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Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

Rip Be, Todd and Auri...

@Estylwen

they wuz the best of us

Recollections: The Compendium

ANCIENT.RING
| The Gate to Eternity | "Be careful, the end may not be what you desire." ORIGINS & CREATIONS: | The Ancient Ring was not crafted by mortal hands but emerged through the collective consciousness of the first Adepts. Legends tell of its creation when the Ancients infused part of their essence into the world and the people within it. Over time, their presence became a myth, but their power remained latent in objects of great significance. The ring was one such artifact, said to be formed by the melding of powerful beliefs in the Ancients’ wisdom and wrath. | TYPE: | Ring | LOCATION: | TBD | NOTABLE OWNERS: | TBD | ABSTRACTION-GRANTING: | No. | .............................................................................	The Ancient Ring is a legendary artifact tied deeply to the lore of the All-Verse. Its power lies in calling forth one of the ten Ancients. Through the Ancient Ring, the bearer can summon these beings and attempt to bargain with them. The summoned Ancient may complete a task for the ring bear, share wisdom long lost to the ages, or even amplify the bearer’s magical power. However, the relationship between the ring bearer and the Ancient is far from straightforward. The Ancients are known to be fickle, some benevolent and others malicious, and the outcome of each summoning is unpredictable. The user must be careful, as each negotiation tests wit, wisdom, and resolve. The ring is made of almost indestructible metal, with a large, glowing gem at its center that shifts colors based on the Ancient to which it is currently tuned to. The intricate carvings around the gem depict scenes from long-forgotten battles between the Ancients and cosmic entities from the Void. When activated, the gem pulses with an otherworldly light, casting strange shadows and making the air hum with ancient energy. To use the Ancient Ring, the bearer must focus intently on the gem, invoking the name of the Ancient they wish to summon. This requires a deep understanding of the Ancients' lore, as calling the wrong name can result in disastrous consequences. One of the most dangerous aspects of the Ancient Ring is the unpredictability of the bargains. Some Ancients demand tribute in the form of memories, emotions, or even fragments of the user's soul. Others might ask for material offerings, like artifacts, or demand actions to be performed on their behalf in the mortal realm. In rare cases, they may curse the bearer instead of offering aid, leaving the ring's user worse off than before. Despite the risks, the Ancient Ring is a coveted artifact due to the sheer power it grants. In the hands of someone who can master its intricacies, it is a tool of great potential. But many have fallen victim to the Ancients’ capricious nature, trapped in eternal servitude or destroyed by the very beings they sought assistance from.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

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Edict

Sabrina Vanburen.

^{And other MFs.}

Interactions: None.

La Bellezza.

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Sabrina wasn’t going to give up.

Even though Sabrina had zero faith in the Sycamore Tree Coven (she could see why her sister and her friends wanted nothing to do with them), she wouldn’t give up that easily. She needed to lower her scope… and work with what she knew rather than hoping the rest of the Coven would be like Britney, Greyson, and Linqian… So, after inviting them, Sabrina sat at the head of the table at the exclusive and upscale La Bellezza restaurant. This exclusive room was draped in rich fabrics with a singular grand table underneath a chandelier - and most importantly, it was away from prying eyes with its unique staff. She hoped that this would work out better than last night…

”Whoa, this is amazing!” The first one to walk in wasn't a coven member - instead it was the younger brother of one. Henri walked into the private room with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. ”Jie, there's a chandelier!”

”I got eyes,” Linqian retorted, rolling them. She ushered Henri into the look, shooting Sabrina an apologetic look. Then she threw a thumb behind her at Greyson, who'd also come with them… since they'd all come from the same place. ”I know coven business, but someone got my brother involved in that shit, so he's part of it now too. Sorta. Nice to see you again, Bean.”

“It’s great to see you again, too, and it’s no issue to me long as he’s apart of the Coven,” Sabrina said with a nod of her head.

Greyson had, at the very least, provided the Han siblings with some half-decent clothing to wear to a semi-formal dinner at a nice place… It was mostly so he didn’t look so out-of-place showing up dressed to the nines, as was his pleasure.
”Hey, I asked… Sabrina, always nice to see you Hon; how’s the house now that the Bee Matron is gone?” he casually asked, leaning down to administer La Bise by kissing her cheeks gently on either side.

Having come separately from Britney, Greyson was a little nervous that his main squeeze would be MIA for some reason, and that their night would turn into a fiasco that they’d have to solve… Or worse.

“It’s been a lil’ bit lonely; I kind of miss the bees; you know they added a little charm to the household, I’m not going to lie,” Sabrina said lightly before she leaned in and steepled her fingers. “Order something. Whatever you like, it’s on me tonight. It’s just my way of saying thank you for seeing me on such short notice. Britney is on her way… She said she didn’t mind if we got started without her.”

”Whoa, you’re the best, Bean!” Henri said cheerfully, sitting down beside Sabrina and grabbing the menu immediately.

”I’m surprised the charm of the bees outweighs Trisha’s… whole personality,” Linqian snorted, taking a seat beside her brother. She grimaced, legs crossing in a much more ladylike posture than she was used to - because the somewhat fancy dress she’d ended up with was longer than she was used to and pretty tight. While Henri was engrossed in what he could eat, she was more actually interested in what they were talking about. Food was really second. ”What did you want to talk about? Oh, wait, there’s someone else coming too… Aaron. They're part of our… subgroup, I guess.”

“I think I’m one of the nicer parts of this subgroup,” Aaron said as he walked into the room. Aaron wore a perfectly tailored black suit, courtesy of Faith at the 317, with a white button up shirt underneath. The shirt itself had the last few buttons unbuttoned, revealing an expensive looking gold chain underneath. It wasn’t one hundred percent real, mind you, but to a quick glance it would pass as fancy. Their watch was a black banded smart watch, and their shoes matched the suit with a black color.

“I’m also the most humble.”

Linqian rolled her eyes.

“And most attractive.”

Linqian rolled her eyes again.

Sabrina couldn’t help but smile, “... And lively, I can tell.” She chuckled.

“But, I wanted to discuss the meeting, well, my offer to the Coven, that is, I know I got immediately brushed to the side, but I’m not giving up,” Sabrina began, nodding. “Unfortunately, well… I will be honest here and say that I don’t want to deal with the greater Coven.”

Sabrina shrugged, then continued, “I don’t mean to be rude, but that meeting was easily the second most dysfunctional event I ever had the displeasure of attending.” Sabrina was not a liar; she had tact but couldn’t sugarcoat this.

“However, I guess I have a more positive opinion of you three… five now. So, I believe that maybe this can work better if I worked with you all”

”Rude? You’re being pretty fucking nice, the coven’s an absolute shitshow,” Linqian laughed bitterly. Especially that last meeting. She really didn’t want to think about or remember it, if she was honest. ”I’m curious about what event was worse- you’ll have to tell us about that later. But yeah. The greater coven fucking sucks. We’ve actually kind of decided to work in smaller groups anyway so… that’d work. Not that I’m the decision maker.”

”You make plenty of decisions at home,” Henri commented, staring intently at the menu.

”Cause I’m fucking in charge there,” Linqian muttered back.

“You’re just saying what a lot of us think,” Aaron sighed as he rubbed his temple, “I may have a renewed desire to fix what is broken but this is going to be an uphill battle,” Aaron paused as he looked at Linqian, “this smaller group idea may be what allows us to put behind our differences and actually function. The other night at the 317 showed me we have to. If our coven was attacked like that I don’t think we’d be around to talk about it.”

“Unlike the Greenwood leader, I know it’s not my place to say it,” Sabrina nodded, placing a hand on her chest. “But, I got off track… I know you weren’t there to hear it, but I’m willing to supply you with resources or… my influence in the city.”

She sighed, “I didn’t get a chance to say it, but I can get you all in touch with the local information broker, Issac Kane.”

Greyson’s lips pursed together, having given Aaron a fistbump for the fit-of-the-day. Issac Kane was a well-regarded busybody who, in Greyson’s foggy memory of him, was all about keeping things even. Which, at this point, was great for the Coven. If the man’s modus operandi hadn’t changed drastically over the few years since he last heard the name, he was confident this was a good thing…

But he could never be one-hundred percent sure. All he could do was trust Sabrina because Britney trusted her, and in turn do his own legwork to satisfy his curiosity.
”That’s certainly a name to drop… I guess it’s still a reach-down for a Vanburen, but I won’t turn my nose up at the offer. What are the conditions?” he asked casually, doing his best to signal wait staff for an order.

“Simple, solve this Father Wolf nonsense,” Sabrina immediately answered. “That’s all I want. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt - not you, Britney, or Linqian… Nobody.”

”That’s really it?” Linqian asked, trying not to sound too suspicious. So far, Sabrina hadn’t proven herself to be anything but trustworthy… but Linqian just didn’t trust that someone would do something out of the goodness of their heart. Not that she had any idea who Issac Kane was but if Greyson thought it was a good offer… ”Well, fuck.”

”That’s really nice of you, Bean! I don’t know who this Issac Kane person is, since I haven’t been in the city for years and years, but if he can help that’s great! I really want the Father Wolf stuff solved too.” Henri smiled brightly at Sabrina, before twisting around to also try to get some wait staff’s attention with some overly large waves.

“That simple,” Aaron spoke with a smirk, “I don’t recall that name, but I can check the grapevine to see what others have said,” Aaron paused as he looked towards the waitstaff, “the question remains how will we find them to stop them? Our best connection to the murders is dead, Lynn is suggesting we go to the Pit, and no one is coming up with a solution or trying outside of a select few. I don’t suppose you have any fancy devices not locked in the Pit that could help?”

”Woah, woah… Don’t go getting greedy, cowpoke. We’ve got another group working on stuff like that; let’s take what we can get at our angles for right now… And I’ll vouch for Kane’s usefulness here. If I didn’t think he had other shit to do, I probably would’ve gotten in touch with him myself at some point. Even my Father and the Unions up North call on his expertise from time to time…” Greyson offered.

“Nora’s working on something,” Sabrina answered Aaron with a nod, and she was silent before she added, “... I’m curious about who this Kari person is, though. From your meeting, she seemed…”

The doors opened, and Britney Williams opened them… wearing a fancy black dress, loafers, and a smile. ”Aaron, Linqian, Greyson, Henri… Bean!” She walked over to Sabrina and hugged her, before taking a seat. ”Sorry I’m late; I had to make sure I looked cute.” She stuck her tongue out.

”Brit, you look fucking great,” Linqian raised a hand in a half wave, before smirking over at Greyson. ”She said my name before yours.”

”What did I miss?” She asked.

“I wanted to ask about this Kari person who got brought up a lot in the meeting and what makes her so important in all of this,” Sabrina leaned back. “You know, the burning questions on my mind...”

“I didn’t know her as well,” Aaron paused as he looked over to Britney and waved,, “from what I remember she was instrumental to our victory back then.

”White Lux Adepts are always doing shit… Surveillance and Intelligence is the name of the game, and Kari’s probably one of the best there is. From what I remember, she pretty much pinpointed every single artifact we had to use during the War, and coordinated a fuck-ton of countermeasures during the latter days.”

Finally, the waiter arrived, and Greyson smiled.
”Ah, perfect… I’ll take a separate check if that’s possible- I don’t love eating on other people’s dimes. A bottle of Pinot, and can we get a plate of salad? Like, do you guys do family style stuff here?” he asked, practically exiting the previous conversation to focus on sustenance.

”Well Bean, what Greyson said,” Britney said with a shrug, leaning back in her seat. ”She was a White-Lux Adept, she found a bunch of artifacts for us… Shit, this is hard to explain in a nutshell.”

She awkwardly laughed.

“We have all day,” Sabrina shrugged. “Messiah has a babysitter up until midnight.”

”Well, she’s White-Lux, and because of some weird shit we think that she has something to do with the murders,” Britney began. ” Either she’s helping or the murderer herself! But that’s a whole ‘nother discussion; according to Greyson and Tsukino, she was working for Blake Schmidt. He has her notes which….”

Britney shrugged, throwing her hands in the air.

”... Are important for some reason!” Britney said, ”Personally, I think we should be chasing other leads than that, but - surprise - we don’t have any!”

“Ah, I remember that part,” Sabrina nodded her head. “I didn’t get a chance to say… I can get you all at the notes, if necessary.”

”Oh, and I did talk to Lynn yesterday morning?-” Greyson added, finishing up the order for now.
”-And I’ve got her memories… She was kind enough to let me boost the negatives out of her brain, so I’ve seen her futures. The ones she mentioned, about Kari being responsible and shit… But, I’m thinking she’s in hiding.”

”If she is, she probably did it to save her own ass,” Britney shrugged.

”That wouldn’t fucking surprise me,” Linqian frowned, hand scrunching up the fancy cloth napkin in front of her. The thought of Kari fucking off and saving herself immediately made her tense. Jinhai hadn’t had that luxury. ”Didn’t think to fucking warn anyone.”

“What did you see in her memories, Greyson,” Aaron asked as he leaned back in his chair. He was also curious about the negatives being taken from the brain but important stuff first.

”Lots of bullshit, mostly. Stuff that just doesn’t make sense, which made my job easier. She asked me if I could help her figure out which futures may’ve had more of a chance than others, and… Yeah, that’s what I got. Two options that seem pretty grim, and one where… Well… You guys have had the same Recollections I have: I found that it seems pretty likely Kari’s after that little girl. Raven Jones…” he finished, his voice hanging in the air at the mention of Raven Jones.

”After her liiiiiike?” Britney said, tilting her head. ”It sounds like there’s nothing that can presently help us, right?”

“Well,” Aaron paused as he looked towards Greyson, then Britney, then back to Greyson, “is it possible that this Raven Jones is father wolf?”

Greyson shrugged his shoulders.
”That… That I don’t know. It’s a tough call to make; like I told Lynn, it’s like looking through the shower door glass when you’re observing shit like the future. It’s not really real, so everything’s got a foggy glass in front of it. I did what I could with what I could intuit, but ultimately it’s still fuckin’ future without reality. It’s all…”
Struggling with his hands, he finally let them both interpret the fleeting nature with fingers turned up toward the sky.
”Ugatz…” (Bullshit…)

”This shit’s above my paygrade,” Linqian groaned, holding her head. She really didn’t like hearing about Lynn, and especially not when it came with thinking about future bullshit. ”The dreams are warning about Raven so… maybe she is Father Wolf? But that seems a bit too fucking obvious.”

”Well, do we have anything on her?” Britney shrugged. ”There’s a lot on Sunshine, but nobody even knew she had a kid!” Britney laughed.

”Well, I’d like to think maybe Kane can help us with that step. At the very least, it’s another lead. Maybe there’s value in letting the shitheads who want to throw themselves into the Pit actually do it?” he offered the thought.

Sabrina was oddly silent the whole time, looking uncomfortable.

”You know all that’s going to happen is that they’re just going to end up being crash test dummies,” Britney darkly laughed.

“We’d be down at least one problem,” Aaron's eyes were on Linqian, knowing that Lynn said she’d lead the away team, “but can we really afford to lose anyone else though? Can we look at our friends on the mural and tell them that letting them go there was the only thing we could do,” Aaron asked the table as a whole. After the fight at the 317, and the night out with Jack, Aaron was becoming less willing to deal in lives.

“The 317 was attacked the other night, and that showed me that things might be getting really scary really fast. We should tell them.”. Aaron of course referred to bringing up Scott Reese.

Linqian frowned, before nodding. Yeah. She didn’t want to tell the rest of the coven, but Britney? That was fine. ”I don’t want to tell the whole fucking coven, because they’ll just make shit worse, but… we fought Scott Reese the other night. Fucker’s alive.”

“And just as strong. The full strength of the 317 was not enough to stop him.” Aaron paused as he looked towards Britney. ”Is there any chance, with Scott being back, that Stiggy is orchestrating our murders?

Britney’s jaw dropped.

”... Bullshit,” Britney awkwardly laughed. ”Adora yeeted him into the ocean during the final battle; when Stiggy was sealed, he probably drowned, and that was that.”

She laughed some more, ”... If he is alive, why in the world is so much shit from ten years ago popping up now?”

“... Is everyone from the 317 okay?” Sabrina finally spoke up.

“I’m telling you it was him,” Aaron’s hand started to shake, “aged up, but you never forgot a monster like that. That’s why we brought him up.” The stress from actually bringing it up forced a quick swap to Aryin and back, which caused his shirt to ride up and look unkempt. “We lived, thanks to Greenwood, Linqian, and the PRA, but the 317 was nearly destroyed. Thank you for asking, everyone is shaken up but that was the first time that most of them saw a fight like that.”

”Yeah, that fuck you mean if, Brit?” Linqian turned her head to narrow her eyes at Britney. Wasn’t quite her being actually pissed, but she was certainly annoyed about it. ”He was exactly the fucking same. I didn’t get nearly killed for it to be questioned.”

”Oh yeah they both were really badly injured yesterday!” Henri piped up.

”Fuck knows why he’s back now. But it makes sense, if we’re all fucking back, right?”

”Scott gets his power straight from Stiggy,” Britney put her hands together, ”Stiggy is sealed; therefore there should be zero conceivable way for him to get that power unless...”

She trailed off.

”... The Stygian Snake is already free.”

“Linqian and I both saw him. I am not smart enough to speculate but if Stiggy is free, or has influence outside that container, wouldn’t that be prime suspect number one for our murders,” Aaron asked inquisitively.

”Wouldn’t we know if he was free?” Linqian frowned. ”He wiped out the most of the fucking city last time, we’d all be dead if it was him… right?”

”Not necessarily,” Britney shrugged, ”It could be playing the long game now. Or, just busy destroying other universes.”

Britney paused.

”... There is that complete solar eclipse next year.”

“Scott is on the loose, the Snake may very well not be imprisoned, the only people who stopped him are being killed, and there’s a complete solar eclipse next year?”. Aaron held up both hands as he took a deep breath. “The only person who could check the other universes is also, coincidentally, missing.”

Britney awkwardly laughed,

”... Shit’s sounding real scuffed right about now, ain’t it?”

”Sure is,” Linqian said, leaning her chin on one hand and frowning. ”Maybe we're already all fucked and we just don't know it…”

”Can’t you find someone else who can look at other universes?” Henri asked obliviously.

Britney’s eyes shot open as if a bulb went off in her head, and she smiled. ”... Henri, you’re a genius!” Britney started. ”Well, no… What about instead of someone, we find something?” She grinned.

”There are tons of artifacts that can see into other universes… and I bet your sweet ass there’s at least two in St. Portwell.”

“What are they?”

”... I literally said there are tons of them, boy,” Britney laughed. ”I’ll be here all day explaining them all.”

She playfully laughed, rolling her eyes before she continued, ”Off the top of my head there’s the Nemean Eye… It lets you see into other dimensions but usually the people who use it end up going missing.”

“I thought you said there were two of them in St. Portwell,” Aaron whispered as he cursed his listening skills. “And I’d rather not end up missing. But we can look for other artifacts.”

”I agree with Aaron, going missing isn’t on my fucking bucket list… what’s the other one in the city?” Linqian asked, looking over at Henri, who was absolutely beaming at being called a genius.

Greyson liked to think he was capable of chilling out for a night, figuring he'd be able to just enjoy a dinner with some kind and gentle folk. People who could soften him, make him forget about the peril…
But as they discussed what potential artifacts lay in wait throughout the city, the wine and salad arrived. A big bowl of salad that the waiter tossed table side, breaking up the conversation. Long enough that Greyson's long stare at Sabrina could be extended.

She was, is, Britney's dear friend. And she was offering her assistance to the Coven for practically nothing… So, why had she given no emphatic response when it came to the Recollections? Observant, clever, yet she had no questions to ask about the girl called Raven Jones, and certainly no encouragement to seek those answers out. It sat poorly with Columbo Junior, and in his infinite wisdom, he decided he'd push the button again.

”See, that's why success in the Pit is necessary… Wayfinders? Potentially more than before? Yoko could be the key here, and we wouldn't know. I mean, I don't think it's a coincidence that all of our Recollections have had to do with Raven Jones and the Pit… And Sunshine, obviously…” he had the wine bottle, and was pouring each person a glass while he spoke.

His face turned to look at Sabrina fully, a smile curling up at the edge of his mouth.
”Has Brit actually talked to you about the whole… Y'know, Coven sharing Recollections? Pretty ominous, y'know, having a whole group of people getting the same nightmare about the same damn little girl.”

“I’ve heard about it,” Sabrina said as she shifted in her seat, and her hand went to her wine glass. Her eyes went to Britney for a moment before returning to Greyson, “Britney and Trisha mentioned it to me a few times, but I need a bigger picture of it before I can say if it’s something I can help with. Maybe Raven Jones is the key to everything. Maybe not. But, she has to tie into it, somehow, yes?”

“Would you want the whole picture? I mean one of us can share the recollections with you. I know we haven’t been the best company but,” Aaron paused as he looked towards Britney, “you’re one of us now, yeah?”

“... ‘One of us’, is this what being in a cult is like?” Sabrina laughed. “Well, hit me.”

Doing his best to hide a grimace, Greyson was in between this being a good and bad idea. Ultimately, he wasn't going to stop it, as he was too curious about what she may have to say.
”Maybe Brit? You guys are closest after all…”

“No, no it’s not a cult at all. But now that you mentioned it did we remember to order the koolaid tonight?. Aaron smiled as he looked towards Greyson.
“I don’t think I could do it anyway, I don’t have a strong magical background. Greyson is right, the ball is in your court Britney.”

”Well, if we’re a cult, we’re the most lit cult there is!!” Britney joked, sticking her tongue out. ”But, I got you, Bean.”

Britney stuck her hand out, and after a pause, Sabrina extended her own shaky hand. Then Sabrina saw everything, shown through a Recollection… And at the very end, her heart was pounding, as her jaw dropped. She averted her gaze as she was silent…

As Greyson watched the process unfold, he closely observed Sabrina’s face. Her reaction as things unfolded before her eyes, culminating in the fear and panic of the frankly disturbing visions. He didn’t blame her for finding that fear was an overwhelming sensation; but he couldn’t just drop his suspicion… Not with such an animated impression left on the table.

He cleared his throat to bring attention back to the topic at hand.
”All I was initially curious about was what you thought Kane would be able to tell us… But you’re one of the few magical Vanburens, right? Now I’m… Well, I can’t lie to you; I’d be curious about anything… Well, y’know, I’m sure James left plenty behind, right? So, anything we can check out that may be useful. Respectfully…”

Sabrina shrugged, “One, everything my father had belongs to my older brother and… We’re not on the best terms. And two, there’s nothing in there anyway, except old artifacts and his journal.”

