”

Whatever Peter thought he knew about the illustrious Tony Stark flew out the window that morning. With wide eyes, he watched the tech genius explain the new nanotech he hoped to outfit both himself and Peter with. The suit was decked out with multiple weapon capabilities and a brand-new quick trigger web shooter. In theory, it was absolutely spectacular. In theory, at least.

“So, what’s the catch?” Peter asked point blank, his eyes wide from all the fancy shit Tony presented to him. He wanted to believe that Tony Stark had the best of intentions, but he’d learned pretty quickly in his life that looks could be deceiving. Good shit didn’t just happened because it could.

Tony looked taken aback for a second – his head tilting. A proud look washed over his face, the slight frown he’d been trying to disguise slipping seamlessly into a smirk – one Peter could imagine Tony donning often. “You’re clever. I like that. Always ask that question.” Tony tapped at his glasses again, the details of the cool suit disappearing. “My AI is the base that all the functions are built upon. Her name is KAREN. I’ll have access to her – so if you think that’s a catch, well –“

His hands spread in a nonchalant gesture, but Peter knew better. There was a quirk in Tony’s brow and his eyes were following every one of his moves. At the end of the day, Peter not accepting would only penalize himself – there wasn’t any way to avoid things with Tony Stark, not when he was looking at him like some sort of science experiment. One person keeping track of him was a lot different than giving up his freedom and joining a team that, as far as he could see, did more harm than good at the end of the day.

“It is, but it’s one that I can overlook. You knew bringing this new suit my way would make it impossible for me to say no to you. I’ve been wearing pool goggles for the past year – the basic model of this suit would be twenty steps above what I’ve been using.” Shaking his head in an attempt to look more in control than he felt, Peter stuck a hand out between them, his fingers wiggling. “I’m in. When do we start?”

The answer was immediately – Tony took his hand for a brief shake, then started talking a mile a minute. Before Peter even realized what happened, his chest was covered in a shirt and they were walking down the stairs of his apartment building. A black Audi was parked against the curb, the doors opening when Tony was within range.

Peter tried not to marvel at the car as Tony programmed their destination – his mouth opened wide when he pressed the ‘start route’ button and the car started to drive all on its own. Tony turned in the driver’s seat and looked at Peter as they drove from Queens to Manhattan, the idea of it enough to distract him from the words coming out of the older man’s mouth. The meager engineering program he could afford at NYU did not give him access to anything like it – Peter felt a little star struck.

That feeling didn’t go away, either. Stepping foot into Tony’s personal lab, Peter felt himself stiffen in his pants a little – his eyes were sweeping from one side of the room to the other without restraint. He let out a gasp when he saw the expansive computer system; it probably cost more than his entire college degree would. “Holy shit,” Peter gasped out, eyes wide.

Hearing Tony’s hearty laugh brought Peter’s attention back to the man himself – the smile on his face hitting him like a blow to the gut. Less than 12 hours ago, he wanted to smack Tony in the face and now – now he wanted to tuck his head into the crease of his neck and see what the skin there smelt like. Being 20 did nothing for the raging hormones that so frequently tried to rule his actions. Balling his hands into fists, Peter walked further into the lab and followed Tony through the tour he gave him.

----  

For the first few days, working in the lab with Tony was odd. When they stepped through the doors, it was all business. Tony started to talk to Jarvis without hesitation, the AI allowing him to use his hands to manipulate the plans they’d been working with. He dragged Peter into the conversation the second he could – they easily got caught up in the flow of their joint interest and the work that needed to be put in to be successful.

As they made progress, Peter found himself getting excited throughout the day, his thoughts turning to the lab whenever he wasn’t focused on something that had to be done. Not only was it fun to work on a suit that would be customized to his specific needs, it was a blast spending time with Tony, too. When they weren’t talking about saving the world or patrolling, they were discussing movies and books they liked – Tony was well read and knew pop culture almost as well as Peter did.

A couple of months into their work, Peter walked into the lab to a beaming Tony – his glasses were in his hands and he looked wide awake. At that point in their working relationship, Peter recognized that to be Tony’s achievement face. His heart started to race – today just might be the day. 

“Pete – you’re finally here. It’s done. All that’s left is for you to try it out,” Tony practically yelled across the room. Lacking patience, he closed the space between them, his hand grabbing Peter’s.

Between the still present tingling in his hand and the perfectly snug fit of the suit, Peter’s head was reeling. He tapped the button on his chest and grinned when the nanotech crawled back towards the housing unit. Letting out an excited laugh, Peter stopped in front of Tony, his face pulled into a wide grin. “I can’t wait to see what KAREN has to offer. You didn’t need to add fifty different kinds of web shooting functions, but I’m so glad you did.”

Without thought, Peter was wrapping his arms around Tony’s shoulders and pulling him close. “Thanks – for this.” He tucked his face into Tony’s neck, his nose pressing against the skin there. Peter sucked in a deep breath, the smell of metal and oil, coffee, and oakmoss hit him – the punch of it sent tingles rushing down his spine. Keeping his hands right where they were, Peter let himself stay close until Tony reciprocated – just the smallest taste of those hands on him was already too much.

Stepping back, Peter dropped his eyes, his cheeks on fire. “It’s great, Tony. I think I’m going to go and try it out.” He didn’t look up as he walked past him, Peter scared that if he did, he might not leave the room with any of his dignity left. His lips tingled, the ache of wanting to kiss Tony senseless addling his brains.

He didn’t look over his shoulder as he stepped into the elevator. 

Leaving the building before the sun went down was different – it’d been weeks since Peter went out on patrol before the darkness was settled around him. Sucking in a deep breath, Peter hit the housing unit and let the suit spread across his limbs – he figured there wasn’t a time that this specific moment wouldn’t take his breath away.

For the next few weeks, Peter enjoyed getting to know his suit. Every now and again, he’d stop in to see Tony for a few minute – the man would ask him about his patrols and the classes he was taking, but Peter didn’t let it get any further. His thoughts from the night he got his suit crept back every single time he looked Tony in the eye. There wasn’t any going back – he realized that after the first week of trying to avoid him at all costs.

They were inevitably tied together – no matter how much Peter tried to deny it.

Of course, he still didn’t want Tony or the Avenger’s infringing on his crime stopping business. They were big time and he wanted to stay on the ground floor. Despite Tony constantly trying to talk him into at least touring the Avenger’s compound, Peter stood firm. There hadn’t been anything big in a long time and he knew for a fact that he could handle his shit.

At least, he thought he could. Peter didn’t take into account the fact that Adrian Toomes was an otherwise upstanding citizen – good behavior existed for family men like him. Word of Toomes’s return came a little bit too late. 

KAREN alerted him of a big government facility break in and he took off. It didn’t cross his mind, the fact that Toomes made his living off of modified weapons usually stolen from dealers and Army agencies alike.

By the time Peter realized he’d been set up, he was in way too deep without any chance of backing up or running away. Tapping into the comms, Peter called out to KAREN desperately. “I need you to get me Tony. Can you patch me through?” A sigh of relief left his lips when Tony’s face lit up his screen.

“Pete? Are you okay? Your vitals are through the roof!” Tony looked confused and on the very edge of being scared.

Biting down on his lip, Peter swung quickly to the other side of the building as a sharp blast shot past his shoulder. “I followed Toomes – he got out of prison and immediately started the old business back up. He was expecting me.” Peter rushed the words out – his eyes bulging when another shot came his way. “Get KAREN to give you my location. I need help, Tony.”

Unable to concentrate on two things at once, Peter clicked out of the conversation and enabled KAREN to take control of his web shooter settings. Her aim was much better than his own. As long as he could find a way to keep them in the building without getting killed, everything would be just fine.

Tony’s arrival was marked by one of the Iron Fleet swooping in through the window at the far side of the building. The small rockets it fired off were enough to distract the men on the ground. Peter took advantage of it by swinging across the room and meeting Tony by the window. He’d finished the nanotech on his own suit – his flight looked smooth, the light nanotech allowing him to move almost gracefully.

“Thank fuck you’re here!” Peter balanced on the window as Tony hovered by him. “There’s six of them, and more than half have some sort of alien weapon.”

