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justanotherpersonsuniverse · 4 years

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Paladin Rose (An Other Magic AU Substory written by CartoonAddict564 from the comment section)

Part 1 (Faerie Arc)

(This is a hodgepodge of all of the story comments for the Paladin Rose Substory from the There’s More Magic Out There fic, the commenter gave me permission to post it on tumblr, but please do check the original comments out, there’s a lot of funny shit I left out)

Mr. Lavaillant: Rose, sit down. We have something very important to tell you. Mrs. Lavaillant: You know how we've been patrolling the city with our Detect Magic abilities to find evil monsters? We found one... and you know her. Rose: *pales* Mrs. Lavaillant: It's your classmate Sabrina. We've determined she's actually a fey spirit, brought by evil Sidhe--fairy lords--to replace the real Sabrina. Rose: *slightly relieved that they still don't know about Juleka* Oh! Uh, that sounds bad. Why don't you let me deal with her? *wondering if maybe they can hide her for a few days until her parents move on* Mr. Lavaillant: No, dear. You see, if it were just a matter of catching and killing this changeling, we're sure you could handle it. But this is a much more difficult job. Mrs. Lavaillant: It's not enough to kill the fake Sabrina. We need to rescue the real one. To do that, we'll have to force them to take the false Sabrina back. Rose: Uh... what do you mean? Mr. Lavaillant: Fey are incapable of taking a gift without giving something of equal value in exchange. That's why they leave one of their own behind when they abduct humans; they literally can't take a child without giving up a child of their own in order to make the trade equal. But it works both ways. If we compel them to accept our 'gift' of the changeling Sabrina, the fey will be forced to return the real one to us. Mrs. Lavaillant: There's a fey hill a few miles outside of town. We'll bring the false Sabrina there, summon the Sidhe lords, and fight them with our holy powers until they yield and agree to retake the changeling. Then they will be compelled to recover the human Sabrina from wherever she is and bring her here. Rose: And, um, how are you going to get Sabrina to the hill? Mr. Lavaillant: We talked with Roger Raincomprix--who was so excited that he might be getting his real, genuine daughter back that he almost cried on the phone--and he's going to help us. We gave him a special herb which he'll mix into her food; any fey that eats it will fall asleep for at least twelve hours. We'll just pick her up, meet with a few of our paladin friends, and then all head out to the fey hill. Mrs. Lavaillant: Just think, dear, in only a few hours that evil monster who stole the real Sabrina from us will be banished to the fey world, never again to threaten decent people like us! *beat* Anyways, that's where your father and I are going tonight. We'll see you in the morning. *The Lavaillant parents leave; 30 seconds pass* Rose: (Already putting on her armor and sword, and also calling Juleka on the phone): HEY JULES GET THE GANG TOGETHER WE HAVE TO STOP MY CRAZY PARENTS

---

Juleka: ...so that's what's happening. Luka did a scrying spell and found that Sabrina's already missing from her home, so we need to get to the fairy hill first and stop the paladins. We can meet up with Rose at this rest stop and-- Alya: Um. Do we actually know Rose will help us? Juleka: Of course. She helped us sabotage all those other things her parents did. Alya: Yeah, she helped us with some pranks. That doesn't mean she'll help us fight her parents. I mean, if Chloe wolfs-out and tries to bite them, do you really think Rose will just let it happen? Alix: Alya has a point. Rose was raised her whole life to think Sabrina and the rest of us are evil. She might have been willing to rebel when the stakes were low, but actually fighting for 'evil' in front of her parents and everyone? Publicly betraying them? I don't know if she'll do that. For all we know this whole thing is a set up from her parents. Maybe they got her to lure us out of town, away from anyone they don't want watching a paladin vs monster fight, and get us to a place where they have lots of backup from their crazy zealot friends to help them kill us? Chloe: Or worse. What if Rose was a plant from the beginning? They figured out there was magic around because of all the Miraculous stuff and Hawkmoth, so they send in their daughter, have her act nice so we tell her all about us, and then use that knowledge to kill us? Juleka: But... she said she'd help us. She promised! I mean, she swore she loved me even though I'm a vampire, and... Juleka, thinking to herself: What if I was just a little side fling for her? What if I was just her opportunity to be a rebel, or what if she really was a plant from the beginning? Now that the chips are down, what if she fight for what she really believes, which is that I'm a monster and so are my friends? Juleka: ...well, either way, we have to rescue Sabrina. So let's go and hope Rose is loyal to us. Juleka, thinking to herself: And if she's not, maybe I'll just let the paladins cut off my head

——

Then commotion came to a halt as the bushes rustled. The changeling girl looked up with fear as she saw a familiar green.

The figure quietly exited out of the woods. Her hair was longer, untamed, but despite the roots and dirt curling around her skin, and the dark green coat fluttering around her shoulders. She still had a feeling of humanness.

Sabrina met her own face.

The fey adopted child looked at Sabrina, then her eyes moved to an ecstatic Roger, then the Lavillants, and the finally she sees the Mystery gang.

However she says nothing, only continuing to slowly move forward. The grass followed after her trail, and the large group saw eyes from the forest, staring curiously at them.

“Come and take the true fey child home and bring me back my daughter!” Roger commanded, but was met with silence. Only the quiet brushing of wind against the tall grass, the city bumbling quietly so far away,

Sabrina held her breath- and after what felt like years.. the Human girl spoke-

“Wow, this is really fucked” She said evenly, she gave a Sabrina a soft pat on the back.

They all blinked with surprise at her bluntness as she looked to the rest of them

“I’ve lived with the fey for more than fifteen years, I give not even two shits about the human world or my human family.” She said “I am more fae than human, and there is no benefit for me nor this Sabrina that is worth trading.”

Roger and the lavillant’s jaws dropped- and a look of disbelief, shock, and elation slowly grew on Sabrina’s face. The stolen child smiled softly at her, teeth too sharp, eyes too bright, and hair too red. Their species didn’t match but they knew who was human and who was not.

The Once Huma Sabrina slowly walked backwards into the woods, giving a small curt bow “You all owe me for stealing my time” She says, a mischievous smile curling on her lips as wild magic rushed by them, a chill going down each of their spines. She gave Roger a quiet look before shrugging his heart broken expression off. “Bye fuckers” she said-

-And then disapeared into the darkness.

For a moment, complete and utter silence filled the hillside.

Then Chloe leaned in very close to the others and begin to whisper. "Listen up," she hissed. "I've seen most of these assholes at my father's political rallies--these guys are from half the prominent families in Paris--and I know how they think. They--"

"How can you tell?" hissed Alya. "They're all wearing armor!"

"The heraldry," Chloe growled. She gestured at the paladins, whose armor was emblazoned with various crests and sigils. "I've seen those pictures on the rings, the lapel pins, the shitty handkerchiefs in their pockets. No reason the knights would have them if they weren't the same people. Now shut up and let me talk." She took a breath. "One possibility is they realize how much of an idiot they've been and they slink off home. But that almost never happens."

"So what's the other possibility?" whispered Juleka.

"They blame whoever's nearby and isn't them for screwing things up. Then they double down and attack us, so they can try again once they get rid of 'the problem.'" Chloe's face was tight. "And if they do that, we have to be ready."

Then Roger seemed to shake himself. He looked around wildly before his eyes settled on the mystery gang. "There!" he yelled. "They messed this up! We would have been able to get my daughter back if not for them!"

"Get them!" roared Mr. Lavaillant. "For God and the Light!"

"And restrain her!" Mrs. Lavaillant swept her sword at the still-woozy changeling Sabrina. The redhead squeaked and tried to take a step, but the magic herb was still in her system and she couldn't do much more than shuffle a few paces before staggering to a halt. Mrs. Lavaillant went on: "We have to keep her here, and we have to keep her alive! We'll kill the other monsters, summon the Sidhe again, and this time we forcethem--with cold steel, if necessary--to take the changeling and leave the real Sabrina here!"

Roger looked pained. "But if my daughter doesn't want to come home--"

"Of course she wants to come home," said Mrs. Lavaillant in the stern, unyielding voice of a fanatic who would rather die than consider the possibility of being wrong. "In her heart, that's the only things she wants. You can't trust what she's saying now, because the fey confused her. But I assure you, it's nothing we can't handle."

"We have, after all, done this before," added Mr. Lavaillant as two other paladins dragged the unsteady Sabrina down with chains and staked her to ground previously cleared of all grass and shrubs in order to stop her from drawing on her powers to escape. "Your daughter won't be the first human we rescue from the fey. Nor the first one whom the fey brainwashed into wanting to stay among them."

