An isekai but I’m trying my best to make the MC a reasonable person, not a goody two shoes or a bastard.

Enter the world of Kellin Kane as he journeys through many worlds and dimensions he and his unique group of friends travel through! Set in the bustling streets of Midtown Manhattan, Kellin writes about his experiences and discovers many secrets about his family and friends and the role he plays in this rollercoaster of a story.

Just as the appraiser predicted, his items were scheduled in the first half of the session.
The auction did not sell all the necklaces at once. Instead, they divided them and presented one each time several other lots were sold.
Angor's products were low-class storage holders. He originally estimated that each item would earn him twenty to thirty thousand crystals, but the actual bidding price went a little higher because there was competition. This was also the reason why he took the items to the auction instead of selling them to other shops.
After paying auction commission and part of the income to Sunders, Angor believed that each necklace would bring him about ten thousand crystals. Selling four meant 40,000 in total. This was a big fortune even to some of the most powerful wizards.
Despite that, when compared to the prices of other lots, forty thousand crystals was like a drop in the ocean—completely negligible.
Angor was hoping that he could use the money to buy some materials that he might use in the future, but in the end, he simply gave up because the final bid of every single item would reach at least ten thousand.
He might be able to afford one or two lots, but he was not going to stock something he couldn't use any time soon.
Sunders, on the other hand, won several spell mediums that were commonly used by wizards to cast spells easier. At the same time, such items could assist wizards to create new forms of spells. As a truth-finder wizard, most of Sunders' spells were unique. Still, the gentleman would like to constantly discover new ones.
The auction entered a brief resting session after the 100th item was sold. There would be ten minutes for them to rest. In addition to letting their customers catch some respite, the auction also meant to tell them that those who couldn't participate in the competition for the better items should leave as soon as possible.
During the "2nd session", Angor noticed that the starting bids of the items were still acceptable.
There were more interesting entities being shown here, such as otherworldly slaves.
"This creature can only speak lies…"
"This is a Finkenel. While 95% of its body resembles us humans, its internal layout is completely different…"
"Someone sent us two slaves. A Multi-Eyed Demon and a Grave Ghoul…"
Most of the slaves were extremely expensive because bringing them here required a huge amount of effort, such as transporting them across thousands of different planes. Listening to Melantha's explanation also helped Angor earn some basic insight into the countless foreign planes out there.
There was a 3rd session of the auction. Angor knew that he could do nothing more than observing it since the bids would start at seven digits minimum. These lots were only intended for high-level wizards.
Soon, Angor's Bloodrose Vein was brought up.
The bid for the simple yet generally useful material easily reached 230,000 crystals, which was 30,000 higher than the appraiser's estimated value.
Angor had to give 150,000 to Sunders as well as a percentage as the commission fee, leaving him a net profit of about 60,000 crystals.
The successful sale made him understand why so many wizards, including Sunders, considered Nightmare Realm a treasure vault. Each wizard-level monster was like a walking pile of money, and the Nightmare Realm was full of them! Too bad Angor couldn't defeat them yet.
As the auction approached its end, even though he was not the one buying, Angor still felt his heart racing in excitement when the following bids reached ten million or more.
When it was time for the last two items, Melantha took out a scroll from a safe storage and showed it to the participants.
Angor looked and did not find any energy signatures on the item, which meant it was an ordinary scroll used for recording information instead of a magic scroll.
There was only a simple line of words written in an ornamental style used in ancient times, which was exposed on the outside. There was no other decoration or binding on it.
"It's written by wizards from the old days?" Angor muttered. The texture of the scroll suggested that it existed before paper was invented.
But he denied that idea when he noticed that he could actually read the line of words.
"'Travel in Dreamland'?" he read the name aloud. "Is it like the traveling diary written by Feinwerder?"
Sunders, who had been staying quiet most of the time, gave Angor a quick answer, "Yes, that should be it."
It took Angor some time to comprehend those words, which were irrelevant to his question. "Is that the scroll that contained Nightmare Realm-related information that you mentioned before?"
Sunders nodded. "I heard that the scroll is called 'Travel In Dreamland'."
"Did ancient wizards call Nightmare Realm the 'Dreamland'?" Angor wondered.
He went through his memory, but he did not find anything that was related to such a name.
He thought his professor might be cultured enough to provide an answer, but Sunders only shook his head upon hearing Angor's next question.
"I've heard about the Fantasy Realm and Fantasy Plane. But no, I know nothing about this 'Dreamland' place."
Melantha was now speaking to everyone using her magic-enhanced voice, "Travel in Dreamland is a travel journal left by a wizard from primeval times."
The other wizards looked at each other in doubt. What was so special about someone's journal? Even the journal of an ancient wizard did not hold much value because "modern" wizards would usually do better and faster jobs traveling to other planes and realms. They did not understand why the auction decided to place the scroll so late in the queue.
Unless… the item contained some special information or that the item developed its own intellect and became alive, like how Elder of Books of Brute Cavern was born from a book.
Some of the wizards who heard about the scroll beforehand, including Sunders, remained patient and waited for Melantha's further explanation.
"Before you believe this to be another ordinary travel diary, I should tell you that according to our most trusted appraisers, the 'travel' written in the title referred to the Nightmare Realm…"
Someone immediately protested. The name of Nightmare Realm was made known to wizards several centuries ago, and only a few people managed to get there and return. How did the auction ascertain their conclusion?
The "most trusted appraisers" might not be as credible as they claimed to be.
Without minding the opposing ideas, Melantha continued, "The consignor told us that the scroll holds some secrets related to some of the core areas of Nightmare Realm, which includes but not limited to, the locations of wonderful treasures. Now, we shall begin bidding at 600,000 magic crystals. If anyone is interested, you know what to do."
This was the highest starting price seen today.
Melantha waited for a while, only to see several impolite apprentices booing at her. Then she glanced at the third level where the VIP rooms were located. Truth was, the scroll was intended for VIP guests since only a selected few among them knew how to explore elements related to the Nightmare Realm.
Yet Melantha was getting a bit uneasy when she saw no response from the VIPs either.
"Nobody heard about this 'Dreamland' before, Melantha, and the auction only gave us empty words. How do you prove to us that the scroll is really connected to Nightmare Realm?" Someone who sounded pretty old spoke from Room 011, which was right next to Sunders' room.
"That's Old Qetesh from Sleepless City. So he came as well… Just right. He once found a fortune from Nightmare Realm too."
"You mean—" Angor widened his eyes.
"Yes. He once entered Nightmare Realm and somehow escaped alive while bringing some extra items with him."
Any wizard who went into the Nightmare Realm would tell others that the place was deadly and horrific. Yet every time that there was a rumor or clue about Nightmare Realm, these wizards would go after it faster than anyone else for they knew better than anyone else that great fortune accompanied great danger.
Melantha was a little astonished to hear Qetesh's comment, but she recovered soon enough and put on her professional smile as she said, "As per our agreement with the current owner of the scroll, we cannot read the content. I apologize, Mister Qetesh, for we cannot prove that 'Dreamland' is Nightmare Realm."
"'Our most trusted appraisers', or so you said. So what exactly did they do?" Qetesh's words sounded like sarcasm this time.
"I can assure you that what I have said is the truth." Melantha frowned as she thought about the individual who refused to entrust the other item to Sky Auction. "Mister Qetesh, do you think we, Sky Auction, will ruin our hard-earned fame by presenting a fake scroll to so many customers? Please trust me. I have a reason when I said our conclusion is dependable."
When seeing Melantha using the name of Sky Auction as "insurance", Qetesh decided not to argue with her.
However, not everyone trusted Sky Auction's dignity.
"This is my first time coming here, and I don't give a damn about your credit. You better do something to convince me that I won't be buying a piece of junk, or don't waste my time."
Angor listened to the female voice that he couldn't recognize and looked at Sunders again, hoping for a hint.
"She… why did she come here?" Sunders frowned.
"Who is that, professor?"
Sunders hesitated for a bit and decided to tell his student. "That's Sennefer, a very powerful Bloodline wizard, and one of the high commanders of Moonfrost Union who are in charge of their expedition teams. She stays at the other planes most of the time."
"Sennefer? The 'Witch of Wasteland'?"
Sunders nodded to confirm.
"I see. Sennefer…" Angor repeated the witch's name, about which he heard a lot from Nausica.


