#completely removed from the communities they appear in. wandering down to your village in the guise of a preacher— a traveller— a salesman

[anarchy-and-piglins]

Somehow Technoblade had managed the spectacular achievement of becoming the odd one out in an entire community made up of rare and strange beings.

The fact that all the other residents were non-humans happened to be what made him different though. Wilbur had told him the history of the commune, how their town was founded with the direct purpose of being a safe place for mobs and hybrids to live in peace, secluded from the humans who hunted them, enslaved them, or would otherwise harm them. Their location was kept secret, hidden from most by enchantments, and they were almost completely self-sufficient in the way they were run in terms of food and stuff.

Only occasionally would somebody wander out to another village, to trade or just to seek a little adventure for themselves. Phil especially was prone to do this – a traveler at heart, his Elytrian nature – and he was the one who had found Technoblade in a rather... compromising position.

If by compromising you could mean having an arrow sticking out your back.

People didn't like Technoblade. And Technoblade generally didn't like people, but he liked it even less when they chased him out of their villages with their bows drawn. Phil had been kind enough to remove the projectile. Technoblade had bravely said it didn't hurt but then secretly dug his blunt nails into the palms of his hands hard enough to leave white indents. Then Phil had insisted on taking him home to get a proper look at the wound and clean it up.

Not all of the other residents were thrilled with Technoblade's presence at first, scared it could compromise their location. A lot of their tunes had changed when they found out other humans were the cause of his injury, even more so when Techno revealed this was hardly an isolated incident. People didn't like Technoblade at all.

(Most humans had little tolerance for that which they did not understand. And according to them, Technoblade was weird and very hard to understand. Techno understood himself perfectly fine, he always thought they were the weird ones.)

So he stayed and overall things worked out great. There were only minor issues caused by the 'only human around' thing. Their pub was a good example. A few of the others in the commune could simply fly or teleport, and those that couldn't had no problems either since they could rely on inhuman stamina to make the climb tolerable. Techno had a hundred rungs of a ladder he needed to brave with his pitiful human physique if he wanted to get up there. Same thing for Phil's ridiculously high-up birdhouse.

And then one day he got sick.

It was probably his own fault. Last night when it was storming he'd been coming home from mining and gotten completely soaked out in the rain. A small voice in the back of his mind told him he should probably take his drenched clothes off and get warm and comfortable as soon as he got home – the voice sounded suspiciously like Phil when he lectured Techno about fixing his terrible sleeping schedule and eating more regularly. But he had gotten distracted by putting away the materials he'd mined into his chests and starting to smelt the ore and by the time he noticed he was shivering at how cold it was, his clothes were damp more than wet. He lighted the fire and felt too exhausted to bother getting changed, crawling under the covers as he was - though it didn't completely ward away further trembling.

When he woke up his head hurt and there was this annoying tickle in his chest, feather-light touches against his lungs. The clothes had become sticky and uncomfortable, peeling off his skin. Techno coughed into a fist and set out as normal, intent on resuming his tasks where he left off yesterday.

It would probably go away on its own.

Except the coughing didn't stop. Small bursts of it kept coming up when he needed them least. He was in the middle of one when a voice rang out behind him.

"Techno, are you okay dude?" He must have jumped a solid three feet into the air and for a moment Wilbur only chuckled at his reaction.

"I told you to stop doing that," Techno grumbled, a little too sharply. Just because Wilbur could literally appear out of nowhere didn't mean he had to use that ability to sneak up on him for no reason. Techno coughed again, hiding it in his elbow.

"You did," Wilbur acknowledged with a smirk, but didn't apologize. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look I'm doing, I'm headed to the mines." Techno swung his pickaxe up on his shoulder, kind of almost nearly dropping it in the process with how clumsy his hands were being. Stupid.

"It looks like you were hacking up a lung, really." Wilbur's features softened. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine," Techno responded. He started walking again, knowing Wilbur would have a hard time following him while in corporeal form. Especially in the daytime.

"Are you coming to the pub later? I've got some new plans to unveil, think they'll be sick." Wilbur did make a valiant attempt at following him, though he quickly started falling behind, floating inches above the ground and unable to keep up with Techno's human strides.

"Uh, I'll think about it?" Techno answered evasively. He wasn't looking forward to braving that ladder in his current state. His arms hurt just thinking about it.

Wilbur stopped to call after him. "What do you mean you'll think about it?"

But Techno was far enough gone to be able to pretend not to hear him as he descended down his mineshaft.

Techno liked Niki's hair a lot. He'd even told her so not long after meeting her.

It was long and wavy and a nice shade of pastel pink that reminded him of the sunset. Technoblade would consider growing out his own hair that long if he didn't know it was way too unruly to keep in shape and stay untangled. And if dyeing it wasn't such a chore – one he knew he'd be too lazy to undertake as regularly as he should – he might have dyed it from its boring brown shade into something more interesting.

Niki was glad he was keeping her company while she tended to it, combing through it with what he presumed was a comb made of a seashell. Techno didn't tell her he had only really left the mines early because his lungs were starting to strain from the dust down there, the coughing fits getting closer together with less time in between to let him breathe. He sat on the sandy shore and traced patterns into the sand with one finger while they talked.

Niki was telling him about her builds, and expressing her disappointment over how she couldn't easily show them to her friends. None of them could breathe underwater or deal with the pressure common at the depths Niki lived. But she loved describing them in detail.

She was just explaining the sea glass she was intending to use when Technoblade started coughing again. His lungs expressed their displeasure through a series of sharp pangs that shot up into his neck. The sound he made was wet and disgusting, like there was something liquid rattling around inside his chest. Niki stopped talking to look at him worriedly.

"Are you alright? Techno, what happened?"

He tried to wave her away but it was kind of hard with his body still intent on making it impossible for him to get oxygen. Techno closed his eyes against the blurriness of his vision to concentrate on inhaling slower instead. "M'fine." He could feel the phlegm in his throat.

Niki was pulling herself onto the beach a little, trying to get a closer look at him. "Are you sick?"

"No." Getting up so fast was a bad idea. His head spun and he felt incredibly shaky. Techno ignored it. "No, I'm not. It's fine. I think I'll just head home now."

He started walking away quickly. The afternoon sun felt unbearable suddenly, scorching. Or maybe that was the beginning of a fever.

Niki called after him to wait but confined to the water as she was, it wasn't like she could do anything to stop him. Technoblade walked until he crested the hill, already seeing the shape of the other buildings in the distance. He made it halfway through the grass field and then he felt too drained to continue. Deciding to sit down for a bit, he lay back and closed his eyes.

"Do you think he's dead?"

"I dunno, we should poke him with a stick to find out."

Techno groaned at the sound of loud voices, ringing painfully around his aching head. He cracked his eyes open – not sure when he had even fallen asleep - and tried to blink the three faces hovering above him into focus.

"Oh, I think he's alive. Kind of." That was Ranboo.

"We could still poke him, just to make sure." Tommy.

Which meant the third person had to be Tubbo.

Techno pushed up on his elbows to get into a seated position, hating how difficult it was. His limbs were weak, as if they were made of jelly or some shit. The light fever had escalated into him feeling like his entire body was on fire.

This was not good.

"-chno? Hey, anybody home?" Tubbo was talking to him, waving one hand in front of his face. If his frown was any indication, Techno had been spacing out for a while.

"Hm?" he asked.

"I think there's something wrong with him," Tubbo said to the others.

"I'm fine." Techno tried standing up but fell back onto his ass a moment later when dizziness plowed into him with the force of a boulder. Tommy snorted.

"Yeah, we can tell." He reached out but pulled his hand back as soon as it came into contact with Techno's skin. "Fuck you're almost the same temperature as Jack Manifold. Pretty sure humans aren't supposed to run that hot."

"I'll get Phil," Ranboo offered, teleporting before Techno had a chance to object.

He covered his face with his hands and sighed. This was going to be a thing now and that happened to be the exact opposite of what Technoblade wanted it to be. He just wanted to go home and sleep this off.

"You're not..." Tubbo broke through his thoughts. The boy hesitated, wings vibrating a bit with nervous energy. "You're not like... actually dying are you?"

Techno tried to answer but was interrupted by another coughing fit first. When he was done Tubbo looked even more anxious than before. "Probably not. It's just a cold."

It was definitely not a simple cold. Pneumonia, more likely.

"Oh good."

Techno agreed. Not dying would probably be good, even if he currently felt like death warmed over.

Philza took him to the pub, much to Technoblade's horror.

All his protests and insistence he'd be fine if he was just taken to his house were brushed off easily, especially when Phil took flight with Techno barely able to keep from falling off his back when dark spots took over his vision. If it weren't for Phil's supporting hands keeping him steady he's probably have fallen off.

Normally Techno didn't dislike flying with Phil – despite the other always making some quip about how little Techno weighed for his height. But this time the vertigo was horrible and made him want to puke. Maybe it was fortunate he had skipped breakfast this morning.

They landed on the wooden porch softly, Phil keeping Techno's arm around his shoulder as he put him down to make sure he wouldn't collapse. Techno wasn't about to admit he probably needed that, though he muttered a quick thanks under his breath, which was starting to get more wheezing by the minute. There wasn't an inch of his body that didn't ache.

There were a few beds in the backrooms of the pub, sometimes used for newcomers to temporarily reside. Techno found himself dumped into one, not really caring where Phil went when he left the room. Not when the sheets were so blessedly cool and comfortable. He could have probably fallen back asleep soon if Phil hadn't returned almost instantly.

"I checked with Sneeg, he said this should help a little." Phil sat down on the bed, holding up a cup with the nastiest-looking brown tea inside it Technoblade ever did see. "I'm sorry we don't have any real potions to give you, but he's closest to you in physiology, so I'm hoping this will be enough. We don't exactly have a lot of experience with human illness."

"Did you ask him if it was poisonous?" Techno asked, eyeing the steaming liquid.

"Don't be dramatic." Phil handed him the cup. Techno sighed and downed the herbal tea in one go, suppressing his gag reflex. Medicinal and earthy, it somehow tasted worse than it looked. He didn't think that was possible.

"Great, can I go home now?"

Phil shook his head as he got up again, taking the cup from him. "You're not going anywhere until your fever breaks. You think I flew you all the way up here for fun?"

"Possibly."

Rolling his eyes as he leaves the room, Phil once again came back only a moment later. This time he was holding a bowl of what Techno could only presume was water going by the cloth that was soaking in it. Phil gestured for him to lie down properly and this time Techno obeyed without complaint.

"I think it's best if you stay here for a while," he said while folding the cloth and putting it on Techno's forehead. The coldness of it did feel nice against his pounding headache. "The pub is the best place for us to take turns keeping an eye on you."

"I don't need you guys to keep an eye on me, though. I'm not a child."

"No, you're just a stubborn asshole with pneumonia." Phil drew back a bit, smile faltering. "And also the only human currently living in the commune. We don't have the needed supplies to treat you should this get worse, so I'd rather not take the risk."

And while he did a fair job hiding it, it was undeniably clear Phil was worried.

"Fine, I'll stay." Techno made an effort of showing how annoyed he was by huffing and pulling the blankets over himself. "But can you at least get me a book or something? Won't help much keeping me here if I'll be bored to death."

Phil laughed – light and teasing. Techno liked that a lot more than he did the worry.

"I'll see what I can do."

He spent a solid week in bed.

Much to Phil's relief, Techno's sickness did not get worse. But without proper medicine, it didn't improve as quickly as they would have liked either. He had to get better the old-fashioned way: waiting for his body to fight off the infection on its own.

Most of his time was spent sleeping. Whenever he woke up somebody else was at his bedside, to make sure he could eat and drink. Phil hadn't been kidding when he said they'd take turns. It was almost comforting to know there was always someone watching over him while he slept, though Techno didn't feel the need to say that out loud.

After that first week, he was recovered enough to at least limp out of his room and around the pub. He was too weak to attempt the ladder and any sudden moves were still likely to throw him into a coughing fit that could last several minutes. But he could sit at one of the tables and talk to Niki when she visited.

Or to the others, who all seemed to be coming by a lot more often than was usual.

Wilbur unveiled his plans and talked Techno's ear off about what he was working on. Fundy came all the way to the pub to try and sell him stolen trinkets. Ranboo was always coming around with some new book for him to read, asking him if he liked his previous recommendation.

(None of them visited as often as Tommy though, who always complained about having to be there while fluffing up his wings, yet always stuck around the longest even when Techno told him he'd be fine on his own.)

And with them around, Techno realized that despite being the only human, he had never felt less alone.

[kanamesharisenwrites]

kh’s story snippet celebration sendoff, entry #6

God, what do I even say about this piece? It's so old - the timestamp from my FF.net import says 2012 - and I don't remember much about it. I almost left it out of this collection after cringing my way through a re-read of the first paragraph. Then, I made myself reframe the narrative.

This piece needs to be here; it shows how far I've come as a writer.

Don't let anyone tell you that fanfic is a waste of time. Just look at this piece compared to my recent projects! I'm living proof that fanfic is every bit as valid for honing your craft as traditional written media

Fandom: Naruto Pairing: Sai/Sakura Haruno Word Count: 2931 Genre: canon-divergence!AU Rating: T Warnings: canon-typical violence

... [ hypocritical ]

Pain.

The dull throb of injury greeted Sai as his consciousness reluctantly returned to him. This particular circumstance perplexed him greatly. Had he not been merely put to sleep? Sakura's loyalty was steadfast and her medical skills knew no equal but that of their esteemed Hokage, of this much he was certain. Therefore, the probability that this harm was inflicted by her drug, hastily administered though it was, seemed highly unlikely. No, this feeling was not akin to that of being poisoned. Nor did it seem to come from any external wound; a quick scan of his person negated that possibility. Yet, it was still very clear to him that all was not right or as it should be. His throat felt unbelievably tight, the sensation bringing to mind scenes of Naruto shoving complete bowls of ramen down his throat in a singular motion. Sai's heart raced uncontrollably, palpitating to a foreign rhythm, and his insides quaked. There was something wrong with him internally.

Nearby, his companions began to stir. As they also scanned for injuries, all the while cursing Sakura for her heroic stupidity, it became clear to Sai that he alone suffered from any malady. He rose gingerly, taken aback by how easily he could still function in spite of all his present symptoms, and questioned Kiba for his teammate's last known trajectory. The best course of action, for now, would be to find Sakura before his symptoms got worse. With but a nod, he left his temporary workmates and headed out in search of the pink-haired kunoichi.

Sai dashed through the woodland at breakneck speed, something as of yet unnamed urging him on. Something about the whole situation unsettled him. He should have anticipated Sakura's actions and been ready with a countermeasure. Becoming her victim was irresponsible and now his comrade could be engaged in a treacherous encounter with that traitor, possibly without backup; whether or not Kakashi had caught up to her in time remained to be seen. Her tenacity, even with her insane strength, would be no match for the Uchiha prodigy. It was as clear as needing air to breathe. Surely Sakura herself could see that. She had proven time and time again over that her intelligence was more than adequate. Why then would she willingly engage in actions where death was not only possible but the most probable outcome? The shinobi's stomach lurched, forcing him to stall his forward progress in favor of retching in the forest undergrowth. He had no time to waste now, his symptoms now progressing.

Another half-hour of hurdling over branches did little to ease his discomfort. A cold sweat, unrelated to his current exertions, came over Sai making his hands unnaturally clammy. Barely perceptible, yet uncontrollable shaking started to take a hold of him. His body was starting to go into shock. He would need to find her soon.

Sai lost all track of the distance he had traveled, the trees and thickets becoming but a verdant blur in the peripheral. It was of no consequence anyway. His mind was too clouded to focus on those kinds of details anymore. Instead he focused what was left of his cerebral capacity on what he considered to be his mission objectives: to find and determine the condition of one Sakura Haruno, and to have her administer a thorough health examination on his person. As Sai mentally rallied around these precepts, her chakra signature finally came into range. The worn shinobi redoubled his efforts. His reward finally came into view, accompanied by silver and gold and black, and Sai dropped from the sky with a resounding thud.

"Took you long enough to catch up." A weary, whiskered grin greeted him. "Sakura sure knows how to pack a punch, huh? And not just with her fist."

Sai merely nodded. His exertions had taken a toll on him and for the moment he was finding it hard to catch his breath. Non-verbal means of communication would have to do for the moment. And so his black eyes became intent on catching the attention of a pair of viridian ones. It did not take long.

"Sai? Are you okay?" Sakura gave her blonde teammate her half of their current burden, a half-dead kunoichi, and rushed over to Sai with healing chakra at the ready. "You look awful. My sleeping potion shouldn't have had any adverse effects. Were you attacked?"

The moment she touched his damp forehead, the symptoms began to ease. His heartbeat slowed to a near-normal pace and the tension in his muscles started to give way. "No. I... I don't..."

"I can't find anything wrong with you," the kunoichi replied after letting her chakra probe his entire form, puzzlement showing clearly on her face. "Talk to me, Sai. What's going on?"

"I woke up in pain, but I couldn't locate any wounds. It has to be something internal. I think my body started to go into shock. But..." Though his expression remained stoic, his eyes reflected confusion.

"But what?"

"I do not understand. You haven't treated me, but the symptoms are subsiding."

"Sakura," their tired sensei spoke up. "Check his tongue."

"Okay?" Sakura turned back to her patient. "You heard the man. Open up. Now, what am I looking for?"

"A seal. Danzo placed one on every member of Root. It was supposed to keep them quiet, but I have a feeling it sealed more than just their words."

"Are you sure, Sensei?" The pink head turned towards Kakashi for confirmation. "There's nothing here."

"The seal must have broken when Danzo died." The older man scratched his head. "Normally seals don't work like that. They stay in place even after the one who placed it there gets killed."

"I don't get it." Naruto chimed in. "Then why would Sai's seal be gone?"

"Well, his methods were questionable at best, but he was loyal to the village." Kakashi sighed. "My initial guess is that Sai has some information that Danzo thought may be of use to us in the event of his death. I doubt there's anything wrong with Sai. He's probably just feeling the after-effects of the seal being removed."

"I see. Then it could be possible..." She turned back to Sai, a sudden realization dawning in her eyes. "What were your symptoms? I need all of them in the order in which they appeared."

"Constricted airway, heart palpitations, a dull ache in my abdomen, nausea, shaking and cold sweats."

"Okay. You probably felt your throat, heart, and stomach first, right?" The girl tapped her cheek as she sorted out her theories.

"Yes."

"The nausea came later?" His nod confirmed some suspicions, so she continued with her line of questioning. "What were you doing when it came? Were you thinking about something?"

"I left the others to resume my mission. I..." The words left his mouth slowly, reluctant to be heard. "I was thinking that only a stupid kunoichi would drug her teammates so she could run into a suicide mission alone."

"Sai." His name fell softly from her lips and his eyes became glassy. Her lithe arms lifted to embrace his neck. "I'm sorry I worried you."

The warmth of her body against his was strangely comforting, so Sai chose to mimic her posture. "Did he hurt you?"

"Yes." The word came out as a sob and Sakura squeezed him just a bit tighter. "But I'll be okay."

"Good." Sai closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then detached himself from Sakura. "An injured medic is of no use to her team."

"You stupid..." Sakura paused mid-punch. The faint track of a fallen tear graced his tactless cheek. Breaking his face no longer held any appeal, so she contented herself with a measured thump to his shoulder. "Whatever. Let's just get home."

Chapter 2: reclamation

Running without sparing the slightest moment to turn back, determination and desperation lent their power to her limp limbs. In a maze of ever-growing darkness, she wandered. Alone. The silence filled her soul with dread, its death toll ringing in her ears. How long had she been running, been searching? It felt like countless fathoms of time with the quiet, suffocating loneliness contorting her senses. But onwards she ran just the same, hoping beyond all hope that something, anything would change this state of purgatory in which she found herself. Just what had she been searching for? It had been so long, even she forgot. All that was left was to go on. And though she knew to do so bordered heavily on the side of insanity, on she went. And on. And on. Always running. Always moving forward. She was hurtling herself headlong into her destiny and the outcome, she remembered only as it became too late, was always the same. The electric blade, crackling with some emotion between love and hate, ravaged the recess that once held her heart and ended her struggle. She was caught in the red.

