Please search any of the following mods on Nexus Mods - Fallout: New Vegas:
Working on the Chain Gang ESM-74958-2-1-1667158496"
WRP - Hotfix-38285-2-2-5-1590168045"
YUP - Base Game and All DLC-51664-12-9-1701436279"
0_80 Hot Fixes-37376-1"
01 T6M Natural Curvy Body (Nude) BB BNB-81346-1-5-3-1-1705542430"
45 Auto Submachine Gun Retexture - Honest Hearts-73064-1-1-1626897328"
360 Movement BNB Animations-75535-1-0-1652574707"
1911_v_1_dot_2-50184-1-2"
A Koch and Bohr Story v1-1-45886-v1-1"
a Smoke before the Storm-82578-2-0-1692819504"
A Thorny Situation v1-0-46048-"
A Wilder Wasteland v1-0-46158-v1-0"
A World Of Pain 6.94-38719-6-94-1685580176"
Afterglow -- LightBright Strip Overhaul Tweaks-83736-1-01-1700333095"
Afterglow -- Neon Illumination-83736-1-0-1699663621"
AK47_v1_1-48392-1-1"
AKS74U_upd1-47648-1-1"
All Explosion Sounds Overhaul BSA and YUP Patch-66946-2-0-1581616735.1"
All-in-one-66955-1-1557788582"
Alternative Start 1-5-45739-1-5"
Ammo box-42551-1-1599021340"
AN94_v_1_0-49600-1-0"
Animated Ingestibles (english)-70139-4-1-1684674884"
ASBTS Scripted Cigarettes-83077-1-1-1705445898"
Asset Pack-71569-13-1644876932"
Asurah Reanimation Pack 0.2.3.2-64339-0-2-3-2-1610371277"
Asurah Reanimation Pack main-64339-0-2-1"
Autumn Leaves-50146-1-030"
AWOP - A World of Pain - Underpass fix-78038-1--1660962454"
AWOP Compatibility Patches-38719-6-01-1556669314"
AWOP Dead Money 2.0-38719-2-0"
AWOP Weapon Mod Patches-38719-6-01-1590590935"
AWOP WRP Patch-38719-6-94-2-1669589734"
AWOP-MoMod-41361-10a"
B42 Inertia V1.2-64335-1-2-1615691254"
B42 Inject-80437-0-15b-1692435172"
B42 Interact-83119-0-14b-1695964659"
B42 Loot-82369-0-15b-1695243927"
BB Cigs-42551-"
Beige Pack-42551-"
Beretta92fs_v1_0-50837-1-0"
Better Brotherhood - YUP Patch-75031-2-4a-1701456413"
Better Brotherhood-75031-2-4a-1701449472"
BetterBetting1mCapDeadMoney-64920-1-1"
BetterStandUp-76443-2-1703547706"
Blood by the Dollar Patch-74958-2-0-1667064117"
BMF 1.01-56742-1-01"
BNB_Armor-35047-1-0"
BNB_BiggerBreasts-35047-1-0"
BNB_Body-35047-1-0"
BNB_Update1-35047-1-0"
BoSUnforgotten-60624-v1-1"
Breeze New Vegas Males - AIO-48222-1-8"
Brotherhood and Legion Truce-74086-5-3-1690769947"
Brotherhood of Steel Paladin Quests-69713-V1-1597789294"
Brotherhood Reforged - Fixed and Cleaned-83339-1-0-1696455793"
BrotherhoodReforged"
Bulk's Sound Pack - Footsteps-77766-1-2a-1700949655"
BulletSnap - Redux - espless 1.2-78967-1-2-1689600460"
Bushmaster_M4A1-48451-1-0"
Camp McCarran Map Markers-42860-1-0"
Camp McCarran monorail animation stand alone version-70213-2-00-1609887871"
Caravan Guard Remastered-83590-1-0-1698523589"
Caravan Guard-58721-1-2"
Caravan Pack Weapons Ironsight Fix-64339-0-1"
Casino Crowds-71037-1-2-1614893989"
Casino Crowds-71037-1-2-1614893989.1"
Casino Heists New Vegas 1.6-59896-1-6-1660648020"
Casino Posters and Signs HD-84302-1-0-1703875632"
Character Kit Remake - Hair-82147-1-0-1690857031"
Character Kit Remake - Hands-82148-1-1-1691365351"
Character Kit Remake - Teeth-82146-1-0-1689501066"
Classic Fallout Weapons Remastered V1.2-73805-1-9-2-1692128971"
Classic Goris-83439-1-0-1697179223"
Classic Pack Weapons Ironsight Fix-64339-0-1"
Coito Ergo Sum 4.20 FULL VERSION-56156-4-20-1677188838"
Common globe-42551-1"
CompanionsCommander_11-36523-1-1"
CompanionsInfiniteAmmo-37602-1-1"
CompanionsTeleporter-36523-1-05"
Compass Height Indicator-67068-2-0-1693172382"
Compatibility Patch for VGO 1.3 and Roberts Male Body FNV 3.4-68500-1-0-1584792648"
Compatibility Patch for VGO 1.4 and Fallout Character Overhaul 3.0-68500-1-2-1584907027"
Compatibility Patch for VGO 1.4 and Van Graff Hostility Fix-68500-1-1-1585586406"
Config INI-71569-13-01-1698109570"
Daniel - Unique Textures 1-1-83624-1-1-1698892210"
Dead Money DLC weapons ironsight fix-64339-0-1"
Decaying Ferals-83726-0-01-1699482598"
Deimos V1_05-43411-1-05"
Desert Eagle v1.0-56745-1-0"
Dimonized Type 3 AIO Installer-54438-3-5-1561863093"
Dismemberment Tweaks-80369-1-1678531588"
DLC Followers - All-In-One-74426-1-1-1-1637325547"
Download-55283-"
Dragunov SVU v 1.0-57297-1-0"
Dramatic Inertia - 3rd Person Movement Overhaul-82035-1-3-1702856996"
Dramatic Staggering-84262-1-1703548049"
DSI-48094-1-1a"
Duct Tape-42551-"
Earthblighted Tunnelers-84319-0-01-1703987665"
ELECTRO-CITY v12A-37908-V12A"
Energy Visuals Plus 2.0 -- EVE Patch-83105-1-0-1695161808"
Enhanced Blood Textures-34917-2-22c"
Enhanced Bullet Impacts-61804-1-0"
Enhanced Camera 1.4c-55334-1-4c-1544995335"
EVE Patch-64339-1-18-1610475958"
EVE v1.19-42666-1-19-1623957051"
Expanded Mojave - Mojave Outpost-82713-1-0-1692710596"
Eyes of Torment - Ghost People Retexture-83768-0-01-1699826217"
Factions Reloaded Followers V1.5.2-53041-1-5-2-1611961598"
Factions Reloaded Legion V2.3-51983-2-3-1690336838"
Factions Reloaded Raiders V2.2-52309-2-2-1689369283"
Fallout 4 Power Armor Features-65417-1-8-4-1657830228"
Fallout Character Overhaul 3.0-54460-3-0"
Fallout Character Overhaul purple mouth fix-75842-1-0-1648161122"
Fallout New Vegas ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated-35935-beta"
FAMAS F1 1.1-58824-1-1"
FCO - A World Of Pain-76179-3-4-2-1655389404"
FCO - Caravan Guard-77070-1-1655374739"
FCO - DLC Followers All-In-One Complete-75897-1-6-1-1655313894"
FCO - Russel Addon Expansion-70303-1-0-1604611326"
FCO - Russell Expanded-76048-2-4-1649309173"
FCO - The Last Few Edits-63465-1-2-1611445902"
Fire hydrant-42551-"
FNV NPCs Travel-54107-1-0-0"
FNV Quantum Sling v1.0-70770-1-0-1609894292"
FNV Realistic Wasteland Lighting All DLC-52037-v5-542-1542790908"
FNV Sexual Innuendo Animation plugin v003-36659-003"
FNV Sexual Innuendo NPCs plugin version 007-36659-007"
FO4 PA Features The Frontier-65417-1-8-3-1627853330"
FO4 Power Armors - FNV Compatibility Edition"
For The Enclave 4-0-39531-4-0"
FPS Lowering Weapons-80995-1-6-1701642566"
FPSWeaponWheel113-39997-1-13"
Freeside Overhaul - Episode I-81389-V1-1-1686100362"
FrontierAddons Combined All-in-One-71201-v2-1-1658540525"
Frozen Hit Rockomotion-79828-2-0-2-1678764575"
Functional Post Game Ending-66726-6-6-1703283263"
G36K_v_1-0-56125-1-0"
GRA WRP Unofficial Patch Ironsight Fix-64339-2-1"
Great Khan Graffiti Redone-83348-1-2-1696615291"
Greater Khans - Fixed and Cleaned-83352-1-0-1696538553"
GreatKhanGreatOverhaul"
Gun Runners Actually Run Guns 1 dot 8-42503-1-8"
Gun Runners Arsenal weapons ironsight fix-64339-0-1"
Height Randomizer Config-78278-1-0-1662456628"
Height Randomizer-70159-1-1-1604323492"
HH 45 Retexture-83233-V1-01-1695902562"
HI-RES Chems and Health ReTexture Pak-40302"
HiRes Skill Books Retexture V1.0-61273-1-0"
Hit - B42 Inject - Meat Anims-83906-1-1701225186"
Hit - B42 Inject - Sunset Sarsaparilla Animations-83993-1-1701797503"
Hit - B42 Inject Anim Pack - Season 1-80531-1-0-1679595175"
Hit - B42 Interact - New Vegas Bounties I LE-83096-1-1695504537"
Hit - B42 Interact Animation Pack-83096-1-01-1695579668"
Hit - B42 Interact Animation Pack-83096-1-01-1695579668.1"
Hit - B42 Interact Skinning-83161-1-1695497868"
Hit B42 Inject - Random 1-84439-1-1704730621"
Hit Marker Sounds - ESP-77268-release-1656730677"
HK_CAWS_v1_1-48433-1-1"
Honest Hearts DLC weapons ironsight fix-64339-0-2"
Honest Hearts Signs HD-82969-1-1-1697133032"
Hoss Mods - Sanctuary HH Home-70186-1-1-1646726106"
Hotfix Version 0.6.5-68009-0-6-5-1619083228"
Humping the Mojave v003-43773-v003"
If it wasn't for Betsy 2.5-59265-2-5"
If It Wasnt For Betsy-46574-v0-1"
Iguazu Shopping Center v2-62317-2-0"
IMI Galil 1.0-59635-1-0"
IMI_UZI_v_1_0-48523-1-0"
Immersive Hit Reactions
Immersive Recoil 2.0
Improved Console-70801-3-1702935922"
Improved Lighting Shaders-69833-1-5beta4a-1668774269"
Interior Lighting Overhaul 6-9-35794-6-9"
Iron Sight Recoil Animations kNVSE-75581-2-0-1673050083"
ISControl-75417-2-3-1688602677"
ISInertia v1.1-83648-1-1-1705167646"
Jacobstown Expanded-36421"
Jacobstown Lodge Suite-79949-1-1675869578"
Jacobstown Pond Fix-64103-1-0"
JacobsTown-51927-"
Jet Pack Effect for Aerial Assault Armor-50829-"
JIP LN NVSE Plugin-58277-57-21-1694289677"
JohnnyGuitarNVSE-66927-4-98-1701208963"
Joshua Graham Companion MAIN-56791-1-3"
Joshua Graham Outfit 2K Retexture-74202-1-0-1635320209"
JSRS Sound Mod 2.1 - Main File-81585-2-11-1689512817"
KatieNPC ENGLISH version 2_6 FULL-45150-2-6"
KEYWORDS-83088-1-01-1695964898"
Khan Assets (more pronounced signs)-72798-V1-1624577442"
Khans Forever-82521-v1-0-1691702006"
kNVSE-71336-20-1632181674"
KOTR Version 1 dot 04-56353-1-04"
L96A1_v_1_1-50805-1-1"
Lazarus - SMI Gun Runners V2 (Collision Fix)-75562-V2-1-1647360702"
LegionTerritoriesExpanded-68527-1-0-0-1584907535"
Level 100 and Perk Per Level-43055-1-3-1550210717"
LightBright Strip Overhaul-77093-3-1-1694229498"