It took them a couple of minutes to take down everyone but Toomes – he left out of the side of the building after blasting it to pieces when Tony first arrived. Peter watched Tony juggle the options before staying put – there were too many dangerous weapons littering the floor to just up and leave. He heard Tony talking over his comms to JARVIS, the request for back-up making Peter immediately balk.

Most of the men were unconscious and if they weren’t, they were wrapped in so much webbing that even Peter would struggle to get out of the bindings. Tapping his chest, Peter let the nanotech slip from his head, his face coming into view. “Tony, I – “ he didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but he didn’t want to owe anyone or be owned by anything, either.

Tony followed his lead, the face shield moving so Peter could see the swell of bright brown eyes – he looked angry, but also worried; the mix of emotions written clearly across his face. “Stop trying to push yourself! You can’t do this on your own!” Tony surprised them both, his eyebrows rising into his hairline as the words left his mouth. “This is serious, Pete. I can’t – I mean. There’s no way I can stand back and watch you risk your life. We’ll help. No strings attached.”

Peter tried not to take those words to heart – he figured the second Captain America and Bruce Banner walked in, he’d be one step closer to signing his life’s work away. Instead, they were efficient in the clean-up process – they spoke to him directly and took the needed details to hunt Toomes down.

After another 24-hours of tracking and fighting more alien weapons than any of them wanted to be around, Toomes was in SHIELD custody. Peter found himself being watched by Nick Fury, but the man never approached. Whatever pull Tony had over them seemed to work – Peter didn’t feel any sort of pressure from anyone.

When Peter was done giving a few statements and running over the mission debrief with Steve for the second time, they let him walk right out the door. Of course, Tony followed him, his feeble excuse of wanting to ride back to the city together something Peter could easily forgive. They didn’t talk the entire way, both men lost in their own thoughts.

He didn’t see Tony again for a couple of weeks – Peter pulled him into a hug when they got back from the compound and left without a backwards glance. He wouldn’t be able to pull away if he let himself look too hard at the person who seemed to get him in a way that didn’t quite make sense. His resolve lasted all of 12 days before he was putting on the suit and swinging over to Stark Tower.

JARVIS let him into the elevator when he landed on the roof and took him to the floor Tony’s lab was on. Peter wondered how long that’d been the case without him really noticing it.

Tony was leaned over his work bench fiddling with the homing device for his own suit. He turned the stool he was kneeling on to face Peter when the elevators opened – a soft smile on his face. “Spider-Man himself,” Tony said – his eyes roamed over Peter, the look making his skin prickle. “What do I owe the pleasure?”

Peter walked further into the lab; his feet way more confident than the rest of him. Not stopping until he was right in front of Tony, Peter let himself smile, his eyes softening. “I think you were right. I can’t do this on my own.” He let his fingers trail through the longer hair on the top of his head, nerves pumping through him.

Tony got up from the stool, the move narrowing the distance between them. “Yeah? What does that mean, exactly?”

Reaching out, Peter wrapped his arms around Tony’s shoulders – a soft sigh leaving his lips when the older man responded accordingly. Warm fingers on the small of his back pushing slightly made the space between them nonexistent. “It means that I’m willing to expand my team a little. Interested?” Peter tilted his head, his eyes slipping shut.

The initial press of their lips together sent a shock through Peter’s system – his hands moving to press Tony more tightly against him. Panted out breath against his cheeks had him pulling back, his own lungs on fire – they’d kissed each other breathless. Grinning, Peter tilted his forehead against Tony’s.

“I don’t think I’d mind being an Avenger, either.”

[atinytokki]

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐥𝐥

Chapter 10: Crossroads Pt. 1 

(Warnings: Violence and blood)

The morning sunshine that filtered through the trees was much softer than the light that blazed through the porthole of Yunho’s room back on the ATEEZ.

Still, he found himself wishing he was waking up in his own comfortable hammock instead of this massive net that dug into his sides and made his neck prick with aches and pains.

As Yunho carefully shifted to stretch his leg, a soft groan from next to him reminded him to check Eden’s wound.

“Is he awake?” Jongho’s whisper from across the net startled him but he shook his head in response.

“I don’t think so. His pulse is so weak.”

It made Yunho bite his lip with worry. Blood had soaked the netting underneath Eden and dripped onto the ground far below. He wondered if it would attract more predators.

“There’s... nothing we can do...” Jongho hiccuped, tears freely rolling down his cheeks.

His gaze was locked on Eden’s face, pale as a sheet with a layer of sweat covering it. The older pirate was unmoving and barely breathed.

So much blood had been lost, it was a fool’s hope to think that he might survive, even if help arrived this instant.

“Eden? Eden, please, just stay with us a little longer,” Yunho shook him gently, paling at how lifeless he was. The bandages had soaked through with blood, even as he rushed to clamp his hand down on the wound.

There was no telling how long he had left.

“I’m sorry, so sorry...” 

Eden’s tired mumbles went on until his eyes twitched open, a faraway look deep within them. “I’m sorry for hiding the truth...”

“What’s he talking about?” Jongho wondered aloud, freeing his limbs from their positions and trying to move closer.

Yunho could only shake his head helplessly. “No idea.”

“It’s alright, Eden,” he directed his words at the fading pirate. “W-We forgive you.”

Jongho was shaking Mingi awake and scrubbing at his face. He wasn’t sure why exactly he was crying so hard. He barely knew Eden, it wasn’t as if he was a particularly sentimental type. 

Mingi stirred from his sleep and quickly pieced together what was happening.

“How do we explain this to Hongjoong?” He said quietly after a few moments had gone by and Eden had fallen unconscious again.

Yunho swallowed his fear and met his gaze, eyes shining with worry nonetheless. 

“Oh, not you lot again.”

An annoyed voice from far below broke their melancholy spell. It was the woman they had come here in search of, crossing her arms and glowering up at them. She looked exactly the same as she always did, beautiful and ageless, with a glint of amusement in her eyes. “What are you doing up there?”

Jongho spluttered and craned his neck to catch a glimpse of the witch. “Well, excuse me, but—”

“Thank the heavens,” Yunho cut him off, gripping the net with one hand and clutching Eden with his other. “We really need your help.”

... 

Wooyoung bit back the instinct to complain as he hoisted San’s unconscious form onto his back for the trek to the old seaside carpentry shop.

He and Yeosang had confirmed that the old couple’s house was above it, just as San said it would be, and the least dangerous way to get San there was to knock him out and carry him with them.

So Wooyoung kept his grunts to a minimum and led the way up the dirt path.

He and Yeosang were again elected to be the spokesmen for the little group, and with a deep breath, Yeosang drew up to his full height and knocked to the door.

Whatever this was, it had better work.

“Just a moment! I’ll be right there.”

The voice of a young woman floated down from the second story and Wooyoung’s shoulders relaxed. This must be his sister.

The door squeaked open to reveal a bright-eyed lady probably around their age, who immediately took on an expression of horror at the sight of a sleeping San draped across Wooyoung’s back.

“Oh my, is he alright? Can I help at all? Would you like to bring him inside?”

Her rush of concern had Wooyoung wishing he had a quicker tongue or at least a backup plan and then throwing a questioning glance back at Hongjoong.

Hongjoong tilted his head.

It was almost imperceptible, but to Wooyoung, it was a clear order.

Don’t bring him inside. There’s too much at risk.

Wooyoung cleared his throat and smiled at her before taking a slight step back.

“Actually, I’ll stay out here with him. The, uh, the sea air will... benefit his health.”

It was a poor excuse and Wooyoung had to strain to keep the cringe off his face but the woman nodded seriously and opened the door wider for the others.

Yeosang smoothly took over the talking. “You must be surprised to have a group of strangers turn up like this on your doorstep! We don’t mean to intrude, but San has always talked about going back to see his sister and—“

“Sister?”

Yeosang faltered at the pure cluelessness in her voice. Had they come to the wrong house?

“You’re San’s sister, aren’t you?” Seonghwa asked quietly.

For a moment, recognition washed over her face and then she smiled, leading them upstairs to a living room area and motioning for them to sit while she explained.