”And I don’t suppose you’d let me… Y’know… Poke around in that head? Latent memories are a sonofabitch: They can hide from you for years, maybe…-”
He was stretching a bit as far as trying to hook her, baiting slightly for a reaction that may prove hostile or otherwise suspicious. But deescalation was a better choice, and he threw his hands up noncommittally before another sip of wine cleared his lips.
”Or, hey, even a meeting with Big Brother? Rich folk have the biggest ears, after all…” he playfully flapped his hands behind his ears like an elephant.

“... I could try with my older brother; he’ll blow me off more likely than not, but I will try,” Sabrina mused out loud, fiddling her thumbs. However, she turned towards Greyson, and stared him dead-on as she said, “But, what do you think you’re going to get from my mind?”

Sabrina let her words hang in the air as she said, “Paranoia is healthy for someone in your situation, but I don't know anything.” She shrugged.

He shrugged similarly, tossing a shoulder up.
”Britney doesn’t keep dumb company. You’re quiet, you keep to yourself… You take care of your youngest brother? I mean you’re here helping us get our shit together, entirely out of the good of your heart presumptively.”
He looked at Britney with an ounce of shame, but couldn’t help himself.
”It’s just… I don’t know, that’s a lot of money. A lot of unaccounted for potential that I… Well, back in the day Trisha used to get too defensive, so I couldn’t ask questions. I thought maybe you’d be willing to follow up on some unchecked threads I left behind.”

Sabrina listened to Greyson, her expression unreadable at first. She tilted slightly, considering his words before responding, “... I’m not in the habit of digging up the past. Some things are better left buried, especially when they involve him.”

Sabrina leaned back, crossing her arms, “But I get where you’re coming from. You have loose ends and believe that maybe I can tie some of them up. But the thing is: even if I had answers, I’m not sure they’re the ones you’re looking for.”

Her gaze narrowed as she said, “So, what exactly do you expect to find? What exactly are you really after?”

Greyson let the moment hang, trying to figure out what to say that wasn’t ’A connection to Raven Jones’.
”What’s a clam diver expect to find inside the shells? Meat. A little shit. Sometimes, Sabrina, they find pearls. Does the clam know it’s carrying a pearl? Probably not, it just develops inside, it’s a byproduct of natural processes. The clam doesn’t even think the pearl is special when it sees it… But the diver does.”
He took another sip of wine, finally scooping some salad onto his plate.

”Now, you’re obviously a woman, not a clam. But I hope you can accept that analogy, and go off of your faith in your good friend that I as her associate would never intentionally put you in any kind of poor situation.”

Sabrina stood straight up, hands on the table. Eyes fierce and sharp, “... Greyson,” Sabrina damn near hissed his name. “Enough with the metaphors, enough with the games.”

She paused, “I’m trying to help you from the goodness of my heart… Just come out and say what you mean. Plainly. Or I’m leaving.”

Then paused, “... And I’m leaving you with the bill.”

Greyson grinned. He loved the bill.
”Why’d you clam up when I brought up Raven Jones, Sabrina? That’s what I’m curious about, and about why we’re getting these visions and what she has to do with the Stygian Snake, or what she has to do with us here and now… I suggested Kane could help us, you didn’t react. You didn’t encourage the line, you didn’t offer to relay the first message: You just stopped, waited for a different subject. I’m not here to hurt you, or judge you or anything… I’m just a curious guy having dinner and noticing things I probably shouldn’t.”
He let both his hands climb, holding them up as if to display his own innocence.

“... And I can’t just listen?” Sabrina said, tilting her head. “You said it yourself, I’m quiet because I observe and try not to stick my nose where it doesn't belong. Sorry if you found that suspicious.”

His eyes still stared up at her, his grin unfading as he shoveled a bit of salad into his mouth. Chew, chew, chew… Swallow. He waved his hand dismissively.
”Well… You know me, right? Total opposite. I love sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong; gets me into constant trouble. So, I’ve gotten good at apologizing.”

His head nodded at her calmly before he finally shrugged.
”I’m sorry. Forgive me as you wish, forget I’m here… I humbly accept and appreciate whatever help you’re willing to give us.”

Sabrina sighed, “... Let's focus on what’s in front of us, and forget about this? Okay?”

”Mmmm, right. Sit, please… Enjoy the salad and the wine. Let the pocketbook rest tonight.” he chided playfully, his eyes turning to Britney for a moment.

“I can get you all an appointment with Isaac Kane today,” Sabrina began. “He’s probably going to want to meet you all in Mirrorland, however.”

”As in tonight? We should keep it small: You and I, Brit?” he asked.

”Why do you guys get to do all the fun things?” Henri piped up, after literally stuffing his face with salad and watching the exchange with wide eyes. Linqian reached over and smacked him round the back of the head.

”It’s not fucking fun, it's shit to help keep us alive,” she chided, putting down the wine glass that she'd been continuously drinking from.
”Keeping it small makes sense, I have no problem with going along. Got shit to do.”

”I don't have any shit to do, I still want to go,” Henri said, folding his arms and leaning back as if he actually had any say in this group.

“Is it smart to go as just a pair,” Aaron took a sip of his wine before he put the glass on the table, “I am really good muscle. Not saying I expect anything to go south but with everything that’s happened this week I don’t want to put you two at risk.”

”I’m good muscle too! I’ll just snatch all the sound and carry everyone away from danger, easy!” Henri interjected, before flexing… which didn't have much effect when he was dressed in a nice shirt that wasn't tight enough to show off any muscles. Linqian knocked back the rest of her wine, before going to pour herself more. She needed it.

”I mean, I don’t see why it would hurt?” Britney said with a shrug. ”Chaos and crazy shit seems to follow us where ever we go, so the more help the better?” She asked.

“I was planning for all of us to go,” Sabrina quietly added.

“Alright then,” Aaron smirked as he took another bite from the salad. “Is there anything those of us who…don’t walk in these circles should know about this place?”

”Yeah anything my brother shouldn’t say so he won’t get fucking stabbed?” Linqian commented, a good way into her second glass of wine.

”Jieeee, I’m not that stupid!” Henri pouted.

“Isaac Kane is among some of the more reasonable people in St. Portwell’s underground,” Sabrina shrugged. “And Mirrorland isn’t some shady venue, either. So, long as we use discretion, it’ll be okay.”

”Then we shouldn’t bring Yi-er,” Linqian joked, smirking over her wine glass. Henri continued to pout, gently shoving his shoulder against his older sister. She just looked at him, and laughed, before looking at everyone else again. She was fairly relaxed even at the prospect of completely changing her plans for the rest of the night, lips pulled into a playful smile as she continued to joke. ”And I’ll need a lot more to drink.”

Mirrorland.

---

The jewel of St. Portwell’s west district, Mirrorland, was bustling at this time of night… Though, it wasn’t as active as it would be on the weekend. Britney’s GMC Yukon pulled up in the parking lot to the left of the building, and there was already a line to the place. Several of Britney’s comrades stepped out, and Sabrina quickly took the lead as she gestured for everyone to come along and marched past the line (which caused them to grieve) right to the VIP line… She whispered something in the ears of one of the bouncers, and he nodded his head.

“Alright, all of you come here,” The large man said, “No firearms are allowed on the premises, you’re going have to get patted down before you come in.”

”Oh, you can pat me down all you want,” Linqian winked. Henri groaned, covering his eyes. Those four glasses of wine she'd ended up downing over dinner really had her inhibitions (only existent in his presence) lowering.

”Yeah, you said no firearms, but she’s got the artillllllllllllllllllery!” Britney laughed.

”Ohhhh yeah, you're gonna have to check all over, but ain't any way to disarm this,” Linqian grinned, leaning towards Britney and putting a hand on her hip. Henri sidled over to Aaron and Greyson, giving them both a pleading look.

“You’re lucky I’m not the other me right now. I’d be right over there with them,” Aaron shoulder checked Henri with a smirk.

”Thank fuck you’re not,” Henri whispered, looking over at his sister and Britney in despair.

Sabrina just facepalmed through all of this.

Unlike the others being so jovial about their lack of firearms, it was a much different experience for Greyson.
Typical.
Holding his hands up, scowl on his face, he looked at Sabrina with a side-eye before turning them to security.

”Be gentle with it.”
Slowly, surely, he slipped his overcoat and night jacket off to reveal his shoulder holster before pulling it off and passing it to security. Of course, they gave him another pat down and took the knife he had in his back pocket. But amazingly, he wasn't given a hard time over it- They simply passed him through, giving his jacket back and a ticket for his property later.

”Lucky, you got the proper pat down, ass and all,” Linqian joked as she got let through after a pretty brief pat down - weren’t exactly many places to hide weapons under an already skintight dress.

After everyone got patted down, Sabrina led the group through the various lounges in Mirrorland… up until they reached the Cigar Lounge. Before Sabrina opened the doors, everyone was hit with the aroma of the finest cigars...

---

Neck & Wrist - Pusha T

---

They walked through the doors, and the atmosphere changed instantly… the smell of leather mixed with the aroma of the heavy smoke of fine cigars. The low hum of conversation filled the room, underscored by the occasional clink of crystal glasses. At the heart of the room, a small, raised platform housed a seating area that commanded attention. Plush, velvet couches wrapped around the space in a semicircle. They were arranged like a throne, intentionally facing anyone entering the room, making it impossible to ignore the man who sat at its center.

Isaac Allen Kane, the enigmatic Information Broker, relaxed as if he owned the room and the world. His posture was casual, one arm draped over the back of the couch while the other held a glass of something dark. He cut an imposing figure in the smoky haze, wearing a well-tailored charcoal-colored suit, the ever-present cigar hanging from his lips like an extension of his personality. In front of Isaac was a small, exquisite black table with a full cigar box and an ashtray carved from fine marble.

On either side of him stood his bodyguards, two towering figures dressed in black suits that were a little too snug over their muscular frames. They were silent, statuesque, immovable.

When Isaac saw them, he leaned back in his chair and gestured for them to enter the platform with an enticing finger. Sabrina was the first to come over and sit down, and she gently tapped the empty seat beside her. Isaac took a deep puff of his cigar, pausing momentarily to savor it, then blew it all out. He then leaned forward and said,

“... So you’re all looking for something,” Isaac began, placing his cigar on the ashtray. “You wouldn’t have come to me otherwise, but before we get to business…”

He grabbed the cigar box and opened it in a smooth motion. Inside was a selection of the finest cigars anyone could ask for. “These,” Isaac said, “Are special. Imported directly from a little island that knows how to take its time…”

He gently slid it across the table towards the group as a silent offer.

Linqian glanced over at Greyson, before leaning forward and taking one of the cigars. She pulled her own lighter out of her jacket pocket to light it, taking a long drag of it. As she exhaled, she spoke through the cloud of smoke. With the alcohol and getting to indulge in shit she'd been craving since going for dinner, she was maybe a little too relaxed. Her lips pulled up into a playful smile. ”This shit's fucking good - maybe it's all we’re looking for.”

“Thank you,” Aaron said towards Isaac, grabbing one of the cigars and smelled it. Isaac Kane pulled out a fancy silver butane cigar lighter.

“... You’re supposed to smoke it,” Isaac said with an amused grin, extending the lighter and pressing down on the button. It emitted a blue flame…

“I like to give it a quick smell first,” Aaron said with a smile as he let it be lit by Isaac. He pulled in the smoke, let it linger for just a moment to get the full flavor, before he let it out. Aryin leaned his head back, his face betraying the ‘not bad’ feelings. “Gives me an idea of what to expect.”

Greyson was a fan of utility, and felt out of sorts getting handed a cigar without his knife. The end served as a fine snipper, but he found the butts pre-snipped. Pulling his lighter, he gave the tip an even dose of flame and tugged the thick smoke into his mouth.

Don't talk about your tobacco farm, don't talk about your tobacco farm, don't t-
”These?-” Greyson grinned widely, holding the cigar between his fingers and gently raising it to direct.
”-I love these.”

He cleared his throat, gaze passing between the toughs.
”Do we get to shake your hand? Or if I reach too far, do my arms get ripped off?” he grinned and giggled to himself, the cherry red tip of the cigar passing between the bodyguards as he pointed. Still, he started to make a motion that slowly reached past the cigars, ever closer toward Kane.

”Devola, Greyson… I've seen you a couple times, but we've never been formally introduced.”

“Oh, don’t worry about them,” Isaac said as he glanced at them, a smile creeping across his face as he firmly took Edict’s hand and shook it. “They’re just here if you act a fool.”
”You set the stage just for us… fancy,” Britney said with a light tone, and reached for a cigar and unwrapped it. ”Never smoked one of these before, but… First time for everything, am I right?” She smiled at Isaac.

“Be careful with that,” Isaac began. “Don’t inhale it, just suck it like a lil’ straw and keep it in your cheeks.” He extended his lighter.

”... Advice you give a lot?” Britney asked, leaning forward and sucking in as the lighter’s flame hit the tip. However, she let out a few coughs.

“Whoa, there, be careful,” Isaac laughed, leaning back.

”I’m fine, lord,” Britney said, laughing.

Isaac puffed his cigar and looked at every group member, “You all need information on something? You all wouldn’t have come to me otherwise.”

”Of course,” Britney answered.

“... And you know information ain’t cheap?” Isaac added.

“Money isn’t a concern here,” Sabrina added with a shrug. “I’ll be covering your donation for tonight.”

“In that case, Ms. Vanburen…” Isaac laughed, taking another puff of his cigar, before shrugging. “What can I do for you all?”

”Give us all the information you have on Father Wolf,” Linqian said outright, in between enjoying the cigar she'd taken. But she leaned forward, elbow on her knee and head tilting. ”Any fucking idea who he is?”

Isaac steepled his fingers.

“Unfortunately, I do not,” He answered.

”... Of course, you don’t,” Britney rolled her eyes.

“Now, now,” Isaac chuckled, “I said I don’t know exactly who he is... but that doesn’t mean I’m not keeping tabs on him. Father Wolf’s been slipping through the cracks for a while now, but I’ve got eyes everywhere.”

He took a slow puff of his cigar. “... Serial killers are terrible for business. I’ll let you know when I find something tangible about him, okay?”

Britney nodded, puffing the cigar and then coughing, pressing a fist to her lips. ”Well, we have other burning questions on our mind, and we were hoping you could help us out.”

“Shoot.”

”What can you tell me about the Elite?”

Isaac began laughing.

“... They’re something, alright,” He chuckled, taking another puff of his cigar, then pausing. “So, it all started with Blake Schmidt one day stumbling upon the truth: magic is real. Naturally, he wanted in on that action. After hitting up a few factions and coming up empty-handed, he decided to make his own.”

He shrugged, taking a puff of his cigar. “Think of it less of a legitimate magical organization and more of a country club for rich assholes with magic.” He laughed.

”And how’s that working out for them?” Britney asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Not as great as they like,” Isaac shrugged again, looking at his cigar as its embers burned. “They got resources. They got influence. Yet, they don’t got their act together. They’re too busy running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off and beefing with each other rather than getting anything done.”

Britney awkwardly laughed, her eyes drifting towards Linqian and the others. ”Sounds a lil’ familiar, don’t it?”

Isaac smirked, “Nobody knows who’s really in charge - they say Blake is, but he gets by on the seat on his damn pants. His authority constantly gets challenged… it’s like one big soap opera with magic.” He laughed again before he continued,

“The Elite is made up of several wealthy families. The Schmidts are in charge of Paragon United Tech Solutions. The Valos family is in the mix, running hotels, casinos, and clubs all over the West Coast. Then you’ve got the Liu family with their Liu Pharmaceutical empire; let’s not forget the old-money Pimms, whose businesses litter St. Portwell and Seattle, then…”

Sabrina awkwardly looked off to the side as Isaac looked her dead on.

“... You can say it,” Sabrina sighed.

“... Then there’s the Vanburen family.”

Linqian turned to look at Sabrina, raising an eyebrow. ”You aren’t part of the fucking Elite are you, Sabrina?”

Sabrina sighed, resting her hands into her face.

“No, I am not,” Sabrina began. “My brother and my sisters are. They tried to rope me in, but I… I couldn’t participate in the oppression of this city.”

She sighed again.

“I build, I don’t destroy.”

”Thank fuck- but which sisters? Trisha?” Then Linqian looked back over at Isaac. Looking for a threat they knew, or some kind of in, rather than one they didn’t know at all. ”In fact, are any former Sycamore members in the Elite?”

“... Yes, she’s with them, but please leave her alone,” Sabrina groaned.

“There are,” Isaac started, “There’s Linda Liu… But I heard they’re going to induct a few of them into the Elite this week. Jake, Gabriela, and Jaska Valos, and Sage Pimm.”

”Gabe? That pussy Jake?” Britney laughed. ”Hey, that dumbass will probably destroy the Elite for us!”

”Bet we can get shit from them too, easy,” Linqian looked at Britney with a smirk, then back over at Sabrina. ”Don’t worry, Bean, I’m not dealing with that fucking giant cult boyfriend she got. Someone like Jake’s much fucking easier to get to. I owe Gabe a burnt fucking face too.”

“I’d be careful,” Isaac laughed. “Heard that one of the big names out on the East Coast came all the way here to protect them from Father Wolf.”

”Big name what?” Britney tilted her head.

“Paranormal mercenaries… Johnny Valos,” Isaac said, tilting his head. “He calls himself ‘The Revolver,’ but he gets shit done for the right price.”

He paused for a moment.

“He rolled with some of the big names in Miami for a bit.”

”That guy sounds like bad news, Jie!” Henri suddenly piped up, having otherwise silently observed. He’d been munching on some chips he’d somehow pulled out of his jacket pocket… ”Let’s maybe leave him alone.”

Linqian rolled her eyes. ”We don’t have to threaten them. A friendly chat, old coven member to old coven member.”

“... I know Johnny,” Sabrina turned towards Linqian. “Well, I know all the Valos. Gabe and Johnny are completely out of the picture if you're looking for that. Jake and Jaska…? You might be able to get a conversation out of them, but they’re all… you know.” As a gesture, Sabrina interlocked her fingers.

”Believe me, I know,” Linqian rolled her eyes. ”And Gabe’s a fucking bitch.”

“If we can’t avoid confrontation, do you have any information as to what magic he wields? I say we play it carefully but we should be ready if it comes our way,” Aaron added with another puff of smoke.

“He’s got two main tricks up his sleeve, he’s got a lot of spells related to guns. He can make bullets bounce off walls, go through barriers, and use magic to reload his guns.” Isaac explained.

“His other trick is using poker cards to teleport and explode… But I’d be more worried about the guns.”

”Look, I don't think we should bark up that tree anyhow,” Britney said, taking the teeniest puff of her cigar. ”I get that you are excited for your rematch with Gabe, but I think shaking down the Elite kids for information is not going to end well.”

Britney shrugged, ”At least, not right now.”

“They got their asses handed to them the other night by 8th St,” Isaac chuckled. “Right outside Christiansands… Jiao-Long and Jason are pissed.”

”I’ll hold back, so long as her punchable face is nowhere near me,” Linqian held up her hands. At the mention of Christiansands she looked at Britney and Greyson with a smirk. ”Aw, did they have to use daddy’s money to cover it up?”

“I’ll have your back as always. I’ll keep the others off you so you can do your thing,” Aaron winked towards Linqian. Aaron turned his attention towards Issac. “While we’re asking questions, any idea who attacked the 317 last night?”

“Hmmm…” Isaac rubbed his chin for a moment. “... I’m not sure who exactly. I know there’s a new faction in St. Portwell. They’ve been going around mugging people of their artifacts… But, word on the street says they work for the Elite.” Isaac chuckled.

“Would be real funny, wouldn’t it?”

“Were these the same people who robbed Sloane Faris of her artifacts? This is starting to feel like one big joke that they will need to answer for.”

“Not sure, but give me some time, and I’ll look into it,” Isaac took a puff of his cigar. He laughed, “I’ll find you.”

”Well, what can you tell us about a man named Jason Valos?” Britney asked. ”Is he with the Elite?”

“A lot, and yes,” Isaac laughed, taking another slow drag of his cigar. “Word on the street-”

”... You say that a lot.” Britney rolled her eyes.

“-is that Jason Valos wasn’t always known as Jason Valos,” Isaac began. “Rumors suggest he was this mercenary named Goldtooth that used to roll on the East Coast. He pulled off heists and jobs that not even the craziest bastard would touch. Once he got filthy stinkin’ rich, he disappeared without a trace…”

Isaac laughed.

“... A few years later Jason Valos comes out the blue with loads of money.”

”Maaaaaaaaaaybe I should have been more specific because I don’t want this guy’s life story!” Britney said, ”I want to know about present-day Jason Valos. More about what he’s doing in the Elite.”

“Noted, my bad,” Isaac laughed.

”No, you’re good,” Britney laughed.

“’Present-day’ Jason Valos is a different animal,” Isaac explained. “He’s one of the key members of the Elite, in fact, one of the founding members. Jason? He’s all about his money.”

Isaac laughed as he twirled his cigar playfully, “He’s got his hands in nightclubs, casinos, you name it. Cutthroat. I would be careful when playing with him because if he is Goldtooth, he has much experience behind him. Possibly some powerful magic, too.”

Britney nodded, glancing at Linqian when she said, ”I heard he has a hobby of collecting artifacts, too.”

“Yeah, he’s a hoarder,” Isaac laughed. “He either buys them off 8th St and everyone else or…”

”... Lemme guess: he takes them.”

Isaac nodded.

”Well, there are two artifacts that I need that I believe that he or Blake Schmidt has,” Britney began.

“Well, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me.”

”The Mirror on the Wall and the Map of the Drunken Sailor.” Britney succinctly replied. ”o you know ”

Isaac rubbed his chin. “... I know 8th St found the Mirror on the Wall when they attacked some Elite prospects named the Pendletons last month. They sold it to the Elite. Last I heard it’s being kept on Elysium Island.”

”And the Map of the Drunken Sailor?”

“Jason has that one, but the word on the street is that it’s kept someone in the Emperor,” Isaac replied.

Britney nodded her head with a smile.

”Excellent,”

“I feel like a plan is coming together,” Aaron said with a smile, “without the need to go to the pit.”

Greyson had let them go on and on, taking mental notes as he sucked down the cigar and scotch. Mostly, he enjoyed watching Brit and the others take charge. It was almost a shame to be the person who had to bring up something that people didn’t like. That he had to get straight for his own head. But Aaron gave him a nice, warm little way to slink his question in.

”Speaking of the Pit… Something to tickle your brain about, Issac… What do you know about Sunshine and Raven Jones? We’ve been… Having some visions, and they seem to play a key part. I figured if anyone’s heard anything about someone like Sunshine, for whoever she is, it’d be you.”

“Sunshine…” Isaac rubbed his chin. “Don’t have too much on her, but to be fair most of what she did were in other universes.” His hand drifted from his chin and went to his cigar as he took another puff.

“She’s either still in the Pit, or escaped and is out and living the best life as some farmer in Montana,” Isaac laughed. “As for Raven Jones…?”

Sabrina briefly glanced at Greyson, before her eyes landed on Isaac.
“I don’t got anything on her. Are the two supposed to be related?”

