#the bonehoard

[mtg-cards-hourly]

Bonehoard

Artist: Chippy TCG Player Link Scryfall Link EDHREC Link

[almostlookedhuman]

[infirmux]

that one is not significant in the slightest i do not know why i remember it. what is that regular guard dialogue where they are like "it sounded like... some kind of sound..."

[hyliandude]

[mechaknight-98]

Gathering Master list

Main story

Command tower

Paradise Mantle

Birds of paradise

Stomping Grounds

Mana confluence

Tropical Island

Rhystic study

Primal empathy

Praetor’s Grasp

Culling ritual

Jaheria’s respite

Titans’ nest

Eat to extinction

Collected Company Part I

Side story

Overwhelming stampede

Bonehoard Dracosaur

Tasigur The Golden Fang

[neloangelo]

Thief: The Dark Project

Down in the Bonehoard

[drakeanddice]

Previously:

>ACTION TRIGGER NOT MET. DUNGEON MOVE ACTIVATED.

You are overwhelmed at the buffet of options laid out before you on the PANICKER’S GUIDE table of contents like so many succulent tapas. Each offers a saucy sneak peak at what kind of terrible things might lurk ahead. Each tempting morsel promises to sate your desperate need for information. But you just don’t know where to start.

The bacon-wrapped dates? The stuffed olives? The crispy cod balls?

Paralyzed with indecision, you snap the book closed. Reading’s for nerds, anyway…probably. You jam the GUIDE back into your BACKPACK and sling it over your shoulder. You cast your eyes around the CHUTE ROOM, consider the exits.

EXITS:

UP the STONE CHUTE

SOUTH through TUNNEL

You figure it’s too much to hope that this whole thing can be fixed by climbing up that CHUTE. Would sort of be anticlimactic at this point anyway. Who’d go to all of the trouble of dragging you from your bed, pitching you down the chute, and banishing you to the LANDS BELOW? Not to mention putting together the KIT? Writing the GUIDE? So really?

UP the STONE CHUTE

SOUTH through TUNNEL

The only creature you’ve met so far went that way. Granted, it was a weird garbage monster that called you things like “Meat” and “Chewstick” and “Snackpack.” But it didn’t attack you, and while you didn’t exactly exchange names and numbers, it used its words rather than its fangs. That’s not nothing.

What are you going to do? Stay here with the weird phosphorescent MUSHROOMS?

The MUSHROOMS have gone out.

>GO SOUTH It is VERY dark.

You make special friends with the left hand wall, first with your nose and then with your hand. Keeping one hand on the wall and the other sweeping the expanse of air ahead of you, you grope forward a step at a time.

You proceed this way for thirty nerve wracking minutes. You hate it here. You still don’t remember any TRIBUNAL, but you fantasize about crawling your way back to the surface if only to so you have the opportunity to medal in Creative Profanity in their general direction.

That’s when the lights come up.

You are in THE BONEHOARD.

Oh, this’ll be good.

The light flares blue and cold from the four wrought iron TORCHES held clenched in the fists at the ends of skeletal arms. Each arm is composed of the artfully-arranged and carefully-modified bones of at least a dozen humans. The buttresses and arches above are similarly fashioned from the metabolically impaired. In fact, aside from the heavy DOUBLE DOORS to the South, the freshly swept floor, and the STATUE of the weeping lady in the FOUNTAIN at the center of this room, it’s just bones all the way down. There are piles of bones here, fussily sorted by size and type. Someone or something devoted a lot of time to this endeavor.

It smells not unpleasantly of petrichor. Cart tracks lead to the EAST. The GUIDE vibrates quietly in the bottom of your pack.

EXITS:

SOUTH through DOUBLE DOORS

EAST through the SPLINTERED ARCH

WEST into the CHAPEL

NORTH into CHUTE ROOM

>

[vorthosjay]

Hi Jay,

Do you know what makes Bonehoard Dracosaur a dragon? It looks identical to all the other pterosaurs, there's no indication of fire breathing in the art, and the tokens it makes aren't baby dino-dragons, they're just regular raptors.

Thanks!

More flippant answer: It's probably cause it's part dinosaur.

Less flippant answer: I don't know, the alternate art is more 'dragon-y', it probably has to do with the hoard of treasure concepting. Maybe the artist skewed a bit too 'dino' and bit less 'dragon'.

If you look at the other flying dinosaurs, the wings are different. Also it's dimorphodon-shaped, with a bigger head.

[inventors-fair]

Secondary Effect: Modal Flavor Runners-Up ~

Our runners-up for last week are @bergdg, @feyd-rautha-apologist, and @piccadilly-blue!

@bergdg — Clearance Sale

I would never have thought about this kind of flavor, but having both of these options on this kind of card is oddly wholesome? Or should I say, wholesale! Ha. ... But I really like this card, actually. Having these go-wide effects are oddly decent in Limited in the right environment, and having the impulse effect on top of them makes this a great uncommon indeed. I think that it's probably okay at uncommon to make it attacking creatures, and I think the question of what kind of push you can do to make the pump slightly more powerful is...negligible. Which is good! I think that Trumpet Blast vs. Burn Bright effects is super niche, so that's the nitpicky portion of me wanting to make an excellent card perfect.

