We're Baaaaack!
Sorry it's coming out after midnight, but we're here. We're back! We will continue to post one chapter a week.
We're so much happier with the way this is going now, and honestly saved you guys a lot of heartache. Neither of us wanted this story to go as grim as we made it, so thank you for putting up with us while we fixed it.
Now, that's not to say we don't live up to our names.
We're defiantly making Descendants Dark and Twisted.
We hope you enjoy the new chapter, and again, thank you for coming back.
Lots of Love,
~Dark~
Huh.
This was not part of the plan.
He glances around at the goblins swarming him.
"Stay. We stay."
"Earth quaked. We stayed."
"So happy to see Master T."
There were so many.
Way more than he'd thought had survived.
There had to be at least twenty.
All screaming and clamoring to get to him.
Looking for answers.
Guidance.
Panicked and scared.
"Quiet!" A harsh bark orders over the chaos, instantly silencing the rabble.
His eyes fall on a stout, portly Goblin with a snout and tusks protruding from his lower jaw.
He'd only seen this Goblin roaming with Irk before, but without the taller Goblin around he seemed to have taken on a leadership role.
"Nub, right?" He crouches closer to the goblins level as he glances over the goblin horde again.
Fuck.
His stomach twists.
For as big, and as many as there were-
"This isn't like, all of you is it?"
"Do not know. Some were here when bell go boom. Some came when ground shook."
"Right," He nods slowly, looking around the open space with a heavy sigh.
Uma clears her throat from somewhere behind him.
"Anyone bother you guys yet?"
Nub shakes his head, "All quiet. Then you." He grunts.
"Cool, me and my friends need some supplies."
"Take what need." Nub nods before he gestures to the sprawling warehouse, "Some damage, some fine."
"Thanks Nub," He turns to the others and nods. "You guys go-"
A shrill whistle interrupts him as a bird-like Goblin rushes up to him, talons clicking against the floor before it lifts one large eye to stare at him.
"S'up, Ja?" He eyes the glass-covered goblin.
"Letters for shinies?" The Goblin's beak clicks as one feathered hand holds out two letters.
"Ah," He nods before he pulls some aluminum foil rolled into balls and hands them over.
We stole Deez's weight in gold from the church, and this is what you give them?
I don't even remember where the fuck that went.
It's called asking.
If you know where it is- Then you fucking ask Deez to burn that shit into Goblin trinkets.
See, was that so-
Ja clicks his appreciation as he plucks the balls of foil from his hand, leaving the letters behind.
He nods as he straightens up and slides the letters in his pocket before he turns back to Nub, "I suggest you guys take some of the food and hide it for yourselves too. Shit's bound to get worse." He turns to Uma and the others, "Ya heard 'em," He turns towards the open gate and gestures. "Let's raid this bitch."
He grins as everyone rushes past him.
Clothes. Medical supplies. Water. Bags. Blankets. Binoculars. Lanterns. Oil. Matches. Lighters.
Food? Got it.
T-
Ugh. I fucking hear you, but-
I know food is imperative, but so are other things.
He hangs his head back.
Fine.
Thank you.
But not 'til like our third run.
T!
"This is going to be several trips." Uma smiles tightly as she crosses her arms over her chest, "And we might need to use Yensid's house for storage."
"Makes sense," He nods. "Uh, Faustina mentioned some other shit that might be important too, anyways." He shrugs.
"We're gonna need blankets and bedding supplies if we're taking everyone in." Uma swallows hard, "Whole rooms are about to get converted into sleeping space."
"Yep," He resists the urge to roll his eyes, "Bleach too."
Uma nods before she looks around, "I should have made a fuckin' list."
"Give me a minute," He grumbles. "Was gonna grab paper and pens for Deez anyways."
"Actually," She places her hand on his shoulder, "I was hoping you could stay while we go back and forth."
He frowns as he looks back to her, "But-"
"You know the Goblins and the Urchins best, and you're the only one who knows what hideouts can support supplies. Besides," Uma's lips curve into a ghost of a smile, "you've already started this. We're just adding to it now."
He closes his mouth.
We do have to be on alert. We can't be the only ones to think about this.
I hate you for putting that out there.
He sighs, "If you're sure.."
"I am." Uma nods as she drops her hand, "Thank you." She looks around at the various groups forming, "I'd like to team up with Beam to get to know him better, so knowin' yer helpin' at the center makes that easier.
