The Verdant Hawk: An ice melting smile!

 "I'm telling you, Tristan, it's like the best place I've ever been! They seem to really care about making sure the people who go are very relaxed!" Said Celeste with a wide smile that showed her extended canines. She was wearing a white shirt with a smiley face that had "G.R.I.N" written on it.

Tristan stroked his chin as he pulled up the Spa on his computer. "I have to admit, it DOES sound quite lovely, but this Lydia Hysteria... She isn't just a higher-up employee; she's the CEO! Why on Reona is she all the way down here in Pink Top City if the company is up north? Does that not raise suspicion?" He asked as he looked to Celeste and Deimos.

Deimos just scoffed. "Who even really cares about her? A spa is a spa... We had a good time at the one we went to... Remember?" He asked. Tristan lowered his eyelids at his former partner. "I remember you pushing me into things I didn't want to do and maybe ten to fifteen percent of that time actually being relaxing... You're not really helping the case here, Deimos!" He said bitterly, causing Deimos to look down at his feet.

Celeste shook her head. "Well, you won't have to worry about that at all! Unless you sign up for the couples experience, it's something you go through alone! Trust me, when I left, I wanted to immediately go back again! Getting my full body heated up, rubbed down, and massaged? Heck, I might go back again with you if you go! She exclaimed as she bounced on the tips of her toes.

Tristan pondered the idea for a bit before shrugging. "Honestly, the idea still raises a lot of suspicions for me. But I suppose a nice day by myself would help ease the tension I've felt after everything we've been through." He stated. Deimos just grumbled, "Why can't we try the spa we went to together again?" He offered. "Because I actually want to relax this time and not have another moment ruined by your negativity." He responded. 

Deimos had a hurt look on his face, but maintained his composure. "I'll at least drive you there, if it IS a trap, I can be backup." He offered. Tristan narrowed his eyes at him. Celeste just shrugged and left the decision to him. "... Fine, but you're on thin ice with me, and you of all people know how well versed I am in THAT Concept." He stated, causing Deimos to just nod sheepishly as they got in Deimos' car.

Tristan was easily impressed by the sheer size of the building as Deimos drove into the parking lot, and Celeste happily parked beside them. "And here I thought Celeste was exaggerating a bit... All this for a SPA?!" He marveled as they stepped into the building. Deimos folded his arms and frowned at the idea of Tristan doing this alone. "I still think it's weird you're doing this alone," he muttered.

Celeste rolled her eyes at Deimos. "Sounds like you want to go with him and are just salty you don't get to," She pointed out. Deimos just scowled at her and scoffed. "I don't recall asking your opinion, so fucking save it." He muttered. Celeste just glared right back at him. "Look after all that shit you've pulled? You're lucky I never beat the hell out of you! And if you REALLY want to prove yourself to Tristan, how about you ACT like a supporting partner for once in your life!" She exclaimed with venom in her voice.

That shut Deimos up as he just watched Tristan converse with the attendant, who had a warm smile on his youthful face. The attendant smiled as he guided him to the scanner Tristan went through. Tristan could only flush bright red as his feet were the brightest spots. "What does this mean exactly?" He asked in an embarrassed tone.

The attendant was about to open his mouth, only for Celeste to speak up. "It means you are in for the most relaxing feet treatments of your life!" She promised. The attendant chuckled and nodded as he guided him to the clothing rack to get fitted for his latex suit. Tristan put it on and admired himself as he looked in the mirror. He then noticed that the attendant was wearing a similar bodysuit, except it was under his actual uniform, which consisted of a vest and white foam sandals with purple cushioning on the inside.

"Here's your keycard. Make sure to walk into the room where the keycard vibrates to! The number should also appear on the card it syncs up with! Please enjoy your stay at G.R.I.N! Because Great Relaxation Is a Necessity!" He said with a smile. Tristan politely nodded and walked through the designated hallway.

"This place feels a bit like a cult when they say their motto like that." Said Tristan uncomfortably as he walked ahead. "But... Celeste swears by this place, so the least I can do is give it a chance." He told himself before his Keycard lit up and vibrated. He walked through the automated door and sat in a chair that was outstretched over a small pool of bubbling water.

As he sat down, Tristan flinched as his ankles were locked into place while small laser dots focused on his feet. "What in the-?" He asked as he saw a picture of his feet that the scanner showed off. As he looked in the room, he noticed the room was a light shade of purple with a lot of smiles painted all over the walls, they formed arrows that pointed directly into the pool, where a machine slowly rose out of the water.

The machine extended a bunch of hoses from its base, including an oxygen mask that pressed into Tristan's face, making him breathe a scent of fresh peppermint tea while the other hoses sucked up water and applied some white, grainy powder to brushes. "Epsom salt?" Asked Tristan as the brushes pressed into his soles and spun, causing him to jerk and wiggle as he laughed, only to moan in pleasure as the brushes pressed harder to turn from tickling into a full-on scrubbing at his sensitive spots.

"It's... It's acting like a Callous scrubber! It's exfoliating my feet!" Said Tristan as he saw his feet shine bright while a stronger scent of peppermint filled his nose. "This is the best I've felt in a long time!" He said as he finally stopped struggling. After his Feet were shining bright from the treatment, the restraints around his ankles finally released him and let him up.

"Well, that was... alarming at first, but I can't deny that I enjoyed that." Said Tristan as he walked ahead. After a few rooms had past, he felt the familiar sensation of his card vibrating. "I hope this one is at least a bit less... Restraining." He said as he stepped inside the next room. As he walked in, he saw a massage bed with a different machine hanging from the ceiling, a hole was in the bed for him to rest his face. "This feels more like it!" He exclaimed as he laid down.

A machine lowered and slowly dispensed warm peppermint oil onto his back as a rotating trio of massagers focused on his stress spots. Tristan was a bit puzzled at the lack of living masseuses, but shrugged as he relaxed. "This isn't all bad, but I miss the actual living element of a spa..." he said to himself as the massagers sped up when hitting the really sensitive spots on his sides. He saw stars as he almost passed out from the pleasure.

Tristan smiled a bit as he strutted happily along the hallway. "Oh my! I somehow feel even taller after that massage! I must have been piling on more stress than I thought!" He said to himself as his card lit up to a a hot spring. This particular hot spring had the same warning to leave his outfit on as he entered the water, but it looked virtually nothing like the one that Celeste was in. The water was a beautiful glowing blue, and the visuals were lit up to make it look like a hot springs somehow magically found out in a snowy villa.

