#fiction?

[crossingthemultiverse]

Chapter 1: Welcome to Kalyug

Kailas Aneurin was lost. He was lost physically, mentally, spiritually. He'd failed as a magician, that much was clear. Magic had failed him, or he'd failed magic- it wasn't clear which was the case, and any way, it didn't matter. A normal life didn't typically involve so much trauma, let alone a magician's. And yet, that past decade and a bit had been almost a litany of suffering. Bereavements, multiple. A job where he'd had to deal with violent, disturbing cases, where he'd legitimately been in danger at times. Multiple diagnoses. Disability, genetic and acquired. Sports that he'd worked a lifetime to get decent at suddenly inaccessible due to medical problems. chronic pain, and surgeries yet to come.

And all this in the middle of political upheaval, rising disinformation, environmental collapse, and strange new technologies. The world felt out of joint, wrong, not what it was meant to be, like a guitar played out of tune, so far away from the sunlit joys of his childhood as to be another world. Perhaps, he thought, he should abandon magic. Commit to a philosophy of acceptance, like Stoicism or Buddhism, live a quiet, peaceful life, devote himself to doing good and hope for better in the next life, whatever that might entail. It was too late for magic, after all. The editing of probability was not enough to undo the damage suffered, or to allow him to feel free when his injuries made him feel so utterly trapped and helpless. He knew miracles were possible- they were documented, after all- but they happened when they happened, it seemed. They were for other people, not him. The happy child he had been was lost, far away in some other world and other time, and he, Kailas, in his early thirties, was a different man altogether. The hour was far too late for magic.

And yet...

The grimoires on his shelf seemed to call to him. Would it be so terrible to give it one last shot? A waste of time, he thought. But then, what about the times it HAD worked? What about the owl experiment, where he'd dissolved the mental image of an owl around himself and owl images had shown up for days after? What about The Incident, and that THING, that Mind, that Intelligence, that had held him so safe in his despair and made him feel utterly and eternally safe? And after all, what IF time wasn't linear?

Kailas decided to perform one last act of magic. Only, this would not be a single act. This would be a magical campaign, a weaving together of past, present (or presence?) and future, evocation, meditation- and yes, the aforementioned philosophies, because who knew if it would work or not, and everyone needed a backup plan- especially the hurting.

It was late, but he opened his computer and wrote. He slept well that night, and in the morning, he was met with a glorious sunrise, and spotted a beautify flower he hadn't noticed before. It was gorgeous. He was filled with a new sense of possibility, and just a touch of wonder. It was time to begin. He would call on Raziel first.

[themanthingbeyondtheveil]

I'm probably gonna rewrite this, but in Dollé, there exists "utility realities".

Utility Realities are just other universes that can exist parallel to any given reality and provide resources. From bullets to a specific wattage of energy, Utility Realties are used by many in Dollé sometime before the Second Universal War, or during the Third Universal War.

However, many beings are still fucking stupid and create wealth and resource inequalities with these realties by restricting access (which is a big no no for Joe's empire) or just dumping waste on other worlds.

Even in other fucking realties, being still are dicks about shit.

[argusthecat]

“He who fights monsters must take care not to become one himself” is anti-monster-fighting propaganda used to manufacture consent and promote the status quo.

Not by monsters, mind you. The monsters are either cool with the fighting, or they’re fine seeking actual consent for other stuff (those are the really good monsters). No, as with everything, it’s just an unfortunate side effect of capitalism and the 1%s control on media that has led to us thinking it’s not okay to get in a fistfight with a kraken anymore. Even the super ancient and wealthy vampires are kinda embarrassed by the whole thing.

The most boring dystopia.

[leam1983]

The Season

Halloween season is the one time in all the year where you can stop pretending. So, it follows that it's the one time of the year where I let my ears loose, wash away all this Caucasian-toned body makeup, grab my cane and take a stroll through the old neighbourhood. By which I mean the Gay Quarter, naturally. We've gotten close to a few people close to the condo, but I'm not exactly willing to lay it all bare in front of them, just yet...

If you caught my previous in-fiction spiel on the date of my fortieth, then you know I escaped from a lab and pass for human thanks to the loving care of Walt and Sarah, but it doesn't exclude the fact that I tend to get antsy around Montreal's Animal Control specialists and anyone with a panel van and coveralls. Considering what I do for a living, you can imagine how I feel whenever I end up supervising calls to Metris and Mercedes G70 owners... What if what our business sold helped to sell to the City the exact van that ends up coming for me, loaded with tranq rifles and cartoon nets?! Luckily, our old neighbourhood is a little too urbane to be easily accessible to surface-dwelling rodents, so most pest-killers tend to make their way in from downstream. That means I should be safe.

