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mechaknight-98 · 3 months

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Gathering act III: Titans’ nest

I stood before a stone-faced Yujin.

"Tj. I uh" she stammered."

"Can I ask one question... make it 2?" I ask

"Yeah?" Yujin says

"Does he treat you right, and does he treat the other girls right?" I ask

"Yes. He is an absolute gentleman." Yujin answers

I smile at Yujin before responding, "Well, then I have no other questions."

Yujin smiles then asks, "Well I have some questions. Why have you been avoiding me?" she says as she gets closer to me

I squint and reply, "The only day I avoided you was yesterday."

"So you admit it?" Yujin corners me and raises her question

"To yesterday no...wait that was three weeks ago now, and yes 100%! I admit to it, but I didn't know how to talk about this ( I gesture to the space around us), but that was the only day I was actively avoiding you. the rest has been weird happenstance." I say as I pace the office. escaping the corner she had put me in.

Yujin pouts and challenges, "Why we are adults we should be able to talk to each other maturely?"

"Yes, but I don't respond like an adult when I am feeling intense emotions. If I am being honest I don't think many people can, so I waited until I was in a "better place"" I explained

"So you're in a better spot now?" Yujin asked

"No but given the circumstances. I could be better but I will take what I can get, and right now I'm feeling good." I replied

Yujin began to laugh and said, "You know you think yourself Sultai but the more I see of your heart the more I see Abzan."

"Is that meant as an insult," I asked confused.

"No that's meant as a compliment, and I hope you keep that, and your blue flexibility," Yujin said before leaving. when the door closed Astrid breathed relieved

"I thought you were going to throw yourself out of the window," Astrid said.

"LOL," I responded.

Several days later Connor, Sakura, Dexter, Eunbi, Dami, Chaewon, Yujin, and her boyfriend (named AJay) were about to start a new commander game. They decided to do a two-headed dragon to stop the game from dragging.

Eunbi and Dexter were in the play. Dexter was doing a challenge with Connor and me where we chose a color combination we liked but were too scared to venture into. I was doing Abzan, Hence the Frodo, and Sam deck. Connor was trying Grixis, and Dex was doing Naya. Their commanders today are "Zevlor, Elturel Exile" (Connor), and "Pantlaza, Sun-Favored" (Dexter) Dexter starts with a Temple garden followed by a Kinjalli's Caller while Eunbi plays Command tower and an ornithopter. They pass to Yujin and Ajay. Yujin plays a Blood crypt untapped and loses two life, while Ajay plays a Savai Triome, and passes to Chaewon and Dami. Chaewon is excited to play the revamped Tuvasa deck I helped her with and plays Forest Sol ring and sol talisman. while Dami is more measured in playing Plains and an Esper Sentinel. this leaves Connor and Sakura. Sakura plays a Breeding Pool and Birds of Paradise, while Connor plays Swamp's dark ritual into a necropotence. he exiles three to get back to hand size and loses three lives.

"We have a threat now," Chaewon says excitedly.

"What, no this is just a value necropotence and not meant to get me ahead... Oh my god, I sound like Theo." Connor says which causes everyone present to laugh except Yujin who teased Connor, as she was usually paired with me.

"See it's not so fun is it when the shoe is on the other foot right." Yujin exclaimed

"Oh please it's completely TJ's fault he plays a high density of good cards," Dexter says.

"Yeah but how often did he win?" Yujin asked

"Well, when he was partnered with you he never lost, actually when he has played with anyone they don't lose. Huh weird."

"Well yeah, he is an excellent support player in that everything he does draws hate while his partner secures value off of it." Chaewon explained "Or he just overpowers everyone super fast." She added.

"Yeah." Yujin said confused, "Wait Unnie how did you know that?"

"Oh, the first game we all played together before he met you I was his partner. He also helped me with this deck as well."

"Really?" Yujin asked

"Yeah," Chaewon said. Sensing Ajay's discomfort Yujin changed the subject to the Mega Mixer.

"Oh that's going to be fun we are going to San Diego for it," Eunbi said excitedly.

“Wait isn’t that where Civy lives?” Chaewon asked

“Yeah we should totally call him up” Sakura says jovially

“Yeah since Astrid took him off of security.” Chaewon affirms.

