#annihilating a group of demons causing trouble?

[allastoredeer]

Currenting editing the next chapter of "Damage Control," and I'm absolutely giggling over Alastor being unable to navigate the bigger, grander hotel and all its twisting halls.

Our big, powerful Radio Demon is lost and he can't even shadow travel to find Luci's room quicker. Poor baby.

[thebladeblaster]

Digimon Tamer ZERO -Earth Arc-

Chapter 5 The Countdown to Annihilation Begins

The Legendary Warriors finally allowed themselves to collapse in exhaustion after things calmed down. It seemed that Aichi’s threat somehow reached everyone. They still didn’t quite understand what his deal was. However there were still plenty of minions of the Demon Lords causing trouble.

“Okay, what was with that?! I’m glad everyone isn’t fighting anymore but…”, Kouji said.

“I know…There was an unknown variable that entered the fray Seraphimon didn’t know about till it was too late.”, Sorcerermon explained.

“What are you talking about?”, JP asked.

“A horrible virus from this world…Link Joker.”, Sorcerermon revealed.

In France…

Olivier was checking over an entire orphanage making sure that every kid was fine. Quite a few were injured from the hysteria the invasion created. There was also a few more missing.

The teen’s heart sank.

“I’ve failed again…”, Olivier thought.

It felt like the weight of the world had collapsed on him. In a few hours the world had been thrown into worse chaos than the Link Joker incident.

Heavily populated areas with intensive subway systems were mostly decimated. Not all of them were lucky enough to have strong tamers defending them. Thankfully it seems mostly limited to those kinds of areas but the invading forces were branching out from those areas. The safest areas seemed to be were rural towns.

A few people were grouped around a map of the city. They marked off areas that the invaders dominated. They occupied areas which left them completely boxed into the city like rats.

Their choices were to pierce through their defenses and run to a rural safe haven or defeat them. The latter seemed nearly impossible as they continuously flooded the subway. With the time difference they could easily produce more to replace the ones lost undoing their progress.

They needed someway to get out of this unwinnable situation. They needed someone…

???…

Alien buildings were collapsing and sinking into the earth. Screams echoed throughout as unrecognizable creatures were picked off or assimilated.

It was hell.

It happened despite all their futile efforts to survive. They cried and screamed that they’ve gotten past worst conflicts but it didn’t matter. Their technology became buried beneath sand and their culture faded away all the same.

The planet was left dead.

Completely void of life.

Aichi looked over the decimated alien planet from a ship hovering above. Or at least that was the perspective he saw it from. He thinks he was someone else.

“Another planet subjugated.”, an unknown voice said.

“I’m dreaming again…”, Aichi thought.

He was a spectator watching through someone else’s perspective. The demonic machines of Link Joker bowed to him in unison when they passed. Disturbingly so like a hivemind. He walked over to a throne as he passed those assimilated. There was a hint of emotion but it seemed heavily suppressed. Then, he sat upon the throne overlooking the horrid legion of Link Joker.

“Why am I seeing this? Is this your idea of crushing my hopes? Showing me people you hurt? That won’t work. It only strengthens my resolve to banish you from this world.”, Aichi thought.

“What wishful thinking. The Void has already progressed past such tactics.”, Aichi froze as he heard…his voice?

The memory melted away revealing a black void. Across from Aichi stood himself in that general-like tailcoat. It was Void Aichi.

Aichi was stunned.

“The heck…? What…what is this?!”, Aichi questioned.

“I AM you. The emissary of Link Joker.”, Void Aichi replied.

“I’m not…”, Aichi started.

“Yes, you are. We’re becoming one with the Void.”, Void Aichi interrupted.

Aichi gritted his teeth and gave his counterpart a determined gaze.

“I won’t let it win! I will seal it away before it’s done!”, Aichi declared.

“At least you’ve tempered your expectations a bit. You’re less delusional than Kai, but you’re still wrong. You don’t have that much time. We both know you won’t seal away yourself till you’re sure everyone is safe from the Demon Lords and you’ll succumb before that happens.”, Void Aichi replied.

“I’ll make it. I HAVE to for my friends and the world.”, Aichi denied.

Void Aichi snickered.

“The world? And exactly do we owe the world?”, Void Aichi questioned sarcastically.

“Everything.”, Aichi answered.

His counterpart then broke into full on laughter as Aichi narrowed his eyes.

“Really now? We owe the world everything? For what? The merciless beatings it gave us? All the psychopaths high off power we had to deal with? The shunning? The unreliable and backstabbing friends? Having a deadbeat of a father?”, Void Aichi questioned.

Aichi flinched at the friends comment and particularly the father one.

“Our friends are not like that.”, Aichi denied.

“So, you agree on my other points then?”, Void Aichi questioned.

“Things were…hard but they got better. We were able to change that. We’re not helpless. That change happened because of our friends. Sure mistakes were made but no one’s perfect. I certainly wouldn’t say that about any of them.”, Aichi explained.

“You would. I just did. You simply aren’t willing to admit the truth just as Dynasmon says. These people aren’t your friends. They’re just weakness so that the world can torture us harder.”, Void Aichi replied.

“You really think I’m going to let you gaslight me? That’s not how I feel. I know how I feel and I won’t let anything warp that.”, Aichi declared stubbornly.

“It is what we want. You won’t admit how you really feel deep down. Everyone just goes on everyday playing out the play of their meaningless lives. Futility trying to achieve happiness while dragging others down in their attempts to achieve it. Even if that means beating them down or worse…Wiping away everything…that pointless play and their lives would be doing everyone a favor.”, Void Aichi explained.

“Is this a joke? You’re seriously just making fun of me now, Void. I’ve never been THAT angsty and definitely never that gaudy with that showy outfit.”, Aichi replied as he raised his eyebrow.

He completely brushed off Void Aichi’s nihilistic comments.

“We did feel that way before you let yourself get blinded by Kai and Blaster Blade! You know I’m right…back during that time!”, Void Aichi declared.

Aichi seemed unfazed.

If anything Aichi smiled confidently which told him he was failing. Unfortunately his words didn’t seem to have the same impact as they did on Kai.

“Back during THAT time. But that’s not how I feel anymore. I’m content now. I want to live…and I have my friends to thank for that. So, I’m going to give up everything to save them because they mean that much to me. Even if that means I’m going to disappear from their lives.”, Aichi replied resolutely as he raised his fists.

Void Aichi looked annoyed at his counterpart’s bravado.

“There you go acting like a confident leader again…But that’s not who we are! All that strength is a mere illusion…”, Void Aichi hissed as he glared at Aichi.

“Is it now? There must be something to it if I’ve made it this far. We wouldn’t be having this conversation if that was the case.”, Aichi replied.

Void Aichi grimaced, his gaze was filled with hatred. He gripped his fists and strode over to his counterpart.

“I couldn’t finish off Kai so I suppose I’ll just settle with you.”, Void Aichi hissed, as the sword returned.

Aichi’s eyes widened and his mouth was in an O shape.

“Now…that’s concerning. Wait…what do mean finish off K-woah!”, Aichi replied and his counterpart swung the blade at him.

His body moved unconsciously and caught the blade between his hands. Aichi was sweating intensely.

“Isn’t this the third murder attempt, Void?! No…fourth I think…C-can you stop trying to kill me?!”, Aichi questioned as he struggled to hold the blade back.

“I wouldn’t have to keep trying if you just gave up and died!”, Void Aichi replied as he pushed down the blade harder.

Aichi was sweating more as the blade neared him. He gritted his teeth as his Psyqualia flared up and he was engulfed in a light blue aura. His eyes flashed as he pushed the blade back and his counterpart away from him.

“You know I wouldn’t be adverse to a cardfight instead.”, Aichi said as he exhaled a deep breath.

He flinched as the reverse aura tried to consume his again and the aura around his counterpart spiked.

“You’re getting weaker and weaker as you try to struggle.”, Void Aichi commented as Aichi fell to his knees.

When there was a small glow in Aichi’s pocket he put the blade away. Or at least he almost did.

“What are you doing?”, the void hissed in the counterpart’s mind as he had a similar smirk to the one Aichi did.

Aichi grabbed his chest as he was breathing heavily. The reverse aura clung to him like a parasite sucking away his energy and adding it to its own. His body was shaking as he looked back up to his counterpart who looking down at him.

He prepared to swing at Aichi as the light twinkled for a moment. This time the Void stopped the blade. Void Aichi’s eyes were shadowed.

“You…you're not listening to me. Damn human…”, the Void cursed in his mind.

Void Aichi was still smirking.

The Void was fuming.

This fucking human.

It swears he’s the most annoying life form that he’s ever taken as a vessel. It should have been more suspicious at how much time it took for him to stab Kai. Luckily for it Aichi was too busy being sucked of his energy to notice that light.

In Card Capital…

“Kai, what are you talking about?! Why were you bleeding?!”, Miwa questioned.

“It’s a long story…”, Kai replied, not wanting to go into the details.

“We have time. You’re not going anywhere in that condition anyway.”, Misaki replied.

Kai grumbled.

Well shit…now he has to explain.

To be fair, as much as he didn’t want to fully explain the experience he went through it would be a good idea to warn them of what the Void could do.

“The Void has become able to use Aichi’s Psyqualia without him even noticing.”, Kai said.

“Holy…What?!”, Kamui gasped as those in the know about Psyqualia looked panicked.

“I thought that was an important thing to start with.”, Kai replied.

“For sure! If any of us got stopped in the middle of the street like you did we could get killed!”, Miwa said.

“How exactly does Psywhatia do that?”, Naoki questioned.

“Kourin can explain.”, Kai replied, simply shouldering her with that burden.

“Psyqualia can mess with the senses of its user and anyone they target. This can put them both in a convincing illusion.”, Kourin explained.

Emi gaped when she realized her brother could do that.

“The Void used it to mess with me. It started by taunting me then I ended up cardfighting Aichi…kinda.”, Kai explained.

“You aren’t reversed are you?!”, Kamui gasped.

Kai simply shook his head no.

“It wasn’t real so any of the normal consequences weren’t present. Aichi refused to fight me and the Void casted that illusion so it could.”, Kai replied.

Everyone took a sigh of relief that Kai wasn’t reversed.

“How do we know you aren’t reversed?”, Shingo questioned.

“Check my deck.”, Kai replied, simply.

Miwa checked Kai’s deck to assure everyone and found no яeverse units.

“That’s a relief…”, Naoki sighed.

“What do you mean you fought Aichi and why do you sound so unsure? You were alternating between referring to Aichi and the Void.”, Misaki questioned.

“I fought the emissary. He took the form of Takuto last time. This time he took the form of Aichi. He claimed that “the emissary is the one who is the Void’s avatar who will inevitably be assimilated into it”…”, Kai explained as everyone looked very alarmed.

“W-wait if that’s true then is Aichi—“, Emi questioned in panic before Misaki put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“He said Aichi is running out of time which implies he hasn’t been completely consumed by the Void yet and he was talking about trying to end Aichi’s resistance.”, Kai replied.

Emi was still shaking but she felt slightly less panicked.

“This is messed up…That thing is such a sore loser!”, Naoki commented.

“That sounds so scary…The human world has truly terrifying viruses.”, Dracomon commented.

“Anyway he fought, then after I lost he continued to mess with me until I pulled out this device. It shot a light at the Void which had a purifying effect but it was too weak. That’s why we need more.”, Kai explained.

“I see. It’s certainly worth a shot.”, Misaki replied.

“Oh you need exactly eight actually.”, Dracomon said.

Everyone froze.

They suddenly all turned their attention to Dracomon.

“What are you talking about?”, Crusadermon questioned.

“Oh right…I keep forgetting that you guys don’t remember. You only need eight specific Digivices. Yours in fact of the eight Digidestined. They are special because they contain the crests that were forged by Lucemon. Together all eight crests can purify all evil. After beating it up of course.”, Dracomon explained.

Kai sat up completely focusing his attention on his partner.

“Who’s included in the eight?”, Kai asked.

“Well…there you, Aichi, Ren, Misaki, Kamui, Miwa, Naoki, and Kourin.”, Dracomon revealed.

“Excuse me…what?!”, Naoki questioned as he looked over to the others.

“I’m just as confused as you are!”, Kamui replied.

Kai tried to get up again much to Misaki’s annoyance.

“We need to get Ren and find Aichi.”, Kai said.

“You can’t move around too much or you’ll open up your wounds. I know you want to help Aichi but you can’t help him if you don’t help yourself.”, Miwa warned.

“We don’t have time. You know we don’t.”, Kai replied, very seriously as he met his gaze.

Miwa’s fists shook as he furrowed his eyebrows and looked down.

“Thank you for informing us Dracomon and for saving me earlier.”, Kai said as the others looked shocked.

“It’s no trouble! We’re best buddies!”, Dracomon replied as he hugged his arm.

Dracomon’s words were vaguely familiar to Kai but he felt like it was on the tip of his tongue. Like he knew it but his mind couldn’t recall it for the life of him.

“Is mommy okay…?”, Herissmon questioned, in concern.

“Aichi will be fine. We’ll help him.”, Misaki replied.

“We have to make a decision now. We’re going to go out there and rush to stop the Void or wait and figure out this memory nonsense in the meantime.”, Kourin said.

“Alright…If that’s what you’re gonna do Kai I’ll make sure that you don’t get yourself too hurt. Easy now.”, Miwa replied as Kai was slowly brought to his feet.

“I’m coming too!”, Emi said.

“W-what, Miss Emi?!”, Kamui questioned.

“We talked about it and I realized she’s way too much like Aichi so logic would not work…”, Misaki sighed.

“I-I’ll make sure to keep you safe!”, Kamui said to Emi.

“Don’t worry Kamui I got Herissmon. See?”, Emi replied as she revealed the Digivice.

Many of them looked wide eyed at seeing the Digivice.

“Well…if she can fight she can fight…Just be careful. Herissmon is just a rookie.”, Kourin replied.

They all quickly got prepared to leave.

“Emi, where are you going?!”, Shizuka questioned.

“I’m going to find brother I’ll be back!”, Emi replied as she practically ran out to make sure she didn’t stop her.

“W-wait Emi! It’s too dangerous!”, Shizuka called out.

“Don’t worry we’ll watch her, Mrs.Sendou!”, Naoki assured.

Before she could stop them the door was sealed shut to prevent break in. She shook as she sat in front of the door.

“What is wrong with my kids…?”, Shizuka thought.

Elsewhere…

A strange brown monkey-like creature with a large tribal mask was doing some sort of strange dance. This energy was imbued into a set of cards.

From behind a large sign a tiny light pink Digimon watched him cautiously.

With the others…

“I guess it will be awhile before we get a chance to catch up.”, Dracomon thought sadly.

This was neither the time or place for that. Right now Kai was focused on Aichi solely. Crusadermon was watching the area around them like a hawk.

“Where did that cat go? It must be hiding till it can regain its full power. I must smite it before then.”, Crusadermon thought.

“I need to find my Digimon quickly so I can protect Miss Emi and save bro!”, Kamui thought.

“You think finding Ren would be a good idea?” Miwa questioned.

“We should probably find the Digimon first. I imagine his hands are full protecting Team Asteroid.”, Misaki replied.

As they spoke Crusadermon effortlessly and mercilessly shot adversarial Digimon out of the sky. They were defeated in a single blow leaving them stunned.

Then…

Crusadermon tensed. She suddenly had a horrible feeling.

“Get behind me!”, Crusadermon yelled as she flew forward.

Quickly she raised her shield as a blast impacted it. The source of the attack was a bizarre looking purple dragon. Its body looked mechanical.

“The hell is that?!”, Naoki questioned.

“I believe it’s a mega Digimon. We all need to be careful.”, Kourin warned.

Crusadermon remained in a defensive position as she surveyed the threat. Smaller multicolored metallic creatures came to the mysterious Digimon’s side.

“W-We can help!”, Emi said.

“That won’t be enough against them.”, Kourin warned.

The group looked nervous as the threat encroached. There was some rustling from behind him.

“C-Crap!”, Miwa gasped.

Some frightened people with weapon’s appeared. They were boxed in.

With Aichi…

“I feel something warm and comforting…I…”, Aichi thought.

He started to reach for where he felt it. Before he could it was swiped away. Aichi’s eyes widened.

“That’s…”, Aichi said.

Once again the eyes of his Void counterpart were completely blank lacking any amusement. It seemed that it was completely the Void again. Without thinking, Aichi inches forward still hunched over. The Void turns, keeping the device away from him.

“It won’t happen. I won’t allow you to escape me, Sendou Aichi.”, the Void said.

Aichi struggled to stand as he faced the Void with determination. A spark of hope filled him at the Void’s reaction to the device.

“G-Give it back! That Digivice scares you doesn’t it? Is that it?”, Aichi questioned.

“It won’t matter because it won’t happen. We will become one. I won’t let you awaken until we do.”, the Void explained.

“You can’t do that!”, Aichi denied.

“Can’t I? I’ve become quite rooted into your body.”, the Void said.

Aichi sweated nervously. He brought his hand to his chest and burned from the seed. It felt as if it wasn't just stabbing itself into his flesh but his soul as well. He tried to wake up but he couldn’t.

Time passed. Aichi wasn’t sure for how long or if the time passing was even the same between here and the real world. He kept trying to wake up again and again.

Nothing.

His body wouldn’t obey him.

The bluenette’s expression became desperate.

With the others…

Crusadermon fired at the attacking Digimon. There were lots but she could easily blow away the ultimates. That mysterious Digimon was another story. It survived her blasts and kept firing back forcing her to defend the others.

“What’s with these foolish humans? This isn’t the time…”, Crusadermon thought.

Dracomon and Heirssmon were on guard behind her. They stood in front of the humans. Suddenly the sky became insanely bright. When one looked up they instantly got flash banged by light. It was as if the sun itself came down to Earth. In that moment the people of Tokyo’s hearts skipped a beat.

Over Tokyo…

Daemon menacingly hung over Tokyo. He casted a overpowering light that seemed to ensnare everything in despair. His wings were like hands that would take everything. Everything had been falling into place.

“It’s only a matter of time. One way or another I won’t have to fear Tamer ZERO soon and the world shall be MINE.”, Daemon thought.

He did not care for whatever Beezlemon planned. He would destroy the Digidestined before they got a chance to rise up. This Hellfire hung above Tokyo threatening to scorch everything until there was nothing left in an instant.

“Die.”, Daemon declared as he sent down Hellfire upon Tokyo.

It rained down like a biblical disaster. The Digimon rushed to cover their partners. Light had completely engulfed their vision. The light of destruction.

To be continued…

A cliffhanger…wow I’m evil. Anyway next time I’ll try to get the next chapter out sooner.

[notyourfathersdungeonmaster]

How to Make Powerful NPCs Interesting Again

We all know the trope: the powerful wizard hires the party to go run some minor errand, which inevitably leads to them stumbling onto the World-Ending Plot, which they have to solve, alone, with only the occasional advice from their wizened mentor. It's a trope as old as time; even Hercules got occasional boons from godly beings to help him on his quests. It's a great narrative device, until some player stops and asks, "If this wizard is able to stop time with a snap of his fingers, why doesn't he just stride into the field and shove a ninth-level fireball into the Lich's cranial cavity?"

This simple bit of cognitive dissonance can really ruin the fun and undermine the urgency of an otherwise great adventure. If the party knows that the only reason they're on this quest is because Randalf the Off-White can't be bothered to deal with the horde of undead outside his tower, it can make them feel like chumps or patsies, and undermine any sense of gratitude that comes later during the campaign's denouement.

There's a few simple ways to fix this, though: tricks that can help you, the DM, keep your high level NPCs while also explaining why the great powers of the world are relying on this band of scrappy adventurers to solve all their problems. Below are just a few.

The Balance of Powers

This principle is a great one, but is often sadly overlooked in many campaigns. Simply put, in the above example, the wizard mentor doesn't get involved not because he can't, but because doing so would bring in a whole host of other powerful beings that would complicate the conflict. Perhaps there's a council of archmages who have all agreed, for the sake of maintaining the fabric of reality, that they should keep their Ninth-level spells in their pockets unless they all agree it's necessary. Perhaps the BBEG has a patron on the Council, and the mentor can't interfere on his own without dragging his evil opposite into the campaign. This can actually make for a great part of the climactic battle: the mentor decides he can't stay on the sidelines anymore, and joins the fray, participating in an epic wizard's duel.

This can also be used with deities bestowing boons on the party: they can act indirectly by helping the party, perhaps because one of their rival deities is already helping the BBEG. Thus, the conflict of the campaign turns into a proxy war for a larger divine conflict that can't be fought, because it would annihilate all of existence. If you do take this path, make sure your NPC stresses to the party how essential it is that they solve this issue, because if the major players themselves join the fight, no one will survive.

The Protector of Reality

Similar to the Balance of Powers, this rationale places the Epic NPC in a conflict from which they cannot afford to divert their attention or resources, even for a moment. Perhaps there is a constant threat of otherworldly incursion for which they need all (or almost all) of their capabilities; after all, you don't want to be caught with your pants down and your spell slots expended when Tiamat bursts through the material plane like an alien parasite from a man's stomach. Even the threat of such an apocalyptic event would mean that, like a missile in a silo, an epic level NPC would have to sit dormant, never expending his magical capabilities because he never knows when they may be required. This is actually a great archetype to use for the Wizard in the Tower trope; they may have built themselves a convenient magical retreat at great cost because they couldn't afford the spell slot to cast Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion everyday, not while that same spell slot may be needed to banish an archduke of the Nine Hells. So, they sit in the tower, separated from the affairs of the world by necessity - but, still caring about the world and wanting to make sure it's not a shit place to live, they can find and recruit adventurers to handle the more mundane threats that don't shake the foundations of the universe. This is also a great twist finale to use on the party: perhaps the Wizard in the Tower joins them in the final boss battle, expending all his magical power -- only for, at that moment, the threat he's been guarding against for centuries to finally arrive, and now it's up to the party to stand against them where he cannot.

The Otherworldly Being

This works especially well with warlock patrons, but it can work similarly well with questgivers and friendly NPCs that have an otherworldly or spiritual bent. The key idea is that the force recruiting, motivating, and rewarding the players is not located on the material plane itself and is therefore unable to act on it; they need to find a local agent to handle the problem. There is plenty of inspiration throughout myth and folklore; dream visitations, whether by angels, fiends, fey, or Lovecraftian horrors, are particularly common as an impetus to get an uncooperative character to fall into line. There are more tangible methods of communication as well; perhaps they are a being of immense power that is trapped in every mirror in the world and needs an agent to eventually get them free, or perhaps they can only manifest through signs and omens that require interpretation. If you want to pull from Greek mythology, there's also the possibility of a dedicated oracle who acts as the voice of the gods, but gives only vague, ominous prophecies that won't reveal their true weight until later. In all cases, a clear distinction is established between the power of the questgiver and the limitations of their abilities to influence the mortal realm, making the party the ones with agency in the situation.

