#fantasy realm au | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sentientcave · 29 days

Text

Heavy Weighs the Crown

Had to stop working on everything else and write a whole bunch of this instead. Usually I like to finish things that I think might be on the longer side before I start posting, but we're gonna live on the edge with this one. Expect updates in 1-2 Bearimys.

Chapter One - Sweetpea

Next Chapter >

Contains: Generic fantasy setting, Princess Reader, Large men picking up reader like a football, No Y/N, A spot of magic, Some exposition, Reader's dad (deceased) was a real piece of work, Reader descriptions kept as neutral as possible but keep in mind that she is a character to me and does have a specific appearance so things might slip through. This is just me having a bit of fun with a fantasy setting because it is my favourite type.

~3.4k Words - MDNI

Sunlight streams down through the light scattering of clouds above, as you carry your nearly empty basket into town to buy a few things for your auntie Kate. She’s not truly your aunt, but over the past few years it’s hard to think of her as anything less than family. She’s not warm, exactly, but she’s honest, and you know that you can trust her with anything.

Kate would usually be at your side when you go into town, watching the crowd with hawkish intensity, as though she still expects agents of the new king to materialize and snatch you away, but she’s away on business, and her wife much less paranoid. You expect that anyone who was ever looking for you has given up on you now. After the civil war, there was a time of instability, and you laid awake many nights, half expecting armed men to break into your bedroom and snatch you away, but everything is smoothed over now, and there’s no reason why Price would feel like he needed you to cement his rule.

You’re happy to just let him have the kingdom. You have more freedom as an ordinary girl, and you’re happier now than you ever have been. You were miserable living in your father’s halls, just a spindly little flower growing without enough sun or rain. And your people are happy now too. It twists your stomach something fierce, to think that your father was never a good king, but the reality is that he wasn’t. People starved while he feasted behind his walls. He sent good men to wage war on his behalf, to die in far off lands when they should have been home building better lives for themselves and their families. He allowed his chosen men to terrorize the women and children and old men living in the towns still. Things had been bad.

So yes, let Price have the crown, and the castle, and the responsibility and anything he likes. What difference does it make to you now?

What matters now is the sun on your face, and the gentle sound of birdsong around you, and the dull bite of the occasional stone through the soft leather soles of your shoes. The air smells sweet and green, although there’s a slight prickle at the back of your nose that tells you that there will be rain tonight, or tomorrow morning at the latest. There’s nothing to worry about aside from whether or not the children in town will like the end of the book you have tucked into your basket.

You see a young man sleeping by the side of the road on your way into town, his horse tied to a long halter while he lounges beneath a tree. As you pass by, a bird flying too close startles the horse, and it pulls up the peg it’s tied to, and bolts. The young man doesn’t stir, so you dash after the horse without a thought, dropping your basket so you have both hands free to seize the halter.

You try to dig in your heels to stop the big, white-stockinged horse, but it half-drags you a little ways down the road before finally stopping, swinging it’s head around to look at you as though you’ve personally offended it. “Come on,” you tell it, exasperated. “You don’t belong out here.”

Arms wrap around you from behind, hands much larger than yours close over your wrists. “You’re awfully pretty for a horse thief,” a voice says in your ear.

“I’m not a horse thief!” you protest. “I was trying to help!” The horse snorts, as though it intends to tattle on you for something that you most certainly were not doing.

“And you didn’t think to wake me up?” The man behind you lets go of one of your wrists and spins you around, the movement smooth and graceful, like you’re two dancers at a ball, rather than two strangers meeting along a country road. But when you look up, you find the all too familiar face of one of Price’s knights.

“Sir Garrick!” you gasp.

“Princess,” he says, smiling. He’s far too handsome, his smile bright, teeth a little bit too sharp. “How very nice to see you. I thought for sure you’d have left the kingdom by now.”

“No! Oh no.” You push against his chest uselessly. He’s strong, so much stronger than you. Despair claws at your ribs. Your nightmare-come-true may be wrapped in a pretty, familiar face, but you have no desire to return to the capital. “Please let me go. I promise I don’t want the kingdom. Price can have it— You can have it. I just want to be left alone, I swear, I’ll never—”

“Hush, sweetpea.” He tucks a few of your thin braids behind your ear, fingertips grazing down your neck. “I have to bring you in. But you can make your case to Price. Maybe he’ll let you come back, alright? Don’t fret. He’s always been reasonable.”

You’re not certain how to get out of this. Sir Garrick has kind eyes, but his grip is like steel. He lifts you up easily and sets you on his horse before you so much as think of protesting or making a feeble attempt to fight him off.

“We’re not far from the capital. We can make it there before dark,” he continues, voice low and reassuring, as though you’re worried about the travel, and not the destination.

“But— What about my aunt? I should let her know where I’ve gone.”

“We’ll send word. Don’t you worry, your majesty.”

“No, no, don’t call me that. That’s for kings and queens, and I’m neither.” I’m no one, you want to shout.

He's amused by that, amused by you, as if you're just being a silly little girl. "I suppose we'll settle on sweetpea for now." He holds his palm out and three little white birds materialize and fly off in different directions, spectral and iridescent as soap bubbles. And then he swings into the seat behind you and pulls you most of the way into his lap, wraps strong arms around your waist, and nudges his mount into a walk.

“So,” Sir Garrick says conversationally, his voice low, lips far too close to your ear. It’s overly familiar, but you’re already practically sitting in the man’s lap. “What have you been doing out here all these years?”

