#leave my mistakes like gouges down the mountain side

[snackugaki]

@shiftandshade is blessed with so many ideas while I am cursed with only one drawing hand ;u;

*once again, shoves my beloved daughters into shit*

[alicewritingstories]

Febuwhump Day 27 (Alt prompt 1): Human Shield

CW: Blood, death threat, hostage situation

AO3

---

Four slipped and went face-down in the mud with a grunt, just managing to keep his sword out from under him. His muscles burned as he struggled back to his feet, grateful for the support of Hyrule's hand under his arm but aware that his brother was also exhausted.

"This is why… don't wander… off-trail," he panted as they started running again.

"Save the lecture," said Hyrule, equally breathlessly.

Four could have activated his Pegasus Boots, but that would mean leaving Hyrule behind. Hyrule had said he'd be able to hide - this was his era and he knew it well - but that didn't make abandoning him any more acceptable an option.

What was more, the mountainous terrain they were crossing was like a maze of little ravines that would soon have had Four lost or cornered. Hyrule seemed to be able to navigate by sheer dead reckoning, even in the pouring rain, pursued by the shouts and chants of the cultists whose ritual they had interrupted and who seemed to know the area almost as well as he did.

Suddenly Four felt the ground rumble under his feet. He slid to a halt, his heels leaving gouges in the muddy ground, and shouted a warning to Hyrule, but the traveler had already seen the danger and grabbed Four's arm as he ran back the other way.

Behind them, an ugly mixture of rocks, mud, and a dead tree slid down the side of the ravine.

Four heard a shout of triumph from one of the cultists as they darted down another little ravine, their feet splashing in a stream of water running down it.

"Will this flood?" shouted Four.

Hyrule shook his head.

There weren't any better options; as Four looked over his shoulder he could already see a couple of robed figures turning the corner after them. They were shouting about blood and ashes - mostly blood.

The water was up to Four's ankles as they kept running. He wondered fleetingly if it would get deeper; if Hyrule had remembered how much shorter he was than his brothers.

As he ran, his thoughts were starting to spiral apart into something closer to a wordless argument. He forced himself to focus, centering himself in the moment. Now was not the time.

Then Hyrule let out a cry of alarm. An arrow splashed in the water ahead of them. Four looked up and saw a couple of archers on the wall overhead, perilously close to a very unstable-looking edge.

We fight.

We can't win.

Who are they? What do they even want?

Again, Four centered himself. He looked at Hyrule. For the first time in their flight, there was fear in the traveler's eyes as he tightened his grip on his sword. They were cornered, then. Outnumbered, and Four knew Hyrule didn't have much magic left. A couple of big spells and he'd not be able to run any further.

"What do they want?" muttered Four. "Revenge for the interruption?"

Hyrule swallowed hard. "They… want my blood."

"You mean they want to kill you?" Four already knew the answer. As the cultists drew in on them slowly, they had settled into a rhythmic chorus like a heartbeat.

"Blood for Lord Ganon! Blood for Lord Ganon!"

Blood specifically.

Well, then. What would they give to have Hyrule's blood preserved?

The part of Four that made up calm, ruthless, intelligent Vio knew how few options they had. He grabbed Hyrule, pulled him close, and raised his sword to his brother's throat.

"Let us go or I'll spill his blood right here and now!" he shouted.

"Four!" cried Hyrule. "What are -"

"Shut up," hissed Four. Then he raised his voice again. "You want his blood, don't you? How much do you need? Have you ever seen how much blood comes from a slit throat?"

There was a long, horrible pause. Four hoped desperately that the cultists wouldn't call his bluff.

One of them stepped forward. "You're making a mistake, boy," she said. "We need him to save this world. If you kill him, you prevent that. Give him to us and you may go free."

"I know enough about Ganon and what would happen to this world if he returned to know I'd rather kill this boy than hand him over to you," said Four. "And before you think about shooting me, my hand does not have to move far to open his throat. This is not a negotiation. I leave with him or his blood washes away in this floodwater. Choose."

Another pause. Four could feel Hyrule's pulse hammering where he held his arm, hear his quick, frightened breathing. He wanted to say something to reassure him, but couldn't afford to waver for a moment. The cultists' belief that he would follow through and kill their intended victim before they could take him was the only shield between the two of them and death.

The pause stretched and Four braced himself, then drew the sword a little closer. He kept the edge very sharp and a line of blood appeared on Hyrule's throat. Hyrule froze, eyes wide, holding his breath.

Four forced his expression and his hand to stay steady.

"Very well," said the cultist quickly. "Very well, go." She waved to her followers, who stepped aside to open a route back the way they'd come.

They were in no way out of danger, but Four eased towards the gap, still with his sword to Hyrule's throat. Nobody else moved as they walked through. Everything was still and silent apart from the splashing of their feet in the floodwater as they left the ravine and turned a corner back the way they'd come.

Once they were out of sight, Four sheathed his sword and stepped back, hands raised. "I'm sorry," he said, "I couldn't see another way out. You can yell at me later. In the meantime, which way do we go?"

Hyrule stared at him, his hand to the cut on his neck. Four saw the faint glow as he healed it. "You- you think-" he stumbled out.

"Hyrule, we have seconds," snapped Four. "Get us out of here before they come after us and make that whole charade pointless!"

Hyrule took a shuddering breath and let it out again. "OK. OK. This way." He took off running again. With a sigh that did nothing to dispel his heartache, Four followed.

[hananario-oh]

Soulless soul mates- felix volturi.

So was feeling the mood for a little fanfic but couldn't find one that hit the spot. So I made one 😁 enjoy! Also. It might get a little dark.

The flames of the fire danced high. Much higher than they needed to be. Not that they were needed at all. The bitter cold of the winter night air didn't compare to the coldness of our skin, nor did the scorching heat of the fire warm us. Long gone were the days it was needed for either of us.

That was the problem. I felt bitter and angry, once again the rage started to build.

They had no right! HE had no right!

It should have been my choice. No one should have been allowed to make that call, to say how my life would end or continue. Especially not like this.

I looked at my hands in my lap. The darkness of the night was deep, any and all moonlight blocked by the mountain side and the trees. The fire though big did nothing but light the immediate area. Shadows cast around me and the smoke went higher still. Yet unnaturally so, I saw everything. In details hard to imagine.

Every line in my skin. Every dent and scare. Every finger print with marks intertwined so little I never would have known they were there. Nothing escaped my sight, a world of billions upon billions of tiny details to take in and yet, I couldn't bring myself to focus. To even truly take it in and marvel in it.

The thirst stopped me.

God. The thirst!

Even now the burning ebbed and flowed, scratching and crawling inside my throat like a trapped cat. In the middle of nowhere my body ached to search for a cure.

Blood.

The fibres of my body nearly jumped excitedly at the thought of it yet my mind screamed. Disgusted and horrified with the monster my body had become. A battle I was never willing to be a part of was raging on inside of me. Making me question and fight each moment and movement I took.

My hands clenched, a wave of desire falling on me. Strong and demanding it felt like it took my breath away, if I had need to take one.

The feeling in my throat grew stronger, unimaginably so. It did not go unnoticed.

Felix straightened where he sat on the other side of the fire. Through the flames I could see him. His face pale but eyes red as blood. For obvious reasons.

I drew in an unneeded breath to help fight the next wave of desire brought on by making the connection to blood. Even the thought was enough to double the thirst. It was burning! Stabbing and growing! God!

In the background of feelings I felt the ripping sting of my own nails dig into my trousers, going through and gouging out skin. Nothing, compared to the thirst though. Nothing would ever compare. I just had to fight it.

"Stop! Your hurting yourself! For the love of whatever god is real just give in and drink the blood!"

Fighting the wave of desire to follow that order and end this, I opened my eyes. Not even aware I had shut them. He stood, hands clenched like mine but in anger and disparity. The already terrifyingly stern look he wore on his face had become murderous. His size only adding to the intimidating stance he projected towards me. Perhaps if I were weaker. It would have been enough to break me fully. But no. I had a fight to win, it was all I had left to fight for. I wasn't letting them take this choice from me like the others.

"No."

Though the pain left my teeth clenched, there was a smidgen of pride at how defiant I had sounded. More than I had expected of myself.

More than he had expected too. The defiance not sitting well, felix snapped.

His yell caught me off guard, the loudness of it sending a shock wave of sound throughout the forest. Birds that would normally be nested at night took flight. The whirlwind of sounds attacking my ears. In the far distance, deer scattered. A whole heard. Each one letting off a thunderstorm of hoofs hitting ground. Heart beats racing... Blood.

But not the blood I need.

Looking up, I caught the moment felix kicked, sending the log he had been sitting on before flying back into the tree's. Snow from on top fell, a glorious sight to watch in detail.

The burn dimmed. A rare moment of manageability a welcome relief. Felix stood like a god. Angry and strong. The flames in front of him while the snow fell behind, it went well with his unnatural beauty. Like some scene from the bible. A truly stunning sight yet my brain stumbled. Caught between desire for how handsome he was and shock. The connection between him and the devil had been made before but now the image matched. Now it felt real.

He ran a hand through his hair, recently cut short, leaving it ruffled.

"Drink." His voice now no more than a whisper still reached me loudly. This hearing change was yet another nightmare I hated that they had counted as a blessing.

Shaking my head. The scratching started to build again. I wanted to scream in annoyance.

"No."

Felix threw his had back. The muscles tense in his neck as he tried to keep his temper. Something he wasn't well known to even try.

"Drink. You can't go on like this. Drink it!"

The tension in his body was clear. This was a man who used his strength to get what he wanted. To be faced with a problem that brutal force could not fix, still normally ended in brutal force. I was pushing boundaries with him he hadn't had to face in his vampire life.

"N-no."

Another wave hit me, melting my strength and breaking my voice. I suppose I knew I would not be able to appear strong for long, but the defense I built felt damaged.

Weakness had been shown.

And it had been caught.

"Damn it, Amelia! You can't win this! You can't fight this! All you do is grow yourself weak and anger the masters!"

He gestured with his hand towards the city. Towards the bastards he held in such high regard that had both ended and ruined my life all in the name of a so called gift that I never even had in the end.

I had no doubt that if it was not for the so called soul mate that stood so angrily in front of me I would have met my second and very final ending not long after I woke to this nightmare. Perhaps I would have preferred it.

I shook my head, feeling tired and angry and weak and thirsty and everything else that was swirling in the mix of vile emotions. Its not like he got this. He enjoyed being this monster. He didn't even try to fight it.

"Felix, you don't understand. I-"

"NO! You, don't understand! From the moment we met this was it. This, is what you had coming. I won't let you die. I won't let you leave me, nor will the rest of the volturi. This is the only option you have so please, stop fighting it! Because this," he said pointing to the bodies of the dead animals I cast aside after drinking their blood in hopes of getting rid of the burn, "this won't work. It won't make it go away. It will keep you going but day after day that burn will be there! And this," he pointed to the path of broken and fallen trees I had taken down while blinded by the burn. A mistake even I admit. "this cannot go on! People will notice this Amelia and it's my job to make sure that vampires that do this disappear and I can't let that happen. So drink and come with me. This ends now!"

I shook my head in defiance. I knew he had valid points. I was making a mess and the burn wouldn't go, but I knew there were people out there, like me, that didnt want to kill people. That saw those who did as monsters. That fought the burn and got used to it. I could do it if I didn't have them holding me back. I had to.

"No. I refuse to. End of."

I had made it this far. Sixty something days. I could do it.

From Felixs' side the tension eased, only to be replaced with something else. Regret.

For a stupid but blissful moment, I thought he understood. That he knew I was never a person for this world, for this life and this sin. It really was a stupid moment.

"Then we do this the hard way."

My shoulders tensed. In the distance I heard the one voice I had really grown to hate. The high and mighty brat like attitude of Jane followed with it.

"Pitty. I was enjoying watching her break."

Before I could stand and make a break for it there were strong powerful arms trapping me. Wrapped around me like snakes, it was all I could do but thrash my legs about and yell.

"Let me go! Why the hell are you doing this to me! LET GO!"

Looking up, Demetri stared ahead to Felix, avoiding my pleading eyes. It was true I had attempted to make friends with him before I ran. My hopes were to have someone level headed and smart on my side to understand that I had a choice, to help the others understand. Yet here we were, he was helping them take that choice away. I could hardly handle the level of frustration that caused inside of me.

"STOP! WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING STO-"

The words got stuck in my throat, caught up in the burn that suddenly sprung to life. I could hear it, feel it, taste it! In the distance, getting closer. The erratic rhythmic thump thump. The flow of the thick liquid inside veins. The rapid breathing of fear. They stunk of it. A human. My meal.

The hard way.

No. No they can't!

"Don't do this! Stop! Felix stop this! Please!"

The burn was wild. I could taste the scent of the blood my body was so desperately craving. I could hear it and God if I so much as looked I bet I could see it. My fingers digged into Demetri's arms. I was sure he felt it but not once did he show any signs.

I knew he would be near, I figured he tracked me, but never did I think he would do this. Be a part of it. I really couldn't trust any of them.

My head was almost spinning by the time they'd brought them near. The blood flowing in their veins sounded like a river. Violently flowing to the sound of a beating heart. Closing my eyes did little to help but I couldn't look at them. I couldn't see the fear in their eyes. I knew it. Only so long ago the same fear was in my eyes as I thought I was meeting the same fate.

Yet the thirst made me want to. Made me want to be the monster they said I was.

"Felix pl-please! Stop. Please! Why won't you just leave me alone!"

I shook my head, despite my thirst I locked onto Felixs eyes. He couldn't do this. He had to see what he was doing to me. This wasn't love. This wasn't soul mates. If he loved me the way he claimed he couldn't stand by and let this happen!

