“Predestined: determined in advance by divine will or fate. One would think that I, a divine being with a divine will, would be able to set a predestined path for the heroes I choose.” Long fluffy hair shook off of pale shoulders that were freckled with gold as the being moved to the clouds edge, “BUT APPARENTLY THATS TO MUCH TO FUCKING ASK!!!”

The once calm and elegant being screamed as his moon covered his sister's sun again.

“Lord Amaris please settle down…” the star hearder pleaded softly, “This amount of eclipse can't bode well for the mortals…”

“You know what else does not bode well for them!?” the pale moon god flopped into a nearby chair, “Mortals not listening to DIVINE FUCKING LOGIC!”

20 years prior

“Look at my latest champion!” Liane cheered as she dragged her brother over to view the festival that was being held below them, “As usual mine are the best!”

“The best at stealing and showing off you mean.” Amoris chided, twinkling eyes staring into the younger bright ones.

“No, I mean that my champions are the best!”

“Sure, they're the best at pretending.”

“My champions are the best! And they're certainly far better than yours!” short fiery hair fell into the olders face as Liane got closer. “I can prove it!”

Amoris smiled, leaning away from the face full of hair he had gotten from his hot-tempered sister, “How?”

“My last champion mapped the entirety of Auntie's waters.”

“By ‘mapped’ do you mean steal my champion's work, add nothing of value to it, pretend it was his work, and then got thrown to the sirens?”

“Well, the other one defeated a whole horde of brother’s monsters!”

“Ah yes, the monsters he freed, released onto my holy city, attempted to fight but lost to the first one, barely survived that and had to be saved by my champion.”

“My champion created the harp and the most beautiful music!”

“Oh, that one. The one who sat in a windows for no good reason, lied to the princess when asked about the music, got halfway through their wedding when she was asked to play the song again as a testament of their love, and when she couldn't her sister who was MY champion muse came in and played the instrument and song that she created, winning the princess’s heart and hand in marriage.”

A playful smirk danced on Amoris’ face as he tucked his hair over his shoulder, making his way away from an angry Liane.

“Face it, little sister, your champions are only good for one thing. Stealing the show by being bright and shiny.”

The creature sat by, watching the princess as she left her sixteenth birthday party. Was she crying? He couldn't tell. He felt like crying, but he didn't know if he could anymore. Not after what happened. These last three years had been hell for him.

Trying to find his way back here in order to rescue her from their clutches, but he had failed. It was already too late. She entered her room, where they had left a spinning wheel for her, and she fell into a trance. Pricking her finger she collapsed, asleep, forever.

He knew that the fairy had altered his curse, but he also knew that no one truly loved the princess, nor did she truly love anyone.

"Such a shame. I wish there was another way." He murmured to himself. Watching from a distance as servants came in and put the princess into bed, as planned by the King and Queen.

"It didn't have to happen this way. There were many other ways." Diaval whispered from his shoulder. The raven's head was twisted so that it could see what was occurring with its master.

"I know... But this was the least harmful way."

Diaval nodded, in a bird way, and the two fell into their usual silence. Watching as the moon sank and the sun rose. Watching as the prince, who was Aurora's fiance, entered the room and kissed her sweetly. Watching as it did nothing. Watching as she remained asleep. Watching as the sun set and the moon rose again.

He entered the princess's chambers, looking at her sleeping form wistfully.

"May you indeed be blessed with both beauty and song, may your life be forever sweet and long. May you live many fruitful years, full of grace and Song. May you soon prick your finger on a spinning wheel's spindle and fall into a peaceful forever sleep. Never to be woken by this world's cruelty."

He whispered the curse that had left his lips sixteen years ago, staring at her as a single tear fell down his face once again.

"Why did you do this to her?" The angry and aggrieved voice of the King sounded from behind the creature. He was standing by her bedside as he looked over his feather-cloaked shoulder to make eye contact with the king as he had on that day.

"You still don't know? You still don't recognize me?"

"How could I?! We have no enemies! She has no enemies!" The King was shouting, angry, but over what?

"You have enemies. Plenty of them, I should know as I am one of them." The creature spoke softly, rhyming his words in a little tune.

"Who are you!?" The king took another step forward, shouting once again. But she froze when the creature turned to fully face him.

"Have you forgotten me?" The voice of a small boy spoke, changing into that of a young man as it continued. "Father?"

The creature and the King stood staring at one another. "No," he whispered softly, fear obvious in wide eyes.

"I know what you did." The voice continued. "I know you did it."

"No..."

"You wanted me to marry that woman, what was she... three times my age? You wanted her fortune and land, the rights to her kingdom, and she wanted a handsome young boy as a husband." The creature took one step forward, and the king took one step back.

"No. no no no...."

"I denied you, even went as far to say it to her face. She was reasonable, she refused to marry me if I didn't wish to. But you and mother were not. The two of you had spent years torturing me, in worse ways than you've tortured her these past three years, all so that I would be the perfect little tool to grow your power. But I had disobeyed, and you were angry." One step forward, one step back.

"No.... No, you died!"

"You would think I would have. After all, you set me and my chambers on fire with some very powerful magic. You had me and my precious pet burned to a crisp. After that, you tossed us into the forest near the summer cottage and pretended that I had passed away tragically, in an 'accidental' fire." One step forward, one step back.

