Merry Christmas to you all and thanks for the Xmas wishes I received. It's not quite 2020 yet, but we're close. I can already smell the failed New Year's resolutions just lining up to be dashed. Cynical? Me? Nahhh.

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Dishwasher1910

Book 9: Chapter 27

I sat atop his saddle, hands linked atop the cantle and my attention focused on the procession approaching the city. Faith whinnied and stomped at the floor, agitated by our lack of movement and eager to trot. "Calm," I whispered, stroking her mane. Her answer was to snort, toss her head and no doubt insult me in horse-tongue.

Flanking me was Glynda, atop her own dappled grey colt and dressed in long, flowing robes of amethyst. Her hair was tied up, strands falling across her face and a golden chain around her neck emblazoned with the seal of Beacon. To the side and behind us, the Royal Guard, numbering eight in total, stood in a loose semi-circle open to the front. Their silvery breastplates had been buffed to a shine, their deep blue cloaks flowing down in the still air. The sun beat down on us, as uncompromising as it had ever been.

There would be crowds watching from the walls of Vale. I didn't dare look back, but I knew they'd be there. The typical hustle and bustle of the city was muted. An unnatural stillness settling over Vale as a small army approached. I couldn't yet make out the details, but the plumes of dust kicked up behind them spoke of at least a couple of hundred. Not an invading force by any means, but neither was it a simple trading caravan.

"I will be casting a spell to allow our voices to travel," Glynda said. "You won't notice anything, but the city will be able to hear everything that is said." Her green eyes met mine. "Keep that in mind. Your words have weight now. They will have forever more."

My actions too. I hummed my acknowledgement without turning to face her. Ruby was still weak even if she was awake, and we'd decided together it would be best if I handled this. As the procession came closer and closer, they slowly diverted to meet us, spotting and accurately surmising we were the diplomatic envoys from the city.

Black armour highlighted with gold and pale blue cloth became visible. Pennants and banners streamed behind them, the black and blue of Mistral. Adorned like knights all, they marched in a column four wide, with one man at the lead standing out by virtue of his long crimson cloak that fluttered down on either side of a white horse with long hair and a graceful tread.

His skin was pale, his smile handsome and gentle. He had piercing brown eyes that looked like chocolate and curly brown hair that fell in ringlets over his forehead. He was handsome. Incredibly so. Even I couldn't argue against that, and I was sure many a woman had felt their heart race at the sight of his smile. It was so friendly and inclusive that I found myself liking him even from a hundred metres away.

Furiously, I dashed those false sentiments aside. I gripped Crocea Mors and adjusted it at my side, the clink of metal and leather snapping the royal guard out of their own trance. Armour grated as they stood back at attention, helmeted faces focused on the floor, sky or around the handsome man, but not on him.

"The King of Mistral," Glynda remarked.

"I figured."

"He was the son of the last King, the one that who took his life in grief."

"Who was assassinated by his own court, you mean. Have all the blame tossed on him, kill him and then say it was his fault and not Mistral's." Jaune watched the King. "Do you think he had a hand in it?"

"Impossible to say."

He looked like a man who'd gotten everything he ever wanted in life for free. Someone who could ask for anything and get it. My own life hadn't been horrible by comparison, but everything I had now, I'd worked for and I instantly disliked that about him. He was also the one Cinder had been engaged to, and now he was trying to draw Ruby in not even a year after Cinder's death.

The King of Mistral held up his left hand and the man to his left raised his flag. The signal brought the column to a halt, horses stamping skittishly. They stood in the shadow of the artificial forest I'd created to ensnare Salem and a few Soldiers among the column looked to it in awe. They had to have heard about the siege and how it ended.

The first four of the column nudged their horses on toward me. The King of Mistral, two soldiers I didn't recognise and one Noble. All of it no doubt part of the royal court, and the noble his most trusted advisor. The royal guard of Vale didn't challenge them, instead staying still as Glynda and I nudged our own steeds forward, meeting them halfway in a gesture of respect. Arcane sigils flared around Glynda's hand as she cast her spell. The subtle nod she sent told me it was now active, and everyone could hear us.

The King of Mistral motioned for his retainers to stay put and made the final few feet on his own. With a glance to Glynda, I did the same, nudging Faith forward until our horses were but a few feet apart. Each of us within striking distance. Despite that, and the fact he was unarmed but for a ceremonial dagger at his left hip, the young King smiled handsomely.

