#this was brought on by the dungeon rabbit chapter so

[charleemoon]

dunmeshi is so great for people who enjoy seeing their faves bleeding out and suffering and being tortured but get too emotionally distraught when they actually die. because someone will just get their throat slit and then get back up. get their head exploded, get crushed, stabbed through the heart, limbs torn off, broken bones sticking out, gushing blood, and then they just. get healed and revived and all is well ^_^

[dixons-sunshine]

Yielding Isn’t My Middle Name—Chapter Five | Daryl Dixon x Fem!Reader

Summary: With each day that passed, without knowing whether or not you were okay was driving Daryl insane. He was on the edge of madness. However, when he got the chance to know about your well-being, his heart shattered when he realised what you had been forced to go through. And when chaos began to struck, he feared for your safety even more.

Warnings: Swearing, allusions to starving, mentions of torture.

Word Count: 2.8k.

A/N: I powered through this today. My main focus in October is going to be Halloween-related fics, so I wanted to get this up before then. Things are getting a bit more interesting now.

Taglist: @dixons-girl89, @jupiter1700, @enlightndone, @shadowcitrine, @angelwings-crossbowstrings, @holdmytesseract, @secretsicanthideanymore, @remuslittlesister

Drip. A momentary pause.

Another drip. Another slight pause.

Another drip. This one fell faster than the last.

Yet another drip. This one took longer to fall to the floor than any of the rest.

Observing how long it took for the droplets of water to fall down on the harsh, concrete floor was the only thing keeping Daryl from completely losing his mind and tearing his hair out of his head by the roots. Not that he could tear his hair from his head, however. The shackles securing him to the wall prevented him from moving his hands much. Still, with the worry that had taken root in the depths of his stomach, he was sure that he would find a way to rip his hair from his head one way or another if he did not keep his mind occupied with something else.

It had started lightly raining a few hours before. That was probably the only reason why Daryl had not been dragged off to work in the fields that day, like he had been for the past… He did not even know how long. The days seemed to blur together.

One of the guards that had been given the instructions to stand watch outside his cell had brought him food a few hours prior, but the archer had refused to touch the odd looking concoction that sloshed around in the bowl when moved. Even if he wanted to eat, he doubted he would be able to. The worry would prevent him from keeping any sustenance down. The worry for you and your unborn baby.

Daryl sighed and leaned his head back against the wall behind him. He had to swallow back the tears that threatened to form in his eyes at the mere thought of you and what you could be going through. Liam did not seem like a forgiving man, and what you had done, although completely justifiable in Daryl’s eyes, seemed like an action that could be punishable by death in this community.

Daryl did not even want to consider the possibility that you could be dead. His heart would not be able to handle the immense pain that came with diving into that rabbit hole. The guilt would eat him alive. If you were dead, that would mean that he had failed to keep his promise to you; he would never let anything happen to you. If you were dead, he would never be able to live with himself. You were the most precious thing in his life. He could not lose you.

The sudden, loud crack of thunder outside of the dungeon he was in snapped Daryl out of his thoughts with a startle, just in the nick of time as well. The door to his cell opened with a deafening screech, and the archer’s ocean-coloured eyes trailed up to meet those of one of his captors—Lucas Davis, the man responsible for your separation from Daryl. If there had not been chains keeping Daryl’s hands shackled to the wall, the huntsman would have lunged for the man and would have strangled him with his bare hands.

However, the chains rendered him with the inability to do so, so Daryl settled for simply giving the younger Davis brother a death glare, wishing that looks had the ability to kill.

“Aye, good afternoon, champ,” Lucas greeted Daryl merrily, pretending not to notice the absolute hatred that rolled in waves off of the archer at Lucas’ mere presence. The right-hand man of Sunny Meadows entered Daryl’s cell without a care in the world. His boots crunched the gravel of the ground beneath them as he walked towards Daryl, a set of keys dangling from the man’s grasp. He crouched down in front of Daryl, his green-eyed stare meeting the archer’s blue-eyed one. “The big guy wants to see you. Guess it’s your lucky day, finally being able to do something else than work or sit in this cell for two weeks, huh?”

Two weeks? Daryl’s eyes involuntarily widened at those words. Although, the more Daryl thought of it, the more he realised that Lucas’ words could be true. There was one singular window in his cell, and it had been boarded up a while ago, potentially so that the archer could not view the outside world once he was dragged back to his cell. The small amount of light that managed to trickle in through the cracks was not even remotely enough to grant Daryl the ability to differentiate between the rising and setting of the sun, and every day at a certain time while the sun was still in the sky, he would get dragged back to his cell and one of the guards would inject him with something that would knock him out cold for hours. Plus he did not work in the fields every day. Some days, he would be confined to his cell, so keeping track of the time had proven to be rather difficult.

However, Daryl had not expected that two weeks had already passed. That admission made his heart drop to his stomach. A full two weeks had passed, and he still had no idea how he would be able to escape his cell and find you, and that realisation made Daryl feel worse than he had already been feeling. His only hope of an escape at that moment would be to somehow knock Lucas out once he removed Daryl’s chains and make a run for it. It was his best bet. It was his only bet.

Lucas had begun to remove the chains that kept Daryl bound to the wall. He first removed the ones around his legs, before moving to his hands. However, as if possessing the ability to read the brooding archer’s mind, Lucas’ eyes flickered up to Daryl’s, a warning swimming around in his green irises.

“I wouldn’t attempt an attack if I were you,” he began in a threatening tone of voice. “There are three guys waiting for us upstairs. If you managed to kill me and make a run for it, they would shoot you on sight. And then they would go and have a little fun with that pregnant whore of a wife of yours before putting her out of her misery as well. And correct me if I’m wrong, but the death of the mother so early on in the pregnancy means that the baby would perish, too. So I would think wisely before acting out if I were you.”

Lucas could have been lying. Daryl definitely would not put it past the man in front of him to do so. However, Daryl clung on to the hope that you were still alive, and if you were, he did not want to be the reason you suffered a fate far worse than death. So he bit his tongue, swallowed back his pride, and willingly went with what Lucas instructed him to do. Once the shackles had fully been removed and Daryl had been yanked up to his feet, a pair of handcuffs had been secured around his wrists.

With Daryl thoroughly threatened and then cuffed, Lucas pushed the archer rather harshly. “Get moving,” he spat bitterly, his tone a stark contrast to the merry tone he had used a few minutes prior.

Daryl hesitated for a few moments, carefully considering his options for a moment, but he decided not to test fate just yet. He sighed and complied with the younger Davis man’s request, and began trudging forward. A staircase soon came into view, and Daryl climbed each step carefully, the wood creaking beneath the archer’s weight.

Soon enough, a door came into view, and Lucas pushed Daryl aside on the narrow staircase. He hastily opened the door, making a bright light flood the air. Daryl closed his eyes to shield them from the pain that the light caused, due to not having been in a properly lit space in a week. However, Lucas was having none of that. He grabbed the archer’s arm and harshly pulled him with him into the room.

Daryl stumbled and nearly fell to the carpeted ground below, but he managed to steady himself. Looking up, Daryl came face-to-face with the three men that Lucas had told him of, and he noticed that they were all armed to the teeth. Well, at least now he knew that Lucas had not been lying, and if he had not lied about that, then there was a good chance that he had not been lying about you. If he had opted to make a run for it, then there was a good chance that he would have been the reason you had to suffer a cruel fate. He was immensely relieved that he had opted to decide against it.

“Oh my god, you look like shit. Haven’t been able to take a shower recently, I take it?”

The archer’s jaw clenched at the sound of the voice he had come to hate. Liam. With a harsh glare, Daryl looked up and locked eyes with Liam. He could vaguely make out his surroundings, and he realised that he had been residing in the basement of the cruel leader’s farm house. He was back in the very same living room he had been in with you a week prior. The very same living room where everything had gone awry.

Liam’s twisted smile came into Daryl’s view, the scar at the edge of his mouth adding to the pure evil that the man exuded. He sent a nod in Lucas’ direction, before shifting his attention back to Daryl. “I have a few questions for you. Are you finally ready to talk?”

Daryl did not dare to utter a word. He was fully aware of the questions that Liam was talking about. Where are you from? Where’s the rest of your group? Why were you two on your own? The man had been coming down to his cell and had continuously been asking him those questions. However, Daryl had managed to remain quiet, even though he had suffered multiple deep cuts and bruises at the hands of Liam due to his silence. He would much rather die than give up the location of his found family. He would not have another Governor situation transpire, even if it meant he would lose his own life.

He just hoped that his defiance had not cost you your life. If it had, then he would never be able to forgive himself.

Liam’s smile slowly vanished from his face. He shook his head and clicked his tongue, his face adapting a faux look of disappointment. “You just don’t learn, do you?” he asked in a tone that closely resembled that of a parent scolding their child. “Bring him with me,” he commanded his brother, the man he had addressed instantly complying with his request. Liam grabbed the umbrella that had been laying against the wall opposite of him. “I hope you don’t mind getting wet, Daryl. I’m afraid I don’t have any umbrellas left to spare.”

Getting wet was the least of Daryl’s concerns. Where the hell was he being taken? Why had Liam’s lips twitched up into a small, ominous smirk when he had turned around and started stalking towards the door? Why did Mariah, Liam’s wife, send him a sympathetic look when his eyes had locked with hers when he had passed her on the way out the door? And why was he being led through the pouring rain to what appeared to be hundreds of wells that appeared as if it had been sealed off, but the boards to all of them had been ripped off recently? All except for one?

Liam stopped in front of one of the wells, one of which had a makeshift door on top of it. He opened the latch of the door and swung it outwards. He peered down into the hole before looking at Daryl with a smirk. “How about you have a look, Daryl? Perhaps this could persuade you to change your mind.”

Daryl did not have a say in the matter. Lucas pushed him forward and against the stone of the well. “Say hello to your darling wife.”

The archer’s eyes widened at his words. He quickly looked down at the deep hole in the ground. At first, he did not see you at all, and he considered the possibility that the man had opted to take the piss out of Daryl in an attempt to get answers from him. However, a movement at the bottom caught his attention, and on further, more thorough inspection, Daryl could see that they had not lied to him.

You laid at the bottom of the well, relatively motionless. Had it not been for the fact that you had moved a few seconds prior, Daryl would have believed that you were dead. He could vaguely make out a bowl and a water bottle that laid next to you, both toppled over, so it appeared as if the people had at least been feeding you. But other than that, you definitely looked worse for wear.

“Y/N,” Daryl rasped out brokenly, a lump forming in his throat at the sight of you. You did not look as if you were being properly taken care of, and that made the archer want to kill everyone within his vicinity. He took a step back from the well. His eyes trailed up and locked with those of Liam, a death glare being thrown at him. “If ya dun’ get ‘er outta there right now—”

“Then what, you’ll kill me?” Liam laughed incredulously. “You kill me, Lucas kills you, and then her.” For added emphasis, he motioned down at you in the well. “Hell, I still can kill her if you even so much as push my buttons, Daryl. Don’t test me.” He took a threatening step towards the crossbow-wielding archer, his eyes glaring into Daryl’s menacingly. “Now how about we try this again? Answer my questions, or else Lucas here shoots down at your wife. For every answer I don’t like, another shot gets fired. We’ll start with her legs and move up until we reach her head, and you’ll get to witness every scream of agony she lets out, and you’ll get to know that your stubbornness is the reason she’s suffering.”

Daryl’s heart stopped at Liam’s words. He never wanted to be the reason you got hurt, physically or emotionally. However, his loyalties were conflicted. He owed everything to his found family back in Alexandria, but then there was you. His wife. The one that had stuck with him since the early days at the quarry. The one that had stuck with him through thick and thin, through all of his bullshit and troubles. The one that was carrying his baby. The one he wanted to start his own family with.

Daryl sighed in defeat. It physically hurt his being to do what he was about to do, but he had to. He had no other choice. “Alright,” he conceded in a whisper. “What’cha wanna know?”

Liam smirked in victory. However, before he could utter a single word, the sound of a gunshot reverberated throughout the air. At first, Daryl had assumed that Lucas had taken a shot at you, and he whipped around to see, but he soon realised that the shot had not come from the leader’s right hand man. It had come from somewhere else, somewhere beyond the gated walls of the Sunny Meadows community. Soon, more gunfire filled the air, and loud yells and cries of agony could be heard.

“Intruders!” someone yelled from afar, before being interrupted by a scream.

Liam whipped around to look at Daryl and Lucas. “Get him back to his cell,” he instructed curtly, grabbing his own weapon from its holster. “Then get the men ready for battle.” When Lucas did not instantly comply, Liam’s voice rose in one final command before running off. “Did you not hear me? Get fucking going!”

That made Lucas finally do what was asked of him. Grabbing Daryl by his arm, he pulled him behind him, forcing the archer to have to jog to keep up with his pace. However, that was not his main concern. As if sensing that a war was about to break out, the rain had started to worsen, falling down to the earth heavier and heavier with each passing minute. As Daryl got dragged back to his cell, his only thoughts were of you, and he prayed to whatever god was listening that you would be okay.

Because the rain only got heavier, and it had not been lost on the archer that the ‘doors’ to the well you were being held captive in had not been closed. And if Daryl knew anything about wells, it’s that they tended to fill up with water when it rained.

[caramel-catss]

trilogy (chapter 1: rabbit)

on ao3

word count: 26.5k

the first chapter of my links meet au

Three strangers, connected only by the triangle on their hands, join forces to save a dying world. Through hardship and healing, they will become family.

chapter art by @clowns0up-felix :)

(below is a snippet, the full is too long for tumblr lol)

Soft hands glide through Link’s hair. They untangle knots, picking out dirt and various pieces of grime. A warm, uncalloused palm brushes against Link’s cheek.

Even with closed eyes, Link knows who it is. She comes every night.

Link reaches out and grabs the retreating wrist. “Don’t go,” she murmurs.

A gentle hum pauses—one Link hadn’t even registered.

“I can’t stay,” Marin replies. She trails her finger around Link’s freckles, drawing constellations.

“I want you to.”

“I can’t.”

Link huffs; she’s always been the stubborn one, and Marin can’t win her out now. She doesn’t let go. Marin laughs, all chimes and Sea Lily bells. The free hand returns to Link’s hair.

Marin begins her song again. Link leans against the other’s lap, resting on her side. Her fingers drum a tempo for Marin’s melody.

In the distance, a voice calls. Link ignores it.

It calls again.

Marin says, “Your uncle wants you, Link.”

“Mm,” she replies.

The hands cease. “Link.”

“Don’t wanna.”

Marin gently flicks her. “You lazy girl… Come on.”

Link blinks her eyes open—only to catch Marin’s face before she goes—and meets a wooden wall. Shuffling footsteps sound behind her. She blinks.

“Link,” her uncle is saying. “It’s time to wake up.”

With her sword on her back and apples in her pouch, Link leaves Uncle’s house. She has a small list of chores: buy a red potion for Uncle, sell yesterday’s harvest, and get the Book of Mudora back from the Sage. 

Link fishes through her bag for an old plain blue ocarina. Zelda says that she’s insanely unorganized, but Link doesn’t care enough. She eventually finds it and calls for her bird, directing it to the Magic Shop. She haggles Maple down to 100 rupees—far better than she’s usually able to get—and sets off again for Kakariko.

Most of Uncle’s apples are reserved for cooking, making preserves, or just as snacks. The rest, Link is sent out to sell. They go for 15 rupees each, which isn’t much. The price is really a formality; Link’s more than rich from all her dungeon crawling, plus they’re on a royal pension.

The point is, they sell out quickly. Link’s there for less than twenty minutes before she’s brought down to her last three apples. She doesn’t mind all that much—anything that lets her leave Kakariko sooner. There’s been a lot of apologies over the past few years, but nothing can stop her nerves when she enters this place.

A figure comes into Link’s view. She straightens from where she was leaning against the weathercock (her makeshift stand). When she realizes who it is, though, she relaxes.

“Hey, Zel,” Link says.

Zelda huffs, not unkindly. She’s wearing a plain, tan dress. “Don’t announce me to the whole village.”

Link shrugs. “Want some apples?”

Her half-sister’s eyes flick to the three apples sitting on the weathercock. “Are those your last ones?”

“Yup.” Link nods. “Then I’m heading to the Sanctuary.”

“I’ll buy out your stock.” Zelda takes out three rupees, two red and one blue.

“Hey, thanks.”

Link starts to trade the items. Zelda says, too casually, “Can I walk with you? Over to the Sanctuary?”

“Mm.” Eyebrow raise. Zelda shakes her head, nothing urgent. “Sure.”

They take the eastern exit. Zelda sets a slow pace. Link fiddles with her medallions, curling the chain around her finger.

Zelda’s always been upfront—she speaks up soon as they’re out of earshot. “I had a dream last night.”

“Shocker.” Link is flicked on the ear.

“You know that’s not what I mean, idiot.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. What happened?”

Zelda’s eyebrows furrow. “That’s the thing… I can’t make it out. The world around me wasn’t Hyrule, but… it felt so familiar.”

“Could be a different time,” Link suggests. “Or a neighboring country. Heard anything from Labrynna or Holodrum?”

“No, and I don’t think it’s either of them.” Zelda pauses for a second. “It’s… There was blood all around, but I couldn’t see it… like it had seeped into the ground itself.”

“An old battlefield.”

“Something like that.” They’re nearing the Sanctuary. “There was new growth on top of it… and the plants were reaching for me. That’s when I woke up.”

Link hums. “Weird, but doesn’t seem like a prophecy.”

“Except all my dreams are prophecies,” Zelda argues. She pinches the bridge of her nose. “Maybe I’m overthinking it, but I just… I don’t know. I worry.”

“It’ll be okay, Zel. I can and will fight, so if anything does happen—”

“That’s exactly it, though.” Zelda’s tone makes Link pause. “You’ve… It hasn’t been that long since you… you know. You’re my little sister. I don’t want you to be thrown back into that so soon.”

Link bites at her cheek. Oh, that’s what this is about. Ever she returned to Hyrule last year, Zelda’s fretted over her more and more.

“I’ll be fine,” Link mumbles. “I’m doing better now, anyway.”

“If you…” Zelda trails off. They stop at the Sanctuary door. “…Keep taking care of yourself, okay?”

Link nods. “Okay.”

Zelda bids her goodbye and peels off back towards the castle. Sneaking in, no doubt. Link showed her the way last year.

Before she enters, Link sighs. She knows Zelda only means well. And, sure, the past months have been… rough. But Link can still hold her own—if nothing else, during combat. She’s only a year younger than Zelda, too! She just… Whatever.

Link grumbles as she elbows the Sanctuary door open. She greets the Sage, who tells her to wait a moment while he gets the book. Fine by her. Link retreats to one of the pews, opting to lean against it instead of sitting in it.

She whistles a short tune while she waits. Or, tries to—Mamu’s song comes to her mind first, but it’s way too fast for her to whistle. Link gives up after a few moments and instead opts to pull some hair out of her face. She pauses.

The Triforce on her left hand is glowing. Glowing more than usual, that is. Streams of magic trail down her skin. It’s warm, dripping holy and golden.

“Shit,” Link mutters. Her mark flashes, and the world goes white.

(read the rest on ao3!)

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts

CH.27 (Red Dragon)

Simpler times....... or were they?

ah, so it's harder with just the bones. That explains the reacts but... yeah, they were doomed from the start, in that case.

They don't have DNA testing to confirm what's hers and what isn't. How are they going to make sure they don't pull a Full Metal Alchemist with this resurrection?

I'm sure this won't go wrong at all.

And now they're planning to get a person down there? After it took them... weeks???? to come and find this dragon and get these remains? I love them, but this plan is mad. Who would even attempt it? Would they even have the money for it?

Chillchuck went "you aren't even a Necromancer" and Marcille raised him a "no, I'm something much worse."

Love this girl. Love the determination.

Oh, she's 'I broke the world for us' levels of in love with Falin. Got it. I'm in.

At the beginning of the manga, you think 'oh wow Senshi is a little weird.' and then you think 'oh, Laios is a little weird too. That's why they get along.' But now I'm beginning to realize Marcille is a card carrying member of the Obsessed With Stuff freakshow, and that's why she's here. She pretended to be normal the whole time, but she's just as far gone in the rabbit hole as the rest of them.

