#right in front of her undead army

[tbob-enthusiast]

NOOO...... For your sake :((( I hope not :(((

Gosh man :((

Cracked Toy Hilda, wolf and hare, ZHILDA AND ZROBBIE AAAUAUHRHFHDHBS OH MY GOD THEIR EXPRESSIONS ARE SO GOOD RAGAHFHDBTHEHHSHFHRHR. Robbie's is so good is so good I'm spinning him around in my room so so so so frantically AAAEWAWAAEWAWAWAWWWAWA YIPPPEEE and SIBLING BIRD AND ARROW </3 I'M SO </333

"are you my brother in every universe?"

"for your sake, I hope not."

Yeah lmao. Here. Angst.

Also the au featured in the 4th image is @tbob-enthusiast's Zodiac au (+ Hilda) so GO CHECK THAT OUT, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY. I mean it, go look at their sick as fuck au that strangely gives me elden ring vibes. In like the best way possible

Also like. I am planning to yap about zodiac Hilda later because as we know, i literally cant resist au versions of my favorite ocs

[rook-laidir]

31. LoF!Rook disarming a trap or solving a puzzle (?)

I wrote about exactly this in Stolen Moments so here’s an excerpt:

Neve was about to reply, but stopped short, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. “Wait,” she said firmly, holding out an arm to stop her two companions. “Something’s wrong.”

“And it’s not the demon?” Davrin asked, hand already twitching for his sword.

“No, this is different,” Neve mused, staring into a long hallway of the catacombs. They would just have to walk forward. It was too simple. Nothing in Dock Town was ever this simple. “Someone’s set up a trap. Fairly recently too - probably whoever summoned the demon. It’s not the Venatori’s work, this is more subtle. Keep back until I know what we’re dealing with.”

Before Neve could even fully finish her sentence, Rook was scouting ahead, making a beeline towards a specific stone tile.

“Fenedhis, Rook, what are you doing?” Davrin asked, already reaching to grab the smaller elf by the back of their armor.

“Relax, it's fine! I know this one,” Rook insisted, not looking away from the tile. It was slightly discolored, compared to the other tiles. Rook only noticed because they knew to look for it. Taking out a spare dagger, Rook got to work, gently prying the loose stone away. “I’ve run into a few traps like this with the Lords. This one’s actually really fun, there’s a pattern in the tiles, but it changes based on which tiles you stepped on and…anyway, they’re usually connected by a mechanism that determines the pattern. If I can get to it, I can make it safe for us to go.”

“Good eye,” Neve said with a small, fleeting smile.

“It’s why I’m here,” Rook joked right back, smiling wide when they heard a decisive click . “There! That should let us get across without setting anything off.”

Davrin and Neve started to walk, feeling the pressure plates lower under their feet. Out of habit, the two of them tensed, waiting for a trap or an army of demons or undead that never came. Instead, there was just a soft, empty click in its place.

“Huh, looks like Rook actually did it,” Davrin said with a smirk, walking much more confidently across the hallway.

“I knew there was a reason we kept them around,” Neve joked right back with a smirk of her own.

“Should we let them help with our shop? We could have them scout ahead and disarm the traps.”

“Or they’ll just set them off.”

“I can still hear you!” Rook called out from their spot by the tile, deft fingers delicately working on the mechanism once more.

Davrin chuckled, crossing his arms and looking over to their leader once he and Neve reached the other side. “Just wondering why you’re still fiddling with that thing. Is it on a timer?”

“Just making sure we can’t be followed,” Rook explained, resetting the pins.

Neve smirked. “Clever.”

“Let’s not start giving them compliments just yet. They’re still all the way over there and now the floor’s trapped again,” the warden pointed out.

“I think they just wanted an excuse to do the puzzle,” Neve quipped, crossing her arms as she watched Rook hop across the floor.

“You know, I think this is the most they’ve used their brain since we’ve met.”

“Do you think they’ll get an injury from it?”

“Five gold says they’ll set something off.”

“Ten says it’s because they trip.”

“You’ll both owe me fifteen for solving it,” Rook grumbled, delicately hopping along the pattern they figured out - well, the pattern they were mostly sure was right. So they liked a good puzzle. Being with the Lords of Fortune wasn’t all gold and glory all the time.

Neve couldn’t help but smirk as she watched the rogue try to figure it out. Of course Rook would reset a deadly trap just to prove they could outsmart it. As much fun as it was to make jabs at their leader, Neve knew Rook was much smarter than they let on. But why did they dumb themselves down? Was it a reflex or a front? Maybe so others would underestimate them? Either way, the way they would stick out the tip of their tongue as they focused and the way their curls would bounce as they strategically jumped from tile to tile was cute endearing.

Rook hopped onto the final piece of stone with a triumphant smile, big enough to light up even the darkest corners of the Minrathous catacombs. “You owe me thirty gold.”

[in1-nutshell]

Hi! I’m happy to see your requests are open again and I hope you’re doing well!

Could you do a request of tfp Ophelia taking dark energon? Like a little what if scenario before Soundwave took her to the autobots. I got the idea from when Lithia took the synthetic energon and wondered how Ophelia would be if she took the dark energon and how everyone would react.

I hope you can get to this when you can and make sure to take care of yourself and take breaks if you’re too exhausted!

Poor, poor Ophelia...

She needs all the hugs.

Hope you enjoy!

Ophelia gets Dark Energon

SFW, Platonic, Familial, ANGST, Cybertronain reader

TFP

This takes place the day Megatron comes back to the Nemesis after the failed attempt at raising the small army of the undead.

It was time to start thinking of the future after Optimus’s termination.

The future of the Decepticon’s.

The warlord had the perfect idea how to ensure the prosperous future of the army.

Ophelia walking nervously into the storage room.

Ophelia: “Megatron? You called?”

Megatron stood in front of one of the bigger windows of the ship. The Dark energon glowing in one of the farther corners of the room. Megatron turns around with one servo behind his back.

Megatron: “Ophelia, my dear, come closer.” Ophelia looks a bit stunned by this sudden soft tone.

Hesitantly, she walks over to him. Megatron feels slightly hurt and irritated seeing her nervously walking to his side. He kneels placing a servo on her shoulder. She freezes a bit at the gesture. He was hugging her?

Megatron: “My sparkling, my darling sparkling, you are going to be the greatest Decepticon this army has ever seen.”

He pulls her into his arms. Ophelia is stunned but nestles her chin on his shoulder smiling weakly. She couldn’t remember when was the last time the two had shared a moment like this.

Maybe it was time he finally realized his mistakes, his wrong doings, his--

SHING!

Megatron plunged the large shard of dark energon into her back struts.

Ophelia gasped: “Megatron…?” Megatron: “The Greatest Decepticon this army will ever know.”

Ophelia opens her mouth trying to scream from the pain, but all that comes out are little cries. She tries to get out of his grip, but he simply held her tighter and pushing the shard deeper. Tears begin to spill from her optics. Ophelia croaking: “F-father… why?”

She goes limp in his arms. Megatron lets go and puts the limp frame on the floor. He stands up and walks to the door. There is a moment of hesitation, but the warlord brushes it off and walks out the door.

It takes a few hours before anyone finds out what happened to Ophelia.

The minicon was quiet throughout the rest of the day.

There was a dead look in her optics.

Barely acknowledging anyone on the ship, not even a smile or wave for Steve.

This set off many alarms in the minds of the Decepticons on the Nemesis.

It was Soundwave who found out about what Megatron had done.

He was furious at what his leader had done.

He goes to Knockout and Breakdown for any information on how to extract the Dark energon from her frame.

They did eventually get a way to drain the energon, but by that time much had changed with the minicon.

It felt like another Megatron was onboard.

Except this Megatron was quiet and always lurking in the shadows.

Not even Starscream wanted to be in the same room as her.

A permenat look of disappointment was plsted on her face.

Megatron seemed to be the only proud mech on the Nemesis.

He was especially pleased seeing how she would stand right back up after deep slashes and harsh kicks.

Energon spraying the walls of the room, none of the fighters backing down.

Megatron didn’t know the fury that lied underneath her servos.

Soundwave didn’t know the detailed plans in her mind.

The crew didn’t know she was simply biding her time.

Ophelia would be The Greatest Decepticon the universe would ever know.

It would start with the end of Megatron.

[gnyl]

Basically, it's a story about Carmilla, who is a medieval woman that resented God and death, trying to save her wife when their village was being torn through by an enemy army. Her determination, her pain and fear, turned Carmilla into an undead being whose soul has lost its way to the other side and is forever stuck in the body that, although powerful, with time, kept deforming, decaying. She couldn't save her love either; her spouse was killed in front of her right as Carmilla's transformation was taking place, and, no matter the resolve, there was nothing she could do about it.

Fast-forward a few centuries, Carmilla is found by Helen Graves, who is this world's Integra, you guessed it, and is a head of the special forces group trained to slay supernatural monsters and take care of paranormal hazards. Helen and her group were investigating the disappearances of people in the mountains and returned from their task with a peculiar souvenir, their very own ghoul. There, in the dark forest, Helen and Carmilla made a deal. Carmilla would obey Helen and slay the monsters under her command, cleansing her own soul, and Helen would find a way to grant Carmilla the only thing she had wished for all this time. The embrace of death.

[odditycircus-2002]

Important question but how would Shang have reacted if medusa reader had died between Mkx or something, like not long after many of the other characters were turned into Revannts, she got taken out as well despite her best efforts, and got resurrected by Quan Chi. How would he react when he comes back in mk11 to his wife’s death and turned into a undead servant.

Short answer: Astonishment at the fact Quan-chi managed to get his hooks into her. Shortly follows by a cold fury he barely manages to contain. Given who is allies are and the fact he’s got beef with EVERYONE, he’s not going to show the full extent your death and enslavement has on him. Granted, Medusa!Reader doesn’t exactly make it easy.

Long answer below:

Fujinn groans as he blinks against the low torchlight. The first thing he notices is the feeling of cold metal wrapped around his wrists, and just a glance up confirms what he suspected to be true. He's chained to the ceiling with both his arms in the air. The demigod's chains rattle as he looks to his left and right to find Night Wolf and Shang Tsung chained by their hands with their backs against pillars decorated with skulls.

"Night Wolf! Shang Tsung!"

Fujinn's calls finally rouse the Matokka and Sorcerer from their stupor. Both men take a quick moment to observe their surroundings, which look to be made in a gothic style, with bones decorating every surface as far as they can see. Night Wolf is the first to speak.

"Where are we?"

They already had a good idea where they were, given that the last thing they recalled was attempting to sneak past the Netherealm armies, only to be captured by Lui Kang's Revenant. That and Shinnok's decapitated head directly in front of them, where its been placed on a wheel that crackled with red lightning. Just as Shang Tsung was about to answer, a familiar voice beat him to it.

"Why, you're in Lord Shinnok's Bone Temple."

Shang Tsung feels his heart skip a beat at that voice. While it's raspier than he remembered with a dual undertone, leaving a faint echo to your words, he's known it for so many eons that he'd recognize it anywhere. Yet, as he tried to turn his head to the side to catch even a glimpse of your figure, you were already gone. Instead, he's met with former Empress Sindel's Revenant.

"Sindel, you look well. Death becomes you."

He comments with his usual poise and smug expression, barely faltering when Sindel scratches his cheek.

"Always the charmer, Shang Tsung. I will enjoy feeding Lord Shinnok your soul."

Your voice could then be heard again; this time, the Sorcerer can get a good look at you.

"Can we not have ssssome fun with them first? I'm sure our Lord has been dying for some entertainment."

You stood in front of the pillar Night Wolf was chained to with a veil that covered the upper half of your face with a familiar, serene, and sinister grin he fondly remembers. However, you had undergone many changes after his death. Like the rest of the Revenants, your once vibrant and lively form had become an ashen grey, with your snakes becoming black as coal with glowing yellow eyes. While he couldn't see your eyes, as usual, he could make out a faint glow from behind the mask; no doubt, your gaze had become filled with fire with barely a trace of you left. You had a thick orange line covering the entire neck like that of a choker, yet Shang Tsung already knows that's the injury that killed you after Sindel chopped your head off.

Sindel scowls at you. "This would not be because you wish to keep the Sorcerer for yourself, would it?"

You reply with a clear, patronizing tone while waving your taloned hands in front of you. Sindel and Night Wolf scowl deeply at you. The latter's expression shifts into one of disgust as you lean close to him, your nest of snakes snapping their jaws just a hair's width from his skin.

"Oh no no, Sssindel. Fujinn and Night Wolf, the man who killed you, most certainly deserve to suffer. I am simply reminding you to enjoy yourself while doing so, to entertain our Lord. However, if I may make a suggestion,"

In the blink of an eye, you stood before Shang Tsung to gently caress his face, careful with your talons, unlike Sindel.

”Wouldn’t he make a better Revenant than a snack for our Lord? Surely, it could never hurt to ensure our victory for the New Era by recruiting more minions.”

The Sorcerer's gaze narrows in a mixture of cold fury and dejection. How could Quan-chi, that second-rate Sorcerer, have the gull to claim his wife as a minion? How could you, a conniving sorceress who's always stood by his side for centuries, be brought so low? He should've been wiser as to listen to your suspicions of Quan-chi.