"You are Jaune Arc, the slayer of Salem." Even his voice was beautiful. Soft, lilting and musical, like chimes tinkling in the wind. I could have listened to it for hours. "We've heard of you. I am Gabriel Alansar. King of Mistral. It is an honour to meet you."

The respect surprised me. Had we been wrong? Had we judged him too quickly? Mistral had come at the end and sent an army to relieve us, and they'd stayed to help rebuild. Maybe we'd criticised them unfairly. His deep brown eyes sparkled. My hand gripped Crocea Mors tighter. I felt the flare of my eyes as Resilience forced Charisma aside. I stood taller, no longer feeling that subtle pull begging me to bend knee. He was still attractive, but in a distant way. His eyes didn't quite match the façade, I noticed. There was a hint of arrogance to them that belied the kindness. How had I not noticed that before? No matter. I released my sword and forced my hands back onto the cantle.

"An honour to meet you as well," I said. To me, I sounded quiet, and there was no way of knowing if Glynda's spell worked or not. I tried not to think on that as I spoke, or on how people might react to what I said. "Vale welcomes its brothers in arms. If you've come to aid in the rebuilding of the city, we shall graciously accept. Guest rooms at the palace can be made available to you and your entourage."

Gabriel's smile faltered but a little. Guest rooms were expected and all well and good, but in the absence of the King of Vale to occupy his own chambers, it would have made sense to offer him those. That I hadn't wasn't something to be missed.

"My people have already rendered air where they can," Gabriel said. "I bring more but would speak with the people of Vale to make my offer clear."

"You may speak with me, Gabriel."

His eyes hardened. "King Gabriel. Or `my King` will suffice."

"Gabriel," I repeated, casually tossing aside the instinctual desire to accommodate him. Had it not been for my Resilience, I expected I would have apologised without thinking. My eyes met his. "King though you may be, you are not my King."

"King Galan fell in the battle as I am to understand. His line with him."

"That is unfortunately true. King Galan personally rallied us against a monster he could not hope to face. He may have been King, but at the end of his life he proved himself a hero as well." I bowed my head in memory. "He shall be missed."

"You, and all of Vale, have my and the Kingdom of Mistral's greatest condolences. Both for the loss of King Galan and every brave soul who fell in defence of the city. It is in their memory that I am here," he claimed. "Though I could not fight her myself, I could not see the people of this fair Kingdom suffer any longer."

His voice rose as he said that, and though that would normally have had no hope of reaching the city, he seemed to know it would now. Either he expected Glynda's move or, more likely, he had someone in his entourage casting the exact same spell.

"I have ridden hard from my home to reach you, bringing both supplies, hope and a promise of a grander future for all the people of Vale." Theatrically, he held a hand to his heart. "As part of that, I wish to offer myself and my experienced court in assisting in the reconstruction and management of the Kingdom. I would offer the protection of Mistral against outside threats that might see Vale as vulnerable in its hour of need."

"What threats might those be?" I asked. "Atlas is our staunch ally and the tribes of Vacuo fought and died alongside us. The last military forced to oppose us was your own."

Gabriel's eyes narrowed but he pushed on, ignoring me and speaking instead to the city. Speaking over my head. "I would stand as Regent of Vale. My experience in ruling Mistral and the resources at my disposal can be diverted to help protect the city, while free trade and migration from Mistral could see the population flourish."

"A Regent is a stand-in for the royal line, correct?"

"Yes." He looked again to me, his smile as charismatic as ever. "Naturally, I have no claim to the throne of Vale and would not seek it. I would rule in name only, until one of the royal blood of Vale returns to take his or her rightful place."

Which was impossible. Galan was dead, his heir as well. Lisa might once have qualified, but she had died as well. If Gabriel became Regent, he would remain it all his life – and it wasn't hard to imagine that at some point he might make the move to transition from Regent to King, once the people got used to him being in charge and decided they wouldn't complain. Or he could find another way to take it, perhaps claiming Ruby's blood related to the King and wedding her. Who could disprove it? Who would know? Who would dare question? Ruby slew Salem and the people would accept her having royal blood because it made it easier to accept such a feat.

"That is a kindly offer," I said warily.

