#if the demon deal didn't work he would have tried every spell in the book to bring sam back

[ima-super-natural]

I love how dead Dean's eyes look throughout this entire sequence. He was never gonna bury that body.

[a-crash-in-time-collection]

Chapter 62: The Towers

The forest air was cold... colder than other parts of the forest during this winter season. It didn't fade away as Snatcher let out occasional spells of flame to clear the path. He was more hesitant to now, his hand pulling away from the flames every time. He knew his fire was safe... But he still felt the fear. Not that he would ever admit it aloud. He was tried but he had tried resting, nothing seem to fully cure his state. No matter. He could rest when the demon he allowed free was sent back.

He glanced behind him at the small group following him. Hat Girl was in the back, on lookout. Cat ears and mask on as a pile of explosive cash was held in her hand. Randy was in the middle of the group, holding a book close to him. He hadn't said anything the whole day... Saving his breath for the spells, Macbeth had told them. He did seem the slightest more confident in his abilities, but his eyes still were dim in doubt. Snatcher could have made a comment, but he bit his tongue.

He threw another fire spell at a large pile of snow that was blocking the group's way, and paused as he saw something in the faint distance. An old tower. Standing there abandoned, secrets never told. He glanced down at the group, moving aside so they could see. Badge Seller took one look at it and gave a nod of confirmation to what they were thinking. Good, they were almost there... At least in theory. It was just the gateway. They still had to open the actual doorway. Or portal, they didn't know for sure how this was going to turn out.

They needed Randy to do this spell. It was their only hope of getting the information they needed to how to deal with Ezra's flames, and send him back to Hell. Or find some other way to contain him, since Hell couldn't... It was still wild for the phantom to think about it. He knew the Afterlife existed but to have even had a glance into a tiny speck of the darker side of it... Maybe that's why he was tired. Maybe part of his mortal mind was still trying to wrap around the

concept.

Hat Girl did a scan around the area as they slowly approached the stone tower. They had been hesitant on letting her come but she insisted on it. She could stand guard and fight back if something happened to come their way. She watched everyone head into the tower before heading to the entrance arch, leaning against it with her eyes turn to the land outside. Despite that, she couldn't see nor sense the two beings nearby. The ones reflective of the darker sides of the magic the towers were made to reflect.

"Of course it's her." Vanessa would hiss at the sight, before being shushed by Ezra. "The little rat has broken into my manor twice and left alive despite my best efforts. She's untouchable. Of course my prince would go to her for mid-guided 'protection'-" Ezra garbed her hand and shushed her again. "Right, of course... Wait till they open it."

"Exactly." Ezra whispered as he lowered himself closer to the ground, peeking out from the cluster of bushes and trees. "I know how upset you are, but if we jump him now, he'll just get away. We need to be prepared... At least he's safe for now." He tried to quietly reassure her. He was able to keep the venom out of his voice. Seeing the Moonjumper alive and well... It drove him mad. It was a mockery to the countless nights he worked to get rid of him... No matter... Moonjumper would be gone again soon....

Inside the tower, Randy looked at the spellbook he laid out on the ground. He traced over some of the writing with one hand, his other lighting up as he made a blob of light appear, it dashing about at his command. He had gotten better the past few days, he had to after all... and yet doubt still crept at his soul. Why couldn't he just be carefree about it, like he used to be with everything. "Maybe we should have seen if Anamund could have come with us. They'd be able to open it."

"We don't even know if they have that type of magic." Snatcher mumbled as he got Shadow Kid off his back.

Badge Seller gave a small hum as he looked at Randy. "Moonjumper had to trust what his magic could do as well." He spoke up as he rested in the corner of the tower's base. The walls only had faint, almost nonsense markings carved into them, despite that, it looked like nothing special... Randy snapped his fingers to make the light disappear. Badge saw him glanced down at his own hand. "He had no guide to teach him other than his own instincts... If he could learn to do it, I know you can."

"I know it should be possible... I just don't want to hurt anyone if I mess up." Randy sighed as he looked down, flipping to the page that had the supposed spell they needed. It was old, torn, the words were faded. He was going to need to channel what he wanted through his magic rather than relying on the words alone. He took a breath and glanced around, looking over at Macbeth. "Java?" He called, the man stepping over. "You'll be able to help them if something happens-"

"Nothin' bad will Rand." Macbeth said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Just go on... we're here."

Randy took a breath. "Stay back just in case." He spoke as he closed his eyes, getting ready. Trying to channel every atom that was capable of magic within him. He heard some footsteps back away, and he slowly opened his eyes, glancing at the book below. He raised one hand to the air, the hand glowing in a lunar aura as he began to recite the words to the spell, or at least the few he could read. He had to do this. He had to learn about Ezra's magic so they could stop this. So Snatcher could have his home back.

At first nothing much seemed to happen, but slowly the faint markings on the stones began to glow. Snatcher made sure Shadow Kid stayed close and Macbeth quickly got Alexsandera out of his hat, making them stay by Hat Girl as he went back to Randy's side. He looked at the toppat that had been placed in the lunar body, seeing both his eyes glowing one color. "Dad?" He whispered. Randy seemed mostly out of it, like he was just focusing on the spell. But he turned his head slightly in Macbeth's way. "It's ok, I'm here. It's ok."

"He knows." Badge Seller spoke as he watched. Hat Girl stepped into the tower to be safe, keeping Alexsandera close. The ground began to shake slightly under them. Something seemed to change in the air. It felt like a rush of cold and a rush of heat all at once. Macbeth grabbed Randy's hand as he scanned around, reaching into his pocket as if in fear something was going to lunge at them. Badge Seller gave a small chuckle. "Do you think opening a gateway to a different part of reality would be calm?"

"No, of course not. But I can still be on alert!" Macbeth called before suddenly covering his eyes as light suddenly seemed to blast brighter. It felt like the space around them grew instantly.. He felt Randy's hand lower a bit and turned around in time to grab him before he fell to the ground, taking some breaths. He got on his knees, trying to apply some of his own magic. "Dad? Dad, are you ok?" He got a small nod after a moment, Randy rubbing his head as he slowly picked himself up.

"Woah." Shadow Kid spoke up. It almost frightened Macbeth with how sudden it was. "Look!"

Randy rubbed his eyes a bit as he looked up. "Wha.." He started, before he paused. The Tower's ground was still there, but in front of them were two gates of light. One more of ice that looked more like crystals, and one with flames that seemed to calmly dance. "I.. I did it." Randy said as he slowly got up, leaning against Macbeth for support for his balance. "Don't worry... It just…took a lot." He gave a small chuckle. "And here I thought there was nothing more tiring than a night on the dancefloor."

"Really?" Snatcher asked as he looked at Randy. He could make comments now, Randy got his job done. He went over to the gates. Each had a vortex-like portal behind them, and both were unlocked. Each had a tiny set of stairs to the actual gates, but the number was so small it might as well not be there. He paused as he noticed the royal look of the fire gate. "The towers have guardians, don't they?"

"I think that was what the book said... But I'm sure the fire tower's one will understand." Hat Girl said as she came over, her guard dropped since they got what they wanted. Alex floated over to Randy, resting on his shoulder and poking at his face in worry. She looked at the gate to the tower of ice for a moment, before she shook her head and focused on the gate to the tower of flames. "Well... I don't think we have anything else holding us back. We should go before Dad and Pop realize I'm gone."

"You didn't tell them?" Macbeth asked, Hat Girl giving a nod. He rolled his eyes but watched as she walked up, opening the gate and stepping through the portal. Slowly, the group would follow in one by one until they all crossed, and the second the light from the portal faded they would find themself right outside of the tower's entrance. The tower standing tall above them, taller than they have ever thought it looked from a distance. And it felt so.. shockingly real. Randy was the first to head in after staring in awe. They had work to do.

It was almost odd, the heat. It was hot as you would expect. But even if it was warmer then what most would be comfortable with, it didn't feel overbearing. It felt comforting, welcoming. The light that seemed to emit from the walls was similar, feeling like it should be blinding to their eyes and yet it wasn't. The room they had stepped into was calm. It had a few soft chairs and a bookcase nearby. A pot was being heated over a fire along the side of the room. There were a few candles with purple flames, seemingly for decoration.

It felt... odd in that way too. It felt less like they stepped into a place of secrets and more like they walked into someone's home. Shadow Kid broke free from her father's grasp to look around, trying to see all the details in everything. Randy floated near the shelf, not taking anything outright but scanning the titles for anything of use, Macbeth staying by his side. Badge Seller reached for his mask and hood. He normally liked to keep them on but... he didn't like the heat. It wasn't overbearing, but the memories it stirred...

"It would be best not to go through everything." He gently reminded them as he leant against a wall, slowly taking his mask off as well as his hood. Randy gave him a sorrowful look as he glanced over briefly, but nodded and turned his attention back to the shelf. The titles didn't seem to have much to do with fire however... he paused briefly when he thought he heard footsteps from the staircase nearby. "We don't want to make a bad impression. I'm sure the guardian here will help once they understand our situations."

As if he spoke of the devil, a voice came from the staircase. "Moonjumper?" A voice called, a hint of disbelief in it. The group glanced up, to see a figure just barely hidden in the shadows of the stairs. He looked... surprisingly human. His clothing matched the royals of subcon with flame patterns sewn into it. His eyes were locked to Badge Seller. "Is that you, old friend?"

"Old friend?" Badge Seller spoke in confusion, before the figure stepped closer, letting his face be more clearly seen. His hair was a familiar blonde shade, and his eyes with Orange had blended into a familiar shade of green. "Young Victor?" He asked, those in the room locking eyes with each other at the familiar name. The guardian nodded as Badge Seller stood up, a confused smile forming on his face as he looked at the man. "You've grown... I don't understand. I thought you had died like everyone else."

"I did." Victor spoke as he walked over, his hands close to him. "But apparently the tower of flame was never given a guardian, and when the gods saw my effort to ensure the rightful use of fire magic in my life, they thought I'd be the perfect fit. So my soul was reborn here after my death and it's where I have been ever since..." He reached over, carefully tracing the edge of Badge Seller's face. "It looks like time hasn't treated you well. I knew there would be another.."

"Speaking of which." Snatcher coughed from nearby, going up to the two. Victor glanced at him and seemed to have a look of pity in his eyes. The phantom gestured to Randy nearby. "The soul who's now using the Moonjumper body needs your help with something, Victor." Snatcher paused as he glanced at Macbeth who had given him a glare. "What, I wasn't about to sit by listening to idle conversation when we have important things to be done, like containing a demon on the loose! One cable of harming my subjects!"