Lime's Fort Overhaul-73749-1-20-1632706091"
Live Dismemberment
Lucky 38 Suite Reloaded Version 4.8 ESM-55540-4-8"
M14_v1-48477-1-0"
M37 Ithaca v1_1-47457-1-1"
MAC Beta Sexual Innuendo-36759"
Main File - All you need-45557-1"
Main File - Total Package Update 10-23-2021-50751-018-5-8-1635004434"
Main file-62682-0-2"
MainFile-74132-1-3v-1645220297"
Marcus Companion 0_80 Full-37376-0-80"
markers1b-36689"
Master Build-68009-0-5-5-1614054783"
MatebaModel6_v1_2-48499-1-2"
MauserC96_1dot1-48317-1-1"
McCarran South Gate Restored-71708-1-7-3-1625866293"
Melee Sounds-77766-0-5-1678726237"
Mikeburnfire's NPCs and Quests-70988-1-1-1676463261"
Millenia AK74 Patch-64339-0-1"
Millenia AKS74U Patch-64339-0-1"
Millenia Colt M4A1 Patch-64339-0-1"
Millenia Desert Eagle Patch-64339-0-2"
Millenia HK CAWS Fix-64339-0-1"
Millenia L96 Fix-64339-0-1"
Millenia M-14 Patch-64339-0-1"
Millenia M37 Ithaca Patch-64339-0-1"
Millenia PPSH-41 patch-64339-0-1"
Millenia Remington 870 Sawn-Off Patch-64339-0-2-3-1610376337"
Millenia STEN MK2 Patch-64339-0-1"
Millenia TOZ66 Patch-64339-0-1"
MLF-68714-3-1-1691312308"
MMRE ESPs-44139-1-0"
MMRE Music Pack 1-44139-1-0"
MMRE Music Pack 2-44139-1-0"
MMRE Music Pack 3-44139-1-0"
MMRE Music Pack 4-44139"
MM's Hit Marker SFX-84498-1-0-1705158422"
MNTLs Energy Weapons Sound Pack 1_3-52684-1-3"
Mojave Delight For Type3 V1dot1-44312-1-1-1666593552"
Mojave Express Courier Delivery Work - Primm-77176-2-5-1689168964"
Mojave NPCs-72615-2-2-1703969750"
Monster Mod Re-Release-41361-10b"
Mop bucket_flat mop-42551-"
More Perks Reimagined-76584-3-0-1-1652840544"
NAWEMO-65499-1-3-3-1626792344"
NCR Rearmament Lore-Friendly 1_5-40139"
Nefarious Nipton-80578-0-2-1684856493"
Nevada Skies 2281 Rework-35998-Final-Rework-1622851359"
Nevada Skies 2281 Rework-35998-Final-Rework-1622851359.1"
New Vegas Script Extender (xNVSE)-67883-6-3-4-1696621396"
New Vegas Stories New and Alproved-66505-1-2-1552144100"
NivSpiceofLife-V 1_2-44476-1-2"
NMC_NVInteriors Compatibility Patch Small v2.0-43534-v2-0-1551560025"
NMCs Textures NV LARGE Pack Part 1 of 3 FOR NMM -43135-1-0"
NMCs Textures NV LARGE Pack Part 2 of 3 FOR NMM -43135-1-0"
NMCs Textures NV LARGE Pack Part 3 of 3 FOR NMM-43135-1-0"
NMCs Textures NV MEDIUM Pack Part 1 of 2 FOR NMM-43135-1-0"
NMCs Textures NV MEDIUM Pack Part 2 of 2 FOR NMM -43135-1-0"
NMCs Textures NV SMALL Pack SINGLE FILE FOR NMM-43135-1-0"
Novac Gun Runners-74981--8-1684355606"
Novac Overhaul And Gun Runners Emporium NV Novac Apartments Compatible patch-74981-V-08-1662917931"
NPCs Sprint In Combat-68179-2-13-1623455074"
NPCs use Aid Items-68742-2-3-1605058088"
NV - Energy Visuals Plus 2-80000-2-3-1685437455"
NV Novac Apartment - Main-55531-1-48-1586720487"
NVAC - New Vegas Anti Crash-53635-7-5-1-0"
NVBI Version 1 dot 55-37310-1-55"
NVBII Version 1 dot 47-41184-1-47"
NVBIII Version .954 FULL-55744--954"
NVCS Installer-68776-13-1675087064"
NVCS Installer-68776-13-1675087064+2"
NVInteriors Core v2.1.1-43534-v2-1-1--1551573205"
NVK Version 1.0-56408-1-0"
NVR V10-35100"
NVR VMinimum-35100"
NVTF-66537-10-2-2-3-1685050240"
NVWillow v1.10-41779-1-10"
Ojo Bueno Texture Pack for FNV - HIGH-39755-Quiznak"
Old World Radio part 5-47577-3-5"
Old World Radio part 6-47577-4-0"
Old World Radio part 7-47577-4-5"
Old World Radio Update X Minus ONE Radio added-47577-2-0"
Old World Radio Update Rangers Radio added-47577-3-0"
Old World Radio Update The French Connection Radio added-47577-2-5"
Old World Radio-47577-1-5"
Outside Bets V 1-4-46648-V1-4"
Pacers Gambit V1-0-46584-V1-0"
Pancor_Jackhammer-47528-1-0"
Pin-up Loading Screens 1920x1080-63663-1-0"
PipBoy 3000 HD Retexture - PC and Xbox-54609-3-52"
PKM 1.0-57253-1-0"
PM's Med-Textures v1.0-62946-1-0"
PN-For the Enclave visor patch-72932-1-0-1625393614"
Pointlight Flashlight-77787-3-1-0-1676259796"
Populated Camp Golf and McCarran-81283-1-1685088310"
Populated Casinos Medium-35369-V0-96"
Populated Casinos V0_96-35369-V0-96"
Populated Strip Freeside and Casinos Light Version-81408-2-1688967130"
PPSH41_1_dot_0-49910-1-0"
Prodlimen Creature Pack-71569-13-01-1698109543"
Project Nevada - DLC Support 1_3-42363-1-3"
Project Nevada - EVE Support 1_2-42363-1-2"
Project Nevada - WME Support 1_1-42363-1-1"
Project Nevada - WMX Support 1_3-42363-1-3"
Project Nevada 2_5-40040-2-5"
Ragdolls-59147-5-3-9--1606565785"
random stimpak-80705-1-1680953623"
Real Time Reflections-82343-1-3-4-1695802057"
Remington870SawedOff-47255-1-4"
Robbable Caravans-69863-1-3-1599748714"
RobCo Certified-43331-1-26-1629323936"
Roberts AIO - NMM Compatible-48535-1-3"
Roberts Boner Addon 3_3-54731-3-3"
Roberts New Vegas Main - Nude 3_4-54731-3-4"
Rotface to Riches v1-2-45799-V1-2"
Ruger SR-556-55872-1-2"
Run the Lucky 38 V3-0-40531-3-0"
Russell Version 1.17-50107-1-17"
Saxxons Quest Collection 0_85-52197-0-85"
SD_Capture-82597-0-1-4-1692771648"
SD_Fatigue-78111-0-2-2-1692772121"
Securitrons New and Shiny-71123-1-4-1616002669"
Securitrons On Alert-69245-4-5-2-1705169732"
Shadow of the Behemoth - Legion Monster Overhaul-62339-1-2"
ShiFixedWithUpdate-60333-1-1"
Shogo Heavy Industries Grammar and Misc Fixes v2.0-66390-2-0-1575837609"
Shogo Heavy Industries v1dot04a RC ESM FULL 11-04-13-50829-v1-04a"
Shogo PN patch 1.2-63371-1-2-0-1568396559"
ShowOff xNVSE-72541-1-75-1695871012"
Sierra Madre On The Strip v3-0-41573-v3"
Simple ENB-78494-1-00-1664439091"
SMOTS-Compatible NVR V10-41573-v10"
Someguy Series 2 dot 0-48925-2-0"
Sound Extender-78637-1-0-1665677845"
Speedy Resource Pack V3_1-39551-3-1"
SRI Vehicles Catalogue-84028-1-0-1702005072"
Sten_mk_II-50645-1-0"
Stewie Tweaks-66347-8-85-1703088034"
Strip Lights Region Fix-73596-1-3-1-1703847752"
SUP NVSE Plugin-73160-8-55-1703949554"
Super HD Donald Trump Mugshot Replacer-82775-V1-01-1693097989"
Super Mutant Behemoth Restoration-75427-2-0-1648669227"
Super Mutant Overhaul - Overlords-64293-1-4-1670879328"
Super Mutants HD - 4k-64214-1-1"
Super Mutants of the Mojave-77277-1-1656534521"
Supermutant Attack9 hotfix for 0.2.1-64339-0-2-1"
T4 - Main-66903-2-e-1666044033"
T6M Equipment Replacer NV v1_0-45505-1-0"
Take Chems Make Fiends-63582-1-6-1613932089"
Tales of New Reno Episode One-63128-2-04-1704177957"
Tales of New Reno Episode Two-68380-2-03-1674093616"
Tales of New Reno Episode Zero - Update File 2.03-62288-2-03-1658192504"
Tales of New Reno Episode Zero-62288-2-02-1656474097"
Taurus_Raging_Bull_v_1_0-48570-1-0"
The Couriers Cache Main-49531-1-2"
The Inheritance Version 1 dot 29-49012-1-29"
The Living Desert - Main File 2.5-64623-2-5-1686689413"
The Mod Configuration Menu-42507-1-5"
The Strip South Gate-76676-1-1653175950"
TNRCore-68374-2-3-1656459979"
TOZ-66_v_1-0-56378-1-0"
Type4 Mojave Delight V1dot1-44312-1-1-1666777099"
UIO - User Interface Organizer-57174-2-30-1629600625"
Uncut Extra Collection-56625-0-92-4-1686342903"
Uncut Wasteland Patch-74958-2-0-1667065063"
Uncut Wasteland plus NPCs.-56625-0-91b"
Unlimited Companions 101-34870"
Unofficial Patch NVSE Plus-71239-1-4-8-1690711837"
Update 2_5-35047-1"
Urban Strip Overhaul V.1.1-68741-1-1-1589401691"
Van Graff Hostility Fix - Updated-40742-1-1"
Van Graff Overhaul 1.4-68500-1-4-1584906767"
Van Graff Symbol Ressource-68500-1-0-1584907758"
Vanessa-56270-2-1-1592001873"
Vanessa-56270-2-1-1592001873.1"
Vanilla weapon ironsight fix (Non - DLC)-64339-0-1"
Vanilla Weapon Scale Fix-83245-1-0-1695975410"
Voice Assets-82597-0-1-2-1692133762"
Vortex Archive Invalidation"
Walking Inertia-71373-2-0-1660525142"
Wasteland Flora Overhaul 3.6e - Fertile-39856-3-6e-1690206060"
Wasteland Sex Module version H-36659-H"
Weapon Mesh Improvement Mod-65052-1-3-1658869646"
Weapon Modification Expansion 1101-37576-1-101"
Weapon Mods Expanded v1_1_4-39651-1-1-4"
Weapon Retexture Project - WRP-38285-2-2-3-1590027446"
weapondrawsounds-77766-0-1670165962"
Willow - Type 4-73464-1-2-1645546862"
Witcher Rifle Hoster-63320-0-4"
WME - DLCs-37576"
WME - GRA-37576-1-01"
WMX - EVE Compatibility v1.0.10-39651-1-0-10"
WMX - Modern Weapons v1_0_7-39651-1-0-7"
WMX Patch-74958-2-1-1667066945"
WMX-DLC v1_0_2-39651-1-0-2"

I visited this beautiful country between May 1 - 11, but was not prepared for the amount of tourism, which I must say ultimately left me a little sour about the experience. We stuck with all the major attractions and sights so I know we shouldn’t be surprised by the crowds, but I’ve still never seen tourism at this level. That said, I may have had a better time if I didn't try to pack everything in as much as I did.
Our itinerary was:
Day 1: Land in Milan
Day 2: Train from Milan to Lake Como
Day 3: Train from Lake Como to Cinque Terre (my favorite part of the trip)
Day 5: Train from Cinque Terre to Florence
Day 8: Train from Florence to Rome