"It is, isn't it? There will be much work for me, especially with Vale in such a state." He gestured to the broken outer walls, their crumbling remains guarded night and day but still a weakness and way in for Grimm and the like. "Still, I would accept to such responsibility if it means aiding you all. I could do no less as King."

"As expected of one such as you."

I let the ambiguity of the statement hang in the air. It could have been compliment or condemnation and he had no way of knowing. My breath came out in a rush, chest rising and falling under my breastplate. It wasn't fully healed, and my skin stretched, sore and red from where Salem carved me open. I wanted to lay down and rest, but the people in the city were watching me. Listening. Waiting. Their future, their very lives, were being influenced by what I said.

"Vale will graciously accept what aid you offer. We need all the allies we can find in these difficult times." I watched as Gabriel's smile grew wider still, his eyes gleaming. "However." I watched the smile fade. "Vale needs no Regent at this time."

Gabriel's eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"

"It is. Your information must be out of date. The royal line is secure."

He leaned back, as close to a recoil as I expected I'd see from him. The momentary shock couldn't be seen from the city, but he brought it back under control regardless, sitting taller and stiffer in the saddle. His mount, sensing his tension, snorted and moved slowly to the side, at least until he brought it back under control.

"Secure?" he whispered. "I had heard King Galan died, the heir with him."

"That is true."

"Then how? There was no further line of his."

"There was not," I agreed. "A new King has been chosen. A new monarch."

Gabriel's lips twisted. "Who? There is no other `King` Class in Vale. I know this as fact!"

Reaching behind me, I slipped the golden circlet from my saddlebags and brought it up. His eyes tracked it, shock morphing into disbelief as I settled it on my own head, nestled within hair a similar shade of gold.

"All hail," Glynda crowed. "Jaune Arc, King of Vale."

The royal guard roared their approval, stamping weapons down in unison. I couldn't hear if anything similar came from the city, the distance was too great. For all I knew, they could be cheering or staring in shock. They could even be rioting against the decision. There was no telling. I could only play my part and hope for the best.

"You?" Gabriel demanded, his friendly tone dripping away. "A Blacksmith as King of Vale? What joke is this?"

"A Blacksmith. A Swordmaster. I've been Labour Caste and Hero. I've fought in wars. I slew Cinder and even had a hand in the defeat of Raven Branwen and Salem herself. If the people need me, I'll step up as King as well."

Gabriel hissed under his breath and fixed his attention on me. His eyes glowed, the colour shifting subtly from brown to a glimmering amber. Every contour of his face became smoother. His hair seemed to flow and shimmer like spun threads of silk. When his lips moved, my eyes traced every aspect of them, wondering what they might feel like against my own. His voice was whispered honey, even if his words were not.

"Kneel."

My saddle creaked as I swung off and thudded down onto the dusty floor of the wasteland the fields outside Vale had been turned into. Armour clinked as the royal guard watching uneasily. Glynda's hands tightened on the reins as I stepped away from Faith and toward the still mounted King of Mistral. In the distance, I imagined everyone in the Guild holding their breath and waiting to see if I would bend knee.

Gabriel smiled, tilting his head back in victory.

Crocea Mors sang as she was torn from her scabbard, reversed and stabbed down into the ground. She pierced inches deep, standing firm as I crossed my hands over the pommel and leaned casually on her, my legs straight and my eyes hard. I did not kneel.

"The previous King of Mistral, your father, tried those exact same words on me when he invaded my city. I defied him then, and the only reason I didn't cut him down was because my own king requested I stay my blade." I made a show of looking around before saying, "I don't see anyone here now to demand the same."

"Kneel," Gabriel insisted, clutching his reins. His eyes burned as he sought to bend his will upon me. "Bend knee and accept me as your King."

I stood still, one eyebrow cocked. The command washed over me like water, a cool sensation that whispered I should kneel, but had no real impact beyond that. My muscles didn't so much as quiver and I kept my gaze on him, palms resting atop the pommel of my sword in an unmissable gesture of readiness.

I'd fought Salem.

Gabriel Alansar didn't scare me.

"You fool." The veneer of kindness disappeared in a flash. "You arrogant fool. Do you really expect Vale will survive without us? Without me? Look at your city. It is but a fragment of its former glory, a hovel waiting for a stiff breeze to blow it down."

"We will rebuild."