And, well, for the most part, it works as advertised. If Walt or Sarah - or both - are around, I pass for a charming little animatronic critter in a shrunken-down and tailored suit, a nicely-contained eidolon of Chaos that smiles and nods as we pass by our old bakery and our favourite groceries - and that sometimes rips tightly-contained grins of badly-repressed terror out of the occasional sack of meat I'm not entirely sorry about having terrorized...

Call it a perk of the business. You show up to set up a dealership's IT stack and, well, if you pass for human, all you have to do is look mildly concerned when some unfortunately perceptive Sales rep points at you like Donald Sutherland in Invasion of the Body Snatchers, swearing up and down that you're not human in front of his peers...

Well, Matthew, dear boy, I didn't want to be put on the spot like this, you see, but - putting your entire infrastructure at my mercy does make me just a tiny bit more than strictly human, doesn't it? Tell the fellow who comes by with Toner cartridge refills to be careful - god complexes don't flatter anyone.

And, well, sometimes you're out and about a few days before the local Inversion Festival, and you find someone who's not quite ready for the 24-hour switcheroo. Someone who looks at your mottled and flaring ears, your excessively numerous teeth and your still-polished manners and presentation, and who thinks they'll blow the lid on you...

Keep in mind, Matthew here is a placeholder - but there's a dozen people like him in any workplace or neighbourhood. Would-be Robert Olmsteads to your own little Innsmouth, hopeful ersatzes to George Gammell Angell who amusingly come forward as bastions of vacuous ignorance and bigotry - and the best way to sock one in their teeth is to show them how nothing they could ever do will ever get to you.

So, a joyous season to one and all. Air out your skeletons, the poor dears deserve some fresh air...

[daimonpriestess]

Wonderland

A/N: wrote this after a dream/astral travel, I had with Loki. The actual norse god not marvel.

Warnings: Some plot and smut.

I was outside in the underworld on the cliff where my tree was overlooking a raging river. When I heard a familiar voice call out in a hushed tone. "Psst Amara!"

I turned to see Loki up in one of the branches of the large fairy tree. "Loki what are you doing up there?!"

I spoke up in surprise but really I wasn't. Surprised that is, this wasn't the first time I had encountered Loki in the underworld, laying either in or under the tree that was my entrance to hell.

Loki jumped down then, putting a hand quickly to my mouth. "Shhh Darling, I'm not supposed to be here."

I pulled his hand away with a wry look, "When are you ever supposed to be here?"

Loki chuckled at that. "Touche.'"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "But seriously Loki what are you-" I was cut off mid sentence when he pulled me with him into the entrance of my tree.

Behind the door they couldn't see us, but we could see them. Loki put a finger to his lips with a wink, as we watched a large demon lumber past.

We were practically on top of one another when he whispered, "Let's go talk somewhere more private."

Then we were suddenly in my fairy garden. I don't know how Loki even knew how to get here but he was a god.

The garden was bright, innocent with tiny fairies flitting around with white butterfly like wings. A long dining table was in the center, a white lace tablecloth over it, 6 placements set for tea or a dinner party.

I noticed then that Loki was shirtless, had he been a moment ago? Was he trying to distract me? Possibly, but I still had questions. Before I could ask though Loki replied, " Yes I know what your going to say, yes that past life and many more are real. We were together. Why do you think I'm so attracted to you? I wouldn't try so hard for just anyone."

I nodded in understanding. I had other questions but honestly they all flew from my head. I couldn't concentrate when he looked like that.

I said as much and he smirked when he noticed me lick my lips. Loki walked closer to me then snaking a hand around my waist. "But I am a good distraction eh?" He asked low, making his accent thicker. Damn him.

I didn't say anything just let him pull me onto the table. I was the one though to grab him to me as he gripped my hips and with one look kissed me passionately.

Suddenly I pulled away as a thought struck me. "Wait Loki, what if Lucifer or someone else shows up?" I knew Asmodeus didn't come into the garden but Lucifer did and he would not be happy to see me with the trickster, the plates askew where we had pushed them aside.

Loki made a show of trying to think for a moment then with a grin, snapped his fingers as a literal rabbit hole appeared in the ground. "I know just the place."

I gasped as he pulled me along with him and we fell down the rabbit hole. We landed softly on the dirt floor.

It was dark until Loki snapped his fingers and a light seemingly out of nowhere illuminated the room.

"You were wondering what we did with the offerings that were given to us." As Loki spoke i noticed the walls glowing green and black. And an area where their lay a mound of toys, plushies and various other gifts or offerings. "Unlike some I keep my offerings, mostly."

Loki was now dressed as the Mad Hatter I realized and I was Alice, how fitting. Loki did make the Mad Hatter suit quite attractive with his long red hair and beard. He noticed me looking, winking at me with a tip of his hat.

I looked away quickly at that. Noticing then on the other side a large bed with a royal purple nightstand. The bed was white with a luxurious cream colored fur blanket.