Sakura awoke in a cold sweat, gasping for breath. Her hands came to her chest of their own accord, trying in vain to cover the ache of betrayal that now resided there. It was becoming a morning ritual. It took but a moment to collect her faculties, the shock value of such torturous nightmares dulling with each successive night that they had been endured. It had been ten days since her brush with death at the hands of her most beloved and Sakura was no shrieking violet.

The first night had been the worst. In her panic, she had roused the rest of the team and their prisoner with her struggling. When the spell of the nightmare finally broke, thanks to a sound slap from their venerable sensei, Sakura whispered her fake assurances and rearranged her bedroll. She could feel the knowing eyes of the scarlet prisoner on her for the rest of the night. Contempt for her own weakness, rather than that of his discarded pawn, ran through Sakura's veins under the scrutiny of that gaze. Sleep would continue to elude her.

The next few days were but a blur. Arriving at the village, handing in mission reports, and reporting for duty at the hospital were second nature enough that she could perform these tasks on autopilot. She had joined the ranks of the walking dead. It took a couple of days, but eventually, her friends staged an intervention. It took another bit of friendly violence, this time supplied by an indignant Ino, to set her straight, but it was effective. She went to plotting. After all, one should play to one's strengths and Sakura had always been known to have an intelligent head on her shoulders.

It took a couple more days for her to realize that there were holes, numerous and large ones, in the scheme she was cooking up. Like it or not, Sakura was going to have to call in some back-up. Invitations went out and she lost no time in starting preparations. Time would be of utmost importance; some of the major players could not be counted upon to stay in the village for any length of time.

One by one they arrived, exchanging smiles and civilities before being seated at the kunoichi's small dining table. Sakura did a fair job of hostess duties, pouring tea and filling plates with second and third portions, in between fielding off-color comments between the two younger males attending. When the eating and drinking and carousing seemed to slow, she smiled and began clearing the used dishes.

"It was a pleasant meal, Sakura." The silver-haired shinobi seated at the head of the gathering handed over his empty plate. "But what are we really here for?"

"Observant as always, sensei." The girl added his plate to the pile growing near the sink. "I think it's time we discussed what should be done about Sasuke."

"Sakura." Her name came across Naruto's lips as an impatient growl. "There is nothing to discuss. I already promised you that I would bring him home to you. I don't go back on my promises."

"I'm not asking you to. I'm just asking how we intend on doing it." Sakura spoke carefully, making eye contact with all there as she did so.

"We?" The blonde stood up, knocking the chair out from under him as he did so. "Oh no! I don't think so. You're not going anywhere near him again! It's my responsibility. I'll bring him home."

"We've already discussed this." A sigh came from the direction of their sensei. "Sasuke is my responsibility. He was placed in my care."

"No, sensei. It's me he wants and I'm..."

The table between them splintered, a feminine fist having smashed through it in frustration. "Shut up both of you!" The furious kunoichi bit out. "Have you forgotten what happened the last time one of us tried to take him on by ourselves? Huh?  Huh  ?" Sakura paused to look at them. "Well, I do. I see it every single freakin' night in my nightmares. He was going to kill me. And he was going to enjoy it. Now when I say 'we' that's exactly what I mean. So   we   had better start coming up with a plan so   we  can deal with this once and for all the next time we see that traitorous bastard. Understand?"

"Fine. I get it." Naruto gave his sulky consent.

"You know he's not going to come quietly." The reminder came from Kakashi. "It will be easier to kill him than to capture him."

"But Kakashi-sensei!"

"I know, Naruto, but he might not give us a choice."

"It's fine," Sakura spoke up. "If we have to kill him, it's fine. There's nothing left of our Sasuke in there anyway."

"Sakura?"

"Come on, Naruto. We're deluding ourselves if we think that we'll bring him back and everything will be just fine. He wants to destroy the village and everyone it! If we don't do it, the powers that be will just execute him. If he has to die, I'd rather it be by our hands in the manner we think is best. I only see three choices. We kill him, they kill him or he kills all of us. And if I have to pick one, I pick the one where we get to have the most say." For the first time in days, Sakura gave in to the desire to break down.

"No." A soft, monotone voice cut through the discussion. Three sets of eyes turned his direction in wonder. "You are wrong, hag. There are four choices."

Sakura wiped her wet face with the back of her hands. "Sai, I don't understand. What other choice? Do you actually want to try to save him? Is that the choice you're talking about? Why would you? He's nothing to you."

"Please do not misunderstand me. This is not out of compassion. It is just the opposite actually."

"Yeah, I don't get it either." Naruto scratched his cheek in puzzlement.

"He has rejected the bonds he created with all of you. He has caused you pain. Even now, he makes the hag cry." Sai paused to rub his chest. "He does not deserve death. That is too light a punishment for his transgressions."

"What do you suggest?" Kakashi leaned forward, resting his elbows on what was left of Sakura's table.

"There are things worse than death and we will give those things to Sasuke." The smirk he gave them instead of his usual smile seemed genuine, laced with just a bit of malice. "I have a plan."

The rest of Team Kakashi eyed each other, looking for the unspoken cues as to what each was thinking. Each saw what they felt mirrored back at them, but no one wanted to speak up. No one wanted to be the one to confirm their resolve to do whatever it takes. They were about to change the rules. Sakura would regain her heart by first breaking it. Naruto would leave his childhood behind once and for all. Kakashi would learn to put the needs of the many above his own selfish wishes. They would do what their mentors could not. They would be the ones to break the cycle. They would rain retribution upon one of their own.

"Fine. But if we're going to talk nefarious plans, let's take it to the sofa. I'd rather not get splinters." The kunoichi glanced back at the other half of her team. "Oh, and you two owe me a new table."

"But Sakura..."

"Of course. It's no problem." Kakashi covered the blonde's mouth with a firm hand until the girl turned away. "Don't worry, Naruto. Yamato owes me."

"I can hear you guys, you know."

Darkness invaded her dreams once again. She was running, always running. Desperate and determined. Always moving on. Always moving forward. Again, not a person was in sight, but she did not feel alone. The inky air that enveloped her did not frighten her anymore. It felt... alive. She felt the familiar burn of her overexerted muscles. She knew where she was going. She was meeting her destiny. It was unavoidable. She could hear the lightning closing in, causing the hair on her neck to stand on end. But this time as her destiny hit critical mass, the collision with her heart imminent, the crackle of the electric blade was drowned out by a soft trickling of black liquid. The sound grew and grew until it became palpable, swallowing the chidori in its entirety. The red receded and refused to return.

[mrneighbourlove]

Evil’s Bane: Ch 5. Belief Scattered

It must have felt like a good hour of walking through the fog together. No sound echoing in the cave or even their foot steps. As they kept traveling, Leere wanted to get to know Black more. “I never knew you were an undead all this time. How’d you get so good at hiding that fact?”

"Well, I'm not alive and I'm not dead, so I suppose you'd call me undead. Technically, I'm trapped in the moment of dying." Black explained to Leere, trying to recall what Bonegrinder told him. "Almost like being stuck in limbo, but I'm on earth still. It is said that I will not cease to be until I resolve my unfinished business. Yet, unlike other Wraiths, so I've been told, I'm not mindless."

“So what, you’re a Hellspawn?”

"No, I'm not a demon, just... a trapped soul, I suppose." Black shrugged once. "I'm not exactly sure how to explain it. Necromancy doesn't effect me, so I might not be completely undead, just... odd."

"Black is no Hellspawn, tiny princess, just a unique individual." Bonegrinder told Leere. "Years and years ago, this old snake found Black wandering in a swamp near Yenaldooshi in Omisha. He was able to help him regain part of his memories."

"I recalled that I was traveling back home from Al-Daida with my family and someone had double crossed me."

Leere gave Black a look. There was a weird tilt of her head, as if she was trying something out, and after a moment, she smiled with a simple hum to herself.

"If you have a better explanation, I'm all ears." Black's glowing lavender eyes curved in good humor from behind his head wrap, his body hidden beneath several layers of flowy clothes.

"There have been very few Wraiths that Bonegrinder has seen in this lifetime." The Anagari then admitted. "Even this snake has not all the answers on some issues, but an idea."

“Your soul and body certainly have unique characteristics. Much different then most undead I’ve encountered. And you certainly have control of your own body.”

"That much is true, though I am still trying to figure out what my unfinished business is." Black admitted to the Shadow Sage. "I thought it was to get revenge for my family. Yet, I didn't cease to be after I found their killer."

“You fulfilled your duty in avenging your family, but your destiny lies elsewhere.” Leere pondered a little more about his situation. Spirits, physical or otherwise, usually had a purpose for lingering on the mortal plane after death. “Perhaps you must bring unity to someone else?”

Suddenly as if they were stepping out of a portal, the fog disappeared. They knew they had been walking at a slow incline down, so the sight before the party of travellers was unexpected. An open area with sky was set upon their eyes. Only this time it was not as much a pretty sight. The sky was dreary with clouds hiding any blue. Replacing grasslands was an eerie forest landscape, with many dead trees amongst puke green pine trees. Finally, there was more earth then grass.

"This is what he recalls from the last time he was in this land." Bonegrinder's features contorted into disgusted frown. "Decay."

“I don’t sense anything too off, but be on guard.” Leere sensed life wasn’t dead, but had simply stopped in time was the best choice of wording. As they kept walking, they eventually found a path to walk along. “Civilization ahead?”

"Yes, there should be... unless that has changed as well." Bonegrinder did not sound too enthused about the prospect of seeing more residents of the land of Malus. "This snake still says its not too late to turn back."

Leere looked up to see a couple fairies fly overhead. They looked more insect like, but paid no attention to the group. “Bonegrinder, you promised me a day. You going to use it complaining?”

"He will use it to wipe his scaled ass, complain as much as he likes, and remind you repeatedly that this is a bad idea." The Anagari's tail twitched. "We should not even be here."

"That means he's irritated." Black murmured to Leere.

Leere observed her surroundings with a sigh. Suddenly, they heard talking from nearby. With a hand single, she issued Black and Bonegrinder to be quiet so they’d investigate. Near a lake, there were two men, gutting fish they caught.

"Fuck." Bonegrinder grumbled under his breath when Leere caught sight of the 'local natives'.

“Kenshi. How much longer must we wait?”

“We’ll be gone soon Lang. The whereabouts of my daughter are unknown, but I’m certain this lake is where the anomalies originate from.”

Leere watched the two men; both had darker hair like her. After much consideration, she decided to slowly approach them.

Before Leere could get too far, Bonegrinder's tail whipped out, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back. "What. Are. You. Doing?!"

“Engaging the locals. We have to form communication or we’ll get nowhere.” Leere gritted her teeth at him in hushed whispers. She didn’t like to be man handled like a child.

"We do not know if they're friendlies or hostiles." Black reminded Leere. "It's best to observe firstly."

"Listen to the assassin, tiny princess, he knows better than you do."

From over ahead, a fairy looked down at them. The little insect seemed to scowl at them. Slowly, it flew over to the two men. They stopped their conversation, and listened to the fairy. Suddenly they tensed, looking over to the hiding spot of the group. They both jolted upwards, grabbing sheathed swords. “Kenshi! Go back to the village! Another monster has somehow broken through the barrier, this time in day light!”

"... I'm assuming that means you, Bonegrinder." Black mused dryly with a tiny smirk. "Cause I do not sense any other monsters around here."

"Fuck Prama and Dhakk sideways..." Bonegrinder cursed under his breath. "... go catch them."

"As you wish."

"But don't kill them yet, we need information."

Leere decided to try and run out toward them. “Stop! I’m a Mortuus! I’m friendly!”

The man Leere identified by observation as Lang took a stance, drawing his sword. This revelation only made him more on guard. “You are not from either village.”

Black earned his nickname for being able to blend into the shadows initially, however, he was quite adept at hiding in any environment. In order to keep Kenshi from escaping, the Wraith simply pinned the Mortuus against a rotting tree, both hands trapped behind the back. "I have the second one, Bonegrinder." "Good. We require information." The Anagari slithered out from his spot, eying Lang. "Drop that sword before this snake removes your hand for threatening the tiny princess."

Lang was memorized by the gigantic beast slivering down from the tree line. “The gods really are abandoning us...” Tightening his grip on his blade when he saw Kenshi be pinned, the man planted his feet. “You must be from the capital. I won’t let you take me without a fight.”

Leere glanced over to Black, standing between both Lang and Bonegrinder. “Will you two stand down?! My name is Leere Dragmire. I am a Sage of Hyrule investigating a dark source of evil coming from Malus. I know that there are innocents trapped here. I’m a friend that wishes to help you. If my companion releases your friend, will you lower your guard?”

Lang, looked to Kenshi. He only slightly lowered his stance. “Release my friend.”

"Put down your sword first." Bonegrinder was incredibly stubborn. "Raising a blade at a lady is no small thing."

"Bonegrinder, I believe Leere can handle herself. After all, that sword is very... rusty." Black used basic logic. "And unkept."

"... very well. Though harm her, and this Anagari will remove your head from your shoulders." Black released Kenshi, almost chucking when the Mortuus scrambled away from him.

Kenshi stood by Lang’s side, the latter paying closer attention to Bonegrinder as he sheathed his sword. “You said you came from the outside? It should be impossible for a monster of your size to enter. The barrier of Destroyah disintegrates monsters and demons bigger than a house cat from entering. Not the mention the guardian Mata keeps an eye out for the demonic.”

"Bonegrinder is neither demonic or a monster..." Black stated, earning a blank glance from the two Mortuus. "Let me rephrase that, Bonegrinder is neither demonic nor a monster of these regions. He hails from Omisha, not of Hellspawn origins."

"Pitiful, magical barriers and ancient Colossi are nothing more than pests." Bonegrinder stated bitterly. "Destroyer's works are sloppy."

“Omisha... the land of the cowards who bask in the sun. That’d explain your appearance. Still, we should have been protected from your kind entering too.”

Leere felt tensions start to rise. “What matters is that none of us wish to bring you harm. I merely wish to learn. Can you bring us to your village?”

Both men looked to each other, then spoke in a language, or perhaps code Leere didn’t understand.

Suddenly, Bonegrinder had Lang up off the ground by his neck, his tail wrapped dangerously tight around the Mortuus' throat. He brought the man closer to his face, fangs exposed and snarling. The Anagari was pissed. To keep Kenshi in place, he wrapped the man in his coils. "You dare call us Echidnans cowards when your kind tried to drown the world in Hellspawn? Tortured the innocent? Slaughtered villages full of children?" Bonegrinder's jaw was unhinged, highly tempted to rip out the man's throat. Black warned Leere that there was a reason why the Anagari detested Malus. This country was the responsible for the demise of his home. "It makes this snake wonder if you were worth saving after you killed so many of us alongside Dhakk for choosing to follow Prama."

“BONEGRINDER!!!” On instinct, a large shadowy hand gripped Bonegrinder by the hair, pulling him away from Lang as another shadow hand caught the man from falling. “Do not escalate tensions! I did not bring you here to frighten innocents! Stop acting like a monster!” Both the men were afraid, both by Bonegrinder and by Leere’s magic. “She’s a sorcerer.”

“Just like the elder and Bi-Hanzo.”

Leere glared Bonegrinder down as her shadows calmed down. Slowly, she turned back to the pair. “I overheard you had a missing daughter. I’m a mother myself. Perhaps I can assist you.”

Kenshi nodded. “Yes... Lang. Go to the village and warn them to not attack the Echidnan on sight. I’ll stay with the group and walk with them as a sign of trust...”

Lang, not wanting to be anywhere near Bonegrinder, agreed. “Gladly.”

"He is a monster, Leere," Bonegrinder was angry with the princess for using her magic on him. He leaned down and growled, "It matters not to him the lives of those who could be responsible for the death of his family. Prama agreed to this folly because he wishes for some good to come to this God-forsaken land." The snake warned her, "You are innocent of the crimes of Malus, Leere. The others are not. Friend or foe is not debatable here."

Black was not one for expressing emotion with his stoic face, but even he grimaced at Bonegrinder's icy words. It was rather clear the hate that the Anagari had for this country. Yet, as the shaman slithered off a distance from the princess to cool his head, the Wraith approached Leere. "I apologize." Black said to the Shadow Sage, "I should have warned you of his ire. It is nothing against you, Leere. There are certain horrors that he does not wish to recall and old wounds that have never healed. Perhaps I should go forward with you and have Bonegrinder wait here. I understand your mission, but he... is having a difficult time."

“If he feels he needs to distance himself, then fine.” Leere gestured for Black to follow her as Kenshi lead the way. “All enemies or all allies view is a narrow one though.”

"How would you feel if you had to traverse into the country responsible for the death of your family?" The Wraith asked Leere, curious of her answer. "From what I remember of my human days, I think I would be afraid... and angry."

The shadow sage was sad that her friend couldn’t keep his emotions in check, worried she comprised her relationship with the village before even meeting them. When they arrived at the village, it was a small town, but held a decent enough community. A town hall, a saloon, multiple houses and a church were present buildings seen. Many Mortuus gathered around, astonished by news of outsiders. With so many red eyes on her, Leere could see how tired many of them were. “Hello. I am Leere. Mortuus of Hyrule.”

She was greeted with silence in return. Some of them went back to their daily routines immediately, but kept an eye on her. One man approached, narrowing his gaze at her. “Lang tells me you travel with an Echidnan. Where is it?”

As Black followed Leere to the village, he kept a keen lookout. His master was not too far, he could still sense the Anagari. Though, something felt... a touch off here. The residents looked like sleep had eluded them for ages. "Bonegrinder felt it was best to hold back, lest he..." Black thought of the appropriate word. "Scare the masses." He then inquired. "Why do you ask?"

“As this villages remaining experienced protector, I demand all parties are accounted for.” The man had an air about him that the others didn’t, that he could back up his demands. “The masses live in constant fear of unknown dangers. If he was here, he wouldn’t be unknown.”

Leere held a hand back to him. “He’ll be here shortly. What is your name, if I might ask?”

“I am Bi-Hanzo. Member of the Order of Balance.”

"Balance?" That caught Black's interest. "As in Kaksa? Mother Goddess?"

It was Bi-Hanzo’s first moment to be intrigued. “Yes. The very same. Though I am a dying breed. Both Destroyah and Proxamus, the names we give for Life and Destruction gods, had a hand in Malus’ creation. Our magic of necromancy was fuelled to please Proxamus. Yet both gods haven’t graced us in thousands of years. In time, the factions of Mortuus fell to darkness, blind in dedication to either. Few know of balance and try to keep these communities alive. There is no escape from Malus. Only survival.”

That was a monumental amount of information Leere absorbed. “Well, that’s good. Because I think the Destroyer is on the rise in Malus, and many of you are in grave peril.”

It seemed his master was correct about one issue; the people of Malus had lost hope. He had heard the tales of creation and destruction from his time when he was alive. Then, he learned more as a Wraith underneath Bonegrinder's tutelage. Yet, he was unsure of who was friend or foe. Perhaps a small test was needed... "We are here to seek answers." Black informed Bi-Hanzo. "For the prophecy."

“Prophecy? Those are many, and have many interpretations. Come, I will take you to the elder.”

Before Leere could follow Bi-Hanzo, Black placed his hand on the Shadow Sage's shoulder, silently asking her not to move just yet. "And how do we know this isn't a ploy?"

“I don’t. But I do this thing called taking a leap of faith? Can you jump yourself Black?”

"Jump, run, hide, take your pick. Though you must understand our caution." Black told the man, "The stories we have heard are most unsettling."