Day 10: Train from Rome back to Milan for our departing flight the next day
Lake Como and Cinque Terre (CT) were my favorite parts that I wish I allotted more time for.
While Lake Como is beautiful and I wish we had more time to explore some spots I had saved, it did feel a little soulless. We stayed in Varenna and took the ferry to Bellagio. Both areas feel like resort towns that exist solely for tourism. Other areas might have a less catering vibe. Also, the number of young women taking shots for the 'gram and giving you dirty looks because you ruined their 20-minute photoshoot is nauseating.
The train that runs between the 5 towns in CT gets packed to the brim with people during peak hours (~10 a.m. - 5 p.m.). On our arrival day I tried to get off the train for our final stop and I literally got stuck between people; I was able to lift my feet off the ground for a few seconds and not get anywhere like a cartoon character.
We visited CT to hike the Blue Path and no regrets there. Absolutely stunning and the only time we didn't feel overwhelmed with people (started hiking around 8 a.m. in Monterosso). But if you're just taking the train between towns you'll do almost as much hiking from the train stations to the main parts of all 5 towns. The only one we did properly visit was Manarola so maybe that town has a short walk from the train station? I think there are vans/buses that take people from some of the train stations into town, but you'll be waiting amongst crowds and nothing is clearly noted.
Florence: we stayed right near the Ponte Vecchio and I do not recommend. Again, the number of people and crowds ruin it. I thought it would be nice/convenient staying near the Uffizi and the bridge, but it wasn't worth it. Unless you’re shopping for jewelry, the bridge can be much more appreciated from a distance. The location also isn't ideal because no matter what I tried we couldn't get a taxi; I downloaded apps, called taxi hubs, tried Uber, but no one would come to our location or offer alternative pick up spots. The city is very walkable, but we came down with food poisoning so by the end I was hoping to grab a taxi to the train station to alleviate some of the dejectedness I was feeling. We visited the Uffizi, Accademia, and the Piazzale Michelangelo, but I was happy to leave Florence. I felt like I couldn't escape the smell of cigarettes the entire time.
Rome: I think by this point were a bit weary from the food poisoning, crowds, and the amount of walking we did with our backpacks. Thankfully though no issues getting taxis/Ubers around Rome. Despite what people say about Trastevere being "overrated" now, stay there. It's easily the nicest part of Rome. My second recommendation would be Prati. We had tickets to visit the Vatican Museum and I wish we made the effort but this was the last leg of the trip and we were just over it so we spent our full day in Rome walking to all the sights: Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Roman Forum, and Janiculum Hill.
Rome was nice and I enjoyed it more than Florence, but it also felt run down. We had a running joke that ambulances were following us because we could not escape the sirens. I know, it’s all part of history and maybe I’m just not sophisticated enough to appreciate its historical magnitude, but honestly, pass.
Public transit: Getting on ferries and trains felt like a fight each time which added some physical and mental fatigue. I highly recommend sticking to high-speed trains if possible because you can reserve your seat; it doesn’t matter if you book first class or standard, they’re basically the same. Trains where you don’t reserve your, good luck. We stood for 1.5hrs from CT to Florence CRAMMED in. Each time the train stopped more people would squeeze in but eventually we had to stop people from boarding.
The trains were occasionally running a couple minutes late and there was a 24hr strike during our stay but nothing that impacted our trip. Don’t feel like you must show up for your train more than ~10 minutes in advance, your train’s platform number likely won’t be displayed until about 5 – 10 minutes out. You’ll just stand around unnecessarily stressing yourself out otherwise.
Was this a magical trip? No, not really. Would I visit Italy again? Possibly with some time and with plans to stick to the more natural scenery. I did want to visit the Italian Dolomites but they were still snow covered during our visit.
I think another factor that contributed to it not being the “magical” experience you hope for is we had to stick to schedules the entire time and that’s not a typical fun vacation for me; whether it was the trains, museum/attraction entrance times, or dinner reservations, we frequently had somewhere we had to be. This type of trip didn’t allow for spontaneity. E.g. when we visited Scotland we rented a car and were able to visit random castles and museums without prep work or fighting crowds. Perhaps I could’ve had more fun or spontaneity by seeing less (I definitely wouldn’t want a car within Florence or Rome proper but I think the countryside/smaller towns would be okay), but when you only get so much time off for work, you try to squeeze it all in.
Food: Everyone comes for the main attraction which of course is the various pastas, but Italy does so much better than pasta. Yeah, I said it. The chicken I had there on two separate occasions from two different restaurants? Immaculate. I’ll never have more perfectly cooked chicken again. The deli meats? So flavorful. I ordered a yogurt with lemon and honey in CT (where they grow a lot of lemons) and I’ll think of that fondly for years to come. I also had a fantastic affogato in Florence.
We avoided the super touristy areas for our real dinners, but while the pasta was done well, the red sauce just wasn’t hitting for either of us.
I apologize if this comes off as a less than idyllic portrayal of Italy. It’s a beautiful country that is worth a visit, but I wanted to share my experience and maybe highlight it’s not for everyone and that’s okay.
Edit: formatting

(check out Chapter One.) Chapter Two: Flashbacks
"What?" asked the commanding demon of the Blood Lake Clan angrily. He was sitting upon the Commander's Throne. "I said the Rebellion is fleeing in our direction--the east of the Realm of Torture." replied the soldier, cladding in dark-steel armor with streaks of silver, the silver glistening from Hell's sky of endless fire. "So the Blood Lake Clan must get ready for invasion." "Have we got permission from Central Dull to offense?" he asked, clearly irritated. "No, commander." The solder's voice sounded clear but had a hint of gruffness. "Well can get in contact with them?" The soldier could tell his voice was starting to have a slither of worry. "No, commander. But-" "How," interrupted the commander. "do you think is going to be Central Dull's reaction if we launch an attack without acquiring permission from them?" "Because-" The soldier never got to finish his sentence--another amor-clad soldier came towards them, panting continuously, and then began speaking. "The Rebellion demons has just massacred the Western Blood Lake Clan. We need to send all our armies--quickly." "What?" snapped the commander. "I get the Rebellion is strong; but I was under the assumption that the Blood Lake Clan, the eastern branch of the Dull, was the most heavily-reinforced position armies out of the four Dull branches. How did you let the Rebellion win?" "We didn't, commander--they had Brimstone." Anyone could tell that the voice of the soldier was firm and brave; but had a slight hint of worry within. Both the commander and the original solder's eyes widened with surprise; how did they acquire Brimstone? They each thought, for the Brimstones were the most heavily guarded material in the Realm of Torture; since it was their main weapons. Brimstone was a special material from the unforgiving Magma Depths. They had the unique power to burn demons--the controllers of fire. "So be it," began the leading demon of the Blood Lake Clan. "send all our armies from all four sectors of our branch." "Yes, commander." Then both soldiers quickly ran from the clearing of the forest--the location where the Commander's Throne laid. The leader of the eastern branch of the Dull sat back upon his seat; they had a lot coming for them. He knew why the Rebellion is going towards the eastern sector of the Realm of Torture and attacking the Blood Lake Clan--because the east was the only exit out of their continent and into the other through the Magma Depths. He knew the Rebellion were strong; but were they strong enough to escape the Realm of Torture altogether?