Tristan felt hypnotized by the sheer beauty of the 3d effects as he relaxed in the water. As he did, a strong peppermint mist filled the room as the bubble features vibrated the water. "Ohhh myyy," He said dizzily as the features showed off beautiful men and women, having simulated conversations. Between the relaxing soak and the bright, youthful looks on the fake people, Tristan found himself trapped in a powerful illusion of socializing with the 'People' around him.

After about an hour and a half, Tristan was fully dressed and happily strolling back to the main lobby, where Celeste was bragging to a bored Deimos about how her masseuse really knew her stuff. "Hello, Celeste!" He said with a wide grin, one Celeste returned eagerly. "Enjoy your treatment? I got a massage myself." She said with a smile.

"Yeah, and she wouldn't shut up about-" Started Deimos, but Tristan just moved closer to Celeste. "You got an actual person? I was hoping for something like that myself... in fact, I would call it my one nitpick about this place!" Said Tristan. Celeste just shrugged, "Things around here have been a bit on the risky side when dealing with people, so free treatments get the employee interaction parts taken out, but if you want a membership, you can actually PICK your masseuse! I am hoping to get Jaxon to do a couples treatment with me!" She explained with excitement.

Tristan nodded as she talked, "I see... that does make sense, especially in Pink Top... I should say, I'll definitely be buying a membership of my own if that's the case! Who knows, maybe I'll get a couple's treatment of my own one day!" He said with excitement. Deimos lit up, "I'd love to do that with you, Tristan!" He said happily. Tristan's smile almost faltered at Deimos' voice. "Start acting like you actually mean that, and maybe one day I'll consider it... At this point, I highly doubt it... Besides, with your Ticklish feet, I doubt you'll let anyone actually touch them at all!" He muttered, causing Deimos to sulk.

As the trio headed out. Lydia smiled softly as she watched them on video. "I KNEW making an acquaintance with that girl would pay off! She said as she lined up some vibrating balls and feathers onto her whip. She let out a crack of her whip, and it immediately came back and spiraled around her, vibrating along her breasts, abs, and ankles. "Mmmmmm, perfect... it responds to the programming well... But my spots are one thing... I think other targets are required for this test drive." She said as she watched Celeste on the screen. "And I have JUST the target in mind... Can't wait to get to know you better, Celeste Marcella. You'll find I'm a real Laff Ryot!" She said while laughing loudly in her hand.

The Aurian Chronicles chapter 23: Worlds in collision

 Amanda walked into the NYPD in full uniform. She casually adjusted her appearance in the mirror and made sure every loose thread was off her. She brushed every stray curl downward and restyled to a professional bun. She walked into her office and tried to keep it together, not wanting to let anyone see she was on the verge of a breakdown.

"Nice to see you again, Lieutenant Cross." Said Dominic as he glared at her. Amanda stayed on her computer as she typed away at her desktop. "Is that how you've learned to address your superiors?" She asked emotionlessly as she stared at her screen. Dominic just grunted and stomped his foot. "You're my superior? Could have fooled me! It's been two weeks since you went on that date with Capryse, and you went from giddy schoolgirl to immediately picking up the slack! What the hell is wrong with you?" He demanded.

Amanda just stopped and pushed her keyboard forward as she breathed a shaky sigh, and then a harder one, and she immediately began to cry. "He knew who I was this entire time!" She said hysterically as Dom immediately pulled the blinds down over the door behind him. "What do you mean, he 'Knew who you were.' You mean that you were a cop?" He asked curiously.

Amanda just pulled some files out for him to read. "My last name isn't technically Cross... Well... It IS, but... My father's last name is Song, as in the Song family from the 99 Louts... a Chinese crime syndicate... While my Father and I were clean as far as the crime family was involved, we DID flee to America when I was young... If he wanted to, Antonio Capryse could literally do anything from having my reputation dragged, to turning my father and me over to one of the neighboring families... Sky's the limit there." She admitted nervously.

Dom Studied her closely. "Do you think he would, though? You talked like he was the man of your dreams," he said with a hint of bitterness in his voice. Amanda just put her hand on her head. "Do I think he would what? Essentially, have me killed? No... No, I do not... But I couldn't take any chances, I offered him literally anything... He said all I had to do was cover the cost of a favor to another acquaintance of his... I even signed a contract in red ink... No clue what that means, but he not only made his vow, he legally had both my father and me legally wiped from the Song family bloodline... We're worthless in the crime world... Thank god." She explained as she breathed a sigh of relief.

Dominic studied her carefully. "Okay? Then what is the problem? Mr. Capryse, if anything seemed to help you... So what? is it the cost thing?" He asked carefully. Amanda just nodded back at him. "He said the transaction will go down in a few days... And frankly, I am nervous as hell... Was this all I was? A bargaining chip... I should have listened to you, Matthews... I'm sorry." She said as she looked up at him. 

Dominic just looked at her desk. "Listen, I don't think it'll be anything too bad if your name was wiped.. If anything, he wiped the value he could have had if he himself were a crime lord... Tell ya what, let's hit Sound City after this and catch DJ Lytestryke's show! We'll have some drinks, some mozzarella sticks, and even dance a bit! If nothing else, it'll get your mind off of all this!" He offered.

"Officer Matthews, are you asking your superior out on a date?" Amanda asked sternly, causing Dominic to wince. Amanda just giggled softly and nodded. "Fine, fine, I'll get some clothes from Flawless Fashions and meet you tonight... For now, we've got other fish to fry." She said as she pulled up incidents going on near Farley Incorporated.

Dominic leaned in as he saw agitated workers around the building. "Looks like one of those strikes is finally about to happen, that moron is about to collapse under the weight of his own greed," he muttered. Amanda nodded, "I don't know what caused all this, but I want all the squads to be ready... my intuition is telling me something huge is going to happen, I don't want us scrambling when it does." She said seriously. Dominic nodded confidently at her words. "Good to have you back, Ma'am." He said as he left.

Meanwhile, Saryn was pouting as Mr. Capryse casually ate away at some Chicken and Dumplings Autumn had made. "Did it really have to go down so soon like that? We're just... Letting her go?" She asked with a crestfallen voice. "I wanted at least a little more time with her... The things we could have done!" She said with a grumble.