“They are most likely true. However, is every fallen leaf red?”

"Only if it's soaked up blood from the ground."

Black’s view on judging people by one cover was unsettling to the woman, discouraging even. It was when Bi-Hanzo added his thoughts to Leere and Black’s exchange of metaphors. “Ah. You can only see violence. That, is why your vision is flawed.”

Leere liked the man’s thinking, nodding along. Some villagers followed the group to a church near a graveyard looking down on the village. Knocking on the door, Bi-Hanzo waited. Finally, he opened the door to the church and gestured the pair to go inside. Leere did so without fear. Inside were very old bleachers, scratched wooden pillars, and a cross hanging on the wall. At the alter, a woman was sitting down reading a book wrapped in leather.

Bi-Hanzo respectfully bowed to the elder. “Lady Jackalen. There is a Mortuus, an undead, and an Echidnan here. Somehow, they penetrated the protective barriers to our small realm.”

"A Wraith, thank you, not an undead. There's a difference. I think." Black insisted as he looked around the church. It was better kept than the whole village. It also made him feel slightly uneasy. Was it because he was trapped between death and life?

Leere walked forward, bowing her head. When she approached the woman, she noticed how white her eyes were. “I am Leere Dragmire. Shadow Sage of Hyrule. I don’t want to alarm you, but I believe your people are in grave danger.”

“A sage? My... how young you look.” The elder cackled lightly to herself. “And you are correct. My people are indeed in danger. Or countless generations, we’ve been kept safe. Despite how much they might have changed, Destroyah and Proxamus gave us a way to protect our pocket realms from the outside world. Only now, within the last decade, those who isolated themselves from the outside world have been going silent. Communities we once shared a psychic communication with snuffed out. We didn’t know what caused this. Until two weeks ago. Devilish abominations coming out in the night to kill and steal away those who live here. Despite all my magics, I can’t find the source of where they reside.”

"Hellspawns." Black stated at the elder's words. "They're good at hiding and lurking around in the darkness, waiting for the right moment to strike. Difficult to track too if they're being aided by another source of magic. I'm surprised they haven't overrun the village yet." He glanced at the few people in the church. "Perhaps they're looking for someone."

“I’ve fought against several unidentified creatures, killed a few, but there’s always more, and there’s always someone taken.” Bi-Hanzo gripped the sides of his coat uncomfortably.

Leere pried for more information. She needed to know what specific danger lied in the shadows of this country. “Do you know if any evil spirits or gods have risen in Malus?”

The elder shook their head. “We do not. No gods have answered our prayers. And we know little of outside this realm of protection. It is our bubble. Our way of life.”

"... what prophecy do you know of?" Black decided to skip past the doom and gloom and search for answers. "My master requires answers."

“Which one? There are many Wraith. Mostly about their chosen god raising hell upon the earth. Some hope a saviour will liberate Malus from torment. Some think they will be servants while all their enemies will become slaves. Even here, some make sacrifices and offerings to their chosen lord in hopes of having their wishes granted.”

"The prophecy my master has long believed is of a young woman of fire, born of a mother of death, would be the host of Kaksa, the Mother Goddess." Black decided there was no harm in elaborating. There were various versions of the prophecy, but all resulted in the same ending. "Dhakk and Prama would have a choice to make. Either they would fight each other, or fight against Chaos."

“Chaos? Ahhhh.”

Leere looked to Black, unsure by the elder’s reaction. “What about Chaos?”

“Hehehe. Oh... oh! This is rich. I remember you now.” The elder’s white eyes were glossed over on Leere. “You were the one who’s parents fled. There are many in Malus who worship Destroyah or Proxamus. Few worship and know of Balance. But very little dared to be of the Cult of the Devil. The Devil came from Chaos you know. Evil was born of Chaos. That evil has a special connection in Malus. Those who served Proxamus were wise to kill those who worshiped the Devil.”

Leere’s comfort levels went from a 10 to a 1 real fast. “I know very little about my birth parents.”

“But you hold the markings, don’t you? I can sense it. Feel it. Hmmm. You’re marked for sacrifice.” Lady Jackalen walked away towards a book shelf, trying to find a specific text.

Black sensed Leere's abrupt uneasiness. The mentioned of Chaos certainly caught the old woman's attention. There were several names for this horrible god of discord, though he knew just a few; Teufel and Tzitzimime. Leere, she almost looked... slightly panicked. Like she was not expecting the elder to recall her or her despicable parents.

“Yes. Here we are.” The elder returned, placing a book down with a face as the cover. Flipping the page, she showed an illustration of the exact tattoo Leere had on her back. “This is it, isn’t it? Ah, no need for words. Your expression tells me enough. You are slated for sacrifice.” Leere looked much paler than usual. “I was. Past tense.”

“Heh heh heh. Present tense, I’m afraid. I can... I can feel the gate on you has been altered. But you are still a viable gateway if there were those who wished to use you.”

“For what?”

“A summoning of great and vile torment to be resurrected.” Flipping the pages, she went through many horrifying sketches of alien looking monstrosities. “Chaos has many spawns of its own. But it’s also a being, by nature, that is fractured. The body, a heart, mind, soul. Chaos is many. The Devil would like it all back. And you, just like one in every generation of Mortuus, carry a seed of resurrection in you. Congratulations on such a terrible fate.”

Bonegrinder had once told Black some time ago that he wished to save the 'tiny princess' from her fate. He really did not know what the Anagari spoke of then, but now, he understood. The assassin recalled the times that Leere was angry with the giant snake for keeping the details of her past from her. She wanted to know and now she did. Yet, Black could not help but feel sorry for her... and for Bonegrinder. The Anagari tried so hard to keep this knowledge from Leere.

Leere looked away when she saw the creature that oozed from her spine when Bonegrinder removes a sigil so long ago. “How did you deal with these children before?”

“We killed them before they could pose a threat to the world. Proxamus would have understood. Destroyah would agree. And it’s what Balance would have desired. And no, before you ask, I don’t think it wise to order your execution. That said, I don’t know why you’ve come here. There is no escape from Malus.”

“What if I can help you? Everyone who is here find a way out?”

“Dear child. That is gullible thinking. Naive. Even if you save us, there are still other villages. I doubt you can find them all.”

"How dare you think you have the power to speak for Kaksa." Bonegrinder was as sneaky as always, having found his way to the church, following Leere's scent. He managed to slip inside through the back, and was now on his usual lounging spot; the ceiling. He had coiled his massive body around the chandeliers, dust falling from above. It was clear the snake was in a foul mood even more so now. "The Mother Goddess abhors the murder of innocent children, even those who had no say in what happened to them. No, this is your failure. Failing to protect them."

"... and this is my master." Black stated with a stoic face. "Bonegrinder."

Lady Jackalen didn’t look surprised. Bi-Hanzo fists glowed a blue aura, but he kept his ground. The elder looked up, frowning lightly. “A swift end is preferable to torture they’d have gone through. It has been a long, long time since I’ve seen one of your kind. Still arrogant. Still boastful of living in better lands. After all, the Mother is part of the reason we remain trapped here. Besides, the children after death could be resurrected. They just needed their minds, not their souls.”

Leere was a little disgusted by that statement. “How old are you? How many souls have you taken?”

“Old enough. Blood magic is a gateway to soul manipulation. As I know you know.” The elder walked over to a seat, taking a moment to sit down. “Although, there’s something about you too, Echidnan. Something faint.”

"And your kind are nothing but slaughterers of the innocent." Bonegrinder hissed through gritted fangs. "Mother of the Monsters erected the barrier because your people decided to play with Chaos' little pets. We Echidnans will not apologize for protecting ourselves and our homeland." The Anagari scoffed as the Elder tried to analyze him. "You know nothing of this old snake, old woman."

"Bonegrinder is ancient like you, lady." Black had no filter.

“Ha. You think yourself a light to our darkness? Yourself righteous? You know that we desired help, yet you turned us away. All lands did. Or they enslaved us. Such was the design of those who fell to true darkness in Malus.”

"Why would Echidnans want to help the kind responsible for the rampaging of their homes? Friend or foe, the Mortuus are two faced." Bonegrinder snorted. "You are going senile, old woman, if you think we would do such a thing." He slid down the wall of the church, settling beside of Leere and Black. "Do you understand now why this snake did not want to bring you here, tiny princess? There is nothing for you here."

“Bi-Hanzo, what do you think? Do you wish freedom from Malus?”

The man was surprised Leere had the fortitude to address him so quickly. “I’d wish it more than anything.”

Leere turned her attention away from the elder and Bonegrinder. “Then I don’t know how long it will take, but I can take you and your people away from this all.”

“I don’t know if I can trust your friend. Unless...”

“Unless what?”

“Unless you stay the night. Protect my village.”

This could be a way of discovering the evil that plagued her dream. Nodding, Leere held an arm out to shake. “I accept.”

Before Bonegrinder, Black, or Lady Jackalen could disagree, Bi-Hanzo shook her hand. “A woman of her word? I look forward to it.”

"You don't have to like my master, but I would highly advise trusting him." Black told Bi-Hanzo and Lady Jackalen. "He knows more than you think he does."

"Let the people believe what they wish, Black, it is of no consequence to this snake." Bonegrinder dismissed the thought from the assassin's viewpoint. "You know what they think of him and you know what he thinks of them."

"What about the prophecy, Bonegrinder?"

"If they do not wish to speak of their prophecy, it matters not. We know what we need to know."

“Come, I will take you to the saloon. You can rest there until nightfall.”

~

In the darkness of Malus’ infamous great city, deep within a castle wall, creatures scuttled about in the shadows. A mechanical bug crawled along the walls, reaching a man and hissing into his ear. The man paused, patiently listening. Entering a private chamber, his voice echoed in a loud whisper. The man himself was nearly a silhouette of a man, a terrible tall blackness covered in robes and with crimson eyes. “Your brother has slithered his way into Malus it seems.”

"I was wondering when Prama would make the mistake of following that vessel into this realm." Dhakk was as studious as always, surrounded by books. He was looking for a way to rid himself of this earthly host and return to the heavens beside of his beloved Kaksa. Even after all this time, he still longed to be by her side, even if she did prefer his brother. She would never give Prama a second thought after he wiped his brother's existence from history.

Even in candle light, the shadow man was still pure blackness as he walked closer. He more of a shape, he had two horns that helped with a frightful appearance. “The Shadow Sage has also finally come to Malus.”

"Ah... now that is an interesting revelation." Dhakk actually looked up from his book, those glowing turquoise eyes seemingly amused. "The vessel was chosen as the Shadow Sage. Maybe the spirits took pity on her plight."

“There are many of us who wish to use her. Our master wants to make you a deal, Destroyah.” The whisper was like a lullaby to the gods ears.

"I usually do not deal with messengers." Dhakk returned his gaze to his books. "If your master wants a deal, then he can ask me in person."

A pause, for a moment, and the air turned to a chill. “I am asking you.” The candle lights went out, with only the glow of each others eyes in the room giving away the terror both could give. “You deal with an avatar of my will. It’s taxing to make one. You have my respect Dhakk that I let you communicate with one. I know you can be respectful yourself.”

"... a fragment, that you are. But part of Chaos nonetheless." Dhakk still did not look too interested. "What business do you want with me? If you are looking for a way to get to Kaksa, then you're out of luck. I'm sure you heard about her little fit when she tossed my brother and I from the heavens."

“She helped Hylia sever me from my power as well. A power I’m well on my way from achieving once more.” The shadow wisped around the room, holding Dhakk’s shoulders lightly. “What if I helped you gain revenge on your brother in exchange for helping me in return?” His whisper was alluring to listen to. “You keep the snake, and I get what I want from the woman.”

"Tempting. Dare I ask how you plan to achieve this?" Dhakk wanted more details. "Bound to his host or not, my brother Prama is still a very powerful being. How do you plan to enact this 'revenge'? I care not of the woman."

“The woman holds a powerful piece of my essence locked within her. If you complete a ritual to bring this being out of her, you will summon forth a demon to surpass Demise. Alone, it would rip apart the physical fabric of your brother. With you, there’d be no struggle from your brother to be had. From there, he is a soul, and a soul can be scattered, trapped, or lost to time and space. And I know something else that would entice you.”

"As I said before, tempting, but what could be better than gloating as Prama is ripped into a thousand pieces?"

“Hurting those he cares about.” The red eyes glew as the whisper grew insidious. “How he hurt you in taking away your love from you. You can take away the friendships he has. You can make him a failure before you rip him to pieces. Make his friends suffer; make him powerless to stop it.”

"That sounds like a glorious bit of destruction that is making me twitch in anticipation." Dhakk chucked with a sinister grin. "I don't suppose you had a few of these friends in mind?"

“The woman Leere needs to suffer for the ritual to be completed. I know Bonegrinder cares for her the most. Do anything you desire to her, so long as she feels every pain. There is also a subordinate of his known as Black in Malus with them. A Wraith, but he can be made to experience pain. I will lead them to the capital, from there your followers and mine will separate them. With enough time, the woman will unleash the Demon, and I will give it strength to kill your brother, but not before he wallows in the agonizing torment of having lost his friends.”

"Hrm... suffering can be physical or mental. Perhaps a mixture of both would work." Dhakk then was surprised to learn of a Wraith. He always thought of Black as an undead puppet. This was certainly interesting news. "Prama's demise will lead Kaksa right back into my arms. Though, I must say, I am rather curious as to why you'd want to help me. After all, Prama and I helped Kaksa lock you away all those years ago. Do you just want to claim this world as your own? Something that is yours, perhaps?"

“I want the bodies of the mortals that Hylia loved to pile up. That’ll be a start. And I live in the moment. I’m adaptable Dhakk.” The shadow danced around to face the god directly. “We have a deal?”

"Very well. We have a deal." Dhakk agreed with the avatar of Chaos. "So... when do I start?"

Teufel’s shadow man shook his hand, his eyes flickering in and out. The Devil had made his contract. “Now.”

________________________________________________________________

Previous Ch. https://mrneighbourlove.tumblr.com/post/625816676434313216/evils-bane-ch-4-dangerous-uncharted-territory

Next Ch. https://mrneighbourlove.tumblr.com/post/626094342071828480/evils-bane-ch-6-yield-to-damnation

[rayraywrites]

Chapter 1

Pairing: Kuramochi Youichi x Sawamura Eijun 

(minor: Furuya Satoru x Kominato Haruichi; Miyuki Kazuya x Kawakami Norifumi)

more ships to be added

Characters: Sawamura Eijun, Kuramochi Youichi, Furuya Satoru, Kominato Haruichi, Miyuki Kazuya, Kawakami Norifumi, more characters to be added)

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Total Word Count: 2704

AO3

Summary:

In this universe, you don't meet your perfect match by happenstance. You've grown up with them, maybe not physically, but they've always been there. In your mind. Speaking to you.

In this universe, humans are not the most powerful, and there's pockets of our world that lead to the other. To the fae. And there's so much more to them, than can ever be understood.

Eijun and Youichi. They stand upon the divide.

To all children of the great divide, let yourself never forget your true nature, your existence as a half of a whole. Even with all the pleasures of this world, let yourself be you only in the presence of the one who makes you complete. You have been separated from them from the beginning of time, but once they have been found, not so easy is it to lose them. The world is a large place, this universe not easily contained, so for that you have been given a gift.

Upon the birth of you and your true half, you will be able to speak, even with eons separating you. The limitations of the voice or hand cannot be there between halves, after all, you are simply two sides of the same coin. Instead your minds will allow you to converse freely.

Spoken by Oracle Takigawa at the festival of the 3rd Autumnal Equinox

The droplet of water rolled down to the tip of the leaf, pulling the plant down from the weight. Just as the little droplet fell of its own accord down to the water-sodden ground, it was abruptly ripped away from the foliage. A rough brush by a pair of trousers dislodged it from the expected path and instead introduced it to something new. Resting now within the fabric, it was exposed to a world anew.

The trousers made nary a sound in the crowded undergrowth, aside from the natural rustle that was ignored by many of its inhabitants. It was not that the forest-dwellers were unaware of the new presence, but simply he was trusted and allowed to spend time in their home with no concern. He bothered none, and often helped those who were too weak or old. They had claimed him as their own, so he was welcome wherever he may choose to wander.

With practiced ease, the wanderer made his way up a tall tree, bare feet pressing into the knobs of the old wood as if he was walking along the smooth ground. His hands caressed the branches and leaves, greeting the tree which supported his body as he finally settled upon its highest branch. Resting back against the wood, he let his legs dangle down and swing carefree. Unlike the blithe actions of his feet, his hands were curled into fists, pressing down harshly into his face. Harsh breaths came out as puffs of hair from between his hands.

With the sun beginning to peek from behind the foliage, he pulled his hands away from his face and stuffed them against his side. The new light reflected gently off the tear tracks that decorated his face, while the warmth of light rejuvenated him. Swallowing hard, he furiously reached back up to his face to wipe away all remnants of his crying. With unnatural grace, he pulled himself into a standing position on the branch. Feet braced themselves comfortably on the branch, while both hands came up to his chest. Moving one hand to his back, he took a careful step forward, and allowed himself to sink to his knees in respect to the sun. The precarious balance on the branch was barely given a moment’s thought as his focus remained fully on greeting the sun in its morning course – it had a busy job to complete after all. His other hand reached out, as if to support and hold up the sun in the sky.

Smiling at the momentary increase in warmth on his back, as if the sun had deigned his respect worthy of a bit more, he rose from the bow and gave one final respectful nod. Leaping down from the tree, he landed lightly on the balls of his feet. He threw his hands out slightly to catch himself before he tipped over, but managed to maintain his balance as always. He could feel the forest awakening to the sun’s warmth, and resisted the urge to stroke every sleeping flower awake; or the itch to find every dozing bunny and brush its ears till they began sniffing curiously at him. There was a part of him that would be forever in love with this forest and he wasn’t sure he would ever lose that part of him. Would anyone ever expect him to do so? To be able to? No.

But there was something bittersweet about his entering the Emerald forest every morning – since the moment his flame took shape he’d been coming to greet the sun and the inhabitants of the woods. And every day it had hurt to leave as it meant another day of hearing nothing. Of not feeling a shiver run through his body at their first communication. His mindscape remained empty as it always had.

Greeting the sun was not something he did for fun, or even entirely out of respect. The morning was when his control was strongest, and the warmth of the sun was soothing for the fire burning in his chest. So each morning he would reach out with his senses, using the sun as a beacon of concentration to center himself. He was never one to stay calm and settled - always wanting to be on the move. He itched to do more, to experience more, to feel more. But for this? For the chance to speak to his half, he’d sit for as long as was needed.

And yet, every day he left a little bit more broken, another part of his soul splintering from the pain. And after a millennia, he had very little left to give. His fire had become smothered, a barest spark left in him. But even then, he would leave the forest each failed day. He would trudge home, ignoring the pitiful looks sent by his neighbours. He would fight the urge to curl up on the hearth, and allow his body to be numbed by the hastily lit fire. Instead he pushed through his day, travelling to meet friends, and fill the emptiness in his mind with the loudness of life.

His voice carried the pain he felt as it increased in volume.

And each time there was the call from center village, he would drop everything to rush over. Forcing his way through the crowd of others from the Summer Court. And they let him pass, knowing his urgency was well-founded. And when the breeze led a snowflake into the alcove, he could feel the disappointment well up in those around him, even as he squashed his own to fully focus on the newly-forming fae. But instead when he saw a familiar shock of pink hair leave the group beside his own, he realized that this was not his again, it would not be his moment just yet. In lieu of his pain, the murmurs and hisses of a cursed pair filled his ears as he backed away frantically. He ignored how the flowers bloomed and grass gleamed in joy of a new coupling, and how the temperature of the air plummeted in response. He didn’t want to see hands curling around each of their faces, joy dancing in the flower-hue eyes, completeness etched into an icy face.