"Makes sense," He bites his lip, "He hates being called a leader, but also will get pissy if you take too much control or bark orders at his, so like, enjoy balancing that 'til he trusts ya," He steps closer and nudges her shoulder. "Which, no problem there. Since ya know, you're you." He glances back towards the exit. "And-"
It startles him when Uma suddenly wraps her arms around his neck.
The fuck?
He tilts his head as he tries to get a better look at her.
He so could not handle tears right now.
Especially if he was the one to make her start.
"Thank you." She whispers against his neck, "It means so much when you say shit like that to me."
Like what?
That you trust her, idiot.
"Oh."
Oh thank god.
He glances around before he half haphazardly hugs her back with one arm. "The truth?"
"You make it sound so stupid." Uma chuckles as she releases him, "But, hearin' that you still think I'm worth trusting helps, so, thanks." She wipes at her eyes.
The fuck?
Noooooo.
No.
No.
Why the fuck was she crying?
Hey!
She wasn't crying before but now she is!
Hey! Be useful!
Why the fuck is she crying!
Help me!
Make it stop!
I don't know… I was making the lists. What'd you do?
How the fuck is that-
Wait, fuck you!
I didn't do shit!
Doubtful.
He narrows his eyes before he shifts her and steps forward to keep her hidden from the others. "Yo." He thumbs away her tears, "You've got this shit. It's gonna be- survivable cause of you."
"Cause of you." Uma sniffs before she takes a deep breath.
"Us." He corrects as he bumps his forehead against hers. "Mostly you."
Uma chuckles as she rolls her eyes, "At least you're still you."
"Yeah, sorry. No crack to the head is changin' that." He grins.
"Yeah, cause that's what I was worried about." Uma shakes her head before she takes another deep breath and straightens up, "You good here? I should get my ass to work too."
"I'm good." He nods as he looks her over to ensure all evidence of tears were gone before he steps aside.
His eyes follow her before he walks over to Grunk. "Hey, do me a favor an' go grab me a pen and paper while I keep watch?" He asks as he pulls out more foil and passes it to the goblin.
"Ooh," The Goblin bounces from foot to foot happily, "Grunk go get paper and pen for Master T."
He really needed to start carrying more shiny things around with him.
Watching Gil and Deez work together had always been captivating.
They worked in such tandem it was remarkable.
Effortless.
He'd first witnessed their creative dance at the cove. Saw their ability to weave in and out of each other's space without interrupting the process.
And now that magic was alive and crackling on the Isle?
It was so much more.
More than the easy way they seemed to read each other and anticipate the other's needs.
They were simply enthralling with this new level.
The way they were able to weave their energy.
The faint orange glow intermingling with the bright ice blue until it braided and embedded itself into the item was simply fascinating.
It was rare two energies could work so harmoniously while being at such different levels.
And there was no question that their energies were different.
Deez's signature seemed to flair from the moment the two came together.
Before they even started creating.
Started at the conversation.
About the design.
About whether or not they should personalize them.
Whether or not they should make them necklaces, rings, or bracelets.
Whether they should be bland or match colors.
Gil's energy started off faintly at first, but the longer he was in contact with Deez's energy, the stronger his became.
It was just fascinating.
Fascinating and something the likes of which he'd never seen before.
And, yes, there was always the potential for those with little to no magical proclivities to earn and garner it over time.
But with no work, no reason, or understanding, Gil seemed to flourish.
It was, for lack of a better word, intriguing.
He would need to see if the others had similar reactions when working with Deez.
If nothing else, he was sure that she was the one nurturing Gil's essence.
It was the 'how' that had him perplexed.
How and why.
His hand tugs at his beard as he watches them bent over their work, one carving compasses into little wooden coins while the other drips metal into the grooves.
He picks up one of the completed talismans.
The smooth carved wooden shark tooth capped with metal, waiting to have a loop added to pull the string through.
They'd wanted to make them extravagant.
But he'd talked them into making them simpler, much to their disappointment.
He smiles as Deez stifles a yawn.
Yes, it was fortunate he'd managed to talk them out of making each talisman different and more extravagant.
He had no doubt they were feeling the effects.
Could they feel how much of themselves they were pouring into each piece?
How much of their essence they were expending to keep the others safe?
His eyes narrow.
He'd seen them work at the cove.
Knew they worked until they dropped.
And the earlier comment about needing something to do before they went crazy.
Crazier.
He couldn't blame them for wanting, needing a distraction from reality right now.
Not with everything that happened, and was still happening.
Deez rubs at her eyes absently before she continues to work, now smoothing out the small metal details in each compass with a flameless finger.
And then Gil yawns as well.
He chuckles lightly as he walks over and places a hand on Deez's shoulder.
