#Clock Zero Devote

[chiqelatasblog]

In the Middle Of the Night🌙

-> Ao3 link is here.

-> Part One is here.

Pairings : Bi-Han/ Sub-Zero x You, Kuai Liang/ Scorpion x You, Tomas Vrbada/ Smoke x You

Author’s Note: Hey there everyone! First of all, I’m beyond excited by the interest you’ve shown in my fic. Thank you so much! I poured all my love into this chapter, and I’m incredibly proud of the result. This bad boy clocks in at over 10k words, so buckle up and enjoy the ride! Happy reading!

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I summoned you, please come to me,

Don’t bury thoughts that you really want.

I fill you up, drink from my cup,

Within me lies what you really want.

CHAPTER TWO : TOMAS

Tomas had always harbored a discomfort with darkness.

One vivid childhood memory was the time he and his twin sister sneaked out of the house to fish by the creek. They had visited this place with their mother many times before, surrounded by tall grasses and dense trees lining the riverbanks. In addition to fishing, they splashed in the stream as the spring weather warmed the water, engaging in playful water fights and skipping stones. However, they had not anticipated the difficulty of finding their way home after nightfall. Time seemed to slip away unnoticed until the sun vanished, leaving behind only faint orange rays. Amidst the sounds of creatures in the dark and the dim moonlight, Tomas found himself more frightened than ever. Seeking refuge beneath the shelter of a towering oak tree, he and his twin waited anxiously for the morning light without daring to blink.

Another poignant memory was his first night after being adopted by the Lin Kuei following the tragic loss of his parents. Given a room of his own within the clan’s compound, it marked a stark contrast to the cramped quarter he shared with his sister at home—a small room with a cold-leaking window and a wooden floor that creaked with every step. Despite the spaciousness of his new accommodations, the room only served to accentuate his overwhelming sense of loneliness. Confusion, fear, and sorrow weighed heavily upon him, compounded by the haunting memories of his family’s demise. The image of his mother’s final gaze, the sound of her voice uttering his name as she drew her last breath, remained painfully fresh in Tomas’s mind. Standing alone in the darkness, he hesitated to emerge from the refuge of his hidden position, fearing the harsh reality that awaited him—a reality that felt more like a terrible nightmare than the truth.

Later that same night, Kuai Liang, the son of the grandmaster, whom Tomas had only glimpsed out of the corner of his eye and estimated to be a few years older than himself, sought him out. Tomas never expected anyone to visit his room, especially someone whose language, lifestyle, and appearance were so foreign to him. Despite being a complete stranger, Kuai Liang persisted in his efforts to communicate with him.

Over the years, Tomas had learned to leave the past behind and devote himself to the Lin Kuei with unwavering respect and loyalty. He seized every opportunity for growth, not limiting himself to combat training alone. In addition to mastering multiple languages, he immersed himself in various fields of knowledge, receiving specialized education ranging from geography to mathematics. Inspired by his brothers, Tomas aspired to become a formidable assassin, striving to emulate their strength and steadfastness. His determination to bridge the gap and prove himself led him to seek training in magic from clan elders. Before long, he mastered the art of smoke magic, earning his code name in the process.

As time passed, Tomas emerged as one of Lin Kuei’s most skilled assassins, earning the respect and admiration of his peers. Though differences still lingered between him and his brothers, they no longer served as barriers; instead, they became markers of individual experiences and growth. Tomas gained renown for his stealth and speed during missions, aided by his mastery of the smoke magic for concealment. Yet, he also understood the value of leveraging shadows for support. Through discipline and practice, he learned to embrace the darkness, transforming his fear into a potent weapon.

Until Quan Chi sealed him and his brothers inside the book…

Tomas couldn’t recall the last time he had been free. It must have been ages ago. While he had anticipated the relief of escaping, the reality proved disorienting. After spending so long confined within the book’s pages, reentering the world was akin to landing on an alien planet. Colors seemed brighter, sensations felt unfamiliar, and even the taste of things seemed strange.

It had only been a day or two since they emerged from the book’s depths. During that time, Tomas had been reluctant to close his eyes, fearing a return to the vast darkness that had engulfed him for so long. In the book, there was only emptiness—a void that left him disoriented and disconnected from time and reality. The experience had shattered his ability to cope with darkness; although it was bad to have a new master, he would prefer this situation to eternal darkness.

Inside the book, the only connection to the outside world was through sounds, which provided a vague sense of the passage of time. Now, sitting in the living room, an overwhelming surge of pent-up energy coursed through him. He longed to move, to run, to stretch his limbs freely. Yet, his heightened senses left him feeling overwhelmed by the outside world. It was as if everything had become too much to bear at once, triggering a cascade of emotions.

Such experiences were not uncommon when they remained dormant for extended periods. It took several days for them to readjust. Kuai Liang, in particular, struggled with the transition. His pyromancer abilities meant his metabolism was faster than both him and Bi-Han’s, making the initial days a nightmare as he grappled with an accumulation of pent-up energy. Bi-Han fared better in comparison, his cryomancer abilities allowing him to maintain control despite the prolonged dormancy.

“Are you all right?” Tomas inquired, glancing at his brother who sat a little distance away. Drops of sweat glistened on Kuai Liang’s forehead, his face flushed. His usually dark hair, kept in a bun, was now disheveled, with tufts of hair glued to his skin due to sweat. Despite his typically bronze skin, it appeared pale under the strain of his condition, a deep frown creased his brow, accentuating the thick veins that bulged on his neck from the tension of his clenched jaw. He spoke in a muffled voice, his fists tightly gripping the cushion beneath him.

“It’s more intense compared to the previous ones. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to cope.” Kuai Liang muttered, his voice strained.

“You should lie down on the sofa,” Tomas suggested, rising from his seat and closing the distance between them in an instant. “Standing like this isn’t good for you. Let me help.”

“I’m fine,” Kuai Liang insisted stubbornly, his words almost a hiss through clenched teeth. “It’ll pass soon.”

“We both know it’ll take a few days,” Tomas reasoned gently. “Come on, lie down and stop being so stubborn. You need to rest.”

“I’ve been inactive enough already from being trapped in that damn book.”

“And now you need to rest so your body can recover.”

“Is everything all right?” Your soft voice floated from the entrance of the room, drawing Tomas’s attention. You stood there in an old plush robe, your legs and feet bare beneath your long nightgown. The bandages he wrapped around your legs from the first night they emerged from the book still in place. Like him, your face was colorless, and the purple rings under your eyes betrayed the sleeplessness you shared with them.

“Kuai Liang?” Bi-Han’s sudden appearance next to you, like a dark, silent shadow, caused you to jump in place with a start. Tomas observed your startled reaction, your eyes reflecting fear at Bi-Han’s sudden presence. Since they emerged from the book, they had noticed your agitated demeanor and your constant efforts to maintain a clear distance from them. It was evident in every gesture that you had yet to adapt to the situation and were still struggling to accept what was happening.

As Bi-Han approached them with purposeful strides, he rested his hand on his brother’s forehead, from which a thin, cold smoke wafted. Upon contact, a sizzling sound filled the room as cold and heat met. Kuai Liang’s eyes closed with a slight sense of relief, his tense posture relaxing slightly. Bi-Han’s expression remained stern.

“You’re burning,” Bi-Han remarked, his dark gaze fixed on his brother. “How long has he been like this?”

“For about half an hour, he suddenly relapsed. When he insists on not resting—”

“Nonsense. We both know you’re not going to get through this without lying down somewhere, Kuai Liang. Don’t be stubborn and do as you’re told.”

“What’s going on?” You hesitantly approached them, your anxious eyes shifting between Kuai Liang, who was breathing rapidly and starting to sweat profusely, and the two brothers. “Is he ill?”

As Bi-Han gave you a piercing, stern look, you stumbled back a step. Tomas felt a surge of anger at his brother’s harsh demeanor. Bi-Han had always been somewhat rude and obstinate; as the grandmaster before being trapped in the book, he was accustomed to looking down on others, being condescending, and considering everyone except the Lin Kuei as worthless. This attitude had persisted over the years, even when they served various masters of the book.

Many masters had attempted to break his demeanor and relished in the opportunity, but when they realized Bi-Han could not be tamed, both he and Kuai Liang were held accountable for his actions. That was when Bi-Han had to learn to control his sharp tongue and condescending gaze. But when it comes to you, you seem different from the masters who came and went. You were an ordinary person, with neither unusual strength nor fighting skills to suggest you knew how to protect yourself.

Tomas had scrutinized you closely the first day he emerged from the book and quickly formed a profile. Your physique seemed too delicate to be that of a warrior, and your gaze exuded kindness and compassion. The fact that you didn’t assert any authority over them indicated you might be harmless. While he hesitated to fully embrace this belief, it often proved true when reality differed from their initial assumptions. This made Bi-Han’s treatment of you seem inappropriate and cruel.

“Kuai Liang is a pyromancer, master,” Tomas interjected, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had settled between them. “When he’s unable to release his power for an extended period, it accumulates inside him, causing sensory overload and physical strain.”

As Tomas explained in simpler terms, given your unfamiliarity with their world, another layer of concern clouded your expression.

“Oh, I see. That sounds truly awful. Does the same situation apply to you?”

Bi-Han had been on the verge of making a rude remark once again, but Tomas acted swiftly to prevent him from further upsetting you. “No, our powers and metabolic rates vary among us.”

“Then is there anything I can do for Kuai Liang? I have antipyretics and painkillers; perhaps they might help.”

“Are you daft, woman? We’re dealing with a man whose metabolism is four times faster than normal. Do you think mere drugs will affect him?”

“I-I just wanted to help.”

“You’d be of greater help by not interfering,”

The moment Bi-Han hurled the words at you with a tongue as sharp as a knife, Tomas watched you swallow silently and your eyes glistened with tears for a moment. His chest ached with a slight pain for you, whom he had never known; you stood so vulnerable and small in front of them. But you collected your composure quickly, surprising him, squaring your shoulders and lifting your head.

“He can sleep in my bed until he’s better. It’ll be more comfortable than the couch. Can you move him there?”

***

After they carried Kuai Liang to your room and Bi-Han pulled a chair next to him, settling in, Tomas returned to the living room with you.

“He hates me.” you muttered in a hoarse voice.

“He hates everyone.” Tomas replied, realizing you were referring to Bi-Han. With a pillow tucked under one arm and a not-too-thick, pink-purple patterned blanket in the other, you prepared the makeshift bed on the couch.

With a sigh, you settled onto the end of the couch, which Kuai Liang had been using as a bed for the past few days. While he and Kuai Liang shared the living room, Bi-Han had taken refuge in your study. Your house was quite small, and Tomas had initially doubted whether they could all fit in here.

“If I hadn’t been protected by the book, he would have torn me in half already, wouldn’t he?”

“It can’t be said that he gets along well with strangers,” Tomas replied politely. “He needs time, master.” As the last word slipped from his lips in the usual manner, he observed your gentle expression falter, your lips pressing together into a straight line. He knew you disliked being addressed that way, but after years of habit, it was difficult for him to remove it from his vocabulary. His body ached with a twinge of pain for disobeying your request once again—a never-ending side effect of the curse. They had to obey their masters unconditionally, and if they did not, and this situation persisted, their suffering increased exponentially.

“Tomas, please don’t call me that. I am not your master, and it makes me very uncomfortable every time you address me as such.”

“I’m sorry,” Tomas murmured in a low voice, avoiding your gaze as he stared out at the nighttime landscape of tall buildings and colorful lights beyond the window. “It’s just a habit.”

“There’s no need to apologize. I just want you to know that there are no distinct classes between us. We are equals.” You leaned back against the armrest, pulling your knees toward your stomach and wrapping your arms around yourself. “It’s very strange. I haven’t slept a wink since yesterday, and yet I still don’t feel like I can sleep.”

When Tomas turned his gaze back to you, he noticed your tired eyes staring into emptiness. He could imagine how surreal and overwhelming the unfolding events must have sounded from your perspective. Moreover, sharing your home with three unfamiliar, burly men, and constantly feeling on edge because of Bi-Han, must have added to your nerves.

“So do I.” Tomas replied after a moment, joining you. “I’ve been inside the book for so long that it’s hard to believe I’m out now.”

“If you don’t mind, may I ask how long you’ve been there?”

