'So, the Lion falls in Love the Lamb'

'Cradled in the Wings of One's Crush'

Summary:

For quite some time, Angelo Credo, has had a crush on Clyde Alanis, who'd once been a Soldier recruit for the Holy Knights and Prodigy taught under Credo, who is now High Commander for Order of the Sword. Sometimes he feels the other man is insufferable in the way he acts, other times he can't stand the man because he worries his crush for the man will reveal itself to Clyde if Credo shows any acknowledgement and fear if he acts on his feelings that Clyde's estranged Father Sanctus, Leader of the Order of the Sword also called 'His Holiness', will find out about it. And yet, deep down Credo when he associates with Clyde Alanis that feels he's cradled in the wings of his crush.

Notes:

- Title refers to how Clyde Alanis may be insufferable, annoying and a bit rebellious in his actions but for Credo, who has a crush on him, he feels cradled in the wings of the man - Clyde Alanis is the son of Sanctus and a Demon Queen called Selunite, but is not acknowledged by his half-siblings or his Father fully. - Canon Diverging moment to where the Order of the Sword tested if they could open the true Hellgate but this process failed before they could, nearly deciminating half the island population. - The Mining Village on the North side of the Island has far has can get info from the Devil May Cry wiki doesn't have a name so have named it Manis, due to having also having a fake Hellgate located close-by - Tag 'past relationship' refers to Dante and Credo's past relationship - Set Pre-Devil May Cry 4

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PROLOGUE:

'When One's Crush Feelings Start to Become More'

Location - Island of Fortuna, Castle Town of Fortuna - Headquarters of the Order of the Sword - Early Morning

Fortuna. 

An isolated Island, named after the Goddess of fortune and personification of luck in Roman Mythology, situated to no other land-masses.

In the southern section of the island is the castle town, sporting a distinctive Renaissance architecture, containing the Port Caerula, an opera house and cathedral combined, while hosts a large business district. 

This city sits around a true Hellgate, a towering black monolith hewn from unknown rock that's stood for hundreds of years. Sealed by Sparda when he ruled the city. However after Sparda's disappearance, the Order of Sword tried to open the gate by using the Yamato, but failed in a process which nearly had deciminated half of the population of the island.

Located on the North side of the island, a snowy mountain range called Lamina Peak juts upwards into the sky, while underneath large man-made caverns with extensive network of mining tunnels have been created. Down towards the base situated is a small, simple mining village Manis that is surrounded by the Ferrum Hill. 

The place referred to as the first of the false Hellgates', artifically created to help facilitate research into the Devil Arms, referring to demonic, variably sentient weapons that are manifestion of a defeated Demon's soul or power.

Unknown to the city, these false Hellgates are used to summon demons which the Order then supposely 'subdues' to maintain their reputation. This particular false Hellgate located near the small, simple mining village of Manis is gaurded by Berial, a four-legged, fire breathing lion-centuar hailing from the Realm of Fire.

All this information had become instilled in Clyde Alanis, an adrognous man wth tall, graceful features - his hair slicked to one side, neatly shaved near his temples and wears a single, magenta dewdrop earring in one of his ears, ever since he'd started off by being a soldier recruit for the Holy Knights of the Order of the Sword, rising up ranks to become a prodigy of Angelo Credo, Supreme General, who mentored him until finally Clyde himself become High Commander, since he'd been a child.

Being a son of Sanctus, the man known to his followers as 'His Holiness' and leader of the Order of the Sword and the Vicar of Sparda, and a female Demon Queen called Selunite Alanis, Clyde had faced intense, patronising scrutiny from his half-siblings and even the Inner Circle of the Order of the Sword his Father associated with due to his mixed parentage. 

So, Clyde become the 'Black Sheep' of the Sanctus Family, where in his rebellious youth didn't care what he did and how he would do it, until a fateful accident took his left eye from him did he truly understand that he needed to change his ways if wanted to be out of the shadow of his estranged Father.

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A gentle breeze ruffles the trees in the courtyard of the Order of the Sword Headqaurters, while on a balcony for his own private qaurters across from Credo's new office, a promotion according to whispers spreading around for a successful mission he had achieve, Clyde Alanis, wearing his signature white, gold threaded eyepatch on his left eye, sits seated at the balcony, ornate table. 

Calmly, he sips a cup of tea in a fine Fortuna porcelain cup, crafted by Artisans' of skills and dedication, watching quietly with his remaining eye the distinct sight of Credo dilgently working away on another pile of documents he's been handed. The new office window balcony doors slightly ajar to allow good circulation of fresh-air flow inside. 

Within the new office of his, Credo, dilgently works away on the paperwork, most of it mission statements, forms to be signed and reports on research on stuff which appears from the false Hellgates, even if he shows signs of fatigue - the dark shadows under his eyes, slightly tensed shoulders and bloodshot eyes from staying up to late to finish them.

He should really take momentary pause, do the rest after a break. He wants to continue, but knows how important not to overwork himself to the point that he'll end up in the Medical Ward for it.  

Leaning back in his seat, he places the ink quill back in the inkwell stand on his desk, a hand coming up to massage his temples to relieve a headache forming. Maybe, he should just take a break from doing all the paperwork and let someone else relieve him of half of it - at least then it might unburden him from it.

Something out of the corner of his eye catches his attention, making Credo turn to look out his new office glass pane windows. He spots on a balcony a distinct figure of one of the many High Commander's, some he knew about, who had private qaurters across the way.

This one, who he doesn't know about, wears his uniform loosely - top three buttons undone, exposing a brief glimpse of a fine, supple neck and exposing top part of the chest.

Credo's expression externally remains neutral, gaze lingering on the High Commander for a moment longer than necessary. His hands which been fidgeting, due to constant working on paperwork, he crosses over his chest.

Wonder why he's looking over to my office?

Maybe he heard the whispers I got it after that mission I did.

The eyepatch he's changed though - white, golden threaded this time. 

Wonder why he's changed it?

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On the balcony across from Credo's new office, Clyde meanwhile hears his subordinate, Niso Occeli, Second in Command, come out to lean down to whisper something in his ear.

"Sir, a Meeting has turned up. You need to attend."

Clyde tches in displeasure at this, he knew what it meant when hears the words 'You need to attend' before composes himself. "Alright, tell them I'll be along to the Meeting soon, Niso."

Niso nods in acknowledgement. "Of course, sir." he replies, before making his way out of the High Commander's qaurters. Clyde watches leave, before stands up from his seat after finishing his tea.

He didn't like wasting it, especially when Niso dedicated his time to brew it 'just right' for his palette.

-----

 Credo in his office, his breath catches, just for fraction of second, when the High Commander straightens - the eyepatch glinting in the sunlight - revealing his face, before heads inside.

That single magenta dewdrop earring, that familiar poise....

Clyde Alanis.

His former prodigy he had once trained in the past had become something unexpected to him - a High Commander. 

 Was that really Clyde?

Will he possibly come to see me?

Will he...

Before Credo flushes bright red, cheeks flooding with immense heat at his own internal thoughts.

Internally realising suddenly the crush he feels for Clyde Alanis, who'd once been his prodigy in the past and now an independent High Commander, has risen all again from within himself.

Becoming....something more. 

Summary:

Returning back to Kamurocho, Tokyo Kazuma Kiryu is visiting Majima Goro - having not seen the other man when hears rumours that people have been seeing a mysterious person who looks eerily just like the Mad Dog of Shimano instead. Learning as well it seems that they may have a connection to the deceased Tetsu Tachibana and the Empty Lot which it seems actually holds more secrets that are now starting too come to light. What is Karu 'Blackthorne' Majima's connection to the past of 1988? Can Kiryu Kazuma discover more while coping with the dilemma of three Majima's to deal with? This is the Majima Triplet's Saga of how three siblings separated from birth found each-other again, forged relationships and learned how to heal together as a family.