"You see, Victor, Ezra-" Hat Girl started but Victor sighed, giving a small nod. "Oh, I take it you already know?" He nodded again, his hand was now a fist at the mere mention of the name. Badge Seller placed a hand on Victor's shoulder, the former king looking at it, examining the way it bent and glitched. He had a look of guilt in his eyes. She gave a small cough. "He's back, and we think he's planning to get Randy. We need to know how to go against his magic."

"Of course. I am more than willing to provide you with the knowledge and magic necessary... Follow me..." Victor gestured for them to follow him up the stairs, only to pause and make a brief gesture motion, the pot floating over to him. "Almost forgot about this." He said, earning a few quiet chuckle from the youngest among them as they began to head up the tower. "...You know, it is nice to have someone to speak face to face with after all these years. Aspen is nice but, words on paper can only do so much."

"Yes. Supposedly they were made directly by the gods for the purpose of watching over the tower. They've never been outside of it... I pity them sometimes but, they seem cheerful." He picked up a book on a stand as they passed it, its icy blue color contrasting with the warm colors of the flames about. "This book lets us communicate. What one person writes shows up in the others. And it clears itself if we run out of room..." He gave a small chuckle. "I would've gone crazy by now if it wasn't for them."

"Aspen?" Macbeth asked, tilting his head as he looked around at the mention of the name. Victor would point out a window as they passed it, Macbeth glancing out to see the tower of ice in the far distance. Barely viewable from where he was... He glanced down and almost stumbled back at how far Subcon was below. Even thought he was already dead, he feared

of falling... He shook his head and glanced away. "I'm assuming they're the guardian of the Tower of Ice?"

"Can't say I would've blamed you." Randy said as he glanced around. He could barely stand being a captive for about two weeks. He couldn't understand centuries, likely more of being all by yourself in a tower because some gods prompted your soul... At least Victor seemed to be handling his responsibility well enough, but then again, the time of experience... He blinked. "Wait, did they not make one for the fire tower?" He asked, getting a shake. "Why not if they made one for the tower of ice?"

"Maybe they wanted someone with more experience? We don't know the conditions of Aspen's creation." Hat Girl stated aloud. Victor nodded before opening a door nearby, showing a large library-like area that felt like it was bigger than the tower's width. Maybe it was, it was a magical tower after all. Hat Girl began to look around, looking at the bookcases. "So, which of these has the stuff we need to deal with Ezra?" She asked, looking over at Victor, who glanced at the shelves.

"Forgive me, this might take some time. You think I would have the placements memorized by now." He said as he made a gesture to the bookcase, books started to fly out and he started to quickly scan through them. However, he stopped when the icey blue book suddenly shook, as if it picked up something. He glanced at it, a hint of worry in his eyes as he snap his fingers. "Give me a second." He said as he grabbed the pen he summoned, speaking as he wrote. "Aspen, what's wrong?"

There was nothing for about a minute, and then the words appeared on the page. 'I think I messed up.' they read.

Shadow Kid climbed up onto her father's back so she could read the words. "Messed up? What do they mean?" Shadow Kid asked as Victor began to write down a message of faint reassurance but also prodding the ice guardian for more answers. The words don't appear right away, and Shadow Kid looked at Victor, and paused. He seemed worried... more worried than he seemed to feel in a long time if what he was saying was true. "I'm guessing they aren't like this normally? Maybe they just spilt paint."

Soon the words would appear under Victor's, the ink a cold blue in contrast to Victor's dark red. 'I don't know what happened, Victor, I really don't. I sensed something was in the tower and went to go find out what was going on. It all happened so fast.' Aspen's words said. The way it was written was shaky, but oddly not in a way someone who was writing in a panic would. It felt more like it was the words themselves. 'The one scroll is gone, the enchanted one. I can't feel it.'

Snatcher tilted his head at that. "Feel it? What, is it invisible?"

"They're blind." Victor said, Snatcher's face blanking along with some others. Snatcher wasn't about to say it, but why purposely make a guardian for magic but make them blind? Victor began to write down. "Aspen, tell me what happened. As much as you can."

-------

Moments before, when the group had stepped into the gates to the tower of flame, the two hiding had taken the chance to dash in, going for the gate to the tower of ice. It didn't put up a fight, it seemed to have no guard in case someone was around when the spell was cast. A good thing in Ezra's and Vanessa's case. Ezra wasn't sure what he would do if the gate had refused to budge and the portal refused to let them in. But they soon stood in front of the tower of ice, Ezra going in without a second thought.

It was cold... shockingly so for Ezra. He had to grab at his shoulders and apply a faint spell to even keep a bit of warmth up. He glanced over at Vanessa who seemed relatively unbothered. The two would look around the place and would pause. It was... a lot clearer than they would have expected.No artifacts out on display. Not even a bookshelf nearby to hold spell books. Just a few furniture pieces carefully placed. In such a way where they were easy to remember. Impossible to bump into.

Just as Ezra was about to comment on it, they heard a voice. "Is someone there?" Ezra turned, his hand bursting into flame as a threat, but paused at the sight of the figure. They looked... relatively simple compared to what you would have expected. They wore an icey blue sweater and their appearance didn't seem threatening... They had a blindfold on over their eyes. "I don't mean any harm." They added as Vanessa began to walk over. "It's just... I never had someone inside the tower before."

"Oh, you must be so lonely then, great spirit." Vanessa spoke kindly as she placed her hands together, turning to Ezra and giving him a quick wink. At least he wasn't the only one who had to worry about putting on an act now. Vanessa lowered herself a bit, looking at the ice guardian with a pleading look in her eyes. "Oh guardian," She said. "We wouldn't have come if we didn't need your help."

"Oh, of course! And please, call me Aspen, that's my name!" The ice guardian said. Ezra rose a brow as he walked over. They just smiled at them... He knew they were wearing a blindfold but they should be able to see... Aspen gestured them over to what looked like a magic lift, and Ezra glanced down, pausing. The environment lit up ever so slightly wherever Aspen walked. "Forgive me if there's any dust. I cast spells to clean but I never take note until it gets really bad, usually."

"Oh, it's not worry... Vanessa, come here a second." Ezra stated as he gestured for the queen to come over. "I don't think their wearing the blindfold for show, I think they're actually blind... Get ready to take advantage of that." That sounded wrong, even to him, but it was what needed to be done. Aspen waited for them at the lift as they stepped on, Ezra trying to keep his distance from Aspen just in case. "Apologies for the warmth. My kind are naturally more... warm blooded."

"Oh, it's no worry, none of the ice here can melt!" Aspen smiled. "So, what exactly do you need help with?"

Ezra reached for his ears as Vanessa let out a sob. "It's my love, he's in clueless danger." Vanessa said as she glanced to the side, Aspen's smiling fading to a frown. "Some curse has him stuck away from us, and we need to save him. But we will only be able to get to him if we can prevent ice from melting from fire... we were hoping you would have something for that." Vanessa claimed as she looked down at Aspen. Ezra let out a tiny whine, he hated the way Vanessa's voice echoed.

"I know it's an odd request but, we figured the tower of ice would have something more of use then the tower of flame." Ezra stated, before humming. "Or is it the tower of fire... do the towers even have proper names." He mused aloud, getting a small glare from Vaneesa as he looked back at her, him tilting his head as he crossed his arms a bit. He leaned against the wall a bit, his horn scraping the side faintly as the lift moved up. "It's just a quick question, not a distraction from our goal."

"Forgive me if I see it like one." Vanessa state, before signing as she held her hands close. "He's my everything. I need to get to him... that's the only way I can..."

"I... Do have a scroll that can offer that magic... It's just.." Aspen looked to the side, taking a breath. "Ice and fire mixed together is something deadly. It's why the towers weren't made as one... At least that's what I believe." Ezra and Vanessa looked at each other as the lift stopped, Aspen stepping out after a moment. They glanced forward, their hands touching the tips of each other. "But... I suppose I can lend you some of it. As long as you promise to bring it back once your love is safe."

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Vanessa said as she walked alongside Aspen, Aspen gaining a smile as they walked through an empty space, a few pedestales with tiny sculptures dotted about. Ezra kept an eye on Aspen, mainly the glowing bits of the environment around. That must be how Aspen 'sees'. Able to walk through this place without tripping... Although they probably had the layout memorized after all this time.

"We promise, we'll be very careful with it." Ezra spoke as he tried to glance ahead. He could faintly see the scroll now. In a room across the area they were walking to. He could sense the magic from where he was standing... it was an odd sense to have. He shook his head, no Ezra, focus. He kept a hand behind his back, beginning to form a small flame within it. "You are a kind spirit Aspen. It's no wonder you were designed to do such a good job protecting this place."

"We could not be more thankful." Vanessa said as they stepped into the room. Aspen walked over, the pedstole the scroll was on had a few enchanted locks from the looks of it. Typically. Something to delay them just a bit more... Ezra sighed as he began tapping his foot against the floor, still keeping his attack ready if need be. Although it had went well. Maybe he didn't need to fire it. "Oh, Ezra. We'll be able to bring my prince home soon!" Vanessa called. Then Aspen paused.

"Wait... Ezra... warmth... warmth like fire." Aspen glanced back in their direction as raised their hand, a small wall of ice forming around them as they took some steps back. Ezra began to step forward, a growl in his breath as he approached the wall, placing his hand against it. The ice resisted the warmth, only a faint marking appeared around in fingers. "You're the one Victor told me about, aren't you?" Aspen questioned. "The one who changed how fire magic was viewed for centuries."

"The annoying prince is still kicking somewhere? Perfect." Ezra growled as Aspen stayed near the pedstole, more ice forming around it with a protective glow. Ezra was about to throw his fire when suddenly Vanessa raised her hand, a large spike of ice coming from the ground and stabbing at the wall, cracking it. Aspen paused, as if the sound confused them. Ezra couldn't help but smirk. "Guess you never thought you would have to come across someone who actually knows."

"Apsen. You are a good soul, we can tell. We really do need the scroll.. Please, my Prince really is in danger." Vanessa spoke in a sickeningly sweet voice. Aspen took some breaths as they reached for the wall, feeling the cracks in it. They shook their head, making the cracks seal. Vanessa just sighed as she rose her hand again, a series of spikes rasing and crashing into the wall. "It's such a shame it had to be like that. Ezra? Why don't we use this as a bit of practice."