“What year is it?” He asked.

“Two thousand twenty-four.”

“Then it has been nearly two years since we last emerged.”

Your eyes widened in horror at his response.

“Two years? That’s terrible! What have you been doing all this time in the book? Is there any way you can pass the time?”

The question sounded so innocent to Tomas’s ears that he almost wanted to laugh. It was the first time he had encountered a master like you—a master who, despite having the power to use them as mere tools, condoned Bi-Han’s rude behavior and tried to create a small comfort zone to help Kuai Liang through the process. Even though you knew the power you held over them, you chose not to exploit it fully. If you had wanted to, you could have expelled Bi-Han, and even him and Kuai Liang, from your home. After all, they had no choice but to obey your orders if they wished to avoid excruciating pain.

They hadn’t revealed this detail to you yet, as it was too valuable and represented one of their greatest vulnerabilities. However, whether you were aware of this information or not didn’t change the truth. By opening your home to them and engaging in conversation with Tomas, you were trying to understand the situation despite the risks involved. He doubted every now and then, as you seemed so sincere. You cannot act all the time, can you? As he was a professional in reading people, he couldn’t be entirely sure about you.

“No, we can only wait until our new master reads the words in the book,” Tomas explained.

“How so?” Your eyes widened slightly. “Can’t you do anything?”

“No, except for waiting in the dark, we can only sometimes hear voices coming from outside the book. This helps us understand where we are, and sometimes even the year.”

“God, this is—this is so cruel… How have you been able to maintain your sanity until today? This is officially torture.”

He also pondered the answer to this question himself. If he had been sealed inside that book alone, Tomas doubted he would be capable of forming coherent sentences right now. It would be a miracle if he could even speak.

“My brothers… Without them, it would have been inevitable that I would have lost my mind,” he admitted through clenched teeth. “But sometimes even that is not enough. That’s why we pressured you to read the book when you found it.”

“I thought I was going to die of fear at that moment,” you confessed in a low voice, cheeks slightly flushed, as you turned away from him and focused on your clasped hands. “But I’m glad I made you get out of there after hearing what you’ve told me. I hope I can help you break this curse as well.”

Tomas remained silent, grappling with uncertainty about the sincerity of your words. They had encountered similar displays of kindness before. In the past, there was a master they believed to be compassionate and well-intentioned, who had convinced them to lower their guards and give their trust a chance. They had fallen for gentle touches, pleas instead of commands, sweet compliments, and precious gifts. Even Bi-Han, typically skeptical, had thought that previous master was different.

But they were mistaken. They soon discovered that everything she did was merely a facade to gain their trust and manipulate them, raising their hopes only to shatter them. They had sworn never to trust again after that betrayal. As long as they were trapped in the book, they would always have a master, and their relationships would remain purely transactional.

Tomas had learned the hard way not to put faith in anyone. So your words held little weight for him. Each of them represented a month, and when they returned to the book three months later, you would be out of their lives. It seemed foolish to invest in a bond for something that would soon disappear.

‘’Tomas? Are you okay? You’ve become quiet,” you asked, noticing his distant expression.

Hearing your voice, Tomas snapped out of his thoughts and looked at you. “I have a lot on my mind. My thoughts are too loud,” he confessed with a tight smile.

“I have a solution that might help. Since neither of us has had any sleep,” you suggested, rising from your seat and making your way to the kitchen, which was adjacent to the living room. Tomas felt a twinge of curiosity as he watched you move. ‘’I hope you like chocolate.’’

“What are you going to do?”

“Hot chocolate. Sweet things are always good for stress. I think we both need some relaxation and serotonin,” you explained, retrieving two mugs from the kitchen cabinet and placing them on the counter. As you continued to prepare the hot chocolate, you asked, “Do you want to watch a movie?”

Tomas repeated the question as if to confirm that he had heard you correctly. “A movie?”

“Yes,” you affirmed cheerfully, without glancing at him, as you arranged the ingredients on the counter. “I like to watch something on Netflix when I can’t sleep. It helps distract my mind.”

“Netflix?” Tomas queried, unfamiliar with the term. As you briefly explained what Netflix was, Tomas observed you moving around the kitchen with a sweet smile, pouring steaming hot chocolate into the mugs and adorning them with white toppings resembling candy. He was familiar with the concept of movies, but his upbringing with the Lin Kuei left little room for leisure activities, such as watching television or electronic devices. Thus, while he understood the concept of movies, he had never encountered anything related to them until now.

“We can watch something that won’t require too much thought,” you suggested as you placed the mugs on the coffee table in front of them. Retrieving your laptop from a nearby spot, you positioned it on your lap and adjusted the screen so that Tomas could see. “Here, you can browse the movies from here.”

Tomas curiously scanned through the films from various categories displayed on the screen. There were so many options that he found it difficult to decide which one to choose, unsure of what would be the right choice.

“How about action?” you proposed, attempting to assist him. Your understanding expression conveyed that you recognized his struggle to make a choice. “We could watch Johnny Cage’s movies. The Ninja Mime movie series is legendary! What do you think? If you don’t like it, we can explore other options, of course.”

When Tomas agreed, your smile grew, and you placed the laptop in the center of the coffee table for both of you to see. As you leaned down to switch off the nearby lamp, he impulsively reached out and grabbed your wrist, causing a small, sweet electric sensation to pass between them. You both shared a momentary pause, as if sensing something peculiar, and Tomas noticed the sound of your interrupted breathing. What the hell was that? Tomas had never felt anything like this before.

“Tomas? Is something wrong?” you asked, your concern evident in your voice.

Tomas tried to ignore the tender feeling as he quickly released your wrist, as if it had burned him. Despite facing numerous sorcerers and warriors without fear, you, with your delicate demeanor, seemed more fragile to him, easily susceptible to harm even without the protection of the book.

“Could the light stay on?” he requested hoarsely, instantly noticing the understanding in your eyes, realizing the underlying reason for his question.

“Of course. Is it alright if we share the seat until the movie ends? There’s no other way for me to see the screen.”

Tomas found it strange that you asked, considering it was your home. You didn’t need his permission to use your own belongings.

“This is already your couch.” Tomas replied, showing his confusion.

“You’re also my guest. I want you to feel comfortable, not like you’re on edge,” you explained. Surprised by your response, Tomas nodded in agreement instead of verbally responding. “Great! Then I’ll start the movie. Come on, start drinking the hot chocolate before it gets cold. Your marshmallows are about to melt.”

Following your instructions, Tomas picked up a yellowish-white ceramic mug with daisy and bee patterns and took a sip of the steaming, incredibly fragrant drink. The sweet liquid danced on his taste buds, flooding his mouth with an unparalleled delight. It had been an eternity since he had savored something so delicious and sweet, a rare treat that he hadn’t experienced in years. Closing his eyes in bliss, he relished every moment of it.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it,” Tomas replied honestly.

“Really?” Your face lit up with a huge, almost radiant smile, and Tomas once again felt that sweet ache in his chest, far from painful. “I’m glad to hear that! If you want more, don’t hesitate to tell me. I still have plenty of chocolates in the cupboard.”

After your words, when the movie started, Tomas watched you eagerly settle on the end of the seat and sip your hot chocolate out of the corner of his eye. Despite the seat not being too large, there was a noticeable distance between you; someone thinner could have squeezed in between with a little effort. Although Tomas still couldn’t quite decipher your intentions, he turned his attention to the film after stealing a few glances at you, and slowly felt his troubled thoughts quiet down, his overly active senses beginning to relax.

Settling more comfortably on the couch, he took another sip of the hot chocolate you had made. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had done something like this for him. Usually, the situation would be the opposite—he would serve someone, fulfilling their wishes and desires. Now, it felt strange and unfamiliar to him to drink the beverage you had offered without expecting anything in return, as if you would later chastise him for such naivety. However, that never happened. Instead, you were completely engrossed in the film, occasionally giggling at the jokes inaudibly. Your smile, perhaps even sweeter than the hot chocolate he was drinking, had a warmth that made one want to hear your voice again.

Despite being occasionally distracted by your voice, Tomas found himself unexpectedly enjoying the movie. The action scenes were realistic, the jokes humorous, and the flow of the film simple yet intriguing. During one of the fight scenes, Tomas mumbled, “He fights well.”

“Isn’t he? He’s also a master of martial arts. All of these scenes were shot without the use of stunts. That’s why I have a lot of respect for the work he does. He’s one of the few actors I’d like to meet.” you remarked as you popped a half-melted marshmallow into your mouth, causing Tomas to watch your soft lips open and close on your fingers. He felt a warmth again, but this time it was burning and dangerous rather than sweet. He shifted in his seat as if trying to shake off the feeling.

“Do you want to watch the second one too?” you asked after finishing chewing. Tomas responded in a muffled voice. “I can’t deny that I’m interested.”

“Wonderful! I’ll refresh our drinks then. Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

Tomas rose once more, feeling uneasy about being served by you again, as you asked nothing of him. As he approached, you were just about to open the milk lid when you looked up, meeting his gaze with inquisitive eyes.

“Did you want something?”

“Tell me what I should do, please,” Tomas said through clenched teeth. How long would you leave him in this state of uncertainty, without giving him any orders? This unfamiliarity, persisting for days, was making him nervous. It was vastly different from the structured system he was accustomed to.

“I am not your master, Tomas,” you responded calmly, looking into his eyes, your voice gentle yet firm. “You are your own person. I will not give you orders, neither now nor later.”

“This is wrong,” Tomas said akin to a snarl, his voice sounding foreign even to himself. Even before an assassin, he was a hunter, and now, he felt more trapped than ever as he still couldn’t grapple with your rules. Do you even have rules? “Something is always expected.”

“This situation doesn’t apply here. I can see that you don’t trust and believe in me, and I don’t blame you for that,” you said, your face filled with a sadness Tomas couldn’t comprehend, your gaze softening even further. “Tomas, please try to believe that I’m sincere in what I’m saying. I do not demand anything from you, and I will not. You are free to act as you want, make your own decisions and choices.”

“Why?” Tomas questioned.

Why were you being so kind?

“Because it’s the right and humane thing to do,” you said simply, without hesitation. Then, you turned your attention to the task at hand. “Now, how many marshmallows do you want? I think I can put at least six on top.”

Did you realize the power you held in your hands? A word from you could compel action. But it seemed like you didn’t even care about this power; instead, you focused on trivial details about the second movie you were going to watch.

Once you had assembled a small mountain of marshmallows on the mug and handed it to him, Tomas accepted it in silence and settled back into the seat with you to resume the movie. He felt oddly content in a way. Though part of him still awaited the unveiling of the mask he thought you wore, he found some solace in the simplicity and normalcy of the current situation. Even though he had forgotten what it felt like, experiencing it again now stirred a mix of emotions within him, difficult to define.

While watching the movie, it was your harmless chats that occasionally provided small pieces of information about the actor or the movie, though it usually remained one-sided. Tomas lost track of how many movies you watched that night, ceasing to count after the second film. As soft yellow lights appeared and the sky began to brighten, he realized that an entire night had passed watching movies. Stretching his muscles, which had stiffened from remaining in the same position for so long, he turned his neck from right to left. When he glanced back at you, he saw that you were quietly curled up in your corner, fast asleep.

You had your arms crossed over the armrest of the chair, using them as a makeshift pillow for your head. Your mouth was slightly ajar, and the gentle rise and fall of your chest indicated deep sleep. Bathed in the morning sunlight, a peaceful expression graced your face.Tomas felt relieved watching you, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, akin to lying on a calm sea.

On one hand, he was surprised that you felt comfortable enough to sleep next to him. You likely couldn’t resist the fatigue any longer and succumbed to it. Tomas couldn’t help but notice how vulnerable you looked, despite not wanting to admit it. You appeared delicate enough to be easily hurt.

Careful not to disturb you, Tomas pulled a blanket up to your shoulders, ensuring you were completely covered. As he did so, Bi-Han appeared at the entrance of the living room, his expression as cold and discontented as ever.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Bi-Han demanded.

“You’ll wake her up,” Said Tomas, in a voice that sounded like a whisper, slightly scolding. Carefully getting up from where he was sitting, he made his way to his brother’s side, his shoulders tense and his posture upright. He changed the subject directly, not allowing Bi-Han to scold him further. “How is Kuai Liang?”