And the second effect mirrors the flavor pretty excellently as well! I think you can simplify the wording, but I think that it brings up the question of what exactly you want this effect to do. I'm not sure right now if you want nonland cards to cost {1} less, OR if they only cost less if both cards exiled this way were nonland cards. If it's the former, you can say "Spells you cast this way cost {1} less to cast." after the second sentence. If it's the latter, you can say "Those spells cost {1} less to cast if two or more nonland cards were exiled this way." I...think? Maybe the "if" should come first, like Bonehoard Dracosaur. That said, I'd also get rid of the second line of FT, and then...yeah! Pretty darn perfect for the sides of the sale that you described: mad rushes and hot deals. Great work.

@feyd-rautha-apologist — The First Empire

I honestly didn't think that something like this could work. Looking at this, the more that I read, the more I'm enjoying it, and the more that I can't help but feel that this would be too much for a premier product but would be excellent for a supplemental product. Possibly, anyway. The mechanics of myth and truth are interesting here. If I follow the myth, then if someone takes the monarchy it's kinda representative of the kingdom being lost forever. If I follow the truth, the empire doesn't have the same permanence as the myth, but the temporary gains may still be impactful. Isn't that just plain cool?

It's still a lot of text, honestly, and I don't know if there would be a cycle of these things, but I imagine there could be a deciding factor between myth and truth that makes a world of these cards quite flavorful and interesting at the same time. What do choices matter when everything is destroyed to dust in the end? Choices matter because one has an effect that lasts forever and one does not. Like, the enduring myth is a fantastic way of going about these two options, and I love that. Monarch and its related abilities, having been a frustration in constructed sixty-card formats before, is probably not coming to standard anytime soon. I want to still highlight this card as an excellent design exercise and a neat boardwipe to boot.

@piccadilly-blue — Time Gentlemen, Please!

You know, as a translation of real-world action and gameplay mood, this one is a lighthearted play that I feel works oddly well. (For those unaware, the name is essentially "Last call" for bartending purposes.) Either everyone vacates, or everyone goes for another round. That's really the gist of it! Mechanically, this card's quite the upper end of control pieces. If this was printed in a premier set, hell, I'd even start investing in control again. Extra turns allow for big finishers like Teferi to lock the game down, but on the aggro receiving end you get to wipe everything away. Boom goes the readiness for Sphinx's Rev (RIP).

And then we get to this notion of comparable MTG in-world mechanics. The mood is so lighthearted, and the effects would be almost ironic compared to what they usually depict. "Yeah, there are two cards in my deck that wipe the board. One depicts the descent of a corrupted god annihilating the innocent—and one's about a bartender kicking folks out 'cause the night's over." And that's, like, not out of the ordinary for the game. Sometimes Naturalize removes the horrors of the Eldrazi, and sometimes it's a broken piece of pottery. Effects like these are a little more grandiose, of course, and I think it's my own preconceived notions of what massive effects 'have to' look like that's the stumbling block. Maybe we're not going to see bar-themed references in the game anytime soon, but as for levity? I'm not too opposed, oddly enough.

And finishing soon, double-prommy. @abelzumi

[dollpiles]

Chippy paints such good spindly arms and limbs. probably one of my favorite artists for eldrazi

(Gomazoa, Consume the Meek, Harmless Assault, Bonehoard, Gitaxian Probe, Spellskite, Order of Yawgmoth, Curtain of Light, Greel's Caress)

[gragam]

my thief mission ranking inpo

great: lord baffords manor, break from cragscleft prison, down in the bonehoard, the sword, the lost city, song of the caverns

ok: assassins, the haunted cathedral, strange bedfellows

conflicted: the mage towers, undercover, return to the cathedral

shit: thieves guild, escape

[ritasanderson]

aren't you supposed to be in the Bonehoard

[crazysodomite]

honestly looking back at it i hate a lot of levels in thief 1 😭 i srtill believe playing through it at least once is required but i dread replaying a LOT of levels

DON'T like: Thieves' Guild The Haunted Cathedral The Lost City Return to the Cathedral Escape! Strange Bedfellows Into the Maw of Chaos

Okay: Down in the Bonehoard The Mage Towers

Like: Lord Bafford's Manor Break from Cragscleft Prison Assassins The Sword Song of the Caverns Undercover

but in the end the good missions are so good that i can tolerate the bad ones

compared to T2

DON'T like: Kidnap Casing the Joint Masks Sabotage at Soulforge

Okay: Trace the Courier Trail of Blood

Like: Running Interference Shipping… and Receiving Framed Ambush! Eavesdropping Life of the Party Precious Cargo

[kynvahlscribbls]

Doodles of Lei and their bonehoarding student.

