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On Limbrand, a young warrior named Kaladus proves his worthiness, and is gifted the power of one of the dying gods in the hopes the he can take up the mantle she is leaving behind. Unable to control the power, Kaladus plummets through a rift, finding himself in a strange new world.On Earth, sinister beings begin to appear. FBI agent Connor Finnegan is caught in the middle of the strange events. After discovering young Kaladus and his power, the two team up to fight the forces of evil, hoping that together they can save both their worlds.Rift Arcanum refers to a long lost book compiled over centuries by a scholars and mages collecting knowledge of the Rift from all over Limbrand. It is said to contain forgotten ways to kill demons as opposed to casting them out, and is therefore coveted by both sides of the conflict.----------------------------------------------------------------Meet the main characters: Kal and Connor
Agent Connor Finnegan, FBI:
Backstory:Now 25 years old, Connor joined the FBI at age 21 - following in his father's footsteps - after his parents were killed in a freak house fire. He suspects there may be a culprit behind the fire, but he has no proof yet. He has a girlfriend in New York who is becoming increasingly impatient with all the travel he had to do for work. Connor's exceptional investigative skills earn him many difficult cases and a quick promotion, but his main goal is to look into the occult dealings his parents may have been involved in.When he accidentally gets his partner killed on a case, he is put on temporary leave, and returns to Paradise Springs. He suffers from anxiety and depression, and terrible nightmares of a world overrun with monsters. His niece, Lily, discovers an injured Kaladus in the woods, and he begins to investigate. Shortly after, he is approached by and recruited by a mysterious organization who's purpose is to investigate paranormal activity.Personality:Connor is highly competent as an agent, and is seen as quietly confident and mysterious by his colleagues, though in reality he is quite anxious and self-conscious. He his very anti-social, only really spending time with his girlfriend and coworkers. He can come across as quite boring and rude to anyone who doesn't know him well. He greatly enjoys most outdoor activities and not much else, aside from an unfortunate smoking habit.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kaladus:
Backstory:Kaladus is 13 years old, nearly considered a man in his culture, though unfortunately he is a bit of a runt. He and the other children in his village of Bavka were trained to fight from an early age due increased monster activity on Limbrand, and Kal shows exceptionally strong skills in that regard despite his size. Most of it comes from fanatical hard work and determination.Like so many children on Limbrand, he is an orphan. He is quite close with one of the older warriors of the village, 22-year-old Ardan. Ardan helped him escape from a powerful warlord, and the two have shared a bond ever since. Most see it as brotherly relationship, but it may be much more.As the world is overrun with demons from the rift, their monsters, and their human followers; people flee to the south, hoping for refuge under the remaining power of the dying gods. Everyone has lost hope; except for Kal. When the sun god Yin visits their village conscripting soldiers for one last stand, Kal is the sole volunteer, inspiring Ardan and some others to join him. He proves himself in the coming battle despite overwhelming tragedy, and before Yin takes her final breath, she gifts her powers to the boy, hoping he can continue her fight. When he attempts to use his new power to close a rift, he is pulled away to Earth.Personality:Kal is quite physical and energetic, and can make friends with just about anyone. He is always eager to fight, and is seen as somewhat crazy or annoying for it, but his refusal to give up always inspires those around him. Despite his outgoing nature, he is easily flustered when people flirt with and dote on him, which is very common.
Other Characters:
Agent Finley Jefferies - Connor's partner, 36yAgent Laura Sterling - Connor's girlfriend, 25yJordan Finnegan - Connor's younger brother, 20ySienna Argyle - Connor's older sister, 33yJared Argyle - Sienna's husband, 32yLily Argyle - Sienna's daughter, 15yJackson Argyle - Sienna's son, 5yRalkulan: Demon, reoccurring villainYasim: last remaining Celestial, immortal, age: ???Ardan Vigil - Kal's (boy?)friend on Limbrand, 22yEvan Hawkins - School bully, 16yJake Larway - Kal's first friend at school, 14y
[More characters and details to be added later]
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Kal concept sketches:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Strong boy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Angy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------If you see this, run (it won't help).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Could you say no to this face?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Kal's sun based powers get him the nickname "Apollo", so he is quite literally a ray of sunshine. (Un)fortunately if he gets too hot his clothes burn away. Some might see this as a win.
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Connor and Kal rounded the corner, freezing at the sight. Several bloodies bodies lay in gruesome positions all over the alley. Connor counted at least seven, but he couldn't be sure. There were pieces everywhere. Cooks and servers; it appeared as if they had all been brutally slain attempting to flee.A figure stood in the center of the massacre, silhouetted by the lights of the nearby restaurant's side exit, blood dripping from his fingers. He turned, grinning, revealing pointed, bloody teeth. An imperceptible shadow surrounded the being, a feeling of deep despair. Connor's hair stood on end. He put a hand on Kal's shoulder, squeezing. This was no mere monster. It was...
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Kaladus felt his presence before he saw him. The demon was standing on the platform overlooking the empty factory floor. Kaladus narrowed his eyes. He recognized this one somehow, a subtle sense of hunger mixed with the usual aura of despair."Be still my heart," the demon said, "you came!"Kaladus turned.
He didn't know how to respond to that. He sputtered, trying in vain to sound threatening."I...flattery won't get you anywhere, demon!" He said. "You won't get away this time!"
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Ever since Connor got Kal a phone and taught him to text and take pictures, Kal will send him pictures of literally everything.
Kal: Look at this tiny person doll thingy, it has a wobbly head!Connor: Yeah that's a bobbleheadKal: Can I get one?Connor: Sure, I can get you oneKal: Awesome!!
Kal: How do you do the tiny happy face drawing things?Connor: Emojis? It should be on the keyboardKal: Found it!Kal: *long string of smiley faces*
Kal: I met this guy at the park and he has a dog and here's the dog!Kal: Here's me and the dog!Kal: Here's me and the guy (his name's Aaron) and the dog!Connor: Nice
Kal: There's a whole waterfall downtown! Did you know that? There's this lady who was feeding birds (her name in Marcel) and she said it's manmade!Kal: Here's the waterfall!Kal: Here's me and Marcel in front of the waterfall!Connor: Wow that's coolConnor: But why are you wandering around downtown?? You need to stay at the apartment until I get back
Then he'll do stuff like this: Let's hope Connor doesn't open that around anyone...
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Connor is so annoying because he's so obsessed and in love with this boy but he thinks it's not reciprocated. If only he just turns around and sees that face...
Based on this meme:
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I have to step out for a bit, will he be safe in your hands while I'm away?
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It's funny because he looks like ^^ that but he is also this big:
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I can't stop drawing him...
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How can Kaladus speak English right away when he's from another world?
Kal's new power lets him understand any language the previous user knew. Yinh (the previous user) knew English, but unfortunately a much older version - since she was last on Earth back in the 1950s. While Kal can instantly understand languages, he has trouble understanding cultural references. A word like "car" he knows is some kind of vehicle, but he has no frame of reference to what it actually is since he's never seen one before.The other problem is that it doesn't automatically give him the speaking skill of a native speaker. Imagine knowing a language like a native but struggling to speak it because you only learned it in you head without practicing it out loud. As a result, he has a cute little accent (it sounds a little like Russian mixed with Turkish), and often fumbles over difficult words. He gets so frustrated when it happens because he knows exactly what it should sound like but he just can't freakin' say it!You can imagine a young boy with a melodious voice and a hint of raspiness, saying things like "gee golly!" or "that was bitchin'!" in a vaguely Russian accent, and that's Kal.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kal will eventually be forced to go to school. The powers that be think it would help him learn about earth's culture that way, and that it would be good to be with kids his own age. Connor enrolls him as a foreign exchange student from Russia, due to his accent being close to Russian.Unfortunately he will be absent a lot, due to his powers being in great demand. Him and Connor travel all over the world to help take care of various monsters and close rifts. His excuse is a chronic illness that renders him occasionally incapacitated.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The self indulgent ongoing side plot is Kal unknowingly making people question their sexuality to varying degrees, both from his looks and his friendly but mysterious nature.