“It’s bad, but he’ll pull through. He’s unconscious right now; I don’t think he’ll wake up for a while.”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen him this bad.”

“We stayed in the book for too long this time,” Bi-Han growled hoarsely, his voice tinged with wildness. Clenching his fists at his sides, his eyebrows furrowed deeply, and his gaze darkened. Tomas could feel the cold emanating from him, chilling his skin like a winter wind. “This cramped place is suffocating me. I’m going out to explore. Take care of Kuai Liang.”

As Bi-Han stormed out of the house without waiting for a reply, Tomas sighed and headed for the room where Kuai Liang was staying, ignoring his weary eyes due to insomnia. Opening the door slightly, he peered inside and saw his brother lying motionless on the bed. Stepping into the room and closing the door quitely behind him, Tomas prepared to tend to his brother.

Although he felt a twinge of guilt for intruding into your private space by entering your bedroom, Tomas didn’t dwell on it much, knowing that you had opened this place up for their use like any other part of the house. After opening the window to let in some fresh air, Tomas couldn’t resist looking around curiously. Your room, like the rest of the house, was small, with a closet and a standing mirror in one corner, and a bookcase filled to the brim with books and pictures scattered haphazardly on the shelves in another corner.

Approaching the bookcase, Tomas found some books filled with confusing information about computers and programming, which he couldn’t quite comprehend. Was this your interest? After glancing at a few of them, his attention was drawn to the photos. Some were framed, while others were hung around the shelves with wicker ropes. The photos depicted people with wide, friendly smiles, along with various landscapes. In the photos, you appeared pleasant, happy, and cheerful, almost laughing in the eyes.

Tomas frowned slightly as he picked up a frame that caught his attention. He hadn’t seen such an expression on your face since they came out of the book; instead, you seemed agitated, with traces of fear in your eyes. He wished he could see you with that same expression from the photos; laughing seemed to suit you, exuding a pure aura that inspired trust. Maybe you truly were like the person in the photos… maybe—

Shaking his head, Tomas tried to dispel the thoughts and returned the frame to its place. He then sat on the chair pulled to the right side of the bed and looked at Kuai Liang. His brother looked worse than he had ever seen him before—his bronze face even paler than the day before, sweat glistening on his skin, chest heaving with rapid breaths, and a contracted expression indicating distress.

Tomas changed the cloth on Kuai Liang’s forehead and listened to his audible breathing, occasionally wheezing softly. Though he wished he could offer his brother some relief, there was little they could do in such circumstances. Kuai Liang had to fight this battle alone and regain control. Tomas watched him for a long time, his hand resting on his chin as he became lost in thought.

It was the sounds emanating from the kitchen that snapped him out of his reverie. Thinking that Bi-Han might have returned, he left the room and found you sipping coffee while cooking something on the stove. When you noticed his presence, you turned around, raising the mug in your hand with a sincere smile as you greeted him.

“Good morning. Did you get any sleep?”

“Not really,” Tomas admitted.

The smile on your face faltered slightly. “Hmm, so the movies didn’t do the trick. Fortunately, I have more remedies up my sleeve. I bought some herbal teas and aromatherapy candles a while ago. We can give them a try tonight,” you suggested with a cheerful tone, taking another sip of your coffee. Before returning to your cooking, you asked curiously. “How is your brother?”

“He’s sleeping. He’s not well, but he’s a strong and stubborn man. I’m sure he’ll recover soon,” Tomas replied.

“I’m glad to hear that. Bi-Han didn’t want me to help, but I made some porridge for Kuai Liang. I hope he won’t be upset with me. Of course, if you think he will be, we can keep it between us. Eating can be difficult when you’re sick, so I thought some comfort food might help him,” you explained, gesturing to the pot on the stove. “I’ve also prepared something for you. Have a seat. You drink coffee, right?”

Once again surprised by your thoughtfulness, Tomas couldn’t tear his gaze away from you as you served him pancakes smothered with a generous amount of maple syrup, a plate of perfectly crisped bacon and eggs cooked to perfection, and a steaming mug of coffee, its aroma wafting through the air and tantalizing his senses.

“Is Bi-Han awake too? I saved some for him.”

“He went out to explore. I don’t think he’ll be back before noon,” Tomas replied, still eyeing the food before him, unsure of where to start. Despite knowing he could eat without waiting for your command, it was difficult to break the years-long habit of awaiting orders. You must have noticed this detail, as you called out to him in a soft voice.

“You should eat before it gets cold, Tomas. You may not enjoy it as much later,” you said gently.

Tomas, relieved, filled his fork with food and began to eat his breakfast with great pleasure, savoring each piece slowly as it settled warmly in his stomach. As he ate, he noticed you quietly watching him while sipping your coffee from the bench you leaned against.

“I hope I didn’t burn the egg,” you remarked after a while. Tomas shook his head, indicating ‘No’ since his mouth was full. After a sip of coffee, he managed to give a straight answer.

“Everything is quite delicious, maste—thank you.” he said, correcting himself at the last moment. A warm smile settled on your face, exposing your teeth, reminiscent of the photos he had seen. Despite your simple appearance in a loosely tied robe and a nightgown, you radiated natural beauty and warmth, filling Tomas with a sense of comfort he hadn’t dared to believe.

“I’m glad to hear that,” you chirped like a bird. “Because I almost burned it while I was taking care of the porridge. I kept breakfast simple since I wasn’t sure what you liked.’’ While taking another sip of coffee, you sat down a little further away, collapsing into one of the chairs placed around the kitchen island. “There is a local library very close to here. I have to stop by there for half an hour. There are some books I want to look at. Do you want to come with me? I think coming out after being in the book will make you feel better.”

Tomas’ body immediately contracted with tension, almost instinctively. He was curious about how much the outside world had changed, but on the one hand, he was not ready to encounter innovations, re-enter among people, noise, and much more. His senses were still at a hyper level, and that fidgety feeling swirling inside him had not calmed down yet.

“Perhaps some other time. Besides, I don’t want to leave Kuai Liang alone like this,” Tomas replied.

“Oh, you’re right. It was a rude question on my part,” you admitted, taking another sip of your coffee before looking at Tomas with curious yet deceptive eyes. Tomas met your gaze and asked after swallowing the food in his mouth, “You want to ask something, am I right?”

“There’s just one thing I’m curious about. But I don’t think it’s right to ask.”

One edge of Tomas’s lip curled upwards; he was starting to like the way you were approaching more and more. You were treating him like a human being rather than an object, and he’d forgotten how that made him feel.

‘’You can ask, it’s okay,’’ he encouraged.

‘’Your hair… Is this your original color?’’

An unexpected chuckle spilled from Tomas’ lips. It seemed funny and innocent enough to make his heart ache that you chose this when there were tons of questions you could ask.

‘‘No, it’s that color because of the smoke magic. Its previous color was brown.’’

‘’Smoke magic? Do you have the power like the others?’’

“Yes.’’

You took a breath with excitement; Tomas could have sworn your eyes were shining.

‘‘Will you show it to me?’’

Tomas let go of the mug he was holding with another smirk that he couldn’t stop, and thanks to the thin, gray cloud of smoke rising from his fingers, he made the mug float in the air. While your eyes opened wide, you took a sharp breath and stared at the floating mug in amazement, and Tomas took great pleasure in watching your reaction.

‘’This is incredible! What else can you do?’’

‘’I can be invisible.’’

‘’No way!’’ You said it in an incredulous voice. Tomas raised an eyebrow, gave you a sarcastic look, and then made his body invisible, watching you keep your mouth open with amazement. Your reaction was so sweet that Tomas laughed out loud this time, and when he made his body visible again, you looked at him with big eyes for a few seconds as if he had grown out a second head.

‘‘That was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. You’re incredible!’’ Against your obvious compliment, Tomas’s heart misfired once again, and he felt his cheeks getting hot. Not knowing what to say, as you kept talking excitedly, he squeezed a big mouthful morsel in his mouth before saying something ridiculous. ‘‘It must be great to have such a talent. You can even go to North Korea without anyone hearing a sound.’’

Tomas barely swallowed the morsel in his mouth and looked at you with a manner that showed he didn’t understand why you could want such a thing.

‘‘Why would you want to go there?’’

‘‘Out of curiosity, of course.’’ After giving him a little look with your flushed cheeks, you cleared your throat with an artificial cough. ‘’There’s something else I’m curious about.’’

‘’Are you going to ask why I don’t resemble my brothers in appearance?’’

‘’No, actually, I was going to ask why Kuai Liang said ‘Earthrealm’ that night. The other one is a personal question; it wouldn’t be right for me to ask you to explain.’’

Even so, when you were talking to him like that, Tomas felt the need to explain to you. He decided to sit back in his chair and calmly tell you everything from the beginning, so that he could make you understand the world you’ve fallen into a little better and make sense of it, maybe so that you could also start feeling safer around them. After all, you were going to be together for three months, and no one knew better than him how exhausting it was to be constantly on edge, both physically and mentally.

‘‘I am not their brother by blood; I am adopted,’’ Tomas said simply. ‘’Before I became a part of Lin Kuei, I had my mother and twin sister; we were hunters. We made our living by selling the meat and fur of the animals we hunted, until one day we hunted in the wrong territory. There was an accident.’’ As Tomas slowly began to tell you about his life, he was surprised at how easily the words fell from his lips. Normally, he was a closed box to someone he didn’t know; he wouldn’t open his past easily, but something in you was preventing him from doing so.

‘‘I am so sorry for your loss.’’ It was impossible not to hear the sadness and sincerity in your voice; your gaze had an expression that showed that you were really sorry for his loss. One hand was hesitantly raised, then Tomas did not pull or push his hand away when you placed your hand on his hand, quite delicately, indicating that he could easily get out of your grip if he wanted to. Your touch defined you; it was warm and reassuring, and it also made him realize how much he really needed it.

‘‘Thank you,’’ said Tomas, involuntarily. With his thumb, he gently stroked the top of your hand as a token of his gratitude. When he started to retell where he left off, you were listening to him with great attention. You didn’t interrupt for once; your facial expression was lit up with a warm expression, sometimes sad, sometimes showing that you were proud of his achievements. After briefly mentioning his past, when he came to the question you asked, he actually mentioned that there is more than one world, the details of Lin Kuei’s purpose, creature from other worlds, and gods. While listening to what you were saying with great interest, Tomas was starting to enjoy watching your expression more and more.

"It turns out that I've been sleeping under a rock all this time.’’ You said, gasping in amazement. ‘’So you're superheroes, are you?’’

Tomas chuckled at your comparison.

‘’It was an overly generous comparison. It would be more accurate to say protector than superhero; we served under the orders of Lord Liu Kang to protect Earthrealm from external dangers.’’

“Lord Liu Kang… He was the one who was the Fire God, wasn’t he?’’

‘‘Yes, that’s him.��’

‘’I can’t believe it, God, huh?” You were like a little girl sitting on the edge of a chair, warmed up with excitement, cheeks flushed as if you held a huge candy in your hand. ‘‘No wonder Bi-Han got mad at me when I accidentally branded you as blood lust murderers. After what you said, my own life suddenly seemed very… simple.’’

Tomas reached for his now cold coffee, hiding his laughter. ‘’I’d like to hear it.’’ He said, trusting in the small, fragile bond established between you through the conversation.

‘’Well, what I’m going to tell you may not sound as cool as yours. I graduated from the software engineering department last year, I was working as a programmer at a game company until a few days ago, but I lost the job.’’

‘‘I’m sorry to hear that.’’ Tomas said in a genuine voice. You shrugged your shoulders as if it were all right, but your face had fallen a little, revealing what was going through your mind.

‘‘Don’t worry, I wasn’t happy working there anyway, it was more about making money. Actually, my dream is to one day secure a partnership with one of the big companies by releasing my own game, but when you face the real world, you realize it’s not that simple. No one wants to partner with a novice; someone without a background. Plus, I haven’t found any inspiration for my so-called game yet anyway.’’

Leaning one hand on your chin, your face fell with a mix of unhappiness and a hint of pessimism. Tomas felt a strong need to console you and put a smile back on your face.

‘‘It doesn’t sound impossible.’’ He said with a smile. ‘’Besides, it’s their loss that they’ve lost a talented woman like you.’’