"But you don't have to worry," said Mrs. Lavaillant, her tone now something that would have been compassionate if it hadn't had the bright, sharp edge of bloodlust to it. "We will see that your daughter has the best of care. Therapy for as many months as she needs it, and if necessary, something more extreme. We do have facilities just for that purpose."

Roger's face had somehow gone even paler. "You mean that room in the Catacombs you showed me. The one with the manacles."

"Yes, that one, if necessary," said Mr. Lavaillant in an almost gentle tone. "I won't lie to you; your daughter may require strenuous, ah, correction. The fey are masters at ensnaring humans; no doubt they have spent her life teaching her unholy powers, cultivating her cruelty and teaching her to apply it towards humans and animals who aren't strong enough to resist her, doing all they could to ensure she would never want to return to the Light and the human world. As a result it may take several months to break through this cold shell the fey formed around your daughter's soul and make her understand once more that the human world is the right and proper place for her--and within that world, the sturdy home built by her loving father. It may take techniques which others, who do not know the whole story, would find brutal. But rest assured. She will come back to you, in both body and soul, in the end."

Mrs. Lavaillant took a step towards the mystery gang, as did several of the paladins. Rose, Juleka noted, was still being restrained by one of the larger knights, from back when she'd tried to stop the ritual and been overwhelmed. That meant Rose was on the monsters' side, didn't it? The paladins wouldn't have restrained her if she had chosen her family and had just been trying to lure them here? Unless, of course, this was just a trap, unless Rose was their ace in the hole who would only betray Juleka at the last minute, because of course she would, Juleka was just a blood drinking vampire living in the shadows and it wasn't like anyone as amazing and lovely as Rose could *really* love her, was it?

Juleka tried to push those thoughts aside as the paladins advanced. "So what do we do?" she asked, knowing the answer.

Chloe had already shifted, as had Alya. Luka had already brought up his hands to cast the most powerful hexes he knew; as Juleka watched, Alix did the same. "We fight," the pink-haired girl growled. "And we save our friend."

——

(And of course...)

Juleka let out a roar of pure rage as she jumped on top of Mrs. Lavaillant, throwing her off of Chloe. The silver crucifix went tumbling away as Mrs. Lavaillant fell to the side and Chloe's shriek of agony, along with the sizzle of burning flesh and fur, ended. The werewolf roared, and Juleka turned to her--

Only for Rose's mom to grab her and roll over, so that she was on top and Juleka was being pressed into the ground. Juleka drew on her vampire strength as she fought back, but the armored knight still managed to hold her down--though Juleka could hear her labored breath and sense the pounding of her blood, and knew that Mrs. Lavaillant wasn't nearly as much stronger than her as the knight wanted to let on. But it didn't matter; as long as she was armored than Juleka couldn't really do much to her.

Ok, she thought. Then I deal with the armor.

Juleka abruptly swung her arms out, no longer pushing away at the knight, and Mrs. Lavaillant almost fell on top of her before taking advantage and slamming a fist into her ribcage. Juleka heard something break but tried to ignore it as she forced her hands to the side of Mrs. Lavaillant's helmet, then pulled with all her might. The older woman understood just a second too late and tried to block, but Juleka had already heaved, and--drawing on all her vampire strength--managed to rip the helmet clean off the armor, leaving herself staring at Mrs. Lavaillant's exposed face, head, and neck.

The older woman's face twisted into an expression of rage. "Scum," she hissed. "It's not enough for you to stalk the night and drink the blood of innocents, is it? Now you interfere to trap a human child with the fey--and for no reason!"

"The human Sabrina is happy where she is!" gasped Juleka. "And you were trying to abduct and banish my friend back to some world she's never known! She doesn't deserve that!"

"She's a monster!"

Juleka shook her head, trying and failing to shove Mrs. Lavaillant off her. "No, she's not! She's a good person! She helps people when they have trouble in school, and when I was sick she let me copy her notes, and I know sometimes she goes to people's gardens and helps them to bloom better, and--"

Mrs. Lavaillant reached behind her back and pulled a short, sharp dagger from a concealed compartment of her armor.

"She is a monster whose only purpose here is to ensnare and corrupt humans!" She thrust forwards, but Juleka just barely managed to grab her hand and stop it. Then, seeing an opportunity, she reached up with her other hand and snaked it around Mrs. Lavaillant's head before pulling inwards. The older woman yelled but couldn't stop her head and neck from being shoved down, right in range of Juleka's fangs--just as the tip of her dagger touched Juleka's chest, directly over her heart.

For a second the two froze, each having the other at her mercy, neither able to act.

And then they heard footsteps and both twisted their heads just enough to see...

..Rose.

She had gotten away, Juleka realized. She had escaped from the big paladin, and now she was here, wearing shining armor and holding a holy sword. But she wasn't moving. "Juleka," she whispered as her gaze swept between then. "Mom. Please... please don't..."

"Help me, dear!" Mrs. Lavaillant yelled. "Help me slay the vampire and save the real Sabrina!"

"Rose," whispered Juleka, in a voice that was almost begging. "Rose, please. Help me."

The young paladin looked between the two, almost shaking.

"Please, Rose, you said you love me," said Juleka in too fast of a voice. "And I--I know sometimes I'm creepy, and I'm a monster, and I'm not anywhere near as pretty or smart or anything as you, but I don't want to die. I don't deserve to die here. Please don't let her kill me."

"Rose!" yelled Mrs. Lavaillant. "Don't listen to her! She's a vampire, you know hurting people is what they do! It's her nature! It doesn't matter if she says she's good, or even if she truly believes it! Sooner or later, she won't be able to deny her nature and she'll kill people!" Her voice dropped. "We showed you pictures, Rose. Pictures of whole families, whole villages drained dry by vampires. You can stop the next tragedy, but you have to be strong! Do what you know is right!"

"Rose!" cried out Juleka, straining at Mrs. Lavaillant. "Rose please! Please!"

Slowly, as if in a trance, Rose raised her sword up and...

...she dropped it. She fell to her knees and began to sob.“I-I can’t.. I cant help you both.. I can’t.. I don’t know what to do..” She sputtered through her words “Mom I love Juleka more than anything.. I’ve loved her longer than I’ve known her she was a vampire.. b-but I cant kill anyone I can’t do this..”

Juleka was silent, still frozen as she watched the love of her life cry— but Ms Lavillant still didn’t move, and neither did she.They didn’t know what to do.So Juleka moved first. She let her head rest on the ground, leaving her body exposed as she left her perfect spot near Ms Lavillant’s exposed throat. She looked past her, staring up at the stars. Who knew this would be the perfect place to see such beauty. Juleka had never seen so many before. She drowned herself in the sounds of Rose’s sobs as Ms Lavillant didn’t move a muscle, in fact, maybe she got closer. “Then I’ll make the choice for you Rose..” She murmured, looking back to Ms Lavillant’s face “Kill me then. The monsters still win either way- metaphorically I guess.”

Looking to the side, Alya was clutching Sabrina in her arms as they mounted on top of Chloe’s wolf turned body, Alix was screaming obscenities at everything while Luka kept them away, still she laid, underneath the woman’s body, far far away.

“Come on..” She hissed through her teeth, staring up at Ms Lavillant as she felt the end of the woman’s blade meet the but centimeters away from her skin. She couldn’t hear Rose’s sobs anymore from the pounding in her ears “..I know you won’t.”

Distantly, softly, she heard the paladin speak.

"I know what you're trying to do," Mrs. Lavaillant said, and now there was an edge to her voice. It was almost, but not quite, fear. "You know you can't beat me. Your scheme to corrupt my daughter failed. Now you're trying to corrupt me. You think if you act innocent, helpless, that I'll spare you. That I'll let you go free to kill again."

Juleka said nothing.

"I've hunted hundreds of you monsters," went on Lavaillant, and now Juleka knew what it was she was hearing in the old fanatic's voice. It was uncertainty. Perhaps even doubt. "I've seen what you do to humans. I've seen how you treat us. As your prey, your food, your slaves! I know that none of you are innocent!"

She was scared, Juleka realized. Scared that she might have made mistakes. Scared to think, for the first time, that maybe some of the monsters she'd murdered hadn't deserved it. After all, she'd raised her daughter to be a zealot for the cause, and once upon a time--before meeting Juleka, before learning that half her classmates were technically inhuman--Rose had truly believed that monsters were nothing more than a bunch of creatures who spent their time planning to eat, enslave, or torment humans. Juleka knew this because Rose had confessed it to her, assuring her all the while that if Juleka hated her because of the things she'd used to believe, she would understand.