Chillchuck, buddy, you're on thin ice.

Guys, assemble the skeletons FIRST and THEN draw the evil magic circle. You're going to smear the runes! smh....

look at her go! She screams about eating a mushroom with a face in chapter 1, but here she is, assembling a digested skeleton of her beloved with minimal issues.

.............K-Kui san... did you... did you want to go to med school by chance...?

the recipe card...... I'm fuckin dead..... bonus doggies.

I've seen this panel in so many screencaps, but knowing its context makes it 2000% sexier.

this is............reverse cooking..........................

OH??????

this is.......significantly less horrific than what I was prepared for.

Something still feels off but. You DID bring her back using fuckin dragon meat so. I guess. You can't exactly be born the same way twice.

How heartwarming! This wizard brought her beloved back from the dead using illegal magic! It just warms your heart.

Is it cannibalism to eat something you were recently made from...?

[felixcloud6288]

Dungeon Meshi Chapter 64

It's an Alice in Wonderland reference.

I wish we could see the world through Marcille's eyes. Chapter 46 implied that she could see the flow of mana and how it caused the monsters to be docile. It seems like she can also see how the mana flow is sealing the winged lion as well.

Oh yeah. Izutsumi wasn't with the party for most of their adventure. But she agrees with the general consensus.

Most of the characters in Marcille's incantation looked similar to the runes she normally speaks when casting magic. But that very last one looked more like the characters Pattadol used to cast magic.

Gross.

I'm imagining the first panel is what the Winged Lion thought it would look like when it appeared to the party and the second is what it actually looks like.

If this book contains the lion's head, does that mean the book Thistle carries with him is full of pictures of the lion's butt?

It probably wouldn't be the first time Falin has bitten Laios's leg.

At most, it's been three weeks since Falin was transformed into a chimera. And at one point, she had to fight three parties simultaneously and was then summoned to the first floor a few hours later. We've had no information about her whereabouts since the events of chapter 55, but she's probably still searching the dungeon for Delgal.

Laios makes a sound argument to how they can bait her, but the alcohol part kind of assumes dragons metabolize it the same way a human would.

Marcille looks like a chess rook with that on.

So he didn't buy it to cosplay as a Living Armor? My heart is broken.

Our resident equipment nut Namari was skeptical about it though.

Okay, but why not have Laios or Senshi walk around with Yaad and Delgal on their shoulders?

Aww wight. Let's go. We'w hunting wabbits. Ahahahaha.

I don't know if it would be funnier to think that Laios was going to ask Izutsumi to act like a hunting dog like she thought or that he never considered it and now she's being pouty.

They are taking this way too casually! Even if you don't know the Monty Python skit, Laios already brought up that story about the veteran adventurers dying to them.

At this point, I looked up The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog part of Monty Python and The Holy Grail but I don't think I can squeeze any appropriate quotes into this moment.

This part feels like it came from that bit though.

Did Laios just fucking die in one hit!?!

Clever girl. That rabbit lured them into an ambush. And Laios's last words imply he realized he'd led the party to their deaths just before he was killed.

back

[kaetiesmindpalace]

Your Turn to Roll--A Project Fear Fanfiction: Chapter 1-Character Creation

Chapter 2/2

One of your interests is a game called Dungeons and Dragons (DND), a table-top roleplaying game filled with daring fights, monstrous creatures, and numerous bonds you enrich through each session the story follows. With live play shows like Critical Role as well as media portrayal like in Stranger Things, DND has gained many new players in recent years. It is a topic you have brought up a ton to your friends Alex, Chelsea, Dakota, and Tanner as you wanted to tell them about the shenanigans that ensued during one of your sessions. 

On this particular day, you were going down a YouTube rabbit hole when a notification from your group chat came through. After pausing the video, you open your messages to see what was sent. 

“I finally looked more into Dungeons and Dragons since you’ve mentioned it a lot, and I got to say, I’m interested in trying it out,” Chelsea had sent. 

“Same,” the boys responded in quick succession of one another. 

“I’m so glad you’re interested in it! I can try to take a crack at running a game to help ease you guys into it all,” you quickly respond with a huge grin on your face. 

“You’ll surely do well with it,” Dakota encourages you. 

“Yeah, if anyone could do it, it would definitely be you,” Alex says. 

“Thanks guys. We will need to start off with character creation before going right into fighting things and other story elements. What day works the best for y’all?” you asked, already super pumped that your friends want to understand your interests just a bit more. 

“This Thursday I’m pretty free,” Tanner answers. 

“Same here,” Chelsea replies. 

“It would have to be after 6pm for me. Editing takes a lot of time,” Dakota specifies. 

“Thursday works for me,” Alex states. 

“Let’s try for 7pm on Thursday at my place then. Sound good?” you text back. 

“Sounds like a plan” they all respond. 

Thursday at 7pm came quickly and soon you were all around your table. You placed a character sheet in front of them as well as a pencil to start the process off. Once everything is set up, the group looks to you for further instructions. 

“Okay. I’m going to start by asking questions that will help you figure out what class your character will be. Think of a class almost as being what your job entails. Now, would you like to be able to use magic or not?” you explain before asking. 

“Magic would be cool,” Tanner says with a sparkle in his eye. 

“Yeah, it has always intrigued me in fiction,” Chelsea enthusiastically responds. 

“I definitely want to try using magic,” Dakota replies. 

“It’s interesting, but will it be complicated?” Alex asks. 

“I will admit, magic can be a hard part to understand in DND. We are starting at level one, so we can slowly understand it more and more as we go. I know someone who started playing DND with a spellcasting class and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also know someone who started off with a magic-using class and wished they hadn’t. I do not want to deter you from anything that interests you and will always help with any questions you have,” you clearly state. 

Alex nods before responding with, “I think I want to start off without magic then.” 

You smile before turning to the others to ask, “Do you still want to play spellcasters after hearing that it can be difficult? As I mentioned, I want you to play what interests you.” 

The three nod their heads before Chelsea replies with “I always like a challenge.” 

“Great! Since we already have one diverging from everyone else, are you guys alright with me helping Alex first and then come back to you guys for clarifying questions?” you inquire. 

You get nods from Alex, Dakota, and Chelsea, as well as a “Go for it,” from Tanner. 

Turning towards Alex, you question, “How would you describe the type of fighting you would want to do? Would you describe it like the Hulk? Using martial arts? Sneaky? Having archery or a long-distance focus? A variety of weapons and armor?” 

Alex ponders for a moment before replying with “I like the idea of a sneaky character.” 

“It seems like with that response that you would enjoy playing a rogue. I will pull up the rogue information from 5e.tools and you can start putting in that info onto your character sheet like proficiencies and features associated with level one. Abbreviate where you need to as this sheet is what you will use even as you level up. Wherever you have a choice to make, go for what interests you. Some parts like hit points and modifiers I will go over once everyone has figured out their race and class. Some of the choices you can hover over, and it will explain a bit more,” you expound while handing your laptop over to Alex. 

He quickly takes your computer, puts it down in front of him, and begins to write. You then pick up the spell list sheets and hand them to the other three, stating, “We will look at the sheet I am passing around later after figuring out more of your character, but I would rather hand them to you now to make sure you have it.” 

Dakota, Chelsea, and Tanner all put the spell sheet to the side and then focus back on you. 

“While I was working with Alex, did any of you think about where you’ve obtained your magic or how you would use it? It wasn’t a requirement for you guys to have done so, I will provide examples like I did for Alex when it came to fighting styles, but I thought I would ask,” you question. 

Tanner and Dakota shake their heads “no” before Chelsea speaks up, “There is a class that learns magic through school and books, right? I think I remember reading something about that and it intrigued me.” 

“Yes, wizards carry around a spell book of all the magic they have learned through the years and can even add to the book. Was that what you were thinking?” you respond. 

Chelsea nods her head, a glimmer of fascination in her eye. 

“Sorry to interrupt, but how should I denote expertise versus proficiency on something?” Alex asks. 

“I often use a check mark for expertise and just filling in the bubble for proficiency. You can do whatever helps you differentiate the two though and even make a note of what each thing means if that helps,” you mention. 

Alex nods yet again before quickly putting down the last of the rogue class information. Once he is done, he hands you back your laptop.  

You quickly click to the wizard information on the same site before handing the laptop over to Chelsea, saying, “I’ve pulled up the wizard information for you. You can start putting it onto your character sheet like proficiencies and features associated with level one.  As I mentioned before to Alex, wherever you have a choice to make, go for what interests you. Some of the choices you can hover over, and it will explain a bit more. We’ll go over hit points and modifiers later. Abbreviate wherever you see fit.” 

Chelsea immediately grabs your laptop and starts getting to work, allowing you to draw your attention to Dakota and Tanner. 

“Okay, spellcasters vary greatly. Some are born with it while some must specifically and continuously learn it, the latter being the wizard class that Chelsea chose. Some magic comes through nature while some comes through the arts like music. Some…” you start listing. 

“Wait. Magic can be connected to music?” Tanner interrupts. 

“Yes! A person from that class is called a bard and it is a very fun class to play, from my personal experience. Does that interest you?” you ask with a grin on your face. 

Tanner nods before continuing, “I like the idea a lot, but are they solely a spellcaster?” 

“All classes have a physical weapon of some sort, but people can create characters who almost always go for the spells rather than the weapon. For bard, there are a couple of subclasses down the line that focus more on combat with weapons rather than with spells if that is what you wish to do. You would still get magic no matter what route you go with when it comes to the bard class,” you state. 

“That’s something I would want to do,” Tanner tells you. 

You give him a thumbs up before turning to Chelsea to see her progress. She was just finishing the last part of her sentence before she clicks on something on the laptop and turns toward you with the computer in her hands, the bard page on 5e.tools already up. 

“Thought I could help set you up for the handoff,” Chelsea discloses. 

“Thank you,” you respond before handing the laptop off to Tanner, “You can start putting in the bard information onto your character sheet like proficiencies and features associated with level one. As I mentioned before, wherever you have a choice to make, go for what interests you. Some of the choices you can hover over, and it will explain a bit more. We’ll go over hit points and modifiers once everyone has a class and race. Abbreviate as you go since we’ll be using this sheet as you guys level up.” 

Promptly, Tanner takes the computer and begins jotting down the bard information. Dakota was the last one to figure out what class he should play. You bring your attention to him, ready to help him out. 

“Did any of the spellcaster descriptions I’ve given so far seem interesting to you or should I keep going? There are other spellcasting classes I haven’t described yet, so don’t fret if what you’ve heard so far isn’t interesting you,” you inquire. 

Dakota shakes his head “no,” so you continue, “What are your thoughts on having your magic being connected to a being?” 

“What do you mean?” Dakota asks with an inquisitive look. 

“Well, some classes are connected to gods and use their divine power to help. Some have made a deal with an entity which granted them their magic,” you reply. 

“Making a deal with an entity sounds…evil yet intriguing,” Dakota remarks. 

“Well, dealings with entities are not always evil. Yes, some deals are made just to gain more power, but some make deals to help themselves out of bad situations or to help those around them,” you clarify. 

“So, a deal could be made to prove oneself as capable of something?” Dakota questions. 

“Yes,” you simply state, “I’m assuming you’re asking these questions because that is the route that intrigues you the most. Is that correct?” 

Dakota nods. 

“The class that makes a deal with an entity to receive magic is called a warlock. It is one of two classes that picks its subclass at level one. So, what kind of being do you want to make a pact with? I can give examples, if need be,” you ask. 

Dakota ponders a bit before responding, “Maybe I’m essentially making myself, but are their entities that revolve around life and death?” 

“There are, and there is nothing wrong with essentially making yourself. I made the ideal version of myself in my first campaign, and most of my characters usually have a little bit of me in them too. For the patron, there are two subclass choices: The Undying and The Undead. The two are similar, with some small differences. I can pull up both of their information for you to compare and decide from there if you like,” you suggest. 

Dakota nods. As you are about to turn to see Tanner’s progress, your laptop is in front of your face. 

“I just finished and heard it was about time for the handoff,” Tanner says with a smile on his face. 

“Thank you,” you tell him, returning the grin. 

You quickly pull up the warlock information, including the two subclasses, before handing the computer off to Dakota for his turn to jot down his class information on his character sheet, making note to abbreviate words as he goes so he can continue to have room on his character sheet as the adventure continues. 

“Sorry for the wait in between everything, I am just trying to get everyone on the same page,” you apologize to the others. 

“We get it, don’t worry about us,” Chelsea states. 

“This is a learning process for us, so it’s understandable that we’re taking even character creation slowly,” Alex joins in. 

You nod your head in acknowledgment at your friends’ responses before continuing, “That’s great to hear. Thinking back to what Dakota noticed about his choices, do you think you are creating a fantasy version of yourself or some completely different person?” 

The three waiting for the next step start thinking before looking at one another and laughing a bit. 

“I think I’m unintentionally creating myself too,” Tanner states. 

“Same,” Alex and Chelsea reply in unison. 

“As I said, there is nothing wrong with that. This could help with your character backstories if you want,” you mention. 

Dakota looks up from writing at that moment, stating, “I think I’ll go with The Undying as my patron. Also, I like the idea of these characters being us. Maybe we’re Project Fear in this world too!” before continuing to write. 

Chelsea, Tanner, and Alex nod their head in agreement before stating almost simultaneously, “I like that idea.” 

“Having your characters already know each other helps with why you all would come together for the adventure. Seeing as you guys like the idea of being Project Fear in the game, a shared background may help support that. We can discuss this more after y’all figure out your races as well,” you mention. 

That is the moment when Dakota finished writing and handed you back your computer. Taking it from his hands, you look at your friends to see anticipation and wonder in their expressions as they await what is next.  

You place your laptop on the table in front of you before saying, “Alright. One part, done. Next is race. I want to make it clear that because you’ve mentioned that you’re making yourselves that you don’t automatically have to make your character human. Again, do what interests you. There are a lot more options for races compared to the class you play, so this may take a little bit. Do any of you have an idea of a fantasy race you would want to play? If it has been in a fictional fantasy world before, then it is highly likely that you can play it.” 

“I want to play a vampire!” Dakota exclaims. 

“While vampires can be in a game of DND, they are not a playable race,” you mention, noticing a frown on Dakota’s face, “but, there is a race that is part vampire called a dhampir which is playable. Let me pull up that information for you.” 

Dakota smiles hearing that he could play something close to what he wanted rather than the idea being scraped completely. You pull up the dhampir information on 5e.tools before giving the laptop back to Dakota. 

“You could have kept the laptop had we known you would be the first to figure out the race you wanted to play, but hindsight is 20-20. For ability score improvements, leave the additions next to your ability spaces as they will be accounted for once you figure stats out. Dhampirs are more customizable with where these score improvements go, so I would suggest looking at your saving throw proficiencies as a guide on where they could go. For reference, a size medium creature would be around our size while a small creature is almost child size,” you clarify a bit. 

Dakota yet again takes the laptop before jotting down the information onto his character sheet.  

Again, you turn back to the rest of the group before proceeding, “What about you guys? Any fantasy races that have interested you in the past?” 

“An elf would be interesting,” Chelsea states. 

“I was thinking the same thing,” Alex responds soon after. 

“Lucky for you, elf is a playable race. We will need to narrow down which type of elf you would like to play as there are a few subraces of them. Some of the subraces may go along well with your class choice. Is that a route you would want to go?” you question Alex and Chelsea. 

The two look at each other with agog expressions before turning their gazes back at you. 

“I…I didn’t expect there to be options when it came to elves, so I’m down to hear your suggestions,” Alex replies. 

Chelsea nods her head at what Alex told you, agreeing with what he had to say. 

“Okay, do you have a preference as to who I suggest a subrace to first?” you ask. 

“I think Chelsea should go before me as I went first when it came to picking my class,” Alex suggests. 

“Sounds good to me,” Chelsea agrees. 

“Alright. Chelsea, I would suggest going with a high elf. They are often noted as having a keen mind as well as knowing a decent bit about magic. To me, that seems like a decent fit for a wizard,” you propose. 

“I like the sounds of this,” Chelsea responds while nodding. 

Seeing the lull in the conversation, Dakota pipes up from his writing, “I noticed for dhampirs that they could originally be of a different race. I was reading more into some of the races and Kalashtar seemed interesting. Since that race doesn’t provide other proficiencies or other movement speeds, could I choose the Quori language to know?” 

“By all means go for it,” you answer. 

Dakota quickly finishes up his writing before handing the laptop back to you. Before handing the laptop to Chelsea, you click on the high elf information.  

“Elves do live a lot longer than humans, so if you want to go down the route of these characters being you, then add maybe 100 years onto your actual age. As mentioned with Dakota, for ability score improvements, leave the additions next to your ability spaces as they will be accounted for once you figure stats out,” you place the laptop in front of her before pointing to the references tab, “Here you’ll be able to find the languages tab and can look at the other possibilities available to your character that is offered for high elves.” 

Chelsea starts to jot down the high elf information, leading you to bring your attention to Alex. 

“For you, I was thinking the mark of shadow elf. They gain some bonuses for sneaking. With these bonuses, you will get a very tiny bit of magic: a cantrip and a once per long rest use of a spell when you hit level three. Is that alright?” you inquire. 

“What would the spell and cantrip be?” Alex asks. 

“The cantrip is called minor illusion. You could create a sound or an image with it, which could come in handy if you need some form of distraction for sneaking around. The spell you would learn at level three would be invisibility, which I think is self-explanatory. Had you chosen a spellcasting class, you’d have access to more spells and such,” you explain. 

“Sorry to interrupt, but what is the difference between a cantrip and a spell?” Tanner asks. 

“You don’t have to apologize for that; it’s an excellent question. Cantrips don’t need any preparation and can be cast at will. Spells, on the other hand, need some preparation such as a certain amount of time or materials needed for it to work. Spells can be cast at a limited amount per short or long rest, depending on the class you chose, while cantrips have no limits on the number of times you can use it,” you clarify. 

“I like the idea of having a tiny bit of magic since it did interest me. It won’t be as overwhelming as a class that has many spells and cantrips I feel,” Alex acknowledges with a smile. 

“Glad to hear it,” you reply. 

At that moment, Chelsea finished what she was writing. Before handing the laptop back to you, she clicked on what you were assuming to be the mark of shadow elf page, much like she clicked on the bard page after writing down the wizard information on her character sheet. With the laptop now in your hand, you can see that your assumption was right. 

“Thanks for setting it up again,” you thank her with a nod before handing it over to Alex. 

“Don’t mention it,” she replies with a smile. 

With the resources in front of him, Alex begins jotting down the mark of shadow elf information onto his character sheet. 

“Just a reminder that elves do live a lot longer than humans, so if you want to go down the route of these characters being you, then add maybe 100 years onto your actual age. As mentioned before, for ability score improvements, leave the additions next to your ability spaces as they will be accounted for once you figure stats out,” you remind Alex, who nods at your comment while continuing to write. 

The last to figure out their character’s race is Tanner, so you quickly turn towards him.  

“When looking more into DND, I ended up going down a rabbit hole of playable races. It seemed so intriguing that there is such a variety. Now, I don’t remember all of them, but I do remember that some can fly, and that intrigued me the most,” he mentions before you could ask any clarifying questions. 

It seemed that everyone was a bit shocked by Tanner’s admission, but you could not be happier knowing that your friends were well and truly trying to understand a game you love so much. 

With a smile glued to your face, you proceed with “That’s great to hear that you found some interest when trying to understand DND a bit more. You are right, there are a few races that can fly. I will need to ask a few clarifying questions to narrow it down a little more. First question: would you rather be a small creature or a medium creature? As I mentioned with Dakota, a small creature is roughly the size of a child while medium is around our size.” 

Tanner ponders for a moment before responding, “I rather like my own height, so medium creature.” 

“Okay. Now, would you want to look like an animal? Some of the flying races look like birds,” you question. 

Again, Tanner takes some time to think before saying, “I don’t think so. If I’m going down the route of playing a version of myself, I’d rather look more like me.” 