"How!? How did you-"

"You dropped me right on the border of the magic lands father... no... You dropped me right on the border of the magic lands monster, That's better. Hmm. A kind Fae Witch found me, and healed me. Even took me on as her pupil in magic, she left me to care for the magic lands." One step forward, one step back.

"Dam it!"

"You would think that having used magic from those lands to try and kill me, you would know where the magic lands were." One step forward, one step back.

"You should be dead!"

"But I'm not." One step forward, one step back.

The king was now against the railing of the chamber's balcony. He was panting and shaking in fear of his returned son. A powerful witch, and a monster in his father's eyes.

Diaval sat on the balcony railing, eyes on the king. Squawking loudly once to startle him and make his presence known. The King, creature, and raven stood staring at each other, making no moves.

"Diaval... You were right. I should have done this another way. I wished to save her from the cruelty of our parents. Do as you wish, I must fix this." The prince spoke, closing the balcony doors and returning inside to be by his little sister's side.

He stood by her bedside, casting spell after spell in an attempt to reverse the damage he had done to her. But nothing worked, exactly as he had planned it. The curse was irreversible, changeable but not after such a long time since its casting.

"Damn fairies and their obsession with true love," he muttered bitterly, paying no mind when the balcony doors opened and Diaval hopped in.

The raven flew onto its master's shoulders, looking at the sleeping beauty dejectedly. It hopped onto her bed and nuzzled into her for the last time. After a moment, it flew back onto the balcony, giving the prince and his sister a moment.

The prince began to feel tears flow down his face, the most any had fallen from his eyes in many years. He leaned over his sister's sleeping form and whispered to her softly.

"Happy Birthday, my little princess."

He kissed her on the forehead and stood back up, tears running down faster. He made his way back to the balcony, Diaval hopping onto his shoulder and gently nuzzling him. The two were about to disappear as they had many times before from this palace when suddenly a soft voice called out.

The World Tovan is an earth like planet with slightly human like people, though to call them human is considered to be somewhat of an insult to them. Tovars are a powerful and beautiful people, all of them perfect in one way or another. Their skin ranges from the most beautiful black of ebony to the palest of porcelain white. Eyes the color of the purest snow to the deepest night, from the brightest red to the darkest purple. The world of Tovan was filled with beautiful people who were all perfect at one thing in their lives, their ability. Each Tovars has one thing that they are absolutely perfect at, a skill, profession, action, talent, anything. No matter what it is every being of Tovan is perfect at their one thing, their ability, which they use to serve the society of Tovan. From the most perfect writer to the perfect chef, a perfect rock collector to the most perfect artist.

The tovars are not born with this odd ability, they are gained during their coming of age ceremony that each child has when they turn eighteen. This ceremony is held for each child on Tovan by the Coven of the Stars. During this blessing ceremony each child is given an ability. This ability is the one thing that the Tovar will be able to do perfectly, no matter what, for the rest of their lives. On occasion the blessing ceremony will not only give abilities but also altar the Tovar in order to assist them in their new purpose. Studiers of the stars would be given large eyes that could see farther into the night sky, Doctors growing extra sets of hands or longer, more precise fingers.

This blessing, these abilities, are given to each child of Tovan when they come of age by the Child of the Stars. The Child of the Stars is the Coven of the Stars sacred center, one gifted with the oldest ability known to Tovan and the only one to have power passed down from one generation to the next. Gifted with the ability of foresight, The Child of the Stars is able to foresee what Tovan and its people need from each individual in order to survive and prosper as they have for many eons. The blessing ceremony occurs with the Child of the Stars present, looking into the future to see what needs the new adult Tovar shall fill within their society. The needs that are to be fulfilled can be anything. From ranching to classical arts, healing to harms, revival to death.

All children receive their ability, their blessing, during their coming of age ceremony and are set forth into Tovan to carry out their purpose. It is of such importance that these needs be fulfilled that an assurance is attached to the child as well. A curse to the blessing they have received. This curse ensures that the Tovars carry out their blessing as intended, not allowing any to stray from the path that they are now set upon. It does this by creating an urge, a want, a need to do what their new purpose, their ability, calls out for them to do.

It is with these Blessings and their Curse given to each Tovar by The Child of the Stars that Tovan is able to survive and prosper the way it has for eons.

The creature's and the princess's days went on for years. The smiling child would wander and happen upon the creature, not knowing that it was he who cursed her all those years ago, and they would spend the day together. They would play adventure, the creature would tell her stories of faraway lands and magic, and she would help care for the creatures of the forest alongside him.

"What is this place?" She one day asked softly. They had wandered deeper into the forest, as they usually did. Entering a surreal realm full of magic and wonderful beings.

"Home. My home." He answered softly.

Over the years Aurora had learned that the creature did not like to speak. It hurt his voice to do so, and it hurt his face to show much expression, so he showed his emotions with his eyes. The princess had never questioned it before, but she had always wondered. Why did her friend look like that? Burned and charred all over? His pet raven signed as well? She would never ask, of course. It was a hard thing for him to talk about and he preferred to stay away from such conversations.

"Your home is lovely! Is this where your raven is from?" The now twelve-year-old princess asked as she hopped onto some stones peaking above the water of a flowing river.

"Yes. Diaval is from these lands, he was born here. I came to them many years ago and made my home here with him." the creature nodded slightly, moving to sit at the base of what must be this place's version of a willow tree.