"Perhaps it is a good time for the two of you to take a rest." He offers softly.
Lest they drop at the table they were bent over.
Deez and Gil blink before they turn to each other.
"But, we have to make so many." Deez frowns as she looks over the small pile of completed trinkets.
"I understand, and know your work will be much appreciated-" He nods in understanding, "But I know how much you'd hate for your work to be less than satisfactory, and I can see your energies waning."
Gil tilts his head, "energies?"
He chuckles again, "Yes," He nods, "You are both weaving a lot of yourselves into these tokens of protection. I do believe that you're going to work yourselves to passing out if you continue. So I believe a short break is in order."
"Wait, energies like-" Deez tilts her head back to stare up at him, "Like magic?"
He nods, "I'm uncertain as to how," He turns towards Gil, "You have managed to garner your own signature, but you have in fact managed one. Which is quite the quandary to be sure."
"Ha!" Deez grins and turns back to Gil as she crosses her arms over her chest, "I told you you were magic."
Gil tilts his head slightly before he chuckles, "'parently." He grins as he pulls her into his lap and nuzzles her. "Guess ya rubbed off on me."
"Demi-goddess, not magic." Deez snorts.
His eyebrow quirks, "Very much magic." He corrects.
Deez frowns as her eyes drift back to him, confusion clouding her face before she looks down at her fingers, "But, but he said halves weren't able to have magic like mortals or like gods, just innate stuff."
Hades.
He resists the urge to roll his eyes.
The god had a knack for tearing down and belittling his daughter.
It was of little surprise he'd managed to make her question herself on this topic as well.
He sighs, if nothing else he'd been well-rounded in his lies and neglect.
"As usual your father, god he may be, is not all-knowing."
She was quick to regain her smile.
Quick to trust him, at least on this topic.
"As intriguing as this experiment has become, I do believe the best course of action is for you two to take a break. Eat. Drink. Sleep." He reiterates. "I'll bring food when I return, feel free to use the bed."
Deez pouts as Gil stands to stretch,"But, you'll let us watch you enchant them when we're done? I want to see if I can feel your magic the way I feel what Gil does."
"You two have already enchanted them," He explains. "But yes, when I add my own incantations-"
"Wait-" Gil looks up in confusion, "We what?"
He smiles, "I know," He chuckles, "I'm at a loss myself dear boy. But I assure you the two of you have been enchanting them, or something similar enough since you first started discussing the designs."
Gil's head tilts to the side, "But-" He pauses. "Wait- You. You're at a loss." He glances at Deez before his gaze returns to him, "At something Deez an' me can do?" He asks, voice full of wonder and confusion.
He smiles, amused by their reactions, "So it would seem."
"Cool," Deez beams, nodding in satisfaction as she jumps to her feet, "We stumped Yensid.".
Gil chuckles as he pulls her close before he pauses and looks at him again, "Wait-In a good way right?" He asks before his eyes drop again.
He reaches out and clasps the boy's shoulder, more than happy to provide the reassurance he clearly needed. "The best of ways," He smiles, "I do love a good puzzle."
"Good," Gil smiles, "I think, anyway."
He nods as he turns to the door and opens it, "I'll be back by the time you're ready to start again."
Gil looks down at Deez as she yawns again, "I think you're right. We do need to sleep."
"Luck with your task." Deez smiles sleepily as her eyes slowly close and her head falls to rest against Gil's side.
He can't help the smile at the sign of trust.
The innocence.
Gil smiles as he sits on the edge of the bed and pulls Deez into his lap, "Luck, sir."
He smiles as he picks up the charms and drops them into a velvet pouch.
They weren't going to protect against everything.
At most, they'd block lower-level spells while keeping them shrouded in shadows to help further mute their presence.
As interesting as that had been to watch, it was time to focus on his own weaving.
He slips the pouch into his pocket before he looks around the room, his eyes settling on his bag for a long moment before he shakes his head.
If these children were serious about rescuing and securing others, which he had no doubt they were, they were going to need more room to keep them.
He quietly slips out of his room.
Despite his concern and exhaustion he can't help the laugh that rumbles through his chest. "We stumped Yensid." He repeats.
Deez?
Yeah, that made sense.
Deez was special.
And not just because she was half a god.
She was just-
His eyes trace her pretty porcelain face.
-Deez.
Of course she could manage to accidently magic.
Him though?
Another chuckle leaves him.
"Sometimes," Deez shifts to prop her shelf up on his chest, resting her chin on her laced fingers as her bright blue eyes shimmer mischievously at him, "only sometimes though, I love being right."
