Aiden stood in an open space that was meant to be used as a sparring area. He was dressed in black cargo pants, shirtless with his abs exposed, and fingerless gloves covering both hands while opening and closing his hands.He turned to Gregg, flexing his biceps, "ready when you are!" He called out with confidence, knowing full well that there would never come a day where someone could actually beat him at this particular skill set—at least not until they had trained long enough together so they became stronger or surpassed his augmentations.Gregg felt a cold chill run down his spine as he weighed his options, he only had the ability of superspeed and could handle a weapon but not as skillfully as Aiden did. He also didn't have the strength of Aiden's muscles nor the speed of Aiden's reflexes either, and Aiden knew it too which was why Gregg was always training alongside Aiden whenever possible, but this time felt way different, almost as though he was taking on another person in his
Risa took a deep breath, her fangs glistening under the sunlight that filtered through the trees surrounding the sparring area. Her claws extended, glinting menacingly as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She knew Aiden was skilled, but she was determined to give him a challenge.Without wasting a moment, Risa lunged forward with incredible speed, her claws aiming for Aiden's chest. But Aiden was ready. He sidestepped effortlessly, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to anticipate Risa's movements. In one swift motion, he grabbed her arm and spun her around, using her momentum against her. Risa crashed to the ground, but she rolled back onto her feet, undeterred.Aiden circled Risa, his eyes locked on her every move. He was impressed by her agility and speed. Risa was nimble, darting forward and back with surprising swiftness. She unleashed a sonic blast, a powerful wave of sound that sent Aiden staggering backward, momentarily disoriented.Taking advantage of the openi
"We're back," Gregg whispered, his head raised to view the grand splendor of the Secret Lyridian Guild Headquarters. The building itself stood tall like an ancient temple made entirely of white marble and gold trim around its edges and doors. The front entrance led into a large foyer which was lined on either side by statues of various creatures and people who were known throughout history as heroes and villains alike. There were also several paintings hung on the walls depicting some of these same figures in action scenes as if they had been painted right after their heroic deeds had occurred.Aiden felt as though he had stepped inside one of those old fantasy movies he used to watch when he'd still lived at home; he could almost hear the music playing softly somewhere off to his left while he looked up at the ceiling high above him, seeing how it seemed to stretch forever before it ended at a point far beyond his sight. He looked down at Risa, noticing her wide eyes staring upwards
"How about you kindly come along with me, and there would be no trouble." Brad offered calmly yet firmly while motioning toward the door behind him which led back into the main hallways outside their meeting chamber.Gregg stepped in front of Aiden, shaking his head in disbelief at Brad's words, "You're joking, right? Tell me this is just one of your sick jokes..." Gregg's voice trailed off when he saw that his friend wasn't smiling anymore either. "Gregg?" Aiden muttered under his breath, causing Gregg to turn towards him curiously. "Kindly do yourself a favor by backing off!"Risa took a few steps back from Aiden, sensing a menacing aura seething off him as he glared daggers at Brad. She knew she couldn't stop him from doing whatever it was he planned on doing next; however, if it meant protecting hers and Gregg's, then it was worth it.Brad returned the look unflinchingly before raising his hands in surrender, "I seriously don't want to fight you, Aiden... aren't we frien–"Aiden
A loud bang could be heard as Brad was tossed by Kranus through an opening on the far wall—a portal leading outside Draenor's borders. The portal closed as soon as Brad's body hit the ground on the other end. Kranus stood over him with a scornful expression. "Our Lord wouldn't be pleased with how things turned out..."Brad groaned loudly before rolling onto his stomach and pushing himself up into a sitting position. His head throbbed painfully while blood dripped down from his nose and mouth. He spat some of it into his hand and wiped it across his sleeve; it came away red and sticky. He looked around at what appeared to be ruins surrounding him; there were no signs of life anywhere nearby. There weren't any trees either; everything looked dead except for what looked like large piles of bones scattered throughout what used to be buildings."Where are we?" he mumbled groggily, trying to remember if he had ever been here before. But he couldn't recall anything specific about this place,
Chirp!Chirp!The sound echoed through the air around them like an alarm clock going off early morning but no one seemed bothered by this noise at all; however, when Aiden opened one eye slightly just barely enough to see what had caused such loud noises coming from outside through one window near him, two little birds were flying across the sky outside looking almost exactly alike except for slight differences between each other including size and coloration which were very similar too though still different from each other somehow even so. They were both black feathered creatures with long pointed beaks that looked sharpened for stabbing purposes although neither bird appeared capable of doing so yet since both remained flapping their wings rapidly against the wind trying desperately to stay aloft instead. Sitting up straight, he rubbed the sleep off his eyes then turned towards Risa sleeping beside him on her bed while wearing nothing more than a thin white tank top covering up ev