A young traveler who receives enlightenment from another civilization is on a mission to save his beloved mentor. In his journey to seek the ultimate truth, he travels extensively and along the way, he experiences some unpredictable encounters. Will he be able to save his mentor or will his path be derailed?

After leaving the room, while Lucien was walking downstairs, he dispelled the spirit mark he left on Doro, as he didn’t want Smile to somehow find out his own unique way of tracking.
 
Carefully, Lucien approached the back door. Again, with some easy spells, Lucien managed to leave Copper Coronet quietly and no one ever noticed him. Just in case, Lucien took a very roundabout way first, instead of going back to his place directly, 
 
Lying in his bed, Lucien felt kind of encouraged since now he was certain that he was not alone. He was comforted by the fact that there were still other apprentices working hard while carefully hiding from the church. He wondered how many apprentices, sorcerers, and sorceresses were there in Aalto in total.
 
…………
 
In the following few days, Lucien’s life was pretty plain but peaceful. Lucien got up early in the morning to do some work out and then went to work. Sometimes he read music books, and sometimes religion and travel book, sometimes he read in his own spirit library and analyzed the magic structures.
 
Although Pierre could be kind of weird sometimes, when he was reading his music books, Lucien almost couldn’t feel his existence. And luckily, Wolf had been out of town for a while, and no one else in the association would ever give them a hard time.
 
Life was almost perfect these days. The only pity was that Lucien didn’t have a chance to see Ms. Silvia, the famous violinist who was still single. According to Pierre, she was a goddess-like lady and was very talented. Since Pierre kept mentioning her for countless times, Lucien also started feeling curious. However, Mr. Silvia didn’t come to the association very often.
 
While learning music, Lucien was still learning how to read, but the time spent on the latter was much shorter now, since he was learning really fast. Like the rest of the music students, after finishing the class, Lucien would stay at Mr. Victor’s place and start another two-hour piano practicing. Lucien’s quality of being persistent helped him a lot. He never stopped practicing until he had really sore fingers and arms and sweated a lot.
 
The evening was reserved to the study of magic. Nothing could pull Lucien out of the magic world in this period of time.
 
On Friday evening, what Lucien was on his way to auntie Alisa’s place, he noticed there were some doodle-like patterns at the very corner of a wall. Lucien quickly understood what they meant.
 
“Ten o’clock. Saturday night. The abandoned house in the easternmost area in Aderon. Owl.”
 
Lucien’s expression did not change at all. He kept calmly walking toward Alisa’s place as if he had seen nothing unusual.
 
…………
Lucien arrived at the place ten minutes earlier in his black robe, with Ice Revenger on his left hand. Before Lucien left his place, he also checked all the magic reagents in the pockets of the robe.
 
There was neither moon nor stars that night. Thick clouds covered all the light in the sky. 
 
As soon as Lucien arrived, he heard an owl hoot in the darkness. It was Doro standing on the tall willow, serving as a sentinel. Under the tree stood Smile in a black robe. In order to let Lucien recognize him, Smile didn’t wear his hood.
 
“Welcome, Mr. Professor.” Smiled walked toward Lucien and put on the hood, “I told the other members about you, and they were looking forward to your presence. Several apprentices also wanted to ask you for help with some magic problems. Of course, they will pay.”
 
Knowing that Smile was trying to test him, Lucien, however, didn’t feel nervous. He was pretty sure that he was more advanced than most of his peer apprentices, although he couldn’t guarantee that he was able to solve all the problems, “I major in Astrology and Element magic. So if these are questions related to those, I shall be able to help them a bit.”
 
Smile nodded, “Then please follow me, Mr. Professor.”
 
Smile stopped in front of the old wood door of the abandoned place. After knocking on the door in a unique rhythm, Smile mimicked an owl hoot.  
 
A few seconds later, a man wearing the same black robe opened the door slowly. When the man saw Lucien, he slightly nodded towards Lucien, “This must be Mr. Professor, then.”
 
Lucien could tell it was not the man’s real voice as well.
 
“Yes, this is Mr. Professor,” Smile’s voice was also lower than the other night, “and Professor, this is Fire Wolf.”
 
“Nice to meet you.” Lucien lowered his head slightly and greeted him. His left hand stayed in the sleeve, and his Ice Revenger was ready.
 
After walking through the living room and another door, Fire Wolf led them to the storage room. At the corner of the room, there was a staircase that led underground.
 
A basement! He wondered why he never thought about building a basement under his shack, instead of taking the risk and going down into the sewers every time. And at the same time, he could build a bigger crypt in Melzer Black Forest for practicing more powerful spells.
 
This was not a very spacious basement. Eleven low stools were placed surrounding a long table. Flickering candles sparsely illuminated the place. The other eight apprentices were already sitting there. All of them were wearing black robes.
 
Lucien walked downstairs with great caution, followed by Fire Wolf and Smile. They closed the door of the basement before they sat down.
 
“Everyone, today we’re honoured to have Mr. Professor here to exchange ideas and thoughts with us.” Smile stood up and started the introduction, “Mr. Professor is a real sorcerer. I’m sure our apprentice group meeting would benefit a lot from Mr. Professor’s profound knowledge.”
 
Then Smile started introducing the apprentices present one by one, “This is White Honey, Morning Star, Reindeer, White Glove, Oak, Philosopher, Mercury and Hanger.”
 
“The honour is all mine.” Lucien slightly bowed, “Please forgive me for being so direct. I come here largely because of the journal, Arcana. Can I take a look at it first?”
 
“No problem, Professor. Take your time and we can do random discussion first.” Philosopher nodded and slowly handed Lucien a black hardback book. His voice sounded pretty old, “Besides, I heard from Owl that you need a whole set of labwares and I brought them here tonight. I’ll be glad to give them to you as a gift if you can solve a problem for me later.”
 
Lucien didn’t open the book instantly, but carefully checked the cover of the book first.
 
There were a few separate silver lines joining together in the end on the black cover, which formed the word, Arcana, right in the centre. Under the name of the journal, a line of words wrote “Volume 11, the year 392 of Saint Calendar”. There were parchment pages inside it.
 
From the content page, Lucien found there were twenty-four articles in the journal. The first one was Discussion about the Fifth Failure of Finding the New Planets. Lucien felt interested in it and started reading.
 
“The theory of gravitation proposed by Douglas could explain lots of force field spells, even most spells of the Astrology school. Besides, the three laws of planetary motion also derives from that theory, which is of great significance for guiding the field of fortunetelling.
 
“Based on this theory, we have created many new and powerful spells. Thus we can say, if there are two major columns supporting the classical magic system, the theory of gravitation could be valued as the most important foundation for one of the columns — force field study.”
 