-- -- --
The two leading soldiers, one for the Northern Blood Lake Clan army and one for the Southern, watched from the Master Outpost, overlooking the Central Battlefield--where the Rebellion demons were heading towards. They both wore the attire for the position of leadership over the four armies of the Blood Lake Clan--raven-shaded hard-steel armor, with streaks of glistening rusted gold. The Northern and Southern armies were called to unite in the Central Battlefield so they can fend off the Rebellion from heading towards The Dock--the only exit out of the Realm of Torture. "When do you think they are arriving?" asked the Northern Blood Lake Clan leading soldier, his voice firm and cold. "I don't know." replied the other leading soldier. They continued to overlook the Central Battlefield, where both the Northern and Southern armies were waiting for the arrival of the Rebellion legions. Minutes felt like hours, as they waited in complete anticipation. Right before the Northern leading solder was going to say something, loud roars pierced the air. Both soldiers and the armies looked at the front to see, and they could see in the far distance that demons cladded in armor marching towards them--it was the Rebellion. It had to be. When they got closer, the demons roared again, and kept on when they finally reached the Northern and Southern Blood Lake Clan armies.
They say, that in the Seven Princes' vision of dominance, the Realm of Torture was supposed to be the only and most powerful civilization in Hell--but that vision ended at this point in history.
Both leading soldiers quickly ran out of the Master Outpost and both of them separated to join each of their armies. The Rebellion demons had what appeared to be dark-iron armor, with streaks of glistening non-rusted gold. Each of their faces had a unique network of scars--probably from all the battles they have been through against the Realm of Torture. Each soldier of the enemy legions pulled a Brimstone sword from their back--its hilt raven-shaded, its blade a dark-gray, and the hilt was etched with streaks of silver. The Rebellion roared one more time, and they charged into battle.
Swords flying everywhere; arrows launching from all directions; and at the end of what would be called the Great Battle of the East, the Rebellion won; all the Blood Lake Clan warriors from all the sectors were massacred--bleeding a burning dark-red liquid. Every one of their bodies had a magnitude of singes--from the Rebellion's weaponry of Brimstone
-- -- --
The commanding demon of the Rebellion; Zagyre Bronze, a young-adult-looking demon, overlooked the Central Battlefield's blanket of bodies and turned to his soldiers. "Fellow warriors, we have achieved victory in the east sector of the Realm of Torture. Now, we must get to The Dock"--he pointed east--"and finally escape from this treacherous and unforgiving place." His voice was dark and cold; but his visions were contradictory. Zagyre marched forward, leading the Rebellion towards the only exit in the Realm of Torture. They arrived at a grand and massive dark-gray-stone arch, which was the main entrance to The Dock. The Bronze demon went to the right side of the arch--which was called the Gate, and saw a fairly-sized rusted golden circle attached to the stone, that had a weird-shaped hole in it; Zagyre knew what he had to do. He pulled his Brimstone sword from his back. His sword was unique compared to the others; it had streaks of glowing red. It was the Master Sword from the Brimstone weaponry in the western branch of the Dull--each Brimstone weaponry had one. The Master Swords are the only key to go onto the other side of the Gate. He lifted his Brimstone weapon and lunged it forward into the hole, and instantly, there were a series of clicks and then it stopped. Zagyre went back and stepped out of the Gate cautiously. It worked; if he hadn't used the Master Sword and used it and then tried to walk through, he would've been incinerated instantly. He gestured for the rest of the Rebellion armies to follow, and they all went through the Gate and onto the other side where The Dock was.
The Dock was magnificent; it had stone floors stretching in both sides with patruding stone floors, and in each middle between two stone floors was a massive wooden ship. All around The Dock were countless towers and pullies that carried magnitudes of materials. Zagyre Bronze knew there wouldn't be anyone there since it was guarded by the now-late Blood Lake Clan. They all got on the boats, and Zagyre put his in the front of the mighty fleet. He overlooked the lava sea that were the Magma Depths--that they were sailing across--at the lands in the far distance. He could see countless tall mountains there, but he knew there was much more in that other continent. A warrior--that was the leading soldier, came to the front of the boat--which was called the Commander Ship, and saw that the leader of the Rebellion was contemplating a lot in his mind. The commander turned his head towards the solider, and the warrior saw his dull dead gray eyes that were etched with white crackling energy. "Leading soldier," Zagyre Bronze began. "I do think,"--he pointed to the land across the Magma Depths--"that those regions is going to be perfect for the creation of the Refuge Lands

WPA – A Completely Average Roadtrip
Disclaimer: Not canon, and I don’t use patreon so please don’t spoil me. Also, any opinion held by a character is that of the characters and not my own. Enjoy.
Town of Ljosalfington, local time 14:00, week 7
Emma Booker
“Again Illunor, I warned you before that this is a utility vehicle, not a party rated smart-limo. I am already compromising more than I should by allowing you to use the sample cooler as a minifridge, one which I can’t even use!” I said as I loaded the materials I had just purchased into the back of the high-G All terrain fusion-ethanol-electric hybrid 24th-century legacy pickup truck that I had printed out earlier this week, carefully avoiding the heavy ordinance hard point.
“That is hardly an excuse for that abysmally cramped leg space barely fit for cattle, never mind the bare minimum for standard decorum suitable for nobility. If this is what a car is like, then I don’t see why you care for your technology,” complained Illunor, who was sitting around idly with a malformed garish bowl of icecream that he had stashed away from lunch.
“If it bothers you so much, perhaps you could help next time with your ‘bigger-on-the-inside’ magic,” I retorted as I slid the last core sample into the back before covering it up with a tarp and strapping it down.
I had originally planned to visit Ljosalfington by myself to acquire much needed exo-materials to test various mana manipulator configurations as I worked to develop my first wand as not all of the materials I needed were procurable locally from Elaseer. I eventually yielded, much to my regret, to allowing Illunor to come with me as he insisted on wanting to deliver a letter personally in town after Thacea had pointed out the wisdom of not travelling alone.
We continued our back and forth for a bit yet as I finished securing my payload a voice called out to me from the direction of the town.
“Excuse me a moment, I couldn’t help but notice but are you from the academy?”
I turned to see an elf dressed in a plain brown buttoned up tunic matched by a slightly shabby pair of trousers with what appeared to be a lute upon his back and a plain and unenchanted longsword on his belt gesturing at our robes. Mine especially were new and unusual, tailored by the academy to go over my armour and allow access to the anchor points and allow me to exit my armour with minimal hassle. Illunor scoffed at what was evidently a commoner’s arrogance at approaching nobility and turned his head away in disgust. I glanced at Illunor and shook my head before turning to face the new man. I had time to spare, and any opportunity to engage in a hearts-and-minds dialogue with the locals outside the bounds of the managed environment of the academy was more than worth the time to chat. Especially as most of the other locals seemed to be content in ignoring me.
“Yes, we are currently studying at the Transgracian Academy. I am Cadet Emma Booker representing the United Nations of Earth and Luna from Earthream, and my aloof compatriot is Lord Illunor Rularia of the Vunerian courts. We were just about to head back but are in no rush. May I ask your name and what brings you by?” I asked with my hand outstretched in greeting.
“Ah yes, yes. My name is Edhel Redoehdelnif, a wandering bard by trade like my father and his father before him. My apologies, Cadet Emma Booker, I am unfamiliar with Earthrealm,” said Edhel as he grasped my hand with both of his and shook it tepidly yet vigorously. Or rather, tried to, as the motors on my suit resisted his efforts.
“News doesn’t seem to spread all that fast around here, so it makes sense you haven’t heard of us. We’re a new realm, and only just got here. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Edhel Redoehdelnif,” I replied.
“Absolutely fascinating! And a knight no less, or perhaps a squire? I’m sure you have many stories to tell of Earthrealm. Say, by chance are you about to head back to the academy? I have business in Elaseer and the usual coach has been absent as of late so I would rather not go it alone,” said Edhel.
I was hesitant to bring a stranger back in the car with me, even if Illunor was present. However, the opportunity that meeting a bard presented was too good to pass up from an intel perspective and to win the favour of the populace at large.
“That is a great idea. I think I have room for one more…” I paused before gesturing towards Illunor, “provided everyone is ok with it that is.”
Illunor gave a huff and turned his head away in silence.
“Very well, I will allow this. But he will not be joining me in your sorry excuse for a coach,” said Illunor dismissively.
Illunor approached the backseat expectantly and the door opened for him automatically, allowing the dlc kobold to gracefully enter and lounge across the length of the seats, once again ignoring the seatbelts. I sighed as I made my way to the driver’s seat, and Edhel entered from the passenger side as he marveled at the automatic doors and the interior.
“What a strange carriage this is! Although I must say, shouldn’t you be retrieving your horses? I didn’t see any harnesses or sense any artifices,” inquired Edhel as he attempted to make himself comfortable on the car seat, lute in front of him.
“Oh no, this thing doesn’t need horses or magic,” I said with a chuckle as EVI started the car. The elf raised his eyebrows at the sudden hum of the engine and made an expression of alarm when the car started driving itself without my input. “See, purrs like a kitten.”
“Earthrealm must have some large kittens if they purr like that,” noted Edhel, “but you must be concealing the enchantments somewhere. Such a thing as this with such strange yet precise craftsmanship is only possible in the crownlands.”
“Nope, no magic,” I said cheerfully.
“Then how?” Asked Edhel.
“It’s rather simple really. Are you familiar with the workings of a mill?” I asked, deciding to keep things surface level and elementary to avoid provoking the IDOV threshold.
