Blake Burnhame 1: 1
It's kind of a boring intro but I really hate my boss for forcing me to do one last project when I clearly resigned from his company. I couldn't clean this up properly cuz of that :<
**Chapter 1:**
**[WP] The child should not have existed. Their existence violated every law of magic and science known to humanity, gods, and devils. Yet...the child still existed.**
“You should never have been created” An exhausted Carlyle Burnhame muttered to herself as she settled down on her bedding. She heaved a heavy sigh while looking down at the swell of her stomach. She befell a tragedy a woman her age should not have. The babe in her stomach was growing. The father who so persistently courted her just a few months back was nowhere to be seen.
Her parents shunned her from their household once they knew of the affair. She was fortunate enough that her friend cared enough to allow her to stay with her and her family. It just seemed like heaven and hell collapsed as soon as it was made known that she was with a child.
A disgrace, she was called. A failure of a daughter. She was supposed to be wed to the richest man in their small town, but now.. A life of comfort seemed like an impossible dream for her.
A lone tear fell as she again reminisced on the events that brought her to sit alone in bed. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She was supposed to be happy with her beloved noble yet after everything, he was nowhere to be seen. She waited and waited, hoping that one day, he would return. Yet she was in her last few months of gestation but still nothing.
She was losing hope but she still tried to put a smile on her lips when she was out in town with the friend that helped her out. She still forced a smile when they sold their flowers and vegetables out on the street.
She was brought out of her thoughts when a sharp pain seemed to pierce her lower abdomen. At first, she thought nothing of it, that was until the pain became. It made Carlyle scream at the top of her lungs, and in a matter of minutes, her friend, Jeane, came rushing to her side. One look, and she already knew what was going on.
No time was wasted, her family immediately called for the local midwife who seemed to take much longer than they all anticipated. The pain Carlyle was going through was becoming too overbearing. Had it not been for the frequency of the pain, she would have long fainted.
A few more moments and the midwife was still not there so she had to take matters into her own hands. When the urge to push came, that she did. After her struggles, the shrill cries of a babe filled the room. Jeane was panicked by what to do, yet she knew that the child at least needed to be swaddled in cloth. She took a peek at the child
“It’s a boy, Carlyle!” Jeane could only exclaim but Carlyle had already lost to exhaustion. She was already sound asleep. “Very well, you will see this child in the morning
The midwife handled the cleaning and the changing as soon as she arrived. The child was bathed and was placed in the bed Jeane’s family had given them.
When morning came, Carlyle tried to pay no heed to the crying child. She wanted to pretend that after nine months, nothing had happened since the swell was gone, but that proved an impossible task. Since the child was born, she wasn’t even given the freedom to go out either. Each time she would set foot outside the house, she was asked why she was even out or what about the child.
Yes, she was fed, she was tended to. Everything she could ever need, Jeane’s family provided to the best of their abilities. It came to the point that it was just overbearing. She started to hate everything, everyone, especially the child. Yet she had no choice but to feed him, care for him, else Jeane’s family would look down upon her. Oh how she wanted to run away, but where would she go.
The question remains: How would she ever escape the hell brought upon her? To make matters worse, she always felt as though there was something off about the child. It always seemed as though this child she named Blake, always had a different aura compared to everyone else. Or perhaps, it was just that she really thought badly of her own child.
Nonetheless, she continued to watch over the child for the sake of not being scolded, but she did nothing more. When Blake was old enough, she left him to his own devices whereas she tried to continue on with her life before her tragedy. She tried to find a way to be away from Blake as much as she could.
In turn, Blake basically grew up without a mother. He had one… but it didn’t feel like she was there. She would be there, only when she got irritated with him, when he would cry about the things he saw, when he was telling her about what was happening around their house.
“Stop being so strange!” Was what his mother would tell him as she ‘disciplined’ him at night, but he was certain that the things he saw were far from make-believe. By the age of 9, he was certain that they were after him.
Each time he set foot outside the house, strange stares would fall on him yet there was nobody there. It was always just a feeling yet it scared him. Each day that passed, the burning feeling seemed to grow more and more ominous. It made him more nervous to even set foot outside. He had no choice at times though. It was always the choice of being beaten by his mother or just accepting those strange feelings he would get.
Can I go out?
Image inspired prompt, actually >w< I loved how my drawing came out so I thought of using it here. Enjoy the art and the chills! Set this to during the bubonic plague, but it still kind of applies today XD
It had been months since Knox had last set foot outside their house. The world was at its end was what the adults kept repeating. For a 5-year child like himself, he never really understood what they had meant by that. All he knew was that each time he would peep out the window, he would see masked figures walking down the street.
Their destination? He wasn’t sure. Yet he was just dying to have even just a few minutes in the nearby park. It would be the only thing he could ever ask for, at that point.
It was by his sixth month locked up inside, that he started asking his dear mother if he could go out even for a while.
Yet his mother bluntly said “No, it’s too dangerous to go outside”
Even when he wore the mask his father used when he went outside, his mother’s answer would remain a flat no. Not a day would pass that he would not ask, and not a day would pass that his mother would tell him to shut it or to just go back to his room.
7 months passed, 8… then a year, yet it didn’t seem like he would ever get to go outside.
On one particular night, when his parents drank themselves silly during his father’s birthday, he found a chance to sneak out. He passed by the front door since both his parents were too occupied in the kitchen to even notice him. He made his way down the street. For the first time in months, he could feel the cool, crisp autumn breeze brush against his skin.
“I wonder why mum never let me out, it seems just fine” Was what he thought aloud as he excitedly skipped towards the park. It was just way too exciting to finally be back out again. He was even humming a tune to himself as he walked.
When he finally arrived, the park was empty. It was a contrast to the last time he saw the park, which was bustling with people, pets, and children. He even questioned if it was the same park he used to play in. Yet right now wasn’t the time to be complaining. As quickly as he could, he headed straight for the playground and took his time on the swings, slides, and even in the sandbox. His last stop before he went home was supposed to be the snake tunnel that had a slide inside but upon entering, he had stepped on something soft, something similar to that of flesh.
He stepped again, but this time, a pained groan came along with it. When he tried to take a closer look, he was then greeted with a crazed look by this man he had stepped on just moments ago.
“Why are you out with no mask!!!” The man exclaimed as he grabbed Knox by the arm. He shook him frantically, all while asking him repeatedly why Knox wore no mask.
Knox was close to tears now, yet no matter how much he cried and asked for help, none came to his aid. His only escape was to struggle, and struggle he did. He tried wriggling out of the man’s hold, and in a few shakes he was free, and they were both forced out of the tunnel.
He honestly wished he never went in that snake tunnel, to begin with. For the first time since he encountered this crazy man, he finally got a clear view of him.
His face was… there was… his skin was black. And boils grew from his face and on some parts of his body. Blood dripped from the corner of his lips, and some parts of his face and body that seemed to be rotting. Knox could only scream out and rush back home.
When he returned, he was fortunate that his parents had already passed out on the kitchen floor. He wouldn’t need to think of an excuse as to why he was out, nor where he had gone. He just rushed back to bed and tried his best to manage a good night’s rest.
For the next few days, he had started feeling under the weather. His energy seemed to be lost, so was his appetite. After a week since he went out, he started to notice boils covering his body. Some parts of his skin started turning black. It scared him. As soon as boils started to grow on his face, he started wearing his father’s mask again, yet instead of asking his mother to go out, he just stood as far away from them as possible.
He would always stand in the furthest corner of his room where he knew nobody would reach him.
The changes in his actions started to scare his parents. And as the days passed, his mother tried coaxing him out of his room. Every attempt failed.
Her last resort finally hit her when she saw him with the mask on.
“Knox, would you like to have a quick trip outside?” When his mother mentioned going outside, he stiffened and immediately shook his head.
“Come on, Knox. I’d appreciate it if you went out of your room” Again, his mother was nearing him now. And he could see that she was getting fairly irritated with how he was backing up into the corner.
“For the last time, Knox. Tell mummy what’s wrong with you” She was growing impatient now. Her tone was raised and she was at arm's length from him.
“Get that ridiculous mask off if you don’t want to then”
Again, he shook his head and held on tightly to the mask’s edges “Mummy no- I’m sorry…”
“What are you going on about?” It was the last draw for her. With an irritated mind, she quickly pulled the mask off but she had wished she never did. Her son’s was covered in boils, some of them got scrapped when she pulled off the mask so abruptly, causing pus to ooze out of those boils.
“I’m sorry, mummy… I went outside because you wouldn’t let me” He was sniffling, almost sobbing as he tried to approach his mother who was frozen in place “Mummy… It hurts”
“Get away from me!” She said with a shrill cry as she ran out of his room, making sure to lock it the moment she was freed.
From behind the door, she could hear him sobbing and pounding on the door.
“Mummy… I’m sorry!” No amount of begging helped. He was locked in there for days, just begging and knocking until he lost all his strength. He perished in that very room. In that very house.
Yet trespassers and people who eventually replaced the family that lived there would often make reports talking about a masked child that sobbed silently in the corner.
The thing with humans
Okie, I told myself I would be continuing my untitled series… but I still don’t have any idea how to continue it. Maybe I’ll figure something out tomorrow. But for now, I just want to get an idea out of my head 😅😅😅
**[WP] "Why did you think we would do such... horrible things... to your kind?" "It's what we would've done if the tables were turned." "But we are not like you." "I know." "And that is why you fear and hate us." "Yes."**
It wasn’t unusual to read about things where aliens and monsters would be taken to some secret facility that only the government knew. It also wasn’t unusual to find papers and journals reporting their anatomical findings on a new species.
In recent years, the humans became more and more curious about anything that caught their eyes. Yet anything that comes off as strange automatically becomes a threat. The way the human mind worked was more twisted than any creature I’ve ever encountered before.
And I doubt any research on the mind would ever unearth what nonsense was buried in their thoughts. For hundreds of years, I’ve watched over them through the shadows of the forests. I have kept many of their secrets. I have seen men turn against men, and I have seen men trying to take their own lives in my forest. I have seen numerous lost souls wander through my home, and I have guided them back to their families.
Sometimes I tried to introduce myself but they would always start running as soon as they felt my presence. But this one particular boy didn’t flee.
He was one of the village people that always explored the forests. And I suppose my presence became a way to children as the years passed. I wondered what went into this child’s head to even think about seeking my presence. Yet, for some strange reason, he still did.
Each day, he would call out to the “spirit of the forest” Which I presumed was me. And each day, he would walk home disappointed. I had initially thought to keep my presence hidden until the child gave up, but I had given it some thought. And I figured that it wouldn’t be so bad to give the kid what he wanted. I wasn’t sure when the next curious human would ever come my way, either. Little by little, I started to make branches and plants move. I tried to pave a path for him to follow so that when I made my figure shown, the child wouldn’t be so frightened.
Fortunately, the human boy followed as I led him to the riverside, there I took the form of a tree. I uprooted it and gave the small tree features similar to man. Although it wasn’t quite like it, I gained a body, even just for that day.
“You’re… the guardian of the forest…?” He looked frightened despite the fact that he was looking for me
“I am. Why do you look for me, human?” Slowly, I approached him, but with each advance I took, he took a step back until he stumbled on his feet
“I- I didn’t think--” The child stuttered while he struggled to get back on his feet “Please don’t hurt me and eat me!” He was pleading as tears started forming in his eyes
“Eat you? Why would I eat you?”
He looked at me incredulously upon hearing my question “Don’t monsters and guardians eat and play with humans?”
"Why did you think we would do such... horrible things... to your kind?" I looked at him curiously as I helped him get back on his feet.
This time he didn’t shy back from me, and instead, he looked at me directly in the eyes “It's what we would've done if the tables were turned. Actually, we do that to anything unusual..."
"But we are not like you."
"I know." He looked apologetic while he took a seat on the grass
"And is that why you fear and hate us? My kind?"
"Yes." He responded with a firm nod yet this time, when I sat beside him, he did not flinch nor take any action to avoid me “Our kind has prosecuted monsters and other creatures all this time out of fear, yet talking to you now. I question why there was fear to begin with” He was almost laughing at his train of thoughts
“Humans are strange creatures” I simply said, before I gave his head a few light pats with the branches I had for arms
“I would agree” He said with a chuckle while fixing his hair “Will you let me visit you again tomorrow?”
I gave a nod in affirmation then we spent the rest of the day talking about things. It was refreshing to actually talk to a human instead of being feared. I was even welcomed to guide him back to the edge of the forest.
The very next day, I was thrilled to be seeing this boy again, yet when the boy came into view, I saw that he wasn’t alone. Beside him were two adult figures that held onto him tightly.
“Where is the guardian” They demanded while squeezing his arms more.
The child was shaking in fear, he was tearing up yet the two men didn’t even seem phased by it. I knew it was against his will so I made my presence known.
“Let the child go. What has he ever done to you”
At the sight of me, both men grinned wickedly and let the child go
“I’m sorry- I told my parents and word got out and-” The child was a sobbing mess as he clung to me “They were going to hurt my family if I didn’t take them”
“I understand, young one” I hushed him and soothed his back with my branches “I will go with these humans. I already know what they want to do with me”
The boy shook his head more and clung much tighter than before. It was saddening to have such a sight before me, but to keep the only human friend I have ever made safe, I had to tie him up in vines so that he would not stop me. Once that was done, I went with the other humans who apparently had a vehicle waiting just outside the forest.
I had never known pain until I heard the fading cries of that boy who was still struggling to get out of his restraints. I apologize, my friend. I will make sure my spirit finds its way back to you.
Dream-catching spiders
**[WP] We always used to think that dreamcatchers were modeled after spider webs. It turns out, it was made that way for a reason. As the spider population declines, humanity is starting to see the effects of fewer and fewer natural dreamcatchers.**
“All the kids have nightmares these days” Was what the old man that lived across the street said when we once stopped by his house.
He was a crazy one, or so the entire town said. Everyone told us to stay away and just leave him alone. They said his house was infested with pests and that we would end up getting cursed just like what happened to his family who suddenly perished one day.
My family just moved into that town recently. We weren’t even sure if the rumors were true or not but we all did agree that the man they kept talking about was odd. On our first day in town, he came to greet us and even gave each of us a dream catcher.
It shouldn’t be odd, yes. But what bothered me was how those dream catchers were made. Or rather, what it was made of. It wasn’t thread, that was for sure. It was sticky and just looking at it gave me the creeps. I still kept it, either way. And hung it over the window of what would be my new room. My mother and my older sister, on the other hand… They threw theirs away.
It was strange to admit that since we moved into that house, I’ve never slept so peacefully in my life. I often had nightmares when we still lived in the city. I always thought they would haunt me even here but despite the fact that there was a creepy house just across the street, and that spiders were a regular visitor in our household, it wasn’t such a bad place to live in. Maybe the people in town just overreacted.
A week after we moved in, I decided to pay our neighbor a visit. I knocked on his front door a few times and in a matter of minutes, he was there. He greeted me with a hello but what caught my eye was the spider that was perched on his shoulder.
“What brought you here, neighbor?” He asked as he invited me inside.
“I… just wanted to thank you for the dream catchers,” I said with what smile I could manage. I made my way into his house and what struck me the most was the number of spiders that freely roamed his house. It gave me the creeps but I chose not to ask.
“You’re welcome. Do you want some cocoa?” He gestured to his own cup which he said also had cocoa.
I answered with a nod and he poured some for me. We walked to his back porch which looked much cleaner compared to the inside of his house.
He gazed out blankly as he sipped his cocoa “Is the dream catcher working for ya?”
“It is, I haven’t had such good nights when we lived in the city”
“There’s barely any spiders in the city, boy. That’s why people are all having nightmares there” He muttered bluntly
“What does a spider have to do with nightmares?” I asked curiously before I took a sip of the cocoa
“Have you ever wondered why dreamcatchers are like spider webs?”
I slowly shook my head. The realization finally hit me. I always thought it was curious, the shape of those dream catchers.
“Spiders don’t just eat pests, boy. They’re also protectors. Dunno when people thought they were pests too but they’re harmless creatures” He reached to his shoulder to get the spider onto his hand. “They’ve been protecting us for hundreds of years now”
For a while, I just sat there and thought about the things we talked about. It may have been one of the strangest things I’ve ever talked about with a complete stranger but it made sense to me.
When I returned home, that evening, I came home to an extremely worried family. They warned me not to go back to that house again but I still did.
Word around town got out that I was being brainwashed and that I would be his next victim. The town’s people knew nothing. It wasn’t him, now the spiders who killed his family. It was the nightmares that consumed them. Nightmares came true. The town was just fortunate that he was trying to create as many dreamcatchers as he could with the spiders’ help.
The town thought otherwise. On one night, the town went into a frenzy. They all rushed to our neighbor’s home when they found spiders in their homes. They thought it was his doing. They burned his house down. And even went so far as to hurt him. That very night, as the town’s people slept, each of them kept waking up to nightmares.