(Of course, Juleka knew Rose wasn't responsible for being indoctrinated. And even beyond that, she would never hate Rose. She could never hate Rose. She would sooner die than hate Rose...)

But while Rose had believed those things, she had changed. She'd come to see that those anti-monster views were themselves wrong and evil. And Rose was no dummy; Juleka was acutely aware that Rose was smarter than her in so many ways, and surely her own mother knew how bright the girl was. So if Rose--who had seen all the evidence presented by the paladins, who had been raised since birth to know that monsters were evil, who had cheered on her mother and father as they went on hunts to track down all manner of 'evil' monsters--now rejected those views, maybe that was because those views were wrong.

Maybe some monsters didn't deserve to be killed.

And maybe Mr. and Mrs. Lavaillant had killed some of those monsters who didn't deserve to be killed.

"You're wrong," whispered Juleka. "Some of us are innocent. And I think you know that, Mrs. Lavailllant."

The woman froze as the words hit home, and for a second Juleka allowed herself to hope that it was over. That the woman would stop.

But then Mrs. Lavaillant hissed, in a voice almost frantic with the struggle to push away doubt, "No. You did something to Rose, you bewitched her, you ensnared her. It doesn't matter! I have a holy duty to put an end to your evil!" The point of her dagger began to push at Juleka's battered body. "Even if you corrupted my daughter, I will cure her, and--"

"No," said Juleka. "I didn't corrupt her. I would rather die."

"Anyone can say that," growled Mrs. Lavaillant. Now the dagger was piercing Juleka's body; it would slide into her heart in a second or two. "But you're a monster. You might say you rather die than corrupt her, but--"

"What is it," Juleka asked, "That you think I'm doing?"

Mrs. Lavaillant met her gaze, and Juleka could tell the exact moment she understood.

Juleka and Mrs. Lavaillant had both begged Rose to take their side in good conscience. Rose had refused, saying she would never kill either of them, not under any circumstances. That was her decision, and Juleka would accept it. But what if she didn't? If Juleka hammed it up, screaming in pain and yelling that Rose would help her if she truly loved her, maybe Rose would change her mind. Maybe she could pressure Rose into attacking or killing her mother just to keep Juleka alive. It would break Rose in body and spirit, it would leave the girl a battered wreck who would never again know happiness, but if Juleka were willing to do that--to corrupt Rose to save her own life--she could certainly try.

But she wouldn't. Because she loved Rose, and if the price of keeping Rose sane and whole was dying, Juleka would pay it.

And Mrs. Lavaillant knew that, Juleka could tell. Rose's mother knew, in that moment, that Juleka cared for her daughter more than she herself did. Because after all, if Mrs. Lavaillant were the one on the ground and Juleka were about to kill her? Mrs. Lavaillant would say anything she could think of to force her daughter to kill Juleka. To sacrifice her daughter's sanity to keep herself alive. No, not quite. To keep her crusade alive.

Something seemed to break behind Mrs. Lavaillant's eyes, and Juleka knew that the woman would never be able to think of herself without drowning in self-loathing and hate.

But that wouldn't save her, so Juleka again leaned back and waited for the crazy woman on top of her to act. The knife wriggled deeper, towards her heart, and--

"HOLD PERSON!"

Mrs. Lavaillant's body suddenly went perfectly still as a strange light, so holy it felt like it was burning at Juleka's eyes, enveloped it.

Juleka froze, unbelieving. That voice had sounded like Rose, but it couldn't be. Luka had been keeping track as they got to the hill and saw Rose trying to resist the other paladins. Rose had used up all of her magic. And even if Rose had truly kept one spell in reserve, why wait until now? Why not cast it when Juleka had first asked for help?

Slowly, gingerly, she carefully lifted the immobilized paladin off of her, wincing as the blade withdrew from her chest. Then she turned, and gasped.

Rose had, indeed, cast the spell. She was down on the ground, with one hand extended, still glowing with bright holy magic. But that hand... it was pinned to the ground, Juleka saw, by Rose's dagger. Which she was holding with her other hand.

And then she couldn't help but think back to that lecture Jalil had given the mystery gang on holy magic, the one Alix had insisted he give back when they'd first learned Rose's secret, and when the ever-wary Chloe had insisted they learn how to fight paladins just in case.

"Paladins are so zealous," Jalil said as he leaned back in his chair, "That they'll even sacrifice their own flesh and blood if needed to defeat their targets. In fact, some very devout paladins have what's called a 'Spirit Cast' ability. Sort of a 'cast from hit points' mechanic for real life. By injuring themselves, they can draw from their own life force to cast a spell they wouldn't otherwise have the magic to cast. Of course, then they die sooner, but hey, if that means killing Count Chocula or whoever they're fighting this week, they don't mind." He shut the book. "Crazy, huh?"

"Rose, no," whispered Juleka as the girl stiffened and then gave a hacking cough which sprayed drops of blood on the grass. But then Rose seemed to steel herself, withdrew her dagger from her hand, and then walked to them. She helped Juleka up. "Rose..." Juleka whispered. "You shouldn't--"

"It's done," said Rose in a tiny voice.

"But how much of your life...?"

Rose shrugged and then spoke in a voice which attempted to sound disinterested but failed to hide her horror. "Hard to tell, but... I'm young, it's not a very big spell... not too much. Maybe."

Maybe wasn't good enough, and Juleka was already thinking of how she would threaten Jalil into telling her how they could reverse the effects. Maybe there was some kind of spirit transfusion? Juleka had eternal life, if there was some way to give some to Rose... well, besides the obvious and unacceptable method of turning her...

Then she heard Rose looking at her mother. "I love you," she whispered. "I'm so sorry. But I... I'm not coming home, Mom. And if you attack my friends again, if you attack anyone else who doesn't deserve it, I'll help them." She touched her free hand to the horrible wound in her other hand. "The exact same way I did this time. With Spirit Cast. So if you love me... leave us alone."

And that was that. She moved to Juleka's side, and the two began heading away into the darkness.

——

The others were gone, but that didn't surprise or upset Juleka. By all appearances she had looked trapped, and if anyone had stayed to save her, that person could have gotten killed too. They'd all agreed going in not to risk the whole party for one of them--that none of them would want the guilt of knowing the others had gotten killed in a doomed rescue attempt--and Juleka was glad they'd agreed.

But that didn't mean they hadn't left something for her. Juleka soon noticed the paper charm pinned to a tree, and the note on it. "Attach to door," she read. "I think there's a cabin about half a mile that way. Come on, Rose."

Rose followed, silently, and Juleka draped an arm over the girl. Her broken rib and other wounds still hurt--that stupid spell Mr. Lavaillant had cast which prevented her vampire regeneration still hadn't worn off, apparently--but she could walk, and that was all that mattered. More than he could say, anyways; last she'd seen of him, Chloe had snapped his lower leg in her jaws.

They reached the cabin. Juleka slapped Alix's portal charm on the door, then smashed it open, and they walked right through to Alix's house. "We're here," said Juleka, removing the charm and shutting the door behind them. "Rose, you--"

And then Rose burst into wailing tears as she fell into Juleka's arms.

Juleka froze for a moment. But then she gently sat down with Rose and held her while she cried.

When Juleka came back to herself, she wasn't sure how much time had passed.

She was still lying on the couch in the Kubdel family's comfortable, homey living room, and Rose Lavaillant was still next to her, embracing Juleka so tightly that not even Nora Cesaire could have pried them apart. Of course, Juleka was hugging Rose just as tightly herself. After the night they'd had, Juleka decided, they deserved hugs.

Someone had draped a warm, thick blanket over them and tucked pillows under their heads. Juleka sniffed the pillows and blanket, and her eyes widened slightly as she detected a hint of Chloe's perfume. So the werewolf was the one who had seen them and bustled over to tuck them in, she thought. That was somehow fitting.

From the kitchen came the familiar smell of molokhia, that Egyptian stew Alix and Jalil were always eating which was said to have been the favored food of the Pharaohs and which Jalil claimed boosted his 'vast magical prowess to even greater heights.' The smell was hours old; whoever had fixed dinner had already eaten and left without disturbing the girls.