……
 
“There is still one question remaining to be demonstrated: The theory of gravitation enables us to figure out many guiding formulas, and thus we know that the continent where we live in also belongs to a planet. The planet keeps rotating and at the same time revolving around the sun, so do the rest of the planets in the sky. Following the formulas mentioned above, we can also locate these planets. 
 
“However, no one, not even the greatest sorcerer or sorceress, ever managed to reach the planets using the most advanced space magic, including me. Even we can calculate the coordinates of them, we can find none of them in the presumed places in space.
 
“When I was trying to cast the advanced space magic, although I could not reach the planet, I could feel the gravity of the target planet from my presupposed transit spot. The planets are there, but at the same time, they are not there.”
 
When Lucien found out that the planets in this world could tell destinies, Lucien was already quite surprised. Now he felt surprised again, and very confused.
 
 


"A falling star has brought the chaos. The throne of fate has lost its master. The nonbeliever who walks in light and darkness will make his debut."
In this magic world, knowledge is power.

Chapter 09: LUNAMAYAの日誌

I began the inspection of the books on the left side shelves.

"Ohhh!!!"

I involuntarily shouted.

The ship is indeed a gold mine.

As I scanned through the first book, it would seem that the previous owner of the he ship collected a lot of magic books, and written here are books about magic.

Looks advanced from the way it was written: (MAGIC TRANSMUTATION), (MAGIC ENGINEERING), these seem a bit complicated for an average mind like mine but I should be able to decode it in a due time.

I am certain that the author was definitely from another world. As the characters used in the writing was in Japanese.

Although I am not Japanese or a Japanese Language teacher, I did study the language as a hobby (anime, manga, games and light novels you see…). Some terminologies written in Katakana are going to be hard to decode but as I had mentioned earlier, it should be possible in due time.

"It would seem that the previous captain was Japanese... Look like I am not the only one who got transmigrated to this world..."

I should start practicing basic magic. Although most of the books were advanced magic, it did have some basic magic books on it, it also had alchemy books on it too.

I have scanned through the last shelf to the left, so it was time to read the books on at the right.

There were a lot of book here but there were some books which were quite unique, they were bound by leather. When I opened one of the books, it had "Lunamaya's Journal" written on it.

"…So Lunamaya was the name of the previous Captain."

The journal seems to be well written, just like the hand writing in the magic and alchemy books.

"When my family died with the espionage hunting.... decided to go for a journey."

"Looks like my family had secretly stashed a ship they could not decipher and lead to the suspicion that they were spies from another country or were harboring spies."

It would seem that the previous owner was from a well off family, but something happened that lead to the espionage hunt and they were victims... or perhaps it could be the truth without the knowledge of the previous captain... anyway they were killed.

Since she was had escaped the fate her parents received she instead used the ship to travel around.

With a lot of sessha and degozaru in the text I should surmise that the Japanese was from a time of the olden Japan… perhaps simply a quirk of the previous captain…

"Ha?"

"It's empty." I scanned the entire journal from the same shelf, but they were all empty. Judging from the sheer numbers, she must have kept track of her journey. There must be a mechanism to read it, but as of the moment it should be beyond me...

"Well, judging that the previous captain was a practitioner of magic that must be the trick."

...Magic.

A lone male was sent to another world. 

Was he summoned as a hero he did not know. 

After all he was alone in a beach, he does not possess any cheat abilities, or powerful equipment. He has nothing  but his white t-shirt, black pants, back shoes and a ship...

*****

It's the new year in the zombie-infested post-apocalyptic city.

And it's now the spring season.

In Safe Haven, Eden and Erik seemed to be talking to each other and discussing something in low voices so that the children wouldn't hear while they're taking their breakfast.

The adults seemed to have already eaten before the kids and the dogs were staying by their side until Michael and Annie finished eating.

From the looks of it, it seems that the two adult survivors are discussing something very serious.

Erik seemed to be giving suggestions about something but Eden kept refusing the ideas he's giving and telling her with visible negative shakes of her head.

Before Erik was about to talk more and it was about to rise into an argument, the two kids had finished eating and then they ran to Eden and pleading her to play with them.

Their conversation instantly stopped because of the children and Eden smiled as she accepted and went to play with the kids.

But when she glanced back to Erik, he was giving her a meaningful look that their discussion isn't over and that they'll need to talk more once the kids are out of earshot from whatever serious private conversation the two are having.

Eden looked like she didn't want to talk about it more but from the determined look on Erik's face, she had to work out on how to talk him out of it.

First, she had to play with the kids while at the same time, her deep thoughts are running in her head as she tried to think on how to walk her way out of the discussion with Erik.

But she seemed to know that she can't get out of it until she considers the suggestions or ideas he's giving to her seriously for their future.

After she had played with the kids and they were taking a short nap in their bedroom, Eden stayed with them and she felt like venting out as before she got the kids to their room, she went to grab for her journal to write it all out.

Once she sees that the kids are sleeping and out of it, she took out the journal she brought with her and writes down.

*****

JOURNAL ENTRY: DAY UNKNOWN, 3RD MONTH MARCH, YEAR 2XXX

Hey, it's me. Eden again.

It's now another new year that passed by here in Z-city.

To recap everything right up to this time of the new year, I am no longer alone and I have few survivors staying with me in Safe Haven.

The two dogs, Archer the puppy and Luna the mother.

The two kids, little boy Michael and little girl Annie.

And lastly, the foreign doctor, Erik.

From half of the months of last year, I had found them and brought them safely to Safe Haven. And I was glad that I did, because I am happy to have found decent good people and that I'm not alone anymore.

However, even though three months have already passed by in this new year, Erik still hasn't earned my trust, and he's still up for evaluation in my assessment, despite that he had won the children over with his good side.

I have learned from harsh and hard experience to not trust him so easily even though a few months have passed, but I knew better that it's better to be safe and sorry and had to pretend and put up a mask to show that I'm letting Erik stay in the fold for the time being.

My dog Luna seemed to be on my side, as it kept on watching and continuing to keep her eyes on Erik, protectively guarding the children and me in case he tries anything against me or her charges.

Anyway, moving on. I'm writing this entry down because after Erik was comfortable with his stay with us, he then wanted to talk to me seriously over something.

And that something is that if I have any plans to leave Z-city and venture out into the unknown world beyond and outside the city.

I didn't want him to know that I do have plans and have prepared if the children, dogs and I needed to leave the city, so I lied to him I don't and that we're all staying here, all safe and sound, and stocked up on food, water, and supplies.

Erik didn't seem to like this idea, even though I had told him and he can see everything fully well that we're all good to stay here in Z-city for long term, and he admitted to me that one of the reasons he had come to Z-city is because he was trying to gather himself some supplies on a long journey to find the 'safe-zone' for survivors he had heard before in a broadcast when the whole world fell apart in the beginning days of the zombie apocalypse.

I didn't believe him and had asked him whether the broadcast he supposedly heard is authentic or fake, but Erik seemed to fully believe in it as he had to travel and journey so far to get there and that when he ran out of supplies, he was heading down the road that passes by Z-city and he stopped and gone through it to stock up until he found me.

He kept telling me and suggesting that we should all go on the journey to find the safe-zone, but I knew deep down and better to myself that any safe-zone that was broadcasted or heard from any survivors, has long been gone since the fallout of the worldwide zombie apocalypse.

I told and refused him but Erik was too stubborn to stick into this idea and he was so genuine in his caring attachment towards me and the kids, that he really didn't want to leave us behind in Z-city.

Normally, I would be touched at his caring gentleness with the kids and his 'feelings' towards me but then the past two years ago, my harsh experience with hostile living survivors had hardened my heart, mind, and whole being that anything supposedly 'safe' out there in the world, is no longer safe or good anymore.