He threw himself into his day-to-day training. Forcing the pain to exacerbate his training till the fire could no longer be doused. Sweat rolled down his back but evaporated immediately at the heat his body let out. Dancing on his shoulders would be carefully lit flames, an act of self-discipline he had spent a millennia working on – to lose his control would allow the flames to spread down his body and out into the world. He gritted his teeth, compelling the hurt to turn into clear focus. And then the flames would appear in his hands, a beautiful symbol of balance and power.

He made them dance in his hands, and all over his body. Painting the air with his fire as he spun around and danced along with them. His moves were delicate as they were strong, arms and legs moving to a rhythm that beat from his heart. A small sigh of happiness would leave him when he could burn off his pain with training. He never noticed the audience, a blend of differently-powered fae who would stare in awe. He was one of the original, and through him were many of their techniques learnt.

But then finally, when he could no longer distract himself, he’d find himself back home. Staggering to his room, he tiredly pulled off his tunic and trousers, before collapsing onto the floor. Wrangling a sheet from the pile nearby, he rolled himself into a tight formation, with only movement allowed for his arms.

And then, only when he was on his own and in the safety of his house, would he remove the small bracelet wrapped around his wrist. With shaking hands, he would slowly pull out a small roll of papyrus, fingers gently unfurling the small scroll. Even though he had memorized the words many cycles prior, he would take the time to squint at the fading letters as if they held the answers to all his questions. And, perhaps they did.

The oracle’s words resonated in his mind since the first time he had heard them as a boy. And though it had been many a season cycle since he had been in the presence of the Oracle, they would never leave him. Nor would he be able to forget the scorching look directed at himself, burning into his eyes.

Much more information had been gleaned since that vision, but only through those who had been willing to share the most private of information. And he had soaked up each morsel and nugget of information he could.

And then, he had to wait. And wait he did, for centuries, as each cycle began and died anew. As the Vernal Equinox filled him with the power that the Autumnal one robbed him off. As his flames grew larger upon the eve of the Summer Solstice, even as he felt broken and alone upon the Winter Solstice. As his brethren found their matches, he remained alone.

Forcing himself to remain calm, even though this was the opposite of his impatient and desperate personality, he fought through each day. He greeted and wished the new couple well when he saw them next. Excitedly shouting “Harucchi!” to mask how much their entwined hands caused him pain, as he made his way towards them. The swirling ice trailing up Satoru’s arms proved how much this pairing had been a surprise to all the Courts. Eons of masking his own pain made their discomfort at being out in the open plain to see, and he was quick to usher them to the privacy of his own home. Distrust was seeded into his and Satoru’s stilted conversation, but for the sake of his long-time friend he would do anything.

After all, he wasn’t one to ever ignore the person who had saved his life many a cycle ago.

The manners beaten into him by the fae who’d first been in charge of him him resurfaced in an attempt to hide the uneasiness he felt. He knew the state of his home, just a touch beyond warm would cause the Winter fae some problems, but seeing Satoru pushing through his own issues made him feel a little ashamed. With a small raise of his hands, he absorbed some of the heat into his own body and projected it at the small basin of water in front of him, heating the water to perfection for the tea he served.

Seeing the gratefulness in Harucchi’s eyes made him a little sheepish, but the tenseness in Satoru’s shoulders made him almost increase the heat once more. But a simple brush of Harucchi’s fingers across his shoulders had Satoru’s body relaxing immediately. Quashing the desire to scream, again, at the tender glances the pair shared, he chattered loudly to fill in the empty space.

“Congratulations you two! I’m so happy that you were able to find your half, Harucchi!” The word left his mouth almost reverently, caressing his lips as it escaped into ether. Turning away to grab a few glasses, he heard the drawing of a sibilant breath by Satoru, and realized that Harucchi had told him the story. With a louder than necessary hmph , he turned back around, valiantly pretending he didn’t see the pity growing in Satoru’s eyes. But his shaking hands gave everything away as he tried to pour the now steeped tea into each cup.

When a gentle pair of hands came into his view, reaching for the pot, he nearly dropped it. But instead, he shook his head, and gripped the handle tighter and pulled it closer to his chest. He did not need any pity, nor did he deserve it. With a chest-rattling deep breath, he poured tea for all three of them, and then sat back on his haunches. He could see the concern in his friend’s eyes, and that it mirrored the ones in his half. His frown quickly turned into a scowl, and if it wasn’t for the real threat of being trapped in vines again, he would have yelled at Harucchi. Instead he forced himself to take more air into his chest, stalling for time before speaking in biting tones.

“It’s not important Harucchi. I have to wait for how long I have to wait. End of story. I don’t need your pity, and I definitely don’t need his either.” At that he punctuated his final statement by glaring at Satoru, who flinched back at the anger behind his glower. “It’s not like both of you are going to have the easiest time now are you? Has he even been to see Ryousuke yet?”

Some part of him felt vindictive at the pain that bloomed on Harucchi’s face, but he also felt ashamed at his actions. The pair had done nothing but offer their support and he had thrown it back onto their faces. Especially as he hadn’t been wrong. Nothing was going to be easy for them now.

With a deep sigh, he ran his hand down his face, rubbing softly at the dark smudges under his eyes. Not willing to give up his position, even as he knew he’d been in the wrong, he refused to apologize. And he knew that Harucchi wouldn’t either. Still, an olive branch was required here: “Have you been to see Nori yet? You know they’ll understand, and so will that snarky tanuki of theirs. They’ll understand it all Harucchi.” Seeing the slowly dawning understanding on Harucchi’s face was enough for him as he quickly moved the conversation along. Bringing up their plans for the awakening of the Spring that was fast approaching. Eventually the conversation slowly petered away, all members of the party filled with troubled thoughts, and a silent yet rapid conversation filling one of them in. When the pair excused themselves, he felt relieved that it would be simply him again. Alone in his empty home.

As the sun set in the horizon, he glanced around his simple rooms, feeling the last pull of the sun on his soul slowly vanishing for the night. The moon rose to replace the sun, and he felt the lethargy build, as all of the sun’s chosen felt. He settled himself into his nest of sheets, arms wrapped securely around his chest, as if to hold himself together through the dark lonely nights.

And just as his consciousness slowly reached for morpheus, he heard a whisper come from somewhere. But it wasn’t the sound that he’d never heard, but where it came from. With a start he sat up, hand reaching up to grasp at his chest. Tears spilled down his cheeks at his realization, and his breaths came out shakier. Wrapping his hands together, he tried to center himself as much as possible, even with the sharp noises filling his mind.

A baby’s cry. He’d heard a baby’s cry. But not via his ears, instead it rattled in his skull. It bounced through his mind, lighting up every bit it could. The fire in his chest sang.

His true half was born.

[travellingwithleoandzoe-blog]

#6 Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Osa. For us, the word itself conjures up a sense of mysticism. Not many people call it home, making this enchanted peninsula a rare jewell for wildlife. And while stats tend to differ between various sources, all of them baffle. Take this one for example: it’s estimated that this tiny plot of land, amounting to only 0.0001% of the earth’s surface area, contains a staggering 2.5% of the planet’s bio diversity. The ratio is somewhat explainable when you consider the tropical rain forest in this part of the world embraces a mind-bending thirteen different ecosystems, from freshwater and marine systems, to dense elevated primary forests, sandy beaches, encompassing mangroves, and more. There’s all sorts of magic happening here. We’ll get back to some of the numbers in a short while.

As for the drive down to this Southwestern tip, it was unsurprisingly spectacular. Engulfed by the supercharged flora, we whizzed around the perimeter in a green blur, catching glimmers of the crystal blue Pacific from time to time. Before heading to our base for the upcoming few days, we first needed to pick up some reserves in the largest town in the region, Puerto Jimenez. With the stop off complete, and three days worth of food packed in the boot, we hurried on to a town call Dos Brazos, waving goodbye to phone connection, WiFi, and convenience stores. Dos Brazos was once a bustling gold mining village, however, it now embraces a more ecologically responsible and sustainable vision. As a gateway to Corcovado National Park, growing eco-tourism opportunities have shown this sleepy village how conservation efforts can benefit the community, providing jobs and a healthier environment. It was like stepping back in time on entry. The pace of life is slow and there’s a feeling of balance and harmony that’s clearly been orchestrated by the abundant natural beauty in the area. The rough road through the town didn’t last long, and under instructions from our host we continued off road at what appeared to be a dead end, pushing our car to its limits. 

Within five minutes we’d landed at the idyllic home and gardens of Casa Aire Libre. Perched above Rio Tigre and surrounded by breathtaking greenery, this open aired home would prove to be a once in a lifetime abode for us both. We were finishing Costa Rica in style. 

The home came equipped with an enormous kitchen suitable for any top chef, multiple hammocks and air chairs, a private garden with jungle paths, and a master bedroom up on a third floor up at tree level. We happily pottered about our new surroundings until the sunlight died on us, celebrating our first evening with a glass of vino and huge spread of various different tropical foods.

A booming chorus of bird calls coupled with a deep red backdrop from the sun rise was something to behold the next morning. Alarm clocks are now redundant to us, as we’ve become attune to nature’s cues and wake up calls. Our first full day in Osa was all about acclimatising and taking things slow. The expansive grounds and many amenities of our temporary home meant we had ample amounts of paths to explore, wildlife to admire, and foods to feast on. Maybe it was just the novelty of it, but the removal of walls in an environment like this felt like we could unconsciously absorb even more of Mother Nature while simply sat relaxing in our new home. Sometimes, however, there are more obvious physical encounters that come from having no barriers. As the power of the sun waned we went to grab a layer to put on. Lifting a t-shirt, a sizeable and startled wolf spider (we think) jumped off and perched itself on a nearby shelf. After much commotion, we let the spider be, and observed a plethora of other passers-by that evening, from tree frogs, to oversized clumsy flying beetles and the odd giant moth. We were truly in the thick of it.

Our location in the foothills of the extremely important Corcovado National, which protects over 50% of the forest in the area, meant we were walking distance to a network of incredible jungle trails. However, the park itself is only accessible with a guide, and that was a little out of our price range. Fortunately for us, the nearby Bolita Rainforest Hostel has created some its own alternative self-guided options on the fringes of the park.

Bolita has to be one of the hardest hostels in the country to get to. It required a 30 min strenuous hike from our home through dense, shady forest, and it wasn’t like we were staying in a connected place! The owner, an American naturist and nudist enthusiast, set up the hostel seventeen years ago. During this time span the hostel has forged out approximately fifteen kilometers worth of trails through sixty plus hectares of rainforest. On entry to the hostel we paid a small fee for path maintenance and examined the rough map of routes. We were told to keep our eyes peeled for snakes, of which there are many in this part of the world. The simple rule to abide by; keep your eyes fixed on the ground when moving. Be stationary when looking up.

Briefing complete, we marched on to start the first of many trails. Clothes optional was the message on the entry sign, but we kept our bits covered (mostly). We zigzagged along the various trails for hours, treading carefully along the way. The humidity was heavy, but cloud cover meant we enjoyed cooler temperatures compared to average. We encountered three fleeing snakes during the day. All our serpent friends were small and apparently non venomous. With such abundance of snake life, we also had the fortune of spotting one of their hunters, a laughing falcon. We watched from afar until the beautiful bird silently flew away.

We followed routes to two separate waterfalls, which we’ve become so accustomed to. Eventually, we worked our way upwards to a remarkable viewpoint above the canopy outlooking the national park and spanning out towards the sea. 

Within a moment of sitting down, we were greeted by two yellow throated toucans, who flew in to rest up on the tree directly opposite us. Such timely encounters couldn’t have been better created in our imaginations and the gifts kept occurring as we returned to the shade of the jungle. This time we stumbled across a gang of juvenile spider monkeys playing high up above our heads. One poor fella was missing a tail, but this didn’t seem to be holding him back. They swung between branches with such poise, until forming a small huddle where they proceeded to prune one another. We waved to the smallest in the group who sat alone still playing, and maybe it was a coincidence as it moved a nearby branch at the same time, but it felt like he or she gestured back to us. Their curious gaze in our direction filled our hearts with joy. Our tally for monkeys was now at three out of the four species in the country. Seeing this group of spider monkeys out in their natural environment was by far the most awe inspiring yet. What a day. One that left us wishing we had more time in the region.

We parted ways the next day, fitting in one final nature activity before leaving. Rising at 5 am, we met our bird guide for the morning, Rolando. After a quick cup of coffee we ventured out as light started to fill the sky. The starting point was conveniently on our doorstep. We wandered along our garden paths, the nearby banks of Rio Tigre, and outskirts of the town for three hours. In that time we spotted just short of fifty different bird species. For anyone that cares, we did our best to list those that we jotted down. You can find it at the bottom of the post. A few call outs are required. Ranking number one in our sightings was undoubtedly a pair of Spectacled Owls. Having never seen an owl of any sort in the wild, seeing these two hyper-tuned broad faced characters up close during daylight hours was rare. High fives were in order! Second on the list would have to be a fleeting sighting of the Turquoise Continga. The insane bright colours of this bird are hard to fathom. Third spot goes to go to a group of Scarlet Macaw that flew overhead while letting out their lung busting squawk. It was quite the conclusion to our stay in Osa. The energy of this living, breathing landscape left us gobsmacked. It’s home to between 4,000-5,000 species of vascular plants, more than 700 species of tree, nearly 400 species of birds, 124 different mammals, thousands of insects, and 115 species of reptiles. The list could go on. We knew we’d barely scratched the surface of the place, and departed ways knowing there were many reasons to one day return.

With only a two days left in Costa Rica, we decided to break up the drive back to San Jose with a stopover in the beach town of Uvita. That evening we strolled down Playa Uvita and entered Costa Rica’s youngest national park, Marino Ballena. The park is most coveted for its whale tail feature. This giant rock and sand formation reveals itself at low tide and from overhead looks just like the tail of a whale. It also happens to be a haven for humpbacks at specific times of the year. On the other side of the tail you find Playa Hermosa (where we’d enjoyed a siesta some days before). Sun down from the whales tail will long stick in our memory. The curtains were drawing in our Costa Rica adventure and the final scene was picture perfect. The journey, spanning over 1,800 kilometres, through four of the seven provinces, across volcanic highlands, rainforests, and sublime beaches, was everything we wanted and more.

Common Flycatcher Clay Coloured Thrush Blue Crowned Motmot Costa Rican Swift Red Crowned Woodpecker Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Buff-throated Saltator Turquoise Cotinga Green Honeycreeper (male and female) Streaked Flycatcher Southern Rough-winged Swallow Chestnut-sided Warbler Palm Tanger Slaty-tail Trogen Blue black Grosbeak Eastern Wood Peewee Spectacled Owl Scarlet Tanager Orange-chined Parakeet Scarlet Macaws Swallow-tailed Kite Scaly-breast Hummingbird Golden-hooded Tanager Burial-seed Eater Purple-crowned fairy Northern Bentbill Slate-headed Tody-flycatcher White-tipped Dove Great Currassow Black-cheeked Ant-tanager Tawny-winged Woodcreeper Black-hooded Antshrike River Siren Swansons Thrush Rose-eye Hawk Black-striped Sparrow Turkey Vultures Gartered Trogen Piratic Flycatcher Chachalaka Green Kingfisher Blue-ground Dove

[gin-and-stardust]

In Death, Sacrifice

The sky was gray, and a wind blew through the street that warned the villagers that the first snow would soon be upon them. A shopkeeper happened to look up and caught sight of a traveler, who wore a faded blue cloak with silver adornments.

“If you’re heading to the temple, the snow will make the passes impassable soon.”

The traveler paused and then turned their head towards him. He was surprised to see that the traveler was a woman who appeared to be in the prime of her thirties. Superstitiously he reached for the cudgel he kept near his stall, fearing that the woman was an apostate.

She caught the movement and adjusted the cloak so that a glimpse of a hilt could be seen, “I don’t believe that’s where my path will take me, but I thank you for the warning.”

The shopkeeper dropped his hand back to his side. There was something about this woman that told him any more threat from him would not be tolerated and he did not want to die this day, “well, regardless careful on your travels.”

“And have luck.”

It was an odd farewell but soon enough the encounter with the strange woman faded from his mind and he would not realize who the woman was until much later in his life.

Codex Entry: A Commune between Old Friends

Dearest Alessandra,

I hope this letter finds you well. I hope this letter finds you at all; you are a very difficult woman to track down. What are you doing in northern Orlais? You must tell me sometime.

The world is a very mad place these days, between the mage rebellion and the Knight-Commander’s mishandling of the Kirkwall Circle. It makes me long for the days of the blight. At least we knew the Darkspawn wanted to kill us.

I do not know if this letter will reach you in time, or if you’ve already heard but Divine Justinia is calling for a peace meeting between the mage and Templar leadership. A bid for order once more.

If you have the time I would love very much to hear from you. I have a request that is best made in person. For the foreseeable future, I will remain in Haven helping with preparations for the conclave.

                                                                                               Yours Sincerely,

                                                                                                           Leliana

Ally tucked the letter into her belt pouch. It had been two weeks of hard riding but finally, she reached Haven. It was strange to see the village again after a decade and it was stranger yet to see it filled with life that wasn’t trying to kill her. Soldiers in unfamiliar uniforms patrolled the village. More for show than use. His bow isn’t even strung!

Sylas, her mount, tossed his head in warning. Ally steadied him before reaching towards her scabbard.

“Show yourself!” She called out.

“Warden horses are truly outstanding, I made no sound on the approach,” a familiar voice greeted her from the side.

Ally turned her head quickly a smile was already forming, “Leliana, you’re still not important enough to have people greet your guest for you?”

“My guests are usually dragged into the prisons for questioning, we can make that arrangement if you would like?”

“Let me think,” Ally bit her lip, “I think I’ve seen enough cells for one lifetime.”

Leliana raised an eyebrow, “have you sampled more since we’ve parted?”

“It has been ten years.”

Ally removed her feet from the stirrups and slid down to the ground. Sylas danced to the side before he settled and began eating some of the grass not covered in snow.

“This isn’t just a social visit. What did you want to ask?”

Leliana tilted her head back, “there is a cabin not far from here. The man who lives there is currently at the apothecary.”

Ally sighed but grabbed Slyas’ reins. She missed the days when things were simple when people directly told her they wanted to kill her or ambushed in an ally. Leliana led the way down a frequently used hunting path. Ally looked up towards the sky, it was cloudy, and the wind was starting to sting with cold.

“It will snow tonight.”

“Winter is upon us,” Leliana remarked, “and with luck, spring will bring change.”

Ally shook her head. She would be the first to admit she wasn’t fully caught up on current events outside of the Wardens (and now that she thought about it since everyone started hearing the Calling she wasn’t sure what was happening with the Wardens). The wind carried a foul omen with it, and she wondered what would come of it.

A wind like this hadn’t blown since the night before her family’s murder.

As they rounded a curve a small but sturdy cabin came into view. There was no smoke leaving the chimney, so it was safe to assume Leliana was right and the owner would not be back for some time. While Leliana picked the lock to the door, Ally tied Sylas to a post near a large patch of grass.

The inside of the cabin was sparse, unsurprising as she was sure it belonged to a peasant. Several books lined the shelf of a bookcase, the one luxury item in the entire home. Well-read. They must run the apothecary, and Leliana likely has never dealt with him directly. The perfect place to have a meeting that she doesn’t want to get out.

“Now that you’ve lured me out to your cabin, what dastardly plan do you have for me?” Ally smirked.

Leliana pursed her lips, “this is no time for jokes. I couldn’t risk people knowing that I met with the Hero of Ferelden.”

“Why is that?” Ally crossed her arms.

“Rumors… people, smart people, would put two and two together and come to the conclusion that the Inquisition is trying to recruit the Hero of Ferelden for political points.”

Ally’s arms dropped, “an Inquisition? Are things that desperate?”