Mr. Capryse rolled his eyes and ate a dumpling. "Sadly, my hand was forced... Although the sacrifice of Amanda's full loyalty will ensure things go off without a hitch when Mr. Farley makes his move... And with that last stunt he pulled with Darkness, it looks like that will be very soon... So just relax, dear, while we take over yet another portion of New York." He explained while crossing his legs.

Saryn just let out a huff as she placed her hand on his. "Deal, but if it's possible afterward, I would like to try and smooth things out with Cross.. She was a lot more fun to work with than I thought." She said as she looked in his eyes. Mr Capryse just smirked and nodded. "Deal... I look forward to your next move in that regard." He said, even though he was halfway sure that was going to be impossible.

Saryn smirked back and sat back in her chair as Autumn laid out fresh fruit and whipped cream for dessert. "So what now? Do we wait in a bunker or something?" Asked Autumn curiously. Mr. Capryse just pulled his daughter into his lap and rubbed her chin, causing her to kick her legs adorably. "No, sweetie... Now? We simply wait until Old York burns to the ground, and we arise from its ashes."

The Verdant Hawk: Put a G.R.I.N on that face!

 The Blistering sun beat down over Pink Top City. Traffic was at a gridlock, and worst of all, the snack lines were backed up all the way. Celeste Marcella was grumbling as all her favorite snacks were bought up from the freezer. "All of them! MY ENTIRE LIST!" She shouted to herself as she lifted the entire freezing unit over her head, much to the shock of other customers.

As she got ready to throw, A tall, Blonde woman in a purple Suit top and short skirt combo cleared her throat and stepped forward. "Excuse me! You seemed a bit stressed. Is something the matter?" She asked in a soft voice, as she visually inspected the young woman from head to toe. She pressed a suit button upon eying her feet. 

Celeste just glared up at her, and noticed the absurdity of the situation she caused as she sat the freezer down and breathed in sharply through her nose and let out a deep exhale. "Sorry about that.. I guess I got a bit hangry... All the snacks I usually get were bought up.." She said as she stretched her arms. Celeste was wearing a simple Megadeth T-shirt with a Cheetah pattern skirt and a pair of leather ankle strap boots.

The woman smiled and reached in her purse. "I can see that... Here!" She said as she gave her a large box of assorted Belgian chocolates. "I don't really need these. You can have them!" She said with a smile, a card was on top of the box with 'G.R.I.N' Written in purple. She raised a brow at the card. "What's that?" She asked curiously.

Lydia just patted her softly and smiled. "That's my company! G.R.I.N! Great Relaxation Is a Necessity! We specialize in finding out the stressors in our clients and helping them out! Tell you what, as a sign of good faith, I'll give you a free treatment! Tell them Lydia Hysteria gave you a personal invite at the desk, and we'll show you a good time!" She said with a smile.

Celeste eyed the card and the chocolates. "Um.. Sure! I'll definitely give it a shot later!" She said as she showed a wide grin, showing her sharp canines. "Oh my! Off to a good start already!" Teased Lydia as she laughed into her hand before heading off to do her shopping. Celeste just looked at her card, then the chocolates, and shrugged before heading home.

"G.R.I.N huh? Yeah, I've heard of them... They based out of New York a few years back... the results were so good they spread out over the East Coast!" Said Jaxon as he sat with Celeste on the couch when she got home later that evening. Jaxon was wearing nothing but a red robe with black trim. "So you gonna actually go? I have heard nothing but good things about the place since the one here popped up."

"Yeah... That lady seemed very nice.. didn't even question how I lifted an ice cream freezer, though." She said as she flipped between channels. grimacing as she scrolled past 'Varg the Viking,' as did Jaxon, who just shrugged. "She probably didn't even think about how heavy it really was, babe... And hey, if she calmed you down and kept you out of trouble, she can't be all bad, right? And besides! These chocolates are awesome!" He said as he munched a few chocolates that came from the box Lydia gifted Celeste.

Celeste nodded, "Makes sense, I guess I can check it out this weekend... HEY! Those are MINE! GIMME!" She said as she pounced on Jaxon, who was laughing and happily stealing her snacks for no other reason than to mess with her. Celeste finally took her sweets back and munched on one. "Man, these ARE good! I hope she has more at the spa!" She said with excitement.

Celeste arrived at G.R.I.Ns building later that weekend, whistling at the sight of it. It was roughly the size of five supermarkets, both high and wide. The letters G.R.I.N were written in the form of a small smile. The windows that were left open showed various massage machines and forms of equipment that Celeste could immediately recognize, but everybody that was visible from the outside seemed to look relaxed and at peace. Celeste nodded to herself as she walked in. "At least I know I'll be in good hands." She told herself confidently.

Celeste made her way to the counter, where she saw a woman in what looked like a cross between a white Yoga outfit and scrubs a nurse would wear. She had medium-length blonde hair and bright blue eyes. "Hi! Welcome to GRIN! Because Great Relaxation Is a Necessity! How may I help you?" She said in a bubbly voice.

"Um... Hi... Someone named Lydia gave me this card and recommended me personally." Said Celeste as she gave Lydia's card to the attendant. The woman lit up and grinned widely. "Oh my goodness! You are so LUCKY! Lydia Hysteria is the CEO of this company! If she gave you this, it means you get a free full treatment plus benefits! Let's get you into your new outfit right away!" She said as she took Celeste by the hand and guided her to a changing room.

Celeste grumbled uncomfortably as she emerged in a white bodysuit. Although it was form-fitting, almost like a second skin, it was nowhere near what she normally wore in her day-to-day life. "Do I have to wear this?" She asked with distress in her voice as she tried to completely look herself over.

"Of course! During your treatment, this outfit is going to help us determine your stress spots and not only relieve the built-up tension, but make it harder for it to return for a while!" Said the attendant. Celeste just looked at her. "Hey, shouldn't you be back at the desk?" She asked. The attendant just smiled at her. "Nah, I just had someone cover me while I walk you through, not every day we get a VIP!" She said as she guided her to her first spot.

"So what's this?" She asked as she saw a spot with a bed that had monitors attached to it, along with scanners as well. "This here determines the spots of your body that radiate the most heat, that's where the fun begins," She said softly as she laid Celeste on the bed. A bright scanner slowly beamed over Celeste's body in a 360 rotation. Celeste stretched out and let it continue to scan her for a few minutes.

