Long ago, in ages past, there were the Three Brothers of Death. These three men were the Kings of all, and widely worshiped by mortals. The Three Brothers of Death were Cremation, Decay, and Deathitself. All three were powerful yet the eldest brother, Deathitself, was the strongest of all of them. The eldest death was known as the King of the Gods, even if he had long since given up his throne to another. One day the God of Life, the new King of the Gods, ordered the Three Brothers or Death to marry the Three New Deities of Life. None of the brothers were happy about this, the Three Deaths were enraged, however they had no choice in the matter.

So, Cremation married the God named Crow, Decay married the Goddess named Avi, and Deathitself was to marry the Prince of the Gods. The first two weddings went as planned, with Crow and Avi being wed to the Brothers of Death. However, on the night before their wedding the prince struck a deal with Death Itself. The prince did not wish to marry Death Itself, he wished to live his own life. So he and Death Itself made a deal. This deal would allow the prince to go to the mortal plane and live 1 life as a human, his life was not to be ended by a deity or magical being and Death Itself was to ensure that the life was a long one. In return for this mortal life of freedom, the prince would behave himself and marry Death Itself without issue and then continue to be well behaved after their wedding.

Deathitself agreed to this, wishing to at least have a well behaved spouse. So the deal was struck and Deathitself sent the prince's soul into the body of a mortal boy, keeping the prince's body safe within the temple of Deaths. The Prince of the Gods was born into the most powerful royal mortal family, a family that worshiped the Three Deaths and were well favored by the Eldest Death. It was now that the Prince's mortal life began, with no memories of his true self as a God. Deathitself kept a close eye on the prince, often watching and interfering with the prince's life in order to keep him safe. It was because of this constant watch and interference that the prince saw Death Itself.

The prince did not know that this God was his fiancé, nor did he know of his previous feelings of indifference towards him.

All the young mortal boy knew was that Death Itself was a curious creature and the prince wanted to know more about him. So it began that the prince started to watch Deathitself. Every time the powerful deity was around the prince, he would see that their eyes would meet and that the boy would smile. So Deathitself knew that the boy was aware of his presence. One night, while the prince slept, the Eldest Death entered his room and watched him quietly. The prince, perhaps sensing his presence, awoke from his sleep and saw Death Itself before him. The boy quickly flew out of bed and rushed to Death Itself, clinging to his robes and starting to ask many questions. The Eldest Death was confused, but found this amusing so he stayed and entertained the boy.

When morning came Deathitself had to leave, which made the young Prince upset to the point of tears. In an attempt to calm the child Deathitself agreed to come visit him again and to continue watching over him. The prince's mood changed instantly at this, and he happily made the God promise to do so. So for many years, enough for the small child of 8 to become 18, that Deathitself would visit the boy at night regularly and the two would spend the time talking. It was during these 10 years that the prince began to fall in love with the God, and he continued to fall deeper and deeper in love with him.

However the blissful years would not last, and finally they came to an end on the prince's 19th birthday. Deathitself had come to visit at night again, only to find the boy laying in bed with tears falling down his face. He was to be married to another, the prince of the neighboring kingdom. He didn't wish to marry, at least not with this other person. Out of fear of losing the God he had become so close to, and being taken away by another, the prince begged the Eldest Death to take him away. To marry him, to stay with him, or to at least take the prince into his domain so the boy may stay by the God's side. Death Itself wasn't shocked, for he knew of the boy's feelings for him. It was then that Death Itself realized that he too loved the prince, too much to lose him to another. However Deathitself could not do as the prince asked, for if he did then the deal would be broken and Deathitself would lose the prince forever. So the God denied the crying mortal his wish, not giving a reason as to why he would do such a thing. The prince did not know of his past life, or the deal that he had made with the God, so he became more bereaved than ever and fell into a deep depression when the God stopped visiting him after that night. Death Itself would remain close to the prince, watching and protecting him, however he no longer allowed the mortal to see him nor did he visit the prince at night.

Knowing that the prince's mortal life would be over in a short time, for 60 years is not long for the Gods, and that once his mortal life came to a natural end he could wed his beloved, helped to sooth the God's aching heart and soul. Deathitself did what he could to distract himself from the pain of knowing that the prince would marry another, however he could not stop the rage that came during the prince's wedding. The Prince's mortal husband was enraged when his spouse would not love him, worse still when the boy would not even sleep in the same bed as him. In his rage the husband decided to kill the Prince, thinking that the boy had a lover and was unfaithful.

Deathitself wasnt aware of the upcoming murder, for he was kept busy with multiple mortal wars that he and his brothers were needed for. Nor was Death Itself aware that the King of the Gods knew about his deal with the prince, and that he did not wish for his son to marry the Elder Death. Rather he was hoping that the prince would be able to rid the king of Death Itself permanently.

Seeing that the boy had fallen in love with the God of Death, the king created a new plan. He would bring his son back to the God Plane and marry him to another God, a God of the Sky. So he controlled the mind of the prince's mortal husband and distracted Death Itself that fateful night. It was on the night of the new moon that the husband approached the prince while he slept, a knife raised in order to kill him.

*That's it for this story for now. I'm working on writing the full version of it.

- Moki-Mori *

Grumin The Necromancer lived in a very secluded place. One would have to travel through many secret and magickally protected passageways and many more dangerous woods, swamps, and crossings to get to the forest where his home resided. Grumin had been trudging along this dangerous and long path for days, carrying the goods he had purchased with him. He was tired, and that was very evident in how he was carrying himself as he trudged along. His long red hair was in a messy braid that he had put it in when he left for the market. His matching red tail was hanging low and dragging on the ground behind him, which only made the red tuft of hair on the end of it even more tangled and dirty. His black eyes with blue or red irises were drooping shut from exhaustion, and his long pointed ears were following them in a downward droop. Grumin's usually tall form was hunched over, his legs dragging slightly and his arms looking weak from holding all of his market laid with him. '

'Why did I make my home so hard to get to?' Grumin sighed to himself as he continued on with his journey. 'And why do I insist on buying so much at one time?'

The large gray-skinned elfling was tired and desperately wished to rest, but he could not. He was cursing himself for building his home in such a hard to reach place and for buying so much during one trip to the market, but he knew it was for the best. Grumin was a necromancer, he was known as Grumin The Necromancer. Unfortunately Necromancy was a very frowned upon practice in a majority of the kingdoms, and necromancers and their creations would often be hunted down because of it. Grumin was smart enough to live in a kingdom which allowed and protected necromancers, but he was still nervous. He loved his creations, for they were family to him, and he would take any and all precautions necessary to prevent them from being harmed or used.

'I'll be home soon. I hope a lot of them are alright.' Grumin sighed, pausing once at the exit of the final magick passageway. He opened the secret gate and continued out of the tunnel and into the large lush forest that he had made his home in. He wasn't far from his living space now. A new rush of excitement filled him as he entered the familiar forest, and with it came a burst of energy. Grumin began to quickly walk through the well known paths, his 6'9" form taking large strides now that he was standing straight while walking in full.

