#pocket quest 2024

[polyhedralmice]

Pocket Quest 2024 season is coming to an end, so it’s bundle time! Rooftops is featured in 2 bundles, the MEGA Bundle and the First Timer’s Bundle, both of which are chocked full of heist-y zine games.

[dungeonofthedragon]

Pocket Quest Bundles Now Live!

If you've been curious about Voidwalkers, Rooftops or any other Pocket Quest product you've heard about, now is a great time to buy! Many of them are now available in bundles for a reduced price.

There are bundles for all tastes!

First Time Partners bundle (25 titles including Rooftops, B.O.A., Ombra Ekvilibro, Skyjackers, and the delightful Milk Tooth Society.)

The Pocketful of Horror bundle (Blueberry Wine, Cursed Vaults, the Thief's Marque and Voidwalkers.)

The Pocket Dystopias bundle (Boneheist, Bottom Feeders: Standalone Heist Pack, Hellion City Heists, Space Reavers and Voidwalkers.)

Pocket Quest 2024 Mega Bundle (a plethora of titles including Beanjackers, Blueberry Wine, Orange's 11 and Loco Motives.)

Solo RPG Bundle (containing 11 titles including No Map No Plan, Orange's 11 and Classified!)

[amarauder]

peter johnson and the flying wine bottles ♆ percy jackson x reader

PAIRING; Percy Jackson x Neighbor! Reader

REQUEST; N/A

GODLY PARENT: Demeter

DATE; May 1st, 2024

WORD COUNT; 2440

WARNING; Illegal activities, aka buying alcohol illegally

A/N: IM BACK MOTHERFUCKERS. tehehe I know its been years oops. Not my best work but its here and thats all that matters to me at this point.

TRAILER; In which Percy Jackson meets his neighbor by accidentally almost killing himself and her multiple times.

REQUESTED BY: N/A

--

Percy locks up his flat, double then triple checks everything is secure. He knows it’s a little over the top to be this careful with his security system, especially since his apartment complex is in the heart of New Rome. But after everything he has been through it gives him a little peace of mind knowing he is coming back to a hopefully monster-free apartment.

Things have been weird for Percy since Annabeth left. He hasn’t exactly hit the devastated stage that everyone, including him thought would be his reaction. Instead, it’s been like he has been going through the motions. Nothing has been that bad or great, just kind of there.

Piper has concluded that he is in shock. He suspects that she’s right. It’s almost like he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like Annabeth’s on a quest and he hasn’t heard from her for a few weeks and he’s a bit concerned for her well-being. But it’s been a little over two months now and Percy hasn’t felt any different.

 The only difference that Percy has felt is annoyance towards Piper. She won’t stop badgering him about meeting this girl. It’s constant, nonstop talking about how they would be perfect for each other and how Percy just needs to get back out there.

The only thing Percy needs is a break. A break from all the sympathetic stares, the hopeful girls, and gods forbid Piper. He knows that she has his best interest at heart. He appreciates it, he really does. It makes him feel all warm and fuzzy inside whenever his friends want to do something nice for him, but this just isn’t what Percy needs or wants right now.

What Percy needs is some time with his friends and maybe some free food which is exactly why he is heading over to Leo’s for a BBQ with the gang.

Stuffing his keys into his pocket, he heads over to the elevator then promptly almost dies tripping over air. It’s then that Percy realizes that he actually hadn’t fallen over air, he tripped over what looked like either a really long root or a vine? What the Hades? How did that get there?

He goes to pick it up when he realizes there’s a girl standing there waiting for the elevator. She’s holding a wine bottle, and what looks like the biggest plant Percy has ever seen. It would explain where the weird vine-root thing came from.

“Hey,” he starts, only to be interrupted by a scream and a face full of soil.

“Oh my God!” Screeches the plant. It takes Percy a second to realize that it is in fact the girl screaming and not the plant. To be fair, Percy has seen too many outer-worldly oddities in his life, he wouldn’t be surprised if it was the plant talking. “I am so sorry!”

Percy laughs and rubs dirt off his face, “Don’t be. I shouldn’t have scared you.” When he finally gets all the dirt off, Percy realizes she put the plant down. She’s pretty. Like really pretty actually. It takes Percy’s brain a second to catch up to all this new information.

She waves his apology away, “I scare way too easily. You should see me during October.”

“Halloween can get pretty spooky around here.” She tilts her head to the side in a way that remind him of a cute puppy. “Cause all the ghosts, ya know?”

Her eyes widen, “There are ghosts here?”

“Yeah, you haven’t seen them?” She shakes her head, “There’s one named Vector. He’s my favorite.”

“Why am I even surprised? My Mom is a Greek god. Of course there would be ghosts! What’s next? Flying monkeys?”

Percy’s lips quirked, “Don’t give them that idea.”

She laughed and Percy’s chest tightened. “What’s your name?”

“Percy. Yours?”

“Y/N.”

“Nice to meet you, Y/N. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before. Did you move in recently?” Percy knows he would have noticed or remembered her.

She puts her finger next to her lips. Percy is momentarily entranced. “I think around a month ago. I just started at New Rome University.” As she was chattering on about college Percy noticed the wine bottle slowly starting to slip out of her grip. Thanks to his demigod reflexes, Percy caught the bottle just in time.

“Oh!” She said in surprise. “Thanks! I didn’t even know it was falling.”

“No worries. I got it.” The elevator dings and they both head in. College? They were about a quarter into the fall semester. “What are you studying?”

“Agriculture.”

Percy’s eyebrows rise. That was not what he was expecting.  “Cool, my best friend from home is really into plants and stuff.”

Y/N’s lips quirked, “Plants and stuff?”

Percy smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. Thankfully, he was saved from answering by the elevator. Even though he was glad he didn’t have to answer to his stupidity, Percy still felt a pang in his chest. He really didn’t want to part from her but didn’t know how to tell her that without sounding creepy. She gives him good vibes. Percy’s always loved people like that.

“Where are you headed off too?” He eventually asks after sneaking what he hopes is casual glances at her as they exit the building.

She bounces on her toes a bit, “This girl I just met invited me to their friend’s place. I’m a bit nervous to be honest. I don’t know anyone besides her.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine. I’ve loved talking to you and we’ve only just met.” Percy’s face went beet red. That was not how it was supposed to come out. “I-I mean you’ve been fun to talk to.”

They both laugh for a second, falling quiet quickly enough to make Percy feel awkward. He wishes he had more to say, if only to keep Y/N around him a little longer.

Y/N beams, “Thanks, Percy. I’m glad that I finally met someone in this apartment complex. Everyone here seems like busy bodies and never wants to talk.”

Percy shrugs. He’s noticed that too but never felt too bothered by it. Though, he isn’t the one who moved away from friends. “You get used to it. Here’s your wine bottle.” He hands her the wine bottle and Percy swears he gets déjà vu from a few minutes ago. Just as the wine bottle leaves his fingertips its soaring to the floor and crashes all over both of them. Fortunately, Percy isn’t hurt but he’s more concerned about Y/N to care.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” Y/N puffs out she looks more shocked than anything. Percy feels like a giant idiot. First, he scares her, and Y/N’s plant almost goes flying everywhere. Then, he distracts her enough to almost drop the bottle. Now, after all of that mess he literally just fucks it all up. What are the odds?

It seems Y/N read his mind because she starts to giggle, “I think the Gods just don’t want me to bring wine today.”

As soon as they clean up the mess they head out. Percy had almost cut himself on the glass once or twice but he couldn’t complain much. He had been through worse things than a cut. Both of them had mumbled to each other the entire time about Why the Gods had decided the third time was the charm but decided against mentioning anything else as Y/N still had her plant to carry the rest of the way.

Percy only wishes that Mr. D was here to witness this. He could practically hear the “Peter Johnson!” from New Rome.

“Where are you headed too?” Y/N questions as they both come to a complete stop outside the building.

“To buy you a new wine bottle.” Percy says gesturing with his head towards town. He knows he’ll be late to Leo’s thing, but he can’t really bring himself to care. Percy also knows that Leo, out of all people, will be understanding especially if he mentions a girl.

“What?” Y/N says and grabs his arm, effectively stopping him. “No way. I am not allowing you to buy me a new wine bottle. I was the one who dropped it.”

Percy will admit that it was mostly her fault. It had been in her hands when the accident occurred. But Percy was first and foremost Sally Jackson’s son and if Sally taught him anything it was how to be polite to a pretty girl. “I was the one handing it to you.”

Y/N crosses her arms and shakes her head stubbornly. “No way, Percy! I am not allowing you to buy me one. I’ll buy my own and be on my way.”

“Fine but at least let me walk you to the wine store.” Y/N seems to consider this as her eyebrows scrunch a little less but she still doesn’t uncross her arms. She seems to agree nonverbally since she starts to walk with him.

“So, Do you know Mr.D?”

“Who?”

“Mr.D,” Percy confirms, “Dionysus? Camp Half-Blood’s camp director?”

“Oh,” Y/N murmurs, “I’ve heard of him from my friend, but I’ve never been to Camp Half-Blood.”

“Did you go to Camp Jupiter then?”

She shakes her head. Percy is officially confused. Where did she grow up then? How did she stay away from monsters? “I’m lost. Were you at home then?”

“For some reason, I never really got into trouble with monsters. Sure, weird stuff would happen to me throughout the years but my teachers would just put it off as overactive imagination. It wasn’t until my high school graduation that a monster came after me and my Dad finally brought me here. Next thing I know I’m enrolled at New Rome with my own apartment. What about you?” She questions innocently.

Percy huffs out a laugh. Oh, where to start. He settles on a simple, “I grew up at Camp Half-Blood.”

Y/N nods mutely. It gets a little awkward for a second and Percy wishes he paid a little more attention to his Mom’s rom-com movies. He’s never met a girl like this before. The only other girl he had ever been interested in was Annabeth and they had been friends forever before they even started dating. He was treading new waters.

Fortunately, they turned the corner and the wine store was a few steps away. “There it is,” Percy said and pointed. He was starting to feel nervous and he didn’t know why. Y/N went to open the door, but Percy beat her to it.

She turns around with a teasing smile on her face, “Thanks, Percy. So, want to tell me if your legal or not?”

It takes Percy a second to realize what she is talking about. Oh, buying alcohol. “Yeah, I’m 21. How old are you?”

“19.”

Oh. Oh. Percy shrugs, he’s certainly not one to shy away from illegal adventures. (A/N: DO NOT DRINK ILLEGALLY KIDDOS. NOT COOL AT ALL.) That would just be hypocritical.

Y/N heads over to the wine section and Percy follows after her like a lame, lost puppy. He needs to start acting a little cooler.

“White or red?” Percy asks.

“Champagne.” She answers immediately, with no hesitation. Alright, champagne it is. That’s a little too fancy for Percy’s taste. He’s more of a red Josh man but to each their own. He likes his six-dollar wine, thank you very much. Judgement is not tolerated within this household.

“Perfect” she says and grabs the champagne before making a beeline to the counter. Percy races after her digging for his wallet. He was not about to let her pay. He finally fishes it out of his pocket and waits for the man to check her out.

While Percy is waiting, he can’t help but admire her. She chatters away to the man as he looks over what Percy is assuming her fake ID. Making small talk in a way Percy never could.

The man gives it back to her and rings her up, “19 dollars and 75 cents, ma’am.”

Percy is quick to give his card to the dude. The cash register guy sighs and Y/N looks appalled. “No way. I am paying for it, Percy!”

He gently nudges her out of the away and hands the card over to him. He rolls his eyes, “I don’t care which one of you is going to sugar-mama the other. But whoever pays I have to see some ID.”

Percy digs in his pocket for his identification and hands it over. The man’s eyes widen, he looks at the picture then back to Percy. “You’re Percy Jack-“

“Yup,” Percy interrupts. He isn’t self-centered enough to think that Y/N has heard of him before but just in case, Percy wants to keep that information to himself for now.

The man’s demeanor instantly changes now that he knows who he is cashing out. “Have a good rest of your day!” He yells cheerily after him. When they head out, Percy can hear him whisper-yelling to his coworker about who he just checked out.

Y/N looks a little alarmed at the situation, especially probably the way Percy rushed her out. “What was that about?”

“Nothing” Percy waves her away. “That guy was just” He hesitates, “Weird.”

She makes a face, “Yeah, he really was. I can’t believe we did it though! I have never used my fake before.”

Percy takes a step back, “What? How did you get the wine from earlier then?”

“Oh, my Dad bought that for me.” Percy scoffs, Sally would be disappointed to find out that he was anywhere near alcohol. The thought fills him with a little guilt. She smiles and Percy’s chest hurts a little. This is where they say goodbye he realizes. “Well, it was really nice to meet you, Percy. I’m glad the Gods made our paths cross.”

He grins, “Me too, Y/N. I’ll see you around.”

“Bye, Percy.”

As Percy heads over to Leo’s place, he realizes how fast his heart is pounding and he can’t stop smiling. Somehow, he knows it’s not from their illegal adventure.

[queenjunothegreat]

Would someone PLEASE tell me why I can't do links properly? I hate these fugly little hyperlinks (•̤̀ ‸ •̤́๑)

AAAAAALLLLRIGHTY!!!!! I am BACK with a CHONKER of a fic for you all! Idk if any of you remember me rambling about a DnD fic last month, but it is FINALLY here!!! 18 days late for @lost-trio-week but that is NOT the point! The POINT is that I have almost 20K of silly fantasy Lost Trio content for you! Piper has magic and a lyre! Jason has a sword and anger issues! Leo has a dragon and an even shorter stature than ever seen before! It's gonna be great, so come on down!

With all that out of the way, please allow me to introduce my Lost Trio Week submission for Day Three: The Secrets of Skyhorne Harbor

ᴬˡˢᵒ ᴵ ᴰᴼ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜʰᵃʳᵃᶜᵗᵉʳ ˢʰᵉᵉᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒᵐᵉᵇʳᵉʷ ˢᵗᵘᶠᶠ ᶦᶠ ᵃⁿʸᵒⁿᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵗʰᵉᵐ

He also knew that after two days at said inn, he’d racked up quite a bill. Considering he had two silver pieces in his pocket, he knew he needed to get a job. He was in the middle of pondering his situation when two people joined him at his table. One of them was a half-Elf and the other a Halfling. They both wore matching grins that Jason knew spelt trouble, and they looked over him with an obviously appreciative gleam in their eyes. Jason scowled at them. “I don’t have anything to offer you, so if you want to beg or con, find someone else.” “We’re not here to ask you for money or anything like that,” the Elf assured him, her smile never wavering. “In fact,” the Halfling continued, dumping out his coin purse on the table, “we’ll pay off your tab, if you agree to hear us out.” *** When Jason wakes up alone in the woods with no memory other than his name and a mission to get to a mysterious place called the Wolf House, he knows he's in over his head. Similarly, when Piper and Leo are given a quest to prove their worth to the Adventurers Guild, they're in over their heads. Maybe, just maybe, they can help each other out. Lost Trio Week 2024 - Day Three: DnD

Since waking up cold and alone in the middle of the woods, Jason had been gathering up a list of everything he knew. He knew his name was Jason Grace, he was tall, and he had short, rough-shorn blond hair. He knew he carried a greatsword made of solid gold, and he knew, instinctively, how to use it. He knew he had a tattoo on his forearm of an eagle and twelve perfectly spaced bars spanning nearly from his wrist to his elbow. He knew that he’d been abandoned in the woods with nothing but his equipment, the memory of his name, and a mission to go somewhere called the Wolf House. He knew that it took nearly two weeks to walk from wherever it was that he’d been dropped off to the first real sign of civilization, and he knew that the bustling town of Coast Haven had a charming inn with polite staff and good food. 

“Your lunch, sir,” the barkeeper said, setting down a plate of bread and meat before him.

He gave her a smile and a respectful nod. “Thank you, ma’am.”

He also knew that after two days at said inn, he’d racked up quite a bill. Considering he had two silver pieces in his pocket, he knew he needed to get a job.

He was in the middle of pondering his situation when two people joined him at his table. One of them was a half-Elf – her features too soft and round to be an Elf but too long and ethereal to be human – with short, choppy hair, and big brown eyes streaked with gold. Her companion was a Halfling, though he was the tallest Halfling Jason had ever seen, with curly black hair and fingers that twitched even faster than his gaze darted around the room. They both wore matching grins that Jason knew spelt trouble, and they looked over him with an obviously appreciative gleam in their eyes. Jason scowled at them. “I don’t have anything to offer you, so if you want to beg or con, find someone else.”

“We’re not here to ask you for money or anything like that,” the Elf assured him, her smile never wavering. 

“In fact,” the Halfling continued, dumping out his coin purse on the table, “we’ll pay off your tab, if you agree to hear us out.”

The money on the table wasn’t exactly impressive, a single gold piece, a few silvers, and a handful of coppers, but it would probably cover the expenses Jason had accrued. His gaze flicked up to his table companions. He figured there wouldn’t be any harm in listening to them, at least. “Go on.”

“Okay, so, I’m Piper, and this is Leo,” the Elf explained, gesturing at herself and the Halfling. “We’re trying to join the adventurers’ guild here.”

“But to do that, Annabeth says we need to have completed at least one quest to prove that we can handle ourselves, or whatever,” Leo continued. 

Jason nodded along. “Makes sense.” The expression on Piper and Leo’s faces indicated that they thoroughly disagreed with this claim, which is exactly the stance Jason assumed people who had never done any adventuring would take. 

“Anyway,” Piper said, “so I was talking to Annabeth, and she said that there was a minor-league quest she could assign to us as a sort of test-run. Only problem is that Leo and I are kinda lacking in the muscle department.”

“Which is where you come in, big guy!” Leo beamed at him. “You’re, what? A Paladin? You look like a Paladin. You’d be perfect for the job.”

Jason shrugged. “I dunno.”

The other two squinted at him. “Don’t know what?” Leo asked.

“The Paladin thing,” Jason explained. “I don’t know if I am a Paladin.”

“Oh.” Leo exchanged a glance with Piper and they looked even more confused. “How do you just not know that?”

“I don’t know much of anything,” Jason said flatly. “I know my name, I know my mission, and I know that I’d like to be left alone. Now, I’ve heard your story, either pay or scram.”

“What’s your mission?” Piper asked pleasantly. 

“I have to get to a place called the Wolf House,” Jason said before the thought had even finished registering in his mind. He frowned in shock at how easily the words had come forth, but Piper just continued to give him that same warm, welcoming smile. 

“Yeah? Where’s that? I’ve never heard of it before.”

“It’s– I don’t know–” Jason shook his head and felt his brain go a little fuzzy. “I… just– I don’t know where it is.”

“Hey, no sweat, man,” Leo said with a wide grin. “Hey, maybe this is a good thing for all of us!”

Jason blinked at him. “How?”

“Well,” he said, playfully drawing out the word. “We need muscle, you’ve got muscle. You need information, we can help you get information!”

“I thought she said she’d never heard of the Wolf House,” Jason accused, scowling suspiciously. “Are you saying you have information?”

“Well, no, but–” Leo stammered. 

Fortunately for him, Piper cut back in. “Well, we don’t have the information, but the Adventurers’ Guild? They definitely would.”

Jason was less than impressed. “So, you want me to go on a potentially dangerous quest with a half-Elf and a Halfling–”

“I’m actually only half Halfling,” Leo corrected. Jason ignored him.

“–who seemingly have never been past their own front doors, in order to join a guild on the off chance that they might be able to point me in the right direction?” Jason asked, arching his eyebrow. 

“It won’t be that dangerous,” Piper assured him. “Annabeth specifically said this one was pretty easy.”

“And if we do complete this quest and get you two into the guild? What then?” Jason pressed. “You two can’t handle an easy quest. What are you gonna do when things actually get dangerous?”

“You let us worry about that, big guy,” Leo said. “We’ve made it this far on our own, we can figure it out from here. We just need your help getting through the front door.”

Jason snorted. “Thanks, but no thanks. You two have a great pitch, but you’ll have to find someone else to buy what you’re selling. Now, I heard you out, so pay the bill, or scram.”

Piper and Leo's faces pulled into identical puckered scowls, and they exchanged a glance before turning back to Jason. Piper smiled at him. “Speaking of the bill, did we mention there's a reward of 500 gold pieces?” 

*-*-*

With Jason’s hesitant and begrudging acquiescence, Leo and Piper were far more forthcoming with their information and assistance. To start things off, Piper had waved over the barkeeper again and casually fished several gold pieces out of her coin purse with an order to keep the rest to cover whatever Jason wanted while Leo began their explanation. According to him, Annabeth Chase was the head of the local Adventurers Guild along with someone named Percy Jackson, and they were the ones who decided who did and didn’t get to join their little club. Jason got the feeling that even beyond his missing memories, he'd never met either of them, but their names rang with a sort of familiarity that Jason knew he'd heard of them before. It had apparently taken a while, but Piper had eventually developed some kind of rapport with Annabeth, which was how they'd gotten their membership assignment.

The quest in mind was, genuinely, a simple one. Over the past few months, several ships – trading, military, and passenger – had all gone missing near a harbor. Said harbor was also home to the Zhang family, who were long-time allies and confidantes of the Adventurers Guild, and the current occupant, Frank, hadn't answered any of Annabeth’s recent correspondence. Between the quickly-stacking rewards offered by merchants and nobles begging The Guild to make the waters safe again and Annabeth’s own mounting concern, she'd decided that someone needed to go check on things in the area. So, she'd arranged for Piper and Leo to sail with Percy to go investigate the area, confirm it was safe, and get any status updates Frank had to offer. With any luck, there wouldn’t even be any fighting. Jason asked why they needed him, in that case, and Leo flatly informed him that it was always better to be an embarrassed worrywart than a dead, unprepared idiot. Jason figured he couldn’t really argue with that. 

With the basic details all hammered out, Piper and Leo had scurried upstairs to their own room to gather up their supplies while Jason took advantage of his paid off tab to scarf down another plate of bread and cheese, and the three were off to the docks to meet up with Captain Jackson. 

The Riptide wasn’t exactly hard to spot. It wasn’t the fanciest ship, nor the biggest, but Jason had a feeling that there weren’t a lot of ships on the waters anywhere that had brilliant cerulean sails. Standing on the dock beside the vessel was an orc, rocking back and forth from his heels to his toes, scanning the crowd. When his big brown eyes fell on Jason, he beamed and waved at them. “Hello! You’re heroes, yes?”

“Uh, yeah, we sure are, bud,” Leo said, craning his neck back to look up at him. “You Captain Jackson?”

The orc shook his head, his smile never wavering. “No, I am Tyson! Percy is my brother.”

“Oh, uh, cool,” Piper said hesitantly. “Do you think you could, um, get him for us?”

“No need! I’m here!” Jason turned around to see a water Genasi with light blue skin hauling himself out of the water. Once he was back on his feet he shook his head like a dog, but his hair continued to float around him like he was still underwater. He stuck out his hand for Jason to shake and gave him a grin, and Jason couldn’t help but notice that his eyes were the exact same blue-green of the harbor he’d just climbed out of. “Captain Perseus Jackson, at your service. And who are you, exactly? I’m not trying to be rude, but you don’t exactly look like Beth’s descriptions of Piper or Leo.”

“Jason Grace,” he said flatly. He took Percy’s hand and squeezed probably a little harder than he really needed to. Percy visibly winced in pain, but didn’t say anything. “I’m new.”

Percy arched his eyebrow at Piper. “Didn’t Beth give you two this quest to see if you’ve got what it takes to join the Guild? Doesn’t your pet behemoth kind of throw off the scales?”

“We’re just bringing him as backup,” Piper assured him. “The actual questing will be done by us. Promise.”

Percy didn’t look fully convinced, but he shrugged anyway. “Whatever. It’s your prize pool you’re splitting.” He turned to Tyson and gave him a much fonder smile than the one he’d offered Jason. “Hey, man, you mind heading up and getting us ready to sail? We’ll be up in just a sec.”