Yet, it's a relief to know that even in your sorry new form, your love hasn't wavered. Even if said love includes you briefly scuffling with Night Wolf's Revenant on his behalf, only so you could drag him to what remained of Shinnok to make him "better and stronger" once you see the damage the Revenant did to his face.

"I am sure Lord Shinnok will resurrect you once I convince him of your worth. I did not forget our vows, my love. Not even death will part us forever; soon, we will never be apart."

Fortunately, Fujinn interfered before you could carry out your plan, by sending an arrow in your direction which you easily dodge. You hiss at the demi-god as you move your entire body in front of Shang Tsung to block him from view.

"HE. ISsssSss. MINE!"

You then pounce at Fujinn who held out his crossbow in front of him to jam between your jaws, preventing you from sinking your fangs into his flesh.

Despite the flashes of pain that pulsated from his face, it still touched Shang Tsung to know that you still remained so steadfast in your devotion to him, as much as you could under Shinnok's control anyway. There's no use in stewing in his anger and astonishment for now. He will succeed in resurrecting both you and Sindel, then claiming Kronika's crown for himself with you by his side as his muse while rebuilding fate and destiny in his image.

A/N: I hope this answered your question well enough😅Don't forget to comment, like, and reblog!

[trashyswitch]

Day 18: Tickle Fight

Séan and Evelien are watching Corpse Bride, when Evelien mentions something...intriguing about spiders. Coming up with a theory, Séan decides to test his theory on her, leading to a silly little tickle fight in the middle of the movie.

Séan and Evelien are back for Tickletober, because everyone knows Séan and Evelien deserve some fluffy love. I hope you enjoy!

Séan and Evelien were watching Corpse Bride as a way to welcome some Halloween spirit into their house. It was an awesome animated movie that still gives Séan goosebumps. The stop motion is fantastic! The story is really good, and the music is top notch. 

They had finally gotten to the scene where Victor called for the undead to help him and Emily get married. “We decided to do this thing properly. So grab what you can, and follow us. We are moving this wedding party upstairs.” Victor declared, pointing to the ceiling. 

Séan and Evelien watched as the group of undead citizens reacted to the news before yelling out “Wedding!” while dispersing in every direction. 

They watched as Victor hopped off the stone table, and was stopped by a spider. “Hold on, Victor.” 

“Oh noooo…” Evelien raised her hands up to cover her eyes. “Here comes the spider bit…” She mumbled nervously. 

Séan bit his lip and pulled Evelien closer. “It’s okay. I’ve gotcha.” He told her, trying to be strong for her. 

“You can’t get married looking like that.” She told him, before using her front 2 legs to whistle her army of spiders to help him. 

“Oh GOD!” Evelien squealed and covered her one eye. 

Séan and Evelien hesitantly watched as 6 spiders with ridiculously long legs sang as they lowered themselves down and landed on his thin little arms. The moment those spiders started walking around on his arm, Evelien and Séan both yelped in horror. “How can he handle that?!” Evelien asked. 

Séan seemed to calm down slightly as Victor laughed and tried to handle the rest of the alterations. 

“God, I hate it…” Evelien muttered. 

“The spiders? Or being tickled?” Séan asked for clarification. “Spiders!” Evelien replied. “Being tickled is fine. But spiders crawling on me?” Evelien shuttered. “Nuh uh…” 

Séan raised an eyebrow. “Wait, what did you say?” He asked. 

“I don’t like spiders crawling on me.” Evelien replied. 

“No, the other thing.” Séan explained. 

“Oh…the ‘being tickled is fine’ thing?” She clarified. 

“Yeah.” Séan replied. “I mean…If it’s you, then I don’t mind it because it’s you.” Evelien told him. “But spiders tickling me? No way.” She clarified further. 

Séan looked at his hands, before looking at Evelien. “You realize that hands feel similar to spiders, right?” Séan asked. 

“Well yeah…but I know it’s you…so that makes me feel better.” She described. 

Séan smirked slightly. “Alright.” He grabbed the remote and paused the movie right as the dinner scene between Victoria and Barkis was beginning. “Okay.” 

Evelien looked at the TV, before looking at Séan. “What are you doing?” She asked. 

Séan pulled Evelien closer and wrapped his arms around her. “Gotcha!” He declared. 

“You got me!” Evelien reacted, staring at Séan. “Why do you have me?” 

Séan smirked. “Because I want to.” He replied proudly. “But it’s not just me that’s got you…” He teased next. “Iiiiiit’s theeee- spider fingers!” 

Evelien widened her eyes and squeaked as Séan attacked her sides. “eEEEK! SÉANYYYY!” Evelien shrieked and laughed. 

Séan giggled. “What? Why are ya laughin’?” He asked, pretending to be innocent. 

“YOHOHOHOUR FIHINGEHEHERRS!” She yelled back. 

“My fingers?” Séan lifted his right hand up and pretended to look at the nails. “What about them?” 

“eeEEHEHEEheeeheehee! Ihihihit ticklehehehes!” Evelien told him through her newfound giggles. “What tickles?” Séan looked down and gasped. “Oooooh! I get it, it’s the spiders!” He declared. 

Nohoho ihihit’s NOHOHOT! Yohohou lihiarrr!” Evelien shot back. 

“Lying?!” Séan gasped. “I’ve done no such thing!” Séan reacted before adding his right hand back into the tickle onslaught. “I’m not even tickling you!” 

“Thehehen whahat do you cahahahall thihihis?!” Evelien asked. 

“This is what you call ‘being tickled by evil little spiders’.” Séan explained as-a-matter-of-factly. 

Desperate to gain control of the fight, Evelien threw her hands against his belly. “Paybahack!” She announced. 

“GAHAHA- YOHOU LITTLE SHIHIHIT!” Séan bursted out rather abruptly. 

“I’M the little shit?! Try looking in the mirror, Spider-Man!” She reacted playfully. 

“IHI WAS- EEHEE! I WAS PLAHAHAHAYING AROHOHOUND!” Séan told her through his strong laughter. 

“Exactly! What do you think I’m doing right now?” She asked. 

“YOHOHOU’RE A MEEHEEHEANIHIHIE!” Séan shot back. 

“A meanie?!” Evelien pulled Séan onto her lap, and lifted his shirt up as she took in a deep breath. 

Séan yelped in horror. “NonONO-” 

“PPPBBBBFFFBBBFBFFTT!” She blew a gargantuan raspberry right onto his belly! 

Séan shrieked and let out the longest fit of cackles. “FAAAHAHAHAHACK! EHEHEVILIHIHIHIEN!” He laughed. 

“Such a poor, ticklish little leprechaun.” She teased. 

“Shuhuhut uhuhuhup.” Séan muttered, pushing her chest lightly. 

Evelien laughed and booped his nose in response. “Boop!” 

Séan’s eyes went cross-eyed for just a couple moments. Oh…It was ON! 

Séan picked her up and playfully tackled her into the couch before tickling her armpits. “Your turn, Gab~” 

“eeEEEHEHEHEEE!” Evelien squealed, arching her back and pulling her arms into her sides as more laughter overcame her. “SÉAHAHAhahahan!” She giggled. 

“Who’s the poor little leprechaun now?” S��an asked, leaning closer to Evelien’s face. 

“Yohohou, stihihihill.” She said back, topping it off with an evil little giggle. 

Séan’s smirk widened…and that was the last thing she saw before he shoved his face into her belly and blew a raspberry. “PPPBBBBFFFFBBBFFFTT!” 

“eeeeEEEEEEHEEEEE!” Evelien squealed rather high-pitched. 

Séan lifted his head up. “Good lord, my poor virgin earholes!” Séan reacted, rubbing his ear. 

“Thahahat’s whahat you get!” Evelien told him, poking his chest. “For what?” He asked. 

“For tickling me!” Evelien replied. 

“Well…” Séan’s voice went super low as he mumbled something under his breath. 

“What?” She asked. 

“It’s notmyfau-” Séan’s voice dropped to a mumbly whisper again. 

“Sorry Séan, I couldn’t hear you. What was that?” Evelien asked, bringing her ear closer. 

Séan laughed. “Ihihi said…It’s not my fault you’re so damn ticklish…” Séan mumbled a little louder. 

Evelien raised an eyebrow. “Oh reeeaaally?” She taunted mischievously. 

Séan chuckled rather villainously. “Uh huh~” He leaned back slightly. 

“You’re pretty mouthy for a ticklish little lerse jongen~” Evelien teased, calling him an irish boy in Dutch. 

“And what is the little poepie gonna do about it?” He taunted right back with a smirk. 

“Why don’t you guess, Séanyboy~” She teased. 

Séan chuckled. “Nah…I’d much rather you show me what you’re gonna do.” He told her, in the same devilish little tone. 

“Oh, if only it were that easy~” She taunted right back. “Is it not? Please, indulge me~!” Séan encouraged. 

“Alright~” She immediately reached for his belly and started skittering as quickly as she could. 

“OhFUHUCK-” Séan jumped and yelped as he tried desperately not to fall onto her. But by some miracle, Evelien managed to move out of the way, right as he fell into the couch. 

With one quick push, Evelien flipped him onto his back and attacked the right side of his belly. “Evelien-NOHAHAHAHAHA!” He cackled, throwing his head back as more laughter escaped his mouth. 

By this point, it was evident that both lovebirds had forgotten about the movie. 

[fallenasleepyetagain]

Seduction - Nightmare/Blue

Media: UTMV/UTAU

Genres: High School AU, Human AU, Teenage AU, DND, Characters play DND, Pining, Mutual Pining, Almost Kiss, Story Within a Story, Family Dynamics

Characters: King Nightmare, Blue, Dream, Ink, Cross, & Error

Character Human Names (in the same order as above): Nikora 'Niko' Nomura, Briar Cárdenas, Donovan Daniels, Isidoro Bonheur, Cain Ximenez, & Emmanuel Balcom

Pairings: Nightmare/Blue, Implied Error/Cross

CW/TW - Implied Neglect

Word Count - 3684

Read it on ao3 instead!

Our heroes were expecting an army. Hordes upon hordes of undead knights and creatures known only to the darkest depths of the Shadowfell should've been lined upon the walls and borders of the village. An army should've been defending the castle. The king.

And yet, nothing.

The entire kingdom was quiet. The only sound was the sound of the party's feet against the cobblestone ground. Villagers glanced out their windows and doors, watching them with bated breath.

There were a few open shops that the party could stop in if need be, but most places were closed indefinitely.

The heroes didn't need to stop. Not this time. They were ready. Their entire adventure they had been preparing for this battle since the start.

As they made their way through the village, the centerpiece of the kingdom slowly showed itself.

The Mareridt Castle.

A large, skyscraper-esque castle sat in the center of the village. It had towers that could touch the clouds, and dark gothic architecture with details that could only be made by hand.

The Mareridt castle was always visible on their adventure, able to be seen from miles away. It was like it was watching them, waiting for their arrival.

It loomed over them, a sense of doom and dread filling the party's senses. When they reached the front gates, they opened all on their own. They would be going to their deaths of their own accord. They would die knowing they could've turned back at any point.

There was a duty to be done, though, and the party entered the castle.

Blue, the half-orc Druid went in first, his staff, the Deathshaper, in his hands. He could feel the amount of death and decay here, there would be no shortage of bones for him to use. Although, the world was stifling, the darkness and shadows clawed at his heart. Connecting to the earth to use his Druid abilities would be difficult.

Error, a human sorcerer, stayed on Blue's left. Her hand gripped on her dagger, Lolth's Kiss; she hoped she wouldn't be in close enough combat to use it. Her crossbow felt heavy on her back, and yet, her magic felt stronger than ever. Her shadow magic felt all consuming, threatening to snuff her out if she allowed it.

The party's barbarian, Cross, flanked Blue and Error. His tiefling tail flicked back and forth, his eyes scanning the area. His glowing greatsword was strapped to his back, it had a name, once, but it had been forgotten to time. His body tensed, everything about the castle was making him uneasy. Being back was terrifying.

At the back was Dream and Ink, the party's rogue and bard.

Dream unsheathed her twin scimitars, which she had oh-so lovingly named Pleasure and Pain, her fingers tensing and relaxing as he walked. She hadn't seen much in her time, being a Kalashtar, but the Mareridt castle was something else. The spirits here were tormented and in constant agony. Whatever was causing their pain had to be destroyed.

Ink's rapier was tucked neatly into the sheath on their hip, their hands flitting up and down their flute. This was probably the worst idea the party had ever come up with. Being a changeling, Ink would've preferred a stealthy approach, but noooo, instead they had to waltz right on in.

And that was the party. The five of them walked through Mareridt castle, seeing...nothing. No guards, no servants. Not a single person was there. The castle was entirely empty. Eerie.

The group soon made it to the throne room, and there he was. The king. The one who was to blame for all of the troubles across the land. The one who had sent his closest guards to stop them on their journey. The one at the head of it all.

King Nightmare. Ruler of the Mareridt castle.

Nightmare was lounging against his throne, made of a dark marble. His legs spread wide and the side of his face resting against his knuckles.

Power radiated from him, his teal eyes looking down at the group. He's a drow with hard skin and long, jet black hair. And, by the gods, was he gorgeous.