You nod your head, narrowing down the options quickly, before asking, “Alright, how far away from looking like yourself are you willing to go? There are 2 possible options left, each diverging at least a little bit from the standard human appearance.” 

“I think sticking as close to looking like myself as possible would mean no extra appendages like a tail,” Tanner replies after taking a moment. 

“Well, we narrowed it down to the protector aasimar then. They have partial lineage to celestial beings like gods and angels. I think it is fitting that we ended up here as aasimars have healing capabilities outside of the class they choose and you’re always one to help your friends like when you were booking it to Chelsea at Randolph County Infirmary. Protector aasimar cannot fly all the time though, I hope that that is okay,” you explain. 

“Is it like how Alex will get a once per rest spell at a certain level due to being a mark of shadow elf?” Tanner asks. 

“Yes, exactly like that. Having your wings out will give extra damage on an attack or spell, so they limit the use of it,” you answer. 

 Noticing that Alex has long since finished jotting down his character’s racial information, you grab the laptop back and bring up the protector aasimar information. The hand off of the computer and a reminder to leave racial ability score improvements next to their subsequent boxes happen shortly after, leaving a moment of respite. You look around the table at your friends, joy overflowing from you. Your friends are inching closer and closer to playing DND with you with every choice they make, and you could not be happier that they were all willing to try it out. 

“How much more do we have left?” Dakota asks, grabbing your attention. 

“Once Tanner is finished writing down his character’s race, what is left would be your character’s background, your ability scores/proficiencies, and spells for our spellcasters. You’ve mostly figured out your backstories as you’ve already mentioned wanting to be Project Fear in this world too. I know it seems like a lot, but there was the thought of you all having the same background so we would not need to go one-by-one,” you expound. 

Everyone nods their head at what you said and soon enough, Tanner is finished with his character information. The laptop is soon returned to you and your friends wait with bated breaths to hear what you have to say next. 

“Next up is background. This is what your character was before adventuring and can tie into the adventure as well. Since you guys were thinking of being Project Fear, could I suggest one that might fit all of you?” you inquire. 

You get a nod from the four of them before continuing, “One background is called the entertainer. I think it may be self-explanatory on what that would be like. Do you think this would be the right background for all of you?” 

The crew look at one another before they all respond with a resounding “Yes!” 

You chuckle a little bit before asking, “Since there is only one computer, would you rather all look at the information together on the laptop, have me read it out, or if you want to search for it on your phones, you are more than happy to. I know we didn’t start out with the other decisions with everyone’s electronics out, but I didn’t want you guys being too overwhelmed with the many options.” 

“I’m fine with using my phone for this,” Dakota states. 

“Same here. Plus, don’t worry about only now having us use our electronics, we get it after hearing all the questions you asked to help narrow everything down,” Alex responds. 

“Exactly! I’ll use my phone as well,” Tanner replies. 

With a quick look at her phone, Chelsea responds, “My phone is almost dead. Can I use the laptop?” 

“Go right ahead,” you say while handing the computer to her before continuing, “For those using your phones, the site is 5e.tools. From there, click on the icon with the word ‘backgrounds’ on it. Then, you will scroll through the options until you find ‘entertainer’ which then you will click on and write down the information. One of your tool proficiencies as an entertainer is a musical instrument, but I am fine with you guys having it be some form of paranormal equipment that you use on the show if you so wish. Also, your equipment section will mention that you have a favor of an admirer. This can be as simple as the Project Fear bracelet or your cross necklace. It does not need to be like one of the examples listed.” 

As soon as you are finished explaining everything, the quartet starts writing down all the necessary information. This gives you a moment to think about the campaign. You know you need to have the paranormal somehow involved, especially with how they still want to stick to being Project Fear. Maybe make it so for some reason ghosts aren’t appearing anymore? Nah, that would limit their abilities and seem unfair. A necromancer controlling all the ghosts? That feels like a campaign many people have probably done before. 

Your thoughts were cut short when the dull thump of four pencils hit the table as you felt all eyes back on you. 

“Okay, next up is figuring out our attributes, which directly ties into our proficiencies, hit points, armor class, and initiative. We will be using a system called twenty-seven-point buy. Each of the six attributes starts at an eight. You have twenty-seven points to add to your attributes. The maximum any of these attributes can be before adding in racial bonuses is fifteen. Remember what your proficient saving throws are to gauge where a score should be its highest and where you may not need to add much to. Constitution affects your hit points, so I would suggest at least adding a couple points there. There will be more to explain afterwards. You can use your phones, the laptop, or if you have scrap paper like the back of the spell sheet to calculate everything before putting in the information.” 

With that, the crew start to figure out their stats. Part way through, Dakota looks up at you and asks, “There are two spaces per area for the attributes. Why is that?” 

“That’s an excellent question. One spot is for your attribute score while the other is for its modifier. There is no right way to put either number in, though I have heard many people put the modifier in the box and the score into the oval. The modifier is used for proficiencies and skills and is derived from the attribute score,” you describe. 

“So how do we figure out the modifier?” Chelsea inquires. 

“To get your modifier, you subtract ten from your attribute score, divide that number by two, and round it down. The modifier is what the skills associated with an attribute will be, as well as the saving throw. If you are proficient with something, you add your proficiency bonus to the modifier. At level one, the proficiency bonus is a plus two. For expertise, the proficiency bonus is doubled and then added to the modifier,” you clarify. 

The crew nod their heads while continuing to calculate and write down their modifiers, allowing you to think more about the campaign yet again. You have an idea on a non-player character (NPC) to add to the campaign who may give them their over-arching mission. The idea of a banished bard trying to free himself from wrongful exile and persecution after previously being considered a hero seems like an interesting jump off. Possibly an overarching theme of not everything is as it seems or even don’t judge a book by its cover seems like a good work around. But where to start the party off with trying to help said bard? 

Again, the clicking of pencils hitting the table is what draws you back from your imagination. You look at the crew and say, “Alright. Next few steps will be easier. Look at the spot labelled ‘initiative.’ This will be added into your roll when figuring out the turn order of a combat. You will add your dexterity modifier in this space.” 

With quick nods, the crew jot down the number and allow you to continue, “That same modifier will help you figure out your armor class, which is the number an enemy needs to meet or beat to do damage. Leather armor is eleven plus your Dex modifier while no armor is ten plus the modifier.” 

The crew make rapid calculations, write down the number, and await further instructions from you.  

“We’re close to being done with character creation. This step will be the last one for Alex to hear instructions from. One of the most important numbers to know from your character sheet is your maximum hit points. Much like a video game, this number determines your health status in and out of combat. Hitting zero means you are unconscious, meaning you will be rolling death saving throw to see if your character does die or gets stabilized. 3 failed saves, meaning rolling nine or lower, equal death. Your party can still heal you in your unconscious state, bringing you back up into the fight. To determine your level one HP, look at what your hit die is. The highest number will be used plus your constitution modifier. For other levels, you will roll the hit die and add your con modifier to determine hit points with the average number being the minimum for this campaign,” you explain. 

In the blink of an eye, the crew notes their hit points. Alex places his pencil down and reclines back in his chair, finally done with his sheet. 

You chuckle a bit before looking to Dakota, Chelsea, and Tanner and stating, “The last step that I will explain is spell sheets. You each have a certain number of cantrips and spells that you know per level. It varies per class. I’m not sure if you had noted down these numbers exactly, so you can go back to 5e.tools to look it over again should you need it. As mentioned earlier when Tanner asked about it, cantrips have no limit on how often you can use it. With that in mind, have at least one offensive cantrip in case you run out of spell slots. Luckily, 5e.tools does allow you to look at all the spells available to your class as well. You don’t need to write down the exacts, just note their name on the sheet and you can refer to the information online. I still require looking up how spells work, even after playing for years, so don’t think poorly on yourself for not knowing everything.”  

You notice the trio quickly get to work on the devices they were using before jotting down numbers of spell slots and names of cantrips and spells their character would know. You turn your attention towards Alex and copy his relaxed position. 

“Seem interesting so far? I know this has been a lot of information to take in,” you ask. 

“It was a lot, but it seems like it will be fun. You can never go wrong with fantasy I feel,” Alex replies. 

“Well, that’s good at least. Once we get into actual gameplay, the fun will pick up. Interacting with a character and daring fights can get your blood pumping. Some people go to the extent of giving their character a voice other than their own and start physically embodying their character like hunching over. Now, none of this is expected out of anyone, and since you guys are playing yourselves, it wouldn’t make sense to give your character a different voice. If you continue to play DND after this campaign and think that would add more fun into your gameplay, then go for it,” you expound. 

“We’ll have to see. From all the stories you’ve mentioned, I think I’ll enjoy it, but I do not know how far I’ll go to get into a character,” Alex responds. 

The two of you sit in silence for a couple of moments more before Dakota, Chelsea, and Tanner finish writing their spells down.  

Once all the writing is done, you speak up again, “That will be the last thing I will make you do with me today. We mentioned having connecting backstories as you all are continuing to be Project Fear in this game, so during some of your free time you can collaborate and write those details down. You can keep simple bullet points, write a paragraph, or some people go to the extent of writing many pages of backstory. As level one, I will say that backstory would be a bit limited when it comes to fighting big beasts. For example, if you were to go fight a dragon now, you all would be dead in one shot. Ghosts and ghouls are potential enemies in the DND world, and at level one, fighting them would also be deadly. That isn’t to say you couldn’t have seen them or talked to them but fighting them would be unlikely where you currently are at.” 

The group smiles at you and nod their heads in acknowledgment. 

Before you could ask them, Tanner asks, “So when should we meet next?” 

“I was just about to ask that,” you chuckle before continuing, “Does Thursdays at 7pm generally work for you guys? I know things can happen last minute, but is this a time that is usually available?” 

The crew think for a moment before all nodding their heads and saying some variation of the word “yes.” 

“Alright, so 7pm on Thursday it is. See you then,” you confirm before letting them go. 

You could vaguely hear them muttering to one another as they headed to their cars to leave. Seems that they can’t wait for next week to arrive. 

In the meantime, you have session one to plan out for them. 

[shadowqueen402]

The Maiden And The Huntsman: Chapter 10

(Meanwhile, with Reala)

Reala flew into the woods, searching around for Princess Aria. Given the fact that he was a Nightmaren, he was able to see in the dark pretty well. Hence why he didn't carry any source of light with him.

The things about Nightmarens that was a perk? They had enhanced senses that allowed them to understand their surroundings a whole lot better. So they were able to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch better than humans. In Reala's case, he was using his sense of smell to track down Aria's scent in order to find her. She always smelled of apple blossom, which was quite a fresh scent.

This allowed him to retrace Aria's steps in order to look for her. He had hoped that she didn't get injured in the forest while running.

Aside from worry, anger was also what Reala felt. Not toward Princess Aria, but to Queen Primrose herself. How dare that selfish ruler make the princess flee!

And he didn't get the chance to confess to Princess Aria…

Down the woods Reala flew until he came across a ledge that had the lake below. His blue eyes widened slightly as he could smell her scent.

With a deep breath, Reala flew down the ledge. Some of the branches from the trees scraped his arms and legs. But Reala didn't care in the slightest bit. After all, he still needed to find the princess.

(Meanwhile, back at the French kingdom)

Queen Primrose stood in front of the Magic Mirror, a prideful smile curling onto her lips. She had summoned up the slave in the Magic Mirror earlier. "Magic Mirror on the wall, who now is the fairest in the land?" Queen Primrose asked this time.

The figure eyed Queen Primrose coldly. But then, he answered her question by revealing an image of Princess Aria smiling with Leo, Pomni, Kaufmo, Gangle, Phil, Bianca, and Clem. "Over the seven jewelled hills, beyond the seventh fall, in the cottage of the Seven Dwarves, dwells Princess Aria, the fairest one of all."

Queen Primrose scoffed. "Princess Aria is no more. My trusted huntsman has brought me proof." She held up the box. "Behold, her heart."

"Princess Aria still lives, fairest in the land," The figure in the mirror replied. "'Tis the heart of a pig you hold in your hand."

This made Queen Primrose enraged. "The heart of a pig!?" She bellowed. "Then I have been tricked!!" She snapped her head to face Jax, who stood there with his arms crossed. How he managed to remain calm was a mystery.

"You insolent fool!!" Queen Primrose screeched at the purple rabbit. "How dare you deceive me! I had given you a simple task and that was to end the princess! And you dared disobey my orders!?"

Jax scoffed. "Wasn't worth obeying your crazy, anyway. And besides, even if the princess was ended for good, I don't see you that pretty."

"I am your queen!" Queen Primrose argued back. "If I give you orders, I expect them done! For your punishment, you will be imprisoned in the dungeon!"

"Only if you can catch me," Jax replied with a mischievous grin. He pulled out a smoke bomb and tossed it at Queen Primrose, causing it to explode with a cloud of smoke.

Queen Primrose found herself in a coughing fit. When the smoke faded away, Jax was nowhere to be seen. Her face flushed with anger, Queen Primrose took a deep breath in order to try and calm down.

"Guess I'll have to handle things myself," Queen Primrose said.

Aria belongs to me.

Clem, Bianca, and Phil belong to @sundove88

Madame Prim belongs to @kayssweetdreams

[starlight-time-machine]

Week in Review

01/05/2025 – 01/11/2025

Sunday

Week 48 of missing Cipher Academy

Played through a lot more of The Thousand-Year Door today and got through Chapters 4, 5, and 6, and thankfully the game’s picked up a lot more momentum for me. I liked the atmosphere of Chapter 4 (that stained glass window was amazing), the bodysnatching was a fun little plot point, I liked eavesdropping on the crows, and of course Vivian was extremely cute (I’m honestly pretty impressed that Nintendo reinforced the fact that she’s trans). Chapter 5 was alright; the dungeon got a little annoying at one point, but it felt really nice to finally turn into a boat and be able to sail around and reach all these areas I’ve been seeing throughout the dungeon and in Rogueport. And then Chapter 6’s setting was right up my alley – I love a classic mystery on a train, but I wish it was a little meatier (though I guess this is the extent of what I can expect from a Mario game). But the little twists and turns of the narrative kept me entertained, and that ghost Toad actually kind of got me when I tried to read his diary. But man…the map sizes for each area just feel so much smaller and more barren when compared to Origami King’s…but no matter. I’m having a decently fun time anyway.

Monday

Heard some rumblings about stuff happening in SpyFam so I quickly caught up with the two chapters I hadn’t read yet, and I’m so excited that things are rapidly hitting the fan.

Tuesday

Nothing…

Wednesday

Watched the episode of Make Some Noise where they had those wife guys try to out-wife guy each other, but I can’t really say that much of the humor in this one landed with me.

Of course we only got around to watching The Muppet Christmas Carol about a week after Christmas, but it was still pretty fun regardless. Michael Caine engaging with these raggedy little Muppets seriously was so cute, but unfortunately I think I just don’t care for the original story lol 5/10.

Thursday

I’ve always wanted to get into the Wallace and Gromit series, so my friend and I decided to marathon a few of them today. We started with A Grand Day Out, and (spoilers) it was probably my favourite of the bunch. The Claymation is just really cute and humble-feeling, and I loved the surreality and silliness of building a rocket in your basement and eating cheese on the moon. I also loved the robot creature, and I was so so so happy to see it realize its dreams by the end. Just a super cute short all around, so I’ll give it a 7/10.

And then we skipped rather abruptly to A Matter of Loaf and Death, and the difference in both animation quality and writing style was really stark. I loved the Rube Goldberg sequence at the beginning, but then the rest of the short lagged a bit for me. I don’t really like plots that hinge on a character who’s not allowed to listen to or believe another character until it’s too late (the Cassandra trope, I suppose you could call it), and while the concept of a serial baker killer was pretty amusing, it was a little annoying that the whole thing basically boiled down to a joke about her weight. And in general, the super wacky hijinks that went down didn’t appeal to me much. At least her dog got to be happy by the end, I guess. 3/10.

And we moved onto the main event, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. I’d actually watched bits and pieces of this movie on TV as a kid, but I never got to see the ending, so it was nice to finally rectify that as an adult. It was a pretty cute movie, with punny and referential writing throughout and a nice circularity to all the bits and plot details brought up being paid off later. It wasn’t anything especially mind-blowing, but it was just a solidly fun time. 6/10.

Friday

Lexi Love is so good in Drag Race this season… In general, even though this talent show had a lot of lip sync dance performances, I still thought most of them were performed really well and with a lot of energy. But Lexi was truly the standout for me, especially for that lip sync performance against Crystal Envy. It was such a treat to see the energy of the song so wholly embodied like that, and I’m glad she got her deserved win. As for my Fantasy Drag Race roster, I think I’m going to be boring for the third season in a row and just go with the one person who I think will win, which in this case is Lexi. There’s just no one else this season that I feel like has the range and the sense of self to win (and not to brag, but my track record for predicting the winner has been pretty strong thus far). (Also oh my god I really didn’t like the runway theme/showing this week…oh well…). Anyway, here’s hoping she goes all the way.

Saturday

I just went ahead and finished TTYD lol It was pretty fun. I liked ploughing through enemies on the moon base and in the area past the Thousand-Year Door, and the final boss was fun to whale on. I’ve always heard it touted that TTYD has an amazing story, but I felt like this was pretty by the book in terms of cartoony RPGs? Like yeah, it’s a step up from the original Paper Mario, but that’s still not saying much. I do see that they made an effort to shift away from the comedy hijinks of the original into a slightly darker and grimier tone in TTYD, but it still wasn’t anything that particularly surprised me. I just had fun going through the RPG motions, I suppose. I still have the Pit of 100 Trials and completing all the badges and recipes to do, but for now I’ll say TTYD is a 7/10. It’s fun, but unfortunately for me it wasn’t anything special.

[elwynten]

Chapter 47

Hestia Familia's First Expadition into the dungeon

Because of my team's ranking up to Level 4, along with Bell. Our names were brought up at the next Denatus. They gave Bell the alias of Rabbit Foot. Cinnamon is Dragon Empress, Iris is Red Wolf Countess, Pakima is Tember Wolf Princess, Rosni is now Leopard Contessa, and my alias is Manticore Master, while Welf's alias is Ignis.

We, Bell and I, also had a visit from Fels. We were on the city wall looking over the city when we heard footsteps. Fels appeared in front of us. He congratulated us on ranking up to Level 4. Fels gave both Bell and I more incentive to keep getting stronger and ranking up even more.

"The Xenos are able to live above ground, but they are still in hiding, using their Companion's ability to shapeshift into a human or demi-human form. They will not be able to really live in peace above ground unless you clear the deepest floor of the Dungeon. Unless you do that the Xenos will not really be able to live above ground as themselves in peace." Fels told us.

"Of course, Ouranos and I will continue to support you and the Xenos… but in the end if you are not able to do this. The real future we all hope for is not likely to arrive." He added.

Fels didn't tell us why we needed to clear the deepest floor of the dungeon, why that would let the Xenos live in peace on the surface or what was down there.

I nodded my head in understanding, knowing the Xenos wanted to be able to live on the surface as themselves and not in disguise.

"Bell Cranel and Eilwyn Tengee if you want to help Lydo and the other Xenos… then please find a way to keep moving forward. May the light accompany you on your journey." Fels told us, then he disappeared and all we hear is footsteps receding away from us.

==========

Shortly after Bell and my Team ranked up to level 4, the Hestia Familia received a letter from the Guild. The letter said that since the Hestia Familia has been given the ranking of 'D'. Because of that we have to go on an expedition into the dungeon to the 25th floor. To prove we had made it to the 25th floor we had to collect a number of different items from the 25th floor.

Fortunately for us, the Hestia Familia, my team and I had ranked up to level four almost at the same time Bell had ranked up to level four.

Mikoto, Rosni and Welf had ranked up to Level three and Lili and Haruhime had ranked up to Level two because their Companions, I had given them had raised all of the basic stats up to 'D' or higher so all they needed to do was do something 'great' to rank up. I have given all of them Physical Enhancement so all four of them are at 'A' or 'S' in all of their stats except Magic. With that they all should be able to rank up again shortly. Hopefully with them going on the expedition it will give them enough Exelia to rake up again.