'I know how much they all miss me whenever I leave. Hopefully Laurence was able to keep them all in check.' Grumin kept his fast pace, rushing past stone and tree landmarks as he headed back to his home. 'I know he gets anxious when I leave without him, but he's the only one I can trust to watch over the rest of them now that Jax has gone to a new home.'

Grumin the Necromancer slowed his pace a bit. Going from a slow jog to a quick paced walk. His luggage seemed lighter now, and his mood brighter. He was almost home to the wonderful little family of his, and he couldn't wait to see them all again.

Finally, after what felt like the longest stretch of his journey, Grumin crossed over a final river and turned the corner to see his house.

Grumin had built the place himself many years ago, using the materials around him and some help from his family to build them all a home. It looked rather small on the outside. A simple cottage-like building with two floors and a visible attic, a large garden space and small farm fields out to the left of the house. There was a collection of stables and animal housing littered around both the main building and further away from it. Bird-houses of all shapes, colors, and sizes were hung up in the trees. Some of them were as small as a pinecone, while others were the size of a durian or larger.

"I'm Back!" Grumin joyfully shouted into the seemingly empty forest, waiting a moment for that blissful noise of his family. There was a singular moment of silence left in that forest, before a small stampede could be heard.

Out from the house, stables, birdhouses, hidden resting spots, the animal houses, and the farm fields they all came. All of them barreling towards Grumin. A stampede of skeleton animals. There were lions, bears, dragons, monkeys, birds of all kinds, rabbits, sloths, turtles, even skeleton fish that came to the surface of the large pond and streams by the house.

"Hello everyone!! I've missed you all so much!" Grumin dropped his bags before the animals reached him and fell to the floor in order to hug and cuddle his family properly.

*This story is by a friend and I, it started as a joke and turned into a whole thing. I'm currently working on writing the full version of this one.

- Moki-Mori*

The King and Queen had been waiting for what felt like an eternity to have a child. Years have gone by without any luck nor sign of such a blessing. Finally, after years of trying, they were blessed with a child. A beautiful baby girl, with golden blond hair and lovely violet eyes. The two were ecstatic at the birth of their beloved daughter and decided to host a grand celebration in her honor.

The celebration came, with all coming to give gifts and blessings to the newborn baby princess. Three fairies came, two of them giving the young baby the gifts of beauty and the gifts of song. However, before the third fairy could give her gift to the princess a cloud of black smoke appeared. Out of the smoke came a horrible voice, and two sets of gleaming green eyes.

After a brief moment, the figures holding those sets of eyes stepped out of the smoke. One was tall and thin, with singed black hair and charred skin, an ever-present grief-filled look on its face. The other figure was a large black raven, feathers shimmering with rainbow colors in the light, yet the ends of its feathers looked as if they had been caught by some fire.

"You didn't invite me." The first figure spoke, taking another step out of the smoke.

"I heard about this wonderful news secondhand." It continued, taking another step towards the crib which held the princess.

"I was so disappointed when I heard because I wish I had heard from you." Now at the side of the princess's cradle, the figure turned to lock eyes with the king and queen.

"I am overjoyed for you both, such a blessing she is. I too wish to give her a gift."

There were screams and cries as the creature spoke. Its appearance is that of a charred body dressed in ornate feathered cloaks, and its voice that of a haunted child. Guards were rushed in, but it was too late. For the feathered creature had begun to lay its gift onto the child.

"May you indeed be blessed with both beauty and song, may your life be forever sweet and long. May you live many fruitful years, full of grace. May you soon prick your finger on a spinning wheel's spindle and fall into a peaceful forever sleep. Never to be woken by this world's cruelty."

A flash of light, blinding and vile, was spread across the room. When it cleared the smoke had once again started to pile up, swallowing the figure whole. "Happy birthday, little princess." It sing-songed hauntingly as it disappeared into the mist, leaving the banquet hall and its horrified guests.

Once the smoke fully cleared the king and queen raced towards the crib, picking up their small daughter. The two were distraught over the curse that was laid onto their small precious child.

Panic ensued, guests being ushered out by guards as the King and Queen wept over their child's apparent fate. Finally, after most of the commotion faded, the third fairy flitted forward and offered her gift. She and the other two fairies were not able to lift the curse, but the third would be able to alter it. The curse was changed, having it so that the princess wouldn't be pricked until her sixteenth birthday, and it changed it from being an eternal sleep with no hope of waking, into a peaceful slumber that would be awoken with true love's kiss.

This calmed the parents, though the king and queen were still paranoid about their daughter's safety. So they commanded that all spinning wheels were to be burned and that the princess was to be taken away and hidden far from the heinous creature's eyes and reach.

And so, the beautiful princess Aurora was taken to live in a beautiful summer cottage that was owned by the royal family. She was raised amongst her own personal servants, guards, and three fairies who were her nannies and caretakers.

Seasons changed and soon years passed, the small baby now a child of five. She had always been a curious thing, wandering around as much as possible. One day, during these wanderings, she happened upon a sleeping figure. It was tall and thin, with burnt hair and charred skin. It lay sleeping against the roots of a willow tree in the forest near the princess's home. Above the creature sat a giant raven with singed feathers.

The child, ever curious and naïve to the dangers of the world around her, reached out and gently touched the creature's burned face, causing it to stir. Its eyes opened, revealing beautiful violet hues, which were quickly covered by a vile green glow. The creature sat still, watching the small child as she continued to gently touch its face, cloak, and hands, seemingly confused by it.

"You shouldn't be here, little princess," it whispered softly, allowing the girl to hold onto its hand as she stared at it.

"Hello!" She smiled back joyously in response, sitting herself down next to the creature. "Everyone was busy and I was bored. So I came out here to find a friend, and I found you!" she declared, still smiling brightly.

"Am I your friend now?" It asked softly, being careful in its movements and tone so as to not scare the sweet child.

"Yes!" The princess shouted excitedly, jumping a bit on her knees.

"That's lovely." The creature said sincerely, smiling with its eyes if it was able to.

"Do you know any stories? I love stories, I love to tell them and to listen to them!" Her blonde hair bounced and her violet eyes sparked with excitement as the creature nodded.

The sun moved throughout the sky, and soon the princess fell asleep next to the creature. It moved gently, lifting her up and placing her into her bedroom.

"Happy Birthday, little princess." He whispered softly, eyes smiling as a single tear went down his face. Today was the little princess's sixth birthday.

The creature's and the princess's days went on for years. The smiling child would wander and happen upon the creature, not knowing that it was he who cursed her all those years ago, and they would spend the day together. They would play adventure, the creature would tell her stories of faraway lands and magic, and She would help care for the creatures of the forest alongside him.

"What is this place?" She one day asked softly. They had wandered deeper into the forest, as they usually did. Entering a surreal realm full of magic and wonderful beings.

"Home. My home." He answered softly.

Over the years Aurora had learned that the creature did not like to speak. It hurt his voice to do so, and it hurt his face to show much expression, so he showed his emotions with his eyes. The princess had never questioned it before, but she had always wondered. Why did her friend look like that? Burned and charred all over? His pet raven singed as well? She would never ask, of course. It was a hard thing for him to talk about and he preferred to stay away from such conversations.