But there were two large bowls of the stew on the coffee table next to the couch, and affixed to the rim of each bowl was a little paper charm which Juleka knew would magically keep the meals hot and fresh for as long as needed until the girls woke. Besides the bowls were a few pages written in Alya's neat script, presumably any important information the girls had missed while they were unconscious. And surrounding the couch and table were Luka's wards, of such complexity and power it must have taken him over an hour to craft them, but which would keep the two safe from almost any conceivable hostile force which might want to smash in and hurt them.

The vampire let the faintest of smiles touch her lips. It was good to have friends.

"Juleka?" she heard. She looked down to see Rose lifting her head a little. "You're still here." She sounded relieved. Like she'd really been worried Juleka would have abandoned her after seeing the true monstrosity of her parents.

"I'll always be here," said Juleka, and now it was her that was starting to cry. "For as long as you want me."

"Oh, Juleka!" Rose squeezed her. "I am so, so sorry..."

Juleka shook her head. "No," she whispered. "Rose, you have nothing to be sorry for. You're not responsible for what your parents did."

Rose shook her head sadly. "I thought... when I heard what they were going to do to Sabrina, that was the first thing I thought. That when I told you, then you'd know how evil my whole family was, and you'd hate us..."

"I could never hate you," insisted Juleka, the words rough with emotion. "Rose, you went against your family to save Sabrina... and me, when your mother knocked me down. Even though I don't deserve it. I--"

"Don't say that!" said Rose, and Juleka jolted, because she hadn't thought the exhausted girl had so much strength and force in her. "Don't ever say that! Juleka, you are beautiful and precious and perfect, and you deserve anything I can give you!" She squeezed the goth tighter. "And you're not creepy or dumb or those other things you said during the fight either. You're wonderful, Juleka."

Juleka couldn't explain why, but the words were warmer and more soothing than the thick blanket on top of them. "I... thank you, Rose."

Rose wriggled a bit so that she could lift her head and meet Juleka's eyes. "But I wasn't just apologizing for my parents," she said. "I was kind of a jerk when I first told you about me, I know..."

Juleka strained futilely against the thick vines and cursed whatever demonic thought had convinced her to bring Rose to the distant corner of the Bois de Vincennes park just to confess her love. Everything had gone perfectly--the picnicking, the swimming, the birdwatching--but right when Juleka had been about to say the magic words, the forest sprite had popped up and began ranting about being disturbed. And now they were both being strung up by vines while the sprite talked about eating them.

"I'll start with the tall one," the sprite giggled as she hauled a thick cooking pot out of the ground. "And then the blond one for dessert! Hee! Trespassers make the best meal!"

"Rose, shut your eyes," whispered Juleka. If she used her vampire strength she might be able to break free and--

But then she heard Rose say, in a bright, powerful voice that radiated even more confidence than usual, "No, Juleka. I can do this."

And then, to her astonishment, she heard Rose yell "Smite evil!"

And the sprite...

Was smited.

A bright light burst from nowhere, hot enough to burn at Juleka, and the sprite went tumbling away. Then Rose was ripping free of the vines and taking some kind of sigil out of her pocket. "Summon sword!" she called, and a gigantic sword that vibrated with holy energy appeared in her hand. "Bind spirit!" Magical chains of light appeared around the sprite's limbs. "You will never harm another innocent human, fiend!"

"No!" the sprite pleaded as she thrashed. "Please, holy paladin, I didn't know!"

Rose kept approaching the sprite, sword point aimed squarely at her nose. A sharp, thick root suddenly sprang up towards Rose, tip sharp and glistening with what had to be poison, but Rose easily chopped it off with a single sweep of her sword. "Please!" the sprite yelled. "Mercy, o paladin!"

Juleka was gaping as Rose reached the monster and seemed to hesitate. "I will not kill you," she said at last. "I... I don't like killing."

"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" the sprite yelled.

"But I will banish you back to your realm. No more will you lie in wait to eat humans." Rose sketched some kind of sigil in the ground with her holy sword, then chanted something in Latin. That bizarre, hot light flashed again, and then the spirit was gone, teleported back to the fairy world.

The vines surrounding Juleka unraveled and the vampire dropped to the ground. "Rose," she managed. "What are..."

But she trailed off, because the blond had turned and was smiling brightly. "Juleka! You're okay! Yay!" And then she was flinging aside her sword to hug the goth.

Normally, Rose felt warm to Juleka. But now everything felt cold.

Distantly she heard Rose telling her everything: that the Lavaillants were a family of paladins tracing all the way back to Ancient Rome, that she'd been trained since birth to fight evil monsters, that she wasn't supposed to tell anyone but she was happy Juleka had found out because she hated keeping secrets from her best friend, and so on. And at the end she'd said something which had chilled Juleka to the core.

"Don't worry about this ever happening again," she had said sweetly. "I'll protect you. I'll smite any monsters that get anywhere near our class."

"You didn't know any better," Juleka insisted. "You thought all monsters were evil. Your parents filled your head with that garbage. Even then, you made a point of never killing anything! And as soon as you learned otherwise you changed your mind."

"But--"

"No buts!" insisted Juleka. "Rose. I judged you worse than you judged me. I was terrified you'd learn the truth and that you'd hate me, want to kill me for being an unholy monster." She sighed. "I was a real idiot when you learned about me."

—

"Stupid fucking sentimonster!" Juleka shouted in rage. "Go away already!"

But the sentimonster, a sort of zombie-bear like thing half again as tall as Juleka, didn't go away. And Ladybug and Chat Noir were off fighting an Akuma; they probably didn't even know about the sentimonster that had gotten split off and stuck in the school. Which meant that it was up to an already-exasperated Juleka to keep it away from her classmates.

"Help!" Alya pleaded as she limped away; the monster had twisted her ankle. "Help, it--"

Juleka saw the bear rear up and slash Alya, claws raking bloody lines across the journalist's back, and something in the vampire snapped.

She rocketed forwards, using all her vampire strength and speed to slam into the bear and drive it back despite its massive size. Then she began pounding and biting at it, aware her eyes were red and her fangs were showing but not caring about anything besides shutting down yet another of that idiot Hawkmoth's attempts to traumatize the city into surrender. "Die!" yelled Juleka as she punched the sentimonster so hard one of its arms flew off. It staggered backwards into a classroom window, head bonking on the glass. "Die already!"

And then it did. Juleka dealt it a massive hit that knocked off its head, and it crumbled. Juleka was left standing there, red eyes flashing, fangs out...

And she slowly realized that Rose was on the other side of the glass window. Rose, who had been so happy recently because now she had someone to talk to about her weird paladin training, all the hours of sword practice, and armor-polishing, and chanting rituals. Rose, who hadn't seemed to notice the twinges of fear Juleka suffered every time she thought Rose might learn of her monstrous nature. Sweet Rose, whom Juleka wanted only to love her even if their natures made it impossible.

Rose, who was now gaping at her.

"No," whispered Juleka. "No, no, no..."

A wave of ladybugs swept over them. The damage the Sentimonster created was gone. But Rose was still staring, and Juleka was still vampiric.

The goth turned and fled even as Rose called out behind her.

"It wasn't your fault," whispered Rose. "I'd said I fought monsters. It was my fault you were scared."

"Then you being scared of me, of vampires, wasn't yours," said Juleka. "It was your parents. And, okay, maybe me looking a little... feral... when you saw me that time."

Rose giggled at that, and Juleka somehow felt herself laughing too. Despite everything, they were alive, they were together, and they were in love. That was worth some joy.

"I guess we must have looked pretty silly when we met after that sentimonster," Rose said at last. "In the street."

Juleka nodded. She'd fled from school that day and taken roads at random, not knowing where to go or if Rose would be there. Unknown to her, Rose had been doing the same, horrified not at having revealed her identity to a vampire, but of having given Juleka reason to fear her. They'd run into each other, almost literally, on the bank of the Seine. And Juleka had prepared to flee again--until Rose had dropped down and begged forgiveness for the horrible things she'd said about hunting monsters. "I know you're not evil, Juleka," she had said. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Please don't hate me."

And Juleka had made herself approach. "Hate?" she'd whispered. "I couldn't hate you. Even if you stabbed me I couldn't hate you. I thought you'd be scared of me now."

"I can't," Rose had said. "I know you too well. Whatever my parents say. You... you're not evil."

And so they'd talked, for a long time, slowly opening up... but Juleka hadn't been able to hide that cold little nugget of fear. That this was a paladin trap, or worse, pity, a few scraps of affection for a monster that didn't really merit them but was just so pathetic, so wretched, that Rose couldn't help but engage in a little emotional charity. Rose, Juleka now knew, had felt similarly towards Juleka's love for her, wondering how it was the vampire could love the paladin who had grown up hating all magical creatures. They'd been terrified, each hoping that the other loved her despite their inherent natures, and each fearing it wouldn't be the case.