Even with Bell, Welf, Mikoto and my Team, we really didn't have enough people to do an expedition. That leaves us with asking other Familia's if they will let some of their members join us in our expedition.

We weren't going to ask the Freya Familia because it didn't exist anymore and if they were still around, they were to dangerous. The Loki Familia is out because of the bad blood between Hestia and Loki. The Hermes Familia is out because they lie to the Guild about how strong they are, so they don't have to go on expeditions.

So that leaves us with asking smaller Familias. There is nothing wrong with doing that. It's just that we will have to ask two or three Familias, because the smaller Familias don't have many members. That means we will have to ask the Takemikazuchi and Miach Familia's for help.

We had the 'strength' to do the expedition on our own but having more manpower would make it a lot easier on us. Plus, it would help out our friends in ranking up as well as financially.

Because we are going to be gone for a week, I decided to have Pembe, Fenton, Horn and Keao stay with Hestia to guard the manor. Because of that I also decided to give the new members their Companions before they have been in the Familia for two months.

Wiene, Fia and Sky are also going to stay behind and guard the manor. They haven't learned how to fight in their human forms yet and Wiene doesn't really like to fight unless she really has to. So, with us going on an expedition we all agreed it would be safer for them to stay behind. Besides it gives us more people to watch over the manor while the rest of us are gone. I did concede to take all of them into the Dungeon with my Team after we get back from the expedition. I also agreed to take them on the next expedition.

All seven of them were sad that they weren't going along, but I agreed to port back to Hearthstone Manor once a day and update Wiene, Fia, Sky, Keao, Horn, Pembe, Fenton and Hestia on what we were doing and how the expedition was going.

I would have preferred to have waited the full two months before giving the new members their Companions, but with most of us gone on the expedition, I decided it would be better to give them their Companions early.

I went through the same process as I have with all the other people that I gave Companions to. That is, asking the person what they wanted, what they liked, etc., before giving them Their Companion. After I had given the new members their Companions. Again, I went through the same litany of telling them about what the Companions and now they can do because of their Companions. Since the new members have seen all of the other Companions, they knew quite a bit about them already.

= = = = = =

Pembe Automation Name: Vlora/F (A brave and bold woman) Mythical (Winged Manticore) (Eagle, caracal (African wild cat), Scorpion) Intelligent L2 Strength L2 Agility L1 Speed L1 Durability L2 Regeneration L2 Teleportation L1 Sustenance L2 Elemental Blast L1 (Nature) Size L2 Magical L2 (Dancing Lights, Missile, Cleaning, Servant, Telekinesis) Flight Shapeshift L1 (Winged Manticore, Caracal, Eagle, Scorpion, Ferret, Dog) Venom L1 (Tail stinger, Paralysis)

Keao Automation Name: Odaka/M Mythical (Winged Manticore) (Eagle, Linx, Scorpion) Intelligent L2 Strength L2 Agility L2 Durability L2 Regeneration L2 Teleportation L1 Sustenence L2 Elemental Blast L1 (Ice) Size L2 Magical L1 (Dancing Lights, Missile, Cleaning) Flight Shapeshift L1 (Winged Manticore, Linx, Eagle, Scorpion, Dog, Horse) Venom L1 (Tail stinger, Paralysis) Free

Fenton Automation Name: Azure/M Mythical (Winged Manticore) (Eagle, Couger, Scorpion) Intelligent L2 Strength L2 Agility L1 Speed L1 Durability L2 Regeneration L2 Teleportation L1 Sustenance L2 Elemental Blast L1 (Electrical/lightning) Size L2 Magical L1 (Dancing Lights, Telekinesis, Cleaning) Flight Shapeshift L1 (Winged Manticore, Couger, Eagle, Scorpion, Wolf, ferret) Venom L1 (Tail Stinger, Paralysis)

Horn: Automation Name: Qadira/F (Powerful) Mythical (Winged Manticore) (Eagle, Leopard, Scorpion) Intelligent L2 Strength L1 Agility L1 Speed L1 Durability L2 L1-Free Regeneration L2 Teleportation L1 Sustenance L2 Elemental Blast L1 (Electrical/lightning) Size L2 Magical L2 (Dancing Lights, Telekinesis, Cleaning, Missile, Heal, Servant) Flight Shapeshift L1 (Winged Manticore, Leopard, Eagle, Scorpion, Dog, horse) Venom L1 (Tail, Paralysis) Free

= = = = = =

With Pembe, Fenton, Horn and Keao having their new Companions, the rest of us set out making plans for the expedition. Although for us, planning the expedition will be fairly easy, because everyone going has a Companion. That means we won't need to take food. We'll use one of my PDs to sleep in so we don't have to worry about setting a watch for monsters, plus if we do want anything to eat the PD will have plenty of food for us to eat. And we will save plenty of time because once we are on the first floor of the Dungeon, I'll port us to the 20th floor. That will save us several hours of travel time both going in and coming back out. Plus, with everyone having a weapon from the Armory, we will not need to take extra weapons, because any weapon from the Armory is indestructible and will never lose its sharp edge.

To prove we have completed our expedition, we have to bring back so many drop items from monsters on the 25th, 26th and 27th floors. We have to bring back ten blue crab shells and ten Raider Fish fangs. Because of that, we are also able to 'cheat' if we want to. By that I mean, all we have to do is get one drop item from each monster, then I can create copies of the drop items to meet our quota. That may not be fair to other Familias, but it's not really fair that such a small Familia, like ours, has to go on expeditions either. So, since we are such a small Familia, you have to do what you need to, to get by.

I'll do the same thing for the Take' Familia, once they reach a 'D' ranking, too. I would do the same thing for the Miach Familia, but they are a merchant Familia even though some of their members spend a lot of time in the Dungeon.

Individuals were doing what they could to get ready for the expedition. Mikoto and Chigusa went to Takemikazuchi for more martial arts training. Ouka went to Welf and asked him to make a new weapon. Bell went to Eina to learn more about the Water City, and even Lili had Daphne teach her how to be a good leader and how to give orders.

The next Denatus was held before we were to leave on our expedition and since several members of our Familia have ranked up, we received new aliases. Bell is now Rabbit Foot. Cinnamon is Dragon Empress, Iris is Red Wolf Countess, Pakima is Tember Wolf Princess, Rosni is now Leopard Contessa, and my alias is Manticore Master, while Welf's alias is Ignis.

Since everyone else in the expedition has a Companion. I decided to give Aisha a Companion as well. It is partly because everyone else has a Companion and it wouldn't feel right for Aisha to be the only one without a companion. And it is partly as a thank you for joining with the Hestia Familia to help us with our expedition.

Aisha: Automation Name: Oshee Mythical (Winged Manticore) (Golden Eagle, Clouded Leopard, scorpion) Intelligent L2 Strength L1 Agility L1 Speed L1 Durability L2 Regeneration L2 Teleportation L1 Sustenance L2 Elemental Blast L1 (Lightning) Size L2 Magical L1 (Mending, Dancing Lights, Cleaning) Flight Shapeshift L1 (Winged Manticore, Clouded Leopard, Golden Eagle, Scorpion, Grizzly Bear, Ferret Venom L1 (Tail stinger, Paralysis)

I also gave Aisha and Oshee, Poison Proof and Weather Proof. So, nothing in the Dungeon will be able to poison either of them and they won't have to worry about the heat or cold.

During one of the big meetings when everyone that is going on the expedition would be at Hearthstone Manor, I made an announcement. "Okay, everyone. Because of how magic is used here, I had not thought about giving any of you 'Magic'. This Magic does not give you spells. What it does is, it gives the magic user unlimited magic power or magic use. That means anyone using magic would never run out of 'mind' so they won't suffer from mind down or mind zero." I told the group and grinned.

"You mean any of us that can use magic, can now use our magic as often as we like and not go mind down?" Welf asked shocked.

"That's exactly what I mean. You can use your 'Will-o-Wisp' as much as you want or need to and not go, mind down. Bell could use his 'Firebolt' until he goes horse, and he wouldn't black out. And the same goes for everyone else that can use magic that is going on the expedition." I informed them.

"That means Cassandra can use 'Soullight' constantly and she won't go mind down. Is that what you're saying?" Daphne asked.

I nodded my head in agreement. "Yes, that's what I'm saying. Cassi can cast Soullight and leave it going as long as she wants. The only thing that would stop her from continually casting Soullight is if there is a time limit on how long it lasts or if she stops the spell herself." I told Daphne.

"Why didn't you give us this before?" Mikoto asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I didn't think about it for one. And another reason, I can't give everyone all of these powers at once. If I did, then it could cause an uproar and we could be targeted by other Familias. So, if I give out a power now and then, no one thinks about it. Like Adventurers getting a skill or a magic spell when their status is updated." I explained.

"That makes since." Welf admitted. "So, when are you going to give us this magic?" Welf asked.

I chuckled. "I already have." I informed them.

"Now any of the 'magic' you get from your Companions, your weapons or I've given you, does not require mind. So, the only limits that magic has is, your Companions limitations on magic spells. Their Breathe weapons are unlimited other than you getting dizzy if you breath the breath weapon. If you use your hand like Bell does for his 'Firebolt' then you can cast your 'breath' weapon as much as you like. Although I would not rely totally on your Breath weapon. because I don't know how doing that will affect your status." I added.

"That is good to know. So, now we can use our magic all we want, correct?" Daphne asked.

I nodded my head in agreement. "Correct.

==========

Our expedition party included, Bell, Lili, Welf, Mikoto, Rosni, Cindy, Kimmy, Iris, Haruhime, Daphne, Cassandra, Ouka, Chigusa, Aisha and me. All of our Companions are with us as well. Plus, an extra Companion who belongs to Hestia. As I told Hestia when I gave her, her Companion Osma, Hestia can send Osma into the Dungeon with any one of us so she can know what is going on through Osma. Although I told Hestia to not keep pestering Osma to know everything that is happening because that will distract Osma from guarding against monsters.

Since we are going to be in the Colossal Tree Labyrinth, we took on a quest from the Miach Familia to get them some potion ingredients. We had also gone to the Guild and picked a couple other quests for the lower floors we would be on. As the saying goes, we can kill two birds with one stone, that way.

When we started on the expedition, it was a clear and sunny day. Technically we wouldn't see the sun for around seven days.

There was a lot of chatter as we walked to Bable Tower.

"Daphne… can't you stop the expedition?" Cassandras asked.

"Huh? Isn't it a bit late for that?" Daphne replied.

"I had a premonition last night… I have a feeling that something horrible is going to happen…" Cassandra told Daphne.

Cassandra was on the verge of tears being rebuffed by her partner. Then she turned to me.

I put my arm around Cassandra. "Don't worry too much about it. Remember what I told you?" I asked. Cassandra looked confused. "You never dream about me. I don't figure into your dreams. That means your dreams are a warning of bad things happening if I'm not around. In this case I'm part of the expedition, so me being here changes the outcome of your dream." I tried to reassure Cassi.

Cassandra leaned into me as we walked.

"Daphne looked around Cassandra at me. "Why do you call her Cassi? Her name's Cassandra." Daphne scolded me.

"I d-don't mind lord Eilwyn calling me Cassi." Cassandra told Daphne.

"It's called a nickname. Cindy's real name is Cinnamon, Kimmy's name is Pakima. I just use a nickname for them." I informed Daphne.

Daphne shrugged her shoulders and looked away from us.

Our group looked a sight walking to Bable Tower. With all of our Companions in animal form walking along with us. We have wolves, great cats, and a few birds walking and flying around us. People have seen my Team and Bell's Team going into the Dungeon with their Companions, but with such a large group we were getting quite a few stares.

To make it look good we entered Bable Tower and descended to the Dungeon. Once in the Dungeon we worked our way to an empty room so I could port our group to the 20th floor.

I turned to Aisha. "This ability goes no farther than here with us. I don't need Hermes knowing I can teleport people in and out of the Dungeon." I told Aisha and turned to Cassi. "Besides, I know a little about the future as well, and what I know allows me to prevent anything bad that might happen from happening. So, cheer up, Cassi, it will turn out fine." I assured Cassandra.

Aisha flipped her hair back over her shoulder. "Is if. No one would believe me if I told them anyway. Besides, I don't tell Hermes everything I find out. This will just be another one of those things I don't tell him or my Familia." Aisha replied.

"Welf, Ouka, Aisha and Bell are in the vanguard of our battle formation. Mikoto, Chigusa and Daphne will act as floaters to protect the combatants and supporters, while Lili, Haruhime, Rosni and Cassandra serve as our supporters. And Iris, Cindy, Kimmy and I will be the rear guard. The rear guard and vanguard would change every couple hours." I gave the marching orders.

"And Remember," I said as we walked along the path through the Colossal Tree Labyrinth. "All of the supporters can use their ranged weapons and 'breath' weapons on any and all flying monsters. That will make it a lot easier on the rest of us, along with giving all of the supporters more Excelia." I reminded everyone.

Because this was our first expedition, I pulled out one of my cameras and was taking pictures of our progress. I gave cameras to Iris, Kimmy and Cindy so when they're not fighting, they can take pictures as well. Once the expedition is over, I'll print all of the pictures and put the good ones into a couple photo albums. One for the Familia and one for our Team.

==========

AAGH!" Bell yelled as he slashed at a Mad Beetle with his Hestia knife. Cutting the monster in half.

"That's it Little Rooke, I mean, Rabbit foot, right? Kill them all!" Daphne said as the two halves of the Mad Beetle fell to the ground and rolled to the side.

"Hornet at two o'clock!" Lili yelled.

Haruhime, Lili and Rosni have been using their breath weapons on any of the Deadly Hornets they could. Although some of the hornets were coming in low so the supporters couldn't do anything about them.

"They're fast!" "Dang!"

There was a swarm of Deadly Hornets. Bell jumped into the middle of the swarm, taking them by surprise. There were after images of purple and white as he slashed at the hornets with his two knives.

While Bell was still in the air, he sheathed his Hestia knife and stuck out that hand. "Firebolt!" Bell yelled.

Two Deadly Hornets burned to ash as Bell landed back on the ground.

"This is pointless, unless we can take that out!" Aisha called out.

Against the dungeon wall is a Bloody Hive. It looks like of like a pinecone. Its attack is to spray a sticky substance onto adventurers which caused them to become stuck and immobile. Then the Deadly Hornets make their attack. But, because the Bloody Hive is attached to the dungeon the hornets are spawning faster than normal.

Welf and Ouka are using their shields to defend against the Hornets from getting to Haruhime as she says stuck on the floor. The Bloody Hive had sprayed Haruhime causing her to fall and being immobilized on the ground.

"Cindy!" I called. "Take that thing out!" I told her as I slashed cut a hornet in half with Sasori.

"On it!" Cindy called out with a grin on her face. A moment later a blue flame was sprouting from her mouth as Cindy breathed her blue fire onto the Bloody Hive. The hornets caught in the flame burned to ash as the hive exploded with a resounding and defining explosion, burning and shattering the Dungeon wall the Bloody Hive was attached to.

==========

"That was exhausting. It was like fighting a floor boss."

"It's as good as. A Bloody Hive is the biggest thing around."

Daphne and Aisha were chatting as they rested for a moment. The rest of us were gathering up the magic stones and drop items from all the monsters we had just killed. The magic stones are bigger and purer than those from the upper floors.

"I'm sorry, Master Bell… I slowed you down." Haruhime apologized.

"It's not your fault. We should have been protecting you." Bell told Haruhime.

"Don't worry about it Haruhime. It was a surprise attack. None of us caught it." I told Heruhime.

"Think of it as a learning experience. Now we know to be that much more vigilant, so it doesn't happen again." Cindy put in.

I looked at Cindy out of the corner of my eye. I'm not sure if Cindy had said that to be serious and funny at the same time or not.

"Yes, Mad Eye." I said to Cindy.

Cindy blushed. "I-I didn't mean it like that." Cindy replied.

I chuckled. "It still fits though. It just struck me as funny the way you said it."

Daphne, Cassandra, Welf and Ouka were all looking at us with confused looks on their faces.

"What are you talking about?" Welf asked.

I chucked. "It's a character in a book. He always tells his students to always be vigilant." I explained.

"Oh, I understand. That makes since though." Welf admitted.

==========

We worked our way on down to the 24th floor. Once there Lili looked at her watch. "It's time to make camp. It's night on the surface." Lili informed us.

"What do you mean make camp?" I asked.

"Well… I… I mean…" Lili stumbled with what to say.

I chuckled. "It's fine Lili. That's what you do down here even if all you have to do is open a portal." I told her. And I did just that.

I opened a portal to one of my PD's. I motioned for everyone to enter as fast as they could. We don't want any monsters getting into the PD. Once everyone and their Companions are inside, I closed the portal.

"I don't know how you do this, but it sure is a lot better than camping out in the Dungeon and having to deal with monsters in the middle of the night." Aisha told me.

"It sure is Aisha." I replied then I turned to the group. "Get something to eat, if you want to you can take a bath, just relax or get some sleep. We'll stay here for ten hours then start out in the morning." I offered. "I need to report to lady Hestia, so I'll be back in a few minutes." I told them then I ported to Hearthstone Manor.

==========

At Hearthstone Manor I looked around and found Hestia. "Hello, lady Hestia. I'm here to give you, my report." I told Hestia.

Hestia giggled. "That's not really necessary. I've been watching and listening through Osma as you suggested." Hestia told me. "It was scarry seeing those monsters attacking all of you down there." Hestia added with a shiver.

"I guess I don't need to tell you anything then. Do I?" I asked.

"Not really." Hestia replied.

"How are the new members doing?" I asked.

"Horn has taken it as her personal task to watch over me and to take care of me. Fenton, Keao, and Pembe have been taking turns patrolling the grounds. Miach and Nahza came over after they closed the pharmacy. They said Take' would stop by tomorrow." Hestia told me.

"It looks like everything is going good here, so I'll head back. Do you want me to come by tomorrow evening or skip tomorrow and come back the day after tomorrow?" I asked.

"You can skip tomorrow night since I'm getting to see what's going on myself, so to speak." Hestia offered.

"Okay." I said and gave Hestia a small bow. Then I ported back to the PD.

==========

While we were sitting around the table on the patio. "We have to be careful of what we say and do." I told everyone.

"Why?" Lili asked.

In a loud whisper. "Because we have a 'spy' in our midst." I said and pointed at Osma.

Everyone looked over at Osma for a moment.

Lifting her head up and looking towards the table. "I am not, a spy." Osma stated emphatically.

Everyone laughed.

"I'm just teasing you Osma. Hestia told me she was watching and listening to us through you. If it becomes a problem just block her out if you need to." I told Osma.

"It's fine, Hestia watching through me doesn't bother me. Although her yelling and screaming at the monsters does get annoying." Osma admitted.

Everyone laughed at Osma's reaction to Hestia yelling and screaming at the monsters.

"You have to give Hestia a break Osma. She's just worried about her Familia." Kimmy told Osma.

"I know, I know. It just gets irritating after a while." Osma admitted.

"I can understand that." Welf put in with a big grin on his face.

"I'll talk to her about it the day after tomorrow when I go see her to give her a report on the expedition." I told Osma.

"Thank you." Osma replied.

"I just hope Hestia's not yelling and screaming out loud at the Manor. They'll think she's crazy." I added.

"Food's ready!" Chigusa called. She and Mikoto had been making supper for everyone.

"We added some ingredients we found in the Dungeon that Aisha said are edible." Mikoto told everyone as she put bowls of food on the table.

"Is it such a good idea to use so much water? They say having enough portable water makes or breaks an expedition. We wouldn't want to have to turn back because we ran out of water." Cassandra asked.

"Uh, Cassi? I don't want to embarrass you but think about where you are right now." I Suggested.

Cassandra started blushing. "Oh, I'm sorry." She said in almost a whisper.

"Don't worry about it Cassi. You're used to going on expeditions with the Apollo Familia. So, you needed to make sure you had plenty of water with you. This is the first time you've been on an expedition with a Pocket Dimension you can use to get water, food and have a safe place to rest and sleep. So, there's nothing to be sorry about." I tried to reassure Cassandra.