"Your population has been gutted! Your Heroes slaughtered! How will you face the Grimm!?"

"We will fight. If needs be, I'll stop the Grimm myself."

"Your walls are broken!" Gabriel shrieked. "What is to stop the Grimm marching right in to kill your people?" His eyes flashed dangerously. "What is to stop me marching an army in right now to do the same?"

Glynda hummed dangerously from behind me.

Behind Gabriel, a hundred or more weapons were readied to be drawn.

I stood before them all, sword in the dirt, eyes focused on the entitled brat of a king and my attention elsewhere. On the grand forest of silver trees that rose up to our right. For the briefest of moments, my eyes flickered blue.

Metal cracked, splintered and groaned. Horses whinnied and soldiers panicked, all looking away – along with Gabriel – as the largest of the metallic trees shrunk back into the ground as though it were growing in reverse. Soil and rock crumbled and ground to dust, splintered or pushed aside as the root buried deep underground, racing away with my fire burning bright inside it. My eyes that had flickered now burned blue, locked still on King Gabriel as he watched the city in awe and horror.

I knew what it was he saw.

He saw the city walls move. He saw shining silver burst up from the ground, grip the shattered walls and cling to them. He saw branches and roots grow vertical, expand and weave together like cloth. He saw the uneven and wild roots merge and connect, expand and flatten, match the width of the wall and become a part of it.

Before his and his entourage's eyes, the walls of Vale reformed themselves and were rebuilt anew, now a mix of solid stone and gleaming Ironwood, the metal shining in the sun like silver fire. With a smile and a final flash, I formed two hooded figures who burst from the front, grand statues that stood on the left and right of the mighty gate, staves extended as though guarding the gate itself. Easily fifty feet tall, if one were to look closely, they might recognise the faces as similar to two men who had given their lives for the city. Ironwood and Ozpin. The giant statues would forever watch over those who entered the city now. A fitting testament to two heroes.

Gabriel stared, mouth open and eyes wide.

"Our walls look fine to me," I said, not failing to hear the hysterical snort of laughter from someone in the royal guard behind me. "And should any enemies march on my Kingdom, I shall form more than walls to face them."

They had no idea what my limits were. To be fair, neither did I. Reforming the walls had not been easy, and my head throbbed like someone had taken a hammer to it. Like I'd forged ten thousand swords in one go. I felt mentally drained. Exhausted. I relied on Crocea Mors to keep me upright, leaning more of my weight on the sword that had changed a hundred times since this all began, and yet was somehow still the weapon I'd started all this with.

King Gabriel looked down on me, but for once he did not look down on me. He was angry. Shocked. Afraid.

If I could form a wall of metal like that, then could I collapse it? Could I break down buildings as easily as I made them? Could I sweep the Ironwood forest onto its side and crush him and his small army in one go? And if I could do that, what could I do with more time and against a larger invading force?

Honestly, I didn't know.

Neither did he.

"Vale is not weak," I said, speaking loud and firm. "We are wounded. We are hurt. But we stood against Salem and we struck her down. History will remember us as the ones who did the impossible, and we will not sail softly into the night. Like the walls themselves, we will rebuild, and we will grow stronger than ever, because to do anything else is to spit on the sacrifice of those who fell to buy us this moment. In their memory, we will stay strong. In their memory, Vale will be forged anew."

I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but I swore I heard cheering from the city walls. People roaring in joyous agreement. Clapping. Screaming. Weapons being beat against shields and armour and a chant that may or may not have included my name. I didn't dare look, not if it meant being the first to break eye contact.

"So, Gabriel," I said. "Do you require guest rooms in my palace?" I lowered my voice. "Or will you follow in your father's footsteps and challenge me?"

Flinching, he looked away. Was the first to break.

"I-I can see that Vale has its affairs in order," he stammered, pale and shaking. The effects of his Charisma faded away, not that they'd ever been effective against me. "I would not wish to distract you when you have so much on your plate. As one fellow ruler to another, I wish you and your line well."

Chuckling, I inclined my head. "You and yours as well, Gabriel. You and yours."

/-/

The ride back to the city was in silence on our end, but anything but from the people. The raucous cheers and cries must have reached the retreating figures of King Gabriel and his force. Flowers rained down on us as we made our way through the gate, me on horseback again and with the crown of Vale resting atop my head. People cheered my name. Others cheered `Vale` and yet more just roared their approval.