Notes:

- A fic inspired by couple of images of Goro Majima wearing a black turtleneck from the game series Yakuza/Like a Dragon. - Slight canon diverging because haven't played the games, but starting to have a look at gameplay again to get idea of characters especially Kiryu Kazuma and Majima Goro as well as locations and stuff. - In this fic Majima Goro is one of triplets, so there is Goro, Karu and Dyu but all were seperated from birth and were placed in separate orphanages. - Karu wears a black eyepatch over his right eye, golden necklace, black leather gloves and trousers plus leather heeled shoes and long woollen black coat and Dyu is a tall genderfluid with long blondish-black hair which they keep tied back sometimes or combed to one side and owns the Cabaret Club 'Sweet Chrystheum'. - Prologue will be in three parts so we start with Karu being introduced, then Dyu and last Goro and is set during Yakuza 0 events first before move into Kiwami then the other games. - New title inspired by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_7iF7TfSVI&list=PLlHY6e7WCV6M8KMOjFoNnns99BpalR41_&index=11 from the Silent Hill 2 remake - For @majimasleftasscheek and other Yakuza/Like a Dragon Fans out there as well

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Prologue (1 of 3):

'The Rose Hidden in the Shadows of Kamurocho'

Location - Kamurocho, Tokyo 1988 - Abandoned Hotel across from alleyway near the Empty Lot - Late Afternoon

Karu 'Blackthorne' Majima's P.O.V:

"Hmm, this is exhausting." 

The thick, cloying and choking cigarette smoke wisps it way upwards to fill the abandoned hotel room, closely followed by the large man - a person I had not want to ever confront - who gets up from the seat he been sitting in to walk over to me, lying on tatami floor staring up at the cieling. 

My vision is limited, blood trickling from my right eye so have to turn my face slightly to look at him with my only remaining eye - glaring at Daisaku Kuze, Lieutenant of the Toja Clan Dojima Family and Patriarch of the Kenno Clan.

"I'll......never.....give you...."  I gasp out, rolling myself to push myself up and stumbling backwards then turn myself to fully face him spitting out the rest of my words. "....any information, Kuze-san!!!" 

"Too bad, because I need the info you have, brat." Kuze snarls out, lunging straight at me - like when a bull sees a red cloth - causing me to avoid him, where he whirls himself around to face me.

One of his large hands going for my throat that it forces me to bend my whole body to backwards, grabbing in the process my tanto off from the tatami floor, to quickly to avoid it.

Unbending myself, I slash it at his hand to draw blood so he stumbles back clutching his hand - the blood plipping onto the tatami floor to coat in small crimson petals - where waves it off, cracking his neck from side to side to grab hold of me - punching, kicking and slamming with me avoiding him as best as I can.

Finally, he pins me up against the sliding windows of the abandoned hotel room where I hear one falling out of the window-frame holding it in place to go crashing down to the street below, forcing me to make the decision in bringing one foot up to go to kick him hard in the chest to get away from him. 

The beeping of a pager stills that movement however, forcing him give a 'tch' noise looking over to the pager placed within his suit jacket placed over the chair he'd been sitting in. 

Mine also going off, causes my remaining eye to widen.

It meant something had come up with Tachibana-san, that it makes me twist myself to face my back to him and keeping the tip of my tanto blade pressed up against his abdomen. 

Reading the message, I find myself chuckling lightly feeling him slipping away from me because it's not an ordinary chuckle - more like a cackling hyena.  

"I missed dinner it seems. Can we do a rain check, Kuze-san." 

Straightening up, I see he's looking at me - no I realise not me, but due him having ripped during our fighting my long-sleeved black shirt slightly the peak of my tattoo inked onto my back of a rose embraced by thorns yet to be coloured. 

"Impossible!!!...You're...the.....Hidden Rose of Kamurocho...!!!"

Hearing those words being said by him, I look over my shoulder with my only remaning eye a smirk gracing my features that he's only just realised who he had picked up to try and get information on Tachibana-san about. 

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Prologue (2 of 3):

'The Chrysantheum and Rose in Sotenbori

Notes:

- Connected to - Prologue (1 of 3) - 'The Rose Hidden in the Shadows of Kamurocho' (1 of 3) - Introducing Dyu, the Owner of the Cabaret Club 'Sweet Chrysanthemum' where the male hosts are nicknamed penguins with the younger hosts are called chicks because how Dyu, has saved them from harsh situations and brought them together - Dyu is genderfluid so sometimes will male and other times female, in this chapter Dyu is in the role of the sister so hence why Karu says Oneesan to them. - Title refers to Dyu's tattoo which is Chrysanthemum and Karu's which is a Rose - Like Sagawa is to Majima the one who holds the metaphorical leash and key to the cage, Kuze is now for Karu. - First few moments are in Kamurocho then move to Sotenbori - Homare Nishitani makes an appearance and introduces himself to Karu at the end

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Location - Kamurocho, Tokyo 1988  - the Main Street of Kamurocho -  approaching Evening

"Did Karu-kun get in touch?"

"Yes, he apologises for missing dinner." 

"I see."

Dyu 'Blackthorne' Majima quietly says, their voice sounding so dejected that it draws attention of their companion, who's arm their holding - Tetsu Tachibana, president of Tachibana Real Estate. 

"Dyu-chan, Karu-kun, should be in contact to apologise to you for missing dinner." Tachibana-san reassures Dyu, who reaching into their handbag retrieves a long black cigarette holder and packet of cigarettes. 

"I know, it's just....I worry for, my little brother." Dyu says, leaning towards Tachibana when he brings up lighter to help light their cigarette where the embers briefly glow faintly before they finally take a drag to blow a wreath of white smoke up into the night-time air. 

A silence descends between them, with people around them going about their daily lives - heading home, to night-time work or to one of the many resturants and eateries scattered about the different streets - until finally, Dyu, looks towards a sight in the middle of the street. 

"Hmm, what's that young man doing?" Dyu mutters under their breath, making Tachibana next to them turn to look at the sight of young man having just fallen to his knees in the rain. 

Lowering the cigarette holder, they walk quietly over along with Tachibana who steps forward to introduce himself surprising the handsome, beautiful man called Kazuma Kiryu. 

Heh, he looks so cute. Like a little puppy.

Dyu thinks internally, stepping forwards to help haul up the young man from his kneeling position on the concrete giggling softly when they profusely blush heavily when comment on their strength. 

Location - Kamurocho, Tokyo 1988 - Dyu's Penthouse - Evening

"Karu-kun, what did you do!!? Let me get the First Aid Kit."

"Apologises, Dyu, had a wee accident."

Standing in front of mutiple windows which overlook Kamurocho - the neon-flickering lights, the mutiple districts dotted here and there along with the movement of people flowing in and out of the area reflecting in the glass -Dyu 'Chrysantheum' Majima'  looks over to their little brother sleeping quietly on the sofa. 

One of his hands rests on their bandaged stomach and the other by his side, a bandage covering his right eye - something Karu-kun had refused to talk about to them about - and bandage over his left shoulder.

Bruises of various hues of colour litter every inch of his body in different places, bears a split bottom lip indicating had been punched across the face or slapped by someone very strong and finally, his tanto blade looks like it's been snapped in half by accident.

"Oneesan, I can feel you are brooding over there? What's worrying you?" Karu-kun asks them, using their femimine pronouns for tonight due to Dyu, having chosen to be female for tonight. 

"You should be sleeping, Karu-kun. You.....nearly......died again..." Dyu states in reply, avoiding his questions that it makes Karu-kun sit up to look at them over the back of the sofa and gripping it with one hand for support.

"I..guess...you're right. I just...thought could escape the leash for while, but owner not letting it go." He states up to them, forcing Dyu to sign heavily knowing who he means - Daisaku Kuze - when stepping away from the spot by the large windows comes over to help Karu-kun, who's swung his legs off the sofa to face his back to them indicating he needs his hair brushed. 

Now brushing it softly, until braiding it and placing the ornate jade hair bead carved into shape of a rose at the bottom until wraps their arms around Karu-kun, embracing their little brother in a comforting hug. 

"I....worry that keeping this secret from Tachibana-san, it could ruin him. His Grandpa swore he would not reveal it's full secret and thankfully kept his promise." Karu-kun breaks the silence between them both, getting up off the sofa to walk over to the kitchen/bar-area where opening the fridge door rummages in it.

Dyu, admiring how child-like their brother is rummaging in the fridge to get himself something to eat that walks over to pulls him back from the open fridge revealing their little brother with a pair of wooden chopsticks between his lips and holding in one of his hands taken from the bottom shelf some pre-made sushi containers stacked on top of each-other. 

"Cute..." Dyu comments, seeing an adorable faint embarassed blush starting to appear on their little brother's cheeks with them muttering under their breath 'Oneesan, please....' quickly closing the fridge door gently with his foot.