"Never thought I'd hear those words come out've you." He smiles as he pushes her stray hair behind her ear with his thumb. "But, yeah," He grins, "let's have it. You've only been tellin' me it for years."
He watches the way her smile widens before the heart shape shifts to one side, "So long as you know." She says, tilting her head back and forth in time with her sing song tone.
"Well, can't really argue it anymore, can I?"
She slowly shakes her head, though her eyes seemed to be searching for something far off as the smile slowly fades.
Anytime she got that look it was just better to let her collect her thoughts.
"I uh, I'm sorry about- you know, earlier."
Ah.
The knot in his stomach loosens.
It had been weighing on him.
The waking terror.
He smiles proud of her for touching it first, but even still-
He hated it when she apologized for her feelings.
"Deez," He frowns "You don't-"
"No, let me finish," she interrupts, wobbling slightly as she moves to press a finger to his lips, "and then you can scold or tell me I'm being silly if you still think you need to."
He nods once, watching her carefully as she pushes herself up to straddle his waist.
"I um. Well, one, I think I really over reacted to you and T plotting together." She sighs before she holds both hands out, "I still don't like it, like in the slightest, but I get it."
"I feel like 'plots' giving us a bit too much credit."
"Yeah," Deez snorts, "it's strange saying this since I'm sure you've been here before-" She shakes her head and he quickly catches her as she throws her arms wide in an amazing impersonation of Harry, "welcome to plots with T. The actual thought that goes into it is usually not much. He likes to say he's a creature of action."
"That's a way to describe it," He snorts.
Creature of action.
Sure, he could agree with that.
Plot?
That he was still struggling with.
"Like I said though, I get it." She bites her lip as she settles, letting her hands fall to his chest with two slight thumps, "Especially when you were already-" her face scrunches up, "uncomfortable seems like an understatement, but let's go with that. I know you hated that we went to the temple, and you hate when I have to deal with my dad. When T is so willing to make deals with him. So, I understand." She shrugs, "I'm still upset, but it's really not worth being angry with you."
He can't help his sigh of relief, "Thank you," his head falls back.
He hated when she was angry with him.
Though-
"So, then, what can I do so it's not worth being upset over either?" He can't help but ask with a sheepish grin.
Her slow, sad smile felt like a dagger in his ribs.
"I- I don't know." She admits before she closes her eyes, "You'd think I would be used to having no control there."
He grimaces.
Control.
Or rather lack of.
Didn't they all have their own history with the concept?
He takes a deep breath before he lets out a sigh, "I'm sorry- I wasn't trying to take away your control-"
He winces as the interaction plays out in his head.
His concern.
Her objection.
T's suggestion.
"But, can see where I did- And that wasn't right."
"I know you didn't." She shifts and presses her fingertips to his cheek, "I really do understand. There's a lot going on, and we were so- it was overwhelming and we didn't even have the time or energy to recognize it. And we were scared. And didn't know what to do-" She stops herself.
Stops the way her breathing was picking up with each word.
He places his hand over hers, "Treasure," He whispers softly.
Her finger trails down to his lip again.
"And there were injuries all around. And that was scary for all of us."
"It really was." He breathes out.
She smiles as she pulls her hand back.
"T's ideas never sound bad when I don't know what to do. That's what I'm trying to say." She nods before she sits up straighter, "When I have no idea what the next step is, any step sounds great."
"That." He nods. "Very much that."
He'd been so lost at how to help her.
And so confused.
And concerned.
And fuck, so many other unpleasant things.
"So, that's what I'm sorry for. I yelled at you for something I do all the time. Which, wasn't fair since I think I was also yelling at you for more than you deserve. You." She taps his chest with one hand, "The one person who's never been afraid to drag me to good sense, even when I was kicking and screaming." She frowns as she shakes her head, "I feel like I took a lot more than just what happened at the temple out on you."
"Looking back on it-"
Would he have changed his actions?
"I feel like it was pretty deserved."
No.
Probably not.
He knew T could take a dislocated shoulder.
But Senior?
Just no.
He had no faith in the god's ability to control anything-
Let alone his own strength-
Or sense of judgement-
Or his odd eagerness to assist-
Or really anything involving the asshole, on any level that could be considered, period.
"I've gone along with T's big ideas and been on the receiving end of the backlash." She huffs, "So, it's hard to tell if it was well deserved or just frustrating."
He frowns, "That's…"
"He makes it so easy to run with." She groans, "I just- ugh-"
"Ugh. Is a good description of most of T's big ideas." He smiles.