He pushed himself up from the throne, hips swaying as he took a few steps forward. His cape billowed behind him, his heels clicking against the stairs as he approached. His lips twisted into a cruel, saccharine smile; eyes looking down at the party like a wolf looks at a deer.

Then, he-

"I flirt with him."

Wait, what?

Nikora looked over the DM screen at the group of his boys at his table in utter shock. He had been in the zone, setting up his friends for the final battle against the BBEG of the campaign.

"Come again?"

"I flirt. With him." Briar, sitting on Nikora's left, leaned in closer and tapped his pointer finger on the table as he spoke.

Laughter erupted from across the table as Nikora continued to stare in disbelief.

"You know, I had expected this behavior from our resident bard," Nikora said, gesturing at Isodoro who only grinned at him. "Or, fuck, even Don would pull this shit!"

A glance was enough to send him into a fit of laughter. Emmanuel face palmed, being squished in between the cackling Donovan and Isodoro. Cain put a hand to his mouth, trying to suppress his laughter.

"But you, Briar?" Nikora said, "You? It's an unwanted surprise."

"Can I flirt with him?"

In all four years of playing dnd and being dungeon master, Nikora should've expected this. Flirting with the BBEG or powerful creatures wasn't unheard of, but from Briar? Sweet, kind, not-openly-horny, Briar?

Even now, his blue eyes were full of adoration and excitement. This wasn't out of malice, just a genuine want to flirt with Nightmare.

"...Fffffffine." Nikora hissed out, gritting his teeth together. He couldn't say no to Briar's cute face.

"Roll," Nikora glanced at his screen, "Charisma."

For a moment, he was going to make it at disadvantage, but decided against it. Briar's half-orc would need all the help he could get, considering Blue got a minus one on every charisma check. Besides, Nightmare didn't hate the party, at least not Blue.

Briar took in a deep breath, grabbing his d20, slowly rolling it in his palm. The table held its breath, if this was successful, it'd be one of the funniest things to happen during the campaign, plus they'd get a powerful warlock as an ally.

"Wait, B, don't roll yet." Isodoro held up his hand and glanced at Nikora. "I want to cast bardic inspiration first."

"Go ahead."

"Oh! Can I cast guidance on myself?"

"No."

"Aw man."

"But first, Iso, how does Ink cast bardic inspiration in this moment?"

There's a pause as Isodoro thinks for a moment, snapping his fingers and leaning against the table.

"Well, Ink's probably been playing tunes this whole time, it's who they are. They...probably paused for a second when the party saw Nightmare. But when Blue goes to approach Nightmare, they'll play a short measure or two of Blue's favorite song."

"Perfect. Briar, add a d6 to your roll."

With a nod, Briar scanned the dice by his character sheet before grabbing his d6. Once more, he inhaled deeply, and begun to shake the two dice in his hand. After a moment, he tossed the dice down on the small dice mat in front of him.

The dice clicked together as they landed before separating. All five boys were on the edge of their seats: Cain leaned into Briar's side, the other three leaning across the table to see what the dice said.

Nikora could only hope it wasn't a natural 20.

"That's a..." Brair paused, scanning the dice, "17 on the d20, aaaand a 5 on the d6!"

"So a twenty two." Nikora hummed. He glanced down at his board with Nightmare's information on it. "Go ahead."

"What? Did I pass the DC?"

"I haven't decided yet. I want you to tell me how Blue flirts with him. Words and everything."

The look on Briar's face told Nikora that he wasn't expecting to have to actually flirt.

"I make Don actually flirt with every NPC he wants to flirt with too. It's only fair."

"No no, I know! I'm thinking, give me a second."

"Sure."

And a second was all he really needed. Briar took a deep breath and sat his hands on the table.

"Nightmare's throne has steps up to it right? Is he a few steps up still?"

"Uhh," Nikora paused, looking up at his board to check the interior map of the throne room, "yeah."

"Okay so, Blue is going to sheath the Deathshaper onto his back, and he's going to approach Nightmare." Briar said as he pushed the half-orc figurine closer to the drow figure.

"Blue doesn't move his eyes from Nightmare, completely and utterly enamored by him. He's wide-eyed, in awe. He's never seen someone radiating with such...power and control.

"He fidgets with his breastplate before taking another step forward, until they're about...a foot apart."

Nikora made a mental note of that, they were a third of a meter way from each other.

"Quickly, Blue grasps Nightmare's hands with his own, holding them to his chest. He inhales sharply, before speaking. He looks up into Nightmare's eyes with the most earnest, genuine expression he could possibly have."

It took Briar a moment to get into his 'Blue voice,' but he got there eventually.

"You're beautiful."

So Nikora would have to roll first, an insight check, and then an intelligence saving throw. He preferred to use the dice when it came to this sort of thing. Sure, he knew how his characters and creations would respond in theory, but he liked to keep himself on his toes.

In a different campaign hosted by Emmanuel, Nightmare played a drow woman (what? He loved drow!) who ended up falling head over heels for a Lich Queen by using that strategy.

But that was another story for another time.

The insight check would be used to see how exactly Nightmare would view this flirting. Rolling low would be best here, as rolling high would show Nightmare that Blue was, in fact, being genuine.

Behind the board, Nikora's dice clattered, and Briar held his breath. When the DM rolls without a saying a word, it causes panic throughout the table.

And that's an eighteen.

Plus two for Nightmare's wisdom stat and...

Great.

Nikora didn't really have a DC set in his mind, but an eighteen was high enough to let Nightmare know that Blue wasn't lying. Twenty was more than enough.

Now, for the intelligence throw...

Before the campaign even started, Nightmare's stats had been predetermined. Since he was the big bad end character, Nikora could really do whatever he wanted with his stats and be okay.

Every stat was at a sixteen, meaning Nightmare would get a plus three on each dice roll. With the exception of wisdom and constitution, which were both at fourteen, which gave a plus two instead.

Once more Nikora wasn't sure how high he needed to roll here, but he was willing to roll and see what would happen.

The d20 clattered against the table and Nikora slammed his head in his hands.

That was a three.

Plus the three for intelligence made the saving throw a six.

Lady Luck was not on his side today.

A six wasn't high enough to do much of anything. Like, ever.

"So."

"...So?"

What was he supposed to do now?

The big bad he's spent so much time setting up just fell for a half-orc!

"Nightmare..." Nikora took in a deep breath. He'll roll with it. It's what he always did. There was that backup plan just in case something happened...

"Nightmare's eyes widen slightly, his gaze quickly scanning up and down Blue's body, borderline undressing him with his gaze. His lips pulling back into a smirk, his fangs peeking through.

"After freeing his hands from Blue's grasp, he holds Blue's chin gently, making him look downward. His thumb runs over Blue's lip, a satisfactory hum coming from him.

"'You're awfully handsome, you know.' Nightmare says, 'Stay right here for me, hm? Give me a moment to wipe your friends off of the face of Toril, and then I'll see what I'll do with you.'"

"Jesus," Briar nearly choked on the air he was breathing, his cheeks completely flushed.

"Can I have Dream throw a knife at Nightmare while he's distracted?"

"WHAT?! Donovan if you kill my drow husband I swear to god-!"

Nikora put a finger against Briar's lips before nodding.

"Roll a stealth check first."

Donovan's d20 rolled against the table and, upon seeing the number given, the table burst into a collection of laughter.

"That's," Donovan held his head in his hands, "That's a natural one..."

"Haha!" Nikora clasped his hands together, cackling evilly behind the board. "So, Dream attempts to throw a dagger at Nightmare, but she ends up stumbling, an action that echoes throughout the throne room. The knife only grazes Nightmare's coat, slamming into the bottom of the stone throne."

"Oh thank god."

"Shi- Wait, wh- Briar! Whose side are you on?!"

Briar playfully stuck his tongue out at Donovan, who flipped him off with similar lightheartedness.

"Nightmare turns around," Nikora said, clearing his throat to get the table's attention. "A flash of anger goes through his teal eyes, a cruel smirk growing upon his face as he takes a step forward toward the rest of the party."

"Damnit Don!" Cain slammed his hands into his face, "If we have to fight this guy, we're fucking dead."

"Ohh, fuck you asshole, I didn't see Cross try anything!"

"That's because Cross knows how powerful Nightmare is! We're in deep shit!"

"He hasn't attacked yet though guys." Isodoro cut in, stopping the two before it turned into a full-fledged argument, "I roll advantage on persuasion checks thanks to my flute. If it comes down to it, I could try to talk him out of it?"

Cain sat back in his seat, nodding, dropping it. Donovan did the same, brown eyes glancing back at Nikora.

"...Can I continue dungeon master-ing please?"

"Yeah, sorry."

"It's chill." Nikora shifted in his seat, closing his eyes for a moment, getting into character.

"'Well well well,' Nightmare says, eyeing up each party member before landing into Cross. 'Looks like my little hellion has come home. We both knew you'd be crawling back before long. The world doesn't tolerate monsters like you, Cross.'"

Nikora takes a breath. The party is engaged, he has his notes and character motivations all planned out. He's ready. They're all ready.

Cross stiffened at the words, his body tending. The horrors he committed under Nightmare's rule...unforgivable.

But someone did forgive him. Error, despite her distaste for touch, took a step towards Cross, squeezing his hand.

"You're a fool if you think your little friends will end me. They'll die, and it will be your fault, Cross." Nightmare's piercing eyes bore through the party. "Like lambs to the slaughter."

Panic surged through Blue as he watched Nightmare slowly approach his friends like a panther, stalking, ready to pounce. He stepped forward, attempting to stop the warlock.

With a flick of Nightmare's wrist, a blast of eldritch magic shooting out at Blue. It knocked him back into the throne, taking the wind out of him. It was, in Nightmare's own way, keeping him away from the danger, even if it hurt.

"Wait, wait." Ink stepped forward, hands sweating and eyes flitting around. Gods, they hated this. They had so many plan ideas, so many unused schemes because the group had decided to rush in! They could make this work though. They had no choice. "I think you're confused. Uh. Sire."

"Am I?" A scoff left Nightmare as he shook his head. "Bold words from a changeling."

"Rest assured, your highness, I know who I am." Ink flipped their platinum blonde hair to the side, pure white eyes boring into Nightmare's face. "And I know what I'm here to do, and that is, in fact, not to kill you."

Nightmare raised an eyebrow, stopping on the steps to his throne.

"The...The magic cursing my village," Error stepped forward, dropping Cross' hand, much to his dismay. She glanced towards Ink, who only nodded in encouragement. "It's yours. Or, more accurately, your patron's. If you could just undo the shit that you did, we'll get out of your hair, and we'll stop beating your men half to death."

"A magic user like yourself should know a warlock's curse is not so easily broken. For it's not a curse of my making."

"Then," Blue sputtered as he stood up, holding onto his side from the eldritch blast strike. "Then take us to your patron! To the Underdark, the Shadowfell, wherever it resides. Don't...Don't make us fight you. Please."

To Blue, he was too beautiful to die.

"Awh." Nightmare cooed, running the back of his fingers across Blue's jaw. "You're adorable. But, I don't think that's your decision."

Cross and Nightmare locked eyes, "It should be his. Make your choice, my hellion. Fight me, or die by my patron."

Silence echoed in the room, Cross' heart slamming in his chest.

"...I don't want to fight you, either." He mumbled, "I want to, um, work with you. Again."

There was a pause. The gears in Nightmare's mind turned, debating if he should even humor the party. Was it even worth it letting them take the issue to his patron? Ohhh, she wouldn't be happy with that.

...That's exactly what Nightmare's been wanting, though. To finally get back at that she-devil was something that kept him up at night. Fantasizing about finally taking over and having power to himself.

"Deal."

A sigh of relief went through the party, Dream sheathing her weapons, but still eyeing Nightmare with suspicion. She didn't trust him, even if Blue did.

"Yes!" Blue cheered softly, grasping Nightmare's hand and bringing it up to his chest. "We have experience dealing with nasty patrons; wherever she is, we'll find here."

"There won't be any searching necessary, my dear. For she is right here in this castle." A slow cackle left Nightmare. "My patron...is my little sister."

"NIIIKORRRAAAAA!!"

Oh for the love of-!

"Whaaaaaaat?!" Nikora pushed his chair away from the table as he glanced up at the basement staircase. Standing at the top was his older sister, Mona, arms cross and hip popped to the side. That wench.

"Parents are here to pick your friends nerd. Times up."

Nikora glanced at the clock on the wall before realizing the three hours had already passed.

"Jeez. Okay, uh, same time next week?"

"Sounds good." Donovan nodded as the other started packing up their stuff, chatting about various events in the campaign. Mona disappeared from the staircase, avoiding the traffic that was teenage boys.

"...Nikora?"

"Huh-? Oh, hey." Nikora turned to the side. Briar had stayed behind. He hasn't even noticed. "What's up?"

Briar fidgeted with his messenger bag, not meeting Nikora's gaze. "I was just wondering if you needed help, um, cleaning up?"

"Nah, I've got it. Thanks though." He closed the dm screen, placing it face-down on the table. "C'mon."

"Okay!"

The two walked up the stairs, following closely behind the others. Nikora leaned against the column on the porch, waving goodbye to each of his friends as their parents cars' pulled into the street.

Per usual, Donovan's stepmom was first to come, the black sports car not even bothering to pull into the driveway.

Isodoro went home with Cain and his dad, and Emmanuel's sister was soon to follow.