"I was wondering when you were going to drop that act." Ezra stated as he tossed the fire at the wall. The resistant magic was still there, but with the ice itself cracked it barely did anything, and the wall crumbled. Aspen started to throw magic their way to attack, but Ezra responded by snapping his fingers, summoning a bit of fire around them. Aspen began to cough and seemed to struggle. Not from the fire itself, but the more blurred sense of direction it brought. "We're taking it now. Unless you want to lose a limb, little snowflake?"

The rest would happen pretty quickly...

-------

The group was quiet as the event was recounted to them through the words that appeared on the page. Aspen thought something was wrong with the guest but was so excited to have someone else in the tower they didn't pay as much attention as they should've. Plus Vanessa had sounded truly desperate, talking about the love of her life being in trouble, how was Aspen supposed to know? It hadn't taken the two long to knock Aspen out, just long enough to break the protective case and get the whole scroll.

Snatcher was especially quiet as he read the words. Vanessa, working with Ezra. He should have known it wouldn't be that easy. At first he was a little confused, was Ezra set for revenge that badly so soon? But then he took note of Randy nearby, whose skin seemed paler. It quickly clicked. Ezra must be using Vanessa to get to Randy. She did think Randy was him because of his body being used after all... Of course things couldn't be that easy. They weren't even easy in the first place.

The fact they now had two psychopaths to go up against instead of one was already giving him a headache.

'I'm sorry. I should've known. It's my job but... literally my whole life there wasn't anyone I met face to face. I thought I could trust them.' Aspen's words appeared in the book. Snatcher shook his head, but he couldn't fully blame the guardian. He might've made the same mistake if he was in their shoes. Victor wrote down quick reassurances before Aspen slowly responded. '...I should get things picked up, I'm sure they left a mess... I'll talk to you later.. I'm sorry.’

Victor quickly wrote something down, before signing as he closed the book. "It's not fair... At least when I was placed here, I had knowledge of the outside world and what people are like... Aspen's told me they just remembered coming into existence... and that's it. No real training, no knowledge, nothing..." He sighed as he placed the book down, before blinking and looking at the books floating nearby. "Oh, I had almost forgotten. You're going to need those spells more than ever." He said as he began to scan through them again.

"Of course Vanessa is helping Ezra, of course." Snatcher mumbled as he began to pace back and forth, Shadow Kid glanced up at him in worry. Victor kept his attention on the books, but he seemed to frown at the mention of the name. Snatcher rose a brow at that. Did the man feel guilt... Why... It wasn't his fault his descendant turned out to be a cold hearted psychopath. "Randy, you're gonna have a lot more on your plate, I hope you're ready for it." The ghost signed as he sat down.

"Well, at least with Vanessa I know I can get away from her." Randy said, taking a breath. He was looking at his hand, watching as strings formed from them... He needed to be enough for the clan, for the forest. Take care of Ezra and keep Vanessa locked in her manor... It was a lot to ask of anyone. Hat Girl gave him a worried glance as she walked over, Randy giving a sigh as he shook his head. "We always win in the end. It's just how it is."

"You toppats do seem to have that luck, especially you, Hat Girl." Shadow Kid said, Hat Girl giving a small nod in reply to the comment. Snatcher sighed as he leaned against the wall. His little shadow did have a point. It felt like whatever mess the toppats were in, they got out of. But facing a demon from hell? That didn't seem to be an easy task for anyone. "I'm sure you will be fine. And if you need help, I can be there! I've been practicing my spells!" She threw her hands in the air.

"I wouldn't recommend that, young one." Victor said as he glanced over. "Even with the study of fire magic, who knows what magic from the inferno is like... speaking of which." He snapped his fingers and some scrolls appeared, words slowly writing to match the pages of the books he had opened, each glowing with an amber aura. He collected them all once they had finish, bringing them over to Randy. "There's some restraintance, some protection, some manipulation. There's many ways to fight against Ezra's magic. You'll just have to learn it."

"Actually, let me see one of those." Snatcher said as he went over and grabbed one of the scrolls, reading it over. Even just holding it in his hand, he could feel the power it held, the secrets that could be unlocked with this... He paused as he glanced at Randy, who was giving him a bit of an odd lock. Snatcher crossed his arms as he leaned against the glowing wall. "Look, it's my forest we're trying to protect here. It's better for me to know them in the long run, in case this somehow happens again."

"I doubt that would..." Victor said as he stepped forward. Snatcher glanced down at the king, giving him a small glare. Victor glanced at Snatcher's hand, a thought coming to mind as he shook his head, giving a sigh. He walked to a window seal that was nearby, staring out at Subcon. Mainly the part of subcon that was forever locked in snow... He turned back to the ghost. "I'm... sorry what you and your subjects had to go through, your highness. No one should ever have had to suffer so much." He glanced at his hand. "Especially by my own blood..." He sighed.

"Please, do not blame yourself Victor." Badge Seller spoke up from nearby. "Her actions are her own. You couldn't have she would have done this..."

Victor sighed. "Logically, I know that, old friend. I do... It's just.. Seeing the state she put things in... Words can't describe it..." He looked up at Snatcher. "Once you safely take care of Ezra and put Vanessa back in her place, please, come back here. I would like to try and help the forest."

Snatcher didn't answer, just gave a small nod as he looked over the scroll. Shadow Kid tilted her head, garbing Victor's hand and beginning to pull him to the stairs slightly. "Why don't you come with?"

Victor gently pulled his hand free from her grasp. "I would love to, young Shadow. But even with the portal open, I doubt I will be able to leave.." He glanced out the window again. "I was assigned to watch this tower, and so it is what I must do for the rest of my time... Perhaps the rest of time."

Shadow Kid gave a small nod of understanding. "...You should get break days." She said, earning a small bit of chuckling from those around.

Randy smiled before letting out a sigh as he floated in front of Victor. "Thank you for all this, but we do need to go. Now that we know Vanessa is helping Ezra, we need to plan. And we don't want to risk them getting into this tower as well."

"Of course." Victor said. There was a hint of sorrow and longing in his voice, but he had already accepted the time he got was short. He picked the Icey blue book back up. "You get home safe... I need to make sure Aspen will be alright... Be careful, friends." He said as he watched them head to the stairs.

Badge Seller would turn back to the king, offering a sad smile as he nodded. "Of course, your highness."

The group left the towers quickly, the getaway closing with a wave of Randy's hand... Randy would stare at it. He hadn't even thought, he just did... Maybe there was some hope to all this... He looked at the scrolls he needed to learn. He needed to get ready.

You never knew when the two were going to strike.

Or where.

[e1igius]

the series of texts sank his stomach faster than a led ball in water. the light on his phone flashing her name , followed by the misspelled ( even his dyslexic ass could see that ) word for trouble. deciphering what she was trying to tell him took at least five minutes per text , between the fact it was obviously drunk , and he could barely read when things were spelled correctly , it felt like the world was trying to test him. he'd been casually sipping on some rumple in bed , listening to an audio book with his eyes closed , when the first text had come through. and before a request for aid had even been sent he was already getting dressed , not about to leave the newest person in his life , and the only one that could get him to laugh other than --- well a work partner , unattended. he remembered being in the same boat , having no one to call , wandering through the streets of san diego like some drunken menace ready to take on the world when really he was hiding from it.

while he still drank his demons away at times , the years had taught him how to deal with it better. how to hide and miniplate the coping skill to better fit his... non-early-twenties body and lifestyle. the amount of time he had stood by his door waiting on any sort of descriptor with the keys to the chevy silvarado in his hand was too many seconds. blue eyes glued to the screen , waiting for the bubbles to type and send anything that would give him a slight indication of where he could find the girl lost in this huge ass city. oh to be in his twenties again , there was something about turning thirty that changed the outlook at the world. but at the end of the day , he still felt like he didn't know how to navigate it every single day. just like when he was twenty five. just --- with more life experience now , to remind him of how much the world sucked.

when she said she was across town the wasn't a cop in the world that could have stopped him from racing at over ninety an hour to get to that bar. he probably shouldn't have taken off driving slightly buzzed at ninety eight miles an hour in a silverado while texting all at the same time. but he gets to the crowning rooster just in time only to remember that he's wearing wranglers a flannel and boots and last time he was in there everyone had been dressed like an influencer in their tight ass dresses and slacks with sneakers. he's going to stick out like a sore thumb.

so he asks her to come out , only to be met with the fact that shes already outside. slightly annoyed , and certainly worried , he walks around the building body finally relaxing when he lays eyes on the raven haired girl. he didn't realize he'd been holding his breath. and as he walks around the corner he sees her. waving a little only to be met with a smile and a wave in return , annoyance returns for a moment she really was just like his baby cousin. annoying as fuck when they wanted to be. but even as he tried to hold onto the feeling he couldn't , her smile was always contagious as if her being a good and genuine person just rubbed off on everyone in her presence. he doesn't believe in god , or angels , or whatever it was that had created the universe. but if he did , he'd like to think they were like her. he hesitates a little , trying to figure out why she isn't moving. they're just standing there ( well , she's sitting ) , at opposite ends of the sidewalk , looking like idiots.

the man walks over , hands in his pockets , she looks like a mess. but he's not sure he expected anything else. no physical injuries at least which is a good sign , and he doesn't see a splash of throw up on the ground , atta girl. is it wrong to be proud of an alcoholic ? he isn't sure. he kneels down so they're the same height ( though he still manages to be taller than her regardless ). ❝ 'ight look doll see , i told you i'd find ya. ❞ a hand reaches over , ruffling her hair a little. he's grown so fond of her in such a small amount of time. this is what it meant to have people to lose , he hadn't really understood it before. he motions towards where he parked the truck all the way across the street. ❝ 'ight how do y'wanna do this , i'm guessin' those sea legs don't wanna walk. ❞

@bnchee gets cont. from wire.

[snippychicke]

Deal with a Devil --Part One--

Fandom: Welcome to Demon School, Iruma!

Rating: Mature with hints to heavy/somber ideas.

Pairing: Lord Sullivan/Reader (human female)

Summary: You couldn't take it anymore. You had tried to do everything to make your life work and it refused. So, you made a deal with a demon. Things...went sideways from there. (AU, no mention of Iruma or Sullivan plans of adopting a grandchild. Could be see before the events of the series)

Warning for some heavy topics that are touched upon but not explored in depth. Will not update as regularly as For the Sake of a Smile.

Do you like this? Join us at the Mairimashitai! Simps Discord

Summon

You had wanted a way out of your life. It was hell; no matter how much you struggled and strived, you couldn't make it any better.

You didn't want to give up, but you were at the end of your rope. 

One suspicious ad led to a rabbit hole that ended up in an occult shop in a back alley. It wasn't dark and spooky like you expected, but brightly lit and organized like any other boutique. 

