All she wants is to find the reason behind her dad's death. She believes it is not all it seems. Danielle is intuitive and curious. The truth might leave her in regret. Remember, ignorance is bliss.

Danielle is bent on finding the reason behind the death of her father and those around her. With the help of her sworn enemy, Damien, they embark on the journey to find the reason behind his death and those around her. 
 Mysteries unfold and everything is not what it seems.

A girl, who works a lot, was framed for having killed someone. She's now on the run, life isn't as easy.

A girl, who works a lot, was framed for having killed someone. She's now on the run, life isn't as easy.
****************
Read on
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All credits to my friend for making the cover 
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Danielle and Allen were volunteering at a park when they discovered and freed the strongest werewolves in existence. Now, every supernatural creature is hunting them down. 

Some want to kill them. 

Some want to experiment on them. 

And some want to become them. 

Can Danielle and Allen survive and distance themselves from the werewolves, or will they themselves become something nobody expected?

Living in the year of 2018, Danielle and her friends were trying to debunk the myth about the Bermuda Triangle. Little did she know that it had the power to sweep her to another dimension. There she found danger, friendship, bonds and worst of all intimacy with a man she shouldn't have fallen for.  

Will Danielle be able to break bonds with the world she came from or return to her life of ordinary?

The swirling thick clouds of giant insects gathered above the sky, their billowing presence heavily shadowed the landscape underneath it. The insects were still gathering and the students below don't see an end to its constant swelling.

Raven dispersed his fingers and a screen popped up over his finger tips. He paused for a moment, adjusted his glasses, then continued tapping the screen. While the insects were busy organizing he knew he needed to do something, he browsed his document and looked for a 3d model that could do the work.

Assets->3d models->MissileSilow/missile.obj

"This should do it." Raven said with a sated smile.

Most of the 3d model objects in his documents were downloaded online, there where many of those which you can find on the net and were even available for free. Digital matter 3d models can simulate weapons, human, vehicles and many more. Even movements can be simulated if animations were applied, such as explosions and motions. 

The only reason why digital matter didn't blew up yet was due to the fact it was still on its experimental stage. Only students, professors, and researchers have possessed the technology, the technology in itself wasn't yet fully embedded on common devices.

However the complexity could only do as much since it couldn't simulate the modern weapons they have in the year 2200. The only weapons it could simulate were the weaponry from the 21st century. Since they were relatively more simpler. But they were still powerful.


Most of the users of the Enhanced 3d Extender or the Holomark of SE were software engineers, since using it needs several configurations that only they would bother to learn. 



A bluish cylindrical silo got conjured on the grasses, it was as large as a house and its lids were closed.

Raven danced his arm on the screen, tapping some buttons.

Select object->MissileSilow/animation->Copy & paste.

He tapped the copy and paste button more than he can count. And below him were the bluish silos multiplying, they were being conjured one by one until they teemed the landscape.

"Raven they are now attacking!" Danielle said concerned.

The swarm has reached its maximum size, it was as vast as a storm cloud, it slowly descended upon them like a cloud was falling. 

Raven smirked as he adjusted his glasses. He continued tapping on the screen and navigated through these buttons.

Select All->Missilesilow/animation->Action->Initiate Rocket launch.

All blue silos underneath him opened their lids, the tip of their missiles slowly emerged, then after Raven directed the target. Simultanously they fired and propelled their missiles. A swarm of missiles dashed through air and were closing in against the big cloud of insects.


The missiles struck the imsect clouds, and bit by bit the blasts swallowed the insects, when all of the missiles hit the entire throng, a cataclysmic bluish explosion engulfed the sky. Their explosions of the missiles were bluish and pixelated, but they still had the same effect as a normal blast. It quickly erased any trace of the insects on the clear blue sky.


Raven stood from his seat stretching his arm bathing upon the glory and fall of the enemies.
"Hahaha, tremble puny insects."
Raven cackled.

Danielle had a dismayed look towards him.
"Raven, just how much energy did you use on that attack?"
She said with a grumpty tone.

Raven gazed at the screen and he chuckled with a blunder.
"It's just 18%."

Danielle retracted her suit and changed back into her base form, she went over to Raven's side and struck his head.
"Idiot that's too much, we still have a long way to go and half of those silos would have been enough."
She said disgruntled.

Raven rubbed his head, he then adjusted his glasses and smirked.
"Don't worry our introduction needs to be flashy."

"Fine, whatever let's go." She said lacking in vigor.

Danielle mounted over the board and then the group continued on their trails.

***

On the long, tough road to Dais, the slave hunter knows no rest, they basked upon the wild sun, strolling, but it will take them days to reach that country. Right now they were preparing to leave the Dema territory.

Behind the cage, Rhea continued her begging performance, she drew her face upon the steel bars.
"Please Shad, I'll do anything."