“Not yet,” Leliana stepped towards the unlit fireplace, “but if the Conclave fails… the Divine fears she will have no choice.”

“And you don’t have a leader, yet,” Ally said, “and people would think you are planning to have the Hero as the Inquisitor. That isn’t your plan, is it?”

Leliana turned towards her, “it is not. I protected your location from Cassandra, I feared what your rejection would do to our nonexistent reputation. You’ve done enough.”

“Then you want something else from me.” Ally leaned against the wall.

“The Conclave is the last hope of good people to avoid further bloodshed. If you were to speak, as a neutral party or in favor of one, people would not dare speak against you.”

“And you silence them into peace,” Ally finished, “and how long would that last? Until I died? Until the next hero came along?”

Leliana’s expression didn’t change, but Ally felt the shift in the air. What will you do Sister Nightingale?

“It will give us enough time to create a system for peace to last,” Leliana replied, “is that not what you wanted?”

“Peace is an admirable aspiration, I wish the Divine luck in achieving it-”

“You will not help then?”

Ally crossed her arms, Leliana’s tone was sharp but she could hear the hurt underneath, “if this was a normal time, then I would gladly lend my voice. I trust that you are doing the best given the situation. However, there is a mission of great importance I am undertaking, and it is time sensitive.”

“Do you know what this war will cost?” Leliana raised an eyebrow, “you saw what the Blight could do, but men and magic are unpredictable.”

“And I know that lesson better than most as you know unless you forgot what led to my joining of the Wardens.”

Leliana’s shoulders dropped, “I did not mean to offend, I meant only to give you perspective on the gravity of the situation.”

“Leliana,” Ally stepped forward and the cabin groaned against the wind, “my quest… if I fail, the consequences will be equivalent to this civil war. Perhaps greater.”

Leliana tilted her head, “am I to assume this is a secret mission of the Wardens?”

“It is a secret mission,” Ally answered.

“Is something happening to the Order?” Leliana straightened, “is that why the Wardens have gone?”

Ally stilled for a second, “the order is mired in its traditions. This mission is more personal.”

Leliana reached up a hand and placed it on Ally’s shoulder, “and where is Alistair?”

“Alive and in Ferelden, but it was best that we stay apart during this time.”

Leliana squeezed gently before stepping back and crossing her arms, “for this Conclave, we would not need long. A week at the most during open discussions and then no further obligation.”

Ally glanced out of the window, snow was falling lazily to the ground. In a few weeks, the passes she wanted to use would be impassable because of snow and avalanches.

“How long until the Conclave?”

“Divine Justinia hopes that it will be in a month at soonest, but no later than two.”

Ally nodded, the passes would be snowed over by then. She would be delayed for at least three months if she did this… but perhaps she could save lives. Delay the war, but if left unchecked the Calling could take the Wardens completely. Winter kept the Deep Roads mostly sealed, but she knew a desperate or loyal enough Warden would find their way in regardless. She could stay stationary, read through some of the texts she’s found and perhaps create a better a strategy. It’s better than wandering the countryside hoping a cure will fall from the sky.

“I… will speak,” she said slowly, “but once the Conclave has finished I will have no part in what follows… unless darkspawn get involved.”

Leliana’s lips twitched minutely, “thank you, your influence will be most helpful.”

Ally looked towards the fireplace, “you know me, a bid for a hopeless cause is something I can simply not resist.”

“I will have to ask you to stay away from Haven, and not speak of the Conclave in public. Find an inn, write to me the address and I will only message you the date the conclave is set for.”

“You don’t want anyone to create a counter for me.”

Leliana clasped her hands together and smiled slightly, “there is no counter for you, but there are many that would attack your reputation. There are people who still believe in Loghain, people who believe the Order of the Gray Wardens is corrupt, or people who will attack your relationship with Alistair.”

“Ah yes, the rumors that I was only with him to gain the throne,” Ally sighed, “or that he was only with me for my title and Highever. Is that not every noble’s goal behind arranged marriages?”

“But not every noble is meant to be beyond earthly standards of morality,” Leliana replied, “wait until the sun is nearly set before taking off.”

“Will do. Good luck.”

“Maker be with you.”

Codex: Distant Lovers

Alistair,

Finding a cure for the Calling has been a challenge as anticipated, the Wardens guard their secrets and members fiercely. I’ve recently taken up residence in Honnleath to read what texts I’ve gathered while I wait for the Conclave to be called. I think I should head west once this is finished, those lands have never known blights, and I can’t help but wonder the reason for that. At this point, Clarel can’t become any angrier at me, and truly I do not believe that this is involving myself in politics if I remain neutral.

I wish every day that we can be together, but I know now more than ever we must complete our individual quests to secure our future. Each day I miss you more than I care to admit. Please be strong for a while longer.

                                                                            With all my heart,

                                                                    Alessandra Cousland-Therin

The Conclave was as noisy as Ally expected it to be. Mages and Templars, when they weren’t shouting each other down were stationed at opposite sides of the temple. She could see that the Right Hand of the Divine had been growing irritated with the lack of progress, and Ally saw her gather her equipment and gracefully storm out of the main hall of the temple.

At least, there won’t be murder on the Divine’s behalf… public murder at least. Ally had taken to wandering between the two sects to attempt to gather information from both sides as well as gauge morale. So far, she has gathered that both sides had more to agree on than disagree, neither wanted this war to continue but their pride would not let them back down. Rather, the Chantry would not allow rebel mages to roam freely as “apostates.” It was all rather absurd.

Tomorrow, after the Divine’s morning prayers the unaligned would be allowed to speak. Ally wasn’t sure what she was going to say, the Templars could not be allowed to continually abuse their powers as they did in Kirkwall and they shouldn’t be so quick to make Tranquils or annul a circle. They had nearly done so at Kinloch… Ally shook her head. Mages should also be given a chance to govern themselves or at the very least not live with the executioner’s ax over their heads.

What would father say? She frowned, her family had never been overly dedicated to the Chantry and her brother was speaking in Ferelden about less abuse of mages. It wouldn’t be politically devastating to her family, and the Gray Wardens’ official stance was that all were welcome into their ranks.

“Brother, this is a gross abuse of the Chantry’s power!”

Ally looks up to see two younger humans arguing in what she assumed they thought to be a private hallway. The first speaker, a young female with a bow strapped across her back, crossed her arms angrily. Her brother was a head taller and wore the typical Templar shield on his back. She couldn’t leave without alerting them to her presence in the first place nor could she interrupt a family dispute.

“And mages turning to blood magic at the first sign of trouble isn’t?” The male shouted back.

“Desperation! What does it say that a mage would rather become an abomination rather than return to a circle?” The girl snapped, “they are people too. What happened to defending the helpless?”

“But they are not helpless! They have more power at their fingertips than-”

“We have not given them a chance to prove whether they can rule themselves!”

Ally winced, if they didn’t lower their volume then someone would surely come running to make sure this wasn’t a mage-templar dispute. It sounded close enough to one.

“Then what is Tevinter?”

“A nation with its own faults, there is no guarantee that any nation that abolishes circles will become Tevinter!”

The brother ran a hand through his hair, and Ally noted that while both siblings had red hair, his was a shade lighter and both had freckled faces of youth.

“There is no guarantee that is not what we will become!”

Ally decided that this was a good time to interrupt. She didn’t know either of the siblings, but she could guess they were no strangers to tussling to settle arguments if they were anything like Fergus and herself when they were children.

“Excuse me,” she steps out from behind the corner, “I’m looking for a… forge or blacksmith, one of my work blades broke while I was whittling and…”

Believable Ally, how on Thedas did you survive the blight?

“A blacksmith?” The girl wrinkled her nose, “I don’t recall seeing one. Have you seen one Artie?”

She’s quick to anger and quick to forgive. Ally thought with a smile, so similar to herself before Howe- before Howe happened.

Artie tilted his head his arms still crossed, “not that I recall… maybe one of the Templars has skill enough to repair it or one of the Tranquils?”

“I’ll have to ask one of them,” Ally nodded backing away, “I’m sorry if I interrupted anything important, this temple is just very large and confusing.”

The sister grinned, “tell me about it, I’ve gotten lost five times this morning.”

“That’s because you can’t read maps.”

Ally quickly turned to walk down the hallway before another sibling argument could occur. She wasn’t sure why she had interrupted their argument. A feeling told her to, and she’s been a Gray Warden long enough to know that ignoring feelings tends to lead you unaware into a Hurlock ambush. Although there weren’t many of those these days.

“Where did that blighted knight get off to?”

Ally stopped just short of running into a Knight-Captain as he turned the corner.

“Pardon me, I’m sorry for not seeing you,” he said gruffly.

“Misplace a Templar?” Ally grinned.

“No, just one who tends to get caught up in his sister’s schemes when he should be preparing for a patrol.”

The Knight-Captain was loose-lipped. Ally raised an eyebrow before she realized that he was describing the missing knight without having to ask for help. Thank the Maker Alistair didn’t inherit that Templar Pride with his training.

“I believe I saw a Templar with down that hallway, third left,” Ally said and then walked past the older Templar.

“How very odd,” she remarked to herself and then quirked an eyebrow at a portrait of Andraste, “what do you have planned?”

Codex Entry: Family Matters

Father,

The Conclave is progressing as big of a waste of time as I imagined it would. They aren’t going to reach an accord. I suppose it would be an error to judge Divine Justinia for attempting to bring peace to Thedas. What would you have me say in your stead? Why not send Kenneth, the actual Trevelyan heir, or Diana who everyone loves? Although Diana staying in Ostwick makes more sense than Kenneth staying.

Was it because you knew Arthur was going to be here he’s still a right ass.  and you know I get along with him best? Did you wish me to find a husband among the nobles hoping to claim they were part of the biggest peace effort outside of the Fereldan treaty with Orlais?

Either way, I am expected to speak tomorrow and give insight on the feelings of the Free Marches. Frankly, they can be summed up as follows:

Starkhaven: Mages are all abominations

Tantervale: The Chantry told us that Mages are bad

Ostwick: Mages are fine, but Templars are better

Kirkwall: Please send money to rebuild from the Mage Rebellion we started.

And yet they’ll say the Marchers can’t agree on anything. I wonder what gave them that impression. Oh well, this conclave can’t last much longer, and I should be home before winter is halfway over.

I’ll bring Arthur home for a visit, Kenneth will love that.

                                                                                       Wishing you the best,

                                                                                                           Hazel

                                                                                                           & Arthur

P.S: He made me write that he hopes you and mother are well and to tell Kenneth he’s being a prick about the Grand Tourney still. Also, he congratulates Diana and welcomes Tobias.

Hazel stared out a hole in the wall of the Temple wall. The Frostbacks stretched for miles, and they seemed colder than the mountains back home. Arthur had been called away for patrol, so she had lost the only person she knew. None of the other nobles wanted to deal with a “barbaric Marcher.” She was certain the only thing barbaric at the conclave was a Comtesse wearing so much fur she practically was a bear.

Just as she was about to make her way to the main hall, the Divine had to be done with morning prayers soon, she heard shouting.

“-He- me!”

She took off down the hallway, wishing desperately that she had a weapon. The guards allowed her to keep her bow unstrung but no arrows. As she turned a corner she saw the woman from yesterday leaning against a wall as Hazel had been doing earlier.

“You! I think someone is in trouble!”

The woman pushed off the wall and then another scream echoed through the hallway. She moved faster than Hazel thought she could. Hazel sprinted after her and towards a large door.

Hazel watched in surprise as the woman kicked down the door with no weapons in her hand. Then, to Hazel’s complete astonishment, she strode into the room. Who is she?

“What’s going on here?” She demanded.

Just as she reached the door Hazel watched as the Divine knocked a… ball(?) out of a… monster’s hand. She recognized that Gray Wardens, or those in their armor, were holding the Divine hostage. What in Thedas?

The woman waited for a second, no one moved.

Neither Warden responded to her and the woman made a noise of disgust before she quickly snatched the ball up in her hand as the monster advanced forward. She grunted in pain as the ball suddenly grew bright green. Hazel stepped towards her she wanted to help but had no idea how to.

The monster stretched out a hand.

“No!” It cried.

Everything went green.

Hazel jumped awake. She glanced around the room, and from what she could see there wasn’t much to it: a single torch provided enough light that it wasn’t completely dark, and she could faintly make out a heavy iron door in front of her. After a second glance gave her nothing more to work with, she made to stand only to be alerted to the chains holding to the floor.

A cell?

The door banged open but then closed just as suddenly. Hazel was momentarily blinded by the bright light and only knew that someone was in the cell because of the clinking of armor.

“Arthur, this is a piss poor joke-”

“I am inclined to agree.”

Hazel’s head whipped up to be greeted by a woman. She faintly remembered her face from the Conclave. The Right Hand of the Divine… what was her name again? Her face twisted at the sight of the other woman’s glare.

“Who are you? What right do you have to chain me up?” Hazel spat.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you now.”

“What?” Hazel tilted her head; her heart rate began to speed up.

Cassandra leaned down, “the Conclave is destroyed, everyone who attended is dead.” “And you think I did it?” Hazel gaped.

“You and your associate,” Cassandra paced around her.

“My asso- my what? Who?” Hazel narrowed her eyes, “Arthur is my brother, but he was out on patrol… Is he alive?”

“I cannot answer that question,” Cassandra’s eyes softened, but her voice remained stern, “I speak of the unknown woman with the mark on her hand.”

Hazel blinked, “who?”

“Do not play games with me!” Cassandra surged towards her hand on the hilt of her sword.

Hazel leaned back, raising her arms slightly.

The door opened, this time much less violently.

“Cassandra,” a faint Orlaisian accent spoke.

“What Leliana?”

“I think they have nothing to do with each other,” Leliana stepped into the light.

“Why because the other denied it?”

“Yes, and she did not lie,” Leliana raised an eyebrow, “I have yet to meet a person who has no tells when lying.”

Cassandra huffed, “but if both feign memory loss who is to say…”

Leliana frowned, “we must trust them, the other may be the only way to close the breach.”

“Breach?” Hazel frowned, “what’s that?”

“It will be easier to show you,” Cassandra sighed, “bring the other one out I will take them to the Rift.”

“Rift?” Hazel questioned.

Cassandra just stared at her.

“Got it, I’ll have to wait.”

Codex: Unfinished Letter

Alistair,

You have made me happier than I ever thought possible, you gave me love when I thought there was none left in this world.

I don’t intend to die on this mission, but I swear I will do everything in my power to come back to you. If I don’t and it’s not enough-

-The rest of the letter is blotted ink and water stains -

Ally will admit she’s had rougher awakenings. One doesn’t survive a blight intact, but Leliana’s stern face standing over her while her hand throbbed in excoriating pain. It was almost as bad as when she drove her blade through the skull of the Archdemon.

Everything else was just as confusing.

“The Conclave was destroyed,” Leliana had begun, “you and the Trevelyan girl were the only one in the temple that survive. A group of Templars patrolling the perimeter are the only other attendees to survive.”

“That’s horrible,” Ally frowned, “none of that explains why I’m chained up like I’m a pris- someone thinks this is my fault.”

Leliana pursed her lips, “it would not be the first time.”

“It has to be the face,” Ally joked on reflex, “so why is my hand sparkling?”

“That is one of the many things that we do not know,” Leliana sighed, “do you remember anything?”

Ally closed her eyes, the last thing she remembered was, “I was staring out of a window on the upper level, thinking about the first time I was at the Temple… maybe yelling? A woman?”

“I wish I could say this is nothing to worry about.”

“They already think I’m guilty,” Ally bowed her head.

Leliana stepped towards her, “they do not know you are the Hero of Ferelden.”

“Wonderful, that reputation is intact when they think I murdered a hundred people in cold blood.”

Ally kept her head down. She was tired of death, whoever blew up the Conclave wanted war and they were likely to get it now.  This was her fight now, even if she walked away from the people likely calling for her head she’d be brought in to calm the masses. It was the world or the Wardens and either choice could lead to the end of the world. Why was it always her?

“I am going to talk to Cassandra, she will see sense and you will have a chance to prove your innocence. You and the Trevelyan girl.”

Leliana left the cell silently. Ally stared at the glowing mark on her hand. There was something about it that felt familiar… it felt like the spell the Sloth demon had but her and her companions under… but this was more tangible. Real.

“Every time the fade is involved, something weird happens. Like demons.”

The room didn’t even allow for her voice to echo. For the first time since she set out to find a cure for the Calling, she felt truly alone. Alistair, I miss you.

Ally’s neck had begun to cramp by the time the door opened again. As the sun rose on the army of the faithful, /the gates of the city parted and the legion descended upon the land as the shadow of a distant storm darkens the sun. /at the forefront of the host rode the Archon himself, sword in hand. /and at his side, bound by heavy chains, rode the Prophet. She usually turned to the Chant when she needed sleep, but now she felt as though she needed guidance. Ally looked down at her hand again, and for a second, she saw not the green of whatever magic has befallen her but a blood-soaked hand trembling against the wound on her father’s chest. She was not the steadfast Hero of Fereldan, Warden-Commander, but the scared twenty-year-old who watched as her family was murdered.

“Cassandra will take you to the rift, we have reason to believe that you may be more helpful than previously thought.”

Leliana undid the cuffs restraining her, and she stood slowly. Ally rotated her wrists trying to ease the stiffness. She nodded to Leliana before she stepped through the opened door. The cold wind of the Frostbacks hit her and tears formed in her eyes from the sting. Crackling in the distance caught her attention, and as she turned she wasn’t sure what she was staring at.

“That is the Breach,” Leliana said simply.

“Is that all it is?” Ally snapped.

“This is our best hope?”

Ally glanced over her shoulder to see a stern looking woman followed by a dazed-looking girl… the one from before! She didn’t know her name. Now that Ally was able to see the girl’s face she noticed her bright blue eyes and the little scar between her eyes across her nose.

“If I can help, I will.”

The woman paused mid-stride and pressed her lips together, “good, we must move quickly.”

“Cassandra, do you think they perhaps need more explanation?” Leliana asked.

“I will explain on the way.”

The girl looked wide-eyed between the three women. Ally couldn’t blame her, even if the girl didn’t know who she was. She had to have only been ten at the oldest during the Fifth Blight, and if she was a Marcher she was sure to have only heard tales from the refugees and none of them had seen the Hero of Fereldan.

Cassandra took off with long strides. Ally followed her and noted that Trevelyan was still chained. The crowd around them booed and glared at them. The longer they were exposed to the crowd the smaller the girl tried to appear. Knowing how it felt to have the disdain of people, Ally held her head high but slowed her pace to be alongside the girl.

“I’m Ally,” she whispered.

The girl blinked, but unhunched her shoulders, “Hazel.”

“I wish our meeting was better, but it’ll make for an interesting story… once the sky isn’t trying to kill us that is.”

Hazel blinked again, “are you alright?”

Ally smiled gently, “I’ve been better.”

Cassandra glared at them from over her shoulder. Ally shrugged at her.

Codex Entry: Despondency

Leliana,

My respect of you is very high, and I trust that you would not go to Ally unless the situation truly called for it. Ally will do anything to help people, it is one of the reasons I love her so.

Please. Just please, don’t let her die. I thought I lost her once before and it destroyed me, I cannot imagine what would happen if she was truly lost to me. Do not let this fight take her.

                                                                                               With Respect,

                                                                                               Alistair

“Oh, more demons, lovely.”

The Dwarf, Varric, raised an eyebrow at her, “not exactly a common reaction.”

Ally spun a dagger in her hand and slammed it through the helmet of the shade about to rip Cassandra in half, “well, you know, maybe we can kill them with kindness.”

Varric chuckled, “let me know how that goes, meanwhile Bianca and I will be over here, alive.”