“Somewhat, though I confess to not being familiar with their workings. Are you suggesting this is akin to a mill?” Asked Edhel perplexed.
“It’s the same principal. A mill works by taking a source of rotation such as a waterwheel or windmill, transferring that rotation along a series of rotating shafts and interlocking gears, and finally putting that energy to work by rotating a millstone,” I began as the car pulled out onto the smooth cobbled road in the direction of Elaseer. A notification popped up in the corner of my vision indicating my recon drone swarm had shifted from a holding formation to a convoy screening formation, and while the roads were clear I kept the speed at 60km/h to account for my passenger’s apparent distaste for seatbelts.
“Rotation…” muttered Edhel. He turned to face one of the wheels and EVI pinged an alert for a probable match for a detection spell, “fascinating.”
“Edhel, what are you doing?” I asked.
“Oh, yes, perhaps I should have asked first. Yes, I can see how it all fits together. But the source of this rotation? I see no mighty river or great wind to power this, so where does it come from?” Asked Edhel, not really apologizing. Elven arrogance, it seemed, was not limited by class.
The act reminded me of Sorecar when he inspected my gun, but where the armourer had been respectful with it, Edhel was more flippant. I considered the possibility that he was a spy sent by one of her peers or the crownlands, though this did not mesh with the methods I had seen so far. Edhel may have been just overly enthusiastic. In either case, I quickly decided to only reveal the antique design for the ethanol engine, and not that of the batteries or the emergency coupler to my suit’s fusion reactor.
“Right, well please ask first next time. As to your question, I won’t bore you with the details, but the rotation is generated by creating a periodic sequence of explosions inside of a machine – a manaless artifice – called a combustion engine, said Emma.
“So that’s what that sound is…” pondered Edhel, “are these artifices typical in Earthream?”
“You are awfully inquisitive for a commoner,” noted Illunor as he inspected his nails for dirt, “and rather accepting of something which should be impossible.”
“I wouldn’t be much of a bard if I wasn’t, my lord,” said Edhel shifting uncomfortably in his seat, “perhaps some music might set the mood better?”
“That would be preferable, bard. I have heard enough of the Earthrealmer’s Road Trip Playlist and would like to listen to some music of real culture,” said Illunor.
The bard agreed and proceeded to awkwardly play a ballad about an adventurer who slew a hydra in some frozen wasteland. Partway through, I politely interrupted the Edhel to point out the seat controls much to his fascination and Illunor’s grumbling at their common nature, and after some adjustment the bard went on playing and I half-heartedly listened while I paid attention to the road and my drone feed.
Particularly after EVI detected something unusual and alerted me to its presence.
”Attention Caded Booker. There is a disabled vehicle blocking the primary route to destination. Heat signatures in the woods are consistent with that of an ambush.”
“Damn it,” I muttered.
I glanced at the drone feed to see a broken cart strewn horizontally across a wooden bridge over a brook. On the surface it looked like a pair of civilians who required aid and assistance, but off in the woods were several heat signatures, several of which held weapons of varying levels of enchantments. Occasionally one of the pair on the bridge would talk with them, suggesting they were in cahoots rather than hostages. I recalled crossing that very bridge not a few hours earlier, so the blockade was very recent.
“EVI, did we pass that cart on the way here?” I asked.
”Negative,” replied EVI.
I grimaced. I had been trained to handle road-side ambushes, but it was only something that was a theoretical possibility. Something that should only occur in a warzone or a corrupt and unstable polity. I knew I had the capacity to handle such an encounter, even non-lethally, but that didn’t change the fact that these were civilians and as such were the responsibility of local law enforcement. Combined with the fact that I had passengers I was responsible for and engaging the ambush was a risky option.
“EVI, give me a list of alternative routes,” I commanded.
”Affirmative. Here is a list of routes in order of recommendation,” replied EVI.
I looked over the routes superimposed on a map of the region and quickly dismissed taking a shortcut through the forest and cutting through farmland. A detour caught my eye that extended the journey by roughly ten kilometers and I immediately sent a pair of drones to scout it out before committing to the detour.
“Are you alright, Cadet Emma Booker? You seem distracted,” asked Edhel, snapping me back to reality.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just focused on driving,” replied Emma.
“I suppose it must be quite taxing to command an artificed carriage of this complexity. Perhaps it might ease your mind if you were to regale me a tale of a hero of your realm?” Said Edhel, strumming a complex tune from his lute as he spoke as each and every pluck triggered a low-level spell.
“Well, that may be a problem. We don’t have any monsters to fight, and wars are a thing of the past,” I said while desperately tip-toeing the subject of aunt Ran, the subject of war, and our voyages through the cosmos, “though we are not without the adventurous spirit. We certainly have many stories of grand voyages. Some mythical and fictional such as The Odyssey as told by the Greek poet Homer and some historical such as the race to the south pole.”
“The south pole,” muttered the bard, “so you have explored all of Earthrealm then? I suppose that makes some sense, if you have artifices such as this then traversal of a globe would be quite manageable.”
“You are quite perceptive,” I said, not wishing to elaborate.
“A great performer knows his audience,” said Edhel with a charming, honest, almost human smile.
I felt a pang of homesickness as an intrusive thought reminded me that I could have gone to a real college surrounded by friendly faces my age, engaging in nightly holostreams and dreaming of adventures in the stars from the safety of a college dorm room. The sight of Illunor in the rear camera was the only thing that kept me grounded, as I almost felt like I was back at home on a road trip rather than returning to a fantasy feudal court, constantly evading death at every turn with the fate of humanity on the line. As such, and prompted by EVI, I barely had the wherewithal to take the planned detour.
A fact which did not pass by Edhel.
“I believe you may have taken a wrong turn, Emma,” he commented.
“Nah, I’m just taking the scenic route. I came from that direction on the way here, and you have inspired me to see the other road and I figure it should only add a few extra minutes to our travel time,” I said, gesturing at a paper map which I had referenced exactly once, “though on that subject, you seem to know these lands quite well. Do you have any recommendations on places to visit in the Nexus to scratch that itch?”
Illunor raised his eyebrow at the detour excuse, knowing full well this was not part of the plan. I worried that he might complain about the issue and but thankfully remained silent as he snacked on the contents of the misused sample storage unit. Edhel himself took on a more pensive posture.
“I’m happy to have been such an inspiration, Emma, though I am sure an explorer such as yourself has little need of such. I would normally suggest the skyward fountains of Verdellan or the cloud tides of Asturia, but that may be too casual for someone of your calibre. Perhaps the severed chasm or the fire marsh of Bhandahova may be more to your liking. Or perhaps…” Edhel leaned in, “I have heard rumours of a dragon in the glassy obsidian wastes of Vurcanar.”
I chuckled at that, knowing how I was fortunate enough to fish a dragon scale out of the nearby lake for the ECS. “The thought of going dragon hunting had certainly crossed my mind…” I mused aloud.
“Yet you sound hesitant. Perhaps it is too much for a newrealmer. Perhaps a slime or a dire rat might be more appropriate,” he said with a tease.
“No, it’s not like that! It’s” I stammered, before attempting to change course after realizing I had been goaded, “what I mean is, I was under the impression that dragons were an endangered species. Where I come from, hunting endangered animals is usually illegal, and big game hunting in general is frowned upon. We do make exceptions in the case of problem animals such as if a large predator starts hunting humans, but as a rule we prefer conservation and try to find ways of coexisting with wildlife such as the use of barrier fences and scaring away dangerous animals rather than being forced to cull their numbers. Having a species go extinct would prevent future generations from appreciating them and risks destabilizing the ecosystem they are a part of. Now if this dragon was actively razing villages and eating civilians and livestock, that would be one thing, but this does not look to be the case. I don’t imagine the Nexus has any settlements in this wasteland, and the dragon clearly wants to be left alone. Killing an innocent dragon would be murder.”
I grinned to myself after delivering a diatribe that would have made my tenth grade social and environmental studies teacher beam with pride, though by the expressions of my passengers my view did not appear to be shared. Edhel’s mouth was agape in shock and fascination, while the Venurian in the back seat merely huffed in disapproval.
“I assure you Newrealmer, there are no innocent dragons,” stated Illunor with a hint of terseness breaking through his otherwise regal demeanor.
“Illunor, I understand that Venurians have personal reasons for not liking dragons, but you can’t just extend that disdain to their descendants or those uninvolved just because they are the same species,” I said.
“If I may interject on your behalf, my lord, I believe I can address Cadet Emma Booker’s concerns,” said Edhel with a bow. Illunor nodded in approval.
“Very well, you may proceed,” he said.
“Thank you, my lord. My dear Emma, you must understand that dragons are not simple animals driven entirely off of instinct as it appears to be the case in Earthrealm. They are monsters. Intelligent, long-lived, violent, greedy, cruel, territorial, selfish flesh-eating monsters. They are evil by the very nature of their being, unable to change by their own accord, and unwilling to change when His Eternal Majesty offered them freedom from their nature. It isn’t that they want to be evil. As intelligent animals – intelligent monsters – dragons are capable of understanding morality, and many have tried to overcome their evil nature at great expense to themselves. A well intended and noble sentiment, yet a doomed one as like all animals, they all succumb to their nature in the end. Overcoming one’s nature is impossible,” said Edhel. His eyes took on a stoic, almost remorseful gaze as he spoke, and Illunor nodded with approval.
I was appalled by this claim, not by the contents so much as how blatantly false it was. As a representative of the human race, I was a living counterexample to his whole argument. We had remained physiologically unchanged as a species since the last Ice Age, and yet in spite of that, in spite of our many flaws, we had found peace and balance. If we could do it, anyone could do it.
“Will all due respect Edhel, that is nonsense. Monsters aren’t born, they are made. It is the mark of any intelligent species can adapt their behaviour to their environment for better or worse, and under the right care any so-called monster can grow to be a force for good,” I began, but while I searched for the right words Edhel shook his head.
“I appreciate your race is an empathetic one, Emma, your idealism is unfounded. As flesh eaters, a dragon must take the life of another animal or person to survive, or they will perish. As such, every dragon has taken a life. As long-lived creatures, they will have amassed a significant number of kills. As the land can only support so much animals, a dragon must be fiercely territorial and aggressive to remove competition, lest they starve. As such, even the most kind-hearted dragon alive must be violent and greedy, and their intelligence fuels this even more so if they know a bountiful land of morsels exists just outside their range.