"This one!" The cheery shopkeeper offered after you awkwardly explained your situation. They offered an old tattered scroll that had been in the glass case. A circular pattern encasing a classic pentagram with forign symbols framing it. "It will grant your deepest wish, but make sure you're willing to pay the price before you agree." 

It showed how desperate you were when you agreed to take the scroll, a couple candles, a handful of various crystals, and a dreamcatcher for the hell of it. 

You followed the directions to the letter, heart thumping as you pricked a finger to let six drops of blood fall onto the scroll.

The blood hissed as it hit the paper, black smoke curling into the air as you chanted the spell.

The smoke grew from a small puff to a large plume. A shadowy figure stepped out of the darkness - human except two golden horns on his bald head and large - pitch-black wings with a span that nearly filled your bedroom. 

"Who dares summon me?" The demon growled as he stood to his full height, sneering down at you with dark eyes behind small glasses. 

"I did," you replied softly but firmly, unwilling to show your fear. "I want to make a deal." 

The demon crossed his arms. "And what, pray tell, would a human such as yourself desire?" 

You had rehearsed this a hundred times, practiced everything in front of the mirror until you felt confident about every clause and loophole. And yet, now it fled all out the window. 

"I want a better life," You said instead, honesty filling your heart. "I've worked hard, gave every bit of myself to make things better, and I always kept failing. I feel hopeless, but I don't want to give up, because I know it can get better. Somehow. I know this might be cheating, but… I don't know what else to do." 

His arms slowly uncrossed as he knelt on one knee to look at you closer, his wings curling around you. "I sense your honesty. Most who summon me do so out of greed or hate, but your desperation and hope moves me. I will give you a better life, but you will need to someday fulfill my own request as part of our deal." 

You swallowed thickly. You had read about this. Demons didn't grant wishes without expecting something of an equal price. "What are your terms?" 

"I want you to be the mother of my children." 

"What?" You squeeked, face becoming warm as you blushed. Surely you misheard him. You? A mother? Children had been far from what you had expected the price to be. Your soul, a blood sacrifice, or something equally dark.

The demon smiled, and it wasn't full of simmering rage and hate, or dark pleasure. But a warm, cheerful smile. "I just really want to have children. I'd be happy with just one. And well, I haven't found anyone yet that would be a good mother. But I think you would!"

"I-I don't know the first thing about raising kids, let alone…" Birthing demonic offspring. 

"Oh! Don't worry, I have a ton of books on raising children! I'm also the Chairdemon of a very prestigious school in the Netherworld, so we would have plenty of resources."

"Would I even survive?" You asked, recalling horror stories. You could easily imagine a demonic baby killing its mother during childbirth. Or later. 

He tilted his head. "Survive? Of course! Nothing but the best prenatal care! I will make sure you are cared for and pampered!" 

It was probably a trick, a horrid twist in his words that you couldn't sense. But no matter how you combed through his words, you couldn't find a loophole.

"When would I need to… conceive." Would conception even be the human way? Your eyes roved down his form; tall, skinny… gangly really. Like his limbs were a touch longer than they should be. There wasn't a trace of a wrinkle on his face despite the rest of him giving off a vibe of advanced age, such as his white bushy mustache. 

Still, he wasn't… unattractive. Push came to shove, you could do the whole 'lay back and think of London' from Victorian times. 

It was the thought of bearing them that concerned you more.

And it was proof of how desperate you were for considering the deal in the first place. 

"When you're ready," He answered simply. "I want you to adjust to your new life first, and then we could discuss it."

Ahhhh. There it was. That was his game. As soon as you were happy with life, he'd come to ruin it. 

"When I am ready," You stressed, crossing your own arms. "Then we can discuss it further."

He smiled happily and held out his hand. "That sounds like a deal to me, my dear." 

Home

You should have thought about this. The demon--Sullivan-- never mentioned where your life would be. 

The netherworld. In a small cottage next to his own gigantic mansion. 

"I don't want you to feel like a prisoner," He explained as he showed you the small cottage that had the basics, but plenty of room for decoration. "Would you prefer your own money, or simply tabs funded by yours truly in town?"

"I, uh, don't know," You answered, rather gobsmacked as you slowly explored the house. A kitchen, sitting room, a study and bedroom. 

And a bathroom. With a hot spring-like tub that was calling your name. 

This was so much more than you had ever dreamt of. You had hoped maybe for your own apartment-- clean, livable, but nothing fancy. 

This… this was heaven. In hell. 

"How about both? That sounds fair, right?" 

You looked back at the demon, about to ask what the catch was, and then remembering The Deal. 

"I won't owe you anything… extra?" You cautiously asked. He smiled-- which was something he seemed to do a lot. Calm, cheerful, polite. Not at all like demons in the stories you heard. 

"Of course not! It's my duty to care for you, both as part of the deal and the fact you'll be the mother of my children! Opera can cook your meals if you so desire, I know they cook far more than needed usually anyways. Also!" He held out his hand, and laying on his palm was a small golden key on a chain that you knew hadn't been in his hand before. "This is the key to the mansion, should you ever want to visit!" 

"And… are you allowed to come and go as you please?"

"After today, I swear not to step inside unless you invite me." 

Taste

Months passed quicker than you anticipated. Part of you was struggling with the fact the Netherworld was both such a peaceful place, yet hostile as well. 

But, Sullivan made sure that you were safe no matter what. Protective spells lined the cottage grounds, and little black imps patrolled the area frequently, chittering happily when they saw you - especially when you allowed them to pick fruit from your garden. 

A garden filled with plants you had no names for but enjoyed anyways. Things that looked like tomatoes, potatoes, and other vegetables; dozens of berries and melons. 

You had to admit; even if you ended up hating things later, you were enjoying life right now. You had plenty of time to take care of your little garden, along with  read and research the different plants that Opera had assisted selecting. 

You had time for all your hobbies, and any interest you wanted to pick up. The stress of your life faded, as well as the anxiety caused by the lack of stress. 

You were enjoying life and expected Sullivan's cheery attitude to vanish as he swooped in to… hold you to your end of the bargain. Except, he didn't. It was like it had completely slipped his mind, and you were just his favorite neighbor.

----

The demon had to be six or seven feet, but was crouched behind the fence that barely came up to your waist until his nose and mustache were peeking over the boards. "Are those red devil berries ripe?"

You looked over to the small red berries that reminded you of a cherry crossed with a raspberry. You plucked a few of the juicy berries, carefully placing them in your basket before meeting him at the fence and giving them a handful. 

Sullivan was… dramatic. And you couldn't help but watch as he grew excited before plopping one into his mouth with a satisfied noise. 

"You grow the best berries, even Opera agrees!" He added as you opened your mouth to repute his statement. "Actually, your garden is absolutely beautiful, Suzy would be quite jealous!" 

"She's one of the teachers at your school, right?" You weren't sure when you grew to be comfortable talking with him, but you now enjoyed your conversations. Sometimes it gave you glimpses of the world outside your little cottage and the nearby town. Other times, it gave you glimpses into Sullivan's rather chaotic mind. 

"Devibotany," He confirmed, enjoying a second berry. "One of the Netherwold's leading teachers on our realm's faun -, though to be honest, Balam could probably give her a run for her money." 

"I think I have a few books written by them," You admitted. "They really helped…" You trailed off, frowning as you noticed juice staining his chin. Without really thinking, you gestured him closer and stood on your tip-toes to wipe the red stain away. "Silly," You chided softly, about to pull back and wipe the mess on your pants--already covered with dirt and who knew what else--  when he lightly grasped your wrist, bringing your hand to his mouth as he leaned down and slowly sucked your thumb clean, his golden eyes meeting yours. 

You should be outraged. Angry. Indignant. 

Instead, you felt your heart thump for a completely different reason as his tongue caressed the pad of your finger before he pulled away, his usual smile a bit more…

Devilish. 

You blinked and it was gone, replaced by his usual expression. "I couldn't let a drop of your hard work go to waste!" He explained with a sheepish smile. "Plus they are my favorite!" 

"Right!" You agreed despite yourself, wiping your thumb against your pant leg. But still, it tingled as you easily recalled the feeling of his lips wrapped around it. The slight graze of teeth. "I, uh, could pick some more and bring them over tonight for supper, if you wished?" 

"I couldn't ask for anything more, my darling neighbor!" 

Master

"Have you heard the Babyls Chairdemon has been in good moods again?" 

"One of the teachers says he has an Intended."

"No! Surely not! Lord Sullivan has been the Netherworld's most sought after bachelor since forever! Devi, has someone finally manage to catch his favor?" 

"I don't know, but I envy them if they had. I can't tell you how many times Sullivan has been in my daydreams."

You fumbled at the person's sigh, dropping the bottle of ink. Opera was quick, catching it before the bright color splattered the ornate rug of the shop. 

The cat-like demon held it out to you, barely blinking at your blushing face. "T-thanks," You mumbled, putting it into your basket. 

While you were free to come and go as you pleased, you had to admit you felt more comfortable tagging along with Opera when they went to town. They didn't seem to mind, and in fact would stop by your cottage to see if you wanted to accompany them most times. 

"Is Sullivan… really a Lord?" You asked after a moment as you trailed after Opera  and away from the gossiping demons. You had known Opera referred to Sullivan as 'master' but presumed it was because they served the role of butler, or something similar. 

"Yes, he is one of the Three Heroes: the three most strongest demons of the Netherworld, and the most likely candidate for Demon King," They offered bluntly. You had long gotten used to their matter-of-fact mannerisms, which was so at odds with Sullivan's attitude it perplexed you. 

"So… he's rich and powerful?"

"He is one of the richest, and currently the most powerful, demon living." Opera agreed. 

"But, if that's the case, why… strike a deal with me?" You had presumed that despite his wealth, his mannerisms scared would-be suitors away. But… now it sounded like he had more than a few chasing after him. 

"Master Sullivan is not looking for someone of equal status," They explained. "In fact, status means little to him. Power, wealth, fame, things most demons hunger for, he is tired of. He cares only for two things: the future of the Netherworld, and the students of Babyls." 

You recalled how Sullivan would often regale you with stories from either the students or faculty. It was easy to see his love and devotion. His dreams that you caught glimpses of through his words: a better Netherworld, where children were rightfully cherished as the future. 

"That still doesn't explain why he chose me." 

Opera fixed his golden eyes on you, "That you will have to ask him yourself." 