"Felix please! Stop this! Please! FELIX!" I felt a tear slide down my cheek. I didn't even know I was still capable of such acts. He watched the tear fall, a frown in place of the smile I once thought I could eventually come to love. His eyes drifted to mine but he averted them quickly, head shaking as he looked away.

"I am sorry Amelia, you have to drink."

In front of me, Jane blocked my view of him. Her eyes looked as bored and mundane as normal. Like this was nothing but an annoying task that blocked her fun. Like she didn't secretly find pleasure in this like I knew she did. The bitch loved this and I knew it, she was even more sick and twisted than her brother! Her hand shot up in a silencing motion, as if I would listen to her.

"Enough! We've given you more than enough chances to accept our way of life and you seem insistent to avoid it. Know this Amelia, you have been shown more kindness and patience than I will ever understand from Master Aro, yet you defy even the simpler orders given. That patience has worn thin. Master Caius has ordered that an end be put to it tonight and so tonight it shall. Enjoy your meal. He smells delicious."

Before I could even protest or fight, the warmth and softness of skin was forced over my mouth. Instantly and despite my fight, the last shreds of my will power crumbled.

In a moment that I will never forgive myself for I took in the scent. The copper like sweetness of it danced down my throat, both igniting and partially soothing the ache, making my body lunge towards it.

It felt like liquid gold, water on fire and rest from a good sleep all at the same time. Instantly sore muscles felt better. The entire blanket of problems that accompanied the thirst was gone. I could feel it flow, quickly at first but then slower, weaker and colder. Eventually I had to draw it out. No longer did it flow freely.

I tried and tried to pull as much out as I could. It wasn't enough but the burn was gone. Eventually there was no more and my eyes opened. I hadn't even closed them knowingly, the bliss of relief doing so in the moment.

The moment which was no over.

Demetri was gone. So too alec if he had been here. Backing away Jane grinned like the cat that got the cream.

"Master Caius will be pleased."

And then gone too was Jane.

Left was only myself and Felix. The body of the dead man I had ended rested in my lap. My arms shakily lowered him to the flow away from me. My eyes couldn't leave his neck. The bite mark so clear that it almost over shadowed the tattoo. But I saw.

Manda and Bethan Daddy's little girls

I stood and turned away. There was a horrible numbness I had never felt before. I was a monster now. I was as bad as them. I had enjoyed it.

As if he hadn't made it worse enough, Felix placed his hand around my waste. Like it brought comfort and enjoyment. As if he deserved it.

"It had to be done. Next time will be easier. I promise. Just let me help you-"

In an instant I was at the ege of the tree's, away from him. He'd been expecting it, but the look of hurt on his face showed he didn't like it.

"No, that bastard has had his fun now. The games over. There won't be a next time. I will never forgive you for this. For anything you did. You don't deserve a mate, so don't come looking for one in me!"

I saw his hand reach for me but I was gone.

If he was smart, he wouldn't come after me. Either way, I had the Cullens to find. If they thought I would give up now, they were dead wrong.

[louare-writings]

Around mid-morning, Blumiere went to his workshop and sat down before his recent work in progress, staring at the wood grooves as he hefted his gouging tool in one hand. The tavern keeper wanted a statue as an attraction, and he knew he should work at it- Bruno would be stopping by any day now to pester him about it.

However his hands, always willing to begin carving into the supple wood, didn’t move. For once, Blumiere couldn’t even think about carving. All he could think about was her.

If the heavens had a face, it would be hers. He had come across her only by chance, hiking towards the mountains to fetch some pine wood for a new project. Her scream had echoed through the woods, shrill and terrified. Blumiere hadn’t even seen her fall, but had known exactly where it had come from, that crumbling cliff side by the river.

To think, he pondered, running his hands over the fissures in the wood, he had thought it was one of the children, venturing where they shouldn’t. To mistake a royal Lady like her for a child-

With a sigh, he dropped his tool, bending over to rest his elbows on his knees. Why glorify her, he thought, perhaps she was beautiful and fierce and frightening, but it wasn’t like he was ever going to see her again. 

He stood up, brushed off his trousers, and with a last glance at the unfinished statue, blew out the lantern.

Outside, the clouds swirled overhead, dark and promising of rain. Blumiere locked the workshop door and walked slowly across the yard, deep in thought.

Lady Timpani Bleck. He knew her title ranked her as a noblewoman, but she was only about as old as he. He wondered what it was like for her, to wake up in his home; it was surely pitiful, compared to her usual lodgings.

He stopped on the stone path leading up to the back door, looking around at the garden and house. He built the cottage board by board, brick by brick. He had to commute between his fathers’ house until the roof was built, and then it was a few sleepless nights before he managed to have enough walls up to keep away the wind and the animals.

They tried so hard to help him, Blumiere thought, smiling as he took a few absent steps down the walk. But it was his work, his home, and perhaps it didn’t seem like much in the Lady’s eyes, but he wouldn’t wish to live anywhere else.

The rain began just as he closed the back door behind him. Blumiere hung the workshop keys on their nail by the door, then went to the window to watch it pour. Bruno wouldn’t stop by today he thought, and then he walked down the hall, intending to fix himself some lunch.

His traitorous feet, however, slowed to a halt as he passed in front of the guest bedroom door. It was cracked open. He hadn’t been inside since the day before.

He laid a rough hand on the smooth wood, and pushed. The door swung open, and revealed the warm room, the curtains undrawn, and the bed unmade. A picture was hanging crooked on the wall, and he  straightened it with one hand as he stepped further into the room, running his eyes over the mess.

With a sigh, he shut the curtains and turned to the bedspread. The top blanket was fine, but the bottom sheet was stained with dark blood splatters.

Hers, he thought, and yanked off the top blanket. As he did, something fell out and hit the floor with a metallic cling, bouncing a few times and then rolling under the bed.  

With a groan Blumiere got down on the floor and reached under the bed. After a moment, he pulled something out: a hair clip, in the shape of a butterfly. It was silver, with blue gems embedded on each wing. He rolled it around his palm, examining the wings. They were engraved with intricate decorative spirals, but one of the jewels was missing, leaving the design uneven.

After a moment, Blumiere tucked the clip in his pocket, and then set about taking off the sheets and soaking the stains.

 ---- 

Midafternoon, the rain stopped, and Blumiere sat in a kitchen chair, scratching away absently at a piece of scrap wood. There was a small scattering of wood shavings under his chair.

As water dripped off the shingles, Blumiere set aside the small carving and opened one of the windows, letting in the cool breeze brought by the storm. There would be more rain soon. He could tell by the clouds lingering above. With a sigh, the carpenter sat back at the kitchen table, and picked up the wood carving. He hadn’t had anything in mind, but there was the balloon curve of a gown emerging, and the familiar grooves of hair.  He leaned back in the chair, stroking the piece with his thumb, thinking.  

Then slowly, a picture of her in his mind, he began to carve.

Only minutes later, he was disturbed by a knock at the door. His fingers paused as he took in the noise, realized what it was, then intend to ignore it- but then the knocking came again, louder and harder. Blumiere sighed and set down his tools, and after brushing away wood shavings on his shirt, went to go answer it.

Couldn’t be Bruno, he thought, then re-evaluated; it was most definitely Bruno, always impatient, always hounding him for a commission. Of course Bruno would brave the rain to come bother him.

Blumiere was already sighing and scowling when he swung open the door. “Bruno, I…”

He stopped, unable to speak, because fear had caught his tongue and eaten it.

A member of the Tribe of Darkness was at his door.

Just from a glance, Blumiere knew the tribe member was powerful- it hung in the air around him like a shroud of mist before the storm. His clothes were spotless, and a mantle of silk hung from his shoulders, and a blue-jeweled cane rested in a white gloved hand.

“Let me in,” the Lord- for he could be nothing less than nobility-said, a sting of barely contained malice in his words.

Blumiere stepped aside. The Lord swept into his house.

With trembling legs he closed the door, then turned around to lean against it, watching the lord stride further into the living room. There was a look of disgust on his face as he examined it, muttering under his breath.

A tribe member, in his house, Blumiere thought. This was about her, Lady Timpani. It had to be. Something went wrong, she told them a lie or she didn’t make it-

His heart almost stopped when the tribe member turned to him. “Human. Come here.” The lord beckoned. Blumiere forced his cold limbs into movement, straightening and stumbling onto the couch as the lord pointed to it.

“There is something we need to discuss.” The lord said.

“Lady Timpani,” Blumiere spilled out. “Is she okay? Is she…” He fell silent as the lord tapped his cane against the floor.

“Yes,” The Lord said. “My daughter.”

Blumiere folded over a bit, clasping his trembling hands together.  

“I understand you recently came into contact with her,” The Lord said. “My name in Lord Auberon of the Bleck clan, and I am very interested in this… contact.” Lord Auberon’s eyes flitted across the room, disgust curling his lips. “She maintains that you assisted her in recovering from a fall, allowing her to return to the castle safely.”

Blumiere nodded. “She was at the cliff base, and I…” He fell silent as the lord’s gaze returned to him.

“That is what she maintains.” He repeated. “You assisted her, and did not alert any others to her presence. Is that true?”

Blumiere nodded, and felt a bolt of fear run through him as a smile twisted the Lord’s thin lips.

“Perhaps my daughter is foolish enough to trust one like you, but I have never relied on a human’s word, and I never will,” Lord Auberon murmured.

Something began to cut through the air, something like the very manifestation of power, so thick and so angry Blumiere felt it as it caressed his skin.

“She trusts you enough to beg for your life, human.” Lord Auberon said, looming above, eyes filled with fire and still smiling. “I’m afraid I am weak to her. If it were not for her pleas, human, I would be here not to talk, but to raze your pitiful abode to the ground and let your blood stain the ashes.”

Blumiere’s eyes were very wide.

“Human,” Lord Auberon said. “If you ever come near my daughter again, I will do these things without a thought, no matter how she begs.”

His tone was a promise, and his eyes told it as one he would keep.

“You will not be allowed a quick death. You may scream and cry and pray, but will suffer to the very last breath that squeezes itself from your heaving lungs. This, I promise you, human.”

The thickness in the room squeezed him then, like a hand around his throat.

“Do you understand?”

He couldn’t speak, for the grip around his neck, but he managed a nod, tears welling in his eyes.

“Wonderful.”

The pressure eased and Blumiere bent over, gasping for air.

“I hope we do not see each other again,” Lord Auberon said, and then he swept out, slamming the door behind him.  

Blumiere stayed with his head between his knees for a long time, rubbing at the aching in his throat and shivering with the aftershocks of the lord’s presence. It was dark out, when he finally straightened. All he could do was stumble toward the bedroom, and begin to ready for bed.

When he looked at himself in the mirror later, there were bruises in the shape of hands around his throat.

[grimalkinmessor]

Newt sat stiffly in the metal chair he’d been tied to. He had schooled his face into an emotionless mask, but inside he was cursing himself. Albus had taught him better. Theseus had taught him better. And while Percival may have made his mistakes as well, he would have certainly known better.

But Newt had been desperate. It had been years since Theseus had pressured him into joining the Ministry Family, but he was still underestimated. Overlooked. Well, he supposed that was part of his job description, but still.

He was the best spy the Ministry had, and they hated to acknowledge it. So they put him down, stifled him, again and again. It was beyond patronizing. Irritating.

No one was telling him anything, his friend and old professor Albus had almost been killed, and Theseus had gone off on a secret mission that he couldn’t tell Newt anything about. So he decided to take matters into his own hands.

Somehow, he thought of approaching Nurmengard. Alone. Like an idiot.

Newt should have known something was up. There were only three guards around the entire perimeter, and he hadn’t even thought of casting a spell to check for more. Newt’s eyes were good, and he relied heavily on being able to go unnoticed by most people, but really, he should have at least checked. He hadn’t told anyone where he was going either, so he couldn’t count on a rescue.

The sound of squealing metal made Newt jerk a bit, just minutely, and his eyes darted up to see the lift grinding down from the cieling. He steeled himself and made sure his expression revealed nothing. Theseus had trained him well. Harshly, but well.

The gold lattice clanged to a halt and squeaked open. Newt held back a wince. The Dark Lord himself, Gellert Grindelwald, stepped out of the lift, a coy smile on his lips and his hands clasped behind his back.

“Hello, Newton,” Grindelwald mused as he made his way leisurely forward. “Welcome. Do you like the mountain?” Newt stayed silent, jaw tight and eyes icy. Grindelwald chuckled. “I prefer the tropics myself. Sand over snow. My Oma owned a private island, you know—small thing, nothing to boast of. One summer however, I went for a visit and discovered the place had been absolutely infested with rats.”

Newt swallowed. His glare sharpened.

Grindelwald took his hands apart and placed them in his cloak pockets. “They would ride over on the fishing boats and devour the coconuts. But how does one get rats off an island?” He held up a finger with a sly smile. “My Oma showed me. We buried an oil drum and changed the lid to one wired with coconut bait. Then, we left it. The rats would run to the coconut and,” He trailed his fingers down in a jerky flutter. “They would fall into the drum. And after a month? You have trapped all the rats.”

Confusion and apprehension swirled in Newt’s mind, but he didn’t let it phase him. The longer Grindelwald rambled on with pointless stories about rats, the more time Newt would have to figure things out. But Newt was oddly...enraptured with the story.

“But what do you do then? Throw the drum into the ocean? Burn it?” A grin curled Grindelwald’s lips and he shook his head. “No. You simply leave it. And then they begin to get hungry. Then, one by one—they start eating each other,”

Newt’s eyes flashed.

Grindelwald spread his hands as he waltzed into Newt’s space. “Until there are only two left. The two survivors. Then what? Do you kill them? No! You take them, and release them into the trees. But now they do not eat coconut anymore—they only eat rat. You have changed their nature.”

