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45 - To the Ends and Back
Last Updated:
2024-07-17 02:34:26
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MAD 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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,
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 2024-07-26MAD END'S DECEPTION 51 - Created A Monster
PresentGILDEONHe blinked away the sweat dripping into his eyes. Hot breaths burst from his mouth. His mind was a storm. What had just happened? He’d relived every damn second of his past, and now thick fog surrounded him again. He turned, squinting at the car headlights bearing down on him, engine still running, driver’s door hanging open.How was he standing in the middle of the road when he’d just been driving a minute ago?The world reeled. His head throbbed. His heart pounded like a drum. More thoughts of the past flooded back. Images of the rooms where Siegfrid and Irmeena were held for weeks. He remembered every fucking detail behind those closed doors—the beatings, the screams, the tearing flesh, the cracking bones, the stench of blood and fear.And the desperate urge to end it all himself right then and there.He shut his eyes as the sylph girl's pained voice echoed in his head. “You lied to me!” Her cries, the hatred in her blue eyes, her small body shaking in grief and ang
Last Updated : 2024-07-28MAD END'S DECEPTION 52 - Never Meant to Upset You
ARAHShe woke up late in the morning. Last night, she had waited hours for Gildeon to come home, but he never did. The door to his room was slightly open. Peeking through, she saw his bed was untouched.A soft snore drifted from the living room. Was he sleeping over there?Combing a hand through her hair, she padded down the hallway and found Gildeon lying sideways on the couch, his hands tucked under his arms. Her mouth fell open, and her hand froze in her curls.Why didn’t he sleep in his room?His clothes were the same as yesterday, and his dark hair was disheveled. Even with the AC low and the heat outside, he looked cold. She approached quietly and leaned over, pressing the back of her hand to his forehead. No fever, thank goodness, but his breathing sounded tired. He also smelled musty and herby.“Where the hell have you been?” she whispered. Deep inside, she was still hurt from last night, from him leaving her alone just like that again. But seeing him like this, she was more w
Last Updated : 2024-08-01MAD END'S DECEPTION 53 - Blocked It Out
ARAHShe craned, scanning the store for any sign of the cat. Nothing. “The black one who just—”“Hey, cute boy!” A husky, melodious voice cut through her words. The green-eyed guy leaned casually against the counter, a basket brimming with pet toys next to him. “How much for all of these?” His intense gaze locked onto hers, even though he was addressing Jeric.Jeric excused himself and moved behind the counter. The green-eyed guy turned away, but his unsettling smile lingered in her mind. Arah had met plenty of quirky people, but he was the first to creep her out.Shaking off the unease, she grabbed a basket and slipped in a bag of kibble, cans of dog food, and some new treats for Barky. When she returned to the counter, the green-eyed guy was already gone.She set her basket down.“You okay?” Jeric asked, ringing up her items. “Mrs. Garcia doesn't let her cats in the shop anymore after someone tried to steal one of her Bengals last week.”Arah grimaced. It was maddening how people co
Last Updated : 2024-08-02
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MAD END'S DECEPTION 175 - To The Future
GILDEONHe’d seen enough to know this would end badly. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder how Kana would manage to crawl out of this alive. These shamans were not to be underestimated. Their power carried the weight of something ancient—something likely bestowed by Yonah himself. Even the strongest modern witches would surely be no match for them.“Me not let Kana die!” Tree Man growled, planting himself between Kana and the shamans. The low rumble of his voice sent birds screeching out of the canopy, their wings beating frantically against the still air. On the ground, smaller creatures bolted into the underbrush, a nervous energy spreading like wildfire.Tree Man was prepared to go all out in this fight.The shamans faltered but didn’t break. Their chanting rose, seemingly twisting the air itself. The scent of earth turned sour, and the very forest recoiled—leaves curling, branches straining, as if the trees themselves wanted to pull away from what was coming.“Don’t fight them,” Ka
MAD END'S DECEPTION 174 - A Spirit Connection
GILDEONHe trailed behind the two as they approached the massive tree, his gaze fixed on Tree Man. Perhaps lingering in this memory would reveal what kind of being this creature truly was.The tree’s gaping hollow was enormous, easily allowing Tree Man’s towering frame to pass through. Inside, the space was surprisingly human in design. A bed woven from thick, intertwining roots and padded with moss leaned against one wall. Tree stumps, their surfaces smoothed by years of use, served as tables and chairs.From the ceiling hung baskets stuffed with dried vegetables, fruits, herbs, and fish strips. Their pungent aroma was thick, hitting hard—earthy and sour with a sharp, fishy tang. Even Kana wrinkled her nose, quickly covering it with her hand.Tree Man noticed, his bark-like face shifting slightly, as if attempting an expression. For a moment, Gildeon could have sworn it was an embarrassment.“Sorry,” Tree Man said, his rough voice awkward as he gestured vaguely around the room. “Hous
MAD END'S DECEPTION 173 - Pure Cosmic Power
GILDEONHe stared in awe at the creature growling low before him. Even Kana froze behind it, her wide eyes fixed on the strange being. Its body was covered in coarse, bark-like skin—gray and rugged. The ridges and grooves of its muscles resembled twisting roots, and patches of moss clung to its surface.It looked less like a living being and more like a human figure carved straight from an ancient tree.Gildeon had no idea what kind of being this stranger was. But in this era, it wasn’t that extraordinary. This was when the Shining Keeper had entered hibernation, leaving the second cosmic breach unchecked. Even the sylph hunters of the time couldn’t stem the fallout. Various beings from other dimensions spilled into the world—sentient, unlike the mindless beasts they had eradicated long ago. Some were so bizarre, so alien, that even higher mortals had no names for them.The wolves didn’t stay down for long. They rose again, their shadowy auras pulsing stronger than before, wrapping ar