“Oh! No, no I’m not. I’m the new owner of this shop, I’ve been planning to turn it into a bookstore actually. But I was warned by the old couple who lived here prior that a certain Choi San might drop by one day. None of you would happen to be him, would you?”

Yeosang’s mouth opened and closed until Seonghwa swooped in again to save him. “Pardon me, but, was there a young woman with this old couple? Did she move off the island too?”

The lady took a seat and a thoughtful frown formed on her face, brows pinched together as she tried to remember.

“No, actually... there was a young lady but...” Here she looked up at them and shook her head. “That lady died. Her death was the reason they sold this place.”

Yeosang felt a chill wash over him.

San’s sister was dead then.

He exchanged a warning glance with Seonghwa and Hongjoong both before politely smiling and getting to his feet.

The young woman started after them, stuttering something about offering them tea, but Yeosang gracefully cut her off.

“My apologies, we really don’t want to bother you,” he turned on his most charming smile and bowed as the others exited behind him. “The person we were looking for seems to be gone.”

“I’m sorry,” the woman said, sincerity shining in her eyes as she bowed back and showed them to the door. “Feel free to come back if you need anything at all.”

The moment the door was shut, Yeosang couldn’t hold back his sigh.

Wooyoung had been waiting, and quickly stood, pulling up a semi-conscious San who had been laying on the grass next to him. “Finished already?” 

Seonghwa cleared his throat and answered him even as his eyes lingered on San.

“We have some bad news.”

...

The temple looked exactly as Mingi remembered it.

Reddish-orange wood beams masterfully assembled into a high pagoda, a bright beacon that stood out in contrast to the surrounding foliage, and the majestic waterfall that stole their glances to the cliffside. It was as breathtaking as it was when they had been there last, a group of six.

Nothing about this place had changed, but Mingi felt as if he were different.

“How have you been?” He asked awkwardly, clearing his throat when the woman didn’t seem to hear him.

“Well, as good as can be expected. One of my cats was killed last night.”

Jongho blinked as he realised what the mystic was hinting at.

“So the jaguars are yours?”

She turned around and smiled at him. “They protect the island, yes.”

“You have magical powers,” Mingi scoffed, mostly to himself. “What do you need guardian beasts for?”

The woman’s smile fell and she ascended the steps gracefully, ushering them in. “My eyes are often elsewhere,” she said simply.

She gestured to a sofa in the main room and went about gathering things from the adjacent pantries while Yunho laid Eden down as gently as he could, trying not to jostle his leg. He listened for the shallow breaths he had come to recognise and exhaled with relief when they came on schedule.

“I’ve been following the proceedings of the royal family from my watchtower,” the woman mentioned. “I didn’t know of your arrival here, so I apologise for the hasty actions of my cats. Although, to be fair, it’s been a long time since anyone has taken the eastern path.” Here, she stuck her head back out to smirk at Mingi.

“Why are you here, boys?” She finally asked, returning to them with all her medical herbs and supplies.

Mingi and Yunho glanced at each other, thinking the same thing. Where do we even start?

“You remember San?”

The mystic hummed in agreement, even as she whispered some chant and rubbed an unfamiliar substance into Eden’s wound. He didn’t stir from his slumber.

“Well,” Jongho took over the explaining. “He’s possessed and we need your help banishing the demon.” He went to hand her his little book of incantations but it was waved away while she continued to sprinkle a mysterious powder over the wound.

“He showed no interest in dark magic when I saw him last, as a new officer on your ship,” she responded, still somewhat distracted with Eden. “What happened?”

Jongho sighed and turned the small book over in his hands. “He got mixed up with Babylon’s spellbook and summoned the demon accidentally.”

“I’m surprised you don’t already know about this,” Yunho mumbled. “What with your crystal ball and your prophecies and your watchtower and everything...”

“Demons are exceptional at disguise,” she tossed back over her shoulder as she stirred various wild plants and substances into a jar. “I knew Babylon was stirring up trouble, I didn’t know about this particular development.”

“There’s a chant in here,” Jongho explained, bringing forth the book again. “None of us can read it so we thought to ask you...”

“Why didn’t you simply bring him here?” She interjected.

Mingi sighed. That would have been the preferred alternative, but this was their best chance, he had to keep reminding himself.

“The demon was threatening to kill him,” he said softly. “San bought us some time by setting out for Namhae. They’ll arrive in about a week and a half.”

The mystic halted her stirring and sighed, mumbling something to herself. “I’ll search for him later,” she decided, transferring the contents of the jar into a mug and motioning for Yunho to prop Eden up. “Make sure he drinks all of this. He’s been on death’s doorstep for a few hours now. It’s a miracle death hasn’t come to collect him yet.”

Yunho nodded and watched her bandage the leg wound with clean cloth. “There are rooms for you to rest in through there,” the woman pointed out past a balcony to an upper wing of the temple. “Rest while I gather my resources. What you ask of me is no simple magic trick.”

All three of them nodded and graciously thanked her before following her directions, Yunho keeping an eye on Eden should he regain enough consciousness to drink his medicine.

There was a balcony with a view to the waterfall, and its misty spray was sweetly scented in a way that reminded them of their island in the east. An unclaimed utopia they could lose themselves in.

Jongho sunk into one of the plush beds that waited for them, his long, uncomfortable night in the net catching up with him. Still, something was on his mind.

“Why does it feel like we’re sacrificing San for Eden?”

Mingi looked up from where he was emptying his bag. He had found it hard to ignore the same thought, but sighed and resumed unpacking. “We’re still days ahead of the ATEEZ, don’t worry.”

“And besides,” Yunho smiled over at him. “We can trust the mystic. She’ll do what she can for both of them.”

The trio quickly learned that time worked differently on the island. A few hours’ nap lasted until sunset, and Mingi was startled to have slept the entire day away in what felt like no time at all, but the woman reassured them when she entered with plates of food that it was normal to have to adjust to the fleeting notion of time. 

Still, it made him anxious to know what had been discovered about San while he was out like a light.

“It was easy to find San due to the concentration of mystical energy around him,” she reported, settling in a chair and watching Eden intently. He still hadn’t woken. “But I can’t cast a spell on him if he’s not in one place.”

Yunho froze in the middle of chewing his bite of fish. “You... what?”

“He’s currently in motion,” she tried to explain, sighing at the difficulty of it. “Sending a spell to someone while he sails... it could go terribly wrong. It has in the past.”

“So this was pointless then?” Jongho moaned, the bread fisted in his hand looking decidedly less appetising.

“No, there is still something I can do,” the woman smiled at him and tilted her head towards her watchtower. “I’ll call up the incantations now, remotely, and when the time is right they will come into effect.”

Yunho scoffed at this. “When the time is right?”

“Yunho, is it? Clearly you know nothing of the rules of sorcery. Rarely are solutions so simple,” she shook her head with amusement. “I need the cooperation of whatever part of San is left. This spell locks onto human emotion, and if San regains enough control over his emotions to activate it, the demon will be banished from him.”

Silence stretched over them. Somewhere deep down, they all knew it would come back to San.

He had summoned the demon, and it was his responsibility to drive it out.

But Yunho would not let this trip be in vain. “San’s emotional enough, that’s for sure,” Yunho smirked, trying to raise their spirits with a pinch of optimism. “He’ll present the right opportunity soon.”

But this meant they had to wait. And waiting was not something they were good at.

It was a week and a half of flipping through books that didn’t make much sense to them, watching Eden sleep and waiting for him to wake (the mystic said he had to be convinced), exploring the immediate area of the island but pointedly avoiding the “cats”, and sleeping off as much time as possible.

Time was swinging over their heads as anxiety pounded into them.

Every day, the mystic checked San’s position, and every day the answer was the same; at sea. No development. It was a blessing and a curse.

Until one morning, when the mystic shook them awake and summoned them to her watchtower. The crystal ball pulsed on the table in front of her.

“I’ve found him. He was sleeping soundly for awhile but has last awoken. Now his soul is... it’s in agony.”

Mingi spluttered at the choice of words. “What? Agony?”

“He is experiencing extreme sadness, the strength of which is temporarily overpowering the evil entity in his body,” the woman returned like it was obvious.