A wraith’s bolt crashed into the cliff above her head. Ally rolled out of the way of falling rock to advance towards their last foe, only to stop when two projectiles appeared in its chest. She turned to see Varric and Hazel lowering their weapons.

“Nice shot,” she grinned.

“Bianca says thank you,” Varric replied.

Hazel looked at the dwarf with some confusion, “is the crossbow magical? Like sentient?”

“Bianca is Bianca,” Varric started to trek up the path.

“Did that make sense to you?” Hazel turned towards Ally.

“Not really, but as long as the crossbow is pointed at our enemies and not my back,” Ally shrugged, “I don’t mind so much.”

“I guess that’s reasonable,” Hazel frowned.

“It isn’t. But we don’t have much of a choice, people don’t usually volunteer for these types of things,” Ally jogged lightly to catch up with the rest of the group.

“I can’t imagine why not,” Ally heard Hazel mutter, “demons, cold, questionably sane companions? It’s practically a vacation!”

I hope you keep that sense of humor, I have a feeling this will be bigger than just closing a hole in the sky.

Varric and Cassandra were bickering about something at the front of the group, a hawk? Hazel was muttering behind her. That left Solas, who was staring at the breach with a furrowed brow. Ally slowly made her way towards him. She shook out her hand, attempting to ignore the tingling pain.

“What kind of damage will this do to both our world and the Fade when we close it?”

Solas turned towards her one ear flicking to the side before both were pricked, “you’re asking what wounds it will leave?”

Ally nodded, “yes, I know the more powerful the magic the weaker the veil between worlds is, which is why blood mages are so prone to possession, but I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Nor have I, but I suspect the veil will be much weaker for years after, and this area will always have spirits and demons infesting it. A shame for the resting place of your Andraste,” Solas replied.

“It is true we’ve lost her-” Ally cut herself off abruptly, “temple but she’s always been more than that to those who worship her.”

Solas hummed, “do you count yourself among them?”

“I’ve never been overly pious. I know the chant and can recite parts of it. It seems to me that the more sensible route of solving problems is to solve them yourself rather than waiting for a divine being to fix them for you.”

“A reasonable view,” Solas nodded, “if uncommon.”

“We’re near the forward camp!” Cassandra called to them.

Hazel had slowly caught up to them, “she means more people that think we’re guilty.”

“It could be worse.”

“It could be worse?” Hazel glared, “how could it possibly be worse?”

Ally looked her in the eyes, they were young and untouched by battle something that was soon to change, “you could be dead.”

“There’s a rift at the gate!”

“Duty calls,” Ally said as she sprinted towards were Cassandra already was surrounded by two wraiths.

Her daggers were in her hand as she stabbed into the spirit. She was surprised it felt like she was stabbing a Hurlock like the spirit was slowing her blow and was stuck to her blade as she pulled it free. Cassandra was being overwhelmed by more wraiths. Ally’s felt a sharp spike up to her elbow and looked down to see her hand glowing brightly. There was only a second before she raised her hand towards the rift, and to her surprise moments later the demons attack ceased.

“They’re stunned!”

Arrows and crossbow bolts slammed into the spirits. Ice shattered as it struck them, freezing the wraiths just in time for Cassandra to shield bash them apart. It was familiar, Ally thought about long treks on the road with Morrigan freezing half the room and Alistair taunting the other half while she and Leliana picked off the stragglers. Ally shook her head. Those days were long over, Morrigan was hiding with her child, Leliana was hoarding secrets of nations, and Alistair was running from the Wardens.

A decade ago they were all untouchable.

Cassandra’s voice caught her attention, “come now, we have to speak with Leliana about how to approach the Breach!”

Does she ever stop yelling?

Ally took point, keeping her head up and shoulders squared against the angry murmurs of the soldiers. Straight ahead she could make out Leliana arguing with a priest. He stopped mid-sentence when he saw her approach.

“As grandmaster of the Chantry, I hereby order you to take these criminals to Val Royeaux to face execution."

Cassandra scoffed, “you order me? You are a glorified clerk, a bureaucrat!”

“And you are a thug, but one that supposedly serves the Chantry!”

Ally shook her head, how do people always find time to argue at the end of the world?

Leliana sent a sharp look to Cassandra, “we serve the Most Holy, Chancellor, as you well know.”

“Justinia is dead! We must elect a replacement and obey her orders on the matter!”  

Ally sighed, “please don’t talk about us like we aren’t here.”

Hazel nodded next to her.

The Chancellor rounded on her, “you shouldn’t even be here!”

Ally only raised an eyebrow and the Chancellor curled his lips but turned towards Cassandra, “call a retreat, Seeker. Our position here is hopeless.”

Cassandra shook her head, “we can stop this before it’s too late.”

“How?”

Roderick crossed his arms, “you won’t survive long enough to reach the temple, even with all your soldiers.”

“We must get to the temple. It’s the quickest route.”

“But not the safest,” Leliana shook her head, “our forces can charge as a distraction while we go through the mountains.”

“We lost contact with an entire squad on that path. It’s too risky,” Cassandra crossed her arms.

The Chancellor’s voice lowered, “listen to me. Abandon this now, before more lives are lost.”

Ally gasped in pain as the mark on her hand flared up. She managed to stifle the gasp quickly and returned to her casual stance but continued to clench and unclench her hand.

Cassandra looked down towards her hand, “how do you think we should proceed?”

So, it comes down to me? Ally frowned before turning to Hazel, “you heard their arguments, what do you think?”

“I don’t know,” Hazel bit her bottom lip, “charging might be more effective, but you’ll lose the scouts in the pass. Although if you take the pass then soldiers will be lost in the distraction.”

“I don’t like the idea of soldiers dying just to be a distraction,” Ally replied.

She thought through each option carefully. A scouting party couldn’t be more than six but the number of soldiers they would lose to the demons may be greater, but time was of the essence.

“I say we charge. I won’t survive long enough for your trial,” she met Roderick’s eyes, “whatever happens, happens now.”

“Leliana, bring everyone left in the valley. Everyone,” Cassandra ordered.

Cassandra began walking down the bridge, Ally followed her.

“On your head be the consequences, Seeker.”

If we fail, it won’t matter. Ally thought.

~

Hazel slipped on one of the steps, she managed to regain her balance quickly but Varric raised an eyebrow at her. She ignored his question stare and continued down the steps much quicker and less careful. Ally and Cassandra lead the group with an air of experience. It was impressive to her, that those two (especially Ally) could be so calm in the face of death. This entire group was rather casual about the entire thing.

I wonder if Arthur is this relaxed when he has to confront blood mages?

Ally suddenly drew her daggers and seemingly vanished. Varric picked up his pace just as Cassandra charged into the fray.

“How many rifts are there?” Varric called out, launching a volley of bolts into a shade.

“We must seal it if we are to get past!” Solas called to Cassandra.

“Quickly then!” Cassandra yelled from where she was pulling her sword out from a quickly fading wraith.

Hazel unslung the bow from her back and turned another one of the shades into a pincushion. It was still rapidly making its way towards a soldier, but suddenly Ally appeared from behind it and her twin daggers sunk into it deeply before it fell to the ground.

Cassandra felled the second wraith just as the last shade went down under twin bombardments of bolts and ice from Varric and Solas. Ally raised her hand and seconds later the rift was sealed.

Solas replaced his staff on his back, “sealed, as before. You are becoming quite proficient at this.”

“Let’s hope it works on the big one,” Varric said as he nudged the disappearing shade.

A man Hazel hadn’t noticed during the battle suddenly spoke up, “Lady Cassandra, you managed to close the rift? Well done.”

Oh wow. Hazel found herself thinking once she caught sight of the man’s face. He was handsome and judging by the scar on his lip battle hardened.

Cassandra sheathed her sword and pointed towards Ally, “do not congratulate me, Commander. This is the prisoner’s doing.”

“Is it? I hope they’re right about you,” the Commander narrowed his eyes at her, “we’ve lost a lot of people getting you here.”

Ally nodded, “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try my best.”

The two stared at each other for a second longer before the Commander relaxed his shoulders, “that’s all we can ask.”

He looked back to Cassandra, “the way to the temple should be clear. Leliana will try to meet you there.”

Cassandra straightened, “then we’d best move quickly. Give us time, Commander.”

“Maker watch over you – for all our sakes.”

Hazel watched him jog off to where an injured soldier with a clearly bleeding leg wound was hobbling back to their camp. She tilted her head as he slung the injured man’s arm over his shoulders and she was left with the desperate hope that they would meet again.

“Who was that?” She asked Cassandra once they were on the move again.

“That was Cullen, a former Templar.”

“Former?” Ally asked.

“He left the order to help with the Inquisition,” Cassandra replied shortly.

“I didn’t know you could do that,” Hazel frowned, “I thought it was a ‘you’re in for life’ type of order, like the Wardens.”

“They don’t like it when you leave, but they can’t stop you. Usually leaving isn’t healthy for the Templar,” Ally explained.

“That is true,” Cassandra nodded, “but he has been an asset.”

Hazel wondered if Arthur ever thought about leaving the Order. He didn’t agree with the Rite or the Harrowing but knew someone had to protect people from blood mages.

“The Temple of Sacred Ashes,” Solas said suddenly.

“What’s left of it,” Varric muttered.

“So much destruction,” Hazel whispered.

The temple hadn’t been grand, left to the ages as it had been before the Hero of Fereldan had found it and the effort to restore it had only gotten as far as the main hall considering they could only start five years ago after the important buildings were fixed from the blight. Still, it had been large and it seemed strange that something could completely destroy it.

“That is where you two walked out the Fade and our soldiers found you,” Cassandra said suddenly.

“They said a woman was in the rift behind you. No one knows who she was.”

“I remember the woman, only faintly.”

“I don’t even remember that,” Hazel said.

They walked in silence before Varric spoke again, “the Breach is a long way up.”

“You’re here! Thank the Maker.”

The party spun around to see Leliana walking up behind them.

Cassandra nodded in greeting, “Leliana, have your men take up positions around the temple.”

Just as quick as she appeared, Leliana turned on her heel to a group of men behind her and began giving orders.

Cassandra looked at Ally, “this is your chance to end this. Are you ready?”

“I’m not sure how to even start getting to that thing,” Ally crossed her arms, “do you have a plan?”

“No,” Solas shook his head, “that rift was first and is the key. Seal it, and perhaps we close the Breach.”

“Perhaps is such a comforting word,” Ally replied.

Cassandra shot Ally a look but ignore the statement, “then let’s find a way down, and be careful.”

Hazel looked down towards the rift. It was only a little larger than the ones they had encountered to get here. She was sure that Ally would be able to close it, but she didn’t know anything about the Breach in the sky. At the very least she hoped it would stop the raining demons and give them time to breathe and come up with a strategy.

Leliana catches up to them and they start making their way down.

 “Now is the hour of our victory. Bring forth the sacrifice.”

Hazel tensed at the sudden voice. She looked around but only saw the group.

“What are we hearing?” Cassandra’s hand rested on her hilt.

“At a guess: The person who created the Breach,” Solas said casually.

Ally leaped over a crack on the ground, “well, if he keeps talking maybe we can figure out what happened.”

The two archers they passed looked nervous and Hazel couldn’t blame them. This magical shit was way above her. They pressed on several more feet before the surrounding area began to grow red.

Varric sucked in a sharp breath, “You know this stuff is red lyrium, Seeker.”

“I see it, Varric.” Cassandra sidestepped the ore.

“But what it’s doing here?” Varric glared at it.

“Wait now there’s red lyrium?” Ally turned back towards them.

Solas prodded it with his staff, “magic could have drawn on lyrium beneath the temple, corrupted it…”

“It’s evil. Whatever you do don’t touch it.”

Hazel was surprised to see that Varric was walking at the furthest from the ore. She guessed he must have had a bad run-in with it previously. Vaguely, Hazel remembered rumors of some strange ore that corrupted the Knight-Commander in Kirkwall. Could this be the same? Varric did mention he was in Kirkwall.

“Keep the sacrifice still.”

“Someone help me!”

“That is Divine Justinia’s voice!” Cassandra gasped.

“Someone help me!”

“What’s going on here?”

Cassandra turned towards Ally, “that was your voice. Most Holy called out to you. But…”

She was cut off by a flash of white. Hazel frowned as she blinked through her watery eyes at the sudden brightness. It was a woman in a chantry uniform… the Divine? Something was looming over her, Hazel shuttered and amended her previously thought something very evil was looming over the Divine.

“What?” Ally asked.

“What’s going on here?” Ally’s voiced echoed again but this time she was in the image.

Hazel’s eyes widened as she realized she was behind her, “I don’t understand.”

The ghost-Divine turned towards ghost-Ally, “Warn them! Run while you can!”

“We have intruders,” the dark blur said, “kill them. Now.”

“You two were there!” Cassandra marched towards them, “who attacked? And the Divine is she…? Was this vision true? What are we seeing?”

Ally looked back to the rift, “your guess is as good as mine. Maybe it is a memory, left because the fade is strong here.”

Solas blinked, “yes, I believe them to be echoes. But more pressingly this rift is temporarily closed. The mark can open it and then we can seal it properly but-“

“Demons are going to come through it while its open,” Ally finished.

“Yes.”

Cassandra unsheathed her sword, “stand ready!”

Hazel clutched her bow and knocked an arrow.

“Don’t worry too much,” Varric said next to her.

“Easy for you to say,” Hazel murmured, “something tells me you’ve fought demons before.”

“You haven’t been doing too bad for this being your first demon hunting experience.”

Ally stood in front of them, shoulders squared and hands on her hips. Hazel couldn’t help the tension bleeding out of her shoulders. That woman just seemed confident, like she knew exactly what she was doing.

“Everyone ready?”

She raised her hand and opened the rift. There was a flash of green and-

“It’s a pride demon! Don’t let your guard down!”

Hazel’s heart leaped to her throat. She had never seen anything as horrifying as the demon. Ally rushed it and leaped onto its arm. Her blade sunk into the muscle (do demons have muscle?) before she was thrown off by the demon’s other hand. The rogue landed on her back and somehow twisted herself to come to a sliding stop on her feet.

“It’s defense magic is up!” Ally yelled, “Solas, you’re going to have to chip away at it before we can do any physical damage!”

A wraith soared towards Ally, and Hazel turns and shot it. The wraith screamed as if it was in pain as it vanished, “and it has friends!”

“Demons travel in packs when they aren’t possessing people,” Ally responded, “although, they do tend to cause more possessions…”

“Focus!” Cassandra ordered.

Something flickered on the pride demon and Ally launched herself forward. She moved at speeds Hazel had thought legendary heroes could move. It wouldn’t surprise her if Ally said that she had taken out an entire group of bandits in seconds. Varric had turned his bolts towards the pride demon. Hazel kept scanning for more allies. They couldn’t be overwhelmed, they were the only hope in sealing the breach.

~

Ally leaped out of the way as the pride demon charged her. She saw how it moved more clumsily. It was tiring, but not before the soldiers under Cassandra’s command, nor the companions that came with her. Both Varric and Hazel were running low on projectiles and Solas on energy. Cassandra held the pride demon’s attention, and Ally ran towards it.

She jumped on it’s back, at first it didn’t notice her so she took the slight advantage and stabbed her daggers into the side of the demon’s throat. That finally seemed to do it as the demon dropped to its knees and it’s physical body started to disappear into the rift. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Ally spun and attempted to close the rift.

This one seemed to be taking more energy than the previous rifts. Pain shot through her palm and up to her shoulder. Her vision started darkening, but she fought to stay conscious. Finally, the rift fell into itself and she passed out before she even hit the ground.

Codex Entry: Encoded Apologies

Alistair,

I cannot spend much time on this letter. Ally still breathes. I will have her write to you once she awakens.

What exactly is going one with the Wardens? Where have they gone? Why are you and Ally the only ones still in contact with the world?

I fear that there may be more at play than we expect. The other advisors are in the dark. I do not wish to tip our hand as to who Ally truly is.

I do apologize for taking your wife away, but the Inquisition needs her more than the Wardens do for the time being.

With Respect,

Leliana

[archived-azarovsslayer]

How it Never Really Ended AU

[Philip’s Perspective] Based off of @calmspirited AU X X

“Your Gods left this world a long time ago, they left you behind to rot! Your nothing but what I command you to be! NOW DIE ON THE HOOK AND FEED ME!!” They were the last telligible words Philip ever heard from the demon that had deceived him, as he was forced to take the place of the survivors the deftly escaped. The level insanity the Entity stooped once the survivors escaped shocked everyone. It was unknown as to why it couldn’t just find new survivors instead of use it own killers, but in it’s new desperately psychotic nature it seemed to demand that this happen. The attempt to feed off it’s own servants failed miserably however as they retained their powers and it soon came down to that fact that the ‘survivors’ just outnumbered the lone killer. Had he actually managed to be sacrificed Philip would have probably just died then and there, his hope was already gone with his faith. Anger swelled in his heart, this thing had taken everything from him and used him as a tool for it’s own greed. But just as he had murder Azarov when the man showed his true nature, it didn’t take long for Philip to retaliate against the Entity. Gathering the remaining fallen killers Philip and Lisa used there knowledge of the occult to painfully open one of the cracks in the Entity’s for them to escape. Evan and Billy bared down on them with their dieing demon of a god but the others just walked calmly away, Philip spitting on the ground as he left. “You a’e not a god, and you will die like the parasite you a’e.”          

For the first time in a hundred years Philip was blinded by the sight of the sun, but it didn’t hurt him like the lens of flashlight. The dawn broke through the trees of an unknown and lust forest and the man that was the Wraith wept, all the pain his was forced to endure was gone. Philip looked to Lisa and the others, they were free. With it came new pain, they were horribly weak and after a long time of never feeling it old human needs like sleep and hunger came back to them. With those added restraints Philip for the first time in his life felt purposeless. The majority of his life he had live to serve Gods that he barely understood only for them to abandon him for a demon that abused him as murder. Escaping the Entity’s realm taught him two things; all human life, no matter what they have done, is sacred and to never again trust in Gods.

It wasn’t long in wandering that woods that Philip and the escaped killers found Jake’s cabin. Lisa was convinced that her old village wasn’t far away and they could find sanctuary there, she said that the survivors wouldn’t believe them if they ask for safe haven they'd probably believe the killers were coming back to return them to the Entity’s hell. As much as he agree with Lisa Philip knew they were exhausted and needed shelter even if was only temporary and so approached the cabin. Originally wanting to beg for shelter the weight of Philip’s own guilt caught up with him upon talking to his old victims. How many times had he killed these people for the gluttony of a demon, how many more people has actually died in that terrible place. Falling to his knees Philip begged for forgiveness feeling exactly like he did when he realized his purpose at Autohaven. The survivors stood unmoving before the ex-killers before Jake stepped up and put a hand on Philip’s shoulder. In an act of unfettered compassion that he had never felt before Jake in complete sincerity forgave Philip, and agreed to let him and the others stay.

Philip lived as the sole ex-killer in Jake’s cabin, Lisa leaving to reunite with her old village and Sally wandering off into the woods, an odd depression taking him over. With his lost ambitions the only thing that seemed to keep him going was helping the survivors in their daily live, but he still felt empty. What had become of Evan and Billy? Had they died with the Entity when Philip and the others left, or was the thing waiting in the shadows to strike out again. Growing suspicions were confirmed when one sleepless night Philip heard Evan approach the cabin. He had fought the Trapper many times and always lost but this now he was not alone, and together the victims of the fog subdued the Entity's greatest killer. Managing to convince Evan to tell them what was really happening he told them of the fate of the Entity and Billy. Claudette proposed that they immediately return to that hell to save Billy and the survivors quickly started to bicker amongst themselves. Philip ignored them and inside knelt beside Evan, the other killer at first spat at him telling Philip he should have never left. Remaining calm Philip sincerely asked Evan if his wife actually loved him, or was it just using him for it’s own gain. “You a’e a kind man Evan you have just been tormented like da rest of us. Please don’t make dis a repeat of what happened wid youa fatha.” Evan stood and said he would bring back Billy himself, Philip said a final goodbye to the heir of ruins and watch him walk off into the darkness.