"And then there was one."

The playfulness of the comment was soon lost, the silence filling the air as Briar and Nikora waited. After who knows how long, the two sat on the stairs of the front porch, Briair's bag leaning against the wall.

"...You don't think your brother forgot again, do you?"

"I don't know." Briar mumbled, putting his face into his knees. "I told him. I even put it on the calendar and the fridge! He shouldn't've forgotten..."

"Well...if he doesn't show, you could always stay overnight if you want."

Briar's eyes lit up, "Really??"

"Well, sure, yeah. It's not a school day tomorrow and if we're quiet, Mona won't care."

"I would love that, i-if you'd let me."

"You're my friend, of course I would." Nikora gently smacked Briar on his shoulder.

At that moment, the rickety orange truck pulled up to Nikora's house. Briar's brother was smoking a cigarette as he parked along the road. He waved, smiling slightly.

"Aw. I kinda wish he forgot about me now."

"Don't say that, oh my god. We can hang out another time."

"Yeah..." Briar stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder. He turned towards Nikora, smiling. "Thanks for indulging me today. You didn't have to but...you did. And I appreciate that."

Nikora shrugged, "It's no big deal. You have good taste, drow are always hot, so-"

And he's cut off. Briar's lips, surprisingly soft, connect with his cheek. For a split second, he thought it was some sort of Spaniard custom he was unfamiliar with, before realizing that it was something else completely.

Flushed cheeks. Aloof expression. Averted eyes.

"Bye!"

Before Nikora could say anything, Briar rushed off, getting into his brother's truck before they drive away. He doesn't move, watching as the truck drives off. He slowly put his hand against his cheek, his own cheeks beginning to blush.

Briar kissed him.

On the cheek, sure, but it was still a kiss!

Did Briar like him? Like, like-like him?

Nikora put a hand to his chest, his heart thumping vigorously in his chest.

Did he like-like Briar???

Had he fallen for his seduction as Nightmare had?

With a sigh, he leaned against the column on the porch. That wouldn't be too bad.

"Get back in her before you catch a cold, gay boy."

"Mona!"

[foolofatook001]

Faerie Fort Week Day Seven -- Knight (I also went for the alt "Role Reversal" prompt as well.)

Only 'Til the Night is Over

The first time the King of the North sees the Shadow Knight, he is— he will admit— taken aback. 

The reason they are even meeting in the first place is at his Hand's insistence. Martyn is from the Land of Faerie originally (some kind of wood sprite, if he recalls correctly), and with the Ender incursions growing in scale and severity, his silver-tongued Hand finally managed to convince him that it was at least worth entering into treaty negotiations with other lands in order to bolster their forces. Not to mention, Martyn had said, I have some family connections that may help. 

Ren still thinks their army will be just fine for quite some time, but he is a reasonable man, and the less men his army loses, the better. They are on the front line, as his kingdom runs right up to the abyssal drop where the Ender invaders have been emerging in waves— the first and best bastion against the voidborn. 

So a delegation from Faerie has been sent to the North. At their head is the infamous Shadow Knight, general of a hundred victories and scourge of the undead. Three pale wolves keep pace alongside her jet-black gelding, often disappearing among the snow drifts that cover his kingdom. Her banners fly high and flap merrily with the wind: a sigil of lilies in gold on a black field. But the thing that catches his attention, as he watches their arrival from the battlements, wrapped in his warmest fur-lined red cloak, is the Shadow Knight's hair: pink as the sunrise, and running down her back all the way to the saddle like a river. The polished steel of her armor catches the sun both shining down and reflecting off the snow, and the effect as a whole is dazzling. He stays out, watching, until the gate has shut behind the whole delegation, and then returns inside. 

-o0o-

The second time the King of the North sees the Shadow Knight, he is once again surprised. This time it's because she is a good deal shorter than he expects. He wouldn't dare underestimate her, of course— her reputation speaks much too loudly for that— but he's sure he must be nearly half again her height. She's changed from her armor into an elegant blue dress, though she has an ornamental sword-belt— and sword— still buckled around her waist. Two of her retainers follow behind her: a man with a green streak in his dark brown hair and mage's robes, and a tall woman with a powerful build, pale, green-tinged skin, and hair as red as fire, who also has a sword-belt to accompany her navy blue dress. 

"Lady Lizabet!" Martyn exclaims from his place at the foot of the dais that holds Ren's throne. He hurries forward to greet her. "It's been too long, dear cousin." He kisses her cheek and grins, and the Shadow Knight smiles, though she rolls her eyes as she does. 

"It's good to see thee whole, cousin," she replies. "I see thou hast not frozen solid in this wasteland yet."

"Not yet," Martyn says, and Ren can't hold back his snort of laughter. It draws the two faeries' attention, and Martyn steps to the side, bowing. "Your Majesty," he says. "May I present to you Lady Lizabet of Faerie, the Shadow Knight, Scourge of the Undead and Guardian of the Realm; Lady Cleo of Faerie, the Twice-Lived; and Magister Beans of the College of Enchanters."

The Shadow Knight curtsies, and her two retainers follow suit. 

"We welcome you all to our court," says the King of the North, and the delegation rises to their feet. 

"So, Your Majesty," Lady Lizabet begins, her head held high and something like a challenge in her voice. "What is it the mighty Kingdom of the North could want from the Land of Faerie? One does not often hear of the Red King asking for help.”

Magister Beans winces behind Lady Lizabet. Lady Cleo grins, resting one hand on the hilt of her sword and the other on her hip.

Ren only looks down at her, one eyebrow raised. She’s taking an awfully confrontational stance for a delegation meant to be negotiating a treaty. He’ll keep calm, for now— though she may be antagonizing him, he can’t really afford to do the same to her. “Then you know it is important,” he says gravely, “since we do not often ask.”

Lady Lizabet inclines her head, and Ren feels as though he's passed some kind of test. 

"We need aid. Military aid," he says, fingers drumming on the arm of his throne. "While our army stands strong against the voidborn for now, the Long Night grows ever closer, and soon they will be able to rally others to strike against us from the abyss. Our army may be good," he says, and meets Lady Lizabet's eyes directly, "but they are only human. And we prefer to avoid the loss of life when we can."

Lady Lizabet considers this. "And what could you give the Land of Faerie in return?"

He exchanges a glance with Martyn. They'd discussed this at length, both in private and with the privy council, and finally landed on something that the Hand said would certainly be tempting. "We will offer our netherwort to all merchants from the Land of Faerie at a steep discount. And of course, if you come to our aid, we also will come to yours, with the full might of the North." Assuming we survive the coming onslaught, he doesn't say aloud, but he's sure the Shadow Knight knows. Netherwort, though, grows exclusively in the North, and is a key ingredient in many popular potions. Surely she cannot turn down such a deal.

Magister Beans leans forward, whispering excitedly into Lady Lizabet's ear, and Ren presses his lips together to keep from smiling in triumph. He's got at least one of them hooked, and that's what he needs. The delegation confers for a few moments, and Ren waits patiently. 

Finally, Lady Lizabet steps forward. "I have been granted by the King and Queen the ability to make treaties in their name. If we can have the terms in writing and witnessed, I will accept this deal," she pronounces. 

"Then we will see it done," says Ren, and motions to Magister Bigbi, his chief scribe and notary, who he had prepare something in advance. 

He presses his seal to the blood-red wax at the bottom of the treaty, then waits as all three faeries carefully read it over. Then Lady Lizabet presses her lily seal below his, and a courier is dispatched to the Land of Faerie. 

"Now that that's settled," says Ren. "We offer you the opportunity to join us at our table this evening."

"Only this evening?" Lady Lizabet asks, raising an eyebrow. 

"Aren't you leaving for Faerie as well?" 

The Shadow Knight laughs, and just like out in the snow, her hair catches the light of the torches, sunset-pink and glorious as it spills over her shoulders. "Ah, Your Majesty, I think you have been under a misapprehension. We are the advance guard. We are here to fight for you."

Ren is taken aback once again. It's becoming something of a familiar experience, faced with the Shadow Knight. "Well, then, you are welcome as long as you are here," he says finally, and gestures for Martyn to lead the way to the Great Hall for the evening meal. 

-o0o-

Ren encounters the Shadow Knight on the Wall overlooking the abyss one night, far past the hour any reasonable person should be awake. 

"Lady Knight," he says, when he comes around the corner and nearly runs into her, his hands coming up automatically to steady her arms. 

"Your Majesty," she replies. "And why are you wandering the Wall so late at night?"

"We could ask the same question of you," he says, raising an eyebrow. 

"It's my duty to defend this Wall, I've a right to be on it when I like," she answers, lifting her chin. "And must you do that?"

"Do what?"

"It's just us, you know, Your Majesty. I should think we've done enough strategizing into the wee hours of the morning that you could be a little less formal, you know. I'm sure you don't go around saying We hereby proclaim such-and-such when you're speaking with my dear cousin."

The bark of laughter that leaves Ren's mouth is unexpected and much louder than he meant it to be— both he and Lady Lizabet peer into the abyss, searching for any sign that the noise has disturbed any Ender forces. When nothing happens, he lets the smile return to his face and crosses his arms. "If you continue to refer to us as Your Majesty, we are, of course, expected to reply in kind."

She looks unimpressed. "Sure. All right, Ren."

He feels his teasing smile soften into something a little sweeter. It's been a long time since anyone other than Martyn has called him by name. And she does have a point: they've both seen each other almost too tired for words but still trying to plan on multiple occasions over the past weeks now— occasions where the rest of the war council had already retired for the night, leaving only them to argue strategy. 

He enjoys those discussions with the Shadow Knight— it is there he can see her terrifying reputation is well-founded. (Well, that and when she takes to the sparring ring with Lady Cleo.) Together they have managed to draw up a plan to withstand the coming siege, and it has given him— not optimism, necessarily, but at least some hope for the future. 

"Lady Knight," he says now. "I'm still waiting for an answer to my question. Don't you sleep?"

Her smile, a pale flash in the darkness, is tired. "Not often."

"Yet another thing you and I have in common, I suppose," he comments, leaning on the outer edge of the Wall and peering down into the fathomless depths. "I'm pretty sure the guards out here have worked me into their rotation at this point."

"One can never be too alert, I always say," she says, stepping forward to join him. "Also if I'm calling you by name, I suppose it's only fair you call me by mine. It's Lizzie, among friends."

"Are we? Friends, I mean?" Ren asks, startled. Perhaps there will be a day the Shadow Knight doesn't surprise him, but that day has yet to come. 

"I just said so, didn't I?" She crosses her arms. "Unless you'd rather—"

"No!" he blurts out, rather gracelessly. "I would be glad to be your friend— Lizzie." He trips over the name, stripped of all titles or formality, but the full force of her smile turned on him makes him forget all his hesitation. 

They talk a little while longer— though if someone asked him to recall the conversation, Ren wouldn't have been able to tell them what they spoke of, only that it had happened. He'd paid more attention to Lizzie— her teasing smile, her steadfast belief that the North would survive the Long Night, the way she said his name, like it was nothing out of the ordinary.  

When the sun begins to show her face over the high northern peaks, however, they both realize they ought to at least get some sleep. 

"I'll let thee go," Ren says through a half-restrained yawn. "It's early— or late, rather." 

Lizzie's eyes widen, though only for a moment, as Ren does his best to hold back another yawn. "Well, I hope thou find'st rest for at least a couple hours," she says, and curtsies once before she leaves. 

It is only after she is long gone, and he is back in the comfort of his room for a few short hours, that what he said to her finally registers, and he slumps back against his pillows.

He's a fool— but she responded in kind, at least. She didn't take offense to his horrible lack of manners. 

He'll have to apologize.

…After he gets some sleep.

-o0o-

The opportunity to apologize for running slipshod all over the bounds of propriety never seems to materialize, however, because word comes from the farthest guard towers that there is a storm brewing in the west, and it is rapidly approaching; it will arrive in the next few days, just before the Long Night. Now, Ren isn't worried about the weather (though it's certainly not good) so much as he is what the cloud cover will allow— he knows if he were the Ender commander, and he were mobilizing a force of night-bound creatures, he would jump on the opportunity to strike early immediately. 

The army is readied as fast as they can manage, and Ren is grateful that Lizzie pushed hard against the King and Queen of Faerie's hesitation to send forces in the name of integrating and training together for better defense— if the original plan had been followed, the Faerie force would only just now be arriving, and he has a feeling their defenses would not be so solid as they are currently. 

The howling of the oncoming snowstorm two days later is pierced by the shrieking of phantoms, and the entire fortress braces for what is coming. Ren stands at the top of the keep, armor on and battle-axe in hand. Martyn is down on the lower wall, he knows, though he cannot see him from here. Lady Cleo, the Twice-Lived, is down on the front lines with her infantrymen— Ren can just barely see her in her black armor, towering over everyone. Magister Beans is with the contingent of mages. 

And the Shadow Knight is standing at his side, surveying the field. 

"We ought to be down there," she says, scowling. 

"I will not disagree," he says mildly. "But my Hand might."

"It's silly," she continues, as though he hasn't said anything. 

"Sillier if we both get killed and leave the army leaderless," he points out.

She rounds on him, one eyebrow raised dangerously.

