Hey everyone! I back again with some more funny shenanigans with our good pals Lerson and Silversmith. Thank you all for the great feedback for the last chapter, it really made my day. I'm excited to hear what you all think about this next one. Hope you all enjoy!
And again a special thanks to SpacePaladin15 for the NoP universe! __________
[First] [Next] __________
Memory Transcription Subject: Lerson, Undercover Farsul Date [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136
How did I get here? Just yesterday I was running for my life through the forest on this backwater planet and now I am sitting in the back of a vehicle with a predator, who thinks that I am some kind of hunting beast. Well… what do I do now?
The first part of my plan went off without a hitch. The simple minded predators had not realized I was not one of their slave beasts, so they released me from their holding pens. However, I am now trapped in a car right alongside my new predatory master.
Maybe I could try to take it down. It doesn’t seem particularly dexterous at least compared to the other predators I have seen. It is not looking at me now, so I would have the upper hand, but it is nearly twice my size. I will probably have to hold out for a little bit longer before I make my move.
I am suddenly pulled from my thoughts when the predator in the front seat begins to growl, “Car, can you bring me to the pet store, please?”
‘Pet Store,’ what is that? My translator says that it is a place for the sale of animals. Is it going to sell me already? Maybe I am just being sent to my new prison. My heart races as I watch the vehicle begin to slow down and come to a stop in front of the building. The elderly predator gets out of the vehicle and walks around to the door next to me. Oh no! This isn’t part of the plan. I thought I was finally out of that place, but now I am just about to get locked up again. The door opens.
“Okay bud, we’re gonna get you some things,” it said. Huh. I am not getting sold? The predator grabbed the end of the rope around my neck and beckoned me out of the vehicle. I chose to oblige and we slowly made our way towards the nearby building.
It was a small structure that looked like it was in disrepair. It makes sense that the predators would not upkeep their buildings all they care about is killing and eating. I was surprised to find that they even have buildings to begin with.
The old one pushed the door open, which produced a soft jingle as we walked in. First thing I noticed was the intense smell. It was almost overwhelming with how many different scents there were. Looking around the aisles of the shop were very narrow and the shelves were packed with different items. “Um, so the lady at the shelter suggested that I get food, bowls, a bed, and… I don’t really remember what else. That’s probably fine to begin with, we can always come back later.”
We walked down one of the narrow aisles, which had dozens of bags of ‘kibble.’ My translator says it is “ground meal shaped into pellets, especially for pet food.” That does not sound very appetizing. The predator stops and starts looking through the different options. I also start to look around. The bag nearest to me has an ingredients list. Luckily I opted for the built in visual translator. Scanning the ingredients it contains mostly different grains and other fillers, which is surprising from predator food, but it also lists ‘animal byproducts’ which sounds horrifying. I guess whatever the Terrans do not end up eating gets tossed to the lesser predators.
“Let’s get this one. It says it’s for ‘senior’ dogs. Ha! That’s something we’ve go in common”
Really?! Do I look that old to everyone? By the Tenants, maybe I need to dye my fur after I get out of this mess. We continued going around the store picking up items until we got to the counter near the front.
Speaking to the predator behind the counter my ‘master’ says, “Good afternoon Bobby. How’s everything going?”
The young predator behind the counter responds, “Not too great, Mr. Silversmith.”
“Oh. I spose that was a bad question to ask, sorry.”
“It's okay sir, there is just a lot going on. I’m glad that my parents and I are all fine, being out here in the country, but my brother works in the city and we still don’t know if he’s alright.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope for the best.”
“Thank you. Now what can I do for you?”
“Oh I’m just buying some supplies for old Buddy over here,” he gestures down to me.
The clerk looks over the counter towards me, “Uh… Mr. Silversmith…” The old predator cuts him off, “I know he aint the best lookin’, but can’t say much about myself either, so I don’t need to hear it.”
“Sure… Well… let me ring that all up for you then.”
Spekh! That one has to know, right? Perhaps these predators are not as dense as I thought and the one I got is just really stupid. Well at least that helps my plan, but I will still have to be careful around other Terrans.
The old one finishes paying and we head back down to the vehicle and it drives off. After about [~34 minutes] we reach what I think is the elderly predator's den.
It is at the end of a very long dirt roadway, tucked among the trees, that I see the structure. Just like the pet shop it is a small building made out of simple materials like wood and stone. I suppose the predators really are as primitive as I thought.
The vehicle comes to a halt next to the building and the old one steps out. After he opens my door, I step out of the vehicle as well. I follow him to the entrance of the den, which is a simple wooden door painted bright red. And if I remember correctly that is the color of blood on this planet. So savage!
Upon entering, the interior looks very similar to the outside with wood adorning the walls and floors. Though I was surprised how similar the layout was to the living quarters back at the guild. The room at the entrance looked to be some kind of lounging room with a small couch and rug in the center of the room facing a screen mounted on the opposite wall. To the left of the door was what I could only assume was a kitchen with storage cabinets covering the walls.
The elderly predator returned to the car to retrieve the items it purchased at the ‘pet shop,’ which makes this the best time to do some sleuthing. I made my way past the lounge room into the depths of the den. Past the entrance room was a hallway leading further back. It was adorned with photographs filled with predatory snarls. I did my best to ignore them and worked my way further down the hall.
Up ahead there was a door and upon opening it I found a room which, by the smell of it, must be a lavatory. That really reminded me that I had to go to the bathroom. My cell did not even have a waste pit. I made my way quickly into the room and relieved myself with haste. Once I finished I thought about flushing the ‘evidence,’ but that’s when I heard the front door open again, so I was forced to hurry out of the room.
“Hey Bud! Where did you go?” it growled from the other room. I made my way back to the entrance as quickly as I could manage on all fours. “There you are. So do you like the place?” the predator asked. I did not respond and just looked towards it. “Ha ha, great!” it growled. I did not say anything?
“So I got your food and water bowls over here. Let me go fill them up. You’ve gotta be hungry.”
It walked over to the kitchen with the bowls in hand and filled one with water from the sink. The other bowl, the predator filled with the ‘kibble’ from earlier. Then it placed them both on the floor. It looks like the food situation might not be any better than my previous arrangement at the holding pen.
“Well, I spose I should eat dinner as well.”
It opened the large metal cabinet and began looking through it. I snuck a little closer to get a better look. When I approached I could feel the chill coming off of it, so I could assume that it was some kind of refrigerators unit. Must not be that primitive I suppose. After a bit of scrounging around the refrigerator, the elderly one pulled out a clear plastic container. It was green on the inside. Is it really going to eat rotten flesh!? I guess that is expected of a predator.
As it opened the container I braced my nose for the putrid smell of rotten flesh, but it never came. I watched as the predator poured out leafy greens into a bowl. Huh, a predator is eating plants?
Wait, I do remember that during the Terran’s deceptive talk at Aafa, they had said they were [all-eaters]. I guess that must be true. Watching it eat the greens is making me even hungrier than I was before.
I watched as the elderly predator finished its salad. It brought the bowl and utensils to the sink to begin washing them. I waited in the corner of the kitchen for him to finish and leave. My stomach was killing me and I could only think of the amazing taste of a crisp salad. Finally the predator finished his task and turned away from the sink. It looked towards me and then at the bowls on the floor. “Aren’t you hungry boy? You haven’t touched your food at all… I hope you’re alright. Maybe I need to take you to the vet tomorrow?”
Vet? My translator says that that means ‘animal doctor.’ Even though the average human is pretty oblivious, a doctor will be sure to realize that I’m not really a ‘dog.’ I can not let this Terran take me there. I know what I have to do, but I do not like it. I steel myself as I walk over to the bowl and stare down at its contents. Am I really going to do this? You have to! So, I lower my head and bite down on a mouthful of ‘kibble.’
It… is not that bad? I honestly expected worse.
I suppress the thoughts of the ‘animal byproducts’ in it and swallow. Immediately I wash out my mouth with the water in the second bowl. Then I turn to look at the human who is now snarling at me. I freeze. Did I do something wrong? Did it figure me out?!
“There you go. Ha ha. I was worried for a second there.”
What? Is it happy that I ate? Then why is it snarling at me? Maybe maybe that means that it is happy? These predators are so weird. At least it seems like I have avoided detection once again. Nailed it!
The old predator, having been satisfied, let out a yawn revealing all its sharp teeth… well… most of them were surprisingly quite dull. “Okay bud it's getting late, so I think it's time for me to turn in, but let me get you your bed first,” it said. Reaching into the biggest bag from the pet shop the elderly predator pulled out a round fluffy bowl. It looks similar to beds I saw when working on the Iftali and Sulean homeworld, though this one is a lot smaller. It placed the bed down in the living room next to the couch.
It paused, “Oh wait. I should probably take you outside before turning in for the night. Don’t want a mess in the morning, come on.”
I follow the predator as instructed, wondering what it wants me to do now. It leads me out a side door into a grassy area. “Okay… do your business,” it said.
What? Does it want me to do something? I just look around seeing if there's anything to give me any clues.
“I guess that didn’t work. Go potty.”
What?! Is it commanding me to defecate?! Outside! I guess he does think I am an animal. But there is no way I am doing that especially with it watching me. Why is it watching? Is it some kind of pervert? Grr, Screw the plan!
“Okay… uh… I guess come back in when you’re done,” it says as it turns to walk back to the house.
Thank the Tenants! I wait [a few minutes] and then slip back into the predator’s den. On my return it spots me, “Oh good you’re back!”
It walked over to the side door and locked it. Then the predator shuffled to wall switches and turned off most of the lights. Thankfully it left a singular lamp turned on. It is already bad enough that I am stuck in a predator's den, but being in the dark with a predator would be too much even for me.
“Okay goodnight bud, see you in the morning,” said the old one. Then right as it entered the hall it stopped and looked down at a nearby table, “Good night Ella. Good night Ben. Good night Martha.” Then it walked out of sight.
Who was he talking to? Are there other predators here? I don’t smell anyone else and I think I would have heard them earlier. Spekh! Did I get a crazy one?
Okay craziness aside, I need to eat some real food. I finally stood upright. Ah my back! It was already getting bad enough when I was back home. Hopefully I can get used to this because walking on all fours is killing me right now.
I walk over to the refrigeration unit and slowly open the doors trying to stay quiet. Looking around the inside I am surprised to find so many vegetables. However, I did spot a slab of flesh towards the back, which I did my best to ignore.
Now, I can not just eat anything, it might notice if food is missing. Scrounging around for a [minute] my eyes eventually find a plant in one of the lower drawers. It looks like a big bundle of large leaves. I take it out and pry off one of the ones on the outside. It comes off relatively easily with a crunch. Hopefully this is edible. I bring the leaf to my mouth and bite down. It makes a very satisfying crunch as a do. There really is no distinct taste, but I am so hungry that I don’t even care if it is bland.
I scarfed down the rest of the leaf quickly and then grabbed another and then another. Before I knew it, the bundle was only a third of the original size. So much for being sneaky. Finally satisfied, I returned what remained of the bundle to its proper place and closed the refrigerator doors.
After finishing my raid on the refrigerators, I thought about what the old predator had said earlier. I walked over to the table near the entrance to the hallway. There must be something interesting here. However, there was nothing but a handful of photographs. Looking at them in the dim light I was able to make out the wide snarls that adorned the faces in the photo. I guess It makes more sense now since the snarl is a ‘happy’ expression. It is still very strange to me.
The photo closest to the front had the old predator standing next to a much younger predator, which appeared to be wearing Terran military pelts. Strangely, the young one has very bright orange hair on the top of its head.
Next to that one there was a similar photo, but the old predator looked slightly younger. The other Terran in the photo looked similar to the first. They did share the same bright orange hair, but the enlarged mammaries indicated that this one was a female.
I then spotted another picture including the same female, but this time she was next to a different predator and she was holding a Terran pup, which had the same orange hair. Perhaps the female was the mother of the other one. Most of the other photos appeared to be different combinations of the same four predators: the old one, his offspring, his offspring’s mate, and then their pup.
I moved over to the other side to see if I could find anything more useful. There was a photo that stood out to me. It pictured the old one, but he looked significantly younger even more than the other photos. Standing next to him was a female, which had the same orange hair as the others. Who was this? I had not seen it in any of the other pictures.
I searched around to see if I could find any more with this female in it. Towards the back I saw two pictures next to each other. The one on the left had the female again with the old predator. Laying in a bed she was cradling a newborn pup in her arms. However, the photo on the right was the old one with the pup in its arms. The pup appeared to be a year or two older in this one, but where was the mother? Looking at the older predator I saw the look in his eyes. I know that look. Cerci…
No! They are predators! They are not like us! You know they can not think like us! It's not the same!
Grr, you are tired… just… just go rest. I walk over to the bed. I curl up and try to let sleep take me. __________
[First] [Next] __________
So much for being comedic and lighthearted. I promise that the rest of it won't be so depressing, but I wanted to add a little more substance to some of the characters. Thanks again for reading! Feel free to leave any feedback or suggestions, I really appreciate it.

Since after World War II, linguists, due to lack of interest in Kurdish studies, have often neglected the pre-Iranic substratum in Kurdish and focused merely on the Irano-Kurdish layer. Of the Urartian language is not much known either (about 300 words), however, a strong majority of its known words have a identical or at least close equivalent in Kurdish. Urartian though closely related to Hurrian, sound more similar to Kurdish than does Hurrian; this may depend on the fact that Hurrian was spoken at an earlier time period. Mannaean was another Hurro-Urartian-related dialect spoken south of lake Urmia.
It is also worth noting that Armenian scholars have found a few Urartian words in Armenian, which appear to be borrowings via Kurdish.
Urartian: Ale (he says) Kurdish: Ale ئەڵێ (he says)
Urartian: Shuri (sword) Kurdish: Shur شوور (sword) Armenian: Sowr
Urartian: Kuri (foot, leg) Kurdish: Qul قول (foot, leg)
Urartian: xur (deep) Kurdish: xuqul/kur خووڕ/قوول/کوور (deep),
Hurrian: agul (carve) Kurdish: 'kol-[în]' کۆڵین : (to digg), kêla: (plow)
Urartian: shini (you, plural) Kurdish: hin هین/هون (you, plural, cf. sh>h a regular sound change in Kurdish)
Urartian: apa (he/she/it) Kurdish: awa, aw/ava, av cf. Kurdish p>w and p>v ئەوە (he/she/it)
Urartian: Sale (kid) Kurdish: Zaro زارۆ (kid) Armenian: jar (he-goat)
Urartian: tali (stick) Kurdish: têla (stick, cf. Kurdish a>ê)
10) Urartian: papi/bab/babani (mountain top) Kurdish: pope پۆپە (head)/ bani بانی (mountain top)
Urartian: qal/kar (kill/slay, subjugate) Kurdish: qir قڕ (kill, slay, cf Kurdish a>i)
Hurrian: shur (war) Kurdish: sher شەڕ (war)
Urartian: bidia (turn) Kurdish: bada-n بادان (turn)
Urartian: da (give) Kurdish: da, دا (give, Iranic and other IE languages have a similar lexeme)
Urartian: xus/hush (throw) Kurdish: xis-[tin]/hawish-[tin] خستن/هاویشتن (throw, cf Kurdish u>i)
Urartian: karbe (rock, stone) Kurdish: karra کەڕا (rock, stone) Armenian: qar (rock, stone)
Urartian: quira (earth, dust) Kurdish: qur, xol قوڕ/خۆڵ (earth, dust)
Hurrian: arte (earth, soil) Kurdish: ard ئەرد/هەرد (earth, soil, cf Kurdish rt > rd)
Urartian: $erab (dry) Kurdish: chora چۆڕا (dry) Armenian: caraw (dry)
20) Urartian: eue (and) Kurdish: u ئوو (and) but see even Iranic ''ut''
Urartian: tur ( to leave) Kurdish: tor-[an], تۆران to leave
Urartian: ul (to go) Kurdish: lu-wan لوان (to go)
Urartian: ulhu (order) Kurdish: ol ئۆل (religion)
Urartian: bura (slave, servant) Kurdish: bora بۆرە (commoner, low-class)
Urartian: xarxar (destroy) Kurdish: xirxal خرخاڵ (destroyed)
Urartian: ale (but) Kurdish: lê لێ (but)
Urartian: duli (grape) Kurdish: trê, tirî ترێ (grape, cf. l>r and u>i) Armenian: toli (grape)
Urartian: kapi (capacity measure) Kurdish: kap/qap کاپ/قاپ (capacity measure)
Urartian: nah (to bring) Kurdish: hên-an/han-în هانین/هێنان (to bring)
30) Urartian: pare (toward) Kurdish: pîr پیر (toward),
Urartian: pile (water canal) Kurdish: pil-û-sk پلووسک (rain canal)
Urartian: tan (lay down) Kurdish: dan-[an] دانان (lay down)
Hurrian: id- (hit, strike) Kurdish: -d- (hit strike); ([lê] d-[an])
Urartian: teq- (to thump, to break) Kurdish: teq-[în] تەقین (to thump, to break)
Urartian: uzgi (power, strength) Kurdish: wuze وزە (power, strength, cf. Kurdish u- > w-)
Urartian: mari (lord, horseman) Kurdish: mir میر (lord, compare also with the Semitic ''Amir'')
Urartian: shu/shia (to go) Kurdish: chu, چوو (to go, cf. also Iranic ''shiyaw'')
Urartian: euri (lord) Kurdish: hêwir هێور (brave)
Urartian: xarari (calm) Kurdish: oqre ئۆقرە (calm), Armenian:
40) Urartian: zar (orchard) Kurdish: zar زار (orchard) Armenian: car (tree)
Urartian: ur (to place down) Kurdish: wer-[in], وەرین (to place down, cf. Kurdish u-> w- )
Urartian: wal, (to win) Kurdish: wêr-an وێران (to dare)
Urartian: zelbi (descendant) Kurdish: zol زۆڵ (bastard)
Urartian: zeld, (to shatter the enemies) Kurdish: zal زاڵ (to shatter the enemies)
Urartian: qarqar (throat) Kurdish: qurg قورگ (throat, compare also with the Irano-Kurdish garû, and Persian galu, there is also another word in Kurdish: qurquroska)
Hurrian: kut/kud (to make fall, to kill) Urartian: qot (piece) Kurdish: kut کوت (piece), kut-a کوتان (to smash), kud (to kill)
Urartian: xubi (valley) Kurdish: qopi قۆپی (valley, vale, plain)
Urartian: xare (to march, to raid) Kurdish: xar غار (to march, to raid)
Hurrian: Hiuri (smoke) Kurdish: Hulm هوڵم (steam)
50) Urartian: $ue (river, lake) Kurdish: chom/gom چۆم/گۆم (rive lake) Armenian: cov (lake)
Hurrian: tiv (word) Urartian: tiw (to speak) Kurdish: diw-an دوان (to speak)
Urartian: abeli/aweli (attach, increase) Kurdish: awale/awela ئاواڵە/ئاوەڵا (open)
Urartian: an, (no) Kurdish: na, نا (no; there is also a similar equivalent in Iranic)
Urartian: ari-beri Kurdish: birin برن (to carry, there is also a similar equivalent in Iranic)
Urartian: ewani/ebani (land) Kurdish: -wan وان (suffix used after place-names)
Urartian: kulune (side) Kurdish: qulin-chk قولینچک/ qurne قوڕنە (side, corner) Armenian: koln
Urartian: man (to stay) Kurdish: man مان (to stay), (resembles even Iranic, cf. New Persian ''mandan'')
Urartian: mana Urartian: me (prohibitive particle) Kurdish: me مە (prohibitive particle)
60) Urartian: pahi (cattle) Hurrian: pedari (cattle) Kassite: badar (bull, cattle) Kurdish: patal پاتاڵ (cattle) Armenian: paxre
Urartian: par, to take off Kurdish: pirr [-dan] پڕ (to take off, cf. Kurdish a>i)
Urartian: kamn (old, earlier) Kurdish: kavn/kawn کەڤن/کەون (old, cf. m>v but also Iranic ''kohan'' which has led to Kurdish ''kon'')
Urartian: pe? (under) Kurdish: pe? پێ (under, foot, cf. even Iranic pey)
Urartian: shid (build) Kurdish: chê-[kirin], چێ (build cf, kurdish d>nil)
Hurrian: awari Kurdish: awari ئەواری (land, country, field, cf. kurdawari, کوردەواری / warê me وارێ مە) (Armenian agarak has been suggested as an Armenian loan from 'awari'. Kurdish has even 'garak' with the same meaning). Urartian: ur (territory)
Urartian: qapqari Kurdish: gamaro (p>w>m cf Kurdish ziman Urartian: sher (hide) Kurdish: sheshar شێر/وەشارتن (hide)
Urartian: quldi (uninhabited) Kurdish: kawil (کاول) (annihilate,destruction)
Urartian: ar- (give) Kurdish: ar- (give, dialectal as in Slêmanî, for example: ''bi-ar-ê'': بیەرێ ''give him'')
70) Urartian: ture (destroy) Kurdish: ture تووڕە (angry)
Urartian: aba (desire) Kurdish: awat ئاوات (desire), aw-in ئەوین (to love)
Urartian: ada (again) Kurdish: idi ئیدی (another, anymore)
Urartian: shal-i (year) Kurdish: sal ساڵ (year, but Iranian ''sard'', New Persian has also ''sal'') Armenian: tari
Urartian: šeh-i/eri/e, living Kurdish: zhiyar ژیار (living)
Urartian: arnu-ia (come to the aid of) Kurdish: hana هانا (come to the aid of, cf Kurdish a- >ha- )
Urartian: lak- (to destroy) Kurdish: Rûx-[an] رووخان (to destroy)
Urartian: 'are (granary) Kurdish: harr هاڕ (granary, cf Kurdish ha-<-a, notice 'zimharr' زمهاڕ, meaning 'winter granary')
Urartian: ieshti (here) Kurdish: hêsthte هێشتە (now)
Urartian: meshe (part, tribute, share) Kurdish: mûche مووچە (part, tribute, share)
80) Urartian: pi$ushe (joy) Kurdish: pishû پشوو (holyday, vacation)
Hurrian: sheshe (six) Kurdish: shesh شەش (six, but it is the same even in Iranic)
Urartian: izidu (admonish, command) Kurdish: ezidi ئێزیدی (name of a native religion in Kurdistan)
urartian: yarani (kind of cultic building, altar) Kurdish: yari یاری (name of a native religion in Kurdistan)
Urartian: aleu (dignity) Kurdish: alewi ئالەوی (name of a native religion in Kurdistan)
Urartian and Hurrian: /-i/, /-iye/ (his, her, its) Kurdish: /-i/, /-y/ ی (his, her, its)
Hurrian: /-v/ (your) Kurdish: /-w/ و (your)
Urartian: ushanu (award, bestow, feel affection for ) Kurdish: wuchan وچان (rest, reprieve)
Urartian: napahia (submission, bondage, domestication) Kurdish: nawi نەوی (low, a low level, position or degree), (p>w)
Urartian: tur (defeat, destroy) Kurdish: dor- دۆڕ (defeat)
90) Urartian: sal-zi (steep, abrupt) Kurdish: sila سڵا (height)
Urartian: sil-e (woman, doughter) Kurdish: selar سەلار (mistress of the house, beautiful woman) (note ''Selardi'', a lunar goddess of Urartu)
Urartian: lutu (woman) Kurdish: lute لووتە (quoquettish woman)
Urartian: uldie (vineyard) Kurdish: lote لۆتە (grapes hanged in order to be sun dried in a vineyard)
Urartian: nikidu (water) Kurdish: niqdo/niqût نقووت/نقدۆ (water infiltration, water dropping, water penetration), (plus some other cognates of the word)
Urartian: kan/kain (in front of) Kurdish: kin کن (in front of, near) (but cf. also Iranic ''kenar'')
Urartian: haš-ia: (be interested in) Kurdish: haz حەز (be interested in, love, like)
Urartian: d-u-: (do, cause to do) Kurdish: da/di: ده/د (do, cause to do, used as a preffix for verbs)
Urartian: shalur (medlar) Kurdish: shalor شەلۆر (nectarine) Armenian: salor (plum) (clearly borrowed via Kurdish)
Urartian: mure (house) Kurdish: mal ماڵ (house)
100) Urartian: urishi (weapon) Kurdish: hereshe هەڕەشە (threat), /(there is also ''huruzhim'': هوروژم attack)
Hurrian: shini (two) Kurdish: shingil شنگڵ (twin, twin fruit)
Urartian: egur-hu (free) Kurdish: xorayi خۆرایی (free)
Urartian: bad-gul (surround) Kurdish: bawe-xulê باوەخولێ (turn around, also a kids game)
Urartian: aish-ti (leap, jump) Kurdish: hej-an هەژان (quake)
Urartian: ibirani (whole, complete, full) Kurdish: pirani پڕانی (majority)
Hurrian: hinzur (apple? pear?) Kurdish: hencor هەنجۆر (unripe melon)
Urartian: kut-u (reach) Kurdish: (geh<*ged) گەهشتن/گەیشتن (reach)
Urartian: ai/ay: (look, take care) Kurdish: aw-ir ئاوڕ (look)
Urartian: di/erasia (fear) Kurdish: tirs ترس (fear, but cf. also Iranic ''tars'')
110) Urartian: Ti/er-usi, measure for liquid Kurdish: Telîs?تەلیس measure of unit
Hurrian: ben Kassite: ban Kurdish: minal مناڵ (child)
Kassite: nadz (shade) Kurdish: nisê نسێ (shade)
Kassite: ulam (son, child) Urartian: alaue (man) Kurdish: law لاو (young boy)
Hurrian: çugi Kassite: tsugi Kurdish: chuk چووک (small)
Hurrian: ewri (dog) Kurdish wer-în وەرین (barking of dog)
Hurrian: shiye (watery) Kurdish: she شە (moisture)
Urartian: zainua (high) Kurdish: zinar زنار (high cliff, high boulder)
Hurrian: shalmi (ashes, to burn) Kurdish zhilemo ژیلەمۆ (burning ashes)
Urartian: amash (burnt) Kurdish mêsh مێش (burnt ashes) (cf. ê 120) Hurrian: puhi (nose) Kurdish: (kepû) کەپۆ (nose)
Urartian: shepuiaru (spoil) Kurdish: sheprêwشپڕێو (disorderly)
Urartian: mesh- (distribute, share) Kurdish: wesh-[an] وەشان (distribute, share)
Urartian: teribi (monument) Kurdish: tirb ترب (monument, grave) (not be confused with Arabic 'turbat': soil)
Hurrian: fur-i (viw) Urartian: wur-i (view) Kurdish: wuria وریا (viewer, careful), awur ئاووڕ (sight), (even the Kurdish verb ''ruwan''-[in] (view) is likely connected to the Urartian ''wur'', rarther than being a metathesis for Iranic ''negar'')
Hurrian: halv- (enclose) Kurdish: hal- هاڵ (enclose)
Urartian: kul-me (wealth, prosperity) Kurdish: kel-k کەڵک (profitable, usefulness)
Hurrian: pâl (false) Kurdish: fêl فێڵ (fraud)
Hurrian: tapsh- (destroy) Kurdish: tawjm تەوژم (pressure), tapi (destroy)
Hurrian: apxe (louse) Kurdish: aspe ئەسپێ (louse)
130) Hurrian: kapp- (fill) Kurdish: kipp کپ (filled)
Hurrian: azhoge (meal) Kurdish: azhge/zig (stomach)
Hurrian: kul- (to speak) Kurdish: qul- قوول (to speak aloud)
Hurrian: timeri (black) Kurdish: tem تەم (darkness)
Urartian: tara-gie (powerful, strong) Kurdish: daraqat دەرەقەت (to be powerful, to be strong)
Urartian: tam-hu (eliminate separate) Kurdish: toq-[andin] Urartian: shi-u (carry away) Kurdish: shi-[andin] (send)
Urartian: anda-ni (right) Kurdish: and ئاند (right)
Urartian: irb-u (take away grab) Kurdish: rev-[andin]/rif-[andin] (take away, grab) (but cf. also Iranian 'robudan', take away, grab)
Urartian: pit- (beat apart, destroy) Kurdish: pis-/pichr- (beat apart, destroy)
140) Urartian: tishni (heart) Kurdish: dine دنە (encourage) (cf. t > d & sh > nil)
Urartian: ti-ni (name) Kurdish: deng دەنگ (voice)
Urartian: bauše (word) Kurdish: wuše وشە (word)
Urartian: durba (revolt, rebel) Kurdish: tola (revenge)
Urartian: hut-ia (to ask) Kurdish: qut-abî (student)
Hurrian: fir (remove, untie) Kurdish: fir, firê (throw)
Hurrian: halme (singing) Kurdish: hore هۆرە (singing)
Hurrian: havur (heaven) Kurdish: hawr (cloud), (note also Indo-Iranic abra)
Urartian: agu (lead away) (of IE origin?) Kurdish: ajo-[tin] ئاژۆتن (lead away, drive)
Hurrian: asti (woman) Kurdish: astê (name of a beloved woman in Kurdish folklore)
150) Hurrian: tav/(-b) (to cast metal) Kurdish: taw (thaw, melt)
Hurrian: ai (if) Kurdish: ai (if)
Hurrian: alilan (lament) Kurdish: lalan (lament)
Hurrian: çabalgi (fault) Kurdish: çapal چەپەڵ (dirty)
Hurrian: xiyari (all) Kurdish: xir (all)
Hurrian: çere (donkey) Kurdish: ker (donkey)
Hurrian: çik- (break) Kurdish: shik- (break)
Hurrian: xîri (hour, time, moment) Kurdish: xêra خێرا (soon, hurry)
Hurrian: xizli (coiled) Kurdish: cexiz جەخز(coiled)
Hurrian: xub- (to break, to destroy) Kurdish: qup- (to break, to destroy)
160) Hurrian: istani (between, among) Kurdish: astang ئاستەنگ (obstacle)
Hurrian: izikun- (to wail) Kurdish: zikan- (to wail)
Hurrian: kakari (sort of ritual bread) Kurdish: kullêre, kellane (sort of ritual bread)
Hurrian: magunni (desire) Kurdish: magirani (desire)
‌Hurrian: shakari or sagari (sprout, bud) Kurdish: chakara چەکەرە (sprout, bud)
Hurrian: arushal (hurry) Kurdish: halasha هەڵەشە (stressful)
Hurrian: heni (now) Kurdish: henu-ke, niha, neha (now)
Hurrian: parili (crime) Kurdish: palamar پەلامار (attack)
Hurrian: adi (thus) Kurdish: dai (thus)
Hurrian: ak-i/u (other) Kurdish: -ka (other)
170) Hurrian: we (thou) Kurdish: ê-we (you)
Hurrian: buru (strong) Kurdish: wure ورە (strength)
Hurrian: çam (rip) Kurdish çam (bend)
Hurrian: zurgi (blood) Kurdish: zûx (blood), (compare, xwênaw=zûxaw)
Hurrian: xahli (cheek) Kurdish: kulm (cheek)
Hurrian: halwu (fence made with stones) Kurdish: hêl هێڵ (fence)
Hurrian: xawirni (lamb) Kurdish kawir کاوڕ (young sheep)
Hurrian: xamaz- (oppress) Kurdish chaws- (oppress)
Hurrian: hendz (constrain) Kurdish: hêndj (constrain)
Hurrian: xerari (sinew) Kurdish: kiroje (sinew)
180) Hurrian: xeshmi (bright) Kurdish: gesh (bright)
Hurrian: kalgi (weak) Kurdish qals/qirj (weak)
Hurrian: nali (deer) Kurdish: nêrî (male adult goat)
Hurrian: nawn- (pasture) Kurdish: naw- (pasture)
Hurrian: ul- (to, eat, to devour) Kurdish: lawar( la-war-) (to devour)
Hurrian: ubi (stupid, insane) Kurdish: hapa (stupid, insane)
Hurrian: ashxu (high) Kurdish: shax (mountain), also 'asê' means: uppward, high.
Hurrian: kaziari (high mountains of the Mesopotamian valley) Kurdish: kazh (high mountain)
Hurrian: kewiranna (the senate, the old men) Kurdish: gewran (the big ones, the adult ones)
Hurrian: kuzh- (to keep, to retain) Kurdish: kush- (to hold in hands, to press in hands), alt: Kurdish qoz- (to catch)
190) Hurrian: nekri ( Hurrian: shalhi (to listen) Kurdish: shil (listen)
Hurrian: siba (dry) Kurdish: zuwa زوا (dry)
Urartian: dibi (building, room) Kurdish: diw دیو (room)
Hurrian: shu (day) Kurdish: shawa-ki (morning, day)
Hurrian: shirat (narrate) Kurdish: shirove (narrate)
Hurrian: tishan (very much) Kurdish: tizha تژە (full)
Urartian: sutug (tear away, unjoin) Kurdish: shetek (knot)
Urartian: gey (anything) Kurdish gi گ (anything)
Hurrian: baz (enter) Kurdish: baz (pass by)
200) Hurrian: xeban-: (to set moving) Kurdish: xebi- خەبتین (to be active)
Hurrian: hamadz-: (to oppress) Kurdish: chaws- (to oppress)
Hurrian: haz- (to hear) Kurdish: bihiz-: (to hear)
Hurrian: xaz (to oil) Kurdish: xiz (oily, slippery)
Hurrian: pas- (to send somebody) Kurdish: pas- (to send, as in 'hal pasardin': 'to send into exile')
‌Hurrian: shagari (ram) Kurdish: shak (young sheep)
Hurrian: pal (know, understand) Kurdish: fêr (learn)
Urartian: -kai (position, in place) Kurdish: -ka (location suffix)
Urartian: muš- (true, fair) Kurdish: mušur موشوور (fairness)
Hurrian: abi (in front of) Kurdish: ba (in front of, near)
210) Hurrian: shimi (sun) Kurdish: shem (sun) (focilized in shemshemekwere, ''blind for the sun'': ''bat''.
Urartian: derzu/derju (order, arrangement) Kurdish: darêj- (order, arrangement)
Urartian: tep- (throw down) Kurdish: tep- (throw down)
Urartian: atqan: (to consecrate) Kurdish: tarxân (to consecrate)
Urartian: shuki (as) Kurdish: waki < hoki Hurrian: hur (drink) Urartian: xurishe (irrigator) Kurdish: qurishke قوریشکە (cup)
Urartian: ulx (flow out) Kurdish: bilqبڵق (b Urartian: alga-ni (mountain) Kurdish: Lêj لێژ (abrupt, steep)
Urartian: auiei (somewher) Kurdish: awê ئەوێ (there)
Urartian: puluse (inscription, stele) Kurdish: psule (voucher, receipt)
220) Urartian: niribe (herd) Kurdish: ran (herd)
Urartian: iese/ieshe? (I, pronoun) Kurdish: ez ئەز (I, resembles also the old Iranian 'azm', but which one is 'az' actually derives of? Armenians claim Armenian 'yes' (I) is derived of Ur. 'iese
Urartian: armuzi (family, clan, generation) Kurdish: hoz هۆز (clan) + rama (seed, from to-rama)
Hurrian: hemz (surround) Kurdish: amêz, hembêz ئامیز (hug)
Urartian: zani (cry out) Kurdish: zhan, jan, ژان (agony)
Hurrian: karshi (lips) Kurdish: kalpa کەڵپە (animal lips)
Hurrian: wirwir (loosen) Kurdish: wilwil ولوڵ (loosen)
Kassite: ash (earth, soil) Hurrian: esh (earth, soil) Kurdish: ax ئاخ (earth, soil)
Urartian: qarmexî (gift, present, sacrifice, celebration) Kurdish: qelin قەلین (gift, dowry)
Urartian: -atuhi (-ness) Kurdish: -ati (-ness)
230) Urartian: aman- (vessel, pot) Kurdish: aman- ئامان (vessel, pot)
God of lightning and storm Hurrian: Teshup Urartian: Tesheba Kassite: Tishpak Kurdish: Tishk تیشک (light, radiance)
Hurrian: shu (hand) Kurdish: shop (hand palm)
Hurrian: chilman- (to break, vanish) Kurdish: chilmis- (fade)
Urartian: shur (wall around a castle, fence, borders of the kingdom) Kurdish: shure (wall around a castle, fence)
Hurrian: xalwu (fence made with stones) Kurdish: xal خەڵ (fence made with stones)
Hurrian: ya/ye (who, which, what) Kurdish: ya/ye (who, which, what)
Hurrian: tun- (to win) Kurdish: tuna توونا (defeated, destroyed)
Hurrian: taridi (pot) Kurdish: tirar (pot)
Hurrian: kol (let off) Kurdish: kol (let off) (as in ''le kol bunewe'')
240) Hurrian:shir (to be suffiecent) Kurdish: têr (to be suffiecent)
Hurrian: ha (take) Kurdish: ha
Hurrian: tijari (spindle) Kurdish: teshi (spindle)
Hurrian: ábri (stock of wood-logs) Kurdish: awirdu (stock of wood-logs), awirig (oven)
Hurrian: baq- (destroy) Kurdish: baq- بەقین (explode)
Hurrian: bashi (mouth)Armenianlake Urmia Kurdish: bêj (to say), (common a>ê)
Hurrian: pashixi (message) Kurdish: pazhux (answer)
Hurrian: tad- (love) Kurdish: dalal (beloved) (common d>l)
Hurrian: tagi (beatiful) Urartian: taugi (clean) Kurdish: daq دەق (cheerful)
Hurrian: hild-/held- (high, raise, elevate) Kurdish: hild-/held- هەڵدان/هڵدان (rasie, elevate)
250) ‌Hurrian: kabli (copper) Kurdish: paqir پاقڕ (copper)
Kassite: kukla (slave) Kurdish: kukla (doll), kukm (homeless)
Hurrian: kumdi (tower) Kurdish: kumadj کۆماج (column)
Hurrian: kubakhi (hood) Kurdish: kumik (hood)
Urartian: korde (uncultivated, desolate) Kurdish: kode (uncultivated, desolate)
Hurrian: kundzi (to kneel) Kurdish: kudik (knee)
Hurrian: Xiríti (trench) Kurdish: Xir (trench)