[mowu-moment]

Mob Rule: Realmbreaker, the Invasion Tree

My name is Mowu, and if there's one thing I hate as much as I hate rules, it's cards. What do you mean someone can play a card and mess with my stuff? We can't let them have any of those, and this hole in the sky that opened up behind me seems to agree. Welcome back to Mob Rule, a blogpost/article series about Rule Zero commanders, a unique(ly bad) deck tech around them, and what legendary creatures to substitute for them if the lawmages get too much on our backs.

Turning of the Handle

Since we've yet to have a colorless Praetor, there are three parts to Realmbreaker we get to focus on: mill, lands, and abilities. Mill is fairly straighforward: put cards in the graveyard. Colorless affords few great options, but enough good ones: Sands of Delirium, Whetstone, and Keening Stone all capitalize on our oodles of mana, while Ghoulcaller's Bell, Altar of the Brood, and Codex Shredder come down early to help our commander get rolling.

Spinning of the Grave

Mill goes hand in hand with graveyard synergies, and similarly has a few good pickings for colorless. A sampling of reanimation with Grimoire of the Dead and Portal to Phyrexia, a taste of big creatures with Bonehoard and Unlicensed Hearse, and a few funnier things like Myr Welder and Dermotaxi. While Realmbreaker takes its share of the lands, these cards pick up the creatures and artifacts that get milled in the process, so nothing is wasted.

Reaping of the Sown

Lands are harder to find additional synergy with, the only standout cards being Blackblade Reforged and Seer's Sundial. However, there are replacements for Realmbreaker should our tree be chopped down: Canoptek Scarab Swarm bombs a graveyard in exchange for a board full of tokens, Mirran Safehouse (ironic, I know) gives us the much of same potential outright taking the lands does, and worst comes to worst, we can twiddle our own thumbs with a Crucible of Worlds (along with a good package of sac-lands).

Spreading of the Tree

The greatest thing about ability copying, like the new Abstruse Archaic, is that it not only applies to our commander, but anything that might come attached to the realms we break (except mana abilities, but things like Inventor's Fair or Maze of Ith are still welcome). We also run some untappers like Voltaic Servant and Manifold Key to spread our infection a few more times each turn.

Staying of the Hand

We're a mill deck, so combat is nowhere near a focus, but we still need a solid package of creatures for the Vehicles and Equipment that we need for the strategy. To make some use of them, we're either taking creature-based removal, like Bladegriff Prototype and Steel Hellkite, or anything that can slow the board down, like Silent Arbiter and Rug of Smothering. If one had the budget, they could opt for a graveyard shuffler like Kozilek, Butcher of Truth, as a failsafe if they mill themselves too much, but we won't do that today.

Replacing of the Commander

This time around, there are very few options for proper commanders as a whole, much less ones that can do anything for the strategy. There are two self-shufflers we could choose, but they won't do much from the command zone. If you want to make a point to your playgroup, I'd go for Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger, as his exile ability resembles mill if you squint, and can make decking an opponent a viable strategy. If they're scared, Hope of Ghirapur works as a board-staller as well as a good body to hold Equipment (even if there's only four).

The full decklist can be found at https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/mob-rule-first-i-break-your-realms/ .

[mechaknight-98]

Gathering Side Story: Bonehoard Dracosaur

Authors note: I'm sorry @okaylikesmomo I'm using your muse for a little bit, but I promise I'll take good care of her. This is probably my most out-there piece and takes my best and (worst traits) as a writer to their logical extremes which works for this specific project so enjoy.

I got a call from Kkura before the mixer. She asked my status on helping with the mixer and I explained to her that Astrid and Emma were “going through a rough patch.” so my status was not currently on priority.

“Ugh ever since she started dating her she's been so annoying.” Sakura Groaned. There was a gap after

“Uh, Kkura Did you need anything else?”

I waited for a moment then heard “Yeah can you babysit Chaewon for a couple of days?”

I pause and think to myself how to respond to this. What would be “tactful” and what would be “appropriate” but ultimately I kept being hung up around the fact that Chaewon was a grown woman. Then I realized maybe I heard wrong,

“Did you mean Eunchae?” I asked patiently

“No I meant Chaewon.” sakura said matter of factly

“Kkura Chaewon is a grown-ass woman,” I responded

“Yes, and you've seen her she so. What does Jen say? Baby coded” Sakura responded

“Kkura I am going to ask this once…why?” I said

“Chaewon will be lonely because we all have schedules and I don't want her alone at the dorm. Don't worry we’ll make you look like staff if privacy is an issue.” Sakura answered

“That's not the… you know what fine. I'll do it but you owe me.” I responded

“I know. See you tomorrow?” sakura said pleasantly. I could almost hear her smug smirk.

The next day was arduous and prolix at work so when I arrived at the fimmies dorm I was drained. When I had finished I made the journey to the Le Sserafim dorm. I arrived at half past noon there time and knocked on the door.

I heard a cute whine of “Who is it?” Before responding “The pizza guy.” The door opened and Chaewon smiled (probably because I brought pizza) and let me in. After I set the food down on the dorm counter Chae held me tight for a solid 5 minutes. Then after breaking the hug smiled and stared at me with those big soft brown eyes, and said “I missed you Sho.”