Watching your cheeks flush with his compliment filled Tomas with pride and an irresistible desire for more. As you shyly murmured a small ‘’Thank you’’, Tomas heard the front door open. While his body reflexively tensed, his muscles were ready and alert until he saw who was coming.

When Bi-Han’s imposing body appeared at the entrance, you stood up, moving before him.

‘’Bi-Han! Welcome, we were having breakfast. Are you hungry? I’ve saved something for you too.’’

‘’I’m none of your concern.’’ Bi-Han’s words cut yours short, and within seconds, the smile vanished from your face, shattering the warmth Tomas had worked to foster, and you retreated into your former guarded and distant demeanor. ‘’I remember I told you to take care of Kuai Liang.’’

‘‘His condition hasn’t changed since you left, brother.’’ Tomas responded in kind, his words adding to the escalating tension between them. Sensing the growing unease, you delicately cleared your throat, subtly redirecting both their attention.

‘’I’d better go to the library, as always you can use the things in the house as you like. Tomas, if you want to watch something on Netflix, please don’t hesitate to use it.’’ With your head bowed, you left the room after finishing your words quietly, leaving Tomas and Bi-Han alone.

Tomas ended up near Bi-Han, taking a hard breath. ‘’Why are you acting like this? She’s done nothing but help us so far.’’

‘’And did you believe it?’’ Bi-Han’s voice was thick and authoritative, sounding incredibly deep. “You’re still very naive, Tomas.’’

‘’If you can’t choose your words carefully, can’t you at least pay a little more attention to your intonation? You’re scaring her.’’

‘’And why should I care? As long as the book exists, there will always be a master, and that woman is no different from the others. You have to understand, Tomas, it would just be foolish to trust anyone but each other, especially when you have such tremendous power in your hands. Don’t get your hopes up.’’

Tomas wanted to oppose him, but unfortunately, although Bi-Han spoke with his usual brutality, he was right on one point; as long as the master-slave relationship existed, it carried a power that could easily deconstruct the delicate trust established despite everything. An order that would come out of one’s lips was enough to take away their consent.

After Tomas stayed silent, Bi-Han approached him, his intense gaze lingering for a moment before shifting to the food simmering on the stove.

‘’What is this?’’ Opening the lid curiously, he looked at what was inside. ‘’Did you do it?’’

‘’No, she prepared the porridge so that Kuai Liang could eat comfortably.’’

With his answer, one of the muscles in Bi-Han’s jaw twitched.

‘’I told her to not interfere.’’

‘’She may not be the person we thought, Bi-Han.’’ Said Tomas, there was an opposition in his voice that he didn’t understand where it was coming from. ‘’Tell me, which master has prepared breakfast or something similar for us before?’’

‘’Stop calling them masters!’’ Although Bi-Han turned to him angrily with furious eyes and stood in front of him as if he were a mountain of intimidation, Tomas did not allow him to intimidate him. He wanted him to hear what he was thinking.

‘’I’m not saying we should trust her, but you know as well as I do that she hasn’t done anything to deserve your cruel approach so far. She wants us to be comfortable in his house, she even gave Kuai Liang her bedroom, just to help him in the healing process. She tried to set us free the very first moment we came out of the book-‘’

‘’This is not the first time we have encountered this situation.’’ Bi-Han interjected once again. “At some point, she’ll be compelled to give us orders. I wonder if you’ll still defend her then.”

***

It’s been a few hours since you returned from the library. Throughout your time there, you remained engrossed in the books you brought back, occasionally scribbling something in your notebook and muttering to yourself. Finally, Tomas approached, more curious about your activities than the movie he was watching. When you lifted your head from among the books at his approach, you asked, ‘’The movie didn’t catch your attention?’’

‘’Frankly, I was more interested in what you were doing. You’ve been sitting there for hours, doesn’t your neck hurt?’’

As you tested his words by moving your neck, a hint of pain crossed your face, accompanied by a soft whimper. ‘’Ouch, you were right. My neck is terribly stiff.’’

Offering to help, Tomas raised his hands in the air, gesturing to massage your neck. ‘’If you want?’’

‘’If it’s all right with you, please,’’ you responded, your voice a blend of shyness and gratitude. As Tomas took his place behind you and began massaging your shoulders and neck, he felt a strange electric current once again. Your skin felt soft and tender between his calloused fingers, and he couldn’t help but notice the clean and beautiful scent emanating from you, enveloping him in a sweet warmth. Slowly, your stiffened body began to unravel and relax under his touch. Curious about your reading material, Tomas inquired, ‘‘May I ask what you are reading?’

‘‘I’m doing research. These books contain a ton of information about witchcraft, spells, and curses. I thought maybe there might be some useful information in it for your situation.’’

‘’Have you been looking at these for hours?’’ Tomas asked incredulously.

With a simple ‘’Yes,’’ you innocently confirmed. As Tomas watched you turn another page, he felt a familiar ache in his heart. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was for understanding and kindness. Every movement, every word, every soft look and smile you shared seemed to weave into Tomas’ soul, confirming his growing certainty that you were unlike anyone he had ever met before.

‘’You must be tired, thank you, Tomas, that’s enough,’’ When you spoke from the book without raising your head, Tomas reluctantly withdrew his hands, even though he didn’t want to. Touching you like this felt nice; it was a rare sensation to interact with another body of his own accord, free from orders. Moreover, it was confined to a simple touch without fulfilling desires, a sensation he had almost forgotten. It also made him feel powerful, as it was an action he took by his own decision, highlighting the profound impact of a simple gesture on him.

“May I accompany you?” Tomas asked.

“Of course, you don’t even need to ask. You can look at whatever you want, and if you want to have a drink, you know where they are,” you replied, smiling at him. Tomas opted to brew herbal tea for the both of them. He carefully poured the freshly boiled water into two mugs before selecting green tea bags to steep in each one. As he settled next to you, he glanced at what you had written.

“Have you found anything yet?”

“To be honest, not really,” you admitted, reaching for the mug he offered. With a sigh, you glanced wearily over the open books. “Salt baths, incense, and natural stones have been mentioned, but these seem more for balancing energy. I haven’t come across anything about how to deal with black magic yet.”

“Don’t push yourself for our sake.”

“What? What do you mean?” You looked at him with furrowed eyebrows, a slight hint of frustration in your expression, urging him to explain.

“The demon who cursed us, Quan Chi, is a master of black magic and is cruel as well. You’re not the first person to promise to help us; I’ve seen this scenario before. I don’t think the solution is found in these books, so you shouldn’t burden yourself too much searching for answers you may not find. Our past attempts to break the curse only led to more suffering, it only led to disappointment and despair.”

Your eyebrows furrowed further in response, and though your expression darkened, your eyes betrayed a hurt that softened your features.

“I can understand why you’re hesitant to trust given your past experiences, and it infuriates me to think that others have exploited you in this way.’’ you asserted, your tone tinged with emotion. ‘’While the solution may not be found in these books, we won’t know unless we try, Tomas. I refuse to simply stand by and watch as time slips away and you’re forced back into that book. Our paths have crossed for some reason, and I will help you as much as my means allow. I understand that trusting again is daunting, even frightening, but I’m asking you to give it a chance.”

‘Only a fool would hope,’ Bi-Han’s words from years ago echoed in Tomas’s mind. It was easier to believe that you were playing some kind of game than to trust. But, on the other hand, it was undeniable that there was a hint of truth in your words. If you had a different purpose, you wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble or greeted Bi-Han’s rude words with silence. Even though you knew the power you had over them, you were always careful about the words you used, afraid to abuse it and put them in a difficult situation. Tomas didn’t want to make the same mistake again. He had been in that book for ten years and had seen and experienced a lot. He could navigate the familiar order, knowing the rules and what to expect. But this situation was different.

Maybe after a few days, you would change your mind and want to take advantage of this opportunity that fell into your lap. You might be overwhelmed while searching for a solution, realizing it wasn’t a problem you had to solve, or you might grow tired of them invading your home. The possibilities were endless. Despite this, Tomas still didn’t know what would be left of himself if he chose to trust again, only for it to end badly.

“Tomas?” Your soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts, and he met your worried gaze. “Are you all right? If what I said made you feel uncomfortable, I’m sorry.”

Your words, whispered gently, stirred the dilemma Tomas found himself in. It was too early for him to make a decision, as he didn’t even know you properly. Yet, there was a part of him that wanted to believe in you. Despite all the challenges he had faced, you were the first master he wanted to give a chance to after all these years. But he avoided saying it, not wanting to give you the power to manipulate him. As much as he wanted to give you a chance, the part of him that longed to escape from this situation and the complex emotions you evoked in him was more dominant.

“I’m fine, it’s okay,” Tomas replied, brushing off your concern. “I want to take a look at this book.”

As Tomas changed the subject and reached for one of the books in front of him, you eyed him one more time then resumed your reading quietly, allowing him the space to process his thoughts.

A serene silence enveloped the room, punctuated only by the rain outside tapping against the window, the gentle rustling of paper, and the occasional exchange of words between you. Tomas found himself once again enveloped in the same sense of peace he had felt while watching the movie with you last night. It was a rare feeling, one that he hadn’t experienced since being sealed within the book—time spent according to his own will, without orders or prohibitions.

As you sat back after having a snack and took a deep breath, Tomas’s attention was drawn to you like a magnet. Although he had been pretending to focus on the books in front of him, he found himself increasingly intrigued by observing you. Your facial expressions were as transparent as the pages of the books, and Tomas couldn’t help but watch you intently, captivated by your every movement and expression.

“It’s getting late,” you remarked with a tired smile, stifling a yawn with the back of your hand. “Are you feeling sleepy yet?”

“Not really,” Tomas replied honestly, though the idea of closing his eyes lingered in the corner of his mind. Despite having spent close to two years inside the book and therefore doing nothing, he couldn’t shake off the effects of insomnia. Trained to be a perfect assassin, he was accustomed to enduring extreme challenges beyond those faced by ordinary human. However, beneath the facade of strength and resilience, he was still human and had basic needs like everyone else. This included the need for sleep, a fundamental requirement that even his demanding training couldn’t negate.

“We could try lighting these candles, what do you think?” you suggested gently. “I also have another idea that might help, but we need to move to the couch for it.”

“I’m fine here, thank you,” Tomas replied, his voice betraying a hint of tension. You glanced at him, as if trying to discern what was bothering him, and placed a hand over his, giving it a gentle squeeze. Tomas felt his resistance waver at the contact, the part of him that craved connection stirring to life once again.

“Let’s give it a try, and if it doesn’t work, I promise not to insist.” you said softly.

Tomas wanted to refuse your offer, but he couldn’t resist your comforting smile and reassuring words any longer. “Alright,” With a sigh, he rose from his chair and settled into a corner of the couch, while you searched for candles in the room. As you lit a candle and placed it on the coffee table, dimming the other lights, Tomas’s body tensed instinctively.

“The smell will spread soon—Tomas?” Though he felt your weight settle into the seat beside him, Tomas couldn’t bring himself to turn and look at you. His eyes scanned every dimly lit corner of the room, searching for the perfect escape route. His muscles were tense, rendering him immobile like a statue, and his breath seemed to freeze in his lungs, causing his chest to barely rise and fall. His hunter instincts stirred to life, hazy with the need to survive, to prevent shadows from drawing near him as if they harbored fatal threats. Memories of his days as a hunter flickered in his mind, images of tracking prey through dense forests and navigating treacherous terrain. It was a life defined by instinct and survival, skills honed through years of relentless pursuit. Even now, those instincts remained sharp, guiding his every move in this unfamiliar setting.

“Tomas, what’s wrong?” you asked, concern evident in your voice.

“It’s dark,” Tomas managed to utter, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t like the darkness. It reminds me of the time I spent in the book.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I completely forgot! Just wait here, I’ll take care of it right away.” you responded, moving to get up. But Tomas stopped you abruptly, his fingers closing around your wrist with an iron grip. Though his hold may have been too tight, he felt powerless to loosen it, trapped in the conflict between fight or flight. His muscles tensed like coiled springs, his focus hazy with panic, aggravated and feeling more vulnerable than ever his instincts screaming at him to do something.

“Don’t go,” Tomas said, surprised at how foreign and commanding his own voice sounded. Though he intended it as a request, it came out more like an order. His voice was hoarse and strained, and he wasn’t even sure if you could hear him clearly.

