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42 - She Was Wrong
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-07-13 03:07:54
Bab terkait
MAD END'S DECEPTION 43 - One of His Deepest Regrets
GILDEONThis was too much of a coincidence—if it even was one. Did this guy know Arah worked here?Durante cracked open his cooler, grabbed another beer, and strolled over. Gildeon caught a glimpse of a gun in the agent’s waist holster, partially hidden by his jacket.“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Gildeon said, keeping his tone casual.Durante waved his arm vaguely. “This is a public beach, isn’t it? I’m having some downtime.” His movements were looser, probably from the alcohol, less controlled than when they first met. His face gave no indication though. No red cheeks, no glassy eyes. He didn’t even stagger one bit.“Alone,” he implied, adjusting his glasses. “You're too far from where most people hang out.”“Too loud over there,” Durante said, nodding his head toward the distance. “I prefer the quiet.” His friendly smile looked unsettling in the dim light. “How about you, Mr. Ayadi? What brings you here this late?”He handed him a beer, but Gildeon quickly put up a hand to decli
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-14MAD END'S DECEPTION 44 - Crucial to the War
Many Years Ago (Part 1)GILDEON“When have I ever been wrong, old man?” He smirked, tasting the salt in the misty air.Commander Haemos let out a guttural chuckle. The others backed Gildeon up, pledging their faith even as their words danced with jest. A few threatened to break his dragon’s spine if he led them to nothing after disturbing their good night’s sleep.“Hey, I didn’t force all of you to be here,” he shot back, and they groaned, continuing to tease him.Ten of them were on this boat, handpicked by Gildeon and the commander. More had volunteered back at the outpost, but there wasn’t any space left. Besides, this was a side mission meant to be carried out in stealth. The smaller their group, the better.“I don’t know about you cunts, but I’m not sitting on Gildeon’s dragon ass,” said Aktaeon, their trailhound, tugging at a rope securing the rigging.Another round of laughter rang out.Gildeon shook his head, grimacing at the mist spray clinging to his face and clothes. The pr
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-16MAD END'S DECEPTION 45 - To the Ends and Back
Many Years Ago (Part 2)GILDEONHe averted his gaze, feeling the weight of the crew's laughter and jeering like a rock on his shoulders. Crude remarks flew through the air, and even Ghulik sputtered obscene taunts beside him.Gildeon scratched his head, trying to find a way out of the mess he'd walked into. But unless he jumped off the boat right this moment, he had no choice but to face their trailhound’s wrath.Before he knew it, the crew was restraining Aktaeon. His loud curses could probably break the silence spell cloaking their boat. The vessel rocked slightly, and Gildeon had to maintain a steady maneuver on the helm—otherwise, they would hit one of these rocks.“I’m going to kill you, Gildeon!” Aktaeon snarled through clenched teeth. The muscles in his face looked like coiled springs ready to snap.“Hey, your sister wanted it too,” he replied, but his attempt to pacify the situation seemed to be failing. “She said she wanted to feel the world, so I let her ride me.” He meant i
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-17MAD END'S DECEPTION 46 - For What Purpose
Many Years Ago (Part 3)GILDEONAs the boat slowed, he steered it toward a large outcrop nestled in the heart of the branching inlet. He aligned the vessel alongside the rock face, hiding in plain sight. His movements were steady and certain, just as how Haemos had taught him long ago.Two of the crew shifted into their beast forms, anchoring the boat with their tails wrapped around the outcrop's protrusions.The inlet offered several paths to the open sea. They had to stay close to where the sylph ship would turn, ready to strike at the right moment. Gildeon began brewing different battle scenarios in his head, assessing possible escape routes. Sylphs should never be underestimated. They'd all learned that the hard way.“Camouflage!” Commander Haemos barked. The crew, including Kohina, melted into the hue and texture of the black rock behind them. As they gripped the gunwale, the camouflage extended to their ship, blending it into the landscape.Gildeon left the helm to help, shiftin
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-20MAD END'S DECEPTION 47 - Barbarian