Whether they realize it, tell themselves it's plutonic, or are in full denial, here is the Kaladus simp club so far:
Connor: 25y, Depressed man, hates himself for being in love with Kal, thinks he's disgusting. tries to distance himself, thinks he doesn't deserve love.Ardan: 22y, Kal's older "friend" on Limbrand, skilled warrior, extremely protective and caring (honestly ideal boyfriend material).Ralkulan: About 300y (a baby), literal demon, hardcore no-filter simp, says what the audience is thinking.Jordan: 24y, Connor's younger brother, "cool uncle" energy, player, secret groomer.Yasim: Over 5000 years old, last remaining Celestial (as far as anyone knows), fascinated by and experiments with people, literally insane, became immortal at a young age (19 ) similar to Kal.Jake: 14y, Kal's new best friend, shy, HEMA nerd, romantic gestures go unnoticed.Lily: 15y, Connor's niece, smart, rebellious teen, hates having a crush (thinks it's cringe).Adina: 15y, Popular, choir/theater nerd, "nice girl" energy, secret stalker.Evan: 16y, Adina's boyfriend, bully, compensating, jealous, aggressively straight (đ€).Georgie: 17y, Social media famous, bi, will do anything for clout, hypersexual.Laura: 25y, Connor's girlfriend, "femme fatale" energy, flirty with everyone.Mr. Fletcher: 30y, Music teacher, bear (huge), strict and prude (đ§).Coach Lawless: 23y, Gym teacher, pretty, nice but firm, kind of handsy, object of typical teen boys' affection.Mr. Johannsson: 26y, Science teacher, walking gay stereotype, everyone's favorite fun teacher.There are so many more, but these will get the most focus.
There are so many more, but these will get the most focus. To sum up: Everyone has the hots for the pretty shota. It usually starts off with them getting confused by their attraction, and being upset at themselves because "he's not my type, why is this happening?" or "I'm not gay, what the hell??" or "he's way too young!!".
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There were no clouds that night. No rain, no lighting; only the rustling of leaves and the chirping of crickets. The solitude did not last. Something stirred, and the wind increased tenfold. Branches began to whip about, and dirt and dead leaves were thrown into the air.A deafening CRACK! echoed through the woods, though there was still no thunder. The air became distorted, folding in on itself, taking on a churning, spherical shape. Wispy shadows clawed their way out of the gaping hole in space. They began to transform, taking on vaguely humanoid and animal-like appearances. They split this way and that, fleeing in every direction with unnatural speed, accompanied by gleeful screeching and whooping. In an instant, they were gone.Silence.Another form emerged. Small and fully human; it was thrown violently from the maw, landing in a sprawling heap on the ground. It lay there for a moment, unmoving.
Did it work? The boy thought.He groaned, rolling onto his stomach, gasping for air. Faint moonlight allowed him to see, but only just. He could barely make out stars through the trees. Strange. These trees had not been here before.He tried to sit up, but searing pain shot through his body, and he collapsed. He looked down at the wicked black spine protruding a few fingerlets from just below his left breast, trying to swallow his panic. Curved barbs ran the length of the shaft, so pulling it out would tear him open even more. Struggling for air as he was, it may have pierced his lung.He had to get to a surgeon immediately. Bavka was a two day walk from here, but in this condition he doubted he would make it in three, if at all.
Regardless, he had to keep going, no matter what. He was the only one left in the entire battalion as far as he knew. He would fight to his last breath, for whoever was left; for those who had so willingly given their livesâŠTears welled in his eyes.
âIâm sorry Ardan,â he whispered to no one.He had to focus, there was no time to mourn.
Get up, soldier.
Ardanâs voice. He took as deep a breath as he could and rolled over, careful not to press the spine further in. He raised himself shakily to his hands and knees. It was too painful!
GET UP, SOLDIER.
Letting out a pitiful whine, he grasped at the nearest tree and used it to pull himself up. He leaned against the cold bark and pressed his hand to the wound, feeling warm blood trickling between his fingers. His heart dropped as he saw what was in front of him.The rift. It was still open. He had failed. His breathing came ragged, and panic rose as he struggled for air. He was useless. It was his fault they were all dead. Why would Yin put all her faith in him? Why did he think he could-A chill washed over him, and he froze. There was a presence near. He turned, holding a hand up to ward off whatever it was - as if he would be able to fight in this state.
There was only darkness; nothing but the feeling something was lingering just behind him no matter which way he turned. He knew what this was. A Vizcerekt. A demon. Shaking, he held himself tall, summoning every last ounce of strength. It had taken the others. It would not take him.âJust you try it, I dare you!â he spat.He got the sense that it was laughing at him, though there was no sound.Something incorporeal gripped him violently. Fear became a stifling terror, fueled by the images of pain and death he was so desperately trying to push away. He fell to his knees, overcome. He tried to scream, but the darkness smothered his voice. The air had become thick, as if the terror itself was manifesting physically, suffocating him.
He had one last hope. The goddess was not dead; not as long as he held onto her. He had to believe it, he had to believe in something .
Help me Yinh...
His whole body felt like it was being torn apart from the inside. He writhed on the ground, all thoughts giving way to agony. Somehow he knew that if he just gave himself over to this vile creature the pain would end. Maybe he should let it. He had led all those people to their deaths. People he loved. He was worse than useless-No!
Yinh, please! Help me!
A sudden spark of warmth ignited inside him; nothing more than a small, flickering candle flame amidst a thick fog. He grasped it desperately, and pushed against the overwhelming darkness, willing it to leave him. The flame grew. The demon had clearly not expected this. Now it was screaming. He reveled in the thing getting a mouthful of its own poison.
The demon tore away from him. He gasped. His whole body shook, sweating, but his newfound strength invigorated him. His wound hurt less. He didnât know if that was good or bad.âHow do you like that?!â He half laughed, half sobbed.The thing was still there, watching him. He could feel its contempt among many raging emotions. It threatened to overcome him once more. He was so small and helpless in the face of such a powerful, ancient being. He knew he could not withstand another attack.âTry that again and I swear Iâll end you for good!âHe expected it to laugh at him again. Instead, it seethed. He glared at it - rather, in its general direction. It vanished as quickly as it had come.
Had it really called his pitiful bluff? Praises be! He let out a breath. The unnatural terror subsided, but the warmth also faded, leaving him more drained and with more pain than before. He shook as if he was stuck out in a blizzard naked. He slumped against the tree. Gods were supposed to have healing powers, so why did he feel worse than before? Why couldnât she give him just a little more?
He supposed he should be thankful for the help he did receive, and he should really find a surgeon while he could still move. He stumbled forward, using trees to steady himself. So many trees. Where did they all come from?The world spun around him as he trudged on. His armor was getting heavier and heavier with every step. Leaves crunched loudly under his laborious steps.In a small clearing, he looked to the sky, hoping to find his position by the stars. They were all wrong. Why was there only one moon, and why was it so small? Where in the Seven Hels was he?Voices. He stopped, listening intently. It was barely perceptible, but there were people out here somewhere. Indeed, there was a faint glow and a trial of smoke in the distance. Idiots! A fire in the wild was like a beacon for monsters at night.He moved toward it, but he was so slow. As he got closer, he realized they were singing. Why would anyone be singing in the middle of the woods in the middle of the night? Did they have a death wish?
Blood continued to trickle through his fingers. He had to help whoever was out there, to warn them of the nearby rift, then they could take him to a surgeon-He coughed, spitting up blood, and fell to his knees. Laughter came from ahead. He was so close! They were clearly oblivious to the danger. His heart pounded in his ears.âHelp,â he croaked.
Nothing. He summoned as much strength as he could and called out again.âHelp!âThey stopped.
âHelp me!âSomeone yelled something back.âPlease, help! Iâm over here! Iâm-âWith that, the world caved in on itself, and blackness took him.
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Jordon heard about the boy Connor took in, but seeing him for the first time is quite the surprise. Kal is technically an alien so naturally he doesn't know much about Christmas...
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He's a little skeptical but also a little turned on...
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Q: Would your OC ever top another boy?
A: It's possible! It depends on who it is and the situation.
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Q: How do you see Kal and Connor's first time playing out? Like what are the circumstances? And where would it most likely happen?
A:
Avoiding major spoilers: there will be a time where they with be separated for quite some time, allowing Connor to reflect and accept his true feelings. After they reunite is when they'll do it, probably somewhere not very romantic at all lol.
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Context: Damian as in Damian Wayne from DC, for those who don't know.
Q: How do you think Kal and Damian meeting would go? Would they get along at all? Would they fight? Or would they not care?
A: They would probably not get along very well lol, at least not at first. Damian might feel a little threatened by him (since they're both trained from birth), and he'd very quickly get annoyed with Kal not understanding Earth among other things. Some of it's projection, since Damian also isn't the most culturally aware either lol.
Kal would get frustrated at Damian constantly explaining things to him like he's a child, correcting him, and pointing out errors with his English. He's like Tim where he'll immediately say "what do you mean x??" and start an argument instead of backing down. He would also be insecure that Damian is a more skilled fighter than he is when he doesn't use his powers (though they are very close in skill).
They're also both similar in saying what they mean and not mincing words, but Kal does it in a more innocent way as opposed to Damian's smug nature. Eventually they might get along better but it would take a while...
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Q: Is Kal a virgin? If not who was his first? What about Connor, has he even been with a guy?
A: Connor experimented a little with guys in high school, but never since then. He thinks it was just a phase. Occasionally he will notice good looking men, but his attraction is usually stronger towards women. He is really thrown for a loop when a certain someone comes into the picture...
Kal's first time was with an older boy from his village when he was 8. However, you could technically say his first time was much earlier (if you count getting nonco.........ahem).
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Q: Was Connor's first match with a shota Kal or have there been others in the past?
A: Not sure what you mean by match, but he has had many romantic partners over the years. So far none of his relationships have really worked out. Most of the time he ends up just having one night stands. It's a miracle he hasn't accidentally become a father yet. Kal is the first boy he's ever had feelings for, certainly the first and only young boy, something he's very guilty about.
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Q: will kal receive attention from other older men uwu in the future of the story? how would connor react?
A: Oh yes! People are usually pretty good at hiding it or disguising it as simple friendliness, but we know the truth. Connor hates it of course, and is ever the protector, all while hiding his own desire...
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Q: Kal and Connor's favorite food and movie
A: Kal's favorite Earth food is extra spicy Thai green curry. The taste reminds him a little of Gurolash back home, which is Guro meat (a type of bird) in milk with crushed Kyoka (they're kind of like giant bioluminescent crickets) turned into a stew with taters, mainly flavored with Jikweed (a common spice). His favorite movie so far (he hasn't seen many yet) is Raider of the Lost Ark. He actually thinks Connor is a lot like Indy, which he insists should be a compliment.
Connor's favorite food is Lasagna, hands down. Both his parents used to make it a lot using a recipe passed down on his mom's side. It's a comfort food for him. His most recent favorite movie is Perfect Blue (1997), a Japanese animated physiological thriller. He often likes relatively unknown, indie, or foreign films.
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Q: So what exactly are all Kal's powers? Is he just a Superman sort or...?
A: His base powers (the powers every god has) are healing, durability, and strength/speed (and immortality of course). His specific powers come from Yinh the Sun God, so they involve control of energy and heat. His body will take a while to change and adjust to all the powers since he's a mortal, and he will need to learn how to control them. As such they will come to him slowly over time.
Honestly I haven't decided on how far I want to explain the magic in this universe. I like things to be mysterious, but I also like the "magic as a science" trope. I'm thinking the gods' powers will be pretty mysterious no matter what, since they are among the highest level beings to exist. Kal probably won't even scratch the surface by the end of the series.
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Q: What are Kal's and agent Connor's biggest kinks?
A: Kal has a major large man kink, loves to be dominated, and he is very, very shy about it.
Connor has a secret general kink for rough sex from the start, which can include things like bondage or choking. As time goes on he also develops a thing for pretty women with shorter curly hair, long lashes, tan skin, and green or hazel eyes; preferably short. Wait a minute...
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Q: Ooh, I've been wondering how you envision Kal and Connor's first kiss going?
A: I'm not sure exactly what situation it will be in, but I know it will go excruciatingly slow; gazing at each other's faces (eye fucking) getting closer and closer, both of them super hesitant for different reasons, getting more and more flustered the closer they get, until finally they share a very wet kiss. After the initial kiss, they'll go in again with animalistic gusto.
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Q: Are you ever going to do nsfw art with your ocs?
A: Of course, eventually!
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Q: Okay okay hear me out. Set the scene
Kal wanders off somehow and ends up at a frat house. They frat boys donât know what to make of the kid, but realize heâs the prettiest thing they ever sawâŠ.not really a question but a fun premise that I think could be funny and/or sexy
A: He does like to explore without telling anyone and it drives Connor crazy, I can definitely see this happening lol! Logged for future use đ
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Q: Does Kal ever lose his temper? Is he capable of violently acting upon it?
A: He does have a temper that comes from a protective nature, but he never loses control in a way that would harm others in the cross fire. He has no problem killing however, and will do what it takes to stop an evil person or a monster. He does have a thirst for revenge against the demons that destroyed his home, but one weakness is that he hesitates to fight them when they are using an innocent host body, since he believes against all odds that they can still be saved.
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Q: We know Kal's into older men with bigger builds, but what's his type for boys his age? Smart? Dumb? Creative? Quiet? What about looks? Blonds? Brunet's?
A: It's hard to pin down, because he doesn't really have types honestly. He becomes attracted to people more based on their individual personality and how they get along.
Though whether he realizes it or not, he tends to get along really well with quiet, shy boys. He is naturally drawn to people who are seen as more vulnerable, and has quite the protective instinct with them. That is how he meets his new best friend, Jake: Kal goes after kids who are bullying him at school.
If it matters, Jake is 16, fit but not muscular, with blonde hair and grey eyes.
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Q: connor doesn't make the first move with kal because of his own insecurities or because of what others will say about?
A: Both, and he's trying so hard to hold onto his sense of morality. He thinks Kal would be disgusted with him if he found out his true feelings. He's going crazy because he has never in his life been attracted to someone so much younger than him. As such, he keeps his distance, even though it's excruciating.
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Q: If Kal is so easily flustered what's he like in bed? đ€
A: Lol good question. He's just very shy and embarrassed to admit his desires, so it takes a while to get him out of his shell. Sometimes he seems like he's not liking it even when he does. He'll be gasping and pushing his top away, but when they ask if he wants them to stop, he just shakes his head and says "harder." His moans almost sound more like cries, and his expressions pained, however anyone who knows him intimately can tell the difference.
Shy gentleman in the streets; freak in the sheets is what he is. He'll let you get away with a lot đ, though sometimes he's just too nice to say no even if he actually doesn't like it. If it's something particularly egregious however, he WILL let you know, often violently. He's like a cat in that way...
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Jordon: *buries his face*Kal:
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For maximum fluff effect, listen to this song.
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Q: What are Kal's kinks?
A: The obvious one is that he loves when his partner is really big (easy bc he's so small lol). He also sort of has a thing for teasing and foreplay. Other than that, it kind of depends on who he's with. He tends to "feed" off whatever kinks his partner has.
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Q: Does Kal ever walk around Connors house naked? And if so, how would Connor react?
A: Lol not fully naked, but he does sleep in his underwear so he might walk around like that occasionally in the night for a late snack or bathroom run. Whenever Connor sees him like that he turns into a very flustered mess and tries to get him to put on some clothes ASAP!
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Q: So is Kal a total bottom, or would he dabble with boys his own age?
A: He's definitely a hardcore bottom, but he still can top. Chances are that if he does, he's also being hit from behind lol.
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Context: Damian Wayne and Jon Kent from DC
Q: How do you think a threesome with Damian and Kal would go?
A: In an AU Kal and Connor get called to Smallville to investigate some potential demon activity. There he befriends Jon, and when Damian happens to come over, they all get into the Kent's wine stash and it turns into quite the party.
Jon tops Kal while Kal tops Damian, then him and Dami take turns getting fucked by Jon while they 69 each other...
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Q: How tall is Kal?
A: He is 149cm or 4ft 11in. For context, Connor is 187cm or 6ft 2in.
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Q: Hmm that's a good one. Honestly he would pair really well with Geralt from The Witcher, or Derek from Teen Wolf. A spicy one would be Soldier Boy from The Boys, with Kaladus "I can fix him", or similarly Slade Wilson from DC.
A: There are so many possibilities I really don't know. I'm not even that into the series I mentioned besides DC, but thinking of the characters I can picture it for some reason lol
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Q: If Kal goes to school does he get really popular? I bet he would they would love him
A: It's funny because he does get quite popular, but he doesn't realize it. He's the mysterious, attractive new foreign exchange student so of course they love him (or are at least annoyed by people loving him lol). Most of it comes from Georgie Newman, a senior and social media star. When he discovers that Kal doesn't have any internet presence at all he starts a whole "fan club" thing in the unofficial school group chat, speculating about him and getting people to take secret pics and videos đ€«
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Q: So Kal goes to school? I wonder how many boys and girls are crushing on him
A: They at least thinks he's really cute. He's so small. Ok he's actually pretty handsome. And he's just so friendly. Oh he has cake too? Huh, and that bod?? What's happening...No! They don't have a crush, he's just an adorable lil guy! Friend shaped! That's all!!
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Q: Does Connor have any cute nicknames for Kal? Or spicy nicknames? đ
A: Connor calls him "buddy", "champ", "little man" or "kiddo" a lot. Eventually when they get together he adds "baby boy" to the mix. He gets embarrassed initiating dirty nicknames and talk even when he wants to, similarly to how he gets with "childish" things. He's a very serious and well adjusted adult with a normal, tame sex life he'll have you know! đ
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Q: Who would be more likely to cum early Connor or Kal
A: Connor for sure. All of Kal's tops have this problem where he's just too sexy for them to hold it in. Don't worry, he comforts them and tells them it's ok, that they can keep going anyway. They can do it! He believes in them!
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Q: Is Kal subject to many unwanted touches/groping. Wondering how noncon things will go (if any) teehee
A: Oh he's been getting touched for a long time, especially in his sleep. Men, women, other kids, people he knows, strangers, travelers etc. He's just too nice to say no when he's awake for it. In fact, he may or may not be the unknowing father of 3 boys and 2 girls at the ripe old age of 13...
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Q: So if Kal is a dad already, will his kids outgrow him since he's immortal? Will he meet them?
A: Yep, (his first son was born when he was 10 and he has no idea btw hehe). I don't know what I'll do with all his noncon babies yet, but there might be some juicy things I can do with it...
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Q: Is Jordon gonna be a regular character? how do you see his story going? Is he ever gonna sleep with Kal, even in a noncon way? How about Jordon and Connor any chance of incest?
A: Oh yes, he'll be a regular on the slice of life side of things, possibly with a larger role later. He will 100% fuck Kal's brains out. He's new at being a groomer, but he'll figure out a way đ (little does he know that if he just outright asks him to his face he would most likely get a yes and I just think that whole situation is hilarious).
Jordan was always a very gay kid, but nothing really happened between him and Connor. He always saw Connor as the mean older brother, and not in a sexy way; more in a traumatizing way.
Connor was quite the bully when he was younger. He is responsible for giving Jordan so many of his insecurities. He's mellowed out a lot, but they're still going to have to work through all that.
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Q: What does Kal's boyfriend from his homeworld look like? How did they meet?
A: That reminds me, I need to draw them!
Originally I was going to have him and Kal know each other their whole lives, but now I'm making a whole arc where Kal gets captured by warriors of the most powerful warlord in the land after they raid his village. This warlord forces other tribes to join him, becoming "indentured servants" in order to rebuild and reinforce the walls of the large abandoned city he has taken over in exchange for protection. However, they deem Kal too pretty for that and make him a
ahem
woohoo slave for the palace instead.
Ardan has a good heart, but raiding is just all he knows. He is tasked with guarding at the palace, and ends up forming a bond with Kal. Ardan makes Kal feel safe in his presence, never forcing himself on him like many of the others, and Kal helps Ardan realize how bad an environment he's in. Eventually Ardan will help him escape after a year. They join another tribe, and that's where they'll continue to train and fight together until the events that bring Kal to Earth another year after that.
Ardan is tanned with shoulder length dark wavy hair and brown eyes. He's very lean and considered tall on Limbrand at 5'9", 175 cm, though the average height for men there is 5'5", 167 cm.
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I've made a few changes to the story:-Kal is now 13, and Connor is 25.-Kal no longer has a surname, his full name is just Kaladus.-Connor's older sister now is married with 2 kids.-Lily is now Connor's niece instead of his little sister.-Updated all previous chapters with current canon-Updated some of the older art pieces to reflect how I draw the characters now vs when they were first created.
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It was a strange town, no doubt about it. Sequestered deep in the woods, Paradise Springs was more like a collection of individual developments, spread out between the hills and canyons that surrounded the river. Though it was a tourist town - known for its white water rafting, most visitors would barely even see ten percent of it. The trees hid so much from view, and that was exactly the way the townsfolk liked it.Connor supposed he should be feeling nostalgic returning here. Instead all he felt was dread. It was subtle; a vague, pervasive anxiety in the back of his mind, one he could ignore but never purge completely. Around every curve of the road his mind conjured up images of trees wreathed in bright orange flames. He could picture the house at the center, screams coming from inside-He turned up his music, getting off the highway and taking a switchback road that wound up and down the small mountainside. It was a longer route, but he wanted to avoid passing by what was left of that house on Acker Lane. He didnât even know if the lot had been cleared or left as is. He didnât want to find out.True to Paradise Springs fashion, the new neighborhood appeared out of nowhere. One minute it felt like he was lost in the middle of a forest, and the next there was a gas station, then a small grocery store, followed by clearings where small subdivisions nested right off of the main road. Unlike all the older houses, these were all packed closely together, though admittedly to a New Yorker they would still be considered spread out.
This wasnât the newest part of town, but the last time Connor was here this was all nothing but a lone dirt road; one of the many shortcuts he used to take to get down to the river. He almost felt sad. He could remember all the landmarks he had used along the route. The large s-curve in the road, the metal grate where the road crossed a stream, the lone streetlight where some kind of small electrical station was.
All of it was gone, the road wide and freshly paved. The large clearings that had marked the halfway point to the river were now fully developed neighborhoods, with motels, lodges, and shops further down the road. He had never imagined the town would have blown up so much in his absence. He had always seen it as a relic, stuck at least twenty years in the past. It was part of the reason he had been so eager to leave. That, and the other reason.He followed his phoneâs GPS into one of the subdivisions. A large, lit stone sign marked it as âHedgegate Homesâ. All the streetlights were on. Among the thick trees, dusk came early.
His destination was a medium sized contemporary home, tucked among some tall pines. It stood out from the rest of the homes, but not in a bad way. It was a single story, spread out to make up the difference, with a flat roof and vertically slatted wood walls that almost made it blend in with the trees. Its shape conformed with the uneven ground. Contrasting its neighbors, this house was designed to be a part of the environment around it, part of the forest.A woman was waiting outside. Pale with raven black hair, she was in a loose hoodie and sweatpants, hugging herself against the chilly air, phone in one hand. She lit up as he pulled into the long driveway. Connor couldnât stop himself from smiling. His sister was on him as soon as he got out of the car, wrapping him in a tight hug.âHey! How was the drive?â she asked, squeezing him.âOh you know, long .â
Sienna pulled back.
âI bet.â She held up her phone. âIâve been tracking you from the airport.âHe forgot that he had started sharing his location when he left home at her request. One of Siennaâs favorite pastimes was spying on anyone she could convince to share. She liked to text them and ask about whatever restaurant they were at, or if they were okay after visiting the doctor. If Connorâs job hadnât required otherwise for security purposes, he would probably be on her daily rotation of texts, and he had to admit that he preferred not to be.âOf course you were,â he said. âI love the house by the way.ââOh thatâs right, you havenât seen it yet. Wow!ââOnly in pictures.ââWell, I have to give you the full tour!â She stopped, frowning, looking up at him. She measured her height against his with her hand. Her head barely reached his shoulders. âYou know, I could have sworn you were way shorter. This is such bullshit.âConnor chuckled. âWhat, did I shrink in your memory or something?ââI mean, I was sort of hoping it was all just childhood memories exaggerating how tall you were, you know?â She put her hands on her hips, shaking her head. âHow long since weâve actually seen each other in person?ââLetâs not go there,â he said, grinning. He rubbed his hands together to warm them.âYeah, letâs get inside, itâs freezing!â Sienna said, shivering.Connor didnât argue with that. He hadnât expected it to be this cold, not according to the forecast anyway. He grabbed his backpack and small suitcase and followed her in.
The inside was just as beautiful as the outside. She explained the entire design process in great detail, from the shape of the house down to every last piece of decor. Connor loved his sister, but he really just wanted to sleep. He was so tired he could barely focus on anything she was saying, but he was certainly impressed nonetheless.His sister had spearheaded the entire project while Jared was away on business trips. She had worked closely with the architect, and even directed the construction site, all to ensure the house turned out exactly how they wanted. At every turn he was painfully reminded of his own financial situation.
After the tour, Connor left his stuff in the sizable guest room, and they went to the kitchen for some drinks.âWell, what about you? Howâs work been? Any cool cases?â Sienna asked, punching him lightly in the arm.
Connor smiled, swallowing the lump in his throat. He had thought about the best way to tell her about the incident on the way here, but the words just wouldnât form.
âAre you alright?âConnor shrugged. âItâs just been stressful is all.âShe nodded sympathetically.âThatâs why Iâm taking this trip,â Connor added hastily, downing the rest of his drink. He deliberately left out the fact that the leave was involuntary.âHey, where is everybody anyway?â he asked, trying to change the subject.Sienna checked her watch.âJared took Jackson for some ice cream at Lennyâs. They should be back soon. And Lilyâs out camping with some friends until tomorrow.â
âHold on, Lily? Camping?âSienna laughed.
âI know! Her friends practically dragged her kicking and screaming.â She took a drink. âTheyâre good kids though.â
She nudged him. âHey, you should go to bed, you look exhausted.ââI donât want to miss saying hi to-ââDonât be ridiculous, you can say hi tomorrow. Lily will be back too.âConnor sighed, secretly relieved. He was not up to any more socializing tonight.âOkay.ââAre you sure youâre alright?âConnor smiled.âAlready feeling better,â he lied.
Alone in the guest room, Connor checked his email reluctantly. Sure enough, there was one announcing a memorial service. He closed the tab hastily.
He flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to get himself to relax so he could sleep. He already knew he wouldnât. He had thought coming here, getting away from it all, would help. Instead, he just felt worse. Here he was, running away instead of facing his problems, again .
Still, there was something else. He had dealt with the bad memories of this place a long time ago, so he thought. Then again, he had avoided the house on the way in. He played through the memories in his head reluctantly to see if it would trigger anything. No, that wasnât it at all. There was something else; the same unnatural, overpowering feeling he had every night in his dreams the last few months.Despair.
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A resounding CRACK! echoed through the air. Lily and the others jumped, and Kinsey screamed.âEh itâs just lightning,â said Jerome, waving his hand dismissively.âThat was really close!â Kinsey said with a laugh, her voice shaking. She held tightly to Finn's arm.Lily looked around at the surrounding trees. There hadn't been a lightning flash anywhere, but the ringing in her ears told another story. Weird. She just hoped it wouldnât start raining.âDid anyone see where it hit?â Jerome asked.âThatâs what I was wondering, I didnât see anything,â Meredith said.âThatâs because,â Finn said, adapting a spooky demeanor, âit was the magic of the witch! She comes to claim the souls-âHe was cut off by the groans of Lily and the others. Jerome threw a small stick at him. Finn laughed but didnât continue his impromptu retelling of âThe Haunting of Harrow Forestâ. They all sat in silence for a moment, an air of unease coming over them.Lily stared into the crackling fire. In her mind, she found herself involuntarily imagining the gaunt witch from Finnâs story suddenly appearing behind her. She shivered as the hair on her arms stood up. She knew it wouldnât happen of course, but she had to keep pushing down the intrusive thoughts over and over. It was just a stupid story.Meredith broke the silence, starting to sing in a low voice.She nudged Kinsey several times, who sighed and joined in awkwardly. Soon Meredith had the whole group belting âLove Shackâ. Finn provided the speaking parts in his deep and highly animated voice, and Kinsey began to drum on her log with her hands. Meredith and Jerome were clearly the only decent singers in the group.They all continued to sing various songs together, a chorus of loud and somewhat off tune voices. Lyrics were only loosely remembered. Finn, Jerome and Meredith started dancing like cavemen around the fire. Lily couldnât have pictured Meredith being so goofy until now, shy as she was. The three buffoons tried to get Lily and Kinsey to join them, but those two drew the line at horrible singing.Lilyâs apprehension about being outdoors overnight was beginning to fade. Laughing and singing boisterously with her friends around a campfire, the full moon casting its cool gentle light around them; this was exactly what she had been missing. The monotony and stress of school faded away completely in these moments. She wished the break would last forever.
Kinsey kept habitually checking her phone. The service out here was horrible; Lily only had one bar herself, barely enough to get a text. Apps were so slow to load, most of them timed out.During the second verse of âYellow Submarineâ Lily could have sworn she heard something behind her in the distance. She whirled around and squinted into the darkness, hair standing on end.âDid you hear that?â She asked. No one responded. She turned back and tugged on Kinseyâs sleeve.âWhat?ââDid you hear that?â Lily asked again.âHear what?â Kinsey looked around nervously.âIt sounded like a voice, in the woods.âKinsey gave her a look and hit her playfully on the arm. âDonât do that!â she said. The others noticed that they had stopped. Finn asked what was wrong, but before Lily could answer she heard it again.âShh!â she said, âListen!âEveryone fell silent. There it was! It was weak, but it sounded like someone crying out, and they were close. A spooked stupor fell over the group. Kinsey grabbed Finnâs hand nervously. Lily stood, peering into the darkness in the direction of the voice.âHello?â Meredith called.
Kinsey slapped her on the arm.
âWhat are you doing?â she hissed, âdonât let them know where we are!ââUh, Iâm pretty sure the singing did that,â said Jerome.A response came; desperate, pained. It sounded like another language, one Lily didnât recognize.âMaybe itâs Mr. Fenton?â Meredith whispered. The old man's secluded cabin was indeed not far in the general direction the voice was coming from, but Lily knew it wasnât him. The voice wasnât deep enough, and Mr. Fentonâs harsh voice was hard to forget.âNo, it's definitely not him,â Lily said, âbut it sounds like they need help.âThey paused for a moment, listening intently, then Finn stood up.âWelp, letâs check it out.ââWhat? Are you crazy?â said Lily. Kinsey shot Finn a look that said âsheâs rightâ.âI thought you just said it sounds like they need help!â said Finn.âI said it sounded like it!â Lily said, âIt could be, I donât know, a serial killer trying to lure us over or something!ââOr a monster,â said Jerome, hiding a grin.
He wasnât helping.Finn laughed. âJeez you guys scare easy, or I must be an amazing storyteller!â He said, picking up some sticks from the pile by the fire, testing their strength. âItâs probably just some kids playing a prank.âKinsey scowled at him. âYeah but we really shouldnât go wandering-âThe voice called out again, this time weaker than before.âSee? Itâs a person, definitely in trouble,â said Finn. He handed Lily one of the club-sized sticks he had collected, and another to Jerome, then picked up the axe leaning on his log. âOr if itâs just some kids, weâll scare them off.ââBut,â he said hastily to silence Kinsey, âweâll be careful, donât worry!âKinsey stood. âFine!â She snatched a stick from the pile. Finn looked surprised. Lily was too. âWhat? Iâm not staying here all by myself like an idiot! Meredith, come on.âMeredith hesitantly took a stick and joined them. Lily sighed. It was just some kids playing a prank, like Finn said. Yeah, thatâs it. They were all taking this way too seriously. Or was she just thinking that to make herself feel better?âOkay,â said Lily, âwhatever it is, letâs just stick together please.ââObviously,â said Jerome.âAlright, just come on,â said Finn, heading into the woods, switching on his phoneâs flashlight.
Lily took a breath, switched on her own light, and followed. She suppressed another image of the decrepit old witch, jumping out at them from behind a tree. A chill went down her spine. As much as the flashlights helped them see, they also seemed to create large shadows where anything could be hiding. This was exactly why she hated going outside at night.They tried to be quiet, but all the leaves on the ground made it impossible. Finn and Jerome bickered over what direction the voice had come from. Lily heard Kinsey cursing under her breath behind her.âEveryone just shut up for a minute!â Lily hissed.They stopped, listening again. Silence.
âI donât hear anything,â Meredith said softly.âOkay I think we scared them off,â Kinsey whispered, tugging on Finnâs sleeve. âLetâs go back.ââShh!ââShhhh!âMore silence. They began to relax a little. After another minute, Finn nodded.âAlright, letâs go.âLily was still on edge, she didnât blame Kinsey at all. She shivered, hugging herself. It was getting colder, their breath beginning to fog. Of course. Freezing to death in the woods was just another thing to add to her growing list of fears.As she turned to head back with the others, her light passed over a face on the ground. She nearly jumped out of her skin, hair standing on end. She whirled the light back on it, gasping. Kinsey screamed.It was a boy, lying on his side in the leaves, eyes closed. He was in a bad state. Blood caked his head, matting his curly hair and running down the side of his face. He wore some kind of strange leather armor, and something black was protruding from just below his chest, bleeding profusely. He was covered in grime head to toe.âOh my god!â Meredith said, covering her mouth.Lily approached cautiously, stopping right in front of him. She thought she could see him breathing, but it was hard to tell with the armor he was wearing.âIs heâŠdead?â Jerome asked.Kinsey wretched behind him.Lily shook herself and knelt next to the boy, joined by Finn. She gingerly reached for his neck with a shaky hand, feeling for a pulse. His skin was shockingly warm. He groaned, and she jumped back. His eyes fluttered, squinting up at them through thick lashes.âA-are you okay?â She stuttered.Stupid, stupid question. He looked up at her with a disoriented expression, eyes blinking slowly. He seemed pale despite his tanned skin. He said something, but she couldnât understand him. It was some other language, but she couldnât recognize what it was.âHuh?â Finn asked.âIâm really sorry, I donât know what youâre saying!â Lily said.There was so much blood. Now up close, she realized that much of the grime on him was spatters of dark red. She couldnât see any other obvious wounds that could have caused that, aside from the thing sticking out of him. It looked wicked, like some kind of serrated blade.
Should they pull it out? Bandage it? She felt useless. She didnât know anything about first aid! She looked up at the others.âWhat do we do?!â
âHere,â said Finn, tucking his axe under one arm, âletâs get him to the truck. Somebody call 911!âMeredith immediately began dialing on her phone.âAnd tell them thereâs a fucking serial killer in the woods,â Kinsey added, pointing her light around them hysterically.âWe donât know that,â Jerome said.Kinsey gave him an exasperated look, gesturing to the boy. âHow the fuck do you explain this then, huh?ââGuys! Stop!â Finn said.Lily helped him get the boy to his feet, arms around their shoulders. The poor thing whined at the effort.
âDonât worry, youâre going to be okay!â Lily told him. She knew he probably couldnât understand, but she tried her best to speak in a soothing tone. They hobbled forward, half dragging the boy. The others hovered, showing expressions of confusion and shock.âAnything?â Finn asked Meredith.She shook her head, âI canât get any stupid bars!ââWell keep trying.âThe injured boy mumbled at them.âI still canât tell what the fuck heâs saying,â Jerome said. âIs that Spanish?âFinn clicked his tongue, âThat is not Spanish, Iâll tell you that much hombre.ââWhere the hell did he come from anyway?â Kinsey asked.âMaybe he was camping too,â said Jerome, shrugging.âWhy would a kid be camping all the way out here?â Kinsey asked.âWe are, stupid,â said Jerome.
Kinsey gave him a nasty look.âOkay, but is anyone else thinking that whoever did this could still be out there? That old man is really creepy.â She continued to point her light around frantically, a death grip on her makeshift club.Jerome scoffed. âNah he's not that creepy. Besides, don't you think he's a little too old to be attacking anyone?âKinsey didn't answer.
Jerome stuck his face into the boy's. âDo you know Mr. Fenton?â he said. Finn batted him away.âDid you see who did this to you?â Kinsey asked.âI donât think he speaks English at all, guys,â Finn said.âGive him some space!â said Lily.âGuys, I seriously donât have any service!â Meredith said, holding up her phone. âNothing!âJerome checked his. âI donât either.ââOh god, mineâs dead too!â Kinsey said, on the verge of tears.âOkay, hurry! Weâll keep trying once we get to the truck.â Finn said.Lilyâs back and legs were already aching. She had never had to drag someone like this before, and this boy was a lot heavier than he looked. He was smaller than all of them, but his armor added extra weight. Regardless, she stepped up the pace. She was just as anxious as Kinsey to get out of this place and safely indoors.Thunder sounded above, and soon a light sprinkle of rain began to fall. The cold wasnât enough apparently. Lily cursed under her breath.Once they passed the fire, Jerome ran ahead and started his truck. Kinsey and Meredith helped them lift the boy as gently as possible to lay him in the back seat. Meredith and Finn hopped in the front, leaving Lily and Kinsey kneeling on the floor in the back. They were all cold and wet, and by now the rain was pelting the truck mercilessly.Lily was worried they would get stuck in the mud, but they were able to make it back to the main road without any issue. She was glad they had taken Jeromeâs truck.
Jerome completely abandoned his usual pretense for speed limits, and they reached the highway in no time. Lily held the boyâs warm hand, comforting him. It seemed the right thing to do. He mumbled at them in his unknown language, his breathing choppy. Some of it sounded Russian, but she couldnât tell for sure. For all she knew, he was speaking Greek.She gently moved his wet hair out of his face. With some of the grime washed away by the rain, she got a better look at him. He was probably around twelve or thirteen, a few years younger than any of them, and surprisingly handsome. His long lashes fluttered as he drifted in and out of consciousness. A face like that was so easy to stare at. She kicked herself mentally. Of all the times to be-âLily, try your phone!â Kinsey said, panicked.Lily started, and obliged her. Kinsey kept tapping frantically at hers. Lily tossed hers angrily on the floor. No signal, just like the others.
âWhat the hell?âService was always bad this far out, but they should have at least been able to call emergency services.They passed a bus stop, and Lily did a double take.âJerome! Turn around!ââWhat?ââLandline! Thereâs a phone booth back there, at the bus stop!ââNo!â Finn interjected, âKeep going!âLily stared at him.
âBut we could call an ambulance!ââWeâll get to the hospital faster anyway!âShe deflated. He was probably right. By the time an ambulance was sent all the way out here they would already be close. She hated making urgent decisions. She always felt like she was making the wrong choice no matter what.Kinsey screamed.âWhat the fuck is that?!âLily looked where she was pointing, out the back window, a chill creeping through her body.A dark shadowy figure was following them on the road, getting closer with every bound, shockingly fast. It looked vaguely like a wolf or a big cat, but something was very off about it. That, and it was huge, roughly the size of a small car. Was it some kind of bear? It was hard to tell, the rain made it hard to see.âWhat?!â Jerome said, looking desperately between the mirrors, trying to catch a glimpse.Lilyâs mouth was dry, her body frozen.
âHoly shit!â Finn exclaimed, âGun it man!ââWhat-ââFucking GO!âJerome didnât argue. He floored it.
The thing giving chase increased speed.
Lilyâs heart pounded in her ears. She glanced around to the gage and back. They were now going nearly 70 miles an hour, and it still gained on them.As they passed a lone streetlight, she caught a glimpse of its face. It was bone white, complete with hollow eyes, as if its deer-like skull was bare, or as if it was wearing a skull. It had long, dark horns like a goat sticking out the top of its head. The rest of its features were too dark to make out.Kinsey was crying. âWhat the fuck is that?!âNo one had an answer.âGo faster!â Lily cried desperately.âGo go go go go!â Finn and Meredith echoed.
âFuck!â Jerome yelled.They rounded a particularly tight curve, tires squealing. The injured boy groaned as they were all thrown to the left. Lily steadied him as best she could.The creature lashed out with a massive clawed hand, raking the tail of the truck and jostling it. They all screamed.
âCome on !â Jerome cried.Coming out of the turn, he mashed the pedal. They reached 60. 70. 80. 90.
Finally, as they neared 100, the thing slowed, dropping back and eventually coming to a stop. Its eyes gleamed, reflective like a catâs, and it stood , raising onto its hind legs. It glared after them, silhouetted by faint moonlight in the rain. It disappeared behind trees as they rounded the next curve.Lily let out a breath, settling back down on the floor, disassociating. Kinsey was sobbing. Any other time Lily would have thought she was just being dramatic. She tried to comfort her, but how could she? She was just as shaken. What in the actual hell was that thing?
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He's going to toss him into the water...or into a bed? Hmm...
When he gives you the look
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As a historian, I can say with absolute certainty that Connor and Kal are really good friends, as evidenced by their very platonic hand holding:Trust me bro, I'm a historian!
As an aside, I love their contrast and wanted to show it in their hands. Their size difference, skin tones, and texture. I intentionally used a softer brush on Kal's hands to show his silky skin against the hard brush I used for Connor's.
----------------------------------------------------------And lastly, gotta give Kal some head pets because he's been a good boy!
Well, you know, maybe he's a little naughty...
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Connor heard Jared and Sienna up rather early, speaking in hushed voices. Typical. Jackson was whining about something as the three of them left in a hurry. Car doors slammed, and the sound of the engine faded as the garage door shut, leaving the house silent again. He checked the clock. 4am? Where the hell were they all going so early? Oh well, he didnât care. He was too tired.At around 6, he was just beginning to drift off when the garage opened again, snapping him out of it. He glared at nothing in particular, sighing. Jackson was crying as they entered the house. Connor didnât blame him. It was far too early for anyone to be up. They were all crazy.
He strained his ears to hear what they were talking about, confused at the sudden departure and return. Curiosity got the better of him, and he pulled on some sweatpants and shuffled down the hall to the living room, grumbling. A slightly disheveled Jared rounded the corner, Jackson clinging to him.âOh,â he said, surprised, âhey Connor, didnât think youâd be up.ââHey, uh, good to see you.ââYeah you too. Sorry, Iâm just going to put this lilâ guy back to bed, you should talk to Sienna.ââOh, right.ââIâll catch up with you later!âConnor moved aside, giving him an awkward smile as he passed. A red-eyed Jackson met his eyes, paused for a moment, then returned to his wailing. Jeez, that was Jackson? He was so big.
He found Sienna in the living room sitting on the couch. And was that Lily she was hugging? The teen girl was already the same size as Sienna. She looked as rough as he felt, if not more. Her brown wavy hair was matted, and her face and clothes were quite dirty.
Sienna looked up, noticing him.
âOh sorry, did we wake you?ââNo, I was already up,â he said, yawning, âcouldnât sleep. Whatâs going on?ââWell,â Sienna looked to Lily, âdo you want to tell him or should I?âLily nodded shyly. Sienna continued to rub her back.
âThey found an injured kid in the woods,â she said, âhad to take him to the hospital.ââReally?â Connor settled into a chair across from the couch.âYeah, this girl saved his life,â said Sienna proudly.
Lily smiled weakly, staring at the floor. âIt wasnât just me.âSienna kissed her on the head. âThe nurse said if it had been any longer he wouldnât have made it. He was in pretty bad shape, impaled by something apparently.âConnor perked up.âOh? Impaled by what?âSienna looked at Lily, who just shook her head.
âNobody knows,â Sienna said. âDanâs still over there trying to figure everything out.ââHeâs still Sheriff huh?ââHe is. But heâs starting to get up there in years, poor guy.ââWe got chased by something too,â Lily interrupted, an edge in her voice.Concern flashed on Siennaâs face.