"Wonderful! It is absolutely lovely!" Aurora declared again, laughing as she and Diaval began to play in the water with the other creatures.

Hours passed, the sun moved in the sky, and soon it was nearly night. The Creature stood and gathered up the princess and the raven so they could make their way back to her home. They talked softly as they walked, carrying the little princess and the raven hopping from branch to branch overhead.

"You'll never guess what the nanny told me today." Aurora sleepily murmured as her eyes began to drift shut.

"Hmm?"

"She said that soon I will meet with my mother and father. And that I'll get to live in a palace!" She sleepily declared joyfully "She told me that I'm a Princess and that on my sixteenth birthday they will take me back home, to my family. I don't know why I had to leave it, but she said it was because some horrible witch put a curse on me." With a final sigh, the child fell asleep in the creature's arms. Not noticing that he had stopped walking as she was speaking. He was frozen to the spot, darkness flooding the forest as the sunset. Time seemed frozen to him, and he only broke from his trance when he heard the shouting of guards begin to grow closer.

Still, in some bit of this trance, he was not able to react quickly enough. So soon guards rounded around trees and boulders and saw him holding the princess. These guards knew who he was, and what he had done to her on her birthday twelve years ago, so they managed to attack him. The creature snapped awake, placing the princess down and teleporting himself and the raven away in a blizzard of smoke.

When it cleared, the princess was sitting awake sleepily on the ground. The barest whisper could be heard by her over the sounds of the guards shouting.

"Happy birthday, little princess."

And so the night of her thirteenth birthday passed. The next day was full of commotion, servants packing, guards running around, the fairies flitting everywhere nervously.

"What's happening?" The newly thirteen-year-old princess asked softly, her violet eyes scanning her packed-up home with worry.

It was explained to her that, last night in her sleep, she had been taken by the horrible monster who had cursed her thirteen years ago.  And that by some miracle he slipped up and left her behind when he teleported. The King and Queen had already heard of this and demanded that the princess be brought back home at once. The summer cottage was no longer safe, and they believed she would be safer in the castle, with her family.

The princess and all of her belongings, servants, guards, and nannies, were quickly brought to the castle in the center of the kingdom. Forcing Aurora away from her friend that she had made so many years ago, forcing her away from him without any answers to her many questions.

Once she had arrived at the castle she learned that there was no reason for her to have been excited to come here and meet her parents. The castle was awful, the people were awful, and they were awful.

The King and Queen didn't treat her like their daughter, they didn't even treat her like a child. They forced her to act in a 'princessly' way and to start reviewing suitors. She was starved in order to lose weight and gain a prettier figure, her hair was ruined as the maids of the castle and her mother used product after product on it to make it more 'in style'. Soon her violet eyes lost the shine they had once held, her smiling fading with it.

She would lay awake at night, on her beautiful bedspreads and silken sheets, and cry. She missed her old way of life. The freedom, the sun, the love she had experienced then. All of her personal servants went back to their old ways once they arrived here. Becoming cold, cruel, and gossipy. Even her nannies had betrayed her, leaving to go back to their homes now that they didn't need to care for her. She felt so alone, with no nannies, animals, or her friend to comfort her.

So she cried herself to sleep at night. Every night. For the next three years.

On the day before her sixteenth birthday Aurora sat before a standing mirror as maids and her mother fussed over her appearance. They covered bruises left by her father's disciplines, they covered her hollowed cheeks left by her mother's obsession with her figure, and they tried to cover the lost sparkle and false smile that left with her old life.

She was to throw a grand party tonight, on the night of her sixteenth birthday. It was the first time her birthday had ever been celebrated. It was also the night that the curse was supposed to take effect.

Her parents insisted that it was all planned out. She would meet a long list of suitors tonight and fall in love with one. They would be engaged, and when she fell into her cursed sleep, he would recuse her with a true love's kiss.

She was not enthusiastic about the prospects of this evening. But she had no choice but to go along with her parents' whims. To be that perfect princess they had been forcing her to be these past three years.

The celebration occurred, guests arriving in droves with gifts and greetings, suitors arriving in nearly as many numbers with even more gifts and the unfortunate flirting and evening walks to 'grow close'.

The night passed, and the celebration ended. Aurora had found no love, but her parents had. A wealthy, handsome young prince from the neighboring kingdom. They were strong and powerful and very very rich, was it mentioned that they were incredibly rich? Her parents decided then and there, that the two were in love. He might have been, but she was not. It didn't matter though, for they were engaged, and she was sent off to bed shortly after.

In her room, she found a spinning wheel, with a beautifully carved and sharp needle sitting on its peak.

The King and Queen had been waiting for what felt like an eternity to have a child. Years have gone by without any luck nor sign of such a blessing. Finally, after years of trying, they were blessed with a child. A beautiful baby girl, with golden blond hair and lovely violet eyes. The two were ecstatic at the birth of their beloved daughter and decided to host a grand celebration in her honor.

The celebration came, with all coming to give gifts and blessings to the newborn baby princess. Three fairies came, two of them giving the young baby the gifts of beauty and the gifts of song. However, before the third fairy could give her gift to the princess a cloud of black smoke appeared. Out of the smoke came a horrible voice, and two sets of gleaming green eyes.

After a brief moment, the figures holding those sets of eyes stepped out of the smoke. One was tall and thin, with singed black hair and charred skin, an ever-present grief-filled look on its face. The other figure was a large black raven, feathers shimmering with rainbow colors in the light, yet the ends of its feathers looked as if they had been caught by some fire.

"You didn't invite me." The first figure spoke, taking another step out of the smoke.

"I heard about this wonderful news secondhand." It continued, taking another step towards the crib which held the princess.

"I was so disappointed when I heard because I wish I had heard from you." Now at the side of the princess's cradle, the figure turned to lock eyes with the king and queen.

"I am overjoyed for you both, such a blessing she is. I too wish to give her a gift."

There were screams and cries as the creature spoke. Its appearance is that of a charred body dressed in ornate feathered cloaks, and its voice that of a haunted child. Guards were rushed in, but it was too late. For the feathered creature had begun to lay its gift onto the child.

"May you indeed be blessed with both beauty and song, and may your life be forever sweet and long. May you live many fruitful years, full of grace. May you soon prick your finger on a spinning wheel's spindle and fall into a peaceful forever sleep. Never to be woken by this world's cruelty."

A flash of light, blinding and vile, was spread across the room. When it cleared the smoke had once again started to pile up, swallowing the figure whole. "Happy birthday, little princess." It sing-songed hauntingly as it disappeared into the mist, leaving the banquet hall and its horrified guests.

Once the smoke fully cleared the king and queen raced towards the crib, picking up their small daughter. The two were distraught over the curse that was laid on their small precious child.

Panic ensued, guests, being ushered out by guards as the King and Queen wept over their child's apparent fate. Finally, after most of the commotion faded, the third fairy flitted forward and offered her a gift. She and the other two fairies were not able to lift the curse, but the third would be able to alter it. The curse was changed, having it so that the princess wouldn't be pricked until her sixteenth birthday, and it changed it from being an eternal sleep with no hope of waking, into a peaceful slumber that would be awoken with true love's kiss.

This calmed the parents, though the king and queen were still paranoid about their daughter's safety. So they commanded that all spinning wheels were to be burned and that the princess was to be taken away and hidden far from the heinous creature's eyes and reach.

And so, the beautiful Princess Aurora was taken to live in a beautiful summer cottage that was owned by the royal family. She was raised amongst her own personal servants, guards, and three fairies who were her nannies and caretakers.

Seasons changed and soon years passed, the small baby now a child of five. She had always been a curious thing, wandering around as much as possible. One day, during these wanderings, she happened upon a sleeping figure. It was tall and thin, with burnt hair and charred skin. It lay sleeping against the roots of a willow tree in the forest near the princess's home. Above the creature sat a giant raven with singed feathers.

The child, ever curious and naïve to the dangers of the world around her, reached out and gently touched the creature's burned face, causing it to stir. Its eyes opened, revealing beautiful violet hues, which were quickly covered by a vile green glow. The creature sat still, watching the small child as she continued to gently touch its face, cloak, and hands, seemingly confused by it.

"You shouldn't be here, little princess," it whispered softly, allowing the girl to hold onto its hand as she stared at it.

"Hello!" She smiled back joyously in response, sitting herself down next to the creature. "Everyone was busy and I was bored. So I came out here to find a friend, and I found you!" she declared, still smiling brightly.

"Am I your friend now?" It asked softly, being careful in its movements and tone so as to not scare the sweet child.

"Yes!" The princess shouted excitedly, jumping a bit on her knees.

"That's lovely." The creature said sincerely, smiling with its eyes if it was able to.

"Do you know any stories? I love stories, I love to tell them and to listen to them!" Her blonde hair bounced and her violet eyes sparked with excitement as the creature nodded.

The sun moved throughout the sky, and soon the princess fell asleep next to the creature. It moved gently, lifting her up and placing her into her bedroom.

"Happy Birthday, little princess." He whispered softly, eyes smiling as a single tear went down his face. Today was the little princess's sixth birthday.

“Predestined: determined in advance by divine will or fate. One would think that I, a divine being with a divine will, would be able to set a predestined path for the heroes I choose.” Long fluffy hair shook off of pale shoulders that were freckled with gold as the being moved to the clouds edge, “BUT APPARENTLY THATS TO MUCH TO FUCKING ASK!!!”

The once calm and elegant being screamed as his moon covered his sister's sun again.

“Lord Amaris please settle down…” the star herder pleaded softly, “This amount of eclipse can't bode well for the mortals…”

“You know what else does not bode well for them!?” the pale moon god flopped into a nearby chair, “Mortals not listening to DIVINE FUCKING LOGIC!”

20 years prior

“Look at my latest champion!” Liane cheered as she dragged her brother over to view the festival that was being held below them, “As usual mine are the best!”

“The best at stealing and showing off you mean.” Amoris chided, twinkling eyes staring into the younger bright ones.

“No, I mean that my champions are the best!”

“Sure, they're the best at pretending.”

“My champions are the best! And they're certainly far better than yours!” short fiery hair fell into the olders face as Liane got closer. “I can prove it!”

Amoris smiled, leaning away from the face full of hair he had gotten from his hot-tempered sister, “How?”

“My last champion mapped the entirety of Auntie's waters.”

“By ‘mapped’ do you mean steal my champion's work, add nothing of value to it, pretend it was his work, and then get thrown to the sirens?”

