Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order 10

Chapter 11: The Blemished Hive, Part 1

(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language.)

Rain poured heavily as everyone was at home during the storm in the village. Even though most of us in the villa and the villagers were braving the storm, we were getting ready to stay indoors as I was about to get back home. What I didn't expect was that there was a hill near the harbor as I decided to walk towards it. The place itself was peculiar as noticed a group of Chonoids fleeing the storm in which I later noticed a few of them letting out a shrill cry of agony. I rushed to where the group was as they were surrounding a villager as she was dead from fright. I also sensed that something was wrong as a piece of snake skin was on the ground. Picking it up, I noticed it to be similar to what happened to Liesel on the Sol-4 as I also noticed it to be different than what I saw last year.

"Something happened here, didn't it?" I said.

"There's something in our hive," said one of the Chonoids as she was concerned about what was going on. "What we know is that it kills people with a stare, but if one has a mirror, he or she becomes petrified."

I began to examine the body of the villager as I felt her skin be similar to that of a petrified tree. I also noticed a pocket mirror in the other hand as I had a gut feeling that something was lurking in the withered hill, for I decided to know what was going on until Reiko stopped me before doing so. She was mainly concerned about the customs with Chonoids as she also didn't want me to do too much, for our neighbors were mainly an all-female race anyway.

"Sorry, but men aren't allowed to go into the hive," she said.

"I had a feeling that you would say that, but something is lurking in that hive," I said.

"For the record, this is the time that a Chonoid undertakes a rite of passage in which Jill was looking forward to it, but devastated due to the rain."

"We'll try again tomorrow, but as for our neighbors here in the hive, they should also be careful in which whatever is lurking in their hive is not to be trifled with. As for our mystery monster that made its way here, we're dealing with a large snake."

"I'll go there, for the rite of passage to adulthood is mainly observed by women only. This isn't my first time dealing with dangerous monsters, but I can't let the Chonoids living in their hive deal with this creature alone."

I couldn't say no to Reiko as she was aware of Chonoid customs in their hives on Dorne and elsewhere. Still, I had to respect the wishes of Chonoid culture as men were forbidden to participate in observing the rite of passage where most of their young are on the cusp of adulthood. What I didn't expect was that I noticed something slithering in the long grass near the ocean as had a gut feeling that it wasn't just an ordinary serpent, for this wasn't the first time that something like this was seen…

Two thousand years into the past…

Sam was busy exercising as he was in his room still doing some physical therapy on his right shoulder after sustaining an injury while in Chicago a month ago. Even though he had to do light duty, he was also looking up further cases as he went out of his room and to his laptop to see what was going on. To his shock, he saw a news report in which it was located in Odessa, Washington. The headline read: "college student found dead near golf course," in bold letters as he had to go there as soon as possible. By the time he put on his shirt, he had to put his right shoulder back in his sling as he would soon be off. Even though he was still concerned about Dean and his troubling habits while bearing the Mark of Cain, he didn't want to bother him as he was eager to go quietly until he was caught in the act while leaving the bunker.

"Coming attractions," said Dean as he was sitting next to the switchboard.

"You startled me," said Sam as he was more than likely to be going off alone.

"Look, it's been a week since you cured me, but this tramp stamp that I have won't go away quietly."

"You're still not doing too well after you nearly tried to kill me, but I also have to do this solo."

"Like hell you are!"

"Okay…, I'll come clean. There's been an incident where a college student was found dead near a golf course in a small town called Odessa, Washington. We have a case… and a clean car this time."

Dean was back in the swing of things as he wasn't about to let Sam out of his sight. He wanted to go on a road trip just to get back into hunting after taking a sabbatical with Crowley in which he was also wanting to get a little bit of the action, for he would soon tag along with his little brother on a case that would soon take the cake in the annals of their antics so far…

Meanwhile, back in the present…

I was at home as I was in the sitting room looking for details on what was found near the withered hill in which I had to stay put for now. The very reason? It was a right of passage for any Chonoid on the cusp of adulthood as men were forbidden to enter into the hive. Still, I had no complaints, but I also had to adhere to Chonoid customs due to their culture and way of life. It was mainly a women only event as men weren't allowed, for I also had to respect the decisions that were put in front of me. When I was looking at the piece of snake skin, I had to find out more about what was going on in the hive near the village as I wanted to look for more details on what was going on. First and foremost, I had to look for a copy of the Appendices as I was searching all over the bookshelf for it. When I noticed all of the popular Supernatural and The Winchesters books in the shelf, I also found most of the Chronicles of the Order series as I noticed them all in a different bookshelf along with the copy of the Appendices that I was looking for. When I got it out, I was looking into the book as I had to know what Reiko would be dealing with, for I had to tell her before setting out to the hive tomorrow.