"Wave to them," Glynda whispered. "Interact."

I raised my arm and the cheers grew louder. A smile I didn't fully feel spread across my face, brittle enough that any of my friends could have called it false, but no one that didn't know me. I looked among the thousands of faces and recognised few of them. The odd person here and there, some from back home who looked equal parts shocked and elated.

Of the Guild I saw no one. They must have been waiting in the palace, and this was hardly a surprise to them. The royal guard had to shout for people to make way, but they made no effort to force it or chastise. People crowded all around us. I was tense as hands touched my boots and legs, my cloak, my sword and anything they could reach. Faith tossed her head, agitated but for once not lashing out at the unfamiliar crowding.

Thankfully, it didn't last. Once we were away from the gate and the main crowd, we were able to pick up speed and trot up the main road toward the palace. People still cheered and hung from windows, waving to me as I waved and smiled back. I'd never been one for public events and that hadn't changed. It would have to change, I realised. I'd be doing this a lot more often.

"Jaune!" a familiar voice cried. "Jaune, w-what the heck did I just hear?"

One of the guards made to stop the frightened woman rushing forward but I nudged Faith forward and gestured for him to stand down. He did, backing away so my mother could push through the guard and reach my side.

"Did you just-"

"Come on up," I said, reaching down and surprising her with my Strength, hauling her bodily up into the saddle in front of me, her back to my chest. I linked an arm around her stomach and used the other to hold the reins. "I'm glad to see you okay."

"You're glad?" From her position, she couldn't hold me, but she gripped my hand with both of hers, squeezing tight. "You were in Vale when that monster came. Do you have any idea how often I cried myself to sleep wondering about you?"

"Too many. I'm sorry."

"You – ah!" Her voice cracked. "I-If I wasn't so shocked right now, I'd tan your hide, young man."

The royal guard tried hard not to laugh. Tried. A few didn't manage it.

"And what's this I hear about being a King? That doesn't even make sense."

I chuckled. "Believe me. I know. I'll explain on the way back. The Gods know, I could use some advice right now. Think you're up to helping your wayward son?"

Juniper's fingers worked their way around mine. "Always."

We rode with me speaking and her listening. I continued to wave to those watching as we did, fulfilling my expected duty as I told her of all the things that had happened since Salem's defeat, and how I'd been pressured into the position of King. She listened through it all, unusually silent as we stepped through the gates of the palace and stable hands came to take our horses away. We paused for Glynda to inform me that the official coronation would take place tomorrow. That the Nobles would be meeting with us tonight and that I had only an hour to prepare. Less considering servants would be coming in thirty minutes to help me prepare.

It was in my room – the King's own chambers – that I finished the story with her. Yang and Pyrrha had come to see my return and congratulate me, but seeing Juniper, had instead nodded and given us some peace and quiet. Mom watched me intently as I finished, recalling the tense discussion between myself, Blake and Ruby, and the tenuous agreement we'd come to.

"And you didn't just say no?" she asked. "You don't want to be King."

"I don't, but Vale needs it."

"A pox on Vale, Jaune. What do you want? Don't tell me you're just doing this for the sake of other people…"

"I'm not. Not entirely."

"Then why does Vale matter?"

"Because I love it!" My answer surprised her. And me. "Because… Because we fought for Vale. Cinder died for Vale. Ozpin and Ironwood gave their lives for it, as did so many others. Because we stood on the walls of Beacon and watched as unprepared men and women fought for the Kingdom they called home. I… I couldn't let Mistral take it. Even if they were genuine and wanted nothing more than to help us, I couldn't have handled that. I'd have fought."

Juniper sighed. "You can't give the city up, then?"

"No. This is my home now. I'd rather be King and fail than let Vale fade into history."

"Jaune…" Her face softened. "Well, I can't argue with that, so I won't. One thing I will argue with, however, is how much you're letting everyone run over you!"

I flinched. "What?"

"Who are you, Jaune? Who are you?"

Confused, I answered as best I could. "I'm Jaune."

"Jaune who?"

"Jaune Arc."

"That's right. You're Jaune Arc, son of Nicholas Arc. You're a Blacksmith." Mom poked my chest. "You're not a Knight, you're not a Warrior and you're not a Hero, so that means you have to stay home, take over the forge and be a blacksmith all your life. Got it?"