A loud beep went off as the attendant whistled, "You must be on your feet a lot! They're lit up like a Christmas tree!" She told her as she admired the other spots on her breasts, inner thighs, underarms, and even spots on her erogenous zones. Celeste just scratched the back of her head and looked down. "You uh... aren't going to massage those or something, are you?" She asked, causing the attendant to laugh.

"Oh heavens no! There is more than just hand-on-skin contact at this spa! though you will be getting tended to by skilled hands, we have so much more to offer than that! and we certainly don't need to touch certain parts of your body to get stress out! Trust us with your safety and comfort during your stay!" She explained as she walked her through the facility.

After a few minutes of walking, Celeste headed to a Neon purple door as the attendant handed her a specialized magnetic card and waved. "When you walk by the right door, it should buzz, proceed into that door for your personal treatment, when you are done, you will end up back at the lobby... Hopefully with a wide Grin!" She told her happily.

Celeste laughed nervously and nodded as she walked through the door. "Well, what's the worst that could happen? It's just a really big Spa trip? How bad could it be?" She asked as she headed through the door to start her treatment.

After passing by the first few rooms, the card in her hand buzzed. "First stop" she said as she walked into a bright room. a cushioned chair with rubber nubs extended forward with its zero gravity feature. Celeste slowly sat in it before it slowly arched back and began harnessing her in. "Hey! What the-?" She demanded as it began buzzing softly, causing her to relax. A countdown appeared before her set at thirty minutes as the room began to fill with the scent of lavender and vanilla. "Oooooh not baaaad," She said lazily as she closed her eyes with a smile.

Celeste almost pouted in disappointment after her half hour was up. The chair stopped buzzing immediately as the timer told her to please proceed to the next room. "I would have preferred that to be the whole treatment." She said as she walked to the next room. Inside was what looked like a tub, one that advised her to leave her attire on. She shrugged and slowly laid inside it as some sort of blue gel with tiny white beads filled up until she was fully submerged except for her head. "Ooh! WARM!" She said as the latex seemed to hug her skin even tighter, giving her the sense of feeling fully naked. "Oh... my... that's good!" She said lazily as her feet felt like soft marshmallows. 

Another hour had passed, and Celeste seemed to be walking on her tiptoes as she couldn't help but have a lazy smile forming on her face. "Gosh, I might have to buy memberships with Jaxon after this." She said with a light blush as she walked into the next room. This one had another bed, but with mechanical hands with padded foam gloves on them. "Oh, this is gonna be so good!" She said as she immediately laid down, only to yelp as the hands gripped her and lifted her off the bed.

Celeste started to struggle as the room filled with more lavender vanilla scent while the hands began massaging her weak spots. "OOOH!" She squealed happily as her struggling stopped immediately. "You know what you're doing," She said as she submitted to the pampering of the mechanical hands. She lightly giggled as they rubbed some lotion on her body. "I can feel it through this goofy outfit!" She said happily as she was rubbed down fully, not caring in the slightest wear they touched, even welcoming it now.

After an hour she was giddily strolling through the hallway as she saw the final spot. Inside was a hot spring where her clothes and a towel awaited her. "Please leave your singlet on in the hot springs, it will be removed on its own!" Said an automated voice. Celeste just happily walked into the hot water without a care and watched as the suit melted off her body. A chemical was added to the water that caused the steam to give off more of that lavender vanilla scent. "Oh my god, I feel light as a feather... like I can fly! I wonder what all the other treatments in this building are like! Maybe I'll get to find out with a full membership!" She said as she relaxed. 

When her time was up, she dried off and got back into her clothes as she skipped to the desk with a grin on her face. The attendant casually giggled at the sight of her. "Now THAT'S the expression we love to see!" She said with a smile. "Well, yeah! Because Great Relaxation Is a Necessity!" Repeated Celeste as she filled out a review. "I'll be buying a membership, and can I get another form for someone else?" She asked. The attendant nodded and handed her another form. Celeste waved her goodbye before happily leaving.

"Thank you for stopping by!" Said the attendant with a bubbly smile. Unbeknownst to both her and Celeste. Lydia Hysteria was grinning while watching the security cameras and uploading Celeste's data to a microchip. "Yes... Thank you, Celeste Marcella... Thank you for everything." She said as she laughed loudly.

Welcome to the Aurian War

 As you have been made well aware in "The Aurian Chronicles," Aura exists as a power within, activated by the user's spinal fluid do achieve their "Aura" power. Going beyond that. These Aurian powers exist in "Strands" Spread throughout the Multiverse, and while there will be four universes in total, today we will be discussing "The Aurian War."

Rather than a simple individual known as "The Composer", discovering Aura and trying to use it to change the world for the better, Aura has been present in humanity right from the very beginning. Due to the natural hostility in mankind, you can guess that these various skills catalogued throughout history were not always used with the best intentions at heart.

Due to the increased deadliness of warfare, the age of the draft has been lowered to 14 years of age, with the option of donating children to the cause at even younger ages for financial compensation. It is HERE that Aurian soldiers are made. They are taught the horrors and of defeat, and the pleasures of victory at a very young age, all to ensure total victory.

Nations do NOT operate like they do in the regular do, the more their leaders acquire in terms of landmass, the more control they secure, because of this, elections have been forgone in the sake of a "might makes right" system. Politicians are not expected to last long, as there is always a knife at their necks.

Aurian soldiers are nothing short of perfectly groomed sociopaths. All they need is the promise of a good reward for victory, and they will charge into horrific situations with smiles on their face... Some of them not even caring if it's their last day alive. Not ALL Soldiers buy into their programming, some of them do their best to save as much money as they can, and abandon the war lines entirely, and while they are fully allowed to do so, they are met with nothing but scorn from their peers.

I hope you've enjoyed this brief guide into how systems work in this alternate universe. As the story opens up, we will be diving into the Void Weaver "Dusk Sonnet" and how her life as a soldier has corrupted her mind, body and soul. Fully expect the four universes mentioned above to collide in the future, and please keep an open mind. "The Aurian Chronicles" Will be the main story, but I do hope that you will still stay tuned for these other side projects going forward.

                                                                 -Until next time!