“Um. Gardening. Embroidery. Taking care of my chickens. Lessons, for some of the children that live nearby. Just letters and arithmetic. I’ve been thinking about organizing a proper schoolhouse.” You can feel your nerves bubbling up as you babble, thoughts coming to you disorganized and stilted. “I never realized how few people can read. It seems a shame. I do a few hours of reading around town, help out at the church. I keep busy. I haven’t any real purpose, so I have to go out of my way to make one.” You sigh, thinking of how you had left things at a particularly gripping point in a story you’d been reading to the town children. They’ll be disappointed if they never hear the end of it, but you still have hope that Price will decide you’ve become something of a country bumpkin with no place in the court, and let you go back home soon. “How have you fared? Is your family well?”

“Quite well. My sisters will be glad to see you again. They always thought you were sweet. Rosie’s opened her own dress shop in the city, and Camellia has five children now. I think Kylie and Jorah were just two or three last you saw them. My mother lives with Cam to help out.” Sir Garrick’s mother and sister used to work at the palace, and he had been apprenticed to the court wizard before he specialized in battle magic and became a knight. You hadn’t been friends, exactly— You’re not sure you ever really had friends— but he’d always been nice enough, when your paths crossed.

“And what of you?” you prompt gently. “Have you found yourself a wife?”

He laughs lightly. “I’m working on it. I’ve a girl in mind, but I think she’ll take some convincing.”

“Oh I doubt that, Sir. You’re perfectly unobjectionable.”

“High praise indeed, princess.”

The two of you chat idly as you travel, mostly about nothing, but it’s pleasant enough. Sir Garrick— Kyle, he insists you call him— is far more charming than you remember, and he makes you laugh so much that you’re certain that you’d simply fall right off the horse if he wasn’t holding onto you so securely. He’s the very picture of a romantic hero, all chivalry and smiles, handsome in the dappled light under the canopy of trees as the road carries you from farmland to forest. You come to a bridge, and he dismounts so his horse can drink, and lifts you down so you can stretch out stiff muscles. His touch lingers, strong hands resting on your hips for a few beats longer than would be appropriate, but you don’t really mind.

You part from his company so you can relieve yourself a little ways into the trees, glad he’s not concerned about you making a run for it. His assurances that Price can be reasoned into letting you go home once you’ve spoken to him is enough to make you cooperative. You’re certain that he’ll take one look at you now and send you right back home. You’ve never had any luck with the young men in town, and if that’s any indication, you’ll be back to your little bedroom in Kate’s house before the week is up.

You fix your clothes and walk back to the road, humming lightly under your breath. Kyle is speaking to a flat glowing disc that hums with energy, floating above his palm. He gives you a smile and a nod and retreats to the tree line while he finishes his conversation. You catch a glimpse of a face on the disc as he turns, searing blue eyes meeting yours for a moment. Price, certainly. You recognize those eyes.

Kyle’s gaze slips over to you again as you kneel by the creek, one arm keeping your skirt out of the water while you trail the other hand through the water idly, the cool stream a pleasant offset to the heat of the afternoon. If you were alone, you would consider stripping down and going for a swim, but as nice as Kyle is, he’s still a man, and not one you know particularly well anymore, if you ever did.

When you look over again, he’s tucking the crystal disc into the front of his tunic, and a wolf is behind him, stalking out of the woods, low to the ground and ready to pounce. “Kyle!” you shout, pointing behind him. He turns quickly, a spell glittering on his fingertips, but the wolf pounces before he can cast it, both crashing into the packed earth along the side of the road.

You rush over, although halfway there you wonder what help you expect to be, and an arm snatches you around the middle, hauling you back. You’re beginning to get a bit annoyed at how much you’ve been manhandled today, and you start kicking as you’re lifted off your feet. “Let me go!”

“Easy, sweet girl. Let the lads say hello,” a deep voice says behind you, the sound rumbling through you like a cat’s purr. “No danger ‘ere.”

You look at Kyle and the wolf again. Only there isn’t a wolf anymore, just a large, naked man laying on top of Kyle, kissing him ardently and more than a little messily. The sound of it makes your cheeks burn. “Oh.”

The man who was a wolf stands up, and you look away, too flustered by the sight of so much bare skin to do anything else. The big man puts you down and turns you to face him, putting your back to the werewolf. “Johnny, put some clothes on before you say ‘ello. We know you were raised by savages, but you don’t need to act like it,” he says firmly, his heavy hands on your shoulders.

You stare at the skull embroidered on the black tunic in front of you, recognizing the emblem, and then the black fencers mask tied around the man’s face, obscuring even the shape of his features. You see a glint of light when he drops his chin to look at you though, gleaming eyes that look at you inscrutably. You know him, by name and reputation and deep, rumbling voice, if not by his face. No one knows him by his face, but he was as highly ranked a knight as Price was, one of your father’s personal guard before the war. Often tasked as your guardian, a solemn but comforting presence always. “Hello, Ghost,” you say, cheeks burning all the hotter. “Been a while.”

“Not as long as you might think,” he says. You can almost hear the smile in his voice. “Been keepin’ an eye on you.”

“What do you mean?” you ask. “For how long?”

“Knew where you were this whole time. Wun’t about to let you disappear, princess.” He tucks you against his side, keeping an arm around your shoulders protectively. “Johnny. Come meet our girl. Best behaviour.”

Johnny the werewolf grins at you as he walks up, still adjusting the drape of the tartan fabric around his hips, broad chest bare and dusted with hair, swirling blue tattoos printed on his scarred skin. His hair is shaved on the sides, a stripe of it left long in the center. “Nice ta finally meet ya, princess. Officially, anyway. We’ve bumped intae each other once or twice, but I was told no’ ta approach unless ye approached first, aye? Shame ye never did.” His smile is crooked, his too-bright blue eyes intent on yours. “Think we’ll get along.”