The Hidden BBEG

You'll want to be careful how you use this one, because you only get one shot to pull it off with a given group, and once the players suspect something it is really, really hard to recover from it. The basic premise is that the powerful NPC who recruited them, who sent them off to fight against the Big Bad Evil Guy, was secretly a villain themselves, trying to bring down their rival or clear the way for their own scheme. Think of Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars, sending the Jedi across the galaxy to deal with the Sith and the CIS, only to betray them all. Unfortunately this has become a major trope, and given how paranoid players typically are, it's very hard to pull off. There's a couple of tricks to making it work, and some of them may seem counterintuitive.

Do not make the Hidden BBEG perfect or flawless. Establish a set of motives for their actions, ones that may seem prosaic but also have a selfish bent. The high priest wants to rid the land of the evil king who is oppressing the population, but who is also stifling the priest's ability to build his church. The noble ruler wants to defeat the opposing empire that threatens the peace and stability of his lands, but also is motivated by revenge for the war crimes committed in the past. Create a pretext that puts them on the same side as the party, but a subtext that leaves the party slightly uneasy. If the party is concerned about their ally having selfish motives, they'll be expecting selfishness, even recklessness, but not duplicity and betrayal.

Do not reveal the full capabilities of the Hidden BBEG. If anything, they should appear to be about mid-level; capable, but not able to handle world-shaking threats. Most often they are hiding their capabilities until some final piece is brought into their grasp. One excellent example would be Fraz-Urb'luu, one of the demon princes of the Abyss, who is obsessed with recovering his staff of power; as a Hidden BBEG, he might pose as a friend to the party, waiting until they recover all the pieces and bring them to him before he strikes, showing his true might. Another excellent example is the Heirophant from the classic geek movie The Gamers: Dorkness Rising.

Show genuine conflict in the Hidden BBEG. Let them display passion and inner conflict, moments where they are troubled by the methods the party uses and the methods they and their followers are forced to use. There's an old adage that every villain is the hero of their own story; if you can make that ring true for your Hidden BBEG, to make the party invested in not just their cause but in maintaining their moral character, then the betrayal will hurt even more.

The Common Crowd

This might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes the best Epic NPC isn't epic at all, but just a collection of ordinary folk. If your campaign originates in a specific village or town, especially one full of colorful, memorable NPCs with personal ties to the party, then the collective needs and will of that settlement can become a questgiver NPC in its own right. The town is suffering from an unnatural drought? Send the party to seek out aid or a magical cure. The town is displaced following an invasion? Keeping the town safe and finding them a new home becomes a priority. This can also become a source of individualized side quests for the PCs; they're likely to be far more concerned about seeking out the rare medicine required to save the orphan girl who the rogue took under wing than they are about exploring a random tomb for loot drops. Plus, if the PCs invest their time and effort into protecting the town, it can make for an amazing final battle when the townsfolk come to support the party in battle, armed with everything they can get their hands on, ready to die for their heroes (a.k.a. The 'Mass Effect' Effect).

I hope these provide some good inspiration for your campaign! Let me know if there's any tricks you've used on your campaigns that worked particularly well, or any that you think should be added.

[blackarachnya]

kayla bigprettygothgf’s halloween recommendation list

I know it’s a little late into October to publish this, and I had wanted to get this out at the start of the month, other things just got in the way of my time. But, I finished it anyway.

I’ve divided this into two parts - First, movies that are available on the big three streaming services - Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Second, movies that are not available on those services and you’ll have to get via… other means. All in all there’s over 70 films here.

Summaries are either written by me or lifted from letterboxd. Because I’m lazy.

It probably goes without saying that almost all of these come with a CW for violence. Violence will only be mentioned specifically in CWs in more extreme cases.

If I’ve missed any applicable content warnings here, please message me about it! it’s been a while since I’ve seen many of these movies and it’s likely there’s some details I’ve forgotten.

Full list under the cut.

Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu

  -Annihilation (2018)

A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don’t apply.

   -Genres: Alien invasion, body horror, sci-fi horror

   -Content warnings: Death of a lesbian character 

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu

-Apostle (2018)

Netflix original horror tends to be very hit or miss, more often than not a catastrophic miss. While not without its flaws, Apostle is fortunately one of the better releases to the service, offering a very The Wicker Man (1973)-esque story about a man who travels to a remote island in search of his sister who has been kidnapped by a cult.

   -Genres: Cult horror, historical period horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Netflix

-As Above, So Below (2014)

While the dialogue in the film borders on unintentional comedy at times, As Above, So Below is a surprisingly decent found footage flick about a team of explorers delving into the Paris catacombs. 

   -Genres: Found footage, horror thriller

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Netflix

-The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2017)

Father and son coroners receive a mysterious unidentified corpse with no apparent cause of death. As they attempt to examine the young “Jane Doe,” they discover increasingly bizarre clues that hold the key to her terrifying secrets.

   -Genres: Supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Netflix

-Blade (1998)

When Blade’s mother was bitten by a vampire during pregnancy, she did not know that she gave her son a special gift while dying—all the good vampire attributes in combination with the best human skills. Blade and his mentor battle an evil vampire rebel who plans to take over the outdated vampire council, capture Blade and resurrect a voracious blood god.

   -Genres: Superhero, vampire horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Hulu

-Candyman (1992)

The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster’s myth.

   -Genres: Psychological horror, slasher, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Animal death, R-slur

   -Available on: Netflix

-Cloverfield (2008)

Five young New Yorkers throw their friend a going-away party the night that a monster the size of a skyscraper descends upon the city. Told from the point of view of their video camera, the film is a document of their attempt to survive the most surreal, horrifying event of their lives.

   -Genres: Disaster, found footage, monster, sci-fi horror

   -Content warnings: One of the lead characters, Hud, is played by accused sexual abuser T.J. Miller

   -Available on: Hulu

-Constantine (2005)

By all accounts, Constantine is a bad adaption of its source material, taking far too many creative liberties and making many unnecessary changes from the Hellblazer comic. However, despite that, the film is a fun and decent movie in its own right, and worth a watch regardless of whether or not you’re familiar with the comic it’s based on.

   -Genres: Dark fantasy, superhero, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Suicide

   -Available on: Hulu

-Creep (2014)

Aaron answers an online ad and drives to a stranger's house to film him for the day. The man claims to want to make a movie for his unborn child, but his requests become more bizarre as the day goes along.

   -Genres: Found footage, horror thriller

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Netflix

-Creep 2 (2017)

A video artist who craves shocking stories realizes she has made a mistake when she meets a serial killer in a cabin.

   -Genres: Found footage, horror thriller

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Netflix

-The Crow (1994)

Exactly one year after young rock guitarist Eric Draven and his fiancée are brutally killed by a ruthless gang of criminals, Draven – watched over by a hypnotic crow – returns from the grave to exact revenge.

   -Genres: Dark fantasy, superhero

   -Content warnings: Sexual assault

   -Available on: Netflix

-Event Horizon (1997)

A film that could have been great had it not been marred by interference from Paramount, Event Horizon is still a decent entry into the sci-fi horror genre, even if just for the great scenery-chewing by Sam Neill. It’s just a shame that we’ll probably never see a fully uncensored version.

   -Genres: Sci-fi horror, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu

-The Evil Dead (1981)

Bruce Campbell & friends take a trip out to a cabin in the woods. Hilarity ensues.

   -Genres: Dark fantasy, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: The infamous tree rape scene

   -Available on: Hulu

-Evil Dead II (1987)

Bruce Campbell & friend takes a trip out to a cabin in the woods. Even more hilarity ensues.

   -Genres: Dark fantasy, horror comedy

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Hulu

-The Exorcist III (1990)

Despite the title, The Exorcist III has very little to do with the original Exorcist film, only given connections to it due to studio imposition. Fortunately, this is a rare case where studio interference didn’t actually negatively affect the film itself much at all, and I strongly recommend it, even if you haven’t seen the original.

   -Genres: Supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Ableism

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video

-Gerald’s Game (2017)

When her husband’s sex game goes wrong, Jessie (who is handcuffed to a bed in a remote lake house) faces warped visions, dark secrets and a dire choice.

   -Genres: Psychological horror

   -Content warnings: CSA, graphic degloving

   -Available on: Netflix

-Ginger Snaps (2000)

The story of two outcast sisters, Ginger and Brigitte, in the mindless suburban town of Bailey Downs. On the night of Ginger’s first period, she is savagely attacked by a wild creature. Ginger’s wounds miraculously heal but something is not quite right. Now Brigitte must save her sister and save herself.

   -Genres: Supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Animal death

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video

-Green Room (2015)

A punk rock band becomes trapped in a secluded venue after finding a scene of violence. For what they saw, the band themselves become targets of violence from a gang of white power skinheads, who want to eliminate all evidence of the crime.

   -Genres: Horror thriller

   -Content warnings: Nazism, racism, N-slurs

   -Available on: Netflix

-Hellraiser (1987)

An unfaithful wife encounters the zombie of her dead lover while the demonic cenobites are pursuing him after he escaped their sadomasochistic underworld.

   -Genres: Supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu

-Hereditary (2018)

When Ellen, the matriarch of the Graham family, passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry.

   -Genres: Drama, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Animal death, child death

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video

-The Invitation (2015)

Will and his new girlfriend Kira are invited to a dinner with old friends at the house of Will’s ex Eden and her new partner David. Although the evening appears to be relaxed, Will soon gets a creeping suspicion that their charming host David is up to something.

   -Genres: Cult horror, horror thriller

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Netflix

-Lake Mungo (2010)

One of my personal favorite films in the horror genre, the underappreciated Lake Mungo - creatively presented in a faux-documentary style - is an eerie look at the difficulty of moving on from family loss.

   -Genres: Found footage, pseudo-documentary, psychological horror

   -Content warnings: CSA

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video

-Mother! (2017)

I hesitated adding this one because to be frank I do not care much for it and Darren Aronofsky, while a talented filmmaker, is a bit of a self-aggrandizing prick and this film demonstrates his pretentiousness more so than any of his past work. But, even so, there’s some legitimately great material here, particularly in the third act when everything goes to shit. If you can look past the extremely heavy-handed bible metaphors and clumsy environmental message, you may get something out of it.

   -Genres: Psychological horror, thriller

   -Content warnings: Misogynistic violence, graphic baby death

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu

-Nightbreed (1990)

A troubled young man is drawn to a mythical place called Midian where a variety of monsters are hiding from humanity.

   -Genres: Dark fantasy

   -Content warnings: Eye trauma, F-slur

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video

-Night of the Living Dead (1968)

A group of people try to survive an attack of bloodthirsty zombies while trapped in a rural Pennsylvania farmhouse.

   -Genres: Zombie horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video (Public domain, so you should have no trouble finding it elsewhere.)

-Possum (2018)

Long stretches of not much happening are made up for by some truly horrifying puppet sequences which are among the creepiest things I saw in any 2018 film.

   -Genres: Drama, psychological horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video

-Pumpkinhead (1988)

A man conjures up a gigantic vengeance demon called Pumpkinhead to destroy the teenagers who accidentally killed his son.

   -Genres: Dark fantasy, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Child death

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu*

*Audio is slightly out of sync on both streams.

-A Quiet Place (2018)

A family is forced to live in silence while hiding from creatures that hunt by sound.

   -Genres: Alien invasion, sci-fi horror 

   -Content warnings: Child death

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu

-The Return of the Living Dead (1986)

When a bumbling pair of employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a deadly gas into the air, the vapors cause the dead to re-animate as they go on a rampage seeking their favorite food: brains!

   -Genres: Horror comedy, zombie horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video

-The Ritual (2017)

A group of college friends reunite for a trip to the forest, but encounter a menacing presence in the woods that’s stalking them.

   -Genres: Cult horror, supernatural horror 

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Netflix

-Saw (2004)

Obsessed with teaching his victims the value of life, a deranged, sadistic serial killer abducts the morally wayward. Once captured, they must face impossible choices in a horrific game of survival. The victims must fight to win their lives back, or die trying.

   -Genres: Horror thriller

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Hulu

-Saw II (2005)

When a new murder victim is discovered with all the signs of Jigsaw’s hand, Detective Eric Matthews begins a full investigation and apprehends Jigsaw with little effort. But for Jigsaw, getting caught is just another part of his plan. Eight more of his victims are already fighting for their lives and now it’s time for Matthews to join the game.

   -Genres: Horror thriller

   -Content warnings: Needles

   -Available on: Hulu

-Scream (1996)

A killer known as Ghostface begins killing off teenagers, and as the body count begins to rise, one girl and her friends find themselves contemplating the ‘rules’ of horror films as they find themselves living in a real-life one.

   -Genres: Slasher

   -Content warnings: Rape mention

   -Available on: Netflix

-Society (1989)

Containing what I consider to be the greatest special effects Screaming Mad George ever did, Society is a story about the son of a rich Beverly Hills family feeling like he doesn’t quite fit in. If you like body horror, 80s practical effects, and satire about the west coast upper class, I can not recommend this hidden gem enough. Another of my personal favorites.

   -Genres: Black comedy, body horror, satire

   -Content warnings: Incest and really gross body horror. In general if you’re averse to sex and nudity you may wanna steer clear.

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video

-Suspiria (2018)

I can’t think of many films I hold such a high opinion on that I was initially ready to hate. When I found out that the Call Me by Your Name director would be behind a remake of Dario Argento’s 1977 classic Suspiria, I rolled my eyes. When official photos started to roll in indicating the film would be gory and desaturated in contrast to the original’s surreal usage of exaggerated colors, I decided I wasn’t touching it with a ten foot pole. Fast forward about a year later, and I eventually decide to give the film a chance. Low and behold, not only do I list it as a top film of 2018, I actually, genuinely like it more than the original. While there’s much to be said about the style and color palette of the original film, I find the remake’s radically different tone and style to be still, in a difficult to describe way, faithful to the 1977 original. But most importantly, the film stands on its own as a visceral, nightmarish, violent, and disturbing experience I still haven't stopped thinking about nearly a year later.

   -Genres: Body horror, cult horror, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Suicide, very graphic gore

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video

-The Terminator (1984)

In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the “Terminator” back to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead insurgents against 21st century mechanical hegemony. Meanwhile, the human-resistance movement dispatches a lone warrior to safeguard Sarah.

   -Genres: Science fiction, thriller

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube

-They Look Like People (2016)

While held back slightly by its low budget, They Look Like People is one of the best looks at mental illness I’ve seen in a film, especially a horror film, and I’d easily recommend it to anyone tired of the demonization of mental illness in the horror genre.

   -Genres: Psychological horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Amazon Prime Video

-Train to Busan (2016)

Martial law is declared when a mysterious viral outbreak pushes Korea into a state of emergency. Those on an express train to Busan, a city that has successfully fended off the viral outbreak, must fight for their own survival.

   -Genres: Thriller, zombie horror

   -Content Warnings: N/A

   -Available on: Netflix

-Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil (2010)

Two hillbillies are suspected of being killers by a group of paranoid college kids camping near the duo’s West Virginian cabin. As the body count climbs, so does the fear and confusion as the college kids try to seek revenge against the pair.

   -Genres: Horror comedy, slasher

   -Content Warnings: Rape mention

   -Available on: Netflix

-The Witch (2015)

In 1630s New England, William and Katherine lead a devout Christian life with five children, homesteading on the edge of an impassable wilderness, exiled from their settlement when William defies the local church. When their newborn son vanishes and crops mysteriously fail, the family turns on one another.

   -Genres: Religious horror, supernatural horror

   -Content Warnings: Abuse, animal death, child death, implied CSA

   -Available on: Netflix

Not Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu

-Alien (1979)

During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.

   -Genres: Sci-fi horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Aliens (1986)

When Ripley’s lifepod is found by a salvage crew over 50 years later, she finds that terra-formers are on the very planet they found the alien species. When the company sends a family of colonists out to investigate her story—all contact is lost with the planet and colonists. They enlist Ripley and the colonial marines to return and search for answers.

   -Genres: Sci-fi action, sci-fi horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Altered States (1980)

A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from native American shamans, he explores these altered states of consciousness and finds that memory, time, and perhaps reality itself are states of mind.

   -Genres: Sci-fi horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-AM1200 (2008)

A fantastic little horror short film. Officially on Vimeo.

   -Genres: Eldritch horror

   -Content warnings: Suicide

-Army of Darkness (1992)

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that Army of Darkness isn’t as good as Evil Dead II. They’re full of shit and this movie fucking rules.

   -Genres: Dark fantasy, horror comedy

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Basket Case (1982)

A young man carrying a big basket that contains his deformed Siamese-twin brother seeks vengeance on the doctors who separated them against their will.

   -Genres: Body horror, horror comedy, slasher

   -Content warnings: Attempted rape

-Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)

Deep within the mysterious Arboria Institute, a disturbed girl is held captive by a doctor in search of inner peace. Her mind controlled by a sinister technology. Silently, she waits for her next session with deranged therapist Dr. Barry Nyle. If she hopes to escape, she must journey through the darkest reaches of The Institute, but Nyle wonʼt easily part with his most gifted and dangerous creation.

   -Genres: Sci-fi horror 

   -Content warnings: N/A

-The Blair Witch Project (1999)

In October of 1994 three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary. A year later their footage was found.

   -Genres: Found footage, supernatural horror 

   -Content warnings: N/A

-The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Five college friends spend the weekend at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained for. Together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin in the woods.

   -Genres: Black comedy, eldritch horror, horror comedy, satire

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Christine (1983)

Geeky student Arnie Cunningham falls for Christine, a rusty 1958 Plymouth Fury, and becomes obsessed with restoring the classic automobile to her former glory. As the car changes, so does Arnie, whose newfound confidence turns to arrogance behind the wheel of his exotic beauty. Arnie’s girlfriend Leigh and best friend Dennis reach out to him, only to be met by a Fury like no other.

   -Genres: Horror thriller, supernaturally horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Donnie Darko (2001)

After narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.

   -Genres: Drama, psychological thriller

   -Content warnings: References to CSA

-The Fly (1986)

When Seth Brundle makes a huge scientific and technological breakthrough in teleportation, he decides to test it on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a common housefly manages to get inside the device and the two become one.

   -Genres: Body horror, sci-fi horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-From Beyond (1986)

A group of scientists have developed the Resonator, a machine which allows whoever is within range to see beyond normal perceptible reality. But when the experiment succeeds, they are immediately attacked by terrible life forms.

   -Genres: Body horror, sci-fi horror

   -Content warnings: Sexual assault

-Get Out (2017)

Chris and his girlfriend Rose go upstate to visit her parents for the weekend. At first, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter’s interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead him to a truth that he never could have imagined.

   -Genres: Horror thriller, psychological horror, satire

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Grave Encounters (2011)

I’ll admit that this found footage pseudo-reality show film isn’t all that good, but if you’re like me and you’re a slut for all those dumb Ghost Hunters-type TV shows, this should be right up your alley.

   -Genres: Found footage, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Ableism

-Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

I’m just going to quote my best friend Lars @dracenines:

there is so much shit in this movie that makes no goddamn sense at all but it's so damn fun that i can't help but love it anyways

   -Genres: Supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-The House of the Devil (2009)

In the 1980s, college student Samantha Hughes takes a strange babysitting job that coincides with a full lunar eclipse. She slowly realizes her clients harbor a terrifying secret.

   -Genres: Cult horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-In the Mouth of Madness (1994)

With the disappearance of hack horror writer Sutter Cane, all Hell is breaking loose…literally! Author Cane, it seems, has a knack for description that really brings his evil creepy-crawlies to life. Insurance investigator John Trent is sent to investigate Cane’s mysterious vanishing act and ends up in the sleepy little East Coast town of Hobb’s End.

   -Genres: Supernatural horror, eldritch horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-It Follows (2014)

For 19-year-old Jay, fall should be about school, boys and weekends out at the lake. But a seemingly innocent physical encounter turns sour and gives her the inescapable sense that someone, or something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her teenage friends must find a way to escape the horror that seems to be only a few steps behind.

   -Genres: Psychological horror, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Sexual assault

-Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

A traumatized Vietnam war veteran finds out that his post-war life isn’t what he believes it to be when he’s attacked by horned creatures in the subway.

   -Genres: Drama, psychological horror, religious horror, thriller

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Jennifer’s Body (2009)

A newly possessed cheerleader turns into a killer who specializes in offing her male classmates.

   -Genres: Black comedy, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-The Keep (1983)

A great seemingly forgotten horror film that was unfortunately never able to be fully finished due to the death of the special effects supervisor early in post-production, and much more to the film’s determent, heavy studio interference, resulting in shoddy sound design and over 100 minutes cut from the movie. Despite this, I still enjoy this film quite a bit, particularly for its fantastic atmosphere and excellent soundtrack by Tangerine Dream.

   -Genres: Supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Nazis

-The Lost Boys (1987)

A mother and her two teenage sons move to a seemingly nice and quiet small coastal California town yet soon find out that it’s overrun by bike gangs and vampires. A couple of teenage friends take it upon themselves to hunt down the vampires that they suspect of a few mysterious murders and restore peace and calm to their town.

   -Genres: Horror comedy, supernatural horror, vampire horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Marebito (2004)

A fear-obsessed freelance cameraman investigates an urban legend involving mysterious spirits that haunt the subways of Tokyo.

   -Genres: Supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Eye trauma

-The Others (2001)

Grace is a religious woman who lives in an old house kept dark because her two children, Anne and Nicholas, have a rare sensitivity to light. When the family begins to suspect the house is haunted, Grace fights to protect her children at any cost in the face of strange events and disturbing visions.

   -Genres: Drama, gothic horror, psychological horror, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Prince of Darkness (1987)

A research team finds a mysterious cylinder in a deserted church. If opened, it could mean the end of the world.

   -Genres: Supernatural horror, zombie horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Resident Evil (2002)

Look, this movie is not great, it doesn’t follow the games, I know. But it’s a guilty pleasure and Milla Jovovitch awakens homosexual feelings in me. Just don’t bother with the sequels. Or do bother with them. Honestly, you could do a lot worse with your time.

   -Genres: Action horror, sci-fi horror, zombie horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Sinister (2012)

Found footage helps a true-crime novelist realize how and why a family was murdered in his new home, though his discoveries put his entire family in the path of a supernatural entity.

   -Genres: Mystery, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Child death

-Spring (2014)

Sci-fi horror romance film about a shapeshifting monster girl. That’s all I need to tell you.

   -Genres: Romance, sci-fi horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-Suspiria (1977)

From the moment she arrives in Freiberg, Germany, to attend the prestigious Tanz Academy, American ballet-dancer Suzy Bannion senses that something horribly evil lurks within the walls of the age-old institution.

   -Genres: Gothic horror, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

One of my favorite found footage films and and a great example of how much potential the genre holds when handled by a director who seems to actually give a shit. To top that off, it features a lesbian lead character who doesn’t die. It’s really that easy!

   -Genres: Found footage, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Five friends visiting their grandfather’s house in the country are hunted and terrorized by a chain-saw wielding killer and his family of grave-robbing cannibals.

   -Genres: Slasher

   -Content warnings: Ableism

-The Thing (1982)

Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people it kills.

   -Genres: Alien invasion, body horror, sci-fi horror

   -Content warnings: Animal death

-Trick ’r Treat (2007)

Four interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: an everyday high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer; a college virgin might have just met the one guy for her; a group of teenagers pull a mean prank; a bitter old recluse receives an uninvited guest.

