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115 - Fight Me
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2024-09-30 23:40:32GILDEON
Back downstairs, he stood by the wall, arms folded, listening as Drusden revised the battle plan now that Arah was joining them at the public funeral.
“I want guards for my friends too,” Arah said, leaning forward in her seat.
“Sure, Mrs. Ayadi. I’m sure Stringmaster can arrange that.”
“Why would I need to protect random humans?” Stringmaster protested through their mouthpiece guard. “They are irrelevant. I would be wasting valuable combatants.”
“Hey, don’t call them irrelevant!” Arah slammed a hand on the table. “They’re people, you heartless witch.”
If Arah wanted, Gildeon would give her the chance to kill this cloaked witch herself.
“I’m sure Stringmaster didn’t mean that, Arah darling,” the shapeshifter witch chimed in with a chuckle. “Right, Stringmaster?”
The cloaked witch didn’t respond.
“Back to the plan,” Drusden said, drawing everyone’s attention again as he circled a spot on the plaza
Bab terkait
MAD END'S DECEPTION 116 - When the Truce Finally Broke
GILDEONThey found another abandoned block, perfect for a battlefield. Alaunus set up a grid to prevent any destruction if things got out of hand. Arah watched from the railing upstairs, standing between Vienna and Drusden, who was smoking what had to be his tenth cigarette of the day.Zylas had been asleep just minutes ago, but he’d managed to get up—probably smelling the fight about to happen. That worked for Gildeon. He wanted to see how these witches would react if he challenged their precious coven member to fight him.Ghulik had been circling and sniffing Zylas—trying to figure out how that man existed, especially on Earthland.“Who do you fancy fighting first?” Alaunus asked with a false air of friendliness, standing against the wall and massaging his hand.“Why, you joining in? Thought you were just a healer,” Gildeon said dryly. “Shouldn’t you be off burning herbs or polishing crystals?”Zylas howled with laughter by the stairs, a fresh beer in hand. “That was a solid burn, m
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-30MAD END'S DECEPTION 117 - Just A Combat Test
ARAHStringmaster had sent the guards to clear away the mangled bodies before the next fight. She overheard something about the hooded witch stitching them back together as if they were really just dolls, never human to begin with. Her neck prickled at the image of those severed heads getting reattached… the inmates lurching around like zombies again.Her gaze flicked to Gildeon, seated in the corner by the bench, staring at his torn-out claw as it slowly grew back. She’d seen things like this happen with Aktaeon and Nalini, but witnessing it on Gildeon felt so unreal. Arah reached into her dress pocket and pulled out the handkerchief she’d grabbed before they left the base. Just as she was about to head downstairs, Drusden’s voice stopped her in her tracks.“I’m curious, Mrs. Ayadi,” he said, eyes on his cigarette. “Why didn’t you tell him you’ve already regained some of your memories?”Two days ago, when she’d confronted Gildeon about who they really were, she hadn’t felt ready to
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-03MAD END'S DECEPTION 118 - Should Be For Real
GILDEONHe yanked off his shirt, tossing it aside. Time to get serious. Individually, these three looked tough—tougher than that rogue crab witch he’d dealt with before. Gildeon could’ve faced them one by one, but he needed to see how they fought together.Half his arm shifted this time, controlled power surging through his veins—stronger than before. His dragon eyes activated as he sized them up. Lokius had the strongest aura of the three, but it was weak compared to Stringmaster’s.Gildeon watched as Vienna’s bracelets slid off her wrists, expanding and locking around the necks of Lokius and Alaunus. Their auras fused into hers, red embers thickening around her. Her aura was steady now, unlike before. It wasn’t until Lokius and Alaunus both shifted into cheetahs that he got an inkling of Vienna’s ability.Gildeon dropped into a low stance, eyes sharp, ready as they charged.Everything happened fast.Inches away, the cheetahs shifted into bulkier cats. Jaguar Lokius lunged, jaws snap
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-04MAD END'S DECEPTION 119 - This Real You