"Your home is lovely! Is this where your raven is from?" The now twelve-year-old princess asked as she hopped onto some stones peaking above the water of a flowing river.

"Yes. Diaval is from these lands, he was born here. I came to them many years ago and made my home here with him." the creature nodded slightly, moving to sit at the base of what must be this place's version of a willow tree.

"Wonderful! It is absolutely lovely!" Aurora declared again, laughing as she and Diaval began to play in the water with the other creatures.

Hours passed, the sun moved in the sky, and soon it was nearly night. The Creature stood and gathered up the princess and the raven so they could make their way back to her home. They talked softly as they walked, carrying the little princess and the raven hopping from branch to branch overhead.

"You'll never guess what the nanny told me today." Aurora sleepily murmured as her eyes began to drift shut.

"Hmm?"

"She said that soon I will meet with my mother and father. And that I'll get to live in a palace!" She sleepily declared joyfully "She told me that I'm a Princess and that on my sixteenth birthday they will take me back home, to my family. I don't know why I had to leave it, but she said it was because some horrible witch put a curse on me." With a final sigh, the child fell asleep in the creature's arms. Not noticing that he had stopped walking as she was speaking. He was frozen to the spot, darkness flooding the forest as the sun set. Time seemed frozen to him, and he only partially broke from his trance when he heard the shouting of guards begin to grow closer.

Still, in some bit of this trance, he was not able to react quickly enough. So soon guards rounded around trees and boulders and saw him holding the princess. These guards knew who he was, and what he had done to her on her birthday twelve years ago, so they managed to attack him. The creature snapped awake, placing the princess down and teleporting himself and the raven away in a blizzard of smoke.

When it cleared, the princess was sitting awake sleepily on the ground. The barest whisper could be heard by her over the sounds of the guards shouting.

"Happy birthday, little princess."

And so the night of her thirteenth birthday passed. The next day was full of commotion, servants packing, guards running around, the fairies flitting everywhere nervously.

"What's happening?" The newly thirteen-year-old princess asked softly, her violet eyes scanning her packed-up home with worry.

It was explained to her that, last night in her sleep, she had been taken by the horrible monster who had cursed her thirteen years ago. And that by some miracle he slipped up and left her behind when he teleported. The King and Queen had already heard of this and demanded that the princess be brought back home at once. The summer cottage was no longer safe, and they believed she would be safer in the castle, with her family.

The princess and all of her belongings, servants, guards, and nannies, were quickly brought to the castle in the center of the kingdom. Forcing Aurora away from her friend that she had made so many years ago, forcing her away from him without any answers to her many questions.

Once she had arrived at the castle she learned that there was no reason for her to have been excited to come here and meet her parents. The castle was awful, the people were awful, and they were awful.

The King and Queen didn't treat her like their daughter, they didn't even treat her like a child. They forced her to act in a 'princessly' way and to start reviewing suitors. She was starved in order to lose weight and gain a prettier figure, her hair was ruined as the maids of the castle and her mother used product after product on it to make it more 'in style'. Soon her violet eyes lost the shine they had once held, her smiling fading with it.

She would lay awake at night, on her beautiful bedspreads and silken sheets, and cry. She missed her old way of life. The freedom, the sun, the love she had experienced then. All of her personal servants went back to their old ways once they arrived here. Becoming cold, cruel, and gossipy. Even her nannies had betrayed her, leaving to go back to their homes now that they didn't need to care for her. She felt so alone, with no nannies, animals, or her friend to comfort her.

So she cried herself to sleep at night. Every night. For the next three years.

On the day before her sixteenth birthday Aurora sat before a standing mirror as maids and her mother fussed over her appearance. They covered bruises left by her father's disciplines, they covered her hollowed cheeks left by her mother's obsession with her figure, and they tried to cover the lost sparkle and false smile that left with her old life.

She was to throw a grand party tonight, on the night of her sixteenth birthday. It was the first time her birthday had ever been celebrated. It was also the night that the curse was supposed to take effect.

Her parents insisted that it was all planned out. She would meet a long list of suitors tonight and fall in love with one. They would be engaged, and when she fell into her cursed sleep, he would recuse her with a true love's kiss.

She was not enthusiastic about the prospects of this evening. But she had no choice but to go along with her parents' whims. To be that perfect princess they had been forcing her to be these past three years.

The celebration occurred, guests arriving in droves with gifts and greetings, suitors arriving in nearly as many numbers with even more gifts and the unfortunate flirting and evening walks to 'grow close'.

The night passed, and the celebration ended. Aurora had found no love, but her parents had. A wealthy, handsome young prince from the neighboring kingdom. They were strong and powerful and very very rich, was it mentioned that they were incredibly rich? Her parents decided then and there, that the two were in love. He might have been, but she was not. It didn't matter though, for they were engaged, and she was sent off to bed shortly after.

In her room, she found a spinning wheel, with a beautifully carved and sharp needle sitting on its peak.

The creature sat by, watching the princess as she left her sixteenth birthday party. Was she crying? He couldn't tell. He felt like crying, but he didn't know if he could anymore. Not after what happened. These last three years had been hell for him. Trying to find his way back here in order to rescue her from their clutches, but he had failed. It was already too late. She entered her room, where they had left a spinning wheel for her, and she fell into a trance. Pricking her finger she collapsed, asleep, forever.

He knew that the fairy had altered his curse, but he also knew that no one truly loved the princess, nor did she truly love anyone.

"Such a shame. I wish there was another way." He murmured to himself. Watching from a distance as servants came in and put the princess into bed, as planned by the King and Queen.

"It didn't have to happen this way. There were many other ways." Diaval whispered from his shoulder. The raven's head was twisted so that it could see what was occurring with its master.

"I know... But this was the least harmful way."

Diaval nodded, in a bird way, and the two fell into their usual silence. Watching as the moon sank and the sun rose. Watching as the prince, who was Aurora's fiance, entered the room and kissed her sweetly. Watching as it did nothing. Watching as she remained asleep. Watching as the sun set and the moon rose again.

He entered the princess's chambers, looking at her sleeping form wistfully.

"May you indeed be blessed with both beauty and song, may your life be forever sweet and long. May you live many fruitful years, full of grace. May you soon prick your finger on a spinning wheel's spindle and fall into a peaceful forever sleep. Never to be woken by this world's cruelty."

He whispered the curse that had left his lips sixteen years ago, staring at her as a single tear fell down his face once again.

*This story is inspired by the classic French Fairytale that many now know as 'Sleeping Beauty'. This is my own twist on the original fairytale and I'm working on the full version. This short version was cut off early as I didn't want to include any plot-spoiling parts.

- Moki-Mori*

It's just past nightfall, in one of the most secluded settlements in the kingdom Ingegerdith. We were in the local tavern -the only one this small town had- and it was full of drunk patrons, tavern girls, children, and weary travelers. Everyone seems to be in a joyous mood as they celebrate this year's fall harvest.

There is food and drinks being passed around, and many people are crowding the bars and tables. The most crowded area is in the middle of the tavern, where I sit on an old chair atop a table. My green hood and cloak swishing around as I tell the crowd stories from lands far away and the tales of my friend's and i's adventures. We were the guests of honor at this little celebration, for we were partially responsible for the success of this year's harvest.