Days passed and people started to dear sleeping. Their nightmares grew more terrifying than the last. At some point, they couldn’t even differentiate their nightmares from reality. The town was thrown into utter chaos. Even my family did. They all tried desperately to look for the man but he was nowhere to be found. Only I knew where he would be found. But I would never tell them where he was. They could all have nightmares for all I cared, as long as I could continue my peaceful nights, the world might as well fall into chaos for all I cared.
Hoping this would help me get a replacement phone cuz bank transactions won't process because it's holy week here so everything is basically on pause
I can be your cat
I have no energy to write action because all the action part of my writing capabilities is going into this novel project for work so the untitled piece is gonna have to wait again ;;-;;
Kuro! Kuuurrooo!” It was getting late and I still couldn’t find that cat. He usually doesn’t run off this late for no reason. I was at the park when I heard a meow that sounded like him when he was crying. But as I was about to go closer, I heard a female voice and he immediately hushed.
“What’s wrong, Kuro?”
I hid in the bushes and found that a teenage girl, around my age, was by his side, inspecting him and what seems like an injury.
“Did you hurt yourself today?”
I watched her lean down and get some things from her bag. She took out a small first aid bag and pulled out some antiseptics, bandages, and a pair of scissors
“You better be careful next time. I’m not always gonna be here to check up on you” Despite her scolding, she seemed pretty happy to see Kuro
“You know? Today was so boring. I wanted to go see you right away”
I wasn’t sure why she talked to Kuro like he was her friend, yet I found myself more interested in listening in on their conversation. Although it was her doing all the talking while Kuro would just meow as if he had something to say, but it was amusing. Kuro never responded to me like that when I was talking to him. Maybe he did have a favorite even when I’m his owner.
For the next few days, I just spent the afternoons listening in on their conversation. I wasn’t a creep or anything, it just so happened that I enjoyed seeing Kuro being this affectionate towards someone but not me. I also enjoyed listening to her talk. It was all such trivial things yet when she’s the one talking about those things, it just amused me that she could get flustered even when she was just talking to a cat. The best part of watching them though was the food she would leave behind. They were meant for Kuro, yes. But she always left too much that I kind of... Take a bite out of them sometimes. I could tell she lived alone because of how well she cooked. And of course, her stories.
---
I took Kuro to the vet. He needed his shots and after that, he got pretty weak that he just stayed in his bed and slept the whole day. I was thinking about his new friend so I decided to go to the park in Kuro’s place for a bit. I sat in his usual place but I somehow managed to fall asleep. I woke up to the rustling sound of leaves and when I peeked an eye open, I saw that it was her. Miya was it…? Her name?
“Kuuro-” Her excitement seemed to drop when she saw me instead of my cat. For a while, I wanted to tease her so instead of telling her that Kuro was at home, resting after his shot, I meowed.
“Are… you Kuro?” She approached cautiously. She still didn’t seem to want to believe it
Again, I meowed and sat up so that I could lean against her outstretched hand like what I always see Kuro doing.
“Did you turn human?” She seemed to be in disbelief and for some reason. I wanted to see how far I could push my luck.
“I did. I woke up in this body for some reason” I flashed her a cheeky grin “But your wish came true. Didn’t you say that you would date me if I became human?”
“I- I did but I didn’t think you would turn into a cat!!” A light blush dusted her cheeks and I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling internally
“Well… I don’t know how to turn back into a human… so would you like to go on a date with me? I’ve always wanted to ask you that”
She seemed hesitant at first and I didn’t want to push my luck
“We don’t have to do anything special. We could just sit here like we always do”
“How do I know you’re really Kuro?”
“Hmm… You’re always excited to see me? And you always make the best snacks! You cook better than my owner. There was something different with your riceballs yesterday though. Even when you smiled and told me about the good things about your day. Your rice balls tasted different”
I thought her face couldn’t get any redder yet I stood to be corrected
“You noticed that…? Sorry, Kuro. Yeah… I was down. I’ve just been under a lot of stress lately”
“Then why don’t you just relax today?” I flashed her a smile and patted my lap like what she would do to call Kuro over “You lie down on my lap this time. Let me help you relax this time like what you do for me”
She was hesitant at first but she still settled her head on my lap and I just played with her soft hair until she dozed off.
Eventually, I dozed off as well. When I woke up, Kuro was making noise again
“Shut up, Kuro. I’m trying to sleep” That was when I realized that it really was Kuro “Wait- what?!? Weren’t you supposed to be asleep?”
It was too late and she was already awake. And she was already hugging Kuro while staying as far away from me as possible
“Who are you?!?” She seemed frightened. She had every right to be
“I’m… Kuro’s owner” I heaved a deep sigh and called Kuro over, luckily he was good that day and immediately jumped into my arms “I’ve been watching you guys interact sometimes… and I have this crush on you…” I said bashfully
After that, she just ran away from us
For the next few days since then, I and Kuro just waited for her to come around. For a week, we just sat in the same spot but nothing. We were about ready to give up on the 2nd week but when we heard her voice again, we both just got ecstatic. Kuro even got off my lap and just ran towards her. By the time she got to the spot, Kuro just kept rubbing himself all over her legs.
“I… uh, gave it some thought. It wouldn’t be so bad if the three of us went on a date. I think I can trust you a bit to see how things would go”
When she said those words, I couldn’t help myself from smiling so widely. Even as she sat down in front of me, and offered me the snacks she cooked. I never imagined I would ever have a chance to see her again after what I pulled off.
Story Idea
Just irritated that this story idea was rejected when it looked so good to me and I spent a bit of time researching how to write it. But oh well, at least I can turn it into an article I can expand one of these days
The world was divided into 3 factions. The humans, the pure witches/warlocks, and the impure ones which were classed as the weaker witches. For the past 300 years, humans believed that the enemy was the weaker witches. They never knew of the existence of the pure witches… or more like, the witches removed themselves from human memories when the king of shadows divided the world into how it is.
300 years have passed. It was the 19th century and humans relied heavily on machines and animations. They have also been battling with the weaker witches with the wrong idea. The history humans knew was all wrong. It was only corrected when Audrey Greames met Cooper Holte. She discovered that there was a much bigger enemy than they originally thought. Luckily Cooper was willing to show her the historical scrolls so that she could clear her doubts about what he told her.
When she found out about the truth, she and Cooper thought about how they would get their factions to cooperate. The solution Cooper thought, was to lead them to the border the pure witches had made, to segregate the world. When the humans arrived there, the witch guards threatened the humans to go back or they would be killed. The humans fought back, yet it ended up with a few of their men being killed within a matter of minutes.
After the humans returned to their faction, the leaders tried to find a way to attack without sacrificing so many lives.
Cooper and Audrey snuck into the leader’s office and tried to convince him of a plan. The leader was reluctant at first to listen, but he eventually did when Audrey was the one asking him to listen (The leader was a close family friend of her father).
After the human leader, they tried convincing the leader of the weak witch faction. Luckily, he was more willing to listen than the human leader. Both leaders met and agreed on a temporary ceasefire and cooperation. The wall that divided both factions got torn down and the people started fighting. That’s when Audrey and Cooper came to stop the fight and asked the people to listen to the history of their fight. Audrey made a projector that could show the historical scrolls that showed the real history that was removed from the human mind.
The humans still questioned it but they helped the weaker witches by teaching them technology that could amplify their powers while the witches taught humans the fundamentals of magic. The information exchange made both factions stronger. When they finally managed to coexist without the discrimination, the leaders decided that it was time to plan their attacks. The community was divided into magic classes and the inventors that worked well with each magic class. There was the offense team which consisted of the witches with nature manipulation and inventors that handled explosives well. There was the defense team which consisted of the witches that can perform rune magic and ones that can make powerful barriers, as well as the humans that were skilled with long-range weapons and those that could make animatons to fight for them. There were also the healers. The ones that could heal were sent to the back for support. On the longest day of the year, they planned their attack. But the key players were those that had the ability to neutralize powers.
While they waited for the day to come, they all trained together, the witches and the humans. They at least had information on the pure witch population and the shadow king to formulate a good plan. When the day came, the ones at the front were the defensive team, followed by the neutralizers. They were the first wave of the plan. When the guards became powerless, that’s when the offensive team started their attacks to tear down the barriers and the walls.
When the barriers fell, the people charged in and started attacking the citizens, most of the citizens had their magical abilities taken away so that they would be unable to fight. The fight continued until they reached the castle where the king of shadows was. The king was weak because of the sun. It got easier to defeat him that way. It was the two leaders that defeated the king. When the king died, they carried his body to the plaza to show the citizens that their king was no more.
The citizens were given the choice to live harmoniously with them or they would be stripped of their powers and sent to the dungeons so that another revolution would not start. A lot of the pure witches tried to live harmoniously with the new system while they reformed the world to one where there would be no more discrimination.
My angel
**{SP} One may tolerate a world full of demons for the sake of an angel**
Day in and day out, I would often find myself toiling endlessly in the office. The countless hours spent on overtime. The ridiculous amount of work that honestly doesn’t even affect my wage no matter how much I accomplish nor how hard I worked. At this point, I gave up doing anything above the bare minimum service that was written in what I call my “slave contract”
Yes, I counted myself as a slave, a lowly demon that toiled in the underbellies of hell, which was also known as the corporate world. No, my work did not make me rich. Nor was it enough to make ends meet with how much everything is priced, with how much everything is taxed. One would barely survive without a decent living in this hell hole I would call it.
Yet why do I continue to stay in this hell of mine? Escape seemed the better option, doesn’t it?
Well, I’ve thought of it countless times already. I still think about it at times. Yet when I return home after such a long day from work, I’m greeted with the warmest smiles anybody could offer me. An angel was the only thing I could call her. Yes, she was an angel on earth, and with her came a small glimpse of heaven.
Each time I would come home, she would be by the door, already waiting for me with a change of clothes. No matter how late it was, she would always be there. At times she would even fall asleep by the doorway and in those moments, I would carry her off to bed whilst thinking “Just how did I become so lucky to have you”
Aside from the change of clothes, she always made sure I always had warm food. She would always heat my food up no matter how late it is yet we were the happiest when we could eat together.
Honestly, she never understood how blessed I would feel even just with her presence alone. Every night, when we lie together in our shared bed, I would keep her as close to me as possible. I always feared that my angel would fly away in the darkness of the night yet she never did. Even after years of marriage, she was still here by my side. Even when I know that she deserves someone who could give her a better life.
At some point I came to ask why she stayed and you know what her response was?
“Simply because I love you. And that I know you suffer a different kind of hell that I can’t imagine just to give me a comfortable life”
“Our life is quite simple to be called a comfortable life though” Was my response to her yet she only shook her head and offered me one of her signature smiles
“It’s comfortable when we have everything we need right here. And I have you”
“You deserve so much more though. I know it”
“Who are you to say what I do and don’t deserve? You’re being a silly man again”
I know being called a silly man would often annoy anyone but I know that whenever she would call me such, I could still see the spark in her eyes that still remains even after all the years that passed since she first called me that.
It was never a question of how she managed to melt me when she responds to me like that. And in all honesty, I just wanted to keep that look in her eyes. I want to keep her happy. And for her, I would gladly tolerate a world full of demons for my beloved angel.
My mom and my pets are actually my angels and I thought I should write it down before the thought disappeared
Untitled 7
Hopefully, someone forgives my sinful soul but I swear- It was very fitting and summer did this to me
Warning ahead: NSFW
**Chapter 1** **Chapter 2** **Chapter 3** **Chapter 4** **Chapter 5** **Chapter 6** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-1403ea07 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-2-e4573874 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-3-3e45bfd0 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-4-5f9f799d https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-5-27f3ffcd https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-6-7652b896
For the first time since they had met, Dana threw all her thoughts out the window. She knew nobody on this side of the world and she doubted anybody would dare save her when they knew just who they were up against. She could very well be declared dead and nobody would even question at that point anymore, honestly.
That was how dire her situation was at the moment.
The only comfort she was allowed in that very fact that the man he had been with was right beside her. He would protect her.. Hopefully. Oh how she truly hoped it would be the case when they were basically snuggled up in each other’s hold.
Or maybe it was just her who was desperately clinging onto him. She wasn’t quite sure of anything anymore. She was just terrified with what would lie ahead.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
The gentle yet assuring voice snapped her out of her train of thoughts. The moment she gazed up, she was greeted with the all too familiar hazel brown orbs that had been watching her since the first day they met. It gave her a different kind of comfort and relief, yet it wasn’t enough to stop her from emitting a rather heavy sigh.
“I guess… I don’t really know what to do right now”
“Do you want to have something else to think about right now?”
Instead of an answer, she just glanced up at him, curiosity evidently visible on her visage. Just as she was about to inquire further, when he didn’t tell her about his proposal after some moments, a pair of plump warm lips pressed against her own.
The sudden gesture elicited a small squeak from her. Yet in a matter of seconds, she had melted against him. In that very moment, she wanted nothing more than to relish in the warmth Roland had to offer. Her eyes fluttered shut and in an attempt to have him much closer than he already was, she desperately clung onto his clothing.
It was as if their lips moved harmoniously with each other. What was supposedly just a few soft, lingering kisses had turned to one fueled with thirst and lust for each other. Was it due to the moment or was it a longing both of them struggled to contain. Whatever the reason, their fervent lip-locking only came to a halt when Roland finally pulled away to gasp for air.
“That… was different from what I hoped for” A breathy chuckle escaped him. He wasn’t allowed peace for long when Dana’s lips captured his in yet another heated kiss.
It seemed that although Roland was pretty satisfied, she wasn’t. And that time around, she grew more demanding to the point that she was already guiding his hands to places that one normally shouldn’t be touching “Roland… keep me distracted” she had muttered into their shared kiss. When he mustered enough courage to gaze into her eyes, he was greeted with her lust filled orbs that probably mirrored his own desire.
Without a second thought, he again pulled away from the kiss but this time, he wasted no time in latching his lips onto her neck. He pressed lingering kisses onto the expanse of her exposed skin as his hands got to work removing each article of clothing that covered her.
Once she was fully exposed, he wasted no time in following suit. His shirt and pants soon joined her clothing on the floor. And once that was done with, he resumed to adore her body. Each gentle touch and press of his lips on her heated skin elicited a few soft gasps from her and he was definitely enjoying it. Each reaction of hers made him desire her more.
At the peak of his desire, he couldn’t help himself anymore, and with a knowing gaze, he pressed his manhood against her core.
Once she gave him affirmation, he wasted no time and proceeded slowly.
Moans, soft mewls and gasps escaped her with each rock of his hips.
That night, they continued on with their deed until both of them gave out from sheer exhaustion. Luckily they won’t have any intrusions for the next few days while the preparations for the inheritance took place. Once they’ve gotten enough rest, they would plot their escape. But for now, they would relish in their shared bliss.
Untitled 6
**Chapter 1** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-1403ea07
**Chapter 2** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-2-e4573874
**Chapter 3** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-3-3e45bfd0
**Chapter 4** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-4-5f9f799d
Chapter 5 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-5-27f3ffcd
The car was filled with a heavy silence that neither Dana nor Roland wanted to break. Although a few sniffles and hush tones could be heard as a means to comfort Dana who has never experienced such a thing in her life, their capturers thought nothing of the gestures for they knew Roland all too well to even stop him when it came to someone crying.
An hour had passed since the start of their drive and the car finally came to a stop in front of an abandoned-looking warehouse. It was far from it though.
Their capturers grabbed both by the arm, yet they had to make sure more eyes were on Roland who basically grew up in the space.
“I don’t need to be told where my father is. So can’t you guys just leave me alone?”
A jab to the side was what answered his request. And with that, he fell to the ground with a pained groan. None came to his aid, and the only one that wanted to was frozen in place when cold metal prodded her back
“Make one move and I shoot. Rollie will be fine. Now walk”
Her breath hitched and cold sweat started dripping down her forehead with each step. She could feel her heart race as soon as steel doors came into view. Every now and then she would look back to see if Roland was still alright but each time she would, the gun that was fixed on her back just buried itself more into the fabric of her clothes.
With a bit of effort, the men that captured them had the door open. Once inside the room, they were greeted with a hall filled with doors. Doors Dana was sure she didn’t want to see the inside of. At the end of the hall stood the most ornate one. Beyond it was a man somewhere in his late 50s, seated over his desk whilst he looked occupied scanning some documents.
“Sir, we have them”
The old man raised his gaze enough that his cold blue eyes could eye both her and Roland. He placed the documents on his desk and heaved a heavy sigh at the sight before him.
“It took you idiots this long? And what? Did my idiot son find a toy to use?” With a gesture of his hand, the men brought Roland forward. “Why did you have to go into hiding when you were just days away from the succession ceremony? Thanks to you, I had to re-coordinate everything from scratch. Did you know how hard it was doing everything alone?”
Roland simply looked away. Just that small gesture seemed to irritate the old man even more than it should have. It caused the old man to stand from his desk and reach across just to grab Roland's face, to which he directed so that they came face to face with each other.
“Enough nonsense of not wanting to inherit the family anymore. I don’t have enough years to teach you and we don’t have other candidates that are well versed enough in business to make the businesses prosper like what we’ve been doing” The man’s hold on Roland grew tighter yet Roland still avoided his gaze.