“The whole time?” you ask, skipping back a few paces in the conversation, glancing up at Ghost. “But Kyle said—”

“Sorry, sweetpea,” Kyle says airily. “I lied.”

“Typical tricksy wizard shite. But dinnae ye worry none, we’ll keep him honest for ye.” Johnny grabs your hand and presses a kiss to your knuckles, and then to the inside of your palm. His rough fingertips push your sleeve back, and he kisses the inside of your wrist too. When you squeak, he gives you a heated look and does it again, teeth grazing sensitive skin as he opens his mouth and licks a stripe across your pulse.

You’re warm from the tips of your ears to your chest, your breath catching on ragged nerves. You tug your hand out of his grip and cradle it with your other, like you’ve been burned by his brash touch.

“Johnny,” Ghost says, exasperated. “S’that what you call best behaviour?”

“She likes it, sir.”

“I most certainly do not!” you protest.

“Oh, aye ye do. Werewolf, ye ken. Can smell ye.” Johnny taps the side of his nose and winks at you. “Ye dinnae need ta be embarrassed, sweetpea. Ye can hardly blame yerself, faced with all this.” He gestures to his admittedly impressive physique, the broad and lean shape of near-perfect manhood on immodest display.

“Let’s move.” Kyle’s hand brushes your elbow. “You can ride with me again.”

Ghost shakes his head and turns, pulling you with him. “No. Come meet Nox.” He whistles, and a huge black shape hurtles down from the sky, glossy black wings snapping open just before the creature hit the ground, flapping a few times so that it lands lightly on four mismatched limbs, stirring up dust leaves. You shrink back against Ghost’s side, eyes wide. A gryphon.

The massive beast has a raven’s head and wings, and shiny black fur on it’s haunches. The catlike tail, with it’s tuft of feathers at the end, twitches back and forth as the bird head tilts to regard you, dark, slit-pupil eyes watching you with interest.

You look up at Ghost for reassurance, and he nods. “Go on. Offer ‘er your ‘and. She won’t bite. Hey, girl?” he scratches the gryphon behind the ear, and it opens it’s mouth to make a vibrating, keening sound that makes Kyle’s horse snort nervously. “That’s right, sweetpea’s a friend.”

You offer your outstretched hand to the giant creature, bolstered by Ghost’s calm, and it sticks it’s beak under your palm, making the same keening sound again. The last of your apprehension melts away, and you step closer, smiling. “Aren’t you a pretty girl?” You scratch the spot where her beak meets her feathers, and her eyes close for a moment.

Johnny reaches for the Nox’s side, and she whips her head around and hisses at him, her throat feathers fluffing up defensively. “Och, yer no’ goan ta git my fingers, ye wee beastie. Thought ye was gettin’ soft.”

“Away, Johnny. Let the girls get to know each other.” Ghost stands behind you and guides your hands to points just behind Nox’s jaw. The gryphon croaks and leans her head on your shoulder, nudging Ghost with her beak.

“Not so scary,” you coo, pressing your face into the soft cloud of feathers. “What a sweet girl.”

“How about it, Nox? Can she ‘op up?” Ghost asks. The gryphon croaks again and backs away enough to lean her front half down. Ghost picks you up and sets you on her back, on a flat saddle that sits right behind the joint of her massive wings, which fold up over your legs like she’s holding you steady. He pats Nox on the neck and starts walking, and she follows, padding beside him, sticking her beak between the joints of his leather armor playfully whenever he takes his hand off her.

You grab the edge of the saddle, mindful of Nox’s feathers, and it takes a moment to adjust to her movement. It’s not the side to side sway of a horse, but she’s steady, like she’s trying her best not to spill an inexperienced rider. Thoughtful of her.

Behind you, Kyle scrambles up onto his horse, and Johnny hustles to catch up, positioning himself on Ghost’s other side, giving Nox a wider berth.

“Thought we weren’t supposed ta tell her we were watchin’,” Johnny said. “Price said—”

“She ought to know. I wun’t too ‘appy about it in the first place, but a deal’s a deal.”

“A deal with who?” you ask.

“I’ll let Price tell you that much, sweetpea. But if it were up to me I’d’ve dragged you back home years ago.”

You shake your head tiredly. “Home is where I was. And I’m going back as soon as this business with Price is done. I don’t know what he wants, but I’m sure we can work something out. Kyle said he’s reasonable.”

“Oh, did ‘e?” Ghost asks, amusement colouring his deep voice. “S’pose that’s ‘ow ‘e had you comin’ along purrin’ like a kitten, hm?”

The blood drains from your face as you turn to look at Kyle, but he doesn’t look guilty, or like he’d been lying to you. “Well, again, I’m perfectly happy to cooperate. There’s no reason why he wouldn’t let me go when he gets what he wants, is there?”

Johnny chuckles, exchanging a look with Ghost that’s inscrutable. “Aye, ye’ve got a point. I’m sure ye’ll have no trouble dealin’ with the old man. Born diplomat, aren’t ye?”

Your stomach twists with nerves. It’s been many years since you’ve seen John Price. You don’t know him as well as you know Ghost. You’d always found the big, faceless man strangely comforting, easy to talk at, if not to, especially when you were still young and silly. But John Price, when he fixed you with those fathomless dark blue eyes, had always rendered you speechless, turned your usually clever tongue to lead. He was a knight captain then, a natural leader of men, a hero. Not someone that your father wanted you to get close to. It’s easy for you to see why now, with your father dead in the ground and Price wearing the crown, but you were glad for any excuse to stay away.