In the weeks that followed they'd cautiously extended their alliance, slowly growing more comfortable with each other. Juleka had already told the mystery gang of Rose's secret hobby; when she told them that she was friends with Rose again, they'd reacted with varying degrees of astonishment, ranging from Luka's mild warning to let him know if she needed help or support, to Chloe swearing that she'd be ready to wolf out and eat Rose's face off if Rose did anything wrong. Rose had even helped Juleka foil a couple of her parents' plans to hurt magical creatures who didn't deserve it. And then there was that final call, Rose's tear-laden voice explaining what was about to happen to Sabrina, swearing she hadn't known, preemptively apologizing in case they didn't believe her, and begging for help in saving their friend...

"I love you," said Rose, interrupting Juleka's reverie. "You're smart, and sensitive, and pretty, and an amazing friend... I mean, you fought an army of paladins to save Sabrina and me. And more than that you trusted me." Juleka could feel the tears pooling in Rose's eyes and spilling down onto her shirt. "Once I knew what my parents were doing I wasn't sure if you'd ever trust me again. Most people wouldn't. They'd have abandoned me just in case I was on their side, to be safe. But you knew my heart... and you risked your life to save me. So don't call yourself monstrous or stupid or anything like that again, Juleka! You're not any of those things!"

Juleka was taken aback, and to her own surprise she found that she was starting to believe Rose. Maybe her mistakes, her fears... maybe if Rose thought they were insignificant, if they weren't really her, then maybe they truly didn't matter. "Okay," she said at last. "But on one condition."

"What?"

"You don't blame yourself for your mistakes either," said Juleka. "Rose, you abandoned your family, the people who raised you, to save my life. You sacrificed everything you ever had for me. You literally cut out some of your own life force to save me, a person you'd been taught your whole life was only fit to be destroyed... and you did it out of love." She gently stroked a few strands of hair off of Rose's cheek. "And that's on top of how you're kind to everyone, you cheer everyone up, you work so hard on everything you put your mind to... and you're the most beautiful girl in the world. So don't you ever, ever think I could hate you. There's too much good in you, Rose." She cuddled her girlfriend closer. "Deal?"

"Deal," said Rose.

The two fell silent again. Eventually, Juleka knew, they'd have to get up and figure out their next steps. Rose would need to live somewhere, and Juleka probably wouldn't be able to go home until the paladins were known to no longer be a threat--she couldn't risk them storming the boat and attacking her mother. They'd also have to figure out what to do with poor Sabrina, the changeling one--the one they knew and cared about--who surely couldn't go home to her father now.

But for the moment, that didn't matter.

It was enough to just savor each other's love.

#paladin rose au #they said when they finished I could spot the story to tumblr #so I’m splitting this up into bits #you can read the entire story here with the paladin rose tag #I fucking love this story I’m so honored/grateful/happy that it came from my au it means so much #so yeah #now you guys can read it too it’s pretty fuckin dope

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klance-fic-central · 7 years

Text

My Top 10 Favorite Klance Fics

So, I promised this a week ago for hitting 200 followers, then thanksgiving hit and while I was at home I have gained almost 200 more followers. Welcome to all of you new beautiful people and I apologize for the delay on this and answering asks. I’m working on the asks that I have and I’m going to post them after I finish finals. So, if someone wants to ask for recommendations, do it now and I’ll answer them all in two weeks.

This list will be in reverse order so my favorite fic is on the bottom. All of these works are amazing and if you haven't seen one, I HIGHLY recommend you read them. A lot of them have been recommended on here before, but this list will contain works that are in progress because I love them so much. Well anyway, here’s my top 10 favorite klance fics.

10) From Across the Platform | By: foxsmouler | Ongoing | 107,008 words | Mature

On one seemingly normal day, on his commute to work, Keith notices a rather eccentric-looking guy across the way on the opposite platform, they make awkward eye-contact and suddenly everything in Keith's life changes. Keith doesn't like change.

A.K.A a story about how Keith reluctantly learns to have faith in mankind again.

Notes:

This fic is almost entirely fluff and its the greatest when you just want something sweet instead of angst. Its a modern fic and is worth the read when you need a pick me up. A lot of the later chapters, I feel, can be read as one shots. So, if you find that you want to stop reading its easy to do.

9) Dear Keith | By: Redjay27 | Completed | 71,995 words | Teen & Up Audiences

Keith receives a mysterious note in the mail. There's nothing written on the envelope but his name. When he reads it he learns of some guy named Lance who is writing to Keith to tell him the story of how he messed everything up. Lance is distraught after he is left all alone after his big screw up. To ease the pain, he writes a letter to a made up person...or so he thought. Keith was just a name he picked randomly but when mysterious drawings start appearing in his dorm room, depicting scenes that he's written about, he starts to think Keith might not be just a figment of his imagination.

Notes:

I love this fic, but had one problem with it. I wasn't a big fan of the epilogue, like at all. If you read everything, but the epilogue its a fantastic piece, but because of the epilogue that's why it’s a little lower on this list. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, just didn't like that epilogue.

8) Web of Sins | By: charlotteXOyates | Ongoing | 70,791 words | Explicit

Stripper!Lance AU: Keith is a hardworking college student who is devoted to spending all of his time studying to become a pediatrician; so it sounds ridiculous to him when Shiro and Matt suggest he's working TOO hard. After a bit of peer pressuring, they finally convince Keith to check out a gay strip club called "The Web of Sins" in order to relieve his stress.

At first he goes just to make them happy, but upon meeting a seductive young man who just so happens to be the club's most popular stripper named Lance, he begins to get drawn into the Web. Only, Keith has no idea what sort of demons lie hidden in the twilight that is Lance's past...and he has no idea how closely they follow.

Your mistakes create a web of sins around you, and once you're too caught in it...you can never escape.

...not on your own, that is.

WARNING: This fic starts out relatively light-hearted and cute, but if you didn't look at the tags(you should ALWAYS look at the tags), let me warn you now that stuff will get significantly darker, eventually. I promise that none of the dark stuff is ever glorified; this is not a kinky story. This is a story of two boys trying to overcome the dark past, together.

Notes:

So, this is an ongoing fic not a lot of people know about and its so flipping good. The first part just finished up, but this fic has so much potential and I just know that the author is gonna do an amazing job with this. It’s one of those really good smut with plot stories that are actually insanely good.

Kadochrome

| By:

HoddieMaine

Ninke_A

| Completed | 55,526 words | Explicit Keith has been at a loss for a while now. His job is terrible, his passion for photography has waned, and his pseudo brother has moved to some little town and keeps insisting he visit.

Notes:

Fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff with a little tiny bit of angst.

6) There’s Trust in These Wings | By: zeerogue | Ongoing | 134,258 words | Explicit

For generations the Ice Masters of Altea and the Fire Masters of Ko-gane had been warring over the lands that divided them until a new enemy in the west rose to power. Uncertain of their chances fighting two wars at once, a treaty is made to end the battle between Masters and have them join as allies. And what better way to become allies than through marriage. Keith trusts Prince Shiro's choice in marrying the Altean heir, and if anything was to go wrong, he has sworn to protect the third Ko prince, but the Alteans seem to be more dangerous in diplomacy than they ever were on the battlefield. Luckily, Princess Allura has a protector of her own who might be the only ally Keith has in his new home. Even if he is insufferable.

Notes:

This is such an amazing story. It’s ongoing, but its 100% worth reading as it’s released.

5) A Cradle of Flesh and Bone | By: bffimagine | Completed | 70,773 words | Mature

He was born with a misshapen, malformed heart. They tried to fix it, but the complications left him with the kinds of scars that meant he wasn't expected to survive until his thirtieth birthday. He's still got dreams--one day, he would be a doctor--but someone has to give up their heart for him to make it. Sure, he was sick, but he wasn't down and he certainly wasn't out for the count.

At least, not yet.

-----

Keith Kogane was the star of Altea University's medical school. He was destined to be the greatest surgeon of his generation, and probably for generations to come.

Well, until he dropped out, anyway.

Notes:

All I can say is, keep tissues next to you as you read this, you’ll need them.