Something in Grindelwald’s posture changed then, softened and straightened at the same time. He stopped in front of Newt, looked down at him. “I have heard a lot about you, Newton. Your tenacity, your penchant for trouble, your apprenticeship to Albus,” He murmured, gaze dim and glittering. Lifting his chin, his eyes sharpened, searing. “The two survivors. This is what he made us.”

Newt met Grindelwald’s corybantic gaze with a cool stare of his own. His chest felt flinty. “I made my own choices.”

Grindelwald laughed then, a gritty thing. He wagged a playful finger at Newt. “You think you did. That is Albus’ genius. His master manipulation. Getting everyone else to do his dirty work for him.”

Theseus’ stern face flashed in his mind. Newt leveled Grindelwald with an unimpressed look, a copper curl in his eyes. “Godric’s Hollow. Ariana. He told me.”

“My late teen years, I remember. I had thought Albus easy—I was the most important thing in his world back then. But then he turned his back on me when I least expected it. And now he has you.” Grindelwald tipped his head, curious. “I wondered what it was about you. You are not nearly the wizard I am. A bit pathetic, if I am honest. A mess held together by his brother’s iron grip and few unruly pets in his basement.” It was a clear jibe. An pointed insult.

“Don’t forget my horrific love of muggles,” Newt drawled, unruffled.

Grindelwald laughed again, his condescending smirk morphing back into the glimmer from before. He leaned back and sat down in the chair placed across from Newt, hands folded in his lap. “You are still clinging to your faith in that old man,” He sighed. “When all he does is lie to you.”

“He never lied to me.”

“No?”

“No.” Newt answered immediately, perhaps a little more sharply than he’d meant to. He grit his teeth and soothed his ire down.

Grindelwald grinned. “Tell me, what did he say to you about the attack? Did he tell you to come after me?”

Newt stared forwards, resolutely not looking at him. “I came of my own accord.”

“No, you came of Albus’ accord.” Grindelwald leaned forward and fixed Newt with an intense stare. “Did he tell you that it was clearly me? That the Ministry would not take it seriously? That he had very few he could trust with the information that he had handed to you?”

Newt’s nails dug into his palms. That was exactly what Albus has told him. His silence was enough of an answer.

“And your brother.”

No.

“He prodded you into your position, yes? Told you they wanted you there?” Grindelwald shook his head. With a flick of his wrist he had a file in his hand. He let it fall open. “Newton Artemis Fido Scamander. Subject is uncooperative, unpredictable, and impulsive. Immediate suspension from government and traveling advised. Overridden by Theseus Apollo Fortem Scamander.” Newt chest froze. Grindelwald stood again, file thrown aside and arms up as if in question.

“What is this if not betrayal? Albus—not your brother, perhaps, but your mentor—sent you off to me, knowing you were not ready, knowing you would likely die—Albus is a very bad role model, Newton. He will lead you, blind mule that you are, to ruin.”

Grindelwald leaned down and curled his fingers around Newt’s collar, then down to flick open the buttons of his dress shirt. Newt tensed but kept his gaze level, breathing even. Lithe fingertips smoothed the right side of his shirt away to reveal the claw marks of a nundu. One that had gotten him expelled. One that Albus had known about.

The Dark Lord clicked his tongue and slid his palm almost pityingly along the gouges. “Oh, look what he has done to you.”

“Well, he never tied me to a chair.”

“His loss,” Grindelwald purred, pity vanished in the face of something sly. Something sensual. His fingertips trailed lightly over Newt’s chest to tap lovingly at his collarbones.

“Are you sure this about Albus?” Newt raised an eyebrow and glanced down at the hand tracing over his chest. Surely this man hadn’t gone through all that trouble to incriminate Albus, deprecate Newt’s confidence, just to try and seduce him? Perhaps without the ropes and the ever-close threat of painful death, it would have worked.

“It is about him,” He mused, a bit distractedly. “And you, and me. We are the last two rats on the island, Newton. So we can either eat each other...” He trailed off and cupped Newt’s neck, a thumb across his jaw. “Or we can eat everyone else.”

He smirked. Newt’s pulse was quick beneath his palm, the barest hint of a flush on his cheeks, hidden by freckles.

“Oh, how hard you are trying to remember your training now, hm? What is your Ministry’s regulation for this?” He slid his hands down to squeeze Newt’s thighs, slid them up and back to his knees. “Well, first time for everything.”

He expected a flush, perhaps anger or embarrassment. Grindelwald did not expect Newt to raise his eyebrows, lean forward, and murmur, “What makes you think this is my first time?”

Startled, but not one to be deterred, Grindelwald flourished a hand to his own chest with faux innocence. “Oh, Mr. Scamander. To find the physical things so dull!” He stepped back and swept around Newt to tap his wand to the ropes. They fell away and Newt quickly swung his arms around to rub at his wrists. Grindelwald smirked. “Ha! England, the empire. With their complacencies and corruption—ruin. You are living in their ruin as well; you just do not see it yet. At least here, there are no old Professors skating around orders, yes?”

Grindelwald walked away from Newt to stand in front of him again. “If you wanted, you could rise above them all, as I do. With me, you would be able to pick your own path, as you currently do, just without consequence. With praise. Name a place, name a person, and you may go. You could live a life without restrictions, Newton.”

“Just your restrictions, you mean?” Newt muttered, eyes narrowed.

“You wound me, Newton,” The Dark Lord was amused. He stretched an arm out. “I offer you a way out of Albus’ web, a way to freedom, and how you scorn me.” He spun on heel and tipped his head meaningfully. “Come. Perhaps if I show you what I mean, you will see sense.”

Newt bit down on the caustic remark that wanted to escape and stood. He followed after Grindelwald silently.

He wasn’t the Ministry’s best for nothing, after all.

For @needycharcoal

[badchoosey]

The Crown & The Flame, Book One. Chapter 1: The Broken Alliance

(Some choices in TC&TF lead to death. For the sake of actually finishing the story, I shall only make the choices that do not lead to death, otherwise we’ll be here all day.)

(Now playing as Dominic Hunter)

You’re one of the best hunters in Stormholt, the smallest realm of the Five Kingdoms.

Dominic Hunter: Are you sure you want to do this? The queen will never forgive me if you go back to the castle wounded.

Your best friend, Princess Kenna Rys, smirks as she raises her practice sword.

Kenna Rys: Trying to back out? I think you’re just worried I’ll bruise that pretty face of yours.

Dominic Hunter: Oh? So my face is pretty now?

Kenna Rys: Typical. You only hear what you want to hear. Ready to lose to a princess?

Dominic Hunter: Go ahead and try. You haven’t gotten the better of me in six summers.

Kenna raises her sword… You swing at her and her in the side!

Kenna Rys: Oof!

Dominic Hunter: You were saying about losing to a princess?

Kenna Rys: You haven’t won yet!

Kenna lunges forward and ends up right against you, your faces only inches apart.

Kenna Rys: Maybe you should spend more time on your swordplay and less time with the kitchen girls.

Dominic Hunter: I think I’ve got time for both.

Kenna Rys: Is that so?

Dominic Hunter: Careful, Princess. You’re starting to sound jealous.

Kenna Rys: Jealous? I…

You knock the sword out of her hand.

Dominic Hunter: You let yourself get distracted. Maybe you are getting jealous…

Kenna Rys: Dom!

Kenna tackles you, reaching for your sword!

Gabriel Amarne: Ahem…

Turning, you see Gabriel, the Royal Bodyguard.

Dominic Hunter: Gabriel! We--

Kenna Rys: I was just--

Gabriel Amarne: Leaving. Nobles from the other four kingdoms will arrive shortly. The queen expects you to be there to greet them.

Kenna Rys: Of… of course.

Kenna hurries off to the castle, but Gabriel lingers back.

Gabriel Amarne: What in the three hells do you think you’re doing? She’s the Princess of Stormholt.

Dominic Hunter: Honestly, it was nothing.

Gabriel Amarne: Nothing? Maybe it was nothing to you. But she cares for you, Dom. More than she should. More than you deserve.

Dominic Hunter: I know I’m a commoner, but…

Gabriel Amarne: You’re worse than a commoner. When we found you, you were a child with no name, abandoned half-dead on the castle steps and covered in burns.

Dominic Hunter: Whatever my origins, I’ve been a loyal friend to Kenna. Even you have to admit that.

Gabriel Amarne: A childhood friend, but childhood ends. Adults do as they must, royalty most of all. The princess knows that. Don’t make it any harder on her than it has to be.

(Now playing as Kenna Rys)

You and Gabriel enter the throne room and find your mother dressed in her finest gown, talking to Leon, the Captain of the Royal Guard.

Queen Adriana: You’ve increased security as I requested?

Leon Stirling: Yes, of course, your Majesty. A dozen guards at each entrance, and a company of archers on every wall.

Your mother turns to you and smiles.

Queen Adriana: It’s nice to see you indoors for once, my little butterfly.

Kenna Rys: Where else would a butterfly thrive but indoors?

Queen Adriana: Funny. I trust you’ll be on your best behaviour tonight. You just might meet your future husband.

Leon Stirling: Kenna, married? Now that, I’d like to see. There are beasts in the Blackspine Mountains you’d have an easier time taming.

Queen Adriana: Now, Kenna, it’s time for you to get dressed! I had something special made.

Kenna Rys: I don’t suppose it’s armor like the kind Leon has, is it?

Queen Adriana: Better. I had one of the finest dressmakers in the Five Kingdoms work for months on a silver and black gown unmatched in beauty… I can’t wait to see it on you… and I know our guests will be very impressed!

Kenna Rys: I’ll just stick with the clothes I have on.

Queen Adriana: I can’t say that I’m surprised… but I had to try.

Kenna Rys: Heh.

Queen Adriana: I do wish your Aunt Eloise was here to advise you. She was always the fashionable one…

Kenna Rys: She hasn’t returned yet?

Queen Adriana: You know my sister, Kenna. Always being entertained by some dashing gentleman on a foolish adventure. The luxuries of not being queen.

Trystan, a castle servant, approaches.

Trystan Blake: Your Majesty, the nobles from the other four kingdoms have arrived.

Kenna Rys: Already?

Queen Adriana: Come now, little butterfly. You just need to smile and look pretty. I’m the one who has to listen to old King Amanth drone on about his hunting conquests.

Kenna Rys: You think he’s going to tell the story of how he killed a bear with a rusted spoon?

Queen Adriana: He always does. And I’m pretty sure the bear gets bigger and bigger each time. Come. Let’s go welcome our guests.

Servants throw open the grand doors to the throne room. The kings and queens of the four neighbouring kingdoms enter, each with a group of courtiers. Your mother takes your hand.

Queen Adriana: Remember today, Kenna. The alliance formed here may stand for a thousand years, even against our common enemy, the Iron Empire.

Kenna Rys: Let me say, this is a mistake. Peace can never be obtained with the stroke of a pen, only by the swinging of a sword.

Queen Adriana: I know you’re weary. But we must place our trust in our neighbours.

Gabriel Amarne: After a hundred years of border skirmishes, it’s a miracle they’re considering this alliance at all.

The first of the royals approaches you. Trystan clears his throat to announce them…

Trystan Blake: May I present King Amanth Drammir of Fydoria… and his son and heir, Prince Tevan Drammir.

King Amanth bows and kisses your mother’s hand as Prince Tevan bows to you.

Prince Tevan: Princess… Truly, you’re lovelier than the Thousand Statues of Fydoria.

Kenna Rys: Prince Tevan… Weren’t those statues destroyed by the Iron Empire?

Prince Tevan: All beauty is fleeting. All the more reason to treasure it.

Kenna Rys: Or fight for it.

Prince Tevan and his father step aside.

Trystan Blake: May I present King Luther Nevrakis, ruler of Abanthus…

King Luther: Queen Adriana.

Trystan Blake: And his son, Prince Marco.

Prince Marco: Bow when you announce us, boy!

Prince Marco strikes Trystan, knocking him to the ground!

Kenna Rys: I’m sorry this servant offended you. Please, don’t let him ruin this moment.

Queen Adriana: Prince Marco, this is Princess Kenna.

Prince Marco: How nice to meet a ruler who knows the value of discipline.

Kenna Rys: How else would we maintain order? Trystan, I believe you have something to say…

Trystan Blake: Forgive me, Prince Marco.

As the other kings arrive, you spot a familiar face among the assembled crowd, watching from a distance. Dominic’s attention turns toward some of the other ladies in attendance…

Kenna Rys: (Maybe I should have dressed up…)

Queen Adriana addresses the assembled crowd.

Queen Adriana: For too long, we have fought amongst each other, squabbling over land while our shared enemy abroad grows stronger. Today, we change that. Today, the Five Kingdoms become one, a clenched fist that will stand strong against all threats. To seal the alliance, please raise a glass with me to a brighter future… for us all!

The assembled royalty cheers! Everyone raises their golden goblets and drinks… everyone but King Luther Nevrakis and his son, Prince Marco.

King Luther: Before my father died, burned alive by the Iron Empire, he told me one thing… Our lands will never be safe from them until we are one. One kingdom. One king. There will be no alliance. There will be only my kingdom.

As Luther speaks, you hear the clank of armor coming down the hall… then the screams of servants.

Queen Adriana: How is this possible? The gates are sealed and the bridge is drawn.

Leon Stirling: The secret passage into the castle…

Queen Adriana: How? The only people who know about it are you, me, Gabriel, and…

King Luther: Your sister, Eloise. Beautiful woman, but far too trusting. She never even suspected her latest lover was one of my spies.

Queen Adriana: No…

Kenna Rys: You monster.

King Luther: She struggled valiantly. But you’d be amazed at the secrets a person spills when you gouge their eyes out.

Luther raises his glass to his lips and takes a sip.

King Luther: Now then. Let’s get this over with.

The doors fly open. Men in strange, glistening armor charge in, leveling crossbows at all the assembled guests!

Nevrakis Soldier: Die!

Queen Adriana: Kenna, look out!