“Wait who is Civy?” Yujin asks

“Oh he’s a psionic like dex and Connor and friend of ours we met a while ago.” Yunjin explained

“Why have we never heard or seen him?” Yujin asks

“He kinda keeps to himself and tries to fly under the radar.” Yunjin explained, “but don’t worry he’s cool. He plays mtg too. Although he plays a lot of different colors. He’s kinda our flex player wedge wise.” Yunjin adds

Dami nodded and said, "he’s also exceptionally helpful at deck building when he’s not teasing you, but yeah, I looked up the hotel we are staying in and it looks nice."

"I know right?" Sakura said, "Yeah Aren't you going Ajay?" she added

Ajay nodded. "Yeah, our Companies think it would be good to show us together."

the room went silent as that was mentioned. the game proceeded in a much less enthused manner after. The game ended with Eunbi and Dexter winning because of a lucky Maskwood nexus off a chaos warp by Connor that Dexter played an Apex devastator off of. which you could imagine what he got when he in response to the 5 cascade triggers cascade triggers cast Congregation at dawn. After the game Dami, Ajay, and Eunbi all had to leave. So that left the two LE Serrafim members Dexter, Connor, and Yujin. They all sat around discussing deck builds moving forward.

"All I know is I am never running Chaos Warp ever again," Connor said.

"Yeah that was bad for you, but you couldn't have known I had Apex devastator in hand." Dexter Consoled

"I should have figured when you tutored for it though and cast it. I should have countered the congregation at dawn though for sure." Connor lamented

"Yeah that was the more problematic card and what allowed me to win," Dexter affirmed

"Yeah," Yujin agreed.

"Hey, why couldn't you get a hold of TJ for our game?" Chaewon asked

"He was busy with Mixer stuff and had a date as well," Dexter answered

"Oh right. do we know the girl or guy?" Sakura asked

"No, he's been quite tight-lipped about the whole thing," Chaewon said

"Wait Why? TJ is usually super open about this kind of stuff?" Yujin asked

"I think it has something to do with seeing how the last one went and the hate it brought Yujin and him. Did you know he's still getting death threats from that?" Dexter said

"Wait he got Death threats?" Yujin and Chaewon asked worriedly.

"Yeah he didn't want either of you to worry though but he got a lot of them most of them stating something along the lines of "How dare you defile my goddess with your impurities" or just the classic I'll kill you" Connor explained.

"Wow. How Noble." Sakura said.

"So is his new main squeeze an idol?" Dexter asked

"Not a clue" Connor responds.

I sat next to Mina at the beach back in Cali. She looked gorgeous as always. She leaned in closer and grabbed my hand. she was always so touchy-feely, but I loved it. Honest. Today I just had a lot on my mind, Something about the Mixer seemed off. I mean we hadn't even met the sponsor yet, but honestly and I guess sadly that wasn't what was bothering me.

"Hey, you've been quiet. What's up?" Mina asked

"uh, it's nothing," I replied

"Jio we have been together for a month now. I know you clench your jaw and bite the side of your cheek when you're stressed about something. So please just tell. me." Mina questioned

"I played a couple of games before our date today at my LGS and I keep getting these weird vibes," I answer.

"How so?" Mina asks

I shrug and say "Well you know Galadriel light of Valinor. She does a lot and so I play her higher power, and I keep getting into these situations where I am winning with her consistently but people keep saying it's a fluke. So I am weird with the deck."

"Well, why don't you revamp your sultai deck?" Mina asks

"Honestly I probably should. that would probably have fewer problems but also playing at Higher Power has been super discouraging. it's like I feel like I am making all these strides but Everyone looks at me like I am garbage and I just don't know what to do. I love the game but the community makes me feel super wonky about it half the time." I respond

"Well, Why do you care about what other people say so much?" Mina asks

"I guess it's the social aspect, both ends of the spectrum believe in shaming to ensure their "rules are met." I just like playing weird and powerful cards, but others I guess do not like seeing them." I figured

"You certainly do like playing weird cards but that has been helpful for me to tune my decks because I definitely wouldn't have found Savage ventmaw and its combo without you," Mina affirmed. "I mean bootlegger's stash in a Frodo and Sam deck wild, but it works for you. So I think you should carve out your space, and not be "shamed" into playing like everyone else. you have a voice." Mina added

"Yeah, you're right. Mina." I affirm

Mina smiles and beams, "Yes I am. Now kiss me." I do as she asks, and after a few more hours of sunbathing Mina gets a call for her schedule. so I space-sift her back to her apartment. I accidentally scare Dahyun.