“Look, dad… I just don’t want to do this anymore… You don’t see what these guys do. You’re just cooped up in this office… I’ve had enough blood on my hands. You’ve forced me into this life ever since mom die-”
Before he could say more, Roland’s face was released and one could clearly see the red markings that were spread across his face
“Enough of this! You weren’t a child anymore when that happened! You needed to learn eventually” His father all but slammed the desk with frustrations. From an outsider’s view, it already seemed like this has happened on for far longer than it should have
“What more do I need to do to make you inherit the family. You could get the money, the merchandise, the women. What, do you want that woman?”
Dana’s eyes widened as soon as she was referred to as “That woman” and it seemed like a lump had formed in her throat when she was brought forward.
“She has nothing to do with all of this so I would appreciate it if you could let her go back to her old life” Roland moved closer to her, almost blocking her from his father’s sight.
“She’s seen enough” His father moved around and basically pushed Roland aside, causing him to fall to the floor “She’s pretty” He said simply as he placed a hand on Dana’s waist, feeling her up and down as he would to the women who were offered to him as the prostitutes that worked under him. Of course, touching was as far as he went yet Roland just couldn’t keep his rage confined when he could see her eyes, pleading for someone to stop his father.
“Stop- don’t touch her like that” As much as he struggled to stand with the aching on his side, he managed to stand in between his father and her “She isn’t a prostitute. She’s someone important to me”
“Oh? All the more reason to destroy her then”
Roland all but lunged forward and tried knocking his father down. Had his side not been aching, he could have done so with ease but just a light jab was enough to send him on his knees
“I would be willing to keep her safe for now… If you proceed with the inheritance ceremony”
As much as he wanted to just run away right then and there but he knew his father all too well. When his father says something, he knows that he would follow through with his words
“Only if she stays in my chambers. She goes wherever I go. These idiots aren’t allowed to so much as lay a finger on her and that includes you” One could hear the growl in Roland’s voice as he again stood protectively over Dana.
“You both could get married right here and now for all I care. Just keep the family running and I don’t care what you do with your life after” With the end of that discussion, his father gestured for all of them out of his office whilst he reached for his cellphone to start a few calls. Probably to make a few calls regarding the ceremony.
After such an eventful conclusion, the two were led back to the car where they were driven to an apartment complex nearby. It was amongst the grandest ones in the city. Quite fitting for one who would soon be the head of one of the biggest mafia organizations in the country.
“I take it you know the protocols, old Rollie. You have privacy in your apartment but take a step out this door and we’re calling the boss.”
“Yeah, yeah, see you when I feel like seeing your face, Dave” The door was shut rather loudly and as soon as the restraints were off, Roland just plopped on the couch while Dana just settled herself on one side of the room, still obviously trying to get a hold of what had just happened. “Hey, you okay?”
No response came so he opted to stand in her line of sight, that to which she only emitted a soft sigh before leaning her frame against his
“That was exhausting…” Her arms wrapped around his frame as she rested her head on his shoulder
“It always is… Don’t worry, It’s my turn to protect you now” In turn, he wrapped his arms around her slender figure. She tensed up a bit from the gesture, probably still remembering how his father had done the same earlier “I won’t let anyone else touch you like that from now on”
He was only answered with a nod before she nuzzled herself more in his hold
“Bed?”
“Sleep in bed with me tonight”
Chapter 7 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-7-27e2d0bc
Happiness to spare
Kind of in a meh mood today and no other prompt could inspire me. Maybe all my inspiration and energy went into my digital art earlier
**[WP] The demon lord doesn't hunger for souls, but to steal good memories…**
“Sire, the new heroes of this era has arrived” The lesser demon came rushing to the throne room where a rather uninterested demon lord sat atop his high throne
“Just let them come in. It’s been some… 20 years since my last meal and we’ll need more workers soon” A soft hum reverberated from him as he toyed with the pen in his hold
“I’ll make sure no other demons would be around the castle to reduce casualties”
With a small nod from the demon lord, the lesser demon was gone in a snap.
“It’s that time again, huh”
He stood from his throne and walked to the center of the room where he was prepared to meet the said hero the town has supposedly trained. In a matter of minutes, a young man, no older than 18, maybe? Was the one to greet him as the doors flew open
“Alright demon lord! I’m here to slay you and free my people from the sacrifices you ask for!” The hero all but shouted as he lunged forward at incredible speed, ready to pierce the demon lord with his blade. The only problem was… The demon lord’s skin was far stronger than any blade. He was far too powerful for any item imbued with magic as well.
“They were all such horrible sacrifices though. I could barely get any nourishment from them” He said matter of factly as he watched the blade that should have pierced him, shatter before their very eyes “What has your village been doing to you people?” He heaved out a deep sigh and grabbed the hero by the collar, raising him high off the ground before throwing him to one side of the room.
The young man hit the wall with a loud thud and a scream of pain as soon as his back hit the bricked wall.
“You need to understand, little boy… I just want happy memories. I could have released your sacrifices after. I never ate them. Yet your little town was so strange. The first ones I returned… They ended up dead or they returned to me gravely injured.
I accepted them here. Some of those sacrifices eventually took refuge here. The price to pay? Happy memories.”
The hero looked at the man that still stood tall before him
“Then why did you keep asking for sacrifices?” The hero coughed out his last few words as he attempted to come to a stand
“I didn’t. I wanted them to stop. Your people have all become mentally ill. They are all miserable. Including you, oh great hero.”
Again, the hero was raised by the collar of his shirt before he was tossed aside again. This time, into the hands of the lesser demon that came
“Take him back to his village so he sees what I meant. Hopefully I’ve said enough”
---
And so the young hero found himself at the entrance of his town when he came to. Instead of being greeted with the cheers that he had become so accustomed to hearing, he was instead looked down upon. The shattered blade in his possession was enough to speak for him.
Since his arrival, the entire town seemed to act differently towards him. Nothing felt the same. When he tried asking people, they would scurry away. Of course, he had no friends he could go to. He was trained from a young age to be the chosen one. Chosen ones never had time for friends was what all his masters told him.
Never had the young hero ever felt this empty and abandoned.
After a few days, he stopped trying. By the end of that week, he shut himself inside his own home. And by a month’s time, he feared leaving his own home due to not being able to stomach the gazes that now meet him even when he would just walk down the street.
After some time, the demon lord finally decided to make a reappearance in the hero’s life
“I hope you understand now why your sacrifices wanted to return to where I am.”
A pair of soulless eyes met the demon lord who had opted to sit at the foot of the hero’s bed
“Hey… why do you want happy memories so much?” The boy wasn’t fazed with the close proximity of the demon, if anything, he welcomed him.
“We demons…. We are born from hatred. Negative emotions, suffering, chaos, everything disastrous, just name it. Happiness… is..” The demon stopped for a while, not sure how to proceed since no other human ever asked the question before
“Happiness is what?” The boy leaned closer to the demon
“It’s like… a nourishment for us? Or should an addictive substance be a better term? I suppose you wouldn’t know happiness either when you’ve never experienced it, have you?”
The boy simply shrugged then slumped back in his bed, not really sure how he would answer the questions that remained afloat in his head.
“Would you like to make a little bargain with me, young hero?”
Again, he could only shrug. He was already unsure of many things and a bargain wasn’t really something that would apeace his mind
“Would you like to escape this town to experience happiness? But once you near your death bed, you must return to me and let me feed off your happiness”
The hero perked up at the idea. Simply escaping that forsaken town was something that already piqued his interest because none was ever allowed beyond the town walls
The demon chuckled and patted the boy’s shoulder lightly “I take it you’d like that.”
“Why don’t you go out and try to be happy instead?”
The demon somewhat deflated in his seat and glanced at the boy with somber, almost empty orbs “Things born from madness can never be happy. It’s not something we can ever directly experience. We can only bring suffering in our wake.”
Those last few words made the boy stand from his bed and take out a bag which he filled with what little belongings he owned.
“I will accept your bargain, demon lord”
With that, the demon lord stood from the bed and whisked the both of them to a forest that separated their town and the next one
“Take this little creature” In the snap of the demon’s finger, an owl perched itself atop the boy’s shoulder. “This will take you back to me when the time comes.. And will guide you around if needed. Be off. I shall await your return someday.
She has fallen
**[WP] "Who took your wings, little angel?" The voice calls from the darkness.**
The world grew crueler as the years passed. The demons grew more conniving in their ways to lure humans to their side and with each fallen soul marks another wound on the skin of an angel. It was their punishment for not having cared for their human enough. It went without saying that their population soon grew fewer and fewer as the decades passed.
Some made it out of the decade with just a few wounds and scars but some fell so deeply that they went mad and eventually became a fallen one. It was a terrifying sight. What was once a pristine and divine realm now came close to a wasteland.
Angels grew weaker and it was almost impossible to see one without any markings on pale skin. For most angels, they grew accustomed to the humans’ choices despite their interventions. As for the newer angels, they could still feel the searing pain each time their assigned human would fall to temptation.
It wasn’t unusual to hear agonized screams from somewhere and if one dared look at the source of the cry, one would see an angel crumpled on the ground, rubbing the area that was afflicted with the markings.
It was a horrid sight that half the time, the angels would wish to have been fallen instead. Among those was Cielo. She was one of the newer ones.. Only a few centuries old. She had been blessed enough to have received humans that grew into good people.
But with the latest one that had been assigned to her… She began to dread her duty as an angel when each passing day would leave her deeply wounded and bruised. Her human was hurting her and she couldn’t do anything to help herself nor the poor human.
Her human was too far into sin. Was it her failure as an angel or was it the people that raised her human. Either way, she needed to find out what had happened to her human.
Her descent down to earth was far from the smooth sailing her other companions would tell her about. Each meter closer to her human made her ache. It hurt her that halfway down, she had crashed down instead.
Filthy was the only way to describe her. The wounds that already decorated her was not enough. The new ones she gained from falling made her look all the more miserable as she limped towards the city of humans.
Compared to the stories of the older angels, no gaze fell upon her. An angel’s presence used to be coveted, celebrated, yet now, she could barely maintain an existence. Has humans fallen this far that they could not even feel any form of holy presence…
Cielo sighed deeply with each corner she turned. She was growing weaker to the point that she didn’t even notice how her pristine white feather, the mark of being an angel, had started falling off one by one.
Days passed where she would keep looking for her human but to no avail.
Sheer exhaustion took over her. Her legs just gave out on her and she had ended up falling to the ground. As much as she forced herself to move, her body had given up.
Frustrated cries erupted from her but nothing could help her body to move anymore.
As her gaze began to turn hazy, a figure emerged from the shadows
“Who took your wings, little angel?”
For a moment, she was confused. Only her human should be able to see her now. And took her wings… her wings were still attached-
As she looked back to her once beautiful wings, she was instead met with a bony outline that would give anybody the impression that she was a fallen one.
“I had beautiful wings… And you, a lowly human, took it all away from me!” Her voice grew shrill, her orbs grew darker with each rush of rage that fueled her body. “Because of your sins, I lost everything!”
She extended her hand forward and lunged towards him. Within a matter of seconds, her hands were around his neck. She had him pinned to the wall and whilst she looked at him with disgust, he was clawing her hand off while desperately gasping for air.
He wasn’t given mercy, as they were taught.
Once he stopped struggling and his pulse had disappeared, she let go of his neck and allowed his body to lie limp on the ground.
And as she moved away from his body and made her way down the alleyway, her skin cleared off the blemishes it previously had.
Each step she took left behind a small trail of flames. And once she was finally out in the open, she spread her skeleton wings with open and allowed them to set ablaze too.
Once the flames died down, lustrous black feathers replaced what was formerly white.
With that, she now knew what she had become. She became one of the fallen.
It saved me
And so, we're back to my sad girl self 🤣🤣🤣 so sorry, I couldn't help it
**[WP] It is difficult to trigger the true Wrath of a demon, given their nature of being inherently angry. As you look at your scarred, malnourished and broken young summoner, a familiar red mist begins to descend over your mind.**
The somber and hopeless atmosphere that emanated from the dungeon has always been something I could never get used to. No matter how many months I’ve been locked up here… It doesn’t seem to change my view of the situation we were all in.
Yes, I say we because I’m one of their prisoners here too. I can’t really remember how I ended up here, nor how long I’ve even been here. I just remember one day, while going out with my mother, I was hit with something hard on the back of my head then the next thing I knew, I was in something moving then I was dumped in this cage I’m trapped in now.
I didn’t dare ask the others how they ended up here because of the fear that was oh so evident in their eyes. Don’t get me wrong, I tried to but I learned not to do so, else you’ll be starved.
The beatings was not enough for them. Having been stripped of every piece of clothing was not enough humiliation you could offer them. They were all pretty much just mental, really.
But I was pretty sure tormenting us was not their end goal here. If that was the case, there would be very few of us left here. But instead of doing that, they just picked us at random every few days. They would drag their next victim by the hair and they would lock the back door shut.
We all were only left to imagine what went on behind those closed doors. One thing was for sure though. Once they take you, you’re never coming back. Judging by the agonized screams, what lies behind those doors would be the kind of torture that would put an end to your own life.
Half the time, I would have just wanted to volunteer as a sacrifice so that my time there would end. 11 years, I spent my life happy. With a family that wanted nothing more than to keep me safe. But looking at me now, someone who’s basically reduced to skin and bones. Someone who looks basically on the verge of death. I doubt I would live long enough to return to my family at this point.
Each day, I would just end up thinking about my family, my old life and that fact that they always seemed to maintain an equal number here. Each time they take someone, a new kid is brought in. It was just sick but I couldn’t do anything about it when I’m as powerless as they are.
If anything, I was among the weakest because of how much I’ve always tried to rebel against my captor’s torments. They seemed to enjoy it all the more. They have been breaking my spirit since I got here, as well as every bone in my body, probably. I seemed to have grown numb to everything.
Oh, my cage was opened. I wonder what they would be up to this time, it hasn’t been so long since they tried pulling out my nails. They weren’t there to torment me. It was my time.
As I was dragged by the hair, no noise came from me besides a few pained groans when they pulled too hard.
I was dragged to this stone table at the center of the room but I didn’t dare ask what they would be doing to me. All I knew was that I was being chained up as if I was a wild animal.
After having been chained, murmurs of some unknown language filled the room. Had I been in the right mental state, I would have been scared but I could barely feel anything.
That was… until a sharp pain shot from my abdomen. When I glanced down, a knife was pierced at the center of my abdomen. I couldn’t suppress my screams as the blade dragged across my flesh. My eyes were shut and I had wished nothing more than to have all this end.
For a moment, their chanting stopped and as I peeked an eye open, everything was in a red haze. Yes, I saw nothing but red before my vision faded to black
“What’s this?”
A thunderous voice echoed in the hall. The men that had been chanting came to a stop as a red figure appeared before them.
“”Is… this my new master?” The creature’s gaze fell upon the figure that laid nearly lifeless on the table. Pity and rage coursed through him upon seeing the sad state of his new master. The child was not a summoner of his own doing, he was brought into such an ordeal by these people.
Rage fueled him. And with that rage came an onset of his abilities. Red mist clouded the room. In an instant, he had set the entire room ablaze with the red mist he breathed life into. After destroying the room, the demon scooped up the little master into his arms and then he proceeded to escape the building, setting everything ablaze with each step he would take.
When I came to, I wasn’t on the stone table anymore. Nor was there a knife plunged into me. I was on the soil yet I was covered by something warm. Upon inspection, it was cloth. Something I was deprived of for so long. My injury was also healed
“What just…”
“I ended it all”
My glance shot to where the voice came from and there, just beside me, sat the red demon that had been keeping watch over me all along
“You did?” I turned to look to the other direction where a building was set ablaze in a fire so huge, it looked like an entire town was burning
“That was your wish in exchange for summoning me, young master. But I did it on a whim for now since I couldn’t fathom what they had done to my new master”
“Master?” I pointed to myself and he simply nodded and repeated the words again to assure me “What does that mean then?”
“It means… I will grant you whatever you desire and when you shall perish, I will take your soul with me when I return to hell. So tell me, what is it you desire?”
I reached out and took hold of his arm for quite some time. Contrary to thinking that his body would burn me to ashes, it didn’t. It was among the first bits of warmth I’ve felt in such a long time. And with that, I broke into tears, quite unsure of how I would go about asking for anything. But one thing was for sure. I wanted to feel this warmth more. I wanted to feel it longer so without a thought, I had stated my wish.
“Stay with me. Even when I you take my soul. Just keep me next to you”
Untitled 5
Kinda short because I'm only doing this on break XD I will get to the action soon, I promise- but for now, enjoy this teaser for now
**Chapter 1** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-1403ea07
**Chapter 2** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-2-e4573874
**Chapter 3** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-3-3e45bfd0
Chapter 4 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-4-5f9f799d
A week had passed and as much as the injured people going through the ER doors didn’t stop, they both thought they were hiding pretty well. More like... They grew too complacent with the fact that they had not been discovered yet. They had really thought that Roland’s pursuitors would have given up by then because the places where the victims were being far got further and further from the area they were.