7 DAYS LATER 

Location - Sotenbori, Osaka 1988 -  Undergroud Cabaret Club 'Sweet Chrysantheum' - Evening

Karu 'Blackthorne' Majima's P.O.V:

"Mama Dyu...!!"

"Hello, my darling little Penguins and chicks."

Dyu's Cabaret club 'Sweet Chrysanthemum' hidden right across from the elite cabaret club in Sotenbori,Osaka known to visitors as the 'Grand' disguised by an old abandoned building.

If one were savvy and wise enough in the Sotenbori Building planning department they would discover right underneath the streets of Sotenbori they actually would discover many hidden secrets, including this club.

Thankfully it not been discovered so far and the other secret places. 

Antonius - my Kyoudai (sworn brother) from when I'd been a Hitman-for-Hire in a group called 'The Thorns' and still - is one of the many 'Penguins'  - a name given to the older Hosts - stands at the top of the stairs, descending way down to the main lobby, waiting for me.

"Kyoudai, it's so good to see you." He states, flicking his gaze down to where I see Dyu - in a full black length slitted dress tapering up towards shoulders and neckline into fragile lace-work - greeting the 'Chicks' - the younger hosts of the club - who surround them.

"Antonius, you too." I say back, allowing the Italian man to kiss both my cheeks before he pulls back to help me descend down the flight of stairs - curved in the shape of the spine of ornate dragon rearing itself upwards - where soothing, gentle jazz being played by the band plays throughout the large underground club reaches my ears. 

Everyone is enjoying themselves: occasional laughter, chatter and movement mixed with an occasional pop of a champagne cork coming from different seating areas.

Couples - ones who would be ostracized by society for trying to show their form of love in the main streets of Sotenbori, Osaka above - who recognise me, greet me with waves of acknowledgement and toasting their glasses to me when I pass-by their seating areas until reach my own reserved seat.

Sitting down with my Kyoudai's help, I lean myself back against the back of the reserved comfy booth seat to order myself a simple, light drink and meal due to 'Doctor Orders' that nothing too heavy at the moment until I'm fully healed and recovered from my injuries.

"Thanks, Antonius, I'll be alright now." I tell my Kyoudai, who nodding silently heads off to go and greet newcoming guests continuing to arrive into the club, leaving me to relax before my food and drink arrives.

----------------

"Excuse me, may I talk with you?" 

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

There is soft laugh in reply to my question, followed by someone moving to sit down beside me that fluttering my remaining, uninjured eye hearing myself grumbling out:

"Reserved seat. Leave." 

"Are you absolutely sure?" I'm asked, that I can't even muster up enough energy to glare at him when he - not they - chooses to shuffle closer to me that quickly bring up one of my heeled shoe's to his chest to push them back from me due to unwanted close promixity.

My gaze flicking to the Clan pin - the symbol I don't recognise - seeing how he notes my only single, remaining eye looking at it.

"If you're here to cause trouble, don't bother. Got enough Clans already doing that here and elsewhere." I state, seeing him raise an eyebrow at my choice of words.

Seeing him choose not to speak when the waiter arrives to place my order down on the small table in front of us, but instead waits until the waiter has left to continue speaking.

"Oh, I was more of scouting for someone. So, don't worry, sweetcheeks..." He says, leaning forwards to cup my cheek with his hand with his thumb stroking over my bottom lip testing my reaction. "...I might make exemption for you." 

"Save that for later." I tell him, bringing my hand up to move his hand off my cheek to place it back on his chest only for him to pull me into a unexpected kiss.

My whole body stiffens in shock and surprise at his audacity, it makes me bite down on his bottom lip to make him pull back bringing a hand up to touch it, raising an eyebrow at me when spots the blood on his fingertips.

"Hmm, those some powerful fangs you got, Karu-chan." He states, getting up off the booth seat and leaving me to fizzle with anger that don't know I've smashed the glass with my drink in it with my fist until a waiter who's come over lifts up my hand to wrap a towel around it that realise. 

Dyu, who's also come over to check on me flicks their gaze to the fuchsia suit fading his way into the background of people ascending the ornate flight of stairs than back to me.

Both of us know, whoever the man is it will be only a matter of time before he exposed every secret which I'm trying to keep hidden from people, including Tachibana-san.

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Prologue (3 of 3):

'The Muzzled and Chained Dog in a Giilded Cage'

Notes:

- Connected to 'Prologue (2 of 3) - 'The Chrysantheum and Rose in Sotenbori (2 of 3)' - Title refers to how Majima is trapped in Sotenbori and Sagawa holds the leash etc

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Location - Sotenbori, Osaka 1988 - Elite Cabaret Club 'GRAND' - Approaching Late Evening

Karu 'Blackthorne' Majima's P.O.V:

"Welcome, Sir. First time at the Grand."

"Yes. Though I need to talk with your Boss."

"Umm, do you have reservation?'

Reaching into my suit inner pocket, I pull out the fake police ID badge - very convincingly made by Blackthorne Family's own Forger - to place it down on the table along with the photo of the Head of the sales of Soten Pharmaceuticals HQ.

"Sir, we....are...." the receptionist tries to tell me, fumbling over his words when I pick up the ledger to flick through the pages - trying to spot the name I'm looking for - only to lower it back down to the desk. 

"Majima-san, I apologise..." the receptionist profusely says, bowing to someone who speaks in such a tone my chest instantly tightens at hearing it.

Lowering the ledger back down, I slip the photo and fake ID back into my suit inner pocket deciding I need to leave quickly. Just hearing the voice, makes my chest start to ache painfully that don't realise I'm fisting a hand into my suit jacket and have collapsed onto both my knees on the floor. 

"Sir, are you alright?" Majima-san asks me, finding myself managing to stand up using the receptionist desk for support unclenching my suit jacket to lower my hand to my side.

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Location - Sotenbori, Osaka 1988 - Elite Cabaret Club 'GRAND' - Staff Room - Late Evening

Goro Majima's P.O.V:

"I don't smoke."

"Apologises, Sir."

"Tch, don't use that formal shit."

Karu Blackthorne - a pretend-cop with a very convincing fake ID - states to me, noting how the word 'Sir' causes him to immediatly flinch visibily with his face turning away to one side revealing the eyepatch covering his left eye. 

"For someone younger than me, I'm guessing it dredges up bad memories." I say, removing the ash-tray to place elsewhere for his convience seeing how the tension goes slightly out of his body when the object is removed from the table.

"I....just....at an early age had bad experience that I cannot cope at the smell, the sight of a cigarette being smoked or even seeing a ash-tray placed on table." Karu-san confides, turning his body on the sofa to pick up his suit jacket placed on the back of it. 

Getting out a packet of chocolate sticks from one of the pockets to slide one out to chew on - his equilivant to a cigarette, I theorise. 

"I'll make sure when you come around again, there ain't any on the table you've reserved." I reassure him, pinching for myself a chocolate stick from the packet seeing him giving me a light smirk at the sight of it.

"Thank you, Majima-san." Karu-san says, hauling himself up with one gloved hand reaching for his jacket placed over the back of the sofa. 

Stepping forwards seeing he needs help to get his arms through the sleeves of it - knowing some hidden injuries he's ascertained are still twinging, I also make sure he looks presentable. "...I better head off..."

"Apologises, in fussing over you. I'm bit of clean, neat-freak sometimes. Always get so annoyed when people litter even." I tell Karu-san, who chuckles with mirth at my 'pet peeve' and also helping relieving the tension we're both feeling.

He goes to say something else, only for commotion happening outside the office door to interrupt him, forcing me to give a 'Tch, what now? I told them would be busy.' under my breath that give a polite excuse to Karu-san will catch up another time.

Heading over, I go to open the door when it is slammed open hitting me hard in face that I stumble backwards at the harsh impact where arms catch me to save myself from cracking the back of my head on the floor.

Glaring at the person in the doorway, I can feel the 'Mad Dog' in me wanting to bare it's fangs at the person standing nonchantly in the doorway and that is Tsukasa Sagawa - high-ranking member of the Omi Alliance, retainer to fifth chairman and Patriarch of the Sagawa Family.

"Sagawa-han...." I grit out, accepting a handkerchief from Karu-san to help in stemming a nosebleed hadn't realised I had ascertained from the impact of a door slamming into my face. ".....Wasn't expecting you to visit." 

