Mission: Lightning Thief
And we're back with the next in the of the updating slew, and it's Transcendence for the win!
I know how much everyone's been looking forward to this because it is, in so many opinions, 'the best and most well-thought out story I have written.' Thanks guys, I'm flattered, truly...but Backup Plan is still my favorite.
Anyway, we're kicking off canon after just two simple Past Life arcs, and they'll be the last Past Life arcs for a while. Not until the Sea of Monsters at least.
Disclaimer: I don't PJO or AC
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"Annoying?" Dionysus echoed. "Certainly not the most common word I've heard out of a half-blood's mouth when they're being threatened by Zeus himself."
"Yes," Percy said, "and it has yet been revealed why I am the one being threatened for the apparent disappearance of...a lightning bolt, was it?"
"The Master Bolt, yes."
"Yes, the Master Bolt," the Assassin said sarcastically. "I must be very skilled in the arts of theft to be able to steal a jagged piece of plasma."
Dionysus cracked something of a grin. "Chiron, I like this kid. He has attitude and a dry sense of humor. Anyway, the Master Bolt is not simply a jagged piece of plasma; it is the weapon forged by the Cyclopes thousands of years ago, to serve as Zeus' sword against the Titans in the first Titanomachy."
"And someone was able to steal that?"
"Yes."
"My goodness. You must be a special kind of intelligent to lose your sword, especially when it's at your side."
Chiron coughed. "Actually, at the reported time of the theft, the Master Bolt was in a secure location, away from Zeus."
"My. Goodness. A special kind of intelligent, and a special kind of responsible...along with a special kind of security system, apparently."
Thunder cracked across the sky, and many people went white as a piece of paper.
"Ah, Percy?" Annabeth said in a small voice. "Perhaps insulting the King of Olympus on his home turf is not the best idea."
Percy looked at the ground he was standing on. "This doesn't look like Zeus' earth," he said innocently.
Annabeth groaned at her acquaintance's allusion to the world belonging to God, even this little piece of it called Camp Half-Blood.
"Moving on, Zeus does realize that I was ignorant of the pagans up until less than a month ago, yes?"
"He realizes," Dionysus said. "And he doesn't care. Essentially, he's not exactly blaming you for the theft, he just wants you to return it to him."
"Oh, if that's all...if I refuse?"
A piece of paper suddenly poofed into existence, and fluttered through the air until Dionysus, without looking, snagged it, and held it to his face, and he read aloud, "Then I shall turn you into a-oh."
Percy raised a brow, but it was Lou Ellen that blurted out the question on everyone's mind, "What does it say?" Most everyone turned to look at her, and her ears reddened.
Percy continued to look at Dionysus. "Well? We are all curious."
The Wine God beckoned him closer with a sour expression on his face, and when Percy leaned down next to his face, he whispered, "If you don't return the Master Bolt to me by the summer solstice, I will turn you into a woman, and give you to Heracles as a wife."
The Assassin leaned straightened back up slowly, digesting this new information. The deadly calm that surrounded him reminded Dionysus of the times when Poseidon was truly furious. It was like the eye of a hurricane.
"Well," the boy said tersely, "there went any vestige of respect I might have developed for my dear uncle. I'm almost tempted to put this threat to the test, just to see if Zeus is that...devoted. Alas, God wanted me here for a reason, and this Master Bolt debacle seems to be it. Allow me to make an inference: was war threatened somewhere in the recent past, say, the time between now and the theft? Global war, that is?"
"Of course," Dionysus said casually.
"Ah. Yes, it is a safe assumption that my going on this...errand, is His will. Who am I to disagree?"
"That's the spirit, ol' chap," Dionysus said neutrally. "Chiron, please instruct the Holy Man on Grecian quest traditions, and report to me his reactions and arguments after I return from this emergency council meeting. I'm curious as to what he'll say."
Dionysus then turned into a bunch of bubbles that floated away and popped at random instances, filling the air with the scent of grapes.
"Right," Chiron said after a time. "Percy, come with me. The rest of you, wait out here...or you'll be cleaning the stables with your bare hands for a month, and then the bathrooms with a toothbrush for another month."