“You can overpower a demon with negative emotions, too?” Jongho whispered, fascinated, before quieting again so the woman could continue.

“If both of us try hard enough,” the mystic promised, eyes glazing over as she prepared to begin. “Yes.”

...

San didn’t know what to expect, but it was not this.

Wooyoung’s face appeared, separating the fog in his mind, and his lips were moving. The sound reached San but he blocked out the rest of it because he did not want to know what followed those heartbreaking words.

More heads popped up, Yeosang’s concerned eyes and Seonghwa’s pained expression, but San couldn’t focus over the ringing in his head.

Someone was screaming and it sounded like the voice of the demon, but when he paused he noticed his voice was raw.

It flashed white hot and then burned him, a molten pain that ripped his insides apart. He was separating the demon from himself.

A new voice came to him, whispering in his head, and he was tempted to throw it out too but he hadn’t heard this one before and it was a friendly, encouraging presence.

I’m with you, she said. Keep fighting, you’re almost there.

When he opened his eyes again, Hongjoong was in front of him, pulling him off the main road and into a cluster of trees. His eyes darted around, afraid someone would hear screams and be curious.

“It’s... I’m almost...” San choked on his words, inhaling sharply at another pain in his head. “He’s almost gone.”

He didn’t see their reaction to this declaration, eyes rolling back in his head as the fight in his mind intensified.

The demon was being snuffed out, his resistance weakening and his assets spread thin. 

His trembling voice promised everything San could ever ask for if he only let him live, let him stay. Simultaneously, San could feel him trying to jump out and into someone else even as his presence was ground to dust.

San clung on to whoever’s hand was in his and remained firm. The blackness drained from his veins as he hammered down again and again on the demon. He wasn’t banishing it, he was destroying it.

Aided by a sudden surge of energy, the help of an outside spell being granted to him, he swung his blade down on it one last time, the agony of its dying scream escaping through his own mouth and the pain rendering him unconscious.

Yeosang rubbed his arm until he awoke.

Tears were on his face, and they flowed freely as he grasped each of them in a hug. Save for his own sobs and the gentle ambiance of the seaside, things were quiet. San had never been so grateful for the quiet in all his life.

“I’m so glad you’re back,” Seonghwa whispered into his ear as he held him tightly, blindfold cast into the wind without a care.

San could only nod against him and cry harder. He had missed everyone, more than he could bear.

“Drinks are on me,” Hongjoong said with a bright smile as he pulled away. The road back to the inn was quiet but bursting with joy. San was among them again— mind, body and soul. The serene contentment that had settled over them would not be disturbed. Not for now, at least.

It was one thing at a time when they pulled up their chairs around the table they had claimed in the corner of the pub. San was famished, probably thanks to the demon stealing any of his enjoyment out of the food he had consumed while possessed. 

When he slowed down enough to look around at the faces of the people around him, it gave him pause.

“Everything alright?” Wooyoung prompted carefully. He kept looking at him like he was afraid he might get struck by lightning suddenly. That probably wasn’t going away any time soon.

“Yes, I was just remembering,” San responded after a moment. “Drinking together after your promotion. We were wasted but you told us your story, and I told you mine.” It seemed like ages ago now.

His face fell as he let the loss of his noona wash over him again.

“Haneul... she’s really gone, isn’t she?”

Yeosang met his eyes and hummed in response. “I’m so sorry for your loss. The woman living there says your grandparents moved away. Maybe we can track them down somehow at least...”

San’s eyes misted over and he gazed forlornly into his cup. “I think I’ve known for a while, deep down. She was marked for death ever since I was a child, but... but why couldn’t she have waited for me? I got the money for her medicine now, maybe she would have survived.”

Seonghwa rubbed his back tenderly as soon as tears began to roll down his cheeks again. “It wasn’t your fault,” he soothed him. “You did everything you could, San.”

Everyone at the table agreed.

When San crawled into bed and Yeosang and Wooyoung both crawled in with him, he finally let the floodgates of his emotions open.

A small smile remained on his face as he drifted off. It was a messy outpour of feelings, but he hadn’t felt anything in so long, he would allow himself this night. 

...

It was nearing midnight, but Yunho felt compelled to open his eyes.

It wasn’t because of San. The mystic had assured the trio that he had won his battle and vanquished the demon, so that couldn’t be it.

“It’s Eden,” her voice floated to him from the other side of the room as he rose and groped for a robe to cover himself with. She was so calming somehow that she hadn’t startled him by answering his silent question, but she beckoned him over just as urgently as she’d awoken him. “He’s awake.”

“What took him so long?” Jongho whispered as he rose.

“Eden is still young in body, but his soul is old and wearied. I think part of him wanted to keep sleeping.”

“Why now, then?” Mingi asked, scratching the back of his head. The three approached Eden’s bed quietly but full of anticipation.

The mystic turned to him and smiled. There was a twinkle in her eye, even through the blue veil of midnight.

“Your presence gives him hope.”

With that, she swept away to mix another drink for her patient, and the boys directed their attention on Eden.

His face contorted with pain as his eyes blinked open. Yunho rushed to offer him the drink, and Eden relaxed as he sipped it and strength gradually returned to him.

“We made it?” He finally croaked out.

Jongho chuckled and slapped Mingi on the back, a little harder than he was bracing himself for. “Mingi saved you,” he explained. “And defeated the beast.”

Mingi blushed at the praise and Eden’s eyes on him. “It didn’t do much for you in the end. We were stuck in a net the whole night.”

“I remember,” Eden hummed softly as it came back to him. “How long have I been out?”

“Just over a week,” Yunho sighed. “Although it doesn’t feel like it. Time passes strangely in this place.”

Eden nodded. He had visited before and the hazy blend of days was no surprise to him.

“When we came with Hongjoong-hyung we barely stayed a couple of hours,” Mingi pointed out.

“San? Is he...?”

“Taken care of,” Jongho told him quickly. “The demon was destroyed and he’s himself again. We were only waiting on you.”

A flash of guilt passed over his face and he sunk lower into the cushions. “You did well,” he finally said, a heaviness to his voice. His eyelids drooped lethargically and in a moment he was asleep again.

A universal sigh was released as Eden stilled and returned to his dreams. They had never even broached the subject of whether he would be able to walk again, but there was some comfort in the fact that he was alive and with them.

Fireflies glowed in the air outside the balcony and Yunho peeked behind the shade to watch them float, sailing up and down invisible waves of their own.

While it was this peaceful, Yunho couldn’t help but wonder what was on the horizon.

...

Just like usual, Hongjoong was half asleep on the floor with a hand on his gun concealed by his pillow.

Something twinged in the back of his mind, tickling his senses and sending him bolt upright. Immediately he conducted a headcount.

San, Wooyoung, and Yeosang were all tangled up in a mess of limbs, squeezing onto a single bed having fallen asleep holding each other.

Hongjoong didn’t resist the small smile that appeared on his face as he watched them breathe deeply, lost to the world but safe in slumber.

Then he looked for Seonghwa.

His bed was empty. 

Silently, Hongjoong stood and approached it, just to be sure. The blankets were all disheveled, as if they had just been thrown off for a trip to the outhouse or a midnight snack.

Seonghwa’s bag was still there, leaned against a small table. So he intended to return.

But his gun was missing.

Hongjoong didn’t want to pry, not when it came to Seonghwa’s brother and his complicated heritage. But he had taken his gun and gone alone. Which meant he might need help.

He holstered his own gun and crept downstairs to see a single attendant waiting, half-asleep, at the desk for late night travellers. 

“Did a member of my company leave just now?” He asked, approaching the desk and suppressing his smirk at the way the man started awake and stared at him in surprise.

“Oh, y-yes, a young man your age. He took a room key and said he would be back.”

Hongjoong had figured as much, so he nodded and retreated back upstairs to wake the others.

What was Seonghwa thinking, sneaking off to meet the crown prince when he knew the others would support him and come if he asked?

Hongjoong didn’t get a chance to consider it any further before half a dozen bullets blasted through the window, shattering it with a deafening bang and tearing holes in the curtains.