"I'll never get used to that," she says still startled.

"Sorry, Dahyun just didn't want your Unnie to be late."

"Thank you," Dahyun said sarcastically. I shrugged as I left. I didn't use the front door I just space sifted to the next thing I had to do. which was to meet up with Connor and Dexter and then pick up Mina again. Surprisingly Ajay and Emma were with them in the apartment.

"Hey Theo," they all said

"Wait so this is Theo?" Ajay said

"Yep, who's asking?" I replied

"I am Ajay Yujin's boyfriend." He said he was tall a couple of inches/ centimeters shorter than I but negligibly so.

"Okay cool," I responded

"That's it?" Ajay asked with slight disappointment

"Do you want a medal?" I ask

"I'd thought you'd be more reactive." He responded

"I am sorry but I have way too much on my plate to care," I responded

"Oh someone is snippy." Emma teased

"Yeah well the date I was on is paused until she is done with her schedule that she wasn't supposed to have, and as a result, I am here," I answered slightly annoyed

"Well sorry we interrupted you and..." Emma started the trailed off hoping I'd finish the statement for her

"Oh nice try but I am not revealing that," I say

"Why?" Ajay asks worried

"Scared she'll get stolen?" Erin teases

"Yes, but also no because I love her so much. Also, Also...she likes her privacy so I will not be putting her in a bad spot just to brag." I reply

"That's more maturity than I thought you were capable of." Erin said, then she looked at me, "Oh my god she doesn't exist." Erin added

I groan before looking at my phone to see a text from my lovely "non-existent girlfriend" She was at a photo shoot and the text said, "I will be ready in 45 minutes." I sent a thumbs up back and a "I'll be there in 50 minutes."

"So what was it you all needed help with you only really call me when ya'll need my help."

"Well we have this friend who we've been playing against she is a bant player she has a Shanna Purifying blade deck, that she keeps beating us with. You play Bant so we wanted your help." Connor asked.

I shrugged. "Sorry, I have no experience with Shanna." I knew who they were talking about but again because I knew who they were talking about I wasn't going to help them trample her fun. So I decided to tell the truth that "I" had no experience with the deck.

"Who did we know that plays a Shanna deck?" I ask feigning ignorance

"Oh, she is someone out here we play with when we aren't playing with you," Connor says

"Oh, you're having games without me. how scandalous." I tease

"You're enjoying this?" Erin asks

"Yeah, a little bit. I am glad I am not the only one giving y'all trouble." I got up and began pacing the apartment.

"Wait why aren't you asking who it is? You're a Bant Player." Connor noticed.

"No, I am and always will be a Sultai player first and foremost. Mostly with a Green lean." I correct. "Regardless I hope you figure out whatever you need to beat her," I say casually. after that, I got up and was about to say something when the wind held a faint chill. It was familiar, and before I knew it I was back in a familiar place.

"Hello, Son," Izanami said.

I turned from the way I was facing and said, "Hey Mom. What's up?"

"I don't want you to worry but something is coming for you," Izanami said

"What is it?" I ask

"Remember when I told you that when you drink from the Yomi pool you'd always have a foot in the beyond and one in the known?"

"Yes," I groan.

"Well, your actions and pursuit of balance have garnered the attention of beings more ancient than I," Izanami said

"Like what," I ask skeptically

"I think it's better if you see for yourself," Izanami said before whisking me away to another space.

My eyes opened to be surrounded by more darkness, and from that darkness, two eyes sprang out. Followed by significantly more ( I counted 18). the eyes glowed a similar color to mine when I used my Psionic powers. the eyes flickered brighter. I took a step and felt the floor beneath me sink...no give the floor had a formlessness to it that seemed to be accommodating to the beast. or maybe this was all my mind could process at the moment.