On that happy note, Chiron wheeled himself into the Big House, and Percy followed, hands clasped behind his back like a military figure of great authority. Annabeth, Beckendorf, and Lou Ellen were all pale and green at Chiron's threat.
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"I know this must be painful for you, my old friend, being subject to the wills of pagan deities-"
"Peace, Chiron," Percy interrupted with a calm smile. "I do not consider myself subject to the whims or threats of Zeus and his kin. I do this for the sake of peace on this earth in the name of the Lord. If I did not act for that, I would go to Olympus right now and...settle things, with the false god."
The old centaur nodded, a piercing look in his dark eye. "The day that the Sky King attempts to smite you for your lack of respect, only for Him to defend you, will be a good day indeed. However, today is the present, and in the present is where we exist.
"Up the stairs, in the attic, is the Oracle. Approach her and ask...this isn't a conflict of faith for you, is it?"
"It is no more a conflict for me, than it is for a soldier to kill on the battlefield."
Chiron nodded. "You are wise beyond your years, my friend."
"Technically, I am over 80 years old."
"It didn't end with Farris, you said?"
"Indeed, but I feel that is a conversation for another time. Perhaps after I have finished my errand."
"I await your tale with eagerness, my friend."
Percy nodded, and ascended the stairs to the attic.
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On one hand, yes, this was sacrilege of something akin to the highest degree. Here he was, ascending the stairs of a pagan institution to confer with a pagan Oracle, something that was basically a psychic, a witch, and/or prophetess, all of which were expressly frowned upon and big no-no's. Granted, killing people, lying, stealing, and eating bacon were also big no-no's, but Percy loved to eat bacon.
Bacon was good.
On the other hand, however, God had brought him here for a reason, and made him into a son of Poseidon for a reason, and had brought him into this world in the same era of this Lightning Thief debacle-which threatened the world-for a reason. All evidence pointed to that reason being so make sure the pagans didn't blow something up.
To that end, Percy supposed God was willing to bend some rules to allow for the continued existence and survival of His children.
Percy reached the attic door and fluidly opened it and entered. Had he not already been in here, the sights might have surprised him and drawn his attention, but, as it was, he only had eyes for the Oracle. And he found her without Eagle Vision.
Score.
The Oracle itself was an underwhelming thing, being a shriveled up mummy of a woman wearing clothing stereotypical of a hippy from the 60s, maybe even the 30s. Still, Percy approached it and said, "Where will this errand end?"
The Oracles eyes turned bright green, and the air was filled with the sound of hissing snakes, which only served to increase Percy's displeasure with this entire situation. Green mist flooded out of the Oracle's shriveled mouth, enveloping the entire attic, obscuring Percy's vision. Then, the mist swirled and twisted, revealing a sight the Assassin didn't care to see.
Gabe was sitting at the poker table, his three buddies sitting at the other chairs. Between them was probably a combined weight of half a ton.
Fat Man Number One said, in the raspy, slithery voice of the Oracle, You shall go west, and face the god who has turned
Fat Man Number Two said, You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned
Fat Man Number Three said, Ancient enemies and allies of a time long past
And Gabe finished, Will return with vengeance, and begin the final war at long last
Percy's eyes widened as the implications of the final two lines hit him like a Brute with a bastard sword, but before he could ponder further, the green mist violently twisted about, and was sucked back into the Oracle, which promptly went dormant once more.
Percy's gaze lingered on the mummy for a moment longer, before his eyes traveled down to the Sword in his hand. The ruby in the hilt, the emerald in the pommel, the gold cross guard, the long, slender, sleek blade, the runes carved into the flat.
The Sword glowed a faint gold.
"The Templars and Assassins...they may yet live after all."
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Percy returned to the living room to find Chiron patiently waiting for him. Upon clearing the stairs, the centaur sighed in relief.
"Oh good, you're still mentally intact."
"More or less."
"Indeed," Chiron nodded sagely. "What were the Oracle's words?"
"I'm going west to face the god who has turned, and I shall find what was stolen and see it safely returned."
"Was that all?"
"No, but the remaining lines pertain to the things that Farris did not tell you back doing the Third Crusade."