Hongjoong pressed his back to the door and drew his weapon. A few more steps and he would’ve been riddled with holes himself.

With a whirlwind speed, Wooyoung tumbled out of bed and drew up next to the window, out of sight of their unseen enemies, but close enough to return fire.

Hongjoong mirrored him on the other side of the window, but not before checking that San and Yeosang were alright.

They had dove off the other side of the bed and hurriedly loaded their own guns.

“How many?” San called, poking his head up over the bed. It was impossible to tell who was even firing at them through the mess of cloth and glass that was the window.

Wooyoung grabbed the bottom of the tattered curtains and yanked, pulling down the entire rod and leaning out of the way of the bullets that shot through, embedding themselves in the wall.

He swivelled and returned fire. Both shots missed, but they hadn’t been meant for anyone in particular. He turned back around once he had seen what he had to.

“Fifteen.”

San blanched. “Who sold us out?”

“I paid all the dock hands off,” Yeosang insisted. “It can’t have been any of them.” 

“I don’t think you paid them enough, Yeosang,” San quipped, vaulting over the bed and joining Wooyoung.

The sudden motion was detected and another wave of ammunition was fired through the hole that was the window.

Yeosang leaned out from behind the bed and fired three rounds blind in quick succession. Judging from the screams, at least one hit its mark.

“Well done,” Hongjoong praised, impressed that Yeosang’s marksmanship had improved so much. 

“Seonghwa?” Yeosang asked haltingly as soon as he had surveyed the room fully.

“He just left the building,” Hongjoong reported, taking aim at the right flank of men he could see from his vantage point and firing. “I asked the innkeeper.”

“Seonghwa...” Yeosang repeated, a lilt of realisation in his voice. “It was him, he must have been seen leaving the inn. Why else would they choose now to attack us?”

Hongjoong jumped to deny it, but he had a point. The Admiral would never have waited to pounce. The moment he knew they were in his grasp, he would catch them. They had enough of of a history that he knew not to play with them.

A bullet grazed Wooyoung’s ear while he reloaded and he sunk lower with a gasp. That was too close.

“We can’t take them, Captain,” he asserted. “There are too many and we’re sitting ducks.”

Hongjoong knew he was right, but he returned fire and took out three of them consecutively before addressing it.

“San, do you still carry Babylon’s spellbook pages?”

San fumbled through his pockets until he felt the edges of parchment in his fingers.

Slowly, he nodded. He had promised himself never to use them again, but he had no choice but to grasp them and flinch at the familiarity.

“Is there anything in there that might help us?”

“You’re going to call for help,” Yeosang realised, ducking when a volley of fire sent a particularly large glass shard his direction.

“Yes, I can do it,” San confirmed, leaning over Wooyoung to take out the soldier who grazed him. “Not in the middle of this racket, though.”

“Then run,” Hongjoong ordered. “Get out of town, and get it done. We’ll cover you.”

San bit his lip and glanced at the other two, who nodded him on without hesitation.

This was the only option.

So San holstered his gun while Hongjoong and Wooyoung unleashed fire on the men below and swiftly crossed the window, moving so quickly he was barely a visible flash before he was gone.

“Don’t get shot!” He yelled back, closing the door behind him.

...

The crown prince’s temporary residence was at the highest point on the island, but it was only a short walk from the inn.

Seonghwa didn’t question his luck when the entrance was only guarded by a chatty pair of men who didn’t notice the shadow slipping past them, but he kept his footfalls silent and his senses alert when he reached Junhee’s bedroom.

He had done his fair share of stealthy break-ins as a teenager.

A curtain separated the sleeping prince from the rest of the world.

Seonghwa silently slid the door shut behind him and cleared his throat quietly. He didn’t want Junhee panicking and summoning the guards on him.

This adventure would be ended quickly if that happened.

“I’ve come home, hyung,” he whispered.

The curtain swung open suddenly and Junhee gaped at him. “What is the meaning of this? Guards—“

“No, wait!” Seonghwa leapt forward and covered the prince’s mouth before he could say any more. “Listen to me first.”

Junhee threw him off and backed up into the curtain. “You’re addressing the crown prince,” he sputtered. “Show the proper respect.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” Seonghwa sighed, hands raised placatingly. “But you’ve been looking for me, haven’t you?”

Junhee’s brow furrowed and his hand stopped where it had been reaching for his sword. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s me,” Seonghwa whispered, surprised at how the words choked him. He hadn’t practiced but then again, this wasn’t the kind of conversation you could practice for. “It’s your little brother.”

Junhee’s face darkened. “You think you’re the first to come claiming to have been stolen from the palace? You’re lying.”

“I’m not, I swear,” Seonghwa pleaded with him, falling to his knees to show he meant no harm at all. “Why do you choose this moment not to see what you’ve been looking for, when it’s right in front of you?”

“I followed his trail,” Junhee said bitterly, tears gathering in his eyes. He backed away even more, as if scared of the person who knelt in front of him. “He died at sea, on a merchant’s ship.”

“No, he survived,” Seonghwa cried, reaching out his hand. “He’s right here in front of you.”

Something shone in Junhee’s eyes. Something that said he wanted to believe it.

“Show me,” he said.

Seonghwa swallowed. He had been stolen at five. There was hardly any knowledge only he could have of his brother or the royal family. He had grown up a commoner with his nurse for his mother.

And then he remembered something she had told him.

“You gave me this scar, hyung,” he gasped, pushing up his hair for the fine line on his forehead to be visible. “You crept into my room when I was an infant, dropped me accidentally, and only three people know. The nurse who stole me, and the two of us.”

Junhee sunk to his knees and took Seonghwa’s face in his hands. He only briefly glanced at the scar, lingering instead on his little brother’s eyes.

“It is you,” he whispered. “It really is.”

Junhee knew what it was like to not be believed, but he had clung to the truth. And that truth had returned to him, crying tears of joy as he entered his arms.

The reunion was interrupted by gunfire.

The brothers pulled back in surprise and Seonghwa stood and went to the window. 

“What’s going on?” Junhee muttered, wiping his tears. “Has a fight broken out?”

Seonghwa didn’t even have to look. He knew who it was and his stomach dropped at the flashes of light coming from its direction.

“The inn.”

...

Taglist: @serendipityunho @celestial-yunho @nightynightnyx 

A/N: Yay!! I’m done with another term at university :) which means more frequent updates (hopefully) for you guys. This volume is wrapping up, but I have another (at least) in the works and plenty of other stories for you to check out if you so desire. Also I hope the two timelines weren’t too confusing for you. They’ve merged into one now, so everything is happening in succession. Don’t forget to reblog and comment if you enjoyed <3

← Previous | Masterlist | Next →

[voidcrow]

From Chaos Comes Order - Part 1

Zilnakhan. One week before the Vindicaar's embarkment.

Past the crack in the wall, Shaaghun could see a landscape of ash and emerald embers under a sky filled with fel ribbons and the scorched husks of other, nearby worlds. Argus itself was once just barely visible in this world's sky—a star that burned green in hellish heavens—but it has been gone for a while.

So has Laciel Voidcrow. She'd sent the trio to find this world and scout this place out while she was on some sort of trip, which they managed to do unseen. Vaadeus knew Zilnakhan's geography well, and had led the other two to this place—a large building of rather exotic construction. Its halls were quiet. Though the decor could once have been described as ostentatious, it was clear this domicile had been abandoned and left to decay for many centuries.

Shaaghun stepped back from the crack and looked over the rest of the wall. A faded mural spread over it, depicting magnificent pagodas rising over the canopy of a forest whose trees blossomed with what looked like red lotuses. Near the bottom, humanoid warriors were shown wearing splint armor with pronged helms and carrying weapons with curved blades. Similar-looking humanoids could also be seen who were clad in robes. These were depicted conjuring small whirlwinds in an apparent act of magic. These old works of art had been Shaaghun's surroundings for some time.

But today, the wait was to end. Vaadeus had been contacted via telepathy. And now the felguard heard the eredar’s voice behind him: "Rekh... Vuld... Goth... Xul. Correct. Now, complete the circuit with a straight line connecting the Vuld to the Sar."