I know that these kinds of thoughts I have are depressing, but I'm thinking about this logically and being realistic. Based on my experience and from what I know deep down both theories and facts, the only thing safe is whatever the living survivors can do to make it safe.

And for me, as one of those living survivors in this zombie apocalypse, I had decided that my safe place is here in Safe Haven in Z-city.

Though I know it's not the kind of environment good for the kids to grow up in, but I'm not that stupid enough to stay here for the long term.

However, I'm not letting Erik know that since I can tell that he hasn't had the experience yet on facing the living hostiles of the world since the apocalyptic fallout.

I steered and walked away from the conversation but I knew that Erik will keep pursuing it and won't stop coming at me about it until I consider the idea and accepted it for all of us to leave the Safe Haven and get out of Z-city.

It looks like I'll have to think of ways on how to talk this out with him and get him to consider giving me some time to think it over before he tries to argue to me about it.

Hopefully, it won't rise into a fight between us, and despite that, I still don't trust Erik, I do care about him.

Well, that's it for now.

It looks like I got some deep serious thinking to do before Erik tries to find me and drag me into continuing the conversation we were having to leave Z-city.

This is Eden signing off.

*****

Eden shut the journal close and hid it away after writing and venting out her thoughts over her talk with Erik.

She looked and checked on the two kids as they were still sleeping and slowly she went to stand by the window of the room to gaze out at a distance and stare at the scenery out there before her in Safe Haven.

It looked like Eden was thinking deeply and seriously considering the conversation she and Erik were talking about and it looked like Eden was planning something for whatever reason in the new year in Z-city.

*****

*****

I am alone.
In a Zombie Apocalypse.
I'm on a self-journey to find more survivors or trying to find a safe place.
Or I'm just living through it and surviving all by myself.
Listen to my story.
Listen or read about my survival.
It is all here in my SURVIVOR'S JOURNAL

*****

A lone survivor.
Since the beginning of the Apocalypse.
She survives through a hellish fallen world.
With nothing but her wits and a few skills that she has from her former normal life and learned throughout the apocalypse.
Listen to her tale.
Listen to what she has gone through in her survival through everything and how she managed to stay alive.
Listen or Read her SURVIVOR'S JOURNAL.

*****

"How long have you been alone?"

"Since the very beginning."

"How did you survive by yourself?"

"Nothing.  Nothing but with just my wits and a few skills and smarts that I have learned throughout everything."

"I'm surprised you're even sane and alive for so long and being alone."

"Oh, I'm not alone.  I have my journal."

*****
(Author's Note: This is a fictional story.  It is not based in real life at all.)

Once again she was sitting at a fast-food joint, waiting for yet another failed friend to return from only God knows where, so she'd have a place to lay her head for the night. She looked around the McDonald, taking everything in. The Wi-Fi warning restriction caught her eye for the millionth time then she turned back to her now cold McCafé. 

She had only herself to blame for all of this and it pained her deeply.

It was summer again- yes summer, her worse time of the year, but that wasn't what troubled her. She was still stuck in this damned city, two years and counting, with no signs that she would be free of it soon. Of all the emotions she'd expected to overwhelm her, numb was nowhere on the list.

She'd willed her subconscious away so she wouldn't feel the pain anymore and just as she'd feared, she couldn't reach it now. All she had left was the stench of failure and an emptiness nothing could fill: not the booze, not the sex and apparently not her new obsession.

Her eyes raised from the little brown journal that Zeus had given her last summer, to the figure in front of her- her dismissive glare came ready too.

"Need company?" the scruffy stranger asked.

Her mind stilled, thinking on how oddly disproportionate the world was. That such a person would approach her was quite insulting. Here in front of her stood the picture of what very well described scum. If he'd had a bath in a week, she'd be surprised. His eyes darted about the cafe erratically and the uneasy in them was unsettling.

"Obviously not yours," she said.

He looked himself over- in a time when she had not lost the ability to feel; she was quite certain she'd feel sorry for him. He turned back to find her eyes fixated on him. 

"Keep it moving, pal." She turned back to the story she was attempting to write. Failed writer surely looked ready to join the list of failures she had going.

The stranger set his medium iced coffee down on the table, right next to her beverage and sank into the adjacent seat. She eyed him and turned back to her journal. He did that to prove a point. It was a public space and a free country.

"Must feel mighty big of yourself." Her eyes remained glued to her journal as she spoke.

He chuckled loudly and her eyes raised to his for a moment then dropped back to her reading. He was human, but he had the mark of an envoy burned into his neck.

"Your assumptions about me are inaccurate miss," he said. She turned her gaze on him. "I asked if you needed company, I never offered mine."

"Yet here you are." She tied her journal shut and relaxed. Her mind took flight and soared about the McDonalds. It settled on the familiar scent of sandalwood and richness of tobacco. She didn't need to turn to know who it was.

"Mr Dante will like a word," the stranger said. He rose as if to indicate that she followed him.

"He knows where to find me."

He started to argue but stopped when he saw the look in her eyes. With a nod, he left her and went to Dante and his little entourage to the far left of her. She watched them through the side of her eyes, trying to mind the story forming in her head. She noticed the envoy start back for her and half-smiled. He reached her and lowered to the seat he just vacated.

"Mr Dante needs a moment, Jade," he said, firmly this time. "I'll have to insist that you come with me."

She looked around the cafe again and sighed. There were too many humans, she would have to use her words this time even though that line of action rarely helped anything.

"Aaron, I will only say this once. Tell Traci I'm not moving an inch. If he needs something, let him come get it. Disturb me again and you will not like the outcome."

He sat there for a moment, wondering two things: how she knew his name and if she was as dangerous as he'd heard she was. He didn't know what to think with the gifted. She shot him a dismissive glare, and he felt a chill travel up his spine. Her abilities may have been exaggerated but her ominous glares were another story. He rose and went back to his boss. 

Evita packed up her table as she listened in on the exchange between Traci and Aaron. Were she merely human, she would worry herself about how they tracked her here but she wasn't. They had their way- the gifted.

As new as she was to their community, she knew enough. They were a privileged lineage blessed with unique abilities and as expected, men like Dante sort to exploit it. She'd been introduced and registered as a gifted. Before her, gifted only ever had the one ability. She was the abnormality, and it made her highly sorted after by the high tier clans.

The Conquered Colony only knew of three of her abilities and she couldn't comprehend their reaction if they discovered her other diverse abilities that only seemed to multiply the more she used them.

"Jade." His familiar intoxicating voice came from above her. The Lord of the Lynx Conglomerate, stood almost six feet tall with short auburn hair that framed a well-formed face, was now standing in front of her bent slightly against a walking stick merely for show. Those familiar unreadable grey eyes with a unique golden glint held hers softly. She eyed him and adjusted in her seat. "We need to talk."

"Talk."

"Don't give me that, Jade," he warned quietly. "You have a duty to your kind."

"What is my kind, really Traci?" she asked.

He knew her well enough to know she genuinely meant to know. He sighed visibly, shifted his weight off the cane and eyed the seat in front of her before lowering into it. He set the black glistering stick which looked ominously expensive on the table and turned those bewitching eyes back on her.

"You have no idea the honour your abilities bestow upon you Jade and it makes me wonder if you're deserving of it," he confessed. No response came, so he continued. "To be offered a seat at the table with the elites of the Colony is the grandest of gestures. You simply cannot turn it down. You have a people to serve."

She watched him quietly. She had no words for him. If this was the reason he'd tracked her down again, to force her into their inner bureaucratic nonsense and not even consider the risk of confronting her in a room full of humans, he was more damaged than she'd thought.