"And here we have it," I said to myself.

I looked into one of the pages as I saw an image of a large serpent that was slithering beneath a golf course. I never saw anything like it before as I was more than likely to be looking into further research, for this was something that appeared in the time of the Elder Days. When I heard footsteps approaching, I put the Appendices away as I saw Jill enter into the sitting room in which she was concerned about the rite of passage event that was postponed until tomorrow due to the rain, for she was also looking forward to participating in it.

"It's a shame that the rite has been postponed," she said.

"Tomorrow will be a better chance for you," I said.

"From what I heard, the rite takes place at a withered hill near the village where the ocean meets the harbor. That is when I will prove myself to adulthood when that happens."

"And you will be a great adult once you settle into the hive."

"If only you would see me off…"

"I would, but men are forbidden to enter into the hive. Reiko will go with you in my stead in which she's had her fair share of dealing with monsters, especially with the Maladendrum. As for whatever is lurking near the hive, let's hope that it's found and destroyed before it harms more villagers."

Jill was aware of the threat in her upcoming new home as she was more than likely to be going on a hunt during the rite. She was also wanting me to come along, but I couldn't violate Chonoid customs due to the fact that men weren't allowed to observe. When she saw me leave the sitting room, she saw the Appendices as she noticed a bookmark in it when she took it out of the shelf. She noticed the image of the serpent that was detailed in the Elder Days as she never expected to see anything like it before, for it was not like any other monster that came and went from time to time. Just as she was about to put the book away, she saw Reiko enter into the sitting room as she sensed what was going on, for there was no way out of such a predicament like this.

"Sammy must've read about what was attacking the villagers," said Reiko.

"The Appendices wrote about the details of a serpent," said Jill.

"Lyra needs to know more of how it got here. Still, tomorrow will be the rite and we will also hunt for the serpent that was terrorizing the villagers. It'll be a proving that will also find out what Sammy was looking at."

Jill was feeling hopeful as she was happy that Reiko would be observing the rite for tomorrow in which she would soon be prepared to go on the hunt of her life. Even though I was watching in the distance, I was happy that the Chonoid who was born and rapidly grew into a teenager was ready to leave in order to be on the cusp of adulthood, for I was grateful that C'Torrha sent her to me for a good reason after all…

Two thousand years into the past… again!

Sam and Dean arrived in Odessa, Washington as they were heading into the police station while dressed in their fake fed suits to see what was going on. By the time they got there, they were welcomed by the medical examiner as she was baffled about what went on near the town. Both brothers were on their way to examine the dead body as they were flashing their fake badges just to gain clearance, for this was a serious case since Dean was cured a week ago.

"Okay, Agents… Hetfield and Bonham?" said the medical examiner as she saw Sam and Dean enter into the morgue. "I never saw anything like this before." She shows them to the body of a college student as her eyes were bloodshot. "She used to live here, but when she got back, she ended up dead at the golf course where the old country club is."

"This is strange," said Sam as he saw a piece of snake skin in the body's hand. "Was there a snake that ran loose here?"

"The only snakes we see are often rattlesnakes."

"It's bizarre that there isn't a runaway boa constrictor or Burmese python slithering around," said Dean. "I bet that it sheds off the red glitter from it."

"Let's hope that you find clues, gentlemen, 'cause I hope you can find the damn thing before it kills again."

Sam and Dean left the morgue as they had to look into the further lore about what was going on. The death of the victim was a warning sign that something other than someone's pet python as they had to get to the bottom of this mess, for they needed to find the snake before it kills another person. By the time they went towards the Impala that was parked near the library, they decided to get something to eat first as they would soon check in at the slug roe home later. By the time they went to a restaurant known as 410 burgers, they sat down and ordered their food as they were more than likely to be talking about what was found, for they had to get to the bottom of what was going on.

"This place is not bad for a small town burger joint," said Dean as he took a bite of his cheeseburger.