   -Genres: Anthology, black comedy, supernatural horror 

   -Content warnings: Child death

-Us (2019)

Husband and wife Gabe and Adelaide Wilson take their kids to their beach house expecting to unplug and unwind with friends. But as night descends, their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some shocking visitors arrive uninvited.

   -Genres: Cult horror, sci-fi horror, supernatural horror 

   -Content warnings: Child death

-V/H/S (2012)

When a group of misfits is hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house and acquire a rare VHS tape, they discover more found footage than they bargained for.

   -Genres: Anthology, found footage, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: Sexual assault

-V/H/S/2 (2013)

While there’s less good to be found in the sequel than in the previous installment, the segment featured in V/H/S/2 titled Safe Haven is easily the best in the entire series and has quickly become one of my favorite horror short films of all time. It alone makes V/H/S/2 a worthwhile watch.

   -Genres: Alien invasion, anthology, cult horror, found footage, sci-fi horror, supernatural horror, zombie horror

   -Content warnings: References to CSA, eye trauma

-Videodrome (1983)

As the president of a trashy TV channel, Max Renn is desperate for new programming to attract viewers. When he happens upon “Videodrome,” a TV show dedicated to gratuitous torture and punishment, Max sees a potential hit and broadcasts the show on his channel. However, after his girlfriend auditions for the show and never returns, Max investigates the truth behind Videodrome and discovers that the graphic violence may not be as fake as he thought.

   -Genres: Body horror, sci-fi horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-The Void (2016)

Cloaked, cult-like figures trap a police officer, patients and staffers inside a hospital that is a gateway to evil.

   -Genres: Cult horror, eldritch horror, supernatural horror

   -Content warnings: N/A

-What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Vampire housemates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead.

   -Genres: Horror comedy, pseudo-documentary

   -Content warnings: One F-slur

[mythicvls]

          WHAT’S CRACK’A’LACKIN Y'ALL ?!?!  my name’s sun  AND  i  live in the cst time zone. ( T E X A S  BBY 🤠 )  i hope ya’ll are all having a good day, afternoon, night !! whatever time it may be where you are out there in the WORLD. sorry i’m a bit late but i’m super excited to get this show on a roll. <3333  . i suck at intros, so pls bear with me.,  buuuuut !! i’ll be introducing, brianna and leo . one is your crazy inventor who works in the forge, and the other is your uptight hero who is obsessed with doing everything by the book. if you wanna know more about them, check out what’s below !!  like this and i’ll go to your messages to spam u with love. THANKS  . 

♡    ——    MEET  BRIANNA   !!

[  PARK CHAEYOUNG, SHE/HER, CISFEMALE  ]  —  [  BRIANNA  BANG  ]  is a child of  [ HEPHAESTUS ]  with the power of  [  TECHNOKINESIS & ENHANCED CRAFTING  ] .  they were born in  [ 1997 ]  and have been in nemean lion since  [ 2013 ] .  with the change, they  [ HAVE GRADUATED FROM ]  the  [ TECHNOLOGY ]  role which makes sense since they’re usually  [ CREATING NEW GADGETS & GETTING OTHERS TO TEST THEM OUT ]

(  ABOUT PAGE  )

its ya girl , brianna bora bang !! aka bree !! daughter of hephaestus and one of the smiths who works in the forge .

growing up, bree’s childhood was relatively calm and uneventful. she was raised by her single-mother, who worked as a mechanic and though they didn’t have much , her mom still managed to get by , supporting them both the best she could. :’))

tbh, bree didn’t think a lot about her family’s financial situation when she was little. though, with that said,  she was a bit of a pain. 

not because she asked for, or constantly wanted material things, but rather, from a young age she had a knack for taking stuff apart and trying to put them back together again. fascinated by figuring out how certain devices worked. 

that habit eventually turned into bree taking things around the house, and makings ‘ improvements’ or crafting something completely new with the different parts she’d collected from items lying about.

 her mother living pay check to paycheck , was certainly in awe of brianna’s talents, but the young girl’s creative outlet definitely caused  some strESS !!

as one can imagine, she got in a lot of trouble as a kid. having a bit of a mischievous streak coupled along with her curious and imaginative tendencies. her mom wasn’t too happy when she came home to find the vacuum deconstructed , with brianna claiming there was a certain component she needed for the jet pack she was planning on creating

throughout her life, bree was always gathering attention, whether is was due to her odd personality, or the things she was creating. however she was especially attracting people’s attention when it came to the science fairs she enjoyed participating in while she’d been in elementary and middle school --- bringing something completely unexpected to ANNIHILATE ( as she would say )  the competition. 

but, brianna created so much buzz, it wasn’t uncommon for her to end up in local news papers as a young ‘genuis’. 

one time, even recruits from MIT came to check out to see what all the talk had been about. 

 when expressing their interest in her, her mother politely declined their offers. thinking bree may have been too young to consider making decisions like that at the time.

 [ yet, because of the news circulating bree, nl had been another group to approach her mom, along with hephaestus in hopes to provide brianna a safe haven from the potential threat of monsters (etc.), though her mother also refused that offer at the time ]

SO basically, bree just vibed through her early years creating a bit of mischief and making cool stuff with her handy dandy tool box ( or more like her mom’s tool box lmfao) 

she went about every day life as a regular kid, completely unaware of her relation to hephaestus until she neared the age of sixteen.

as she got a bit older, her mother fell in love with a pretty well-off guy who worked as an developmental engineer for the united states milt.. they got married and brianna then had a new step father in her life. despite him being much more strict with her. more than what her mom had ever been , they all got along pretty well. more than anything , bree was jus happy for her mom. 

and, it was a plus that they weren’t struggling as much as they originally had been thanks to his financial help.

however, due to an unfortunate turn of events , and a christmas tree having caught fire; their house burnt down. her mom and her stepfather were rescued by the fire department. unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for bree. watching the house engulfed in flames, they worried frantically about their daughter who’d still been trapped inside. but when bree had escaped through the fire by herself , uninjured and not suffering any burns whats so ever. her step-father , along with the fire fighters that had come to help , were hELLA FREAKED OUT. 

her step-dad was straight up like, i don’t fuk w demons.

and it was after the incident that her mother finally revealed the truth to bree about her biological father, and eventually gave her the option of going to nemean lion. which was information brianna’s mom had for quite some time, but had chosen to keep it to herself , simply cause she wasn’t 100% comfortable with bree leaving her so young.  

THANK GOODNESS THEY NEVER EXPERIENCED A MONSTER ATTACK.

though with what had happened, and her step father’s reaction, bree and her mother came to the agreement that it was probably best if she left for nl. 

she eventually moved in after a couple months of trying to make things work at home ( a compromise she made with her mom ). it didn’t work out sadly, and as soon as she turned sixteen, brianna became an official resident at the hotel.  having stayed at nemean until now !!

when she first got to nl she pretty much just embraced the change. throwing herself into training and what not, trying to figure out where her place was , all that teenage stuff. ‘tryina find urself uwu’ . 

AND she did go on missions quite a bit before the change happened !! having enjoyed tagging along to make some extra money, but her obvious calling was always at the forge. 

brianna now and before, has always had a reputation for walking around nl trying to convince people to give her latest weapons or gadgets a go !!

before the change happened at nl, bree was sorta all over the place. (  A MESS !! )  but her goals have become more focused thanks to entering the technology track. so once again, she embraced change with open arms. 

she’s totally digging the improvement that nemean lion has made.

after graduating from her track relatively fast; working on stuff  is what she mainly does nowadays. 

she’s most often found at the forge. cause when she gets an idea, she’s gotta get it done. she has no chill.

yeah, brianna is smart. but on the highkey, she’s only really knowledgeable in her field of expertise. 

SO, SHE DOES HAVE THAT CHAOTIC STUPID ENERGY COURSING THROUGH HER VEINS. if you ask her to do something dumb, she more then likely is gonna be down / say yes. skdjlfsjd

though bree isn’t necessarily materialistic, she is kinda obsessed with money, and making money. $$$$🤑🤑 part of it has to do with not having  had much growing up, and she wants that security YA KNO. but also , she doesn’t feel totally comfortable asking her mom/step-dad for money. so she out here making her own!!

 money is a big motivator for her.

overall, brianna is a brash, outgoing, oddball who is incredibly determined and hardworking. 

cause she’s always tryina get that promo, she can come off a bit opportunistic, selfish, and conceited when it comes to her inventions. typically she means well, she’s just a bit on the crazy side. 

 she has those mad scientist vibes.

POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS !!

first friend brianna made at nl ( someone who was around in 2013 ) 

people she often trained with / went on missions with before the change happened

friends she’s known for a while here at nemean lion

loyal customers who commission weapons ( etc.) from her regularly. cause she likes you, she’s always down to give you a good deal.

double trouble --- just two chaotic souls, come together to do fun shenanigans. 

other people who work at the forge with her

brianna’s go to guinea pigs !! basically she goes to ya’ll when she comes up with a spicey new gadget, weapon, invention, knowing ya’ll are almost always game to get your hands on what she’s got for you.

impulse control --- pretty self explanatory, this person just settles her down. probably a mom friend who keeps her from doing dumb impulsive things.

people she just bothers bc she’s got a cool idea for you, but maybe you’re just like nah.

this person has been on the end of one of brianna’s failed inventions that didn’t turn out so hot. so now you REFUSE to try anything for her again.

people in the ambassador track she is constantly trying to get seen with her gadgets for that promo. she really wants to sell her inventions / sell her patents to big companies. $$

exes !! maybe there was DRAMA, or maybe it was a super chill split. if you wanna snatch this up, we can really do whatever ur vibin’.

enemies

frenemies

a mentor when she first arrived at nl ( someone who was around in 2013 ) they really helped her have an easier time adjusting to everything when she moved in at sixteen.

♡    ——    MEET  LEO  !!

[ KIM DOYOUNG, HE/HIM, CISMALE ]  —  [ LEO PARK ]  is a child of  [ ATHENA ]  with the power of  [ ENHANCED OBSERVING  &  ENHANCED STRATEGY ] .  they were born in  [ 1996 ]  and have been in nemean lion since  [ 2011 ] .  with the change, they  [ HAVE GRADUATED FROM  ]  the  [ HERO ]  role which makes sense since they’re usually  [ TRAINING or READING IN THE LIBRARY  ]  

(  ABOUT PAGE )

the son of athena, and a graduate from the hero track !!

honestly, leo’s life before nl was pretty boring.

 he grew up in a super small town and was raised by his grandparents after his dad pretty much bailed .

leo was an incredibly bright kid. he learned to read as well as write at a crazy young age, but because he was brought up by his grandparents his taste pretty much reflected his upbringing.  he likes super old music, movies. etc. and he’ prefers considerably less exciting pass times such as  reading books or playing games like chess. he always goes for a walk super early in the morning too which is something he picked up from his grandpa.

leo’s grandparents took care him when he was very little, but as leo grew older he found himself returning the favor and  instead helping his grandparents as they themselves aged over the years.

no one in his household was aware of leo’s ties to his biological mother athena. mainly cause his father never explained anything before he left the family to be on their own. 

leo’s life dramatically changed after he experienced a monster attack when he’d been fifteen years old. 

basically some demigods from nemean lion saved the day and thankfully nothing terrible happened. but leo’s identity as a demigod was finally exposed  to himself and to his family.

 he had a really hard time saying goodbye, as he worried how his grandma and grandpa were gonna do without him. however, he feared putting them in danger above all else. 

he was then taken to nl, where he spent his time up until now.

after he was rescued, leo couldn’t help but look up to the others who regularly went on missions and hunted monsters. naturally, he worked hard with the aspiration to be like them. 

 a lot of that also had to do with why he picked the hero track when the change had come about at nl.

if it wasn’t for moving, leo would have never realized his supernatural abilities. and it was through persistence and intense training that he was able to develop his powers over time, as well as pretty fast.

he has always been incredibly dedicated and disciplined. 

tbh he kinda has those old man vibes, even when he first arrived at fifteen.

 he takes missions and everything a little too seriously. 

he doesn’t really know how to have fun either. so when he is on hero duty, he is super STUBBORN about doing everything by the book. trying not to get too crazy and always wanting to make sure extra precaution is taken. 

he’s not about them risk. he really wants to ensure that there’s little to no damage that will be done if he can help it.

comes off grumpy most of the time, but it’s like 95% bc he kinda just sucks when it comes to people.

 social interaction is not his thing which is why he could have NEVER gone into the ambassador track lmfao.

LEO IS A RULE FOLLOWER, NOT A BREAKER. 

though he’s diligent, responsible and honest, he can also be EXTREMELY gullible, too straightforward, and at times, come off  as nagging or bossy.

overall, he just wants justice, and to ensure things are done right. but he’s not the best communicator, so instead of being diplomatic about it, a lot of the time he’s just like, ‘i’m right, you’re wrong’dkjsldjf

POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS !!

people leo has known or been friends with for a while

other demigods who he used to train with or currently trains with regularly

( friendly ?? ) competition --- likely another hero who has graduated from the hero track

someone currently training in the hero track who has asked to shadow leo ( BONUS POINTS IF THEY ARE CHAOTIC AND LEO IS DESPERATELY TRYING TO WRANGLE THEM IN FROM THEIR WILD WAYS, ESPECIALLY WHILE THEY ARE OUT DOING HERO TINGZ )

the demigods who saved leo when he was fifteen ( someone who was around nl in 2011 / before )

unexpected duo----no one would have thought these two would be super close. after all, they are polar opposites, but this person gets leo to come out of his shell 

leo is super uptight, and because of that, this person enjoys messing with him. 

another person that frequents library just as much as him

maybe leo lowkey has beef with someone because every time he wants to check out a book, the mysterious person ‘insert muses name’ always has checked it out before him. one day when he’s talking about it, he finds out it’s YOU!!!!!!! how it plays out is up to whatever u’re feelin. but turns out they have the same taste in books. 

other people that are also uptight like leo and that’s why they get along so well

enemies---for whatever reason the two don’t mix

someone leo has an unrequited crush on , bc he’s lame

[enddaysengine]

Lovelorn (Planescape, PF1)

I intended to studiously ignore Valentine’s Day in my post today, but then I started writing and remembered this delightful little horror. The lovelorn is essentially an undead heart with a spider’s legs and jaws, skittering around, perpetuating misery. Appropriately enough, a group of lovelorns is known as a tragedy, as they form from tragic heartbreak and betrayed love. They are sentient (although not smart), and while they can’t speak, they could communicate using ghost sound. 

Art by Crystal Sully

Lovelorns thrive on most planes, although they avoid Mechanus since the Clockwork Nirvana negates their illusionary gloom powers. They are undoubtedly on-theme for Carceri, the Abyss, and Pandemonium, but their cynicism and the heartbreak spawning them also leads to apathy, making them appropriate for the Grey Wastes. That said, lovelorns are experts at stealth, so I wouldn’t put it past them to use their size to stow away in bags or boxes, stirring up trouble where they aren’t expected. If you need a low-level zombie infestation on the Upper Planes, a travelling tragedy of lovelorn is a solid justification. 

The goddess Evening Glory commands her followers to become undead to preserve their eternally. Allister of Ribcage ritually embraced vampirism as a testament to Gywyn the Sigillite. In reality, Gywyn was a cultist of Fraz-Urb’luu, manipulating his lovers into destroying their lives, then sacrificing them to his demon lord. When Allister discovered the truth, his broken heart tore its way out of his dead body. Now the vampiric lovelorn acts as Allister’s anchor, rejuvenating the vampire, even if he is annihilated by sunlight. 

The Dustmen despise lovelorns. While the faction rarely breaks the Dead Truce without just cause, lovelorns breed cynicism, emotionally anchoring their victims into False Life. They might have exterminated the undead within Sigil if it weren’t for opposition from the Doomguard and the Bleak Cabal. Both factions appreciate a good cynic, and the Dusties don’t want to sour their otherwise positive relations, so they turn to adventurers to eliminate lovelorns in their allies’ ranks. 

Nocticula’s ascension to godhood and subsequent rejection of evil certainly generated tragedies of lovelorns amongst her deluded former cultists, but an even deadlier undead spawned in the Midnight Isles. When Noticula vacated her realm, the long-dead heart of Vazglar reclaimed a sliver of its mythic power, reanimating as a huge lovelorn. The undead demon lord gathers its forces, aiming to wrest control of the Isles away from Shamira, then to take its revenge on the Redeemer Queen herself.

Note: If you want more thoughts on the lovelorn, check out @monstersdownthepath‘s article!

[bbrandy2002]

The Breakfast Club

Chapter Four

*We're getting closer to the group meeting together.

I do not own these characters...thanks Pixelberry.

Continue to Chapter 5

Chapter Four

Eyes flutter, slowly opening in near darkness. Sweat protruding from every inch of Liam's body to include the scorching fire in the far reaches of his stomach. The only sound he hears is a constant ringing that made the pressure in his head that much more intense. Is this death?

He attempted to lift himself up from the bed, but, gravity held a tight grip on him. Every inhaled breath is torture. He's positive, Satan himself has entered his body and  inflicting complete and total annihilation.

With a trembling hand, he grips the corner of his mattress. He takes one deep breath and spends every ounce of painstaking willpower to roll onto his side. This is only the early stages of his physical turmoil after failing to cease his emotional suffering.

With his forehead firmly planted on top of his wrist, he can feel the steady beads of moisture dripping and being consumed by his sheets.  He rests in that position for several minutes before the spasms hit. He lurches over the bed and releases the contents that were causing hell inside. The taste of acid and Xanax remain on his drying tongue.

He falls to the floor, barely crawling and makes a slow trek to the bathroom, stopping every few seconds for rest.

Liam laid on the cold marble of his bathroom, vomiting for the next two hours.

The nausea was intense and he wasn't sure if the blue spots would ever fade from his vision.

He would lie in that position for another half hour as the searing burn in his stomach slowly subsided. He placed his arms on the floor and used what energy he had left to lift himself up. Once he was at a standing position and felt confident that he had control, he undressed and turned the shower on.

All he wanted was cold water to purge the last of the mess he'd made of himself.

With unsteady hands on the wall of the shower, he allowed the water to flow through his hair and then his face. His breathing became less labored and the blurring in his eyes started to clear.

He got out of the tub, dried off, dressed himself and brushed his teeth. He once again glared in the mirror, barely blinking, just staring at the figure that reflected before him. Anger and fury started to build up and like a steaming volcano, it was ready to explode.

As if the person in the mirror was separate from himself, he began throwing insults and curses at it, using a vase to shatter the remnants of his reflection. After he lashed out his many grievances, he placed both hands over his flushed face. He turned around, leaned up against the counter and slid slowly to the floor.

With his hands still in place, he sobbed quietly to himself -I just want my mom.

With wobbly knees, he walked back to his bedroom, falling face first into the bed. Thoughts swirled of his upcoming betrothal, the dread of the congregating hierarchy at his birthday ball and living through one more day. His eyelids became heavy as his body relaxed; the next six hours would be his long awaited desired peace.

**

Maxwell pulled up to the gates of the palace and Riley questioned why, of all places, they were there.

Maxwell reached into his back pocket pulling out his brown leather wallet. After showing his identification to the guard, the gate lifted.  Riley's eyes widened and she peaked over at him with a questioning look. Realization began forming on her face, "wait a minute....Maxwell Beaumont?..... I knew that name sounded familiar...I have heard of you before."

While keeping his eyes on the road, "You can call me Lord Maxwell if you prefer" with a cheeky grin.

Riley was awestruck, "this is crazy....and I still prefer Maxwell." She looked out her side window, "You know what's funny?"

"Hmm?"

"This morning I'm sleeping on the sidewalk and tonight I'm sleeping at the damn royal palace....man, I picked the right street to play on" she said while slapping her thighs.

Maxwell reached over and playfully tugged at her shoulder, "You got that right toots."

Maxwell parked the car as she took in every golden feature, glittery garden and larger than life monument.

Maxwell stepped out of the car and walked to Riley's side to open the door for her. She was touched by such a gentlemanly move, from a noble no less.

Maxwell walked Riley to his room; she couldn't exactly have her own, being unknown. They stayed up talking most of the night, him telling her about the Royal's and what they are like. He offered to buy her clothes at the boutique in the morning and whatever essentials needed.

Wearing one of Maxwell's tee-shirts to sleep in, Riley peered off her side of the bed, "Maxwell, why are you staying at the palace...dont you have a home?"

He placed his arms behind his head and looked at her with troubled eyes, "It's complicated."

Riley huffed, "A noble like yourself has complications?"

"Yeah a noble like me has complications", he raised his voice slightly with annoyance.

She stopped looking at him and positioned herself on her back and whispered softly, "I didn't mean to upset, I"m sorry."

Maxwell sits up on the floor and props himself up with both arms on each side of his back. He gives her a thoughtful look, "Sorry I snapped a little...it's...it's...just, my brother. He's changed a lot. Everything is House Beaumont this...House Beaumont that....it drives me up the fucking wall hearing about. Now, he knows something about me that I haven't told anyone about. Let's just say...we needed some space."

Maxwell laid back down after a moment of silence; Riley got comfortable and closed her eyes.

As he was dozing off on the floor, Riley couldn't help but ask him one last question.

"Hey Max...why are you doing this for me?"

He replied jokingly, "let's just say I have a bad habit of bringing strays home, you just happen to be human."

Riley rolled her eyes and threw a pillow on the floor at him, laughing, "Good night Maxwell."

"Night."

***

Morning came too quickly, as Liam aroused from his slumber to see a guard standing over his barely opened eyes. He wiped the sleep from the corner of his lids and rubbed a hand over his face. He sensed the presence of others around him and jolted to a sitting position. He squinted as the sunlight required an adjusting period.

Constantine and Regina stood at the doorway with unsettled looks. Behind them, a glassy eyed Olivia was standing on her tipped toes, attempting to get a closer look.

Constantine took two long steps closer, his jaw was clenched, clutching a near empty pill bottle, "Explain why the hell your room is trashed and these pills are gone."

Liam's face fell, as he eyed his father. He knew in that instant, his demons had been revealed. Visions of Leo resurfaced and he contemplated whether he, himself, had the fortitude to stand up and square off against his own father. Could he say those coveted words his brother proudly unleashed just days ago.

"Fuck you!"

[paladin-andric]

An Enemy Within

A sequel to Darkest Hour! A short story set in an alternate, grim future where the human race was nearly annihilated, the last known holdout being a small colony in a bunker deep underground. In this, we learn of the surprising fate of one of the previous characters, and more about the survivors! This bunker-colony is pretty heavily influenced by XCOM. Speaking of which...mood music!

“So that’s the plan.”

The group of officers leaned over a round table of metal, staring up at the mystifying scene above them. Floating above the table, a holographic globe of the planet sat silently, ever so slowly spinning.

They were in the command room, the heart of strategic operations in the resistance. Though humanity was relegated to a small group of survivors in this underground bunker, that didn’t leave them helpless.

The best and brightest they had to offer had invented so many useful things, both on their own and using the stolen technology from the monsters above.

The bastion of humans were extremely militarized, acting more like a special forces division rather than a colony. That was born of necessity, though.