She snorts, "He's so, he's worse than me with social skills, and yet he just-" She flicks her fingers in frustration, "boom, idea, and people go with it. He's so fucking persuasive."
"T. Persuasive?" He snorts, "I don't think-"
"Really?" One pale eyebrow arches high in disbelief before she crosses her arms over her chest, "Bookclub."
"Oh shit, that was his idea."
How had he forgotten that?
His eyes narrow.
Probably how peaceful it had been?
That didn't seem right?
T used to chill with him all the time on deck.
Quiet just content watching him-
Did T have three personalities?
Because there was no way that Dagger and T were the same person.
Or maybe-
Nope.
This sounded like a later Uma conversation.
"Yeah," She purses her lips, "and it was totally worth all you guys pestering me for the two weeks it took him to figure out how to make it work. How about hide and go seek?"
He grimaces.
Hide and seek.
AKA let's leave Deez alone in the middle of fuck knows where, until T remembers he's playing a game.
"Oh?" She tilts her head, "for someone who gave me a nickname because of that game you really seem to hate it."
He closes his mouth as he pulls back. "I thought you weren't angry at me anymore?"
She blinks as her arms drop to her sides, "I'm not."
He eyes her suspiciously, "That seemed pointed."
"You seemed to need proof of T's good ideas. And how persuasive he can be. I mean, did you guys even fight when he threw the map at you and told you to get out of the chip shop?"
"I mean, a little."
When they had no idea why the hell he was ordering them around.
Deez sighs before she rubs her eyes with her knuckles, "I'm just trying to point out that I got mad at something I've been on the receiving end of and that seems really stupid and pointless. So, I'm sorry. There is a lot going on, so I know you don't think it's my fault. But overwhelming or not, I don't like the way it feels when you're worried and I'm angry. Or any combination of that."
"Treasure," He gently pulls her into his chest and crushes her to him. "Thank you." He curls around her. "But, if we're apologizing for being angry because of T based influences, then I owe you a hundred."
She chuckles as she nuzzles against his side, "Apologies accepted."
He grins as he pulls back to look at her, "Then we're good again? No more bein' upset with me? Because T is really persuasive?"
"It's impossible to stay upset with you." Deez rolls her eyes, "You're also persuasive."
"You think?"
"Know." She grins widely up at him,"just like I always knew you were magical."
"Well, who am I to argue that?" He pulls her to him again and peppers the top of her hair with kisses. "Can only be wrong so many times, ya know?" He grins as he tips her head to look at him, "Think we should tell him how persuasive he actually is?"
Deez's eyes widen in horror, "And arm him? No! He's bad enough just stumbling into it." She takes a couple of deep breaths before she huffs, "But, if we survive all of what's coming, we'll tell him then."
"Fair." Another rumble of laughter leaves his lips, "S'not like he would've believed us anyways."
He tries to settle, but after a few moments he sits up, pulling her with him as he stands.
"Same." She chuckles as she snuggles into his neck, "I sleep better in the cabin too."
He hugs her tighter.
Little liar.
She loved to sleep in her narrow, confined spaces.
Caves.
Catacombs.
Burrows.
But he could appreciate that she supported him needing to take a breather from the smaller room.
"Thank you." He whispers into her hair before he rushes for the stairs.
Lolz.
It never ceases to amaze me how awkward T gets when it comes to leadership, even if it's just Goblins.
Not that I can blame him.
Taking responsibility for others is a fuck ton of stress.
Which I mean, irony much since he feels responsible for the whole damned fucking Isle's safety.
Still cringeworthy.
What type of leader would T even make, really tho?
Any thoughts on that one?
It's not something I've thought much about as his writer, so I'm all ears.
What doesn't surprise me is the faith he has in Uma.
She might be kicking herself for 'forsaking' T, but it hasn't even been a thought in his head.
Tho that might have to do with his lack of self-worth.
Well, that and his understanding of how important Gil and D are to Uma.
Those two are like her babies.
Not to say the other three aren't, but it's a lot harder to mother Hook, T, and Faustina. They're not as receptive to that type of attention.
There's just a certain innocence about D and Gil that the others don't possess.
Haven't really analyzed it before, but yeah. It's something along that vein.
Speaking of Dil though-
Anyone expecting for Gil to be able to do magic?
Any questions as to how?
Fuck knows Yensid has a million.
Are you excited to know what he and D have weaved into their creations?
Loved Gil's introspection.
What do you think the difference between Dagger and T is?
Aww, Gil and D are just so flippin' adorable together.
Loved seeing them make up.
Much love and appreciation
-Twisted