----------

"Cough....Cough....."

"So, what brings the Hidden Rose of Kamurocho to Sotenbori?"

"....Sightseeing. What do you think, O'jisan."

A full-on barking laughter it sends the hairs on the back of neck standing up after hearing it after so long.

The last time I had heard it was when I had been in 'The Hole' screaming my burning lungs out, begging for the pain to stop only for continious laughter to full my ears - seeing Karu-san flinches at it as well.

"O'jisan, that's a good one..." Sagawa-han retorts, taking a drag of his cigarette before blows a cloud of wispy smoke up into the air then continues. ".....never been called that before."

Turning my face to look at them both, I finish making the cups of tea remembering to place sugar in one of them and picking them up head over to hand over his.

"Why're you here, Sagawa-han?" I ask him, hearing a 'Hmm' given in my direction with Sagawa-han lowering the cigarette down to tap the ash into the ash-tray. 

"Aw, don't be prickly, Majima-chan." He replies, picking up his cup of tea to take sip of it leaving Karu-san to respond to message which had come on his pager with his eyes scanning what it says. "I just dropped in to see you in the action." 

"By pretending to be absolutely sloshed." Karu-san states, flicking his left eye up from the pager it makes Sagawa-han place his mug down with a slight clink onto the table. 

"Ah, sorry about that, Karu-san. Guess I got a little carried away when stumbled upon that place." Sagawa-han says, refering to 'that place' which Karu-san must know about because flinches heavily getting up off the sofa.

He brushes his way past me, stating that he's overstayed his welcome leaving a unfinished mug of tea on the table with myself watching him, seeing him linger slightly at the doorway looking back at me with such a look - it's like he just found something he had lost in the past.

Going to head up to him my wrist is suddenly grabbed by Sagawa-han stopping me and tightening when I try to step more further. Lowering my head, I step backwards watching Karu-san to close the office door behind him to leave me alone with...my...jailer.

"Remember, this is supposed to be your punishment. If you start having too much fun with your newfound friend Karu-san, it'd be a problem....a major problem." Sagawa-han states up at me, giving such a look I turn my face from it. 

Harsh memories of being trapped in the hole come to forfront of the mind, causing my hands to shake slightly that drop the crumpled cigarette packet I've gotten out from pocket where retrieving it from the floor turn myself around to face him. 

"Can you get to the point? How much longer 'til you let me back in the yakuza, Mr. Owner?" I spit out my words, anger no doubt evident in my voice and needing to know whether to his mind I'm to remain metaphorically chained and muzzled like a dog.

"Wow, you're a real broken record with that question. Why the big rush to get back to this? I honestly just don't get it." Sagawa-hun says, watching me from his spot on the sofa collecting a silver attache case filled with this month's take to distract myself from attacking him.

"It ain't for you to get. Here's this month's take. If I can keep up the pace, you'll have you're 100 million by next month." I state, using the opportunity to clear away the two cups of unfinished tea on the small table. 

My mind trying not think of the weight of the metaphorical collar around my throat and the person who holds the chain of it beginning to feel like there being shortened so I can never escape....

my....

gilded cage.

Notes:

Inspired by @bluegiragi Halloween Slasher Comic

1 of yet undecided parts

Have not played the games, mostly just watched snippets from Youtube to get idea of characters and looked at fanart.

---------------------------

PART 1

PROLOGUE - 'There Can only be One Slasher in the Woods'

The large woods of Atrocitas is empty, except for the occasional rustle of a gentle breeze dislodging the Autumnal leaves of orange, yellow and red above in the canopy where they tumble down onto the undisturbed forest floor way below them.

Then a noise - someone running hard through the forest, scattering leaves in all directions and panting hard with his chest rising and falling under the long bloodied white butcher's smok, brown belts around waist and one arm with a specialised hood covering their face.

Behind Konig, someone else wearing a white skull-face mask chases after him until finally manages to bowl him over to slam down on the ground where he soon feels his specialised hood covering his face ripped off by a gloved hand and the figure above him wearing the skull-face like mask with straps on it looks down at him saying.

"There you are…..Butcher…"

That all Konig can get out in reply is

"Scheissdreck…"

when their other black gloved hand tightens around his throat in a tight squeeze, cutting of his air supply.

It seems Konig had just met the other Slasher who hunted in the large woods of Atrocitas - the one known only as Ghost.

One it seemed who preferred 'There can only one Slasher in the Woods' and not two.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Part 2 - 'There Can only be One Slasher in the Woods'

Location - The Woods of Atrocitas, located near the Mining Town of Cruvin - Ghost's Cabin - approaching Early Morning 

A sound of a heavy thud of something against something wooden. 

"Stop throwin' me around, ya big...' 

A voice speaking.

"...Oh. ....Shit." 

Konig still weakened from being knocked out by Ghost can sense someone in front of him, he can also feel the weight of chains attached to his hands, throat and ankles keeping him immobile - so he can't escape - bolted to the floor as well for extra measure, with footsteps coming over to him.

"....You're real looker under that bag, huh..."

Hearing those words coming from someone, who could either be enemy or potential ally makes him lift his head to look straight up at the person. 

----------------------------------

Temporary Note:

- Short chapter at the moment, while figure out how to make the chapter flow so will update when it's ready.

-------------------------------

Part 2 -  'A Slasher meets a Other Slasher's Bride'

Location - The Woods of Atrocitas, located near the Mining Town of Cruvin - Ghost's Cabin - approaching Early Morning 

A sound of a heavy thud of something against something wooden. 

"Stop throwin' me around, ya big...' 

A voice speaking.

"...Oh. ....Shit." 

Konig still weakened from being knocked out by Ghost can sense someone in front of him, he can also feel the weight of chains attached to his hands, throat and ankles keeping him immobile - so he can't escape - bolted to the floor as well for extra measure, with footsteps coming over to him.

"....You're real looker under that bag, huh..."

Hearing those words coming from someone, who could either be enemy or potential ally makes him lift his head to look straight up at the person. 

----------------------------------------

Notes

This chapter deals with introducing and bringing everyone together hence the title 'Beginning the First Path'

Astarion due to their Tadpole and other reasons has lost all memories of him and Halsin sharing time together so that will be explained in further chapters

Asdalen as also lost his memories in the process.

The new character mentioned by description will be explained in further chapters

Short chapter

------------------------------

Location – River Chionthar, the Ravaged Beach - Destroyed Nautiloid - Mid-Morning

Astarion's P.O.V:

Reassured by the Archdruid called Halsin, after he gives me a healing potion to speed up my Healing Factor – noting internally the potion has a faint aftertaste of honey and oak – I watch from the grassy verge where he’d told me to remain in such studious way, I gone to interject but a firm, stern glare and one hand being held up in front of my face effectively shut me up.

Damm, Archdruid, who does he think he is?

Though a benefit is the healing potion has acted more quickly than my healing factor.

Settling myself down on the grassy ledge above where the destroyed Nautiloid lays down below, I reach one hand into the travelling pack for the flask of wine and a cup to pour myself a glass – even though it may taste like ash to my tastebuds.

Another crackle of magic in the air nearly sets my hair standing on end, a large roaring sound of what sounds like a bear and finally, the sight of my ‘siblings’ escaping the ravaged beach area with their metaphorical tails tucked between their legs.

Bringing the cup of wine to my lips, I take a sip finding it’s not wine, but in fact it is blood mixed with a pinch of Nutmeg.

 How strange? Whoever left this traveling pack behind certainly knows about Vampires. Blood mixed with pinch of Nutmeg, could get addicted to this.

Relaxing on the grassy ledge, I see below from my vantage point the Archdruid Halsin is beginning to talk with the Barbarian female Tiefling, a Cleric – summarising from the way the half-elf acts around others – and the Wizard wearing robes of lilac seems to radiate strange, dangerous mystical energy around him.

Up on a long ridge on the other side, a sight of two figures coming down the hillside of it to the destroyed Nautiloid draws my attention away from the group below me.

The reason being one of them is dragging one of my ‘siblings’ Leon by his hair, with Dalyria trying to placate with a tall black man to let her ‘Brother’ free before he burns to crisp seeing already flakes of Leon’s skin are peeling off.

Typical, it had to be these two to be the ones left behind. Well, Astarion, you better head down and introduce yourself then.