Thoughtful 

You ate the evening meal in the mansion most nights, just because you found yourself missing the company of other people. Even if your feelings towards Sullivan were mixed at best; he was the demon you made a deal with, who still hasn't received his part of the bargain.

But yet he was so kind, so nice. Such an absolute goof. It was hard for you to believe this was the same Lord Sullivan that the others were gossiping about. 

"I have a question for you." 

"Oh?" Sullivan replied, tilting his head as he gave you his full attention. 

"Why me?" You asked bluntly. "Why did you choose to mother your children? Is it simply because I'm human?" 

Sullivan's smile softened. "Not simply because you are human. I've met quite a few humans in my long life, but those who summon me are usually very demon-like. They care only for themselves; hungry for power, wealth, or riches. But, you were different."

Even after all this time, you had a seed of guilt for your actions. That guilt tinted your words with self-derision as you snorted. "Because I was a mess of a human taking the easy way out?"

He pouted as he moved to the seat next to you, his hand grasping yours. "I can sense a person's true desire when they summon me. Yes, you were desperate like the rest, but not with greed or envy. You were suffering, you had tried everything you could think of to fix your situation yourself, and had no one else to turn to. Your only hunger was for a peaceful life. And now that you have obtained it, you're satisfied. Your only fear now is me." 

You gulped, avoiding his gaze. How could this dork of a demon do that? Just take your inner self and lay it bare.

But what made your heart thump was how fascinated he sounded about it. As if… as if you were some amazing rare creature when you felt like nothing? 

"I won't force you to have my children," He spoke, surprising you. You looked up, expecting to meet his eyes, but instead his gaze was focused on your joined hands, where his long slender thumb was rubbing soothing circles. "I hope that someday down the line, you will be interested, but I realize now having your company is fulfilling enough." 

Words failed you. What could you say to an admission like that? You didn't need to question if he was serious or being truthful, you felt as if you knew him well enough to know he wasn't a liar. But… to give up on his dream like that? 

"So, you just want to be friends?" You finally spoke, and he smiled as he looked up at you. 

"Yes, I would like that very much." 

A soft smile spread across your own lips. "I think I can easily manage that." 

[witching-by-the-willow]

Bittersweet

It's bittersweet to think about the damage that we do

'Cause I was going down, but I was doing it with you

Yeah, everything we broke, and all the trouble that we made

But I say that I hate you with a smile on my face

- Favourite Crime, Olivia Rodrigo

Description: One sleepless night in Hell, Emilia decides to find the kitchen and seek solace in cooking, but instead finds herself in the company of her mortal enemy and maybe-something-more, Wrath.

(I just wanted to write about Princewitch making Hot Chocolate, but it somehow turned into this...)

Many thanks to @city-of-fae for giving me her time of day to beta-read and help me edit this fic. She was the first person I found who wrote for KOTW and her fics are beautiful and you all should check them out. In conclusion, she's amazing. 💕

Hope you all enjoy it! Feedback is always welcome! ❤️

Note: This was written before Kingdom of the Cursed came out, so it does not correspond with the revelations from that book.

Goddess above, have some mercy. Emilia cursed as she turned over in her bed for what she thought was the thousandth time. Sleep had started to seem like a luxury to her over the last few days. When she'd first arrived in Hell, the sheer exhaustion had been enough to have her drained every night. After those initial days, however, it had started becoming common for her to stay up staring at the ceiling or to grab a book off the bed table and get lost in its world.

Currently, she debated going to the library to pick up something new, but ultimately decided against it. Wrath often worked there at night, making a strategy to annihilate some enemy. Perhaps it was her. She wouldn't be surprised.

After a week of hostility from both their ends prior to her wedding with Pride, they had decided to strike a deal. She could do all she wished in his House, and would even have access to all forbidden text in its library, but would not attempt to spy on his nightly planning or practice any magic she learnt from the books on him. Of course, this was only as long as he was out of the list of Vittoria's possible murderers. He hadn't lied to her during their time in Palermo together, she knew that. She had spent many nights analysing every word he'd said in answer to her accusations. None of them pointed to him being the killer. For now.

After a few more minutes of mulling over those events, Emilia finallly got up from the bed. The Goddess of Leisure wasn't going to bless her tonight.

She looked around her room, looking for something to occupy her mind with. The chamber was a thing of beauty, with golden carvings on its black walls and tastefully selected furniture on the same theme. Wrath's theme. Stupid suave perfect demon. Shaking herself, she glanced at the ceiling: a painting of a war she didn't know anything about, though she often tried to count the soldiers on the nights she lay awake. That didn't seem appealing today.

Sighing, she flopped down onto the sofa, and heard a low rumble from her stomach. She hadn't visited the kitchens yet- had purposefully avoided them. Cooking reminded her of her family, and she wasn't sure she was prepared for the homesickness that would bring. Most nights, her books helped her ignore any hunger she felt, but she didn't have their aid tonight. Would going to the kitchen be such a bad idea? Maybe she could use a little reminder of home. It didn't take long to convince herself as she stood and walked out of her room.

~

Emilia knew she was lost the moment she approached a stairway she hadn't seen before. It was grander, forked much more than the others. Cursing every goddess she knew of, she paced in circles, weighing her options. She could try to find her way back or-

She felt a door open behind her. She whirled around and saw a shadowed figure standing in the dark of the doorway, dagger in hand. Emilia froze, a dozen spells leaping into her mind. But as she prepared to cast a body-freezing spell, the person lowered his weapon and stepped out.

"I didn't take you for someone who would murder people in their sleep, witch." It was too dark for her to see Wrath's expression, but she knew him well enough to sense a hint of amusement as he looked her down and up. For some reason, she relaxed under his gaze.

Emilia raised a brow. "And miss the shock in your eyes when I finally kill you? I wouldn't risk that."

"Still overestimating your assassination skills, I see."

She rolled her eyes at that. It seemed so long ago when she'd summoned him in that cave. Shared cannolis with him. That memory brought a faint smile to her lips, and when Emilia brought her eyes back to Wrath, he was watching her intently, dressed in his signature attire: black trousers and black shirt with golden embroidery. There wasn't ever a moment he didn't look tantalisingly gorgeous.

She burnt those thoughts and threw out the ash.

"Would you happen to know where the kitchen is, demon?" She ignored the questioning look he gave her at the shift in conversation. "Well?"

He nodded slowly and without another word, started walking in the direction she had come from. Frowning, Emilia followed him. They walked in silence for less than a minute before she poked his arm.

"Are you taking me to your killing chamber?" She was only half-joking.

Wrath gave her a flat look and continued walking. So much for small talk.

After a few more minutes, they reached one of the palace kitchens. It was dead silent and yet, entering it, she felt an odd sense of comfort. As Wrath put some lights on, she noticed the room was minimal in its design and utensils. She suspected Wrath had deliberately brought her to that kitchen. It was modest- by his standards- quiet and not flashy. Exactly what she was used to from her family restaurant. Stupid suave perfect demon.

Said demon was presently leaning against the counter and observing her while she checked out the untensils and ingredients. She ignored him. He'd leave soon anyway.

Chocolate. How long has it been since I last had chocolate? Nodding to herself, Emilia took out a pot, a whisk, a few spoons, cocoa powder, sugar, and after looking around for a bit, milk, chocolate and cream. Why does a House in Hell have all of this readily available? She didn't know and decided that she didn't particularly care. After what felt like ages, Emilia was back in her element, and she wasn't going to spend this one night of peace thinking about the logistics of shopping in Hell.

She turned to put her supplies on the counter and stopped short as she noticed Wrath in the same position as before, his golden eyes- with flecks of black- a little darker than usual. She narrowed her eyes and looked down at herself-

Nightgown. She was in a nightgown. A black, thin-strapped, low cut nightgown. In her eagerness to get to the kitchen, she had forgotten to put anything else on....But Wrath didn't need to know that, did he? So, she put her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows at him. "Like what you see, Your Higheness?"

Wrath looked away instantly and Emilia couldn't help her smug smile. It wasn't everyday one managed to fluster a Prince of Hell.

"But really, are you just going to lurk there? You have done your escorting duties. You can leave now. It won't be taint on your record of flawless etiquette."

He met her eyes again and opened and shut his mouth once. Sweet Goddess, I haven't ever seen him struggle for words.

Wrath cleared his throat. "Let us say- hypothetically, of course- if I were curious to see whatever human food you were making, how likely is it that you'd try and poison me?"

Emilia smirked at him. "I suppose you don't find my food to be a pollutant for your body anymore." He gave her another flat look and she mirrored it with one of her own. "It's a hot drink called Hot Chocolate. One of my favourites."

A thought came to mind, and she continued. "And the idea that you've been to the human world and never had it is making me question your sanity. You're welcome to try, but you will have to make it yourself. Unless you're incapable of cooking, that is." He scowled at the challenge. She smiled innocently at him.

"Very well, then. Tell me how it's done. Just know that, if in the end, you feel bad about your best skill, you brought it upon yourself."

Emilia winked at him. "Overestimating your cooking skills, I see."

Wrath walked over to her, undoing the buttons at his cuffs and rolling the shirt up to his elbows as he did. Emilia stared, suddenly more aware of her skin. Hadn't she once read a female lead describing her lover's forearms in vivid detail? It seemed strange to her then, but now, she understood her. Wrath looked up and caught her mid-gawking. The beginnings of a smirk appeared at his lips, but before he could open his mouth to undoubtedly mock her, she grabbed the pot and thrust it into his hand.

"I believe you know how to start a fire. So, get to work. No magic allowed." He raised his hands and muttered something that sounded like Yes, Your Majesty, but didn't speak further.

~

A few minutes later, they had a flame and Emilia had a headache, trying to get Wrath to add a little bit of salt into the rest of the mixture.

"You just told me sugar makes things sweet and salt makes them savoury. Why would we add it when we want this drink to be sweet?" He had his arms crossed across his chest, a gesture she associated with his pig-headedness.

She groaned as she tried to explain it again. "Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavour. It's not that complicated."

She held out a palm to him as he started to counter. "Why do you add gold on top of your black?" He thought for a moment and finally looked convinced as he added the pinch of salt she'd made him pick out. Thank goddess.

"Quickly now." He glanced sideways at her. "Please." She added begrudgingly. Why had she decided to challenge him in the dead of night?

"Now use the whisk to stir in circles and mix until there are no lumps."

Emilia stepped back to observe him, and when he started turning the whisk with enough force to break the pot itself, she finally cracked.

She doubled over in laughter, and when Wrath turned to look at her with a wary expression, she lost it all over again.