"Lizzie," he says, trying to keep his tone even. "I do not want to be up here away from the fight any more than you do." He glances at the sky again; the snow runs like waves, coming to crash on the shores of the abyss, and he can see the dark shapes of phantoms and their riders swooping in the clouds' shadow. "But I think we will have other things to worry about."

"Thou hast the right of it," she mutters, and reaches for her bow, leaning against her leg. She nocks, sights, and releases, and a phantom goes plummeting down from the sky. 

"Did that mak'st thou feel better?" Ren says, a ghost of a teasing note in his voice. 

"Well, Your Majesty, I did swear to protect thee," she says. "I can do that, at least." 

"Only until the Long Night is over," he says, and he can't lie— there's a heaviness that settles over his heart at the thought. Even if they both survive this siege, she will go back to the Land of Faerie, back to her normal life, before he interrupted it. He's grown accustomed to her presence. He'll have to unlearn those habits. 

Lizzie turns to look at him, lowering her bow, and she surprises him once again. "I'll stay as long as thou wilt have me, Ren," she says, and her voice is grave. 

"And if I ask thee to never leave?"

"Then I won't," she says, simply. "To the death."

"To the death," he agrees.

And they turn to face the oncoming tide.

and that's all, folks! (only a couple days late haha) thank you @faeriefort-daily for organizing this event and putting up the prompt lists! it's been a ton of fun <3

(also on ao3)

[nocteacakes]

Lucy Gray makes a deal with a demon

// snowbaird, demon!Coryo AU, 630 words

*(inspiration from addie larue, 'my demon', and the lovely @allbridgesburn and @/deadslowburn on twt; prompt 'I swear to you' from @/snowbairdprompt on twt)

-- -- --

"Don't make deals after dark — and never make deals with demons." Her mother and father had warned her countless times as a child, but Lucy Gray was desperate.

Scraps of old stories and fragments of folktales were all she had to go on, but she was determined to succeed. The alternative — there was no other alternative. The Covey would die. She hurried deeper into the twilight woods.

A broken bell, a crow’s feather, a sooty candle stub — placed in the hallow of a rotting tree. She knelt gingerly in front of the hole, spreading out her skirts. She had never been much for praying; she chose to believe in things that she could change. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage like a shawl around her and began to sing.

Her mother had always said that Lucy Gray could sing the dead from their graves. She didn’t want an army of undead right now. Just one single demon.

“A pretty girl like you shouldn’t be making deals with devils.”

She broke off singing and whirled around. The voice — low and enticing — had come from somewhere behind her. It was too dark to see anything.

“Come out where I can see you.” She didn’t come to make deals with ghosts.

A slim, impossibly tall person materialised from nowhere. He was dressed in an expensive-looking black suit with a beautiful white rose in the breast pocket. In the darkness, his tousled golden hair fell over his eyes like shimmering stardust.

His eyes. The demon’s eyes shone crystal blue like the lake in high summer. She felt an overwhelming urge to dive in. However, unlike the lake, she didn’t know what lay beneath the surface. She quickly stood up, dusting off her skirt.

He bowed mockingly. “One all-powerful demon at your service. My name’s Snow.” He smiled at her, his perfect teeth glinting.

Lucy Gray didn’t waste time. “I need help. I think the mayor of the town is trying to kill me and my family.” She spoke with a confidence she did not feel. “My name’s Lucy Gray,” she added as an afterthought.

Snow’s smile turned devious. “A murder plot, you say? Sounds delicious. And what would you like me to do for you? Unfortunately, as much as I’d love to, I can’t just kill the mayor; I do have some restrictions on my abilities.”

Lucy Gray’s eyes went wide. “No, oh gosh no, I don’t need him dead. I just need…” She faltered. What did she want exactly?

He stepped closer, and at this distance he towered over Lucy Gray even more than before. “Be sure you make it worth it.” He leaned down and she felt his breath brush across her forehead, an cold, icy tendril like his name. “After all, I haven’t tasted a soul in a very long time.” A finger reached out and brushed the shell of her ear.

Lucy Gray jerked back. “How do I know you won’t go back on your word, or just take my soul after a certain amount of time?” The enormity and ridiculousness of what she had just done hit her in the chest. She had summoned a demon — a demon who would have her soul when he was done with her.

His eyes darkened to the deep blue of the lake during a winter night. “I swear to you, so long as our contract is active, I will always fulfill the terms to the best of my ability. I collect upon completion, never before.” There was no jesting in his tone.

What choice did she have? None. There were no other paths open to her.

“Then, I accept your terms.”

[askror]

Well then, Surge. You're dealing with an undead Imperial Empress, who is brainwashing the citizens into an army of slaves, and is most likely responsible for the world starting to freeze over, either deliberately or as a side effect of whatever evil plan she has in store.

You're gonna kick her ass up and down the islands, right?

"Of course I am!" She thumped a fist into her palm with a confident smile. "Doesn't matter that I zapped the crap outta her and she just kept standing. Or that when she punched me it felt like I got hit by a semi. Or that I saw her fight off me'n'Fireworks at the same time. Or that I-"

"Er... Mate. You can stop," Marine said meekly. The tenrec looked over to find she and Gardon waring such defeated faces that they might as well have been already attending her funeral. Even Blaze looked sad and distant.

"Oh, c-c'mon, guys. All that crap sounds bad, but... Doesn't it always?" She waved her hands in front of her pleadingly. "I'm new at the whole hero junk, but isn't that what this kinda stuff is always about? Facing down impossible odds?!"

"Well... Yes, typically," Blaze said, rubbing one arm. "That never makes it less daunting. And this is... Something especially terrible, Surge. Agni is a mythical figure. She stood at the head of a hundred battlefield charges, and survived every one. She's a living legend."

"Well, y'know what? Every legend has to start somewhere." The tenrec slapped a hand on Blaze's shoulder, the proximity making the feline blush in a way that Surge (as ever) didn't notice. "And we're about to start a new one right friggin' here. This is our story, Fireworks. And I promise you, it's gonna end with us sending that tin-coated blacklight back to hell."

The storm clouds of doubt cleared, even if only for just a time. Blaze allowed herself a small chuckle: "No one could ever accuse you of lacking spirit, Surge the Tenrec."

[thelifetimechannel]

Happy holidays! [S] Checkmate timing test

These timings match up with Tensei's "Of Gods and Witches":

Before the battle we see WV greeting AR and being super excited. AR is kinda baffled but gratified. We see their former memories in the clouds, maybe WV points to them?

Jane, Nanna, and Kanaya target bigger undead monsters. Casey's undead consort army shows up when they are almost overwhelmed. Rose and Roxy both slap their foreheads in comic dismay.

Karkat, Terezi, and the carapaces are ground troops against regular underlings.

Remaining Alpha kids are air support against flighted underlings.

Hal is hanging out taking messages from everyone directing battle traffic.

The preloader shows the Battlefield, surrounded by those weird checkboard vine things. It should be just crowded and dark enough to imply a serious sense of foreboding. Upon the flash loading, the Battlefield spins and zooms as the music starts.

SCREEN 1: 00:00-00:05 Pan up across a wide shot of the kids in various battle positions on the battlefield. Aerial combantants (Terezi, Hal, Davesprite, and the Alpha kids sans Jane and plus Calliope. Kat note: Davesprite’s on the lilypad. Matches last convo, and also, he’s a beta too :P) are around the scene. Karkat and WV stand on top of a hill, WV holding a waving red flag. The Beta kids are standing on a lilypad in center screen.

SCREEN 2: 00:05-00:09 On the chord, pan down across the kids on the lilypad, all in battle ready poses with weapons out

SCREEN 3: 00:09-00:15 On the chord, the opposite side of the hill we just saw WV and Karkat on. Pan to the right hand side. They stand on top of the hill. Scrolling by at differing speeds to the background hill are Jane (holding her fork made from the White King’s scepter), Kanaya, and Nanna. WV’s army of carapacians is gathered around them.

Screen 4: 00:15-00:19 On the chord, worm’s eye view of The Alpha kids and Calliope in the sky.

Screen 5: 00:19-00:21 A view of the underling army approaching: think the carapacian armies in flashes such as WV: Rise Up, where the hills are all separate layers that do a lot of panning. A mix of undead Alpha session underlings mingle with the Beta session’s horde of monsters.

Screen 6: 00:21-00:23 A bird’s eye view down onto the Beta’s lilypad.

Screen 7: 00:23-00:26 Third drumbeat Jane raises the scepter to begin the Reckoning. A red filter descends over the sky and contrasting green defense portals appear on the final drumbeat before the flute. A few streaks of meteors can be seen. The Reckoning has begun.

Screen 8: 00:26-00:28 As little synthesizer pretending to be a flute plays a first solemn note, the red filter descends further, the Betas look up to Jack fly overhead. They pan up, Jack moves down.

Screen 9: 00:28-00:32 On the second synthesized flute note, Jack lands on the platform.

Screen 10: :32-:34 The Betas and the ground pan down, Jack pans up. PM lands either in front or behind them

Screen 11: :34-:37 The background turns chaotic and red as Jack’s health vial appears. It’s already huge, as befitting of a final boss. It fills with vitality gel, but when it reaches the end, it laps itself and starts filling again in a different color.

Screen 12: :37-:41 Cut to a wide shot of the lillypad hovering over the battlefield. Clouds flit by, meteors fall, a crowd of underlings is trampling their way from right to left across the screen. STRIFE ROUND _ _ _ pops up at the bottom and numbers start spinning, eventually settling on ??? so that you don't know whether John had to reset to get this outcome or how many times.

:41 Slamming back to the lilypad, where John has his first engagement w Jack. This is done in a style of sprite similar to Rose’s fight with Jack pre-Cascade. They lock sword to hammer.

:45 Planetside, the Mayor raises his hand and Karkat raises his sickle and yells something. The carapace army advances against a horde of mixed underlings.

00:48 A general group of carapaces rushing forward.

00:50 Carpacean and underling footsoldiers meet. Remember: Carapaces on the left, underlings on the right!

00:52 Kanaya and Jane face off against a bunch of undead. Kanaya with her chainsaw, Jane with lifey powers glowing around her hands.

00:56 Transition by having John’s hammer and Jack’s sword meet on screen, and with a flash, we cut back to them.

00:56-00:58: With a series of blows in time with the guitar notes, John moves Jack rightwards across the screen.

00:58 John takes off Jack’s hat, but gets knocked back.

1:00 John jumps into metaphorical shadows of the background and Rose slides in, needles at the ready.

1:03-1:09: Rose takes off a tentacle. It would be amusing to try and have some kind of callback to her previous fight with Jack here.

1:10 Dirk, Roxy, Jake airborne. vs flighted underlings. This would be a good moment for a fraymotif: Jake gets the idea to use it, and either performs his and Dirk’s Caccia Amore (a buff whereby they swap glowy power auras and cleave through a group of underlings no problem) or his and Roxy’s Shot in the Dark (trapping a group of underlings in a black voidy version of Jake’s hope bubble and ricocheting bullets inside until they’re all grist).

1:26 Show planetside combat. Cool moments for people:

Karkat drags a few airborne underlings down with Blood powers for his army to trample.

Terezi does some sort of mindy thing perhaps to direct Jane and Kanaya

-The second of Jake’s two fraymotif ideas. Because you know, he’s the only one who was actually seen buying his, and Act 5 is pretty goddamn clear Fraymotifs are purchased from consorts.

-General note: While the kids can be doing good, the underlings have to be putting up a fair fight, with the tide of battle turning to the underlings’ favor once Jack uses the Miles. Otherwise the Crisis Point looks like it comes out of nowhere for no good reason.

JACK PLATFORM

1:40 Dave + Davesprite versus Jack. Davesprite takes off a wing and Dave gets his sword. Jack tries to bludgeon Dave with his massive healthbar…

1:50: Jack getting his health bar lopped in half by Dave. (NOTE: Dave does not participate in direct offensive attacks, only defense)

1:58: Jack summons the Red Miles, which destabilizes the lilypad, throws all the betas off balance, and punches holes in the lilypad. Terezi's jetpack is hit and she crashlands.

~2:05~ Crisis point

2:12 dirk gets decapitated like a dumbass.

2:13 rxn shot: Roxy is like why tf did u do that

2:15 Kanaya and Jane chainsaw their way out of an Underling Jane revive-killed a little too late, leaving them trapped in its ribcage. They’re pinned as soon as they emerge. Don’t worry, I’ll be making the gore sooty and ashy because Gill has done enough gore-things.

2:17 Karkat's army is cornered by a bunch of tough looking underlings. Looking up at the sky, meteors are hurtling towards the surface.

2:21 General pan of the carnage, ppl looking desperate

2:27 JACK PLATFORM On the Crescendo: Dave raises a hand and a bunch of Skaian defense portals glow red. Zoom into one to picture of Earth with the time ticker showing time passing.

2:30 On the crescendo: GB!Jade pops through the portal with the meteor and nabs the planet, then leaves the way she came. THEN the meteors shoot through, passing harmlessly through empty space.

2:34 Use as transition to Jade’s attack (keep the meteor but change the background), grabbing meteors and blasting them through/around Jack

2:40 PM and Jack dueling, but PM getting knocked back

2:42-2:50: A montage of tired and pinned kids (Jane reviving Dirk goes here):

2:50: Jade and PM look @ each other and nod.