GILDEONHe stood under the massive showerhead, cold water hammering his heated skin, washing away the grime, sweat, and blood with a sharp hiss. Foamy soap pooled at his feet, swirling in murky streaks before slipping down the drain.For a prison block, this shower room was surprisingly clean. Decent. Probably the witches’ doing. Drusden’s coven lived a mainstream lifestyle—nothing like what he’d come to expect from most witches. How someone as straight-laced as Roselia had ever belonged to them baffled him. Gildeon still had no idea what had pushed her out.The fight with the witches had drained him a bit, but nothing a solid meal and some rest couldn’t fix. His wounds had nearly closed, but the deeper damage—whatever traces of poison lingered—was taking its time to heal. He kept his dragon scales over his thigh and arm, pushing his body to mend faster.One hand braced against the tiled wall, the other slicking his wet hair back. In his
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-05MAD END'S DECEPTION 120 - Rescued Her
ARAHShe gasped as his skin rippled before her, like ink bleeding into parchment. His face blurred then vanished—or rather, fused with the hard lines of the mask that took its place. He looked exactly as he had when she’d crossed the Mad End’s Wall.Warmth crept up her chest as her eyes took in the intricate lattice of black and gold scales, shimmering like polished metal. They blended seamlessly with the contours of his muscles, each movement alive, pulsing with energy. Even in the cold drizzle of the shower, she could feel his heat. His presence alone made the air thrum.Her memories of salamanders and their beast forms were limited, so she didn’t have much to reference, but she knew none could compare to Gildeon. To her, no one else would ever come close to how breathtaking he was. She had no words. He was surreal. He was beyond beautiful.“This is the real me, Arah.” His voice was deep and hoarse, almost animalistic. It made her stoma
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-06MAD END'S DECEPTION 121 - When All Of This Is Over
ARAHHe shoved her back into the shower, spinning her around before she could catch her breath. Her palms slapped against the cool tiles as water cascaded over her back, the chill biting into her skin.Gildeon was right behind her—heat, hard muscle, and raw power. She felt his erection, thick and demanding, pressed hot against her lower back. A needy moan slipped from her lips. He wanted her just as badly as she wanted him.“I don’t think the witches will burst in and stop us,” she muttered. “Why can’t we just do it?”“They will,” he rasped. “Trust me.”Was there something else he wasn’t telling her? Before she could ask, his teeth sank into her shoulder. The sharp bite stole her breath, and she cried out—a mix of pain, yes, but pleasure too. “I want to fuck you hard, Arah. But not yet.”His words intensified the throb between her legs.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-07MAD END'S DECEPTION 122 - Exactly Like Roselia
ARAH“Then who did it?” she asked, her pulse pounding in her ears. Her mind flashed back to that night—to her terrifying encounters with each man. “Are you saying someone else gave the order?”“That is impossible,” the guard replied. “Once they are tethered to me, no one else can control or compel them without my knowledge.”“So what, you just… lost control?” Her fingers tightened around the edges of the box she was holding. As disturbing as the idea of Stringmaster trying to kill her that night was, it was at least better than this—the uncertainty, the lack of explanation for what had really happened.On a more positive note, it could be a weakness. If Arah and Gildeon could figure out how to exploit it—how to push Stringmaster into losing control of their puppets—it might just give them the edge they needed to bring down the cloaked witch.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-08MAD END'S DECEPTION 123 - No Manipulation In That
GILDEONThey didn’t waste a second. He’d sworn never to leave Arah alone with the witches again, but this situation with Roselia demanded immediate action.Ghulik had guaranteed Arah’s safety, even with her hanging out with Stringmaster. That was enough to settle his mind. For now.During the drive, all he could think about was how he’d convince Roselia to help with the fight tonight. Knowing he might need her again for moments like this, asking her to stay at their place instead of allowing her to return to her farmstead, had already been a lot. Now he needed her to help the very people who once—and still—wanted her dead.He’d have to brace himself for a long, drawn-out argument.“How’s she been?” Alaunus asked, breaking the silence. He’d been staring out the passenger window, watching the shops and houses blur by. The way his red hair caught the late morning sunlight reminded Gildeon so much of Roselia. Had he not known better, h
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-09