“Oh, using my middle name are we? I should have never told you that.” I teased.

Chae’s eyes light up with competitive energy. “It’s only us here.” She fired back.

I relented and said, “fair.” Chae’s eyes softened and my heart fluttered with the look she gave as she held me tight.

“I missed you Sho. Why did it take you so long to visit?” Chae asked, and I gave her an honest answer

“I wasn’t invited and I didn’t want things to be awkward between Sakura and I. So I waited for her to reach out.”

Chaewon didn’t like that answer and said, “Why didn’t you ask me what I wanted? We could have hung out like old times!” Her fiery tiger was coming out and if I wasn’t careful she was going to shift on me right here and now.

“Listen palm top tiger if you wanted to hang out you could have called me instead of avoiding me.” Chaewon’s fury didn’t extinguish but was greatly diminished by my statement. Chae scoffed before saying

“You’re lucky you’re so kind.” As she walked away my mind was consumed and confused by that emotional moment. Does Chaewon like me??

Nah there’s no way. I thought to myself as I took my seat next to her. She opens the first pizza box and then turns to me surprised. She happily grabs a slice and takes a bite. Her eyes widened as she said “Mmm so good” before taking another bite

As we eat I ask her about her upcoming comeback. Chae’s eyes light up

“It’s good I’m so glad Fimmes are excited and enjoying the trailers. Also (Chae looks around) don’t tell anyone this but we’re planning a world tour.“

I squinted at Chae then said “I…uh who would I tell. Y’all are pretty much my only friends who would care.” Chaewon laughs and then looks at me with sad eyes.

“Hey, you do film stuff right like Screenwriting maybe my mom could help you get a job out here,” Chae says in a tone that was unfamiliar to me coming from her.

“Okay, Chae if you think it will help I will do it your way.” Chae’s eyes widen in such fervor that she says

“Okay let's visit my mom after we finish eating!” she exclaims

“Wow, there tiger don't you think this is a lot to spring on your mom in one go?”

“No!” Chaewon said flatly. I laughed as she leaned into me as she ate. After she finished her slice she began to sniff me, I turned to her and her eyes flashed red.

“You smell wonderful I bet you taste good too. She said before licking my neck seductively.

*I forgot that Chaewon is a weretiger and that this weekend was a blood moon. So Chae might not be fully composed for the next few days.*

She used her surprising strength and pinned me to one of her dorm walls. Her grin was cute but her energy was ferocious. “You taste so sweet.” she cooed her eyes blood red. She opens her mouth after saying “I want you in my pack.” she bares her fangs as she starts to partially shift. I'm paralyzed by her pheromones, but I know I can't let her turn me because I have no self-control so I try to get her back in control.

“Chae, Chae boundaries,” I say as she nears closer and closer. Before her eyes went back to their normal yellow tiger eyes then to the soft brown. Her eyes stare into mine as she slowly recollects herself.

“So what's going on?” she asked a bit disoriented.

“Oh nothing you just told me you had a crush on me.” I teased.

Chae rolled her eyes and said, “Please you? I'd never, but since you're already close.” as she finished her retort she hugged me again. After that she had me go with her to visit her mom. It was a cold winter day so we both bundled up. Chae as always looked adorable and I got that weird feeling in my heart again. Thankfully for me, the trip to her mom’s house was quick so we weren't in the cold too much. When we arrived her mom was surprised to see me (obviously I'm a random black dude) and joyful to see her daughter.

“Mom!” Chaewon exclaims happily as I follow her in.

“Hey Chae Chae,” Chaewon’s mother said. Chaewon’s mother was smiling brightly till she saw me her smile dimmed slightly. “Who is this?” her mother asked

“Oh this is Percival Showa Carmichael, but I call him Sho. He's my friend who I'm hanging out with this weekend.”

“Um, Chae this weekend is the order Elders’ assembly. You can't “hang out” this weekend.” Chaewon’s mother said. Chaewon’s eyes narrowed then she had to excuse herself as she needed to take a call. Leaving me alone with her mom. When Chaewon leaves her mom’s eyes narrow and she stares at me with furious eyes.

“Why are you here?” she asks coldly. It would have been intimidating if she wasn't tiny like Chae

“As a favor to Sakura mostly but also because I like Chaewon’s company.”

Ran-hee (chaewon’s mom) eyed me maliciously, “Really you're not here looking for a job or any other benefit.”

“Personally no, but your daughter wants me to stay but your daughter came here to ask, and with their being a blood moon. I figured it's best to not give her any issues this weekend. I'm not saying no to anything from her. Going to feed her at regular intervals and make sure she is taken care of this weekend so I'll make it out alive.”

Ran-hee’s eyes flared red as she stared at me, “You know of our condition.” I nod which enraged Ran-hee more somehow. “What's in it for you?”

“Honestly I don't know. I get another favor from Sakura but to be honest I have like 5 of those already and have no idea how to cash in on them.”