----------------------------------

Location - Emerald Grove, Western Heartlands, West Faerun – After Mid-Morning

Asdalen’s P.O.V:

“Brother, are you alright? I was so worried when….”

“Listen, Archdruid Halsin, I apologize but…...I…Why are you calling me ‘Brother’?”

 The Archdruid Halsin begins to ask me, only to step back when I ask that question looking at me with his face going white as a sheet, a trembling hand coming up glowing with golden energy before exploding in a bunch of dead leaves and eyes starting to glisten with tears.

“I…Oakfather, why has this happened?......” He begins to say, only to mutter the rest of his sentence under his breath and beginning to pace back and forth until stops to look at me in such a way it makes my chest ache at the sight of it.

Is the reason he called me ‘Brother’ is because I remind him of someone else? Why does it feel right though when it calls me that. Are we related in some way?

Finding I don’t know what to say to him, I head over to where a Blacksmith is talking to Karlach – a female Barbarian Tiefling – about her Infernal Engine seeing the male sand-coloured Tiefling is thinking about something, his clawed hand stroking his chin in deep thought.

“I have an idea. It might work with some Infernal Iron.” The blacksmith tells her, reminding me of a piece of metal I’d picked up when exploring around the destroyed Nautiloid that reach into the traveling pack to get it out.

“Here. Will this do, Blacksmith?” I ask, holding it out to the sand coloured Tiefling who immediately takes it off my hands inspecting the piece of metal feeling Karlach, giving me a quick hug so she doesn’t burn me.

“Yes!!!? Thank you, I can work with this….Hang on…” the Blacksmith replies, turning to his anvil where placing on the metal on top reaches for the hammer heating up in the coal-fire to begin hammering it.

Sparks occasionally fly, a metallic ring echoing every-time he brings the hammer down to shape it – his muscles bulging with the effort, sweat forming and fierce concentration showing on his face – until stepping back to admire his handiwork.

Lesia, who’s been playing in the centre of the grove comes walking over to stand beside me along with someone else joining us: a Tiefling with light green-blue eyes, short-cut blue and black dyed hair and a silver looped-shaped earring and curved horns.

“Dammon, brother.” She says, making him turn his face followed by embracing the female Tiefling in his arms with “LITTLE SISTER!!?” reassuring Karlach, who’s expression had been briefly one of jealousy at the sight of the new Tiefling gives out a gentle sigh of relief at the fact the young Tiefling is Dammon’s sister.

----------------------------------------------

Location - Emerald Grove, Western Heartlands, West Faerun – Still Mid-Morning

Astarion’s P.O.V:

“I…...Archdruid, sorry to ask you of this….is there somewhere I can lay down?”

“Is your head hurting?”

Lifting my head up, I look at the Archdruid Halsin who turns slightly to face me at the top of the flight of stone-carved steps leading into the hidden areas of the Emerald Grove – the sleeping areas where most of the Druids would stay in during the heavy winter months that would hit West Faerun  - to look at me.

“Not really. It’s…just so can mull over what has transpired, darling.” I reply, a flirtatious tone forming in my voice and stepping myself closer to Halsin, who gives me a look he’s not amused by it.

Those beautiful, bold brown eyes ringed with gold showing a hint of displeasure, that it feels oddly fun to rile the Archdruid up this way.

“I think a rest would better suit you instead of flirting this way, Astarion Ancunin.” Halsin states to me, descending the stone-carved stone steps with no backward glance. His mistake, so descend the stone-carved steps to confront him.

How does this Archdruid know my full name!!!? I never told him!!! So how…!!!??

Slipping the dagger into my hand from my sleeve, nearly reaching him it’s the sudden sense of something that draws my attention away from him.

Curious, I stop in my pursuit of Archdruid Halsin to walk over to the area finding more stone-carved steps leading down to what must be another secret area.

Something about it though feels familiar – like I’ve been to the area at some point in my life, but I know I haven’t – placing a hand on the curved wall wondering should I descend into the bowels of Emerald Grove to figure out what is calling out to me.

-----------------------------------------

2 DAYS LATER

Location – Shattered Sanctum, Ruined Temple – Western Heartlands – Early Afternoon

Asdalen’s P.O.V:

“Place him with the bear. Maybe he will make a good meal for it.”

“You heard Lady Minthara…Take him to the cage..”

Harsh, grating multitude of voices reach through unconscious haze, forcing me into a sharp awareness I’ve been captured and brought to somewhere with a screeching noise of cell door being opened indicating I’m about to be imprisoned.

Fluttering my eyes open, blurry vision of something brown, large and furry in the far corner of the cell comes into my line of sight with suddenly the large goblin who been dragging me flings me in with one single throw not even caring when I land on the harsh, uneven surface of the stone floor with a sickening thud – the injuries I had ascertained from somewhere soon making themselves known.

A clattering of my mask landing beside makes me scramble to grab hold of it, praying that Lesia is around somewhere and she is safe from harm – she would start to become extremely agitated if separated from me and could easily harm people around her – quickly slipping it back on.

“Oh, so you’re a Drow with a bit of history are we….” The Hobgoblin sneers out, forcing my eyes to widen heavily lifting my head straight up to see in cracked ornate mirror at the back of the cell my face is being shown in various angles – but enough to make out the details on it. “…Asdalen Wryric, the Snake of Faerun.”

 -----------------

Location – Shattered Sanctum, Ruined Temple – Western Heartlands – Early Afternoon

Astarion’s P.O.V:

“Out the way.”

“But….Lady Minthara, we’s were only playing with him…”

“Enough….Out of my sight and go find Ragzlin, you brats.”

A voice, female speaks pushing the goblin brats who’ve surrounded me out the way, a ashen-grey hand reaching to haul me up by hair off up from the hard, stone cold floor of the ruined Temple  – my mind trying not think of memories of being trapped in the ‘kennel’ where Godey, would watch and wait for ample time to strike –  that try not show a wince on my features.

Vision clearing, it reveals the person holding my head by my hair is a female drow with braided white hair, distinct ashen-grey mixed with gold highlights and a harsh, cold face with her other hand grabbing hold of my chin tightly.

She turns it to side to side to analyse the details of it, until forcing it back to look at her.

“Hmm….How did you get here, elf?” She asks me, making me go to give back a sarcastic retort to her question when a sharp, blinding pain shoots through my head and memories not my own filter through my mind – I realise, suddenly, they are her memories.

She releases my hair, wrenching away like I’ve burned her – maybe in a way I have with whatever that telepathic connection wave had been made. She glares down at me, while another figure appears, a large red Hobgoblin, to stand beside her.

“You called for me, Minthara. What bothers you?” the Hobgoblin states, large red arms crossing over their large, muscular chest – a beady eye flicking over my rugged appearance - with me, wondering if should try to create a diversion to escape.

Fandoms:

Torchwood - Torchwood Fanfic: 'The First Tale of the Immortal Storyteller'

Baldur's Gate 3 - Masterpost of One's Baldur's Gate Fics (including Crossovers)

Dragon Age - Adoribull Fanfic: 'When a Thread of Fate Brings Two People Together'

The Witcher - The Witcher Fanstory Collection - Masterpost

Hannibal TV series (this includes Hannibal Extended Universe Fics)

Ghost of Tsushima

Chronicles of Riddick

Bleach (Manga/Anime)

Kuroshitsuji | Black Butler

Star Wars

The Dark Pictures (Game Series)

Marvel (various)

Original Works (Stories with Original characters)

DRAMAtical Murder (Visual Novel) 

Dead by Daylight (Video Game)

Black Sails (TV series) 

Biohazard | Resident Evil (Gameverse) 

Detroit: Become Human (Video Game) 

吸血鬼ハンターD - 菊地秀行 | Vampire Hunter D Series - Kikuchi Hideyuki 

Peaky Blinders (TV) 

List of One's Baldur's Gate 3 Fics:

'Halsin x Astarion Fic - 'Always there to Travel the Same Path which One Walks' Series - Part 1 of 'Love like Leaves on a Tree in Dappled Sunlight'

Crossover Baldur Gate and The Witcher Fic 'When Portal Mishaps Happen' Series Part 1 of 'Baldur's Gate and The Witcher Crossover Fic Collection'

Karlach x Astarion Fic - 'Flames of the Heart' (yet to be typed up)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PART 1 - The Journey Begins' (Spawn Astarion Route)

Location – River Chionthar, the Ravaged Beach - Destroyed Nautiloid -  approaching Early Morning

Astarion’s P.O.V :

"Astarion.....Look out.....!!!!?...."