Kenna Rys: I…

Queen Adriana: Kenna, get down!

Adriana pushes you to the ground. As you fall, you see a bolt from a crossbow pierce straight through your mother’s heart. Her eyes go wide as she collapses.

Gabriel Amarne: The queen!

Kenna Rys: Mother!

Queen Adriana: Kenna…

You crawl across the stone floor to her…

Kenna Rys: Mother… Nevrakis will burn for this. I swear it.

Queen Adriana: Be strong, little butterfly… be strong.

Your mother tightly grips your hand as she draws breath for the last time. Tears blur your vision as Dominic pulls you away from her.

Dominic Hunter: Kenna, we have to go…

Kenna Rys: No! I’m not leaving her!

You look up, just in time to see Prince Marco gleefully disarm and cut down another nobleman with a flurry of quick strikes.

Prince Marco: Ha! I’ve had better fights against my stablehands! Pathetic!

Nearby, Gabriel fights back, impaling one Nevrakis soldier with his sword and dropping another with a gauntlet to the skull.

Gabriel Amarne: Kenna, I need to get you out of here. Now!

A Nevrakis soldier bars the door to the outside hallway. He hefts a massive axe. King Amanth tries to flee, but the soldier swings the axe at him, beheading him instantly. Then, the soldier spots you.

Nevrakis Soldier 2: You’re next.

Looking for something to use against the soldier, you grab the turkey leg from the table and toss it at the soldier! The turkey leg bounces off the soldier’s armor…

Dominic Hunter: What, did you think he looked hungry?

The soldier charges toward you, brandishing his axe…

Dominic Hunter: Stay away from her!

Dom removes a hidden dagger from his boot and jams it through the soldier’s eye-slit!

Kenna Rys: I… thank you.

Dominic Hunter: Thank me after we get you safely out of here.

Before you leave the room, you turn back to see a soldier with gold trim on his armor looting your mother’s body.

Kenna Rys: My mother’s signet ring…

Dominic Hunter: Leave it! There’s no time! Your life is more important…

Kenna Rys: Forgive me, Mother.

You take Dom’s hand and run. As you look back one last time, you see the soldier take the ring.

Nevrakis Soldier: This’ll fetch a fine price.

As you flee into the corridor, you find the floor slick with the blood of slaughtered royals and their children.

Kenna Rys: Dead… all of them… the entire nobility, wiped out.

Dominic Hunter: Not all of them…

Wounded and leaning against a column. Prince Tevan tries to fight off a Nevrakis soldier.

Nevrakis Soldier 3: Die, Fydorian scum!

Prince Tevan: Not without a fight…

He brandishes a torch at the soldier.

Kenna Rys: We’ve got to help him!

Gabriel Amarne: It’s too risky. My duty is to protect you, not a Fydorian Prince. You are the Queen of Stormholt now. You must live.

Kenna Rys: I know… but what kind of queen am I if I leave him behind?

Dominic Hunter: We can take Prince Tevan with us. He could be valuable. But it’s up to you, Kenna.

Kenna Rys: We must run now, before it’s too late.

Prince Tevan: No… not like this…

The soldier plunges his sword up to the hilt into Tevan’s chest.

Prince Tevan: Agh!

Kenna Rys: Prince Tevan… I will bring Nevrakis down for this.

You, Dom, and Gabriel turn to flee.

Gabriel Amarne: This is unfortunate. The Fydorians have been our strongest allies. Fydoria custom does dictate that they send 100 soldiers to avenge their rulers.

Kenna Rys: That’s nothing compared to the army Tevan would have provided if… if he were still alive…

As you enter the dungeon, you see three soldiers rushing by, all carrying weapons wet with blood.

Kenna Rys: Wait… that one… he’s the one who stole my mother’s ring!

Dominic Hunter: Which one?

Looking around, you spot a crossbow in the hands of a fallen soldier. You pull it from his grasp.

Kenna Rys: Only one bolt… better choose the right man…

Your bolt catches the soldier right where his helmet meets his armor, plunging into the base of his skull.

Dominic Hunter: Great shot, but that was the wrong soldier, Kenna. The one with your mother’s ring had gold trim on his armor…

Kenna Rys: Then I’m going after him! I’m not leaving without it!

Nevrakis soldiers begin filling the dungeon.

Dominic Hunter: It’s too late for that! We have to get out of here!

Kenna Rys: You’re… you’re right…

You flee down the stairs.

Dominic Hunter: Where do we go now?

Gabriel Amarne: The passage they used to get in… We’ll use it to get out.

Gabriel pushes a brick into the wall. You hear stones shifting and suddenly the rock wall swings open, revealing a secret door.

You and your friends dash in. Gabriel tries to seal the door behind you, but Nevrakis soldiers are already closing in!

Gabriel Amarne: They’ll figure out how to get in. We won’t make it out before they catch us.

Kenna Rys: Then we have no choice but to make our stand and fight.

As you pass through a metal gate, you see Dom hesitate on the other side…

Dominic Hunter: No… we do have a choice. I’m going to hold them off! At least I can slow them down, buy you some time.

Dom slams the gate closed, locking himself in!

Gabriel Amarne: Dominic!

Kenna Rys: Dom! What are you doing? Don’t do this!

Dominic Hunter: It’s the only way. Go!

You hear shouting as the soldiers close in on you.

Kenna Rys: Dom… I have one last thing to say… Be careful. Stay alive, and I promise to do the same.

Dominic Hunter: I won’t let you down. We will see each other again, my friend.

The sound of shouting interrupts you.

Dominic Hunter: Now go, Kenna. Gabriel, keep her safe.

Gabriel Amarne: I will guard her till my last breath.

You and Gabriel flee down the tunnel.

(Now playing as Dominic.)

After leading the soldiers away from Kenna, you emerge from the passage and find yourself in the castle kitchen, the soldiers right behind you!

Nevrakis Soldier 4: You there! Stop!

Nevrakis Soldier 5: Ready to fight?

Dominic Hunter: Nope. Not even a little.

You spin around and take off running, bolting through the cluttered kitchen!

Nevrakis Soldier 4: Get back here!

At the far end, you come to a wide open firepit. Flames crackle over sizzling coals. You’re moving too fast to dodge. You leap boldly over the firepit! And strangely, as you cross through the veil of flame, you feel no heat or pain. The flames almost seem to arc, bending away from you, making a path…

Dominic Hunter: That’s… odd.

You land smoothly on the other side of the pit. Behind you, the soldier scrambles around… And in from of you, tugging on a locked door, is Margaret, the castle cook!

Margaret Blake: Dom! What in the blazes…

You’re cornered!

Margaret Blake: Please, don’t hurt him! He’s a good man. He’s just a servant, like me.

Nevrakis Soldier 4: He was running with the princess and her bodyguard. He’s got to know where they went.

Dominic Hunter: I’ll never talk.

Nevrakis Soldier 4: Then I’ll kill the old woman. See if that loosens your tongue.

Dominic Hunter: No!

The solder slams his fist into Margaret’s head! She falls! He pulls out a dagger and kneels beside her… You feel something stirring inside you. Rage. Fury. Fire. You let your anger explode! The fire burning in the kitchen jumps, the flashing lashing out to twist around the soldiers!

Nevrakis Soldier 4: Hey!

Nevrakis Soldier 5: What the…? AGHHHHH!

They writhe and scream as the fire burns them alive, roasting them in their armor.

Dominic Hunter: What… what the hell did I just do?

You rush to Margaret’s side. You take her hand and she begins to stir…

Margaret Blake: What… what happened? I thought…

Dominic Hunter: I… took care of the soldiers. Don’t ask. Where is everyone?

Margaret Blake: All servants have been ordered to the throne room. So if we mean to live, we must go there now.

Margaret grabs your arm and pulls you along after her.

You and Margaret reach the throne room, where all the castle servants stand terrified. Two servants run up to Margaret.

Rose Blake: Mother! We were so worried about you!

Trystan Blake: What were you doing out there?

Margaret Blake: I was fetching your fool brother Dom here. He’d gone and gotten himself in trouble.

Rose Blake: Our… brother?

Margaret Blake: Listen here. Luther is executing anyone who could be a threat. If he finds out that Dom has trained as a scout and can use a sword, he’ll kill him! So from here on our, he’s your brother, a knuckle-headed servant in the kitchens. Understand?

Dominic Hunter: We’re going to circle back to ‘knuckle-headed’.

Rose Blake: I understand… but what if someone else betrays him?

Margaret Blake: I’ll get the word out. We’re all allies here. The other servants will keep Dom’s secret. And if they don’t… it’ll be moss cabbage every night, so help me!

Nevrakis Soldier 6: Silence, everyone! Quiet down! Your new king is about to speak!

King Luther: Hear me, people of this castle. I know you have long served the former queen. But her reign… has ended.

King Nevrakis gestures and one of his soldiers holds up the head of the queen. Rose whispers to you…

Rose Blake: I think I’m going to be sick.

Dominic Hunter: This is the least of our problems. We’ll be lucky if we get through this night with our own heads still attached.

Rose Blake: Gods…

Luther continues…

King Luther: There are no warriors left among you. My men have seen to that.

Soldiers march in, wheeling carts full of bodies.

King Luther: I give you a choice now. Pledge your loyalty to me…. Or add more carcasses to the pile.

One of the soldiers unsheathes his sword.

Nevrakis Soldier 7: Who’s first?

As the servants line up to take the loyalty pledge, Rose plucks at your sleeve.

Rose Blake: What do we do?

Dominic Hunter: We pledge our loyalty. We bend the knee. We promise Luther our service. And when the time is right… we strike.

(Now playing as Kenna.)

A few minutes later, you’re riding through the forest at night, away from Stormholt. You come to a fork in the path.

Kenna Rys: Where are we going?

Gabriel Amarne: Don’t worry. I’m taking you somewhere safe.

Kenna Rys: And where is that?

Gabriel Amarne: There’s a monastery deep in the woods. I trained with the monks there for years. They’ll hide us from Luther.

Behind you, the lights of Stormholt recede into darkness.

Kenna Rys: My home…

Gabriel Amarne: Don’t despair. You’re alive. That’s all that matters.

Kenna Rys: I promise you, I will see Dominic again. He is everything to me… I know he survived… I feel it. And now King Luther has him. He’s destroyed everything I’ve ever known. I will take Stormholt back. I swear it.

Overall Progress:

Prestige: 5 out of 15

Power: 2 out of 2

Weapons: 0 out of 0

Allies: 5 out of 10

Troops: 2 out of 4

Significant Choices: 5 out of 10

Army Score: 19 out of 41

[texanredrose]

Package Deal

An ice cold wind whipped across the mountains, strong enough that she nearly stumbled where she stood before the gates carved from rock and ice. Beyond that stood a giant castle, all seemingly made of the same material and glimmering in the moonlight. Yang took a moment to breathe it all in, having traveled across an ocean and more just to get to this remote part of Mantle. Within she would find the answer she sought- or so she hoped. 

"Almost there," she said, adjusting the heavy pack over her shoulders. Climbing the mountain with it had almost pushed her past her limit but she'd somehow made it. Now for the hard part. "Hang tight." 

She walked forward, pushing through the gates and trying not to shiver against the cold biting at her. The legends spoke of the terrible rulers of such a desolate land- masters of ice and snow, veritable supernatural beings among mere mortals, capable of bending the gruesome creatures of Grimm to their will. Never had anyone trespassed upon their sacred land and lived to tell the tale, or so the exaggerated stories went. Frankly, Yang hoped there existed a kernel of truth amidst the fabrications. If she had any luck, she'd make it out of this place alive. At present, it seemed her second-to-best case scenario.

The courtyard of the imposing castle seemed almost picturesque, but not in the way she expected. Being from a small island off the coast of Vale, Yang had once only thought of snow and ice like she'd seen in paintings and pictures, which didn't seem to match up to most of the terrain she'd traversed on her journey. But here, the wind seemed nonexistent, passing over the high walls and hardly touching the icicles suspended from frozen trees, a fountain suspended by the constant chill in the air sitting in the middle, and a path of well worn snow leading around and up to a great sweeping staircase. What it must've taken to build this place, if the construction was, in fact, done by mortal hands. Honestly, she could almost believe those tall tales now that she found herself climbing up to oversized double doors that opened of their own accord. 

"Well, that isn't creepy or anything." She muttered for her own benefit as she entered the great hall of the ice palace. 

Although she couldn't see anyone, she could feel the eyes on her, watching her, waiting for her to make the first move. 

"Here goes nothing..." Raising her voice, she called out, the words booming throughout the castle. "My name is Yang Xiao Long of Patch! I'm here looking for the Ice Queen!" 

What response she expected, she honestly couldn't say as her voice echoed through the halls... but the Atlesian beowolves materializing out of seemingly nowhere wasn't it.

The vast majority sported the white and blue coloring while some looked like Valen and Mistrali with blue and red surrounding the white bones, and others more the black sort that seemed to live all over Remnant. They came storming down the hallways, teeth gnashing, claws scrabbling against the floor, leaving deep gouges in the icy stone, and Yang almost felt her nerve fled her in that moment but she could feel the weight on her back and it steadied her. They flooded into the room, keeping just a bare few feet away from her but encircling her, so only the door behind her- which somehow shut, likely thanks to the alpha beowolves at her back- gave her a side without angry eyes and sharp teeth. 

Surrounded on all sides with no escape, Yang raised her chin and smirked, defiant as ever. "So... is she home?"

"What sort of person would dare trespass here?" A voice- cold as steel and sharper than any blade- rang out, calming the pack around her somewhat. "A martyr or a fool?" 

"Neither or both, depending on your answer," she replied, lilac eyes finally falling on the tall figure standing at the top of a staircase. 

