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reddogf13 · 1 year ago

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Outlast 2: Deliverance CH 1

Summery: Memories flash across Blake's mind of that torturous night. Before he realizes it he wakes to a different end. Everyone's alive in Temple Gate, but not for long. Just after the miracle of having Lynn back, she is brutally killed. Blake, unable to take anymore, is filled with an uncontrollable fury for the one who caused all of this, Knoth. On the remaining hour of this horrifying night he succeeds in killing the cult's precious prophet. But what then of Temple Gate? And what will happen after Blake decides to take over? Fixing the wrongs done and bringing the godforsaken town to deliverance.

on A03 as well

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - Dead Dove Do Not Eat This takes place in the Outlast 2 universe after all, Blood and Gore, Child abuse, Sexual abuse of children & adults, Child killings, religious trauma, Torture and abuse both physical and mental.

Previous chap: None

Next chap: CH 2: Purgatory

Then I looked and behold a pale horse. Sitting upon it was the rider named-

~Ch:1 Death~

Memories shot through Blake's mind quick as lightning. Their helicopter crashing, Marta chasing him, Knoth’s voice over the radio, light of the full moon, Val taking Lynn away. White flashes brought him to the school. A pounding pain in his head paired by a sharp ringing cracked the vision. Another wave of flashes shot by of Val lit up by her torch, Marta dying by a pole, Lynn's last dying breath, the child bundled in his arms. Blake felt an unfamiliar rage stir inside of him. It's not fair. Bodies filled the streets after a mass suicide. It's not fair. Knoth's death, far too quick for what he’d done. It's not fair. The sun engulfed by an eternal flame and ... Jess? Sitting with her to pray before their final moments. Refusing to let each other go. No, this can't be it. A nagging feeling told him something was wrong. He looked up from his prayers to meet Jess eye to eye, pulling his hands away from hers, to whisper. “I shouldn't be here.” Heart pounding that she'd hate him for the rejection, or worse she'd cry and beg asking why.

She gave a soft, reassuring, smile. Head dipping in agreement. “You're not.” On those last words, he no longer was, thrown into a suffocating black beneath him.

“Blake.” A voice pulled him from the depths. “Blake! ... Blake!”

His eyes were open, but it took a moment to focus away the darkness. Lifting his head he was confused about what had happened. He was laying face down in the dirt when he lifted himself up. Something warm dripped off his face to stain the dirt beneath him. Rumbles of the earth threatened to knock him back down if it weren't for who was helping him up.

“Blake, thank God! I thought you were dead!”

“What?” Struggling on his feet he concentrated on who was at his side. “… Lynn?” His heart suffocated under the flood of emotion. “You're not- what happened?” Tears stung his eyes as he pulled her into a hug. “I-I thought- I saw-” He didn't believe she was really there until he felt her pounding heart still full of life.

She returned his hug, sniffling from crying herself. “A fucking rock fell on you're head! I thought you were dead.”

His hand felt around a throbbing pain atop his skull. Brought down to see his fresh blood coating it. There was no time to worry when Lynn cried out in pain. A rumble from the surrounding heretic mines threatened to bring it all down. What flashing nightmares he had a moment ago were soon forgotten for the present. Remembering his goal to get out of the mines.

Blake hurried from the maw of that open cave after saving Lynn. Between the falling rocks, Knoth's men and the heretics killing each other he didn't think they'd make it out. Looking toward the lowering moon with the morning having yet to come. Thunder and lightning flashed across the sky as a storm thrashed the branches of towering trees. Was this it? The end? Couldn't something stop all of this? Blake had to shove these thoughts away. After all he'd been through he had to make sure Lynn, and his soon to be child, were safe.

His heart leapt into his throat at every agonizing contraction Lynn suffered. “Something's wrong. It hurts.” She warned through the pain.

Wishing he could help in some way his comforting words felt like a band aid that wouldn't stick. One stumble ended their journey from reaching any sanctuary. Stuck in the middle of a dark forest up on the mountain.

Lynn couldn't move, he knew it and was fully ready to help her through the process out in the open. “Hey, it's okay. I'm here, I'm not leaving.” holding her hand that painfully gripped his. Surrounded by darkness that not even the moon could cut through. Towering pines made sure of that. Then came the last thing he ever wanted to see. His wishes for the warmth of a fire no longer wanted. Shifting torches lighting them up belonging to a group of Knoth's men come to finish the job.

“There they are! Grab her!” One shouted.

Blake didn't have the chance to react when they were yanked apart again. “No! Let her go!” He cried. “It's just a baby! There is no Antichrist! He lied!” He shouted between thrashes to escape their grips. A few punches to his face left him barely conscious in the mud. Blurred vision slow to focus on what was in front of him. Then he saw it, the first blow of a knife. He saw Lynn letting out a scream, but he heard nothing. Then another blow followed by chops until they could rip her apart. All the while he saw their smiling faces laughing. Waving pieces of her in the air like a sports souvenir just caught in the stands. What he saw all blurred together after that. Sensations around him, including the pain he felt, were gone. His body stayed behind, but his soul went off elsewhere. Watching more of his wife ripped apart to decorate the rocks. Organs strung across tree branches. When they finally figured her dead enough, half left while the remaining moved toward Blake next.

Soul slamming back into his body for an emergency panic. Thrashing around as a desperate wild animal about to be killed. All the slashes he got from accidentally slamming into their knives went ignored. Crashing back into the ground he knocked down the ones holding him. Ripping free of their grip to blindly flee into the dark forest. He ran and ran, until he was alone. Sure he had blacked out at one point in his panic. When his mind caught up with the rest of him it couldn't cope. It demanded he head back, Lynn was alive, he didn't fail. What he saw though couldn't be denied. Their disgusting hands reached into her sliced stomach to rip out her organs. Or the thwack of a machete to take her arm. Their laughing faces cheering each other over her brutal death.

No! He shouted in his mind then repeated aloud. “No!” He dropped to his knees as tears poured uncontrollably from his eyes. “No!” He repeated with a slam of his fist into the dirt. “S-she's gotta be- not like Jessica No, no! I have to go back, they grabbed her- she's not- she's not-” sobbing further toward the ground. Everything in him left to leave behind a hollow shell in its place. Slamming his fists repeatedly into the ground. When his eyes dried something else replaced the agony. “Why?” He cried to the sky. “Why?!” He said through grit teeth. “Why?!” Roaring up at the heavens. “They didn't deserve-'' Attention locked onto lights of a town off in the distance, Temple Gate. It was him! He caused everything! His entire journey since the crash flashed before his eyes. When he first saw that vile priest Knoth. his orders to have them both killed. Lynn taken away by Val. Chased through town by Marta. Chased through another part by Laird and Nick. Through the cave of heretics only to fail because of him and the men he sent. Unlike Lynn that bastard was still alive and happy. He imagined the evil priest's voice laughing with glee upon hearing the news. He didn't deserve the peace of mind that he won. After everything, Blake couldn't allow that.

Something shot into his hollow heart. His shivering sobbing body stopped it all to turn still. He had a new goal and this time he wouldn't fail. He stood up to walk between the trees directly toward Temple Gate while his pounding heart pulsed in his head. The surrounding night turned everything red to him. hours of travel melted away to be more of a brief passing. The priest's voice announcing over the radios fueled the fire raging inside. His blood felt it would boil his own skin off.

“Gather at the grand hall. For we celebrate tonight after having defeated the arch fiend my children! Val tried and failed with his heretics to help birth evil, but they too have fallen with their master! The lord prevails! We prevail! Celebrate with drink and food! Thank the lord for guidin' us true! The apocalypse will not be coming upon this day and we are finally free of our sufferin'.”

When the radios went quiet it did not calm the man approaching the large building sitting atop a hill. Striding up behind the wall of a crowd watching that demon of a priest praise his flock. Marta standing tall, as always, beside him on the stoop of a grand building. A bonfire set in the middle of them all with Knoth standing closest. His words distorted in Blake's mind, focusing back only when he saw Lynn's head in his hands. Blake's steps halted at the sight of her head raised high.

“And here is the proof my children! Good riddance to the whore of Satan!” Knoth's words rang clear before he tossed her head into the fire. His gathered crowd cheered wildly as any rabid fan would.

All but one whose stare would kill if it could. His body moving on its own through the cheering crowd, who stopped upon seeing the Devil himself parting them. Blake's furious voice echoed back to him. “Knoth!”

“Oh, still here after your failure outsider?” Knoth chuckled. “Do you see now, O Devil, that only the lord reigns here! As we stay on this earth, we will continue to be his most faith-”

“Shut up!” Blake commanded. He was so tired of hearing everyone insult him. Calling Lynn nothing but Satan's whore. Calling him an outsider, demon and whatever else. Out of spite he gave himself an opposite title. “I'm an angel sent down from the lord himself, for you.” Despite the roaring fury in his voice it only made Knoth laugh.

“What a fool! Accept your defeat and go back to the pits of hell.” He spat back. “Come my children, let us gather inside for celebration.” His voice joyfully announced to the crowd. Turning shortly to Marta at his side. “Tie up this loose end my dear.” Gesturing her to go as the crowd entered.

Now it was only her and Blake standing before the glowing flames of the fire. Blustering winds having died down, but not the storm shooting lightning across the sky. Each flash having Blake twitch in expecting the flash of white to stay. Blake stared up at the towering women dressed in all ragged black robes. Someone he was once so terrified of could no longer freeze his burning heart. “Marta,” Voice as soft spoken as death, he commanded. “Get out of my way.”

She threatened with a raise of that mighty black pickaxe of hers. “You'll die the same way that Devil's whore did.” Slamming it down to barely miss Blake who leapt away.

Unlike the other times, he wasn't going to run. He had to get inside that building, right now. Dodging another blow from Marta slamming her pick. Rocketing loose chunks of dirt up into the air. Blake knew he couldn't fulfill his goal with Marta chasing him. He had to get rid of her somehow. In this moment it seemed only one could help him with that.

“God wants your blood!” Another swipe of the pick almost slammed into Blake's head.

Close enough he heard the weapon cut the air. What use is it? Where's God been this entire time? They didn't help Lynn or Jess. Dodging more and more weighed down his broken body.

“Take your penance!”

“Why'd they have to die Marta?!”

“They all must die for their sins. Heretics against God and his prophet will fall.”

“They didn't have to! Don't you see that somethings wrong?! Knoth's brought suffering on every living thing around him.”

“He is the lord's most precious prophet. Who leads us from evil.”

“What's more evil than what he's done? What God asks for children to be slain?”

“Be silent, wretch. They had to fall as soldiers to prevent the archfiends arrival. All faithful will obey the Lord's command.”

“Did they? God couldn't have done something? God couldn't have stopped it and saved those kids? Is Knoth saying that the Devil is stronger than the Lord? Is God not that powerful?” His words had her hesitate, glare softening for a mere moment.

Hardening right back followed by a reaffirming verse. “Lord, restore strength to my body so that I may serve you now and forever. Knoth follows the lord's command as do I. Take your penance!” She furiously struck again.

Blake couldn't keep it up anymore. His lungs tightening on the lack of air. Left standing steadfast when Marta approached closer for one rising hit. Out of desperation he asked for a single favor. God, let me last long enough to kill Knoth. I don't care if I die, just give me enough strength to do it. He waited, watching the risen weapon for its strike. He felt he was not to move, but would know when he should.

A verse spoken in hate by her risen blade. “In the shadow of your wings. Protect us and bare us up.” Swinging down. Within the time it cut the air he took a single step forward. Blade having barely missed his body with its handle slamming painfully atop his shoulder. Knocked down to one knee. Both were stunned still at what he'd done. Without giving her a chance to recover he gripped the handle tightly. Using his whole body he shoved back toward the blade. Marta's fierce weapon slipped free from her grasp in an instant.

Heaving that hefty metal pick he rose to his feet in a strong swing. Delivering a harsh blow to Marta's legs. Falling the tall women with a hear-able snap. He caught his breath after the shock of it all wore off. It felt like it was in slow motion, but it all happened within seconds. Marta herself was still getting over what happened that she tried to mistakenly rise. Shouting out in pain when one of her legs collapsed under her. He could have finished her, but she wasn't the one he wanted. A mere obstacle and now that she wasn't getting up he stepped forward toward his true goal. Marta's cursing voice toward him drowned out by the thunder above. He stepped into the dark building he saw everyone else go into. Knoth's preaching voice muffled long down the black hall. Most of Blake's guiding light provided by Marta's still burning incense locked into the picks top.

When he reached the end of the hall he saw Knoth standing on a stage the door led onto. His precious flock seated at the many tables further away. Uncaring about their presence, Blake stepped through with a dip down of the tall weapon. Its glowing top noting everyone inside of his arrival, or perhaps mistaken for someone else's.

“Ah, my dear Marta, another sinner has fallen to your righteous wrath, I assume?” Knoth warmly greeted. A flash of lightning revealed who it truly was before him. Knoth's smiling expression fell from his face. “... Where's Marta?”

“She fell, Knoth.” Blake informed as he stepped closer. “And she's not getting back up.” What spark of fear he saw in Knoth's eyes livened Blake's own spirit.

Knoth looked to all those seated, commanding the room to. “Get up and grab him!”

Blake glanced at the angry mob running at him. Looking back at hearing a door shut in front, he saw Knoth gone from his sight, but it wouldn't stay that way. Blake fled for the end of the stage using his new weapon to smash the door down with a single blow. Hesitating at the sight of a hall with many doors. A flash of lightning lit up the hall showed light muddy tracks. Angry that the coward ran he bolted down the hall in tracking the trail. Ignoring the angry mob following along with his burning lungs. Refusing to drop the solid weapon slowing him now. He'd need it to finish Knoth at the end of the line.