"The snake skin that was found didn't fit any stray snake that slithered out from its pen," said Sam as he was looking into his phone. "Judging from where it came from, we're dealing with something that's more than just a pet snake gone rogue."

"What are you talking about?"

"We're dealing with a basilisk," Sam shows the image on his phone to Dean. "According to the lore, if one looks into its eyes, he or she ends up dead."

"Why did it have to be snakes?"

"The basilisk is weak against the odor of a weasel or mongoose, but the only thing that's equivalent to it is a ferret. Still, the basilisk's skin is glittery with traces of copper, but its blood is often used for converting it into gold. The components were also used for the basis of alchemy dating back to the thirteenth century as described by Geoffrey Chaucer, who also featured the reference of a basilicok, which is the lesser."

"So, we're talking about equivalent exchange here."

"Basilisks can be killed by hearing the crowing of a rooster or seeing its reflection in a mirror. They can also have the ability to wither vegetation. Some can breathe fire or poison gas and some can kill you by touch."

Dean remembered the Bloody Mary debacle nine years ago as he had a gut feeling that mirrors would be used again. Still, he had to trust Sam's knowledge as dealing with a basilisk would be a challenge that could be tricky, for this wasn't going to be easy at all…

Meanwhile, back in the present…, again!

I was in my room as I saw the rain pouring out the window. It was a storm that continued to rage as I saw it pouring to the point of a typhoon. Still, I had to stay back as Jill's rite was mainly for women only due to the customs that the Chonoids carry with them. Just when I was about to call it an overdue nap, I heard a high-pitched sound blaring as I had a gut feeling that an angel would appear unannounced. To my surprise, I noticed Michael standing there as he aware of what was happening in which he was also wanting to see Jill prove herself at the rite, for he was her father after all.

"Hello, Sam," he said. "It seems that my daughter will be taking the rite with her mother's people, but there's a bit of a problem."

"I know what's been terrorizing the hive near the harbor," I said.

"It's a basilisk, isn't it? I have a bad feeling about what could happen next to Jill, but it's a shame that neither one of us can't go in on the rite."

"Men are forbidden to observe or participate in the rite. That's all I know because of the fact that—"

"—C'Torrha told you? Chonoids are known to oversee their participants in proving themselves to be adults in the rite. The one who is proven the bravest will provide a boon for the hive. Still, Jill will be alone in this."

"She won't be alone, for Reiko will go with her. She'll also hunt down the basilisk that's been terrorizing the hive in which it must be stopped before more end up dead."

"Lady Reiko be praised…" Michael prays briefly as he looks at the rain from outside. "She proved herself worthy by shooting an arrow into the moon in order to kill the Maladendrum. She is a worthy woman who will always be by your side. Remember that, Sam."

Michael leaves without a trace as I was alone in my room. Still, I looked out the window as I heard the rain falling from outside in which I had to find out where the basilisk was hidden at. Even though I wasn't allowed to go into the hive during the rite, that didn't stop me from finding out where the serpent was hiding in. It wasn't long until I left my room as I got on my rain poncho and went outside in the storm. The treacherous weather was intense as I also saw a flash of lightning hitting the ocean in which I walked towards the harbor where the hive was located at. The withered hill near the ocean and harbor was still off limits to men as I had to skirt around it in order what Reiko would be dealing with.

By the time I went to the outskirts of the hive, I saw some withered vegetation on the ground as if it was burned beyond recognition. I never expected the basilisk to be here before as I saw the same glittery skin that was shed and on the ground. Picking it up, I examined it as my worst fears were confirmed, for dealing with a basilisk was suicide in the least. When I left for the villa, I rushed back inside as I took off my poncho and hung it up while I took off my sandals. I was relieved that I was under a dry roof as I sat down to the point that I ended up leaking after going outside and coming back, for this was an embarrassment that never went away after I gave birth.

I later rushed into the bathroom to change out of my clothes as I later heard Shizuko crying. Rushing into the nursery, I noticed her wanting a snack as I ended up catering to her whim the moment I opened up my kimono and felt her latching onto my pectoral just in time to eat. Even though the others were fed by Reiko and Dirithi earlier, Shizuko had a thing for me as she was getting her due snack, for she was mainly a picky eater at heart.

"You know how to call for me, don't you?" I said as I felt Shizuko unlatching.