“I will get us ready to sail!” Tyson agreed before he trotted up the gangplank. 

When he was gone, Percy looked them all over with a critical eye. “So, you guys know what you signed up for, right?”

“The details are a little fuzzy,” Leo admitted. “We’d love a good de-fuzzing, if you don’t mind.”

Percy nodded, like that was the answer he’d been expecting. “Well, to be fair, the details we have are a little fuzzy. That’s kinda the whole deal with recon missions. What we do know is that nobody’s willing to sail anywhere near Skyhorne Harbor because ships have been going missing left, right and center. Few survivors claim that it’s sea monsters. The most recent ship, sailed by Captain Ramírez-Arellano, called the Sippyco–”

“It’s pronounced Scipio,” Jason corrected. Piper and Leo both narrowed their eyes suspiciously at him, but Jason refused to meet their gazes.

Percy arched his eyebrows, but shrugged. “Okay, sure. Whatever you want to call it, she and her crew went missing in that area a week ago.”

“Annabeth also mentioned something about a lighthouse,” Piper supplied. 

“That would be Frank Zhang,” Percu confirmed. “He and his family have some sort of ties to the land, and they’ve been allied with this town’s Guild for generations. Think they might have even helped found the town. Now Frank and his partner Hazel Lavesque are the ones in charge over there. What’s got us concerned is that Frank hasn’t responded to any of our calls for two months now. It’s not unheard of for him to need a break from people and just take a sabbatical in the woods, but Hazel’s also MIA, and this has gone on long enough that Beth’s concerned about it, and I am, too.”

“Then why aren’t you the one going to check on him?” Jason asked flatly. “If he’s an important ally, shouldn’t his safety be your top priority?”

One of Percy’s eyebrows twitched, but his expression never faltered. “Why do you think I’m the one taking you? My crew and I just came back to port a week ago. We were going to head that way, regardless, Beth just asked me to play chaperone.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Leo grumbled.

Percy shrugged again, and Jason wondered how many times he could do that before he became terminally casual. “I call it like I see it. Beth said we’ve got a Halfling–”

“Half-Halfling.”

“Artificer, a half-Elf Bard and a–” He looked Jason up and down. “What are you, exactly?”

“Human,” Jason told him. “Leo thinks I’m a Paladin. I don’t really know how to be a Paladin, though.”

Percy looked like he wanted to question what he meant by that, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort. “Hate to break it to you guys, but you’re not exactly the stuff of legend.”

Before any protests could be raised, a sharp woman’s voice rang out over the crowded dock. “There he is, boys! Get him!”

Jason grit his teeth and turned on the approaching group, lips pulled back in a snarl. Ma Gasket and her sons, Torque and Sump, had somehow managed to become a thorn in Jason’s side in the short time since Jason had woken up. They’d recognized him from their first meeting, which led Jason to think he’d crossed paths with the troupe of Bugbears pre-amnesia, but he, obviously, couldn’t be sure. Since then, they’d not stopped their constant pursuit of Jason, and this was his third time coming across them in the past week. “You three, again?”

“You know these guys?” Leo hissed quietly. “They don’t look like good news.”

“They’re not,” Jason confirmed with a scowl. “And we’ve… met.”

“You’ll give us what we’re owed, and you’ll give it now!” Ma Gasket demanded, hands on her hips. She sneered up at the Riptide behind him. “That there boat’ll do nicely towards settling your debt.”

“Think again if you’re even considering putting your hands on my ship,” Percy growled any and all traces of his earlier charm and ease vanishing in a second. 

Before anyone could speak, Piper stepped forward, arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture and a wide, winning smile on her face. “Please, ma’am. Why don’t we all just talk about this?” she said beguilingly, and Jason could feel the way her words danced with magic. “Why don’t you just put your weapons down and we can come to an agreement?”

Torque and Sump immediately did as she suggested, but Ma snarled. “No! You idiots, she’s charming you! Can’t you feel it? Get her!”

With more speed than Jason would have thought possible, Torque whipped out a hand and wrapped it around Piper’s throat and lifted her off the ground. She scrabbled desperately at his wrist, eyes wide in terror. Torque seemed pleased with this reaction, because he bared his teeth in a sinister grin and lifted her even higher off the dock.

“Hey! Hey, no!” Leo shouted, his voice pitching sharply in the middle of his words. “What the hell! Let her go!” 

Torque just tightened his grip on Piper’s throat, making her face turn a shade darker. Jason felt a loud, rumbling growl form in the depth of his throat, and he saw a familiar red tint start to seep in from the edges of his vision. “Put. Her. Down.,” he warned, each word harsh and clipped. Torque sneered at him, and Jason felt the last thread of his control snap. 

In less than a breath, Jason had crossed the distance to Torque’s side, drawing his sword as he went, and slashing down across the Bugbear’s arm in a powerful swing. Immediately, Torque tilted his head back, howling in pain, as he dropped Piper, and she scrambled away, coughing and spluttering as she went.

“Get him!” Ma ordered.

Sump did as he was told, slashing at Jason with his scimitar, but Jason hardly felt the blow glance off his armor. When he tried to stab at Jason with his dagger, Jason ripped it from his hand with a snarl. 

“My turn!” Percy called, and soon he and Jason were back to back, Percy’s bronze short sword gleaming in the afternoon sun. Torque lifted his sword to attack, but Percy parried, then slashed across his chest, and kicked him back a few feet for good measure. He grinned, all wild and bared teeth. “Now, that wasn’t very polite, was it, big fella?” 

Before Torque could reply, a glowing bolt of magical light sprouted from his chest, and Jason glanced over his shoulder to see Leo had a crossbow leveled at the group, another bolt of magic already loaded and waiting for its shot. Beside him, Piper opened her mouth and let out a soft, melodious note. Her magic wove through the air for a moment before Torque stiffened, and a phantasmal wreath of thorny vines wrapped around his head and covered his eyes.

“What-what did you do to my boy!” Ma Gasket demanded, her eyes wide in horror. “You stop that nasty witchcraft, girl!”

Sump took a step towards Piper, but Jason cut him off, nearly removing the end of his nose in the process. Sump raised his scimitar to attack in kind, but Torque leapt in front of Jason and took a vicious swing at his brother. 

Percy looked confused for a moment before he dove into the scuffle as well. He danced around Sump, sinking his sword into the back of his thigh before ducking out of reach, leaving his opponent to lunge forward after him. With that opening, Jason struck and Piper’s voice rang through the air once again. 

Sump’s eyes crossed and he clapped his hands over his ears, looking around him in terror. “M-Ma? What’s that noise? Ma!”

“Sump?” Ma called, her own voice strained. “Boy, you listen to me, not her!” Instead, Sump wailed in fear and fled, Torque following close behind, eyes still shrouded in magic. Ma stared after them for a moment in shock before she turned back, baring her teeth at Jason. “You haven’t seen the last of us, boy,” she spat before she turned and chased after them.

With the threat gone, Jason heaved a deep sigh of relief and sheathed his sword. He laced his fingers and lifted them up above his head, luxuriating in the stretch, before he felt three sets of eyes resting heavily on his back. He turned to see Piper, Leo and Percy, all staring at him in varying levels of shock. He frowned. “What?”

“Do you, um, do that often?” Piper asked, somewhat hesitantly. 

Jason’s frown deepened. “Do what?”

“‘Do what?’” Leo scoffed mockingly. “Uh, maybe the whole feral animal schtick you just did?”

“Oh.” Jason thought about that and shrugged. “Yeah, that’s usually what happens when I get in a fight.”

 Percy let out a laugh then, a full-body head tilted back and clutching at his stomach laugh. “Great news: You do not have to worry about knowing how to be a Paladin.”

Jason scowled at him. “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t I need to know that?”

Percy grinned at him, and Jason thought he looked more than a little like a shark. “Because you, Jason Grace, are one hundred percent a Barbarian.”

*-*-*

Once Piper and Leo had finished gawking at Jason, Percy had shown them to their accommodations on the Riptide. Considering the size of the ship, Jason had figured they’d be assigned a few spare hammocks crammed into the corner of the bunk area, but they’d actually been offered a decently-sized office where they were allowed to store their belongings and rest. Jason got the feeling that the length of the trip was the only reason they had been granted such luxury. If they were expected to be on the boat any longer than the two days they were scheduled, they likely wouldn’t have had nearly as nice a time. Fortunately for them, their destination was only about six hours away, so if they camped on land, they wouldn’t even need to spend the night aboard the ship.

Not that Jason had spent all that much time in their room, unlike Piper and Leo, who looked like they were considering jumping on the bed. Jason had learned quickly that he didn’t particularly enjoy sailing, and being below decks only exacerbated the problem, so he was up on the top deck, leaning against the railing and staring out over the horizon and the low-hanging sun. He couldn’t stop thinking about what Percy had said. He’d been dubbed a Barbarian with such absolute finality that it almost startled him. He wanted to protest, but at the same time, it felt right in a way that Leo’s assumption of Paladin hadn’t. He wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t know how to be a Paladin, but he knew how to be a Barbarian. He was more than familiar with the fury and anger that simmered in his chest. It was always there, ready to strike, but never rearing its ugly head until Jason reached for it, like a dog called to heel. Even now, safe as he was, he felt a sort of primal awareness prickling its claws across the back of his neck. He’d ignored the feeling before, not thinking anything too remarkable of it, but now he couldn’t help but notice it. It was odd to think that not everyone had this same instinct that Jason felt was as much a part of himself as his own hand. 

His ruminations were interrupted when Piper popped up next to him, and Leo hopped up to sit on the rail at his other side. Jason felt a brief flash of concern when Leo swayed dangerously with the rocking of the boat, but soon he had his ankles hooked around the posts, locking him securely in place. 

“Hello,” Jason said pleasantly.

“When were you gonna tell us you were a Barbarian, huh?” Leo demanded playfully. “You just let me wander around calling you a Paladin and looking like an idiot. Not cool man.”

Jason hiked up a brow at him. “If that was a joke, it wasn’t a very funny one.”

“That’s the thing about Leo,” Piper chimed in. “His jokes are only ever kind of funny, and only half the time.”

Jason snorted while Leo shouted about abuse and betrayal. Jason shook his head. “So, what do you two want? I don’t have a tab for you to bribe me with this time.”

Piper and Leo exchanged a glance before Piper spoke again. “We were just checking on you.”

“Yeah, dude,” Leo agreed. “I mean, with the whole amnesia thing and then, BOOM, a stranger is telling you what class you are. That’s kind of a lot.”

“Yeah, imagine doing something like that. I mean, what kind of person just waltzes up to a stranger and decides that they’re a Paladin?” Jason scoffed, making Leo blow a raspberry at him. Then he shrugged. “I’m fine, I think. It doesn’t exactly change anything for me. Might change something for you two, though.”

Piper and Leo looked at one another like they were both checking to make sure they were still speaking Common. “Why would that change anything for us?” Piper asked, cocking her head to the side. 

Jason furrowed his brow. “You two were looking for a Paladin, right? You heard what Percy said. I am not a Paladin.”

Leo shrugged leaning back over the side of the rail in a way that made Jason’s palms twitch with the urge to just grab him and put him on his feet, still and safe on the deck. “You’re still a big dude with a bigger sword who’s willing to bash heads if the need arises,” he pointed out. “‘S far as I’m concerned nothing’s changed. What do you think, Pipes? You still on board with Mr. Wolfy McRage Fist?”

“Yeah, I’m still on board,” Piper grinned.

“The name will need some workshopping,” Jason said dryly. “Let’s just stick with Jason for now.” Leo booed loudly and finally tipped over the side of the rail, hanging upside down over the edge of the boat. The sight freaked Jason out more than a little bit, but Piper didn’t even seem remotely concerned about her friend’s antics, so Jason figured he shouldn’t be, either. He cast a curious look over at Piper. “So, why do you two want to join the Adventurers Guild so bad anyway? Normally, people start adventuring and then get recruited for a guild. You two are kind of doing things backwards.”

Piper cut her gaze away from him and began fiddling with the ring she wore on a chain around her neck. “I just– wanted to get out there, you know? See what I can. There’s a whole lot of world, and only one Piper. Seems a shame to stay in one place your whole life.”

Jason got the sneaking suspicion that she was leaving a lot out of her story, but Leo cut in before Jason could press for details. “Boooorrrriiiinnnng,” he groaned obnoxiously, and Jason would have pointed out how obvious of a distraction tactic it was if not for the fact that Piper looked relieved beyond words to have the attention off of her. 

“Yeah?” Jason challenged. “What’s your story, then?”

“Plucky orphan obviously,” Leo scoffed. He grunted slightly then righted himself on the railing, then held out his hands like a showman. “Look at me! I practically scream ‘raised on the streets and forced to rely on his brains from a young age.’”

Jason very much wanted to laugh at the display, but just fondly rolled his eyes instead. “Alright. Well, what about the Guild? How does that factor into everything?”

“Job security,” Piper said simply. “Speaking from experience, the gig economy isn’t exactly sustainable long-term, and it’s really hard to get into. At least with the Guild we’d have a fairly steady stream of quests and rewards available to us.”

“Plus it gives us start-up cash,” Leo added. “It’s no use trying to leave town without some liquid capital. That’s how you wind up in an inn with two pieces of silver and a tab you can’t pay, so you sign yourself up for a quest with the first wackadoodles who approach you.”

Jason frowned at him. “How did you know I only had two silver pieces?” Leo just gave him a wide, toothy grin and held up his hand, two silver coins pinched between his first two fingers. Jason’s hand immediately flew to his coin purse where his two measly silver pieces were still waiting for him, safe and secure, while Leo cackled. Jason scowled at him, but the expression lacked any real heat, doused by amusement. “You’re a menace.”

“Not the first time I’ve heard that, and if it’s the last I will have thoroughly failed in my life’s goal,” Leo chirped, cheerfully kicking his feet.

Jason rolled his eyes again, but before he could say something smart back, he felt that prickling at the base of his skull and his whole body tensed. “Brace yourselves!” he ordered at the top of his voice to anyone who could hear him. He fisted his hand in the front of Leo’s shirt and yanked him off the railing just as something rammed into the side of the ship, sending it careening hard to the side.

There were scattered screams and shouts as the handful of crewmembers aboard the Riptide scrambled into position, Percy swearing up a storm as he stood at the helm, furiously trying to get them back on course. Jason’s gaze immediately found Piper and Leo before he did anything else. Piper looked a bit dizzy and was clinging to the railing and Leo looked like he was still coming to terms with how close he’d been to tumbling into the sea, but they were both alive and that was Jason’s only criteria at the moment. He turned back to Percy and barked, “What the hell was that, Jackson?”

“That,” Percy grit out, straining against the wheel, “was our sea monster.”

As if on cue, the water churned and boiled right next to the boat, and from it erupted a giant sea serpent. It was at least seventy feet tall, appeared to be made entirely out of water, and the places where its eyes should be was a pair of glowing orbs of white magic. It tipped its head back and let out a loud, shrieking cry before diving back below the surface of the water.

“What should we do, Captain?” one of the sailors cried.

Percy visibly grit his teeth and glanced around. “Everyone to your stations! We need to get into that harbor! She’s not gonna take too many more hits like that! You three!” His gaze fell on Piper, Jason, and Leo. “Get that thing away from my ship!”

The monster emerged again and Jason gripped his sword, but he couldn’t help but feel a bit useless, unsure of how he could even get close to this thing, let alone hit do any real damage. 

Leo, apparently, didn’t have that problem. “Cover me!” he ordered, shoving his hands into the satchel on his belt and withdrawing some kind of bronze contraption, which he placed on the ground, and immediately started working on. 

Piper had also leapt into action and produced her lyre and plucked a quick, jaunty tune on the strings. In response, thunder rolled and a bolt of lightning fell out of the sky right in between the monster’s eyes. It let out another grating shriek in response, and set its gaze on the ship. Two spindly arms with giant clawed feet emerged from its sides and it raised both fists to slam them on the deck. One hit Piper, and she let out a startled yelp of pain as she was flung away. The other hit Jason, but he was able to hold his ground against the attack.

“Piper!” Leo screamed, staring at her crumpled form in horror. Then he turned his furious gaze on Jason, eyes blazing. “Now would be a really good time for the feral animal schtick, man!”

Jason blinked in shock for a moment before his eyes settled on where the monster’s claws were still curled over the edge of the railing. He thought about Piper, lying prone behind him, and he lifted his sword with a snarling war cry and brought it down on the beast’s foot.

Your anger courses hot through your veins, my pup, a quiet voice said in the back of his mind. It can be your greatest strength if you choose to wield it properly. If not, it will be your undoing.

The ship rocked with an explosion as two cannonballs slammed into the serpent. While it was still reeling Leo finally stepped back from his project, revealing a bronze automaton dragon about the size of a dog, which matched the sea serpents wailing with a roar of its own, flapping its little wings menacingly at a foe a hundred times its size. it dropped its jaw and a wave of force slammed into the sea serpent.

“Yes! Get ‘im, Festus!” Leo crowed, pulling out his crossbow. He squeezed his eyes shut and muttered under his breath “Please, please, please don’t blow up,” before firing. Whatever he did must have worked, because as the magic bolt flew through the air, it suddenly became wreathed in flames before finding its mark.

The monster reared back to attack again, this time sweeping its claws across the deck in an attempt to grab anything it could. Jason snarled and whipped out a hand to grab Leo by the collar of his shirt and send him stumbling just out of range. This, unfortunately, left Jason wide open, and he was slammed with a massing paw made of water. He choked as his lungs flooded for a moment before gripping his sword and slashing his way free. He collapsed on one knee, coughing up water when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. 

He looked up to see Piper crouched before him, her eyes scanning Jason’s face for any sign that he was injured. Jason was distantly relieved to see that she seemed okay, all things considered. “Jason, are you hurt?” she asked sharply, snapping her fingers to get his attention. 

Jason didn’t respond. Words were a little hard when he got like this, but he did shove himself to his feet and bared his teeth at her in what he hoped looked at least a little like a smile. As he did, the boat rocked with another volley of cannon fire, and Leo appeared next to them, crossbow at the ready. He let loose another shot before turning to Piper, his face puckered in concern. “You good?” At her confirmation, he gave a short, decisive nod. “We’re almost to the docks. We’ve just gotta hold off this guy a little more. Any ideas?”

Piper whispered some choice words under her breath and the beast shrieked. It had backed away from the boat, looking like it was ready to ram it and Jason growled. He couldn’t do anything from here. He just needed a way to get closer–

A sharp whistle from the captain cut off his train of thought, and Jason whipped his head around to see a solid black pegasus rocketing towards the boat. He gave Piper and Leo a feral grin. “Idea.”

Leo and Piper both looked at him in confusion. “What’s the idea?” Piper asked.

Instead of answering, Jason just grinned wider, then turned and took a running leap off the boat, while Piper and Leo shrieked behind him.

For a moment as Jason fell through the air, he realized that maybe this was a really dumb decision. He had no way of knowing for sure that the pegasus would be where he thought it would be. Hell, he didn’t even know if it was friendly. He just knew he had to do something, and this was his best (or at least first) idea. 

He landed hard on the pegasus’s back earning himself a sharp whinny of protest, but together they soared through the air towards the monster, which had its eerie white eyes trained on Jason. It swiped at him with its claws, but the pegasus was too fast, darting between its arms to climb higher and higher into the sky, right above the sea monster’s head. Jason watched it carefully, one hand holding on to his sword and the other tangled in the pegasus’s mane. Then, when he was in exactly the right position–

He let go.

The wind whipped past him as he gathered speed on his fall, both hands wrapped around the hilt of his sword to deal one final blow. The beast shrieked at him, mouth opened like it was going to swallow him straight out of the air, but it was too late. Jason thrust his sword deep in the monster’s head, and with one last howl, it melted back into water. 

Jason was once again free falling before he was scooped up by the pegasus mid-air. As they flew back towards the ship, Jason felt the last of his rage melt away, and he slumped forward in relieved exhaustion. 

*-*-*

Jason hadn’t exactly expected his act of heroism to be rewarded with being fussed at, but that was exactly what was waiting for him when he returned to the Riptide.

Piper and Leo had not been impressed with his little stunt. Well, that wasn’t quite true. Leo had admitted it was “the coolest shit I’ve seen in a hot minute,” and Piper had begrudgingly agreed, but neither of them were happy about it. Jason had been told under no uncertain terms that he was not to do anything like that again because they weren’t interested in having a dead Barbarian on their hands, but Jason couldn’t find it in himself to really be all that sorry. The monster was dead and the three of them were alive and well, which meant that he’d won, which meant he’d done a good job and therefore no one should criticize him. 

The Riptide had limped its way to the dock, and the crew went ashore so that Percy could fully assess the damages. Based on his reaction, the diagnosis was less than favorable. 

“You three are going to have to go it alone from here,” Percy said, scowling at the ship. “I’ve got a minimal crew, so it’s going to be all hands on deck if we want to finish repairs and get out of here in the morning.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for us to help out here, then?” Leo suggested, already elbow-deep in his toolbelt and rummaging around. “I may not be a seasoned seafarer like you, but I know how to use a hammer and this isn’t the first boat I’ve worked on.”

Percy’s face went stony and serious. “No. If the rumors about the sea monsters are true, then Frank and Hazel’s disappearance just got a lot more serious. Someone needs to check on them immediately.”

With that, Percy had sent them on their way. He’d been kind enough to let them catch their breath and gather some supplies, but they were climbing the steep, slippery staircase that switchbacked across the sheer cliff face forty feet up before Jason was really ready. 

At the top, they found a crumbling stone wall, about ten feet high, and Leo turned to Jason with a smug grin. “Pipes and I have got this. Watch.”

Without another word, Piper laced her fingers together and Leo used that as a springboard to launch himself up to the top of the wall where he scrabbled at the stone for only a moment before he got a solid hold, and he stayed where he was hanging. Jason thought for a second that maybe he was stuck before Piper sprang up, grabbing a hold of his hips and proceeding to climb up Leo’s back like he was a rope hanging there just for her. When she was situated, she reached down and hauled Leo up to sit next to her, and they beamed down at Jason in obvious pride. 

“Ta-da!” they sing-songed in unison.

Jason arched his eyebrows at them and gave them a nod. “Impressive. My turn.”

Jason took a few steps back, and Piper and Leo scrambled to get out of his way, but he instead walked up to the nearby gate and pushed it open with a low, sad creeeaaaaaak. He stepped through and grinned up at Piper and Leo from the other side. “Ta-da.”

Leo puffed out his cheeks in a scowl then said in a dumb voice, “Oooh, look at me! I’m Jason Grace! I’m soo smart and I do sensible things like walk through gates and divebomb sea monsters.”

Jason let out a short, huffing laugh while Piper and Leo scrambled back down the wall. “I figure one of us should try it out occasionally,” he said innocently.

“Yeah, yeah,” Leo scoffed, flapping his hands around as dismissively as possible. “You know, you–”

“Hey, guys?” Piper interrupted. Jason glanced over, her tone already putting him on alert. She was standing over by the gate, investigating it with her eyebrows pinched in concern. “This gate’s broken.”

Jason frowned, and he and Leo stepped over to investigate as well. “That’s to be expected, right?” he said slowly. “I mean, the wall is in pretty poor condition, too, so it makes sense that the gate would be broken.”

Piper was already shaking her head. “No. Look, the wood’s still in really good condition. This gate’s way too new to just be worn out.”

“Besides, this isn’t just regular wear and tear,” Leo added. “If you look here, you can see that it was actually torn off its hinges, based on the shear lines. Someone wanted in here, and they weren’t worried with being polite about it.”

“Can you tell when it happened?” Jason asked. 

Leo winced and shook his head. “Not really. I mean, it doesn’t look like it happened this morning or anything, but it could have been years ago and this Frank guy just never bothered to replace his gate. There’s no real way to know one way or the other.”