"The secret order?"
"Yes."
"The prophecy has you thinking that Faris' order still exists today."
"Indeed. While you may fault me for keeping secrets, especially when our first meeting was seven hundred years ago, I still consider myself bound by the tenants of the Creed."
"Of course, my old friend. I blame you for nothing. Moving on, there is still this quest that needs to be underway. Usually, in addition to you, two other members are permitted, making a total of three-"
"I'm taking Annabeth, Lou Ellen, and Beckendorf. The daughter of Athena's intelligence will be a boon, the witch's skill in magic will be beneficial, and the blacksmith's mechanical knowledge will be invaluable."
"Uh, not to dispute your logic, but four half-bloods, especially one as powerful as you in addition with three others of remarkable strength, will attract the attention of many monsters."
"Yes, and with that many half-bloods, any monster that challenges us will be destroyed quickly. Please, stop arguing this with me."
"Very well. Now, we here at Camp can provide you with supplies and money and limited transportation, but beyond a certain point, you are on your own. When it comes to quests, my hands are tied by certain laws and rules."
"Understood."
Chiron nodded. "Yes, now the lines of the prophecy. West to the god who has turned more than likely means Hades. The entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles, on Valencia Boulevard, DOA Recording Studios."
"Dead On Arrival?" Percy raised a brow.
Chiron nodded seriously. "Yes. Now, you will find what was stolen, and see it safely returned. The Master Bolt, returned to Zeus. That is a good thing."
"Arguable, but if it means the world see another day, then that is good enough for me."
"Indeed...what exactly did Zeus threaten you with?"
"He threatened to turn me into a woman and marry me off to Heracles."
Chiron looked disturbed. "Oh...that is...unique...even for traditional divine punishments."
"And annoying, but anyway. I would prefer to leave as soon as possible. While the Solstice is three weeks from today, getting a head start and using all available time as efficiently as possible is a strategy I feel is most suited to this cause."
"Agreed. With haste, your quest can depart within the hour."
"Mumtaz. I will inform them immediately."
Chiron nodded, and Percy left the Big House. Annabeth, Beckendorf, Lou Ellen, and Grover of all people, were on the front porch, playing a game of-
"Annabeth, do you have sevens?"
"Sorry, Lou. Go fish."
Raising a brow, Percy cleared his throat, making him the center of attention. Grover was the first to react to the Assassin's presence, with vocal gusto.
"Percy! Please let me go on the quest with you!"
…
Floored was an accurate description of how the demigod felt. First off, he and Grover weren't exactly friends; decent acquaintances, yes, but Percy honestly did not consider the satyr his friend. Secondly, Grover had proven on numerous occasions to not be up to par with any situation beyond enchilada day at Yancy Academy, when he suddenly became an Olympic-level athletic runner; how the 'cripple' could handle a cross-country quest fraught with monsters and too many hindrances to count escaped the understanding and comprehension of Percy Jackson. Thirdly, and finally, this was a mission, not a playdate, and when it came to missions, Virgil Cavaliere did not fuck around.
His decisions were based on logic, fact, faith, and understanding of one's capabilities; he left nothing to chance, and made sure all bases were covered; any variables were accounted for and calculated accordingly, and Grover was a variable the likes of which Virgil had never seen.
The satyr was a wild card, a loose cannon that lacked the ability to so much as fire its shot correctly, making him doubly useless, as the average loose cannon, when pointed at the enemy, could still do damage.
However, despite all this, Percy saw the pleading in those big eyes, the extreme hope and dependence, the practical begging that was in those dark, innocent orbs. As such, despite being the reincarnation of a Levantine Assassin, who is the youngest Master on record, and a Renaissance Assassin, who was the Mentor of the European Brotherhood for over a decade, Percy was still a child, a mature one for sure, but still a child, and Grover's pitiful plea tugged at Percy's heartstrings.
That, and he was being stared down by three other children.
Still, all of this accumulated into the thought of merely asking why Grover wanted to come, not merely letting him come.
"Grover, why do you want to go on this quest?"
The satyr shifted, and Annabeth put her hand on his shoulder, and Percy saw the look in her eyes. So, they had a history, it seemed.