An echo of a voice. 

Was someone calling out to me? 

My......body.....hurts.....head is....splitting apart....

Holding my head in both of my hands, a fleeting memory of sitting in the back of a tavern watching someone walking away from the table I’m sitting at with beside me another person looking torn in between wanting to go after them and staying with me coming to the forefront of my mind.

Who was that?

I don’t recognise them. I….there faces are too blurred to recognise.

Had I been hunting? What was I doing in that Tavern?

Concentrating on the fleeting memory makes a strange, painful wave pulsate through my head causing all of it to fracture into complete, metaphorical shards.

This makes it extremely difficult in grasping hold of these shards to make sense of the memory and piece it back together until I'm left there with nothing - just empty blackness. 

Lowering my hands down to rest on my lap, I survey my surroundings noticing around me there  is scattered about remains of one thoroughly destroyed Mindflyer's Nautiloid.  

Among the Nautiloid wreckage area I'm in dotted here and there are glowing fires flickering among the wreckage and lying right beside me, an oval-shaped pod - the interior no longer intact, the glass panel shattered by some type of impact it ascertained with the other remaining half lying a few feet away. 

A radiating pain makes itself known from my starting-to-heal injuries I’ve ascertained at some point.

Though, thankfully nothing majorly serious wound-wise for me to be too concerned about even if admit to myself pales in comparison in what Master Cazador had carved permanently onto my back with what he called his ‘needle’ during my first years of Spawn-hood.

Spawn-hood referring to when a Vampire Spawn had just been ‘born’ more like created I would say would go through before becoming fully-fledged Vampire Spawn who knew how to stalk, hunt, seduce and kill their Prey they hunted down.

In my case it was I would bring back any Prey that I stalked, hunted and seduced back to Master Cazador’s residence where he would change them into Vampire Spawn or just feast on them right there and then without any care about whether family or loved ones would miss them.

Realising suddenly, interrupting the memory of what I had done in the past, I need to get out of the sun before burn up to a fine, wispy crisp I haul myself up gritting my teeth when my still-healing injuries protest themselves at me for beginning to move.

Almost stumbling backwards and forwards with a dizziness of standing up too fast hitting me in the process.

Or could it be the new host within my head?

It's insistent burrowing wriggling evident but still feel like it's waiting for the right chance to take over - trying to weaken me one-step-at-a-time. 

Beginning to make my way through the wreckage are, I stop by bodies of victims Mindflyer's had captured from Baldur's Gate and the surrounding areas to see whether hidden on their person they have anything of value which wouldn't be missed and I could easily sell off to a traveling merchant or trade for something mundune if they had no coin. 

After finding a decent pair of boots, a fresh, white tunic and leather brown breeches in a buried wooden chest, I slip off what have been wearing - a threadbare white tunic and breeches needing patched-up in some places - to change into the clothing I've just found.

"Strange, how this clothing perfectly fits me." I mutter, stepping out from the tent which used to change in only to realise I'm standing full, bright sunlight with not even my flesh beginning to burn - no wisps of steam rising up, flakes peeling of my body and sensation of needing to get to the shadwos - just warmth.

Warmth, I have not felt in years I've been a Vampire Spawn and yet, here I'm standing within sunlight for the very first time and not burning up - probably because of the 'parasite' in my head, who squirms a wee bit in indigination at being called it, giving me the ability to survive in sunlight. 

Why though?

What's the purpose of all of this?

Inflict me.......damm....parasite...

More squirming from it in particular, chooses to interrupt my unanswered internal questions, indicating I'm being barred from even learning about why it been placed within my head and for what purpose.

"Are you sure you saw someone else, soldier." 

"I....it might have been....but with all the thick smog from the fires it's difficult to tell."

"Trust your instincts, wizard. You definately saw someone or something. Pray it not be one of those foul creatures, y'know.

"Please do not remind me. It's worse I'm…..”

The sound of voices speaking relatively close, makes me quickly pack up the set-up abandoned tent, plus other materials lying scattered about around it into a faded leather travel satchel before making my way over to another spot to give myself an advantage on ambushing whoever they are.  

After hiding my newfound travel satchel, I've taken from the destroyed camp, in a hollow of a tree, I compose myself - like an actor getting ready to go out onto stage - making sure a dagger is on hand just in case who's approaching where I'm now located turn out to hostile.

---------------------------------

 Location – River Chionthar, the Ravaged Beach - Destroyed Nautiloid -  Early Morning

Asdalen's P.O.V:

"Mama.....Mama?!! MAMA!!!?"

"Easy, child, they will be alright." 

"Wyll, this....we should get them back to the Grove."

"Are you sure, Dammon?"

"Positive."

Fluttering my eyes open at the sound of voices, at first see a blurred vision of someone leaning over before it finally clears revealing to Tiefling standing with Lesia beside him that scramble upwards to hug her little fae-body close to me – hearing her wailing into my chest – reassuring her I’m here for her and everything is going be alright.

“Umm, is this your mask?” the Tiefling asks, holding out the fine carved mask it forces me to quickly snatch it off them to slip it back on – whether they had seen what my face actually looked like, I prayed they hadn’t seen it – finding my heart-rate which had sped up return to a normal beat.

“Yes. Thank you.” I reply, getting up only for sudden, intense pulsating wave to hit me – something within my head begins to wriggle uncontrollably like it had sensed something – noticing the other person, who carries a blade on their person is gripping their head with one hand.

“Dammit, have you got a tadpole as well…haven’t you!!!?” they state, unsheathing their sword to point the sharp point at me finding myself wanting to hiss and bare my fangs at them – the other, unknown half of me threatening should slit their throat, rip out their spine and spread their entrails everywhere – but a sudden sound of fighting from somewhere close-by reaches us.

Getting up, I hand Lesia over to the Tiefling who takes her into the Grove leaving me and Dammon’s companion to head off to source of the fighting.

Whoever is fighting it sounded like they really needed more help from the number of magical explosions causing the air to tingle with the equivalent of electricity forming during a lightning storm.

-------------------------------

 Location – River Chionthar, the Ravaged Beach - Destroyed Nautiloid - Approaching Mid-Morning

Astarion’s P.O.V:

“Brother, please return us with us.”

“NEVER….I WILL NOT RETURN TO THAT CAGE!!!?”

“Please, Brother, let us help you….”

Hissing with my fangs bared at my ‘siblings’ trying to crowd themselves around me - even though there for them only some shadows due to it approaching mid-morning - so can capture me.

The fact they had discovered me so fast, just makes things even worse. I finally had a freedom, I hadn't experienced in a long time - the feel of sunlight on my skin, no shackles to chain me down to cold stone-floor and hear any of Godey's nagging voice to annoy me.

A snarl draws me out of my memories, giving a muffled 'ommph' when the bolder of my 'siblings' chooses to lunge at me - risking burning himself in the process - knocking me over into the shaded area of the large destroyed Nautiloid where desperation sinking in to escape from them begin to claw, scratch and struggle like a cornered animal does when trying to get free from the Predator or Predators.

Crimson petals splatter across the sand, coating it in so much it's difficult to tell who it's coming from with my other 'siblings' coming over to help the one trying to subdue me. I would not let this happen to me, never would I go back to place where 'he' waited for me and would force me back into gilded cage to effectively trap me so never escaped again.

"GALE, OVER THERE!!!?"

A voice shouts, startling my 'siblings' who raise their heads to look at the source of the intrusion giving me ample opportunity to get away, scrambling upwards to the other side of the destroyed Nautiloid to back into the light, where stumble weakly to collapse against a cliff-face hearing fighting beginning to happen.

Battle-cry from the female Tiefling indicating she was of the Barbarian; a sizzling sulfuric smell of magic coming from the Wizard and finally, the third companion a female half-elf using her own arsenal to protect them.

My mind feels torn between choices of helping them or making a dash for it, escape to higher ground or just get out of the area.

Using the cliff-face for leverage I push myself up but must have stood up too fast because my vision sparkles in front of me - Idiot, Astarion, you should have stood up slowly and not rushed it!! - and sway dizzyingly to one side, falling straight into a warm, muscular chest with hands grabbing hold of my arms to stop me from falling. 