“Okay, okay, I’m not going anywhere,” you assured him calmly, radiating a confidence that suggested you knew exactly what to do. “Tomas, it’s okay. Look at me.”

Your words cut through his panicked mind like a knife, and though his body remained tense, he obeyed, attempting to slow his breathing and regain his focus.

“Tomas,” you said softly, placing a hand on his cheek. He flinched at first, his body tensed more than before, ready to strike. If the circumstances had been different and he had seen you as a threat, he would have already broken your wrist because of this move. But you were no threat; your touch brought an unexpected sense of relief, like a balm to his frayed nerves. “Come on, turn your face to me. It’s okay.”

Though your hand rested gently on his cheek, you exerted no pressure, leaving the choice entirely up to Tomas. Slowly, hesitantly, he turned his head to face you, meeting your warm smile.

“That’s it, you’re safe. They’re just shadows. There’s no one here who can hurt you,” you reassured him, stroking his cheek gently. As he gazed into your soft, comforting eyes, Tomas felt the urge to fight slowly ebb away under your touch and gaze.

Along with your soothing words, Tomas allowed himself to be guided, feeling as though he were a stuffed rag doll after the sudden surge of adrenaline. His head came to rest on your legs, though he couldn’t quite decipher how he had ended up in this position. His muscles felt heavy, as if he were underwater, and his senses dulled, making it difficult to perceive movements and even more so to choose your words. All he could do was inhale the subtle scent of chamomile emanating from the candle and focus on the sensation your fingers created on his skin.

“It’s okay… Tomas… You won’t get hurt again… I’m here, I’ll keep you safe…” you murmured softly. Tomas wanted to laugh at your words, which he could only catch in pieces. How could you shield them? You had no power or ability, yet, your expression of wanting to safeguard these men, twice your size and skilled in taking lives, stirred something within Tomas. Despite the lingering adrenaline, he felt a wave of calmness wash over him, like a gentle ray of light caressing him. He found himself leaning into your touch, seeking comfort in the gentle caress of your fingers against his hair. Truly, you were unlike anyone he had ever met before, and it would be unfair to pretend otherwise.

As you gently stroked his hair, Tomas felt his body grow heavier, his eyelids drooping halfway. Despite a wave of panic at feeling so powerless and vulnerable, your words reassured him.

“I’m here, and I’ll be here when you wake up. Don’t worry, Tomas. You’re safe. You’re not in the book. You’re here in my house, next to me. Can you feel my touch?”

As your fingers continued to run through his short hair, Tomas succumbed to the weight pressing down on him, feeling as though he were being completely submerged underwater. His body went lax, not even having the power to lift a finger. Every muscle seemed to surrender to the fatigue, and he found himself unable to muster the slightest resistance. With a gasp, his eyes closed, enveloping him in the darkness of his own exhaustion.

***

When the light hit Tomas’s face, he initially frowned and attempted to shield his eyes by turning his head to the side. However, as the light persisted, his eyebrows furrowed even more, and a displeased expression formed on his lips. In response, a sweet giggle reached his ears, prompting him to open his eyes quickly. There, he was met with your image, and for a moment, he simply stared at you like a fool. Your greeting, delivered in a calm and soft voice reminiscent of the morning sun, warmed him from within.

“Good morning,” you said with a kind smile. “Did you sleep well?”

Confusion clouded Tomas’s mind. Sleep? Did he really sleep last night? He remembered his body aching but couldn’t recall falling asleep, his mind retracing the events of the previous night. The last thing he remembered was the delicate sensation of your fingers in his hair. Still resting his head on your lap, Tomas’s cheeks warmed as he managed a small “Yes,” filled with disbelief. Your smile widened at his response.

“I’m glad to hear that,” you replied. With your hand still resting gently among his short silver hair, Tomas marveled at how natural the moment felt. Your presence brought him peace, as if you had always been there just waiting for him to find it, and there was something undeniably addictive about it. It was as though the chaos and uncertainty of his past had been momentarily suspended, replaced by a soothing tranquility he had longed for without even realizing it. In your company, the weight of his past seemed to lift, leaving behind a sense of clarity and hope that he hadn’t felt in years. For the first time in a long while, Tomas allowed himself to simply be, basking in the warmth of your touch and the serenity of the moment.

“You didn’t sleep?” he asked.

“No, I stayed awake because I was worried about you having another attack,” you confessed.

As Tomas’s cheeks flushed with shame, your unwavering concern only deepened the impact you had on him. Your words ignited within him a desire to shield and safeguard you. No one had ever approached him with such genuine kindness before. You were truly a kind-hearted and innocent person, evoking so many forgotten emotions within him. It was a feeling so unfamiliar and rare for him, he found himself instinctively wanting to protect you from any harm in that moment, unable to bear the thought of you suffering in any way. In his life, he had never felt this protective over someone in such a short amount of time. It was a fierce and raw instinct, almost primal in nature. Even he himself couldn’t fully grasp or comprehend this feeling.

“Thank you,” he said, lifting his head from your lap and reaching to touch your cheek. You smiled, leaning into his touch, and replied, “No big deal.” As Tomas gently stroked your soft, dreamy skin, he felt an alien sensation he hadn’t experienced in years. Could it be… happiness? The last time he had felt such pure joy was when he and his sister found a piece of glass they thought was a precious stone, believing it would improve their income. Looking at you now, he was transported back to that moment, reliving the feeling exactly.

His body rested and fit, and in the morning light illuminating the room, you looked more beautiful than ever in his eyes. Your presence felt like a remedy to his damaged body and mind, something he never expected but needed.

As he gently pulled you towards him, his touch so light that you could have easily slipped away, you didn’t resist. Your lips were soft, your breath warm, and as your lips met his with a sweet sigh, Tomas felt the walls he had built to resist crumbling. The sensation of your lips against his sent an electrifying jolt through him, every touch igniting a warmth in his chest that seemed to spread to every corner of his being. Each moment of it felt like an eternity, every brush of your lips against his sending waves of longing coursing through him. The kiss was delicate and soft, each movement cautious yet filled with desire. Tomas feared disrupting the moment, afraid to harm you as he savored the intoxicating sweetness of your scent mingled with the warmth of the morning light against his back.

Perhaps it was a foolish move, one that would invite reproachful glances from his brothers, especially Bi-Han, but it was worth experiencing this feeling. He wanted to trust—this moment, your words, you. It was a basic and burning need. Tomas had never fully believed in the promise that light comes after darkness, but in your presence, you made it seem believable, like there could be more. Your body nestled between his arms felt right, as if you were meant to be there, and he had finally found his way home. In that moment of kissing you, Tomas felt a sense of completeness wash over him.

He had never liked the dark, but with you by his side, it didn’t seem so daunting to face it anymore.

[mdemorita]

today, but in 2017, 6 years ago, Ghost released their first live album, "Ceremony and Devotion"

Recorded as part of the 2017 North American "Popestar" tour, Ghost released their first full live album, a 15-song compilation of the band's hits.

Ceremony and Devotion has two covers, one of them showing a golden phallus on the statue of Papa Emeritus III

- Square Hammer

- From The Pinnacle To The Pit

- Con Clavi Con Dio

- Per Aspera Ad Inferi

- Body And Blood

- Devil Church

- Cirice

- Ghuleh / Zombie Queen

- Year Zero

- Spöksonat

- He Is

- Mummy Dust

- Absolution

- Ritual

- Monstrance Clock

[memorycycle]

talk about The Bouncer

The Bouncer is a video game released on the ps2 in 1999 by squart enix. It has garnered critical acclaim by many people who dont know anything. Lets examine why it received such high ratings :

Length of the game: The BOuncer is chock full of content. clocking in at a massive 1.5 hours of playtime, you will be absorbed in this game for an entire portion of your afternoon. maybe. with over 8 unlockables, zero sidequests, and an unbranching storyline to explore, this game is surely worth the investment of 0$ on coolrom.com

Cinematic Maserrpiece Unlike most great videogames, The Bouncer breaks conventional boundaries by devoting 1hr15m of its 1hr30m playtime exclusively to cutscenes. It seems that squanq enix has hit the nail on the head here in realizing that people dont like playing videogames

Rewarding Challenging

THIS GUY FUCKING SUCKS HES THE FINAL BOSS AND LITERALLY FOR THE ENTIRE GAME UP UNTIL THIS POINT IT WAS EASY AS FUCJ AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HES KILLING YOU IN LIKE 8 HITS AND PERFECTLY BLOCKING ALL OF YOUR ATTACKS AND I SWEAR HE FUCKING READS YOUR INPUTS BECAUSE AS SOON AS YOU DROP YOUR GUARD LIKE LITERALLY THE FRAME YOU DO IT HE THROWS AN ATTACK OUT ITS BULLSHIT I DIED LIKE 30 TIMES TO HIM WHILE FOR THE ENTIRE GAME BEFORE THIS I ONLY DIED LIKE 3 TIMES AND ALSO HE HAS TWO PHASES AND YOUR HP DOESNT GET RESET BETWEEN PHASES AND FOR SOME REASON YOUR ALLIES LOVE TO JUST STAND THERE AND NOT ATTACK AND THEY JUST DIE FOR NO REASON LIKE WTF

In conclusion The Bouncer is a really good game and probably the best game ever made. i Just pee peed in my pants and its really warm, and comfortable. i know it will start feeling icky ones it stops being warm but that is a problem for future me to deal with

[idontknowreallywhy]

WIP Wednesday

A bit of a random one… an OC viewpoint on a wee!Tracy.

It was the first day of the academic year and Felicity Miles had already broken her resolution to actually leave school at a reasonable time. She glanced at the brightly coloured clock suspended over the electronic whiteboard and sighed as she calculated her chances of catching the next bus home to be almost precisely zero. There wouldn’t be another for an hour… well at least she wasn’t in a rush now. As long as everything was gone by the morning so the cleaner didn’t report the damage, all would be well.

Turning her attention back to the task in hand she averted her eyes as she sprayed a little more of the concentrated bleach on the table top and then recommenced scrubbing with the wire brush she’d lifted from the school kitchens.

Learning points from today:

- give the kid more paper

- don’t leave sharpies lying around.

She finally obliterated the carefully written ‘26/104’ and moved on to ‘27/108’.

It was likely not the most efficient approach to erase one fraction at a time but she felt strangely compelled to follow the pattern through in the same way the fascinated little dark haired boy had.

1/4

2/8

3/12

4/16

5/20

That was as far as most of the class had got before they moved on to the next task. Based on the report of their previous teacher she hadn’t expected this one to have got even that far. Apparently getting him to stay in his seat or focus on anything that didn’t involve airplanes or running very fast for 3 minutes or more was considered a win.

She frowned. The unspoken hint that they’d given up on him had put her hackles up. He was clearly a bright kid. Very. He also spoke as well as he didn’t sit. That, combined with his height, gave him the presence of a much older child. Maybe that was working against him - were people expecting too much?

Famous daddy syndrome didn’t help either. And that connection was hard to forget when this apple had fallen right at the foot of that incredibly dashing genetic tree.

Felicity made a point of never having favourites. ESPECIALLY not when they happened to be the offspring of one of her heroes. But she had always had a soft spot for an underdog and had a hunch that this one might need a champion in the near future.

She continued scrubbing, mind buzzing with ways she could capitalise on his evident interest in patterns and mentally rewriting tomorrow’s lesson plan to devote some time to the history of flight.

[dick-meister]

"Oh, son." Father appears before Adam and puts his hands on the man's temples. "Allow me to prove to you that I am not 'all talk'." He has been listening and watching. A glimpse into the future, an experience prophets inherit.

What Adam is allowed to see is Heaven, burning, A large creature towering overhead, two figures battling the monstrosity and at the First Man's feet? Bodies. Exorcists, Angel's, Heavenborn and... Hellborn. Dead, helpless. The scene is dire and hopeless, distant screams, loud roaring from creatures unimaginable.

Then, the vision stops and in place of Father, is a timer. Golden, resting upon a marble pedestal.

15 days. And the clock starts. 🎥❤️

There was no way Adam could have prepared himself for Father. The conversation he had with Lilith. He knew?! He had been watching??? "Wai-!" Barely even a word came from his lips as the creator put his hands against his temple and his eyes were filled with a scene of absolute dread.