Jason had a hard time believing that Frank had just left his home in such obvious disrepair when he’d taken the effort to replace the gate in the first place. “Whether it happened last week or last year, let’s take this as a sign to be on guard,” he said decisively. “Remember, we’re here because Annabeth thinks something might have happened to Frank. We’ve already been proven wrong about the lack of sea monsters, let’s not assume he’s safe.” 

Piper and Leo both nodded in agreement, and silently fell into step behind him as he led the way to the lighthouse. It was made of the same dark gray stone that covered the coast, but the years spent up high on the bluff, battered day and night by salty sea wind, had worn the stone down until it was smooth and gleamed softly in the moonlight like polished gems. The door to the place was nearly identical to the gate, but instead of barely hanging on, it was barricaded and boarded up with crates and smashed barrels.

“I’m guessing we should not try the doorbell,” Leo winced.

Jason shook his head and looked around for another way inside before narrowing his eyes. There was a window, about twenty feet up with a narrow ledge that wouldn’t be nearly big enough for Jason, but would at least somewhat comfortably fit a half-Halfling. He gestured at the window and raised an eyebrow at Leo and Piper. “Think you guys can do your little trick again?”

Piper studied it for a moment before she shook her head. “No way. That’s way higher than our record. I wouldn’t be able to boost him all the way up there.”

“I could try it,” Jason suggested before looking over at Leo. “If you’re good with it, that is.”

Leo looked visibly doubtful for a moment before he shrugged. “What the hell? Let’s give it a shot.”

Jason got himself into position and after a moment of psyching himself up, Leo ran towards him, put one foot in Jason’s laced fingers and jumped straight up the wall. Jason wasn’t really sure just how much strength to put behind his assist (he had a newfound appreciation for the amount of practice Piper and Leo must have put into their act to make it look so effortless) but whatever he did was obviously wrong. Leo just barely made it up to the window ledge, but he could only scrabble at it for a moment before he fell to the ground with a thump and a wheeze.

“Leo! Are you okay?” Piper yelped, rushing over to his side.

Jason suddenly felt that same familiar awareness prick at his senses again and he crowded Piper and Leo behind him, eyes scanning around for any potential threats. 

“Jason?” Leo asked, and Jason could just hear the furrow of his brow. “What–”

“Quiet,” he hissed. Immediately, Piper and Leo went silent, and Jason listened as hard as he could, but there was nothing. Still, he felt a creeping sense of unease. “Something’s nearby,” he said flatly. “I don’t know where, but it’s here and it could be dangerous.”

Piper and Leo looked at one another, then back at Jason. “Okay,” Piper said. “Let’s just focus on getting in the lighthouse. We should probably at least look inside, so we need to get up to that window.”

“The usual high-jump didn’t work,” Leo said unnecessarily, rubbing at his jaw. Then he paused and took a step back. He held up a thumb to Jason, then Piper, then the window. He grinned, a little maniacal. “But I think I’ve got another idea.”

Jason involuntarily gulped. “I don’t think I liked the way you said that.”

“Nobody liked it except him,” Piper confirmed with a sigh like she’d already resigned herself to whatever idea it was. 

Jason soon discovered that he was right to not like the way Leo said that. Really, he had the simplest job of the three of them: Hold heavy things. The only problem was that the heavy things in question were Piper and Leo. Leo had told him to just stand beneath the window while Piper climbed up to stand on his shoulders, and Leo climbed up to stand on hers. Really and truly, it wasn’t hard. Piper and Leo’s combined weight wasn’t even close to his maximum lifting capacity, and they were both more than nimble enough to climb their make-shift person ladder. The problem came when Leo got into position and let out a quiet string of swear words.

“Leo?” Jason grunted out. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t reach,” Leo admitted. “I must have miscalculated or something, because I need, like, one more foot.”

Jason considered that for a moment. The smart, sensible, thing to do would be to let Piper and Leo climb back down and they’d find a new way in. But they’d already wasted so much time, and they needed to find Frank so they could get back on the Riptide and head back to Coast Haven, and, well. He had an idea.

A potentially really bad idea.

“Leo, brace yourself against the wall. Piper, hang onto his feet as tight as you can,” Jason ordered. He waited a moment for them to do as he said before he continued. “Okay, Piper, now I’m gonna put my hands on my shoulders, and I want you to step in them.”

“Oh, gods above, you’re insane,” Piper choked out, but she still did what she was told, and Jason got as good of a grip on Piper’s feet as possible.

“Okay, you two. Hold very still.” Jason sucked in a deep breath and started slowly lifting Piper up above his head. He distantly heard Leo swearing again in a squeaky little voice, but he couldn’t focus on that. He turned his attention inward, at the blazing fury that resided in his chest. He didn’t fully embrace it, but he harnessed that heat, letting out a low, rumbling growl as he held Piper steady above him. 

Jason wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, but soon there was the quiet click of a window being opened and his load was significantly lighter. Then, a rope was tossed down to them, and Piper climbed up after Leo. Jason followed shortly after, and soon all three of them were inside the lighthouse, huddled together on the winding stairs leading up to the lantern room. 

“Let’s go see who’s on the bottom floor,” Leo whispered, and Piper and Jason both nodded in agreement.

Together, the three of them crept down the stairs and peered out into the main floor. At one point, the room was probably very regal-looking, with the fine furniture and paintings on the wall, but the newest residents had more than made a mess of things. The floor was crowded with destroyed chairs and shredded cushions and more of the smashed crates and barrels from outside and everything was visibly grimy except for one thing. Above the fireplace was a gold insignia: a pair of crossed spears over a bear’s head with a roaring wave in the background. Somehow, it was still spotless, shined to a mirror-like finish, as if the filth around it couldn’t touch it. 

Sitting in the middle of it all was a group of six Eelfolk, all baring their teeth at one another as they dined at one of the only undamaged tables in the room. As Jason watched, one of them reached a little too close to his companion and those razor sharp teeth sank into flesh without remorse. He let out a shrill cry of pain and ripped his hand back, reaching for his knife before the largest one of the group slammed his fists on the table. “Enough of your squabbling!” he shouted. There was an outraged protest of, He bit me! but it went ignored. “We still have to get our hands on that damned lighthouse keeper! It’s the only way!”

“We’ve tried everything, boss,” another one of the Eelfolk complained. “He’s hidden himself up in the lantern room and we’ve no hope of getting him out!”

“Well, then you’d best find a way!”

The table erupted into another argument, and Jason, Piper and Leo crept up to the next floor.

“Well, we know why Frank hasn’t been answering his messages, at least,” Piper said, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “I wonder how long they’ve had him trapped up here. I mean, if he’s been in here two months is he even still…?”

“He’s definitely not dead,” Jason said firmly. “If he was, they wouldn’t have any trouble getting to him. But that leads to the next question. Why are they trying to get him? What do they want? Who even are these guys?”

“I know who they are,” Leo supplied. “It’s Nantan and his crew. They’ve got a base over near Coast Haven, and they like to stir up trouble in town every now and then. But they never do anything super serious. Usually just theft and stuff like that. They tried attacking the boats that docked there, but Annabeth and the Guild put a stop to that real quick.”

“So, what’s he doing out here?” Piper asked. “Does he have anything to do with the sea monster?”

Jason furrowed his brow in thought for a moment before his eyes drifted back over to the stairs, which led even higher up to the lantern room. “Well, I don’t have any of the answers, but I think I know who might.”

*-*-*

The three of them silently climbed the stairs, only pausing occasionally for Leo to check the path for any kind of traps. It seemed as though Nantan and his crew were either really bad at setting traps, or they just refrained from doing so entirely (Jason got the feeling it was the latter, seeing as some of the Eelfolk probably would have fallen victim to the traps themselves) because they made it up to the top floor without any trouble. There, they came face-to face with a heavy iron door, which had the same crest from the mantle etched there front and center.

Without thinking, Jason grabbed hold of the doorknob and tried to shoulder it open, but the thing refused to budge. Suddenly, the door got blisteringly hot and Jason leapt away with a shout of pain. 

“Dude, you good?” Leo demanded, checking Jason over for any obvious injuries.

Fortunately, Jason’s hide cloak had shielded him from any serious damage, but he still scowled at the innocent-looking door. “I’m fine. Good news, Frank’s still alive and well in there.”

“And you’ll stay out, if you know what’s good for you!” a voice shouted from the other side of the door. “I’m not letting you in, so you can just turn around and go back the way you came!”

Piper stepped forward then, her usual smile in place, even if Frank couldn’t see her. “Frank Zhang, isn’t it? Please, sir, we’re only trying to help. You see, Annabeth sent–”

“Cut it with the magic,” Frank snapped. “If you think I’m falling for your tricks that easily, you’ve got another thing coming!”

Piper scowled at the door, clearly offended at the dismissal, before she turned on Jason. The gold streaks in her brown eyes glowed for a second as she wrapped her fingers around Jason’s wrist. “Kick the door in,” she ordered, her tone hard and leaving no room for argument.

Jason felt a new wealth of energy go rushing through his veins, seemingly centered on where Piper had her hand on him. He assessed his target for a moment – the door itself looked to be a solid, sturdy metal, but the doorjamb was wood that looked like it had seen better days. Perfect. He took in a deep, steadying breath, planted his left foot, and kicked as hard as he could. 

The door swung open with a loud BANG! as it crashed against the stone wall inside. Jason winced and quickly ushered Piper and Leo into the room before slamming the door shut. He didn’t want to be standing around in the hall when the Eelfolk came to investigate. Unfortunately, the doorjamb was still pretty splintered from Jason’s bombastic entrance, and he cursed. “Leo, can you mend this door?”

Leo paled for a moment before he nodded. “Yeah, I, uh, yeah. I got this.” Instead of pulling out his tools, he placed his hands on the doorjamb and they began to glow; beneath his fingers the wood started knitting itself back together, much to Jason’s surprise. Then, the slightest smell of smoke filled the air and Leo ripped his hands away from the door, leaving behind two sets of scorched fingerprints. 

“You… guys aren’t Eelfolk.”

Jason finally turned to face Frank, and then tilted his head back so that he could actually look him in the face. Frank was a stone Goliath, his skin a rich gray color, with deep cracks and crevices going down his strong arms like miniature canyons and ravines. In these cracks, brilliantly polished gemstones and expertly smithed golden baubles were set, making him glint and glitter like some sort of magical mineshaft. His tone was hesitant and curious, but he kept his features hard and his bow drawn and ready to fire. “Who are you three?”

“Well, Pipes was trying to tell you that earlier,” Leo chided. “We were sent by Annabeth to see if you’re alive and well. That’s all we wanted. You’re alive, even if you’re not doing super hot right now, so we’ve gotten all we need to know. Now, we can just go ahead and get out of your hair, if you don’t mind.”

“Wait, no!” Frank said, almost desperately. His gaze flickered over their faces, looking for any sign that they were lying. “I– You were sent by Annabeth? Really?”

“Yeah,” Piper confirmed. “She said she’d lost contact with you a couple months ago, so she sent us over here with Percy to check on you.”

“Percy’s here?” Frank asked eagerly.

Leo gave a little non-committal hand gesture. “Yes, and no. Yes, he’s here in the harbor, but he’s stuck down at the docks repairing the ship after a sea monster attacked.”

Frank sighed heavily and lowered himself to the ground, hands clutched tight in his hair. “This is all my fault. I can’t believe I let this happen.”

“What exactly happened?” Piper asked gently. “Frank, do you have any idea what’s going on?”

Frank sighed and looked morosely out a near-by window. “Skyhorne Harbor has always been protected by a Zhang. It’s a sacred family duty that gets passed down the bloodline. My mom did it before me and her mom before her, back almost too many generations to count.”

“Why does it need protecting?”

Frank chewed his bottom lip for a moment like he wasn’t really sure if he should say what he was thinking, before he spoke, “There’s a magic item that we stand guard over. It’s this big, stone basin used for controlling water elementals – that’s the thing that attacked you, by the way, not a sea monster.” Leo muttered something along the lines of it was a monster, it came from the sea, but Piper elbowed him into submission so Frank continued. “We’ve always used it to help damaged ships get to port, but two months ago, we were attacked.”

“By Nantan?” Jason suggested.

“I– No.” Frank shook his head. “The guy in charge wasn’t Nantan. I never got a good look at him, but I’ve heard him giving orders, and he’s definitely not an Eelfolk like the rest of them.”

Jason hummed thoughtfully. So, Nantan was answering to someone else? That would explain why the group’s MO seemed so radically different from what Leo had described. “So, what’s with this magic basin? Why does he have you trapped? Do you have it hidden up here or something?”

“No, it’s impossible to move,” Frank said. “It’s down in an underwater cavern, and it’s fixed to a pedestal. They’ve been sending some of their men down there, but it… can take a lot out of you, if you’re not properly attuned to it. It can be dangerous, even if you are attuned. You can die if the force of the elemental overpowers you, and I think that might be what’s happening.”

“You think that’s where they are now?” Leo asked. “Just waiting around for another chance to have a go at controlling the giant water snake?”

“Probably,” Frank shrugged. 

“How many times a day can they summon it?” Jason asked. “And do they ever leave any ships intact?”

“They can summon it twice. You can do more if you’re attuned, but two is the most they can manage,” Frank reported. “As for surviving ships, usually they sink them, but last week they brought one boat into one of the hidden grottos near the summoning basin. I think they’re forcing the crew into trying to control the elemental to keep from losing any more of their men.”

Piper looked nearly sick at the thought. “That’s awful!”

“That’s not all,” Frank said, his face falling. “They also got my– They got Hazel. She’s a Wizard, so they thought she would have better luck with the summoning, but she’s no more attuned to it than they are. It’s a family thing, she can’t possibly ever control it fully. At this point, I don’t even know if she’s still– If she–”

Jason cut off Frank’s stammering by placing a gentle hand on his elbow. “She’s alright,” he said firmly. “We’ll save her.”

Frank looked at him with something like wonder in his eyes. “We will?”

“Of course we will,” Jason swore. He turned to Leo and Piper and gave them a serious look. “This is going to be dangerous,” he said, making sure to look both of them in the eye. “More dangerous than anything we’ve done so far. If you two want to go back to the Riptide and tell Percy what’s going on, I wouldn’t blame you.”

Piper and Leo shared a look, had one of their silent conversations, and turned back to Jason with those same matching grins. “Are you kidding?” Piper scoffed. “Of course we’re going. You can’t get rid of us that easily.”

Jason felt his mouth curving up to match theirs, but he still had to double check. “You sure? Like I said, it’s going to be dangerous.”

“Pft, danger is, like, our collective middle name,” Leo dismissed. “We loooove danger.”

Jason turned back to Frank, his smile back in full force and feeling more sure of himself than he had since waking up in the woods. “Alright, Frank. Let’s go save the day.”

*-*-*

With their fates sealed, Frank quickly and quietly led them back down to the bottom floor, which allegedly held the secret to their way out of here. Nantan and his crew were still eating and shouting at one another, so they were able to slip past, unseen into a nearby larder.

“It’s down through here,” Frank said quietly, shifting some of the furniture around. “Jason, can you help me move this?”

Jason nodded then glanced at Piper and Leo. “Keep watch. Tell us if you see anyone coming.”

Piper and Leo did equally horrible jobs at saluting him (Leo did it with his left hand) but Jason figured it was in his best interest to correct their form later. Instead, he crouched down on the other side of a massive, solid oak cabinet from Frank, and together they shifted it a few feet to the side, revealing a large, metal trapdoor.

“This was put here when the lighthouse was built as a kind of emergency exit,” Frank explained as he started the climb down. “I’ve been careful to not mention it, so none of the bandits should know about it.” Jason waved Piper and Leo over to follow him down, and Jason took up the last spot, taking care to close the trapdoor once he was inside. 

“If this was here the whole time, why’d you stay trapped?” Piper asked.

“We tried to escape, once,” Frank sighed. “It was about a week after the attack. Hazel and I tried to sneak down here to go get help from the Guild, but they caught us. That’s when Hazel was captured. I couldn’t– I couldn’t just leave her, you know? I wasn’t helping her much, but at least if I was in the lighthouse, I was a source of distraction. I just have to hope it was enough.”

Jason couldn’t really fault his logic. It wasn’t the best plan he’d ever heard, but he understood that sometimes thinking clearly was difficult when it came time to protect the people you care about. 

At the bottom of the ladder was a cavern, but not the underwater one Frank had told them about. This one was much smaller, and Jason could see the stars glittering in the sky just beyond the mouth of the cave. The stone walls gleamed, and the whole cave floor was covered in a layer of water – only a few inches deep around the edges, but Jason could see where the ledge cut off sharply and opened up to much deeper water only a few feet away.

“Do not fall in there,” Frank warned, rifling through a nearby chest. “There’s hunter sharks in those waters, and you don’t want to be on the wrong side of those teeth.”

“Thanks for the warning,” Jason muttered, scowling over the water after checking to make sure that his party members were tucked safely between him and the wall. 

“Here, take these,” Frank said, passing out three dusty bottles full of a cloudy sea-green liquid. “It’s a potion of water breathing.”

Jason took one of the bottles and sniffed it suspiciously. It smelled of sea air, and while it seemed thin the little jellyfish-shaped bubbles inside rose to the top sluggishly. Jason figured it probably wasn’t a great idea to drink mysterious potions from borderline strangers, but Frank was a friend of Percy and Annabeth’s and he hadn’t set off any of Jason’s danger senses, so he tossed his head back and drained the bottle in three long gulps. After waiting a moment to see if Jason was going to collapse, Piper and Leo did the same.

“I… don’t feel any different,” Piper said, looking down at her hands as if that would solve her mystery. Jason couldn’t help but agree. “Did they work?”

“One way to find out!” Leo chirped, ducking under Jason’s still outstretched arm. He knelt at the side of the deep water, stuck his head beneath the surface and took in a big, visible breath before lifting his head. “Mine works!”

Jason grabbed him by the back of the shirt, and yanked him back to safety before any sharks decided to attack him. “Great. Let’s keep moving, Frank.”

Frank agreed, and led them out of the cave into a small, secluded cove with tall shearfaced cliffs surrounding it. Along one wall was a still intact, but heavily damaged sailing ship, not entirely unlike the Riptide, which Frank pointed to. “That’s the ship I saw them hauling in last week.”

“Should we go check it out?” Piper asked. “We could maybe see if any of the crew is still aboard, or find some clues.”

“We could, but we’d have to swim,” Frank warned. “We’ll have to swim through the cove either way, though, so I suppose it doesn’t really matter.”

“What about the sharks?” Jason demanded.

“They don’t like open water like that; the currents are too much for them,” Frank said. “They generally stick to caves and caverns because they’re still and easier to navigate.”

Piper frowned out at the ship. “Well, if there’s even a chance that there’s someone on that boat, we have to go check, right? I mean, they could be hurt and need our help. Frank, do you have any healing magic?” Frank nodded, and Piper put her hands on her hips, mind clearly made up. “Then we’re going to that ship.”

“We’ll have to be careful,” Frank warned. “Like I said, the currents are rough. If you don’t follow the right path, you could get seriously hurt.”

Jason glanced over to Leo to get his opinion, but unsurprisingly,  he and Piper were on the exact same page, so Jason bowed his head. “Alright then, Frank. Lead the way.”

Frank led them to the mouth of the cave to another drop off area, and gracefully dove into the water. As he arced through the air, his gray skin lost all of its deep cracks and crevices, instead turning soft and smooth as his body morphed into that of a dolphin’s just before cutting into the water.

Piper and Leo both gaped at Frank’s little dolphin face as he bobbed in place just beyond the drop off. “Some kind of warning for that would have been nice,” Leo said.

Jason snorted and stepped forward. “Come on. Let’s go,” he said before he dove into the water after Frank. Fortunately, it seemed that the water breathing potion Frank had given them also served to keep them from getting wet. Jason was particularly grateful for this, as he hadn’t exactly been looking forward to swimming and then walking around in soaked half-mail armor and he doubted Piper and Leo would have fared much better. He heard two splashes behind him, and they made their way across the cove. Jason made sure to keep a sharp eye out for any hunter sharks that wanted to investigate a little too close, but Frank’s word held good, and he led them easily through the water, moving with the unseen currents in some places, and deftly avoiding them in others. 

When they finally surfaced next to the ship, Jason placed his palm flat on the light, nut-brown wood and felt a sharp pang of longing deep in his heart. “This is it,” he said around the sudden lump that had formed in the back of his throat. “This is– This is the Scipio.” Piper and Leo glanced at one another before they turned their matching looks of concern on him. Before they could speak, he shook his head. “Let’s just go. We need to figure out what happened here. Frank, we’ll go up, you stay down here, just in case.”

Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed hold of the rope ladder hanging off the side and started climbing. The top deck of the Scipio was a disaster zone. Crates of fine wines and exotic fruits had been scattered about and destroyed, and carelessly shredded bolts of delicate lace and once-plush velvet were left abandoned in heaps of rags. Even the great central mast had been snapped and what few sails remained were tattered and torn. The ship hadn’t just been attacked, it had been ransacked, desecrated, even. He pictured Nantan’s face, his yellow eyes and sharp, wicked smile. It would be easy to make him pay for what he did here. Jason could just put his hands on either side of his head and squeeze until–

He felt a gentle hand on his forearm and he looked down to see Piper looking at him, brows knit so tightly together that they almost touched. “Are you okay?”

Jason sucked in a deep lungful of air – he hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath – and gave a full-body shake like a dog. “Yeah, I’m– I’m fine. I just got lost in thought for a second there.”

Piper looked like she was going to say something else, but at that exact moment Leo stiffened like he’d been Petrified before he whirled around on them, finger pressed to his lips. “Shh!”

Immediately, Piper and Jason both fell completely silent, not even daring to breathe as Leo crept around. He kept his head cocked to the side like a dog listening for a call, and his footsteps were so light that he almost seemed to float across the deck. He paused next to a barrel, studied it for a moment, then shoved it over before Jason could even blink.

From the barrel a small figure came tumbling out. Jason immediately stepped forward, hand on the hilt of his sword before he got a good look at them. It was a Dwarf, and a young one by the looks of him, considering his lack of a beard. With his tight black curls and dark complexion, he could have been a carbon copy of Leo, assuming Leo was about a foot shorter and half again as stout.

“Don’t hurt me!” the Dwarfling squeaked, scrambling behind the upturned barrel. “I don’t have anything!”

Leo winced and crouched down, but made sure to keep the barrel between him and the Dwarfling. “Hey, man, I’m sorry. I promise we won’t hurt you. I just thought you were part of Nantan’s crew.”

The Dwarfling peeked around the barrel, his big brown eyes fixed on Leo. “N-Nantan? He’s the eel guy, right?”

“One and only. We’re trying to hunt him down and kick his ass,” Leo grinned. He offered a handshake. “Name’s Leo Valdez.”

The Dwarfling slowly came out of hiding, caution and hesitance clear in the way his shoulder hiked up around his ears, but his eyes still sparkled with interest as he looked at Leo and carefully shook his hand. “I– I’m Harley.”

“Nice to meet ya, Harley,” Leo said, his energy never faltering in the slightest. He gestured over his shoulder and added, “These are my friends, Piper McLean and Jason Grace. Say ‘hi’ guys.” Jason and Piper dutifully waved and said hello.

Harley waved at them for a moment before he turned back to Leo. “Are you really gonna beat Nantan?”

“That’s the plan,” Leo said, “Though, if you don’t mind me asking, how’d you wind up on this ship, anyway?”

Harley’s eyes immediately brimmed with tears and he scrubbed at his cheeks. “I was hiding from my sister, Nyssa,” he said miserably. “She said I was too young to go adventuring, and I wanted to prove her wrong. I didn’t think the boat would actually leave.”

“A stowaway, huh?” Leo laughed. “I was a stowaway once. That’s how I wound up in Coast Haven.”

“Really?”