You wish you could ask Nox to fly away with you on her back, maybe home, but maybe somewhere else entirely, where no one knows you, where you can start again without the weight of the crown hanging heavy over your head, an executioner’s ax waiting to fall.

***

Image credits: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

#Fantasy AU #cod mw fanfiction #x reader #x fem Reader #141 x reader #Heavy Weighs the Crown #Cave Writing #This is mostly gonna be fun and light-hearted I just really enjoy fantasy and I've been watching a lot of DnD content lately #“He's always been reasonable” Kyle lies thinking fondly of his boss - the least reasonable man in the realm #Let me know if you need any content warnings in here but I feel this one's pretty light

148 notes · View notes

fantasy-au-askblog · 1 year

Text

Isaac Beamer and the Realm of Fantasy

IBVS by onebizarrekai

Chapter 5 - Escape (Part 1)

It had only felt like a few minutes when the young thief had laid his head to sleep on the makeshift bed below him, when he was soon back up on his feet in no time. He sat up with a fright, looking amongst his friend, the prince and the lord to see that their faces where equally as startled as his.

Being cooped up in the kitchen area certainly did not silence the booming fist banging on the main door.

Chris certainly felt paranoid. “That’s definitely the debt collectors-“ He said, biting his nails.

“No way. I wouldn’t have guessed that.” Isaac responds sarcastically. Not like Nevin had constantly been badgering them about it all week. “Least we can leave today though.” He mutters excitedly.

This village had gotten stale extremely fast. The initial enthusiasm Isaac had for being here quickly evaporated upon learning about debt, and the corrupt cycle it operated in.

Hearing a few clicks to his left he spotted the Prince who was stretching the morning drowsiness out of him. “Just have to find a carriage and a map and we’ll be on our merry way.” He adds groggily.

Unlike everyone else who remained on the floor, Barry was already packing away the items used for his makeshift bed. Deciding that he should perhaps answer the door for the twins.

Barely making his way into the living room, Nevin came flying down the stairs, hair tangled and uncared for…yet he was dressed as though he had been up for hours.

“Oh Nevin, good morning-“

“Not a word is to be spoken until they leave.” Nevin swiftly interrupted shooting over his signature harsh glare. Though he needn’t maintain the stare for long, Barry simply nods his head in acknowledgement and retreats back to the kitchen once more.

“Drew don’t come down here until they’re gone.” He called upstairs after hearing motion from the other’s room.

Who then left his room. “…Can’t I hide in the kitchen with the others?” He complains sleepily as he rubs his eye. “Might ask Barry to help me with breakfast for when they’re gone.” He makes his way down the stairs, blatantly ignoring Nevin’s previous comment.

“Fine you can.” Nevin quickly pushed Drew along the hallway and into the kitchen. “Make breakfast and whatever else you need to do, just don’t leave this room until they’re gone.” His eyes dart across everyone’s faces. A silent demand for the other’s to keep Drew in here.

Chris gave a shaky nod of his head. “Uh…don’t worry Nevin, we won’t.” He reassures.

Nevin stared down at everyone once more before he shut the door behind him softly.

Taking a moment to collect himself as he ran a shaky hand through his knotty, tangled and neglected hair. Hastily recalling every odd location he had hid his precious gold. All of it was in the main front-room for easy access when the devil arrived.

Collecting it all quickly he flung open the door. The gold in his arms twinkling brightly with the rising sun.

Seeing both the Madame and her two minions standing there with smirks on their faces. Wearing nothing but the finest, shiniest silks and the most expensive jewels that gold could buy. Watching as she swept her golden blonde hair from her face.

“Good morning Nightmare boy.” She greets with a sickly sweet smile on her face.

“Morning.” Nevin said simply, wanting to rush the interaction. “I’ve got your gold.”

“Oh splendid!” The Madame smiled gleefully. “Well you know the drill, please pour the contents of the gold into your debt bag.” One of her minions brought forward a tan sack.

Nevin begins to pour the gold into the bottomless pit of the sack. Grimacing slightly at the gold that already piled up earlier that morning. It only making him angrier at how much this women already had…

Once he had finished pouring, the goon holding the sack lifted it into the air. Bobbing his arm up and down before shaking his head disappointingly.

“Oh dear. Has something gone wrong?” She turns to the sack of gold. “Not enough?” She questions.

“It’s too light.” He responded dismissively. “Usually heavier by now.”

“How much lighter does it feel?” The Madame inquires. Nevin panicking slightly at the sound of offence in the Madame’s voice.

He knows he had enough gold.

“25 gold lighter.”

Suddenly three beady eyes bore into him.

“…seriously?” Nevin felt his mouth begin to go dry. “…I mean how can you even tell? I-I- counted it yesterday it was all there.” He takes a step backwards, blocking the door.

Just as the high-pitched shriek of laughter ran in his ears. “Oh Nevin, dear, we are professionals at this.” Her hand raises ever so slightly. “We know when someone’s missing gold.”

And just like that, one simple snap, spelt doom for the Jovel twins residence.

Before Nevin could even react the two minions had tossed the sack of gold to the side, its contents spilling out like mere waste. As they grab hold of his arms and simply chucks him to the side, his face planting the ground right next to the discarded gold. Soon springing back up to follow after the trio who broke into his home.

“You can’t just do this!” he protests.

“I still own this property.” The Madame simply spoke. Her loyal duo soon approaching the kitchen door. Soon feeling alarm at the sudden whiplash of wind, and the cool morning air greeting her once more. But what alarms her even more then that.

Was the tiny, supposedly weak Nevin Jovel. Who picked up her goons with relative ease and threw them outside next to her. Having to dodge the two and grimacing in disgust at the mud that had destroyed her favourite dress. “Oh we can wait Nevin! We can wait!” She taunts.