"you are an interesting young one. Raised in the Drought of growth, trained by Wisdom's shadow, and favored by Death unending. A contradiction to most. Yet you persist. Why." The beast asked

"because I have no other choice," I responded

The eyes laugh as they eyes close I gain a peer into the rest of the beast. it is immense. it seemed to be a creature with antlers but I saw numerous figures and faces including but not limited to; an anaconda, a bison, a crocodile, an elephant, a kangaroo, a shark, a turtle, and a Brachisaurus. it was hard to tell what all the faces and body pieces were exactly as it covered itself in shadow, and the little light its eyes gave made something visible. The other notable feature was the coral that seemed to align its spine

"The fight for ultimate survival is always an interesting plight you humans cling to." The creature said "It makes your tales so much more intriguing especially those of you that rise beyond what we believe you to be capable of, but alas there is an interloper in your mist. She bares a face you may recognize. she has abandoned her post as a watcher like me, and so I must intervene, but I need an arbiter as I can not intervene directly less I abandon my role and fall to similar ranks as her. So I reach out to the one bearing my will." The creature explains

"That was cryptic and confusing," I reply

"Oh sorry, I forget humans' minds are often feeble." The beast responds

"It's not that you didn't say anything clearly. I get you want me to do something what is it?" I ask

"I am a species that exists beyond the stars, and I am in pursuit of another of my kind who has abandoned her post. She has taken up the role of instigator. She has chosen to guide humans as opposed to the rest of my species who merely watch." The creature said

"Why me though?" I asked

"Because you understand my will, and desires for the world." The beast said

"But wouldn't this be interloping?" I ask the beast.

"No, it is a restoration."

"Okay," I say The beast's tone was interesting and could be best described as one voice scattered among many mouths. so there was always this weird echo. "So what do I get out of this ?" I ask

"I should have figured your ravenous nature would take precedence." The beast laughs

"I'd like your help with that?" I ask

"Oh, really why?" the beast questions confused

"I know my hunger is self-destructive. it drives me to want it all, but never know what "it" even is. It has led me to pursue more power than I would ever need, and yet I crave more. It has alienated me from loved ones because I am in a constant of wanting something from them whether that hunger is validation from people who will never give me it, or solace that they would rather die than relent. I want this feeling of discomfort that has pushed me to consume and I want it gone. I want contentment. I want that feeling of Hunger that ravenous desire to be used for something other than wanton destruction I want it to be constructive or at least the path to it. If you can't get rid of it." I say

"But why? Your hunger is constructive. From what I have seen hunger is a tool to destroy the imperfect present by consuming it bit by bit and making tomorrow better. Look at all of those you have helped by eating away at the dead and decaying." The beast said

As the creature spoke images flashed into my mind of how my desires have helped others.

"So the way I see it, you are where you want to be, and I think you could be doing more. So my trade for you is simple. I will make you more ravenous and your strength will become equal to your rate of esurience. for each meal you complete you will grow in proportion to that meal so you may never be content nor satiated." The beast said.

"That is not helpful at all but I'll make it work I guess. So what am I up against?" I say

"You will know." the beast said cryptically. and a haze of teal surrounded me.

"One last question. What are you what is your name?" I ask

"I have had many names but the one I prefer is Wendigo." The beast says

I blink several times, then reply "Um you know what that means or is right?"

"Yes I am aware of how humans perceive me, but I would like to ask one thing. When you are chasing your appetites do you lack vision, do you lack purpose?" The beast replies

"No, I suppose not, but there is always that emptiness after I indulge," I answer blankly, as I do I sit down in the shapeless and formless void

"and so how do you remedy that?" The beast asks

"By finding a new appetite, but what good is that if I am always chasing?" I answer dejected

"it's simple. those who always chase have a goal. it's those who chase mindlessly and not out of a need that has twisted my visage and image. Consider this human if I was truly such a terrible beast why haven't I consumed you whole and made you my vessel? Why go through the process of partnering with you?" The beast asks

"It makes hunting your next target easier. " I guess

"Yes, and why make my Chase harder fighting you when I can grant you the strength to accomplish what those others could not?" The beast asks

I scratched my head taken aback by that. "Growth and Hunger are always tied and when you separate them madness ensues." I realized something about the beast and as I did the world shifted.

"Wake up TJ. Wake up." I heard voices around me say as I opened. I sat up and the first thing besides a profound desire to play some commander and kiss Mina was an intense hunger and pain. I got up and looked around for anything to eat. the pain was so intense that I actually couldn't hear anything anyone was saying to me. I took out my phone.

"Is there anything to eat near here that's like high in calories?" I ask my friends as I look on my phone for food places.

"Um yeah but we need to talk(they say more words but my brain stopped reporting them to my consciousness)..."

"Where ooh steak house that should work," I say salivating excessively like I am going to vomit. it was weirdly soothing. While I was getting a reservation I got a call from Mina

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