"I was thinking the same thing, Cassandra." Aisha told Cassandra. "This is a totally new experience."

Aisha told us about what the floors below us would be like and what we should expect. After that we talked about different things until it was time to hit the sack.

==========

The next morning, we 'break camp'. Which means I opened the portal from the PD to the dungeon so everyone could exit the PD. When everyone had exited the PD, we headed to the tunnel to the 25th floor.

"Ice… No, crystals." Lili says as we walk the long path to the 25th floor.

"I hear water…" Mikoto whispers.

As we reach the end of the passage, everyone can hear water. There is a huge thundering waterfall that passes from the 25th floor all the way down to the 27th floor. The Water City or Water Capital is the only place in the Dungeon that is open to more than one floor.

In the open space created by the waterfall, harpies and sirens are flying around. Fortunately for us, none of them have noticed us, yet.

"Wow!"

Everyone stops and takes in the slender and magnitude of the Water City. In front of us is the Great Falls, which is an appropriate name.

The falls are about 1312 feet wide and just as tall. Directly below the cliff we are standing on is a huge plunge pool, but the falls are like a staircase going on down to the 27th floor.

"This insanely huge waterfall crosses floors and reaches all the way down to the twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh floors. Oh, don't worry, monsters don't climb up the falls. Well, most don't." Aisha explains.

"How do we get to the twenty-sixth floor…? Don't tell me we're gonna climb down the cliff.' Welf groans.

"No, there's a proper path. Tons of slopes and staircases, too. You take them down to that cave over there." Aisha informs Welf along with the rest of us.

It is a wonderous sight. A huge waterfall, blue crystals all over the place, and even the harpies and sirens were fascinating to watch from this distance. I could stand here and take in the sights for hours, but back to reality, completing our mission.

"Alright enough gawking. Let's get a move on. If we keep standing here, those harpies hovering over there are going to attack us." Aisha told us, getting us back on track.

"Take that path off to your left and follow it along the wall. Of course, it's a straight shot, so you can't get lost. That cave over there will take us back to the usual labyrinth." Aisha said with authority.

We all headed along the cliff with Bell in the lead. The path is ten feet wide. To our left is the wall and to our right is a sheer drop off.

"Hey, Bell, is everything on this floor made of crystals?" Welf asked Bell.

"There are supposed to be some plants, too… but Eina told me that basically, yeah, it's all crystal." Bell informed Welf.

The light on this floor is coming from translucent crystals. They are growing from the walls and along the path like bamboo.

As we walk, the right wall of the tunnel can be seen, marking an end to the cliff. We finally made it to the labyrinth without having to fight any of the harpies or sirens.

"Let's take a minute to go over the plan." Lili said taking charge.

"In order to prove to the Guild that we've completed our mission, we need to have the following number and types of drop items: ten steel shells from blue crabs and either three aqua serpent fins or thirty raider fish fangs, for rare monster items, one secret carbuncle crystal will do it. For resources, we have to gather one thousand grads of azure stone to satisfy the requirements." Lili listed off what we needed to collect as she adjusted her huge pack.

"Please focus on searching for monsters and resources I just read out. As for the extent of our exploration. We've already achieved our goal of reaching the lower levels, so I see no need to push on to the twenty-sixth floor." Lili added.

"So, you're suggesting we spend our time thoroughly exploring the twenty-fifth floor?" Mikoto asked Lili.

Lili nodded her head in agreement. "Yes. This is our first time in this area. We have six days left in our expedition, so Lili thinks it is best to use lord Eilwyn's PD as our base camp. All we need to do is find a dry chamber for the opening. That way we can thoroughly explore the twenty-fifth floor.

Aish, Welf and the others looked like they agreed with Lili's explanation, and No one had any objections. "This may seem like a silly request, but please do not approach the water's edge. There are a lot of monsters that live in the water." Lili continued.

"Last thing, just to be sure… Does everyone have their Urdine cloth I handed out this morning?" Lili asked.

Urdine cloth is a spirit cloth. That means if you are wearing Urdine cloth, if you fall into the water, you can swim and maneuver better in the weather than if you did not have any Urdine cloth on.

Since this is the Hestia Familia's expedition, we bought the cloth for everyone. We are hoping that we can make the money back and then some during the expedition.

"Well Aisha, am I forgetting anything?" Lili asked Aisha since she has been to the Water City before.

"Not only are there water monsters there are also many humanoid monsters on these floors. Don't stand around waiting for it to see if it's going to talk to you. If you pause, they will kill you." Aisha told us. Reminding us of the Hestia Familia just because we are friends with the Xenos we need to not think twice if we see a lamia or mermaid and kill it.

"Okay, breaks over. Oshee (Aisha's Companion) says monster are coming." Aisha announced as she grabbed her podao, that she had stuck in the ground.

Aisha, Welf, Bell and Ouka rush towards the hoard of blue crab monsters that are headed towards our group. My Team and I take up the position of rear guard.

The Blue Crab's shells have gaps in them that can be exploited to kill the crabs easier.

The battle was over in a few minutes with no incidents on our side.

The Blue Crabs are categorized as metal monsters. Their steel shells are even stronger than that of the Deadly Hornets. The most unusual thing about them is they attack head on, unlike regular crabs that scuttle sideways.

"I've got two Blue Crab shells and we just started," Lili cheerfully informed everyone.

We head out again with Bell, Ouka, Welf and Aish as vanguard. Daphne, Cassandra, Lili and Rosni are in the middle while Iris, Cindy, Kimmy and I take rear guard. Lili is also acting as navigator, keeping her map of the floor out and keeping us on the correct path.

"I can hear something other than the waterfall." Haruhime said as her ears twitched.

"Ya, I hear water flowing." Daphne replied.

"A stream…" Chigusa told everyone.

A stream was flowing along the passage we were traversing.

"There are streams all over the Water City. But it is mostly dry land. So, you don't have to worry about swimming. Aisha explains as we stop to look at the water.

"What if you fall into the stream? Cassandra asked.

"Get back on land as fast as you can. You won't die the moment you fall in, but you will get killed." Aisha told Cassandra. "The monsters will torture you to death."

"Oh, and also, make sure you are always alert when you're walking at the water's edge like we are now." Aisha said offhandedly.

At that moment. "OOOOOOO!"

"AAAHHHHH!" Haruhime screamed.

A huge fish about five feet long suddenly jumped out of the water flying through the air. It's a Rader Fish.

"That's what happens when you let your guard down." Aisha said as she swings her podao.

Mikoto did her quick draw with her katana. Both slicing the fish into pieces.

Aisha was smiling calmly while Mikoto was sweating up a storm.

"The water monsters are constantly watching us. Remember that. Good job reacting Eternal + Shadow." Aisha said.

"N-no, it was so sudden. I just reacted on reflex. And since Mister Bell is up front, it's my responsibility to guard Lady Haruhime." Mikoto replied.

Haruhime flung her arms around Mikoto while crying. "Thank you." She exclaimed.

"Y-you're welcome." Mikoto got out surprised by Haruhemi's reaction.

"What's that over there?" Welf asked pointing to a bright corral colored dead bush across the stream.

"Under coral? You only find it on the lower levels." Bell told Welf.

"That's what I thought it was. Can we get it? I hear it makes good weapons." Welf asked.

"Aisha just told us how dangerous being close to water is. We'd be in monster territory if we tried to get that." Lili objected.

"But it's got a great luster to it and isn't that shell under it an under pearl?" Welf added incentive to retrieving the under corral.

Lili sighed. I guess we can get it." Lili gave in.

"Anything for money, hu, Lil'E?" Welf said with a hollow laugh.

Now we have to cross the stream to get to the far bank where they under corral is.

"This party have a thief, so is there a scout? This kind of work goes to them." Aisha stated.

My Team and Bell's Team never really had a scout, so everyone looked to Mikoto. Being a ninja makes her the closest we have to either a scout or a thief.

"That leaves it up to me, doesn't it?" Mikoto asked but it was more of a statement than a question.

"What if it's a crystal turtle?" Bell asks.

"I'll shoot an arrow at it to see." Ouka offered.

"I'll help Mikoto." I offered.

"Are you sure?" Bell asked me.

"It's easy." I told Bell.

I used my telekinesis to make a walkway over the stream to the far bank.

"Just don't look down." I told Mikoto as I stepped onto the walkway.

Oh, my!" Mikoto exclaimed. I don't know if I could get used to that." She added as she followed me to the under coral.

Once we are on the far bank, Mikoto and I start harvesting the under coral. Mikoto uses her knife to but branches off at the base and I put them into my closet PD.

"Don't forget the under pearl!" Lili called out to us.

I chuckle as we pry the under pearl out of the base of the under corral and I stow it in my closet PD with the under coral.

"That's it. Let's go back." I said and Mikoto nods her head in agreement.

As we start back over the telekinetic walkway there is a loud splash and a thud.

"AAAHHH!" Mikoto yelled.

"What was that?" Welf asked to no one in particular.

It's an aqua serpent." Lili replied. "But what happened to it?" She asked.

"I think it knocked itself out. When it tried to jump out of the water it hit its head on the telekinetic walkway, I put up for us to cross on. The walkway acted like a shield." I told Lili and the others. We could see the body of the aqua serpent floating down stream.

"That's convenient." Ouka said as Mikoto, and I arrived back with our group.

I pull out the under corral and under pearl and place it all on the ground so everyone can see what we had retreated.

"So much under corral and even a under pearl to go with it." "I'd say there is a least three million valis worth there." "If you haggle enough, you might get three and a half million." "I could pay back my loans for my weapons with that." Ouka said. "Ouka it's not all yours." "That's a great achievement, Miss Mikoto and lord Eilwyn." "It's starting to feel like a real expedition." Welf said putting his arm around Bell's shoulders.

They all cheered at Mikoto and I getting such a prize right off the bat. Mikoto blushed and scratched her cheek. I bowed like I was on stage after a well received performance.

"Thank you, thank you. It was nothing." I said dramatically while bowing and making a sweeping gesture with my hand and arm.

The Water City has lots of stairs and slopes. When you've been walking down hill for a while the next thing you know you're walking up hill again. You also have to watch out for geysers not only from the floor but from the walls and ceiling as well.

So far, we have been stopped by a huge geyser erupting from the floor, blocking our progress. As we tried to get around the geyser by the way of another route, we were attacked by a monster party. A monster party is when a large number of monsters spawn at the same time in the same room or along the same tunnel.

As we walk down a dimly lit passageway, Bell notices something in front of us.

"Is that, an adventurer?" Welf asks seeing the same thing Bell had seen.

Looking closely, it looks like an elf coming our way.

"Stay back here girls." I tell my Team as I head to the front of the group.

"That's right leave us so you can have all the fun." Iris said as I walked towards the front of the group.

"We haven't seen anyone outside our own group for some time. We didn't even see anyone in the middle levels." Ouka said.

"It must be someone strong. No other Familia was scheduled for an expedition as the same time as us. Lili thinks it's a second-tier adventurer or higher to come this far down for ordinary exploration." Lili replied.

I walked up beside Bell. "Isn't that Luvis?" I ask.

"What's he doing down here all alone? He's only a level three." Bell replied.

As Luvis gets closer. "…Everyone, take a defensive posture! Something feels wrong!" Bell announced.

Luvis is struggling to keep standing. It looks like he could collapse at any moment. He moves directly under a white crystal in the ceiling illuminating him.

Because of the light we can see that Luvis is covered in blood. Everyone in the group is shocked and surprised.

Well, my Team and I aren't surprised because we knew this would happen. But seeing it with our own eyes is shocking.

Everyone can see that Luvis's arm is missing from the elbow down. Luvis reaches out with his good arm. "He..el…!" He says as he collapses to the floor.

With Luvis out of the way we can see a monster coming up behind Luvis. It's big and green.

"Everyone back!" I yell as I move towards where Luvis is.

"Lord Eilwyn, wait!" Bell calls out to me.

"I know what this is, Bell. I've got it. Just make sure nothing comes up behind us." I call over my shoulder to Bell and the others.

I move just past Luvis so I can protect him as well. I reach out mentally and create a telekinetic wall ten feet in front of the monster.

The monster is what is known as a moss huge. But this moss huge is an irregular. It's not a Xenos but it is more intelligent than a regular moss huge. It has learned that if it eats magic stones, it will get stronger and now it is obsessed with getting magic stones. It has also learned the easiest way to get magic stones is by attacking adventurers who will usually have large numbers of them.

By standing in the middle of the tunnel, I was using myself as bait to draw the moss huge closer to me so I can catch it.

The moss huge stops for a moment. It has a landform in one hand, a crystal mace and in its other hand it is holding Luvis's arm.

The moss huge starts walking towards me and/or Luvis again. As the moss huge gets within three feet of the telekinetic wall I had put up. I create another telekinetic wall behind it so it can't escape.

"Get Luvis!" I call over my shoulder to the others.

"What about the monster!?" Aisha calls back.

"It's not going anywhere. I have it trapped." I replied to Aisha.

The moss huge ran into the telekinetic wall in front of it. It raised the crystal mace it has in its hand and slams it against the invisible wall. The mace shatters into pieces.

I Bring the two walls together creating a tube so the moss huge can't try to break through the walls to escape. As the tube is formed, I also seal the top and bottom as well, making it totally sealed off, and I shrink the tube, so it is just big enough to hold the moss huge.

I can hear Welf, Ouka and Aisha moving close behind be and dragging Luvis farther away from the moss huge and myself.

Again, I call over my shoulder. "Cindy! Come here, please!"

"Coming!" Cindy replies. A moment later Cindy is at my side. "What do you want?" She asked me.

"I'm going to open the tube up, when I do, I want you to breath fire onto the moss huge." I instruct Cindy.

"Moss huge?" Cindy askes.

I chuckle. "That is what kind of monster it is. Although this moss huge is an irregular it's even an enhanced species. So, it's extremely dangerous." I inform Cindy.

Cindy takes a good look at the monster as it tries to break free from its telekinetic prison.

"Okay, tell me when." Cindy tells me. "That thing's weird." She adds as she scrunches up her face.

"On the count of three." I tell Cindy. "One, Two," As I start to say three, I create dozens of holes over the whole surface of the tube so Cindy's breath weapon can flow through every part of the tube. "Three!"

As I say 'three', Cindy gives a huge exhale, breathing out her blue fire breath weapon, totally engulfing the tube and the moss huge is in.

"OOOOOHHHHHHHGGGgggg…" The moss huge screams as it is engulfed in the blue flames.

Cindy stops breathing fire and we can see ash falling through the holes in the tube that once held the moss huge.

I turn and look at Cindy. "I think you destroyed the magic stone." I told her.

"You didn't tell me to hold back my fire any." Cindy chided me.

I chuckled. "No, I didn't, and I didn't want you to hold your fire back. This was a very dangerous monster." I told Cindy. "Let's go see how Luvis is doing." I suggested and turned to go back to the group.

"How's Luvis doing?" I ask the group in general.

"I-I can heal him, but I d-don't think I can regrow his arm." Cassandra meekly tells me. "But the vines that were growing out of him all died when the monster was killed. I don't know how that happened." She added confused.

I nod my head in understanding. "I can heal him and regrow his arm." I told Cassi and the others.

I looked down at Luvis who had been propped up against the tunnel wall and healed him. In under a minute Luvis's arm had regrown and he was back to perfect health.

"With you here, you don't need me." Cassandra said in just above a whisper with her eyes downcast.

I stepped over beside Cassi and put an arm around her. "We will always need you, Cassi. Besides I'm not going to always be around when someone needs to be healed." I tried to reassure her, and I gave her a hug.

"Thank you, lord Eilwyn." Cassandra replied as she laid her head on my shoulder and put her arms around me.

"What was that thing?" Welf asked.

Everyone looked at me for the answer.

I chuckled. "It was an irregular, but it was more like an enhanced species. It wasn't a Xenos, but it was still very intelligent." I told them, then I looked down at Luvis. "Where is your party and do you know where Dormul and his party is?" I asked him.

An enhanced species is a monster that kills its own kind or other monsters and eats their magic stones so they can get stronger.

"My party's back that way." Luvis replied, pointing back the way the moss huge hand come from. "I don't know where Dormul and his party are. We were together for a while, but we were arguing so much we split up."

Lovis looks over at Bell. "Rabbit's Foot. I never expected you to save me." Luvis told Bell.

Bell blushed at receiving such praise. "I-I didn't save you. It was lord Eilwyn that saved you, and he healed you as well." Bell replied.

Luvis looked over at me. "Thank you, Manticore. I've heard of you." Luvis said.

I nod my head in acceptance. "Thank you, but we need to find your party and Dormul's party." I replied. "With the moss huge dead, the seeds it planted in your two parties will be dead now as well. But that doesn't mean they are out of danger yet."

"Do you think you can lead the way back to your party?" Bell asked Luvis.

"Ya, ya, I can take you to where we separated."

"Then lead the way." I told Luvis and motioned for him to take the lead.

As we walk through the passageway. "Elf, you're telling us that you left your companions and ran away?" Aish asked Luvis.

"Don't be an idiot! I was a decoy." Luvis replied angrily at Aisha's question.

"The monster wants this." Luvis said holding up a magic stone.

"The monster is after the magic stones, adventurers are carrying?" Lili said. I've never heard of that.

"It's true. When the monster first attacked my party, it went after the supporters first. It grabbed the pouches the magic stones were in." Luvis explained to Aisha. So, I took the magic stones to try to get the monster to follow me so my party could escape."

By this time, we came across a red line on the Dungeon floor. It looks like it was made by dragging something heavy.

"What's that?" Bell asks pointing to the red line.

"…Blood?" Ouka said.

We followed the bloody trail. It led into a chamber with a crystal pedestal in the middle of the room. Two elves were laying face up by the pedestal. One male the other female.

The room has several water ways flowing in and around the room, as well as it many crystals growing around the room.

It appeared that the moss huge had crushed their arms and legs so they could not move.

"Oh, no!" Haruhime cried as she covered her mouth with her hand at seeing such cruelty.

"Shero, Lana…!"

"Those are your companions?" Aisha asked Luvis.

"Yes, but one is missing…! Alec…!" Luvis replied, his face had gone white from seeing his friend so close to death.

Next to the crystal pedestal. "The enhanced species!" Welf said.

"I thought Eilwyn killed it." Daphne said.

"I did. That's not the enhanced species. It's Alec, the last member of Luvis's party." I told Daphne and our party.

"How do you know that!?" Luvis demanded.

"It's a long story, but it is Alec." I said as I walked over to what looked like the moss huge.

I started pulling the moss covering off of Alec to reveal a face and head. As I did that, I healed Alec. I also healed Shero and Lana as well. Lana had lost one of her legs. Like Luvis's arm, Lana's leg grew back in under a minute's time.

"How did he know it wasn't another moss huge?" Luvis asked surprised by my actions and that no one in my party had tried to stop me.

"Welf shrugged his shoulders. "Eilwyn knows things before they happen." He told Luvis and his party.

"Why did you come back?" Shero asked Luvis.

"They killed the enhanced species. So, I brought them back with me to find you. And it's a good thing I did." Luvis explained.

"Yes, it is. We were almost done for." Lana replied.

"Stay away from the water. There are hordes of monsters in the water." I instruct the group.

"That's what I see with Yatano Black Crow." Mikoto added. Yatano Black Crow is Mikoto's magic ability to find the same kinds of enemies she has fought before. "So be ready, everyone."

[phoenix-manga]

How would the residents of Sunset Savanna, including Falena, his wife and their son Cheka react to the Litleo and Pyroar family? Moreover, how would everyone react when they learn they're Fire and Normal type Pokémon and the fact that their gender ratio is 12.5% male, 87.5% female? I read that women are deeply respected and exceptionally strong over there, so I was wondering how the women there will react to the latter.

I get the feeling after chapter 2, Cheka goes to tell his dad about this nice onee-chan with the cool pet monsters. He also think that uncle Leona is friends with her because she was seen using a pink egg monster and rabbit to heal him after he got beat up in the magishift battle.