Ran-hee looked at me confused then asked, “So you have favors from Sakura, but come to me for help on your account.”

I blinked several times and then said “holy cow you're right. I had been so focused on being a good friend to the Fimmies that I never considered myself in their lives. Especially since Sakura got Connor and Dexter all those Fearless Kkura episodes.”

Ran-hee laughed hearing me go through my thought process before saying, “I see why my daughter talks so highly of you.” now it's my turn to look at her confused

“She's met me 5 times before though”

“Yes, and it was enough to make an impression. She says you're aggressively kind-hearted and an exceptional friend. You are absent-minded though.” Ran-hee proclaims

“Oh yeah, I get that a lot.” I respond “I am a little tired but thank you for the kind words though.”

Ran-hee nods then her tone shifts, “Since you know about my family’s condition I will warn you. She will expect you to go with her to the Elders’ assembly this weekend, and you best watch your back. The other packs may not take as kindly as my daughter’s hand is highly prized.” I nod at her warning. Then I realized the implication.

“Oh uh, Chae and I aren't uh.” I stammered. Ran-Hee laughed at my discomfort like a big catch watching its prey squirm before going in for the kill

“You know you are the first male friend my daughter has brought home singularly,” Ran-hee explained “so she must be comfortable with you. I'm curious what you think about my daughter.” realizing I had been pinned by a woman in Chaewon’s family for the second time today. I stayed silent in hopes of avoiding saying something silly but Chaewon's mom’s gaze was unrelenting. Thankfully as I was about to break Chae walked in.

“Oh, Chae your friend Sho was just telling me how he'd be happy to go with you to the Elders’ assembly.” Chae’s eyes grow bigger than I've ever seen and hugs me.

“Thank you,” Chae repeats while hugging me.

I see Chae’s mom shoot me a teasing smile before she mouths “Good luck” I loosen up in Chaewon’s grip. She in return hugs me tighter.

“So Chae what caused your visit?”

“Oh, Chae Chae you mentioned you had something to ask me before you left what was it,” Ran-hee said as I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, I was wondering if you knew anyone looking for a cameraman because Sho is looking so he can stay in Korea.” the two ladies began speaking in Korean faster than I could understand so I just stood there as Chaewon’s sapient teddy bear listening to the sounds of their voices. After Chae and I left back to her dorm. When we arrive she changes back into a crop top and sweatpants, I sit on the couch while she does this. When she finishes she walks back into the dorm living room. Her eyes are lidded as she approaches. Her pheromones are overwhelming as she sits next to me.

“Hey Chae is everything alright I ask.”

Chae smiles, “You're so sweet caring so much for me.” as she speaks her eyes flicker between a vibrant gold and a vibrant red. “You've been so supportive,” Chae adds as she begins to cling to my body as she does she looks up at my eyes.

“Hey Sho what happened to your eye,” Chae asked. She was the first to ask about it since it happened.

“Um remember that military sans frontier liberates situation a few years ago.”?”

“Yeah, some mercenaries took over California and turned it into a militant war state, but were defeated by a group of guerilla fighters who….oh my God you were a Guerilla fighter!” Chaewon concluded.

“Kind of.” I responded Chae scowled, “What do you mean kind of?”

“Well, I found the Phi Codex Nanite and pushed both Militias out of My home.

“Wait so you're not a nexo?”Chaewon asked

“Nope… I lie because no one believes me when I tell them the truth.” I explained

“But I believe you,” Chaewon said nestling closer

“Well you're the first,” I answered

Chaewon stopped getting closer when our heads touched. She smelled sweet like fruit. Her eyes locked with mine.

“Well, why would you lie? About that.” Chae asked. I nodded at Chae who smiled at me. Her eyes were bright red. She moved in closer. Any closer and we'd be kissing.

“Chae you're close,” I said

“I know but you're not telling me to move.” Chae chides

“Chae. I…” I stammered

“Can you stop thinking for a moment and just feel? I know you “turned your heart off but tell me what do you feel right now?” Chaewon said. Her pheromones overwhelmed me and I kissed her all my rational thoughts were gone. Chaewon returned the kiss with even more fervor. Her fire was only rising as she intensified the kiss. When she broke it a trail of saliva connected us. Chaewon licked her lips before saying “You're mine now.” she said with lidded crimson eyes and then her eyes went back to normal well the regular gold then brown, but her pheromones still bathed the entire room so I was panting as she broke from the kiss.

“Oh, Sho what's going on your breathing is so heavy. Still not fully recovered I kissed Chaewon again. She yelped in surprise this time before pushing me off.

“You what the heck dude, you can't just kiss me like that,” Chaewon yelled. As her pheromones dissipated I responded

“Chae you have been blasting me with mating pheromones for the past few hours.”