Philip couldn’t sleep the rest of night, he lay awake almost praying to anything that was listening that Evan and Billy both be kept safe. The the next day Philip wandered into the woods his mind racing as he hoped beyond hope for a miracle to happen. The day pasted into the evening and while wandering back to the cabin Philip broke into tears when he heard the sound of a chainsaw rip through the air. After the war against the Entity had seemed to come to a close, Philip made the gravestones for both Sally and Evan a last testament towards two people who deserved so much more. Along with their graves everyone helped build a ‘Grave of the Lost Survivor’ to honor all the unknown souls that died in the Entity’s realm, Claudette even planted the same flowers they used to burn as offerings around the shrine.                                   

Jake announced that he was going go meet with his mother to try and get more supplies and he extended and invitation towards Philip, Billy and Lisa. The three were not as keen to join in this meeting as they were still very monstrous looking and were cautious about wandering to close to regular society. Even though that was starting to change as Philip notice himself begin to shrink, his skin began peeling off in black chunks revealing his old skin tone and his eyes were fading from their iridescent white to a more human hazel. Every once in awhile he would cough up black bile as the growl in his voice eventually decayed, but as much as his body seemed to be healing from the Entity’s torture it never returned back to the way it was. Instead of joining Jake, Lisa proposed that she take Philip and Billy with her to meet the people in her village as she bet they’d being willing to help get supplies for the cabin.

It was surprising to find how accepting Lisa village was of both Philip and Billy. A small community seemingly hidden away in time from the rest of the world bathed in superstition and tranquil pasficisum, and a home for wanders and people wanting to escape the world. Philip couldn’t help but feel slightly nostalgic about the place as it reminded him so much of his own childhood home. It wasn’t at all difficult to get the aid of the village and they even agree to trade with them if the need ever came up. Quickly earning their trust Philip began talk to the village elders about their own mysticism and even told them about the Gods he used to worship in Africa. After speaking at length on the subject one of the elders, who happened to be a great aunt of Lisa’s, demanded to see a show of Philip's mystics. Before their eyes he used his his wailing bell to phase into the Spirit World. Gasping at what he saw Philip was stunned at seeing how beautiful the ghost realm was in the real world. Everything here was so alive and didn’t carry the same horror that it did within the Entity’s realm. The spirits within the village were free and and rung with positive emotion, and for a moment Philip didn’t want to leave. The elders smiled at what the Spirit Hunter said he saw and they were glad to see their work in keeping the peace reflected with the spirits. Phasing back into reality the interest of magical aptitude that consumed Philip when he was the Wraith came back to him and he thanked the elders for reminding him of this.

Philip and Billy ready themselves to go and leave Lisa with her people, when a last strange occurrence happened. Herman Carter entered the village and all four of the ex-killers stood shocked to see one another. Just like the rest of them Carter looked different, the metal plates that covered his face had been removed leaving nothing but scars and forcing him to wear glasses. It was not just his appearance that change but his personality he talked to Philip and Billy as if they were old friends, his psychotic nature seemingly nonexistent. He explained that when disappeared from the Entity’s realm he had openingly mocked it for it’s own greed and failure and in a rage it tried to kill him. But as he ran in terror through the halls of the institute something pulled him back to the real world. Herman said he now worked for an organization that studied and destroyed things like the Entity and they had managed to reach through one cracks in the Entity’s realm and help him escape. He was currently investigating into what happened to the Entity and was looking into the places that were the different maps in the Entity’s realms. Not trusting Carter because of his past and the strange shift in demeanor Philip told Herman what happened to the Entity and Evan but denied that he knew any of whereabouts of the survivors and said that he and Billy had found sanctuary on the outskirts of the nearby city. Understanding the need for secrecy, as he was a criminal wanted by the CIA, Carter agree to leave the two alone and if they ever needed to talk they’d met back at the village.

Life began to be as Philip had always wanted it to be, peaceful. As well helping renovate the cabin and being able to actually do romantic things with Billy, Philip went back to studying the Spirit World. He took it upon himself to write a manifest of what happen in the Entity’s realm and how it was defeated as detailed as he could. Dwight had luckily escaped with most of the writings that were passed between survivors such as Benedict's Journal, Vigo's Journal, Donna’s sketchbook and the Lost Tapes. Together with his own knowledge as a killer he compiled everything into a book he called ‘The Greed of the Entity and it’s Fall’. With this book he also wrote ‘The Celestials of Africa’ that told of the legends of his old Gods. He never published these tomes or right more than one copy, they were only here for the knowledge of what happened to remain but not be passed on.

Years passed and in his studies Philip started to notice an shift on how the Spirits began to act around the cabin. Slowly they started to distant themselves from Jakes cabin making it harder for Philip to find them. After they left Philip began to see shadows similar to the ghosts in the Entity’s realm creep around their home. Shocked by their appearance Philip began to heavy ward their land with various drawn symbols and totems in an attempt to get the shadows to leave. Even with all his efforts the shadows remained looming just close enough to the wards but not able to pass them. Worried for what was going on he left to seek help from the elders of Lisa’s village, and found something even more foreboding. The same elder that had asked to see Philip shift into the Spirit World was dieing having been bitten by some unknown creature. The elder who was weak and in terrible pain beckoned Philip to come closer to her, fear shocked him as he looked at her wound and saw black tar-like poison seep from the bite mark and burn her skin. With a voice that beckoned for the grave she whispered a desperate warning. “Your demon is not dead. . . you must prepare yourself for it’s coming. . .”

A week later the worry that plagued Philip from the elders warning faded when Jake and Claudette announced they were pregnant.

[mamoro2202]

Stolen Heritage 9

Fandom: Rurouni Kenshin, also posted here in its entirety.

***Warning: smut in this chapter

I'm bending the rules of genetics a little bit here, but you try explaining Kenshin! ^_^x

"We are strangers."

The priest's eyes wandered pointedly over Kenshin's hair, and down to his eyes. "Perhaps not so strange," he murmured.

Sitting next to Kenshin, Kaoru stilled completely, not even daring to breathe. Kenshin continued smiling blandly.

Okabe's mouth twisted into a wryly amused line. "There aren't many born with hair that stays so red."

Kenshin raised his eyebrows.

"It generally turns brown." Kenshin's smile slipped for the first time. "Young man, I have only ever seen hair like that in one place."

"Where would that be, Okabe-sensai?" Kaoru's eyes darted between her husband and the priest.

The priest's eyes were sparkling with amused mischief, along with a hint of something else. Kenshin carefully placed his teacup on the table, then rested his hands on his thighs. Kaoru nearly blinked in surprise; Kenshin was sitting seiza. How had she not noticed that? Kenshin generally sat cross-legged; seiza he usually reserved for formality or… He had already known. He had known that the priest would press him over his coloring, had invited it by removing his hat. She slowly and quietly returned her own teacup to the table.

The priest was still looking at Kenshin carefully. "You're older than you appear, young man, and there is only one person you could possibly be. Only one boy with hair and eyes like yours has ever left this mountain." Kaoru recognized the other emotion playing in the priest's eyes now: sadness. The mischief had faded away completely, leaving behind only sadness and regret. Okabe sat back from the table to bow low. "I apologize for failing you so many years ago."

Kenshin made a strangled noise in the back of his throat and the expression on his face was odd and difficult to interpret. Kaoru waited three heartbeats, but it did not appear that her husband was going to pull himself together quickly enough to reply.

"Okabe-sensei. What-" She licked terribly dry lips. "My husband was so very young… Could you explain… what happened, please?"

The priest grimaced. "Cholera. Cholera happened… You certainly deserve to know, Kamiya-san, and I- I will attempt to explain." The ticking of a clock on a side table seemed to echo.

The priest took a deep breath. "It was the worst outbreak I have ever seen. Almost everyone was ill. So very ill…" Kaoru's heart twinged at the shadow of pain in the priest's voice. "There were only six adults left healthy; I was one of them. We tried, we six. I circulated the village with what medicines that I had, or could make, and... prepared the bodies of the dead for burial. Two of the woman cooked; they cooked meals for every house. Kimiko-san swore that she would not cook again for a year after that. One of the men circulated the village, carrying the departed to me and to the cemetery, digging graves. The other man worked tirelessly to ensure that some level of sanitation remained in spite of the… nature of cholera. The last woman, she gathered the orphaned children and watched over them."

"But why- why did no one help Kenshin's family?"

Okabe's eyes darkened further. "... We did." Kenshin just shook his head. "There were so few of us, and so many sick… and you were very young… It is entirely possible that you do not remember the few minutes a day when an adult arrived to bring fresh water or a too-small meal."

"It was… it was because you were forced to bury your mother that we didn't realize your situation until so late… Sachi-san had so many dead to bury… Too many. I did not think your mother was as ill as she clearly must have been, and Sachi-san did not check on your home that day. Later, when he buried your father and brother, none of us realized that your mother had already died. We should have. We should have known from the way you acted that day, but we simply did not. I have no excuse." Okabe bowed again. "It took us two days to realize that you were orphaned. By that time, people were beginning to recover. Your Uncle Hirotaka-san was supposed to take you and your sister into his home."

Okabe's face twisted in an expression of distaste. "He was… unpleasant when I told him to do so, but I was young and had no patience for him. Too many still needed care; those who were well were expected to tend to their own families. There was no acceptable excuse." He fingered his sleeves. "We were all too distracted, immersed in our duties. We did not realize what he had done until Manami-san arrived and raised the alarm. Hirotaka-san was unapologetic." Okabe's antipathy was as transparent as glass. "Nevermind that in a small village like ours, in a harsh environment like this, every child is treasured, every child belongs to the community. Nevermind that his sister was standing beside him, raining insults on his head, outraged that he had sold her blood only three days before she had arrived to take you. Hirotaka-san refused to tell us where he had met the slavers. Days on this mountain…" He shook his head. "We tried, but we were unable to find any trace." The priest looked up at Kenshin, regret written in his eyes. "You were lost."

.

.

.

They followed the priest's directions to the Hanari home, with a pouch of tea in Kenshin's sleeve that Okabe had insisted they take. Hanari Mayako was a short woman of ample proportions and perhaps fifty years, with hair beginning to gray and a face accustomed to smiling. She was delighted to offer them a room and meals after they explained that the priest had referred them to her, and that they could pay in hard coin. The room itself was very sparse, with a futon, a chest, and a vase of plain make but filled with carefully preserved dried flowers. Hanari bustled about, bringing a generous pile of worn but clean blankets, a bucket of fresh water, and coal for the hearth. She smiled and bowed herself out of the room, shutting the shoji behind her.

Kenshin was pleased that there was a hearth. A hearth in the small room meant that at least Kaoru would be warm; the wind battered at the wooden walls, finding every crack and bringing with it a bone-chilling cold. He busied his hands and emptied his mind by building a fire, while Kaoru set out clean clothing, towels, and a small bar of soap.

She glanced over at him, then knelt close and leaned against his shoulder, a warm and reassuring weight. Her eyes searched his face, then she pressed a kiss to his shoulder and stood up, rifling through their packs. "The moment this room gets warm, I am going to wash, Kenshin. I swear, I'm wearing more dirt than clothing at this point – I just found a leaf in my hair." She maintained a monologue of sweetly mundane chatter and Kenshin let her voice wash over him, a normal and wonderful thing on this very bizarre day. Kenshin poured some of the water into pot over the hearth and quietly waited for it to heat up.

After, when they were clean for the first time in two days, and Kaoru had snuggled into his shoulder and had wrapped a blanket around them both, they sat quietly against each other for quite some time. Blankets and cuddling were Kaoru's cures for many ills. Kenshin always appreciated both.

"Would you like some tea, Kenshin? It really is very good."

"...That would be nice." She gave him her beautiful smile and squeezed his arm before she left to request cups from their hostess.

Kenshin sat, drank tea, and appreciated the warm comfort of his wife until lunch.

Mayako seemed embarrassed as she brought the meager tray of food into their room. "...There have been several raids by bandits this winter…" she murmured.

"This will be more than fine, Hanari-san. Thank you very much," Kaoru said, and the woman gave her a grateful smile before she shut the shoji. The modest meal was carefully prepared and well-seasoned. They ate in silence.

Once Kaoru finished carefully restacking their empty plates and bowls, she sat back on her heels. "Kenshin?"

Kenshin looked away, into the fire, and tried to find words. Part of his past… his origin, had been totally rewritten in one short conversation; the shape of his own self-knowledge had been changed. What Okabe's story meant, on a personal and selfish level, was strange, and difficult to assimilate.

His voice sounded peculiar to his own ears, like casting pebbles into a still pond. "…They wanted me."

Kaoru laid a gentle hand against his cheek and rested her forehead against his, her voice whisper quiet. "How could they not?" The bottom dropped out of Kenshin's stomach, and he leaned forward and kissed her without thinking; she was real and solid, warm and comforting.

. . . . .

When they pulled apart, Kenshin had an odd look on his face – Kaoru didn't quite know what to make of it. "Kenshin?" Instead of answering, he shook his head and kissed her again with rising desperation. Kaoru rubbed soothing hands across his shoulders until he pulled back, pressing kisses to the corner of her lips and jaw. "Kenshin…" Her voice was as soothing as her hands.

"This one is sorry, Kaoru. It's - I just want to not - just for a while…" Kaoru frowned at his wavering pronouns.

It was afternoon and their hostess was likely still in the house, but if he needed her, needed an outlet... she would give him whatever he wanted until it was enough. They'd simply have to be quiet. "Okay," she whispered. "Okay, I'm here." She kissed him. "Whatever you need, Kenshin."

He pulled away to speak and his eyes were dilated dark blue, his voice deep and rough. "I want to drown," he said, and his next kiss was hard, his hands in her hair holding her still, and for several moments it was Kaoru who was drowning as she tried to keep up. He was rarely this intense.

That's fine, she thought, and began undressing them both, pushing back into him. If he needs it, I've got it. She pressed a hand against the back of his neck. They kissed until he was panting into her mouth, trembling in her arms. "It's alright," she whispered. "You're mine." She pressed little kisses against his neck, pushing against his side. "Lay back, Kenshin." He obliged, tension still evident in his tight jaw, his tense muscles.

She straddled his hips and kissed him fiercely, stroking firm hands over his chest and belly, grinding against the hard cock between her thighs. He raised both hands, kneading the flesh of her hips, his cheeks flushed. She moved to his neck with sucking kisses, and he turned his head to side, granting her greater access and offering encouragement. Down his neck and his chest, she lavished attention on his skin, kisses and licks and little nips, loving him with her mouth and hands. Down further, to his taut belly, lean and firm with lithe muscle. She kissed the lines across his abdomen, working further and further down until he had his hands fisted in the blankets. She dropped teasing kisses along the hollows of his pelvis, then finally pressed soft, slow kisses to the head of his cock. He hissed and pressed his heels into the floor.

Kaoru moaned quietly; his excitement was contagious, and it made her squeeze her thighs together. She gently curled a hand under his cock, lifting it up off of his belly, placing little sucking kisses up and down the underside of him, tonguing against that special little spot under the head. He groaned and stroked a hand over the back of her head, gathering her hair into one hand, keeping it up out of her way. Kaoru painted little patterns on his cock with her tongue, arousal burning deep in her belly as she listened to him gasp.

"Kaoru… please…"

She closed her eyes and sucked just the head of him into her mouth, rewarding his oh-so-quiet moans by pulling more of him in. He bucked into her mouth slightly, so she started a slow, drawing rhythm.

Continuing to pulse his hips, he involuntarily started dancing to her rhythm. She began swirling him in her mouth as she sucked, adding another layer to his pleasure, though not quite giving him what he needed to climax. He needs to not think for a while? Then I'll make him mindless.

She deliberately kept him there, excited and aroused and on edge, until the muscles in his belly began to quiver. Then she pulled off of him with a quiet pop, sitting back onto her heels. He's so beautiful… Kenshin was staring at the ceiling, eyes unseeing, red hair darkened with sweat and plastered to his temples. He blinked gorgeous violet eyes, slowly returning to lucidity. When he focused in on her face, she smiled for him, repressing the urge to squirm at the ache between her own thighs. He made a muffled noise and sat up, reaching for her.

She welcomed him into her arms as he nuzzled her neck, his calloused hands rubbing her back as he mumbled nonsense and praise and, attempted to pull her into his lap. "Kenshin," her voice was coaxing as she combed her fingers through his bright hair. "How do you want me?"

He froze, stopping his efforts to pull her forward, and twitched in her arms. She lightly bit at his ear while she waited for him to form coherent words, pleased that she'd unwound him to this degree.

His voice was hoarse and muffled against her neck. "Knees?"

"Sure." She gently pushed him aside, her beautiful, panting mess of a husband, and moved onto her hands and knees. He crawled over her, draped himself against her back and stroked trembling hands down her sides to her hips, pulling her back into him, his breath ragged against her ear. He dropped a kiss to the nape of her neck and then straightened. When he began, his rhythm was fast but not hard, and Kaoru stifled moan. It was always exquisite, the feel of him inside her, his hard cock gliding in the wetness of her body. She dropped her head forward and closed her eyes, digging her fingers into the tatami as she pushed back against him.

When Kenshin began to push deeper, Kaoru pulled away. Hard and fast in that position was loud, and this was private; Mayako was not invited to know about their sex life.

She turned around and kissed him. "Shhh." Lowering them to the floor, she used hands and legs to push him back inside of her. He rained disorganized kisses on her face and neck, shoulders and breasts, thrusting hard. She pushed against his shoulder, urging him to lean back on his knees, then reached down to touch herself, pushing her hips to meet his rhythm as her urgent fingers raced over that wonderful bundle of nerves.

"Sorry," Kenshin gasped, covering her hand with his own. "I- let me, Kaoru. You- sorry, this one will-"

Kaoru huffed at him. "Kenshin, don't be sorry." She lightly slapped his hand away. "If you've the ability to be sorry, we're not doing this right." He gave her a silly smile and shook his head, kneading and stroking her thighs while he moved. She arched her back and kept touching herself, her eyes falling closed as she relished the feeling. The coil in her belly wound tighter and tighter while Kenshin thrust into her, sharing his body with her; it was always so good, listening to him pant with pleasure, seeing the joy he took in her. She forced her eyes open.

He was glazed in a fine sweat, muscles tense and in stark relief as he moved. He was watching her: watching her fingers move and their bodies join. The glazed, dilated look in his eyes caused her to shiver. When he pulled her right leg up to his shoulder, she gasped and pressed her free hand over her mouth. Gods, I've got to be quiet…

Suddenly Kenshin grunted and spasmed, driving into her convulsively, pulling her hips down and tight against him. She couldn't help her moan at the feeling of his cock twitching inside of her, sending her fingers into a wild dance. Ah, it's been so long since he-!

And then she climaxed too, her body snapping stiff and tight, neck arching, gasping, riding him in little grinding pulses. She delighted in being full, reveled in the knowledge that Kenshin had just spent himself in her body. She shuddered through the little aftershocks of her orgasm, stroking herself slowly as she relaxed.

Kenshin pulled out of her and collapsed onto the floor. He was still gasping as he ran a hand through his bangs. "This one did not mean to-"

"It's fine," she interrupted. "It's the wrong time for anything to happen, Kenshin." She smiled over at him. "You worry too much."

"Okay." He closed his eyes and lay there looking perfectly ravished, flushed red, sweating and exhausted, his chest heaving, bright hair a mess. Her grin widened. Good job, Kaoru! She propped herself up on his chest, feeling pleased and proud and very, very satisfied. He raised a limp hand to her head and petted her hair. She lay there with him until his flush began to fade, until their bodies began to cool, then she kissed his chin and rolled away. Locating a towel and a blanket, she took care of the mess and securely tucked the ends of the blanket over them both, warding off the chill.