Of course, he will send requests to Leona asking to meet Phoebe. He has to do it or else his wife will nag at him next, he can't say no to his sister-in-law. He just goes and tells Phoebe to drag her ass to the Mirror, before he leaves ahdhdsskdk.

Phoebe going to the Afterglow Savannah palace and Crowley here be like:

[Scenario Below]

Crowley: This is a good opportunity to make an impression on the royal family, if they show favor then please put in a good word for your gracious headmaster, after all, I technically am your guardian-

Crewel: Don't try to use her to curry favor with the royals, you greedy crow!!!

*BONK*

Phoebe coincidentally brought her Pyroar because the moment Leona said "palace" he would dart over and tug at her blazer to beg. Phoebe knows he might tear her ONLY blazer if she refuses so she complies with the Pokemon's wishes.

Pyroar is just basking in the praises as he walks the halls, the servants are in awe of such majestic lion walking next to a small girl.

Leona just walks them to the throne room but only at the entrance before he yeets himself to his room to chill.

Cheka bouncing in joy as he spots a cool lion and goes up to Pyroar to just lets the child climb all over him but Phoebe has to tell the boy not to tug on his mane because he is fussy about it.

Farena and his wife are so nice and greet her like a cousin or smth. He thinks this is her familiar, Pyroar is acting all nice for the king because, its a king, duh. Phoebe just looking at Pyroar with a deadpan look because why can't he be this nice to her.

Then Cheka wants her to show his parents the cool magic tricks that her pets can do, like how her ferret summoned water out of thin air.

The guards thought that lions don't cast magic but Pyroar was all the more happy to let out a bit of ember showcase. And the throne room goes wild, this was impressive and unbelievable.

Phoebe is a bit overwhelmed by the questions but thankfully Farena would like to settle this in the guest lounge where they would like to hear more about Pyroar.

They'd be impressed that it's fire can burn as hot as 10,000 Farenheit, and how the females take care of the cubs and males are lazy mostly but when it comes to protecting their friends, they will pounce into a fight with no concern for their own safety.

Seeing how similar Pyroar's pride are with their ideals gives off a connection between them. Farena makes a comment that the mane resembles his hair but the lazy attitude was completely like Leona's

Leona sneezing in his room, how the hell is gossiping bout him?

Farena: Such a magnificent creature! I envy how you get to have one by your side!

Phoebe: It's not that impressive, I just take care of him like my other Pokemon-

Farena: We should spar!

Phoebe: Wha-!?

He drags her to the training grounds and she is caught off guard because if she ends up injuring the King, she can expect a nice cozy spot in the dungeon. She should have told Crowley to write down her will...

They spar and she is trying her best not to injure the king but Pyroar was feeling cocky too, so he refuses to hold back and Phoebe is just screeching inside, this is how she dies.

Farena did get a bit roughed up, those fire blasts are no joke, straight up made a crater on the ground along with turning a portion into burnt ash. He was not insulted by Pyroar's power, he was very pleased to be honest.

Now he just feels like a child to be envious of her getting a strong companion like this.

That was the most stressful fight Phoebe has ever faces, much more stressful than fighting the Elite Four... Farena's wife just scolding her husband for dragging the poor dear into a fight without consideration. It was an amusing sight to behold.

The proud and powerful king was being treated like a child and his face looked like a scolded Yamper.

His wife would shower Pyroar with a lot of pets and expensive steak. Pyroar would go home feeling like a king, the little turd even turned over when Phoebe told him it was time to go home, he refused to get up even if Phoebe nudged him to stand up.

He'd roll over and has the audacity to grin like the smug ass he is. Pyroar may look like Farena but he is more like Leona in personality.

[sonnet009]

Wilder: Royo’s Story (Route Summary)

PROLOGUE:

MC decides not to flee Ziya but to instead wait for the guards to arrive, trusting that justice and truth will prevail. She is promptly arrested and thrown in prison to await her execution.

CHAPTER I:

Weeks pass and MC grows weak and despondent. Then one day an audaciously dressed djinn appears, knocks out the guards, and rescues MC from her cell. The djinn introduces herself as Royo and says that she has been sent here by an important man with a lot of coin. Royo smuggles MC out of the palace in an empty wine barrel, barely keeping her cover intact when one of the palace servants treats her like a lowly slave.

Outside and in the clear MC learns to her dismay that Royo was not sent by Uncle Makram to bring MC home, but by some mysterious other man to whom Royo intends to take her. Unable to overpower her or call out for help without being sent straight back to the dungeon, MC reluctantly goes along with Royo who has a horse waiting to carry both of them away into the desert.

In the Shining Sands Royo and MC cross paths with slavers returning to the city. One of the men recognises MC and Royo kills all of them before they can cause trouble. MC is horrified but Royo only shrugs. “Problem solved, princess.”

CHAPTER II:

Royo takes MC up into the Western Hills in an attempt to shake off any potential pursuers. She refuses to divulge the identity of her employer and will say only that he is a man who believes in MC's innocence. MC asks if Royo believes she is innocent, but Royo only replies that she doesn't care. Suddenly the two women are surrounded by a hunting party of wild djinn. Royo whispers to MC that they should bide their time for now and allows the djinn to escort them to their leader.

The tribe's chief is quickly charmed by Royo and agrees to let them stay there for the night, though he insists that MC is tied to a tree. During dinner two djinn children come to bring MC some food. Royo later takes MC – hands still tied – to a river to wash the grime away, claiming that her employer will be annoyed if MC is delivered to him looking so disheveled. MC notes that Royo seems to be enjoying MC's humiliation. Royo doesn't deny it. After all, she had to endure debasement at the hands of humans for years. “You will survive one night of indignity, princess.”

In the night a sudden storm rolls in. One of the children MC met before is swept into the river but is only noticed by MC, and no one will listen to her. Unable to swim but with no choice, MC leaps into the river to save the child. She manages to drag him to the bank before collapsing. As soon as the storm passes, Royo insists that she and MC move on.

CHAPTER III:

Royo and MC head up into the mountains known as the Knives. Feeling weaker and weaker, injuries from her clumsy rescue throbbing, MC finally passes out and falls to the ground. When she wakes it is in a cave, lit by firelight, resting in Royo's lap. Royo, unaware she is awake, is murmuring apologies for not realising MC had a fever and commendations for being brave enough to jump in the river and insults for being stupid enough to jump in the river.

When MC reveals that she is awake Royo nearly jumps out of her skin. She caught some rabbits earlier and has been cooking them on the fire. The two eat dinner together and Royo finally opens up a little more. She explains that her employer is Yasir, a member of the Guild that rules the city of Umar. He is famous as the human who emancipated the djinn of Umar and has taken great interest in MC, who killed the shah in the name of the slaves. MC protests that she didn't kill the shah, not for the slaves or anyone, but Royo already knows. It's simply a rumour that Yasir wants to capitalise on.

Once MC has recovered she and Royo continue their journey, though now they are more at ease with each other. Royo hits MC with her first snowball. They bathe together in a hot spring. Royo checks MC's still-healing wounds and tells her, “Next time, count on me.” She also muses that the tribe will probably remember MC's actions for a long time. It's not the kind of revolutionary action that will force change on a grand scale, but it wasn't bad. For a princess.

CHAPTER IV:

Past the Knives now, on the way to the port town of Dijarah, Royo finally tells MC the truth about Yasir's expectations. He wants MC to marry him. MC is appalled. Royo is sympathetic but firm, insisting that Yasir is a great man and her best option.

She tells the story of her young life as a criminal, slave to a gang of thieves. One day she tried to rob Yasir, just a simple merchant back then, only to have him declare that, if she helped him, he would free not just her but everyone like her. It was like being reborn, she says with a profound solemnity. MC starts to wonder if Royo is in love with Yasir.

Hamza and his men ambush them on the road. Hamza overpowers Royo but is unprepared for the headbutt she plants on him. Fleeing with MC on her back, Royo gives the soldiers the slip and comes to rest in an old barn. Royo tells MC to sleep while she keeps watch for the night but MC instead chooses to stay awake by her side.

CHAPTER V:

Once they arrive in Dijarah Royo buys dinner for them both at a local inn. A drunk man bumps into them and takes offence to Royo's lack of subservience. Royo brushes him off and suggests to MC that they take in the sights at the Fish Festival that is happening tonight, though that means delaying their journey by a day. MC is touched that Royo would do that for her, though Royo denies any sentimentality.

During the festival they walk through the lively streets and Royo seems to be on a mission to give MC as many new experiences as she can. “I wish we could see more things like this,” she says quietly, but they both know that she cannot be swayed from her duty to Yasir. The drunkard from earlier reappears with his friends, hurling insults at Royo and threatening violence. Royo handily disarms him – his friends are no help – and sends them all running.

This incident has upset Royo in a way MC has never seen before. Royo says that she is sick of people like him. She is a free woman but they'll never see her as anything but beneath them. The next day she and MC board a ship bound for Umar, Royo distant and closed off again.

CHAPTER VI:

MC is treated like nobility on the ship, at Royo's insistence. Royo says it is what Yasir would want but MC suspects this is another way for Royo to distance herself from her. Every night MC sleeps in a luxurious cabin while Royo sleeps outside.

One day, alone on deck, MC is grabbed from behind by a mysterious figure who whispers into her ear, “Justice for the shah,” before pushing her overboard. Royo arrives in time to save her but does not see the would-be assassin. She investigates the ship but cannot find any passenger without an alibi. That night she sleeps on the floor in MC's cabin and they fall asleep holding hands, a vow to protect MC on Royo's lips.

Days pass with no further attempts on MC's life. Royo is stuck to MC like glue, but their unresolved issues turn this into a volatile situation. During an argument Royo nearly kisses MC, then backs off – horrified at herself – and leaves the room. While MC waits for her to return and sorts through her own feelings, the assassin slips into the room.

CHAPTER VII:

Though MC is injured in the ensuing struggle Royo returns in time to thwart the assassin – a man hired by Hamza to shadow MC and wait for the right moment to enact “justice”. While tending to MC's new wounds Royo berates herself for being a terrible escort so far. She admits that it's because she's starting to want not to hand MC over to Yasir.

Giving in to their growing passion and feeling the looming threat of their time journeying together coming to an end, MC and Royo embrace each other and spend the rest of the voyage together in MC's cabin. Royo calls it “making the most of the time we still have”.

But eventually their stolen time together must end. The ship reaches Umar and they disembark. Though pained, Royo makes sure MC knows that they can never speak of this or do it again.

CHAPTER VIII:

When MC is brought before Yasir, it is not him alone waiting for her. Hamza stands beside him, intent on arresting MC and taking her back to Ziya for her execution. With no other way to protect herself, MC accepts Yasir's marriage proposal on the spot and Hamza leaves to avoid a diplomatic incident. Yasir introduces MC to the Guild, the seven most important people in Umar who rule the city as one. Though they should be equal, Yasir clearly leads them.

Yasir throws a ball to celebrate the engagement. MC ends up fleeing to a guest room and Royo follows. Both longing for each other, they give in to temptation but soon stop when the miserable reality of the situation becomes too heavy to ignore.

The night before the wedding MC cannot sleep and wanders Yasir's manor, wanting nothing more than to find Royo and beg her to run away with her. She finds Royo in furtive conversation with another djinn and eavesdrops on them. Through this MC learns three devastating things: 1. Royo and her co-conspirators arranged for the shah of Ziya's murder. 2. They plan to kill Yasir tomorrow before the wedding. And 3. They intend to frame MC as the culprit, and Yasir as the second husband she has had killed.

CHAPTER IX:

The manor is too abuzz with wedding preparations for MC to find anyone who will listen to her. Yasir is cloistered in his chambers and has no interest in seeing her until just before the ceremony. When it is just her, Yasir and Royo in the room, MC is surprised when nothing happens. No assassination. Things are not going according to the plan she heard last night at all.

The wedding goes ahead, vows are spoken, but everything is suddenly interrupted by a number of black-clad and masked djinn who storm the ceremony. While one stabs Yasir through the heart, killing him, another attacks MC. Royo cries out, “No!” and shields MC from the dagger, taking the wound herself. As chaos erupts throughout the crowd MC only has eyes for Royo, cradling her as she bleeds out on the ground. Through shuddering breaths Royo tells MC that she wasn't supposed to be hurt. MC confronts her about the plan but Royo says she changed the plan, not wanting MC to be a pawn in anyone's plots anymore – especially not hers. MC doesn't understand why this has happened. Royo's final words before she is dragged away by guards is, “His...coffer...”

While Royo is confined to the dungeon, MC searches Yasir's chambers. She unlocks the golden coffer by his bed and finds a mountain of evidence that he was far from the good-hearted revolutionary he pretended to be. His freeing of the slaves was a political stunt and the ultimate goal was to have them slide back into chains over time. Royo must have discovered this some time ago and has been plotting his downfall ever since. Not just his, but the downfall of all the tyrants who would keep her people enslaved. The documents also implicate the Guild in a lot of shady practices. MC takes what she knows to them and promises not to expose them; she just has one demand...

BITTER END:

MC demands that Royo is freed and pardoned. The Guild accepts and gifts MC her late husband's manor and wealth as further insurance that she will not be a problem for them.

Royo stays with MC for a while while she recovers but living in the manor in wilful ignorance of the injustice still present in Umar and beyond becomes suffocating for her. One night MC catches her trying to slip away from their bed leaving behind only a note. Royo says that she has to go, has to see the change she wants in the world be done, but promises to return if she can.

SWEET END:

MC demands her late husband's place in the Guild. With little choice, they accept. MC uses her new power to free and pardon Royo. The two of them return to Yasir's (now MC's) manor and spend most of their time working together to draw up proposals to bring before the Guild, forcing them to enact real and lasting change for the djinn. The one MC is most excited to put in place would be increasing the Guild's number by making Royo a member.

MC and Royo make no secret of their relationship, now able to be lovers openly and without shame. Royo proposes marriage –  when enough time of “mourning” has passed, of course. The large scar Royo has from the wedding day has become both a point of pride for her and a reminder not to forget that she isn't alone in this anymore.

[jadoue1999]

Wanda and the life she deserved (she’ll made sure of it) Chapter 7

Summary: After unknowingly saving Wanda from Agnes’ clutches, the Maximoff twins take walk.

Previous parts: Chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3, chapter 4, chapter 5, chapter 6, chapter 7, chapter 8, chapter 9, chapter 10, chapter 11, epilogue

Chapter 7: The circus

They continued walking for awhile, talking about their childhood. Wanda was aware that many memories coming from her brother were wrong, but she ignored it. It was nice talking to him alone. They had settled on finding Vision, she was certain he was around Ellis Avenue, his last known location. Wanting to make the moment last longer, Wanda requested that they didn’t use magic, or superspeed. Pietro had originally agreed, but his fidgeting was steadily increasing with each step they took. She spotted a circus where the abandoned Avenue once was. Unsure about what they might encounter, she turned to her twin. “I can go get Vision on my own, go help Agnes. I’m sure she’ll have enough stuff to do that you won’t even see the time pass.”

“You sure, sis? I can wait.” Pietro might have believed his words, but Wanda could see how much he wanted to run and move. She assured him she’d be fine, and he was gone in the blink of an eye.

Wanda looked up at the circus banner, finding irony in the state of the soldiers. Them, who wanted to understand the situation so badly, were now in it. How’s that for firsthand experience? She walked through the various performers, they were filling typical roles any circus would have clowns, gymnast, they even had a strong man and a psychic.

“Hello!” Greeted a man dress in a blue leotard, he was holding his nose that was obviously broken. “Are you here for any specific performance?”

She ignored the man’s injury, knowing S.W.O.R.D, he probably deserved it anyway. She looked around at the various entertainment, they were all pretty straightforward. Her eyes landed on one specific tent, the psychic. She decided to amuse herself and walked over, the board next to the tent read: Charles the Xtraordinary.

Coming in, it wasn’t all that impressive, there was a crystal ball at the center of the table and various cushions were laid on the ground. A bald man, probably in his forties, was seated on one side of the table.

“Welcome,” he said, opening his eyes to greet his guest. “I am Charles, I suppose you’re here to know your fortune?”

“Shouldn’t you know that already?” Joked Wanda with a smirk.

The man returned her smile, “yes, I suppose so.” He motioned her to take a seat. ”Shall we begin?” As the man put his hands over the ball, it began to glow. Closing his eyes, the man hummed pensively, “I see pain, a lot of pain,” he sighed. “Oh, I’m sorry Wanda, so much loss.”

She froze in shock, she had met many psychics in her lifetime, but a circus charlatan certainly couldn’t be the real deal, right? But then again, how could he know her name, and what she lived through?

The man continued, “I see a great battle, one that was unfortunately lost. But then everything was made right,” he frowned, “but not for you. You were still alone.” Her senses were on high alert, her magic was pushing for a rewind, but she had to know more. She needed to know how he could achieve this. “I see... a breaking point, and great suffering. Oh Wanda... what have you done?”

Wanda couldn’t take it anymore, she had to know who he was. What kind of S.W.O.R.D. Agent was he? She tentatively lifted a hand to his temple and let her magic do the work. The man’s eyes opened, and he gasped as he was released from her spell. He looked around him, confused at his surroundings before gripping his head in pain. He looked at her, seemingly to thank her for releasing him before he froze. “Wanda Maximoff! What an honor to meet you!” Charles went to shake her hand, but she backed off before he could reach her. Although slightly taken aback from her movement, the psychic continued. “We have a slight misunderstanding here, your brother, Pietro as you call him, he’s not your brother, not really.” Charles paused as he tried to take in her reaction, but Wanda was unreadable. “You see, a team composed of myself and a couple of others, including his father, are here to bring him back. We crossed universes to get here, it took weeks to find the right calculations. Thanks to your broadcast, we had a good grounding point. The military base kept us updated about Peter. We were brought in as you expanded the Hex, even our member with teleportation powers couldn’t escape. I’m certain it wasn’t your intention to trap us, or Peter, but you have to let us go. We’re not from your universe, we don’t belong here, we- “

“No,” interrupted Wanda, startling the man. He certainly hadn’t expected that reaction. “This is my home, I have my husband, my children and my brother. I will not let you take them away.”

“Ms. Maximoff, you have to come to reason, you cannot keep up this lie forever. What you’re doing is wrong, putting an entire town under mind control- “

“Is better than putting the entire Earth under it,” completed Wanda. Her accent was out once again, rage oozing off her body as she stared at the man. She could feel his stare, and something else, it was nudging at her brain. A telepath, Wanda realized. She quickly shielded her mind and her magic acted without her realizing. In a move that could challenge her brother’s speed, she put the spell back on the man. Eager to finish this awful conversation and go home. She hadn’t found Vision, why had she even stayed? The consequences tied to the man’s words quickly clicked, Peter’s team was here, here for him. That could only mean that his father wasn’t far. If he was anything like her brother had described, she would be in trouble.

As she ran out of the tent, she looked around with more attention. In her frantic state, everything seemed so overwhelming, yet no one took notice of her panic. She couldn’t see much that was out of the ordinary, so she assumed that most clowns were probably soldiers.

‘That leave the specific role to...’ Wanda didn’t finish that thought as her eyes stopped on another attraction: Nightcrawler and his disappearing act. The psychic had mentioned a team, with one of their members not being able to teleport away in time. The irony of the name had to have meaning. Suddenly she stopped in her track. No, no, no, please. I’m not ready! She ran over to the banner, not wanting to believe the writing on it. There, written on bold red letters, was the confirmation that her little world couldn’t continue much longer.

 Magneto, the man of steel.

 Wanda supposed it was ironic that the man controlling metal was nicknamed like that, but then again, her magic had a twisted sense of humor. She quickly left the circus, appearance be damned; she used her magic to reach her house faster. Unsurprisingly, it was empty. Vision was apparently still mad at her, she wished she could make it better. Wanda made a mental note to sit down with him and apologize, he deserved to know the truth. Though right now, she was feeling better. She closed her front door, heading for Agnes’ house; she had missed her children. She ringed the doorbell, she could see movement inside and seconds later, her neighbor opened the door.

“Hi Wanda! Feeling better?”

“Yes, can I come in?”