Skin pale as the shattered moon and hair like snow, the fabled Ice Queen wore an almost military looking uniform, with polished boots up to her thighs and gloves, a layered waistcoat with medals she couldn't recognize pinned in place. The severe line of the woman's shoulders and ramrod posture spoke of diligence and unbending will, but the bangs over her right eye seemed almost... shy, if she had to put a word to it. 

Maybe her quest hadn't been in vain. "I beg a boon of you, Your Majesty." 

"How presumptuous of you." 

Knowing words alone wouldn't do, Yang reached for the straps of her bag, pulling them off her wide shoulders so she could show the Queen her precious cargo, but no sooner had she done so than a sound echoed through the hall, some manner of command that set the beowolves on her in a flash. Claws dug into her jacket, the weight of several beasts jumping on her at the same time taking her to the ground from sheer surprise, and Yang struggled at first- more from alarm as the pack was ripped away from her and hit the ground hard, prompting three distinct yelps of surprised pain. 

"No!" She grit her teeth, eyes flashing red as she glared at the Grimm surrounding her. "Be careful with them!"

Another command- quickly snapped off in no language she could recognize- brought everything to a halt. Yang lay there face down, pinned beneath at least ten beowolves, as the Queen descended the stairs. The pack parted for her, her hand lightly tracing their skulls as she passed, until the pack sat at her feet, squirming slightly with muffled sounds coming from within. 

Cautiously, the Ice Queen knelt down and opened the pack, drawing back when a little ursa poked its head out and blinked up at her. Then, it growled, lips pulling back to reveal rows of tiny teeth, not yet strong enough to snap bone, raising one little paw to swipe at the Queen. 

"Major!" Yang pushed, lightly tried dislodging the beowolves pinning her down, but couldn't. "Major, behave!" 

The little ursa looked over at her, confused, but stopped growling at the woman, even allowed itself to be picked up while its two siblings crawled out of the pack. 

"Three baby ursa." Brilliant blue eyes looked the one in her hands over before falling on Yang. "How did you come by these little ones?"

"The cabin I live in with my dad and sister is in a forest on Patch. I knew there was an ursa that made its den nearby but I... I needed to gather firewood. I thought I wasn't close enough to the den but..." She sighed, looking at the floor beneath her as the memory returned. Blind panic and fear tempered only by resolve- and a deadly right hook. "We surprised each other. I only meant to scare it off but... I accidentally killed it. And then I found the den and those little guys and I just- ursas don't adopt other cubs. If I'd left them there..." 

"They would've been killed or succumbed to hunger." The Queen nodded, chuckling as Major batted at her hand. "So you brought them here?" 

"The legends say that this is the only place in Remnant where Grimm are revered rather than hunted," she said, watching as the other two cubs began stumbling around, exploring. "And beowolves will adopt pups. I thought maybe... cubs aren't that different, right? They could be safe here." 

The Ice Queen hummed, turning her head to call over her shoulder. "Longfang, Bloodmaw, Soulcollector, come!"

Three behemoth, ancient alphas lumbered into view, their bone plates marked and gouged, a clear sign these Grimm had survived years in the wild before becoming the elders of the pack. The others shuffled aside, allowing the trio to approach the Queen unimpeded, until the largest and eldest of them could push its snout into Major's tummy, snuffling at it before licking the cub. The other two checked out the other cubs, though the smallest whined and shrank away from the gigantic creature. 

"Minor, it's okay. Look at Major and Media- they're okay," Yang said, struggling to try and comfort the cubs but unable to move still. "You'll be fine, it's okay." 

Minor- runt of the three cubs- still cried out but didn't squirm as bad when the beowolf came close again. 

"Be careful, Bloodmaw. He's not like your pups; you must be gentle." Yang's brows furrowed. 

"Bloodmaw be gentle- now that's something you don't hear every day." 

"She's a sweetheart, honestly, but the names scare away those with weak constitutions." The Ice Queen handed off Major to Longfang and turned her attention to the blonde. "Now... you must realize I can't let you live."

"I figured you'd say something like that." With a grunt, she managed to get a knee under herself, forcing back a few beowolves. "And I guess that's what I get. I made a mistake and I tried to make it right." Forcing herself to her feet, a few claws tearing past her jacket and into her skin to leave angry red welts she could feel swelling and stinging from the cold. "I don't want to repeat that mistake... but I will go down swinging, I promise you that." Her eyes went over to the cubs. "But they don't need to see this." 

"A martyr and a fool." She smiled then, apparently amused by the defiance Yang exuded. "Interesting." Reaching out, she ran her fingers along Media's bone plate, trying to calm the cub as it squirmed, alarmed by the apparent danger surrounding the woman. "You're free to go."

Yang blinked. "Uh... what?" 

"You crossed half of Remnant with three small cubs. To do that, you must've managed to keep your secret and protect them from everyone who would rather see them dead. I doubt you'd be so foolish as to reveal any secrets you've learned and put them in danger now. I hope you'll defend those secrets with the same passion, Yang Xiao Long of Patch." 

The beowolves backed away, giving her more than enough room to leave the way she'd come. 

"So... that's it?" 

"Yes." The Ice Queen turned, waving the pack to return from whence they came while the three elders who now carried the cubs followed her. "Farewell." 

As the Grimm and woman left her there in the hall, Yang could only describe it as a sudden feeling of sheer numbness overcoming her. She could hear the little objections from the cubs, trying to wiggle out of the beowolves' grasps, but in time they would accept their new home... or so she hoped, anyway. Now, she could turn around and return home.

"Wait," she said, swallowing back tears she hadn't expected. After weeks of feeding and caring for the cubs, it just felt wrong to leave them like this. "Can I... say goodbye? Please?" 

The Ice Queen turned, regarding her with that cool gaze. "Would you like to stay for a time? Ensure the cubs take to the pack?" 

Yang didn't expect that. "Really?" 

"Of course." She bent down, picking up a beowolf pup that had wandered in at some point, the rest of the litter following close behind. "You've been good to them. It's only natural you'd be reluctant to leave them behind. So, take some time to feel comfortable before returning to your home." 

Looking down, she found a little beowolf had made its way over to her, intent on gnawing on her boot. Bending down, she scooped it up, a small smile forming on her lips. 

"Okay. I... I could probably stay a few days." Something about the words leaving her mouth, however, gave her a feeling deep in her gut. That 'days' would turn to 'weeks', because she'd grown rather attached to the little ursas, but this would only be temporary for her. That's what she told herself, anyway. "Thank you, Your Majesty." 

"You may call me Winter," she replied, a quick shadow passing over her expression. "I'll introduce you to the others later. For now, let's see how the ursas do with the pups." 

Yang followed the Ice Queen into the castle, surrounded by beowolves and beginning to catch sight of even more Grimm lingering in the wings.

[esandcasg]

Chapter 2 - The Future in Now

“Hello mate.”

The words hung in the air. The stiflingly hot air of this sweaty pit that he had called home for the last three years. The jungle heat and humidity somehow adding to the moment; the viscosity of the air slowing down the words.

He looked at me. I saw a whole spectrum of emotion cross his face. Surprise at my sudden appearance after eight years. Disappointment that we had managed to find him. Anger at how we had lied to him and destroyed him all those years ago.  There were surely plenty more that I couldn’t read and probably didn’t want to.

“Andrew?” I ventured, trying to get a response from him.

He continued to just look at me. Thoughts being processed behind blue eyes. I noticed him studying my face, clearly wondering what had happened since that night in the tunnel in the middle of Kangleong. I, in turn, studied the face of the man in front of me, replicating the slight shock at his appearance. Whilst still undeniably handsome, the past eight years had clearly taken its toll on him, the long scraggly unwashed hair and beard making him appear to have been sleeping rough for some time. I contrasted this to the man full of positivity and excitement that I had met in the Blue Oyster bar in Kathmandu. A flash of guilt passed through me. That fateful night eight years ago had clearly set off a chain reaction that had led him here. And it was partly my fault.

Finally, he spoke. “Sister Teresa called me mate in the Third Grade. My friends call me Andrew. You're neither, shithead.”

With that he went to slam the door. I saw the move coming and stuck my foot in the door. The flimsy swing door to his hut bouncing against my Ed Viesturs signature La Sportiva Trango boots. I didn’t come all this way to get shut out before I said what I needed to say.

“Andrew, you are going to want to hear this,” I tried to reason.

I couldn’t see Andrew at this point, the door blocking my view. Whether it was subtle change in the lighting that I registered through the slit of the open door, the sound of his sudden movement, or just intuition, but I realized his intention to put his shoulder into the door and force me out. I countered him by slamming the full weight of my body into the door just before he got there. Whether it was because I had gotten the jump on him, or whether it was the extra weight that I have put on through lockdown, but Andrew went crashing backwards, landing on his back in the middle of the hut.

I quickly entered the hut like a trained marksman, not taking my eyes off the target, anticipating his next move. But at this point he seemed resigned. He lifted himself up into a sitting position, his shoulders sinking. My thoughts went back to the storm-wrecked slopes of Kangleong after the serac collapse and death of Fred Viesturs. The way I had held him as he cried, his snot freezing on my down suit. It was heartbreaking to see him like this once more.

I offered my hand to him, as if he was sitting on the floor next to a 1950s car, and I had just laid out Biff with a left hook. “Are you… okay?”

He ignored me, and instead responded to my earlier question. “What do you want, Adam? What am I going to want to hear?”

I looked around his hut for somewhere to sit, but there was no furniture aside from the bed, the soiled sheets not looking like they had been washed in some time. He noticed me looking for somewhere to make myself comfortable, and - resigned to me being here for some time - slowly got to his feet and offered me a drink.

“I wish I could offer you a Harbour Reef like the old days of the Blue Oyster, but I only have a Pumpkin Spiced Latte to offer. Do you want one?”

I wasn’t convinced whether these autumnal flavours really suited the fresh spring morning that had broken an hour ago, but I suspected that offence would be taken if I pointed this out.

“Yeah, su-“ I stopped as he suddenly grabbed his stomach in pain and bent over.

“I need to go and lay beef. All these lattes have gone straight through me. Wait there.”

He rushed over to the door in the corner of his bedroom, revealing the plush en-suite facilities beyond. Closing the door behind him, I heard the sound of trousers being rapidly pulled down, and straining as he let rip. The occasional fart rolling around the amphitheater of the bowl.

Not sure where to look, I inspected the eleven latte cups sitting next to the dishwasher. There wasn’t much else to look at in his hut apart from the high-tech coffee machine and Harry Kane calendar. I smiled to myself as I inspected the coffee machine, memories of him pulling it out of his daypack at the top of Kangleong and making a celebratory brew, his frustration as the ground cinnamon blew off in the high winds, rather than being sprinkled onto the white milky foam.

I heard a flush and Andrew appeared from the bathroom, kindly leaving the door open. He walked back to the coffee machine.

“So,” he began, grinding the fresh locally sourced coffee beans. “What I am really interested in knowing, is what has happened to you in the last eight years. You look like you’ve aged about twenty years.”

The smell of freshly brewed coffee started to do battle with the smell of freshly laid beef, the contrasting smells playing a game of aroma tennis in my nasal passages. One a strong, dark, powerful thing of beauty, the other a stinking pile of shit. One could argue it was like a game between Nadal and Djokovic.

I didn’t have a good answer to the question that he had asked, so didn’t pull any punches.

“Andrew, I am from the future. And I came here in a time machine that Ifan invented. Now I need your help to go back to the year 2013 and stop Sir Henry Craven.”

The cup of pumpkin spiced latte that he was about to offer to me slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor. The brown liquid goodness splashing all over the floor and up the walls of his hut.

“Is this some sort of joke?” He said. But I heard the doubt in his voice. Surely he could see it in my face that I was fifty years old, and not forty. Eighteen years older than the last time I saw him, not eight. It was not possible to age that much in that space of time without having a lot of kids.

“It’s no joke. I have travelled back from ten years in the future. From 2030.”

“Okay, ‘future boy’, who is the president of the United States in 2030?”

“Donald Trump,” I replied.

“Donald Trump!” He exclaimed. “Still?!”

“Well, he refused to leave, so in the end everyone gave up.”

“Makes sense,” Andrew said, as if my story suddenly had more merit. “So come on then, I will humour you and ask what is going on here.”

I drew in a deep breath, and began. “Even though you have isolated yourself, I am sure you are aware of the ongoing pandemic?” I had noticed CNN playing on the TV in the corner.

“Of course. What about it?”

It had started in 2019. The outbreak of Covid-19 that led to the lockdown of most of the world. Conspiracy theories and fake news on Twitter became the norm. An astonishing 0.016% of the world’s population perished. But ultimately it had been traced back to one point. One moment in time that would change the world forever.

Sir Henry Craven had met terrorists at a market in Wuhan to sell the latest batch of weapons grade plutonium. To celebrate the deal he had been presented with a tasty pangolin snack, which, having lived on mountain rations and grilled owl, he wolfed down with relish. As in, with delight, not the tomato-based garnish. That would have been a total clash in flavours.

Craven had become patient zero, and his subsequent travels around the globe in arms deals had triggered the start the pandemic. First Iran, then Rome, then Madrid. And so on it went.

Driven by panic, scientists had tried to find a vaccine. A cure to the insanity. But the stress of trying to be the first to crack the cure, and the expectations of bringing the world back to some sort of normality had led to mistakes, and ultimately disaster. A laboratory, which became known as Lab X, was the first to develop a vaccine and announce it to the world. But testing had been carried out on rhesus monkeys, and the combination of the monkey DNA and coronavirus had caused a mutation to the virus – some sort of retrovirus – turning the monkeys into something else entirely. Malformation, together with heightened strength, intelligence and, most crucially, aggression.

The resulting events are still unclear. One laboratory worker managed to air his side of events but in-between the potential facts were the rambles of an insane man, that gave his side of the story little in the way of credit. But what we do know is that laboratory workers were killed and the monkeys escaped. Some rumours and Tweets indicated that some scientists had caught the virus and were responsible for the other deaths, killing their colleagues. They might have also released the monkeys on purpose. Though some believed that the monkeys managed to escape on their own, killing everyone in the process. No one knew for sure.