The Aurian War: Chapter 1

 A scorching heat radiated down on an abandoned camp somewhere out in South America. Underneath the shade, a few soldiers slid their pants up and chuckled softly. On the ground was a young, curvy woman just under six feet. She had purple bangs but long, beautiful raven black hair, and was only left in a blood red lingerie combination two-piece.

"Aww, come on, boys... You knock a girl in the back of the head, only for about half an hour of fun? no stamina these days, I tell ya!" She said as she spat blood and laughed as they glared and aimed their rifles at her. "SHUT UP, YOU HARLOT! The fact that you're attractive is the only reason you even lived this long!" said the closest man to her face.

"Oh! Well... Lucky ME then am I right?" She asked as she placed her hands on the ground under her back while opening her legs and curling her toes. "At least a little more fun? before we part ways?" She asked as she winked, only to frown as they all pointed their guns at her. "Guess not..." She said as the threads along her lingerie unraveled quickly and stabbed forward every which way, impaling all of them through the skull.

"Stupid bastards... Should have done it and killed me BEFORE I woke up... Dumb pricks didn't even try to guess what my Aura could do... Didn't even consider I was an Aurian at all... nope, just a face and some holes... Ah, well." She muttered as she looked for her M4 Carbine assault rifle. She found it by a pair of long black boots with latex mesh that extended up past her buttocks, and a leather black jacket, which was lying on her Beret. 

After making sure the insignia of a Sword piercing a Treble Clef on the beret was over her left eye. She scouted the poverty-stricken village for supplies. Her stomach growled at the sight of chicken cooking over a spit roast. "OH SWEET! Those asspukes must have tried to use me for after-dinner entertainment! Lucky me!" She said as she took the Chicken off the spit and cut it up.

As she ate. She saw a pair of Dark blue eyes peering out at her from a damaged building. She sat up and aimed her Rifle one handed towards them. "I don't want to have to come in there, two many of you have already come in here! now let me get a look at you jackass!" She called out as loud as she could.

A young woman slowly made herself present to her as she held her hands up. Her body was unusually Silver, and her hair was white as snow. Dusk guessed her to be around her early twenties if that. She only seemed to be wearing Dark Blue stockings with matching panties and a White see through T-shirt.

"... So I WASN'T the only option... Come here girl, you must be hungry, lord knows those boys won't eat it." She said as she gave her a leg of the chicken. The girl slowly ate it but eyed her carefully. The woman rolled her eyes and sighed. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you... My name is Dusk... Dusk Sonnet! Yours?" She asked politely.

The young woman looked at her food and swallowed. "I go by Skyla, but ever since those men invaded... I am called the Silver one! I like Silver honestly!" She said eagerly. Dusk just chuckled and sat down. "Your good looks keep you alive?" She asked curiously, causing the girl to shudder.

"How can you be so Casual about what they do? I saw those men RAPE you! You act like it's part of your job!" She said in distress. Dusk just shrugged. "So? It IS part of the job! I got something others want... If I don't want them to take it.. I just gotta be careful! Hey, I'm lucky I'm hot right? Can you imagine if I was a guy? I might be dead right now!" She said with a laugh.

Silver just gaped at her. "You live a life of sadness... No one should have to endure that kind of life." She said with determination. Dusk just shrugged, not really sure what much else there was to say "I mean it could be worse! I still got all my limbs... I'm alive and they aren't... Why you worryin' So much?" She asked as she finished her meal.

Silver finished hers as well and guided Dusk around the destroyed city to help her scavenge up some stuff. After loading up a motorcycle, Dusk saluted Silver and smiled. "Well, baby, it's been real, and it's been fun... But it ain't been real fun! I know those were only a few men... More will come back soon! You'd better pack up some supplies of your own and hightail it if you ain't joining me." She said softly before handing Silver a map.

"I Have to bury my family first... pay my respects to what I've lost first... I'll follow behind when I am done." Promised Silver. Dusk raised a brow at her and spat to her side. "Sentimentality gets you killed in the combat zone darling... But you do what you gotta do! Later!" She said as she revved her new bike and zoomed off.

Silver just watched Dusk speed off into the sunset in amazement. "That's an Aurian soldier... She's rude, callous, and uncaring of the world around her." She said as she felt her cheeks redden while her lips curled into a smile. "And she's going to be MINE!" She said with excitement.

She fashioned herself a makeshift Blue skirt to matched her stocking, and tied her white hair into a ponytail before burying her parents and friends. She then started her family car and slowly pulled it out of the city with a weeks worth of food. "Goodbye Mother... Father... I wish I could have rebuilt, but there's something new on the horizon... and I can't WAIT to find out what it is!" She said as she rode off into the night.

The Aurian Chronicles Chapter 22: So what's next?

 Lyte smiled softly as she fiddled with her soundboard attachments, while Darkness plucked the strings on his guitar after lacing them up with new blood- red Silk and Steel strings. "That's why I Lyte 'em up BABY! Cuz they've been hiding in the Dark lately! My Demons gettin' tired maybe? That's cuz I'm done lettin' 'em CHASE ME!" Sang Lyte as she luminated her outfit to show off rainbow beams while Darkness strummed along.

Silver Just smiled as she walked in in just a sky blue bikini. "Lovely to see my two cuties getting along! A nice jam session before we get started?" She asked as she sat on the couch of the living room. Darkness just raised a brow. "Get started with what?" He asked curiously while Silver pulled out a bag.

"I had a talk with Silver... We think it's time to lift Xaldin and get out of New York." Said Lyte with a shrug. Darkness shook his head, but Silver put her hand up. "Ah ah ah, Mr. Capryse gave us the go-ahead on all accounts... Even gave us a few going-away presents so that we can travel easy, provided we pull off some odd jobs before we leave!" She said with a grin.

"And I just KNOW the downfall of Mr. Farley is on that list... So what kind of 'gifts' Did the coffee man have in mind?" He asked while Silver happily stuck her tongue out and reached into the closet. "Some big old Sniper rifle... He said your friend would be ecstatic to have one!" She said while rummaging through the closet for the bag. "We also got some clothes in Xaldin's size, a Metal baseball bat with Babe Ruth's logo lasered onto it, and some syringe that-" 

Lyte's rambling was cut off by an uncharacteristic scream as Darkness saw the purple fluid in the syringe. "Th-That's NNI!" He said in a panic as Silver hugged him tight. "Listen my love, Mr. Capryse said this strand would help them."