I sat back down on my chair, reaching out to grab a drink that was offered to me. I don't partake in ales often but since it was a celebration I might as well take what is given to me and drink it gladly. As I'm sitting and taking a short break from my usual telling of stories and singing of songs I look around, trying to find the one friend of mine who was actually on time today. After a bit of searching, I see her bright yellow dress and sunny orange hair, her head swaying and her hands moving around as she speaks with the bartender. I'm fairly sure she's arranging for cookies to be made. After a moment she turns around to look at me and waves. I wave back and she breaks out into her usual happy expression.

I once again stand up and begin to tell yet another tale of adventure, this one happening to be a town favorite. As the story continues I hear cheers and loud greetings. Looking up towards the door I can see that the other three have arrived. The stone-faced green and black Dragonborn immediately slinking over to an empty corner that was saved just for them, while the other two headed towards the bar.

I smile and shout greetings at them "Celosia! Delmar! Tatsuya! Join the fun, there are cookies and drinks!"

The Dragonborn, Tatsuya, immediately looks up at me and then towards the Bar where the dark-haired siren, Delmar, is speaking to the bar keep and Helian, the one who had ordered cookies earlier. Moments pass and Delmar grabs two plates of cookies and brings them over to a less grumpy-looking Tatsuya. Laughing joyously I open my book again and continue to tell the tale I had started.

"Come on Bard! Sing us a song!"

"One of the ones you sang at the harvest!"

"Something good for our celebration!"

Having finished the fifteenth or sixteenth story of the night the shouts for music and songs became louder and louder. Smiling, I hop down, quickly agreeing to their requests.

"Of course of course! But wouldn't you all rather hear a duet, me and the lovely Celosia!!" I happily rushed over to the redheaded Nereid, who stood up, fixing her deep red dress that nearly looked like constantly crashing waves of flowing fire.

There were many cheers as she grabbed my hand and we both rushed back to my table. As we hopped up on top of it there were many cheers for Celosia, some cheers for me were also thrown in.

"Well, I suppose if you all want to hear me sing, I couldn't just deny you all of such a thing." Celosia smiled and feigned to be pretentious over the crowd, who just laughed and cheered in response to her jokes.

"Come on Celosia, we all know you've been practicing all month for this!" Delmar shouts happily, taking off his glasses and cleaning them afterwards.

"Come on Celosia! We want to hear you sing!! Helian smiled, clapping and cheering the redhead on.

I motioned to the tavern boy who was holding a lute "John! Play us something, you know the one don't you?"

Immediately the blonde boy's face lit up with a smile as he grabbed the lute and began to play the tune of celebration. Celosia and I started to dance atop the table, with the rest of the crowd following the dance on the floor or atop other tables.

The lute tune became louder and smoothed out into the song that Riordan and Celosia were to sing.

Celosia began the song out, singing beautifully.

"Er komt een soldaat Die een machtig zwaard draagt Hij zal je stad afbreken Oh lei, oh lai, oh, heer Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, heer Hij zal je stad afbreken Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, heer"

Riordan and Celosia danced atop the table, dancing to the song and the cheers of the crowd. Riordan was smiling and full of energy and began to sing the second verse.

"Er zal een dichter komen Wiens wapen zijn woord is Hij zal je verslaan met zijn tong Oh lei, oh lai, oh, heer Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, heer Hij zal je verslaan met zijn tong Oh lei, oh lai, oh, heer"

Celosia and Riordan, still dancing and cheering along with the crowd, began to sing the last verse together.

"Er zal een heerser komen Wiens wenkbrauw in doorn wordt gelegd Gesmeerd met olie zoals David's jongen Oh lei, oh lai, oh, heer Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, heer Gesmeerd met olie zoals David's jongen Oh lei, oh lai, oh, heer Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, heer Hij zal je stad afbreken, oh lei, oh lai Ohh"

Riordan and Celosia, laughing and smiling, hopped down off of the table and into the crowd, letting the tavern full of people finish their singing.

*no lyrics and only lute playing in between lines here*

"Oh lay, oh lay, oh lay, oh lai, oh

Oh lay, oh lay, oh lay, oh lay, oh

Oh lay, oh lay, oh lay, oh lay

Oh lay, oh lay, oh lay, oh lay, oh"

"Oh, that was lovely Riordan!" Helian ran forward and grabbed onto Riordan, smiling and still swaying.

"Thank you!" Riordan smiled and cheered happily "I rather enjoyed it! How about you Celosia?"

The redhead smiled and flipped her hair over her shoulders. "It was fabulous! I think I was on tune the whole time too!"

"You both sang beautifully." Delmar approached the group of three, pulling along Tatsuya who was stuffing their faces with cookies from a platter in their hands.

"Tatsuya!" Helianthus, Helian, went towards the Dragonborn, pulling them into a tight hug.

"Hmmp." The green and black scaled Dragonborn huffed and stared at Helian with their heterochromatic eyes.

"I was wondering where you got off to!" orange hair bangs bouncing as she releases the Dragonborn.

"Hmmp." Tatsuya smiled a bit, stuffing another cookie into their mouth before reaching out towards Helianthus to tuck a loose strand of hair behind their golden bandana.

"I'm glad you all made it! Even if it took you guys a while." Smiling, I quickly nabbed my favorite type of cookie, an oatmeal raisin cookie, off Tatsuya's plate. Their green and gray eyes glared at me for a second before they huffed again and went back to chomping on the cookie in their hand.

"We would have made it on time if it wasn't for a certain someone taking forever." Celosia giggled, crossing her arms and shooting a playful glare at Delmar.

"You all know that these coats don't get perfectly white and crisp on their own." Delmar smiled, returning the Nereid's glare.

We began laughing and taking turns 'stealing' cookies off a certain Dragon's plate. The partying and celebration continued deep into the night, all of us were having an amazing time - as we usually do at these gatherings -.

"Delmar! How did we let it get so late!" Helian was quickly trying to round up the Bard Gang and usher them out of the door. She had just realized the time and had declared "You know how Tatsuya gets when they're tired!"

"We were having fun! You know how that odd saying goes." Delmar set his drink down, beginning to say the 'goodbyes' and 'thank yous' for us as Helian was still attempting to gather us up.

"Getting you little ones to leave is like herding... herding... like herding something very difficult to herd!" Helianthus was puffing and scowling, though we all knew she wasn't actually upset at us. Yet.

"Like herding birds?" Celosia suggested as she threw her hair over her shoulder for the millionth time this night.

"Or like herding fish?" I pitched in, laughing a little.

"Hmmp."

"Exactly Tatsuya, like herding snakes!" Celosia began to laugh as well as we were all pushed out of the tavern.

"I believe the saying Helian is trying to reference is 'it's like herding kittens'." Delmar, smiling and holding a few plates of food, joined us outside as we began our walk home.

"I've never heard of that saying." Helian gave Delmar a confused look while tilting her head some.

"You've never 'heard' of it?" I spun around, delivering my brilliant joke.

"Oh my goodness Riordan." Celosia sighed and then playfully punched me, laughing all the while.

"I don't get it..." Helian frowned a bit, looking from me to Delmar and back again.