Eventually he saw that fat priest wheezing, just like he was, as he fled for his life. Losing sight momentarily when a door was slammed in his face. He bashed it down like the other to shove himself through. Stopped by a line of crazy followers while he saw Knoth escaping outside through a pair of double doors. Blake gripped his weapon in readying to fight past. Another flash of lightning letting him see a better way. A window, he rushed to smash through with little care about how badly it sliced him. Fighting through an entanglement of ragged curtains upon landing. Shredding chunks off as he looked for Knoth. Locking onto his fat figure fleeing between townhouses. Taking a deep breath Blake rose back into his chase. Rushed when he heard Knoth calling for more followers to save him. He didn't want to deal with more insane cultists.

To Knoth's great horror, anybody who stepped out immediately fled back in. “Marta!” “It's Marta!” “She's coming!” At the sight of Marta's red glowing pick approaching. They weren't willing to chance her wrath while Knoth was calling for help no matter the reason.

“Come out you idiots! It's not her! It's a trick of the Devil! Don't you hear me?!” He shouted, but couldn't stay a moment longer as Blake came too close. Chased all the way to a large church building with its own bell tower. The great prophet blocked the double doors in vain when he saw the massive blade bash right though. Weakening with every hit, Knoth panicked and grabbed a nearby burning lamp. Smashing it to start a fire in front of the door. Assuming that would hold Blake back, but even that couldn't. Blake smashed his way through the burning doors. Stopping to rip more of the, now burning, curtains free from his body. Glaring at Knoth the entire time he fled toward and up the bell tower staircase.

Annoyed he'd have to follow him up, but Blake knew the chase would soon end. Free of the fire he chased up the winding metal staircase. Fighting on passing out after everything. Lugging the huge weapon up the steps coming to a halt all because of a single door. He wheezed as he raised the weapon to bash it down. When the pick slammed into it, it weakly chipped a piece away. Blake lacked the strength to swing as strongly as he did the other times. Trying again, but with his foot to bash the door. Struggling now to stay up on his feet. Head spinning from lack of air he leaned against the door.

Knoth on the other side atop the roof laughed as he caught his breath. Watching the door be hit repeatedly without a hint of damage. Looking out to a gathered crowd below he scolded them all. “Look what you've done. We ended the birth of the Antichrist, but now the Devil himself skulks our town! Hunting one of God's prophets with the fury of hell, but see that I have bested him. As the lord does, I forgive you all as you are only human.” His voice went quiet as he saw Marta arrive at the edge of the crowd. Limping on a broken ankle to the front. “Marta! How could you have let this happen?!” Turning his wrath upon her. “You let that rotten sinner take your holy blade. Stupid women! But what did I expect? I'll give you a chance to make this right. For all of you to make this right. Firstly, get me down from this cursed building!”

Blake could hear Knoth's commands from inside. So close yet so far. Tears threatening to fall from his face. I failed. He wheezed and sobbed then glared at the door. Slamming his fist against it repeatedly until his knuckles were split. No! His thoughts roared at him to reach Knoth and he had to hurry. The longer he stood around the closer Knoth came to being saved or for Blake himself to be killed by an angry mob. Flying down the stairs he was stopped by the fire raging at its bottom. Forced to go back up and onto the ceiling rafters he looked down at the massive growing fire engulfing the whole floor below. Head whipping around he found a rope to quickly tie around the pick's top. With the fire encroaching so high he lowered the pick enough to catch fire. Using the blazing end he examined the boards making up the roof.

Knoth was looking over the roof edge watching his people form rickety scaffolding to get him down. “When I'm down I ask you again to go and kill the outsider. Don't fail me this time.” Startled by the sound of loud smashing. Boards below splintered to bits with the upper metal screeching from being shoved clear. The orange light of the fire below beamed out the opening Blake hastily made. Rising between flying embers to face the terrified priest. Knoth lost his voice at the menacing presence approaching him. Fabric draped over Blake still lightly burning at its edges. Ashes coated his skin to turn it pale white. The metal blade twisted in his hunt, shoved free from its nailed ties to stretch mainly off one side. Dented down into a long curve.

“No more running. What are you going to do now, Knoth?” Blake shouted as he walked along the slippery metal roof. The both of them lit up by flashes of lightning above the clouds. Booming thunder rattled their bones to the core.

The other nervously looked around. His only help stuck down below searching for materials to build the scaffolding higher. Marta herself watched anxiously among the crowd, powerless. He faced Blake to start one of his lecturing gospels. “My son, you can be saved from the influence of evil. Don't listen to the dark voice of-”

“Shut up!” Blake ordered. “How fucking dare you! You're one to talk about what's evil. Look at what you've done to all these people. You raped their daughters and their wives and killed your own kids for something not even real! You infected all of them with diseases that you have! Protected by God, ha! “Study aids'', ha! That's antibiotics that you use to stay healthy. Does anyone else in your flock know you could've helped the scald any time?” Blake began to rant.

“They're diseased of the soul! I do not control-”

“Shut up!” A boom of thunder almost scared Knoth off the roof's edge. “Don't you dare talk over me! You've been choking down those meds for years knowing you're riddled with disease! You took everything from your poor followers! And what do they get? Abuse, dying in ditches, or dying of disease forgotten in the pits of this hell town. Should we name the rest of your sins? Murder, torture, lies, bearing false witness, speaking supposedly for God. What God wanted this?” Gesturing out to the rotting town around them. “Some holy man, doesn't bother caring for his people. You say you can talk to God? Then go on! Pray to him and ask him to stop me. Because he's the only one who can stop me from killing you now!”

Challenged in front of all his people, Knoth doubled down. “I will! The lord knows that I am faithful! He will answer all of his true children. O God,-” he raised his hands. “I beg you to answer my prayer delivered from the deepest depths of my soul. To vanquish this evil from your holy land that you gifted us. Strike down this devil. Deliver your righteous holy vengeance upon him. I know you will smite the wicked from-”

There was a crackling before a flash of white blinded Blake. All he could hear was a long high pitch. Fear gripped his heart that he would see himself back at the school. No! Not now! He thought, staring into the blinding light until the sensations of the world returned to him. He first felt rain beating down onto his back. Hearing the tapping of it across the roof his eyes could see again past the large purple spots blocking his vision. He was crumpled down with the pick held close across his back. A boom of thunder shook him to rise. Gazing toward the front where Knoth once stood, he saw his smoldering form laying down. Glancing back at the crowd they were slack jawed at what they had witnessed. Not a whisper spoken between them. Moving forward, Blake went to peer down at what lay before him.

Knoth wheezing and sputtering after a giant hole was shocked into his chest. His flesh burnt down to expose the ribs. Metal crosses fused to his body and their chains leaving branded marks. Smoke flowed off his burnt body almost causing the other to gag. Blake stood in waiting for the evil priest to die a slow death. He certainly wasn't getting a quick merciful death from him.

“You- ” Knoth hacked and wheezed through his limited breaths. twitching in agony in his struggle. “Why, … God?” Were his last words before he let out a wheezed death rattle.

What little life there was in his eyes shortly left and Blake knew his task was complete. Not wanting to look at Knoth any longer he flipped the pick over to wedge underneath his still steaming corpse. Gathering the energy for one last shove to send the large body crashing down though the weak scaffolding. Body impaled on some of the sturdier sections. Soon after landing, his flock swarmed the body to check if he was still alive. Marta shoved to the front to check for herself. Grabbing some standing near to yell commands of “Find medical supplies!”

Blake himself stayed on the roof, exhausted yet his spirit felt ten times lighter. Managing to do something good. He sat down, iron weapon used to keep himself propped up. Rain downpouring heavier than before to make a wall of white not far before him. Fire once threatening to devour him along with the whole building was doused to waft off a cloud of smoke. That blown away by winds roaring up into a hurricane across Temple Gate. Those down below trying to tend to Knoth, as if he was alive, scared away by chunks ripped off of buildings. Trees cracking off branches or the very trunk themselves snapping in two to smash what was below.

The concern Blake would have had was nonexistent. Enjoying the view he had of Temple Gate scattering to hide within their ramshackle buildings. Marta stayed as the only one remaining to help her fallen leader in vain. Between all the chaos Blake felt a warmth at his side. When he looked he saw the rising sun just peeking between the storm clouds. A blinding gold disk surrounded by a halo of red among the dark storm clouds. An ever growing blinding light expanded from its center to engulf everything before it. Comforted, he closed his eyes and fell asleep upon the burnt church. Not questioning nor asking if he would wake again.

________

And hell followed with him. ---------------------- author note:

howdy, been working on this a long time its almost become therapeutic in a building up instead of tearing down kind of way. and a way to practice formatting for original novels I'm working on. it's not complete, but many chapters are set for release. every 3 days a chapter will release until i run out. you can safely assume everything in the original game happened with only the very end of after escaping the mines being swept away. i don't care for the comics, so they've been ignored through this. if there's any important details I'll just add them into the story instead of in some strange off shoot (like redbarrels did, ugh.). when the story is complete I'll release a PDF version and maybe even a print i will make no profit off of. any price tag will just cover the printing process. i hope you enjoy reading this, i worry its long length will have it go ignored, please comment. =]

#Outlast 2 #Blake Langermann #Marta Outlast #Val Outlast #Temple Gate #Outlast 2: Deliverance #Outlast 2 fanfic

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makeste · 3 years ago

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i don't get it tbh. the apology shouldn't have been here. it was in the middle of everything and it had basically no impact on deku whatsoever? this was sooooo no what i was expecting and tbh i'm kinda mad about it ngl lol also ngl times twice but if whatever ochaco says does reach him instead of the kacchan apology that's been built up as the emotional climax for the entire series i'm just flat out gonna drop this manga lmao. but this was barely an emotional climax at all, i really don't get it

2/2 like we get just a few pages? shoved in there like "okay everyone talked now kacchan disappears from the chapter, that's over and done with, moving on" the apology itself was great, but the placement and brevity undermined its emotional resonance. deku remains the exact same after hearing it, doesn't think about katsuki at all. just about his earlier "can't keep up" words? then we go on to ochaco whose "saving heroes even though that's what everyone has been doing" i guess is more important?

3/3 (last one promise) like i'm sorry but there was time for several chaps of endeavor ugly crying, for mineta's anal beads and pervy romantic trope non-confession, for overhaul to pop up being his usual piece of shit self for no plot-relevant reason, for adult top heroes to stand around for chapters like "huh everything we're doing is awful. let's keep on trusting this smelly kid" and. a few panels for kacchan apology. no reaction. shoved among "idk u well mido but stay!" + ochaco making faces

4/4 (i lied) and all this after katsuki's distress and emotions were once more made into jokes at the hospital, emotional consequences of the war ignored, w all might probably dying and the last thing he did to this kid was ditch him leaving us to guess he maybe gives a shit abt him and maybe he bothered to visit in the hospital cuz they sure didn't show shit. i honestly feel like all katsuki stuff was shoved into the background: krbk friendship for mina, dkbk for ofa, name reveal for jokes...

okay, so I have talked in the past about fandom reacting like Miette whenever this stuff happens, and tbh this is basically what I mean by that anon. there is no reason whatsoever to assume that this is the one and only reaction we'll ever get from Deku regarding the apology and that it will never come up again. this is 100% going to be revisited. and tbh I think it's a smart move on Horikoshi's part, because if he gave us everything in this one chapter then what further development would there be to look forward to? he's gotta hold something back so that we have that one last milestone to anticipate in the rebuilding of their relationship. I've often said that for me me, Deku and Kacchan's story is the most important part of BnHA. and so it makes sense to me for Horikoshi to not completely resolve it until close to the end of the series, if not the very end.

I think this is a pretty good compromise honestly, because I wasn't even sure if we were going to get the apology itself before the finale. but this way we can head into the final battle with Kacchan having put all of his character development out there and not holding anything back, and it's nice to have that, and to have that reinforcement of just how far he's come, and how serious he is about his atonement. and so his feelings are finally all on the table now, and now it's all Deku.

and he deserves to have some time to work out how he feels about this and not be put on the spot to deliver a reaction, honestly. but to say it had "no impact whatsoever" is a huge overreaction imo. first of all, we saw the shock on his face -- he was absolutely floored. this was something he clearly never expected from Kacchan (which is why it was so important for Kacchan to actually say the words, in addition to taking action as he's already done -- because Deku needed to hear them, because he genuinely had no idea that Kacchan actually cared. and he deserves to know that, because Kacchan is one of the most important people in the world to him). not to mention that Deku kind of has a million other things on his mind right now. like we just had a whole entire arc about that lol. the apology isn't supposed to be for Kacchan's benefit; it's supposed to be for Deku's. so let him have the time to absorb it before he settles on what to say. Kacchan had all the time in the world to figure out his part of it, after all.

to me this is like a promise that there will be at least one last great, emotional, and deeply personal moment between the two of them. because when Deku finally does forgives him -- not that he hasn't already, imo, but once they finally have that conversation -- that shit is going to be so fucking cathartic, and tbh I'm glad Horikoshi didn't try to cram that into this chapter along with everything else that's currently going on. besides, I'd rather see that part of their reconciliation happen once Deku is more back to his normal self again; I feel like it would be more meaningful that way. right now he's too exhausted to be able to come up with any words. but he already has shown the best possible reaction I could have ever hoped for -- complete and utter relief and trust. Kacchan is the person he trusted enough that he could finally let go of his fears and anxieties -- if only for a moment -- and give into his exhaustion at long last, and that moment where he collapses and Kacchan runs to catch him has instantly become one of my favorites in the whole series.

so yeah, my apologies anon, but absolutely nothing is gonna spoil that for me, and I can't join you here in being even remotely disappointed with this chapter. well aside from the lack of hug lol (but I can be patient for that as well).

