Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Why won't you talk to me?" A question that has been branded into your mind ever since you were the age of 5. Your mother was the first to say it.

You remember the day vividly. You had just witnessed a tragic accident that left you traumatized and unable to speak. Your mother had asked you the question with concern etched on her face, but as time passed, the concern turned to frustration and eventually annoyance. She had stopped trying to communicate with you altogether, leaving you feeling isolated and alone.

The other children in your village were no different. They would taunt and tease you, making fun of your inability to speak. But as you grew older, you found solace in the fact that you were a mage. Being mute had its perks; you could use advanced spells that didn't require incantations or vocalizations, making you more skilled than your peers.

Despite this, the mocking and relentless bullying continued. One day, as you were walking through the marketplace, you were bumped harshly and fell to the ground. The Laughter from the culprit filled your senses more than the sharp pain on your tailbone.

You were grabbed by the collar, and instead of retaliating, you simply glared at a face you knew all too well. Montgomery Gator, the Barbarian Construct. "Aww, You gonna cry? Why not call for your mom huh? Oh wait, you can't freak~" His laugh and the laugh of his clique sent shivers of rage and fear through you.

You glanced at the crowd that was now forming, Only to be met with the same condescending looks and laughter that Montgomery had. Without a second thought, you managed to cast a water spell and shoot water into Montgomery's eyes, causing him to roar out in pain before glaring red-eyed daggers into your skull. You quickly weaved your way through the crowd, hearing Montgomery yell out of anger from behind.

While running, you caught a glimpse of an alley and quickly ducked under a man with a cart, casting a small earthen spell to raise the ground and disrupt the tower of apples that were carefully placed on top. As apples rolled out into the street you used the distraction to run into the alley and hide behind a few boxes.

"Damn Brat! Run all you want, you won't get far." Montgomery yelled, His voice finally sounding distant. Your heartbeat was ringing in your ears as the adrenaline slowly began to wear off. It was only then did you begin to notice the stream of tears leaking from your eyes.

You angrily wiped them away, but the tears were persistent. Giving up, you curled in on yourself, the patches of grass peaking through the pavement seemingly dying as you do. 'Stupid Montgomery.. Stupid tears... Why can't I speak?..' You thought as you leaned against the boxes, thoughts of all the other times you had to escape Monty and other jerks running rampant through your mind.

The sound of a door opening was enough to startle you out of your thoughts, as you quickly managed to climb in one of the open boxes and peer out. Two burly men exited the door, both wearing heavy and sturdy armor.

They hadn't seemed to notice you which was a relief and were talking about something you couldn't quite hear. Wanting to get a better listen, you carefully climbed out of the box and hid behind a few bags of trash. The smell was disgusting, but it was close enough that you could hear their conversation.

"...skilled people in the guild, You would stand no chance up against them!" One of the men said, His silver-plated armor clanging as he gestured toward the other.

"Oh says who? Those two are nothing special at all! I could easily take them on in a fight." The other man claims, Puffing his chest out with pride. "And you would lose Harold. Especially up against that Moon freak. Have you not seen the way he fights?!"

The man supposedly named Harold scoffs, "He's nothing but a savage Norman. Trust me, If we come across those two, We'll be able to take them on without a struggle." And with that, the two men begin to walk past you, too caught up in their conversation to notice you.

You can't help but be curious about the people they mentioned, you also made a mental note to avoid whoever Moon was. You decided to check out the door from which the two men came and look around at your surroundings. Once you were sure that the coast was clear, you cracked open the door and looked around in awe.

Different classes and races of all kinds were each standing in groups or by themselves. They wore armor and special outfits, and their weapons were radiating with magic. Luckily, You managed to sneak inside and look around.

There was a bar with wonderful-smelling food and an area where people were battling and displaying their strength. What caught your attention, however, was the humongous board covered with wanted papers and various missions, each had different sums of reward money.

As you walked closer to get a better look, you noticed a pair of very tall adventurers talking with one another. One of them wore gold-plated armor underneath a brown tunic, and their sleeves were a yellow and red striped pattern. They wore maroon boots and a red faded-to-yellow scarf. They seemed to be a Construct similar to Montgomery but instead of resembling an alligator, they looked like that of the sun.

The other adventurer wore platinum-plated armor underneath a dark blue tunic and their sleeves were star patterned. They wore white boots and a blue faded-to-white scarf. Similar to their counterpart, they looked to be a Construct as well but resembled a crescent moon instead of a sun.

"Where shall we go for our next adventure brother? I think finding Alcazan's Lost Relics sounds fun! It'll be like a treasure hunt!" The sunny one exclaims, plucking off one of the papers on the board. "The pay doesn't look the best.." The Moon one comments, their voice more hoarse out of the two. "Hmm... Your right! Only 12,000 gold coins? What would we be able to buy with that?!"

You take a moment before processing what the two had said. 'Twelve thousand?!!' You thought, shocked at the price. Your mind raced with the number of items you could buy with that money.

The Sun construct let out a gasp before grabbing a separate paper from the board. "Aha! We could slay the dragon in Sirius! The reward is much higher!" At those words, it seemed as if the two had caught the attention of everyone in the lobby.

The moon construct glanced around before speaking in an even more hushed tone. "We'll do that one, just keep it down would you?" The sun construct head tilted, seemingly unaware of the multiple pairs of eyes that were on him.

You were flabbergasted by their choice since defeating a dragon was not an easy task. The dragon that had been terrorizing the town of Sirius, a town outside the kingdom, was well known for its strength and size. Only the Golden doves would be a match for the creature, and there would have to be atleast 3 of them.

However, another thought came to mind. Sirius was outside of the kingdom. Meaning that if you were to tag along with the two, you would be able to escape this hell of a city and go somewhere nicer. Maybe you would even stumble upon a place that doesn't mistreat mutes.

Seemingly forgetting what you heard in the alley, you decide to tag along with the two and follow them on their adventure. And by that, you mean stalking them on their way out of the kingdom.

'Just need to make sure not to get caught. Can't be that hard, right?'

Chapter Text

'Just need to make sure not to get caught. Can't be that hard right?'

Goddesses were you wrong. After following them out of the guild building, you nearly lost them as the sun construct quickly ran to the marketplace, dragging their moon counterpart with them.

You made sure not to be noticed by anyone as you pulled up your hood from your cloak, risking getting caught by Montgomery was not on your to do list. The two constructs seemed to be gathering supplies for their adventure, buying healing potions and stocking up on other items.

'Surely if they were so confident on being able to take on a dragon, they wouldn't need the mass amount of supplies they have right?' However your thought process was interrupted when you notice the moon construct slyly take an apple from a stand. Surprisingly the stall keeper hadn't noticed, but the sun construct did.

"Brother!" The sun construct said in a disciplining tone as the moon construct rolled their eyes. "What? They didn't seem to mind." The sun construct let out a sigh, before walking over to the stall and paying for the apple. The stall-keeper seemed surprised at first but graciously took the money.

While watching the interaction between the two, you failed to notice when a certain construct sneaked up behind you. "Find something interesting, little star?" A hoarse voice from your right ear says, causing you to jump. You quickly swing your head around and are face to face with the moon construct, whose bent at the waist and looking at you with a raised eyebrow. You can't help but notice the smirk tugging at their lips from your frightened state.

You quickly look around at your surroundings, Noticing the sun construct heading in your direction after talking with the stall keeper. With quick thinking, you run between the legs of the moon construct and make a sharp turn to the right, hiding behind a stall.

Instead of chasing you, the moon construct simply flashes you a mischievous grin before getting hit on the head by the sun construct, who you can only assume is scolding him for stealing. It takes you a moment to calm your heart rate as you make a mental note to be more aware of your surroundings. You go to place a hand over your heart when you quickly notice the apple in your hand. 'When did I take this?' You question as your stomach rumbles. Seeing how you forgot to eat this morning, you took a bite out of the apple and glance back in the direction of where the sun and moon constructs *were*.

You facepalm and scold yourself for not paying attention as you quickly eat the rest of the apple and toss the core before running back into the crowd of people to look for the constructs. Luckily, the two weren't hard to find due to their height, and you quickly caught up with them, making sure to keep your distance to avoid getting caught off guard by the moon construct again. The two were at the stables, buying horses for the journey. After watching them for a little while you figured that you'll need a way to keep up with them while on horse. Fortunately, you spotted a cart hidden behind a couple of crates, if you could get the attention of the two, maybe you can convince them to get it. They are carrying a lot after all.

With a plan in mind you decide to sneak around the duo and go through the back. You carefully traverse around the stalls and sneak past the few people surrounding the back of the building. You make it to the cart and wrack at your brain for ideas on how to catch their attention. As if a comedic lightbulb appears above you, you decide to use water magic and spray water at the sun construct.

"Thank you for your help sir! We really appreciate the directions-" The sun construct says, before a spurt of water hits them on the back of one of their rays. They turn around and glance at the moon construct before a second spurt of water hits them, this time on their cheek. "Now where is that coming from?" The construct mumbles before following the direction of the spurts.

You quickly hide underneath the cart as the sun construct approaches. Unable to see their reaction, but from the tone of their voice they seem surprised. "Moon! I found a cart!" A few moments later the moon construct approaches. "Huh. Seems like it's still in good shape.." "This will be perfect for the journey, I will talk to the stablemaster and convince him to let us buy it!" The sun construct exclaims before jogging off in the direction of the stablemaster.

'Success!' You think cheerfully as you make a celebratory gesture with your arm, which hits the cart. This catches the attention of the moon construct who makes an audible hum. Panic fills you as you curse in the back of your mind and quickly crawl from beneath it, making sure to stay out of sight. The moon construct looks under the cart, humming once more before noticing a part of your cloak. You're unaware of grin that tugs at the corner of the constructs mouth as he simply stands and watches as sun construct successfully convinces the stablemaster to purchase the cart.

You sigh from relief, oblivious to Moon's knowledge, and quickly crawl back underneath the cart. The next moments were filled with you hanging onto the bottom of the cart as the sun construct attaches the cart to the horse and prepares to leave the town. The moon construct climbs into the back of the cart while the sun construct mounts the horse and guides it out of the city walls. A sense of fufillment fills you as you watch the distance between you and the city grow. You sigh as your arms begin to hurt from dangling underneath the cart. 'Perhaps I should have planned this out better...' You think as you adjust your arms.

"Mind telling me why your following us?"

You let out an inaudible yelp as your arms let go of the cart from surprise. The moon construct watches with amusement as the cart runs over you with a bump. The sun construct stops the cart and glances back at their counterpart. "Brother? Did we run over something?" They ask with concern in their voice as they unmount their steed. "More like someone, Sun." The moon construct says as their counterpart walks over to you, gasping before quickly coming to your side. "Oh No! No! No!! I am so sorry friend, are you hurt? Do you need healing?!"

'I *really* should have planned this out better...'

Chapter Text

'I *really* should have planned this out better...'

Yes you really should've. You hadn't taken the thought of getting caught into consideration, figuring that you couldn't get caught. You'd facepalm if your arms didn't hurt so much.

"H-Hello? Friend?! Can you hear me?!" The sun construct waves a hand in front of your face, finding you unresponsive. "Our entire surroundings can hear you Sun.." The Moon construct quips before climbing out of the cart. Both constructs look over you, the sun construct digging in his satchel for a health potion while the moon construct checks your pulse.

Once your limbs feel rested enough, you quickly and suddenly sit up, as if awoken from a bad dream. Unfortunately, your motion caught both Constructs off guard as you accidentally headbutt both.

The Sun construct quickly reaches up to grab their forehead, as they lean backward. "Owie. Owie. Owie.." On the contrary, the moon construct places a hand on his forehead and shoots you a look, hissing with pain. You, however, might have just actually put yourself to sleep...

-----

"You can't stay quiet forever child, why won't you talk to me?!" Your mother yelled before harshly slapping you. You felt numb after the initial impact, as tears and snot streamed down your face. You always were an ugly crier.

Your mother sighed before crouching down and holding your cheek, the same one she struck. "My baby, you understand why I'm upset don't you?" She said in a tone that gave you a false sense of comfort. You nod, keeping your head down to avoid looking at your mother.

"Then please... Tell me what has gotten you so traumatized?" She said before lifting your chin, her amethyst eyes boring into yours. How were you supposed to tell her? Your father took his life, and you were forced to watch it. Unfortunately, it seemed that your silence only angered your mother more.

You trembled as you tried not to watch as your mother stood. Her anger made the atmosphere even more dense to the point you could barely breathe. What you hadn't expected was for her to grab a certain potion, one that was made for a client by your mother and for her to throw it at you. It stung. It stung like hell. You opened your mouth to scream in pain, only for no sound to come out.

"If you won't talk to me, then stay silent. This is your fault for forcing me to do this!!" Your mother shouted before throwing a similar potion at you. This one hurt worse. You let out an inaudible wail, unable to make any sound. You covered yourself and flinched as your mother threw the next one, shouting about how you should have spoke...

-----

You let out an inaudible gasp as you sprung awake. Cold sweat drenched you as you trembled from the memory. It seemed that no matter how many times you had this nightmare, it never got any easier to brush off. Your antics caught the attention of the two constructs who were previously talking about what to do with you.

The sun construct quickly walked over towards you, "Ah! Your awake-" they said before noticing your state. "A-Are you, alright friend?" They asked with concern in their voice, they sat down next to you and reached a hand towards you. They quickly withdrew their hand when they saw you flinch and glanced over at their counterpart with pleading eyes.

The moon construct stood before walking over towards you. A strange purple orb appeared in their hands, which only reminded you of your mother's eyes, causing you to hyperventilate even more. However all of this was brought to a halt when the moon construct placed a hand on your leg, the purple orb dispersing into you with one simple word. "Calm."

Your breathing returned to normal and the tremors in your body stopped, as a sense of calmness seemed to flow through you, starting from where the moon constructs hand resided. You blinked for a few moments, before looking up at the moon construct with bewilderment and gratitude. However, they simply flicked you on the forehead. "That was for headbutting us.." They said, giving you a look before removing their hand and crossing their arms.

The Sun construct let out a sigh before apologizing for his counterpart. "Are you alright friend? I apologize for running over you with the cart, I didn't see anyone ahead." You open your mouth to speak, before quickly closing it, forgetting you can't. You gestured towards your mouth and shook your head, which only caused the Sun construct to tilt their head in confusion.

"I don't think they can speak Sun.." The Moon construct says before looking at you with a questioning gaze. You pointed at the construct and nodded, confirming their words. The sun construct gasped before letting out a noise of understanding. "I understand now! Hmm..." The sun construct gestured with their hands in what you can only assume was sign language. You awkwardly scratched the back of your neck, waving your hand in a dismissive motion, signaling that you couldn't understand them.

"Well, scratch that plan then." The sun construct mumbled before closing their eyes in thought. You glanced at the moon construct who seemed focused more on their brother than anything. "Aha! I have the perfect idea!" The sun construct exclaimed before sitting crisscross. "Do you know what charades are?" You stared at the construct for a moment, before your eyes widened. 'Oh God, perhaps I should have learned sign language.' You think to yourself before nodding.

"Great! We can use that to communicate!" "Won't that take a while?" The Moon construct questioned before mimicking the position of their counterpart. "Do you have any better ideas, dear brother?" The sun construct quips which only caused the moon construct to smirk. "As a matter of fact, I do. What about writing things down?" "Unfortunately, *brother*, I didn't bring any." You inaudibly sighed before standing up, stopping the two from bickering.

The next hour or so was filled with you telling them what happened through charades, which was way harder than it sounds. Maybe this will teach you to learn some useful skills in the future.

"So let me get this straight. You were following us to flee the city and get away from your bullies?" The Moon construct questions as you nod, your body sore from moving around a lot. "I understand wanting to get away from Monty. He isn't the... Nicest of people." The sun construct says, placing a hand on the back of their head. "However, you could have asked to join us. I wouldn't have minded!" "I would've." The Moon construct says, Giving you a once-over. "If you had forgotten, we are going to slay a dragon. I'd prefer not to have anyone holding us back."

You give Moon a look, crossing your arms. "Wait, if you were spraying the water at me, doesn't that mean you can use magic?" The sun construct asked, their pupils becoming stars. You snapped your fingers as if to say 'Bingo' before a ball of fire engulfed your right hand and an orb of water hovered above your left. The sun construct clapped at the display of magic, contrary to the moon construct who looked at you with slight interest. "So you're a mage?" You nod before dispersing the fire and water.

"Having a mage join would be a great asset to us! Moon and I only know a few spells, mainly the ones our creator gave to us." The sun construct says, clasping their hands together as their rays seemed to spin. They extend a hand to you and you shake it. "I am Sun! And this is my brother Moon." You glance at the latter of the two who only gives you a look. You can't help but notice the slight smirk, tugging at the corner of their mouth.

You find yourself genuinely grinning for one of the first times in your life since childhood as you spell out your name. With charades.

Chapter Text

An hour has passed since you've officially joined Sun and Moon on their adventure to slay the dragon in Sirius. As Sun guides the horse, you and Moon sit in the cart. Conversation strikes up between Sun and Moon, and seeing how you can't exactly chime in, you decide to look around at your surroundings.

You find yourself amazed by how lively the forest is, Wildlife flourishes as plants and animals of many different species surround you. You notice birds flying overhead, their songs fitting the mystical ambiance. To Sun and Moon, it may not look like much, but you've never been out of the city.

Sun notices your starstruck gaze into the forest, and a smile grows at the corners of their mouth. "Have you not seen the forest, friend?" You snap out of your trance before nodding, you hadn't noticed when the two constructs finished talking. You glance at Moon who has long fallen asleep, their form more lengthy than the cart causing their legs to dangle.

Soon the sound of crickets began to fill the forest as the sun began to set. Once you all came across a clearing, Sun decides to set up camp here. They wake up Moon while you clear the area some more, making room for tents and a campfire. "How many tents did you pack?" Moon asks as their counterpart pulls out two wrapped bags of cloth, one yellow and one blue. "I had only bought the tents you and I had used in our last adventure..." Sun says, their smile faltering and rays retracting. Moon sighs before grabbing their tent and tossing it towards you. "You can use mine until we get you a tent of your own.." Sun seems to brighten up at the idea, Literally since their eyes and rays start to glow. "Perfect idea brother! You and I can share my tent!"

Not wanting to burden them more than you already have, You hastily hand back the tent, however Moon bonks you on the head with it and hands it back. "Set up your tent before I change my mind.." Moon says before helping Sun set up the yellow tent. You let out an inaudible sigh before unwrapping the tent and setting it up.

-----

Once both tents are set up, You decide to head into the forest to grab wood for the campfire. You find a decent amount of sticks and go to head back, however the sound of rustling bushes catches your attention. Unable to see much, you cast a beginner light spell which creates a small orb of light and walk towards the sound.

You expected to find a small rabbit or creature, and you did. It was a small hare, and it immediately fled as you approached. What you didn't expect however was to get ambushed by a pack of wolves. 'Just my luck...' With quick timing you manage to avoid their attacks and flee back towards camp.

While running, you used earthen magic to create arrow heads with nearby rocks. Using the arrow heads as projectiles you successfully took down two of the wolves. Unfortunately, This only seemed to anger the wolves more...

-----

At the camp both Sun and Moon were conversating. "Brother? Could I ask a question, about our friend?" Sun asked as they watched their brother tie the horse's leash onto a pole from the yellow tent. Moon hummed in response, making sure the knot was tight enough so the horse wouldn't wander. "How did you notice that they were under the cart?"

"Well, for starters I noticed they were following us while we were in the marketplace earlier this morning. Then when we were purchasing the cart, I saw their cloak." Moon admits, glancing at their brother. "They aren't the best at sneaking are they?" Sun quips, a slight chuckle escaping them. "Well they look young, and according to their story earlier, I doubt that they have half the perception and stealth skills that I do." Moon says with a grin, their pride showing.

Their conversation was cut short when the sound of a howl ripped through the noises of the crickets, followed shortly after the noises of something coming from the forest. Both Sun and Moon look in the direction of the noise, Moon's fingers becoming dagger like claws while sun holds onto their broadsword. Sun calls your name, only to be meet with another and more closer howl.

-----

You manage to make it back to the camp unscathed and are greeted by concerned looks of the two constructs. Before they can say anything though, 4 wolves and 1 much larger wolf rush out of the forest. Moon is tackled by 2 of the normal sized wolves, while sun faces the other 2. You don't get much of a chance to take a breather as you narrowly dodge the attack from the larger wolf.

As you and the wolf circle one another, You decide to use earthen magic and create more stone arrow heads instead of using fire magic to avoid starting a forest fire. The wolf lunges at you, to which you dodge and send out the stone projectiles. The wolf snarls at you while it narrowly avoids them. You prepare another attack before ducking under one of the wolf's swipes. It manages to hit the hood of your cloak, leaving large claw marks that show part of your face. You can feel panic bubble in you as the wolf manages to pin you under it. In a moments decision, you use an intermediate fire spell and cast a fire pillar.

Both the constructs and the 2 wolves than managed to survive their attacks, stop in their tracks as they look towards the flaming spiral. A pained howl comes from inside as the pillar disperses, the larger wolf runs out whining as it tries to put itself out. Exhaustion overtakes you as the adrenaline slowly begins to wear off. However you can't take a break yet.

As Moon and Sun finish off the remaining wolves, the larger wolf starts nearing the surrounding forest. You quickly use water magic to put out the wolf, and it soon collapses. You nearly follow suit before Sun catches you. "Friend! Are you alright?!" They quickly ask, helping you stand up straight before staring at your face with shock. Meanwhile, Moon inspects the area where you casted the pillar, finding the grass burnt and the area covered in soot. You nod before letting out an inaudible gasp, and pulling your hood back over you. Before Sun can say anything though, the burnt wolf catches their attention.

"You burned it alive?-" Sun comments more than questions. "That's something I would do." Moon quips and Sun facepalms. "That is something you would do, wouldn't you brother?" "Yep. Anyways, we can sell the wolves bodies for coins and other stuff.. We didn't pack any food since Sun and me can't eat. Seeing how you already cooked yourself a meal, we'll save the dire wolf for food." Moon informs as they manage to lift up one of the wolves bodies.

"Wait! Health potions first." Sun says before digging into their bag and pulling out 3 health potions. You go to take a sip and immediately spit it out, gagging at the revolting taste. Laughter erupts from moon as they clench their stomach, and Sun awkwardly rubs the back of their head. "I-It's meant to be applied starlight-" You *barely* notice the nickname as you pour the potion over your head. This causes Moon to wheeze as Sun demonstrates how to *correctly* use the potion.

For the remainder of the night, You and the constructs, mainly you, ate and got some rest. In the morning the three of you managed to find an Inn, where you ate breakfast and sold the wolves bodies. While eating, Sun finds a pad of paper and fountain pen. You let out a sigh of relief as you won't have to pull any more muscles from conversing through charades.

Chapter Text

The chitter and flaps of various song birds provides a tranquil ambiance, along with the sound of the wind rustling against the leaves. The further you get from the Inn, the more the wilderness surrounds you. The Sun construct, guiding the horse, starts humming a tune. It's strangely familiar, but you can't tell why.

You begin to remember the questions you had when you first encountered the two constructs. Questions similar to 'Why did you guys pick to fight a dragon?' Or 'How did you know I was under the cart?' You haven't been able to ask them, due to recent events, and seeing how no-one is in immediate danger, now would be a better time than any.

You scribble on the paper, which captures the attention of the previously sleeping moon construct. They look over your shoulder as you finish and begin reading what you wrote.

Can I ask you guys a few questions?

"That depends." Moon says, catching the attention of Sun. "What depends?" "Star here wants to know if they could ask us questions." Moon says, the nickname seemingly stuck to you now. Sun looks back to the road, making sure that they don't lead the horse off the path. "Of course! I don't mind, ask away!"

You look towards Moon who seems to be contemplating their answer. "As long as we get to ask questions in return.." You grin before writing down a small list of a few questions, avoiding certain ones that could be too personal. Once you have your list down, you hand the pad of paper to Moon, who reads them aloud for Sun.

First question, Why did you both pick to fight a *dragon*? "Well, the pay was better than finding some random junk.." Moon explains, shrugging. "Plus, I think fighting a dragon would be a great test to my skills, and be fun as well." Sun adds, keeping their eyes on the road. There's no way they are actually planning on taking on the dragon by themselves, is there?

How did you know I was under the cart? "You aren't exactly stealthy." Sun says, rubbing the back of their head awkwardly. "I saw your cloak when I looked under the cart. Not to mention, I noticed you had followed us through the marketplace." Moon says bluntly. You let out an inaudible sigh, perhaps you should try and get better at being sneaky.

Moon hands the paper back to you as you go to write more questions, however sun cuts you off. "Sorry if this is personal friend, but why do you have so many scars on your face? Especially the one on your neck?" This piques Moon's interest as they glance over at you. You stop writing, the question caught you off guard as multiple memories of your mother came to mind. "No need to rush into telling us your past. I'm sure they will tell us eventually Sun." Moon says, both constructs noticing your uneasiness.

Eventually the path comes to a split, a path leading left, and a path leading right. Sun pulls out a map, pointing to something on it before going left. However a scream causes everyone to freeze and look down the path to the right. "Someone needs our help, brother!" Sun exclaims, quickly guiding the horse and cart down the path. Moon groans, seemingly reluctant.

As you guys head down the path, you can see a group of thieves surrounding what look to be 2 constructs. One looks to resemble a chicken or a harpy, as there are wings attached to their arms. On their back is a quiver of arrows, and a bow. The other construct resembles a wolf, long artificial hair creating a mane. They hold a broadsword, pointing it to the thieves. The chicken construct is sitting on a horse, trying to calm it down as it neighs in a panic. Meanwhile, the wolf construct is managing to fend off their attackers, a large wound on her shoulder.

Sun unmounts the horse, grabbing moon before rushing to help. You climb out of the cart and run to help as well. Sun and Moon begin to make quick work of the thieves, rendering them unconscious while you and the harpy construct, once the horse has calmed, tend to the wolf construct's wounds. "Roxanne are you alright?!" The harpy construct asked panicked, as she uses a healing spell. "I'm fine Chica, I could have handled the attackers myself." The wolf construct, or Roxanne as the other construct called them, says.

As both Moon and Sun take care of the last thief, Moon wipes their hands before speaking. "Are you sure about that? You look worse than the thieves." Sun hushes their counterpart, grabbing their horse and bringing it to where everyone was standing.

What happened here? You write down on the pad before showing the harpy construct, aka Chica. Chica looks surprised for a moment, before Roxanne answers for her. "We were on our way back to Transmere after filling out a quest. We didn't notice we were being followed until they jumped us." Roxanne explains with a huff. "The path back isn't the safest, but its shorter than most." Chica adds.

An idea sparks in Sun, and they offer to help them get back to town safely, however Moon shuts the suggestion down saying, "We already wasted enough travel time as it is, if we help them we won't get to Sirus until next week." "Brother, we can't just leave them to travel down such a path by themselves." Sun complains, Chica chiming in. "It'll only be a few minutes, the town isn't far from here."

"If it isn't that far, then you guys should have no problem getting there." Moon says, clearly disliking the idea of having to travel for even longer. "Plus we can handle ourselves." Roxanne says, clearly disliking the idea of having more people accompanying them. All four constructs seem to look at you, having you be the tie breaker.

What would we get in turn for helping you guys? You scribble down, unsure what to do yourself. Chica thinks for a moment before speaking, "I can reward you guys for helping us?" Moon's whole demeanor seems to change at the sound of a reward. "Now your speaking my language." Sun sighs, remarking at Moon's greed before Moon tells them to hush.

And with that, the 5 of you head down the path, You, Moon and Roxane sitting in the cart while Sun and Chica ride the horses. "I'm curious. What were you all doing before you came to help?" Chica ask, her genuine curiosity showing. "Me and Sun were going to Sirus to kill the dragon-" Moon says before getting cut off by both Roxy and Chica. "What?!" Chica exclaims, her words sounding similar to a cluck more than anything. Roxanne stares in disbelief for a moment before laughing. "There is no way, you two could take on a dragon, or even a baby dragon for that matter. Only the golden Doves could ever even attempt it." She says bluntly.

Part of you can't help but agree with Roxanne. The last time a Dragon was defeated was when the Golden doves, a group of elite adventurers, had to band together in order to kill it. And even then they died in the process. "...skilled people in the guild, You would stand no chance up against them!...Especially up against that Moon freak. Have you not seen the way he fights?!" The memory of the alley way comes to mind, you had forgotten about it when you first encountered them. 'Maybe they could take on a dragon??'

You hadn't realized you were lost in thought until Roxanne nudged you with her elbow saying, "What about you? What were you doing?" Both Moon and Sun glanced at you, causing you to sweat profusely. I wanted to get out of town for a while and decide to join their adventure! You quickly write, and Roxy reads it aloud. Sun facepalmed at your bad attempt of lying, while Moon snickered. Technically you weren't lying, you did want to get out of town.

Before Roxanne or Chica could ask any more questions, you all arrived at the outskirts of the town. Your surroundings changed from dense forest, to open plains. A strange foreboding feeling hits you as you guys make your way into Transmere, however you brush it off. You always had a bad habit of doing so.

Chapter Text

"Welcome to the town of Transmere!" Chica exclaims, spreading her arms/wings as she guides everyone through the town. She leads everyone towards the marketplace, you notice it's not as cramped as the one back home.

Speaking of which, you start to gain a bit of anxiety considering the number of times you've had a bad experience in a marketplace. However you push it down, remining yourself that you are somewhere new. "Soo, What's our reward for helping you both?" Moon questions, a hint of impatience clear in their voice. "Well, I'm close friends with a merchant named Curtis, I'm sure once I tell him about your guys help, he'll offer you guys items for free!" Chica explains, waving to a few people in the stalls.

As conversation picks up between the four constructs, you catch the shine of an object in the corner of your eye. You stop walking on impulse, and a strange captivation overcomes you. Before you realize it, you find your legs moving on their own towards the object.

"...Food there is great! Or so I've heard." Chica says, Sun chiming in and wrapping an arm around Moon's shoulders. "We have something similar as well! I've never tried the food at the inn, but so many humans say that it's good." Moon nodded in agreement, Sun's energy unfortunately contagious.

Moon went to glance to where you were, as the random thought of your experience with Montgomery came to mind. They immediately stopped walking catching the attention of the other constructs. "Star's missing.." "W-What?" And with that, the group began to look for you.

-----

It didn't take you long to notice that the object was moving, however you couldn't stop yourself from chasing after it. It was as if a spell had taken ahold of you. 'Why do I keep finding myself in bad situations..' You eventually found yourself in an alley, the object had finally stopped moving. You panted as you regained stamina, and approached the object. Suddenly two pairs of arms wrapped around yours, holding them out to your sides. You quickly struggle against them, but to no avail.

The sound of a familiar chuckle sent shivers through you, as a woman walks out from the shadows, holding up an enchanted opal necklace. It's shine similar to the object from before. You can feel your blood run cold once you recognize who the woman is. 'S-Sis?' You say in your mind, unable to vocalize your inner thoughts. "Bubba! I see you found my necklace quite... Enchanting." Your elder sister, Kiara, says chuckling at her own pun.

"I'm sure your wondering how I got here. More specifically how I knew you were here.." She says, twirling the necklace around her pointer finger. "So let's just say a friend of mine told me where you were heading. After I got that information, it was just a matter of getting you to come to me." "Now," Kiara says, clasping her hands together as the grip of the two men beside you tightens. "Let's get you home. You've had enough of adventuring for the past few years, and Mom has been worried sick about you..."

Your sister motions for the men to drag you towards her, and you immediately start to struggle. There was no way you would return home. You finally made friends after years of relentless bullying and abuse and there was no way you would go back. However, your body froze as your sister spoke. "After all, it is your fault Mom had to punish you.. If you simply spoke, you wouldn't have nearly the amount of scars you do."

You shake your head profusely. 'That's not true! It's not my fault!!' You try and remind yourself. Your mother has always mistreated you, she always did. However part of you knows that your lying to yourself. If you had spoken, none of this would have happened.. You wouldn't have endured the years of torture you went through. You wouldn't have caused such a big problem. Or are *you* the problem? Roughly grabbing your hood, your sister pulls it from your face, exposing your scars and trauma to the world. Her hand gripping at your cheeks as she forces you to look at her. "You still don't believe me? Well, what did I expect. You never did anyways. You were always such a problematic child. Ignoring me, and mum.. Did you ever think about how that made us feel?!" She says, her eyes burning with bitterness and her voice cracking as if she was holding back tears.

She leaned your head to the side, gazing at the large scar that wrapped around the entirety of your neck. "You didn't even bother to tell mom, dad died.. Instead you stayed quiet like the heartless monster you are!! You don't even care that dad died ,do you?!" She ask, her grip skull-crushing. You shook your head again. Unable to hold back the tears that over took you as memories of the past flooded your mind. You struggled once more, more desperately this time. 'None of this is my fault. None of this is my fault!'

You were unaware of the smirk that tugged at your elder sister's lips. The sight of your resistance proving that her manipulation was working. She looked away from you, wrapping her arms around her torso as if unable to look you in the eyes. "And now you won't even return home to make things right... Maybe mom was right when she punished you. You don't deserve a voice box.."

And with those words, your resolve snapped. You didn't have the will to fight back or resist anymore. Your mind was filled with memories, each one worse than the last. 'It's my fault... Why didn't I speak...' Were the only inner thoughts ringing through your mind. Your sister grinned as she looked back at you. Her smile was wicked, her eyes glinting with malice. Her acting had worked, and you were now as malleable as clay.

"Please Bubba... Come back home. You can fix everything! Mom could even give you back your voice.. We won't have to fight anymore, and we can all be happy!" She says, placing a hand on your shoulder. "You just need to come with me. Won't you come with me?.."

Without thinking, you slowly start to nod. Your sister's grin wider than ever. However before she could order her men to do anything, A familiar voice echos through the alley. "I found them!!!"

Chapter Text

You glanced back towards the voice, finding Roxanne standing there, her eyes were filled with suspicion. "What is going on here?" In a heartbeat your sister blocks you from her view, "Nothing at all miss, This here is my younger sibling, and I have been looking for them everywhere." Kiara says, putting on her charade again. "I am just convincing her to come home with me. Isn't that right Bubba?-"

The sound of Roxanne unsheathing her sword cuts Kiara off, and her attention quickly returns to her. "If you’re their sister, then what are the two guys behind you doing, hm?" Kiara growls before regaining her composure. "Miss, I'd prefer it if you'd let me take my sibling back home without any conflict. Our mother is worried sick about her."

You continue to sulk, not feeling the need to escape. You have already succumbed to your fate. This *is* your fault. So why does the sight of Roxanne standing up for you fill you with hope? Your mind races as memories and thoughts of your past insist that this is what's good for you. It *is* what's good for you..

Roxanne's sigh cuts through your inner thoughts, you can tell she is annoyed. "Listen up birdbitch, If Puppers here wanted to go home, then you wouldn't need two guys to hold them still. Whatever façade your trying to pull on me, isn't working. So I suggest you let them go." "Birdbitch?!" Your sister screeched, her act completely blown.

An inaudible snicker came from you, shaking your shoulders. Roxanne noticed, before letting out a laugh of her own. "Are you laughing?!" Kiara said, glaring at you. It was as if seeing your sister's reaction repaired your resolved, Roxanne's confidence pouring into you. You are *Not* going home. None of this is your fault. You aren't the same little kid as before. No. You've changed. And you're going to prove it, at least for now.

With whatever courage you have left, You struggle once more. Casting a fireball at the guy holding your right arm. He quickly removes his arm allowing you to throw a punch at the one on your left. "Goddamnit, I was so fucking close!!" Your sister screeches before reaching to grab you, however she has to quickly move away as Roxanne blocks her from you. "Well, you'll just have to try again some other day, won't you?" The wolf construct says, before swinging at Kiara.

The two began to fight, leaving you with the two guys. You shoot a secondary fireball, evading one of the daggers that the men had. While fighting, the men try and get in your head, confirming what your sister said was true. You rapidly cast fireballs, pushing all of those thoughts down.

During the fight between Kiara and Roxanne, Kiara says an incantation. You recognize this as a Charm incantation. It has to be the same one she used on her men. You react quickly and try to block the attack with an earthen spell, but it hits Roxanne. You can feel a sense of panic hit you, at the thought that Kiara's mind control will turn the construct against you, until your remember the term *construct*. Your sister cackles, clearly oblivious to the fact that you can't charm constructs. "Ohohoho! How's that for a charm spell, hm?" Your sister continues to cackle, commanding Roxanne to grab you.

You focus back on the two men, as Roxanne gives Kiara an annoyed and disgusted look. "You really think I'd be charmed by someone who looks like a toad?" Your sister scoff out of anger and surprise. "Y-You aren't charmed?!" "Of course not! I look much better than you ever will." Roxanne says, tossing her hair with her hand and placing it on her hip.

As if on cue, You hear footsteps from within the alley. You glance back and see the others running towards you both. You hear Kiara curse under her breath, before shouting: "Fall back Boys!" And with that, your sister and her men retreat deeper into the alley.

You sigh, relieved and tired. However, you can't seem to catch a break as your inner thoughts come back to haunt you, making you question whether or not you made the right choice. Roxanne notices and kneels in front of you, placing her hands on your shoulders. "Listen pup, I don't know what your past was like, but I can tell what your sister and those creeps were saying was wrong." You can't help but shake your head, prompting Roxanne to stop you. "She was only trying to manipulate you to go home. And according to Sun that’s a bad thing."

-----

"Sunbeam, are you alright?" "We're here, Is everyone okay?" Sun, and Chica say in sync, the nickname going completely unnoticed by everyone except you. "We're alright, their lunatic of a sister was manipulating them into going home."

Moon scowls, "Your family is a bunch of manipulative bastards.." "Language, but I do have to agree." Sun says, before placing a hand on your head and bending at the waist to be at eye level. "Star, whatever your sister told you isn't true. You are not to blame for anything, understand?" You reluctantly nod, for now you'll have to push down the negativity. Sun doesn't stop rubbing your head as Chica jumps and wraps her arms around Roxy, "You’re the best Roxanne!" Sun chimes in as well, thanking her for finding you in time. "I *am* the best Chica." Roxanne says, her ego showing as both Chica and Sun praise her.

You find yourself smiling at the interactions. 'Maybe this was the right choice?' You feel a pair of eyes on you and you glance at Moon whose staring at you lost in thought. They notice your gaze and redirect their attention elsewhere. "Now that everyone is reunited, can we get back to getting our rewards?"

You let out an inaudible chuckle as Sun calls Moon impatient, and follow the others out of the alley. Chica continues to lead the way towards the marketplace while Roxanne picks up conversation. You can't help but notice how both the sun and moon constructs stand close to you, as if keeping you hidden from others. You mentally thank them for that.

You all arrive at Curtis's shop, and are greeted by a chubby red headed man, who seems to be radiating innocence. "Curtis! Long time no see!" Chica says, giving the man a side hug which he returns. "Chica! Roxanne! How are my favorite constructs doing? And who are all your friends?" Chica explains everything that has happened up until now, as Curtis listens thoughtfully. As she finishes, Curtis gives you, Moon, and Sun a warm and thankful smile. He extends a hand to which you shake. "I couldn't thank you three enough for taking care of Chica and Roxy. I know that this town isn't the safest, so I'm glad you three showed up when you did."

"Its is our pleasure sir!" Sun says, beaming with pride. "Please, just Curtis is fine." Curtis says, his warm smile never leaving. "As a matter of fact, I would like to reward you three for saving these two."

Chapter Text

"Each of you can get one item from my store for free, no matter the price." Curtis explains before gesturing to the objects around. "You'll find plenty of good options, since a merchant like me takes great pride in their wares."

Sun hesitates, Clearly not liking the idea of not paying for anything. However, before they can say anything Moon has already selected something. Unsurprisingly enough, it's the most expensive thing there yet Curtis doesn't seem to mind.

"Ah, the Spectral Braces. If you put them around your wrist, you will be able to summon another pair of spectral arms below yours. Depending on your abilities, the spectral arms will stay summoned up to 15 minutes." The grinning merchant explains as Moon puts the braces on. It takes a moment for Moon to summon the arms, when they do an evil grin develops on their face. Moon's fingers become dagger like claws, and so do the spectral arms. "Now this is a reasonable reward~" Moon remarks, causing Curtis to chuckle.

Sun awes at Moon's new arms, before looking for an item of their own. "Well, if you insist..." They mumble, before selecting a large great-sword. The sword seems to emit the same aura of light that Sun does. Curtis nods in approval of their choice, finding Sun and the great-sword a perfect match. "The Sword of Radiance is meant for paladins who, in turn, emit a radiant energy. It is a great sword to use up against undead monsters, or even demons. It is commonly used to intimidate evil, and provide a light source in darker areas of battle." Curtis explains, as he grins with pride. Sun returns the smile, both their ray's and the sword glowing brightly.

"So does the term, "Living flashlight" apply to Sun now?" Roxanne quips, which cause Moon to snicker and Sun to give her a look. "I am not a flashlight!" Sun complains, the pout on their face causing you to let out an inaudible laugh.

You hum inaudibly, unsure what item to pick. That is until you remember about the claw mark on your cloak. A twinge of anxiety hits you at the thought that others can see your scars from the holes of the mark. Thankfully you notice an array of cloaks towards the back of store, seemingly in a clothing section.

You walk over as your eyes settle on 3 cloaks, A black cloak with silver daggers stitched on the bottom, A strange purple cloak with gold trimming, and A brown and green cloak with a wind like design on the back. Curtis notices your disappearance and walks over to the clothing isle, grinning contently when he finds you. "Find anything of interest dear friend?" Curtis asks, startling you. He apologies immediately after.

-----

Pulling out your pad of paper, you scribble down that you're looking for a new cloak and that these three caught your interest. You hand the paper to him, and Curtis's grin softens with a sigh. "You remind me of a departed friend... Your hand writing is practically the same." He mumbles, chuckling a bit before pointing to each of the three cloaks.

"The black cloak can be used to summon a dagger in your hand. As long as there are silver daggers on the cloak, you can summon one at any time. The brown and green cloak can enhance your speed and agility. The purple cloak was made from a mimic, a monster that replicates thing. Unfortunately, it's creator didn't think it through and now the mimic is the cloak.." Curtis explains, placing a hand on your shoulder.

Something about this gesture and the way Curtis acts gives you a sense of nostalgia and déjà vu. So much so your body subconsciously leans into him. Then it hits you.

Do you know my dad?

This question seems to catch Curtis off guard, as he places a a hand on his chin in thought. "Could you tell me his name?"

Oliver? He always drew maps from his adventures.

Curtis's eyes widen with realization, before softening, almost somberly. "How *is* your father?.. It's been so long since I've heard from him.."

Curtis begins to fumble with his hands anxiously as he adds, "Did he... do *it*?"

The way Curtis seems to care a lot about your father makes it hard for you to respond. However, you manage to nod which causes Curtis to sigh. A mournful look stains his chubby features, prompting you to hug him. Curtis heaves a deep breath before patting your head and returning the hug. "Your father was a good man you know.. He loved adventuring, and dragging me along with him." He says with a halfhearted chuckle.

"We grew up very close, and were practically inseparable at the time.. He always seemed to smile, even when we got hurt.. When he married your mother, we started to grow distant. We still wrote to each other via letters, but it was as if he lost his spark.." Curtis explains, his voice soft and saddening. "He never went on adventures anymore, saying that your mother always complained whenever he did.. One day, he told me that he had thoughts of *ending* himself.."

"I , of course, was strongly against that. I even told him that he could come over to my store if needed.. " Curtis explains, pulling out a locket of some sorts from the satchel on his side. "13 years ago, I got a letter. Inside was this..." Curtis hands you the locket, inside is a picture of him, your father, and a man with a bright purple cloak. They were standing in front of a giant reflective lake.

"That was the last letter and gift I had recived from him..." Curtis says, causing you to wonder just how close were your father and him really were. However, he regains his composure before standing up and putting the locket back in his satchel. "Sorry for bringing the mood down my friend. I am glad to have met Oliver's offspring, though. Your practically a spitting image of him." Curtis chuckles before getting back on track. "Now, which of these cloaks do you find interesting?"

You take a moment to process Curtis's previous words. Making a mental note to ask him more about your father at a later date, before looking back at the cloaks. You walk over towards the purple and gold cloak. Sure enough the mouth of a mimic appears on the back, growling as you approach it. However this doesn't stop you from putting it on.

-----

The mouth bites at you, trying to get you to take off the cloak, however it eventually tires out and gives up with a low grumble, leaving you covered in bites. Curtis chuckles, remarking at how both you might be more stubborn than the monster. You both walk back to the group, Chica being the first to notice you guys. "Ooo, I like the cloak." Chica compliments, before going to touch it. The mouth reappears and growls, causing Chica and the other constructs (except Moon) to yelp in surprise. You let out an inaudible laugh before writing down on the paper.

Thank you Curtis and Chica for the items.

"Your very welcome my friend." Curtis says, petting you on the head before quickly removing his hand as the mouth tries to bite at him. "We should get going." Moon says, looking out towards the now sunset sky.

"Wait!" Chica says, stopping you, Sun and Moon in your tracks. "Could we come with you three?" Roxanne ask, and Chica nods, wanting to join you three as well. Both Sun and Moon seem hesitant, but you manage to convince them to let the others join.

And with that, Chica and Roxanne have now joined your party. You all say your goodbye's to Curtis, who gives you the address for his shop so you both can keep intouch, and manage to find an inn. Using the money you got from defeating the wolves, you manage to purchase the remaining 2 rooms. Roxanne and Chica pair up to take the two person room, leaving you to pair up with Sun and Moon and take the three person room

You all depart and go to your respective rooms, wishing each other good night. You flop on the bed, exhausted from today's events. Sun flops down on the bed next to you, mimicking your actions while Moon sits on the bed next to Sun.

You cut off the lights, waving the constructs good night before drifting off into deep and comfortable sleep...

"Maybe mom was right when she punished you. You don't deserve a voice box.."

Chapter Text

It's around midnight when you awake, the silence from the inn making you feel a little uneasy. You glance over at Sun and Moon, the former snoring softly while the latter rolls over in their sleep. The sight of the two constructs elevates some of your nerves. Letting out a sigh, you climb out of bed and exit the inn.

You sit outside on the steps to the Inn's entrance. The streets are mainly empty, aside from a few wanderers or stores that are still open. Lanterns light up the pathways, as the occasional hoots from owls and barks from dogs break up the silence. 'It's peaceful here... Way different from the city.'

In contrast to the calmness of the village, your mind races with thoughts and memories regarding the past 3 days. Nothing went as planned, and now your sister knows you are here. You sigh inaudibly, pulling out your pad and pen before scribbling down the event's from this week...

1. Monday

• Bumped into Montgomery
• Managed to find a new hide out
• Avoided Kiara
• Took Elliot to hideout
• Mother found us
• Ran away from home for a 5th time

• Found Sun and Moon
• Attempted to follow them
• Got caught
• Joined party
• Attacked by wolves
• Learned how to use healing potion

• Asked general question
• Saved Chica and Roxanne
• Entered Transmere
• Kiara found me
• Roxanne saved me
• Met Curtis
• Learned about father's relations and past
• Got a new cloak with a monster

Looking at the list, you can't help but facepalm, finding that Lady luck clearly abandoned you a long time ago. However you brush the thought off as you focus back on the list. You'll have to come up with a better plan if you intend on getting as far away from home as possible.

-----

Roxanne stirs in her sleep. Having been awake for the past hour, she gives up and gets out of bed. "Can't sleep either?" Chica ask, twiddling with an arrow from her quiver. Roxanne walks over and flops down next to Chica, letting out a huff to answer the latter's question.

The two sit in comfortable silence for a moment, before Roxanne speaks up. "You think we made the right choice?"

"Of course. We'll be able to go on much more fun adven-" "I mean, not pairing up with puppers." Roxanne says, cutting off Chica. "You're worried about them as well?" Chica ask, holding the arrow still and looking at her friend.

"I'm not worried about them, it's just... You've heard the rumors surrounding Sun and Moon. They aren't trustworthy." Roxanne mutters, rolling over to face Chica. Chica sighs, " Yeah but they don't seem too bad.. You've seen them up close and they really do seem to care about the little cupcake."

Roxanne turns her head away from Chica, still unsure whether or not to trust the other constructs. Chica, sensing her friend's hesitance, places a hand on Roxanne's head. "If you truly don't trust them, then we can go and check on them." Roxanne thinks for a moment before getting up and grabbing her sword, attaching it to her waist. She walks towards the door, glancing back at Chica. "You coming?"

Chica grins, grabbing her bow and her quiver before walking through the door after Roxanne. "You’re the best Roxy." "Your damn right I am." Roxanne remarks with a grin.

-----

You're unsure how long you've been outside, but the moon has been moved from its spot. You glance back at the paper, checking your plan for any errors, or area's where things could go wrong. The sound of footsteps catches your attention as you glance behind you. Your greeted by Chica and Roxanne who sit next to you. "Couldn't get any sleep either?" Roxanne ask, and you shake your head.

Chica looks over your shoulder at the paper, pointing to it. "What's this?"

You explain that since your previous plan is in shambles, you came up with a new one. A plan B, if you will.

About an hour passes while you talk with Roxanne and Chica. Topics about how the two met and your opinion on Sun and Moon pass by. Unfortunately your peaceful time with the two constructs is cut short when you spot Kiara and her men standing outside Curtis's store. Both Chica and Roxy notice the change in your demeanor and follow your gaze. Roxy becomes alert, following you and Chica as you three hide behind 3 boxes.

"...re they've been here. They were wearing a brown cloak, and were accompanied by four constructs." Kiara says, holding up her necklace. You panic, if Curtis gets charmed than your cover will surely be blown. You and Roxy go to stand up however Chica stops you both, pointing to Curtis. "His eyes aren't silver.."

Looking closer at Curtis, whose face is lit by the lights of his store, you find that Chica is right. Curtis's eyes are an emerald blue, not silver. 'Is he using magic??'

"My friend, I can assure you I haven't seen anyone like you've described in my store today.. Are you sure you're in the right place?" Curtis says, his face cheery but his voice cold. You notice your sister's hand twitch, clearly agitated. "I'm positive sir." Kiara says before saying the same incantation from the alley. She grins as the incantation hits Curtis, holding the necklace.

"Listen fatso, I haven't got all night. Now tell me where my sibling is or things will get messy.." She says, her men holding up their weapons. Her expression changes from annoyance to surprise when Curtis is seemingly unfazed, his eyes returning to their natural color. "Ma'am, I have told you I have not seen your sibling. Now I suggest you leave before I get the guards involved."

Kiara's men snarl, going to swing at the man however Kiara stops them. She walks closer, getting in the face of the merchant. "Fine... But should I find out your lying, there will be consequences.."

And with that Kiara and her men leave. Curtis sighs from relief as you and the others come out from the bushes and approach him. "Curtis are you alright?!" Both Chica and Roxanne say, worry clear in their voices. However Curtis simply smiles and nods. "Mhm, It's nothing I haven't handled before. I'm just relived that she didn't try to charm me a second time."

What was that? Your eyes changed color.

"Just a little trick of mine dear friend." Curtis says, a sly wink stopping you from asking more questions. "Now, You three should get some sleep. I've kept an eye on you guys from the store." "Me and Chica don't require sleep." Roxanne says, pointing out the fact that they are constructs.

"Yes, but it still is good for you. Especially you my friend." Curtis says, rubbing your head before once again having to remove his hand before the cloak bit him. Soon after you and the other constructs wished him goodnight before going back in the inn and returning to sleep.

Chapter Text

It's about late afternoon when you awake, Your body lethargic and tired. You mentally scold yourself for staying up so late, especially after Curtis had told you to sleep. However, you brush off your exhaustion before noticing that your companions are nowhere to be found. Standing with a stretch, you make your way to the lobby of the inn where you bump into Roxanne.

"Finally awake?" She questions, glancing back at you from her seat near the bar. You nod, sitting next to her as the barmaid hands you a plate of pancakes. Where are the others? You question, writing on your notepad before taking a bite of the syrup covered pancakes.

"Chica and Sun are helping Curtis before we leave, while Moon is at the stables getting the horses. I volunteered to stay here in case you woke up." Roxanne explains, waving to one of the people nearby. You hum inaudibly, chewing your food slowly in thought. 'I should probably checkup on the others, and let them know I'm awake..'

You get off the barstool, waving goodbye to Roxanne before making your way to Curtis's store. As you arrive, you notice Sun carrying a few large boxes while Chica is helping Curtis sort a few items from the shelves. You walk up to Sun, waving to catch their attention. "Sunbite! Your awake, good morning!" They say, quickly waving before supporting the boxes again.

You point at the boxes, displaying your curiosity. "Ah, Curtis wanted me to move these to the back of the store." Sun explains, grinning. You gesture to the boxes, offering to help carry them. "You want to help? Are you sure? They're a bit heavy." Sun questions and you nod, waiting for sun to crouch before removing the top box.

You struggle a bit, the boxes heavier than what you expected. Sun goes to help by removing the box but you manage to carry it to the back to their surprise. Wanting to show off/Impress Sun you decide to carry the last two boxes yourself. "U-Uh friend, are you sure you can carry those?" Sun questions, hovering over you like a worried mother.

You nod confidently, grabbing the bottom box and attempting to lift it. You strain as you struggle to the boxes, finding these two way heavier than the one you carried before.. 'What the hell is in these things?!'

As you focus on trying to lift the boxes, you don't notice when sun reaches from behind you and helps you carry it. Startled, you drop the box, causing Sun to fall forward and headbutt you in the back of your head. Both of you wince in pain for a moment before Sun immediately apologies, wanting to check your head for any bruises or bumps but unable to do so due to your cloak.

You turn to face the construct, waving your hands as to show you aren't hurt. Sun sighs from relief before a whine from your cloak causes them to apologies once more, this time worrying over the cloak. You let out an Inaudible chuckle before gesturing back at the boxes. You manage to lift the bottom box up a few inches before Sun's hands envelop yours and help you lift the boxes. You can't help but smile at this.

Once carried to the back, Curtis comes along with Chica, greeting you good morning and thanking you both for helping him. "Those boxes are filled with new items, and I doubt I could have carried them all by myself." Curtis says, his smile as warm as ever.

As the two constructs and Curtis converse, you dismiss yourself, wanting to go check on Moon. Before you do however, Sun thanks you for helping them, wrapping you up in a bear hug that causes the cloak to squirm, unable to bite Sun due to how tight the hug is. You chuckle inaudibly, returning the hug before dashing off in the direction of the stables. A warm feeling still lingering.

-----

As you arrive at the stables, you find the cart and Chica's horse, but neither Sun's horse nor Moon are visible. Worried slightly, you look around, unable to spot either. Humming fills your ears, and you follow the sound to a stable near the back of the building.

You peek around the corner, watching as Moon hums while feeding the horse an apple that you can only assume they stole from the market on the way here. The tune is oddly calming, lulling you into almost a trance like state, but at the same time it uneases you.

You walk up to moon, waving to catch their attention. "Finally awake?" Moon questions, standing up and facing you. You nod and gesture towards them curiously. "She was hungry, and wouldn't eat the oats the stable master provided. So I gave her an apple that I *borrowed* from the market." Moon explains with a grin before guiding the horse out of the stable.

You follow, giving Moon a look from their previous statement. However they simply roll their eyes, remarking about how Sun is rubbing off on you. Well, Sun is right you know. Stealing is bad. You scribble down, Moon crosses their arms with a look. "Steal is *Not* the right word, I *liberate* people from having to carry so many items."

You roll your eyes, failing to keep a straight face as you facepalm. "Moon 2, Star 0~" Moon quips, prompting you to smack their arm. The warm feeling growing as you walk back to the inn, guiding Chica's horse while Moon guides Sun's. You spot the others and wave, catching their attentions. "There you two are, do you guys have everything ready?" Chica question, petting her horse who leans into her hand.

You shake your head, wanting to say goodbye to Curtis properly before leaving town. Roxanne advises you to be quick, "Your sister could show up, and I doubt you'd want to deal with her." You nod before making your way to Curtis's store, spotting him talking with a costumer. You wait for the costumer to leave before running up to Curtis and hugging him.

Curtis looks surprised, however he returns the hug. "I'm assuming it's time for you to go dear friend?" Curtis questions, a hint of disappointment in his voice. You nod, but are unwilling to pull away from the hug. It's been so long since you were reminded of your dad, and after you've learned about Curtis and your dad's relationship, you've been unwilling to leave him alone once again.

Curtis senses your hesitance and squeezes you, pulling away from the hug himself. "Don't worry about me my friend. I would join you on your adventure, but I have to look over my store." Curtis reasons, placing a hand on your shoulder. As always the Mimic tries to bite him, however a piece of jerky appears in his hand, and the mimic eats that instead of him.

Are you sure you're going to be alright?You question, your doubts and nerves showing. Curtis smiles softly, nodding to confirm. "And if anything happens, I'm sure Chica or Roxanne would be able to tell. They have this strange 6th sense in regards to me."

You grin, before hesitating to scribble down a question.

Is it alright if I call you uncle?

Curtis's eyes widen, his pointed ears turning a shade of pink. His hug catches you off guard, and you let out an inaudible chuckle. "Of course my friend, I'd be honored!!" Curtis exclaims before pulling back, tears welling up in his eyes. You can feel your own tears begin to swell, mainly from how tight the hug was.

-----

The next few moments were filled with you and the other constructs saying goodbye to Curtis- Uncle Curtis, and getting ready to leave. Roxanne offers to guide the cart, and Sun accepts. You scoot over to make room for the lanky construct, who sits in a crisscrossed fashion while their counterpart is more stretched and relaxed.

You unknowingly lean against the two as Roxanne mounts the horse and begins following Chica as she guides everyone out of the town. You look back and wave as the distance between you and the town grows, grinning when your newly found Uncle waves back.

Chapter Text

3 hours have passed since you've been back on the road to Sirius, and you couldn't help but notice the change in your surroundings. Massively tall trees surround the group, as the forest becomes denser by the minute. Thick foliage covers the trees and ground, as massive roots cause the cart to bump.

"...ould be there in 3 days, according to the map. Although the forest looks less dense on here.." You hear Chica say to Roxanne as you tune in and out of their conversation. Glancing over at Moon, you find that they're completely asleep, Arms crossed behind their head, long legs dangling off the edge, and hood covering their face.

You aren't exactly surprised though. You look over towards Sun who's looking out into the forest, watching as they sway from the bumps, and seemingly fidget with their fingers. You, feeling bored, let out an inaudible yawn and stretch your arms above you...

However you are caught off guard when the cart suddenly stops, causing you to nearly fall over the edge of the cart if it wasn't for your reflexes. "Is everything alright?" Moon questions, seemingly awake now. Chica seems to shake as she glances back, Roxanne facepalming. "How mad would you guys be if I told you that I was holding the map upside down?" Chica questions embarrassedly, causing you and Moon to mimic Roxanne.

Chica gives the map to Sun, who flips it over and inspects it. "So? Any idea where we are?" Roxanne questions, unmounting their horse. Sun hums in thought, their rays flickering. "According to the map... We are in-" Sun says, cutting off their sentence as they realize where everyone is located. Moon leans over Sun's shoulder, before letting out a groan.

"That doesn't sound good.." Chica mutters, and you nod in agreement. "We're in the Dertegeo Thicket.." Sun says, Chica and Roxanne seemingly turning pale at the revelation.

You tilt your head in confusion, having never been anywhere outside the city, you are completely unfamiliar with any forest you and the others have come across. Before you can ask questions, Moon climbs back in the cart while Roxanne and Sun swap positions. "We need to leave, *Now*," Roxanne says, climbing into the back of the cart.

"Which way is the exit?" Chica questions as Sun tries to navigate the map. What is going on? You manage to write down, as Sun begins to lead the horse. "Dertegeo Thicket is home to Dertegeos, It's in the name." Roxanne begins to explain, pulling out her sword.

"Dertegeos are shapeshifters, who take the form of people you know. They can read your mind and memories to act just like them as well. They can't speak though." Moon explains further, looking around at the surrounding forest. You look out into the forest as well, finding it surprising that you haven't run into any Dertegeos yet. As if on cue, a strange and eerie fog begins to fill the forest, making it almost impossible to see or navigate.

"Stay close Sun!" You hear Chica's voice through the fog, as you can barely see her.

"Watch the roots!" Roxanne shouts as the bump of the cart gets harsher. Even with her sitting near you, you can only make out her figure.

You can hear Moon growl from your right, "This damn fog is too thick to see anything."

"Language Moony!" Sun rebukes from ahead. A particularly harsh thump from the cart nearly sends you off, as your limbs flail to grab onto something.

You manage to grab hold of one of the construct's arms, letting out a sigh of relief as you also grab onto the edge of the cart. You look up to see who you grabbed and are met with the smiling face of Sun. You give them a look of gratitude, letting out an inaudible yelp as the cart tries to fling you off again. Sun's other arm shoots out to grab you and pulls you closer to them.

You go to thank them once again before the sound of Sun's voice rings from ahead. "Be careful everyone! We're almost out of the fog!"

You feel your blood turn cold, as you turn to face Ｓｕｎ. Their smile seems to twitch, as you try and wrench yourself from the Dertegeo's hold. Panic fills your veins as what was Sun's face, changes into a hideous mouth, Dagger-like teeth cover every inch of the monster's wide jaws. You let out an inaudible scream and clench your eyes shut as the creature goes to bite you. However, the pain never comes and instead, a wail of agony escapes the creature's mouth.

You open your eyes to find your cloak biting the entirety of the creature's arm, ripping it off which allows you to back away from the creature. A growl emits from the mimic which is replicated by the Dertegeo. Before you can react, a pair of arms wrap around you from behind. Your head whips around only to be face to face with Moon. Your cloak bites the construct's arm, causing a strange black fluid to leak from it. Ｍｏｏｎ screeches, grabbing you and pulling you off the cart as a bump sends both of you flying. The Dertegeo pretending to be Sun follows shortly after.

-----

The fog eventually clears as Sun begins to guide the horse out of the forest, Chica following suit. Once out of the forest, the cart stops, allowing everyone to take a moment to regain their composures.

"Is everyone alright?" Sun questions, looking back at everyone. "Yeah, just waiting for the adrenaline to die down.." Moon sighs, glancing at where your hand and their hand met. You had grabbed onto them after nearly getting thrown off the cart.

"Could be better.." Roxanne mumbles, her hair, and armor tattered after the incident.

"I'm okay... Sorry for getting us into this mess." Chica apologizes as Sun places a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright Chica. Accidents happen. We're just lucky no one ran into any Dertegeos.." Sun says, offering her a warm smile to which she returns.

Moon removes their hand from yours, dusting off their tunic. "You okay?" Moon questions, scanning your face for any damage.

Ｙｏｕ nod, panting from the adrenaline.

Chapter Text

"… How does it go again?" Elliot questions, drawing in his notebook while leaning against you. "One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told?"

"Mhm." You mumble, gazing outside of the treehouse. "What's the rest of it?" Elliot questions, glancing at you. You look back at him, his young and innocent features seemingly matching the dress he insisted on wearing.

"Eight for a wish, Nine for a kiss, Ten for a surprise you should be careful not to miss, Eleven for health, Twelve for wealth, Thirteen beware it’s the devil himself." You respond, running your fingers through your little brother's hair.

"Thirteen is my lucky number though.." Elliot mumbles, showing you what he drew. You gasp at the surprisingly detailed drawing of you looking out of the treehouse. "Is it bad?..."

"No, of course not. I love it, Ellie. Thank you." You say, nuzzling into the side of Elliot's face. He giggles, hugging you in return. You both stay in this peaceful and warm state for a while... You longed for a chance like this again. Your father was always busy, holed up in his and your mother's room, still, he made sure to greet you every morning and tuck you and Ellie in at night.

Kiara wasn't the nicest, and she constantly looked down on you, however, Your mother was the worst. She always hit you whenever you messed up, then would apologize and tried to comfort you. You were almost positive she was bipolar. Or just manipulative. However, these thoughts went away as soon as they came.

The humming of Elliot comforts you. Elliot was the only one who supported you, aside from Dad. He loved playing and getting into trouble, always insisting on wearing a dress or playing with dolls. Mother hated when he wore dresses to events, but you'd match him in either a suit or dress just to rub it in. Even now, knowing that he's at your side and that you're away from that woman provides you with a sense of peace you've forgotten ever existed.

Alas.. Good things never last.

You were abruptly woke up, your cloak was off and tugging at you. You sat up with a hiss, your head and body were aching from hitting the ground. You glance over at your cloak which moves around you with a whine, seemingly worried. You grin, finding it odd that the same cloak that wanted to kill you for putting it on, is now worried for your safety. You open your mouth to speak, however not a sound comes out.

'Right, I can't speak'

You begin to ruminate as memories fill your mind, however, you aren't given a chance to sulk when a noise comes from a nearby bush. On instinct, you quickly put on the cloak, the sound of footsteps coming near. You stand, readying an attack when a pair of arms wraps around you. You stand there for a moment, stunned, and glance down at the arms.

You recognize the arms as Sun's and relax, Your guard dropping. You turn to face the construct, finding their smiling face familiar. 'Wait..' You quickly begin to squirm out of Ｓ ｕ ｎ's hold. As you expected, the Dertegeo doesn't budge and pulls you closer, their face seeming to melt. Thankfully, your cloak bites their arm causing them to wail and screech before throwing you away.

You quickly use earthen magic and send a large rock at the Dertegeo, sending the creature into the forest. You sigh a breath of relief before the growl of your cloak catches you off guard. Turning around you quickly move out of the way as Ｃｕｒｔｉｓ tries to grab you. Dertegeos replicating Chica, Roxanne, and others begin to surround you.

Their faces become unsettling, each one a spitting image of the other. You ready an intermediate earthen spell as large boulders begin to rise from the ground. Ｒｏｘａｎｎｅ lunges towards you before getting knocked back by one of the boulders. You manage to defend yourself against the Dertegeos but slowly become exhausted. You need to find a way to get out of this situation.

Praying that you don't start a forest fire, you cast a fire pillar, incinerating the Dertegeos. Their screams of pain are almost louder than the sound of your heartbeat as you run out of the pillar and into the surrounding forest.

While running, you hear the crackle of thunder, looking up you notice that the sky has become dark and grey. You need to find shelter if you're going to get caught in a storm. Your thoughts are cut off as you unknowingly run towards a cliff, The ground suddenly disappearing from under your feet and causing you to rocket downwards.

-----

Sun leads the cart this time, with Roxanne sitting alongside Ｙｏｕ and Moon. Conversation picks up between the constructs as Ｙｏｕ stare out and into your surroundings. Moon glances at you, something about you is off, though they can't exactly tell what.

"Star?" Moon questions, however, Ｙｏｕ don't react, continuing to stare at the plains and flowers. Moon places a hand on your shoulder, causing Ｙｏｕ to jump, startled. "You alright?" Moon questions, raising an eyebrow. Ｙｏｕ nod vigorously, waving your hands as if to dismiss their question.

Moon notices that your notepad isn't on your waist, and questions Ｙｏｕ about it. Ｙｏｕ quickly check your sides, deflating as if Ｙｏｕ lost it in the Dertegeo Thicket. Moon sighs, removing their hand. "Well, we'll have to find another one somewhere."

A crackle of thunder catches everyone's attention, and Sun pulls out a map. "Hmmm, The nearest inn is only 5 minutes away! We'll stop there and wait out the rain before continuing." Sun says with a nod before guiding the horse in the direction of the inn, Chica and Roxanne agreeing with them. A thought crosses Moon's mind, which causes them to glance at Ｙｏｕ. Ｙｏｕ catch them staring and flash them a smile, which causes Moon to look away.

'Why didn't their cloak bite me?' Moon questions inwardly, listening as more thunder crackles in the air.

-----

Rain begins to fall alongside you, as you start plummeting towards the ground. You let out an inaudible scream as your cloak screeches for you. A thought flashes through your mind as you use the surrounding rain to create a large bubble. Thankfully this bubble softens your fall, popping as you bounce off of it from impact.

You regain your breath as the cloak grumbles, most likely angry from the rain. You can't stop yet though as Ｍｏｏｎ emerges from the surrounding forest, their smirk turning into a grin of bloodlust. You make a run for it, managing to dodge the attacks of the much faster Dertegeo.

Finding a cave, you cast a fire spell, the rain causing steam to fill up the area and run into the cave. You hide behind a boulder, holding your breath as the soft footsteps of the Dertegeo sound from outside the cave. As you had guessed, fog or smoke doesn't affect the creatures.

You ready an earth spell, stone arrowheads levitating next to you. You feel your heart speed up as the footsteps and strange chittering of the Dertegeo grow closer. The red eyes of the construct glowed from behind the boulder. You can feel your exhaustion growing, having used too many spells without a break.

The footsteps grow closer...

And Closer...

Ａｎｄ Ｃｌｏｓｅｒ...

Chapter Text

Ａｎｄ Ｃｌｏｓｅｒ...

A noise deeper in the cave catches Ｍｏｏｎ's attention, and you let out the breath you were holding. Only for it to hitch as your cloak growls from behind the boulder. 'God Dam-' The boulder slices in half, shocking you and your cloak. Apparently, not only can Dertegeo's copy the looks of a person but can also copy their abilities...

A haunting and off-sounding gurgle leaves Ｍｏｏｎ, the Dertegeo seemingly stunned at this as well. However, it doesn't last as they lunge at you, planning to put the claws to good use. You quickly send the stone arrowheads at them, and scramble to run. The red lights from behind flicker as Ｍｏｏｎ gets hit before snapping toward you.

Your tackled once you run into a dead end and begin struggling to get out of the Dertegeo's hold. The malicious grin on the creature changes as your cloak bites its arm, causing Ｍｏｏｎ to screech and throw you against a wall. You hiss from pain as you go to stand, sending a fireball at the Dertegeo. It dodges, as you send more, growling and growing closer.

Your fireballs get weaker as you are too exhausted to cast any more spells. You can feel your consciousness begin to slip away as fatigue dulls your senses. You try and fight it, attempting to dodge one of the creature's attacks. However you stumble and get hit, the white pain causing you to let out an inaudible groan. You cradle your blood-soaked arm, before fainting, unable to stand any longer.

The last thing you see and hear is Ｍｏｏｎ approaching before halting as your cloak snarls. The look of fear on their face is uncanny and stains your mind as you fall into a deep and dreamless sleep.

-----

You are unaware of how many hours you stay asleep, but when you awake, the rain has stopped and the sun has set. It doesn't take you long to realize the disappearance of your cloak. Your fatigue is too great to stand, and the pain in your left arm has dulled. Unable to call out for help, you wait for your cloak to return.

-----

You awake once more, a bright light hurting your eyes. It comes closer, and for a moment you worry that you are dead. However, the whine of your cloak and the sound of a voice tells you that you are not.

"I know, I know, I'm going to heal them. What happened again?" The voice, which you can only assume is coming from the light, says. The growling and whines of your cloak fill your ears as a strange revitalizing energy fills you.

"You were attack by Dertegeos?? Is that why that boulder over there is split in two?" Your eyes have finally adjusted, and you squint at the light. A man with red hair, and stitched clothing hovers in front of you, they have wings that resemble a dragonfly's. "Oh! Skin, the human is awake!" The fairy says, looking at you with a grin.

Sitting up, you find that your wound has been completely healed. Your cloak nudges against you, and you put it on, the grumble it makes runs through your body. You look at the fairy once more, having only seen them in jars or books. "What, cat got your tongue?" The fairy teases, flying around you.

Thank you for helping me.

"Hmm? Ah, well your welcome. But I can't take all the credit. Skin helped." The fairy says, hovering around you as you stand. Your body feels completely new, and you scribble down on your pad. Skin?