"It's a play on words Helian. The word heard, as in hearing something, and the word herd, as in gathering creatures, sound the same." Delmar explained while giggling along with Celosia and me.

"Hmmp." Tatsuya huffed, walking while they ate more cookies.

"That's enough cookies for one night on Tatsuya." Helian quickly, and skillfully took the plate of cookies out of Tatsuya's claws. Much to the dual-colored Dragonborn's dismay.

"Hmmp." The dragon huffed again, looking sadly at their plate of cookies.

"Come on all of you. it's getting late and I want to get back home before the sun rises." Delmar started to walk a little faster, prompting the rest of us to do the same.

It was only a short while before we left the town and came to the border of the forest where our home lay. The five of us wasted no time in finding and trodding upon our well-worn path, moving quickly and keeping our guard up. Sometimes I would cautiously eye our surroundings, trying to see if there was anything watching us or awaiting our arrival. Soon enough we made it to our clearing, and I smiled as I looked ahead to our home.

*This is an original story that I've been working on for a year or so. This peice is the first chapter of it, and I have many more to write.

-Moki-Mori*

Song: Poet, Soldier, King by the Oh Hellos

Song Lyrics by: LyricFind

Translation done by: Google Translate

He sat there, on the old floorboards. He sat there, in the dim light in the dark of this night. The moon had long since gone to sleep and so had the sun. So he sat there, holding a deck of cards in his hands. Shuffling, shuffling, shuffling, shuffling them. A card fell out, flipping around chaotically before landing face down on the floor before him. A shaky hand reached out towards the card, deftly picking it up and bringing it closer to him. He flipped it over, looking at its face that was now staring him down.

Silence

There was no movement, no shuffling of cards or heavy breaths, just silence in the dark room of his. Until there was no longer silence. The deafening noise of nothingness was replaced with a discontented hum and the shuffling, shuffling, shuffling, shuffling of the cards in his hands. Those cold, white hands. The hands that were so skilled at shuffling, shuffling, shuffling, shuffling cards. Time went on, the night growing darker at its peak and then becoming lighter as dawn broke into the sky. More cards had flown out and landed around him, always face down. Each time it happened his cold, thin, ghost-white hands would reach out and bring it closer to him. Staring the card down as it stared back at him. He would hum in discontent, before placing it in a row with all the other cards that had stared at him. Once the cards had been placed he would go back to that shuffling, shuffling, shuffling, shuffling of cards.

And then again, as the night finally faded, there was once again a deafening silence. It was only now that I dared to sit up and stare at the spot on the floor where he had been sitting. There was nothing, no deck of cards, no shuffling, no eerie moonlight when there was no moon out. I stood up on shaky legs, staring at the spot where I had always seen him. He had never left anything behind when dawn broke, but this time he had. In the middle of my bedroom, sitting there face down on the floorboards, was a singular card. I quietly kneeled on the floor and reached out with shaky hands, slowly and fearfully picking it up before bringing it towards me and flipping it around.

I stared at the Tarot Card in my hands for a moment, confused as it had nothing on its face. In the place of the usual picture that would normally be on such a card was a small mirror. I stared at my own reflection, not realizing that that deafening silence had returned. I didn't realize anything until I heard that shuffling, shuffling, shuffling, shuffling from behind me.

It was dark, as it always is here. The night never seems to stop and the moon never seems to shine bright enough to light the void I live in. I sat in front of the box, the one he had left me, the one that I had refused to open for nearly a year. I was scared, of the darkness, of him, of the box, of this crippling loneliness. I couldn't bear it anymore, my sanity slowly slipping away as I tried not to cry again.

It had been a year since this box appeared and he had left. A year when I realized just how much I needed him. A year when I finally admitted to myself I loved him. but now it was too late, too much to bear, too much darkness, too much silence.

I miss his sounds. The sounds of his cards, his passive humming as he would flip through them and read them to himself. The slight sounds of annoyance when a reading didn't tell him what he needed to know. The sounds of him whispering his feelings for me to himself.

The darkness was too much now, far too much. It used to be something I looked forward to, since that is when he would come to me. The darkness was when he would sit, on the floor, and shuffle his cards. The darkness was when he would sit in silence as he watched over me.

But now he was gone, and the darkness and the silence were no longer things I could look forward to. Now the darkness and the silence were suffocating me, trapping me, preventing me from breathing or seeing.

I had so many questions, and no answers to any of them. I knew where the answers lay, but I could never bring myself to open it. The box, he had left it with me when he stopped coming. When the darkness became blinding and the silence became deafening. The box had answers, the answers to my many questions, questions about him. Questions for him. If I just opened the box everything would make sense... wouldn't it?

I couldn't, I refused to. I promised myself that I wouldn't. I had hidden the box away and buried its key deep out in the forest. Yet here I was, on his spot on the floor. Sitting in front of that box, holding the key in my hand.

If I opened it I would know. If I opened it I would have answers. If I opened it, I wouldn't have to feel like this anymore. So I did.

I opened the box, the key barely fitting into the lock. It jumped open, as if it had a million things to tell me and not enough time to say them all.

inside of it was a smaller box and an envelope. The smaller box held a deck of cards - It was his deck of cards-, the ones he shuffled and hummed at all throughout the night. Inside the envelope there were two rings on a chain and a note.

'i'm sorry' it read 'I can no longer be here. I offered you a place with me once before, and you refused me. Now I offer it to you once more, wear your ring on your finger and mine around your neck and meet me where the moon shines through the trees one month from now, when its light is brightest.'

I sat there, staring at the cards and cradling the note and rings. I was too late, my stubbornness has killed me. I wanted to be with him, I hated that I had turned him down before. I missed him, I was in denial then but I am no longer. I love him, but I can never see him again. He was gone, I had had one more chance, but I took it away from myself. Was he there that night? in the spot he knew was my favorite? How long did he wait? Did he wait at all?

There were no more chances, I had ruined my own happiness. and in turn I had ruined him as well. There was nothing I could do, our worlds were forever apart. the only thing that could bring him back to me would be a being of his nature. And one is never able to find those.

I felt hopeless, crushing loneliness. I hated how I had brought this onto myself. Why didn't I tell him? Why did I refuse his offers? Now I shall suffer because of myself, and because I had brought suffering upon him. That was the worst of it. He hadn't given up on me, he had given me one more chance. He had waited for me to appear in our spot, with our rings and his deck of cards, and I didn't even show up.

I need to fix this, I need to find him again. Can I? I can't bring him back to me, so it's hopeless. He was willing to leave all behind for me, and I couldn't be bothered to sacrifice a single thing in return. Is that why he left?

I cant bring him back to me, but could I be brought to him? I have, no. I can't. I promised myself I wouldn't, that I wouldn't use it after all that happened. But... I had promised myself I wouldn't open this box, and I did. And this is for him not for me.

No, it's still for me. It's a selfish thing, but I can't bear any of this any longer. What if he was still waiting? What if I had just one more chance?