Shad crossed his arms on his chest and his head was looking away, he remained silent for as long as she spoke.

Lizares butted in and then he faced her.
"Ke ke, slaves are not allowed to talk to the hunters."
"So scram!" He raised his voice.

Rhea crawled away and went back deep into the cage.

Lizares cackled.
"What an annoying woman."


"Hey Lizares." Shad called his attention.


"What?" He turned his head to Shad.


"Do you know the idenitity of our clients?" Shad said.


"Ke ke ke, no, those guys never mentioned it but I have a guess." Lizares said.


Shad stroke the chin of his cowl as though thinking.
"Well the nobility comes to mind?"


"That's what I thought but, ke ke ke, the reward is not something the nobility can readily give." Lizares cackled.


"You mean the magic stones?" Shad asked.

Lizares nodded.
"Our client is most likely the royalties of Dias, ke ke ke."

Shad chuckled with excitement, he then clenched his fist.
"If that is correct, then I would ask to be the royalty's patron."

If an adventurer becomes a patron of a royalty they would recieve several privileges  such money, weapons and even a land. But it comes with a price, the adventurer won't be able to take requests from the guild as they usually do, since they now owe their duties solely to the royalties.

"Ke ke ke, are you sure about that? Me, I don't give a crap about lands and stuff, being a patron is just a responsibility. Me, I enjoy freedom." Lizares cackled.


Shad grunted as though pleased.
"I became an adventurer because I want to work with the royalties, then gain more weapons because I want to pummel a certain guy, it was his fault my family died."

"You must have quite a past, ey?" Lizares cackled.

"Maybe." Shad said under his breath.


Inside the cage, Vahenna's face was frothing in sweat, grim images of her dead mother flashed upon her eyes. She gripped her clothes tight, held her tears from falling and bit her lip. She knew she shouldn't cry, since she was her sister's strength. If she were to falter her sister would entirely fall apart. She took a deep breath and strengthened herself.


When Vahenna's eyes turned to Rosan. her heart slightly throbbed upon seeing her state.

Rosan was huddling herself as she breathed heavily, her lips turned pallid and her eyes have sunk gazing tightly at her foot.

She quickly went towards her sister side then checked her face. She knew there was something wrong with her.
"Rosan are you okay?" Vahenna said concerned.

Rosan panted heavy and coughed hard, she leaned forward as she blasted a continuos coughs.
Vahenna hugged her tight then rubbed her back.
"Rosan hang in there." She said nervously.

The other girls stared at them with concern.

"What's wrong?" Rhea went close and her eyes widened upon seeing Rosan. 

Rhea placed her wrist upon Rosan's forehead.
"Vahenna, her head is very hot, she has a fever."
Rhea said reluctantly.

 Vahenna caught Rosan when she slouched and then lost her strength entirely, then Vahenna jolted her gently.
"Rosan hang in there?"
She said with a shaky voice.

Rosan closed her eyelids, she tried to lift her lips upon Vahenna's weeping face.
"Sis, it hurts."

The cage of the gates swung open, it gave a sharp metallic noise. The hunters gave them quizzical look.

"Ke ke ke, looks like one is defective, we might as well throw her off board." Lizares said.

Vahenna sheltered her sister with her arms as she tried to shield her against the hunters. Like a motherhen protecting her chicks.
"Don't, I dare you!" She cracked her voice.

Gazit approached them, he was outside the gate, he then drew his head to see well inside the cage.
"What is going on?" He said with a rough voice.

"There's a girl who seems to be ill." Shad said.

"Hmm is that so?" Gazit said, he then crawled in the cage then grabbed Rosan's dangling foot.
Vahenna gripped her sister tight between her arms.
"I won't let you!"

Lizares slid his arms through the gaps of the steel bars, then he pointed a dagger on her face, driving it close, letting its tip touched her cheek.
"Ke ke ke, let her go missy, or I'll bury this into your skull."

Vahenna's arms slouched in despair, her sister was now free from her grasp. Shad entered the cage, he used a key from his pocket and unlocked the collar on Rosan's neck.

When he was done, Gazit yanked her leg like a doll, letting her body slid lifelessly on the floor, then when she reached the doorway Gazit heaved her outside without a care like a baggage. Rosan's body fell and rolled helplessly on the ground.

Vahenna lurched forward, and were about to leap over the cage, only to be restrained by Shad as he held her waist, it then halted her steps. Vahenna then bursted a cry.
"How dare you do that!"  Her voice aiming to Gazit.

Shad patted her back.
"Don't worry I'll ask them to take your sister on a safe village."

Vahenna wept on his shoulders as she slowly loosened up.
"Is that a promise?"

Shad sighed soothingly.
"I'll do what I can."


Shad released her from his grasps, then he slowly left the cage and closed the cage tightly locked.