"Yep, your mimic friend." The fairy says, flying toward the exit of the cave. You follow them, jogging and glancing up at your cloak. "Anyways, I've gotta get back to Alister, leaving them alone in the forest is never a good idea. They get more lost than a wandering baby. " The fairy says, snickering.

"Also! The name's Clovis! A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Clovis says, facing you and flying backward, showing off with a bow. He speeds off, dipping behind a tree. You manage to catch up, standing where the tree is. "Boo!" You hear Clovis say before a startled yelp is heard.

You walk towards the source of the noise, stumbling as the ground suddenly lowers. "Ah! Alister meet the human!" You hear Clovis say, as you glance upwards. Only to be startled when a person with horns, yellow glowing eyes, and blue accents is inches from your face.

Clovis snickers as who you can assume to be Alister waves their hands in apology. "S-Sorry didn't mean to spook you." You give them an awkward smile, waving your hands in a dismissive motion as if telling them not to worry about it.

"Well, since you two are now acquainted, Skin told me what happened. Apparently, this human is an adventurer and had gotten knocked off their cart by Dertegeos. " Clovis says, hovering around Alister. Your cloak grumbles, assumingly adding to what Clovis said. "Oh yeah, and the Human doesn't speak. Which is strange since they are known to be quite the chatterboxes." Clovis snickers, sitting down on one of Alister's horns.

"Is this true?" Alister questions, glancing from Clovis to you. Yep. I probably would have died if it wasn't for my cloak- Skin grumbles as you write, almost as if it was clearing its throat. You erase part of your sentence before continuing. Yep. I would have died if it wasn't for Skin and Clovis.

Clovis chuckles pridefully, rubbing his pointer finger underneath his nose and crossing an arm across his torso. Alister seems to relax a bit more. "I'm assuming you don't know where your group is do you?" Alister says, rubbing the back of their head. You mimic them, shaking your head in response.

"W-Well, I've been in this forest for a while, I can help you find them if wanted. Or at least a way out." Alister suggests, which has Clovis jump down from Alister's horns and hover around you. "Wait wait wait! I'll help you. Ali here will get you lost." Clovis says, and Alister reluctantly sighs, unable to deny Clovis's claim. That would be great!

And with that, you've formed a separate and temporary party. "First things fir-" Clovis goes to say, pulling out a map before getting cut off when Skin growls. This catches the attention of everyone. Before any of you can question it, a pair of arms hugs you from behind. You go to break out of the hold before realizing whose arms they belong to.

Your body freezes as Ｅｌｌｉｏｔ nuzzles into your back.

Chapter Text

~~~~~

As the rain begins to come down hard, everyone arrives at the Inn. Sun holds the door open as everyone rushes in, "Just in time. That storm looks really bad." Chica says, looking out one of the windows as a bolt of lightning lights up the room.

Sun nods in agreement, before a thought comes to mind, their rays lighting up. "We may have to stay the night. I'll talk to the receptionist to see what rooms are available." Sun says and Roxanne chimes in. "I'll take puppers with me to get some food, I can tell they're hungry just by looking at them." She says, extending a hand that Ｙｏｕ takes.

Moon looks around and as the two run off towards the bar, they grab Sun's scarf. "Chica you purchase the rooms, I need to talk with Sunny for a sec..." Moon says before dragging their counterpart towards the back of the inn. Both Chica and Sun share the same look of surprise.

-----

Moon brings Sun near the stairs that lead to where the rooms are located, Sun's nervousness evident as they fumble with their fingers. "Is something the matter brother?" Sun questions as they watch Moon's gaze leave from them to Ｙｏｕ.

"Somethings odd about Starlight.." Moon admits, the nickname going unnoticed. Sun hums in thought, "What makes you say that?"

"Well, when we left Dertegeo Thicket, I noticed that they were more dazed than normal." Moon admits, causing Sun to direct their attention to Ｙｏｕ as well.

Silence befalls the two as both pairs of eyes linger on Ｙｏｕ. Both Ｙｏｕ and Roxanne are with the barkeep, Roxanne mainly doing the talking while Ｙｏｕ is picking which food they want to eat. Now that Moon has mentioned it, Sun could tell something was off about them. However, neither of them could tell exactly what.

That was until Roxanne put her arm around them.

Both Constructs subconsciously counted the seconds it would take for their cloak to react. When those seconds became minutes, an alarm went off in both of the brother's minds. "T-That's not Sunshine.." Sun muttered, looking over at their counterpart.

Moon's still silence unnerved Sun, however, they could see the gears turning in their brother's head. "You're coming up with a plan, aren't you?" Sun questions and Moon nods, walking over towards Chica who's just finished talking with the receptionist.

"Chica," Moon says, startling the other construct. "O-Oh! Moon, I just finished talking with the receptionist about-" Moon interrupts Chica, whispering in her ear.

"What?!" Chica exclaims, covering her beak as a few people direct their attention to her and Moon, Roxanne included. Moon continues to whisper their plan to her, while Chica nods throughout. "I'll tell Sun, you inform Roxanne." Moon says before walking back over towards Sun.

"What did you tell her?" Sun questions, as Moon stands next to them. "You know how perceptive I am, right brother?" Moon quips and Sun nods, tilting their head in confusion. "Well, star's sister and her gang are in this inn. Both are near the door." Moon points out as Sun directs their attention towards the table nearest the door.

Sure enough, when Both constructs glance towards the table, the people there flinch. "We're going to leave the room for and let the Dertegeo get captured." Moon says, and Sun's eyes widen. "What?! We can't do that!" Sun exclaims, Moon's plans going against Sun's morals. Moon rolls their eyes. "Think about it, brother. If Kiara captures the Dertegeo, then Starlight wouldn't have to worry. It'd be killing two birds with one stone." Moon explains, causing Sun to hesitate.

"You do have a point.." Sun says, before huffing. Moon grins, "Of course, I have a point. Now, follow me." As Moon leads Sun up the stairs, Chica finishes talking with Roxanne and follows the others, telling Ｙｏｕ to stay put.

-----

Minutes pass, as Ｙｏｕ continues to eat. Sure enough, Kiara and her gang approach. "Bubba! There you are." Kiara says, plastering on her fake smile. Ｙｏｕ turns towards Kiara before freezing for a moment. Ｙｏｕ immediately stands up, taking a step back from her.

"Now, now. You don't want to cause drama again, do you? I simply just want to get yo-" Before Kiara can finish her sentence, Ｙｏｕ sends a fireball at her, prompting her to quickly dodge.

Kiara growls, and order's her men to grab Ｙｏｕ. Ｙｏｕ send a secondary fireball at the men, it hits one but the other manages to grab Ｙｏｕ. Kiara sighs, walking closer to Ｙｏｕ, who readies another fireball. "We always have to fight about this, Bubba. Why can't you see that I'm doing this for your sake?"

-----

People around the inn stare at the event, their whispers almost as loud as the thunder outside. The four constructs watch from atop the stairs, peeking around the corner.

"Well, that takes care of both of them." Roxanne says blatantly, as Chica watches from above her. "Are you sure that this was a good idea?" Sun questions from above Chica and glances down at Moon who is below Roxanne. "The Dertegeo didn't do anything to harm us yet. I'm sure it just wanted to leave the forest?" Chica adds, siding with Sun.

Before Moon can say anything though, A loud crack can be heard, and the whole inn turns silent. When the constructs were talking, Kiara had ordered one of her men to break Ｙｏｕ's wrist.

" Mother said to get you back home with any means necessary, and I tried to talk things out with you, so many times... But since you refused to listen. I had to make things physical... You understand, Right Bubba?" Kiara says, her face changing from her fake smile to a manic grin, any sweet and loving sister aura was replaced with a malicious and threatening atmosphere that kept others from interfering.

The constructs stared in horror and the Dertegeo let out an inhuman screech of pain. This stunned Kiara and the Dertegeos façade was revealed. However, what happened next proceeded to shock the constructs as well.

"Why.. Must Humans... Hurt Me?! I Do.. Nothing... To Anger You! I Am... Friend! I Just Want... Peace!!" Exclaims the Dertegeo, Black fluid leaking from Ｙｏｕｒ eyes.

Chapter Text

"Why.. Must Humans... Hurt Me?! I Do.. Nothing... To Anger You! I Am... Friend! I Just Want... Peace!!"

It seemed that even the rain had turned into silence in the few moments that the Dertegeo spoke. Kiara takes a step back, her confusion and fear evident. Before anyone could react though, the Dertegeo managed to free its arm from one of the men and fling it over the Bar, narrowly missing the Barkeep.

The other man pulls out a dagger, quickly stabbing the Dertegeo's arm before getting thrown at Kiara. Another screech came from the Dertegeo as black blood began to leak from the wound, and more "tears" flooded from Ｙｏｕｒ eyes.

Havoc began to wreak as people became panicked. Some tried to slay the Dertegeo while others screamed and hid under tables. "I.. Don't Deserve this!! I want... To be friend!! You All Are... Same!!" The Dertegeo screeches, throwing chairs and sending even more fireballs toward Kiara and the bystanders.

"Fuck, That’s not good-" Moon mutters, Sun bonking them on the head for their profanity. "What do we do?" Chica questions alarmed. "We need to get that thing out of here, It's causing panic!" Roxanne says, running towards the chaos. Chica hesitates before following after, trying to calm bystanders.

Moon stands still, trying to process what the next best course of action would be. However before they can say anything, Sun runs out into the chaos towards the Dertegeo. The Dertegeo notices and sends a fireball at the construct, however, Sun dodges and instead of pulling out their sword, they hug the creature.

"I understand your anger... Please Friend, calm down." Sun says, causing the Dertegeo to freeze. Moon's breath hitches as they anticipate the Dertegeo's next move, their finger's becoming dagger-like claws. Instead of angering the Dertegeo, their rage dissipates into what can only be interpreted as regret. The thunder from outside fills the silence as the Dertegeo returns to its true form, only to wince as bystanders gasp and make noises of disgust.

"I am.... Sorry." Is the only sentence the Dertegeo manages to mumble before one of Kiara's men lunges at the creature, dagger in hand. Thankfully, Moon blocks the attack, their swift reaction time startling the man. Before the situation can escalate any further, the owner of the inn barges from out of their office, demanding to know what is going on.

Kiara attempts to lie her way out of the situation, grabbing her necklace before Roxanne stops her, explaining what happened while hiding the finer details. Thankfully the owner believes her and promptly kicks Kiara and her men out, offering to let the Construct and her companions stay the night if they help clean the mess. While Roxanne and Chica deal with negotiations, Sun and Moon both whisk away the Dertegeo, standing atop the stairs.

-----

The tension was as thick as a slab of butter, the uneasiness of the three radiating in waves. Moon, however, seemed the calmest out of the three.

"You can speak?" Moon questions, crossing their arms. Ironically, the Dertegeo nods, avoiding speech. "How? I thought Dertegeos were incapable of talking. " Sun questions, their genuine curiosity different from the cold interrogative demeanor of Moon.

"From Humans... Wander through home... seeking to kill." The Dertegeo attempts to explain, finding the bare minimum of words.

"Can other Dertegeos speak as well?" Moon questions, raising an eyebrow. "No. My brethren..." The Dertegeo pauses, attempting to find the right words. "Are stupid." The Dertegeo says bluntly, a snort escaping Moon as Sun awkwardly smiles.

"Have you done this before?" Sun questions, bringing back the seriousness of the situation. The Dertegeo hesitantly nods, clearly reminiscing of failed attempts to leave the forest.

Thankfully, Chica interrupts them, dragging Sun and Moon to help her and Roxanne clean the mess, allowing the Dertegeo a moment to reflect on the day's events

-----

The next morning the group stood outside of the inn, getting ready to leave. It was only now that the panic of you missing sank in. "You don't suppose they're in the town nearby?" Chica questions, trying to alleviate the others.

"We can go back into the forest and look for them." Roxanne suggests, climbing into the cart. "Not safe.." The Dertegeo says, clenching the spare cloak Moon had given it seeing how the creature did not like its true appearance.

"It may come off as a whim or wishful thinking, but I think Chica could be right." Sun says, their rays shrinking with a dim. Moon sighs, hesitating before nodding. "Star's strong. I'm sure they would have made it out, especially with that cloak of theirs."

And with that, the group decide to go to the town of Solaris with the hopes that you have managed to make your way there as well. Both Sun and Moon depending on that hope a bit more than they realize.

Chapter Text

~~~~~

Your body stiffens as Ｅｌｌｉｏｔ presses against your back, sending a chill down your spine. "Human!" Clovis exclaims, quickly coming to assist. You quickly struggle out of the Dertegeo's hold but are unable to attack it, it's shroud of your brother keeping you from harming it. However, your cloak doesn't hesitate to bite the Dertegeo's arm when it tries to wrap around you once more. "That's right, get it Skin!" Clovis exclaims, pummeling the creature, which is rather ineffective and can only be compared to that of a poke.

The Dertegeo whimpers in a way similar to Elliot's, causing your heart to lurch towards the Dertegeo, your common sense keeping your body from doing the same. Before the Dertegeo can do anything though, Alister steps in between you two. The Dertegeo's glare changes to a look of fear when it recognizes Alister, prompting it to scowl before retreating into the forest.

"That's right! Get lost you deceitful clone!!" Clovis shouts with a huff before flying over to Alister and standing back on one of their antlers.

"I think they ran from your punches." Alister says with a grin as they look up at Clovis, who poses pridefully at Alister's playful sarcasm. You look at Alister with wonder which only causes them to stiffen, their brave façade immediately changing back to their shy nature. You scared it off?

"Of course they did. Ali here can't remember anybody unless they stuck around with 'em long enough, meaning the Dertegeos can't clone anyone, and they can't clone me since I'm *Way* too small." Clovis explains, leaning against Alister's horns.

"I've been around in this forest for a while, and when the Dertegeos learned that their tactics don't work on me, they pretty much just avoided me altogether." Alister adds, looking up at Clovis once more. You take a mental note of this before the person in question hops down and hovers between you two, pulling back out their map.

"Now. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," Clovis says, inspecting the map before continuing. "We're gonna need to go south. It's the quickest way out of here, and most likely the direction your friends went."

"South??" Alister questioned, before turning around and unknowingly going North. You manage to stifle an inaudible laugh as Clovis sighs before grabbing one of Alister's horns and yanking them in the right direction.

-----

About 20 minutes seemed to pass as the four of you, your cloak included, continued to walk south. You questioned Alister's and Clovis's relationship and learned that Clovis simply pestered Alister into being his friend, which surprisingly worked.

Alister had gotten you guys lost a few times, with Clovis dragging them and you in the right direction. This didn't seem to bother Clovis and turns out that Alister and him do this almost every day.

-----

2 hours had now passed and you all took a break in a nearby cave, the Dertegeos having slowed your traveling more than getting lost did. While Alister and Clovis talked, something caught your attention from the corner of your eye.

Whatever it was had dipped behind a nearby boulder. Curiously, you walked over towards the boulder only to be caught off guard when a net made of spider silk wrapped around you and flipped you upside down. You made an inaudible yelp as your cloak growled, catching the attention of the others.

"H-Human?!" Clovis exclaimed as both he and Alister jogged towards you both. Unfortunately, two short figures appeared in Infront of them, their lower half resembling a spider while their upper half was painted white, pink, and black. Two similar figures inspected you, it seemed that the four creatures were quadruplets of some kind and kids nonetheless.

"Driders?!" Alister and Clovis exclaimed as the two driders in front of you took you down and began to carry you.

"Stop right there Adventurers!" The first colorful drider, who wore a top hat, exclaimed, holding what seemed to be a marching baton towards both Clovis and Alister.

"This human belongs to our Father now!" The second colorful drider, who held Cymbals in his hands, said with a triumphant tone.

"Your father-?" Alister questioned, interrupted when the drider with a baton spat silk around their wrists. "We'll take you guys as well!" The third colorful drider said who had a marching drum wrapped around his waist, and drumsticks attached to the strap.

Clovis panicked and tried to free Alister's wrist before the drider with a baton grabbed him. "Should we take the fairy as well?" The drider questioned, as she looked back at her siblings.

"Yeah! Yeah! Dad will be proud!" The fourth drider exclaimed, bouncing up and down as she held a flute in one hand and your head in the other.

"Let me go you stupid-" Clovis goes to say before Alister stops him. "I don't think they're much of a threat. Maybe we should play along?"

Sensing that Alister had a plan, which they didn't, you all decide to play along and the driders begin dragging you four out of the cave.

-----

You've been "captured" for about 15 minutes now as the driders guide everyone southwest, Motion sickness hits you as the one carrying your head won't stop bouncing up and down.

"DD! DD! Can we please play?" The drider, holding a flute, questions excitedly.

"Oh yeah, Can we? Can we?" The other two driders except for the one named DD, ask. DD, the drider holding the Baton, chuckles before tossing and twirling her baton. This excites the other Driders and they get ready to begin playing.

"We've captured 3 adventurers~♪" DD begins to sing and the others chime in, playing the tune to the Ants go marching song. "Hurrah! Hurrah!~♪"

"We've captured 3 adventurers~♪" "Hurrah! Hurrah!~♪"

"We've captured 3 adventurers, Our dad will be none the happier!~♪"

"As we all start marching home."~♪ The drider with the flute finished the verse with her instrument, as the next verse began to start. You, Alister, and Clovis found yourself humming along, their excitement is oddly contagious.

Within the song, you've noticed how the lyrics describe them. The one with the Baton is named DD and was the first to find their father. Their father protected them from adventurers and adopted her and her siblings. They each named themselves after their dad in admiration. The one with the cymbals is named JJ, the one with the drum is named DJ Junior, and the one with the flute is named Lil DJ.

You found this adorable, but unfortunately interrupted their song when you, unfortunately, puked from nausea.

Chapter Text

About 10 more minutes had passed since you threw up and thankfully the Driders allowed you to walk alongside Alister, with your arms wrapped in silk of course. As you walked, you noticed the change in atmosphere. The forest seemed a lot calmer, and you haven't run into any Dertegeos. Oddly enough, it seemed like the music is what deterred them.

While the Driders were distracted with their music, Clovis spoke up, having sat on Alister's shoulder so you, Skin, and them could hear. "So? What's the plan?" "Plan?" Alister questioned, tilting their head. Both you and Clovis facepalmed as Skin grumbled, assumingly facepalming as well.

"Nevermind. I've got a plan." Clovis said before flying off towards DD, landing on her hat to catch her attention.

"What do you want, Prisoner?" DD says, trying to sound intimidating. "The name's Clovis and Where exactly are you taking us?" Clovis asks, jumping down onto her shoulder.

"We're taking you to our father. He doesn't like it when adventurers travel into his territory, and that cave you were in is a part of it." DD explains, hushing down the music as she twirled her baton instead of tossing it.

"After all, Adventurers are mean. So we've made it our job to protect his territory." DD says proudly, as Clovis questions her again. "Can't he protect his territory by himself?"

"About that..." DD says, before DJ Junior chimes in, cutting her off slightly. "He's stuck in his cave."

DD and the other driders shoot him a look, prompting him to cover his mouth with his drumsticks. This catches your attention. You manage to pull out your notepad and scribble on it, showing Lil DJ who was the closest. What do you mean?

Lil DJ sighs, before explaining, removing her flute from her lips. "Well... When Dad was born, a man wearing purple had kept him safe in a cave not far from here. Adventurers wanted to kill Dad because he was the last of his kind, but thanks to the man, Dad was able to stay alive. However, when the man stopped showing up, Dad tried to leave the cave to find him."

"Turns out Dad had grown too big and couldn't escape. When DD was being chased by adventurers, Dad forced his torso out of the hole to protect her. Now he's truly stuck." JJ explains further, rolling his cymbals.

"So you four have kept his territory safe and collected food for him?" Clovis concludes and an Idea finally springs into Alister's head. "We can help!" They blurt out, stopping the Driders and directing their attention to themself. Which, of course, immediately shuts them down.

"You guys can?" DD questions and Alister nods. Clovis catches onto Alister's plan and backs them up. "Of course, we can," He says, which causes the driders eyes to light up. "For a price of course."

The driders seem to deflate at this. "What's the price?" DD asks curiously, raising an eyebrow. "You guys have to let us go." Clovis says, and a tense atmosphere appears between the two.

"And how are we supposed to know you guys won't run off?" DD questions, crossing her arms as Clovis mimics. "I guess you'll just have to take a risk and find out." Clovis says, challenging her. DD and Clovis have a stare-off before DD motions for her siblings to release you both.

For a moment, the atmosphere feels like it might crush you and Alister as Clovis and DD continue to stare down each other. "You’re a brave little Fly aren't you, Clovis? I doubt a Bug like you has never dealt with a spider before." DD remarks, and Clovis scoffs. "Oh please, I've dealt with a Generous amount of arachnids throughout my life. I don't see how You would be any different, DD."

"I-Is it safe to talk?" Alister mumbles and you shrug. You glance over at the other driders who are just as intimidated by the two as you and Alister.

Another moment of Silence passes before the two grin, causing you and the others to sigh from relief. "Respect earned, little fly," DD says, and Clovis tilts his head back pridefully. "Now, follow me!" DD exclaims as she once again begins to guide everyone.

-----

It isn't long until a large cliffside comes into view, the drider's stopping their music as you all approach. "Where's the cave?" Clovis questions, sitting on the brim of DD's hat. DD gestures to two large boulders, as DJ Junior and JJ manage to push them aside, revealing what looks to be a hidden lake.

Sure enough a humongous humanoid with four arms is sticking out of a cave, their torso just barely through. Fortunately, they are asleep. Their attire is similar to the driders except instead of just having white, pink, and black as their main colors, their face is painted with blues and greens and their eyes are obstructed by glasses with a black tint. Their sheer size alone would be enough to convince you if someone referred to them as a god.

"Dad!/Father!/Daddy!/Papa!" The driders shout simultaneously, running over towards their father with a grin. The giant notices them and waves, chuckling as they climb up his muscled arms. "How'd your exploration go?"

Their excited chatter made it hard to hear them individually, however, their father still listened with interest, each drider sitting in one of his hands. He didn't notice You, Alister, or Clovis until Lil DJ spoke up. "We also brought Prisoners!"

You could feel the atmosphere shift as the giant directed his attention towards you and the others, his expression is unreadable due to the shades.

Chapter Text

To say you were intimidated was an understatement. It felt as if you were being inspected by royalty or being stared upon by a dragon. Clovis, clearly braver than you and Alister, flew up to the giant's face before introducing himself, giving a grand bow similar to the one he did with you.

You couldn't hear what Clovis was saying, due to his size and distance, however, the response from the giant wasn't what you were expecting. "No prob little man, I'm just glad you guys weren't hurt on your way here. If the little guys' names haven't made it obvious, the name's DJ. However, two good friends of mine tend to call me Music Man."

You doubt that the giant will be able to read your notepad, so you glance at Alister waiting for them to speak, however, Clovis does it for them, prompting you and Alister to walk closer to the two. "The one on the left is Alister," Clovis explains, introducing you as well. "Oh, also, the human doesn't speak. Or, make any noise for that matter." Clovis explains further, shrugging and shaking his head.

The giant hums in thought, gazing at you with curiosity, which you temporarily misinterpret as judgment before DJ Music Man grins gesturing with his upper hands in what you can only assume to be sign language. 'I really need to learn sign language... Maybe Sun could teach me?' You contemplate as the image of Sun teaching you sign language causes you to subconsciously smile. You quickly snap out of your thoughts before waving your hands in a dismissive motion, signaling that you don't know any sign language. JJ speaks up before Music Man can respond, accidentally cutting him off. "Oh right, Dad, These guys said they can help you get unstuck!"

The other driders chime in excitedly, confirming JJ's words and wanting their dad to be free as soon as possible. You had forgotten about the bargain Clovis made. "You guy's sure you can help me get unstuck? I'm a pretty big dude." DJ questions and the three of you nod, though you are clueless as to how you would get him unstuck. Clovis flies down towards you and Alister, "Any ideas?"

"Not really.. Maybe we can try and wedge him out of there?" Alister suggests, however, you shake your head. I think he's too big to wedge out, and we don't want to risk causing the cave to collapse. The three of you sit in silence, your nerves flaring from the 5 pairs of eyes on you and the others. So far, most of your ideas have already ruled themselves out, since if the Cave collapsed, it would injure Dj Music Man and destroy the surrounding area, putting you and the others in harm's way. Suddenly, Clovis's eyes light up, an idea seemingly forming in his head, and something about his gaze on Alister tells you that they are a part of it.

"Ali, You can teleport things, right?" Clovis questions, and you catch on. "If I change to spring, then yes.," Alister answers, catching on as well. Change to spring? You scribble down, curious as to what Alister means by that.

"Alister here, is an Eldarin, meaning that depending on the season they're in, they get special powers. At the current moment, Ali is in winter, and since it's the middle of summer, their icicles have melted." Clovis explains, sitting on Alister's horns and gesturing to the blue tint on their cheeks.

"I can change to Spring in order to teleport 'em, but..." Alister says, before directing their attention to Music Man. "I-It's gonna take me a while to do so, and even then I can't guarantee that I can teleport you out since I've never teleported something as large as you."

"Well, it's worth a try." DD says, having climbed onto her father's shoulder. You glance up at Music Man who seems to be contemplating the idea. "As long as nobody gets hurt then I'm down." And with that, the plan was a go. Clovis went with Alister to find a place where they could focus on changing seasons, leaving you with the driders and DJ Music Man. Curiosity getting the better of you, you scribbled down a question before raising your notepad in hopes that DJ could read it. You mentioned that two close friends of yours call you Music Man?

DJ tilted his head, before leaning down to read the notepad. Surprisingly, he could read it just fine. "Mhm, they come by often. The last time they were here, they mentioned something about picking another quest." DJ says, and DJ Junior chimes in. "Yeah! Yeah! They are tall, one of them always brings us gifts and plays with us, while the other one sings us lullabies and makes bets with Dad!" The other driders also seemed to be fond of the two, addressing them as Uncle Sun and Grandpa Moon. Eventually, it clicked.

Wait, you know Sun and Moon? You write down, surprised and DJ nods, "You know them as well?" You nod, a grin finding its way on your lips. You start to write down everything that happened up until now, Music man glancing over you to read. "Heh, that's similar to the same way I met them, except the roles were pretty much reversed." DJ says, Chuckling as the memory of when he first encountered them comes to mind.

~~~~~

"Alright Brother, according to the quest, the cave should be coming up soon!" Sun says, guiding the horse as Moon sits behind them. Moon's arms acted as a pillow as they lean their back against Sun. It was about midnight at the time, and they had been traveling for a while, the ambushes from the Dertegeos having tuckered both of them out, albeit Sun's energy still seemed as high as ever.

Eventually Sun stopped the horse, unmounting it along with Moon. "Is this the place?" Moon questions, their eyes glowing and providing enough light for them to see, unlike Sun who was lighting up the whole damn forest. "Yep, the cave should be... Right here!" Sun exclaims as they manage to push the two large boulders aside.

Behind the boulders was what one could call a mini paradise. The water seemed to glow, as flowers and fireflies filled in the space. "Woah..." Sun murmured before excitedly looking around, investigating the area. Moon walked behind, fascinated by the fireflies which hovered around them, attracted to the dim red light from their eyes.

Moon eventually branched off from Sun, wandering towards the more dense area while Sun wandered towards the lake.

-----

As Sun approached the lake, they dimmed the light they were radiating and inspected the water. They were caught off guard when the bush behind them rustled. Before Sun could react though, JJ jumped on them, the other driders coming to hold them down. "I got 'em!" "Junior, Grab their legs!" "Lil DJ, Take their sword!" "Hold them still, JJ!" "I'm trying, DD!"

-----

Moon continued to wander, watching as the fireflies seemed to be leading them somewhere. A sudden noise behind them caused them to quickly turn around, only to be face to face with DJ. "Hello there." DJ said with a grin as Moon became startled. "HOLY SHIT!!" Were the only words that Moon yelled, before sprinting off. Unfortunately, DJ Music Man had a faster reaction time and grabbed Moon.

-----

Sun lays on the ground, completely entangled with webbing as DD pointed her baton at them and Sun attempted to get out of the webbing. "Well, this is quite the predicament... Uh, Brother!!-" They shouted, only to get startled again, when Music Man appeared from above them, holding their Brother who seemed to have fainted from shock.

"Don't worry, they're fine, I think. I might have scared them too hard." DJ says, before telling the little ones to help Sun out of the webbing, which they reluctantly do. "I believe this is yours?" Dj says, handing Sun Moon's body.

"Y-Yeah, Sorry about that." Sun apologies, slinging Moon over their shoulder. Sun then explained why they were there, and to Sun's surprise, DJ was completely cool about it, saying that this happened often. From there sparked an awkward friendship, which only grew the more they came and visited.

~~~~~

As you and DJ continued to talk, Clovis and Alister eventually came back, Alister's horns were now covered with vines and flowers, signaling their transition into spring. "Ali has changed and is ready to go!" Clovis exclaims, swiftly flying towards you both.

"Are you sure you got this bud?" DJ questioned as Alister placed their hands on DJ's lower right arm before swiveling their head around, looking for an open spot to teleport him in. "I'm 85% sure.."

Once Alister found an open area, they motioned for the others to stand back. Not long after, green particles began to emit from Alister and DJ, covering them both. "This feels fuzzy.." DJ murmured as more green particles began to cover him. Both you and Clovis watched with anticipation, Clovis shouting words of encouragement while you were more worried about the cave collapsing.

Once DJ was completely covered in green particles, Alister then slowly turned towards the open area. For a moment, you could see the strain on Alister's face, the particles shifting back and forth from green to red. Clovis quickly flew over and sat on Alister's horns. "Come on Buddy, you can do this!" And in a moment's luck, the green particles swiftly gathered in the open area, dissipating altogether and successfully teleporting DJ Music Man out of the cave.

The driders cheered happily as they ran over towards their father, who chuckled as they climbed up his arms and shoulders, bouncing up and down with glee and even hugging his cheek. Clovis grinned pridefully as he threw his arms in the air with victory. You grinned and placed a hand on Alister, who looked exhausted from the strain but still returned the grin.

A few minutes had passed since Alister had gotten DJ Music Man out of the cave and you made a mental note to explore the cave at a later date. As a thank you, Music Man offered to carry you and the others towards the nearest town, which you accepted and soon enough found yourself high in the sky, riding on top of one of his hands.

The trees just barely reached his upper thighs, allowing you to get a clear view of the forest below. Sure enough, there was a town in the distance and something told you that you would find the others there. DJ Music Man stopped at the edge of the forest. "This is about as far as I can take you, any further and I might alarm the guys surrounding the walls."

Alister was too exhausted to continue and would need to take a rest, Clovis offered to go with you, but you wanted to make sure that Alister was okay, Thus prompting you to enter the village by yourself. I'll come back once I find them, In the meantime you all stay safe. "Groovy, You be safe as well Tiny." DJ says, placing his hand on the ground and allowing you to hop off. Your cloak, finally deciding to reveal itself, grumbles, supporting you as you run off toward the village.

-----

Minutes turned to hours as you ran around the village, running through alleyways and asking strangers if they'd seen your companions. Most ignored you, shoved you away, or shrugged if they bothered to read your notepad, however, A spark of hope filled you when a baker said that she saw them by the fountain.

You quickly ran towards the direction of the fountain, out of breath and tired from running. You looked around, but couldn't find them. You asked even more strangers and received negative responses from them.

As the last spark of hope eventually faded, you sat on a bench near the fountain. Your legs were sore, and you were hungry. You hadn't eaten anything at all.

You sighed, giving up on looking altogether, and tried to hold back tears that pricked your eyes. For some reason, your heart lurched at the thought that none of your companions were looking for you. You were even more hurt at the thought that Sun and Moon both abandoned you.

It was then that you noticed the apple hanging in front of you.

Chapter Text

Without missing a beat, you immediately turn around, finding Moon's grin as familiar as ever. Part of you hesitated to hug them, as the Dertegeo you encountered after getting flung out of the cart left a very scary imprint of them in your mind. However, your fears disappeared entirely at Moon's witty remark, "And Yes I did pay for the apple. Happy?~"

You grin before hopping off the bench and swiftly hugging Moon's waist. "Moonie?? Did you find-" You quickly turned, grinning as you saw Sun's face light up. Chica and Roxanne caught up as Sun jogged to hug you. You couldn't help the tear that rolled down your cheek, your anxiety finally ceasing.

Of course, at the sight of the tear, Sun immediately bombarded you with questions. "Are you alright? You aren't hurt, are you? Your cloak is okay, right?" Before you could answer, you noticed the stranger standing next to Roxanne. It didn't take you long at all to realize that they were wearing one of Moon's cloaks. A twinge of Jealousy hit you, however, Roxanne's next words caught you off guard.

"Sun, Are you sure that's them?"

You noticed the hesitation in Sun, as they continued to hug you. Each construct counted the seconds it took for your cloak to react. When the seconds became a minute, you could see the jolt of panic surge through them. That was until Skin growled and tried biting Sun's arm.

Relief shot through the group. You could only assume Skin was giving you a moment to hug the construct and got annoyed when that moment went on for too long.

Your cloak continued to gnaw on Sun's arm as the four constructs began to talk amongst themselves. You barely paid attention to the conversation as you directed your attention back to the person in Moon's cloak, Who seemed to notice your envious glare and become uneasy.

Roxanne noticed this and grinned, nudging Chica who snickered before guiding the mystery person to stand next to you. You stared down the Dertegeo, your arms going akimbo. The Dertegeo winced as you extended your arm, only to stand still from surprise as waited for it to shake your hand. It relaxed as it did. "I'm Sorry..."

You tilted your head in confusion. "My Brethren... Drag you out of cart. I.. Did not help." The Dertegeo explains, and then it clicks. Was this Dertegeo pretending to be you this entire time?

Moon begins to explain everything that happened while you were in the forest. The inn, your sister, and everyone heading to the village in hopes you were there. You glanced at the Dertegeo once more, it was clear that the creature felt responsible and guilty for not stopping its counterparts. Part of you was angry at the fact that it used you as its way out, but at the same time, you wouldn't have met Alister, Clovis, and the others.

You pulled out your pad, scribbling down on it: I forgive you. Thankfully, This seemed to ease the Dertegeo's worries. Chica questions how you made it out of the forest, and you begin to write down your explanation. At the mention of Music Man, Sun lights up. Literally.

"Music Man!! Oh, he's such a nice fella. How is DD? I heard her baton skills are getting even better! I promised to get JJ some new cymbals, oh and Lil DJ—" Sun continued to ramble, clearly happy about you meeting the driders and DJ. "Where are they now?" Moon questioned and you began leading them out of the village.

------

"The human is taking a long time to return.." Clovis mumbled, watching as the sky changed from its blue hue to an orange and magenta ombre. Alister had changed back to their winter form, having regained most of their energy, and the driders were getting tired. "You think they're alright?" DJ questioned, making sure that his body was covered by the trees, not wanting to risk peeking above them to avoid conflict with the villagers.

Thankfully, Alister spotted you as you ran over, the constructs and Dertegeo, following after. "There they are-" "Uncle Sunny!! Grandpa Moony!!" Alister was cut off by the excited shout of the driders, who swiftly tackled both constructs, their tired demeanor having completely vanished.

Sun's voice is almost drowned out by the excited giggles and chatter of the little ones. "Hello, Sunbeams!!! You all look a lot bigger than I remember, have you grown 2 inches?" Sun teases, while Moon manages to squirm their way out of the dogpile.

"They're a lot heavier as well.." Moon says, before glancing up at DJ. "How's it feel to walk again, big guy?"

"Nostalgic. Glad to see you and Glowstick are doing well." DJ Music Man admits, grinning as Sun gives him a look. "Who are your friends?" Music man questions, as Roxanne and Chica approach him.

"I'm Chica, and this is Roxanne. I had no idea you'd be This big." Chica says, looking up at DJ with wonder. "Giants are practically extinct these days, so it's not every day you run into them." Roxanne adds, mirroring DJ's grin.

You manage to pull Sun out of the driders's grip, using the dertegeo to distract them. It doesn't take much as they notice Moon's cloak and the missing facial features, and begin bombarding them with questions. Questions such as: "You're not human are you?" "Why do you have Grandpa's Moon's cloak?" "Aren't you one of those copycats?" "The human said you can speak, is that true?"

Of course, the Dertegeo was a bit overwhelmed by the questions but still attempted to answer them to the best of its ability. "N-No..." "Gave it.. To conceal self..." "Copycat?" "Only a.. little." Thankfully, while the driders were focused on the Dertegeo, you were able to link arms with Alister and pull them towards Sun and Moon.

You gesture towards Sun and Moon, who seem to stiffen at the sight of Alister. Ironically, Alister seems to have stiffened at the sight of the two constructs as well. Thankfully, Clovis spoke up, their brave demeanor starkly contrasting with Alister's shy one. "Well, Well, aren't you guys some colorful constructs? The name's Clovis and this is my buddy, Alister, it's a pleasure to meet you both." Clovis said, greeting them in an over-the-top bow, the same way he greeted you and DJ Music Man.

"Well, the pleasure is all mine." Sun says relaxing with a grin and mimicking Clovis. Moon, however, kept their eyes trained o Alister. You could only assume (and hope) that they were determining whether or not Alister was a friend or foe. Alister noticed Moon's stare and subtly shuffled behind you, putting a hand to your ear. "A-Are you sure that one is friendly?"

You let out an inaudible snort and give Moon a look, prompting them to direct their attention back to Sun. It isn't hard to notice that Moon had relaxed as well. A warm feeling filled you. You had never made this many friends before, nor have you made any friends in general. It felt nice.

Your eyes drifted to the group. Roxanne and Chica were getting along well with DJ Music Man, while the Dertegeo managed to get along with the driders. You noticed how the Dertegeo stayed a strange distance from Alister.

-----

"I've been around in this forest for a while, and when the Dertegeos learned that their tactics don't work on me, they pretty much just avoided me altogether." Alister adds, looking up at Clovis once more.

' Ah.. So that explains it.' Your eyes wandered toward Alister, Clovis, and the other two constructs. Smiling as you watched Moon ruffle Alister's hair, while Clovis and Sun playfully bickered about something. You couldn't help but focus on Sun and Moon, a strange feeling causing your stomach to do flips. You remembered the apple in your hand and figured it was because you were hungry. You haven't eaten at all today, so it makes sense.

You began to eat the apple as the group noticed the driders energy depleting. "Well, that's my cue.. Hopefully, I'll see you guys around, after you defeat the dragon of course." DJ remarks with a grin as the driders began to languidly climb up his arms.

"Uncle Sun can take on any dragon!-" JJ exclaimed before a yawn cut off his sentence, and DD nodded in agreement. The same happened with Lil DJ and DJ Junior as they exclaimed Moon could as well. It seemed all four driders had no doubts about Sun and Moon, although you wish you could say that for yourself. The idea that adventurers who weren't Golden Doves could stand a chance against a dragon is just genuinely hard to believe. However, based on what you've seen so far, you don't doubt that Sun and Moon would have some resemblance of a chance.

DJ Music Man and the driders began to make their way back to their mini sanctuary, Sun calling after them and promising to bring gifts the next time they encounter each other. Clovis returned to Alister's horns, perching on them with a stretch. "Do we call it a day as well?" Clovis questioned looking down at Alister, although something told you that he was hoping for the complete opposite.

Alister contemplated the idea. "Actually... I was hoping me and Clovis could join you guys?" Immediately, Clovis jumped up and began flying circles around everyone. "Can we?!"

You let out an inaudible chuckle before glancing at Sun and Moon. Just like with Roxanne and Chica, both seemed hesitant. You and Clovis both looked at them, pleading with your eyes. Moon was still hesitant compared to Sun who folded easily. "Please, Brother? They kept Star safe in the forest, I'm positively sure they can hold their own against foes." Sun pleaded, Clovis taking a mental note of the nickname.

Moon glanced at Alister and Clovis once more before sighing. "Fine, but we'll need to get more supplies if we're going to make the trip to Sirius."

Clovis cheered, punching the air with his right arm before an idea popped into his head. "Tavern time!!" Clovis shouted and Roxanne chimed in. "Now you're speaking my language, there's a Tavern in town that opens after dark. I heard even Nobles like dining there, so you know it's good." Chica and Sun seemed on board as well, and Moon wasn't refusing it. You glanced at Alister who seemed nervous but enthusiastic as well.

The only person who didn't seem to like the idea was the Dertegeo, who clenched Moon's cloak around them harder. "Not safe... Will panic others."

You tried thinking of a plan for the Dertregeo as the memory of running past a Clothing shop flashes in your mind. I passed by a clothing shop when looking for everyone. I can take you there while the others find the tavern. You write down and show your pad to everyone.

The Dertegeo seems surprised by this. "You... Do that.. For me?" the creature asks, its speech broken but understandable. You nod and with a grin, you loop an arm around the creature, who is taken aback by your action. Just as you start to jog towards the village, your cloak grumbles something that riles up Clovis, prompting him to chase after you. "Skin, you cheater!! You got a head start!"

You let out an inaudible laugh as you begin to speed up, catching onto the little race between your cloak and Clovis. The dertegeo stumbles to keep up as the others begin to follow, jogging so they aren't left behind. "Wait up you guys!" Alister shouts as they catch up to Clovis, "The village is within walking distance!"

You grin, as a feeling of nostalgia hits you.

"Ellie, you cheater!" You shout as you chase after your younger brother, who is surprisingly faster despite wearing a dress that covers his ankles. "Wait up you both, I'm getting old!" Your father chuckles as he chases after both of you. Elliot giggles as he speeds up, determined to reach the treehouse before you both.

Just like Elliot, you also love a good challenge. You, however, are lacking in observatory skills, unlike your brother....

~~~~~

" 𝙽𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚐𝚒𝚊 𝙸𝚜 𝙰 𝙵𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚕𝚎 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝙸𝚜 𝙸𝚝 𝙽𝚘𝚝?~" A haunting chuckle escapes the figure, as they gesture for the stoic man beside them to step closer, the crow on their shoulder cawing as they move to perch on the figure's forearm. A glimmer of an enchanted opal necklace catches the eyes of the figure as a thought comes to mind. Their grin is sinister, as they lean against their hand. "Boris, Bring me Maria. She needs to have a chat with that little narcissist of hers~"

Chapter Text

You all arrive at the village and go over the plan once more. While the others are locating the tavern, you will go with the Dertegeo to gather clothes. If anything goes wrong, stick together and make your way back to the rest of the group.

"Please be careful Sunshine, the villagers here aren't exactly the nicest.." Sun says, placing a hand on your shoulder. You pat their hand, assuring that everyone has nothing to worry about. You just barely miss the smug look on Clovis's face as you take the Dertegeo into the marketplace.

-----

While walking to the clothing shop you encountered while looking for everyone, you jotted down a question that you were itching to ask the Dertegeo. Moon mentioned that this wasn't your first attempt to leave the forest. Is that true? You hand the pad to the creature, noticing how they become slightly uneasy.

"Yes... It is.. 22 attempt." The Dertegeo explains, holding onto the cloak as if it was their lifeline. You look at the Dertegeo with surprise. This is your 22nd attempt?

The Dertegeo nods, albeit reluctantly. "One human.. easy to fool.. Lots of humans.. Impossible." The Dertegeo says, holding onto the cloak tighter as they bump shoulders with a passing villager. "Sorry-" "Hey! Watch it pal!" The villager says grabbing the hem of the Dertegeo's cloak harshly. You quickly intervene, waving your hands in apology before attempting to scurry off. However, the villager grabs your wrist right as you both are outside the clothing store..

"Oh no you don't! This is very expensive clothing pal! I'm not gonna let you and your friend here rush off without giving me some compensation." The villager says, giving you a once-over before grinning. Their smile unnerves you. "Seeing how that cloak of yours looks pretty expensive, something tells me you have more than enough money." Before your cloak can bite the man's arm off, the Dertegeo grabs the man's wrist.

"Michie... What did we.. Talk about?" The Dertegeo says, their voice and appearance changing from off-putting to that of an elderly woman.

"M-Ma? W-What are you-" The man says, quickly removing his hand from your wrist. "Leave the... Young dear.. Alone. You have... wife remember? Go...to them." The Dertegeo says, their voice becoming stern as if they were the villager's actual mother.

"Y-Yes Ma'am! Sorry..." The villager says before quickly scurrying off prompting you to from relief. Thank you. You write on the notepad and the Dertegeo nods in acknowledgment. You both quickly make your way inside the clothing store and a bell rings signaling your entry.

"Hello! Hello! Welcome to Fortress Fashions! If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask!" A cheery woman says, her blonde locks messily adorning her features. You nod, mirroring her grin before leading the Dertegeo behind an aisle. You look around, looking for a section in particular.

The Dertegeo sticks close as you finally find the section. Propped up on makeshift mannequins are armors and cloaks. A particular cloak catches your eye and you read the card under it. 'Cloak of protection – Made to protect its user and works well with the Ring of protection.'

You remove the cloak from its holder and hand it to the Dertegeo, grinning at its approval. As you go to the counter the Dertegeo stops you, pointing at a mask on a particularly high self. "Cover.. Face." It says, pulling the hood over its head even more.

You hum inaudibly as you look for something to help you reach the mask. It's too high for the Dertegeo to reach as well, and just then a thought comes to mind. You gesture for the Dertegeo to lift you, and it does so with ease. You can't help but feel like a kid again as memories of your father picking you up fill your mind. You quickly brush off the negative feelings that come with the memory as you read the mask's description.

'Mask of deception – Increases the user's chances of deceiving others, User does not need to wear the mask for its effects but must be touching it.' You grab the mask and motion for the Dertegeo to put you down. You then carry both items toward the counter, ringing the golden bell to catch the woman's attention.

"Ah! Hello, I'm assuming you have some items you'd like to have purchased?" The woman says, her cherry tone the same as before. You nod and hand the woman your items. She inspects them before checking under her desk for extras. As she's looking, she attempts to make small talk. "So~ A Cloak of Protection and a Mask of Deception? Excuse me for asking, but are you guys planning anything big?"

You can't shake your head, due to her being underneath the desk so you look at the Dertegeo and gesture for them to speak, "Yes.. Fighting dragon." The desk thumps as she hits her head from surprise. "You two are fighting a dragon?! What are you, foolish?! You guys aren't even wearing golden dove brooches!" She exclaims, from under the desk.

"Foolish?-" The Dertegeo questions before the woman pulls out copies of the items. "Well, here you are. These are the last two copies so you're rather lucky you came when you did. Now, I'm going to need your names and about 250 silver and 10 gold." She says, blowing a strand of hair out of her face.

The Dertegeo hesitates to answer, unsure of how to respond. You wrack at your brain for an idea and quickly glance around the store. The name of a character from a book you read comes to mind when you spot a cape that was similar to the one they wore. You write your name along with the name 'Damari'. The woman reads the pad, her expression slightly faltering. "You could have just said your guys' names, you know. It's pretty inconvenient to have to write everything." She says bluntly, and you stiffen.

"I mean, can't you talk? You aren't one of those quiet freaks are you?" She says, looking you up and down, her smile becoming less friendly by the second. You can feel your nerves begin to crawl up your spine as you instinctively stare down the door, your legs twitching with the instinct to run. The Dertegeo, or Damari as you now have named them, watches your reaction, unsure whether to step in or not.

Your mind flashes to Montgomery. You never dared to stand up to him as he was way too big. Plus his clique would always be there supporting him, so even if you managed to take him down, they would jump you without a second thought. You remember when your father or Elliot would stand up for you. You always admired them for that.

Unfortunately, Neither of them are here. Your dad is dead and Elliot is with your mother. You're alone, looking like a wimp in front of a potential friend and your cloak. "Helloo? Listen kid if you aren't gonna say anything, I can't sell things to you. You mute guys are always up to no good, not to mention weird. If you're doing this for attention, then you have mine." She says, curling her lip.

"Le-" You slam a bag of coins on the counter, Interrupting the woman. Without another word, you take the cloak and mask and pull the Dertegeo out of the store. Damari stays silent for a few moments as you pull them into an alley and hand them the items. "Are you... okay?" They say watching your form tremble slightly. With a deep breath, you nod, lying.

You were so in your head that you hadn't noticed when Damari put on the cloak and mask and flinched when they put a hand on your shoulder. "..Human." They say, unsure how to comfort you.

Damari panicked as a tear rolled down your face, which you quickly wiped, only to look away when more of them came. Damari looked into your memories, searching for moments when you were comforted. Going on a whim, Damari wrapped their arms around you, albeit in an awkward hug. Thankfully, this seemed to calm you down slightly.

They continued to search your memories for other ways to calm you and stopped when they came across Sun and Moon. They watched as Moon's humming had a strangely calming effect on you while Sun's energy cheered you up. Without warning they quickly picked you up and jogged in the direction towards the fountain.

You looked at them with surprise. Damari, I'm okay, put me down. You wrote and held your pad in front of them, however, they shook their head and jogged faster. Damari, Skin is gonna bite your arm if you don't put me down. You wrote and tried to squirm out of their hold. Surprisingly, however, your cloak wrapped around you, growling at Damari and prompting the Dertegeo to move faster.

You inaudibly groaned as you tried to get out of both Skin's and Damari's hold. I'm fine guys! Let me go! Where are you even taking me? You managed to write, however, Skin simply grumbled. "Fountain is.. Close. Can't move faster." Damari responded which only had Skin growling louder. You eventually gave up on resisting as you tuned out Damari's side of the conversation. As much as you wanted to sulk in peace, part of you lectured yourself. You were letting others walk all over you.

You argued that you couldn't help it, that others were right. 'Wait.. Fountain?!' You quickly struggled harder, not wanting the others to worry over you as well. Finally, Skin and Damari both let you go. I am fine guys. Really. You wrote down on the pad of paper, failing to convince either creature.

"Are you.. Sure?" Damari questions, and Skin answers for you, growling negatively. You cut them off, writing angrily on the notepad. Yes! I am fine. I was just.. Upset. But I'm feeling better!

Damari gives you a look of doubt but doesn't question you any further as both of you walk toward the fountain. "...and since a dragon is much stronger than a wyvern it is therefore superior!" You hear Sun and Clovis say simultaneously.

"See here's the thing, wyverns can easily beat dragons in terms of speed and element-breathing." Moon reasons and Roxanne chimes in. "And wyverns are way more rare than dragons, so clearly Wyverns are better."

As the four argue, Chica and Alister are standing to the side, unsure how to stop them. Chica notices you and waves. "Woah! I barely recognize you!" She exclaims, inspecting the Dertegeo with amazement. You cross your arms pridefully, the negative feelings from before slowly disappearing.

The others finally put their argument on hiatus as Sun compliments your choices, agreeing with Chica. "Now that everyone is here, it's tavern time!!" Clovis exclaims once more, flying off in the direction of the tavern. Everyone follows and conversation picks up. However, you aren't exactly out of the clear as Moon nudges you with their arm. "You alright?"

You slightly panic as you nod, which Moon picks up on but doesn't question further. You stiffen slightly as Moon keeps their eyes on you, clearly doubting that you are okay.

-----

You all arrive at the tavern, it's liveness a lot friendlier than the marketplace as people sing and drink along to the bard playing onstage. The group separates, Roxanne and Alister head to the bar while Moon and Sun head to the activity section of the tavern upstairs. Before Chica can take you towards the stage, Clovis grabs your hand and tugs you away.

"I'm gonna borrow the human for a moment!" Clovis exclaims as they pull you towards the table reserved for the group, leaving Chica and the Dertegeo to go to the stage instead.

Once you and Clovis are far enough from the others, Clovis gives you a smug look as they pull a chair for you. You raise an eyebrow as you sit, watching as Clovis sits on the table in front of you. "Soo~ Star and Sunshine, huh?" Clovis says, snickering at your surprised and slightly flustered reaction.

Those are just nicknames, Chica calls me Cupcake and Roxanne calls me puppers. Even DJ Music Man referred to me as Tiny once. You write, which has Clovis giving you an all-knowing look. "Yeah, but you react way differently when the two other constructs call you," Clovis says, his teasing tone and look prompting you to look away.

And what are you implying, Clovis? You write and Clovis stands, their arms going akimbo. "Oh, nothing~ Just proving a point!" Clovis says, prompting you to raise an eyebrow and tilt your head in confusion. Clovis's smug look changes as they facepalm.

"Don't tell me you're that dense?" Clovis groans as he flies and sits on your head, pulling two tuffs of your hair, making you look at the stairs where Sun and Moon are.

The two were playing a game that you remember from your childhood, your father called it "Floating Disk". An intermediate mage would levitate a small disk on a rectangular table while the opponents would use small paddles to hit the disk. If the disk made it past the opponent the person who hit it wins. At first, the game was only one that nobles could play, but it soon became a favorite amongst tavern owners and the common folk.

However, the version they were playing looked a lot harder than the original, as the disk would speed up tremendously with every hit. Both constructs had gathered a large crowd as the disk began moving faster than you could keep up with. Moon looked very focused while Sun seemed to be having the time of their life.

You looked at them with amazement which only had Clovis's smug look return. "See?~ Get it now?" Clovis questioned as you snapped out of your stupor and looked up at him. What do you mean?

Clovis facepalmed once more. "Do I have to spell it out for you?" He says before flying down to your face and holding your cheeks. "You. Like. Sun. And. Moon. Stupid!"

You pause, processing Clovis's words. What?! No, No I just admire their- Clovis sits on your pen, crossing his arms and giving you a look. You can see your reflection in Clovis's wings. Your face is as red as Clovis's hair. It reddens even more as Clovis grins smugly.

You hastily swat Clovis away, glancing back at the two constructs, Sun is grinning while Moon looks defeated, you could only assume that Sun won. 'That can't be... Can it? I admire them, yes. But am I-' Before you could finish your train of thought, Sun noticed your staring and waved, wrapping an arm around Moon's shoulders who reluctantly grinned at Sun before directing their attention to you, waving as well.

You hadn't noticed when you started waving back, but when Clovis pointed out your dopey grin, you quickly stopped to glare daggers at him. Finally, with one more glance, realization sat in that you just may like the two constructs, more than you thought.

Chapter Text

After moments of contemplating whether or not you do like the constructs in a more romantic notion, you finally decided that it was a possibility, although according to Clovis, you were completely infatuated by them. Which you deny, half-heartedly.

"Come onn, Admit it! You're completely and utterly-" "Uhm, Guys? Roxanne is drunk.." Alister unintentionally cuts off Clovis, which you are a bit thankful for. You glance towards Roxanne who is dancing along with the bard, as people chant and laugh. You hold back the urge to facepalm as Damari manages to shuffle nearby, leaving Chica to get Roxanne down from the stage. Ironically enough, Chica is dragged into the dance, laughter erupting as others begin to dance along as well.

"I'm not gonna question the logistics of how a construct gets drunk." Moon says directly behind you, causing you to jump, which they and the others notice. Clovis's smug face forces you to keep your head down to avoid embarrassment while both Alister and Damari exchange a look of confusion.

"Brother! They have- What are they doing?" Sun questions as they wrap an arm around Moon's shoulders, prompting a grunt from Moon who doesn't push them off. "Having fun. Speaking of which, Ali and I are gonna check out the game you two were playing earlier." Clovis says, tugging one of Alister's horns towards the stairs.

"We are?" Alister questions as Clovis quickly grabs the dertegeos hand and pulls it along as well. "Yep, it looked like a Lot of fun, plus I bet that I can beat the both of you in that horse-shoe game," Clovis says, as he manages to guide both Alister and Damari towards the stairs.

It eventually clicks as to what Clovis's plan is and you quickly stand, not wanting to face potential embarrassment with the two brothers. However, Clovis quickly forces you to sit back down. "Aht Aht, You'll thank me later~✰" He says before quickly flying off toward the others, leaving you to face your feelings a lot sooner than you'd like.

Your hastiness doesn't go unnoticed by the people in question as the brothers exchange a confused glance before Sun speaks up. "Is everything alright, Sunbeam?" You avoid facing them as you nod vigorously, the nickname now standing out to you a Lot more than before.

Another awkward silence fills between you three and before the two constructs can question you any further, Chica walks over, Supporting a now-sleeping Roxanne. "I think it's time we call it a night, there should be an inn a few blocks down," Chica says and you take this as a chance to quickly excuse yourself to go get the others.

Chica notices your sudden change in demeanor and gives a questionable glance to Sun and Moon. However, Sun can only shrug and tap nervously on the table while Moon watches you dash up the stairs, a thought ruminating in their mind...

-----

You let out an inaudible sigh as you make it up the stairs, and immediately look for Clovis and the others. Like Clovis had said they were by the horse-shoe toss, On the board, Clovis and Alister were surprisingly neck and neck with 15 points while the Dertegeo kept score.

However you interrupt their game when you angrily flick Clovis's forehead, which causes him to seethe and yelp before getting knocked into the board and chuckling. "That was quick, did you guys kiss alre-" You didn't give him a chance to finish his sentence as you flick him on the forehead again, your eyebrow twitching. Both Alister and Damari shared a panicked look but didn't interfere due to your glare.

We're going to an inn for the night. You write down before showing everyone. "Disappointed.. Wanted to see.. Clovis win." Damari says, prompting Clovis to grin pridefully as Alister gives him a look. As you guide everyone back down the stairs, the group prepares to leave the tavern. Moon leads everyone to the nearest Inn while Sun and Chica carry an unconscious Roxanne. Clovis, Skin, and Damari are all conversing while you point out a few stars to Alister.

You all arrive at the Inn and purchase your rooms, You and Clovis exchange a quick glance before both grabbing onto the arms of Damari. "Human, what are you doing?" Clovis says, gesturing his head towards Sun and Moon. You hold onto Damari tighter as you glare at Clovis, thrusting your hand at him and Alister.

"Yeah, but Damari also needs sleeping partners so they can sleep with me and Ali." Clovis says, pulling Damari towards himself. You pull Damari back over towards yourself, gesturing between them and you. The dertegeo allows itself to be tugged back and forth as the others exchange confused glances. "Don't you want to sleep with the two?" Clovis questions, his innuendo going completely unnoticed by everyone except you.

Chica stepped in, "Is there something we should know about?" You and Clovis stop bickering for a moment, as Clovis lets go of Damari's arm. "Nope, Nothing at all."

Sun and Moon both share a look that you can't read before pairing up with one another for the night. Many questions are left unanswered as everyone heads to bed, and doubt is shared between two individuals.

-----

The next morning, everyone awakens early, getting ready for the final trip to Sirus. Moon goes over the plan with everyone, explaining that once you all arrive at the city, there is no turning back as the Dragon is very keen on keeping everyone and everything inside the city.

As nervous as you are, you can't help but feel excited as you are finally reaching your adventure's climax. 'The boss battle.' You think eagerly as you accompany Roxanne to the marketplace to gather extra supplies.

"We need to collect health potions and enhancement elixirs. If the layout is anything like the one in Transmere, both stalls should be close by." Roxanne explains as she leads you through the marketplace. An odd feeling of Deja Vu hits you along with the feeling of anxiety, however, you brush both off as you jog to keep up with Roxanne's fast strides. It's clear Roxanne doesn't intend on keeping you in the marketplace for too long, especially with the events that keep happening.

However it seems that you still attract bad people no matter how long you're in a marketplace.

Lost in your thoughts, you bump into something hard, causing you to fall back on your behind. You wince at the pain from your tailbone before freezing at the sound of a Very familiar voice. "Ey, Look where you're going, Kid."

You quickly pull your hood over your head, as you scramble to stand back up. The figure pays you no mind and goes to walk past you however one of his friends grabs your shoulder. "Wait a minute, Aren't you gonna apologise?" His voice sounded friendly and sincere but his grip on your shoulder told you otherwise.

"Hey.. Aren't you familiar?" Another one of the friends says, harshly grabbing your chin with her right hand. "Your awfully quiet for someone who just rammed into our friend like that, aren't 'cha?" Another one said before Montgomery gator cleared his throat.

"Just leave 'em, I've got better things to do." Monty says before getting stopped by one of his friends. "Hold on Monty, I believe I recognize this one." The guy holding your shoulder says before pulling off your hood.

"What's up Mute freak?" The guy says, cackling before attempting to shove you toward the ground. However, Roxanne grabs his arm, her voice sounded calm and neutral, but her eyes say something completely different. "Is there a problem here?"

Monty scoffed, clearly annoyed before finally turning and facing you and Roxanne. Almost instantly the atmosphere became extremely tense. "Monty." "Roxy." Both constructs greeted each other, their eyes latched onto the others.

"Wanna tell me what's going on here?" Roxanne questions, subtly moving you behind her as she places a hand on her hip and tilts her head as if to look down on Monty. Her stance was equally as intimidating as Montgomery's who stood tall with his arms crossed, completely unfazed. "Nothing, Princess. We were just walking by. "

As if the guy from before couldn't pick up on the Aura these two were radiating, he spoke up, stepping in between the two. "Tch, walking by my ass, that freak over there just bumped into my best bud. Now I suggest you get outta our way before you end up like their sorry ass."

Foolishly enough the other two members of Monty's clique chimed in, stepping in between the two as well. Before Monty could say anything, Roxanne drew her sword to the neck of the man. "That so-called 'Freak' is a friend of mine. Now I suggest you take back your words or I'll feed them to you myself."

The hostility of the situation was evident as day and people began to circle you all. Murmuring words and rumors that you could barely hear over the sound of your heartbeat. "Listen, Roxanne, we'll be on our way. I got some other important shit to deal with and ain't got time for nonsense." Monty says, oddly trying to diffuse the situation.

"We'll be on our way? What are you a wuss? That mute freak is right there Monty." Another member of his clique said, egging on the construct who growled at her, prompting her to back down. "I think he is a wuss. It's 'cause that she-wolf is staring you down ain't it?" The guy from earlier says, prompting Monty to approach you and Roxanne.

"I ain't no damn sissy, so get that straight Logan." Monty says in a matter-of-fact kind of way before both constructs were directly in front of each other. "If I haven't made it clear, I have more important issues to deal with here but if we got conflict we can settle it right here, ain't that right Roxanne?"

Roxanne only scoffed. "According to your little group, I'd be more than happy to take you on. Unlike last time, I will not go easy on you." Roxanne says before resting her sword on her shoulders. Monty only grins, cracking his knuckles. "Wasn't expecting you to."

You needed to stop the situation and fast. A crowd was already growing, and you didn't want to be the reason why everyone fought. Not to mention that Roxanne was completely outnumbered. Despite this, you could only hear your thoughts screaming at you to run. It felt like time had slowed, and that you could barely think. But just as you moved to run...

It was then that you had an impulse to fight back.

With a change in motive, you decided to use earthen magic to shield Roxanne and join the fight. But as your bad luck would have it, the ground rose just a little too far ahead of Roxanne resulting in you hitting Montgomery right where it hurts. The crotch.

Monty keeled over, seething in both pain and anger as his eyes shot daggers into you. Yet, Instead of checking to see if Montgomery was okay, the four members of his clique ran towards you. Roxanne thankfully stepped in and held them off as you quickly ran through the marketplace. 'Well, this is nostalgic..' Was the only other thought besides running that stuck in your mind as you dipped into an alleyway.

Seems like your stay in Solaris might be prolonged for a bit.

Chapter Text

Dashing through the alleyway, the sound of footsteps and yelling is nearly drowned out by your heartbeat. Ahead, the alleyway splits in three and you take the path on the left. Luckily, you spot a few barrels and vault over them, knocking them over to provide an obstacle for your pursuers.

More distance is gained from Monty's clique as you rush back out into the marketplace, the brightness of the sun causing you to bump shoulders with a few villagers. Weaving around the flood of people, you glance behind to see Monty's group fail to keep up. You grin, picking up speed before abruptly halting as a cart rolls in front of you.

The horse is startled, causing a brief moment of panic as you dodge the horse's hooves. The man in the cart yells as he guides the horse away, only for you to get grabbed on the shoulder by one of the guys who Monty called Logan.

"Thought you could get away huh?" Logan grinned maliciously as he struggled to pin you underneath him, your flailing going unnoticed by passing villagers. The rest of his group began to catch up and panic filled your veins.

Thankfully, Skin bit Logan's arm, provoking a yell of pain and a stream of blood to gush out as Skin began to rip it off. Using this gruesome moment to flee, you kick Logan off and continued to sprint down the marketplace.

One of the members stayed behind to help Logan as the other 2 members continued to pursue you, their footsteps close behind. You looked around, spotting an Archery Store and devising a plan.

You run into the store, ducking underneath the testing area where archers tested their bows. Fortunately, one of the two chasers was struck, her yelp of pain causing panic in the store as you and the last member of Monty's clique rushed out.

You begin to lose stamina as the young man begins to catch up, your lungs burning as you pant for air. You pass by the clothing store from the previous day and get spotted by the man who harassed you and Damari. He calls out to you, assumingly furious for the trick Damari pulled.

He stands in front of your path, blocking you from escaping the young man. However, with quick thinking, you manage to slide between his legs, causing your pursuer and the man to crash into one another.

Your cloak grumbles as a sense of victory and relief overcome you both. Needing a break, you take a sharp right into a nearby Alleyway, expecting to find a box or something to hide behind.

However, you ram into someone who lets out a yelp before hissing. "Hey! Watch it- Oh, Hello~! Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"

~~~~~

"God Damnit Roxy, Fuck off! I'm fine!" Montgomery snarls as Roxanne pours a healing potion on him. "Says the guy who could have been pierced open by the person they for some reason love tormenting," Roxanne remarks with a scoff, prompting Montgomery to avoid her gaze.

"Seriously Monty, I thought you were better. Not better than me of course, but you don't usually stoop this low." Roxanne says, helping Montgomery stand. "Whatever. Besides, I have no problems with the mute kid, could care less to be frank. The others though seem to get a kick out of watching me beat their ass." Monty says, with a huff.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to find a certain blue construct who still hasn't fulfilled their part of the damn deal." Monty says as he goes to leave, but Roxanne stops him.

"First, you're going to go and apologies to puppers, and Secondly, Moon is this way." Roxanne says, glaring daggers at Montgomery and gesturing in the opposite direction. "Says who? I ain't gonna apologize to nobody-"

" Says me. Now if you want to keep that metal of yours intact by the time you and Moon bargain with each other, then you'll apologize." Roxanne states, her tone cold. However, Montgomery scoffs, both returning to their previous stances. "The only one who will have dents in their metal will be you if you don't stop bothering me."

~~~~~

You look up at a figure with light armor, a cape, and a head that resembles that of a tabby cat. They bend at the waist with a grin, as their tail flickers, catching your eye.

"Nadia! Did you get the girl's earrings yet?" A voice calls out from within the shadows of the alleyway, and you can barely make out the sound of footsteps. The creature in front of you turns and calls out to the voice behind her before directing her attention back to you. "Nope! But I found a cute human! Er... You are a Human, right?"

You nervously nod as a figure who looks exactly like the feline in front of you emerges from the shadows, their voice matching the one from earlier. "Are you serious Noddy? You had one job and yet you’re here marveling at a- Oh. I can see the appeal." The male feline says as Nadia grins patting your head.

"See, Aidan? Aren't they stunning?! They just rammed into me as if fate had different plans." Nadia says, which prompts Aidan to inspect you further. "Hmm, perhaps for the better. That cloak of theirs looks rather expensive, maybe more expensive than those earrings the noble had."

You quickly backtrack, disliking the idea of getting Skin stolen from you. Sorry for running into you, I was getting chased and needed to take a breather. You write which only deepens the feline's curiosity.

"Can you not speak?" Aidan questions, giving you a quick flashback of what happened at the clothing store. "Now that I think about it, you didn't make a noise at all when you crashed into me. Not even a grunt." Nadia says, poking at you.

You hesitantly nod, preparing yourself to get made fun of, however, Nadia only seems to get excited. "Oh Adie, we have a rare one! Can we keep them? Please?!" Nadia exclaims, holding onto you and bouncing up and down. Aidan hisses slightly at the nickname but dismisses Nadia's idea. "No Noddy, besides, if the kit's pursuers are nearby, I'd much rather avoid getting involved."

As if on cue, the young man from earlier quickly turns the corner, skiing to a halt. For a moment, you believe that you have already been caught, however, when Nadia grabs your wrist and quickly pulls you onto her back, your worries diminish as the two twins rush off.

You sigh a breath of relief as the two are much faster than the man, but the alleyway soon comes to a dead end. Much to your dismay, the wall is too big to climb. That is until the twins begin to jump from wall to wall on top of the nearest roof, leaving both you and the young man stunned.

Nadia grinned before putting you down. "Glad we took you along?" "Seriously? We could have left them y'know." Aidan says which prompts Nadia to give him a look, her tail swishing behind her.

"Don't be so Heartless, we couldn't just leave the little kitten in those disgusting paws of that man. Something tells me that they wanted to hurt 'em." Nadia says, cooing at you as she pets your head. Skin however growls and attempts to bite her, causing her to gasp as her eyes light up. "Oh, it's a 2-in-1!"

Nadia continues to awe at you and Skin while Aidan looks over the edge of the roof. "Good news, The guy is gone. Now, I'm assuming the Kit has a home or group to return to, am I wrong?" Aidan questions, glancing back at you and Nadia as you stop Skin from biting her.

"Come on Adie. We just met them! I'm sure their group won't mind if we keep the kitten for a little longer." Nadia says, making baby eyes in hopes of convincing her brother who looks anything but convinced.

Aidan directs his attention solely towards you, his tail swishing behind him. "We'll take you home, on one condition. You answer a few of our questions and you reward us. Sound fair, little kit?" Figuring that you can't exactly get down from the roof without the feline's help, you nod, bringing a grin to both of their faces.

'This dragon better be worth the month's trip..' You complain inwardly as you take note of the sun's position in the sky, signaling Noon.

Chapter Text

"First things first Kit, What is your name?" Aidan questions, signaling the start of your interrogation as everyone sits down. You respond, and Nadia repeats your name over and over before nodding in what you can only assume to be approval. "Why were you being chased?" Nadia questions and you explain what happened before you ran into them.

Nadia quickly becomes angry, crossing her arms and ranting, "People are so heartless! You don't see them bullying the deaf, yet they're mute!" Aidan however seems unfazed. "You can't blame them, remember that group from years ago? Elder Navara made it pretty clear that mutes were plausible members."

"Yeah but they aren't wearing the symbol. Besides, how can a cute little kitten like them be capable of bringing The King to his knees?" Nadia says, pinching your cheeks before removing her hands as Skin nipped at her. However, You could only look at the felines with confusion. What group were they talking about?

Aidan hums in thought before agreeing with Nadia. "You aren't wrong, Noddy. They are a little too cute to be a guerrilla. However, you did mention something about earth magic. I can only assume you’re a mage of some sort, correct?" You nod, writing down your class. Intermediate Elemental Mage.

As the twins read, both looked surprised and confused. "You’re an I.E.M? Why on earth are you running from people??" Aidan spluttered, and you could only lower your head. "Our poor baby is a push-over.." Nadia cried, hugging you and nearly strangling Skin.

I've been fleeing from others since I was five. I don't exactly have a fight response when it comes to getting picked on. You scribble, yet neither of the twins seemed to entertain the idea. A lightbulb goes off in Nadia's head as she picks you up and throws you onto her back. "I've got an Idea! Let's take them to their bullies and teach them how to stand up for themselves!"

"Not a bad Idea. Plus If their group is nearby, then we can get double the rewards." Aidan says, standing up with a stretch. Both felines walk towards the edge of the roof with grins plastered on their faces. "Seems like we got ourself a hidden quest." The twins averred, before leaping down onto a cart. Ironically enough, it was the same cart you nearly ran into.

~~~~~

"See, here's the thing Monty. We never made a deal, at least not one I intended to keep. I simply asked you to take care of Kiara's men. I never promised any rewards." Moon asserted, which only provoked a snarl from Monty.

"Like hell you did. You said that me and my men (and women) would get 1200 silver for neutralizing those guys." Monty proclaims, slamming an arm on one of the tables at the inn. "And yet you have no proof of any agreement. You even admitted to murder just now." Moon snarkily responds, leaning into Monty's face with a bold demeanor. Both constructs snarled at each other as Monty's hands became fists and Moon's fingers became claws.