#bnha 322 #bakugou katsuki #midoriya izuku #bakudeku #bnha #boku no hero academia #bnha spoilers #mha spoilers #bnha manga spoilers #makeste reads bnha #asks #anon asks

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belit0 · 4 years ago

Text

Sibling Issues

Chap 2

Rating: E

Pairing: [Uchiha Madara / Uchiha Izuna / Fem Reader]

TW: nope

[DON'T HATE ME OMG THIS HAS BEEN ON MY MIND AND I HAD TO WRITE IT laufuekwslak]

Madara has always been perverse with his punishments, profoundly enjoying the sight of you suffering in front of his eyes, witnessing your despair to an almost maddening extent. It is not as if you had something to complain about, being tied up and over-stimulated to the limit of frustration by a man like him seemed like a dream, and every time you felt his expert fingers wandering through the scars he created in your skin, you wondered if your relationship with the Uchiha was not purely a charming fantasy.

That's how you felt at that moment, imprisoned in bed, naked and bound by hands and legs. With your limbs forced to stay apart by ropes, it is your man who watches you from his intimidating height, standing in front of you, rejoicing in your humiliation.

Gagged with your panties, you cannot speak or beg for mercy, for knowing him, you know that something heavy is coming, even considering the torture he has been inflicting on you for the past thirty minutes. How did you end up in this situation? You refused to accompany him to his meeting with Hashirama this morning, as the previous night was filled with passion and rudeness on his part, and you really needed to sleep. Of course he did not take your disobedience well, and no opportunity escapes Madara to punish you when you are a bad girl.

Crossed arms in front of the bed, wearing a black turtleneck shirt, with his hair pulled up in a ponytail and ready to leave again, he observes you with malice. In one of his hands, a black vibrator is off, glowing with your fresh fluids because it has been recently removed from you. He's only wearing gloves on one of his hands, and it's the one he's not holding the object he's using to tease you.

"Now, [Y/N], I'd love to stay and play with that sweet, tight pussy of yours, but I've been summoned by the elders of the Clan to a private meeting. You have 10 seconds to cum, otherwise you will remain tied up until my return."

Flushed and on the verge of tears, you did your best in begging him to take you, as the constant stimulus he had been applying to you for the past half hour was too much, and you could no longer bear it. In fact, you weren't even sure you could concentrate enough to cum with the speed he was demanding.

The incoherence of your words, which were suffocated by the fabric of your underwear, and the drool that fell from your mouth because of the inability to close it completely, only made Madara laugh in front of you, sending even more heat to your lower body and a feeling of deep humiliation to the whole situation.

This man delights in throwing you low.

"Keep quiet, are we clear?"

Approaching your dripping cunt again, he turned on the vibrator, while slowly positioning himself between your legs. He travelled all over your skin with the moving object, rubbing all areas of your body and purposely avoiding your clitoris. Staring into your eyes, the devilish grin on his face was unable to wipe off his features, enjoying your helplessness and cravings, the need to feel pleasure and liberation once and for all.

When a tear escaped from one of your eyes, he decided he could give you what you finally deserved, and without warning, he directed the vibrator that was slowly massaging your nipples towards your pussy, pressing it directly on your sensitive pearl, watching you with expectant eyes.

Your back curved upwards, while you pressed your hips towards him, seeking even more support and contact with the object that would give you your long-awaited orgasm. Your eyes inevitably closed, and your mouth opened in an incredible way, making your underwear go even deeper into it.

“1… 2… 3…”

In the face of Madara's hasty account, you remembered with effort his warning, and made your greatest effort to direct your mind to the greatest point of pleasure, even without being able to move your legs or arms.

"4... 5... 6... such an obedient little whore..."

At the compliment of your man, the motivation you really needed appeared, and you could feel the much-awaited moment finally arrive.

“7… 8… 9…”

And before he could reach the end of the count, one of your best orgasms hit your senses, causing your whole body to shake and your limbs to seek compression against your figure, protecting your sensitive clitoris from the abusive prolonged sensation of the vibrator.

When he saw that you met his demand, he walked away from you and removed the object, took the panties from your mouth and gave you water to drink.

"Well done [Y/N], I expected nothing less from you... but I regret to inform you this is not enough."

"W-Wha-at?"

"You abandoned me all alone with Hashirama and his delusions of worldly friendship all morning. Did you think such a modest punishment would save you, doll?"

"Madara please!"

He took your jaw with his gloved hand, exerting a slight pressure to open your mouth, and pushed the same underwear back into your cavity. A muffled scream escaped your mouth in surprise, which the Uchiha easily silenced with a slap on your thigh.

Leaving you tied up, he turned on the vibrator again, and there you understood the worst was what you were about to face. He pushed the object deep inside you, wiped his fluid-soaked hand on a towel, arranged his clothes and put on the missing glove.

"I'll take my time; I expect to return and find you a mess."

You couldn't even think of an answer, as the pleasure and sensitivity your body was experiencing at the same time was too much to concentrate on anything else.

With a firm step and completely unconcerned with your condition, Madara disappeared out the door of the room, while his steps were heard increasingly faint in the corridor. A second later, the front door opened before closing again, leaving you alone in front of Uchiha's mansion.

Your figure twisted in bed, thanking every orgasm caused by the vibrator inside you and trying to cooperate with the over-stimulation, forcing the ropes that kept you tied up, trembling at every sensation and movement, your skin bristling and your eyes watering from such torture.

So abstracted were you in your world of self-indulgence that you did not hear the front door open and close again.

Nor did you hear the footsteps outside the room.

Nor did you hear the voice of a man who was not Madara asking if everything was okay.

Reality hit you again when your reddish eyes met those of Uchiha Izuna, who, for some reason unrelated to you, was at your house, at your bedroom door, witnessing the kinks you and your man shared.

"...I-I... I-I... shouldn't b-be here..."

As the Uchiha was about to leave, the vibrator touched a key point inside you, making you scream loud and deeply while another orgasm was released into your body. The muffled moans caught his attention, and the way your body contorted itself mesmerized him into an inexplicable spell.

Awakening from the enchantment of your figure, Izuna realized that his Sharingan had been activated, and that in his memory now lay engraved the intimate moment of you reaching your peak of pleasure. Ashamed of himself for even having such thoughts with his brother's partner, he walked over to the bed, and removed the garment that prevented you from speaking.

"I'm sorry [Y/N] I'll leave you alone and..."

"PLEASE IZUNA HELP ME."

Stupefied by his uselessness and feeling guilty about your clear suffering, the Uchiha tried to regain his composure and not let himself be carried away by the image in front of him.

"S-Sure! Just... just tell me what I have to do."

"UNTIE MY HANDS."

Obeying your demands, he quickly released your two wrists, having to lean slightly over you to untie the one at the other end of the bed. When you regained movement, something fierce took hold of your mind, and the fact of having another Uchiha in front of you, belonging to Madara's family, no less than his little brother, set your senses on fire even more.

Taking him by the hair with force, you made his face bend towards you, brutally bumping his lips against yours. Izuna found himself reluctant to reciprocate the kiss at first, but when your tongue slipped over his lips in hunger and need, his mouth opened without hesitation and devoured you with the same intensity.

Separating slightly and for a second, you managed to look him in the eye and tell him.

"Please fuck me Izuna."

"Shit, if you ask like that."

He quickly positioned himself between your legs, and rapidly Dropping your almost numb extremities on the mattress, you watched as he removed the vibrator from your interior, moaning at every centimeter of the object.

In the blink of an eye, his clothes lay forgotten somewhere in the room, and a hardened limb stood in front of your entrance. Aligning himself with you, his thrust was sharp and direct, penetrating you mercilessly.

He leaned over you, hiding his face in the hollow of your neck and biting into your skin, while your legs locked around his waist to feel him completely within you. Your hands became entangled in his hair, and soon you found yourself undoing his ponytail so you could pull his strands more easily.

His breaths became agitated, short and deep, arousing you even more, to the point where you thought it was no longer possible to receive stimulation. His muscles above you tensed with every movement of his hip, and with your tightened eyes, you breathed in his male scent with despair.

"I'm going to... ah... fuck you so well... shit... that you'll forget... his name... Kami... you're so tight [Y/N]"

"I-Izuna-a -gasp- I'm c-com-ming -gasp-"

Upon hearing your response, his thrusts took on a new speed, an almost overwhelming pace for your labored body, making you reach the last orgasm of the night with just a few moves. You felt his cum spread inside you, covering your walls with that warm liquid, and your mind was delighted with satisfaction.

Until you realized what had really happened.

And when Izuna came down from his orgasm, he couldn't help but feel less guilty than you.

"[Y/N]... what... what have we done..."

#uchiha madara x reader #uchiha izuna x reader #madara x reader #izuna x reader #uchiha madara #uchiha izuna #madara #izuna #x reader #madara x izuna x reader #naruto imagines #naruto shippuden #naruto x reader

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zoffra · 5 years ago

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Why Hisoka decided to kill the troupe ?

Analysis in two parts:

1- Hisoka's pre-fight personality

2- Hisoka's post fight psychological change

Part 1 -

Let us make a point on Hisoka's character.

Hisoka's a character who takes pleasure in fighting strong opponents, it's his reason for living, it's like a drug in the proper sense of the term. If he doesn't fight for a long time, or if he's about to fight and - for whatever reason - the fight doesn't start, he'll kill anyone to satisfy his need and calm his excitement. This happens, for example, during hunter exam after meeting Kurapika and Leorio (= satisfying his need), or after Illumi's meeting with Killua and Alluka (= calming his excitement).

Other than that, he carefully chooses his opponents and will even refuse fights if he judges that the person isn't worth it.

Hisoka's incredibly patient. In order to fight Chrollo, he'll put in a lot of effort. He joins the spiders - which already isn't an easy task - and waits for three years that an opportunity presents itself, so that he finds himself alone with the leader and can fight him. The other members don't interest him - except maybe Machi to a much lesser extent.

After Chrollo lost his Nen, Hisoka assists the troupe in search for the exorcist. Shizuku assumes that Chrollo promised him a fight in exchange for his help. It's not known how long Chrollo's deprived of his Nen, whats certain is that several months go by.

Abengan's Nen works like this: he invokes a Nen beast whose shape and size varies according to the curse's power posed by his user. The stronger the curse, the longer that will takes time- and you can be sure that Kurapika's chain was far more powerful than Genthru's bomb.

Later, we learn from Gitarakuru that after recovering his Nen, Chrollo fled. During this time, he returned to Meteor city to prepare his fight and steal various capacities - in particular that of the dean, Shalnark and Kortopi. Finally, after all these waiting years, Hisoka's finally rewarded and they'll fight in a place - that Chrollo himself chooses, as floor master : Celestial tower.

I'll not describe the fight, I can only advise those who haven't read the manga to go and find out for themselves. If I could sum it up in one word, it would be 'disappointing'. But not for us, readers, for Hisoka.

Chrollo used sneaky methods, avoiding to maximum close contacts with Hisoka, while sending his puppets to fight for him, waiting for opportunities to hit him critically. Warning! This isn't a criticism, I'm not saying it's something bad, these are just the facts.

We know that Chrollo's calculating and that beyond his extraordinary physical abilities, he distinguishes himself from others by his intelligence. For me, this fight is the very reflection of his personality, calculated like music paper and orchestrated by Chrollo as master of ceremonies.

It's also a nose thumb at the relationship they've always had. Hisoka spent more time killing puppets with no interest to reach Chrollo, rather than fighting him. He finds himself in the situation where he has always been.

At the time of his 'death', Hisoka made a pact with the Nen to bring him back to life. By using condition and oath - his death being the condition to be fulfilled - he wish that his heart's functions and his lungs will be restored. And from there, the troupe will have big problems.

Part 2 -

Spiders made several mistakes. When they inspected Hisoka's body, they were negligent. When Shalnark testified to Hisoka's death by asphyxiation, no one found his hands position strange. By that I mean they're seasoned Nen users, cold-blooded killers, they know that Nen gets stronger after death.

An important detail is that you can revive a suffocation victim - it shouldn't last too long of course, but it's not as if his head was cut off. And that's exactly what Hisoka will do.

He probably used Ken to absorb the explosion, surrounded his heart and his lungs with his Gum, then practiced a cardiac massage to resuscitate himself, - I pass about after-effects that his brain would normally have undergone, which is an ease logical scenario.

Machi said one interesting thing: '[Hisoka] still paid me in advance.' This means that she was in contact with him before, and Hisoka asked her to stitch up his wounds after the fight. Machi probably understood it as 'if I win the fight, can you heal me', but for Hisoka there was probably a double meaning: healing his wounds if they were too serious so that he do himself, or if he hadn't been in fit state to do it.

Biggest mistake spiders have made has been to underestimate Hisoka.

Towards fight's end (chap 355) when a puppets horde rush towards him, Hisoka has an angry expression. Hisoka's neutral facial expression is a mischievous pout, or in fights where he has to fight seriously, he has a concentrated expression.

It's extremely rare to see him angry, and I think his change of mind manifests himself at that time. Hisoka's face takes half a page's place and is a terrifying blackness, it's an important moment. All accumulated frustration since years literally explodes during this bitter taster fight.