Vahenna sunked her body then crawled desperately to the iron bars, she gripped it tight with her fingers, gazing at her sister.

On the outside, Shad gently heaved Rosan upwards to his chest, he carried her tightly with his arms then slowly strode away from the cage.

"Shad!" Gazit said coldly.

It pierced Shad's ears causing his steps to halt.

"Move one step forward from the cage and I'll kick you out of the venture." Gazit said roughly.

Shad turned back, then he gaited towards Gazit, then he ceased his steps when Gazit was infront of his face.

"Then, we'll deliver her to the nearest village." Shad spat.

Gazit grunted.
"We can't waste much time, we have a schedule to follow, just leave her."

"Screw you Gazit, she'll die here if we just leave her. Not to mention she's ill." Shad said.

Gazit gave Shad a long piercing stare, he then spoke.
"Who cares if she dies, she's just a demi-human."

Before they even realized, Shad had already pointed a knife infront of Gazit's throat, it happened in a flash.
"Don't give me that bull, Gazit." Shad said coldly.

In a sudden, the hunters gathered around Shad, aiming their cold weapons on his body. Lizares drew his dagger close to Shad's neck and Handus aimed his sharp ring blade on his face.

Shad didn't even flinch, he stood still like a statue but determined. They stood which seemed like an eternity as wisps of dust passed by them. The tension rose and air got rigid, everyone of them had tight lips until Lizares broke the silence.

"Ke ke ke, you were a cool guy Shad, but if you try some weird shit I won't hesitate."

Shad slowly retreated his blade then kept it under his dark tunic.

"Shad you try that stuff again, I'll clobber you to the ends of the lower district straight to the hell's trench." Gazit said with an intimidating tone.

Shad sighed then slowly laid her on the ground, her body was left all alone. Then the hunters with the cage slowly proceeded on its tracks.

"Rosan!" Vahhena screamed. She fell on the floor with a cry.
"Anyone, help my sister! Shad please!" She flailed her arms over the steel bars trying to reach her.

Lizares kicked the steel bars.
"Quiet woman!"

Vahenna curled her body into a ball and wept her tears off. Rhea went close to her, then she patted her back while comforting her.

The wheeled cage along with the hunters drifted away leaving a poor girl on the middle of the road.

***

Jeya and Danielle sailed their hover board below the clouds, they sat upon it and enjoyed the vast, green scenery. With the sea of forest directly below them, a cliff on the distance poking over the landscape on their left, a wide clearing conquered by tall bushes on on their right and a long, narrow dirt road that divided the green land into two.

Jeya squinted her eyes gazing upon the road, and she couldn't see its end, she fixed her eyes on a certain a point of the road then traced it where it lead. Her eyes stopped when she saw a human figure lying flat on the path.

"Danielle, look." She pointed.

Danielle stuck her head out and stared below, no doubt it was a human. With a sudden drive of her instincts, Danielle navigated quickly and descended from the sky.

When they reached the ground, Jeya and Danielle dropped on the solid ground and approached the person. Up close it was a girl, she had a light violet hair with an animals ears sticking out from her head, and a fluffy tail dangling from her behind. She was probably dead with her body left alone in the middle of nowhere.

"It's a demi-human." Jeya said slightly wary, but she approached it anyway since the girl was helpless.

Danielle sighed dismayed and crossed her arms on her chest.
"Who would do such a thing."

Thankfully she was still alive, Jeya checked her temperature, and her forehead was searing in heat, she was also unconscious.

Jeya tapped her smartwatch, then her uniformed glowed, it changed its shape wrapping her body with a white film and with a sudden burst of light, her appearance changed. She now wore a sleek suit as white as snow, her entire body were covered with it. Her suit somewhat resembled an astronaut suit with a rotund glass helmet which she can peer through and a bag affixed on her back.

It was the Holomark of the Biomedical Engineering.

She dropped a white box on the ground, with a red cross sign on its side.

"Medical room, Activate." Jeya said with a tap of its button.

The box crumbled in an organized mannner, then its body spread out, creating a purely white floor, then a white room slowly came into form around the two. 

The landscape was now gone, since they were surrounded by unstained, purely white white walls and ceiling. When Danielle touched the wall her fingers passed through it as if it was aethereal. She drove her head into it, her forehead slipped through it then she can see the green landscape once again.

"So this is the Portable Medical Room, huh? It's quite unusual."

The entire room was made of several nanotechnology that filters pathogens, harmful chemicals and radiation, it was designed so that only humans can pass through it. Anyone who passed through it will be instantly sanitized.

Inside the room several white beds emerged from the floor. Slim mechanical arms appeared behind Jeya's suit and it lifted the demi-human from the floor, transferring her into a bed. The robotic arms behind her were her assistant.

Since Jeya was busy, Danielle left her to her own, when Danielle stepped outside, she collided on Raven on her way out.