“Yup,” Leo said, cheerfully popping the ‘P.’ He was fully sitting down now, legs stretched out in front of him as he slouched against the barrel. He shoved his hands in his toolbelt and retrieved a little wind-up contraption that he began fiddling with, and Harley scooched even closer, staring at the complicated bits of copper in wonder. “Awful experience, really. Zero out of ten; would not recommend. Yours go any better?”

“Uh-uh,” Harley said, shaking his head. “It started off fine, but then we got attacked by a big, scary monster, and it dragged us in here. Captain Ramírez-Arellano found me then, and she told me to hide and not come out, no matter what. That’s when the eel guys attacked the ship.”

“Yeah?” Leo prodded. “Can you tell me about these eel guys?”

“There was,” Harley cut himself off as he started counting on his fingers. “Ten of them, I think. They captured the Captain and the crew and took them away. The guy in charge of them said something about a cave.”

“The guy in charge?” Leo asked, arching his eyebrows. “You think that was Nantan?”

Harley shook his head. “Nuh-uh. This guy wasn’t a eel-man. I didn’t get a good look at him, but he had a big scar on his face, and he was blond and tall.” He shifted closer to Leo’s side and pointed an accusatory finger at Jason. “Like him.”

“Aw, don’t worry about Jason, he’s cool,” Leo promised. “He may look scary, but he’s just a big old puppy dog underneath.” 

Jason wanted to protest the comparison, but he figured that wouldn’t do them any good in getting information out of Harley, so he just huffed and puffed his cheeks out in what was definitely not a pout. Beside him, Piper snickered quietly, so he reached over and pinched her on the side. 

“So, have you noticed anything weird since the eel guys attacked?” Leo asked.

Harley considered that for a moment. “The monster comes out of the cave twice a day,” he reported. “It makes a big wave and spins the boat around like a little toy.”

“You ever been inside the caves?”

“Uh-uh. I haven’t been off the boat at all.”

“Well, alright then,” Leo said, clapping his hands with a sort of finality. “Harley, I want you to stay on this boat and stay hidden for me, alright? We’re gonna go check out this cave, see if we can rescue Captain Ramírez-Arellano, and maybe kick Nantan and this blonde dude’s butt. Then we’re gonna come get you, take you back to our ship, and get you back where you belong with this Nyssa person. Sound like a plan to you?”

“Yeah!” Harley grinned, then his face fell. “Do you think Nyssa’s gonna be mad at me? Will she even want me to come home?”

“Course she will,” Leo scoffed. “That’s the thing about sisters. Even when you run away and act like a jerk, they still get all sappy and cry about how glad they are to see you  when you come home.” He shot Piper a wink when he said the last bit, and she rolled her eyes, but made no effort to hide her smile.

“After this, I’m never running away from home ever again,” Harley swore.

“That’s a good idea,” Leo agreed, nodding sagely. Then, he put the little wind-up contraption in Harley’s hands. “Here, you may find a use for this thing. If you wind it up and put it in your palm, it will spin around and point you towards home. Might come in handy if you ever wind up going on a real adventure.”

“Wow,” Harley breathed, cradling the device like a sacred artifact. “Thank you.”

“You’re gonna have to warm it up first though, okay?” Leo advised. “Hold it close to your chest and think about home as hard as you can. It’s gonna take a while, but eventually you’ll hear a little click, and you’ll know it’s ready. Can you do that?”

“Okay!” Harley agreed eagerly. He cupped his hands close to his heart and squeezed his eyes shut in concentration. 

Leo gave Harley one last smile and ruffled his hair before he hopped to his feet. He looked at Piper and Jason with a determined set to his jaw. “Come on guys. We’ve got a Captain to save and an eel guy’s ass to kick.”

*-*-*

Once they made it to the entrance of the cave, Frank turned back into a Goliath and continued leading the way, the precious metals and gems embedded in his skin sparkling like stars in the flickering light of torches. “The Summoning Cavern is at the heart of the system,” he explained. “It’s a really easy to follow path, but there’s a lot of smaller caves that branch off the main route.”

“AKA, lots of places for Nantan and Mr. Tall Blond and Evil to stash away his hostages,” Leo supplied. Frank nodded.

“Then we’ve got to check those places first, right?” Piper said. “I mean, we did just promise to try and save Captain Ramírez-Arellano.”

Part of Jason wanted to disagree. The proper course of action would be to go straight to the Summoning Cavern, secure the basin, and defeat whoever was waiting down there for them. That was their mission, and some deep-seated, steadfast part of his brain wanted to insist that the mission always came first. But he just couldn’t. Ever since setting eyes on the Scipio, Jason’s mind had been fixated on her Captain. Ramírez-Arellano. He knew that name, even if he didn’t know what it meant. He had to see her, if only to ask her if she knew who he was.

Frank looked hesitant, likely more fixated on the idea of getting to Hazel than anything else, but he agreed. “If they’re keeping the crew to summon the elemental, they’re gonna want to keep them close by,” he said, turning down one of the narrower branching hallways. “There’s one cave that actually opens up into the Summoning Cavern, so they’ll probably go for that one.”

The cave Frank led them to was small, but the ceiling was vaulted up high, and there were stalagmites scattered around the room, each one big enough for even Frank to take cover behind. At the other end of the room was a large, ornate wooden door with the golden crest of the bear and spears emblazoned across it. Along another wall was a table, where two Eelfolk were sitting together playing cards, and between them and the door were a dozen people, chained to the wall in groups of four. They were all battered and bruised, and some of them were hanging limp in their bonds, but Jason only had eyes for one of them. She was chained up in the middle of the group, and while she looked as exhausted as the rest of them, she still held her chin up high with pride, her long dark hair in an uncharacteristically messy plait down one of her shoulders.

“That’s her,” Jason whispered hoarsely. “That’s Reyna.”

Frank gave him a funny look. “Do you… know the Captain or something?”

“I-I dunno,” Jason admitted, tripping over his words. 

“What do you mean you–”

“It’s a really long, super complicated story,” Piper interrupted. “Well, actually, the part we know isn’t long or complicated, but we don’t really have time to get into it now.”

“Yeah, we’ve gotta rescue these guys,” Leo added. “Hey, Zhang, do you see Hazel anywhere down there?”

Frank shook his head. “No. Hazel’s a Gnome, so they wouldn’t be able to tie her up with these guys. She would have to be tied up separately or she could be…”

“In the Summoning Cavern?” Piper supplied.

Or dead, Jason added mentally, but he figured that wouldn’t exactly be helpful at the moment. “Look, we need to get the crew free, and make sure they’re okay, but we have to do  that without letting those guys get into the Summoning Chamber, otherwise we’re going to be swarmed. Any ideas?”

“To be honest?” Leo shrugged. “I think our best bet is just bashing their heads in before they get a chance to try and leave.”

Jason felt a grin curl up his lips and he reached for his sword. “I think I like that plan.”

Before he could get too far though, Leo put a hand on his forearm. “Hold up, man. Let Pipes at them first.”

Piper looked startled for only a moment, then she grinned. “Like in Wildcliff?”

Leo’s eyes were brighter than any fire Jason had ever seen. “Just like in Wildcliff.”

“Okay.” She took a deep breath, then looked at Jason and Frank. “So, I’m gonna go out there and distract them. You two sneak around and cut off their exit, okay?”

“You got it,” Jason said without hesitation. He raised an eyebrow at Leo. “And what about you?”

“I’m gonna activate Festus,” Leo said. “Then we’re gonna take pot shots.”

Jason nodded. “Sounds like a plan. Frank, with me.”

Together Jason and Frank ducked behind a nearby stalagmite while Piper pulled out her lyre, took in another deep breath, and stepped out from cover, her melodious voice bouncing off the walls and making the air vibrate with magic. For one split second, Jason was mesmerized by the music before he roughly shook his head and dragged Frank towards their next hiding spot. 

The Eelfolk at the table weren’t quite so lucky in snapping out of it, and just watched Piper approach with slack jawed amazement. She was almost halfway across the room when one of them cleared his throat and called out, “H-Halt! What are you doing here?”

“Hmm?” Piper hummed curiously. She stopped singing, but her deft fingers never stopped plucking and strumming away at her instrument. “Oh, I’m the Bard you hired. I’m afraid I got a little turned around, but I was ever so fortunate to run across you two gentlemen.”

“I– You’re in the wrong place, lady!” the second Eelfolk said gruffly. “We didn’t hire no Bard!”

“You didn’t?” Piper asked, her voice soft and plaintive. “Aren’t you part of Nantan’s crew? He was very insistent I come. You won’t send me away, will you? I worked so hard to get here.”

“No… we won’t send you away,” the first Eelfolk said. He was starting to sway in time to the music, which was leagues better than his partner, who was simply drooling on himself. 

“That’s wonderful!” Piper cooed. “Thank you so much!”

“But-but I do have to check with the boss,” he stammered. He shakily got to his feet and started towards the door, but he never took his eyes off Piper. “It’s just protocol, you know?”

“Oh, I completely understand,” Piper said sweetly. Her eyes flicked up to meet Jason’s as he got into position, and he grinned. “But first–” her fingers suddenly stilled on her instrument and her eyes went wild– “I’d like to introduce you to my crew. Jason, say ‘hi.’”

The Eelfolk whipped around, finding himself face to face with Jason, who smiled politely. “Hi. Sorry, but I don’t sing.” He reared back and brought his sword down across the Eelfolk’s chestplate, sending him stumbling away. He hissed loudly at them, and tried to lunge forward, but Frank deftly stepped in and pushed him to the side with his quarterstaff.

“You won’t get away with this!” he shrieked.  “Dral! Get them!”

Unfortunately, his partner was still gaping at Piper, who just smiled widely at him and started strumming her lyre again, humming a jaunty tune. As she did, Dral stiffened for a moment, then went slack like a puppet before he slowly lifted his head, eyes completely glazed over. He got to his feet, each movement jerky and bouncing along to the tune of Piper’s melody. 

“Wh-What did you do?” the first Eelfolk spat bristling at Piper. “I’ll get you for this!” He dove for Piper, but before he could get anywhere close to her, there was a magic crossbow bolt sticking out of the middle of his chest, followed by a shrieking metallic roar that sent him hurtling towards a nearby wall, where he laid in a crumpled heap. Jason looked over to see Leo standing at the mouth of the cave, crossbow leveled and ready to be fired again, while Festus reared up on his back feet flapping his wings in victory.

With that settled, Piper turned to Dral, who hadn’t moved a muscle from where she’d left him standing. “Dral?” she sang. He grunted to show he understood, and she smiled. “I want you to do something for me. I want you to walk out of this cave, then keep on walking. Once you get to the water, I want you to dive in and swim aaalll the way back to Coast Haven, then knock on the front door of the Guildhall and ask to speak to Annabeth. Tell her what you and Nantan have been up to here, and answer any questions she asks you. Would you please do that for me?” 

“Okay,” he slurred before walking forward. He didn’t care that there was a table and chair in front of him, he just walked. Leo kept his crossbow trained on him, and Festus made a low growling sound as he walked by, but within just a few seconds he was gone. 

Frank looked hesitantly at Piper. “Is he… really gonna make it all the way to Coast Haven?” 

Piper shrugged. “Theoretically. Depends on how good at swimming Eelfolk are. I assumed they’d be pretty good at it.”

Jason fondly shook his head before he turned to the hostages, only to be met with a dark, stern gaze. Reyna had been watching him, and he got the feeling she’d had her eyes on him the whole fight. He gulped heavily and released her from her bonds. “Reyna.”

She rubbed at her sore wrists and just continued to study him for a moment before she finally said, “It seems as if you have me at a disadvantage. You know me, but I’m quite certain we’ve never met.”

“I know you in name only, Captain,” Jason admitted. “I woke up with amnesia a week ago, and I’m afraid I’ve only just started putting the pieces together. I recognized you, though, and I was kind of hoping you could point me in the right direction.”

“I’m not sure how much help I can really be,” Reyna admitted. “Like I said, I have no memory of you.”

Jason nodded in understanding, though he had to hide his disappointment. He hadn’t really expected Reyna to know him, but he’d been hopeful. “What about the Wolf House? Do you know anything about that?”

Reyna paused and narrowed her eyes at him. “Why do you ask?”

“Because getting there is my mission,” Jason told her. “When I woke up, I only knew two things: my name and that I needed to get to a place called the Wolf House.”

Reyna looked him over before her eyes settled on his sword for some reason. “I have… heard of the Wolf House. If you can secure safety for me and my crew, I will tell you all I can.”

Jason dipped his head. Something told him that this was the best he was going to get out of Reyna, and he was only getting that because she was exhausted and grateful. “Thank you, Captain.”

“Well, now what?” Leo asked loudly. 

Reyna turned to him, arching an eyebrow. “I would suggest stopping the summoning ritual happening next door.”

“They’re summoning an elemental?” Frank demanded. “Do they– Is Hazel with them?”

“Yes,” Reyna said grimly. She gave Frank a hard stare. “It’s her second time summoning today, and she was exhausted before.”

“If that’s the case, we have to go now!” Frank said urgently. “She can’t– It could kill her!”

“We’re going to save her, but we need a plan. If we just go in there guns blazing, who knows how many people could die,” Piper said. She turned to Reyna. “Captain, would you be able to help us?”

Reyna grimaced and shook her head. “I can’t. Even if I weren’t injured myself, my crew is, and they need my help. Just like you can’t abandon Hazel, I can’t abandon my crew.”

“Understood,” Piper said with nothing but a simple nod. “We just left your ship. Harley’s aboard and safe, but the ship’s in rough shape. You might be able to limp back to Coast Haven, if you know what you’re doing, though.”

Reyna gave her a wry smile. “I certainly like to think I know what I’m doing.”

“Have you been in the Summoning Cavern?” Leo asked. “I know you said you can’t fight, but any clue about what we can expect going in there would be a huge help.”

Reyna nodded, and she looked almost impressed that Leo thought to ask. “Very well. Let me tell you everything I know.”

*-*-*

According to Reyna’s information, sneaking into the Summoning Cavern was impossible, full stop, which Frank agreed with. Between the two of them, they were able to map out the whole room, including all the places where Nantan and his crew liked to hunker down for cover and where the summoning basin was.

“If they forced Hazel to start the summoning ritual, she’s not going to be able to stop on her own,” Frank warned. “Someone is going to have to get to her and break her concentration, otherwise the elemental will come, and I don’t think anyone wants that.”

Obviously, Piper was going to be the one to break Hazel from the spell, and even more obviously, Leo would be hot on her heels, providing backup. That left Jason and Frank to take care of Nantan and however many lackeys he had with him. The numbers didn’t look great on paper, but there was a sort of bestial fury flickering in Frank’s dark eyes as he discussed the people who had his partner captured that more than bolstered Jason’s confidence. They could do this. 

“Ready?” Jason asked one last time. Everyone nodded at him, and Festus creaked loudly where he was tucked under Jason’s arm, so he turned his attention back to the door. He took a deep breath, then kicked the door open, charging in with a war cry, his party members following close behind him. As soon as the doors were thrown open Festus shrieked, and breathed a massive cone of fire that fully engulfed two of the Eelfolk closest to the door, and sent the third scrambling away. 

Frank wasted no time, barreling past Jason in the form of a massive brown bear and attacking the two Eelfolk closest to him. Jason charged the third, slashing at the back of his legs, which sent him stumbling to his knees. 

There was a note then, that rang through the cavern, and all of their enemies were outlined in brilliant magenta fire, letting Jason actually see who he was facing. There were a couple Eelfolk shrieking in an alcove nearby and another two with javelins not too far in front of him, but Jason’s gaze fell on one in particular. It was Nantan, and he was standing over by the basin where a Gnome with a cloud of hair like spun gold was chanting, eyes glowing white with magic. Nantan’s gaze met Jason’s and he dropped his jaw and let out a screech, which Jason matched with a snarl of his own. 

Without thinking, Jason started sprinting towards Nantan, leaving Frank to finish with the Eelfolk he’d attacked. He brought his sword down, but Nantan sidestepped him, hissing out a mocking laugh. He snapped at Jason, only for Jason to duck his razor sharp fangs and shove him aside. 

“You have no idea what you’re up against,” Nantan taunted, his yellow eyes glowing in the gloom. “Even if you wish to stop me here, you’ve no hope of defeating the one I serve. And the one who he serves? You’d be better served hiding away in the woods and praying to your gods that you’re never found, little hero.”

Part of Jason knew that he needed to question Nantan, to find out what he knew and who his leader was, but he didn’t care. This was the one who attacked the Scipio and tortured her Captain and crew. This was the one who had held Frank hostage in his own home for months and had tormented Hazel. This was the one who had terrorized the seas and left Harley scared and alone on a wrecked ship. So, no, Jason didn’t really care what he had to say. Once Nantan was spitting out his own teeth, someone who was better with words could question him. If he survived, that is.

He slashed at Nantan again, this time landing a good hit across his chest that sliced his leather armor open. Two spears came whistling past his ears, but Nantan snarled at his crew, “No! Leave this one to me!” 

Before anyone could say anything, another song filled the air, and everyone turned to see Piper standing across the basin from Hazel, furiously plucking at her lyre strings, while Leo shook her by the shoulders. For a moment, Jason was worried nothing would happen, but then there was a blinding flash of light, like lightning had struck within the cavern, and Hazel was left there swaying dangerously in place, but her eyes clear from any magic.

“No!” Nantan howled, then he turned on Jason, eyes bright with fury. “You! You’ll pay for this!” He dove at Jason, raking his claws down Jason’s side. 

There was another roar from Frank, and Jason looked up to see that the bear had several spears piercing his hide, and he looked exhausted. Jason was tempted to rush to his aid, but a sharp whistle from Leo cut through the air, and suddenly Festus was at Frank’s side, letting out another cone of fire that sent both of the Eelfolk closest to him scrambling away, weapons abandoned. Festus glowed with a brilliant gold light and Frank let out a deep, threatening growl at the Eelfolk surrounding him.

“Frank?” a weak, wobbly voice said, and now Jason looked over to see that Leo had one of Hazel’s arms thrown over his shoulder. Frank roared and started barreling towards her, which seemed to finally snap Hazel out of her spell, seeing as she started running towards him as well. She was moving faster than Jason thought was physically possible, each one of her strides nearly half again as long as Jason’s and moving twice as quick. Then, when she was closer, she leapt through the air with practiced ease and landed securely on Frank’s back. He reared up on his hind legs with a new sense of purpose and let out the loudest roar Jason had ever heard from him before they turned as one and resumed their attack.

Jason grinned viciously at Nantan, who was starting to look more than a little worse for the wear. Jason took another slash at him, and he staggered back, breathing heavily. He whipped his head around to see the chaos that surrounded them. Frank and Hazel were fighting two of the remaining Eelfolk, their attacks a flurry of teeth and claws and flashing magic, while Piper and Leo had the third cornered, firing crossbow bolts and tormenting him with Piper’s music.

“Yield,” Jason snarled, the words only just managing to claw their way past his bared teeth. Nantan hissed back at him, once again attacking Jason with his claws, which Jason responded to with an attack of his own. This one hit Nantan right in the chest, and he toppled over backwards. Jason immediately stepped forward, one heavy boot planted on either side of Nantan’s chest, and his sword poised and ready to strike him dead. “Yield. Now.”

Nantan held his gaze for several seconds, hatred on every last one of his features before he tilted his head back and let out a warbling cry of surrender. Around them, any of the remaining Eelfolk threw down their weapons and fell to the ground, heads bowed in submission. 

There was a moment of silence that hung tense in the cavern before Leo’s voice shattered it into a thousand pieces. “Did we… win?”

Jason’s fury snapped at that exact moment, and he felt all the tension drain from his body as he chuckled, “Yeah, Leo, I think we won.”

*-*-*

Getting Nantan and his crew back to the Riptide was a fairly simple matter. Percy had intercepted Dral on his way back to Coast Haven, and after some prodding and no small amount of lying, he’d been tricked into believing that one of the women aboard the ship was, in fact, Annabeth, and Dral had been more than happy to show Percy the way to the Summoning Cavern where Nantan and his crew were tied up, waiting to be loaded up safe and sound in the Riptide’s brig for transport to Coast Haven. 

Percy had been more than impressed with the report Dral had given him, and as such had informed Piper and Leo that Annabeth wanted to speak with them directly. Jason had been asked to join in, but he begged off the invitation, his sights instead set on the other Captain.

Reyna had her steady gaze on him, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth as he approached her. He dipped his head respectfully. “Captain Ramírez-Arellano.”

“You know, you never introduced yourself to me,” she pointed out. “I’d quite like to thank the man that saved me and my crew.”

“Jason Grace, ma’am,” he said. “And I couldn’t have done it without my companions, Piper McLean and Leo Valdez, as well as the lighthouse keeper, Frank Zhang, and his companion, Hazel Lavesque.”

“Then I will be certain to thank them as well.” She gave him a curious look. “Now, I believe you had some questions for me.”

“Just one,” Jason agreed. “Where is the Wolf House?”

“That I can’t tell you. The location is constantly changing. I only know that it lies in the land of the setting sun,” Reyna admitted. Then she glanced at Jason’s sword again. “May I see your forearm?”

Jason did as she asked, and pulled back his sleeve to reveal the tattoo that spanned the entirety of his forearm. Reyna sucked in a sharp  breath and his eyebrows shot up. “Does this symbol mean anything to you?”

“It does.” She rolled up her own sleeve to reveal a similar tattoo, only hers had a sword and a torch where his had an eagle, and she had fewer bars. “That tattoo, along with your golden sword, marks you as a member of the Lost Legion.”

“The Lost Legion,” Jason muttered. Somehow the words felt familiar on his tongue. “What is the Lost Legion?”

“It’s forbidden to speak of it,” Reyna said, her tone turning a little frustrated, though Jason got the feeling that her ire was likely directed at herself more than him. “We are warriors, champions of the gods. That symbol shows that you belong to Lord Jupiter. The Wolf House is where we begin our journey.”

“So, am I being called to start that journey over?” Jason asked, furrowing his brow.

Reyna just shrugged. “I don’t know. We have… little communication with the gods, I’m afraid. I don’t know their plans any more than I know which direction the wind will blow.”

Jason sighed. Somehow, all of the information Reyna had given him left him only with more questions. Who was Jupiter? Was he the one who took Jason’s memories? Why was Jason being sent to the Wolf House? Still he gave Reyna a smile and offered her a handshake. “Thank you.”

She shook his hand, but her eyes flicked up to meet his as she chewed on the inside of her lip. “There’s something else. I can’t say for certain if it has anything to do with your memories, but two weeks ago, I woke up and felt as if something had changed. There was something missing, though I couldn’t say what it was, and no one had any ideas either.”

Jason nodded. “If I figure out who’s been messing with my memories, I’ll be sure to ask about yours as well.”

“Thank you,” she said genuinely. “It looks like I’m not quite through asking for your assistance yet, but I will gladly offer mine. Should you, or any of your companions, need assistance on the seas, know that the Scipio is indebted to you. Now, I believe your friends are calling you.”

Jason glanced over his shoulder to see Piper and Leo frantically gesturing him over. He waved at them before giving Reyna one final nod. “See you around, Reyna.”

“See you around, Jason,” she smiled back at him.

Jason quickly trotted over to Piper, Leo, and Percy, who were crowded around a shimmering vision made of mist. It looked like a window, and there was a woman on the other side with sharp gray eyes and blonde hair braided tightly and pulled back away from her face. “Annabeth Chase, I assume.”

“The one and only,” she grinned at him. “From what Percy says, the three of you did an excellent job taking care of business out there. I must say, I was skeptical at first, but you three certainly rose to the occassion.”

“We just did what anyone would do,” Jason said a little sheepishly.

Annabeth arched her eyebrows at him, but didn’t press the matter. “So, you caught the guy behind it all? Nantan? I’ve got to say I’m a little surprised. He’s never really struck me as that kind of threat.”

“He wasn’t the mastermind,” Piper corrected. “He was working for someone.”

“Who?”