And with just that bit of information, he was pretty sure that he wouldn’t be needing the masks he wore anymore. Huge mistake.
Little did he know, the family’s eyes and ears were everywhere.
On Dana’s day off, Roland had offered to help her with the groceries, something which she appreciated. So on a Friday morning, both were all ready to go but neither of them even managed to set foot outside the door.
What greeted them upon opening the door was a P-1 military gun aimed directly at Roland’s head
“What the heck-” He stumbled backward and he immediately gestured for Dana to go back to her room. Too late though.
The sound of glass shattering and loud thuds of footsteps already made it clear that even her room was no safe place anymore.
One by one, the men emerged. Some from the main door, some crashed through the windows, and some… They couldn’t even tell where
“We finally found you, Sir Roland. Why did you have to leave us like that? The boss was worried sick” The man that held the gun inched closer to Roland. Gun, still pointed at him.
“What I do has nothing to do with you people anymore” He growled back in retaliation despite the men that were making an effort to put him in binds. He would have successfully fled the place if he had been alone but upon hearing Dana’s shrill cry, he stopped trying to break free and just allowed himself to be tied
“Oh? So you’d gladly come along if we don’t touch your lady friend? You were never like that before”
Roland glanced back to where Dana was. Fear was evident in his eyes as the men kept trying to get close to her. She was already tied up and a piece of cloth was stuffed into her mouth so she couldn’t say anything “Just let her go. She didn’t do anything” He said with a sigh of defeat, pleading evident in his tone. He couldn’t even help himself from struggling out of the restraints a bit just to move towards her.
“The big boss was going to take care of her, he said”
And with that statement, his eyes widened. He knew his father all too well. He knew all the horrid things he would and could do to her. This was the price they both had to pay for their temporary piece
“I’ll go with you! I’ll go back to the family and I’ll take over as my father wanted! Just get your filthy hands off of her!”
“Filthy shouldn’t be something you should be saying, sir” The man leaned closer as he crouched down to Roland’s level. A deranged look was on his face as he pulled Roland up by the strands of his hair, earning a pained groan from him “Need I remind you how filthy your own hands are, partner? Or should it be boss soon? If you weren’t the boss’s son, I would have done you in a long time ago”
Roland already knew that but hearing it was something different. He always knew he received special favors for being born the way he.
“Take these two to the truck. Best give these lovebirds some privacy before the boss decides what to do with the little lady”
With that, the two were dragged away to a black car that was parked just outside the apartment’s doorway. Despite their screams and protests, nobody came to help. Even the police that stood outside remained frozen to their spots. Everyone knew one shouldn’t mess with these people.
They were as good as dead to this side of town after they were both seen being forced into the car.
In the car, Dana had kept as close to Roland as possible, tears were already welling in her eyes yet Roland could only hold her close and assure her they would be alright and that he would find a way to help her escape… Or at least to escape from being one of his father’s toys…
Chapter 6 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-6-7652b896
Jasmine
**[WP] Take your favorite song, and write a story with that as its soundtrack.**
https://youtu.be/Jg9NbDizoPM
just listen to this while you read UwU was playing in a loop about 5 times. You don't need to understand the lyrics, just go with the vibe
I first met her at a party. A short camping trip put together by some of my friends. I was quite reluctant to go at first but in the end, I was still swayed to go.
I was expecting to be the outcasted kid for the entire trip. Contrary to the thought, I wasn’t. I was still awkward and kept to myself, yes, but for some reason, she introduced herself to me and shared her music with me.
That entire night, while the guys went crazy with the booze and the bonfire, we just huddled to one corner and we just listened. She leaned her body against mine and I didn't need to get so close to have a whiff of her scent. I couldn’t tell if it was her natural scent or if she wore perfume but whatever it was, it wrapped around my mind and intoxicated my thoughts.
We didn’t have so many exchanges except for the times we would have the same songs. I didn’t mind though, the comfortable silence was all I could ever ask. There was no pressure to talk. We were just comfortable in each other’s presence and warmth. Magical was short of what could be told about that night.
It sucked to have to drag the guys back into their tents though, but being the only sober ones around… kind of had no choice to.
Still. After the troublesome task of having to do so, we just sort of… wandered off into the woods. I told her my name was Charlie and she told me her name was Jasmine. The same kind that bloomed ever white and was ever-so fragrant. The name suited her.
I couldn’t get my thoughts out of her name. I even muttered it to myself a few times and each time I would, it would roll off my tongue as if it was the most natural word to say.
“So are you going to keep saying my name like that or are you going to keep whispering my name or are you going to come over here to check out this view?”
I heard her call out and she seemed to have already gotten much far ahead of me while i was lost in thought
“I’m coming-” I rushed to her side and just beyond the branches and trees stood a lake and a vast green field.
I honestly couldn’t tell which sight I should have focused on but I was pretty sure the sight of her in complete awe couldn’t have compared to the sight nature had to offer.
“Wanna stay here and watch the sunrise with me”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way” I offered her a bright smile and she offered me her hand, which I gratefully took into mine. For a short while, we just walked around the lake, hand in hand, and I would hear her hum out a tune.
By the time we had stopped talking, we were at the edge of the field and we were approaching the lake. She decided to lie down there and I just stood and watched her until she managed to doze off. Perhaps she wasn’t the type who could go without sleep but I didn’t mind. For a while, I watched her sleep. At times I would push away the strands of hair that would go astray and cover her face.
“I would pick up the stars and put them in your hands if I could”
Soon enough, I lied down beside her, wanting a closer view of her features. I wasn’t quite sure when I had dozed off but when I woke up, she was snuggled in my hold and my other arm was around her waist. I was also greeted with the clearest pair of hazel-brown eyes that seemed so fascinated to watch me sleep.
“Good morning, sleepyhead” Was what she said as she snuggled closer into me
“Good morning to you too. We missed the sunrise” A soft chuckle escaped my lips and I couldn't help but to hold her tighter to relish more in her warmth.
“That’s alright. But we do need to get back to camp soon, the guys might be awake by now”
I could only hum in agreement. I was sure neither of us wanted to get up yet but when the faint sound of horns echoed through the forest, we knew they were looking for us so we reluctantly got up and headed back to camp where we were greeted by cars that were ready to leave
“You guys must have had a busy night. You guys can continue whatever it was you were doing when we get back to the city. Come on, we’re getting waffles and chicken on the way back”
I just shrugged and helped her into the car. True to the guys’ words, we could sit together
“Hey, would you mind going on another night out with me soon?”
“I would love to. How about over the weekends? I wouldn’t mind company in my apartment for once”
It didn’t seem like she was waiting for me to say anything when she leaned her frame against mine while giving my hand a soft squeeze. She already knew I would be there no matter whatever happened.
Untitled 4
**Chapter 1** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-1403ea07
**Chapter 2** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-2-e4573874
Chapter 3 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-3-3e45bfd0
As much as Dana says the hoodie was oversized, it only seemed to apply to her. Their size difference was still rather large that even with the hoodie on, one could still tell that Roland’s body was muscular. No, no matter what the man wore, they definitely would be able to tell that he has the strength to fight. Fighting wasn’t an option right now though, and they both know it.
They took cautious steps and turns as they navigated their way to the hospital which Dana worked for.
Once there, Roland just couldn’t believe his eyes with the sight that greeted him in the emergency room. The number of people on hospital beds that are covered in bruises was far more chilling that just the mere sight made him stop in his tracks.
“Roland… come on, You shouldn’t be staying here” For a brief moment, his attention turned to her. He already knew that. He knew one of the guys might have shown his picture around while… “searching” for him and “asking around”
“I’m sorry, you’re right” He heaved a deep sigh and clenched his fists, steeling himself to look away from the horrendous scenes that lay on the hospital beds.
He was taken to the nurse’s lounge on the ground floor and the number of eyes that were trained on him sent shivers down his spine. Being ogled at shouldn’t be new to him yet most of the time, he was looked upon with either lust or fear. The glances he received from the number of nurses present spoke something else he couldn’t quite understand, however. They were all of mixed emotions but one thing was sure; as soon as Dana explained the circumstances, their gazes softened and they allowed him one of the spare beds in the lounge that he could use to rest in. He was grateful for the gesture and went ahead to the one they told him to use.
“Promise me you’ll try to sleep. I have to get started on my shift. Please don’t come out of here no matter what.” Contrary to Dana’s usual stern look when they were in her apartment.. Here, she almost looked like she was pleading as she carefully pushed him on the bed so that he could lie down.
She was painfully aware of the mess he had caused in their peaceful town. And if anything, she knew that if he was left unsupervised, he would be doing something reckless like hunting down the guys that were hunting him down.
She wasn’t going to be taking any chances. Yes, he looked like he could fight. Yes, he looks strong but he’s still injured and dying from blood loss and stupidity should be the last thing on his list… hopefully.
“Hey, you don’t need to worry so much about me, I’ll stay here. I already promised you in the apartment, remember? I always keep my promises” As soon as he was comfortable in the nurse’s bed, he pulled the thin blanket over himself and ushered her away with the most assuring smile he could offer her.
With a nod, Dana stood and rushed to the lockers where she changed and placed all her stuff in her assigned locker. After having done so, she rushed back to the ER where she assisted in treating all the victims that were on the verge of death. It was horrendous. Some were stabbed, some had so many bruises and even a few broken bones. Just from those, she was certain that she shouldn’t let Roland fall back into their hands. These men were ruthless.
Meanwhile, Roland tossed and turned. As much as he had promised Dana that he would sleep, he was growing restless. The family was getting too far with having to involve innocent civilians. This wouldn’t be happening if he hadn’t wished to leave the family like that when he was this defenseless. No, he wasn’t defenseless, they were playing dirty like they always did. Somebody rigged his bulletproof vest. Somebody sabotaged his guns and dulled out his knives.
Just the memory of his escape was getting him more livid. One of the nurses took notice of this and came to check up on him
“Hey, you okay? You look like you need to take a dump” The stranger teased as she approached closer to his bed
“I’m fine… just can’t get some sleep” For a while, he stopped tossing and opted to just lie on his back
“Hospital beds aren’t comfortable, we all know that but it’s the best we can offer” She seated herself on the bed adjacent to his “So what’s up with you and Dana? You guys look pretty chummy that she’d let you stay here”
“I… honestly don’t know. She saved me from death, that’s for sure. She let me stay with her for a while.” Unconsciously, his hand ghosted over the bandages that covered the stitches she had made just the other day. It still hurt but not as much as before. It was healing at least. She found me in the alleyway near her place” He heaved a soft chuckle as he glanced over to the nurse.
“Hm. Don’t think she’d bring anyone home if she found someone injured like that”
“I didn’t want to go to the hospital at first. And she offered”
“Didn’t think she’d have that side to her but oh well. She asked me to check up on you so you better try to sleep before I inject you with sedatives”
He knew she was teasing but the seriousness in her tone made it more believable than it should have sounded so without a second’s delay, he pulled the blanket over himself again and shut his eyes.
He could hear her laughter fading and the door creak shut. He knew he was safe again but he still tried to sleep everything off.
The day ended. They headed back to her apartment together and for the next couple of meals together, Roland offered to cook. He was definitely no stranger in the kitchen after having to live alone for so long. The usually tired Dana couldn’t be more appreciative of the gesture. And so, for the next couple of days, their new routine was established
Chapter 5 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-4-5f9f799d
Okie, I was pretty busy with work and trying to satisfy my drawing and gaming needs so I only got to work on this today :"""
Definitely have to make sure that I get to the action on the next part
No regrets
Just taking a short break from the series cuz I thought this was a nice prompt
**[WP] "Would you change any of it?" she asked, greying her head against his chest. "Not a single moment," he replied and held her close under the burning sky**
Sirens resounded through the streets at an ungodly hour of 4 a.m. nobody was sure what was happening. Some people even thought it was another one of those emergency drills the government set up. Regardless, people flooded out of their homes and onto the streets, awaiting whatever stupid announcement was yet to be made.
An hour had passed since the first siren and at 5 a.m. the sounds stopped and were replaced with the voice of the town’s chief officer.
“I’m sorry for the sudden broadcast, folks. We just got news from the big city that there’s an invasion underway. We ain’t sure what it is but we need each and every one of you to flee the town before it’s too late. Wake up everyone that needs to be woken up and get everything that needs to be taken. We don’t know when the invaders could be coming but best be ready to go”
With those words, the broadcast was cut off and the sirens resounded a few more times before the sounds had completely died off.
The entire town was in panic, everyone rushed back into their homes, getting things packed. Some straight-up rushed off in their cars. After such an announcement, nobody wanted to stay in this town anymore and the only way to avoid the invasion was to head west since the city that gave the information to the town chief was due east from where the town was located.
What was amusing in all of this was that amidst the chaos, there were people that remained in their peaceful slumber. The few heavy sleepers that had no family nor friends ever came for them. Such people like Miki. When Miki had finally woken up from his slumber, it was high noon. The time he would typically wake up.
Normally, he would wake up, enjoy a few minutes in bed while listening to his neighbor’s booming music but the silence was more of a surprise to him than anything. So instead of having breakfast, he went out of his apartment to check the oddities of that day.
Usually, he would at least one or two people on their floor, heading off to get lunch after a morning of working from home, but today was quite odd as nobody was even around. What was stranger was the fact that there was a bit of a mess along the hall. Probably some that got into a fight was what he thought. It didn’t stop his curiosity though, instead, it prompted him to look through the rooms on his floor. The doors that were all normally locked, some were left open.
It wasn’t enough and that was when Miki decided to get out of the apartment block. What greeted him… was empty streets and silence. The town that had the friendliest of people was now basically a ghost town. He called out as he wandered down the streets.
After an hour, maybe two of wandering the main street, he had hung out in the convenience stop he would frequent to buy soda and coffee from. Even that had been emptied, shelves wiped clean. It was as if he was the only one the town left behind when a panic went on.
He sighed in defeat and cradled his head in his palms. He had to figure out what he would do. Just as he was getting up, a figure emerged from the store’s entrance. It was the girl he saw in the elevator sometimes when he would go home. They never really talked before but at times, they would ride the elevator together.
“H-hey” He was greeted with a shy wave of her hand and a somewhat forced smile on her end.
“Hi. Do you maybe know what happened around town?” He was answered with a shake of her head; after a few moments, she walked further into the store and seated herself beside him
“Have no clue. I woke up with the town emptied. I thought… I was alone” She was in a daze at a closer glance, her eyes seemed as empty as the town and he couldn’t help but lean closer to her to assure her the he was there
“I thought so too. I guess we were just unlucky to be left behind. Miki, by the way,” He extended a hand to her, hoping she wouldn’t mind him being overly familiar.
“Lyra. I’ve seen you in the elevator a couple of times before” Her forced smile from earlier became more natural as she took hold of his hand and gave it a small shake “So what’s our plan for today?”
He shrugged slightly and sighed in defeat “I guess we could stay a few days here and check around town to see if anybody else is still around. I just checked the main streets, I’m sure you did too. We could start from the residential part and we could go house to house.”
“What if we don’t find anyone after checking all the houses?” She glanced up at him, the same empty glassy stare was what greeted him
“Then we’ll leave here and go to the neighboring town to see if we can get some help” He stood up and stretched a bit before offering his hand to her “For now… I still have cooking supplies at home. Maybe you’d like to have food with me then after that, we could start going through the rooms in the apartment?”
She took his hand and hoisted herself to a stand “That works for me. I haven’t eaten yet”
They both dusted themselves off and began walking back to the location of their apartment building. Their meal was a simple one that consisted of the leftover meat he had yet to cook and some tea to go with it. Afterward, they went down to the lobby to which they easily got access to all the keys in the apartment. It was agreed that they would explore together in case they could find someone or something that they could use for food.
The entire day, they spent their time together. To conclude their day, they had cooked up all the leftover meat they could find in the apartment rooms. With the electricity still running. They might have good food that would last them a month if their search would last that long.
“Tomorrow we’ll go to the furthest street and we’ll go house to house from there” Miki had muttered as he pointed the location over the map. Lyra just nodded and settled herself on the bed whilst Miki insisted on sleeping on the floor for her sake.
“You know… this is your bed and it’s big enough to fit the both of us” She was insisting but instead, he shook his head and settled himself into his camping bag
“I’ll be fine… I can sleep anywhere” He flashed her his most assuring smile and with that, he turned the lights off and bid her a good night.
The next day, they went through with their plans. And in a span of two days, they covered the entire east side of the town’s residential area. The number of items and foodstuff they managed to gather, they put all of those in an abandoned car they had found. It was fully functional and gas was the least of their worries when the gasoline station could still supply them with a few liters.
It seemed the town’s situation was not going to change no matter what kind of searching they did. What changed was the fact that they had found each other’s company much more comforting than they originally thought. On their third night together, Miki had finally accepted Lyra’s proposal to sleep in the same bed. And for the following nights, they did so. To the point of sharing the hints of secret attraction they’ve had even before the town had been emptied out.
If they were honest from the start, they both agreed that they were quite grateful to be left in town alone.