MAD END'S DECEPTION 172 - Tainted
GILDEONHe panted, surprised at the effort to land that punch on Drusden. Being trapped in the witch’s domain clearly had its disadvantages. Still, watching the bastard skid across the ground, his boots kicking up dirt and his body crashing against a jagged rock, was satisfying as hell.Drusden let out a grunt and propped himself up. Blood trickled from his split lip, and a dark bruise was already forming along his jawline where Gildeon’s clawed fist had connected.“You don’t have a fucking clue what she went through,” Gildeon growled low, the urge to end the bastard clawing at him. But he couldn’t ignore the possibility of more traps lurking around. Drusden wasn’t the type to leave himself defenseless. A reckless attack could backfire, and Gildeon wasn’t about to let it blow up in his face tenfold.“I’ve got to hand it to my ex-wife,” Drusden said with a small chuckle, sitting up and swiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. “She managed to wrap a higher mortal arou
MAD END'S DECEPTION 171 - That's Human Nature
GILDEONHis mind raged with questions. Kana wasn’t special—just a pure human. But what truly gnawed at him was Zylas’s father. He had to be a higher mortal. A salamander.Gildeon couldn’t begin to wrap his thoughts around the idea of a salamander coming down to Earthland and mating with a human. There had been stories of deserters—salamanders who had gone rogue and vanished. Copulating with a lower mortal was plausible. But to conceive a hybrid offspring? That was something else entirely.The shamans led Kana into a cave not far from the village. They moved through a narrow, twisting passage before emerging into a wider chamber. At its center lay a shallow pool of water, its surface rippling faintly. Sunlight streamed through holes in the ceiling, casting shifting light patterns across the water and the rough cave walls. It gave the space an almost otherworldly glow—reminding him of the caves in Shamibar.But what seized Gildeon’s attention the most was the limestone formation shaped
MAD END'S DECEPTION 170 - Keep Watching, Salamander
GILDEONHe followed Drusden’s gaze upward. They watched Dragon Zylas as it roared and thrashed against the fog restraints. Each movement of the beast was a futile clash against the binding force.“You know,” Drusden said, breaking the silence, “I couldn’t figure out what you were at first. Had my suspicions, of course.” He shrugged. “But it wasn’t until I saw you like this that I knew for certain.” He leaned forward in his seat, clasped hands dangling loosely between his knees. “I thought Zylas was the only one.”Gildeon had wondered the same, but there was no way he’d share that with the bastard. “Where did you find him?” he asked, crossing his arms. Deep down, he burned to know. Uncovering Zylas’s origin might shed light on his own existence.Drusden tilted his head, his cryptic smile widening. “If I show you, will you answer a question of mine?”Gildeon’s brow furrowed, instincts kicking in as he studied the Headwitch. That smile, the gleam of curiosity in his eyes—it all felt like
MAD END'S DECEPTION 169 - Now That They're Gone
GILDEONHe could still feel Zylas’s dragon spirit, but Drusden had clearly disrupted his connection to the beast. The Headwitch had likely managed it while Gildeon focused on freeing himself and Roselia and keeping track of Arah.When Zylas had been about to attack Arah, Gildeon had been on the verge of shifting into his full beast form, consequences be damned. But Alaunus had beaten him to it. Unexpected, but favorable. Arah had been safe, and another of Drusden’s witches had fallen.Fortunately, Roselia had escaped the moment they broke free from the fog restraints. Gildeon was deeply worried about Arah, but he trusted Roselia to keep her safe.Gildeon glanced around the fog enclosure Drusden had trapped him in. He stood in the heart of it, a space eerily calm—like the eye of a storm. Dense mist coiled around him, lit by flashes of lightning cracking through the shrouded skies above. The air reeked of sulfur, every breath a sharp sting that burned his throat. Beneath his feet, the gr
MAD END'S DECEPTION 168 - The Plan's Changed
ARAHShe rolled hard to the side, her movement barely outpacing Tiger Lokius’s crushing pounce. His claws swiped through empty air as she scrambled to her feet, snapping into a defensive stance. She put as much distance as she could between them, her breath tight in her chest.The striped beast skidded to a halt beside Vienna’s lifeless body. His growl vibrated through the air before he began to shift. In a blur, his massive form condensed, fur melting into skin, until Lokius stood in his human form—tall and lean.His green eyes softened as they fell on Vienna. He knelt beside her, his fingers brushing tenderly over her blood-soaked blonde hair. “You rest well now, my darling Vienna,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. Then he lifted his gaze to Arah, one arm resting loosely across his bent knee. He appeared relaxed, but his eyes remained guarded.He didn’t look like he’d attack her outright—but his calm was unnerving. Her instincts screamed for her to stay ready.
MAD END'S DECEPTION 167 - Chaos and Pain
ARAHShe didn’t know how this was supposed to work. Obviously, there hadn’t been time for Alaunus to spell it out for her. But she trusted her instincts to kick in.At the end of the hallway, Vienna stood—a shadow of the person she used to be. Her eyes locked onto Arah’s, cold and final, like someone who had already lost everything worth fighting for.Arah’s pulse hammered in her ears. The sweet Vienna she used to know was gone—she had died with Alaunus. This version had let the darkness in.“Was it worth it…” Arah broke the silence, buying precious seconds as her thumb traced the jagged edge of the mirror shard hidden behind her back. Vienna didn’t seem lucid enough to notice. “Whatever you sacrificed to gain power... to join Drusden’s coven?”No response.Arah pressed, “You wanted to avenge your parents?”Vienna’s gaze flickered. “The hunters,” she finally muttered, bitterness dripping from every syllable. “They’re cruel. They think they’re saving the world, protecting mankind.” She