“No idea,” Leo said with a shrug. “Only one person other than Nantan set eyes on him, and it was this Dwarf kid named Harley. Said he was blond and tall. Big scar across his face.”

At the description Percy and Annabeth both visibly stiffened, and Jason narrowed his eyes. “Sound familiar?”

“He’s an old�� adversary,” Annabeth said, her tone clipped. “Luke Castellan. He ran the Adventurers Guild before me and Percy. He’s…”

“He’s bad news is what he is,” Percy growled. “I thought he was dead, Beth.”

“I did, too.” Annabeth pursed her lips. “If he’s not and he’s pulling stunts like this, things could be getting a lot more complicated.”

“A lot more dangerous, too,” Percy agreed. He glanced up at Piper, Leo and Jason. “We definitely wouldn’t say no to some obviously capable help.”

“What happened to us not being the stuff of legend?” Leo snarked.

Percy shrugged. “You weren’t then. You still aren’t yet, but you could be.” He grinned at them, his eyes sparkling. “One way to find out.”

“We’ll have to think about it,” Piper said. Jason, Percy and Annabeth looked at her, clearly surprised, and she scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. “We… learned some really important stuff on this quest. We’ve got to discuss it and make sure that the Guild is the right choice for all of us.”

Annabeth nodded, and she looked almost pleased at Piper’s answer. “Alright then. You guys talk it out, and let me know your decision when you get back to Coast Haven. You’re due a reward.”

“Bonus, too, if you found Harley,” Percy pointed out. “Nyssa put in a reward for anyone who could get him home the other day, remember?”

“That’s true,” Annabeth agreed. “Looks like the three of you are shaping up to be quite the group of heroes.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Piper said, bowing her head. “We’ll report back when we get to Coast Haven.”

“Sounds good. See you guys when you get here.” Then Annabeth waved her hand and the mist image disappeared into a softly shimmering rainbow.

“Alright, I’m gonna go check in with Captain Ramírez-Arellano and make sure we’re both ready to sail,” Percy said. “In the meantime, there’s a couple other people who want to thank you.”

He trotted off and Frank, now back in his Goliath form took his place. Hazel was perched up on his shoulder, looking very tired, but no worse for wear. “Hi, guys,” she smiled, giving them a wave.

They greeted her and waved back, and Frank cleared his throat. “We, uh, we wanted to give these to you. As a symbol of our thanks.” He handed each one of them a shiny gold coin. One side was stamped with that same crest Jason had seen all over the island, and the other had something written in Giant that Jason couldn’t read. “They’re, um, Mariners Coins,” Frank explained. “If you show them to any friendly sailor, it will let them know that you’ve earned our trust. It’s also got the Zhang family oath on the other side, so if you come across any Goliath or Giant communities, it will work the same, assuming they’re friendly with the Zhang family. Which most are.”

“I also enchanted them,” Hazel added. “If you put them in your hand and say our names, it will call us.”

“Neat!” Leo said, analyzing his coin. “Any idea what the range is on them?”

“Sorry, but no,” Hazel chuckled. “Right now, Percy and Annabeth are the only ones who have them, so we’ve only ever been called from as far as Coast Haven.”

“Well, we can see about investigating that for you,” Leo said. He pocketed the coin with a grin. “We’ll be sure to keep track of where we are when we call you up. Which will be often. Annoyingly often.”

Frank looked a bit grumpy at that, but Hazel just laughed, so he let a little smile play at the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, well, thanks you guys. A lot. Things would have been real bad without your help.”

“We’re glad we were here,” Piper said. “And if you guys ever need us, you can give us a call, too.”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Hazel promised. Then she tugged on Frank’s earlobe and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Come on. We’ve gotta get up to the lighthouse. They made a real mess of things up there, and we’ve gotta sort it out.” Frank nodded, and the two of them left, leaving Jason, Piper, and Leo with one final wave.

And then they were alone.

“So, where are we headed, big guy?” Leo asked. Jason cocked his head to the side and gave him a curious look, and Leo arched his eyebrows. “We saw you talking to Captain Ramírez-Arellano. She was gonna tell you about this Wolf House, right?”

“She did,” Jason said slowly,

“Well, where is it?” Piper demanded. “I mean, I’m not saying that we’re gonna leave tomorrow or anything, but it’d be nice to have a plan.”

Jason blinked. “Are you… saying you want to come with me?”

“Duh,” Leo scoffed.

“We told you before, you can’t get rid of us that easily,” Piper reminded him. “We’re a team now. If you’ve got a quest to get yourself to the Wolf House, we’ve got a quest to get you to the Wolf House.”

“I– But-but what about the Guild?” Jason stammered. “That was the whole reason you went on this quest in the first place.”

Leo shrugged. “Plan’s change. Priorities shift. You know how it is.”

“You’d… really do that?” Jason asked quietly. “You’d just give up on this thing you’ve been working for? For me?”

“Call us sappy and sentimental, but there’s a lot we’d do for you, Jason,” Piper grinned, her voice pitching like she was teasing him.

“Yeah,” Leo agreed. “I dunno what it is, but something brought the three of us together. We’re not ditching you any time soon, dude.”

Jason squeezed his eyes shut and took in a few deep breaths before he finally looked at them both and grinned wide enough to make his cheeks hurt. “Yeah. Alright. A team then. The three of us.” Piper and Leo grinned up at him, eyes sparkling like a child given a shiny new toy, and it took all of Jason’s self control to not pick them up and squeeze them tight to his chest.

“So, anyway, back to the original question,” Leo said. “Where are we headed?”

“The only clue Reyna could give me was west,” Jason admitted. “She told me about this Lost Legion that I’m apparently a part of, but she doesn’t have any more details she can give me.”

“Well,” Piper said slowly, drawing out the word as she thought. “I suppose we could always go back to the original plan? Join the Guild, see if we can get any leads that way?”

“It’s got more direction than just walking west and hoping for a miracle,” Leo agreed. “What do you think, Jace?”

“I think it’s the closest thing to a plan any of us are going to come up with,” he admitted, and Piper and Leo both laughed. “So, Adventurers Guild, then?”

“Adventurers Guild,” Piper and Leo confirmed in perfect unison before running off to go tell Percy their decision.

Jason smiled then, a soft, private smile meant only for himself. He didn’t know what the future held. He didn’t know what he was meant to do or even who he really was. All he knew was that he was headed off into the unknown with two people he’d known for a day, and somehow trusted with his life. He knew that they’d face whatever came next together as an unshakable team.

And he figured that was good enough. 

[unsoundedcomic]

Whumptober 2024 - 16 - "Necrosis"

It could take up to six weeks before the people he ate were fully digested. So Murkoph wasn't too fussed when he rolled over one night and a bulge rose from his abdomen like a hernia, or a log of shit that had lost its way, or a toddler's mitt reaching for the sky. He pushed the lump experimentally. Firm. Bit squishy. It hurt. But with only a little pressure he was able to collapse it back into himself and soothe his cold grey belly smooth again.

He wasn't fussed. But he should find some light.

His nights were always a game of tag with the light. Days were easy; find a dark lake or sea to sink into, doze on the bottom until the sun fucked off. Once it did, and the sky rolled over to pitch and star pricks, light grew more dangerous in its furtiveness. During the day, light didn't hide. You could always see it. You always knew where it was.

At night, a bloke couldn't predict when light was going to set upon him. He could be dick deep in a warm torso and then whoops! A wright's burning palm! Or a traveller's burning torch! A globe of starfly lymph. A pocket flask full of lambence. And then you best beat feet towards the shadows because you were hungry and you were fast but you weren't no senet and ya couldn't last.

His insides lurched excruciatingly. On an abandoned beach ringed by fronds and trash he fell to his knees in the moonlight. A white crescent hung above him, a boardwalk rose behind him. At hand the breakers talked over each other like a dementia ward, throwing themselves off endless cliffs towards endless splattered demises, and always more. Always a rolling parade of waves making for that showy, gory end.

Murkoph jammed his favourite knife into his navel. The old surgical Y there burned a garish black up over his ribs. He traced it with the blade, grunting at that sore point where the three lines kissed. He worked his knife beneath the incision, methodically, found the old fissure down the centre of his ribcage, twisted. The cartilage popped open. Inky ichor bubbled and ran. The knife fell to the sand. He curled his fingertips into the aperture and opened his chassis up like a salt lizard.

If he leaned back just a hair, his putrefying prizes would not tumble free. It was a beautiufl cache inside. He had no internal organs of his own but plenty of others': two hearts, a whole mess of intestines, kidneys, livers, a bit of spongy something that might be part of a lung but it was all snaggled with pink tubing that made him think of… kedis kits playing in yarn. There was a penis somewhere. A tongue. Half a dozen eyeballs of lots of different colours. He caught them all up in his giant mitt, rolled them, hefted the pleasant weight. One by one he popped each between his lips and felt them plink back into the morass like skeet balls.

Where any of it had come from he had no memory, but that wasn't important. They were his now. He could see and feel the necrotic tar of his innards assimilating the organic material; digesting it, distributing it, maintaining his slinky body with it. A dark and efficient ecosystem breathed its bitter funk inside of him, and every few weeks he added to the compost.

It was warm as it roasted; as it rotted. It warmed him.

And the Confoundments kept at bay.

Combing through the slime, his questing fingers found nothing squirming or living or pushing though. Huh. With the flat of his hand he gave the fetid cauldron a stir, then slammed himself shut with a satisfying squelch-

Boot treads on the boardwalk.

Murkoph melted from the moonlight to the shadow strip beneath just as lantern light intruded rudely upon the pale blue sands. He crouched there, still as the spent fags and empty bottles. A man and a woman passed overhead. He smelled like rum and unwashed ass. She smelled like peach hair treatment and she'd had something mint, recently. Mint and spirits. He panted.

Her skirts were full and fluffy; a barrier to the yellow lantern carried by her companion. A kind moon eclipsing that unwanted light. As she passed directly overhead and bathed him in that brief blackness, Murkoph contemplated zipping through the boards, punching a hand between her legs, dragging her down into the trash with him, bones all breaking and neck all snapping along the way. The Confoundments thought yes, yes, there are some missing pieces in us, and what we have grows so grey and cold and soft.

The lantern stabbed through the slats. Murkoph felt it lash his face in long and glowing strips. Mint and spirits.

Then she and her companion were already moving along. Away.

Why was he here?

A wet snuffling against the back of his knee twirled him in place. He hissed, laughed, grabbed at his leg through his pants. There! Here! The lump! It squealed when he grabbed it and fought his fingers as he guided it down, down, down his pants leg and out the bottom.

A wee mouse.

"All a'burgle in me undercarriage," he whispered, petting its gory head, "Did ya find some requisition worth the expedition?" The little whiskers trembled with beaded blackness. The beads looked like fleas on wire; like flea circus trapeze artists. He'd seen a flea circus in Sharteshane when he was a boy. He had paid a copper sem for the privilege. It had been very cold and they'd needed that copper for lamp oil. His brother had called him a rube.

Murkoph opened his palm. The mouse scurried in a frenzy from out the boardwalk shadows and into the moonglow. An owl's sudden screech explained its prey's desperate hiding place and Murkoph frowned to watch his little passenger taken from the world in a burst of talon and feathers.

"Oh, she scored one!" called the man's voice, laughing.

"Don't be awful," answered the woman. "Maybe it got away."

"So you can find it in the pantry tomorrow and scream for ME to come and bash its little brains out instead?"

Her prim treads and his heavy boots turned, began tracing back the way they'd come. The yellow lantern light swelled again. It streamed through the boards. A black tongue dabbed at the brightening brightness, as though to taste its citrus burn, and a knife fell into each of the shadow walker's sticky hands.

How long would he still be able to smell the mint inside, after he'd swallowed.

[mthollowell-writes]

Writeblr Introduction: Hello!

About Me:

Hello! My name is MT (she/her) and this is my writeblr!

I write speculative fiction with a bent towards horror and the strange, though I love experimenting with other genres every so often.

My themes and topics tends towards the fantastical and the existential. Monsters, mysteries, and histories are my bread and butter with dashes of "humor." The quotations are an urge to take that assertion with a grain of salt.

Other things that often crop up in relation to writing is my love of music, science, and nature (especially plants, birds, and mycology)

General Housekeeping

Below the cut you will find information about all my WIPs, past and present. This will be updated periodically!

But first, some quick bullets

To start off, I should state all my writing (esp longer pieces) will be posted on my website: mthollowell.com . Alongside my fiction, you'll also find book reviews and other writing related musings.

All my writing updates will be under #mt writes. This includes snippets, blurbs, tag games, writing challenges, and the like

I read a lot, all over, so all book things can be found under the #mt reads tag

This is my writing sideblog. I follow back with @missaddledmiss

And if you like my stories and are able, you can drop a few pennies into my Kofi account!

Long Term Projects

Festival of Shadows/Supernatural Mystery, Horror, Thriller During the Hollow Grove's infamous Founder Festival, reporter Mariela Hudson seeks to uncover a five year mystery that involves a cult, a mysterious ritual that ended in a deadly fire, and a missing woman whose relationship with both is still shrouded in shadows. All the while, a monster waits. WIP Introduction /// Excepts under #festivalwip

Grim Lore WIP/ Supernatural Mystery, Horror Sebastian Calderon accepts a job in a new town called Hollow Grove that's setting up roots in the wilderness on the promise of land and some cash in his pocket. But not everything is as it seems and the price he pays for his labor may be too steep.

Hollow Grove Stories/Speculative Fiction, Horror, "Humor" A collection of shorts about the various characters in Hollow Grove often set during its contemporary timeline (circa 2016-2017). Mischief and terror abound. Stories under #hollow grove stories

Divided Loyalties WIP/ Fantasy, Adventure, Romance Kalon is a prince of a fallen empire seeking vengence against its conquerer, Satomi Satinos, the bandit king. In order to do that, he infiltrates his kingdom in hope of slaying the source of his power, the great dragon Raylene. But in his quest, he unwittingly falls in love with the bandit king's daughter, Uraya, and uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to break the whole of their world.

Story 1 WIP/ Fantasy, Action Adventure, Coming of Age Haru is a young prisoner of a never-ending war that spans multiple worlds. He makes his living at the forge, but his daily life is interrupted when a guard is found dead and he's accused of the murder. As he awaits his execution, he's offered a chance of escape by a man who brings him to another world. He tries to keep a low profile and his new powers in check, so he doesn't attract the attention of the guards tracking them. When he runs into a group of kids in this strange new world, colloquially known as Earth, he opens their mind to all the worlds hidden around them. (Called Story 1 since its the first comprehensive story I've ever come up with yet I cannot think of a better title)

Shorter Projects (Last Updated November 2024):

31 Days of Horror 2024: A collection of stories I made for a 2024 October horror challenge

Escape from Gallow Lane: A Hollow Grove Story Local Hollow Grove reporters Mariela and Emery find themselves on the wrong side of the law, and things somehow get worse from there.

Hanging on the Telephone: A Hollow Grove After a seance in the basement of the Edelhaus Church goes awry and cuts off the WIFI across the county, Mariela Hudson tries her luck with the old tech of yesteryear with her dad’s old dial-up computer.

[catastrophic-crisis]

An Assortment of Demo Demolitions and One Spooktober from 2024

Astromeda | Duck Detective: The Secret Salami | The Posthumous Investigation | Fragmented City | Paradise Marsh | Pocket Mirror ~ GoldenerTraum | Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo | Afterlove EP | Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire | Slash Quest | Boyhood's End | PILLORY | The Crimson Diamond | Night Reverie | Tiny Bookshop | Leximan | Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure | Nekokami - The Human Restoration Project | Kokuriko | Tako no Himitsu: Ocean of Secrets | S4U: CITYPUNK 2011 AND LOVE PUNCH | Slider | HavE | Whisperstring | MAMA | The Drifter | Daughter of Crone | The Girl from Arkanya | Sliding Hero | ...and many more!

(Soft Spring Outfit by ravenn) (Cat Themed Dress by Kai's Shop) (Halloween Cat by ぴケの創作屋さん（Pike’s Creative Shop)) (Bat Crop Top by Duckybunbun)

[couldntbedamned]

Couldntbedamned's Master List

This is my Master List of fics I’ve written.  I’m linking them to my AO3 account.

Please be sure to carefully read all the tags and warnings posted for a fic – YOU are responsible for the content you choose you consume.

Updated as of 25 April 2024

Reader Fics

Right Now, Take Me Down (I Let You In) Tony Stark/Female Reader – Mature, Complete

Tony snoops through your phone and discovers some uh, fantasies and desires you’ve been keeping hidden. He takes it upon himself to make those fantasies and desires a reality, thanks to his amazing nanotechnology and trusted AI.  (A/B/O Roleplay)

Til the Veins Start to Shiver Bruce Banner/Female Reader – Mature, Complete

You decide to tease Bruce with some provocative photos while he's working. Bruce decides to tease you right back, and then some.  (Light Dom/Sub)

A Little Evening Break Stephen Strange/Female Reader – Mature, Complete

The Reader isn’t quick to comply with Stephen’s instructions and he gives her a hard time.

There’s Only Butterflies (Take Me Away) Stephen Strange/Reader, Strange Supreme/Reader, Defender Strange/Reader, Supreme Strange/Reader, Sinister Strange/Reader – Mature, Complete

It’s a pocket-dimension full of sunshine, with love that’s all theirs.

A Sweet Escape (To Better Days) Stephen Strange/Reader, Strange Supreme/Reader, Defender Strange/Reader, Supreme Strange/Reader, Sinister Strange/Reader – Mature, Complete

While it at first it weighed heavily on her, the knowledge that five of the most powerful beings in the multiverse were with her instead of protecting all of reality, she couldn’t deny the thrill that also came with that. The universe truly revolved around her. Her loves revolved around her and everything she was, she had, she did was for them in return.

Sometimes It Hurts Instead

Stephen/Reader (unrequited), Stephen/Clea, Reader/Reader's Husband - Teen, Complete

You see that the man you'd once had feelings for has moved on. You're not sure how to feel.

Waiting for the sun to be rising

Stephen/Chronically Ill!Reader - Mature, Complete

After a wild romp, you relax with Stephen and contemplate your relationship, reassuring him that regardless of what he does (or doesn’t) say you know exactly how he feels about you.

With a little peace and some harmony

Stephen/Chronically Ill!Reader - Teen, Complete

You’re sick and thanks to a weakened immune system, having a hard time resting and fighting it off. It’s absolutely miserable but lucky for you, Stephen is more than willing to step into the role of caretaker and help you feel better.

 Starker Fics (Tony Stark/Peter Parker)

Please note that Peter is an adult in all of these.

This is What You Came For Mature, Complete

Mr. Stark has had enough of what he considers to be Peter's not-so-subtle hints that he wants to get f*cked. He decides to teach Peter a lesson.

An Absolutely Peerless Cure Dark!Tony – Mature, Complete

When Peter gets the hiccups while on patrol, Tony takes it upon himself to help rid him of the pesky problem. Sure, that Wikipedia article could be absolute horseshit, and sure, Dr. Strange had been tipsy when he agreed with it, but it's a risk Tony's willing to take in his quest to draw Peter closer to him.

…And Many More Mature, Complete

Tony has a surprise for Peter's birthday, putting a true Tony Stark spin on a long-standing wish that Peter's had. Because whether he's giving or receiving, Tony is always in charge. Not that Peter's complaining.

(Just to See How It Feels) Mature, Complete

It's late. Peter's tired and wants to sleep because he has a big exam in the morning. Tony's horny. So maybe he can convince Peter to let him put in just the tip. (It's never just the tip.)

Getting the Best Mature, Complete

Peter Benjamin Parker is a genius. A once-in-a-lifetime type of genius.

And the little prick has the nerve to be undecided, even with the promise of a full-ride to MIT.

Even Saints Into Savages Mature, Complete

The mission was supposed to be a cake walk. Get in, get the stupid mystic alien amulet, get home. So, they figured it was safe enough to bring Peter along. Only Rocket assumes something, and that assumption leads to an awkward situation for everyone involved. Tony'll do whatever it takes to save Peter. If only he didn't know that he'd enjoy it so damn much. (Aliens Made Them Do It)

Back to Where You’ve Never Been Mature, Work in Progress

In an alternate reality, Peter Parker is living out his dream of being Spider-Man and working as an intern for Stark Industries (and the Avengers!) under his hero, Tony Stark, before heading off to college.  For the most part, it's incredible.  Okay, the Avengers treat him like he's still a child, and Mr. Stark's not exactly the friendliest mentor. But still, it's good.

Except that recently, Mr. Stark's been in the worst mood and Peter finds himself the unwitting focus of the man's ire.  He tries to keep his spirits up and tell himself that it's not personal, that anyone in the lab would be a target, but when Mr. Stark kicks him out, Peter knows he's done.

Then he finds himself falling for what feels like an eternity before returning to New York.  Only it's not his New York City and the Iron Man he ends up fighting alongside is definitely not his Iron Man.  Anthony Stark is kind of perfect.  The Other Avengers are kind of perfect.  Everyone here seems to love him.  And when he and Anthony are tapped by Dr. Strange to help seal the rift between realities, Peter finds himself wondering if he was supposed to be in the reality with Anthony all along.  (AU of an AU)

Updated with Chapter 14 on 02 January 2024

SpiderStrange Fics (Peter Parker/Stephen Strange)

Please note that Peter is an adult in all of these.

One in Fourteen Million, Six Hundred and Five Dark-ish!Stephen – Mature, Complete

Stephen doesn't have time to admire Peter as much as he'd like, given that they're trying to stop total Armageddon. This is the fate of the universe at stake; his attraction doesn't really have a place here. But even still...

("Oh, we're using our made-up names? Ok, I'm Spider-Man.")

Something about this stupidly brave and chatty guy intrigues him.

Now That I’ve Found You (I Won’t Let You Go) Dark!Stephen – Mature, Complete

All Stephen wants is for Peter Parker to be happy and safe... with him. When Peter rejects Stephen? Stephen doesn't take it very well. He'll just have to ensure that Peter realizes that Stephen is his future.

Only Of What’s Mine Mature, Complete

Peter wasn't expecting to find an Alpha so soon after turning 18. After all, many Omegas don't bond with an Alpha at all until they're in their mid-20s at least. But after everything on Titan and the Snap and then the Blip and Mr. Stark nearly killing himself to destroy Thanos once and for all, Stephen had taken an interest in Peter. And Peter, god help him, was just as taken with the Alpha. (A/B/O AU)

The (It’s Not Sex Pollen!) Powder of Prana Mature, Complete

Stephen warns Peter to be careful while exploring the Sanctum. Peter, naturally, doesn't listen. The Powder of Prana goes flying. And now Stephen finds himself the only person Peter trusts to keep him from dying. With sex. (Sex Pollen AU)

Private Practice Mature, Complete

Peter Parker's appointment with Dr. Strange doesn't go as he'd planned when the good doctor prescribes a certain medical procedure. (Medical Kink/Medical Play)

Yours to Break (But Always Mend) Mature, Complete

Peter’s tears had long since stopped, replaced by weak, hitched sobs sometime after what might have been the sixth or seventh blow. He couldn’t remember why snapping back at Stephen like a brat had seemed like a good idea. He couldn’t remember why breaking the rules in the first place - starting all of this - had seemed like a good idea. (Dom/Sub)

I Know the Storms Will Always Come (But I Still Love to Have You Around) Mature, WIP

After Endgame, Stephen returns from another dimension to find Peter's life threatened by Quentin Beck's schemes. He undoes the damage and takes a struggling Peter into his care.

Peter needs time and a safe place to rebuild himself; Stephen's happy to provide that, even as he works to push aside the feelings he has. It's a tricky line to walk, setting boundaries and structure for Peter while imagining those same things in a very different context.

As Peter begins to come back to his usual self, personalities and wills clash, occasionally helped along by a certain Witch and a perpetually amused and exasperated Librarian. And Stephen finds that he can't plan for everything.