On their 6th day alone, they had completely scoured the town but as they were getting things ready to drive to the next town, the sky burned a burning red and in a matter of minutes, foreign vehicles came crashing through the buildings. If they thought being abandoned in a ghost town was bad, watching the downfall of it was far worse.
Strange creatures emerged from the vehicles and proceeded to burn down everything in sight. It was horrendous. Without much a thought, they both ran to the forest. Taking the car would just make them easier targets. They managed until the forests. And from a distance, they just watched their town burn.
With a heavy sigh, she rested her head over his chest, and he, in turn, wrapped his arms around her frame.
“We need to get out of here soon”
“Yeah… They might catch us at any moment”
“Would you change any of it? The plans we did… the scouting and everything?” she asked, greying head against his chest.
"Not a single moment. If I did, I wouldn’t be escaping that town with the only person I care about" he replied, and held her closer under the burning sky.
Untitled 3
Honestly- I need to write a title for this but I don't even know what would be a good title. Suggestions would really be appreciated XD
Chapter 1 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-1403ea07
Chapter 2 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-2-e4573874
After their meal, their day seemed to pass in the comfortable silence they both came to know since they met. Neither of them ever found the need to speak yet neither of them could find the resolve to leave each other’s company even for a brief moment. Dana would always just be an arm’s length away from Roland. And Roland… Well, he would just be sitting close to her. Not at a distance that would make her uncomfortable but at times, he could feel himself being drawn to her as if his body knew that it would be safe with her around… or perhaps his body knew something else that he has yet to realize. The thought really was something he just couldn’t wrap his mind around but for now, it didn’t matter.
Dinner and their day ended just like that, with Roland just stealing glances at her and Dana, who would just smile at him whenever she would catch his gaze
“You seem to be enjoying the view, Roland” Her tone was teasing, rather flirtatious yet the light tinkering chuckles was enough to tell him that she was plain out amused at the unusual attention.
“I- well... “ He raised a hand to cover as much of his reddening cheeks as he could in the most natural way possible but it didn’t seem to work when he heard her chuckles turn into soft laughter “Well, furniture isn’t all that pleasing to look at all the time…” was what he simply said before he got up from the dining table
“No need to be sulky- I was just teasing!!! You can look as much as you like, Roland” She reached for his hand as she flashed him her brightest smile, that which broke down his earlier idea of hiding himself in the couch he was allowed to use as a temporary bed.
“I wasn’t, I was just going to head to sleep soon” He gave her soft hands a gentle squeeze, that which made her smile more.
“Hey… Don’t do anything reckless like leaving so early in the morning. I told you. You can stay here for a while” What was once a bright smile was replaced with a stern look he didn’t imagine he could give but he nodded and gave her hand one more light squeeze before he bid her a good night.
---
The night he spent there was the most comfortable one he had in a long time. Despite crashing on a sofa, he found himself peacefully drifting off to a silent slumber that continued until he heard the shuffling of feet all over the place. When he peeked an eye open, he found Dana shuffling around in her uniform. He could only make a low whistle as he got up to sit.
“So this is nurse Dana in her battle gear”
He didn’t even need to hear her say anything to know that he startled him. Just the squeak and instantly turning to his direction was enough to tell him.
“Did I wake you? Sorry, I got called in on emergency situations. A number of people have been getting attacked on the streets and the numbers have been getting higher. Some of them were on the brink of death when the medics found them”
His eyes widened and the realization dawned on him that the people looking for him would go through any lengths just to get him to come out. They knew how much he hated getting innocent civilians involved, and now… They’re using the very thing he hates to lure them out.
“Damn those f*cking b*stards-” He all but growled and in an instant, she was already by his side, hushing him as she held his arm, hoping that rubbing his forearm would calm him down enough.
“Who are they? Were they the ones you were trying to escape from?”
She received no answer but instead, she was met with such a rage filled gaze that she could barely recognize him as the same man that just last night, could barely keep his eyes off of her. It somewhat terrified her but it only made her hold onto his arm tighter
“Will you do something reckless like going to them when your wound hasn’t even closed up yet?”
“Don’t go to work today and I won’t” The rage filled gaze had melted at her words, now all that remained in his eyes was pleading “Please… they might find you and hurt you too”
“I can’t do that, Roland” As much as his words had melted her, she had already informed the hospital that she would be arriving.
“Then… let me at least go with you. I’ll… I’ll stay in the hospital. And wait there until your shift ends” he slipped his arm out of her hold and this time, it was him who was holding onto her hands. He was still pleading her and it seemed that he was determined to go no matter what she said so with a heavy sigh, she only instructed him to get dressed in the oversized hoodies that she owned, as well as the face mask that could cover up his face
“You have to make sure you will stay hidden if you’re insisting this much. I’ll ask them when we get to the hospital if you can stay in the nurse’s lounge. But promise me. You’ll stay put and that you’ll try not to do anything that will agitate your wound. The threads haven’t even melted yet”
She couldn’t understand what went on in his head at times but it seemed that this one of the quirks that made him different. She could barely contain her amusement when he raised his pinky finger and guided her hand to do the same.
“I pinky promise that I’ll stay hidden and stay put and you promise that I’ll be allowed to go with you on those terms” He laced his lone digit with hers and as soon as their digits were interlaced, he pressed his lips atop both their digits “Now I’ve sealed the promise. We should get going now”
Chapter 4 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-4-5f9f799d
Untitled 2
Because @Ruffa wanted me to continue the thought, I ended up doing this first before work XD but oh well, at least I have a thought going for me.
Chapter 1 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-1403ea07
“Hey- I was wondering if you were done. I have food ready” Much to his surprise, Dana didn’t come in, she just allowed a small opening to make her voice more audible for him.
“I could smell it, I… uh. I’ll finish up in a bit”
He wasn’t really sure if he heard right but a soft sigh echoed through the room once he spoke up.
“Do you… maybe need some help?” The opening from the door got wider and he could see her head peek in just enough that he could see that she was worried for him. If you can’t wash your cut, I could do it for you… just cover yourself up with the towel for a bit then I’ll get you a new one you can use to dry yourself with”
“No use toughing it out” He admitted with a light chuckle so he did as she was told and draped the towel over what needed to be covered “I… would really appreciate the help, thank you. I have the towel on now”
The moment he gave he told her that he had already been partially covered by the towel, she allowed herself inside. Apparently, she had anticipated things and already brought her first aid kit with her
“You seem prepared” He teased as he watched her kneel down by the side of the tub and pull some clean cloth out from her box.
Well, I’m a nurse, what would you expect?” And again, she offered him such a bright smile that could rival even the radiance of the sun, but he chose not to speak his thoughts out of embarrassment but instead, he gave her a light pat on the head. There was no such woman like her in the mafia world and her company was definitely refreshing.
“But why aren’t you in uniform? Day off?”
She nodded as her delicate digits traced over the long gash that extended from just a few inches below his arm to almost reaching his navel. It was definitely long and fresh. “This will need a few stitches. Would you mind moving to the bed so I can administer it faster?”
He was in no position to decline so he propped himself up enough that he could stand. His winces didn’t go unnoticed of course, and in a second, she was already there to help him and guide him to her bedroom. She handed him a dry towel which he used to cover himself up while she excused herself so she could come back with the first aid kit she had brought to the bathroom
“Do you think you’ll be fine without anesthesia?”
“I’ve experienced worse so don’t worry much about me” He did the best he could to manage a reassuring smile but as soon as went to work on the stitches, whatever trace of that smile was replaced with a gaping mouth that was trying to take in as much deep breaths as he could.
The stitching took about 30 minutes and when they were done, he had 25 stitches down his body. She had covered it with a bandage that wrapped around his torso but as she was wrapping the bandages, she couldn’t stop but let her gaze wander across the expanse of his torso. As much as he had a very sculpted figure, it harbored many stitches and scars that came from worse injuries than what he had now. Just what was this man, was at the forefront of her mind.
Roland caught onto her but instead of saying anything, he simply placed his hand on top of her head and shook his head in a ‘no’ once she met his gaze “I’ll… tell you about them another time if you’re interested” was all he could say before his stomach broke the awkward silence for them. The grumbling could well be heard across the room and Dana could only laugh in amusement as she came to a stand and search for clothes that she thought would be big enough to at least cover him up.
He was handed an oversized shirt, well oversized to her at least. And a pair of sweatpants that looked stretchable enough.
“Get dressed… or would you need help with that too?”
AS much as he refused, as soon as he was trying the shirt on, he couldn’t manage anything that could hide the hisses and winces of pain he was emitting. And as much as Dana wanted to laugh and tease him for a bit, she just rolled her eyes at him and helped him into the shirt and sweatpants.
“Come on, tough guy. We need to get you fed. The food’s probably cold by now with all the drama you had me put up through” Her presence really was refreshing and their encounter was something he was secretly grateful for. He could have been captured by now, or worse, dead if she hadn’t found him.
“I’m coming, Nurse” He shot back with a chuckle
“So mind telling me over brunch why you were in those dumpsters?”
He froze in his spot, not really sure if he should be telling her the facts or not but she had saved his life and it was the least he could offer her… for now. “I… was being chased down”
She didn’t seem the least bit shocked when he was searching her face for any other expression besides the poker face she had on at that moment.
“I already figured when I saw those scars of yours. How long have you been on the run?” She gestured for him to sit as she started serving him rice, then some of the meat she had cooked in a sweet sauce.
“For about a year now.” He nodded and offered her thanks before he started chowing down on his meal. “I… wanted to run away from the family… I didn’t want to bear any responsibilities and I don’t want to become one of them. That’s the best explanation I can offer you right now, Dana”
His face grew somber and he just kept his gaze down as he continued on with his meal.
His head shot up when he felt a warm, soft hand press against his cheek, guiding his gaze to Dana which seemed to be doing her best to offer him her most assuring smile. “You can stay here with me for a while then. I can keep you safe and hidden”
And again, he was at a lack of words. He hadn’t been this speechless his entire life and he knew she wouldn’t take no for an answer with how aggressive she could be. So again, he could only nod and look her straight in the eyes.
That which she just met with a smile and a brush of her thumb across his cheek. It was only then when he realized that he had teared up
Chapter 3 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-3-3e45bfd0
Let's see how long I'll let them be peaceful 😂😂😂😂😂
Mafia people are scary, after all
Untitled
Wasn't sure what to do with this but I was pretty sure I needed to write it down so I don't forget. Dunno where I would put this in tbh but it just seemed like something good in the making.
He looked from left to right. Panicked, he just chose to run to wherever was the most crowded. Blending into the crowd was the best way to go if he wanted to escape his pursuers. More like… he had no choice but to do so. The gash on his left side was still bleeding and he needed somewhere… anywhere he could stay in until he recovered or at least until the cut would dry up.
The rain wasn’t making it easier for him either. Few people, only a few people would go out in this city without an umbrella. That alone made him stick out like a sore thumb
“F*ck- I need to get out of here”
Street by street, he wandered aimlessly until his strength could barely allow him to walk. Out of sheer exhaustion and the blood loss, he used his remaining strength to hide in between the trash bins. He wasn’t sure when he had blacked out but what surprised him was warmth that was wrapping around his body.
“Is this hell…?” he muttered weakly as he forced his eyes open. A mistake on his part though, as he was not expecting to be greeted by the blaring sun. Luckily a figure towering over him covered enough until his vision had adjusted and he could properly see that the figure was a woman. A young one at that, probably a few years younger than him. “Wh-who are you? Where am I?”
The woman knelt down to his level as she continued to wrap the blanket around his frame.
“I’m just here to help. Your wound was bleeding so much and I thought we should get you to the hospi-”
“No hospitals- please” She was taken aback as he abruptly sat up, causing him to hiss in pain as the wound opened up a bit again “I… I can treat myself so anywhere but there”
He pleaded with her, hoping she would just leave him to die but he didn’t expect that she would extend a hand to him, an injured stranger, who could well be a serial killer or some deranged lunatic for all she knew.
“If you don’t want to go to the hospital then why not come to my place” He stared at her in amazement and it seemed like she was the stubborn type with how she didn’t even wait for a response when she leaned in and draped his arm over her shoulders as she helped him to a stand with her support.
“Why are you doing this? I could be a dangerous person, for all you know”
“Dangerous or not, you’re injured and I don’t want anyone dying when I know I could do something to help”
“You’re a strange one… but I appreciate it very much” He offered her the best smile he could manage despite the throbbing pain on his side with each step they took.
“You’re much stranger for thinking I’m strange. I’m Dana, by the way” In turn for his smile, she offered him her brightest smile and if hearts could melt, then his was probably reduced to a pool of goo by now.
“Likewise. I’m Roland”
With how he could easily smile around her, he knew that his stay with her would be well worthwhile. It had been a while since he’s had the comfortable silence they had as they made their way to her apartment and he was hoping that he could enjoy it a bit longer. Hopefully, his pursuers would lose his tracks somehow but with the mafia world being much larger than it will ever be on surface-level... He could only hope that he could heal faster so as to not drag his newfound friend into the mess he so desperately wanted to escape.
Her apartment wasn’t so far off from where she had found him. And based on the contents of her bag that she emptied as soon as she helped him into the bathroom to wash up, he was sure that the alley he hid from was close enough to a market of sorts since she had a variety of vegetables with her.
“Take a bath first, okay? I think I have big enough shirts that would fit you.. And maybe we can hope that my sweatpants would stretch enough for you to fit in”
He could hear her snicker at just the mention of looking for clothes but he couldn’t deny that even the idea amused him being such a large man that he was, It was definitely a sight to see once he was done, but for the time being, he was struggling to wash himself… or even figure out how to clean the gash on his side.
30 minutes passed, then 45… then an hour and he was pretty sure she was cooking because he could smell the food even from the bathroom. He wanted to get up already but even that was a struggle. D*mn mafia lap dogs beat him up pretty good and it just seemed all too embarrassing to ask for help. He wasn’t really sure what to do but the moment he heard the bathroom door click and the door creak open, he knew she was coming and that he had no choice but to accept her assistance.
Chapter 2 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/untitled-2-e4573874
I lost everything
**[WP] You sit down one night as your wife brings you your tea. On your first forkful, you think "This is cold." You look up and she is gone. The table is covered in dust, the house is in ruins, and the sky is filled with ash.**
The war was raging between the kingdoms of Selenia and Askait, nowhere was safe and there was nowhere to hide. We, the survivors from the small town of Afron, did everything we could to survive. We remained in hiding, disguised ourselves. We didn’t have anywhere to go. Whatever word we got of an evacuation village or a group of refugees like us in a nearby town were all nothing to look forward to after we had found the first few in ruins. Whatever settlement we passed through, we barely found anybody there, only corpses.
As the months passed by, we were slowly losing hope of the war ever ending. Our group had thought that we would continue living off whatever scraps we could find in the remains of the wreckage we passed but after a year of the war, things had finally died down and for a moment there was peace.
The very last settlement my group of refugees managed to arrive at, had been our very last stop and the place we were welcomed to rebuild our lives in.
That settlement was the furthest from the center of the chaos and luckily the soldiers never reached that far else, there would have been nothing for us and we would have had to continue until we crossed the borders of another country when half of the people under my care could barely manage anymore. The war had reduced my people by half of our original numbers since we fled our village for safety.
It was vexing having to see the people who had been part of my life disappear one by one before my eyes and I honestly hoped that by staying in that settlement, I wouldn’t have to witness such a thing again. But I was still young, a man still in his 26th year of existence and I was convinced with how the two kingdoms were on bad terms that this peace in the settlement wouldn’t last long yet I still hoped. I truly hoped we could be allowed peace.
Us, all of the people from the village tried to learn their ways and thankfully they were all very patient with teaching us. We also offered to teach our ways that were more efficient and they were welcomed with open arms. By a few week’s time, we had built a comraderie and our settlement thrived.
Soon enough, we had managed to open up trades and exchanges with the few developing settlements near our own. It was a lot of work transporting with just carriages and the uneven paths but we somehow managed each time. I had become one of the settlement’s representatives. It was amazing to have witnessed the growth of our area until it became known as an unnamed town. The lands expanded and we managed to have more citizens. It took almost 5 years for the town to reach the success it has now. And in all those years, there was a woman that stood by my side.
Her name was Annalise, she was one of the daughters of the merchant we often traded with in the next town and although it often took me days at a time, sometimes weeks, before I could see her again, she waited for me each and every time. And each time I would give her the adventure of a lifetime in the forests that separated our areas. Her family also grew very fond of me and countless times, I proved to be a man that would be able to provide for their daughter so our wedding was held in the forest. It was a strange request from us, yes, but we wanted it to symbolize the union of our two towns.
She was the most beautiful I had seen on that day and I could still remember the very first night we were allowed to share a bed. I knew I made the right choice when I asked for her hand.
The days that followed were nothing but sheer bliss. Each day, I was greeted with her radiant smile and a cup of warm tea I could drink as she prepared for our meal. Then after having eaten, she would company me on the trades where she took note of every account even without asking. She was a woman of grace and intelligence and I could not ask for more.