Agnes opened the door wider to let her in, Wanda felt something was amiss, but she tossed her worry aside as her neighbor started offering drink options. She settled for a tea and sat at the table.

After a few moments, she noticed the eerie silence of the house, save from the television. There were no arguments about who could do something better than the other or even a reaction to whatever show the boys would be watching. There was also no sign of Pietro, no sign of anything being repaired either.

“Where are the twins?” Wanda asked, “and Pietro?”

Agnes paused the making of her tea, wiping her hands on a dish towel, and turned to her. “Oh, your brother is fixing a leaky pipe in the basement, I tried to tell the kids to leave him be, but they wanted to be with their uncle, so I let them go with him.”

That makes sense. Wanda wasn’t sure if her mind was being sarcastic or not. She opened the basement door, calling her children. After no answer came, she walked down the stairs, ignoring how creepy the basement slowly became after each step. Her instincts were screaming at her to run away, but she had to get to her boys. After calling their names once again and getting no answers, true bone chilling fear settled in her body. As she turned a corner next to a glowing door, she had only one thought. Please be alright.

She arrived in a bigger room, a lair? She walked around trying to make sense of the place. Wanda passed a cabinet containing various bones when she felt drawn to her right. A black book radiating orange energy was on the table. The gears in her head finally clicked. This is a dungeon, probably the very same dungeon Peter talked about. Get out, get out, get out-

“Wanda, Wanda,” Agnes’ voice resonated through the room. “You didn’t think you were the only magical girl in town, did you?” With a flick of her fingers, a far away door closed by itself. She resumed petting her rabbit, “the name’s Agatha Harkness, lovely to finally meet you dear.”

_____________________________________________________

Notes: The circus is in town! And it brought in unexpected visitors...

[bush-viper-cutie]

“The Smoking Goblet” || YEAR 3 – Ch.14 (HP au)

                              Chapter List

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Day posted: 8/25/2020

Word count: 3,776

Relationship: EVENTUAL severus X oc (slow burn)

Rating: E for everyone

Warnings: none

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A/N: This is my first fan fic I’m writing mainly as a way to practice. This is a retelling of the hp books with an inserted character. Although most every character will be written about, this is mostly for the pro snape fandom. Please do not fear, although this is a severus x oc story, it is an incredibly slow burn as I do not intend for them to get together at all until after the final book events. Chapters will be posted twice a week.

This derivative work follows the events of the Harry Potter books by Jk Rowling and is intended as a fun way to practice my writing. Thank you for reading :D

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Within the month Defense Against Dark Arts class had become every student’s favorite class, and Professor Lupin everyone’s favorite teacher. Even Heather had to give in and accept him as her favorite after he’d let her sneak her way to the back of every line when they practiced with boggarts. She made up for it during their Red Cap lessons, allowing him to use her for demonstrations around the little nasty creatures that liked hanging out wherever blood was spilled.

Draco, however, couldn’t miss a day to snicker behind Professor Lupin’s back about the state of his robes. Most Slytherins friends with Draco would join in on the bullying, but Professor Lupin and most everyone else would just ignore them. No one cared if Professor Lupin’s robes were old and frayed with patches that were coming undone, or that his clothes had little holes at the seams around his shoulders and cuffs.

From Red Caps they moved onto kappas, more creepy creatures except they lived underwater with webbed hands used for strangling those who wandered in their pond. He had brought in a murky tank with a single lilypad floating on top of the muck. The kappa had given Neville a real scare after he’d tapped the glass and woken it up.Everyone had laughed at Neville, but that was nothing compared to the torment he was facing in potions with Professor Snape.

After word had spread about Neville’s boggart, Professor Snape had been judging people’s potions harder than he ever had before. Heather was feeling like a total failure in potions now, and Neville could barely breath with Professor Snape breathing down his neck, making sure he was following the steps exactly as he had written them out.

Professor Snape assigned extra inches to the essays he had been assigning every class time at the mention of Professor Lupin’s name or boggarts in general, except to Draco and his band of loyal Slytherins who very publicly and shamed Professor Lupin at every opportunity.

It was very hard for Heather not to accept Professor Lupin had become her favorite teacher, and Defense Against the Dark Arts her favorite class.

Along with potions, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures were becoming everyone’s least favorite classes. The only people who liked Divination were the very few students who seemed to have ‘the Sight’ for it and constantly joined Professor Trelawney in extra readings and work during breakfast and lunchtime. A couple of Ravenclaws were now giving people readings and few Hufflepuffs giving others friendly warnings. The two Gryffindor girls Heather now knew as Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil had taken it upon themselves to give Harry advice every now and then to help him with his death omen. Heather found those two particularly annoying, more annoying than the only Slytherin giving out death omens.

Care of Magical Creatures was disliked in a very different way. Everyone who was friendly with Hagrid had to pretend to like learning about the very boring magical creatures known as flobberworms. Ron especially hated the flobberworms, reminding him of the slimy slugs he had upchucked last year after his failed hex.

Before the month of September ended, Draco and Heather received the very wonderful news that they had made it onto their team again. It turned out Marcus was stricter than even Professor Snape when it came to being captain of the Quidditch team. After giving Cassius a chance to try out with the beaters, he’d told him on the spot he didn’t make it and that next time he should ignore any teacher who got in the way of Quidditch.

Unfortunately, this meant Cassius was now extremely mad at Heather and had made a few attempts at cornering her in the common room but she had successfully dodged him and clung onto the unknowing Draco and Pansy for safety.

On the first day of October Marcus had called their first Quidditch team practice, telling them their new schedules and going over new tactics he’d thought of over the summer. Four times a week they met up to practice which just about killed Heather every day. Her muscles were so sore and tired constantly, she was going to bed at Dudley hours.

“No,” she groaned. She had been laying on the grass just outside the locker rooms waiting for Draco to come out.

He was standing over her with his arms crossed telling her to get up. “Let’s go already, Potter.”

She groaned as she sat up and held up her hand for assistance, which of course Draco ignored, choosing instead to nudge her with his foot. She stood and they walked together to the broom shed, talking about the most recent play they had practiced.

“They’ll have a hard time getting around us that way.”

Draco nodded. “The Quidditch cup is easy. We’re already the best in the school. It’s the House Cup that’s hard.” He looked at her with a frown, no doubt thinking about exactly why the House Cup was so hard to earn.

“I don’t control who Dumbledore gives free points to at the end of the year.” The grassy slopes were pushing Heather’s legs to their limit and all she wanted was to collapse on the ground again.

“You can control your stupid brother and his friends. Make sure they don’t do anything heroic that will give them any points.” Draco rubbed is hands together and gave her a sly look, “And I’ll make sure the Gryffindors lose as many points as possible.”

As they reached the castle entrance, Heather’s guilt was eating at her. She didn’t feel very good about being a part of Draco’s plan to lose the Gryffindors their points. It seemed extra mean, but she had stopped telling him off ever since they became ‘friends’ after Cassius tried hexing her in the charms corridor.

“And how will you do that?”

He shrugged. “I’ll think of something.” He slid his sling back on his arm as they went the long way to their common room, down the dungeon stairs passed Professor Snape’s office door.

They turned a corner and Heather almost smacked right into Professor Snape again, making her stumble back. He looked down at her and frowned. She could feel the hatred emanating off him. He looked at Draco and stepped aside.

“Draco, your father has asked me how your arm is doing.”

Draco clutched his arm. “It’s healing up, Sir,” he grinned.

Professor Snape raised his eyebrow, “Still in pain?”

Draco nodded. “It’s hard to reach for the Snitch during practices without feeling how much it hurts,” he pet his arm, “but I power through it.”

Professor Snape gave a slight smile. “How admirable. I’ll let your father know of the lasting damage you’re dealing with.” He frowned at Heather one last time and swept away into his office.

“Why was he coming from the common room?”

Draco shrugged, whispering the password and stepping in. Heather followed and saw the large giddy crowd that had formed around the notice board. Draco pushed people aside and Heather followed close behind him until she could see the paper that had just been pinned up.

The first Hogsmeade visit was October thirty-first all day until dinner time. Her shoulders slumped and she pushed her way back out and sat in one of the cushion puffs by the fire, drawing her knees up to her chin and wrapping her arms around them. She stared at the fire for a few minutes, trying to think of any way to get permission to go, but none that didn’t involve speaking to Professor Snape.

The next morning she was still moping next to Ron who was also extremely quiet during all of Herbology. She held the puffapod mouths open while he pulled out the pink sacs and handed them to Harry to squeeze the glass beans into Hermione’s wooden pail.

Hermione was the first to break the silence. “How’s Scabbers doing, Ron?”

“He’s hiding under the bed, shaking, after your stupid cat nearly gutted him.” He threw the sac a little too hard, missing Harry’s hand.

The pink sac burst on the floor and the glass beans started sprouting immediately on the little bit of dirt and dust on the floor.

“Weasley!” Professor Sprout cried out. “Clean that up before they grow lips!”

They headed to Transfigurations in silence and were about to line up when Parvati pushed aside a couple of Hufflepuffs to make room for a crying Lavender to come through. She was wiping her tears on her sweater while Seamus walked beside her, nodding at the muffled words she was saying.

Heather followed them as they joined the growing group of concerned Gryffindors around Lavender, Parvati, and Seamus.

“Lavender? What’s wrong?” Hermione put her hand on her shoulder.

Lavender shook her head and Parvati started explaining what had happened.

“She just got a letter from her parents. Her rabbit, Binky’s, been killed by a fox.”

Hermione looked back at them and bit her lip before turning back. “That’s awful. I’m sorry about that.”

“She was right! I should have known!” Lavender sobbed very loudly.

Harry gave Heather a weary look and poked Hermione on the back.

“Er… Who was right?”

Lavender looked up at Hermione like she was missing the big picture. “Professor Trelawney! Its October sixteenth! She said the thing I would be dreading the most would happen today! I was dreading Binky dying and now it’s happened!”

Harry crossed his arms.

“Was Binky old?” Hermione couldn’t help pushing on despite Ron, Harry, and Heather trying to pull her back.

“No. He was… Only a baby!” she sobbed into Parvati’s shoulder.

“So then why were you dreading him dying?”

“Hermione!” Heather whispered, trying to get her attention.

Parvati glared at her and Seamus was shaking his head.

Hermione turned to everyone. “I just mean that he didn’t really die today. You’ve only just received the news of his passing. And you’re clearly in shock so it’s not like you were really dreading it too much – ”

Parvati gasped and Lavender glared at her behind watery eyes.

Ron pulled Hermione back and stepped in. “Don’t mind Hermione. Other people’s pets don’t matter very much to her.”

Hermione and Ron stared daggers at one another when the class door opened. They filtered in and Hermione took her seat at the front while Ron kept them in the back. The lesson went by like normal and before they knew it the bells were ringing and the lesson had come to an end.

“Excuse me,” Professor McGonagall held them up. “Gryffindors please stay seated.”

Everyone else filtered out and Heather decided to stay put as well.

“Please make sure to turn in your Hogsmeade forms before the thirty-first. No signature, no visiting the village.”

Neville’s hand floated up. “I-I think I’ve lost my – ”

“Your grandmother has already owled it to me.”

“Oh.” Neville went red.

“Ask her now,” Ron whispered to Harry as the Gryffindors were getting up.

“Ask her what?” Heather turned to Harry and frowned. “No! Don’t leave me here alone.”

Harry stood and looked at her gloomily. “It’s the only way to go.”

“Without me?” Heather stayed seated and crossed her arms. “I wouldn’t go without you!”

“He has to go! Its Hogsmeade Village!” Ron looked desperate. “I don’t wanna go alone!”

Hermione was standing behind them now. “You’ll manage just fine, Ron.”

Heather turned to her. “Does that mean you’re staying with me?”

Hermione looked away and wrung the strap of her bag. “Oh, well… Actually I was going to still go – ”

Heather rolled her eyes and turned to watch Professor McGonagall shake her head at Harry who sulked back to them.

“At least we still have the feast,” Hermione smiled.

They all glared at her and exited the classroom.

Halloween rolled around and Heather joined Harry in the Great Hall for mushy oats as Hermione and Ron assured them they’d bring back loads of sweets for them. They accompanied Hermione and Ron to the front entrance and watched them line up to leave. Mr. Filch was checking off names and Malfoy noticed them as they left.

“Hey, Potter!” he called out. “Not going? Afraid of passing the dementors?”

Several people laughed and all they could do was walk away. They decided to head to the library but got bored quickly, being just the two of them and needing to stay extra quiet because of Madam Pince.

“This is boring.” Harry scribbled tiny circles on the corner of his textbook. “Let’s go visit Hedwig or something.”

They got up and left, bumping into Mr. Filch and Mrs. Norris halfway down the entrance hall steps.

“And where do you think you two are going?” He bared his teeth at them.

“The owlry.” Harry replied curtly.

“The owlry,” Mr. Filch spat back. “Can’t fool me! Think I don’t know what you two are up to? Turn around and head back to your common rooms where you belong!” Mrs. Norris hissed as if to emphasize his command.

They turned around and headed up the stairs, getting off at a random floor and walking down the corridor with their heads hung low and arms crossed. They passed by several classrooms and kept walking until their names were called.

“Harry? Heather?”

They turned around and saw Professor Lupin leaning out of his office looking at them.

“Where are Hermione and Ron? You’re all usually together.”

Harry sighed, “Hogsmeade.”

Heather nodded, “We couldn’t get our permission slips signed.”

Professor Lupin nodded and drummed his fingers on the doorframe. “Why don’t you two come in? You can see the grindylow I just had delivered for next week.”

“The what?” Harry looked at Heather.

“Don’t you ever read ahead?” She shook her head at Harry who stuck out his tongue at her after Professor Lupin had disappeared back into his office.

They followed him in and looked at the creature in the tank behind Professor Lupin’s desk. It was sickly green and had long spindly fingers and sharp horns on its head. It made faces at them from behind the glass.

“Heather, why don’t you inform your brother on what this creature is.”

Heather smiled down at Harry who had taken the only seat. “It’s a water demon. They live in bogs and lakes and grip onto things very tight. Unless you want to be dragged down and drowned, you need to break it’s grip, literally. They have very brittle fingers,” she wiggled her fingers and looked back at Professor Lupin.

He smiled, “Precisely, Heather. Five points to.. Slytherin.”

She smiled and stuck her tongue out at Harry as Professor Lupin turned around to make them some tea. She watched him set the kettle next to the tank on some cleared off table space and tapped it with his wand. Steam shot out of it like an explosion, ready to serve.

“I figure you’re both tired of tea leaves, so how’s tea bags? Harry?”

Harry nodded, “How did you know about – ”

“Professor McGonagall told me about it,” he handed them each their teacups. “Not worried about all that, are you, Harry?”

Harry shook his head and looked up at Heather who knew exactly what he was thinking. She shook her head slightly and sipped her tea. The last thing Harry should do is go around saying he saw a death omen back home.

Professor Lupin saw their exchange and asked again. “You sure there’s nothing you want to tell me?”

“No.” Harry sipped his tea and then set it down on his desk. “Actually…”

Heather looked down at him.

“When we were doing the boggart exercises, I never got to practice… You stopped the lessons just before it was my turn.”

Professor Lupin pressed his lips together and nodded slowly.

“Why?” Harry pressed on.

He gave a small chuckle, “Well in all honesty I thought it’d cause a panic if Voldemort suddenly materialized in the classroom…” He looked at Harry’s surprised face. “Would it not have turned into Voldemort?”

Heather was surprised to hear him say Voldemort’s name so casually. Everyone else seemed to be too afraid to. She looked down at Harry intrigued.

He shook his head. “I thought of Voldemort at first… But then I remembered that… dementor… from the train and…”

She hadn’t realized Harry was actually afraid of the dementors. To her it was just something stupid Draco was saying, but maybe he had picked up on it better than Heather had. If that was the case, Draco was a lot more dangerous of a bully than she had previously thought.

“I’m impressed,” Professor Lupin set his tea down.

“Impressed?” Heather echoed.

“Dementors are nothing compared to Voldemort. So, fearing the dementors only shows you’re afraid of fear itself. That’s very wise, Harry. A true Gryffindor.”

Harry beamed.

Heather wasn’t quite understanding what was so brave about fearing what had clearly spooked him on the train. She was afraid of spiders and they are nothing compared to Voldemort, does that make her brave too? She felt Harry was just getting more special treatment and retreated to behind his chair, annoyed.

“You must have been thinking I didn’t believe you brave enough to face your boggart then?” Professor Lupin gave a weak smile.

Harry shrugged, “Well I just… Yeah…”

There was a sharp knock on the door.

“Come in,” Professor Lupin called out.

The door opened and Professor Snape stood in the doorway, looking at Heather and Harry with a frown. He was holding a large goblet very carefully to his chest, which smoked faintly. His eyes narrowed at them as he turned to look at Professor Lupin.

“Severus. Thank you. You can just leave that here on the desk for me.” Professor Lupin cleared out an area and pointed at the spot expectantly.

Heather watched Professor Snape creep inside slowly, careful not to spill the liquid smoking inside the goblet. He stood back, facing them, and let his eyes wander over to her and Harry, glancing back at Professor Lupin.

Professor Lupin looked down at the goblet and back up at Professor Snape. “I was just showing them the grindylow.” He pointed at the tank behind him.

Professor Snape stood watching him. “Fascinating.” He kept watching him as Professor Lupin folded his hands in front of him. “You should drink it before the smoke’s gone out.”

Professor Lupin looked at them and back at Professor Snape. “Thank you, Severus. I will.”

“The rest of it is in the cauldron is in my office. I’ve made extra… should you need it.” Professor Snape continued standing there, eyeing him.

Heather’s curiosity was getting the better of her and she wanted to ask what the potion was, but she wasn’t sure how personal it was. She decided not to ask.

“Thank you – I’ll likely be taking more tomorrow – Again, thank you… Severus.”

Professor Snape’s brows pulled down in a frown again and his eyes glanced over at Heather and Harry again. “Not at all.”

Possibly the awkwardness had finally been too much because not soon after he backed out of the room, very watchful and unsmiling. Heather watched him reach for the doorknob without taking his eyes off Professor Lupin, until he started pulling the door closed when his eyes met hers before closing the door.

She had never seen Professor Snape like that, and there was something in his eyes that had urged her to ask about the potion, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to be rude in front of her new favorite teacher.

She looked down at the goblet and back up at Professor Lupin.

He smiled. “Professor Snape’s very kindly concocted my potion for me.” He laughed, “I’ve never been much of a brewer…” He picked up the goblet and sniffed it, shuddering. “If only sugar didn’t make it absolutely useless.”

Harry was on the edge of his seat as Professor Lupin drank the liquid, almost gagging. “But… Why?”

Professor Lupin set down the unfinished goblet. “Oh, I’ve just been feeling a bit… off color. And this is the only thing that helps with that. I’m very lucky Professor Snape works here, seeing as not many master potioneers would be up for making such a complex potion.

Heather was growing more intrigued. Was Professor Snape really that good? She suddenly regretted not trying as hard in his class lately, even if he was being particularly vindictive as of late.

“Snape’s very interested in the Dark Arts!” Harry blurted out.

Heather stared down at him confused but he avoided her eyes and stared directly at the goblet that was still smoking on the desk.

Professor Lupin looked at Harry with an interest. “Really.”

Harry nodded, “Some people think… well – that he’d do anything to get the Defense Against Dark Arts position.”

Professor Lupin nodded, and drank the rest of the contents, banging the goblet down and trying not to make a face. “That was unpleasant.” He stood up and headed to the door, opening it. “I should get back to work. I’ll see you both at the feast later.”

“Alright.”

Heather pulled Harry up and dragged him out with her. Professor Lupin closed his door and she pulled him away.

“Why would you say that? You don’t know if he likes the dark arts? And so what if he wants the position? Maybe he really wants to teach everyone how to defend themselves!” She wasn’t sure why she was so heatedly defending Professor Snape who had spent the last two months yelling at every student, but she did feel something for any Slytherin constantly being painted as some horrible person.

Harry crossed his arms. “Snape’s evil. He could have poisoned that goblet then! Everyone hates him for a reason.”