I would do it, I couldn't stop myself anymore even if I wanted to. I threw open the doors of the house and ran out into the forest. I didn't stop running until I came to the river bed where I had thrown it away so long ago.

one last chance, one last turn, I had to find it again. And I did. I dug around in the river mud for what felt like ages, but when I brought up that cursed bottle the sun hadn't even touched the skyline yet.

I made my way out of the river and to the spot where the moon always shines through the trees. My ring around my finger and his around my neck, the deck cards in one hand and the bottle in another.

I went to the center of the usually moonlit clearing and tore off the cap of the bottle. I took the final swig that was within it, and closed my eyes. In seconds I could feel her again, she was here, probably smirking at me victoriously. I had caved, she knew I would. I had returned for the final wish she owed me.

"take me to him. the owner of these cards and the ring around my neck, take me to him." I spoke without opening my eyes. I didn't want to see her, I wanted to see him.

I heard her laughter, that annoying grating laughter, and then all the sounds around me stopped. It was silent, so I opened my eyes.

I was in a place I had never seen before. A place made of polished black stone and iridescent things speckled throughout it. I looked around frantically, I didn't know where he was or how to find him. Do I wait? Or do I go out to find him?

*This is a part of the same story from 'Story 5'. Has this changed your perspective on the story?

- Moki-Mori*

It all began when one day the four Regiis children were on their way to the tree house.

“It’s such a nice day; I hope it doesn’t rain again. It ruined my dress yesterday when it did.” A small girl with a braid of Raven hair turned her soft, purple eyes to her brother.

“It would be a shame if it rained again, as it is though I don’t think it will.” Samuel continued along the birch path with his younger sister. His crisp blue eyes looked down the path as he ran his hand through his shaggy hair.

“It amazes me how this path never seems to change; don’t you think it's odd Kitty?”

“Indeed, yet I hope it stays like this forever. It’s so peaceful.”Samuel and Kitty continued along the sunlight dappled path.

“Hey slow-pokes!” Kitty looked away from the arching trees to see her other brother, Carter, just off the path. The boy used to look like Samuel and herself, with their raven hair, yet he had recently dyed his hair a sky blue that matched his eyes. Carter was the third child of the Regiis family with Samuel and Allisa being the first and second children. Kitty herself was glad to be the youngest, at eight years of age she was considered too young to be concerned with mundane tasks that her peers were, yet she also resented it as she was often not allowed to adventure with her older siblings.

“Come on you guys!! Allisa is already ahead!!” Carter called to them once again before disappearing off the path toward their tree house. Samuel started off on a brisk jog followed by Kitty. When they reached the tree house they saw Carter waiting on the ground while Allisa climbed up the ladder, disappearing into the trees foliage.

The tree house was placed in an old oak tree that seemed to climb forever into the sky. The house itself was set into the meeting point of all the branches on the trunk and was made out of driftwood and scrap wood that their father helped put together. The inside was adorned with homemade furniture such as, four driftwood chairs, a scrap wood table, a shelf that ran the length of one wall,and a basket lift. On top of the furniture was scrap fabric cushions, old cups, a bar of soap, fire starter, flint, plates,  blankets, and a picnic lunch from home that Carter and mom packed.

Carter and Samuel deposited their bags and baskets of food and started up the ladder.

“Lower the basket for the food!”  Kitty cried from below sitting on the rock next to the basket, rag bag, and metal bucket. A wicker basket was lowered with a thump from the branches which Kitty put in all the containers and then waited as the basket was raised, emptied, then lowered again. She sat in the basket and was raised up through the branches until she came to the landing. She was met by two shining green eyes which belonged to  her sister Allisa. The girls went into the main area and started setting the tables and prepping the food with the boys. There were crackers and cheese followed by some homemade fruit tarts for dessert and some cold turkey or chicken salad with rolls for lunch. Samuel put the bottles of lemonade that Kitty and Carter had just made, on top the table.

“Can we eat now?” Asked Carter, he was always hungry and somehow never got any plumper for it.

“Yes Carter..” Samuel rolled his eyes as he answered him. As they sat down to eat all four kids looked at the food, mentally picking out what they would eat first.

Meanwhile down the birch path near the quarry wall  a strange group of strange figures disappeared from the forest after crossing a line of stone that had been within the forest for years. As they left a low quiet humming, similar to the sound of gurgling water, and a sweet smell, quite like the smell of pine trees and cookies appeared. The sound grew in volume while the scent grew stronger as time passed. The children were completely unaware of this and continued to eat, joke, laugh, and joke and eat some more. Towards the end of the meal the children fell silent, sitting content and reading. Waiting until they felt like eating the rest of their meal.

“Hey what’s that noise?...” Samuel cocked his head to hear it better. The children sat still for a minute listening.

“Sounds like water running, or something humming” Kitty stood up and looked out from the balcony.

“Do you see anything?” Carter went to stand up but froze as he twitched his nose.

“HEY!” Exclaimed Carter “What’s that wonderful smell?”

“It’s almost like fresh baked cookies and some kind of pine..” Sniffed Allisa

“Baked or burnt.” Stated Samuel panic slowly spreading on his face “It could be a forest fire!”

“I think it's coming from the end of the Birch path.” Stated Carter

“Should we go check it out?” Kitty suggested tentatively

“ALREADY THERE!!!” Shouted Allisa as she leaped past Kitty, grabbing the pulley rope and began to quickly rappel down, her red hair flying behind her.

“This isn’t wise!!” Shouted Samuel as he hurried to raise and lower the lift with Kitty inside. Then rushed down the ladder followed by a reluctant Carter.

“We haven’t eaten dessert yet though! You guys!!!” Carter said as he touched the ground, but the other three were already far ahead. As the children came farther down the Birch path the smell of pine became overwhelming, while the sound grew louder and louder, soon filling their ears and drowning out every other sound in the forest.

“LOOK THERE'S ALISSA!!” Shouted Samuel. Allisa was standing at the end of the path and looked back at her siblings.

“HOW IS SHE NOT COVERING HER EARS!?” Screamed Carter, they were all covering their ears in an attempt to quiet the noise

“I HAVE NO CL-..ue” Kitty’s voice ended in a whisper as when they reached Allisa the sound and smell stopped leaving an odd silence  and a blandness to the air.

“ Guys...” started Allisa “ What made these..?” Allisa was staring at the ground where there were four sets of  prints of what seemed a large deer or wolves.

“A deer perhaps?” Stated Carter in a mocking way, as Allisa prided herself for her knowledge of animals.

“They're too big and too close together.” Scoffed Allisa protectively “and those aren't of a wolf either so don't even.”

“That’s not what’s bothering me..” Whispered Samuel, he was staring at the line of stone in the ground where all the prints seemed to vanish. “It goes in a path towards it but there's nothing on the other side.”

“OH YEAH!?!” Carter and Allisa had begun fighting again.

“WELL I’M THE ANIMAL EXSP-OOF!!”

Allisa stumbled backwards after being shoved by Carter crossed the line... and disappeared. The others looked at each other then the line then at each other again. This went on for some time then...

“Allisa!!!” Yelled Samuel in a state of panic “ Oh mum and dad are going to kill me!!”

“Kill you!? I’m the one who pushed her over the line!” Carter had begun his nervous habit. Running around in circles while screaming. The thing is that as Carter was running in circles he got closer and closer to the line, until he tripped over a conveniently placed root and fell over the line. Also disappearing.