It.... Was horrible. Bodies and bodies laying upon the now blood soaked streets of Heaven! Of all places! Why?! Why would he allow this to happen in the permanent home for winners? Was their actions in life not enough for the man? Did their devotion mean nothing??? Does... All of this mean nothing? Every soul eventually damned to death?

When the vision was over, Adam threw up. Seeing into a future like that without warning made his head spin and his stomach do flips. Falling to his knees, he would look up and see the timer, that 15 followed by so many zeros.

"It... Really is hopeless..."

The timer counts down and the First Man feints.

[sharonisthebettercarter]

contemplated at shooting annie (which he unnecessarily did)

punched Hughie for stopping him from killing Kimiko’s brother, Kenji, right in front of her. Then said if he got in the way of him reuniting with Becca, he’d kill Hughie too.

Used an infant as a weapon and threatened to kill them

Is a hypocrite himself (obviously)

Killed a whale

Drugged Marvin

He was willing to sell Ryan to Vought knowing that it would likely mean another Homelander. He didn't care, because it meant he would have Becca.

Insulted Ryan, TO BECCA'S FACE (honestly, Becca should've never tried to make Billy like, let alone tolerate Ryan if she knew that Billy has a weak connection with children and is distrustworthy around them. Like she should've just told him to kick rocks and make sure he won't have a hand in raising Ryan either)

He said that Becca could just "have another kid", not understanding that kids aren't replaceable, like objects (jewelry, cars, houses, etc.) That attitude is fucking horrifying if you're a parent, and I'd worry that he would have that attitude towards any kids (whether mere mortal or supe)

He betrayed his team multiple times

Threatened to kill hughie multiple times

doesn’t care who he hurts in the process

Gaslighted ryan

Let's also add the fact that he CHEATED ON BECCA WHEN THEY WERE TOGETHER

Attempts to kidnap Zoe (based on what the trailers implying)

UNALIVES 2 CHARACTERS AT LEAST (ONE MAIN CHARACTER) wouldn't surprise me if it turns out to be Hughie, considering he threated to unalive Hughie numerous of times.

In all honesty, I hope he hallucinates an angry Becca and Becca's ghost haunts him in the next seasons, like Rhonda's ghost haunted Anika in "Empire".

don't forget unnecessarily attempted to blow up teddy stillwell~!

this shit would be why i roll my eyes anytime someone calls billy an 'aNtI-hErO' or 'gOoD', leik Y'ALL--

lol oh no dear gawd you poor bitch, my dear sweet beautiful angel baby child~<3

just wait until we get to the end of the story or even just a *little* bit further along... this ain't even the half of it...

;))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

the ever expanding shit list on butcher can make homie look tame at times, but yeah no~. def not a good guy, def not right in anyway, one of the big main points of the story is proving butcher wrong and showing just how far his own head was up his own ass.

he's a secondary villain to the series, primary being h--VOUGHT (but also since people forget our *actual* hero is HUGHIE, and that the supes themselves are a SYMPTOM not the actual source of the problems *cough*cough*HEY REMEMBER STARLIGHT WHO EXISTS??* OR THIS WHOLE ASS ABUSIVE FUCKIN' COMPANY THAT EXPLOITS CHILDREN AND EXPERIMENTS ON BABIES LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS??????) and leik. he is *made* specifically to disappoint and prove the reader/viewer *wrong* about him (apart from prove himself wrong) by being his absolute worst with zero excuses for it at legit every chance he gets. mainly by being a serial killer butt~

he's *designed* to toy with our emotions and the hope that we see some *good* in him or give him the benefit of the doubt, because we are seeing the story mostly from *hughie's* perspective, and that is specifically how *HUGHIE* feels about him. and some are def blind to it (like hughie lmao) but some can see through butcher's bullshit (like *annie*)

like his whole damn niche is *dragging* homelander down to his level and causing chaos beyond his own wildest wet dreams at the *expense* of everyone else, and homie clocked that motherfucker before giving him the promise of that ticking time bomb explosion because butcher ain't the only one pushing him too far--but he is certainly the most devoted.

his *obsession* with homie completely consumes his life and everything he does. homelander *hardly* cares about billy beyond his being a persistent thorn in his side that *occasionally* provides *some* level of interest.

i think an easy gauge at what's really going on is to look no further than annie's perspective. many people are more than willing to overlook butcher's bullshit, but annie describes what's going on probably better than anyone i've seen.

for homie? she specifically says. "there's something *wrong* with homelander", but with butcher she just gets fuckin' mad MAD because HE. KNOWS. BETTER. and does worse.

the framing there isn't a mistake. leik at all.

post gen v, i saw a bunch of people calling for the gen v kids to join the boys or for butcher to 'adopt' them and the only thing i could think was 'dear fuckin' satan, for the love of GAWD, PLEASE NO' because the only thing butcher does and *would* do is~

ABUSE.

USE.

MURDER WHEN THEY ARE NO LONGER OF USE.

LATHER, RINSE, REPEAT.

it is LITERALLY all he does the WHOLE fuckin' time, and it's comin' to a head cause there is only so much bullshit his team will tolerate, and i--.

MM IS BETTER ANYWAY AND IF ANYONE SHOULD BE DOING ANY ADOPTING--

i need butcher... to stay THE FUCK *away* from the gen v kids because *when* he hurts them i will lose my shit--

i don't think hughie will die. given the comic, he's actually one of the few people i would say is actually guaranteed to survive (again, goes back to people forgetting *hughie* is our protagonist, NOT butcher), but he may be the one who ends up killing butcher, def not before billy does a ton of damage to showcase what an irredeemable scumbag he really is (i love him, i really do BUTT JESUS fuckin' CHRIST MAN--)

when it comes to ryan, that's a whole 'nother can o worms, but there's a part of me that honestly feels billy only protected him--not because he actually gives a shit about ryan specifically (let's not forget that moment he was about to beat ryan to death when becca died), but because he actually does care specifically about *keeping his promise to becca* and the leverage that ryan *is* over homelander.

and while i do think it's possible that through that and in his own twisted round about way, he *cares* for ryan in a similar way he cares for hughie (mostly just the connection to becca tho), i also think it's pretty likely there is a part of him that deeply resents ryan *specifically*, i think its SUPER duper fuckin' likely that as soon as billy gets the idea in his head that:

'ryan is a lost cause and can't be saved'?

*and* he's no longer of use to billy?

that poor kid's gonna fall to the 'just another supe freak/only worth somethin' dead' list for billy. :/

and i get it, it is fuckin' infuriating but he is supposed to be infuriating because we're supposed to realize just how full of shit and actually evil he really is under the bravado. he's just another extremist opposite of homelander to the point where even their desires and presentation, inner and outer, ring opposite.

boi is a wannabe frank castle with ZERO fuckin' principles.

but yeah, once you get to the point of trying to BLOW UP A FUCKIN' BABY, i--

[kazoosandfannypacks]

⭐️⭐️

Wildflowers- Director's commentary

August gives a wildflower to Belle, and upon seeing her smile at this token, starts getting a flower for her every day from the nearby flower shop, which he is unaware is run by Belle's father, Moe. Moe has never met his daughter's friend August before, but is sure that he's no good. However, he grows quite fond of the stranger who comes in to buy a flower for his girl every day, unaware that his new favorite customer is his deeply despised August.

With nine kudos and zero comments, this fic clocks in as my eigth least popular fic, which just goes to show you that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, because this fic is easily one of my top five I've ever written 💛

One unique aspect of this fic is that it never mentions magic, enchanted forest identities, or even any ouat characters besides August, Belle, and her dad. I wanted this one to be enjoyable by people outside of the ouat fandom as well, so I nixed a lot of the more confusing/spoilery elements of the canon while still holding largely true to the original (well, save for the obvious August/Belle relationship, which has zero basis in canon.)

I'd also like to take this moment to point out that every single flower mentioned in this fic or used as a chapter title has a very distinct meaning, which I had so much fun researching, I even drew little flashcards about them. The flowers and their meanings is as follows:

This fic also gave me a chance to mention MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER!!! 🥳 this was especially fun, because the scene from The Shuttle, which they reference while lowkey flirting with each other, is, in turn, a scene where the main characters of the book are using a book to lowkey flirt with each other, so it's a very fitting parallel!

Daisy: innocence, chastity, humility

Sweetpea: delicate pleasures

Crocus: cheerfulness, youthful gladness

Violet: wisdom, faithfulness, humilty

Terragon: patience, lasting interest

Sage: wisdom, thoughtfulness, longevity

Lotus: strength, resilience, rebirth,

Bluebell: humility, constancy, gratitude

Dahlia: devotion, beauty, grace, dignity

Hydrangea: gratitude for being understood

Purple Lilies: pride, success, dignity, admiration

Zinnia: daily remembrance

Yellow Tulip: happiness, hope, cheerfulness, "there is sunshine in your smile"

Red Carnation: "alas, for my poor heart!"

Rose: love, beauty

Edelweiss: daring courage, noble purity

I also enjoyed the use of situational comedy in this fic, with both Belle and the reader aware of August and Moe's growing friendship, and both of them clueless to the other's role in their favorite girl's life. It's very fun, and it makes me smile every time I read it!

I also really love this line I wrote:

Maybe it was too much, maybe it was too soon, but maybe he couldn't stand falling in love with her for another moment, not without knowing if she felt the same way.

Thanks for reading!

[jesterwaves]

Art Fight Statistics: Which characters have been drawn the most over the six years I've participated (and which haven't been drawn at all)

Started keeping track of the numbers last year, hopefully I didn't miss any from this year. The standings are:

Clover - 7 attacks

Innovation - 6 attacks

Muse, Cyan - 4 attacks

The Jester/Jack, Ray, Moth Kid, Ara, Stella, Evi - 3 attacks

Elliot, Obelus, Seven, Valyth, Lyra, Ozzy - 2 attacks

Spectra, Nox, Phoenix, Tamaki, Fern, Ula, Helios, Mira, Mimi, Grey/Rainbow, Devotion, Kai, Melancholy, Cyra, Two, Ash, Remy, Avir (hidden), Quinn (hidden) - 1 attack

The following characters have yet to recieve any art:

The Ringmaster, Valentine, The Puppetier, Square Wave, Sine Wave, Saw Wave, Tri Wave, Four, Stagefright, Brielle, Ty, Iris, Tessa, Dr. Drummond, Levi, Ice, Zero, Yu-Mi, Zovoka, Varsene, Valcyne, Faeryl, Rose, Nathaniel, Nova, Tulip, ???, Vin (hidden), Dani (hidden), Signal (hidden), Venom (hidden), Clocks (hidden), Ruihi (hidden), S1REN (hidden)

[astrxlfinale]

After the last lore bit dive form last night, I wanted to also tackle some other mentionables so to speak, things I'll tack into greater detail. That said one of the starting notes is of Finality's influence in both the IPC's creation and across the scope of Penacony's development. Primarily in how their intentional (and unintentional) followers played their big parts.

No, quite literally. The dude actually had Polka Kakamond, the Machine Emperor's assassin as a companion, meaning there was an undeniable influence of their hands in those early wars.

Dongfang is one of the founders of the IPC alongside Louis Fleming, thus, you can an interesting tidbit here in kind that can tell there was a heavy conflict brewing between them. Louis over time became very well aware of Dongfang's usage of this, which I'm sure enacted their shadow wars, given how he's come to create this series as a response/need to learn more.

In my head, this seems to be one of the key components as to how the two of them really forged the glory days, and in turn transforming the old corps they had into the massive behemoth IPC that we know today. In kind, Louis held an innate understanding that one of the secrets behind their success, could easily be tuned to his downfall as well. It brings back an interesting excerpt from one of the early quest.

One of the core reasons why the IPC was so invested in the Simulated Universe project to begin with, so much so they'd devote their funding to it.

Just a little food for thought! Seeing how they needed the SU to even unearth this, the layers of secrecy that's cycled around this is actually nuts.

Also as for a quick mention of Penacony? It'd be the Clockie series, better known as Legwork's recollections of turned into a fantasy show that reveals his own tales. You wouldn't think twice due to it being a cartoon, but judging by the reasoning that members of the Family held some of the Clockie episodes as forbidden, there's undeniable truth held within. Though! There's a particular outside that bit I wanted to tap into.