Many Years Ago (Part 4)GILDEONThe room loomed dark and vast, with crates piled high against the walls. In the shadows, a tuft of blue curls glinted, belonging to a sylph warrior slumped against a silverwood container, sword in hand. Fresh blood seeped through the bandage around his chest, staining his ribs. He tried to stand straight, assuming a defensive stance, but his other hand instinctively clutched his wound.Gildeon suspected they had come from battle. But where? The Blinking Island? What had they fought over there? That would explain the small crew. They’d probably lost people.Gildeon reverted to his mortal form. No need for dragon strength here. He could probably take the sylph blindfolded. “What happened to all of you?” he asked, scratching his head with the tip of his shortsword.The warrior’s face remained impassive, but his blue eyes betrayed him. Pain, fear, confusion, and desperation flickered there.“What are you?” the sylph demanded in a cold, hissing voice. Gildeo
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-21MAD END'S DECEPTION 48 - That Would Be Too Easy
Many Years Ago (Part 5)GILDEONHe idly scratched his head with the point of his shortsword. “What’s a girl like you doing on a ship like this?”Her blue eyes glowed with fury as she tightened her grip on the dagger and sprang to her feet. He immediately shoved her head down before she could rise, his strength overwhelming her.“Hey, your brother used his last bit of strength to keep me from your crate,” he said in a low voice. “So stay there until I figure out what to do with you.”The girl pushed to her feet again with an angry cry, raising the dagger with both hands and aiming it at him. He grunted, catching her wrists. Swiftly setting his sword on a nearby barrel, he snatched the dagger and thrust her head down once more, forcing her back inside the crate.She squealed, clawing at his arm.“You're as stubborn as your brother, I’ll give you that,” he remarked, inspecting the dagger. The hilt, white and shaped like a griffin, reminded him of the ship's figurehead.“If you hurt my br
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-24MAD END'S DECEPTION 49 - One of Our Own
Many Years Ago (Part 6)GILDEONThe outpost harbor came alive as soon as they anchored. The crunch of boots on thick snow echoed through the crisp air, mingling with the crackling flames from the fire pits scattered around the camp.Gildeon sat on the gunwale, one leg propped up on the rail, waiting for the right chance. He’d left Ghulik in the hold to stand guard, making sure no salamander would discover the sylph girl. Sneaking her out wouldn’t be easy, especially when every man on land was eyeing this ship like a fucking naked lady.The captive sylphs had their blindfolds removed, but they remained bound and gagged. One by one, they were dragged out of the ship. There was no fear on their faces, just grim resignation.A bleak smile curled his lips. Wasn't it the same for everyone? Getting caught by the enemy was a death sentence. Survival was impossible. But for one of them, maybe he might be able to help.The girl’s brother had regained consciousness not long ago. As he walked by,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-25MAD END'S DECEPTION 50 - Sympathizing With The Enemies
Many Years Ago (Part 7)GILDEONHis thoughts drifted for a moment, and he paused from tending his sword when he noticed the silence. He turned to the table.The girl was gone.“Fuck,” he muttered. The tent flap fluttered in the wind, swinging open and closed, revealing glimpses of the dark sea in the distance.Tossing the sword onto the bed, he rushed out and scanned the area. He darted into the bushes, finding Ghulik dozing on a tree log. With a swift kick, the goblin jolted awake, snarling, his scrawny arms flailing, claws ready to strike.“Where’s the girl?”Ghulik’s face scrunched up in confusion. “What girl, Master?”Gildeon glared at him.“Ah!” Ghulik stumbled off the log, falling onto his grey arse. “Ghulik thought the Sylph Girl was with Master.”“Smell her.”The goblin’s sharp-nailed fingers tapped together nervously. “Forgive Ghulik, Master,” he said, grimacing. “Ghulik does not know the Sylph Girl’s scent yet because of the sigil on her crate.”Gildeon raked his fingers thr
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-26
Bab terbaru
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
MAD END'S DECEPTION 193 - Let It All Go
GILDEONThey brought Arah to Roselia’s farmhouse. She was still out cold, and it would likely take her a few days to recover. Roselia had set up the back room, lit herbs that filled the air with sharp smoke, and circled Arah with crystals humming with healing energy.Gildeon switched on his dragon sight. Arah’s aura flickered, blue-green, faint. But something else swam through it—streaks of deep, electric blue that came and went like a second heartbeat.Gildeon hadn’t seen that on her before, but maybe they were remnants of some buried power. Something that had awakened when her life hung by a thread—something she’d used to wipe out both Zylas and Drusden.The aftermath of that fight still gnawed at him in strange ways, but none of it mattered for now. Answers could wait. He’d talk to Arah when she woke up.Gildeon pulled the blanket over her shoulders, then glanced at Ghulik, who was curled on a cushion near the bed, snoring like an old man, his belly swollen.Before leaving the Bacc