“Well, the other one defeated a whole horde of brother’s monsters!”

“Ah yes, the monsters he freed, released onto my holy city, attempted to fight but lost to the first one, barely survived that and had to be saved by my champion.”

“My champion created the harp and the most beautiful music!”

“Oh, that one. The one who sat in a windows for no good reason, lied to the princess when asked about the music, got halfway through their wedding when she was asked to play the song again as a testament of their love, and when she couldn't her sister who was MY champion muse came in and played the instrument and song that she created, winning the princess’s heart and hand in marriage.”

A playful smirk danced on Amoris’ face as he tucked his hair over his shoulder, making his way away from an angry Liane.

“Face it, little sister, your champions are only good for one thing. Stealing the show by being bright and shiny.”

He walked into the crowded common room, the bubbling conversation seeming far too loud. He really just wanted to go to his room, but that wasn’t going to happen yet.

“Hey, does anyone know what time it is?” He called out from his spot near the door. His phone had died a while ago, he had no watch, and for some reason the building was extremely lacking in clocks.

“SHOW TIME!!!” A group of theater kids shouted from the other end of the room, continuing with their awful cover of some Hamilton song.

“Uh…” he stood there, a little dumbfounded. Was that a coincidence or was that their answer to his question?

After standing there for a moment more, and not receiving any other answers he asked again. “Hey, what time is it?” He called out slightly louder this time.

“Tea time!” A small boy shouts from next to him, running off towards a low table with a tray of teacups in his hands.

Again he stood there, confused. Was that the answer to his question or was the world just messing with him?

“Does anyone know what time it is?” He called out again, a little exasperated now.

“Ain’t nobody got time for that!” A girl shouted as she and her friend marched past him into the room.

“What…?” He stood there, still not knowing the time. “Can someone please tell me what time it is?”

“It’s nap time.” A boy yawned as he walked by him and up the stairs, stretching his arms over his head.

He stood there, more dumbfounded and exasperated than before. He just wanted to know the time…

“Hey! What time is it?!” He called out again, louder.

“It’s too early for that.” A girl said, walking by him. She was yawning and looked exhausted.

“What?!” He whipped around, staring at her as she walked out of the common room and down the hall.

“It’s too late for that!” The same girl, less tired looking, jogged past him. Quickly going out of the door and down the hall as well.

The world was messing with him. That had to be it. But now he was in too deep, he needed to know the time.

“What time is it!?” He asked again, looking around desperately.

“Time for you to get a watch.” An older boy walked by him, staring down at his phone.

“But…” he stood there, truly dumbfounded. That had to be an answer to his question, it just had to be. Was everyone here just messing with him??

He stood there, silent and confused, as people walked around him and continued to chatter.

“I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE DAMN TIME IS!” He shouted desperately.

The entire room fell silent, and the head-boy of the school's common room looked at him for a moment before answering.

“It’s time for you to calm down.”

*This story was inspired by the end of story 8, and is also a little bit of a joke story that I wrote a while ago.*

“Hey so, this is a very fun war and all that you have going on here. But, I am going to host a storytime tea party, because Helian found out about tea parties and really wants to have one.” Riordan then reached out and grabbed both of them by their shirt collars

“And I need to have guests to have a tea party, so I am telling people that I will read stories to get them to come over.” He walked away, pulling the two along with him, as he headed back to the mansion for the tea party storytime.

“Helian!! I brought Tatsuya and James!” Riordan proudly smiled as he dragged in his two friends by their shirt collars.

“Oh Yay!! I’m so happy you both could make it for tea time!” Helian was clapping and smiling

“Why are we doing this?” Delmar quietly murmured into Celosia’s ear as he was leaning over.

“Free food and pretty dress-up, duh.”

“Really I am very sorry but I just can't stay for tea. I have so many things to do, you know, being emperor and all.” James started to turn around, however, he suddenly stopped as he heard a small sniff.

“-Sniff- You can't stay for my tea party?” Helian’s eyes started to form tears as they stood there and began to cry a little. All of a sudden the 30 or so very powerful and well-known mix of magickal creatures had a murderous look in their eyes. Tatsuya, keeping their monotone face, raised a sword and made eye contact with him. Delmar and Celosia activated their element abilities as Riordan smiled and opened his war spellbook. A group of Dragonborn and sirens flashed their various weapons, and even the fey smiled sadistically as they waved ‘bye bye’ to him.

“On second thought, I think that I just can't miss this. I’ll have my schedule cleared.” James smiled as he flipped a small book open to his calendar and crossed out his other plans for the day “See, now I can attend.”

“Oh, that's just wonderful!!!” Helian’s mood did a full 180 as they beamed and giggled joyfully. Soon everyone was ushered to a very well decorated floral-themed seat and served herbal tea and baked goods. There was pleasant chatter and the mannered sipping of tea and eating of cakes as everyone enjoyed this impromptu tea party. The outdoor garden the party was taking place in had only just been made by the mansion, who seemed to also want to join. Knowing this, Helian and Tatsuya made a cup of tea and a plate of treats for the mansion and left it on the altar within the garden.

“Enjoy the cake Bamiedel, It's your favorite!” Helian smiled sweetly as they stood up and joyfully skipped back to their seat. There was a slight breeze blowing through, which caused the low-hanging trees and vines to gently sway as if in greeting.