Greyson shrugged, taking a deep breath. It was only fair, he figured.
”I certainly get the vibe, yeah. It’s all pretty vivid for me; I’m used to looking at dreams and memories. They’re Recollections, so if you’re not attuned it’s just like a movie. Some people think they can read the bones…”

“I can do some digging,”

”Broooooooo,” Britney laughed. ”You’re going to ‘do some digging’ on like twenty different things at this point.”

”Oh, I gotta question,” Linqian said, single braincell kicking into action. ”Do you know where Kari’s notes are… or anything on her? Like, if she’s still fucking alive, for example?”

“Far as I’m concerned, she’s dead,” Isaac said with a shrug. “But… I know exactly where her notes are. Or where they are going to be.”

”Do tell, Isaac.” Britney said. ”We know Blake Schmidt and his rich crones have them. And we also know that Blake needs them decoded.”

”They on Elysium Island.”

”Figures,” Britney said with a shrug.

“But, they ain’t gonna be coded for long,” Isaac laughed.

Britney raised an eyebrow.

“The House of Cards gave Blake an offer he couldn’t refuse,” Isaac explained. “So, they’re going to be the ones to decode the notes on Elysium Island tomorrow. They had a big meeting where they hashed out all the details yesterday.”

Britney grasped both sides of her head.

”... I swear to God! That stupid mafia is the biggest pain in the ass!” Britney complained. ”They’re not even a pain in the ass anymore! They’ve gone past the ass straight into the rectum! They’re a pain in the rectum!”

Looking at her grimly, Greyson shook his head.
”Then I need to be in Seattle tonight. I’m not gonna make a move on them without the blessing of my Father, but it’s too far. We need to hand their asses back to them for what they’ve done, Family be damned. My Uncle’s not gonna like it, but they’re all gonna understand when I get done with them.” he cracked his neck slightly.

”House of Cards as in Luna's shitty mob? The one she tried to recruit a bunch of us into when we were fucking teens? They're still around?” Linqian asked, looking between Britney and Greyson with a bit of confusion.

”Yeah, they are… And Luna’s like a fucking cousin to me, and I’m… Gonna have to do something I don’t want to do to her. Or to Val…” he said with a great deal of regret in his voice.

”...Maybe we don't need to do anything” Britney mused out loud, looking between Edict and Linqian. ”All we all to do is tell Jack and Kenshiro this and they are going to nut themselves.”

Greyson’s grin practically consumed his face.
”You know how much I love you?” he said with a dreamy voice.

”I know, babe,” Britney said as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

”Awwwwww, that’s so cute! Henri obnoxiously said from the side.

”It gets really fucking old real quickly,” Linqian rolled her eyes, casting a disgusted sideeye at Greyson. But she did then grin at Britney. ”I like that plan, let the fucking teleporters do that hard work.”

”Let’s, pack it up and regroup at Sabrina’s house,” Britney said with a nod. ”We can discuss a plan there… No offense, Mr. Kane, but I don’t want you selling our plans to an enemy!” Britney said as she put out the cigar on the ash-tray.

Isaac shrugged.

“... None taken.”

Britney stood up, ”Alright, let’s-”

The door opened and a group of people meandered in…

”... Speak of the devil.”

---

Sometime later, a large group of people attempted to enter the cigar lounge subtly. The group size and appearance made that problematic, as frustrating as that was. It was the “rich clique,” as they were colloquially called, led by Johnny Valos, wearing a brown overcoat, with a well-fitted brown pinstriped suit and black dress shoes… And his iconic wide-brimmed hat. Behind him was the rest of the clique. Jake was dressed similarly to Johnny, but black instead of brown. Lin and Mika were dressed wearing fancy white dresses and black loafers; the only difference was Lin's arrowhead necklace around her neck… Sage was wearing green sweatpants and a hoodie with white sneakers. Jaska wore jeans, a t-shirt, and a leather jacket with the backs ripped open so his wings could fit through.

Gabe tailed behind Jake and Jaska with her arms crossed… wearing a brown leather jacket, snug blue jeans, combat boots, and a t-shirt. She walked up before she paused the moment she saw the platform and damn near lunged forward and grabbed Jake by the sleeve of his jacket, and pulled him back.

Johnny looked over his shoulder as everyone looked at her.

Gabe pointed at the platform.

“... Do you recognize them?”

“Gabe, stop fucking pointing!” Johnny whispered through his teeth.

Jake looked at the platform before his eyes shot open, “... Is that who I think it is?”

“Yes,” Lin nodded her head. “Britney Williams, Greyson Devola, Linqian Han, and Aaron Thorne…”

“Who?” Johnny tilted his head.

“Members of the old Coven,” Lin answered.

“Those goons?” Johnny laughed. “The fuck is Sabrina rolling with them for?”

Gabe’s hands began glowing as she walked over…

Before Johnny yanked her by the collar.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Johnny said in a low tone, “The fuck are you doing?!”

“I’m about to get some answers about the other day,” Gabe said.

Johnny yanked her harder.

“God damn, you’re stupid sometimes,” Johnny rolled his eyes. “If you do that, all they’re going to do is play dumb and change strats.”

Johnny hissed through his teeth before laughing.

“... Do you, on God, think you can just walk up and get them to start yappin’?” Johnny said, tilting his head.

“They know something about Lin and Mika,” Gabe said, “I’m just not sitting here on my ass while they plot on us.”

“... And what if they decide to flip the script on us and change the whole ass game?” Johnny asked, “Use your goddamn head, or we’re all fucked.”

Lin stepped in, placing a hand on Gabe’s arm. "Johnny’s right. If we make a scene now, we lose any leverage we might have later. They expect someone to make a move, but they don’t know when. Let’s keep it that way."

“Play the long game. Let them feel safe,” Johnny said as he straightened his hat. “Let them fuck up.”

The glow around Gabe’s hands faded as she sighed, “Fine, but if they try something, it’s on and popping.”

“I’m going to see if I can, um, ’hear’ anything,” Lin said with a shrug as she slinked closer to the platform. Johnny nodded as Jake followed her.

Aaron stood up as he exhaled out more smoke. He stretched out as he took in the club. He had never really been in a fancy spot like this before, and despite everything he was actually enjoying the night out. His two brain cells were starting to get tired, however, so he had started to check out of the conversation. As such he began to take in the rest of the club from the raised platform. He looked at the decorations, the lights, the dancers, Gabe, the bar space, the ambiance, back to Gabe, lingering on Gabe, fixated on Gabe. Aaron swapped forms in that moment as they leaned over the railings and smirked.

It was only a matter of time before Linqian noticed, or these fucks did something to get Linqian’s attention, and Aryin was going to savor watching the chaos unfold when it did happen. They took another hit of the cigar and blew the song out in the direction of Gabe and mouthed a ”tick-tock” towards them as their smile spread even further.

While Linqian was trying her best to stay with the conversation, she was also starting to zone out as it got to shit she just did not give a fuck about. Then Aaron turned away, and naturally Linqian started getting twitchy. Then he swapped, and Linqian was hit with the irresistible urge to punch her.

”The fuck’s so interesting, bitch- is that who I fucking think it is?!” Linqian's fist froze midway to punching Aryin's shoulder. Sage, Lin, Jake, Jaska… Gabe. The last time she'd seen Gabe they'd gotten into a fight so bad even Jinhai almost couldn't calm Linqian down… and she'd said some shit that Linqian couldn't remember now but she knew had been fucked. But she did remember what she'd said.

”Oy, asshole,” Linqian shot up, not quite shouting but speaking loud enough for the rich clique to hear. She pointed right at Gabe, finger starting to glow. ”I told you do I ever fucking saw your ugly face again I'd burn it off.”

Johnny looked at Gabe, then Linqian. Then back at Gabe.

“... Bitch, go fuck your brother!” Gabe shouted, sneering as she looked at Linqian. “We ain’t even come here for your ass, so shut the fuck up!”

“Heeeeeeeeeeey!” Johnny shouted as he put a hand in front of Gabe, stepping in front of her with a wide, unnerving smile. “It’s great to meet you! I’m Johnny Valos…”

Jake, Lin, Sage, and Jaska were pretty much pulling Gabe away while Mika reached into her purse… only to pause and shake her head.

“Like my sister said! We didn’t come here for a fight! Just came here for a good time!” Johnny looked over his shoulder, and everyone was barely holding her back. “So, stay away from us; we’ll stay away from you.” He shot her the finger guns.

“Fuck that-”

“Shut up, dumbass!” Johnny whispered, “You’re gonna blow it!”

”Oh fuck all the way off Gabe,” Aryin said in an almost hushed tone. Their bemused expression had fallen from their face. A dull glow began to emanate from Aryin’s muscles. ”Is your healer any good? Like does your healer have a lot of practice? Are they good in a pinch,” Aryin paused as they gripped the railing tighter, ”because I’m going rip your jaw from your face and I want you to apologize after I’m done.”

Britney immediately ran as fast as - then tripped and fell flat on her face, then climbed back up - she physically could. Where? She put herself between the rich clique and Linqian and the others. She threw her hands up, awkwardly looking to the left and right. ”HEY! Chill the fuck out!” Britney shouted. ”Ignore these assholes! We got bigger fish to fry!” She turned towards Linqian and Aryin.

”... Please, don’t let them control you!”

”Oh shit,” Henri whispered, physically flinching at the brother comment.

Linqian was not going to chill the fuck out. Her hands and arms started to glow, physically melting through the railing so she could direct the most direct fucking route down. The moment Gabe mentioned Jinhai, it was over. ”My brother is fucking dead, you fucking bitch. Just because even your fucking family doesn't give a fuck about you- keep him out of your fucking mouth.”

She moved to try and get around Britney, managing to keep the metal burning heat to just her arms and away from her friend. ”Move the fuck away, Brit, I'm not fucking ignoring this shit. Not when she's fucking shit talking my dead brother.”

”Look, Linqian! She’s a just miserable nobody!” Britney got in Linqian’s way again and blocked her view of game. ”She wants you to get mad and beat the beat the shit out her! She wants to feel like she controls you.”

“... Oh lord!” Johnny said, facepalming. He stuck his hand out, and in the blink of an eye, a Thompson submachine gun appeared in his hand. He aimed it at Linqian. “... And you’re going to join that ninja on the other side if you take so much as one more step, ya’ dumb bitch.”

He grinned ear to ear as he said, “I’ll riddle you, your giant ass friend, and everyone behind you with holes. Try me, bitch.” He laughed.

“Oh my word!” Mika shouted as she took cover, then turned towards the rest of the group. “Get her the hell out of here! Can’t we go anywhere without something crazy happening!?”

They were physically pulling Gabe out.

“Hey! Hey! Hey!” Isaac shouted as he ran over without a hint of fear. “... Not in here!” He pointed at the door.

“Tell the bitch to back the fuck off, and I’ll walk away,” Johnny replied to Isaac.

Britney froze, staring at the gun.

Linqian didn't move, but she also didn't back down. There wasn't a hint of fear in her gaze, because in that moment of intense angry, and the everpresent grief, she truly did not give a fuck if she died. She just stared down Johnny, before only her eyes moved over to Gabe. ”You need you’re fucking big brother to defend you now? Looks like you've turned into a fucking coward- we'd take it outside if she wasn't such a fucking pussy.”

As Linqian spoke, a bunch of the lights in the back suddenly went out, before eventually flickering back to life.

”Run away Gabe. It’s all you’re ever good at,” Aryin said as they put the cigar back in their mouth as they eyed up the gun. Guns beat magic, her magic beats guns, but she did not know if her spell beats magic guns.

“Use… Your eyes dumbass!” Gabe said as the group damn near yanked her out the room. “... How about you losers come outside then!”

“Please,” Johnny rolled his eyes, “Play these childish games with ya’ homegirl Emily G. Reed. Not us.”

”Oh I’ll fucking come outside, if your asshole brother won’t shoot me the moment I fucking move!” Linqian shouted after Gabe, before looking back at Johnny. ”The fuck you keep bringing up that bitch? I’m just paying back a fucking debt!”

Her temperature continued to rise, spreading up her hands and arms and threatening to burn off the dress she was wearing.

“Because she’s a retard who calls herself a witch, you’re a retard who calls herself a witch,” Johnny laughed. “You’re all basically the same person!”

”Do not compare us to that transphobic cunt,” Aryin said as she pointed a finger towards Johnny, ”I never thought I’d be happy that she won a fight but I’m kinda glad they kicked your sorry asses.” Aryin kept the finger pointed towards Johnny as they considered swapping forms. They channeled their magic into their hand.

”Fuck off you fucking mafia imitating psycho,” Linqian suddenly dropped to the ground, slamming a hand into it. Their arm turned into a vine, which spread across towards Johnny… except the vines immediately set on fire.

”Wait, Linqian-” Britney tried to say.

“Well, it’s your funeral!” Johnny shouted before he pulled the trigger and the Thompson sprayed everything in front of him. Even though he was shooting an actual weapon, it didn’t so much as recoil in Johnny’s hand. Britney screamed as a bullet hit her in the stomach, and another hit her in the shoulder and she fell backwards and hit the ground.

Another bullet hit Isaac in the neck… but he didn’t so much as flinch. Only looked annoyed.

There had been a bit of a familiar itch that drove its way vaguely across the Emotional Fields of the Sycamore members present. Feeling it was like a slimy hug from a person you didn’t want one from. The hunting, prodding pink roots of the Lotus driving headlong through the crowd at their most subtle, each one searching for a break or an entry into the mind of a less-than-defended individual.

They didn’t make a distinction, latching into the first open mind they found. Sage. Two power words: Rush, and Push. The undefended person would feel themself surge forward almost outside of their own power, rushing toward Johnny’s position to shove him hard, hoping to stop the gunfire.
Behind them, Greyson was sprinting too, a fork in his hand as he made way for an unsuspecting nearby target.

Linqian had curled inwards, protecting her head as multiple bullets hit her. Her shoulder, her side, her legs brought up to protect her stomach. Another hit the right side of her chest. It hurt like hell and she doubled over in agony as her temperature shot up to as hot as she could get, her dress completely burning away. The blood spilling from the wounds started to congeal and the bullets were shoved out as her survival instinct kicked in, self heal spell developed enough to start working. But the pain that came with it was worse than getting shot in the first place, so excruciating she curled up into a ball on the floor, suppressing a scream in her burning hot, bare legs. Bullets shoved out of her skin and clattered to the ground as wounds were agonizingly burned closed.

Her vine arm was still reached out, on fire, still trying to grasp Johnny.

”Jie- Britney!” Henri shouted, appearing in a burst of light absorbed speed. He went to Britney first, kneeling beside her panickedly. ”I’ve- I’ve got you!” A bright light emanated from his hands as he started to heal her… thank fuck he trained loads after what happened yesterday!

Aryin moved at a supernatural speed once the vine shot out, knowing that her friends were in actual danger. She was too slow to stop the first of the bullets but soon enough Britney and Linqian would find a wall stood in between them and the bullets. Flattened bullets clanged to the ground after they collided with her back, each hit drawing a momentary gasp of pain.

“What the fuck?!” Johnny shouted as Sage tackled him to the ground, the rich clique had all but entirely yanked Gabe out the room. The bullets stopped.

“... It’s Greyson!” Lin shouted, arms around Gabe’s arm. “He’s controlling them.”

Aryin chuckled at the revelation by Lin. “Our coven's little devil strikes again.”

A poker card flew out of Johnny’s sleeve off to the side, and in an instant he and the poker card switched places. Instead of spraying the Coven with more bullets, he turned towards Sage as they got up and nailed them with the bullstock of his Tommygun. Sage hit the ground followed by a sickening crack of their nose.

“Johnny!” Jake shouted.

“Jake! Behind you!” Lin shouted, and Jake whipped around to see Greyson coming at him with a… fork? He grabbed the hand coming at him with both hands and was tackled to the ground.

“... Why the fuck are you coming at me?!” Jake shouted. “We’re trying to leave!”

“Slyvia! Make a portal!” Johnny commanded as he backstepped towards his people, holding the Tommygun with both hands. Mika quickly got from behind the counter and ran towards Johnny.

“Aye, aye, boss!” Sylvia let go of Gabe’s waist as she pulled out the guitar, and then swiped her hands on the guitar string and played a sick note. Behind her a shimmering portal made out of various music notes appeared out of thin air. However, Sylvia grinned as she looked at Edict.

“Don’t blink, papi!” Sylvia said as she threw her guitar at Edict.

Of course it’d be a battle of unconventional melee weapons. He’d long ago numbed himself, taking the impact of the guitar causing his body to twist itself slightly as the force pushed him around. But the legs didn’t stop moving, and he screamed like an animal as he surged forward to throw his body on top of Jake. The fork raised, and came down wildly.

The guitar flew back into Sylvia’s hands.

Lin screamed. Jake screamed.

The fork went right into Jake’s throat as he coughed up blood.

“Jake!” Lin screamed.

“Oh, fuck this!” Gabe fought herself free, then pointed an open hand at Edict and shot a laser beam directly at him.

With the chaos Aryin swapped forms and channeled his magic into his hands. He raised up both fists, one aiming towards Johnny, and one aimed towards Gabe, and with a jab like motion Aaron began to launch Ki Blasts towards the two targets. It flew towards Gabe and hit her in the back and knocked her over. The one that flew towards Johnny? Went directly for his chest.

Mika stuck her hand out in front of him. The ki blast hit her in the hand, and did nothing. No impact, no flash, nothing.

However, Aaron would receive the effects of the ki-blast in his hand as if it hit him.

With Britney at least stabilised, Henri used the last bit of light he’d absorbed to enhance his speed and put himself between Greyson and the laser beam. He held up his hands, absorbing the majority of the beam into his body. Some of it was sprayed back and hit his shoulders, burning them.

”I’m so sorry about all this!” Henri shouted, spinning around and shoving Greyson off Jake - because he was going to kill him! He then immediately channeled some of the light he’d absorbed into healing the wound in Jake’s neck.

Aaron cursed at the Ki Blast exploded in his hand, damaging it beyond use. He swapped forms and looked at the ruined hand before looking at Mika. “Neat trick.”

“... Can you all just stop?!” Sabrina shouted, taking cover on the other side of the platform as her voice cracked. “This is stupid! You all have more important things to do!”

”I agree with her!” Henri shouted as he continued to heal Jake. He removed his hands when the wound on his neck was healed enough to not kill him.

“The police are definitely on the way!” Sabrina added.

“If he puts the gun away I’ll consider stopping.”

“You motherfuckers lit the fuse and you want us to back off?!” Johnny incredulously said, tilting his head as he stepped back. Mika was by his side. “Suck my dick!”

”No, my idiot sister started it, and she’s on the floor dying, so you’ve done enough, surely?!” Henri shouted.

”I’m not dying,” Linqian groaned in between the slow and excruciating pain of healing herself from multiple bullet wounds by superheating them.

“Tell your people to back off, then!” Johnny shouted at Henri. “Bullets ain’t cheap!!”

Greyson only needed to hear police for his instincts to go from attack to flee. Blurry eyes looked for his group. Still covered in blood, gripping the fork with a death hold, he started to try and corral them.
”Come on! Let’s fucking go!”

Johnny looked over his shoulder and grinned as a poker card flew from his sleeve at Edict… Mid-air, it was coated in electricity, enough to give him one hell of a shock to whoever it touched. “... If going to the fucking hospital is what you mean by ‘let’s fucking go‘, then have at it!” Johnny said, keeping his gun aimed at Aryin.

Getting hit with the heavy stun of electricity, those in radius would be able to feel Greyson’s magic scream across them. For him specifically, with all his numbing spells gone, he felt every bruise and pain he could possibly feel. The shock dumped him to his knees.

“That’s what you get, dickhead!” Sylvia laughed.

“Shut up and just get in the portal!” Lin said, before she turned towards Sage’s unconscious body. She raised a hand and then they were telekinetically soared through the air into the portal. Jake stepped into the portal, aiming a glowing finger at whoever. Sylvia did the same, holding her guitar with both hands.

“Thanks for healing my bro… bro,” Sylvia said to Henri, winking at him. “Til’ next time, papi!” She said before hopping through. Gabe hopped through.

Johnny kept backpedaling as Mika just bolted for the portal and hopped in. Johnny grinned right before he got in.

“Let this be a lesson,” Johnny laughed. “Don’t fuck with the don’!”

He shouted before he hopped backwards and the portal closed.

Sabrina sighed, poking her head out.

“... Is it finally over?”

”Yup!” Henri said, running over to Greyson. He started healing him from the electrocution and grimacing. He looked around. ”Anyone else need healing?!”

”I got myself,” Linqian groaned, finally uncurling from her fetal position on the floor. Her temperature cooled down as all of the bullet wounds were completely healed. She was slightly busy from the pain… and naked. Again.

Aryin swapped forms as he unbuttoned his shirt, handing the shirt and jacket out to Linqian. His muscular chest, and body, neatly glistened in the club lighting. He held up his damaged hand and sighed

”Thanks bro,” Linqian grunted, taking them and pulling them on.

”Could use a little bit of healing here!” Britney shouted from the floor. ”Still losing some of that red stuff…”

”Got it! You should be good-” Henri patted Greyson on the shoulder after healing him faster than normal thanks to the laser beam he’d sucked in. He then ran over towards Britney, and also started healing her. The wounds healed, and Britney helped herself to her feet.

She smiled at Henri.

”... You’re so sweet,” Britney smiled. ”I’m sorry you got wrapped up in all this.”

Meanwhile, Sabrina quickly ran over to Linqian and put her hands on her shoulders, “... I got you!” Then Linqian was surrounded with a very basically black hoodie and sweatpants combo (with some sneakers).

”Why’re you apologising?! There’s only one person at fault!” Henri said to Britney, turning around and pointing at Linqian. He was shockingly angry, suddenly. ”Why the fuck did you do that?! Are you fucking stupid?!”

”我要淹死你 (I’m going to drown you).” Linqian glared at her brother.

”Don’t pull that shit again!” Henri narrowed his eyes.

Still gritting his teeth tightly as he stood.
”I’m gonna KILL that fake Gangster Fuck!”

“Enough,” Aaron said as he looked over the group, “time and a place, yeah? There’s a time and a place to discuss what just happened. It’s not here. Isaac, I’m sorry that we bright chaos upon you and your night. I doubt there’s anything I can do to smooth things over but on the off chance there is, please let me know. But we should leave.”

Isaac laughed, holding that cigar in his hand.

“... They were right, you know,” He started, “Where ever you all go; chaos sure has a way of following.” He laughed.

“I’d say you get used to it,” he paused as he looked at his hand, “but you don’t.”

“I would blacklist you all from my services…” Isaac said, taking a very long and slow puff of his cigar. He stared off into the distance, before his eyes landed on Sabrina. “... Money is money, game is game.”