2:50 As the drums kick up, PM charges the screen, providing transition for Jade’s retreats into the sky.

2:52 Jade hovers. A fraymotif circle appears beneath her while the former-Becs are seen on the lillypad below.

2:53 Cut to below her: The Spacey thing can be seen in the sky, but something comes over the hills in dramatic fashion. Cheers love, cavalry’s here The hills and the army rise until they’re in frame, Casey at the helm.

2:57 is the reveal shot with the low strings.

3:01 As the drums swell, Casey orders them to charge. They go for the underlings’ flank, a wide shot showing skeletons mobbing underlings.

3:03 A reaction shot of the two armies meeting.

3:05 Roxy and Rose slap their foreheads in a show of comic dismay, but Rose looks down in surprise to see a fraymotif circle under her feet.

3:08 In time with the Savior chords, the boys also notice the fraymotifs circles under them.

3:11: The camera cuts back to a wide shot of the battlefield to display the name of the 4-person motif: Unite Synchronize. No, shush, I know what I’m doing.

3:12 Jade gets some big ol’ insta-runes lighting up behind her.

3:13 PM and Jack fly awhile before PM suddenly takes off into the open void. Jack is confused, looking around for her. He looks up.

3:19 Activating lock-on fraymotif thing, comprised of the Light and Time circles. Trust me, I know what I’m doing.

3:22 Rose and Dave, with their insta-runes.

3:23 John nyooms in front of Jade and activates his own insta-runes. I definitely know what I’m doing, stop looking at me like that.

3:26: Space + Breath instarunes light up and spin in a way that can only mean FRIKKIN LASER BEAMS.

3:28: Zoom out, through the various flavors of instarunes, out to Jack who’s in the dead bulls-eye of all of them.

3:30 He tries to evade, but Light + Time mean there’s a dead lock-on on him.

3:32: Well clear of the blast, all four kids do a gesture that sets off the beam.

3:34 MAXIMUM BULLSHIT ACHIEVED: THE GIANT LASERBEAM OF FRIENDSHIP

We see it go off from a few angles in time with the beat and get Jack caught in the crossfire at 3:38 , taking off another tentacle and wing.

3:40: After getting laserblasted, Jack stumbles back, weakened, only to look up and see

3:42: HEY THERE, PM. She flies at him, just above the beam, sword ready and the camera zooming in each successive chord.

3:46 On the second to last chord, Jack raises his one arm and broken sword in defense: on the last chord, there’s a shot of them in the frame together, rush at one another-

3:50 Everything goes white; SHE STRIKES and fades in on her in the aftermath of a sword stroke, having taken Jack’s hand.

3:53: Everything sloooows down and Jack slowly falls to the ground away from his detached hand.

3:57 A shot of the battlefield with all the enemies dissolving as Jack falls.

04:03 On the low piano key, pulses and the battlefield goes from a torn red hellscape to normal. As the flash ends, it fades to a final screen before the replay button appears: a battlefield scene with the lillypad in the foreground transitions to the victory platform, where a green house stands. No, I don’t care if Hussie’s was red: It’s the Beta kids’ fight, the Beta kids’ regent, the Beta kids’ Battlefield, the Beta kids’ frog, and the Beta kids’ STORY - it’s the Beta kids’ green house on that goddamn victory platform.

FLASH ENDS

[shimmerbeasts]

"Maybe if you do, they'll get scared and run away, sparing us from all the fight to the top." Maybe it wasnt the right time for jests, but Jaheira couldn't help herself. She hoped the warrior didn't take it as a personal attack, although she pretty much doubts the githyanki had a good sense of humour. "Throw me at them," she said simply, dropping to all fours. Her body contorted and snapped as a golden light enveloped her, transforming her into a black panther.

Lae'zel stared at Jaheira for a couple of seconds with a strange expression on her face. The Githyanki tried to figure out whether or not the leader of the harpers was serious with that suggestion - it would be an uncommon battle strategy indeed - or if she was joking. Even though Lae'zel was considered particularly humorous among her kin, she still struggled a lot with understanding Faerun denizen's humour. More than one situation at camp had escalated because Lae'zel had not read the tone of a conversation properly. Though she liked to believe, she was getting better at them.

"That would be a counterproductive idea to our plan!", Lae'zel called to the harper, "They'd just alert other ... Oh! That was a joke." Her ears twitched in annoyance at her stupidity. Golden eyes watched in fascination as the druid shapeshifted into a black panther in front of her. Ever since she had been in the Emerald Grove, the idea that people could transform into animals was no longer a completely new concept to her.

The fight in the corridor up to the first floor had somehow been derailed into about three smaller fights. Gale had just rescued Astarion with a thunder wave, shoving three undead soldiers away from the rogue, who had been cornered. Karlach and Wyll stood outside of a massive Hunger of Hardar and were raining hell down upon the Dark Justiciars trapped within. Shadowheart stood somewhere behind Lae'zel and Jaheira, aiding the remaining harpers with Guidance to make sure their arrows had more luck striking their targets.

The army of the undead, now mortal king on an unjust throne was vast and thinning them all out was hard work. Lae'zel reached underneath the black panther's belly and grabbed Jaheira by her sides. Much like Karlach, she was among the strongest members of their little gang of misfits, which allowed her to hoist the large predatory cat off the ground. The Githyanki grunted under her breath as she shifted around to get a better line of sight.

The people, she and Jaheira had complained about were a group of mages, standing on the high ground of the staircase. Lae'zel stuck her tongue out, grunting as she tried to pinpoint what spot to throw Jaheira towards. If she swung with all her might, she should get the panther to the edge of the staircase.

"If you fall prone, it's on you, Jaheira!"

With these words, Lae'zel shouted loudly and threw the black panther with all her might. The massive cat sailed through the air, a monstrosity of muscles, sickle-like claws and dagger-like fangs. As Jaheira landed on the other side of the staircase, the mages gasped in shock and immediately turned to face the new threat.

Lae'zel looked over at Wyll. His clawed hands were smoking from the array of Eldritch Blasts, he had been firing. Sweat gathered on his forehead as he maintained concentration on the Hunger of Hardar. Noticing her gaze, the warlock shouted: "Go, help her! We have this covered here!"

Wind swirled around her legs in a cocoon as Lae'zel used her inherent ability to leap greater distances as a Githyanki to cover the same area, which she had just thrown Jaheira over. Landing on the other side, Lae'zel raised her Githyanki short sword and the Knife of the Undermountain King.

"Htak'a!", she shouted.

@harpershigh cont. from here.

[mydarllinglover]

Alone || Crumbling Down

Previous

"They seemed nice enough, but I was ready to go. We just got here, but, damn, it was time to go. When I told them about DC, a wink and a nod from the head asshole in charge, and it was right back to our regularly scheduled shitstorm." The redhead, Abraham told the five new members of the train cart.

Rick had ordered the group to make weapons out of anything they could get their hands on, as members of the party caught each other up during their separation.

Natalia bent down, grabbing the Swiss army knife that was tucked into her boot, covered by her sock, then reached into her pocket, grabbing out the handful of darts from the country club, handing them out to her friends.

"Sweetheart, now's not really the time for a game of darts." Abraham said.

"They have a point, dumbass." Rosita, his girlfriend said, touching the tip of the dart with the pad of her thumb.

Natalia passed one to Daryl, who gave her a look.

"Told you I had stuff on me, too bad they didn't think to frisk Michonne and I." She gave him a small smile.

"Before they put you in here, you didn't see Tyreese?" Sasha asked them.

"No." Michonne told her.

"Good."

"What about Beth?" Maggie asked.

Natalia swallowed hard, before answering.

"We got out together, me, her and Daryl." She started. "We got split up by a herd."

"Black car with a white cross painted on it. Drove off with her." Daryl continued. "We tried to follow it. We tried."

"But she's alive?"

"She's alive." Natalia confirmed. "She's a survivor, a stubborn one."

The group continued to work in silence, using shoelaces, belts and necklaces to make weapons, as well as the darts Natalia gave them, each person having one in their grasp.

Daryl stood watch, keeping an eye out through the gaps as people outside talked and shouted to one another.

"What are you doing?" A man called out to someone.

"Everybody shut up. Shut up!"

"Alright. Got four of them pricks coming our way." Daryl announced.

"Y'all know what to do." Rick said. "Go for their eyes first. Then their throats." They gathered by the door, getting ready.

That's when Natalia noticed something, staring at the ceiling.

"Put your backs to the walls on either side of the car now." A man shouted at them.

"We should get back." She said.

"Huh?"

"Look." She pointed at the top of the train cart, just as someone began walking on it.

The latch was pulled open, shining sunlight down on them, showing off the red in Abrahams hair.

A flash bomb was thrown at their feet.

"Told you!"

"Move!" Abraham shouted, everybody ran to the corners, Natalia brought up the sweatshirt, covering her mouth and nose.

The can exploded, filling the cart in a dark cloud of smoke.

The door slid open, people marched in.

Someone had grabbed Natalia, she wriggled out of the persons grasp, but someone else, Daryl, had pulled her back, throwing a punch at the guy, but soon enough, he was thrown outside by another person.

Once the smoke was cleared, they could see who was missing; Rick, Daryl, Glenn and Bob.

"Fuck!" Natalia kicked the side of the train cart.

The sound of an explosion went off outside.

Natalia stared at where she kicked, stepping back.

Gunshots sounded outside, as well as the familiar snarl of their undead friends.

Abraham began punching the cart.

"What the hell is going on?" He said through clenched teeth.

"Someone hit them." Michonne said.

"Maybe our people got free." Sasha guessed.

"Excuse me." Eugene barged past Sasha and Tara, bending down to the floor in front of the door.

"What the hell are you doing?" Rosita asked him.

I might be able to use this shell to compromise the door. From the sounds of things, there may not be anybody left to open it."

"Eugene, I'm sorry but shut up." Tara told him.

Carl walked over from the back, Natalia put an arm over his shoulder.

"My dad's gonna be back." He told the other people. "They all are."

"They are." Maggie agreed.

"Our biggest concern right now, is making sure we're able to protect ourselves when we get out, the explosions and gunshots are gonna gather walkers from miles away to right here." Natalia said.

Walkers had started gathering around the train cart, as Eugene continued trying to pry the door open, the rest made sure their weapons were useful.

"What's the cure, Eugene?" Sasha asked.

Abraham had told the five the mission of DC when they introduced themselves, Natalia thought it was a load of bullshit, no way a man as important as Eugene was in Houston of all places when the world fell apart, rumours had been spreading for a while before the day.

"It's classified." He responded.

"We don't know what's gonna happen." Michonne brought up.

"You leave him be." Abraham told her.

"We need to keep working."

"Yeah, but it's time to hear it." Sasha continued. "'Cause we don't know what's coming next."

"What's next is we get out of this." Tara said.

"Even if I told you all, even if I provided step-by-step instructions complete with illustrations and a well-composed FAQ and I went red-ring, the cure would still die with me."

"I'm not gonna let that happen." Abraham told him.

"The best case scenario, we step out into a hell storm of bullets, fire and walkers. I'm not fleet of foot. I sure as hell can't take a dead one down with sharp buttons and hella confidence."

"Yeah, but we can and we will." Michonne said.

"I've had less and survived, it's not hard." Natalia said.

"You don't owe us anything, not yet." Sasha stood up. "But we just want to hear it."

"You don't have to." Rosita spoke up.

Eugene stood up, facing the group.

"I was part of a 10-person team at the human genome project to weaponize diseases to fight weaponized diseases. Pathogenic microorganisms with pathogenic microorganisms. Fire with fire. Interdepartmental drinks were had, relationships made, information shared. I am keenly aware of all the details behind fail-safe delivery systems to kill every living person on this planet. I believe with a little tweaking on the terminals in DC, we can flip the script. Take out every last dead one of them. Fire with fire. All things being equal, it does sound pretty badass."

"Or a load of shit." Natalia coughed into her fist, hiding her face in Carls shoulder as he snorted.

"so let's get back to work." Maggie smiled at him.

The door banged, then opened, Rick appeared, holding a gun.

"Come on! Fight to the fence!" He commanded before firing shots and jumping down.

"Do not leave his side!" Abraham demanded.

"Lets go, get to your dad." Natalia told Carl, leading him out.

A walker headed for Natalia, she stabbed her Swiss army knife into its throat, her hand caking in blood as she pushed it up, pulling it back out and letting it fall to the ground, she felt a hand grab her shoulder, she looked over, a metal pole being shoved through the skull of the walker that had grabbed her.

She turned her head, finding Daryl behind her, passing over a long sharp knife, she nodded at him before running forward.

The group fought their way through the walkers.

Natalia watched how a walker headed for Eugene, and how he cowered away instead of taking it down, letting Sasha shoot its brains out.

Rosita was the first person to reach the fence, killing the walker that was on the other side.

"Up and over!"

Rick continued to shoot at walkers as well as Terminus members as the rest climbed over the fence.

"Let's go! Move!" The redhead shouted, helping and pushing everyone over.

They walked through the woods, Daryl tracking their way back to the bag Rick had hidden.

"The hell are we still around here for?" Abraham asked.

"Guns, some supplies." Rick said, digging up the dirt. "Go along the fences. Use the rifles. Take out the rest of 'em."

"What?" Bob asked, stepping towards him.