“So, Lord Graz'zt, how has work been?” Delmar turned to the tall ash skinned man seated next to him.

“Oh very busy, very busy. You know, constant war, the dungeons, girlfriend problems.”

“Oh, you poor thing.”

“I know! How am I even supposed to deal with that?”

“You know, I've heard that baking soda fixes everything.” Tatsuya butted into their conversation, being seated on Delmar’s other side.

“Does it?” Graz’zt looked perplexed as he leaned forward in order to see the Dragon

“Yup. mix it with vinegar and all will be fixed.”

“Oh, well that's wonderful. I’ll have to try that.”

“What are they talking about?” James whispered to Riordan, having overheard the conversation and being thoroughly confused.

“Dungeon cleaning methods.” Riordan nodded simply as if it was obvious.

“...What?”

“What did you think they were talking about?”

“Girlfriend trouble.”

“...”

“...”

“Well, wonderful garden isn't it?” James stated, turning and taking a sip of his tea.

“Yes indeed, Bamiedel made it.” Celosia politely nibbled on her cookies.

“It's a wonderful architect, you must have it tell me where it learned its design skills.”

“Thinking about building a new war structure?”

“Oh no, I have plenty of those. I was thinking of doing some work on the palace.”

“Ooh, that would be nice.” The redhead smiled, “The main one or the beach one?”

“I’ll start with the main one, the beach one will be done after it.”

“I’ll talk to Helian and Tatsuya and see if they can get Bamidele to spill its secrets.”

The murmured conversation continued as the table of 30 guests sipped their tea and ate their cakes. It had become dusk when Helian finally stood up to end the party.

“This was so much fun! Thank you all for coming, I’m so glad you all came! You all have a safe trip home now, I do hope you come by again for tea!” They smiled as there were cheers, praises for the parties, and thanks given to them. Soon everyone made their way out, including James.

“Well, that was nice.”

“I hope Graz’zt is able to clean his dungeons properly.” Tatsuya sighed

“Indeed. A dirty dungeon is always such a shame.” Delmar nodded as she fixed her glasses.

“It really does reflect poorly on the host.” The Bard Gang murmured their agreements as they went inside and turned in for the night.

Tatsuya was sitting with their friend, Mr.Gorgeous the Gif Emperor of JPEGlandia. The two were talking, exchanging stories and laughter and food.

“I have had years of training in both!” The two laughed as Mr.Gorgeous finished his story. Tatsuya opened their mouths to say something but decided against it.

“Well, go on. Say what you were going to say.” he gently poked his friend

“Ah, I was going to say something funny but it wasn't really.” Tatsuya shook their head

“That's fine, most of what I say isn't funny. Say it!”

“No thank you.”

Mr.Gorgeous stood up and turned to his friend “*whispers* Well then, there is only one solution…”

“*whispers* Yeah?” Tatsuya stood up, smiling at their friend’s sudden change of mood

Mr.Gorgeous drew a sword as he tossed his glove into Tatsuya’s face.

“*whispers* That's a little extreme, don't you think?”

“*whispers* Nope.” He was smiling as Tatsuya picked the glove off of their face.

“*whispers* I really didn't want it to come to this…” He smiled at what he thought was his friend’s surrender. “BUT THE COOKIE MASTER BACKS DOWN FROM NO CHALLENGE!!!!”

Tatsuya lunged forward with a yell, throwing cookies onto their opponent while they drew their blade. The two meet, metal crashing against metal, as they dance the dance of battle. As they moved around swinging their swords at each other Mr.Gorgeous tripped over a tree root and fell to the ground.

“Oof!”

“*whispers* Do you surrender?” Tatsuya had a small smile on their face

“*whispers* you think the head of security who has had training with nearly every weapon type will surrender that easily?” he smiled back as he slowly got up.

“*whispers*Yes, because you are a mortal. And I am a God, The Cookie God” Tatsuya lept back as he charged them, their swords meeting once again before they separated. They paced around each other in a circle, continuing their banter.

“What makes you think I am mortal?”

“...Everything.” The two rushed again, blades clashing as they fought. The battle so far was almost beautiful in the way that the two seemed to dance around with their weapons.

“I am no more mortal than you my friend.”

“But, I am God. The Cookie God. and you are-”

“I am an ancient warlord that has died several times!!!!” there was a pause as Tatsuya looked at him confusedly

“Then you must be a horrible fighter.”

Mr.Gorgeous froze as he looked at his friend and began to quietly laugh. ‘Didn't think it would be taken that way…’ he thought to himself before he spoke some excuse and met his friend’s attack once again. The entire battle Tatsuya had been barraging Mr.Gorgeous with attacks of cookies alongside the attack of their blade. It was at this moment that he realized that Tatsuya had been pulling what must have been 50 cookies out of the same small pouch.

“*gasps in fancy*”

“What?” Tatsuya froze in mid-swing as they stared at their friend.

“YOU’RE RICHARD WITH THE INFINITE BAG OF COOKIES!!” He shouted excitedly.

Tatsuya was silent for a few seconds, staring at their friend in confused and insulted shock. “No. But I did make his infinite bag of cookies. Where did you think that came from? *insulted scoff* The Goddess of Bags?”

“Oh… right. Shall we continue?”

“Please.”