4) Hearts Dont Break Around Here | By: klancekorner | Ongoing | 51,714 words | Mature

Keith chuckles softly at Lance’s faded face in the old photo. He was still a little chubby, couldn’t be more than eleven years old, but nevertheless had his arms slung over the shoulders of two pretty, giggling girls. The smug grin on his face is dazzling. Keith wonders how Lance, to this day, manages to make it look so believable.

Or, Lance and Keith have been best friends since first grade. Lance’s brain is always on overdrive and Keith’s blunt, realistic ass can never keep up. They both come to realize that sometimes you can learn a lot about loving yourself by loving someone else.

Notes:

LET ME TELL YOU, you have to read this. If there is one fic that I would tell you to seriously read, its this one or Lion’s Chain. That’s all I’m gonna say, go read it and you’ll see why it’s this high on this list. You will not be disappointed.

3) Follow My Lead | By: klancekorner | Completed | 114,261 words | Mature

Becoming “hook-up buddies” with Lance Sanchez was just supposed to be a small, insignificant fraction of Keith’s life. But of course, things don’t work out that way at all.

aka a Friends w/ Benefits AU that nobody asked for where Lance wears sleeveless hoodies, plays basketball in abandoned parking lots, and follows his dreams, and Keith comes from a high class, reputable family who never let him have any dreams of his own. They go home with each other and don't expect it to matter until it totally does.

Keith POV and Lance POV

Notes:

This fic, my lord, I have sinned. This is easily the greatest smut with plot fic out there and at this point I’m sure many of you have read this. Honestly, I almost put it in the number two spot, but I didn’t only because I read Let Me Catch My Breath first, that is literally the only reason. It’s a modern AU with rich boy Keith and aspiring Basketball player Lance. God the heartbreak is real. Klancekorner you are the goddess of fanfiction in my eyes, keep it up. <3

2) Let Me Catch My Breath | By: Smiles4Voltron | Completed | 228,919 Words | Mature

So, Lance has to fight five champions of an alien race to save Keith- wouldn't sound too hard if he wasn't blind from an injury at that very moment. Oh, and did he mention that if he doesn't defeat the five then Keith is given to them like some prize? Some delicious little prize that they will most likely do whatever they please with?

Left to fend for themselves, blinded and injured, two unlikely Paladins must work together to survive. Tensions get high with horrid creatures, a determined assassinator, and their growing attraction to the other. So, both a frustrating tension and sexual one, huh? Or could you consider those the same thing?

Notes:

So, this was one of my first Klance stories. I joined the fandom in like February this year and this was one of the first fics I read. Obviously it holds a special place in my heart, but it’s a beautiful piece. Its a crash landing scenario on an alien planet gone wrong in my opinion and its great.

1) Lion’s Chain | By: Luna_Vulpes | Ongoing | 241,680 words | Teen & Up Audiences

Keith is returning from deployment overseas, officially released from duty in the military. However, his first stop back in the states isn’t the place he expected to be - the funeral of his military partner Miguel McClain. There he meets Lance, the younger brother of the fallen soldier, along with the other grieving members of the McClain family. Unsure of the next steps in his life and unable to separate his military and civilian life, Keith looks to the one place he can even consider home - the family Miguel loved and left behind.

Using group therapy, meeting new people, and becoming closer with the McClain family, Keith tries to put his life back together and live past the tragedy of losing his best friend. In turn, he grows a bond with Lance and realizes that maybe Miguel was right along - the two seemed made for each other.

Notes:

This is my favorite fic for many reasons. The writing is beautiful, but the best part about it is the journey. The emotions this fic will make you feel and just the journey this author takes these characters on is a fantastic one. This is one of those fics I see update and I drop everything I’m doing. It’s worth the wait for each new chapter and god I just love it so much.

#Voltron #Voltron legendary defender #fanfics #fanfiction #fan fiction #fanfiction recommendations #fanfic recommendation #klance fic #LMCMB #Lions chain #Follow My lead #HDBAH #Klance #Laith #fluff #angst #top 10

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thecrystalorbs · 6 years

Text

Chapter 1: “A Conspiracy of Ash Part 1″

In which Ian is decidedly unimpressed by a potentially world-ending discovery.

At the center of everything- of our story, of the Temple, and perhaps of the world itself- are the Crystal Orbs.

The origins of these relics are shrouded in mystery. Some say they were left behind by an ancient, unimaginably powerful civilization; others claim they are the tools used by the gods to create the universe. What is known is that these perfect spheres of crystal hold unimaginable power: each one grants those who wield it control over the natural forces of the world. Some Orbs bestow elemental power, such as the Fire Orb; others, such as the Thought Orb, have more abstract domains. But all of the Orbs are incredibly powerful…and, in the wrong hands, incredibly destructive.

For thousands of years, the inhabitants of the world now known as Kayrus fought tooth and nail for control of the Orbs. Warlords rose to power by seizing one Orb, only to be overthrown by armies bearing three. Alliances were forged and friendships torn asunder, all in the name of control over these most impossible relics. The world was constantly teetering on the edge of complete anarchy, with no sign of change.

And then, three hundred years ago, the impossible happened: a small band of adventurers managed to gather all seventeen Orbs. In other hands, the entire set of Orbs could have been used to tear the universe itself apart; but these heroes were virtuous and wise, and sought only to end the ceaseless, bitter war which had consumed Kayrus for untold eons. Using the power of the Orbs, they led the construction of a new civilization, organizing the world’s lands into ten Zones. On an island in the middle of the ocean, they constructed a grand temple in which the Orbs would be kept safe, to be used only to protect the newfound peace and for the betterment of all.

In the intervening centuries, Crystal Temple has become the center of a great city: Crystal City, a beacon of hope for the entire world. Using the discoveries made by the scholars and priests who study the Orbs, incredible advances in technology have taken place. Order is maintained by the governments established by the legendary heroes, which preside over the Zones. By all accounts, the world is experiencing a period of unprecedented peace.

But there is unrest in every era. And now, three heroes have been called to Crystal City, summoned by the priests for a secret mission. And that is where our story begins…

Crystal Island, 11:55 A.M.

The Crystal Temple is one of the largest buildings in the city, three stories high and occupying multiple city blocks in area. From the outside it resembles less a temple and more a vast fortress, its rough stone walls forming an impenetrable defense against any potential threat. The entire city developed around this one building, constructed to supply the resident priests, researchers, and guards with everything they could need to live in the Temple full-time. Since its foundation the Temple has only grown, and is now visible from almost every point on the entire island.

A figure in a dark cloak and a broad-rimmed hat approaches the Crystal Temple from the docks. He has a black scarf around his neck and face, and hardly an inch of skin is visible. He approaches the guards, and as he does so it becomes apparent that there are two longswords on his back; the first stands straight, parallel to his spine, while the other lies flat and perpendicular to the first. His eyes flash red from between his hat and scarf.

He pauses in surprise as a young woman in a light blue cloak skips up to the gates of the Crystal Temple from behind him, singing a merry little tune. She wears a white cap with a blue feather in it; over her shoulder she carries a large white backpack, out of which protrude the tips of various musical instruments. Her long black hair bounces as she skips, the tips of her pointed ears occasionally sticking out. Her most noticeable features, however, are her gray skin and her striking purple eyes.

“Along the shore, along the sea, they traveled far and wide,” she sang. “Oh it’s a most glorious tale – of a crew’s inflated pride!”

Ian glances over, his wide-brimmed hat turning with him. “Interesting song,” he remarks. “A sea shanty, right?”

The woman, whose name is Cassalina, beams. “Yes indeed, sir; yes indeed! I just got done sailing with a band of merry- if slightly odd- fellows, and they taught me a little ditty or three!”

Ian chuckles at this. “Alright, I guess. But just to warn you: if I hear one more sea shanty, I’m literally going to vomit through this scarf.”

Cassalina pouts. “Well, we can’t have that!” she exclaims. “How about instead I sing you the tale of a man named Sweeny Todd?”

Ian grins. “That sounds a little more my speed, yeah.”

Cassalina’s smile returns as she begins to sing once more. However, she is interrupted by the sound of a clock tower striking noon.

Considering that she has lived in the Temple of Sune in Crystal City all her life, it can hardly be called a monumental effort for Beauty Sunehammer to make her way to the Crystal Temple. Her red tail sways behind her as she hums a hymn to the goddess of beauty and love. Rather unusually for a paladin, her armor is designed more for drawing attention to her body rather than for protecting it, due in large part to its ceremonial nature. She draws near the other two just as Cass’s song finishes.

Ian chuckles at the song. “Pretty good,” he admits.