These Inconvenient Fireworks Mature, WIP

After a battle, Mr. Stark crosses a line with Peter. Peter, tired of being on the receiving end of Mr. Stark's anger, asks Stephen - who's witnessed everything - to take him away. In doing so, Stephen starts down a path with Peter he didn't see coming.

Alternatively: Peter's heart gets broken and Stephen helps put it back together.

Updated 23 Sep 2023

It’s All Routine Mature, Complete

Peter Parker is back at Dr. Strange's office for a physical required by his upcoming internship. He's hoping it will be quick and easy, but when Dr. Strange finds out that he hasn't had a physical since he was a young child, his hopes are dashed. Dr. Strange intends to be very thorough. (Medical Kink/Medical Play)

You Kiss Your Sorcerer With That Mouth? Mature, Complete

During a mission, Spider-Man lets some choice words for Dr. Doom slip. Stephen's less than pleased at Peter's disregard for how he's supposed to conduct himself as Spider-Man when he's in the public eye. He gives Peter some time to think about what he's done, and has a creative way to ensure Peter thinks twice before doing it again. (Domestic Discipline)

Help Me Up, Let’s Keep On Running Mature, Complete

Peter and Stephen have several rules set up in their dynamic. The two biggest? That Peter will look after his health and well-being, and that they will always be honest with each other.  

Peter manages to break both of them in one fell swoop, and Stephen is none too pleased.

Discussions are had, actions lead to consequences, and Peter emerges from the experience secure in the knowledge that Stephen will do whatever it takes to make sure he's cared for and loved. (Domestic Discipline)

I Can See The Man That I Fell For Fighting Mature, Complete

It was supposed to be a quick in and out job. Just into the study to grab his book he’d left in there by accident the night before, and then out before Stephen even knew he was up and about. Harmless.

It wasn’t his fault that Cloak decided it needed to follow him around like some overly nosy puppy. Or that Cloak decided it needed to join him in the study as he looked for his book. Or that Cloak had decided to apparently “guard” something in the study in way that just screamed suspicious and naturally piqued Peter’s curiosity.

In and out, no harm done.

But when it became clear that Peter was overstaying his welcome in the space, Cloak had also felt the need to snitch.

He’d really, really fucked up. (Domestic Discipline)

This Back's Not Going to Break So Easily - Part 1 of 2, This Back’s Not Going to Break So Easily - Part 2 of 2

Mature, Complete

When Peter comes to Stephen upset and insisting he needs to be punished, Stephen knows something's wrong. Given a chance to calm down and feel safe, Peter explains what happened while he was at the Tower working in the labs and interrupted by Harley. Stephen reassures Peter that he did nothing wrong and does his best to comfort him.

Also featured: Stephen confronting Tony and Harley like a boss, Peter and Stephen's love, trust, and mutual respect for each other, lots of fluffy/dirty teasing, and pizza. (Domestic Discipline)

And I Let the Knots of Time Come Undone Mature, Complete

After breaking one of their established rules, Stephen finds himself at Peter's service for the day. Tasked with his least favorite chores, Stephen tries to maintain his sanity and make it through, all while reluctantly admitting to himself that all things considered, he's getting off easy.

If only he could get rid of that damn bell... (Domestic Discipline)

Our Road Gets Better With Every Bend Mature, Complete

Peter's getting ready for his junior year at Columbia. But before he goes back to school, there's the matter of his 21st birthday to deal with. Which is inevitably going to affect The Rules he and Stephen have. And what should be a nice night out for Peter's birthday takes a bit of a detour when a former acquaintance from Peter's freshman year unexpectedly runs into the happy couple.

Stephen's not jealous. No, not one bit. (Domestic Discipline)

Maybe If I Hold You Close, Baby We Could Just Let Go Teen, Complete

While the idea of accompanying Stephen to the high-brow fundraisers and charity galas seemed glamorous at first, Peter found the reality turned out to be much more disappointing. Everyone looks down their nose at him; people are forever swarming Stephen and flirting with him; and Peter usually finds himself alone, bored, counting the time until they can leave. However, he keeps attending in the hopes that he'll finally get a chance to dance with Stephen like he'd imagined.

One night he gets to dance with a surprising friend, which may finally lead to a bit of happiness at the damned events going forward.

Or Stephen might take issue, if another friend doesn’t take it upon herself to give him a clue. (Domestic Discipline)

I'm Counting On A New Beginning, A Reason For Living Mature, Complete

Peter's been in a bad mood and his recent stretch of bad luck isn't helping matters. Stephen hasn't been able to get through to him, and even when Peter takes his punishments for acting out, something's off. Worried about his partner, Stephen tries to think of what it is he might have done wrong. Upset, Peter pulls away.

It takes a bad set of prototype arrows, saving someone's life, a friend snitching, a stern Dr. Palmer taking control of a situation, a very un-teamlike spying session, and an uncomfortable discussion or two before Stephen and Peter are back on the same page. (Domestic Discipline)

Man, What Are You Doing Here? Mature, Complete

He only had one final left to take... and then he was done with everything until the fall semester of his final year as an undergraduate. Since his final wasn’t until Thursday afternoon, he didn’t see the harm in going out with some friends to celebrate and cute loose on Tuesday evening.

Would he have chosen a bar? No. He wasn’t supposed to drink on school nights and honestly, he preferred going to the movies or a show. But he was in college and honestly, it wasn’t like it needed to be a big deal.

And it wasn’t like Stephen needed to know. (Domestic Discipline)

Cold Comes From the East Side (Ch. 1)(Ch. 2)(Ch. 3) Mature, WIP

Peter breaks one of the rules in a spectacular way and suffers the consequences. It's rare for Stephen to actually be angry with him, but given the circumstances, Peter supposes the anger is more than earned. It's a hell of a situation for the pair of them and Peter wonders if they'll actually make it through. (Domestic Discipline)

Published Chapter 3 on 14 August 2023

Goodbye Grey Sky, Hello Blue Mature, WIP

In an alternate universe where trains and zeppelins are still common forms of travel and the internet and cell phones exist, Peter Parker has few options left after he's swindled out of his inheritance. Unable to pay for college, let alone keep the house left to him by his deceased aunt, he's running out of time before he's out on the streets. Desperate, Peter signs his life over to the Bureau of Civic Spousal Selections to take his chances as the selected husband of a complete stranger. After all, he only has to make it through a year and then he can choose to annul.

Dr. Stephen Strange has little interest in marriage, preferring to focus on his career. When his career is threatened by what a nosy board of directors considers a "lack of personal fulfillment and settling down," he opts to select a spouse through the BCSS and chooses Peter Parker. The young man's profile suggests intelligence and compatibility. It's not ideal, but if after a year it's not working out, he can always annul the marriage and send Peter on his way.

It's a marriage neither truly wants, with sharp learning curves for both. It's either going to be forever or it's going to go down in flames. (Domestic Discipline, 1950s-Modern Fusion AU)

Updated with Chapter 34 on 25 April 2024

Nevertheless, Recover Mature, Complete

Peter finds himself once again in Dr. Strange's office, hoping to find a reason and a cure for his latest ailment.  He's come to the right place, since Dr. Strange will do everything it takes to diagnose and treat Peter. Hopefully, Peter will survive the embarrassment. (Medical Kink/Medical Play)

Doctor 13 Fics (Christine Palmer/Sharon Carter)

Baby, You Don't Gotta Fight Mature, WIP

Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4, Ch. 5, Ch. 6, Ch. 7

Dr. Christine Palmer is just living her life, content in her job as a trauma surgeon and happily moonlighting as Peter Parker's general physician at her old friend Stephen's request.

One evening as she finishes up examining Peter, she encounters the force of nature that's Sharon Carter, who seems to have a reckless streak a mile wide.

She's not sure what to make of the spy-turned-Avenger, but she can tell Sharon's hurting, and Christine's healing nature won't be ignored.

Iron 13 Fics (Tony Stark/Sharon Carter)

Feels So Right, Can’t be Wrong Teen, WIP

Prologue | Yellow Tulip | Blue Salvia | Yellow Narcissus | Red Morning Glory

The setting: Sanctum General Hospital in Sanctum Heights, New Amsterdam

Starring: Sharon Carter - former Central Security Bureau operative, Selecting Spouse in a horrifically failed Bureau of Civic Spousal Selections marriage, patient AND Anthony Edward "Tony" Stark - owner and CEO of Stark Industries, Futurist determined to rebuild a world his father built weapons to destroy, love interest

With Appearances by:  Nurse Wong, Orderly Rintrah, and Billy the Admin

And Featuring Doctor Stephen Strange as "the Surgeon"

Or, "Five Dates Tony and Sharon Had in Her Hospital Room and One They Had After She Was Discharged"

Updated 23 November 2023

The Phoenix Protocol Mature, WIP

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

No one else but Tony thought anything was off about Sharon. Investigating on his own, he discovered and brought down her Skrull impersonator and when he found the real Sharon near death, he made a choice that would change both of their lives.

MISC

This is What I Brought You, This You Can Keep

Stephen Strange/Clea Strange/Peter Parker - Mature, Complete

...who is he to deny the woman he loves - the woman who has seen into his soul with all its trials, agony, and dreams and loves him because of it! - who is he to deny her anything she desires?

If you feel so moved, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! Couldntbedamned's Ko-Fi

[felassan]

Some thoughts on the recent article on DA:D from Tom Henderson / Insider Gaming, under a cut due to potential spoilers for DA:D -

first, the usual set of disclaimers that accompany all leaks: might not be real, unable to verify at present, sometimes leakers think they're right about things but are unintentionally incorrect or got some wires crossed, games change a fair bit between development phases and final release, take with grain of salt etc

Tom Henderson is the one that leaked the game's title, 'Dreadwolf', ahead of time, along with Jeff Grubb.

all the stuff about the possible/speculated release window doesn't feel like new information really? for a while now rumors and guesses etc have been saying like 'late 2023 or 2024', sorta thing

The game still lacking features and completed character lines etc doesn't sound odd or surprising either. DA:D is currently playable from beginning to end, but not finished, as BioWare said themselves in the milestone announcement blog post a few months ago. iirc, at that stage in development there can still be placeholder assets, stuff without textures yet, 'robot-voiced' or still-silent lines, placeholder text and textures, etc.

I wonder who the sources are? playtesters? going by yesterday's Reddit leaks (DA:D spoilers at link), that wouldn't be outside the realms of possibility. I also wonder how familiar with the franchise said sources are. some bits of or language in the article make it sound like either they and/or the writer aren't super familiar.

There are 'central hubs' in previous DA and ME games, which were of course singleplayer: Party Camp, Skyhold, the Normandy etc. the PC goes to those locations between story missions and between side quests to regroup, talk to companions etc before heading out again. I'm curious what form the hub/base in DA:D will take - a camp, home, fort/castle, ship, secret base, a pocket somewhere 'in-between' worlds etc?

Recruiting and growing companions, completing missions, companions being found in the hub (or their own mini-hubs as in DAII), giving them equipment/modifications & so on - all things found to some extent in previous games. I guess it does confirm these features will return in DA:D.

Re: combat and FF15, emphasis on "the game's combat wheel" as being what's similar

also not really surprised by the description of the combat. DA changes significantly game to game and the rough trajectory since DA:O has been away from the tactics style of game towards more of an action-y RPG. it also lines up with the feel of the little snippet of combat we saw in a trailer (remember the footage of the character in Grey Warden armor doing Shield Wall?) and some comments that cropped up on ResetEra from possible playtesters in October 2022 (they mentioned God of War 2018 as a comparison point for example).

Re: controlling party members, it says "currently". that said, the playtester who was the source of the leaked screenshots and gif on Reddit also reported that they could not control the party. iirc this was also among the comments on ResetEra. this will vary from person to person, but personally for me I'm not bothered by the premise of being mostly unable to control squadmates. it's kinda like that in ME and ME:A and that was fine (for me I mean).

I'm curious about what other details they were provided with, and will be keeping an eye out for future reports. seems like quite a few leaks have been going on lately.

sometimes companies 'leak' stuff on purpose or want certain stuff to leak, in order to gather feedback, see peoples' reactions to it, as a marketing tactic etc. Mark Darrah said that wrt quantitative focus testing at least, there's a high chance of leaks and they know it. on his game development YouTube channel, on this he advised "Be careful that anything you put in there has a high probability of leaking, but that's potentially an opportunity. If you have information that you kind of want to be leaked out into the greater sphere of the internet, including it in a quant test, knowing that in all likelihood it's going to leak, might be a way to test the waters. It gives you plausible deniability if it does end up leaking. A good example of a leak like this was the concept picture of Dorian for Dragon Age: Inquisition. The concept piece includes a monkey. We never really had any intention of having a monkey for Dorian, but it was just what was drawn in the concept piece. And so we got to watch the internet react to this character, with a monkey, on the internet." I'm sure I've read or heard somewhere that the Dragon Age: Inquisition character concept feedback survey was leaked intentionally and that the devs kind of wanted the Crestwood demo to leak (and were surprised when it didn't result in many videos online).

"It’s understood that you’ll be able to move from your hub to missions by passing through a mirrored portal." - this is the most interesting snippet in this article to me. the obvious question is, eluvians? In Trespasser, Solas tells us he controls the eluvian network now, after over-riding the magic personally. So: have we gained control of part of the network (Briala controlled part of it for a time)? taken control of it or part of it from Solas? is there more than one network? have we built some eluvians of our own? In Trespasser banter Dorian was wondering about building eluvians of our own. there are some folks with eluvian knowledge kicking around like Merrill and Morrigan, and there are glassworks of note in Serault..

moving from a hub to missions through eluvians was exactly what we did in Trespasser from the Winter Palace, and it worked really well. Trespasser's setup was really enjoyable. it was a fun mechanic that helped explain fast travel and apparent teleportation. it also allowed for travelling to places all over, from the Deep Roads to ancient elven ruins to places in-between the waking world and the Fade - a variety of handcrafted places to explore still but with a tighter storyline threading through them, as opposed to open-world that felt like it was probably mandatory to include during development because of other games on the market like Skyrim and AC, but which then struggled to be filled with meaningful content to fill the space and in which that struggle was apparent. I'd be down for that. I'm just daydreaming and speculating wildly now for real (bc it's fun) but we could travel all over Thedas that way. We did that in DAI I know but you know what I mean? also what if the hub is in a pocket dimension, reachable only via eluvian? eluvian secret base..

[resha04]

The 5+1 games I play to get cozy

When the world feels too much and the days feel too fast and tiring, cozy games are (one of) the balm for the soul.

I personally love cozy games with medium-long length, and that have an underlying plot going on, even though it's just traveling the world to take photos. Here, I'll share 5 + 1 of such games, which are my favorite as of April 2024:

TOEM

You grew up listening to your Nana tell you about the legendary TOEM. Now, armed with a camera, a backpack, and your beloved old pocket radio, you go out into the world to find TOEM and take a picture of it (as well as snapping as many photos as possible along the way).

Cute, charming, and very, very cozy, I deliberately took my time playing it because I wanted the experience to last. (Also, when I couldn't progress past a certain point, the dev team was very kind to fix the issue – even though they've moved on to making another game.) It has quirky, adorable characters with quirky, adorable problems you got to help solve, and a variety of animals you can pet (my favorite is the monkey).

Night in the Woods

College dropout Mae Borrowski went home to find her dying hometown still as lovely in autumn as it's always been, but with something sinister lurking in the shadow.

Despite how I made it sound, this game is still very cozy. As Mae, you spend your days visiting your old friends, listening in to the townspeople's convo, stargazing with your old teacher, and visiting your mom at church, among a few, with the stunning background of Possum Spring in autumn. And don't forget the soundtrack!

Wytchwood

"Once upon a time, there lived an odd witch in an odd little house, at an odd little swamp."

You woke up, found a goat have munched through your grimoire, and discovered that you've made a deal with the aforementioned goat – a deal that you can't remember. Go out into the world, craft potions and items, and vanquish 12 great evils while being snarky about it.

As you can see in the picture, Wytchwood has amazing visual. The writing is witty and funny, it has an entertaining cast of characters and fun gameplay, and the music just immerses you more in its world.

Walking on A Star Unknown

(Screenshot by vgperson)

A pair of siblings, Fukurou and Eddie, were traveling the galaxy to fulfill their late mother's wish when they crash-landed on a foreign planet. The planet happened to be hosting a cooking festival, and the winner will get one wish granted by the Goddess. So what else is there to be done except participating and aiming for the win? If you happen to make friends and learn the planet's dark history along the way, it can't be helped, can it?

This is an old game but it has such a special place in my heart even after years. It's wholesome, relaxed, has a ton of fun side-quests and lovable npcs, funny writing, and a touch of dark – a perfect mix of my favorite things. Segawa (the creator) never failed to immerse me in their small but charming world. And I'm usually not fond of too much side-quests, but Segawa's is an exception: the side-quests involve the npcs, and I love the npcs.

You can find it here. Vgperson did an amazing job translating it and its pun-ny writing.

Farethere City

(Screenshot by vgperson)

Pigula, a little boy(?) with one eye, has always dreamed to open a general store. So when he moved to Farethere City, the first thing he did was looking for a vacant building to open his shop. And it just happened that there was one, in the downtown, which happened to be on sale at such bargain price! Nothing is suspicious whatsoever!

Again, despite my description, this is a relaxed, low-tension game. Another of Segawa's game, and also one that has a special spot in my heart. The dark tone is more prominent than Star Unknown, and it's arguably more horror than cozy game, but I still find it very comforting. It's wholesome – sometimes bittersweet, it has a cast of lovable characters, and it has enough mystery to hook you and keep you playing.

You can find it here. My enormous gratitude to vgperson for translating these games, and translating it with apparent love.

(+1) Melon Journey

(Screenshot from the game page)

You woke up after a stormy night, and couldn't find your friend. So you embarked on a journey to find him/her.

It's been a while since I played this game, and I haven't replayed it again, but I remember how much fun I had playing it and how I was a little disappointed that it ended so soon. Melon Journey is shorter than the other five, but it's very charming and very deserving of a place in the cozy games list. The visual is pleasant to look at, and I love the characters and their little – sometimes lovingly silly – problems, which we have to solve if we want them to give us info.

You can find the free ver here. There's a longer, paid version in Steam titled Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories :)

[polyhedralmice]

Rooftops has been out for a week already! It is currently on sale for $3.25 on DriveThruRPG. Rooftops will also be part of the Pocket Quest Mega Bundle coming out at the end of April (along with a ton of other really cool heist themed zine games!)

[dungeonofthedragon]

Preview of the Voidwalkers cover.

This beautiful artwork was licensed from Daniel Comerci.

Voidwalkers was created as part of DriveThru RPG's Pocket Quest 2024. Explore a post-apocalyptic world and keep yourself from becoming a monster from April 1st 2024.

[imhereforscm]

"I swore I'd never"

Genre: fluff

Pairing: teenage!Dui × teenage!goddess!reader

Warnings: none

For the fluffbruary event (@fluffbruary )

A/N: Soooo reader is a goddess in this fic and she knows Celsius (Dui's late friend). In fact: the idea is that she's friends with him too. I hope you'll enjoy!💗💗

Prompts: key | silly | quest (Day 22/2024)

--------------------------------------------

Quiet giggles escaped your lips as you wandered around the trees, the sun having set a long time ago and it's golden ink wiped away by now, leaving behind only a pale blue, that made the sky look like it was fading and soon enough, you'd see the galaxy in its entirety.

"Guys," You tried to stifle your laughter. "we need to keep quiet...!" You scolded the two boys of your age in a hushed whisper.

"Easier said than done." Celsius rebuked, his own smile almost bringing tears to his eyes. "I can't refrain from laughing, when I remember the way Dui fell into the lake earlier." He said, turning to look at Dui.

"I slipped on a rock, I'm surprised none of you did too." He responded, staring down at his feet with a small frown, that was only there for the sake of show, the sight of him silly, though cute in your eyes.

"Tell me you didn't drop the key back at the lake." You said, staring at Dui, who along with Celsius were your partners in crime, the three of you going on a little quest.

"Of course n-" Dui wanted to finish his sentence, but when his hands slipped into the pocket of his pants, his lips froze and his eyebrows rose slowly.

"Dui?" Celsius asked, staring at him curiously. "Don't tell me..."

"Did you drop it?" You asked, coming clear about your thoughts and doubts.

"I... Think..." Dui stared at the two of you, guilt all over his soft and sweet face. "It must have fallen back at the lake." He announced, before pursing his lips and falling silent, looking at the ground with genuine sadness this time.

"Hey hey, why the long face?" Your friend placed his hand upon Dui's shoulders, giving him an encouraging squeeze. "There's no need for that over something we can fix."

Dui's big and chocolate eyes rose from the forest floor and met those of Celsius. "But it probably fell into the lake. There's no way we can find something so small there."

"Yes, we can!" You said, adding onto Celsius' words of comfort. "We're three. We can go back and search for it."

Dui decided to stay wordless, his mind judging him if not loathing him for loosing the key you had found today at the market.

You took a step closer, your tunic swaying slightly as you moved, cupping Dui's cheeks and lifting his face in order to face him. Your eyes stared deeply within his and you feared you'd loose your sense of reason inside the sweet abyss, that resembled melted syrup. "Whatever we're doing is a quest. It's fun, because it's us together. Besides, life is not always flawless and blissful, tough times come around too."

Dui's face warmed up at your touch and his stomach tightened, fretting over your fingers noticing the temperature rising beneath his skin.

"So don't beat yourself up." You said, speaking softly. "Instead, let's just go find it."

The three of you ran through the forest and the previous laughter returned, alive and melodic to guide you on your path. Some nightingales that began to come out chirped and their song reached your ears, the moonlight that slipped past the soft clouds reflected upon the surface of the lake, causing it to look like hundreds broken crystals were thrown in its depths.

The three of you split, inspecting the ground for some sight of the key among the darkness. You hummed to yourself as your eyes followed the direction of your footsteps, your mind taken by the melody of the birds. Suddenly, your world tilted and something cool enveloped your body, like flower petals. You cried out, hearing the sound of water splashing around as your body dove into the lake.

"(Name)!" Dui's voice echoed from somewhere nearby and he rushed to were you were seated, soaked, with droplets dripping from the tips of your hair and streaming down your arms. "Are you hurt?!" He asked, worry evident in his beautiful and precious eyes.

"I'm fine." You reassured him, as he approached you, extending a hand out to you.

Though before you could accept it, you witnessed Dui's body wavering and falling forwards, your chests crashing into each other's, as more water splattered around.

"What about you?" You asked. "Are you alright?"

Dui nodded, his cheeks growing warm again and hoping with all his might as a god that you hadn't noticed. "Yes, but I fell on you. It must have hurt, didn't it?"

"It's fine." You said truthfully and laughed, staring at him. "You fell in the lake a second time." Your eyes caught the silver ribbons of the moon within them, trapping them within their crystalline domes as you grinned blindingly.

Dui stared at you, as water dripped from his brown locks and falling back into the river, creating ripples. His lips were parted, but no words tumbled out, your beauty imposing over his mind. His young, teenage heart raced, clenched and almost leaped out of his throat, his stomach turning with nervousness.

"Did you find the key?" You asked, peering into his unmoving face. "Dui...?" You spoke softly, waving a hand before his face to get his attention.

"Oh." Dui blinked and shook his head a little, his gaze focusing back on your face. "I'm sorry, I—I spaced out."

"Are you alright?" You asked, placing your palm on his shoulder and his body jolted slightly, though you noticed, much to his dismay. "You jumped." You noted. "You literally jumped. What's the matter?"

Dui swallowed thickly, blood rushing to his face like oxygen rushing through lungs. "(Name)," He uttered quietly and inhaled deeply. "if I tell you something... I'm afraid you won't see me exactly the same way again..."

Your own stomach clenched and a shiver ran down your spine by the sight of his beautiful face. "Why would I view you differently...?"