But ultimately the end result was the same. In the years following the outbreak the mutated retrovirus ended up in the outside world and in the food chain. It spread like wildfire, first through Asia, then Europe, then the US. First contracted by animals, then people. Every corner of the world was affected. People died in the billions, either as a result of the virus, murdered by infected people, or taking their own lives before they could “become”.

“I don’t understand what all this has to do with me,” Andrew interrupted, before adding. “Why are you here?”

“Wait, there’s more.” I walked over to the window and looked out across the desert planes. It was strange seeing the world as it used to be, before life changed forever, when you could enjoy a view without searching the sky for an infected sparrow that could at any minute sweep down and gouge your eye out. Or a house cat that hunted human life instead of mice. A time when you didn’t have to go everywhere with a loaded M4 Carbine Rifle.

“Craven somehow found out what had happened with the outbreak at Lab X,” I continued. “You see, the lab was located in China, deep under the Karakoram mountains. Craven decided to take matters into his own hand and launched a nuke at the lab, trying to kill everything in the blast radius. Wipe out what he had started. I guess he was driven by guilt. But he was too late, the virus had spread too far.

“China thought it was an attack by the US and countered. Russia got involved. Suddenly the world was full of flying nuclear missiles. Out of 7.8 billion people on the planet, only a few hundred thousand remain in 2030, hidden on remote islands or in the wild to avoid contact with the infected. A combination of the nuclear war and the virus has effectively wiped out the entire population of the world. All due to Sir Henry Craven.”

I turned back from the window and faced Andrew. He was noticeably paler than when I first arrived. “I was on an expedition in the South Pole with Ifan when this started, following a lead that Craven was there. How wrong we were.” I explained. “We heard the news and decided to remain there. But we knew we couldn’t survive there forever, so we had to do something.”

“Again, what does this have to do with me?”

I drew a breath. We were starting to get to the moment of truth.

“The last known sighting of Craven was on Kangleong in 2013, before this vortex of disaster that has followed him. Ifan and I, we need your help to go back and stop him before all this happens. As you know, Kangleong is a three man climb. We can’t do this without you, you’re the only one we can trust.”

Andrew sat on his bed and put his head in his hands. His body language suddenly changed as he noticeably stiffened and shot back up again.

“This is complete and utter bullshit. What is this, some sort of joke to rub salt in the wounds of eight years ago? Because they haven’t healed, you know that, right?”

“I know you think this is a joke, but I have proof. Look out of the window.”

Eyeing me suspiciously, Andrew walked over to the window close to where I was standing. I watched as his pupils dilated.

“My God. Ifan… he’s…”

“Yes,” I finished. “He’s driving a Ford C-Max.”

“I thought he would never drive anything other than a Focus.”

I glanced out of the window at the C-Max that we had arrived in. But of course this was no ordinary C-Max. The front was fairly standard, though Ifan had added those eye-lash things to make it look like a girl. But along the sides and top were a series of lights, cabling and circuitry that he had added whilst being stationed on the South Pole. The back of the car housed two large industrial exhaust ports, which were currently blowing out plumes of cold air, creating huge clouds of evaporation as it met the damp jungle atmosphere. The car was covered in ice, rapidly thawing and dripping onto the ground below.

“Wait, are you telling me that you built a time machine out of a C-Max?” Asked Andrew.

“The way Ifan saw it, if you are gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?”

Clearly in shock, Andrew strode over the door and disappeared through it, staggering down the steps to the jungle road where Ifan had taken ten minutes to park. Catching up with him, we watched as Ifan continued with his set of deadlifting the C-Max-slash-time-machine, oblivious to our arrival. His gargantuan thigh and calf muscles pumping like the pistons in seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 car. To borrow an analogy from Vertical Summit 1. Finishing his one hundredth rep, he dropped the car back down with a thud, before noticing our arrival.

As he saw Andrew for the first time in eighteen years something feral flashed across his face. In the weeks and chapters to follow I would wonder whether I should have realised that Ifan had contracted the retrovirus and was becoming, or whether I was just fully focused on the climb, whether Summit fever had once again taken hold of me. It went without saying that the traits of extreme strength and heightened intelligence were something that was synonymous with Ifan anyway. Or, at least, that is what I would later tell myself as my reasoning. As my excuse.

Andrew turned back to face me. “Okay, assuming this is real. Why now? Why did you choose this exact moment to appear?”

“We timed it so that you would have just heard the news report of the earthquake in the Karakoram mountains. That wasn’t an earthquake, that was Craven’s first nuke detonating.”

“You mean…?”

“Yes, it has begun.”

Andrew seemed to consider this for a moment, before shaking his head and walking back towards the hut. He stopped at the doorway and turned back to face me.

“I’m really sorry, but I can’t do this. I can’t go back in time and kill someone. I’m no killer. I’m no time traveler.” He looked down at the ground before adding. “And anyway, I will never set foot on a 8000 meter peak again. Not after… not after the last time.”

I had just one card left to play. If he wouldn’t join me, then he would meet his destiny.

“Andrew,” I began softly. “You and your family are killed in this. You, your wife, and your daughter.”

He turned and walked back down the steps towards me, confusion on his face once more.

“What? My what?”

“This is hard to say, but in eight years’ time you contract the virus and kill your family. The question is whether you want to come and save the world… save your future self. Or whether you want to stay here and wait for the end to come. It is your choice. But as I said, we can’t do this without you.”

Andrew stood there staring at me. His face slack, a bit like that photo from the Lakes after the first night out where I fell off the flower pots. He had held his toothbrush in his hand. But not now, now he held a pumpkin spiced latte. It slipped from his hand and shattered on the ground.

The decision was his. Would he join us. Or would he let us disappear into the past so that he could continue with his own story ideas?

[totallyintentional]

Chapter 5

I then crash through the swarm.

Then through the next quarter mile of debris and abandoned buildings.

I finally come to a rest under a pile of dirt, metal, concrete and glass. I shrug off the mountain of rubble, my exoskeleton hissing as it expels the grit from the joints and vents. With an electric hum, my combat operations go live, my display lighting up with a scan of my surroundings. I can hear the whir of the drones tracking me down. Crosshairs mark them for me as they come into view. With a tap, I pop my scanner out of the internal holster in my right leg.

I can feel the strength coiling in my legs as I prepare to strike.

This is what I was built for.

targets identified: 3

I explode upwards, punching my left hand through the belly of the lowest hanging drone. I throw it down, using the momentum to heave myself towards the second. My visor outlines the port in its side and I slam my scanner into it, ejecting a debugger chip. A feed starts scrolling down my visor - the priority queue for the drone’s AI.

“Thanks, Beta.”

Way at the bottom of the queue is the poor thing’s original survey task. It’s since been overwritten with dozens of other commands, top priority now being investigate anomaly. As I watch, the investigate task is pushed down, replaced by flee aggressor. The drone frantically gains altitude, trying to shake me loose from my grip on the scanner stuck in its side.

“Status query shows active training. Don’t expect any predictable behavior from these machines.”

I can feel the drone shuddering. Its flight control is being actively modified, and its struggling to keep itself aloft with its constantly changing parameters.

But it’s behaved predictably enough for me to move on. I pull my scanner free and return it to the holster, going into freefall. I swipe at the camera hanging under the drone’s body, shearing it off. As I turn in the air I feel the twitch in my leg of a new debugger chip being loaded.

Beneath me is the third drone. I land heavily on its back and hear the whine of its propellers compensating. For now.

I dig my fingers into two of its arms. I tear them off, ripping through frame and wires like sinews. The drone and I fall back to earth together, though I land far more gracefully.

targets neutralized

“Beta, the feed.”

The blind drone’s priority queue is being updated so fast that it’s almost impossible to read.

stop aggressor

destroy aggressor

crush aggressor

terminate

end

end

end

The debugged drone smashes itself into the ground, reverses, slams itself down again, and again. With a final shrill whine, it dies in the dirt, the feed freezing with its final cry. end

“This is not normal.”

The endless rumbling crash of the swarm is getting louder. I turn around to see a wave of linked machines rising to arc over me. The swarm is thousands of everyday machines, everything from vehicles to vacuums, with a few more dangerous pieces distributed throughout - construction and welding, even a few military footsoldiers. Anything unfortunate enough to have been given a microphone and any semblance of artificial intelligence and to have stumbled in range of the siren’s song.

All together, like worker ants, they behave like muscle fibers in the massive beastly body of the swarm. And that body is now forming a great smashing fist to crush me.

I look directly at the wave, letting it fill my view, and hope that Matthias picks up on what I need.

“Locating siren.” Good.

“Okay, with the acoustics of the surrounding buildings…” three vague areas within the wave light up on my visor, “it could be one of these three areas. Statistically most likely candidate is the top left.”

Without hesitation I leap for the top left target. The fingers of my exoskeletal right hand extend into barbed talons and superheat, ready to cut through anything that gets in my way.

I plunge into the wave, ripping through any link I can see, molten metal dripping from my claws like blood. I can feel the steam rushing out of my vents, marking my path of destruction. The sound vibrates in my bones, everywhere the unearthly screech of the siren, the stream of corrupt input ravaging the artificial minds of these machines. I press forward towards my target, always moving, knowing that if I stop these machines will turn and crush me.

The song is getting louder, the highlighted target on my visor getting narrower. We actually found it on our first try.

“If this were a video game, it definitely would have been the last place we searched.”

Screw that.

I push harder through the mess. They’re trying to keep me away, folding and rolling, hooking my arms and legs to pull me with them.

I tear them apart.

I catch a glimpse of the siren ahead, a flash of black silicon among the scarred and smashed metal of the swarm. It’s being drawn up, toward the top of the wave, away from me.

But I’m faster.

The noise is almost unbearable. Some of my noise-canceling kicks in. I catch the siren as it reaches the surface of the wave.

Visually, the siren has very little resemblance to the creature of myth it was named for. It’s a black box, the size of a few shipping containers, covered in speakers emitting the awful sound and a number of metal fastening points, many of which now have smaller machines welded to them. Designed to be dropped as a payload on a target to wreak havoc, I can see the tattered remains of a sun-bleached old parachute dangling on rotted cords.

I’m on it in a single leap, tearing through its speakers. There are too many for me to take out before the swarm is on me, but I only have to find an access port. None of the machines around me have eyes, but I still feel their gaze turn to me. I almost think I can hear the chant.

end

end

end

I take out my scanner, pulling up the silicon on the siren, hoping my visor will highlight an access port. Nothing, nothing. Tendrils of the swarm are reaching out and grabbing at me, I can hear the crack of some old military bot firing at me, though the bullets can’t even scratch my suit.

I realize my mistake too late. They weren’t aiming for my suit. One of the tendrils gets a good enough grip on my arm to immobilize it for a moment, and I feel the scanner shatter in my hand.

With a roar, I rip the tendril out by the root and send it flying.

Guess I’ll have to force the shutdown manually.

I wind up and strike down, digging my superheated fingers into the nearest seam in the siren’s surface. I feel the barbs catch, and I pull. Metal screams, the plate under my feet dents and gives, but I manage to tear the piece free and dive inside. Crawling in its belly, I see the pistons working all the speakers, and my noise-canceling gives up on moderation and leaves me in total silence. I follow the veins of wires and find the core.

The door leading into the core is scarred and bent outwards. I pry it open with no resistance. The lock is already broken. I slip inside.

I find a torn and gutted core computer. The wires within were rerouted to another computer, in significantly better condition than the rest of the siren.

I crush it in my superheated hand.

I am surprised at the sound of my own breathing as my noise-canceling turns off. It’s eerily quiet. I am uneasy. None of this is right. It gets worse when I turn around.

“What the hell…”

I find myself gazing into the eye of a camera, hidden behind the door. Words are carved behind it in the same semi-melted gouges my own claws leave behind.

you are the hunted

[lazytacomoon-blog]

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I pay $525/month. Reason? I like playing bumper cars with real cars. Everytime it goes down, pow right in the kisser, pow right in the kisser, pow right in the kisser, pow right in the kisser, pow right in the kisser, pow right in the kisser""

Pulled over by the police today without no insurance and no driving licence in the uk?

today i got pulled over by the police without a driving licence and no insurance the car had insurance but it was in my moms name and i only had a provisional license how much points will i get for that and will i get a band?

What does it mean Going of your parents car insurance? ?

I heard that you can register the car to my parents car insurance and it will be loads cheaper for myself, but its apparently fraud? What could happen? If I crash my car should I just leave it and run?""

What is the difference between Investment life Insurance and Life risk insurance?

What are the products included under the category Investment life Insurance and Life risk insurance?

How is the Hillary Clinton helth plan version 2 anything like car insurance?

Car insurance: 1) Need to get it if you choose to drive. 2) Government bureaucracy does not force you to choose only in-state car insurance. 3) Coverage is meant to protect others from damages. 4) You choose how much coverage you want. 5) Does not violate freedom of religion. 6) Taxpayers don't pay for people who can't afford car insurance. Hillary Care: 1) Need to get if you choose to live. 2) Government bureaucracy limits the choice of provider. 3) Coverage only protects you and not others from damages 4) Government mandates what is covered, not you. 5) Violates freedom of religion for those whose beliefs prevent them from getting hospital care. 6) Government steals taxpayer money to supplement those who cry poor. Hillary supporters: Is it even possible to argue this? Go ahead and try. See you after Hillary loses the general election!""

Do landlords usually have homeowner insurance?

Do landlord usually have homeowner insurance? Also is it true that most homeowner insurance have liability coverage? And if they took out a mortgage does the mortgage company require them to have some kind of homeowner insurance?

Why do people get life insurance?

Why do people get life insurance?

What do you see as the purpose of health insurance?