“AHHHH!!!” Screamed Samuel, as he began to panic more and more. Kitty on the other hand was quiet and calm. Samuel continued to scream while Kitty continued to look at the line where her siblings had vanished.  This, like most things when involving Samuel and Kitty, without Allisa or Carter, went on until Samuel had had enough.

“All right then!” He declared standing up “We shall conduct multiple experiments to figure out how to get both of them back!”

Then Kitty grabbing her brother’s hand said “Or we can do this.” Kitty then jumped over the line pulling Samuel with her. Once all four were across the line the noise and smell disappeared completely. The line vanished and time began to slow, crawling to a halt, as time stopped until they returned.. or died you know, It really could go either way.

Tatsuya was sitting with their friend, Mr.Gorgeous the Gif Emperor of JPEGlandia. The two were talking, exchanging stories and laughter and food.

“I have had years of training in both!” The two laughed as Mr.Gorgeous finished his story. Tatsuya opened their mouths to say something but decided against it.

“Well, go on. Say what you were going to say.” he gently poked his friend

“Ah, I was going to say something funny but it wasn't really.” Tatsuya shook their head

“That's fine, most of what I say isn't funny. Say it!”

“No thank you.”

Mr.Gorgeous stood up and turned to his friend “*whispers* Well then, there is only one solution…”

“*whispers* Yeah?” Tatsuya stood up, smiling at their friend’s sudden change of mood

Mr.Gorgeous drew a sword as he tossed his glove into Tatsuya’s face.

“*whispers* That's a little extreme, don't you think?”

“*whispers* Nope.” He was smiling as Tatsuya picked the glove off of their face.

“*whispers* I really didn't want it to come to this…” He smiled at what he thought was his friend’s surrender. “BUT THE COOKIE MASTER BACKS DOWN FROM NO CHALLENGE!!!!”

Tatsuya lunged forward with a yell, throwing cookies onto their opponent while they drew their blade. The two meet, metal crashing against metal, as they dance the dance of battle. As they moved around swinging their swords at each other Mr.Gorgeous tripped over a tree root and fell to the ground.

“Oof!”

“*whispers* Do you surrender?” Tatsuya had a small smile on their face

“*whispers* you think the head of security who has had training with nearly every weapon type will surrender that easily?” he smiled back as he slowly got up.

“*whispers*Yes, because you are a mortal. And I am a God, The Cookie God” Tatsuya lept back as he charged them, their swords meeting once again before they separated. They paced around each other in a circle, continuing their banter.

“What makes you think I am mortal?”

“...Everything.” The two rushed again, blades clashing as they fought. The battle so far was almost beautiful in the way that the two seemed to dance around with their weapons.

“I am no more mortal than you my friend.”

“But, I am God. The Cookie God. and you are-”

“I am an ancient warlord that has died several times!!!!” there was a pause as Tatsuya looked at him confusedly

“Then you must be a horrible fighter.”

Mr.Gorgeous froze as he looked at his friend and began to quietly laugh. ‘Didn't think it would be taken that way…’ he thought to himself before he spoke some excuse and met his friend’s attack once again. The entire battle Tatsuya had been barraging Mr.Gorgeous with attacks of cookies alongside the attack of their blade. It was at this moment that he realized that Tatsuya had been pulling what must have been 50 cookies out of the same small pouch.

“*gasps in fancy*”

“What?” Tatsuya froze in mid-swing as they stared at their friend.

“YOU’RE RICHARD WITH THE INFINITE BAG OF COOKIES!!” He shouted excitedly.

Tatsuya was silent for a few seconds, staring at their friend in confused and insulted shock. “No. But I did make his infinite bag of cookies. Where did you think that came from? *insulted scoff* The Goddess of Bags?”

“Oh… right. Shall we continue?”

“Please.”

The two pulled apart only to come back together, Tatsuya jumping into the air and coming down from above while Mr.Gorgeous protected himself from a barrage of cookies, narrowly escaping from Tatsuya’s blade.

“Have at thee!” Tatsuya gleefully swung their blade again, only barely missing his head.

Mr.Gorgeous, once he had backed away some, sheathed his metal blade and produced one made of light.

“AGGH!!!!” he charged at Tatsuya, cutting through the cookies that were sent flying towards him.

“Ah, I see. You thought using laser swords would work! Haha, foolish ancient mortal. Laser swords do nothing to my cookies!” They leapt up, pulling what seemed to be a brick of a cookie out of their pouch before chucking it at Mr.Gorgeous. He attempts to swing his sword at it, but it does nothing to the hardened rock. Letting out an aggravated sigh Mr.Gorgeous threw that blade to the side, drawing yet another metal one before swinging at Tatsuya yet again. They rolled their eyes and scoffed at the number of blades he had on him.

“Ancient warlord man, pick a sword and stick with it.” they mocked as the two continued to battle. Growing tired of the basic battle The Gif Emperor stepped away and began to attack in the style known as ancient shodokian.

“I really really REALLY didn’t want to have to do this, but you leave me NO CHOICE!” Tatsuya laughed as the two came apart again.

“I accept your surrender.” He swung his sword as he teased.

“Surrender? Oh no.”

“Really?”

“I am going to give you one last chance to surrender and walk away with your honor and your life Mr.Gorgeous.”

“Did you miss the thing where I said that I have already died multiple times?”

“...But I am a God, death by me is permanent .” Tatsuya shrugged as the two continued to circle around each other. Mr. Gorgeous began to chant his war chant and Tatsuya shook their head.

“I am so sorry, my friend.” Tatsuya shook their head as they clapped their hands together and a blinding light appeared. Mr.Gorgeous blinked, and when he opened his eyes again they were in another realm.

“Oh ho, I see you have taken us to the Pit?”

Tatsuya nodded as they gestured to the gladiator-style fighting pit around them.

“Ready?” Mr.Gorgeous smiled as he taunted his friend. Tatsuya nodded and the two clashed together again. As they battled, swords swinging and cookies flying around both of them had an idea. Mr.Gorgeous and Tatsuya separated and the two began to perform summoning magick. He was chanting once again as he created shadow war avatars while Tatsuya’s eyes glowed while they summoned an army of cookie soldiers.

“Am I supposed to be scared of that?” Tatsuya smiled as they looked upon the shadow soldiers before them. The two shared a laugh as they sent their armies towards one another.

“WARRRR!!!” They both shouted as they ran ahead of their forces, coming together in a horrific clash of men and cookies. There was screaming, cries of wars, battle cries, the sound of various tsunamis crashing over them. The two were both soaked, dirty, and tired as they continued to fight, the dance of battle continues. There were now Dragons and orcs, cookie men, and shadow soldiers. The two armies met as their masters wished them to. The two continued until they both caught a glimpse of the newcomer.

“HALT!” Riordan’s cry cut through the battlefield. The two friends and their armies froze, the sudden silence seeming to deafen them all.

“Oh, hello there.” he smiled at the newcomer who was now next to them.

“Hi Riordan.” they lowered their cookies and their sword as they turned to him.