Cassalina grins. “Thanks!” she exclaims. She then turns around to look at the newcomer. “Oooooh, I see! She’s very lovely, isn’t she?”

Ian turns as well, regarding Beauty with some curiosity. “Where have I seen her before…?” he mutters to himself.

The young Tiefling woman walks up to the two of them with a spring in her step and a huge smile. “Hello darlings!” she exclaims. “Lovely day today.”

“Why hello, Miss Beauty!” exclaims Cass with an equally large smile. “Yes, it certainly is!”

Ian shrugs. “I tend not to look at the sky during the day. I get burns easily.”

The young tiefling woman smiles wider. “Oh dear!” she laughs. “You appear to have the advantage over me, knowing my name before I can even guess yours. Have we met before or something like that?”

Cass shakes her head. “Not really! But I’ve heard of your radiance in this town, Miss Beauty!” She suddenly has a realization. “Oh darn!” she cries. “I’m late!”

“Yeah, me too, but who’s counting?” remarks Ian.

Beauty smiles as she begins to walk past them towards the Crystal Temple. “Yes, so am I, I’m afraid.” She glances back over her shoulder. “How about you?” she adds. “Are you also familiar with my reputation?”

“Nah,” says Ian, finally recalling what he’d been thinking of. “I just remember you from the priestess issue of Cause Lust magazine.”

Beauty gives a small laugh at this. “Ah, yes,” she says. “Not my finest work, but it was acceptable, and that was a long day. I preferred my other works with the same artist.”

Ian shrugs again. “Eh, I mostly read it for the articles. And the porn.” He decides to follow the other two, mostly to take a look at Beauty’s ass. Cassalina skips beside Beauty, humming to herself.

“If you ready it for both, I might suggest Beauties and the Beasts for better reading…and for more interesting, artistic porn. I don’t quite believe Cause Lust is very good at the art.”

Ian considers this for a moment. “That shit’s expensive, though. And I’m between jobs.”

The group heads into the Temple, where the head priest is waiting for them. This is the man who contacted them over the stone; he is human and appears to be in his late fifties or early sixties, and it looks as if he has not properly slept in days.

“Ah, good, you’re all here,” he says, spotting the three approaching for the Temple gates. “I was beginning to worry you’d been attacked on the way.”

“I was,” says Ian, in the way others might remark that they had been caught in traffic. “They were decent. A little salty.”

Cass smiles. “I was going to be, but my new pals decided that I made a better friend.”

“And I was delayed by a most aggressive drunk,” adds Beauty with a similar smile. “I had to escort him to a hospital after I beat him soundly. My apologies for the delay, sir.”

“…quite,” remarks the head priest, looking between the three as if not quite sure what to make of them. “Well, in any case, I’m glad you have each arrived in one piece. And thank you all for coming on such short notice; this matter must be handled quietly and swiftly.”

He turns and leads the group into the Temple proper. Cassalina follows him, still humming to herself. Beauty follows behind her, even more bounce in her step. Ian brings up the rear, a slight frown on his face.

The interior of the Temple is very different from what its rough stone exterior would suggest, being something of a combination between a religious center, a university, and a castle. At any given time, the Temple is occupied by around a hundred people, consisting of a combination of highly-trained guards, priests of almost every known god and goddess, and researchers studying the power of the Crystal Orbs housed within. As the group follows the twisting network of corridors into the depths of the Temple, the head priest stops to address them again.

“Before we go any further, I would like to request your utter discretion on the subject of this assignment,” says the priest. It is at around this point that Cassalina and Beauty awkwardly realize that they don’t actually know the priest’s name; the urgent stone call they received in the middle of the night didn’t leave much time for introductions, and his robes do not seem to feature any sort of name tag. After a moment of deliberation over whether or not it would be appropriate to ask for his name this late in the introductions, the two privately decide to refer to him as Temple Priest Guy until further notice. “It is vitally important that you not disclose what you are about to hear to anyone outside of this group; even those outside the inner circles of the Temple should not be informed about this.”

“You can count on me, sir!” exclaims Cass brightly.

“Not like I have anyone I’d be in a rush to tell anyway,” says Ian.

“Very well!” says Beauty brightly. “My services are always open in the service of Sune. I can only assume the matter has some importance for my goddess? Else you would not have called me.”

Ian exchanges a brief look with Temple Priest Guy. “You could say that.”

“You can say a lot of things that simply aren’t true, and many of them are beautiful,” says Beauty, turning towards Ian. “In this case, however, I would fail to see the beauty in a lie.”

Ian sighs. “Look, it’s hells of a serious concern for you, your goddess, and just about every other deity out there.”

Beauty beams at this. “My! Such importance. I am all ears.”

“It is easier to understand if I show you,” interjects Temple Priest Guy, glancing around nervously to see if anyone is listening. Having said this, he turns away and continues leading the group onward.

“I’m not even sure what’s going on,” remarks Cass. “I just came because I was bored.” With this, she begins skipping after Temple Priest Guy, quietly humming the new song she is working on. “The travelers were called one night! Told to hurry and take flight – Crystal Temple immediately! Needing you most desperately!”

At the exact center of Crystal Temple lies the group’s ultimate destination: the Chamber of the Orbs.

Access to this central chamber is usually highly regulated, preventing anyone without high-level access from entering; however, with the head priest leading them, the three heroes are allowed through with only a brief security check. As the group goes through, they notice that the guards seem extremely tense; one of them is sweating profusely, and the other has a strange, hollow look in his eyes. Temple Priest Guy pauses for a minute to wait for the security checks to finish, then leads the group up in to the chamber itself.

The Chamber of the Orbs is open to the sky, allowing sunlight to filter down into it; it is just possible to discern a ceiling of magically reinforced glass three stories above, providing protection for the Chamber while also allowing the presence of natural light. The room is accessed through a staircase near the edge of the room; there are no ground level entrances, since this would disrupt the symmetry of the chamber. The walls of the room itself form a decagon, a perfect ten-sided shape. Set into each of these walls is a tablet, in the exact center of which is a slot designed to perfectly accept one of the Crystal Orbs; the tablets are covered in protective runes designed to prevent the Orb from being removed by anything other than a special counter-charm known only to the high-level priests.

Closer to the center of the room, four short rectangular pillars rise about four feet up from the chamber floor. Atop each pillar is another tablet, these ones horizontal instead of vertical, each with a slot for an Orb at the center. At the exact center of the chamber, a taller hexagonal pillar is prominently displayed. Three of its sides feature slots for the final three Orbs; the other three sides are decorated with elaborate murals, depicting the legendary heroes who were responsible, three hundred years ago, for gathering the Crystal Orbs together and founding the modern Zone system.

All three of the visitors have either visited this room before or, at the very least, seen images of it. But this time there is one critical difference: without exception, every single one of the Orb slots is empty.

Beauty tilts her head. “…ah,” she says quietly. “And sudden clarity.”

“Indeed.” Cassalina is no longer singing or smiling. “This is most troubling.”

“You can see why our request was so urgent,” remarks Temple Priest Guy, turning back to the group. “You can probably also see why your discretion is of the utmost importance in this assignment. I imagine you probably have a great deal of questions; I will do my best to answer.”

‘Who, where, when, why, and how do we retrieve them,” says Beauty, immediately shifting into action mode. “All I need to know.”

Ian is flipping a dagger in his hand, catching it by the blade, and then tossing it back up. He doesn’t appear to be listening.

“How did this even happen?” asked Cassalina, staring around in shock at the Temple which now seems so empty, even though very little has physically been removed from it.

“It was the result of the attack two weeks ago,” explains Temple Priest Guy. “I assume you heard about it?”

Everyone nods. The attack on Crystal Temple had been worldwide news; it was one of the greatest scares of the decade. A powerful sorcerer had appeared from nowhere and launched a massive attack on the Temple, attempting to claim the Orbs from himself. However, the sorcerer had quickly been defeated by the guards, and was now imprisoned and awaiting execution; the priests had reported that, though property damage was heavy, particularly within the chamber proper, none of the Orbs had actually been taken. A quick survey of the Chamber, however, reveals that the exact opposite is true: the physical damage is fairly limited, with only a few areas roped off where the stone is cracked or melted; the Orbs, however, are quite another story.

“Our guards were of course prepared for an eventuality like this,” explains Temple Priest Guy. “They manage to subdue the sorcerer before he could cause any serious damage; however, it seems he had an emergency backup plan. Drawing on a previously undisplayed reserve of strength, he cast a powerful curse which teleported the Orbs away, scattering them to the four corners of Kayrus. The spell was of a nature we had never observed before; we have not yet determined how it managed to overcome the considerable magical protections of the Orb slots.”