With such low numbers, they needed as many people able to handle themselves as possible.

It had been hundreds of years since the vile sorcerer succeeded in his plot. He poisoned the very air of the world, and all who were exposed turned into hideous abominations, utterly obedient towards the dark sorcerer, who now ruled the world in an iron grip.

Those scant few who managed to seal themselves away waited. They hid and hid for generations, until technology allowed them to seal themselves in suits that could keep them safe from the elements above. Now, they carried out a guerilla campaign against the sorcerer, determined to send him and all his mindless slaves to hell.

In the most recent operation, the survivors investigated a tip of a possible other bastion of survivors, still untouched by the infectious air on the surface. On their way however, they were ambushed by the sorcerer’s minions, and none survived.

Well, except for...him.

He stood with the officers, observing the hologlobe along with them, nodding along and acting as if nothing was wrong.

The fact that he WAS one of those monsters, however, made the scene very unsettling for Albert.

The “man” was a biped with two arms, but that was where the similarities ended. He was covered head to toe in black scales, towered above the others, looked wide enough to stop a car in its tracks, had monstrous, clawed hands and feet, a long tail, and bore a terrifying reptilian visage.

He looked like any other one of those horrible beasts up above...and yet here he was, standing in the beating heart of the last holdout of the human race, somehow not being gunned down right where he stood.

Ah, but that was because he was still sane.

That’s what they had told everyone when he returned, his suit in tatters, clutching his head and groaning quietly, before he was tied down and dragged off into the medical ward, and everyone else was ushered back to their posts.

It had been over a week since that day. Apparently, he was all good now...but was he really?

As the officers all disbanded and walked off to wherever it was they were headed, the monster remained behind, still staring up at the hologlobe. The young soldier approached, causing the beast to turn its inhuman eyes toward him.

Albert felt his heart thud against his chest, half expecting the thing to surge forward and tear his heart out in one swift motion.

But he WASN’T an “it”, and he didn’t do anything of the sort.

“Ah, Albert.” the voice was unlike any the man had ever heard, deep, warbling and distorted...almost as if a demon was standing before the human, speaking to him.

It threw him for quite a loop, and he was certain he failed to hide his fear, but Albert nodded. “Err, Captain Fields, sir.”

“Please. Jacob will do.”

He couldn’t discern the look on the creature’s face. Of course he couldn’t. He could read humans, not...these things!

“Uhh...alright, Jacob.”

The reptilian beast drummed his claws against the metal table in a steady rhythm. “Is there any reason you’re here? I don’t dare imagine you came to see my good looks.” Jacob followed that up with a short, shallow laugh.

“No sir. I just, well…” he hesitated. It was a stupid question, and he was an idiot for bothering with it, but he went ahead anyway.

The soldier cleared his throat. “I was just wondering…” he leaned in close, voice dropping to a whisper. “...what’s it like?”

“What do you THINK it’s like?!” Jacob countered. Even though his visage was utterly alien to him, Albert could tell from the way his brows furrowed and eyes narrowed that he was angry.

The soldier didn’t have any reply. He couldn’t think of anything to say at all.

The monstrous thing sighed and shook his head. “It’s horrible. I keep thinking this is some nightmare I’m gonna wake up from, but every morning I open my eyes, and every morning I’m still THIS,” he said, sweeping his clawed hands over himself.

Albert could almost swear the lizard-thing looked crushed as he finished. “This is hell.”

The soldier struggled to find words. “T-that’s...shit, man.”

The creature turned back to the table and resumed leaning, head lowered. He nodded. “Yeah. It is.”

The once-human’s words were nearly inaudible, he spoke them so quietly

Albert felt a pit in his gut. He really didn’t know what he was expecting, but...this was difficult to stomach. Despite how monstrous and terrifying the creature next to him looked, he could only imagine the man he once knew, looking crushed and forlorn as he stewed over his fate.

There was a lengthy period where both men stood in silence, leaning over the table and staring down at nothing in particular. After a while longer, Albert finally found his voice again.

“I was wondering something.”

“Mhm?”

“Well...from what I’ve always been told...there’s no coming back from this. Once you turn...you’re a monster, a mindless animal, a killer. No one’s ever...turned...and come back.” The soldier finally looked up and over at Jacob. “How did you do it?”

The reptilian tapped his claws against the table once more. “I’ve told this story a million times before.”

“Shit, man, I’m sorry-”

“No, no,” Jacob said sadly, “It’s...it’s fine.”

With a deep breath, the former human repeated what he’d told all the doctors and officers before.

“We got ambushed...I took a shot and went down. I lost consciousness. Dunno how long went by, but by the time I woke up, the things were gone...and everyone else was dead. I-I realized my suit got torn open from the hit, and I started hobbling back. My mask ran out of reserve air, and so I started breathing in the surface air...by the time I got back...I was already one of them.”

Albert grimaced. “Oh God…”

“I heard voices, screaming, had these urges. It was...I guess it’s the same stuff everyone else feels when they turn...but thank God, I was already back here. Nearly got plugged full of holes, but I surrendered and by some miracle, they took me in instead of shooting me.”

“Voices? Urges?”

“The dark one’s corruption,” Jacob answered, “Doctors said the infection shatters your mind, and rebuilds you into a beast that answers only to him. I couldn’t have resisted much longer. If we were any further away when that happened...they’d know our location by now. If I hadn’t blown my brains out before the infection broke me, anyway.”

“Lord in heaven…”

The beast nodded. “I still hear them, you know. They’re quieter now, but I still hear the voices. Still have those insane thoughts. Still feel those...urges.”

Jacob noticed that those words had caused Albert to take a step back, eying him fearfully. He held a hand out and shook his head. “T-there’s nothing to worry about! They’re just...little thoughts now. It’s easy to suppress.”

“I-I just…”

“If I was a threat, would the doctors have let me go?”

The soldier shrugged. “I guess not…”

“Albert, look. I know it’s...hard to believe, but…”

“...you’re still you,” the soldier finished.

The way the lizard winced was quite extreme. “W-well...not exactly.”

Albert’s stomach churned, dread settling over him again. “B-but I thought you…”

Jacob shook his head. “I told you, they’re still there. Faint, but there...and the only reason I haven’t become...feral yet…”

The reptilian dug into a pouch on his belt, pulling out an orange, transparent bottle with a white cap.

“...are these.”

Jacob raised a brow. “Pills?”

“Meds, yeah. They’re used to help people with schizophrenia.”

Albert was more confused than scared now, and Jacob could tell. The lizard shrugged, the pills inside the bottle loudly shaking as he did so. “Docs figured since this infection causes so many of the same symptoms, they might as well try it...and it seems like it’s actually working.”

“Shit, man. You lucked out.”

“You can say that again,” the beast agreed, tucking the bottle away in his pouch again, “Still, it’s not perfect.”

“What do you mean? Seems as good as it could be.”

“I mean, it is, kinda...but still. The boys in the lab can only make these so quickly, and uhh, can only grow the ingredients so quickly. Plus...it’s not like I have a cold. I’m not just taking these and waiting for it to go away. It’s not a cure, Albert...it’s a treatment. Plus, if anyone else gets infected like this, and they can’t make enough meds for us in time...”

“...we’re in deep trouble,” Albert finished knowingly. Jacob nodded.

“That’s right.”

The soldier sighed. “Well, at least you’re okay for now. Glad you’re back.”

“Thanks, I am too. I just wish Irene…”

“I know,” Albert answered with a deep frown, “We were friends, too.”

Jacob looked down, that same pained expression from before clearly visible. Albert crossed his arms.

“Hey, if you ever need someone to talk to...I’ll be all ears, alright?”

The transformed beast’s frown slowly turned into a grin, which was rather terrifying on his serpentine visage. “Thanks. That’s...nice to hear. I’ll have to take you up on that. It’s been pretty lonely in the medical wards.”

“I can’t imagine. Sitting in a bed alone all day…”

“Yeah, it really sucked. Thanks again.”

“Don’t mention it.”

With that, the pair smiled and nodded at one another before the soldier turned and began to walk away.

There was a brief moment of hesitation before Jacob called out.

“Albert!”

The soldier quickly stopped and looked back. “Yeah?”

Jacob approached, appearing...conflicted? Albert was still getting a handle on how the former human’s face worked.

The serpent put a hand on the man’s shoulder, claws hanging over and onto his back. “Listen. I’d rather die than let anyone here get hurt.”

The soldier’s face warped into one of confusion. “Err...yeah?”

“Look. If what I said comes true...if they run out of meds...if I lose it...if I stop being me…” the lizard furrowed his nonexistent brows and gave the man serious look. “Promise me you’ll take care of it. Don’t hesitate. Alright?”

Albert swallowed hard, unwanted thoughts running through his head of his friend going berserk and tearing him in half. “Ah hell Jacob...I can’t make a promise like that.”

The reptilian appeared distressed by that response. “Albert...please…”

“I’m just saying...I don’t know if I’ll be able to.”

“But if it happens-”

“It WON’T happen,” Albert said firmly, his own expression now one of serious resolve, “You’ll make it though this, alright?”

The beast’s face softened as he stared back at his friend, hand still on his shoulder.

“...you’re a good man. Fine. If you can’t promise to put me down, and I can’t promise not to lose it...let’s both just try our best, alright?”

“Deal.”

The large creature slowly stepped back, wearing what appeared to be a smile. “Thanks, Albert. Thank you. Take care of yourself.”

“You, too.”

Tag list: @thereisnothingwrongwithbeingmad, @lady-redshield-writes, @paper-shield-and-wooden-sword, @sheralynnramsey, @tawnywrites, @writer-on-time, @oceanwriter, @zwergis-spilledink, @fluffpiggy, @elliewritesfantasy, @homesteadhorner,  @laurenwastestimewriting, @elaynab-writing, @the-ichor-of-ruination, @candy687, @fierywords, @shewrites-sometimes

[crashdevlin]

Right Angle

Author’s Note:  Sequel to Tessellation, 2 Dimensional and Vertex. Short-ish, smutless, but required to get to the next part, which will be smutty, I promise.

Summary:  Set during It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester. y/n is called in to help with the witch who's trying to raise Samhain. What will happen when she meets the angels?

Pairing(s): Castiel x Reader (ish)

Word Count: 3388

Story Warnings: canon-compliant violence

You were sitting in your motel room when your cell phone went off. You smiled at 'Dean' flashing across the screen and you swiped your finger over to answer it. "Hello."

"Hey. You busy?" Dean asked.

"Just finished up with a chupacabra. Need me somewhere?"

"Yeah. I know you don't practice any more but we need a witch expert. We're at two out of three blood sacrifices. The third one goes and our witch raises the demon Samhain."

"It's pronounced 'Sow-en'." You corrected.

"What?"

"It's Celtic, Dean. The pronunciation is not anything like English."

"Sow-en? None of those letters are in that word."

You chuckled. "Doesn't change it. The word is Sow-en, not Sam-hane. I went to a Samhain celebration when I was fourteen and got hammered by a couple Wiccans for saying it wrong. It isn't something you forget. Where are you?"

"North Georgia. Nice and warm for your Halloween."

"Lucky you. I'm in Alabama. I can be in your neighborhood in four hours."

"Chupacabra in Alabama?" He questioned.

"I caught one in Seattle a couple years ago. They're less goat-suckers and more dog-suckers, now. Text me an address and I'll meet you there."

"All right, y/n/n. See you in a few hours."

********

You pulled into the Moonlight Motel as Dean and Sam stood talking to a child in an astronaut costume. "We did, but it's gone." Dean said as you walked up. "Sorry, kid. We can't help you."

"I want candy." The child demanded.

"Well, I think you've had enough." Dean said, walking toward the room.

You scoffed at him, angry that he'd tried to fat-shame the kid, and pulled out your wallet, kneeling down to eye level with the kid. As Sam and Dean entered the room, you handed the astronaut a 5 dollar bill. "Don't let him make you feel bad about your weight. That big guy he was with, he was a chubby kid, too. Just look at him, now. Fat jokes aren't cool." You turned your head to look at the Impala. "That car is the second most important thing in that guy's life. I'm thinking a half dozen will do it." The kid smiled and ran toward the convenience store you passed on your way in.

When you walked in the door of the motel room, you froze. There were two additional men in the room, a black man standing stoically by the window and a brunette in a suit and trench coat standing in front of Sam. Blue eyes, fluffy hair sticking up in the front, chapped lips... lips you'd transferred your ChapStick to many years ago. Your mouth went dry.

"The raising of Samhain, have you stopped it?" The angel asked.

"It's 'sow-en'." You corrected as Dean asked "Why?"

"Dean, have you located the witch?"

"Yes, we've located the witch."

"And the witch is dead?"

"No, but-" Sam started.

"We know who it is."

Castiel walked over to the table between the two beds. "Apparently, the witch knows who you are, too." He picked up a hex bag and showed it to the group. "This was inside the wall of your room. If we hadn't found it, surely one or both of you would be dead. Do you know where the witch is now?"

You found the will to speak up. "That's actually what I'm here for. Find hex bags, figure out where the witch is."

"And do you know where the witch is?"

"I just got here." You whispered, feeling uncomfortable under the scrutiny of those blue eyes.

"We're working on it." Dean covered.

"That's unfortunate."

"What do you care?" Dean growled.

"The raising of Sam-hane is one of the 66 seals."

"So this is about your buddy Lucifer." Dean said.

"Lucifer is no friend of ours." The angel by the window said.

"It's just an expression."

"Lucifer cannot rise. The breaking of the seal must be prevented at all costs."

"Okay. Great. Well, now that you're here, why don't you tell us where the witch is, we'll gank her and everybody goes home." Dean suggested.

Castiel gave a little sigh. "We are not omniscient. This witch is very powerful. She's cloaked, even to our methods."

"Okay, well, we already know who she is, so if we work together-" Sam started, but was cut off by the other angel.

"Enough of this."

"Okay, who are you and why should I care?" Dean growled.

The angel turned, his severe glare focused on Dean. "This is Uriel. He's what you might call... a specialist." Castiel introduced.

You gasped. You recognized that name. "What kind of specialist?" Dean asked.

"Uriel's an annihilator." You whispered, causing the angels to focus on you.

"Who are you?" Castiel asked, turning his eyes on you.

"She's y/f/n y/l/n, a hunter and witch expert, who happened to delve into all the books on angels she could find after I got pulled out of Hell. What does it mean that he's an annihilator? What are you gonna do?"

Castiel looked from the hunters to Uriel. "You, all of you, you need to leave this town immediately." He turned back.

"Why?"

"Because they're about to destroy it." You piped up.

"So, this is your plan? You're gonna smite the whole town?" Dean exclaimed in Uriel's direction.

"We're out of time. This witch has to die. The seal must be saved."

"There are a thousand people here." Sam argued.

"1,214." Uriel corrected.

"And you're willing to kill them all?"

"This isn't the first time I've... purified a city." Uriel shot back.

"Look, I understand this is regrettable." Castiel started.

"Regrettable?" Dean couldn't believe that was the word the angel had used.

"We have to hold the line. Too many seals have broken already."

"So, you screwed the pooch on some seals and now this town has to pay the price?"

"It's the lives of 1,000 against the lives of 6 billion. There's a bigger picture here."

"Right. Cause you're bigger picture kinda guys."

"Lucifer cannot rise." Castiel stepped towards Dean. "He does and Hell rises with him. Is that something you're willing to risk?"

"We'll stop this witch before she summons anyone. Your seal won't be broken and no one has to die." Sam offered.

"We're wasting time with these mud monkeys." Uriel said.

Sam looked offended but Dean was focused on Castiel. You were fighting to keep yourself in the shadows.

"I'm sorry. But we have our orders." Castiel said, turning away.

"No, you can't do this. You-you're angels. I mean, aren't you supposed to- You're supposed to show mercy." Sam started to argue.

"Says who?" Uriel asked.

"Soldiers, Sam. They are the warriors of Heaven. Mercy isn't a thing." You whispered. Castiel seemed to be upset by that.

"We have no choice."

"Of course, you have a choice. I mean, come on, what you've never, never questioned a crap order, huh? What are you both, just a couple of hammers?"

"Look, even if you can't understand it, have faith the plan is just." Castiel said, finally turning to look at the hunters again.

"How can you even say that?" Sam asked.

"Because it comes from Heaven that makes it just."

"It must be nice to be so sure if yourselves."

"Tell me something, Dean. When your father gave you an order, didn't you obey?" Castiel shot back.

You bit your lip and looked at your feet. It was difficult to watch them argue.

"Sorry, boys. It looks like the plans have changed." Dean said.

"You think you can stop us?" Uriel asked.

"No." Dean said, honestly, before stepping to Uriel. "But if you're gonna smite this whole town, then you're gonna have to smite us with it because we are not leaving. You went to the trouble of busting me out of Hell, I figure I'm worth something to the man upstairs. You want to waste me? Go ahead. See how he digs that."

"I will drag you out of here myself."

"Yeah, but you'll have to kill me. Then, we're back to the same problem. I mean, come on. You're gonna wipe out a whole town for one little witch? Sounds to me like your compensating for something. We can do this. We will find this witch. We will stop the summoning."

"Castiel, I will not let these-"

"Enough." Castiel commanded, causing Uriel's face to fall and he disappeared. "I suggest you move quickly."

Dean looked grateful, but didn't voice it as he pulled his keys out of his pocket and started out the door. Sam followed but you stood staring at Castiel. *It's really him. He's really Chris.*

Castiel looked at you, his head tilted slightly. "How do you know me?" He asked.

"I'm sure that isn't... I don't know." You said, breathlessly.

Castiel took two decisive steps forward. You felt uncomfortable under his gaze but it felt right at the same time. "You are a witch, or you were." You swallowed and nodded. "Why do you keep looking at me like that?"

"I couldn't tell you-" You started, but stopped as you noticed the look on his face. He was staring at your lips. His eyes shot up to meet yours, a confusion and curiosity suddenly burning there.

"What do you know?" He demanded.

"I... know that my memories have been tampered with, so anything I might think I know is unreliable." You whispered.

"Why do you say your memories were... tampered with?"

"In high school, I had a friend. I had a-a lover. Until I died, I could swear his name was Chris. After I came back, I started getting bits and pieces of... wrong, things were wrong. I thought I knew Chris my whole life and he was taken away by his dad, but now it seems like I never knew him before senior year and his name was never Chris... It was Cas."

Castiel's eyebrows knit together in confusion. You took a step backwards. "I know that angels can travel in time. I know that if I can create false worlds with my magic, and I can, then maybe someone sent you back, made a world where you were a... It was to get to Dean for something, I'm sure. I just got caught in the crossfire."

Castiel blinked at you several times. Then, he was gone. You let out a breath you hadn't realized you'd been holding and you looked around the room. "Oh... this is bad. Why didn't I just keep my mouth shut?" You walked out of the motel room and pulled the back door of the impala open, sliding inside.

"What took you?" Dean asked.

"The angel, he knows I used to be a witch. He was questioning me. Let's go. Where are we going?" You rambled.

"Gonna go take a second look at the pottery class. It'd take a kiln to char these bones."

"Bones? Lemme see... ew." You examined the tiny charred bone. "See, this kinda shit is the reason why witches are always portrayed by the media as ugly wart-covered crones. You wouldn't see Willow Rosenberg wrapping up goldthread and charred baby bones, but you can totally picture the evil queen from Snow White doing this shit. For every Willow, there's 5 Elphabas."

"Willow, that's the hot redhead from American Pie, right?" Dean piped up.

"Her character on Buffy is a fairly accurate representation of a Wiccan. This, though... I hate witches."

"Me, too. Aren't you glad you're on the wagon?" Dean said, putting the car in reverse and pulling out of the motel parking lot.

**********

As the three of you walked into the art room, you looked around. "You guys... you really need to just start calling me as soon as you confirm a witch case."

"Why?" Dean asked.

"Because you have been here before and you can't feel it... Some serious craft has gone down in this room." You walked over to one of the kilns. "This one. Heavy magic here."

"So, Tracy used the kiln to char the bones. What's the big deal?" Dean asked, walking over to watch Sam rifle through the teacher's desk.

"Dean, that hex bag turned up in our room... not after we talked to Tracy-"

"After we talked to the teacher." Dean finished.

"Hey." Sam said, grabbing a padlock on the bottom left drawer of the desk.

Sam stood, grabbing a heavy old hammer and bashing the latch until the lock came free. Sam pulled the drawer open to reveal a bowl with several bones in it. "My god, those are all from children."

"And I'm guessing he's not saving them for the dog." Dean said.

"You know this guy's address?" You asked. Dean nodded. "Then we gotta go. We gotta stop this before the moon's high." You said, rushing out the door.

**************

You followed Sam and Dean into the house, the moon high above you. As you entered the basement, pistols up and ready, each of you took a single shot at the man's back. You put your guns away and Dean cut down Tracy, who pulled the gag out of her mouth. "Thank you, he was gonna kill me! Ugh, that sick son of a bitch. I mean, did you see what he was doing? Did you hear him? How sloppy his incantation was?"

Dean and Sam looked up in surprise and you tapped your shoulders, taking a step back from the dead teacher. "My brother always was a little dim." Tracy continued as the brothers reached for their guns. She threw her hand up and yelled a Latin incantation, causing the boys to fly back and writhe in pain on the floor. You crumpled to the ground. "He was gonna make me the final sacrifice. His idea. But now, that honor goes to him. Our master's return? The spell-work's a two man job, you understand, so for 600 years I had to deal with that pompous son of a bitch. Planning, preparing. Unbearable."

Tracy knelt down next to her brother, picking up the knife he was going to gut her with and the chalice. "The whole time, I wanted to rip his face off." She started cutting into one of his bullet wounds and used the cup to catch the blood. She turned to look at the hunters. "And you get him with a gun. Love that."

Her eyes fell on you. "You aren't hurt. Stop pretending. My spell washed right over you. Stand up. Who are you?"

"I keep telling people." You said, standing. "I'm nobody."

"Why didn't my spell work on you?"

"Sorry, sister. I'm warded." You said, pulling your denim button-up shirt away from your shoulders to reveal a symbol in red henna on each shoulder. "I don't go against centuries-old witches without a little insurance. Learned that with the Grand Coven ten years ago."

"How'd you know my age?"

"Don't worry. You definitely don't wear it. Samhain. The demon Samhain. No one knows him, especially a modern witch."

"You pronounced it right. You're a witch."

"Not anymore."

"So, my magic isn't going to work on you?" You shook your head. "Too bad." Tracy finished, grabbing Dean's discarded gun and pulling the trigger. The bullet ripped through the flesh of your shoulder, causing you to scream and fall to the ground. She walked forward, shooting you in the chest, before walking back to the altar.

"You know, back in the day, this was the one day you kept your children inside. Well, tonight you'll all see what Halloween really is." Tracy started to chant in Latin as you lost consciousness.

********************

You woke with a start, sitting up quickly and reaching your hand to check your chest. There were no bullet holes. You looked around the room. Dean and Sam were gone, the dead teacher, too. The blonde was on the ground next to a huge crack in the cement. Castiel stood next to the body, but his eyes were focused on you. "Did I die again?" You whispered.