Heather scoffed. “He’s my favorite teacher. And just because Voldemort was a Slytherin doesn’t make everyone else evil like him! …And Professor Lupin didn’t even care to believe you.”

“That’s because he doesn’t know him.”

She wanted to hit him and stormed away instead, heading down the stairs and to her common room.

She sat down on a cushion and crossed her arms and legs. She decided she wouldn’t let a few months of hard potions lessons change her mind, even if it was just to spite Harry. She had a few hours before dinner and decided to catch up on her potion studies at one of the desks.

“Only a few hours until Hermione and Ron come back with treats,” she told herself. “Just focus on the feast.” That calmed her down and she was able to get to studying just fine, pushing Harry out of her mind.

~~~ * ~~~ * ~~~ * ~~~ * ~~~

                        Chapter List

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[yeetingmyfeeling]

Run, Run, Run!

Chapter one; Running From The Shadows Hands

A howl shook the trees. It bounced off the wood, vibrating through the forest. The bright, almost full, moon shone among the stars. There was not enough light source to help anyone running through the forest. Birds squawked, flying in the opposite direction of the howl. The howl that shook Brian to the core.

He had escaped. He had finally gotten out. No longer under the vice grips of his pack- his captors. He was just another fuckable, usable omega for them. Once they found out he was incapable of bearing a child, he became a play toy. His family should have stayed in Ireland.

Family. Ireland.

Brian bit back the tears, continuing to run as fast as his injured legs could take him. He was in his wolf form. His fur was brown, almost auburn, with a few blonde streaks. His icy blue eyes shone. 

There was another, shorter howl. Brian growled, ducking his head as he continued to push. 

Push, push, push.

Run, run, run!

A claw collided with the back of Brian’sleft leg, causing him to collapse, sliding forward. He yelped, mud getting into his mouth. Another wolf jumped on top of Brian, pinning his smaller form to the ground. The larger wolf howler, loud and long. Howls were heard in response, and Brian heard the paws pounding on the forest floor.

Brian struggled, thrashing his body around. He swiped, only to have his arm caught between a jaw. A whimper passed through Brian’s lips.

He was now surrounded by Alpha’s and Beta’s, all of them hungry. He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to just be let go.

A paw pressed down on his chest, making him open his eyes and look at the wolf above him. He heard the voice in his head speak, ‘This is your fifth escape this month,’ Brian huffed in response. 

The wolf stepped off of Brian, and he stared at the other in confusion. The others watched in their own state of confusion. The larger wolf nodded. ‘Leave, omega. If you can survive… But if you return, you will be in the dungeon.’ Brian rolled on to his side, going to haul his body up. The larger wolf swiped, his claws dragging down Brian’s chest, ripping flesh. Brian howled in pain. ‘Leave!’

Brian did not waste his time. He hauled himself up, wincing from the pain. He pushed off from his back paws, whimpering when his back leg stung. He ran as fast as he could, trying to ignore the barks and howls behind him.

Run, run, run!

~~~~~

Brian’s legs were aching at this point, his whole body in pain. He couldn’t transform back to his human form, he would most definitely die. He didn’t want to die. Not here, not like this. So he kept pushing, kept running. He ended up at a river. Sniffing the air, he could smell no other wolves. Just a few birds and smaller creatures. 

He drank from the river, enjoying the cold liquid as it slid down his dry throat. He drank until he felt content. After his drink, he caught a small, already injured rabbit, and ate that. He hated the taste rabbit left on his tongue, even if he was a wolf. 

Brian continued going. This time walking. His ears flat on his head, his tail dragging across the muddy forest floor. He whimpered. The cold night air hit his body, his cut on his belly. It had stopped bleeding, but even as he walked, it still stretched. 

As Brian kept walking, he found a large set of bushes. Sniffing around it, he could smell no other animals or anything. He lay underneath the leaves as best as he could. They gave him little warmth, but little was better than none. He hid his face in his paws and the exhaustion hit. He was soon asleep.

~~~~~

Heavy pants, growls and barking surrounded Brian as he was running once again. He breathed through his nose, running despite the pain alight in his body. He just wanted to catch a break. 

Real wolves were now chasing Brian. Not half wolves like Brian and his pack were. Real, animal ones. They were not happy with the human scent the slightly bigger wolf had, and had immediately launched an attack. They had attacked his eye, which previously already had an injury. He was sure it was never going to heal now. 

The world was going by him in a quick blur, and he had certainly stepped in another animal's shit from the awful smell now wafting in his nose. This didn’t make him stop. He ran with determination. Sadly, the new injury on his eye made it hard to see. He was slower, and collided with many trees, and alike. 

Several times the wolves had caught up to Brian, giving him scratches and bites. Each time, he got away. After running for who knows how long, the wolves faltered. They had gone too far from their territory. Brian silently cheered. He didn’t stop running. 

~~~~~

Brian was so tired of running. He was exhausted. His paws were saw, and his head heavy. He could barely keep his body up. He kept walking, hauling his body through trees. A strong smell hit his burning nose. It smelt like food.

Whining, Brian walked closer to the smell. It was night, and dark. As he got closer to the smell, there were lights, helping him find his way. He found his way through a group of bushes and ended up in a parking lot.

He froze, his one working eye looking around. He couldn’t smell any humans close, but he could still smell some, and hear them. His sore paws dragged his wolf form forward, despite his brains arguing. He ended up outside a window and whined again. 

A door opened. Brian’s head snapped, seeing two humans walk out. They noticed him right away. A quick sniff told Brian, these aren’t humans. He went to bark, having nothing come out. His body collapsed.

“Shit!” One of the men shouted. “Anthony, the fuck do we do?”

“Take him back with us?” The other man sounded anxious. “It’s an omega, male. We should call Evan.”

“You are an Alpha too, Anthony! You can make decisions.”

“I know Marcel but… it’s bringing another back to the pack. This is different.”

Marcel sighed. He dug into his pocket, pulling out a phone. He tapped away at the screen then brought it up to his ear. He walked closer to Brain, kneeling down next to him. Brian whimpered, trying to hide his face. “Evan, hey. We have a situation,” Marcel put a hand out to touch Brian’s paw, but the wolf brought it back to his chest. “We have an injured wolf, we can tell from his scent he’s like us. He’s covered in blood and mud, very obvious injuries…. Yeah, Anthony is with me… He said call you.. Okay, okay… Be there soon,” Marcel pocketed his phone and stood up. “He’s coming with us.”

Anthony nodded and walked over to Marcel and Brian. He bent down, digging his arms under Brian’s body. Brain whined and yapped. Anthony picked him up and began walking. They got to a car, and the wolf was placed in the back seat. With the other two in the front, the car started moving.

Brian had his good eye closed, just feeling the gentle vibrations of the car through his body. He felt some of his bloody, muddy fur stick to the car seat. He huffed loudly. 

The car came to a halt, and soon there were arms carrying Brian again. He made no noise of protest, just lay limp. He smelt many more people. Not humans, not wolves. People, like him. He was scared, and felt his body starting to shake. He felt like he could hear and smell everything with his anxiety.

A new voice filled his ears. “When you said injured I was expecting a few scrapes,” The voice murmured as it got closer. “Bring him in, put him in the spare room.”

“What about transforming back?” Marcel asked, right beside Brian’s head. “We need to patch up his injuries.”

“With the amount he has, it’s best to just wait for the wolf to do half of it,” Anthony was the one carrying him. “We can get Brock to do some stuff tonight, then when he changes in the morning, Brock can do more.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” The unnamed voice spoke again. “Most people are asleep, but I woke up Brock.”

“Good thinking Evan.”

It was quiet. Brian heard the beating of their hearts ringing in his ears, and their scents filled his nose. He was soon placed down on something soft. He hummed. He was warm and on something comfortable, despite not being too comfortable himself.

A new voice and scent filled the room, but Brian was too far gone to notice. Soon, the warm hands of sleep took him.

[dragon-fics]

DOS: Living In A Game (Spyro X Reader)

Chapter summary: You come back from a long day of shopping to sit down to play Spyro Reignited Trilogy. You're about to start playing the third game and you're pleased you have made it this far. As you start up the game, your screen fuzzes and you are brought into the game.

The first part is based off of this

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

(F/G) = Favourite Game

No POV

Bianca ran into the Sorceress's throne room, carrying a cream dragon egg with blue speckles. The rabbit skipped laboriously on the maroon and gold carpet up to the turquoise dinosaur.

"We managed to... capture the eggs... Your Highness. Every last one!" Bianca panted, holding up the dragon egg between the sleeves of her magenta cloak. She placed the egg at the foot of The Sorceress. She sat up and clapped delightfully.

"Excellent." She said joyously. "Maybe you will amount to something after all." She said, sitting back, a wide grin on her face. Bianca was taken aback. "Now go guard the tunnels!" She ordered, pointing to the door. "Stop anyone from coming through." She placed her fist firm on her armrest.

Bianca bowed and walked backwards out of the throne room. She sighed and thought of a spell to block the tunnels. She slipped out her wand and chanted a phrase. Only she mispronounced a few of the words. A wave of magic rippled through the land.

"That should have done it," she said, dusting her hands.

(Y/N)'s POV

I arrived home from an interminable day of shopping with my mum--despite my pleas to stay at home. I huffed, taking off my backpack and dropping it at the foot of my bed. I took off/out my headphones/earbuds, which were plugged into phone inside my (F/G) hoodie pocket. I slipped off my hoodie and hit the on-button on my console/CPU and turned on my TV/monitor. I loaded my Spyro Reignited Trilogy game disk and slipped it into the disk tray/slot. I grabbed my controller and connected it to my console/CPU. I then selected the game and the loading screen of Spryo frowning at the player with the three games in the background.

Then Spryo Reignited Trilogy popped up on the purple fog background with a stereotypical magic sound. I sat on my beanbag/chair/gaming chair. I pressed the continue button, and it brought me to a visual of the three games; Spyro The Dragon, Ripto's Rage and Year Of The Dragon. Above Spyro The Dragon and Ripto's Rage there was 100%. And above Year of the Dragon was 0%. I pressed on the third game and watched the three cutscenes where Bianca the Rabbit stole the dragon eggs with the help of the Sorceress' minions; when she told the Sorceress that the mission was a success; and when the fairy told the dragons what had happened to the dragon eggs. Then the game brought me to the view of Spyro looking out over a lush green spring and Hunter running off to find the dragon eggs--God, how I hate that NPC. I touch the joystick to turn around when my controller shocks me and a white light flashes before my eyes.

***

In a flash of light, I'm brought into the world that I had just been Spyro standing in, right in the spot where he had stood, I turn around, hearing the unmissable sound of Spyro collecting gems. The purple and gold dragon turned to face me. He stood at my abdomen.

"Who are you?" He asked, raising a brow, Sparx hovered beside him.

"Spyro?" I ask. "How are you right in front of me?" I touch him on the brow--he's solid, so this isn't some VR game. It's then I see it--I too am a cartoon.

"Well, I'm real, that's how I'm in front of you," Spyro said with some cheek. I fell silent. "Seeing as you know who I am, can I know who you are?"

"I'm (Y/N)."

"Well, (Y/N), since you're here, how about you help us find the dragon eggs?"

"Sure," I shrug. I follow him. We first went around collecting gems, though I could walk right through rather than be able to collect them. When we were near the portal to Sunny Villa, I noticed one of the dragon eggs on a platform.

"Spyro, over there," I said, pointing to the egg.

"Got it," he said, sprinting over and jumping onto the platform. I followed suit and stood on the platform while he collected the green and red gems around it. He then stood in front of the egg and it hatched. Out of the egg hatched Isabell, a grey dragonling with cyan horns and wings. The hatchling tried to fly but fell. The dragonling looked at me and circled my feet.

"Mama!" Isabelle chirped, even though I'm a human male/female. And no sooner had it spoken, a cocoon of light surrounded it and teleported it back to the dragon world.

"That was weird," Spyro noted before running off again. We soon ran into a fairy who gave Spyro some advice and then Bianca showed up, trying to scare Spyro. But she failed, as all the villains do in Spyro.

Spyro, Sparx, Hunter and I raced around hatching eggs and collecting gems, before finally releasing Sheila the Kangaroo from Moneybags. Each time we hatched a dragonling, it would run up to me and call me Mama, which was, as Spyro said, weird, but they were too cute to not enjoy the nickname.

After collecting all the eggs from Sunrise Spring, Sheila's Alp, Sunny Villa, Cloud Spires, Molten Crater, Seashell Shore, Mushroom Speedway, Buzz's Dungeon and Crawdad Farm, when Spyro had unlocked the Back Home wind current, a special portal opened beside it. Spyro turned to me.

"We, this sure has been fun, (Y/N)," Spyro said.

"Yeah, it has," I replied, scratching him under the chin, just where he liked it. I turned to the portal.

"And (Y/N)," I turned around, "stop crashing into cliffs."

I laughed and ran through the portal.

***

I woke up dreary eyed and confused. I was in my bed, my controller sat on my desk as it always did. I sat up and sighed.

"I really dreamt about going shopping with Mum."

[evening-blossoms]

So um. I'm a total idiot and forgot an entire day of my own challenge. I was gonna keep it that way since nobody had noticed but... that day was something I'd wanted to talk about for a while so...

Welcome to the very late and out-of-schedule day 10 of my SGE Challenge

Characters I would rewrite

Buckle down cause oooooh boy do I have shit to say - and because of this I'll be deviating from what I usually do and write a rant post instead! Given I don't want to make a way too long post, I'll simply go over a brief explanation of why they're in the list and what I'd change.

Kei of Foxwood (tw: drugging mention)

So this fucking asshole here apparently will get a redemption arc uh. I Actually already talked about this in this post I submitted but I will go over it again because it was kinda poorly worded imo (especially because it was written by sleep-deprived me at 3am)

Which is poorly driven given it starts with "Oh No! My beloved Rhian is dead, what shall be of me without my dear?". No. A good redemption arc should start with "Fuck I did something terrible and genuinly regret this and want to work on becoming a better person and fixing the mess I've made." Also, seems like Kei's form of redemption will be death and no, he should live with the consequences of what he's done.

Speaking of which - his redemption will also feel like an insult to the readers because seriously? He's way past redemption point for me now. He already was from QFG when he drugged Dot (which was something quite unecessary and Soman used an Extremely complicated and sensitive topic for the sake of shock value - but that's a whole new rabbit hole I'm not jumping into right now). And in ACOT he follows Rhian's orders which include attacking practically defenseless teenagers

So with that in mind, I'd either have Kei die the piece of shit he is or rewrite his arc from QFG in order to make a good redemption. First, erase that part with Dot and find another way to get to the keys. Again, it was an act that can be considered violence against women written down just for shock value. Given we do not have other scenes with Kei (except for the dungeons one), I'll leave it that for QFG.

In ACOT, start on his very first actual scene - the dinner scene. Have him hesitant on following Rhian's orders there, and perhaps hint it goes a bit deeper than hesitance. Then escalate it to him openly challenging Rhian's orders during that moment before the Blessing. The attack on SGE would be the first moment we see a greater act from him - maybe somehow going behind Rhian's back to stop that attack??? His last scene in the book is during the carriage ride with Sophie - when Kei tells her he's been going behind Rhian's back to stop the attacks he was able to, and knew he had to fix he'd made when he locked Tedros in the dungeons back in QFG. He agrees to help her somehow - but it goes terribly wrong when Japeth survives.

I myself still need to see a bit more how that could be well executed but that's the basic idea - have Kei's actions start from much earlier and have doing the right thing as motivation, not his love for Rhian - if anything, that should be a source of struggle.

Hort of Bloodbrook

This is can be either a rewrite of his own arc or a rewrite of the light he's written in.

He is a Nice Guy tm. Lets not try to pretend he isn't because he is.

He spends the entire first trilogy obssessing over Sophie, and acting entitled to her because he's a guy who's "genuine and truthful" or what so ever. Sure, Sophie might not be a perfect innocent girl and she did treat people who cared for her like shit at times, but that doesn't change the fact she never liked him. And even though she was wrong in parading him around like a "suitor" when trying to win Tedros' attention, she never again makes mention to liking Hort, or wanting to date him, or what so ever, and honestly, good for her! You should never date someone just because they have feelings for you.

Liking someone doesn't make you entitled to having them, and it doesn't make them obligated to like you back. And this what Hort can't understand. And not to mention he acts pretty sexist during the School Years:

"Every time he was free of rivals for Sophie’s attention, they always returned, more meddling than ever. Why couldn’t these toads mind their own business? Or die like Rafal did? True, he’d had Sophie to himself these past six months, but most of that was spent waiting out her I’m-an-Independent-Woman phase..." Quests for Glory, chapter 9: "Who Would Want a Hort?"

And also later during ACOT, in which he treats Nicola pretty badly

“Not bad enough, whatever it is,” Hort’s voice said, hijacking the demon. “He got us into this mess by fawning over Rhian like a lovedrunk girl.”

“Oh, so being a ‘girl’ is an insult now?” Nicola’s voice ripped, the demon suddenly looking animated in agreement. (A Crystal Of Time, chapter 5: Sophie's Choice)

There are other examples but I don't want to digress so this is how Hort is. I'd like to rewrite him into a person who had a immature crush on a girl and bent over backwards to get her attention - all of this a product of his own insecurity - but that grows out of it and in the process, also into a mature person who's confident in himself.

Also, in case someone doesn't understand: the problem isn't a crush. Having crushes is totally normal and ok, and so is not having them! The problem is when your crush over someone becomes nearly obssessive because of your immaturity and inner problems.

And as I was gonna talk about the light Hort's written in: all of this bullshit, and he's written as the nice underdog who we are supposed to root for. Soman keeps romanticizing him and that kind of behavior and that's terrible. So I'd either change Hort's behavior or write him in the light of what it truly is.

Rhian of Foxwood

Honestly? I liked him as a villain. I have no problem with him believing he was doing Good - in fact, I liked it! It's a good contrast to the previous villains, who knew they were Evil, wanted to be this way and took pride in it.

What I would change are just two things: one is that last kiss scene with Sophie during chapter 25 of ACOT, since it was absolute bullshit after all the shit he did to her which I don't feel the need to list - we all know it.

Second thing, I'd have made him a seer! Soman missed a huge potential when he made Rhian a Sader without giving him the seer abilities. That whole "Third Mysterious Pen" deal was unecessary, and it could be replaced by Rhian's visions.

And guys, come on - EVIL SEER IS A DOPE CONCEPT.

Nicola of Woods Beyond

Don't get me wrong, I love Nicola - and this is kind of why she's in this list, actually.

She's an amazing character - bookworm represent! She's also one of the few poc representation this book has, so I like it went to someone as amazing and smart as Nic. 

So for that I think Nicola should have been explored more. She's usually put as background character and only brought up when it's convenient - she's basically plot device. Which sucks because again, she's awesome. I'd have explored her ability to apply what she learns in stories to real-life issues a bit more, and paired her up with Agatha more times! Both are brilliant girls and I feel Agatha was at times dumbed down so Nicola could solve the problems, and honestly, I hate it when a character is dimmed so the other can shine.

So I'd have put them together - Agatha, experienced and quick-thinker, and Nicola, an extremely smart girl who doesn't really have half the experience Agatha has in the Woods. They both learn from each other - it's a deal of teacher (Agatha) learning from the student (Nicola). 

And allow me to push the Nicphie agenda here - I'd totally expand her relation with Sophie - explored their feelings going from mutual hatred to mutual respect to liking each other to very lesbian love. The Best enemies to lovers.

Also, SOMAN WHAT WAS THAT OF CAVING IN THE SCHOOL FOR EVIL AND SADER TELLING THE DEANS TO ACCEPT HER I DEMAND EXPLANATIONS

And lastly I'd remove the Hicola part super unecessary lmao

So that's it! I actually have some more to talk about but I didn't know how to word it properly and I don't want to make a super long post lmao. I might make a part two of this, but separate for the challenge!

I apologize for the disruption in schedule, I legit forgot day 10 lmao. I'll be doing Day 13 tomorrow so hopefully everything will go back to normal!