. . . . .

She cuddled into that perfect spot on his shoulder, the one that was clearly made to cradle her head, enjoying his one armed embrace as she watched his face soften into sleep. Kaoru herself stayed awake, keeping watch over her sleeping spouse, keeping him safe in her arms while he rested.

.

.

.

The feeling of not-at-home brought Kenshin awake all at once, as it always did. Despite that, he felt rested and relaxed, a welcome contrast to his earlier tension. It's nearly dark ...How long did this one sleep?

Kaoru shifted against him, uncurling herself from his side and rolling partially onto his chest. She answered his unasked question "You didn't sleep that long. It just gets dark so early here, that's all."

He hummed an acknowledgment, and rested a hand behind his head, tracing gentle fingers along the graceful lines of his wife's back. Kaoru was looking at him, her eyes bright and shining, as they always were, her smile sweet and ready. Kenshin shifted onto his side, pulling her closer, and rubbed his thumb across her cheek. She raised dark eyebrows in inquiry, but Kenshin just leaned forward to kiss her temple in answer. It was... strange, to hear what the priest had said, but what did it really matter? Everything else aside, Kaoru, kind and loving Kaoru, was still his wife, and their life and their family were still waiting for them at home.

She kissed him briefly, just a press of lips, then propped herself up on a hand and pushed aside the blanket. "It's time to get up! Hanari-san will probably bring dinner soon." Kaoru's side was crossed with pink lines from lying on a woven surface, her hair was mussed, and there were love bites on her collarbone. He sat up and blushed, scratching the back of his head. Kaoru looked over her shoulder at him as she shrugged into her clothes.

"What?" Kaoru rolled her eyes at his grimace and slapped his chest with the back of her hand before he could speak. "You asked for nothing that I was not pleased to give. Stop being silly and get dressed." Her eyes turned teasing. "I think that seeing you naked is more than Hanari-san bargained for."

"Oro!" That thought galvanized him to action, and he dressed with nearly record speed, then got a drink of water and filled the kettle for tea while Kaoru brushed out her tangled hair.

"So what are we doing tonight?" From his spot next to the hearth, Kenshin blinked at her and raised his eyebrows. "Not that, you pervert!" She threw a pillow at him. "I mean, what are we going to do tonight about all of this." She waved a hand at the wall, her gesture encompassing the village and the situation at hand.

"Ah. You are going to sleep, and this one will do a little bit of looking around." Kaoru frowned, but he preempted her. "You are hurt. Your feet should be fine enough tomorrow, but for tonight you should rest." He met her gaze and willed her to see how seriously he took this matter. "This one has no intention of engaging anyone tonight, Kaoru. This one merely wishes to inspect the village's defenses." Her shoulders slumped and she grumbled a little.

Kenshin moved to tend to his wife's feet. They looked better, the rawness of the abraded skin had faded, and the scattered wounds from the blisters weren't as angry-looking. Overall, he was pleased with the progress of her healing. He spread salve over the wounds and rewrapped them. She'd been guarding another part of her body today, he'd observed, with small, unconscious movements.

"Kaoru. Is there something wrong with your chest?"

Her face flushed brightly. "... I've just never gone so long without nursing Kenji. It, um, hurts a little." She'd had a painful inflammation once when Kenji had been teething and not nursing properly; it would be better to take care of the matter now, rather than wait. He coaxed Kaoru onto her back and laid warm, wet towels across her swollen breasts. Her embarrassment evaporated when the towels contacted her skin, and she hissed in obvious relief. He brushed his fingers through her bangs, sitting with her and changing the compresses periodically. "You must tell me when you are hurting, Kaoru, or this one cannot help."

She sighed. "Kenji doesn't really nurse very much anymore. It shouldn't take long to stop." He allowed disapproval to show clearly in his eyes and she, utterly unchastened, pinched his side. "I'm an adult, Kenshin, stop babying me."

"This one is not babying you, Kaoru, and is certainly well aware that you are an adult." Inside he was laughing, but outwardly he tried for wounded. "This one only desires to care for you as a good husband should."

"Liar!" Kaoru shoved him and he obligingly fell over.

"Oro…"

"Go get us some dinner!" She was laughing, and it made his mouth turn up at the corners as well. It was amazing, how often Kaoru was able to coax him out of a foul mood. Still smiling, Kenshin obediently left the room, searching for Mayako. He didn't bother to wear his hat. Really, no matter how accomplished a gossip Mayako was, the news would not reach the headman before he did.

"Ah! Hanari-dono." The small woman was in the kitchen filling a tray with dinner items. "This one would be pleased to carry that for you."

"No, no, Kamiya-san, it is my-" She looked up and nearly tripped over her own feet, her mouth frozen in a little 'o.' Kenshin repressed a grin; for the moment, he was rested and relaxed, he was feeling uncommonly mischievous. The woman's reaction was terribly funny. "I- I... Kamiya-san, your hair!" She sat the bowl she'd been holding precariously close to the edge of the counter, and reached out a hand, as though she intended to touch the hair in question. She blinked and snatched her arm back to her side just in time, as though realizing how unconscionably rude that would have been.

Kenshin gave her a sunny, oblivious smile. "Yes, this one forgot my hat in my room, so I did." He rescued the bowl and sat it on the tray. "Really, this one must insist on carrying this heavy tray, Hanari-dono." The poor woman's mouth was flapping open and closed. He gave a small bow over the tray and exited the room, leaving the flabbergasted woman behind.

At the doorway to his room, he balanced the tray and slid open the shoji with the ease of long practice. "Dinner, as requested!" Kaoru was redressing herself as he entered and she smiled up at him.

"You're in a very good mood."

"That's so," he agreed easily, arranging their dinner and handing her a pair of chopsticks. Kaoru gave him a cheeky grin, and Kenshin just shook his head at her smugness. "Soup?" He offered.

.

.

.

(And on Kenshin's tendency to hop into bed when emotionally stressed; sometimes it's easier to deal with difficult things when your brain is pickled in oxytocin first. And I can't see Kaoru letting him brood very often.)

Also, a random note on my change in username: I NEVER thought that I'd write anything at all; I've never been a writer, just a daydreamer. My account was made to read only, and my username was part of an email address. Then I started writing and actively participating in the community here, and realized - you can't say my old username, with all of those numbers, and it was just awkward. Thus, new name; it's very silly, but at least it's pronounceable!

Animanical asked: Is it a contraction of mama and oro? XD

Answer: Why, yes. Yes, it is.

[meliecho]

ANIMAL CROSSING: Villager Theory An Animal Crossing game theory

By Windryder1

-------------- You're not dead, don't worry. You're not someone else, either. You are still you, and you're still a member of this community. You're just out of time. Confused? Here, let me explain...

...And don't think this gets you out of repaying your home loan. Because it doesn't. -------------- ANIMAL CROSSING THEORY: VILLAGER

__________________________________ 

Setting the scene...a.k.a... A little bit of backstory.

The animals knew about the Human reality existing along side theirs for ages thanks to Katrina the fortune telling cat, and other animals bearing similar abilities like hers.  The Human side, in turn, once knew about the Animal reality thanks to people bearing similar gifts like Katrina's.  Both species with said abilities were able to detect rifts between the two.  As technology progressed on the Human side, their belief in the Animal reality waned and transformed into stories, books, comics, video games, and media entertainment.  

The last animal to openly cross the boundary and walk the streets of the Human dimension was seen on April 4th, 1901, in a restaurant in Kyoto, Japan.  Eyewitnesses reported a Tanuki – a red raccoon- clad in a large coat and a traveling hat, eating his fill of a hot pot.  He finished his meal, payed in gold coins each marked with a discolored star, and swiftly left the establishment.  Were it not for the bushy ringed tail protruding beneath the coat, they could have been perceived as a heavy set individual.  

That same tanuki was seen later that night at the grave of a simple man –a young farmer who'd fallen to illness.  The young man's wife had gone to the grave that night on her own, still smothered by the grief of the loss of her love.  She'd watched as the strange visitor removed his hat and rested it softly on the ground.  The Tanuki's round ears were prominent in the moonlight, and twitched in the soft spring breeze.  He dug a hole in the moist sod, removed a small item from a pouch at his belt, and held it out.  The wife recognized the form as a haniwa.  She watched the tanuki bury the item and pat down the dirt with care.  He remained in silent, reverent vigil for a moment longer before he donned his hat once more and disappeared into the night.

Soon, the young farmer's mysterious visitor became a story to tell to children. 

________________________________________________________

Flash forward to modern day.  1996.

The Human world existed on technology and entertainment.  The advancement of science and curiosity of the universe drove a group of scientists in Japan toward unraveling the ultimate mystery: time travel.  The world news kept the global populace apprised of the scientists' progress.  Most people were excited about the idea of time control, while others of the technological world feared the consequences of tampering with the space time continuum.  The project was title "Tempus" -meaning 'time' in Latin.  Dr. Noriko Takane, head of the Tempus project, explained how their experiments were yielding positive results.  So far, they were able to send lab rats back in time by minutes, then back by hours.  This was obtained by the subjects being isolated in a Temporal Limiter Sphere (TLS) where anything enclosed within it was affected, leaving the outside world beyond the boundary unaffected.  After multiple tests and fine tuning the TLS, they were able to produce a time traveling experience where neither the lab rats nor the items therein suffered any temporal damage.  

Excited at the breakthrough after years of failures, the scientists (a team comprised of specialists from around the globe) outlined plans for running a large scale experiment on a small abandoned village in Tunguska, Russia –historically known for its mysterious massive-scale blast that occurred in 1908.  The area was isolated enough that they were confident their experiment would either succeed or fail without damaging any populated areas.  

The mission: Return the village to a working state.  The date was set for March 12th, 2002.  Dr. Sam Leighton volunteered to be the world's first Chrononaut.  Although American-born, he was on the original team.  He would be protected by a type of spacesuit repelling the TLS field, thus creating his own bubble within the TLS to ensure he wouldn't disappear as time reversed.  A man was chosen due to the fact that the period of time they were aiming for was a patriarchal society, and a male would fare a better chance of gathering data unhindered.  His anglo appearance and history with the project made him the perfect candidate.  One can believe this triggered many a backlash on the internet, but none could dispute the historical truth.  Men just had it better.

The final year leading up to the experiment lit the media on fire with theories, fear mongering, groups proclaiming the end of the world,  excitement, web series, comics, art, a movie about a man trapped in a temporal loop (which gained major ridicule for being a rip off of the Bill Murray movie “Groundhog Day,”), and political parrying. Many wanted the experiment canceled, while others trusted that it would either work, or simply fail to “turn on,” or do anything noticeable at all.  

That spring morning, the world watched at the scientists on the Tempus Project activated the Temporal Limiter Sphere.  Beacons located around the far perimeter of the village lit blue in confirmation, and the sphere was formed.  Cameras placed outside switched to 'record' mode.  The experiment was underway.  

Millions of people watched, or listened through the radio as feedback poured in.  The village was moving back in time, rebuilding itself.  Foliage, fauna, and trees grew, died, and regrew.  A week passed, then a month, then a year, then two.  They had succeeded in turning back the hands of time.  

Finally reaching the point where the village was thriving again, they froze the TLS and synced up the chrononaut's suit so that if he took it off, he would remain unaffected.  The world held its breath when Dr. Leighton removed his helmet.  He was fine.  

He lived in the village for a month in real time, gathering and sending data.  He was in a temporal fishbowl, and the world loved tuning in to find out about life in the small farming village. 

The middle of the day on April 12th 2002 is when everything changed.  Dr. Leighton was supposed to return to his own time that day.  The scientists began the reversal process, but the beacons began to fail.  Despite the chrononaut's frantic efforts to fix things within the sphere, and those of the Tempus Project team members working on the outside, they couldn't stop it. The cascade failure resulted in the second major blast to emerge from Tunguska, Russia.  It wasn't a nuclear blast –nothing was destroyed.  The original bubble remained active as if nothing occurred, but the wave that exploded from the TLS spread across the globe, freezing random cities, homes, and towns, until the Earth became swiss-cheesed with Temporal Limiter Spheres of frozen time.  People, animals, and plants were trapped within these pockets.  Anyone who entered those areas succumbed to the effects within the sphere in seconds.  Thus, the areas around them were evacuated, and those inside were forfeit, forever a statue outside the normal time stream.

The Earth plunged into chaos.  Most left those areas alone, though some never stopped trying to unfreeze their loved ones.  The Human world was thrown into a downward spiral.

That's where Animals came in.  

Katrina said, “The Humans are going to do something stupid on a massive scale.  More-so than usual.   I've been getting this vibe for years and it only keeps growing stronger.”  When others like her came forward with the same revelation, the other animals took notice.  They feared the Humans would destroy themselves completely, so they took pity on them, and made a decision that would alter the Animal Reality forever: to save them –or at least to save the ones they could.  

The Tanuki, some of the most affluent animals, joined forces with the those capable of detecting the rifts between the Human reality and their own, such as Katrina the cat.  They employed the Rovers –animals who cold pass through the TLS without being affected—to search these time bubbles for Humans with enough “life” to be safely removed from the zones and revived.  The best, and easiest transportation method was the usage of trains.  The Rovers would wander the zones in teams of two, using specialized equipment to detect any brain activity, or 'life' activity in the areas (age was never a factor, though many were youth or young adults), hunt it down, and carefully extract the Human if it were possible.  

The Rovers would watch the occasional Human rescue teams attempt to break through the boundary unharmed, but all failed.  

The Humans taken from the TLS could not return to their own reality and time stream without suffering from temporal deterioration, but they could have a new life in the Animal reality.  Subsequently, the animals also gained technology by searching these zones, such as cell phones, televisions, different appliances, the occasional car, computers, the internet, ect.  The Tanukies understood that elements of the Human world needed to be incorporated into their own in order for the new residents to adjust more easily.  Everything from finding (and/or mimicking) artwork, creating their own internet system, to learning food recipes was used, although they kept a majority of their own way of life.  They meshed a small amount of Human daily life to their own while keeping their own simplicity, and even added Human holidays –which, to be honest, they found to be fun.  The Tanukies of higher authority (not every Tanuki was involved –some remained country bumpkins, some were Rovers, and some could detect rifts) did this slowly in order for the villagers of the towns to naturally accept the changes as their own, like little upgrades.  (Think of how quickly society accepted Velcro.)  Once they'd reached a homeostasis with the two, the work of the Rovers began. 

The Tanukies made sure to keep their hubris out of it.  

Once a Human was placed on the train within the Sphere, the work of reviving them began.  They would travel slowly, sometimes picking up other Humans.  The rifts they would use were within these zones, so the Human never reentered their original time stream. 

When the Humans started arriving in the animal world, Gyroids suddenly appeared each day after it rained or snowed.  No one knows why.  It's a mystery, but they do resemble the haniwa. 

Reviving a rescued Human held side effects.  Upon awaking in a seat on the train to the cheerful greeting of a Rover, the Human experienced a state of confusion and partial memory loss –such as knowledge of family, school, ect.  They knew who they were, and where they were originally from –and thanks to a 'suggestion' while still unconscious, they knew which animal town they were going to— but the memories of their lives would be fuzzy.  The depth of the memory fade was enough that saying 'animals have always been there' would be more readily accepted and matrixed into their own minds.  

The rescued Humans also gained the ability to sometimes hear what an animal they were standing close to was thinking.  What was unexpected was the loss of all emotions;  no fear, hate, love, laughter, or anger.  All of it remained frozen.  These aspects were discovered by psychologists like Luna, who specialized in dreams, mental abilities, and preserving, or “saving” snapshot memories of something the person or animal saw in the Animal reality. 

Dr. Shrunk, once a comedian turned psychologist, discovered a way to slowly 'thaw out' each emotion.  (This explanation is in a separate paper.)  

Another side effect became limited time travel.  Each Human revived retained a portion of the TLS effect, creating an ability to travel forward or backward through time.  However, there were significant consequences.  When the Human returned to present day, they would find -among many things-wilted flowers, rotten fruit and turnips, villagers saying they've been ignored, and even some saying they were going to move out.  Having time control was a serious power and responsibility.  Hence, this was highly discouraged.  Humans were told about it only when a surveillance center, or a “Reset Center” would be suggested to add to the town to give an angry mole back his job.  Of course, sometimes the Human would just stumble across the ability one day, use it, and get a visit from said angry mole with a long scolding explanation, and a warning not to do it again.  Chronic time traveling would lead to 'bed head,' which was a dead give-away, and everyone knew what they'd done.  Time control was frowned upon.

The discovery of time control hopefully would happen within the first stages before their emotions were unlocked, so –much like talking, bipedal animals, instant mail delivery, and the storage of multiple items in a small space or pocket as leaves—it would be accepted without much question.  (The storage situation of turning items into leaves belonged to the animals for a long time.  It was nothing new to them and simply part of their system.)

Some Humans were given jobs by the Rovers to be the mayors of different towns.  The Rovers would say they were supposed to become the new mayor, but they just like to travel too much.

The mail system was the toughest to explain.  The Humans could mail anything –furniture, clothes, ect.-- in a letter to anyone in the town, but not to their mothers, even though they would get letters from their mothers, and have the ability to call them.  When they wanted to visit home, they would get on the train, fall asleep, and be put into a lucid dream of home by Luna. 

Blanca was the one to take on the role of 'mom' in the letters and on the phone for as long as needed until the Human was strong enough to withstand the truth about what happened to them and their reality.  Since Blanca could change herself to look like and sound like anyone, this made the most sense. 

 Thankfully, there were enough animals like her to be given this job.The rest of the villagers have no clue about her involvement.  If the Human demanded to go back to their original reality, they would not be stopped.  They could take the train through the rift with a Rover, but they could not leave the train, or they would be frozen in time all over again with very little chance of recovery.  The backlash was always the hardest to deal with.  It's tough to hear, "You're out of time sync with the rest of your world.  You can never go back."  But by this point, they would have a support system to get them through it and adjust to their new lives.

Many Humans never even find out they're living in a separate temporal frequency.  They remain happy, working in the local shops, building their new lives and towns without much recollection of their old ones, and visiting their friends in other villages.  Though Human curiosity means there will always be those few who search for more.  And not every rescued Human has a happy or successful story.  

Take Aika Village for example.  It began as a regular town --peaceful, beautiful, simple--but the events surrounding the dark history of the Human family that lived there shrouded the town in a negative aura.  The town was isolated, the animals left, and its nature changed.  It became a place for rehabilitation, or more kindly referred to as a 'Sanctuary Town.'  The only time a train will stop there is to deliver supplies, or drop off a Human assigned to relocation.  These unfortunate souls were proven to be too damaged by the TLS to live in normal society, and had become either a danger to themselves or others.  The only animals who choose to live there are trained caretakers.  In any Sanctuary Town, it is possible for a Human to be healed and sent home, but no one knows if anyone has ever left Aika.

Aika Village became the most famous of these 'Sanctuary Towns' because it was the first of its kind, and gained the reputation of being the worst of its kind.  The village rapidly earned the status of 'horror myth' through rumors.  It is said that only the most horrible Humans are sent to Aika, and anyone who goes there can never leave. To those who don't know what goes on there--both Human and Animal--, Aika Village will always remain a mysterious, eerie, inescapable hell.

Regardless, the animals will continue to rescue Humans for as long as they can.  Their world has plenty of space for these 'rescues' to live in.  Here, the Humans have a second life where they can create memories, friendships, and even fashion trends; to basically, in a sense, turn over a new leaf. 

Animals, you're given this Human.  You may look forward to 3 more, or just the one.  However many you get, keep an eye on them.  They're yours, now.

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This element is part of the “Nightmare of Aika” story

(Read the ”Dr. Shrunk theory” on tumblr

Links to all of these on other writing sites are on my page. :)