"They don't get to live." Rick replied.

"Rick, we got out, it's over."

"Yeah, until they come for us, I've seen this film before." Natalia said, bending down to grab her belt, securing it onto her, as well as her guns.

"It's not over till they're all dead." Rick agreed.

"The hell it isn't. That place is on fire." Rosita argued. "Full of walkers."

"I'm not dicking around with this crap." Abraham joined in. "We just made it out."

"The fences are down." Maggie told Rick. "They'll run or die."

Someone slowly walked up behind Rick, holding Daryl's crossbow, Natalia noticed her.

"Carol?" She gasped.

Daryl turned around, his eyes shooting wide as he took in the woman.

He ran to her, hugging her tightly as she hugged him back, he picked her up as she laughed.

The others heading towards her.

Natalia was next to hug her, when Daryl finally stepped away.

"What happened?" Carol asked, her finger softly grazing the woman's cut and bruised face.

"Ran into some bad guys, took care of them." She answered, shrugging her shoulders.

"Did you do that?" Rick stepped towards Carol when Natalia let her go and moved back.

She smiled, nodding slightly.

Rick hugged her tightly.

"You have to come with me." She told him when he pulled away.

The group followed the woman through the woods.

A dogs barking caught Natalia's attention.

"Sully?!"

All of a sudden, a Border Collie was running at her, knocking the woman flat on her back as she pet her dog, crying as she laughed, him licking at her sore face excitedly.

Daryl bent down, petting the dog, picking up the rabbit that he dropped on the floor when he lunged at the woman, his distraction towards Sully gave Natalia a chance to sit up in the dirt.

"You're okay, you're alive, you're alive." She sniffled, as the pair continued to shower the dog in pets and scratches.

"Hey." Daryl gently nudged her, looking ahead.

Tyreese was holding Judith outside a wooden cabin, Rick, Carl and Sasha ran to them, hugging their loved ones.

"Everyone's okay, we're all okay." She looked up at the redneck, smiling wide as tears rolled down her cheeks, happy tears.

He'd never seen her so emotional and soft... he'd seen her angry plenty of times, but it was very rare when she was sappy like this, even at the not-funeral they had outside the morgue, she wasn't like this.

He soaked it up, she was still mad at him, after what they had just gone through, and being reunited with her beloved dog, her walls crumbled down in a moment of weakness, she was safe to go back to resenting him, he knew he deserved it, didn't mean he had to like it.

She kissed Sully's head multiple times as he licked at Daryl, who was still holding the teddy he had picked up from the Big Spot.

"What happened?" Carol asked Tyreese.

"There were a bunch of walkers out here and he got his hands around Judith's neck."

Natalia looked up, taking out a knife as she looked at the cabin, Daryl moved with her.

Carol was the closest, but Tyreese stopped him.

"No, he's dead." Tyreese explained. "I... I had to. So I did. I could."

"Too right, none of those fuckers deserve to live." Natalia spat.

She then walked towards Carl, Michonne and Judith, smiling at the baby as she pet her head, Sully circled his owners legs.

"Hey, pretty girl." She cooed, as Judith made noises in response.

"I don't know If the fire's still burning." Rick said, looking at the big dark cloud coming from Terminus.

"It is." Carol confirmed.

"Yeah. We need to go." He decided.

"Yeah, but where?" Daryl asked him.

"Somewhere far away from there."

They made their way back to the train tracks, walking along it.

Michonne and Natalia walked side by side, behind Judith and Carl, Daryl and Carol were behind the women.

"You found him." Michonne tapped her hand.

"Yeah." She smiled at her friend, patting Sully's head, his tail wagged with his rabbit in his mouth.

They then headed into the woods, on the other side.

The group had been walking until the smoke turned white.

Finally taking a break to get something to eat, and so that some people could rest, going again when the sun rose once more.

The Georgia sun beat down on them as they walked.

Natalia took off her sweatshirt, tying it around her waist, but making sure her weapons were easy to grab.

carol came up beside her, Daryl hot on her trail.

She touched Natalia's shoulder, who was quick to flinch, ducking away before realising who it was.

"Sorry, hey." She smiled at the woman.

"You okay?" Carol asked, noticing her weird behaviour.

"Fine, why?" She asked.

"Your back, you got quite the graze on it."

Natalia looked over her shoulder, not being able to see it, but still tried.

Half of Natalia's back was bloody and grazed, from being thrown on the harsh road, she hadn't even noticed.

"Yeah, it's not bad though, looks worse than how it is." She shrugged, taking down her hair from the braid, letting it cover her back.

"You get that from those bad guys too? Looks painful."

"It's fine, really, don't worry about it." She tried to keep her cool, quickly escaping from the conversation, and weaving through the people, ignoring how the pair continued to watch her with heavy stares, she knew that if Carol wanted to know, Daryl would probably explain what happened, Natalia just couldn't.

She ended back up with Michonne.

They had walked some more.

A female walker struggled towards them.

"I got it." Michonne called, walking towards it.

She reached behind her, before making a realisation as she grinned, raising her gun and whacking the walker onto the floor, stepping on its back and hitting it in the head with the gun.

"Missing it?" Natalia asked as another one appeared. "Dibs." she claimed, walking past Michonne.

She tripped the walker onto its back, stomping on it's head and letting its skull pop, brain matter and blood splattered everywhere.

The others had walked ahead as they watched the pair, but Rosita and Abraham strayed back.

"Keep forgetting it's not there." Michonne replied when they started walking with the group, again.

"Gone, but never forgotten." Natalia put her hands together, raising them above her head as she closed her eyes.

When night fell, they set up camp, starting a fire.

"Where'd you get the dog?" Eugene asked her, staring at Sully, who sat by her side.

"Classified." She repeated his words.

"Whys he called Sully?" Tara asked her. "Like the monster?"

"Exactly." She fed the dog some of her food.

When the new day started, the group continued their walk.

The sound of someone approaching caught their attention, everyone raised their guns.

Daryl stepped out, a rope full of Squirrels was in his hand.

"We surrender." He said to the amount of guns pointed at him.

Sully jogged over, sniffing the dead animals, walking by his side.

Rick whistled after talking to Daryl.

"Keep close." He told the group.

"Ready to keep some concrete under your feet?" Abraham asked him.

"I think it's time." Rick replied.

"That is sweet music to my ears, Officer. Take the next road we come to, try to get back to going north till we find a vehicle. Good?"

"Good."

As they were walking through the woods, Sully began sniffing around, walking off the trail.

"What is it, boy?" Daryl asked.

"Help!" A mans voice shouted. "Help! Anybody help!"

Sully ran for it.

"Sully!" Natalia chased after him.

"Nat! Natalia, Wait!" Rick hissed, but she was already gone.

The man continued to scream as Carl followed, the others went after.

Sully barked as he reached his destination.

Natalia watched as half a dozen of walkers tried to reach a man on top of a rock.

Sullys barking caught their attention, turning away from the man and heading for the dog and Woman.

Natalia took out her knife, taking out the first walker that headed for her.

Carl shot another one, as Natalia delt with the next, soon everyone followed, Michonne smashed the end of her gun into a walker, crushing its head against the rock.

Carol stabbed the last one through the eye.

They looked up at the man quivering on top of the rock.

"We're clear. Keep watch." Rick instructed. "Hey, don't run off like that." He told Natalia.

"Wasn't given a choice." She shrugged.

"Come on down." He turned to the man.

The man slid off the large rock, still shaking as he looked at all the people.

"You okay?"

The man held up a finger, before emptying his stomach.

The group stared at him, unimpressed.

"Sorry." He whispered. "Yes. Thank you. I'm Gabriel."

"Do you have any weapons on you?" Rick asked him.

Gabriel laughed at his question.

"Do I look like I would have any weapons?"

"We don't give two short and curlies what it looks like." Abraham answered.

"I have no weapons of any kind. The word of God is the only protection I need."

"Sure didn't look like it." Daryl mused.

"I called for help. It came."

"It came cause your screaming caught my dogs attention." Natalia said, wrapping her hand around her dogs collar, keeping him still.

He looked around, not knowing what to say.

"Do you have... have any food?" He then asked. "Whatever I- I had left, it just hit the ground."

"We've got some Pecans." Carl offered him.

"Thank you." He took them, smiling at the boy.

Judith began cooing in Tyreese's arms.

"That's a beautiful child." He looked at her.

Rick continued to stare at the man, not bothering to reply.

"Do you have a camp?" He then asked.

"No. Do you?" Rick asked him.

"I have a church."

"Hold your hands above your head."

He did as told, Rick frisked him.

"How many walkers have you killed?"

"Not any, actually."

Natalia couldn't take this man seriously, they had been in this shit for well over a year, how was he still alive?

"Turn around." Rick spun him. "How many people have you killed?"

"None." He responded, as if the question was a joke.

"Why?"

"Because the Lord abhors violence." Gabriel replied.

"What have you done?" Rick whispered, seeing right through the man. "We've all done something."

"I'm a sinner. I sin almost everyday. But those sins, I confess to God, not strangers."

"You said you had a church." Michonne reminded.

He led the way through the woods, the group followed.

"Hey, earlier, were you watching us?" Rick asked.

"I keep to myself. Nowadays, people are just as dangerous as the dead, don't you think?"

"No, people are worse." Rick answered.

"Well, I wasn't watching you. I haven't been beyond the stream near my church more than a few times since it started. That was the furthest I've gone before today. Or maybe I'm lying." He then said. "Maybe I'm lying about everything and there's no church ahead at all. Maybe I'm leading you into a trap so I can steal all your squirrels."

Natalia pulled out her gun, taking it off safety as she aimed it at him, waiting for the signal.

Rick put a hand on the top of her gun, telling her to lower it as the man laughed, slowing down when he realised no one else laughed.

"Members of my flock had often told me that my sense of humour leaves much to be desired." He tried to save himself.

"Yeah, it does." Daryl agreed.

Gabriel turned around, walking into a branch, he lifted it up after getting hit in the face with leaves, ducking under and continuing to lead the group to the church.

They eventually reached their destination, a white church was surrounded by trees, just like he had said.

"Hold up." Rick said, as Gabriel walked towards the door, taking keys out of his pocket to unlock the door. "Can we take a look around first?" He walked towards the father. "We just want to hold onto our squirrels." He put his hand out expectantly for the keys.

Gabriel placed them in his palm, offering a small smile that Rick nor the rest of the group returned.

Rick, Daryl, Natalia, Michonne, Glenn and Carol walked into the church, their weapons all raised as they waited for a signal of danger.

The pews were empty, Michonne and Glenn checked the Sunday school room as well as the bathrooms, finding them empty as well.

"If Jesus died for our sins, then what the fuck is this shit?" Natalia rolled her eyes at the statue of Christ on the cross.

Rick whistled to the small group, signalling that it looked safe enough, they walked outside to report the investigation to the others.

"I spent months here without stepping out the front door." Gabriel told Rick, when he passed back the keys. "If you found someone inside, well, it would have been surprising."

"Thanks for this." Carl smiled at the father.

"We found a short bus out back." Abraham revealed to Rick. "It don't run, but I bet we could fix that in less than a day or two. Father here says he don't want it. Looks like we found ourselves some transport. You understand what's at stake here, right?"

"Yes, I do." Rick replied, running his hand along Judith's hair.

"Now that we can take a breath..." Michonne started.

"We take a breath, we slow down, shit inevitably goes down." Abraham cut her off, still staring at Rick.

"We need supplies no matter what we do next." Michonne told him.

"We have nothing, you understand that right?" Natalia asked the redhead. "We're not doing anything until we get basic needs."

"That's right." Rick agreed with the two women. "Water, food, ammunition."

"Short bus ain't going nowhere." Daryl added as they headed into the church. "Bring you back some baked beans."

"How'd you survive here for so long?" Rick asked Gabriel as everyone got comfortable. "Where did your supplies come from?"

"Luck." He answered.

"Not God?" Natalia remarked.

"Our annual canned food drive." He continued, side eyeing the woman before turning back to Rick. "Things fell apart right after we finished it. It was just me." He looked to his shoes.

"Come here, Judith" Carl whispered to the baby, taking her off their father.

"The food lasted a long time. And then I started scavenging. I've cleaned out every place nearby." Gabriel said. "Except for one."

"What kept you from it?" Rick asked.

"It's overrun."

"How many."

"A dozen or so, maybe more."

Natalia let out a scoff, leaning off of the pew. "Draw me a map?"

"We can handle a dozen." Rick clarified, making sure Natalia knew she wasn't going on her own.

"Bob and I will go with you, Tyreese should stay here, help keep Judith safe." Sasha volunteered.

"That'll be okay?" Rick asked the man, who nodded, smiling.

"Sure." Tyreese answered. "You ever need me to watch her, need anything for her, I'm right here."

"I'm grateful for it." Rick told him. "And everything else."

"You wanna watch Sully for me?" Natalia asked Carl, leaning over the pew he was sitting on, Judith in his arms.

"You even gotta ask?" He replied, smiling at the woman.

Natalia took off the sheriffs hat, kissing him on the top of his head, scruffing his hair up, before kissing Judith's head.

"I'll draw you that map." Gabriel answered Natalia's earlier question.

"You don't need to, you're coming with us."

"I'm not gonna be of any help. You saw me. I'm no good around those things."