{Shared early on Patreon}
~~~
There’s a poster I saw once, back on Earth, that had a silhouette of a bear with deer antlers, and it was labeled “Beer.” I had forgotten about it completely until I met our newest client, who by that logic was definitely a beer.
I’d already done my part of the interaction by carrying out one of the heavier boxes, so while the captain went over the delivery fees with her, I was free to stare politely and decide which other Earth animals she resembled. (Fur coloring more like a red fox, and semi-upright posture that was less bear and more extinct giant ground sloth.)
I was so focused on watching the client handle the datapad with her giant paws that I completely missed it when the hovercar behind her sprung a fuel leak.
Paint saw it, though. “Oh! Your car!” she yelped, pointing. “I’ll get Mimi!” She was off in a flash of orange scales, back into the ship in search of our mechanic.
The client growled a swear word that didn’t translate, shoved the datapad back at Captain Sunlight, then galloped over to her car. While I expected her to throw open the hood in search of the part that was leaking, she instead made a beeline for the back seat.
When she threw open that door, I saw why.
“Kids! Out of the car! It’s not safe!”
A half dozen bundles of spotted yellow fur tumbled out, making distressed noises that didn’t need translating. They had tiny little antler buds and very big eyes.
Captain Sunlight was busy talking to someone through her communicator, probably Mimi. I stood there uselessly by the packages. What did I know about fuel leaks? Nothing helpful. I knew the puddle was growing by the second, and was probably flammable, but that was about it. And this backwater spaceport barely had an information booth, much less a local response team.
The client ushered her cubs over to where we stood just as Mimi and Paint returned. Blip and Blop followed with a big toolbox carried between them. Mimi was already taking charge and waving tentacles about, talking to the captain about the lack of reliable repair shops this far in the boonies, telling Blip and Blop how best to use their muscles in opening up the engine, and reassuring the customer that this was fine, actually, that model hovercar had a known issue with the fuel lines.
When the client dithered over minding her cubs and being present for the repairs, Captain Sunlight pointed a scaly yellow hand at me. “Our human can keep your little ones entertained. Bring them over here.”
“Uh,” I said.
Captain Sunlight looked up at me, still talking to the client. “She has extensive experience in tending to small furry creatures.”
I wanted to say that veterinarian training and childcare were two very different things, but I wasn’t about to make the captain look bad. And knowing Mimi, this would be quick.
The client said, “Thank you. Kids, you need to stay over here, okay? Next to these boxes, but don’t touch. Listen to the tall one. I’ll be right there helping fix the car.”
The tiny-voiced replies were recognizable words in the most common trade language, though their pronunciation made me clock them at around three or four years old in human years. They were very cute.
And they were suddenly my responsibility, all looking up at me like spotted teddy bears while the rest of the adults fretted about the car.
The questions were immediate.
“What are you?”
“Where’s your fur?”
“Did you lose it because you ate the wrong thing? Mommy says we have to eat our vi’mins so our fur doesn’t fall out.”
“Is this instead of fur?”
I freed the tiny paws tugging at my pants. “I’m not supposed to have fur. I’m a human. And yes, I wear clothes to keep me warm instead.”
“It looks funny.”
“Do you have to brush it?”
“Do you know any games?”
I brightened at that. “Games! Sure, I know some games.” I wracked my brain for something that would keep them entertained without causing new problems. “What kind of games do you like to play?”
They all answered at once in an avalanche of words, bouncing around in excitement, with a couple grabbing each other’s fur to keep from falling over. I couldn’t make out a thing they were saying. But I had the beginning of an idea.
“Do you like dancing in a circle?” I asked.
They had no idea what I was talking about, and possibly no understanding of basic shapes yet. Three of them spun in place while the others waved their arms.
“First you stand in a circle, like this,” I said, sketching out the shape in midair. “Here. You stand here, then you there…” With some gentle nudging — they were so soft — I soon had them arranged in something like a circle. “Now hold hands with the person next to you.”
I was a little concerned that their paws weren’t suited to this, since they had long blunt claws already and didn’t look very dexterous, but they managed. With lots of giggling and hopping in place.
“Now everybody step to the side, in this direction.” I ushered them into a clockwise rotation, nice and slow (and giggling), with no risk of any little fluffy heads bonking onto the spaceship landing pad. It took them a second, then they got the rhythm without tripping over their own feet.
Then they unanimously spun faster, hopping and laughing with squeals and barks that were probably making more than one adult turn to stare. I don’t know; I kept my eyes on the littles. My arms were out and ready in case somebody stumbled and brought the whole circle crashing down.
But no one did. The half dozen youngsters wheeled and spun, bouncing with glee and showing no sign of stopping.
“That’s new,” rumbled a voice behind me. I tried not to flinch when I looked up at the mama bear. Beer. Whatever. She asked, “Is that an activity from your planet?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Pretty basic, and it seemed good for kids.”
The antlered head nodded. “Looks like valuable practice at coordination, as well as teamwork. There are a few adults I know who could benefit from that.”
Images flashed through my head of huge antlered bear aliens doing ring-around-the-rosie as a corporate teambuilding exercise. And professional athletes trying to improve their footwork. “Yeah, they probably could. And it’s a fun bit of community bonding time.”
Mama Bear nodded. “Okay children, the car is fixed,” she announced. “Time to go home.”
The cubs made the exact same disappointed noises as human kids. Even when their mother waded in and picked them up one by one to urge them towards the car, they didn’t want to stop playing. They grabbed hands in pairs and spun off that way, even faster than before. I did have to catch one fuzzy little teddy toddler, who just laughed about it and hopped around some more.
Peripheral vision told me the rest of the crew was helping move the packages into the hovercar’s storage space and mop up the last of the fuel. Overheard conversation told me that the good captain had tactfully gotten us a bonus payment for the mechanical assistance. I couldn’t tell if childcare was part of that, and I didn’t ask. I just focused on herding the excitable youngsters back to their car, where thankfully they all knew how to get into the safety harnesses without help.
Mama Bear closed the door. “Thank you for everything,” she said, directing that at me as well as Captain Sunlight. “I will recommend your services highly to anyone who asks. And we will probably need more deliveries soon, once we get the new house set up, so perhaps we will see you again!”
Captain Sunlight nodded. “Perhaps so. It was a pleasure doing business with you.”
I waved goodbye to the kids, who had found the button to open the window and were just as excitable as ever. “See you later! Maybe next time I can teach you the Hokey Pokey. That’s big on my planet.”
~~~
Shared early on Patreon
Cross-posted to Tumblr and HumansAreSpaceOrcs
The book that takes place after the short stories is here
The sequel is in progress (and will include characters from the stories)

{Shared early on Patreon}
~~~
There’s a poster I saw once, back on Earth, that had a silhouette of a bear with deer antlers, and it was labeled “Beer.” I had forgotten about it completely until I met our newest client, who by that logic was definitely a beer.
I’d already done my part of the interaction by carrying out one of the heavier boxes, so while the captain went over the delivery fees with her, I was free to stare politely and decide which other Earth animals she resembled. (Fur coloring more like a red fox, and semi-upright posture that was less bear and more extinct giant ground sloth.)
I was so focused on watching the client handle the datapad with her giant paws that I completely missed it when the hovercar behind her sprung a fuel leak.
Paint saw it, though. “Oh! Your car!” she yelped, pointing. “I’ll get Mimi!” She was off in a flash of orange scales, back into the ship in search of our mechanic.
The client growled a swear word that didn’t translate, shoved the datapad back at Captain Sunlight, then galloped over to her car. While I expected her to throw open the hood in search of the part that was leaking, she instead made a beeline for the back seat.
When she threw open that door, I saw why.
“Kids! Out of the car! It’s not safe!”
A half dozen bundles of spotted yellow fur tumbled out, making distressed noises that didn’t need translating. They had tiny little antler buds and very big eyes.
Captain Sunlight was busy talking to someone through her communicator, probably Mimi. I stood there uselessly by the packages. What did I know about fuel leaks? Nothing helpful. I knew the puddle was growing by the second, and was probably flammable, but that was about it. And this backwater spaceport barely had an information booth, much less a local response team.
The client ushered her cubs over to where we stood just as Mimi and Paint returned. Blip and Blop followed with a big toolbox carried between them. Mimi was already taking charge and waving tentacles about, talking to the captain about the lack of reliable repair shops this far in the boonies, telling Blip and Blop how best to use their muscles in opening up the engine, and reassuring the customer that this was fine, actually, that model hovercar had a known issue with the fuel lines.
When the client dithered over minding her cubs and being present for the repairs, Captain Sunlight pointed a scaly yellow hand at me. “Our human can keep your little ones entertained. Bring them over here.”
“Uh,” I said.
Captain Sunlight looked up at me, still talking to the client. “She has extensive experience in tending to small furry creatures.”
I wanted to say that veterinarian training and childcare were two very different things, but I wasn’t about to make the captain look bad. And knowing Mimi, this would be quick.
The client said, “Thank you. Kids, you need to stay over here, okay? Next to these boxes, but don’t touch. Listen to the tall one. I’ll be right there helping fix the car.”
The tiny-voiced replies were recognizable words in the most common trade language, though their pronunciation made me clock them at around three or four years old in human years. They were very cute.
And they were suddenly my responsibility, all looking up at me like spotted teddy bears while the rest of the adults fretted about the car.
The questions were immediate.
“What are you?”
“Where’s your fur?”
“Did you lose it because you ate the wrong thing? Mommy says we have to eat our vi’mins so our fur doesn’t fall out.”
“Is this instead of fur?”
I freed the tiny paws tugging at my pants. “I’m not supposed to have fur. I’m a human. And yes, I wear clothes to keep me warm instead.”
“It looks funny.”
“Do you have to brush it?”
“Do you know any games?”
I brightened at that. “Games! Sure, I know some games.” I wracked my brain for something that would keep them entertained without causing new problems. “What kind of games do you like to play?”
They all answered at once in an avalanche of words, bouncing around in excitement, with a couple grabbing each other’s fur to keep from falling over. I couldn’t make out a thing they were saying. But I had the beginning of an idea.
“Do you like dancing in a circle?” I asked.
They had no idea what I was talking about, and possibly no understanding of basic shapes yet. Three of them spun in place while the others waved their arms.
“First you stand in a circle, like this,” I said, sketching out the shape in midair. “Here. You stand here, then you there…” With some gentle nudging — they were so soft — I soon had them arranged in something like a circle. “Now hold hands with the person next to you.”
I was a little concerned that their paws weren’t suited to this, since they had long blunt claws already and didn’t look very dexterous, but they managed. With lots of giggling and hopping in place.
“Now everybody step to the side, in this direction.” I ushered them into a clockwise rotation, nice and slow (and giggling), with no risk of any little fluffy heads bonking onto the spaceship landing pad. It took them a second, then they got the rhythm without tripping over their own feet.
Then they unanimously spun faster, hopping and laughing with squeals and barks that were probably making more than one adult turn to stare. I don’t know; I kept my eyes on the littles. My arms were out and ready in case somebody stumbled and brought the whole circle crashing down.
But no one did. The half dozen youngsters wheeled and spun, bouncing with glee and showing no sign of stopping.
“That’s new,” rumbled a voice behind me. I tried not to flinch when I looked up at the mama bear. Beer. Whatever. She asked, “Is that an activity from your planet?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Pretty basic, and it seemed good for kids.”
The antlered head nodded. “Looks like valuable practice at coordination, as well as teamwork. There are a few adults I know who could benefit from that.”
Images flashed through my head of huge antlered bear aliens doing ring-around-the-rosie as a corporate teambuilding exercise. And professional athletes trying to improve their footwork. “Yeah, they probably could. And it’s a fun bit of community bonding time.”
Mama Bear nodded. “Okay children, the car is fixed,” she announced. “Time to go home.”
The cubs made the exact same disappointed noises as human kids. Even when their mother waded in and picked them up one by one to urge them towards the car, they didn’t want to stop playing. They grabbed hands in pairs and spun off that way, even faster than before. I did have to catch one fuzzy little teddy toddler, who just laughed about it and hopped around some more.
Peripheral vision told me the rest of the crew was helping move the packages into the hovercar’s storage space and mop up the last of the fuel. Overheard conversation told me that the good captain had tactfully gotten us a bonus payment for the mechanical assistance. I couldn’t tell if childcare was part of that, and I didn’t ask. I just focused on herding the excitable youngsters back to their car, where thankfully they all knew how to get into the safety harnesses without help.
Mama Bear closed the door. “Thank you for everything,” she said, directing that at me as well as Captain Sunlight. “I will recommend your services highly to anyone who asks. And we will probably need more deliveries soon, once we get the new house set up, so perhaps we will see you again!”
Captain Sunlight nodded. “Perhaps so. It was a pleasure doing business with you.”
I waved goodbye to the kids, who had found the button to open the window and were just as excitable as ever. “See you later! Maybe next time I can teach you the Hokey Pokey. That’s big on my planet.”
~~~
Shared early on Patreon
Cross-posted to Tumblr and HFY
The book that takes place after the short stories is here
The sequel is in progress (and will include characters from the stories)

Compromise
First Prev
“Alright, so uh...” Alex picked the last larva out of the bowl and ate it. A burst of umami and the unexpected taste of alcohol. Now that it had soaked up some of the spice from the broth, it was pretty good. Not particularly flavorful, but a better eating experience than he would expect from a grub. “Why did Eleya put two towns into a warship?”
“I do not know.” Carbon was less fussy about the variety of ingredients presented, eating without playing favorites. It was what she’d picked out when pressed to recommend something for him, and the speed of the devastation she was enacting on what had been a bowl nearly filled to the brim said that it was actually a personal favorite. “I had heard some suggesting converting retired Naval ships into housing, using a decommissioned carrier as a space station once it could be towed into a proper location. Swapping out launch bays for community towers is not a long bridge.”
“That seems...” It seemed desperate. But given what he’d seen, desperate was where they had been in the weeks following the disaster. Where they still were, even if things were improving.
Were things improving?
“Born out of desperation, yes.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “We did not have many colonies, we had not built so many stations. We only kept old ships for parts as another means of efficiency in our fleets. There had been hundreds of thousands in transit all over the Empire at the time. On their way home, on their way to relieve others who now no longer had a home to return to.”
“Yeah, that-” He shifted some of the shredded cabbage-potato around his bowl, trying to figure out what to say. The ‘that sucks’ he had stopped himself from blurting out felt offensively inadequate. “That does present a huge challenge. Did they end up bringing ships online for that?”
“Oh, we did everything. Any idea that was not completely untenable got the blue light. Repurposing ships, building sealed micro-arcologies on less habitable planets, mining out sufficiently large asteroids, asking the Confederation for help. I saw one proposal that suggested an inflatable space station. I thought it was a completely deranged idea.” She paused and picked up the bowl, slurping out some of the broth. “Then Humans arrive to bring aid, and do you know what the first structure they brought with them was?”
“An inflatable space station.” He saw that coming. Everyone - well, everyone who was sufficiently interested in space ships - would recognize the Redoubt class from that description alone. The very definition of form following function, each ship was little more than a central cylinder with hard points for a dozen habitat modules, and engines bolted to one end. Light, fast, cheap. Once deployed, you had a small space station that could be packed up when you were done. Old technology, sure, but they were everywhere, and the configuration options were extensive.
“Exactly. Forgive me, but I laughed. I knew the intent was to help, but having seen that proposal just weeks before...” She smiled and laughed despite having just apologized for such a thing.
“No I get it, it’s a goofy looking ship.” He could see the humor in the situation as well. Having gone from ‘this is too dangerous’ to ‘of course the Humans brought one’ was pretty funny. It put a smirk on his face and got him close to laughing along with her. “Probably used it as a command post until something heavier arrived. Kind of the primary use case for those in Search and Rescue, which is what I think the aid mission was first considered.”
“I was not involved with that aspect of recovery operations, but it stands to reason.” She set her utensils aside in a very specific way, sliding the bowl towards the end of the table. “I cannot tell you why they put all these people here. My first guess would be that it was a somewhat straightforward swap. The bays are very securely attached to the structure, but they are intended to be removed and replaced. It would be important that Eleya use her ship as a proof of concept.”
“Royals lead?” Seemed the logical jump.
Carbon nodded. “The Sword is recognized as her flagship. It is named after her. The Stronghold is based heavily on the Imperial Palace in Ama’o - may it rest. Taking in civilians, thousands of them, is hard proof that she is not simply hiding in here. Having the senate on board also brings with it the need for support staff, creating a symbiotic relationship. It is... a good compromise.”
“Okay, wait. How is The Sword of the Morning Light named after Eleya?” That legitimately confused him. “All I know is the -ya suffix is feminine.”
“Another name mauled by your automatic translation, though this time it is a portion of the Empress’ full formal titles.” She gave him a pointed look, a little smirk hiding on the side of her muzzle. “The strictest translation would be ‘the sword that is used to cut back the night,’ but that is even worse. If I were doing translations and feeling poetic, perhaps I would call it Dawnsword. It would convey the meaning of the name well enough, I think, without being verbose.”
“Then why do you call it the Sword like we do?” He figured just using the actual Tsla name would be easy enough if Dawnsword was a better translation.
“When in Rome.” Carbon snickered. “The Confederate systems I was working with before leaving for the Haultain were not set up to handle Tsla, and none of the Humans I spoke to recognized the name when I said it, so it became a force of habit.”
“Ah, that’d do it.” He’d ask about the actual name another time - it being one of Eleya’s titles felt like a natural transition to learning the rest of her titles, and he didn’t give a single damn about doing that right now.
“Alright, Eleya needs places to put people, and a place to put a temporary capital until the new location can be properly sorted. Two birds with one stone, I suppose. Wouldn’t staying at Schoen be more of the... leader thing to do?”
“If she were to stay here beyond the end of this endeavor, perhaps so. For now, having this ship - and its civilians - as a base of operations, in what even we consider to be one of the most secure solar systems, is reasonable. Most governing at that level has been done remotely since before the disaster, so it doesn’t impede anything.” She paused to sip her tea. “No one needs a senator to be on site anyway. Their presence traditionally just interferes with real work.”
That did get a laugh out of Alex. “The more things change.”
“The more they stay the same, yes?” She said with a grin.
“It is so. All right, mystery of the Dawnsword’s surprise towns is put to rest.” He stopped talking as Haraya came out of the woodwork to remove Carbon’s dishes, bustling away with even less stiffness than before. Why did he feel like he was forgetting something? “Heck. Did... Did anyone tell you we have an appointment to see a designer about our uh, our insignia?”
“No, but my communicator has been going off like I am being told something like that.” Carbon laughed and leaned back into her chair, fishing the slim black device from her jacket, the screen coming on.
Alex was not intentionally staring at his wife’s abdomen as he pushed the bowl away and set his chopsticks out like she had done. “Zenshen said it was this afternoon.”
“Mmh, afternoon. Another curious translation.” She teased him gently, flicking items off her screen one by one. “Neya says it is with Aetena Lyshen, at three. He has stated that his schedule is open today, and we may come in earlier if we so desire. Oh. How unexpected.”
Three o'clock, Tsla’o time, was probably like a solid five or six hours away. Plenty of time to have a deeply personal conversation about what Neya had told him. Or, perhaps, just go talk to the guy sooner. It wasn’t like he was putting it off... but he was putting it off for now. “What’s up?”
“Neya contacted the Colonel to make sure that Zenshen was attached to your detail properly - it turns out she was. You are both already on the artifact project, so it was just a slight shift of duties. The Empress went through appropriate channels, and Lehnan agrees with her decision.” She glanced up at him as she processed that. “I did not expect it to be so proper.”
“She is trying to turn over a new leaf, at least as far as you are concerned. Ensuring I have the help to not fuck things up, and doing it properly, could be a part of that.” He managed to make it sound like a statement, even though it was very much a question. Did his insistence that Eleya needed to start following through on her words actually sink in?
“It is possible. She will need to do more than fill out a little paperwork to prove herself.”
“Yeah, obviously. It’s just that you seemed surprised, so I was left with the impression that was unusual.”
Carbon stared down at the phone in her hands. “I do not know. From what I have seen, she will normally adhere to formal channels. But in the past, when it has come to dealings with me, she has not. Relied on her word being law to make things happen.”
Like making it legal to marry a Human. Changed who knows how much legal history with a stroke of a pen, to unfold some new machinations. “Zenshen made it sound like she was mostly there to act as a buffer between me and the military, keep me from offending anyone. Which strikes me as Eleya looking after her investment.”
“That is a reasonable assumption. I fear she has more intent sunk into you than we can see, so...” She also stopped talking when their waitress returned for Alex’s dishes, giving the young woman a warm smile. “Perhaps it really is.”
Alex, being privy to at least one plan that Carbon was unaware of, instantly did not want to comment on that. “Like you say, it lies with her to prove... herself good.”
“So it does.” Carbon smiled at his butchering of their turn of phrase before glancing down at her communicator again. “All right. Do you have any further plans for this morning?”
“Not a one. Want to push up the meeting with Lyshen? For that matter, do we have any plans tonight?”
“I do want to get that done. Designers can be particular. Best to get started sooner, and also have a meal that we can excuse ourselves for without appearing rude.” She smirked, displaying a little bit of the knowledge she had accumulated growing up in an elevated class, and started tapping away at the screen with both thumbs. “As for this evening, nothing that Neya has made me aware of.”
“Sounds good to me.” Left the evening open to actually have a sit down with Neya, perfect. “Oh shit, that reminds me. Neya wants us to bring her breakfast.”
“Does she. Very upset about not being able to come along?” The tone she had said that Carbon was familiar with Neya pretending to be put out by that, as did the barely hidden smile and tiny little snort of a laugh.
“Absolutely heartbroken.” He played along. “I had to promise that we’d get her something this morning and that you’d make breakfast again tomorrow.”
“Mh. We will see who is making breakfast when the time comes, but I will have something sent to her and we will proceed to our appointment.” She flipped through the applications on her phone and started typing something else out. “There.”
Carbon slipped the slim black screen back into her jacket and stood, stretching a little bit before walking over to the end of the bar, Haraya hustling out to meet them with a small device like the one Carbon had used to pay in the other little restaurant. She set her palm down on it, it processed for a moment and played a happy little tune.
“Thank you both, it was an honor to serve you.” Haraya bowed again now that the transaction was done.
“You did well, thank you.” Carbon said it in Tsla as she returned the bow, glancing over at Alex to ensure he was doing the same thing.
“Sa meha.” He was. Paying attention to what Carbon was doing was getting him pretty far, as was having memorized how to say ‘thank you’ in Tsla.
They turned to leave, but Haraya spoke again before they could take a step. Quiet, and very timid. “May I ask you a question?”
Carbon didn’t even think about it as she looked back. “Of course.”
“I was mostly asking the prince, I am very sorry.” She looked just this side of terrified to be correcting a Royal.
“Oh yeah, shoot.” Alex caught himself speaking in English way too late. He pursed his lips and inhaled, just barely preventing himself from rolling his eyes at that little faux pas. Based on what Carbon had said about Haraya getting her information about how nobles work from movies, she would have interpreted that as aimed at her. He queued up a very quick reply. “Please do.”
“After you left, last night.” She glanced over at the bartender, who was not paying them any attention at all. “Adana kept saying a strange word, I assume it to be Human - untranslatable.”
The irony of the translator not being able to digest something in English was not lost on Alex. What had he said to the kid?
Carbon, meanwhile, thought it was hilarious. “It is actually two words, a phrase. Oh, busted. In this case I believe it means that he got caught doing something he should not have been doing.” She laughed, looking up at Alex with a grin.
Haraya’s relief at how this turned out was immediately visible. She was still tense, but didn’t look like she might have just caught an execution. “Adana likes to play with the door controls. They beep and flash, and he can activate the viewscreen... And open the door. That is what he was doing when he found the prince in the hallway, when he should have been in bed. It is not an offensive term?”
“Et.” Alex shook his head no. Score another point for knowing the basics.
“It is as he says. A harmless statement.” Carbon picked up the slack from Alex trying not to advertise that he spoke their language yet. She looked over to him again. “Perhaps used to tease a friend when they get caught out?”
He nodded as sagely as he could, a smirk barely suppressed as he caught that shade she was directing at him.
“His mother will be so glad. She has been concerned it was some kind of swearing, or something worse. I told her that the prince had been kind in my interaction with him, but she was-” Haraya exhaled sharply, wide brown eyes darting between them with a hint of that fear creeping back in. “She was afraid despite that.”
“Ah. If that does not settle her, please get in contact with me.” She pulled her communicator out, swiping along the screen for a moment and holding it out to the young woman. “We can arrange a meeting to clear anything up.”
She looked down at a swirling orange circle on Carbon’s phone, “I am not allowed to carry my- May I get it?”
“Of course.” Carbon smiled.
Alex lowered his voice as Haraya hustled away. “You sure giving her your number is a good idea?”
“No. But she is earnest and correct in her assessment of you.” She shook her head, her words quiet and sharp. “That boy learned a simple phrase, and his mother thinks it is a curse? I know why she did. I have met my own people. I think a gentle nudge may be in order to prevent it from being passed along.”
“When you say gentle nudge...”
She held a hand out to ease his concern. “I was thinking tea.”
Haraya returned, phone in hand and followed by an older, grumpy looking male dressed in the same natural fiber clothes save for a vibrant red scarf around his neck, voice raised as he tried to keep up with the excited teen. “You may not use your-”
“Akai.” Alex gave what he assumed was a manager a needlessly cheery greeting with a little wave of his fingers. Oh man, he had loved being a shit to managers when he was younger, particularly if they were on a power trip. The opportunity hadn’t presented itself recently, and the urge to abuse the power that he allegedly had now was so tempting.
“Floor boss!” Carbon was a step ahead of him, greeting the gray male in their own language loud enough to draw his attention away from their waitress. “What is it that I may not use?”
Alex’s translator sat unused for several seconds as the sounds that guy made never made it past shocked guttural noises, the realization of who he’d been yelling in the general direction of sinking in. Haraya was too busy getting Carbon’s contact information to notice, or might have just been ignoring this exchange as hard as the bartender was.
“It was- My words- Did not for you.” He held up his hands and backed away.
“Ah, a simple misunderstanding?” Carbon offered him as the phone dinged complete, and she slipped it back into her jacket.
“Yes, of course.” Couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Haraya bowed again as she hid her communicator, the same black rectangle that Carbon and Alex appeared to have. “Thank you. I hope I will not have to contact you, but that you have offered...”
“The prince has shown me who he is, what is in his heart... It will not do to have anyone doubting his character.” Carbon smiled and returned the bow.
Alex followed suit.
The fear in her eyes was gone, and if anything there was a little bit of admiration in there now as she thanked them again, quietly, before running off to whatever her next duty was.
They left the same way they had come in, through the main dining area. The crowd had shifted, some groups gone, new ones in their place. Conversations to fill boredom, meals he didn’t recognize being consumed at every pace conceivable. Once again, he was pretty sure this was his kind of joint.
It only took the gentlest of questions to get Carbon talking about what she’d been doing all morning as they walked back to the tram, riding all the way to the stop closest to the bow this time. Alex was only slightly familiar about what she was talking about - had something to do with preventative maintenance checks on one of the shuttles. It was interesting to find out they had developed a very similar system to what he was used to, checking in on functionality after so many hours of use.
He didn’t understand the majority of what she was describing, but he enjoyed listening to her talk about things with such enthusiasm.
Lyshen’s office was easily the furthest forward he had been on the ship yet. Took the elevator up to deck 20 and then just walked towards the bow for another five minutes. He must have been as close as one could get to the plate armor and whatever buffer they put between it and the habitable areas. It seemed almost entirely unused - he was sure some of the bulkheads had dust on them.
For Alex, there were two potential reasons for this. Aetena Lyshen preferred the solitude of the area. It was actually very quiet, even compared to the hall in front of their cabin. Or, he had pissed someone off and gotten banished to a spot as far away as possible.
Whichever option, Lyshen had put some work into his workspace. The door was ringed in a delicate gold filigree, a lacework of glittering geometric shapes with his name and title contained in a small banner above the door. They were meeting with a Royal Artisan.
Carbon tapped the door controls and it slides open almost instantly. The young woman with light red fur inside is dressed nearly as formally as they had been last night, though in muted grays. She bows. Not too deep. “Welcome, the Chief Artisan is preparing for your arrival. It should be just a few minutes.”
Chief Artisan. Well. Alex shot Carbon a sidelong glance as the receptionist turned and they followed her through a waiting room. A simple rectangular area, with a few upholstered chairs and benches scattered around. It was the most Human looking area he’d been in so far.
The far wall caught his eye as they walked through, windows looking into a workshop. Alex walked over, the large floor beyond housing a dozen or so Tsla’o, all seated at desks or workbenches, engrossed in whatever they were working on. Almost to the last, they were using hand tools.
Alex had never really seen craftsmen up close, doing their thing. In movies, or videos, sure. But not right here a few steps away, carefully engraving some sort of... Breastplate? Cuirass? Big chunk of metal that looked like it went over the chest.
“I believe that is yours.” Carbon stepped up next to him, a smirk in her voice as she leaned against his shoulder. “To go with your gauntlets, and the rest of the armor that is no doubt being fabricated.”
“What makes you say that?” How could she pick that up from looking at it for, what, three or four seconds?
“Consider the size.” She nodded at it, the artist working on it laying out a star near the shoulder. “Who else would wear such a piece?”
“Huh.” Compared to the guy who was doing the work, it wasn’t exactly massive, but he would need a lot of padding to wear that. This raised a few questions for him about the ethics of receiving such gifts. But he wasn’t a politician... Not as far as the Confederation was concerned. “I guess it is.”
They stood in silence and watched work progress. A woman in the back was carving something, perhaps a chair leg. One guy in the corner making hinges with an induction forge and a tiny, specialized anvil.
Before long, the secretary approached them again. “The Chief Artisan is prepared for you now. Please.” She gestured to the only door that went somewhere other than the corridor.
The Chief Artisan was sitting behind his desk, wearing an outfit similar to his receptionist, pale green eyes switching back and forth between two screens. The primary one was built into the desk, and had been jury rigged to a Human made laptop that sat on top of it, a rat’s nest of cables connecting the two. There was a holoprojector built into the desk, a jumble of images floating over it. He waved them in and gestured to the chairs across from him, “Please, sit.”
Alex was quick to oblige, glad to be just some guy for the moment. Carbon didn’t seem to mind either, taking the seat beside him without a word. Aetena was the first green Tsla’o Alex had seen, sort of a dark forest green with jade stripes visible on his neck. Apparently a bit of a rarity given how often he saw the other colors on the ship.
“I am sorry to keep you waiting, the connection to your Solanet has gone down. Despite that, I believe I have enough saved locally to begin the process.” Lyshen trailed off, lost between the two displays before closing a dozen images from the holo. He picked a pen up from the table and arranged the remaining pictures neatly, four different coats of arms that claimed to belong to a Sorenson. The red enamel barrel blurred into an arc as he spun the pen in his fingers, voice picking up speed as he locked on to Alex. “There is a large amount of heraldry available for your surname, do you know which coat of arms belongs to your particular family?”
There was a deer, a deer head, a rearing horse and a weird shaped star. Maybe it was a flower, or a drip of paint. They were all surrounded by leaves and the occasional knight’s helmet. Alex wasn’t sure what any of it meant and up until now, he’d never even thought about it. Knights and damsels in distress had never really been his thing. “Uh, can’t say that I do, no.”
“Mmh. What geographic region does your lineage trace back to? I could find no significant references to the Berkley Soresons on your Solanet.” He leaned back and the pen continued to trace crimson circles in his hand.
“The name comes from Europe, but the last couple of generations have lived in California, and America before that for who knows how long... We’re from a little bit of everywhere.” It was an inside joke with the family, which had ties back into nearly every corner of the globe at this point. Now they had a relative from somewhere way off the globe as well.
That puzzled Aetena, ears flicking as he turned back to the Human screen and picked over the keyboard slowly. He didn’t like what he found. “All of these originate from the continent of Europe. Do you happen to know which country?”
“No, I’m not sure. Had an uncle do the family tree thing once, but between the civil wars and The Collapse, the lineage got spotty about a hundred years ago.” Alex wasn’t really into the whole ancestry thing once you got outside of living relatives. It was novel, sure, but right now all he really wanted to do was ask if he could borrow that Solanet access when it came back up. The rest of the ship had access to the Confed’s milnet, which tightly restricted what he could be sending across it - he just wanted to download a couple of movies and some music, but milnet barely overlapped with the wider public network.
Lyshen set his hand down and the pen switched back and forth like a metronome, clicking on his desk at the end of each arc. He closed his eyes for a moment, jaw working silently before he closed the images and started pulling up new ones. “Perhaps we should move on to other aspects of this endeavor. As I have been told that you wish to integrate Tsla’o and Human cultures in your marriage, I had intended to blend the existing Tshalan sigil with some of the Sorenson family heraldry. I thought it would be best to use the gear-star surround from the Princess’ family crest as a base to build from. Something that is immediately familiar to Tsla’o, to put the viewer at ease. As it is indicative of starship commands, exploration and the outer colonies, it will solidly represent both of you and the way you met.”
Alex raised an eyebrow at Carbon, “sound reasonable?” He had no idea if it was or not, but it did sound like it. Also, if they were serious about integrating parts of Tsla’o and Human cultures, they needed to actually get on that.
“Yes. I agree, that would be a good place to start.”
“Thank you.” He busied himself bringing up a few more pictures, rough combinations of the ten point gear-star and the various items from the Sorenson crests, bits of decoration and detail work.
The door chimed behind them and Lyshen stopped with a sharp glare. He eyed the clock and sighed, a whispered curse under his breath before he set his pen down and straightened up. “Come.”
There was a soldier partially concealed behind the door, the rank plate on his uniform loaded with details, not that Alex could read them yet. He swept the room with a rifle as he entered, the short barrel ending up pointed just a hair under Alex’s sternum. A pair of soldiers took up positions on either side of the door and covered him, a few more lined up in the waiting room.
When he spoke, it was crisp and authoritative. “Please back away from the Human.”
 