Now perhaps a multitude of dragons may find a way to co-exist together in some settlement, but to support such a venture would require a large territory of prey, or a livestock animal. Perhaps they could support a large colony by farming grain for their livestock, but that would require effort on their behalf. As large animals, such efforts require a great deal of energy. Yet that size makes it easy for them to intimidate smaller races to do their labour for them, and to keep their client race in line dragons must be cruel. And even so, as their numbers grow so do their needs. As such, they must expand into the lands of their neighbours to survive until there is nothing left to devour, at which point they must turn against their own lest they starve. As such, it is the nature of dragons to conquer and devour. That is why there is no such thing as an innocent dragon,” finished Edhel.
I was speechless, not because I believed Edhel had a point, but because I was horrified at how easy he found it to rationalize the extermination of an entire sapient species. If this was how the elves thought, then it wasn’t the dragons who were the monsters. I suppressed that dark thought. Edhel’s thought process was a product of his culture, not a feature of his elven heritage. If there was any hope of peace between our people, I needed to show him there was another way of being. I needed to prove that co-existence was possible, no matter one’s nature.
I took a deep breath to steady myself before replying.
“That- that is a callous way of seeing things,” I began, though the shock was still there in my voice, “you speak as though there is no natural equilibrium with a dragon, that their only state of being must be to be cruel, to devour, to conquer. But I see things differently. In fact, I might wonder if a fledgling civilization might see the presence of a dragon as a boon rather than a curse. Being intelligent, the locals may be able to come to some agreement with the dragon. Perhaps they might leave some land as a hunting ground or offer up a share of their cattle or guard the dragon as it sleeps. In exchange, the dragon might allow them to build a town outside its mountain and protect them in times of danger. An equitable exchange. A civilization might even create artificial lairs to attract dragons for this very reason. True, some dragons may behave tyrannical towards their town, but a well armed populace of a large city would be more than capable of fighting such a threat, and a rational dragon might reason that threatening their own populace would put their reliable source of food and shelter at risk. You see, it’s all a matter of perspective.”
“You certainly are an imaginative one, Emma, to wonder up a quixotic world where the hare and the fox live together in harmony as equals. Even so, you seem to have ignored one key detail to such a society. What would happen should the dragon not be fed for months on end?” Asked Edhel with his eyebrow raised.
“The same thing as stranded a dozen starving, stranded Elves!” I spat back.
[Alert: Vehicle speed above recommended limit for conditions. Recommendation: slow down. ]
“I am driving slow!” I seethed, not realizing I had sped up with manual control enabled.
“I grow tired of this common prattle,” interjected Illunor just in time to prevent an awkward silence, “bard, play us another song.” “As my lord wishes,” said Edhel with a bow before turning to me with another smile, “perhaps a more soothing melody would be in order? A love song perhaps, to honour Cadet Booker’s compassionate nature?”
I said nothing as Edhel began to strum his lute again to the tune of a love story of a pair of doomed lovers named Ramian and Junette, hating his cheeky knowing grin that only served to get under my skin further as I focused on calming down and slowing the car back to a more reasonable pace before investigating a priority alert which I had been blinded to moments prior.
[Alert: hostile roadblock is absent, location unknown.]
Shit.
“Illunor, we may have a problem,” I said.
“Shush, Newrealmer, have you no class? We are almost at the best part! I’m sure it can wait,” replied the contextually clueless lizard.
I had never wanted to throttle Illunor as much as I did now.
“Illunor, shield, now,” I said with a raised voice.
“I don’t see-“ he started, pausing mid-sentence as his ears perked up.
[Alert: Multiple manafield and spell signatures detected!]
I took evasive maneuvers as Illunor tried to piece together a shield spell, fumbling it twice as panic appeared to set in and providing me with a reminder that Illunor was a civilian, not a soldier. A hail of arrows pelted the exterior of the truck, piercing but not penetrating the composite armour. I was tempted to do nothing but just drive away from the arrow fire, but a foreboding premonition of danger filled me as I recalled Sorecar’s hunter-seeker arrows.
Seeking to avoid that fate, I triggered the active defenses.
The smoke screens deployed around the vehicle, obscuring the sight of any who depended on visible light to see me. A barrage of decoy flares equipped with wooden cores shot upward at angles and diffusing to the side like a pair of giant wings which when combined with the MFD, short for mana-field dampener, inside the vehicle meant that the pelting hail of arrowfire softened to a whirr as the arrows whiffed over the top of the truck, retargeted away from the soft flesh of my passengers and even invoking friendly fire amongst the ambushers.
In the chaos, EVI and my drone swarm fed me complete tactical information on the ambush. Of the 26 individuals at the first blockade, 20 were accounted for, and 3 had died from friendly fire. Ahead at the bridge, 5 more of them were at the bridge where a barrier had been hastily erected to cage me in as the river valley was too deep to cross.
“Illunor, we need a bridge,” I said, taking stock of the wellbeing of my passengers.
The bard was huddled down low and suppressing his manafield, but otherwise rather composed. Illunor, on the other hand, was cowering in the gap between the seats with his hands covering his eyes and his tail tucked in.
“A bridge is no small request, Ne- Cadet Emma Booker,” replied Illunor, “and your ‘Emeffdee’ has blinded me to the outside of this moving death trap.”
“If I drop it, can you at least make a ramp?” I asked as I circled the battlefield. Or tried to, at least, as earthen ramparts emerged from the ground from a yet unseen source to cut off other avenues of escape.
“A ramp? Surely you don’t mean-“ he stammered.
“Yes or no,” I said.
Illunor paused, before taking an unsteady breath.
“Yes. But not with that Emeffdee,” he replied.
“Good. Steady your nerves and prepare to make a ramp ahead of us on my signal,” I said, “in the meantime, get your seatbelt on. This is going to be hairy.”
As I circled around to make my approach on the bridge, the final combatant made his appearance on a nearby tree, revealing himself as an elven mage. An alert focused on the air around him indicating he was preparing an unknown high-tier spell, and I locked the predator drone on him indicating the elf as a high-priority target if our escape plan failed, and I was forced to use lethal force.
If I was forced to kill.
It was one thing to know you may have to kill in the line of duty, but it was much harder to reconcile that with reality. No number of simulations could match the real thing, and a part of me wanted to simply offload the responsibility to EVI to keep my hands clean, but to do that would be betraying my duty as a human being. I breathed in deep and tried not to think about it, instead hoping to rely on the ace I held in my sleeve instead.
“EVI, ready the spell jammer,” I said unevenly.
“Acknowledged, the prototype Exo-Radiation Wave-Field Distruptor is primed. High risk target identified and locked, permission to engage?” EVI asked, forcing me to address the dreaded question.
“Negative,” I replied, “hold your fire. If the ramp fails, then you have permission to engage,” I said.
“Affirmative, on your mark,” replied EVI.
I lined up the truck with the bridge and bolted through the smoke, keeping a careful eye on the mage as I went. His spellform took on a more concerning shape as I accelerated, and I realized I could not afford to let him finish his spell. I triggered the spelljammer.
A terrible roar erupted from an array of speakers printed from mana-resistant materials that would have made Godzilla herself beam with pride. The sound was decidedly unnatural, gnarly, dubstep drop composed of an electric eel, a whale, a mountain lion, and a tyrannosaurus rex all being simultaneously assaulted by a swarm of angry cybernetic murder hornets as an equally chaotic wave of mana blasted outwards from the exterior of the truck, with the interior thankfully sheltered by audio and mana dampening.
The ambushing assailants cowered and panicked, and it was enough to cause the Elven mage’s spell to backfire in his face as his form exploded into ashes, meeting a horrific fate which I had tried so desperately to help him avoid. With all the combatants momentarily incapacitated or dead, I lowered the dampener and turned off the smoke.
“Ramp!” I shouted, snapping the lizard back to reality.
The Venerian nodded and hastily formed an earthwork ahead of us right before the blockade, and the truck leapt off the ramp with a not insignificant amount of air beneath our wheels. I braced for impact, regretting skimping on the shocks in the name of preserving materials, but the impact never came.
[Alert: Friendly spell designated ‘Feather Fall’]
Illunor thankfully had enough wherewithal to gently land the steel brick, and I sped off into the distance away from the trap that had unfolded behind us, leaving the interior of the truck in an awkward silence as we each processed our brush with death in our own way. “How many are dead?” I asked EVI.
“6 hostiles confirmed dead,” replied EVI.
I drove on in silence. Those were six deaths I had tried to avoid, and I became lost in thought as I wondered what I should have done differently to avoid the confrontation entirely.
Edhel broke the silence with a bout of laughter.
“Terrific! Absolutely terrific! Why, I can conjure up many a tale from this encounter alone! I live for this kind of inspiration!” Exclaimed Edhel a little too chipperly considering the circumstance.
“I would rather not hear stories about how I bravely ran away,” I moaned in deadpan sarcasm.
“You think too little of yourself, Cadet Emma Booker. It is plain to me that you are no ordinary rabbit. Make no mistake, I see it as a privilege to bear witness to the roar of a vorpal hare!” Said Edhel as he supressed his laughter, “though I am afraid with all the excitement that I must finish my song some other time.”
“How about I play some of our music?” I offered after the elf revealed his thrill-seeking side.
“Splendid, I would like that. Perhaps something of your ‘Roadtrip playlist’ you speak of? It sounds like a collection of your voyages,” said Edhel.
“That would be an improvement on the truth,” said Illunor dismissively as he eased from his state of shock, “it is little more than noise under the pretense of music.”
“Illunor…” I muttered to myself before turning the mic on, “no, no it’s not like that. I have terabytes of pre-recorded songs from various artists back home which can be played by… an artifice called a speaker. A playlist is a set of songs which are grouped together, usually to listen to in specific situations such as studying, partying, or travelling. The latter collection is what Illunor is referring to.”
I very deliberately chose not to reveal my ‘Unfortunate Daughters’ playlist.
“An artifice which plays music, and a magicless one at that. I must say, Emma, I fear for the bards in your realm,” said Edhel with a laugh.
“Your fear is misplaced, Edhel. Entertainers live like kings where I come from,” I retorted with a smirk of my own, “well, the ones with talent at least.”
“Well, well, I suppose I have to hear my competition!” Said Edhel with a laugh.