Cass looks around, considering the situation. “So, we’re supposed to find them and bring the back, right? Seems simple enough in theory.”

“…a much more complicated problem than I imagined,” Beauty mumbles.

“I cannot overstate the importance of this mission,” says Temple Priest Guy gravely. “The entire order of the Zone system centers on the gathering of the Crystal Orbs by the legendary heroes; if people were to discover that these artifacts are once again scattered and unclaimed, the world could collapse back into the chaos of the Endless War. We at the Temple have been keeping the calamity under wraps, claiming the chamber was badly damaged in the battle; but it is urgent that the Orbs be retrieved as soon as possible.”

Cassalina nods. “Alright, I’m in. But I’ve got one more question.”

“Name it,” replies Temple Priest Guy, turning to look directly at her.

“Why am I here? I’m sure traveling music is a wonder to have, but, forgive my doubts, I don’t have a lot of skill when it comes to fighting bad guys. I only sing about heroes who do.”

“Fighting bad guys isn’t the job,” points out Beauty. “The job is finding the Orbs and returning them.”

Ian catches the dagger once again. “Don’t sell yourself short, Cassalina,” he says. “Plenty of bards are counted among the great heroes of old. If you can learn to harness the magic of music, you could become nearly unstoppable.”

“To provide an official answer to your question,” explains Temple Priest Guy, “Crystal Temple’s Department of Prophecy is responsible for preparing quests. This includes the recruitment of heroes. All of you have a role to play in the re-gathering of the Orbs. And indeed, Ian is right: many bards can be found among the greatest heroes of Kayrus.”

Cassalina quirks her brow, then closes her eyes and beams. If she is still doubtful, she hides it very well. “Very well.”

“On that note,” adds Temple Priest Guy, “we have prepared some aid in finding the Orbs.” He walks over to one of the many stone tables located throughout the chamber, frequently used for holding research notes or instruments; atop this particular table is a small wooden chest. He opens the chest and reveals a collection of bound scrolls, each sealed with wax of a different color. “These have been painstakingly produced by the Department of Prophecy over the last two weeks,” he explains. “Each one provides the location of one of the Orbs, as well as advice on how to retrieve it.”

“Well, that seems strikingly convenient,” remarks Ian. “How have you not already done this?”

Temple Priest Guy gives Ian a sideways glare. “Have you ever tried getting a straight answer out of a prophet?” he asks.

Ian rolls his eyes. “Of friggin’ course.”

“It is better than no lead at all,” Cass points out.

Beauty is looking at the scrolls with a rather skeptical expression. “I was about to agree with you, but…well, they are prophecies. In other words, cryptic borderline-nonsense.”

“Prophecy is often the start of a grand adventure, and an even greater ballad,” notes Cass, giving Beauty a slightly reproachful look.

“Yes,” chuckles Beauty, “and how often is the prophecy’s meaning clear prior to the moment right before it is fulfilled?”

Temple Priest Guy nods, as if acknowledging her point. “That said, we have taken pains to restructure the prophecies in the clearest form possible from the visions of which we were informed.” He hands Cassalina, the closest one to him, a scroll sealed with red-orange wax; the seal bears the symbol of a flame. “It is advisable that you set out as soon as possible,” he says. “Do not let anyone know of your true mission; it is vital that information about what has happened here does not leave this Chamber.”

Cassalina’s expression becomes serious for a moment. “Understood.” She puts the scroll in her bag, and her expression changes back to a smile.

“It will be difficult to investigate the appearance of something people are not supposed to know is out there,” Beauty adds with a small smile of her own.

Ian seems to be already preparing to depart. “So, Cassalina,” he asks, “where to first?”

“Right, sorry,” she laughs, feeling slightly silly for putting it away. There is an awkward pause as Cassalina takes the scroll out; she carefully breaks the seal and opens the scroll. Taking a deep breath, she begins to read the contents aloud; the prophecy contained within is as follows:

The Orbs have returned to their elements The Fire Orb can be found at the peak of the Weeping Heights The path to the crater is barred, but there remains one path, hidden though it is Seek out the kobold village and you will find the entrance

“…actually, not as cryptic as I expected,” admits Beauty.

Temple Priest Guy nods. “We pride ourselves on holding our prophets to strict standards of clarity whenever possible.” He turns to face Ian and Cass. “The Weeping Heights is a volcano, one of the largest in Zone 4. It is fairly remote, but we can arrange travel to its base; you will have to travel on foot from there.”

Ian mulls this over. “So, a kobold village in Zone 4, at the base of a volcano. Great. Let’s get going.”

“Verily.” Beauty begins to walk out. Cassalina follows behind, smiling yet thoughtful. Ian follows after them, frowning.

“I wish you all the best of luck on your travels,” Temple Priest Guy says.

“Yeah, yeah,” mutters Ian. “Try not to lose any more priceless relics while we’re away.”

Beauty hangs back a bit to lightly smack Ian on the arm. “They’re call priceless for a reason!” she scolds.

“All the more reason to snark the guy who lost them.”

Cass has already tuned out the banter; she wonders privately if she will be able to create a ballad from the adventures to come.

The three emerge from the garden into the city proper once more. They are alone on the steps leading up to the Temple complex; before them, on the street, a mix of horse-drawn and self-propelled carriages carry people from one part of town to another. None of the people before them have any concept that the very foundation of their civilization is now in peril. It is, to them, a day like any other.

“So, I suppose we must go to our boat,” says Beauty with a smile.

“Yeah, might be a good idea,” chuckles Cass.

Ian shudders. “Oh god, boats again.”

The group begins its walk through the city. Cassalina hums to herself, trying out different melodies for the ballad-to-be. Beauty hums to herself is well, but it is a song she is already duly familiar with: one of many hymns to Sune. Ian walks in the shadows of the buildings, generally avoiding direct sunlight; although his dense outfit protects him from the painful rays of the sun, he prefers not to take chances if possible. It is not long before the group reaches the city’s docks. From here, ferries regularly depart to transport people to cities in all ten Zones.

As the group arrives, they find themselves greeted by an anxious-looking attendant. “Excuse me, are you the…adventurers sent by the Temple?” he asks. When the groups gives confirmation that they are, he looks relieved. “I was asked to hold the next ferry to Zone 4 for you guys,” he says. “Just between us, the passengers are getting…restless.”

“Well, we can’t have that,” says Cassalina with a smile. She heads toward the boat in question, where people do indeed seem to be getting rather rowdy. Ian cautiously follows after her, giving a nod to the attendant.

“Oh, wait one moment!” exclaims Beauty. “I’ll be right back!” With that, she turns and dashes up the street.

About ten minutes pass; the crowd is only growing rowdier. Beauty, now out of breath, sprints back to the docks; a large adventuring bag is slung over her arm, stuffed to the brim with supplies. “I always keep this packed in my room in case the lady Sune calls me away on a quest,” she explains. “I just had to run back to the temple of Sune to grab it.”

The attendant, looking quite anxious at this point, frantically nods and ushers Beauty onto the boat. The crowd is now quite frustrated, and it looks to be a good thing Beauty got back when she did; another couple minutes and a riot might have broken out.

With all three adventurers on board, the ferry begins its journey towards Zone 4; propelled by the latest in transportation technology derived from the study of the Metal and Lightning Orbs, the trip will take only a few hours. During this time, our heroes occupy themselves in various ways. Ian moves to the center of the boat, staying far away from the edges; he withdraws his dirty magazine and begins reading it where he left off, disguising it inside a travel brochure. Beauty moves to a quiet place near the stern of the boat and begins perusing a collection of pictures, which she uses to help herself get into a meditative state; a few passersby are offended by some of the more explicit pictures, but they quickly go away and she is not bothered any further. Cass uses the time to work on her songs, occasionally glancing out at the waves in hopes of finding inspiration in the crashing of the waves; all the while, she distracts herself from certain worrying thoughts which have been attempting to enter her mind since the sight of the empty Chamber.

Time passes in relative peace and tranquility; and finally, after a few hours of travel, the rocky coast of Zone 4 comes into view on the horizon.

#the crystal orbs #tco chapter 1 #ian nightblade #cassalina yardel #beauty sunehammer #Dungeons and Dragons #d&d 5e #d&d campaign #funny d&d session #d&d novelization

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