Chica, Alister, Clovis, and Damari all shared a look of nervousness while Sun and Roxanne observed with keen eyes. Roxanne had explained what happened with you and Montgomery and had even searched the marketplace with Clovis and Damari for you. However, after encountering Monty's group, the young man that followed you into the alley said that two figures kidnapped you and ran off.

Both Sun and Moon immediately wanted to look for you, however, Montgomery demanded that Moon and him settle their agreement first. An agreement Moon had somehow made under everyone's noses except Damari's and Alister's who were told to keep quiet.

Truthfully, Moon did agree to reward Monty with 1200 silver and even showed Montgomery the bag. However, Moon used it on supplies, knowing full well about their deal. Suddenly the door to the inn busted open, and one of Monty's crew members was flung in between the two constructs. "See? Just like that. Now, do the same with this fella, but use water magic!" Nadia's voice rang from outside as another one of Monty's men was shot through the inn, soaked in water.

Everyone quickly ran out, watching as two Tabaxis teach you how to use your magic. On Monty's men. "Not bad, little kit. But, if you strengthen your back out like so.." Aidan directed, placing a hand on your lower back as you shot another water beam at Monty's men. The beam was more powerful than the last one and hit the last two members as they tried to retaliate against Nadia's vice grip around the collars of their shirts.

"Bullseye." Aidan mutters with a grin before quickly removing his hand when the feeling of death jabs at him from the group's direction. More specifically, Sun and Moon's. "Karma's a bitch, ain't it." Monty quips which temporarily stuns Clovis.

"You aren't mad??" Clovis questions and Monty scoffs. "Hell No. I told them I had better things to do and yet they insisted on beating the kid's ass. It was only a matter of time 'til-" Monty's words were cut short as you sent a water beam at him as well, launching him backward and nearly hitting Clovis in the process.

The group, excluding Damari, let out a snort before laughing, Montgomery's scowl only causing them to laugh harder. A sense of justice and fulfillment soared through you. The feeling of getting revenge was addicting and sweet, but the thought of getting beat up after the Tabaxi twins left kept you from going overboard.

The twins introduced themselves, explaining how you rammed into them and their motivation for helping you stand up to Monty's gang. Of course, Moon and Sun were skeptical of them but soon warmed up to them since they helped you.

The next few moments were filled with Montgomery and Moon brawling over their deal, while you and the others made sure that everything was ready for the leave to Sirus. Eventually, Monty and his gang left back to a separate inn, while the Tabaxis got ready to take their leave.

"Well, it was a pleasure meeting you all. But Nadia and I have to get back to the clan. Thanks for the gifts~" Aidan explained, before holding up two bags of coins while Nadia held an enchanted opal necklace . Roxane, Sun, and Chica all quickly checked their pockets and wrists before snatching back the items.

Both twins let out a laugh, before directing their attention towards you. You hadn't thought about what their reward would be, but a thought came to mind that felt wrong but well deserved. Monty has a lot of good items.

Sun looked aghast while Moon let out a snort. "Sunshine!!" Sun complained, clearly upset at you for suggesting that they steal from Montgomery. Moon however praised your way of thinking, clearly on board with the idea. "Gator Heist!!" Clovis exclaimed, pumping his arms in the air. Before Sun could stop them, The Tabaxi Twins, Moon, Clovis, and Alister all began to formulate a plan on how to rob Monty.

Glancing out of the nearby window, you released an inaudible sigh. The sun was now beginning to set, signaling the start of an eventful night.

Chapter Text

After devising the plan to steal from Montgomery, Moon and The Twins failed to convince Sun to let you tag along, which you were perfectly fine with. You had used a lot of energy when casting the water beams and running from Monty's crew, so you were in desperate need of a break and some food. Roxanne opted to go with them, however, Chica dismissed the thought, mentioning how Roxanne isn't exactly stealthy.

Roxanne, of course, was defensive about this, however, couldn't deny the truth. After a bit of compromising, Sun agreed to have Damari join the group as a lookout and keep the others from getting in trouble. The group seemed satisfied with this and thus began the moment Clovis and Alister were waiting for. A Heist.

~~~~~

Damari walked alongside Moon as the group approached the Inn, Montgomery foolishly explained he was staying in and Clovis went over the plan once more, taking the role of leader. "Damari, you will take the form of one of Monty's men and keep tabs on where everyone is, Moon will locate the rooms they're staying in and travel by shadow, taking out anybody who could compromise the mission."

"Aidan and Nadia will enter the room for Monty's crew while Alister and I will go into Montgomery's room. We need to be finished by Midnight so we all can get some sleep." Clovis explained further, hovering above the group as the light he was emitting lit up their surroundings from behind the building.

Nadia piped up, clearly excited about the robbery. "Oh! We should give each other code names like those famous rogue groups!" Aidan gave her a look, his tail thumping on the ground beneath him. "Really Noddy? Codenames?" However, Clovis was already on board with the idea.

"I like the idea, so for this mission only, we each will have code names. Everyone has the stones right?" Clovis questioned and everyone held up an enchanted opal. Opals were a common way of communicating with one another as their enchanted properties allowed users to communicate with others within a limited range. He and Alister had collected some for future adventures and came in handy from time to time.

"Perfect. I will be 'Eagle One'." Clovis declared, pointing towards himself before flying down and standing on one of Alister's horns. "Ali will be 'Been there Done that'."

Moon snorted as Alister looked up at Clovis with confusion. Aidan snickered as both Nadia and Damari shared a look of momentary confusion as well. Clovis then flew over to Moon, sitting on their hood before speaking. "Moon is... 'Currently reserved for a friend'."

"Oh?" Moon raised an eyebrow, as a smirk tugged on the construct's lips, Aidan's wheeze not going unnoticed. Nadia eventually caught on, causing the feline to facepalm and snicker, saying how this couldn't get any better. Clovis hovered over towards Aidan, sitting on his head and thinking. "Aidan will be...'If I had to pick a Twin'."

"What?!" Aidan blurted out, swiping at Clovis who only shrugged and moved to Damari. Nadia nudged her brother, his expression causing her and Moon to laugh. "Damari is..." Damari snapped his head towards Clovis, anxiously awaiting the codename.

"Eagle two!" Clovis concluded and Damari let out a sigh of relief. Alister questioned why Moon and Nadia were laughing, however, Damari avoided the question, explaining that they think the names are funny. Clovis flew to Nadia, sitting on her head as she eagerly awaited her code name. "Nadia will be... 'I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it'."

Nadia snickered, holding onto her stomach. With the code names out of the way, the plan for robbing Montgomery was now underway.

-----

As Damari entered the Inn from the front, Moon took the cellar door, breaking the lock and closing it behind them. The Tabaxi Twins went on the roof, bringing Alister and Clovis with them as they all waited for the all-clear from Damari and Moon.

"Eagle Two, have you selected one of Monty's crew members to act as?" Clovis questioned, Holding his enchanted opal, or in this case the fantasy equivalent of a Faz-watch. Damari walked through the crowded Inn, spotting the member named Logan traversing up the stairs.

Damari followed close behind, following him as he entered one of the restrooms. From outside the room, thuds, growls, yelling and a loud crash could be heard before going completely silent. As Ｌｏｇａｎ left the bathroom, the real Lxogan was knocked unconscious inside the room. Ｌｏｇａｎ locked it before pulling out the opal. "Yes... Logan."

"Great job Eagle Two! Currently Reserved For A Friend, you are clear to move." Clovis commanded as Aidan facepalmed. "Do we really need these nicknames?"

"They're codenames." Clovis corrected, "Besides, Moon doesn't have a problem with it, do you?"

Moon used their spectral braces to summon another pair of arms, and their fingers became dagger-like claws as they began to climb up the side of the cellar and onto the roof. This allowed them to leave the room and travel in the shadows of the inn without being noticed.

"Not at all. Though I am curious about who that friend is." Moon muttered as they crawled upstairs, passing by Ｌｏｇａｎ as the two exchanged a nod.

As Moon situated themself in a corner of the ceiling, they noticed a room being guarded by two bulky men. Both were wearing Monty's signature Emblem. "Found the rooms. They're being guarded of course." Moon relayed the information through the opal as Clovis's voice could be heard from the other end.

"Think you could take care of them?" "Of course, Give me a minute," Moon mutters with a grin as they quickly cross the distance from the corner of the ceiling and the guards, causing the candles to distinguish. The two men exchange looks of confusion before a pair of red eyes appear from behind one of them, an eerie smile appearing shortly after.

The sound of thuds, yelling, grunts, and scary chuckling was drowned out by the loud chatter of the inn as Ｌｏｇａｎ managed to sit at the table where Monty's group was. As everyone talked, Ｌｏｇａｎ managed to learn the members' names and classes.

Avery was the girl with long auburn hair and was the cleric/healer of the group. She was talking with Doug, who was the young man who followed you into the alley. They were a monk.

Montgomery rested his arms behind his head and barely paid attention to Avery or Doug. However, Avery questioned Ｌｏｇａｎ. "Is your arm doing alright? I tried healing it as well as I could, but that freak's cloak clearly wanted it gone."

Ｌｏｇａｎ panicked for a moment before adverting his gaze and answering. "Yeah... Just sore."

Thankfully, Avery seemed satisfied with this answer and didn't question him further. Moon's voice could be heard from the opal, who fortunately spoke quietly enough that the others couldn't hear. "The guards have been taken care of, the room numbers are 24 and 25." Clovis flew down from the roof and checked the windows belonging to the two rooms. "Good job, Currently Reserved For A Friend. If I Had To Pick A Twin and I'd Be Lying If I Said I Hadn't Thought About it, you two will go in room 24."

Both Aidan and Nadia made their way through the window of room 24 and began to raid it. Aidan took items that he could sell and took potions while Nadia took clothing and accessories. Meanwhile, Clovis opened the window in room 25 as the Eladrin began to raid the room. Clovis chuckled mischievously as he flew various items that Alister gave him down behind the inn. Thankfully the area was surrounded by bushes.

A few moments later, Ｌｏｇａｎ's voice could be heard from Clovis's opal. "Doug... Found Logan."

Ｌｏｇａｎ watched as Doug left to go to the restroom, unable to follow after due to Avery who was clinging onto him. Clovis quickly told Moon who crawled back onto the ceiling and made their way to the restroom where Doug was pounding on the door.

~~~~~

"Hello? Is anybody in there?" Doug's voice echoed through the empty hallway, unnerved by how dark it was. His fists pounded against the door. "What kind of twisted monster locks the bathroom before leaving?" His frustration boiled over, fueling his determination.

Doug began to barrage the door with attacks, breaking the lock and kicking the door open. But as he stepped inside, time seemed to freeze. The sight that greeted him was a horrifying image of his friend Logan, bleeding out on the floor after getting slammed into the mirror. It didn't take long for Doug to connect the dots.

A surge of primal fear coursed through Doug's veins, causing his heart to race and his breath to catch in his throat. Before he could react or call for help, an unseen force propelled him forward, slamming the bathroom door shut with a bone-chilling finality. The flickering candles lining the room were snuffed out in an instant, plunging Doug into suffocating darkness.

In the darkness, Doug's breathing became shallow and erratic, his mind racing with terror. The moonlight seeping through the window offered only feeble glimpses of the small, claustrophobic room. Every shadow seemed to dance with malevolence, whispering secrets of unspeakable horrors.

Suddenly, a faint tapping sound pierced through the oppressive silence, causing Doug's pulse to skyrocket. His voice trembled as he called out, "Who's there? Show yourself! I won't hesitate to attack!"

In response, a sinister chuckle emerged from the darkness, accompanied by the unnerving sound of tapping and the rustle of unseen fabric. The source of the haunting noises inched closer, growing ever more malevolent and ominous. Doug's body trembled involuntarily as he unleashed desperate Ki blasts into the void, hoping to dispel the encroaching threat.

But the noises persisted, undeterred by Doug's futile barrage. They drew nearer, creeping relentlessly toward him. In a frenzy, Doug unleashed a final, desperate blast, its explosive force filling the room with a blinding light and deafening explosion.

For a moment, the room fell eerily silent. The chaos subsided, leaving behind an unsettling stillness. Doug's labored breaths echoed in the darkness, the weight of exhaustion and impending doom settling upon him.

And then, without warning, a pair of blood-red eyes materialized before him, radiating an otherworldly malevolence. Doug's voice caught in his throat as his body froze, paralyzed by an overwhelming sense of dread. The figure's grin, adorned with pearly white teeth as sharp as razors, revealed a wickedness beyond comprehension.

"ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕪 ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥~" A chilling voice murmured from behind that ghastly grin, sending shivers down Doug's spine.

Unable to withstand the suffocating aura emanating from the mysterious figure, Doug's vision blurred, his consciousness slipping away like smoke. His body collapsed onto Logan's unconscious form, the twisted laughter of the figure fading into the depths of his unnerving dreamless sleep. The bathroom soon became a prison of darkness and horrors, sealing their fates within its sinister confines.

~~~~~

"Goddesses, His attacks hurt.." Moon groaned, thankful for the spectral braces which protected them from the potentially lethal attacks. Moon pulled out the opal, "Crisis adverted. Though, I think we may want to finish this up before the Montgomery becomes suspicious."

Clovis sighed in relief, ordering the group to hurry up and make their way back behind the building. Ｌｏｇａｎ decided to leave the table, saying how Doug was taking a long time to use the restroom and how he wanted to check in on him. Montgomery excused him, uncaringly. Once up the stairs, Damari reverted to their original form and put back on the cloak and mask.

Moon helped them out of the window as the two made their way behind the building. Clovis handed them the items that he had stashed down there while Alister rode on Aidan's back down the building. Once everyone regrouped, they quickly made their way back to the Inn where you and the others were.

While the twins celebrated alongside Alister and Clovis, Moon directed their attention to Damari. "So... That bathroom looks like you killed a man. Are you sure that guy is alive?"

Damari nods albeit awkwardly. "While trying to... restrain with ropes.., he attempted.. to stab me. I moved.. to avoid... but tripped. When I grabbed... he spined.. to throw me.. into wall. I stopped him... and ended up.. doing same." Damari deflates, clearly feeling guilty as he finishes his sentence.

"I did not... see mirror.., and slammed him.. into it."

Chapter Text

You awake to the sound of growling, and murmurs, assumingly Skin and Damari talking amongst themselves. You rolled over, only to be blinded when one of the sun's rays hit your eyes. You huff, getting up and interrupting the two's conversation about last night's heist.

As you walk out towards the lobby of the inn, you spot Chica talking with the Tabaxi twins. "...So we're better off leaving now than later," Nadia says before spotting you. "Morning Kitten, you missed out on all the fun last night!" She says, catching you in a hug.

Aidan and Chica continue to converse while Nadia fills you in on the events of the heist, prompting you to laugh at the codenames. The rest of the group slowly begins to arrive in the lobby as Aidan and Nadia say their farewells before leaving to return to their clan.

The morning goes by smoothly. You and Roxanne finish up your shopping from the day before while Alister, Clovis, and Damari help the others prepare the horses. Chica purchases a second cart allowing more room for items and the other members of the group. Once everyone regroups, Sun and Chica begin to lead the way out of Solaris, beginning your final trip to Sirus.

-----

"Soo... Did you tell them?" Clovis questions, which catches you off guard. Tell who, what? You question back, tilting your head in confusion.

"You know.." Clovis gestures to Moon, who is sitting next to you, and to Sun who is guiding the horse. Your face reddens as you shake your head, prompting a disappointed sigh from the fairy. "Aww man... And here I was gonna tease you about your two-" You quickly swat at Clovis, stopping his sentence as Moon begins to listen in.

"Tease star about what?" Moon inquires, as you wave your hands in a dismissive manner. Clovis however, speaks up with a smug grin on his face. "Nothing, Nothing. The Human here is just having some issues revealing-" You clasp your hands around Clovis, flashing Moon an innocent smile before glaring at Clovis who sits in your hand with the same shit-eating smirk.

Unfortunately, Moon's curiosity has peaked and they inquire further, leaning in to read your notepad for any information. Before Clovis can say anything, you quickly flip the page and scribble down, Nothing, Clovis is just being a jerk. , before scooting away.

Clovis gasps and gives you a look. However, you roll your eyes and pull your hood over your head to hide your flustered face. Sun notices the interaction between you and Moon and raises an eyebrow, however, Moon can only shrug. A tense and doubtful atmosphere befalls the two constructs and you before Clovis finally changes the subject.

"Anyways, Why'd you two choose to fight a dragon again?" Clovis questions, sitting on top of Sun's rays. Thankfully, the question alleviates the atmosphere. "Well, we were originally going to search for the lost relics of Alcazan, but Someone said that the pay was too low," Sun says, giving Moon a look, who in turn rolls their eyes with a grin.

"Isn't the pay, 12,000 gold coins?!" Roxanne exclaimed, stunned by the fact that Moon considered the sum too low. "Yes, but considering how the cost of armor and potions is rising, you can barely buy anything with that amount," Moon remarked, clearly thinking ahead.

"But why fight a Dragon?" Alister and Chica questioned, their confusion shared amongst the group. "Me and Sunny have fought creatures much stronger than a dragon. For example a Wyvern." Moon explains, and Sun chimes in. "That was with the help of a golden dove, Moon. Even then the wyvern was much weaker than a full-fledged dragon."

"We had help, Sun. Of course, the wyvern would seem much weaker than a dragon." Moon reasons, but as the two argue you can only find yourself stunned at the fact that they fought alongside a golden dove. And fought a wyvern none the less. Chica and Roxanne however, seem less surprised. "Considering your two's past, I'm not exactly surprised that you both won against a wyvern," Roxanne remarks and you tilt your head in confusion.

Sun and Moon both seem to tense at the mention of their past, which stops their argument. However, before you can question them, a loud and menacing roar rips through the sky as a large shadow passes ahead. You glance ahead and can see the Kingdom of Sirus being circled by a creature as large as the castle itself.

A feeling of dread and excitement overcomes the group as Sun and Chica speed up the horses.

Chapter Text

An hour passes and you all finally arrive at the kingdom's gates. Two strangely familiar guards stand by it and stop the group from entering. "Per King's orders, we will need you all to tell us your names." The guard on the right asserted, and you finally recognize the two. They were the two burly men from the alleyway. Harold and Norman.

Chica tells the guards everyone's name, however instead of letting you pass through like they did with the people in front of you, they blocked the Carts from entering. "We're gonna need you eight to follow us," Harold stated and a feeling of anxiety arose within you.

The rest of the group was nervous as well, however, complied and followed the two guards towards the castle. "Do you think they will apprehend Sun and Moon?" Roxanne questioned, and you gave her a look of confusion. As far as you know, Sun and Moon never committed a crime. Well... Aside from stealing.

You noticed the two constructs in question both glance at each other anxiously. It seemed that half the group knew something about them that the other half didn't. You all slowly made your way to the Castle's grounds. More knights began to appear and you could help but feel as if you were being watched from all sides.

Once your group is in front of the Castle doors, the guards open it and you are greeted by a pale but lean man with white hair. His beard looks freshly groomed and although he isn't emitting any kind of aura, his stern looks had you standing up straighter than before.

"Welcome heroes, to the Kingdom of Sirus." The man says, bowing with a hand on his chest. You relax slightly, as does the rest of the group. "I am Boris. The King's Most Trusted Advisor, and Most Loyal Subject." Boris asserts, making eye contact with each of you.

"Word had gotten out rather quickly, that you all were coming to Slay the dragon. Many have tried, but none have succeeded." Boris states causing your nerves to crawl up your spine. "However, seeing as how The Fallen Celestials are on the good side... for now. I'd say you have a fair chance at defeating the beast."

Both Sun and Moon seem to tense at the title, however, you can only become more curious as to what their past is. You make a mental note to ask them when the time is right. Boris continues, and for a moment, his gaze settles on you. "Due to my liege's orders, I must ask that you all follow me to the balcony. There we will discuss this issue, and hopefully formulate a plan."

Something within you, stops you from following for a brief moment. You've learned not to ignore any bad feelings you get about a situation, as your instincts seem to know when something fishy is going to arise. Staying on guard, you follow the rest of the group.

-----

The halls are covered in marbled quartz along with gold and maroon furnishings. Everything looks incredibly luxurious, and you begin to feel out of place. Golden chandeliers loom above you as they light up the halls. Outside the windows is the castle garden, along with a large and intimidating hedge maze.

You come across a large spiral stairway and Boris leads everyone up it. After a few minutes of climbing what looked to be an endless staircase, you all arrive at a large balcony. You look over the edge and start to feel dizzy, saying that you were up high was an understatement.

From this view, you can see the entire kingdom, along with the fearsome dragon that circles the castle. Alister and Clovis look over the edge as well, clearly intimidated by the sheer height of the castle as you are. "Imagine if you fell from this high..." Alister mumbled which sent a shiver down Clovis's spine. "Don't Jinx it.."

Boris cleared his throat, grabbing everyone's attention and gesturing to a large circular dome that sat across from the balcony, connected by a bridge that oddly enough, does not have railings. "Please follow me to the discussion room. Oh, and please, Watch your step." Boris informed before gracefully walking across the narrow bridge.

Everyone took turns crossing, and luckily, you all made it. As you enter the dome, you find yourself breathless. Ray's from the sun shone through tinted glass, and onto a large and highly decorated round table. Plants, and even some birds, sat on the higher shelves of the dome as gentle winds flowed through the archways of the glass enclosure.

As everyone sits down at the table, the atmosphere changes as a strange barrier circles around everyone. However, before anyone can panic, Boris explains that it is a Truth Circle. "His Majesty requested that we use this barrier. However.." Boris informs before directing his attention direct to Sun and Moon. "Surely, there is nothing to be concerned about."

"Not at all, Boris. Should we begin discussing the issue with the Dragon?" Sun says and despite their calm and almost serious demeanor, you notice the way they tap their fingers. Either from anxiety or being unable to sit still. For a moment, Boris looks surprised, however, he nods and fills everyone in on the current situation.

-----

The dragon had appeared a few months ago, and unlike any other dragon, it didn't destroy the city. Rather, it forced those who entered to stay and would kill those who left. Many adventurers came and attempted to defeat the creature, however, all of them had failed. Even the most skilled Adventurers nearly died from the encounter.

The king's Golden Doves have been away on a separate and more dangerous mission, and thus have been unable to save the kingdom. Over time the reward rose, and the king even promised to host a masquerade in honor of the adventurers who could defeat the dragon once and for all.

The dragon carried the name Aggamon and was well known for being rather docile if not shy. Many have grown concerned for the beast, but in the end, if the dragon isn't slayed, then the kingdom will die out from lack of resources. Aggamon had made it very clear that it will not leave and will kill anyone who dares to interfere or escape.

As Boris continues to explain the conflict, you remember a book you read about Aggamon. Of course, it was child's literature, but it explained how Aggamon was raised by the king himself and protected the Kingdom of Sirus from wars and other beast. Aggamon was powerful, large, and deadly, however, showed nothing but kindness and respect to the people of Sirus. Which only further raised the question, Why is it attacking the very kingdom it swore to protect?

Something just didn't add up.

You dive deeper into the memories of the book you read. In the earliest stages of Aggamon's life, it was never aggressive and would never hurt anyone intentionally. The only time it ever attacked someone was when the king was in danger. However, the king is completely fine... Right?

Roxanne nudges you as Boris mentions your name. 'Shit... I wasn't paying attention.' You quickly direct your attention toward the man who patiently awaits your response. Thankfully Roxanne fills you in, telling you that he questioned what your class was. You quickly take out your notepad and write Intermediate Elemental Mage.

-----

The rest of the meeting was mainly filled with planning. Seeing how everyone had a good range of talents, you all were more than capable of taking care of Aggamon. The only issue was that there was only one healer. Clovis.

Despite Boris's recommendations to acquire a second healer, You and Alister vouch that Clovis is more than capable of healing the group, considering the fact that he has saved Alister from death multiple times and even saved you once. However, Boris still does not seem convinced.

"Once again, I strongly advise getting a second and more capable healer. Many adventurers have died to Aggamon, and I highly doubt that a pixie is strong enough to heal a team of eight." Boris enunciates as Skin growls, correcting him. "My apologies, A team of Nine."

You glance at Clovis, who, in stark contrast to what you expected, seems very calm if not more serious than everyone here. In a bold motion, Clovis stands from Alister's horns and sits in the dead center of the table, facing Boris.

"One, I am Fairy. Not a Pixie. And Two, I can promise you, Boris, that I am way more capable and talented than The healer on the Golden doves." Clovis states before, without hesitation, points towards the edge of the dome. "If you still don't believe me, then jump."

A moment of pure silence emanates within the entire area, everyone either too stunned to speak or too scared to.

However, that silence is broken up by a chuckle, which turns into a full belly laugh. Boris's stern and intimidating demeanor has completely dissipated as he wipes a tear from his eyes. You and the group exchange confused and nervous glances, however, Clovis grins smugly, throwing you completely off.

Boris eventually recollects himself, before speaking. "I believe an apology is in order," Boris says before standing and bowing low. "Please forgive my prejudice, everyone. It seems that your team is much stronger than I originally thought, and it was wrong of me to assume that the Fallen Celestials are carrying the party. Plus, if your healer is so sure of his capabilities then it might just be him who's doing the carrying." Boris remarks as Clovis sits back on Alister's horns pridefully.

Before the meeting can continue, a crow lands on Boris's shoulder, seemingly whispering something to him. Boris's expression returns to its stoic form as the crow flies away. "I apologize for the sudden leave, but it seems that my services are needed elsewhere. I will leave Aggamon in your hands."

As if on cue, a loud and ear-piercing roar startles everyone, forcing you all to cover your ears. You swivel to your right, as the wind begins to pick up violently. Your breathing hitches as Aggamon's head is inches from yours, A huff of smoke forcing you to cough.

Chapter Text

A sense of fear immediately washed over you as you stood in front of Aggamon. It's colossal size dwarfing you in comparison. Using your momentary stupor, Aggamon grabs onto you with its large claws, drawing a shout from your comrades. You could feel the heat radiate from Aggamon's chest as it began to breath fire into the dome.

You reacted quickly, casting a wall of stone to cover your friends before getting carried off. From within the air, a large gust of wind tossed and blew through your hair. You could feel Skin grow tighter on you as if not to be blown away. Aggamon effortlessly flew through the sky, before diving down toward a nearby clearing.

You were thrown onto the burned territory and coughed as soot entered your lungs. One by One everyone was carried and dropped into the battle grounds which was far enough from the city to allow everyone to fight to their best capabilities. Castle ruins surrounded the area, providing a barrier and areas for everyone to hide behind.

A loud and menacing voice echoed withing the area, drawing the attention of all who heard it. "All who dare to attack me will be met with a gruesome end. Cower and submit now, or perish along with your Foolish choices!" Aggamon bellowed, as your heart began to race. Surely enough, you began to doubt that you all will be able to defeat the creature as Boris' warnings began to replay in your mind.

You glanced around and noticed you weren't alone, both Alister and Clovis looked pale as Damari took a step back. Chica moved closer to Roxanne who drew her sword with uncertainty. The atmosphere became heavy as if Aggamon's mere presence alone was enough to instill fear into the hearts of everyone.

However, Moon had seemed unfazed and summoned their spectral arms, each hand becoming claws that could easily slice through someone. Sun's voice ringed out as their sword began to glow and radiate a light similar to that of the sun. Their voice was confident and filled with contagious determination.

"Aggamon! You have betrayed your kingdom and its people. You have backstabbed the very king who raised you from your egg. So you will face execution at my comrades' hands and the sword I hold. We will not cower, nor submit because we have faced stronger adversaries than you. As heroes and adventurers, we will fight you to the bitter end!" Sun declared, before turning and facing everyone else, a bright and alluring light emanating from their hands to the tip of their sword.

"For Sirus!!" Sun shouted as they plunged their sword into the ground and the golden light rushed a crossed the charred surface.

A strange yet encouraging feeling flowed through you as the light washed over you, and you could feel much stronger than before. The same light washed over everyone else, giving them hope and confidence. You felt energized and completely fearless as the others shouted back. "For Sirus!"

-----

The fight began as planned, Alister, Chica, and you would fight from the back since most of your attacks are ranged, while Moon and Damari were upfront. Sun and Roxanne stayed in the center, while Clovis would fly around when needed.

Aggamon snarled and intense heat began to emit from its chest, followed by a beam of fire. You casted another earth spell, creating a stone wall, large enough to block the flames. Damari assisted Moon, helping them onto the wall, and allowing them to leap onto the dragon's maw.

Aggamon threw back its massive head, nearly throwing the two off. Alister drew back their bow, and pierced one of Aggamon's eyes, causing it to roar out with pain before swiping one of its arms. You barely dodge it, and watch as Sun pierces its arm.

Roxanne does the same, however, is forced to use her shield as another beam of fire is directed at them. Aggamon attempts to fly, flapping its wings and nearly knocking you off your feet. Fortunately, Damari and Moon attack its wings, causing large tears to appear.

Aggamon snarled, breathing even hotter fire as Alister and Chica unleashed a flurry of arrows, incinerating each one. You used an intermediate water spell and sprayed the beast, distinguishing its flames before casting an intermediate earth spell and launching boulders at it.

Moon leaped from one of Aggamon's wings and narrowly dodging Aggamon's mouth as their claws trailed from its nose to its legs. Damari did the same, biting into its hindlegs and tearing off its plated scales. Aggamon growled, swinging its tail and knocking Damari past you.

Clovis quickly flew over as you directed your attention back at Aggamon, whose jaw was now pierced by Sun's sword. You could feel the atmosphere lighten as Alister and Chica managed to inflict more damage, their arrows targeting the wounds and forcing Aggamon to become weaker.

"You are fighting the wrong battle Foolish Adenturers!" Aggamon growls as you summon a spike of stone, piercing through its arm. For a moment, something about this battle doesn't sit right with you. Aggamon's appearance was too much of a coincidence if not timed. And you still couldn't seem to wrap your head around why Aggamon would attack it's kingdom.

Moon deals the final blow, the gash from his claws spewing out blood. Aggamon falls and puffs of smoke and ashes arise from the ground. You could hear everyone cheer, as victory soon settled in. And yet you could not.

-----

The sun was now setting, and everyone was exhausted if not wounded from the fight. However, before you all could truly rest, you noticed a crow land on the dragons head, holding a bizarre purple gem in its beak.

The crow inspected the dragon before cawing loudly enough to gather everyone's attention. For a moment, you could feel Skin jolt, and it snarled loudly. A feeling of panic surged through everyone as the crow embedded the gem into the dragon's skull.

Almost instantly, the blood from the dragon was engulfed with an ominous purple fire, encasing you all in a wall that felt impenetrable. The ground shook, causing a few of you to fall over. As the crow flew away, the dragon's body stirred, lifting in an unusual way, its wounds healing as the fire covered its body.

A sense of dread loomed over you as the dragon's eye glowed a bright purple, and its scales became an ombre that blended in with the sunset sky. Cracks appeared in the ground, and the purple light seeped through them. In an instant, Moon was knocked back, the dragon's tail moving too fast for you to keep up with.

Moon groaned as their metal skin was now dented severely, and would break open if they were to be struck again. Moon cradled their chest as Alister was hit next, Aggamon's fire was now the same purple hue as its eyes. Alister's skin was charred, and one of their horns was broken in half as Aggamon's fire knocked them back into Chica.

You panicked as Damari was thrown through one of your stone walls, and was knocked out cold from the impact. Aggamon's speed had increased greatly, not to mention its strength had practically doubled. Your mind raced as you saw everyone's attention was now on you. You slowly looked down at your stomach, which was now pierced by one of Aggamon's claws.

Your body felt cold as you coughed out blood, dispite the raging fires nearby. Aggamon removed its claws, and you collapsed. Exhausted and severely wounded, all you could do was watch the fire envelope you and your teammates panic as they fended off the dragon. You could hear Skin whimper, as it protected your vital organs but was pierced in the process as well.

While you listened to the cries, yells, and sounds of battle, a strange sense of calm soon enveloped you. 'Am I... Dying?' You wondered as a green and familiar light managed to shine its way through the purple hues of the flames that covered you.

Eventually, you realized that a second phase had just begun...

Chapter Text

As your vision darkens, you can feel the flames begin to burn Skin, its whimper is the last thing you hear before you succumb to your dreary demise...

-----

"Don't you die on me, Human!" You hear Clovis yell before a familiar and rejuvenating feeling courses through you. You recognize this feeling from when Clovis healed you in the cave. As you open your eyes you see a panicked and almost teary-eyed Clovis, holding a green orb that disperses through your body.

You watch as the hole in your stomach begins to heal, along with the hole in Skin. Skin growls, their energy returning. As Clovis heals you, your eyes wander to the fight.

Alister looked brand new and was directing their bow at the dragon. Chica was using a healing potion on Moon. While it didn't do much due to the dent, it allowed Moon to move as normal.

Roxanne was carrying Damari, who remained unconscious, while Sun managed to defend everyone against the now-enchanted dragon. Sun's blade moved as fast as the dragon's tail did, and with each clash, Sun was pushed back. "Moonie, a little help here?!" Sun called back as Moon stood up.

Moon glanced at your figure, which was encased by both the flames and Clovis's magic. A grimace crossed their face as they focused back on the battle between Sun and Aggamon.

Sun's radiant magic clashed with the dark magic in ways that mesmerized you. Aggamon's chest heated up once more as it shot a ball of fire at Sun, forcing them to kneel.

Thankfully, Moon quickly filled in, blocking another attack from Aggamon, which provoked a snarl from the beast as it unleashed another flurry of attacks.

-----

Your wound was now healed fully, and you sat up in amazement before quickly catching an exhausted Clovis. Skin growled, and Clovis went back to hovering. "I'm fine, You two help out Sun and Moon, I'll go heal the others."

Before you could object, Clovis quickly flew over towards Damari and Roxanne, using his healing magic once more. Skin growled and directed your attention to Aggamon.

You could only assume that Skin was trying to tell you something, but thanks to the language barrier, you couldn't understand. That was until you noticed a large crack appear where the gem was being absorbed. 'A weak spot!'

An idea sparked within you as you quickly used your earthen magic to shield Moon from the blow. Both constructs seemed to light up when they glanced over at you, finding you completely healed and ready for battle.

Feeling a sense of confidence, run over towards Alister who shoots an arrow that gets deflected by Aggamon's wings.

You could tell that Alister was frustrated as each shot seemed ineffective. With a plan in mind, you wave a hand in front of Alister to catch their attention, and gesture to the gem on the dragon's forehead. "You want me to aim there?" Alister questioned, readying their bow once more. You nod and run towards the dragon who is occupied by Sun and Moon.

You station yourself by one of Aggamon's legs, ducking underneath its tail. If everything goes how you planned, then you should have enough time to attempt a Master Earthen spell.

-----

It was one you have tried multiple times to use but would run out of energy halfway. If the same thing happens now, then losing the battle would become inevitable.

Willing to take the risk, you write symbols around the leg, and Moon notices. "Star! Move away from the dragon!" Moon yells, deflecting another blow as Sun counter attacks. You ignore them and finish writing the last symbol. With a determined stance, you focus on the spell, already feeling the energy drain from you.

Alister launches an arrow at the dragon's head, directly hitting the gem. Aggamon roars from pain as the cracks on its head get bigger. A beam of fire is directed at Alister, who is protected by Roxanne. "Chica, aim for the head!" Alister shouts, and Chica follows Alister's motions. A barrage of arrows aims for the gem which gets covered by one of Aggamon's wings.

Aggamon lets out a fearsome roar, forcing the others to cover their ears. You bear through the attack, watching as large vines begin to wrap around the dragon's leg and up its body. Aggamon notices, and swings its large tail at you. You close your eyes and brace for the impact, however, it never comes.

You open your eyes and watch as Damari manages to hold onto the Dragon's tail.

"Keep... Going..." Damari mumbles, before biting into Aggamon's tail, provoking a roar of pain as Aggamon swipes at Damari. You glance at your other teammates, watching as Sun and Moon work together effortlessly to fend off the attacks while Chica and Alister aim their bows at the gem.

Roxanne comes to assist Damari, helping them keep you safe while Clovis shouts words of encouragement, the area around him glowing a bright green.

You feel Skin growl, and with a final push of energy, you manage to successfully cast the earthen spell and wrap the vines around Aggamon.

The dragon growls and fire begins to consume the vines, however, Sun uses this chance and mounts the beast, making its way to the dragon's head. Moon keeps Aggamon distracted, allowing Sun to reach the top of the dragon and pierce the gem.

A bright and blinding light surges through the battlefield, followed by a thunderous roar of pain and the sound of cracking glass.

For a moment, it feels as if time has stopped. Your breath hitches as Aggamon's final words can be heard. "Please Save The King..."

When the light finally ceases, Aggamon's body begins to collapse, throwing Sun off who falls on top of Moon. Roxanne grabs you and Damari before running towards the others, narrowly escaping the area where the dragon's large and heavy body falls.

The ground shakes with finality as everything goes quiet. The fires die down, and the dragon's body returns to its normal color.

-----

Once the crickets begin to chirp, you all let out a collective sigh of relief, before collapsing in a heap inside of Clovis's healing circle. It takes a moment of silence before Clovis hovers over everyone. "We Did It!!!" Clovis cheers and the others join in. You smile as you watch everyone celebrate.

You glance up at the moon, watching as the stars seem to glimmer brightly at your victory. However, you still could not shake the feeling that you were now involved in something much more dangerous. Having slain the dragon that was protecting the city, you begin to contemplate if you made the right choice.

Your eyes wander towards the dragon, and see a purple glimmer. The wind blows and you watch as a shard of the gem floats toward you. You quickly block the shard, fearing that it might possess you as it did with Aggamon. However, instead of embedding in your skin, the gem seems to dissipate into smoke.

One that you don't realize you breathed in...

Chapter Text

It is about sunrise when you all arrive back at the kingdom. You all don't sustain any injuries and even feel better than before thanks to Clovis's magic, however, you all are beyond exhausted. The fairy in question is passed out on the horn Alister had previously broken before Clovis healed them.

Your stomach growls, clearly upset at you for not eating before the battle. You let out a sigh before the guards open the gate. In front of your group is a cleared out path, as people stand on the other sides. Some hold gifts of food or flowers, while others cheer and congratulate you all on defeating the dragon.

Despite being in desperate need of a long rest, you all wave back and accept the gifts, eventually making your way to the castle. As you all arrive, servants of many different races, run around the area in a hurry, cleaning things, preparing food, and even moving items around. A few of them head towards you all and take the gifts, scurrying off as the sound of slow clapping approaches.

You direct your attention to Boris who approaches you all with a wide grin. "Congratulations, Dear heroes. You have saved the kingdom of Sirus from Aggamon's wrath. And as such, the king would like to reward you all with a Banquet and a night's stay inside the castle."

You brighten up at the thought of food and immediately accept the offer, and the others do so as well. Over the next few hours, you were all shown your rooms, which were separate and made to accustomed to everyone's taste and preferabilities and were even shown the sauna/spa.

The room was very large and was as marbled as the rest of the palace. The floor was covered in a strange texture that kept people from slipping and rocks inscribed with fire magic symbols were scattered around the pool area, which was even connected to an indoor waterfall. You looked around in amazement, having never seen anything like this.

You looked at your clothing and skin, which was covered in soot and other materials from your adventures. 'I desperately need a bath...' You sighed internally, following the servants to your rooms in order to get prepared to meet the king.

-----

You and Skin were the first to enter the sauna/spa, running and jumping into it as if you were a kid again with a towel wrapped around your body. However, you quickly climbed back out, inaudibly yelling 'Hot!' While your cloak merely floated around in the water. A growl, which reminded you of a snicker, emitted from Skin and you shot them a look.

You slowly entered back in the water, letting your body adapt to the temperature before splashing water at Skin out of pettiness. After a few moments, the door is thrown open as Clovis, who's regained his energy, flies in. "Cannonball!" Clovis yells before diving into the water which sounded as if a river rock was tossed in.

Not even a second passes as Clovis flies back out. "Hot! Hot! Hot!" The fairy shouts, causing Alister to chuckle as they enter the room as well, their towel wrapped around their body like a blanket. As Alister enters the water, the icicles on their horns begin to melt, cooling down the water around them.

Clovis sits on top of Skin, who grumbles but doesn't try to bite at him, allowing both of them to float on top of the water. You can feel your body steadily reviving itself as your muscles begin to relax. After a few more minutes, Damari eventually enters, however, their still wearing their cloak and mask.

Damari sits by the edge of the water nearest to you. "Damari? You're still wearing your cloak?" Clovis questions, paddling Skin and him over towards them. Damari nods and mumbles something that you can barely hear. "Scary.."

"You aren't scary buddy!" Clovis counters, and Skin growls in agreement. "Plus, we've seen you without your hood before, so trust and believe that none of us are scared of you," Clovis says, and Damari glances around the room. You and Alister flash them a smile, backing Clovis up. For a moment Damari hesitates, still unsure about removing the hood and mask, however, Skin grumbles something that causes Clovis to snicker. "Am not.." Damari quips and Skin growls in response.

"Am not!" Damari growls back, removing the hood (but keeping on the mask) and climbing into the water to splash Skin. "Ack!- Hey! I'm just a bystander!" Clovis chuckles as he gets splashed as well before attempting to paddle Skin away from Damari's wrath. You get splashed as well and thus start a water fight with Alister as the referee.

After a while, Roxanne eagerly enters the water along with Chica. "Finally, some well-needed TLC-" Roxanne says before getting splashed. You all pause, watching as Roxanne's mane gets soaked.

Chica stifles a laugh as Roxanne throws water at everyone. Alister barely dodges and manages to shuffle over towards Chica, or the 'safe zone'. The water fight continues and starts to get more intense as you begin to use water magic against the others, having teamed up with Damari.

"Hey! That's cheating!-" Clovis exclaims, flying behind Roxanne to avoid the attack. "Are you guys having fun without us?" Sun questions as Moon and them, enter the room. You are caught off guard and fall off Damari's back, choking on the water.

Clovis wheezes as Damari pats your back. The two constructs enter the water, seemingly unfazed by how hot it is. Once you recover, you subtly shuffle away from the two, which doesn't go unnoticed by them or Clovis. You shot Clovis a look that said 'Say anything and your dead.' Which Clovis caught on to and completely ignored.

"Human~! You doing alright there buddy?" Clovis snickered as he flew closer to you. "Why'd you scoot away, Hurk-!" You grab Clovis, cutting his sentence off as you stick him underwater. Clovis struggled a bit, the sound of him gurgling causing the others to panic slightly. Eventually, Clovis managed to stick out a hand to tap out, so you released him.

Clovis gasped for air, regaining his breath before speaking up. "Why are you trying to silence me huh?" Clovis teased, clearly not learning his lesson. You reach to grab him but he flies and stays outside your reach. "Hehehe, Sun, Moon, and the hyAck-!" You spray a beam of water at Clovis, allowing you to catch him and pull him underwater once more.

"Ali!- Help!!" Clovis yelled in-between gurgles, and eventually, Alister managed to convince you to let Clovis live. However, you shoot another beam of water at him as a warning. One that you know Clovis will most definitely, Not heed.

-----

After a few hours, you all exit the Sauna and change back into your clothing that was cleaned by a few of the servants. They offered to clean Skin as well, however, when Skin snarled to object to the idea, they quickly changed their minds.

You all arrive at the dining hall, which was more lavish than you had thought. A large table, filled with food of all kinds and a variety of drinks stood in front of you and you swore you could hear angels sing at the sight. With a grumble from Skin, you quickly sat at the table, restraining yourself from digging in.

The others sat at the table as well, Roxanne eying the booze while the others waited nervously for the king. You had never met the king, nor have you seen what they look like. However, people speak fondly of the king, so you can only hope that what the rumors say is true.

After a few minutes, the large doors open up once more and you all sit up straight, yet to your surprise, only Boris enters the room. "I would like to sincerely apologize on the king's behalf. " Boris says and you all share a confused glance. "The king had been called to an important meeting, one that couldn't be delayed. As such, he has requested that I fill in for him."

Boris sits at the head of the table, much to the disappointment of everyone. You were really hoping to see the king, as chances like this only happen once in a lifetime. However, all your disappointment disappears the moment Boris commences the banquet and you immediately begin to devour the plate in front of you, sliding Skin pieces of meat as well.

~~~~~

The sound of footsteps can be heard amongst the wilderness, walking towards the defeated body of Aggamon. They stop, as the figure stands in front of the creature before their face curls up in disgust. "Aggamon.. The fiercest fire dragon in all of Sirus. Protector of the King.. Beloved by many." The figure says, spitting out his sentence as if it was venom on his tongue.

"It's pathetic really. To be beaten and struck down by adventurers... Even after the boost I gave you." The figure says as a crow lands on their shoulder and another pair of footsteps can be heard from behind him.

"Your Majesty..." A woman, says, kneeling before the figure. The King glances at the woman before returning his gaze to the dragon. "Maria.. How are you, my dear? I've heard that you've been having some... Family issues lately?" The King questions, and Maria flinches.

"I-I've been well my king, as for my family, one of them has run away from home. They're a rebel of sorts..." Maria stammers as the king commands her to rise. "Hmm, yes well. That child is the one I need, Right?" The king says, grabbing Maria's chin harshly which startles her.

"Y-Yes my king-" "And yet you still can't seem to capture them." The king says, his grip tightening as his eyes begin to glow from a yellowish orange to an enchanted purple. Maria stammers, "W-Well, we've been having issues with the spy and-" A bolt of purple electricity slowly begins to rise up the king's arm, creeping towards Maria's face.

"You know what would really be tragic?.. If you somehow lost all three of your kids. To, let's say... Suicide?~" The king murmured, a sick grin spreading across his face. Memories began to flash in Maria's mind, images of her late husband's body and the horrid screams of her child that she was forced to subdue replayed loudly as if it was happening at the very moment...

Her mind traveled back in time to the day she agreed to work for the king. He was harsh and cold but was a fine ruler and protected countless people. Her husband had always gone on adventures which allowed her to study arcane magic, and eventually Dark magic. However, one day everything suddenly changed.

The king became manic, obsessed with a strange power he had obtained. Soon, he desired more and began demanding for children to use for sacrifices. Maria was forced to stay silent. Not only by the king but by everyone within the castle. Yet, on the day she told her husband, he was found dead, hanging himself on the willow tree where they had gotten married.

The Worst Part was that her middle child had to watch the events unfold.

The crackle of electricity brought her back to reality. "You will have them soon, My King," Maria mumbled as the king let go of her face. Without another word, Maria left, and the crow followed. The king focused back on the corpse of the dragon, extending a hand as a purple mist began to rise from the corpse, which in turn crumbled to dust.

The king inhaled as his eyes glowed, which then changed and showed the vision of someone eating at a large and fancy table. A grin crawled onto the king's lips, as he began to walk away from the dust that was now being carried by the wind. "Godhood is only one human away... Have patience." The King mumbled before disappearing amongst the shadows of the trees.

Chapter Text

You awake to a cool and breezy draft that enters from the window of your room. An unnatural shiver causes you to get out of bed and look around, the feeling of being watched puts you on edge. You look out of the window, watching as the sun begins to rise. The sound of muffled talking comes from the room next to you, which you recognize Sun's and Moon's. You lean against the wall, your curiosity getting the better of you.

"… and How would they know, Brother? Star, was in a forest. The Dertegeo Thicket to be clear." Moon's voice is muffled but you can hear their tone clearly. "I-I don't know moonie, but they could have learned it from anybody! Chica and Roxanne could have told them when we weren't around, o-or Clovis and Alister," Sun began to ramble, and their voice kept changing locations which you could only assume that they were pacing.

"But here's the thing, why would they tell them? If what we're thinking is true, then Clovis's antics would make a lot of sense." Moon mutters, however, there is a hint of uncertainty in their voice. Sun pauses, their footsteps falling silent. "B-But they said that the reason they joined was because they wanted to get away from home. They could have left at any time." Sun reasons, causing you to panic slightly. Did they find out about your secret? Were you that obvious?

Their vague conversation was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. You quickly put on Skin, who grumbles as if you've awakened them, and open the door. In front of you is a woman wearing a maid's dress, with long auburn hair and gentle teal eyes. However, they are incredibly bite-sized...

"In order to prepare for the masquerade this week, we must ask that you all depart from the castle by noon. I hope that your stay has been enjoyable so far, and you will be given breakfast at the dining hall in an hour." The maid says, and with a short bow, she goes and knocks on the door next to you.

Sun opens the door, Moon standing behind them, and for a moment, you make eye contact with them. However, you quickly avert your gaze and close your door a bit harsher than you expected, your nerves bubbling at the thought that they know how you feel...

-----

An hour passes and everyone is guided to the dining hall. The table where you sat yesterday is now covered with different breakfast foods and juices, and you sit at the same spot where you sat the day before. The sound of eating and idle chatter fills the room, however, you can only focus on the awkward and tense silence between you, Sun, and Moon. Your nerves cause your stomach to flip, thus ruining your abietite.

Roxanne and Clovis notice this and exchange a confused glance. Roxanne nudges you, snapping you out of your inner turmoil. "You guys alright? You three have been really quiet lately." Roxanne questions and as if by magic, Clovis is already sitting on your head.

"Ooh, I bet you told them~" Clovis snickered, causing you to stiffen and pull your hood over your face more. "Told us what?" The two constructs question, their eyes now trained on you. "The human-" You quickly cut Clovis off, using water magic to spray him.

Clovis continues teasing you and even attempts to show your flustered expression, however, each time you either swat at him, spray him with water or cower behind Skin. You aren't exactly annoyed though, finding Clovis' antics similar to that of a younger obnoxious sibling.

You don't notice the annoyed looks from Moon as they cross their arms and lean against their chair, the creak catching your attention. "Why do you keep cutting Clovis off? Is there something we should know about?" Moon questions and you quickly shake your head, avoiding eye contact. "You are being defensive Star..." Moon mutters, as Sun anxiously fiddles with the table cloth.

"Sunbite, please don't lie to us... We're already well aware." Sun mumbles and silence fills the table. Your heart stops. You've been caught. You hastily grab your notepad, nearly dropping your pen as you write. However, Sun stops you, placing a hand on yours. "There's no need to explain... We understand your reasonings behind hiding how you feel."

Alister, Chica, and Damari share confused looks, however, it soon dawns on them, prompting Chica to mimic Clovis' smug look. You're practically shaking at this point, as you awkwardly put the notepad away. Your eyes quickly glance around the room as you pull Skin over your reddened face. "If you want to leave, then do it now and spare us the trouble..." Moon says coldly, catching you off guard.

The atmosphere changes, and confused looks are shared between the others. Especially Clovis. Sun looks down at their lap, fidgeting non-stop. "M-Moon is right. You don't have to stay here for the sake of being here. Plus, we have defeated the dragon already and the gold has already been shared."

You look at them with confusion, your nervousness soon becoming anxiety. What? You write however the hard stare from Moon causes you to stiffen. "Don't play dumb with us Star... We've noticed how you've acted around us. If you're afraid of us that much, then leave." Moon growls, as the dots begin to connect. 'Oh... Oh No..'

You quickly jot down on the notepad, Not wanting this misunderstanding to get out of hand, however, you are stopped when Sun and Moon stand from their seats. "We aren't monsters, Sunbeam. We... Weren't in control." Sun says, their voice trembling as if they were holding back tears. Your heart begins to ache as you stand. This isn't what you wanted to happen. This is all just a big misunderstanding... Right?

Your body suddenly freezes, as if something within you was holding you in place. You try to move, and yet you can't, your limbs won't listen. You can feel a strange sensation flow from within you as if you were being controlled. You can feel yourself begin to panic, watching as Sun and Moon walk towards the exit.

Suddenly they stop, and their limbs jerk in an off-putting way. They both glance back, their eyes a familiar purple. You struggle to remember why it's so familiar, as a haze of some sort starts to cloud your thoughts. Yet everything ceases when you hear Sun and Moon's next words. "We don't want you here... 𝙼𝚞𝚝𝚎 𝙵𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔."

-----

...Their words echo in the back of your mind, encouraging your thoughts and bad memories to wash over you. It felt overstimulating. You tremble, unable to process their words. The room begins to darken, and you find yourself standing in a void. Blurred and Crossed out figures resembling everyone you have come across begin to repeat your inner spiral and you start to hyperventilate.

You try to deny their words, telling yourself that this is all just a big misunderstanding. That you can't blame yourself for being mute. That this is just a sick joke of sorts. However, deep down, you know you are lying to yourself. You can barely hear your friends and their voices, and the ambiance of the dining hall is muffled by your loud and incessant thoughts.

A hand caresses your cheek, and you look up at Sun's face. Their face is filled with unmasked regret and confusion, Moon, who peers over Sun's shoulder, mirrors the look. "S-Star, we didn't mean that w-we don't know what came over us..." The two utter, and for a moment, your thoughts calm down. Until the image of the two constructs changes to one of your mom.

"M-My baby, I'm... I'm so sorry... Mommy doesn't know what came over her, please... Don't cry.." Your mother sobs, her face was leaned on your chest as she cradled your cheek and held onto your shirt, her body trembles and shook as she spoke.

You could feel the bruises on your body throb, the pain unbearable. Your eyes stung with tears that felt like acid on your cheeks. After an hour of relentless torment, your mother went back to her caring façade. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝙲𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙰𝚗𝚢𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎...

-----

You angrily smack Sun's hand away, tears streaming down your face and without hesitation, you send a beam of water at the two, the same way that Nadia and Aidan taught you. The two are sent back, causing the others to stand up in shock. Your vision blurs as you send another water beam at the table, causing food to fly everywhere and for the others to duck and yelp.

Skin growls and you quickly take them off, throwing them at the ground before bursting out of the room with tears and great speed. As you run, your powers begin to flare up, water, fire, rocks, boulders, vines, and gusts of wind, all begin to whip around you, wrecking the hall as you run and forcing servants and guards to move out of the way. You don't notice the purple mist...

You can hear the others shout after you as Roxanne, Damari, and Alister chase after you.

' I'm tired of this!! I never wanted to be mute! I never wanted any of this!!' You inaudibly yell, your feet moving on their own as you break down the castle's doors and run out. Your powers cease, however, your tears don't.

~~~~~

"What the fuck was that?!" Clovis yelled, glaring at the two constructs, however, neither of them could respond. Clovis began to belittle Sun and Moon, his anger boiling over. Chica, however, stops him. "Your guys' eyes... They were purple."

" So?! What does that have to do with the fact that they-" Clovis cuts his own sentence off, realization hitting him. "W-Wait... Is there a purple gem on you two?"

"We don't know anymore..." Moon mutters, unable to look at anything but the ground. Sun curls in on themself, mumbling something incomprehensible. Skin growls and Clovis calms down, taking a breath.

"What... Happened?" Clovis questioned, and the two stay silent. "4 Years ago, Sun and Moon terrorized Sirus along with a few other cities... Roxanne and I had to fight against them once." Chica sighs, sitting down on the floor next to the two.

"They did what?!" Clovis exclaims and the brothers flinch. "It wasn't by choice Clovis. They were being controlled..." Chica mumbles, stopping Sun from pulling at their rays as Skin manages to move over towards everyone.

"...During one of our Adventures we were attacked by someone. They embedded the same gem that the crow embedded in Aggamon somewhere in us. For a whole year, me and Sun were forced to terrorize cities, and kill innocent people." Moon explains, their claws leaving marks on their arms as they recall their memories.

"W-We managed to break out of the gem's power after what felt like forever. But we still don't know where it is on us, a-and if it's in our core..." Sun trails off, and Clovis finishes their sentence for them. "It'd be nearly impossible to remove.."

A silence washes over them. "You guys are idiots..." Clovis mutters, catching the attention of everyone. "Total Idiots!!" "Clovis-" Clovis cuts Chica off, flying up in front of both of the brothers' faces.

"You guys are denser than the Human!! They weren't afraid of you both, nor did they even know about your past!! And even if they did that doesn't change the fact that they liked you both for crying out loud!!" Clovis yells, tossing his arms in frustration as Both constructs share a bewildered look.

"The only reason they kept trying to kill me was because I kept trying to tell you guys that!! Now because of this whole ordeal, they ran to goddess knows where!" Clovis began to rant, his tiny frame flying around angrily. However, the brothers tuned him out.

Both look at each other as if reading each other's minds. Eventually what Clovis had said started to make sense. The hiding behind Skin, the avoiding eye contact, it all began to make sense. They had also completely overlooked the flustered expressions...

"We... Messed up..." The two said in unison, as Clovis began to 'pummel' the two. "Yes, you guys did, now are you guys gonna sit there and let the human get captured by their siblings and stay mad at you both, or are you guys going to fix your mistake and Finally get together?!"

Without another word, the two constructs stood up and followed the others out of the castle.

Chapter Text

Your lungs begin to ache the further you run from the castle, the sound of your friends growing more distant. Barreling out into the town, you push past countless people, accidentally knocking over carts or bumping into unsuspecting villagers. You quickly make your way to an alley, finding a pile of boxes to hide behind and regain your breath.

"Mute Freak... Mute Freak... Mute Freak" Shadows of people you've encountered begin to chant, your vision fogging by the second.

Your eyes stung, and your chest began to hurt. You tried calming your erratic breathing, wiping away the dried tears and snot that remained. 'It's not my fault... It's not my fault!' You protest, tuning out the sounds of the village and the shouts of your group looking for you.

"You Chose To 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚢 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝..." A voice reprimands, changing from your mothers to one you don't recognize.

Memories continued to haunt you, denying your claims and continuing to push you further down your spiral. You were completely unaware of the dense purple mist that surrounded you, and the caws of a crow that seemed to circle above you as you began to recollect the final moments of your father's life...

~~~~~

"D-Dad?" You mutter, following the footsteps that were engraved in the mud. Your dad had left the room during your conversation and hadn't returned after hours of waiting. Something about the situation was eerie, and the path was too quiet.

The sun began to set as the trail stopped. You looked up to find your dad tying a rope around a tree branch, the leaves glittering in the sunset and blocking your vision. You pushed them around, watching your dad begin to climb the tree. "Dad? Is everything alright?" You question, however, he doesn't answer.

His movements are off-putting, and he refuses to look at you. You began to climb the tree, stopping once your dad began to tie the rope around his neck. "Oliver!" You shout, causing him to stop. He turned to look at you, the leaves blocking his eyes and hair. The wind filled in the silence, the coolness of the autumn breeze causing you to shiver.

You slowly continued to climb the tree, cautiously approaching your father, who began to tighten the rope. "Dad... Please, Think about what you're doing. What about Ellie? O-Or Kiara? Mom?" You slowly grabbed your father's hand, noticing how it trembled. You looked up at your dad's face, which was beginning to distort, your mind wanting you to remember as little as possible.

"Help me take this off of you.." You mumbled as you began to untie the rope from around his neck, cursing at how tight the knot was. Your heart leaped as your dad shifted his position, the branch creaking beneath both of your weights. His hand began to rub your head, the feeling similar to a ghostly touch.

"Don’t Blame Yourself... Okay?" Your Dad muttered, causing tears to leak from your eyes. Your Dad shifted to lean back and off the branch, causing you to shout as you grab his shirt, preventing him from leaning any further. "Dad, please... Stop! Don't leave me here! I-I... I need you, Oliver. Please, don't do this!"

His hand never left you and continued to rub your head. Tears began to flood from him, and yet his face remained blank and his bangs messily concealed his eyes. His voice never wavered, staying monotone. He began to speak in a language foreign to you, which you recognized as his first language.

You struggled to remember what it was, your mind distorting the memory by the second. However the all too familiar creak of a branch brought you back to your senses, and soon your father swiftly fell backward off the branch. Time slowed as you reached for him, falling off the tree as well...

"𝙲𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚔~," Said a voice, filling in for the sound of your father's neck snapping. Your breath hitched as if you were back, sitting in front of your father's hanging and lifeless body.

~~~~~

You were brought back to reality, your mind kicking you out of your spiral. Everything felt clear to you and muddled at the same time. 'Maybe...' You wondered as you began to cast earthen magic, creating a sharp arrowhead.

Your body shook as you held the object, unable to see the purple mist that guided your hands toward your throat. It was as if your hands were being guided by another's. 'Maybe... Dad had a point..."

You were unaware of the footsteps that rapidly approached you, unable to hear anything but the coaxing and almost soothing voice of your inner thoughts... If the voice even belonged to your inner thoughts. 'The world doesn't want me here...' You confirmed, bringing the rock closer to your neck.

'I don't deserve to be here.'/"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎."

...

Just before you could pierce your throat, the mist disappeared, and in its place were the arms of Kiara. Her hug was tight, and her hair knocked the arrowhead out of your hands. For a moment, you froze. Startled. Surprised. Afraid

"Shh... I'm right here. You are not alone." She mumbled, and for once, you believed her.

First, tears began to fall. Next came the movement of your sobs. And Finally, the realization of what you were going to do came crashing down on you. You hugged her back, tighter than you ever have before. Pushing your face into her shoulder, soaking the cloth of her garments. She paid no attention to it and began to rub your back, comforting you as you cried.

You wanted to tell her that you were sorry, but as always, no sound came from you. Your sobs were silent. Your wails were silent. Just like your tears. After what felt like hours, you were left as a shaking mess. "Let's go home, Bubba..." Your sister muttered, holding your cheeks and planting a kiss on your forehead. "Your friends... They don't Deserve You."

Without a second thought, you continue to hold onto her as she manages to lift you and carry you further within the alley. You watched as the blurred images of your group looked around in the marketplace. Their calls fell on deaf ears as you looked at them with disdain, your eyes unknowingly turning purple. 'No... They Don't.'

Chapter Text

~~~~~

"It's no use... They aren't in any of the alleyways." Chica pants, surprised that she's even tired from all the running. The group followed you closely, chasing you out onto the stone bridge of the castle and into the marketplace. However, wherever they looked, you were nowhere to be found.

The rest of the group felt discouraged, especially Sun and Moon. "Argh! This is all your guys' fault! Why did you guys have to be such an ass to them?!" Roxanne growled, grabbing Sun by the collar and raising her fist. Chica managed to stop her, Sun's rays shrinking in the process.

"It was just a misunderstanding... We didn't want things to get out of hand and we weren't-" Moon was cut off by Clovis, who angrily 'pummeled' his head. "Well, it is now. For all we know the Human could have gotten kidnapped!"

Skin snarled, and Damari nodded in agreement. "You... aren't innocent... Clovis." Damari mutters, their speech broken but understandable.

"Yeah... If you hadn't made fun of them and let them tell us on their own time, we wouldn't be in this mess." Sun concluded, only to be brushed off by one of Clovis' eye rolls.

"Oh please, I was doing them a favor. Besides, That still doesn't brush away the fact that you two practically broke their heart!" Clovis reprimands and thus sparks the argument between the group.

Alister watched as the team began to fall apart, knowing that the more they argued, the more their chance of finding you lessened. "G-Guys." Alister stuttered, ignored by the group. With a sharp inhale, Alister teleported into the center of the group and used the power that came with their winter form.

"Everybody Stop!" Alister shouted, a bit louder than they wanted. With the use of their power, everyone stopped in momentary fear. Alister's horns had become completely encased in ice and were as sharp as daggers. Their eyes glowed a haunting yellow and their skin had completely turned blue.

Even nearby villagers stopped to stare, fear striking their hearts as well. Alister quickly cooled down (or in this case, warmed up), and put on a brave façade.

"I-If we keep arguing then the human will be in greater danger. S-So stop blaming each other, B-Because we're all at fault! Can we just continue to look for them? Please?" Alister reasoned, however, their stutters showed the uncertainty in their voice.

The group looked at one another, before returning their gazes to Alister. A sigh was shared within the group, as Roxanne released her grip from Sun's collar.

"Well, Well... Never thought I'd see you all go at each other's throats like that." The sound of Monty's chuckling and slow clapping caught everyone's attention. Sure enough, Monty and his clique were approaching them. Logan had gotten a prosthetic metal arm, one that glittered with enchantments.

"Great. Here to argue about your "Made-up" deal again?" Moon retorted, crossing their arms.

"No actually. I was sent on a job related to the King, and just so happened to witness the Chicken's outburst." Monty snarkily replied, glancing at Alister who avoided his gaze. Clovis flew in front of Monty's face, flying up a bit higher than eye level to look down at him.

"Listen Croc, we don't have time to deal with your antics. If you didn't notice, the human is missing. So I suggest you go and finish your mission and leave Ali out of things." Clovis asserts, provoking Montgomery to snarl.

"I'm an Alligator pipsqueak, so get that straight. Secondly, I saw the little freak a few moments ago." Montgomery informs, causing the group's faces to light up. Monty smirks, almost instantly diminishing the group's hopes.

"Let me guess. You aren't going tell us unless we give you something in return, are you?" Sun questioned and Monty wrapped an arm around their shoulders.

"Of course, Sunshine. But since I'm in a good mood, I'll cut ya'll some slack." Sun manages to move from under Monty's arm, as the latter is approached by Moon.

"State your terms." Moon asserts, which causes Monty to grin.

"12,050 silver." Montgomery taunts, mimicking Moon's pose. Moon scowls, reaching into their pockets and pulling out a bag. It clinks as Montgomery swipes it. Damari notices the slight smirk on Moon's face when Montgomery pockets the bags.

Roxanne brushes the two off, focusing back on the issue at hand. "Where did you see them last?" She questions, and Avery, the cleric, begins to guide the group toward your last known location.

-----

As they arrived at the alleyway, an unsettling chill crawled up everyone's spine. The unnatural darkness of the corridor caused everyone's nerves to flare up.

"Are you sure they were down... Here?" Chica questions, subconsciously stepping behind Roxanne. Monty nodded and gestured behind the boxes, though nobody seemed willing to take the first step.

Clovis took a deep breath before slowly hovering toward the boxes. When he looked behind, his face went pale.

"So? Find anything?" Doug questioned before Clovis lifted a piece of paper and a jet-black feather. The ink on the paper glistened with purple malice, one that the group could quickly recognize.

Clovis hands Moon the paper, Sun looking over their shoulder to read aloud. "20,000 gold coins. Black Lion Mask. Failure to fulfill the agreement, results in revealing your True Nature."

"Tch, They couldn't be any more descriptive could they?" Montgomery sarcastically remarks, preparing to leave. However, the sound of a crow's call catches the attention of everyone from above. The very same crow that circled above you, swooped down and snatched the paper.

"Hey! Watch it worm-for-brains! You nearly took me with you! And give that back!!" Clovis shouted angrily, his frame flying around in a figure eight.

The group looked at each other, knowing that the crow meant whoever wrote the letter was watching. Montgomery however simply shrugged it off and ordered his group to follow him.

Moon stopped him, grabbing his shoulder. "That bag you have is 12,050 copper," Moon admitted causing Montgomery to open the pouch and pull out a handful of copper coins.

Before Montgomery could get angry at them, Moon pulled out a separate bag, and opened it, revealing at least a pound of gold coins. Sun recognized this as the gold that Moon was given for defeating the dragon.

Monty tried to swipe it, however, Moon raised the bag over him. "Help us get Star back, and you can keep both bags," Moon stated provoking a snarl from Monty.

"What makes you think he will help a rat like you? We'll get paid more to help the king." Logan questioned, stepping forward.

"Because the king will only give you all enough for armor. Not a base." Moon replies, giving him a dismissive look.

Montgomery huffed, before grabbing Moon by the collar. "Gold first, Help later."

Sun and Moon glanced at each other, seemingly reading the other's thoughts. As Moon gave Monty the bag, the crow called once more before flying in the direction of the castle, signaling that both parties had agreed to the terms.

It was only a matter of time until the masquerade. And everything was going 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚗...

Chapter Text

~~~~~

Instead of being taken back to your hometown, you were brought back to the castle's grounds. Confused, you question Kiara. I thought you said we were going home?

You show your notepad to her, and she simply dismisses you, walking a bit faster. You struggle to keep up with her strides, and it isn't until you enter the castle's gardens do you spot a tower. It's surrounded by a plant that your mother commonly grew at home. Black Henbane

The smell of the plant was nostalgic, but you knew better than to breathe in too much. With each step, your anxieties grew and you began to have second thoughts. Would it have been better for you to stay with the group?

You shook your head, banishing the idea. Your friends had made it clear that they don't want you. Moreover, you were nearly convinced that they were simply acting friendly. You never had friends, so why would you have ones now?

Your mind was interrupted by the sound of rapping. Your sister had begun to bang on the tower doors, which soon opened after. As you were led into the tower's walls, it became clear that you had missed your chance to turn back.

"Mom?! I brought Bubba." Kiara shouted, taking off the cloak that wrapped around her shoulders, and undoing the bun in her hair. The sound of rapid footsteps came from above and headed towards the stairs. Maria, a woman in her 40's who looked no older than 31, soon came down. Her face looked as if she had been crying.

"Oh! At last, our baby has returned home!" Your mother cried, practically leaping to hug you. On impulse, you flinched, which went unnoticed by her. Kiara stepped to the side, walking upstairs and leaving you to your fate.

"How dare you run from home like that?! Do you know the dangers you could have been in? Oh, and the fact that you fought a dragon just wears down your mother's poor heart.." Maria wailed, cradling your cheek and clenching her heart.

Regardless of her obvious theatrics, you couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. If Clovis wasn't able to heal you, then your mother would have lost her late husband and her middle child as well. "Thank the Gods, Kiara was able to bring you back... I don't know what you were thinking, running off the The Fallen Celestials." Your mother ranted, pinching your cheek.

The familiar sound of your name caught your attention as you glanced at the top of the stairs. Sure enough, someone is standing there. It only took a moment of eye contact for Elliot to run down the stairs and tackle you, causing you to fall over.

His hug was tight, filling you with a warm feeling that you had long forgotten. "I missed you so much..." Elliot sniffled as you hugged him back, your own tears threatening to prick your eyes.

-----

"You fought a dragon?!" Ellie exclaims, his eyes shining with wonder and amazement. You nod eagerly, writing down the events that took place. However, before you could explain about the crow, your mother stepped in. "Dear, can I speak with you for a moment?" She questioned, before pulling you out of the dining area and into a separate room.

The room looks to be a lounge of some sort. Bookshelves cover the walls, and an inactivated fireplace sits to the right. In the center are three plush chairs, surrounding a table. Your mother sits in one of them, gesturing for you to sit as well. You pick the chair furthest from her.

Silence overcomes both of you, and an awkward tension stirs in the air. Your mother sighs, breaking the silence. "What did you expect?" She questions and you raise an eyebrow. "You were betrayed... Weren't you?"

A jolt runs through you. How did you know?

"Oh please, give your mother some credit my dear. There was no way Kiara was going to get you home unless your "friends" did something to provoke you." Your mother scoffed, fiddling with the ring on her finger.

...

You still have that?

"Of course, I could never forget your father... This ring is the only good memory I have of him. All the others have been a bit... Haunting." Your mother mutters, looking down at the ring before looking at you. "Do you like the house? His Majesty requested that I move closer to the palace. Makes it much easier to travel from home to work now. " She chucked, gesturing to the room.

You nod, truth be told, you were much happier with the amount of space the new house has. At least, with what you have seen so far.

...

Is there something wrong with me? You write, causing your mother's eyes to soften, glinting in a way you couldn't understand. "What do you mean, My Dear?"

I know that I'm mute (Not by choice), but I didn't do anything to deserve this. Tears begin to prick your eyes, and your mother sits closer to you. "Deserve what, Sunshine? Please, elaborate.."

The nickname pushes you over the edge...

Being abandoned! I have done nothing but show kindness and help out anyone I can. I've been getting made fun of and bullied for as long as I remember, but that never makes anything easier... Especially since- You stop yourself from writing, hesitant to continue.

Maria sighs, placing a hand on your head and pulling you into a hug. Her arms wrapped around your waist and hips as her head leaned against yours. "Especially since the ones you fell for shunned you away."

You let out a shaky breath, clenching harder onto the pen and notepad as your vision began to blur. Tears slowly started to drip from your cheeks, soaking the paper. You sniffled, nuzzling your face into your mother's chest to muffle your crying.

Despite barely making any noise, your mother still shushed you, holding you as if you were a kid again. As rare as it was, you still felt a sense of nostalgia.

"You can't blame yourself, Dearest. Most constructs are incapable of feeling... Not to mention their wicked nature." Maria mumbled, slowly rocking back and forth. Wicked? You manage to write. You never saw Sun, Moon, or any of the other constructs (Besides Monty) as wicked.

Sun could be considered the complete opposite. They were kind, Good natured, and very admirable. Moon, despite their scary and roguish manner, was caring and protective. Even Chica and Roxanne were anything but wicked. Chica was understanding and Roxanne felt more like a big sister than ever Kiara did.

All four of them were the kindest and most admirable people you've ever met in your life. Even others that you came across were nice. Curtis reminded you of your Dad, and Clovis reminded you of a more rambunctious version of Elliot.

Alister and Damari felt as if they were childhood friends. Skin protected you with its very life, despite being a jerk to you in the beginning. Even Nadia and Aidan were kind; They taught you how to stand up for yourself. Something that you never would have learned how to do.

None of them were wicked, and yet you still had a nagging feeling that they were only taking pity on you. That none of them, None of them, truly care for you. Today is a prime example of that.

"Do you know why those two terrorist are called the Fallen Celestials?" Maria questions, and you shake your head.

"About 4 years ago, the sun and moon constructs betrayed the Kingdom of Sirus. They terrorized the land and killed countless numbers of innocent people. Not only did they destroy the previous kingdom, they sought out other towns and villages, and destroyed them as well. Wherever they went, destruction, chaos and Death followed."

Your eyes widened. No wonder they didn't want to tell you, you would have been too scared to even approach them. Why did they do that?

"Nobody knows dear. Some say that they wanted power, others said that they just wanted to see the world burn." Maria sighs, looking down at you and wiping away your tears. "The thing is, They never changed. Despite doing quests to "make up" for their year's worth of torment, they still commit crimes against humanity."

"Why, they even convinced you to kill the dragon that protected this very City. Now countless people have to fear wars from other kingdoms. We were safe within the dragon's territory. Just like how you are safe here in my arms." Maria explains, causing an even bigger pang of guilt to wash over you.

But wasn't Aggamon stopping the trading systems? You question, recalling the memories of the meeting before the battle. "Goddesses, is that what they told you?" Maria says, exasperated.

"Aggamon wasn't stopping any trade systems, It was merely protecting its territory. It's done this for years, and would never betray the king like that." Maria shakes her head, disapprovingly.

You hesitate to believe her, and Maria notices. "Why, the very fact that the king Rewarded you all for defeating the dragon is proof that he was afraid that this kingdom would be next. Those two are nothing more than manipulative mindless heartbreakers, whose only goal in this world is to destroy things." Maria rants, huffing as she rubs your hair.

You don't notice the fine purple dust that begins to flow from your nose and begins to envelop the area. Your eyes unknowingly turn purple as you can feel your disdain for your friends grow. Your hatred of Sun and Moon growing the most...

"Promise me that you'll stay far away from them okay? I have a spare cloak for you in my room. I'll go retrieve it." Maria says, before sitting you down on the chair and quickly leaving the room, the purple dust clearing as she walks.

You sit in silence, your mind reflecting on the events of today. Slowly but surely, the purple mist begins to cloud over the good memories, highlighting the bad ones in particular.

"Mute Freak... Mute Freak... Mute Freak..."

Soon enough, the purple dust grows dense and a rage of anger and betrayal flows through you. "𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞." A voice mutters, and the feeling of hands caressing your shoulders only causes your anger to grow. You stand up, causing the mist to wrap around you and for your eyes to glow. As you leave the room, only one thought remains:

"𝚁𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛~"/ 'Return The Favor...'

Chapter Text

~~~~~

"Let's go over the plan once more.." Moon mutters, sitting at the head of the round table. After finding the note and convincing Montgomery to help, the group made their way to an inn. Moon took on the role of leader and came up with a plan. Clovis and Sun took on the role of co-leaders.