Davis stood in front of the huge door of his master's throne room, he lowered his head in shame, scared shitless at being summoned here without any explanation whatsoever; however, there was no turning back since his life was on the line here—no matter which way you look at things, so Davis swallowed hard and pushed in through the doorway.The doors immediately slammed shut causing him to jump slightly with fright yet still managed to keep moving forward until eventually reaching an area with several other people standing around waiting their turn just like himself: one man dressed like some sort of warrior wearing dark blue robes with long black hair falling over his shoulders along with having his face cast down while bowing lowly to the domineering figure of the Shadow King who sat upon his chair sitting atop a raised platform surrounded by many others all looking up at him from below making it seem almost as if he were godlike or something similar instead even though that couldn't
"Liam?" Davis asked incredulously. His eyes widened in shock as Liam stepped forward from between two buildings and walked over toward him.His friend's face seemed mischievous and amused by what he had seen earlier that minute. As if this whole thing had been planned by him entirely and not by anyone who worked for the Unseen Assembly.Trying to piece the clues together, he finally concluded, "You were the one who had sent those monsters to attack Gregg!"He shook his head while laughing softly. "No," he replied calmly while looking up at the sky above them. "Not by choice anyways."He paused briefly while thinking about how best to explain himself without revealing too much information or giving away any secrets. Then he continued speaking quietly so no other ears could hear them: "It was actually someone else, someone who you seem to have a connection with—does a certain blonde ring any bells?"Davis' eyes widened in shock as he stared at the floor in disbelief, realizing Brad had
Raymond didn't miss the nervous look in Aiden's eyes, and he gestured to the waitress, indicating for two more coffees. "Don't look so worried, Aiden," he began, leaning back in his chair. "I'm not here to stir up trouble, quite the opposite, in fact."Aiden gave a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You have a knack for popping up unexpectedly, Raymond," he said, meeting the older man's gaze. Raymond chuckled, a sound that reminded Aiden of crunching autumn leaves. "Guilty as charged," he admitted. "But it's the only way to catch you off guard, isn't it?"The two men shared a smile, the ice of formality finally beginning to thaw. When their coffees arrived, Aiden took a moment to appreciate the smell, the warmth of the cup soothing his nerves.Raymond's knowing smile widened as he caught sight of the green card. "I see you've been putting that to good use," he said, pouring a cup of coffee for Aiden. "Now tell me, how have you been?"Aiden hesitated for a moment, not sure wh
Four months had passed since their wedding, and it had been nothing short of bliss. Aiden recalled, a month after his marriage, he had the privilege of being the best man at Gregg's wedding to Zin. It was another day of joy and friendship, another day of unforgettable memories. As he watched his friend recite his vows, he couldn't help but feel a sense of profound happiness. It was as if life had come full circle, their shared dreams finally coming true.Now, Aiden found himself in the grandeur of his living room, the plush furnishings reflecting his luxurious lifestyle. His gaze lingered on a group photo from his own wedding that hung on the wall, the silver frame capturing the raw, unfiltered happiness of that day. James, the ever-loyal butler, had snapped the photo, capturing a moment of pure joy, their faces alive with laughter and love.A smile tugged at his lips as his eyes scanned the faces in the frame-his radiant wife, Risa, Gregg, Zin, and Mr. Smith. It was a precious mement
From the beautiful ceremony that echoed the purity of their love to the lively reception that followed, everything was truly enchanting. The laughter, the joy, the well-wishes, everything contributed to creating an ambiance of happiness and love.As the guests filled the beautifully decorated hall, the after-party began in earnest. The buffet tables were laden with an array of delicious food, while the bar was stocked with all sorts of drinks, catering to everyone's preference.Zin, in her elegant emerald green gown, was fluttering around Risa like a protective mother hen. She was diligently making sure that Risa was comfortable, frequently asking if she needed anything. Her worry was transparent, her gaze constantly darting to Risa's small belly. Risa, although touched by her friend's concern, found it amusing and gently assured her that she was fine.Amidst the laughter and conversations, Gregg detached himself from the crowd and moved towards Aiden, who was seated at a table with M
A week had passed since that day, the culmination of which was their big day, the day of their wedding. It was a day that echoed the magnificence of their love for one another. The wedding venue was the most eccentric hall in all of Collow. It was an architectural marvel, a symphony of nature and architecture that combined grandeur and simplicity in a harmonious blend. Tall, impressive stone columns held up the lofty, wooden ceiling, creating an ambiance of grandeur. The hall was filled with the beautiful scent of fresh pine, lavender, and honeysuckle, creating an earthy, calming aura that reflected their shared love for nature. The vast windows draped in flowing sheer curtains allowed the sunlight to filter in, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the space.The wedding was filled with countless guests, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bride. The air buzzed with anticipation as soft music filled the room. The melodious notes of the violin and piano created a magical, enchantin
The news of their forthcoming child was still fresh in their minds as they sat down to discuss their imminent wedding. The room was filled with a sense of exhilaration, excitement, and anticipation. The huge dining table was strewn with various wedding catalogs, color palettes, floral arrangements, and tentative guest lists. Risa, brimming with an ethereal glow from her pregnancy, was a picture of excited expectancy. Her green eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and anxiety, her fingers fluttering across the catalog pages as she attempted to decide on the most fitting color code for their nuptials."Aiden, what do you think of this one?" She pointed towards a palette that was an array of earthy colors, inspired by nature.Aiden leaned over to see what she was indicating, his gaze falling on the hues of deep forest green, soft brown, and a touch of gold. He studied it for a moment, his blue eyes reflecting the colors she chose."It's perfect, Risa. It truly reflects who we are, connected
[R-18]'When am I never ready?' Gregg replied in his thoughts, but instead of going along that line of thought, he gave her a tender smile as he brushed her hair away from her face and planted soft kisses on her cheeks and along her jawline."You're my dream girl." He whispered softly into her sensitive ears.Zin's breath caught in her throat as she looked at Gregg with a surprised smile. He had said that to her countless times before in different ways and situations, but it felt different coming from him now. He wasn't saying it because it was something he wanted her to do. It was simply how he saw her.With an easy grace, Zin disrobed, letting her clothes fall to the floor until she was wearing nothing but a sheer white slip of lingerie that accentuated her curves and accentuated her light pink nipples that were already hardening beneath the thin fabric. "Must have been the flour and grease on them," Zin teased with a playful smirk, stripping off the remaining clothing as quickly a
"Is everything alright, Risa?" she asked, her tone hinting at her worry. "You've never declined wine before. Is there a reason you're saying no tonight?"Risa glanced at Aiden, an unspoken question flickering in her gaze. Aiden gave her a reassuring smile, a silent signal for her to share their secret. "I'm not feeling unwell or anything," Risa began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just that...I... we... are expecting."The room fell silent, as if the words had sucked the air right out of it. Zin blinked, looking between Risa and Aiden, trying to comprehend the gravity of the news. Meanwhile, Gregg stared at Aiden, his eyes wide with shock."Expecting?" Zin repeated, her mind racing to decode Risa's words. But then it clicked, and she let out a startled gasp. "You mean...you're pregnant?"Risa nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Three weeks along."Aiden reached for Risa's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He looked at her with such warmth, his eyes sparkling with
The shadows began to stretch across the rooms of the quaint duplex that Zin and Gregg called home as the golden tendrils of the afternoon sun began to retreat for the day. In the heart of their dwelling, Zin's culinary skills were on full display in their small but well-equipped kitchen. The tantalizing aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. In contrast, Gregg's domain was the dining area, where he was meticulously attending to every detail. He nervously adjusted the tablecloth, smoothed out non-existent creases, and repositioned the silverware for what felt like the hundredth time."Gregg," Zin's voice carried from the kitchen, filled with a lighthearted teasing note, "You're going to wear holes into the tablecloth if you continue fussing over it like that."A sheepish grin spread across Gregg's face at Zin's playful comment. "I just want to ensure everything is perfect, Zin," he replied, his voice shaky. "Aiden's accustomed to high-end,
A smile, brimming with mischief, gradually began to play across the features of Aiden. The playful glint in his eyes danced as he declared in a voice imbued with teasing suspense, "I'm not going to share that with you." Without any further ado, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small box with intricate detailing, and handed it over to Gregg, who was visibly caught in the throes of anticipation.Gregg accepted the box with a sense of curiosity bordering on fascination. He gingerly opened the lid, and his pupils dilated in astonishment as they beheld the singular object nestled within the folds of velvet that lined the box. Inside lay a shimmering golden card that reflected the soft ambient light in a playful dance of colors, emphasizing the meticulous engraving of a stylized dragon that marked its surface. The card was encased in a pristine white border, upon which bold, black words stood out in striking contrast: 'What you seek is within.'Aiden, struggling to contain his amus