With Nevin slamming the door shut behind him, grabbing the closest pieces of furniture and stacking it in front of the door. On high alert at the slight noise of the kitchen door creaking open.

Chris face soon appearing in the narrow door crack “…That didn’t sound very good.”

“It didn’t.” Nevin responds dismissively. “…In fact, we need to go.” He peers outside through a singular window. Cringing at the sight of the Madame and her goons picking up the spilt gold…hoping that would buy them some time.

Chris nods as he turns to the others. “Uh Nevin says we need to go.” He opens the door up wider.

“Now he says that.” Drew sighs annoyed. “Right I’ll go grab my things.” He casually walks up the stairs.

“Bit more haste would be lovely ya know!” Nevin shouts up the stairs. Feeling the irritation from Drew…who proceeded to stamp his feet going across the banister, meaning Nevin rolls his eyes in response.

Isaac emerging from the kitchen, proceeded to throw his makeshift supplies onto the seating arrangement in the living room. “It’s about time we all left.”

“Why what’s happening?” Ed peeks outside to look at the sorry display of gold collecting. “Oh. Do those guys work for that Madame?” He guesses having only met the Madame.

“I believe they do your highness.” Barry responds before taking Ed away from the window. As Nevin obviously wants to keep an eye and didn’t need Ed’s tall frame blocking his view.

“Yeah…seems they all work together.” Chris adds (despite what he said being quite obvious). “…Wonder if they purposefully get people into debt.” He ponders briefly.

“If they do that’s just scummy.” Ed abruptly adds. “And someone should put them in their place.” He said, rather sinisterly.

Isaac rolls his eyes. “Yep. Wonder if anyone’s tried that before.” Soon fastening his miniature cloak and putting the hood over his face. “But nonetheless my point still stands, we should go.” He grabs hold of Chris hand.

“Wait-“

Isaac was surprised by how quickly Chris’ hand left his. “We can’t just leave them to sort out this mess.” His eyes dart over to Nevin, who he was feeling immense guilt over. “We contributed to their mess!”

Isaac’s face was the perfect illustration of confusion and disgust. “…So? Doesn’t mean they weren’t in debt in the first place.” He wasn’t going to be fully blamed for something he hadn’t fully caused. “Plus ‘we earned our keep’.” He air-quotes.

“Isaac sometimes you are just impossible.” Chris huffs before Isaac grabs him by the collar and brought them face-to-face.

Purple crept subtly into Isaac’s eyes. Pooling around his pupils the purple slowly mixed in with his hazel coloured eyes. “…And let’s not forget who did the impossible in order to get you out of that place.”

Averting their eyes meeting, Chris subtly nods his head in recognition. “…Then do the impossible again and help them out?” He pleads.

Isaac takes a deep breath…surprisingly hesitating as he hears Drew making his descent down the stairs. “…Fine.” He whispers. “If the King and his Lord or whatever get involved, I will too.”

Chris’ smile grew within seconds. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” Isaac releases his collar as he turns to the main door. Watching a pitiful attempt of opening a door with Drew trying to pry Nevin away from the door. Another bickering match emerging.

“Nevin just open the door!”

“Are you insane?! They’ll beat the shit out of us!”

“No they won’t I have a plan-“

“And let me guess that plan is to blow up the basement!”

“Oh for goodness sake Nev! That was one time!” Drew tugs at Nevin’s arm in a fierce attempt to get him to move out of the way. “Just trust me!”

“Nope! Wha- Edward?!” Nevin shouts in alarm as the young Prince picked him up with ease. “HEY!” he defiantly punches his shoulder while making sure to not hit him too hard…despite how his necklace flickers.

“Look if Drew’s plan fails, I’ll be the second plan.” Edward places Nevin down next to Barry. A subtle communication between the two to keep Nevin in place. “Drew go on ahead.”

A quick nod came from the other as he swings the door open. The debt collectors having just finished picking up all their gold coins and recomposing themselves.

Drew quickly blocks the doorway. “Madame Felicia, may I perhaps bargain a way for us to avoid paying the remaining amount of debt for this week?”

Fear spikes in Nevin’s chest, looking on in horror as he knows how easy it would be for Drew to get himself in even more trouble with just that sentence alone. The Madame could manipulate those words in whichever way she wanted. If she said no or yes…she’d find a way to try and separate him and Drew.

And by God.

If that did indeed happen, Nevin was unsure if he would be able to prevent the earth’s evils from taking over his body. Just like it had done previously.

The Madame simply laughs. “Oh my dear heavens no. Why on earth would you even attempt to propose such a question to me?”

“Thought you wanted me to come over and fix your furnace?” Drew could only smile when her demeanour falters slightly. “And for a price of…oh what was it, 25 gold?” He adds.

“My, my you sure do pay attention to my requests don’t you?” She said with the fakest smile she had pulled yet. Reaching forward and squishing his cheek. “Well I suppose you can do that for me, long as you complete it within an hour.”

Always had to be a little challenge.

One which made Drew nervous. “I can’t fix it in that time, it depends on what’s wrong with it.”

“With talk like that you’ll have to be done in 15 minutes.” The Madame laughs. “Actually…that’s not a bad challenge now is it?” Her eyes linger on Nevin.

Ed soon steps in. “Look Miss. Can’t I just give you the 25 gold once I return home? These two will be travelling with us as some kind of guide until I return to my kingdom.” His voice soon began drifting as he became distracted by a piece of paper being presented to him. “…And this is?”