He shrugged. “We’re just going to be meeting in your spaces next time we do business.”

Looking down at himself, Greyson found his entire upper body covered in blood.
”Oh, Jesus Fuck! We need to fucking go!” he exclaimed in a panic.

”Yeah, um!” Britney looked around. ”Let’s get the FUCK outta here!” Britney said as she bolted for the door.

”Agreed! Anyone need a hand, I can carry people!” Henri said.

As if by coincidence, Linqian had stood up and was starting to sidle towards the exit. Subtly. Or at least, with attempted subtlety. Less so subtle was her attempt to sidle around everyone as if trying to bolt away from them.

As Sabrina ran towards the door, she paused for a moment, and looked back at Isaac.

Isaac grinned.

“... I’ll send you the bill.”

Sabrina’s House.

---

“... Well that escalated quickly.”

Sabrina said with a shrug. The group was back at Sabrina’s house, and she sat on the sofa with a red wine in a clear whiskey glass.

”It… happens,” Britney laughed.

“It happens a lot with you all,” Sabrina answered, “Never a dull moment.”

”I mean it comes with magic!” Britney laughed, before she faced the rest of the group. She sat down, placing her hands in her lap. She was freshly showered, and switched to a black romper with a shower cap on. She took in a deep breath, and said,

”... I have a plan,” Britney started. ”I was cooking something up before all hell broke loose.”

Then Britney turned towards Sabrina.
”First thing’s first; we are not going to tell anyone from the Coven that the Vanburens are in the Elite,” Britney started off, ”Only because we have some real trigger happy headcases in there like Amara. I don’t want anyone coming after Sabrina.”

“Thank you,” Sabrina began. “I mean, Lila seemed nice.”

“What’s up with Lila, anyway? I remember the crows but she seems a bit…different than I remember,” Aaron responded as he looked towards Britney, “I agree though. Like Sabrina, you have been nothing but amazing. I do not want you to have any added danger for helping us.”

”Agreed,” Linqian nodded, sitting a bit off from the group… which was easy with the massive sofa. Having had to sit through Henri absolutely getting on her ass for the time others got changed, she was tired. ”Wouldn’t do shit for us, anyway, the other Vanburen we know is stuck in Leon’s hot mom’s creepy cult- and Sabrina doesn’t deserve shit just cause of her family.”

“Thank you, it means a lot to me,” Sabrina said.

”You know we look out for each other!” Britney laughed. ”Not everyone in this Coven does, but we do.”

Then Britney sighed, ”Now, I’m not as concerned about Kari’s Notes as the ‘Cult of Kari’ is, but we need to get to the Map of the Drunken Sailor and the Mirror on the Wall.”

“The fuck are those?”

”Two tracking artifacts, Lynn told me about them,” Britney said. ”Lynn wants to use them to find her boo, but I think we can use them to find Father Wolf and make some actual headway. The only problem is that Jason has one, and Blake has the other.”

Britney rolled her eyes. ”So, I had the idea… Now, I know for a fact that Jack and Kenshiro are going to basically break their necks to get Kari’s Notes back the second I tell them about the whole situation with the House of Cards. Probably going to end up taking a group there. So, I was thinking that I subtly push the group into going to the island.”

To accentuate her point, Britney slowly thrusted her palm out. ”Because - going off our track record - it will go completely tits up and cause a huge fuss. And that’s where you all come in. You all will use the distraction on Elysium Island to snatch the Map of the Drunken Sailor from the Emperor. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to get the Mirror on the Wall from Elysium Island, but I’d rather we come out with one thing than coming out emptyhanded.”
Britney smiled at the group.

”Then, we use them to find Father Wolf, kill his - or her - ass, hand it over to the Cult of Kari so they can find their girl, then go our separate ways” Britney nodded. ”I know it’s shady, but desperate times calls for desperate measures, and I’m just tired of leaving every meeting empty handed and with more questions than answers.”

“And if the snake is somehow involved we gain two powerful artifacts that can once again help us find ways to defeat it,” Aaron paused as he looked towards Britney, “I may disagree with them but I’d want to be where the greater risk is. I’m a protector, first and foremost, and if the island is a bigger threat I’d want to go with the rest there.”

”I’ll do whatever and go wherever,” Linqian shrugged. ”I trust your plan, Brit, don't give a fuck if it's shady. I want to find and kill that fucker more than anything… so I'll go rob a rich fuck rather than going to the island.”

”Oh, that reminds me…” Britney placed her hand on Greyson’s, and then looked him in the eye as she said, ”... I’m going to go with the group to Elysium Island, though.”

Greyson had simply been listening until it started to sound more and more like he was going to be moving units alongside the Han dynasty. He didn't mind either, his only concern being that he wasn't going to be able to protect Britney.
For a long moment, he held her hand and gripped it tightly, his eyes turning up to look at her. She'd probably seen the patriarchal look of disapproval a thousand times from his toxic ass, but something different happened this time.

There was no argument. There was no fuss or fight. He bent down slightly, brought her hand up to his lips, and kissed it gently.
”I believe in you… We'll be safe with one another again after.”
His head turned slightly to look at Linqian and Henri.
”You two will keep me alive, won't you?” he grinned.

”I’ll consider it… what do I get out of it?” Linqian replied playfully, lips curving up into a smirk as her eyes narrowed almost contentedly. ”I’m normally an aggressor, not a defender, so it ain't free.”

”Jie wouldn't actually let you die- and I definitely won't, don't worry! Even if you get shot a million times and are lying on the ground bleeding out, or if you're electrocuted and passed out, I'll heal you!” Henri said rather dramatically, holding a hand against his chest. ”Oh, actually- can I get a gun?!”

”… And I trust you’ll handle our white-haired mafioso friend?” Britney smiled. ”I know she jumped up and down about how she wants to be one of us… but I want to see her keep that same energy when her pockets get threatened.”

“For that reason I’d want you guys to get one more person. Someone level headed, and able to assist if shit hits the fan,” Aaron added while looking at Linqian before swapping, ”I know you think you can handle business you bitch but you’re so fucking dumb,” Aryin paused as they swapped back, “I just don’t want you guys to get blindsided by something that ends up being too much.”

”You’re fucking dumber,” Linqian retorted, rolling her eyes.

Sabrina waved her hands, then pointed both of her thumbs at herself.

“… I can get you all into the Emperor,” Sabrina shrugged, grasping her cup. “Maybe Elysium Island but I would rather step foot on that island.”

Greyson thought for a good moment about Luna. A good, long moment. He remembered being children. Not teens, not adolescents… Memories of being tiny, chasing one another along the pier while the adults held court inside the abandoned buildings along the harbor’s edge. Memories that would’ve been ancient history for anyone else was an easily accessible picture show to the master of Pink Lux. And each little bit of it was filled with a childish love of freedom. A different time.

”Right… Handle her. Sure.” he nodded slowly, thumb rubbing across Britney’s hand a moment longer.
”I guess I’ll make that phone call…” his throat cleared, and he stood up before pointing at Henri.
”And as for a fucking gun, don’t hold your breath. If you want a gun, we’re spending the next sixteen hours inside my head going over firing drills, ‘cuz I’m not letting you shoot me in the back… Fuckin’ cowboy… And don’t think I don’t remember you healed that prick at the club either. We’re gonna talk about that-”

Greyson’s face immediately turned to Linqian, sternly but not aggressively staring.
”-respectfully. Later. So that I can explain why I think that could’ve been a poor judgement call… Without any sort of malice or anger. Obviously.”
Then he spun and started down the hall toward the same room he’d used the night of the Halloween festival.

”I’m not saying you kill her or something!” Britney waved her hands in front of her as she forced a smile. ”I’m just saying make sure that she doesn’t, like, run off to her bosses.”

”I don't know why he thinks I'm gonna rip his fucking head off over every little thing,” Linqian rolled her eyes at Greyson's back as if he wasn't still in earshot.

”To be fair, Jie, you did try to last night,” Henri commented. He was still perfectly chill, not seeming bothered at all by the finger pointing or promised lecture later. After all, he'd been basically raised by Linqian and Jinhai, he was used to stern talking tos with varying degrees of anger in them.
”We can talk about that and the gun anytime later!” Henri called after Greyson.

Greyson’s thumping footsteps brought him back into the living room, torso peering around the corner of the wall.
”And y’all should decide who's gonna represent us at the Coven meetings from now on. It ain’t gonna be all of us so pick one: I’ll leave my vote with Brit unless y’all don’t conclude before I get back.”
Then he was gone again.

”It’s pretty obvious who, ain't it,” Linqian raised an eyebrow at Greyson's back, before looking between Britney and Aaron. ”Should be you, Brit… Honestly I think it should be both of you. One person doesn't feel safe, and you guys got the balance. You're smart, Aaron is well liked. Nobody will fucking listen to me, and everyone sees Greyson as a sleezebag.”

”... I mean, some of them don’t see me as any better,” Britney laughed. ”But, I get what you’re saying… We can be the dynamic duo, me and you.” She smiled at Aaron.

”Maybe we can start by nudging Auri to start a meeting.”

“The dynamic duo. I’ll keep you safe, don't worry. We should call her tonight. This feels like an urgent need, do you think we can get everyone together again in the next couple days?”

”... They’re gonna decipher the notes tomorrow,” Britney looked at Aaron, laughing. ”We gotta get the lead out, especially if those notes are as important as some of them act like!” She laughed, before she pulled out her phone and sent out a few texts to Auri.

A few moments later, her phone buzzed, and Britney looked down at her phone.

”Auri’s at her flower shop with Be and Todd,” Britney rolled her eyes. ”Want to ride with me over there?”

“I’m ready to go when you are,” Aaron paused as they swapped forms, ”I got your back.”

Britney got up and pulled her keys out of her purse, before smiling at Greyson and Linqian. ”We’ll be right back, don’t have too much fun without us!” She jingled her keys at the group as she walked out with Aryin in tow.

Flowers and Canvases.

---

Don’t Look Behind - Black Lagoon Ost

---

It was late at night, so Auri’s Flower Shop was closed, but she typically used it as a social spot. Britney wasn’t excited to see Be again, but this is what it takes to get to the bottom of this Father Wolf nonsense. Britney’s GMC Yukon parked out front, and the door was somewhat ajar, though, as she approached, there was something wrong. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she swallowed it, as she slowly pushed the door open.

What she saw confirmed all of her feelings.

Britney’s jaw dropped.

It was worse than she imagined.

Blood was everywhere.

Be, Todd, and Auri stabbed to death on the floor, with a wolf statue carved from Sycamore neatly placed next to them.

”... You gotta be fucking kidding me.”

”Jesus, fucking CHRIST,” Aryin shouted as she followed Britney in. Aryin’s first thought was being in groups was not as safe as she thought. ” Britney, what do we do?”

”I dont-I don’t know!” Britney grabbed both sides of her head and paced back and forth.

”No, no, no, please no, Auri, Bo, Todd, please no please not you,”” Aryin responded as she pressed her back into a wall and slid down it.

”Keep it. Together,” Britney sighed, as she pulled out her phone. ”I’m going to call the police.”

”Okay,” Aryin paused as they took a really, long, deep breath in before she took a really, long, exhale out. Aryin looked at Britney and nodded her head. She needed to be composed, she needed to be together, and she needed to be ready for questions that she did not have answers for when the police arrived. ”We were so close. Thank you for getting everyone back together, Auri.”

”… You know what it means right?” Britney asked.

”That there may be more of us murdered by father wolf than those who are still alive?”

”He’s raising the stakes, he’s no longer just going after people by themselves.,”

”Do we need to all live together? Like this…this takes our strategy for staying alive and fucking throws it in the mother fucking trash,” Aryin’s voice raised before she sighed.

”… But maybe this might work out for us,” Britney began, ”Maybe he’s finally getting sloppy.”

”We need those artifacts. If he’s getting sloppy…. We’re going to kill them”

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

"Lily".Santos
32 | Carmen Brianna Santos-Romano | She/Her "This is my life, Papi; nothing can change the past, so that nothing can change me."	Description: Carmen Santos-Romano (Better described as Lily), the eldest of three sisters, has always carried the weight of her family's expectations. Raised in the bustling streets of New York City, her life was marked by responsibility from an early age. Her parents worked tirelessly (her father was a dedicated NYPD officer and her mother a nurse) to provide for their family. Although they offered love and support, Lily often felt more like a second parent than a sibling, taking care of her younger sisters, Yara and Clarita, while trying to navigate her teenage years. This sense of duty shaped her philosophy that everything happens for a reason; she believed the struggles in her life were stepping stones laid out by a higher power, preparing her for future challenges. Despite her creative spirit and passion for art, which served as her emotional outlet, Lily fell victim to the pressures of adulthood. After her father's infidelity led to her parents' divorce, she struggled to find her footing while dealing with the emotional fallout. College, once a beacon of hope, turned into a battlefield of stress, leading her down a dark path marked by a shopping addiction and irresponsible decisions, including opening credit cards in her sister's name. When her sisters pressed charges against her under pressure from their new stepfather, Lily found herself in prison for identity theft. It was during her time at Rikers Island's female unit, Rosies, that she was forced to confront the consequences of her choices and the deep-seated pain she had been avoiding. Surrounded by harsh reality and fellow inmates' struggles, Lily realized that her past decisions had impacted her life and fractured her relationships with those she loved. After two years, Lily emerged determined to rebuild her life. She moved to San Antonio, Texas, distancing herself from her mother and stepfather for a fresh start. There, she found solace in tattoo artistry, channeling her creativity into a new career. Yet, her healing journey was interrupted when she fell in love with Rafael Cruz. Initially enamored, she soon faced the brutal reality of his controlling and abusive nature, forcing her to flee, and she lived with a friend. After fleeing Rafael's abusive grasp, his relentless obsession turned her new life into a waking nightmare as he began stalking her. Then, one evening, Rafael broke into her new home. Faced with the man who had once promised her love but became her nightmare, the confrontation escalated violently, and as Lily fought for her life, she unexpectedly awakened a powerful Abstraction known as Paranormal-Battery. In a desperate moment during the violent conflict with Rafael, she accidentally Overcharged him. The overwhelming energy triggered a catastrophic explosion that devastated her neighborhood, killing him in the process. She had no clue what had happened; the PRA swarmed her neighborhood in their investigation, and panic gripped Lily's heart. Days later, feeling the pressure closing in, Lily's life turned for the worse when she unintentionally Overcharged a friend during a moment of vulnerability. The energy burst erupted in a blinding flash, causing chaos in a nearby park and drawing even more attention from the PRA. Desperate to keep those she cared about safe, she isolated herself, fearing her abilities would hurt someone else. As time passed, Lily had a few more close calls, and each overcharging incident made it clear that she was no longer just a survivor; she had become a target. With her life spiraling out of control and no one to turn to, Lily decided to go on the run. After escaping the chaos of San Antonio, Lily spent months on the run, moving from town to town and state to state. The relentless pursuit of the PRA and factions seeking her abstraction loomed over her like a shadow, forcing her to adopt new identities and live in constant paranoia. Eventually, Lily arrived in St. Portwell, Oregon, just after Faith's call to action following the devastating attack on the 317 by the Elite and Sentinel Solutions. Eager to embrace a new beginning, Lily joined the 317, pouring her energy into tattoo artistry while learning to control her Abstraction. Lily is a full-blooded Puerto Rican woman who speaks with a thick Bronx accent and has a little bit of baby fat that clings to her belly. Abstraction: Afflicted - Paranormal-Battery. Lily’s Abstraction is a unique curse that allows her to enhance the Abstractions of anyone she touches with her bare skin. This ability draws on a deep well of magical energy that flows through her, making her a conduit for amplification. When she contacts another Paranormal-Being, her power boosts their Abstractions, allowing them to access greater strength and control than they ordinarily could. However, this power operates on a balance. Like a vessel containing only a certain amount, those she enhances can quickly be overwhelmed. When someone absorbs too much of Lily’s energy, they risk reaching a critical threshold, leading to what is known as an "Overcharge". In this state, individuals become akin to volatile bombs, filled with raw magical energy they can no longer contain. The consequences of this explosive release are devastating and capable of wreaking havoc on a large scale. The destructive potential of overcharging poses a constant threat to Lily and those around her. While she can enhance abilities, the risk that her touch could push someone past their limits keeps her on edge.
Jasmine.Tsega
29 | Nyala "Jasmine" Tsega | She/Her "I told myself I wouldn't let another like Sophie best me... and look around you."	Description: Born Nyala in Germany to accomplished architects, her childhood was gilded with opportunity yet marked by an insatiable need to prove herself. This drive became even more pronounced during high school when she discovered her passion for soccer. Although she was once the star player, everything changed with the arrival of Sophie Müller, whose natural talent and charm eclipsed Jasmine’s achievements. The fierce competition ignited Jasmine's ambition, yet beneath her rivalry lay a complicated admiration for Sophie that she struggled to acknowledge. Jasmine’s philosophy centers on the belief that greatness requires unyielding dedication and hard work. This belief, however, spiraled into an obsession that overshadowed her mental health. As she pushed herself to the brink, she wrestled with her emotions, particularly regarding Sophie, whom she secretly admired yet could not fully comprehend her feelings. The tipping point came when her desperation to reclaim her former glory during a crucial championship match led to a moment of recklessness: tripping Sophie just as she was about to score the winning goal. The fallout from this frustration resulted in Jasmine’s removal from the team and a tarnished reputation, forcing her to flee to St. Portwell, Oregon, where she reinvented herself. In the vibrant culture of America, Jasmine embraced her new identity, choosing the name Jasmine as a nod to her fresh start. Determined to channel her competitive spirit into a new realm, she immersed herself in fitness, aiming to become a fitness influencer. Her journey was not without struggle as Jasmine battled the lingering shadows of Sophie Müller, the specter of a rival who symbolized the heights she yearned to reach but feared she could never attain. Jasmine was shaken to her core after a harrowing encounter with an Apparition during a late-night jog in St. Portwell. With its haunting resemblance to Sophie, the spectral figure emerged from the shadows and attacked her. In that chilling moment, she realized that this apparition was not just any spirit; it was created from her unresolved feelings toward her long-time rival. This encounter shattered her perception of reality, thrusting her into the supernatural world. Determined to make sense of the mystical experience, Jasmine delved into research, exploring the intricacies of magic and the hidden communities surrounding it. Her search led her to a hidden market where she crossed paths with "certain individuals" specializing in trading rare magical artifacts (and "other" goods). There, she discovered a sealed Apparition called "The Sun God." Intrigued by its potential, Jasmine made the purchase, excited at the new avenues this spirit opened. After Sentinel Solutions (backed by the Elite) launched a surprise attack on the 317 building, Jasmine felt a surge of adrenaline. She spontaneously stepped forward in the chaos, offering to join the faction during Faith’s call to action. She currently acts as security/a footsoldier. Jasmine is a German-Ethiopian woman with a muscular build due to being a fitness influencer and her abstraction, though she has a pear-shaped build. She speaks with a heavy German accent. Abstraction: Agent - The Power of The Sun. Jasmine wields a stone disk from her belt containing the Apparition known as The Sun God, granting her incredible solar-based abilities that make her a formidable adversary. She can absorb solar energy through her skin, storing it for later use, which serves two primary functions. First, she can substitute solar energy for sustenance, providing her with all the power she needs without eating. She consumes food only for pleasure and must still drink water. This ability significantly enhances her endurance, allowing her to stave off fatigue until lactic acid buildup sets in. Maximum Solar Absorption refers to the peak level of solar energy Jasmine can store within her body. In this state, her body temperature can soar to around 550°F, making her touch intensely hot. While she is not immune to heat, her increased resistance allows her to withstand extreme temperatures without harm. At this maximum capacity, she can access her abilities at their most potent, unlocking unparalleled strength and regenerative capabilities. Jasmine’s regenerative factor is equally remarkable. By continuously absorbing sunlight, she can heal rapidly from injuries. In her maximum state, she can recover from severe injuries, like broken bones, in a matter of minutes, while extensive flesh damage can heal in seconds as long as she remains in sunlight. Jasmine’s strength is where her true power lies. She can infuse her muscles with solar energy, greatly enhancing her physical capabilities. Once activated, her muscles swell, transforming her physique into that of a bodybuilder, allowing her to tap into her enhanced strength. Without activation, she possesses double her baseline strength, quickly lifting over 300 pounds. When fully empowered, she can lift upwards of 5,000 pounds, making her a force to be reckoned with. Her body is reinforced to handle this immense strength, ensuring she doesn’t injure herself while exerting such power.
Lucia.Scott
33 | Lucia Danielle Scott | She/Her "I want the stars because nothing’s ever good enough for the likes of me."	Description: Lucia Scott was born into the Inner Circle as the daughter of two devoted members; her childhood was a paradoxical blend of privilege and fear. Her parents' fervent disciples of Sunshine Jones exposed her to the horrific realities of their ambition: human experimentation, ruthless power plays, and a hunger for more. When the Accordance dismantled the organization, her parents decided to flee to Shimmer, believing they could escape the consequences of their past. However, it was in the aftermath of their flight that Lucia’s actual struggles began as she became separated from the only life she had known. Desperate to prepare her for a harsh world and ensure she could defend herself if the Accordance came after them, her parents devised a controversial plan: forcing Lucia to undergo a Kindling Event. They sought the assistance of a remaining member of the Inner Circle, a skilled Pink-Lux Adept who specialized in emotional manipulation. This member, driven by a twisted loyalty to the cult's legacy, agreed to help them in exchange for a promise of protection. On the night of the ritual, the atmosphere was thick with tension and apprehension as Lucia was led into a hidden chamber dimly lit by flickering candles. She had heard whispers of the Blood-Art Technique but was too young to grasp its true implications. As the ritual commenced, her parents urged her to embrace the emotions that the Pink-Lux invoked. The magic warped her feelings into a volatile cocktail of fear, anger, and desperation. As the manipulated emotions surged within her, Lucia felt herself spiraling out of control. Just as the emotional storm reached its peak, she unlocked her Lux. When the ritual concluded, Lucia was left shaken; the power she had unlocked felt like a curse more than anything. As she grappled with her new abilities, she felt conflicting emotions: anger at her parents for forcing her to endure that and a lingering sense of loyalty that kept her bound to their legacy. In the years that followed her Kindling Event, Lucia’s parents became her mentors, training her in the Blood-Art Technique. They taught her rigorously, believing mastery over this dark and forbidden form of magic was essential for her survival in the dangerous world they now inhabited. Yet, she also felt their fanaticism and commitment to the Inner Circle lingering in every lesson. Lucia's parents' dark legacy was a looming threat, filled with whispers of betrayal among the remnants of the Inner Circle. One night, after returning from school, she found their lifeless bodies, their throats slashed. The murderer had been careful, leaving no trace behind. In that instant, the last rope to the Inner Circle - and her previous life - was finally severed. Lucia felt overwhelming grief, rage, and most importantly freedom. Their deaths had granted her a chance to escape the legacy of the Inner Circle. With the weight of her parents' legacy lifted from her shoulders, Lucia sought to reclaim her life and make a difference in the world. She joined the 317 after Sentinel Solutions, acting at the behest of the Elite, attacked the faction, believing that becoming part of a community dedicated to protecting artists and Paranormal beings was her way of fighting back. Lucia is a comically tall and slim woman, standing at six-two, with a dark aesthetic and demeanor. Abstraction: Adept - Green, Purple, & Black Lux. Channeler: Old Grimoire. Crimson Strike: Lucia thrusts her channeler, the Old Grimoire, forward, unleashing razor-sharp tendrils of blood that erupt from the book and shoot toward the opponent directly in front of her. These tendrils whip through the air with lethal precision, slicing through flesh and inflicting deep, bleeding wounds. This spell does not require a symbol to be drawn first. The Crimson Cloud: Lucia rides a cloud of blood, gliding above the ground to traverse distances quickly or evade danger. The symbol for this spell is a billowing cloud, with droplets cascading down like rain. Telekinesis: Lucia manipulates objects from a distance telekinetically, allowing her to hurl debris or even bind enemies with a flick of her wrist. The symbol for this spell is a series of sharp, jagged lines converging toward a central point. Flare: Lucia fires a small orb of concentrated boiling blood, inflicting minor burns on impact. The symbol for this spell is a flickering flame encircled by droplets of blood. Blood Apparition: Lucia temporarily creates an Apparition from her blood, manifesting as a flickering, ghostly silhouette. This Apparition can distract enemies and lash out with tendrils of blood, dealing minor slashing damage. It can absorb a few hits before dissipating in a spray of crimson mist, offering brief protection for Lucia. The symbol for this spell is a ghostly silhouette with flowing blood droplets in a swirl shape. Sanguine Echo: Lucia creates Apparition copies of herself made of blood that can confuse and distract opponents that go down after the first moderate hit. The symbol for this spell is a series of overlapping silhouettes, each dripping blood. The Chains: Lucia conjures chains made of blood that whip out like tendrils, lashing at her enemies precisely. Once they make contact, the chains wrap around and immobilize the target, constricting tighter the more they struggle. This spell is symbolized by a jagged chain motif drawn in blood. Rejuvenation: Lucia channels Green-Lux into her blood and creates tendril-like tubes, which she uses to inject her blood into her target. This process gradually heals wounds and alleviates pain as the infused blood works through the recipient's body. The symbol for this spell is a heart surrounded by flowing blood. Catalyst: Lucia animates a recently deceased body with blood-infused necromancy. The corpse is a temporary servant capable of basic tasks or light combat. The symbol for this spell is a skull crowned by blood droplets. Scalding Rain: Lucia causes droplets of boiling blood to rain down, searing enemies with minor burns. The symbol for this spell is a series of teardrop-like shapes representing each drop of scorching blood. Blood Barrier: Lucia conjures a barrier made of crystallized blood that acts as a protective shield against incoming attacks. The barrier can absorb a certain amount of damage before shattering, and when it does, it releases a spray of sharp, crystal-like shards that can injure nearby enemies. The symbol for this spell is a geometric crystal shape with blood droplets around it. Phantasm Form: Lucia transforms into a glowing red orb, becoming intangible and allowing all attacks to pass through her. In this state, she can swiftly fly through the environment, evading danger and quickly repositioning herself. The symbol for this spell is a circle encircled by a series of swirling, jagged lines.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