“Do as you must, though let it be known that I warned you,” said Illunor as he watched a play on his sightseer.
I had EVI compile a list of songs that left out content offensive to Nexian sensibilities or violating OpSec and as it compiled I mused over what type of sample spread I wanted to show off. Then it struck me. What better way to show off our culture than with some good old blue jumpers and nova rock! Sadly, jumpers were unavailable to show but I still had a whole list of modern artists to choose from.
Moments later, the car speakers sprung to life to the tune of ‘Innocent Youth of Mine. Edhel’s eyes lit up like a child visiting a zero-g gravity park for the first time, seemingly star-struck by the antique electric guitar and the synthesizer-drums in particular.
“What… what is this? I have never heard anything like this!” Proclaimed Edhel.
“Dreadful, isn’t it?” said Illunor, doing what he did best and pretending to hate it.
“Oh there is a lot more where that came from,” I said with a cheeky grin of my own, “this one is called ‘Innocent Youth of Mine’ by ‘Cannons and Poppies’. It’s part of the Nova Rock genre.
“And those strange instruments?” Asked Edhel.
“Oh, you mean the electric guitar and the synthesizer. They are electronic instruments, taking advantage of channeled and modulated electricity to create near any sound we can imagine,” I replied.
“Channeled electricity… are you suggesting these sounds were made by some form of lightning?” Asked Edhel.
[Suggestion: Avoid topic of electricity due to OpSec risk]
I nodded at EVI’s warning, thankful that it caught me before I discussed the very thing that all of my equipment ran on.
“It’s not exactly lightning, but close enough,” I said.
“If I had not witnessed to your display of power earlier, I might have perhaps been more skeptical of such a claim, but I suppose a lady must keep her secrets.” said Edhel with a raised eyebrow and chuckle, “but I digress, this music is most interesting.”
“There is a lot more where that came from,” I said with a cheeky grin of my own.
“If I ever have a prisoner in need of torture, I will turn to you first,” replied Illunor, “if you are willing to subject your peers to this madness then I cannot imagine what you would force upon your enemies before dunking them in ice.”
“In your dreams,” I retorted.
I played a few other songs including Astrodesee’s ‘Meteor Struck’, the Martian classic ‘Hotel Cydonia’ and even ‘Switching to Warp’ before Elaseer emerged from the distance, and I pulled up outside the gate to drop Edhel off.
“Here already?” Asked Edhel.
“Well, yeah. I was just running a quick errand, I didn’t want to go too far,” I replied casually.
“That was a distance worth at least five days of walking by foot, and you call that a ‘quick errand’?” Asked Edhel. I shrugged, and he laughed.
“Well in any case, thank you for allowing me passage in your car. I must apologize for my lack of gift or payment…” said Edhel. “Don’t worry about it, it was on the way,” I replied.
“I see, how generous. Perhaps we might one day meet again?” Asked Edhel.
“Maybe, but I’m not sure how likely that is. The academy takes up most of my time,” I replied, “though you never know. I still have a lot of quest hours to complete.”
“Is that so? In that case, I hope we meet again! Goodbye Cadet Emma Booker and farewell Lord Illunor Rularia,” he said. “And good travels to you, bard,” said Illunor.
I waved off Edhel and drove back to the academy, Illunor still sulking in the back seat.
“Perhaps next time, you should steer us away from danger?” Suggested Illunor.
“I tried, but we were tracked,” I replied.
I groaned inwardly at the additional work needed to fix the truck. EVI compiled a list of upgrades for future engagements, batting away my idea for a ‘turbo mode’ and a ‘jump boost’. Though at the end of the day, meeting the bard wasn’t a complete loss. It felt good to talk to someone almost normal for once, and I hoped I met him again.
Edhel Redoehdelnif
I watched as Cadet Emma Booker’s vehicle went off into the distance, getting one last look at the Earthrealmer’s strange artifice before turning towards the gate. The voyage was an exotic experience, not unlike that of a fever dream or a peak into a world completely alien to my own. Indeed, it was a struggle to contain my excitement and enthusiasm and process the experience rationally as I made my way through the southern gates of Elaseer and turned the corner of an alley before entering an impossible structure that did not exist.
“You are earlier than expected,” said the shadowy figure of my handler as I made my way to the meeting hall.
“The Earthrealmer’s means of transportation proved far more expedient than anticipated, my lord” I spoke as I knelt before him, “even with her unexpected departure from the anticipated road and the ambush we traveled for scantly more than an hour.”
“Yes, I will require a full report from you. Perhaps you can shed some light on the ‘smoke dragon’ my men claim intervened on the Earthrealmer’s behalf,” said my handler.
“Smoke Dragon, my lord?” I asked.
My handler responded by activating his sight-seer, revealing how the ambush had appeared from the outside. The Earthrealmer’s uncanny artifice traversed down the road, a pair of manafields displaying proudly from within until the archers began their assault. The artifice then transformed as smoke billowed out from its pores and wings sprung forth above until it was the form of a mighty wrym with a pair of glowing eyes springing forth from its ever extending head where it then gave forth a terrible unholy roar which sent waves of mana outward. The mage working to seal the area and trap their mark vapourized in an instant as his spell backfired. It was apparent to Edhel that his exceptional experience in the carriage was merely a muted rendition of the events unfolding around them.
It would seem the hare had the shadow of a dragon.
“I do have some insight, though I must confess the Earthrealmer did very little in the way of direct action. I suspect she has some unseen means of commanding and scrying through her artifices,” I said, “one which does not utilize magic as we know it.”
“Such a statement is heresy,” said my handler, “but such special circumstances are your reason for being. I will require you submit your memories for verification. What is your appraisal of the new realmer?”
“The girl is far more dangerous than a surface appraisal would suggest, though she prefers to conceal that power rather than utilize it out of a misplaced sense of compassion. Her people appear to have a boundless creative drive through which such artifices are birthed, though again it is misdirected towards more common applications. I believe that if properly tamed, this human animal may provide us with great works of art,” I said with a bow.
“I see. Does the girl know you work for us?” Asked my handler.
“She may harbour some suspicions, though did not voice them outright beyond concealing her knowledge,” I said, “though nothing significant. Provided our next meet is under believable circumstances such as a festival she should view me as cordial.”
“She has indeed proven clever,” conceded my handler, “very well, I will make arrangements for your paths to cross again. Perhaps I will arrange for her to be a contestant at the next inter-academy tournament. In the mean time, prepare your report and don’t wander far. This is a priority assignment.”
“As you wish, my lord,” I said with a bow and a smile.
Emma Booker had proved to be an interesting animal indeed, and I hoped our paths crossed again.

<>
/uw hi! this is my first (and probably not only?) lorepost as Monarch! this is mainly gonna be written in the third person, so out of character, and with bits of dialogue. enjoy! /rw
Monarch was born into royalty. The royal family of Cascadia, to be exact. His mother and father were kind people, and harsh but fair rulers. Together, they ruled over all of Cascadia, commanding armies, ruling their people, and taking care of Monarch, their only son. For 17 years, all was peaceful.
Until the Federation, a global superpower, began using Cascadian resources to wage war on their enemies. The rulers didn't like this, so they attempted to withdraw from the Federation, rescinding their membership. And when the people heard of this....
Suddenly, Monarch, a young adult, still technically a child, was escorted from the castle, the place he had been all his life, to go to an unknown, secure place. As he was rushed from the castle, an explosion went off behind as planes had begun to fly overhead. One message was clear; The monarchy was dead. A civil war had begun.
Monarch was thrust into a world he knew nothing about: a war he knew nothing about. So he ran. Ran like hell, until the world stopped spinning and he was away from the chaos. He ran from the people meant to protect him, trusting nobody. All he knew was that he was in danger, his parents were dead; and he. wanted. vengance.
The war waged on for several years, but only quietly. The anti-Federation forces struggled against the global superpower, and their pro-Federation forces: people who used to be part of Cascadia. The traitors. Monarch, in the meantime, was training. He was going to be a pilot. A fighter. However, he failed out of flight school, for "taking too many unnecessary risks". He, personally, disagreed. He thought it was funny.
However, in his time at the flight school, he was noticed by someone. A man named Arnold Frenken, going by the callsign Kaiser. He was the leader of a mercenary group, and he liked how Monarch flew. Monarch agreed to join this merc group, one named Sicario. In the beginning of his time at Sicario, he proved himself to everyone by out-killing them on his FIRST CONTRACT.
After this contract, he was put in a group with three others: A girl with the callsign Prez; real name Robin; who was assigned as Monarch's co-pilot. She was the only co-pilot able to keep up with the insane g-forces Monarch consistently put himself through. A boy, callsign Diplomat, more often called Dip; real name Peter. He was assigned as one of Monarch's wingmen, Hitman 2. He was the son of a political ally of the king and queen; one who died in the same castle bombing as Monarch's parents. He was a good pilot, and was in the Cascadian Air Force before deserting at the same time as the next member of Hitman Squad. Another girl, callsign Comic; real name Evelyn. Another former Air Force member, having been discharged, then picked up by Kaiser at the same time as Monarch and Dip. All together, they were known as Hitman Squadron. They were the best that the Sicario group had, and sent on high-value missions.
During all this, Monarch slowly began being referred to by others as "the King of the Sky." This all culminated in his callsign being given to him, not created by him: "Monarch." It helped that he had.... somewhat of a collection of butterflies. He had always liked them... so had his mother.
One day, after a contract, Sicario was contacted by the anti-Federation forces. They needed help, and they were willing to pay. The war had settled for around 2 years, each side seemingly building up resources for a large clash that hadn't come. But the message was clear. It was time.
The war began. Sicario was sent first to reclaim parts of the country, then destroy certain parts of Federation infrastructure. Until their sixth mission. It seemed like a normal mission, and the objectives were completed by Hitman Squadron. Until the Peacekeepers arrived. The Peacekeepers were the Federation's best air fighters, only deployed to contain major threats. The squadron was the infamous Crimson squad: the best pilots that the Federation had. As all the other Cascadian forces retreated in a panic, Monarch realized something. This was the squadron that bombed the castle. This was the squadron that killed his parents.
Monarch, despite the warnings from his squad members, Sicario's leader, and even his co-pilot Prez, charged them. Despite taking some hits, and flying slightly sloppily due to the pure rage he was in, managed to shoot down one of the Crimson members, leading to their hasty retreat. As Monarch and Prez landed at the base and stepped out of the plane, they were met with nothing but silent, incredulous looks.