"I want to find Pan, but to do that, I need a Searcher's License, and to get that, I need to successfully protect a half-blood. You know, like find them, and get them to Camp safely. I...f-failed doing that the first time, and you were supposed to be my second chance, but I...I…" Grover settled himself and moved on to another sentence. "The council, of Cloven Elders, that is, said that my assignment with you was half-way decent, and that I had another shot at getting my Searcher's License, but only if I went on a quest...and came back...alive."
"Gather anything you think will be useful but keep it compact. The rest of you do the same. We leave to go west to the god who has turned to find what was stolen and see it safely returned, within the hour."
Percy received wide-eyed stares. "Well? Get moving."
"Percy, that's...that's five people on a quest-"
"Yes, and I don't care. You see this as a quest when the reality is that this is a mission, one in which the fate of the world hangs in the balance. To that end, Greek traditions of only three to a quest are inane. Now, if you don't want to go on this mission, speak up now, otherwise go get ready."
There was a solid five seconds of more failure to comprehend what was happening, before the quartet went sprinting for their cabins, Beckendorf making a beeline for the Hephaestus Cabin, Annabeth the Athena Cabin, Lou heading for somewhere in the distance (most likely her own place, as she was claimed but didn't have a Hecate Cabin), and Grover for the woods. Percy calmly headed for his own Cabin at a brisk pace.
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As Percy passed the sword arena, he saw Luke teaching a class. A thought occurred to him, and he repeated in a mantra in his head, Who is the Lightning Thief. He wasn't entirely sure how Eagle Vision worked to find the object of his search, but it was a strange coincidence that whoever he had been searching for was always gold. With that in mind, Percy activated Eagle Vision…
Well, that was certainly unsurprising.
In the arena, Luke felt like he was being watched by a victorious predator, and when he looked in the direction of where his sixth sense was directing him, he saw a taunting smile, and a pair of sparkling green eyes. Luke looked into those eyes, and he paled as a sense of fear gripped him.
And then Percy was walking away as if nothing had happened.
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Percy didn't need much, just the crossbow ring, his Bible, and the Sword, along with the hollowed-out Minotaur horns that served as convenient storage. He was also proud to see his white hoodie was back, but there was a small problem in that, with his horns on his back, his hoodie fit him...awkwardly.
Oh well, it was probably nothing Lou couldn't fix.
With all the things that he needed on his body, Percy left Cabin 3, and made for Half-Blood Hill.
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He was the first to arrive, being the one with the least amount of things that he felt he needed to bring, and Beckendorf was the second, though he was decked out in bracelets, rings, and a necklace with a few charms on it. All of it was, without a doubt, collapsible technology, which meant that Beckendorf was effectively a walking armory.
"You seem different," the black demigod observed.
"Oh? How so?"
"You're more...militant. Two hours ago you were happier and smiled more, now you're straight-faced and serious."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. Think of it as me putting on my game face."
"...okay."
Beckendorf didn't look entirely convinced with that, but he let it slide. Then he had another question.
"Hey, what happened to that sword you were carrying?"
"I put it in my horn."
"Huh-oh! The Minotaur horn. Lou Ellen worked her magic, then?"
"Literally."
"...you know? I think she likes you."
"I have also...picked up on those messages."
"So?" Beckendorf grinned. "Gonna pursue that?"
Percy looked at his friend. "Should the opportunity present itself, I may just do that. However, fate of the world in the balance, I do believe a personal relationship, especially one that has yet to bud, is best put on hold. For now."
Honestly, thoughts of a relationship had been nonexistent in his head, mainly because he had been a married man basically yesterday, and his feelings for Claudia weren't exactly nonexistent, so…
Yeah.
"Hey, where are those horns, anyway?"
"On my back, under my hoodie."
"Oh, that's why it looks like you have a tumor on your back."
"Yes, I'm hoping Lou can do something about that."
"Mm."
The conversation died until Lou came jogging up. "Hey, boys."
"Hey, Lou. Percy wants to know if you can fix his back tumor."
Green eyes blinked owlishly. "...what?"
The Assassin sighed. "The Minotaur horns make my hoodie fit awkwardly."