Castiel shook his head. "Almost." He tilted his head, examining you. "If you had died, I doubt Heaven would have allowed me to resurrect you. Thankfully, you were not completely through the veil. I only had to heal you."

You stood. "Seal's broken, isn't it?" Castiel nodded. "Why did you save me?"

"I... don't know. What you said earlier... You believe I was your lover?"

"Look. I'm not gonna pretend to understand time travel, but I do understand that Dean is important to you guys. I can see how your future self might have been sent to Dean's past self to... I dunno. You probably haven't been sent yet. But..." You stepped forward, looking up into his eyes. "I know those eyes. I know those thin chapped lips that were only any good when they were being kissed."

"I've only had this vessel since Dean has been back on Earth. He's a middle-aged man, I assume he'd have drawn attention at your high school."

"When I came back from Hell, I spent a year in glamour. I didn't want anyone to see my scars. I could do that, and I could convince every person I came across that I was a federal agent while wearing biker boots and jeans. That's without Heaven's grace, without Enochian spellcraft. Whoever is gonna send you back, they're gonna make you look young. They're gonna make you seem like a seventeen year old human boy. They might even make you think you are one. But I know those eyes." You insisted.

"I don't know yours." He whispered, coldly.

You nodded, walking toward the basement stairs. "You don't now, but you will. Do you know where the Winchester boys are?"

"They have defeated the demon Sam-hane. I believe they are both being contemplative, separately."

"It's Sow-en. I'm sure you don't speak Celtic, but it's... sow-en." You said, walking up the stairs.

***************************

You shuffled through the parking lot toward the Charger. As you were unlocking the driver's door, Sam walked out of the motel room. His eyes widened as soon as he saw you. "Christina? How are you-?"

You sighed, turning to him. "The angel healed me."

"We thought you were dead. If we knew-"

"You had a town to save. I don't blame you. I thought I was dead, too." You rounded the front of your car, sitting on the hood. "So how did you take down Samhain? That had to be the strongest demon you guys have ever gone against."

"Exorcism." Sam answered, quickly.

"Yeah, but how'd you get him to sit still long enough? I mean, you didn't have time to set down a devil's trap."

"We just... did it."

You blinked at him as he looked at his feet. You gasped, slightly, in understanding. "Does your nose bleed?" Sam's eyes shot up to yours. "The first few times I did invocations, my nose leaked like a sieve. It wasn't that there was anything actually wrong with my nose, no broken blood vessels or anything, but it... it was an uncontrollable bleed. There was just so much pressure inside me that the blood took the easy way out."

"What-"

"I'm not gonna judge, Sam. If I could still practice, I'd be a much better hunter. That bitch would have never gotten a bullet in me. I would have taken her out before Samhain ever was raised." You jumped down from your hood and placed a caring hand on Sam's chest. "But there is a reason I don't practice anymore. It gets difficult to tell where 'too far' is. It stops being about doing the right thing and becomes about that next big rush of pressure in your head, that next nosebleed. You might not think what you have is magic, but... it's the same."

Sam put his hand over yours and squeezed it. "I... thank you. Dean, he... he doesn't understand. I know it's a fine line, but... I won't let it get that far."

"If you ever need help... if you ever need to stop... you know where I am." Sam patted your hand and smiled. You pulled away and headed back to the driver's side of your car. "Tell Dean I'm alive, please. Not that he's mourning me, I'm sure, but..." Sam nodded and you got in your car, waving a little as you drove away.

Supernatural Tag- @letsby

[anime-grimmy]

Day 5 – In the midst of despair

April felt her lungs burn with exhaustion as she pushed her trained legs to the limit. She took quick, short strides to run as fast as she possibly could - she really wanted to get out of the danger zone. Breathing was hard enough as it was, the tight clinging gas mask making her ragged hiccups of air even more difficult.

The redhead felt a sharp sting in her side as her supposedly healed wound made itself known.

Great, just great.

How long had she been stuck in the base thanks to her injured ribs? Three, almost four weeks? For someone as restless as her, this was an eternity. She knew, the injury was not to be taken lightly, but April wasn’t the wee little girl she had once been. She had grown strong and confident. So when she finally got the reluctant okay from the General to go into action again - although it was just a simple patrol in one of the safest areas - she was not going to look the gift horse in the mouth.

But her luck was once again on vacation somewhere far away because today of all times a freaking nest had to drop, even though there had not been any signs of these forsaken things in this particular area for over three years. She really hated how karma loved to play with her.

“Captain, hurry up!”

Behind a wall of upturned and wrecked cars, April saw the head of her Lieutenant pop out as he called to her. He didn’t need to tell her twice. Pushing her legs just a bit more, she flung herself over the barricade, attempting a rather sad excuse of a roll when she landed on the other side. When she finally came to a stop on her back, she ripped off her protective goggles and mask. Finally being able to breathe freely, she took big gulps of air, much to the protest of her sore side.

She almost didn’t notice her second-in-command come to her side and kneel down beside her heavily breathing form.

“Captain, I know how much you longed to get outta base and all, and how you love playing hero, but one of these days you’re gonna gimme a heart attack!”

April squinted at her subordinate while listening to his worried nagging. She knew she always put him through a lot with her daredevilry, but she was the Captain, it was just as much her duty and responsibility to lead her team as much as it was to look out for them. Her Lieutenant could lecture her as much as he wanted, when danger arose, she was the first to jump into it and the last to retreat - she was never leaving any of her women and men behind.

The redhead let her eyes fall closed as she tried to even her breathing.

“Captain?”

April lightly raised her hand to signal him to be silent and concentrated on calming herself. She tried recalling the meditation techniques she had learned long ago, back in a time when she was no soldier but a proud kunoichi. She might not be a ninja anymore, but the training had nonetheless helped her become the strong team leader she was now.

A picture appeared in her mind. The memory of a dojo with a large tree in the midst of it, the warm rays of the sunlight that came from the surface illuminating the room in a soft light. April saw herself sitting in front of a rather particular creature, an old rat draped in red Japanese clothing. However, the redhead was not going to muse over fond memories but rather concentrate on the lesson she was recalling. Finding her center, she already felt her breath slow down and her heart stop hammering out of her chest. Now taking slower, deeper gulps of air, she breathed in a few times more before swinging herself upright.

Her Lieutenant jerked back a bit and the action caused the rest of her team to lay their focus on her. She gave them all quick once overs. When noting that nobody was hurt badly, she put her attention back to the danger zone behind their vehicle barricade.

Looking over the sea of broken cars and stray clunks of what had once been houses and their walls, April gazed to the horizon.

Good, none of these freaking beasts seem to have come that far yet. Counting the few we killed already, there can’t be much more considering the small size of the nest. If we set up some traps, we’re gonna make it back to base no problem.

April let an inaudible sigh of relief past her lips. She really had been on edge when the nest dropped right above them but she was not letting her soldiers see her falter. The redhead knew she could trust all members of her team with her life, but none the less, as Captain she could not show any sign of weakness. Especially not when half of her men were twice her age.

April focused a bit longer on the wrecked street in front of her to make sure there really was nothing hiding, when she felt her mind wander again. She knew rule one on the battlefield was to always be alert, but she could not help it when she slipped for a split of a second.

Had anybody told her ten years ago that the world would come to be at the mercy of carnivorous, gigantic, triop-like alien monsters, she would have laughed in their face. Not because it sounded too absurd to believe, but because she would have told them that she had faced greater threats before. She had already been to a journey through the stars, had stopped the annihilation of Earth by dinosaurs from space and had even found out she was part alien too. Heck, she would have actually bragged about how she had also dealt with thugs, mutants, a ninja master on his quest for revenge, and hell, even freaking demons from the underworld. But young April would not have had the time to prepare for any of what was about to happen - no one would.

That is why they were here. Ten years in the future, the remains of humankind were now fighting back as fiercely as they could.

The redhead blinked a few times. The moment had stretched out for a while now and she really had to put her plan into action before the damn beasts could catch up. April turned to her team, readying her orders while scanning each face individually.

“Okay team, the Crawlers seem to be taking their sweet time, so let’s get ready—!”

She stopped short as she flew her eyes over the group again.

Oh no.

“Guys, where are Bruce and Ron?”

As if on cue, the walky-talky on the chest piece of her armor vest crackled to life.

“..Cap…Cap-..tain!”

April pressed the button on the side of the device and barked into the speaker.

“Ron, what the hell?! Where are you guys?”

“Capta-..in! We got separated when …est came down. We-…trouble! T…nk!”

The redhead clenched her teeth at the static. Electronics never worked well in the strange atmosphere of a freshly dropped nest and Ron’s gasping tone didn’t simplify things. Judging by the breathless way he spoke, and the faint, cut-off sounds of his boots grinding into the ground, he had to be running.

“RON! I can’t understand you, the connection’s too bad. Repeat that!”

“R….RUN, there’s a t-….ming. The-…. TANK!”

April felt her blood run cold. A Tank?! How the hell did that thing fit into such a small nest? They’re almost four times the size of a Crawler!

The redhead locked her gaze on her team, she could already see the panic in her Lieutenant’s eyes. She knew. She knew they couldn’t rush in to get the other two out of there, they did not have the firepower, after all, this had been supposed to be just a regular patrol. But…

April shot her gaze back to the horizon.

I can’t just leave them out there to die!

That’s when she saw two silhouettes emerge on the far end of the street. Even from this distance she could see Bruce clenching his arm but booking it with just as much energy as Ron was. They hadn’t come far when an enormous creature shot from the side street, the momentum carrying it into the wall of the opposite block of buildings. That however bought them only a precious few seconds. Not even fazed by the impact, the monster was on the chase again.

April felt a chill run down her spine when she took in the alien. Like the much smaller Crawlers, the monster looked like a triop, but this one seemed to be a bit further ahead on the evolutionary line, even if it looked like something had gone horribly wrong in the process. The monster sprouted three pairs of insect-like legs as thick as the stem of a tree, and its back plate was more of a cocoon now than a shell. This, however, wasn’t the part that gave the Tank its name - well, at least not the only part. The other horrifying ‘feature’ of the monster was the two sections of its body where it looked like wings might come out, but that was not their purpose. When opened, the inside of its shell was revealed and two fleshy canon-like openings were waiting there, ready to shoot acid in an explosive manner, hence the name Tank.

April’s eyes widened when she noticed that part of its shell was missing. She ground her teeth. Its weak spot was exposed, just like that, and they could not even exploit that with their limited weaponry right now! Her eyes switched back to the two team members still running for their lives as an idea struck her. Tanks were slow thinkers and had bad reaction time. If she could get her team in a good position, they could still take the thing down before it could even switch its focus from Bruce and Ron to them. A few well placed shots would do the trick. April spun around and explained her strategy shortly to her soldiers.

“—and anyways, with that thing so close, we couldn’t bail anyways.”

Those last words were directed at her second-in-command’s disagreeing face, but even he nodded curtly once he had assessed the situation. April shouted her orders and her team moved. She pressed the speaker button of her walky-talky as she ran in front of the group.

“Ron, listen, we’re gonna take that beast down, just keep running and we will ambush it!”

The redhead didn’t even wait for an answer as she and her team pushed forward. They were going to bring that damn Tank down!

But again, karma had other plans for her.

As they finally got closer and almost got a perfect angle on the monster, several screeches pierced the air. April barely had time to react as Crawlers seemed to appear out of nowhere.

What the—?! What?! HOW??!

April was cursing up a storm in her head as she shouted orders to her soldiers while dodging the aggressive triops. She was really starting to think that the universe wanted to fuck with her because no way could a freaking TANK and so many Crawlers fit into that itty bitty nest that had come down.

Distracted by her raging thoughts, she almost did not notice one of the triops jumping at her. With a roll she flung herself out of its way, only to come to a halt right under the Tank. April already knew she was not fast enough to get out of the way. That monster was going to impale her with its razor sharp leg.

It was strange. This was not the first time April had looked death in the eye with such certainty. No, it was actually, what, about the sixth time already? However, this feeling was new. The first two times, she had been terrified and cried, the other times she was either overcome with sadness, dread, or an eerie calm. This time she was just so done with everything. After weeks of being confined to her quarters, this was how karma wanted to fuck her up?

She came out here to have a good time and she seriously felt so attacked right now.

But as if her luck had finally come home from its way too long vacation, instead of being impaled, the leg that almost pierced her was blown out of the way by a little white bomb. April could only hear the creature scream as purple smoke clouded her sight.

Smoke that seemed too familiar.

Dumbfounded, the redhead watched as a figure emerged from the shadows, flinging metal stars, shuriken, at the Crawlers. The shurikens hit them with terrifying precision, right in the narrow crooks between their back panzer, killing them in an instant. One of the creatures fell next to April and her eyes widened at the familiar floral symbol engraved into the weapon.

Snapping her attention back to her rescuer, she watched them fling some more bombs at the Tank, then heaving their body up the broken wall of a building. While the alien squealed in alert, the figure took a few steps back on the roof before breaking into a sprint. They pushed themselves high in the air, then produced a long stick, a bō staff, from their back. With a practiced spin, a blade popped out of the staff and with gravity pulling the attacker down again, they dove the sword into the weak parts of the beast. The Tank screeched loudly before finally dropping dead.

April could not care less about the alien right now, or anything else besides the figure rising from their crouch. Her gaze followed the movement, taking in the green skin, the three toes and fingers and the unmistakeable shell. Finally, her eyes landed on the face, which was obscured by a mask she had last seen before they fought against New York’s invasion together. But April didn’t care, she didn’t have to see his face to know it was him. She could sense it, she could sense who he was. She felt her own feelings mirrored by him. The awe and relief she felt, the happiness, the surprise laced with sadness, and first and foremost, the fear. His fear, however, wasn’t the same she felt. She was scared he would leave, and he was scared to stay. April felt her stomach drop as he turned away.

NO! Don’t! I’m not going to lose you so quickly again!

April took a few fast steps forward and hollered without hiding her desperation.

“WAIT!”

The other stopped short and she could feel the fear and hesitation roll off him. She was going to use that reluctance to her advantage.

“Please, wait!”

Don’t go.

“Don’t leave, please.”

Don’t leave me.

April watched him as he turned around. His mask was directed at her but briefly shifted to look at something behind her. She had already noticed that her team had appeared, she could quietly hear their turbulent thoughts in the back of her head, but she wasn’t going to mind them just yet. With short hand signs she signaled them to stand down.

The redhead heard the footsteps of her soldiers as they backed off a bit. When finally focusing his gaze on April again, she also took a small step back as to give the other room.

“Please.”

Her words had significantly lost power, but she knew she did not have to push her voice, he always heard her.

“Please don’t go.”

Please stay with me.

“Please, Donnie.”

When she finally uttered his name, he flinched. April felt his panic rise but, thankfully, also his longing. She knew he wanted to be back by her side - after all, she wanted him back as well. It had been too long.

When he finally moved, it was her turn to freeze. At first she thought he was going to leave, but he slowly and steadily lowered himself from the monster and took some steps forward. Now they stood only an arm’s length from each other, just gazing. April could barely see his eyes through the holes of the broken mask, but all she needed was a glimpse of the auburn orbs she had feared she would never see again.

That was when she broke. Before she even realized it and before Donnie could even react, she had flung herself at him. Her arms tangled around his hood covered neck and she felt herself cry. She didn’t care if her team saw her break down like that in front of them, she didn’t care if things weren’t as they had been years ago and she and Donatello might no longer be the same as back then. She only knew he was here, right in front of her, right here in her arms.

She could sense the panic resurface inside of him as his hands cautiously made their way to her shoulders. In response, she just gripped him harder and whimpered a miserable ‘no’. His arms slacked and eventually rested on the small of her back. April let a watery laugh slip out as she nuzzled into the fabric around his neck.

She would never let him leave again, never. April never thought that Donatello and his brothers had died out there, but after ten agonizingly long years, doubt and fear started clogging her mind, like a dark shadow slowly draping over the slimmer of belief she still hold onto. But now, she could feel her heart light up again.

In the midst of despair, she had found her hope.

And she was never going to let it go again.

*fidget fidget* Um, yeha, I’m kinda nervous about this one, cos it’s kinda my baby - that’s also why it’s probably the longest of the oneshots. This is an AU I created myself and I like to call the  Apocalypse Au or sht like that. It had many inspirations, one of them being for example Pacific Rim or certain War themed fanfics,  This AUs grittier and more focused on the war/surviving aspect and coping with change. I really hope ya like it! ><

[orbularborbular]

My Thoughts on The Last Jedi

Spoilers below the cut! Do not read this review if you have not seen The Last Jedi! You have been warned!

[And please, kindly remember that I'm just another idiot on the internet with an opinion. I'm not trying to change anyone's mind with this review…I'm just sharing my reaction, because none of my friends are online while I’m writing this and I need to mouth off to somebody.]

Okay, so – analysis time. The way I see it, there are two main narratives in The Last Jedi. I loved one of them, and I hated the other.

Narrative #1 deals with The Force™ . Naturally, it contains the classic Star Wars themes of tragedy, forgiveness, and redemption, but it adds depth and nuance to these ideas in a couple of ways. It explores the importance of human connection, and it underscores the power that each individual possesses to determine their own self identity, and with it, their fate. The writers made the inspired decision to take the struggle between Light and Dark and externalize it – make it into an actual, literal conversation between two people: Rey and Kylo Ren, with Luke acting as the tormented mediator. Mark Hamill just knocked it out of the fucking park with his performance too – what an amazing conclusion to Luke's story.

Narrative #1 acknowledges the flaws of Jedi doctrine and provides a simple, brilliant explanation for one the biggest questions left over from The Force Awakens: why did Ben Solo turn to the Dark side? The revelation that Luke drew his lightsaber on Ben in a moment of weakness, only to recoil in horror at his own impulse, casts Kylo Ren in an entirely different light. Ben truly believed that Luke meant to kill him – and what troubled teenage boy wouldn't develop emotional issues if he thought his uncle were trying to murder him in the dead of night, especially when he was already under the influence of an evil CGI freak? (On another note, can someone explain to me why Snoke was wearing like, a gold bathrobe? What the hell kind of aesthetic is that?) Luke's culpability, however minor, heightens the tension in the conversation between Rey and Kylo Ren, because it makes him a more sympathetic villain. Suddenly, his rage and hatred make sense. Luke's shame and self-imposed exile make sense. Everything makes sense. The relationship that emerges between the three characters is believable and emotionally satisfying, even if Kylo Ren does make the decision to be a punk bitch in the end. But man, that fight scene where he and Rey are fighting as a team? Top fucking notch.

Narrative #1 works because it establishes cause-and-effect, and because it gives each character a complete arc. Past trauma motivates all three of the central figures: Kylo Ren, Luke, and Rey each have to contend with their own personal demons and choose whether to rise above them, or succumb to them. Their parallel struggles give the movie a sense of cohesion and suspense. Their decisions matter, and those decisions aren't necessarily foregone conclusions, because all three characters have the power to influence one another. Luke chooses to accept his past mistakes and to reconnect with his old comrades; in doing so, he is finally able to achieve the absolution and peace that have eluded him for so long. Rey refuses to give in to her feelings of loneliness and abandonment; instead, she uses the empathy derived from those painful experiences to try and reach out to Ben Solo. Kylo Ren rejects Rey's attempt to connect with him because he is either unwilling or unable to deal with his own trauma. He stubbornly pulls away, and ends up more miserable and broken than ever.

I simply cannot gush enough about how much I loved this whole storyline. Writers take note: this is how you create compelling character drama. The stakes were personal and emotional, but they also had larger ramifications. The imagery and cinematography perfectly complemented what was going on in the narrative, too. Like that scene where Rey saw herself cascaded out, row upon row upon row? Holy crap was that an insightful visual metaphor for the concept of self-identity. And can we talk about the red salt on the snow during the final showdown? How it smeared when stepped in, like blood? That shit was amazing. Luke's confrontation with his nephew was the perfect conclusion to their relationship, and the best possible send-off for Luke. He went out on his own terms, as the ultimate Jedi master: cunning, heroic, and self-controlled, able to own up to his mistakes without being destroyed by them.

Now, on to the part of the film I hated. :(

Narrative #2 is The Little Guys vs. Big Evil™. The themes of this narrative are courage in the face of impossible odds, and the wisdom to know when to make sacrifices. Unfortunately, there are two major problems with this half of the plot that weaken the impact of these themes. The first problem is that there is ZERO world-building in these new movies. None. Zilch. In the original trilogy, the lack of backstory was not a problem because we were thrown directly into a reality where an oppressive autocratic regime was already in power. The audience could accept that these fuckers were genocidal and that a ragtag group of rebels was fighting them, because Episode IV was a blank slate. The conflict was straightforward enough that we could just run with it once it was introduced. But the new trilogy is NOT A BLANK SLATE. The film needed to explain how we got from the events of Return of the Jedi (where the Rebels had just won a major victory, the Empire was reduced to a shadow of its former self, and the threat of pan-galactic annihilation was no more), to “oh yeah, everything is a shitshow again”. What the hell happened during the intervening 30 years? How did the New Republic fail so catastrophically that the First Order was able become such a threat? How did the Imperial Remnant get its hands on that much firepower and manpower without like…anyone noticing, or stepping in during the nascent stages? Where the fuck did this Snoke guy come from, and why is his name so stupid? The movie fails to explain the chain of events that led to this new status quo. It doesn't even hint at it. We get no new information about the conflict at all; instead, we spend over an hour stalling while Finn and Rose do their thing.

Speaking of which... The second big issue with Narrative #2 is that it does not utilize its protagonists correctly. Poe gets some development, but Leia, Finn, and Rose Tico do not get character arcs. They do not change in any meaningful way as a result of what they go through. Leia in particular is static throughout the film. Sure, she spouts a lot of platitudes about hope, but we never get any real insight into what's going on in her head. Is she frustrated that she has to fight the exact same war she already fought in her youth? Does she feel guilty for failing to foresee and prevent the rise of the First Order? How has she been damaged by her personal losses, most notably the murder of her husband at the hands of her own son? The script just gives her nothing to work with. No pathos, no pain. She spends half of the movie in a coma, and the only time she gets to use her Force powers is when she's like...magically levitating through the vacuum of space (I call bullshit on that, by the way). Her only real moment of depth is her reunion with Luke. I think maybe the writers intended to put her character arc in the third movie, but uh...that's not gonna happen now, since Carrie Fisher drowned in moonlight, strangled by her own bra.

Finn, meanwhile, spends the entire movie on a wild goose chase. Sure, the casino planet was cool, but you could cut out that entire subplot and its absence would have no effect on the rest of the movie. The writing here frustrates me SO much because the character problem is SO EASY TO FIX. Here's how you make it work: from the get-go, the movie sets up an ideological conflict between Poe and Leia. Poe wants to blow shit up, while Leia favors a more cautious, big-picture approach. However, instead of following through on this conflict and forcing them to hash it out, the film fridges Leia and sets up purple-haired Laura Dern as Poe's foil. This decision baffles me. Leia is Poe's hero; he admires and respects her. Imagine how much more compelling it would've been if he had to make the gut-wrenching decision to pursue his own approach behind her back instead. Leia vs. Poe is a conflict with higher stakes. We care about both of these characters, and we can see both of their perspectives. Pitting the two against each other ideologically (but with no malicious intent), creates the opportunity for both of them to grow and change.