"Here." She went closer to him once she had some semblance of composure back, and put a hand over his holding the whisk. He froze but didn't pull away, so she started guiding him through controlled, gentle turns of the whisk. She was vaguely aware that she was still in a nightgown, but it felt ludicrous to pay attention to that when she could instead focus on the heat of his chest against her back. She could feel him looking at her and twisted her head to meet his gaze over her shoulder. The blazing fire she thought she had seen when he looked at her back in Palermo was back, and she was dazed to realise that she had missed and craved it ever since. His eyes- such frustratingly beautiful eyes- shifted down to her lips and back in the span of a second. She had no doubt he could hear her erratic heartbeat. Some part of her mind was screaming that this was dangerous territory. She was Pride's queen, but was a part of House Wrath. The dynamic was scandalous enough already.

But would it really matter if this scandal got a little more fuel?

A loud crackle in the fire brought her out of her haze, and she jumped back. No, she was acting ridiculous. Wrath was the flame, and she was the splinter of wood it burnt while crackling.

"Emilia-"

"You should put the pot on the flame." Her voice was shaking. Much like my sanity.

Wrath hesitated for a moment, but then did as she asked. They worked in silence for a while, before she ultimately had to tell him to keep stirring every now and then.

~

Emilia felt lost. Everything in this world was so connived. And Wrath, he was as much a mystery to her now as he was that first day in the cave. But he was also her one familiarity here.

He was a flame, yes. But she was finding it harder each day to stay away from him.

Could she not come near enough to let him keep her warm, but not enough to burn?

She watched him, but his attention was devoted to the boiling mixture, a faint smile on his lips. She stared. He was smiling. Not smirking, not grimacing. Smiling. It brought one to her face too. The first real smile since she'd left her home.

She went closer again, this time stopping at a respectable distance. "Time for judgement." She gave him a half-mocking half-encouraging smile. She was glad he didn't bring up what had happened some minutes ago. Grabbing a spoon, she brought one spoonful of the cocoa to her mouth and almost melted from the nostalgia it brought.

It tasted so much like...love. Just like how Nonna and Vittoria always made it. She closed her eyes and relished in its taste. She wanted to savour it as long as she could.

"The verdict, Your Majesty?" She opened one eye and closed it again. Wrath was smirking. Of course he was.

"You're not Emilia di Carlo, but you did a halfway decent job." She opened her eyes and smirked at him.

He rolled his eyes. "Maybe you do belong with Pride, after all."

"The Sin Corridor didn't think so. Keep being an ass and you'll find out why."

"I'm guessing because it knew how truly irresistible you find me. Or have you forgotten your little... hallucination back there?" How could she? It was mortifying.

She pointed her spoon at him as if it were a knife. "Bring that up again, and I really will consider stabbing you in your sleep."

He chuckled. "You don't have to make excuses for coming into my chambers, cara mia."

Cara mia. My darling. She blushed all the way down to her neck. Damn him. But that didn't have quite as much effect, considering their location. So she just glared at him until he chuckled again and got the pot off their flame.

Emilia brought out two mugs, and poured the milk out equally. Almost. She gave herself a teacher's bonus. If Wrath noticed, he didn't comment.

They stood leaning back on the counter, staring at the opposite wall, with a cup of hot cocoa in their hands. If she didn't know the position she was in and the events that brought her there, she would think she had found peace. In reality, though, she had managed to find a spot in the precise opposite of Peace.

"What other treasures such as this one are you hiding in your grimoire?" Wrath didn't have a single drop of milk on or around his mouth, while she was certain she had a whole lining around hers. How did he manage to drink like that?

"If I was hiding something, you'd be the last person I'd tell. But am I right to understand that the mighty Prince Wrath, with all this luxury, considers chocolate milk a treasure? Is that all I need to bribe him to do my bidding?"

"I deal in bargains, witch. Not bribes." He paused, conflicted on whatever he was about to say. As he looked straight into her eyes, all traces of emotion were gone.

"How are you, Emilia?" She started on his use of her name. He made it sound like a hymn. It made her wish he'd say it more often, perhaps in other, more pleasant situations. She shook such thoughts out. He'd asked if she was okay. Why did he care? Did he care? She wasn't expecting this display of...was it concern she sensed? No, it must have been a trick of her imagination.

"I'm in Hell, demon. I would say that's enough of an answer as to how I am." He didn't budge. She muttered a useless prayer and sighed. "I'm just trying to survive. And find my sister's killer while trying to avoid getting killed myself. In the midst of all that, I haven't thought about anything else. But that's not a road I'm prepared to go down tonight. Let me be delusional for a few more hours."

He nodded. "I'll drink to that."

"To delusion." She raised her own mug.

A part of her wanted to laugh at how childish it was to do a toast with hot chocolate. But then again, that was one of the less unusual things she had been a part of. They sipped their drinks in silence.

"I do understand now where Gluttony is coming from." His tone was dry.

She blinked. "How dare you associate my hot cocoa with him? Take your words back. Now."