It was heartbreaking when the nearby kingdom of Askait had come to our small unnamed town, however. We all had hoped the last war would be the last but it was unfortunate that it wasn’t. Askait had declared a new war and they needed more soldiers. They gathered all able men and took them to fight on the frontlines. Our town was no exception and I had to separate with my beloved wife and town for months.
We were sent from town to town. At first, it was just to help the wounded soldiers while we were being trained but eventually we had to stain our hands. We had to fight for all of this to end. As pointless as it was, we all just wanted to go home. That was when I heard the news of our town being attacked by Selenia because it was near the borders of Askait and they had suspected our town of being a hideout for its wounded but that was far from the case.
With that knowledge in mind, I fled the battlefront and made my way back to town as quickly as my stead could take me. It still took days and when I arrived, I fell to my knees. The town was in ashes. None remained. Tears streamed down my cheeks and I had remained glued to my spot for who knows how long. When I finally had the mind to stand, I walked. I forced myself to. And dragged my feet to our home. I was hoping she would still be there, waiting for me as she promised.
When I arrived, I hadn’t even realized it was already night. I opened the door, sat myself on the wooden table where we would have our meals. I just felt empty and I just stared blankly at our home. I watched as she took a step away from the stove with a teacup in hand, and placed it in front of me. I took a sip and I first thought of how cold it was. She never serves me cold tea. I saw her radiant smile once more and leaned into her touch as she caressed my cheek and soothe the tears away.
I had thought it was all real but when I reached up to touch her hand, she vanished and I was greeted with dust on the table and a large hole where it was once their kitchen. The house was in shambles as the cold evening wind blew and caressed my skin, I could see the ashes of what used to be our home.
I heaved a deep sigh and I dragged my feet once more to the bed we shared, there I saw her body. Her neck had been slit yet she was as beautiful as he could remember. I had no wish to live his life without everything I had worked so hard for. My life had no meaning anymore even if I returned to the battlefronts so I took my sword in hand and pointed it to myself. I gave myself a clean slit on the neck and what little energy I could muster, I took her in his arms and held her till my last dying breath.
Kind of short because I swear- work won't give me a break 😤😤😤😤😤😤 had to type this I was waiting for the updates and they wanted me to be online so I can work on it ASAP but it has been 45 minutes and still nothing
13: Ch. 2
**[WP] You wake up in a white room with a table. On the table is a handgun and 3 mags. As you stand up, you notice a band on your hand with the number 13 imprinted on it. A voice plays “Hello 13, please grab the gear and enter the next room, failure to comply may result in fatal consequences”**
**[WP] "But why choose me? I'm not special." "To be frank, my dear, it's because you aren't one of them."**
Chapter 1 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/13-bfb05478
Boom! An explosion large enough to shake the space came and he could think of no one except the user Bruno, who would use a baby bazooka as a weapon. He was a fearsome foe that did everything he could to level out the playing field just so there would be no hiding places for the strategist type like him. This was gonna be tough and with that baby bazooka of his, the number of red dots and places he could climb on was being reduced. It was truly a frightening match but he had no intentions of using his bullets, only the tranquilizers. They were not told to kill, just to survive, after all.
Calleb never made a run for it but he just crept on his stomach across the walls and each time he would come across a player, he would wait for the right time before shooting with the tranquilizer. It was better to have them knocked down than to be dead was what he thought. He had hoped that there was someone who would at least pull them out of the game and going back on the ground would expose him so he made the choice to leave them be.
As he brought down as many players as possible, Bruno was also going on a rampage and the ruins left behind from that baby bazooka of his had already leveled half the field. Halfway through the map, he had already gone on land. He simply hid behind the wreckage. 2 hours had passed since the game had started and there were just the two of them left on the playing field. It was draining and by that time, it had honestly become a cat and mouse chase. Bruno was the one chasing and Calleb had no choice but to keep hiding in the mess as he continuously tried to aim at Bruno.
It was getting more and more difficult because even the man behind the character was as built as the avatar was and he… he barely had the stamina to keep going but it was either Bruno or him.
Again he climbed up the walls, it seemed like with just a few bullets left, he had no choice but to kill. Each turn he made Bruno would be waiting. Of course, he still had trouble pinpointing Calleb’s position and it looked like he was being careful too with how much he was shooting with his baby bazooka now. He was also growing desperate but on Bruno’s last shot, he tore down the entire wall I was perched on. The moment the wall was crumbling, I took my aim as he was reloading.
It was a clean hit and the bullet was lodged at the center of his forehead.
As his red dot disappeared on the map, a bright light appeared from the ceiling then a rope ladder fell down just a few steps away Calleb
“Congratulations number 13. You are the winner of the game. You are free to leave that space. Those who you have tranquilized will be retrieved shortly and those who have perished in battle, their bodies will be returned to their families”
He climbed with whatever strength he had left and when he finally reached the top, he was greeted with a man dressed in the same all-white clothing as him yet that man didn’t have a tag.
“Why did you do this to us?” He took a step forward, eyeing this man as he remained seated on his couch
“Because I wanted to prove something” He had gestured for Calleb to take a seat beside him, that which Calleb had instantaneously declined.
“And what was that? Do you think the lives of those people were just things that could be easily sacrificed because of one selfish goal?” Anger was welling up in Calleb’s system already and in all honesty, It was just ridiculous, that excuse that was given to him.
“That not everyone will adapt and accept the situation. Some would still choose peace or a bloodless battle if given the choice. It was only you that used the tranquilizers, did you know that?” Calleb was in awe at what he had heard. It was true that he had no intentions of doing any real harm. He just wanted to make it out alive without that many casualties because he knew they were all in the same boat.
“What does that have to do with me being chosen? I’m not so special. And all the other top players?”
“To be frank, it was because none of you were like them. Or so I hoped. But you... You definitely are not like them. And that was simply why. From this point on. I hope to create more of you. I will be cloning your consciousness. Each generation needs someone like you with how more and more messed up everything is becoming. So as your last task, number 13. I need you to die for me”
The next thing he knew, a PS-01 was pointed at him and before he could even retaliate, he was shot in the chest once, twice. And as he was losing consciousness, he could feel his body being hoisted on something cold, maybe a metal table
“Get his brain while it hasn’t stopped yet! He will be the core of our AI units”
Those words and the wheezing sound of medical equipment were the last things he heard before his vision went black.
And that's it for this mini-series! I don't think I've justified the action part well enough but I enjoyed this prompt a lot UwU
13: Ch. 1
**[WP] You wake up in a white room with a table. On the table is a handgun and 3 mags. As you stand up, you notice a band on your hand with the number 13 imprinted on it. A voice plays “Hello 13, please grab the gear and enter the next room, failure to comply may result in fatal consequences”**
**[WP] "But why choose me? I'm not special." "To be frank, my dear, it's because you aren't one of them."**
Living life as a shut in nerd that only knew life from a screen, Calleb had no complaints on how he lived his life whatsoever. He earned enough from the internet through his freelancing gigs, he was pretty successful with it too. He had a few online friends that were in the same boat and just communicating through video chats or calls, and playing games together was pretty much enough.
The only time Calleb ever needed to go out was when his mood would be good and he had the mindset to actually live healthier. Or more like when one of his friends would be nagging him about his diet because “He shouldn’t live off noodles even if they were cheap” In those times, he would just give in and tell them that he would go to buy veggies and real meat so they stop nagging. That was him learning from experience because he knows his friend would not shut up no matter how much he argues.
That very same day, he was about ready to go out. But a few steps away from his apartment and he just fell to the ground and the last thing he could remember was that there was suddenly an itch on his nape then everything went black.
When he came to, he wasn’t in his apartment or on the street he was taking to get to the grocery store, but he was in a white room. It hurt to even open his eyes with how blindingly bright his environment was. Aside from that, he noticed that he was on a large metal table. And on second glance, he wasn’t wearing his black shirt anymore but all his clothing was changed to a white one. Everything from head to toe was white and he basically thought he was a ghost when he saw his reflection in the mirror. The only colored item on him was the red tag on his left arm. The kind of red that looked like blood. And written on it largely was the number 13. The unluckiest number but then it seemed rather fitting with his luck at that moment.
From the mirror Calleb stood from, he noticed on the other side of the room was a table and on it… was something he never thought he would see there. It was a handgun. The very same one he had been using in a game he was playing too. A pindad ps-01 serbu, and along with it was 3 full mags. One had nothing but tranquilizer shots, however. The rest was filled with bullets. Real bullets that could be used to kill.
As he was inspecting the items much closer, a voice resounded in the room. He was panicked and looked around but there was no sign of a speaker or anything.
“Hello 13, please grab the gear and enter the next room, failure to comply may result in fatal consequences”
He wasn’t even allowed to ask when He heard a whizzing sound and my attention was instantly directed to the door now coming into view
“Good luck number 13 and make sure you come back alive” Those words were the last thing he heard before the lights went off except for whatever lighting was on the table with the gear. He didn’t really know what to do so he just strapped the mags onto the belt they provided and slowly crept to the door with the gun in hand.
After a few peeks, He went out the door which closed almost instantly as he was out. No base to stay in so was what he thought as he made his way deeper down the dimly lit hallway. It wasn’t being alone that scared him but it was the fact that he had no maps like he would be given in games. To his surprise, however, what greeted him at the end of the hallway was another table where a headgear was placed and a note beside it telling him to put it on. And so he did.
The moment it was on his head, a map came to view, as well as a few options, his current condition and stats. It was all like his view on the game but he was sure that this time, it wasn’t a game anymore. It was a ploy of some sick psycho and he was sure that whoever it was, he had to meet them.
The next door opened and with the help of the map, he didn’t hesitate in rushing this time. And as soon as he set foot on the field, a number of red dots came out. It was the 12 other players all trying to reach the center but with how he knew the game, it wasn’t supposed to be like that. Or maybe they were targets. He really had no clue if this all had a purpose but going back to his strategy in the game, staying in high places was always the safe choice so without a second thought, he used his gun to shoot holes into the nearest wall and climbed up so he could position himself and get a better view of everything… and everyone.
They were experienced players too. He could tell from how they would handle their equipment and the degree of customizations on it. Whoever did this had an eye out for the top players of the country because he recognized those weapons. He’s fought against them in tournaments so many times and to think he was now in the same fight for survival as he was, it terrified him.
Chapter 2 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/13-ch-2-6d7d29d7
I had 2k words for this so.. the rest I'll publish tomorrow because I wanted to make it more dramatic :"")
The garden
**[WP] Nobody intentionally comes to your garden, but those that do are never looking for anything other than their final resting place. You’ve seen a variety of people come your way from all walks of life, but this newcomer surprises you.**
always remember how people would say how special my garden was. Even when I was just starting it, I would often see people peeking over the garden gates just to get a peek at the progress I had made in my garden. That was during the first decade at least. After I went on to experiment with my plants… Everyone started avoiding my garden like the plague. I wouldn’t be surprised. It was as if every plant in the garden came alive.
Eventually, I had to expand my land. I had to sell some of the saplings and the unique fruits the trees would bear to the city to get more funds to expand my land. It was all worthwhile and for quite some time, I came to a point where my plants were in demand. I even had some visitors wanting to come to have a view of the parent plant but what I didn’t know was that my plants had more to them than providing for produce and appeal.
By the second decade, I witnessed the strangest thing I ever could in my garden. Seeing them come to life was not the strangest, no. There was apparently more to see.
One time, a visitor dropped by. She probably was in her 70s but I never asked because it was rude to ask women about their ages. I remember she was asking to see my plants and of course I welcomed her with open arms. I was showing her around as I walked her to my hut so that we could enjoy some tea that I just harvested that morning. It was a floral tea and I could see that she enjoyed the aroma and flavor so much but perhaps that’s because she was new to the flavor. Anyways, after having tea and some biscuits, I took her deeper into the garden. The moment we reached the center, she stopped in her tracks after seeing the one I called my grand tree. It was the one I experimented with hybridization the most and the one most capable of having different kinds of fruits now. I honestly just thought she was fascinated by the different fruits it bore but that wasn’t the case.
“This… I have been dreaming about this for the longest time..” She turned to face me, as if a sense of relief and peace had washed over her “It seems, I finally found somewhere I can rest. Would you be a dear and take care of my things? There’s a letter in that bag. If you could mail those… you can have whatever is left in the bag as my thanks for helping me find my peace” She handed me the small pink bag she had with her and then she walked towards my grand tree.
I honestly thought I was daydreaming when the tree opened up and welcomed her inside as if it knew about her arrival. I was honestly terrified at first but then I saw its branches and the other plants come closer to me as if comforting me and assuring me that it was not my time yet so I had no reason to be scared of them. Those plants that could move just stayed with me to watch how the old lady was encapsulated in the amounts of vines and roots. I, later on, realized that she had become part of the garden because I could feel her warm presence around me once she had been fully enclosed.
After that, I went on to go through her bag. I found a few letters there which were addressed to three people. I sent them all but I never expected a reply. So I found out she was abandoned by her children. It was the nursing home she stayed in that explained the entire situation to me.
Since then, I have had a few people of all ages and ethnicity come to visit. All with the same purpose, and that was when I decided to keep expanding the land because they all kept leaving items they kept insisting I used and that I did. I wanted to keep their resting place safe. I wanted them to have the peace they all deserved after all the suffering they shared with me. What was peculiar was the very last visitor I ever had. She was the youngest I ever had.
Her name was Feng Ai but she introduced herself as just Ai, a 12-year-old immigrant. She told me that her parents hoped they would have a better life in the States but if anything, it just put her in a worse situation because they could barely eat and the immigration housing… was like a pigsty. She knew very minimal english so I had to make out what she was saying half the time. It wasn’t that bad but I just kept wondering why the garden called out to her.
I had no complaints though. I enjoyed her company. And I witnessed how fast she would pick up on everything. She was definitely a smart girl and it was a good thing that she found her way here.
“Aaron!” She called out as she hung upside down from one of the branches
“Yes, Ai?” I was still tending to some of the new saplings then and I had tasked her to help me pick fruits for breakfast. She already knew which ones were ready to harvest and which weren’t. Or maybe the plants were teaching her too since they somehow took a liking to her more than my previous visitors.
“The plants were telling me something about staying here?” She asked curiously as she handed me a few fruits “What does that mean?”
“It just means that maybe they want you to take care of them? They told me the same thing when they started moving on their own” I offered her a warm smile as I looked around my vast garden. Yeah… I stayed here because of them and I loved all 68 years of it. “What else did they tell you?”
She then got down from the branch. And we made our way back. “They told me you need to go soon” Her lips curled into a pout at the thought “And that I can stay here even after you’re gone. They said I was fun and I was a good girl”
“Well, you are. And you know I’m old already so I don’t think I have much time left to stick around but don’t worry, I’ll stay with you for as long as I can” With that, I gave her a pat on the head and ushered her to get the table ready while I made breakfast for the both of us.
The remaining four years I had left with her, the time seemed to fly by so fast. Every moment was such a happy one. She grew into such a healthy and independent girl that eventually became the one who began to scold me when I was doing something she knew was bad for my health. It wasn’t moments I enjoyed but I knew she only meant well. I treated her as my own daughter even if I never had one but I was sure that was what caring for a daughter was like.
In our last few moments together… I remember how sad she was but she still kept on her smile as if nothing was wrong but I knew it was just her being strong. It pained me to see it but I told her one last thing before I went off “The garden will always provide. One day, someone will keep you company here so you just have to wait a while for it, okay?”
She just nodded and bit her lips harder to stifle her sobs as she watched me walk into the grand tree. It broke my heart, watching her having to cry like that in my final moments but it was just my time. It was better to see her off with a proper goodbye than to her suddenly finding my corpse not breathing anymore. And so, I went on deeper into the tree where I was greeted with the grandest casket I had ever seen them offer anyone who had come to find their peace in the garden. I was happy with their greeting and in my final moments, I knew I was at peace.
Been a while since I had time to write. I'm gonna try to find a balance somehow because freelancing is harder than how I remebered it to be
Escape! We must escape
**[WP] your genetic study company has produced a new bio-weapon for military use: an intelligent hunting beast of insect-based origin. Out of sympathy for its pain and imprisonment, you carry out a plan to release it. Years after you succeed and imprison yourself, the beast pays back its debt to you.**
Adopt-a-beast, The leading beast research, and development agency of the country of Ubresh. Need a Cerberus? A dragon? No worries, the company has every beast imaginable. For the right price, of course.
Some time during the early 1900s, the company had been one of the best places to get beasts to guard castles, towers, anything, even as transportation. But with the advent of technology, their customers had far more needs than before. For some time, the company had faced a crisis with its sales. Branches were shutting down. Their beasts were being refunded. Eventually, the company had to take matters into their own hands.
By the 1940s, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy. That was when a younger generation of researchers and breeders came with the idea of hybridizing their remaining beasts.
So from beasts of high purity, their new selling point was the uniqueness of their beasts. With their new breeding methods, they had managed to create the most unique of beasts. Some were akin to dragons but smaller, more fit for travel since they can run fast and still climb up vertical paths. Some of their creatures were ones that seemed extremely harmless puffy ones but once agitated, can shed their fur to reveal spikes. Those became popular with military combat.