Dui took a deep and audible breath, before taking your hands in his, your hold soaked with water from the lake. "(Name)... You're very pretty right now and I can't contain myself any longer." He gave your hands a squeeze and brought them to his chest, which was warm and it soothed you ever so slightly. "I've liked you for the past two years..." He finally managed to say, making your eyebrows rise, along with your eyelashes. "And this last year... It has grown into love."

Your thumbs traced the knuckles of his fingers, your legs shaking faintly from the surprise as you listened to him speak. The person you're sharing a classroom with and who you always thought you'd remain just friends.

"I swore I'd never tell you." He said, eyes casted downwards. "I didn't want to admit those feelings to you in fear you'd be uncomfortable around me afterwards... Well, I still worry about that."

Your hands slipped out of his and went to his face, cupping his cheeks. "I love you too." You said, embracing those words on your tongue without thinking, your heart free from its cage. "I've loved you for a long time as well." Your smiled broadened and you brought your face closer to his, your noses grazing each other's. "Can I kiss you?"

Dui eyes widened a little, but he swallowed thickly and nodded. "Yes. Please...?"

You chuckled softly at his precious plea in the end and closed your eyes. When your lips touched, your mind hushed and your heart overflowed with happiness, affection and relief, as if the missing piece of a marble had found its rightful place once more.

Dui's lips curled into a smile as you kissed and you could feel it, encouraging you to slip a hand to the back of his head, as he hugged you close by the waist.

From between the trees, Celsius smiled, a smile harboring fondness over his two friends, that had found each other through the course of a lifetime and witnessed your hearts connecting, all of the pieces fitting. His fingertips traced over the key and turned his back to the two of you, offering you privacy, until you'd call for him.

[talltoontales]

// Scale-Bound \\

Prompt: You are a mighty dragon king, the strongest magical being. You're determined to conquer the world, but a hero turned you into a cute small dragon. Now, you are looking for a human girl to help you get strong again and dominate the world.

Prompt by: u/basafish (Reddit)

Written: 03/13/2024

/////

As the sun sets, a party of adventurers parade through a small dirt road town, victorious from their last quest. The group barrels through anyone in their path, already drunk on their own egos. The largest of the group knocks over a little, raggedy peasant girl with dirt-filled pigtails, causing her to drop her toy.

“Eh?” says the brute as he picks up the toy. “The hells is this?” The toy resembles a baby dragon with bright red scales, a dark brown underbelly, small wings, and bright green eyes.

“My Babby!” yells the girl. She runs over to the brute and tries to get her toy back but barely jumps past the man’s knees. “Give me back my Babby!”

“You know wha?” The brute lifts the toy even higher into the air, putting it in better lighting. “This thing ain’t too shabby. Almost looks like the real thing. How bout it, Ankle Biter? Fancy a trade?”

“No!” yells the girl, “he’s my Babby! My momma made him only for me!” A man wearing a hooded cloak walks over and leans against the brute, glancing at the toy.

“Your momma’s got some gifted hands,” says the rouge, “maybe she can show me a thing or two?” The girl charges at the two men, who easily dodge her attempt. The girl then trips on herself and falls but is caught by a pillow of glowing blue water.

The girl looks up and sees a woman in a teal robe. Her face was shrouded in the shadow of her oversized hat save for one glowing blue eye that matched a gold, jewel-encrusted broach on the collar of her robe.

The light emanating from the witch’s eye quickly fades, dropping the girl into a mud puddle. The rest of the group laughs as they start to walk away, taking the dragon toy with them. As the girl picks her head up from the mud, she feels something hit her head. She wipes her face and looks down to see a moldy copper coin in front of her.

“Thanks for the souvenir, kid!” says the rouge. The girl watches, with tears in her eyes, as the group walks into a nearby tavern. The girl then calmly picks herself up, pulls a rag from her dress pocket, and cleans the rest of her face. She takes a deep breath, picks up the moldy coin, and walks away from the tavern.

“So far so good,” whispers the girl.

\\\\\

A few hours later, the party drunkenly runs out of the bar, some with half-filled mugs in hand. The bartender follows them out the door, yelling at them as they escape. The group stumbles through the town, throwing the dragon toy between them until they barge into a rundown inn.

After finishing the last of their stolen drinks, the party’s room quickly falls silent, save for the snoring brute who snuggles with the toy dragon. Bodies scattered around the room like a crime scene, with the rouge taking the only bed.

After a few minutes, the toy dragon’s eyes blink. Using its long neck, the dragon slowly looks around the room, its emerald eyes illuminated in the darkness. Its head suddenly snaps toward a window.

…they…asleep…window…clear…

A hand lifts the window to the room open from the outside. A short, hooded figure crawls into the room, quietly landing on their feet. The dragon’s eyes focus on the figure.

…hurry…human…FREE…!

“Stop yelling! I’m working on it!” whispers the human. The figure slowly tip-toes through the room, avoiding any of the sleeping warriors. The dragon looks at the human, annoyed.

…what…doing…?

“Trying not to die,” whispers the human. “Shhhh!” The dragon glares at the human before letting out a high-pitched roar, slightly shaking some of the smaller items in the room. The human freezes and their eyes dart around the room, looking for whoever may be waking up first. However, barely anyone moves. The figure looks at the dragon. “What did ya do?” The dragon flicks its tail and small sparkles of orange energy fall from the tip.

…humans…weak…

The hooded figure removes their hood, revealing herself as the little girl with her hair tied back in a bun and her face smeared with black paint. The girl lets out a small laugh as she casually walks over the passed-out adventures toward the brute.

“Ya know,” says the girl, “if I had better morals, I’d probably have a problem with ya, essentially drugging a bunch of people.” The girl and dragon struggle but eventually get the brute's arm off the beast. The dragon leaps onto the floor, stretching its entire body. “All right, do ya thing, Babby.” The dragon lets out another tiny roar.

STOP!

The girl holds her head and crouches in the fetal position as the dragon’s booming voice echoes in her mind. She pulls a rag from her back pocket and covers her nose while the dragon walks around the room. The girl pulls the rag back, finding a small amount of blood.

“Jeez, Bambak, ya going to kill me if ya keep doing that,” says the girl.

…and…?

“And good luck getting anywhere without this adowable face, distracting city guards,” says the girl as she pickpockets the brute. Bambak claws its way up the side of the bed.

…was…face…

“Dragon society must not have hypocrisy,” says the girl as she continues to pickpocket everyone in the room. Bambak pokes its head under the rouge’s cloak until the girl stops him. “Must not have thieves either.”

The girl pulls out a pocket knife while feeling the rouge's arms. She then feels a thin wire attached to a gold ring on the rouge’s finger. The girl follows the wire underneath the rouge’s cloak, finding a device with two vials of yellow liquid on each side.

“A Midas Trap,” the girl cutting the wire. “Take the gold ring, trip the wire, and get sprayed with paralyzing toxins. This guy’s got deep pockets.” The girl starts going through the rouge’s pockets. “let’s see what ya got.” The girl rummages through the rouge’s many pockets, taking whatever she can fit in her own until she pulls out a perfectly square stone. Bambak focuses intensely on the stone.

…Miiiiiiiine…!

The girl rolls her eyes as she drops the stone before Bambak. The dragon quickly wraps its body around the stone and purrs.

“Do I need to leave the room?” asks the girl as she offers Bambak her hand. The dragon glares at her before putting the cube in its mouth and climbing up her arm onto her shoulder.

…disrespectful…

“Ya welcome, Bab,” says the girl.

ENOUGH!

The girl stumbles a bit but manages to stay on her feet. She’s halfway out the window when the girl looks back at the rouge and pulls the ring out of her pocket.

“This look like real gold to ya?” asks the girl, showing the ring to Bambak.

…no…

“Didn’t think so,” says the girl as she grins from ear to ear.

/////

As the sun begins to break past the horizon, the girl walks along the rooftops wearing a cloak that’s two sizes too big for her. She looks at Bambak, his cube still in his mouth, purring on her shoulder.

“You know, ya kinda cute when ya hoarding,” says the girl. Bambak stops purring and glares at her. “I know, I know, the Dragon King isn’t cute. Ya terror incarnate. Ya the strongest magical creature in this realm, ya breath dims the sun, and ya presence withers all life.”

…again…disrespectful…human…

“Imala,” says the girl. " My name’s Imala, not that ya were asking.” The two walk in silence for a few minutes. “Sooooo, the first job went pretty well. You got your rock, and I got paid big time. Guess this is the part where we lay low and figure out which artifact to go after next?”

…hmmmm…

Bambak, begins to smell the air around it and shivers, holding its cube tight.

…lot…rain…

Imala raises an eyebrow as she looks toward the empty sky, even doing a full twirl for insurance. The duo stops above an abandoned shop with a hole in the roof.

“Sure, whatever ya say,” says Imala as the two jump down.

Several feet back, the witch in the teal robes stands on the edge of another rooftop. Her one eye glows as storm clouds begin to float from underneath her hat, spreading across the area. A thick cloud floats just beyond the edge of the rooftop. The witch walks onto it and floats toward the abandoned shop.

. . . . . Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the story! If you have any comments, critiques, or criticisms, please don't be afraid to let me hear 'em (as long as they're constructive (or funny)). Stay safe, keep warm, and be kind to yourself and others. ToonMan, AWAY! (PS: I will never forgive Microsoft for what took from me.)

[madamefluffnstuff]

TES Summerfest 2024, Day 3: Ghost

Day 3 of TES Summerfest 2024! Hosted by @tes-summer-fest.

Fandom: Elder Scrolls Online Paring: Yisara x Mathren Rating: K Warning(s): Spoilers for the Blackwood Zone quest "The Ghostwriter of Giovesse". Words: 932 AN: God I love this quest so much, I stayed up late just to finish it and figure out what happened.

Yisara is having a bit of writer's block, and Mathren convinces her to get some rest.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The Egg and Hammer Inn was quiet. Peaceful, even, on the new moon night. A new moon meant there was more darkness than normal. If one wanted to do some late night reading, they'd need a very bright candle.

Yisara sat at her portable writing desk with not one, but two, very bright candles. Her lips pressed against a curled index finger, chin propped up with a tapping thumb. Soft brown waves of hair framed her face, having been set free from the confines of her bun. The candlelight starkly illuminated her facial features, especially her amber-green eyes, which were so unwaveringly focused on the half-filled sheet of manuscript in front of her.

She let out a soft sigh through her nose. Writer's block was hitting hard again.

Perhaps unironically, the quill in her hand had run dry some time ago. The lack of accidental ink blots in the margins was a testament to her careful planning with this piece. Even if it was only a rough draft.

The budding author set down the quill and picked up the first few sheets she had completed earlier. Maybe a quick re-read... Yisara thought. Alas, she ended up in the same spot as before. She let out another sigh, heavier this time, nearly all the air escaping her lungs. Perhaps she had stayed up too late and was running on empty again.

Just then, she felt something shift in her pocket. Yisara's head jerked a little as her hand frantically reached to grab the item. The tiny object practically leapt into her hand. Her heart skipped a beat as she pulled her hand from her pocket and looked at what she fished out;

Mathren's ring. She stared intently for a moment before rolling the coiled metal band between her fingers. Funny, she could have sworn she put it in the special jewelry pouch in her pack before she went to freshen up for bed. How did it get in her sleep clothes' pocket? Not that she was complaining, of course. Just confused.

As if on cue, the ring flipped itself over in her palm, where she could now see the tiny inscription on the inside. She jumped a little.

"Mathren, not right now," Yisara murmured to the trinket. "Now's not a good time..."

It seemed the aforementioned Imperial didn't like that very much, as the ring began to quiver against her fingers. An uneasy feeling began to creep into her, like she could sense his own unease. No- his worry?

Yes.

Her paperwork suddenly found itself being flung into her carrying case alongside the hastily capped ink pot. The Redguard woman knew very well Mathren was a spirit- she was reminded of it on a daily basis. She knew he couldn't physically touch her. But this sense of urgency... He wanted to talk to her. Needed to talk to her. And the ring was the only way.

Yisara pawed through her travel bags looking for the other essential piece to communicate with Mathren. "Come on, I know it's in here somewhere," she muttered to herself. Suddenly there was a solid thump and her head jerked to the side. She froze- There it was, in plain sight- the Spirit Lantern.

She blinked a couple of times before smiling. Of course he did. With the same care one would use holding a newborn babe, she picked up the lantern and set it on the nightstand. Then she reached for one of her slightly too bright candles and brought it to the burner. Once she blew on it to give it a strong flame and she was sure it would stay, Yisara snatched the ring up and slipped it on her pointer finger. The one that had been resting on her lips earlier.

Whether it was the magic in the ring or the smoke from the lantern, Mathren's ghostly form materialized at the end of the bed. Shirtless, of course.

"Yisara, my love."

She gave him a slightly exasperated but smitten smile. "Mathren."

He gently grasped her hand. Even with his corporeal form she could still feel the chill of his spectral fingers on her own.

"Are you being unkind to yourself again, dearest?"

She shrugged. "No, not unkind. Just having some writer's block is all. Again."

Mathren smiled back. "And how late is it?"

"...very late."

An echoey chuckled sounded through the room. Yisara was so used to that noise it didn't bother her anymore. Mathren shifted positions a bit, bringing one leg onto the bed and leaned against his knee.

"Perhaps it's time for you to rest. You've done plenty of good work today. And like you said once- you can always revisit it later."

Yisara nodded, acknowledging he was right. She sighed quietly. "I really should."

Mathren ran an ethereal hand along his love's cheek. "If you'd like, I can sit and watch over you so no one bothers you. I don't need sleep like I used to."

To anyone who didn't have the ring or the lantern, it was a rather strange sight- a young Redguard woman sleeping in an inn bed, with the covers moving on their own accord to tuck her in. Soon after, a large divot formed at the foot of the bed, as if someone was sitting there. A few out of place footsteps could be heard near the doors and windows, as if checking them out.

To Yisara, however, her spectral beloved was just making sure she was safe and sound. And for that she was very grateful.

Sometimes having a ghost for a partner has its' advantages.

[theoneeyedgoldenwolf]

Fixing a bad experience

Whumptober 2024, Day 2: Trust Issues, Amusement Park

Summary: The Chain of nine Heroes decide to take a break at an amusement park. Later on, eight out of nine Links are NOT eager of going into another such place. Even the ninth one is not happy of the idea but he’s still willing to give it a chance…

Warning: This is bit more of a horror story with the memory parts so be aware of that.

CW: Horror, amusement park of hell: getting almost bitten by a Dead Hand, getting attacked by alive being rollercoaster, dealing with bunch of Ropes, attacked by Skullfish, getting trapped into mirror, getting attacked and bitten by ReDead, cursing

Notion: The Love Ride is bit inspired by Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! -game. In it, Spyro the purple dragon goes to the ride alone and comes out with someone next to him.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The nine Heroes were walking calmly through a field. They could see far and detect any dangers long before it would reach them. Things seemed safe and sound at the moment.

“Whatcha reading, Sprite?” Warriors queried while coming next to the Chain’s leader. Time swiftly folded the paper before the younger male could get good enough check on it.

“Just something I grabbed from the earlier town we were at.” The one eyed male replied airily. He put the flyer into his pocket while bit frowning.

“Something important?” The war Hero asked while glancing behind them at the spread out Links. His little brother slowly shook his head. “Anything that we should be aware of?” He continued and the older male shrugged lightly. “Connected to this quest of ours?”

“Not really, no.” The Old man answered and glanced at the Chain following them. “Yet, it might be something worth of going with.” He mused with a slight grin while being in charge of their road.

Two days later the Links had arrived to a new town. Eight out of nine weren’t too happy of their placement even though they took up a room from the Inn and went for restocking. Out of the Chain’s leader’s request, the tasks were handled swiftly.

Time grinned as he took the flyer out and checked it through while the boys settled down around the room. “How about we go have some fun?” He queried while turning the paper around and showing what it was advertising.

The eight Heroes were both shocked and horrified as they saw the picture of an amusement park. “NO!” They pretty much screamed out in full unison.

“Oh come on, guys!” The Old Man exclaimed. “One bad place can’t ruin them all.” He stated out while turning the paper around to check it through again.

“If you’re going, don’t wait for backup.” Legend growled while crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at the one eyed male.

“Yeah, I’m not going anywhere near that place. Sorry but I’m not trusting those places ever again.” Four stated out while making an X-shape by his arms in front of him.

“After what happened… I agree with Legend and Four….” Wind told bit uncertainly. The idea of fun did intrigue him but he didn’t want to repeat earlier situation.

Time sighed exaggerated while listening the eight, one by one, decline and show their lack of trust. “Scaredy cats.” He mumbled while still making sure each of the Heroes actually heard him.

“What did you just call us?” Hyrule asked nearly freaked out.

The oldest Link started to grin. “Oh you heard me.” He claimed while looking almost challengingly at his boys.

“We’re no scaredy cats.” Wild stated out firmly while standing up.

“We’ll show you.” Twilight blustered while answering with slight glare. “When?” He simply inquired while inwardly fearing for the situation.

“How about straight off?” Time answered while smirking almost victoriously. He saw the eight hesitate for a moment before getting all defiant and nodding in acceptance. The Chain unwillingly left their gear and weapons at the room before following their leader out into the streets. Yet, none of the nine were entirely unarmed as each of them had at least a hidden knife with them.

The one eyed male paid for their entrance and led the way into the middle of the amusement park. “You guys want to spread out or do we stay together?” He inquired while looking around. There was lot of people going, the music was blasting on full force but still not drowning out the chance of talking, the different rides were being queued to… Things seemed very much normal and correct at there.

“Together.” Warriors replied firmly. “We’re not making the same mistake as before.” He told and the others nodded in full agreement.

Time just shrugged. “Fine by me. Where first?” He half inquired while letting the boys choose their roads. The eight glanced at each other before grinning almost devilishly. The Chain’s leader gulped once while having a feeling of dread at that.

Surprisingly, it was Sky whom spoke next: “We know a perfect place to start from.” After that the eight already dragged their oldest brother along and towards one of the calmer rides in the area.

Time gulped when he saw the Love Ride. He tried not to tremble as the Chain pushed him into the queue. “Who’s the scaredy cat now, eh?” Wind asked while grinning widely. The one eyed male just gulped again while trying to calm down.

“You can still back away, Sprite, and we can leave before any harm comes up.” The Captain told calmly while feeling tad bad about the situation.

The Old Man took deep but bit wavering breath and ran his hand through his hear. He flashed his best grin to his boys after that. “Nah, I got this.” He replied while forcing himself to stay calm and follow the line for his turn. “I’ll prove you this is just normal amusement park and nothing else.” Yet, the closer his turn to take the ride came, the more terrified he was.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The place had seemed nice. There had been people going around and having fun. The nine Heroes had had rough time with battles and long roads. A moment of peace and fun seemed like a good idea. The amusement park had seemed like a perfect place for such.

They had first just walked around to check what was where and decide on where to meet and all. Yet, before Time had really gotten all the advises and whatnot out, the Chain had already scattered around. He just chuckled a bit and left to wander around to check the place a bit more. He had no idea why he had chosen to go with the Love Ride out of all of the things at there.

It had seemed like just bit of fun without harm in it. The one eyed male was certain that Malon would understand. So, he waited for his turn and went for it. Sitting alone and to see who would be chosen as his ‘pair’.

The ride had started easy. The place did look romantic and cute. The woman that came next to him took him off by surprise as she just jumped in from hiding. Time gave her an apologetic smile while raising his left hand. “Sorry, married.” He told calmly.

“That’s not a problem.” The woman smirked and snapped her fingers. Time gasped as sudden bars came across his legs and abdomen while locking him to his place. The woman came over him while changing her appearance. “One kiss will be more than plenty.” The lithe, female Dead Hand mused wickedly.

The Chain’s leader screamed in terror. He drew out his knife and started to struggle as the beast, those white arms in the place of the sharp stubs, tried to grab him. He twisted and turned while doing all he could to avoid getting either bitten or kissed by the monster.

“GET THE FUCK OFF ME!” Time screamed while trying to concentrate long enough to bring out his Fire Magic but he was too freaked out to manage. He was trembling and flinching as the latest bite almost took off his ear. Suddenly blue glowed sword slashed at the creature. The beast screeched and pulled backwards.

The one eyed male slashed at the female Dead Hand’s throat while Sky stabbed the Master Sword through the monster’s back. When their enemy vanished, the bars snapped open and Time scrambled out of the ride on that second while trembling violently. He had never been more grateful of the Chosen Hero having actually taken the sacred weapon along into a place that should’ve been nice, fun and calm.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time sat to the soft cushions of the heart shaped ride and fought to not tremble. He unconsciously checked that the knife was easy to take out. He forced himself not to glance back as the ride began and took him out of the sight into the tunnel of love.

The one eyed male gasped and flinched when young woman came to sit by him. This time, though, he had seen her approach. “Hey.” She greeted softly.

“Um… Hi…” The Chain’s leader stumbled with his words and shakily raised his hand to show the wedding ring.

“Aww!” The woman cooed happily. “She’s one lucky girl.” She told while raising her hand too. “I’m too.” She mused while looking with fond love at the ring in her finger.

Time calmed down slightly since things were going entirely differently. “Mind if I lean on you?” The young woman inquired while keeping as much of distance at the moment as possible.

“I… Guess that’s okay…?” The Old Man half whispered and bit flinched when the woman snuggled close to him.

“Sorry if I fall asleep.” She apologized while yawning. “Me and my love had long night. It was so much of fun. Picnic, theater, romantic evening meal, stargazing, walk by the shore, watching fireflies and catching the rising sun from a high hill.” She whispered with dreamy voice.

“Sounds nice.” The Chain’s leader mused quietly while hoping he could give Malon the similar day and night. They hadn’t really had much of luck with getting a day off from work or catching a moment between him traveling with the eight Heroes. He smiled bit fondly as the woman did fall asleep. With no immediate danger, he started to plan out something nice and romantic for Malon if he ever got the chance.

When the ride started to come to an end, Time gently nudged the woman awake. “I doubt you want to be caught sleeping.” He told with a fond smile. “Thank you for the calm ride.” He whispered while watching her yawn and stretch.

“Thank you for the nap.” She replied with a slight grin.

The oldest Hero chuckled and grinned. “No problem.” His grin only widened when he noticed the eight waiting for him to come back. He winked and jumped out of the ride before helping the young woman out. He simply nodded to her before going over to his boys. “See? No harm done.” He told while, feeling bit like a gremlin, actually jumped over the fence instead of following the normal road. “So, where next?”

“I’m still not trusting this but let’s clear my and Sailor’s part next.” Four half suggested while leading the road with Wind. They both were uncertain and bit fearful as they headed towards the next ride. The sounds of the rollercoaster made the duo flinch every now and then. Time wanted to give the duo the same reassurance the war Hero had given him but the shortest members of the Chain were already in the line and moving in to catch the end of the queue.

The Chain’s leader followed the others to better place to get a full check on the ride. He felt fearful and worried while trying not to show it. As he glanced around, the others were equally concerned to let their brothers into the fast going thing.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time and Sky heard the terror filled screams of Four and Wind. They didn’t wait even for a second as they already ran towards the way the sound had come from. Suddenly the shocking sight came forth and they stopped running for a moment to take in the monstrosity before them.

The rollercoaster the Smithy and the Sailor had taken was alive. It didn’t, luckily, move away from its place but it was trying to drop the duo down. The shortest members of the Chain were hanging on to the carts with all they got. Luckily the beast was bit stupid as its track-like body was whole time moving the cart to and fro. At least that kept the duo from getting squished by other parts of the thing.

“Attack it! I’ll catch Four and Wind!” Time commanded while running into middle of the thing’s four legs. He watched how the cart kept going here and there before choosing his place. “WIND!” He called out as loudly as he could to catch the youngest Hero’s notion. “Let go when I tell you to!” He commanded while trying to time things out as perfectly as he could. “NOW!”