"You're gonna learn how, today." Natalia shrugged.

Gabriel led Bob, Rick, Sasha, Natalia and Michonne into the town.

"Hey." Bob approached Rick, walking with him. "When you said they don't get to live, you weren't wrong. We push ourselves and let things go. Then we let some more go and some more. And pretty soon, there's things we can't get back. Things we can't hold onto, even if we tried. Washington's gonna happen, Rick."

"I haven't decided if we're going yet." Rick admitted.

"No, that's cool. But you've seen Abraham in action. He's gonna get there and Eugene's gonna cure all of this. And you're gonna find yourself in a place where it's like how it used to be. And if you've let too much go along the way, that's not gonna work. 'Cause you're gonna be back in the real world."

"This is the real world, Bob."

"Naw. This is a nightmare, and nightmares end. I'm sorry, I'm calling it. Washington's gonna happen. You're gonna say yes. Already too much momentum. You can't fight City Hall. Maybe that's just one of those parts of not letting go."

"How do we know this guy isn't just lying?" Natalia asked.

"You think so?" Bob asked.

"Sounds made up to me." She shrugged. "Too good to be true."

"It wouldn't kill you to have a lil hope." He smiled at her.

She was reminded of Beth, by that sentence.

"That's exactly what'll it do." She muttered, feeling slightly more bitter.

They had arrived at an white building.

"This was the food bank." Gabriel told them, as Natalia read Food Bank, written on a sign on the building. "It served the whole county. All the cans at my church were gonna end up here."

Rick had led the way into the foodbank and thrift store, throwing the door open with his gun eye level, aimed at potential walkers.

Nothing was walking around inside, the place seemed to be empty, until they walked further, the floor had fallen through, leaving a large hole, that must be where they were.

Rick halted, signalling to the others to wait as splashing could be heard from down below.

He walked closer, whilst they stood at the entrance waiting for instruction.

Rick waved his finger in the air, as he peered down at the walkers snarling in the water.

Natalia was the first to move, silently and slowly, Michonne on her tail, than Sasha, Bob, finally Gabriel.

The smell was putrid, burning Natalia's eyes as she watched them roam around, their skin was grey and bloated, and saggy.

"If a sewer could puke, this is what it'd smell like." Bob commented.

Michonne looked up at the ceiling, spotting the missing tiles and holes.

"Waters been coming down that hole for a while now." She said. "Slimed this place up good."

"At least it's already fallen." Natalia mused, being reminded of the incident at the big spot.

"We can use the shelves to block them." Sasha suggested.

"Yeah, that's it, Sasha." Rick agreed. "There's our way, down those shelves."

Natalia grimaced as she prepared herself to drop into the sewer puke, walker slime, water.

"Hey." Rick looked towards Gabriel, who was stood further back. "I said you're coming with us."

Once they were down, Rick and Michonne used the shelves to push against the walkers that headed for them.

"Go! Go!" He shouted as Bob and Sasha grabbed the other one, pushing them together so they could pop them through the barrier. "Here they come. You take right. I see three here."

As they took out the walkers, Gabriel got spooked, pushing Natalia into the shelf as he fought to get away.

"What the hell is he doing?" She groaned, taking out the walker that just attempted to take a bite out of her arm when she caught herself.

He swam towards the steps, jumping on them, causing the old rotting wood to collapse as he wailed and splashed around.

He managed to pull himself up, holding onto the wall.

"We have to get Gabriel." Rick said, moving towards the father, watching him carefully.

"What happened?" Bob asked.

"I don't know."

"He almost just killed me, completely freaked the fuck out." Natalia answered bitterly.

"All right, we'll push down the shelves on the ones in front of us. We'll fight through and I'll grab him." Rick instructed, as they pushed against the metal. They did as he said, the walkers being pushed below as they climbed through, keeping an eye out in case the walkers jumped up from the water.

Michonne stabbed a walker in the neck, it's skin was inflated, following down onto his chest, she struggled as he continued to come at her.

Natalia reached out, plunging her knife into the top of his head, helping her friend as Michonne threw its dead body into the water.

They seemed to take out all of them, Rick dealing with the last one, an elderly woman, wearing glasses, her hair was still tied back, she had been heading for Gabriel, but Rick intervened, grabbing her and smashing her face into the metal pole, breaking the structure, her skin falling off and into the water.

Bob headed towards the boxes full off food.

"Yeah." He grinned. "I know which way it's gonna break." As he reached for the green box, a hand came out of the water, getting a hold of the man and pulling him under.

"Bob!" Sasha screamed, going over to help as he came back up, a walker in his hold, trying to fight for a piece of him, most of it's skin was gone, he looked like a walking skeleton.

Bob pushed it onto a metal pole whilst Sasha used the metal box to smash against it's head, finally putting it down.

"You okay, Bob, you okay?" She whispered, making sure he was alright.

"I'm fine now." He told her.

"Then let's get this shit and get the hell out of here." Natalia told the group, flicking a piece of rotting walker skin off of her chest.

They had used trolleys to carry the Boxes and bags full off food back to the church, Natalia had snagged a long over-sized brown jacket, wearing it over her wet clothes, as they made their way back.

"I'm sorry." Gabriel apologised to Rick, as he wiped sweat off his brow. "I- I panicked. I told you I..."

"You knew her when she was alive?" Rick asked him.

Gabriel didn't answer, instead looking down as they continued to walk.

"Yeah, I get it. You only tell your sins to God. But you nearly kill one of my people again, He won't help you." Rick told him, looking over his shoulder at Natalia, who was talking to Michonne, before he pushed forward, walking away from Gabriel.

"Do you miss the sword?" Rick asked Michonne, him, her and Natalia walked at the front, pushing the biggest trolly through the tree's, whilst Gabriel and Bob struggled with the second one, Sasha stayed armed, keeping her eye out for walkers.

"Wasn't really mine in the first place." Michonne revealed. "Found it. In the very beginning."

"How'd you get so good?"

"It was just me and them out here, all day, every day, a good long time. I don't know what that was, but it wasn't a life. Not like today. Stumbling around in three feet of slime, for some peas and carrots, that's living."

"I will throw up on you, stop reminding me." Natalia shivered, breathing through her mouth.

Next

[shy-shuana]

Till death do us Apart

Part II

Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV Synopsis: The reader and their partner work together to survive everyday in the apocalyptic world full of the undead. Things get a little out of hand when they receive a radio message from a military rescue squad. Trigger warning: Mentions of blood, killing, grief, loss of a loved one.

As we know, peaceful moments are nowhere to be found in a world where the undead are roaming on the streets. "Do you hear that?" Sounding alert and attentive, Tarano whispered. "Yeah..." It was the sound of the radio that had stopped working a long time ago. You both cautiously went up to it and increased the volume. "Hello. This the military speaking. A message is for all the survivors out there. If you get this message, please gather in the Samsung building in Area-24. I repeat if you get this message, please gather in the Samsung building in Area-24. Over and out." The man on the other side of the radio spoke. Then suddenly line went silent.

"Is it the end of this apocalypse?" You mumbled. "We'll be able to live a normal life now. Can you- can you believe that?" He rejoiced. You fell on your knees. Clasping your mouth with your hand, you let out silent sobs as Tarano hugged you. Both of you were crying in each others arms. 'Is it over now?' You were in total disbelief. You cried for a good while. At last, after calming down a bit, you stated, "We leave at dawn." "Yes Ma'am."

The next morning, you woke up early since it was a big day. After freshening up and eating breakfast, you hopped into your jeep. Tarano hit the gas and off you went. Since Area-24 was 30 minutes away, you kept scanning the surroundings in order to watch out for anymore zombies. You did run into some of them on your journey and as always, they were pretty easy to deal with. But other than that, all you saw was the rotting bodies of the infected. You couldn't help but feel disgusted at the sight. Tarano took a notice of you spacing out. 'How did a person who cried by just the sight of a merely wounded person, turn into this?' He felt pity towards you. 'Humanity sure is on the brink of extinction.' You both thought in unison.

~30 minutes later~

Your jeep came to a halt in front of the building. You had gotten off the vehicle were staring the architectural structure. Your heart was hammering in side your chest. Tarano saw through you and held your hand. "It's gonna be okay now." He reassured you. "I- I don't know why but I have a bad feeling about this. It just doesn't feel right. As if... something terrible is going to happen..." "I know. But this is the only way out of this." He reassured. He couldn't deny a word that came out of your mouth. He too felt the same way. Nonetheless, he had to be by your side. He had to have you by his side. Therefore, he embraced you to make you feel a bit better. You two stayed that way for a minute or so. You abruptly pulled apart the moment you heard grunts and groans coming from a distance. Before you could even think of doing something, you felt Tarano jerk your body towards him and rush inside the building. A guard who was standing near the door, banged it shut. Soon enough the police and the military stationed at the building, started to fire. You stood there, silently watched the scene in front of you. You saw them shoot people of all age groups. From kids to senior citizens, everyone had now become a zombie. It was a horrendous sight. Since they were heavily equipped, it didn't take long for the army men to take down all of the zombies. When everyone inside the vicinity of the building saw the last one fall, they heaved a sigh of relief. So did you, but the gut feeling did not falter. "Please god! No! God please help me! I don't want to hurt anyone! Please save me! I'm sorry. I'm sorry." A very feeble voice whimpered inside the washroom of the Samsung building located in Area-24. She was pleading for help. A lady in her early 50s had stepped in to wash her hands and took notice of the cries. Knocking on the door, she said in a worried tone, "Excuse me. Is everything okay?" The sobs continued. "Hello? Ma'am? Are you okay? Please open the door." She got suspicious. Instinctively she grabbed her gun in case there was a zombie in there. But unfortunately, before she was given a chance to react, the door had already flung open and as suspected, an infected charged at her and bit her on her neck.

[tobiasdrake]

Deeper into the Catacombs.

...should I?

I think the blue background indicates this is a deathpit. But I won't really know it's a deathpit if I don't die in it, will I? Hmm.... Choices....

Hey, it's that asshole! Uh... Mermofqwizard or something like that. They're memorable because their names are bullshit, but they would usually show up around Roro's stuff.

So I feel confident this Necromancer is probably her. We're on the right track. We just need to make sure she can properly hear us.

There we go. Alright, let's try again. HEY BES--

She didn't even let me finish that time. Am I not saying it right? She seems mad for some reason.

The Scriptures say she's the embodiment of pure evil, so she might just be kind of a jerk. Maybe this is how she welcomes all of her friends.

Her book collection's pretty extensive, though. I've seen way more bookshelves than coffins in these catacombs. Maybe this is her private library, or something.

Given the number of books she has on display here, she must be tremendously well-read.

Do you know if she's mad at me for some reason?

*notepad* Do not stand in front of things that look dangerous. Check. Though, counterpoint, I do like hearing what my buddy Quarble has to say. He's pretty witty, even if it is at my expense every time.

...hold up, he?

...

Ohhhhhhhhh. That's why he hasn't been receptive to the Bestie codephrase. That makes so much more sense now. The real Roro would never pass up a chance to hang out with a follower of her dear friend Luana.

Wow, I must look like a complete lunatic to him. I guess it's true what they say. Assume and make an ass out of u. Not me, just u.

Have you considered putting this army of the undead towards civil service? Doesn't have to be out of the goodness of your heart; You could totally charge money for it. Not like the undead care about getting paid wages.

I'm just saying, taking over the world or whatever is a whole lot of responsibility. Capitalism pays far better, and it's no less sinister!

You guys know I can hear you, right? It's a huge, empty room. The echo is unbelievable.

Oh my goddess, he's adorable. Heeeeeey buddy, do you want a Kit Kat-- Oh, no, wait. You're evil.

Um. Nestle crunch bar? Made from real human despair.

Oh sweet, you know me. That should help smooth things over and--

Gotta be honest, I have no real stake in this conflict. You picked a fight with me. So. Y'know. If you want to be best friends for life, I could use some more pals. Otherwise, I'm just... gonna go....

If it helps, I think your staff looks really cool. And your skull face is working for you; You just need a stature to match.

Alright, see you around. Look me up if you ever want to hang out. I am desperately lonely.

Have fun soul-searching and I hope you find your way to being a happier you tomorrow than you were today.

[undyingmedium]

"Did you learn any new spells while away?", the smith leaned on his hand, with a lot of curiosity in his eyes. He had a better understanding of magic now and he found these things a lot more fascinating than he used to.

"I bet your magic has grown much stronger too, right?"

She gave a side glance towards the dragonborn, bringing herself back to reality from the book she was reading, comfortably sitting on her own cushions; she had placed them in a corner of his smithy after having cleaned it of dust without even asking for permission, she was sure he wouldn't mind.

"I lost quite the amount of power to contribute to a certain ritual little after you went away, and I still haven't gotten fully back in shape compared to back then. I would say that my powers morphed in the process; they're still deadly, in a different way."

She smiled. "I had to find a solution to the lack of protection in the front, so while deepening my knowledge about my medium activity, I also learnt to summon a little army of ghosts to fight for me. Too bad I can't decide who to bring back to the Material Plane yet; I'm still keeping Aleoth's magic compass though, so he can strike my own enemies next time I summon him out - he and all of Eziroth's undead. Hah, even Eziroth himself if I get strong enough - how I would love to see his face."