What they say forces me to look up straight into kind, gentle hazel brown ringed with gold eyes and face that oddly looks familiar - but from where I cannot remember - closely followed by wondering how do they know my name and why are tears running down my face at the sight of....this stranger. 

"Easy, dear heart. You have ascertain......I've got you....I've got you......Astarion!!?"

------------------------------------

Summary:

Hidden away in a small, undisturbed village located in a valley, a person called Javin Boeshane - a simple, book-keeper and writer, plus Historical Document Collecter - doesn't expect when they went to work that their peaceful, calm life would be shattered by the arrival of.....

....Torchwood and the person called Captain Jack Harkness.

So, begins a series of events all leading to a deep, dark secret which has been buried for some time and waiting to be told.

--------------------------

Notes:

- An idea that came to mind after watching the last episode of Season 4 of Torchwood, where the learn about the thing called 'The Blessing' - Slight episode diverging, but will be including episode moments etc - Title refers to how Javin records information in Tales which can be spread to generation to generation or be for ones he closely considers family or friends. - In this Cristopf is the Ninth Doctor from parallel universe, where will explain more in further chapters as fic progresses.

---------------------------

Prologue - 'The Immortal Storyteller'

Location - Scotland, Scottish Highlands - Hidden Alien Refuge Village, Hidden Valley - The Boeshane Cottage - Early Morning

Javin Boeshane's P.O.V:

The steady chime coming from the large Grandfather clock located downstairs in the hallway, brings me out of trying to finish the manuscript for my next book on the typewriter leaning back in my wooden chair to look out the study window at the white, wispy clouds rolling their way across the skyline.

In the place where I live, built for an important purpose is an alien refuge village for various species of aliens who over millennium have chosen to land or crash-land on planet Earth seeking somewhere to survive - away from what has happened to them in their solar systems. 

Precise location of The Boeshane Cottage  - my home - situated above the hidden valley helps in protecting the place from being discovered by UNIT or any other mysterious, hidden organisations who might came to investigate the strange, anomaly they might detect with their equipment or they learn about it from a Witness - referring to ordinary, human beings who accidentally stumbled upon the area, most of them minority being:

Hikers, who'd gotten lost exploring the Highlands; Tourists or Archealogists curious in rumours about a hidden village and finally, UFO Hunters who assisted aliens existed and had spotted some in the Highlands.

Dragging both of my hands down my face, I decide to put the manuscript I've been typing up on hold for now. There is no point in procrastinating over it, when my mind is distracted by something else - probably to do with said 'guest', if he could be called that, staying in the second bedroom of the cottage. 

Pushing my chair back from the study desk, the half-typed manuscript placed in the typewriter waiting to be finished and the blank paper placed to one side, I head out my study to step out onto the top floor landing. 

"Writer's block with the manuscript?" A voice interrupts me, making me turn slightly to face to the source of the voice asking me the question

Seeing my 'guest, Captain John Hart, stepping out of the other bedroom wearing his fashionable crimson miltary, styled jacket - which is not from the 21st Century and more suited to his style - along with his weapons and other stuff. 

Seeing I'm eying the open bedroom door, he closes it behind him - even though I've caught a brief glimpse of the ruffled bedsheets on the bed, clothes scattered about on the bedroom floor and the scent of strong, sex pheromones lingering in the air. 

"You could say that." I reply to his question.

Internally noting 'From his appearance - the well-coiffed hair, a faint scent of shampoo coating his body covered up by a cologne and a slight limp in his step - this indicates last night he had a good time with the person he brought back' until realise he's right beside me, waiting for me to either move or head down the stairs.

Not wanting to hang around on the landing, I turn myself around to descend the stairs with him following close behind me.

Neither of us say much, though no doubt he's itching to ask questions or wants to tell me some important information. 

Reaching the first-floor hallway leading to the front door on my right and kitchen area towards the back, it's a sudden thunk - Dammit, I thought Cristopf had fixed that dodgy step - forcing me to turn slightly to catch him. 

Though I've underestimated the momentum of his combined weight and mine, along with how I've got a foot placed on the second last step to lean myself up to catch him. 

Causing for both of us to fall straight down onto the hallway wooden polished floor to land with a heavy, muffled combined thud. 

"Javin? Hart? Is everything alright? You're not hurt are you?"

Cristopf, I hear calling out to the both of us lying on the wooden, polished hallway floor from the kitchen area, with a muffled, pained groan of "Fuck, why didn't you say about the step. Goddess, this is embarassing that trip up on it again" coming from John. 

Shifting his body to lift himself up off me so I can either get up myself on my own or he can help me get up off the floor. 

Or would have, it hadn't been for him stiffening in a way he's discovered something, his head lifting up to look down at me - in particular where his face had been buried when he fell into my arms - with unexpected, shocked surprise. 

"Everything's fine, Cristopf. John, just tripped on the dodgy step, again." I reply back to him, realising the other man above me is looking downwards at my heaving chest. 

Realising the special binder, holding my breasts flat against my chest to give the illusion I'm male, must have slightly, loosened to reveal the mounds showing underneath my black shirt 

Exposing a secret about myself - the fact, I was 51st Century human who been born male, but had a female body instead and is hiding the fact from people. 

"Does he know?"  John queries, flicking his eyes up to Cristopf, standing by the kitchen doorway followed by back down to me. 

Cristopf must have sensed both of us need some breathing space, so heads back into the kitchen to finish off cooking the breakfast he'd been making, leaving me and John alone. 

My mind debates on what to say him, opening my mouth to speak only to find I really know what to say to him - What can I say? Tell him the truth? Both of us know I can't trust him - with him giving 'Hmm...' getting up off me, holding out his hand bearing the Vortex Manipulator to me.

Taking hold of his right hand, I allow him to haul myself up the wooden, polished hallway floor onto both of my feet leaving me to compose myself. 

"You realise both of you can't hide for long. Soon this very, sweet peaceful life you've built may become shattered, Javin Boeshane."

John states, the back of his knuckle stroking my right cheekbone lightly to soothe me when visibly flinch at his tone of his voice - it's callous of him.

He's right.....He's right. 

Both of us know it. 

It will happen, this sweet, peaceful life I built with Cristopf will be shattered at some point...

But when? 

Now?

A few weeks time?

In the future?

 When.....will...it happen?

-----------------------------------

Notes:

- Set before Season 1, Episode 2 Day One which will be worked into next chapter. - This chapter deals with more introducing Javin to Captain Jack and the Torchwood Team

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PART 1 - 'An Ordinary Morning becomes Something Else'

Location - Scotland, Scottish Highlands - Hidden Alien Refuge Village, Hidden Valley - The Boeshane Cottage's Driveway- still Early Morning

"Did John say something to affect you, Javin?"

Cristopf asks, noticing how subdued I'm in not answering his question at first and refusing to look at him because I don't want to admit the truth.

"Just something which irritated me. Nothing to be worried about." I reply to him, unlocking the driver's side to enter the vehicle which use to get to work. Cristopf, wearing his faded jeans, leather jacket and simple, plain green t-shirt underneath steps close to me to place a hand on my waist and other tilt my chin upwards to look at him.

Looking at his gentle, sweet face and those eyes that have seen so many things – Universes forming and dying; life on planets never heard of and so many things that an ordinary human could only imagine – I find myself being pulled into a soothing, reassuring kiss.

Oh, how this reminds me so much of our first kiss we shared.

 I’ve missed this…. Missed his kisses and touch.

For a short time, I become lost in our kissing – lips softly moving against each-other’s and his hands moving to hold me closer to him like he’s afraid to let go of me in case I disappear from him. – until both of us pull back, one hand moving off my waist to stroke my cheekbone lightly with his thumb.

“I better…. umm….head off…” I state to him, breaking the tender moment between us, slipping into the driver’s seat and leaving him to close the driver’s door for me giving a look of ‘Will talk later about this.”

Stepping back to allow me to start the engine, where driving down the gravel driveway look at his reflection in the wingmirror getting smaller and smaller until turn to take the winding road out of the hidden valley to reach the M6.

Due to the trip to get Cardiff taking precisely 9hrs 39 minutes and distance is about 882km, I would have time to mull over stuff that been swirling it’s way around my head during my journey to the city.