I immediately went to lay on it. Loki noticed and joined me. Laying beside me.

"Should we finish what we started?" Loki whispered in my ear, his voice sending shivers down me as he slowly ran his hands up me. Whispering all the things he wanted to do to me and I to him. That was all it took, I wrapped my arms around his neck as he kissed me deeply.

We made out for quite awhile unti with a gleam in his eye, Loki picked me up to sit on top of him, I took his hat off him as we made out more, I grinded against him as he groaned against my lips.

"We start I won't be able to stop."

"So don't."

"Are you sure Amara?" He asked.

I gave him a look, "Finish what you started Loki."

"Gladly."

With a wolfish grin, Loki began to slowly undress me, undoing the ties that held the corset together, with his teeth. I let out a sigh when he started kissing my chest then a squeal of surprise as he flipped me over onto the bed.

Loki dragged his hands down me as he grinned up at me. I closed my eyes as he kissed down my body. Then undressed me the rest of the way as he went down, opening me up as he touched me first with his finger and then his tongue as it flicked my clit. I moaned as he all but made out with me and no I'm not talking about my mouth.

Once I came, he slowly undressed. Giving me a full show of his lean toned body. I ran a hand down his chest, as he looked down at me a lustful gleam in his eyes.

Loki leaned over me as I put a hand softly through his hair, then over his scarred lips, tracing them. He grabbed my wrists then,softer than I was used to, giving me a languid kiss.

I rose up as he kissed me, he was hard and I was more than ready as he slipped slowly into me. I felt every inch of him as he moved. Easily slipping into that euphoric place that happened with very few.

I wrapped my legs around his waist and he brought a leg up to kiss it. "You're beautiful love." He whispered in my ear as he steadily brought me a second time, as we made love.

Loki came soon after, but didn't stop until I came a third time. Only once I was spent did Loki withdraw. He rolled over then so I could lay with him.

As he pulled me close with a kiss to my forehead. "How was that? Worth waiting for?" He asked with a cheeky smile.

"Amazing. Also makes me wish I hadn't denied you for months." I quipped back.

Loki laughed at that and I smirked. "She's right you do laugh like a fox."

Loki shook his head at that and said, "That girlfriend of yours. Also..." Loki trailed off with a playful grin as he tickled me. Then pinned me down again.

"Round 2?"

I looked up at him in surprise. "Again? But Loki I thought we had work-"

Loki interrupted me with a finger to my lips. "Shhh Love, you know what they say all work and no play makes my little Valkyrie a right bitch."

I widened my eyes at that but only laughed as he kissed my neck.

Round two indeed....and okay maybe a round three.

[codexassassin]

Subcultures and Assassins

Many have wondered if all assassins are indeed "human"? If one theorizes that there are other "energy forms" such as with Isu, and Gods down through the ages, could there be Vampire Assassins? Could there be Lycan Assassins? In creed lore during the Spanish Brotherhood you have mention of the Lobos Silenciosos | Assassin's Creed Wiki | Fandom the silent wolves, but if any were any more than human we will probably never know only suspect.

However, with modern day assassins, it is popular dress to mimic vampires from movies and games, and probably werewolves and lycans from movies and games and fictional works, so who really knows what one is.

The Assassin in question in DNA is a unique one because if one can read atmospheres and work with energies, they are not a physical being. The creed prepares the way so that an assassin's abilities are preserved in their DNA and is awakened when triggered by a tragic or traumatized event such as reading about an ancient earthquake or perhaps holding or seeing a vase of an ancient culture. The Assassin therefore as an ancestor or past life self is an energy form unto itself, and when applied to a modern day relative or someone close to the subject, you can see fantastic "theorized" results.

"A letter on energy forms from Abstergo's Science dept"

[rhymesalot]

Day Anew or Deja Vu

I woke up nice and early, to start my day off right. I tip-toed to the kitchen, to watch the new day’s light. ~ I made myself a coffee, one sugar but never cream. The water didn’t boil; I thought it was a dream. ~ I went back to the bedroom; I found I was still there. I slept rather peacefully; it gave me quite a scare. ~ The cat was also sleeping, curled up in a ball. I gave her a little scratch, she didn’t move at all. ~ I nudged my sleeping wife, she didn’t make a peep. I cuddled up beside her, hoping I’d fall asleep. ~ The cat was first to rise, soon jumping off the bed. My wife then too awoke, turning her pretty head. ~ She didn’t even see me, as I lay there by her side. I could see she was awake, her eyes were open wide. ~ I feared that I was dead, now a ghost out to haunt. I gazed into the mirror, I did look rather gaunt. ~ My wife started screaming, shaking the sleeping me. I knew we had a problem; the evidence’s plain to see. ~ The alarm then started ringing, time came into view. I gasped for needed air; I then started the day anew.

~*~ SCK103022