Chae rolled her eyes until she sniffed the air and then said “Oh god is that why it smells like…oh that's me.” she said as realization hit her. She looked at me ashamed. “I am so sorry I have been having “episodes”

“Of you blacking out and waking up moments later.” I finished

“Wait how did you know,” she asked

“Chae you're a true alpha,” I say

“No that's just a myth. I'm just a new omega variant” she said meekly

“No Chae. You are a true alpha.” I explain

“But then why do I have all the pheromones and abilities of others…”Chae started

I stopped her before she could get going then interjected “Chae I know it may seem far-fetched but can I ask that you trust me on this.”

“Okay fine. So what do we do now?” Chae asked

“Well, what do you want to do?” I asked Chae

“Can you keep it a secret during the assembly?” I nod but something is bothering me about our dynamic

“Hey, Chae do you have romantic feelings for me?”

“What no why would you think that we are friends,” Chae said stammering

“Chae” I repeated

Chaewon looked at me with misty-eyed tears beginning to well within her big brown eyes which made me feel guilty, “No I don't besides how can I feel any kind of way when you had feelings for Kkura, plus you're never around anymore.”

“Chaewon!” I exclaimed firmly which caused her to yelp and then break down into tears.

“Why did you have to have a crush on Sakura? why wasn't I good enough? Why did you leave me?” Chaewon pestered me with questions as the tears began flowing. She also began hitting me but they weren't hard. I wrap my arms around Chaewon. I hold her tight as she sobs. Something about this felt familiar, but I couldn't place it.

I look down into her big brown eyes. I hold her face softly then kiss her again. This one is certainly less aggressive the the pheromone-fueled one earlier and hopefully established how I felt about her. When our eyes opened and we broke this kiss she looked at me startled and then she regained composure.

“What's wrong?” I asked

“Nothing thought I saw something but probably just a trick of the light,” Chaewon answered putting me at ease.

I nodded and then asked her if she still wanted to date so there was no confusion about how I felt or where I stood whatsoever. Chae smiles and then nods quickly. I smile back we stand there awkwardly in this hug trying to figure out what to do next for a few minutes as I didn't expect this to happen. Eventually, we just sat down and cuddled. I know Skinship was a huge thing for Chaewon and Sakura so I let her indulge to the fullest. Thankfully she wasn't pheromone blasting me so nothing escalated

“Hey, whatever happened between you and Ahin? You went to that party with her, and we heard nothing else.

“Oh right, I forgot to tell y'all. She was dating the CEO of the company she models for.” I explained and Chaewon nodded “She just wanted to let her friend Kim Lip have a +1 for the party.” I added

Chaewon gave me a confused look“So what happened between you and her ?”

“Literally nothing. I tried to make sure she had a good time but the language barrier was a bit of an issue.” I answered along with a shrug.

“Yeah, you're Korean needs work.” Chaewon said smiling, “But it's okay though. I'll help you learn it in no time.” Chaewon smiled

A little while later we both fell asleep together on her dorm’s couch I woke up to a sudden gasp by Chae

“We should build a pair of two-headed giant commander decks,” she said,

I squinted “Chae that's the nerdiest and dorkiest thing you've ever said. Of course, let's do it.”I said as I watched Chae’s face turn from sad and defeated to jubilant and joyful.

“Okay let's start with themes. Do you have any ideas that aren't in the color combinations of Naya, Esper, Jund, Sultai, Jeskai, Mardu, and Abzan Grixis?”

“So you want complimentary Bant and Temur decks?”

“Yes.”

“Well, there are limited themes I could come up with; creature combo, creature feature, and Voltron maybe are what comes to mind. What did you have in mind, any commander preference?” I ask Chae

“What's Creature feature?” Chae asked confused.

“Creature feature is a deck centered around mainly one Creature type or subtype that is structured around the synergies of said creatures. Originally it was called “tribal” but that was deemed an obsolete term so they call it something else I'm just going to call it creature feature as that's easier to explain than having to go over the discussion which is the popular term now. ”

“Okay but how did you come up with the name “creature feature”” Chaewon asked curiously

“Well, love (Chaewon rolled her eyes at that sarcastically) around the 1950s or so there were these films in the US that were typically horror films centered around one Creature. These films were usually feature length so the Genre became known as Creature Features. I think it gets the principle across and rolls off the tongue a lot better than Typal Kindred or whatever the new term is.” I said

“Creature Feature. I like it” Chaewon said Smiling. I gave her a thumbs up and Chae lit up excitedly and then said, “Yeah let's do that.” I nod then get to work. I start building a dinosaur deck which Chae laughs at.

“So now we’ll have two dinosaur decks in the mix.”

“Let me guess Dexter is running the other?”

“You got it,” Chaewon said with a smile as we spent the rest of the day testing and adjusting to make sure our decks were a well-oiled machine together. She built Rigo Streetwise Mentor, and I built Owen and Blue. Surprisingly the decks worked well together. Mostly the support pieces but turns out my putting in last March of the ents and Ghalta stampede tyrant was also a big boon to her. Her big walls gave me the resources needed to have some truly explosive turns. She also loved my flicker shenanigans which helped her consistently push ahead since a bunch of jet creatures had impressive etbs. In the end, Chaewon smiled and then said, “Woo finally done.” I nodded and went back to the pizza that was still there

“Mm mashta,” Chaewon said as we finished the rest of the food and snacks. As we finished Chae got up and beckoned for me to follow. She pulled me into a comfortable hug (even though I was taller) and she said, “You know tomorrow you're going to have to fight in our rituals right?” I nod. Chae looks up at me and then says. I know it will be difficult but can you try not to hurt anyone?” I nodded and Chaewon smiled. After that, we got ready for the night. Chaewon insisted I sleep in her bed with her but also on “no funny business.”