The Sailor shut his eyes and let go of the bar that should’ve protected him from falling off the ride. He held back his scream while fearing for the worst. Suddenly a gasp and impact with something soft got him to snap his eyes open before he and whatever he crashed into fell into the ground.

The Chain’s leader groaned and gently pushed the pirate-Hero off of him. “Go help Sky.” He groaned out while forcing himself back to his feet. He shook his head to regain his bearing before already raising his gaze back up. Wind glanced at him bit worriedly before dashing off to attack the living rollercoaster’s stationary feet.

The one eyed male searched for right place again before commanding Four to let go too. He caught the shortest Hero and somehow managed to stay to his feet this time around. “LOOK OUT” Sky’s warning rang through the air and snapped the Old Man’s notion into the situation.

Time swiftly pushed the Smithy further away from him before the metallic piece of a railroad struck into him. He gasped and growled as the impact cut a rib or two from him. He clawed a hold of the thing while being raised higher. Another screamed warning and he saw a higher being piece of metal being brought down towards him. He didn’t think as he let go of the thing he was hanging on to and dropped down. The pieces screeched together only moments later.

The Old Man groaned in pain as his landing wasn’t as good as he had hoped for. Four, Sky and Wind tried to fight the thing but their attacks didn’t seem to have much of luck in there. The Chain’s leader rubbed at his hurt ankle before making his choice. He was grateful of never leaving the four masks out of his reach.

The agony filled scream startled the three Heroes and snapped their gazes into Time. Yet, their oldest brother wasn’t there anymore. In his place was a Goron.

“Find its core!” Darmani III shouted before attacking at the back left leg of the thing. The punches and kicks were powerful enough to bend the steel until already breaking it too. Four took distance and looked around to find anything that could be considered as a weak point. Sky and Wind tried their best to avert the thing’s notion off of the rock-being.

Goron-Link kept striking hard while bringing the monster downwards with each bend and broken piece. He kept close check on the others while every now and then striking a brutal punch into the iron bar that was being flung at the Heroes of Hyrule. It took a while but eventually they found their target.

“There!” Four shouted and pointed to a crystal that had been well hidden only a while ago.

“Let me do this!” Wind nearly begged while requesting for the Master Sword. Once he got the blade, he already began to climb the thing like a fast monkey. The trio left at the ground was bit surprised of his going before remembering the masts the youngest Hero certainly climbed in the ships he sailed.

“Keep its notion!” The Goron shouted and struck as hard as he could. Sky and Four nodded while beginning to do their best to avert the beast’s concentration away from the Sailor. Eventually the creature screeched as the Blade of Evil’s Bane was plunged into the crystal.

Darmani III tore the mask off while screaming. Only a moment later Time was already stumbling and trying to stay to his feet. The living rollercoaster had exploded into black smoke and Wind was falling. The on eyed male sighed in full relief when the Chosen Hero caught the youngest Hero.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time watched closely to every movement of the ride while searching for even one bit of something being off. He knew the others were doing the same but everything seemed safe and sound. He gulped once as the shortest members of the Heroes took their places and were soon send off.

The oldest brother of nine Links felt his heart at his throat. He didn’t dare to tear his gaze off of the thing to check on the others. He was certain they were equally worried as he was at the moment.

Yet, after a while, the duo on the ride were fully enjoying of the speed of the going. They were screaming in delight and throwing their hands up. The Chain’s leader resisted the urge to scream for them to hold on instead of letting go like that. Yet, he had to trust into the safety mechanics and whatnot of the rollercoaster.

The seven brothers very much relaxed and calmed down when the ride finally ended and their shortest brothers came back safe and sound. Time ran a hand through his hair while taking a deep breath and pushing his fear and worries off. He forced a grin on his face as Wind and Four came to them. “Wasn’t that bad now, was it?” He queried as cheerfully as he could.

“It was awesome!” The Sailor exclaimed overly gleefully.

Four nodded in agreement while actually having a small smile on his face. “I have to admit that I wouldn’t mind going for another round later on.” He told with a slight blush.

Time felt grateful of the happiness within his boys. “Well then, what’s our next target?” He queried while turning to the rest of the Chain.

“I think I could lead this time around.” Sky offered bit shyly and the others nodded. He knew he hadn’t really gone through as rough situation as the others but it still had left him uncertain. They all had shared the situations after they had escaped the place so they were aware of what he had gone through.

The Chosen Hero brought his brothers into the alleyway of all kinds of venues. He felt bit fearful while searching for specific kind of thing. He gasped a bit when he felt someone’s hand on his shoulder. When he checked behind bit startled and fearful, his oldest brother smiled reassuringly and nodded once to show he was safe and sound with them.

Soon enough Sky found the one he had faced trouble with. The venue had bunch of long ropes hanging from the ceiling of the thing and attached to all kinds of prizes. “This one.” He half whispered while eyeing the ropes suspiciously.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Sky had first thought about just following one of his brothers but his gaze had found the venues. His curiosity got him to venture between them and see what was on the chance of winning. At first he thought about going for the ones in the need of skills but he chose against it. It didn’t feel right towards other competitors whom might not have the practice and ways like he and his brothers did. That was the reason he went for the more of by luck gained things.

The Chosen Hero paid for three tries as he eyed the ropes. There was something he actually wanted to get in hopes of giving it to Sun. Yet, he didn’t think he’d have the luck with him. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop him from trying.

First attempt gave him a card pack. Second gave him a figure of a wooden Cucco. It looked nice enough to keep. Third try gave a hiss and the end heads of the ropes rising upwards while opening their mouths.

Sky gave out a startled scream. He let go of the rope and backed off by few steps. The twenty snakes all had their gazes fixed into him before already lunging forward. The Chosen Hero dived off the way before already somersaulting and drawing out the Master Sword.

The Ropes pulled upwards again and turned towards their target. The Knight of Skyloft readied himself for a new attack. When it came, he quickly sidestepped them and swung the blade. It cut the heads off of the monsters but the rest almost convulsed before new heads appeared into the cut end.

The bundle of Ropes gave a sharp shake before dropping down onto the counter. The weight of the twenty headed monster broke the weak wood and dropped the beast to the ground. Sky began to back away while trying to figure the situation out.

The Skyloftian Hero swung the swords again and cut several more heads off. Yet, like before, those just regained a new head to lower area. The best kept slithering closer while having its gaze fully fixed into him.

Eventually Sky moved to side when the creature went for a new attack. He stabbed the Master Sword into the main body of the monster and slashed it out. The creature screeched but before it had a chance to react, he already slashed the twenty heads off from the area they all connected into.

The Chosen Hero sighed in relief when his enemy vanished with a poof of black smoke. Suddenly the air was split by Time’s scream. He didn’t think twice as he already dashed towards the way the sound had come from.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

“Everyone chooses one rope.” Time decided while paying for all nine of them. “You first, Sky.” He ushered calmly with an encouraging smile.

Sky hesitated but he nodded and picked a rope and pulled. It gave him once again a pack of cards. Wind dashed over and picked one of the ropes and offered it to his brother without being asked to. The Chosen Hero was bit startled and he glanced at the Chain’s leader whom was leaning backwards against the counter. “Seems like my idea was caught on straight away.” He mused with a grin.

The Skyloftian smiled a bit and took the rope from the Sailor and pulled. It gave him a decorated seagull figure of which the youngest Hero was delighted of. After him came Four to pick a rope to pull on.

Sky feared a lot when he picked that third one and began slowly to pull on it. Nothing bad happened but he was rewarded with a small booklet which he gave to the Smithy. After that everyone, one by one, chose a rope to yank. Time, though, held back to stay last one to make a choice.

The prices were greatly varying but each of them seemed to work out well for those whom chose the rope to pull. A sewing kit for Legend. A goat statue for Twilight. A statue of three dragons for Wild. Bottled fairy water for Hyrule. A necklace of Hyrule’s crest for Warriors.

While the others were picking up on their ropes, Time went through the pack of cards. “I’m not sure this is a bad pick.” He mused while turning one of the cards around. Sky gasped a bit in shock as there was a picture of one of the sky islands he knew. “I think you can find this quite worthy when you feel homesick.” He told fondly while giving the card pack back to the younger male.

“The earlier pack of cards got pictures of birds, by the way.” The one eyed male told while finally pushing himself off of the counter and taking a check of what was on the chance of winning. “What are you actually wanting, Sky?” He inquired while already following the ropes and trying to figure things out.

“The blue Loftwing.” Sky answered bit longingly. The Chain’s leader nodded, searched the statue out and began to follow its rope. After that he carefully put his hand into middle of the bundle of ropes and, as carefully and unnoticed as he could, began to go them through. Eventually he picked one and offered it to Sky.

“I hope this is lucky one.” Time mused while hoping his notion had been right one. The Chosen Hero took a deep breath and pulled on it. He still feared for the worst but no hissing came out nor did the heads of the ropes gain mouths and eyes and sharp teeth and split tongues. Instead, it gave him exactly what he wanted.

The oldest Hero grinned happily at the delight of his boys. “So, who’s turn to pick our road?” He simply asked while checking at the ones still to choose the ride to fix.

Warriors glanced at Hyrule before sighing. “Guess it’s our turn then.” He told and the Traveler nodded unwillingly. They began to lead the way while not wanting to repeat the earlier situation. And yet, things had been going very well so far. Still, they weren’t willing to trust in that too much.

The duo led the way to a watery road with rafts going in there. “Going to be wet road.” Hyrule half whispered while dreading how deep the water would be. The earlier place had been way too deep for such a fun thing.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Once the monstrosity of a living rollercoaster was gone, screams split the air. The four Heroes dashed towards the way the sound had come from while having recognized Warriors’ and Hyrule’s voices. Time ignored his hurting ankle and stayed up to the trio’s pace.

The watery area was wide and the two Links were trapped into a raft. The water was filled with all sized Skullfish. The duo was tied into the raft by few metallic bars while still giving them slight chance to fight for their lives. Sky, Four and Wind took out their bows and arrows while starting to shoot at the beasts. Even though most weapons were at the Inn, they still usually forgot the weapons they carried in their pockets and this time that had been a blessing.

The Chain’s leader put the Goron Mask off and drew out Zora Mask. He put it on, screamed and stumbled before already dashing towards the watery area. The trio with him had been startled but there wasn’t much they could do as the aquatic male already dived into the water.

Mikau attacked the creatures fast with the force field to clear most of them off. After that he already jumped out of the water and landed onto the raft. He struck several of the Skullfish off the way before starting to slash at the metallic bonds. He growled as his attacks did nothing to them.

Zora-Link struck few more Skullfish off the way before he took a deep breath and took the mask off. The duo beneath him were startled of the scream and change. Yet, the one eyed male didn’t have time to concern himself with that as he already changed the masks and brought Darmani III out again.

The Goron swiftly took hold of the first barrier and yanked with all he got. He grinned slightly when the metal broke and he pulled Hyrule free. “Sky!” He called out just moments before tossing the youngster to the safe ground. Right after that he turned towards Warriors and fought the restraint open.

“SPRITE!” The Captain screamed in terror as, while flying through the air after having been freed and send to safety, the biggest Skullfish slammed roughly into the raft and dropped the Goron into the water. Sky caught the war Hero while watching in horror as the water almost sizzled with the amount of the beasts that had dived after their leader. There wasn’t anything the five Heroes could do to help.

Time freaked out as Darmani III crashed into the water. He knew what this would cause. He gasped when the mask suddenly came off. He fought to hold on to his air while trying to dive after the precious item. He gasped again when the Skullfish struck into him.

The one eyed male didn’t think as he drew out the Zora mask and put it on. He struck at the beasts and dived deeper into the water. He HAD to find the Goron Mask. He would NOT leave the area without it.

The moment Zora-Link reached the bottom and snatched the mask into his hold, he already hugged it close. He was inwardly whispering his apologies for a moment before putting the item into safety. Mikau held the force field up to keep the beasts at bay. Now, with the mask where it belonged to, the duo in one turned around and attacked the creatures.

There were too many to really deal them off even though the Zora took down the biggest Skullfish of the school of them. Instead, he dashed back up and dived out of the water. He screamed out when one of the Skullfish jumped from different angle and struck its sharp teeth into his leg.

The Chain’s leader in Zora’s form screamed and crashed roughly into the ground. He growled and slashed at the beast to get it off. The current Chain dashed to him while being entirely ready to defend him. “Heal the leg, please.” Mikau requested while bit panting.

Hyrule didn’t think twice as he already did as asked. The moment the wound was fixed, the Zora gently forced him off. After that he pulled the mask off. Nearly instantly afterwards Time began to cough and retch the water out of his lungs. Wind was on his side at that moment to help as well as he could.

“I’m okay.” The one eyed male wheezed out before pulling the Goron Mask back out. He sat up bit better while leaning his forehead against the brown wood. He inwardly nearly begged for an answer while apologizing constantly. Suddenly the Chain gasped in shock as the ghostly figure of the Goron appeared and gently laid his hand onto the Old Man’s shoulder.

Time sighed in relief and relaxed. He turned his sorrowful gaze into the former leader of the rock people back in Termina. Darmani III smiled fondly and shook his head. “No harm done.” He whispered quietly before vanishing out of sight.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time was among the first ones to get as close to the railing as possible to check the depth of the water. It was far lower than in the earlier place. Just enough for the round, soft raft with short soft walls to move on the water. The road the ride would take was about less of the raft’s width wider. Just enough to let the raft move around and bit bump into the walls of the ride’s road.

Those notions bit calmed down the Chain left on the dry land. Yet, their gazes were fully in the duo’s going once they were in their raft and ready to take off. The one eyed male unconsciously checked that the masks were with him in case he’d need their help. Luckily, though, those stayed in his pocket as the duo in the watery ride were slowly actually staring to have fun. Things were safe and sound and the seven Heroes calmed down the closer the ride’s end came.

Eventually the bit wet Captain and the Traveler came back to the start. They were laughing and smiling while being tad wobbly from the rough going of the ride. Legend and Time quickly aided to stabilize their going before the one eyed male already began to dry them off with the heat of his Fire Magic.

“Two places left. Which one first?” The Chain’s leader asked once the duo was securely on their feet with them.

Twilight and Wild glanced at each other before nodding. “I guess we were the next ones you guys found.” The Rancher replied while starting to lead the road forward. The earlier situation was haunting them both and even Four was feeling entirely uncertain of where their road would take them.

After bit of searching the nine Links came into a one room house. They all hesitated as they saw the mirrors that were supposed to be fun to be in front of. “If this goes to hell…” Wild started bit fearfully while starting to approach the place.

“It won’t.” Time stated out as firmly as he could. “And if it does, we’re here to save you.” He swore firmly while being equally unwilling to get inside the area. Yet, with the duo whom had gone through hell in earlier equal place being in front, he and the rest of the Chain followed.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Wild had been leading the way while looking around quite astonished. The whole area seemed fun with all kinds of rides and venues. Then his gaze fell into the Room of Mirrors. He didn’t think twice as he already dragged the Rancher along and into the room.

Things started nice and funny with the mirrors twisting and turning their outlooks. It was lot of laughter and joking until they stepped in front of more unique looking glass. The frame was decorated with fancy looking scribbling. “What do you think it says?” The Champion inquired while gently tracing the carvings.

Twilight frowned while trying to figure it out. “No idea.” He replied before shrugging. “Doesn’t seem to do much.” He mused while taking a better check of the glass.

“I think that looks familiar…” The Chain’s cook whispered while frowning at specific word. “Vortex. I think it reads ‘vortex’ in here.” He told before searching for other familiar markings. “Open.” He picked up the next one from the top part of the frame. “Up.” He translated from right side of the frame.

Suddenly the glass flashed brightly and the duo gasped while stepping away from it. Then, out of blue, a rough pull appeared and Twilight and Wild screamed. They tried to move aside, out of the glass’ sight but they were dragged fast towards the smooth piece. The Rancher called out the Iron Magic and tried to slow their going but that only got the pull to be even stronger.

Wild screamed when his feet were pulled from underneath him and he almost flew into the glass. “WILD!” The ranch hand screamed and tried to snatch a hold of him but his attempt missed. The movement and the cruel pull got him to lose his balance. Before he knew it, he too was inside the mirror.

The duo looked around in the darkness in fright before already starting to try and break the glass. They slammed against it several times before trying to blow it up. Neither aided even one bit. They tried with all kinds of weapons but nothing helped. They searched the frame from both sides but found no fancy writing in it.

“Twilight! Wild!” The call got the duo to start to knock on the glass and catch notion of the Chain’s leader.

“Careful! Don’t get in front of it!” Twilight shouted and he was grateful when Time seemed to hear him. He noticed the one eyed male stop the others from coming closer.

“How did you two end up into there?” The Old Man queried while staying off of the mirror’s sight but coming closer. While the duo gave the explanation, he checked the frame and the back of the thing. “I have an idea.” He told before calling Sky and Warriors over. “Stay off of the mirror’s way. Don’t look into the glass.” He commanded before taking a deep breath and repeating the three words Wild had spoken not long ago.

The vortex and the rough pull started nearly instantly afterwards. The trio around the mirror gasped a bit before Time tipped the glass backwards a bit to reach over the top frame and reached into the glass. “Come on! Take a hold of my hands!” He commanded and soon Twilight snatched a hold of his left hand while Wild hang on to the right.

The oldest Hero began to pull while fighting against vortex’s attempt of dragging him into there while keeping its current residents inside. Sky and Warriors swiftly pushed their hands into the glass and grabbed a hold of their brothers too. The Chosen Hero aided to pull Wild up while the Captain’s hold was on the Rancher.

The more of the duo came out of the mirror, the stronger the vortex’s attempt to keep them there. While the other two Heroes had better hold of their brothers, Time changed his hold every now and then to be able to aid as much as possible. Eventually the duo was pulled out of there.

The Chain’s leader made sure his brothers were off the way before he slammed the mirror forward and crashed it against the floor. “OUT! EVERYONE OUT!” He screamed when the ground began to crumble beneath them. The vortex was still dragging stuff inside and now it was working with the floor of the room.

The five Heroes scrambled out of the Room of Mirrors and turned around to watch how the wicked thing destroyed itself by trying to drag in something far different than it was meant to snatch. It eventually suffocated itself and blew up in a puff of black smoke. The eight Links sighed in relief and relaxed… Until they heard the blood chilling scream of a ReDead.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time was wary of the mirrors but none of the frames had odd scribbling in them. It all looked normal and slowly his boys were calming down as they laughed at the sights the funny mirrors were giving. Little by little he relaxed and gave a slight lopsided grin at the foolish looks in the smooth reflective surfaces of the rectangle things.

The nine Heroes spend quite a while in the Room of Mirrors while just calming down, laughing and relaxing. Things were so much different than back in the hellish version of this place. Yet, each of them dreaded the last area they’d face. And so, eventually, Legend led his brothers forward towards the House of Fun.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Legend had a thing for anything Temple like places. After all House of Fun should’ve been a fun and nice version of a Temple. It would be quite straight forward like most Temples but without anything of bad. Just bit of slippery roads, a mirror maze and slides along with some other unique rooms. He thought about just cracking the place first and then seeing how the others would deal with it.

The place was dimly lit. Sure, it wasn’t bad but considering that it was supposed to be for fun, it didn’t really seem fitting for it. The corners were even darker than he wanted to admit. The start was easy with short bridge over a room which was created to be a spinning barrel like place. Then some thin poles to move past. Next a slope that needed bit more of speed than should’ve been necessary to get to its top.

The moment the Veteran got up to the area, a screech froze him to his place. He fought to move and managed just in time to avoid the ReDead from latching into him. He growled, turned around and struck his knife into the beast’s neck. He tackled the brown living-dead being into the floor and began to stab it repeatedly.

The Specialist was panting a bit but mainly out of having freaked out than of anything else. He thought for a moment about leaving the place and wait for the others to come and help. Yet, he chose to venture deeper. He was the expert with this kind of things. He could deal with one fucked up Temple like amusement park’s area without trouble. He just needed to be careful and wait for a monsters to be at any and every corner.

Legend went deeper into the place while only being armed with a knife. He moved carefully and slowly while letting his eyes adjust into the differently dimmed areas for a moment each time he came to a new area. Suddenly he heard running steps from behind him.

The Hero with most quests done turned around swiftly while wondering if there had been a different path he had missed and what beasts were coming after him. The quick movement caught the notion of a ReDead that had been approaching the Veteran slowly and silently. Now it screeched and jumped.

Legend screamed out in shock and terror as he ended up into the cold embrace of the monsters. Another scream tore out of him when the beast sank its teeth into his shoulder. He trashed and fought to get free but the hold was too tight for him to move.

“LEGEND!” The scream of the Weapons Specialist’s name came from the voices of his brothers. The creature holding him tightly was biting over and over again into his shoulder and trying to tear a piece off of him. He tried to defend his neck while barely keeping his eyes open while wishing he’d see the eight Links come for his aid.

“GET THE FUCK OFF HIM!” Time’s raged scream was followed by a swift stab into the ReDead’s skull. The Chain’s leader was followed by Warriors and Twilight whom quickly began to tear the beast off of the Veteran. The one eyed male was stabbing the monster over and over again while desperately trying to kill it. The trio was followed by Sky whom quickly stabbed the Master Sword into the creature and slashed it out.

That finally killed their enemy. Legend sank to his knees while holding his bleeding shoulder. He was bit trembling while realizing how close he had been to dying. He gasped a bit when Hyrule gave him a swift hug before already starting to heal the hellish bite wound.

“The road back is safe. I’m burning this place down.” The Old Man almost snarled while eyeing the darkness from where the ReDead had emerged from. The Chain with him nodded and once the Specialist was ready, they left the place the same road they had come from. The moment they were out, Time turned around and made the moves of Din’s Fire. He was close enough to his brothers to keep them safe as he spread the attack not just into the house they had left but into everything else too.

The Chain watched in awe and worry as the one eyed male burned the whole amusement park into ashes. Once done, he was gasping for air before already crashing to his knees. He closed his eye and tried to calm down, yet all that gave him was darkness as he fell unconscious from having overdone himself far harder than ever before.

The Chain surrounded their oldest brother in worry which only increased when they realized how much he was burning up. “We need to cool him down.” Warriors told while already searching for anything to aid. Before he or the others were fast enough to find a way to help, Legend had already pulled out the Ice Rod.

The Veteran quickly placed the one eyed male’s hands round the weapon while already initiating the magic. “I don’t think this is working.” He mumbled while noticing that it wasn’t having any effect.

“Let me help!” Hyrule half shouted while already coming to opposite side of the Chain’s leader than where the Specialist was at. He quickly tapped into Time’s magic before taking hold of the Ice Rod’s magic. While connecting and using, he got the one eyed male to unconsciously use the Ice Magic and ease out the overheating. Once out of the harm’s way, the Traveler carefully untapped from both magics and nodded once to show things were all right again.

While the Captain picked his little brother up, Legend picked the exhausted but still conscious half-fairy. After that they left the burning area and returned to the Inn for rest. The conscious members of the Chain swore they would never again enter another amusement park for any of reason…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The whole Chain was uncertain of entering the House of Fun but Legend took the lead and moved in. The others followed close by while fearing for the worst. Yet, the first notion was that it wasn’t as dimly lit as the earlier place. There were other people running around and laughing as they enjoyed of the only safe way to get the experience of going through a Temple.

Slowly the safety of the place began to work and the nine Links started to actually have fun. They aided one another through harder places while now and then just pushing each other down the safe slopes while bit playing like the king of the hill -game. Still, they never strayed far from each other as they still were slightly bit not trusting the place after all they had gone through. Nonetheless, nothing of bad had happened by the time they had left the amusement park and returned to the Inn. They had actually eaten at one of the food venues around the area before going for few more rides together. In overall, it had been fun break from everything. “Like I said, just because one area’s bad, it doesn’t mean all of them are.” Time mused and the others nodded in agreement. They’d still be wary if and when they’d go for a third amusement park but at least they were willing to give it a chance.