Through the usage of dreams (similar to how Finality operates, sleeping while coasting backwards through time), Mikhail made note of these prophetic dreams he and Hanu carried.

Given how close, practically ground zero they were at the Memoria zone, which is basically like a gateway to shapeless realm, I don't think it's no surprise that they've come to be tacked by such influences. Between this, the holding of a Stellaron, and the incoming showdown with both the IPC and trying to make a home out of Penacony, a lot of what's described in these said dreams are soon to be events that come to take place there.

Basically, how there's strife, grief and suffering before the world of Asdana gets turned into modern day Penacony.

Also just as a fun note--

Clockie is based off of those brand of Cuckoo clocks that they use in reference/reverence to Finality. Those abilities of how he could manipulate time in his show were a homage to that.

Damn. Really makes u think.

[shokuto]

Since the spiderverse films didn't do him justice, and he might as well not exist for Cody in the comics, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Ganke as a character overall if you have any in particular and wouldn't mind sharing?

Also, Insomniac Miles is carrying all other Miles skills wise, he's the only version currently invested in utilizing Miles' power set with zero apology and it's dope to see. I'm really curious about how they'll have him handle symbiote Peter. They might end up battling, but there are already certain fans getting kinda defensive at the idea of Miles possibly beating Peter, so they'll probably have Miles help him from the symbiote some other way. What do you think?

I think Ganke’s the first pillar of support in Miles’ story, the dreamer who clocks in on him having spider powers immediately and nudges him into being Spider-Man when he’s at his most timid because he knows what he’s capable of before anyone else. It’s a shame Lord & Miller were discouraged from using him because of the mcu’s fuck ass plagiarism, and even more of a shame that his general absence seems to be the one thing from the movie that bled into Miles’ comics.

That said, I do think there oughta be a little more to him than what’s been shown, even in Miles’ original comics. The most we know about Ganke as a person is that he likes legos, he’s interested in girls, and his dad died when he was younger. The video game did great work in introducing coding and engineering as a hobby, but we don’t even know what Ganke wants to do for his future in the comics.

And this may sound weird but I think Ganke would serve as the perfect segway to introducing Fun Stupid Teen Shit like parties, kickbacks, social politics and the like into Miles’ stories, and I say that because when he’s not helping Miles out, Ganke’s the Normal one. The one who devotes most of his time to normal, non-death defying stunts like going to school. And it makes sense for him to be more tapped into the social scene than Miles who spends most of his time getting hit in the face twelve times a night. So far no one has really utilized the idea of there being that kind of fun in Brooklyn Visions, which is crazy to me because if you’ve ever been in an institution like that you know it’s not like everyone’s just studying and preparing college dissertations in their downtime 24/7, lol.

And Miles is definitely gonna be smacking the tar off Peter. Those fans get defensive because they don’t like the idea of Miles succeeding Peter in any way, much less physically. It’s stupid, but you know how these people are. The blue electricity zapping the symbiote into oblivion at the end of the first trailer wasn’t enough of a sign because they’re devoted to being obtuse and insecure about Peter.

That said, I don’t really like how the venom strike has evolved. I always preferred it being this lowkey, vaguely eldritch move that Miles has in the holster rather than outright electrokinesis, and while the comics had already been leaning in that direction, the video game definitely contributed a lot to it. I get why they did it, and that it makes playing as him more fun even if it’s over the top for the same reason The Force Unleashed is a blast, but you know how it is.

[fiftytwotwentyfour]

Puzzle 1: Box One

Presented by Neil Patrick Harris

Created by Theory 11

Puzzle Classification: Table Top Escape Room

Price: ~ $35 (I did receive it as a gift)

*** This Tabletop Escape Room was Brought to You by Nerd Gummy Clusters, Monster Energy, and Path Water ***

Jk - Just my choosen game fuel. Sadly, I'm without sponsorship...

Review:

If any of know me (especially from my ol' book blog) I tend to collect books and forget about them without ever reading them.

Apparently games/puzzles are no different.

I received this box couple holidays ago as a gift and I just shelved it - but - to be fair I was a bit preoccupied with other engagements/challenges - but - I am happy to state I am glad I waited and devoted my full attention to Box One.

I have purchased other Theory 11 merchandise before (mainly playing cards) because of their high quality and craftsmanship. I can easily report Box One is made of the utmost quality. Items inside were crisp, durable, and hold high production value.

I've done Tabletop Escape Rooms in the past and their in game mechanics are typically flimsy paper or janky cardboard. Inside Box One you will find cards made from heavy cardstock and items made with heft. Another classy touch - the game provides you paper and a pen so you need little to no outside items*.

One of absolute favorite thing about this box is the was that I didn't have to "destroy" anything - aka - I was able to repackage the game and I can share with an unsuspecting friend/family member.

It is made for the use of solo play - which for me is great because available/willing friends are few and far between - but if you are more popular than me you could still play with a couple of buds and still have blast.

Another area were Box One superceeds other basic Tabletop Escape Rooms is that the gameplay is mostly linear - you feel like you have a clear directive even as you have a "story/mystery/issue" yet to unravel - what I mean - as you play you actually feel like you are progressing with the game where as other escape rooms I've played in the past you just open up a box and haphazardly slap mini puzzles together while racing an arbitrary clock. Box One is a gem that you can comfortably/leisurely play in one or two hour/afternoon session.

As I have already said the quality and production value are top notch, but I did find one in game mechanic slightly irritating as it put a damper completion time. I did manage to find a work around and dive right back into the enjoyment of the game.

If I had to state any other cons - I would say some of the "challenges/mini games" almost - almost - boarded on being too tiresome. If they would have mixed things up a bit more, maybe shortened them up a bit, and/or added one or two more mechanics it would have been absolutely stellar game - near impossible to top.

Don't get me wrong - it was still awesome - I found it to be on the eaiser side. How things unraveled truly is what kept it compelling and engaging.

Completion Time: 2hr36min43sec91ms

Hints/Clues Used: Zero

Items Not Included / Needed:

Phone/Computer with Internet Connection

Fridge/Freezer

Flashlight/Light Source

Personal Rating: 7.5/10

2024 Puzzle Record: 1/1

[walkswithmyfather]

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” —2 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

“God's Clock” By Bryant Right (From The Heart 1-Minute Devotions):

“Have you ever thought about how God doesn't see time as you and I do? The Bible tells us that to God, one day is as 1000 years and 1000 years are as one day. He sees the past, present, and future all at once, for He is over time. That blows my mind. We are so finite. We begin, we end. God always was, is, and will be. Isn't that amazing?

When we get to heaven, there will be no clocks, no calendars - just unlimited time. That unsettles me. Clocks and calendars give order to my life. A place with no time just boggles my mind. But we'll never be tired, and that will be great!

Even though God is over time, at the perfect time He became one of us - as a baby boy. He invaded history right on time - BC/AD - it was the zero hour - to show us Himself and save us from sin and offer us eternal life with Him - timeless life. Isn't that amazing? Won't you take "time" to consider this?”

[gregoftom]

sdfg sorry sorry ignore me fr but omg I forgot how exquisite the marvey angst is in 3x1. oh it's huge it's charged. insane. the hurt, the desire.

and AGAIN after harvey releases his hurt onto mike, mike has sex. and this time it's also by giving the exact honesty to her that he should have given to harvey. like, proxy much??? (and he Also feels the need to mention (be thinking about???) harvey while he's horny and trailing his hand between her legs?)

and omfg more read-behind-the-lines bi harvey propaganda. there's a whole backstory I am conjuring with his opponent this episode because come ON. "I'm sorry, Harvey. Not this time." "Is that what I said to you on Hazelton?" "That was a long time ago. We're not at the D.A.'s office anymore." "I didn't realize our bond had an expiration date." and "Harvey, look. If our bond can't survive me telling you no, then… It didn't mean much to begin with." like I'm sorry your BOND? and that sounds like a consent metaphor to me?? and the way there was flirtation and care and hurt there too, like. these boys fucked around at the DA's office. ANDthen, later scene between them, when he still won't budge for harvey, harvey throws out "Send Carolyn my love." when he leaves like HELLO? was she the other woman in this scenario, harvey?? annnnndd to top it off this is all while the new managing partner at the firm is gay and it's a little hush but harvey and him just know they just get it and each other. (and this is again me behind the lines ig but jessica basically implies to him that harvey might out him and he's just like...nah, because he's fucking clocked harvey I swear it, and yeah lo and behold harvey does no such thing he just shares a smile and head tilt when he tells him he knows. like. this is mlm/mlm solidarity up in here ok.)

andd omfg when harvey's telling scottie (they're not together. it's missed-their-chance trope, but they're great) about how he basically loved her at first sight. he thought she was beautiful, and then heard her smarts and realised her beauty was the second best thing about her. like -- as if that's not exactly how it went with mike fucking ross HELLO. sir you LOVE a beautiful smarty pants and you will love them at first sight goddamn you, you've got a type and a means. (AND in episode of all time 2x10, when harvey gets high with mike, he literally looks into mike's eyes and tells him that his dad believed in love at first sight. like HELLLLOOO.)

aaa and omg mike with the line at the end "I don't wanna be here if I'm not solid with Harvey." and literally giving up his newly gifted office just because maybe it might be one thing on a pile of many that might lead to harvey forgiving him. the boy's whole episode is devoted to wanting to win this man back and it's beautiful and it's tragic in the Sweetest way. and GOD the shots of just them Looking at each other. harvey wants him so bad ffs. (and like. rachel wanting mike to quit. but cue like six shots of mike gazing at harvey and doing everything he can to help harvey whether harvey accepts it or not. this boy is NOT about to quit harvey for anyyyyyything.) (and like. harvey would not be this hurt for anyyyyone ever. it's because he Loves mike. he loves him so bad.)

god god god I am Eating this up and can't wait for all I know is to come because the Love and the angst and the absolute ride or die of these two to each other is somehow only just getting started (and I can't wait for all I've Forgotten, going by how much of this one I'd forgotten and how Good that stuff was holy smokes). and with zero pressure I also hope you get to eat this good good food too at some point heheh

ouuughhhh omg i love that kind of shit like the very OBVIOUS parallels and shots and actions like this, that's some good stufffff omg. and yeah don't worry i will eat the food! when i get round to it i shall, i'm gonna watch ttoi soon and thennnn i will watch suits <3

[ramrodd]

This is the Roman 10:2 argument for full employment of full time academic researhers

This is ony a half truth. Paul was a rabbi and devoted to explication of the Hebrew scriptures and in the "wrestling with God" of the Jewish culture. And, even with Dan McClellan, my peronsl experience of the literature of the bible is enriched by their commentary.

But the Gospels. in particular, have always been the most available of all the scriptures, intentionally, and the Holy SPirit is in every word therein,

[ersonally, I have always taken the Bible for granted. Personally, I am not interested in Jesus. I'm not indifferent to Him, but He remains opaque. Only His behavior is directly available and His mind to the degree the Roman spies and His companions on the road have captured His spoken word, And His voice is very clear and distinct from those around Him, including the various narrators. From my perspective, reading the sviptures, generally, is like pulling divine dental floss through your mind: it has a cleaansing effect and you don't really need me nor Dan McClellan to interpret the music and harmonics of the narrative.

At the same time, the Bible is meant to be discoused, That is the nature of the communion of the saints, The root of "religion" is "ligament" as in the ligaments that attache the bones in your body together, "Religion" means to "re-ligament' the trime of humanity to a common pont of departure that has been carerlly and spirtually conceived to capture the mythos as it slid by along the common epistemological rope of Time acros the Tabula Rasa of the presenting cultural Space Unlike the Grecco Roman lepics, which tries to swallow every moment whole, the narrative of the Bible,

from start to finish, a singular Figure like the clay pigeon flying across the Field of a skeet range, And that Figure is like the singularity of the Big Bang: as you unpack it, an entire univeres will be created in your mind and you guide in this process is the Holy Spirit.