"Everyone will be split into teams of two... Sun and I are Team One." Moon says, looking at Sun who gave them a firm nod.

"Chica and Roxanne are Team Two." Both constructs glanced at each other, holding the other's hand firmly as if to encourage them.

"Alister and Damari are Team Three." Moon states as the two glance at each other from across the table. Damari, who felt a bit unnerved, nodded. Alister nodded as well.

"Montgomery and Clovis are Team Four." Clovis crossed his arms, Clearly not happy about the pairing.

"Do I really have to get paired up with this Crocodile?" Clovis complained, rolling his eyes.

"It's Alligator, Pixie." Monty snarls, his hands curling into fists.

Moon brushed the two off, Directing their attention to Avery and Logan. "You two are Team Five." Avery grinned, wrapping her arms around the metal bicep of the Less enthusiastic Logan.

" And Lastly, Doug and Skin are Team Six." Moon states, watching as Doug hesitates to put Skin on. "Are you sure it's not gonna bite me or anything?"

Skin growled, not wanting to be worn by anyone except you. "Come on Skin, If I have to be paired with this brute, then you can stand a few hours with him." Clovis sighed, either ignorant of Monty's glare or just uncaring.

Skin grumbled as Doug put it on, adjusting to the difference between your body and his. Doug let out a sigh but still was on edge.

Moon continued explaining the plan. Sun and them were in charge of locating you while Doug and Skin would cover for them. Montgomery and Clovis were in charge of locating the person with a black lion mask and "Neutralizing them." Neither of which had a problem with, since Montgomery was really the only person who could.

Sun and a few others were against it but didn't say anything as it could only be considered Karma.

Chica and Roxanne were in charge of covering Monty and Clovis, leaving Alister, Damari, Avery, and Logan to be back up and in charge of evacuating you.

"Seeing how Damari could clone one of the servants, the four of you should have no trouble blending into the crowd." Sun mentions, thus finalizing the plan. "Since Alister and Avery have the highest speed out of Team Five and Team Three, you guys will be the main ones to help Sunbite out of the building."

Logan raised his hand, speaking up with a serious look. "And what if the kid, Doesn't want to leave?"

" I mean, If I were in their shoes, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near those two." He continued his words causing the sun and moon constructs to flinch. More so Sun than Moon.

Silence came over the group as Logan had made a valid point. If this mission depends on whether or not any of them could convince you to return, it might have a bigger chance of failing than intended.

Moon let out a sigh, capturing the attention of the 12. "Then we will have to take them back by force..." They asserted, their eyes glowing an even more fiery red than before.

With that, Logan lowered his hand, seemingly satisfied with that answer. Everyone continued to review the plan's finer details, ensuring there was no room for error. They, however, were soon interrupted by the sudden burst of the doors opening.

Everyone in the inn directed their attention to the doors as Kiara and a few burly men entered the inn, her eyes scanning the crowd. The party stiffened as her gaze zoned in on them, a smirk appearing on her lips.

"Well, Look at what we have here... Teamed up with a crocodile and a few extras to recover my sibling?" Kiara's pompous laughter only seemed to fuel the group's determination and Monty's anger.

"Get lost bird-bitch." Roxanne snapped, standing with her hand on the handle of her sword. Kiara scowled, before walking towards the group. "Or else what, Mutt-"

Monty, who had enough of being referred to as a crocodile, promptly stood up and sucker-punched Kiara in the nose. "For the last Goddamn time, I ain't no Goddamn Croc!"

The group stood in shock, Moon's smirk and Clovis's slow applause filling in as reactions. Kiara held her bloody nose as one of the men swung at Montgomery, who caught the punch and threw him onto the table.

Both parties began to brawl as Bystanders started chanting, 'Fight!' while also moving out of the area.

-----

It was about late evening, when Kiara and her men retreated, both teams battered and bruised. However, before Kiara could escape, Roxanne held her sword to Kiara's throat. "Don't think you're getting away without an explanation, wench."

Kiara growled but quickly complied when Roxanne tilted the blade, the light gleaming off of the sharp edge.

"What is there to explain? Bubba has been returned to their rightful place." Kiara states, crossing her arms.

"Then why are you here?" Alister questioned, watching as Kiara grinned. "To talk with the Snitch."

The inn seemed to quiet down, nosey customers wanting to listen in. "Elaborate," Moon commanded, eyeing the girl with suspicion. Kiara however, simply cackled.

"Don't tell me you guys haven't figured it out by now? How else would I know your locations?" She sneered, watching as Roxanne's grip on her sword began to falter.

The party stiffened, glancing at each other. "You guys want a hint?~" Kiara teased watching as everyone reluctantly nodded.

In a swift motion, Kiara disarms Roxanne and bolts towards the doors. The group was hesitant to follow after. As Kiara swings the doors open, she looks back at the group, more specifically the constructs.

Her frame is highlighted by the moon as she mutters, "It's always the quiet ones~"

Without explaining any further, she runs out, slamming the doors behind her. Leaving the group in dismay...

Chapter Text

Silence envelopes the inn, people wanting to watch what transpires next.

...

Logan speaks up, staring down Damari. "Well... I think it's quite obvious who it is, isn't it?"

The group slowly looks at the Dertegeo, who looks back at them confused. Skin's growl momentarily scares Doug as Clovis speaks up. "Skin's right, There's no way! Damari would never do that!"

"And how do you know for sure? For all we know Damari could have been giving information away this entire time." Logan insists, allowing Damari to finally catch on.

"No... Would not... betray human." Damari says, their broken speech only raising the group's suspicion.

Avery kneels next to Damari, placing a hand on its shoulder. "Damari, It would be best to tell us the t-" "No.. Would not betray the human." Damari asserts, cutting her off.

" Plus, why would Damari snitch to the person who broke its arm like.. Weeks ago!" Clovis argues, Skin growling in agreement.

"Well, according to Kiara, It's always the quiet ones. Which also raises suspicion about them." Doug states, gesturing to Alister who shakes their head profusely.

"Ali would never!!" Clovis shouts, flying in between the two. "Besides, why are you guys targeting them?!"

"Logan and Doug have a fair point though, considering the fact that you, Alister, and Damari weren't with us from the beginning-" Roxanne mutters, causing Clovis to get even more upset.

"Alright, fine. You guys wanna point fingers? What if the Humans themselves told Kiara where we were? You saw how upset they were when they ran. " Clovis huffed, pointing out a possibility.

"D-Do we even know if there's a snitch? I mean, She could have been messing with us this entire time." Alister questions, bringing the group further into disarray.

The group continued to dispute amongst each other. Most of the group believed that it was Damari, or Alister, who were both backed up by Skin and Clovis.

"Hell, Moon is the shadiest person here, I'm surprised none of ya'll have accused them yet." Monty comments, provoking Moon to scoff.

"And why would I do that? I sent you to kill Kiara's men for goddess sake." Moon argues, prompting Monty to bring up their deal from earlier. "So we Agree that you and I made a deal!?"

"No, I simply said that I sent you out on a favor is all." Moon retorts, crossing their arms. "Besides, is now really the time to get into that made-up deal?"

"It isn't made up and you damn well know it!-" "Can we Please get back to the issue at hand?!!" Roxanne snaps, cutting Montgomery off and catching everyone's attention.

Roxanne sighs, fixing her mane and recollecting herself. "This is Not the time to argue about any bets or deals, Nor is this the time to accuse others for selfish and petty reasons. Someone here has been backstabbing us, and I am determined to sniff them out!"

The group slowly settles down, trying to think logically about the situation. Sun begins to ramble, repeating Kiara's words and pacing. "It's always the quiet ones... It's always the quiet ones..."

Suddenly they stop, realization sitting upon them. "Chica..."

"What?" The party questions, their attention captured by them. "Chica. She's the only one who hasn't said anything since Kiara got here." Sun reasons, causing the group to look at the construct in question.

Sure enough, guilt is plastered onto her face, highlighted by the moonlight and the flickering candles of the tavern.

Chapter Text

Chica shuffled in her spot, keeping her head low as she spoke. "L-Listen, I can explain-" "You mean to tell me, That this entire time you've been endangering not only Star but us as well?!" Moon snapped, cutting her off as their fingers turned into claws.

Chica flinched, "Please, I can-" "I'm disappointed Chica, I really am... How could you?" Sun sighs, placing a hand on their brother's shoulder to stop them from doing anything brash.

"Guys, Please, It's not my fault-" "Then whose is it, Chica?! This entire time you've been putting the human and us in jeopardy. And then you have the nerve to say that it's "Not your fault"?!" Clovis shouted, fuming.

Chica's gaze wavered from person to person, unable to find any sort of sympathy or understanding. Avery simply shakes her head in disapproval while Alister avoids her gaze, unsure of what to think.

Chica could feel her guilt rise and if constructs could cry, she would. "Tch, Ain't it ironic that I was considered the bad guy? Yet here I am, Helping while Chica has been betraying you all." Montgomery scoffs, and Doug nods in agreement.

The only person who didn't seem upset was Damari, despite being unable to see their expression, their body was relaxed. It felt as if she was being looked into.

However, what made her feel the worst, was the look on Roxanne's face. "Roxy, please.. L-Let me explain, I didn't want things to end up like this, I swear-" "I'm at a loss for words..." Roxanne mutters, cutting off Chica's words and carving a hole within her.

"R-Roxanne..." Chica mutters, stepping towards her and extending a hand towards her best friend.

"I need space, Chica... To think." Roxanne states, facing away from her and stopping Chica from advancing.

"Roxy, I-" "Don't "Roxy" me, Chica. You put everyone in danger. Not only is puppers in Grave danger, but You've also practically compromised their rescue! Goddess knows how long you've been doing this behind my back." Roxanne snaps, unable to look at her friend.

"I-I just need space... Chica. From us... and From You..." Roxanne mutters, her voice breaking.

For a moment, it felt as if the world was falling apart for Chica. She didn't mean for things to get like this. She didn't want this to happen. Ever.

"Maybe you should Leave." Logan states more that suggests as he stands between the two constructs, Skin growling in agreement.

With a final glance at her friends, Chica barrels out of the tavern, her sniffles falling on deaf ears. Without hesitation, Damari follows her.

"Damari!" Clovis yells, wanting to follow but hesitating to do so.

The silence of the tavern slowly fills with ambiance as the group watches the two figures disappear into the street. Moon's fingers return to normal. "Change of plans, Doug you'll be filling in for Chica. Hopefully, Alister, Avery, and Logan will be able to carry out their part of the plan if Damari doesn't return..."

One by one, the team returns to the table, discussing the plan once more. But this time, without Chica.

Chapter Text

~~~~~

"...And then they just laughed at me!" Elliot huffs from above, sitting on the top bunk bed of your new bedroom. After talking with Maria and borrowing a cloak, you were brought to your room for the night.

You had always shared a bedroom with Elliot, due to the old house only having 3 bedrooms, and found it a bit off sleeping by yourself. What you didn't expect was for the bedroom to be much bigger than your old one, and more furnished as well.

"But, as Karma would have it, they fell into the lake just as I did." Elliot exclaims, and you could hear the grin in his voice.

You hadn't listened to much of Elliot's story as you were too distracted by the comfort of your new bed, finding it much softer than the ones at the inns.

Elliot could hear you scribble on your notepad and reaches down a hand as you pass it to him. Has mom moved the treehouse?

"Oh yeah! I can show it to you in the morning! It's so much cooler thanks to my expert designing skills." Elliot chuckles, handing the notepad down as he slides down the wooden pole of the bunk bed.

"You know, You've been gone for a while. Mom would barely let me leave the tower or the old house unless we went into the marketplace." Elliot mumbles, jumping onto the bed and sitting next to you.

"What's it like out there? Kiara wouldn't tell me anything." Elliot inquires, watching eagerly as you jot down some of your adventures.

It had been so long since you've spent time with Elliot, and goddesses did you miss it. His voice was so familiar and nostalgic that you didn't notice your thoughts about Sun, moon and the others slipping away. If you were being completely honest, you'd much rather forget about them.

You avoided going into detail about any of your party members, only explaining fully about Curtis, who you introduced as Uncle.

"We have an Uncle?!" Elliot questions excitedly, and you find yourself grinning as you nod. We have two, Uncle Curtis lives in Transmere while our other uncle is somewhere else. I don't know their name.

"Well, what's he like? Was he close with Dad? Oh, Does he have a pet? What does he do? Do we have an aunt? If so what's she like?" Elliot began to bombard you with questions, an action that he always used to do. You happily answered each of them, watching as Ellie's curiosity only grows.

You really missed this...

~~~~~

The sound of knocking echoed throughout the castle's halls as Maria bangs on the doors to the throne room. Despite having successfully captured you, her nerves could only worsen when the sound of the king's booming voice called from behind the door.

Slowly, She opened the heavy door, walking towards the grand throne that sat behind a reflective table that shone with enchantments. Rows of guards stood on opposite sides of the red and gold rug that lead up the grand stairs. Each one stood no stiffer than the other.

The moonlight casts a shadow from behind the golden chair, and candles illuminated the room from chandeliers that hung from above. The only sound that could be heard was her footsteps which echoed louder than the castle's ambiance.

Banners that brandished the symbol of Sirus, Aggamon, and the King, hung from above, adding to the lavish décor of the room. From the throne, the king sat, his gaze was as cold and fearsome as ever. It was a gaze that only the powerful could obtain.

After what felt like a daunting eternity, Maria made it to the foot of the stairs, kneeling and bowing her head in respect. "Your Majesty..." Maria muttered, her body stiff and her tone loyal.

"Maria. I trust that you come to me with good news?" The king questions, leaning his head against his hand. Maria nods, and at the king's command, she rises.

"I've successfully returned my middle child home. They are currently in the tower as we speak." Maria informs, bringing a grin to the King's face.

"Wonderful... And their party?" The King inquires.

"In shambles... According to my eldest daughter, they have discovered our former spy and have separated her from the group." Maria explains.

The king's rays flicker purple as the sound of a crow's caw interrupts their conversation, followed by a pair of footsteps. Maria watches as a crow flies and perches on the king's shoulder, and Boris soon appears beside her.

Boris kneels, addressing the king before standing at his command. The king then pays no attention to him, caressing the crow's chin as he speaks.

"It is about time you've lived up to your expectations Maria, and lived up to them you have." The king praises, allowing Maria to sigh in relief.

"Thank you, My King." She mutters, before getting dismissed and steadily leaving the room.

As the doors slam shut, The king's eyes transfer to Boris, who maintains eye contact, unfazed. "Boris, How is the masquerade coming along?"

"Everything is being set up like you asked. I have come to inform you, My King, that The Harvest has come to speak with you." Boris states, watching as the king slowly and elegantly stands up.

"He couldn't have arrived any sooner, could he?" The king mutters, directing his attention to the crow. "Keep an eye on the human's party. Make sure that their planning goes as I intend for it to do."

With another caw, one of the guards opens the wooden door, allowing the black-feathered bird to swiftly leave.

The King strides down the stairs, following Boris who leads him out of the room and into the halls. Sure enough, maids of all species and types are scurrying through the halls, along with other butlers and servants.

Each one of them pay their respects to the king as he passes by them, stopping everything to bow or kneel. Eventually, he is led to a room that he recognizes as the negotiation room. More specifically, the room designated for one man in particular.

The Harvest is a world-renowned rouge who has selected the subclass of assassin. His skill is unmatched, and his number of kills is high.

Only a few have survived his attacks and have lived to tell the tale. But one thing is for sure, None of them have lived long enough to tell it twice.

-----

The king soon enters the room, his eyes scanning for any sign of the man. Unsurprisingly there is none.

The king soon sits on one of the red and gold couches that surround a low coffee table. Seconds pass and in an instant, the sound of a clash is heard.

The Harvest grunts as his wrist stiletto presses against strange purple energy. The king's eyes, having changed from a yellowish-orange to a purple, lock onto the man's red one from behind his deer-skull mask.

The bind last for about a minute, and both the dagger and the energy shake from the intense force. Boris watches with intent and doesn't make a move to intervene.

With a sigh, The harvest retracts the blade into the cuff before languidly flopping onto the couch. The king's eyes return to normal, and a tense silence fills the room.

…

Eventually, The Harvest removes his mask, revealing a large scar that trails from his collarbone to his left eyebrow. Sure enough, his left eye is blind.

"Well, I see that the castle has certainly been busy... Rumor has it that you're hosting a masquerade?" Harvest questions, uncaringly.

"Yes, it's been a while since I have. Plus, it doubles as a reward." The King mutters, crossing a leg and resting right his foot on his left knee. He leans his head against one of his hands.

"Reward for what? Endangering the city?" The harvest questions, amusement glinting in his eye.

"Precisely." The King remarks, appealing to the man's curiosity.

"What is a genius of your stature planning, eh? Surely it's something grand." Harvest questions, however, the king doesn't answer. "I mean, if you're such an all-powerful ruler, why send a lowlife like me to do your dirty work?"

The king sighs, his gaze hardening. "Because that is exactly your purpose. To serve those who hold more power over you, and to take the blame for them."

"Now tell me, was the assassination successful?" The king inquires, getting straight to the point.

The harvest grins, the room's atmosphere turning dark. "It was as if I was killing a baby~"

Chapter Text

The Streets of Solaris weren't as busy at night, and only a few shady figures roamed the streets. Damari had lost track of Chica, her speed seemingly enhanced by her emotions.

The Dertegeo wandered around, listening and looking for any signs of the construct, watching as guards slowly patrolled the area. The sky was clear, allowing Damari to see countless stars and the moon, which was unusually bright.

Just as Damari debated on heading back, they heard the sounds of sniffling.

They followed the sound, recognizing it as Chica's and picking up their pace.

Sure enough, Chica was sitting behind an empty stall in the marketplace, her figure hunched over her knees.

Damari approached. "Chica?"

Her figure jolted, and she faced away. Damari sat next to her, listening as she stifled her sobs. They placed a hand on her shoulder, unsure how to comfort her.

"I didn't mean for things to end up like this..." Chica mutters, tightening her arms around her knees. "I just wanted Cupcake to be safe..."

Damari looked into her memories once more, watching events unfold. "Is not... your fault," Damari muttered, only causing Chica to shun away from them even more.

"It is my fault... I believed Kiara's lies. I thought she was my friend..." Chica sniffs, the light from her bow and eyes dimming.

Damari stiffened as the memory of their arm getting broken played in Chica's mind.

From what Damari could gather, Chica and Kiara were friends before she met Roxanne. They were considered inseparable. When Chica came across Roxanne, Kiara started to avoid her for days if not weeks on end.

Finally, When Chica met the human, Kiara started talking with Chica again, but this time their discussions were about them.

Damari searched deeper, hearing the conversation as if they were Chica herself.

"...And since they so stubbornly ran away, Mom has been worried sick! We already lost our dad, so we can't afford to lose them as well." Kiara complained, standing outside the inn, her figure illuminated by the lanterns.

"I see... But according to them, your guy's mom is-" "Abusive? Yeah, no. They tell that to everyone they meet and it can't be further from the truth." Kiara scoffs, cutting Chica off.

"Literally the only reason they ran away was out of rebellion. It's gotten so bad now that they have rubbed off on my younger brother." Kiara sighed, pinching her temples.

Chica hummed in thought, unsure of what to say. "Well, maybe I can keep an eye on them for you? To make sure that they aren't in any trouble?" She offers, bringing a grin to Kiara's face.

"That would be wonderful, we can use these opal bracelets to talk from a long distance. Also, be sure to give me your location, that way I can be there in case anything goes sideways." Kiara says, pulling out two enchanted opal bracelets from her cloak. Chica nods in agreement, putting them on and returning Kiara's grin.

-----

"Why... Did you... comply?" Damari questioned, struggling to find the right words.

"Because I hadn't seen her for weeks... I wanted to catch up and even help out." Chica explains, fiddling with one of her arrows. "I should have known better..."

Damari's grip on her shoulder relaxed, their empathy flaring up. It seemed that after Damari had pretended to be you, and got their arm broken, Chica began to have second thoughts.

"Kiara, are you lying to me?" Chica questioned, confronting Kiara and her men.

"What? Chica, why on earth would I do that? You’re my best friend." Kiara said, seemingly surprised and offended.

"You had broken the Dertegeo's arm. I had overlooked your threat to Curtis as stress but breaking someone's arm?? They look exactly like your sibling and you didn't even hesitate-" Chica was cut off when one of Kiara's men drew their sword and pressed it against her back, an area that Kiara knew was connected to her core.

"Listen, Chica, you're already too far in helping me. What would the others think if I told them that you were betraying them?" Kiara mocked, her friendly personality seeming to disappear.

Chica stiffened, afraid to move in case the sword could actually pierce her metal. "B-But I can't let them go home. Surely you understand-" "So you're going to betray me as well?" Kiara cut her off, instilling a sense of guilt into the construct.

"No..." Chica muttered, tilting her head down. "Then you will continue to give me updates, whether you like it or not," Kiara concluded, having her men withdraw the sword.

-----

Damari wanted to tell Chica that she had done the right thing when confronting Kiara and that refusing to help her when they arrived in Sirus was a good decision. However, they didn't know how, and their words were too broken up to be understandable.

A feeling of uselessness overcame them. This feeling was similar to the feeling that they had back home, despite being one of the strongest Dertegeos in the forest, they were looked down upon due to their fascination with humans and other species.

They weren't allowed to join any packs and barely got to socialize with their brethren. Damari felt isolated and useless, they couldn't help others, not even wandering adventurers.

Even now they can't help one of their first friends...

…

A memory flashed by Damari's mind. While you were sleeping, Damari had asked Skin for advice, resorting to their first language to keep you from waking up.

"...and out of all people, you decided to ask me?" Skin growled, clearly annoyed.

"Clovis wasn't much help... And the others can only understand so much." Damari admits, growling low.

"Of course. Human language is too hard to speak." Skin grumbles and Damari nods in agreement.

"Fine, but tell anyone I'm helping you and I'll bite your arms off the same way I did with your brethren." Skin snarls, and Damari raises their hands in understanding.

"First things first. Each person is different. Nobody, not even twins, is alike. So you can't expect certain tricks or communication to work twice." Skin explains, grumbling as it recounts its previous owners.

Damari listens intently, appreciative of Skin's help. "The only thing that everyone has in common is that there is at least one thing in particular that they depend on, whether it's an animal, an object, themselves, or someone they care about."

"For example, the sun construct depends on that moon construct the most. Clovis depends on that Eladrin the most. And vice-versa." Skin continues, shuffling around you as you roll over to avoid getting crushed.

"What about me? I don't depend on anyone in particular." Damari questions, growling in a higher tone.

"Your depending on me right now, are you not?" Skin retorts and Damari nods.

"As I said, everyone has someone or something that they depend on. Seeing how you can mimic other creatures, my advice for you would be to mimic their actions. Learn how to communicate and blend in through them-" Skin snarls, getting cut off when you awake.

-----

Chica sniffles, dragging Damari out of their thoughts. With a newfound sense of determination, Damari searches through Chica's memories. Finding moments of her and Sun, but deciding against mimicking them.

They spot memories of her and Roxanne, however, the most recent memory causes Damari to hesitate. Each memory of the party members only seem to get drowned out by the most recent one, and it was clear that Chica's mind was only focusing on the words of her group before running off.

At last, Damari comes across Curtis. They had never met the man and only knew of his existence through brief mentioning's. But to Chica, Curtis seemed like a father figure.

Each recollection she had of him was happy, even the sad ones felt comforting to her. A particular memory stuck out to Damari, one where Chica was sulking over the loss of communication with Kiara, who at the time, was her only friend.

Curtis's actions were gentle, understanding, and even remorseful. Without hesitation, Damari followed Skin's advice and repeated his actions, wrapping an arm around Chica's frame and laying her head on their shoulder.

Chica stiffened but leaned into Damari nonetheless. As Damari had intended, the position felt familiar.

"Mistakes... happen." Damari muttered, repeating the same word's that Curtis had said, provoking a sniffle from the construct. "You learned.. From them."

"But now everyone hates me... Even Roxanne." Chica mumbled, stifling a sob. Her words were similar to the ones in her memory.

"Then make it up.. To them." Damari advised, "Tell them what really... happened."

"...And if they don't believe me?" Chica questioned, curling in further on herself.

"Actions speak louder.. Than words. Redemption takes time..." Damari states, succeeding in reminding Chica of Curtis.

A moment of silence envelopes the two, as Chica remembers the time she was sulking with Curtis. Despite the memory being sad, Chica couldn't help but smile. She had learned a lot during that moment but didn't put that knowledge to use.

Now was the time to change that.

~~~~~

"That risks for Alister to get captured, none of us can cover them if they get backed into a corner." Avery sighs, holding her head.

Everyone has been discussing and making changes to the plan, but to no avail. Without the right amount of people, the rescue mission had too much room for errors to occur, and despite most of the team not needing rest, everyone felt exhausted.

"Should we call it a night?" Doug questioned, his sentence ending with a yawn.

Montgomery shook his head. "This fancy ball is tomorrow night, we need a plan before dawn."

"This would be much easier with Damari..." Clovis mumbled, leaning languidly against Alister's horns.

The group nodded, albeit tiredly. Everyone in the inn had already left or gone to bed, only the barkeep was still awake, cleaning the glasses and wiping the counter.

With a sigh, Moon stood. "We should get some rest..."

As if on cue, The doors to the inn opened, and Damari slowly entered. "Damari!" Clovis exclaimed, flying over towards them, but stopping as Chica entered.

Everyone eyed Chica except for Roxanne and Alister who avoided eye contact. Chica subconsciously stepped behind Damari, her guilt and nerves flaring up.

"Here to snitch on everyone again?" Logan questioningly mocked, his tone causing Chica to flinch.

With a final glance to Damari, who gave her a brief nod, Chica began to explain the reason for her betrayal.

-----

As expected, the group didn't fully believe her, but thanks to Damari, who confirmed everything, Chica was given a chance to redeem herself. However, everyone in the party made one thing clear.

Should she betray them again, there will be no second chances.

Chapter Text

You awaken early to an eager Elliot, who drags you downstairs to eat. Surprisingly enough, Both Kiara and your mother are racing around the tower, along with a few maids from the palace.

What's going on? You write groggily, as you help Elliot make toast, using a small bit of fire magic to toast the bread.

"Oh, Mom and them are preparing for the dance at the castle. They told me to get you up and fed." Elliot explains, slathering jam onto the slices of bread.

You watch the others with curiosity, Different dresses and suits are brought back and forth between rooms, along with other formal wear.

Your mother stands in between it all, judging and dictating each one. Every once in a while Kiara would come down the stairs, wearing either a suit or dress, and Maria would either tell her to toss it with the others or discard it and try on a new one.

You don't remember the last time the King held an event like this. Not only has the king invited everyone within Aggamon's territory, but even people with no significant rank are allowed to attend. Most Galas, Balls, and Masquerades were only available to nobles or people with power, but now anyone with proper attire can join in.

Your train of thought is interrupted when your mother glances behind and spots you awake. "Oh dear, you're finally awake. Hurry up and eat, the king has requested to see you." She ushers, patting down your bedhead.

' What?' You take a moment to process her words. The King requested to see me? Why? You jot down, scarfing down your last bit of toast and drinking the glass of milk Elliot put out for you.

"Ah well, The king saw your little outburst at the palace and most likely wants to speak with you about it." Your mom mutters, gesturing for Elliot to finish eating.

Your nerves flare at the memory of when you departed from your friends. You had left the dining hall and corridors a mess, and there was no doubt that the king was upset.

Not wanting to delay the inevitable, you follow one of the maids who lead you towards the castle.

-----

You look around in amazement. As if you thought the marble floors and gold décor couldn't be any more shinier, you were practically blinded by the way the sun shone on them.

Any sign of your previous damage was completely gone as if it never happened. A bit of relief washed over you at the thought that the damage wasn't hard to fix, allowing you to relax your posture a bit.

You continue to follow the dragon-like maid, whose name is Eliza, down the halls before approaching a set of stairs. The two of you begin to climb the endless spiral of steps before reaching a hallway.

To your fascination, Eliza presses against a panel in the wall and moves it aside. You go to walk in but notice how Eliza doesn't move.

"I'm sorry hatchling, but this is as far as I can take you. Best of luck." She grins, waving you goodbye before scurrying off.

You stand up straighter than ever before, the thought of facing the king alone becoming a reality.

Cautiously, you walk toward the end of the hall. Paintings capture your eye, and almost instantly you spot faces that you have either seen before or find familiar.

You spot your mother in a few of them, and next to her is a strange man in a deep blue robe with a scepter attached to his waist. You don't recognize him, but judging from the panting, he looks like a mentor of sorts.

In a separate picture a man with a purple cloak that you recognize from Curtis's locket stands next to a figure who almost looks like a spitting image of Sun. And yet they look completely different.

Their demeanor is anything but friendly, and it feels as if their eyes can see through your soul. The crown on their head only enhances your anxieties as you reach the end of the hall.

With a deep breath, you muster up the courage to knock on the intricate wooden doors. After a few moments, you move to knock again but you are interrupted when the sound of Boris's voice sounds from the other side.

You open the door, and instead of seeing a lavish bedroom, you are greeted by a balcony. In front of it is Boris, who is holding a conversation with the King.

-----

You close the doors behind you, a bit louder than you wanted.

"Right on time." The king hums, turning to face you. Sure enough, their face matches the one from the paintings, and a large sense of unease hits you like a wave when a crow lands on Boris's shoulder. One that you recognize almost instantly.

You hesitate to step forward.

"Come now, I don't bite... Much~" The King assures, gesturing for you to stand beside him.

With careful strides, you make your way to the railings of the balcony, standing beside his majesty. Silence fills the gap as you steal a glance every now and then.

Unable to take the silence much longer you begin to jot down an apology. However, the king stops you, placing a hand on your pen.

"I am well aware of your outburst at the feast I had prepared for you, and I apologize for not being there." The king states, kneeling to your eye level.

"However, I do not believe that you are at fault. After all, you were accompanied by the Fallen Celestials, were you not?" The King questions, and you hesitantly nod.

I was, Your Majesty. The King laughs, startling you. "Come now, You are my guest. Let's get rid of those pleasantries, shall we?"

The King stands, his slender and lanky figure towering over yours. He extends a hand, that you almost feel compelled to take. "My name is Eclipse, Dewdrop." He explains, kissing the back of your hand as you do.

For a moment, It felt as if you were looking through rose-colored glasses. You stare at the back of your hand in both shock and surprise, before gazing back up at the king.

Boris watches the interaction, noticing the fine dust of purple that began to envelop you. He subtly shifted closer, allowing the dust to spread to him as well. The crow, however, moved to the railing and away from it, cawing loudly.

Eclipse snaps you out of your momentary stupor by removing his hand. Surprisingly, you grab hold of it again, almost as if your body had moved on its own. The King smirks, intertwining his hand with yours and sending butterflies into your stomach.

"I have a proposal for you, my dear. What if I helped you get revenge over your former friends?" The King suggests, noticing how your eyes turn into a purple and pink ombre. "For a price of course."

You hesitate to accept it. What's the price?

Eclipse kneels, leaning close to your ear and causing your heart to flutter. His charm spell had worked.

"You must dance with me during the masquerade~"

~~~~~

The group awakes early, the sound of loud chatter surrounding the inn. One by one, everyone makes their way downstairs, each sharing confused glances.

Cautiously, Montgomery opened the door. In the center of the marketplace and stretching beyond what the group could see, were thousands of people, eagerly waiting for whoever was in the carriage to step out.

The party managed to worm their way through the crowd, and towards the carriage. A guard, brandishing the emblem of the king stops them from advancing any further.

Before they could ask questions, the carriage door opens and one of the guards place a stool at the edge of the red carpet that protrudes from the entrance.

A woman in formal attire steps out of the carriage and onto the stool. Her face is young but stoic. She clears her throat, catching the attention of the buzzing crowd.

"Hear Ye, Hear Ye!" She announces in a loud and clear voice. "People of Sirus! As some of you may know, the King is Hosting a masquerade in both honor of Aggamon's defeat and in homage to its death."

"Not only will commoners such as yourselves be invited to join, but people in neighboring cities and towns will be invited as well. The list is as followed: Plagend, Taunchester, Transmere, Dragos, Zoldon, Raburg, Solaris, Shora, Adel, Clita, and Redwood. " The woman states, causing excited murmurs to flow through the crowd.

"The rules are simple. You must wear approved formal attire and a masquerade mask featuring an animal. Crow masks of any kind are reserved for Royalty and special guests. Anyone wearing a specific broach given by the king is staff and will not be allowed to dance with anyone during the event." The announcer informs.

"The masquerade will begin at sundown and will continue till dawn. Please prepare yourself in the meantime. Any ill intent at the party will be dealt with, Immediately." The woman finishes, entering the carriage before departing.

The crowd begins to disperse, and both Chica and Roxanne share a look of excitement, before looking away from one another.

"Do you think the driders will attend?" Clovis questions, glancing downwards at Alister who shrugs in response.

"Well, We have until nightfall to get ready. Everyone remembers their roles, correct?" Moon sighs, readying themself for what's to come.

The group nods, wasting no time before splitting off, heading to different clothing stores. Sure enough, each one is more crowded than the last.

It's only a matter of time before the stores sell out and dusk begins to arrive...

Chapter Text

The sun was beginning to set by the time you had finished changing into the formal wear that the King had provided you. The soft fabric is a mixture of reds, blacks, and gold, and fits perfectly over your form. The mask resembles a crow and sits along your face almost as if it was meant to be there.

As you look into the mirror, the door to your and Elliot's room opens as the latter excitedly burst in.

"Look! Look! Mom let me wear a dress!-" Elliot beams before looking you up and down. "Woah..."

Do I look bad? You scribble, handing Elliot the pad of paper as he excitedly runs to your side.

"No! Not at all, you look amazing!" Elliot chippers, standing in the mirror next to you and handing the pad back. "Plus, we're matching!"

You inaudibly chuckle, placing a hand on the boy's head. Sure enough, the two of you are wearing similar clothing, however, Elliot has a white crow mask and there is no gold in his palette.

A shiver runs down your spine at the feeling of someone's hands on your shoulders. Strangely enough, it reminds you of the King and you quickly glance behind. Elliot notices and glances behind as well, only to see nothing.

"Everything alright?" Elliot questions, and slowly, you nod. A feeling of unease and disappointment lingers within you, almost as if you wanted Eclipse to be there...

Your thoughts are interrupted when your mother, Maria, knocks on your doorframe. "Are you guys ready?" She questions, wearing a dress similar to Elliot who eagerly nods.

In a swift motion, Elliot loops his arm around yours and runs out of the room, despite the dress touching the floor in front of his feet.

~~~~~

"Is everyone ready? Sun?" Moon questions, putting on their black mask that resembles a panther.

Sun nods, adjusting the cuffs of their suit. Both Sun and Moon are wearing matching attire, with their corresponding colored vest, a white Victorian-styled long-sleeved undershirt, and black dress pants and dress shoes. Sun, however, is wearing a mask that resembles a lion rather than a panther.

"Team Two, are you ready?" Moon questions, watching as Roxanne struggles to tie the tie around her neck.

Chica, who finished putting on her dove mask, notices and moves to help her. However, Roxanne faces away, discouraging her.

"I got it." Roxanne mutters, failing once more to tie the tie correctly.

Chica watches as Roxanne's frustration boils over, and she discards the tie altogether, unbuttoning her undershirt and grumbling as she puts on her black wolf mask. The long-sleeved undershirt is halfway buttoned, following the curve of the red tailcoat jacket which sits above black dress pants and black boots.

With a deep and sharp breath, Chica pats her pink shoulder-strap dress which ends at her knees, and gives a thumbs up to Moon.

"Team Three?" Moon directs their attention to Alister and Damari as the former allows Damari to cover their horns in a gold-like string. Dressed in black, white, and fluorescent green, Alister resembles the Afterdark. Golden designs adorn the mask which resembles a bat.

Damari however, is simply wearing a dark blue cloak and a featureless mask that resembles a ram. With a nod and a thumbs up, the two confirm their readiness.

"Team Fou-" "No, I'm getting first hit!" Clovis shouts, the dispute between him and Montgomery erupting suddenly and cutting off Moon's sentence.

"Like hell you are, your damn punches don't do nothing! If you hit them, then you'll just give us up or waste time!" Monty argues, swatting at the fairy.

"The human is my friend, not yours! Therefore, it's only right that I get to hit the people who kidnapped them!" Clovis huffs, dodging Monty's hand. "Plus, a brute like you will only make things messy!"

"And you won't do jack shit to them! All it takes is a simple punch to the head to knock them out, something that you can't do!" Monty snarls, punching his hand for emphasis.

Clovis is dressed in a suit similar to Alister's however it's more patched up and even doll-like as the pants have been hand cut into shorts. The bat mask is even more doll-like as it looks to be made out of plastic.

Montgomery is wearing a crocodile mask and dark green suit, simple designs cover the outfit which looks a little stiff on him. Moon disregards the two's argument with a sigh and directs their attention to Avery and Logan.

"Team Five is ready!" Avery grins, holding onto the metal arm of Logan who rolls his eyes with disinterest. Two are wearing masks that resemble sparrows and while Avery's dress is teal and reaches her shins, Logan is wearing a classic black and white suit.

"Lastly, Team Six?" Moon questions, glancing over at Doug who is wearing a simple black and white suit with a mask that resembles an owl. Surprisingly enough, Skin is also wearing a mask, the same one as Damari.

"Seriously Doug?" Logan questions, gesturing to skin and pinching his temples.

"Well I'm sorry, you're not the one wearing a cloak that can bite your head off." Doug scoffs, stiffening at Skin's growl. "B-Besides, it wasn't my option. It practically forced me to put the mask on it."

Moon sighs, fiddling with the astral cuffs around their wrist, which are hidden from view. Sun notices and places a hand on their brother's shoulder.

"We got this." Sun affirms, squeezing Moon's shoulder, allowing the unease in both of them to alleviate slightly.

With a nod, Moon reviews the plan, leading everyone out of the inn and towards the castle, following the streams of people flowing towards the castle as well.

~~~~~

As the four of you enter the castle, staff and other guests are already bustling around, hastily making their way to the ballroom.

Elliot's grip on your hand tightens, his nerves flaring from the number of people. You tighten your grip as well, your anxiety bubbling for a different reason.

As you and the others approach the ballroom, you are stopped by Boris, who seems to have appeared out of nowhere. His suit is the same as always, however, his tie is purple and a red broach with the symbol of the king is attached to the left side of his chest. His face, however, is concealed behind a black lion mask.

"The king has instructed me to bring you to a different location." Boris says, allowing you to recognize him by his voice.

"Really? I wanted to dance with you though..." Elliot sighs, disappointed.

You smile, crouching down to Elliot's eye level and pulling out your pad of paper and pen. Don't worry, I'll dance with you before the event ends.

"Promise?" Elliot beams, extending a pinky.

Promise. You write, before intertwining your pinky with his.

Kiara, whose wearing a red and black suit with a white crow mask and bun-tied hair, grabs Elliot's shoulder, discouraging him from following you.

With a wave, you are guided away from the ballroom and lead up a set of stairs. Instead of the stairway being spiraled, it leads directly up to a room, one that four guards are protecting.

Boris motions for them to let you in, which they do so without question.

As the doors open, a dark hallway is revealed, and you are ushered in by Boris, who follows suit.

Your unease begins to rise as the doors close, plunging you and Boris into the darkness.

Your eyes begin to focus, and you notice a dim light bleeding from under a few curtains in front of you.

Boris steps forward, pushing the cascading curtains aside. Revealing Eclipse who is dressed in a suit with a palette similar to yours and is holding a matching crow mask in hand. Standing next to him is a... second Boris?

You glance between the Boris next to you, and the Boris between the King, watching as the Boris next to you begins to turn into stone and crumbles into dust.

"Dewdrop, You're here." The king grins, directing his and Boris's attention toward you. Suddenly your anxieties ease, almost as if you had none at all.

Chapter Text

You step further into the room, gravitating toward the King. The room is sparsely decorated and is filled with a few chairs and bookshelves. On the opposite side of the room is an archway covered by curtains. You can hear loud and excited chatter from behind it.

Several paintings adorn the walls, including a clock and mirror that Eclipse stands in front of.

"I'm glad the outfit I gave you fits well." Eclipse mutters, eyeing your frame. You stand a bit straighter, despite not feeling intimidated or scared.

" Of course, our staff ensured the measurements were nothing less than perfect." Boris reaffirms, noticing the clock behind Eclipse. "Your majesty, I believe it is time for you to make an entrance."

The King sighs, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves before gesturing for you to join him by the mirror.

As you do, the king places his hands on your shoulders, the same shiver from this morning gracing your spine. Eclipse notices, and smirk tugs at his lips.

"No need to be nervous, Daybreak. The crowd will love you. " The King reassures, his voice easing any nerves as if you had none.

Without another word, you are whisked in front of the curtain, Eclipse standing behind you.

As Boris steps through the curtain, you can hear the music and chatter die down.

"Welcome everyone. Thank you all for making your way here. I am aware that the travel has been long, especially on such short notice. We have sent out our fastest carriages to collect those from far away, and we are more than grateful that you are here today." Boris states, his voice and gratitude clear in every word as it echoes throughout the ballroom and halls.

"As you know, it has been years since the last event was held here in the palace, and since then The King has locked himself away in solitude, focusing on keeping the nation fed, sheltered, and protected from other kingdoms." Boris continues, hushed murmurs of gratitude and understanding filling the silence.

"After the recent events regarding our nation's protector and the most feared dragon in the entirety of Feragon, Aggamon, we have prepared this masquerade in its honor, in its defeat, and in its successes." Boris's voice is drowned out by Eclipse, who leans down by your ear.

"Are you ready?" He mutters, and you hesitate to nod. Thousands if not millions will be in the ballroom, not to mention your party. All eyes will be on you and The King. Rumors are undoubtedly going to spread.

Eclipse seems to notice your inner turmoil and his right-hand trails your right arm, intertwining with your own.

"With all that being said, please kneel and show your respects..." Boris continues, and your anxieties begin to worsen.

You can't do this, there are too many people. What if things go wrong again? Will your party even show up? How are people going to react? Who is going to be there? What if they all make fun of you for being mute? Your scars are on full display, you aren't wearing a cloak. What if you make a fool of yourself?! 'I can't do this... I can't do this, I can't do this, I can't do this-'

Eclipse says your name, snapping you out of your thoughts.

You look up at the tall figure, your breathing labored and erratic. You didn't notice when he had put on his mask.

The king's rays twitch, flashing purple.

"To His Majesty Of Sirus, King Eclipse." Boris declares, and before you can react, the king places a kiss on your forehead before guiding you through the curtain.

~~~~~

"This ballroom is bigger than I thought..." Clovis and Alister mutter at the same time.

The ballroom, despite looking smaller outside the castle, is a large and humongous room with three surrounding floors. The first level is wide and filled with thousands of people, while the second and third floors are filled with tables and chairs which are also filled with an uncountable amount of people.

Despite this, people are still flocking in, each person more excited than the last. A grand orchestra of thousands of musicians, bards, and conductors sit underneath a balcony, one where a woman and a few knights are standing.

"Anyone got eyes on a figure with a black lion mask?" Roxanne questions as Avery disperses enchanted opals to each of the party members.

"There are millions of black lion masks. How do know which one is the right person?" Sun questions, glancing at their brother who also seems at a loss.

"I can't find Star anywhere with all these people." Moon sighs, turning to Clovis. "We need high ground, see if you can spot anyone."

"Aye, Aye Captain." Clovis says, saluting before jumping off of Alister's horns and flying upwards, his green light getting drowned out by the candles in the large chandeliers.

"Avery, Logan, Alister, and Damari, look for a way to get the broaches." Moon orders and the four of them nod before dispersing into the crowd.

"There's no room for errors..." Moon mutters, their hand finding Sun's who squeezes it in reassurance.

Suddenly, the curtain where the woman and knights are standing is opened, and a man walks through it. The orchestra slowly comes to a stop and so does the loud chatter of the ballroom.

The man is wearing a black lion mask and a purple tie.

Clovis's voice can be heard from the opal. "You guys are seeing what I'm seeing?"

"Yep... Target spotted." Monty mutters, cracking his knuckles.

The man begins to speak up, and almost instantly everyone recognizes him from his voice as Boris.

As Boris begins to make a speech, Clovis flies down, landing on Sun's rays. "I knew that guy was shady... I found the human's family, but not the human."

"Any updates?" Chica questions as Damari's voice replies from the opal.

"No... Can't find.. Good target." Damari mutters, bringing down the hopes of the group.

"With all that being said, please kneel and show your respects..." Boris declares loudly, interrupting the party and catching their attention.

"To His Majesty Of Sirus, King Eclipse." He finishes, and the curtains behind him part ways.

The first thing that Sun and Moon notice is you.

~~~~~

Murmurs of amazement and respect flow throughout the crowd like the wind as people bow and kneel.

Time feels like it stopped as Sun and Moon watch your frame from below. Despite wearing a mask, they could immediately tell that it was you.

The candles cast a shadow over both you and the king, and yet your blush seemed as if it was as clear as day.

The two were in complete disbelief...

"Rise." Eclipse demanded, and everyone did just that. "Thank you, Boris, for the introduction."

Boris nodded, stepping aside and motioning for you to stand beside him. As Eclipse began to speak, the woman next to him began to move her hands, assumingly translating it for those who don't speak common or can't hear.

" As Boris had explained, Aggamon had been protecting this kingdom since birth. It was a formidable dragon, and I was blessed with the chance of raising it." Eclipse says, all eyes on him.

"Aggamon's betrayal was to be expected as Aggamon was reaching adulthood and wanted the territory for itself. However, this is my territory, and finding one that would suit Aggamon's needs is an extremely hard task." Eclipse explains, his voice turning sorrowful.

"As lady luck would have it, I was unsuccessful in gaining land for it, and Aggamon lashed out. Unable to calm the young dragon, I was given no choice but to slay it. An action that I did not want to do..." Eclipse mutters, his voice still loud enough for others to hear.

You couldn't help but feel empathetic for the King as did the rest of the Ballroom. You looked out into the crowd, searching for any faces you recognized.

You spotted your mother, Kiara, and Elliot, who were the closest to the balcony. Neither Kiara nor Maria paid you any attention, their eyes solely focused on the king.

Elliot however, immediately waved, jumping up and down to see you better. You inaudibly chuckled, subtly waving back.

"I must thank those who helped me cut Aggamon down, as I could never bring myself to do so. I understand that the task was as difficult emotionally as it was physically, and my gratitude couldn't be shown in any other way." Eclipse states, walking towards the railing of the balcony.

"This Masquerade is not only to honor Aggamon but to honor the No Longer Fallen Celestials." The King declares, gesturing to Sun and Moon who barely stood out from the crowd.

It felt like a spotlight had been put on them as people followed the King's gaze. A moment of silence engulfs the room as you watch both constructs glance at each other. It was evident that the two were nervous if not surprised.

"Thank you and your party members for defeating Aggamon and protecting Sirus." Eclipse reiterates, and slowly clapping and applause begin to rise from the crowd.

~~~~~

As people begin to applaud the group, Roxanne and Chica notice a very familiar face in the crowd. Despite wearing a mask, and being a bit shorter than the rest of the people surrounding him, the two constructs could recognize his grinning face from anywhere.

Sun and Moon, however, direct their attention from the king to you, noticing your not-so-subtle glare and slow clapping. For a moment, Sun notices the difference in color in your eyes, realizing that something isn't right.

Your smug look leaves a bad feeling in the constructs' stomach. Perhaps you're planning something?

~~~~~

Eclipse motions for the crowd to quiet down, which they do without hesitation.

"This masquerade has been divided into 5 events. For the first two hours, you all will be able to freely roam the castle and ballroom. Certain areas are blocked by guards, such as bedrooms, libraries, treasure rooms, and other places that can be ransacked or destroyed." Eclipse explains, his eyes scanning the crowd.

"Then on 'till midnight, there will be a grand dance where people will be able to select partners to dance with. Staff of any kind, including Boris, are not permitted to dance and will be preparing the feast that will happen after the dance." Eclipse then motions for you to stand between him and the railing.

Your anxiety begins to flare and for a moment you hesitate, feeling millions of eyes on you. Boris nudges you, forcing you to move. With careful strides, you stand in front of the king, facing the crowd.

Sure enough, murmurs and hushed whispers begin to rise from the crowd, and you have no doubts that they're about you. Eclipse places a hand on your shoulder, almost instantly getting rid of any nervousness.

The king speaks up, his voice almost sounding endearing as he announces to the entire ballroom that he will be paired with you for the first grand dance.

"I must thank my equally as enchanting sorcerer and her family for allowing me the permission to dance with them. It truly is an honor to have both you as utility and your family as a support." Eclipse gestures to your family, who nod in acknowledgment.

"Lastly, after the feast, there will be a second grand dance. One where staff members will be able to partake in the festivities. Then you all will be able to free roam and return to your homes. The castle must be empty by dawn." The King finishes, allowing the excited chatter of the crowd to flourish.

"Thank you all once more for attending, and please enjoy the events of The Masquerade of The Celestials." As Eclipse gestures to the ballroom, people begin to applaud and the music kicks in. You are then whisked away behind the curtain, concealing you from your party.

~~~~~

"Did you guys get all that?" Alister's voice sounds from the opal, wary and nervous.

"Yeah... Seems like it's going to be harder to rescue puppers than we thought." Roxanne mutters, glancing at Sun and Moon.

"We need to get them before the feast. Their eyes... Aren't normal." Sun concludes, glancing at their brother whose hand tightens around theirs.

"Everyone stay focused. You guys know the plan, and we need to stick with it." Moon says, holding up the opal in his other hand. "This has to work..."

Chapter Text

~~~~~

"You're speech was wonderful, my king." Boris states, closing the curtain behind him. "I also spotted a few of the nobles from your list, they are sure to want to speak with you."

"Well then, I suppose I'll have to speak with you afterward, Dewdrop. I'm sure your family also wants to speak with you." Eclipse mutters, his demeanor turning on a dime.

You nod, a bit disappointed that you are unable to ask about what happened before his speech. Eclipse seems to notice this as Boris leads both of you back out the two curtains that led to the stairs.

"However, should you meet me in about, 15 minutes in the gardens to the west of the ballroom, I should be able to spare a few minutes alone with you." Eclipse smirks, stopping at the end of the stairs.

"I'm sure we have Much to discuss~," The king says, kissing the back of your palm before being guided past the ballroom by Boris.

You're mind wanders over the events of today, causing a strange and almost unnatural giddy feeling to flow through you as you walk toward the ballroom.

As you enter, you are almost immediately tackled by Elliot, who seems to have been waiting at the entrance for you.

"You were amazing!!!" He beams, hugging your side as Maria and Kiara walk up.

"You would not believe the amount of gossip people started spreading the moment you stepped out of the curtain." Kiara muttered, rolling her eyes in disgust.

You glance around the room, noticing a few looks from others. You bottle up your nerves, wanting to be able to relax and enjoy things for once. Besides, 15 minutes can go by in a flash.

~~~~~

"Curtis!" Roxanne and Chica exclaim, moving past people and nearly tackling the stubby man.

"Chica! Roxanne! How have you two been?" Curtis chuckles wholeheartedly, his grin visible behind his mask. He is wearing an orange decorative suit with a blue tie and white undershirt, along with a fox mask.

Chica and Roxanne hesitate to answer, glancing at each other before looking away. Curtis notices this.

"Did something happen when you two left Transmere?" He questions, and Sun fills him in.

-----

"Oh..." Was Curtis' only response. Guilt and tension hung in the air between Sun, Moon, and Chica. Neither of them could look him in the eyes.

"C-Curtis, I can explain-" "There's no need." Curtis intercepts Chica, his voice, instead of being harsh or sounding upset, was fond and understanding.

"Miscommunication happens, and so does double-dealing... It's not my place to intervene or pass judgment as I'm sure you guys have to figure things out amongst yourself." Curtis sighs, glancing between the three, who looks more than relieved to find that he isn't upset.

"What I'm more concerned about is if my niece/nephew isn't with you guys, then.." Just then, Alister's voice can be heard from the group's opals, cutting off Curtis.

"Oh uhm, forgot to mention that the Human went into the garden a few minutes ago." Alister informs, resulting in the group facepalming.

~~~~~

You walk through the garden, noticing a few lanterns that light up a path. Curiously, you follow the path, which leads to a grand gazebo.

The gazebo is made out of quartz, surrounded by various vines and foliage. Roses of all kinds adorn the railings and a small glowing lake surrounds it.

Your eyes, however, focus on the person standing in the center of it.

"I see you've managed to find this place without much hassle, Daybreak." Eclipse smirks, gesturing to his surroundings.

Nervously, you nod, walking towards him and over the quartz bridge. The king looks back over towards the lake, gazing at the large statue of him and Aggamon.

"Magnificent, isn't it?" He mutters as you stand next to him.

You nod, looking at it with awe. The statue resembled what you could only assume to be Aggamon's lifespan. Part of it displayed Eclipse caring for a large egg, and another part of it showed him training a much smaller version of Aggamon. The entire statue was almost like a visual Biography, displaying important moments throughout Aggamon's and the king's life.

"I was planning to show this to him on his birthday later this month..." The king sighs, his voice thick with what you could only assume is sadness and disappointment.

You gently rest your hand on Eclipse's forearm, wanting to comfort him. He glances down at you as you write: I'm sure Aggamon would have loved to see it.

Eclipse smiles softly, placing a hand on yours. You notice his rays twitch and flash purple before he suddenly pulls you close.

"Not to disregard my grieving so suddenly, but you had wanted to speak with me about something?" Eclipse questions, and you almost immediately get cold feet.

~~~~~

Sun and Moon follow the path within the west-side garden, having to figure out which direction you went due to Alister's lack of directional sense.

"Do you see them yet?" Moon questions, glancing at their brother as the two of them look around.

Sun hesitates to respond, unable to find you within the garden. That was until they heard the king's voice.

The two duck behind one of the hedges, glancing up at the gazebo. Sure enough, you were standing there with the king. In his arms.

"Well, I figured it'd ease some of your nervousness~ It worked, didn't it?" The King speaks in a honeyed voice, one different from his speech.

The two constructs watch you nod, your face visibly flushed despite wearing a mask. Both Sun and Moon exchange a glance, a strange feeling sparking within them both.

They didn't like watching you in such close proximity with the king, that much they could tell. But they couldn't understand why... It felt wrong..

"Speaking of the masquerade, I noticed you glaring at someone... Was it your party?" Eclipse questions, and you nod, looking down.

The King chuckles, holding your chin and directing your attention back to him. "No need to feel ashamed. I know how you feel about them... Their betrayal hurt, didn't it?"

Sun and Moon quickly hid behind the hedge, fully concealing themselves as Eclipse glances in their direction. It was clear that he knew they were here, but did you?

They watch as you reluctantly nod, your grip tightening on the king's forearms... Eclipse sighs, pulling you even closer, to where your bodies were touching. This made the strange feeling in Sun and Moon even worse. This didn't feel right at all.

"From first glance, according to Boris, it was clear that you had a strong admiration for them. Why, saying you Liked them, wouldn't be too far off would it?" Eclipse ribbed, knowing your response.

You hesitated to respond, feeling an ache in your chest as you nodded. It was obvious.

Eclipse kneels down to your eyes level, placing a hand on your cheek.

"… You know... I wouldn't have pushed you away like that." Eclipse mutters, his eyes trailing your face. "I would've waited for you to tell me instead of jumping to conclusions. Something that those two do often."

Sun wanted to intervene, nearly stepping out from behind the hedge if it wasn't for Moon who stopped them. They needed things to play out, They needed to see what was going on behind the scenes...

Sure enough, a thin purple mist began to emit from not only the King but you as well. This caused their hearts to sink.

You and the king are being controlled... Or perhaps, the king is controlling you?

The brother's thoughts were interrupted when Damari's voice could be heard from the opal, panicked but quiet.

"Problem..." Damari quavered. "Big Problem..."

Chapter Text

~~~~~

Damari didn't think this plan through at all, figuring that whoever they could catch alone would be easy to mimic... To say that they overestimated their abilities would be an understatement.

"I asked you a question, you creep! How did you get past the guards?! The staff changing rooms are off-limits to guests!! And who did you contact just now?!" The figure, currently holding them by the collar of their cloak, badgered.

For a re-cap, Damari had found a simple-looking target by the name of Alexander. He was a human and looked rather scrawny, however, he was incredibly fast, and whenever Damari tried to follow him, the young man would have already been across the room.

When Damari got turned around, they entered the wrong changing room by mistake. Fortunately, there was only one person in the room. Unfortunately, that person was a Four-Armed Female Goliath, and to make things worse, they stumbled in on her right as she was taking off her shirt...

"Accident-" "Bullshit!" The Goliath, named Therra, interrupted. Her face was flushed from both anger and embarrassment. "There's no way you snuck in here on accident, you pervert! I'm getting the guards and you're coming with me!"

Damari panicked, knowing that if they were taken to the guards, then the plan to rescue you would fail. Acting quickly, Damari removed their mask, biting onto the goliath's arm.

"Shit!-" Therra quickly let go of Damari, waving her hand and looking at the bite mark. If Damari left now, the Goliath would only rat them out to the authorities. So they attempted to tackle her, only for Therra to quickly counter the tackle and send them flying into the wooden lockers.

Damari grunted as they dropped to the floor, noticing how the wood cracked from the force of the blow. They barely reacted fast enough to dodge the punches that followed as Therra relentlessly struck the wood, trying to land a hit on the Detergeo.

Damari managed to scramble away before getting chased around the room. They fumbled to grab the opal before quickly calling for help.

~~~~~

Alister had gotten lost quite a lot when trying to keep up with Damari, finding the mass of people and corridors hard to navigate through. However, before they could ask Damari where they went, their voice emitted loudly from the opal, followed by muffled yelling.

"Need Help! Made Mistake!" Damari's words were more broken up than usual, however, it was easy to tell that they ran into trouble.

"W-Where are you, this place is huge!?" Alister questions, swiveling their head around in a panic.

"Dressing room! On lef-" Damari's words were cut out by a loud thud which only sparked more worry in Alister.

"Dressing rooms? Where are those?? Damari???" Alister could feel their heart stop when Damari didn't respond. Pushing down their panic, Alister began to retract their steps.

"We went this way, then over here... and then, this way???" Alister mumbles, rushing around the halls and weaving around the countless mass of people.

"Oh, if Clovis was here I wouldn't be lost..." Alister whinged, as they found themselves in another random corridor. By some miracle, Alister was standing right outside of the dressing rooms. Relief flooded through them as they went to open one of the doors, before hesitating.

They glanced at both doors, unsure which one to open. "Crap, which one did they go through??"

Alister's question was answered when an inhuman screech of pain sounded out from the women's dressing room, and on impulse, they flung the door open.

~~~~~

"Come on, we need to help the others!" Avery needled, pulling on Logan's metal arm to drag him away from the food table. The two were listening and talking with other guests in hopes that they would be able to gain more information about you and your whereabouts. However, all that they were able to gather was gossip, rumors, and all the above.

"The Eladrin is already helping the Dertegeo. For now, we need to get information that isn't hearsay..." Logan drawled, unmoving.

Avery huffed as she let go of him before turning away, crossing her arms, and closing her eyes. "It's a giant party, Logie, nobody here is going to know anything. And the odds of finding valid information at the snack table is-"

Avery stepped forward, bumping rather harshly into a figure and cutting off her sentence. "Ah, S-Sorry." The figure muttered, glancing down at her and checking for any injuries.

"No, No, your fine. I wasn't looking where I was going." Avery spluttered as she looked up. The figure was wearing a dark blue cloak which was engraved with emblems, along with a wolf mask. Their entire being seemed to radiate magic of all kinds, however, what caught Avery's attention the most was a broach that resembled a crimson dragon.

Logan watched the encounter from the corner of his eye, noticing the broach as well.

"Say... Do you happen to know who that was on the balcony with the king?" Avery inquires, resting her hands behind her back before rocking on her feet.

The figure looked at both Avery and Logan, inspecting them before responding. "Maybe. Why do you ask?"

"A friend of ours has been trying to get in touch with them but has been unsuccessful so far. We've been asking around to see if anyone knows anything about them." Logan answered, walking next to the cleric.

"It would mean a lot to us if you could give us any information about them, Boris, or his majesty." Avery added, grasping both hands of the hooded figure.

The figure slipped his hands back into his cloak before observing the two. For a moment, the duo felt as if they were being peered into, similar to how Damari would stare at them from time to time, supposedly reading their minds and memories. However, this one felt as if their entire being was being read like a book.

"F-Follow me." The figure muttered before walking off. "Oh, and you guys are going to need these." He adds, tossing two staff broaches in their direction.

~~~~~

"Damnit Tinkerbell! You just said you had eyes on him!" Monty growled, grabbing Clovis out of the air. The two had been looking for Boris, and each time they got near, he would be gone.

"I did, you stupid Croc! It's not my fault that you move too slow!" Clovis snapped, squirming out of the construct's hand.

"Grr, Oh I'll show you slow, you stupid tooth fairy!!" Montgomery raged, swiping at the fairy who flew out of the way.

"Try me, you oversized clod!!" Clovis taunted, sticking out his tongue as he continued to dodge Monty's attacks.

Chica, Roxanne, and Curtis all sighed out of embarrassment and annoyance. The two had been arguing the entire mission, which only brought more attention to them.

"Guys, we need to focus-" "Both of you idiots, Shut up!!!" Roxanne ordered, cutting Curtis off.

"Make Us, Canine!!" The two retorted, fuming.

"I can't tell if their name-calling is getting better or worse..." Chica huffed, watching as Roxanne, Clovis, and Montgomery began to fight. Curtis exhaled deeply, noticing a figure in the corner of his eye.

He watched as Boris slipped into a room, unguarded by knights and away from the ballroom. Something about it felt off, however before he could voice his concerns, Curtis cut him off.

"He's over there! Now let go of me!" Clovis snaked his way out of Montgomery's hand as the two rushed towards the room, Roxanne calling after them.

As the duo snuck into the room, Roxanne, Chica, and Curtis followed after them, standing nearby the door to prevent others from walking in. Curtis knew not to ignore his instincts and kept an eye on the entrance, peering through the crack from a distance.

~~~~~

Clovis dimmed his light as the two entered the room, looking around for the butler.

"Are you sure he's in here?" Monty mumbled, keeping his voice down so as to not alert anyone.

"I'm almost positive. He should be-" Curtis was cut off when he bumped into something. He rubbed his head as he looked forward, only to witness a vase fall off of the shelf in front of him.

The two panicked as they tried to catch the vase, only to knock more things over in the process. Before they could argue, however, the sound of footsteps forced them to hide.

Montgomery slid between two bookshelves, cutting off any light he emitted and blending into the dark. Clovis hid behind one of the candles, thankful for the flame which covered his glow.

Sure enough, Boris emerged from the corner, looking at the huge mess of broken glass, scattered books, and other miscellaneous items that were covering the floor.

He glanced around, looking for any signs of someone being nearby. Monty stood as still as a statue, and Clovis hid further behind the candle.

"Whoever is there, please reveal yourself. Otherwise, I will have no choice but to reveal you myself." Boris stated, bending down to clean up the mess. Neither moved. "I will count down from ten. This is your final warning. Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six..."

Clovis glanced at Montgomery, who gestured for him to distract Boris. Clovis huffed before flying out in front of Boris's face. "Alright! Alright, You caught me!"

Boris's expression remained unchanged as he began picking up a few of the shards of glass. "Figures. I assume you've come to fulfill Kiara's ransom?"

"No, I've come to tell you that we're not paying and that you're giving us the human back." Clovis crossed his arms, looking at Boris with a scowl.

An amused glint flashed in Boris's eyes, despite his voice remaining calm and calculated. "Well, that's a shame."

Boris grabs Clovis by the wings, who in turn yelps and tries to get out of the butler's hold. "Let me go, you-" Boris cuts Clovis off by holding up a very sharp dagger.

"Sorry, but business is business." Boris says, moving the dagger towards Clovis's wings.

"Wait, Wait, Wait, L-Let's be civil about this!" Clovis shrieks, glancing at Montgomery who was moving behind Boris. An idea pops in his head, allowing him to regain his composure. "Let's make a deal! You let me and the human go, and you won't die, how does that sound?"

Boris seems amused by this, stopping his movements. "And how do you intend to kill me?"

"Oh no, I can't kill you. But my buddy can!" Clovis grins smugly, glancing past Boris. "Say hi buddy!"

Boris looks behind him, only to be met by a much taller Montgomery. Monty cracks his knuckles with a murderous glint in his eyes, if Clovis wasn't on his side, he would've been terrified.

"Hi." Was the only word Montgomery said before punching Boris hard enough to break his mask...

Chapter Text

~~~~~

The feeling was becoming unbearable the more the brothers watched and it was clear that both wanted to intervene.

"You don't deserve people like them, Daybreak. Truly, you deserve someone who can treat you better. Someone who can do, get, and Be everything that you want..." Eclipse continues in a low and honeyed voice as the purple mist gets denser, and his face moves closer to yours. Sun and Moon couldn't see it, but you were swooning. Swooning in a way that felt odd, and forced.

"But alas... You're still in love with them, aren't you?" Eclipse mutters before moving to pull away. Instinctually, you stop him, watching as his rays twitch purple before he leans in. Time felt as if it slowed down as you moved to shake your head, leaning closer to the king in a way that caused Sun to interfere.

"Sunshine!" They call out, almost immediately stopping you from denying, and dispersing the dense mist that previously clouded you two. You and the king pull away from each other and glance at the brothers who reveal themselves from behind the hedge.

"W-We've been looking all over for you-" "What's going on?" Moon interrupts, cutting off Sunny's sentence. You and Eclipse glance at each other before looking away, your face visibly flushed.

"Ah, The Celestials.. Have you come to see the statue?" Eclipse smirks, seemingly unbothered by the brothers' presence.

Both Sun and Moon made their way onto the Gazebo. Moon, standing directly in front of Eclipse, while Sun stood in front of you. "Out of all due respect, I asked a question, Your Majesty." Moon sneers.

"I know, though that's quite the tone you have, considering the fact that you are standing in front of your ruler, is it not?" Eclipse retorts, both constructs undeterred by the other's presence and the underlining tones of irritation in their voices.

You could feel the air tense as Eclipse and Moon stared each other down and sized each other up.

"Sunbeam, the others and I have come to rescue you, Your sister had placed a ransom on you." Sun informs you, kneeling to your height, only for you to back away from them and step closer to Eclipse.

"I don't suppose you'd know anything about this, Do you?" Moon questions, their gaze never wavering from the king.

"Of course not, Beloved heroes. I simply wanted to get to know our dear human better." Eclipse grins, glancing down at you. You find yourself grinning back at him, only for it to be wiped away when Moon grabs your hand.

"Then you wouldn't mind if we took them back to the others, right, your Highness?" Moon challenges, pulling you towards them and Sun.

"No, not at all. Though, I don't think it's up to me to decide whether or not they want to go with, now is it?" Eclipse questions, watching as you pull away from the brothers and wrench your hand out of Moon's hold, surprising both of them.

I don't want to go back. I want to stay here with Eclipse. I don't need rescuing, especially not from the likes of you two. You write rather harshly, shoving your pad of paper at Sun to prove your point.

You didn't want to go back to the group, not after what they did. You didn't care whether or not your sister placed a ransom on you. You wanted to stay with Elliot. You wanted to stay with your Family. You wanted to stay with Eclipse.

Your eyes were glowing a bright pink and hints of purple underlined it. Now that they had a closer look, they could tell you were charmed...

"Sunshine... We know what we did was wrong. W-We jumped to conclusions and didn't wait to hear you out. We're truly sorry-" "Guys! There you are, you both ran off without- Did we interrupt something?" Sun's words are cut off by the sudden shout of Doug, who was initially jogging towards the gazebo before halting at the stairs. You could recognize the cloak he was wearing as Skin.

~~~~~

The figure began to guide Avery and Logan through a series of corridors, their pace fast and meaningful. Logan and Avery kept a good distance from him as the artificer leaned down to whisper to the cleric.

"… Something about him doesn't sit right with me." Logan mutters, keeping an eye on the figure. "How do we know we're not walking into a trap?"

Avery swallows nervously, glancing up at Logan before looking at the mysterious cloaked man who walked in front of her. He was silent and yet each step felt as if he was saying a thousand words at once.

It didn't take a genius to tell that he was someone important and despite not looking like it, she could tell that he knew things about them that they didn't. No other staff member would be helping them, much less giving them the very thing that they need.

"Excuse me, Mr..." "… Zed. My name is Zed." The man mutters, finishing Avery's sentence.

"Right. Would you mind explaining why you gave us these broaches?" Avery questions, glancing down at the broach that rested on her dress.

" And where you're taking us?" Logan adds, picking up his pace along with Avery to walk on the sides of Zed.

"Y-You need them, don't you? To save your friend?" Zed responds, keeping his attention towards the hall as he turns the corner.

"How did you know that we needed them?" Logan questions as the trio comes to a stop.

The air feels tense as they stand in the hallway, the only sound coming from the ballroom. Neither Logan nor Avery mentioned needing a broach.

Zed slowly turns to look at the two, his expression hidden behind his mask. "… Speculation."

Zed places a hand on a nearby wall between two armored statues, and for a moment, nothing happens. That is until the wall begins to glow, revealing complex light blue sigils in the shape of an arch. Both Logan and Avery watch with amazement.

Without a word, Zed steps into the wall which acts as if he is stepping into water. Avery moves to follow, but Logan stops her, looking closer at the sigils. He recognizes a few of them due to his occupation, but he's never seen the others.

Before he can comment on it, Avery drags him into the gateway. For a moment, it felt as if time had warped and caused the two to feel extremely nauseous. As they stepped to the other side, it took them a moment to get their bearings.

"S-Sorry, You get used to it after a while." Zed apologizes as Avery and Logan look around the room. In front of them is a balcony with spiral stairs leading down into a rather messy library. In the center is a desk filled with papers, books, and other items.

Zed, using magic, makes a gesture with his hand, and the room shifts into that of a lounge. A few sofas surround a glass table, one that has a strange liquid swirling around it. The walls become seemingly barren, save for a few paintings that change depending on how you look at them. There are windows that seemingly lead to the outside, however, sunlight shines through and not moonlight.

Avery and Logan watch in astonishment as Zed walks down the stairs, gesturing for them to do the same. The three make their way to the sofas, sitting down and surrounding the glass table.

"Let me introduce myself properly." Zed breathes, revealing a scepter from his cloak and tapping the glass table. "I am King Eclipse's strongest wizard, Uncle of the late Aggamon, Acquaintance of The Harvest, and Mentor of Maria Rosales. H-However I'd prefer to keep things informal, if that's alright with you both?"

Chapter Text

"Did we interrupt something?" Doug questions as he and Skin jog up the stairs to the gazebo. All three constructs glance at each other, before directing their attention to Doug who's seemed to have caught onto the tension between you four.

"Not at all." Eclipse states, glancing down at you. "We were simply getting to know each other better before The Celestials came to... Collect their dear human."

Before Doug could say anything, Skin growls and seemingly yanks him towards you. Once close enough, Skin unhooks itself and moves to latch onto you.

You pause for a moment, picking up the mimic. Eclipse's rays twitch purple and he places a hand on your shoulder. Almost immediately, you move to throw Skin onto the ground the same way you did when you ran from your group.

Skin catches on however and bites down onto your forearm, not allowing itself to be discarded so easily. You make a noise of pain that alarms the others and shake your arm vigorously, trying your hardest to get Skin to stop biting you.

"Sunbeam!" Sun yelps as they move to pull the mimic off of your arm, only for it to growl and bite down harder.

It was clear that Skin knew something was wrong with you, and that it did not want to be separated any longer. 'Ironic isn't it?'

A memory sparks in your mind as the word, ironic, flashes in your head. A memory of meeting Skin and being bit the same way you are now. Another memory follows, and another, and another, each memory of Skin and you flows like a stream, erasing the purple fog in your mind.

To everyone's surprise, tears begin to flood from your eyes and yet you weren't sobbing. You move to put Skin on, who in turn gladly lets you do so and nips at Eclipse's hand, causing him to remove it.

You move to write something, however your eyes along with Eclipse's flash purple, and you stop. You quickly wipe the tears, your earlier demeanor returning.

Before anyone could question what just transpired, four loud and reverberating chimes sound from a bell above the castle, signaling Midnight...

"Well, I suppose that means it's time for us to return to the ballroom." Eclipse mutters, before you attempt to loop your arm with Eclipse, only for Skin to try and bite Eclipse. You sigh before settling with following behind him.

Enjoy the Dance, you two. And have a good night, Doug. You jot down before turning to leave. Both Sun and Moon watch as you catch up with the king, only to smile at him and glare at them.

"… Well at least I don't have to worry about getting eaten." Doug shrugs before walking down the stairs of the gazebo, making his way to the ballroom as well, and the brothers reluctantly follow after.

~~~~~

"Alister! Hel-" Damari's words were cut off by another loud screech of pain as their arm was twisted even further behind their back and their head was being pressed rather harshly into the flooring below..

"You called for help?!" The four armed goliath growled, threatening to rip Damari's arm off as she glared at Alister.

Panicked, Alister teleported in front of the two, Their horns had become completely encased in ice and were as sharp as daggers. Their eyes glowed a haunting yellow and their skin had completely turned blue as they yelled, "Let them go!"

The goliath hesitated for a moment, allowing Damari the chance to morph into a figure from the goliath's memory. Their body became much larger and four arms began to grow out from their back.

"A Dertegeo?!" The goliath yelped in surprise as the creature beneath them quickly managed to over-power her and reverse the pin. The female goliath however was not going down easily. She began to thrash around, slamming her hands into the lockers beside her to cause a ruckus.

"Knock. out!" Ｄａｍａｒｉ commands, struggling to keep her still. If this continued, she would alert the men in male changing room or any passerby.

"H-How?!" Alister questions, doubting they could hit her hard enough to knock her out. An idea came to mind as Alister ran over to one of the benches in the room, managing to pick up the heavy stone seat.

The female goliath seemed to panic at this and thrashed around even more, forcing Ｄａｍａｒｉ to bite down rather harshly onto her shoulder to keep her from moving so much.

"Hurry!" Ｄａｍａｒｉ growls, as Alister carries over the bench.

"Sorry!" Alister apologizes before breaking the bench on the goliath's head, nearly hitting Ｄａｍａｒｉ in the process.

At once, the goliath's body fell limp, allowing Damari to return to normal. The two looked at the goliath with concern, wondering if they accidentally killed her.

Damari leans down and sighs from relief as she breathes in. "Still.. Alive." Damari mutters as Alister helps Damari up and gives them back their mask. The two stand over the unconscious goliath, allowing the adrenaline to slowly die down.

"… That's the first time I've heard you say my name." Thought aloud Alister as they glanced over at Damari who did the same.

"… True. Thank you.. Alister." Damari says, uttering their name for a second time.

"You're welcome.. Damari." Alister grins before the two begin to rummage through the broken lockers, only managing to find two broaches.

~~~~~

"Karma's a bitch, isn't it?" Clovis taunts as they kick the bruised body of Boris. The two had done a number on the butler after Montgomery initially knocked him out.

"Think he's dead?" Montgomery questions as he wipes the blood off of his knuckles on one of the handkerchiefs from the butler's pocket.

"Wanna punch him once more to make sure?" Clovis offers, flying up beside the construct. Instead of punching the man, Montgomery simply knocks over the nearby bookshelf onto him.

"That works too." Clovis shrugs as the two leave the room, locking the door behind them.

"What took you guys so long? Did you guys knock him out?" Roxanne questions, catching Chica's and Curtis' attention.

"Well... He won't be getting back up." Clovis replies, flying and sitting on top of Montgomery's shoulder.

Roxanne, Chica and Curtis looked between the two, noticing the complete lack of arguing. None of them pointed it out though.

"Guys! We found some broaches!" Alister calls out as Damari and them run towards the group.

"That's wonderful! All that's left is-" Curtis's voice was cut off along with the voices of the surrounding crowd as a loud, reverberating bell chimed four times.

"Midnight..." The group muttered, realizing that they might have ran out of time.

~~~~~~

"What?" Avery and Logan looked at the masked man with disbelief. The chances of them coming across someone like this was very narrow. At the same time, the magic that they have seen so far makes it hard to doubt his words.

"I-I've been watching you all for some time now as per someone's request and was lucky enough to bump into you both." Zed explains glancing down at glass table. Moving images begin to appear in the swirling liquid, each one displaying a member of the party that wasn't Avery or Logan.

"Woah..." Avery mumbled as she leaned closer to the table.

"Woah indeed." The images change slightly as Zed taps the table once more. A few of the party members seem to turn purple as a filter of sorts covers them. "This virus has gotten out of hand, and has corrupted more people than I thought..."

Logan leans closer to the table as well, taking note of the people with the most purple. Sun, Moon and You. "What do you mean Virus?"

The images disperse as Zed sighs. "It's not my place to give off too much information... However the King has made a deal with a man much stronger than me, or any other magic user in the world."

"This deal resulted in a virus of sorts, one that has corrupted him and others." Zed glances towards the gateway, seemingly distant. "I advised him against it, but he never listens to me..."

"Is there a way-" Avery's voice is cut off by four thunderous chimes of a bell, startling the three.

…

"You don't have a lot of time. You need to meet with my friend in the Afterdark. He can tell you more about the virus." Zed suddenly stands, ushering Avery and Logan out of their seats and up the stairs.

"Wait a moment, Who is this person-" Logan is interrupted by the gateway, as he and Avery are transported back into the hallway.

"Y-You'll know him when you see him. He took care of a certain Eladrin when they were young, and if that's not enough to convince him to help, Give him this." Zed sputters before handing Avery a pendant of sorts.

The pendant looked as if it contained a cloudy night sky within it. In the center was a glowing wolf. No matter how you turned the necklace, the inside stayed upright and would even swirl around.

"Be careful and don't lose it." Zed cautioned before returning into the gateway. Before Logan or Avery could ask any more questions, a group of guards caught them and moved them back to the ballroom.

~~~~~

As everyone began to regroup, you separated from the king to return to your family. The only issue was that your mother was missing.

"Kiara! Their back!" Elliot grins, running to hug your waist. He was stopped in his tracks as Skin growled, tightening around you.

You look up at the hood of your cloak, glaring at it as you kneel to hug your brother. "Woah!! What's that on you?!" Elliot exclaims as he bravely hugs you, ignoring Skin's grumbles.

This is Skin, the cloak that Uncle Curtis gave me. You jot down, and almost immediately, Elliot's eyes light up.

"Can I wear it?! Can I?! Can I?!" Your brother entreated, eagerly wanting to wear the creature that others wanted to stay away from.

When we get home, I'll - Your writing was interrupted when the orchestra suddenly began to die down. Your attention, along with others, was directed to the stage, where Eclipse, the translator, and Your mother stood.

~~~~~

"Thank you all for attending this Masquerade once more, as it is truly an honor to have every single one of you here today." Eclipse declared loudly, making sure that everyone in the ballroom could hear him. "If you could not tell by the grand bell, It is now midnight. Thus, the start of a Grand dance."

"I implore you all to join in and partake in the festivities." The caw of a crow broke through Eclipse's speech as the crow you've seen repeatedly, lands on the balcony above him. This time however, it is carrying what looks to be a banner in its mouth. On it, is the Crimson Sun, the symbol of Sirus.

"I have asked for the kingdoms of the entirety of Solstice, including the kingdoms of the Afterdark, to send their crows in honor of the Last Ancient Red Dragon, Aggamon." Eclipse continues, his gaze following as another crow lands next to his.

A connected thought between you and Elliot came to mind as both of you began counting the crows, following the order of the nursery rhyme. "One for a sorrow. Two for a joy..." Elliot muttered, as the crow revealed a banner containing the Dragon Head, the symbol of the kingdom of Erta.

Another crow came, landing on the other end of Eclipse's crow. This one was carrying the banner of Feyth, which featured a Trident. The fourth crow sat next to Erta, and revealed the banner of Inamiri. This banner had a symbol of a Shoe With Wings.

"Three for a girl. Four for a boy.." Elliot continued, watching as a fifth crow landed, displaying the symbol of Drin, a Sheild.

The next crow carried the banner of Acheron, the banner had a strange symbol, one that only a few could recognize as the symbol for "This Is The Place." The next crow carried the banner of Chaya, which had a symbol that resembled a raging Fire With Strange Eyes.

"Five for silver, Six for gold. Seven for a secret never to be told."

The crow that followed held the banner of Gyne, which featured a Lantern. The next held a banner of Nysyra, which contained a Sledge Hammer.

"Eight for a Kiss. Nine for a wish."

The tenth crow held a banner of Avani, which had the Face of a Cliffside on it. The 11th had a banner of Arkan, which had an animal paw print on it. It looked like a Lizard's or Reptile's.

"Ten for a surprise you should be careful not to miss. Eleven for health."

The second to last crow carried the banner of Aldahari, which looked to have a Great sword surrounded by Vines and Roses. While the last crow carried a burned and torn banner of Selenic, which possessed The Cyan Moon.

"Twelve for wealth. Thirteen..." Elliot's words came to a halt as he looked at the disheveled state of the last banner. Murmurs of concern flooded the crowd, as a torn and battered banner meant that something happened to the king and/or queen of that kingdom. As fate would have it, Selenic was ruled by Eclipse's brother, Lunar...

Chapter Text

The king's face was unreadable as he was looking up at the crows and his rays blocked his expression from view. The air felt thick and countless people in the crowd were unknowingly holding their breath from anticipation.

"Why is the flag torn?" Elliot mumbles, looking up at you and Kiara.

"Something must have happened to the kingdom, or at least the king themself..." Kiara explains, her eyes focused on the flag.

It had been years since a war between any kingdom and Selenic was waged. Many rulers were afraid to attack Lunar due to his connection with Eclipse and feared that by starting a war they would only suffer the wrath of both King Eclipse and Aggamon.

' But now that Aggamon is out of the picture... ' You worry to think about what and who could have done something to the King's brother. The focus soon shifted to the king himself as everyone watched with concern and even fear.

However, Eclipse lets out a deep sigh before looking at the floor. His aura radiated something unknown however people could only guess it was a mixture of surprise, anger, and perhaps even grief.

"As you can tell from the 13 crows of Solstice, Every kingdom of man and creature kind has united for tonight only to pay homage to the last ancient red dragon and the extinction of red dragons as a whole." Eclipse turns to the crowd, momentarily nodding at Maria who raises her arms towards the roof.

Radiant magic begins to form in her hands as Eclipse continues to speak. "May we all have a moment of silence for Aggamon and may it reunite with its mother."

As everyone copies Maria's movements and lowers their heads, small spheres of brilliance begin to appear within each pair of hands. Soft but quiet gasps of wonder emit from each member of the event. Soon the spheres move toward Maria, collecting to form a star of sorts.

She moves toward the center of the room, where a servant brings a tray that contains one of Aggamon's scales in front of her. Maria lowers the Sphere onto the scale, and you notice a trail of purple mist hovering around her. No one else seems to notice it.

Soon, the scale begins to hover as Maria starts an incantation, one that you recognize from the time your father died. It allows the spirit of the item to say a few words, but only for a minute.

Eclipse approaches the scale which morphs to resemble that of a miniature dragon and soon its voice can be heard loud and clear.

"My King, It has been an honor to serve you and look up to you as a parent. Though I beg of you, as a son and not a dragon, to reconsider your decisions." Aggamon says before addressing Sun and Moon.

"Celestials, I would always prefer to die by none other than your hands. You both have truly proven yourselves worthy of redemption, and I hope you have taken my final words of death to heart." Aggamon then addresses the rest of the ballroom, including the crows.

"Lastly, To the people and creatures of Solstice. I was born with another and raised by not only his majesty but by every single one of you. Do not fear the change that will come, but change and rise with it. Take care of Nu-" Aggamon's words were cut off the moment the minute was up.

Its words, though not many paid attention to them, brought up questions. 'What did it mean by "Born with another?"' You ponder, making a mental note.

"… Thank you all once more for attending this masquerade, and may you all enjoy the music played by the best musicians in all of Sirus and their rendition of The Devil's Waltz." Eclipse proclaims as the crowd begins to form a circle around the center of the ballroom.

You are quickly ushered by your siblings to the center on the opposite side of Eclipse. The candles seem to be dimmed and snuffed as a few mages, branding the symbol of Sirus, begin to use radiant magic, including your mother, to make two beams of light above you and the King.

It was now time for phase two of your rescue plan.

~~~~~

"Is everyone here?" Sun questions as Moon, Doug, and them shuffle towards the others, weaving through the crowd.

"Yep, Me and Logan got here last minute." Avery confirms, trailing behind Logan as the party regroups. "We found someone who told us to go to the Afterdark."

"The Afterdark?/?!" Both Alister and Clovis seemed to light up at the mention of the underground realm. The Afterdark could only be accessed by a gateway that commonly changed positions throughout the world. Thankfully, the gateway was residing in Dertegeo Thicket for the next few months.

"We'll talk about that later. For now, we need to get the next step in motion." Logan spoke up, looking at you and The King who were slowly walking toward one another.

"You're right. Damari, Logan, and Avery position yourselves in the hallway as we planned. Doug, since Curtis is here, you need to help him past the guards and out of the building towards the escape route. Clovis, Montgomery, clear a path for Alister." Moon instructs as the group parts once more.

"We'll help Alister get out, all that's left is for you two to get puppers to them." Roxanne nodded in encouragement before following the others to get the plan in motion.

As Sun and Moon watch you and Eclipse prepare to dance, the two glance at each other.

"We can do this, Moon." Sun assures, their nervousness palpable.

"...I hope so, Sun." Moon breathed, feeling a sense of determination wash over them as the two grabbed each other's hands before stepping out of the circle.

~~~~~

"Are you nervous, Daybreak?" Eclipse smirks, taking your hand in his and pulling your bodies close to one another.

You nod, feeling your anxiety rush through your veins. You had only done formal dancing twice and only did the waltz with your father. It had been years since you'd done the boxstep or anything of the sort. You could practically feel the eyes of the crowd clawing at your back.

Other couples and pairs moved to surround you two, though they weren't given a spotlight and barely covered you and Eclipse. You were thankful that Skin was behaving, but something about its silence unnerved you.

"Don't be. I will not let you make a fool of yourself or me." Eclipse vows, and with that, the orchestra began to play.

Eclipse took the first few steps, guiding you in fluid motions. It was clear that he had more experience as his movements were more graceful compared to yours.

Every time you stepped on his foot, the king's rays would twitch. However, he didn't say anything and focused on guiding you along with the others.

The music felt bold and yet melodic. You soon found yourself getting lost in the rhythm and motions. Your eyes had never left Eclipse, and he never left yours.

Soon, two more beacons of light caught your attention, and your mood darkened as you saw who they were. Both Sun and Moon stood tall, dancing with each other. However, their eyes focus on you and only you.

As they approached at the pace of the melody, you could feel Eclipse's hands tighten on yours as they grew near. "They dare to challenge their king?" Eclipse suddenly swirls you around, and instead of tripping, your body moves on its own, keeping up with the music that seems to grow in speed. "I guess it's time they learn that I hate to lose."

The two of you began to maneuver away from the brothers, only to be blocked off by other dancers. Before you could react, Sun quickly switched you with Moon, pulling you into another spin.

Your sudden ability to dance well disappeared, and you nearly tripped over your feet. Thankfully, Sun caught on and pulled you into their arms. You could feel your heart skip a beat as you and Sun began to dance.

"Please forgive us, Sunshine, and come to your senses. If we had known, we wouldn't have done what we did. So please, realize that you are being charmed! " Sun pleaded, though their voice was drowned out by the music. Before you could try and pull away, something in you kept you in Sun's arms. Something about the close proximity kept your heart racing...

Eclipse however, was not feeling the same way.

~~~~~

"What are you doing?" Eclipse badgers, keeping his voice low enough for the music to cover it as he glares at Moon. However, his annoyance and anger felt as if they were as loud as a siren's call.

"Taking Star back to safety." Moon growls, allowing themself to be spun around. "We've seen the purple mist you've been using, and we can tell they're charmed."

"Charmed? Are you sure that you're not claiming that out of jealousy?" Eclipse sasses, his smirk only growing at Moon's glare.

"I know what I saw, Your majesty. You can trick all your subjects, but you can't trick me." Moon sneers, using their Astral bracelets to summon another pair of arms.

"On the contrary, Moonie. I think I can." Eclipse twirls Moon once more as he passes you and Sun. He moves to grab you, only for Sun and Moon to switch places.

Moon's arms quickly latch onto you, securing you in their hold as Sun guides Eclipse away. To the crowd, it looked like an elaborate game of keep away was being played and that you were the ball.

"Starlight, please understand that what you're doing is dangerous... Me and Sun made a mistake, and we swear it won't happen again. All of us are worried for you." Moon laminates as they move to dip you. Once again, your heart swells, and your stomach begins to churn. You can't understand why you don't want to pull away.

You glance over at Sun and Eclipse, feeling as if a war was being waged within you.

~~~~~

"I'd hate to inform you that simply keeping them away from me won't break their charm spell." Eclipse hisses as Sun dips him.

"We know, but it's better than leaving them in your hands." Sun chastises, their determination radiating off of them in waves.

"Can't the same be said for you? After all, you were the reason why they came crying to me~" Eclipse ridicules, watching as Sun's rays shrink out of guilt.

As you and Moon pass by, Eclipse snatches you out of Moon's grip and swiftly guides you away. Once again, your body began to move on its own, and you were no longer tripping or moving out of time.

This reunion was shortlived however as you and the king were harshly bumped and tripped by a couple. Eclipse managed to regain his footing to avoid stumbling. Skin, however, wound around you tightly and kept you from balancing your weight.

You let out an inaudible yelp as you prepare to faceplant into the hard-tiled floor... The music stopped as you remained inches from the ground, only for a gasp to fill in the silence.

"Don't worry little light, I've got you." Alister reassures you as they pull you upwards. The candles re-light themselves and the spotlights disappear as all the attention is directed to you and the Eladrin.

...

"Ali, Run!!" Clovis shouts and in an instant, you are hoisted over Alister's shoulder.

Alister begins to sprint down the clearing that Clovis and Montgomery made and bursts out of the doors. You watch in shock as you are carried away from the ballroom, hearing Eclipse call for guards.

Alister did their best to remember the path of escape, hurridly singing a song that Clovis made to help them and Damari.

~~~~~

"Therra!" A maid calls out to Ｔｈｅｒｒａ, who quickly faces the two. One of the maids resembled that of a kobold, and the other resembled a satyr.

"What took you so long? We were supposed to sneak food from the snack table." The satyr, Meadows, huffs, and eyes the goliath.

"Shhh! We aren't supposed to broadcast it for everyone in the building, Meddy." The kobold, Eliza, sibilates, stopping in front of Ｔｈｅｒｒａ.

"Uhm.. Couldn't find Broach." Ｔｈｅｒｒａ mumbles, looking down at the two. Ｔｈｅｒｒａ glances into the memories of the two maids, finding that the three of them had been working together for years.

"Really? Well, I'm glad you found it. Me and Eliza managed to get here before the dance." Meadows grins, handing a small parfait to the goliath. "Speaking of which, Someone left a huge mess in the hallway to the staff breakroom. Loads of books, glass, and dust are scattered around a fallen bookshelf."

"Yeah, Boris and a few other staff had to clean it up, so we couldn't sneak back to the breakroom as planned." Eliza sighed before taking a bite of hers.

"Boris?" Ｔｈｅｒｒａ questions, confused. Boris should've been knocked out by Clovis and Monty. If anything, Boris should be dead with to how badly they hit him, according to Montgomery's memory.

"Mhm, I'm surprised he helped out. He always leaves the "menial" task to us and does everything the king asks him to." Meadows huffed once more, sitting on the window seal behind them. "I swear, he's practically obsessed with his majesty."

"Anyways, I-" "Stop that kid!" A guard shouts from down the hall, directing the trio's attention to a very panicked Alister, Skin, You, and a horde of people in armor.

Ｔｈｅｒｒａ moves towards Alister, and to everyone's surprise, she knocks down a pillar instead of grabbing them, blocking the guards behind them, and chasing after Alister before Eliza and Meadows can ask questions.

The two continue to rush down the hall, watching as a group of guards move to block their path. Alister quickly teleports towards them, their monstrous form returning once more as they command, "Move out of the way!"

Half of the guards pause, momentarily stunned by fear. Those who don't, however, get clothes-lined by Ｔｈｅｒｒａ.

Once they made it past the guards, Damari shifted back to normal. By this time, both they and Alister were singing the song as they made a sharp turn to the right, spotting Roxanne and Chica in the distance.

~~~~~

"They should be here any minute now..." Avery paced around nervously. Logan and she had already helped Doug and Curtis leave the castle and were supposed to guide everyone out. However, you all were taking longer than they thought. "What if things went wrong?"

"We still have the opals remember? If anything went-" Logan's words were cut off by the sound of rushed footsteps. Sure enough half of the group was running down the nearby stairs.

"Guys! This way, Over here!" Avery called out to them, catching their attention and pulling at a hidden panel in the wall.

"Where are Alister and the others?!" Logan questions, only to be answered by a loud commotion from above the stairs.

Alister, Ｔｈｅｒｒａ, Roxanne, and Chica were running towards the stairs, followed by countless guards and your mother.

"Alister hurry!" Roxanne shouts as she, Chica, and Damari rush down the stairs. The sound of an incantation being cast is shouted from behind the guards.

"I'm try-" Alister's words were cut off when a large purple astral hand reached to grab them, only to miss and mess up their balance, sending the eladrin, mimic and you, flying down the stairs.

Alister moved to teleport, however, a stream of purple mist flooded out from you and clouded their vision, creating a shackle that wrapped around their ankle tightly. At once, Alister knew that fey stepping was impossible.

Before Alister could hit the ground, they tossed you towards the others, leaving them to take the full force of the blow. First, Alister's shoulder was slammed into the corner of a stair, sending a shock of pain through their body which only became worse as their body bounced and tumbled before curling like a scorpion's tail when their torso met another stair.

It was painful to watch as Alister could do nothing but go limp, their body contorting and twisting as they hurled down the stairs that now seemed as if they were twice as long.

The worst part was when Alister's head was brutally double-tapped by both the railing and the 5th step from the bottom. For them, the pain suddenly disappeared along with their consciousness and the magical shackle.

The sound of a loud ᴄʀᴀᴄᴋ causes time to slow down as Alister tumbles down the last bit of stairs with finality. There is no movement afterward.

Everyone froze for a moment, watching Alister with shock. It became apparent that they weren't breathing and that Clovis's magic was flaring.

"No... No, No, No, NO, NO, NO!!!" Clovis shouts, flying towards his friend, and with a sudden burst of power, nearby pillars are knocked over, blocking the guards and your mother from getting downstairs.

"Wake up, Ali, Wake up!!" Clovis shakes the Eladrin, only to get no response. The tension in the room only became more intense as Chica caught you.

"Chica!" Kiara and Roxanne shout, sparking an inner conflict within the construct as she looks between the two. Knowing that she had to get you to safety and that the others would need time to evacuate Alister, she decides to run down the hall before running up a different set of stairs.

Chapter Text

"Stop right there!" A guard yells as Chica dashes through the hall, narrowly dodging a sphere of water cast by a royal mage in the horde behind her.

Chica had been running through the castle for what felt like hours, and though it was impossible for her to feel tired, she knew she couldn't continue for much longer. She turned the corner and began to run up a large spiral staircase, feeling a pang of guilt and regret for getting you in this mess.

Your mind flashes with images of Alister and the others, and a painful sting in your heart causes your whole body to ache. Yet, you couldn't understand why. Why did seeing the people who hurt you get hit with karma hurt? Why did it feel so wrong?

"I'm so sorry, cupcake... I-I know you may not know, but-" Chica's words cut off as she skidded to a halt. In front of her was Kiara and her men.

"Chica, bestie, I need you to return my sibling. Thank you so much for bringing them to me." Kiara's voice is accompanied by a honeyed smile as she extends her arms towards you both.

"Dearest! Unhand my child, you monster!" Your mother shouts, pushing past the guards in front of her.

Both sides began closing in on the construct, causing her to swivel her head around in a panic. Her back pressed up against a pair of very familiar doors. She busts through them, only to see the balcony with the stone bridge leading to the large glass dome.

"Chica, you are cornered. Please make the right decision, and nobody gets hurt." Kiara insists as the rest of your party runs underneath the bridge. "After all, It is your fault for getting everyone in this mess."

~~~~~

"Clovis, we gotta get out of here now! You can heal them once we're safe!" Montgomery yells, grabbing Alister's arm and hoisting their body over his shoulders.

Clovis reluctantly follows along, standing on his friend's horns and looking down at them with concern.

"What about Chica and puppers?!" Roxanne questions as the group rushes through the hidden passageway. Thanks to the distraction, they weren't followed and could navigate through without trouble.

"We'll have to hope they can escape unscathed. We need to get Alister to safety first." Moon sighs, though a large part of them wanted to go back for you.

The group makes their way to the other side, sliding the panel open before running and following the tracks that Doug and Curtis left.

"We're over here!" Doug calls from beneath the overhanging bridge as he and Doug regroup with the rest of the party.

"Where are the others?" Curtis questions, doing a headcount of everyone. His question is answered as Chica's voice is heard from above.

~~~~~

"It is not my fault!" Chica argues, walking backward onto the bridge and holding you close. "You tricked me! I thought we were friends!"

"And we are! But friends don't kidnap each other's siblings." Kiara refutes, stepping onto the bridge as well.

"Friends don't threaten to kill each other!" Chica quavers, her voice cracking as she looks down at you. "I-I used to be such good friends with your sister, and she suddenly cut off communication."

"Because my dad died! You can't hold me accountable for wanting space." Kiara interjects, taking a step forward as the wind begins to kick in.

"But I can hold you accountable for not telling me! The day before you suddenly disappeared, we had an argument that clearly was my fault. Before I could apologize, you shunned me! You suddenly stopped talking to me, and even though you knew I felt guilty, you never let me say anything to you!" Chica snaps, clearly still hurt by Kiara's actions.

"But I returned to you, didn't I?!" Kiara objects, extending her arms to the construct. "I even forgave you after all that, and we made things up!"

"You only came back after I had your sibling! Every conversation we had revolved around them!" Chica refutes, keeping you close to her as she continues to step back.

You watch as Kiara flinches, confirming Chica's words. "Because I was worried for them! Is it wrong for me to be concerned for my sibling's well-being?! I even trusted you to return them to me, and now you're backstabbing me!"

You could feel Chica's grip on you tighten, the word clearly affecting her. Kiara could tell as well. It was obvious.

"What did I expect, Hmm?! Once a traitor, always a traitor!" Kiara curls her hands into fists, turning away from Chica, who extends a hand towards her.

"T-That's not true-!" "Then what is, Chica? Huh?! You backstabbed your friends, and now you're betraying me! Have I not done countless favors for you?! I've protected you, cared for you, and so much more! I've been your friend since you were created! And this is how you repay me, you heartless construct?!" Kiara chastises, her voice cracking and causing the poor construct to shake.

"I-I... I'm sorry. I didn't want any of this to happen, I-I... I just wanted back a friend..." Chica's hand falls limply by her side, and if she could cry, she would. She sniffled and loosened her hold on you despite the growls from Skin.

This felt... familiar. You slowly began to remember arguments with Kiara, where no matter what you did or said, you were always at fault. Every time you tried to reason, Kiara would only pick at the parts of you that hurt the most until you eventually gave in to her.

You wanted payback, but not like this... Did you?

Kiara crosses her arms and hugs her sides before looking back at Chica. "I don't forgive you, and I don't think I will as long as you keep my sibling captive."

"If you return them, we can change back to being the close friends we used to be! Just you! and Me! And all of our old activities!" Kiara assures, turning around and taking a final step towards Chica. "Don't you want that?"

"I... I do, but..." "Then, please... Give them back to me." Kiara extends a hand, her eyes filled with what you could tell to be false promises.

You wanted to step in. You needed to stop Chica from making the same mistake you did. But despite your best efforts, your body refused to move. At least, not in the way you wanted it to.

You felt a strong urge to walk towards your sister, to reach out and grasp her hand. You could only think of returning back to your family. You wanted to return to Elliot. You needed to return to Eclipse.

Chica didn't stop your movements and slowly began to let you go. That was until she heard Curtis' voice above the howl of the wind.

"Chica! Please, listen to me! She is manipulating you, and you know it!" Curtis attests, his tone firm and clear. "A true friend wouldn't use you to get what they want! They would trust your capabilities to take care of others!"

"Curtis..." Chica glances down at the tubby man, tightening her grip on your arm.

"Remember the day she left and how you felt hurt and responsible? Even after years of not seeing her, you still felt guilty! No matter how much you tried to make things right, she shut you down quicker than I can close up shop. A true friend would allow you to reason with them and wouldn't hold a grudge against you for so long. A true friend would understand you and understand that Mistakes Happen." Curtis reminds, stepping in Chica's direction.

"Now, remember when you met Roxanne." Curtis instructs, glancing at the wolf construct next to him. "You both hit it off so quickly! Although you argued, she was understanding and allowed you to justify yourself. That doesn't mean you were right, but at least you were heard! Whenever Roxanne pushed you away and avoided you, it was only for a few days or a week at most! Not years!"

"She allowed you to make it up to her, just like a true friend would. Even now, after everything that has happened, she still cares for you, and I bet with my entire being that she is willing to give you a second chance." Curtis directs his attention to Chica, smiling softly.

Chica looks at Roxanne, wanting to confirm Curtis' words. Roxanne, however, lowered her head and clenched her fist. With a sigh, Chica moves to let you go.

"Don't you dare let puppers go!" Roxanne shouts, catching her attention. "After everything you and I did to get them back, if you let them go, I swear to the goddess above, I will never let you hug me again!"

Chica looked down at Roxanne, whose hands were wrapped around her mouth to make her voice louder. The two maintained eye contact for what felt like hours before Kiara intervened.

"Chica. My sibling, please. Don't hurt me more than you already have." Kiara presses, taking another step closer. She was almost in arms range of you.

The wind picks up again and threatens to throw you and Chica off the ledge. A thought comes to mind, and with a deep breath, Chica faces you to her. Although your vision was blurred in a purple haze, Chica's face was as clear as the moon behind her.

"Hey, cupcake, I'm so sorry for everything that has happened. I can only hope you'll forgive me, and if not me, then the others. Okay?" Chica implored, her smile as bright as the stars that decorated her frame.

You manage to nod despite being unable to fully understand what was happening. Chica begins to stand, pulling her bow from behind her and grabbing an arrow that held a strange bag of powder at the end.

"I only bought one before we got here, So let's hope it's enough." Chica mutters as she pulls the bowstring and aims it at Kiara. Of course, the others gasped, and Kiara withdrew.

"Y-You wouldn't..." Kiara mutters, looking at the arrow. Chica shook her head.

"Goodbye, Kiara. It was nice having you as a friend." And with that, Chica aimed her bow at the bridge below her and let go of the arrow.

At once, Chica grabs you and leaps off the edge moments before the bridge explodes and collapses.

The howl of the wind and the feeling of gravity caused you to hold onto Chica tightly, who did the same. Gasps came from below and above, but a growl in your mind stood out.

You could feel yourself regain control of your body, thoughts, and emotions. Panicked yet somehow calm, you tried to use an intermediate wind spell.

You could feel your descent slow down, only for the wind to pick up and make it harder to use your powers. The spell fails and causes you and Chica to hurl down even faster.

Chica crashes into the tower holding up the dome, and the sound of something breaking causes you to panic and look up at her. Her beak had been broken off.

Despite knowing the difficulties, you cast the wind spell again. Memories of the adventures you shared with Chica flood your mind, giving you the strength to persevere. Just before you both hit the ground, you miraculously stop falling, suspended only inches from the hard stone below.

You sigh in relief, hugging Chica tightly.

"Look out!-" Your party's cries were cut short as stones from the bridge rapidly approached you both. Chica swiftly moved over you, shielding you from harm and bearing the brunt of the attack.

Chapter Text

A loud creaking noise sounds from above you as your eyes flicker open. Your heart stops at the sight of a narrow metal pole inches away from your stomach, prompting you to suck it in. You glance up at chica, feeling your breathing hitch at the sight of her.

Behind her is the rubble from the bridge and her beak rests next to you. Her form is destroyed or better yet Ruined. Her body trembles as she barely manages to keep the rubble from crushing you. The narrow rod protrudes from where her core would be.

"Chica!!" Roxy shouts and you are quickly pulled out from under her, allowing the immensely damaged construct to fall flat on the ground, the weight of the rubble denting her skin.

"You there! Stop where you are and surrender!!" A guard from around a corner shouts. Feeling adrenaline course through you, you are swiftly grabbed by the celestial constructs and guided into the castle gardens as Avery, Logan, and Damari help Roxanne remove the rubble off of Chica and carry her.

The group runs through the maze of bushes, trees, and quartz managing to find a small alcove hidden behind thick and heavy vines.

"Clovis, Avery, make a healing circle." Sun commands, moving to assist Roxanne.

"Ali, wake up, please!" Clovis snivels, hugging one of Alister's horns as Damari holds Alister's body up to where their ear would be.

"Breathing..." Damari mutters with relief as Skin lets out a concerned growl. Everyone was bathed in a green and white glow as wounds slowly healed.

"Chica... You idiot! Why would you do something so reckless?!" Roxanne chastises, her voice breaking as if she was sobbing. Chica was pressed against her lap and held close.

A strange and static-like noise emits from the chicken construct as she tries to reach the wolf construct's face. Roxanne presses her head against Chica's hand, holding it with her own.

~~~~~

You sit against one of the stone walls, unable to look at your party. Your gaze rests on your lap as you remain motionless. On the contrary, your mind races with thoughts, guilt, regret, and hatred flooding your veins as if it were your own blood.

'What did I do...' You wonder, unknowingly holding your breath. 'I... I didn't... I didn't want this...'

'Chica...' You barely manage to lift your gaze towards the construct, feeling an unbearable pang of guilt as you watch her and Roxanne. The two were in an almost intimate position as their heads pressed against each other.

' Alister...' You watch as Clovis bawls his eyes out against Alister's unconscious frame, witnessing Damari let out a low whine. You didn't notice when Skin unhooked itself from you as it now rests next to the Eladrin's feet.

'Sun... Moon...' Your gaze blurs as you look at the two constructs who are comforted by Curtis. Montgomery growls, punching the ground as Avery focuses on her incantation. Logan and Doug reside by her, bathing in the warm and comforting glow of her magic.

' I did this... This is... My fault...' Your eyes return to your lap as your throat closes up. You did this. If you hadn't agreed to use the king against your friends... If you hadn't agreed to go home... If you had never met the celestial brothers, then none of this would have happened. This Is Your Fault.

Your trembling is noticed by Moon, who nudges Sun. The two move to cautiously approach you, their movements unnoticed by you. "Star-" Sun's words are interrupted by the sound of rustling.

Immediately, everyone tenses, remaining silent and praying that Clovis and Avery's light cannot be seen behind the vines. The sound of footsteps grows near, forcing Sun, Moon, and Montgomery to prepare/draw their weapons. Skin re-hooks itself back onto you.

You look up at the vines just in time to witness them being abruptly pushed aside.

' Elliot?' You question, your inner turmoil being stopped by the sight of your younger brother.

"There you are!!" Elliot exclaims, rushing to hug you. The group looks at Elliot with surprise, unsure whether or not to step in.

You pull away from the hug, just enough to see your brother's face. It seems both of you are ugly criers.

"You jerk! You could've been hurt! How dare you leave me behind again!" Elliot bawls, hitting you on the head before hugging you even tighter.

"I saw the others run off with you and wanted to follow, so I went through some of the castle passageways and gateways only to witness you fall and get crushed!!" Elliot explains, rubbing his face into your clothing as you instinctively move to hug him back.

"I'm glad you're okay but I'm coming to!! I'm tired of being held up at home, missing out on all of the fun, and you promised to let me wear Skin!" Elliot pouts, pulling away from you.

Your mind quickly clears as you shake your head rapidly. You can't let him get hurt. Especially because of you. You can't come, it's too dangerous.

"I Don't Care!!!" Elliot snaps, smacking the notepad and pencil out of your hands. "Oh, Elliot, it's too dangerous to go outside. Oh, Elliot, Don't run off like your sibling, you're bound to get yourself killed. Oh, Elliot, you're just a little boy, you can't possibly defend yourself from the evil of the world."

"Well news flash! I'm 12!!" Elliot growls, his hands balling into fists. "I'm tired of being treated like a baby that can't do anything but sit around all day and be pampered! I am coming with you and that's final!! Plus, I've been learning a bit of magic and know how to defend myself!"

~~~~~

The group looks at each other with bewilderment, watching as you and your brother argue. Curtis steps in, being one of the only ones who weren't injured.

"Uhm, well, I think your sibling is right. I don't think it would be wise-" "No!! I'm going and that's that!" Elliot crosses his arms, tilting his head away from you and the others.

You try to bargain with Elliot, saying that if he stays home, he can take Skin with him, who growls and bites you for even assuming that it would go with.

Eventually, you cave in, your energy depleting as the adrenaline wears off. Soon after, Alister stirs.

"Goddess, My head..." Alister groans, sitting up and cradling their head. They're caught off guard as Clovis hugs their cheek and Damari hugs their side. Skin growls as black fluid streams down Damari's face, Clovis's tears doing the same with him.

"Ali/Alister!" The two babble, clearly glad that their friend is awake. Alister glances at them with confusion but pats their backs.

"Wait! Which way is north?!" Clovis suddenly questions, leaning back to look at Alister's face.

"Uhm... That way??" Alister hesitates, pointing east.

"They're okay!!" Clovis chuckles slightly, his tears still pouring out of his eyes.

Chica moves to sit up as well, the major dents and damage, aside from her missing beak which was left under the rubble, fully healed. Avery breathes a sigh of relief, leaning against Logan who solemnly pats her head and praises her for her hard work.

"Chica! Oh, thank the Goddess you're okay!" Roxanne resounds, hugging her tightly around the neck. Chica hugs her back, however as she tries to speak, the same strange and horrible screeching noise comes out.

"Did I not heal her fully?" Avery questions with a tired expression.

"The rod must have damaged her core. That can't be fixed with healing spells." Moon explains, slumping down next to their brother who leans against them. "Only her creator or a specialist can fix it."

"Well. Isn't it a good thing that I know someone who can?" Curtis grins, standing up.

"Their footprints lead over here!" A guard shouts, prompting the group to head towards the cart, Chica leaning on Roxanne for support.

-----

You all arrive at the stables, spotting the horses. As you run towards the cart, a voice stops you in your tracks. "𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝒢𝑜..."

You glance behind you, looking towards the castle. The voice grows louder. "𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓎 𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝑀𝑒... 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓎 𝐻𝑒𝓇𝑒..." The voice mutters, its words as soothing as warm water in a chilly room. "𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒮𝒶𝒻𝑒..."

You start to feel tempted to go back, feeling the warmth start to move away from you. "𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒶𝒷𝒶𝓃𝒹𝑜𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃..." The others notice your hesitance as they climb into position.

"Puppers?" Roxanne questions, glancing at Sun and Moon who look back at you.

"𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝒹?.." The voice questions as the warmth travels to your fingers threatening to leave you. You almost reach out.

Skin growls, snapping you out of your trance. With a heavy and conflicted heart, you climb into the cart but in the spot furthest from Sun and Moon.

Elliot and Curtis seem to pick up on your feelings as they shuffle toward you, sitting on both of your sides. You lean against Elliot, who maneuvers your head into his lap. You nuzzle against the soft and delicate fabric of his dress, feeling Curtis's plump hand rub against your back.

~~~~~

"So... Are you Uncle Curtis?" Elliot questions, looking up at Curtis with wonder.

"Seems so, I'm assuming you are my Niece?" Curtis questions, looking down at the young boy with adoration and fondness. Elliot shakes his head.

"Nibling?" Curtis questions, only for Elliot to shake his head again.

"Nephew?" Curtis tilts his head, feeling relieved when Elliot nods.

"I'm Elliot! Elliot Benedict." Elliot beams, leaning against Curtis's body.

"Nice to meet you Elliot." Curtis leans against the young boy's frame, placing his hand on his head. You fall asleep soon after, a nostalgic warmth filling you. One that is different than before.

Chapter Text

The sun's gentle rays and the jostling cart cause you to stir. The sound of quiet chatter, snoring, and birdsong eventually fills your ears, along with the rhythmic padding of hooves. Your eyes flutter open, allowing you to take in your surroundings.

You're now lying in Curtis' lap, surrounded by a dense yet peaceful forest. The leaves from the tall trees block out most of the sunlight, allowing you to look around.

You glance around the cart, taking note of everyone's positions. Instead of Sun and Doug guiding the horses, Avery and Logan seem to be navigating the dense forest. Roxanne is curled up in Chica's lap, who is running her hand on the wolf construct's mane.

The quiet growls of Skin and Damari fill your ears as you glance over at Montgomery. He and Doug seem to be asleep and are snoring rather loudly. Elliot and Clovis seem to be in a very enthusiastic discussion about something, almost as if they were both looking in a mirror.

Finally, your eyes rest on the Moon and Sun. The former is lying lethargically in the cart as always, while their brother seems asleep on their chest with their rays tucked in. Alister is talking with Moon.

"At least you aren't afraid to admit your feelings." Clovis bantered, lying on his back on your younger brother's head. "We could have avoided this whole scenario if your sibling over there didn't try and bottle them up."

You felt your eyebrow twitch as Elliot snickered. "Oh, my two Romeos," Elliot started, clutching his chest and resting the back of his palm on his forehead dramatically. "It seems that I have been struck by Cupid's arrow and am solemnly and foolishly in love with you two."

This caught the group's attention as Clovis stifled a laugh. "Oh, our dear Jewel, it appears that we two have received the piercing blow of the goddess of love!" Clovis gasps, landing on the moving wood beneath him. He clutches his chest as well, extending an arm toward Elliot.

"Really?!" Elliot exclaimed as he lowered his hand, allowing Clovis to jump on it. Both seemed to be trying extremely hard to keep a straight face.

"Of course! Let us all celebrate with a kiss." Clovis bowed before him, and Elliot made kissing sounds.

You, embarrassed and extremely annoyed, spray water at the two. Unfortunately, this signified that you were awake.

"Ack-!/Hey-!" The two sputter as Clovis uses Elliot as a shield.

You hear the others wish you a good morning and your heart lurches. Figuring that you're not ready to face them after everything that has happened, you roll over.

"Come on, You've been asleep for ages!" Elliot drawls, poking at your side. You don't move which prompts Elliot to poke you again. Eventually, he begins to tickle you.

You begin to swat at him, trying your best to seem as moody as possible. Eventually, your facade breaks and you sit up, tickling him as well. Elliot laughs, the noise relaxing you slightly before Curtis breaks you two up.

"I filled in your brother on everything that has happened so far, seeing how he'll be accompanying us back to my shop. I hope that was alright with you, my friend- Er, Nibling." Curtis discloses, placing a hand on your shoulder to keep your groggy form from falling out of the cart.

You don't answer, keeping your head down. You don't dare to face anyone but your brother and uncle after what happened at the masquerade. 'It's my fault Chica's injured... It's all my fault...' You ponder, feeling the urge to cry and curl in on yourself.

The feeling of something hitting the back of your head catches your attention and snaps you out of your thoughts. You turn to look behind you, spotting an apple with a strange deep blue glow. Immediately you look up at Moon, who tilts their head towards it, encouraging you to eat it.

Reluctantly, you take a bite out of the fruit. Suddenly, a feeling of calm runs through you, washing away your earlier feelings.

"No one here blames you for what happened last night," Moon explains, looking at their brother and resting their hand on Sun's back. "You were charmed and weren't in full control of your thoughts, emotions, or actions."

Moon directs their attention to you, a small smile on their lips. "I understand if you are upset at Sun and me after what we did... But know that we are truly sorry." Moon moves their hand underneath their head, looking towards the sky as their smile falters. "We also understand if you don't forgive us."

You look back down at the apple, taking another bite while you contemplate Moon's words. Despite being told that things were not your doing, you can't help but feel as if that's not the case. You could have avoided being charmed if you hadn't agreed to go home. Perhaps, this all could have been avoided if Kiara hadn't stopped you in that alleyway...

"Soo, now that you're awake," Clovis says, changing the subject as he lands on your head. "We've decided to take the long route to Transmere. As much as we all would love to see the Music Mans again, I don't think we're in the position to fight off Dertegeos."

-----

A few hours pass, and everyone is now awake. "I ain't apologizing," Montgomery growls after Curtis suggests that Monty apologizes for picking on you throughout the years. "I'll admit, the kid has my respect. However, I ain't saying something that I don't mean."

"I think you'll find that we can be very persuasive Monty," Moon warns as one of their hands becomes a claw.

"Just do the right thing." Sun sighed, pinching their temples at Montgomery's stubborn and hard-headed demeanor.

"And what do I gain out of that? As I said, I ain't apologizing for shit." Montgomery chides, crossing his arms.

"Me neither, I only helped because Boss here commanded us to." Logan chimed in from his spot on the horse.

"Are You Boys Sure You Don't Want To Apologize To Them?" Avery inquired, her voice seemingly the same yet... unsettling.

"... Tch, Fine." Monty huffed, and for a moment you thought he was shaking. "Listen squirt, I'm only gonna say this once. I understand that you might be upset about stuff from the past."

You raise an eyebrow, crossing your arms as you look at him. It was clear you weren't convinced.

Montgomery continues, "I mean, it's not like I care or anything, but if you need me to say sorry, then, I guess I'm sorry." Montgomery huffed, looking away and leaning back against the railing of the cart.

"Me as well, I suppose," Logan mutters, moving his horse ahead of Avery's.

"I'm sorry as well. We shouldn't have been so prejudiced towards you." Doug sighs, rubbing the back of his neck before looking at you with a nervous grin. "You're honestly pretty cool. That wind spell was amazing."

"I apologize wholeheartedly," Avery speaks up, looking behind her. "It was wrong of us to act so heartlessly. I swear on my deity that we won't hurt you anymore."

You relax your shoulders a bit, figuring that those were the best apologies you were going to get. Of course, you weren't going to forgive them just because two of them truly apologized, but you were glad that they weren't going to harm you anymore.

~~~~~~

Chica watches as you interact with the others, wanting to apologize as well. She glances down at her missing beak and her shoulders slump. 'Maybe this is for the best...' She ponders, her regret as evident as the sun above her.

"I... Forgive you." Roxanne mutters, placing a hand on the construct's shoulder. Chica looks up at her with surprise, not expecting to hear those words.

"I do as well.." Alister speaks up as Damari nods in agreement.

"You were just looking out for them. I say on behalf of all of us that we're sorry for not hearing you out." Sun hums as Moon wraps an arm around them in agreement.

"After you sacrificed yourself to save the human? Heck yeah, I forgive you." Clovis grins, sitting on Chica's head. "Plus, Mistakes happen. As long as everyone's okay, I'd say we can move past this."

Chica looks at you, hope and fear glittering in her eyes. You look at her for a moment, remembering her face when it was illuminated by the moon.

I forgive you, Chica. You hold out the notepad, and almost instantly, you're tackled into a hug. You hear the awful screeching noise as Chica attempts to blabber something as she rubs her head against yours. She seems very overjoyed and even remorseful.

Despite feeling responsible for everything that has happened, a part of you couldn't be any happier to be back with the gang.

-----

"Oh, Mom was not happy." Elliot shivers after reading your notepad. You had asked him if he saw how Maria reacted to you escaping. "While I was looking for you, I saw Mom and Kiara and hid behind a couple of bushes."

"She was so mad that out of anger, she struck Kiara across the face, like this." Elliot swings his hand sharply across the air, causing the group to flinch. "She was yelling at her and saying "This is your fault! If you had simply grabbed them instead of trying to negotiate, then I wouldn't be in so much trouble and we would still have your sibling!" I've never seen her so mad before."

You begin to remember the times when you've seen your mother say and do worse things than that and shudder. "Wait, how did you get out of the castle so fast without being seen? It took us 10 minutes to navigate through it." Sun questions, bringing up a point.

"Oh, I know all the shortcuts and secrets in the king's palace." Elliot grins, placing his hands on his hips the same way Clovis would. "I made friends with a very cool and powerful wizard while venturing into the castle gardens once. I became his disciple a few days after."

"A wizard?" Avery questions, catching the attention of Logan and the others. "Is his name Zed?"

"Yes! Zed taught me a whole lot of spells and even gave me a wand!" Elliot lifts his dress, showing a small wooden and inconspicuous box that is strapped around his left shin. He opens it and pulls out an intricate wand, displaying it with pride. "It's only a training wand, but soon I'll get a staff and become a true wizard!"

"Would you mind if I took a closer look at it, Nephew?" Curtis questions and Elliot eagerly hands it to him. Curtis examines the wand, taking note of its color and size. "Blue Mahoe... Silver handle... Paraiba tourmaline?!"

"Paraiba what now?" Doug questions, moving closer to Curtis to get a better look at the wand. Everyone else, excluding Avery and Logan, does the same.

"This also looks handmade! The craftsmanship is truly remarkable." Curtis compliments, only fueling Elliot's pride as Curtis hands the wand back. "Be careful not to lose it, I'm sure that's worth more than just a pretty penny."

"Guys, Inn Incoming," Logan calls out to the group, directing their attention from Elliot to the path up ahead. In front of them, not too far off in the distance, is a tavern titled 'The Broken Buffalo.' Despite the name and location, the tavern seems to be well-kept and even has a stable for travelers. There are a couple of horses in the stalls already.

As everyone exits the cart, you take note of the sun's low position in the sky. It seems you've been traveling for almost the entire day. The moment you enter the tavern, the enthralling smell of delicious food and the intoxicating smell of beer fills the group's noses.

-----

The group splits, each member or party heading in a different direction. Montgomery and his clique go upstairs, deciding to pick out a room first. Roxanne, Chica, Elliot, and Curtis all go towards the bar, planning to get a table and food. Alister, Damari, and Clovis make a B-line towards the activity section.

Once again, you are left alone with Sun and Moon. You glance back at them, watching the two converse. You begin to feel guilt and regret claw at your chest, making it hard to breathe the more you stare at the two. Yet, you had to write something.

Thank you for the apple. You wave the notepad in front of the two, avoiding eye contact. This was stupid, yes, but you didn't want to mess up or neglect the relationship between the three of you any longer. The more you think about it, the relationship between you three is already weird enough. You're in love with two constructs. Beings made out of stone and metal. And they're brothers for goddess sake...

You're caught off when you feel a weight on your head and you look up. "No worries, Starlight." Moon grins, resting a hand on your head. They don't seem to be too upset at you, since they haven't dropped the nickname.

"Another stolen apple, Moon?" Sun sighs, giving their brother a look. Moon shrugs, their grin turning smug. Sun glances down at you, their eyes softening. "We're just glad you're okay, Sunbeam."

Your shoulders relax a bit, only to tense as Elliot suddenly jumps on your back. "Come on, Let's go eat!" He giggles, the sound easing your nerves. You carry Elliot to the table where Curtis, Roxanne, and Chica are. Sun and Moon glance at each other, seemingly relaxing a bit as well before following behind.

-----

As night comes around, the group begins to partner up for bed. Roxanne and Chica are paired up along with Alister and Clovis. Elliot and Damari are paired leaving You, Curtis, Sun, and Moon.

"Curtis! Why don't you sleep with Chica and Roxanne?" Clovis suggests, pushing the pudgy man towards the two constructs.

"Great Idea Clovis! My sibling snores a lot, and I doubt you'd want to hear them." Elliot lies, helping Clovis push. You glare at the two, knowing exactly what they're trying to do.

' I'm too emotionally and mentally drained for this... ' You roll your eyes as you grab both Sun and Moon's arms, pulling them into one of the bedrooms.

"See? Even the human agrees! Plus it'll be the perfect moment to bond and clear up any misconceptions or hostility!" Clovis says, grabbing a hold of one of Alister's horns and pulling him into a room.

"Mhm!" Elliot hums as he grabs Damari's arm. "Sleep Well!/Don't make a lot of ruckus!" Elliot and Clovis shout before the former pulls Damari into a room and shuts the door.

~~~~~

Begrudgingly, you close the door to the room, sealing your fate. You ignore the nervous stares of the brothers and flop onto one of the beds in the room. Skin growls slightly and gently tugs your head in the direction of the two constructs who are now climbing into bed as well.

When you don't move, Skin growls louder, tugging you more firmly. You know what Skin is trying to get you to do, but you don't want to do it. You're almost positive that it planned this with Clovis and Elliot. They want you to talk with Sun and Moon about your former crush on them. If your crush is even former, that is...

You know the subject will come up, it's inevitable. However, you just can't face or talk with them clearly after everything that's happened. You're beyond positive that talking about it will only make things more awkward and distant between you three.

Skin grumbles, the same sound it makes as a warning before biting you. 'I just can't... I'll make things worse... It's all my fault." You bury your face in the mattress as if to bury your shame and guilt.

"Sunshine," Sun's voice causes you to flinch and stiffen. You don't want to talk to them. You can't talk to them. "I don't know if anyone's brought it up but..."

You start to shake. 'I can't talk to them... I can't talk to them... I can't talk to-' "We need to talk." Sun concludes and you feel your heart lurch.

There it is. Those four words you've been dreading ever since they rescued you. You shake your head, pulling the covers over you. Skin bites down on your head and you attempt to pull it off.

A hand stops you from doing so, and at once, you begin to feel a lot calmer. You still avoid removing the covers as Sun and Moon sit on the sides of the bed.

"We know you're upset at us, and that you may never forgive us." Sun begins, placing a hand on your form as well.

"But we at least want to make things up to you and erase any negativity," Moon concludes, making eye contact with their brother.

You stay silent for a while, your mind split in two. On one hand, you could be honest about your feelings and admit that you did like them, and may still like them, or you could avoid answering them and not have to deal with embarrassment. The latter sounds better.

"Please, Star? The more we avoid talking with each other, the worse things will get between us." Sun consoles, rubbing their hand on your arm from above the fabric of your blanket as Moon lays on their back next to you. Skin growls, and with reluctance, you sit up, removing the blanket from over your head.

I'm sorry for agreeing to go home. I wasn't in the right headspace and was uncomfortable facing you guys after what you said... I'm also sorry for using the King against you guys. Whether or not I was charmed, I still feel responsible for my actions. You hold up your notepad, keeping your head down.

When they don't respond, you tighten your grip on the notepad. I don't know if Clovis or the others have told you, but I liked you both a lot and probably still do. I couldn't bring myself to tell you both and most definitely didn't want Clovis telling you guys. I should have told you both. It would have avoided all of this.

I probably should have avoided joining you guys on your quest in the first place... Your vision blurs as tears threaten to fall from your eyes. You were being vulnerable and you hated it. You were always vulnerable, which is why Montgomery and his gang found it so easy to pick on you. However, this vulnerability felt much more exposing and fragile.

"Why?" Sun mutters, catching you off guard. You look up at them, watching their rays shrink into their head and eyes avoid yours. You glance at Moon, only to find their hood covering their face.

My... Mother told me something about you two. You guys had betrayed the kingdom and killed countless people for the thrill of it. I didn't believe her at first- "And you shouldn't. We didn't kill others because we enjoyed it." Moon grimaces, interrupting your writing.

"We weren't in control of ourselves... During one of our Adventures, we were attacked by someone. They embedded the same gem that the crow embedded in Aggamon somewhere in us. For a whole year, me and Moon were forced to terrorize cities, and kill thousands of innocent people." Sun recalls, hugging their arms.

"It hurts to even think about it." Moon sighs, sitting up. "But we can't blame the gem. Sun and I jumped to conclusions instead of asking you outright. It was wrong of us to do so."

"Mhm... We understand your anger and reluctance, but please don't blame yourself for anything that happened last night. Whether you meant to do things or not, It still comes down to me and Moon. We shouldn't have jumped to conclusions." Sun cautiously places a hand on your shoulder, almost as if they were afraid of breaking you like a vase.

You stay still for a moment, rethinking everything that has happened so far. I'm... Not mad. I don't think I can be upset with you guys after you all sacrificed yourself to save me. However, I don't think I can forgive you two just yet. What you said truly did hurt me, and it's going to take a while for me to heal from it.

You notice the tension in the room relax significantly as the two read your notepad. The constructs look at each other as if they're reading each other's minds before suddenly pulling you into a hug. Your heart skips a beat as your body is flushed against the two, almost in a sandwich.

"We understand," Sun mutters, their cheek pressed against you as the warmth of their body starkly contrasts the coolness of Moon's. "I'm just glad you aren't upset at us."

You feel Moon hum in agreement as their head is firmly pressed against your back. As Sun places a hand on the back of your head, you feel all your negative thoughts slip away, allowing you to enjoy the comfort of the hug. You Really needed this.

Skin growls after what feels like forever, ruining the moment. Sun and Moon pull away getting one last and long look at you before moving to their bed.

As you wish each other goodnight and turn off the lanterns, thoughts of the palace seem to slip into your mind. You know for a fact that the voice you were hearing was warning you of something. But you also know that the voice belongs to someone close to you. Part of you can only hope that the voice belonged to the king.

Slowly but surely, you're thoughts begin to change and the warm feeling of the hug begins to envelop you. 'I want to hug them again...' Your mind wanders as you slowly drift off into sleep, the memories of the palace and masquerade becoming overshadowed by a group hug. You honestly couldn't be any more thankful for that.

Chapter Text

"Your Highness, please be careful! These halls have just been mo-" "He's hosting a masquerade!!" A figure resembling Moon cheers, running through the quartz halls of a castle and ignoring the shout of who you can assume to be his advisor. You look around, noticing how it seems very familiar, but just not quite right.

"Oh, Scarlet, Brother is finally opening up again!! It's been so long since I've heard from him!!" The figure twirls, sliding into a balcony. You notice how the doors seem to open by themselves.

"Your highness-!" A figure resembling an red ibis chases after, only for the doors to shut and slam into them. she growls and opens the door, spotting the moon figure climbing onto the railing. "King Lunar! Please, get down from there!!"

"Just imagine how it'll be!! The music! The food! Oh, I bet he's taken a liking to those beanbags I invented!" Lunar, as the ibis, Scarlet, called him, crouches on the railing, his eyes sparkling with joy.

' King... Lunar? Why is that name familiar?' You ponder, your mind a familiar haze. You can't even see your body. It's as if you're watching this... In the third person?

Scarlet sighs, walking next to Lunar pinching her temples, and folding her wings behind her. "Yes, Yes, I'm sure your brother loved them. However, you have more important things to do! You have a meeting- Your Highness?"

Scarlet looks around, confusion plastered on her face. Lunar was nowhere to be seen. The sound of giggling comes from above, prompting her to look up. "Your Highness!! Numera put him down!!"

You couldn't believe your eyes, or anything really. Protruding from one of the former windows was a mass of purple flesh, bubbles, and veins coated in a weird slime and wrapped around one of the King's ankles. The amount of eyes it had on it was unsettling. However, he didn't seem worried, if anything he was amused.

A gurgle sounded from around you, seemingly coming from the inside of the palace as the tendril slowly lowered the king. Lunar now seemed disappointed. You watch as the tendril retracts into the now-normal window as if it never existed.

"Fine... I'll go be royal for a moment." Lunar groans before leaving the balcony, Scarlet sticking close to avoid getting hit with the doors again.

"After this meeting, you can go play with Numera all you'd like. However, I'd much avoid you getting on The Harvest's bad side as much as possible." Scarlet insists, guiding Lunar down a set of stairs.

The two walk down another hallway before entering a room. The room is decorated with bookshelves, paintings, and other ordinary objects. However, what stood out the most were three large lumps surrounding a coffee table.

"Ah, King Lunar! What a pleasure!" A figure wearing dark clothes, a cloak, cuffs, and a deer skull exults, sitting lazily in one of the lumps. "These beanbags of yours are quite comfy. Kudos to their creator, of course."

Lunar proudly grins as he sits in one of the beanbags. Scarlet moves to sit next to him, but a commotion in the hallway stops her. "Excuse me for a moment." She mutters before leaving the room.

The second Scarlet leaves, a thud directs your attention towards Lunar and The Harvest. The Harvest looks to have been thrown against the wall as the former table is now a tendril holding him against it.

"Heh... No wonder people have nicknamed you King of the Mimics..." The Harvest chuckles as he cuts the tendril, with a dagger, only for the wall behind him to latch onto him, wrapping around his ankles, wrist, and neck.

You look at Lunar only to flinch as you see large, unnerving eyes on the wall behind him. Lunar however seems calm and hasn't moved from his position.

"Who sent you?" Lunar questions, his gaze as piercing as the eyes behind him.

The Harvest grins before stabbing his restraints with the knives in his cuffs and freeing himself from the rest of the tendrils. "Well, seeing as how you're going to die, I suppose I should grant you the privilege."

"Your brother has hired me to execute you." The Harvest grins, savoring Lunar's expression. "He's paid me quite a large amount of money."

"M-My brother?" Lunar sits up, watching as The Harvest attempts to strike him once more, only to be slammed into another wall and a bookshelf slammed on top of him multiple times.

Despite what transpired, The Harvest laughs. "Man! No wonder your brother said that the palace was a pain in the ass!" Quicker than your eyes can perceive, the bookshelf is quickly cut up, allowing The Harvest to stand. The palace growls, creating a barrier around Lunar.

"I-I... I don't want to die." Lunar stands up, moving to run out of the room, only to freeze in his tracks. A loud whine and the sound of something dissolving fills his ears as he glances behind him, witnessing Numera's barrier slowly dissolving by some sort of acid.

Lunar glances towards his body, his vision blurring as he sees a blade protruding from his chest where his core would be. "You know, I've got a little bit of a message from your brother." The harvest grins, pulling out a strange dagger and causing Lunar to fall limp.

"Goodbye, Lunar." The Harvest grins, only for the ground to shake and a loud piercing shriek to echo throughout the castle. The harvest splashes a window with the same acid he used, escaping the palace as Lunar's body is wrapped in a mass of flesh.

Shouts and yelps echo throughout the castle as everyone's shoved out and Lunar's body is dragged into the deepest dungeon, sealed away for protection. The only person who isn't shoved out is Scarlet.

"... I don't want to die ..." Lunar mutters, his body in a state of stasis. "Numera... Please help me... Someone-"

~~~~~

"Little Light! Are you awake?" Alister questions, nudging you. Skin grumbles, nudging you as well.

You groan, sitting up. Your mind felt foggy and extremely dizzy. You try and remember what just happened, your dream and mind too hazy to think. Slowly, you nod, deciding to brush whatever your dream was off.

"Everyone is downstairs, they sent me up here to get you two." Alister informs, helping you out of bed. The smell of food distracts your mind as the three of you make your way downstairs.

The party re-groups, eating breakfast before preparing to leave. "Hey, Curtis, was it?" Logan inquires, climbing into the cart and sitting beside Avery. Curtis hums, acknowledging Logan as he helps you into the cart.

"You're a shop owner, right? A merchant?" Logan questions, leaning against the railing as Montgomery and Doug clamor into the wooden vehicle.

"Yes?" Curtis answers, helping Elliot and Chica into the cart before climbing in himself.

"Aren't you afraid of someone breaking into your store while you were gone?" Logan quizzed, knowing that theft in Transmere was quite common.

Curtis simply chuckles, glancing over at Logan with a smile. "Great question. No, I am not worried about my store being stolen from. In fact, I have a little friend who watches the store while I'm gone."

Roxanne's and Chica's eyes light up. "Mozza!" Roxanne beams, clearly excited to meet her again.

"Mozza?" Damari questions, their curiosity showing.

"Her full name is Mozzarella, you guys will meet her when we get back." Curtis grins, clearly as enthusiastic as Roxanne and Chica are.

~~~~~

The ride back to transmere feels shorter than before, but you aren't complaining. You soon see the familiar tower in the center of Transmere, the sun setting behind it.

"Home sweet home..." Roxanne mumbles, any tension left in the group disappearing at the thought of being somewhere safe. Leaving the horses and the cart at the stable, the party walks through the town, noticing how others seem to be arriving as well.

As everyone arrives at Curtis's store, Curtis unlocks the door. "Mozza! I'm home!" Curtis calls out, holding the door as everyone enters.

Squeaking and skittering fill your ears before something crawls up your pants leg. You panic, shaking it before feeling it crawl around your torso. It's legs tickle you, but the noises unnerve you.

"Uhm, Star?" Sun questions as the group watches you move around, jerking and shaking before a small figure leaps off of your arm.

You pant heavily, still feeling adrenaline rush through you as Curtis chuckles. The figure lands on his arm, swiftly moving around him before stopping on his head.

"Dad!!" A shrill voice cheered, allowing others to see what the figure was. Utop Curtis's head was a white rat with black eyes and a very adorable dress that was the same pinkish red as Curtis's hair.

You watch as Roxanne and Chica (mainly Roxanne) squeal, crowding Curtis. Mozza squeals as well, swiftly climbing around the bodies of the two. "Roxy! Chic- What happened to you?!!!!" Mozza gasped, sitting on Chica's shoulder before running around her again, pointing out all the damage on her.

"It's a long story..." Roxanne sighs, glancing at you who avoids eye contact.

-----

"Chica... Come here." Mozza consols, hugging Chica's cheek after hearing everything that happened. Mozza swiftly crawls to you as well, hugging your cheek. "You too. Things happen, and I'm just glad that you two are okay. I can tell you mean a lot to her, and I'd hate for anything to happen to you as well."

Your heart lurches at the little rat's words. Someone who you barely know is comforting you for something that is your fault. You need the comfort but the hug is only adding to your guilt.

"Wait a minute, You're the person keeping this store safe while Curtis is gone?" Doug questions, surprised and confused. Mozza crawls around him, sitting on his nose while Curtis saunters over towards a drawer.

You follow him curiously. "Yes, I am! Mozzarella Grayridge, at your service!" Mozza bows, only to receive laughter from Monty's gang.

"I-I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh." Avery apologizes, waving her hand and wiping a tear from her eyes. Curtis opens a drawer filled with enchanted opals and nametags. You watch as he looks through them, humming slightly.

"I do. A rat protecting a shop?" Monty's guffaws, his arms crossed. Curtis picks up an opal with the name tag of 'Asterios Thunderhide.'

"What do you do? Bite whoever comes in here-" Mozza interrupts Logan as she crawls around him, biting him vigorously. Logan yelps and pats his clothing, trying to hit Mozza and shake her off.

Curtis chuckles, shaking his head before speaking into the opal. "Hello? Asterios? I need your help."

After a few moments, a gruff and orotund voice responds. "What is it, Curtis?"

"It's your Niece-" "I'll be there by morning." The voice interrupts, prompting Curtis to stifle a laugh before putting the opal back into its original position and closing the drawer.

"Who did you call?" Clovis questions, sitting on Curtis's head.

"A close friend and uncle to Chica and Roxanne. I've called him plenty of times when Chica or Roxanne have gotten hurt." Curtis informs, grinning as Chica and Roxanne seem to light up. "For now, everyone should get some sleep. I'm sure the journey so far has been stressful and hectic. I'll pay for everyone's stay, food, drinks, and games included."

~~~~~

By the time morning arrives, the town is in full swing, and the sounds of the village come alive. The party was helping around Curtis's shop, moving boxes, restocking items, and most importantly, bonding.

It was wonderful to have a moment to fully relax. There were no threats, no hidden charms, just peace and re-building relationships. However, as the bell of the door rings, the atmosphere suddenly becomes tense.

A hulking figure, well above Sun and Moon's height, who are the tallest in the group, crouches into the shop. Their horns graze the ceiling as they stand up fully. You feel your blood run cold at the sight of the minotaur, who huffs as they stare down at each person in the store.

Their eyes soften at Chica and Roxanne who approach him without fear. The minotaur kneels in front of the two, holding Chica's cheek as they assess the damages. "...What happened?" They inquire, their voice similar to the one from the opal.

"It's a long story, Asterios." Curtis answers, glancing at you. You look back at the minotaur, lowering your gaze when the two of you make contact.

-----

"I see..." Asterios glances at you, causing you to jolt and hold your arm. You know he's mad at you. This is your fault, after all, there's no denying it.

You feel your heart stop as a weighty hand is rested on your shoulder. Shaking, you look up, expecting the death glare you deserve. However, the minotaur's eyes are soft and understanding, the same look everyone has given you.

"Please accept my deepest gratitude... for saving my Niece." Asterios attests, firmly but gently tightening his hold on your shoulder. You look at him with disbelief. Why is nobody mad at you? This Is Your Fault! Chica wouldn't have gotten hurt if you hadn't left home in the first place. You wouldn't have had to worry about anything that has happened if you just stayed where you belonged...

Your thoughts are interrupted when Moon rests his hand on your head. A feeling of familiar calm runs through you, keeping you from spiraling as you slowly nod in acknowledgment.

"Now that you're here, we can fix Chica up, right?" Clovis questions, bravely or foolishly landing on the Minotaur's head, leaning against one of his horns.

Asterios huffs, nodding as he stands up, nearly throwing the fairy off balance. "From the looks of it, the physical damage can be fixed within 2 days... However, I'll need to take a look at her core."

Asterios, Roxanne, and Chica head to the storage room. You, Doug, Damari, Alister, Clovis, and Elliot move to follow, only to receive a death glare that would make Aggamon terrified before the door to the storage room is closed.

"Dumbasses." Monty snorts, crossing his arms as he saunters towards something in the shop.

"W-What was that?" Clovis and Elliot quaver, frozen in place.

Sun chuckles nervously, patting Alister and Damari who looked as if they died right then and there. "Seeing a construct's core is a bit of a... intimate act that only few can do," Sun explains, glancing at Moon.

"Guys, I think the mimic and their owner are paralyzed." Avery pokes at you and Skin, only for the two of you to fall over.

-----

After a few minutes, The door is re-opened, and the three step out. Asterios huffs, holding Chica's shoulder. "Repearing their core will take me about a week and a half. It's not broken, but it's severely fractured. The fact that she hasn't entered a state of stasis is a miracle."

"We won't be able to stay here for a week. We need to deliver this necklace to someone as soon as possible." Avery reminds, holding up the pendant that Zed gave her.

As if things weren't as troublesome already, the door to the shop is kicked open. "Curtis Grayridge, you scammer!" A man in gaudy robes shouts, seething. It was clear he was a noble by the way his voice was posh and plummy.

You swear you could see Curtis's eye twitch. "Spencer Elkman! Would you mind telling me for the 17th time you've broken my door off its hinges, what exactly I've scammed you of?" Curtis inquires, his voice friendly with a hint of annoyance.

"I ordered a package from you 3 Months Ago, and I have yet to recive it!! I demand a FULL Refund!!" The noble recalls, walking up to Curtis's face. The group watches as Asterios's brow twitches, and he moves to interfere, However, Mozza crawls up the man's body, causing him to yelp and try to hit her off of him.

Mozza leaps from the man's mustache onto Curtis's stomach, climbing up on him and resting on his head. Spencer glares at her, however, Curtis keeps him in line. "Mozza, can you grab our order list?"

"Yes sir!" She says, promptly climbing down from him and swiftly retrieving a rather long scroll with names in all sorts of languages.

Curtis thanks her as she hands him the scrolls, resting on his shoulder. "Let's see... Ah, Here it is. You indeed ordered a package 3 months ago, but it says here that I sent it for delivery 2 months ago."

"Let me see that!" Spencer growls, snatching the scroll from Curtis's hands. Something about this gesture ticked you off, and if it wasn't for Skin's grumble, you would've acted out.

Spencer looks through the scroll, before pointing at something and shoving it in Curtis's face. "You imbecile! You sent it to West Barington Stationery! I specifically ordered for you to send it to West Bearington Stationery!" Spencer fumes, shoving the scroll into Curtis's chest before pinching his temples.

"You commoners are all idiots! Can none of you follow a simple command?! Now I have to travel to The Afterdark to collect a simple-" "We can collect it for you." Sun interrupts, wanting to diffuse the situation. "We're on our way there anyways."

"For a fee, of course." Moon adds, not wanting to do any work for free. Especially from this guy.

Spencer glances towards your party, more specifically Sun and Moon. "T-The Celestials? Uhm...." Spencer's eyes dash around the room as he thinks. Suddenly, he smoothes his hair before approaching the two, extending his hand. "Fine, ten silver."

Montgomery scoffs, standing in front of the two and smacking away Spencer's hand. "50 Gold." He growls, leaning down in front of Spencer's face. His intimidation works as Spencer smooths his clothing before turning around.

"A-Alright, 50 gold it is." Spencer then turns to face the group. "But you must not open the package or dent it!" He demands, clearly serious.

The group nods, before turning to one another. "So, Whose going?" Moon questions, leaning against his brother.

"We're going!" Clovis grins, standing on Alister's head.

"To be honest, I've been feeling a bit homesick lately, It'd be great to go back." Alister grins, looking up at Clovis.

"I go... Where my friends... Go." Damari vows, standing near Alister and Clovis.

"We have to go as well." Avery states, the rest of her party nodding in agreement.

"I'll stay behind to help out with Chica and Curtis." Roxanne says, glancing back at Chica, Asterios, Curtis, and Mozza.

"We're going to!" Elliot beams, looping his arm with yours. You nod your head, albeit hesitantly. You don't want to be the reason that everyone gets hurt, but you also don't want Elliot to go there without your protection.

"It's settled then. You guys have a long journey ahead." Curtis hums, handing the Scroll to Mozza who darts to put it away. "You guys will need some upgrades, won't you?"

Chapter Text

"Within the Afterdark resides a well-known postal service called West Barrington Stationery. Due to the Afterdark being hard to navigate, a group sells maps of each region." Spencer informs, watching as everyone spreads out through the store, looking for something to take on their journey to the Afterdark.

"I don't recommend asking around to find it as people there aren't the nicest. So running into one of those war forges would be the safest bet." Spencer adds, combing a hand through his hair.

"Since a good portion of you were not here when everyone had selected their previous items, those who haven't gotten one can get two. Just to even the balance." Curtis grins, watching everyone as well.

"Wait, we don't have to pay for them?" Avery questions, surprised and wanting confirmation.

"Pssh, Say less." Montgomery grins before grabbing a pair of battleaxes that were on display. Many signs of battle are on the sturdy but worn blades. The title card reads: Dragonslayer Axes - These axes have been used by the infamous half-orc, Mia Skycrusher, to behead the former white dragon of the east.

Due to the axes' description, it was one of the most expensive items in the store. Montgomery also grabs a pair of ordinary brass knuckles. "I've been eyeing these bad boys since we got 'ere."

Seeing no interceptions from Curtis, Avery picks out a ring with the title card: Ring of Protection - Increases wearer's durability.

"I'll need this..." She mutters before noticing a pair of boots. The title card reads: Boots of the Elven Rouge - No matter the surface, the wearer's footstep will remain silent.

She takes them while Logan's eyes settle on a ring with the title card: Ring of Lightning - Allows the wearer to conduct lighting from the ring into their fingers.

"Ooh, What are you?" Logan hums in curiosity as he puts on the ring, holding up his metal arm to test it. Electricity surges across his torso and into his metal arm, the pointed fingertips crackling as a small bridge connects his middle finger and thumb.

The sound causes everyone, mainly the constructs, to jump. "Hehe, I don't need anything else, I don't think..." Logan smirks, curling his metal hand into a fist. Doug shuffles away from Logan before trailing his hand across a shelf, looking at each item.

He jolts and seethes as a needle pricks him, catching the attention of the party. Suddenly, the needle melts into a green liquid that crawls up his fingers.

"A-Ah!" Panicked, Doug tries to wipe the liquid off, only for the liquid to climb up his other hand as well. The liquid forms a pattern before seeping into his skin, creating an intricate and vibrantly green tattoo.

The title card says the following: Absorbing Tatto - Depending on the color, the user gains resistance to the corresponding damage type.

"Green means Acid. That's quite lucky considering the number of slimes within the Afterdark." Curtis muses, unfolding the card and reading the list on it.

"H-Huh... I guess I'll keep it. And this potion, too." Doug concludes, holding up a bottle of silvery liquid with the label Swiftness. Meanwhile, Clovis eagerly lands on one of the shelves, inspecting each item. It was clear that almost all of the items were way too big for him.

"Hey, Curtis? Do you have anything for fairies?" Clovis questions, sitting on what appears to be an antique globe.

"Of course, The shelf is over here." Curtis smiles, guiding the fairy toward a shelf stacked with miniature objects. Two items catch Clovis's attention.

A leathery ring with the title card: Ring of Animal Influence - Allows the wearer to befriend, intimidate, or speak with any animal. And a long slingshot with the title card: Sling of the Tiny Giant - This sling is a devastating weapon to foes bigger than the wearer.

"Alright, Now we're talking!" Clovis puts on the ring before holding up the sling. Finding a small and inconspicuous button, Clovis decides to test it.

He starts by slowly spinning the sling, letting it pick up speed. His eyes target the globe, and he launches the button. The sound of impact is sharp, and a grunt of pain causes Clovis's skin to pale. He had missed.

He glances at Asterios, watching as the minotaur holds his forehead. When Asterios pulls his hand away, a thick amount of blood follows. When Asterios looks up at him, Clovis swiftly hides the sling behind him, looking at the minotaur with a nervous smile.

"You've chosen a good weapon... However, I suggest you learn how to use it properly." Asterios commends, his voice underlined with a warning or even a threat.

"Y-Yep! Will do!" Clovis gulps before swiftly flying towards Alister, hiding behind one of their horns. Damari wanders off, looking to get another mask.

=====

Alright! Center Author note! We have realized these damn chapters will take a lot longer than we thought. Which is hilarious, considering that there's three of us. 😮💨

However, we hope to get the quintuple event uploaded before the end of the poll, so it's a race against the clock. Again, Thank you so much, Linet, for agreeing with Father R about making a poll cover. You are a very talented individual, and we love the final results. 🏆🤧

Also, If you guys love vampires and the mystery that comes with them, why not check out one of Father R's fics? It's certainly worth reading, and he'll post more chapters soon. I'll leave a link for you guys down here 👌

Returning a Debt | A Vampire Sun and Moon x Human Reader fic | Vampire FnaF SB

=====

Unknowingly traveling to the storage room, Damari finds a box, opening it to reveal an intricate but simple mask. Damari puts it on while Alister browses through the shelves. They pick up a bag with the title card: Bag of Holding - This bag can hold countless items up to 500 pounds. People included.

Alister glances up at Clovis, who nods before wrapping the bag around their torso. A squeak catches both of their attention as Mozza rolls a ball towards the two.

"You two seem like people who enjoy games." Mozza grins, watching as Alister picks up the ball. The ball appears to have a crystalized exterior and a metallic interior, giving the ball some weight.

"We sure do!" Clovis chirps, flying down to stand next to the mouse. "How does that work?"

"Well, it's made to do tricks with! Try rolling it on your arms." Mozza beams, waving her tiny arms in a wave.

"Alright..." Alister places the ball on their hand before almost effortlessly rolling it across their shoulders. You, Elliot, Clovis, and Mozza clap in amazement, causing Alister to flush from the attention. They glance around, wanting to show Damari, only to notice their disappearance.

"Where's Damari?" Alister questions, catching the party's attention.

"Weren't they standing near Moon?" Logan questions, noticing how Damari has practically disappeared.

The group calls out for the Dertegeo, worry and confusion slowly spreading into the atmosphere. Suddenly, you feel Skin growl lowly, causing the group to tense.

A sound that reminds you of chuckling comes from behind you, causing you to jump as Damari swaps masks, putting on their original mask.

"A Mask of Invisibility!" Sun gasps, knowing how rare those are to find. It seemed that Curtis's store had almost everything in it.

"Found in storage... Cover blown." Damari explains, glancing at you and your cloak. Skin grumbles, protectively wrapping around you.

"Oh, Damari, watch what Alister can do!" Elliot beams, jumping on Damari's back like he'd jump on yours. While Alister shows off their trick to Damari, Sun heads to the armor section of the store.

They find a pair of boots with enchanted emeralds embedded in the soles. The title card reads: Boots of Springing and Striding - Allows the wearer to jump three times farther and higher than normal.

"Ooh, These will come in handy." Sun grins, putting them on while Moon's eyes land on a ring made with shards of enchanted aquamarine. The title card reads: Ring of water walking - Allows the wearer to traverse on any liquid surface as if it was hard, solid ground.

"So will this." Moon adds, putting on the ring. You feel a tug on your arm, pulling your attention away from the two brothers and towards your younger brother.

"Ta-da! How do I look?" Elliot questions, grinning as he spins around. He's wearing two purple gloves with enchanted jades that resemble combat gloves. He has a short purple Lolita dress with a hat that resembles a witch's. To make things even better, he's holding a broom. You find yourself lost for words.

"Amazing, we know." Roxanne remarks, flicking her hair proudly. Chica rests her hands on Elliot's shoulders, who beams as he looks up at her. You feel slightly relieved at the sight of Elliot wearing something other than the masquerade dress.

"Oh, I found this! It's supposed to enhance your magical abilities!" Elliot chirps, handing you a small golden ring with shards of citrine embedded into it. You put it on, feeling your veins swell with coolness.

"Does everyone have their items?" Sun questions, looking around at the party. With all the new gear, everyone seems more like a proper team of adventurers.

"Yep, All that's left is to hit the road." Doug says with a stretch, the anticipation for the journey into the Afterdark filling the air. It then hits you that this will be your first adventure without Roxanne and Chica.

You quickly move to hug the two, feeling your heart pang softly as the two hug your back. The rest of the group seems to catch on, and everyone but Monty's gang moves to embrace the two as well.

"Aw man, I'm gonna miss you two so much!" Clovis laminates, hugging Chica's hair tuff. Chica, forgetting she can't speak, emits a horrible screeching noise. However, nobody is bothered by it, seeing how she most likely feels the same way.

"Don't get into too much trouble without us." Roxanne chuckles as the group pulls away. "Oh, and puppers,"

Roxanne suddenly knees, placing a hand on your shoulder. Chica places her hands on Roxanne's shoulders and looks down at you with the same fondness Roxanne does. Roxy's voice is clear and genuine, filling your head with clarity.

"There's no point worrying about the things you can't fix." She smiles softly, rubbing your shoulder. "So don't. Got it?"

You nod slowly, taking her words to heart. Although you feel tremendous guilt for the masquerade, you focus on keeping your brother safe and fulfilling the quest. As Roxanne said, what happened, happened. You can't fix it, no matter how much you want to.

With a heavy heart, everyone heads to the stables. As you climb into the cart, you can't help but feel excited to go on another adventure. You felt even more excited to go on it with your younger brother.

"Be safe!!/Protect eachother!" Roxanne and Curtis shout at the same time as everyone waves goodbye. The distance grows between your party and Transmere, filling your head with memories. You knew you would see the two again, but it felt like you wouldn't.

Shaking off the foreboding feeling, you make yourself comfortable in the cart, feeling your brother lean against you. Today is the start of a new point in your life, and you couldn't feel any more ready for what's to come.

Chapter Text

About two hours have passed since leaving Transmere, giving everyone time to adjust to Chica and Roxanne's absence. Sun and Moon guide the horses while Alister, Damari, Elliot, and Clovis mess around with the metal ball and talk with one another.

Montgomery and Logan are discussing something along with Avery. Doug is sitting next to you, almost dozing off. The planes are vast, and birdsong and hooves fill in any silence. The sun remains high in the sky, and the gentle breeze of the autumn air causes you to shiver slightly.

Thanks to Skin, however, you use its body heat to remain warm. "Why'd I need to learn some silly hand gestures? It's not like we'd have a friendly talk with any enemies we stumble upon." Montgomery huffs, leaning against the edge of the cart with a creek.

"It's convenient, especially if you don't know a language." Logan yawns, leaning against Avery, who has her arms wrapped around his metal one. "It especially comes in handy in different realms."

"Logie's right." Avery chimes in, the nickname causing Logan to roll his eyes. "Doug knows sign language. I'm sure he could teach you."

"Teach who?" Doug questions, snapping out of his tired state. "I only know how to fingerspell."

"Not me." Montgomery snorts, glancing away at his surroundings. Trees have now started to appear, but they aren't as tall or as dense as the ones in the Dertegeo Forest.

"Actually, Doug? Would you mind teaching Sunspot the letters? I would, but I'm currently leading the horse." Sun questions, glancing back at the cart.

"Alister knows sign language too," Clovis informs, sitting up from his spot on Damari's head. Alister drops the ball in surprise but catches it before nodding.

"That's wonderful! Both of you could teach them how to sign." Avery grins, watching Alister shuffle to sit closer to you. You scratch the back of your head nervously but remain open to learning.

-----

"Now, for x, you press your pinky, ring, and middle finger on your palm like this." Doug gestures, watching you follow along.

"Then you bend your pointer finger and rest your thumb on your other fingers," Alister instructs, moving your fingers to form the letter x.

Another hour has passed, and you didn't even realize it. Your mind is so focused on remembering the hand signs that you forget about your boredom.

While Alister and Doug are teaching you the rest of the letters, Elliot, Damari, and Clovis are talking to Montgomery and the others. More specifically, arm wrestling.

"For y, you press your ring, middle, and pointer finger against your palm and extend your pinky and thumb." Doug directs, nodding in approval as you do it.

"Finally, z is when you curl your hand into a fist but keep your pointer finger out. Then, you draw the letter in the air." Alister smiles before jumping in surprise when Elliot tugs on them.

"Ali! Damari and the gator are going to arm wrestle!" Elliot bubbles, bringing attention to Monty and the Dertegeo. The two are leaning against the wood of the cart and have their hands firmly locked together. Clovis is standing on top of their hands, counting down.

As the two engage in a rather impressive arm wrestle, you feel Doug nudge you. He begins to fingerspell something, and you don't catch onto it the first time. He gestures to your notepad, and you hold it up, writing down each letter.

'H-O-W D-I-D I-T G-O?' You glance down at your notepad, tilting your head in confusion as you try to remember the letters to respond. 'H-O-W D-I-D W-H-A-T G-O?'

'Y-O-U-R T-A-L-K W-I-T-H T-H-E T-W-I-N-S.' Doug clarifies, causing you to stiffen. You hadn't told any of Monty's gang about what happened between you and the celestials. You can only assume that Doug picked it up in a conversation.

You hesitate to respond, not feeling comfortable telling one of your old bullies about anything personal. Doug catches onto this and adds, 'Y-O-U D-O-N-T H-A-V-E T-O T-E-L-L M-E.'

You glance back at the group, watching them pay little attention to you and Doug. With a deep breath, you raise your hand to sign. 'W-E-L-L-' Suddenly, something grabs hold of Skin, and the two of you get yanked into the trees.

"Guys!" Doug shouts, catching the group's attention. Clovis, however, pushes Damari's hand, causing them to win the contest. Montgomery glares at him.

The sudden rustle of the tall trees around everyone causes alarm as everyone pulls out their weapons. "Where's Star?" Moon questions, stopping the horses as every one notices your disappearance.

"I dunno, but we got company..." Monty snarls, following the sounds of creatures leaping from tree top to tree top.

Abruptly, everything becomes quiet. Too quiet...

"Uncle Sunny!" A voice shouts before the sun construct gets tackled off of their horse. The group pauses for a moment as most of them recognize the familiar face and drum of none other than DJ Junior.

"Oomph-! Junior?!" Sun grunts, hitting the ground with a harsh thud. Their attention, though, is on your wrapped-up and squirming figure. It seems the driders had already wrapped you in a cocoon of sorts. "What's going on?"

"We're playing a game! Whoever brings the human back to Papa wins!" Quicker than DJ Junior could react, Lil DJ snags you from his grip, zipping from her tree with a giggle. "Hey!! No fair!" DJ Junior snaps, shooting a ball of webbing at Lil DJ's feet.

This causes Lil DJ to land awkwardly on a branch and drop you, allowing DD to catch you and land behind Moon on their horse.

Skin growls, gnawing on the webbing as a smirk crawls on Moon's lips. Taking up the challenge, Moon rides off while DD taunts the rest of the party.

It seems that you weren't getting out of your restraints any time soon...

~~~~~

THE MUSIC MANS ARE BACK, FUCK YEAH!!! 🥳🥳🥳

So, lots of shit happened, and things just spiraled out of control. HOWEVER, We've managed to crank out two chapters (ish), as FatherR stated. So you shits better be grateful. 🤧😩

Anywho, If you guys aren't feeling a biting kink, how do yanderes sound? 😏

Cool? Awesome! In one of our fics, Childhood Friends and Monsters, you'll get reunited with two of your imaginary friends! 😉

However, now that you are older, times have changed. For one, you've forgotten all about them, and your uncle still believes that you are the same vulnerable kid you used to be. Well, not anymore! 😌

If this sounds right up your alley, check it out by clicking this link or one of our names. Henchman A, Out. 🫡😶🌫️

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48559036/chapters/122487007

~~~~~

"Get back here, DD!" DJ Junior shouts, catching your attention. You glance backward, watching Sun leap from the cart and land directly next to you with DJ Junior in tow.

However, Before the two can grab you, a metal arm catches onto your cocoon. Montgomery and Logan zip past everyone, pulling you onto their horse, which they took from Sun. The cart follows suit.

"Hahahahahahaha! Too slow, Sunny-Boy!" Monty cackles, ushering the horse to move faster. Logan holds onto you haphazardly, his primary focus on Doug and JJ, who fail to grab you from within the cart.

"Do you even know where you're going?!" Sun questions, causing Logan and Monty to pause in their antics. You squirm around, failing to get out of your sticky bindings. Avery uses this chance to grab you, surprising everyone.

"Great job, Avery!" Lil DJ cheers, holding her hand as the two swing from the trees. It seems that Avery has paired up with Lil DJ to win. "You're awesome at this!"

"You're not too bad yourself! Just don't drop me, okay?" Avery giggles nervously, holding tightly onto Lil DJ and you. Skin growls, clearly not liking its current situation. You find it comedic.

As luck would have it, a bird flies in front of Lil DJ, causing her to miss one of her webshots and fall into the cart. Avery lets go of you on instinct, allowing Alister to fey step and grab you. Ａｌｉｓｔｅｒ follows suit, holding onto the eladrin and teleporting back onto the cart.

The two toss you back and forth, keeping you away from Doug and JJ. You started feeling dizzy by now, depending on Skin to get you out of the webbing. You could hear a few strands snap, allowing you to move around more.

Before you could land in Damari's arms, you're suddenly hovering in the air. "Gotcha!" Elliot laughs as you look up, witnessing a large, red, translucent hand holding onto your ankle.

Elliot moves his hand, and the mage's hand follows suit, copying his movements exactly. He flips you around, holding you by the webbing this time. Clovis whoops, guiding the broom Elliot had gotten. Of course, it was a flying broom.

You hear a few more snaps before plunging towards the ground. You move to use an intermediate wind spell, only to land in something soft.

You hear the group approach, only for everyone to suddenly stop. You sit up, holding your spinning head as you look around at what you landed in.

You're surrounded by a course but cushiony fur, each one seemingly a rope of some kind. Each is white with pink ends, and- "Oh, Hold on, Let me help you down."

Suddenly, you're picked up via Skin and put back on the ground. You glance behind you, greeted by the all too familiar DJ Music Man.

"What in the name of giants..." You hear Logan mumble as the group approaches you. Montgomery's gang and Elliot all look up at the massive figure, whose head is blocking the sun.

"We won! We brought them here first." Clovis cackles, crossing his arms pridefully. You hear Skin growl, causing the fairy to roll their eyes. "Just because the human wears you doesn't mean you automatically won. If anything, you'd get excluded from the game itself."

Elliot walks behind you, holding your arm as they gaze up at DJ Music Man. You can tell he is intimidated, so you grab his hand and walk closer to the giant. DJ music man notices, holding out one of his hands as the driders climb up the other three.

You place a hand on one of the DJ music man's fingers, gesturing for Elliot to do the same. Elliot hesitates, glancing at you before doing the same. DJ music man smiles at him, causing Elliot to smile as well.

"Well, I'll be damned. There are still giants in this world. One of 'em, at least." Monty speaks up, walking next to Sun and Moon.

"Music man, these are Sunshine's former bullies Montgomery, Avery, Logan, and Doug. Next to the person in question is their younger brother Elliot." Sun introduces, gesturing to the group.

"Former Bullies?" Music Man repeats, leaning down to get a closer look at Monty and his gang.

The atmosphere immediately tensed up upon hearing about the bullying, making it clear that it was not a good topic to bring up. Even Clovis stopped flying and sat on one of Alister's horns.

Music Man didn't say anything, making the tension even thicker. Avery looked terrified, and Doug paled. Logan was trying his best not to look intimidated, and so was Montgomery.

You had half a mind to step in, not wanting to cause conflict, but at the same time, they deserved it. "I won't do anything, seeing as how Glowstick emphasized the word Former. However..."

Music Man crosses all four hands, his tone serious. "If I hear that the word Former was a mistake." Music Man leans closer, causing the four to step back or lean back. "Then I'll make sure to deal with it accordingly."

"Bullying Is Not Groovy. I can only hope that Tiny here wasn't too traumatized." Music man sighs, sitting up. You can hear the collective exhale from Montgomery's gang and physically feel the atmosphere lighten up.

"U-Uhm, DJ?" Alister speaks up, walking in front of the giant. "Have you, by chance, seen the Gate to The Afterdark?"

"Of course." Music Man nods, holding two hands as the driders play on them.

"Could you show us the way?" Moon questions, walking next to the Eladrin.

"Well... That's the problem." DJ sighs, catching JJ when he falls. "Someone's blocking the gate."

Chapter Text

"While you all were off fighting Aggamon, the kids went on one of their adventures again." DJ Music Man starts, one pair of arms holding his head, the second moving as he speaks while the third keeps the driders' occupied. "Everything went on as usual, playing their songs to ward off dertegeos and other creatures."

"That was until we got near the gate." DD continues for him, spinning her baton quicker than you could keep up with. "When we stepped foot into the clearing, we saw someone. Before we could question them, they charged at us and didn't say a word."

"While no one got hurt, they couldn't get anywhere near the gate." DJ Music Man sighs, concern clear in his voice. "I would try to talk with them, but something tells me they're looking for something. Or atleast waiting for someone."

"Did you guys get a good look at them?" Avery questions, watching as the driders nod.

"They had a mask with three holes and a cape with a weird sigil." Lil DJ hums in thought, remembering the figure the best she could.

You watch the group stiffen, excluding you, Elliot, and Damari. "What would a Quiet Hands member be doing on the surface?" Clovis questions, glancing down at Alister, who shrugs.

"Quiet Hands?" Elliot puzzles, looking just as confused as you are.

"There's a group within the Afterdark, a cult, if you will, called the Quiet Hands. Years ago, they had gotten into a dispute with King Eclipse and his brother. Which resulted in a close battle between the two groups." Sun explains, recounting the events before either of you were born.

"The Golden Doves quickly took care of them, but for a moment, both rulers had blades at their cores." Logan explains, stretching. "Nobody knows why the fight happened, and it caught everyone off guard. That's why mutes like your sibling there are often discriminated against."

"So we got one of those freaks on our hands." Monty huffs, climbing back into the cart with a creek.

"Thanks for helping us, Big Guy. We'll take things over from here." Moon says, patting DJ Music Man's arm in thanks.

"Anytime Starboy. You guys take care of yourselves, okay?" Music Man grins, watching the driders sling down from his arms to say their goodbyes to the group.

The moment is lighthearted and almost sentimental as everyone prepares to leave. Not only would you not be seeing Chica, Roxanne, and Curtis for a while, but you would be missing DJ Music Man and the quartet.

As the distance from the five individuals grew, everyone began to prepare for what lay ahead. Alister changes seasons, the icicles in his horns becoming vines adorned in various flowers. Logan sharpens the fingers on his metal arm while Elliot prepares a few spells.

You continue your conversation with Doug, telling him about the conversation between you, Sun and Moon. Y-O-U H-A-N-D-L-E-D T-H-A-T B-E-T-T-E-R T-H-A-N I W-O-U-L-D H-A-V-E. Doug signs, nudging you.

You feel a mix of emotions, finding comfort in having another's opinion on the matter but also finding it weird to receive that comfort from one of your former bullies. The lighthearted atmosphere slowly becomes eerie as a thick, dense fog rises and approaches the cart.

"Not again..." Moon curses, glancing back at the cart, specifically Damari. "Any chance you could talk us out of this?"

Damari slowly shakes their head, standing up on the cart. "What's going on?" Elliot questions, holding tightly onto his broom.

"We got trouble coming, that's what." Monty growls as the fog begins to surround the cart. Its density is abnormal, making it almost impossible to see through.

"Stick close! And keep your guard up! They can mimic us but can't speak!" You hear Logan shout as you grab Elliot's hand. The sound of growling and snarling fills your hears, barely loud enough to be heard over your heartbeat.

The cart shakes, and the sound of someone getting tackled off causes the party to become alarmed. "Damari!" You hear Alister and Clovis shout as the sound of struggling and growling moves to your left.

"This fog is too thick to see out of!" Sun shouts, giving you an idea.

You focus your energy on your hands, feeling your body heat up as you cast an intermediate fire spell, causing a staggering pillar of fire to appear a few feet behind you.

The heat from the fire causes the fog to move, creating a clearing in the area. "Great thinking, Sunshine!" Sun praises before the group directs their attention towards Damari.

To the team's horror, Damari was being attacked by Dertegeos, each varying in size. One was much larger than Damari, but it stood back as the others attacked.

~~~~~

"Backstabber!!" A smaller Dertegeo growls, leaping at Damari, who rolls out of the way.

"Quisling!!!" Another Dertegeo snarls, tackling Damari from behind and clawing at their cloak. Damari growls, rolling over and kicking them off.

"Defect!!" Two Dertegeos snap at them, grabbing their arms, only to be thrown off.

Unfortunately, Damari is caught off guard when the larger Dertegeo attacks him, getting pinned by the countless other Dertegeos in the area.

"You traitor!!" The Detergeo gnarls, pressing its claws into Damari. "You have been mingling with the prey!!!"

Damari is thrown into a nearby tree before barely dodging an attack from the large Dertegeo, whose claws cut it in half. "You are a disgrace to our kind!!"

Damari dodges another attack by the Dertegeo before landing a hit and cutting its face. "You are weak excuse of leader!!" Damari shouts as the others grab onto him.

He manages to shake them off before the leader attacks him, causing the two to roll onto the ground, exchanging blows that cause the other Dertegeo to flinch.

~~~~~~~

BEAT ITS ASS DAMARI!!!!! 🤬🥊🥊

IGHT, We apologize for taking so long to post our chapters. I know all of you have questions about other characters and when they will appear. Believe me, They Will Show Up.😌😌😌

Father R has tons planned for this fic and others. He also has a few ideas for other fandoms, The Cult of the Lamb, Undertale, Other Fnaf characters, etc. Some of them don't even have an MC or a Y/N. 😉😁

But, for now, I have a fic for you guys. 😎

You are going to the beach to celebrate your best friend's birthday. However, you have a severe fear of the ocean. Luckily, your best friend's friends know, so they'll take care of you, right? 😇

WRONG BITCH!! 👿 While surfing, it becomes apparent that they've tampered with the rope connecting you to the board. Knowing you can't swim, Your best friend tries to save you. 😱😥

Before he can reach you, you feel something yank you further into the water, your lungs burning as your last hope of survival swiftly diminishes.🌊😥

And yet, You wake up on an island, and the bright sun rays quickly tell you that you aren't dead. If this sounds interesting, check out the fic: The Deeper You Go, The Darker It Gets. It's a fic full of mystery and surprises, and Father R will post a second chapter soon. 😉😌

So what are you waiting for? Click the link below to read it! HENCHMAN A OUT!! 🛬🛫✈️

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48423487/chapters/122137468

~~~~~~~

Damari lets out a pained grunt as their head is pressed harshly into a large stone beneath them, the leader's claws digging into their flesh.

"You even speak their language!! Are you asking to be exiled?!" The leader scowls, enraged at Damari's behavior. Even though Damari was different from their kind, they still considered them a part of the clan.

Damari growls in response, swiftly switching their mask. The leader backs away, fuming as they look around, getting hit by what they cannot see.

"You coward!!!" The leader roars as they manage to block one of Damari's attacks, grabbing them and slamming them into another tree.

Before the other Dertegeos can join the fight, stone spikes shoot out from the ground, piercing a few of them and sending others flying. Damari looks up, watching you cast another earthen spell.

"We got you, buddy!" Clovis yells as Elliot casts a spell, lifting a few nearby boulders and launching them at the Dertegeos. Sun and Moon quickly hop off their horses, cutting and slicing their way through the hoard.

Arrows pierce the Dertegeos they miss, each enchanted with a spell and going through without a problem. "Nice shot, Alister!" Avery compliments as she hands them another arrow, which she's embedded with her magic.

Blast of Ki shoots out at the Dertegeos as Doug helps Logan in battle, who electrocutes them with his arm. Montgomery smashes a few of them before cutting them with his axes. He's stopped, however, by a mirror image of himself, causing the axes to lock against each other.

The Dertegeos begin changing their form, fighting back against the party. "You lack the hunting skills!" The leader growls as they grapple Damari, who removes their mask and bites down on their arm.

Gaining distance, Y o u hurls a fireball at the leader. However, the fireballs get deflected by S U N, who charges at Y o u.

Y o u dodges, and M o o n summons their astral arms. M o o n blocks another attack by S U N before knocking their sword out of their hands and cutting them along the torso.

M O N T Y punches M o o n across the face before grabbing and throwing them to gain distance. A l i s t e r fires arrows at C H I C A, who does the same, running at each other.

A l i s t e r teleports into the air, and R o x a n n e plummets towards the ground, her swords clashing against L O G A N's arm. L O G A N tases her before D O U G unleashes a fury of blows.

A v e r y picks herself off the ground, glowing as she heals. "You hit like bitch..." She chuckles before T H E R R A socks her and sends her flying into a bush.

"Damari!" Clovis shouts, flying into the bush after them as the rest of the team handles the Dertegeos. The leader growls, walking towards the bush with murderous intent.

"Damari? Is that what they call you, Raca?" The leader mocks, stepping closer to the bush, glowing with a green aura. Damari tenses at the sound of their legitimate name, something they had gained from their peers.

"You are lucky I haven't exiled you from the clan. Months of spending time with prey has made you even more useless." The leader scowls, their steps almost deafening.

"We are your family. We are the ones who gave you purpose in this unforgiving world." The leader snarls as the other Dertegeos move aside. "I was the one who taught you how to survive, and this is how you repay me?"

"Come out of the bush and face me, you craven." The leader commands, standing in front of the bush.

"Damari..." Clovis mutters, glancing at the Dertegeo, whose head hangs low in defeat.

"Come Out And Face me!!!" The leader demands, retracting their arm to attack them. Unexpectedly, Skin latches onto the leader's arm, its teeth tearing into the leader's flesh.

"Get Up, Damari!!" Skin snarls as the leader claws at it to pull it off.

"Come on, Damari!" Clovis encourages, pulling Damari's cloak back onto them.

"Damari, come on, please get up!!" Alister shouts, firing an arrow.

"Damari, you can do this!" Avery shouts, gesturing for the others to do the same.

"Come on, Damari, you got this!!" Doug shouts, holding onto a Dertegeo as Logan digs into its chest.

"Get up, Damari!" Logan urges, glancing at the leader who manages to tear Skin off them.

"Get up, Damnit!" Montgomery yells, smashing two Dertegeos' heads together.

"Come on, Damari! Get up!" Moon shouts, tossing a Dertegeo at Sun, who cuts it in half.

"You've made it this far! Don't give up!" Sun encourages, deflecting another Dertegeo. You pant, your magic exhausted as you look at the bush with hope.

"You will be exiled!!!" The leader roars before slashing the bush, only to see nothing there.

"My family is my friends... I exile myself." Damari mutters from behind, swapping their mask and holding up one of your large spikes before breaking it on the leader's head.

Falling to the ground, the leader is rendered unconscious.

"Retreat!!!" "Fall Back!!" "Run!!!" The remaining Dertgeos shout, retrieving their leader's body and scowling at Damari as they run away.

~~~~~

The rest of the group runs up to Damari, exhausted from battle. The Dertegeo in question drops to their knees, their mind repeating the words that they have said.

Sniffiling follows as streams of black fluid spill out of the eyes of Damari's mask. Your heart aches at the sight, memories of the first time you ran away from home filling your thoughts.

"Hey. Forget about that jerk! We're your true family, remember?" Clovis lands on Damari's lap, swiftly dodging the blobs of fluid. "Family doesn't hurt each other."

Alister nods, kneeling beside Damari as Sun does the same. "That was a tough decision. And you were so brave to have made it." Sun comforts, helping the Dertegeo stand.

The group guides them into the cart, where Mongomery and Doug replace Sun and Moon on the horses. You climb into the cart, sitting next to Damari.

The cart starts up as everyone continues traveling to the gate. You feel Damari lean against you, and you take a page out of Elliot's book, moving Damari's head into your lap.

"Whose roles would be what in terms of this family?" Logan questions as Avery leans tiredly against him.

"I can see Sun and Moon being the parents." Clovis grins, his green aura spreading to everyone in the cart. "With the human as the shared spouse."

"I can hear the wedding bells already- OWW!!!" Clovis and Elliot yelp, their sentences cut off as you sharply hit them on the head.

The lighthearted atmosphere returns, rejuvenating the party as everyone continues through the forest. Soon, the large gate comes into view, towering over the surrounding trees.

Chapter Text

The team approaches the gate, giving everyone a better look. Its frame is massive and detailed, blue with impossibly large mushrooms and vines wrapped around it. Within the frame are large doors made of black stone with sigils, emblems, and runes carved into them. It's majestic.

However, before the party can comment on it, a figure stands in the center of the clearing. When the horses draw close to the clearing, the figure whips around, facing everyone.

Matching Lil DJ's description, the figure wore a white mask with three extended holes, one for their mouth and two for their eyes. Their clothing is a brown tunic, a belt with a red eye, dark brown pants, and black boots. What stood out most was their hood. It was torn and ragged from months, maybe even years, of wear and tear and had a large red six-fingered hand with a piercing eye in its palm.

Their stance was anything but friendly as large hand scythes glint in the sunlight, reflecting the team. However, they remained quiet and didn't move. The party glances between each other as Sun musters up the courage to confront them.

Climbing off their horse, Sun walks towards the clearing. "Pardon us, but we must enter the Afterdark for a few quests. If you would so kindly-" Sun's sentence was cut short as his foot landed in the clearing.

Without missing a beat, the figure bolts towards him, leaping in the air and hurling in his direction. Sun reacts quickly, unsheathing their broadsword and deflecting their attack, launching the figure back into the air. The figure lands on its feet with ease before striking Sun again.

This time, Moon steps in, protecting their brother with their cuffs. The figure's attack, however, is much stronger and causes Moon to slide him and Sun out of the clearing. The figure quickly returns to the center of the clearing.

The rest of the party climbs out of the cart, running towards the clearing. Each time someone steps into the clearing, the figure runs at them, attacking them until they're out.

" As if the Dertegeos weren't enough to deal with..." Moon grunts as they sit up inside the cart as an attack from the figure who knocked them into it.

You notice the figure look away from Moon and Sun, focusing on Montgomery this time. After a few attacks, Montgomery growls in frustration. "Damn it! How the fuck are we supposed to get through them?!"

The figure looks away from Montgomery, focusing on Avery and Logan. It seemed that DJ Music Man was correct. The figure is looking for someone.

"A little help here!" Avery frets as she dodges one of the figure's attacks. Logan quickly blocks her from one of the attacks, using his ring to electrocute the stranger, who runs back to the center to recuperate.

"Gods, their relentless!" Logan pants, still tired from the previous battle. The figure looks at Alister and Elliot this time.

Dodging a few arrows, the figure leaps to attack Alister, only to be hit by one of Elliot's spells and tumble backward. "Good timing." Alister praises as they launch more arrows at the figure. Even after being hit with a dizzy spell, the figure manages to avoid the arrows.

"Thanks!" Elliot beams as he prepares another spell. The figure stumbles as they look at Damari and Clovis. With a quick once over, they turn and look at you, causing you to flinch.

Once again, they bolt towards you, their scythes gripped firmly in their hands. You cast a beam of water in their direction, watching them jump up to avoid it, landing in the treetops.

"Keep your guard up!" Moon shouts as the team looks around, hearing the figure rustle through the leaves and the bushes.

Your hands glow a dark green with earthen magic as you look around, unable to spot them. When the forest grows quiet, you hear Skin growl loudly, causing you to whip around.

You jump in surprise and terror as the figure dangles upside down behind you, and you summon a few spearheads to attack them.

The figure lands on the ground, ducking low to avoid them. You continue to use your magic, watching in disbelief as the figure deflects each spearhead and rock.

You walk backward to gain distance before hurling a fireball at them, to which they struggle to deflect. Seemingly impatient, the figure rushes towards you, sweeping your legs before putting you in a pin.

Immediately, Skin latches onto their arm, giving you a chance to land a hit on them. The figure doesn't grunt or seethe and instead rips their arm from Skin's mouth.

They back away, holding their arm as blood streams down, coating their scythe. You scramble to stand, preparing another attack.

"Star!" Sun and Moon call out, making you glance in their direction. You falter in disbeleif. You are standing in the center of the clearing.

You watch the figure run towards you in the corner of your eye, and you brace for impact, but it never comes. You open your eyes, freezing as the figure stands in front of you, looking down at you.

Their eyes peer at you through the mask, their amber orbs locked on yours. You step back out of instinct, your hands glowing blue as you prepare to attack.

You are left confused when the figure walks away towards the gate, pulling out a bandage from their belt and wrapping their blood-soaked arm. You glance at the party, who all shrug in unison.

The figure stops by one of the doors, waiting. Hesitantly, you walk towards them, feeling Skin tighten around you defensively. When you stand in front of them, the figure doesn't move, their eyes focused on your party.

When they step into the clearing, the figure runs towards them, seemingly ready to attack. You react quickly, casting a large stone wall in front of the figure to stop them. They glance back at you before slowly walking back to the gate.

You sigh in relief as your party is allowed to walk into the clearing. Once they stand near the gate, the figure walks toward you, removing their hood and revealing brown hair tied into a bun. The figure turns out to be female as she folds up her cape, her eyes peering into yours.

She shoves it into your chest, and you look down at the fabric. You glance up to give her a quizzical look, only to see her disappear into the nearby forest.

. . .

"What in the ever-loving fuck was that?" Clovis questions, sitting down on your head. Skin grumbles but doesn't move him.

"No clue, but I'm not gonna question it." Moon sighs, rolling their arm as they move to open the gate.

"Woah, Woah, Woah!" Clovis sputters, nearly falling off your head as he quickly flies to the gate to stop them. Alister does the same, running in front of the gate and blocking the others from entering.

"First off, you guys will NOT enter this dimension without knowing a few rules." Clovis declares, sitting on Alister's horns, who nods in agreement.

"What rules do we need to know? The Afterdark ain't nothing but the surface reversed." Montgomery scoffs, sheathing his axes.

"That attitude will get you killed down here." Clovis sighs, shaking his head before looking down at the Eldadrin.

"First things first," Alister begins, resting their hands on their hips. "No loud noises or bright lights. Most creatures down here are sensitive to noise or light. You can glow dimly, but anything more, and you'll aggravate the wrong person."

The group looks at Sun, who looks back at them in confusion. "What?"

"That means you, Light Bulb." Clovis points as Moon snorts. Sun rubs the back of their head, their rays shrinking as they raise a thumbs-up.

"Second, Keep all belongings close to you and stick close to each other. People down here will steal anything, even other people." Alister informs, their tone serious. "If you get bumped, you most likely have gotten pickpocketed."

"Are we sure it's safe to go down there?" Avery questions, glancing at Damari and Doug, who shrug.

"Thirdly, don't put too much trust in others. Not everyone is who they say they are, and giving off too much information about yourself or others is risky." Alister shakes his head before reaching his final rule.

" Lastly, this is the most important rule. Stay far away from the docks. The sea life is No Joke." Alister concludes, looking up at Clovis, who nods.

"There are creatures down there that eat people, and if you are inexperienced with sailing, you will die." Clovis adds before leaning against one of Alister's horns. "But other than that, the Afterdark is an amazing place."

The group looks at each other, uncertainty running through their veins. "Well... To the Afterdark, we go." Doug sighs before pushing against the doors. The party helps out, pushing against the doors as well.

With a loud creak, the gate opens, revealing complete darkness and a few stairs that lead downward. To say that your first impressions of the Afterdark are negative is an understatement.

~~~~~~~~

HELL YEAH, NEW ARC BITCHES!!!! 😆😆🤩

So if you haven't read the first author note, Go Fucking Do It, we are looking for an Artist for our Q&A! We've already got a few volunteers, but we don't want anyone to miss their opportunity to get 100$.

SO if you can draw, they hurry up and volunteer! You can message Father R at his email, [email protected]. Yes, that's his actual email. He hasn't changed it since middle school 🤧💀💀

🔫 Also, If you spam/try to scam him, believe me, I will fucking block you for him.

Anyways, I got a recommendation for you guys. 😉

Do you like Explosions? Guns? Cowboy and Cowgirls? Yes? Well then, read The Sands of Time. It's written by your favorite author, of course. 😌😌😌

Here's the premise: You've been dreaming of being a bandit ever since you heard the tales of your grandfather and father. Luckily, you managed to join the most BADASS bandit crew! As a stable boy. 🥲🤣

However, you finally get to go on one of the missions, meeting the infamous automaton celestial sheriffs! Having succeeded in the mission, you're sent on many others, giving you more time to get to know the sheriffs. 😏😯

This causes you to question if you genuinely want to be a bandit like your grandfather or follow your father's steps and be a sheriff. 🤔😣

This fic has adventure, action, and more! If this sounds interesting, click the link below! For now, HENCHMAN A OUTTTT!!!🌊🚣

https://archiveofourown.org/works/50625502/chapters/127887292

~~~~~~~~~~

"Woah..." The party gasps as they glance out from a balcony at the end of the stairs

A vast landscape unfolds ahead of everyone, revealing distant cities connected by tunnels, forming bridges and pathways. Delicate lamps hang, few compared to the soft, natural light emanating from giant, luminescent fungi scattered throughout the cavern. In the far distance, a radiant sea sparkles, and atop a cliff, a majestic castle mirrors Eclipse's, but with different, captivating hues of blue.

A staircase to the left descends into a lively village. The village, which is substantial in size, boasts double-decked houses carved into the rock, adorned with hanging lamps that gently sway. Soft music and murmurs fill the air, creating a welcoming ambiance. The village thrives with fauna, adding a touch of nature to the underground landscape, making it look like a tranquil haven compared to Alister's and Clovis's description.

Alister and Clovis eagerly head down the stairs, the rest of the group following suit. "This place looks amazing!" Doug exclaims, clearly excited to adventure within the new realm.

"It is, but how are we supposed to know where we are?" Sun questions before nearly slipping down the stairs as someone pops into their face.

"Take a map! Have a map!" A thin warforge insists, holding up a folded piece of paper and clutching onto their bag, filled with what you can assume to be maps. Their uniform is a symbol of an I, and their hat reads courtesy of Wander's Inc.

"O-Oh-! Thank you." Sun quavers, taking the map with a shakey hand. The warforge tips their hat before swiftly moving towards Avery, who yelps slightly.

"Hi! Please take this map!" The warforge insists, repeating the same action as each member takes a map, except for Logan.

"Everyone already has a map, so I don't need one." Logan continues walking down the stairs, followed by the warforge.

"Free map! Take a map!" The warforge repeats, the determination in its voice unsettling.

"I don't need and don't want one!" Logan growls as he runs around and avoids the warforge, whose methods of handing him a map become more violent.

"You're gonna want to take a map!" Clovis laughs, clearly amused by the scene in front of him. The rest of the party also fails to hold their laughter as Logan struggles to refuse to grab a map.

"Take! A! Map!!" The warforge growls before managing to hit Logan on the head with the map, knocking him unconscious.

The party looks at the warforge with surprise, who drops the map on him and tilts its hat before disappearing behind a rock. Clovis and Alister laugh harder, causing Clovis to fall off Alister's head and make them laugh even harder, clutching their stomachs.

Montgomery tosses Logan's body over the shoulder. "Alright, alright, enough messing around. We gotta find a package."

"Right. According to the map, West Barrington Stationery is-" "We forgot the horses." Moon interrupts Sun, causing panic to fill the team.

-----

After returning to the surface, collecting the horses, and dropping them off at the stables, the party walks through the village. On the surface, Sun explained that the stationary they're after is in a town called Blackburn.

"Blackburn isn't far from here, though it's gonna take a while to get there." Alister hums as the group walks through a marketplace of sorts.

As always, You attract unwanted attention in any marketplace. As the party walks, the feeling of eyes follows their every move. Food stalls are full of fruit and meat you haven't seen before, while other stalls are full of weapons that cause you to feel uneasy.

Some stalls have potions and jewelry, while others have cages and traps. The only consistent thing is that each stall owner watches the party. Passing villagers watch you all as well, their eyes either predatory, judgemental, or curious.

"You, in the purple and gold cloak!" A voice calls out, and you glance in their direction. A senior woman, decorated in a robe, scarves, and golden chains, stands in the center of a small building covered with curtains, giving the place a strange allure.

"I sense a great danger befalls you and that everything you know is at stake. I offer you clarity for nothing more than 50 silver." She implores, extending her arms. "This danger doesn't only affect you but a few of your compaignions as well."

Avery stands between you and her, gently nudging you away. "No, thank you. Your offer is appreciated, though."

"My offer will always remain open, dear." The woman nods before stepping back into her stall.

"Ignore her. She's nothing but a scammer, and her readings are as fake as can be," Clovis informs as he sits on your head. "She once said that my family would get captured by hunters, yet nothing has happened to them for years after her reading. I wasted 100 silver on her."

You look up at Clovis before looking back at the stall, your mind thinking over what she said. "Sorry..." A voice says, and you glance up, watching a hooded figure bump into Sun.

"Oh, no worries." Sun grins, waving in dismissal as they continue to walk. They stop in realization when the rest of the party looks at them. Moon facepalms as Sun reaches for their hilt, only to touch nothing but air. "Shit..."

The group swiftly turns around, running after the hooded figure who dashes down the street. He weaves around carts and villagers before turning into an alley. You follow suit, only to slam into someone. You really need to focus on your surroundings...

"Hey!! Watch it!" A familiar voice hisses as you land harshly on your tailbone. "Wait a moment... Kit?"You glance upwards, seeing the all too familiar swishing tail of Aidan.

"Adie! I swiped the bracelet you wanted-" A voice calls out as they approach you and the Tabaxi. "Kitten!! What are you doing here?" The voice, Nadia's, gasps, picking you up in a hug.

You watch your party pursue the thief, unaware of your predicament. With quick thinking, you worm your way out of Nadia's hold. You grab both of their hands and pull them along without much resistance.

It doesn't take the twins much to catch onto the chase, and you suddenly get picked up onto Nadia's back. The two run much faster than you, catching up to your party with little difficulty.

"Mind explaining why we're running?" Aidan questions, startling the group.

"Sun's sword got pickpocketed by the guy in the grey hood." Moon explains, keeping their eyes on the culprit.

"How on earth did their behemoth of a sword get snagged?" Nadia questions, glancing up at you.

"Unimportant, they're getting away!" Sun shouts, pointing towards the hooded figure who seems to get farther by the minute.

"Not on our watch." Aidan mutters as Nadia and him speed up. Their running speed seemingly doubled. You hold on tight as the twins leap onto the canopies of shops and pergolas.

Elliot follows suit, grabbing Alister and Damari's hands as he mounts his broom, which takes off and follows you. Alister holds tightly onto Elliot as Damari holds tightly onto them, Clovis holding tightly onto Alister's horn to keep from getting blown off.

With no one to run around, the twins quickly approach the thief, who skids to a halt before entering a tavern. The Tabaxi stop at the entrance, looking up at the large sign that reads "The Gray Hill."

The group catches up, glancing at the sign. "What's the hold-up?" Monty pants, looking at the Tabaxis.

"No violence is allowed in this pub. Any violence, you'll get more busted up than an old Autognome." Nadia shudders, remembering the last barfight that happened here.

"I doubt that guy will give Sun's sword back willingly." Logan sighs, unsure what the next plan of action is.

"Not to worry, Pickpocketing is our specialty. Though we expect you guys to tell us your reasonings for being down here as payment." Aidan proposes as the group glances at one another.

You extend a hand towards Aidan from Nadia's back, agreeing to their deal for the team. Aidan grins, his tail flicking behind him as he shakes it. "I already have a plan in mind." He smirks, guiding the party into the bar.

Chapter Text

You all enter the bar, ready to retrieve the stolen sword. You are all greeted by the smell of food and chatting. After surveilling, you spot the thief, Sun's sword leaning against his chair. As expected, he's playing a game of cards to sell off the sword against a noble, by the looks of it.

"The first step is to distract the bar. Seeing how you're a wizard in training, I don't suppose you can convince those bards over there to play something more lively and distracting?" Aidan suggests, patting Elliot's back as he points toward the stage.

Elliot nods and jogs towards the stage, waving and catching one of the bard's attention. He mutters something into her ear, waving his wand behind him. The bard nods enthusiastically before gesturing for her partners to follow along.

"Now, see the noble over there? You and the human mimic will replace those elves surrounding him. Wait till they leave to go into the restroom, and Damari, give your invisibility mask to Moonman." Aidan instructs, pointing to Avery and Damari.

The two follow along, sneaking into the restroom to wait for the elven women. The loud music muffles the sounds of fighting, and the only indicator is the flashing lights of Avery's magic. Soon, the two exit.

Avery has her hair tied up, and her natural locks and elf ears match perfectly with one of the other elves. She even seems to have borrowed her clothing, the only difference being her eyes. In contrast, Damari imitates the other elf perfectly, allowing them and Avery to sneak next to the noble.

"Moon, use your claws and the mask to climb onto the roof undetected. When Nadia raises two fingers, grab the sword and hand it to the Monty." Aidan instructs, glancing over towards Moon, who is nowhere to be found.

When he glances back towards the thief and the others, Moon is already above the table. "Well damn.... Anyways, Noddy, you got the Kenku." Aidan informs as Nadia puts you on his back.

"Time to work the old charm~" She grins, crossing her arms behind her back as she saunters towards the table.

~~~~~

"Whistler, you seem nervous old friend. Surely you're aware of how this game works?" The noble quizzes, his rings glinting in the candlelight of the bar as he places down a few cards. The women beside him giggle as they rest their hands on his shoulders. Their giggles, though as awkward as can be, only seem to be music to the noble's ears.

Whistler, the thief, clears his throat as he looks through his deck. "Of course, Silas. Kenkus have impeccable memory, remember? I am simply focusing on my cards..."

"Perhaps you should focus on something else, your opponent maybe?" A voice speaks from his right, his attention captured by the stripped cat who rests her hand on the table.

"Oh, and who are you?" Silas questions, his voice slightly annoyed as he sneaks a hand into his jacket.

"An observer." Nadia answers, her tail flicking behind her as she walks closer to Whistler. Her hand travels up his forearm before plucking a card from his hands and resting it on the table. Silas's eyes furrow as he looks through his deck, removing his hand from his jacket, a card hidden in his palm.

"Lucky guess." Whistler comments, his eyes glancing up at Nadia. Nadia grins, resting her hands behind her hips as she walks around him, her tail trailing along his arm and shoulders.

"Yes, yes, lucky guess." Silas mutters, laying down two cards. He looks up at Nadia, whose eyes pierce through him. She directs her attention to Whistler, a mischievous glint in her feline gaze.

"I must say, Whistler, your luck seems to be changing," Nadia purrs, her fingers lightly tracing patterns on the table. Whistler leans against the table, a slight smirk on his beak.

"Luck has always had a way of finding me, especially in the company of such a... charming feline," he replies, exchanging a sly glance with Nadia as he puts down two cards of his own.

The elves beside Silas let out a slight growl, E l a i n e sliding a card into the noble's deck. Nadia glances at her, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

"Charming indeed," Nadia continues, her tail wrapping around Whistler's leg as she leans in. "Tell me, Silas, have you ever lost a game to this... appealing individual?"

Silas raises an eyebrow, momentarily distracted from his cards. "Can't say I have. Though should I expect more 'lucky guesses' from you?"

Nadia chuckles, her eyes never leaving Whistler's face. "Humorous. It's not about luck. It's about strategy, finesse, and a dash of flair."

Whistler mutters beneath his breath. "Mind explaining why you're helping me?" He questions, his gaze no longer sly or mischievous but cold and questioning.

Nadia doesn't falter. "Two reasons," she says, her voice low and silvery. "Firstly, I find you intriguing, Whistler. A Kenku with a penchant for risky games paired with nimble hands. Not to mention a gaze that would make someone weak in the knees."

Whistler arches an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity breaking through his guarded expression. "And the second reason?" Nadia raises two fingers as she speaks, maintaining eye contact as Moon slowly lifts the sword towards him on the ceiling.

Nadia's tail coils around Whistler's thigh, her gaze unwavering. "I've heard rumors of something valuable in your possession... Not the sword you're so carelessly selling away, but something more desirable. I've always had a nose for valuable secrets."

Whistler's eyes narrow, suspicion evident. "So you're after something. What makes you think I'd trust you with whatever you're sniffing around for?"

Nadia leans in closer, her lips brushing against Whistler's ear as her fingers dance along his arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "Trust is a fickle thing, my admired feathery companion. However, spending the night alone would be such a waste of my talents~"

As she speaks, Silas notices Sun's sword getting carried into the air. However, Avery leans down into his ear, distracting him from it. "I-If you win, perhaps we can convince her to join our little harem. She would make a great addition." She suggests, covering for Moon.

Silas straightens, eyeing Nadia with a newfound interest. "Ah, my dear, your talents are wasted on this rogue. Join us, and I can offer you more than just a night of excitement."

Nadia pulls away from Whistler, her eyes meeting Silas's with amusement and disdain. "Oh, Silas, sweet talk won't get you very far. Besides, I find the unpredictability of a rogue's company far more exhilarating than the mundane predictability of nobility."

Whistler chuckles, enjoying the exchange. "She's got a point there, Silas. We rogues thrive on unpredictability and a touch of danger."

Silas, undeterred, continues his attempt to sway Nadia the same way her hips do as she moves to Whistler's left side. "Think about the riches, the luxuries you could enjoy. You wouldn't have to resort to these lowly games."

Nadia smirks, her tail flicking dismissively. "Riches and luxuries are a dime a dozen in the world of nobility. I prefer the thrill of the game, the chase, and the satisfaction of outsmarting those who think themselves clever. No amount of gold can compare to that."

As Nadia delivers her sassy retort, Moon carries the sword towards Monty, dropping it in his hands. "Besides, I'm sure our raven here can offer me more pleasure than you or your coterie." She smirks, trailing a claw from the base of Whistler's beak to the tip, causing him to swallow hard.

As Aidan gives her the clear, Nadia plucks three cards from Whistler's deck. "It saddens me to say that we must cut our time together short, though I should leave you with a goodbye, shouldn't I?"

Putting down the cards, Nadia smoothly straddles the Kenku, wrapping her legs around his waist and arms around his shoulders. She holds his cheek, leaning in...

In one swift motion, Nadia pulls out one of her daggers from her belt before hitting Whistler harshly on the head with the handle, causing the former to fall slack against the chair.

~~~~~~~~

... I am so jealous. 🤧😩

ALSO, GOD DAMN!! FATHER R, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN COOKING UP?!!! MEOWMY!!!! 🥵😩🥴

🔫😠AYE, I SEE YOU JUDGING, YOU WERE THINKING IT TOO!

Anyways, If you are looking for another fic to read made by your favorite author, I've got one right here!😯📑

In this fic, you have the uncanny fear known as Hapephobia, the fear of touch. You've had this fear ever since getting put in a foster home at the age of eight. 😣😟

However, your fear has only become worse ever since you got into a relationship with the devil himself. Your only source of comfort has been your twin dogs, who you've found outside your apartment. 🐶🐶😍

One day, your vet and a close friend convince you to go to the infamous Pizzaplex. Unable to leave your dogs, you sneak them in via backpack. 🤫🎒

After adventuring, one of your friends informs you there's a job opportunity within the Daycare. Wanting to stay away from home, you sign up. 📝😃

However, you use a fake identity to avoid having your partner figure out where you've been. However, it doesn't take long for him to connect the dots.😨😰

If this sounds interesting, give our fic: Look, Don't Touch a read! Click the link below or click one of our names. HENCHMAN A, OUT!!! 🏃💨🧟🧟🧟

https://archiveofourown.org/works/51351541/chapters/129758917

~~~~~~~~

"Logan, now!" Aidan commands as Logan picks up an empty beer bottle.

He hits someone harshly in the head with it, breaking it across the back of their skull before putting it in the hands of the person behind him. The person struck with the bottle whips around, holding the collar of the person behind him.

The person behind him gets angry from his accusations and accidentally hits the man next to him with the bottle. "Bar Fight!!!" Clovis shouts as Doug picks up a chair, throwing it at a table and causing fights to start around the bar.

The party evacuates, ducking and dodging the chaos as the Goliath bartender hops over the bar. Once outside, the team runs into a nearby alleyway, following Aidan and Nadia as they slip into a hidden room behind a few crates.

The room is old and abandoned, save for a few candles, cushions, and familiar lumps. "One of our hideouts within this maze of a realm," Aidan explains, dropping you unceremoniously onto one of the lumps before sitting beside you on his own.

Nadia sits on the one to the right while the others get comfortable in the small room. "Now that you have your sword back, would you guys mind explaining what you're doing in a place like this?" She question, glancing at Sun, who explains everything that happened when they parted ways.

-----

"That's it! I'm taking the kitten home!" Nadia declares, picking you up from Skin, similar to how a mother cat would pick up her children from their scruff.

Her words give you flashbacks, the impulse of struggling against her flooding your veins. Fortunately, Aidan's words calm you down, keeping you from acting on them. "What are you, Noddy? Their sister?" He ridicules, resting his arms behind his head and closing his eyes.

Nadia gives him a look. "First off, I'm nowhere near as ugly. Secondly, after everything that happened, Adie, you're telling me that you don't want to take them to our place and take care of them?"

"Oh, I'd take care of them, alright." Aidan smirks, opening one of them and glancing at you, a sly glint catching you off guard. Elliot and Clovis clear their throats, glaring at Aidan, who raises his hands in innocence.

"Anyways, we need to get Spencer's package as soon as possible and find Zed's friend to learn more about the virus." Avery reminds them, bringing the focus back to the main quests.

"Do we seriously need to get that asshole's package?" Montgomery questions, spinning one of his axes. "I couldn't give two shits about Curtis, but that noble's attitude made me want to punch him the moment he came in."

"If we want the extra money, yes." Logan sighs, leaning against one of the wood pillars in the room.

"Zed said something about the guy raising a certain Eldarin when they were young, right?" Moon questions, glancing over at their brother.

"The only Eldarin we know of is Alister." Sun responds as everyone directs their attention to Alister, the eladrin becoming anxious from the sudden attention.

"I-I barely know who took care of me. The only thing I do remember is their eyes." Alister admits as Clovis sits on his head.

"Blind in the left, red in the right, right?" Clovis questions, having heard Alister's description many times. Alister nods, trying their best to remember their caretaker.

"Well, they look like Alister, right? It's as easy as finding someone with a blind left eye, red right eye, and looks similar to Alister." Doug concludes, unsure what the fuss is about.

"That's the thing." Clovis comments, shrugging. "Ali's an orphan."

Chapter Text

"An... Orphan?" Damari questions, not entirely sure what the word means.

"Alister was left alone pretty early in life," Clovis explains, leaning against Alister's horns. "Their parents practically left to milk an Aboleth and never returned."

"Isn't this kind of a harsh topic to talk about?" Logan questions, surprised by how unbothered the two are.

"Not really." Alister yawns, clearly exhausted from the day's adventure. "I only remember a few things. My dad had wings and horns, while my mom always felt cold and at one point smelled like flowers..."

~~~~~

"The waterfall is only a few minutes away. Stick close, love." The words, spoken with a harsh edge, cut through the silent air, accompanied by the soft rhythm of footsteps. In the stillness, Alister can only presume the voice belongs to their father.

Alister hadn't spoken during the long walk, as they never do. Instead, Alister found amusement in the strange coils of their mother's hair. Their small distraction is met with a harsh smack, redirecting them into their father's arms.

"Are we sure our plan will work properly, dear? I want to regain our freedom as soon as possible, and all of this seems so elaborate." Their mother's voice, sweet like honey, holds a hidden bitterness. Alister briefly focuses on the leaves in their hair, the autumn hues no longer as vibrant as they used to be.

"Of course. This plan will ensure that our freedom will remain ours. We can always try again after we put them in the river." The sound of rushing water startles Alister, drowning out their father's callous chuckle.

Alister's eyes follow the sound, witnessing a river leading to a large waterfall. The sound is harsh and loud, scaring the young child. Alister whimpers, holding onto his father's horns, only to be peeled off.

The approaching sound grows, a foreboding melody. It was the first time they'd heard such a thing. In their eyes, the waterfall was nothing more than a hungry beast roaring with impending doom.

"Stay still, Damn it!" Their father barks, cutting through the noise and sending a chill down their spine as they sit on a large lilypad. Alister freezes, watching as the leaves in their hair and horns begin to fall.

Alister feels their mother tie something around their neck, a piece of fabric with letters. The coldness in her hands begins to change into a warmth and scent. The smell puts Alister's mind in a petrifying haze as Alister watches the distance between their parents grow.

A hiccup bubbles from their throat as their vision becomes blurry. Tears fall from young Eladrin's eyes, crystalizing as they trail down their cheeks. They reach out in desperation, the sound of the beast growing louder and closer.

Yet they fall into the water, barely grabbing the lilypad to stay afloat. They call out for their father, for their mother. Witnessing the two turn away as the smell of belladonna and nightshade resides in their wake.

They begin to fall, causing Alister to cry out for anyone, someone, something to save them from the growing abyss beneath them. No one listens, leaving the young Eladrin in the cold embrace of betrayal and fear.

Gravity pulls them down faster, silencing their cries as they crash into the dark waters below. A burning feeling rushes through their lungs, causing their vision to fade. Breathless, numb, and engulfed in darkness, Alister can only smell the flowers of his blooming mother.

When they awake, they find themself on rocky ground, lake water gently rocking them awake. Alister coughs hard, the burning feeling in their lungs making it hard to cry.

They spend hours waiting for their parents to return, frozen in place out of fear and hope. Eventually, their hunger grows, and Alister can no longer remain still. Stumbling onto their feet, they walk through their scary yet fascinating surroundings.

Small shiny rocks and crystals catch their eyes, and they hold them in the cloth. They try and bite on whatever can fit in their mouth, mistaking it for food. Eventually, they come across berries, fighting a group of mice to claim it.

The berries are bitter and sour, but they atleast provide food. Even more hours pass by, and the berries become naught. As if by miracle, the scent of food cuts through Alister's thoughts.

They drop the mushroom in their hand, wandering towards the source of the smell. They come across a well-lit house and sneak in through a small hatch on the door.

They wander to a kitchen, the candles providing a holy grail over a plate of meat and fruit. As they walk to it, the ground creaks underneath them, and a snarl sounds from behind.

Alister whips around, witnessing a massive, deep grey wolf the size of the chairs. Its amber orbs narrow in on them, its fur raised, and its teeth bared. To the dire wolf's surprise, Alister hisses at it, throwing one of the rocks from their bandana and hitting it on the head.

The wolf creeps closer, backing Alister into one of the counters. Alister remains still, holding onto another rock tightly as the wolf sniffs them. Instead of attacking them, the wolf nudges them. Eventually, Alister is lifted and put onto the counter.

Alister looks down at the wolf, curious and confused, before the smell of food fills their senses. They grab one of the pieces of meat, hear the wolf bark, and hand it to it. The two begin to feast on the food, and for the first time in forever, Alister begins to feel warm.

Their dinner is interrupted by a door opening. The two panic as Alister begins to climb down from the counter. Footsteps grow closer as the wolf helps them onto the ground. "Amber, I'm home and covered in blood... Again." A voice huffs as they turn the corner, halting as they see the two.

"Who is this?" The voice questions, taking off their gloves as they walk towards Alister and picking them up by the back of their shirt. "You're supposed to be a guard dog, not an inviter."

The wolf whines as Alister thrashes, throwing a rock at the man, who easily catches it. "Alister?" The man quizzes, reading the scarf aloud and causing the young kid to freeze.

No longer did Alister feel cold when they made eye contact with someone. The red, fiery gaze and the coolness of the man's blind eye filled the young eladrin with warmth and a foreign sense of comfort.

However, That didn't stop them from stabbing his hand with a broken, rusted dagger.

~~~~~

"And ever since then, I was under his care. I don't remember his name, but Amber's amber eyes stood out, making it easier for me to remember her." Alister concludes, glancing up at the rest of the team.

Silence floods the small hideout, the only sound being the chatter from the marketplace. Each team member seems speechless, their eyes wide from surprise and shock.

After a few minutes of silence, Nadia stands up, grabbing you and Alister and tucking you both under her arms. "Aidan, I'm becoming a mother!" She declares, holding you both tightly and pridefully.

"What?!!" The party splutters as Aidan falls off his beanbag.

-----

After learning more about Alister, the team decides to get some rest. The day was long and emotionally draining for some of them, so getting some sleep was non-negotiable.

Despite the silent snores and quiet slumber, you couldn't sleep, especially after having the same dream as the day before. You couldn't understand why you had it again. While anyone would see it as a simple dream, it felt too vivid for you.

You felt as if you could touch your surroundings. It felt as if you could stop what happened. The most concerning part is that you barely remember it after you wake up.

You wanted to know what the dream was about and why you had it. You doubted that it meant anything of importance, but at the same, you had the nagging feeling that it did.

You need clarity. And you know exactly where to find it.

You manage to wriggle out of Nadia and Elliot's hold, moving the two closer to each other. You carefully walk towards the exit of the hideout, jolting to a halt when Skin lets out a low growl.

You watch as the party stirs a bit, and you look up at your cloak. You glare at it, holding a finger up to your lips to silence it. You walk closer to the exit, and Skin growls louder. You look through your pockets, finding one of the apples Moon gave you and feeding it Skin.

You sneak out of the hideout undetected and into the marketplace. You look around in surprise to see it as crowded as before. It was as if day and night weren't a thing here.

You walk around, looking for a stall in particular. To your dismay, you get lost. Your sense of direction completely twisted itself, similar to Alister's. You feel your heart skip a beat when someone rests their hands on your shoulders, making your skin turn pale.

As you turn around, your eyes catch the sight of the old lady from earlier. She looks at you kindly and gives you a playful wink, silently beckoning you to follow her through the bustling marketplace. Curious and intrigued, you follow her lead, weaving through the crowd until you finally arrive at her stall.