“I thought you’d try something like this.” The Madame said doting on the Young Prince. “So it’s only right of me to inform you that your kingdom’s gone.”

“…I beg your pardon?” Ed glances at the paper his eyes widening at the signature at the bottom. “Oh c’mon, you expect me to believe this?” He laughs as he looks over at Barry. “Felix can’t have destroyed our home, he can hardly hit a stationary dummy!” He proceeds to chuckle, expecting Barry to at least snicker.

Yet he was stiff. Eyes to the ground as he spoke “…I’m not convinced either that Felix has done this. But your kingdom has been destroyed to some degree.”

“…You’re joking…aren’t you?” He searches desperately for Barry to assure him that it wasn’t true. Yet the silence spoke volumes. “…No. No, no, no, no this simply can’t be!” He exclaims. “What about the knights, my farther? What about Geno?!”

“…I’m unsure of their fate.” Barry replies. “Last I saw was Cody and Geno.”

“Why didn’t we stick with them?!” Ed couldn’t believe what he was being told. “…Why can’t I remember this.”

Barry kept his eyes to the ground. “…I’ll tell you once this situation is neutralized and we’re not having conversations within earshot of the enemy. I swear on it.” He places a hand to his heart.

“Alright.” Ed recognises the sincerity of the action. “And what does this have to do with you?”

“Can’t be threatened by someone who’s allegedly dead.” The Madame swiftly answers. “Plus, I’m under the protection of King Felix anything happens to me here it may spark something. Wouldn’t want to destroy your kingdom more now, would you?”

“No.” Ed responds bitterly. Turning away and returning to Barry’s side…knowing his strategy of using his title as a threat hadn’t worked. Resulting in the group either having to make a new plan on the spot…or go back with Drew’s.

Which wouldn’t be great. Drew was immensely unsure of how to repair a furnace in 15 minutes, especially as he didn’t know its condition. The nerves starting to appear to get to him as a small flame erupts on his left shoulder, conveniently on his right a hand nestles there briefly.

“Don’t know why you’re getting so worked up about this.” Isaac spoke up, removing his hand just. “It’s 25 gold, got nothing better to do?” He chuckles. “I mean, challenging the most skilled craftsman here is risky.” He gestures to Drew.

“Well he doesn’t seem so confidant does he?” The Madame briefly glances at the anxious boy.

“And neither do you.” He took extra precaution to step on the paper below. “Imagine being threatened by.” He pauses. “Teenagers.” He gasps for dramatic effect and to highlight how absurd this truly was. “Besides, you want that furnace fixed don’t you? So let’s stop putting such a stupid time limit on and just let him do his dam job.”

“But a challenge is so much fun.” The Madame states.

“And so is stealing your riches.” He holds up her earrings. “We all have hobbies.” He pockets them to look at her annoyed face once more. “So, do you agree?”

Snapping her fingers. “I suppose. Now boys bring up the next carriage we have some guests.” She calls to her goons.

“Hm well that wasn’t so bad.” Isaac comments, being thrown off at the sudden hug from Drew.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Drew excitedly said…forgetting the flame on his shoulder suddenly flares up.

Soon getting a hand shoved in his face as Isaac shoves him off of him. “Personal space please.”

“Oh sugar yeah, sorry.” Drew apologises quickly. “But still thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” Isaac says pulling out the earrings again. “I mean I got these out of it, so all’s good.” He twirls them in his hands, engaging in the casual eye-contact with a rather stunned individual.

Nevin.

Who wasn’t sure if he was thrilled about making his way back to the Madame’s estate..

“…Look let’s just get this over with then.” He shrugs dismissively. “Since, it could turn out to be good and all.” He glances at his necklace. “C’mon Drew.” He tucks the necklace under his shirt as he heads outside.

Followed by a crowd of what felt like spectators. Bracing himself for any further conflicts that would take place within the next hour or two…

The Estate was just as rich and fancy as the Madame presents herself to be. Fancy portraits and décor littered the wall, appearing quite tacky as some items looked expensive but appeared out of place. Especially with the continuous clash of colours. Bright gold was the main overarching theme of the Madame’s hallway. And there was some colours that simply didn’t mesh well with the gold reserved for the richest.

On multiple occasions Chris had to bat at Isaac’s hand to ensure that he didn’t accidentally steal something. Knowing full well the thief would be doing it out of spite, a way to shame the Madame for not understanding the importance of colour coordination. Occasionally keeping an eye on Nevin. Who’s demeanour had definitely become more defensive and quiet. From what he could tell.

When in fact Nevin felt the complete opposite on the inside. Knowing he could easily take down everything that sicko felt proud off. But he shouldn’t. It would just make things worse for him and Drew. Even though the temptation to do so was strong. Very strong…

Whispers for an exchange.

‘Trade your mortal body for my immortal strength, young one. I will ensure your victory’

Being ignorant to these trades was difficult. Especially when it would fix all his problems with the snap of a string. He had to take a shaky breath as he walked alongside Drew. Gripping hold of his arm as he walked just a few steps ahead, his eyes fixate on the women in front of them. The sound of her heels clip clopping along against the glossy floor.

Eventually they came to a door that was hidden by a mellowed out purple curtain. Overall the door looked suspicious. Chains and bolts were scattered across the door, the metal rusty and shrieked loudly when the Madame began pulling the door open.

The group began exchanging suspicious glancing amongst one another.

“Well then Jovel the second.” She addresses Drew. “You may now fix my furnace.” She steps to the side gracefully.

Drew pulled up his gloves. “With no time limit right?” He double checked, not wanting to descend down the stairs without confirming first.

“Well…Every minute after 15 I will take away one gold.”