Not, the difference between the Post Modern Literary Deconstrucion I employ at a beginners level and the Post Modern Historical Deconstruction of most of the dominate biblican scholarship characteristic of Dan McClellan and others like the Jesus Seminar and Campus Crusade for Christ, the literary version makes the whole universe around the clay pigeon of the gestalt avalable to you while the historic version begins with the pigeon after it has bee struck by the shot and fallen to the ground and the Field through which it flew lost. Like I say, the historic method is like Jimmy Tabor scrapping through the shit of the latrines of Qumran tyring to reproduce the Hallelujah Chorus. It is far simpler and efficasous to begin with the Hallejujah Corurs and start backwards. from John 11:35, the moment when BCE becomes CE, as a practical matter, Everything in the Bible harmonizes with that moment. There waas no Greenwich Mean Time, but there was the Cross and the clock raan down to zero at that pong and began again 2024 years ago minus 70 years.

McClellan is half right and that half right part is valuable, expecially when you use the tools of literture to supply the complete model. McClellan is a Momrom apologist in the same way Shabir Alley is a Muslim apologist and Jimmy Tabor and Bart "Giggles' Ehrman are Marxist apologists. McClellan presents himself as the Dr, Spock of biblical scholarship with his "cognitive liguistcs" analysis of the data, but I'm reading the same data and I;ve been doing cognitive liguaistics a lot longer than he has, It isn't that his charactization of the sata is wrong, it is that the conclusions he arrives at have a Mormon bias And Jummy Tabor's axiom that "Harmonization is the enemy of the Truth" comes right out of Marxism, And McClellan's declaration that there is no meaning to the Bible falls into this category,

Here's my advince for getting the biggest bank for the buck out of all these commentators, including Shabir Alley and his ilk: start with the tirangulation of the King james Bible, Handel's Messiah and Milton's Paradise Lost. Start with Messiah and dabble in the other two so that your unconscious can grok them in fulness. In this regards, the KFV is the Druid harmonization of the various Greek and other translations avaible at the time and N.T. Wright is the formost Druid interpreter of Pauline Theology, He doesn't know it, but I'll vouch for him

The second element is the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke understood Christianity better than Paul did and its all summed up in the Prodigal Son, It is a recasting of the Odywwey and when you get to the part where the Father spots the Prodigal Son from afar and rushes down to embrace him, go on YouTube and watch a couple videos of the joy of Irish Setters when their soldier masters return from a deployment, That's the meaning of Elohim the One's desired relationship with you, peronally, as an individual.

And, thirdly, read the Bible backwards from John 11:35: Jesus wept. The narrative claims that He was weeping for Lazarus, but only sympathetically for Matha and, especially, Mary, Go listen to "He was dispised' form Messiah: that is Mary's response to His safe arrival,

But in terms of the literatue of the Bible, everything that ahppens from Genesis 1:1, all the drama and tragedy and tirumpy and grief and celbration that occurs before Mark 1:1 comes down to that moment. Ahd He is weeping for Himself.

Jesus is the Jihad Messiah and He hwas jsut been ordered by Yaweh, Queen of Battle, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, to put on His suicide belt and walk into the middle of of the Gentile's Court of the Temple and blow up the Whore of Babylon, as describe in Revelation, All the shit that McClellan and the other biblical sclarars insist is of the essence comes down to that momen when BCE turns to CE.

And that is the frame of mind He is in when he whitehers the fig tree on the way to cleanse the Temple.

It's the Greatest Story ever told.

[krishnayangaurakshala]

Pehli Roti to Mother Cow: Honoring Tradition and Compassion

In the rural and urban landscapes of our nation, there lies a somber reality that often goes unnoticed. Once a cow grows old and ceases to provide milk, her value in the eyes of many owners diminishes to zero. Consequently, these gentle creatures are heartlessly abandoned, left to fend for themselves in a world that shows them no mercy. Thousands of these innocent cows, who are aged, injured, or simply unwanted, find themselves wandering the streets without a home. Additionally, the tradition of Pehli Roti — offering the first bread (Roti)of the day to cows — needs reviving as a means to nurture our heritage and provide for these animals.

In Hinduism, the cow holds significant reverence and is considered a mother. Scriptures describe Dharma in the form of a cow. It is believed that 33 crore deities reside within the cow, hence serving the cow is a way to please these deities. According to Hindu tradition, the first bread prepared is offered to the cow. While feeding any hungry and thirsty creature is considered virtuous, feeding the first bread to the cow brings multiple benefits along with earning virtue.

Their plight is harrowing. Some fall into the cruel hands of butchers, while others roam from place to place, desperately searching for food, enduring harsh weather conditions. These cows, who once nourished us with their milk, now face unimaginable suffering. They are often insulted, beaten, and even pelted with stones. Many of them meet with fatal accidents, while others lie in agony due to severe injuries, waiting for medical help that may never come. The life of these abandoned cows becomes a miserable existence.

Should this be the end for the cows we revere as ‘Mother’ for their lifetime of service to us?

Fortunately, there is hope and a sanctuary for these forsaken animals. Over 21,000 destitute cows are now living happy and peaceful lives, thanks to the efforts of dedicated individuals and organizations. These sanctuaries offer not just a home, but a second chance at life for these gentle beings.

In our Gaushala, we believe that these cows, who are inherently docile and harmless, deserve a dignified life. Rescued from horrific circumstances, many of these cows arrive disabled or severely injured, clinging to life. Here, they find a safe haven where they are fed, sheltered, and meticulously cared for.

Our Gaushala operates around the clock, with hundreds of gausewaks devoted to the welfare of these cows. The dietary needs of the cows are met with a nutritious blend of fodder that includes wheat, mustard cake, green grass, bhusa (husk), and jaggery. They have access to plenty of fresh water and expansive land to roam freely, ensuring they lead a healthy and contented life.

Moreover, we have a team of expert veterinarians who provide top-quality medical care to these cows, administering necessary treatments and medicines. Every effort is made to ensure that these cows, who have given so much to humanity, receive the love and care they truly deserve.

Through these efforts, we hope to inspire a change in the way society views and treats these noble creatures. The cows in our care serve as a reminder that compassion and respect should extend to all living beings, especially those who have been a source of sustenance and comfort to us.

In our Gaushala, every cow has a story of resilience and hope. By providing them with a sanctuary, we not only honor their service but also uphold the values of kindness and humanity. These cows, who once faced a bleak future, now have a second chance at a life filled with care and respect. It is our moral duty to ensure that no cow ever has to endure such suffering and neglect again.

[moneyallthetime]

How To Start With Affiliate Marketing For Beginners 2024

Are you intrigued by the idea of earning an income while you're tucked away in bed, as the digital world bustles around the clock? If so, affiliate marketing might just be what you're looking for. Imagine promoting products or services you value and earning a commission for each sale made through your referral - that's affiliate marketing in a nutshell.You might wonder why affiliate marketing is an attractive starting point for beginners. Well, it's straightforward, costs very little to start, and you don't have to create a product of your own. All you need is a strategy and the drive to generate content that links potential customers to the products you endorse.Now, considering the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce, staying abreast of the latest trends in affiliate marketing is a MUST. As we tackle 2024, new strategies and platforms continue to emerge. Are you ready to adapt and find your place in this lucrative realm?But before diving in, it's crucial to set the foundation: choosing your niche. This is more than just deciding what products to sell; it's about finding the crossroad between your passions and what's profitable. So, the question isn't whether you CAN do it, but how WELL you can carve out your unique space in the affiliate marketing world. Are you ready to discover your niche and turn your interests into income?Choosing Your Niche: The Bedrock of Your Affiliate SuccessHave you ever stopped to think about what makes a successful affiliate marketer stand out? It's choosing the RIGHT niche. I bet you've heard that term a lot, but what does it really mean for you? A niche is a specific market segment that caters to a particular audience or interest. It's where you'll focus your marketing efforts, and it's critical for your success.Why is picking the perfect niche so essential? Imagine throwing darts randomly at a board versus aiming at a clear target. Zeroing in on a niche increases your chances of hitting the bullseye with your content and affiliate offers. It's not just about finding any niche; it's about finding YOUR niche, one that is both profitable and interesting to you.Thinking about going broad or drilling down to something more specific? Broad niches might have a wider appeal, but they're also incredibly competitive. Narrower niches tend to have a devoted audience, which can lead to higher engagement and conversion rates. The trick is to find the balance that suits you. Are you drawn to a particular subject or industry? Start there.The real groundwork lies in researching potential niches. Where do you start? Explore online forums, social media groups, and current market trends. Look for areas that are getting attention but aren't oversaturated with competitors. Remember, profitability matters. Verify if the niches you're considering have affiliate programs with good commissions.Lastly, let's talk about passion versus profit. Ideally, you find a niche where both intersect. But if you must choose, remember that a profitable niche can sustain a business, but passion fuels the long-term commitment required to see real success. So, I have to ask, what's your passion, and how can it lead you to profitability?Building Your Platform: Where Will You Share Your Affiliate Links?Do you have an online space you call your own? If you're shaking your head, don't worry. I'm here to guide you through creating one. Your platform is the stage for your affiliate marketing performance. Without it, there's nowhere for your content and links to live.First, let's look at the different platforms. You can choose between websites, blogs, social media channels, or even email newsletters. Each has its strengths. Your website or blog should be home base, a place where you control the narrative and design. With social media, think of it as the inviting front porch where you meet visitors and entice them to come inside.Creating content might seem daunting, but it's all about sharing your insights in a way that feels natural to you. Are you more of a writer, a talker, or maybe a video creator? Use your strengths to shape content that makes your audience feel welcomed and informed.SEO might sound technical, but it's simply about helping the right people find your content. Do you know the basics of keyword research and on-page optimization? These are your tools for visibility. Just remember, it's quality over quantity. You want to provide value, not just fill a page with words.Now, think about this: as you're creating content and learning SEO, you're naturally segueing into what's next. You'll want to align yourself with the right affiliate programs, ones that gel with your content and are valuable to your audience. But more on that in a bit. First, I'm curious – what kind of content are you excited to create? Let me know below!Finding the Right Affiliate Programs: Aligning with Products You Believe InEver stumbled upon a product that you just couldn't wait to tell your friends about? That's the feeling you're aiming for when choosing affiliate products to promote. After all, authenticity in marketing doesn't just benefit the consumer; it aligns with your values and builds credibility in your personal brand. Here are some steps to pair up with affiliate programs that resonate with you.Start with a bit of detective work. Research is key. Look for companies that have an affiliate program matching your niche. Focus on products or services that you've had a positive experience with or that have excellent reputations. Maybe it's something you already use or an innovative solution that fascinates you.Once you have a list of potential partners, it's time to scrutinize their affiliate programs. Visit their websites, and review the terms and conditions. Are their commission rates fair? What about cookie durations? Does their support team seem responsive and helpful? These details matter because they affect how much you could earn and the help you'll get along the way.Don't hesitate to reach out directly to brands. A simple email can sometimes reveal more about a company's ethos and their regard for affiliates than pages of policy documents. Ask about average conversion rates and any promotional materials they provide. It's your time and effort on the line, so you want to ensure a good fit. Have you ever initiated a conversation like this? It can be eye-opening.Consider trying to negotiate for better terms once you have some traction. Most beginners don't realize that commission rates can sometimes be flexible, especially if you've proven your ability to convert traffic into sales. Even a small increase in percentage can make a significant difference in your income over time.Remember, choosing the right affiliate program is more than just about the income potential. It's about building a long-lasting partnership and maintaining the trust of your audience. Have you kept them in mind as you considered your options? Because next, we'll move into deepening that relationship even further.Engaging Your Audience and Building Trust: The Key to Long-Term SuccessYou now understand the ins and outs of affiliate marketing and the steps you need to take. But remember, the real game changer is your audience. Do they trust what you tell them? Building that trust is what converts occasional visitors into loyal followers.To keep your audience engaged, it's crucial to create content that not only informs but also entertains and educates. Have you ever shared a post and then eagerly checked to see who commented? That's the kind of engagement you're aiming for.Use storytelling to make your recommendations relatable. Have you ever read something and thought, 'This speaks to me'? This is the effect you want to have. It's not just about the products; it's about the experience you share.Remember, transparency and honesty are the cornerstones of trust. If a product isn't up to scratch, your credibility is better served by saying so. Ever felt cheated by a false recommendation? It's not a feeling you want your audience to associate with you.I'm curious, what's holding you back from starting your affiliate marketing journey, or if you've already started, what challenges do you face? Share your thoughts and questions below. Let's learn from each other and grow together.Click Here to Join Me and a like minded community to learn affiliate marketing and make money from blogging Read the full article