âChased?â Connor asked.âBy a bear,â Sienna explained. âIt put a nice dent in Jeromeâs truck didnât it?âLily frowned. âYeah, it was really big.âConnor sensed a slight tension between the two, something only someone with his experience would notice. It was the way Lily shifted, her subtle change of expression. He leaned back in his chair, taking a breath.âYou should go get some sleep, sounds like you had a rough night.ââHeâs right,â said Sienna, kissing Lilyâs head again, âAnd donât worry about chores, I want you resting and avoiding stress. Get washed up and go to bed, okay?âLily nodded glumly.
âGood.â
Sienna let her stand. Lily seemed reluctant to leave her motherâs arms, but she obeyed. As Lily went off toward the hall, Connor joined her.âI need some more shut eye too, I was up all night, sorry,â he explained. âIâll catch up more with you guys later.ââYou do look like shit,â said Sienna, heading off to the kitchen.âThanks.âIn the hall, Lily turned to him, eyes wild. He stopped.âWhatâs wrong?â He asked, lowering his voice.She had a hard time looking at him. It was like she was in another place, playing something out in her mind. Connor knew there was more to this than she or Sienna had said.âCan you?â Lily asked, gesturing for him to follow.He obliged, letting her lead him to her room. It was a fairy clean for a teenagerâs room, decorated with light pastel colors. The most prominent features were the two massive full bookshelves and all the sci-fi book and movie posters covering the walls. Lily closed the door behind her. She paced.
It was still hard to believe this girl, this young woman was his niece. He had seen pictures and been on video calls, but seeing her in person made him realize just how much time he had missed.Connor sat in what looked to be her reading chair, waiting patiently. He knew not to push her too hard into talking. Clearly she had experienced some kind of trauma.She finally stopped, and scurried over to sit on the edge of her bed.
âIt wasnât a bear,â she said softly.âWhat?ââThe thing that chased us, it was not a bear,â her voice began to rise, âor a wolf or whatever every fuâŠfreaking adult keeps saying!ââThen what was it?ââI donât know!â She said, tears forming in her eyes.Connor leaned forward.
âWhatever it was, let me guess,
no one believes you.âLily looked up at him, hopeful.âTell me then,â he said.Lily recounted the events of the night. Connor listened intently, heart rate increasing. He let her talk uninterrupted, fumbling her way through, trying to picture everything that had happened in the right order. Near the end she started crying.âI know, Iâm such a baby, like, no one got hurt or anything. Well, except for that boyâŠI donât donât know why Iâm so-ââYouâre not a baby,â Connor said, âWhatever that thing was, it was clearly dangerous. Besides, you saved a boyâs life, remember that. Iâd say you did well.âShe nodded, wiping her eyes.âSo you believe me?ââOf course.â Connor hesitated, then continued, âYouâre not the only one whoâs seen things they canât explain. Iâve had my share, trust me.âLily let out a breath, relieved.âIf that thing is still out there, we need to find it,â said Connor. âYou guys barely escaped, but someone else might not be so lucky.â
âSo, will you help? With the F.B.I. and all?âConnor smiled, already feeling the rush of getting back to work.âAbsolutely.â--------The gentle, rhythmic chirping of kyoka bugs flowed through the bushes like waves, almost like they were passing along messages. Kaladus breathed deeply, letting the sound fill his mind, pushing out all other thoughts. His heart should be slowing, but it wasnât. Perhaps it was the company.He peeked with one eye over at Ardan, who was sitting beside him, also cross legged. The young man somehow sensed he was looking, returning his one-eyed glance with one of his own. Kaladus quickly turned his head back, squeezing his eyes shut. He thought he could feel Ardanâs hands creeping closer, and he giggled in anticipation, not daring to open his eyes.An excruciating moment passed where nothing happened, then Ardan yelled, grabbing his waist with rough hands, tickling him. Kaladus yelped and wailed with laughter, falling to the side. He squirmed and kicked against the onslaught, but Ardanâs much larger body pinned him to the ground.
âStoâŠsto,â he begged breathlessly, snorting, âstop!âArdan let up at last, poking his nose with a finger before sitting up. He ran a hand through his neck length black hair, moving it out of his face. Kaladus let the rest of his laughter fade.âStovo moi, you can not focus for one second can you?â Ardan said, grinning.Kaladus cocked his head, sitting back up.âStovo moi? Never heard that before.ââAh,â Ardan said, chuckling. âItâs Yvendyk,ââWhat does it mean?ââIt means essentially âmy headâ, as an exclamation.âKaladus hugged his legs against his chest.âWhy do you say that exactly?âArdan shrugged.
âWe just say it, I donât know.ââYou should teach me.ââTeach you what?ââYvendyk.ââReally? You? Learn another language? You sure you wonât die from boredom?âKaladus shook his head vigorously.
âHmm, well I suppose I could-â Ardan looked over suddenly, âWait, I have a better idea!âHe turned to face Kaladus, motioning for him to do the same. Kaladus obeyed, until their knees were touching. Ardan held his hands in front of him, taking a breath.
âIf you bind to me through language, you wonât even have to learn, youâll understand instantly!âKaladusâ face fell.âBut thatâs way too complicated for me. I can hardly do spatial binding.ââNonsense! Itâs easy, Bondmasters do it all the time.âArdan closed his eyes, hands still outstretched. Kaladus felt like pointing out that he was not a Bandmaster, but he remained silent. He huffed, and closed his own eyes. He slipped his smaller hands into Ardanâs, feeling calloused skin scrape against his. Ardan inhaled lightly at the touch.âRight, now open your second mind. Start by-ââI know how!â Kaladus whined.âI know you know, Iâm justâŠDo you want to learn or not?âKaladus sighed, and focused. He sought out that place in his mind, the place that felt like seeing something in the corner of oneâs eye. He let his thoughts drift toward it, let his world slip away. He opened his eyes.Everything was bathed in colors. Not colors he could see exactly, but colors he could feel. It was faint; as usual he couldnât seem to get all the way there.
He furrowed his brow angrily. He knew instinctively how his second mind should feel, but he simply wasnât strong enough, like trying to use a weak muscle that refused to even flex.âFocus on our bond, and find my language Center,â Ardan coaxed softly, slowly opening his eyes.Kaladus glared intently, trying to sort through the vast cacophony of endless colors that made up Ardan. He nearly went cross eyed. Ardan was clearly trying to hold back a smile at the sight.âI canât find it.â Kaladus growled through clenched teeth.
âDonât force it so much. Your second mind knows which direction to steer, all you have to do is push it forward, tell it what you want.âKaladus bit back another âI knowâ. If only it was so easy. Everything the second mind could feel was nothing but abstract concepts. Words had no meaning here, only intent, raw thought and feelings. How was he supposed to identify the concept of âlanguageâ amongst millions of other things?âI can feel your second mind reaching, youâre doing good. Now keep at it.â Language, understanding, Kaladus thought desperately, willing the dizzying array of colors to make sense. The world began to vibrate, and his head felt like it was going to explode. He was being pulled out of his own body! He fought it, holding on for dear life, fingers digging into Ardanâs hands.âKal,â Ardan called.The voice was distant, like he was underwater. He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut against the headache. He could feel his body convulsing, but he was no longer in it. Or was he?âKaladus! Focus on my voice!âPanic.âKal!â
Hands grabbed his shoulders, shaking him. He gasped, the world around him spinning back into place. Ardanâs face came into focus, eyes wide with concern.âHey, Kal! Are you alright?â
Kaladus looked up at him, then down, ashamed. Not again. How could he ever hope to bond anything? He was weak. He couldnât even focus on one Center.âIâm fine,â he said, pushing the manâs hands away.
Ardan let out a deep breath.
âYou scared me for a minute. I thought you were going into mind lock!âKaladus shrugged, scratching a finger against the wood floor aimlessly.
âNo,â he lied, âI was justâŠtrying really hard is all.â He forced a grin. âThen you ruined it. I was so close!âHe held up his fingers to emphasize. Ardan smiled.
Kaladus stood and hopped up onto the thick metal battlement, straddling it. He swung his other leg over so his feet dangled in the air. He felt so exposed up here, but the security of the wall tempered his worry. A thrill coursed through him, the feeling of standing on the edge between safety and danger.
Ardan joined him, cursing. Kaladus laughed. The man hated heights. He wrapped his arm around Ardanâs, steadying him.They sat in silence, surveying the vast expanse of rock and colorful desert plants and bushes before them. The wall was nearly 400 armlets tall, offering a stunning faraway view across the landscape. The setting sun bathed the red mountains in orange light, setting them ablaze. Kyoka bugs continued their song, the waves of purple and blue pinpricks of light coursing through the bushes in time with their sounds. In the shadow of the wall, it almost made the bushes below look like an ocean crashing against a cliff.Kaladus pointed at the pass in the distance that cut through the mountain.âDo you think it will be safe?âArdan groaned. Kaladus turned to him. The man was bloodied, mangled, eyes dulling. There were more. Bodies scattered everywhere, some burning, other moaning in pain as they were feasted on by-
He started awake.