"Mom…"

"Do you understand!?" she yelled.

"Mom." I closed my hand over hers, peeling her finger away from my chest. I might have been angry at those words once upon a time, but I smiled indulgently at them now. "You're not wrong, but what I was and what I am are different now. Even if I'm a Blacksmith, I'm a Hero now. I can fight. That's not going to change just because you want it to."

"But a Blacksmith isn't supposed to fight. Or rule. You're meant to be Labour Caste. You're meant to stay home and learn from your father, then take over once he retires." Her eyes bore into mine. "Those are the rules. It's the law."

"The rules have changed. I changed them."

"Are you defying me?" she yelled. "Are you selfishly defying me to get what you want!?"

Sighing, I closed my eyes. "If I must. I'm sorry."

I felt her hands pull free from mine and tensed, expecting her to slap me or burst out crying or worse. What I didn't expect was for her fingers to settle on my face, or for her lips to find my forehead. My eyes opened, only seeing her chin as she drew back with a proud smile on her face. My confusion peaked. Of her anger, there was nothing to be seen.

"You can fight back against your own mother when you want to," she said. "You even fought against the Caste System, against society, against expectation, the Grimm, your Class and even a Goddess from what I understand."

Her thumbs rubbed over my cheeks.

"So tell me, my wonderful son, why have you stopped fighting now?"

I stared at her. "What do you mean…?"

"This marriage," she whispered. "It's making you, Blake and even poor Ruby upset. It's hurting all of you. Why are you accepting it?"

"B-Because we have to," I stammered. "Because the people expect it and-"

Her finger touched my lips, sealing them shut. Her eyes sparkled.

"People expect a hero to be of the Hero Caste. They expect NPCs like us to be weak. They expected Ansel to fall to Mistral. They expected Vale to fall to Salem, and then for it to be subsumed by Mistral. They expect you to marry Ruby and take her as your Queen, and they expect you to keep your distance from your Assassin friend." She sighed. "They're expecting a lot from you, it seems."

"They are," I agreed, voice faint. "It's crushing me…"

"I can see that. But tell me, Jaune. Since when did you care about what people expect of you?"

No words came forth. The question, so simple, blew me out the water.

"You didn't care about the entire world telling you that you couldn't be a Hero, so why do you suddenly care for it telling you what you can and can't do here and now? Are you not Jaune Arc, the man who defied the Caste System and surpassed it?"

My hands clenched into fists. "I am."

"If that's so, then since when did Jaune Arc let other people decide his destiny for him?"

Since when? I didn't know.

"My son is such a stubborn man," Juniper lamented. "He fights for what he wants and doesn't give up until he makes it possible or the world breaks him. I don't think you're broken. Not yet. So…" She leaned back, slapped my breastplate and looked me dead in the eye. "Why are you down here on your knees letting everyone run roughshod over you?"

There was no answer to hand, no obvious path to take. But then, there never had been. Not when I first decided to become a Hero, not when I nearly died in the First Quest, not in Atlas, Mistral, Vacuo or after. Not in the Mirage Isles. Not against Raven or against Salem. I'd just blundered on, pushed on, relying on the others to have my back as I had theirs.

Right now, Blake and Ruby were doing their best, but they were hurt. They were all being torn apart by this, and here I was, giving in. Not fighting. Not watching their backs. I hissed under my breath, staring down at the floor angrily.

"Fuck."

"I'd tell you off for that, but I'd rather this fury than how defeated you looked a moment ago." Juniper brought my face back up with a hand under my chin. "What are you doing to do now?" she asked. "Will you fight, or will you give up at the last moment?"

I gave my answer.

Juniper Arc smiled ferally, more terrifying in that moment than Salem herself.

"Then show them. Show them what it means to challenge an Arc."

Gotta forge your own destiny, Jaune. No use trying to please everyone by playing their games or giving in to their expectations if it means making your own life miserable. Speaking of, it's somehow both refreshing and not to be back to writing. This week off was spent with nervous energy and no idea what to do with my time.

It was… confusing to say the least. I just sat around, read a bit and ate and drank. I'm so used to having little time due to my schedule that to suddenly find myself without it was a shock to the system.

Next Chapter: 6th January

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur