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Dead Men Smiling 1.0 THE RISE OF THE PHOENIX
You and I both know I was not the villain of our story but if you want to play victim, I'll be the villain you need.-------Maximus was usually very peaceful and refrained from doing or saying anything that might make you think otherwise but as he read the letter, he thought maybe just this once he was excused from playing nice. He then scoffed to himself showing his more than obvious displeasure towards the letter he had just received from a good friend of his.Why was he considered a bad person when he did not go around burning orphanages whenever he was in a bad mood?Was this some kind of twisted joke to make the rebellion look bad?"I'd like to see how they pin this on The Rebellion as well."He let out a sigh when he realized the guilty party was in no way affected by his anger. Heck, they probably did not know of his existence. As far as they were concerned, so long as the majority loved them, nothing really was the matter.The birds started singing their melodies reminding th
Dead Men Smiling 1.1
Mirror, mirror on the wall,Whom is the most broken of them all?---------------Sora stabbed the dummy, completely disarming it causing their instructor to call it quits for the day."Didn't you say disarming these ugly dolls would be easy?" Sir Nicholas tsked. The others stared at the shoes, suddenly wondering if they had always been that interesting.Sora let out a silent sigh, perhaps he shouldn't have tried to disarm the dummy; he would not live to hear the end of it.Sir Nicholas immediately spotted him in the crowd and called him in front where he announced that the only reason they would all be going their homes that day was that he was the only one who managed to disarm a dummy.He faced Sora, "You know what? You can come tomorrow but not for training.""Uh... ok," Sora nodded before bowing slightly and following the many other soldiers; he was never going to live this down.He kept his head down as he walked past them in the locker room and went to have a shower to relax his
Dead Men Smiling 1.2
Do monsters make war or does war make monsters?---------Leilani was petting a raven with gold eyes when she heard someone knocking on her door. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "You may enter."She then faced her visitor. "King Leonardo," she addressed him with a curtsey, "May His Majesty live forever. Sorry for the current state you have found me in. I had no idea of your arrival.""You may rise."Leilani straightened and watched with worry in her gaze as he approached her causing a slight furrow in her brow.Did I do anything wrong? I did something wrong, didn't I?Before she could continue overthinking, The King pulled her in for a tight embrace, which caused her to feel her face heat up. "Y- Your Highness," she let out an awkward laugh, "Is something the matter?""Far from it," he breathed as he pulled away, "Your probation is over, My Queen.""It's been six years already?" she frowned as she looked at her shoes. He lifted her head using her chin and grinned, "N
Dead Men Smiling 1.3
There will always be three sides of a story: yours, theirs and the truth.-----"Heroes never lie," she whispered with a fond smile."Perhaps they don't have the time and energy to," Rowan retaliated, "I mean, they clean up after everyone and fight villains all the time. They barely have time for themselves as it is."I'm no hero, mum. I'm not good enough to be one."You probably hate me for putting you in an orphanage despite being alive."You aren't wrong there.But did Rowan hate the woman who carried him for nine months and birthed him?He didn't; he just wanted to know her reasons for abandoning him and only paying visits to the orphanage but never asked for him back.Normally, the thought of someone abandoning him made him livid but the woman in her bed in her shabby home loved him unconditionally and because of that, he was more than willing to forgive her.He smiled sadly at her. She wasn't going to make it. "Why didn't you go to a hospital, mum?" he asked as he grabbed her f
Dead Men Smiling 2.o REBEL SO THEY CHANGE
I will either walk like a King or like I don't care who the King is.______Leilani narrowed her eyes as she watched Dolan work, "What are you making?"The young sorceror didn't waste time replying as he glanced at her, "Bombs." "What makes them different from other bombs?""Like everything I create Leilani, they are magical."She frowned as she stared at the items before a taking a sip of tea. Gods knew she wanted a tequila or a plain beer. Anything but the damned beverage she drank at that moment.The corners of Dolan's mouth twiched as he let out a noise of triumph. She tilted her head; did he finally find the right spells to make it work?"It's not perfect," he admitted, cracking his knuckles, "But it gets the job done."He downed the rest of his coffee and excused himself, leaving Leilani with his latest experiment. She sent a silent prayer to the gods thanking them that they didn't subject her to the torture of Dolan bringing that dagger. Now that would have been a serious prob
Dead Men Smiling 2.1
Devils don't fly, so don't expect me not to fall._____Sora let out a sigh as he wrapped his wings around his body, enjoying the warmth. All the other Angels were playing various games, happy to finally leave their classes for the day as Sora watched while making a flower crown.When he noticed the attention wasn't on him, he slipped out of the garden and went into the palace, not allowing himself to get seen or caught.As he treaded through the forbidden hallway, his eyes landed on a plain door.That's curious. He thought as he pushed the door only to enter a room with the world and on the surrounding walls were tiny screens. "Oh My Creator," he breathed, looking around in awe. His wings fluttered in excitement and he was soon flying towards the globe to take a closer look.He placed his hand on the Sahara Desert and smiled at the sand he collected, "This must be where dad works."He then furrowed his brow; his father made diseases, calamities and disasters. Where in the skies coul
Dead Men Smiling 2.2
Since everything I did to help you wasn't good enough, destroying you was the only option I had._____"You two seem close," Rowan noted as he trailed behind Maximus who looked around before answering in an undertone, "Whatever do you mean?" "You hated Sora when we were kids.""That's because he'd always leave and I was afraid he wouldn't come back." "What changed?" "What's with all the questions?"Rowan's lip twitched as he rethought his next question; or in his case, his next attempt at learning something about the other, "Can't I be curious?"Maximus sighed in exasperation, "Rowan?" "Honestly, I'm just concerned seeing as when Sora completes his mission down here, he's going back to Heaven."Maximus glared at him and opened his mouth, ready to sharply ask what the other knew before chewing his tongue; he really was risking a lot for someone who would leave if the opportunity ever presented itself.He then found himself smiling at Rowan, "The least we can do is help him, no?""The m
Dead Men Smiling 2.3
I can kill for you, I can die for you but asking me to live for you; that's impossible.______Dolan settled on a couch and let out a heavy sigh as he felt his body relax. Reign placed his head on the young sorcerer's lap, tail thumping against the floor as the latter scratched the back of his ear. Dolan stared at the book seated next to the dagger, picked it up and opened it, smiling at the title Ensnare the Mind: Non-Human Edition."Thanks," he muttered as he read the first chapter.After two hours Dolan placed the book back on the table, pulled his wand from its sheathe and waved it, causing a notepad with all the information he dubbed from the book as important to appear. He studied the notes with a frown, "Thinking is now making me thirsty. May I please have a drink?"Silence followed his words, making it seem like he was talking to himself. Reign tilted his head in curiosity just as Dolan stopped to scratch his head, ceasing when a glass of coconut milk appeared on the table ne
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- Dead Men Smiling
9.1
You know what they say; no pain, no gain.-----Sora was instructed to lay on the table by Wynter, dressed similarly to Hope and Maximus, who attended to the burns on the Angel's back after cutting what remained of the shirt.Dolan was flipping through his book, probably trying to glean last minute information on the surgery he was about to perform. He closed the book and turned his gaze to Rowan. "Does Beast have any idea on this?""Sadly, no."Sora realized he was tense as it dawned on him that he would actually be getting the operation to remove his wings. Dolan glanced at his friends as if asking for one of them to do something.He relaxed slightly when hesitant hands rubbed his lower back and carefully moved to his shoulders. "Relax, Sor. Dolly says it'll hurt less if you aren't tense." Leilani muttered as Maximus continued his ministrations.Rowan stood at his right and griped his hand. "Just squeeze when it hurts, ok?"
- Dead Men Smiling
9.0 TRUTH BE TOLD
But the oddest teacher of all is experience for she gives the test first and the lesson afterwards.=====When Hope opened his eyes, he was on the couch facing Dolan so he could see what the Vampire was doing. He then sat up, frowning as the blanket rolled off him; why did he feel warm?He then placed his arm against his neck, frowning at the warmth he was producing which he found odd seeing that he had always been cold-blooded."Dolan?"He cringed at how hoarse his voice sounded before smiling slightly as a tired Dolan handed him a glass of water. "Morning Hope. Are you really awake or are you about to manifest again?" "Whatever do you mean?"Hope then looked around the room and frowned, turning his attention back to Dolan who had wandered to the other side of the room to pick something from the table there. "Dolly, what did you do to me? I'm producing heat." He asked.Dolan didn't face him. "We're about to find out."Hope wa
- Dead Men Smiling
8.3
The skeletons are in the closet for a reason.-----Sora didn't need Maximus to nudge him slightly for him to know that it was him that Dolan was speaking to. He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled. "You know who did it."The gold eyes glimmered before Dolan closed them and took a deep breath. When he opened them, there was nothing for anyone to read. "So the Ring of Power is the random ring you found?"Suddenly, everything fell into place as soon as the name rolled of Dolan's tongue as Maximus realized exactly what was wrong. He remembered an eight-year-old Dolan recounting to them one story night about a power hungry Mage who created the ring with samples from the strongest and most powerful beings short of the gods. He remembered how he explained the Mage coated the ring with gold as a way to contain the ring's vast power and sealed it with her own, powerful magic.The ring worked a little too effectively and gave the bear
- Dead Men Smiling
8.2
The devil you know is better than the angel you don't know.--- Leilani hugged herself as she felt her strength finish as Rowan let out another heart wrenching scream. she shut her eyes tight, hoping to escape the haunting memories that took place merely hours ago; it felt like it had happened light years ago.She had just left Maximus after telling him she was looking for Rowan to freeze him and was skipping through the trees, aware that she had the element of surprise n her side when she felt an old yet familiar pain seize her as her senses heightened.She let out a low pain filled moan as she bent, trying to reduce the pain when she remembered the pills Dolan had given her and swallowed two dry, grimacing at the bitter taste.She thanked the gods that she carried the container around and wondered vaguely if her taking the pills earlier than prescribed and in a higher dose would affect her in anyway.A familiar scent reac
- Dead Men Smiling
8.1
In fear of you forgetting me, I made sure you'd hate me.-----Dolan let out a sigh as he recalled what he saw the previous night. He agreed with Mira on how he chose to thank him for giving him the strength to kill Jess. If he hadn't used magic to trap Mira, Jess would have been alive long enough for him to have had an idea on what to do to heal the Demon of magic."Brooding is definitely not a good look on you." Maximus snorted. Dolan looked at the Siren and didn't comment at what his friend had said."Are you ok?" Maximus asked after a moment of silence washed over them.Dolan was tempted to shake his head and tell him that he was fine but at the pointed look he received, he simply let out another sigh. The Siren smiled at Dolan as he put a hand on his shoulder. "Come on. I want to show you something in your garden.""But I know every nook and cranny of the garden."He was proven wrong.He stared at the pond in aw
- Dead Men Smiling
8.0 SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET
Don't misunderstand me when I say that the villain was once the victim.-----Before anyone could blink, Sora pulled Dolan into a tight hug which Maximus and Rowan excitedly joined, careful not to injure the Angel's back. Wynter smiled at the reunion as she leaned against the door frame. She rose a brow at Leilani. "Why don't you join them?"Apart of her cringed at the thought of hugging a Vampire and she wrinkled her nose beneath the mask. She then shrugged. "Too much boy." "oh, I get you."To say she was shocked when Dolan broke out of the hug to stand in front of her would be an understatement. She held her breath as the gold eyes assessed her before he carefully removed her mask from her face and took her in. "You kept taking the pills."Another part of Leilani kicked herself at the sound of the surprise in his voice and she cursed herself for messing up their friendship.Before she could reply, Dolan had turned his atte
- Dead Men Smiling
7.2
A wise man learns more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.-----"-They've been on probation for three years and we can't reach out without confirming their suspicions!" Jess cried. "What are we going to do, Mason?"Mason rolled her eyes at Jess's antics but didn't comment as she continued writing her letter while giving her eagle owl instructions on the parcel it was about to carry. She secured the parcel and letter and smiled softly at the bird that nuzzled its head against her palm before taking off in flight.She closed the window and smiled reassuringly at Jess who looked very close to pulling his air out. "Don't fret, Jess. I'm a few steps ahead of you."Jess relaxed at the thought of Mason having the situation under control before panic seized him once more. "Rowan isn't allowed to see his mother whose sick and he doesn't know that she might not make it." "She'll pull through. If anything I wouldn't be surprised if she outliv
- Dead Men Smiling
7.1
No matter who you are, you must agree that loyalty is essential in all alliances.-----A big man sat behind a desk looking at the papers in front of him with a frown when he heard someone knock on the door."Come in."The door opened and an androgynous figure with a headscarf and a facemask walked in, closely followed by a tall brunette with green eyes and a shorter blonde with red eyes. He rose a brow, concerned with odd trio but gestured for them to sit."Blue? Who are these people."The one referred to as Blue smiled beneath the mask, blue eyes glowing slightly. "Well, Jack-I beg your pardon- Alpha Jack. These are Liz and Sed; my siblings."Jack's brow furrowed; Siblings? There's more of them? Sed lit a new a cigarette and frowned when Jack rose a brow. "No smoke zone?" He asked, getting clarification when the Alpha nodded. Sed sighed heavily and extinguished the cigarette in his usual fashion that had Jack
- Dead Men Smiling
7.0 WALK IN THE BOOTS OF THE ENEMY
From the outside looking in, it's hard to understand; from the inside looking out, it's hard to explain.-----The Emperor was more than ready to strangle Sed when he saw the Witch since the smoke addict decided that it would be funny to not show up for his summoning. His heavy boots thudded against the tiles as he strolled through the halls, calling's Sed's name every few seconds.He knew that Sed was within grounds because he was told so and actually saw the red eyed blonde walk to the palace. Where was he?A dull sound thudded causing him to stiffen when it registered in his mind that the sound had come from The Empress' room. Fear gripped his soul as he ran to his room and opened the door only to be met with the sight of The Empress standing well away from a bleeding body of Sed.He turned his gaze to his wife, ready to ask her if she was fine when he noticed an outraged expression on her face when he eyes landed on Sed. She then looked at him with no expression before walking out