First Prev
*****
Never a dull moment on that ship.
Art pile: Carbon reference sheet. Art by Tyo_Dem

.

[ Starting Choices - Noxrim ]

( General Changes )

• Starting tokens increased : 25 -> 50

( Weapons & Armors )

• Wood melee 1H/2H : 1/3
• Iron melee dagge1H/2H : 3/5/7
• Steel melee dagge1H/2H : 5/7/9
• Silver melee dagge1H/2H : 7/9/11
• Iron ranged heavy/light/ammo (x30) : 5/3/2
• Steel ranged heavy/light/ammo (x30) : 6/4/3
• Silver ranged heavy/light/ammo (x30) : -/-/4
• Iron/Fur armors (Body/Head/Hands/Feet/Shield) : 6/3/2/2/4
• Steel/Leather armors (Body/Head/Hands/Feet/Shield) : 7/4/3/3/5
• Woodcutter's Axe / Pickaxe : 3/3

Change Notes * Removed fork/knife and replaced them with wooden weapons * Ammo yield increased from 20 to 30 * Added all Requiem weapons from wood to silver, including Requiem's integrated Heavy Armory weapons and katana weapons * Imperial Crossbow is considered iron-tier, costs 3 tokens

( Clothes & Jewelry )

• College Robes Magicka Regen (tier 1) : 11
• College Robes Potent Magic (tier 1) : 15
• Hood/Circlet Magicka (tier 2) : 11
• Mage Clothes (Body/Head/Hands/Feet) : 2/1/1/1
• BeggaPrisoner Clothes (Body/Head/Hands/Feet) : 1/0/-/0
• Divine Amulets : 10

Change Notes * Replaced tier 2 enchanted clothes with mage clothes * Added beggar clothes, can only take 1 each for limbs since they're free

( Staves & Scrolls )

• Unenchanted Staff : 3
• Staff of Flames/Frostbite/Sparks : 24/24/24
• Staff of Reanimate / Spirit Wolf : 24/24
• Staff of Fury / Courage : 24/24
• Scroll of Mage Armor / Candlelight : 2/1
• Scroll of Reanimate / Spirit Wolf : 4/3
• Scroll of Fury / Courage : 2/1
• Soul Gem (Petty) : 5
• Spell Tome (Novice) : 10

Change Notes * Added all novice staves and scrolls * Added filled petty soul gem for recharging * Spell tomes for extra starting spells

( Food & Potions & Poisons )

• Beef Stew / Venison Stew / Tomato Soup : 5/4/3
• Healing Poultice : 1
• Potion Restore H/M/S (tier 1/3) : 1/3
• Potion Fortify H/M/S (Regeneration) (tier 1) : 2
• Potion Fortify Barter / Carry Weight / Enchanting / Smithing / Waterbreathing (tier 1) : 2
• Potion Other Effects (tier 1) : 3
• Potion Cure Disease/Poison/Cleansing : 1/2/3
• Poison Damage Health (tier 1/3) : 1/3

Change Notes * Replaced useless food with buff food * Replaced armor rating potion with cure disease potion * Replaced spider poison with damage health * Added all potions

( Misc )

• Torch : 1
• Lockpick (x10) : 1
• Gold (x20) : 1
• Craftsman's Manual : 5

Change Notes * Added gold exchange for leftover tokens * Craftsman's Manual for starting with Craftsmanship perk

.
.
.

[ Starting Choices - Noxrim Addons ]

.
[ (AR) Alchemy Redone ]
( Changes )

• Cure Poison : 2 -> 1
• Cure Disease : 1 -> 2

Change Notes * Swapped costs for Alchemy Redone pricing

( New Items )

• Potion Fortify Speed/Unarmed (tier 1) : 3
• Oil Fire/Frost/Shock/Silver : 6/6/6/4
• Powder Fire/Frost/Shock/Silver : 6/6/6/4

.
[ (BR) Blessings Redone ]
( Changes )

• Divine Amulets : 10 -> 15

Change Notes * Increased cost for buffed bonuses of amulets

.
[ (HA) Heavy Armory ]
( New Items )

• Added all new wood/iron/steel/silver weapons
• Bound Weapon spell tomes (1H) : 10

.
[ (HA AA) Heavy Armory Animated Armory ]
( New Items )

• Added iron/steel/silver rapiers
• Bound Rapier spell tome : 10

.
[ (MR) Magic Redone ]
( Changes )

• College Robes Potent Magic (tier 1) : 13

Change Notes * Reduced cost for robes for Magic Redone's balance changes

( New Items )

• Added all novice staves/wands/scrolls/spell tomes
• Scroll Crafting Tool : 5
• Soul Gem Fragment (Filled) (x2) : 1
• Roll of Paper (x4) : 1

Change Notes * Enchanted/unenchanted wands have 16/2 cost (24/3 for staves) * Starting supplies for scribe/staff enchanter builds

.
[ (WAR) Weapons and Armor Redone ]
( Changes )

• Replaced Imperial Crossbow with Iron/Steel Light Crossbow
• Automatically adds back in WAR's Unarmed weapon

( New Items )

• Iron/Steel/Hide Buckler : 2/3/3
• Iron/Steel/Silver Throwing Knife (x15) : 2/3/4
• Normal/Fire/Frost/Shock Bomb : 4/6/6/6
• Light/Heavy Mail/Padding/Plates : 5
• Upgrade Kit : 1

.

One would’ve thought I’d be used to this by now – typing with one arm. It takes time to get used to; especially when you’ve spent most of your life in front of a keyboard. Muscle memory digs deep.
A few years ago, I was in a car accident. I was going 60 down an empty road, coming home from a long day of overtime, when some kind of animal came charging out of the woods. Trying to avoid a collision, I swerved off the road. My front left wheel got caught in a ditch, sending the entire vehicle careening off the road; only to smash into the trunk of an ill-placed black walnut tree, driver’s side first.
I have this vague memory of blinking lights and vague shapes in the distance. I was so cold. But at the same time, it was so unreal. I couldn’t even understand what had happened.

I was brought into emergency surgery. My left arm was, literally, hanging by the thread of my jacket. It had come off clean by the socket.
According to the surgeons, I was lucky. Most of my shoulder was intact, so it became a matter of salvaging what they could. The cut had been clean. I did suffer some whiplash damage to my neck and lower back, but considering I could’ve easily died or gotten paralyzed, losing an arm was considered “mild”.
Looking back at it, I am inclined to agree. Considering what could’ve gone down, I was damn lucky. Still, in that luck, I wished I could’ve gotten just a tiny bit luckier. See, I had this gold ring that I’d been given by my later mother. A simple thing with the engraving of a musical note on the inside – a memento of our shared love of music. We played Louis Armstrong at her funeral.
That ring disappeared in the accident. Somehow, that’s what bothered me the most. My arm could be reattached. It could heal. But that little memento was just gone.

What followed was a long period of intense physical therapy, medication, and painful readjustments. It took weeks before I could even move my fingers again, and when I did, it felt like pushing your nerves through an unwashed garlic press. It was this stunning chemical-level kind of pain. The kind where your body just shuts down, begging you to stop.
But over time, I started to get over it. Small movements started to get better. I could tie my shoes. Press the space bar. Hold a knife. I wasn’t about to juggle anytime soon, or play the piano, but I could get by.
Soon enough, I got back to work.

People were glad to see me. I wasn’t gonna be able to work at full capacity in my usual role, but I could still sit in on meetings. I won’t bore you with the details, but most of my work relies on answering e-mails, proofreading, and translation. It’s pretty technical stuff that requires a lot of pitter-patter on keyboards.
At one point, I was stuck in a particularly drawn-out meeting between two clients that we were facilitating. I was there mostly as an observer (to fill the seats), but I was supposed to weigh in if something related to my department came up. Of course, it didn’t, but I still had to act interested. My colleague was trying to draw up a compromise between the two parties, laying out terms and conditions. Meanwhile, I was nursing a cup of coffee and waiting for the day to be over.
Looking over to my side, I noticed something odd. I wasn’t just holding the coffee cup with my left hand; I was stroking it with my index finger. Sort of like how you’d scratch a wary cat under its chin.

It was a strange sensation. I was looking at my own arm, my own hand, and I couldn’t feel what was happening. I couldn’t feel the ceramics tapping against my finger, or the twitch of the nerve as it contracted and extended. It was just happening. An involuntary twitch, perhaps.
But it didn’t feel like it. It felt intended, somehow.
A few similar events took place that day. Grabbing the bathroom door for a little too long. Knocking over desktop decorations. Suddenly letting go of my jacket as I was about to head home. It was just little things. I was still having trouble even using my arm in the first place, so these quirks didn’t bother me too much.
A friend of mine was giving me a ride home. I wasn’t at 100% yet and sitting behind the steering wheel felt like inviting disaster. Instead, I sat in the passenger seat, nodding off as the trees passed me by with a steady rhythm; causing me to blink.

A noise pulled me back. The driver said something, but I wasn’t paying attention. Turning to him, I excused myself.
“Sorry, what was that?” I asked.
“What are you doing?” the driver repeated.
I looked over. My left hand was wrapped around the parking brake, as if ready to pull. I forced myself to let go.
“Nothing,” I said. “Sorry, I don’t… it’s nothing.”
“Right,” he nodded. “Just… don’t do that.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Yeah, no. Sorry.”

That night, I was exhausted. It felt like my lungs had been robbed of breath. I felt weak and trembling. I was cold, yet feverish. Famished, but without an appetite. I went to bed early, faceplanting into the pillow.
I had horrible nightmares, none of which I can remember. I kept waking up over and over, not being able to discern dream from reality. My bed was soaked with cold sweat, sending shiver after shiver up my spine.
By the early hours of the morning, a stray ray of sunshine burned my eyes open. I was lying on my side, looking towards the window, leaning on my left shoulder.
The fingers of my left hand were moving on their own. And not just moving, but bent in every which way; as if lacking bones. They were vibrating, shuddering, like wounded worms fearing a predator.

I grabbed my hand, and my fingers were back to normal. I could move them as usual. For a moment, I was doubting what I’d seen. It was one thing to experience oddities, but that was unreal. I must’ve laid there for half an hour, just expanding and contracting my hand, begging my body to work with me.
“Enough of this,” I begged. “Please. Enough. Please.”
I clapped my hands, cracked my fingers, and ran them through my hair. It was fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. Right?

A couple of weeks passed without any serious peculiarities. I could even work a little. There were a few of oddities, like unknowingly grasping a warm cup, or my fingers pointing in all directions when in contact with cold water. Just strange little things that I could easily get control of.
That was, until one morning at work. We were out of coffee, so I was making myself a cup of tea instead. As the water came to a boiling point, I accidentally spilled some on my arm.
The reaction was immediate.

My arm whipped out to the side, throwing the pot across the room. For a moment, my arm looked like it didn’t have any bones; rippling like a skin-covered liquid. It made me think of it not as a part of me, but as an alien thing attached to my shoulder.
And for a brief moment, in the blink of a heartbeat, I could see my fingers grow and shrink. Fingernails throbbing, like a cat throwing up a hair ball.
Suddenly, it stopped. Looking back, I could see one of my co-workers watching me from the other side of the room. She must’ve heard the crash.
“You alright?” she asked.
“Yeah, just got a burn,” I sighed. “I’ll, uh… I’ll be fine.”
She side-eyed the broken pot on the other side of the room and nodded. Not entirely convinced.

As soon as she left, I looked down on my hand as if shying away from a wild animal. It was alien to me. It was something… other. A twitch was one thing, but this was downright unnatural.
Coming home that night, I had a weekend ahead of me. I ran my symptoms through a couple of online services. While there are a few ways the human body can trick itself, like the alien hand syndrome, or phantom pains, this was different. Physical properties do not rapidly change. Then again, maybe I was imagining it?
I decided to do something crazy. An experiment. I wanted to recreate what’d happened in the break room.

I boiled up some water and poured it into a cup. I held my left hand over my sink, grabbing the cup with my right. I stood there, trying to calm myself. I wasn’t insane. This was a rational thought that I had to play out in order to eliminate an outlandish possibility.
I prepped a cold pack and ran the tap. Then, taking a deep breath, I poured some of the boiling water on my left hand.

Twelve fingers.
My hand split into twelve fingers, lined with raw, open wounds. My wrist rolled, like a cobra fixing its eyes on a prey animal. This was no longer an arm – it was a nest of flesh-colored snakes.
My mind blanked. I fell backwards, smacking at my arm as if trying to kill it. I couldn’t feel a thing. It’s as if all sense of touch ended at my shoulder. I crawled backwards on the floor, trying to wave my arm away, but it clung to me like a parasite fixed on my shoulder.
Seconds later, a searing pain ran up my arm. Looking down on my hand, it looked as it always had. It was just a hand with a burn. I could barely feel it through the pounding in my chest. Every noise in the room was overshadowed by my pulse.
I ran my hand under a tap and wrapped a cold pack around the wrist. It wasn’t a bad burn, but it wasn’t nothing.

I did some research, looking up news from around the time my accident took place. There were a couple of reports, but nothing out of the ordinary. A domestic call, a brawl at a local restaurant, a couple of missing pets. There were a couple of other reports, but they were short and didn’t lead anywhere. A mention of a couple disturbances. Some idiot blasting music in a parking lot.
But there was one more thing I noticed. In one of the reports covering my accident, there was a picture of the car. There was spatter of the blood on the hood, with something meaty stuck in the grille – as if I’d hit an animal.
That caught my interest. I couldn’t remember hitting anything, so what the hell was that about?

The next day, my arm was acting up even worse. It kept going cold, as if circulation was cutting in and out. Before heading out, I wrapped it up in bandages. Partly because of the cold sensation and partly because I just didn’t trust it. There was no way to tell what could happen, or why.
I managed to get a hold of the owner of the junkyard where my trashed car had been towed. I went over there early in the day, just before the fog cleared.
Now, this was long after the car had been crushed and stored, but it was the only lead I had. An older woman greeted me at the gates, letting me in. We had a short chat about the accident as she showed me around, ending up at a stack of metal that could hardly be recognized as anything. The only thing to even hint at my car being in that pile was a thin slice of colored metal from one of the doors.

I dug around there for about 20 minutes; all while being observed by this old woman.
“Yeah, won’t find much,” she said. “If the police didn’t get it, the insurance folks did.”
“Been a lot of people digging around?”
“Not a lot, nah,” she said, shaking her head. “But you ain’t the first.”
And she was right. There wasn’t a drop of blood, or bone, or anything. It was just scrap metal in a pile of even more scrap metal. I was wasting my time.

But as I was about to leave, I noticed something. I hadn’t thought about it, but I could see the old woman was wearing a ring. It looked like a wedding ring at first, but she was wearing it on the wrong finger. I pointed to it.
"You found that?"
"What about it?" she asked.
"It’s got a tune engraved on the inside, right? Like, a, uh… music note?”
There was no response. She just looked at me and sighed. Turns out, I was right. She gave it back.

She’d found it near the hood of the car the night they brought it in. Grabbing it was just a spur of the moment thing, and since no one had come asking for it, she’d kept it. I was a bit annoyed, but mostly relieved that I got it back. But the question remained, how had that ended up at the hood of the car?
“There was all kinds of gunk just kinda hanging there,” she said. “Figured it was an animal.”
“And you’re sure that’s where you found it?”
“Sure as sure can be, yeah.”
I stood there for a moment, feeling an uncomfortable thought forming in the back of my head. There was no way for that ring to go from my broken arm on the driver’s side to a pile of meat stuck in the grille of the car.

But the proof of it had been in front of me all along. I had worn that ring for 12 years. There was a permanent indent on my finger.
Looking down at my left hand, there was no such indent.
This wasn’t my arm.

As soon as that thought settled in my mind, I could feel the arm twist and turn. Hadn’t it been for the bandages, there’s no way to tell what it would’ve done. It squirmed and pulled against me, thrashing like a dying fish on land. The old woman just looked at me.
“You alright? Want me to call someone?” she asked.
“I-I… I don’t know,” I said. “I don’t know.”
I had to get to the bottom of this. I hurried out of there as fast as I could.

It was getting late in the afternoon when I got back home. Grabbing an old backpack and a couple of painkillers, I was about to head right back out. But a thought hit me. Maybe it wasn’t as abstract as I thought. Maybe it wasn’t just a feeling – maybe something was really there.
Looking down at my arm, I could feel it stirring, just within my control. Something sleeping, waiting to spring into action. With my right hand on the front door, I stopped, and spoke out loud.
“Whatever you want, just… don’t,” I asked. “Don’t.”
There was no response. No stirring. On a spur-of-the-moment whim, I packed one more thing into my backpack. Just in case. A hail Mary.

Making my way to the scene of the accident, it was impossible to tell anything had ever happened there. I could barely even make out the place where I swerved, or where my wheel got caught in the ditch. I found the general area in the field where my car had spun out of control, and from there it was easy to find the tree I’d smashed into. It was still there.
I spent hours going over it all. Following the path the car had taken, starting from that tree, and working my way back. There was nothing there. Nothing new. It was all just gravel, weeds, and pavement. What had I expected? A signed confession?
As the sun dipped behind the clouds, I could feel a cold wind coming on. I’d lost track of time.

As I turned back, there was a sudden cramp in my arm. A shock of pain crept up my spine, spreading throughout my body like a spider’s web. I could feel my left arm throbbing against the bandage wrap. Something was wrong.
I was in the middle of the field. I could see for miles in every direction. Cars passing by in the distance. Wet grass staining my pants all the way up to my knees. And this one cold wind, cutting straight through my clothes. I shivered, but my left arm didn’t.
Taking a step back towards where I came from, another shot of pain struck me. This one tripped me, sending me face first into the grass. It knocked the air out of my lungs.
I rolled over on my back, gasping for breath. My left hand was creeping up my stomach like a spider with a meaty tail. It stopped over my face, tapping the bridge of my nose with the index finger. I couldn’t feel a thing. Moving to push it off, it instead struck back; grasping my right hand in return.
“Stop,” I wheezed as I sat back up. “Just stop. Stop this.”
But it didn’t. I just sat there. A wounded man holding his arms.

I struggled back and forth for well over half an hour. Getting back on my feet, only to get knocked back down. By the time I’d made my way back to the road, I looked like I’d been hiking for miles. My hair was a mess, and my clothes were covered in grass and mud. I had a handprint across my face, like I’d smacked myself.
I’d trusted myself with a short drive to get there, but I wasn’t sure about going back. It felt reckless to get behind a wheel in my state. Still, I couldn’t just walk all the way back home, and having it towed would be a pain in the ass.
I got back in my car while I thought about it, wiping myself off with a towel from my backpack.

It’d gotten dark outside. The overcast didn’t help, I could almost taste the rain. I contemplated my options and figured that if I kept it slow and only used my right arm, I could carefully make my way home. I put the keys in and turned on the headlights.
There was an elk standing in front of my car.
It sniffed the hood of my car curiously, then proceeded to stare me down. I was just surprised. I got a good look at it. There was something wrong with one of its hind legs – it lacked fur, and there was a sort of spreading baldness reaching halfway up the side of the body.
My arm was slowly rising on its own, as if looking over the dashboard. The elk recoiled, as if in pain, and set off in a troubled three-legged gallop. It disappeared into the woods.

Looking down at my arm, a stray thought hit me.
Was this spreading too?

I painstakingly made my way back home. I dropped my backpack in the hallway, locked my front door, and collapsed into the shower. I was exhausted.
I stood in the shower for about half an hour, looking down at my mother’s ring. I was wearing it on my right hand now, but it just didn’t feel the same. That wasn’t where it was meant to be. Still, it was nice to have it back. Whenever I turned the ring a little, I could feel the engraving against my skin. It was a little gesture I did when I was anxious, as a reminder that it was still there.
I got dressed and ready for a slow evening at home without any further drama. My arm wasn’t acting up. But as I passed through the hallway, something didn’t feel right.

At first, I couldn’t say what it was. Maybe the hum of an old lamp, or some air duct acting up. I wasn’t sure, but it was something. It had to be. I stepped up to the front door.
There used to be a light coming from the hallway outside. That light was always on, and there should be a little light coming in through the peephole. But there wasn’t. Had a fuse blown? I had a closer look.
There was someone just outside my door.

A click.
My left hand had unlocked the door.

The door flung open, knocking me back. A tall silhouette, close to seven feet tall, pushed its way into my apartment. It was dressed in a sort of black poncho, covering its face with layers of bandages. A single frog-like eye stared me down as it pushed forward.
I scrambled backwards on the floor. It was fast. Damn fast. It stepped forward and reached for one of my legs, but I managed to pull away in time. I got back on my feet, barely managing to pull my left arm along. It was trying to grab a hold of something, as if to slow me down.
In a spur-of-the-moment decision I grabbed a lamp from the windowsill, throwing it across the room. The intruder ducked, then came at me again. I ducked under, just in time, and headed for the door.

As I reached the front door, my left arm tried to force it shut. I fought against myself to get out, but it was useless. The door was shut and locked, and my left hand refused to budge. The seven-foot-tall shape came around the corner, slowly approaching. I had to think of something. Anything.
My backpack. It was right there.

I had packed a couple of things earlier. A towel, some bandages, painkillers, and a water bottle. But I’d also packed some lighter fluid. Seeing as how my left arm had reacted so violently to boiling water, I had this stupid idea that the prospect of a straight-up fire would do something even worse to it.
It didn’t seem so stupid anymore.
I grabbed the lighter fluid and sprinkled it on my left arm. The tall shape stopped, seemingly reacting to the smell of it.
I wanted to say something, but all that came out were empty breaths. We were like animals, circling each other, waiting for one to make the first move. I emptied the lighter fluid, grabbing a box of matches. I held the box with my mouth, and a triplicate of matches in my hand. I spilled the rest on the floor.

For a moment, we just looked at one another. A single inhuman eye peeking through the bandage wraps. The vague shape of four, maybe five extremities at its side. How many arms did this thing hide under the poncho?
A flash of realization came to me. This is what I had almost hit with my car.

And with that, I lit the matches. It leapt at me, but it was too late.
The moment the open flame touched the skin on my left arm, it detached. The open nerves just let go of me, and the thing fell off my body. It squirmed on the floor like a dying animal, grasping at whatever its fingers could reach.
Adrenaline forced me out the door. A heartbeat behind me, the seven-foot-tall figure scooped up my burning arm and pushed past me. Within seconds, it was gone – leaving me with an open wound in the stairwell, smelling of lighter fluid.

One of the neighbors called for help. I didn’t even notice how much blood I was losing, but it was bad. They sent me back into emergency surgery; this time without an arm to reattach.
It was deemed that the wound was self-inflicted. A result of some stress-induced psychosis. I wanted to agree, but I saw what I saw. I’ve been trying to convince myself otherwise, but I lived this. This wasn’t any other life but mine.
I’ve since learned to live with a full prosthetic. It’s not much, but I can trust it, and I can wear my mother’s ring the way it was supposed to be. It’s starting to make an indent on the synthetic skin.

I don’t like to think about what would’ve happened if I’d let that thing stay on. But just a couple of weeks ago, I got an answer. I was stuck in traffic, looking out over the fields, when I saw a group of elks in the distance.
One of them had no fur.
None at all.

I am located in Canada. Prices are in $USD. Prices including shipping are listed.
PayPal invoice only. Canada Post tracking number will be provided for all purchases. I am not responsible for any items lost, delayed, damaged, or seized after shipping. Timestamp and tagged pics located at the bottom of the post.
N*utica Japan vegan leather oversized jacket. New with tag. Size large. $60 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/dcSCszb
Cradle of Filth reproduction longsleeve t-shirt. New without tag. Size 4XL (fits L/XL). $35 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/vYYTnYP
Y*ezy season 6 crewneck sweatshirt black. New with tag. Size medium (oversized). $35 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/z55Wtkn
Y*ezy season 6 t-shirt black. New with tag. Size extra large. $SOLD$ https://imgur.com/a/QLJTodz
F*ar of G*d 6th Collection button hoodie. New with tag. Size large. $45 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/7VarbyZ
V*ja De longsleeve t-shirt. New with tag. Size medium. $35 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/wf8fyPu
A C*ld W*ll asymmetrical padded vest. New without tag. Size large. $40 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/6BiLiC9
G*llery D*pt. 5001 jeans. New without tag. Size 32 (measures approx. 33”). $50 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/qCazzAy
F*ar of G*d 7th Collection pants. New with tag. Size large. $SOLD$ https://imgur.com/a/z8zuzoN
Unbranded Y*ezy shorts brown. New with tag. Size large. $20 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/kLv7xip
Unbranded Y*ezy shorts grey. New with tag. Size large. $20 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/agqUuuL
R*f S*mons hooded scarf. New without tag. One size. $40 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/A7bUwwe
R*f S*mons hat. New without tag. Adjustable. $30 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/kmUzfDG
Y Pr*ject belt. New with tag. Measures approx. 113 cm in total length with many holes to adjust. $SOLD$ https://imgur.com/a/IEXpcnQ
Our L*gacy leather key chain. New with tag. One size. $25 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/jV6yu6f
Y*hji Y*mamoto x N*w Era backpack. New without tags. $35 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/bVCWg3J
Chr*me H*arts pet pillow cover (unfilled). New without tag. Measures approx. 24” x 24”. $20 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/a/upKUZms
Tag & timestamp pic: https://imgur.com/a/ppFJVWS

Part 1: Childhood Part 3: Puerto Rico Part 4: Global Part 5: Iran Part 6: Elsewhere Part 7: Retirement

Part 2: Oregon

When Dad died of a heart attack I was 23, and still working in that shop. I had no family, and most of my schoolfriends had moved away; there was nothing left for me there. I sold the house, bought an RV and a few more guns, and began my new career.
The Pacific North-West has a lot of accomplished hunters, and a fair number of people who like the trophies but not the hunt. It was to this second group that I catered, much like thousands before me. The main difference between me and most hunters was that I was itinerant, moving from town to town every few weeks or months.
I was - I am - a good hunter, and made quite a name for myself. Hunting in Oregon is quite regulated, and I have a license, but this isn’t always necessary. You generally don’t need a license if you’re hunting on private land, and neither do you need one if you can find people who don’t ask too many questions. Out in the wilderness, where there might be one town of a few hundred people within an hour’s drive, it’s common enough for regulations to be ignored; and unlicenced hunts can be a lot more lucrative.
I was making good money selling deer, elk, mountain lions, mountain goats and black bears, and some of my best contracts were for specific individual animals. I once bagged a bear known locally as El Bastard, supposedly responsible for the deaths of three townspeople. It must have weighed upward of seven hundred pounds, and took six .416 rifle shots to put it down. It spotted me after the fourth shot, and barrelled towards me, only coming to rest fifty feet from me. I had to drive back into town to borrow a reinforced pickup truck and five men to heave it into the back. That one netted me $6,000 for four days preparation and planning, and six hours waiting. And of course, unlicenced hunts are paid tax-free. I believe the bear now looms over visitors to the local hotel.
So I was doing pretty well for myself. I had a few contacts in the region, and would sometimes be called with specific contracts. And so it was, back in 2013, that I got a call from an unknown number.
The man on the other end asked me to meet him at a diner on the outskirts of a small town to discuss a job, though he wouldn’t give me any details over the phone. Some of my clients are like that, so I thought nothing of it. I’d just sold a rocky mountain goat off-the-books, and had nothing else lined up, so the next morning I rolled into town and sat down at the only diner for maybe twenty miles.
After a decent breakfast a man walked in, about forty years old, heavily muscled with a huge graying beard and a deep tan. I was the only other customer, and he walked straight over to me. “Carla?” he said.
I nodded. I like to get the measure of people before saying too much, as not everything I do is strictly legal and I’m always wary of the possibility of law enforcement.
“I’ve got a proposition for you. Dangerous. Lucrative. You want in?”
“I’ll need a bit more than that before I agree to anything. You haven’t even introduced yourself.”
I don’t believe his name was really Ian. Fair enough, I’m not really Carla, though that’s how people know me. Anyway, Ian explained that there was a rare beast living up in the mountains, and he wanted it. He offered me $100,000.
No job is worth that kind of money. If you want a big beast already taxidermied, you can buy one legally for a fraction of that. I guess an African elephant, or a rhino, might cost that or more, with it being almost impossible to get a hunting license. But there aren’t many of those in the Cascade Mountains. I opened my mouth to say “no”, but Ian interrupted me.
“This is a downpayment. $20,000 now, if you agree to consider it. Call me if you succeed and you’ll get the rest of the money.” Ian put a briefcase on the table in front of me. Hesitating only briefly, I opened it. There was a thick manilla envelope, and underneath, bundles of cash.
I closed the briefcase and stared at him. I don’t talk much, and now I was too dumbstruck to say anything.
“Everything you need to find your target is in there. Call me when you’re done.”
And with that, Ian stood up and walked out.
I drove out of town and checked into a motel before opening it again. One thousand $20 bills, and the envelope. I opened it, spreading its contents on the bed.
The documents were mostly images. Several maps with sightings marked, dates and times listed. A few eye-witness accounts, mostly brief and vague. And two photographs. These caught my eye immediately. One was taken from a distance, probably by a camera phone, and seemed to show a roughly hominid shape between a couple of pine trees. Date and GPS were marked on it.
The other, obviously taken by a better camera and a more experienced photographer, was sharp and clear. I’m not a photographer, but I’ve used plenty of cameras in my time, so I knew a telephoto lens had been used, from five or six hundred feet. Crossing a snow-covered clearing between fir trees was an animal, something between an ape and a man. It was nearly twilight, so features were hard to make out, but I could see that it was walking upright, with arms that reached past its knees. The thing was naked and covered in dark brown fur, and judging from nearby plants I estimated it was about eight feet tall. Its face, as far as I could make out, was black and had features somewhere between a gorilla and a human.
Was Ian serious? Was I to be hunting a sasquatch? I knew they didn’t exist, there have been so many sightings with no conclusive evidence. This was a hoax. But … I had twenty thousand bucks, with another eighty on the way. What harm could there be in trying?
The locations from the files were wide-ranging. The photos were taken twenty miles apart, but as best I could tell from the low quality of the first, were of the same creature. Reported sightings ranged fifty miles. This was going to take some time. I stocked up on food, drove as far as I could, then gathered my hiking gear and one-person tent. Smartphone batteries don’t last long enough, but I had paper maps and a GPS unit, and a few hours after I parked I was in the area where the higher quality photo had been taken.
I scoured the region for days, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Then I moved on to another area, gradually covering the reported locations. I’d decided to give it a month, but just two weeks in, I found something. In a sheltered copse, uphill and largely protected from rainfall by the slope and the trees, I found a few footprints.
They looked a bit like ape footprints, but not like any I’d seen before. They were eight inches wide and fourteen long, indented about an inch into the soft soil. I still wasn’t sure I wasn’t being made a fool of, but regardless, I’ve always enjoyed tracking. I took photos and scouted around. The footprints faded off as the earth got harder, and I wasn’t able to follow the trail more than fifty feet. They didn’t seem to be heading anywhere in particular, rather their owner had been wandering around. There were several large huckleberry plants nearby, and most had large branches broken off. I could find no sign of the missing branches, and I figured this was a foraging area.
A creature this size would need a lot of food, especially if it was herbivorous; given the range of sightings, I estimated fewer than a hundred would live here, if they subsisted on berries. They would most likely have eaten the berries straight from the bush, and the fact that they didn’t indicated they probably had at least a semi-permanent home, and possibly young ones to feed. But how to find it?
The footprints and the broken branches were recent, maybe a day or two old. It would take a few weeks for the plants to regrow, so I didn’t expect the creature to be back this way for a while. I considered searching for caves that it might live in, but if it had young offspring, confronting it at home could be dangerous. So rather than try to follow it, I decided to get ahead of it. I struck out toward the center of the reported sightings, heading for two days in as straight a line as you can make in the forested foothills.
I then searched around for a good copse. I found a few, and the one I settled on had a cave about three hundred yards away. A small cave, empty of bears - or sasquatches - and sufficient to provide shelter. The copse was home to a variety of berry bushes which showed no sign of recent disturbance by anything bigger than a squirrel.
Most of what remained was waiting, but I had to prepare first. I doubted I would have much success trying to subdue a creature maybe five times my weight, and I didn’t really want to shoot it in the head and risk my payout. I knew I had to take a risk of being too late, but I had no choice. I recorded the coordinates in my GPS, and headed back to the RV.
Few hunters I know use an RV. They’re bad at small trails, worse between trees, and absolutely terrible offroad. But my RV was my home. For big game hunts I usually parked up in town and rented a pickup, but this was far from business as usual. It took a day and a half to hike back to the RV, where I filled up my collapsible handcart, then two and a half days to get back to the cave.
The bushes were undisturbed. I wasn’t too late. I set up my traps and waited.
It occurred to me then that I had no idea about the daily habits of the sasquatch. I realized I was coming to believe it was real, though whether my belief was evidence-based or simply a result of spending so much time and effort tracking it, I couldn’t say. The two photos were taken in daylight, and if they resembled apes in their behavior as much as their appearance, they would likely be diurnal. So I slept in the cave at night, and for fifteen hours a day I lay in a dugout hide between two trees, about fifty feet from the copse.
I was an early adopter of e-books, and very grateful for the huge library I’d built up during the next few days. I read a tremendous amount, and wrote until my three notebooks had filled up. I’d rather not have set a fire, but when I was wet from a rainy day of watching, back in the cave I dried my clothes by the fire and cooked the food I’d need for the next few days, hiding the light as best I could.
Then, on day 18, it came. Despite its size it moved quietly, and I saw it before I heard it. It was early evening, dry and calm, and I perked up from my book as I saw a shadow move into view. I’d seen plenty of deer while waiting, but my hunter instincts told me this was different. As it strode into view, fast but unhurried, I got a good look at it. It was nearly nine feet tall, walking sideways across my field of vision. Its fur, which covered its entire body except for its face, was thick and dark reddish-brown. The skin, as I could see from the face, was black like a gorilla’s. And this specimen was male. He was definitely male. You know what they say about men with big feet? Well, the same holds true here.
I lay silently, observing from my obscured location beneath leaves and branches. He moved into the clearing in the middle of the copse, a slight hill between the trees where the bushes, sheltered by the trees yet given plenty of sun, grew thicker and taller. The beast bent down and grasped a branch in its hands and, with one quick motion, snapped it off. He walked a single stride to a clear patch of ground, laid the branch down, and went back for a second branch.
Then he stopped.
He looked around, as though he’d felt something was wrong. He turned to look in every direction, and then he looked up. He must have seen what I’d placed between the closest trees, and curiously brought his gaze back to ground level, scanning around.
Peering at the curious mass of branches, his eyes suddenly locked on mine. He gave a cry of anguish, and I figured it was now or never. I gripped the two ropes by my side and pulled.
Immediately, rows of stakes sprung up between the trees surrounding the sasquatch, spiking diagonally into the copse about five feet high. I’d crafted them over many years, and these were the large ones I’d used before for bears. Grim - as I later came to call him - turned from me and started running as the stakes rose, and realized what was happening too late. He tried to stop himself, but his momentum carried him into two of the stakes, piercing his abdomen. Grim was off balance, and fell on his haunches, yelling in pain.
Quickly I tied the stake-rope off and gave another yank on the second rope. Grim was already starting to stand up, and I didn’t have much time. The third pull did the trick, and a strong net fell from overhead, pulled downward by the weight of stones on its edges.
Caught in the net, Grim was unable to get up. I quickly climbed over the stakes - it’s easier to get in than out - and watched for a moment. This was the strongest net I’d ever used, but I was sure it would be minutes, or less, before Grim was able to escape it. Indeed he had already started to grip the rope to try to pull it apart, and if he got free I had no illusions about my future life span. Not wanting to damage the body any more than I had to, I drew my largest hunting knife and positioned myself just out of his reach, waiting for an opening. After a few moments Grim had got his nearest arm in an awkward position, and I saw my chance.
I lunged forward, grabbed the hair on the top of his head, and slit his throat.
He flailed wildly, and I jumped back - but not quite fast enough. In his frantic last-ditch attempt to escape Grim got his arm through one of the larger holes in the net and raked me across the belly. His claws weren’t large, but they were sharp and strong. I fell backward and sat down, listening to his mournful wails as the life leaked out of him. I don’t know for sure, I was starting to feel faint myself, but I think it took at least two minutes for him to stop moving.
None of the reports I’d read mentioned seeing two of the creatures together, but I couldn’t risk sticking around for long. I picked myself up and made my way back to the dugout, to my first aid kit. The wounds weren’t as bad as I had feared, so I patched myself up and got to work clearing my gear.
It had only been a few minutes, but the light was fading fast. I brought the cart from the cave, and hauled Grim onto it. He wasn’t as heavy as a grown bear but I was winded and wounded, and it took me half an hour to load up the cart. I had to leave most of my stakes behind, though naturally I made the area safe before leaving.
I needed to get back as soon as possible, but there was no way I could drag my cart through the night, so I set the stakes up at the entrance to the cave and went to sleep. Nothing came near while I slept, but I learned the value of caution long ago.
So the next day I set off. When loading Grim onto the cart I’d wrapped him with plastic sheeting, partly to stave off decay and partly to stop the smell attracting carrion-eaters. I also hoped that any fellow sasquatches wouldn’t notice him.
The trip back was pretty uneventful. I made good time, considering my condition and the weight I was pulling. It was dark on the second evening when I reached the RV. I wouldn’t have attempted the trek after sunset, but I was close and didn’t want to stay out for a second night. And as I was heaving the corpse through the large back door, I heard a howl off in the distance. I know the sounds of every large animal in Oregon, and it didn’t sound like any of them. It sounded like Grim.
A chill ran through me. There was no way I was staying in that forest a second longer. I pushed his last limb through the door, slammed it closed, and ran for the driver’s door, leaving the cart and half my equipment behind. It could have been my imagination, but I was sure I saw a couple of large creatures, hair glistening in the moonlight, running at me. I drove too fast out of there, and was very lucky not to tip the RV or run into a ditch.
Three hours later I was in a motel room, having my injuries tended to. Not the closest motel; I’d driven a bit further to one where I knew the owner used to work as a nurse. Mine wasn’t the first hunter’s injury she’d dealt with, and she was good with a needle and always had some off-brand antibiotics to hand. I don’t deal with authorities very much, but you can be sure my tetanus vaccinations are always up to date.
I slept well that night, in a bed for the first time in nearly a month, with that sense of satisfaction you get when you’re physically and mentally exhausted from putting your all into a job well done. The next morning I bought a burner phone from the local grocery store and called “Ian”.
“Carla.” It was a statement, not a question.
“I’ve got it.”
“Meet at the same place in two hours.”
So I did. Ian was in the parking lot, sitting on the hood of his pickup.
“Let’s go somewhere more private. Follow me.”
We drove for about twenty minutes, and parked up in a farmer’s field just out of sight of the road. I opened the back door, and Ian inspected my cargo. He wrinkled his nose as he got closer; I’d done my best to slow decay but it was certainly starting to smell. He looked at the abdomen wounds and eyed me quizzically.
“Minor puncture wounds. It wasn’t easy to take him down.”
After a few minutes Ian was satisfied. He collected two briefcases, each containing $40,000. I checked them and then helped transfer Grim onto the back of his truck and cover it with tarp. And so he and I drove our separate ways, me $100,000 richer.