“That’s not what he asked.” Isaac interrupts with a groan. “I will get everyone to steal everything in here if you don’t play fair.” He threatened with an intense glare.

Causing Chris to drag him away a few feet. “Please ignore him.”

“No don’t!” Ed butted in. “We will fulfil this threat if the rules aren’t properly enforced!” He says determined, as Barry face-palmed next to him.

Madame Felicia simply sighed, her eyes fluttering innocently as she smiled with the casual sickening sweetness everyone had grown use to. “Alright then, I shan’t take away a piece of gold for every minute he’s late. You have my word.”

“Give us something of valuable in exchange for your word.” Isaac continues.

“You already have my earrings!” She exclaims angrily. “…Although why don’t we add an extra trade on top?” She hums. “If I break this time limit you get to keep my earrings. But If I don’t, may I have them back and something more?”

The groups face instantly fell, unamused.

“What something more would you want.” Barry questioned. “We don’t have that much of value overall do we?” He glances amongst the others.

The Madame’s smile only widened. “Well one of you have something that I’ve wanted forever, well…since he moved here.” She snaps her fingers the goons both now at her side. “That necklace of yours has always intrigued me.”

Nevin glances down at his necklace. The bright shimmer of candlelight pranced around the circumference of the frame. His look shaken at the mere thought of taking it off, his mind subject to even worse temptation then it already was. Yet his hands stuck stubbornly by his side.

Just in time for the thief to sneak up behind him and pluck the necklace from his neck. “This ol’ thing?” Isaac muses while dropping it on a nearby table with the earrings. “Fine by all of us.”

Nevin’s eyes instantly flicker to the necklace, watching as it flashes light like a heartbeat beats. His arm soon grabbing hold of Drew’s as he pulls him into whisper. “I don’t mean to rush you, but please don’t take long. Do a good enough job to get us out of trouble and come straight back.”

“I’ll be fine Nev and I’ll be back soon.” Drew whispered back as he places his goggles over his eyes. “Be back soon.” He gulps upon seeing the seemingly never-ending drop into the abyss. Candlelight being hard to come by…luckily for him…he always was his own candlelight.

And just as fast as Drew had descended into the great unknown…the Madame’s sneer only continued to grow as she checks her pocket watch, counting down the minutes until her plan could be enacted. Though her continuous action did not go unnoticed.

Not like she had made an effort to hide what she was doing. Rubbing her actions in all of their faces, for as many precautions that they had made to prevent her from possibly having the upper hand…they were just teenagers who had no idea how to scam someone.

Therefore once the clock hit the 15 minute mark…the Madame approached the table and took her earrings and necklace.

“Hey! You can’t take that!” Ed instantly shouts approaching with much haste. “He hasn’t come back up yet.” He stares down at her.

The Madame simply refuses to engage in any form of eye contact. Putting her earrings back in their place while ignoring the threats of the thief (who boldly exclaimed that he’d ‘cut her ears off’ if the earrings stayed on for another minute) while she then inspected the necklace.

Unexpectedly she got tackled down to the ground by the very boy who she had humiliated for weeks on end.

Nevin’s two eyes matching the shine of the necklace as his hand reaches for it. “Give it back right now you brat. You don’t know who you’re messing with.” He said in a somewhat low growl as he leaned forward slightly. “And I don’t mean me.”

The Madame buries the necklace inside of her silk gloves, snapping her fingers in order to call over her goons. Who instantly sprung into action, tackling down the two of the stronger looking teens. Initially targeting Edward and Chris, but Barry was quick to draw his tattered weapon out and impale it in the stall keepers shoulder.

Delaying the inevitable by just a few seconds as Barry was instead tackled down, landing with a loud thud. Ed’s face instantly flashing in fury as he wound up his fist and punched the stall owner square in the face.

Loudly complaining. “MY HAND!” Ed shook his hand violently. “IS HIS FACE MADE OF STONE?!”

“Maybe.” The Madame commented shoving Nevin off of her. “His punch most certainly is though.”

Ed hardly had time to react when the stall owner seemingly turned around like an elastic-band and punched him so hard in the face he collided with the other wall. A few paintings rumbling as they fell to the ground from the force.

“My apologies your highness for not informing you sooner.” She said with a snide smirk on her face. “And I must apologise that I won’t be here to enjoy this odd display off me getting my rightful vengeance.” She continues watching as though her other faithful goon had already began rounding up the remaining three.

Chris initial put up a descent enough front. However, soon got overwhelmed when the goon seemingly just knew what to do to completely deplete him off his strength. Isaac was swift enough to avoid the first few rounds of punches…but was holding back for…selfish reasons.

And Nevin.

Feeling a bile like substance brew in his mouth was pretty limited in what he could achieve. Coughing loudly as he attempts to keep himself together. His head spinning, holding a hand to his mouth as he uses the other one to try and land just one blow to the other goon. Yet no match.

“You are not leaving until I get my brother back!” Nevin shouts defiantly as the goon picked him up with ease and began to drag them out of the property. “GIVE MY BROTHER BACK RIGHT NOW!”

Rain had just began to pour as the five had been chucked out into the mud. Nevin getting more and more aggressive, hitting the goon around the head. Once he collided with the ground again the goons had to quickly run inside before Nevin caught up to them and pried his way back inside, like some rat. When the doors finally locked Nevin’s fist instantly banged against the fancy frames in a desperate attempt to get inside.

His breathing becoming ragged. His actions monstrous as the whole building began to shake.

Meanwhile Isaac had given up. Musing a quick “…Welp we tried.” As he stood up dismissively shrugging his shoulders. “Sorry you lost your necklace and your brother Nevin.” He adds, picking up his bag that lay limply in the mud below.