Shaaghun turned around. Vaadeus—a severed, floating demon head—was instructing the imp Rupmat as the latter etched an arrangement of Eredun runes in the shape of a half-circle on a blank section of wall. "I ‘aven't seen a portal array like this before," the imp noted, "Where the 'ell are we summoning the Mistress from?"

"I know not," Vaadeus replied with just a hint of annoyance in his tone, "Voidcrow would only say she has been on some sort of vacation. I have had to relay the directions from her." The eredar paused, looking away. Then he turned to the felguard. "Shaaghun, bring the staff here. The Mistress has orders for you, now, as well."

"Great," sighed Shaaghun. He bent down to pick up the aforementioned staff—one of bone, carved at its head in the shape of a skeletal hand which gripped a round and glowing red orb. A number of dangling little knick-knacks decorated the shaft. Great power was now in the felguard's hands, for this was crafted from the distal phalange of a mighty and colossal demon. This was Archimonde's Finger.

"She would have you merely hold it with its head pointed at the circle," continued Vaadeus, "You alone are strong enough to keep it stable while I incant."

Shaaghun took the staff in both hands, pointing it toward the runes. He couldn't help -but- do it, even though he was largely apathetic to all this... which is how he knew Laciel truly was giving the order by proxy. His pact of service did not allow him to resist her will.

Vaadeus began to chant quietly in his native demonic tongue, and the space within the rune half-circle on the wall seemed to begin swirling. Green light issued from both the staff and the array and the wall ripped open as an emerald vortex. Shaaghun struggled to keep the now-trembling Finger still in his grip for a moment, but it settled down when—clad in crimson robes with gold trimming—Laciel Voidcrow walked in through the portal.

Rupmat grinned. "Oi! Ya made it, Mistress!"

The blood elf smiled as the portal closed behind her. "Good. Very good~. I was a little afraid my input on the other side wouldn't work. First things first: Did any of you see Hathnuz while you were scouting things out here?"

The imp shook his little horned head. "Not a trace of 'im."

"Well, never mind him for now. I noticed Argus has just become Azeroth's next-door neighbor, so..." Laciel paused to take a nervous deep breath. "It's time."

"At long last," Vaadeus said with a smirk. "Magmugen will taste my wrath."

"And his demon forces will serve me, or they'll die screaming my name." Laciel glanced around at the ruins. "Um... You're sure we're in the Twisting Nether? This building we're in doesn't look like demonic construction."

"No." Vaadeus, too, took a look around. "It predates the Legion's coming to this world."

"Does it, now?"

"This is the imperial palace of the Kaze-Jin—the original inhabitants of this planet. I personally stormed these halls millennia ago. We are indeed in Zilnakhan."

"Huh. Neat. So, then, what's the haps on this planet right now?"

Shaaghun walked up, and spoke while handing her Archimonde's Finger. "Magmugen's looking to vacate this rock to go help Argus now that it's under attack by mortals. He's loading the Dark Lance with all his minions at the moment."

The warlock tilted her head. "And the Dark Lance is...?"

"A dimensional ship," elaborated Vaadeus. "You have seen many of them; the Dark Lance was once my own."

A devious smile came to Laciel's face as she looked back to Vaadeus. "So you know all of its subtleties inside and out~."

"Indeed. One such 'subtlety'—if you can call it that—is a barrier that can be conjured around the whole ship. My accursed usurper is likely to activate it as soon as his forces are all on board, whence the vessel shall be impregnable."

"We're so damn short on time, it's almost funny," added Shaaghun.

"Well said." Laciel put a fingertip to her lips in thought. "Still, we need to be sneaky about getting ourselves inside. If he sees us coming, he'll throw that barrier up, and then we'd never get him in arm's reach. Hmm..." She silently pondered for a bit. "Well, it wouldn't be that much work to disguise myself with an illusion." She lit up with glee. "Yeah, that's perfect! We just have to hide you, Vaadeus, and you can fit in pretty small places these days."

"I've got a sack somewhere 'ere!" said an approximately-as-gleeful Rupmat, prompting an annoyed huff from the eredar head.

"Okay, so..." Laciel's expression softened. "This barrier the Dark Lance has. You seem pretty certain it's impenetrable."

Vaadeus nodded. "To my knowledge, it can withstand anything short of a closing portal."

Laciel took another moment to think, plan, predict, calculate. And then she started grinning. "Who wants to help me etch some portal arrays?"

[homestagingessentials-blog]