Darkness just narrowed his eyes at Silver."YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS?! HOW COULD YOU?!" Screamed Darkness as he backed away from Silver and up against a wall. Lyte narrowed her eyes. "Look I know what the prototype did to YOU but, he said it's perfected this time, and that Saryn used the data... We're out of options here.. I don't see the harm in trying it." Reasoned Lyte.

Darkness looked at the ceiling and let out a shaky laugh. "You don't see the harm... Really?" He asked as he advanced on Lyte while grabbing a whiskey bottle off the table. "You know, after I got home.. I drank a LOT... over and over as I destroyed my life over the bottle... But not ONCE did I ever smack Silver, or you..." He said before glaring at the syringe. "But THAT abomination... almost made me kill Silver... If you don't see the risk in that... You're damn FOOLS!" He said... still in shock from his PTSD.

Lyte looked at him and processed his words. "I DO see your point... But let me ask you this... would you rather risk a showdown with Xaldin and the three of us... Or letting them rot away in a hospital the rest of their life... KNOWING there was a chance you could have helped them... But did nothing?" She challenged.

Darkness racked it over in his mind before sighing and sitting down. "Fine... We will cross that bridge... I'm pretty sure we have a short obese egotistical mob lord to deal with." He said as he sat back down by Silver. Lyte just grinned and grabbed her PC. "Oh don't you worry... When DJ LYTESTRYKE Leaves New York... There's going to be one explosive Finale!" She promised as she got started on telling Silver and Darkness her plan. Silver Just grinned as she listened while Darkness took notes.

Meanwhile, Mr. Capryse happily adjusted his tie While Sipping his morning coffee and checking his notes. As he hummed a jazzy tune, a Pink skinned woman sauntered in. "Hello Tony..." Said Kayla in an optimistic tone. Mr. Capryse just rolled his eyes as he smiled up at her. "Kayla Kayla Kayla... I thought I told you to come to me when you had something substantial.. I am not becoming some demon lord or whatever just for less power in the grand scheme of things!" he told her.

Kayla just giggled as she sat on his desk and kicked her black heels off while straightening her red dress. "Oh but Tony... This time I think I have something you'll want to trade." She said as she pulled out a cellphone and showed him the footage of his murder of that thug Albert Farley had hired. "Albert... Clearly, letting him live too long was a mistake on my part." He said with disappointment.

Kayla just giggled. "Tell you what.. I'll hand this over and give you a few days to get your affairs in order before I turn you! How's that sound?" She asked. Mr. Capryse just thought about it for a few minutes, then smiled and shook her hand. "IT'S A DEAL!" He said with excitement. Kayla's heart skipped a beat at the idea of winning a new demon lord. "Oh, Tony... Now was that so hard? If only you had said yes the LAST time I propositioned you!" She said before leaving the cellphone on the desk and waving him goodbye before disappearing in black and red flames.

Mr. Capryse just made a few "Tsk" noises as he pondered if the risk was currently worth it. "Do I have any other options? No... not with some little prep time..." He muttered as he headed down the hallway. "I was hoping to save this for a rainy day... But time is unfortunately of the essence." He said as he opened his bedroom door. Saryn was giggling happily as Amanda was wearing a dog collar and obediently licking up her long, slender legs.

"Coming to bed love?" Invited Saryn. This caused Amanda to blush in excitement as her toes curled at the thought of sleeping with him again. Mr. Capryse just shook his head and looked at Amanda. "No no no.. I'm afraid I need to talk  to Lieutenant Cross for a moment... about business."

Amanda sighed as she sat up. "It's just Amanda when I am not in uniform... I was hoping after all we've done, you'd know that by now? And also, if this is about official police business, I'm afraid I can't-"

"Oh no no no.. I don't need Amanda CROSS for this... I need Amanda SONG" Said Mr. Capryse, causing Amanda to freeze. "How... How do you know my Chinese last name?" She asked slowly. In her head, she was replaying every moment over the last few years to see where she could have possibly messed up.

Mr. Capryse simply smiled and pulled her by her small feet to him. "I'm a man of information... Such information includes debts... Which the 99 Lotus collects on constantly in my beloved state! Now... You and I are both going to have a nice long talk... Perhaps over coffee?"

Amanda just gulped as she got dressed into proper clothes, even as Saryn teasingly rubbed her soles along Amanda's smooth skin. She was still trying to wrap her head over just how much Mr. Capryse knew, and even just how much trouble she'd gotten into as the man of her dreams became the monster of her nightmares.

The Aurian Chronicles Chapter 21: A CEO and a killer opportunity.

 Darkness rolled his eyes and let out a clearly bored sigh as he was escorted through the building of Farley Industries. As he was led through the elevator. he casually touched the corner of each wall he passed. Noting that all the employees' eyes were sagging, They looked like the stress of the work environment was driving them insane.

Darkness had to rub his eyes at the gaudy hallways he walked through, way too much white and bright gold, there was barely much for decor... it almost felt like an insane asylum combined with an attack on human senses. "I take it your boss doesn't know a good decorator?" He asked. They just remained silent and walked. He let out a fake mocking sigh and looked down. "Tough crowd." He mumbled.

Zach Farley poured himself a glass of expensive whiskey as Darkness was led in. "You wished to see me?" He said as he looked down at the four-foot-eight Man with pure contempt in his eyes. He noticed that Zach was in just a Golden bathrobe and a red Speedo. He then looked at the Golden Jacuzzi with a built-in waterfall feature and guessed Zach had just gotten out of it.

Zach's office told Darkness everything he needed to know about the man. Aside from the jacuzzi, there were fake paintings of actual art pieces in an attempt to make him look sophisticated. There was also a small mini golf course for him to play on. And there was a faint rendition of a jazzy tune playing that Darkness detested because the volume was just off.

Zach chuckled and poured Darkness some of the whiskey he'd been enjoying. Watching Darkness slowly smell, and then sip, he just eyed him down. "I'll get straight to the point Darkness... You killed my son... Sure he may or may not have been a little naughty... But he was still my Son..."

"Yeah? And how was that retired Police Chief? What about his son? Not that I really care, a job is a job." Said Darkness coolly, keeping his emotions in check, unlike Zach, who was now clenching his cup angrily while he tried to work out what to say next.