"She can't help it, Sammy," said Reiko as she entered into the nursery.

"Even though she's picky, she's a lot more like Kazuko when she was her age." I later burp Shizuko as I put her back in her bassinet. "By the way, I went outside to investigate around the hive and I noticed that the basilisk was slithering near it in which it not only shed its skin, but withered the soil while coming and going."

"I'll hunt for the basilisk. Besides, the monster may have petrified the victim with the small mirror, but it showed the reflection of it behind her. Still, we'll wait tomorrow until the weather clears, for Jill will be able to be a part or the rite."

I left the nursery as I went towards the bathing area and took off my clothes and went to the wash basin. Even though I was cleaning myself, I was mainly looking at what I looked like as I was mainly the same after being healed without scars or my pectorals sagging. My raw power came into play to keep me that way as I was also thankful that I lived through the births that I had, for it also saved my life and gave me a chance to live. By the time I finished cleaning myself at the wash basin, I went towards one of the bathtubs as I was simply relaxing after a long day. To my surprise, I saw Gyatso cleaning himself at the wash basin as he was also accompanied by Aora and Ghimru who were also cleaning themselves. All three boys were with me until we later spotted Zoran and Giles coming to join the congregation in the bathing area, for this was our form of rite for now.

"We've got our own He-Man congregation here," I said.

"I know that Jill has her rite tomorrow, but it's only for girls," said Gyatso.

"Mommy's going over there with Jill," said Aora. "She says that she's gonna hunt a bassy-lisk."

"Mommy is a superhero," said Ghimru. "She went and saved Daddy from those bad people."

"Your mom also went up against the Maladendrum," said Gyatso. "She even shot an arrow into the moon to dissipate the redness."

"Reiko be praised," I said as I smiled.

I continued to lounge around in the bathtub as I watched the boys finish cleaning themselves and go into one of the bathtubs. I also noticed Giles walking towards me as he jumped into where I was in which I caught him to prevent him from drowning. I was happy to be with the boys as we were also having a good time in the bathing area, for I would soon return to the harrowing duties that I have. Little did I know was that Reiko was watching in the distance as she was glad that I was not bogged down by depression, for I was also planning to read more into the Appendices afterwards…

Two thousand years into the past…, again!

Sam and Dean were at the golf course as they were searching for clues about the basilisk and what it looked like in which they were scoping the typical country club atmosphere that went with it. Sam was mainly the level-headed one, but Dean was mainly playing around as he was getting into the golf clubs while standing next to a small hole. Both of them were basically hunters who had a job to do in which one of them found a piece of snake skin near one of the sandbars complete with a burn mark that even withered the grass, for this was the sign of a basilisk that came here recently.

"Something tells me that this wasn't done by some hooligans in a golf cart," said Dean as he looked at the evidence on the ground. "I bet that the likes of Tiger Woods don't know about the snake in the grass that's here."

"Our proverbial snake in the grass took up residence here," said Sam as he showed Dean the snake skin. "Basilisks have a tendency to lurk in the dark, but often slither in the evening."

"I bet that the bastard son of Orochimaru took a wrong turn, kill a college student, and leave a skid mark on the lawn. Therefore, this ain't a prank done by a bunch of teenagers, for we've gotta hunt down a snake in this mess."

Sam noticed a hole near the country club as he had a gut feeling that the basilisk was making its lair there. He was no stranger into dealing with the lore as he also had a job to do in which he had to wait until everyone at the golf course was gone. Even Dean noticed it as he also went towards the hole near the country club in which it was the size of cereal bowl. It was like nothing that they ever saw before as it wasn't something that couldn't be ignored, for it was time to formulate a plan before going in with guns blazing…

Sam and Dean were at the slug roe home as they were looking into further ways of flushing out the basilisk before it struck another victim. Both brothers were delving into not only the lore that came and went, but the various newspaper articles that dealt with what was lurking around the golf course, for this wasn't the first time that the basilisk struck.

"So, any ideas?" asked Dean.

"Basilisks are weak against the odor of a weasel or perhaps a member of the ferret family, but the only way to kill them is by either the crowing of a rooster or mirrors," said Sam as he was looking at his laptop. "Therefore, the body we saw wasn't the first victim. Three more victims ended up dead at the same place."

"The golf course… I bet that we're gonna have to flush it out from that oversized gopher hole it crawled back into."