She holds the curtains of the entrance open, letting you step inside. The room is dark but dimly illuminated by a candelabrum on a table in the center.

The place smells of flowers and herbs, adding to the whimsical and welcoming atmosphere. Shelves and dressers display items, strange liquids, and sparkly powders. There are even jars of toenails, hair, and eyes. The most prominent thing you recognize is a small jar filled with black henbane, the same plant your mother grows.

Clusters of crystals hang from the ceiling, clinking together softly and filling the silence. Some glow softly and emit particles, illuminating the room while adding to the mystery. She motions for you to sit in the chair across her and to pull down your hood. You do so, a comforting feeling keeping you from hesitating.

"Tell me, why have you come here?" She questions, her silvery eyes catching yours.

I've been having nightmares about something related to the king of the Afterdark. I was hoping you could give me clarity about it and my situation. You jot down, handing her your notepad.

"You did the right thing seeking me out, little Charoite." She hums, intertwining her frail hands and leaning against the table as she hands your notepad back. "I have dedicated my life to using my magic and spirituality to help others. While I may not see the time and date, I have helped countless others on their quests."

"Your fairy friend, Clovis, if I recall, was one of my most important clients. Every word I speak is true, and he will see that soon." She concludes before grasping your hands, rubbing her thumbs in circles.

"But enough about my clients, you, my dear, are remarkable. See, the moment you walked past my stall, I felt an extraordinary presence." She grins, gently squeezing your hands. "Even now, you are followed by being of prodigious power."

You feel a sudden chill run down your spine and glance behind you. You spot nothing. However, the feeling of being watched by something other than the elder persists. The elder clears her throat, bringing your attention back towards her, and gestures for your bag of coins. You quickly rifle through it, picking out five gold coins and placing them in her palm.

She softly hums as she counts them before putting them in a jar that seems to have appeared out of thin air. "Thank you. Now, lend me your hands. I learn best from touch." She says, extending her hands once more.

Hesitantly, you take hold of hers, watching as she closes her eyes. You remain still, too curious to disrupt her. Suddenly, she jerks her hands away, seething slightly. You gaze at her hands in disbelief, seeing abnormal burn markings. It was as if she touched electricity.

"Don't fret, I'm alright." She soothes, wiping away your worries with a dismissive wave. "It seems this entity of yours doesn't want me to learn about you. However, there is more than one way to access the mind." She chuckles, holding up her hand. Soon, a deck of cards appears, prompting you to clap softly.

She shuffles the cards with a playful smile, the backs decorated with intricate symbols and designs. "These cards, little Charoite, are called Tarot cards. They allow me to see into the future, past and present, no matter the person. They should also allow me to see more into your predicament."

She sorts the deck into three towers, and you pick the pile closest to you, feeling drawn to it the most. Slowly, she spreads the cards out, making a strangle symbol. You look closer, noting its outward circle and complex inner triangles. She puts away the other cards, holding your hands once more.

"To learn about your past, present, and future, you must ask the cards three questions." She informs as you both glance down at the cards, a feeling of anticipation settling in your stomach. "First, we'll start with your past."

"Tarot, unveil the veiled chapters, whisper the untold tales. What shadows linger in the tapestry of this mute wanderer's past?" She queries, her voice low and crisp. You watch in amazement as the cards begin to shake and glow dimly, murmurs and whispers emitting from each one as if they were communicating.

Soon, the cards diminish their light, except for one on the outer circle. The cards begin to shift quickly, following along the lines of the symbol as the glowing card makes its way into the center. Smiling, the old lady flips the card, revealing an interesting figure in the center of the card.

The figure wears a cloak adorned with strange symbols, some similar to constellations. A tree with runes wraps around the figure's boot, its gnarled branches and foliage overtaking a city. However, instead of panicking, the figure is calm and holds a stance that one would use to meditate while standing. The card looks upside-down as the cloak signals that the figure is hanging from the tree and not standing on it.

"Ah, The Hanged Man. Instead of offering himself to learn from the world as he would upright, he becomes tribute against his will and gets hanged without his consent." She hums, lifting the card to inspect it.

What does that mean? You write, handing her the notepad as you search the card, feeling it tremble as if it somehow was crying. The figure in the center reminds you of your father, and the memories of him and his death begin to creep into your mind...

"In the past, you've witnessed something. Perhaps even been the victim of mistreatment. Seeing how you're mute, it isn't hard to guess why this card represents your past." The old lady hums, passing your notepad back to you. "The Hanged Man has seen things, dark sides of the people who he once trusted. He relates to you and wants you to put yourself first. He wants you to grow from your past and untangle yourself from the branches that once defined you."

She puts the card back down, extending her hands. You slot your hands in hers, glancing back down at the cards. By now, you have become hooked, convinced that she could provide the clarity you need.

"Tarot, weave the threads of the present, dance with the shadows that cling to this silent wanderer. What clandestine currents swirl around them in the now, unseen by mortal eyes?" She quizzes, and once again, all the cards glow and shake. The whispers stand out this time, and you try to listen in, only for them to quiet down and stop glowing.

Two cards glow this time, and from the old lady's surprised look, you can only guess that it's a rare sight. The cards shift again, weaving around until both cards arrive at the center. She flips the first one, revealing a majestic figure in the center. The figure wears heavy steel armor, their helmet covering their features. Their cape billows in the wind, adorned with symbols you recognize from juries and lawyers.

In the figure's right hand, you see a large broadsword gleaming in the radiant sunlight above them. In their left hand, you see a set of scales with the symbols of a feather and a heart. Chains lock onto both sides and in the background are people. Those on the side of the heart get dragged downwards, while those near the feather climb upwards. Once again, the image is upside down.

"Justice reversed. Instead of weighing her options and staying objective, she allows her scales to tip and cloud her judgment with chaos and lies." She sighs, handing you the card.

You inspect the card, the strange feeling of it being crooked in your hand, making it awkward to hold. The gleaming sword catches your attention, its shape similar to Sun's.

"You have allowed guilt and false truths to tug and grapple you, forcing you to make rash decisions. Your emotions are affecting your logic." The old lady explains, clasping her hands together as she looks at you, her head tilted. "Perhaps you've endured something and put yourself at fault. You blame yourself for it if not everything. Correct?"

Her words tug at your heart, and you look away in shame. How could you not blame yourself for the masquerade? Alister's fall, Chica's core, Sun and Moon's regret, everything that happened that night was entirely your fault. There's no doubt about it.

"Justice will not allow you to keep her scales tipped. Let it go." The old lady speaks up, snapping you out of your thoughts. You look up at her as she gives you a firm look, not allowing you to argue with her. "Take a step back and think logically. All actions have consequences, and the more you hold onto things, the worse those consequences will be."

Skin grumbles, causing the old lady to chuckle. "Your companion also seems to agree. So please, let things go, dear." You lean back, feeling Skin tighten around you. With a huff, you allow yourself to relax a little. There was no way you could let it go. Atleast, not today.

The elder moves to flip the next card, and a wave of lightheadedness overtakes you, and your body moves on its own. You smack the card out of her hand, causing both of you to jump. She glares at you, or well, past you.

-{CENTER AUTHORNOTE}-

GOD DAMN, FATHER R, WHY IS THIS CHAPTER SO FUCKING LONG?!!! 😫😫😫

YOU BETTER SPLIT THIS SHIT INTO TWO CHAPTERS, EDITOR T IS GONNA GET ADDICTED TO CAFFINE AGAIN, AND I WOULDN'T BLAME HIS ASS. ☕😩

Jesus Christ, anyway, I GOT TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS BEFORE THE FIC RECOMMENDATION!😌✨

We have a date for the Q&A! We plan to start it sometime on the 14th through the 20th, so get your questions ready!! You can ask the following people questions: Sun, Moon, MC, Chica, Roxanne, Curtis, Alister, Clovis, Damari, Skin, Maria, Kiara, Elliot, Father R, Editor T, and Henchman A (Me). 😉🤗🤩

Any other characters will take longer for us to give you guys answers, and if you already have your questions ready, You've earned this. 👑👐

SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT!! Father R is planning on making his first original book sometime this year! He has a few ideas for it, and believe me, THEY ARE FUCKING EPIC!! We got space pirates, dystopia, murder mysteries, forbidden romances, high and modern fantasy, colosseum battles, and ALOT more! 🤩🤩🤩

He even has a few prompts set up, and we will most likely make a poll about which one you guys would like to see, and that's just the bare minimum of what we plan to do this year. Truthfully, you guys are the best and deserve the best, so we're going all out this year. 🤧💖

NOW THE FIC RECOMMENDATION! 😈

A few years ago, you and your sister were obsessed with the Pizzaplex and would go there every chance you could. You had become close friends with animatronics and robots, especially Sun and Moon, the daycare attendants.😌

However, one day, a virus broke out (I just got 2020 flashbacks-) and corrupted some animatronics. There were hundreds of injuries and one death casualty. That death was your sister, and the cause was because of Moon. 😰

Ever since then, your parents banned you from going there. You've been having nightmares about the event, but as a kid, you can't risk sneaking out of the house to fix things. That is if you were alone. 😏

Your brother, a staff member, and his friends sneak you out of the house, planning to help you get rid of the nightmares and the virus. 🫡😌

If this sounds interesting, check out It's The Little Things That Matter on A03. Either click one of our names or click the link below! HENCHMAN A, OUT!!! 🏃💨 🤡💨

https://archiveofourown.org/works/49214239/chapters/124180537

-{CENTER AUTHORNOTE}-

"This entity of yours is a bit of a nuisance..." She mutters, her tone sharp. She stands, walking towards one of the shelves. You can barely focus on her, the sudden urge to walk out of the stall causing you to stand. Skin growls, holding onto the chair to keep you from following through.

'I need to leave... I should go back to the party. 𝒴𝑜𝓊'𝓋𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝑒𝓃𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽.' Your thoughts cut off when the old lady puts a piece of paper on your face, and you blink in surprise, the sudden lightheadedness weakening.

"That talisman should atleast keep you in control of yourself long enough for you to read the card. You should see a priest soon before someone gets hurt." The old lady sits back down, helping you do the same. She flips the second card, revealing an imposing upright figure over a darkened landscape, its appearance sending chills down your spine.

The figure looks like that of Saytr, surrounded by shadows and flickering flames. Tattered wings adorn the figure's back, and a pointed tail curls alluringly around it. Within the figure's hands are chains wrapped around hanging decorated skulls. One is full of coins, and another is full of fruit and meat. One emits flames, and another has green eyes. One hangs above the others with a purple glow, one with a snaking tongue, and the last one has closed eyes.

"Fitting, The Devil. The Devil knows that he has power over the perception of others, enticing them with what they want the most and ridding their sense of freedom." She hands you the card, watching as the talisman slowly burns with a purple fire.

You look closely at the card, swallowing hard at the terrifying aura radiating off of the card. Your attention is caught by the figure's eyes, which glint purple whenever you tilt the card. You remember the king and how their rays would twitch purple, and the intimidating feeling melts into a strange comfort as the talisman burns entirely.

The elder sharply takes the card out of your hand, snapping you out of your thoughts. "Shake off his chains. They are not as tight as they seem." She insists, placing the card back onto the table.

"The longer you remain in his grasp, the higher the chances you won't be able to leave. That's what he thinks. It is never too late to break free and show him who is truly in control of you. It will be hard. But you will emerge as a new person." She declares, holding your hands once more.

You swallow nervously, thinking over her words. A haze keeps you from understanding them, so you store them for later.

"Tarot, peer into the tapestry of time, read the whispers of fate that dance in the shadows. What enigmatic destinies await this noiseless adventurer, veiled by the threads of the unknown?" She questions, glancing down at the cards.

You watch the cards glow for the final time, their tremours and whispering washing away your earlier feelings. A card in the center triangle glows, and the deck shifts slightly, putting it in the center of the table. The old lady flips the card, and her expression turns warm. The figure on the card radiates magic, so much so that you can feel it.

The figure is wearing a dark blue cloak engraved with emblems and a familiar-looking necklace, its face shrouded in an unusual black shadow, and its eyes radiating with pure white magic. In the figure's hand is a small staff of blue and black wood with a large white crystal at the tip. Surrounding the figure is a large, wonderous, and messy library. Races of many kinds seem to bow their heads in respect, each one glowing white or black. A large and hefty book floats above the figure's head, its pages turning and filled with arcane symbols, images, and words.

"The hierophant, a supposed all-knowing man of magic, traditions, guidance, and more. His wisdom and knowledge are more extraordinary than people can understand." She grins, handing you the card.

You hold the card close, the magic radiating off of it absolute. The man in the card is familiar, and the image of the painting you saw in the hidden passageway where you met Eclipse flashes in your mind. The two images are a replica, save for the extra details on the card. You look closer, finding the necklace. You stare in disbelief, remembering the necklace that Zed gave Avery.

The figure in the card was Zed, there was no doubt.

The elder catches on, her smile broadening. "The hierophant offers you guidance, willing to teach ways to better yourself. He has not only sent you on a quest for self-discovery but on a quest to learn how to master your skills."

"He has sent you and your companions on a quest to strengthen your bonds and prepare you to confront something. From speculation, I can only imagine that he sent you and the others on a quest to confront the very thing that caused you to come to my stall." She adds, putting the card back onto the table before putting them all back into a tower, having them vanish into thin air with a swipe of her hand.

Your mind analyses everything you learned from the cards as you take notes on your notepad. You weren't sure if you would inform the group about everything, but part of you wanted to atleast inform them about Zed and that you would become a Master Elemental Mage. Wait. You're going to become a M.E.M?!!

You look at the old lady with wonder and surprise, excitement flooding your veins. Wait a second, You mentioned that I am going to learn how to master my powers? How?

"Yes, yes you are! However..." The old lady raises her hands almost helplessly, one of her eyes closed as she looks at you. "I don't have the funds to tell you exactly how you'll learn. Such a shame, really-" Her words cut off when you pour here almost half of your golden coins onto the table.

Chapter Text

"Now that is more than enough, little Charoite." She chuckles, sliding the coins off the table and into the jar from before. Whether you would regret giving her so much money was nowhere on your mind.

"Firstly, allow me to introduce myself properly." She grins, raising her hand as the candles within the room extinguish, leaving the crystals in the air to glow like multicolored stars. "My name, dear child, is Moria Grimms. Or, as the people of the Afterdark call me, Ms. Labyrinth."

You feel Skin growl, but not in a hostile way. Ms. Labyrinth chuckles, extending her hands for you to take hold of. "Now that we are acquainted and I have the funds, let us see how you're going to master the elemental powers within, shall we?"

You nod vigorously, leaning closer to her. In a way, you felt a sense of nostalgia. Her magic was similar to your mother's, yet it didn't feel cold and consuming. If anything, her magic made you feel how you felt when you first learned of magic.

"We will use the easiest method to learn more about your future, and that is with a crystal ball." She gestures to a glass ball on one of the shelves. With the bioluminescent glow of the crystals, the crystal ball looked as if it contained flickering faires or lightning bugs.

As she gets up, she carefully picks up the delicate ball and its stand. She then returns to the table and gently places it down. Upon closer inspection, there are no visible marks or signs of damage on the ball. Additionally, there are no fingerprints from Ms. Labyrinth on it.

"Now, to fully immerse the ball in your presence, I need you to remove your mimic and hold the ball's sides." She instructs.

Skin grumbles but allows you to remove it. You felt self-conscious, not liking the idea of revealing every scar and cicatrice you had. However, the old lady merely smiles, not a sign of judgment, curiosity, or distaste in her eyes.

You hold the sides of the crystal, and Ms. Labyrinth places her hands on yours. "I ask that you do not move during this process, as even the slightest movement of your hands can make it harder for me to peer through the gates of the future." She implores, her eyes meeting yours.

You nod solemnly, trying to contain your excitement. Slowly, Ms. Labyrinth closes her eyes, and the glass begins to fog and swirl, fascinating you.

"Within the transparency of the crystal ball, you will see images of your future. Not everything sets in stone, and your actions from here on out can always change your future's path." She mutters. "You will come across four beings during your journey in the Afterdark. Each one will help you grow stronger and master your skills, along with teaching you valuable life lessons."

The sudden sound of shuffling fills the room, causing you to look around. The sound of the undead fills your ears, and you glance down at the ball. The image of skeletons, zombies, and ghouls rising from the ground appears, sending a shiver down your spine. Flying above it all is a menacing figure and the cause of the phenomena.

"To master wind magic first, you will meet a necromancer wearing a turquoise green scarf who may know your father." Ms. Labyrinth announces, her face focused and her eyes sealed shut.

Loud and intense drums cause you to jump, along with harmonious humming, and the image on the ball changes, displaying sprays of fire and swift combat. In the center of it is a hauntingly familiar figure, their eyes nearly glaring into yours.

"Afterwards, you will learn to master your fire magic from an incredibly skilled fighter with a sigil you have seen before. I believe you may have something of theirs." Ms. Labyrinth goes on as the sounds change once more.

The sounds of hurried footsteps, screaming, crying, crackling, and even death suddenly pull at your heart, followed by the image of a hunched-over woman holding something close to her chest. To your displeasure, the area surrounding her looks burnt and displaced as stone spikes spear through figures.

"Then you will come across a heartbroken nymph. She will teach you how to master your earthen magic. She is also a part of your fairy friend's reading." Ms. Labyrinth states. Her voice was sympathetic to the young woman.

The crystal ball shows a large ship surrounded by the sounds of waves, creaking, shouting, and rhythmic music. Standing on the edge of the bow is an enigmatic figure adorned with a pirate hat, fox ears, and a tail.

"Lastly, a courageous pirate will teach you to master your water magic. They will also help you to one of your final destinations through the Afterdark." Ms. Labyrinth finishes, opening her eyes as everything soon returns to normal.

Immediately, you write down everything in your notepad. You wanted to keep track of everything the old lady said, not wanting to leave a single detail out. It would help with future planning and things along those lines. You feel Skin shuffle back onto you as Ms. Labyrinth puts the crystal ball back where it belongs.

A smile insistently tugs at your lips, the thought of learning to use your magic filling your head with happiness. Due to your mother's affinity with dark magic, you had to learn the basics of your powers from your father. After his death, you had to learn the rest of the skills yourself. Though you wouldn't like to admit it, getting bullied contributed to becoming an intermediate elemental mage.

Ms. labyrinth smiles at you, clearly amused by your eagerness. Her voice catches your attention as you write. "You must be careful when traveling through this realm, as many of the people here are much stronger than those on the surface. I suggest you rely on your friends for support and strengthen bonds when you can."

"I also suggest you take to your party." She advises, placing a basket of fruit on the table.

{CENTER AUTHORNOTE}

(Edit: Noted, don't plan shit. *Cough* Father R *Cough* 🫡🤧)

FINALLY, WE POSTED THIS CHAPTER!!! 😫😫😫👏

HERE'S THE DAMN REASON WHY THIS TOOK SO LONG TO PUBLISH: FATHER R HAS CAME UP WITH THE ENDING TO SILENCE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS. YOU READ THAT RIGHT! HE HAS CAME UP WITH THE ENDING TO THIS FIC. 😨😟😞

AND BECAUSE HE REALIZED THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE ARC LEFT AFTER THIS ONE, WHICH IS THE ENDING ARC, HE HAS ENTERED A STAGE OF "HOLY SHIT THIS THING IS ALMOST OVER!" 😭😱

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT HE HAS SO MUCH PLANNED FOR THIS ARC THAT HE KEEPS FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE SHIT!!! 😡😡🤧

Jesus Christ. Anyway, I have a fic for you guys! Like Father R said in the author's note above, there's this fic called LDT (Look, Don't Touch) that he has written. 😌

Do you not like being touched? Do you FEAR bumping shoulders and being pressed up against someone? Do you fear having your wrist grabbed? If so, you're exactly like the MC. 😉😎

This fear came from being put in a foster home at the age of eight and has only gotten worse from your partner, who doesn't seem to get the memo that you don't want to be touched. Luckily, you've rescued two puppies, who offer a healthy outlet for you. 🥰🐕🐕

After being convinced by your vet and a close friend, you visit Freddy Fazbear's Mega Pizzaplex. Despite hearing mixed reviews, you are curious to see the establishment yourself. 😲

After going on an adventure, one of your friends tells you about a job opening at a daycare center. You decide to apply, hoping to stay away from home and your partner. You even go as far as to use a fake identity. 🥸🤫

However, nothing good lasts long, and he finds out where you've been. And things only go downhill from there. 😥

If this sounds interesting, give our fic: Look, Don't Touch a read! Click the link below or click one of our names. HENCHMAN A, OUT!!! 😶‍🌫️🪵

https://archiveofourown.org/works/51351541/chapters/129758917

{CENTER AUTHORNOTE}

After following Ms. Labrinth's instructions, you quickly return to your party. As you part the curtain, your blood runs cold. It seems that you were too late to return before everyone woke up.

"Oh, thank the Elders!" Nadia exclaims with relief, quickly picking you up. "Kitten's back!"

"Star! Where were you? We were seconds before going out to look for you!" Sun queries as the taxi moves you towards the rest of the party.

You feel Skin grumble, and you quickly extend the basket in front of you, pinching your cloak to stop them from telling on you. You knew that hiding secrets was a bad idea, especially after what happened between you and the celestial brothers. However, you weren't entirely sure how to bring the subject up, especially since most of the group didn't trust the old lady.

"You bought food?" Alister questions, watching as Moon picks up the basket.

"As kind as the gesture is, I find it hard to believe that buying food takes an hour and a half." Aidan hums, his suspicions causing you to sweat a bit. You had no idea you were gone for so long as the feeling of time stopped when you entered Ms. Labyrinth's stall.

"Hey, Damari. You can read memories, right?" Clovis sits on the dertegeo's head, looking down at them as they nod. "Mind reading the human's?"

The attention turns to Damari as they look at you, the feeling of being peered into sending a shiver down your spine. "Where was the kid?" Monty questions, clearly tired of the silence.

You go rigid and glance at Damari, silently praying that they don't give you away...

"Out gathering food... They tell the truth." Damari responds, glancing back at the party. You could've fainted right then and there from relief. When the party glances back at you, you quickly smile, feigning innocence. Slowly but surely, the party begins to believe you, letting go of their suspicions.

"Well, now that you're back, we need to start heading out to Grayband." Nadia informs, rummaging through one of the drawers within the room.

"You guys are coming with?" Monty questions, rolling his arm with a yawn.

"Of course, got a problem with it?" Aidan questions, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms as his tail flicks behind him. Monty looks him up and down for a moment, rolling his eyes before picking up his axes.

"Besides, you guys will need some friends who know how to handle the people down here. Especially if you guys are heading to the stationary in Blackburn." Nadia pulls out a bag, slinging it over her shoulder. After gathering their belongings, the group heads towards the stables, keeping an eye out this time.

"Grayband is a pretty safe village, unlike this one. It has golems that keep the place peaceful and orderly." Alister informs, leading the way to the stables. " Sometimes the golems even give villagers or tourists that they like a gift. I recommend taking them as a sign of respect."

"Plus, The stuff there is super cheap, so it's practically the perfect village." Clovis adds as the party arrives at the stables. Moon helps Alister onto one of the horses while the rest of the group climbs into the cart.

"We should be able to prepare for our journey there then." Sun hums as you sit next to Damari. You lean against them, planning to thank them when you can. Damari stiffens for a moment, placing a hand on your head. Skin grumbles but doesn't bite them, letting the two of you have a moment together.

As the cart starts, you flip through your notepad, re-reading the notes you took over becoming a Master Elemental Mage. "What is the Afterdark to be Exact? Is it a whole other realm? Or is this all beneath the surface?" Elliot questions, catching your attention.

"Well, it's considered both. The Afterdark used to be a realm to seal away unimaginable horrors, massive nightmarish creatures, and evil entities. It was even a place where mimics were born." Clovis explains, sitting on his head. "When King Eclipse and King Lunar came into being, the people of Sirius preferred Eclipse as their ruler because of his advanced magic, skills, and more mature personality, compared to Lunar's childishness."

"So, out of love and respect for his brother, Eclipse planned to clear out the entire Afterdark realm with the help of Aggamon's mother. However, it turns out it wasn't necessary." Clovis shrugs, recounting the origins of the Afterdark for the group. "Lunar had a weird affinity with monsters. More specifically, mimics, like Skin. Within the first week of clearing out the realm, King Lunar had already tamed a legion of mimics. As a result, people started addressing him as "The King Of The Mimics." "

"Eventually, he tamed enough mimics to where he could practically build a castle out of them, which he did. The Afterdark pretty much flourished after that." Clovis concludes, sparking the hazy memory of your nightmares.

Did the castle have a name? You question, holding you notepad up to him.

"Uhmm... I know the castle started with an N?" Clovis shrugs, seemingly clueless.

"It was Num-something." Aiden chimes in from the horse, having a hard time remembering the castle's name as well.

"Numeral?" Doug guesses, throwing in a random word/name.

"Who, the hell, would name a castle, Numeral?" Logan facepalms, the name of the castle becoming up for debate. "Something like Numaya, I'm pretty sure."

"It doesn't matter anyway. We're not going to it, especially since we'd have to cross the twilight sea." Nadia intervenes, the name 'Twilight Sea' making some of the group shudder.

"When we get to Grayband, we'll find an Inn and prepare for the journey. For now, I say we enjoy the sights." Sun formulates, bringing your attention to your surroundings, which you can only describe as Beautiful.

Chapter Text

The cart gently jostles as the horses pull it along the stone path, making the ride more bumpy than on the surface. You lean against Damari, once again reading your notepad carefully out of boredom and anticipation. 

The group had been traveling for thirty minutes or so, not once saying a word due to being distracted by the sights around them. You couldn't blame them. The Afterdark was beautiful.

"So... you guys mentioned this being your first time in this realm?" Aidan inquires, breaking the silence and starting a conversation. Nadia was leaning on his shoulder, eating one of the fruits you had gotten from Ms. Labrinth.

"For the others, Yes. Me and Ali have been here plenty of times." Clovis hums, balancing on the metal ball Mozza gave to Alister. He was pretty good at it, though the bumps from the cart made it difficult.

"How did you and Alister meet? You guys seem close." Elliot wonders, having leaned against Damari as well. You glance over at Clovis and Alister, the same question having ruminated in your mind now and then. The others do so as well, their curiosity piquing.

"It's a long story," Alister begins, catching Clovis after a particularly harsh bump. "I met Clovis in a Stygian Market years ago on a trip with my caretaker. We were there to get supplies for one of his trips. The place was terrifying, with various monsters in different cages..."

"What's a Stygian Market?" Elliot questions, glancing over at you as you shrug.

"A Stygian market is like a black market but worse. It's a place full of auctioneers, scammers, charlatans, and doom." Moon explains from his spot on one of the horses, his tone nearly grave. "It's not a pretty place to be."

"I, unfortunately, was one of those creatures stuck in cages." Clovis huffs, clearly not proud of his past predicament. "My homeland was always trespassed by thieves, rouges, mercenaries, anyone looking to get their hands on a fairy or capture my mom. People were welcome there, but not the greedy ones."

"I thought fairies weren't born in a natural sense?" Logan points out. The concept of how a fairy has a mother is puzzling. From your knowledge of fairies, each one is born differently. But the most well-known ways are with a flower and a soul, strongly condensed magic, and a baby's laugh.

"They aren't. My mom is a nymph. She was the one who created me and my siblings." Clovis explains, flying and sitting on one of Alister's horns. "Each of us has different talents and abilities. However, I was the only healing fairy out of the bunch. And since I'm a cordial healing fairy, I was one of the main targets."

"My caretaker had bought Clovis as a healing totem or a second life since Clovis can save a life at the expense of his own life. However, I didn't like the idea..." Alister admits, glancing up at the fairy in question. "We had bonded while my caretaker slept and became friends after a few days."

"It took weeks for Ali to convince the guy to let me go, and once they did, I became as free as a dragonfly." Clovis grinned, flittering his wings for emphasis. "I decided to stick around Alister afterward. Not because I had to, but I stuck around as thanks. Besides, they seemed to need all the help they could get when we traveled to the surface."

A chuckle washed through the party, the memory of Alister's poor directional sense easing away any tensions. "So wait, if you were there with Alister and their caretaker, why don't you remember their face or where they are?" Doug questions, bringing up a point.

"That's the thing, I have no idea." Clovis knits his eyebrows, shrugging. "His appearance, for me, is just a haze. I only know as much as Alister knows." The group goes silent, everyone pondering over how that could be possible. It was magic-related, for sure. 

"Why are you guys here? The last time we saw you guys was in Solaris." Logan quizzes, bringing attention to the Tabaxi Twins.

"To put it simply, we're gatherers. We go to a place where our leader tells us and retrieve whatever they want—Herbs, in this case—before returning to the clan." Nadia answers, her tail snagging another fruit from the basket and handing it to Aidan.

You feel Damari stiffen against you as the mention of belonging to a clan brings back fresh memories to them. You lean back against them more firmly, Elliot doing the same until Damari relaxes beneath you two. You remember the way Damari had lied for you when the group had questioned your whereabouts, deciding to use that as a distraction for them.

Why did you cover for me?  You jot down, handing the dertegeo the notepad while the rest of the group is distracted with one another. Damari reads it, muttering low in a sort of whisper.

"Not my place... to step in. Reveal to them in your own time." Damari explains quite clearly, making you blink in surprise. "Soon, please... No more secrets. No second Masquerade."

You grip your notepad firmly at the mention of the masquerade, guilt making your throat tighten and making it harder to swallow. Damari had a point. You have to be honest with your friends more, as hard as that may seem.

You glance down at your notepad, unsure if you should tell the others. You needed proof that Ms. Labrinth's words were absolute, not only to convince the others but to convince yourself. You hope that you'll become an M.E.M. for many reasons. 

"Village ahead!" Sun shouts from his horse, snapping you out of your thoughts. You and the others look towards the oncoming village only to be caught off guard by the sight. 

Two massive golems, as humongous as the gate to The Afterdark, stood guard at the village entrance. Although deactivated, you could feel their immense power from just a few meters away. They looked like pillars, kneeling as if to greet everyone who entered. Crystals of a blue and purple variety adorned them. Moss, plants, and fungi had covered them after what seemed to be years of disuse.

"Welcome to Grayband: Village of the Rock!" Nadia exclaims, leaning back against the edge of the cart. Murmurs of amazement washed through the cart, eyes glued to the giant golems. You feel Elliot take hold of your hand from behind Damari, and you give it a gentle squeeze.

This village was the candid start of your adventure in The Afterdark. An adventure that you and your brother could both be on. Together.

-{CENTER AUTHORNOTE}-

LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! 😆😆😆

And yes, THIS IS HALF THE CHAPTER! FATHER R WAS GONNA CUT IT OFF THERE, BUT NO SIREE! WE DON'T DO SHORT CHAPTERS HERE!!!! 😉😌🤧

I get it! You guys are tired of me giving recommendations to other fics! You guys want something new, something exciting! 😤😤

Well, TODAY IS YOUR LUCKY DAY!!! 🤭😁😁

Remember how Editor T and I mentioned that Father R was in the process of making an ORIGINAL BOOK?! 🤔

Well, he's finally settled on the main idea! Here's the title: To Kill A God! Super cool, right?! 😌🤩

<><><><><>

Here's the premise (Courtesy of B+):

In a cosmos where creatures and technology intertwine across the vast expanse of interstellar mediums, a society called U.N.I.T.E.D. has emerged—a union forged from the essence of diversity and the promise of collaboration. All led by a genius named Winston Huge and his creation: The Mainframe.

With its call for harmony and cooperation, The Unity Coalition laid the foundation upon which U.N.I.T.E.D. would flourish. The Nexus Syndicate, masters of interdimensional commerce, built bridges of trade and exchange between worlds. The Interstellar Guardians stood as stalwart protectors, defending the borders of U.N.I.T.E.D. from threats within and beyond.

Within the Techno Collective, the brightest minds of the multiverse forged innovations that transcended the boundaries of imagination. The Elysium Enclave tended to the delicate balance of nature across the realms, ensuring that life would thrive for eons to come. Lastly, The Dominion Directorate, ambitious and assertive, sought to shape the destiny of U.N.I.T.E.D. according to their vision of order.

In this cosmic tapestry, two enforcer robots, brothers in design but divided by fate, stood as symbols of order and purpose. One, a paragon of functionality, upheld the laws of U.N.I.T.E.D. with unyielding precision. The other, a flawed creation, struggled against its own programming, lost in a labyrinth of malfunction and doubt.

Their destinies collided on a desolate planet within the reaches of a distant galaxy, where the malfunctioned bot was stolen by a desperate family clinging to the edge of survival. In a moment of reckoning, the functional bot faced a choice—obliterate the family to reclaim its brother or heed the plea of the malfunctioned bot to spare their lives.

Thus, the seeds of change became sown as the functional bot grappled with the realization that purpose alone does not define existence. For within the heart of the family lay a frail child, her life tethered to the frailty of her mortal form. Desperate for salvation, they sought to fuse the malfunctioned bot with the girl, creating a symbiotic union between man and machine.

According to the laws of U.N.I.T.E.D., cyborgs are not allowed to serve as enforcer bots due to their interference with human emotions, which makes the union between them forbidden. With their purpose as enforcers compromised, the two bots faced the specter of elimination, condemned to irrelevance in the eyes of their society.

As the cyborg emerged, a new chapter began—a tale of defiance and redemption, of forging bonds beyond the confines of duty and directive. Together, they challenged the fabric of U.N.I.T.E.D., questioning the authority that sought to confine them to a predetermined fate.

And so, amidst the grandeur of the multiverse, the story of "To Kill A God" unfolds—a saga of heroes and outcasts, gods and rebels, bound together by the threads of destiny in a universe where anything is possible.

<><><><><>

Cool shit, right? He hasn't written the first chapter or the prologue yet, but everything is looking and sounding amazing so far!!

I've taken up enough of your time, so I'll leave a link to our fanfic series. If you want to read more amazing fanfics like this one, there are countless genres that we have your favorite Daycare Duo. (or Trio if we count Eclipse.) ☀️🌙

All you need to do is copy/paste or click the link below to our official series: Five Nights at Freddy's Security Breach: Daycare Attendant Edition! 🤩🤩🤩

So what are you waiting for? Click the link below, and get to reading! HENCHMAN A OUT!! 🏇💨💨💨

https://archiveofourown.org/series/3869539

-{CENTER AUTHORNOTE}-

As the cart enters the village, the smell of freshly baked bread, fruit, and meat greets you. Laughter and chatter fill your ears as dim lights fill your eyes. You look around in disbelief, watching people of all shapes and sizes walk around, paying no attention to the different golems that walk alongside them. Each golem is unique, performing various functions. 

Some golems stand alongside stallkeepers, helping to sell a myriad of goods or even helping to build their stores. Some act as bodyguards or guards, roaming the streets and breaking up fights or arguments. Others act as messengers or errand runners, moving from store to store to deliver or receive packages. What catches your attention are the smaller golems, running around to play with kids while protecting them.

A golem, in particular, catches your eye. It's small and has a yellow head with round ears like a mouse. Its face seems to glow, only displaying eyes that dart around the glass. What stands out most is the little rag it wears around its neck that covers its body and how it stops children from running into potholes or puddles.

It notices you staring, and its face flickers, its eyes curving upwards like it was smiling at you. You briskly wave at it, finding it to be strange but cute. You glance ahead, watching Sun and Moon guide the cart towards the stables.

"Once settled, we'll find an Inn to stay at while we prepare for the trip to West Barrington Stationery." Sun formulates, climbing off their horse while Moon talks with the stable master. The rest of the party clamors out of the cart, hearing it creak with each person. "Is everyone okay to split up?"

"Sure, we'll get things done quicker," Logan agrees, helping Avery out of the cart. "Me and the others will get us a spot at the Inn."

"I'll take Ali and Damari to get health potions and things alike. Elli, you wanna come?" Clovis questions, hovering around your younger brother as you help him out of the cart. He shakes his head, raising his hand, which held yours.

"No thanks, Clovis, I'll stick with my sibling. From what you guys have told me, leaving them in the marketplace is bait for disaster." Elliot glances up at you with a look that only makes you glance away in embarrassment. 

You feel a hand rest on your head, directing your eyes to Aidan's. "We'll stick with the humans and keep them out of trouble. Plus, me and Noddy have a few things we need to gather from here." Aidan smiles softly, easing your nerves as he pats your head. You jump as you're picked up off the ground by Nadia, resting on her shoulders as she looks up at you with an infectious grin.

"Alright, we trust you. Me and Sunny will get food and other things for survival." Moon wraps an arm around his brother, who looks towards you.

"Are you sure you'll be okay, Sunbeam? Make sure you stick close, and if you spot anything, alert them, alright?" Sun instructs, his tone similar to that of a worried mother. You nod solemnly, your eyes locking with theirs as you silently promise to stay by The Tabaxi Twins and Elliot's side.

The three and Clovis seem to catch onto this interaction, the same smirk growing on each of their faces. Aidan picks up Elliot on his shoulders, breaking the gaze you held. "Next stop, the marketplace!" Aidan yells as he begins to walk off. Nadia jogs ahead, making the sound of a chugging train, which makes you and Elliot laugh.

The twin constructs watch you for a moment longer before glancing at each other, their gazes filled with something unrecognizable before walking towards the marketplace beside the others.

Chapter Text

"Alright, first, we check out the market stalls selling plants for Feverfew, Comfrey, and Burdock roots..." Aidan trails off, reaching into the pocket of his tunic to pull out a rather long list. You look around the marketplace, captivated by the sights and sounds. You could see above the sea of people from Nadia's shoulders, giving you a good view of the individuals around you.

"What are those?" Elliot questions, his hands holding on tightly to Aidain's ears, who seems only mildly bothered by it.

"Herbs. We've run out of them over the past few months, and the overworld produces them in great quantity but not quality." Aidan murmurs, glancing around at the various stalls. Each vendor's stall is adorned with colorful signs, flags, and other decorations to indicate what they sell. It wasn't difficult to spot a plant vendor.

"Ah, customers! How may we help you?" A short lady who appears to be in her 40s with a fair and freckled form and long brown hair smiles warmly at the four of you. Beside her is an equally short golem made from condensed mud and dirt with mushrooms and mycelium growing on its shoulders and head.

"Hello, young missus, we're here looking for a few herbs. Think you have any of these?" Aidan hands the lady the list while Nadia looks over their stock. There were plants of all shapes and sizes, some you recognized from home and in books, others you had never seen before.

A plant in particular catches your eye. It was relatively small, with a thin stem and broad feather-like leaves. It looked humanoid and curved into a graceful pose with two big flowers that opened outward to cover its features. A blue crystal hung above it, shrouding the flower in an almost melancholy light.

"Feverfew, Comfrey, and Burdock Root... I believe we have those. Hold on one second." The lady walks around the golem, moving further into the stall. On the other hand, the golem moves to the left, looking over the potted plants until it comes across a plant with hanging purple buds. It glistened with water droplets, which shook off when the golem picked it up.

It places the plant on the wooden counter before measuring it with its forearm. You notice small carved ticks, each one numbered with a price. In this case, the plant was worth two silvers. When the woman returned, she had two plants in her hand. One had a bunch of flowers that looked like daisies, while the other looked like a bundle of sticks. Once again, the golem measures them, making the total 12 silver.

While Nadia and Aidan handle the transactions, you feel Elliot nudge you. You glance at him, watching as he points behind a nearby stall. You barely see anything other than two small yellow circles before the figure ducks under the cloth. "What was that?" Elliot questions, glancing back over at you as you shrug.

"Next stop on the Tabaxi Express is a monster hunter stall. We need condensed cobwebs and blue slime." Nadia hums, swiftly spinning around and making your hold tighter onto her fur to avoid being thrown off her shoulders.

The twins stroll through the marketplace, browsing the different stalls while your eyes can only observe your surroundings. The village seemed indifferent to the golems, even treating them as their own. Unlike constructs, warforges, or autognomes, golems don't have a conscience. They cannot perform actions requiring sentience, such as talking or thinking. People tended to use golems as shields or weapons, but to see such creatures living among others like this. It was gratifying.

A smile stretches across your face as you arrive at a monster-hunting stall. The two tabaxis had set you and Elliot back on the ground, rolling their shoulders and arms as they talked with the stall owner. The hunter's golem was more intimidating compared to the one owned by the plant lady. Its features were jagged, with spikes protruding from its head and shoulders like a cactus. Unlike the meticulously smoothed-out arms of the plant lady's golem, the hunter's golem had craggy and worn-looking arms. Additionally, it stood taller than the hunter.

"Do you think we'll stay long in this village?" Elliot questions, glancing up at you. You shrug, unsure. However, a large part of you hopes so. This village was more decorative and friendly than your home village. Whenever you and Elliot had to leave the house, your mother would always make you wear cloaks. The people were anything but kind, Montgomery's group being a prime example.

As you stand, you suddenly feel something bump into you, making you pale with fear. You quickly check your pockets and surprisingly realize that nothing is missing. You whip around, only to be caught off guard when a flower gets thrust into your chest. You recognize the flower as the one from the plant lady's stall and look down to see the same golem you saw earlier when you first arrived. However, this one wears a red scarf around its neck and above the cloth.

"Sometimes the golems even give villagers or tourists that they like a gift. I recommend taking them as a sign of respect." Alister's words ring in your mind as you cautiously take the flower. The golem's eyes flicker, curving upwards, and you subconsciously return the smile.

The golem moves to Elliot, handing him a similar flower. Elliot glances at you as you nod before taking the flower as well. "Thanks?" He smiles, putting it in his hair. The golem jumps up and down in excitement, causing the cloth that covers its body to move with the motion. You catch a fleeting glimpse of its feet. However, before you can discern any details, the golem runs off, vanishing into the surrounding crowd of villagers.

"Here you are, 34 silver." The hunter's gruff voice snags you out of your head, directing your attention to the stall. You can see a rather large bundle of silk and a jar of transparent green liquid. Nadia puts it in her bag of holding as Aidan rummages through his pouch and drops a pile of coins onto the stall's counter.

"Alright, cobwebs and slime retrieved. Next, we need- Where'd you guys get those?" Aidan puzzles, him and Nadia glancing at the flower in your hand and Elliot's hair.

A golem gave it to us. You write, handing over your notepad as you put the flower in your hair like Elliot. You hadn't expected to receive a gift from a golem, atleast not so soon.

"Aw, lucky!" Nadia chuckles, handing you back your notepad as she takes your hand. As the four of you walk away from the stall, you glance at the next item on the list. You see the words "Trout," "Archaeus," "Glowing Salmon," "Barracuda," and "Spiked Cod" written on the list.

"We need to find a fishing stall... Great." Aidan sighs, putting the paper back in his pocket.

"What's wrong?" Elliot questions as the two of you glance at each other with a look of confusion.

"Remember when we mentioned the Twilight Sea on our way to Grayband?" Nadia inquires, her tail flicking behind her. "It's the most dangerous sea in all realms. As such, finding products like fish or fishing tools down is as rare as finding a giant."

You think back to DJ Music Man, the only giant you know of. As far as most people know, Giants are practically extinct, so the chance of stumbling upon him was one in a Goddess knows what. You can only assume fishing stalls down in the Afterdark are the same.

"Think we can ask around?" Elliot questions, glancing at the surrounding people.

"I don't think there is a fishing stall in this marketplace. It's thousands of miles away from the sea." Aidan continues to guide the four of you through the place, beginning the search.

---

The group moves from stall to stall, talking with the merchants, getting sent in different directions, and ending up where you originally were. This goose chase goes on for some time, and you've completed most of the list by the end of it.

"Does nobody in this damn town know where to find a fisherman?!" Aidan huffs, hunching over to regain his breath. You all had been running all over the place. Whenever you'd ask for directions, it was always 'Over there somewhere,' 'You're gonna want to ask them over there,' or 'Sorry, I can't help you with that.'

"Like you said," Nadia puts Elliot down, rubbing her shoulders, which had gotten sore from carrying you both. "I don't think this town even has a fishing stall."

"We should find the others. I'm sure maybe one of them has seen something?" Elliot suggests, dusting his dress off. You nod in agreement, hearing Skin growl with what you can only assume to be hunger, and by some miracle, you've run out of apples.

While everyone is preparing to head back to the rest of the group, you get the feeling of being watched. You've felt this way since you've gotten to the marketplace, and it's kept you on edge. You glance around, expecting to see nothing once more.

"Hi!" You nearly jump out of your cloak as the yellow golem from before, standing directly behind you, greets you. You glance up at your cloak, hearing it grumble in annoyance.

You glance back at the golem, finding it different from before. One of its ears was missing, and it wasn't wearing a red scarf. It then hits you that it spoke.

"Follow! Follow!" The golem jumps up and down, taking hold of your hand and tugging. Its voice is gravelly, something you wouldn't expect from its cute appearance. You glance between the golem and the others, unsure if you should go with as you wave your hand, catching the other's attention.

"You again?" Elliot moves to your side, crouching down as he inspects the golem.

"Is this the golem that gave you guys the flower?" Nadia questions, crouching down to look at the golem as well.

"I think so? It isn't wearing its scarf. And what happened to your ear?" Elliot reaches to touch the golem, who only tugs at you harder.

"Need fish. I know where!" The golem blusters, pointing in a direction behind it. The group shares a look of surprise, and it becomes evident that this isn't a normal golem.

"You know where we can find a fishing stall?" Aidan quizzes, his tail flicking behind him with curiosity.

"Yes! Yes! This way, this way!" The golem grabs both of your hands this time, pulling you along as it begins to run through the crowd. You stumble to keep up, the rest of the group running after.

As the group follows the strange golem, you notice a change in surroundings. The stalls around you are more crowded, and the smell of food cooking in the air is rich. You continue following the golem and observe its design more closely. Upon closer inspection, you notice that its head isn't stone. Instead, it appears to be metal, like an autognome. However, its movements are too fluid and energetic to be an autognome. It could be a construct. However, the way it wears a cloth around its body suggests otherwise.

As you arrive at your destination, the smell of salty and fresh fish bombards your senses. The golem skids to a halt ahead of a stall, gesturing to it with a big flourish. "Fish stall! Here you are!"

"No way... How did we not find this place before?" Nadia queries in disbelief, glancing down at you as you shrug.

"Directions in the Afterdark are a lot different than the surface. We must've gotten disorientated somehow." Aidan sighs, holding his head. It seemed even the tabaxi twins got lost down here at times.

Thank you for helping us find the stall. You write, glancing back at the golem to thank it, only to find it missing. You swivel around, finding that the golem had run off when you weren't looking. The group shares a look of confusion but is grateful for its help nonetheless.

You walk to the fishing stall, spotting a creature that looks like a catfish. You recognize it as a Locathah from books and never thought you'd see one in person. Beside it is a short golem adorned in fish hooks, nets, and a bit of trash. It was cutting the head off a blue and white-scaled fish and removing its bones and spikes, finishing an order for the customer ahead of you.

"You have a good day now! I hope that potion of yours works out like you want it to!" The Locathah calls out as the customer leaves, waving back at them with a grin. He turns his attention to you four, grinning wider. "Now, aren't you four 'some nice-looking people? I'm Cassius, and this is Trawler. How can I assist you on this nice day?"

"Hey Cassius, we were wondering if you have any of these for sale?" Nadia hands him the list, leaning against the counter.

"Trout, Archaeus, Glowing Salmon, Barracuda, and Spiked Cod. You four came at the right time. We're nearly out of Barracudas and Glowing Salmon. Do you want them filleted or whole?" Cassius hands back the list, rolling up his sleeves and revealing the greenish-brown color of his scales.

"Filleted would be great." Aidan grins, reaching for his bag of coins.

"You heard 'em, Trawler, no head, no bones, and no scales!" Cassius heads to the back of his stall, digging through a few crates. The golem, Trawler, sharpens a knife, its movements considerably more articulated than the other golems you've seen.

While Cassius gets to work with the fish, you hear Skin grumble, a noise you undoubtedly recognize as hunger. As Trawler cuts off the heads of a few fish, you wave your hand to get its attention. You gesture for it to pass you one, which it does with a bit of a pause. You feed it to Skin, who devours it without hesitation. The golem continues to pass you the fishheads, throwing them away while simultaneously feeding Skin.

"Well, would you look at that? You've got a mimic for a cloak." Cassius chuckles, catching the exchange out of the corner of his eye. "How in the high seas did you manage that?"

"It's a long story." Elliot hums, resting a hand on your head. You hear Skin grumble, but it doesn't bite at him. You nod, rubbing the back of your neck.

"Well, I'd love to hear it sometime. Here's the fish you guys need." Cassius picks up the pile of fish, binding them up in pairs for convenience. You help put them in Nadia's bag of holding, watching as they drop into what looks to be a bottomless hole. "Your total would be 30 silver, but since you guys are new to my stall, I'll give you four a discount of 15 silver."

"Really?! Thank you, Cassius, you're a great man." Nadia grins, watching as Aidan hands him the money. You smile as well, appreciating his kindness.

"Aw, don't mention it. You guys have a good day now. Be careful out there!" Cassius beams, waving as you guys leave. You and the others wave back, leaving the stall with a wide grin.

You've got a feeling you'll run into him again.

-{CENTER AUTHORNOTE}-

TOO TIRED TO DO A CENTER AUTHORNOTE 😁🤧

IF YOU WANT TO READ MORE FICS LIKE THIS, CLICK THIS LINK! THE MAJOR UPLOAD IS FINALLY COMPLETE, AND ALL OF THE FICS HAVE BEEN UPDATED!!! 🤩🤩🤩

HAPPY READING, HENCHMAN A OUT !! 👽🛸🤸

https://archiveofourown.org/series/3869539

-{CENTER AUTHORNOTE}-

The four of you return to the stalls, spotting the rest of the party. Logan held a few keys in his hands, which you assumed to be the keys to your rooms. Alister and Damari carried bags of miscellaneous items as they talked to Clovis, who sat on Montgomery's shoulder. Moon slung a bag over their shoulder, petting the head of Sun's horse.

"The Tabaxi Express has reached our final stop of the day. Please take all belongings with you as you leave our train: flowers and siblings included." Aidan lets go of your hand, leaving you to get dragged over to the others by Elliot.

"You guys took a while to get back. Did you find everything you needed?" Sun questions as Nadia wraps an arm around their shoulders.

"Mhm, and we brought the humans back safe and sound." Nadia grins, gesturing to you and Elliot.

"Woah, where'd you guys get those?" Clovis flies over, landing on Elliot's head and looking over the flower in his hair before doing the same with you.

"We got them from a golem. It even helped us find a fishing stall." Elliot beamed, taking off the small floret and holding it up for the others to see. "The golem reached up to here, and it was yellow and wore a cloak. It had a red scarf at one point."

"Lucky, I remember when Alister got a crystal shard. We lost it the next day, though." Clovis glances at Alister, who rubs the back of their neck with lighthearted embarrassment.

"Well, now that everyone is here, we should head to the inn and prepare for the trip to West Barrington Stationery." Logan stretches, leading the way as the group makes their way to the inn.

The inn, The Wolf's Pub, looks different from the inns on the surface and those in the previous town. For instance, the room is stone, and the tables, chairs, and floor are crystal marble. The seats feature soft cushions made from strange cotton, and the only light sources are the crystals coating the ceiling. The area is quiet, filled with soft murmurs as golems of all shapes and sizes move around, handing out food, cleaning tables, and guiding newcomers.

"Me, Monty, Avery, and Doug have rooms 10-11. The rest of you have rooms 12-15." Logan distributes the keys once everyone finds a table, keeping two while handing four to everyone else before he and the other three leave and head to their rooms.

Nadia and Aidan pair up, and so do Clovis and Alister. Elliot and Damari pair along with Sun and Moon. It quickly becomes apparent that there isn't enough room for everyone, specifically another room for you.

'Here we go again...' You glance between the rest of the group, knowing that the subject of who you slept with was always awkward, especially after what happened at the masquerade.

"We'll take the kitten and their cloak." Aidan volunteers, his tail wrapping around your shoulders.

"Yeah, after what we missed? The kitten's coming with us." Nadia insists, resting her arm on your head and leaning against you.

Clovis and Elliot, however, immediately disagree, and you know the reason too well. You facepalm, sighing as the awkwardness tugs at your spine and heart. While the debate on who you partner up with is up for grabs, you take a chance to glance at the brothers, who both seem to avoid your gaze.

'... I want another hug.' You blink in surprise, startled by your thoughts. They were sudden. They were, well, Correct. You've been thinking about the hug you and the celestial brothers shared a few nights back in the Broken Buffalo Inn for a few nights now, unable to get the feeling of comfort from your mind.

After everything that had happened, getting a hug from the two lifted the weight of guilt. Not entirely, of course, but it alleviated it knowing that two of the six people you've hurt aren't harboring any bad feelings. You do need to make it up to them.

"W-Why don't we let them pick who they want to partner with?" Alister's suggestion takes you out of your thoughts, and the sudden attention makes you jump and tense.

You look around the group, taking in the expectant faces of Nadia, Aidan, Clovis, and Elliot. You glance back toward Sun and Moon, only to find them looking at you with the same anticipation. Great. Now you have to make a choice.

Chapter Text

"W-Why don't we let them pick who they want to partner with?" Alister's suggestion takes you out of your thoughts, and the sudden attention makes you jump and tense.