Bab terbaru
MAD END'S DECEPTION 202 - That Was All It Took
GILDEONHe still had a few days left in his hibernation. But then he heard Ghulik’s voice. Said bad men were trying to hurt Arah.Sharko’s bad men.That was all it took.He tore out of his cocoon without a second thought.In the past, he might’ve held back, avoided tapping into the rest of his abilities. Not anymore. He’d nearly lost Arah one too many times, and he’d sworn never to restrain himself again. So, he sprouted small-scale wings and flew through the night in his dragon’s mortal form—with Ghulik on his back.As long as Gildeon wasn’t in his full beast form, the island would be safe from his destruction.Not long after, he landed atop a jagged rock outcrop with a clear line of sight to Cora’s house. His dragon eyes locked onto Arah’s flickering blue-green aura in the distance. She stood with Cora, Mabel, and another woman he didn’t recognize, all being questioned by the police.Another unfamiliar woman lay on a stretcher, getting loaded into the back of an ambulance. Body bags
MAD END'S DECEPTION 201 - Let Everything Sink In
ARAHRoselia hadn’t been able to remove the bullet, but she managed to stop the bleeding, prevent further damage, and numb the pain. Mabel’s friend would still need to be taken to a hospital for proper treatment. Roselia explained that if she tried to heal her using supernatural methods and alter her memory at the same time, it could cause unpredictable side effects.Mabel’s friend had fallen unconscious. They bandaged her wound and gently moved her to the couch. Cora brought over a blanket and draped it over her.“W-What are we going to do with them?” Mabel’s sister asked, staring at the three corpses lying across the living room.Arah handed her a glass of water. “I think it’s better to leave them as they are. The police will take care of it.” She figured the authorities would arrive soon, especially if they believed Sharko’s gang had already finished whatever they came here to do.Thug Number Two would be a problem. He’d definitely run back to Sharko and report what happened. Then
MAD END'S DECEPTION 200 - Alter Your Memory
ARAHShe had a narrow window before any sudden movement might make one of the thugs pull the trigger out of pure reflex.Or panic.Before she even realized it was possible, her wind tattoo split into two. One lash coiled tightly around the ankle of the thug who was about to assault Mabel’s sister, dragging him down. He hit the floor face-first with a grunt, arms flailing to catch himself. The other streaked across the room and smacked the gun from the hand of the man holding Cora.Arah bolted down the stairs, snatching the fallen gun mid-run, and aimed the gun at Thug Number One. She’d never held one before and had no real idea how to use it. But she’d seen enough movies to get the general idea.Still, she hoped it wouldn’t come to that. To her, manmade weapons felt far more volatile than anything supernatural.She saw Cora grab a coat rack from the corner and swing it hard at the back of Thug Number One’s head. The man let out a stunned grunt, stumbling forward from the blow. He turn
MAD END'S DECEPTION 199 - Would She Kill Him?
ARAHThug Leader motioned to his men to let the girls go, but then pointed at Mabel, her sister, and the girl who’d offered Arah a cocktail earlier.“Those three, and of course, Cora—they all stay.”He turned back to Arah, sneering, probably waiting for her to object. But she stayed silent. He seemed like the egotistical maniac type. If she pushed him too far, he’d only make things worse.Arah settled for glancing at the girls as they whimpered, shuddered, and ran out of the house.“Don’t you dare snitch, or we’ll come after you,” one of the thugs growled, stepping aside and pointing his gun at each of them as they passed.Arah hated how calm they all looked. Like they weren’t worried at all that the girls might bring help. It said even more about the kind of power Sharko’s gang held over the island.“Now…” Thug Leader lifted her chin with the muzzle of his gun. “You said you’d give me a night I’d never forget?”“I need assurance they won’t be harmed,” she said carefully, nodding towa
MAD END'S DECEPTION 198 - Night You'll Never Forget