"Oh! Easy fix. Xif sih eidooh!"
Percy blinked when his back suddenly felt...right. He could still feel the horns, still feel his hoodie on top of those, but it didn't felt awkward.
"Thank you, Lou."
"No prob, Perce."
"Please, do not call me 'Perce.'"
The daughter of Hecate grinned, clearly about to call him that again, but Annabeth, Grover, and Chiron arrived together, and the Camp van pulled up behind them, Argus at the wheel. The half-blood and the satyr both had backpacks, as did Lou Ellen.
"Now, the deadline is on the 21st, three weeks from this day. Make haste to Los Angeles, and be prepared for everything to go wrong."
"Excellent speech, Chiron. I couldn't have done better myself." Percy said. "How far can Argus take us?"
"The bus stop in the city."
"Descriptive, thank you."
"You'll find out, my friend. I think the phrase is 'not the destination, but the journey.'"
"Yes, the journey to the literal other side of the country, which will no doubt involve monsters, mortals, and possibly a morgue."
"Why a morgue?" Annabeth asked.
"Because there might be some dead people."
"Oh."
Percy clapped his hands together. "Right then. Into the jaws of certain death we go."
"Wait!"
Luke came running up the hill, a shoebox in his hand, and stopped in front of Percy.
"Uh, I know we didn't get off on the right foot, but consider this a good luck gift."
Luke opened the box, and revealed a pair of sleek, white Nikes. He picked one up, and gave a brief shout. "Maia!"
Little wings immediately sprouted from the heels of the shoe, and it fluttered around for a bit, dazzling Annabeth and Grover, making Beckendorf brainstorm how to make a mechanical version, causing Lou Ellen to frown as she sensed something off with the magic surrounding those shoes, and prompted Percy to activate Eagle Vision to reveal the shoes glowing an angry red.
Besides, they were a gift from a traitor, and he was a son of Poseidon. Flying was not in his best interest.
Nonetheless, he accepted the shoebox with a smile. "Thank you, Luke. After I get back, maybe we can spar some more."
Luke smiled back. "I look forward to it."
He winked at Annabeth, making her blush, shook hands with Beckendorf, nodded at Grover, Chiron, Argus, and Lou, then he disappeared down the crest of the hill.
"What a nice guy," Percy said. "Everyone into the van."
Everyone began to pile into the van, Percy going last, but Chiron put a hand on his shoulder. "I know that Luke meant well, but...flying shoes are not the best of ideas."
"Chiron...luk hu allasu albarq." Luke is the lightning thief.
The centaur's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
"I swear this in the name of the Lord."
And for Percy, that was bigger than the River Styx.
The old teacher paled, his face becoming gaunt. "I see...take care on your journey, my old friend."
"Thank you. God be with you, Chiron."
"And with you."
Percy made for the vehicle, but the centaur stopped him again. "Yes?"
Chiron produced a ballpoint pen. "I know you have the Sword and your Hidden Blades with you, but take this as well, if only to ease your Latin teacher's heart."
"Thank you. A pen is a mighty weapon in the right hands."
Chiron smiled. "It's more than just a pen. Take it, and uncap it."
Percy took the pen and promptly took off the cap, and wasn't too surprised when the pen sprung into a sword. However, when he saw the word on the hilt, Anaklusmos, his knees buckled as a massive pulse of something ripped through his body, and with it came...flashes.
Paris, Vive la Révolution!, another Sword, a redhead, a man with a scar under his eye, and a Persian girl whom Percy felt a tremendously strong pull towards, a pull several times stronger than the one Vergil felt towards Claudia.
Getting to his feet with a deep breath, Percy looked at Chiron. "Nice sword."
Then he got into the van, shotgun, and promptly handed Annabeth the shoe box. "Here. Consider this my apology in advance."
"Apology for what?"
"I don't know. But when it comes up, I've already apologize."
"...you're weird."
"Thank you. Argus, ready when you are."
The multi-eyed creation of Hera set off down the road.