For the non-discord peeps, I rewrote EVERYONE's description on the character list, including their abstractions. And removed all the dead characters who are unimportant.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

New NPCs

Gabriela.Valos
54 | Gabriela Mya Valos Sr | "Don't climb that ladder, build your own."	Description: Née Bennet. Gabriela grew up in a vibrant neighborhood in Los Angeles, surrounded by various cultures and influences that shaped her into a strong, independent woman. From a young age, she exhibited a fierce ambition and a knack for navigating the complexities of life in a city that thrived on competition and opportunity. With parents who instilled the value of hard work, Gabriela excelled in her studies and developed a passion for business, often dreaming of running her empire one day. Her path crossed with Jason Valos during his rise to power in the nightlife scene. Attracted to his charisma and ambition, Gabriela saw in him a partner who shared her drive for success. They quickly fell in love, and their relationship flourished as they built a life together, eventually marrying and starting a family. Gabriela became the backbone of Jason's various business ventures, leveraging her keen instincts and organizational skills to help expand their empire. While she supported Jason’s ambitions, Gabriela also sought to carve out her own identity within their world, establishing herself as a formidable businesswoman in her own right. Despite her glamorous lifestyle, Gabriela remains grounded and deeply connected to her family. She is a loving mother to Gabe and Jake, always prioritizing their well-being and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. Gabriela’s nurturing side often contrasts with her fierce determination in the boardroom, where she is known for her no-nonsense attitude and sharp negotiating skills. While she admires Jason’s ambition, she sometimes struggles with the darker aspects of his past and the criminal undercurrents of their empire. Abstraction: Unknown.
Elynn.Pimm
32 | Elynn Veronica Pimm | She/Her "Love is nothing but a weapon."	Description: Elynn Pimm’s childhood was a strange mix of luxury and darkness, where wealth concealed the deep dysfunction of her family. Alan Pimm, a charismatic actor beloved by the public, ruled the household with manipulation and cruelty, creating a toxic environment between Elynn and her siblings. Emotional abuse was the norm, and the Pimm children quickly learned that love was just another tool for control. Even more disturbing was the family's secret indulgence in incestuous relationships, a taboo they embraced as part of their twisted dynamics. This dark, unspoken bond only deepened their loyalty to each other while isolating them from the outside world. From a young age, Elynn showed a keen intellect, using her insight to understand power dynamics within her family. Though often overshadowed by her more flamboyant siblings, Elynn quietly studied the games of manipulation and control that defined the Pimm household. Magic fascinated her, but her Kindling Event was anything but natural, forcibly triggered by her father using an ancient artifact called the Eye of Reverie. This ring could induce a traumatic vision, pushing the wearer to confront their deepest fears to unlock their Lux. In a nightmarish hallucination, Elynn relived the twisted manipulation and cruelty of her childhood, culminating in a horrifying illusion where she was forced to murder her parents. The experience shattered her emotionally but unleashed her potential as an Adept. However, the trauma left deep scars, forever binding her to the darkness of her family’s legacy. For a time, Elynn hoped she might escape her lineage’s darkness by forging her path through magic. But the insidious nature of the Pimms - especially the incestuous bonds between her and her siblings - kept pulling her deeper into the family's corrupted legacy. Eventually, Elynn realized that her parents were obstacles to her true ambition. Inspired by whispered rumors of the family’s connection to a long-forgotten cult in St. Portwell, Elynn began to see their deaths as a way to inherit their wealth and the ultimate power to reshape the city. With her siblings at her side, they plotted their parents' murder, seeing it as the final step in freeing themselves from any remaining restraints. The night they killed Alan and Grace was a chilling mix of calculated violence and emotional release, marking the moment Elynn fully embraced her role as the leader of the Pimm family. After her parents' deaths, Elynn wasted no time asserting control over the family fortune and their standing within the Elite. Elynn Pimm's aspirations for the Elite extend beyond mere wealth and influence. While Blake views the organization as a way to gain power, Elynn sees it as a means to reshape the world around her according to her vision. She imagines the Elite as the largest Paranormal faction and as a ruling force dictating the balance of power in St. Portwell and beyond. Her leadership style, far more calculated and ruthless than Blake's, is driven by her desire to turn the city into a playground of hedonism and excess, where the Elite reigns supreme. Elynn knows the organization's potential and plans to exploit it fully, transforming the faction into a reflection of her own ambition and moral decay. Regarding Blake Schmidt, Elynn holds a mixture of disdain and strategic appreciation. She recognizes Blake’s incompetence and deluded sense of grandeur but also knows how to manipulate his ego for her gain. Blake’s obsession with magical power amuses Elynn—he is little more than a bumbling fool playing at greatness. However, his wealth, connections, and many artifacts make him a helpful pawn in her giant game. Elynn exploits Blake’s desperation for the Stygian Snake and indulges his leadership fantasies while quietly pulling the strings behind the scenes. To her, Blake is a means to an end, a tool she will discard once he outlives his usefulness. Yet, she has a strange bond with Phillis Schmidt. Abstraction: Unknown.
Chester.Pimm
38 | Chester Everett Pimm | He/Him "When I speak, they listen - because they know what happens when they don’t."	Description: Chester Pimm is the aggressive counterpart to his sister Elynn's calculated manipulation. Raised in the same toxic environment of luxury, emotional abuse, and incestuous control, Chester quickly became the enforcer of the Pimm family. The deeply entwined familial relationships fostered loyalty and competition among the siblings, often manifesting in complex dynamics marked by rivalry and an unsettling intimacy. While Elynn mastered the subtleties of power through manipulation, Chester embraced the raw, physical aspect of control, using his presence and prowess to bend others to his will. He was feared and admired equally among his siblings, a towering figure who took pleasure in asserting his authority whenever necessary. This dynamic made Chester the protector of the Pimm family and the one most willing to get his hands dirty, whether in family matters or their rise within the Elite. Chester’s role as the second in command of the Pimm family within the Elite is a natural extension of his upbringing. While Elynn handles the intricacies of strategy and manipulation, Chester ruthlessly executes their plans. He thrives in the more contentious aspects of the family’s dealings - dealing with enemies, keeping their followers in line, and ensuring that no one questions the Pimm family’s authority. As a man who understands power in its most direct form, Chester uses fear as his greatest weapon within the Elite and in the larger city of St. Portwell. His leadership style is straightforward: exert control by being the strongest in any room. Whether through physical intimidation or the sheer weight of his personality, Chester makes sure that those around him either fall in line or are removed from the equation entirely. Chester’s loyalty to his family, particularly to Elynn, runs deep, though his respect for her comes from recognizing her as the only person capable of matching his thirst for power. While he trusts her vision, his temper and violent tendencies often threaten to destabilize the delicate balance she tries to maintain within the Elite. Chester views the Elite as a means to gain wealth and influence and as a tool for the Pimm family to assert dominance over the entire Paranormal world. To him, the Elite should be an iron-fisted organization, feared and respected by all. Chester’s brutal leadership style and Elynn’s cunning make the Pimm family formidable. Chester is more than willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their reign continues, whether through politics, violence, or a combination of both. Outside the Elite, Chester’s ambitions reach toward a different form of control: political power. He is either running for the position by presenting himself as a man of the people. Chester has perfected the public persona of a strong leader who promises to restore order and prosperity to the city. He’s a charismatic figure to the public - rigid, unyielding, and decisive. His speeches are filled with rhetoric, promising to clean up crime, cut through the city's political gridlock, and bring back a sense of pride to St. Portwell. Behind this facade, however, lies the exact violent, power-hungry figure that dominates the Pimm household. Chester sees politics as another battlefield where force and intimidation are still the ultimate tools of control. Those who oppose him in his campaign or within the city’s political structure often face mysterious threats or become his victims. Abstraction: Unknown.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

---

The House of Cards Mafia & The Elite.

^{Featuring the introductions Elynn & Chester Pimm, and Gabriela Valos.}

Interactions: None.

Paragon Halls.

---

---

Discussions were heating up as the House of Cards limo made their way to the Paragon halls. Valencia was dressed in a decored black suit, sitting beside Demos, who wore a slick black leather suit. Across from Valencia sat Isabella, hat drawn low over her eyes and puffed blouse sleeves softening her figure.

Isabella was leaned forward, hands raised, as if trying to grasp reason and shove it into Valencia's head. “With all due respect, Mother, if the Sycamore catches wind of you outting them on the deal, we're going to have fifteen-plus powerful adepts on our doorstep. Probably more with how their alliances are.”

“They're not going to find out. Luna's kept her mouth shut.” Valencia said, rolling her eyes.

“Yeah? What about people like Mr. Kane, hm? How do you think the Elite caught wind of your desperate search for the notes? Who's to say Mr. Kane won't ring the bell?”

Isabella pinched the bridge between her nose, taking a breath, before her voice lowered, her eyes tilting up to meet Valencia's. “Ma'am, we've been through so much. We can't take another information leak. The first left us without Phantasia, rest her soul. If my suspicions are right-”

“If your suspicions are right, then we tighten security when this all goes down, and plan backdoors in case things go south.” Valencia said, her tone hard. “I've got too much riding on this alliance with the Elite. This could be our big ticket to more opportunities around St. Portwell, connections. You know how important those are to our own prosperity, Isabella.”

“And what of Luna? What if push comes to shove? Do you really think she'd choose us over her coven?”

Valencia was quick in her response. “She knows the punishment for disobeying a direct order. She's loyal. I wouldn't have made her Underboss if that wasn't the case.

“Now, are there any other concerns you wish to air out, Isabella?”

Isabella stared for a moment, before reluctantly sitting back in her seat. “Just one. With our new intel, what do you plan on doing…?”

Valencia flashed her wolfish grin. “I'll tell you. Mr. Valos is gonna hate it, that's for certain.”

---

Blumenkranz - Kill la Kill OST

---

Paragon Halls were active at night… security was through the roof as the various families of the Elite were assembled in the conference room. The Schmidts were all in their seat, with the Liu Family represented by Jiao-Long and his wife, Chunhua. However, another family was present… The Pimms. The leader of the Pimm branch of the Elite, Elynn Pimm, sat in her chair with her legs crossed and her fingers steepled. She was wearing a black suit and tie, and next to her was her esteemed brother and mayor-candidate, Chester Pimm, who stood with his arms behind his back. The room was eerily silent, as the tension was so thick one could cut it with a knife.

The doors opened, and Jason Valos hobbled in, with his wife, Gabriela Valos, at his side wearing an ornate black dress. He walked into the room.

“You’re late,” Elynn quietly said.

“The fuck I ain’t,” Jason said before he flashed her a grin. “I’m a minute early in fact. So shut the fuck up, Elynn.”

Elynn rolled her eyes.

“Jason, you’re here!” Blake said with a wide smile, clutching a glass of wine while Phillis sat beside him. “I hope everyone’s ready! Our guest of honor should be here any minute now.”

“... We don’t have everyone,” Chester nodded.

“Well, fuck ‘im,” Jason said as he hobbled over to his chair and sat down. “I put out a time, and if they want to treat it like an afterthought? Not my problem.” He rolled his eyes.

“Actually,” Chester took a step forward; his sister said something quietly to him, but he ignored her. “Let’s address the elephant in the room.”

Jason grinned again.

“... Got something to get off your chest there… Chesty?” He laughed. “Geddit?”

“I do, in fact,” Chester narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms. “... Why are you inducting that freak, Sage, into your part of the Elite?”

Jason kept that grin. “... Why are you worrying about it? You said it yourself, ’your part of the Elite’. As in, my part. Not your part. My part. It’s none of your business.”

“It is my business.” Chester shot back, baring teeth.

“Look, Chester-” Elynn tried to pipe up.

“Look Chesty,” Jason grinned, “If you’re so worried about Sage’s induction fucking with what little ‘authority’ - and I use that word’ loosely - you have here then maybe you should go bitch at your sister. Not me.”

“What game are you playing here, Jason?” Chester asked, “I know that freak, and they wouldn’t want anything to do with us without a reason… Just like how I know you wouldn’t help that freak unless it benefits you.”

“... And here I was thinking the untreated syphilis finally rotted your brain, Chesty.” Jason laughed before clapping his hands together and putting them up. “You do have a brain… but it don’t work all that good, though.” Jason laughed.

“You think this is all a joke?! A fucking game!?” Chester shouted, pounding his fists on the table.

“Enough!” Elynn’s voice sliced through like a blade and stood tall, “This isn’t the time for petty insults. Chester has a point. Sage is up to something. You’re up to something. We can’t afford that kind of instability right now.”

“‘That kind of instability’?” Jason raised an eyebrow, incredulously laughing. “Bitch, you say that, and your got those two crazy bitches acting as your attack dogs.”

He paused for dramatic effect; his grin widened, “... Tell me what about those two screams stable?”

“You want to talk about stability?!” Elynn hissed, slamming her hands on the table. “My sisters, those ‘two crazy bitches,’ as you so elegantly put it, are fiercely loyal and effective. Unlike you, who seems obsessed with jeopardizing everything we’ve worked for every chance you get!”

“Now, you know that’s bullshit,” Jason laughed again, leaning back in his chair. “Those two are a disaster on four legs. It’s only time until those two just crash out.” He laughed.

“... Surprised it hasn’t happened already.”

“They’re loyal to us,” Chester said. Unlike you, they know how to follow orders when necessary.”

“Bullshit!” Jason laughed. “They’re loyal to their fuckin’ impulses. Why else would they flit around like lunatics literally every chance they get?”

“And yet their chaos has proven useful time and time again. You forget, Jason, that a little unpredictability can be our greatest weapon,” Elynn calmly said as she sat back down and steepled her fingers.

Jason shot her a condescending glance. “... Up until that unpredictability fucks you over, Elynn.”

“That unpredictability hasn’t once screwed us over,” Elynn said, not even looking in Jason’s direction. “And you know why? Because I know how to control it.

“You’re fuckin’ nuts if you think you can control those two, Elynn,” Jason laughed at the notion. “They’re one intrusive thought away from killing the whole lot of ya’ll!”

“Better wild and loyal than a coward that undermines us at every turn!” Chester shouted.

“Shouldn’t you be busy fucking your sister?” Jason gave Chester the biggest shit-eating grin. Chester’s face went red, and he began shaking. However, Jason didn’t stop there...

“... After all, you’re such a knuckleheaded fuck-up you somehow couldn’t get a girl to bend over for you even if you throw all the money in the world at her.” He began laughing. “So, I don’t think you have no choice, do you?”

“Alright, fuck you!” Chester shouted, charging over to Jason, who drew his pistol.

“Try me, you ugly fuck up,” Jason began.

“Surely, that’s enough!” Jiao-Long shouted as he raised his hands and began waving them. “We have guests coming! This is incredibly poo-”

The doors opened.

To say the lay of the room was surprising was an understatement, but Valencia knew an opportunity when she saw one. As she and Demos walked into the room, she flashed her wolfish smile, first to Blake, then to Jason.

“Boss-man Schmidt, a fine evening with you around.” Valencia said, before addressing Jason, side-eying the new Elite member currently about to throw hands with him.

“Mr. Valos, though I'm all for a good fight… might I have a word with you, privately.” Her wolfish smile widened. “It's terribly pertinent.”

Her hand gestured to Demos, who had taken another step into the room. “I'll leave my husband to regale you.”

Jason glanced at Chester.

Then flipped him off.

Before sliding his sidearm into his coat pocket and turning towards Valencia, he limped over to her on his cane and said, “Let’s go; there’s a private room over here.” Jason hobbled toward the side of the room, his cane tapping in rhythm with each step, though his confident swagger remained intact.

Jason shot a quick glance back at Chester and Elynn, he muttered under his breath, “... Jackasses.”

Jason said as he pushed open an oak door with a grunt. Inside, the private room was dimly lit from a low-hanging chandelier. A large mahogany table sat in the center, surrounded by plush leather chairs. Thick velvet curtains were drawn over the windows, sealing them in from the world outside. “After you,” Jason gestured, holding the door open as Valencia stepped past him, and he stepped in, closing the door after him. Jason stood by the door and said,

“... So, what’s up?” Jason asked. “Is this about the last time we met? Lady, it was nothing personal; I’m just trying to protect our pockets.”

Valencia took a couple steps into the room before turning back to face Jason, her eyes like little shards of ice.

“...No. This is about something else entirely.”

A smirk, and she reached into her suit's inner pocket, pulling out a small recorder. Her finger hovered over the ‘play’ button.

“Now, before you get any funny ideas, I have copies of this, so don't try and steal it.”

Valencia pressed the button, and a recording of the conversation between young voices.

“Maybe it’d be worth snatching those notes from Blake…”

“... Yes, I think we should.”

“...We’re basically Elite already. Getting them can’t be that hard, right?”

Valencia pressed a button on the recorder, and the recording stopped. Her eyes glinted up at Jason.

“From what I've gathered, they're yours, aren't they…?”

She leaned back, resting her back against the edge of the table, smirking. She wondered if Jason could tell where she was going with this.

“Now, it would be a real shame if the rest of the families heard about this… tragic news that your own blood wants to overthrow authority here. Betray your own people.”

Her smirk widened. “What would they think? Better yet, what would they do? To you, to the young ones. Ostracizing you would be a given, if they're that generous. Loss of trust, of course. And that'll eat your profits for a long time.”

She paused, watching Jason's face, before she leaned in. “That is… if I tell them.”

Jason stared at Valencia, completely blankfaced before he grinned ear to ear.

“Oh, you’re clever, ain’t you?” Jason began. “I knew they were up to something… I knew you were up to something.” He began laughing softly.

“So, what do you want? Money? That bitch’s manifesto?”

Valencia's smirk mirrored Jason's. ”One million, and I'll forget all about it. You can wire transfer me here.”

“... And how don’t I know you’ll just show those bastards anyway?” Jason raised an eyebrow. “I ain’t born yesterday.”

Valencia's head rolled slightly, staring at him, before she spoke. “Eye for an eye. I'll give you incriminating files on one of my men. That way, you have evidence to jail him if I talk. Sound fair?

“Of course, after you wire transfer me.”

Jason stared at Valencia for a moment, clenching his jaw before he sighed. “... Fine, you win this round, lady.”

Reaching into his coat, Jason pulled out his phone and, with a few taps, began the wire transfer. As the screen loaded, he glanced up at Valencia…

“... I’ll have you know you’re playing a very dangerous game here, lady,” Jason seethed, shaking his head. “The kind of games that end badly.”

Valencia had a serious expression on her face. ”I realize that.”

After a few seconds, his phone beeped in confirmation. “... It's done. Now where are the files on your men?”

Valencia immediately pulled out her own phone, confirming the transfer. Indeed, the funds had been transferred to her account.

Good.

Valencia reclined her back a little more against the table, finding the drive that held the files. A quick share, and Jason would find a folder filled with pdfs, audio files and photos available for him to download, all from a text with a shareable link.

Valencia looked up from her phone. “His name is Gianno Francesco. Has a lot of dirt on his hands that I've kept for a rainy day. But lucky for you, it's all yours. Enough evidence to put him away for 25 years, if not life.”

She clicked off her phone and slipped it back into her inner breast pocket. ”Now I believe that makes us even. Shall we return to your people?”

“Hmph,” Jason rolled his eyes, and hobbled out of the room back into the main room with the others.

---

The main hall was quiet after Jason and Valencia left. The faint hum of the building’s ventilation system was the only sound that broke the uneasy silence. Blake Schmidt sat at the head of the table, reclining casually, a thin smile on his face as he said,

“Have a seat my boy! We have much to discuss, don’t we?!” Blake steepled his fingers.

“... I don’t trust him,” Phillis was the first to speak up, whispering in Blake’s ear.

Blake was silent.

“Oh, my dear Cassandra,” Blake said, not even bothering with whispering, “I got all of this in the bag. Just trust me.”

Blake leaned forward, his smile unwavering.

“Let me just say that it is great to meet you! We look forward to working with the House of Cards, don’t we?!” Blake grandiosity said, to relative silence and eye-rolling.

“... I would like to get to know you all a bit more,” Jiao-Long noted with a silent nod.

“That, that!” Blake loudly said. “What’s your name? Tell us about your organization’s goals and accomplishments. And how you came to your position!”

Demos stared out at the faces staring back at him, before she shrugged, taking a seat in one of the seats. “Demos Castles. Let me tell you a little story about myself…

“I was a young lad at the time, could barely grow fuzz on my chin. I walked into a bank during business hours, and I robbed it. Months of planning, to know which safety deposit boxes were heavy. It only took small explosions at the right place to pop them open, and dump out their contents. I was gone before the police, paranormal and mundane, came to the scene.

“I've always been one for antiques, physical wealth. With the gold and limited pieces I collected, I amassed five million that day.”

The story was sugar icing. Pleasant to listen to, but withheld any meaningful details. He, of course, hadn't answered Blake’s question directly.

Demos leaned back in his seat, gloved hand resting on the polished table. “I know my wife is very pleased to be working with you, Mr. Schmidt. Tell me, what's your stance on fencing? We're always looking for business partners who'll give our… lifted antiques a good new home.”

“Fencing you say?!” Blake grinned as he leaned back further into his chair. "Well, Mr. Castles, I do believe every business transaction has its, shall we say, artistic side. And, of course, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the occasional… transfer of valuable items!”

Demos nodded. “That's good to hear. It just so happens we have a new shipment of antique and new art pieces, and some precious metal pieces dating back 500 years. Perhaps we can set a time to discuss that business when it's convenient for you, Mr. Schmidt?”

Blake grinned.

“We can do it right now!” Blake shouted, “No time like the present!”

“... I thought we had an important meeting here,” Elynn piped up, crossing her arms as she glanced at Blake. “We all don’t need to be here just so you two can discuss buying art.”

“Unless it’s an Artifact,” Phillis added. “Or a sealed Apparition. Then that’s an entirely different subject matter, Elynn.”

Demos's eyes flickered, betraying a slight hunger, before he leaned forward, leaning his chin on steepled fingers. “If I said I could commission an Artifact for you, for the right price… What would you say to that?”

Blake’s face contorted into a wolfish grin.

“... Now you’re speaking my language!” Blake excitedly said, “Say! How long have you all been operating in St. Portwell?! I wish we met sooner!”

Demos’ eyes crinkled slightly. “About twenty-five years, but we prefer not to make too much noise. You know how it is.”

Cassandra and Angela looked at each other before Blake could respond. The door opened, and Jason rejoined the group…

“Jason! You’re back! Is everything well?!” Blake said, with a wide grin on his face.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s good,” Jason shook his head as he held his seat in Paragon Hall with the Valos family crest. He looked to the left, and to the right, then his gaze landed on Valencia, “Alright, let’s get to work, shall we?”

“Yes, you assembled us for something,” Elynn sipped her wine. “Let’s get this dog and pony show on the road already.”

Valencia took a seat beside Demos, smoothing out her suit. ”I'm all ears.”

“I assembled you all here to hash out the details on assembling those damn notes,” Jason spat out. “So that we’re all on the same page here.”

Elynn rolled her eyes, her head turning a different direction, “What’s so important about those damn notes anyway? Kari is dead, and unless they lead to more artifacts or resources we can ultilize, this is all a waste of time.” Elynn finished with a shrug

Blake straightened in his chair, "Ah, but that’s where you're mistaken, my dear Elynn. Those notes could be the key to unlocking new potentials, wouldn’t you agree?”

Elynn was silent, but Jason turned towards Valencia and Demos.

“... I’m just going to cut to the chase,” Jason said, “Me, Blake, and Jiao-Long have discussed using our laboratories on our headquarters, Elysium Island, as “our grounds” to decipher the notes. Then we get both of our muscle on the island, and that’s when we activate our two security measures, The Eustis Veil and The Eye of Ankhara so nobody gets on the island, and if they do, they’re going to have a hard time flitting around without us knowing.”

Jason nodded his head, glancing at Blake, then Jiao-Long.

“Is this Thursday a good time to decipher the notes so we can finally learn all the dirty little secrets that bitch had?”

Valencia paused for a moment before she nodded, grinning a little. ”Thursday works. Tell me a little more about your security measures, though. The Eustis Veil and the Eye. So I can be on the same page.”

Blake smiled like a fool, and Jason rolled his eyes.

“... I’ll let Blake take the floor on this one.”

“Thank you, my friend!” Blake began. “The heart of our defenses on Elysium Island was created by a genius named Eustis Avitus. Who fused the essence of a powerful Apparition into the Veil! When activated, it summons a chaotic storm that disrupts any teleportation magic! Anyone who tries to breach the perimeter through magic will find themselves lost in a storm of black clouds and lightning!”

“... Make sure to tell them about the downsides,” Elynn rolled her eyes.

“Oh, it’s nothing, my dear Elynn!” Blake laughed at her before turning back to Valencia, “Inside the dome created by the storm, you’re safe from its physical fury, but the longer you stay, the more you risk succumbing to the influence of the Apparition. It whispers; it pulls at your sanity. It’s a clever trap...” He shrugged.

“Oh yes, and the Eye of Ankhara, our surveillance system. Nefertari Ankhara, the creator, infused it with her mastery over sound and perception. Once activated, it creates a network of soundwaves that detect any movement or disruption up to a mile away. If someone enters the area too quickly or creates too much noise, the Eye illuminates their aura and alerts us. It’s sensitive to magical activities, too. Is there any use of magic in its vicinity? Instant exposure.”

Valencia nodded, brows furrowing slightly in thought. “...I'll want to be in the control room where the data from the Eye is relayed, so I can move my men as need be. It's likely we will have one group stationed outside the lab, one in another location… I'll need to see a map of the floor plan to best place them strategically.

“And just to confirm, no windows or ventilation shafts in the lab room where the decoding will take place, right?”

“There is no control room, my dear; if somebody sets off the Eye everyone will be informed,” Blake nodded.

Though, Jason turned his gaze towards Blake, and narrowed his eyes.

“There are no windows, but there are ventilation shafts; our people need to breathe, after all!” Blake said with a nod. “But, a floorplan is easy work! Our headquarters has two layers: the mansion above and all our facilities underneath! I can get it to you pronto!”

Then Jason facepalmed.

Valencia glanced at Jason, before grinning at Blake. ”Appreciated. As I mentioned before, I'll have my little genius take care of the decoding. We won't rest until those notes are laid out bare.

“Now, unless there was anything else…? I ought to get my people prepared…”

All the members of the Elite looked at each other as Blake just smiled. He got up from his seat, and walked over to Valencia, and extended a hand.

“Now, I’m looking forward to working with you all,” Blake began. “Hopefully, we’ll be working together more… People like us, you know, don’t have a lot of friends, and a lot of people who would love to see us fall.”

Blake laughed before he said,

“... So, perhaps an alliance is in order!?”

Jason leaned back in his chair and rolled his eyes.

Valencia calmly stood, sliding her hand into Blake’s to shake. Her grip was firm.

”Then let's make it official. The Elite-House Alliance, born today, this Tuesday, November the 8th. Your enemies are my enemies. Your friends are my friends. May we both enjoy a long, prosperous alliance.”

Demos raised his hands and gave a light round of applause. The rest of the Schmidts and Lius joined him… Jason and his wife, and the Pimms just remained silent.

Blake just laughed as he gripped Valencia’s hand.

“Together, we will all achieve our goals!”

---

---

---

It was now a full twenty four hours since Lynn had her last drink, and she was feeling like hell in the middle of some cheap coffee shop . The bags under her eyes, the red look contained within them, and the constant shaking of her leg betrayed this. She had a finger in her mouth that her teeth began to chatter on and her nail. Still, this was suffering that was needed. Lynn knew that the possible trip to the pit was already dangerous, and it would be downright impossible if she was drunk, or dealing with these withdrawals then. A second passed before Lynn admitted to herself that she did not get sober for a possible trip to the literal hell of the magical world. She wanted to get sober because she was a fuck up and she could not live like one anymore. Lynn tried to fight the withdrawals with a plethora of sweet treats and sweet drinks. She had a Caramel Frappuccino, a smattering of Deez Nutz, a local chocolate covered nut, and a few cookies. The table was messy, but there was no point in being neat in a condition like this.

Lynn’s eyes darted to her phone as it finally hit noon. Drake would be here in less than a minute provided he wasn’t feeling generous to a homeless person, or rescuing a cat from a tree, or if he tried to take a shortcut and ended up in a traffic jam, or if he left a few minutes later than the futures told her, or if he got a call that he had to take, or if a freak windstorm blew him over and injured him, or if there was a water main explosion right under his car, or if the snake had broken free and Drake was one of the first victims of the new reign of terror, or-

The roar of Drake’s all-black Dodge Charger could be heard pulling into a spot… followed by the sound of the door opening when Drake Blackmore walked in. He wore a black leather jacket, jeans, a black t-shirt, a black watch, boots, a black chain, and a black baseball cap. He scanned the room a bit before walking over to Lynn with a smile.

”... Damn you look like shit,” Drake awkwardly laughed. ”Rough night?”

“Yep” Lynn knew that she looked like shit. “the roughest of my life so far,” Lynn smiled weakly but her eyes did not contain any joy. “Thank you for coming though,” Lynn paused as she grabbed another sweet treat and ate it, “ready to hear what I have to say about Goro and Yoko?”

Drake took a seat, then leaned back, putting his hands behind his head, ”Hit me.”

“I don’t know why he went in, or how he got there, but I do know that Goro is in the pit. Yoko, I do know, went in to find her brother. They’re still there as of today, but I think they’ll find their own way out eventually…if the idiots they’re with focus,” Lynn made sure to not drop too much detail about what she saw. There was no point in telling someone that three of their dead friends had somehow returned from the maw of the hound and were in the pit fighting every single day. She’d never seen a person who died in the past in the future before. Lynn paused as she looked at Drake, and then back to the table before she tossed a handful of Deez Nutz into her mouth. “Drake, I’ve never seen this before. I’ve never seen someone I know for a fact is dead alive in the future. Yoko is with Lisa, Ella, and Saiska.”

Drake was silent for a moment.

”... Who?”

Lynn blinked twice in rapid succession. Oh, they are doomed if they actually go to the pit with the covens ‘lights are on but nobody's home’ bad boy. Lynn’s eyes flashed green for a brief second as she pulled into the possible future, checking to see what way she could explain them.

“Anime girl who shouted her spells, spider girl who had her tits grabbed while flying away from Scott Reese and the edgy blood girl.”

”Yeah, don’t ring a bell,” Drake shrugged. ”So, wait, you said that they’re dead, but also alive? How’s that work?”

Lynn’s right eye twitched. “They were in our coven? They died ten years ago during the nightly battles we fought? Adora has crippling depression because she-…..you know what? Who they are isn’t important. They died, dead for a decade, but for some reason in twenty percent of the futures where we go to the Pit they’re there. I don’t know how. I’ve never seen something like that before and I’ve seen a lot of futures,” Lynn paused as she took a deep breath. She quickly grabbed the Frappuccino and took a big drink from it. “I could show you one of those possible futures.”

”I don’t really understand any of this, but hit me!” Drake said with a grin.

Lynn’s eyes flashed green and she was off to the possible future, projecting the vision onto the world so that Drake could see. It took just a moment for her to find the right way forward, and soon the vision began to show the potential details to Drake. After several, blazing fast seconds, Lynn’s vision began to slow down. The vision showed their position in the pit compromised. Several Autoknights had then surrounded.. Leon and Drake were both injured, Luna was nowhere to be seen, and it appeared the group was at their end. Suddenly, the knights were engaged and dispatched the metal monsters.

Lisa, Ella, and Saiska were painfully busy just being the worst people. Drake thankfully couldn’t hear what they said but their humor was crude, rude, and entirely unchanged from when they were kids. And then Yoko saw Drake, walked down, and began yelling at him. And yelling. And the yelling continued before she reached out and hugged him. Evelynn pulled herself out of the vision and groaned. The magic was feeling exceptionally brutal on her completely sober and withdrawal stricken mind.

“From there we would journey together, find Goro in one of fifty different places. The journey to him is even more dangerous, our group specifically is always woefully unprepared. In some of the futures you die not long after saving Goro, in some of the futures I die right before we find the exit from the Pit. In all the futures it seems like us going to the pit is almost more trouble than it’s worth. We always come home stronger, better equipped, and ready for what comes next, however.”

Drake leaned back in his chair, his casual smirk never fading.

"So let me get this straight…" Drake began. "We're going to the Pit, and there's a good chance we run into your dead friends or whatever who aren't dead anymore for some reason. But, like, we might also die trying to save Goro. And if we don’t die, we come back stronger. I’m not sure what part of this I’m supposed to be worried about."

He grinned. ”You’re acting like this is supposed to freak me out. But, come on, Lynn, haven’t we been through worse? Is it really worse? How can the Pit be any worse than fighting Stiggy?”

“I mean the pit is a wild place, that much is shown to me,” Lynn paused as she took a bite of a cookie. The sweets were not helping. She still felt like shit. Greyson was wrong. How could she get a reward if the cravings never end? “I want to be nothing but open. It will suck, arguably more than the fight with the snake. We had a lot more strength fighting that fight than we’d have fighting this one. The future tells me that the pit is important, but,” Lynn paused as she looked up to Drake, “I don’t know for sure. The last few days have given me…a clarity in the fog. That clarity is telling me that life is more complex than what the future shows.”

Drake raised an eyebrow.

”... And what do you mean by that?” He asked.

“I’m sober, just under a day now,” Lynn admitted, “I don’t know if it’ll last but I’m using my power for the first time…sober. Even back then I was drinking when we were fighting the snake. The future has always been this cold, detached, empty place that was empirical. Now, there’s more nuance to what I see. It feels more real to me. The emotions seem more real to me. And it hasn’t even been a day yet.”

Drake laughed heartily, "Usually it's the other way around. You start saying all the crazy shit when you're drunk…” He chuckled, shaking his head,

”So, if I am ‘getting it’, being sober is making you see the future different now? Well, how can we be sure it's not a side effect to your withdrawls or something?”

“Most of the visions of the pit I have checked were when I was drunk so,” Lynn paused, “I want to say that I got sober to get better at the future reading business but I just needed to. I think the added depth is just my brain screaming at me.”

”I mean, I’m no expert, but if the Pit looks bad when you’re drunk and even worse when you’re clear-headed, that’s gotta mean something, right? Maybe it’s not just your brain freaking out.” Drake replied.

“Who’s trying to freak out who now?” Lynn smiled as she looked across the coffee shop. “You may be onto something though.”

”Of course I’m onto something; I’m Drake Blackmore,” Drake grinned, ”But hey, if you’re saying I’m onto something, maybe we should start digging. See if there’s more to these visions than just a hangover and a panic attack.” He laughed.

“How should we start digging, and please tell me it’ll help with withdrawal symptoms?. Lynn placed their forehead on the table and.

”As much as I hate to say it…” Drake began. ”... We ask Britney.”

“Oh joy, that’s going to totally help, Lynn sighed, “should I see if she is free now?

”No, see if she’s free yesterday,” Drake laughed. ”Of course see if she’s free now.”

Lynn pulled her face off the table and pulled the phone to her face. Her eyes flashed green. A second later she was back and hit the call button. She put the call on speaker but lowered the volume. And then she waited as the pressure in her brain built up. Britney answered.

”Hello, Lynn,” Britney said, ”What’s going on?”

“Hi Britney, I have you on speaker with Drake . We’re at a coffee shop, you busy right now?, Lynn leaned back as she waited for a response

Britney loudly snorted, ”... You can throw a rock and hit a coffee shop, Lynn.” She began, ”But what do you need?”

“I am dealing with too much withdrawal stuff right now to even remember the name of this shop we’re at let me check their… the Twin Tails, Lynn paused as she looked towards Drake, “we’re talking pit stuff.”

”... You know it's a suicide mission, right? Britney said.

”Heh! Suicide Mission is my middle name!” Drake said, shooting Lynn the finger guns.

”... It's Dean.”

”You remembered!”

“You know what Britney, you’re right,” Lynn paused as she looked at the phone with anger, “Yoko has been in the pit for months but of course we’ll all die if we try and help her find her brother.”

”She and Goro are probably already dead,” Britney said with a sigh.

”Yo, how do we know she’s dead?” Drake tilted his head. ”I saw Yoko fight; she’s a tough cookie!”

”... And how do we know she’s still alive?” Britney shot back.

“In the majority of potential futures she’s alive. If it was one, ten, even a hundred different futures, of course I’d be more cautious about what I’m saying. I’ve seen her in thousands of futures, Pit or otherwise. The future has a part for her to play; she just hasn’t got to it yet.”

”But, this is Yoko we’re talking about,” Britney laughed. ”The rude, immature, and stupid pain in the ass we tolerated because of Goro… What exactly do you see her doing? She hated us! And I don’t mean ask your magic that. I mean, you… what do you, Everlynn Serelight, deadass think she will do?” She finished it with a sarcastic snort.

”Besides, from how you talked at the meeting; we only need what she has.”

”As much as I hate to say it…” Drake looked down at the phone, then back up to Lynn. ”... She has a point.”

“As much as I hate to say this,” Lynn paused as she leaned her head back and pressed her hands to her eyes, “I’m a fucking idiot. There are other artifacts we could use to search for Kari. I mean we won’t get the other fun artifacts but using what we can, here, is the right move. The pit needs to be a backup plan.”

”... It shouldn’t be a plan in any capacity,” Britney added, ”Unless we literally, ABSOLUTELY have to… though, I find your fixation with it-” Britney cut herself off.

”Fixation? That’s a strong word. Brit,” Drake crossed his arms.
”Pit or not, we can’t just leave them down there. Especially if Yoko has these... Wayfinders.” Drake looked at Lynn, scratching his head.

”And I get it Drake,” Britney sighed. ”Sometimes things are just… out of our hands. This being one of them.” Britney paused for a moment.

”... So, Lynn, what artifacts can we use to look for Kari?” Britney asked. ”Maybe I can point you in the right direction. Maybe we can find Father Wolf and finally put an end to this bullshit.”

“Uhhh I know the Mirror On The Wall and The Map Of The Drunken Sailor are in town. The mirror is a sealed apparition, a seer that can find anything or anyone. You have to answer three riddles without any assistance and they get harder as you go. Fail any of the riddles and you’ll be instead shown your greatest fear. The Map is this artifact that’s been passed around for ages. The surface of the map changes depending on the query. The only catch is you have to follow the map to get the destination, and rumor has it that the path it takes you on is filled with monsters and danger. It’ll mark the location of whoever, or whatever, you’re looking for with an ‘X’ which is kinda cute. I think it’s with a rich kid.”

Lynn grabbed some more Deez and offered some Nutz to Drake.

”Thanks, Lynn,” Drake said, taking the nuts into his hand. ”You picked some real fun options! And who are the “rich kid”?”

”... There’s a lot of them in St. Portwell,” Britney laughed. ”Be specific.”

“Honestly? I think I remember the name Jason Valos for the one and a Schmidt? Maybe Blake?”

”... Oh, great,” Britney said, rolling her eyes. ”Well, that tracks.” She sighed.

”Valos? That sounds familiar,” Drake rubbed his chin.

”There were three Valos in the Old Coven - they were in the ‘rich clique’” Britney asked.

”Oh yeah!” Drake said, ”I don't suppose we can just ask for them?”

”Or we can just swipe it from them,” Britney said.

“I won’t be very much help in either way right now,” Lynn said with a sigh as she put her forehead back on the table, “I really could use a drink.”

Drake popped another nut into his mouth, ”Stealing from rich kids? Sounds like Saturday night!” Drake cracked his knuckles. ”He probably won’t even notice it’s gone!”

”But people like them tend to have tight security, Blackmore,” Britney nodded her head. ”Plus, the Valos are not only unpredictable, but could be a part of the Elite. So… If we’re stealing it we might need to be careful.”

”We’ll just have Jack swipe it,” Drake shrugged. ”Piece of cake.”

”He could probably pull it off, the issue is that we won’t hear the end of it,” Britney laughed. ”Though, we don't know if Jason or Blake have any security around their artifacts.”

“I could check the future,” Lynn paused as she sighed, “but this craving is getting to me. I don’t think my mind can take the possible future right now.”

”You’re okay, Lynn,” Drake laughed, before popping another nut into his mouth. ”We got other ways to pull this off.”

”Sounds like if Lynn doesn’t get that drink, she’ll pass out,” Britney laughed over the phone. ”Normally, I wouldn’t support someone being a functional alcoholic, but Drake, can you please run and grab her something? Something strong enough to get her to perk up a bit.”

“No,” Lynn said but her mind said yes please, just one drink, anything. Lynn thought that one cheat drink wouldn’t be the worst, she’d just have to start from the beginning again and deal with a sleepless night, followed by the same terrible morning she had today, followed by an insatiable desire to drink all day long. She could do that again. She could totally do it. Just drink. Just. One. Sip. “I can’t.. maybe a single… no. no.”

Drake clapped his hands together, then threw them up,

“... You heard the lady, she said no.” Drake started before adding, ”Not like that ever stopped you.”

”Now’s not the time, Blackmore,” Britney coughed, ”But, look, Lynn, we don’t have to do everything right this second - okay, I know there’s a serial killer after us, and we need to go our separate ways again, but that doesn’t mean you gotta push yourself if you’re going through withdrawals like this.”
Britney sighed. ”I can just do some digging on Blake and the Valos and come back to you two, okay?”

Drake looked down at the phone, then up to Lynn.

”Call me if you need me!” Britney said before she hung up.

“Okay, thank you Britney.”. Lynn’s eyes went out of total focus. Her leg began to bounce off the ground. She wanted, no, needed that drink. The pain across her body swelled as every muscle in her body suddenly begged for the sweet release promised by a drink.

Drake popped the last of the nuts into his mouth before shrugging, ”... What happened to asking her about the visions? About your dead homies?”

”Hmmm?” Lynn paused as she looked over to Drake. ”Fuck. Fuck,” Lynn paused as she began pulling at her own hair. ”I completely forgot. Fuck. I fucking…”. Lynn paused as she let her head fall onto the table.

”Brooooooooooooooo…” Drake facepalmed with both hands. ”Look, I’m the last person who should be saying this, but you need to pull it together… I didn’t know you had this problem, but there’s a serial killer after us for saving the world. And we need to get our shit together.”

”I’m trying to, Drake, I can’t keep getting drunk. Like, bro I have been getting drunk since before the snake. How many more people will I lead to their death if I keep drinking? The future doesn’t know, and neither do I. But sober me has to be better. Sober me HAS to be.”

”I’m not saying drink, I’m saying…” Drake trailed off, before adding, ”Look, I don't want to leave everything in the hands of Britney, there’s gotta be SOMETHING we can do.”

”I….agree,” Lynn sighed as she groaned and took a big drink from the sugary drink, ” Drake, I’ll look back to the future tonight. I don’t know how much I will see,” Lynn paused as she sighed, ”but we need options. And I can give us options. And I’ll fucking woman up and find us something we can do, pit stop or otherwise.”

”Do you think I’m right about going to the pit?”

”I mean, I don't care about the Wayfinder!” Drake laughed. ”We can’t just leave them there!”

”Then let’s keep planning as if we’re going to go to the pit. Britney can help us with finding stuff to find Kari. We focus on finding a way to get our friends home.”

Drake shot her with the finger guns.

”Sounds like a plan!”

Paragraphs: Agents of Death [FernStone & Shin Ghost Note]

---

---

The group was silent.

Not one word was spoken as they advanced from the gritty and ruined city streets and entered a new biome within the Pit. The hum of the Autoknights’ airships was just a memory. Before them stretched an immense desert of red sands, a vast sea of shifting crimson dunes that seemed to go on forever… And the red skies of the Pit appeared to take on a different property here, as it felt like the sun beat down on them, even though there was no sun. In the distance, massive, oppressive mountains seemed to form strange canyons in the gaps between them. Even from this distance, they could see the entrances to the mineshafts that dotted each of the mountains. They could see the tools and mining equipment outside of them, and the tracks for the minecarts…

The group marched forward, approaching a massive canyon created by several flanking mountains. Yoko was in front of the formation, and she had the Yokai Killer drawn, and she occasionally drew it out enough to examine the glow. Then she sheathed it with a click, and sighed.

”... I take full responsibility for that,” Yoko admitted. ”We should have turned back instead of pressing forward. I was just thinking that they wouldn’t attack us and let us go through without incident.”

"No way! Maybe if I'd listened to you and taken cover we wouldn't have fought them… or if we were faster… you can't be thinking like that, Yoko," Ella said, from her position at the back of the group. She'd stopped crying, eventually, and that unshakeable determination was back. "We're in this together… good and bad. All of us."

"What kind of life did they even have…" Saskia intoned quietly. There were no obvious signs that they were feeling any different from normal beyond the silence that had come over them all. That same lack of expression, no visible guilt. They walked with their hands stuffed in their jacket pockets, as if there were any visible signs of what they'd done. There was no literal blood… but it was on their hands nonetheless.

And they'd do it again, and again, however many times they needed to do that Ella never had to.

It made it possible to push through, even when the image was still clear in their mind. The crying and screaming… but it had been as close to a mercy as was possible in this place. "No point dwelling on it."

”Yes! Can we just talk about something else, anything else?!” Lisa damn near shouted, throwing her hands up into the air, before letting out a deep breath.

Yoko closed her eyes, and nodded, ”... Very well.”

Lisa played with her fingers for a moment, before saying to Yoko, ”So, that’s a cool sword you got there,” She pointed at the Yokai Killer, ”Where did you get it from?”

”I made it.” Yoko succinctly answered.

”Really?” Lisa tilted her head.

”I made it with the assistance of Connor Bray, Selena Phoenix, and Luca Olivera… using instructions that my ancestors left behind on how to create the Apparition Killer and Mura- The Aberration Killer,” Yoko answered.

”Wait, your family made the Apparition Killer?! And there’s also an Abberration Killer?!” Lisa shouted, then tilted her head, tapping her head. ”... And you can also make artifacts?”

”Yes, yes, and yes,” Yoko said, ”The instructions my family left behind on the Apparition and Aberration Killers were left intentionally vague, however. So, I did the best I could”

"Whoa, that's so cool, Yoko! Do you think I could make artifacts too?" Ella asked.

Saskia rolled their eyes, turning her head back to look at Ella to make sure she saw it. It helped a bit with pushing back all the shit that had happened too. "You have three types of lux. Each one is weaker, there's no way you can make artifacts."

"Oh, right, makes sense!" Ella shrugged, not bothered. "Oh, how's Luca? I miss the little guy… is he still dealing with the Rot?"

”You can make artifacts, Disciple,” Yoko said, ”Making artifacts doesn't come to me that well, but I can teach you later.”

"Seriously?! Awesome!" Ella grinned.

Yoko then sighed, ”And far as I can recall, he is… I told him I would help him after I was done with my mission.”

”For ten years… I can’t believe it. We’ll help him too when we get back!" Ella nodded.

"And make Britney pay," Saskia intoned, voice quiet but deadly serious.

”I can make a spider crawl up her ass!” Lisa laughed.

”Ironically, that’s not what Olivera wants,” Yoko said with a roll of her eyes. ”Though, given those murders, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was one of the victims… Or the perpetrator.”

"She was still alive before we came here," Saskia said, tilting their head. They weren’t surprised Luca didn’t want Britney dead. It wasn’t in his nature. He was like Ella in that way… overly positive even in bleak situations. Saving others from falling into the darkness too quickly. "But that could have changed. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was her…"

"I wish we could help with those!" Ella said, throwing up her hands. "We came back to life and someone’s killing our former covenmates… but we can’t do anything about it!"

"We need to worry about ourselves first."

”That is true,” Yoko nodded at Saskia. ”We’re in the most dangerous location in the All-Verse… at least they have the luxury of some semblance of safety. Unlike us.”

As they approached the mountains, Yoko looked to the left and then the right… the mountain seemed to stretch on endlessly. However, the ahead seemed endless. However, she sighed,

”... Let’s find somewhere in here, then take a break,” Yoko suggested. ”We need one.”

"Maybe there's a cave somewhere!" Ella said, squinting at the mountains.

Saskia tilted her head as they approached, looking across. Then they pointed to what seemed to be a darker patch a bit further along, maybe an indent. "Let's try there."

Yoko followed Saskia’s gesture, as she scanned the distant patch of darkness.

”Seems like a good of a spot as any,” Lisa shrugged.

”Stay close,” Yoko said as they neared the indent, her hand on the hilt of the Yokai Killer. As they got closer, the indent was revealed to be the entrance to a mine… It went about twenty feet deep before it completely collapsed. Yoko sighed as she took a few steps forward and turned around to face the Pit. She knelt down, pulling the Yokai Killer out the sheathe, placing it down in front of her.

”... Get some rest you three,” Yoko said, ”I will keep watch.”

"Ok!" Ella said brightly. She stepped a bit further into the mine, taking off her bag and using it as a pillow. She moved the ice scepter to be within grasp. As soon as her eyes closed she was asleep.

Lisa simply found her space in the mineshaft that was separate from Ella, and stood there. Spiders descended from the ceiling and walls and quickly created a curtain out of thick spider webs.

Saskia didn't step that far into the mine, stopping just beyond Yoko and sitting with their back against the wall. They turned their head to look at Yoko and said quietly. "I'll keep you company a bit."

”... I don't think I’d make good conversation right now,” Yoko said, ”I’m going to meditate.”

”Don’t get too relaxed, then," Saskia commented simply. They shuffled themselves a bit further away so they were a bit more in their own space, before looking over towards where Lisa had gone… then to Ella. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully, which gave Saskia some feeling of relief. At least Ella would be fine.

Leaning back against the wall, Saskia closed their eyes. As they expected, sleep didn't come easily, even exhausted as they were. Maybe if they let themselves bleed out a bit further, then they'd drift to sleep faster… the blood would regenerate… but no, they couldn't risk Ella waking up and seeing that. Instead, they just tried to compartmentalize what had happened.

Eventually, they fell into an uneasy sleep. It didn't offer any relief.

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---

So Cold - Silent Strike & Lucia

---

Saskia found themselves back in Arcade Blues, but something was wrong.

The air felt thick, suffocating like the room was breathing. The bright neon lights flickered erratically, casting the familiar arcade in strange, twisted shadows. The children's laughter and the arcade machines' soft hum were gone. It was empty; the only two people there were Saskia…

And the Mother Will.
“This is where you met her, correct?” The Mother Will began. “The dear love of your life, Ella Brooks…”

"It is." Saskia intoned, just staring at Mother Will, seeming to not even blink. Then they looked around them. The same, but different. Not real. More horrifying. It was a place with good and bad memories. Where she met Ella, and where they kindled too.

"Are you going to send me off to fight another one of our friends like you did Ella?" Saskia asked, narrowing their eyes at the Mother Will.

The Mother Will laughed, “... You think I pushed Ella into that fight? No, no, no… Ella did what she had to.”

The Mother Will circled Saskia… her form seemingly floating across the floor. "You really think she’d fight Yoko for no reason? She was protecting you. Everything she did was for you..."

The Mother Will’s smile sharpened.

“... But, it’s easier to blame me for it all?”

”Ella's an idiot," Saskia said bluntly, eyes following the Mother Will as best they could. They didn't quite believe that - Ella could be incredibly stupid, but she could be smart too. She was just bullheaded and tended to jump to conclusions. "Sure, there was a reason. One you gave her. So yes, it's easier to blame you."

Saskia's eyes narrowed. "Because she wouldn't just fuck off without telling us."

“Always so eager to place the blame,” The Mother Will laughed. “You think Ella needed me to tell her what to do? No, she didn’t need a push. She knew exactly what was at stake.”

The Mother Will floated closer to Saskia, whispering in her ear, “... Think about it. Ella always jumps to do what she believes is right. To protect the people she cares about without a second thought! She didn’t ‘fuck off’; she acted. She saw the danger and did what she thought was best…”

The Mother Will floated backward.

“... For you and Lisa, of course. Why else would she act out of character?”

Saskia frowned. It did, sadly, make sense. Ella would do almost anything for then, just like Saskia would do the same for her. But they still didn’t believe Ella hadn’t been manipulated. "And what danger did Yoko pose to us? Me and Lisa hardly need protecting from her."

“Yoko may seem harmless, but...” The Mother Will, her voice cold, “... She’s merely a symptom of a far greater threat - those envious eyes that linger, hungry for what you possess. They will take it from you..”

The Mother Will laughed, and it echoed through the arcade halls. “That’s the truth, isn’t it? Every moment you falter, every second you hesitate, it’s not just you at risk. It’s Ella and Lisa, too. They’ll be the ones left to pay the price for your weakness. Do you really want to see them suffer because you hesitated to embrace your true power?.”

"When have I ever hesitated?" Saskia said, as they looked down at their hands. Pale, the only mark the near permanent wound on their hand. Their own blood. There were so many other’s on there too. And they had hesitated. To kill the children… and ten years ago, to go after Ella before she died.

"I’m already using my ‘true power’ to protect them. And there’s nothing to be taken from me but them," Saskia continued, even as she wavered. Was she using her true power? She couldn’t do the variety of spells Ella and Lisa could… and she was held back from developing more because of what they might entail. "Who is this greater threat, anyway?"

The Mother Will floated closer, “... The greater threat isn’t some enemy lurking in the shadows - it’s everything around you.” She then floated away, and continued, “The monsters, those survivors you let Yoko drag you right into the sights of...”

The Mother Will laughed, “You’re worried about protecting Lisa and Ella, but what happens when people like them sense that weakness? They don’t care about your noble intentions. They’ll take your friends from you because you never went far enough.”

Saskia pressed their lips together, pulling them into a thin line that almost tugged down towards a frown. Noble intentions? Did they really have those? They weren’t like Ella, who believed in the good of everything and saving people. Not really.

"How much further do I need to go? Is killing anyone who we come across not enough?" Saskia narrowed their eyes. "Because I would do anything to keep them safe."

“... Anyone can kill, Saskia,” The Mother Will said as her voice was a vicious whisper. “The Pit respects power. Not just the kind that ends life but the kind that leaves a mark. A legend. When people fear you, truly fear you, they won’t just flee when you arrive…”

The Mother Will’s grin widened unnaturally so, “... They’ll speak your name in terror. That’s the kind of protection Lisa and Saskia needs.”

Saskia tilted their head as they considered it. It was so tempting. A way to keep Ella and Lisa truly safe. They could do it. Easily. They didn’t care much about the lives of others beyond their friends. They’d kill for them again and again.

But could they really bring themselves to do it in a way that would make people fear them? Could they when they risked losing them because of it…

"I want that." Saskia looked at the Mother Will emotionlessly. "But I can’t. Not when they’ll see."

“You think Lisa and Ella wouldn’t understand? They love you, need you… and they rely on you to do what they can’t.”

She floated closer, but her tone was gentle, “They won’t see you as a monster, Saskia. They’ll see you as the protector you are. The one willing to do what’s necessary to keep them safe. Ella… she’s too kind. Lisa, well, she hides it better, but even she has her limits. You have to make sure there are no threats left for them to fear.”

Saskia wanted to believe it, but they couldn’t just accept that Ella and Lisa wouldn’t see her as a monster. Perhaps they already did. But… Did that really matter if they could keep them safe?

”You're right. They can't do it, so I have to. I'll do anything I have to to protect them. Anything."

“Good, that is what they need,” The Mother Will said, raising a hand and pressing her thumb against her middle finger. "You’ll protect them in ways they can’t even imagine. Let them call you what they will, but deep down, they’ll know it was always for them."

The Mother Will paused.

“... Show the world what happens when someone dares threaten them.”

She snapped her fingers.

---

”... Otten, Otten,” Yoko nudged Saskia awake, whispering. ”Get up. We have a problem.”

"What is it?" Saskia woke up immediately, responding in a hushed tone. They looked around, already ready to fight if needed.
”There are monsters,” Yoko said, ”Not a whole lot, but I’n not taking any chances.”

Yoko narrowed her eyes.

”Wake up Turner, I’ll get the Disciple,” Yoko quickly ran over to Ella.

Saskia nodded, running over to the curtain web. They tapped it rather than trying to push through. "Lisa- Lisa, get up."

”.... Huh?” Lisa said as she carved her way through the webs. ”What’s going on?”

"Yoko detected monsters," Saskia explained, already reopening the wound on their hand and manipulating their blood to cover their hand. "Not many, but still a problem."

Lisa finished carving her way out and stretched, sticking her arms in the air. She put a hand on her neck and then cracked it. ”... Let’s murder them real quick so I can go back to sleep.” She groaned.

"Agreed," Saskia nodded, though they really weren’t all that tired after that dream. They gestured to Lisa and crept back towards Yoko and Ella.

While Saskia woke up Lisa, Yoko ran over to Ella and knelt, nudging her enough to stir her awake as she said, ”... Disciple, get up. There are monsters here.”

"Monsters?!" Ella sat up immediately, grabbing the ice scepter. "Where?!"

Yoko immediately pressed a finger to Ella’s lips, then leaned in as she whispered, ”... Most creatures here have some form of enhanced senses. At this rate, they’ll hear us long before they see us.” She gave Ella an amused chuckle.

Then, she stepped back and closed her eyes briefly before her eyes shot open. ”Everyone come over here and get down!” Yoko commanded, not raising her voice too much as she walked over to the mine’s entrance and got down on her stomach. Lisa got right beside her as they looked at the canyon before them.

”Ssssh, one of them are almost here,” Yoko whispered, placing a finger to her lips.

Out of the corner of their eyes walked the fearsome creature that Yoko was so worried about it was a giant rat. It had grey fur and nothing abnormal about its appearance other than the size and girth of a pickup truck. It sniffed the ground as it walked around, seemingly unaware of their presence.

”... Is THAT what you’re so worried about?” Lisa whispered, whipping her head towards Yoko.

"Rats have very powerful bites," Saskia intoned quietly.

”If you get cocky down here, it’s practically a death sentence, Turner,” Yoko nodded her head at Lisa. ”We need to get the drop on it before it notices us. You and I will flank right. The Disciple and Otten will flank left.”

She nodded her head.

”That sounds like a plan?”

"Yes, Sensei!" Ella whispered enthusiastically, nodding. She started to push herself up to her knees.

Saskia just nodded, blood tendril forming on their back as they started to shuffle to the left side, ready to get up and go.

Yoko climbed to her feet and then slowly unsheathed the Yokai Killer; she stopped when it was one-third of the way out and kept a steady hand on it as she walked to the right. Lisa had spider legs burst from her back, and her right hand was covered in spiders as she walked over to the right. As per Yoko’s plan, they walked a circle around the creature, and once Yoko and Lisa were at the creature’s right, the former nodded at the other group.

Yoko raised her hand, putting up three fingers.

She lowered one finger.

Then two fingers…

Yoko paused for a moment.

… Then three fingers.

Saskia jumped forward, blood tendril lashing out and going right for the massive rat’s bulging eyes, with the aim to penetrate right through it and to its skull. Ella blasted its feet with a cascade of ice. Yoko appeared on the other side of the creature, next to Ella, in the blink of an eye, and a moment later, a deep slash appeared on its back, followed by decay that exposed its severed spine. All the attacks made the creature fall over, loudly squealing before it stopped moving.

Lisa did nothing, however.

She gave them the thumbs up.

”... Good job!”

Yoko rolled her eyes, then slowly sheathed the Yokai Kiler..

”Let’s get-” Yoko said before she heard a loud thud off to the side. Another of the rat creatures had landed next to them. It fluffed its fur, charged forward, and snapped its jaws before retreating. In the distance, more rats were running over.

"By Sailor Moon, it’s just like the Princess Bride!" Ella screamed, spraying fire at the new rat creature. It squealed as it backpedaled.

"Who cares? We should get out of here," Saskia said, looking at the absolute stampede of rats.
In
"I’ll just burn them all!" Ella held out both her hands, creating large fireballs in them, ready to launch.

”Turner! We need a flying spider!” Yoko commanded as she firmly grasped the Yokai Killer and pulled it out. The blade extended as the rat creature retreated into its crowd.

“Now, Turner!” Yoko shouted as she put herself between Saskia, Ella, and the rat creatures. She took a few steps forward, her face stern.

”I wish I could pull it out of my ass!” Lisa shouted as a spider floated downunderneath her clothes and was engulfed in a white glowing cocoon.

”Stall!” Yoko said to Saskia and Ella as she swung the Yokai Killer at the crowd of rat creatures. Her swing was as unsteady as if she were hauling an entire club instead of a lightweight blade. The rat creatures retreated momentarily before quickly circling the group.

Ella launched her fireballs right into the middle of the group of giant rats.

"Ella, enhance me!" Saskia said as her blood tendril swiped out, a battering swing to keep them away. More blood spilled from her hand to cover her body in a hard armour… she felt a bit light headed afterwards, but she could push through.

"Huh?" Ella launched another fireball.

"... Super Prism Blood Weapons," Saskia rolled their eyes. Ella's eyes lit up and she jumped over to Saskia, grabbing her hands. A prismatic light coated the blood tendril.

They then used the stronger, and faster, tendril to shove through the heads of multiple nearby rats, killing them instantly. Yoko kept swinging the Yokai Killer at the rat creatures, every swipe caused severe necrosis in them. However, the rats did the unexpected; they bit down on the Yokai Killer to yank it away from Yoko. Their teeth and gums were rotted away, but the blade was away from Yoko.

”Oh, you gotta be-” Yoko shouted before one of the rat monsters came from behind and bit her thigh. Yoko hissed in pain as she took a defensive position, and the next rat that came for her was unable to pierce through her body.

”Yoko!” Lisa stuck her hand out before opening her mouth, and projectile vomited a stream of spiders onto the rat, biting into Yoko. They quickly crawled to the rat's mouth, eyes, nose, and ears and forced their way inside. The rat thrashed around as it desperately gasped for air.

Ella's eyes widened, staring at the rat, but she wasn't frozen for long - backing over to Yoko and Lisa, shooting a stream of fire out of her hands at all the rats around them.

Saskia stabbed another rat through the throat, bending over as her wings pushed through her back. Flesh splattered all over the ground, and she started to use the sharp ends as another weapon. Stabbing, slicing, she instantly killed some and others she hit in places that would incapicate them and leave them bleeding out slowly… all around her was brutal carnage as she got further away from the group.

The further Saskia separated from the group, the more of the rats swarmed them. They began snapping and tearing where ever they could.

”... Saskia! What the fuck?!” Lisa shouted.

”Turner! Heal me!” Yoko shouted.

The healing-spiders came from Lisa then burrowed into Yoko’s flesh. That gaping wound closed, then Yoko ran over to the Yokai Killer and grasped it with both hands.

”Disciple! Lightning Barrage!”

Several rats then took position between Saskia and the rest of the group.

Saskia didn't even seem bothered by the rats tearing their flesh, taking out each one that bit into them with a tendril through the neck or a sharp bone through the brain. With each dead rat another was replaced, but they weren't phased, blood from the wounds patching each up and moving across their body as some form of defence. The pain hardly registered, just the need to kill and protect their friends.

"Yes, Sensei!" Ella shouted, as she locked eyes with Yoko… breathing sychronising, energy focused, allowing her to start the first barrage of attacks. The Yokai Killer extended, and Yoko closed her eyes before she charged forward at blinding speeds - the first slash bifurcated the first rat she hit, and what was left was rotted to nothing. Another slash took a group of three of the rats out. Then Yoko paused for Ella’s turn…

Ella stepped forward, fists and hands glowing as she punched and kicked through the rats with blinding speed, before jumping back behind Yoko. That was when Yoko came with a whirlwind of slashes, spinning and using her entire body’s range of rotation for each swing of the Yokai Killer. More and more of them dropped with every brutal swing of the Yokai Killer.

Meanwhile, the spider burst out of its cocoon, which was large enough to carry them all, and Lisa called for them.

”Guys the spider is ready, let’s-” She was cut off by the rats leaping onto the spider and gnawing it to pieces. They were consuming it before her very eyes, as Lisa’s fists balls. ”You bastards!” Lisa shouted before she dove behind a rock.

Acid-Burst filled what was left of the spider with glowing yellow acid as it exploded and sent acid and chitin in all directions. Some of the rats eating the spider were killed instantly, while the others retreated.

Saskia grimaced as some of the acid flew far enough to hit them, but kept fighting through the rats that were piling onto them. They were covered in deep bites, gaping holes where flesh should be, but it just gave them an endless supply of blood to use in more and more brutal attacks. The rats’ swarming on them lessened as Ella and Yoko cut their way closer

Ella swapped in from Yoko, kicking one rat so hard it was sent flying over the swarm, and punching another right through the skull, killing any in her path before swapping back out with her. Yoko rushed forward, grabbing the sheath of the Yokai Killer to whack the rats with one hand, carving them to bits with the others. They were dropping like flies; if they weren’t killed outside, they were decayed into nothing.