Chris shot Isaac a harsh look. “…Really? That’s all you’ve got to say?” He spoke with such disbelief

“Well…maybe.” Isaac responds as he looks at Nevin. “I mean…he looks like he’s got it. Give it a few hours and that door frame will be off in no time.” He turns on his heel slightly, getting ready to go. “You two ready to head off too?” He soon leans over Barry and Ed.

The two turning to stare at him. “…His highness was just wounded awfully.” Barry responds eventually. “And besides we can’t just leave Drew down there. It would be wrong off us to do so.”

“Would it?” Isaac inquires. “I mean he did just help us and all, nothing much really.” His face soon abruptly collided with the muddy ground.

“Nothing?!” Nevin cackles. “Oh you selfish shit.” His voice seemingly mutates. It becoming slowly but surely more hauntings, words sounding much harsher than they ever have before. “I’m glad all of you are disproving his weak and idiotic philosophy on the nature of his fellow humans, you’re all take you are. You, you’re no better than her!”

Isaac’s eyes flash purple slightly. “So? None of us are actually in your debt.” He continues as he got back up.

Only for Nevin to strike him back down again…looming over him as he sensed an odd feeling nearby. The polar opposite to what emotion was displayed in front of him.

Barry’s face was completely guilt-ridden. Understanding perfectly what Nevin was referring too.

‘I just help people because if I’m ever in trouble, or Nev, or you guys, I would hope that someone would help. That’s all really.’

Drew’s words cycle in his head a few more times as he soon felt a hand on his shoulder. His highness soon stood back up boldly.

“I agree with you there Nevin and completely disagree with you, thief.” He hisses the final word. “…I know I certainly am in debt to that kid. I may not be stood here now if it wasn’t for him and you. Therefore me and Barry are going to help you get him back. You have my word.” He approaches Nevin and pulls at his arm. “So there’s no way we would even entertain the thought of journeying with someone, who leaves someone behind at the slightest inconvenience to their own agenda.”

Ed’s eyes locked with Isaac’s, whose smirk slowly dwindled off of his face. Ed could’ve sworn he saw a bit of purple circling in his eyes…

“Me neither.” Chris suddenly spoke as he joined Ed’s side. “Let’s go get Drew back, repay off our own debts to him.” He said. Expectantly glancing behind him to hopefully see Isaac at his side in agreement.

To do the right thing.

Yet the thief was turned at an angle. Ready to leave. “Then I guess we part ways here.” He spoke not a hint of sadness in his voice.

“Isaac you can’t just go, you, you helped cause this mess. And, and you promised to help them if Barry and Ed tried helping!” Chris argued back.

“I gave it a go.”

“We owe there! I mean Nevin wouldn’t be in this mess if he didn’t have to also pay off your debt-“

“We could’ve left.” Isaac quickly interrupts him. “What where those guys gonna do if we left? Chase us down? Force us to pay money we don’t even have?” He continues quickly before Chris even had a chance to speak. “They’re already too busy trying to keep this cycle going, us fleeing wouldn’t be a problem.”

Thunder rippled above them. Lightning striking the ground just past the silhouette of Isaac.

“You’re the problem Chris.” The rumbling only continued. “…You got homely too fast, ready to settle down with the first people who showed what a reluctance to offer you hospitality?”

“Isaac it’s not that-“

“If you’re happy here with them, I’m happy for you. But I’ve tried my best.” Isaac began walking away and waving too Chris. “If you want to help them feel free too. I ain’t going to restrict your freedom, so goodbye.”

“What is your dam hurry to leave now?! We can spare five minutes to help someone!” Chris shouted to his so-called ‘friend’. The ignorant thief displaying no means of stopping or even hearing him out. “Isaac!”

Chris’ eyes began lingering on the scene…unable to quite believe what he was seeing. This…didn’t seem like the Isaac that he had known inside those walls. Had this brief taste of freedom changed his whole world view already?

Guess he was never one to aid anyone.

All self.

Chris’ thought process was stopped when he first saw Isaac flip his hood up, turn a corner and disappeared. An aching feeling invaded his chest as he felt his hand clamp onto his heart shaped locket. Hurt. That’s all he felt.

“…That’s your friend?” Ed soon spoke up wanting to break the silence. Possibly distract Chris.

“…I suppose he was.” Chris replied bitterly. “Luckily he taught me a thing or two about breaking into places.” He briefly wipes his eyes with his gloved hand.

Nevin glances at all the windows of the manor. The whispers of destruction as loud as ever. “…Thanks for this.” He said uncomfortably, not necessarily because he felt bad for ripping apart a somewhat shallow friendship...but because of his next request. “…but before we get Drew, I need to get my necklace.”

“May I ask why?” Barry said serious as ever. Ready to fulfil the next quest they would undergo.

“It doesn’t matter, just do it in that order.” Nevin instructed dodging the question to the best of his ability. Thankful for the rain that prevented the others from spotting the black goop that began dripping from the corner of his mouth. “…It’ll make things easier.” He adds after seeing the dissatisfied looks of the nobles. Quickly looking over to see if Chris was following.

But the runaway stands at the front of the estate. Holding out just a small amount of hope that Isaac was bluffing as usual. Yet feeling the stares of the others, guessing what they must be thinking off him, he flipped his hood over his head.

“…Farewell Isaac. Don’t get caught.”

#ibvs #ibvs au #Isaac Beamer and the Realm of Fantasy #Isaac Beamer #Edward Quinton #Chris Jackson #Nevin Jovel #Drew Jovel #Barry Price #ibvs oc's #chapter update

20 notes · View notes