“Well then don't Pheromone bomb me and we won't have issues.” I teased. Chaewon hit me lightly and said, “Yeah no teasing.” I nod and spoon her to sleep. I dream I was a dinosaur being chased by a large pale bear, and when the bear caught me it said

“You need to remember” but before I could do anything else I woke up to Chaewon ruffling up my hair.

“You ready?” she asked with a vibrant smile. I nod. As we got ready the other Fimmies entered the room. All but Kazuha were surprised to see me. Kazuha was the first. She walked in and said our greetings before she left. She asked me to keep Chaewon on time which I was more than happy to do. Next was Eunchae who needed eyeliner from Chaewon’s room. I handed it to her which caused her to yelp in surprise.

“Civy Oppa,” Eunchae said perplexed. I gave a silent wave. Which caused her to smile Mischeviously

“Unnie did you and Oppa…” Eunchae asked before trailing off. She didn’t say anything but the implication was there.

“Yah Manchae!” Chaewon yelled which caused the other Fimmies who hadn’t already been in the dorm to enter.

“Oppa?” Yunjin said as she came in. Sakura was the last to come in she saw me and then said “What?” After that Chaewon had me get in the shower while she explained everything to her members afterwards Sakura and Yunjin cornered me before leaving

“Oppa why did you kiss Chaewon yesterday?” Sakura asked

“The first time or the second time or the third time?” I asked.

“The first time duh,” Yunjin asked

“Because Chae has no control over her pheromones and she had to blast me with them throughout the day, but if you’re worried about that being the only reason it’s not. She asked me why I didn’t choose her when I first met you all. So I asked if she even still wanted to date me. She said yes. So I chose her.”

“Percival!” Sakura exclaimed. I knew it was serious because she made the effort to say my first name. “You can’t just go playing with her heart like that.”

“What?”

“You can’t be this dumb with how smart you are. you can’t use your Chae to get to me.” Sakura said. I was taken aback by that response so me having a response to that was not easy.

“I uh what?”

“Don’t try to deny it you haven’t reached out in almost 8 months and you magically want to date Chaewon now?”

“Um, Sakura what was the last message I texted you?” I asked

“That you needed time and space to work on yourself,” Sakura answered

I groaned and reached to my phone to see if I still had the messages. I did and handed my phone to Sakura

“Dear Kkura I’m good let’s hang out again sent October 27”

Yunjin looked at me and then at Sakura. “Um, Unnie why didn’t you tell us this?” She said confused

“I never got this message,” Sakura said confused

“Well, I hope I’m in the clear because we built matching decks for two-headed dragon. I’m committed to Chaewon now.” I replied to which Yunjin laughed and replied

“That’s so cute.” I gave Yunjin the thumbs up as she smiled. Chaewon eventually finds me and asks what we are talking about.

I grab her tight in a hug before saying, “Oh just telling them about our new decks.” Chaewon pouted before hitting me.

“Babe it’s supposed to be a secret.” She whined. I smiled

“Look honey it will be fine they don’t know anything else except that we built new decks.”

“Okay but no more saying anything else. Got it?”

“Of course love.”

With that weird situation over we left the dorm to meet up with Dexter and Connor. After that, we all arrived at the assembly location. It was a place on Jeju Island that was separate from public access so it would be quiet. Hopefully.

I open the door to the assembly for my friends which draws a lot of looks from them.

“That door can only be opened via the aura of a were person. how did you do that?” Dexter asked.

I shrugged and gestured for everyone to get inside.

As we walk in I see some familiar faces. Well familiar in that I've seen them on a screen it's all of Izone. I watch as both Chae and Sakura squeal before running to their friends. I smile until I hear an oddly familiar voice say “Showa?”

I turn to see Donna and several memories (many of them painful) flood back into my skull

“You did this to me!” I yell as my blood starts to boil and I take a step toward her. flames begin to burn holes in my clothes

“Turned me then left me to die,” I yelled as I took another step. The left side of my face began to bubble pop as my skin began melting off.

“They made me a monster hybridizing me with everything they could find.” another step as my bone extended outside of my regular skin and was replaced with new molten flesh.

“That wasn't even the worst part. they made me hunt others and kill and kill and kill.” my voice trailed off as my skin melted off in molten sludge and then the rest of my human body exploded like a volcano leaving my Dinosaur Dragon form

“Look at what they made me. Look at what you made me!” I growled as the air burned around me. Donna looked at me in terror. Before I could move 7 elders came in front of me

“Halt!” one demanded

“What pack are you with? Who is your alpha?” another asked. I chuckled and turned my head a full 108 down

“My Alpha is right there,” I said pointing to Donna however before I could announce that I didn't have a pack another familiar voice said,

“Stand down he's with me.” every turn around another” Donna approached. I knew this Donna as my boss Voruna.

the elders stood down and one of them said to Voruna, “You'd better keep your beta on a short leash.”