Here's how you fix Finn's subplot. Make his expertise on the First Order matter by allowing him to be the one who realizes how the flagship is tracking the Resistance through hyperspace. Have Finn reveal this information to Poe (it would make sense for him to approach Poe, because of all the people on board, Poe is the closest thing Finn has to a friend). The two of them decide that an infiltration job is in order. Poe calls Maz for guidance, and she recommends a slicer for the job. Because Poe is currently in conflict with Leia and the rest of the leadership, he sends Finn on a mission to retrieve the slicer in secret. Finn is thrown into a completely alien environment, and it proves to be a real learning experience for him. He sees the stark contrast between the ostentatious elite and the impoverished downtrodden, and his innate love and compassion begin to expand beyond just Rey (I still don’t understand how the First Order is responsible for the mistreatment of the children on casino planet, though. Isn’t the real oppressor like...late stage capitalism? lol).

Of course, he parks like an idiot, so he ends up getting thrown in jail before he can make contact with Maz's slicer. It's here that he meets Rose Tico for the first time. In this version, SHE is the chaotic neutral slicer with the longcoat and the air of charismatic unpredictability. Finn, desperate to escape, strikes a bargain with her. Initially, she only agrees to help him for the money, but as the film unfolds, we learn more about Rose. We discover that her sister died fighting the First Order some months or years before, leaving Rose jaded, aimless, and self-centered. Over the course of the third act, however, Rose sees something in Finn or in the Resistance that makes her reconsider her outlook. Perhaps Finn's fight with Phasma plays a role. She ultimately decides to honor her sister's legacy by taking up her mantle, and she joins the fight against the First Order. By condensing Rose Tico and the hobo-slicer dude into a single person, you create a character with a complete arc, and you create a subplot that matters. When Finn's attempt to infiltrate the enemy ship ultimately fails, it doesn't feel like a complete waste of time, because at least the Resistance gains a badass swaggering scoundrel of a slicer. A character that fucking cool should not be wasted.

A couple other quick fixes. You know the scene where purple-haired whatserface uses a hyper-speed jump to slice clean through Snoke's ship? It's one of the most visually arresting and memorable scenes in the film, but on an emotional level it's underwhelming because we literally just met the woman. Why not keep Admiral Ackbar alive a bit longer so he can be the one to make the iconic sacrifice? The audience already cares about him, so when he goes out in a blaze of glory, it packs a much greater emotional punch (plus, can we give an alien character a chance to shine for once? I'm so sick of all the humans). Back to Finn and Rose. For the love of God, please get rid of the awkward romance shoehorned in at the last minute. What you mean you “love” him, woman? You've known the dude for like two days! I mean, criminy. Rose Tico's character arc needs to be about coming to terms with her sister's death. Poe should be the one to save Finn by bashing his ship aside, because Poe is the one who's supposed to be learning when to sacrifice lives, and when to save them.

Anyway. As you may have guessed from this review, my feelings about this movie are super complicated. The humor was great, the visuals were atmospheric and creative, and the majority of the acting was fantastic. Every time Luke, Rey, or Kylo Ren were on screen, I was on the edge of my fucking seat. I was completely invested in their narrative and could not have been more satisfied with its conclusion. I was, however, sorely disappointed with the way the writers handled the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order. It could have been so, so much better. It deserved to be better, in a script this good. And honestly, maybe the reason I was so disappointed is because that's my favorite part of Star Wars: a ragtag bunch of miscreants scraping by on the strength of their camaraderie. The jump cut from Return of the Jedi to "everything is shit again" makes me feel like the initial Rebellion accomplished nothing. Like it was all for naught. I'm sure I could go digging for the full story in the supplemental materials and fill myself in, but like...it should've been in the movie. There's no reason why you can't devote five minutes to a little explanation.

Maaaaan. I get WAY too worked up about these things.

[ivemetyouathousandways]

Serendipitys måte (A chance encounter)

Thursday - 11 AM 

Løvehulen, or Lion’s Den, had the quaint charm of a small village’s authentic pub just enhanced for what was needed for a modern clientele with modern tech and comfort. 

I was sitting at the bar, my eyes locked on the screen on the wall, waiting for teh dragging news, of which I understood absolutely nothing, to end so that we could dive into today’s most awaited game; England versus Norway. 

I was proudly sporting the team’s jersey, shorts, socks and scarf, and for the longest moment, I felt at peace and happy, the only client in this adorable and desolate little pub, in the quaint silence of this Thursday morning. 

“Hva serverer jeg deg unge frøken?”

“Oh - I’m so sorry, I don’t speak Norwegian...” 

I felt suddenly bad and out of place but the barman gently laid a bear’s paw on my hand and smiled.

“What do I serve you young Miss ?” 

“Do you serve a traditional breakfast ?”

He listed me a few options, suggesting the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon complemented by a strong black coffee, to which I gladly agreed. 

Midway through my meal, a group of loud hooligans unceremoniously barged in and overtook all available seats, invading and assaulting my cozy bubble at the bar. By their accents, it was undeniably clear, they were with the enemy. 

I was finishing my plate and was about to ask for a refill when the barman leaned over.

“The gentleman at the table behind you would like to courteously pay for your breakfast.”

“Why?”

“Go sit with him and ask yourself.”

“You know, this is exactly how a murder mystery begins.” I added, sipping my coffee, suddenly a little tense and defensive.

“I won’t let you leave with him.” He smiled, reassuring.

“Thank you.” I smiled. 

I could always repay the gentleman. 

With my mug in hand, I gladly left the noisy English hooligans at the bar and headed to the table. 

He had the morning paper in hands, in Norwegian, obviously, and took his unbothered time finishing whatever he was reading. I sipped my coffee and waited patiently, trying to invest some sort of interest in the pre-game’s analysis chit chat about player’s scores and team scores and a bunch of stats which didn’t mean much to me. I just wanted the action, the thrill, the intensity.

“You are a little outnumbered, aren’t you, now?” He finally said, closing and folding the paper.

“I was here here first.” I answered coldly. “I’m wearing the local team’s colors, in a pub in their own country. The invaders are at fault here. But I can’t chase them out - they are paying customers after all.”

“But you are sour about the situation.”

“Wouldn’t you be ?”

He smiled, his eyes glimmering.

“It’s adorable how one foreigner is offended at the presence of another in a place that normally brings people together.” He commented, amused.

“They are wearing the wrong colors.” I muttered.

“So, where are you from and what are you doing here? Miss-I-Am-Wearing-The-Right-Colors?”

That eternal question.

“You want the short and simple or the long and complex answer?”

He took a sip of his own coffee. 

“I was born in Transylvania, but I am of Hungarian descent. I had lived the most of my life in the French bit of a most essential Canada and I’m here because I am searching for myself.”

He had paid for my  breakfast, I thought I owed him the deluxe version.

He raised an eyebrow and somewhat pouted - perhaps impressed.

Henriksen swiftly doubled two Englishmen, ran like a mad man for a hot minute, as we would say in today’s lingo, nearly gave me a heart attack as he passed the ball to a youngling who  nearly lost it before finding an opening to give it back to my favorite who, like a valiant knight, gave his all and tangoed the ball in the English top left corner, completely fooling the goalie. I savored his victory as if it was my own, jumping from my seat, arms in the air, shouting victory.

“Mål! Mål!”

The rest of the pub booed and voiced their disappointment, promising sweet revenge. I smiled triumphantly. We popped the cherry. 

“Why did you pay for my breakfast?” I asked, the concern back on my mind.

“I think you just answered that question yourself.” He smiled. “I appreciate foreigners who root for my country.” He added to my dubious expression. “Remains the last part of my previous question, to be answered, if you so find a likeliness in your heart to oblige.”

“Refresh me?”

[... ] And fuck your short memory. [... ]

Yeah, fuck my short memory.

“You mentioned you were searching for yourself.”

Ah yes - the eternal quest to find oneself. 

“I kind of wanted to try the Camino de Santiago but I’m not much for pre-established paths and having to clear check-in points.”

“Why does such a young person such as yourself feels a need for such a journey?”

“Because I have lost too much in the recent past and ...” I sighed, it was a difficult topic, even with strangers, “I’m the Hermit who has done being the Queen of Swords and wants to be the Page of Wands to start anew.”

He paused his sip midway.

“I beg your pardon - I most definitely did not understand the latter part of your answer.”

Normally I would have felt embarrassed but, the sharp sting in my heart was burning like bubbling lava. 

“Tarot cards.” I answered neutrally. 

He nodded and understood my signal to back off.

And I suddenly felt bad for my coldness. I didn’t meant to be rude, but the pain was yet too violent and alive. 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...”

He gently tapped on my hand on the table, but I felt it clearly - I had broken a little bit of something that had bloomed in him when I had taken my seat next to him.

The English devils scored an illegal equalizing point a few minutes before the end of the first period and I sourly objected, but no one but the silver haired gentleman whose table I was sitting at, and the barman busy tending the bar hooligans, was giving much of a troubled damn about it all. 

“That number sixteen is a bloody snake!” I snarled. 

“Take it easy. It’s only a game. We are early in the quarter finals, we still have time.”

Our coffees were followed by beers and I could literally feel my cheeks reddening with justified passionate anger. The stranger had regained his otherwise cheerful lightness and his intrigued bemusement at my expense.

“Would you be able to predict who would win the match?” He asked, finishing his first beer.

“I guess, but I do no wish to ... somethings are better enjoyed without knowing in advance.” 

He nodded. 

I ordered a shot of whiskey and a second pint of beer. He rose an eyebrow and I clearly saw his judgement of my drinking choice.

“You should try - it just spices up the beer a little.” I said, sliding my pint over for him to take a sip of.

“You’re not squirmish about it ?”

I watched him take a long mouthful, making sure to mark the exact spot from where  he drank to second the motion, putting down the pint with a noticeable tap on the table.

“Nope.” I smiled, perhaps feeling the horizons of Tipsy-Land.

Commentators were dragging on and I was starting to get annoyed at the length which they abused, shoving us cold served stats again.

“Put your hand on the deck and close your eyes.” I asked, putting my deck of cards in front of him.

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

He grimaced but followed my instructions. I shuffled the cards, for an appreciable time, enjoying his puzzled expression, trying not to burst out laughing, and laid four cards on the table.

“You are mostly compassionate, calm and caring, easy going even - with others, but you need structure and routine in your core environment. You tend to step back and close yourself in, looking for deeper meanings, and that may give off an image of cold uncaring, harsh man, but you are not. It’s actually quite a healthy mix of contrasting energies.”

He seemed frozen, all of a sudden. I took a triumphant sip of my spiked beer. He moved an automatic hand and took a long gulp of it too. 

I laid four more cards, revealing the res of his story.

“I don’t know how recent this is, but it has to be fairly recent. You have lost something or someone very important to you and you are still dancing with that sorrow in your heart.” I commented, reminiscing of my heart own heartache, hoping that my energy hadn’t clouded the read. “You are reminiscing of the past, but perhaps, it would be time to move forward and away from that which causes you pain.” I suddenly wished I hadn’t turned those four extra cards. It felt all too familiar. 

He took a deep breath and looked at the screen behind the bar where the game had finally resumed the second half. 

“I lost my apprentice last month. Suicide.” He whispered in a dead tone.

“I’m so sorry.”

“He was battling depression and alcohol addiction. He normally would have had such a brilliant future ahead of him, but his past was a demon he couldn’t confront or battle.” He finished my pint of beer. “There is not one day I am walking in the living daylight and not think that I could have done something to prevent his death. I should have locked him in at my place, I should have kept a watch guard over him, but I let myself be fooled by his promises and lies of well being - he was a good actor, I will give him credit for that. He had fooled us all.”

I stretched out a hand to put the cards back in the deck, but he gently put his over mine and we stayed there a long moment, cards on the table, his warm comforting hand over mine.

“So then, tell me, who have you lost?” 

No escape this time. 

“My idol, my best friend, my parents, my life, sight in one eye...” 

He squeezed my hand and held it like that for an ever longer time.

The game eventually ended with a triumphant victory of our team - the Lions and happiness flooded me like the biblical deluge. I jumped from my seat, proudly waving my scarf, regretting not having a flag at hand, dancing around like a kid in a toy store during holidays, all my own personal sorrows and pains annihilated by a blissful moment of sheer happiness. 

The English fans booed once more, grunted their sour disappointment, which half of me understood,  but the other half royally dismissed. Screw you, you overrated fucks! I tackle hugged my table mate and danced joyously, without a single care in the world. 

“Where are you headed, after this glorious moment?” He asked, smiling with genuine happiness.

“I don’t know...” The reality of the happy moment gripping me, holding me, pushing uncertainty away. “Maybe just walk around and enjoy locals celebrating a well deserved victory.”

“May I burden you with my unrequited presence, in your random wanderings?”

If we were in any other dimension but this boring bland which was ours, I would have melted at how adorable his proposal was!

“Of course you may! But you have to reassure the barman first - I had promised him I wouldn’t go about wandering off with strangers who paid for my food.” I teased and he chuckled in surprised amusement.

I sat the bar, once the place cleared out of the English invaders, ordered a bottle of water for the road, and listening to the two men banter like old friends, in their mother tongue, obviously leaving me out of the conversation. 

“Do I have your permission to leave with the paying gentleman ?” I asked the barman, realizing it sounded like prostitute asking her pimp his holy permission to go bang a client. “I’m sorry - that sounded awful.”

Both men laughed and the silver haired gentleman gently tapped my shoulder, like a comforting, understanding man. 

The barman smiled and nodded; I had his holy permission. I looked at the door and the thought of these two actually be in connivance hit me like a baseball bat behind the head. Yeah, maybe, except it’s one in the afternoon, in broad daylight. What could actually happen ?

[lotornomiko]

The Sacrificial Maiden Overhauled Chapter Two (Still some violence to make it a NSFW read?)

A slow burn kind of romance, Rufus Alicia pairing. Both caught and rescued by a man, a God, who claims to know her by another name, she is a veritable prisoner up in his home in the heavens, past and present at war, her reality versus his memories, and a deal that may cost them both more than they could ever imagine. The revamp of My Sacrificial Maiden fic.

Chapter Two: A Rufus POV

The village lay half in ruin, its buildings on fire, things overturned, smashed, and outright destroyed. The devastation had spread to the fields, the harvest that these people had spent all year working to grow, and the crops not yet picked in danger. Such needlessly cruel havoc, it was worse than anything he might have expected, and yet so completely in line with the malevolent nature of Nifleheim. That brand of evil, it made his fingers tighten on his weapon, his anger such that the man was almost sick with it. That blaze of fury, it bubbled up inside him, a majestic surge of power shooting outward, the light of it spreading slowly but surely over every inch of Coriander.

As potent as it was heady, that use of the power of Creation inside him, Rufus watched as the fires were put out in an instant, buildings rapidly restored, things rebuilt and righted, down to the crops that was so necessary for these people’s survival, it was to his lasting pity that this same power couldn’t right the wrong done to villager’s souls.

It was not that there was a limit to Creation’s power, so much as they were laws that governed just what could be done. A promise that not even God himself could break with, the lives once lost cast into the cycle of rebirth and ruin, souls either reborn or so wholly destroyed that all trace of them were removed from existence.  It was more than a death sentence, that, it was a complete annihilation of a person’s being, such an extreme act reserved for only the most vile of sinners and the most desperate of sacrifices. Rufus had born witness to both suffering that fate, that of the mad man who had blasphemed against the entirety of the world, and that of the brave women who had let themselves be destroyed for the chance to stop him.

Five souls in all had been lost as a result, sinner and saints alike, and with them, balance and order had been restored. Creation itself was saved, the world and its people no longer in such imminent danger. Their every day struggles continued, eight of the nine varied realms content to maintain a lasting attempt at harmony, with only Nifleheim determined to destroy all chance at peace. With Hel as their leader, the demons, monsters, and that of the damned, all strove to steal every bit of existence that they could, to spread their despair and greed to all. Coriander was just the latest in their bid for dominance, and yet it angered him all the more, Rufus aware that these senseless acts of violence, had finally had a true purpose behind them.

Meant to strike a most personal blow to the God who ruled over all of Creation, this unforgivable act had been meant as a trap. Even knowing this, Rufus had still come, discarding Freya’s concerns, putting himself and the world in jeopardy to right the wrong done in the name of catching God. He had been called foolish as a result, deemed needlessly reckless, and far too human in thought. He had argued back that those same faults as she saw them, were what had allowed for God’s benevolence to extend to all the realms, and not just the heavens alone.

Furious as Freya had been, the Goddess has not been able to argue against the truth of that. Creation was thriving, ALL of it, such peace and prosperity the likes of which had never been known under Odin’s thoughtless tyranny. The world itself had become like a paradise, food and resources plentiful, whole nations thriving, Creation remade to be what SHE would have wanted. Freed from the cruel manipulation of the Gods, their mad schemes and blatant toying, it was what SHE, Alicia, had sacrificed her soul for.

“Alicia...” The name and the memory of her, never failed to bring him pain, it and a desperate longing spiking through him. Such bitter sweet hurt, that of a heart never fully healed, Rufus had and still suffered a wealth of varied emotions, the unresolved feelings of a love that had never truly had a chance to be. Now wasn’t the time to slip in to the melancholy over what he had been denied, that poignant loss something to be set aside for a time better spent righting the wrongs of this past night.

“Report.” He said to the sudden presence besides him. The soul, an einherjar, had dropped to one knee, head bowed in a kind of reverent respect that wasn’t easily cast aside. The awe and esteem placed on him, was something Rufus still wasn’t used to, and even less liked, but old habits died hard, more heroes than not resisting the break of tradition.

“Only a few stragglers remain on the outskirts of the village.”

“Good, see that they are caught and returned to their mistress’ stern embrace.” A pause then, Rufus trying to keep the beat of his heart from betraying him. “What of the girl?”

There was a noticeable flinch as reaction from the kneeling einherjar. “Missing.”

He couldn’t stop the surge of unease, the panic and the worry, the alarm bells going off in his head, as the God turned to focus fully on this bearer of bad news. “What do you mean she is missing!?” A different kind of power spread out from him, colored as it was by his spike of emotion, its spread across the village instantly confirming his einherjar’s words.

“Shit!” Rufus swore, already on the move. The einherjar hurried to his feet, following after the God, but there was no keeping up with a man as desperately motivated as Rufus now was. His long strides pounded down pavement and dirt, Rufus passing through the heart of the town, to get to the outskirts, where fighting still took place. It was the heaven’s warriors and it was the scourge of Nifleheim, the damned souls of human sinners not yet ready to give up. Engaged in that bloody and violent combat, no one paid real mind to the cloaked figure who had entered into the midst of the battle.

A rising urgency within him, Rufus began pushing aside einherjar and blasphemer alike, his power still out there searching. Passing over each person, tasting of their soul, and finding them lacking, he continued his frantic quest, until at last before him, stood a demon, it’s malevolent eyes a crimson color that marked it as one of the undead.

Immediate was both their reactions, the demonic creature’s claws going for the God whose weapon rose to block the blow. Sharp tipped nails scrabbled over metal, the divine lance sending off sparks of power that had the monster screeching in pain. With a strong kick out of his right leg, Rufus sent the undead fiend flying back, the momentum only broke by a tree in its path. Its snarl cut off short, to find a glowing arrow in its face, the divine energy slowly but surely burning a hole into the creature’s cheek.

“Where is she!? Where have you taken her!?” His voice was more frantic than commanding, the hand that held onto the bow and the arrows, visibly shaking.

Even so wounded and in pain, the demon still took the time to taunt him. To mock him with a twisted smile, claws grabbing at the arrow head embedded in its cheek. “Hers will make a ripe soul for Hel’s feast.”

Another arrow flew, this time pinning a hand to the bark of the tree. The undead fiend howled in pain, the divine energy pouring off the metal, burning its tainted soul little by little. “She is an innocent!” Rufus was the one snarling now, drawing the attention of einherjar and damned alike. “Free of Nifleheim and its Queen’s grasp!”

Coughing up blood and saliva, the demon spat in the God’s face. “Believe that all you like...it won’t spare her soul from going under.”

Near blind with his rage and with his desperation, a third arrow was unleashed, and with it a horrible, grating sound, that of the monster laughing. It set Rufus off further, Gungnir transforming from bow to lance in an instant, the divine weapon suddenly at the fiend’s throat. Even that didn’t stop that mocking noise, Rufus wanting answers, and wanting them now.

“You have lost.” That piercing laughter continued, the demon brash and bold as it locked eyes with the God. “So what will it be? Creation or the girl? Which one will you see damned for all of lasting eternity?” A smirk then. “Surely God would not be so selfish...to sacrifice the good of the all for one single, solitary soul...” A pause, the smirk growing all the more grotesque. “Ah but we mustn’t forget, that this one is special…”

“Damn you...”

“I’ll extend to you Hel’s invitation.” The demon spoke over him. “You’ve not much time left to accept…”

“Oh I’ll be there.” A hiss followed by the pressure of his arm pushing down on the divine lance. “But old Hel is in for a surprise, if she thinks I’ll give up the world OR the girl!” The monster’s mocking laugh was cut off by its head being severed, the narrowed eye malice of it’s expression captured for all eternity, as it fell free of the body, and rolled to a stop against the God’s foot. He stared down at it, still so angry and full of so volatile a need, Rufus bringing his booted foot down to smash the offending face to bloody pieces.

Turning swiftly, he looked at the gathered einherjar, saw that most if not all of the damned had been subdued by them. Such a miserable and angry lot, their hostility and wicked ambition was radiating off them in waves, the group defiant to the last, and clearly intent on causing more trouble should the slightest mercy be shown them.

“Kill them.” Came the cold order, but it was not the God who had given voice to the command, but that of a Goddess.

“Freya!” Surprise was in his voice, along with a wary hostility, the two a pair that weren’t on good terms under the best of circumstances. “Have you come to stop me?”

“Yes, from being more foolish than usual, you idiotic God!” A emerald colored glare met his, the green clad Goddess standing in mid air, with her hands on her hips. “Honestly, do you ever think things through!?” She gestured wildly with her arm, encompassing the newly restored village. “Unleashing God’s miracles with little regard for the target it paints...”

“Coriander was a target long before that..” He countered, Rufus bristling despite himself. “Freya, they know...” He gave a sharp jerk of his head. “Not only that, they HAVE her.”

“Yes, I know...”

Those clipped sounding words raised his hackles, his glare narrowing further as he raged and glowered at the Goddess. “What do you mean, yes, you know…!?”

“Why ELSE would I be here!?” Tensions escalated with that, Rufus feeling very close to throttling the Goddess.

“Well then you understand what I HAVE to do.” It was his tone that was terse, Rufus barely in control of his rage. “And WHY I can’t let anyone stand in my way…!”

Sudden was her reaction, the gold glint of ether the only thing that lingered in the space the Goddess has just been occupying. In the span of the millisecond that it took einherjar and damned to blink their eyes, the lady Freya had gone from her lofty position in the sky, to standing right before the God. That divine energy gleamed upon her hand, followed by a loud slap of sound, the blonde haired woman in green having struck the man’s face.