Should there be limits on the amount of health care provided? If yes, what criteria should we use to ration health care? If no, how should health care be financed so that everyone has access?""

""How much would it cost me if i got my car towed in Trenton, NJ for driving w/o insurance?""

How much would it cost me if i got my car towed in Trenton, NJ for driving w/o insurance?""

Insurance for antique muscle cars?

Im 16 and i want an old 72 chevelle or a 71 nova but i dont know how much insurance would cost?

What is the cheapest type of car insurance?

What is the cheapest type of car insurance?

Whole life insurance and medicaid eligibility?

My father in Dallas Texas has a life insurnace face value of 10,000 and cash value, about 3500. Per medicaid rule he can't have the life insurance with those cash value. He is not on medicaid yet but with his condition of alzheimer, he soon needs to apply for medicaid. Any idea what needs to be done for the life insurance?...I am not sure if he can simply cancel the insurance to meet the medicaid requirement. He has no other asset and has less than 2000 in his bank account. Of course he does not work. ( he can't with his condition and he's over 70).""

Is having a health insurance mandatory in California?

I am moving from Massachusetts to California at the end of this month. In Massachusetts its mandatory to have health insurance and if you don't have it you can get penalized on your taxes. Is it mandatory in California as well?

Insurance Rate comparison Between G37S Coupe 2009 and a 370z 2009 Both black for a 17 year old?

don't give me the He shouldn't have a car like that at such a young age. We have our reasons, just got back Iraq. But anyways, would the insurance be basically the same for both cars since they're both fast, expensive, and two doors?""

What would be YOUR solution to affordable health care in America?

I work and most of my salary goes to insurance, so what would be an affordable alternative? I don't think it should be given to us by the government, but I think there should be some controls on the cost, so more people could afford it.""

I can't find car insurance for under 5000?

I'm 17, and I understand my age is of course affecting the price of my car insurance, but I am getting 5000 quotes for a 1.0L Vauxhall Corsa 1998. I am expecting it to be high, but not that high for a crappy car. So could any one recommend any insurance company who will hopefully cut that down to 2000-3000?""

Does a junior instructor need insurance?

I have had a few people around my barn asking me to give lessons, just little beginner lessons, nothing major. The barn owner said if would be alright, but I had to look into what type of insurance I would need and so on. I am not exactley sure how much insurance would cost, and if I would even be making a huge profit. My question is, do you need insurance if you are under 18? Are you then considered a junior instructor and it is not needed? If it is, about how much is the average insurance?""

Salvage car insurance?

If I have nissan 350z roadstar 2006 salvage car with only 13 000 miles and I have only liability insurance. Now If someone else hits my car(AND ITS HIS MISTAKE) and I have damage, what would the other insurance party will give me? Would they fix my car if it has big damage?If they total it, how much would they pay? i UNDERSTAND THAT SALVAGE CARS ARE FAR LESS WORTH ,HENCE I AM ONLY BUYING LIABILITY ON IT. BUT WHAT IF MY CAR IS DAMAGED BY SOMEONE ELSE MISTAKE?""

""Cheap, but safe cars with low insurance [group 5 or less]?""

Are there cars [excluding super mini cars] that are big [i.e. saloon cars etc], but are generally cheap to insure for young drivers. As it seems the only ones that have cheap insurance are the super mini cars, and I don't really want one.""

How much would insurance be on a rebuilt car?

I am planning on purchasing a car with front and right side damage. The car will run and drive. The repairs are pretty minor. It will need a front bumper, grille, hood, headlight and front right fender. No engine damage. Will the insurance be higher or lower because it was salvaged? And, how much of a difference will it be?""

Insurance on a 92 Vtec honda prelude?

approx. what would insurance on a 92 Vtec Honda prelude be for a Canadian 17 year old guy with with a successfully drivers education course completed? and if possible what would be the cheapest place to go for my insurance?

125 motorbike insurance 19 year old?

hi, im 19 and have had a car driving licence for 2 years and clean. As my car insurance renewal is ?n a few months and because its a 2.3litre and all that talk of premiums of increasing, its my option to sell my car for a motorbike and a riding experience, so typically how much would insurance be for a 19 year old, With a new bike licence but been driving a car for 2 years (if that matters) 1000 pound 125cc motorbike stored in a garage, immobiliser, not for any sort of business and miles of maximum 2000 a year. im just asking because insurance webpages don't open on my computer today, but i roughly remember whats asked for insurance. thanks in advance""

Can I drop motorcycle insurance for the winter then pick it up in the spring?

I'm 17 and am looking for a motorcycle. My mom called our insurance company (Nationwide) and had a quote prepared and they said it would be an extra $70 a month. Seeing as how it gets cold here in Ohio i don't really want to ride a bike in the wintertime. Would it be possible to drop the motorcycle part of the insurance during the wintertime and then pick it up in the springtime when I start riding again? I'll also be turning 18 in February so I think the rates would go down.

Exactly how much does credit score affect auto insurance rates?

Can anyone tell me roughly what percentage my rate is gouged (oops, I mean 'increased') as a result of less than perfect credit? I have Progressive insurance if that helps. Thanks!""

quotes on rental insurance

quotes on rental insurance

Does a citation go on your insurance?

Does a citation go on your insurance?

Can somebody find me a really cheap insurance company that would cover for like everything?

I need to find an insurance company offers really low price plans that cover as many things as possible, becos we can't spend too much money but I need to find my mom an affordable insurance plan...help, i dun know where to find it.""

Car insurance for a 16 year old in ny?

Hey guys I just got a 2001 Dodge Intrepid SE how much will it be to get insurance and who would take a 16 year old?

What could happen to me if i didnt tell insurance company?

that i was done for drink drive 3 yrs ago... wana apply for my licence back have checked insurance and said i have a drink drive conviction will cost 1,790....when i dont say then it costs me 400 quid... what do i do and what can happen and how wld they find out and who can find out..... thanx all in advance x""

How do you get insurance and registration over the phone?

I'm not sure how this works? Can someone let me know. I'm insuring my motorcycle but the insurance I want is cheapest if I do it over the phone.

Where is the best place to buy cheaper home insurance for the over 50s?

Where is the best place to buy cheaper home insurance for the over 50s?

Vehicle with no insurance MINNESOTA?

My girlfriend got pulled over tonight after having a brand new car for two days after selling her first car she drove for two and a half years, her mother apparently told her that she had 7 days to get insurance so sure enough we got cited for no insurance. I guess I was curious to know if liability covers her driving a vehicle without insurance? It probably doesn't but I know there is a form of insurance that does. If this is going to slide downhill I would also like to know some advice you have to word it nicely to a judge to help avoid a 30 day license suspension. I heard earlier tonight that in mn it's mandatory but I'm hoping not. Thanks for your help and time!""

Affordable Health insurance in CA ?

I'm looking to buy health insurance in CA. my income is 10,000$ a year and because i only work part time. i applied for Medical few months ago through welfare office, but my case worker was really mean he was asking for a lot of documents in order to approve my application and every time i go to the welfare office they make me wait for 4 hours.so i decided to look for health insurance through Obama care website but i found that planes that cost 100$ and below doesn't cover even 30% of the medical expenses. any ideas about getting affordable health insurance in CA with good coverage ??? Thank you""

Health Insurance - too expensive - should I ditch it and will it get cheaper in 2014?

So I got health insurance about 6 months ago - BCBS. As a 38-yr-old female with a BMI that is(was) borderline obesity, I pay $278 per month (about twice the original quote on the website which was about $140.) I freelance. One of my jobs collects contributions from my employers into an account that I can use to reimburse my premium payments, and I was hoping that I'd be able to make enough to use that account to really pay toward my monthly health insurance. My financial situation has plummeted, however, and I am really struggling to keep my head above water for the first time since I moved out. Just looking for some outside input here. Should I ditch my health insurance? Will the options be more manageable for me in 2014?""

Car insurance?

how do i get cheap insurance for my son, he has only just passed his test couple of weeks ago. we stay in the UK.""

If my son is on my parents insurance does that mean they claim him on his taxes?

Okay my son is now 1 year old. He is on my parents insurance, we live with them, and my parents pretty much support him.(pay for all expenses).. Now my sons father wants to put him on his taxes. I know he just wants to get money to get him a new car. he also says he will get me a car too. but idk about that. When i told him i think my parents already claimed him, he started yelling its his son, and told me to give him his security card(he has a really bad temper and gets angry to where i get scared) so i did.. but now i need to sign a paper..and i dont want too.. Here is my thing i told him that he is automatically on my parents taxes, because he is on there insurance, so that would mean i would have to take aiden off of their insurance(Which means he wouldnt be on any insurance)he started yelling how stupid i am and just to sign paper, my question is is it true that because my parents have him on their insurance, he is on their taxes. What should i do? Thanks for anyhelp. Sorry long question. Please no rude answers""

How does a car qualify to be eligble for classic car insurance in the UK?

Are there specific companies that deal in this? Is it generally cheaper due to restrictions on the use of the car?

California Auto Insurance Cancellation?

How soon after an insurance company cancels an auto policy for non-payment will they report that cancellation to the dmv? I understand the electronic notification, but how quickly will the insurance company actually notify the dmv that the party is no longer covered? I have yet to receive a notification from dmv and my policy was cancelled 2 months ago. Unfortunately, I was involved in an accident (my fault) and although I provided a copy of my policy info, I found out later that I was not covered at the time of the accident. I had the policy Rewritten the day after the accident (a different policy number). The other party reported it to their insurance, although we agreed to settle with cash & no insurance. They are requesting me to file an SR1 file. What do I do? The info I provided had good dates of coverage on it but I found out later that my policy had lapsed. Do I submit an SR1 with the old info or new info? Will my license be suspended now??? IM DESPERATE!""

How does life insurance work?

Hubby is getting a new job that may be a little bit dangerous and he'd be gone for weeks. I am not money hungry or wanting my best friend to die. I just want to have this insurance on him so if he were to accidently leave me with child and something happened to him, I want atleast funeral costs and my child to be taken care of too. I know I'm probably fretting too much but I can't convince him to not take the job. He's worth more than any amount of money. We're both in our twenties. I don't know how life insurance works.""

Rover75 rear hit by a 4x4. Garage says not repairable what do I do? how much will the insurance pay?

The 4x4 damaged the rear end of my Rover 75, impossible to shut boot and lights not working. The garage and insurance now say it is not repairable. - but even after the accident, the car was driving perfectly. How much will the insurance company pay? Will they? Is there any way I can get the car fixed?""

I need to find health insurance?

I missed the open enrollment at my work and I need to find affordable health insurance. I really dont make that much money so it really does need to be inexpensive.

I need cheap car insurance?

I need cheap car insurance?

Can I own a car and not have insurance? ?

I just got a car and still paying on the loan for it. I just got a job offer in another country that I plan to take (I will be there about a year or two). I don't want to sell my car and be left paying the rest of the loan balance. I wanted to know if in the state of Virginia if I can cancel my insurance and park my car in the garage until I get back a year or two from now. It will not be driven. My sis says that if it is still registered in my name I will have to have insurance whether I drive it or not. Im not sure so could anyone please clarify? Thanks!

Insurance or Registration?

I can only aford one or the other. I live in a very expensive state, california. I can only aford either insurance or car registration. am i better of to drive with insurance and no registration, or registration and no insurance.""

Homeowners insurance or renters insurance?

Okay so the person we were renting from had bought a house and is owner financing it for us. We just moved in and I was calling around about insurance and have been told so many things it's ridiculous! A few insurance companies told me I need homeowners insurance and a few told me I need renter insurance since the title is in his name not mine which makes sense but I don't want to end up with the wrong type of insurance. Help?!

What is a good health insurance for small business owners?

i currently have blue cross of california but they raised the premium. it is the worst insurance in the world and a ppo to boot, so i can barely pick my doctors. thank you in advance.""

What's an good place to get auto insurance?

What's an good place to get auto insurance?

How much would bike insurance cost me per year?

I'm 22, looking to get a Ninja 250, am going to complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, and have a clean record. What would be a reasonable, average price I'd be looking at for either basic or full coverage?""

Car insurance 1st driver uk cheapest & best one to go with.. thanks?

thats all i want to know cheers :)

How can I drive a car without having to pay the insurance companies so much money?

Insurance companies rake in so much money ad find ways to charge fees and make adjustments to rip us off. Is there a way around this? Is there a non-profit insurance company? Can there be one owned by it's clients?

quotes on rental insurance

quotes on rental insurance

""What type of Life Insurance is best for my husband and I? (We just purchased a home, we are both 23 years old)""

My husband and I are both 23 years old and we just purchased a home. We have been under pressure from our Insurance Agent and our Mortgage broker to obtain Life Insurance in case something happens to one of us. We would like to have coverage in case something happens. I know the importance of Life Insurance, as my mom was killed in a car accident when she was only 38. So, we want to be protected, and we want our house to be safe. We are pretty much clueless when it comes to Insurance policies. I ALREADY LOOKED UP THE INFO ON WIKIPEDIA, SO PLEASE DON'T GIVE ME MORE OF THAT. I want opinions on what the best kind of Life Insurance is for us. Term (but if it is a 30 year term, does that mean when we are for example 54 and something happens after the 30 years, we aren't covered???) or Permanant (whole life, and others). We didn't like the decreasing term policy our agent showed us. We have gotten 2 quotes for Term Life. Help us make an informed decision!!! Please!""

Indiana resident buy car insurance in Chicago?

I go to college in Indiana and hold an Indiana license. I'm working in Chicago this summer and thinking about buying an affordable used car here since there are way more options in the city. I'll go back to Indiana in the fall and would like to register the car as an Indiana one. Since I can't drive the car without an insurance, I wonder if I can buy insurance here in Chicago and still register it as an Indiana car? Thanks a lot.""

Car Insurance?