When he wakes up, we don't immediately notice his change of mind, but when he speaks it's clearer.

'Reality knows how to wake you up.' Hisoka realizes - if not already done - that he'll not be able to defeat Chrollo with his usual methods.

A little higher, I said the trio had underestimated Hisoka but I also think of Chrollo. During the fight he was arrogant, explaining his abilities, inviting him to flee and then, telling him that isn't to taunt him - you can't make me believe thats true.

'If you've learned your lessons from this, then next time make sure to choose your opponent and the location you fight.' Machi's words complete Hisoka's decision, it was clearly not the thing to say to him at this precise moment.

This how Hisoka's change of mind worked for me. Hisoka's an irrational person but he killed with a certain consistent logic - strong ones who deserve his attention. His death - more precisely, circumstances of the fight leding to his death - played a major role in his transformation. He's no longer undefeated and has been ridiculed, Chrollo practically whistling when he sent his puppets against him.

'No matter where they go and who they are with, I won't stop until I kill them all' It's revenge.

His actions are no longer directed by the will to fight strong adversaries, they're guided by the outright brigade eradication.

Strangely, he leaves Machi alive. Don't tell me thats because he just wants she getting her message across to the other members, there were a thousand ways to warn Chrollo and the others without leaving her alive - and considering the awkward position she was in, he could have kill her without slightest concern. - In an interview, Togashi says that he didn't want to kill her at that time because he has other plans for her.

Kortopi was visibly relieving himself when he was killed. He was a pointless opponent for Hisoka, especially considering the situation in which he found himself. This proves once again his change of mind, it's a method of murderer.

Same method when he sends Kortopi's head to Shalnark. At that moment, Shalnark grabs his friend's head - which is edifying of stupidity - to verify that it's him, and Hisoka punches him.

On several occasions, I've read some people would have liked to see a real Shalnark vs Hisoka fight. But we had it, and difference in strength is too great. At that moment, it's true that Shalnark couldn't use his Hatsu, nevertheless he could still use his Nen but he didn't even had time to defend himself with his Ten.

We don't know if Hisoka kills Shalnark in one blow, it's possible that he survived for a moment. However, this isn't what the staging seems to evoke. The fight literally takes a half page, speed with which Hisoka starts the fight and shock's power when he hits Shalnark leaves no doubt as to the fight speed end. In addition, even though Hisoka's Nen strengthened, he was seriously injured - he was able to repair his limbs in appearance, but he has no healing ability like Machi or quick regeneration like an enhancer.

The last chapter page sounds like a real turning point. We knew Hisoka was sadistic, he likes to torture his opponents psychologically (cf: Kastro fight, Goto), but we had never seen him at work physically. After his fight, he took the trouble to stage the Shalnark's and Kortopi corpses, tying Shalnark to the swing like a puppet, refering to his ability and his fight against Chrollo.

Chapter ends abruptly with a sentence / thought from Hisoka: 'There are 10 left.'

Number 10 is interesting. At that moment, members still alive are the following: Phinks, Feitan, Machi, Kalluto, Nobunaga, Shizuku, Franklin, Bonorenov and Chrollo.

That makes 9. I consider that - even if he didn't see her die - Hisoka is aware of the Pakunoda's death. He spent a lot of time with members at Greed Island and Chrollo, it's impossible that he didn't learn it.

The 10th member is therefore Illumi - reader learns of his membership in the troupe only 20 chapters later -, he was therefore recruited before Hisoka announced his vendetta against spiders.

Last point I wanted to emphasize: when Hisoka says 'there is 10 left', he includes Chrollo. This shows that he no longer puts him on a pedestal, seeing him as the head or someone important. It's simply a leg to be eliminated.

Hisoka's personality has radically changed, he has finished playing.

#hxh #phantom troupe #genei ryodan #hisoka #chrollo #machi #shalnark #kortopi

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ftkd-arts · 5 years ago

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HC: Dumbbell

Remember Dumbbell, Rainbow Dash's old bully? He's a main parent in Harmonyverse, the bo of not one, but two of the Mane Six.

[[MORE]]

Throughout his foalhood, he took his frustrations out on pegasi runts, because his father had repeatedly told him he himself was a runt. That doesn't excuse Dumbbell's actions, of course, but that's where the seed of poor self esteem was planted, resulting in Dumbbell being a chaotic bully figure. He was the kind of bully that was sometimes your rude friend too; the type you invite over for a game of baseball or something every once and awhile. Basically he was a Buford from Phineas and Ferb-esque bully.

Dumbbell is a mountain of a muscular pegasus. Despite his job at the Weather Factory, which he was forced into taking as a teen after his cheating father ditched his sick mom, Dumbbell never truly have up on his life goal; weightlifting. He wanted to become a famous sportsman, so he could have the money to take care of his mom, brothers and sisters.

The "Boy Bullies" are all brothers, only a few of their numerous siblings. He was the oldest boy, so it fell to him to be the breadwinner until their mom recovered from an illness. Hoops had too much riding on him with the basketball team, and Score was already an intern for an Equestrian Hoofball company. It made the most sense for Dumbbell to quickly snag a full-time gig at the Weather Factory. Score and Hoops managed to get part-time spots.

As an adult, Dumbbell quite likes his job and the world of meteorology. He still hasn't given up on bodybuilding, and one day wishes to hold the world record for lifting weights.

That's where Dumbbell met Lance Barbell, better known as Bulk Biceps. Cloudsdale was holding a weightlifting competition that Dumbbell caught wind of, only by his co-workers complaining about the Oatstrian rock of a pegasus that kept winning. Dumbbell got his bros to cover for him, determined to prove himself against this loud stallion... And thus, a rivalry was born.

Dumbbell was baffled by the sheer strength of Bulk Biceps. Bulk kept one-uping him, and Dumbbell was well pissed by the seventh time that dumb stranger won over him.

Like the idiot he is, Dumbbell ended up spraining his back. Thankfully, Bulk Biceps is also a physical therapist, and offered to fix Dumbbell right up, free of charge. Reluctantly, Dumbbell took the offer. He was basically just insulting Bulk Biceps the entire time... and didn't seem to notice when the insults became playful banter.

Afterwards, Dumbbell kept running into Lance at the gym, day after day, until eventually, the two started waiting for the other to show up. Their rivalry was soon filtered in friendship.

Bulk Biceps, very nervously, cracked up the courage to sing Dumbbell a song he had wrote about him... a love song, that is. Dumbbell turned into a stammering beet red dork, of course, so the only way to answer his friend's love declaration was to kiss the shy stallion.

They married young and quickly, Bulk opted to have a child, twhich Bell agreed, after some convincing. Their only son is one Featherweight. Dumbbell festered a lot of fear over parenthood, hating the idea of ruining his kid or becoming his own asshole of a father. When Featherweight was very young, Dumbbell kept a distance, and started taking up more shifts at the factory. Due to his absence, Bulk Biceps started to become lonely and clingy towards his husband. This only drew Dumbbell farther away, as he was uncomfortable with how dependant everyone was on him...

Bulk and Bell struggled for a long time, until he missed Featherweight's nineth birthday party. Featherweight had waited all day for his Pops to come. Then he waited until midnight. 1 AM. 2 AM. Soon enough, it was 6 o'clock in the morning. He ended up falling asleep in Bulk's arms, with snot and tears coating his fur.

Dumbbell finally arrived home at seven. He had forgotten about the special day, since a crowd of pegasi were trying out for the Wonderbolts and he had wanted to watch. He had been with one try-out all night... He swore to Lance nothing happened despite the signals that mare was sending him, but Bulk couldn't forgive Dumbbell for missing their son's birthday, just so he could flirt. "Maybe, if you don't plan on showing up for your son's birthday... you shouldn't show up at all."

And so, the pair divorced. Bulk Biceps took primary custody of Featherweight.

Dumbbell threw himself into his work after that. He climbed the ladder until he managed his own team of employees. He was doing so good that when the Wind Rider took a tour of the establishment, he offered to set the chap up with his daughter!

Fresh off a divorce, but Dumbbell couldn't refuse a date with a celebrity's kid, espiecally when that celebrity kept joking about ending Dumbbell's career if he hurt Wind Rider's daughter. So, a blind date ensued.

Wouldn't you know it, the mare turned out to be that try-out flirt, a miss Lightning Dust. Their relationship was always rocky and filled with arguments and pettiness, but they did genuinely love each other. When Lightning Dust came up pregnant, Wind Rider pressured the two into a shotgun marriage. From then on, they had even more things to disbute over. Wind chose the name of their first son, Thunderweight.

The first big chip at their love was when a colt Thunderweight attempted a dangerous flight trick that Lightning Dust had promised was harmless. A baby could do it, she insisted! Well, little Thunder landed right into the hospital with multiple broken bones and a concussion. Their house was brimming with fights over the past few days, until Dumbbell threatened to take the matter to court (and take Thunderweight away, permanently). Lightning Dust eventually agreed to dismantle the Washouts and join a different team, the Shadowbolts; a group of quick pegasi racers.

They had three more children-- Phoenix Ashes, and the baby twins Hailstorm and Whirlwind. Dumbbell finally had enough of Lightning Dust's smooth manipluations when it was discovered that Phoenix had a personality disorder caused by her mother's "tough love", aka how Light would only give Phoenix attention if she did what she wanted. If not, Lightning Dust acted as if her eldest girl didn't exist. What Dumbbell hated more was how Lightning Dust just shrugged and dismissed this, thinking her race was more important than this "dumb little visit".

Dumbbell divorced and convinced the court that the children would be better off with him. Even Wind Rider couldn't muster up the lawyers to get custody for the kids.

Dumbbell tried being a very present, very good single dad. He had to give little Phoenix a bit more care than the others, stirring up some resentment among her siblings. Thunderweight became her ruthless bully, as he blamed her for the divorce, and even roped a child Hailstorm into preying upon Phoenix Ashes. She became terrified of her brothers and stopped leaving her room. Dumbbell was so exhausted caring for all of them and working full-time... it was so, so hard; he didn't know how his mother had done it.

In her mid-teens, Phoenix Ashes ran away from Cloudsdale. Dumbbell was beside himself with worry and was a shade from a mental breakdown, when Whirlwind suggested that maybe if he found someone new to love, he might be happier. He didn't go out right away; he waited frantically until he got a call from Featherweight, claiming that Phoenix was staying with him for a while.

Dumbbell hadn't talked to his first kid in so long. They talked for hours and hours, simply exchanging life stories. Turns out, Featherweight was now a professional sports photographer and the hotshot Editor In Chief of the Ponyville Newspaper. The scrawny pegasus was even about to be a father himself! It felt so nice getting to know his son again. Dumbbell promised that they would talk more. To Featherweight's delight, he's kept it.

Knowing his daughter was safe gave Dumbbell a chance to relax for a moment. He had been scaring himself with nightmares and terrible daydreams of what might've happened to her. He took a few weeks to breathe and reconnect with his family.

Dumbbell knew that Thunderweight and Hailstorm, though a surly duo, were just scared kids deep down, missing their mother terribly. Dumbbell tried to get closer to them, and encouraged their special talents, beauty and art respectively. He even got his boys to workout with him, sometimes. That's not to say their behavior went unpunished-- Dumbbell refused to let Thunderweight tryout for the Wonderbolts and he took away Hailstorm's art supplies. ("You can go back to whatever you're doing when you learn some manners, colts. You're not children anymore, so stop acting like it! Phoenix Ashes is your /sister/, your flesh and blood, and you drove her away. Both of you should be ashamed of yourselves!")

Thank Celestia his youngest wasn't an asshole. Whirlwind had been cooking up some date for a while now, and she was so happy when dear ole dad finally accepted to go. Whirlwind couldn't help spilling her idea.

Whirly wanted him to go out with a girl he had briefly dated in his teenage years... Rainbow Dash. Reluctantly, Bell gave her a call. He was surprised that he actually heard back from her; and even more so when she said yes.

Dumbbell scrambled to the date, nervous but cocky, and was a bit shaken up when he found out Rainbow Dash had brought her wife to the date.

The Earth Pony was very excited to meet him. Her name was "Pinkamena Diane Pie, but all my friends call me Pinkie Pie!"

Dumbbell was very confused and very awkward. He went on with it nervously, but ended up having a great time. Pinkie Pie was so upbeat, energetic and funny, and Rainbow Dash was still a proud showboat dork. They had another date. And another. And another. And another.

Eventually, Dumbbell was the wives' official boyfriend. They didn't mind that he had kids, seeing as they had their own herd nicknamed "the Quad Squad", consisting of Airhead, Creampuff, Starburst and Jawbreaker.

After Thunderweight got his own place, Dumbbell soon moved to Ponyville. He lives with Pinkie, Rainbow Crash, Crash's parents, Whirlwind and Hailstorm.

Dumbbell's parenting skills have definitely improved, but he still doesn't think himself that great of a dad. He tries to be there for all his children now, and that's really all he can do at that point. He's so sorry that he missed so much of Featherweight's life, or how he didn't see how severe the bullying was on Phoenix... He slightly hates himself for not being a better father sooner. But he can't change the past, so at least he can be there for them in the present.

Other notes~

- In the Humanverse, Dumbbell comes from mixed background, but is mostly Brazilian. He is a hybrid of vague horse breeds in Ponyverse, but is very tall, muscular, and fluffy. His design is partly inspired by Lopoddity's art of him, and his father walking out on him was her idea too.