Wrath huffed out a laugh, and Emilia figured that if a night of delusion meant that she could have a second of pause from her world crumbling around her, she'd take it with open arms.

~~~

Author's note: Okay listen, it's been a while since I wrote anything, so whatever feedback you all have, please send it my way! Don't hesitate at all. I know this isn't as romantic as most of you probably wanted, but I'm just a little hesitant to write elements of romance, because frankly, I don't trust myself much with it and don't want it to be awkward.

And yes, I went through all of Olivia Rodrigo's lyrics to find one to use as the track for this fic. I have no regrets.

Anyway, there...I did it @ghostiewriter . You better act on your end of our bargain now. I'm waiting. 👀

Also, shoutout to @feysandfeels for telling me about the endearment "Cara Mia" which I've been told is Italian for "My Darling". This concept lives rent-free in my head.

@ssardothien @kingandfireheart @evolving-dreamer @bookologist @godscursedd @sirendeepity @gwynlaithlunel @tea-istic @polaroidsintheocean @dadopedirectioner @trowen @effervescent-bean @snickerdoodlechittybangbang @doesitmatteratalltoyou @deepdive-with-aurelius @wrathscannoli @lysandra-ghost-leopard + the 3 people I mentioned at different points above (Liss, Saarah and Luisa...I don't want to spam your notifs more than I have to, so tagging you once seems enough. 😂)

If anyone wants to be added to or removed from the tags, let me know!

[eccentric-nucleus]

So, to continue the conversation, I do want to say that in Mark of the Fool, there has been regular progress to this point. From what I see, the main plot has been: Alex wants to be a wizard but gets the Mark ->Alex escapes Thameland and gets dungeon core questions-> Alex secretly analyzes dungeon core ->Alex creates golem with dungeon core ->Alex uses results to convince Baelin to have expedition -> Alex works with Heroes to find secrets of dungeon core. There are also the attacks from the hunters, as a bit of more driving force. So, while slow, I think the story has been chugging along. And it's not like really good books, like the Name of the Wind, don't take forever to resolve main plot points. Think of the Harry Potter series. Isn't Voldemort a plot point that wasn't resolved for 7 books?

Also, Baelin is obviously pan. He's tried everything.

What stories/ books/ authors have you enjoyed? I'm a big fan of Drew Hayes' novels, like his Spells, Swords and Stealth series.

i mean i think harry potter is a good example? in the first book, voldemort is introduced as part of harry's "actually, you're secretly rich and famous!" backstory, and to set up the tension that there might be voldemort followers who might want him harm, leading to the book-long narrative tension about snape wanting to kill him, etc. the reveal at the end that quirrel is possessed by voldemort is a end-of-story reveal, rather than being introduced at the beginning of the book. that sets up voldemort as a recurring antagonist who can drop in for later books. each book after that (well until jkr got famous enough to refuse editing) has a more-or-less self-contained plot with lower stakes, but that usually touches on some aspect of voldemort rising as a threat, until he becomes the actual primary antagonist at the end of book 4.

mark of the fool, meanwhile, sets up immediately that there's this centennial war with the ravener, chosen heroes, weird mystery around 'the fool' as kind of a cursed/useless figure. and alex's motivation to just get out of there & ignore it is totally reasonable from a character perspective, but still, the next time this plotline really gets touched on it's when alex returns to thameland around chapter ~280. i mean there are the three ravener hunters, but... like despite being the inciting incident for everything, the whole mark of the fool thing is more-or-less ignored as a story beat for a really long time and instead treated as a protagonist cheat power.

(so royal road says that mark of the fool is 3k pages long, which isn't fully correct since it has some removed chapters for publishing deals. but assuming that is correct, and... i'm gonna say a 'page' here is 250 words because i have no clue what royal road considers 'page length' but that's a decent average number, and that every chapter is more-or-less the same length, that would mean that it's currently in the rough ballpark of 750,000 words long, and that chapter 280 would be roughly 515,000 words into it. using harry potter as a measuring stick, that would be like halfway into book five, order of the phoenix. imagine if harry potter brought up voldemort as a present, looming threat in book 1 chapter 1, and then aside from him sending three flunkies after him he's first mentioned again four books later.)

plus there haven't really been a lot of plot arcs between that? like i'd chunk it up into "introduction/getting to genesari" (roughly the first 70 chapters?) -> "magic school junk" (to about chapter 280) -> "more magic school junk + return to thameland" (to now). like, sure, tournament arc, demon invasion, but i didn't find those super compelling. they end up not really mattering much, in the sense that they don't really present credible threats to the protagonist and you could skip them entirely and you wouldn't really be left with big holes in your understanding of plot developments going forward.

i'd say a lot of stuff like making the golem, investigating the dungeon core stuff, are goals, because they don't really... fundamentally change the character, right? alex wants to make a cool golem, alex makes a cool golem. now his amount of Progression has increased. "what's up with dungeon cores" hasn't really gotten a lot of advancement, i don't think? like they were introduced as mysterious magical artifacts of the ravener with incredible power, and now we know... they're powerful magical artifacts with a handful of practical applications! the only real development aside from finding out that the magic dust is really powerful is the 'only followers of uldar can do this' thing, which happens 360 chapters into this thing. several full-length novels later!

like, the whole thing where the golem might be becoming sentient b/c of the dungeon core dust in its core is more of an 'arc' b/c that would fundamentally change the relationship between alex and the golem & introduce a conflict for when, you know, your war-machine gains independence and maybe doesn't want to be your war-machine any more, or maybe is psychically connected to the ravener and thus compromised, but, claygon gets made around chapter 130 and here we are in chapter 400+, nearly 500,000 words later, with the only development there being "idk sometimes he's maybe looking at me" "once he raised his arm without my consciously ordering him to" "i'm trying to read kids books to him but it's impossible to say if anything is being absorbed". this is glacial.

one thing i've noticed is that due to their serial nature a lot of progression fantasy books have a lot of plate-spinning? the main character will have a bunch of Projects, implicitly being worked on in the background, and a lot of the time the narrative will dip down to be like "hey this thing is still on the table being developed", like each mention of the thing gives the project Advancement Points. and once a project has gotten enough advancement points there's a scene where the project is resolved and now the main character has a new cool power, or whatever. it's kind of a 'level grinding' approach to narrative, where you have to invest enough words into a side plot before it can rank up. it was kind of funny to read the first time i saw it (in, i think, 'retrograde motion', which was maybe my first exposure to progression fantasy though i didn't really recognize it at the time. see how many times the wood release jutsu plant pot thing gets mentioned just to remind the reader that yes she's still working on it but no there's no progress yet!) but it's rapidly outstayed its welcome as a writing technique. but all the claygon sentience stuff falls solidly into that realm: let's bring it up for a paragraph or two every dozen chapters so people know it's still on the table, but let's not actually do anything with it yet.

(anyway i'd agree that baelin has been fairly well characterized as like, having personal interests utterly beyond the capacity of the narrative to express & that including the romantic, it's just a little obnoxious when the first on-screen romantic interest he's expressed has been to a sexy female demon. like oh was it actually just that he's into scorpion pincers on women all this time. by specifying they've dramatically cut down the fun ambiguity of "probably literally everything including sex you couldn't even comprehend" into like, "women w/ chitin plates". it's like that star trek episode where they're like, oh this alien species has three genders, we're gonna have a forbidden romance! and then they cast the third-gender alien as a woman so johnathan frakes can kiss her without it being Gay. i'm not saying baelin has gotta fuck a dude onscreen, but, having him flirt with the demon who's just a scintillating octahedron or w/e would have been much better imo.)

aaaanyway

let's see.

i liked the first book or two of beware of chicken, but now that it's firmly slid from being an isekai xianxia parody to just being an isekai xianxia novel so that's less interesting.

i really liked the essence of cultivation, probably in part because it's short. and also the magic system is fun to think about. i have a file on my computer that's me trying to figure out what some of the magic spells valiance groups would look like. a lot of progression fantasy stories have good openings but then somewhere in the hundreds-of-chapters slog they all just turn into the same grindy power fantasy mess, so probably the fact that this concluded one arc and then went on hiatus forever does a lot.

i've been enjoying godslayers! fun premise, not afraid to have characters utterly fail at things, & i genuinely don't know how it'll resolve its various plot threads, but it's proceeding at a steady clip and producing more and more disasters as it goes so that's a plus in my books.

like i've been reading a bunch of other things also (uhh memoirs of your local small-time villainess, yagacore, surviving the succession, fated to fall, jackal among snakes, soul of the warrior, etc) but i wouldn't say that i'm really enjoying them. i mean 'soul of the warrior' is very funny in how overtly it's just like, the main character is super cool and super powerful and nothing is ever going to even fleetingly gesture at being an impediment to his meteoric rise in power level. pure distilled power fantasy. 'fated to fall' is actually kind of funny also in that the author has talked about scrapping an entire 'turning evil due to cursed amulet' plotline b/c people got real mad, which seems like it would radically change the plot, but, really who knows. i guess maybe not fated to fall after all! but it recently also hit a "and then the characters go to magic school for years" section of the plot after wrapping up what had been the primary narrative tension (evil stepmother constantly trying to assassinate her) so maybe i'll stop reading it.

[chronicalchaos]

Wick modern AU: Explained +Some fun facts

Uhm, i was gonna wait until i finish this AU's synopsis and new book cover, but both will be taking a while until they get ready...

And i wanted to post this "overview" for a while now, anyways, here's some fun facts and a summary of the story:

Old book cover:

I'm really proud of Sam's shading, but the twins look weird and Tom looks old...I won't use this cover, 'cus Travis and Duncan are main characters as well and i want to include them on the cover. +My art style changed!

Story summary:

Just a quick thing! I changed quite a few things to fit the narrative and the modern days setting, i hope you understand!

The story of this AU happens in September 2014, a little less than a month until Sam’s birthday, where the Weavers aren't dead– Well, most of them aren't...

The narrative is centered on a curse, that was based on the audio that plays when you pick up Benny's bible, where 7 people are affected by it: Tim, Tom, John, Sam, John's brother/Sam's dad(I won't name him), Mary and James.

Sam's, Travis' and Duncan's side of the story will be more on the investigative side maybe with a bit of comedy(I'm not good with writing that, so it will most likely be just investigation), while Tim and Tom's side will be the more angst and unusual/horror side. Sam will have a bit of horror as well, since he's linked with them by the curse, but the twins will definitely have the spotlight when it comes to horror/unusual stuff.

Fun Facts:

General:

The story happens a week, maybe a bit more, after summer break

Even tho one of the first chapters is set on school, them going to school will probably just be mentioned or implied, Example: Them leaving a school bus

For some reason, i saw a few stories where everyone knew what polio is and how it works, which i felt it wouldn't be realistic, so that won't happen here

It has a lot of paranormal stuff

The summer camp by the Weaver's property is closed and has been like that for a few years now

Just Mary and James call the twins Changelings, the rest of the city knows there are "changelings" walking around, just, not that the twins are them

There's no changelings, they think there is, but in reality it's just a curse(like that's something lighter than a demon switched with a child at birth)

The song that helps me get in the mood of this story when I'm writing is "Far too young to die" by Panic! At the disco

Timas Weaver:

Tim is 12, he'll be 13 in...approximately 3 months

He was born December 30th 2001 and is the oldest between him and Tom

He's almost an inch shorter than Tom

He has a huge burn scar! It goes from a bit more than half of his chest, both his arms, his palms and his whole neck, he got that scar when he was 3 years old

He's does not have asthma, but he does have extreme pyrophobia on it's place

He has flat affect, his face doesn't match his emotions/he looks serious most of the time(I'm so sorry if I don't portrait it right! Please give me constructive criticism if I do something wrong here!)

He's a theater kid and would be quoting a lot of musicals if Mary didn't isolate him and Tom from the world(The theater part only exists because of his and Tom's masks)

The whittling thing exists here, but like, it won't be of much importance to the story, the knife will! But not the whittle part

He despises spiders and it's Tom's fault!

He climbs trees (there's not much I can say here to be honest)

He has this...i don't know if you can call it a quirk, but, he tends to tilt his head to the left, it's kinda random

He's ambidextrous, was left handed, but Mary forced him to learn to use his right hand

He teached himself how to throw knifes...don't mess with him

Paranoia!

Needs therapy

Tomathy Weaver:

Tom is 12 and will be 13 in approximately 3 months

He was born December 30th 2001 and is the youngest between him and Tim

He's almost an inch taller than Tim

He doesn't have Polio now, he did when he was...around 5 years old

His left leg is bigger than his right one, his right feet reaches his left ankle

His left ankle is paralyzed, that's why he uses a leg brace

He's claustrophobic, he developed that on the same day Tim got his scar and pyrophobia

He won first place on a spelling bee before he got Polio and he used to spell when he got anxious, but after John's disappearence he started shuddering, shaking and cracking his joints instead, very similar to how he shudders on the game

He loves spiders!

He is really flexible, but, because of his polio, he can't play around with it anymore

He likes to draw

He has pretty bad scoliosis

Paranoia #2!

Socially awkward baby

Went to therapy when little, needs to go back

Caleb Weaver:

Caleb is 9 years old

He was born August 19th 2005

He's almost the same height as Timas

He was a year old when Tom had polio

He's actually James' kid, not John's

He won first place in 2014's(the year the story happens) county track meet

He dislikes Tim

Lillian Weaver:

Lillian is 5 years old

She was born February 28th 2009

She's a bit tall for her age

She's notorious for making little deals between her and her siblings, like helping them get away with something in exchange of something(getting her out of class during their recess, buying a new plushy, etc.)