Danielle got bounced back.
"Hey."
She said annoyed.

Raven stood firm and curiously assessing the white room, it looked like a giant white cube from the outside.

"Why did Jeya activate the PMR?" Raven said.

"We found an ill demi-human girl alone on this road, it's pretty terrible."

Raven glanced upon the long road.
"So she's abandoned by someone huh?"

Danielle nodded.
"Most likely, I don't understand who would do such a thing."

Raven chuckled and slapped her back.
"We are now standing in a world with a level of morality from the middle ages, from now on I urge you to drop your common sense."

Danielle pouted.
"How could you take it so lightly, right now I'm scared because on this moment someone is probably suffering, with no hope of help."

Raven adjusted his glasses.
"Hmm, at some point this world will figure out our existence and Danielle what do you think will happen?"
Raven said with a cold voice.

Danielle shrugged.

Raven snickered.
"There will be a war."


Danielle got taken aback with a puzzled look.
"Huh?" 

Raven nodded. He conjured a digital matter chess board on the air, on both sides were the complete chess pieces.

"There's nothing to be confused about it, it's pretty obvious. There will be countries on this world, which are obviously griping for power and wealth."

The chess pieces moved by itself and then played the game without players. The pieces knocked out the other pieces, as it continues.

"This is how it usually will be for this world, then in all of a sudden a new piece which is a bigger threat comes in..."

Raven conjured a different chess piece on the middle portion of the board, it was larger in comparison to the others. 

Raven gave his eyes towards Danielle.
"Danielle what do you think will happen?"

Danielle scratched her cheek as she was thinking.
"Hmm they will gang up on the large piece?"

"Correct, but right now we have three choices. One is to interact with them and tell them we mean no harm, the two is to follow the Dean's choice which is just to hide on the corner of the map, three is my choice, we assert dominance and show them who's boss."
Raven smirked with his glasses glinting.

She had a disgruntled look.
"Raven, you're quite messed up."

Raven chuckled with a shrug.
"Well that depends on what happens in the near future."



“Taurus Style, Defender Art, Guardian Mode – Iron Horns!” 

 The giant Ox spirit of Yolanda grew iron horns additionally to its boulder ones and dashed at the Boulder Gorilla with the two pairs of horns. However, the Boulder Gorilla vanished right when she hit it. 

“Huh? What is it? You already lost?” Yolanda smirked. 

 A roar sounded from Yolanda’s behind – the Boulder Gorilla had reappeared there. 

“Ugh, what is that trick?” 

“Taurus Style, Player Art, Joker Mode – Illusion Mirror!” Danielle grinned from inside her Gorilla spirit. 

“Ugh, you…” 

 Yolanda’s Ox spirit roared in rage and rushed towards the Gorilla once more. However, the Gorilla kept making her more and more confused – it would vanish and reappear in different places, and did it so fast that Yolanda went dizzy. 

“Ugh, my head!” 

 She halted for a minute and touched her forehead, but even that one minute cost her much: she felt a strong hit on her cheek – the Gorilla fist punched her Ox spirit and made her fly to the other side of the ring. The spirit vanished. Yolanda yelled in pain as her jaw bled. She gnashed her teeth in rage and humiliation, stood back up, made her Ox spirit reappear, and dashed at Danielle again: 

“I will smash you!” 

“Woohoo! Ms. Schatzen rocks!” Tiger jumped on her seat, watching the amazing showdown. 

“She is truly something…” Kokuyo was dumbfounded – he expected her to be powerful, but to be this skilled?! 

“She uses good strategy along with tough muscles,” Edmund adjusted his glasses with a proud smile, “She made Yolanda dizzy so she would let her guard down. When the Defender Class lets one’s guard down, they become extremely vulnerable, for they cannot activate their ultimate defences. That is when she landed a hit, and it was successful”. 

“Wow, that’s truly ingenious!” Tamie was impressed. 

“Yeah, that is what only Monkey spirits can think of,” Kokuyo said. 

“Go, maman!” Riza cheered for her mom along with Tiger. 

 The fight continued down on the ring. The Ox spirit was running around, getting more and more tired and losing its energy, while the Monkey spirit still used Danielle’s Illusion Mirror technique to vanish and reappear in various places, and was confusing the opponent. Then, finally, she appeared in the center of the ring, and Yolanda caught a good sight of her. 

“Haha, there you are!” 

 She rushed towards her with her newly-formed three pairs of horns – boulder, iron, and steel ones. Danielle prepared strained her arm muscles, and her Boulder Gorilla took a firm position. 

“Huh? What is she doing? Isn’t she going to evade? She’s going to get hit like that!” Riza got concerned. 

 Edmund and Kokuyo seemed rather excited – what trick would Danielle pull this time? Tamie and Tiger got worried as well and even bent forward to see everything better. The whole crowd impatiently waited for the outcome. 