It was a slap so hard that he actually staggered back, and the sound that escaped him was shocked at best. That nonsensical noise, it and the look that he gave her, were the only reaction he seemed capable of, Rufus doing an open mouthed gape at the Goddess. Freya’s lips pressed together, the woman’s emerald colored eyes looking stormy with her anger.

“You are always such a fool...I fear this side to you will never change, no matter how many more centuries may pass...” She shook her head, and took another step forward, briefly touching fingertips to his weapon, Gungnir. “Coriander may have been ONE of their targets, but never forget that THIS and the power to wield it are their true goals.”

That power came with more than just physical strength, all of Creation’s knowledge stored within, every last rule and responsibility bound to a single choice. To do right by the world, or to do wrong by it, and never had this God wavered with that particular indecision before, Rufus having always wanted to be the direct opposite of his tormentor and predecessor, Odin. It was to his and the realms’ detriment, that the single, solitary element, that one soul in particular, had been found, HERS the only thing in existence that the God might be willing to damn the world to never ending darkness for.

With that thought he could barely meet the gaze of the emerald green eyes that bore into his, the weight of her stare not just one of consideration, but one of daring, the Goddess expression and manner so like that day of a few hundred years ago. That time, on the very tops of Yggsdrasil’s branches, she had put forth a challenge, willing Rufus to prove himself worthy of the power he had been about to claim.

The stakes weren’t much different now, as it had been then, Creation itself seeming to hold its breath, Rufus knowing the one and only answer that could satisfy the goddess, was a promise he could not give.

“I will be careful...” He stated instead. “I don’t intend to give up my power OR the girl’s soul, to the likes of Hel and her minions.”

A great breath expelled out of the Goddess, the sounds so exasperated and weary, Freya taking a step back. “Then you best hurry.” This change in attitude seemed to stagger him as much as her earlier slap had, Rufus just staring at her, flabbergasted. Was it a kindness that had the golden haired Goddess choose not to comment on his slack jawed response? He’d never know for sure, the green clad deity speaking.

“Her innocence buys her soul some measure of protection.” Freya continued. “But there are ways to work around even that.”

“Ways?” He croaked out, barely able to comprehend what she was implying.

“To drag a soul worthy of the heavens down into Nifleheim’s dark abyss.” clarified Freya. “Evil magic,  a long forbidden ritual, that can disguise the purity within...” Her green gaze was troubled, as though the Goddess was doubting herself in telling him this. “It will take time to cast, to make the sacrifice ready for its descent….”

“Sacrifice!?”

“No living creature may tread foot upon the underworld that’s not demon or divine....” She fixed him with a look. “You should already know this...” A shake of her head, a kind of promise in her eyes that foretold that the lecture he was to receive would be put off only for this one time.

“Head to the forgotten temple...” Her arm raised up, ether dripping off one single finger tip. “Those abandoned ruins are perfect for the desecration that must be committed there.”

He has so many questions, might have even owed her his apology, but above all else, amid the many varied emotions he was feeling, the urgency and the desperation, and that thin bit of hope that he’d make it in time, was a sliver of gratitude.

“Thank you.” He said and meant it, the gold orb of divine energy flying free of Freya’s hand. It shot off in an arc, zigzagging past people, marking the path the God needed to follow. A glow accompanied its travels, the light turning faint when it slipped through the trees, and into the depths of the forest.

“We will finish up here...” He nodded, but barely took to the meaning behind those words, a growing sense of urgency worsened, Rufus innately knowing that to lose track of the ether trail would result in a slim window closing, the soul that he was so desperate towards saving, perhaps lost for good. He took off running, the cloak clasped in place over his shoulders, flaring out, and with every step taken, he seemed to fly, moving with the grace of a divine, and a speed that was unnatural to any other of Creation’s beings. His surroundings seemed to blur around him, his focus narrowed down to the one aid Freya had lent him, moving as it did, with sharp zig zags over and around tress, past the startled creatures of the forest, to climb higher and higher up a mountain, until abruptly a drop was upon them, the arc of gold light shooting down into a valley to come circling around what had to be the ruins of a temple.

His expression grimly determined, Gungnir obeyed an unspoken command, shifting from it’s natural form, to that of the shape of his preferred weapon of choice. The polished silver gleamed, reflecting the light and the glow that surrounded the ruins. Save for the ether, nothing else stirred, not animal and certainly not damned or demonic, Rufus taking careful steps forward.

“Too easy...” He murmured with a frown. Did they not expect him here, or was this yet another of Hel’s traps? Whatever the answer, he had to keep moving, and then all attempt at being quiet was lost, to the sight of blood on the ground. What had started out as a few smears, soon turned into a distinct trail, as though something wounded had been dragged. He feared the answer as to what that something had been, but more than that, it made him nearly blind with fury, Rufus taking off running, his booted feet pounding the ground, and then the broken marble of what remained of the interior’s floor. Things spooked inside the temple, animals from the sound of it, both predator and prey made wary by the God tearing through their makeshift home.

The blood trail stopped just short of the flood, a room that was more filled with water than not. From across its icy surface, came a sound, that of a low monotone voice speaking, chanting some kind of nonsense out. He then plunged waist deep into the water, abandoning the cloak that tried to drag him down with its wet weight, and came at last to the deepest part of the temple. To a place that had once been the heart of a divine worship, now made a mockery of all its values, by the monsters, the demons, who played at stealing a soul.

He couldn’t see the soul in question, but he could FEEL it, both the girl and that ebb of her life starting to slip free of her body. She was barely hanging on, and the claws around her throat weren’t helping the matter, Rufus notching an arrow to his bow. Divine energy didn’t just glow on the feathered tip, it poured off it in strong waves, the God a snarling mass of fury, as he proclaimed to the gathered demons that they had NO right.

The blinding blaze of that launched arrow marked it’s path as true, the pointed tip slamming into one of the wrists of a demon. It screamed and dropped its hold of the girl, her pale and near lifeless body, hitting the floor harder than Rufus would have liked. He was beyond furious in response, arrow after arrow flying, the God on the move, nightmares rushing towards him, more than he could keep track of, his figure swarmed and swamped by that dark mass. He went under, with claws tearing into him, the pummel of fists and other appendages striking him, those fiends relentless but then so was he! With a roar, and a power that shot off him in waves, that strong surge of divine energy sent Nifleheim’s worst flying back, arrows again airborne, piercing into body after body, the God this wild thing, an unstoppable force that bit by bit made his way closer towards the altar, and the broken form of the girl who lay unconscious before it.

Not even the reinforcements that came rushing out of the shadows could make a difference, Rufus dispatching them all with an ease that was almost laughable if not for the mad rage inside him. Gungnir’s wire sang with every arrow unleashed, this room of worship lit up by all the divine energy burning apart the very essence of the demons. His own ragged breath was heard, a sign not of exhaustion, but one of wordless fury, nothing and no one able to calm him save for the life he was taking into his hands.  

“Ah….” His fingers hovered uncertain for one second too long, Rufus cursing himself, for now was NOT the time for any kind of hesitation. He was nervous all the same, whole centuries having passed dreaming of this kind of moment. A touch of any kind, his hands a kind of reverence normally reserved for only the Gods, she was then cradled close against his chest, the girl’s head falling back to give him a start of his own.

Far older than he had anticipated, the girl---more so a young woman, and with the body to prove it, marked the passage of a time he had not realized had even fully passed. To him it still felt like it had only been just yesterday, that he chanced upon the child, the soul that had inexplicably been reincarnated. But for the mortals of Midgard, time had never stopped, at least a whole ten years having passed, if not more, for this woman.

He was made stupid in the face of a beauty that didn’t so much rival that of his memories, as replicate it completely. From the sweet curve of her lips, to the honey hued color of her hair, to the thick lashes of her eyes, she was the spitting image of his Alicia. No, she was more than just her twin, branded as she was by the ever weakening soul inside her, this young woman somehow against all the odds, and the laws of providence, this was his lost love reborn!

“Alicia…” His vision blurred with a hint of his gratitude, a tear falling free. It was a miracle, one he had prayed for and given up on ever happening, this soul meant to be struck from existence. It had never sat right with him, the unfairness of it all, the idea that Alicia would be punished instead of rewarded for the sacrifice she had given.

The impossible had happened. Somehow, someway, some power higher than even that of God, having righted a wrong that had tormented him for centuries. He didn’t know who or what they were indebted to, but the grateful deity wasn’t about to squander this, their second chance. Not to Hel, and not to the young woman’s own fragile state, Rufus lowering his head to brush lips over hers.

Cold and trembling at first, the warmth of the ether on his lips began to work it’s own miracle. Her lips began to take on a heat of their own, quivering mouths joined together, and from that merging of flesh, a healthy flush began to overtake the pale skin. It was life, and it was vitality, a healing magic that brought her heart beating a stronger tempo, her chest rising and falling easier with an even breath, a soul that had almost snapped free, instead pulled back, death and damnation both held at bay once more.

Snuggled into the warmth, the young woman began to stir. Slowly at first, but then with a rising panic, her soft hands pushing at him, trying to break them free of the kiss. It was wrong of him, he knew, but Rufus lingered longer than the miracle required, enjoying the kiss in a way that was pure need of a different kind, that of a love and a desire denied for so many centuries thus.

Her hands became more and more insistent, the tension within that frame making her come off as frantic, and only belatedly would he then remember, that mortals had need to breathe. She was already half swooning as a result, eyes that he knew would be colored so beautiful a blue, fluttering to look up at him.

“Hey...” It was more awkward then he felt their reunion should be, Rufus giving the young woman, a sheepish looking grin. “It’s been a long time…Alicia…”

“Ah...” She struggled to form the words, a questioning sound at the end of them. “Alicia?” He could hear the flustered beat of her heart, the sound faster than was healthy, that frightened tempo more than any mortal could maintain, and with it, went her eyes, the blue color lost to the sudden weight slumping against him, the woman having given in to the faint.

To Be Continued…

I’m glad I took a nap in the middle of writing this. I was having SO much trouble with my first draft of the Freya Rufus scene...so much so, that upon coming back, I HATED that first attempt, and trashed it into what felt like the better read. Overall, Freya aside, I had enjoyed writing this chapter. XD

---Michelle

[ecotone99]

[FN] Howl in the Night - A SpellForce Short Story

For a more visually pleasing version, you can read the story on DeviantART: https://www.deviantart.com/wormic/art/Howl-in-the-Night-A-SpellForce-Short-Story-793074138

The cold wind was blowing against the tall stone towers. A wolf's howling could be heard on the outskirts of the fields surrounding the city. Faint, but still strong enough to fill the hearts of local farmers with fear. It wasn't a common occurrence, but the occasional slaughter instrumented by the surrounding packs was enough to make sure no one dared to leave the safety of their homes at night – at least not unarmed.

The dim moonlight lit the white mountain stone as the urban lights began to fade out. Another day in Greyfell was slowly nearing its end.

Although still called the human capital of Nortander by some, the city was nothing more than a pale shadow of its former self. Like the rest of Eo, Greyfell couldn't escape the horrors and destruction that the Convocation had caused. Seven years ago, on that dreaded day, the call of the thirteen awoke the elements, and for a few hours, for the first time in 500 years, the city was completely silent. Once the dust had settled down, the survivors were left with a dreadful image of the once divine looking municipality. The crown at its peak, the Greykeep, had been completely eradicated, swallowed by the primal Elements and devoured by the colossal waves slamming against the island's cliffs and shores. The only parts that managed to escape total annihilation were the city’s lower district and its farmland – Greyfell, once the pride of the North, had been reduced to rubble.

Seven years have passed since then, and new life began to prosper. The people rebuilt, the trade continued, and the man solely responsible for its fruition stood atop its walls, alone and in deep thought. The silver-layered moonlight shining though his grey hair as he observed the distance with a melancholic gaze on his face. Rohen let out a deep sigh filled with a sense of accomplishment, but also regret. After the Convocation had ended, and the drums of war had gone silent, he embarked on journey, a quest seeking redemption. The once powerful mage took it upon himself to rebuild what had been broken – what he had broken.

More than five hundred years ago, on the initiative of the former queen of Nortander Ayelith, descendant of the ancient Hybernian Empire, a group of Eo’s thirteen most powerful mages joined forces to form a group destined to stop evil and injustice, and to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity – The Circle.

The Circle initially upheld their vows and Eo entered a golden age where all the races lived together in harmony. However, after mastering the power of the Allfire, the members of the Circle became greedy. Having discovered a hidden scroll detailing how to obtain god-like power, the Circle turned on their own brethren. For decades, they worked havoc upon Eo. Armies of man, beast, demon and undead ravaged the land, killing thousands upon thousands of innocents – the Circle cared not, for they were blinded by their greed, poised to be the one to make this world their dominion.

He was one of them. Rohen was there from the beginning all the way until the bitter end.

When the day on which the prophecy was to be fulfilled had come, they called upon the Elements which had been banished away ages ago by Aonir, the Allfather – none of them were able to force them to submit.

The Elements were free once again. They devastated Eo, rendering the once great continents to islands, and turning its once blue seas into plains of death. For one day and one night this continued. The sky became black with ash and fire rained from the clouds. The ground spat out living fire and showed the world the meaning of fear. Once the shadow had passed, the Elements were banished once more and forced back into the depths of Eo from which they had come forth.

Only few managed to take shelter by the Godstones. Protected by Aonir’s power, they repelled the Elements and prevented complete annihilation.

The Circle had been deceived, lured into a long-forgotten trap set by the Fial Darg. Their lust for power blinded them, and ultimately, became their downfall.

“I knew I would find you here once you returned from your journey.” – Sartarius said in a deep calm voice that echoed behind him.

Rohen was too immersed in his thought to react straight away.

Having noticed his absence, Sartarius followed up. – “Are you still thinking about it?”

He continued walking up the pathway leading onto the city walls, stopping as soon as he reached him. Sartarius placed a hand on Rohen’s shoulder and continued: “It has been six years already. You will have to let it go at some point. The people have forgiven you for what had happened.”

Rohen closed his eyes and finally broke his silence: “People forgive, but they do not forget – I know that better than most.”

Satarius lifted his hand from his shoulder and Rohen continued: “How dumb we’ve been. The most powerful on Eo tricked by a piece of writing. What I would give to undo it all…” “You are putting all of this burden on your shoulders. It wasn’t your fault alone, and you have done more than enough to make up for it since then.”

After the Elements had destroyed Eo, Rohen took it upon himself to rebuild it. He embarked on a six-year long quest to make the word whole again, traveling from land to land, island to island and connecting them again by building portals. He didn’t differentiate between the races of light and darkness, between races and creatures. And he accomplished his goal. Rohen may have taken part in Eo’s destruction but was now hailed as its sole rebuilder. However, not everyone was able to so readily forget his past.

“Dark clouds are rising on the horizon, my old friend. I’m beginning to get worried.” – Rohen turned around and exclaimed.

“Worried? You, a Circle Mage?” – Sartarius glanced at him confusingly – “Why even? The years after the wars have been calm. Bandits give us trouble occasionally, but better than anyone could have hoped for.”

“That is what’s worrying me, my friend. Erecting the portals has drained me of a lot of my power, and loot after the war is plentiful. Don’t you think it is unusual that no one is trying to benefit from this?”

“Aye, a bit unusual indeed.” Sartarius said and promptly followed with “But that is why you created our Order.” The Order Sartarius spoke of was the Order of Dawn - Rohen’s first creation after the wars. A neutral fraternity raised on the ashes of Greykeep with its sole purpose being to help Eo rebuild.

“I must be overthinking it, you are right.” Rohen said a bit reluctantly, but eventually agreed. “Ha-ha” Sartarius laughed “You might be ten times as old as me my friend, but the years of war and intrigues have surely taken their toll on you. On all of us, in fact.”

“I am the architect of my own destruction, Sartarius. I have neither wars nor intrigues to blame for it.” – He quickly followed it up – “But enough about my past. Tell me about the Order’s endeavors.”

Rohen smiled with a friendly look in his eyes as he spoke. The Order was his finest creation and he took great pride in its work. It was hard to dispute its influence in the new world, and at its head sat Sartarius, appointed the Order’s master by Rohen himself. A fitting role for an old captain of the Wolf’s guard.

Before the Convocation had happened, Rohen and Sartarius met in the busy halls of Greykeep, discussing plans and regularly being heard arguing. And although their views often collided on multiple fronts, the two quickly took a liking to each other. Perhaps because Sartarius’ calm and reasonable nature contrasted Rohen’s greed which he had developed after the Allfire started coursing through his veins. What ever it may have been, Rohen hadn’t wasted any time thinking about who to bestow the crucial role upon. And thus far, Sartarius has proven to be more than capable of bearing the title of the Order’s headmaster.

“It has been quiet in the halls of the Order.” – was Sartarius’ answer. “We are gaining members by the hour. Frankly, I am amazed by the will the people here have left in them after all that had happened.” “The people of Nortander always had this quality about them.” – Rohen quickly interrupted but signalled that he may continue by giving him a small nod with his head.

“Aye.” – Sartarius agreed – “That being said, we still have a lot of work to do. How are the other nations managing for the time being? The Highmark, and the races on Urgath and Xu?”

“They are faring well, still adjusting to this new way of life.” – Rohen said with a hint of pride in his voice. They both paused for a moment, then Sartarius added. “I have been thinking about gradually expanding the Order. We cannot hope to achieve what we’ve set out to do if we confine ourselves to just Nortander- and even so, our reach barely goes beyond the Wildland. While you were gone, I’ve given myself the liberty to establish further outposts, most notable in Greydusk Vale – we’ve gotten some… unsettling reports regarding the Darklands…” Rohen agreed. From the very start, it had been his wish for the Order to expand, but the lack of resources, and more importantly, the lack of time proved to be a hindrance.

Sartarius continued his voice: “We’ve made further plans to establish a branch of the Order in Sevenkeeps and one in Empyria. Should the circumstances remain as they are, we were hoping to progress within the next couple of moons.”

“Bold choice, but I am uncertain on how king Ulf would react to such a proposal. Ever since I’ve known him, he has been a patriot, one that is very reluctant to accept help to boot.”

“I cannot hurt to try.” Rohen got interrupted by Sartarius. “What about emperor Magnus Arias? Do you think our plans would be more fruitful in Empyria?”

“Perhaps. Empyria could always use additional support. Although the stubbornness of the people of Xu is not to be taken lightly. But do not let that stop you. I gave you command over the Order because you earned my trust, and rightfully so. You are able to make your own decisions.” He paused for a moment – “I left my days of issuing orders behind me…”

Both suddenly stopped conversing and turned their gaze towards the sky.

The full moon was steadily nearing its high point. Dead silence filled the air, not even the wolves cared to show their presence – either that or they were hoping to catch unsuspecting prey. The torches lighting up Greyfell’s streets were nigh extinguished, gleaming ever so slightly - enough to emit faint warmth in the cold night. There was nothing left to be discussed between the two friends. Rohen lowered his head and opened a big book, adorned with worn-out brown leather and multiples Runes, none of which could be read by Sartarius, or any modern scholar.

Sartarius decided to bring the conversation to a close.

“What are you going to do next?” He asked Rohen.

Rohen closed the book; “I am going to call on Darius, there are things we must discuss.”

Darius’ home had always been a frequent stop during Rohen’s travels. A mysterious old scholar and cartographer living in Liannon, he was rumoured to posses knowledge far grater than one would attribute to him. Sartarius tried to avoid asking, but curiosity prevailed; “You seem to visit him quite often.” He turned his eye to the book Rohen was holding “There’s something you aren’t sharing with me, aye?”

“Nothing worth discussing at present.” A rare, faint smirk appeared on Rohens face.

Sartarius would have preferred being told, but he knew Rohen and was all-too familiar with his mysteries. Not wanting to dwell on the question any longer, he followed it up with another; “What are you going to do afterwards?” This time hoping for a clearer answer.

“After I’ve spoken to Darius?” Rohen looked once again into the far distance crossing the elemental sea.

“After that, I am going to pay a visit to an old friend.”

THE END

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New Release Roundup, 7 April 2018: Fantasy and Adventure

A strange typewriter ribbon speaks to an occult investigator, a Texan soldier must delay Santa Anna’s march to the Alamo, Imperial Rome discovers the New World, and more in this week’s roundup of the newest releases in fantasy and adventure.

Blessings and Trials – Thomas Davidsmeier

A Sojourner settlement is attacked by Exile fallen angels and their monstrous minions. Three young friends are separated from their families. Now the soldier’s son Litharus, loving and kind Ingrid,and precocious Gwendolyn must set out together to find their parents. Even though the whole world seems to be aligned against them, they have a secret advantage. Each of these young Sojourners has a special magical Blessing. Are these magical talents enough to escape the Exiles hunting them and help them finally find safety in their parents’ arms?

The intertwined tales in Blessings and Trials span generations and cross seas and continents. They are woven into a world full of dragons, demons, and angels that has been shaped by the currents of magical powers throughout its history. But like the works of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis that inspired it, this novel is an authentic story of Faith, Hope, and Love battling the forces of Evil.

Chicago Typewriter – Brandon Fiadino

During a brutal territory dispute with the Chicago Outfit, Emilio Enzo and his associates discovered just how deeply involved the criminal underworld is in the occult and supernatural. Using hidden pathways to our world, forces of pure evil have worked in secret to maintain their dark stronghold on the city. Now those forces are back to take their revenge on the one man willing to challenge their reign by stealing the soul of his girlfriend Kat.

While visiting an old shop full of oddities, Emilio comes across an antique ribbon for a typewriter with an unusual history. And after bringing the strange red ribbon home and spooling it into his machine, he is startled when it begins to communicate with him at night….

The Horn’s Fate (Ten Tears Chronicles #4) – Alaric Longsword 

Goddess Nött ended Shannon’s reign over the realm of Scardark, and thus, also thwarted the plans of the mad goddess of the dead, Hel. Nött, the wicked goddess of the night and a lover of desperate wagers, set Dana, the least likely of the Ten Tears to be trusted, on a hidden path for Midgard with the mighty Horn of Heimdall, Gjallarhorn, the key to the closed gates.

Dana, having previously failed to guard her sister, and having foully betrayed her companions, must now find a way to unite what remains of the Ten Tears. On this almost hopeless mission to Midgard, the land of the men, Dana leads a volatile dragon, bitter Anja, and a dubious assassin Gutty to find the whereabouts of a long-lost First-Born. Should she succeed, she must also convince such a being to agree to restore Odin to his worlds.

At least Hel, and Shannon seem defeated, and Euryale and Stheno are both dead, victims of Shannon’s ancient dagger Famine.

And yet, the Goddess Hel, despite her madness and greed for vengeance, is a meticulous, cruel planner who does not rely on one plan. Something odd is afoot in Midgard. Also, Dana’s hidden burden is finally revealed. She must fight to keep her sanity and focus, as a powerful being inside her head is slowly corrupting her, aiding her when it suits it, and perhaps, by giving Dana even more power and greater skills, finally guiding her for a new destiny.