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Chiron stared worriedly at the retreating van. Anaklusmos had been given to him by an emotionally Zoё Nightshade at the onset of the 19th Century, after the French Revolution. The details behind her giving up the blade after retrieving it from Heracles were known to him, and he knew the face of Percy Jackson well before 2005. His giving up the sword to the boy was a more of a test than anything, a test to see if they were the same.
Percy had passed the test, and Chiron felt tremendous worry, worry for Luke, what his betrayal meant, what would be done to him, but chiefly his worry was for Zoё, and for Artemis.
"Ms. Nightshade...I fear you will soon experience pain the likes of which you haven't felt since her death. And Percy, despite how much you detest being feminine, I fear you will come to find that you are more of a woman than you will be willing to accept. Star crossed lovers indeed…"
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Silence reigned for all of ten minutes, as everyone besides Percy digested the fact that they were officially underway and going on a quest. Percy hardly felt a thing. Even though this mission involved false gods and monsters, his previous missions, Solomon's Temple, Baron von Wolff, Cesare, Rodrigo, the Borgia as a whole, leading the Assassin Brotherhood for over ten years, raising children, all of that seemed much more daunting.
Lou Ellen broke the silence. "Hey, Percy?"
"Yes?"
"Will you...will you pray...for us? The quest, I mean?"
"O Lord," Lou bowed her head, and Beckendorf followed suite, and Grover after him, and Annabeth was the last to bow her head, finding this whole situation to be strange. Argus had even bowed his head, though he still had plenty of eyes on the road, "I ask you to guide us on this quest, protect us when necessary, and provide for us when you can. I ask that all of us return from this ordeal safe and unharmed, and that we all get along with enough cordiality to not bring harm to one another. In your name I pray, amen."
"Amen," chimed everyone in the van.
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Argus pulled up to the bus stop, and everyone began to pile out, with Percy being the last. He hid his perturbedness at the flashes well. "Thank you, Argus. I apologize for breaking your arm."
"Save the world, then apology accepted."
Percy nodded, and the security guard of Camp Half-Blood pulled away in the throngs of traffic. The Assassin had a single thought, "He has an eye on his tongue…"
"Alright, now what?" Lou asked.
"Now," Percy immediately answered, "we wait until the bus arrives, and from there we head west using any means we can."
A bunch of ADHD demigods waiting for a bus that would be here who knows when, with storm clouds gathered above, threatening rain, wasn't really good, but they managed by playing a five-man game of hacky sack with an apple, until Grover couldn't help himself, and he chomped the entire thing in one bite.
The satyr's ears turned red amongst the snickers and chortles. Luckily, the bus arrived less than ten seconds later. Of course, that's also when Percy started hearing the whispers again, the whispers that started up when there was a threat near by. Activating Eagle Vision, he looked around and saw three old women glowing bright red. He also saw their real forms, that of bat-like hags.
The Furies.
A dilemma had presented itself. Get on the bus, and make the battlefield an enclosed area, one in which creatures the size of the Furies would have difficulty maneuvering in, but endanger a few dozen innocent, idiotic little sheep, or stay out here, missing the bus, giving the Furies ample room to fly and fight, and endangering several hundred little sheep, all the while granting the Mist more of a chance to make things more difficult by way of national attention.
Which really went against the concept of hide in plain sight.
Annabeth tapped Percy's shoulder. "Something wrong?"
"The Furies. All three of them."
Everyone paled.
"On the bus, all of you. The tight space will limit their movement, and there's less mortals put in danger that way. Be ready for a fight."
The quest climbed onto the bus, all with varying levels of apprehension.
This was their first test, not even thirty minutes into the quest, and it was a doozy.
None of them wanted to fail.
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And thus begins the first installment of canon, with a different line-up, different strategies, and more allusion to the Fourth Life, and the relationship between Zoё and the Assassin of the French Revolution.
Also, is that the Assassins and Templars I hear in the distance? Could it be that we might see appearances of Vidic, Rikin, Lucy, Shaun, Rebecca, and Desmond in the near future? My goodness, what are all those people even doing in 2006?
It feels good to be back on this story, but I'm thinking maybe one more chapter, maybe two, before it's off the either Ghoul or Jashin. Haven't decided yet, but anyway.
Fav, Follow, and Review!