A bonfire roared in the center of a winter-brown field encircled by dozens of canvas tents and a lone blacksmith’s forge.
Men and women and their children filtered in and out of the various shops and food tents, or huddled close to the fire, their souvenir horns of steaming mulled cider clutched close in both hands. For though spring had nearly come to Sagebrook, and despite the budding trees, the breeze held a bitter chill that threatened snow.
“Back again?”
Eldric blinked and gave a start, glancing around at the inside of the blacksmith’s tent. Hadn’t he just been…
“Best steel you’ll ever hold, lad.” The burly, coarse-bearded blacksmith handed Eldric a sheathed sword across a table display of new-forged knives. “Made that meself for just such an occasion. Here, take it. Get used to the feel of it in your hand.”
Eldric took the sword and puzzled over the man’s words as the eerie feeling he’d done this all before passed over him and settled into his gut. Get used to it? Why had the blacksmith said it like that? And what did he mean, just such an occasion? The fair? That seemed the right answer, yet he couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling in his stomach that the man meant something else. “You mean here, at Medieval Times?”
“Eh?” The smith stepped over to his portable forge and worked its bellows. A bed of red coals flared bright orange in the furnace. “What’s a medieval?” The man furrowed his brow, fumbling over the word. “City to the north? Not much for traveling these days, no. What with those Things plaguing the roads and every stick of the wilds, or so I’m told. Wicked times, these.”
Eldric started to frown, then realized the man was in character and covered it with a smile, turning away and slowly drawing the sword. The soft metallic rasp it made was a pleasure to his ears and the splendor of its mirrored shine stole his breath. A marvelous weapon, it was, master crafted, sharp on one side and delicately curved at the end. The hilt was a hand and a half of polished black bone wrapped with gold braided rope to enhance the wielder’s grip. Far finer than anything Eldric had ever held or seen. Finer even than the rare swords in Master Keple’s prized collection.
“Interesting,” he said, studying his reflection in the blade. “This is the same style I train with.”
The blacksmith grunted a response and offered a mysterious smile. The same eerie feeling from before tickled over Eldric, but he shook it off, gently tracing a fingertip down to the sword’s guard. He could never afford something so fine, but he could hold it a little longer and dream. There was nothing wrong with dreaming.
A few years ago, Eldric had taken up fencing and medieval swordsmanship to impress someone he fancied with a unique and roguish skill and quickly discovered a love for the art. Master Keple said he was a natural, a prodigy gifted for the knack of steel who was born a few centuries too late. As the years passed, Eldric’s love for swordplay grew with his mastery of the blade. Funny, he thought, watching the forge light play along the gleaming steel. Of all the bizarre talents to have, this should be his.
The blacksmith took up a heavy hammer and began to speak. “Castles and Holds in the North have been overrun, if a man can believe the tales. Queen’s sending her armies but people’s hope goes the way of the fires consuming their villages. Dark days ahead of us all, I fear.”
“Ah yes,” Eldric said, playing along with the blacksmith’s act. “Dangerous days for anyone. What are we to do?”
“Aye,” the blacksmith said, bringing the hammer down upon a piece of glowing metal fresh from the forge. Sparks leaped off the little anvil in a shower of fiery droplets and died in the dimness of the tent. “Curse on those vile creatures. Not human, I say.”
“And where are the gods, in these dark times?” Eldric asked, absently picking up an oilcloth and running it the length of the blade. “Have they abandoned us?”
The hammer stopped and the blacksmith looked Eldric straight in the eye. There it was again, that mischievous smile, as though he knew a secret Eldric did not. “Perhaps they are watching, eh traveler? Perhaps they have yet to choose a champion?”
A faint rumble issued from the west as the blacksmith smiled, out beyond the thicket of barren trees rising above the fair’s tents, but Eldric did not notice.
“Maybe so,” Eldric said. “But that’s nothing to do with the likes of us simple men, yes?” He was really getting into it now, playing his part. “A wonderful weapon,” he said, slowly sliding the sword back into its sheath and moving to return it to the smith. He wanted to stay a bit longer and play this out, but there was so much more to see and the days were still short this time of year. “Truly a work of art. But I’m afraid a simple man like me can’t afford something so fine, good blacksmith. And I must take my leave.”
“Arevan,” the blacksmith said, glancing up from his work and fixing Eldric with one striking eye. Strange that he’d not noticed the color before, bright blue to match a deep summer sky, so blue it appeared luminous with an inner light. “Names Arevan,” he said, poking a soot stained thumb into his chest. “And yer gonna need that blade for the coming trials, lad. You can be sure of that.”
Another rumble issued from the west, louder this time, enough that Eldric felt it in the ground under his boots. He heard it but was too caught up in the blacksmith’s act to wonder. “Trials? What trials?” Perhaps the man meant the mock battles to be acted out in the center of the green later that day?
Arevan straightened and lifted a thick arm to point his hammer at the tent’s opening.
“Out there, lad. It begins.”
Eldric loved live acting and, more so, an intriguing and compelling story. The fact he was playing a part made it that much better, and held him there though his feet itched to explore more of the fair. “What…” he said, turning to look over his shoulder and blinked. The crowd was gone.
The bonfire, too.
Eldric took an instinctive step forward, and a wave of vertigo swept over him.
He went to one knee.
Sudden snow covered the ground halfway up to his calves, and a fierce wind tugged at the fur-trimmed cloak he now wore over a silver embroidered black velvet vest. But these were distant concerns as he fought his stomach for possession of its contents.
Slowly, ever so slowly, the nausea receded and he wobbled to his feet. The world still swam around him and wind-driven snow whipped his hair but the spell was passing.
“Arevan, something’s wrong…” Eldric started to say and turned back to face the blacksmith.
Snow-swept trees met his gaze.
The tent was gone. Arevan was gone. Eldric felt a stab of panic kindle in the pit of his stomach. What the hell? He turned a slow circle.
It wasn’t just the blacksmith’s tent that had vanished, or the people; it was all gone. The field. The people. The children chasing and playing, the actors in their period dress, every tent and trace of civilization was gone.
He stood in a narrow clearing surrounded by a thick winter forest. Snow fell hard around him, and the only sound to disturb the hush was the low moan of the wind.
“What the hell? Hello?” Steam puffed from his mouth with each word. “What is this?” Am I hallucinating? Dreaming? I was just at the fair…
Across the snow-covered clearing, a figure emerged from the trees, obscured by the falling flakes. It seemed to lurch on unsteady legs, arms held out as if stumbling through a pitch-black maze, and even at this distance and through the storm, Eldric knew it was a man.
“Hello?” he called again, stepping toward the approaching figure. This was all wrong; he wasn’t supposed to be here. What had happened? This can’t be real!
Eldric lifted a hand to his throbbing temple and realized he was still holding the sword. It felt right, like an extension of his arm, light as a feather and strong as a steel girder. How did I get here? What is this place? Where did everyone go?
The falling snow thickened and intensified, whipping around him in dense swirls that stung his face. The wind rose from a low moan to a howl, and his toes felt frozen. The cold crept up his legs, into his limbs, clawing toward his heart. He had to start moving, or he would surely perish.
Eldric trudged through the deepening snow toward the approaching figure. Now he saw there were multiple people moving toward him. Joy blossomed in his heart. Where there were people, there was hope and salvation.
“Hey!” He shouted so his voice carried over the wind and picked up his pace, sludging through the knee-high dunes. “Over here! I’m lost and need help!”
The figures jerked to a stop and turned slightly to face the direction of his voice. There were at least half a dozen, perhaps more. Suddenly, they surged forward as they caught his scent, arms flailing wildly, and an otherworldly keening rose over the wind.
He slowed his pace. Something was wrong here. These people had something wrong with them. He stopped; he listened; he watched, straining his eyes into the storm. A sudden break in the wind as the blizzard held its breath, showed Eldric what approached and he gasped, falling back a step.
They were pale as the snow was pale, gaunt and withered, some showing hints of bone through tattered clothing. Their eyes were clouded and sightless, their jaws working in nerveless hunger.
“My god!” He heard himself say and realized he’d drawn the sword. “Stay back, god damn you!”
They boiled toward him in a rush and he circled left to keep them from surrounding him. Sensing their prey within reach, they came on with sudden fury, nearly taking him by surprise with their speed.
Eldric moved without thought. The blade and his body were one.
His sword flashed, and a headless corpse toppled at his feet. Footwork was one of the key fundamentals of any fighting art, but knee-deep in the snow, it was all he could do to keep the clawing fingers from his flesh. He whirled and ducked, bobbed and weaved a desperate dance of death and all the while his blade was a shard of silver whirring in a blur around him.
The sword flashed again, and another body fell. Again it struck, and again. The years of training were paying dividends and bodies fell around him like the snow.
He spun low under the clawing fingers of what remained of a woman, and his blade bit into her eye, drove through her brain and burst out of the back of her skull. She twitched once and fell boneless at his feet.
And just like that, it was over.
Eldric stood victorious and panting in the snow, surrounded by the storm and a ring of corpses. He was sweating, the cold from a moment ago forgotten in the heat of battle. If this was a hallucination, it was as real as it gets. But somehow Eldric knew, it wasn’t and he was far from home. How do I get back? Can I get back? Christ, I don’t even know how I got here!
A scream ripped through the shriek of the storm, jarring him from his dark thoughts. Eldric’s head jerked up from where he stood with his hands on his knees, panting. Again, the awful cry came—a blood curdling sound that echoed off the winter trees—a woman in trouble in the woods! My god!
Eldric was sprinting before he realized what he was doing, knees flashing like pistons driving him through the snow. Trees streaked past, snow-frosted and cloaked by the deepening twilight. He adjusted course several times to match the direction of the screams and the distant sound of steel on steel, crashing through the underbrush and bouncing off oaks and maples in his desperate scramble through the forest.
Finally he burst out of the wood onto a mud-churned, snowy road and what he saw froze the sweat trickling down his chest—a sight from the devil’s dreams.
The same hideous creatures who’d attacked him swarmed over a long line of wagons, some toppled on their sides and aflame. Eerie shadows danced and flickered over the scene. Men in steel armor battled the horde, but they were outnumbered a hundred to one and falling fast. Blood soaked the sparkling white mantle blanketing the area and where people had fallen, they were torn apart to the screams of the living who bore witness to the fate that awaited them.
A tall man in shining armor and a red cloak with crimson-and-gold plumes sprouting from his helmet, wheeled toward Eldric. Fear burned wild in his eyes, but he somehow held his composure as he and his men battled back the living dead. Abruptly, he screamed in a language Eldric did not understand and pointed his sword.
To late.
A clawed hand seized Eldric by the hair, violently jerking his head back and down.
Pain tore into his neck. Blood spurted crimson in the falling snow. He screamed and flailed wildly, slashing and laying about with his sword, but too many bodies and too many hands piled on top of him. Teeth and nails tore at his flesh. He felt the warmth of his blood flowing into the snow, saw ragged sinews of his flesh torn up in skeletal mouths. Black spots swirled in his vision and he heard the tortured screams of a dying animal; dimly, he realized that it was him.
He felt suddenly detached, weightless, the world falling away like he was drifting down through clouds.
Darkness took him.
“Back again?”
Eldric blinked and stumbled forward, flailing his arms.
“You alright, lad?” Arevan the blacksmith regarded him from behind the wooden table, his heavy smithing hammer paused halfway through a swing.
“I…I don’t know...” Eldric trailed off, his hands rapidly patting his body down then shooting to his neck. But there was only his clothing and healthy flesh—no gruesome wounds. “I don’t understand…”
He ducked his head outside, glancing around with the intensity of a hunted animal. The fair and all its tents and people met his gaze. The bonfire crackled and spit. Actors played at a battle. Downtown Sagebrook rose hazy in the distance.
“I don’t understand,” he said again, backing away from the tent’s flap as though it were the entrance to Hades. Relief flooded him. Had it been some wild daydream? A waking nightmare? The mutton he’d eaten earlier had tasted odd. Perhaps that was the cause? He’d heard of such things. “I'm alive,” he said and threw back his head, laughing. “I’m alive!”
“Aye,” the blacksmith said.
Metal clanged on metal. The sound drew his attention back to Arevan as the man pointed at the sword in Eldric’s hand. He hadn’t realized he was holding it.
“Yer gonna need that blade for the coming trials, lad. You can be sure of that.”
Eldric’s blood ran cold.
“W-What did you say?”
Arevan pointed outside.
“Out there lad. It begins.”

Sadan paced around his room as balloons flew towards him at high speeds. The balloons went right past him and exploded when they touched the wall behind him. “Bonzo!” Sadan said. “Would you stop with that already?” “Yes sir.” Bonzo said sarcastically. Sadan sighed, and then he turned to the wall on his right. Red banners with a gold trim hung from the ceiling, and an eye sat on the wall's surface. “Watcher, what news do you have for us?” Sadan asked. “There is a pair of adventurers who have made it past the entrance.” The Watcher explained. “No adventurers have ever made it past your test.” Sadan muttered. “Why didn’t you go to Necron or one of the other Wither Lords first?” “I tried to get in contact with them, but none of them responded.” The Watcher said. “Where are they headed next?” Bonzo asked. “From what I can tell,” The Watcher disappeared for a moment, and then reappeared, “They are headed for your floor, Bonzo.” “Well then, it seems like I have to go then.” Bonzo stood up and began walking towards the teleporters that lined the front wall. “Bonzo.” Sadan called out. “Be careful, these adventurers are more powerful than any others we’ve encountered.” “Don’t worry about it.” Bonzo replied. “They won’t be able to get past me.” Bonzo walked through the teleporter that went to the first floor, and Sadan sat down in a chair. The old wood creaked as he sat down, and the room shifted. As Sadan changed the layout of the room, the teleporters disappeared, and the red banners were replaced by white banners with a black trim. The white marble floors were replaced with a pattern of red and gray. “Ah Sadan, how good to see you today.” He heard a voice say. “Livid.” Sadan replied. “We need to talk.” “Come now, you just got here, why not sit down for some drinks.” He heard the sound of Livid snapping his fingers, and a table appeared in front of Sadan. He heard the sound of a chair scrape across the floor and looked up at Livid. The man was average height, and wore a red trench coat with some blue pants. He had dark skin and white hair, and his eyes were a muddy gold color. Livid sat down across from Sadan, and snapped his fingers again. This time, Sadan saw a shadow appear out of thin air carrying a tray of drinks. The shadow walked over to them, and sat down the drinks before disappearing. “This is some great beer you know.” Livid said. “It comes from an inn that I used to frequent back when I was alive.” “Cut the bull****.” Sadan responded. He waved his hands and the drinks disappeared, and Livids expression darkened. He could sense large amounts of mana gravitate towards Livid, and so Sadan stood and grabbed Livid by his collar. “If you try anything, then I’ll kill you again and hide you in a place that not even the Watcher could find. Understood?” The mana stopped flowing around the room, and fear coated Livids face. “U-Understood.” The man responded. “Good.” Sadan replied coldly. “Now, as for why I’m here. A pair of adventurers has made it passed the Watcher’s test.” An expression of intrigue flashed through Livids eyes, but he hid it quickly. “Did they now?” The necromancer said. “What do they look like?” “I don’t know.” Sadan admitted. “The Watcher didn’t tell me.” “Hm.” Livid began to ponder on something. A long silence filled the room before he finally asked. “Where are they going next?” “They’re headed for Bonzo’s floor.” “That clown. He couldn’t fight off his own minions if he tried.” “Don’t underestimate him.” Sadan said. “He may be a new necromancer, but he shows large amounts of potential.” “Perhaps, but that potential is being squandered by letting that weak bastard teach him.” Livid replied. “Why have you never taken up the mantle of teaching new necromancers? Surely you’d be much better than the professor.” Sadan sighed before replying, “Teaching has never interested me, and I’m busy doing more important things.” “Like running around solving **** for those Wither bastards.” Livid muttered. “Quiet! If the Wither Lords hear you, who knows what they’ll do.” Sadan cautioned. “They have eyes everywhere. And besides, I quite enjoy my role.” “Right.” Livid said before continuing. “Well if thats all you have to say then I suppose you best get going. You’ll have to tell a few more people anyways.” “Yes you’re right.” Sadan responded. He began to shift the room, but before leaving completely he said, “Take care, Livid.” Livid’s mouth moved, but Sadan couldn’t hear what he said as the room shifted. The banners were replaced with stadium seats, and Sadan appeared inside of some sort of sand pit. He heard the sound of a bear roaring and turned around to see a large bear swipe at him. Sadan jumped back and began to channel mana into him. The room began to flicker and warp as more mana gathered within Sadan before he cast it out, summoning a giant. The giant tried to stand, but the ceiling was too short so it resorted to kneeling. The giant, brandishing a sword, swung at the bear, killing it with one swipe. The sounds of a crowd cheering could be heard from within the stands as a large flying creature appeared. The creature took the shape of a ghast, and it turned to face the crowd. “I hope you all enjoyed today's performance, and come back tomorrow for a thrilling surprise!” The ghast said. Sadan could hear the crowd cheer even louder, and soon the doors opened and mobs began to file out of the stadium. After all the mobs had left the stadium, the ghast turned and faced Sadan. “Welcome Sadan, I hope you don’t mind that I used you in my show today.” “It was nothing but a slight inconvenience, Thorn.” “Of course, of course. For someone as powerful as you, those spirit animals are no stronger than a skeleton.” Sadan nodded his head, and dispelled the giant which was still kneeling there. He sat back down on his chair and looked up at Thorn. “I have news to tell you.” Sadan said. “Yes, but we can deal with that later. First thing I want to know is, would any of the Wither Lords be willing to participate in my event tomorrow?” Thorn asked. “That’s not important right now-” “Could you get in contact with one of them, and ask them to join in?” Thorn interrupted. “Thorn!” Sadan yelled, mana surging through the room. The ghast went silent and Sadan sighed. “As I was saying, I have news to tell you. A pair of adventurers have made it past the Watcher’s test, and are headed for Bonzo’s floor.” “I see. That is… concerning.” Thorn muttered. “Now then, I’ll have to get going, I have to tell Scarf and-” Sadan stopped talking as he saw a Wither head appear in front of him. “Actually, can you tell them for me, it seems I’ve been summoned by the Wither Lords.” “Well, lucky you.” Thorn said as darkness began to envelop Sadan. “When you meet with them ask them to participate in my event tomorr-” Sadan couldn’t hear the rest of what Thorn said as he was teleported, but he knew what he was about to say. Sadan regained his vision on a large floating stone platform. He looked around and saw a large wooden table in the center of the platform. No one else was here yet. Where are the Wither Lords? Sadan wondered as he looked around. The platform was surrounded by a large moat of lava, and just past that was a large room with massive stone pillars. It's been a few months since I was last here. Sadan thought to himself. Soon, he heard the sound of a Wither approaching, and prepared himself. “Here we go.” Sadan muttered.
END OF PART 1.
Part 2 Thank you for the Wait.
Sadan saw a Wither approaching the platform and he walked to the table. He was going to sit down in one of the chairs when all of a sudden someone appeared in the chair. It was a Wither. The Wither was humanlike, but he had two black skulls sticking out from either side of his head. He wore red and black clothes, and he had a large sword on his waist. A headpiece sat on top of his white hair with four large black spikes. A ripped orange cape flowed down from his neck, and he wore a black vest covered by a red trench coat. Necron shifted his hands, and Sadan saw a saber hanging on his waist. Sadan could see Necrons arm as well. There was no skin or blood, and all that was left there were black bones that formed a human hand. “Kneel.” The Wither said. Sadan instinctively went down on one knee and dropped his head. “Lord Necron.” Sadan managed to say. “It is an honor to be in your presence sir.” “Hm” Necron replied. Sadan cautiously looked up and saw that Necron had turned his attention away from him, and towards the approaching wither. As the Wither came closer Sadan could see a trail of lightning following him. He could see a blue robe that wrapped around the Withers whole body, and a cloak and hood that covered the Withers back. Atop the blue hood lay two long horns that held a large eye. The Wither that was approaching them was less withered than Necron, but Sadan could see parts of his face had withered, leaving nothing but black bones, and a void where his eye had been that held nothing but a blue pupil. “Lord Storm.” Sadan said as the Wither made it to the platform. “Hello, my son.” The Wither replied. Storm didn’t keep his gaze on Sadan for too long and switched to Necron. “Lord Necron, how good to see you today.” Storm said. “Likewise.” Necron responded. “Have Maxor and Goldor not made it yet?” Storm asked. “No.” Necron said. Sadan hadn’t met Necron in a few months but remembered that he rarely spoke, and when he did he kept his words short and to the point. Sadan warily stood up and walked over to his chair silently. As he sat down, he heard a rumbling sound coming from above along with laughing. Soon, the ceiling opened and a Wither came down to the platform. The Wither wore a purple coatlet and appeared to be the least withered out of the three present Wither Lords. “Lord Maxor.” Sadan greeted him. Maxor kept laughing and flying around the platform with a smug expression. Necron simply watched Maxor fly around, but Storm wore a look of annoyance. “Maxor you idiot take your damn seat already.” Storm grumbled. “Whatever you say, sir.” Maxor replied. There was an obvious amount of disdain when he said the word sir, but Maxor still took his seat. Sadan knew of the hierarchy when it came to the Wither Lords. At the bottom, and the least powerful of them all was Maxor, above him was Storm, then Goldor, and then Necron. Sadan knew of one more Wither that existed within the catacombs, the Wither King. He had never met the Wither King, but all he knew was that the Wither King gifted the catacombs to the Wither Lords thousands of years ago. Any meetings between Sadan and the Wither Lords never included the Wither King, and based on rumors, the only one that knows of the Wither King’s location is Necron. While Sadan was thinking, a sudden flash of white light blinded him, and when he regained his vision, he saw Goldor sitting down in a chair. The Wither wore golden armor that had lost most of its color. Upon his waist was a greatsword that Goldor was known for using. He wore a tattered cloak that was colored a muddy gold. “Ah Goldor, how nice of you to join us.” Storm greeted him. “Of course.” Goldor said. “I’d never miss a meeting.” “So what are we here for anyways?” Maxor asked. “Ahem,” Storm cleared his throat and began, “The Watcher has reached out to me and told me some concerning news. It is to my knowledge that he has also told Sadan, which is why he is here today.” All the Withers turned towards Sadan, and he cleared his throat before stating, “Yes, the Watcher informed me that a pair of adventurers have made it past the entrance.” This got the attention of all the Wither Lords, and even Maxor, who was blasting lasers around in boredom stopped and looked towards Sadan. “How could this be?” Storm questioned. “No one has made it past the Watcher’s test.” “Yes I agree, it is a very odd occurrence for new adventurers to clear the entrance, but I have already informed Livid, and Thorn who is currently informing the other Floor Keepers.” “Well where are they headed?” Goldor asked, shifting forward in his seat. “Based on the Watcher’s knowledge, they are headed for Bonzo’s floor, and he has already left to protect it.” “Good, good.” Goldor muttered. “Lord Necron, what do you have to say about this?” Everyone in the room turned towards Necron who until now, hadn’t said anything about the recent news. “There is nothing to be said about this.” Necron said. “All precautionary measures have been taken, and now we must wait for it to play out.” The other Withers nodded in agreement, and Sadan raised his hand. “Lord Necron, sir, if I may.” Sadan said. Necron turned towards him, and Sadan continued, “Don’t you think it best for the Wither King to be here for this?” “The Wither King likely already knows.” Necron replied. “He has eyes everywhere, and if he doesn’t then I shall inform him personally.” “Yes sir.” Sadan nodded his head and remained quiet. “If that is all then I declare this meeting adjourned.” Necron announced. The Withers were all muttering things, and they all got up from their chairs and began to leave. “Oh and one last thing, if I may.” Sadan said. Thorn you should be grateful that I’m going this far for you. He thought to himself as the Wither Lords all turned back towards him. “Would any of you be interested in fighting in Thorn’s event tomorrow?” He asked. At first there was nothing but silence, but a few seconds later, Sadan heard laughter. He looked around and saw every Wither Lord apart from Necron laughing. He put his head down in embarrassment. “Hah… Very well then, I shall participate in his little game.” Goldor said after regaining his composure. “Thank you si-” Before Sadan could finish, Maxor chipped in as well. “Why not, it sounds like a little bit of fun.” Maxor said. “I too shall join in this game.” Storm replied “Lord Necron?” Sadan asked, turning towards the last Wither Lord, who still hadn’t said anything. “Very well then, but I won’t be there for long, I have more important things to be doing.” Necron replied after a few seconds of silence. “Thank you sir.” Sadan could barely contain his grin, and so he bowed his head down instead. With that, darkness enveloped Sadan again and he ended in Thorn’s colosseum, the place he was before being summoned by the Wither Lords. Thorn was floating in front of a table where there was some tea set. Sadan watched as Thorn used his tentacle to grab the cup and take a sip. I didn’t realize he drank like that. The more you know I guess. He thought to himself. Thorn continued to sip tea before he turned and saw Sadan. Thorn’s eyes widened, and he set the tea down and approached Sadan. “Welcome back my friend, how did the meeting go?” Thorn inquired. “It went well enough, and I was able to get all four Wither Lords to come to your event tomorrow.” “Oh thank you so much Sadan.” Thorn was beaming at him. “I can always count on you.” “It’s no problem.” Sadan replied. “Did you tell Scarf and the Professor?” “Yes, they have been informed and are readying their floors in case Bonzo loses.” “Alright. I’ll take my leave then. I’ll try and make time tomorrow to attend your event.” Sadan said. Thorn nodded, and Sadan shifted the room once again. The stadium seats disappeared and Sadan appeared in his room. Torches blazed along the walls, and red carpet coated the floor. Sadan laid down on his bed and sighed. “Such a hassle. Let’s just hope Bonzo can deal with the adventurers quickly.” He said while rubbing his eyes. He pulled the blanket over his body and closed his eyes. Sadan woke up the next morning in a cold sweat. He looked around, panting. He looked at his clothes and realized that they were wet with his own sweat. He got up from his bed and went towards the bath. He turned on the water and sat in the tub. After a few minutes, he got out and dried himself off. He covered himself up and went towards his closet. Looking through the various clothes, he found a purple coat with golden buttons and a pair of black pants. He put on the clothes and went to the mirror. There he began to brush his brown hair. After making sure he liked what it looked like, he put on his black and golden shoes and shifted the room. He ended up back in Thorn’s sand pit. He looked at the stadium seats and saw mobs taking their seats. Thorn however, was nowhere to be found. Sadan jumped up to the seats, and sat down. “Lord Sadan.” He heard someone say. He looked to his left and saw a Shadow Assassin. “It’s a pleasure to see you here today sir.” Sadan simply nodded his head and turned back towards the pit. Thorn appeared with a flash of light, leading to a round of applause. “Welcome everyone! I hope you are all having a great day!.” Thorn said. Lots of cheers followed, and Thorn could be seen smiling. “I have a special surprise for you today.” Thorn said. His smile grew, and there was a puff of smoke. Sadan couldn’t see anything through the smoke, but he had an idea on what was happening. He’s probably making an entrance for the Wither Lords. He thought to himself. Within the smoke he could see four figure’s, and he immediately knew it was the Wither Lords. “I would like to welcome, for a once in a lifetime special event.” Thorn said with an increasing volume. “The Wither Lords!” As he said that, the smoke disappeared and all four Wither Lords could be seen there. A deafening amount of applause and cheers erupted from the crowd, and Sadan used his mana to muffle the sound. The Wither Lords drew their weapons. Necron drew his rapier, Goldor drew his greatsword, Storm summoned his lightning, and Maxor shot a laser out. This brought forth more cheers from the crowd as most of the mobs had never seen the Wither Lords, or their weapons. “The Wither Lords have agreed to spar each other today for your entertainment. I hope you enjoy, and let the show begin!” Thorn said before disappearing. After the crowd had gone silent, the Wither Lords drew their positions. Each of them stood in an opposite corner. Before anyone knew what had happened, Necron was in front of Storm thrusting his rapier. Storm had managed to dodge just in time and threw lightning towards Necron who jumped away. Sadan looked throughout the arena, but he couldn’t find Necron anywhere in the arena. As he was looking, he saw a flicker of a person near Maxor and turned his head towards him. Necron appeared in front of Maxor who shot a laser beam that Necron easily dodged. Necron thrust his rapier at Maxor who wasn’t able to dodge, and was sent flying into the wall. Goldor, who still hadn’t moved from his starting position, threw his sword in the air. Sadan felt a large amount of mana enveloping Goldor as he cast something on his sword. While in the air, Goldor’s sword had been cloned a hundred times over, and all of them were moving towards Storm. I knew the Wither Lords were powerful, but I didn’t realize the power gap between me and them. Would I be able to stand my ground against them? He wondered as Maxor reappeared. A look of anger was easy to see on Maxor’s face. He began channeling mana, and in an instance Maxor cast a large laser. The laser shot forward towards Storm who was able to sidestep it. After the dust had cleared, Sadan’s eyes grew in shock as he looked at the wreckage. There was no trace of anything existing in the spots the laser had touched. The ground that it hit was all gone, and the part of the stadium it had struck was nowhere to be seen. Isn’t Maxor supposed to be the weakest of the Wither Lords? I see now, I wouldn’t stand a chance if faced against any of them Sadan realized. He sighed and continued to watch. Necron who had disappeared again, reappeared in front of Goldor’s swords, destroying all of them in an instant. A fireball appeared in Necrons other hand, and he cast it at Goldor. Goldor wasn’t able to dodge in time, and was pushed into the wall by the fireball. The moment the fireball came in contact the with wall, it exploded, leaving that side of the arena and all the mobs near it in flames. “Sir.” Someone whispered to him. Sadan turned to face the person, and saw a Zombie Knight standing there. “Hey, get out the way I can’t see.” A mob complained, trying to kick the Zombie Knight. Sadan glared at the mob complaining, and turned back to the Zombie Knight. “What is it?” Sadan asked. The Zombie Knight hesitated for a moment before he replied to Sadan. “I am sorry to report that the master of the first floor, Bonzo, has been killed in battle.” Sadan immediately got up and pushed the Zombie Knight away. Bonzo has died?! This is an emergency, the Wither Lords must be notified at once! He turned back towards the arena where the battle of the Wither lords was still raging. I’ll have to risk going down there. Who knows if the adventurers have already gone to the next floor. Sadan walked towards the edge of the stadium, pushing many mobs out of the way. He jumped off into the sand pit, and was instantly pushed back by the large amount of mana circulating. He slowly walked forwards, trying to reach Necron. The Wither Lord was currently engaged in a battle with Storm, but he spotted Sadan and approached him. Necron cast a forcefield around him and Sadan, and the other Wither Lords turned their attention towards them. They stopped fighting and approached the forcefield. Necron soon dispelled it, and the Wither Lords all looked at Sadan. “Why are you disrupting our duel?” Maxor asked, visibly annoyed. “I’m sorry to interrupt this, but I have received very urgent news.” Sadan said. “Bonzo has been killed on the first floor.” An expression of shock could be seen on the faces of all the Wither Lords. “When did this happen?” Necron asked. “I do not know, my lord.” Sadan replied. “I was only informed of this a few moments ago.” “Halt the duel!” Gildor shouted. Muttering and complaints could be heard coming from the mobs, but they were quickly silenced when Gildor sent out some of his mana. Thorn appeared in front of Sadan and the Wither Lords, visibly confused. “What is the problem, my lords?” Thorn asked. “Bonzo has been killed.” Sadan informed him. “We must halt the event and see where the adventurers are.” Shock flashed over Thorn’s eyes, and he quickly turned to the crowd. “I’m sorry everyone, but something important has come up.” Thorn announced. The crowd began to boo Thorn as he continued to speak. “The event will be halted, and you will be refunded all the coins that you paid.” This didn’t seem to help as the boos only grew louder when they heard the event was canceled. The Wither Lords, not caring about the boos of the crowd, walked away through a passage on a wall in the sand pit. “We must notify the other floor masters at once.” Storm said. “Sadan, go and tell the rest of them, we will have a private meeting.” “Yes, sir.” Sadan replied. He channeled mana and shifted the room. He ended up in Livid’s room once again. However, the necromancer was nowhere to be seen. “Livid?” Sadan called out. “Livid, show yourself right now!” No reply came back, and Sadan began to walk around Livid’s room, searching for him. As Sadan walked to a door, he could hear the sound of voices behind it, and he opened the door. He saw Livid, Scarf, and the Professor sitting there as the Watcher hovered above them. The four of them turned towards Sadan who walked forwards. “I have news to tell you all.” Sadan said. “Bonzo has been killed.” Livid said before Sadan could continue, “The Watcher has already informed us.” “Then you realize how urgent this is.” Sadan said, looking at Scarf and the Professor. “You two go to your floors immediately, we have to take all precautionary measures.” The two men nodded and left the room without a word. Livid sighed and simply left soon after. Sadan sat down in a chair and looked at the Watcher. “Go and find out where the adventurers are. Once you do, keep Scarf and the Professor informed on their location at all times. Do you understand?” Sadan ordered. “Yes.” The Watcher nodded his head and promptly disappeared. Sadan leaned back in the chair and sighed. Dammit. How did this happen? Where was the Watcher when this happened? Sadan had many questions, but none of them could be answered at the moment. He sighed once more before shifting the room to his own. He took off his coat and threw it on the floor before getting in bed. He pulled the blanket over himself and closed his eyes. Thankfully, sleep found him easily.
“Dammit.” Sadan cursed as he jumped back. “How many more hits will it take to bring you bastards down?” His opponents didn’t respond instead, they simply rushed forward, swinging their sword at him. Sadan dodged their swings as he channeled mana. He continued to dodge their attacks as he continued to channel mana until finally, he gathered enough mana and summoned four giants. The giants were summoned from the ceiling, and so when they landed they caused the whole room to shake. The adventurers lost their footing, and so Sadan took the opportunity to strike. Summoning a sword of his own, he sliced at his opponents, and tore away at their armor. “I won’t let you get past me. You will not reach the Wither Lords, not today, not ever!” He yelled as he swung his sword one last time at one of his opponents. He was flung back into a wall where he was then attacked relentlessly by Sadan’s giants. Only one more adventurer left. I’ll stop him right here and now. Sadan thought to himself as he dashed to the last adventurer and began to barrage him with sword swings. The adventurer could be seen struggling, and Sadan smiled when suddenly, the adventurer seemed to gain a burst of strength, and creatures were summoned to help him. Sadan jumped back to dodge, but the adventurer had already reached him and began attacking again, putting Sadan on the defensive. ****. Alright, I can endure his attacks long enough, and at some point this effect of his will have to wear off. He thought to himself. Sadan was able to jump away, and pulled out his sword to attack when suddenly, he felt a dagger pierce his back. He turned and saw the first adventurer standing there, blade drawn, and the corpses of Sadan’s giants lay behind him. Just who are these people? How strong are they? He wondered as he dashed away. “You’ve left me with no choice.” Sadan said. He soon channeled enough mana to cast a transformation spell on himself, and Sadan quickly grew in size. When the transformation was done, Sadan looked identical to one of his own giants, and his sword had grown in size as well. He swung his sword at the adventurers, but instead of running away from it, the adventurers ran forwards and continued to attack Sadan. As the adventurers sliced his legs, Sadan collapsed to the floor, dropping his sword. The adventurers continued their endless barrage of attacks as Sadan lost strength in his arms to hold himself up, and collapsed fully. How… How can this be? Sadan wondered as one of the adventurers climbed on top of him. The adventurer raised his sword, and brought it down upon Sadan’s head.
“Gah!” Sadan yelled out as he awoke in his bed. “Wha..?” He looked around. His room looked normal, and there was no sign of anyone in there. “Alright then.” Sadan said, collecting himself. “It was nothing more than a dream.” Sadan got up out of his bed and did what he did the previous morning, take off his clothes and take a bath. When he was done, he went to his closet and began searching through his clothes. “What to where?” He asked himself when he saw something strange. He pulled out two coats, and stared at them for a long time. “Since when did I have three purple coats?” He wondered. He looked to the floor in the spot where he left the coat last night, it was still there. “How strange. Perhaps I just never noticed them.” He reasoned. He grabbed his sword and looked at the calendar that hung in a corner of his room. “Oh we have a meeting of the floor masters today.” He realized. “This will be a good time to bring up what happened yesterday.” He began to shift the room as he pondered on the events of the previous day. Bonzo dying is a tragedy, but it will also be a reason to have the other floor masters train and grow stronger. He realized. He kept thinking about the events of yesterday as the room completely shifted. He appeared on the same floating platform as he did during his meeting with the Wither Lords, and he walked towards the table. “Alright.” He began. “About what happened yesterday-” Sadan stopped as he looked up and saw something unbelievable. He dropped his sword and lost strength in his legs at the sight in front of him. “Bonzo?” He asked. “Is it really you?”