"Listen... I am TRYING to give you the chance to just leave town, never look back... Never set foot in my neck of the woods again... A WAR is coming between me and your boss. When all is said and done, you'll be unemployed... so how's a cool ten million sound? Think of it as your severance package!" Said Zach as he looked Darkness in the eyes.

Darkness drained the glass and rolled his eyes up at Zach. "You sent an Assassin to kill me... Even if I DID take that deal,  I know there'd be another breathing down my neck in the near future... Clearly, you think I'm like one of your employees who will graciously take you up on the first offer you'll throw out." 

"You must be about as dumb as they are if you think I'd care enough about any single one of my employees enough to pay them a decent wage, let alone ten MILLION goddamn dollars." Retorted Zach as he sat at his desk. He lit a Cuban cigar and through some employee sheets. "You may not know it, bub, but Farley Industries has its hand in a lot of pies here! Construction, security, we're even considering getting into the weapons and government defense racket later! That requires funding... If I got pinch a penny here and there? So be it? What's an ant to a man anyway?" 

"Alone, not much.. But a swarm? Well, you tell me." Answered Darkness as his glare matched Zach's, "The way I see it, you sent an assassin to take me out. It didn't work, so now you are trying to pay me to fuck off while you storm Mr. Capryse's office. I can tell you right now that if you think I'm scary, I ain't got nothing on him.. I'm merely his cleanup crew." He added for good measure.

Zach just laughed uncomfortably as he poured another glass. "Is that so? Well janitor boy.. take a look at this." He said as he pressed a button by his desk, showing cars pulling up and raiding a building. "Not that you would know anything, but we businessmen have our ways of tracking things... especially things we want... If I were you I'd be putting Capryse on speaker phone" He advised.

Darkness shrugged and pulled out his smartphone, starting a video call. The phone rang for a few seconds as Mr. Capryse answered. He appeared to be in a silk brown robe with coffee in hand and a raised eyebrow. "Good evening Mr. Sonata... bit of a late night, don't you think?" He asked curiously. Darkness went to retort, but Zach quickly snatched the phone from him and sneered.

"Got your little errand boy in MY neck of the woods Capryse." He said as he chuckled like a cartoon villain. "And on top of that, I'm bout to raid one of the buildings on YOUR territory! wonder what we'll find in your Bronx location? Perhaps where the black cards are?" He asked with a smirk like he was onto something. "Regardless, game over! CHECKMATE BITCH!" He yelled into the phone.

Mr. Capryse simply shook his head as he sipped his coffee. "Few things wrong there Mr. Farley. One, Derek has handled past people who tried to accost him, as I am sure you are well aware." He said as he pulled out a laptop. "Two, any information on my businesses anywhere in the world has been supplied by me." He told him as he showed a confused Mr. Farley footage of his men running through an old building of 'Pure Mind Solutions' looking for clues. "Three... You say checkmate only when the king is cornered... and unfortunately, you have sacrificed too many pieces to do so." He said as he typed in a code, causing explosions to go off through the building, causing it to collapse with Farley's men inside, and their vehicles the only proof of their existence that remained.

Mr. Farley looked on in horror as Darkness smirked and took his phone. "I have to go, sir. I promised to make it to my sister's 'concert' tonight." He said happily. Mr. Capryse waved politely. "Have fun! do wish the young lady all my best... and wish Mr. Farley a warm goodbye on my behalf!" He said before hanging up. Darkness shrugged and headed for the door.

Mr. Farley glared at him. "This ain't over, you shadowy freak! Have fun with your sister tonight! Cuz when I'm done, she won't even have a face or body worth looking at!" He threatened angrily. Darkness just looked back at him with an evil smile. "Oh yeah? You and what army?" He asked before walking out the door and leaving the building.

Lyte happily typed on her keyboard as she waited in Darkness' 1970 Dodge Challenger while Darkness got in. "You get it?" he asked curiously. She just nodded happily. "The whole conversation! Whenever you need it! I doubt the police will be receiving this, though." She said softly. Darkness shrugged. "Not up to me... that's for the boss man... But you did good sis! What else you got?" He asked.

Lyte just showed a wide grin. "The whole building! I can turn that place into the ultimate rave zone if I want to! And they'll never know who did it! Say the word and what you want? I'm ready like a Lyte switch baby!" She said happily. Darkness just laughed happily and drove off into the night. He wasn't sure what Mr. Capryse had in store yet, but the ball was in his court whenever he wanted to serve it.

Aurian Origins: Mr. Capryse

 "Mama! Please! I want papa!" Said a little boy frantically as a Young woman loaded him into a cargo ship. "Shush, Antonio... Your father is gone... We weren't able to pay back what we owed the Benetelli family... Your life here is over!" She told him as the boat started to depart.

As Antonio Capryse reached for his mother, a group of men said words to her that he couldn't make out. The woman hung her head low as the men opened fire into her body several times, leaving a hysterical Antonio Capryse to cry with only the sound of the crashing waves of the ocean to console him.

Antonio was still sniffling softly as the boat docked on land. He had no idea where he was, only that he was cold, scared, and hungry. As he wandered the new location looking for something to eat, he accidentally bumped into a man wearing a black suit with a white tie. He gulped as he looked around, seeing a man on his knees begging for his life.

"Ohhh Son... You just found yourself at the wrong place at the wrong time." He said sadly. Antonio tried to ask what was going on, but he unfortunately only knew Italian. Taking pity, the man knelt down and put a hand on his shoulder, and switching to Italian. "Young man... You look lost and hungry. So I will tell you what, I'll take you for some pizza, after that... how does a nice Bath before bed sound?" He asked.

Antonio lit up and smiled before nodding. The man smiled widely and nodded. "Splendid! All you have to do..." HE started as he handed him a Beretta 9mm. "... Is shoot this man in the head!" He exclaimed. Antonio immediately gulped and started to back away, but the man pulled him back. "Listen, son, things ain't as easy as it was in Italy, we're in AMERICA! Here, it's kill or be killed!" He explained.

Antonio looked at the gun, then at the pleading man as he processed those words, it slowly dawned on him that even if he was allowed to leave, he'd still have nowhere to go. His eyelids lowered as he pointed the pistol at the man's head and fired between his eyes.

We now cut to a late night in Bronx New York ten years later. The foul stench of the sewer lines contaminated the air as a middle-aged gray-haired man ran for his life. He had been stripped down to a pair of deep cut wounds and was constantly looking back to make sure no one was chasing him.