The two pulled apart only to come back together, Tatsuya jumping into the air and coming down from above while Mr.Gorgeous protected himself from a barrage of cookies, narrowly escaping from Tatsuya’s blade.

“Have at thee!” Tatsuya gleefully swung their blade again, only barely missing his head.

Mr.Gorgeous, once he had backed away some, sheathed his metal blade and produced one made of light.

“AGGH!!!!” he charged at Tatsuya, cutting through the cookies that were sent flying towards him.

“Ah, I see. You thought using laser swords would work! Haha, foolish ancient mortal. Laser swords do nothing to my cookies!” They leapt up, pulling what seemed to be a brick of a cookie out of their pouch before chucking it at Mr.Gorgeous. He attempts to swing his sword at it, but it does nothing to the hardened rock. Letting out an aggravated sigh Mr.Gorgeous threw that blade to the side, drawing yet another metal one before swinging at Tatsuya yet again. They rolled their eyes and scoffed at the number of blades he had on him.

“Ancient warlord man, pick a sword and stick with it.” they mocked as the two continued to battle. Growing tired of the basic battle The Gif Emperor stepped away and began to attack in the style known as ancient shodokian.

“I really really REALLY didn’t want to have to do this, but you leave me NO CHOICE!” Tatsuya laughed as the two came apart again.

“I accept your surrender.” He swung his sword as he teased.

“Surrender? Oh no.”

“Really?”

“I am going to give you one last chance to surrender and walk away with your honor and your life Mr.Gorgeous.”

“Did you miss the thing where I said that I have already died multiple times?”

“...But I am a God, death by me is permanent .” Tatsuya shrugged as the two continued to circle around each other. Mr. Gorgeous began to chant his war chant and Tatsuya shook their head.

“I am so sorry, my friend.” Tatsuya shook their head as they clapped their hands together and a blinding light appeared. Mr.Gorgeous blinked, and when he opened his eyes again they were in another realm.

“Oh ho, I see you have taken us to the Pit?”

Tatsuya nodded as they gestured to the gladiator-style fighting pit around them.

“Ready?” Mr.Gorgeous smiled as he taunted his friend. Tatsuya nodded and the two clashed together again. As they battled, swords swinging and cookies flying around both of them had an idea. Mr.Gorgeous and Tatsuya separated and the two began to perform summoning magick. He was chanting once again as he created shadow war avatars while Tatsuya’s eyes glowed while they summoned an army of cookie soldiers.

“Am I supposed to be scared of that?” Tatsuya smiled as they looked upon the shadow soldiers before them. The two shared a laugh as they sent their armies towards one another.

“WARRRR!!!” They both shouted as they ran ahead of their forces, coming together in a horrific clash of men and cookies. There was screaming, cries of wars, battle cries, the sound of various tsunamis crashing over them. The two were both soaked, dirty, and tired as they continued to fight, the dance of battle continues. There were now Dragons and orcs, cookie men, and shadow soldiers. The two armies met as their masters wished them to. The two continued until they both caught a glimpse of the newcomer.

“HALT!” Riordan’s cry cut through the battlefield. The two friends and their armies froze, the sudden silence seeming to deafen them all.

“Oh, hello there.” he smiled at the newcomer who was now next to them.

“Hi Riordan.” they lowered their cookies and their sword as they turned to him.

“Hey so, this is a very fun war and all that you have going on here. But, I am going to host a storytime tea party, because Helian found out about tea parties and really wants to have one.” Riordan then reached out and grabbed both of them by their shirt collars

“And I need to have guests to have a tea party, so I am telling people that I will read stories to get them to come over.” He walked away, pulling the two along with him, as he headed back to the mansion for the tea party storytime.

*This story was written a while ago as a little joke between a friend and I. It's from the same universe with the same characters as story 5*

It all began when one day the four Regiis children were on their way to the tree house.

“It’s such a nice day; I hope it doesn’t rain again. It ruined my dress yesterday when it did.” A small girl with a braid of Raven hair turned her soft, purple eyes to her brother.

“It would be a shame if it rained again, as it is though I don’t think it will.” Samuel continued along the birch path with his younger sister. His crisp blue eyes looked down the path as he ran his hand through his shaggy hair.

“It amazes me how this path never seems to change; don’t you think it's odd Kitty?”

“Indeed, yet I hope it stays like this forever. It’s so peaceful.”Samuel and Kitty continued along the sunlight dappled path.

“Hey slow-pokes!” Kitty looked away from the arching trees to see her other brother, Carter, just off the path. The boy used to look like Samuel and herself, with their raven hair, yet he had recently dyed his hair a sky blue that matched his eyes. Carter was the third child of the Regiis family with Samuel and Allisa being the first and second children. Kitty herself was glad to be the youngest, at eight years of age she was considered too young to be concerned with mundane tasks that her peers were, yet she also resented it as she was often not allowed to adventure with her older siblings.

“Come on you guys!! Allisa is already ahead!!” Carter called to them once again before disappearing off the path toward their tree house. Samuel started off on a brisk jog followed by Kitty. When they reached the tree house they saw Carter waiting on the ground while Allisa climbed up the ladder, disappearing into the trees foliage.