"According to the lore, basilisks can live in holes or basements like the country club next to the golf course. The recorded history from it came from Warsaw, Poland, where a man killed a basilisk carrying a set of mirrors. The lore also states that it was a terrifying creature described with the body of a fowl bird, a snake's tail, and the eyes of a frog. It also states that it guarded treasures in which it stared down its victims or anyone that would steal from it."

"So, we're going in blind with a staring contest…"

"Or we can go and find it under the country club…"

Sam stared at some mirrors that were in the closet as he grabbed one out in which he was ready to do battle with the basilisk. Dean, on the other hand, was dealing with his own problems as he felt the Mark of Cain pulsating on his arm. Even though he still had it, he wasn't immune to the what was lurking about as he began to hear the sound of something slithering in his head. He heard the sound of the basilisk lurking as he had no choice but to take it out, for this was also something to feed the Mark with…

Meanwhile, back in the present…, again!

I was in the sitting room as I was still looking into the Appendices in which I was still reading up on the entry of the basilisk. I also read about what would happen next as I was also aware of what was lurking all over the hive. Still, I had faith in Reiko as she was accompanying Jill to the hive for the rite as she would soon deal with the monster that was hiding in the grasses near it, for I was hoping for the best and how our ward fared. Staring at the clock, I noticed it to be nearing ten in the evening as I was about to get ready for bed. Putting up the Appendices, I left the sitting room as I was ready to call it a night until I heard the door open to see Marie-Therese bursting into the villa, for she was wanting me to intervene during tomorrow's rite.

"We need to talk, Sam," she said.

"Marie-Therese Beauchamp," I said. "It's a little late for a chit-chat."

"The hive near this village is courting death in which that basilisk is still lurking in the shadows. I'm telling you that you have to intervene. It's a lethal predator that was released from its confinement in a lab where the Science Corps stores their worst specimens. I'm telling you this because Reiko is walking into a trap in which the basilisk is hiding in the reeds where the hive is, for you have that raw power to take it out."

"I'm sorry to say this, but men are forbidden to observe or participate in the rite in which it's a Chonoid custom that can't be broken."

"And yet you decide to abandon them in their hour of need?! You're such a coward!"

"He's not a coward," said Reiko as she rushed into the main hall. "He's mainly following the rules in which men aren't allowed in the rite that the Chonoids are hosting in their hive. As for Jill's ascension to adulthood, she is out to prove herself to the people who that live in the hive."

"What do you know?! You're not a hunter!"

"I'm only a hunter when I'm called to stop a threat. I also happen to be a mother in which I also care about Jill's well-being. Now, if you excuse me, you should be aware of what I can do in which I was also the one who prevented a catastrophe on Valinor."

"She's right," I said as I was defending Reiko. "Don't let her meekness fool you because she's had her fair share of dealing with monstrous threats. She's also a caring person with a gentle nature in which she hardly gets angry, but she scolds anyone who gets out of line."

Marie-Therese looked at Reiko as she was well-known due to her adventures she had. Even though she was disowned by her extended family, she had no choice but to know more of what the Order was made of, for she was also after the same thing in mind…

Two thousand years into the past…, again!

Sam and Dean made their way towards the golf course as they were on hand to track down the basilisk that was lurking all over the place. When they reached the country club, they noticed it to be somewhat empty as it didn't have the lights turned on. Both of them entered inside as the main house was left with nothing more than piles of bones that festered over the years. The place itself was a derelict since the recession six years prior as everything went stagnant. It wasn't long until Sam and Dean saw everything that the basilisk left in its wake as there were skid marks similar to what they found at the golf course. They also saw some of the upper crust on the floor as they were similar to the victim after staring at the monster that slithered all over the place. What happened here was a nightmare as they had to find out more about what the basilisk was up to. Just as they were about to go further, they saw a hooded figure burst into the country club as he was armed with weapons of his own. Sam recognized him as it was none other than Yorvanar who removed his hood the moment he later got out a large cordial that stank like urine, for he was also ready for battle.

"It's been a while, Sam," he said.

"Yorvanar," he said as he was stunned to see him here. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I oversaw you talking about the presence of the basilisk and you led me to this lair in which we need to use precaution before venturing in."

"Okay, E.T., what's the catch?" asked Dean suspiciously.