"First, you lured me into your world with promises of a better existence, away from human contempt. I fell for it. Then you used me, exploited my abilities and as though that wasn't enough you think naming me an elite will make me easier to use?"

"You're serving the greater good, Jade. Goodness! This is how the world works, and the idea that you can't comprehend that is fucked up!"

Heads turned towards them at his response, and Evita laughed at the absurdity of his outburst. His eyes darkened in anger. One thing the almighty Traci could not stomach was mockery. She raked her fingers through her pitch-black long locks with the patch of silver and rose with a sigh.

"I suppose I cannot change the way the world works, even with all my righteous indignation." She smiled. "But I do get a say in who I let use me and let me make this very clear Mr Dante, it sure as hell isn't going to be you." She strapped her black backpack on, adjusted her blue jean jacket and stormed out of the McDonalds. Zar had better be home when she reached his place.

There's a myth about life's best teachers; an empty pocket, heartbreak, and failure. All three are marked and have Evita beat, and as if all that wasn't enough, she's tossed into a new world that brings its own headaches with no promises of helping her already damned existence.

MAY 17th 2020

12 LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO MAKE IN 2020 TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

I am so excited about all of this new year, new me energy.
I want to help you actually transform your life and be happy this year! I have written lots of posts related to this – and today I wanted to talk about easy lifestyle changes you can make that will actually change your life to be more meaningful and enjoyable.
Take action this year and implement some of these ideas, they will genuinely make a difference. I love all of these ideas because they are quite simple and will not be too difficult to make happen.
Above all, enjoy yourself and be mindful this year. Be ambitious and follow your dreams. You got this – and here are some ideas to get you started.

WAKE UP EARLIER / GO TO BED EARLIER

I love mornings. Wake up earlier and use that time to develop healthy habits and get a productive start on your day. Go to bed earlier to get plenty of rest so you can better enjoy your day.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

A key pillar of personal development is opening yourself to new opportunities, experiences, and knowledge. Learn something new just for fun – go to a cooking class, learn how to sew, buy an online course about Pinterest. Whatever it is, learn something just for fun and for the experience, or learn something you really want to incorporate into your life or business.

INVEST IN YOUR PASSIONS

This is the year! Invest in your passions! No more "this is too expensive." Just compare it to what else you would do with that money, and shift your mindset to that this an investment for your happiness. If it really is too much, save up! So, start a blog, start a business, buy your art supplies. Whatever it is, make yourself happy and invest in your passions. It is not the worst use of your money.

COOK FOR YOURSELF / EAT REAL FOOD

I'm not gonna preach a perfectly healthy diet because everyone is different and everyone enjoys different foods. Make an effort to eat full, balanced meals though, whatever that means for you. It will do wonders.

CREATE A SELF CARE ROUTINE

Incorporate self care into your night or morning routine – journal, read a book, do some skincare, etc

Respect yourself and what you want, so say no more. Stop saying yes to sh*t you hate.
Be more spontaneous and enjoy life in as many ways as possible, so say yes more.

SAVE MORE MONEY

Put aside some money if you can and save for travel, experiences, and your passions!

REDUCE PHONE TIME

be mindful of the time you spend on your phone and on social media. Limit that time and focus on what is in front of you and develop strong, healthy habits. I wrote a post here about how to do a digital detox and being more mindful of your screen time.

START JOURNALING

Journaling is a great way to practice self care and discover yourself through your writing. Search Pinterest for meaningful prompts if you need some inspiration.

LOOK FOR THE GOOD AND PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Your life will completely change if you limit the complaining and instead notice all the good around you, and what you can be thankful for. I saw this example in another post and I love it:
instead of, "ugh it's monday."
try, "it's monday! I am happy and alive and ready for the week!"
Instead of complaining about your day, try and brainstorm good things that happened to you. It will brighten your mood and the world around you.

WORK ON YOUR GOALS DAILY

Don't forget about your goals, and try your best to actively work towards them daily. If you are genuinely making strides towards your goals you will feel amazing. I wrote a post here about how to actually achieve all of your goals.

PUT MORE POSITIVE VIBES INTO THE WORLD

Very similar to what I said about looking for the good, the more positive you are, the happier you will feel. Compliment others just for the heck of it. Help others. Complain less.
Make 2020 your year by implementing healthy lifestyle changes that can transform your life and help you accomplish your goals. I hope you found this post helpful, and I hope you have the year of your dreams.

The End.

After ten minutes of running through the wilderness, I come to a stop. I've not detected a trace of anyone since leaving Glory City. I finally feel reassured enough to just take a deep breath and get my thoughts in order.

While it would have been easy to have Chen Linian, accept me in his group, I don't want to draw any attention to myself. I'm not overly worried about a bunch of teenagers taking notice of me. Their successful return to Glory City will cause adults to investigate the group members, and that does worry me. Plus, with the Snow Wind Family searching for me, probably, I wouldn't be able to successfully hide from them in Glory City until the group departed.

Proud of myself for avoiding a future problem, I focus on my current problem. I know Ancient Orchid City Ruins is supposed to be a six-day walk to the southeast of Glory City, but that's an enormous area to have to search.

Thinking of the Library of Heaven's Path, I get an idea. Removing a pen and a small blank journal from my interspatial ring, I sit down to write. 

'Ancient Orchid City Ruins is located ten kilometers southeast of Glory City.'

With a thought of 'Flaws', I enter the Library of Heaven's Path. Grabbing my journal reveals two flaws.

[A journal entry by Zhu Di. 2 Flaws.]
[Flaw #1; Ancient Orchid City Ruins is located further from Glory City than ten kilometers.]
[Flaw #2; Ancient Orchid City Ruins is not located southeast of Glory City.]

It takes a moment for this to sink in. Quickly crossing out the first line and writing a new line in my journal, I check it a second time for flaws.

[A journal entry by Zhu Di. 1 Flaw.]
[Flaw #1; Ancient Orchid City Ruins is located closer to Glory City than three hundred kilometers.]

So Ancient Orchid City Ruins is located east by southeast from Glory City...

This is amazing! This is OP to the tenth power!!! I have a built-in treasure finder!!! Dozens of different ideas pop into my head on how to exploit this! The next ten minutes are utterly wasted as I foolishly giggle and plot out different plans to gain power with my new treasure finder.

As much as I want to just sit down and play with this newly found exploit, I have to get back to the task at hand.

Once I calm down, I get to work writing different estimates until I've got the location down to less than ten kilometers. I can zero it in once I'm closer. Putting my journal in my belt for quick access, I start moving towards my destination.

One thing that gets overlooked in stories, is the boredom while traveling. I'm moving at a light jog and keeping Soul Suppression on as much as possible, but I still have plenty of time for my mind to wander. It's during this wandering time that I recall a bit of information on fox-bears.

In the story, Chen Linjian's group will be attacked while sleeping on their first night of travel. Not many details are given, but several members of his group will die in their sleep due to the fox-bears. I can't let that happen, they're just unsuspecting teenagers.

After a few more journal entries, and three hours of jogging, I arrive at my destination. Looking around I can pick up the tell-tale signs of a beast habitat. Prints in the mud, claw marks on tree trunks, and a faint musky odor in the air. Even with my heightened sense of smell, it's a subtle odor.

Not wanting to sit around, waiting for a bunch of teenagers to show up, I begin Operation Kaboom!