Vietnam: Insider Travel Guide | CNN Travel

Editor's Note -- CNN Insider Manuals are generally completely checked regarding accuracy. given the actual fluid naturel in the journey industry, however, a range of listings may fall from date prior to guides can be updated. the greatest practice is to confirm existing information on official websites prior to always be able to making plans to visit any organization or perhaps attraction. (CNN) -- Whatever the movies get taught an individual concerning Vietnam, forget it. The nation can be shedding its previous look, disrobing itself in the hefty cloak associated with history for you to turn straight into a pulsating, spirited destination able not merely to compete, but to surpass its peers in the region. You wish to spend? try any buying visit to Ho Chi Minh City's sparkling high-rise malls. you need to lounge? Head with regard to some of your beaches and also luxury resorts in which dot your coast. You want to party till dawn, breakfast in a ship and also explore caves as well as diving spots within the afternoon? Vietnam not only offers an individual covered, it'll get first-timers asking yourself why that they never made the particular trip out before along with previous hands previously planning what to accomplish in Vietnam next year. Hanoi The very best destination to begin inside Hanoi is actually with most the city's leading tourist draw -- the actual Previous Quarter. Here centuries regarding commerce could be charted amid labyrinthine streets and tiny alleyways. Hanoi, however, isn't about classic images associated with outdated Asia. You'll discover classy lounges that will would not necessarily be out of devote virtually any globe metropolis and also bohemian hangouts where locals, foreign residents and visitors gather in order to soak within the atmosphere. If you're wondering what to do inside Vietnam, and also where an individual can start, Hanoi can always be a great welcomer. Hotels Luxury Hanoi Sofitel Plaza Previously looked upon since the poor relation involving Hanoi's two Sofitel-owned properties (hardly stunning when another is the revered Metropole Hotel), the Sofitel Plaza was re-launched throughout April this season next any major refurbishment. The new appear is surely an appealing blend of Oriental charm and contemporary elegance. Major attractions include the setting near West Lake along with lofty Summit Lounge bar about the hotel's 20th floor. Mid-range InterContinental West Lake You'll get a modicum involving peace away from the city's insane traffic on the shores involving bucolic Tay Ho (West Lake) in InterContinental's impressive Hanoi property. Rooms within the major creating are generally every small thing you'd expect from the main international chain, however for something just a new little more secluded e-book an area inside certainly one of the particular pavilions that will jut out on the surface of the water. Budget Golden Silk Hotel Smart, well-appointed, good value. One of countless smart, intimate boutique hotels that have muscled in in Hanoi's hospitality scene, Golden Silk doesn't try too hard being trendy. That's an excellent thing. It offers smart, trim, comfy as well as tasteful rooms as well as helpful support -- a good value in the coronary heart with the old Quarter. Extra touches add a mini-bar along along with a steam room and Jacuzzi. Dining Quan An Ngon Rarely has an identity been consequently apt. the English translation of this flawless venue will be "delicious restaurant." The concept is straightforward yet ingenious. Much of the actual finest food in Vietnam can be found around the streets -- the actual owners here have got decided to serve nearby street staples within more upmarket surroundings. Gentrification hasn't arrive from the price of authenticity. In the particular event that you're fortunate enough to become eating having a local you'll navigate the particular menu easily. If you're clueless just require a stab within the dark -- it's just about all regulated good. The salads tend to be exemplary, particularly the goi ngo sen (lotus stem salad using shrimp and pork). Pots 'n Pans Founded by simply graduates via KOTO -- any Hanoi restaurant that works to teach homeless as well as disadvantaged youngsters in hospitality abilities -- Pots along with Pans will be one of your city's very best dining venues. The food blends fresh Vietnamese generate with international cooking techniques and presentation. Dishes like pork hock croquettes as well as Australian beef rolled within betel leaf demonstrate that "fusion" can be still a new culinary type with a great deal of territory to be able to explore. El Gaucho Argentinean Steakhouse Argentineans tend to be usually as skilled at handling premium slices regarding beef as they are at kicking a football around -- this new outlet hits the mark as unerringly as a Lionel Messi free kick. The smart interior, which includes relaxed downstairs seating in the bar along along with a much more formal dining location upstairs, is actually dotted along with arty images regarding Latin America. The menu will be meat-dominated. A complete selection of grilled products is actually available, but the star attractions would always be the steaks, which usually consist of flawless Wagyu tenderloin and prime USDA Angus rib eye. Halia Hanoi Halia Hanoi is one of the actual city's few fine-dining areas worthy in the term, getting won a new string associated with accolades and a loyal audience since opening 2 yrs back. Fusion is the ethos here, using fresh Asian components as well as marinating techniques in which couldn't survive from place in Paris. Standout dishes for example slow-cooked duck breast along with chestnut stuffing and a tender poached cod along with mushrooms and Chinese spices nail the brief together with nonchalant flair. Nightlife Tadioto Another venue which marks Hanoi out as artier compared to elsewhere throughout Vietnam, Tadioto is the brainchild associated with poet, scriptwriter, journalist and many kinds of round Renaissance man Nguyen Qui Duc. The venue may serve as the gathering point for the city's imaginative and also intellectual set. While nearly all effortlessly described as a bar, it's additionally a new forum for that arts along with literary readings, installations, reside songs and also exhibitions. Hanoi Rock City Hanoi Rock Area will be proof that will despite any midnight curfew, Hanoi has nonetheless developed a hip nightlife scene. Outdoors, a new enormous English-style beer garden -- complete along with giant screen for huge sporting events -- packs inside revelers nearly all nights. The upstairs room will be dedicated to almost all as well as any items musical, with reside bands and also DJs playing every thing from straight forward indie as well as rock to dubstep, heavy bass and also reggae. CAMA ATK Bar The CAMA guys happen in order to be providing righteous light within the general murk which is Vietnam's left field songs scene with regard to more than five years. The independent promoters put on an annual audio festival that's the closest thing Vietnam offers for you to Glastonbury, bringing a lot much more than 50 international acts to the country since beginning out. This, their most recent venue, draws the particular city's songs lovers using its eclectic plan of live acts and DJs. With the array of potent cocktails as well as nearby along with imported beers, the particular bar can become a convivial location even when there is actually nothing on. Shopping/Attractions Old Quarter The Southeast Asia postcard. In many distinct ways your old Quarter may always be the Asia involving popular imagination: vibrant and sometimes stomach-turning marketplace scenes, vendors throughout conical hats along with concealed pagodas patrolled by impassive cats as well as shaven-headed monks. Shopping opportunities abound with markets for example Dong Xuan and streets such as Hang Gai (silk) and also Hang Da (leather). Meanwhile, your area's famous Communal Houses -- mini-temples that are mostly protected from the street by well-disguised entrances -- offer respite in the bustle. True Colors Street Meals Tour Dining possibilities might be endless throughout Hanoi, but most guests don't even have the particular capability to get at night basics. That's why Daniel Hoyer can always be a godsend. A well regarded chef inside Hanoi, he knows the actual capital's mind-boggling street meals culture as intimately as anyone. His full- as well as half-day tours introduce members to an array of neighborhood (and always excellent) fare these people wouldn't have a hope involving locating about his or her own. True Colors Street Meals Tour, 18 Hang Be; +84 9 1223 3966 Vietnam Museum associated with Ethnology Intelligent insight into Vietnam's tribes. Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum draws a lot more tourists, however when it arrives to investigating Vietnam's rich tapestry of cultures this superb museum may be the best spot to start. Vietnam has about 54 ethnic minority groups -- mostly in the mountainous regions. In distinction to other museums in Vietnam, nearly most of that are possibly politically skewed or perhaps supply little or no meaningful insight, this one details its topic matter intelligently through a new selection of media, which includes video along with photography too as costumes, tools, implements and also arts and crafts. Ho Chi Minh City Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC) is changing at a pace that might shame the most reckless involving motorcycle taxi drivers. Business towers, office blocks, glitzy buying malls, high-end property developments, urban regeneration projects, visually stunning new bridges -- a person title it, this metropolis offers got it and can be also regarding to obtain much more regarding it. While all the progress may also be mourned through outdated timers, every day existence is in zero way dull when you're inside the thick involving it. In fact, oahu can be the city's limitless vitality that will furnishes significantly associated with its allure. Hotels Luxury Park Hyatt Saigon Probably one in the most prestigious address throughout Saigon, the actual city's Hyatt is actually a five-star resort on their e-mail list of cluster of properties flanking the actual Opera Home as well as Lam Son Square, ideal for business travelers and tourists that like to vacation throughout splendor. Rooms run via useful luxury for you to unforgettable opulence. There's a giant pool in order to lounge by along along with a substantial quality spa pertaining to pampering. The hotel's two Lam Son Bar could well be certainly one of the most stylish lobby bars inside the world, although its restaurants are one regarding the very best high-end alternatives inside the city. An Lam Saigon River Private Residence A 15-minute speedboat ride via downtown Saigon, this boutique resort couldn't really feel further from the vehicular insanity and also thick smog that will characterizes Vietnam's largest city. With 14 rooms -- any blend of opulent riverfront villas with private pools and smaller sized but nevertheless unique accommodations -- your property will be intimate as well as peaceful. The major pool can be shaded by tropical foliage as the restaurant and deck bar are great for riverside down time. Mid-range Hotel Nikko Saigon This recent inclusion for the company hotel scene delivers spanking new rooms having a contemporary trim and an average room size 40 square meters. They're among the most spacious in their class in the city. The resort is situated nearby the Saigon River as well as near to every 1 of the motion downtown. Restaurant options include Ming Court (Chinese) and Fuji (Japanese). Dining Cuc Gach Quan Despite serving some involving the greatest Vietnamese food in the area in a serene converted house, Cuc Gach Quan's location around the outer limitations of District 1 is actually normally a deterrent to short-term visitors. It shouldn't be. As it reaches many Vietnamese restaurants, the menu can be tome-like. Homemade tofu is creamy along with pliant along with sure for you to convince the particular doubters. Other highlights contain soft shell crab along with beautifully textured red rice. An extensive wine record as well as reasonable rates ensure it is even more vital to steer a course here. Monsoon With its airy setting as well as immaculate interior design, Monsoon feels just such as a top-end venue, nevertheless stays true to the Asian street dining idea of excellent food in reduced prices. With Cambodian, Vietnamese, Burmese, Thai as well as Laotian offerings, it's the simply real invest city exactly where diners can combine a banquet via across mainland Southeast Asia. Top picks incorporate a sweet pork curry through Myanmar and a flawless just take upon Khmer fish Amok. Banh Xeo 46A It's not really hard to understand why your banh xeo ("sizzling pancake") is becoming this kind of hit together with foreigners. Unlike a quantity of Vietnamese creations, there are not any challenges or perhaps nasty surprises. Rice flour, water, turmeric powder (the supply of the actual pancakes' vibrant yellow coloring) along with coconut milk are generally combined to make the actual batter, which is stuffed with fatty pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, then pan-fried. The crisp result's served alongside any veritable hedgerow associated with aromatic herbs and also dipped in nuoc cham (fish sauce thinned using h2o and also lemon). The result's certainly one of the most addictive treats within the Vietnamese culinary armory -- this is one of the actual best venues at that to get hooked. Nightlife Chill Skybar The place to become seen, also to see. This can be Saigon's nearly all opulent sky bar. Since opening within October 2011 it's earned the lofty reputation together with great cocktails and also good food. The A-list Vietnamese celebs along with models whom have made this their own watering hole of preference could beg in order to differ, nevertheless the real star with the demonstrate is the stunning view more than Saigon. Yoko Saigon could be considered a party city, but cerebral sorts can have a difficult job monitoring down bohemia. Hipster hangout Yoko, however, delivers respite coming from all associated with the dumb fun. While some involving the cover bands are merely so-so, this could be the actual place exactly where Saigon musicians convene with regard to several decent sets along with jam sessions. Throw inexpensive drinks as well as comfy sofas in to the mix and also you've got a recipe for a cool, unpretentious, bar -- any simple, nevertheless rare concept within HCMC. Lush Every upwardly mobile metropolis needs a spot regarding its beautiful visitors to preen and additionally this will be Saigon's. Most nights with the week your city's stylish set check one another out more than pricey cocktails around the crowded terrace, certainly one of the actual classiest pick-up spots in town. Top international DJs don't tend to create your detour from Bangkok, KL as well as Singapore, nevertheless when they will they generally end up here, meaning there's a a lot better than typical hits-to-misses ratio using the music. Tuesday's Ladies Night is a specially popular each week event. Shopping/Attractions Ben Thanh Market The daddy involving Saigon's many markets, Ben Thanh is merely by far probably the particular most well-known tourist shopping spot in the city. From buckets involving jumping frogs within the wet market to clothes, fabrics along with souvenirs in the teeming narrow alleys, this place puts the "Ay!" into buying. Prices are generally somewhat more than from markets elsewhere and also merely the toughest involving bargainers are usually rewarded along with anything approaching a great deal. Nevertheless, it is a lively experience as well as a quantity of great food stalls with the back of the market transform it into a fine place to consider a crash course within Vietnamese street cuisine. Sophie's Artwork Tour Devised simply by English migr Sophie Hughes, Sophie's Artwork Tour discusses Vietnam's tumultuous history by means of your eye area associated with its artists. The timeline associated with colonialism, war, communism and breakneck free-market development is familiar for you to many visitors, however the art these phases inspired can be typically not. Hughes invested almost annually researching the particular tour, interviewing experts, artists as well as collectors, and furthermore the outcome can become a fascinating introduction for you to Vietnamese art along together with a compelling history lesson. Reunification Palace The striking modern creating had been built about the web site with the palace of the French governor-general of Cochin China in the early 1960s and its style (by Paris-trained Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu) remains among the actual finest examples of recent architecture inside the city. When a new North Vietnamese tank crashed via the actual wrought iron gates upon April 30, 1975, it sounded the death knell for your South Vietnamese government. A replica with the tank nonetheless sits about the lawn although attractions inside range through the grand Presidential Receiving room plus an eerie basement with telecommunications center, war room as well as shutuptariq network regarding tunnels. Beaches Although it lacks the reputation for gorgeous beaches accorded in order to Thailand or the Philippines, beach lovers won't really feel shortchanged through the beaches discovered alongside Vietnam's snaking coastline. Most tourists head for that resort hot spots associated with Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang as well as Mui Ne, however, there is an array of unsung havens exactly where pulling up a new sun lounger as well as slapping around the SPF 30 will probably be the limit for your exertions. Danang Luxury as well as charm in the Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Previously used by tourists as getting a hopping-off point for that close by heritage town involving Hoi An, Danang is actually staking the declare as Vietnam's shutuptariq best beach destination. Several huge name hotel manufacturers have got set up by the shores of the South China Sea and a spanking new airport terminal is another clue towards the city's ambitions. It's got a whole lot going pertaining to it. Danang's portion involving China Beach is clean and broad even however the views in the mountainous Son Tra Peninsula are generally great. Throw within the straightforward access to prime sights as well as attractions for example Hoi An, the Cham ruins with My Son plus some great golf programs and anyone also can see why Danang is actually gaining within popularity. Stay Eat Nha Trang It has its critics -- National Geographic may be particularly disparaging -- nevertheless Nha Trang remains certainly 1 of Vietnam's most favored beach towns. While the key beach could probably get overcrowded on weekends plus late afternoon, the particular beach will be pleasant as well as the town provides plenty regarding decent choices for drinking, dining as well as accommodation. For something a new little more relaxed, the particular idyllic beaches associated with Doc Permit along with Jungle Beach are usually located north in the city. Spotless white sands is found south towards Cam Ranh Airport. Stay Eat Phu Quoc Vietnam's southernmost beach destination can become a favorite regarding people who seek minimal distraction. You can visit a pearl farm or a fish sauce factory (Phu Quoc is actually famed for that stinky condiment). Most, however, favor in order to kick back having a book, eat refreshing seafood along with float aimlessly inside the bathtub-calm waters of the Gulf associated with Thailand. Stay Halong Bay Caving along with kayaking in addition available. The jewel within Vietnam's crown, Halong Bay retains its luster despite grumbles associated with eco-vandalism along with overcrowding. The sight of the scattered jungle-covered outcrops associated with karst rising up from your emerald h2o is actually unforgettable. While it's correct that the actual Bay is becoming one thing of your victim regarding its own popularity -- many tours are predictable and your own house will most likely be certainly one of a massive selection of cameras trying to capture the actual majesty with the scenery in sunset -- it remains an crucial stop about just about any Vietnam itinerary. Stay Sapa The towering mountains within the way north involving Vietnam about the border with China offer a couple of of the country's most compelling visual and also cultural stimuli. The hills around Sapa are the place in order to find the selection of minorities, which includes Hmong, Dao, Giay, Pho, Lu along with Tay, and additionally the city can serve as an ideal base regarding trekking on the list of tribes. The scenery can be awe-inspiring, along with Vietnam's highest mountain, Fansipan (3,142 meters), dominating the actual view. Sapa itself features a thriving 1804 movie tourism industry, meaning in which it's simple enough in order to hunker down with a bar as well as inside a caf about certainly 1 of the particular frequent foggy days. Eat Hoi An The UNESCO-protected ancient town is simply by way Vietnam's many tourist-friendly destination. Even people who don't especially just like the rest involving the country generally occur away having a good impression. The narrow streets close to end up being able to the Thu Bon River are lined with beautifully preserved merchant houses, while narrow alleys cause concealed temples along with garden restaurants. Motor vehicles are usually banned in the previous quarter, generating this 1 invest Vietnam you can require a leisurely stroll without concern with being hit or even honked from by simply an impatient motorist. It's Vietnam lite, nevertheless the fantastic dining scene, easy use of nearby China Beach as well as sheer prettiness regarding everything defies cynicism. Stay Eat Further afield Con Dao Islands Lucky ones will spot turtles. One associated with Vietnam's last frontiers, this former penal colony delivers wild, untamed scenery, spotless beaches along with certainly 1 of the actual region's most significant nesting grounds pertaining to sea turtles. Con Dao used to always be able to be an identity that will struck worry directly into French colonists and later Americans in supplement for you to their client regime in Saigon because the country turned into a fearsome cage pertaining to political opponents. The area's persona can be significantly gentler these days, however it still remains a new far cry from your a lot more sanitized locations on the mainland coast. The disused prison can always be a vivid reminder involving darker times, however the archipelago's principal draw will be its natural attributes.