Journey of Fate (The Godling Chronicles #7) – Brian D. Anderson

It has been 18 years since the fall of the Reborn King, and Jayden Stedding, son of Gewey, dreams of adventure. Life as a farmer in Sharpstone offers very little excitement. But like his father before him, fate will descend like a storm and soon he will learn that with adventure comes peril. And when you are the son of a god, that peril can shatter worlds.

Heaven is once again in turmoil and Gewey Stedding is missing. And it falls to Jayden to find him. But his journey will take him places even the gods fear to tread. Carried to the edge of madness, he must restore hope and prevent time itself from being upended

“A brilliant continuation to The Godling Chronicles. I can’t wait for the ultimate book. The sole thing I didn’t like was…I have to wait on the final book!”–Amazon Reader Review

The Last Judge (Cloak Games #10) – Jonathan Moeller

My master made a deal with the devil, but I’m the one who has to pay.

Two items I’ve stolen for the Rebels, and I only need to steal one more thing for them.

Trouble is, it’s in Last Judge Mountain, a secret military base left over from before the High Queen of the Elves conquered Earth.

There are things in Last Judge Mountain that should never again see the light of day.

And if I go into the mountain, I might never come out again…

The Last Full Measure – Jack Campbell

America, 1863: the dream of the Founding Fathers has become a nightmare. The ideals of freedom and individualism have fallen to tyranny, corruption and greed. Wealthy industrialists of the North and slave-holding plantation owners of the South now hold power through the might of the military and puppet politicians—and all who defy them are declared traitors to the United States of America.

Condemned for daring to speak against the government, Prof. Joshua Chamberlain is on his way to a penal plantation when his prison train is captured by the Army of the New Republic—a growing force of courageous soldiers who wish to restore the United States to its original righteous path. Joining a company of heroes with names such as Hancock, Longstreet and Armistead, Chamberlain finds himself joining the fight for freedom. But to win that freedom—and keep it—the rebellion needs a leader who is not a soldier, but a living symbol of the cause with the wisdom and fortitude to lead America back into the light.

Chamberlain knows exactly where to find such a leader. A man who is currently being held in the most secure and dangerous prison in the country, where his treasonous ideals cannot be heard. A man whose refusal to bow to those who proudly claim slavery as a way of life has already made him a legend. A man they must rescue at all costs…

A man called Lincoln.

The Lightning Fall (Relic Cycle #2) – Steve Rzasa

An ancient darkness reawakens. An empire casts its shadow over the East.

And together they seek: the Lightningfall.

Bowen Cord has embraced his gift. He uses his ice-summoning in service of others, while relishing the quiet comfort of raising his family. There is no denying the call to a quest, however, when a mysterious woman arrives at the Aevorn village bearing a stone with the rumored ability to reach the dead.

Bowen will have to assemble a disparate crew aboard his new cloudship, traverse the isle-filled skies for hostile lands, and determine who this woman really is—and what she wants.

If not, he’ll be unable to stop an empire from burying the world under a reign of ice.

A March of Woe (Overthrown #3) – Aaron Bunce

Ban Turin, the heavily fortified and cosmopolitan capital of Denoril, has gone dark, its massive gates closed for the first time in an age. Only two people know why: a denil monk and his unlikely savior, a freed prostitute named Aida. They make a desperate March south, fighting the harsh winter to deliver a message of Woe – a message that lord Thatcher, the Earl of the lakes, will likely struggle to believe. The Nymradic, an ancient and powerful race, has returned, aided by none other than Djaron Algast, Denoril’s overthrown king.

Roman and Dennah flee north in search of sanctuary, but to where? The lord Constable poisoned Roman and tried to silence Dennah to bury the secret of his lineage. Meanwhile, an unknown menace prowls Bardstown. Roman must embrace his true potential, or he and Dennah will freeze to death in the wild.

Julian has finally broken free and runs towards Craymore, desperate to save Tanea. And yet, the truth of their divine connection exposes a deeper, far more complicated conflict then ever believed possible. Safe havens are disappearing, contracting, and driving our heroes towards the heartland and the lakes of Karnell, where they may find more than just sanctuary.

The Pandora Codex (Oliver Webber #1) – Hank Garner

A closely guarded secret, a stolen artifact, and a madman trying to open a portal to Hell. Can Oliver Webber become the hero he’s meant to be?

Oliver Webber has a secret. In fact, his family have guarded this secret for generations. What he doesn’t know is that the ancient evil that his family has guarded against is on the verge of being unleashed, and Oliver is the only person on Earth that can stop it. People everywhere are disappearing, an evil madman is dead-set on ripping apart the very fabric of our existence, and a demon possessed Civil War general seeking revenge set the Mississippi Delta on the edge of annihilation. Oliver, along with his girlfriend, his dog, and a crazy conspiracy nut, fight against time and a secret death cult to locate a stolen artifact that could unleash the power of Hell itself.

The Pandora Codex mixes elements of supernatural thriller, magical realism, time travel, alternate history, and urban fantasy with a coming of age tale everyone can connect with.

Righteous Strike (Black Ops: Heroes of Afghanistan #9) – Eric Meyer

A new insurgency is brewing on the Afghan-Pakistan border. General Ishaq Khan, known as the ‘Hammer of God,’ is the architect of this new terror. During a bloody battle, Khan kidnaps a group of journalists following Congresswoman Barbara Adams. Her work was to highlight injustices against women, yet now Adams and her party have become the victims.

The Bin Laden raid on Abbottabad has left diplomatic ties shattered, making an official rescue mission impossible. The Congresswoman’s husband turns to former Navy SEAL for help. Rafe Stoner is a drunk loner with little to live for. His refusal is brief and to the point. Until he discovers General Ishaq Khan, beloved leader of the Haqqani insurgency, has made the biggest mistake of his life. He has given Stoner a reason to live. A reason to fight.

He agrees to take on the mission with his best friend Grigory Blum. They are about to enter the gates of hell as they pit their skills and weapons against the might of the Haqqani. What began as a rescue becomes a desperate fight for survival. At the end, one question remains. Who will live, and who will die?

Roman America – Anthony Johnson

What if Ancient Rome had discovered the New World? How would a historian have praised their glory? It’s 39 AD during the reign of Emperor Caligula, and there’s no limit to this political propaganda!

“I, Pompillus Maximus, write this triumphant story.” Narrated by an ‘ancient historian,’ Roman America is a satirical, historical fiction novel chronicling the legacy of Commander Ocius Ditarian, Discoverer of the New World. Ditarian would bring Roman power and influence to America’s shores, and with this encounter, expanded hopes and dreams for the Empire. It is his desire to unite all people under the Roman Essence. But not everyone wants to create a perfect Roman world. Travian, the Christian slave, has a different vision for mankind, as do the Atlantians (those that fled from Atlantis to America), who would like nothing more to have their own kingdom in peace and quiet.

“Roman America” is political propaganda in all its glory! Humorous and thought-provoking from beginning to end, this ‘historical account’ answers every question. What does it mean to be truly Roman? Can Christians create a world without persecution? How does an empire expand without destroying itself and other cultures? Witness the perilous crossing of the Forbidden Sea. Behold Rome’s splendor in all its glory. Perceive the powerful effect of Roman Persuasion; for in this history we watch the world change and evolve as the Empire, under the influence of one man, strives to push the boundaries of greatness.

To the Victors the Remains (The Lone Star Reloaded #3) – Drew McGunn

Six years after being stranded in the past, Will has survived the Alamo, brokered peace with the Comanche, and found love. Now he faces his greatest challenge yet.

Determined to enforce a treaty’s boundary, the president orders Will and the army of the Republic of Texas to annex everything north of the Rio Grande, including Santa Fe. But the dictator, Santa Anna has returned to power in Mexico and he wants his country back – all of it.

Will faces an unwinnable situation; he is stranded hundreds of miles away from the Alamo when he uncovers plans for a Mexican Invasion. Santa Anna’s army is already on the march and only a few regulars, a handful of militia and Will’s family stand in his way. It will take a miracle to save his family and the Republic of Texas from Santa Anna’s revenge.

New Release Roundup, 7 April 2018: Fantasy and Adventure published first on https://medium.com/@ReloadedPCGames

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Armies Of Darkness: 15 Heinous Henchmen Hordes

Ah, henchmen. They truly make the (evil) world go round. If it weren’t for the nameless, faceless masses that followed villains around to do their bidding, most rogues would likely be overthrown in a hot minute. With the recent reveal of the Putty Patrollers design for the new “Power Rangers” film coming out, we at CBR began to think about some of our favorite henchmen squads.

RELATED: The 15 Worst Villains In Batman: The Animated Series

Even though many of them are used as cannon fodder against heroes, members of these armies would still eschew their own unique identity and fight against insurmountable odds as part of an evil organization. That’s some pretty hardcore dedication there. So please, join us, as we recount some of the top henchmen armies that did their very best to spread the scourge of villainy on behalf of their gloriously evil leaders.

THE HAND

Why do evil ninja organizations make for the best henchmen armies? The Hand is one such group, originally assembled in the 16th century to empower the oppressed citizenry of rural south-central Japan, arming them first with martial arts training, and later with dark magic. Over the years, The Hand’s purpose twisted from defense to control. In the modern era, they have hatched numerous schemes involving everything from organized crime to summoning ancient beings, all in a bid to gain more power for their idol, known as The Beast. The ninja often use these The Beast’s dark powers to resurrect their dead warriors, making them unstoppable soldiers for their cause.

First appearing in Frank Miller’s “Daredevil” #174, The Hand has always posed a legitimate threat to the enemies they face. One such adversary is The Chaste, a band of warriors led by blind martial artist Stick. Another is Matt Murdock, whom most know as Daredevil. Regardless, the Hand poses a nigh insurmountable threat to anyone who opposes them. Their numbers are great, they are practiced in subterfuge and are not afraid to make sacrifices to further their reach of darkness. Even though they are largely defeated by Murdock time after time, the scale of threat they pose is no less intimidating.

PUTTIES

Where would Rita be without her Putties? These dime-a-dozen clay soldiers were often thrown by the handful at the Power Rangers in attempts to deter or otherwise stop them from catching on to the sorceress’ evil plans. The Putties were far from useless, though, as they could take on disguises of regular humans for more nefarious plots. In one such case, they took on a glamour to appear as children in Halloween costumes to lure Tommy (the Green Ranger) away from the rest of the Rangers and ambush him.

The Putties did also boast a little bit of fighting prowess when they would brawl with the heroes. For all their haphazard punching and kicking, though, their arguably most practised ability was getting beaten by the Power Rangers. Still, the Putties were stalwart in their loyalty to Rita and their mission to destroy the teenagers with attitude. Even if their never-ending battle was a losing one, their memory lives on in garbled speech, broken clay pieces and a legacy that will continue in the upcoming live-action “Power Rangers” movie.

BLACK DRAGON SOCIETY

This fictional henchmen army is a pretty interesting one, as it’s actually based on a real-life organization of the same name. The original Black Dragon Society was a right-wing paramilitary organization in Japan during WWII, dabbling in espionage and heavy political influence during the conflict. The Society in the comics, however, spanned several different companies and committed a variety of villainous acts. Throughout their appearances in the DC Universe, they stole military weapons, took hostages, coordinated violent attacks and fought anyone who stood in their path to world domination.

Created in the comics by Gardner Fox and Jack Burnley, the Society was never short on foes. In its “Master Comics” debut back in 1941, the Society was fighting Minute-Man, while in “All-Star Comics” they went up against the Justice Battalion. Even if they’re not directly involved with any heroes, the Black Dragon Society has maintained a presence as an ever-looming evil organization in comics throughout the years. That kind of henchmen legacy is hard to come by, but these guys have managed to do it with suitably subtle aplomb.

THE PHALANX

This cybernetic hive-mind species was co-created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Joe Madureira, and debuted in “Uncanny X-Men” #312. The Phalanx is largely an abomination of the Technarchy aliens, but still just as formidable. These guys come to “life” when the Technarcy virus tries to infect organic lifeforms; so, pretty much anything it comes across that’s alive. The virus takes over the host, converting it to the hive mind and thus the Phalanx grows into an unstoppable horde. Over multiple appearances, they have spread their scourge among numerous lifeforms, from Earth’s mutants to the entirety of the Shi’ar Empire.

While the Phalanx itself doesn’t serve a single consistent leader (apart from facilitators and “interfaces” like X-Men enemies Steven Lang and Cameron Hodge), the collective was more recently brought under the heel of the villainous Ultron for a time. Ultron influenced the hive mind to infect much of the Kree army in attempts to conquer its empire. Under the tyrannical robot’s orders, the Phalanx invaded much of the Kree’s territory, captured multiple heroes and enslaved many to its cause. Ultimately, the species were defeated during the “Annihilation: Conquest” event, but few henchmen armies can boast inter-galactic subjugation on their list of achievements.

PARADEMONS

Created by Jack Kirby in his legendary “New Gods” series for DC, the Parademons serve as shock troopers to the nefarious Darkseid, lord of the planet Apokolips. A good rule of thumb developed around the soldiers: if you saw a Boom Tube open up, expect a squad of these guys to come flying out shortly thereafter. Parademons are bred for aggression, often acting as an advance force for Darkseid’s numerous invasions. On top of having aerial mobility, these guys are usually toting some kind of firepower, be it advanced guns or fire breath (depending on the continuity). During invasions, the Parademons have come up against some of Earth’s finest including Superman, Wonder Woman and the Flash, just to name a few.

These interdimensional henchmen are simply not to be messed with. They are as ruthless as their leader Darkseid (though a bit more mindless), and are more than willing to die at his command. They are known for swarming en masse and detonating themselves if it means inflicting even the slightest damage on a hero. Even though they were usually just fodder in advance of Darkseid’s arrival, they still managed to get things done through their signature shock and aggression, even if they are always ultimately defeated.

THE DEADITES

When evil itself needs an army of henchmen, what works better than a horde of deadites? In the realm of “Evil Dead,” deadites are generally people (sometimes plants or animals, too) that have been possessed by malevolent Kandarian demons, usually after death. They function as a sort of collective force at the behest of the Necronomicon: a really, really, really evil book. The deadites exhibit all sorts of abilities, from superhuman strength to physical mutation. Many of them are able to fight after losing limbs or being injured, with only severing the head or outright obliterating their bodies being the surefire way to kill them.

The deadites are terrifying in that they only serve evil. Their purpose in life is destroy all that is good and wholesome, and they do so by masquerading as regular people until the time is right. They are malice incarnate, often twisting the appearance and memories of the people they possess to further torture those around them. When they are unleashed by the Necronomicon (or some other demon baddie), they are a downright scary force with which to be reckoned.

H.I.V.E.

When it comes to evil organizations full of henchmen, mission requirements tend to be “go big or go home.” Otherwise, why else would you need an army? This certainly was the case with the Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination, a.k.a. H.I.V.E. The group operates with the sole intention of exterminating superheroes; a lofty ambition, indeed. Created by greats Marv Wolfman and George Pérez for “New Teen Titans,” H.I.V.E. is an evil collective dabbling in science and sabotage, rather than just relying on outright assaults. Serving a number of masters and mistresses, H.I.V.E. members set their sights high and worked to eliminate Superman and the Teen Titans during their debut.

While the group has had its ups and downs, it has managed to make itself known to the DC hero community. They have largely managed, in newer iterations (under the name “Holistic Integration for Viral Equality”) to have a public face to mask its various nefarious goings-on behind the scenes, which makes the group even more dangerous. Throughout tumultuous leadership changes (namely, its leaders being killed every so often), the henchmen of H.I.V.E. have remained unwavering in their mission to erase heroes from the world.

A.I.M.

Another group comprised of some of the best and brightest in henchmen, Advanced Idea Mechanics (or A.I.M. as it’s commonly known) was a large scientific branch of Hydra before breaking off to create its own sect. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and originally called “THEM,” A.I.M. can often be found researching new and terrifying technologies in secret for years before unleashing them on the unsuspecting world. All members of this scientific army of doom toil away at projects to please the group’s board of directors, and of course, its leader, the Scientist Supreme.

A.I.M. has managed to trouble the world with many dangerous creations, such as the reality-bending Cosmic Cube and the villainous M.O.D.O.K. The members of A.I.M. are frightful in their no-holds-barred drive for scientific discovery and profit. They have also proven formidable, despite their collective beekeeper look. The A.I.M. network is vast and their resources significant, allowing them to tap into some of the brightest minds in the world. Luckily, A.I.M. has recently been repurposed for more altruistic means by former New Mutant and current Avenger, Sunspot, who bought A.I.M. out in a corporate coup. The group was even more recently folded into the American military and rebranded “American Intelligence Mechanics.”

TEAM ROCKET

Yes, it may be easy to write this one off since everyone remembers Jesse, James and Meowth (that’s right!), but these guys were only the most recognizable faces of the organization because they pestered Ash and his friends every other day. Team Rocket itself was a large operation full of henchmen, all of whom were hell-bent on stealing prized pokémon and using them to one day take over the world. The criminal group had a number of different branches staffed with countless members working to achieve the ideals of their villainous leader, Giovanni.

When not participating in the outright thievery of a trainer’s pokémon, Team Rocket were known to conduct experiments on the creatures to make them stronger and resell them to the highest bidder. The henchmen that comprised Team Rocket were undoubtedly cruel and ruthless, even though Jesse and James were seen as hapless dimwits. Their fellow members, on the other hand, were much more devout in their mission to “extend our reach to the stars above.”

GALACTIC FRIEZA ARMY

More commonly known as the Frieza Force, the Galactic Frieza Army was a massive military organization that cut a swath of destruction across the galaxy and seized numerous planets along the way. The army itself was comprised of a healthy combination of fanatical followers, enslaved species and folks conscripted into the organization for fear of reprimand from Prince Frieza himself. Regardless of their motivations, every henchman in the organization threw him, her or itself into the numerous conflicts Frieza started in his family’s bid for universal domination.

The Army shined in its forceful recruitment processes, lavishing in strong troops from thousands of conquered races. All of its soldiers pillaged without remorse when an attack was launched on a given planet, and surrender was never an option in their playbook. Not only that, the force had multiple allies across the galaxy, including a recently-revealed connection to the Red Ribbon Army. Even though pretty much the entirety of the army was wiped out by Goku during the Namek conflict, many of its henchmen continued to fight on, even resurrecting their dead prince after a time. Now that’s loyalty!

HYDRA

When it comes to world domination, few can compete with the evil organization Hydra. Another Lee-Kirby creation, the group is shadowy, subversive and absolutely twisted in doing whatever it can to accomplish its ideal of a new world. Priding itself on rebuilding and enduring through defeat, Hydra has served a number of leaders throughout the years; most notably Baron Wolfgang von Strucker and of course, the Red Skull. The henchmen of Hydra cover a full spectrum of ne’er-do-wells, from foot soldiers to assassins, spies and scientists. They really are a holistic terror organization.

Perhaps the most imposing thing about the army is its sheer global reach. Throughout their numerous appearances, henchmen from the organization have infiltrated groups around the world, including its nemesis, S.H.I.E.L.D., the United Nations and more. This is doubly scary when considering that many Hydra agents hide their affiliation with the group well, with no one person being the “face” of the organization (except for Deadpool’s “friend,” Bob). Hydra remains one of the biggest evil armies in the 616 and beyond, positively brimming with henchmen willing to devote themselves to the cause and shout “Hail Hydra!” while they do it.

LEAGUE OF ASSASSINS

Whenever something incredibly secretive and shady is going down in the “Batman” universe, it’s usually because of the League of Assassins. Created as an adversarial force by Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams, the League is a group comprised of the most elite warriors, serving their leader Ra’s Al Ghul in his goals of eliminating whomever he felt posed a threat to the natural world. A quintessential henchmen army, members of the League are subjected to brutal training and even brainwashing in order to uphold the ideals of the Demon’s Head.

Unlike many others on this list, League members are hardly cannon fodder. Assassins are practiced in subterfuge as well as combat, being some of the most formidable fighters in the world. They have often come up against Batman himself and in many cases, given him a run for his money. League warriors are also willing to die for Ra’s al Ghul, having few qualms about executing (or being executed) to fulfill his will. While they might not be as embedded as Hydra, the League of Assassins remains a group with a grim reputation that often strikes fear into those that hear its name.

THE FOOT CLAN

As we’ve seen earlier, evil ninja henchmen armies seem to be one of the best ways to tackle a cadre of heroes. Conceived of by TMNT creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the Foot Clan is a group of ninjitsu warriors that serve out the villainous machinations of their leader, the Shredder. A direct dig at the aforementioned Hand organization (the Turtles were a parody-spinoff of Daredevil), the Foot actually gained some real street cred in its crusade against the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Its members have actively participated in drug smuggling, high-stakes theft and even outright assassination in order to gain more power and influence for the group.

Many of the Foot Clan soldiers are no match for the mutated turtles in individual combat, but their numbers are certainly their biggest strength. Throughout their media appearances, recruitment into the organization appeared to be hardly limited and even allowed young teenagers to join in the fray. The ninjas often used this to overwhelm the turtles in skirmishes in the hopes of overpowering them. Regardless of their success (or indeed, lack thereof), the Foot clansmen are always remembered fondly as endearing (if hapless) ninjas (or robots, if you were only watching the cartoon) getting whooped up on by a mutated turtle spouting one-liners.

COBRA

It’s hard to think about the G.I. Joes without sparing a thought or two about their arch nemesis Cobra. Created by Larry Hama and Archie Goodwin, Cobra is a fully-fledged army with ideals in direct contrast to that of the Joes. Answering to their leader Cobra Commander, members of this army would go up against their patriotic foes in a variety of ways. From regular infantry to the Crimson Guard, members of Cobra attacked from any angle they could to achieve Cobra Commander’s goals of wealth, power and the destruction of the Joes.

Throughout many of their iterations, Cobra operated mostly in secret. It gained a reputation as a shadowy organization, with many members hiding in plain sight. Many of the grunts were experienced fighters and saboteurs, unafraid of launching a full assault against the Joes if it meant a potential victory. Interestingly enough, Cobra isn’t as fanatical as other henchmen organizations on this list. Many of them would simply surrender to the Joes if they were outnumbered or defeated. Most Cobra members are more motivated by money and camaraderie at the end of the day than a hysterical need to please their commander.

STORMTROOPERS

As far as henchmen armies go, there are hardly many contenders that could boast the numbers and cultural cache that the Galactic Empire does with its Stormtroopers. Whether it be by land, sea or space, this army had all of its bases covered in its support of the Empire’s rise to power. The army’s combatants were different varieties of humanoid troops (originally starting out as clones) dedicated to mercilessly squashing Rebel forces at the behest of their leader, Emperor Palpatine, and his second in command, Lord Vader.

Even though they laughably couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn in their early appearances, they have since been revamped to appear even more cruel and brutal in more recent iterations (particularly in the comics). They are willing to brave the harshest of planets if it means implementing the Empire’s ideals and stopping the Rebel Army where they can. Their numbers appear infinite, given their clone origins, while their uniform appearance strips them of any cumbersome individuality. The Stormtroopers are an iconic and truly faceless enemy army that inspires fear from the moment they first set boots to the ground.

Which fictional faceless (if feckless) forces are your favorites? Let us know in the comments!

The post Armies Of Darkness: 15 Heinous Henchmen Hordes appeared first on CBR.com.

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