(Design description; his fur turns the color of his mane at the uncolored parts, the darkness on his ear tips and shoulder blades resemble the hue of chocolate, and the color of his hooves match that of Hoops' pelt color. I imagine his eyes as more of an icey blue than moderate azure.)

- Featherweight is the father of Apple Bloom's daughter Candy Blossom. The four prominent adults in her life share her; Feathers, AB, AB's girlfriend Diamond Tiara, and Feather's bf Pipsqueak. Dumbbell is always ready to visit his wittle granddaughter, yes yes

- Dumbbell's mother did recover from her illness after a hassle of years. It was hard, but they got there.

- Bulk Biceps enjoys a quiet, if not distant, friendship with his ex-husband. He's happy that he's a better pony now, but he wasn't going to wait for that to happen. Instead, he remarried to a strong mare by the name of Maud Pie. Featherweight's half-sibling is called Smoky Quartz.

(Since Maud is no longer with Starlight and Trixie in my verse, I've moved them around a bit. Trixie is now the wife of con-artist Flim and nature enthusiast Mudbriar, carrying their two children Willow Wisp and Wildflower, the minions of Prince Janus. I haven't decided who Starlight Glimmer is with yet- suggestions are appreciated!)

- Dumbbell's brother Hoops went onto become a local sportspony, a celebrity in Ponyville. His main gig is basketball, which to the ponies translates to punching the ball with your head or chin instead of hands. Hoops is a confident, secretly insecure boyo, that also turns into a beet red dork at the notion of romance.

Hoops is married to ex-single mother Ditzy Doo (nicknamed "Derpy Hooves" by Ponyville), and is stepfather to her daughter Dinky Doo. Hoops had his own son with her named Butterhoof after adopting a young teenage Screwball.

- Score is a tubby, socially awkward fella with social anxiety and shyness over his stunted size (he's rather short and chubby for the stallions in his family). He was the push-over type; he wasn't ever really /the/ mean bully, but the one that would encourage him and repeat what he said. He still doesn't speak up often, but is more outspoken than he was as a child or in his early to mid 20s (which is when the show takes place to me).

Score would take a paying job in Appleloosa for a small business interested in teaching sports to the youth. There Braeburn would charm the socks off Score, impressing him with shows of his Apple strength, community influence, bravery, and the flowers he kept sending his winged co-worker. Score just couldn't refuse that daring smirk when Braeburn asked him out.

Their relationship would go strong for many years... And they still are. They're that pair that argues like a married couple before they're married (they are btw), while simultaneously they're those lovebirds that can't stop snuggling each other. The two have tons of pet names, and even more embarrassing nicknames for their son Snapple.

- Dumbbell and Rainbow Dash love to shit talk Lightning Dust together. It's one of the many things that ensured their quick romance. Other reasons include endless banter, shit talking literally everything, routine workouts where they pushed each other to the limit, racing competitions, competitions in general (they hoof-wrestle a lot), flustering the hell outta the other, etc. In short, they're jerk jocks in love.

Dumbbell's relationship with Pinkie isn't as sweetly bitchy as his with Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie loves snuggles, kisses all de time, and is a big fan of physical contact. Her love language consists of touch and/or verbal affection. Dumbbell is thankful he found someone who is always trying to teach him something new and exciting.

She likes laying on Bell's back, teaching him how to bake, helping him through his daddy issues, encouraging his pre-existing passions, and using his shadow as shade. Dumbbell is patient with Pinkie the most of all; she is a bipolar, autistic dwarf-- though she may fall hard into depression, or may not understand something right away, it doesn't mean that's bad. It just takes bit more time, and her partners are willing to give it.

- Jawbreaker and Dumbbell box all the time. Pseudo father/son bonding time

- Dumbbell's full name is Buck Dum Belle. Pinkie calls him Bucky. Rainbow Dash calls him Dummy.

And that's all folks, my dumb hc for this one-off character that I've grown attached to, hope you enjoyed ✌️ don't take my headcanonnnn or y'know also my art. I actually redid the drawing (the other was completely different, undetailed, plain, and bland) and I'm so glad I did. This one is sooo much better you don't even know. (Yes, I did upload this on Pastelglitchesxx, but I didn't like the format so I changed it up.)

HC: Screwball; https://www.deviantart.com/gayswillrule/art/HC-Screwball-815984452

HC: Derpy Hooves; https://www.deviantart.com/gayswillrule/art/HC-Derpy-Hooves-notes-818998776

#mlp #mlp friendship is magic #mlp headcanons #mlp headcanon #dumbbell #dumbbell headcanon #dumbbell head canons #mlp dumbbell #mlp dumbbell headcanon #mlp next gen #harmonyverse #pastelglitches19 #dumbdash #pinkiedashbell #pinkiedash #pinkiebell #poly #next gen #peace ✌️

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rixxy8173571m3w1p3 · 6 years ago

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Out Of The Woods (3/?)

This multi chap fic has been one that I've wanted to write for a while. I'm hoping to connect a few loose ends, since my series is getting closer to the end. Don't worry, I still got a couple of fics left in me. I'd love to thank @xerxezra whose conversations with me are always inspirational. I'd also like to thank @dorkydisappointment whose writing got my creative juice flowing and @hoodoo12 who continues to inspire me all the time. Please check out the wonderful art done by @ravenousscorpian for two scenes out of the second chapter of this fic (Her art found here)

References to the woman in Ricks journal is from my fic What You Found Amongst The Pages. I know, that was shameless self promotion. There are a lot of questions that I wanted to answer in you'd chapter, but for the sake of editing had to put it in the next. I'll work on it right as soon as this is posted. Thanks for everyone's continued support. 😘😘😘😘😘😘

If you haven't read part 1 or part2, then heres a link (Read Chapter 1, Chapter 2)

In this fic the reader tries to uncover the mystery of the artist behind Zeta-7s portrait.

___________________________

Chapter 3: Dare Not Say That Man Forgets Sooner

Whatever redeeming qualities the room held in the previous happy hours were gone, and now even the remnant, lingering daydreams were falling away. With every hour you comprehended the severity of your assumptions and what the consequences were if you decided that enough was enough. Honestly, you didn't want to lose him because Zeta-7 was the light of your life; he expanded your universe and had helped you become a better person, but you could still carry on if you needed to. You had the means, your work, and an ever growing list of books to read, but was it enough, now that you had gotten a taste of the good life? Probably not.

Nothing made sense anymore.

Concerning the current situation, and all which led up to it; if you considered everything which included your existence, life till now, and all he had ever done, then there was no mistaking that he loved you; or had; at least thought he did, but it didn't change the truth of the matter; you hadn't been the first. A few hours had given you time to weep until you thought you had no tears left to cry, but there was still a thick fog over your thoughts and rationality; any shift of emotion being too much to bear. You curled into yourself, aching, hoping you'd disappear, but it didn't work; you were still here; stuck. Being at a disadvantage, not knowing how to get home and neither having a way to get there if you could was frustrating.

Who knows how long you'd been down here, despairing, wallowing in memories and dust, but you were tired, thirsty, and knew that if you didn't move he'd have trouble finding you, and yet you didn't care; let him find you; let him work for it. Though, how would that make it any better? All it would do is succeed in upsetting him before you knew all the facts. You hated this. Father always said hate was a strong word that shouldn't be taken for granted; you rarely had reason to feel as such, but the more you gleaned from those photos and the more proof you found of her presence about the place made you feel hateful and bitter.

Thinking of her smiling at him, receiving every bit of his loving-kindness and inviting demeanor animated by unaffected good-will; his general countenance and becoming familiar with a fresher-faced creature of your dreams; holding him; touching him; loving him. Oh God no, you thought, groaning into a handmade pillow. What was worse was that you couldn't dissuade the thought of her mysterious silhouette sneaking up behind you, plunging a knife into your already fragile identity, and taking back what was hers. Your doubt feeding these ugly horrors which were hybrids of nightmares and daydreams.

Though during a brief moment of clarity, you had come to a conclusion which hardly alleviated these feelings, but we're true; it wasn't your fault. Yes, it had been your choice to accept him and be in a proper relationship with someone with an ambiguous past, and yes you did snoop around a little, but you didn't know how much he'd been hiding or searching for someone like her and had settled on silly, stupid you. Yet, no matter how much you thought about it, why chase a vision of the past and put so much effort in the present? There must've been more to this; there had to be.

Manifested, unstinted kindness and consideration and love in his form didn't happen out of the blue, it was nurtured and conditioned. Had it been her influence which made you knew? Who knows, but you had been fortunate to have had an opportunity to associate let alone form a romantic attachment, but that would soon pass away once you confronted him. Right? After a little while longer, when your heart was finally beginning to slow and thought you'd be able to catch your breath, you heard him walking about upstairs; calling and knocking.

Rick was home and you turned over on the couch and covered your ears so you wouldn't hear him; you weren't ready to deal with this; you didn't want to deal with this. In your heart of hearts, you wanted to go home, to the past, back to when there were no problems and it was just you, dad, and your dreams. If only he was still around so that he could tell you that everything was alright and it was all just a bad dream and that he could fix it, but you couldn't; only in a dream, you could. Dad always knew what was best, but you were old enough to decide for yourself now.

Did this mean you wish you never knew Rick? No, but you wished that you would've never known about all this; about her; that you could've lived in ignorance. Oh, the sweet, sweet bliss of ignorance, how wonderful it had been while it lasted. Even when his warm laughter echoed down the stairway, having found you, ready, eager and excitable to be near you, you didn't answer. You knew you weren't in the state of mind to say anything nice, that despite it all he wasn't a bad person. Yet, the moment that hand of his touched your shoulder, you hissed. “Don't touch me.”

He gasped, stunned by this uncharacteristic aggression. Maybe you weren't the nice girl he thought you were after all; especially if the rustling of his clothes alone made you angry enough to dig your nails into the couch cushions. Zeta-7 waited for a few moments, ruminating on what would be the best course of action before he knelt down to be at your level and wondered. “What's wrong? Are y-y-you hurt? Is th-there anything I can do?”

Swallowing back a sob, you silently counted to ten then answered in a listless tone. “I don't know if you can. You've… you've been hiding stuff from me.”

“Huh, I-I have? What have I…”

“Don't try to deny it.”

Pushing yourself up, you rubbed your swollen eyes and chanced a look at him; your sight fuzzy as tears threatened to fall but thankfully didn't. The alarm in his widened eyes at the state of your runny nose, and tear-stained cheeks made him instinctively reach out to wipe your tears away, but you pushed that familiar, loving hand away. “M-mi corazón?”

Instead of answering as you usually would, you pulled out the well-loved copy of Persuasion from behind a pillow, took a deep breath and dropped it on his lap. “I found it while I was looking for something to read.”

“Oh geez.”

“And can you believe I found more than I bargained for.”

You two sat in silence for what felt like hours as he stared at it, and when he gathered the courage to look inside, the lines about his brow and mouth deepened; another sign that it was true. When he finally interrupted the silence, he confessed regretfully. “I-I was going to tell you.”

“But you didn't. There's a lot of things that I understand are none of my business, but this….I think is a good time to know. If you care about me at all, then read what you wrote.”

“But it's - it's not what you think.”

“Then there's nothing be afraid of. Go on then, read it.”

Visibly swallowing, his shaky hands held it open and he stuttered. “I-I-I thought of you today as I left th-the milky way, on my way t-to a classified location. I-I wish you were here so I could show you the beauty that exists across the universe, but knowing our limitations I can only send you this wonderful novel that I found when I was exploring a-a bookstore located on one of Saturn's moons. I-I know it can be hard to believe that Miss Jane Austen's works can reach the furthest depths of-of space, but that can be blamed on a certain Gallifreyan and his little blue box. I can't wait to hear what y-y-you think of it. Till next time my dear. With love, from Rick.”

“Don't forget the photos.”

Setting down the book, he glanced at the discarded photos, sagging a little after each one, gauging your reaction after he finished studying them. Rick was a smart man, he knew well enough that he messed up and how compromising those photos were. “It's not - I was only writing as ugh - as a friend.” He began, wringing his hands as he went on. “Y-y-y-y-you know I don't have that many.”

Which was true. “Really? So what did she do for you? Was she special?”

“She - she made me a little less lonely. That in itself was something I w-was grateful for.”

Your nails bit into your palms and that ever familiar ache bloomed across your chest; his answer birthing more questions than you were willing to ask. He offered you a Werther's original to placate you which you accepted; it's wrapper similar to the one in the painting. As ever he waited for you to answer, and the longer he waited, the more he sagged; his eyes pleading, hoping, wishing that he could know whatever hurt clouded your heart and wanted to fix it. “I want to believe you, I really do,” you admitted, which made him hopeful, though only for you to crush it with this. “but I'm tired of walking on eggshells. Tell me, what did you want from me when you had someone like her? Seems as though she was a good match for you. She was a creative who could paint, loved flowers, and butterflies among other things I imagine.”

“Sh-she did.”

You bit the inside of your cheek in an attempt to hold back the surge of feelings which were a result of his sincerity. Damn it. You could do this……possibly. “See?” you said cooly, focusing your gaze on your naked feet. “I knew she was special considering you sent her a book that had belonged to the Doctor. She also knew about your travels, which meant you trusted her and you hardly trust anyone. The point I'm getting at is that I want to know what I am to you. So, am I a knockoff or a rebound? Because we both know there's nothing like the real thing.”

“N-n-no, not at all. You mean th-the world to me and I-I love you. I have only loved you. ”

“But she loved you, didn't she? And you loved her. I can't ignore that. If she's anything like me, then what are we doing together Ricardo? Why aren't you with her? I…. I thought we understood each other but then I found proof that I was only second best. I can't do it, I can't compete with a shadow, and I'm not going to try. I don't have it in me.”