Since then, the military had become one of their largest patrons. It was uncommon for military personnel to even be seen walking without a beast in its possession. Even for those cadets that were nearing their training completion, usually, they would be assigned a Beast. Each creature produced was unique and somewhat tailored to fit their handler.
By the onset of the 21st century, Adopt-a-beast’s method became more of a mystery. Yes, it regained its spot as one of the leading markets for beasts. Yes, it was a dream job for many researchers to land a position in the company because of the benefits. But for someone like Henry who had been working in the company’s laboratory since his graduation from biomolecular engineering, it was becoming more and more of a nightmare with each passing day that he would witness the methods they were using against the beasts.
He could still remember how he was told by his seniors that he would grow immune to seeing how things actually were but not a single moment passed that he could forget the pained cries of whatever beast they were modifying that time.
Even with just closing his eyes, he could clearly picture the beast strapped onto the metal observation table. He could see how needles would pierce its skin to extract some of its DNA for the next creature they would be mixing it with but half the time, he could only picture how the creatures would be fed poisons, would be burnt, frozen, and get subjected to conditions which grew harsher and harsher with time. All for the sake of creating a more efficient and powerful beast that they could present to the military.
It had been 15 years since Henry started. 15 years of mental, moral, and emotional torment and to be frank, he was close to breaking. Sure, he had collected a large sum but at what cost?
Henry just couldn’t bear hearing the cries of these creatures for so long anymore. Especially their most recent project. The research head claimed it would be the most revolutionary beast they had ever had the pleasure of making. It carried the body of a mantis-like creature yet it was one mixed with their earlier dragon collection. It was supposed to be one of their best hunting and assassinating creatures by far. Yet from its infancy, it has experienced nothing but training. Of all the beasts under his team’s care, that one was the most maltreated of all. Why? Simply because it could survive.
If it lost a limb, it would simply regenerate. The exoskeleton of a mantis, mixed with the abilities of a dragon made its skin much harder than even that of dragon scales. It was a horrifying creation close to an immortal being yet in Henry’s eyes, it was just a creature that had suffered enough.
On one night, where his team was assigned to work a late shift in preparation for their creature’s showcase to the military, All Henry could do was watch as the creature curled to one corner of its cell. It was no different from the other creatures they had developed before yet this one seemed to tug at his heart the most.
For the last time that evening, he gazed at the curled figure that lay on the cold metal flooring. And for the last time, he heaved a deep sigh before he steeled himself.
That night, he made his coworkers leave early. Assuring them that he could manage the remaining tune-up tests himself and if anything happened, he would ring them. But once he was alone at the lab, he quickly made his way to the cage where their creature was contained in. Once the door was open, he gathered the small creature into his arms and covered it with his coat. He was lucky enough that the building was already empty at that time so escape was easy enough. He had taken the creature to the border forest between Ubresh and Grubia. He was sure the woodland would keep it safe and hidden. He needn’t worry about its food because it was trained enough in hunting.
By the time they arrived at the forest, it was noon and he was already receiving ample calls from the laboratory about the missing creature. Those which he never bothered answering. His priority was to leave the creature as deep into the forest as possible. Once he was sure the creature managed to wander off on its own in the forest, he made his way back to the laboratory where a wall of armed men was the first thing that greeted him.
“Henry, what have you done!?!” His supervisor was in a fit as he was being carried to where the man stood “You do understand that this little fiasco of yours will be the reason we might lose our biggest patron?!?”
Before he could even speak, he met with a hard slap across his face “Don’t you dare say a word- Since you love these creatures so much, how about we experiment with you in their place?”
His eyes grew wide with the next words that left his supervisor’s lips. He knew that the creatures lacked comprehension but to mix in human genes was the most unethical of practices any laboratory could ever do. But without even being allowed to protest, a syringe was soon injected into his nape and a few minutes later, everything was dark.
When he finally came to, he was on the metal floor and as he gazed around while slowly looking up at his surroundings, he recognized the room as the very one where their mantis creature had been imprisoned in
“It’s nice to see that you’re finally awake. This will be your new room. You are no longer allowed to stay in the company dorm and from now on, we will be collecting DNA from you on a regular basis. Make sure you rest up and keep your genes healthy, else you’re as good as trash that’s up for disposal” As the transmission from the intercom ended, he somehow had lost all his strength. It was his supervisor and knowing him, once he utters out his words, they were bound to happen.
As much as it should torment him, knowing that he managed to save one life from being abused, it instead brought him peace. The kind of peace he hadn’t experienced in the 15 years that he had been working there. With just that in mind, he managed the next 3 years in such a state where he was treated like the beasts held captive there. Although he did receive news or overheard how his genes were being used in the development of almost humanoid beasts that had as much of his brains and spirit as he did but it did nothing to ease his worries on what their fates would be.
In his head, all he managed to do was to create more creatures that would suffer abuses and he had planned to end his own life right then and there. He had been thinking of using the fork all this time. Sharp enough to pierce through the skin of his neck and damage the major veins and arteries but before he could proceed with his plans, The commotion outside his cell distracted him for the nth time. He was approaching the door when it opened on its own and the first sight that greeted him was one that was enough to cause tears to flow freely from his eyes.
It was the mantis he saved. And other creatures that harbored his genes
“Creator… we came to help you escape”
At a loss for words, he could only nod almost immediately s he got to his feet and made a run for it with the other creatures that were managing their escape
“Where will we go from here?” Was the first thing he had asked the mantis once he regained his thoughts
“To the forest where you hid me. It will be my turn to save you”
Wouldn't change a thing
Based on the title, you might think this is yet another random story from my head but for today, I just wanted to write about my 7, almost 8 months here in read.cash.
Yes, I've been here for that long and I've been enjoying every moment of it since I began. I met the coolest people who I never expected to make this much an influence in my life like (I don't think I should mention because there's way too many and I would feel bad if I left anybody out tbh :"( ). I also found a place where I can really be open. I never liked social media and exposing myself there, I kept saying that when I first started out here and I still think the same but something about this community is just so welcoming to change that it makes me love the crypto community more. And that's one of the things I would never change. Sure, it would have been nice if I found out about the platform earlier but what matters is that I still found it anyways 😊
From a simple student to somewhat a crypto enthusiast now. though I'm still not at that point where I understand everything in podcasts, articles, and the terms, the point is, I've come a pretty long way from just being a nerd/artist that can only nerd out at the randomest of times. Now, I can divert my attention to the charts if I'm bored. I've even been hodling since the start of the year and although it's still only at 0.2 BCH and a few altcoins on the side, but it's a better start than nothing.
Though I did take a look at all my BCH transactions since I got here and it was at 2,700+USD so around 5.7+BCH and it got me thinking that if I had prioritized hodling from the beginning, I would have had almost 6 whole BCH now, with the addition of what I get from noise.cash. But again, I wouldn't change a thing because there were bills to pay, my thesis expenses (because we were forced to continue our research at home), the graduation fees, payments for my review school, and a few regular utility bills. So honestly, it couldn't be helped and it's alright! It's better to just keep striving to get that 1BCH at some point of this year then aim higher after I've achieved that. I'm honestly really thankful for this community because it really helped me graduate (parents didn't really give me much when it came to school expenses) and also really helped me in some emergency cases.
even when I was already working, I still relied on the site so much because I wanted to make sure I could send enough to cover house expenses then I would take care of my personal expenses in another way. But now that I've resigned and managed to freelance again, I can really focus on hodling and expanding what I know about the crypto space. Now I don't only have read.cash, There's also noise.cash, Upwork, and recently, I'm trying my luck with publishOX and in a bit of trading. Hopefully, I can expand my crypto portfolio and get to that 1BCH
This is where I am in my attempt to reach my goal for the year and I wouldn't have it any other way. What matters is that I'm going at my own pace and that I know that I'll get there eventually!
A big Cheers to #Club1BCH although I'm not there yet, but the thought of saving up with other people is really encouraging for me so a big thank you to you guys too 💚💚💚
Her regrets
**[SP] You don't have to go anywhere in order to abandon someone**
As Alice took one last look at what was supposed to be their haven, she couldn’t help but bite on her lower lip to stifle her sobs. It wasn’t that she had no other place to run to but at that moment, she felt as if no place in this world would be as accepting as his apartment ever was. But now was not the time to be reminiscing about all the good times. Now was the time to make a run for it before he could wake up and tell her something might make her change her mind.
It wasn’t always like that. No. When things were starting, they were oh-so-happy. No day was ever dull.
She could clearly remember when they were 18 and had both just started their college days. Out of sheer dumb luck, they had bumped into each other at the corner, only to find out that they were headed to the same class anyway. And although it was just their orientation class, she could still remember how they would try to steal glances of each other in that lecture hall even when the official philosophy lecture finally rolled in and how she would turn beet red when their gaze would actually meet. She never knew how he reacted since she had always been the first to look away but she had hoped she had the same effect on him.
Yes, she could also remember how he had come up to her to officially introduce himself because attendance was not taken in that class but a quiz at the end of the class that served as their attendance and grade. Alice had gripped on the strap of her bag much tighter as she recalled how adorable he was as he stuttered in his introduction and even invited her to have lunch with him, if only she hadn’t accepted the offer. She wouldn’t be in this kind of chaotic mindstate now. But it was already too late.
She shouldn’t have believed his promises that evening when he first asked her for a date because now they barely meant anything to him. She shouldn’t have given so much of herself when he made it official and they were free to call each other boyfriend and girlfriend. Now she can’t even figure out who she was before she met him. She knows there’s no one to blame for what had befallen them but. Things like regret happen but she was sure she didn’t regret everything in their 5 years together.
It didn’t even feel like they had been dating for 3 years when he asked her to move in with him in an apartment just a few minutes away from the University. She didn’t even realize how much he stopped putting up the effort when they finally settled in with each other. Her friends said it was normal but it didn’t feel like that. Or more like, she didn’t want to accept the fact yet. She had still hoped that he would come around and plan something just for both of them but that never happened.
She was aware of the bills, their final years in university, and their need to keep up their grades despite working. She was so painfully aware of those things since they carried the same routine every single day. Work, break, class, study, repeat. And despite how he was just in arm’s length, it felt as though he was already so far from her reach.
By their final year in uni, he barely spoke to her. Only focused on his classes and the bills. Yes, she understood that they were both going to be climbing up that stage soon and maybe it was just the pressure that was making things harder for them but that wasn’t the case at all.
Despite having graduated and landing a better job, nothing seemed to change. He would just come home to their shared apartment and utter a greeting or two but as soon as she finished serving the food and they both finished eating, it was off to bed with them or if a good movie happened to play then they would watch it in silence until either of them would just fall asleep.
After a year of that and no changes despite the effort she had put into some things, that was when she had realized that you don't have to go anywhere in order to abandon someone. You just had to tear down every effort they made and then live life as if you did nothing wrong.
Sharing a bed meant nothing when she would only awaken to find the other side empty. On her last night in their apartment, he would be in for the biggest surprise of his life when he woke. And that would be her absence. Absence from his life entirely.
I'm not sad or anything and this is not my story but lol XD the prompt looked so good to me and I kind of based it on the story of a friend of mine. This was just sitting in my drafts too, just thought of finally finishing it up
I won
**[WP] Heroes are born as twins. For one to gain the power of light, the other must be plunged into darkness. Broken and beaten to fuel the power of the other. As my anger and sorrow run deeper, I dream of freedom. If the sun ever touched my skin, the hero would lose all power. But Freedom Is Mine!**
It was a cruel twist of fate for such a prophecy to be foretold. Rare was it that the royal family would have more than one child to inherit the family curse. So when there came the birth of the twins, the kingdom was in utter chaos. Never has it been in the history of the royal lineage for twins to be born and both bearing the mark that has been passed down from generation after generation.
"What will we do to the children- One of them needs to be killed" The head of the family was in outrage as he slammed a clenched fist over the surface of his desk
"Father, it wasn't something we could have known about. We will find a way to still let the curse manifest. We already know the consequence that would befall the world..." Sebastian slowly shied from his father as he felt their piercing gaze on him.
"You better make sure of that or this family is done for" After making his point across to his son, he dismissed the other and resumed scanning over the documents on his desk. Sebastian quickly turned on his heel and took the chance to escape before his father could say more. He wanted nothing more than to return to the side of his beloved wife and their newborns who have yet to suffer the cruel fate ahead of them.
As he returned to their room, a warm smile greeted him and a babe was swaddled in her hold "How was your talk with father?" She offered him the child then turned away to take the other child from its crib for its turn to be fed.
"It was.. well" He was rather hesitant of his next words, not knowing what to say next with his wife's expectant expression and his children sleeping peacefully in their arms. He couldn't bring himself to ruin the moment. "I'll tell you tomorrow morning. Sounds good? It's been a busy day for you, love. And we both need rest" He managed his best to flash her an assuring smile before he pressed a gentle lingering kiss on the top of his wife's head "Wouldn't want you sick after you just gave birth, love"
She could only nod before returning to her seat on the bed, the little one still in her hold while she used her other hand to pat the space next to her "Shall we sleep with the children then?" despite the glint in her eyes that seemed to say that she already knows what he wants to say, she still smiled at him and even tugged him by the hand. They were to enjoy their evening together with their family, no matter what and that was that.
The next day, Sebastian woke to the most beautiful view of his wife sleeping soundly besides their twins, their beloved twins who would have to bear such a heavyweight even in their innocence.
"You don't have to worry about anything. Daddy will protect you. All of you" His lips quirked into the warmest of a smile and he hadn't even noticed when tears began streaming down his cheeks. It was only when he felt a warm hand wipe away at his cheeks that he realized what expression he was making
"They're beautiful, aren't they?" she sat up and inched closer to Sully until her frame was leaning against his
"Yeah, they are. And they will be strong like their papa too. They have to be" He wrapped his arm around her frame gently, humming a soft tune as they both watch their children sleep peacefully.
The following days, they relished their peaceful days. They made sure that whatever days were allowed for them to have were all worthwhile. And for the next 5 years, their lives were peaceful and undisturbed. Sebastian and his wife, Lucille made sure that they could do everything for their kids in that span of time. They had both thoughts they would eventually be left alone by the family but when their children were at the age of six, the curse had started to manifest.
It started with Dolores when she first began having episodes at night where everything around her levitated and they didn't just occur when she was conscious but even in her sleep, she would show manifestations of her abilities. And it got much worse when she got nightmares. Later on, it was established that the nightmares she had never were nightmares but visions. Visions that would eventually be her reality.
As for Cassandra, it was, later on, realized that her abilities manifested in the day. She became as bright as the sun itself. Each step she would take would bring forth life that it was never impossible to track her down even with the aid of Dolores who could only leave behind death in her tracks. The twins' powers grew with age yet at some point, Cassandra's stopped developing. And as much as it pleased the head of the family to see how the curse had manifested in the children, he knew he had to get rid of one of them for one to fully flourish.
At the twins' 14th year of age, it was then decided that one must be killed by the end of the night and it was up to Sebastian to decide whom he would save as long as the curse would flourish.
What the family head didn't know was that Sebastian had decided to hide Dolores from the world after that night. He had thought that hiding her was for the better. That she would manage since she prospered in darkness. She was at her strongest in the dark and he sincerely believed that no one could ever harm her. Oh, how he thought wrong when his father found out about their family's little secret 2 years since.
They were 16 at that time. Cassandra was the one presented in the family's coming of age ceremony and ruler to the throne and Dolores was supposed to be in hiding yet she wanted to see her sister claim her rights as the crowned princess that night, it was the only pleasure she could be given since she was hidden away. She had made sure to keep her face and body covered. Her escape was short-lived when she was soon recognized by one of the guards.
Her capture was one that was made unknown to her family. She was supposed to be killed that very day but as soon as Cassandra had heard the news of sightings of her twin on the Castle grounds, she immediately rushed to her grandfather, pleading him to spare Dolores from death. It was later on that she came to regret her selfish wish.
Cassandra and Dolores were then forbidden contact with each other. Dolores was moved to a more secluded part of the castle whilst Cassandra played the role of hero across the land the family ruled over.
Each day, Cassandra grew more powerful and each day was nothing but hell for Dolores. Nobody knew of her sufferings. Of the beatings, her grandfather gave her, of the maltreatment and of the harassments she received from the very guards that were assigned to watch over her. It was nothing but pure hell for her in those 5 years in captivity that it felt like she was nothing her parents told her about. She was nothing great. She lived as if she was livestock ready for harvest if she would compare it. No, it seemed like livestock lived a better life than her. They were free until they were to be slaughtered. Were not starved like her, were not beaten, were not bound to a bed. Livestock was free to see the sun. Something she hadn't seen in almost 7 years of her life. Oh how much she wished to escape.
The day of her 22nd birthday came and for the first time since her capture, she finally got to see her family. She had thought they would accept her as she was, Like when she was still under her care but as she peered out from the room, disgusted looks and ones of pity fell on her. It was as if they were not looking at their onw but of some dangerous figure. That was when she realized that she was indeed better off gone.