Voruna turned to the Elder and pointed to me, “You see his eyes. Do those look like the eyes of a beta to you?” she said coldly. “Don't forget your place I am still a primarch,” Voruna says. She then turns to me and chuckles. “I'm surprised to see you here Caliban, but it's good that you're here I need your help. So shift back.” Voruna says swiftly. My anger dissipates into the emotional equivalent of a groan. I shift back and turn back to my friends who were looking at me shocked, “Sorry guys duty calls.” I say as I follow her. Chaewon however wasn't pleased with that answer and ran to me.

“Wait Sho (rats she called me that in public) what just happened there?” She said standing in between Corina and I

“Chae it's a very long story.”

“Then shorten it,” Chaewon said unmoving her eyes went red and her pheromones began to flow. These weren't mating ones, however, but submission ones.

“Chae I.” I stammered as the Alpha in me was beginning to come out again at being challenged by a “lesser one, but my heart wanted to talk to her.

“Sorry Mrs Kim I need your boyfriend for a moment I promise I'll give him back to you, and I am in a bit of a hurry.”

Chaewon stood firm, a glimpse of her back to her Izone days as one of the tough-as-nails makes.

“Oh not intimidated? I like it. Okay, I'll throw you a proverbial bone. My sister Donna turned you boyfriend because he would become an ancient. However, before she could welcome him to the circle The Machinist found him. They had him do some very bad things without his consent, but thankfully it was to some very bad people. However, having an ancient unaccounted for was still a mess. A mess my sister made of course but being the kind older sister I am I found him and cleaned him up. Now I need to properly “pack him” As you can see he is an Alpha with no pack.” Chaewon’s eyes widened but she relented on the condition she could come with. Which led to everyone following. Voruna groaned but let everyone follow. Eventually, we came to an Alpha-only meeting. So everyone who wasn't an alpha had to hang back due to the “charm” on the outside. So needless to say Chae got a few stares when she galavanted in with me.

I get stares on the back end when we enter the meeting. I see Karina talking to a guy I don't recognize but they seem friendly. They approach Chae and I (Voruna left to ameliorate some other issues )

“Hi, Daewon. Hi Karina.” Chaewon says as they walk over

“Chae?” Karina says surprised Chaewon nods proudly

The two of them start speaking Korean faster than I can keep up. Daewon approaches me skeptically and says “So you Voruna’s newest clean-up project.” I shrug.

“You're pretty nonchalant for someone who almost everyone is going to be gunning for. I mean going after Chaewon whose alpha abilities despite being an omega make her highly sought after and being Voruna’s lapdog. Everyone is going to be itching to face you in the rituals.” Daewon says

I yawned disinterested and said, “Look boss I know you mean well but I'd just like to put some things into perspective. 1.) Okay so everyone gunning for me, as far as I can tell I'm the only ancient. 2.) I am used to fighting apexes no one else here has probably even seen one. 3.) I've been fighting alone for so long against impossible odds what's another set of em” Dawson smiled then said,

“I like you I hope you win. We need more revolutionary Alphas.” taken aback not expecting to agree with Daewon goes back to Karina when she says,

“Oh honey the meetings are about to start.” as the two of them walk away I point to Karina and Daewon

“Fiancee” she mouths. I nod in understanding. The meeting starts and I can feel all of the hostile eyes on me. I felt isolated Alone like when I was taken by the machinists. I was merely an object of malignant interest to these people. As my rage began to swell I felt a hand forcibly open mine and grip it. I look over to see Chaewon biting her nails nervously. She looked to me for security so I had to push my rage down and offer encouragement. I caressed her hand and Chaewon’s distressed frown became a hopeful smile.

“First order of business. We have a new Alpha to introduce today.” Voruna says. Which causes me to snap my attention to the center of the hall.

“Caliban why don't you introduce yourself to the council of Elders?”

I nod and say, “Hello My name is Percival Showa Anderson. I'm from California…” before I could say anything else a fist slammed on the table from one of the elders

“Why are we acknowledging this monster.” the elder said. I tried to hide my smirk. I reveled in being called that because if I was feared as a monster they'd be less courageous in facing me, and cowards often roamed in packs.

“Ask Donna she turned me,” I reply all eyes turn to the Daylight Primarch.

“Why Donna?” the same elder who's challenged me twice before asked.

“Because I saw he was going to be an ancient and we needed the power. I never expected that any of what happened would.” I look into the eyes of the daylight primarch and surprisingly see remorse and sadness. I swallowed hard as maybe I was too harsh on her earlier. I softened the menacing aura I brought into this and eased my mind. Leaning into Chaewon I smile at her and she does the same back. I can tell she's worried

“Don't worry it will be fine,” I say.