"Basilisks are weak against the odor of a weasel and the only option is to coat ourselves with what I brought with me."

"So, we're being bathed in ferret piss."

"It's better to do that than end up dead. Besides, we're not the only ones who went up against a basilisk, for your late mentor had a run-in with one of them before he became a junker."

"Bobby…"

"Well, shall we get started?"

Sam and Dean obeyed Yorvanar without question as they were coated in what was in the cordial that was brought in front. The stench of weasel pheromones and urine was more than enough to make Dean gag as he was trying not to vomit. In Sam's case, he had to deal with it as he was also trying not to do too much with his shoulder injury. Still, the brothers and Yorvanar had to prepare for the worst as they noticed a large hole in the center of the floor where the cafeteria was held. All three decided to tread downward as they found themselves in a lair that was adorned with treasures that were left untouched. Even though they were cautious when it came to treasure, they had to stand their ground as they heard the slithering of the monster that was coming further.

"Well, Orochimaru, let's dance," said Dean as he was holding the mirror in his hands while shielding himself with it. "I bet that you've made this place your home since the recession of '08, but there's no going back on crawling on the lawn leaving skid marks."

It wasn't long until the basilisk finally appeared as it was large and intimidating. Even though it spotted Sam and Dean holding mirrors in front of them, it began to writhe in pain as it was also overwhelmed by the stench of the pheromones that were drenched all over them. Yorvanar, on the other hand, closed his eyes as he got out his crossbow and began to shoot at the basilisk's eyes in which it writhed in pain. Even though it was blinded, it didn't lose its sense of smell or touch as it was getting ready to strike the moment Dean rushed forward to stab it with his machete with a hint of bloodlust in his eyes.

The basilisk was wounded, but not out of the fight as it was ready to attack until Sam stepped in while holding up his phone to play the recording of a rooster crowing. Even though it was blinded, it wasn't about to go down so easily as it later coiled up Yorvanar before he fired another shot from his crossbow when it landed on the floor. Sam had to step in as he grabbed the crossbow and fired the final shot in the basilisk's head before it fell to the ground and let go of Yorvanar. The worst was over as the monster was no more in which it wasn't about to harm another bystander again. Even though Dean was relieved that Sam finished off the basilisk, he was clutching at his arm as the Mark of Cain was subsiding in which he had to refrain from further lust for killing, for the worst was yet to come in the future.

"You bear the Mark of Cain, don't you?" said Yorvanar.

"It's not what you think," said Dean as he was restraining himself.

"It is when you act like that," said Sam as he was wincing in pain due to his shoulder injury. "At least we got rid of what's hiding in the Chamber of Secrets…"

"The threat is over, but before we go back to the bunker, we should take an overdue bath for our troubles," said Yorvanar. "It's also best that we did so and let the locals figure out what was going on in this old country club."

And so, all three left the derelict building as they finally stopped a threat that was terrorizing the town. Still, the looming personal battles that the brothers faced would soon take a turn for the worst in which they also had to be aware of what was yet to come, for this was yet another annal that was written in the Elder Days…

The next morning, Sam was at the laundromat washing clothes as he was still dealing with the injury in his shoulder. He was worried about Dean as he also wanted to save him from the Mark's influence the moment he saw him strike at the basilisk last night. When he was busy flipping through his phone, he noticed Yorvanar arriving as he was dressed in his true uniform in which he had to keep his identity a secret in the form of a cosplayer in a sci-fi film, for he was ready to take his leave once he parted ways for now.

"You're in your true form, which is dangerous," said Sam.

"Most of the people don't care who is who around here," said Yorvanar. "Also, we stopped the basilisk, but we've got bigger problems."

"It's Dean… Even though I cured him from being a demon, he's trying to hold it in, but the Mark is never satisfied until he has this bloodlust."

"You two should take a sabbatical before doing anything else. You and Dean aren't the only hunters who shoulder the burden in which you have backup in the darkest of places. I also know that you and I have a very complicated relationship in which the first time I met you, you were walking around without your soul until you later redeemed yourself in protecting me in the end. Still, you also matured from someone who is yearning for a normal life to a man who did more to protect everyone."

"It's the only path I know…"

"For the record, you can't bear the burden alone, for there are others who will fight for you and follow your lead when you least expect it."