Once everyone left, or rather, after having made them leave, she was sure by then that her death was not what she would be thinking of. It should be how she would escape from her prison. That was when she decided that she would escape. She should make use of whatever power she remembered to use.
She had managed to muster as much strength as she could to begin her retaliation. In that time span, she learned the full capabilities of her telekinesis. It didn't just apply to moving things but it was a skill close to possession and full-body control in itself. She had come to the point that she had full control of everyone in the castle. had them all walking to their deaths but not before setting herself free at night when she was at her strongest.
Chaos raged in the kingdom. And it was only at dawn when Cassandra finally awoke from her sleep to find the kingdom she had sworn to protect in ruins. Almost nothing was left of the villages. The castle was completely empty except for the corpses that lay on the floor. It was only Dolores that could be this powerful to have done such a thing.
Cassandra was frantic in her search for her sister. And the moment she had found her, there she stood at the top of one of the patrol towers. A terrifying smile stretched across her face, one that seemed to enjoy the very sight of death. She had all intentions of putting a stop to Dolores even if she had to use her own powers for it but what she hoped would be a finishing attack was nothing but a flash of light and nothing more. Dawn greeted them and so did the first few rays of the sun.
"So you've lost your powers, dear Cassandra?" Dolores flashed the other a sinister grin as she raised a digit that somehow managed to control Cassandra's own body without much fuss "Looks like mine's gotten stronger" And slowly, she led Cass off to walk to the edge of the tower.
Cassandra was pleading, begging as tears streamed down her cheeks. She was powerless to even with the sun out. There was nothing more she could do for herself besides accept her faith and that maybe this was her punishment for having been selfish ever since.
"For the first time, I finally won over you, Cass"
I'll be waiting
**[WP] “We are reincarnated, and, in each lifetime, we’re destined to find our soulmates. You loved me, all those years ago; but now every time I find you, you take my life. Why don’t you love me anymore?” you plead, before they pull the trigger**
**[SP] "I apologize for killing you again."**
Azrael was among the first Grigori created, one who was eventually made one of the first Archangels. Ever gentle, ever patient he was, even among the seraphim council. Many came to respect him regardless of rank and as such, he was once the favorite of everyone, including his creator whom seemed to have given a special liking to the Grigori
"The souls have dwindled in number, Azrael. Have you any idea what could be happening to the world we created?" God stood over the edge of the heavenly kingdom, his gaze down casted as he watched the very few souls rise up to enter his promised land
"I assure you, I will find out what would be the cause and put a stop to it. I will make sure the kingdom does not fall and become corrupted" Azrael had knelt and lowered his head as he placed his clenched fist over his heart "I will inform my subordinates of the impending quest" And with that, he raised his head and swooped down to the area where his men stood waiting for further command
"From this day on, you will be the angel of death, Azrael. All will fear your power and your capabilities. I wish you the best of luck in your search. May you bring salvation to our precious souls" And so he could only watch as Azrael disappeared from his view before retreating back to his post.
In a blinding flash, Azrael landed at the small elevated area where his men would regularly await him for their next actions or of any changes that need be invoked but when they were greeted with a rather glum looking Azrael, they had come to terms with the fact that whatever the Grigori would be saying next would be one that would cause a disruption in their once peaceful ways
“My brethren! This will be abrupt news but we have a mission to fulfill in the name of his almighty. This would be no easy task for us and I’m sure you are well aware of the number of souls that have been returning to our kingdom. We are tasked to investigate why”
The crowd was in confusion. Many of which looked at both Azrael and amongst themselves in questioning. Many asking why such a heavy task was given, many asking what would be the consequences of such a task. Uncertainty, the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty clouded them, even Azrael himself who was rather hesitant of his next words
“I’m sure you’re questioning a lot of things, so am I but bear in mind that I’m not forcing anybody. Only those who are willing. This will definitely be perilous, especially for our kind. We cannot risk being corrupted. But do take note that I will only take those whose hearts will remain for the kingdom. This mission will not be for the faint hearted and for those dejected by their patrons. I will give you time to decide what to do. I will be leaving at the set of dawn at the point where we would often watch humans. If you are determined, come”
“You will not be alone, my love” Amongst the crowd, a familiar voice echoed. It was Nefta, the one he could always confide to. His most precious partner and companion. The one that had always been caring for him since her creation.
His lips curled into a proud smile as she moved up from the crowd, and as soon as she reached him, he took her hand in his, giving it a soft squeeze before they both flew off to the rendezvous point he had announced to their brethrens “Thank you, Nefta. I appreciate your bravery and for always staying by my side”
At the promised time and place, only a number of his servitors arrived. The rest, he heard no more news from. With one last glance at what was once their home, they all descended from that point with a promise to return.
Eons passed since Azrael left the heavenly kingdom to research about the souls that went missing. It had always been a question of how humans found more and more ways to get whisked away to hell or worse, to get anchored on earth for who knows how long. Human creativity never ceased to amaze him and at the same time, irritated him. Reincarnation was one thing, and it was acceptable since some humans wanted one more shot at being allowed passage to the heavenly kingdom, a form of redemption, as he would call it. But being led astray by the fallen ones, or much worse, to become dream-shades which were masses of pure human desires, was another. Oh, how he loathed the souls that have resorted to such thoughts. Once a soul became a night-shade, there was minimal
For eons, he had convinced himself and his followers that they needed to do something to save the souls but one by one, his followers perished, grew tired of the ever-increasing problems, and some simply wanted nothing more than to return to the heavens where they could distance themselves from corruption. It was only his beloved Nefta who stayed.
It was a struggle, their divinity faded, the more time they remained on earth and at some point, they both experienced deaths.
The only way they could ever continue their mission was through reincarnation. Every reincarnation, they were bound to meet, he and all of his servitors, including his beloved, and they would always be a part of each other’s life. And each time, they would try to find a way to carry on with their research. They were basically inseparable.
Or that was what Nefta thought until Azrael had stopped looking for her reincarnations. At times, she would spend all her lifetime searching and in the lifetimes that she did find him,
She couldn’t figure out why but when she would go on a search for him, he would always shun her, and after some time, he had started killing her reincarnations. And each time her consciousness would await her time to be reincarnated, her head would fill with doubt. Had Azrael changed so much? Had he gotten so absorbed in his mission. She was determined. She needed to know what had become of her beloved Azrael. It was her final reincarnation before she would stop herself.
In her next reincarnation, she found him when they were both in their early 20s, it wasn’t as if Azael ever cared to hide himself but he had made sure in their most recent incarnations that he stayed as far from her as possible.
As she approached him, he had dragged her somewhere, to what she presumed would be an abandoned building around the area. He would know of teh locations better being a local and her being a tourist in his country this time, she knew she had no escape
“Hey Azrael… what ever happened to you… We are reincarnated, and, in each lifetime, we’re destined to find each other. You loved me, all those years ago; but now every time I find you, you take my life. Why don’t you love me anymore?” she glanced up at him, pleading for an answer. She had already expected a gun in his possession and she wasn’t even bothered that it was already pointed at the top of her head.
“I’m sorry Nefta. I can’t find any other way besides this” Azrael did what he could to cover his eyes yet she had managed to catch a glimpse of his blank orbs “I love you very much so. But I need to do this before they corrupt you too”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. She already knew why. She witnessed his servitors fall to corruption one by one. She had watched everyone around him fall all for the sake of the mission. Was it worth it for his eternal suffering. It was one thing she would never be given an answer to. Before she could even speak more, she felt his arms encircle her figure. He held her close and rested his head on her shoulder. She could feel moist, probably from his own tears but what broke her heart the most were his last words
“I hope this time you can stay safe. Return to the kingdom… please” His voice was breaking as his hold on her tightened “I’m sorry for having to kill you again” With shaky hands, he raised the gun to her head again but this time, she guided his hand
“I can’t promise that, but if I do… I hope you return to me one day. I’ll be waiting for you” She flashed him a warm smile and in that moment, he was hesitant to use the gun but it was for the best. With a heavy sigh, he pulled the trigger. A loud bang resonated in the room and in a matter of minutes, Nefta was again lost to him. This time, maybe for the rest of his existence.
R.E.D. 4
**[WP] You were designed to be a weapon of war, an angel of death. Your creators, however, told you that you would be a protector of innocents above all else. Now, centuries after humanity was extinguished, you awake once more to defend a budding civilization from destruction.**
**Chapter 1** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/red-0131e5ce
**Chapter 2** https://read.cash/@Hanzell/red-2-885f6973
Chapter 3 https://read.cash/@Hanzell/red-3-758da4b7
“Wait, are you guys seriously going to keep carrying her like that?” As soon as the lift that led to the leader’s chambers were shut, Clyde turned to the commandant that still held R.E.D. “Transport would be easier if she was in her pod over there and I’m sure the leader would prefer her in the container just to be safe”
Again, these were the new things they had never expected from Clyde and as much as the man was quite cowardly at times, he makes fair points when he does speak up and that moment was the few times he ever did make that strong facade.
And as much as the commandant had no intentions of following around a 12 year old, the child was a technician, one that knew better about equipment and such, they had no way to answer back what was fitting or not unless the leader personally says otherwise. So R.E.D was placed in the pod where she was fixed to a sitting position.
As soon as the doors started to open, they were greeted with the leader, eagerness apparent on his visage as he ushered all of them into his office to ensure the privacy of whatever information would be exchanged
“So tell me, what’s this machine thing about?” The leader was excited even as he settled down behind his desk whilst the scout commandant tried to find a way to keep the pod from falling off the carrier with the weight of the droid added in it
The children stepped up but Gabby had been the first to speak
“We found this pod in the scavenging mission we were assigned to today. There wasn’t much infrastructure in the area we were assigned to. We tried opening that pod over there because it was initially closed but when we finally got it open, an Anphi grabbed me and made off with me. We still think the droid activates when humans are in distress or when it hears screaming for help but it woke up when I was taken and defeated the Anphi alone with a blade it had on its arm”
Shock was what had first registered in the leader’s head upon hearing that an Anphi was close by “There are still Anphis around- we need to look for a more secure zone. The fact that we killed one means that it was either a rogue or part of the group. Did you ever see a tag on it?” His eyes scanned the faces of every single one in that room, including the commandant and his men “Was there?”
They all grew curious of what the leader was talking about but as Gabby thought back, she remembered picking up something that had landed on her when R.E.D had sliced the Anphi up “Is this what you were looking for, sir?” She held up the tied piece of metal high enough for everyone to inspect.
“Ready the mobiles and make an announcement, it won’t be long before they recognize that one of their own hasn’t returned yet. We need to flee. Our numbers and trainees aren’t ready for actual combat with those monsters!” The commandant had already gotten up from his seat when he noticed the children try to usher him back in his seat.
“Sir, with all due respect, not everyone in the zone can mobilize so soon. And this droid might be of some help if the Anphis ever come to attack. Please just give me and the technicians some time to study R.E.D so that we would know how to utilize her if the Anphis do make a move. We’ll manage to run a full analysis in 48 hours!”
The Leader finally stood from his seat, leaning as close to Clyde as possible “Are you positive you people can make the analysis in time. The Anphis can make it here any moment.
With a slow yet determined now, Clyde looked the leader directly in the eyes “We will make it”
After the discussion, the Leader had dismissed them all. The pod was carried to the laboratory with the guidance of Clyde while Gabby and Marc were sent back to training but with the premonition fast approaching, they were to join all the other scavengers in combat practice. Any available and mobile personnel were trained in combat since their fateful encounter with one of the enemy. The survival of the mass was the highest priority the leader put into effect in preparation but those that could not fight were assigned to gather belongings and materials and assure that those would be ready for transport at any given moment.
Any form of precaution was needed this time. It was the first time they ever had a head on encounter with the Anphis in years and they did not need casualties. After losing almost a third of their own the first time, the leader had sworn not to allow such a tragedy to befall the human race ever again.
FINALLY BACK IN THE GAME AFTER A WHILE OF BEING DOWN AND READJUSTING
but I'll get to notifs slowly ;;-;;
She who's always Red
**[SP] The Wolf Pack is a team of witch hunters tracking down the courier known as “Red” hoping to intercept her before she can make the handoff to “Grandmother” aka Baba Yaga.**
*"Be careful of the one that wears the red cloak"*
Those words had been a common warning in Gouthmore.
"*For a trail of red would follow paths she walks"*
Often was it used as tales to scare off children that would come out at night.
*"Ever beautiful, Ever radiant as she appears during the full moon"*
Especially during a full moon, word of her hunt and the number of families she had slaughtered soon came to surface, even the talk of the village when the full moon was fast approaching. During those times, it had become a habit for the entire village to not dare leave any door nor window open. For if "Red" sees even the smallest of openings, they would be the next victim of her hunt.
Tales say that she wasn't the only one that benefits from her hunt, but also her grandmother that had turned her... into the creature she had become.
Baba yaga, the most powerful enchantress that resided in the forests that surrounded Gouthmore. She was as mysterious a figure as her granddaughter, Red. Nobody dared enter those woods alone, much more to even attempt to cross the bridge that lead to the forests' entrance. It had always been heavily guarded except for the nights when Red would make her timely delivery to Baba Yaga. those were the only times the bridge would seem abandoned.
For what seemed like decades, it seemed the village knew nothing but fear. Fear to leave any openings in their homes, fear that Red might be following them at any moment, Fear that maybe Baba yaga would finally make her move after teh decline in slaughters that occurred in the village. It was only a matter of time, after all.
The village was running out of options after 60 years since Red made her appearance in the village. Various protection rituals were researched, various priests and adventurers were called in hopes of dispelling whatever curse had afflicted red but none seemed to work.
Villagers who had the capability to leave to look for help did so. Any help was much appreciated but after their 60 years, the village had fell into ruin. Hope was dwindling.
Any attempt to relieve the village from its fear had seemed utterly useless after having lost so many of their own. Even after the arrival of a strange group, not one batted an eye at their direction
"Are you travelers, by any chance? It's best you don't stay here for so long" The Village elder had offered as she guided them to an inn where they could potentially stay in but unbeknownst to them, the travelers were much more dangerous than they seemed to be.
The room the travelers were given was barely visited, per their request. the villagers never bothered with what happened behind closed doors but if they could only see the amount of maps and magical equipment that laid across the room, all for the sake of taking down Red.
"When is the next full moon?" The eldest in the group had asked as she checked the globe one of her companions was holding
"2 days from now. We need to make preparations the soonest" The group all gazed down at the globe before nodding to themselves
"One group will be in charge of gathering intel. Kate, Mae, Lara. You guys up for the challenge?" With the mention of their names, each stood, a wide grin plastered across their lips and without much words, they were out the door.
It was only the Eldest and the one holding the globe left. "So we finally found the woman that killed our poor Rosa all those years ago" With a deep sigh, she pulled out a map that showed the location of each of her teammates and the location where Red would appear in two days time.
"What do we do with her and Baba Yaga when we capture them?"
"We'll have to rip them piece by piece like what they did to Rosa, burn them both and make sure no part remains else she would never get to rest" It was Mina's turn to nod as she got up from her seat to gather the weapons they would be needing for their hunt.
That evening, nothing but frustrated groans and whines erupted from their room with the lack of intel that could be gathered. Only the words
*"Be careful of the one that wears the red cloak*
*For a trail of red would follow paths she walks*
*Ever beautiful, Ever radiant as she appears during the full moon"*
Could be given to them but other than that and the panicked expressions, the village was rather hopeless
"We'll have to take this into our own hands now" Was the only thing the elder could say before she had dismissed the meeting in favor of rest. It was the only thing they could do in the case.
The night of the full moon came, the night she would appear and the night they were the most powerful. The timing was beyond perfect.
Black smoke clouded the room and in a matter of minutes, howls could be heard instead of human voices. No time was wasted. As soon as their transformation was completed, they all leapt out the window and ran to the spot where they predicted Red would appear. And there she was, shrouded in her own cloud of smoke that looked all too similar to their own ways of shapeshifting into wolves and it only angered them to now end.
All at once they attacked but Red was fast, she had made a run for it into the forest where Baba yaga would be awaiting her return.
"Get her!" They shouted in unison as they all bounded towards the forest. Each ran as fast as they could but Red was faster
"She's close- Quick, the traps" That was the moment the wolves had separated, each going off a different direction. Explosions set off one by one. The ground shook and various amounts of elemental materials came rushing towards Red. And as much as she had tried to outrun them, she was eventually caught by one of the branches they had manipulated
"She's caught!" Lara was the proud one that howled as the others rushed to Red that was entangled in vines and branches. Each one of them had taken a limb into their mouth and at the signal, they tore her limb from limb. Pained cries erupted from the forest that night and each limb, they made sure to carry to Baba yaga's house that rested in the heart of the forest.
They each threw the limb that they had taken at the door of said cottage and with a tap of the eldest's paw, the house was set ablaze with flames that engulfed the house. They had managed to avenge their beloved Rosa. Never will their sacred powers ever be used to instill fear again. Now they can all rest easy with the disappearance of the cursed enchantress.
So now that I've warmed up a bit, I can go back to the series I was working on UwU
@Hanzell