I quickly move to a tree that is near the bedding area for the fox-bears. I imbue a flawless Flame Explosion Inscription into the trunk of the tree. Similar to the inscription Nie Li used to destroy the home of the bird-brains in the Abyss Prison Realm, but much more powerful. With sunset still several hours away, I take my time in completing five more inscriptions. 

After completing the last inscription, I begin to slowly walk away. Once I'm fifty meters away, the inscriptions are triggered. A massive fireball erupts behind me, engulfing the nesting area completely. 

I always thought walking away from a huge fiery explosion in slow motion would be badass. Wrong. Totally not badass. It's loud and surprisingly hot! Not to mention completely awkward walking slowly. If not for my enhanced durability, I'm sure the back of my neck would be rocking a brand new sunburn.   

Really glad no one else is around to see this. Not my proudest moment. On the bright side, I just got another check on the bucket list. 

Taking a moment to inspect the damage, I take note of the complete destruction of all six trees I placed an inscription on. Fire seems to have ignited but doesn't seem to be spreading. This is going to draw attention, from people and beasts. 

Turning away from the flames, I run at max speed towards my destination. I have to quickly reign my speed in though, for fear of running into a tree. I've never gone all-out before, and it's amazing! I don't know how long I could keep moving at my max speed, but I'm confident I could reach Ancient Orchid City Ruins faster than I estimated. 

The problem with that, I would be making myself vulnerable to attack. I would be moving too fast to detect the presence of any lifeforms until I was right on it. There's no need to be so reckless. Running would save at least two days of travel, but I don't need that extra time. Chen Linjian's group will be leaving Glory City in two days from now. A safe and steady pace should give me three to four days alone in Ancient Orchid City Ruins before his group will arrive. Them and the Dark Guild.

I'm still not sure what to do about the Dark Guild. I know in both timelines, they were attempting to kidnap kids for ransom, but I can't remember if they were successful in the first timeline. I could attempt to kill them, but I've never killed another human being before.  

There's also the old saying, 'Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.' The problem with that saying is I don't know any of Dark Guild members in this kidnapping scheme! I only remember Deacon Yun Hua as being a large blonde Gold-ranked Demon Spiritualist, working at one of the Sacred Family's restaurants. If he's removed, I won't know who the Dark Guild sends to replace him, or if the Dark Guild will launch an attack for revenge.

I'll have to think of a way to foil their kidnapping attempt, without exposing my identity to the Dark Guild or the teenagers. 

Once I feel I've reached a safe distance from the burning nest, I slow down to a brisk walking speed. I'm not winded, but I don't want to take a chance of being attacked while trying to catch my breath.

Confirming that I'm heading in the right direction, I continue on my journey. 

On the evening of the fourth day of my journey, I reach my destination. Ancient Orchid City Ruins. The trip was surprisingly peaceful. Only twice was I attacked by demon beasts, and both of them were bronze rank. A simple strike to their necks ended their life. 

Looking at the ruins, I can't even imagine the size of the demon beast horde needed to overrun it. The city is massive. There must have been several million people living here.

But now, it's just ruins, severely overrun by trees and vegetation. I've not seen any of the Giant Blue Armed Apes, but I can hear them roaring and hooting around the ruins. 

Ducking into a deep shadow, I remove my journal and prepare to test a theory. Chen Linjian's group spent several days digging around the military fortress and the City Lord's Mansion, before uncovering an entrance to the treasury. 

That is an absolute waste of time for me. The city wouldn't bury a chamber to store its treasury. They would still need some way to access their items. My guess is that there is a hidden treasury entrance in the City Lord's Mansion.

I begin writing different possible locations for a treasury entrance. After fifteen minutes, I've confirmed my theory. There is a hidden treasury entrance at the bottom of the City Lord's Mansion. The entrance is controlled by an array. This should be fairly easy to find. Getting to the City Lord's Mansion unseen will not be so easy. 

Getting the general direction, I crank Soul Suppression to the max and cross over the outer wall. Giant Blue Armed Apes are not nocturnal, but neither do I have night vision. Yet. 

I'm slowly and quietly moving from shadow to shadow. I utilize buildings when it's convenient, but my main goal is to get as close to the City Lord's Mansion as I can before nightfall, unseen. There shouldn't be a single demon beast in these ruins that I can't overpower, but there are hundreds of demon beasts here. I don't know if they will scatter if I kill their alpha, or go into a murderous rage and swarm me.

I was forced to take shelter in a building at dusk. The Giant Blue Armed Apes suddenly became very loud and active. I'm not sure if this is their normal night time ritual or if something else put them on alert. Once the sun set, the noise, and activity quickly died down. Guess that was just their version of saying good-night. 

I wait another thirty minutes before making my way out of the building. Not gonna lie, looking around the ruins under a starless sky is really creepy. I half expect to see ghosts moving about.

Deciding to pick up the pace, totally not because of the creepy feeling, I swiftly move through the ruins. Soul Suppression removes the possibility of anything picking up my scent or presence, but any sound is still an issue. Even my light steps seem loud to my own ears, but I've avoided all detection from these damn dirty apes so far. 

As my eyes became adjusted to the darkness, I'm able to make out my destination. Taking a gamble, I pick up my speed and dash down the street leading to the City Lord's Mansion. As I'm nearing a hole in the side of the mansion, I can hear the sounds of apes hooting in the dark. 

Diving through the hole in the wall, I immediately halt and focus my ears. My mad dash undoubtedly woke several apes in the area. After a few calls amongst themselves, all is quiet again. With a smile of victory, I move deeper into the room. 

The interior of the building quickly dissolves into complete darkness. Without a torch, I'm forced to condense a ball of soul force into the palm of my hand. It doesn't fully illuminate the room but does allow me to make out anything within eight or nine feet of me. 

Exiting the room, I step out into a wide hallway. Turning right, I move deeper into the mansion. Soon, I come to an intersection. I don't feel like wandering around a spooky mansion all night. Picking up a palm-sized piece of marble, I scratch a large '1A' on the ground. Moving to each hallway entrance I scratch another number and letter combination. 

Taking out my journal, I write, 'The quickest way to the Ancient Orchid City Ruins' Treasury is going down hallway 2A from hallway 1A.'

[1 Flaw...]

My next attempt results in a flawless answer, and I'm swiftly moving down a new hallway. I mark each hallway I come to and use the Library of Heaven's Path to continuously move towards the treasury. This is such a cheat, and I love it.

An hour later, I find myself standing before a large section of bare wall in the belly of the City Lord's Mansion. The Library of Heaven's Path confirmed that there is a mechanism inside the wall. It takes me five minutes of rubbing both my hands across the wall before I'm able to locate the activation array.

The array seems to be keyed to a specific kind of soul force. The concept is brilliant really. It must be keyed to each person being granted access, and that person must weave their soul force in a particular pattern to open the treasury door. Luckily, there are several flaws in the inscription I can exploit.    

Weaving my soul force in an elaborate design through the flaws of the array, I'm rewarded with the array suddenly lighting up the wall! Stepping back, I watch as the array slowly starts to shine across the wall in a beautifully designed inscription. This array has so many uses. Once I fix the flaws, I plan to use this inscription to protect all my valuables I can't/shouldn't carry with me.

My attention is drawn from the inscription by the grating of stone sliding on stone. The opening is large enough for three to enter together. Illuminating the area with my soul force, I step through the entrance and onto a wide platform. Seeing another inscription carved into the stone of the platform, I can't help to smile as I recognize the pattern. 

Extinguishing my soul force light, I bend down and place my palm on the center of the platform. Channeling a large amount of soul force into the array, my smile stretches even wider as the array activates. 