 When Yolanda finally reached the giant Boulder Gorilla, Danielle raised her arms inside its core. The Monkey spirit followed her movements and grabbed the Ox spirit of Yolanda by its boulder horns. The friends and the whole crowd gasped in wonder – she grabbed the giant Boulder Demon Ox with her spirit’s bare hands?! 

“Goodness!” 

 Yolanda still pushed forward with the intention to knock the stuck-up lady off her feet, but Danielle only smirked, raised the Ox spirit up in the air with her Gorilla’s arms, and threw it off to the other side of the ring. 

“Damn! Danielle is a Joker, but this time she’s clearly not joking!” the anchorman shouted through his microphone. 

 The crowd held their breaths while the Ox spirit flew through the air and got smashed to the ground, leaving a huge crack in which collapsed Yolanda appeared. Then, everyone sprang up and clapped and whooped – such brute force! 

“Damn, such a beast…” sweat poured off Kokuyo’s forehead as he watched Danielle’s performance with widened eyes. 

“She made her opponent lose much energy and then landed the final hit – truly ingenious of her. She’d make a cool Keeper Class too, if she had chosen it,” Edmund grinned with pride and admiration. 

“Amazing…” Tamie was frozen on her seat – to think someone could lift a Taurus Ox and throw it through the air with such ease! 

“Hurray! You rock, Ms. Schatzen!” Tiger jumped at full force. Blizzard barked and Christo and Astra meowed with joy. 

 Danielle grinned with pride and raised her fist – she was the victor! 

“And the Golden Venus Celestial Lady title goes to Danielle Schatzen from Rose Cruce Order! Congratulations!” 

 The whole crowd was celebrating, except for the members of New World Order – Yolanda, the Virgo Celestial Lady, and a suspicious man sitting on the Scorpio Lord throne on the other side of the Stadium. However, no one paid attention to them anymore. Everyone congratulated Danielle on her success. Riza was proudly whooping in French, so elated she had become. Danielle spotted her from down the ring. She grinned at her and showed her a thumb up – it was obvious she would win… for who would ever lose when such a wonderful daughter was watching?

In the realm of Zariel, every person can manipulate one of the four elements their zodiac belongs to - Fire, Earth, Air or Water. 

Tamie Wingfield dreams to become the greatest Zodiac Master of all time. For that, she decides to join the Rose Cruce Order, which her elder brother Nick Wingfield belongs to, as one of the highest ranks - the Sage. But Tamie has a big problem - she is a Libra, and out of all Zodiac, Libra is the only inanimate object, rendering it the most powerless of all (or so it is believed).

How will the girl of the most powerless zodiac sign manage to become the grand Zodiac Master?

In post apocalyptic america, a young man comes to the west after having his village burnt down by Secret Police, he eventually meets a young woman and this interaction ends up causing him to become wrapped up in a full scale uprising against the Regime that burnt it asunder