“I-I-I-I never expected you to. Por favor mi amor de m-mi vida, if you'll let me explain, I'll tell you whatever you want. I - I don't want to lose you. Please, honest t-t-to God, I don't. I can't.”

“Hmm, I didn't know you were a praying man.”

“When you're about t-t-to lose your universe, I don't think there are th-that many options. I can't - oh please I can't lose you. Not again.”

You felt your resolve breaking. You wanted to fall into his arms and melt into the comfort of them; for you both to comfort each other and let it all go because it probably was just a big misunderstanding; him being the best thing that ever happened to you, but not yet. Maybe he was a praying man after all, and if God was merciful, then why wouldn't you be? Rick certainly would. For Zeta-7, you could be. He'd definitely given you enough chances.

“Fine.” you decided, helping him up as you stood, but through this brief touch he almost misunderstood, thinking that the worst was over and gave your hand a squeeze; his warm smile weakening your resolve even further. Maybe Ricks were masters at mind games after all. And you knew it wouldn't take much for him to make you forget how unhappy you were, and like magic, show you something wonderful and dazzling, but you didn't want to be charmed; you wanted the truth. You bit the flesh inside of your cheeks hard enough for you to bleed, and despite relishing the warmth which permeated your chilled hands, you let go. “I'm……I'm not over it yet.”

TBC

#doofus rick #doofus rick x reader #rick sanchez x reader #rick sanchez #rick and morty #rick and morty fanfiction #j19z7 #rick j19z7 #j19ζ7 #rick j19zeta7 #j19zeta7 #j-19-zeta-7 #rick j-19-zeta-7 #rnm fanfic #rnm #my writing #my works

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etudaire · 7 years ago

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2/2 (sorry for the long message) or I'm picturing something embarrassing I've done. Then I try to make myself to focus on what I'm reading again but my mind keeps wandering. I'm desperate because this is also the reason why I keep procrastinating because I feel stupid that I can't focus on what I'm reading. Do you have some advice? Because everything I've read so far about about concentration what how you shouldn't have your TV on and how you shouldn't check your phone but nothing about this.

Okay really sorry this was late, but here's a few things to try :⚪ Read this book Flow, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi - it's gonna guide you through the whole concept of being/building for yourself a study bubble of sorts⚪ Go to youtube.com > Ana Mascara > study bubble video - it's really really helpful and motivating, check out her other videos too if you want!Now here we begin with some tips *I* give you from my side :⚪ Exercise before sitting down to study⚪ Play alpha/beta waves on yt - it's not music technically but works well for me⚪ Have someone sit next to you when you study - it'll make you conscious, yes, but that's the whole point. You are drifting away to fantasy lands (like me!) and need some sort of reality around you to keep you alert⚪ Start with mundane tasks - homework, solve easy sums, read short sentences, etc - now progress to a little higher level and keep going up⚪ Write. Rewrite. The only way to make sure you never lose focus because writing engages both hand and mind and eyes⚪ Actively read. Underline words in the textbook, not with a highlighter preferably, use a pencil so you can erase and underline again, the more you repeat it the better you get⚪ Take rough notes when reading the textbook, that's active reading if you're wondering⚪ Teach someone, or record yourself teaching future - you⚪ Ask someone to ask you questions, like an oral exam thingy⚪ Do NOT simply *read* if your mind drifts away - get up, stretch, do something else, solve some papers or problems, pleasure read or do anything to get accustomed to this. Then read.Actually, reading isn't really the best study method so try avoiding it because you're kind of similar to me (like, totally) and if my ways work for you I'm sure just reading is a waste of time because it's volatile and you're only half into it.Writing is the most lengthy but effective way to get into the zone, so go for it. Trust me, I'm just like your description up there, and I got a perfect score on a test I studied the night before only because I wrote all concepts in my own words (although bio is my fav n I had studied that chap before).Most of my notes are just rewritten from the textbook, I recommend @studyquill 's How to take textbook notes video to get an insight about it.Trust me, it will work, and if by any chance it's still not enough, let me know so we can figure this out okay?Really hope this helps, let me know if it helps ❤️

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reddogf13 · 1 year ago

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Outlast 2: Deliverance CH 8

Also on A03

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - Dead Dove Do Not Eat This takes place in the Outlast 2 universe after all.

Previous chap: CH: 7 Badlands

Next chap: CH: 9 Uhtceare

________________

~Ch: 8 Kings men~

After hours of hard searching he was satisfied that everyone was taken care of. Leaving the quarantine he was greeted by Marta waiting alongside a small group. Those looking for family in the hopes they survived long enough alongside volunteers to care for the ill. Joyed to see a team willing since he wasn't going to force people to do it. Forcing would only fester contempt to those taken care of. A fleck of gold on the forest edge let Blake know that Val was still there waiting for him as the rest were. Moving the ill along he eventually saw her leave.

Marta spoke up about her on their way to the new quarantine. “He's been standing out there since you went in. I worry he aims to have your head if given the chance. Should we pick them off before they become trouble?”

“I'm not going to hunt people down because of fear for what they may do.” Can't say much for that when I'm too afraid to go after them. “I don't even know what Val wants. If she wanted to take over Temple Gate I would think she'd have tried earlier. You're more of a block to that then I am.”

“I trust that even he would fear the Angel of Death. Yet, to be the one to strike down such an angel would earn a mighty title. Should we really wait 'till the day they strike? Everyday they settle themselves deeper into those mountains. Festering up there like ticks feasting on our blood. It'll be harder to pry them out when we finally do act.”

Calming himself from getting too sick by the conversation he took some deep breaths. “How about we train the guard to be better prepared for that day? What have you started them on so far?”

“Basics they've learned, tracking trails for the capture. Aggravatingly slow to handle the threat by the time they do catch up. they keep goin' in circles on how to restrain them. Different from the usual process of making them unconscious entirely first.”

“What tools do they have?”

“Rope, but not much. Weapons by way of various blades. Flashlights.”

“Any zip ties?”

“Haven't seen those in years.”

“Could make catchers loops. They're easy to make off what we got. A piece of hollowed pole and some dull wire.”

“Mm, another matter is where to place them after. Should we use one of the old spaces?”

“No, those shouldn't be used. We need one large single space that we can add onto. Put in some more plumbing to make better cells.”

“We used to have a basement for storage before it collapsed years ago. Fix the structure and you'll have a convertible space.” Gesturing her staff toward a short square building out in the distance.

“That could work, can you show me?” Following Marta to the double doors of the building. Opening them to a large set of stone stairs downward to the start of a large area. Blocked as Marta said with a caved in roof and many rotten beams threatening to collapse if they haven't already. Seems like the best we got. Separate the place with cells and a front area to act as a buffer in case things go wrong. “Is there another entrance or is this the only one?”

“Only one.”

“Good, we won't have to block another. One way in for the jail is best. I'll ask Liam to work on it. Capture loops I'll make myself after everything else is handled.”

“And Val? If he's caught within the walls of Temple Gate, planning your execution. Then what?”

“If she's caught, send her to jail. I'll either interrogate her or decide right then and there what's to be done.” Correcting something he noticed everyone did in Temple Gate at the mention of Val's gender.

“She? But Val's not-”

“No, but yes.” Trying to keep this as easy an explanation to someone not used to being open. “Maybe not in body, but that's who she is in soul. I won't fight what her soul says is true. Long as it doesn't hurt anyone, then there's no reason to deny what she knows is her true self.” He wasn't sure if he liked using souls as a part of it, but it was a simple start to open the door.

Marta did a sort of eye roll, but didn't argue. “As the angel says. If we capture her we'll bring her to jail and send you news of such then. What about any other Voltaire?”

“Hold them until I get there for interrogation. Unless it's a large group, then bring them to jail.”

All those Blake could save were safely migrated to the new quarantine. Mathew having done well with the tasks given to him. Passing out a bottle to everyone with only a couple of handfuls left over. Using a whole heap of other medical supplies him and Blake cleaned everyone before carefully re-wrapping them. Covered in fresh clean gauze surrounded by the sterile smell of cleaner or alcohol. Each given a simple mat bed, not as fancy as a hospital bed, but would have to do. Blake overlooked their grand handy work while Mathew spent time talking with his mother. The medicine wouldn't fix the damage done to her, but it would buy some time. There were groups of similar on the edge of death, but Blake saw they had enough life to help them out of the pit as much as he could. Their likelihood of fully rejoining Temple Gate wouldn't be possible. They'd be released from quarantine, but they would need full time care and couldn't work. Another thing atop his plate of planning. When everyone was settled he called their attention for the dreaded assembly of awkward sex ED. Explaining what they had, how it was passed and all the basics they should have gotten in an average middle school. Doing his best to answer the strange questions at the end. Hating that he'd have to repeat this for the rest of Temple Gate. He scrubbed himself down all over in a strict cleaning regime. Strong soap smelling heavily of citrus fruits. Then with alcohol before leaving quarantine. Instructing everyone else to scrub with soaps often as possible. Any leaving of quarantine could only be done by the medics, who had to do a thorough scrub down like him.

Pulling his chain mail off he looked over the damage done. Sections disconnected from the many arrows embedded into it. Having gotten the bolts free and the rest from the shooter he took the whole crossbow kit to John. Hiking up the mountain trail naturally developed from foot traffic.

Handing it off to be used for long range hunting. John highly praised Blake for it. “This will be perfect for deer if we come across any.”

“Glad you like it. Know how to use it?”

“Oh yeah, used to be a few in circulation. You can guess what happened to them. Laird and Nick were the last to have one. They even knew how to make 'em.”

“Guess that's why he never ran out of bolts, heh. I plan to have that meeting I meant to give earlier. Gather people at the grand hall on your way there.”

“Of course… Sir, I want to thank you for what you've done. For my family, my wife especially. Didn't think I'd ever see her after she was sent away. Or if I did, I'd be leaving my son behind.”

He smiled. “It's fine. Be happy and don't worry about it.” Waving goodbye back down the mountain trail.

Blake headed to Liam next about converting the basement after the houses were all fixed. Given permission to gather whatever wood he needed. As for the jail cells, metal bars were to be recycled from the cages Knoth used. Walls created from layering concrete and brick. Walls doubled up with doors if any escape attempts were made. A whole working set for plumbing to be installed. The whole power supply was independent from civilization. Their pipes connected to a massive underground well that naturally refilled come warm spring.

I really need to get on giving out those lord titles. Dragging his feet to the grand hall for the second sex ED class. It felt incredibly long and agonizing telling a bunch of adults this. Fleeing at the first chance he got when the older members filled in for answering the questions. At least not everyone was clueless about the sex life. Inside his room he carved out a few round disks from a white branch he had on the side. Sorting through who was dubbed a lord over what. Aiming this to be more official in some way he carved out a set of badges for each main category. Farming had the silhouette of a recessed bulls head with a carved stalk of wheat over it. Hunting had a bucks head with a berry branch similar to the farmers layered carving. town needs had a hammer surrounded by a carved ring of rope at its edge. health was the classic cross surrounded by a ring of carved olive branches. And guard he based off the classic sheriff star from old western movies he used to watch. Decorated with carved on fake stitch embroidery to simulate threaded leather. Taking time to loop a little wire over to thread each badge onto a chain. Inspecting the two inch disks for anything else to be added.

In hand he gathered up the people to be dubbed. Easy to gather everyone again after they stuck around since the last meeting. Ducking away from more sex questions being asked. Motioning everyone to sit back down while a select few stood on stage. At the podium he awkwardly started his announcement. After so many he still wasn't used to doing them. “Okay, I'm happy to see how far we've gotten. Places rebuilt, farms up and working again and people happy. Since things are growing so large to manage I decided to name a few lords under me. They will manage each sector I put them over and I trust them to make decisions without running to me every time. They will update me when there are large decisions needed. They will help with any issues they have and pass them up to me if serious enough. They'll be wearing one of these, so you know who each one is. They won't get any special treatment. They'll eat and live the same as everyone else.” Lifting up the dangling badges. “First is Marta, in charge of the guard to protect the town from inside and outer threats. James, in charge of farming to managing food stock and storage. John, in charge of hunting and foraging the surrounding land. Liam, for town needs. He will be building what we need or fixing what we have. Along with delivering major supplies from one end of town to the other. And finally Mathew, for health. He will run the hospital, care for the sick, distribute any future meds and keep track of any illness spreading.” Mathew wanted to be a lord and Blake felt he fit it best. He knew the young man wouldn't leave his mothers side needing permanent care. May as well make him in charge of the job to be nearby round the clock. Seeing him beam over the badge warmed Blake's heart that he made the right decision. Dismissing everyone except for the lords to give a meet up schedule. Every few days they'd meet to discuss things that were noteworthy, but could come to him anytime if they wanted.

For the next few weeks nothing much noteworthy happened. Houses were rebuilt from the rot to create nice fresh rows. The basement structure had its framing redone to make a safe inner space. Cells would be constructed later. Mathew was taking his position seriously by constantly giving updates from quarantine. Notifying Blake when they needed more medical supplies or cleaner to keep things sterilized. Updates that the ill were gaining weight after being put on a proper diet. Their sores were leaving alongside the rashes covering them. Major scarring was left over and most likely wouldn't leave for years. Taking up to covering themselves to hide the noticeable marks.