Flames suddenly burst to life at the corners of the platform, and down the banisters of a wide staircase. As I move down the stairs, the flames seem to run down the rest of the stairs and illuminate a large room.  

Stepping off the stairs, I'm halted by the stunning sight before me. The light from the flames running around the walls of the room is further reflected by mounds and mounds of gold. The comics did not do this place justice. There are treasures everywhere! Sparkling jewels, decorative furnishings, powerful weapons and armor, stone bookcases lining the walls...

Despite the glimmer of gold, my attention zeros in on those bookcases. While there are several small boxes and trinkets on the shelves, there is no mistaking the ancient books and scrolls. Quickly moving to the nearest bookcase, I closely examine a large scroll partially opened. The wording seems to predate even the Sacred Empire, but the book looks like it would fall apart at the slightest touch. Luckily, a touch is all I need. 

Carefully placing my finger on the scroll and thinking flaws, a wide smile crosses my face as the Library of Heaven's Path gained another cultivation manual! Anything placed in the City Lord's Mansion must be valuable. If this keeps up, my smile may become permanent. Looking around, there must be nearly a thousand tomes and scrolls on the shelves.

As I'm scanning the treasury, I notice the reason for this trip. A small glowing decorative lantern placed on top of a marble pedestal. Putting the books aside, for now, I quickly make my way towards that beautifully powerful artifact. Using both hands, I gently remove the spiritual lamp from the pedestal. 

A quick check from the Library of Heaven's Path reveals just how incredible the spiritual lamp is, as well as what it contains. A normal demon spirit stone can hold a demon spirit for two to three hundred years before the spirit will dissipate. The spiritual lamp in my hands is capable of holding a demon spirit for up to two thousand years! 

After reading the materials used in making a spiritual lamp, I understand why. These lamps were not made on Tiny World. I'm not sure, but if I had to bet, my money would be Draconic Ruins Realm. Not only is the inscription on the lamp flawless, but it was forged by a true master. I won't be able to improve or even replicate the spiritual lamp. Making omething that could hold a demon spirit for seven or eight hundred years shouldn't pose too much of a problem, but thousands of years isn't likely.   

Focusing on what's truly important, I surround the spiritual lamp in with my soul force to prevent anything from going wrong. With a deep breath, I release the Shadow Devil from the lamp. Before it can even make an attempt to escape, I lock it down with my soul force. I rapidly pull the Shadow Devil into my soul realm and seal off any chance of escape. Once the integration is complete, a small shudder runs through my body.

Holding back my bubbling excitement, I store the spiritual lamp in my interspatial ring. It's time to attempt my first merger with the Shadow Devil. 

An overbearing feeling of calm indifference washes over me. It's as if my excitement just disappeared without a trace. I feel cold and determined, thinking only of completing my goals. No excitement or even an ounce of fear. 

Guess this proves that a demon spiritualist will take on the mentality of their demon spirit when merged. Putting some thought into it, the Shadow Devil might cause me a good deal of trouble. In this state of indifference, I may act against someone when my conscience would have held me back. Something I might have to be wary about. On a positive note, this will be able to replace my calming elixir, and merging with the Shadow Devil is not nearly as noticeable.

Looking at my body, I notice my eyesight is on another level. Everything is sharper and brighter. The flames around the room prevent me from testing it, but I'm willing to bet I have a form of night vision now. 

Looking over my body, I can't identify any physical change. Holding up my right arm, I focus for a moment and a meter long shadow blade silently extends from my wrist. Deadly. Taking a few steps back from the pedestal, I focus for a moment before walking forward. A step before the pedestal, I completely disappear from sight. Another step and I've moved through the pedestal and standing on the other side. With a thought, I'm visible again. This was much easier than I thought it would be.

Ending my merger, I feeling of happiness gushes back into me. My emotions are much more manageable now. 

With a clear head, I take a look at my soul realm. I notice the soul force I expended when activating the previous arrays, isn't recovering as fast as normal. A closer look at the Shadow Devil and I can see a portion of my soul force being pulled into it. 

I'm not worried about the loss of recovery speed with just the Shadow Devil. But integrating with three or four demon spirits would nearly eliminate my natural soul force recovery. With that many demon spirits, I would be forced to cultivate to recover any expended soul force. In a prolonged fight, that could be my undoing. 

Pushing those thoughts to the side, I take another look around me. It's time to dig through some treasure!

A 20 year old fan of fanfiction is transmigrated into an orphaned teen in the middle of Glory City. Follow him as he's forced to deal with hidden dangers, evil villains, and the dreaded puberty. 

This is my first novel, so expect some mistakes. I'll try to make corrections when seen. Reworked the first six chapters.

I'm doing this for my own personal pleasure. I have a family and a job that requires me to work most weekends. I hope to produce two chapters a week, provided life allows.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the stories, Tales of Demons and Gods or Library of Heaven's Path. Any resemblance of any original character is purely coincidence.

Dear journal it has been a year since I have written in you, and I do apologize.
 
       Today is Sunday, June 7, 1885. My Husband and I procured a manor, overlooking one of the local streams.
 
       It has been a hectic marvelous year since we first took up residence. I have made some very valuable acquaintances, but two of them, Thea Williams and Beatrice Peters, are currently missing.

 
       The other two remaining ladies of our little circle agree along with me. There is just no way these two would vanish of their own free will. Simply put, there is no biological reason for them to want, or for them to need to leave.

 
       Beatrice has a medical condition and is madly in love with her husband, Andrew Peters. Andrew is a kind, caring, and loving man. Her disappearance was quite the blow to him. The poor man does not sleep or eat. Every day before and after work, he sits down at the Jailhouse waiting for someone to take him seriously. The constables all laugh at him, saying she left with another man. Poor Andrew.

 
      Thea Williams, unbeknownst to her family, was a Mistress to a Sir Edward Brandy. She was very much happily involved with him. Might I add, it was suspected that Thea was pregnant? Since her disappearance, Sir Brandy has started refusing company, including his wife.
 
          The last remaining members of our circle are Clementine Christensen, Viola Jenkins, and me, Matilda Larkin.

 
          Clementine Christensen is the daughter of a retired Yale professor. Her father scarcely lets her out of his sight. When the poor girl is at home, she is expected to study. When she is with us, Clementine is supposed to be expanding her view of the world.

 
       Viola Jenkins is abused, perhaps even beaten down, by her husband. She has an inkling that we know, so our interactions have been sparse if any lately. I do believe she is smarter than that brute of a husband of hers.

 
          The very last remaining member is me, Matilda Larkin. I am a happily married woman to a well-mannered, intelligent, and sophisticated man, named Hugh. Hugh expects the same intelligence out of me that he possesses. When we were still children, he even went as far as to teach me everything he knew. I remember him continually telling me as we aged women are far more than housekeepers, cooks, and child bearers. I remember him stating women should have the same education as men, so the conversation could be more intricate. A fond memory of mine.

 
          Matilda's hand ceased scowling across the page in her black bound journal. Sighing contently, she placed her silver fountain pen and journal on the grass. She could feel the concentration ebbing away from her facial features. A small smile graced her lips as she listened to the birds chirp away. She glanced up at the oak tree's leaves admiring their lively green color.

 
          Her attention quickly diverted to a small lake that rested only a few feet away. The water was clear, pristine, and somewhat inviting. Matilda spotted a bridge in the middle of the lake. Her eyes wandered the length knowing it led to a small narrow pathway enshrined by trees.

 
          A walk would do nicely Matilda thought. After all, sitting under an oak could only do so much for her mentality. After Matilda finished thinking, she stood up shaking the bottom of her dress out. When Matilda was situated, she bent down procuring her pen and journal. Once she had both items, Matilda started walking toward the bridge tucking her items safely away.