ARAHShe stared at the lifeless body of the male stripper, sprawled out across the unfurled cardboard box. Blood seeped from the bullet wound in his back. He’d tried to run after the thug leader warned him not to.And they killed him. Just like that.To scare the hell out of them even more, the thugs had dragged his corpse back into the house—for everyone to see. It looked eerie under the strobe lights.The room was tense. The music was still playing, but one of the thugs had turned the volume down. All the girls were huddled together in the living room, clutching at each other like their lives depended on it. Some were curled up on the couch, the others slumped on the floor with their knees drawn to their chests. Everyone was shaking and crying. No one said a word.Their phones had been taken, so there was no way to call for help—unless, of course, Mabel’s call to the police had gone through.One of the thugs paced behind them, gun in one hand, a slice of strawberry cake in the other
MAD END'S DECEPTION 197 - Why Zephyr
ARAHShe leaned against the chair, staring out at the dark stretch of sea. The waves lapped softly at the shore. Their rhythm tangled with the thump of club music and the high-pitched laughter of girls still partying inside the house.It all felt far away now.After that embarrassing moment in the living room, Cora had pulled her out. She was grateful for the breather.Mate. Bride. Little Rabbit—these words looped in her head like some bad joke.Had she imagined the whole thing? Maybe there was something weird in the cocktail she drank. Or maybe it was Barky’s bite, twisting her thoughts most strangely.Why Zephyr, though? Had she personally known him before? Back in Shamibar?Arah slid her hands down her face and let out a heavy exhale. She couldn’t picture herself ever being close to someone like him. Zephyr was dangerous—she knew that much. And whatever his game was, it didn’t involve good intentions. He wanted to raise an army for goodness sake.Behind her, the back door creaked o
MAD END'S DECEPTION 196 - Little Rabbit
ARAHShe barely recognized Cora’s house. Penis-shaped balloons were scattered everywhere, and strobe lights flashed so intensely they nearly blinded her. The music was so loud it made her ears ring. Good thing Cora lived far enough from the neighbors that no one would care, even if the guests started screaming at each other in the middle of the night.There were probably over a dozen ladies here—her, Mabel, Cora, and a handful of others Arah vaguely remembered from the engagement party.Mabel was dancing near a giant pink gift box wrapped in ribbon, right in the middle of the living room. When she spotted Arah, her eyes lit up.“Arah!” Mabel shouted, turning toward the other side of the room. “Sissy Cora, she’s here!” Then she pranced over, cocktail in hand, wobbling just slightly. Her tiara was crooked, and she adjusted it before leaning in to give Arah a double-cheek kiss.“Hey, quite a party you’ve got going on,” Arah said with a smile, handing over her gift. She glanced at the pin
MAD END'S DECEPTION 195 - Are You Magical Too?
ARAHShe checked herself in the mirror, smoothing down the pink dress covered in little floral prints—it matched the theme for tonight. It was her first time going to a bachelorette party, and everything she knew about them came from movies.And in those movies, there were usually male strippers.She’d asked Mabel if there’d be any. Mabel had just giggled and said “no” over the phone, but in that coy way that didn’t really feel like a no.That made her a little nervous.Arah wondered how Gildeon would take it if he found out she went to a party where half-naked men were out there flaunting their abs and grinding to some sexy music. Would he be annoyed? Jealous? Pissed?The thought made her smile as she stepped out of her room and passed by the study. She paused at the door, resting her hand against it, picturing Gildeon inside—still in his cocoon, still asleep.The first time he’d finally let her in, she hadn’t known what to expect. The study room had felt weird. Empty, no furniture,
MAD END'S DECEPTION II: CAYLAO FESTIVAL ARC. 194 - It's Just A Dream
ARAHShe slipped the cardstock with her printed Clover Wish design out of the binder, tore it into pieces, and dropped them into the bin. Then she pulled out a few more flash sheets—ones with patterns that looked a little too much like real sigils—and tossed those out too.She couldn’t risk setting something off again and starting another coven war.A month had passed since the incident. Life on Caylao Island had returned to normal, as if nothing strange had ever happened. The townspeople had been spared that horrific memory thanks to Roselia’s bewitching fog. If it hadn’t been for that, Arah likely would’ve lost her friends too after they found out she wasn’t human.She looked up at her friends gathered in the waiting area, swapping theories about what really happened at Baccayo Prison that night.“I heard Sharko’s gang was involved,” Mabel said, swirling her straw in her milk tea. “Maybe they tried to break out some of their old members.”Tonio grimaced, mid-chew on a massive bite o