You look around the group, taking in the expectant faces of Nadia, Aidan, Clovis, and Elliot. You glance back toward Sun and Moon, only to find them looking at you with the same anticipation. Great. Now you have to make a choice.

~~~

You rub the back of your neck, wracking your brain to make a decision.

Teaming up with your brother and Damari seemed like the safest choice. You wouldn't have to deal with teasing or tension in the room. However, there's a downside. Your brother knows about your situation, and you can see Elliot using Damari's mind-reading ability as a lie detector to interrogate you. '... Not going to take the risk.'

You could partner up with Alister and Clovis to spite the fairy. But you're almost positive that Clovis will keep pulling your leg about the celestial constructs that you won't get any sleep. You could use Alister as a shield, though. '... Not worth the trouble.'

You look towards Aidan and Nadia, watching their tails flick with interest when you look their way. You did want to learn more about them after your first run-in with them, and Nadia's fur did make her a good cuddle buddy when she had you and Elliot glued to her sides.

At the same time, however, you were sure the tabaxis were curious about everything that followed their disappearance. While their questions would be more bearable and out of curiosity rather than to make fun of you, part of you didn't want to team up with any of the others. If Roxanne and Chica were here, you would team up with them as they wouldn't ask too many questions.

Finally, your eyes drift to the cause of why partnering up at night was such a big deal. You watch Sun's rays shrink slightly, and though Moon keeps a straight face, you watch their fingers flex as they rest their hand on their hip.

You weren't sure why you considered this, but sleeping—No, pairing up with the two might be the safest option. Of course, you wouldn't hear the end of it if you did decide to share a room with the two, but you'd get some sleep.

The two made it clear that they weren't harboring any ill feelings after everything that happened, and you weren't sure if the others were either. If they were, pairing up with them would be a recipe for restlessness.

'Then there's that hug...' You think for a moment, the image playing in your head. It's been a long time since you've felt Safe. Not that you didn't feel safe with the rest of the party, but there have only been a few select times when you've felt safe from your thoughts, fears, and worries. Whether it was because of Sun and Moon's power to alter your mood with their magic or not didn't matter.

Skin growls beneath you, reminding you to make a decision. You swallow hard, grabbing your notepad and writing; I'll pair with the constructs.

You immediately see Clovis light up—Literally—and Elliot's grin widens. Damari and Alister appear to let out a collective sigh of relief at ending the debate. The Tabaxi Twins seem to be disappointed.

"A-Are you sure? I'm sure the others would-" "Great choice, human! Now, come on, we need to get some rest for the journey to Blackburn." Clovis cuts Sun off, swooping down to the table and grabbing a key before taking hold of one of Alister's horns and pulling him toward the rooms.

"You heard him, sleep well!" Elliot, beaming, grabbed a key and latched onto Damari's arm, dragging them away. If there was doubt that Clovis and Elliot were not the same person in a past life, there wasn't anymore.

Aidan and Nadia share a glance, simultaneously flicking their ears as if hearing each other's thoughts. Aidan shrugs, grabbing the second to last key before ruffling your hair. "Alright, it's your call. Just know you owe me and Noddy a sleepover."

You smile widely, nodding in agreement before Nadia scoops you in a tight bear hug. "We'll be just down the hall if you need us!" She grins, ignoring Skin, who bites down on her studded leather armor.

When Nadia puts you down and leaves with Aidan to go to their room, the lighthearted atmosphere changes, filled with a twinge of tension. Silence washes over you and the constructs, and you don't turn to face them yet. You fidget with a corner of your cloak, feeling the pulse of what you can assume to be Skin's heartbeat.

"Well..." Sun speaks up, breaking the silence as the clink of metal breaks the charged atmosphere.

You glance behind you, watching Moon spin the keys around his fingers. "Let's get some rest."

You nod, swallowing hard. There was something triumphant about deciding to sleep with the fallen celestials. Though it was most likely silly in the eyes of others, you couldn't help but feel a tiny sense of victory. This choice was a step towards mending the strained bonds between you and the others. Plus, the chances of getting another hug had grown, though you weren't sure if you'd get the courage to ask directly.

---

The cushions and mattresses of the beds were a lot different than the beds on the surface—either very soft and springy or firm and supportive—Afterdark beds felt cool and sleek, with a surprising elasticity that gently cradled your body. The light, airy material provided comfort without the bulk—as if you were resting on a finely woven web that adjusted to your every movement. It made sense since cotton was a rare commodity in the Afterdark, as described in books.

You can hear Skin grumble, a soft one that is unlike the mimic, as you lie down, both of you slumping against the sheets, which also seem to have the same texture. You can hear Sun and Moon quietly converse as one sits on the edge of the bed while the other leans their sword against the wall.

"...give or take. It shouldn't be a long journey. All we need to do is collect a package and find whoever raised Alister. It might as well be one of the easiest quests we've been on!" Sun rants, unknowingly pacing as his hands make gestures to further his point.

Moon seems to listen half-heartedly, feeling around the bed and testing its cushion. "Right, and after?"

"Afterwards, we can..." Sun trails off, his gaze landing on you. Moon's eyes follow.

You were lying on your back, arms and legs stretched out comfortably on a freshly made bed. Your body held signs of exhaustion, clearly from everything you've been through, and you looked dishelved. However, the crystal and lantern light softened any rough edges of your features, your hood down and sunken enough to show your face and hair. The flower glints, still tucked into your locks.

You were staring, though it seemed you were absent-minded. When you blink, your eyes focus on Sun and Moon, and you swiftly turn your head, choosing to stare at a wall instead.

Sun and Moon advert their eyes as well, looking at each other. "Afterwards... We can get a well-needed break." Sun finishes, fidgeting with their hands. Moon nodded in agreement and shifted to allow Sun to sit on the bed.

'There goes the hug...' You mumble mentally, shuffling into the sheets of your bed. Atleast the blankets were warm. That'll suffice for now.

...

Silence fills the room, save for the sounds of chatter from the room at the far end of your room and the sound of the marketplace outside. You drift in and out of sleep, slight visions dancing behind your eyelids. It was hard to define what they were, but it felt connected to the dream.

You can hear the knock of glass, the soft thud of something hitting the ground, a clatter, a growl, bones clacking together, and metal clinking inside the room nearest your head. You can hear a hushed gasp, muffled talking, and someone's name before a door creaking and footsteps approaching your room fill your ears.

Another door creak. More footsteps. Closer.

"H-Hey!" A hushed whisper in your ear causes you to stir, and you roll over, burying your face into the pillow beneath your head. You can feel someone poking you, and the sound of Skin's grumble forces you to get up.

You feel disorientated as you look towards your disruptor, your eyes adjusting from the swirls you saw earlier. 'Elliot?'

"Sorry to wake you up, but uh... There's something out my window." Your brother's worried face comes into view.

'Huh?'

-{Center Authornote}-

This shit is so delayed it's not even funny- 🤦😩

ANYWAYS BIG UPDATE COMING FOR THE MERCELEST FIC 😁🤧

Father R has decided to re-write the chapters before posting a new one as he was concerned that it just wasn't hitting how he wanted it to. 😅😔

He wants to make it a lot more realistic (Er- As realistic as he can with two giant mers) and so he's gonna study a bit. He'll post a chapter in that fic eventually, but until then, keep your eyes out for chapter changes. 😌

I don't have much to say other than Father R is currently losing the battle against Writer's block, but I'll leave a link to the MerCelest fic if you want to read it before he changes it. 🫡

HAPPY READING, HENCHMAN A OUT!! 🪨🧗🕳️

(Guess who's dumbass forgot to put the link- 😀)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48423487/chapters/122137468

-{Center Authornote}-

You follow Elliot down the hall and into his shared room, spotting nothing unusual. Damari was splayed out on the bed closest to the door, a snore loud enough to cover your footsteps emitting from them.

Are you sure you saw something out your window? You question, handing your notepad to Elliot and watching your brother nod frantically.

"Mhm. I didn't get a good look, but it was big and growled like a zombie." Elliot explains, following behind you to the window.

A slight smile tugged at your lips as you felt the wave of nostalgia. After your dad passed away, Elliot became more fearful of things at night, which is why the two of you shared a room. You always had to check the room before going to sleep, just like your dad used to, looking in the closet and under the bed.

And I thought you said you were 12 and not a scared baby? You write down, receiving a glare from your younger sibling and a punch to your arm.

"I'm not a scared baby! I faced off the creatures in that forest with you, remember?" Elliot blusters, crossing his arms as you both stand before the window. "It's just-"

A thunk on the window cuts Elliot off, washing away the nostalgia and filling the room with unease. The two of you turn your attention to the curtained window, sharing a glance. Elliot gestures for you to open the window. With hesitance, you pull the curtain aside and are greeted by... Nothing?

Silence fills the space between the two of you. The urge to laugh at Elliot's irrational fear would've overcome you if Skin hadn't growled when you stepped closer to the window to get a better look outside.

"What's out there?" Elliot questions, shuffling closer behind you. You were sure he planned to use you as a body shield in case whatever was out there broke through the glass.

You summon a wisp of fire, a beginner's spell, as you press against the window, looking at the surroundings. There was nothing but underground foliage, darkness, three yellow dots, crystals, and- 'Dots?'

Movement from behind a bush catches your attention and Elliots, your eyes darting to follow where the group of eyes could've gone. You hear Elliot take a deep breath before the sound of him unlatching the window hooks catches your attention.

You look at him, watching him grip the seal tightly. "I am not a scared baby, I am not a scared baby, I am not a scared baby...." Elliot repeats, and to prove his words, he opens the window, sticking his head out to confirm what is outside.

You hesitate to do the same, dispelling the fire and lifting the pane of glass open wider. Something grabs onto Elliot as you do, catching the both of you off guard. He grapples you on instinct, and soon, the two of you find yourselves dragged out the window, which shuts behind you.

The two of you hit the ground with an 'oompf!'. There's a stinging pain on your tailbone and spine as you flip onto it, unable to cushion your fall with your hands. You can hear Elliot seethe, having landed on his face rather than his back.

A cloth-covered hand extends itself to help you up, and without looking, you take it, moving to sit up. You look up, only to feel your blood run cold. A figure stood before you, towering over you, covered in leaves and with six yellow eyes to match. Caught off guard, you dart back, your back bumping into the wood of the inn behind you.

Elliot hears the quick movement and pushes himself up, only to be startled by the exact figure. He reacts quickly, fumbling for his wand before firing a spark of electricity, hitting one of the pair of eyes.

A grunt follows suit, and you watch the figure crumble, the leaves dispersing themselves and making it clear what you were looking at.

Three small golems are piled on top of each other, the one on top having been hit in the face by Elliot's spell and falling over, causing their tower to crumble. You notice they look similar to the small yellow golem from the marketplace. One with a missing ear, another with a red scarf, and one that looks normal. It dawns on you that the golem was three golems, each following you through the marketplace.

"Oh- Sorry!" Elliot blurts, rushing over to check on the golems. You sigh with relief, thankful it wasn't a creature trying to kill you or a person trying to kidnap both you and Elliot.

The golems recover quickly, each climbing off the other and dusting themselves off while you and Elliot help. The golem that got hit—the one with the red scarf—doesn't seem upset at Elliot. Though golems can't particularly feel emotions, the point still stood.

You take a moment to look around the area, finding yourselves behind the inn. The golems line up in front of you and your brother, the one with the missing ear seeming to be the leader of the three.

"Follow!" It demands, pointing in a random direction. You and Elliot look at one another.

"We'll have to wake up the rest of the party first," Elliot explains, looking at the window behind the two of you. You nod in agreement, knowing what could happen if you and Elliot left without saying anything.

"No friends! Just you two!" insisted the golem, while the other two golems grabbed your and Elliot's hands.

As you tried to pull your hand away to write on your notepad, the golem holding you tightened its grip surprisingly hard for its small size.

"Come now! Follow!" The golem with the missing ear insists before rushing off. You and Elliot are pulled behind as well, startling the both of you.

"Hold on! Wait a second!" Elliot tries to pull his hand free, only to trip and get dragged as he tries to regain his footing. Yes, golems were strong, but only with a strength that matched their size. That rule didn't seem to apply to these ones.

While you could use your magic to escape their hold, something about the situation told you not to. Following these strange creatures seemed like the right choice. 'Or atleast I hope...'

---

The two of you had been following these golems for a while, having gone through alleyways within the marketplace to crawling through a narrow cave that'd even give the most hardened splunkers claustrophobia.

"Where are they taking us?" Elliot questions, looking behind him and watching as you struggle to crawl out of the hole. Skin grumbles, the feeling of stone pressing into it about as uncomfortable as it is for you.

Once outside, you shrug, uncertain about what to expect or hope for. You have a nagging feeling that this is important, yet there's also a bubbling sense of anxiety brewing within you. Your brother is with you, so you're not exactly running off alone. The two of you could handle yourselves, right?

As you take in your surroundings, you find yourselves standing in a vast cavern, the air heavy with the scent of damp earth and ancient stone. The cavern is filled with an intricate maze of brown and black stone formations, giant mushrooms, foliage, streams, and water falling from the ceiling, massive spikes rising from the ground, and equally massive stalactites hanging from the ceiling like the teeth of some colossal beast.

In the dim light, you can see miles of railroad tracks supported by wooden pillars. Some of the pillars look unstable, while others appear to be well-maintained. A narrow path winds along the edge, and the golems begin to tread along its precarious route. You and Elliot exchange uneasy glances once more before following close behind.

Chapter Text

The sound of your footsteps echoes throughout the cavern, accompanied by the clattering of small rocks breaking off the narrow ledge and tumbling down onto the stalagmites below, which seem to reach up towards you in an eerie fashion.

You, Elliot, and the strange golems lean heavily against the wall behind you. The breeze is too gentle to knock you off but strong enough to make Skin and Elliot's dress billow. You notice Elliot's gaze lingering on the drop beneath you, clearly regretting his decision to follow. You might also look down, but your attention gets captured by the peculiar way the golems waddle along the path.

They move reminiscent of a worm, with the golem sporting a bandana leading the way. This bandana-clad golem takes the first step, sliding along the stone, while the other golem with a missing ear seems to pull itself along after it. The last and littlest golem mimics the others, stepping exactly where they do.

Before you can say anything to Elliot, a loud crack reverberates through the cavern, causing him to plummet downward. You barely have time to grab his hand, planting your foot firmly on the other side of the missing portion of the path.

"G-Gah!" Elliot shrieks, gripping your hand with both of his. His feet dangle precariously just a few feet above the tallest spike, and you can feel the rapid pulse of his heart in your hand.

Your head swivels towards the golems, and you adopt an awkward pose to keep Elliot from falling. You look at them with wide eyes, silently pleading for help.

To your surprise, the golems don't move, merely watching you hold onto your brother for his dear life. The smallest golem raises its arms beneath its rag, jumping up and down as if to cheer you on. The one with the missing ear clears its throat, and the golem dressed in a red bandana nudges it harshly, stopping its cheering.

"A little help here?! I'm slipping!" Elliot's voice brings your attention back to him, and you tighten your grip to no avail. Elliot's hand was beginning to slide out of his gloves, making it hard for you to get a good grip on him. You can feel your heart begin to beat erratically at the feeling of your own body starting to shift off the ledge.

You contemplate using a wind spell to lift him back onto the ledge, but memories of Chica and the fall from the bridge stop you. Your mind begins to imagine the same fate happening with Elliot, and you shake your head rapidly, dispursing those thoughts.

You could use an earthen spell, but you'd need both hands. Unable to speak or write anything down, you try to gesture with your free hand to ask Elliot if he has anything that could help him, but the feeling of him slipping again makes you latch onto his wrist.

Elliot catches onto your gestures and tries to reach down for his wand. He swings his legs, and you feel a rock beneath you crumble, hitting Elliot in the head. He winces and only begins to panic more as your grip on him begins to loosen from exertion, calling out your name.

Your mind races as you try to think of something or anything to help your predicament. Another glare at the golems tells you they won't help you. Your thoughts stop as you remember being tossed around between your party members as they raced toward DJ Music Man. Elliot had lifted you with a red mage hand, and though you don't know much about mage hands—unable to use one yourself—you know they're corporeal.

You inspect Elliot's glove, looking for a button or symbol you can touch to activate it, but you don't see anything. Elliot notices the feeling of you rotating his wrist, a gasp of realization hitting him. He activates his other glove, a translucent red mage hand summoning beneath him as he cradles his hand.

The rock beneath your foot crumbles just after, causing the two of you to tumble into it. Grunting, you land on your back, and the wind momentarily knocks out of you. The two of you breathe a sigh of relief, feeling the adrenaline of nearly falling into a spike pit start to wear off.

Slowly, Elliot raises his hand, situating you both on the ledge. Before you could get your bearings, the golems started shuffling down the steep path. With no other choice, you nudge Elliot, pointing to the golems' feet before following their patterns.

After what feels like an eternity of clinging to the stone wall behind you, you make it to solid ground, the rapid beating of your heart returning to its normal rhythm.

"A railroad?" Elliot questions, bringing your attention to what looks to be a rickety station, a few railroads leading out of it in several directions.

"This way!" The golem with a missing ear calls, leading everyone to a pair of carts. You watch the golems stack themselves before clamoring into the cart in the front, you and Elliot climbing into the cart behind them.

The smallest golem looks back at the two of you, pointing to a lever outside your cart. With hesitance, you pull it and hear Skin grumble as the cart jostles to a start. It was a slow yet steady pace, your surroundings slowly passing you.

"Do you think the party has noticed our disappearance yet?" Elliot's voice catches you out of your thoughts, making you look down at him and shrug.

If they have, I don't think they could crawl through the tunnel or traverse the ledge, atleast not Montgomery. You scribble down, hearing your brother chuckle momentarily.

"Good point... Do you think following these things was a good idea?" Elliot turns, watching the golems stare at the track ahead of them.

You can only shrug. Was it an impulsive decision? Yes, very much so. Would you possibly regret this decision later? You could. But something about these golems gave you the gut feeling of following them. You could tell they were important, but what for?

"Do you... do you hear that?" Elliot asks hesitantly as a deep, almost imperceptible rumble rises from the bottom of the cavern. The rhythmic sound of the cart traveling along the tracks nearly drowns it out.

The noise seeps through the vast emptiness like the breath of something enormous stirring far below. It rolls in slow, heavy waves, vibrating through the steel of the suspended tracks and curling faintly around the edges of your mind.

The sound feels almost ancient—like stone grinding against stone—but with a strange, distant harmony buried within it. It lingers, stretching out just long enough to make you question whether you imagined it or if something deep in the dark is calling out.

You hear the noise again, now accompanied by clinking and clanking as if something is hitting metal or creating a makeshift drum. The sounds resemble arrows firing from a bow, beads shaking in hollow wood, and other odd noises that follow the deep rumble.

'Almost like... Music?'

There was a tunnel ahead, and entering it amplified the sounds, allowing you to notice that the rhythms followed the beat of the cart rolling along the tracks. You were shrouded in darkness for a bit, willing yourself not to bob your head to the music.

Slowly, your eyes adjusted, and you began to notice glowing marks on the walls, figures made out of wood, and glowing ink puppetted by nearly invisible strings. There were images lined on the walls that changed as the cart passed, like moving pictures.

The cart began to pick up speed, and so did the music and your heartbeat, the glow of your surroundings growing with blues, magentas, greens, oranges, and yellows. A voice rattles through the cave, smooth and resonant yet filled with a strange buzzing sound.

"Listen close and listen well, lost and forlorn souls!" The voice shouts, bringing your attention above you. You spot a golem, similar to the three in the cart ahead of you, except it is wearing a tophat, holding a baton, and hovering in the air, similar to DD. "You are going to witness the makings of greatness and miracles!"

The golem floats down to the right of the cart, leaning against it. "Say, young mortal, have you ever wished on a shooting star? Perhaps you've tossed a coin into a fountain? Maybe you've made a wish on a dandelion or blown out a candle on your birthday?"

"I can confidently say that you were disappointed when that wish didn't come true. After ages of hoping and waiting for something—or someone—to make your dreams a reality, look no further than the enigmatic, glorious, and generous master of the arcane, Nyxious Omenator Incantolivious III! Or Noi for short." As if on cue, the glowing figures on the wall shift, forming the silhouette of a large bat with massive, curling wings that seem to hold the stars themselves. The image ripples, reaching out a hand and unleashing glittering powder that the cart phases through.

You, Elliot, and Skin cough and sneeze as the powder enters your systems. A faint lightheadedness overcomes you, making the glowing figures on the wall lifelike. Colors swirl in dizzying yet fascinating displays.

The golem twirls its baton, sending sparks in the air the trail behind it as it moves to the cart's left. "Oh, but Noi does not deal in empty promises, no! Unlike those fleeting stars or fickle candles, Noi gives you directly what you desire! And why?" The golem leans closer as if telling you all a secret. "Because Noi knows how it feels to wish and receive nothing in return."

The ink figure fades into a smaller, younger version of itself, sitting alone beneath a starry sky. The image is almost melancholy, and the sound of violins filling the cavern and slowing tempo adds to the gloomy feeling.

"As a child, Noi lost their beloved parents—Batfolk taken for the soft fur upon their heads and necks. Such quality fur was revered and rare after all." The golems in the cart seem to deflate at the image, the smallest one of them blowing their 'nose' into the rag of the bandana-clad golem before getting hit in the head.

"Alone and Adrift, Noi spent years wishing for their return, praying to stars that never answered. Yet, rather than turning bitter, Noi grew determined. 'If the stars shan't grant me my wish,' they thought, 'then I shall become the one who grants wishes.'" The moving pictures shimmer, showcasing Noi standing tall, surrounded by people of all kinds with outstretched hands, golden glowing orbs dispersing from the bat's hands and into theirs.

The tophat golem flicks the baton dramatically, and the music swells jovially, making the cave glow with the same golden light. You look around wide-eyed, amazement finding its way onto your features despite the odd foreboding feeling within you. "And thus began the wondrous art of deal-making. Not with deception, no, but with compassion and generosity! Noi has changed lives, saved families, and delivered miracles to those in need! Even us chosen creatures are here today because of Noi's benevolence, isn't that right, fellas?"

The tophat golem hovers over to the other golems, receiving nods from them. The golem straightens, adjusting its hat with visible pride. "But enough about the past, I'll tell you some of Noi's greatest gifts—wishes fulfilled and lives transformed!"

You and Elliot look towards each other, gauging each other's reactions. Elliot seemed eager, practically bouncing up and down in the cart, possibly because of the bumps. You, on the other hand, had an odd feeling about this. Were the golems leading you to Noi? And just who was Noi in the first place? Why hadn't you heard anything about him?

As the cart speeds forward, the walls of the cavern flicker again, showing five glowing figures, each standing before Noi. The golem waves its baton, and the figures come off the walls, floating and circling around the cart.

The figures dimmed, except for a glowing blue one that depicted a hollow-cheeked and weary child. "This poor soul longed to feed their starving family," the golem explained. "With a simple flick of his wrist, Noi ensured that hunger would never trouble them again." As the bat figure moved its hand, the child quickly transformed into a healthy version of themselves, joyfully performing a cartwheel before disappearing from sight.

A pink figure of an elven woman glows, bringing your attention towards it. "This fair lady wished for beauty everlasting. And so, Noi graced her with eternal allure, unmatched and undying." The woman's silhouette changes, becoming even more beautiful and twirling out of view.

Next, the green shape of an orc, weathered by time, stands before the cart. "This strong fella wished to escape the grip of death. And Noi, generous as always, gifted him with a lifespan of forever." The orc is stabbed by a bunch of red figures, but it shrugs them off, flexing its arms.

Then, an orange, young, and slouched satyr approaches Noi, exhaustedly dragging their hooves. "This one wished to never grow weary. And so, Noi granted them eternal rest to do the things they love and never feel tired!" Noi pats their back, and suddenly, the satyr springs up, thanking the bat with a hug and bounding away with a skip in their step.

The last figure, a glowing purple drow clutching sparse yellow coins in trembling hands, approaches Noi, holding them out to him. "And this, a man who sought riches beyond measure. With nothing but empathy, Noi bestowed upon him treasures beyond imagination." Noi extends their arms, and as if the heavens were showering the drow in gold, piles of gold create a sea, nearly drowning the creature, though they only laugh and swim in it.

You feel the cart begin to slow, the music drowning as the golem flies down and hovers before you and Elliot, making the two of you lean back a bit. It tilts its head, the eyes curving as if smiling. You look at the other golems, watching them do the same thing as they stare at you. It becomes apparent that other golems are in the tunnel, a sea of yellow circles curving upwards.

Elliot grabs your hand, the feeling of dread overcoming him as well. Your vision was still swimming slightly. Whatever powder was dropped in your lungs clearly wasn't good for you.

"Ah, but there is always one rule with these honorable gifts, traveling mortals," It says lightly. Though it does nothing to alleviate the tense atmosphere, its arms underneath the rag wring around the baton. "A deal is a deal. Those who keep up their end of the bargain... Well, they thrive! But those who don't, well, the Hearth has a way of ensuring they remember."

The tunnel is filled with chuckling and laughter, making both you and Elliot join along nervously. Quickly enough, the music returns—cheerfully as if nothing happened, unnerving you even more. The eyes disappear, and the glowing colors return, messing with your senses again.

"But that's not a worry for the two of you. After all, you're on your way to meet him right now! How lucky are you!" The tophat golem spins its baton before pointing to curtains at the end of the railroad, which open by themselves, revealing a lever and buffer stop.

The carts both bump into each other as they stop and for a moment, you and Elliot take a breather. The tophat golem leans against the level.

"To witness greatness, please keep your hands and arms inside the cart. Hold onto your loved ones—and the sides of the cart—and ensure your belongings are securely attached. We are not responsible for any minor, major, or lethal injuries you may receive during this bumpy ride." The golem chuckles as you, Elliot, and the three golems scramble to hold onto each other and the cart.

"Bon voyage!" the golem shouts before pulling the lever. For a moment, nothing happens. Then, with a rumble, the track beneath the two carts disappears, and gravity causes the five of you to plummet down to the spiky cavern floor.

---{Author Note}---

Happy Fuckin' New Year Baby!!! 🎉😍

2024 can kiss my ass, that year was a whole rollercoaster of emotions. 😩🫡

Anyway, instead of giving you guys an ad for one of our fics, I'm giving you all an advertisement for our Tumblr page! 😘

We often use that page to answer questions, post updates, reblog art, and interact with our readers. We have over 100 posts there and over 100 followers too! That being said, THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!! 😭🙏

100 FOLLOWERS IS LIKE A MILESTONE OF MILESTONES FOR US!! YOU GUYS HAVE NO IDEA HOW THANKFUL WE ARE OF YOU GUYS AND WE CAN'T BELIEVE WE'VE MADE IT THIS FAR!! 🥹🥳

YOU GUYS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST AND WE CANNOT BE ANY MORE HAPPY TO HAVE CREATED SUCH A COMMUNITY WITH YOU ALL !! 🫶🫶🫶

WHEN I TOLD FATHER R ABOUT IT HE FUCKIN CRIED. DEADASS, FULL TEARS. YA'LL MAKING A GROWN-ASS MAN CRY. 🤣💀

Let me stop before I get carried away and make this chapter even longer than it needs to be. Here's the link, Henchman A out! 🤧🏃‍♀️💨

https://www.tumblr.com/fatherrussia-69

---{Author Note}---

The inhuman screech from Skin and Elliot sends chills down your spine as you cling to each other for dear life. Your body lifts off the cart, and Skin bites onto the metal, preventing the two of you from being thrown off. Meanwhile, the golems appear to be enjoying the chaos.

As the cart seamlessly connects to a railroad track, it curves up a hill, giving you and Elliot a moment to regain your bearings. You look ahead in horror at the twists, turns, loops, and spirals waiting for you. A wave of fear washes over you as the cart plunges down another stretch of track, leading to a split separating the golems' cart from yours.

The cart sharply curves to the right, spiraling down a large stalagmite. The wind blowing through your hair threatens to blow Skin off you, which holds onto you as tightly as Elliot does, who screams into your arm, clearly terrified of being thrown off.

Your head whips back as the cart curves sharply upward in a tight series of loops, defying the laws of physics in many ways as you launch off the track and onto another series of railroads. Maintaining your balance was impossible as you were tossed around in the cart like ragdolls.

You spot the cart with the golems, which spin around your cart before dropping, splitting from yours as you go on an upward spiral. Motion sickness quickly takes hold of you as the cart twists and turns in a zigzag before moving up and down on small hills.

You can barely register your surroundings as you spin in a corkscrew, your body slamming into the side of the cart, being squished by Elliot, the wind leaving your lungs and being replaced by a disorientated and nauseating feeling.

Another plummet, another climb, more twists and turns before you feel Elliot being sharply pulled away from you by gravity.

You could barely glance towards him as your cart flew off the rails, leaving you to plummet towards sharp spikes. You could feel tears sting your eyes from the wind, barely giving you enough time to react.

Luckily, you feel something grab your legs, pulling you upward. You look towards your feet, watching as Elliot's mage hand grips your ankles tightly, pulling you onto the cart where he sits with the golems. However, the moment you land, the cart lurches downward, making you grab onto the back of the cart for stability.

"Why did we follow the golems?!" Elliot shrieks, sliding forward as the cart goes on another series of hills. You ask yourself the same question, slamming into one of the golems, which yelps in pain as it's squished into the cart's metal.

A gust of wind strong enough to lift the cart rockets everyone upwards, derailing you and sending you to land on another railroad. You could barely hear the music above all the chaos and your heartbeat. Had you and Elliot been wiser, you both would be peacefully sleeping and not fighting the laws of physics for your lives.

After another series of loops, you spot the end of the track, a buffer stop leading to what seems like a bottomless pit. The only issue is that your cart won't slow down, and before you know it, everyone is launched out of the cart and sent flying across the pit.

You spot a group of yellow golems holding up what seems to be a large mattress, one of them with a whistle moving them around to try and catch you both.

Fortunately, Elliot lands on the plush mattress, grunting as feathers explode from the mattress, swirling around him like snowflakes in a storm. Unfortunately for you, the golems miscalculate, sending you crashing into them like a boulder.

You groan in pain, your head spinning as you sit up. The golems beneath you only cheer out of successfully catching you, completely ignoring the amount of damage they took.

"You alright?" Elliot questions, climbing off the mattress and running over to help you stand up. Before you can even respond, nausea overtakes you, and you retch, Skin grumbling as it moves out of the way.

-----

After regaining your bearings and getting the strange powder out of your system, you and Elliot are led by the swarm of golems down the path. There were atleast 20 of them, excluding the three you followed here.

You couldn't help but wonder just how many there were and why they were so adamant about leading you to where Noi was. The idea of meeting someone who, according to the stories, had the powers of a genie was as exciting as it was nerve-wracking. Genies in themselves were dangerous to come across.

When trapped in a lamp or pot, genies often interpret wishes negatively. For instance, if you asked for water, they might drown you in the sea. If you sought power, they could overwhelm you with an excessive amount.

On the other hand, unbound genies posed a different kind of danger. However, this Noi granted wishes directly as people desired. Or so it seemed.

"What are you going to wish for?" Elliot quieres, nudging your arm and dragging you out of your thought process.

What are you? You ask back, hearing Elliot hum as he crosses his arms and holds his chin.

"Maybe to be a bit taller?" Elliot shrugs, clearly as unsure as you are. "Oh! You should wish for your voice back!"

You pause in your steps, catching the attention of the golems.

'Wish for my... voice back?' You ponder, the idea lingering in your mind.

...

Was it possible?

...

Could you actually regain your ability to speak?

...

You had been mute for so long that you practically forgot how your voice sounded. Even in your dreams, when you could speak, your voice never sounded right. Too high, too low, too shrill, too gruff.

But your mother made it quite clear that you'd never be able to speak again, no matter what spell was used on you. You've tried using magic before, even hiring magic users to retrieve your voice. Every time, there were no results.

Would Noi really give you your voice back? And if so, what was the price?

Would you be willing to pay that price?

The golems tug at your arms, bringing you back to the real world as they guide you to a large door. The golem with the missing ear knocks on the door in a short, strange pattern, causing it to open slowly.

You're guided through, taking a look at your surroundings. Along the walkway were endless rows of shelves, gears, strange devices, weird mannequins, and more. You could hear ticking and look towards the ceiling, spotting gears and a massive clock staring back at you.

The time was 4:30, whether in the morning or at night—you couldn't tell. A large shadow on the wall catches your attention as the golems walk ahead, and you grab onto Elliot's hand.

He looks at you with confusion before spotting the shadow. A Bat.

Glancing at one another, you slip away from the rest of the group, walking towards the shadow. The two of you round the corner, watching the shadow move up a set of stairs before disappearing.

Cautiously, the two of you follow, climbing the stairs before approaching a balcony. The two of you lie on the ground, crawling towards the railing. You spot a large office, a large chair sitting behind a desk, and turning away from the two of you as if someone just sat in it.

A figure sits in the smaller chair across from the desk with a black starry complexion and silken white hair. You could clearly tell it was a drow.

"Pardon my tardiness. The WFBs had another cat problem. I love all my henchmen truly, but one can't understand the hyperfixation of those creatures." The person sitting on the large chair sighs, their voice smooth, crisp, and honeyed.

"No apologies needed, your benevolence. Thank you for gracing me with your presence and your precious time." The drow cajoles, shifting in his seat. "And must I say, you look decades younger."

The figure snickers before leaning back in their seat. "Darling, thank you for your compliments, but you and I know that's not why you're here."

The drow clears its throat, leaning against the desk and bouncing its leg. "R-Right, of course. My apologies. I'm simply expressing gratitude for your effort in helping me rise among the nobility. I'm sure a businessman like you can understand that sometimes a client needs more time."

"So... It sounds like you're telling me that you want me to push back the deadline of your end of the deal?" The figure behind the chair inquires, their voice becoming sharper, though still relaxed.

The drow's leg stops bouncing, and they quickly sit up straight. "No, not at all! I wouldn't dare put it that way, your gloriousness. I only need a small extension... a gesture of goodwill, if you will."

The figure seems to tilt their head, a long purple ear peaking out from behind the chair's back. "A gesture of goodwill? But I already gave you that, had a not? I gave you all the riches in the world, and you had 365 days to return it with interest. 366 if it was a leap year."

"Is this the drow from the tunnel?" Elliot whispers, looking over towards you. You could only assume so, unaware of how Noi's ear twitches.

"I'm aware, and it was extremely generous of you to do so. And I promise I will deliver." The drow chuckles nervously, attempting to maintain composure. "I just need a bit more time to collect the interest part. Surely, a person of your... influence understands how it is."

For a long moment, silence loomed between the two, the tension palpable from where you and Elliot hid. "My dearest customer, of course, I understand."

The drow exhales softly in relief. "I'm so glad you understand—"

"I understand that you are incapable of completing the simplest of tasks, that you take me for a fool, and that you believe that my good deeds are to be exploited for your own gain." The figure continues, spinning around in their chair.

Your eyes widen as you take in their appearance, a bat-folk with thin purple fur and fluffy white fur on their stomach and in a mane on their head and back. They had goggles around their eyes. The light from the lamps in the room shone off the crystal glass of the goggles, adding to the tense atmosphere. Wings connected their limbs to their lower back, their legs crossed in their seat as they leaned against one of the arms of the plush chair.

What catches your attention most is the teal scarf wrapped neatly around their neck.

The drow seems to pale. "I swear, Nyxious Omenator Incantolivious III, I would never dream of exploiting your generosity. Please, just a little more time. I will not disappoint you."

The bat, Noi, hums in thought, the goggles' lenses reflecting the nervous drow as they tap a clawed finger rhythmically on the armrest. "... You must know by now how many times I've heard the words: I will not disappoint you, yes?"

"W-Well, I—" The drow stammers, only to flinch back when Noi slams their fist on the table. You, Elliot, and Skin do the same.

"I don't need your excuses or prattling in that manner." Noi interrupts, his voice cold and no longer filled with amusement. "Clearly, you are ungrateful for my hard work, and I fully intend to collect what is rightfully due."

"Let's not get hasty now," The drow swallows hard, attempting to salvage what little control over the situation it has left. "I understand your frustration, your grace, but surely a little extension, just a... a token of understanding for the complications—"

"No," Noi says sharply and with finality. They climb off the chair, walking around the desk to grab the drow's chair and spin it around to face them. "You misunderstand me. I offered you a chance. I fulfilled your wish. Time, in my world, is precious, Mr. Langstone. It is not to be bartered with. Not by you. Not by anyone."

"You understand, right?" Noi questions, making your head nod even though they weren't addressing you.

The drow, on the other hand, doesn't seem to get the memo. "Please, I just need a little more time. I swear, I'll have the money for you by the end of the month."

Before the situation could escalate, doors beneath the balcony open, and a golem swiftly walks out. It dons a bandana around its head, but it appears to be drenched in a glittery oil.

It walks over to Noi, who leans down as it whispers into his ear, pointing to the balcony. You and Elliot duck your head, but the bat's ear twitches again, and a large grin stretches across the bat's face.

"CURTAIN CALL!!!" Noi hollers and a rumbling noise fills the space. A sea of golems spill into the room, grabbing onto the drow, who panics.

"N-Noi!" The drow squeaks, thrashing as it tries to pull away from the golems.

"Send this ingrate to the hearth and prepare to greet our newest customers!" Noi commands, and you can feel your heart race as the golem's eyes turn red, narrowing down as if angered.

"Please! I only need a little more time! I'll double the interest! I can give you what I have and pay the rest later! We can even work out a payment plan!" The drow quavers, grabbing onto the carpet on the ground as the golems pull him away.

However his pleas fall on deaf ears, and he's swiftly dragged out of the room.

"This way!" A voice comes from behind you and you spot the three golems from before. They pull you and Elliot up to a stand, guiding the two of you down the stairs behind you.

Chapter Text

You and Elliot seek out each other's hand as you are guided down the stairs, watching the bat-folk's ear twitch with each step. The two of you soon stand in front of him, the golems moving to the left of you as the one with no ear speaks up.

"Customers collected!" It declares, raising its hand in a salute. The one with a bandana does the same, nudging the smaller one to salute. The sight was cute despite your circumstances.

"Wonderful! I'll see to it that you three are given upgrades later." The bat, Noi, salutes them off, and the three quickly scurry away. He sighs, a proud smile on his face. "Ahh, The joys of motherhood..."

He snaps towards the two of you, that grin becoming more sinister/direct. "Please pardon what the two of you had seen earlier, it was a simple business matter. Allow me to introduce myself," Noi extends his arms for handshakes, and with hesitance both you and Elliot take his hands, his grip tight.

"I am the great Nyx Omen Incantor! Artificer extraordinaire, friend of all creatures, and the one and Only Afterdark Wishmaker." He explains theatrically, his goggles glinting in the lantern light. He steps back, tilting his head as he puts a winged hand to his chin. "And the two of you are?"

Elliot glances between you and him before he presses a hand to his chest, deciding to be the brave one. "I'm Elliot, a wizard in training."

"A wizard in training?! Well, isn't that a wonderful surprise? I have no doubt you are a powerful apprentice, why I can tell you have promising abilities just from a glance." Noi flatters, gesturing to Elliot's frame. The lingering golem with the oil-soaked bandana taking notes on a clipboard.

Your brother beams, Noi's words making him visibly relax a bit. You could see him start to rock on the balls of his feet, the fabric of his dress creating subtle noise as it rocked with him.

"And who is this interesting individual beside you, young prodigy?" Noi inquires, beginning to circle you. You cross an arm on your chest, holding your elbow.

"This is my sibling!" Elliot responds enthusiastically, hugging you from the side and introducing your name. "They are an I.E.M., and helped kill Aggamon!"

You stiffen at the mention, watching Noi's goggles gleam brighter, and the golem write a bit more profusely. "So that's who you are! I knew I recognized you. You're quite infamous, you know. If I recall, you were also at the celebratory masquerade as a guest of honor, were you not?"

You hesitantly nod, the memories leaving a bit of a foul taste in your mouth. Elliot doesn't seem to catch onto that, clinging to your arm.

"Yeah! Their party had to take them out though, King Eclipse—" Elliot informs, before halting mid-explanation when Skin growls, keeping him from saying too much.

Elliot's cut-off words catch Noi's attention, his gaze turning to Skin this time. "Now, this is a rarity. You managed to tame a mimic. Why, you even wear it as a cloak! There's only a few people that I know who's the owner of such a thing."

"Yeah, that's Skin!" Elliot explains, watching as Noi moves to poke the cloak, only for Skin to bite at him. You could feel the cloak tighten around you, clearly untrusting of Noi. You couldn't blame it, you were still uneasy from what you saw on the balcony.

"Quite a quiet one, aren't they?" Noi murmurs to Elliot, catching your attention, speaking as if you weren't standing there.

Elliot rubs the back of his neck, nervously revealing, "They're uh... Mute."

"Mute?" Noi's head tilts with interest, the gears in his mind working. He walks around you once again, this time, inspecting you a bit more thoroughly. It was clear that he most likely suspected you of being a part of the cult you kept hearing about.

However, with a glance at your brother, his assumption didn't hold up. "Is that by choice or a birth defect?" Noi queries, clearly curious.

Elliot looks towards you, unsure if you'd be okay with him explaining further. You hesitate, but something tells you to elaborate. Maybe it's the way Noi presents himself or the possibility that you'll be able to speak again.

My mom did this to me . A curse. You explain, slowly pulling your hood down as you lift your head, showing the scar around your throat.

"Sheesh, another with mother problems?" Noi says beneath his breath, looking down at the golem which only shakes its head and shrugs.

Noi steps closer, holding your chin up as they run a clawed hand along the scar. Inflamed letters were seemingly carved into the scar; S, N, and M. "Hmm... Speak no more. From the look of it, you've had this curse for a while. Either from a bottle or hand-carved. Your mother must not like you."

You and Elliot both glance away, swallowing hard. 'I think that much is obvious...' You sigh soundlessly, feeling the memory of your mother throwing the bottles at you try to eat its way out of the deep hole you dug to bury your memories.

"Well, I believe that only makes them stronger. Mages have to speak their spells into existence, otherwise, it isn't as strong. But, I can entirely feel the power emanating from them. Why, it's no wonder you could handle the fearsome Aggamon." Noi nods, putting his hands on your and Elliot's shoulders. "Why, I'm sure I can even reverse it." He adds, bringing your eyes back to him as he stands behind you.

"Now that introductions are complete, please tell me how I can assist you both. I believe my wonderful minions have shown you what I can accomplish, yes? Surely there is something you seek that I would be extremely delighted to give you two wonderous humans?" Noi hums, guiding the two of you out of his office.

The both of you are led back out into the main area, walking along the near-endless shelves. Your eyes trail along the different objects on display, some you think you have seen before, others you couldn't even picture.

I'm good. You write, not trusting him just yet, but Noi waves a hand.

"Baah! Please, I might be a bat, but I'm not blind." He chuckles at his joke, turning to your brother. "And what about you, Mr. Virtuoso? Why don't I help you with your desires so your sibling could do the same?"

Elliot, a lot more trusting, look along the shelves, humming in deep thought. "Would anything here make me taller? Or, even older? I don't want to be treated like a kid anymore, I want people to take me seriously."

Noi grins widely. "An easy wish to fulfill. But, I don't believe an object here could give you a proper growth effect. This way to a place I call, The Mirrorveil."

---

After a bit of a walk, Noi leads you both to a room with a large and intimidating contraption. A bundle of levers line up on the ground, and runes line in a circle on the ground of a pedestal.

"To make you older, all I need to do is use a bit of time manipulation and illusion magic. As easy as walking." Noi explains, guiding Elliot to stand on the pedestal, the sound of their feet hitting the stone filling your ears, only adding to the strange unease you feel.

Elliot shifts nervously, but a determined look on his face tells you that he's ready for whatever happens next. You look at him with doubt, fidgeting with a corner of your cloak, feeling the pulse of Skin's heartbeat. The feeling grounds you a bit, and you look toward Noi, who cracks their knuckles and neck.

"Step back," Noi instructs, leading you to the levers. You notice a group of golems dressed in purple and white robes start to circle the runes, staying off of the pedestal but close enough to touch them.

"Now, just breathe in and out and keep your eyes closed. The process is painless, I assure you." Noi reassures, pulling onto a lever. You hear the golems start to chant something you couldn't discern, watching as the pedestal lifts slightly, the runes beginning to glow.

Elliot kept his eyes closed, his hair beginning to float up as if strong winds were blowing from beneath him. Noi pulled another lever, and a white light filled the dark room, not to a blinding level, but enough to illuminate Elliot's body.

"It feels a bit tingly," Elliot hums, flexing his fingers as his body begins to feel numb, his muscles relaxing and his body turning loose.

"Ah, it's completely normal! You might even begin to feel a bit itchy, but try not to move." Noi waves off Elliot's concern pulling another lever and causing the light to grow denser.

Then you notice it. The slow-growing curls of Elliot's hair, begin to form bangs that drape over his eyes. You watch, frozen, as his features start to sharpen, the once-loose dress tightening against a body shifting with unfamiliar proportions. Sure enough, Elliot takes after your father, his boyish softness receding into the angular promise of adolescence. Fourteen? Sixteen? It didn't matter. The resemblance was undeniable.

"Bit familiar, isn't he?" Noi queries with a glance in your direction, watching as you mindlessly nod. Of course, he looked familiar. Elliot was still Elliot, after all.

Then again, you could only get flashbacks to that one day. The way your father's bangs hid his eyes. His hand rubbed your head as he spoke words you couldn't comprehend. The sound of rope sliding across the bark of the tree. The creak of the branch bending, giving way, your father's form falling backward before—

"HHHRRKK—AAGHHH!" Elliot's scream tears through the air like a wire snapping under pressure. Your stomach lurches as he drops to his knees, clawing at his head. "S-Stop it! Stop the machine—AAAGGHHH—! SOMETHING'S IN MY HEAD!"

His fingers rake through his scalp just as the flesh slowly splits open—thin, jagged cracks revealing slick bone as two sharp horns begin to cut through it, like a baby growing teeth but in a more time-lapsed way. His body lurches, back arching as if trying to reject what's happening to it, breath coming in short, choking gasps. You quickly turn to Noi, who looks surprised himself.

"Uh, nothing's in your head, young paragon! It's just puberty pains!" Noi blusters as he quickly pulls the levers, but the sound of Elliot's pain doesn't stop. Your brother cries out as the horns grow another inch, and though they aren't large, they're very noticeable.

'Puberty pains?! What the fuck are you talking about?! He's growing horns for goddess sake!' You yell at the bat internally, furious at him for trying to cover up his mistake, and deathly worried for your younger brother. You grit your teeth, pushing past some of the watching golems as you run to the pedestal, but the golems block your way, grabbing onto your arms and holding you still.

"Don't step into the circle! If you interfere, you could make it worse for him!" Noi shouts over him, though his tone isn't concerned but rather intrigued. It was clear that this had never happened before, atleast, you hoped it hadn't. You knew something was off about this, and this might be the last time you ignored your gut.

You hear Elliot call out your name, watching as tears begin to leak through his eyes, his hold on the top of his head tightening as he writhes and squirms with pain and discomfort, pleading for you and Noi to stop the machine. The golems stand firm, keeping you from getting to your brother and forcing you to watch as Elliot's body changes from human to something else, his cries echoing in the room.

~~~

Sorry Father R, but this one's gonna have to be a short center note- 🥲😅

The discord's up! You gotta join, we gotta make things more lively around here. 😈🥳

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~~~

The sound of a cry jolts Damari awake, making them sit up sharply. They stay motionary listening for the source of the sound.

"How dare you slap your mother?! Are you out of your mind?!" A muffled voice yells from within the tavern outside their room, an argument of sorts.

"I'm done with that wilted shrew's temper! How can an old woman be so ugly to her only son, and not only me, her damn grandson!" Another muffled voice shouts back, creating loud gasps that can even be heard outside the tavern.

Damari relaxes, realizing it wasn't a commotion within their party. Deciding that they don't care for human and creature affairs, they move to go back to sleep. However, a cold breeze brushes along their cloak, a subtle thing but noticeable.

Damari feels a sense of confusion as they look towards the room's window. When they fell asleep, it wasn't open. They glance at Elliot's bed, wondering if he opened the window.

...

Damari rushes out of bed, darting down the hall and throwing open Sun's, Moon's, and your designated room. The sound of the lock breaking alerts the deactivated, making them reactivate and bolt to a sitting position.

Sun and Moon focus on the door, on guard and ready to deal with the intruder. However, the two let out a sigh when they realized it was Damari who barged into the room.

"Damari? Is something the matter?" Sun questions, stretching while Moon rubs the back of his neck, the softness of the bed already calling him to go back to 'sleep'.

Without a word, Damari points to MC's bed before rushing out of the room, breaking open Nadia and Aidan's door, and going to do the same with the others.

Sun and Moon look at each other with a puzzled expression before glancing at your bed. Your blanket undone, your pillow askew and the mattress completely empty.

"God- Do we need to keep them in the same bed to keep an eye on them?" Moon exasperated, pinching his temples as they climbed out of the bed, following Sun into the hall where the rest of the party began to gather.

"What's going on?" Clovis questions, rubbing his eyes as he sits on Alister's horns. "What's all the commotion?"

"The human is missing. Again ." Sun sighs with his hands on his hips, sounding like a tired mother.

"Elliot... missing too," Damari informs, leading the group to their room. The window was still open, but a piece of cloth from Elliot's dress was now noticeable. Avery stood at the door of the room.

"You'd think after the first few times of wandering off, the human would think 'Hmm, I should alert the party that I'm going somewhere but nooo, let's go out a window while everyone else is sleeping, take a child with me, and leave the party with no clues to where I am.'" Doug huffs, facepalming.

"I don't know how you put up with them anymore." Logan runs a hand through his hair, gesturing with his metal arm.

Monty rolls his eyes, clearly done with your shenanigans. "And their brother seems to have the same habit."

Aidan ingores them, moving closer to the window to investigate. He could see a mess of footprints leading out the window, more than what you and your brother could've made. He could see the spot where you and your brother fell through the window, not the signs of a deliberate action.

"Good news and bad news," Aidan announces, halting Monty's crew in their complaints. "Good news, they didn't run away. Bad news, they were dragged out."

The air quickly grew tense at Aidan's words, bringing a more serious mood to the crew. The group looked amongst each other and out of the room, noticing the signs of someone having been kidnapped, confirming Aidan's speculation.

Avery, who remained at the door, speaks up, swallowing hard. "Guys... There are heavy traces of dark magic and undead coming from that window."

"Dark magic and undead? Undead can't even get into this town. Golems have a natural hostility for them, and so do the undead." Nadia mutters, finding the situation even more troubling. If you were taken by the undead, the monsters had to be intelligent enough to avoid detection by the countless golems in this city. This meant you and Elliot were in serious trouble.

"Everyone grab your stuff, we need to get moving. Now." Sun declares as he and Moon head back to their room to grab their supplies.

The rest of the part does the same before rushing down the stairs, pushing past the commotion that was still taking place in the tavern. As they rush past the bar, Alister hands back the keys with a handful of silver coins for the broken locks. "Sorry!"

After a bit, the crew makes it to the back of the tavern and to the trail of footsteps, horses, and the cart in tow. The trail leads through the marketplace, winding around stalls and buildings. Whenever the trail grows faint, Avery would use divinity magic to trail the traces of undead, which stuck out from a crowd of golems like red on a white dress.

It takes the crew around fifteen minutes to find the alleyway the kidnappers took you to, the trail stopping at a small tunnel. Sun and Moon share a look before kneeling down, able to crawl without trouble granted that Sun shrinks his rays.

Alister follows through the tunnel, Clovis having to stand on the back of his horns to keep his head down and from hitting the walls of the tunnel. Damari changes into E L L I O T, his small frame able to fit without issues.

"Wait a damn minute, do ya'll seriously expect me to fit my ass through that tiny crawlspace?" Montgomery speaks up, putting a halt to the five's actions. They crawl back out, Montgomery's point made.

"Boss is right, I don't think I'd fit either." Avery gestures to the heavy armor she carries, definitely unable to fit in the tunnel.

The group thinks for a moment, trying to come up with a plan B.

"Should we try to find a path around?" Doug questions, shrugging.

"I don't think there's a way around. From the looks of it, that tunnel goes through one of the Afterdark's columns. It'd take us a few days to reach the other end." Clovis hums, hovering down to the tunnel, seeing if he could spot the end.

"Are we sure it doesn't stop inside the column? Many creatures and monsters use these things to make bases or colonies inside." Nadia rests her hands on her hips, her tail flicking behind her.

As the group discusses ideas for travel, Alister holds onto the strap of their bag of holding, fidgeting with it. They knew the more they stood standing the worse it could be for you and your brother, so the party had to think of something fast.

Alister pauses, looking down at the bag, the memory of getting it from Curtis's shop sneaking its way into their head. Alister browses through the shelves. They pick up a bag with the title card: Bag of Holding - This bag can hold countless items up to 500 pounds. People included.

"That's it!" Alister grins, accidentally saying it aloud. The party turns their attention to the eladrin for a moment who pauses with temporary embarrassment before holding their bag up. "This can hold people!"

Sun snaps, smiling ray to ray. "You're right! Good idea Alister. Monty, Avery, the two of you can get carried in the bag of holding. You'll have to hold your breath though Avery, there's no air in there."

"What?! You want me to be carried in that??" Montgomery scoffed, clearly taking offense.

"It's not like you could fit in the tunnel, plus you're a construct, you don't need air." Clovis flies to hover over his shoulder, receiving a glare from the construct in question.

"But I do." Avery presses a hand to her chest. "I don't know how long I can hold my breath while in there."

"Here. I'll crawl through the tunnel and see how long it is." Moon offers, stretching for a moment before crawling back through the tunnel.

While the party waits for Moon's confirmation, Avery does her best to hold her breath the entire time. At the two-minute mark, Avery gasped, panting for a bit before shaking her head, bringing a collective sigh to the party. Three more minutes pass, and Moon makes it to the end of the tunnel. He stands and stretches, turning back around. "I'm out! Will she make it?"

"No, holding her breath won't do." Sun calls back out the other end.

At the other side of the tunnel, Nadia's ears twitch as an idea comes to mind. "Why not just have Avery put her outer armor in while Monty goes in? It'll be easier."

"Alright. Sorry boss," Avery begins to undo the straps of her armor, Logan and Doug pushing Monty towards Alister's bag.

Monty's feet drag into the stone and dirt on the ground, pushing back against the two, but the rubble of the ground makes it hard to brace. "Wait a damn minute, I am not squeezing myself into that small ass-"

"In you go!" Logan and Doug speak simultaneously as they give the alligator construct a firm shove, his body shifting and falling sideways into Alister's bag.

To the eladrin's surprise, the bag stretches around Montgomery's body, as if devouring him the same way a snake would swallow up a mouse. Once Monty is fully inside, Avery puts her armor inside, and the sound of a loud clang and a swear follows.

"S-Sorry boss!" She calls out, gesturing for Alister to close the bag, who does hastily.

"Alright, onwards!" Sun insists, moving down and into the crawlspace, the rest of the party following.

"Think he'll be okay?" Avery questions as the party begins to crawl into the tunnel, looking towards Nadia.

Nadia shrugs, crouching down and following behind her brother, Avery following behind her. The tunnel was dark and cramped, with a few party member bumping into each other as someone got stuck or hit their head or arms.

"Ow! Ali, keep your head down," Clovis grunts when Alister's horns lift a bit too high, causing him to smack the back of his head against one of the rock walls.

"S-Sorry-! Ompf!" Alister apologizes before getting bumped by Aidan, causing Nadia to shuffle onto his tail, the sound of a loud cat-like yelp echoing through the tunnel.

"Noddy! Watch it!" Aidan hisses, glancing back at his sister who only shoves him forward.

"Move faster and maybe I won't step on you!" Nadia hisses back, forcing Avery, Logan, and Doug to slow down so that Avery wouldn't step on her tail.

"Sun, crawl quicker," Damari mutters, the construct swiftly apologizing before doing so.

"Man, you guys are taking forever," Moon snickers from the other end of the tunnel, drawing a mostly unanimous groan from the rest of the party.

After a five-minute crawl, the group makes it out of the tunnel, breathing in fresh air. "Finally, let's get Boss out of the bag." Logan stretches, moving towards Alister who begins to open their bag.

"Not so fast, we still gotta problem that I think it'll be easier to solve with less weight." Moon hums, bringing the party's attention to the giant chasm within the cavern. The party could see the railroad leading off somewhere in the distance, looking at each other uncertainly.

"Are we positive they came this way?" Clovis questions, flying over towards the edge of the cliff where they stood, looking down at what looked to be a stony version of a pit of skewered bones, each spike ready to impale anything foolish enough to fall.

"Guys! Golems!" Doug calls out, pointing out a large number of yellow and round-eared golems.

The party watches as they work like an army of ants to mend a path where a large chunk of stone broke off. However, Doug's voice catches their attention, hundreds of heads snapping in their direction.

"Doug... Those aren't golems." Avery mutters, putting a hand on his shoulder, pulling him away from the path they were mending.

From the outside view, the creatures looked like any other golem or even an autognome, with rags wrapped around their torsos. But to those tied to holy magic, the sea of supposed golems was a wriggling mass of dark, black magic, and radiated with the dense aura of creatures who crawled out of their graves.

At Avery's words, the golem's eyes flicker in a wave, turning into narrowed red eyes before quickly scattering, leaving the boulder to fall and crush a small few of them, only for those crushed to worm from under it with large dents.

At the sight of the golems crawling from under mostly unscathed, it became clear that they weren't golems, who would've been destroyed into rubble, or autognomes that would've been turned into spare parts.

"Well... now we know where they went. The question is, how do we get across?" Aidan sighs, crossing his arms.

"I doubt the two made it across without the path. If I had to guess, it's atleast 60ft wide." Moon tilts his head, gauging the distance as Clovis sits on his shoulder.

"Ali, do you think you can Fey Step us across?" Clovis questions, glancing back at the eladrin who had been mimicking Moon, tilting their head.

"Uhm... Not really, I can only Fey Step 15 feet. If I use Spring, I can only teleport someone about halfway." Alister hesitates, scratching the back of their neck.

Sun jumps up and down for a few moments, his boots flickering white as he jumps a bit higher each time. He jumps a few times before he shakes his head, resting his hands on his hips. "I can only leap halfway as well, I doubt these boots can go any further than that."

The party begins to feel discouraged but continues to brainstorm ways to cross. Some suggest taking the path, but its instability seems risky. Others suggest trying to find another way around, the longer they take, the more danger you and your brother could be in.

"I got it!" Nadia slams her fist onto her palm, catching the group's attention. She points to Alister and Sun, her tail flicking with sudden inspiration. "If both of you think you can make it about halfway, why not pair up?"

Aidan's eyebrows widen, catching onto Nadia's plan. "Noddy, you're brilliant! Sun could leap across, letting Alister fey step before teleporting them across."

"I don't know if I can teleport Sun across while he holds onto me. And what if we fall a bit short?" Alister falters, waving his hands. The idea felt a lot more dangerous than taking their chances with the path.

"I don't see why you wouldn't be able to. Plus, if both of you can make it halfway, your fey step should take you well over 60ft." Logan shrugs.

"It'll get us across a lot quicker," Sun mutters, considering the plan.

"Can't Damari and Alister do the thing they did with the driders?" Doug questions, bringing back the memory of Alister and A L I S T E R teleporting each other with you in tow.

Damari, who had been staring down at the cavern, shakes their head, stepping back. "Do not want to risk falling..." The dertegeo explains, looking back at the eladrin, who give them a look saying "I don't want to either."

"Come on, Alister! I'm sure if you hold tight enough, you'll teleport with." Sun grins, though the slight shrink in their rays shows that he's just as nervous.

Alister glances at Clovis, who only raises their hands in thumbs-ups, encouraging the poor eladrin. not left with much choice, Alister mounts Sun, crossing and locking their legs around Sun's waist while their arms wrap around his shoulders. Sun hooks his arms underneath Alister's legs, shifting Alister into a comfortable position before walking back towards the tunnel.

"Try not to look down!" Nadia encourages as Sun prepares to get a running start.

"R-Right!" The two respond, Sun shifting Alister on his back once more. Alister could hear their heartbeat in their ears, the construct's rays shrinking a bit more, giving them a better view of the cavern.

Sun takes a deep 'breath', solidifying his resolve. "Alright. Ready?"

"No-" Before Alister could finish their sentence, Sun bolts off, their long legs eating up the ground as their boots begin to glow white. With a firm leap and a yelp from Alister, Sun lunges far across the giant chasm, the spikes below making themselves more apparent.

The wind from the force of the leap causes Alister to cling to the construct tighter, their heart threatening to leave them. However, Alister holds strong, and once they make it halfway, Alister fey steps, bringing the two a bit closer.

Alister could feel Sun's hold tighten around Alister's legs as the eladrin began to teleport the construct, green particles covering Alister and Sun. The party watches with bated breath as the two become completely covered, slowly beginning to fall from the loss of momentum.

However, just before it began to look like the two wouldn't make it, the two were teleported a good distance to the solid ground on the other side of the chasm, landing a lot rougher than they'd like.

The party cheers, their plan a success. All that was left was to carry the rest of the party across one by one, which was alot easier said than done. For people like Moon, Avery, and Nadia, who were a bit lighter than the rest of the party, Sun and Alister would always land a bit oddly, holding them in a princess carry that wouldn't exactly stay a princess carry when they'd reach solid ground.

For people like Doug, Aidan, and Logan, who were a lot heavier than the lanky construct or girls, Sun and Alister would be a lot more reliant on the Fey Step to make up for the distance lost on Sun's leap from the added weight.

Lastly, Sun and Alister had to carry over Damari, who carried Clovis in the hood of their cloak. The fairy could've flown over, but it seemed "a lot more fun" the way Sun and Alister were doing it. The four leap over the chasm, however, the exhaustion of fey stepping and using the powers that came with spring began to tire the eladrin out, having never teleported multiple people and themself so many times. The teleportation is miscalculated, leaving the four a foot distance from solid ground.

"S-Shit!" Moon curses as the four begin to fall, lunging and grabbing onto the back of Alister's shirt. The rest of the party quickly act, grabbing onto Moon and causing the four to crash into the side of the cliff, their hold on each other becoming vices.

"Not more fun, not more fun!" Clovis shrieks slightly, watching the rest of the party grunt and groan as they pull the others onto the ground.

A sigh of relief rushes through the party as the four sprawl out, catching their breath. "You guys did good," Nadia, grins, helping everyone up as Doug and Logan help Montgomery out of the bag.

"What the fuck took ya'll so long?!" Monty chastises, dropping Avery's armor. Avery thanks him, putting it on. "I was floating in that bag for what felt like hours."

"Well, if you look behind you, you'll see what Sun and Alister had to leap and teleport everyone across," Logan explains, pointing behind Montgomery.

"You float inside a bag of holding?" Clovis queries, looking into Alister's bag.

"Yeah, it's like spinning in circles in space." Monty huffs, patting himself off. "I'm glad I'm not human, I think I'd 've hurled long before I'd suffocate."

"Well, we're one step closer to the humans. I'd assume they took the railroad." Sun hums, leading the part toward the minecarts. The crew looks at each other before pairing up, oddly finding that there are exactly enough carts to fit all of them.

"Let's hope those two are okay. I've got a feeling we're in for a bad time..." Aidan mutters, gesturing for Montgomery to pull the lever, the carts jostling as Montgomery does.

Chapter Text

When the machine stops and the light fades, Elliot gasps heavily, falling forward against the ground. The golems let you go, and you rush over to him, lifting his head to check on him. He definitely looked sixteen, his body longer, his dress stretched.

"M-My head..." He whimpers, rubbing his head. His hands trail up to the twin horns on his head, and you notice the tremble that forms on his fingers. You take his hand, squeezing it to stabilize him.

You feel something bump your leg, your eyes widening as you see what looks like a reptile's tail. Both the horns and the tail have a thin film on them, blood-soaked and almost as if they grew faster than they should've.

"Well, well, well… humans don't usually come with horns and tails, let alone dragonborn parts." Noi queries, walking over to investigate Elliot. You hold your brother closer, Skin growling. Noi doesn't step any further than the circle on the ground, his hands/wings(?) raising as if to show he meant no harm. You didn't trust that for a second.

You point to him, then Elliot's horns and tail, hoping to get your question across: 'What did you do to him?'.

Noi seems to get the memo, his hands moving into an innocent shrug. "My dear mage, I've done nothing amiss. The machine operated precisely as it's intended. I believe this new development comes from your brother himself. Is he a half-brother? Perhaps adopted?"

Your eyes narrow at him, aggravated that he would suggest that. Noi looks at the golems, gesturing to your scowl. "What? What I'd say?" He quizzes, and the other golems shrug as well.

You sigh, looking down at your brother, who looks exhausted yet responsive. You brush a few strands of hair from his forehead, able to see his eyes again. You grab your notepad and write firmly. Change him back. Reverse this.

Noi looks almost offended, pressing an indignant hand to his chest. "And undo all my precious work? His transformation was his wish. To be older?"

You gave him horns and a tail. You write furiously, but Noi only seems to get defensive.

"I did no such thing! For all you know, your brother could be part lizardman or even Kobold, and you may or may not have received those genes." He refutes, crossing his arms.

The idea is ludicrous to you; both your parents were human. If any of them had lizardman or Kobold traits, you would've known. Our parents are human.

"Are you certain? Have you never felt any bumps on his head?" Noi interrogates, walking along the circle, the golems following suit with synchronized nods. "Maybe his tailbone was more pronounced?"

Your glare grows sharper as you watch him with partial disbelief. The other part of you thinks back, trying to remember if you've ever seen something on his head. Yet, your memory fogs. When he was young, you hadn't noticed anything. And if there were bumps on his head or something with his tailbone, it would have had to develop recently. You find yourself second-guessing your knowledge, and you don't notice how Noi smiles.

"See! You can't even remember. For all you know, he could've had these starting to grow, but his clothes and hair covered them." Noi snaps his fingers as your attention briefly returns to him.

You frown, looking down at Elliot. He was truly exhausted, his tail twitching as it slowly curled around you. "I'm... I'm okay." He mumbles, trying to sit up. You press a hand to his forehead, keeping him down. He was burning up as well.

With a deep breath, you look towards Noi, fire flickering in your hands like sparks from flint and steel. You were understandably angry with Noi.

The golems' faces flicker red, eyes narrowing down as they sense the danger you pose to their owner. You can see Noi's eyes flash with something unreadable as a ball of fire forms in your hand, growing with each pang of anger and protectiveness over your brother.

"Come now, mage. Are you really willing to lash out at the only person who can reverse these effects?" Noi hums, his arms folding behind him. Your fingers twitch, his point made.

"H-Hey, I'm okay, really!" Elliot assured, tugging at Skin, who only growled in Noi's direction, curling slightly around both of you. If you weren't seconds away from charring a bat, you would've found Skin's protectiveness of you and Elliot ironic compared to its determination to bite your head off when you first wore it.

"Listen to your brother, my dear customer. Everything has a price, even reversal magic." Noi advised as the golems in the room took a step forward.

'So he did plan to charge us.' You muse with a twitch of your eye, the fireball only swirling faster in its intensity. With your other hand, you write. What is it?

Noi pulls down his goggles, flashing a grin as bright as the glint reflected on the lens. "Indentured servitude. Nothing more, nothing less."

You don't notice the purple that flickers within the core of your fireball, the crackle lost on your ears. Elliot's body tenses, and he sits up despite your protest. "What? For how long?"

"Your performance determines the length of your servitude. But don't be discouraged, I'm very kind to my employees. I see them as my own children, isn't that right, my lovelies?" Noi hums, looking down at the golems whose eyes return to normal, curving in cheerful expressions as they all nod in agreement.

Your brother looks at you; however, your eyes aren't normal. They were purple, and not a reflection of the bat across from you. You wanted to respond, wanted to agree to the terms if that was what it took to turn your brother back to normal, but instead, your arm lifted, aiming for the charlatan's skull.

Noi noticed this, their eyebrows furrowing. Not with anger, but— confusion?

The fireball left your hand quicker than you could react, and in an instant, the nearly deafening sound of impact and explosion washed over you, Skin covering you and Elliot.

The fireball was bigger than any fireball you've made, even with the ring you got from Curtis' shop.

You and your brother coughed and hacked as the smoke lingered, the purple in your eyes dying down. You felt a chill run through you, a numbness in your arm. You look down at your hand, flexing your fingers. You chalked up the fireball as subconscious, unable to think about it.

A breeze cleared the smoke, and to your surprise, Noi was completely untouched, dusting off his scarf and fur with a winged hand. He clears his throat, and you could feel yourself tense.

"First, that was rude. Secondly, you are lucky my children have durability." Noi snarked, lifting his goggles. Your eyes travel to three golems around you, which were black and banged up, the cloth around them partially crumbling, not enough to see what's underneath. You could only assume they jumped in front of the blast. To your surprise, they stand back up in a wobbly manner, unfazed as others check on them. "And thirdly, have you two met Izuss?"

"Who?" Elliot queries, surprise, and confusion in his voice and expression. Your face only matches his.

"Well, I'll be damned. You're truly charmed—almost possessed." Noi crosses his arms, resting one hand on his chin as he speaks. "I didn't think anyone except that snake had the power to do something like this. And you don't look dead or ghastly. Knowing this, you couldn't have resurrected and gotten brainwashed that way."

You and Elliot share a look; however, he is more concerned than you are. You get the impulse to ignore Noi's words, to tune him out, but you resist, dragging your attention back to the bat, who stands closer than before. "Change of plans, my dear mage. Rather than eternal indentured servitude, I'll revert your brother for free."

Your eyes narrow, and you stand, writing down firmly. What changed?

"My interest. Your brother looks unbearably familiar, and you are peculiarly charmed. Or possessed, I haven't figured out which." Noi answers plainly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"That's... that's it?" Elliot questions hesitantly, standing up. His tail swishes clumsily, hitting you in the back of the knee, making your legs nearly buckle, which he quickly apologizes for.

"Mhm. Now, unless you want to revert in age by four to five years, I suggest you stand by me." Noi walks over to the levers, standing by them expectantly.

You feel your brother take hold of your hand, squeezing tightly. He was likely nervous and afraid. You look back at him, squeezing tightly as well. This gesture comforts him, and slowly, you let go of his hand, walking to stand near Noi, keeping your distance. You stood close enough that you could interfere if anything went wrong, watching Elliot prepare himself.

Once his eyes closed, Noi pulled a few of the levers, the white light of the runes and circle on the floor filling the room. Soon enough, Elliot's features begin to soften, his hair slowly shrinking back. His horns and tail do the same, but only by a small margin.

They aren't going away. You jot down, Noi's large ear twitching as he glances out of the corner of his eye.

"I might be a bat, but I'm not blind." He mutters, though there is no sarcasm or hostility in his tone. "This means it's not an error in my contraption, but rather a genetic trait. One that sticks, it seems." He notes, and you can see the intrigue in his expression.

Elliot slowly returns to normal—excluding the horns and tail—and the runes deactivate. His eyes flicker open, looking down at his hands and arms. His flesh was soft again, the hair he had grown on his arms having receded.

"Am I... Am I back to normal?" He questions, looking back at you and Noi. You only sigh, waving your hand in a so-so manner.

Elliot's features deepen into a frown, and he looks behind him, watching as his much smaller tail tucks between his legs. His hands reach up to his head, holding his horns. "Atleast I'm not in any pain."

"I sincerely apologize, young prodigy. I figured you were human, and had I known you'd sprout horns and a tail, I would've warned you that the process would've been painful." Noi apologized, his tone regretful enough that you'd believe him if you weren't aggravated from him causing harm to your brother.

Elliot only swallows hard, an uneasy smile peeking out on his face. "It's fine, I wanted to be older, and you delivered. I guess that's why they say not to grow up so fast."

His joke doesn't fall flat; the atmosphere is lightened, only by a small margin. You look down at your own hands, still feeling the tingle left behind by the fireball. 'I'm still charmed? I don't feel charmed. Don't charm spells break once you realize you are?'

There was a buzz in the back of your mind, a fog over your thoughts. You try to focus past that lull, but you don't get a chance to think too hard on it before the golems grab your arms, Noi leading both of you out of the room.

"Now, let's focus on more interesting matters. I still have a wish to fulfill for our young mage." He claps his hands together, and both you and Elliot tense with apprehension.

"U-Uhm, I think we should actually get going-" "Nonsense! I hate unfinished work, and fulfilling your sibling's wish is the least I can do for putting you through so much pain." Noi insists, interjecting to Elliot's protest.

I don't have a wish I'd want you to fulfill. You write firmly, taking hold of Elliot's hand. You stop walking and turn towards the exit, ready to find your way back to the party. You had no idea how you'd explain this to the party, and if you knew anything of the celestial twins, your ears would ring with their complaints of you once again wandering off from the party.

"Come now, if you hadn't had a wish to fulfill, I doubt you'd follow my darlings all the way out here." Noi moves in front of you, crossing your path to the door.

Your eyes only narrow. You go to tell Noi to get out of the way, but your mind flickers to the meeting with Mrs. Labrinth. 'The teal scarf...'

Noi sees your hesitance, and his grin grows wide. "See? So, what is it? If I had to guess, it probably has something to do with that scar around your throat."

Your hand travels to the scar as mentioned. 'There was that too.'

"Are you sure you can fix their curse?" Elliot questions, looking between you and Noi. It was clear he didn't fully believe Noi, but the hope that he could was there.

"I'm almost certain. How'd you get it? Spell? Potion? Ritual?" He queries, stepping close to look at your neck at a better angle. You tense, self-consciousness making you hide it further within Skin.

"Potion. Our mom's a sorceress and alchemist." Elliot answers, his hand tightening on yours.

"I forgot you said your mother did this." Noi hums, sensing your discomfort and taking a step back. You feel as if you can breathe again. "Who is she, by the way?"

"Our mother?" Elliot tilts his head. "Why does that matter?"

"Just curious. Alchemists, and good ones at that, are rare and often well-known for their styles. The fact that she could infuse a curse within potions already shortens the list." Noi shrugs, gesturing for the golem with the oil slick bandana to take notes. It jumps and nods, scribbling furiously. "Makes things easier for me to remove it if I know who made it."

"Huh. Our mother's name is Maria. Maria Benedict." Elliot discloses, and suddenly, all the golems halt, whatever they were doing forgotten. The items in their hands dropped and clattered on the ground.

You and Elliot tense from the sudden change in atmosphere.

"Maria? Maria Benedict?" Noi asks, his clasped hands slowly falling to his sides.

You and Elliot hesitate to nod. "Yes?" Elliot answers, his tail twitching as it wraps around his ankle.

"What's your father's name?" Noi questions, suddenly standing close again, his hands(claws?) holding onto Elliot's and your shoulders. Even Skin seems tense.

"I-I don't think that's relevant to-" "What is your father's name?" Noi asks again, cutting Elliot off.

You and Elliot share a glance before you write with caution. Oliver. Oliver Benedict.

Noi, after a moment of silence, steps away from the two of you. The oil-slicked bandana golem carefully covers the sides of its head, and some of the other golems follow. You and Elliot catch onto this and cover your ears moments before Noi yells, visible soundwaves making the place shake.

"THAT LITTLE HOMEWRECKER!!" Noi shouts, the golems that didn't cover their ears, falling over and off things. Almost immediately, golems rush over to Noi, three of them creating a small tower, the one on top holding a fan and fanning Noi. Others scatter and scramble around, bumping into each other as they move.

-{Center authornote}-

Firstly, Happy Birthday FatherR! This birthday's kinda a big one. Next year, though, is gonna be crazy. 🥹🥳

Secondly, BIGGGGGG ANNOUNCEMENT INCOMING! 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥🔥

We're hosting our very first art contest for our lovely readers! 🤩🤩🤩

The top three winners of the art contest will be posted on our Tumblr in their own posts, here in A03, and our Discord (with their consent and watermarks), along with first place being our Tumblr blog's PFP for a few weeks. The rest of the drawings will be put in a collage on a Tumblr post. 😁😉


If you want to submit your art for the contest, you can get our attention via our Tumblr or in Discord. Those in discord will receive a discord boost to their rating, so click the link in Editor T's author note to join the discord. 😚

All the info you need will be in a Tumblr post I'll make either tomorrow or the day after. I can't find where I stated previous rules about art contests, so I'm gonna make some relatively new ones- 😅


Keep in mind, the theme is this very fic, Silence Speaks A Thousand Words. We hope to see you guys participate and happy drawing! I'll leave a link to our Tumblr below. Remember, the Discord link is at the end of this chapter. If you have issues getting in, leave a comment or DM FatherR, and we'll help you out! 😌

Henchman A, out! 🧍‍♂️🌫️🐭

https://fatherrussia-69.tumblr.com/

-{Center authornote}-

"I spent 20 years waiting for that damned elopement, just to find out that bloody dowager ruined the plans?! Not a damn letter either?!" Noi shouts as his fur bristles and his feet pace vigorously. The tower of golems scramble to keep up with him, trying to cool him down.

You and Elliot share a glance, befuddled, concerned, and shaken. You had no idea batfolk could make a screech like that, and you were positive you felt Skin convulse in pain.

"W-Wait, elopement? What are you—" "That damned wench!" Noi fumed as one of the golems carried over a small vase, which Noi grabbed, smashed on the ground, and was swept up almost instantly by the golems, cutting Elliot off. "Her acursed parents! I swear, when I get my claws on her, I'll show her what for!"

The two of you barely get a chance to react before another shriek leaves Noi, Skin tightening and convulsing around you, a screech of pain leaving it. 'This isn't good.'

A few golems stop Noi from pacing, brushes in their cloaked hands as they brush out his bristled fur, which seems to calm the bat down, if only by a margin.

"Right, right, keep your cool.... Keep your cool." Noi breathes, rubbing his face. The golems smooth his ears out with the brushes before Noi waves them away, dusting off his scarf. "We've got customers here, well, not customers..."

You and Elliot hesitate to take your hands away from your ears, both flinching as Noi holds onto your shoulders, dusting them off. "Sorry for the trouble, please forgive me and allow me to reintroduce myself."

Noi steps back, extending his hands in a large flourish, the golems jumping up and down and applauding. "I am Nyxious Omenator Incantolivious III, but you may call me Titi Noi!"

...

"... Titi Noi? As in aunt?" Elliot asks hesitantly, slowly lowering his hands. You do the same, dumbfounded.

"Yep! While you guys aren't exactly how I thought you'd be, I am your Titi nonetheless." Noi grins, pressing a claw to his chin. "I was hoping your father would've introduced me to you guys way earlier, but considering who your mother is, I am not surprised."

Wait, so you know our father? You write down, and Noi only nods expressively.

"Mhm! I've known him since I was starting my necromancy. He, Curtis, and one other guy whose name I can't recall stumbled upon the Afterdark and, after adventuring, couldn't find their way out." Noi explains, the golem's eyes curving in high arches as they surround the three of you. "They came across me, and I've been pen pals ever since. The sun on the surface is unreasonably bright, so I've remained in the Afterdark."

"Necromancy?" Elliot questions, looking at you.

Reviving the dead. You jot down, swallowing hard as you look back at Noi. You're a necromancer?

"Necromancer and Artificer. How do you think I got my 'golems' to be like this?" Noi questions, gesturing to the golems who take hold of their heads.

One by one, they each remove them, like masks, and the sight that greets you freezes you and Elliot in place. Zombies, skeletons, ghouls, and wraiths all surround you and Elliot. Mutilated faces, appearances that make your blood run cold to the bone, the very fact that they surround you makes your fight or flight instincts go haywire. Skin grumbles as if this wasn't a surprise.

"H-How..." Elliot mutters, his hands clinging to your arm in a deathgrip, his tail tucked between his legs.

"Easy, make impossible deals, and now people owe you their souls. People die in the afterdark a lot more than on the surface, so there's also an influx of bodies there, too." Noi shrugs as if the very idea of reanimating corpses and summoning undead spirits isn't taboo and very dangerous. "After a few years, these guys multiply and start reviving the dead on their own. With my talents, I can make them small enough to be mistaken for autognomes or golems."

Do they not hold resentment? You write, feeling your fingers start to tremble.

Noi barks in laughter as the undead put back on their masks, disarming you and Elliot. "Please, these guys are more brain-dead than actual golems! They're completely harmless unless I will them not to be."

"Watch. Bloodyenderhound, come here." Noi gestures with a hand as a golem with a cracked screen pushes past the others, standing in front of Noi and saluting.

"Snap your neck," Noi instructs, and before you or your brother could react, the golem takes hold of its head, screen going black and—CRACK!

Its body drops like a lead weight, and to your surprise, the other golems giggle and cackle, some falling over in laughter. It's almost morbid how unfazed everyone seems.

"See, completely subservient to the point it leads to their doom. But that's what makes them durable." Noi grins smugly, and not long after, the golem, who snapped its neck, stumbles to a stand, its eyes flickering back on.

When it meets yours, the eyes curve back up, and it waves, backwards head and all. An unnerved smile finds its way on your face, and you find yourself waving back. Other golems walk over to it, relocating its neck.

"So... You aren't gonna hurt us in any way? Well, not any more than what's happened?" Elliot asks hesitantly, relaxing his hold on your arm.

"Ah-yup! You guys are my niblings! Had I known you guys were Oliver's kids, I wouldn't have said or done any of the stuff I did before. So do try to look past the happy accidents." Noi waves a hand, brushing off his concern. It relaxes both of you, but only partially.

"How are they, by the way? Your father and Curtis, if you've met him? I haven't received a single letter from Oliver in two decades, and I've hardly communicated with Curtis either. Getting mail to and from the Afterdark is such a hassle." Noi hums, resting his hands on his hips.

...

You and Elliot share a look, feeling the weight of that question upon your shoulders. Elliot lowers his head, holding his elbow. You hesitate to write.

Curtis is alive and well. You scribble, turning your notepad over. But Dad's no longer with us. Took himself out.

...

"Oh." You watch Noi's shoulders drop, the golems all going deathly still.

Silence follows, heavy and uncomfortable, considering everything that happened within a span of minutes. You move to write something, but Noi shrugs.

"I can just bring him back, no biggie. Doing revival magic is out of my abilities, but I'm sure I can make do." Noi mutters, though it sounds like he's trying to convince himself.

"You can bring Dad back?" Elliot questions, his tail flicking.

"Sure, I can. I think. Hopefully." Noi scratches his ear, lost in thought." I'm not certain how comfortable you two would be with a zombie or ghoul around you. I'd make sure nobody else sees him."

You could feel the flicker of hope that appears in your chest. You couldn't imagine what it would be like to see your dad again.

At the same time, you didn't know how morally right that was, or if your father would even approve of being revived with such taboo magic. Yes, Noi is a friend of his, but would he even want to be brought back?

You can feel Skin shift on your shoulders, bringing you back to reality. Elliot and Noi were looking at you, seemingly waiting for an answer to a question you couldn't hear over your own thoughts.

"Do they do this often?" Noi questions as he looks at your brother, who shrugs. You give them a look.

What was the question? You write.

"How did you guys get down here? The afterdark is no place for the inexperienced." Noi questions, repeating his statement. "Elliot here says you came down with a party, but my golems say it was just you guys who followed them."

You blink in remembrance as the mention of your party comes up. 'That's right, the Inn. They're probably looking for us by now.'

We need to get back to them. They're most likely searching for us. You jot down, holding up your notepad.

"You have to leave already? You two haven't even finished what you came here to do." Noi sputtered, waving his hands as if to dismiss the notion. "Your party will be just fine, and my babies will lead you back to them safely. I insist that I fulfill any wish that you have to make it up for Elliot's troubles."

"And you, my dear protoge, deserve something as an apology for making you sprout your tail and horns too early," Noi says, holding Elliot's shoulders and dusting off the small horns sticking through his hat.

"Wait, so I was supposed to grow these things?" Elliot puzzled, looking down at his tail, which swished and hit Noi in the shin. He quickly apologized.

The bat grunted, kneeling slightly as he held his shin. "Yes, of course. I'm assuming your mother didn't tell you what your father was, and I doubt your father did either."

"Dad's human?" Elliot only seemed more confused, holding onto the battering ram of a tail.

"Partially. Your dad is a dragonborn. However, his family's line had been trying to dilute the dragonborn genes as a generational experiment. They managed to get rid of everything but the horns, tail, and wings." Noi explains, standing up. "Your father had a disability in his birth, making his wings non-existent, and his horns and tail grew much later in life. I dunno how he hid horns and a tail from the two of you, but if I know Maria's parents, they definitely had something to do with it."

...

"Dad's a dragonborn?!" Elliot blurts, yelling his surprise and amazement for both of you.

"Partially, partially. Purebred dragonborns are about as rare as a dragon. Halfborns and Vestigials are those with dragon blood, and what roam society these days." Noi explains as a few golems enter the circle, talking to others before leading those golems away.

What about kobolds? You write, curiosity growing. Aren't they part dragons?

"Ehhh. Kobolds have dragon blood, but it's not pure. It's more of a mix between Dragons and lizard-blood titans. That's why they can't breathe fire or acid, or have any magic breath. But are proficient in that type of magic." Noi states, clearing up the confusion. "But don't say that to a kobold's face or you might lose a hand."

"How do you know all this?" Elliot questions, his tail swishing. A few golems get distracted by it, trying to catch or avoid it.

"Please, a charlatan's gotta keep his tabs. Plus, your father was a chatterbox. He'd rambled on for hours about anything if you let him." Noi chuckles, shaking his head at fond memories. You never took your dad for a chatterbox; he barely said much, from what you can remember. "I'm surprised your sibling here doesn't have any draconic traits. You look much older than he is, so if you didn't grow any horns, tail, or wings. I guess the experiment worked."

You bring a hand to your head and tailbone, searching for any sign of horns or a tail. Unfortunately, you barely find any bumps. You wonder if Kiara has any bumps, horns, or a tail. If she did, you doubt she'd ever tell you.

"But, back to the more important topic, you, my dear, deserve a gift only the best can buy. Considering you're a wizard in training, you're gonna need an object of focus." Noi rests a hand on Elliot's shoulder, leading him down a path towards an isle filled with different types of objects. "Typically, they learn to use their wands as a focus in the early stages to get a gauge on how quickly they can learn spells, but with an object of focus, they can cast much bigger and powerful versions of their spells. They act as a conduit and make things much easier."

You follow in step behind them, looking down at your notepad. Your thoughts trail to Ms. Labrinth, reading the description of the first person who was supposed to help you with mastering your magic.

Elliot looks through the shelves with blooming curiosity, seeing things like totems, amulets, and even gizmos. He hums in thought, visibly having a hard time choosing. Noi merely chuckles, patting his shoulder.

"Why don't you tell me what type of wizard you want to be?" Noi quieres, offering a starting point.

"Mmm... I want to be a wizard like Zed! He's the one who taught me what I know." Elliot concludes, looking toward noi.

"Zed?! Why, how lucky you are! He's one of the strongest wizards, if not the strongest wizard out there. And even luckier, I know just what you need." Noi leads Elliot further down the aisle before stopping and gesturing for a few golems to help him reach the top shelf.

Six of them create a small staircase, allowing Noi to walk up and pluck a small maroon rectangular basket from the shelf. Sitting on a black velvet cushion were three brooches, one of ruby, one of jade, and one of sapphire.

Elliot "Oohs" as Noi brings it down, holding it aloft for Elliot's viewing. "What are these?"

"These, my nephew, are conduits—objects of focus. Zed is known for being very discreet; Not many people know much about him. I doubt the king knows much about him either. It's believed that he conceals his conduits in plain sight, such as with a hat brooch." Noi grinned, gesturing for him to take one. "Perhaps the jade will be better hidden with your dress's color scheme."

Elliot carefully examined the brooch, scrutinizing its details. The jade was polished, resembling an ordinary gemstone. However, when he flipped it over, he noticed a square carved into it. "What's this?"

"The place where you write your mark of attunement. A symbol that you'll have to spend a bit of time imagining before writing it down. You'll use this symbol for anything else that you have to attune to." Noi explains, walking back up the golems to put the basket up. "Only attune to three things at a time, though. Even a necromancer like myself can only handle three sources of conserved energy."

How'd you get this? You question, taking note of its not-so-technological design.

"Let's just say that with every golem comes new items to sell and give away. Curtis is one of my biggest customers, though he doesn't fully know how I get these." Noi winks briefly, taking a pencil from the scruff of his furry mane and handing it to Elliot.

"If the symbol connects to you on a personal level, then you'll feel a sense of restlessness for a bit. That's your body getting used to being attuned to something. Afterwards, you'll find yourself a lot stronger." Noi pats his arm, you and he watching as Elliot's tail wags itself into a blur.

The batfolk's attention turns to you, gesturing to your neck. "Now comes the bad news. I have no idea how your mother operates, and honestly, I don't want to know."

"So, reversing your curse will be much more difficult than I anticipated. And considering that it looks like you've had that curse for a while, you might be in more pain than your brother was earlier. Speak-No-More curses are vile to the vocal cords." Noi sighs, scratching his chin.

"But, I can attempt to help, lest there's some other wish you'd like granted?" Noi quieries, looking at you expectantly.

You swallow hard, looking down at your notepad.

Part of you felt a numbed sense of despair. Against your better judgment, part of you hoped that by some miracle, Noi would be able to reverse what your mother had done. Thankfully, you kept your expectations low, so the idea of being stuck mute didn't hurt as much.

You sigh, flipping through your notepad. You pause on the notes you took from your visit with Mrs. Labyrinth. To master wind magic first, you will meet a necromancer wearing a turquoise green scarf who may know your father.

You look back up at Noi. 'Teal scarf, check. Knows my dad, check. Necromancer, check.'

Well, if you couldn't get your voice back, you damn sure wanted to master your magic.

Can you help me master my wind magic? You write down, showing Noi.

Noi only seems to grin smugly at this. He opens his mouth to speak, but a loud crash in the distance cuts him off. One by one, the golem's heads turn, eyes narrowing red before they run in the direction of the sound like a horde of wasps. You watch Noi's ears flicker, swiveling around like radio receivers.

His eyes narrow too.

"What was that?" Elliot questions, looking up from his brooch.

"Company. And my golems don't like them." Noi sneers, suddenly flying himself over towards the noise, but only briefly before jogging the rest of the way.

You and Elliot look at each other, uncertainty shared between you two. You take his hand, both of you running after.

Just how chaotic was today going to be?