Then Yoko hopped next to Ella and smoothly leveled the Yokai Killer over her shoulder with both hands. ”... Disciple! This is it!” Yoko shouted. ”All or nothing! We get Otten free with this blow!”

"It’s all, LIGHTNING FINAL STRIKE!" Ella shouted, unnecessarily. She synced completely with Yoko, energy combining together to deliver a finishing blow to the last wall of rats between them and Saskia. Yoko sucked in air before she charged forward so fast that she appeared as a blur. Dust and debris were disturbed, sending flailing in all directions as Yoko appeared on the other side of Saskia. Seconds later, several of the rats fell over and bifurcated.

"Saskia, you’re bleeding all over!" Ella shouted, kicking away the head of a rat she’d just destroyed in the last strike. She ran over to Saskia’s side, killing another on the way.

"It’s nothing, really," Saskia intoned, voice slightly slurred from the blood loss. Their blood tendril shot forward, spearing a rat right through the head. They then threw it away.

"Lisa, can you make another spider?!"

Meanwhile, Lisa was nursing another glowing cocoon. She looked at Ella, then at the cocoon. Then back to Ella. Then at the cocoon. Then back to Ella.

”... No.”

The static-y voice appeared.

….?....?...? Gotta-...?...?...?...MORE...?...?...are coming….?...?...?...up...?...?...?... up...?...?...?...up...?...?...?... up.

As the voice spoke, dozens more rat creatures perched themselves on the clifftop. Lisa’s eyes shot open. Yoko took a defensive position as she quietly said,

”At this point, we will be overrun,”

”Getting gangbanged by a bunch of rats is not how I wanted to go out!” Lisa shouted. ”I don’t know if you got it in you, Saskia!”

Lisa shouted as the blood-filled spiders appeared in the sky.

”But, you better fucking pull a miracle here!”

Surprisingly, Yoko sheathed the Yokai Killer, and it retracted into just the hilt as she put it into her hip pouch.

”Disciple, come here,” Yoko said as she channeled her Lux into her hands and created a sphere of yellow light. ”I would say this is all or nothing again, but it’s like what you said…” She said, cracking a warm smile despite it all.

"... It's all, and only all."

...?...?...?...?...?...?-and...?...?...?...you.

"I’ll show you a miracle," Saskia’s lips pulled up into a slight smile as she tilted their head towards Lisa. Her hand shoved into her pocket, finding the Orange Stone and grasping it. She held up a hand towards the blood filled spiders. They expanded even more than normal, filling with so much blood it splattered across the majority of the rats.

At the same time, Ella put her hands over Yoko’s, fueling the light. The sphere grew larger and larger until it was blindingly bright. Yoko nodded her head. Before her head scanned the area, her eyes landed on a mineshaft.

”You two! Make a break for some cover!” Yoko shouted as she pointed at the mineshaft. Then, she and Ella paused for a moment… before thrusting the sphere into the air. Once it was a good forty feet above them, it exploded, sending a terrifying shockwave in all directions.

Saskia used her blood tendril to propel herself towards the mineshaft, running as fast as she could. Sharp bone needles shoved through her fingertips, which she used to cut the Orange Stone out of her hand, shoving it back in her pocket - flesh and all. Lisa quickly took after behind them, using her spider legs.

Ella was knocked over by the shockwave before she managed to channel Block, stilling herself in a sitting position. However, Yoko ran over, grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her into the mineshaft…

---

It was complete darkness in the mineshaft… well, some light provided in the distance.

”... I can’t see shit!”

”Ssssh! Quiet down, Turner,” Yoko said as she unsheathed the Yokai Killer around twenty-five percent of the way. There was a gentle glow, enough to illuminate their general vicinity. Then Yoko looked up and whispered, ”Is everyone okay?”

”I’m alive,” Lisa shrugged.

"I'm great!" Ella said cheerfully.

"Sadly still here." Saskia intoned.

”Okay, I have a plan,” Yoko nodded, ”We’re going to stay put, wait for them to pass, then we’re going to leave.”

Saskia just stared at Yoko, eyes narrowing slightly. "So what we could've done in the first place?"

”... They are a lot smarter than anticipated,” Yoko admitted, ”You can place the blame for all this on me.”

”I don't think that’s an option anymore,” Lisa played with her fingers, looking at the floor. ”We might have to find another way out…”

”Turner, we’ll get lost down here,” Yoko shook her head, ”And God knows what else is down here.”

”I mean… We made it through every other time,” Lisa shrugged. ”And worst come to worst, we’ll just eat Ella’s leg.” Unlike Lisa’s usual joking tone, it was monotone and strained.

”We have plenty of food anyway!" Ella said. She held out a hand, eyes narrowing as she forced her normal light beam into a floating orb of soft light.

"I agree with Lisa," Saskia said, grimacing. All the bite wounds across their body were starting to hurt, and the blood loss was getting to them - even though they'd clotted the blood. "Unless you have a grand plan to escape those rats. Rats have a great sense of smell, too, so they still know we're here."

They then turned to Lisa and Ella. "Can one of you heal me?"

Lisa wordlessly flicked her healing spiders onto Saskia. Yoko fully unsheathed the Yokai Killer and turned down the cave. Then she looked over her shoulder.

”Let’s go.”

Yoko began proceding down the cave… The dim glow of the Yokai Killer casting shadows with every step. Then Yoko paused abruptly, the Yokai Killer going to her side. The glint of a metallic object ahead - nothing more than an underturned minecart. Yoko just sighed.

The Yokai Killer glowed brighter, and Yoko raised an eyebrow. Behind them, there was a faint scratching sound on stone, along with somel squeaks.

”... Please don't tell me it's what I think it is,” Yoko groaned as she slowly pivoted.

"Probably," Saskia frowned. They slowly turned too, but didn’t go to cut their palm - blood would only make it easier for them to be found right now. "Rats barely use their sight, so they can navigate in the dark just as well as the light."

"Now isn’t the time for rat facts!" Ella said, spinning around and holding up the glowing orb of light in her hand. It fizzled a bit with her anxiety.

The scratching intensified, punctuated by the echoing squeaks that grew louder. The Yokai Killer was so bright that the glow that it projected light on the walls of this tunnel like a flashlight.

”... And I thought Turner was the anim-” Yoko said as she turned on her hell when she fully turned, her eyes shot open.

---

Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song (Pendulum Remix)

---

The scratching grew louder, and their nails scraping the stone sounded like nails on a chalkboard. Thousands of claws skittering on the walls… Then, there was a sound, low, wet, and guttural. A chorus of squeaks followed, rising into a frenzied, blood-curdling cacophony. Down the tunnel they came; the darkness shifted and rippled as if it was alive. And from that abyss, a sea of grey fur and gnashing teeth charged into view. The rat creatures flooded the cave like a tidal wave, as dozens - no, hundreds - of the rat creatures skittered over each other.

All for them.

Yoko’s jaw dropped, but no words came out.

”... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

"WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE! SAVE ME SAILOR MOON!" Ella screamed, launching a fireball into the mass of rats - which did very little beyond killing a few of them.

"Scream louder, will you," Saskia hissed, hand shoving into their pocket. They grasped the orange stone again, feeling it merge with barely healed flesh. They knew at least Ella wouldn’t approve but… they needed the power.

Massive wings erupted out of their back, made of hard sinew and muscle. They curled around all four of them in a protective flesh wall, sharp bone spears sticking out of them to stab any rats that crashed into them.

”What are you doing?!” Lisa looked at Saskia and Ella with a face of utter confusion. ”We gotta run!” She turned on her heel and ran.

”Turner is right!” Yoko shouted as she began running away. ”There are way too many of them!”

"I panicked!" Ella shouted as she turned around and chased after them.

"There’s no way we can outrun them! They’re faster than us!" Saskia gritted their teeth, pulling the wings back in immediately and running after their friends. Multiple blood tendrils shoved out their back, flailing from side to side to slam into the walls behind them and keep the rats at bay.

”Then what do you suggest we do then, o’ Rat Expert?!” Yoko shouted, gritting her teeth.

”If they were spiders, we could-”

”... THAT’S NOT HELPFUL RIGHT NOW, TURNER!”

Saskia frowned, trying to think of some solution. How the fuck did they escape this? Maybe they could collapse the tunnels… no, then they’d be trapped. Maybe…

"Maybe we can direct them down a different path! They’re most likely to follow blood…" Saskia gritted out, trying to ignore the urge pressing against her to turn around and flay them all. The Orange Stone was still embedded in their hand… but they didn’t want to take it out yet.

”Sounds like a plan, but this isn’t one or two rats, Otten!” Yoko shouted. ”It’s an entire swarm! How are we going to get them off us long enough?!”

"Trap them," Saskia said simply. They then held up their hand, Orange Stone softly glowing in it. "With this I can do more than normal- I can probably make whole blood constructs. We stay hidden, silently- and then we cave in the tunnel they go down."

Slightly out of breath, they looked over at Lisa and Ella. "Heal all of our wounds. We need to smell less than all the blood I'll use."

Meanwhile, Lisa was dissolving some rat testicles in acid when Saskia called her name. Her head whipped around in her direction. ”Oh yes!” Lisa said as the healing spiders emerged from her pores. She flicked them onto Saskia, Ella, and Yoko.

”Hold on, Otten,” Yoko said as she pulled some paper scraps from her pocket and a marker; she then scribbled kanji and other symbols onto the paper. It began glowing as she recited a chant…

"From the heart of courage, I draw the strength divine,
Through ancient verses, let power intertwine.
Symbols aglow with orange hue,
Grant vigor now, to this soul true.
Strength to endure, resilience unfurled,
In this moment, let your spirit be your world."

With a final flourish, she pressed it against Saskia’s forehead and restored their stamina.

Saskia let out a slight sigh of relief… the craving for violence was subdued slightly as their stamina was restored. Just a little bit further and they found what they needed - a place where the path split in two.

"We need to be silent, and as still as possible," Saskia said quietly as they cut their palm. Blood poured from it and onto the floor, forming a bubbling mass. Their brow furrowed as they quickly formed it into something vaguely like a person. Then another, and another, until there were four vaguely human shaped blood constructs.

Saskia was incredibly pale, even with the boost from the orange stone, lightheaded enough they had to lean on Ella for support. But with the boost and stamina restoration, they were able to control the constructs they’d made just like they did their weapons.

Thankfully. They hadn’t been sure if this would work. If Lisa would have to be gangbanged by rats so the rest of them can get away.

Waving her bloody hand at Ella, her friend got the message and healed it. There wasn’t much time to hide down the tunnel they weren’t leading the rats down, back against the stone wall. They directed the blood constructs down the other one as the rats got closer… and would control them as far as they could. It was up to the others to collapse the tunnel behind the swarm.
The swarm chased after the constructs, then Yoko turned towards Ella and said, ”Disciple, get close,” Yoko began.

“Dragon Uppercut.”

Ella let go of Saskia, leaving them to slump against the wall as they used all their energy on continuing to control the constructs, even out of sight. She got close to Yoko. She took a deep breath, hands pressing together in a stance prepared to deliver the blow to the tunnel roof as soon as Yoko did the chant. Yoko took in a deep breath…

”By the spirit of the ancient flame,
Unleash the strength that gods inspire!
With this strike, the heavens shake,
The earth will quake, and the bones will break!
Rise, Ella, with power reborn,
Dragon's fury, through you sworn!”
Then Ella felt a boost…

Ella immediately launched forward and up, fist-slamming into the roof of the other tunnel. It was powerful enough it sent a shockwave down the tunnel, crack spiraling across the rock and causing the roof to cave in. Trapping the rats… but cracks also began to form above them as chunks started to fall. A net of spiders webs appeared that caught most of the smaller ones, but it was a lost cause for the larger ones. One large rock was sliced in half by the Yokai Killer, and Yoko barely had time to sheath the Yokai Killer before a loud crash reverberated through the tunnel, dust blowing in all directions as the cave-in sealed the path. However, there were still rocks tumbling from the ceiling.

”Is everyone alright?!” Yoko called, before she said, ”We need to move! There might be another tunnel, and knowing those bastards, they’ll find it!”

"Rats have very good spatial navigation thanks to-"

”... Now is not the time, Otten!” Yoko said, gesturing for them to follow before she darted down the tunnel.

Ella bent down to pick up Saskia, who used a last bit of blood to cut the Orange Stone out of their hand and shove it back in their pocket. They’d lost a lot of blood… so pale they were practically a ghost.

"We’ve bought ourselves time, at least!" Ella said, shifting Saskia to her back so she could carry them and still have a free arm.

As they ran, they could hear the distant squeaks of the horde of rats behind them… merely echoes that got suspiciously loud from time to time. However, the volume spikes were likely drowned out by the sound of the four’s frantic footsteps. They ran for an eternity until the tunnel suddenly opened into a massive chamber, with the ceiling stretching impossibly high…

… The red light shined from right above a rickety, old mineshaft elevator.

”Elevator!” Yoko shouted, ”If it works, we might have a way out of here!”

”... And if it doesn’t?” Lisa asked.

”Then get ready for a climb!”

"... Aren’t mineshaft elevators manual?" Saskia groaned as Ella put her down.

"That’s better, then, right?!" Ella said, putting out one foot into the elevator and carefully putting some weight onto it.

”... I thiiiink we should just climb up the shaft anyway,” Lisa said, placing her fingertips against her chin.

”Look, if it will take us up, then we-” Yoko said, before she heard a mass of squeaking, and without wasting a second, she rushed over to the old crank mechanism. Her hands gripped the cold iron wheel as she struggled to run it. ”Work, damn it…”

With a grunt, she gave it a twist, the metal screeched, but nothing happened. She pulled harder, and the elevator stayed put.

”Damn it all!” Yoko hissed, as she turned back to the girl. ”We have to climb!”

The Mother Will appeared out of nowhere and placed her hands on Saskia’s shoulders, yet neither Lisa, Ella, or Yoko flinched. It was like she wasn’t there.

“This whole mess is her fault,” The Mother Will seductively said, pointing at Yoko. “Why should you be the one taking the fall? Why should your friends?” The Mother Will laughed.

Saskia didn’t react, not even looking at the Mother Will. The only sign she’d heard was a slight twitching of her lips, from a thin line to an almost frown. She wasn’t wrong. It was Yoko’s fault they were in this situation. But, she couldn’t do anything about that right now. Not without upsetting Ella, at least. The Mother Will retracted back into the darkness of the tunnels.

"Go up," Saskia said, wings starting to shove out of their back. They looked at Ella and Lisa, and gestured towards the mineshaft. Then they looked at Yoko. "You go last, Yoko."

Yoko stared at Saskia for a moment, before turning around and taking a defensive position, and sighing.

"You go first, Lisa, you’ll be faster!" Ella said, colours coating her hands and her legs starting to glow.

”Hold on!” Lisa shouted as she seemingly did three things at once… she raised her hands and from the darkness of the caves, an absolute carpet of spiders came and got in between their path. Then they bulged and began glowing with a yellow liquid. All while spider legs grew out of her back, and without a second word, she quickly climbed the mineshaft with the spider legs.

Ella followed after her, having a bit more of a difficult time. Even with enhanced arms and legs it was difficult to get handholds. But she started to make her way up after Lisa as fast as she could.

Leaving just Saskia and Yoko. Saskia stared at Yoko for a moment as their wings finished forming.

"Put them at risk again, and I won’t forgive you." They intoned lowly. Then they started to climb up the mineshaft - using the sharp bones along the wings like climbing picks, since there wasn’t enough room to actually fly. The extra limbs made it much easier for them to climb up, quickly catching up with Ella.

”Otten-” Yoko cut herself off before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath… using the breathing techniques from Bolster, Yoko quickly lept through the air, hopping on each wooden beam of the elevator. Surprisingly, she caught up with Saskia and Ella as they went from beam to beam.

They made it to the exit, which lead to a surprisingly flat surface. Yoko climbed her way out, and looked down. The rats were easily scaling the elevator... She quickly turned towards Ella, and said,

”... Disciple!” Yoko began. ”One last joint-cast we need to use Radiant Annihilation!”

Yoko put her hands together, and created a yellow sphere of light… Ella put her hands over it and channelled her own energy into it until it got bigger and brighter. A bead of sweat formed on her forehead as it reached its full potential, and she pushed out her hands to shove it below them.

it floated down… The fact it was going slow was overshadowed by the ravenous speed of the rats. Yoko looked over her shoulder at Ella,

”... Run.”

Then broke off into a sprint, Lisa was running as well, and she was tackled to the ground by Yoko… After a few moments, the sphere exploded, and the muffled squeaks were drown out by the sound of the tunnel collapsing. Stone and rat gore were sent in all directions.

The dust settled.

Yoko pushed herself up, and looked over her shoulder… The entire tunnel had collapsed. No rats had made it through. Yoko sighed in relief.

”... Hey g-gorgeous!” Lisa‘s voice trembled. ”You c-come here… O-often?” Lisa awkwaly blew her a kiss, followed by some equally awkward laughter.

Yoko rolled her eyes.

"Gross, I'm covered in blood! Again!" Ella shouted, standing up and shaking out her limbs, which were covered in rat bits. She'd been closest to the blast - but didn't seem all that bothered that she'd been hit by a few rats. Just the gore.

"Hardly," Saskia rolled their eyes at Ella. They were still on the ground where they'd dropped down, rolling onto their back with heaving breaths. If they got up right now… they'd pass out. They couldn't use anymore blood, either, but they wouldn't tell the others that.

Their head tilted towards Lisa. "You gotta work more on your post battle flirting."

”... Well, she needs to stop standing over me like we’re about to make out!” Lisa shouted, awkwardly laughing.

Yoko pushed herself to her feet, then offered a hand… which Lisa took and she helped her to her feet. ”Is everyone okay?” Yoko said.

"I’m just thinking about taking a nap," Saskia said, still lying on their back on the ground.

"I’m good!" Ella said, still chirpy.

”I’m alive.” Lisa nodded, dusting herself off. ”I could use a shower. Or two.” She shrugged, wrapping her arms around herself walking around.

”Maybe three-”

Lisa paused as something caught her eye leading her gaze upwards towards a massive looming shadow they neglected to notice. Floating high in the eye was a gigantic floating, landmass that had thick chains attached to it. On the top of it, a keen eye could notice some structures, but they were hard to spot from this angle.

”Oh…” Lisa looked on in awe. ”What is that?”

Yoko sighed, before she answered.

”... The Kingdom.”

Recollections: The Compendium

MONOCHROME
| The Lux Void | "I am the weapon of those who dwell in darkness." ORIGINS & CREATIONS: | Monochrome is said to have been forged in the depths of the Void, created to counter the unchecked growth of Adepts and their power. This artifact embodies the fears of those who wield magic, serving as a reminder of the dark potential within the depths of the Lux. | TYPE: | Lux-Consuming Long-Axe. | LOCATION: | Last seen cast into The Pit by Adam Blackmore, Monochrome was disposed of in his final act before retiring from the magical scene. | NOTABLE OWNERS: | James Holloway: A once-celebrated Adept who took up Monochrome desperately attempting to protect his village from a sorcerer. He used the artifact to defeat the sorcerer, ultimately severing his Lux and freeing his community from tyranny. He cast Monochrome away after he was done using it. Cassandra the Evil: A sorceress who became infamous for her use of Monochrome in dark rituals. Driven by ambition, she used the artifact to absorb the magic of others, sacrificing them to enhance her powers and create a reign of terror over those who opposed her. Eventually, she was killed by Nora Reyes, who took Monochrome from her. Nora Reyes: Nora fell to the allure of Monochrome’s power during her quest for revenge against those who betrayed her. With Monochrome, she sought to dismantle the Accordance, but ultimately, she failed, and it fell into their hands. David Clarke: Once a celebrated peacekeeper of the Accordance, David became obsessed with power after stealing Monochrome from their vaults. He drained Lux from foes and allies, leading to devastation and chaos as he sought to establish himself as an undisputed ruler through fear. He was eventually killed by Adam Blackmore, who took Monochrome from him. Adam Blackmore: He briefly had Monochrome before he cast it into The Pit. | ABSTRACTION-GRANTING: | No. |	Counterpart to the legendary Kaleidoscope, Monochrome is a legendary artifact classified as one of the "ultimate artifacts" due to its immense power and terrifying abilities. Known primarily for its ability to vortex Lux from the environment or its opponents, it can absorb magic cast by any Adept, essentially negating their spellcasting entirely. The type or power of Lux does not limit this ability — all colors and spells are susceptible to Monochrome’s siphoning powers. Over time, this absorbed Lux accumulates within the wielder, enhancing their physical and magical capabilities to dangerous, near-godlike levels. Adepts cannot wield Monochrome, as doing so would weaken them physically and magically. The artifact's ability to siphon Lux drains their power and disrupts their connection to it, threatening to sever them entirely if they persist in using it. In terms of its vortex ability, Monochrome does more than consume Lux. It stores it within the wielder, allowing them to enhance their physical form as long as they are connected to Monochrome. With enough absorbed Lux, a wielder could achieve feats of strength, speed, regeneration, and durability far beyond the normal limits of their body. Wielders who’ve mastered Monochrome have ascended to near-immortal states. The axe is also famed for its destructive capabilities. Constructs created by Adepts (whether barriers, summoned creatures (Abominable), or even Orange Lux Artifacts) are susceptible to Monochrome’s disruptive force. Any magic tied to Lux that clashes with the axe is nullified or destroyed. Monochrome is known for its near invincibility to all forms of damage. The axe, forged in the Void, possesses supernatural sharpness that can slice through the most robust materials, rendering it a formidable weapon against any foe. But its most feared ability, regarded with reverence and horror, is the "Lux Wound." Each strike from Monochrome inflicts physical damage and a debilitating wound on the Adept’s connection to their Lux. Repeated strikes weaken the victim’s spells, reducing their potency, and in time, if struck enough, the Adept can be severed entirely from their Lux — a fate worse than death for many. No Adept who has been severed from their Lux has ever regained it, and the psychological and emotional toll is devastating. Monochrome is a feared All-Verse weapon symbolizing ultimate power and finality. No known counter to Monochrome’s Lux Wound exists. While some Adepts have attempted to use healing magic or spells to close the wounds left on their Lux, none have succeeded. The effect is permanent, scarring on the soul of the Adept that not even the most potent of Green or Orange Lux spells can remedy. This permanence makes the axe a terrifying prospect for Adepts and entire factions, as Monochrome can effectively dismantle their most influential members. The mere appearance of Monochrome on a battlefield is enough to cause panic. Whole factions have surrendered upon the revelation that the axe was in play, not willing to risk the fate of losing their Adepts to its severing curse. Rumors suggest an unspoken rule among certain Paranormal groups: to fight Monochrome is to lose, so the only strategy is avoiding it at all costs. Legends say that when a Kaleidoscope wielder and a Monochrome bearer exist concurrently in the All-Verse, they are fated to engage in a duel. Not of magic, but skill. ..............................................................................................................................