“Hey so, this is a very fun war and all that you have going on here. But, I am going to host a storytime tea party, because Helian found out about tea parties and really wants to have one.” Riordan then reached out and grabbed both of them by their shirt collars

“And I need to have guests to have a tea party, so I am telling people that I will read stories to get them to come over.” He walked away, pulling the two along with him, as he headed back to the mansion for the tea party storytime.

*This story was written a while ago as a little joke between a friend and I. It's from the same universe with the same characters as story 5*

*This story was inspired by the end of story 8, and is also a little bit of a joke story that I wrote a while ago.*

“Hey so, this is a very fun war and all that you have going on here. But, I am going to host a storytime tea party, because Helian found out about tea parties and really wants to have one.” Riordan then reached out and grabbed both of them by their shirt collars

“And I need to have guests to have a tea party, so I am telling people that I will read stories to get them to come over.” He walked away, pulling the two along with him, as he headed back to the mansion for the tea party storytime.

“Helian!! I brought Tatsuya and James!” Riordan proudly smiled as he dragged in his two friends by their shirt collars.

“Oh Yay!! I’m so happy you both could make it for tea time!” Helian was clapping and smiling

“Why are we doing this?” Delmar quietly murmured into Celosia’s ear as he was leaning over.

“Free food and pretty dress-up, duh.”

“Really I am very sorry but I just can't stay for tea. I have so many things to do, you know, being emperor and all.” James started to turn around, however, he suddenly stopped as he heard a small sniff.

“-Sniff- You can't stay for my tea party?” Helian’s eyes started to form tears as they stood there and began to cry a little. All of a sudden the 30 or so very powerful and well-known mix of magickal creatures had a murderous look in their eyes. Tatsuya, keeping their monotone face, raised a sword and made eye contact with him. Delmar and Celosia activated their element abilities as Riordan smiled and opened his war spellbook. A group of Dragonborn and sirens flashed their various weapons, and even the fey smiled sadistically as they waved ‘bye bye’ to him.

“On second thought, I think that I just can't miss this. I’ll have my schedule cleared.” James smiled as he flipped a small book open to his calendar and crossed out his other plans for the day “See, now I can attend.”

“Oh, that's just wonderful!!!” Helian’s mood did a full 180 as they beamed and giggled joyfully. Soon everyone was ushered to a very well decorated floral-themed seat and served herbal tea and baked goods. There was pleasant chatter and the mannered sipping of tea and eating of cakes as everyone enjoyed this impromptu tea party. The outdoor garden the party was taking place in had only just been made by the mansion, who seemed to also want to join. Knowing this, Helian and Tatsuya made a cup of tea and a plate of treats for the mansion and left it on the altar within the garden.

“Enjoy the cake Bamiedel, It's your favorite!” Helian smiled sweetly as they stood up and joyfully skipped back to their seat. There was a slight breeze blowing through, which caused the low-hanging trees and vines to gently sway as if in greeting.

“So, Lord Graz'zt, how has work been?” Delmar turned to the tall ash skinned man seated next to him.

“Oh very busy, very busy. You know, constant war, the dungeons, girlfriend problems.”

“Oh, you poor thing.”

“I know! How am I even supposed to deal with that?”

“You know, I've heard that baking soda fixes everything.” Tatsuya butted into their conversation, being seated on Delmar’s other side.

“Does it?” Graz’zt looked perplexed as he leaned forward in order to see the Dragon

“Yup. mix it with vinegar and all will be fixed.”

“Oh, well that's wonderful. I’ll have to try that.”

“What are they talking about?” James whispered to Riordan, having overheard the conversation and being thoroughly confused.

“Dungeon cleaning methods.” Riordan nodded simply as if it was obvious.

“...What?”

“What did you think they were talking about?”

“Girlfriend trouble.”

“...”

“...”

“Well, wonderful garden isn't it?” James stated, turning and taking a sip of his tea.

“Yes indeed, Bamiedel made it.” Celosia politely nibbled on her cookies.

“It's a wonderful architect, you must have it tell me where it learned its design skills.”

“Thinking about building a new war structure?”

“Oh no, I have plenty of those. I was thinking of doing some work on the palace.”

“Ooh, that would be nice.” The redhead smiled, “The main one or the beach one?”

“I’ll start with the main one, the beach one will be done after it.”

“I’ll talk to Helian and Tatsuya and see if they can get Bamidele to spill its secrets.”

The murmured conversation continued as the table of 30 guests sipped their tea and ate their cakes. It had become dusk when Helian finally stood up to end the party.

“This was so much fun! Thank you all for coming, I’m so glad you all came! You all have a safe trip home now, I do hope you come by again for tea!” They smiled as there were cheers, praises for the parties, and thanks given to them. Soon everyone made their way out, including James.

“Well, that was nice.”

“I hope Graz’zt is able to clean his dungeons properly.” Tatsuya sighed

“Indeed. A dirty dungeon is always such a shame.” Delmar nodded as she fixed her glasses.

“It really does reflect poorly on the host.” The Bard Gang murmured their agreements as they went inside and turned in for the night.

He walked into the crowded common room, the bubbling conversation seeming far too loud. He really just wanted to go to his room, but that wasn’t going to happen yet.

“Hey, does anyone know what time it is?” He called out from his spot near the door. His phone had died a while ago, he had no watch, and for some reason the building was extremely lacking in clocks.

“SHOW TIME!!!” A group of theater kids shouted from the other end of the room, continuing with their awful cover of some Hamilton song.

“Uh…” he stood there, a little dumbfounded. Was that a coincidence or was that their answer to his question?

After standing there for a moment more, and not receiving any other answers he asked again. “Hey, what time is it?” He called out slightly louder this time.

“Tea time!” A small boy shouts from next to him, running off towards a low table with a tray of teacups in his hands.

Again he stood there, confused. Was that the answer to his question or was the world just messing with him?

“Does anyone know what time it is?” He called out again, a little exasperated now.

“Ain’t nobody got time for that!” A girl shouted as she and her friend marched past him into the room.

“What…?” He stood there, still not knowing the time. “Can someone please tell me what time it is?”

“It’s nap time.” A boy yawned as he walked by him and up the stairs, stretching his arms over his head.

He stood there, more dumbfounded and exasperated than before. He just wanted to know the time…

“Hey! What time is it?!” He called out again, louder.

“It’s too early for that.” A girl said, walking by him. She was yawning and looked exhausted.

“What?!” He whipped around, staring at her as she walked out of the common room and down the hall.

“It’s too late for that!” The same girl, less tired looking, jogged past him. Quickly going out of the door and down the hall as well.

The world was messing with him. That had to be it. But now he was in too deep, he needed to know the time.

“What time is it!?” He asked again, looking around desperately.

“Time for you to get a watch.” An older boy walked by him, staring down at his phone.

“But…” he stood there, truly dumbfounded. That had to be an answer to his question, it just had to be. Was everyone here just messing with him??

He stood there, silent and confused, as people walked around him and continued to chatter.

“I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE DAMN TIME IS!” He shouted desperately.

The entire room fell silent, and the head-boy of the school's common room looked at him for a moment before answering.

“It’s time for you to calm down.”