The tree house was placed in an old oak tree that seemed to climb forever into the sky. The house itself was set into the meeting point of all the branches on the trunk and was made out of driftwood and scrap wood that their father helped put together. The inside was adorned with homemade furniture such as, four driftwood chairs, a scrap wood table, a shelf that ran the length of one wall,and a basket lift. On top of the furniture was scrap fabric cushions, old cups, a bar of soap, fire starter, flint, plates,  blankets, and a picnic lunch from home that Carter and mom packed.

Carter and Samuel deposited their bags and baskets of food and started up the ladder.

“Lower the basket for the food!”  Kitty cried from below sitting on the rock next to the basket, rag bag, and metal bucket. A wicker basket was lowered with a thump from the branches which Kitty put in all the containers and then waited as the basket was raised, emptied, then lowered again. She sat in the basket and was raised up through the branches until she came to the landing. She was met by two shining green eyes which belonged to  her sister Allisa. The girls went into the main area and started setting the tables and prepping the food with the boys. There were crackers and cheese followed by some homemade fruit tarts for dessert and some cold turkey or chicken salad with rolls for lunch. Samuel put the bottles of lemonade that Kitty and Carter had just made, on top the table.

“Can we eat now?” Asked Carter, he was always hungry and somehow never got any plumper for it.

“Yes Carter..” Samuel rolled his eyes as he answered him. As they sat down to eat all four kids looked at the food, mentally picking out what they would eat first.

Meanwhile down the birch path near the quarry wall  a strange group of strange figures disappeared from the forest after crossing a line of stone that had been within the forest for years. As they left a low quiet humming, similar to the sound of gurgling water, and a sweet smell, quite like the smell of pine trees and cookies appeared. The sound grew in volume while the scent grew stronger as time passed. The children were completely unaware of this and continued to eat, joke, laugh, and joke and eat some more. Towards the end of the meal the children fell silent, sitting content and reading. Waiting until they felt like eating the rest of their meal.

“Hey what’s that noise?...” Samuel cocked his head to hear it better. The children sat still for a minute listening.

“Sounds like water running, or something humming” Kitty stood up and looked out from the balcony.

“Do you see anything?” Carter went to stand up but froze as he twitched his nose.

“HEY!” Exclaimed Carter “What’s that wonderful smell?”

“It’s almost like fresh baked cookies and some kind of pine..” Sniffed Allisa

“Baked or burnt.” Stated Samuel panic slowly spreading on his face “It could be a forest fire!”

“I think it's coming from the end of the Birch path.” Stated Carter

“Should we go check it out?” Kitty suggested tentatively

“ALREADY THERE!!!” Shouted Allisa as she leaped past Kitty, grabbing the pulley rope and began to quickly rappel down, her red hair flying behind her.

“This isn’t wise!!” Shouted Samuel as he hurried to raise and lower the lift with Kitty inside. Then rushed down the ladder followed by a reluctant Carter.

“We haven’t eaten dessert yet though! You guys!!!” Carter said as he touched the ground, but the other three were already far ahead. As the children came farther down the Birch path the smell of pine became overwhelming, while the sound grew louder and louder, soon filling their ears and drowning out every other sound in the forest.

“LOOK THERE'S ALISSA!!” Shouted Samuel. Allisa was standing at the end of the path and looked back at her siblings.

“HOW IS SHE NOT COVERING HER EARS!?” Screamed Carter, they were all covering their ears in an attempt to quiet the noise

“I HAVE NO CL-..ue” Kitty’s voice ended in a whisper as when they reached Allisa the sound and smell stopped leaving an odd silence  and a blandness to the air.

“ Guys...” started Allisa “ What made these..?” Allisa was staring at the ground where there were four sets of  prints of what seemed a large deer or wolves.

“A deer perhaps?” Stated Carter in a mocking way, as Allisa prided herself for her knowledge of animals.

“They're too big and too close together.” Scoffed Allisa protectively “and those aren't of a wolf either so don't even.”

“That’s not what’s bothering me..” Whispered Samuel, he was staring at the line of stone in the ground where all the prints seemed to vanish. “It goes in a path towards it but there's nothing on the other side.”

“OH YEAH!?!” Carter and Allisa had begun fighting again.

“WELL I’M THE ANIMAL EXSP-OOF!!”

Allisa stumbled backwards after being shoved by Carter crossed the line... and disappeared. The others looked at each other then the line then at each other again. This went on for some time then...

“Allisa!!!” Yelled Samuel in a state of panic “ Oh mum and dad are going to kill me!!”

“Kill you!? I’m the one who pushed her over the line!” Carter had begun his nervous habit. Running around in circles while screaming. The thing is that as Carter was running in circles he got closer and closer to the line, until he tripped over a conveniently placed root and fell over the line. Also disappearing.

“AHHHH!!!” Screamed Samuel, as he began to panic more and more. Kitty on the other hand was quiet and calm. Samuel continued to scream while Kitty continued to look at the line where her siblings had vanished.  This, like most things when involving Samuel and Kitty, without Allisa or Carter, went on until Samuel had had enough.

“All right then!” He declared standing up “We shall conduct multiple experiments to figure out how to get both of them back!”

Then Kitty grabbing her brother’s hand said “Or we can do this.” Kitty then jumped over the line pulling Samuel with her. Once all four were across the line the noise and smell disappeared completely. The line vanished and time began to slow, crawling to a halt, as time stopped until they returned.. or died you know, It really could go either way.