She's a really curious and affectionate kid, loves hugs, kisses and especially being picked on someone's lap

She loves bunnies(even tho this isn't a surprise)

Benjamin Weaver:

Benjamin is 14 years old and will be 15 in less then a month

He was born October 24th 1999

He's just really tall compared to the twins (it's kinda funny, Tim and Tom are 4 years older than Caleb, but they are just an inch taller than him)

He's really religious and prays a lot for his siblings' health and safety

He's been trying to take care of Tom after John's disappearence, since Mary doesn't do it, much the opposite, she hides Tom's medicines on purpose

Mary Weaver:

I didn't give her neither an age nor a birthday...i probably need to do that

She had an affair with James, when the twins were 4 and Benny was 6, Caleb was born from this affair

She doesn't hit any of her kids, but she does neglect most of them

On the nights between Saturday and Sunday, she doesn't sleep, she spends this time praying with a candle, then, before they go to church, she writes everything that happened that night on her diary

She has a lot of diaries, she keeps them in the attic

She's a little bitch(i don't know what else to say about her)

Pastor James McAlroy:

James also doesn't have an age nor birthday (i only have the Weaver kids and Sam's birthdays)

He won't appear much, but he does have a big role on the story

He's Caleb's biological dad(i mentioned that like 3 times already)

He tried doing a "honest-to-god exorcism" on the twins, it was just a cover for an attempt of murder

He's a toxic little shit(there's not much I can say about him)

Samuel Burton:

Sam is 12 years old and will be 13 in less than a month

He was born in October 2nd 2001

Him and Travis are Brothers on their mom's part

He's cousin with the Weavers, minus Caleb, they just don't know each other

He can be just as smug as Travis sometimes

He absolutely hates going on ghost hunting, he thinks it's dumb

He has long hair and freckles all over his body

He's just too lazy to tie his own shoes

He's the only one that remembers to bring a backpack when ghost hunting

While Travis is the camera man, he's the flashlight guy

Travis Burton:

Travis is 15 years old and i don't have a birthday for him, well, he would be born in 1999 just like Benny

He doesn't like wearing glasses, but doesn't have other choice, he either doesn't take proper care of his lenses and gets his eyes irritated or he just lost them

He's the face of his and Duncan's channel

He tries to drag Sam to be part of the channel, but he doesn't really want to be part of it

He cusses way too much

He's brave, only because he goes face first into danger without thinking

Duncan:

Duncan is 15 and would also be born in 1999

Big ass coward, sends Travis and Sam to go investigate on his place every fucking time

Entitled as fuck

The "brain" behind his and Travis' channel

He's suspiciously good on researching, he'll find the most unexpected things about you

He's a little shit as well

...i think that's it! Now i can go continue the first chapter and maybe finish it soon

[blueangelicrose]

A New Beginning: Chapter 9 (part 1): The Sister Arrives

It was a bright and sunny day outside. Flowers blooming and birds singing, it was the perfect day for having a picnic or just having a good time in general. Unfortunately that wasn't the case for Josephine. It had only been a week or two since the convention and had gotten back to work, and she was already in a bind. She was trying to retrieve an ancient relic that had been stolen from a sacred church that laid hidden deep in Inkwell Isle's forests. The church was once Inkwell's most powerful influence of Christianity since way before the Devil made his presence known on the Isle. It was referred to as, "God's doorstep", for it was believed that once you took one step in the church, you would immediately feel as if you were almost in Heaven itself! The church was so highly revered and spiritual that even the atheists paid their respects to the congregation of the church. They even donated money and items just to get on the church's good side. Back then, the church was God's most divine house and was not to be disrespected. But as the years went by and the Devil had set up shop in the city, the church goers became less and less. Eventually, all the citizens either gave up hope of ever being freed from the Devil's grasp or had just forgotten that the church was there in the first place. And of course it didn't help when the Devil placed several of his minions to lead the church goers astray from attending the church. The church then faded away from Inkwell Isle's history books and the citizens memories. But God wouldn't let the precious place that His people worshipped and loved him in to go to ruin. He sent his angels to guard and keep up the place in order to keep His spiritual powers flowing throughout the building in order to protect all the living creatures that lived in the surrounding forests. God also decided to use the church as a place to store some heavenly relics for the angels to use just in case of an attack on them, the church, or some of the other priceless treasures from Heaven. Unfortunately, just a few hours ago, one of the imps from the casino somehow managed to sneak into the church and stole a sacred dagger that was used in one of the wars between Heaven and Hell. It was said that it could cut through even the most thickest of armours, weapons, shields, and even spells. This weapon was called, "The Dagger of God's Wrath." And only the good Lord knows how such a low level demon managed to sneak inside the church and steal such a priceless treasure. But now it was up to Josephine, who, by the way, volunteered to take the mission for personal reasons, to retrieve the weapon, interrogate the suspect, destroy the suspect, and then put the weapon back to where it belongs.

But, from what should've been a simple task, is turning out to be a major pain in the butt! She chased, hunted down, searched high and low, and chased again the little imp until she came upon the city limits. She knew that if she were to continue chasing down the little imp into the city with her wings on full display, she would definitely cause a ruckus. So she shape shifted herself into that of a humanoid cheetah woman to keep herself on low profile. She then charged after the imp at full speed. The imp looked back, and was frighteningly surprised that instead of a pretty angel chasing it, it was a menacing but attractive looking cheetah lady! It continued running for it's life until it reached an alley corner and hid behind it. As it nervously peeked out of the corner to see if she was there, it sweated profusely and swallowed hard, fearing that she was right there. But as it looked back, she was nowhere to be found. It raised a brow and looked back and forth to see if the coast was clear. All seemed calm and clear. It breathed a sigh of relief and wiped its nervous sweat and without a care in the world walked away hoping to get to the casino before Josephine caught up to it. Unfortunately for the creature, it was not so lucky, kinda funny and ironic since it worked for a casino and had supernatural powers. As soon as it turned the corner of the block, it literally bumped into a pair of slender feminine legs. He nervously looked up, and saw a very ticked off cheetah lady with arms crossed and giving it a look that said, "Really? You think I'm THAT dumb?" Responding to this development, it slowly backed away, turned away, started to walk away, then made a break for it. Josephine sighed, continued to chase it until she was in front of the imp.

The imp then tried to run in the opposite direction, but was inevitably caught. She picked up the imp by its scruff and had it look her in the face. Without saying a word, she held out her other hand for the imp to give back the blade. The imp looked back and forth between her eyes and her open hand, until it finally got the message. (Not very sharp, is it?) It smiled nervously and held up one if its hands up to tell her to hold on for a minute while it used its other hand to, what seemed like it was going to hand her the blade. But really it was digging around its bag to grab something else. And she wasn't able to find out until it was too late. The imp flung a dark purple colored powder at her face, literally BLINDING her! As she screamed in pain, she had no choice but to drop the imp and try to wash the stuff off. The imp took this chance and made its escape. Unfortunately for the imp, it accidentally ran into a gang of werewolves, who by the way, owed a great deal of debt to the Devil's Casino. They recognized the little imp and decided to take away the bag to see if there was anything valuable in it to trade in for some cash to pay for their debt. Although stealing from the Devil just to pay back their debts that they owe to the Devil, is probably not the smartest idea in the world. They pretty much took everything that looked valuable in the bag and LITERALLY threw the imp away from them. And when the imp tried to get the bag back, one of the werewolves gave a menacing glare and snarl basically telling it to back off and for it to scram. The imp got the message and swore to them that the boss will hear about this and that they were going to regret it. Most of them didn't pay much heed into it, but the somewhat smarter and paranoid ones were a little more cautious to the little demon's warning. They decided to change to another one of their secret hangouts until they were in the clear. Then trade the stuff that were in the bag to various pawn shops to earn enough money to pay off their debt.

While on the other side of this perplexing situation, Josephine was writhing in agony as the powder in her eyes was starting to burn like fire. It was so intense that it felt like Hellfire had been thrown at her face by the Devil himself. She didn't want to make this situation any more worse than it already was and attract any unwanted company. So using her teleportation abilities, she moved to somewhere more private and secluded to remove the powder from her eyes. There was only one place that she could think up on the spot that matched those descriptions. And in an instant, she teleported to the creek in the woods where she and her sister first met the Cup Brothers. Ever since her childhood days, she always wanted to go back to the woods where she and her sister spent that wonderful year with their Earth family. Those were happier and simpler times. Where she and her sister could relax and be actual normal kids without the fear of their lives being at risk at every single corner that they turned. And she could never forget the day where her sister fell in love for the first time. She never felt so happy for her sister before in her entire life when that happened. Josephine dubbed the creek where it all started as, "First Love Creek." So when times got tough for her and her sister, she would remember her favorite memories to make herself happy. And her sister falling in love on that day was definitely in the top five of her most favorite memories. As she was wrapping up from traveling down memory lane, she carefully inched close to the rushing water. When she reached the waters edge, she fell to her knees and started scooping the water with her hands and started to wash her eyes out. She managed to get the powder out from her eyes, but the magic effects from the powder wasn't so easy to get rid of. She finally recognized what the powder was and was immediately infuriated. The imp had thrown at her, "Blinding Powder", and just like the name suggests, when thrown in someone's face, it blinds them for 24 hours, if the victim doesn't get killed while doing something stupid. Josephine knew that she was going to have her work cut out for her for the next 24 hours. The first thing she needed to do was to find a temporary home to live in until she could find that imp, or somehow break into its boss's headquarters and retrieve the dagger. But most of the money that she had was spent on sea fair, necessities for hunting down demons, and of course, fashionable clothing and such. She had no choice but to earn some quick cash for her to be able to afford living anywhere.

About an hour or so later, she had reverted to her human form, she decided to wear more or less showy but still fashionable clothes, and painfully reported back her situation to her superiors. They were a little shocked and a little irritated that something like this happened. But they digressed, and told her to do what needed to be done in order to bring back the relic. But not to harm any civilians and not to get discovered at any cost. She agreed and promised that she would do her absolute best to abide by those rules. As soon as she signed out, she grabbed her guitar, a fold out chair, and a pair of sunglasses that she had stashed away in her own angelic inventory. She then headed towards Inkwell's most busiest and populated place for people to go and relax; Inkwell Isle's Central Square. She figured if she could use her angelic voice to get her enough money to get to a decent place to stay, then she was willing to give it her all. She placed her little setup right in front of a beautiful water fountain. With her guitar at hand and the guitar case open wide on the ground for people to put money in, and of course with her brilliant disguise as a normal human woman on, (sunglasses included), she was ready to sing! She sang for hours and hours, and even though she was blind, she could still see the gray blurry figures going to and froe not even stopping to listen to her sing. And even though she was blind, she could tell that not a single person had thrown any money in the case. Frustrated at the harsh treatment, she decided to just sing to herself some songs that her mother taught her from all the travels that she spent going back and forth between dimensions. She figured that it could relieve her from the harsh critisim and a chance to reminisce about the happy parts of her childhood. She started to quietly play a sad but sweet lullaby that was written and played by an up and coming Mexican mariachi musician. As she played quietly, figuring that no one wanted to hear her sing, she started to wonder how her sister was doing, and if she met up with their mother at the convention yet. As she was lost in her thoughts and was playing the last music notes of the song, she suddenly heard clapping and then a charming southern like male voice. "Well, well, well~ ...... I heard a lot of things in my day, but I never heard such a sweet and soothing sound as your voice my dear. And that's coming from me! Do you mind if you could play that song again for me, but a bit louder this time?" She wasn't sure what to make of this strangers compliment and request. She was about to ask him who he was, but she was cut off. "Oh dear! You're blind? But you can still play the guitar! That's quite something! And I see that no one has had the courage to give you payment on your wonderful services! If I may, would you please play that song again and teach me the lyrics? But of course you will be rewarded most generously." He gently grabbed one of her hands and put a couple thousand dollars in the palm of her hand then closed it to tell her that it was her money to keep. She couldn't read how much there was but could tell that it was a lot judging by the thickness of the bundle of cash in her hand. She was about to refuse and say that it was too much. But the man cut her off again saying that he just wanted to hear her sing. She couldn't help but be flattered by his words and agreed to his strange song and teaching request. She sang a song that you can find on You Tube under the singer that my character sounds like: Song: Remember Me from the movie Coco

Singer: Anna

YouTube name: annapantsu

Lyrics:

"Remember me~

though I have to say goodbye,

Remember me~

don't let it make you cry,

for even though I'm far away I'll

hold you in my heart,

I'll sing a secret song to you each

night we are apart,

Remember me~

though I have to travel far,

Remember me~

each time you hear a sad guitar,

know that I'm with you the only way

that I can be~,

until you're in my arms again~,

Re~mem~ber~ Me~!!!!"

To Be Continued....

End of chapter 9 (part 1).

To be continued in chapter 9 (part 2).

[suckdickfuckgod]

and the thing is, dean expressed earlier in the season, when sam was “infected” with the croatoan virus, that if sam had to die then he was gonna die right beside him!!!

I love how dead Dean's eyes look throughout this entire sequence. He was never gonna bury that body.