Sam saw Yorvanar leave with a smile on his face as he continued to watch the frontloaders spinning on rinse cycle. Still, he may have helped to finish off the basilisk, but he also had to contend with Dean's problems in the long run, for this was just the beginning to undo the Mark that has gripped him ever since…

Meanwhile, back in the present…, right frickin' now!

The next morning, I was up as I was busy hanging up the clothes on the line after being washed earlier. The warm air was a huge comfort as it was a lot better than dealing with the northern wind for a while in which I was mainly busy doing the chores. Even though I gave birth, I had to lighten the load as I was also told not to do too much the moment I left into the house and went to the sitting room to read further into the Appendices. What I didn't expect was that Marie-Therese was in there as she was reading one of the popular Supernatural books that were there, for she had to delve into the art of hunting instead of falling victim to her own maternal family's habit of thievery and blackmail.

"If you're looking for Reiko, she and Jill left early," she said.

"They went to the hive, didn't they?" I said.

"I know that I don't wanna pry, but I've been reading those books for a while now. I never expected your past self and Dean's to be very complicated until now."

"The Winchesters of Old had their habits, mistakes, and adventures, but they often have an infinite amount of commitment to family."

"Well, it's better than mine in which most of my family members disowned me for telling the truth about my mother. She always had a fondness for sons, especially Emile, in which she never liked me or my sisters. As for her involvement into bringing the Maladendrum into fruition, poisoning my father, and even blackmailing Dowager Empress Sayaka? She got what was coming to her after she lost her baby through a miscarriage in which she reaped what she sowed. It was also a small form of justice for Emile after what he went through. Still, I'm alone in which I defied my mother while she clung to the aspect of war even after the Second Galvanic Uprising ended. I also know about the blood connection to the Masbaths in which they not only engaged in thievery and blackmail, but incest. Luckily, I sought comfort and help from the LaPointe Clan, but they've gotten visits from the Rakuen Priesthood in which they paired me with Etienne, who's not interested in me."

"You weren't the only one who got suckered into marriage. Dean was also trying to avoid it with his first wife until she was murdered at the hands of the Zenith Vectors. He also had the audacity to avoid Ravenna until I signed a marriage contract by proxy just to tether him to her after what I saw. That was when I found him in the Wonder Nook last year in which the Impala was all littered with trash that I had to take out of. Still, life and fate gives us challenges to overcome, for it is what was made for us in the end."

Marie-Therese continued to read into the book she had as she was looking into how to have the tools of the trade. She wanted to be more than the family she was born into as she was eager to know more about reading into the lore and how to find their weaknesses. She had to know the basics as she was also wanting to catch up with Reiko and Jill in order to find the basilisk that was lurking around the hive. She was eager to prove her worth and stand up to her family as she later had a gut feeling that something was wrong, for she would soon do so.

I was mainly aware of Marie-Therese's efforts into delving further with what she was looking at until I heard a noise coming from the main hall. When I left the sitting room, I saw Yorvanar bursting into the villa as he was concerned about what was going on. He was no stranger into hunting dangerous monsters as he had a gut feeling that he would go toe-to-toe with the basilisk that was slithering around near the hive, for he needed to tell me right away.

"It's about damn time that I left the Adam West in order to find you," he said as he was panting from exhaustion. "Your wife and your ward aren't safe and neither are the inhabitants of the Chonoid refugees who lived here during the time of the Restoration Era."

"Is it about the basilisk?" I asked.

"The basilisk that's been terrorizing the hive came from a facility that housed many dangerous lore creatures in which it was stolen by a certain someone who has a hate boner for the Trujillo Clan and he is known for his snobby nature."

"Tobin Brackenstall… He must've discovered the facility in which he acquired the basilisk just to harass the people who live here in El Anillo del Fuego."

"He also has a bone to pick with Lyra in which she refused his offer to marry again after that double tragedy. First, she lost her husband, Emperor Esteban, and later, she was cornered and raped by Iago Arkhelios in which she was left impregnated by him. Sadly, the baby never drew breath after that bastard kicked her all because he wanted one woman in his family to be on top and that is none other than Desdemona. Still, we can talk about this later, but for now, we have a snake to round up before it kills again."

Yorvanar made his point clear as he was eager to recruit me into flushing out the basilisk. Still, I never wanted to go against Chonoid customs not to observe the rite, but I had to help stop the threat before it was too late, for my assistance had to be called for…

To be continued...