Marta's guard had been improving since being given the capture loops. Hunting down practice volunteers took less time each round. After seeing Blake's chainmail had survived multiple crossbow bolts they asked for a set themselves. To save time making six sets he taught them how to make it themselves on the side. Improved upon by braces of spare wood they collected from Liam and tanned hides John had set. Their new layered suits could protect from anything sharp for the most part. A cross bolt or two if that ever happened. Farms were flourishing through multiple crops Blake aimed to have harvested before the approaching winter. A huge chunk of the harvest would be picked for long time preservation. A selection of meat smoked and dried into batches of jerky. Stored away in jars in a fixed up barn. Numbers were recorded for Blake to copy down into a notebook. A breakdown of medical supplies used, food eaten, and how much money was flowing out of Temple Gate to get its footing. Worrying over the major amounts of cash they were bleeding. All necessary, but the money would run out eventually. And then what? The question haunted him in his dreams. Always delivered by Lynn, who was mutilated differently each time. Asking what he was still doing in Temple Gate. No matter the answer he yelled she refused to accept them. Stabbing him with insults of wanting her death. Keeping all the killers alive after all that they did. Gifting mercy on those who deserved an equally tortuous death that would come back to bite him.

These recurring dreams had soured what mood he had. Hiding it all behind false smiles to keep everyone else up. Neglecting his sleep to stay up late doing anything else but that. He still had a few weeks until the ill would get a health check. Those cleared would be integrated soon as possible. Splitting the head count across various areas, but that could change on the day. Blake rubbed his tired face checking over the copied food numbers. He wanted to be sure everything was copied over correctly or else he could end up panicking from messed up totals. Almost accidentally marking the page from urgent banging on his door.

One of the guard shouting through the door. “Sir, we caught a Voltaire!”

Blake jumped from his chair to the door. “Show me.” Racing out behind the other. Chest tightening at the thought of who it could be. “Is it Val?” She was to be taken to the jail when caught, but that wasn't set up yet. What will I do if it is?

His guard's answer calmed him. “No, a random.” They ran up to the guards surrounding the one snagged. Looking around he wondered what they were doing here. Nothing but a bunch of rotten buildings overtaken by nature.

Marta oversaw everything until Blake arrived. “Snagged him, skulking like a fox. No weapons on him, or anything else.” She approached Blake away from the captured. Whispering the next bit. “You can’t see Val, but he's watching from the hills nearby.”

“She and thank you.”

Marta sighed. “She.” Watching him pass to part the ring of guards.

He looked over the one caught, they were thin and small. Covered in various scar marks, eyes glaring right at Blake as he was kept pinned down. Loops tight around his neck and some at his legs. Blake set his hands on his hips. “What were you doing?” Starting his interrogation. Seeing already that this wasn't going anywhere.

One guard spoke up. “Let's use him for information. He's quiet now, but we can get answers out of him by morning. When we're done we can-”

“No, we're not doing that.” Blake wasn't willing to torture answers out of him and by the others stare he wasn't giving any answers willingly. He thought of skipping them and directly asking Val. That would be a gamble in itself. If this grunt had no worth she wouldn't answer, yet he must have some. She was hiding to see what would happen. A test of Blake's spine when handling threats? A wait and see, to see what would happen and nothing more?

“We should make an example of him.”

The hard glare of the looped one immediately dropped. Their tense shoulders slumped to what was being proposed.

“What has he done?”

“Nothing, yet.”

“Could say trespassing.” Another answered.

“I'd hardly call that something. Let him go.” He waved off.

“What?! We can't let him go. We caught him skulking around to do something.”

“To do what? There's nothing on him and he's hardly anywhere he could cause trouble.” Gesturing around to the old area left untouched still. Made up mainly of dirt with a few rotten abandoned shacks in between. Far from any space being used or lived by. “Why not go directly somewhere else?”

“He could have been sent in to spy.”

“All the Voltaire used to live here. They already know where everything is. What new information could he gain?”

“Find out where you sleep. Next one will be a sent in killer.”

“I'm sure they could figure that out from a distance. I go into the grand hall and never leave like everyone else. If sending in an assassin was so easy I'm sure Knoth would have been dead ages ago.”

“We should string him up as a warning to the others.” The first guard spoke. “We let this one go and they'll push us further next time.”

Agreed by the second guard. “Set on a pyre would be seeable for miles. Even from the mountains they could-”

“No! We're not doing any of that!” Blake roared to shut the conversation down. “He's done nothing but step into an abandoned area. If someone else comes and does something then that'd be worthy of a punishment.” When they passed looks to each other Blake knew they disagreed. Marta passed him a look in asking if she should settle the dispute for him. It would have been easy, but not good for the long run. “Alright, choose what you want to do with him. I'll use that as the base for what each of your punishments will be. I know a few of you here did a lot more than trespassing. Some of you remember well what Knoth decided when he imprisoned you. How did it feel all the way until I freed you? What were your crimes that he decided were so heinous? That ceremony to free you of your sins only stays so long as you change. Do you want to decorate the town with new bodies? You still think trespassing is worth killing over?” They glanced at each other, shifting themselves to downward looks. Avoiding Blake's judging stare aimed at each of them. “Let him go.” This time the order wasn't argued. Loops slipped off before the released was shooed away. Stepped after by Marta up to the border to make sure they were chased out. Blake caught a glimpse of Val reuniting with the other before they ran off.

He had the guard spread out again while he went to sleep for the night. His actions strange consequences becoming known within a matter of days. Val had been spotted repeatedly watching Temple Gate far off in the distance. Reports from Marta kept him aware of each time and place she was spotted. Never seen at night or with any other Voltaire at any time. Marta's paranoia about it still too high; she enforced her guard shifting their routes constantly. In case Val was attempting to study that for a time to attack. Creating a bland map off guesswork Blake pinned the spots she appeared. Not finding out much from it.

While in the dining hall he spotted her from a window. Standing in one of her common spots on the horizon. They were the best spots to get a view of Temple Gate without getting too close to its edge. While avoiding being too far and high on the mountain to see people as specks. He questioned what she wanted. She should know where everything is, at least by now if not before. Does she want something? Turned toward the idea of maybe she wanted to speak with him. No, what would I say to her and what would she ask of me? Speak some crass words or drone on about joining her side? Stomach dropping as if he ate a boulder at the idea of meeting her face to face. Either stabbed by her knife or grabbed by her hands. Feeling him up again while pinned beneath her. Blocking out the idea she'd want to join him instead. No, she wouldn't want that. Shoving away any concept of how to integrate them. He'd prefer focusing on integrating the healed as that day grew closer. Only nine more days. Nervous about how well things would go. He explained everything, but people were still fearful of those recovering. Would he need to separate the groups to prevent fights? Would separating the two help or make things worse? What if everyone refused to work unless the healed were sent away. He had a duty to be their protector, to ensure they were treated fairly in Temple Gate after so long.

He rubbed away a migraine forming at the front of his skull. Hand dropping when he was approached by a group of men. One stepping forward to make a request Blake hadn't experienced before. “Sir, can you official a marriage?”

“Uh ...” I'm not a priest, but it's not like Knoth was. Guess anything goes. “Sure? When's the wedding? What do I do?”

“Don't have much weddings around here. Knoth made 'em official between the families attending in a church. Says a few words from his gospel. Nothin' else than that.”

At least it sounds easy. “I can do that. Won’t be from his book and I'll have to do it in the grand hall instead.”

“Close enough. We'll fetch the bride and groom.”

“I'll be here.” What do priests say at the altar? He pondered as the group left him. Do you take each other in sickness, health and blah blah. I now pronounce you, is that it? God, I remember it being so much longer than that. I was all over the place at my wedding though. Making sure Lynn wasn't stressed. Heh, she was doing the same. Maybe more, I was the nervous wreck through all that. Feel bad for the photographer. How many times did I ask to see the photos? Making adjustments to have Lynn look perfect. That's what happens when you're your wife's camera man. She had to lure me away from that poor guy using a tray of appetizers. Coming out of his thoughts by the group returning. Introductions passed back and forth between the families and Blake.

His pleasantry cut when he met the bride. “Claire.” Introducing herself. A girl looking far too young.

With a groom far too old. “Don.”

Blake stood frozen at what was going on. “Uh, … How old are you?”

“Sixteen.” She kept her head low, eyes scouring the floor for nothing in particular. Avoiding all the older men surrounding her. Shooting her warning looks now and again.

Refusing to support this he stated without hesitation “I'm not marrying you.”

“Why not?” Don asked. “Is it 'cause you didn't oversee the sale? We can go over the trade right now.”

“She's too young.”

“she's sixteen, old 'nough to marry.

Her own father stepped up in agreement. “She's not lookin' at anyone else, thought his offer was fair. So he should get her. Before she gets too old to have kids. 'less you actually want her, but you gotta offer more than Don.”

Blake had to grit his teeth together. “I don't support child marriages.” Holding his temper coming to a roaring boil. “Not in my book.”

“What's the problem? She has to settle down soon and I want 'er.”

“What aren't you getting?! First of all, you can't buy anyone to be your wife! Second, You can't marry until both sides are at least eighteen.”

Marta's appearance briefly paused the argument. The men waited for her to do anything. Glancing from her to Blake when nothing happened.

“Tsk, fine. We'll make our wedding set in bed. Doubt you could officialize it anyways.” Regretting his words under Marta's stare.

Blake yanked the girl away. “Like hell I'm letting that happen.” Feeling bad about needing to do it roughly, but they were ready to yank her back. Letting go after Marta stepped forward to intimidate them back.

“You gonna let her die alone? She needs a husband.”

“No she doesn't.” Growling out his frustration. “You're lucky the jails not finished yet or I'd throw you in there!”

“Jail for what?!”

The fact that Marta also seemed a little confused worried him. Reasons clicking into place. I'm not in the outside. He sighed before giving a break down. “No one has to marry anyone they don't want. If they want to be alone their whole life, that's fine. Men and women can freely make that choice on their own. You can't claim someone for any reason.”

“How else are we expected to start families? If we let them choose then nobody will get married. Worse, we'll have whores running amok with every man they seduce. Destroying households until there won't be any left.”

“Doubtful.” Blake wasn't going to let this conversation go on. “I'm telling you right now. No-ones allowed to claim anybody. You want to get married so bad? Find a girl that'd actually like you.” An impossible task for him. That I'm sure of. “What you did won't be allowed anymore while I'm in charge. I won't be letting you walk off after this either. You can help James on the field for the next few months. Rise early and leave late, removing all the rocks and weeds.”

“Why should I?! I did nothing wrong! This is how it's always been done! You can't take away-”

“Bite that tongue of yours.” Marta quieted him immediately. “You heard him. Get going before he chooses somethin' worse.”

The man glared between her and him, taking her advice to skitter off alongside the others. Blake turned to the girl, who flinched at his movement. He spoke softly to her. “You don't have to marry him. Or anyone else your father says you should. He can't sell you, I won't allow that.” She thanked him quietly, saying nothing more. He grit his teeth in anger over what happened. Switching to Marta to focus some of it. “Why didn't you say anything?”

Her brows furrowed, tapping the cane on her shoulder then giving a half shrug. “That's the way?” Her statement hinting at her confusion.

“... Well, it shouldn't. It's not allowed anymore… Knoth allowed a lot of things that I don't condone. Fathers marrying daughters was one I remember reading.”

“That was only allowed if their wife's passed first. Polygamy wasn't allowed even in marriage.”

“That's not the point… Do you support it?”

Marta's face crinkled, mumbling in whispers. “That's … how it's been. Knoth wanted the congregation to grow. A holy army ready for war when the end came. Even more so after the ranches fall with so many taken away from us. Outside law was dropped for his holy law to take full effect once Temple Gate was settled.” Sounding tired as she droned on a teaching hammered into her. “It's just always been the way, even for me back on the ranch. I owed Knoth for what he gave me.”

“Nobody can own you.”

“My body and my soul always belong to Knoth. Knoth's eye, Knoth's hound, his best beloved to name a few of my titles. Everything but the wedding ring to finalize it between me and him. He didn't want us to be, nor any other women of the flock for him. Due to his higher callin', but he finalized a few suitors he chose for me. None of 'em lasted after some great struggles.”

“… I want to make it clear you can't belong to someone because they did something for you. You don't belong to me, never will. Knoth's gone, you're free, you can say what you want.”

She froze, statue-like, breath held while watching him over the long moment. Blake thought he'd have to repeat the question. Is she looking for an answer from me first? Agree with me no matter what she really thought. Hmm, that's how it's been. Tempted to nudge her in the right direction, but it was better said straight by her.

Minutes stretched on, then she answered. “No, I'd rather see it gone.”

He lightly smiled and nodded. Turning to the girl standing quietly by. Can't let her go home. Asking Marta for suggestions. “Are there any abandoned houses nearby? Ones that aren't falling apart?”

“Few in the forest not far.”

“Good.” Addressing them both. “I'm not letting you stay near those creeps or with your dad, who showed support for that. You're moving into a new place. If you want anything from your old home, Marta will escort you there to grab what you want and escort you to your new home. They try to stop you, Marta gets to break their legs. They can't harass you either, tell me or Marta if they try.”

Her voice was quiet. “You don't have to do that. I'm expected to marry by my age.”

“I am and you shouldn't. Marry who you want when you're old enough… Ah, eighteen years old, minimum.” I'll have to do a major announcement for law changes. Back to speaking solely to Marta. “What other stuff did Knoth support? There's a lot I want to see gone. Anything you didn't like that stands out immediately?”

Her eyes widened in a short flash. gaze darting around in a rush to search for something deep in memory. Appearing to have a lot to say, but crushed under the weight of it all in a short instance.