As he looked back one more time, a push knocked him back from the shadows and onto his bottom. From the shadows. A young man in a rusting mask with a mouth that resembled a bat in the form of a smile and a white suit stepped out. In his hand was a crudely made machete that had clearly been hand-made out of metal found around the streets.

"Listen, Mac... I don't know your obsession with teenage girls... but you REALLY should have picked a better target!" Said the masked man as he brought the machete down hard on the man's left foot, causing a scream as he severed it."

"Please! I can give you money!" the scared man tried to beg as the masked man tilted his head to the side. "See? That's what I'm talking about! Do you honestly think you can pay more than that of a mob boss? The father of that girl you were stalking and stealing underwear from?" He asked while hacking away repeatedly at the man's body. with only the sounds of New York traffic to drown out his screams.

A week later, a Russian man in a fine blue three-piece suit with a golden vest and black tie looked through the papers. He chuckled over reading an article labeled "Horror down below" as he read about how the pieces of a man known as "Dimitri Burnings" were found. the only parts missing were the eyes, which were presented to him in a plastic bag.

"I guess if he wants his eyes near my daughter so bad... This is the next best thing! Good work Tony!" He said with a light chuckle as a skinny Italian teenage boy politely ate Gnocchi across from him at the table. "Thank you Mr. Agranov..." He said joylessly while he chewed his food.

Boris Agranov just tilted his head slightly as he looked to his youngest employee and raised a brow. "What could possibly have you down, boy? You make more money than anyone else on the payroll, you are in great shape, and you are a top student... what on earth takes away from that?" He asked.

Tony sipped his coffee lightly and looked at him. "It's just that last kill... Why couldn't I just have guarded Ms. Agranov myself? Things didn't have to drag out this far... I just felt that last kill to be... a waste of my time and talents." He said as he finished his meal. A curvy maid took his bowl and silverware before filling his coffee cup.

There was a long pause between the two of them before Boris let out a hard laugh. "Listen Tony... We've known each other for over a decade... ever since I pulled you off that boat you stowed away in and took you in as my own... you've been a top-notch killer-"

"-Because I witnessed your involvement in killing a man by the docks... Yes, I'm aware." Interrupted Tony as he tried to put that unpleasant memory behind him.

"- A kill that I made YOU clean up! Do NOT Interrupt me again, boy!" He scolded before clearing his throat. "The Point I am trying to make is that you've barely seen Saryn in all that time for a reason... And that is because while YOU are training to be the top hitman, SHE will be running this show... your boss one day! I don't need her being distracted by some young boy..." He said with a stern look.

Tony just looked at him. "You really think that lowly of me that I'd just allow her to shirk her responsibilities, for some... physical carnal release?" He asked with concern. "I am married to my work, not some trumped-up views on sex! I thought my years of outstanding work since my literal childhood spoke for itself!" He exclaimed.

Boris just grunted and finished his meal. "You're not going to let this go... Fine... I'll tell you what, I'll arrange an audience with her as your trial status... If she agrees, then fine... But if she says no, then you will drop it and commit to what I actually need from you!" He said with finality, to which Tony just nodded.

A week had passed, and Tony had just gotten done with his studies. Boris had slowly walked in with a young teenage woman. A blonde young woman with creamy white skin dressed in a black gown with sequins with a white star shining in the center, adjusted her glasses as she looked at him, narrowing her eyes. "You wish to... be my personal guard?" She asked.

Tony stood up and bowed to her. "My name is Tony Capryse! And I would love to be your...." But he stopped when she put her hand up. "I know who all my father's employees are. Your name is Antonio Capryse, you go by 'Mr. Bad Day' in your work life... and you just got done killing my stalker not long ago." She said sternly.

As she looked him over, she looked to Boris. "Father... If I agree to him, will I be able to go on long walks like I wish?" She asked curiously. Boris just grinned and nodded. "Fine... I accept." She said, resigning to her fate.

Boris clapped his hands and chuckled as he called in some men. "SPLENDID! ...Now... Strip!" He told Tony, whose eyebrows raised. "Uh... what?" He asked as Saryn coldly slid off her gown. Boris just looked him in the eyes. "You are going to be her new guard! I expect your capable hands to be able to provide for all of her needs AND mine... and what I need... is an Heir, now Strip."

Tony backed up nervously. "I'm not comfortable with this, sir. Perhaps we can-" But he was cut off by Boris ordering his men to strip him down. Saryn obediently, yet reluctantly, sat in her lingerie as a screaming Tony was carried to her.

The next morning, a deeply disturbed Tony was lying in Saryn's bed while she did her homework. "How long are you going to mope about this? The sex couldn't have been THAT bad.." She joked before closing her book. Tony just glared at her in frustration, causing her to glare back.

"Look, Tony... There is a lot worse my father has done, at least he waited until we were teenagers... But this is the life we have now... better get used to it." she explained. Tony raised a brow. "What do you mean, waited until we were teenagers?" He asked slowly.

Saryn laughed into her hand. "Where do you think the man you just killed came from? He was simply one of several from one of the rings my father owns...He just had his eyes on too big a prize this time! Tried to take what wasn't his!" She explained.

Tony's glare became cold as Saryn fanned him away. "You HAD to know there was more to this business than just debts and murder!" She told him, but Tony just glared. "I LIKE debts! They are easy to track, all money is... with proper backing I could easily track them down... that's why I chose economics as my major!" He told her.

Saryn nodded and put on a nightgown. "Is that so? Well, I'll tell you what... Let's make a deal, I'll let you run this organization in my stead... In return, you leave me free to my own devices!" Tony just chuckled. "I suppose we have a deal... 'My love' but what about your father?" He asked curiously. To which Saryn laughed.

"We will wait until all affairs are in order... and then it will be time to take over... I trust you understand what to do when the time is right!" She explained. Tony simply nodded and bowed. "Of course, Milady." He said politely before pouring a cup of coffee.

"Ooh la la! Such a gentleman! Glad to have your company, Mr. Bad Day." She teased as she sat on her bed. But Tony simply smiled bright and wide at her. "My name is not Mr. Bad Day anymore... It's Mr. Capryse." He exclaimed.

And with that, the two partners embraced each other before sipping their coffee and plotting their promised future, one that would allow them to at long last control their own destinies.