My daughter is going to be 17 soon and is looking to buy a small car, ie corsa. Does anyone know the cheapest place to get car insurance for young drivers. She would prefer to have the insurance in her own name to build up no claims discount.""

Will my insurance go up after a carpool violation?

I was driving on the carpool lane today(I wasn't suppose to because carpool says 3 or more persons and it was me and my sister only), and a CHP saw me, so he pulled me and asked for my license, registration and insurance. Then he asked me why I was in the carpool lane, and I said that a car cut me off so I had to avoid coalition and so I went into the carpool lane...not sure if this was a smart answer, but anyway he gave me the ticket and said that I will receive something in the mail. My question is, I know i'm going to get a point for this violation, but will me insurance rate go up? how will this affect me?""

Car insurance!?

im looking to get a car and insurance on my own is outragous. the question is my mum has her own car with her policy with NIS. on direct line i want my mum to be the main policy holder with me as an additional driver. is this possible for my mum to have 2 policies on 2 different cars?

What/how does car insurance work?

as you may have gathered i am not the smartest person to know how car insurance work! im learnin how to drive soon and i might get a car of my own so i can practice in my spare time and i guess ill be insured in that car i know its an absolute must to have car insurance and i think you have to pay taxes? how do they all work? what does insurance cover/not cover? i've been told if i get into an accident, i wouldnt have to pay for any of the damage cuz insurance covers it all BUT you have to buy insurance? slightly confused by that... plz explain to me in a very clear, concise manner as if youre talkin to a 5 year old child how car insurance work. for reference how much insurance costs, im a 20 year old female""

Does auto insurance.... ?

if lets say i hit a car with my car and the other guy claims the accident does the my auto insurance investigate the accident at all or do they just fix the car without asking questions??? im comfused

What's the average cost of health AND dental insurance per month for.....?

....a 44 year old man. I am a non-smoker, and in good shape. I have no medical conditions, now or ever.""

Car accident without insurance?

My 16 year old son had an accident in his 2013 Lexus ES350 a few weeks ago. I have been insured with Geico, however 2 days before the accident my coverage lapsed (I had to switch ...show more""

Does anyone know of any dependable and affordable health insurance for young adults?

Does anyone know of any dependable and affordable health insurance for young adults?

How much extra on car insurance does an amp cost? Or dyou not pay any extra?

I treid all the insurance comparison websites and none showed amps in the modification part. I'm 17 and pay over 1000 pound for insurance already and don't want the price to go up much. Any help appreciated :)

Is it a legal requirement to carry your car insurance documentation at all times?

Okay, this is the second time i've asked a question in the last two days but this forum is really interesting and gets me thinking. While I was at University, I was driving innocently along when I realized I didn't have my lights on. At that PRECISE MOMENT, I saw blue flashing lights behind me and the police pulled me over. He asked ''Do you know why I pulled you over?'' and I said 'Yes sorry! I didn't have my lights on''. He then proceeded to put me in the back of his police car and ask me questions such as name, address, telephone number, mobile telephone number, height, weight etc.. which I believed to be innocent questions.. but then the questions kept going down a quite frankly rediculous route and he asked me ''hair colour, eye colour, what are you wearing?, where are you going? why are you going there? etc etc and I started to wonder if he was taking the mick. Then after all that he asked for my car insurance documentation and driving lisence and I said I didn't have any on me except my lisence. He looked at my lisence, wrote down some information and gave it back to me. He then said ''do you realize it is an offence not to carry your car insurance documents with you when asked to produce them at the roadside?''. Again I apologized and said that I had no idea that this was the case. He then gave me five days to produce my photo and counterpart driving lisence and car insurance documents at the local police station or I would be arrested for failing to produce documents on demand. He then asked me to provide a testimony which would be read in court if I didn't produce the documents and so I said ''I'm terribly sorry for any inconvenience''. He then let me out. Suffice to say, the next day I took my documents to the police station for inspection. Is this standard proceedure?""

What kind of document do I need do register a motorcycle in my name in California?

What kind of document do I need do register a motorcicle in my name in California, and get the plates, How long does it takes? It's possible for a non US resident?""

Insurance is WAY too high...help!?

I am 19, female and have just passed my driving test ... however, the cheapest insurance I have found is 1400 :( I have tried all of the companies who are on tv...admiral is the cheapest, norwich union and theives (almost 4 grand for a fiat punto!!), sheilas wheels and diamond are expensive too. Does anyone have any suggestions of cheap car insurance providers?""

Getting married and need help with insurance?

My parents have Cigna insurance. I understand that I am no longer a considered an eligible dependent when I am legally married, but I am also a full time student. Which status is the dependent variable when considering eligibility? If I'm married AND a full time college student, does that mean I can't get coverage?""

Whats the best California insurance ?

I want full coverage what's the best company

What would insurance on a 2001 Mustang GT be in Michigan?

I'm deciding between a Mustang GT and any V8 Ford pickup. The mpg on the Mustang will be probably at least 5 miles per gallon better than the pickup, but I'm sure insurance will be more. I want to know which one would be cheaper to own in the long run. I plan on driving about 40 miles per day for work and this would be my first car. I am in highschool so the insurance will be even higher than if it were for an adult.""

Does each driver of a specific vehicle need to have car insurance?

Does every person who plans to drive a specific car need to have their own insurance? My husband and I are about to buy a car, and we're wondering if we both need insurance or if just one of us could have it. We would both like to be able to drive the car. (we'll be living in Idaho, if that makes a difference)""

What car insurance should I use?

I'm 17, I live in Texas, and my mom is making me get my own car insurance. which would be the best and cheapest for me?""

""Got into car accident, my fault not my insurance?""

the car and insurance was in my moms name, i was not listed as a driver, ran red light, car smashed me in side, his car somehow flipped over, will insurance pay for both cars,it was on full coverage""

Approximate insurance costs on cars?

I'm 16 and get a's and B's in school. I'm looking for approximates on the following models. they're all auto transmissions as well. Thanks! 2003 hundai Santa fe 2000 BMW 328i 2004 Mazda 6 2004 Honda civic 2003 vw jetta 2001 Mercedes c240 2002 vw passat

Health insurance for 18 year old?

I turned 18 at the beginning of this month. I want to get health insurance but all the places I've looked at so far said you have to be 19 and older. Nobody in my family has health insurance. I live in MD and I can't get state sponsored health insurance(even though I'm willing to pay for it) because I don't have a baby or I'm 19. I need health insurance for college but the one my college offers is too expensive for me. Help me

Does anyone have term life insurance with primerica? Are rates with another company better?

Does anyone have term life insurance with primerica? Are rates with another company better?

How much will my insurance increase after a MINOR fender bender? (ballpark figure please)?

After 11 years of error free driving and on-time insurance payments, I managed to back into someone in a parking lot going about 1 mph. My car was NOT damaged, except for a scraped bumper sticker. The other driver had cosmetic damage only, and being the good guy that I am I gladly helped her navigate the insurance claim. I figured that if it was my car that was dented, I would want it taken care of. Do onto others, right? Anyway, the total payout of the claim was $556. That's roughly seven months of my premium payment. So, how much can I expect to see added to my yearly premium? 10%? 20%? more? Also, how long will it take to recover back to my previous rate? Finally, considering that I've paid this company much more than $556 over the years, how much of an increase should I accept before I start looking for a new carrier? This is technically my second insurance company - I was on my parents policy until I was 22 (I'm 27 now). So I haven't been with them forever, but I am not ready to jump ship unless they really screw me. Thanks!""

What is the cheapest auto insurance for teens these days?

I'm 18 and just got my first car. I would like to drive it but sadly have no insurance on it yet. I then looked up quotes and found out it is real expensive, $500 and more. Is there any way a teen like myself can get cheap auto insurance?""

quotes on rental insurance

quotes on rental insurance

Insurance for a teen help!!?

My first car is going to be the 2011 Camaro 1LS. My dad knows insurance is high but he trusts me. How does the insurance company know if I'm a good driver and when will the insurance lower for me? I'm curious my dad knows but I don't wanna ask.:p best answer 10 points.

How much money does drivers ed save on car insurance?

Is the amount saved by drivers ed a lot, meaning does drivers ed pay for itself by helping lower your insurance cost?""

Progressive auto insurance? or AAA..which one is cheaper?

in terms of (monthly payments)

What companies dont have age limit on driving any car with third party car insurance?

I have heard that there are still some companies that give car insurance fully comp and cover you third party on any car without an age limit. I know most are 25 and over but there must be someone out there who knows a company that doesn't have an age limit may have a car restriction but you know...

Cheap Car Insurance for young drivers?

My younger brother is 18 and he has had his UK drivers licence for 5 months (he was 18 when he passed) but he has not driven since he passed his test simply because he can't afford insurance. When I passed at 18 I paid 500 on our mothers insurance and that was considered expensive but the cheapest he has found is 1029 With the co op. Can anyone help him because he really deserves it, anywhere cheaper would be ideal. Thanks""

State based insurance?

Trynna find insurance that only covers a few states . I need one that covers I'm Florida?

What to do with car insurance? questions on buying a car?

I've been driving close to a decade. I am under my father's insurance. My sister recently is not anymore. Because we have all been under my father insurance, my sister who has more driving experience is consider a new driver. Because of this her rates are very high. But since both of us have a decade more of driving experience surly this can do something about the rates? What happens if you do not have car insurance or it expired recently? Isn't it required? If you get into accident with other driver and you do not have insurance what happens? Is any cheap car insurance better than none? for 27yr old what is the best insurance for you, if you drive the family's car? If you want to buy your own, used car. How do you go about it?""

Suggestions for car insurance?

I have preferred insurance and have been paying by the year for over 5 years with this company, with no claims in over 10 years. They have raised the entire states rates, and I'm not staying with them. Any suggestions? Any reviews on that little green lizard insurance company?""

Is car insurance cheaper if your a dad?

i'm soon to be a father of two and was wondering if it makes insurance any cheaper, does anybody know?""

What is the point of insurance?

I've just graduated and will be going out into the real world now, and a question I've had for years is why people seem to get insurance? To me it makes more sense to save the money you would have been paying myself instead. Am I wrong here?""

How Does Full Coverage Auto Insurance Work?

How Does Full Coverage Auto Insurance Work?

Can group health insurance deny for Pre existing?

I'm on my moms insurance and she's moving jobs and her new insurance is going to be group coverage blue cross, can group coverage deny you coverage for Pre existing or only private? Why's the difference between group and private? Thanks!""

Liberty Mutual Insurance?

im 16 years old just got my provision license in california and my mom has liberty mutual car insurance and i was wondering if i drove her car and crashed would they cover damages?

Does your car insurance go up for possession of marijuana in your car?

Does your car insurance go up for possession of marijuana in your car?

Can the government require us to buy insurance?

If the government requires us to buy insurance, cant they force us to buy anything they want? Couldnt they also forbid us to buy something they dont want us to buy? What happens if the insurance cost a million dollars and we don't want to buy it? We can no longer refuse to buy it. We are required to buy through the government. How does that empower the consumer?""

Car insurance 17 year old?

I'm turning 17 in April, I was just wondering what the average car insurance prices for somone who is 17. I tried getting a quote but seeing as i dont actually have a car yet, its been quite difficult. How do they give quotes, based upon engine size, make or something completely different? Thanks.""

CAR INSURANCE - 2nd driver?

My sister who recently passed her driving test would like to buy a car, problem is car insurance quote comes up to 3000, which is too much! So i was thinking to get the insurance in my name, and put her down as secondary driver. I already have another car, where i am also primary driver. If she crashed her car, would this get flagged up under my insurance, although she crashed it....i dont want to pay high insurance for the rest of my life for her mistake or would it come under her record??""

California low cost health insurance?

i need an innsurance with a low cost monthly fee.. i just need it for birth control. i dont want to pay full price it gets pricy please let me know of some good ones that you have experience with

Car Insurance (Geico) ?

My parents don't have me on their insurance but I have a license does geico know I have my licence because I live with my parents? And by how much will they raise the insurance cost if they put me on?

I want to take a trip to europe how much do motorcycles cost there and how much is insurance?

Im thinking of going to the EU, as kind of like a backpacking trip, but on a motorcycle! I was wondering how things work in regards to prices of Bikes there, and insurance that covers anywhere I might plan to go! I need some help making this idea a reality! Oh I'm 18 and i have both my drivers licence and motorcycles licence, I reside in BC, Canada. Thanks!""

How much is it for car insurance for a 17 year old in long island new york?

my mom had a 2002 honda accord that she just bought a week ago and we need to get it insured but she doesnt have a permit or licence bc her permit has expired in the year of 2010 , so now what she wants to do is, get a car insurance under my name . im going to be 18 in early june . and i have my permit .""

What kind of insurance would I need for this?

There is a private residence that I would like rent out for my daughter's wedding. I am going pay him a certain amount for use of the house but then I'd like to take our a short term insurance policy in case the house is damaged or someone is injured.

Drivers License with Insurance?

Do you have to be on someones insurance if you get a driver's license? I don't know what company my mom gets insurance through but her insurance would go up four hundred and thirty dollars because of my sister's driving record, but the lady said I HAD to be on someones insurance right after I get my license. But I called the local DMV and they said that I don't have to be on someones insurance if I get my license. The car just has to be insured. Who do I believe? Because I heard that sometimes insurance companies try to milk you for money... Who do I believe? Can someone give me a real LEGAL answer?""

Looking for health Insurance?

I'm looking for affordable health insurance with good coverage and options for doctors. A PPO is okay but I'm looking for quality AND affordability. Dental and vision would be a great plus. Can anybody out there help me!?! http:// pilih .cn /health-insurance.html

Car insurance?

which car insurance company do you perfer for a teen that just starting a job and just turned 16

quotes on rental insurance

quotes on rental insurance

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/get-quote-workers-comp-insurance-zachary-murphy/"