 
          Once she reached the bridge Matilda's boot clacked against the wooden surface. As Matilda continued to walk, every so often, she would peer over the edge to ogle the fish.

 
          From the opposite end of the bridge, an obscured male figure cloaked all in black, including his face, which was covered by a black silk cloth, approached. He stopped right before he reached the bridge. The obscured male tapped his cane three times on the bridge.
 
          The first strike echoed taunting Matilda's ears. The second strike caused Matilda's attention to be on him. By the third strike of the obscured man's cane, Matilda's posture was straight. Her eyes wearily watched him. "Good afternoon." Matilda's speech was rushed as the obscured man slowly began to approach her, each step more slowly than the last.
 
          Matilda's Fingers began to tap insistently on her side. With each step, the unknown male took, they would increase in velocity. Each time the obscured male's cane hit the ground, her heart thumped against her chest. Matilda's breathing shallowly increased, at first slowly, getting louder and rougher as he drew near.

 
          When the obscured male reached her, he stopped moving for an instant. In that instant, he dropped a parchment style envelope. It hit the bridge with a soft, resounding thud. Then he continued on his way.

 
          When Matilda was sure the obscured male was some distance away, she clenched her necklace and sunk down to her knees. Matilda was sure she heard an object fall a few moments ago. Matilda removed her hand from her jewelry. Her hand pawed at the bridge feeling around until she felt a soft paper consistency.

 
          Matilda picked it up, lifting it to her eyes to examine the envelope. The envelope had a red wax seal of a lion sealing it shut. She flipped it around. Her eyes widened, and her mouth formed a circle. The envelope was addressed to her. In bold Copperplate, her name was scrawled out. Matilda flipped it back around this time breaking the seal. She peeked inside the envelope inside on the side, located on the front was the word Incipit.

 
Under the word incipit was two fingers of the female persuasion. One of the fingers even had the wedding ring band still attached.

 
          Matilda's eyes rolled back, and her head hit the bridge with a resounding thud. Her journal and pen slipped from her person into the water.

 
          A few moments later, Matilda was roughly shaken. "Matilda, Matilda," A masculine voice called her name.

 
          The voice that was calling her sounded familiar urgent even, she needed to respond. Matilda's eyes flickered, and she mumbled the name, "Beatrice," before attempting to pass out again.
 
          The male leaning over her fallen frame shook her harder. "Matilda, Matilda what about Beatrice?" he asked.

 
          Matilda's eyes flickered, and she handed the envelope to the man. "Hugh," she muttered now finally awake. Matilda's eyes were wide, and her pupils were expanded. Matilda watched as her husband reached for the envelope.
 
          Hugh gingerly held the envelope in his hands. Hugh, with a raised eye, peeked inside. He quickly shut it with a morose look on his face. "I am sorry darling that must have been quite a shock. Love, I am going to pick you up."

 
          Matilda nods.

 
          Hugh's left arm went under her shoulders, catching her red tresses. "I should have you keep your hair pinned," he mumbled removing his arm. He quickly brushes the long hair out of his way before sliding his arm under her shoulders again. He tucked the envelope into his breast pocket before sliding his right hand under the creases of her knees. Hugh lifted her up. As soon as he lifted her, Matilda's arms went around his neck clinging tightly.
 
          Matilda nuzzled her face into his chest. "Here is where I am safe," she mumbled just loud enough for Hugh to hear. Matilda rested her head against Hugh closing her eyes.
 
          "As it should be, I will never count the day, or the moment you will say that you do not feel safe in my arms." Hugh pulled her closer to him.

 
          Matilda shifted her head and gazed up at him." You and I both know that day will never come, and if it does come to it Hugh, I know you would throw yourself out a window." After she spoke, a feeling of warmth and butterflies consumed her. After a few moments of just enjoying each other's presence, a distraught look settled on her face. It was accompanied by a sickening feeling that arose desperation. Matilda shook lightly.
 
          "Hugh, Beatrice, the envelope!" Matilda began to feel light headed. Her breathing slowly became sporadic. "What are we going to do?"

 
          "Darling calm down; I am going to take you home. Then we will examine, what you know, after which we will contact the constable."

 
          Matilda's breathing slowly shifted back to normal. Her jaw slid open, and her pink tongue peeked out through her lips. Matilda's eyes slowly lit, revealing how enthralling she found that idea. "I do believe Hugh, you are a true and proper genius."
 
          "I do try Matilda. Now shall we proceed? You, my dear, have become heavy." Hugh made a comically strained facial expression. Not really meaning what he was saying.
 
          "Well then Hugh let me down, I can walk," Matilda pouted.
 
          "Oh, nonsense you had a spell." Hugh jokingly chastened Matilda while shuffling her weight around.
 
          "People will talk," as she spoke her eyebrow raised. Her tone of voice indicated she was amused.

 
          "Let them talk for no man is luckier than I. For no man holds a treasure like I do.". After Hugh responded, he began to walk.

 
          Matilda squealed with delight kicking around. "Hugh put me down!"

 
          Hugh continued walking ignoring Matilda's demand. He would jostle her around every so often acting like he was going to drop her. Each time he acted like he was going to drop, her arms clung tighter around his neck.
 
          "Sir I do believe we are at an impasse." Matilda threw her head back laughing merrily.
 
          "Is that so, my fair lady? Then how about a dance." Hugh spun around with her still in his arms.
 
          Her dress cascaded down over his arm, creating a half circle as they spun.
 
          "How do you do it, Hugh? How do you make me forget all my troubles?"
 
          "perhaps Matilda I am your dial. James Mill believed the mind was a clock functioning upon external stimuli," Hugh stated.

 
          Matilda sorted, "James Mill again love, I refute the ridiculous claim that Humans are always comparable to clocks and their minds are passive. You could disprove his theories. I am much more for his son, John Stewart Mill. I do believe the brain is active, and the sum of two is better than one.
 
          "How romantic Matilda, but his ideas still pertain to some unique individuals, including us sometimes. That is why I do not discredit him."

 
          "Humph, if you say so Hugh, I still think his son was well rounded in the field of minds. Matilda released her hold from around Hugh's neck. He gently placed her down. They walked side by side exiting the park from the entrance.
 
          Both of their eyes scoured the cobbled road for their driver. Matilda spotted the carriage with the driver reading a newspaper.
 
          "Benjamin," Matilda called out softly.
 
          The carriage driver was startled and quickly flipped around. "Aye miss, thanks for letting me attend service. I was just reading."
 
          "Benjamin thank you is not necessary. You have not attended a service since your wife died. I was not going to have you miss another one." Hugh helped Matilda into the back of the carriage.
 
          "Sir I can do that!" Benjamin cried in alarm.
 
          "Nonsense Benjamin keep your eyes on the horses." Hugh then settled himself inside the carriage.
 
          Benjamin heard a knock on the carriage glass. He flapped the reins down on the horses. The horses lurched forward. The hooves clicked clacked on the cobblestone. The street was busy. Carriages were besides, behind, and in front. The driver fell in line slowly.

 
          Benjamin traveled at a gentle trot until they reached the black iron gates of Larkin Manor. He pulled the horses to a halt. Benjamin then disembarked and pushed the gates open. Once the gates were opened, he climbed back on and trotted the horses to the front porch. "We are here," Benjamin yelled.
 
          Hugh opened the carriage door and stepped outright before the marble staircase leading to the porch. After his feet were firmly planted, he helped Matilda down. They both walked up the stairs and approached the front door, which swung open immediately.

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