The war waged on. Monarch knew his target. He just waited. Kept carrying out missions. Until they got their biggest one yet. Over the Bering Strait, the biggest air battle in history was about to take place. A purely air-to-air combat scenario. This was to decide who had the best air force, and who won the war by extension. Hitman flew into the area, seeing nothing but planes, missiles, and smoke. They flew into combat, and the communications array lit up as both enemy and friendly comms could be heard.
Allied Pilot: We got new mercenary IFFs in the area, who do we got? Allied Pilot: Positive contact, looks like Sicario's here! Allied Pilot: Yeah, well, the only team worth a damn is Hitman! Federation Pilot: Watch it, those pilots that the Peacekeepers keep talking about are here. Federation Pilot: That asshole with the Crown with them? Allied Pilot: Their flight lead is worth every cent we’re paying him, look at him. Allied Pilot: I didn’t think mercenaries like that were around anymore, not after Oceania. Federation Pilot: Taking on a king in a battle royale, just our luck.
They knew who he was. They ALL knew who he was. Or at least... they knew his callsign. They didn't know that behind that visor, that pilot's helmet, was the rightful prince of Cascadia. More chatter was heard.
Allied Pilot: “Monarch?” Hell of a TAC name. Allied Pilot: Self-proclaimed? Sicario Pilot: Entire kingdoms are founded by people like him. Allied Pilot: He’s still a merc. Mercenary Pilot: Not every king is just.
They couldn't know. He could trust nobody but those who already knew.
Federation Pilot: Put a crosshair on that Crown, we take out the king and the rest will fall!
Federation Pilot: That flight being led by the Crown, those are the ones who got away from Crimson. Federation Pilot: We’ll show those blowhards what a salt-of-the-earth pilot can do.
They... They thought he was the leader of the rebellion. The figurehead. The king. As he shot more and more down, he smiled. In the midst of the pure chaos that was this air combat, he felt calm.
AWACS Galaxy: We’ve got inbound, pop-up bandit group at bearing 230, looks like they pulled back for one last push, there's a lot of them. AWACS Galaxy: IFF confirmed, Federation Peacekeeping Squadron Crimson identified with more reinforcements, this is it! Hitman 2 Diplomat: Ah shit...
Crimson 1: Crimson Squadron, ready the MLAAs, we’re putting an end to this party. Crimson Pilot: Looks like it’s those mercenaries, think they might turn tail and run again? Crimson 1: Not this time, open fire.
And as he heard Crimson Team arrive, he was enraged as before. And he did something he never had before, at least while flying; he spoke. Just one word.
Monarch: <>
And combat began. Monarch ended up shooting down half of Crimson team before they retreated, and he was still tempted to follow them. He was only calmed down when he noticed something: All of the friendly pilots had formed up on him. They were all following him. It was a sign of... respect.
Perhaps he was more of a leader than he thought.
The war waged on.
And then the capitol of Cascadia, it's pride and joy, Presidia, was hit with a nuclear bomb that set off cordium in the ground, causing a cataclysmic event and turning the land into a fiery hellscape. Despite this, Monarch and the rest of Sicario survived, shooting down many along the way. Encountering Crimson Team one final time. Shooting them all down. Until it was time for one final battle. And in the middle of this final battle, this climax to the war...
A ceasefire. The war was over. Cascadia and the Federation were.... stopping? Just like that? Monarch was... angry. His parents died for THIS? Despite this boiling rage.... Monarch accepted it. But someone else... someone else had not.
A sudden explosion. Presidia was turned into a fiery crater in an instant. A bomb, a nuclear bomb, had gone off. No. It had been set off. By HIM. Crimson 1. Monarch's rival, his Federation counterpart. One final duel. No wingmen, no reinforcements, nothing. Just Monarch, his trusted co-pilot Prez, and Crimson.
Hitman 1 WSO Prez: I don't know if I can do this, Monarch...I'm braced...
Prez was scared. Monarch knew that. But this was no time to run. He needed this fight.
<>
Crimson 1: You're a slave to history, Crimson 1: even after Calamity, you fight against the only order that can guarantee the safety of your people, Crimson 1: you solely are responsible for this.
Monarch absorbed every word Crimson said. But he didn't care. It was time to gun down the man who caused this. Who destroyed his country. Who killed his parents.
Crimson 1: What do you have to show for yourself, merc, blood? Gold? A broken throne?^\note 1]) Crimson 1: I will bury you so completely, the earth will turn over a thousand times before your body is dug up.
Shut up.
Crimson 1: You can't run, you can't hide, you made this decision long ago, you can't back out of this deal!
Shut up.
Crimson 1: I'm Cascadian, you think I take joy fighting over my homeland, killing my own countrymen?![^\note 2])](https://projectwingman.fandom.com/wiki/Transcript:Kings#cite_note-note2-2) Crimson 1: If you never showed up, I never would have lost all that I have!

SHUT UP.

They flew, firing at each other, Monarch putting himself and Prez through extreme g-forces to keep up with the former Peacekeeper, who was in some sort of experimental aircraft. But eventually, he landed enough hits to make Crimson speak again.
Hitman 1 WSO Prez: [grunts] God-[grunts] Monarch...I can't keep up...I can't...I can't...
Hitman 1 WSO Prez: I'm...sorry... [thud]
Prez was down. Monarch knew that. Whether she was passed out from the g-forces, or.....
Best not to think the worst. He would win this. For her.
Crimson 1: Me and you now. No distractions, no wingmen, no war, just me and you, whoever wins is the best pilot. Crimson 1: Every safety's coming off, no second chances.
No second chances. Kill him.
Crimson 1: "Monarch," you use the name of a king, but what do you rule over, the dead?! The Federation fought for peace in this war and you denied them that! Crimson 1: The people of Cascadia, do you know what you've taken from them?! Their homes! And for what, to secede from the world?! What, you think you can fight this war again in 50 years' time, do you really think history will see it your way?! Crimson 1: You don't even care why you're here!
To avenge him. Her. His people.
Crimson 1: How does it feel to not have a country, to not have borders to define yourself against the world?
This WAS his country. His borders. His people.
Crimson 1: The Calamity erased mankind once, our chance to start again, this is how you've dealt with it?!
Silence. Monarch still offered no response. Crimson was getting angrier and angrier. Let him slip up. Then strike.
Crimson 1: You drove me to this...this death and destruction over the Federation, millions of lives lost... [sighs] So many ghosts... Kill me...or be killed!

Kill. Kill. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. Kill.

Monarch kept flying. He needed to do this. End this. Reclaim his country.
Crimson 1: This is my home!
His as well.
Crimson 1: Here we are, fighting for Cascadia's soul. Crimson 1: That's the deal you made, right?
Cascadia's soul was rightfully his. He was the pri- no. Monarch was the king. It's just that nobody knew it yet.
Crimson 1: What happens when you shoot me down?! Can you even think?! What will you return to?! Where will you go?! We both know how this ends!
What... would happen? Would he rule? Reclaim? or simply... fade away?
Crimson 1: Kill me, kill me and see what happens to this world! Crimson 1: Either way, your life ends today! Crimson 1: And my squadron, do you think they deserved it?!
And Monarch spoke his first, and only words of the fight. Not to Crimson, but to himself: <>
Crimson 1: The Federation might try to forget about you, but I won't, this is for the good of the world, Crimson 1: die, mercenary!
But it wouldn't be Monarch dying that day.
Crimson 1: No...no, not yet!
It was time.
Crimson 1: God damn it, Crimson 1: come on, I've almost got him!
The truth was there.
Crimson 1: [panting and angry screaming]
They were both incredible pilots, fighting until the bitter end.
Crimson 1: Come on, come in for that kill, you dog!
But Monarch was simply....
Crimson 1: God damn! [coughs]
Better.
System: Hostile Eliminated.

Crimson 1 was shot down.

Crimson 1: Monarch, when you hear the thunder...
<<...?>> Crimson 1: ...when the storm...comes for you...
<<...>> Crimson 1: ...remember me.
<<....I will.>>
And as Crimson went down, Monarch flew away, towards the others. And as he landed, he got Prez out of her seat, praying she woke up. And as she did, they hugged tight.
Both of them sat for a moment, before the plane's communication systems crackled back to life.
Hitman 3 Comic: Transmitting a beacon. Dust Mother, he better pick this up...
Assassin 1 Kaiser: They had to take this from us! We'll burn them all, we’ll burn down the Federation!
Hitman 2 Diplomat: Eve? Eve!
Hitman 3 Comic: [gasps] Hey, I’m over here! Hell's bells, I was about three seconds away from putting a bullet in you!
Hitman 2 Diplomat: It's alright, I probably deserved it at some point, are you good to move?
Hitman 3 Comic: Yeah, yeah. It's all gone to hell, the world is about to be remade.
Hitman 2 Diplomat: We're finished here, we gotta disappear for a bit, I don't want to get caught up in what's coming.
Hitman 3 Comic: What about what we're owed?
Hitman 2 Diplomat: Monarch will collect.
Monarch: <>
They traced Monarch and Prez to the plane, and all of Hitman squad simply.... sat.
Monarch: <>

Later....

Cascadia was whole again. As the world worked together to rebuild the destroyed lands, they all promised that never again would another war of this scale be allowed to happen. Of course, there were still rebellious groups. Groups that needed mercenaries to clear those rebellious groups out. And Monarch was thrust into the world's light, as not only the son of the former King and Queen of Cascadia, but the killer of Crimson 1.
However, instead of becoming a king, he created a council. A council of those he trusted, his "family". The ones who would hold power over certain parts of the country. But he never truly lost his lust for the air, for adrenaline. So he gave power of the country to them, and.... simply went back to being the best mercenary the world had ever seen.
Until the Pilot rolled around. Or, more aptly: flew around. He was from another universe, one that supposedly had... wizards? Magic? Of course, Monarch was intrigued. This "Pilot" man also seemed to... know who Monarch and Prez were, and specifically asked for them. So he followed.
<>
*Monarch stands, and walks away.*
/uw HOLY SHIT! This might be the longest thing i've ever written, at more than 8 PAGES. This took me like 2 and a half hours. hope you enjoyed!