“A lot of stuff then? We can sit down and list them.”

“If you have the time for it all.”

“I do. Help her get settled first then let's go talk at the hall.”

By afternoon, Blake ended up finding out just how much there was to toss or change. His few pieces of paper to take notes turned into its own little book with categories he marked. Many disgusting laws he outright crossed off with others, being not so bad. Needed minor twerking. Marta was a lexicon of everything Knoth ever put into place down to the very day. His laws started out reasonable such as those trained to drive could only move the heavy tractors. Turning more deluded and sickening in the more recent years. Many more were obviously “rules for thee, but not for me.” Like Knoth having many “visitors” in the bedroom without restrictions to women or men. Yet, a common villager had to find a wife to have as many children as possible. No other relationships were allowed.

He went through them all, showing the old vs the renewed to best see his changes. Marta seemed satisfied with a lot of them while others she liked a little less so. Being apprehensive about the concept of parole instead of strictly jail time. “It's always been like that on the outside.”

“Sounds like baby sitting to me. Waste our time watchin' them before they've truly paid for what They've done. Keep 'em in jail 'till they've really learned.”

“As opposed to babysitting them in a cell?”

“Least they're in one place.”

“If they're out, you won't have to feed them all the time.”

“Mm.” She hummed out a light agreement. “When you putting this up?”

“Immediately.”

“All of it? That's a lot to chew in a day.”

“Yes. I don't want people thinking any of this is okay for a day more.” Copying things to a fresh page. “I'll make a few copies to pass out. Can't make one for everybody, 'least not right now.”

“We better make sure you ain't in grabbing distance when you talk. Lot of folks won't take the changes sitting down.”

He nodded between copying. “If things do go south...” He started. Hands turned cold for no reason he stopped writing.

“I'll be with the guard.”

“But should you?”

“You don't want me to be?”

“I don't want anyone dying. Especially not to you. If it gets bad enough-”

“I can do a lot more than kill.” Interrupting him. “I did it because those were my orders. Without those shackles holdin' me back. people will realize they got more to fear now then before.”

“I don't want people to be scared either.” Tapping the book with his pen.

“Fear keeps them in line, but that was Knoth's way. You've managed to find your own to work with. I pray you'll find a way with this too.”

“Thanks. Guess I'll pray too.” Continuing to copy he joked. “Maybe God will save my ass for the twelfth time.”

“Wouldn't hurt.”

“I might be doing this for a while. Can you tell the lords there will be another assembly today. Have them spread the word.”

“What time?”

“Let's say after dinner. I should have at least a few copy's done by then.”

She dipped her head, leaving him to his copying alone. It took him a few hours to make twelve copies of the law book before dinner. One he'd keep personally, one for Marta to keep, one for the guard to study together. As for the rest, some would be left in the hall for people to reference and others kept in case the others disappeared for any reason. Coming up was the harder part, another assembly that had Marta stand beside her guards. The other lords John, Mathew, Liam and James sat toward the front. Blake stood at the podium flicking his hand and stretching it open and closed into a fist. Copying a thick book for hours had strained it. Its sore movement provided a small distraction from his rattled nerves. Repeatedly flexing the strain away in waiting for everyone to sit before starting.

“Today I had to get involved with an issue,” He started. “One about marriage and how it's conducted around here along with the general treatment of women. A toxic black spot left over from Knoth that I need to fix right away. Along with many other laws and views he supported and left behind after his death. Many of those I will not tolerate. I should have fixed this sooner, but I'm doing it now.” He went on through the long assembly. Bringing up the new rule book and many of the big changes it stated. He expected the backlash developing further with each new law, but not the equal defense against the naysayers.

It shot off after some aggressive shouting between a few men. Some on both sides of the room stood up to face one another. “We're supposed to let women run around without husbands. Letting them be a bunch of whores?”

“What do you think they're going to do without a husband? They're women, not succubi! Let them out of the homes and work with us. We could use more hands in the fields. No point forcing a woman to cook at home when you can't bring food to it.”

“I'm not working next to some dumb bitch who can't tell a weed from a growing crop.”

James stood up and scoffed. “Boy, you couldn't tell a carrot from a tree root. Let the women decide if they wanna. If they decide not to then nothings changed now has it?”

“Why change anything at all? This is how things have always been.”

John stood up next.“And how's that been working for us? How high is our body count? Take a look around, how many women we got left? We're lucky Knoth didn't force us to kill the last of them.”

James added on. “We'd have no future at all if they all went. What Knoth created had Temple Gate dying a slow death. We got a chance to change things that I thought would never come. Weather hell comes or not, I'm not missin' this.”

Liam stood on the other side. “Sure, let's change things to help Temple Gate grow. Should make the chains tighter and keep 'em on a curfew. Escorts out of the house by their fathers or husbands only.”

Blake shot that down immediately. “Never.”

Another snapped back. “And what if the girls refuse every hand offered to them? We shrug our shoulders -oh well- and watch our town die out after forty years?”

“I rather see that then this town turn toward sex slavery!” James shouted. “You don't want it for that family angle you keep flashing.”

“Of course we want family's.” Liam stated. “It's the only way this town can keep going.”

“Keep going how exactly, through marrying kids, through birthing more babies?” Room going hush at the word. One side far calmer than the other shifting on their feet. “Look at all of you. You're terrified at the mention of them. Eventually, one's gonna arrive and you'll have to take Knoth's false words or accept them for Temple Gates' future. You dumbass's forget what kids were?”

��We ain't forget.” One spoke. “We got a plan together around that.”

Another joined. “If we lock up the girls, get 'em all pregnant, we would know which one bares the Antichrist. Then we-”

“NO!” Blake roared everyone quiet. “NEVER EVER! If I hear one more suggestion like that from someone I will kill them personally myself!”

“You won't do anything. making up all these useless rules, wastin' our time. I ain't following a one. Anyone who ain't married needs to pick a wife. When the Antichrist is found, it'll be killed, then we'll raise the rest. Get the girls married quick, start them young to keep our-”

“SHUT UP!” Kids being targeted next had him snap. Vision filled by a blur of red he attacked the man. Punching into him, clawing and thrashing across the floor. Bashing into many others between their fighting. Whole hall exploding into a riot had Marta lose him in the outbreak. Forced to start grabbing and separating everyone as her guards did the same. One pulled out a knife on James, who got a few slashes to his arms. Forced back he fell over a table, flinching in expectation of a stab to the gut. Instead he heard a shriek of pain. He opened his eyes to see Marta had snapped the attackers leg backwards at the knee. Shoving them against the wall. “Sit and don't move.” Turning to face the crowd again in yanking people away. Any attackers that challenged her wrath were dealt with aggressively. Broken limbs, jaws, physically thrown over her head into the furniture. James and John took to moving the unconscious and broken out of the way.

Even as she was clearing a chunk of the crowd, she still had no sight of Blake. Who was still beating down the man on the floor. Rage dying to exhaustion, hand numb by the strain, his death threat earlier wasn't coming as easy as he wanted it to. When he slowed the other took his chance of a bottle falling off the bar top counter. Smashing it over Blake's head who flinched from the sharp glass. A liquid fell from his head that he expected to be beer. Its red color let him know what it really was. A large pain burned across his head that he couldn't figure out before being punched off the one under him. He slammed into a roll that didn't go far. A knee slammed into his side knocking him over further. Covering his head that spun after receiving some heavy punches. Arms grabbed to be forced away for the punches to connect with his skull. Teeth clacking together he was sure he tasted blood off his bit lip. Struggling to get up with the one above straddled over his back.

Between every other person fighting he wasn't sure what he heard over him. Some strange breath then a gurgle. A warm liquid water falling onto the back of his neck. The weight of the other slumped off him onto the floor next to him. Blake sat up at the sight of the other gripping their stabbed throat. In a moment they stopped twitching to bleed out the last few drops. Blake felt across the back of his neck and saw the blood that wasn't his own. Wiping it away using his own sleeve he was disgusted by how much there was on him. Head whipping around to see who could have done it; nobody stood out to him. Standing up from the floor his appearance stunned everyone still. Being the only one soaked in blood he stood out like a glowing beacon. Dead body bled out laid by his feet as proof it wasn't his own blood spilt.

Without anyone else covered in red he couldn't pinpoint the possible killer. Everyone equally a suspect unless they gave themselves up. Zoning back from his fixation of a killer in the room he noticed everyone staring at him. Locked on in fearful awe that he did exactly as he said he would. Swallowing the taste of copper he spoke to the stilled room. “Anyone else got something to say?” Scanning the room carefully for hints of the killer rather than another debater. “No? Then get the fuck out!” Pointing toward the door.

Main parts of the crowd shuffled out straight home. Marta turned to the guard members standing nearby. “Take all those idiots to the hospital.” Pointing to the line up of those she personally injured. She stood by Blake alongside John, James, and Liam. When it was only them she looked from the corpse to Blake. “You didn't kill him.” the others squinted between Blake and her.

“How are you sure?” John asked.

“He couldn't kill anyone to save his life.”

“No, I didn't. I didn't see who did it either. Did one of you-” Each shook their heads.

“James and John were by me. Liam stayed on the stage after I threatened to break his legs.”

He glanced around, asking next. “Where's Mathew?”

“He ran out soon after the fight started.”

“Shit.” He knelt down to look closer at the body.

“Does it matter?” Liam asked. “You wanted him dead.”

“Yes, but If I'd killed him then I'd only have to worry about my own sanity. Now I have to worry about what kind of killers out there.” Ignoring all the old murders. On closer inspection of the man's neck, he saw a yellowed white piece sticking out. Plucking it out he gave the sharp hard sliver a careful wipe down. “This a porcupine quill?” Standing to show everyone the item in his palm.

Marta picked it up for a careful glance. “It's bone.”

“Bone?” Glancing at the body. “Can't have come from him.”

“No. This is a bit old based on the whitening.” Passing it back to Blake.

Snapping open a pocket he carefully placed it away. “We should find Mathew. Maybe he saw something.”

John leading the way. “I bet he ran home. I always tell him to go there if there's trouble.”

A short walk had them approaching John's house. A small white house with a short covered porch. Its outer paneling hadn't aged gracefully with rot and peeling paint making its appearance. John stepped inside, followed by everyone else to find Mathew stressed out at the dining table. “You okay?”

“I guess.”

“You should drink something.” Fetching a glass of water.

“I don't need- !” Shot up from his chair when he saw Blake still coated in blood. “What happened?!”

“Was in a fight, but someone killed the guy. You see anything?”

“N-no. I ran out soon everyone stared fightin'. Came r-right home.”

“You sure?”

Mathew nodded, taking the glass of water from his dad.

“Okay, if you remember anything. Come tell me or Marta.” Looking to the tall woman, her eyes locked into glaring down the boy. “Come on Marta.” Lightly waving her to leave. Even when she turned away her eyes stayed locked on Mathew. Broken past the doorway out of each other's sights. Blake rubbed his face then gagged at the blood smearing further. “I'm going to get cleaned. James, can you handle the body? Marta, you should patrol. In case anything else happens.” Giving out orders through his worsening exhaustion. Tired brain struggling to grasp the answers his lords gave while walking off.

Next morning he felt fresher after last night's deep scrub. Sleep however had slipped away from his grasp. Nightmares of being stalked just before being killed were the recent ones. Better than seeing that fleshy creep at the school. Trying to stay optimistic in his zoned out brain. Zoning back he took in that he was looking out the front window of the grand hall. What was I doing before?… Oh yeah. Seeing that fleck of gold on the horizon. Val, in her usual spot in the mornings.

“Sir, you doing alright?” John approached Blake, who didn't look too well.

“Yeah, brains just been buzzing with all the stuff I have to do. worrying about what's going on in here… what's out there.” Tipping his head up.

John followed his gaze, giving a hum of understanding when spotting Val. “You dealt with them before, right? What do you plan to do with them?”

He sighed. “I don't know.”

“Going to kill them?”

Dull and tired, he was open to suggestions. “Should I?” Swallowing in regret of his question. “ I… I didn't mean that.”

“Hm, most people would. Why don't you?”

“... I don't know. Willing to look away from a lot of things already? I've read a lot of notes left by people. Some from … I wasn't there, but I read what happened. The children cull, the suicides, the guilt everyone admitted too but had no one to turn too. Knoth swept it under the rug as sins or else marked them traitors for death. How much of it was them or how much of it was Knoth's crushing choke hold? Would this town have gone so crazy if someone else stepped up?”

“Like you are?”

“Maybe… I guess. I'm not a leader, I couldn't even save one person.”

“You helped all those in quarantine.”

“That's different.” Looking down at the ring on his finger.

“Ah… I can't speak for everyone, but a lot of us didn't want this to happen. We tried to make things better, help each other, while some- I can't say what they wanted. Nightmares gripped us in every waking moment. Knoth always told us it was our sins finding us and maybe it was? Could say it was us feeling guilt for all that we've done. I like to think of it as showing we still have a conscience left in us, despite everything. Some of us who committed the cruelest things wished we really hadn't… Marta was one of those and I'm sure there are others. For all those who show regret, will you forgive them?”

“Hard to say. Some of the things Knoth supported I can't ignore. I'll have to deal with those too if they start showing up again.” He sighed. “If they really do regret what they've done and change for the better. Then I have nothing to go after them for.”

“I'm willing to help and I'm sure many others are too.”

“Thanks John.”

#Outlast 2 #Blake Langermann #Marta Outlast #Val Outlast #Temple Gate #Outlast 2: Deliverance #Outlast 2 fanfic

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