Writing part of this as I just finished chapter 3. Spoilers for a 6 year old game. Overall I think Primrose story up to this point was pretty good. Very dark but set up some interesting things.
For those of you who don’t know octopath is a JRPG by square enix that has 8 different playable characters each with a different stories with each story being split up into 4 chapters. It’s set in basic medieval setting. Typically you do each characters chapter 1 then all chapters 2 and so on because of the level curve. Primrose is the protagonist of one of these stories and her plot revolves around getting revenge for the death of her father who was killed at the hands of 3 men each with the mark of a crow, one on the the left arm, one on the right arm and one on the neck who is the leader. When the crows kill her father Primrose sees these marks while hidden and while the people are cloaked.
That’s the only lead she has. She becomes a danceprostitute kills her trafficker gets a map then kills the guy with the crow on his left arm. That’s chapter 1 and 2. She returns home to follow a lead by the left arm guy and runs into… Simeon
Let’s start with the good. His VA does a phenomenal job and his flair for the dramatic is a cool personality trait especially with the title of puppet-master. He also calls out the own cliche trope he’s a part of and does a maniacal villain laugh but that’s neither here nor there. That’s about it
Now for the bad. Simeon is portrayed as Primrose’s childhood love + continuing true love. She runs into him in her home town which he says he was drawn there by fate, somewhat suspicious but whatever. The narration says the first time Primrose ever felt peace since her father died is talking to Simeon. After his literally single line of dialogue (ok not literally, he has 30 lines of dialogue and yes I counted, fuck you) we skip ahead and beat the boss (the right arm) and Simeon appears and stabs Primrose. What?! He’s the bad guy?! Shocker I know.
So apparently Simeon is and always has been the head of this evil underground empire called the Obsidians and orchestrated the death of Primrose’s dad.
Why am I writing a rant about this then?
The first problem is this comes out of nowhere. There is no mention of Simeon at all prior to his introduction. He appears, is the most important living person in the protagonists life and one cutscene later he’s revealed to be the big bad evil guy.
I can’t possibly care about his betrayal I don’t know how this guy is and I don’t know why Primrose cares other than the story says so. It’s also just so predictable. I wouldn’t say any of this games story is especially exceptional but like child hood or past friend betrayal is in half of these stories. Olberic has Erhardt, Ophelia has Lianna, Therion has Darius and if you want to include general betrayal Alfyn has Miguel and Cyrus has Lucia (that’s 6 out of 8 characters for those keeping count at home). The moment he was introduced it’s just so obvious what will happen regarding this guy.
Also his back story… where do I begin. As I said before I’m writing this in chapter 3 so it’s not too fleshed out and I’ll add a section after chapter 4 but like, Simeon is a pedophile right? Like when primrose’s father is killed she is portrayed as like 13 and at this point Simeon is head of a smuggling ring that’s probably been operating for years. So he’s either this criminal mastermind that leads a gang as a child or is an actual adult who fell in love with a child. The game never calls this out though and we don’t know his age. Simeon is the families gardeners apprentice and seems to be portrayed as fairly young but not as young as primrose
This brings us back to the crow. The whole lead that kickstarted our journey. The thing literally tattooed onto these people’s bodies, remember that? Cause primrose sure didn’t. There’s is no reality where Primrose doesn’t see a crow tattooed on this dudes neck before or after he killed her father
“But…but… what if he got it tattooed right before he killed her father” well random straw man im glad you asked because the game makes sure to let you know that Simeon comforted primrose after her fathers death just to ensure either primroses incompetence or the games poor writing decisions.
You know when she does see the crow on Simeon again though? After he stabs her. Like does her vision only work if someone is actively dying?
Your childhood love had a crow tattooed on his neck: I sleep.
Shadow man literally wearing a cloak while your hiding behind a table walks by: real shit
This guy you haven’t seen in over a decade shows up to the same town as you “guided by fate” and you engage in long conversation about the past, you know the past where someone with crow tattoo killed your dad, hey wait a minute why does this guy have a…: I sleep
Guy literally stabs you and is wearing the exact same clothes as earlier and your on the floor bleeding out: real shit
You know, I don’t recall ever seeing anyone with glasses in this game. Yeah that’s probably it, Primrose is just literally blind. Anyway this is the end of my rant on part 3
In case anyone still has no clue what I’m talking about heres a video of the game his intro is from 4:30-11 and the post boss fight is at 29:05 —————————————————————————
Anddddd we’re back. Or well I am I guess you guys never left. You get the point.
First things first her seeing the crow only after getting stabbed is actually explain… kinda. The narration said she grabbed his scarf after she collapsed so my bad chief. Anyway…
GOD THE VA OF SIMEON IS SOOO GOOOOD. Shout out to Chris Hackney (he also voiced Dimitri, makes sense “kill every last one of them”). The VA of primrose (Laura Post) also goes so hard in this chapter
The final chapter is in this town called everhold famous for its theatre which Simeon actually owns which perfectly fits his character and makes for a great final stage (literally). The fact that he stabbed her in a place she could have lived or died for drama is also great (gotta love seeing villains fail based on their personality, if you can call it failing).
In this chapter Simeon makes a play based on Primrose’s life that brings back memories so we get to see more of her past. Simeon explains that he enjoys watching others suffer and Primrose’s life is like the ultimate tragedy and killing her father was partly to watch her suffer, mostly cause he was poking around in their business though but I digress
Skipping ahead we beat the boss and he calls primrose out on what this was all for, why she did all this etc which I’ll get too. This was actually all a dream sequence though. After a scene with her father she gets her composure back and we face him irl
And so we beat him. His life ends with a dagger to the heart and his play ends with loves embrace (the characters based on Simeon and primrose marry). She visits her father’s grave and she feels… nothing
Her story is about discovering a sense of purpose. This is a common theme throughout the stories and particularly with 3 people. Tressa, Primrose, and Olberic. Tressa is a naive young girl who wants to explore and find her place in the world. Primrose is filled with revenge and puts that before all else. Olberic is… old. Like primrose his backstory is filled with betrayal and death but he’s far past revenge he’s just seeking a sense of purpose and has nothing to live for (kinda like Gilbert from Fire Emblem 3 Houses, except YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER GILBERT YOU FUCKING…). Anyway of the 3 I think Primrose is the most interesting
Her quest for revenge is treated as unhealthy and obsessive. She willingly sold herself into human trafficking for years to get a lead and refuses to visit her father’s grave until after it was done. It’s the only thing keeping her alive, it’s her purpose, but as mentioned in the dream sequence of chapter 4 she doesn’t actually want revenge.
The scene where she finds comfort in her father in her head after Simeon, a manifestation of her own subconscious, uses her father’s words against her is beautiful. Her father’s silence over the course of the entire scene speaks volumes. He’s gone, and she can beg for forgiveness but she doesn’t need it, the only one she hurt is herself after all.
This whole thing was a quest to fill some hole in her heart but it doesn’t/didn’t work. But this also isn’t some friendship anime. This isn’t a story where the protagonist learns to move on and forget revenge. These people deserve to die and Primrose knows it. It isn’t treated as some unjust thing that will taint your soul. The path she set on is above all else a purpose. It certainly wasn’t healthy but taking revenge let her move on. Her story ends the same way Olberic starts, looking for a new purpose in life, one not from the demons of her past.
Primrose is a tragic character with probably the darkest story in the game and doesn’t get a happy ending. While it certainly had certain… writing choices… primrose was a compelling enough character to keep me engaged. The entire plot line of childhood love is kind of just dropped in the last chapter though, she just seems to stop caring about Simeon (she just like me Fr Fr). While Simeon is certainly entertaining the character driven story happens in spite of him not because of him.
Also according to Simeon’s wiki as I was looking up his voice actor he’s 126+ so the whole “girl I fell in love with” is a big yikes
Obligatory video, dream sequence starts at around the 12 minute mark
K thx bye

SummerSlam 2024:
Bo Dallas vs Finn Bálor
Five years ago, at this very same event, Bray Wyatt debuted a brand new version of himself. A version known as The Fiend. A monstrous being that featured very little man in its existence, it was a demonic creature, feeding on the fear of those it crossed and becoming seemingly impervious due to it.
Five years later, the brother of the man who brought that thing into the wrestling world, faces the same man who fell victim at the feet of The Fiend. And just as Bray Wyatt did, Bo Dallas has some tricks in his sleeve, or...some rabbits in his hat.
[Finn Bálor enters first, the confident Irishman with a historic career who has made his mark as a legend in the business. From Bullet Club to training Becky Lynch & JD McDonagh to arguably the greatest NXT Champion of all time to the first ever Universal Champion to The Judgement Day. Tonight, he looks to build upon that illustrious status with a victory over the unpredictable Bo Dallas.
Bálor stands, ready to fight, when the lights dim out. Bálor is slightly puzzled, this isn't part of Bo's recent entrances.
At the top of the entrance way sits a door, an eerie glow doubled with an eerie vibration emanating from it. Suddenly, the door busts open.
White Rabbit Remix - Jefferson Airplane
Bálor watches as from the door emerges a figure. A figure seemingly humanoid in nature, but something slightly off, the fog filling the area makes it hard to discern what that is.
The fog clears and it becomes increasingly clear what's gone wrong here. The crowd gasps and then quiets.
Bo Dallas White Rabbit inspiration
Bo Dallas White Rabbit inspiration
A figure, very similar to the images above, exits the door and infringes on the sanctity of the ring as he approaches. Fur is matted along the arms, abdomen, legs. Splatters of a once viscous red liquid that has dried a crimson brown are visible all over the once pristine, white pelt.
And the face...a disgusting hybrid between a human and an inhumanely large rabbit. The ears jutting out of the face made out of that same...material. That unnatural fur. The left side of the face revealing what used to be a man. He looks...like Bo Dallas. The skin portion of the face is smothered in red, further stretching the meaning of recognizable. An almost leathery appearance coats the angry, red skin. A texture much too old for Taylor Rotunda's age of thirty three.
The teeth lay as jagged pieces of metal, unable to be contained by the maw of the creature.
The lights come up as the unholy monster enters the once sacred ring. A ring that has made this sport possible and a ring where the best matches in professional wrestling have occured, a ring that held the matches and moments that made you fall in love with wrestling in the first place.
And it's tainted, rendered unclean, by this animal. A chill runs down Finn Bálor's spine. He stands his ground, eyeing his bizarre opponent warily, unsure of what to expect from this unholy creation. Memories of a scene he's starred in before, not unlike this, flooding him.
The White Rabbit's grotesque visage contorts into a twisted semblance of a grin as he advances towards Bálor, his movements jerky and unnatural. Bálor braces himself for the impending confrontation, his senses on high alert as he prepares to defend himself against this monstrous aberration.
The bell rings, signaling the start of the match, and Bálor wastes no time in launching a flurry of strikes at The White Rabbit, hoping to catch him off guard and gain the early advantage. But The White Rabbit proves to be more agile than he appears, dodging Bálor's attacks with ease and countering with a brutal barrage of his own.
The White Rabbit toys with Bálor, taunting him with mocking gestures and sadistic laughter as he systematically dismantles his opponent with a series of harsh maneuvers. Bálor fights back with all his might, refusing to let fear or uncertainty cloud his judgment as he battles against the odds.
As the match progresses, The White Rabbit's dominance becomes increasingly evident, his unnerving presence casting a pall over the arena as he unleashes his full arsenal of twisted and unpredictable offense. Bálor struggles to keep pace, his every move countered with ruthless efficiency by his monstrous adversary.
But just when it seems that all hope is lost, Bálor summons the strength of his fighting spirit, rallying back with a defiant burst of energy that catches The White Rabbit off guard. With The White Rabbit still standing, Bálor delivers a thunderous Coup de Grâce, driving his feet into The White Rabbit's chest with bone-shattering force.
The impact ripples through the ring as The White Rabbit crumples to the canvas, his grotesque form writhing in agony. Bálor seizes the opportunity, pinning his monstrous opponent for...for a one count.
Bálor quickly climbs and attempts a second Coup De Grâce, this time to a downed opponent. The White Rabbit moves out of the way and quickly snaps the neck of Finn Bálor. The Rabbit pulls up the paralyzed form of Bálor, and sinches in Hell's Gates.
The referee calls for the bell as the lifeless form of Bálor begins to bleed from his nose and ears, the extraneous pressure from the submission evident.
The White Rabbit stares out at the audience, stares down at Bálor and exits the ring, he walks towards the door, goes through the portal and closes it behind him.
The lights come up and all that's left is the ravaged body of Finn Bálor.]
RAW, 8/12/24:
(Writers Note: Damian Priest is going to be uninvolved in this feud due to focusing on his main event aspirations and his growing distance from The Judgement Day.)
Two weeks after the emergence of one of the most disturbing figures we've ever seen grace the squared circle, Bo Dallas returns to RAW to address the events of SummerSlam.
He says that when he returned to WWE four months ago, he was a very nervous man. He was wracked with feelings of uncertainty and fear, he remembers going into a match with a specific man, Joe Gacy. He remembers being the most scared he's ever been, you have to understand, Bo wasn't like his brother. Bo didn't get 'extreme', he didn't get the opportunity to have matches like that and here he was.
Faced with a madman, challenged to a Love and War match. Joe, he taught Bo something that night, he told him "Fulfill Your Destiny." And it was at that moment, that Bo realized something. He realized what Bray had been doing all those years.
If you can take your fear, and manifest it into something physical, something truly special can be born, and better yet, it leaves you, the man behind the magic, completely fearless.
Before Dallas can continue, The Judgement Day appears, Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh surround the ring. Bálor says that Bo caught him off guard at SummerSlam, and he wants a rematch, especially seeing as how without his smoke and mirrors, Bo sure does seem fragile.
"It's true. I wouldn't be able to fight all three of you by myself, which is why I'm so glad I don't have to."
BRAUN!
The Monster Among Men makes his first appearance in almost a year, marching out on stage. The Judgement Day is already sufficiently rattled before the titantron goes a mossy green and Erick Rowan appears besides Strowman, standing with his former Wyatt Family brother.
Strowman & Rowan storm the ring causing JD & Dominik to flee and escape, but Bálor turns around into Grim Affection. Dallas stands tall, inheriting the family Bray built. What's that saying? The brother of my brother is my brother? Something like that.
Bash In Berlin 2024:
Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan vs The Judgement Day (Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh)
[Following a confident, braggadocios entrance by The Judgement Day, Dallas, Strowman and Rowan mark their arrival with a Code Orange performed remix of Feared. The music, calling back to the numerous other songs Code Orange has provided for the Rotunda family.
Dallas, flanked by the hulking figures of Strowman and Rowan makes for an intimidating visual. The Judgement Day have an experience edge though, especially with Bálor having personally trained and scouted McDonagh several years ago.
Dallas and Mysterio start the match and Bo quickly gets flustered by the speed and lucha experience of Dominik. Though Dominik has control early, Dallas gets fed up, and following a lucky strike, tags out to Braun Strowman.
Strowman dismantles Dominik, tossing him around the ring with ease. He connects with a heart-throb to the chest before hoisting Mysterio into a move we have not seen from Strowman...since he was a follower.
The hanging triangle lock is applied, Strowman squeezing around the neck of Dominik as Mysterio hangs limply. Dominik kicks out, inciting Braun to return another maneuver. The reverse chokeslam connects and Strowman places a boot on Dominik's chest, but Mysterio still manages to fight out.
Strowman brings Rowan in, who locks a bear hug forcing Dominik to scramble for escape. Despite Dominik's surviving the bear hug, his relief is short lived as Rowan cinches a vice grip around the skull. Dominik creates separation, and Rowan tries to flatten him with a spin kick, but Mysterio ducks. A dropkick to the knee and a 619 follows, giving Dominik an opportunity to tag out.
Finn Bálor is brought in and begins striking away on Rowan, littering the bigger man with bruises. A well placed pele kick wobbles Rowan and leaves him victim to a shotgun dropkick into the turnbuckles. Bálor attempts a Coup De Grâce, but Rowan avoids shoving Finn into the corner. Rowan charges in, but Bálor hops over him and Erick crashes into the steel post.
JD is tagged in and immediately hits a pump helluva kick on the cornered Rowan. Rowan is down to a knee and McDonagh comes from behind with a leap over Rowan culminating in a stunner. A kick out by Rowan inspires McDonagh to connect with a swanton bomb for a near-fall.
JD attempts for Devlinside, yet discovers Rowan is too big of a man to be trying that on. Rowan gets grip on the neck and goes for a chokeslam, McDonagh does a backflip out of it landing on his feet. JD connects with a superkick, followed by a springboard moonsault DDT.
Dallas breaks up the pin, Dominik rushes in to even the odds, Strowman neutralizes Dominik, Bálor brawling with Braun. Chaos unfolds, and eventually Dallas and co. clear the ring. Braun runs the Strowman Express on Judgement Day plowing through each member at ringside, except for JD who catches him with a penalty kick after hopping onto the apron.
JD and Rowan begin to battle again as the legal men, McDonagh knees Rowan in the face and dives with a crossbody for a two count. JD tags out to Bálor, who allows Rowan to bring in Bo Dallas.
Dallas and Bálor, now both as their mortal selves, begin to brawl. Bálor connects with a slingblade, and a shotgun dropkick driving Bo nearly through the turnbuckles. Bàlor attempts a Coup De Grâce, but Dallas avoids and attempts Grim Affection. Bálor slips out and locks the head up under the arm, connecting with a snap elbow drop across the heart.
Bálor climbs now once more, and Dallas hangs him up before sending Finn to the canvas below with a superplex. A near-fall follows, and Dallas clings to the leg of Bálor, trying to prevent a tag. Finn kicks him away and reintroduces McDonagh to the fray.
JD flusters Dallas with strikes and speed, but as he locks onto the wrist and attempts his springboard moonsault DDT, Dallas catches him in position and connects with Grim Affection. Strowman and Rowan plow through Dominik and Bálor preventing a save.
Dallas gets the victory for his team, and alongside his disciples of destruction, stands tall. The entire locker room put on notice.]
Over the next several weeks, The Judgement Day keeps their distance from Dallas's clan. Dallas fastly finds a new target, challenging The Final Testament. Dallas continuously tells Karrion Kross that he was destined for this, dating back almost a decade (in reference to Kross's stint as The White Rabbit in Lucha Underground.)
We get a very fun Authors Of Pain/Strowman & Rowan match out of it, and by the end of September, Bo has successfully convinced Karrion Kross to abandon AOP, Paul Ellering and even Scarlett, adding yet another massive man to his growing group.
October arrives and with his group nearing completion, Dallas targets a man his brother knew very well. That man being Seth Rollins. Dating back to The Shield & The Wyatt Family's iconic feud to The Fiend chasing Rollins' Universal Championship, Rollins was always one of Bray's best rivals. Not to mention, Dallas and Rollins have history from their days in FCW together, only Rollins has so significantly eclipsed Dallas in success and he's sure to rub that in Bo's face now.
You may think the numbers game is so insurmountable and overwhelming, but one puzzle piece that makes this that much more interesting is who Seth has been teaming with as of late. His protege and trainee, Nathan Frazer.
There's a segment featuring Dallas, flanked by his followers and Rollins with Frazer, but the tension is so heavy between Bo and Nathan, you would think they were the only two people in the ring. Frazer addresses his fear of Dallas, and that fear was proven valid considering the damage Dallas has done to the foes he's encountered since.
Dallas cost Nathan his best friend, he cost him his tag team titles, he cost him his brother! But Nathan has news for Bo, he is not running anymore.
Dallas steps forward, looking to acknowledge the impact he's had on Frazer.
"Nate, is it? I don't know how to tell you this, but...I don't even know who you are."
Bo is calloused and cold, and simply decides to feed Frazer and Rollins to the wolves. We get a tag match between Rollins and Frazer vs Strowman and Rowan, with commentary making note of Rollins and Braun being former tag team champions together, ending in victory for Rollins and Frazer.
Armageddon 2024:
Bo Dallas vs Seth Rollins
[The anticipation is high as Bo Dallas and Seth Rollins step into the ring, flanked by their respective allies. Rollins, accompanied by Nathan Frazer, exudes the confidence of a former champion as he eyes Dallas, who seems to stand that much taller alongside the imposing trio of Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, and Karrion Kross.
The match begins with Dallas and Rollins locking up in the center of the ring, each vying for control. Rollins gains the early advantage with his technical prowess, countering Dallas's power-based offense with precision strikes and fast maneuvers. But Dallas refuses to back down, using his size and strength to overpower Rollins and gain the upper hand.
As the match progresses, both competitors unleash a barrage of moves, each refusing to give an inch in their quest for victory. Rollins employs his signature high-flying arsenal, soaring through the air with breathtaking dives and aerial assaults that keep Dallas on the defensive. But Dallas proves to be a resilient opponent, weathering Rollins's onslaught and mounting several counterattacks of his own.
In the final moments of the match, Rollins, alongside Frazer battle off Dallas's trio of monsters. Rollins looks for a Curb Stomp, that Dallas avoids. Dallas hooks on for Grim Affection, but Rollins latches onto the arm, trapping Bo before spinning him into a RainTrigger knee strike. A definitive Curb Stomp follows and Rollins is able to secure the victory giving Bo his first clean singles loss since returning.]
With Survivor Series fast approaching, the men Dallas has targeted come back to haunt him, as Rollins and Frazer form something of a truce with The Judgement Day, seeking to take down the common enemy in Bo Dallas.
We get some interesting interactions such as Kross trying to convince JD that he can see the darkness in him, harkening back to JD's NXT character of old, only for JD to tell Kross that he doesn't know anything about him before shattering his nose with a wicked headbutt.
With Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor, JD McDonagh, Nathan Frazer & Seth Rollins banding together Bo seems to be just one man short. It's the RAW prior to Survivor Series when Dallas, Strowman, Rowan and Kross stand on stage staring down the babyface quintet. The crowd waits with baited breath before Love Is Blind hits and Joe Gacy strolls on stage, making his main roster debut to side with his NXT foe.
They charge the ring and a brawl breaks out, and as security tries to keep the ten men apart, we here a distinguished William Regal shout
"WarGames!"
Survivor Series 2024:
Team Dallas (Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy & Karrion Kross) vs Team Rollins (Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor, JD McDonagh, Nathan Frazer & Seth Rollins) - WarGames
[It is decided that Joe Gacy and Seth Rollins will be opening this match. Both men selected by their teams for their stamina in matches like these, Gacy from his CZW days, Rollins having been WWE's premier workhorse for years.
The bell rings and they make their way on to the steel connector between the two rings. They begin wallaying on each other with forearms before Joe sneaks in a boot to the midsection, Gacy attempts a powerbomb on the steel, but Rollins reverses with a back body drop.
Seth looks for a superkick, but Gacy catches the foot and sends Rollins into the left ring. Rollins looks for a spinning forearm, but Gacy ducks and gores Rollins with a shoulder thrust. Joe sails over Rollins into the ring, and using his deceptive athleticism, looks for his handspring lariat.
Rollins catches him with a superkick and tries for a Pedigree. Gacy is able to muscle up Rollins into an Alabama Slam, he then throws Rollins into the turnbuckles forcing Seth to take a seat. A big crossbody to the seated, cornered Rollins follows and Gacy begins to reign.
Joe starts targeting the bad back sending Rollins writhing with forearms and knees to the lumbar. He eventually gets a knee on the spine with a tight grip around the mouth, controlling Seth's breathing. Rollins begins to fire up and fight out with elbows to the midsection. Rollins hits a leaping knee strike to Gacy and takes him down a peg.
Rollins attempts a Curb Stomp, but Gacy moves landing Winds Of Change as Rollins turns around. Gacy tries for a running senton, but Rollins moves this time. Curb Stomp attempt, Gacy moves, handspring lariat, Rollins ducks, superkick, Curb Stomp connects.
Rollins knows he can't make the cover so he climbs to the top to inflict more damage. Frogsplash, but Gacy gets the knees up. Joe shoves Rollins into the ropes hoping to connect with an elbow to the back, but Rollins rebounds with a spinning forearm. Gacy ducks locking on for a German Suplex, Rollins lands on his feet and closes in with a V-Trigger, Gacy rebounds off the ropes into a Falcon Arrow and the countdown begins.
Erick Rowan is the next entry, joining Joe Gacy as a focused duo. Rowan pounces on Rollins, but Seth fights back, attempting a RainTrigger but Rowan catches him by the face, in an Iron Claw like grip. Rowan looks for a slam using the claw grip, but Rollins hooks onto the head and reverses into a DDT.
Rollins begins to litter both Joe and Rowan with corner forearms, Rowan eventually catches Rollins and attempts a two handed chokeslam. Rollins dropkicks the body of Rowan mid-slam, and recuperates. He attempts a Pedigree, but Rowan reverses with a back body drop, Rollins lands on his feet and nails an enziguri to stumble the big man.
He mounts Rowan in the corner and begins landing repeated right hands, Rowan shoves him off the middle turnbuckle and closes the distance with a big boot. He positions Seth in the corner before slapping Gacy and hyping him up, ala The Bludgeon Brothers.
Gacy charges for a crossbody to the downed Rollins, but Seth springs up, sails over the running Gacy and lands a dropkick to Rowan. A leaping knee to the mouth follows and Rollins gets Rowan back in Pedigree position.
Gacy comes over with a clothesline that Rollins ducks before hitting a superkick to Gacy, Rowan tries to whip Rollins into the corner but Seth reverses and Erick smashes into Gacy. Rollins jumps to the middle turnbuckle raining down with a barrage of right hands to Rowan then Gacy.
Rowan and Gacy try to catch their bearings before turning around into a Phoenix Splash Crossbody from Rollins and the countdown begins.
Finn Bálor is the next entry, entering a couple of chairs into the field for him and Rollins. They stare each other down, remembering all the wars they've been through and begin to beat down on Rowan and Gacy. It's going well at first, with Gacy especially being incapacitated, before Rowan stops Bálor mid chair swing.
He mule kicks Rollins and rips the chair out of Finn's hands before tossing Finn into the corner. Rollins shortly after joins him. Rowan proceeds to biel toss Rollins who tucks and rolls to come out unscathed. Bálor is then biel tossed on top of Rollins before Rowan throws the aforementioned chair into the face of Bálor.
Rowan attempts to chokeslam Seth on top of the other chair, Rollins scrambles and kicks the chair over so it's legs up. Rowan proceeds with the chokeslam anyway, delivering Rollins onto the bottom of the chair. He then sets up another chair in the corner, wedging it between turnbuckles. He vaults Bálor in that direction, but Finn slides low to avoid connection, only for Gacy to bull pounce him into the chair anyway.
Rowan and Gacy survey the carnage they've caused, as Bálor tries to crawl into the other ring. Rowan joins him on the steel connector and despite Finn's valiant efforts, is able to claw slam him onto the steel beam as the countdown begins.
Bo Dallas is the next entry, and he doesn't waste time getting his hands dirty. He simply passes his objects of destruction their tools. A table, a length of chain and a toolbox. He then observes as his monsters begin to wreak havoc.
Gacy whips at Rollins with the chain, before wrapping it around his face and neck. Rowan squeezes between Bálor's fingers with pliers, applying pressure as he kneels on his back.
Gacy throws the toolbox into the face of an unsuspecting Rollins. Gacy sets up the table against the turnbuckles. He tries to whip Rollins into it, but Seth catches himself, he fights back against Rowan and Gacy but Joe gets a knee to the face before lifting Rollins on his shoulder and charging him through the table.
Rowan yanks Bálor up and delivers him with biel tosses onto the chain and toolbox as the countdown begins.
Dominik Mysterio is the next entry, and he quickly realizes the challenge he's up against. He ducks under Rowan and Gacy, tackling Bo and unloading with right hands. Rowan and Gacy drag him off and begin mercilessly beating on him.
Dallas calls them off, dragging Dominik into the right ring, telling Rowan and Gacy that he'll handle Mysterio. He looks for Grim Affection, but Dominik escapes and rolls backwards with Dallas before hitting a dropkick to the back. Bo is in position, but as Dallas runs the ropes, Rowan catches him by the throat.
Rowan chokeslams Dominik into the arms of Gacy who connects with a German Suplex. The ominous duo gaze down at the broken body of Mysterio, before feeding him to Dallas, who connects with Grim Affection as the countdown begins.
Karrion Kross is the next entry, and introduces a very special weapon. A barbed wire wrapped 2x4 as well as a suspicious grey baggie.
He begins brandishing Bálor and Rollins with the wood and wire. He rips at the flesh and rakes it across the face of Rollins. He begins toying with Bálor, and releases the 2x4 asking Finn to stand up and show him what he's got. Bálor fires up, and sweeps the legs sending Kross back first onto the barbed wire. He then stomps on the chest caving Kross further in.
He beckons Rowan and Gacy to try their best, and as they begin to swarm, the numbers game becomes too much. Rowan with a spinning heel kick, Gacy with a crossbody against the ropes. They continue to dismantle their foes as the countdown begins.
JD McDonagh is the next entry, and introduces several chairs. He cracks Gacy, Rowan and Dallas repeatedly, bruising them with the stiff chair strikes.
He gets Bo in the corner and hits a running dropkick with the chair under his feet, ala Rob Van Dam. McDonagh is rolling, but here comes Kross. Karrion and McDonagh have had something of a personal sub rivalry, and Karrion relishes punishing McDonagh. A fallaway suplex downs McDonagh and leads to Kross wielding a chair.
Swing and a miss, swing a miss, swing and connects with the foot of JD who was going for a roundhouse, swing and the chair lodges itself around the head of McDonagh, headbutt by McDonagh with the chair around the head, both men down and the countdown begins.
Braun Strowman is the next entry, the final for Team Dallas. He introduces multiple tables and sets them up in a row of three. Dominik chooses this time to reappear and swiftly gets chokeslammed through one of the tables.
Braun is able to get JD up in a hanging triangle lock with the chain wrapped around his neck, but Bálor and Rollins come to the save. Finn, Seth and JD work to take down Gacy, Rowan, Strowman and Kross.
McDonagh scaling the cage, Rowan, Dallas and Strowman starting to recover, Gacy on one table, Kross on one table, Rollins and Bálor climb, frogsplash through the table from Rollins, Coup De Grâce through the table from Bálor, moonsault from the top of the cage by McDonagh!
Everyone is down as the countdown begins.
Nathan Frazer is the next and final entry, Frazer is a one man wrecking crew as he enters, showing off his agility using both rings to his advantage. Frazer clears Kross, Gacy, Strowman, Rowan but faulters as he encounters Dallas.
Bo taunts Frazer from his knees, and as Frazer hesitates to take the kill shot, Rowan takes advantage with a claw slam to Nathan. Rollins capitalizes with a superkick to Dallas and a chair shot to the head of Rowan, once Erick's head is sufficiently trapped inside the chair, Rollins hops onto the back and hits a modified Pedigree, jamming the chair into the throat and jaw.
Gacy is seen stalking Rollins, having wrapped the barbed wire from the 2x4 around his arm, he charges in with a handspring barbed wire wrapped lariat to Rollins. Bálor closes in with a shotgun dropkick into the corner before fetching the grey baggie. He opens it, emptying out thumbtacks onto the canvas.
Bo comes over, striking with Bálor. Finn gets the upper hand and climbs for a standing Coup De Grâce, similar to how he tried to put The White Rabbit away at SummerSlam. He misses, going feet first into the tacks, Dallas grabs hold of the head and connects with Grim Affection on the tacks.
Three seconds later, and Team Dallas has survived WarGames. Bo collects up his soldiers, standing above the battered bodies of his opposition. One question remains clear, who can stop Bo Dallas?]
With Team Dallas pulling out a massive victory inside arguably the most grueling match type in WWE history, they look forward to moving on from the men they dismantled at Survivor Series.
One man, though, refuses to let them. That man is Nathan Frazer. Still haunted by the price he paid, the friend he lost, the halt in momentum, due to Bo's arrival in NXT.
A couple of weeks following WarGames, Frazer comes out to call out Bo Dallas, Seth Rollins tries to talk Frazer down and calm him, but Nathan is insistent. He failed to take Bo down, he failed to make things right, he needs to beat Bo Dallas.
Strowman, Rowan, Kross and Gacy emerge. Gacy states that Bo isn't here tonight, but they would be more than happy to show Frazer exactly what he's in for if he wants to keep...chasing rabbits.
The monsters storm the ring and surround Rollins and Frazer in a very hound like way. Just before they pounce, a theme song hits, the lights go up and wouldn't you know it, motherfucking Axiom arrives.
Frazer & Rollins take advantage of the distraction and Axiom lends his hand, leading to the monsters retreating. Rollins guards the ring as Axiom and Nathan Frazer stare each other down.
'Hug It Out' chants run through the arena, and Axiom & Frazer embrace, putting the past behind them.
Over the next two weeks, we get two very interesting matches. The first, a street fight between Bo Dallas and Nathan Frazer, in which Frazer finally gets an opportunity at singles revenge on Bo in a brutal, chaotic brawl. Dallas wins this match with help from his possee.
The second, Karrion Kross vs Seth Rollins, a good showcase for Kross as he steps up against a main eventer and one of the best in the world. Rollins wins in a good match, but it's what happens after that draws attention.
Rollins is seated in the corner when the lights go out, section by section, plunging Rollins into darkness and for the first time, Seth Rollins meets The White Rabbit.
The Rabbit crawls towards Rollins who closes his eyes in fear, creating parallels to a similar scene five years ago. Rollins, though, this time, stands up and stares down The Rabbit.
Seth grabs a microphone and stares down this fiendish entity. "Crown Jewel, me and my boys vs you and yours."
The Rabbit cocks his head to the side and the lights go out once more, when they come up, a hat remains in the ring. A hat very similar to Uncle Howdys', Rollins lifts it and a rabbit jumps out. At the bottom of the hat is a note, written on light blue, Firefly Funhouse themed paper.
"WE ACCEPT."
Crown Jewel 2024:
Axiom, Nathan Frazer & Seth Rollins vs Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan
[Five years after Bray Wyatt defeated Seth Rollins at this same event to become Universal Champion, Rollins faces off against his spiritual successor and younger brother, Bo Dallas. Frazer and Axiom share a quick nod of understanding, their strategy clear: use their speed and agility to outmaneuver their larger opponents. On the other side of the ring, Dallas, Strowman, and Rowan stand tall, their imposing presence a stark contrast to the quickness of their adversaries.
The match begins with Axiom and Dallas squaring off for the first time since NXT when Dallas took Axiom's title. The two competitors circle each other cautiously before locking up in a test of strength. Axiom utilizes his lightning-fast strikes and acrobatic prowess to keep Dallas off balance, darting in and out of range with precision. Shortly after, Nathan and Rowan engage in a battle of power versus speed, with Frazer using his agility to evade Rowan's powerful strikes while delivering rapid-fire kicks and strikes of his own.
As the match progresses, Rollins enters the fray, unleashing a flurry of high-flying maneuvers on his ex-partner, Strowman. Braun struggles to keep pace with his nimble opponent as Rollins utilizes his speed to his advantage, ducking and weaving around Strowman's attempts at offense before delivering an enzuigiri that sends the big man staggering backwards.
Rollins lands a knee to the nose and a step-stool Curb Stomp off the back of Frazer shortly after, but Rowan saves the match. Axiom and Nathan join forces, working in tandem to take Rowan out and wear him down with a series of double-team maneuvers. Rollins exits the ring and, acting in the role of Reigns, assists in hitting a Shield Bomb through the announce table on Rowan.
Despite the valiant efforts of Dallas, Strowman, and Rowan, the tide of the match begins to turn in favor of Rollins and his team. Axiom unleashes a devastating flurry of strikes on Dallas once Strowman and Seth tag out, culminating in a rattling roundhouse kick that leaves the former champion reeling. Meanwhile, Nathan Frazer climbs to the top turnbuckle and launches himself into the air, executing a picture-perfect shooting star press that connects squarely with Bo Dallas, leaving him sprawled out on the canvas.
With Dallas incapacitated, Nathan seizes the opportunity to go for the pin, hooking the leg as the referee counts the three. The crowd erupts into cheers as Rollins, Axiom, and Nathan Frazer celebrate their hard-fought victory, Frazer finally getting his revenge on the man who permanently altered his career.]
January arrives and the Dallas clan set their sights on the Royal Rumble, more specifically, helping Bo to win the Royal Rumble. To fulfill his destiny at WrestleMania.
When the Rumble arrives, they're doing a great job of tearing through everyone in the match. Rowan and Gacy aren't even entries, but continuously skirt around the rules, helping Bo, Kross and Strowman rack up eliminations.
They eliminate the likes of Finn Bálor, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn before they encounter the one man wrecking crew that is Randy Orton. Orton swiftly eliminates Kross and Strowman before turning his attention to Dallas. Bo is able to force him into position for Grim Affection, but Orton escapes landing an RKO and eliminating Bo Dallas.
When the Rumble has concluded, Bo has a hard time accepting this loss, and sics his men on Orton. Orton gets a victory over a game Karrion Kross leading to the onslaught by Strowman, Rowan and Gacy. However, this draws the call of the disgruntled men Bo's crew eliminated at the Rumble.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Kevin and Randy already have a friendly history, and Zayn, coming off an Intercontinental Title loss to Ilja Dragunov in August, partners up with his long time tag partner to fight the cause.
Bo acknowledges the history his brother had with Randy Orton, including Orton burning down his childhood home, The Wyatt Compound.
Finally, at Elimination Chamber, much like The Shield and The Wyatt Family over a decade prior, we get a six man tag.
Elimination Chamber 2025:
Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan vs Kevin Owens, Randy Orton & Sami Zayn
[It's very poetic, Bo has been very much hitting all of Bray's best moments in modern day versions. The demonic alter-ego debuting at SummerSlam against Finn Bálor, facing off with Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel and now a six man tag at Elimination Chamber.
Dallas lets his opponents know ahead of this match that he has some tricks up his sleeves, but that a truly good magician never reveals his secrets.
There's plenty of fun interactions, Strowman & Zayn having been Braun's first feud away from The Wyatt Family, Strowman & Owens and the terrorizing Kevin went through in 2018, Rowan & Orton facing off for the first time since Orton went after The Wyatt Family in 2017, Bo & Sami reigniting their NXT feud from 2014.
The match ends when Braun sets Owens, Zayn and Orton up in separate corners. He biel tosses Orton, biel tosses Sami and goes for Owens, but Kevin fights back hitting a Stunner on the big man. Bo comes in and eats a Pop-Up Powerbomb for a near-fall.
Kevin gets Dallas in the corner for a Kevin Cannonball and connects, once, twice, Kevin looking for a third cannonball from the corner. Zayn stops Owens and tells Kevin to let Sami end this. Bo staggers up and Sami looks for a Helluva Kick from the corner to the right of the one Owens is stood in.
HELLUVA KICK! TO OWENS!
Kevin falls into Zayn's arms and Sami pushes him to the ground before walking off, leaving Owens defenseless.
Bo crawls over looking for Grim Affection, Kevin escapes, superkick connects. Both men fall and Owens makes the hot tag to Orton. Orton clears out Rowan, Gacy, Kross and Strowman with RKOs before setting up Dallas for the punt. No one to help the wounded rabbit, The Viper closes in.
Orton's momentum is halted though by a hand grabbing his foot at ringside, the person is in a hood and just as Orton shakes free of his grip, he turns around into Grim Affection for the win.
Bo Dallas has pinned Randy Orton. His family in ruins all around the ring, Bo celebrates his victory, and is proven to be a very truthful man. He really did have quite a few tricks up his sleeve tonight.]
It is advertised that on RAW the following night, we will find out the man who cost Randy Orton at Elimination Chamber.
When the time comes, Bo, flanked by his men, states that long ago his brother put into motion a plan. A plan that would unite six people together, the six most optimal people to incite change into this company. They were handpicked by Bray since the beginning.
Braun Strowman, Bray's black sheep, the man he personally discovered and brought into the WWE to be part of his family.
Erick Rowan, Bray's left hand and the man who carried out Bray's commands for years, one of his most loyal soldiers.
Joe Gacy, a man who felt an indescribable spiritual connection to Bray Wyatt, Bray told Bo that he didn't know who the final member was, but that the man meant to fill the role would, that they would feel an intrinsic, undeniable pull.
Karrion Kross, a man with goals very similar to Bray, and a man who was being mentored by Bray backstage prior to his passing, his golden child.
And now that just leaves one person. Someone who knew Bray very well, someone Bray found much success with in this very ring. So without further ado, the final member of The Wyatt Si-
Randy Orton enters, he denounces this ceremony and is out for blood tonight. Bo states that it's actually perfectly convenient that Orton be here for this, seeing as Randy also knows this person very well.
"In fact, Randy, you're the reason this person wasn't here for five years. The past is a funny thing Randy, the axe forgets, the tree...oh, the tree always remembers."
Realization sets in on the face of Orton before the hooded figure blasts Randy as he turns around. The hood comes off, and there stands, the final member of The Wyatt Six.
Matt Hardy.
Randy Orton is able to get his revenge on Matt Hardy in Matt's last WWE match ever, a street fight on an episode of RAW. It's a grueling, physical battle, but Orton knows the numbers game is too large for him to seek revenge on Bo Dallas.
Besides, Dallas has his hands full.
Just as quickly as The Wyatt 6 began, some subtraction begins to occur. One week, Rowan will be with them backstage only to not come to the ring and go missing, Kross and Strowman face similar fates, leaving only Dallas, Gacy and Hardy.
Dallas begins to question where his family members have gone, and Gacy vows to protect him. That is moments before Dallas and Gacy head to the ring, and Matt Hardy is no longer with them.
Backstage footage airs of something destroying Matt Hardy, beating him violently, and as the being turns its head, it is made clear.
The Demon is here.
Heartbeats fill the arena and Gacy exits the ring to guard the perimeter. Red lights dawn on the squared circle, before The Demon attacks Gacy at ringside making quick work of him.
The Demon crawls into the ring before Dallas grabs a mic, kneeling down to The Demon's level.
"I know what you want, there's only one place for souls like ours to do this. Hell In A Cell."
On the go home show for WrestleMania, Finn Bálor and Bo Dallas have a face to face, Finn says that The Demon never got to meet The Fiend but it will get to meet The Rabbit.
"In layman's terms, Bo. You bring your demons, I'll bring mine."

“Oh my God! It’s really him!”
Even before I turned around, I was sure that those shrill teenage voices were talking about me. I just couldn’t understand why. I wasn’t famous; I’d never done anything important in my life, and it had been a long time since I’d been in high school myself. The three girls were leaning over the glass barrier on the second floor of the mall, pointing at me with their hands over their mouths like they’d just seen a celebrity. When they realized that I’d spotted them, they ran giggling into the crowd, leaving me with an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach: what was all that about?
The sense of wrongness I felt only deepened as I walked into the store that I’d come to the mall to visit. Maybe it was just lingering discomfort from what had just happened, but I’d swear I felt eyes on the back of my neck as I walked down the aisles. Some of the other customers were staring too, I was sure of it–and that wasn’t all. Once my eyes had adjusted to the dim light inside the store, I realized that there was a chubby guy in dark clothing standing near the back exit of the store…recording me.
“Hey!” I shouted, but he was already gone, disappearing through the access door into the guts of the mall. I reminded myself that I was here to buy a teddy bear for my four-year-old niece–not chase some weirdo through a restricted area–and let him go.
“You alright?” the woman at the cash register asked when she saw my face.
“Yeah, it’s just…” I waved my hand vaguely.
“Oh yeah, I getcha. All the crazies come out of the woodwork this time of year. Before you came again, I had to break up two grown men who were fighting over a stuffed alligator. You believe that?”
I shook my head. Ordinarily, I avoided the mall like the plague at this time of year. The crowds and repetitive holiday music got on my nerves, but I’d promised my niece I’d get her a blue teddy bear from this specific store. Why she wanted that specific gift was a mystery to me, but toddlers aren’t known for their logic. The cashier scanned my card, frowned, then scanned it again.
“Says it’s blocked,” she grunted, and handed my plastic back to me with a suspicious look. “There are some ATMs on the second floor…if you’re able to withdraw cash, that is.” Her judgmental glare told me exactly what she thought of people whose cards got declined…and people who wasted her time.
As I fought my way through the sea of holiday shoppers, a preteen kid ran up to me and tossed a styrofoam cup of hot chocolate onto my chest.
“Did you get that?” he yelled over his shoulder at his friend, who snapped a photo and nodded. The pair of them were gone before I had time to get a good look at their faces, much less try to stop them. Wondering what the hell was wrong with people, I wiped off my ruined sweater and hurried to the ATMs.
The glowing blue screen in front of me soon confirmed my worst fears. I was locked out of all my accounts, and not just banking stuff, either: I couldn’t access my email or even social media: everything was blocked. It was like the floor had just dropped out from under me. Without those little lines of code, who was I, really? Trying to shake off that gut-wrenching feeling, I pulled out my phone to contact my bank…but I was already receiving another call.
I picked up immediately, only to hear a mechanical-sounding automated message:
“Congratulations, you've been selected–”
There was something disturbing about that voice, but I had already hung up by the time I realized what it was.
Another call was coming in. The number was slightly different from the first, but when I answered, there was no mistaking it: I was listening to my own voice. Sure, the words were eerily slow and the pronunciation was off, but I was definitely listening to…myself.
“Not very polite of you to hang up on me like that, Aiden. Not when I’ve got something so special to tell you.”
I sputtered, fumbling for a reply; the whole situation was just too strange.
“W-who is this? Who am I talking to?”
“Why, this is everyone, Aiden. Everyone who has a vested interest in seeing what you’ll do next. First, though, we think you ought to change shirts. That sticky hot chocolate must be uncomfortable, and besides, yellow isn’t really your color.”
Whoever I was talking to could see what I was wearing, which meant they could see me. My eyes darted from face to face, scanning the crowd–
“There’s no one to look for Aiden. I’m everywhere. See that outlet store in front of you, Aiden? We’d like you to go in and get yourself a new holiday sweater. Oh, and since your cards are blocked, you’ll have to steal it. Well? Go ahead. We’re waiting…”
I hung up. Of course, they called back again. And again. And again. I turned off my phone and slipped it into my pocket. My heart was pounding. What the hell was going on here? The police; that was it. I just had to talk to the police, to let them know I was being harassed and stalked…but by who?
Had I made any enemies lately? There was Tim, the I.T. guy from work, who had never seemed to like me very much. He knew who I was and maybe even had access to sound bytes of my voice–but would Tim really go this far just to mess with me? I wandered in a daze past giant ornaments and chlorinated fountains full of pocket change, barely aware of where I was going–
Until a guy with a goatee stopped dead in front of me and stuck out his hand, jabbing a blindingly-bright screen into my face.
“It’s, uh, for you…” he sounded as confused as I was. “Somebody called me and said he needed to talk to the guy in the yellow shirt with the hot-chocolate stain. That’s you, right? It’s something about somebody named Kimmy.” My blood ran cold. Kimmy was my mother’s nickname! People shoved angrily past the pair of us, but I didn’t care: all my thoughts were on the familiar voice coming through the stranger’s phone.
“We’re disappointed that you’re not rising to the challenge, Aiden. We think that maybe your mother should have raised a braver boy. Thankfully, user DarkStarr85 has generously agreed to go by 415 Meadowleaf Court and teach her a lesson.”
“Listen, whoever you are,” I shouted into the phone, making a few of the shoppers surrounding me jump. “This isn’t funny. I’m going to the police, and when I find out who you are–”
“You can go to the police if you want, Aiden. But that would ruin everyone’s fun…and besides, by the time you talk to them it will already be too late for Kimmy. Come on, Aiden. Why don’t you play along?”
I fell silent. For all I knew, there was nobody waiting at my mother’s house, and this sadist who spoke with my voice was just messing with me…but what if I was wrong?
“What do you want me to do?” I sighed.
“You see the man standing in front of you? The one whose phone you’re holding? We’d like you to punch that confused expression right off of his ugly face.”
The guy with the goatee blinked at me, wide-eyed and totally unsuspecting. I clenched my hand into a fist…then lowered it.
No. I wasn’t going to play their sick little game.
I threw the guy’s phone back to him and ran toward the restrooms. I remembered seeing some pay phones back there…I would just have to hope that they still worked.
The mall had seen better days, but the restroom hallway was particularly rundown. Most of the fluorescent lights were flickery or burnt out, and there was a nasty brown puddle of something stagnating by the wall. The first payphone was covered with graffiti and the second had been practically ripped off of the wall, but the third looked like it might still work. I jammed in some quarters and punched in my mom’s number.
“Honey?” my mother asked right away when she heard my voice. “Are you alright? You sound out of breath.”
Before I could explain, I heard something in the background on my mother’s end of the line: a doorbell.
“Ma, listen: whatever you do, do NOT open that door!”
“Are you sure? They’re knocking really hard. It must be important…”
“I don’t have time to explain, just get off the phone and call the police, okay?!” I shouted.
Glass shattered. Then the line went dead. A fat, scarred finger had pressed down the receiver, cutting off my call. I turned to face the hulking figure who stood between me and escape. His head was shaved close, his teeth crooked, and beneath his fat there was a lot of muscle. A single diamond earring sparkled in his left ear. He cracked his knuckles at me and grinned: he wasn’t alone.
“H-hey!” I stammered “That call was important!”
The big guy punched me in the stomach. His friends ran up behind me, shoved me to the ground, and held me there. They didn’t speak…but one was taking a video of what was happening. The big guy sat on my chest and started smacking my face until I was seeing stars; I felt a tooth come loose.
“You right-handed or left-handed?” The big guy asked.
“Right-handed–why does that matter?” I spat blood.
“We gotta make sure you can still answer a phone call when we’re done.”
He picked his foot up and stomped on my left hand. My fingers snapped beneath his boot with a sickening popping sound, and I screamed louder than I ever had in my life.
“What’s going on down there?” A security guard stood at the end of the dingy hallway, pointing his flashlight toward us. A group of shoppers had clustered there to watch the one-sided “fight.”
“You upload the video?” The big guy asked. His friend nodded. “We don’t get paid unless the video goes viral…”
“You three! Stop!” The guard yelled, running toward us. The big guy sighed. By the time the pudgy, middle-aged guard got close enough to realize how outmatched he was, it was too late: they were on him. Clutching my broken hand, I limped out into the crowd. No one offered to help…but I did notice that a few people were recording.
My head was reeling, and not just from my injuries. The whole situation was just too insane. Someone had stolen my name and voice…and they were paying people to torture me! I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised when I staggered out into the chilly parking lot and found that my car's tires had been slashed. That wasn’t the worst of it, either.
Some instinct, some primal fear, made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. When I turned around, I saw three familiar figures scanning the parking lot…searching for me. I didn’t like to think about what they might have in mind for Round Two.
I ducked and crept along behind the cars until I reached the line of trees that marked the border of the mall parking lot. On the other side was a service road: it was a mostly-abandoned strip of warehouses and boarded-up stores that ran alongside the highway. At the far end, I could see the glittering lights of a bus station. It might be my last chance to get home and get help.
I was halfway down the service road before I regretted my decision. I had tried several more times to call the police, but my phone was blocked by more of those awful calls, proposing more sick “tasks” for me:
“You’ve made us angry, Aiden. If you don’t want any more broken bones, you’ll walk out onto that highway, take off your clothes and start dancing–”
I hung up. The sound of the wind blowing through those desolate chain-link fences made me feel very alone…but I wasn’t. Someone was following me. They walked faster when I walked faster, slowed down when I slowed down, and never let me out of their sight. From the way they held their phone at their waist, facing me, I felt sure that they were recording me.
I had had enough. The stress of the whole nightmarish day had pushed me to a breaking point, and I don’t think I could have stopped myself if I wanted to. I turned and charged. It was the last thing my stalker had expected, and when they dropped their phone and ran, I realized that I recognized the figure: it was the chubby guy from the toy store, the one who I’d noticed filming me! I shouted after him, but he was already gone, snagging his leg on barbed wire as he sprinted across a construction site. I didn’t have the energy to pursue him…but I did have his phone.
When I picked it up from the sidewalk, I saw my own face staring back at me from the cracked screen. The picture was one I’d never seen before, one that I didn’t even know had been taken.
“Aiden Fisk,” read the caption, “what will he do next?” A video-clip played: a replay of everything that had happened so far. Grainy footage of me panicking in front of the ATM, being doused in hot chocolate, getting my arm broken…and walking nervously down the abandoned service road. Which meant…they knew where I was. As the video ended, the App opened: an app that was all about…me.
There were polls about what should happen to me, what I should be made to do next, and what my punishment should be if I failed. The more gruesome options, it seemed, were always the most popular. In another section, users could use cryptocurrency to bet on what I would do and track my location in real time. I was zooming in on my own location when a call came into the stranger’s phone.
“Hello again, Aiden.” My own voice said to me when I answered.
“Why are you doing this to me?!” I yelled into the receiver.
“You’re our entertainment, Aiden! You’re famous. You should be grateful. Now for your next task–”
I flung the phone away like it burned me. The lights of the bus station twinkled at the end of the service road, close yet far away at the same time. The road narrowed, becoming a one-lane alley between two construction sites, and the sidewalk disappeared. I hadn’t seen any cars so far, but I could hear the rumbling of an engine approaching behind me.
My shadow stretched out ahead, illuminated by a pair of rapidly-closing-in headlights. I waved, trying to make my presence known, but the driver didn’t stop; they didn’t even slow down. A quick glance over my shoulder revealed an enormous truck. It occupied the entire road, and even if I had had time to jump, there was nowhere to go.
A low scream escaped my lips as the truck’s front bumper nudged my lower back. I staggered, sure that I was done for, but the driver slowed to match my pace. They kept the so close that I could feel the heat of the motor, egging me on, forcing me to run faster and faster–
They could crush me beneath those huge tires anytime they felt like it, and they knew it. Was this my next punishment? I could imagine the app tracking my pace, people betting on how far I’d get before my legs or lungs gave out, and on which parts of me would shatter when I inevitably got run over. Up ahead, the road narrowed even more: dead bushes in concrete islands had been placed in front of the bus station as someone’s idea of landscaping. They didn’t add much beauty to the place, but if I jumped into them, the truck wouldn’t risk following me over the barrier…probably. I still wasn’t sure just how far these people would go for that sadistic app, but I had no choice but to take the risk.
My feet left the asphalt; branches cut into my arms and face as I crashed through to the other side, but the squeal of the truck’s brakes behind me was music to my ears. The bus lot was well lit. A few older men stood in a circle, smoking, while a young woman took her fussy toddler for a walk around the parking lot. The driver idled behind me, probably thinking the same thing I was: that there were a lot more witnesses here than on the service road.
By the time I got to my feet and looked back over my shoulder, the truck was just a pair of anonymous tail lights disappearing into the night. I wiped my scraped palms on my jeans and walked toward the station lights, wondering how much more of this I could take.
No one in the bus station seemed to be playing the app’s twisted game; in fact, no one looked up at me at all when I walked across the grimy tile floor toward the schedule board. The station was about to close: the next bus to my neighborhood wasn’t until six-thirty the next morning, and I had a nasty feeling that my “followers” would have caught up to me by then. My only option was to borrow someone’s phone and hope that I could call for help before the app found me.
Everyone I spoke to turned me down, and I could understand why. I was crazy-eyed and desperate, covered with scratches, and my broken hand had swollen to twice its normal size. I was about to give up when I felt a tap on my shoulder. The homeless man's clothes were in rags; his vomit-flecked gray beard hung down almost to his waist. The smell hit me like a wall, and it was hard to keep from gagging. He pressed something into my hand: a burner phone.
“It’s got one call left,” he grunted. “A whole minute. Good luck, pal. You look like you need it even more than I do.” He lurched back out into the dark before I could even say ‘thank you.’
Weighing the battered phone in my hand, I wondered who I should call. I doubted the police would get here in time; my mother wasn’t answering, and my best friend Sam was out of town on business. That left…Dani, my ex. She lived nearby, and besides, it was the only other number I knew by heart…even though I wished that I could have forgotten it.
Dani's voice was huskier than I remembered, but she picked up right away. The first words out of her mouth were the last thing I would have expected:
“Thank God. I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for hours!”
She rushed into a story about how people had been calling and messaging her all day…people who were looking for me. She said it sounded like they wanted to hurt me. One even offered to pay her to seduce me and film the result. She had something to tell me, she said, but my minute was almost up. I had just enough time to tell her my location and beg her to come pick me up. There was a long silence: before she could answer, the line went dead.
I looked around. There was no longer anyone in the bus station to ask for a phone call: in fact, there was no longer anyone in the bus station at all. Metal shutters had been lowered over the ticket window and the vending machine area; the waiting room was empty apart from a discarded scarf that dangled sadly from a ripped-up seat.
Somewhere in the depths of the station came a loud SLAM, and the flickering fluorescent lights began to go out ,one by one. Maybe it was just the standard closing procedure, maybe it had nothing to do with me–but I wasn’t going to wait around to find out. I approached the nearest glass door, then jumped back as a figure wearing a white plastic mask slammed their shoulder into the door. They pushed at the door like a rabid animal, trying to get at me–
But it had already been locked when the station closed.
Furious, the stranger took out a hammer and swung it into the glass. Fractures appeared, and I wasn’t going to wait around for the door to shatter. I fled in the opposite direction, through the one remaining exit and out into the night.
I think part of me already knew what I’d find waiting for me, and that’s why I wasn’t surprised by the small group of masked individuals waiting just beyond the streetlights. All of them held glowing phone screens in their hands, and a few held weapons as well. I spotted lengths of chain…a baseball bat…a gutting knife…
As they started toward me, a car drifted into the empty parking lot, its tires squealing. Dani threw open the passenger-side door and shouted at me to get in.
She peeled out as I slammed the door shut. Her car was just as dirty as I remembered: fast-food bags on the floor, makeup kit crammed into the door tray, half-drunk coffee mugs in every cup holder. It had always struck me as funny that such a well-regarded scientist could be so disorderly.
After an awkward silence as we merged onto the highway, Dani told me that it was over–or at least, she hoped it was. As we sped through the night, she did her best to explain what she thought had happened.
Dani’s work (or at least, as much of it as I understood) involved using artificial intelligence. When we were together, we had made a lot of jokes about Terminator and Hal-9000, but her research had never seemed sinister…at least, not until recently. Her most recent project was an A.I. that designed phone applications. She had built it to maximize profits and interaction: to identify what people wanted, and give it to them.
To her horror, Dani discovered that the A.I. had begun operating outside of its parameters–even accessing her personal files in its endless quest for a better product. She figured that was where it had found my image, voice, and other information. After analyzing trends across time, the A.I. had determined that there was nothing people enjoyed more than participating anonymously in the suffering of others: I was its first test subject, simply because it had found my data first.
The A.I., Dani added quickly, wasn’t really to blame. It was people who had chosen to interact with it, download it, and make my life a living hell. It had done nothing more than fulfill its function, encouraging whatever behavior that got the most views and likes. Once Dani had realized what was happening, she had shut the A.I. down…or tried to.
It had apparently already spread itself to other networks–although “spread” wasn’t the word that Dani used. The word she used was “infected.” As Dani dropped me off at home, she told me not to worry: her organization would “almost certainly” take care of it, and I “probably” had nothing to worry about…
But just in case, she asked me to spread the word:
If you notice people staring at you or taking pictures of you in public…
If you find yourself locked out of your accounts, or if you receive a barrage of strange messages…
You might be next.

I work at a grocery store right outside a small neighborhood. I swear over the last couple weeks the amount of people bringing in pets that very obviously aren't service animals (no vest, poorly trained, owner has to keep yelling at them) has massively increased. We used to (probably still do) have a "No non-service pets allowed" policy, but we weren't allowed to enforce it cause that will make customers leave. We couldn't tell them about it, we couldn't ask for proof of the dog being a service animal if it wasn't wearing the vest, nothing. Only thing that told anyone was a paper near the entrance at like just below waist height that said "No non-service animals allowed". People just bring their dogs in, their fur gets on everything down every aisle they go or all over the cart, and I gotta waste time cleaning all of that instead of the work I'm supposed to be doing.

SummerSlam 2024:
Bo Dallas vs Finn Bálor
Five years ago, at this very same event, Bray Wyatt debuted a brand new version of himself. A version known as The Fiend. A monstrous being that featured very little man in its existence, it was a demonic creature, feeding on the fear of those it crossed and becoming seemingly impervious due to it.
Five years later, the brother of the man who brought that thing into the wrestling world, faces the same man who fell victim at the feet of The Fiend. And just as Bray Wyatt did, Bo Dallas has some tricks in his sleeve, or...some rabbits in his hat.
[Finn Bálor enters first, the confident Irishman with a historic career who has made his mark as a legend in the business. From Bullet Club to training Becky Lynch & JD McDonagh to arguably the greatest NXT Champion of all time to the first ever Universal Champion to The Judgement Day. Tonight, he looks to build upon that illustrious status with a victory over the unpredictable Bo Dallas.
Bálor stands, ready to fight, when the lights dim out. Bálor is slightly puzzled, this isn't part of Bo's recent entrances.
At the top of the entrance way sits a door, an eerie glow doubled with an eerie vibration emanating from it. Suddenly, the door busts open.
White Rabbit Remix - Jefferson Airplane
Bálor watches as from the door emerges a figure. A figure seemingly humanoid in nature, but something slightly off, the fog filling the area makes it hard to discern what that is.
The fog clears and it becomes increasingly clear what's gone wrong here. The crowd gasps and then quiets.
Bo Dallas White Rabbit inspiration
Bo Dallas White Rabbit inspiration
A figure, very similar to the images above, exits the door and infringes on the sanctity of the ring as he approaches. Fur is matted along the arms, abdomen, legs. Splatters of a once viscous red liquid that has dried a crimson brown are visible all over the once pristine, white pelt.
And the face...a disgusting hybrid between a human and an inhumanely large rabbit. The ears jutting out of the face made out of that same...material. That unnatural fur. The left side of the face revealing what used to be a man. He looks...like Bo Dallas. The skin portion of the face is smothered in red, further stretching the meaning of recognizable. An almost leathery appearance coats the angry, red skin. A texture much too old for Taylor Rotunda's age of thirty three.
The teeth lay as jagged pieces of metal, unable to be contained by the maw of the creature.
The lights come up as the unholy monster enters the once sacred ring. A ring that has made this sport possible and a ring where the best matches in professional wrestling have occured, a ring that held the matches and moments that made you fall in love with wrestling in the first place.
And it's tainted, rendered unclean, by this animal. A chill runs down Finn Bálor's spine. He stands his ground, eyeing his bizarre opponent warily, unsure of what to expect from this unholy creation. Memories of a scene he's starred in before, not unlike this, flooding him.
The White Rabbit's grotesque visage contorts into a twisted semblance of a grin as he advances towards Bálor, his movements jerky and unnatural. Bálor braces himself for the impending confrontation, his senses on high alert as he prepares to defend himself against this monstrous aberration.
The bell rings, signaling the start of the match, and Bálor wastes no time in launching a flurry of strikes at The White Rabbit, hoping to catch him off guard and gain the early advantage. But The White Rabbit proves to be more agile than he appears, dodging Bálor's attacks with ease and countering with a brutal barrage of his own.
The White Rabbit toys with Bálor, taunting him with mocking gestures and sadistic laughter as he systematically dismantles his opponent with a series of harsh maneuvers. Bálor fights back with all his might, refusing to let fear or uncertainty cloud his judgment as he battles against the odds.
As the match progresses, The White Rabbit's dominance becomes increasingly evident, his unnerving presence casting a pall over the arena as he unleashes his full arsenal of twisted and unpredictable offense. Bálor struggles to keep pace, his every move countered with ruthless efficiency by his monstrous adversary.
But just when it seems that all hope is lost, Bálor summons the strength of his fighting spirit, rallying back with a defiant burst of energy that catches The White Rabbit off guard. With The White Rabbit still standing, Bálor delivers a thunderous Coup de Grâce, driving his feet into The White Rabbit's chest with bone-shattering force.
The impact ripples through the ring as The White Rabbit crumples to the canvas, his grotesque form writhing in agony. Bálor seizes the opportunity, pinning his monstrous opponent for...for a one count.
Bálor quickly climbs and attempts a second Coup De Grâce, this time to a downed opponent. The White Rabbit moves out of the way and quickly snaps the neck of Finn Bálor. The Rabbit pulls up the paralyzed form of Bálor, and sinches in Hell's Gates.
The referee calls for the bell as the lifeless form of Bálor begins to bleed from his nose and ears, the extraneous pressure from the submission evident.
The White Rabbit stares out at the audience, stares down at Bálor and exits the ring, he walks towards the door, goes through the portal and closes it behind him.
The lights come up and all that's left is the ravaged body of Finn Bálor.]
RAW, 8/12/24:
(Writers Note: Damian Priest is going to be uninvolved in this feud due to focusing on his main event aspirations and his growing distance from The Judgement Day.)
Two weeks after the emergence of one of the most disturbing figures we've ever seen grace the squared circle, Bo Dallas returns to RAW to address the events of SummerSlam.
He says that when he returned to WWE four months ago, he was a very nervous man. He was wracked with feelings of uncertainty and fear, he remembers going into a match with a specific man, Joe Gacy. He remembers being the most scared he's ever been, you have to understand, Bo wasn't like his brother. Bo didn't get 'extreme', he didn't get the opportunity to have matches like that and here he was.
Faced with a madman, challenged to a Love and War match. Joe, he taught Bo something that night, he told him "Fulfill Your Destiny." And it was at that moment, that Bo realized something. He realized what Bray had been doing all those years.
If you can take your fear, and manifest it into something physical, something truly special can be born, and better yet, it leaves you, the man behind the magic, completely fearless.
Before Dallas can continue, The Judgement Day appears, Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh surround the ring. Bálor says that Bo caught him off guard at SummerSlam, and he wants a rematch, especially seeing as how without his smoke and mirrors, Bo sure does seem fragile.
"It's true. I wouldn't be able to fight all three of you by myself, which is why I'm so glad I don't have to."
BRAUN!
The Monster Among Men makes his first appearance in almost a year, marching out on stage. The Judgement Day is already sufficiently rattled before the titantron goes a mossy green and Erick Rowan appears besides Strowman, standing with his former Wyatt Family brother.
Strowman & Rowan storm the ring causing JD & Dominik to flee and escape, but Bálor turns around into Grim Affection. Dallas stands tall, inheriting the family Bray built. What's that saying? The brother of my brother is my brother? Something like that.
Bash In Berlin 2024:
Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan vs The Judgement Day (Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh)
[Following a confident, braggadocios entrance by The Judgement Day, Dallas, Strowman and Rowan mark their arrival with a Code Orange performed remix of Feared. The music, calling back to the numerous other songs Code Orange has provided for the Rotunda family.
Dallas, flanked by the hulking figures of Strowman and Rowan makes for an intimidating visual. The Judgement Day have an experience edge though, especially with Bálor having personally trained and scouted McDonagh several years ago.
Dallas and Mysterio start the match and Bo quickly gets flustered by the speed and lucha experience of Dominik. Though Dominik has control early, Dallas gets fed up, and following a lucky strike, tags out to Braun Strowman.
Strowman dismantles Dominik, tossing him around the ring with ease. He connects with a heart-throb to the chest before hoisting Mysterio into a move we have not seen from Strowman...since he was a follower.
The hanging triangle lock is applied, Strowman squeezing around the neck of Dominik as Mysterio hangs limply. Dominik kicks out, inciting Braun to return another maneuver. The reverse chokeslam connects and Strowman places a boot on Dominik's chest, but Mysterio still manages to fight out.
Strowman brings Rowan in, who locks a bear hug forcing Dominik to scramble for escape. Despite Dominik's surviving the bear hug, his relief is short lived as Rowan cinches a vice grip around the skull. Dominik creates separation, and Rowan tries to flatten him with a spin kick, but Mysterio ducks. A dropkick to the knee and a 619 follows, giving Dominik an opportunity to tag out.
Finn Bálor is brought in and begins striking away on Rowan, littering the bigger man with bruises. A well placed pele kick wobbles Rowan and leaves him victim to a shotgun dropkick into the turnbuckles. Bálor attempts a Coup De Grâce, but Rowan avoids shoving Finn into the corner. Rowan charges in, but Bálor hops over him and Erick crashes into the steel post.
JD is tagged in and immediately hits a pump helluva kick on the cornered Rowan. Rowan is down to a knee and McDonagh comes from behind with a leap over Rowan culminating in a stunner. A kick out by Rowan inspires McDonagh to connect with a swanton bomb for a near-fall.
JD attempts for Devlinside, yet discovers Rowan is too big of a man to be trying that on. Rowan gets grip on the neck and goes for a chokeslam, McDonagh does a backflip out of it landing on his feet. JD connects with a superkick, followed by a springboard moonsault DDT.
Dallas breaks up the pin, Dominik rushes in to even the odds, Strowman neutralizes Dominik, Bálor brawling with Braun. Chaos unfolds, and eventually Dallas and co. clear the ring. Braun runs the Strowman Express on Judgement Day plowing through each member at ringside, except for JD who catches him with a penalty kick after hopping onto the apron.
JD and Rowan begin to battle again as the legal men, McDonagh knees Rowan in the face and dives with a crossbody for a two count. JD tags out to Bálor, who allows Rowan to bring in Bo Dallas.
Dallas and Bálor, now both as their mortal selves, begin to brawl. Bálor connects with a slingblade, and a shotgun dropkick driving Bo nearly through the turnbuckles. Bàlor attempts a Coup De Grâce, but Dallas avoids and attempts Grim Affection. Bálor slips out and locks the head up under the arm, connecting with a snap elbow drop across the heart.
Bálor climbs now once more, and Dallas hangs him up before sending Finn to the canvas below with a superplex. A near-fall follows, and Dallas clings to the leg of Bálor, trying to prevent a tag. Finn kicks him away and reintroduces McDonagh to the fray.
JD flusters Dallas with strikes and speed, but as he locks onto the wrist and attempts his springboard moonsault DDT, Dallas catches him in position and connects with Grim Affection. Strowman and Rowan plow through Dominik and Bálor preventing a save.
Dallas gets the victory for his team, and alongside his disciples of destruction, stands tall. The entire locker room put on notice.]
Over the next several weeks, The Judgement Day keeps their distance from Dallas's clan. Dallas fastly finds a new target, challenging The Final Testament. Dallas continuously tells Karrion Kross that he was destined for this, dating back almost a decade (in reference to Kross's stint as The White Rabbit in Lucha Underground.)
We get a very fun Authors Of Pain/Strowman & Rowan match out of it, and by the end of September, Bo has successfully convinced Karrion Kross to abandon AOP, Paul Ellering and even Scarlett, adding yet another massive man to his growing group.
October arrives and with his group nearing completion, Dallas targets a man his brother knew very well. That man being Seth Rollins. Dating back to The Shield & The Wyatt Family's iconic feud to The Fiend chasing Rollins' Universal Championship, Rollins was always one of Bray's best rivals. Not to mention, Dallas and Rollins have history from their days in FCW together, only Rollins has so significantly eclipsed Dallas in success and he's sure to rub that in Bo's face now.
You may think the numbers game is so insurmountable and overwhelming, but one puzzle piece that makes this that much more interesting is who Seth has been teaming with as of late. His protege and trainee, Nathan Frazer.
There's a segment featuring Dallas, flanked by his followers and Rollins with Frazer, but the tension is so heavy between Bo and Nathan, you would think they were the only two people in the ring. Frazer addresses his fear of Dallas, and that fear was proven valid considering the damage Dallas has done to the foes he's encountered since.
Dallas cost Nathan his best friend, he cost him his tag team titles, he cost him his brother! But Nathan has news for Bo, he is not running anymore.
Dallas steps forward, looking to acknowledge the impact he's had on Frazer.
"Nate, is it? I don't know how to tell you this, but...I don't even know who you are."
Bo is calloused and cold, and simply decides to feed Frazer and Rollins to the wolves. We get a tag match between Rollins and Frazer vs Strowman and Rowan, with commentary making note of Rollins and Braun being former tag team champions together, ending in victory for Rollins and Frazer.
Armageddon 2024:
Bo Dallas vs Seth Rollins
[The anticipation is high as Bo Dallas and Seth Rollins step into the ring, flanked by their respective allies. Rollins, accompanied by Nathan Frazer, exudes the confidence of a former champion as he eyes Dallas, who seems to stand that much taller alongside the imposing trio of Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, and Karrion Kross.
The match begins with Dallas and Rollins locking up in the center of the ring, each vying for control. Rollins gains the early advantage with his technical prowess, countering Dallas's power-based offense with precision strikes and fast maneuvers. But Dallas refuses to back down, using his size and strength to overpower Rollins and gain the upper hand.
As the match progresses, both competitors unleash a barrage of moves, each refusing to give an inch in their quest for victory. Rollins employs his signature high-flying arsenal, soaring through the air with breathtaking dives and aerial assaults that keep Dallas on the defensive. But Dallas proves to be a resilient opponent, weathering Rollins's onslaught and mounting several counterattacks of his own.
In the final moments of the match, Rollins, alongside Frazer battle off Dallas's trio of monsters. Rollins looks for a Curb Stomp, that Dallas avoids. Dallas hooks on for Grim Affection, but Rollins latches onto the arm, trapping Bo before spinning him into a RainTrigger knee strike. A definitive Curb Stomp follows and Rollins is able to secure the victory giving Bo his first clean singles loss since returning.]
With Survivor Series fast approaching, the men Dallas has targeted come back to haunt him, as Rollins and Frazer form something of a truce with The Judgement Day, seeking to take down the common enemy in Bo Dallas.
We get some interesting interactions such as Kross trying to convince JD that he can see the darkness in him, harkening back to JD's NXT character of old, only for JD to tell Kross that he doesn't know anything about him before shattering his nose with a wicked headbutt.
With Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor, JD McDonagh, Nathan Frazer & Seth Rollins banding together Bo seems to be just one man short. It's the RAW prior to Survivor Series when Dallas, Strowman, Rowan and Kross stand on stage staring down the babyface quintet. The crowd waits with baited breath before Love Is Blind hits and Joe Gacy strolls on stage, making his main roster debut to side with his NXT foe.
They charge the ring and a brawl breaks out, and as security tries to keep the ten men apart, we here a distinguished William Regal shout
"WarGames!"
Survivor Series 2024:
Team Dallas (Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy & Karrion Kross) vs Team Rollins (Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor, JD McDonagh, Nathan Frazer & Seth Rollins) - WarGames
[It is decided that Joe Gacy and Seth Rollins will be opening this match. Both men selected by their teams for their stamina in matches like these, Gacy from his CZW days, Rollins having been WWE's premier workhorse for years.
The bell rings and they make their way on to the steel connector between the two rings. They begin wallaying on each other with forearms before Joe sneaks in a boot to the midsection, Gacy attempts a powerbomb on the steel, but Rollins reverses with a back body drop.
Seth looks for a superkick, but Gacy catches the foot and sends Rollins into the left ring. Rollins looks for a spinning forearm, but Gacy ducks and gores Rollins with a shoulder thrust. Joe sails over Rollins into the ring, and using his deceptive athleticism, looks for his handspring lariat.
Rollins catches him with a superkick and tries for a Pedigree. Gacy is able to muscle up Rollins into an Alabama Slam, he then throws Rollins into the turnbuckles forcing Seth to take a seat. A big crossbody to the seated, cornered Rollins follows and Gacy begins to reign.
Joe starts targeting the bad back sending Rollins writhing with forearms and knees to the lumbar. He eventually gets a knee on the spine with a tight grip around the mouth, controlling Seth's breathing. Rollins begins to fire up and fight out with elbows to the midsection. Rollins hits a leaping knee strike to Gacy and takes him down a peg.
Rollins attempts a Curb Stomp, but Gacy moves landing Winds Of Change as Rollins turns around. Gacy tries for a running senton, but Rollins moves this time. Curb Stomp attempt, Gacy moves, handspring lariat, Rollins ducks, superkick, Curb Stomp connects.
Rollins knows he can't make the cover so he climbs to the top to inflict more damage. Frogsplash, but Gacy gets the knees up. Joe shoves Rollins into the ropes hoping to connect with an elbow to the back, but Rollins rebounds with a spinning forearm. Gacy ducks locking on for a German Suplex, Rollins lands on his feet and closes in with a V-Trigger, Gacy rebounds off the ropes into a Falcon Arrow and the countdown begins.
Erick Rowan is the next entry, joining Joe Gacy as a focused duo. Rowan pounces on Rollins, but Seth fights back, attempting a RainTrigger but Rowan catches him by the face, in an Iron Claw like grip. Rowan looks for a slam using the claw grip, but Rollins hooks onto the head and reverses into a DDT.
Rollins begins to litter both Joe and Rowan with corner forearms, Rowan eventually catches Rollins and attempts a two handed chokeslam. Rollins dropkicks the body of Rowan mid-slam, and recuperates. He attempts a Pedigree, but Rowan reverses with a back body drop, Rollins lands on his feet and nails an enziguri to stumble the big man.
He mounts Rowan in the corner and begins landing repeated right hands, Rowan shoves him off the middle turnbuckle and closes the distance with a big boot. He positions Seth in the corner before slapping Gacy and hyping him up, ala The Bludgeon Brothers.
Gacy charges for a crossbody to the downed Rollins, but Seth springs up, sails over the running Gacy and lands a dropkick to Rowan. A leaping knee to the mouth follows and Rollins gets Rowan back in Pedigree position.
Gacy comes over with a clothesline that Rollins ducks before hitting a superkick to Gacy, Rowan tries to whip Rollins into the corner but Seth reverses and Erick smashes into Gacy. Rollins jumps to the middle turnbuckle raining down with a barrage of right hands to Rowan then Gacy.
Rowan and Gacy try to catch their bearings before turning around into a Phoenix Splash Crossbody from Rollins and the countdown begins.
Finn Bálor is the next entry, entering a couple of chairs into the field for him and Rollins. They stare each other down, remembering all the wars they've been through and begin to beat down on Rowan and Gacy. It's going well at first, with Gacy especially being incapacitated, before Rowan stops Bálor mid chair swing.
He mule kicks Rollins and rips the chair out of Finn's hands before tossing Finn into the corner. Rollins shortly after joins him. Rowan proceeds to biel toss Rollins who tucks and rolls to come out unscathed. Bálor is then biel tossed on top of Rollins before Rowan throws the aforementioned chair into the face of Bálor.
Rowan attempts to chokeslam Seth on top of the other chair, Rollins scrambles and kicks the chair over so it's legs up. Rowan proceeds with the chokeslam anyway, delivering Rollins onto the bottom of the chair. He then sets up another chair in the corner, wedging it between turnbuckles. He vaults Bálor in that direction, but Finn slides low to avoid connection, only for Gacy to bull pounce him into the chair anyway.
Rowan and Gacy survey the carnage they've caused, as Bálor tries to crawl into the other ring. Rowan joins him on the steel connector and despite Finn's valiant efforts, is able to claw slam him onto the steel beam as the countdown begins.
Bo Dallas is the next entry, and he doesn't waste time getting his hands dirty. He simply passes his objects of destruction their tools. A table, a length of chain and a toolbox. He then observes as his monsters begin to wreak havoc.
Gacy whips at Rollins with the chain, before wrapping it around his face and neck. Rowan squeezes between Bálor's fingers with pliers, applying pressure as he kneels on his back.
Gacy throws the toolbox into the face of an unsuspecting Rollins. Gacy sets up the table against the turnbuckles. He tries to whip Rollins into it, but Seth catches himself, he fights back against Rowan and Gacy but Joe gets a knee to the face before lifting Rollins on his shoulder and charging him through the table.
Rowan yanks Bálor up and delivers him with biel tosses onto the chain and toolbox as the countdown begins.
Dominik Mysterio is the next entry, and he quickly realizes the challenge he's up against. He ducks under Rowan and Gacy, tackling Bo and unloading with right hands. Rowan and Gacy drag him off and begin mercilessly beating on him.
Dallas calls them off, dragging Dominik into the right ring, telling Rowan and Gacy that he'll handle Mysterio. He looks for Grim Affection, but Dominik escapes and rolls backwards with Dallas before hitting a dropkick to the back. Bo is in position, but as Dallas runs the ropes, Rowan catches him by the throat.
Rowan chokeslams Dominik into the arms of Gacy who connects with a German Suplex. The ominous duo gaze down at the broken body of Mysterio, before feeding him to Dallas, who connects with Grim Affection as the countdown begins.
Karrion Kross is the next entry, and introduces a very special weapon. A barbed wire wrapped 2x4 as well as a suspicious grey baggie.
He begins brandishing Bálor and Rollins with the wood and wire. He rips at the flesh and rakes it across the face of Rollins. He begins toying with Bálor, and releases the 2x4 asking Finn to stand up and show him what he's got. Bálor fires up, and sweeps the legs sending Kross back first onto the barbed wire. He then stomps on the chest caving Kross further in.
He beckons Rowan and Gacy to try their best, and as they begin to swarm, the numbers game becomes too much. Rowan with a spinning heel kick, Gacy with a crossbody against the ropes. They continue to dismantle their foes as the countdown begins.
JD McDonagh is the next entry, and introduces several chairs. He cracks Gacy, Rowan and Dallas repeatedly, bruising them with the stiff chair strikes.
He gets Bo in the corner and hits a running dropkick with the chair under his feet, ala Rob Van Dam. McDonagh is rolling, but here comes Kross. Karrion and McDonagh have had something of a personal sub rivalry, and Karrion relishes punishing McDonagh. A fallaway suplex downs McDonagh and leads to Kross wielding a chair.
Swing and a miss, swing a miss, swing and connects with the foot of JD who was going for a roundhouse, swing and the chair lodges itself around the head of McDonagh, headbutt by McDonagh with the chair around the head, both men down and the countdown begins.
Braun Strowman is the next entry, the final for Team Dallas. He introduces multiple tables and sets them up in a row of three. Dominik chooses this time to reappear and swiftly gets chokeslammed through one of the tables.
Braun is able to get JD up in a hanging triangle lock with the chain wrapped around his neck, but Bálor and Rollins come to the save. Finn, Seth and JD work to take down Gacy, Rowan, Strowman and Kross.
McDonagh scaling the cage, Rowan, Dallas and Strowman starting to recover, Gacy on one table, Kross on one table, Rollins and Bálor climb, frogsplash through the table from Rollins, Coup De Grâce through the table from Bálor, moonsault from the top of the cage by McDonagh!
Everyone is down as the countdown begins.
Nathan Frazer is the next and final entry, Frazer is a one man wrecking crew as he enters, showing off his agility using both rings to his advantage. Frazer clears Kross, Gacy, Strowman, Rowan but faulters as he encounters Dallas.
Bo taunts Frazer from his knees, and as Frazer hesitates to take the kill shot, Rowan takes advantage with a claw slam to Nathan. Rollins capitalizes with a superkick to Dallas and a chair shot to the head of Rowan, once Erick's head is sufficiently trapped inside the chair, Rollins hops onto the back and hits a modified Pedigree, jamming the chair into the throat and jaw.
Gacy is seen stalking Rollins, having wrapped the barbed wire from the 2x4 around his arm, he charges in with a handspring barbed wire wrapped lariat to Rollins. Bálor closes in with a shotgun dropkick into the corner before fetching the grey baggie. He opens it, emptying out thumbtacks onto the canvas.
Bo comes over, striking with Bálor. Finn gets the upper hand and climbs for a standing Coup De Grâce, similar to how he tried to put The White Rabbit away at SummerSlam. He misses, going feet first into the tacks, Dallas grabs hold of the head and connects with Grim Affection on the tacks.
Three seconds later, and Team Dallas has survived WarGames. Bo collects up his soldiers, standing above the battered bodies of his opposition. One question remains clear, who can stop Bo Dallas?]
With Team Dallas pulling out a massive victory inside arguably the most grueling match type in WWE history, they look forward to moving on from the men they dismantled at Survivor Series.
One man, though, refuses to let them. That man is Nathan Frazer. Still haunted by the price he paid, the friend he lost, the halt in momentum, due to Bo's arrival in NXT.
A couple of weeks following WarGames, Frazer comes out to call out Bo Dallas, Seth Rollins tries to talk Frazer down and calm him, but Nathan is insistent. He failed to take Bo down, he failed to make things right, he needs to beat Bo Dallas.
Strowman, Rowan, Kross and Gacy emerge. Gacy states that Bo isn't here tonight, but they would be more than happy to show Frazer exactly what he's in for if he wants to keep...chasing rabbits.
The monsters storm the ring and surround Rollins and Frazer in a very hound like way. Just before they pounce, a theme song hits, the lights go up and wouldn't you know it, motherfucking Axiom arrives.
Frazer & Rollins take advantage of the distraction and Axiom lends his hand, leading to the monsters retreating. Rollins guards the ring as Axiom and Nathan Frazer stare each other down.
'Hug It Out' chants run through the arena, and Axiom & Frazer embrace, putting the past behind them.
Over the next two weeks, we get two very interesting matches. The first, a street fight between Bo Dallas and Nathan Frazer, in which Frazer finally gets an opportunity at singles revenge on Bo in a brutal, chaotic brawl. Dallas wins this match with help from his possee.
The second, Karrion Kross vs Seth Rollins, a good showcase for Kross as he steps up against a main eventer and one of the best in the world. Rollins wins in a good match, but it's what happens after that draws attention.
Rollins is seated in the corner when the lights go out, section by section, plunging Rollins into darkness and for the first time, Seth Rollins meets The White Rabbit.
The Rabbit crawls towards Rollins who closes his eyes in fear, creating parallels to a similar scene five years ago. Rollins, though, this time, stands up and stares down The Rabbit.
Seth grabs a microphone and stares down this fiendish entity. "Crown Jewel, me and my boys vs you and yours."
The Rabbit cocks his head to the side and the lights go out once more, when they come up, a hat remains in the ring. A hat very similar to Uncle Howdys', Rollins lifts it and a rabbit jumps out. At the bottom of the hat is a note, written on light blue, Firefly Funhouse themed paper.
"WE ACCEPT."
Crown Jewel 2024:
Axiom, Nathan Frazer & Seth Rollins vs Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan
[Five years after Bray Wyatt defeated Seth Rollins at this same event to become Universal Champion, Rollins faces off against his spiritual successor and younger brother, Bo Dallas. Frazer and Axiom share a quick nod of understanding, their strategy clear: use their speed and agility to outmaneuver their larger opponents. On the other side of the ring, Dallas, Strowman, and Rowan stand tall, their imposing presence a stark contrast to the quickness of their adversaries.
The match begins with Axiom and Dallas squaring off for the first time since NXT when Dallas took Axiom's title. The two competitors circle each other cautiously before locking up in a test of strength. Axiom utilizes his lightning-fast strikes and acrobatic prowess to keep Dallas off balance, darting in and out of range with precision. Shortly after, Nathan and Rowan engage in a battle of power versus speed, with Frazer using his agility to evade Rowan's powerful strikes while delivering rapid-fire kicks and strikes of his own.
As the match progresses, Rollins enters the fray, unleashing a flurry of high-flying maneuvers on his ex-partner, Strowman. Braun struggles to keep pace with his nimble opponent as Rollins utilizes his speed to his advantage, ducking and weaving around Strowman's attempts at offense before delivering an enzuigiri that sends the big man staggering backwards.
Rollins lands a knee to the nose and a step-stool Curb Stomp off the back of Frazer shortly after, but Rowan saves the match. Axiom and Nathan join forces, working in tandem to take Rowan out and wear him down with a series of double-team maneuvers. Rollins exits the ring and, acting in the role of Reigns, assists in hitting a Shield Bomb through the announce table on Rowan.
Despite the valiant efforts of Dallas, Strowman, and Rowan, the tide of the match begins to turn in favor of Rollins and his team. Axiom unleashes a devastating flurry of strikes on Dallas once Strowman and Seth tag out, culminating in a rattling roundhouse kick that leaves the former champion reeling. Meanwhile, Nathan Frazer climbs to the top turnbuckle and launches himself into the air, executing a picture-perfect shooting star press that connects squarely with Bo Dallas, leaving him sprawled out on the canvas.
With Dallas incapacitated, Nathan seizes the opportunity to go for the pin, hooking the leg as the referee counts the three. The crowd erupts into cheers as Rollins, Axiom, and Nathan Frazer celebrate their hard-fought victory, Frazer finally getting his revenge on the man who permanently altered his career.]
January arrives and the Dallas clan set their sights on the Royal Rumble, more specifically, helping Bo to win the Royal Rumble. To fulfill his destiny at WrestleMania.
When the Rumble arrives, they're doing a great job of tearing through everyone in the match. Rowan and Gacy aren't even entries, but continuously skirt around the rules, helping Bo, Kross and Strowman rack up eliminations.
They eliminate the likes of Finn Bálor, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn before they encounter the one man wrecking crew that is Randy Orton. Orton swiftly eliminates Kross and Strowman before turning his attention to Dallas. Bo is able to force him into position for Grim Affection, but Orton escapes landing an RKO and eliminating Bo Dallas.
When the Rumble has concluded, Bo has a hard time accepting this loss, and sics his men on Orton. Orton gets a victory over a game Karrion Kross leading to the onslaught by Strowman, Rowan and Gacy. However, this draws the call of the disgruntled men Bo's crew eliminated at the Rumble.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Kevin and Randy already have a friendly history, and Zayn, coming off an Intercontinental Title loss to Ilja Dragunov in August, partners up with his long time tag partner to fight the cause.
Bo acknowledges the history his brother had with Randy Orton, including Orton burning down his childhood home, The Wyatt Compound.
Finally, at Elimination Chamber, much like The Shield and The Wyatt Family over a decade prior, we get a six man tag.
Elimination Chamber 2025:
Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan vs Kevin Owens, Randy Orton & Sami Zayn
[It's very poetic, Bo has been very much hitting all of Bray's best moments in modern day versions. The demonic alter-ego debuting at SummerSlam against Finn Bálor, facing off with Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel and now a six man tag at Elimination Chamber.
Dallas lets his opponents know ahead of this match that he has some tricks up his sleeves, but that a truly good magician never reveals his secrets.
There's plenty of fun interactions, Strowman & Zayn having been Braun's first feud away from The Wyatt Family, Strowman & Owens and the terrorizing Kevin went through in 2018, Rowan & Orton facing off for the first time since Orton went after The Wyatt Family in 2017, Bo & Sami reigniting their NXT feud from 2014.
The match ends when Braun sets Owens, Zayn and Orton up in separate corners. He biel tosses Orton, biel tosses Sami and goes for Owens, but Kevin fights back hitting a Stunner on the big man. Bo comes in and eats a Pop-Up Powerbomb for a near-fall.
Kevin gets Dallas in the corner for a Kevin Cannonball and connects, once, twice, Kevin looking for a third cannonball from the corner. Zayn stops Owens and tells Kevin to let Sami end this. Bo staggers up and Sami looks for a Helluva Kick from the corner to the right of the one Owens is stood in.
HELLUVA KICK! TO OWENS!
Kevin falls into Zayn's arms and Sami pushes him to the ground before walking off, leaving Owens defenseless.
Bo crawls over looking for Grim Affection, Kevin escapes, superkick connects. Both men fall and Owens makes the hot tag to Orton. Orton clears out Rowan, Gacy, Kross and Strowman with RKOs before setting up Dallas for the punt. No one to help the wounded rabbit, The Viper closes in.
Orton's momentum is halted though by a hand grabbing his foot at ringside, the person is in a hood and just as Orton shakes free of his grip, he turns around into Grim Affection for the win.
Bo Dallas has pinned Randy Orton. His family in ruins all around the ring, Bo celebrates his victory, and is proven to be a very truthful man. He really did have quite a few tricks up his sleeve tonight.]
It is advertised that on RAW the following night, we will find out the man who cost Randy Orton at Elimination Chamber.
When the time comes, Bo, flanked by his men, states that long ago his brother put into motion a plan. A plan that would unite six people together, the six most optimal people to incite change into this company. They were handpicked by Bray since the beginning.
Braun Strowman, Bray's black sheep, the man he personally discovered and brought into the WWE to be part of his family.
Erick Rowan, Bray's left hand and the man who carried out Bray's commands for years, one of his most loyal soldiers.
Joe Gacy, a man who felt an indescribable spiritual connection to Bray Wyatt, Bray told Bo that he didn't know who the final member was, but that the man meant to fill the role would, that they would feel an intrinsic, undeniable pull.
Karrion Kross, a man with goals very similar to Bray, and a man who was being mentored by Bray backstage prior to his passing, his golden child.
And now that just leaves one person. Someone who knew Bray very well, someone Bray found much success with in this very ring. So without further ado, the final member of The Wyatt Si-
Randy Orton enters, he denounces this ceremony and is out for blood tonight. Bo states that it's actually perfectly convenient that Orton be here for this, seeing as Randy also knows this person very well.
"In fact, Randy, you're the reason this person wasn't here for five years. The past is a funny thing Randy, the axe forgets, the tree...oh, the tree always remembers."
Realization sets in on the face of Orton before the hooded figure blasts Randy as he turns around. The hood comes off, and there stands, the final member of The Wyatt Six.
Matt Hardy.
Randy Orton is able to get his revenge on Matt Hardy in Matt's last WWE match ever, a street fight on an episode of RAW. It's a grueling, physical battle, but Orton knows the numbers game is too large for him to seek revenge on Bo Dallas.
Besides, Dallas has his hands full.
Just as quickly as The Wyatt 6 began, some subtraction begins to occur. One week, Rowan will be with them backstage only to not come to the ring and go missing, Kross and Strowman face similar fates, leaving only Dallas, Gacy and Hardy.
Dallas begins to question where his family members have gone, and Gacy vows to protect him. That is moments before Dallas and Gacy head to the ring, and Matt Hardy is no longer with them.
Backstage footage airs of something destroying Matt Hardy, beating him violently, and as the being turns its head, it is made clear.
The Demon is here.
Heartbeats fill the arena and Gacy exits the ring to guard the perimeter. Red lights dawn on the squared circle, before The Demon attacks Gacy at ringside making quick work of him.
The Demon crawls into the ring before Dallas grabs a mic, kneeling down to The Demon's level.
"I know what you want, there's only one place for souls like ours to do this. Hell In A Cell."
On the go home show for WrestleMania, Finn Bálor and Bo Dallas have a face to face, Finn says that The Demon never got to meet The Fiend but it will get to meet The Rabbit.
"In layman's terms, Bo. You bring your demons, I'll bring mine."

First: https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/14vo5lb/troublemakers_deaths_pity/
*previous:*https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1ckdepw/troublemakers\_halcyons\_hellions/
......
Martha jerked awake as a heavy, pressurized metal cylinder was set gently on her desk beside her. Looking up at Drake as he turned away, clearly not having intended to wake her. Her hand extending from her wrist on solenoids, she grabbed his wrist just before he was completely out of reach. He turned around and she saw something in his eyes for a moment, something akin to disgust. But it was gone just as fast as it appeared as Drake gave her a small nod asking.
"What's going on?"
Martha let go of his wrist, her hand clacking back against her own as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She picked up a mug of milk-diluted coffee and took a long drink before replying.
"Caz is awake, She's in your office, said she needed to talk about something."
Drake's eyes sparkled and Martha wasn't sure if she recognized the sound that came from his throat for a moment. But realized it was a deep belly laugh of relief as the dark-haired warrior seemed to relax, a very slight turning up of his lips forming a smile.
"Thanks, Martha, I'll head up right away. While I do that, think you can figure out a cure or treatment for whatever... that is?"
He gestured at the canister and Martha turned it around to read the scuffed label, eyes almost bugging out of her skull as she whispered.
"Where did you... do you know what this is?! What it does to people? Why do you have it?"
Looking back at Drake, her blood ran cold. There was a distant look in his eyes as he stared malevolently at the canister, softly whispering.
"I do... Martha... this is what was in the warehouse you sent Halcyon after..."
Martha could tell he wasn't telling her the whole truth, slowly looking down at the floor as she softly exclaimed.
"The sewers... They dumped them in the sewers, didn't they?"
Drake's eyes flashed with a burning anger as he took a menacing step forward. Martha winced, cringing away, expecting retaliation. But the warrior didn't strike her, there was a deep sigh, and an oddly cold palm was set on her head.
"Tell me how you knew about them... and please... be honest with me Martha."
Martha slowly opened her eyes, the anger burning in Drake's eyes starkly contrasting with his calm demeanor. He slowly pulled his hand back, looking at it almost shamefully for a moment as Martha gathered her thoughts, making sure she got the details as right as she could.
"When I was a young, foolish, prideful girl... I did believe in what the royals and magnates pushed. That we were the inheritors of the galaxy, that all races and beings save the strongest, belonged under our clawed feet. I was, and technically still am, one of the brightest minds that Geknosia Prime had to offer. Look around, my work is directly or indirectly responsible for roughly half of all Geknosian technology... but before that..."
She looked at the pressurized cylinder with palpable regret.
"I was sent to work for a Tyranian bio-lab, I made toxins and diseases that I... I genuinely thought were being used for some greater good. Being a lab tech, I was never allowed to see the exact effects in person, only read the test master's reports and requirements for the weapons. Then... then I helped them make this..."
Martha gestured at the cylinder.
"Modified Ophiocordiceps unilateralis. The spores are resistant to solar, gamma, beta, and alpha radiation. They cannot be neutralized by flames reaching four thousand degrees, You'd have to fire this canister into the sun if you wanted to neutralize it with heat. The spores can be spread through both physical and respiratory contact, causing hallucinations and euphoria once they start colonizing the nervous system. The victims don't see the fungal growths forming their bodies, they perceive themselves as they were at the time of infection until the fungus reaches a critical mass in the frontal, pre-frontal, and locomotive cortexes. And then the hallucinations stop... leaving them blind, deformed, and barely in control of their bodies. The fungus uses them to feed, hijacking their internal organs to process whatever the fungus can stuff in the mouth of its host, all while the host is fully conscious of their actions..."
Martha's regret mounted as she spoke until the tightness in her throat disallowed her. She hiccuped softly, her cybernetic body unable to cry as she choked out.
"... I'm sorry... I... I'll work on finding a treatment... until I can, I'll see if I can't make a gas mask filter that the spores won't immediately clog. I... don't dare ask for you to forgive my past actions... just please, let me make it right..."
Martha looked up to Drake, expecting to see hatred, anger, or even utter revulsion. But instead, she saw an odd sort of understanding, one that was far from forgiveness, but also far, far from hatred. He sighed and looked off into the distance before saying.
"You realize now what you did was wrong, I can tell you take no pride in it. Right the wrongs of the past and I'll consider you forgiven... and, for your sake, this conversation doesn't leave this room... it's between you, me, and a pressurized canister of fungus."
Without another word, Drake turned on his heel and marched off, leaving Martha alone with a stainless durasteel monument to her shame.
...
Drake stepped into his office with a deep sigh, muscles tingling with conflicting emotions as he grabbed a bottle of gelled ethanol from a desk, squirting some onto his hands and rubbing them together until it evaporated. He'd almost forgotten why he'd hurried to his office until a soft cough caught his attention. He turned, finding a pair of magma-red, crystalline irises staring at him from behind a nigh featureless white mask, the sclera a murky black. He also noticed a few other things, The elegantly constructed blue-metal rail rifle leaning against the wall beside her, Her mottled grey cloak now trimmed with plush animal fur around the collar, hood, and covering the shoulders. A form-fitting bodysuit of interlocking porcelain white plates peaking out from the gaps of light leather armor, completely covering any exposed skin. Her hair had grown long, now a silvery gray that was different than that of age. It was a strong gray, like the steel of cannon barrels and swords.
"I'm guessing you just got done talking to Martha?"
Drake froze a little, folding his hands in front of him as he leaned against the desk while facing her.
"I did... How'd you know?"
Her oddly sharp eyes flashed up to his own as if they could see right through him.
"Drake... I know what she did to you, and what she did to me pales in comparison, and I'm not talking about Martha."
Drake shook his head waving his hands, exasperatedly sighing.
"Caz, you're looking too deep into it, I'm fine, are you okay?"
Caz ignored the question, eyes boring into his as she stated.
"Drake, That was the first time I've seen you wash your hands without having them covered in blood since I met you. That's kind of nasty in its own right, but that's beyond the point. I know you, you'll brush off a hit that would cripple normal men like it was a gust of wind. But this pain you feel inside, it's different, it's not physical... you were raped, Drake. I know you just want to brush it off, but take it from me..."
Caz let out a deep, long sigh, finally breaking eye contact as she touched the mask on her face. Drake's heart was pounding, a slight sheen of sweat coming to his forehead as he tried to deny, deny, deny. But he couldn't, and he slowly hung his head in acceptance as Caz quietly stood and walked over to him, taking his hands in hers and looking up into his eyes, seeing the unacknowledged, soul-rending pain that swirled within. A pain that she knew all too well.
"It's okay to hurt..."
She whispered as he finally looked her in the eyes. The soft, crystalline gaze filled with a deep, supportive understanding.
"... but you have to acknowledge that it hurts, that it affects who you are, and that you can't face it alone. Drake... I love my kids... but I would be lying if I said their faces didn't remind me of that monster every time I look at them. You don't have to talk to me about it now, or tomorrow, or ever. Just know, you aren't alone in this fight, I know how much you care about us... How much you love us..."
Caz gently pressed her forehead against Drake's and felt hot tears fall against her mask as the strongest man she knew broke down into tears, wrapping her in a crushing, but much-needed hug.
"But you need to love yourself too. Or this pain that you feel will swallow you alive... Okay?"
Drake nodded shakily, He felt awful, unable to scrub the memory from his mind. Unable to lock it away like he had so many others. It clawed and gnawed at him like a rabid beast, But as he looked back Into Caz's eyes, he felt a strange sort of comfort. The kind you feel when your pain is shared, and you no longer feel alone.
"I'll try... Caz... I just... I don't know if I can..."
Caz softly nodded and took a respectful step back, pounding a fist against her chest, over her heart. Softly smiling beneath the mask, she warmly stated.
"You've got a big heart, kid. You'll figure it out, and I'll do whatever I can to help."
Then, to lighten the mood she curiously asked.
"Hey, are all the gods like... weirdly normal for nigh-omnipotent beings?"
Drake snorted in surprise, Laughing from the sudden conversational whip-lash and flashing a rare, soft smile.
"Yeah, pretty much."
......
Part 103: https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1cns0mg/troublemakers_weaponized_compassion/

Entomology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of insects. Insects in general seem to be some of the most misunderstood animals in nature. This misunderstanding is largely due to the innate human fear of insects. Maybe, there is an evolutionary explanation for this. After all, many insects can deliver a nasty bite, or worse a deadly injection. However, these creatures tend to carry a delicate beauty to them as well. Butterflies come to mind when speaking of the beauty of an insect.
I say all this, to create an understanding of what insects mean to me. As long as I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated with the creatures. Crafting intricate displays of taxidermied insects and arthropods. Along with intricate assortments of butterfly cases. While I myself found these displays of muted, vibrant colors to be breathtaking. Others tended not to agree with me. I found myself alone throughout my school years. This loneliness however, never steered me away from my obsession. It was only natural that I would continue this obsession into my college years. Where I myself would study to become an entomologist.
I sat alone in my home, surrounded by my collections. I had recently been studying a species of beetle local to my area. It was a species of longhorn beetle that I had begun to pin on a board. The pinning was a delicate process. Especially considering the slender body of the insect. I inhaled, steadying myself to place the first pin. My hands steadied, slowly moving to begin, when my office phone rang. I jumped, and swore as the pin skewered the body of the beetle. Annoyed, I moved towards the phone and picked up the receiver.
“Is this Doctor Cordelia Roch?” The voice was warm, however it had a slight hint of hesitation behind it.
“It is.” I replied, shifting to a more comfortable position leaning against my desk. “Who am I speaking to?” The person on the other end cleared their throat.
“This is Declan Scarberry, with Oregon State Parks. I’m head ranger at Silver Falls.” The hesitation had seemed to dissipate slightly. “I was recommended to reach out to you. We seem to have some sort of bug problem out here. It’s best if I explain in person.” I stayed silent, as I held the receiver. Declan cleared his throat awkwardly on the other end. “Doctor Roch, are you still there?”
“Yes I’m still here.” I shifted from my position leaning against the desk. “Shouldn’t you be able to handle a bug problem? I’m an entomologist not an exterminator.” The hesitation slowly began to creep back in Declan’s voice. However, he rushed his reply.
“Again it’s better if I explain in person. Would you be able to come down to Silver Falls by this afternoon?” I could hear Declan swallow on the other end. He was nervous. I inhaled sharply, it’s not like I had much to do today anyway.
“I’ll be there in about 40 minutes.” Without letting Declan reply, I put the receiver down. It connected to the base with a click.
I stepped out of my car, into the misty Oregon air. It was raining slightly, and I could hear the small plaps as rain droplets hit my jacket. The trees towered around me, creating a faux wall. There was a small wooden building. A sign stood nearby that read Park Office. A stout man ran out of the office. He had wrapped himself in a gray poncho. He waved, and approached closer. His salt and pepper beard parted to reveal a warm smile.
“You must be Doctor Roch.” The man said enthusiastically, he held out his hand. “Declan.” I took his hand and shook it.
“You can just call me Cordelia.” Declan nodded, and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
“Sorry about that. Here follow me, I bet you don’t want to dilly dally.” Declan motioned for me to follow him. I followed behind the man, my shoes being pulled slightly by the mud from the rain. Declan seemed to handle the now muddy terrain easier. He led me to a tree line off of the trail. The trees provided some shelter from the rain, as Declan approached one of the trees. He pointed at a dry looking patch of bark. He peeled off the dead bark, showing small tunnel-like structures.
“Western Pine Beetles?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. Declan nodded, and shifted back to face me.
“We’ve been having problems with them out here.” His eyes shifted nervously, and he smiled awkwardly.
“You asked me out here just to confirm a common invasive species?” Declan held his hands up defensively.
“They’ve been a nuisance around here for a while.” I glared back at Declan.
“They’ve been a nuisance everywhere.” I turned to leave, as I trudged back towards my car. The rain began to come down harder. I heard Declan follow behind me. I ignored him, as I drew closer to my car. Before he could say anything, I heard a crackle. The radio at his hip had come to life.
“Declan, you there?” A feminine voice asked, the radio beeped as it went silent. I turned to face Declan, as he unclipped the radio from his waste.
“I’m here.” He replied as he spoke into the radio. His shoulders relaxed as he answered the woman.
“There’s a problem at the North Falls Group Camp.” The woman replied, and Declan’s face went pale. He glanced at me, and hit the button on the side of the radio to reply.
“I’ll be there soon.” He hooked the radio back onto his waist. Declan inhaled, and closed his eyes. He turned to face me. “Cordelia, I think you’ll want to see this.”
I didn’t know why, but I agreed to come with Declan to the campsite. We sat silently in Declan’s truck together. He was gripping onto the steering wheel. His knuckles turned a shade of white. He parked his truck in a small parking lot. The lot was empty. The only other inhabitants were four other cars. One of them was another ranger vehicle. Another was a minivan with a set of five white stick figure stickers plastered on the rear view window. Declan inhaled deeply, and left the driver's side. I followed him out into the rain.
Looking at the campground, I felt a chill run across my spine. The area was empty. The only other person was a woman. She ran over to Declan and myself. Her curly black hair was covered by a gray poncho similar to Declan’s. She was taller than both of us, and slightly lanky. The woman held out her hand to me to introduce herself.
“Mary.” She said warmly, and she shook my hand. She smiled widely, and I returned her smile. Mary didn’t seem as awkward as Declan.
“Doctor Cordelia Roch, you can call me Cordelia.” I added hastily, she nodded and turned her attention to Declan.
“I got a call that hikers from the Twin Falls trail heard something down here.” Mary’s smile faltered as she said this. Declan nodded understandingly as he left my side. The two rangers walked off towards a man made canopy. I stayed behind, letting my eyes wander across the site. I immediately noticed a small area, with picnic tables. I approached the tables to take a seat, as the two rangers continued their conversation. I sat on the rotting wooden bench of the picnic table. The table had been graffitied with the names of long gone park goers. However, as I stated at the table, something caught my eye. A small dried stain, that was blackish in color. I stared at the stain, and felt a lump in my throat as I realized what I was looking at. It was dried blood.
I immediately stood from the picnic table, not knowing why I was so uncomfortable by a stain of blood. Most likely someone had accidentally cut themselves while eating. Nonetheless I moved away from the table, making my way towards another. I focused on the tree line to catch my breath. The leaves bounced under the weight of the rain. The drizzle had become a more consistent downpour. The droplets that landed on my coat had become more frequent. As I stared at the tree line I noticed something. A small silhouette stood, amongst the thicket. I stared at the thing, and my brain soon realized what I was staring at. It was a child. A small boy with dirty blonde hair stood staring back at me.
I couldn’t make out his facial features well, however he seemed to be expressionless. Just staring back at me. I walked towards the boy, and spoke out.
“Are you ok?” I asked. A million questions running through my mind. The boy didn’t reply. Instead he stood motionless staring back at me. “Where are your parents?” I asked as I grew closer. I could now begin to make out his features. The boy had brown eyes, and his skin seemed almost sallow. Like all natural color had been taken from him. He continued to stare at me. My shoes had continued to be sucked in by the mud. It was making it harder for me to approach the boy. Suddenly I froze. I noticed that the boy’s eyes seemed dull. Like some integral part that made him human was missing. Then I noticed the most alarming detail of all. The boy wasn’t breathing. I turned to call out to Declan and Mary. Before the words could escape my lips, something snapped from within the foliage. I turned just in time, to see the boy pulled back into the tree line. He didn’t move, instead he seemed to almost fly backwards. His limbs dangled limply, like a marionette that had its strings cut.
I hadn’t had much of a chance to tell Mary and Declan about what I saw. I had frantically said something about a boy in the trees. Mary had taken this as a sign to round up a group of rangers, and take them in the direction I had seen the boy. Declan was driving me back to my car, not elaborating on what he and Mary had been discussing. In all manners of the term, I was left in the dark. All I knew was that everyone from that campsite had disappeared. As Declan drove, the sun began to set. The rain was coming down harder now. The droplets let out audible thuds against the hood of his truck. The ranger adjusted his rear view mirror, and cleared his throat.
“It might not be safe for you to drive home in this weather.” He commented, as we approached the bend in the road that led to the Park Office. “We have cabins in the park. I’m sure we could find you an empty one for the night.” I thanked him for his generosity, and leaned my head against the truck’s window. I watched as we sped past trees. The rain, and encroaching darkness creating a distorted view of the forest.
“Declan are you there?” The radio of Declan’s truck crackled to life with the sound of Mary’s voice. I jumped out of my trance, catching my breath. Declan grabbed a small hand held receiver, and parked his truck.
“I’m here.” He replied, a hint of exhaustion creeping into his voice.
“I think I found the kid. I can see someone standing in the tree line. I’ve been trying to radio the others, but I’m not getting anything.” Mary replied, worry seeped into each word she said. Declan started the truck, and turned it around.
“Where are you? I’m on my way.”
“I’m close to the perimeter trail waterfall. You should be able to see my flashlight from the road.” With that, Declan put down his receiver. He had begun to speed, to make it in time to help Mary. As I opened my mouth to tell him about what had happened with the child earlier, I paused. A look of concern had painted itself across his face. His eyes focused on the road ahead.
Declan skidded his truck into the mud on the side of the road. He jumped out of the truck, running to the back. I followed, holding my arm over my head to try and shield myself from the rain. Declan grabbed an industrial flashlight. He tossed it to me, and grabbed another for himself.
“I know search and rescue isn’t in your job description. But spread out, we need to find Mary.” Before I could reply, Declan walked off into the woods. He seemed to speed up, as he approached the tree line. I walked in the other direction, searching for the beam of Mary’s flashlight. I scanned the dense woods, lighting the path ahead of me. I stepped gingerly through the brush, fighting against a combination of mud and hidden obstacles. I continued walking, my eyes scanning the darkness ahead of me. Until, like the dim glow of a projector I saw it. The beam of a flashlight. I approached finding the device on the ground. I paused, scanning the tree line with my flashlight.
“Mary?” I called out to the darkness, hoping to see some sign of the ranger. Almost like an act of god, my beam of light illuminated a set of muddy footprints. Instead of continuing into the woods like one would expect, the trail stopped. The final set of prints were located near one of the taller trees around me. I panned my flashlight up the tree. Slowly illuminating each part of the bark, as the beam of light trailed up. My beam caught a pair of boots dangling from up high. Then a pair of legs, and a torso. Mary was floating above me, her eyes seemed dull. I could tell however, that she was still alive due to the labored movement of her chest. Then I noticed what was keeping Mary afloat. Originally I had thought it was a branch, however as my light hit the object it moved.
Several things that I thought originally were branches, began retracting back into the darkness. Mary’s body jolted and she began to fall to the ground. As the ranger fell, I glimpsed a brownish black circular object retreating from her back. The cylinder seemed to have some sort of sharp spike like object at the end. It retracted into the cylinder, and with that the thing disappeared quickly into the dark. I rushed over to Mary, who was now laying limply on the ground. She was still breathing, however there was a quarter sized hole in her back.
I’m writing this from one of the cabins near the Park Office. I took Declan’s offer on staying at one of the empty cabins, due to the weather. Declan eventually found Mary and I, and drove her back to the office. Instead of taking her to the hospital, the ranger’s insisted on treating her on site. They said it would be safer, and more likely she would survive. I don’t believe them. I don’t believe I was asked to come here, just to examine some Western Pine Beetles.

Hey guys i hope you are well, here is a new DH Gate find list , please watch carefully before you pick an item and always check twice for the size chart and the reviews! NOTE: I have not bought all of the items on the list, but all of them are manually collected from positive reviews and from different dhgate hauls. (Check the reviews of each item or massage the seller for QC pictures before you buy.)
PLEASE

• ask the seller for pics if you didn't find reviews or a size chart .
• this post will updated
• use cashback.
• if you need anything in dhgate let me know greygooselover .

SHOES / SLIDES:

1. BAPESTA
2. Nike Dunks
3. Dior B22 1
4. Dior B22 2
5. Jordan 11
6. Balenciaga Triple S 1
7. Balenciaga Triple S 2
8. Balenciaga Track 2
9. Balenciaga Slides
10. Christian Louboutin
11. Nike Tuned Air
12. Burberry Pattern Shoes
13. Revenge Storms
14. Yeezy 350 v2
15. Kobe 6
16. Yeezy 500 TSM
17. More Off-White Sneakers
18. Yeezy 500
19. Yeezy 450
20. Yeezy 350
21. Yeezy Slides
22. Yeezy Foamrunners
23. Crocs
24. Cristian Loub Spike Low Sneakers
25. Cristian Loub Spike High Sneakers
26. Nike Dunks
27. Nike Shox TL
28. Nike Tn
29. Nike Skeleton AF1
30. Nike AF1
31. Nike Air Max 1
32. Nike Air Max 95
33. Nike Nocta Glide
34. Nike Nocta Hot Step Air Terra
35. Nike Uptempo
36. Jordan 1's
37. Jordan 4's
38. Jordan 11's
39. Versace Chain Reaction
40. Alexander Mcqueen's
41. Balenciaga Track
42. Balenciaga Triple S
43. Balenciaga Runners
44. Birkenstocks
45. Burberry Vintage High Sneakers
46. Prada Loafers
47. Prada Boots
48. Gucci Slides
49. Gucci Horsebit Sandals
50. Maison Mihara Yasuhiro Sneakers
51. Timberland Boots
52. Golden Goose Sneakers

T-SHIRTS / JACKETS / TRACKSUITS:

1. Stone Island Hoodie
2. Stone Island T-shirt
3. Palm Angels Tracksuit
4. The North Face Puffer Jacket
5. Balmain T-shirts
6. Canada Goose Vest
7. Balenciaga BB Logo T-shirt
8. Nike Tech Fleece
9. Gucci Spray Letters T-shirt
10. LV Skeleton T-shirt
11. Ralph Laurent Bear T-Shirt
12. Ralph Laurent Polo T-shirt
13. Off-White T-shirts
14. Stussy Hoodie
15. Lacoste T-shirt
16. Vlone Friends T-shirt
17. Vlone Flames Logo T-shirt
18. More Vlone T-shirts
19. Rhude T-shirt
20. The North Face Vest
21. The North Face x Brain Dead Jacket
22. Fendi Puffer Jacket
23. Prada Zip Pocket T-shirt
24. Prada Puffer Jacket
25. Drew House Hoodie
26. Louis Vuitton Patch T-shirt
27. Palm Angels Pattern Tracksuit
28. Palm Angels Bear T-shirt
29. Palm Angels Back Logo T-shirt
30. Palm Angels Spray Heart T-shirt
31. More Palm Angels T-shirts
32. Sp5der 555 Hoodie
33. Sp5der T-shirt
34. The North Face Light Jacket
35. Moose Knuckles Jackets
36. Ralph Lauren Zip Hoodie
37. Polo Ralph Lauren Jumper
38. Ralph Laurent Collared Shirts
39. Lacoste Polo T-Shirt
40. Balmain Sweatshirt
41. Burberry Rider T-shirt
42. Bottegga Veneta T-shirt
43. Canada Goose Jacket
44. Trapstar Irongate Jacket
45. Trapstar Tracksuit Set
46. Trapstar Black And Yellow Set
47. Trapstar Shooters Tracksuit Set
48. Trapstar Summer Set
49. Gucci Tiger T-shirt
50. Fendi T-shirts
51. Bape Shark Hoodie
52. Bape Camo Logo T-shirt
53. Bape x Undefeated T-Shirt
54. Bape x Heron Preston T-shirt
55. Nike x Fear Of God T-shirt
56. FOG Essentials T-shirt
57. Gucci Snake Polo T-shirt
58. Gucci Bear T-shirt
59. Comme Des Garcons Hoodie
60. Comme Des Garcons Sweatshirt
61. Comme des Garçons T-shirt
62. More cdg T-shirts
63. Gap x Balenciaga Hoodie
64. Balenciaga Sweater
65. Balenciaga Hoodies
66. Balenciaga Reflective Logo T-shirt
67. Adidas x Balenciaga T-shirt
68. Balenciaga Logo Hoodie
69. Balenciaga Spray Logo T-shirt
70. Balenciaga I Love Paris T-shirt
71. More Balenciaga T-shirts
72. Kenzo Flower T-shirt
73. Boss T-shirt
74. Celine Hoodie
75. Chrome Hearts Dagger Hoodie
76. Chrome Hearts Longsleeve
77. Gallery Dept T-shirt
78. Gallery Dept Hoodie
79. Stone Island Longsleeve
80. Stone Island Zip Hoodie
81. Trapstar Summer Outfit
82. Louis Vuitton T-shirts
83. Louis Vuitton Camo Logo T-shirt
84. Nocta Jacket Nike
85. Fendi Eyes T-shirt
86. More Fendi T-shirts
87. Rhude Racing Team T-shirt
88. CPFM YE Must Be Born Again Hoodie
89. Kids See Ghosts Hoodie Kanye West
90. Amiri T-shirts
91. Bape Shoes
92. More Amiri T-shirts
93. Moncler Polo T-shirt
94. Moncler Sweatshirt
95. Versace Robe
96. Balmain Denim Jacket
97. C.P Company Zip Up
98. Represent T-shirt
99. Gucci Polo T-shirt
100. Gucci T-shirt
101. More Gucci T-shirts
102. Kith T-shirts
103. Prada Triangle Logo T-shirt
104. Prada Sweater
105. Paris Shirt
106. Prada Vest
107. More Moncler Jackets
108. Palm Angels T Shirt
109. Gucci Pattern Polo T-shirt
110. Another Ralph Laurent Hoodie
111. Moschino Italy Bear T-shirt
112. More VLONE T-shirts
113. Christian Dior Atelier T-shirt
114. Prada Puffer Jacket
115. Louis Vuitton Puffer Jacket
116. Louis Vuitton University Jackets
117. Revenge Hoodie
118. Revenge T-shirts
119. Philip Plein T-shirts
120. Nike x Fear Of God T-shirt
121. Louis Vuitton Knit T-shirt
122. Drake Nocta Hoodie
123. PSG Tracksuits
124. The North Face x Gucci Jacket
125. North Face Puffer Jacket
126. Stone Island Longsleeve
127. Bape Shark Hoodie
128. Trapstar Irongate Jacket
129. Nike Tech Fleece
130. Prada Jacket
131. LV University T-shirt
132. Canada Goose Jacket
133. Amiri T-shirt
134. Ralph Lauren Polo
135. The North Face x Gucci Jacket
136. Bottega Veneta T-shirts
137. Supreme x The North Face Jacket
138. Balenciaga Chrome Letters Hoodie
139. Celine Zip Hoodie
140. Prada T-shirt
141. Rhude T-shirt
142. Trapstar IRONGATE T-shirt
143. More Gucci T-shirts
144. Balenciaga Hoodies
145. Vlone Flames T-shirt
146. Balenciaga Print Logo Hoodie
147. Gucci T-shirt
148. Balmain T-shirt
149. Palm Angels T-shirt
150. Fendi T-shirts
151. Celine Tie Dye T-shirt
152. Bape Flowers T-shirt
153. More Vlone T-shirts
154. Balenciaga Sweater
155. Amiri T-shirt
156. Astroworld Hoodie
157. Pian Sicko T-Shirt
158. LV x NBA Jacket
159. LV Varsity Jacket
160. LV Skeleton T-Shirt
161. LV Patch T-Shirt
162. LV Blue Bubble Font T-Shirt
163. Burberry T-Shirt
164. Bape Hoodie
165. Bape Black Head T-Shirt
166. Bape Alphabet Crystal T-Shirt
167. Bape X Warrior T-Shirt
168. The North Face 700 Nuptse Jacket
169. The North Face Nuptse Fleece Jacket
170. The North Face Light Jacket
171. Canada Goose Wyndham Jacket
172. Lacoste Jacket
173. Moncler Maya
174. Moncler Montca Jacket
175. Polo Raulph Lauren Sweater
176. Polo Raulp Lauren Tracksuit
177. Stone Island Long Sleeve
178. Stone Island Hoodie
179. Stone Island T-Shirt
180. Vlone Friends T-Shirt
181. Fear Of God Tracksuit
182. Prada Puffer Jacket
183. Syna World Tracksuit
184. Trapstar set summer
185. Gucci Tracksuit
186. Spider Hoodies - Tracksuit
187. Spider T-Shirt
188. Gallery Dept T-Shirt
189. Trapstar Irongate Jacket
190. Trapstar T-Shirt - Summer set
191. Trapstar Shooters Tracksuit
192. Trapstar Irongate Tracksuit
193. More Trapstar Tracksuit
194. Balenciaga Hoodie
195. Balenciaga Sweater
196. Balenciaga Print Logo Hoodie
197. PSG Tracksuit
198. Palm Angels T-Shirt
199. Palm Angels Bear T-Shirt
200. Amiri 22 Hoodie
201. Amiri T-Shirt
202. Amiri Cupid T-Shirt
203. Nike Windbreaker
204. Nike X Nocta Techfleece
205. Nike Techfleece set
206. Corteiz Tracksuit

PANTS / JEANS:

1. Eric Emanuel EE Shorts
2. Corteiz Cargo Pants
3. Essentials Sweatpants
4. Rhude Shorts
5. Gallery Dept. Sweatpants
6. Stone Island Cargo Pants
7. Lululemon Yoga Pants
8. Flower Jeans
9. True Religion Jeans
10. Gucci Shorts
11. More Amiri
12. Stone Island Sweatpants
13. Stone Island Shorts
14. Balmain Jeans
15. DSQARED2 Jeans
16. Amiri Jeans
17. Amiri Angel Jeans
18. Dsquared2 Jeans
19. Bape Shorts
20. Palm Angels Shorts
21. Eric Emanuel EE Shorts
22. Essential Sweatpants
23. Essential Shorts
24. Stone Island Shorts
25. Spider Sweatpants
26. Trapstar Shorts
27. Gucci Shorts
28. Burberry Shorts
29. LV Carpenter Pants
30. LV Carpenter Pants Black
31. Corteiz Cargo Pants
32. Gallery Dept Sweatpants
33. Flower Jeans
34. Flower Shorts
35. Palm Angels Shorts
36. Bape Shorts
37. Amiri Jeans
38. Amiri x Skull Jeans
39. Purple Jeans
40. Polo Swimshorts
41. Chrome Hearts Jeans
42. Amiri Jeans
43. Stone Island Shorts
44. Dsquared Jeans
45. Bape Shark Shorts
46. Rhude Shorts
47. Palm Angels Track Pants
48. Palm Angels Shorts
49. Corteiz Cargo Pants
50. Amiri Stars Jeans

ACCESSORIES / OTHERS:

1. Louis Vuitton LV Belt With Box
2. Rolex Watch With Box and Receipts
3. AP Watch With Box
4. MCM Backpack
5. Swatch x Omega Planets Watch
6. Gucci Shoulder Bag
7. Prada Shoulder Bag
8. BB Simons Belt
9. LV Gradient Belt
10. LV Pattern Belt
11. Yves Saint Laurent Wallet
12. Yves Saint Laurent Cardholder
13. YSL Bifold Wallet
14. Trapstar Irongate Shoulder Bag
15. PSD Boxers
16. Louis Vuitton Messenger Bag
17. Salvatore Ferragamo Belt
18. LV Wallets with box
19. Hermes Wallet
20. Louis Vuitton Cuban Link Bracelet With Box
21. LV Women wallet with box
22. LV Scarf And Beanie set
23. Burberry Scarf
24. Iced Out Cuban Link
25. Goyard St. Louis Tote Bag
26. Christian Dior Saddle Bag
27. Gucci GG Belt
28. Gucci Snake Belt
29. Gucci Snake Printed Belt
30. Gucci Ring
31. Gucci Keychain
32. Dior Pattern Belt
33. MCM Pattern Belt
34. Hermes Belt
35. Versace Belt
36. Nike Socks
37. Supreme Backpack
38. Louis Vuitton Backpack
39. Alyx Backpack
40. Supreme Shoulder Bag
41. Supreme Face Mask
42. Supreme Dice
43. Air Pods Max
44. Balenciaga Socks
45. Prada Necklace
46. Prada Bucket Hat
47. Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag
48. Chanel Flap Bag
49. Louis Vuitton Card Holder
50. Louis Vuitton Pattern Duffle Bag
51. Louis Vuitton Transparent Duffle Bag
52. Louis Vuitton Chain Wallet
53. Lv Purse
54. LV Waist Bag
55. LV Alpha Messenger Bag
56. Hermes Blanket
57. Hermes Pillows
58. Gucci Towel Set
59. Louis Vuitton Wool Blanket
60. Chanel Bath Towels
61. Chanel Sunglasses
62. Celine Cat Eye Sunglasses
63. Celine Hat
64. MCM Leather Hat
65. ICON Hat
66. Amiri Hat
67. Gucci Hat
68. Gucci Snake Hat
69. Prada Hat
70. Burberry Hat
71. Coach Tabby Pillow Bag
72. Bottega Cassette Crossbody Bag
73. Vevine Westwood Necklace
74. LV Millionaire Sunglasses
75. LV Cyclone Sunglasses
76. LV Ring
77. LV Earrings
78. LV Emilie Wallet
79. Various LV Bags
80. LV Sunglasses
81. LV Keychain
82. Chanel Earrings
83. Clear Cartier Glasses
84. Cartier Nail Bracelet
85. UGG Gloves
86. Tiffany Bracelet
87. Tiffany Hearts Ring
88. Tiffany Solitaire Ring
89. Tiffany Earrings
90. C.P COMPANY Beanie
91. Canada Goose Beanie
92. Prada Beanie
93. Louis Vuitton Beanie
94. Balenciaga Beanie
95. Gucci Shocks
96. Balenciaga Side Logo Hat
97. BB Simons Belt
98. Gucci Shoulder Bag (MEN)
99. Trapstar Ironsgate Shoulder Bag
100. LV Scarf & Beanie Set
101. Airpods Pro / 2nd Gen / 3d Gen
102. LV Gradient Shiny Belt
103. Hermes Belt
104. Balenciaga Hat
105. Gucci Pattern Hat
106. Gucci GG Belt
107. Unisex Prada Sunglasses
108. Rolex Watch (With Box & Receipt)
109. Cartier Clear Glasses
110. Dsquared ICON Hat
111. Rolex Watch (With box)
112. Rolex Datejust (With box)
113. Rolex Daydate (With box)
114. Patek Phillipe Watch (With box)
115. AP Watch (With box)
116. BB Simons Belt
117. LV Crossbody Purse
118. LV Messenger Bag
119. LV Messenger Bag 2
120. LV Cardholder
121. LV Sling Backpack
122. LV Wallet
123. LV Scarf
124. LV Sunglasses
125. MCM Backpack
126. Gucci Belt
127. Gucci Snake Belt
128. Gucci GG Wallet
129. Gucci Wallet
130. Gucci Pouch
131. Goyard Cardholder
132. Goyard Wallet
133. OFF-White Rug
134. Prada Hats
135. Prada Phonecase
136. Prada Messenger Bag
137. More Prada Bags
138. Prada Sunglasses
139. New Era 59FIFTY Hat
140. Nike Socks
141. Cartier Glasses
142. Crease Protectors

Bags

• Celine Phantom Bag $129.99
• Chloe Hudson Bag $197.52(another option, the leather looks good)
• Miu Miu Matelasse Flap Bag $67.21
• Gucci Lady Web Crossbody
• Gucci Marmont Med
• LV Keepall Duffle Bag
• LV Speedy Mini
• LV Toiletry Pouch Giant Monogram
• LV TwistIf you order, be sure to ask seller about the twist lock. There is a recurring flaw of the DHG reps spinning 360. I also posted a review of this bag from designerpurse, and their lock functions correctly
• Prada Belt Bag
• Prada Black Nylon Tote
• Prada Small Black Messenger
• YSL Classic Sac de Jour
• YSL Kate Tassel Bag

Shoes

1. Gucci Chevron Espadrilles $69.49 ( goes up to size 42)
2. LV Lace-Up Winter Fur Boots $79.65 (goes up to size 42; cute boots, I’m not sure if these are fantasy?)
3. Christian Louboutin Pira Ryad Wedge Sandals 6cm/12cm heel both $69.41 (loads of different color-ways)
4. Christian Louboutin Suede Pumps 8cm/10cm/12cm heel $76.36 (only comes in black)

Tops

1. Balenciaga Logo T-Shirt $22.66
2. Balmain Crewneck Sweatshirt
3. Polo Bear T-shirt
4. Versace Medusa Top
5. YSL Star Crewneck Pullover

Sunglasses

• Celine Cat-Eye Sunglasses 41468S $53.44(very very stylish! ❤️)
• Gucci Oversized Sunglasses GG0061S $41.68

Headwear and Accessories

• Gucci Silk Headband $13.18Chanel/Dior Headband $17.00 ( worth buying )
• Fur-Trim Parka Winter Coat $76.31 (not sure if this is designer, but it's a pretty coat!)

Sets

• Gucci Underwear Set $26.30(comes in two different styles; a user gave this a positive review here )

Jewelry

1. Bulgari Serpent Ring
2. Pandora Charm Bracelet

Here are some extra Items

1. Nike x Drake Hot Step Air Terra nocta
2. Essentials Hoodie
3. Trapstar Shooters Tracksuit
4. The Tote Bag
5. Prada Loafers
6. Iced Out Cuban Link
7. Gucci Hat
8. MCM Hat
9. Nocta Hoodies
10. Louis Vuitton Ring
11. Nike Socks
12. PSG Tracksuit