Born A Monster
Chapter 66
Greywood Border
"Oh, well just give us the letter, and we'll deliver it." Said Pippin.
"No." I said.
"Why not?"
"There is only the one letter, and while not delivering it might seem like a harmless prank, I assure you this matter is urgent to me."
"The promises of alves are sacred within the Greywood." Danielle said.
"Only to other alves, underneath mistletoe, and only when the moonlight shines upon them.  I am not totally ignorant of your customs."
Danielle cocked her head, twitched an ear.  "Indeed.  Well done."
"Please, escort us to Laralantha, of the the House of Archers."
"Oh." The male who was not Pippin said. "Well, let us take you to a lake, first?  Where you can bathe and make yourselves presentable?"
Katherine scoffed.  "Even I know that to bathe in the mirror spring is death, even if led there by alves."
"All right, we can see there's no tricking you." The unknown male said.  "If you'll just follow us, at a good distance so that none suspects you of holding us at knifepoint.  We'll escort you to her."
"Don't you need to consult with the actual guards keeping vigil on this entry?  So they know we're invited, not just following you?"
"But we are inviting you." Danielle said.
I left the tent, picked up a tent stake, and held it between the two poles, the point resting on the far side of that line.
Within seconds, there was a disruption in the air.  With a loud THWOK, a quivering arrow appeared in the ground, shattering the stake to splinters.
I looked over my shoulder at the alves, watching with anticipation from the door to our tent.
Danielle began clapping.  "Oh, so nice, to find one so clever."
Katherine was still getting dressed, so I decided to stoke and fuel the fire while waiting for my turn.
"What is this oil you have applied to our firewood?" I asked.  I took a sniff; it didn't seem to be the sort of thing to explode in a sulphureous fart smell.
"Oh, it makes the fire turn pretty colors.  Try it out."
I invoked Ignition of my hand, specifically on the oils I had felt there.
First off, don't do that, it really hurts.  As in two points of damage even after Boil, Boil type hurts.  
Second, my hand was wreathed in bright red flames.  "Ah, the flames of war." I said.  "That might have gotten us killed, too."
The vicious pranksters emerged from the tent.  "He's boring." The unnamed male said.  "And I want to see Pippin eat worms."
"Really?  Why would I do that?"
"You lost a bet." Said Danielle.
"That doesn't sound like me at all.  Must have been Pedes."
Sigh.  "You know that is not my name."
"Podos?"
"You know my name."
"Squorlgrim?"  That one started a small scuffle, with Pippin laughing the whole time.
They pranced across the border, carefree as you please.
Okay, there was extra firewood in the saddlebags…  Where was Dempsey?
Dempsey, complete with saddlebags, was just casually sleeping.  On the Greywood side of the border.
#
There was no campfire, so we had a salad for breakfast.  Dempsey nibbled contentedly on foliage inside Greywood.  
"At least they won't kill Dempsey." I said.
"So those visitors last night, those were alvish children?"
"Pech." I said.  Pranksters and illusionists.  "Since there wasn't any magic, I'm going to guess they weren't actually interested in us.
"So I suppose we refill our canteens at that stream we crossed yesterday?"
"There's water on Dempsey, I just don't think the local berries will be enough to persuade him over here."
"Well, if they keep us waiting for long enough, those apples over there will turn ripe."
"No good." I said.  "See that one branch, sticking over the border?"
"So we walk four hours every time we want water?"
"I think we'll actually meet one of the actual border guard today." I said.
"You think?"
"With high confidence." I said.
"Why do you think that?"
"Because there is an alf watching us from right there." I said, gesturing with my fork.
"Where, there's nothing… no, wait.  Sneaky bugger."
"I only just noticed him, myself.  Unless I miss my guess, he's using Air magic to listen to us from where he is.  Please watch potentially offensive language like sneaky bugger."
"Thought you said alves valued honesty."
"In humans, yes."
She snorted.  "So how long until he comes over here and talks to us?"
"He might not know human languages.  Or she, I can't tell at this range."
"I thought elves were sophisticated and multi-cultural."
"I'd imagine some are, some aren't."
"You'd think the ones they choose for border patrol would know how to at least talk to outsiders."
"As I understand it, border guards volunteer for service, they aren't assigned as we understand guard posts."
"That's ridiculous.��� Katherine said.  "How do they keep their borders secure with only volunteers?"
I spread my hands.  "Different race, different culture.  Somehow, they never lack for volunteers."
"That's just bizarre."
"Goblins prepare their food without fire." I said.  "That seems bizarre to me."
"And how do you know that?"
"I lived among goblins, for a few weeks."
"And they didn't eat you?  Must have liked you quite a bit."
I shrugged.  "Maybe they just didn't have enough salt."
Lilting laughter came to us across the wind.
Katherine listened.  "Well, that answers that.  Female, and understands Achean well enough to tell a joke."
"The rest is waiting.  I'll make the first journey for water, if she hasn't contacted us by highsun."
"You mean noon?"
"I mean noon.  Can't rule out that our potential host learned only the archaic term."
"We could just ask her to please get the water from our mule."
"Or please just get the mule." I said.  "But we won't.  Asking for favors before introducing oneself is rude."
"So what, we compose a song in iambic pentameter about who we are and in spite of that we need our water?"