Stay Ho Chi Minh Highway The route among Ho Chi Minh Area and Hanoi is becoming a new rite-of-passage motorbike adventure for most as well as taking the actual Ho Chi Minh Highway is the best way of doing it. Extending 1,235 kilometers coming from Kon Tum Province in the Central Highlands in order to Hoa Lac within Hanoi, the street passes through some of Vietnam's nearly all spectacular scenery. It's calm in comparison using the truck-clogged nightmare regarding Highway 1A, the country's main north/south highway. The route passes battlefields just like Khe Sanh as well as the Ia Drang Valley, skirts tribal villages and delivers easy access to a couple of of the country's leading attractions. Vietnam Motorbike Tour provides day trips and tours. Mekong Delta Most people to Vietnam feel the Mekong Delta, nevertheless the country's verdant rice bowl deserves greater than just a one-day tour via Saigon. A lush landscape regarding emerald green fields, shady woods along with sleepy villages crisscrossed by simply canals as well as rivulets fed through the mighty river, the Delta is actually Vietnam's land of plenty. Formed by sediment deposited by the Mekong, the location is one of one in the most fertile as well as productive in the world. One of the particular best ways to observe it is by bicycle, from which your languid pace involving day-to-day life may be observed at leisure. http://www.edition.cnn.com/2015/10/29/travel/insider-guide-vietnam/index.html