He saw instantly that he was in an unfamiliar place; a small dimly lit room, laying in a strange bed. His clothes and armor were gone, replaced by a thin, patterned tunic. He quickly surveyed the room, alert. The chirping was closer, steadier, not kyoka at all. It was coming from a contraption next to the bed. There were several more contraptions on the wall behind him, lights flickering across them in a variety of odd ways.
He sat up, then immediately regretted it. Pain coursed through his body, and he fell back on the bed, wincing. He carefully drew back the thin blanket covering him, and peered under the tunic. He was naked underneath, the long garment covering him all the way to the knees. The spine was gone, and the wound had been bandaged. How had they taken it out? And why couldnât he remember any of it?As he placed the blanket back down, he noticed a clear tube attached to the back of his hand. He picked at it. It was held in place by a small bandage with some kind of sticky sap. He started to pull, then realized it was piercing his skin and stopped. He followed the tube up to a clear bag full of liquid hanging beside the bed. Medicine? What was it for? Pain, or something else?Voices came from outside the door, and he closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep. His heart pounded as the door opened, and soft footsteps approached the bed. He started as a hand grabbed his wrist gently. Opening his eyes just barely, he found a tall, pale woman with light hair checking the contraptions.
She said something in a soothing voice, but he couldnât understand her. She seemed to know he was awake. He opened his eyes slowly, and she smiled at him, speaking again. He stared at her blankly. What language was that? It was like nothing heâd ever heard before.He tried to recall the various regions where different people came from. The pale skinned people were usually from the south, but there were many different kinds, just like with anyone else. He didnât know any languages from that part of the world, not even in name.
The woman reached for his face, and he cringed back. She spoke softly, trying to appear unthreatening. A common trick. Still, he supposed she had helped him, so he could trust her that much, for now. He submitted warily to her examination, letting his face show that he wasnât happy about it.She held his eyes open, shining a shockingly bright light in them. He blinked aggressively. Next, she wrapped something around his bicep and began squeezing some kind of pump. The thing constricted around his arm, and he yelped, clawing at it. The womanâs eyes went wide and she desperately tried to calm him.
He wasnât having it. He ripped the thing off, tossing it aside. He scootched away from her, glaring. Whatever that thing was, surely it was not a medical instrument. He had never seen such a thing. In fact, he hadnât seen or heard of anything like the contraptions in here. What were they doing to him? The rumors of the Red Sun and their horrible arcane experiments came to his mind, draining the blood from his face.He didnât know if it was them or someone else. He only knew that he had to get out of here, fast.The woman called out, and the door opened again a moment later. A tall, pale man entered, wearing an identical outfit to the woman. A uniform? Kaladusâ eyes darted around the room, searching for escape routes. There was only the one door. There was a curtain to the right, but he couldnât see what was on the other side.
He probed at the tube stuck to him. As the man approached, Kaladus subtly pulled it out, realizing it was attached to a wickedly long needle. The man spoke with the woman briefly, then they both reached for him, smiling and speaking in soothing tones.
When the man placed a hand on his shoulder, Kaladus punched him in the face as hard as he could. He was aware of his small stature, so he knew the punch would only disorient. It was all he needed.The man recoiled in shock, and the woman gasped. Kaladus leapt from the bed, shoving her aside and springing for the door. He only took a single bound before pain surged through him, and he fell to the ground, wheezing. He crawled desperately for the doorway, holding his ribs. The man yelled something from behind him.
A shadow blocked the door. No, two shadows. Kaladus looked up. It was two men, one younger, one older and overweight. They wore heavy boots and matching uniforms, different from the other two.
The older man knelt, grabbing his wrist tightly, a clearly fake sympathetic expression on his face. Kaladus tried to punch him, but he was too weak. The man easily snatched his small fist from the air, and held him down. Someone else held his legs. He panicked, thrashing and yelling at them to let him go. He would not be a captive again!His cheek pressed against the cold, hard floor as he was trapped on his stomach. He felt warm liquid pooling against his stomach and chest. His wound was bleeding, throbbing horribly. Tears came to his eyes. He couldnât fight this, not his current condition.
Something sharp stuck him in the rear. He gasped. His mind slowed. No! âArdan!â he called desperately.But Ardan was gone. They were all gone. Who would help him now?--------Connor followed the nurse into the recovery ward. He spotted the deputy chatting with another nurse, leaning on the counter. Was that who he thought it was? He thanked his guide and approached the man.âDevin Mitchell?âThe man looked up, eyes going wide.
âConnor? Holy shit!ââYeah, itâs really me. Whatâs up?âDevin smiled, clasping his hand and hugging him.âWhatâs up man! Wow, long time no see! Did you get taller?âConnor pointed to his old friendâs receding hairline.âYou got balder.ââHey, donât rub it in.â Devin smoothed his hair. âWhat the hell are you doing here?ââI was actually going to see if I could help with your case.âDevin frowned. âMy case?ââThe kid they found in the woods.ââOh, right. I suppose you are a Fed now, huh?â Devin rubbed the back on his neck. âI guess I can let you in on it, since itâs a missing kid and all.ââHeâs not anyoneâs from around town?ââNo, weâve checked. Dan thinks he might be a tourist. He doesnât speak English.ââIs he awake?âDevin scoffed. âYep, heâs awake all right. Lively too. He attacked two nurses and tried to hit Dan earlier and they had to sedate him. Thatâs why Iâm here, to keep an eye on things just in case.ââWhat else do you know?âDevin leaned back over the counter. âHey Martha, can I take a look at the kidâs belongings again? And the thing you took out?âMartha looked up from some paperwork. âOh sure,â she thumbed over her shoulder, âyou can just go on back there.ââThanks,â said Devin, motioning for Connor to follow. âYouâve gotta see this, Iâve never seen anything like it.âConnor followed him behind the counter, into a secure storage room where patientâs items were organized and stored. Different sizes of bins filled with labeled bags sat atop rows of wire shelves. Devin grabbed a large bin from the back corner of the room, bringing it to an empty table near the front. He set it down with a thud, grunting.
âThis was what he was wearing.âHe opened the bin, pulling out a large bag with what looked like some kind of metal breast plate. He laid the rest of the bags out on the table, completing a small set of armor and clothing. It looked vaguely like what one would picture ancient Romans would wear, with the addition of padded pants, gambeson, and an undershirt. The metal however looked much more modern, like a dark gun metal. It was caked in red dirt and splatters of blood.The most concerning part was the large puncture hole in the breast plate. Devin pulled out the last item, a wicked black spike, complete with a serrated edge that looked like it was designed to tear up flesh if someone tried to pull it out. He held the spike over the hole in the breast plate.âThis is what the poor kid was stuck with.ââHoly shit,â Connor said, taking the spike from him.It was about the length of his forearm, and quite thick. He inspected it through the clear bag, running his hand down the edge. Up close it almost looked organic, like it was made from a bone and painted black.Devin shook his head. âYeah, that was my reaction.âConnor set the spike down, and began inspecting the rest of the armor pieces. The metal was fairly light, but incredibly solid. There was no ornamentation, only pure function and form to it. The metal was dented and scratched all over, with three particularly large gashes that looked like claw marks on the backplate. Devin commented on and pointed out each detail. There was one thing he missed.âWhat about this dirt?â Connor asked, âI donât know of anywhere around here with dirt that color, do you?ââHuh, I didnât notice that. No, I canât think of anywhere in the whole state to be honest.âConnor shrugged. âI guess there could be some somewhere, who knows?ââI was going to have all this sent to your neck of the woods to be analyzed, seeing as our lab isnât exactly state of the art,â said Devin, âbut I guess we donât have to now that youâre here.âConnor scoffed. âYou should send it anyway. I didnât bring a state of the art lab with me on my vacation, sorry.âDevin chuckled.âWhere did they find the kid again?â Connor asked.âYou know that clearing where Ben and his gang used to do bonfires, out close to Old Man Fentonâs?ââOh, right.ââWe sent some guys out there to go have a look around, and there are some rangers with them too.âConnorâs heart dropped.âHow many?â He asked.â6 cops and 2 rangers.âConnor nodded. âTell them to keep their head on a swivel, and stay heavily armed.ââTheyâll be fine, they know what theyâre doing.ââIâm serious, the thing that chased the kids could still be lurking around.ââOh the bear?âConnor paused. âRight.âDevin laughed. âTrust me, those guys can handle a cracked up bear, donât worry!â