I chuckled.  "That might actually work.  How is your singing voice?"
"Let's not torture the poor woman."
#
"On that subject, you said something last night."
"Perhaps you could be more specific?"
"You said you were a Proteus Shapeshifter?  Like the old man of the sea?"
"Protean Shapeshifter." I said.  "It's more along the lines of werewolf shifting.  It takes a while, is painful, and requires a lot of biomass, which you may know as nutrition."
"Ah, so that's why you don't change forms, then."
"That's pretty much it."
"Wimp."
"I don't have the spare biomass right now."
"We just ate." She said.  "And ate quite well, for breakfast."
"My daily nutritional needs are 54 points, and there's also-"
"Fifty-four points?  That would make you level nine?"
"Level six.  My size modifier is the same as yours."
"Level SIX!  GODS!  Here I am thinking I'm protecting my children, and you aren't even a full adventurer, yet.  What?  How old are you, twelve?"
"One and a season."
"Gods, I must be STUPID!  Here I was thinking you were some kind of warrior, and that we could protect my children together.  But NO!  You're some kind of … of… hyper-baby!"
"That is excessively unkind, if not entirely inaccurate."
"You led me to believe there was a band of heroes."
"I don't know about a band, but Philecto Amor is leading a small group of heroes to Narrow Valley.  I was hoping for support from the alves, possibly the domug and centaur as well."
"What?  You think Steel-Eyed Adara is just going to go out and fight a siege weapon with you?"
"The Spider Queen could be considered a living siege weapon, if on a smaller scale.  But no, I've already asked."
"Oh, then why are we here?"
"I'm hoping to get a bow and a spear of alvan make, to offer to the winners of last Clanmoot's victors with those weapons."
"Clanmoot?  Uruk have clanmoots?"
"Centaurs do." I said.  "They won't be able to sneak around in the town itself, but I was hoping they could help us in the broken foothills after Rakkal is overthrown."
"You mean killed."
"I mean overthrown, dethroned.  I don't see how to do that without killing him, but no, that's not explicit in the quest."
She turned her head and spat.  "You just don't want to kill your fellow monster."
"Kill?  I don't want to OPPOSE Rakkal.  He's big, and scary, and strong enough to turn the tides of battle.  I'm not certain any hero can stand against him one-on-one.  For that matter, I'm not certain a group of heroes is a credible threat to him."
I closed my eyes.  "But I am sworn to do my best to see that happen."
"She's coming." Katherine said.  "Anything I need to know about introductions?"
I swiveled my head.  "They probably expect us to use the human form.  Name, family, titles, holdings."
"What's the elven format?"
"Depends on which grouping of alves she's with."
"Wait, there's not just one type of alf?"
"Is there just the one type of human?"
She shrugged.  "So we follow whatever format she uses?"
"I think we have to introduce ourselves first."
"Oh, bollocks."
#
She was willowy, came up to Katherine's shoulder, and had skin the color of cedar bark.  
She came forward with a small spade, and began digging up her arrow.
"Pardon me," I said.  "I am Rhishisikk, sworn to the service of the Guild of Guardsmen, Porters, Drovers, and Linkboys in Narrow Valley as a Truthspeaker."
Her ears rotated forward on that last word.
"This is my quest-mate, Katherine of Whitehill.  We are here with regards to an invitation from Laralathla of the House of Archers.���
She squinted at me, turned back to digging up her arrow.  "I'll get your water and cooking equipment, but your passage is not my concern.  Get good sleep today, someone will be coming tonight."
"Thank you." I said.
"Your thanks have a weight upon my emotions equal to that of a single rat fart."
"Uh, Okay."
Not the elegance and beauty one hears about in fairy tales, is it?
"Your emotions do not reduce my gratitude."
"If you're composing a poem about, I'm leaving without getting your water."
I really didn't want to walk that far just to fill the canteens, and the thought of stew tonight instead of salad?  I kept my mouth shut.
Her arrowhead was thin and sharp and steel, meant to penetrate armor.  It wasn't quite a bodkin point, but anyone who'd spent hours discussing arrows with an archer could see the similarities.
She brought Dempsey to the border, dumped the saddle bags, tossed the canteen to Katherine and pot after pot to me.  She then led Dempsey back to a bush he'd been eyeing.
And then she crossed into the forest eaves, vanishing soon after.
"That could have gone worse." Katherine said.  "I like her."
"We will eat well tonight.  Extra portion for our guest?"
"They might bring two.  Call it four bowls."
I thought cooking forty servings of stew was excessive, but Katherine was right that there were two of them, male and female, alike enough to be siblings.
They were curious about the ingredients, but eagerly partook.  When only four servings of stew remained, the male said "There should have been a silver token with the letter?  About so big around?"
I groaned, and Katherine burst out laughing.  Both alves look confused.
"That's about the size of a human coin." I explained.  "I've no doubt one was sent, but it never made it to me."
"Ah." Said the male.
His sister shook her head.  "Human greed.  Almost as common as human stupidity."
"Here." He said.  "Take mine.��
"Perhaps another glass of tea, and then we'll guide you to Laralathla."
"Take no food that is not offered, bathe nowhere the water does not flow, and harm no creature in our wood, no matter how that creature treats you." He said.
"Oh, and none of that spitting you humans do." She added.  "That's just disgusting."
#

Born into a world of chaos and violence, young shapeshifter Rhishisikk struggles to survive.  With the assistance of unlikely allies, he must learn to live among the most dangerous of monsters - human beings!

Algra and Vega has reached Lyse, but something is amiss. There were less townsfolk, even less than they were at night, as if there was a storm brewing in, but the sky is clear and blue. They parked their carriage in the horse lot and began walking towards Xavier's house, but along the way, Vega saw a poster on a wall and began reading it. The poster shows as follows:
<Those who affiliated with the Black Fangs are now deemed enemies of Iveria and will be arrested.>
<If you find an individual whose a member of said faction will be rewarded.>
"Algra, are you seeing this?" Vega said, visibly concerned.
"Yes, they're making their move and we need to get to Xavier now." Algra replied.
"It could be too late. If the White Swans ambush us, we'll have to ditch Lyse and possibly Teraxa. We shouldn't be here." Vega said, but deep down he thinks this is either determination or stubbornness and yet he couldn't just abandon Algra.
The two men meet the gate where a maid who has black hair tied to a single braid is standing close to the gate inside.
"Greetings...do you have business with master Xavier?" she said, visibly uncomfortable and on guard.
"Yes, yes we do. Amanda." Algra said.
"And he needs some explaining to do." Vega added.
"That voice...sir Algra and sir Vega?" Amanda said, then a sense of urgency crossed her mind. "Please come inside quickly!" she said, opening the gate with the keys. Amanda leads them inside the house and closed the door immediately the moment they entered. Xavier's house interior has pictures of Xavier's face and entire body in different high quality clothing.
"He is upstairs in his quarters, right this way." Amanda said. Amanda, Algra, and Vega went upstairs and took a left where his office would be and knocked on the door.
"Master Xavier?" Amanda called.
"Yes? What is wrong, Amanda?" Xavier answered through the door.
"You have guests." Amanda replied.
"Amanda, I have made very clear that I do not want any visitors at this time." Xavier said sternly.
"It's Algra and Vega."
"What? Bring them in!" Xavier quickly said. Amanda unlocked the door.
"Algra, we meet again." Xavier said as he smiled, but not Algra. Algra is not happy on what is happening during the past week.
"Care to explain this?" Algra said as he showed the poster Vega found outside when they reached Lyse. Xavier's expression became serious.
"Amanda, prepare tea for the gentlemen." Xavier said to Amanda and she bowed before closing the door.
"Look, I know my week of silence and the poster made you suspicious and I can't blame you for that. However, I need you to hear me out. The White Swans and the Luster Order are colluding with each other and planning something large." Xavier began explaining. "During the past week, a Luster devotee came to my manor, protected by the White Swan members." Xavier added and Amanda opened the door, serving tea in a silver platter.
"Go on." Algra said.
"His name is Geon Raleph and he is a wide man.  Despite being a priest, his demeanor is anything but." Xavier said. "My point is that Geon came to my house and used his connections to have me join them."
"So you were threatened to say the least. " Vega said bluntly.
"I could've refused them outright, but I couldn't just put the people of Lyse at risk." Xavier said, as he placed his hand on the window, looking at the town that is near deserted with a sad expression on his face. "You did the right thing coming here, Algra. Because of them, they prevented me from leaving Lyse for a whole week without raising any suspicion." Xavier said, clutching his hand on the window.
"I see. If you tried to escape--" Algra said.
"Then they have a reason to brand me as a heretic and attack Lyse much sooner." Xavier answered.
"I see...I apologize for coming here to suspect you." Algra said, sipping the tea.
"No, don't apologize, it was out of my control. I'm just glad you came since I don't know what to do without putting the people at risk." Xavier said, smiling.
"Now that explaining is done, the paper for our agreement." Algra said, changing to the current subject.
"About that...I burned it along with the ribbon. It was to cover my tracks since they began searching around my house."
"Not a problem, for I have a copy. Same conditions." Algra said, expecting this would happen. Algra takes the paper out from his brown coat and placed it on the table where the tea set is. The paper is neatly rolled and tied by a special black ribbon with golden outlines, indicating the Onyxthorn family. Xavier's face lit up at the sight.
"Oh, what a relief. Danielle!" Xavier called and a figure emerged behind Xavier's couch. Her outfit is the same of Amanda's, but the skirt is at her knees. Her skin is the color of snow and her long hair in a beautiful indigo color. Her eyes having a deep blue color of the ocean.
"You have called, master Xavier?" Danielle replied in a calm, diligent manner.
"The pen if you please."
"Right here, master Xavier." Danielle said, holding a steel container. Danielle then opened the container showing a golden pen covered with engravings and a orange feather. Xavier takes the pen and Algra unties the black ribbon to unravel the paper. The paper is written in black ink, its handwriting is in clean cursive. It was written as follows:
{Upon signing this contract, I hereby accept the invitation of the Black Fangs and will live, fight, and die for the glory of the Black Fangs forevermore.}
Xavier signed the paper without hesitation and handed to Algra. Algra took the paper to smile genuinely for they have taken another step in ending the conflict. Algra stood up and offers a handshake. Xavier stood up and shook the hand.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you." Algra said.
"Please, we will suffer their madness no longer." Xavier said.
"So, his name is Geon Raleph, correct?"
"Correct. I remember him saying that he will return next week, same place."
"Then as a reward for joining the Black Fangs, we shall help you." Algra said, still holding Xavier's hand.
"You've got a plan?"
"Of course. But it plays a risk." Algra said, shifting to a serious tone.

A young nobleman, Indux Onyxthorn is born in a prestigious family who founded the faction called the Black Fangs which goal is to hunt, gather, and protect. However, that was a front. They work behind the scenes where no average person can see and is infamous in the "underworld". Until one day, everything fell apart. Will he revive the faction, or die along with it?

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