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Location – Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay – The Boeshane Bookshop – Mid-Morning

Javin Boeshane’s P.O.V:

Hanging up my leather black great-coat on the wooden coat-hanger, I begin to open my Bookshop called The Boeshane Bookshop by going around checking the light sconces are working – it was old Historic building so the electricity wires still held hints of the past – and the small kitchen behind the counter is well-stocked and finally, stepping out onto the Mermaid Quay overlooking Cardiff Bay to pull the shutters covering the windows up.

Outside people are going about their daily lives: school children heading to school; mothers pushing prams or walking with their child or children; teenagers talking amongst themselves, listening to music or on their phone texting or scrolling through social media.

Un-padlocking the first shutters, I go to push one of them up or would have if it weren’t for someone knocking over me with such impact, I fall onto the pavement seeing a person wearing a blue RAF great over-coat chasing something with another person following close behind them.

“Fuck, bloody idiot. A bit of warning…. next time…” I swear out, trying to haul myself up using the flowerboxes on the window for stabilisation only to cry out when one of my leg’s gives out on me drawing the attention of people passing and two other people.

“I apologise. He’s a bit of a handful.” The medical-type person of the two people helping me up from the pavement to back into my bookshop over to red leather high-backed chair to sit down. A heavy wince forms on my features, bones which have shattered beginning to quickly heal due to my immortal healing factor is kicking in.

“Handful? More like menace. You do know there’s law about running about like that.” I grit out, seeing the woman I’ve overheard being called ‘Gwen’ heading into the kitchen-area behind the bookshop counter to get a glass of water.

“Well, uhhh…..he’s in a hurry…” the medical-type man states, his eyes studiously avoiding looking at me and hiding what he nearly about to say in case his colleague overhears him. “Now, can I see your leg. I need to make sure nothing is broken…What!?....I’m a medically trained professional.”

He begins to protest at me, while tries to check my leg, when I place my hand on his to push it off not wanting him to discover it’s already healed – though albeit still sore.

“It’s fine. I have a partner who can look over it.” I state at him, using the armrests of the red leather high-backed chair to haul myself up seeing how he gets up as well – it seems he only comes up to my chin – with a glare on that harsh, yet vulnerable face – Something happened to him. He shows on his face a haunted look of someone who’s experienced loss of a loved one. – and arms crossing over his chest.

Going to the kitchen-area, the bell above the shop-bell indicates someone else coming in a reflection in an ornate mirror embedded into the wall shows they are an older man wearing a RAF blue or grey greatcoat with a younger man wearing a suit beside them.

“Owen, is everything alright? We lost sight of the Wee….ummm, Pickpocket.” He asks the medical-professional, correcting his sentence when gets an elbow in the ribs by the young man in the suit making ‘Owen’ grumble something under his breath.

“Stubborn patient refusing help you mean.” Owen – He reminds me of her so much, right down to the mannerisms and look – replies, not really answering the question asked by his ‘Boss-man’ who comes up him with the ex-policewoman Gwen, appearing at the doorway of the kitchen-area going to interject with something.

Hmm, interesting team ‘Blue/grey greatcoat’ has brought together. One, stubborn and medically trained and hints may have done the danse macabre; the female Gwen an ex-policewoman by her stature and presence and other looking like he’s some kind of archivist.

Blue/grey greatcoat must have noted I’m taking in his team’s appearance, because he steps in front of the young man in the suit to block him from my line of sight. Pursing my lips, I brush past Gwen to go into the kitchen-area taking the glass of water off her to bring up to my lips to take a sip – one taste telling me what’s been placed in it.

“Next time you try and drug me, use a better memory replacement sedative.” I tell her, seeing how she looks at me with her widened, panicked eyes at my words with myself moving to go over to the sink where go to pour what’s in the glass down the kitchen sink to get rid of the contaminated water.

A hand grabbing hold of my wrist holding it tightly, makes me stiffen at it. I decide not to turn my face to look at the ‘Boss-man’ keeping myself looking at the calendar where important events are dated hearing him commanding one of his teammates.

“Gwen, lock the front door.” Blue/grey greatcoat orders, his hand moving to my trouser pocket for the key it makes me slap it away first, using my other hand to slap him across the face or would of if it hadn’t for his name being called out.

“JACK, LOOK OUT!!?”

My whole body goes completely numb, forcing me to wrench free from ‘Jack’ allowing the glass of water I’ve been holding still to fall onto the polished kitchen-area floor with a tinkling smash I only distantly hear.

It’s not possible!!!? He cannot be!!!? He can’t be…..Jaketh-Javic Piotr Thane, my sibling!!!?

Memories flood into my head, overwhelming me so much it’s like a dam which holds back tonnes of water breaking apart to allow torrent of water to cascade down into the valley below, swamping everything in it’s destructive path.

“Hey, we’re not going to kill you. Listen to me, we’re not going kill you.” A voice breaks through the haze of rushing water, forcing me to lift my head up to look straight at the very concerned face of my sibling, Jack/Jaketh-Javic’s face.

His team-mates who have come into the kitchen area are looking at me with various signs of concern written on their face – one protective; another medically trained and one empathic by the way he’s trembling at the doorway – with Owen, checking my pulse.

I try to speak, but the rush of water within my head begins to get louder again it blocks out everything around me.

My body must be seizing uncontrollably because can distantly feel someone's hands wrapping around me to stop my body thrashing about until finally the distinct prick of a needle silences the water, allowing me to go limp in the arms of the person holding me.

Maybe for the better.

'When Portal Mishaps Happen'

Prologue - 'New Arrivals in the Grove'

Astarion resting up against a great oak in the centre of the Emerald Grove is busy turning a page in the book he's reading when the hairs of the back neck prickle sensing some type of raw, untamed magic that snapping his book shut gets up noting Halsin who's just returned from helping Zevlor - the elder tiefling, who knew a lot about Halsin even when he was young - had sensed it as well, pausing in his chat with the elder tiefling.

Suddenly, out of nowhere a portal forms ejecting two individuals who land on the ground with a distinct, muffled thump.

Astarion noting to his amusement the smaller one is blushing like mad, berating what turns out to be some kind of elf with highly decorated bow on his back with Halsin walking over to greet the pair, asking them in tone that neither angry or attack-mode more curious in who they were 'Who are they?"

-------------------------------

"So your saying were not in….where we come from….but a place called Emerald Grove." The other elf, called Iorveth, when Astarion had asked the mysterious, unknown wood elf his name noting how he keeps a hand around the waist of the human who sits beside.

Stating the 'dho'ine' as humans were termed where Iorveth came from was his and nobody else, he could see why Halsin was respecting the other elf's privacy by not intruding to deep into their lives.

"Yes, it happened once before. Well before my time, a white-haired silver wolf landed in the Grove along with another companion. I believe may have records in the library about the visit." Halsin states, causing Iorveth to laugh like he knows who precisely who Astarion's mate is talking about.

"Trust the infamous White Wolf as he is called to arrive in this place. Don't worry, him and I are friends of sorts." Iorveth says, reassuring that this person Halsin is discussing is not an enemy trying to take over the Grove and is completely harmless along with their 'Mate' who loves them very much.

Halsin, satisfied by the answer leans back slipping his arm around Astarion who blushes slightly in the presance of Iorveth with his human mate who has yet to reveal his name, so decides to be bold and ask them.

"Apologises, but umm….may I ask your name, Lily-one?" Astarion asks, the nickname not intentional but more because of the faded white lilies he can see embrodiared on what their wearing seeing how they still a bit wary of him - probably trying to analyse why he looks pale, has one red eye and a light ice-blue eye ringed with silver and white hair or maybe it was something else.

"Vernon Roche…..I…I'm just…..It's unexpected for some untamed, magical energy to do this where me and Iorveth are from. It's more of been done by a sorceress or mage, though to admit there have been a slight influx in them." Vernon replies, continuing to speak when Astarion indicates for him to go on with speaking. "It worries me, something from where we come from could easily slip through one and it would cause havoc."

Bringing up the tankard of Nutmeg Ale - which Halsin brewed himself - to take sip from it, licking his lips at the strange, taste before taking another sip of it.

"I see. Here it was the Mindflyers as their called, vile creatures if you ever meet one. We already know loads about them." Astarion says, jumping slightly against Halsin, when Iorveth brings up a neatly, severed head from attached to his belt of a Mindflyer.

"You mean this tentacle-freaked thing. Was wondering what it was called? Attacked us during….uhh….well….you know…." Iorveth tails off, blushing so hard it spreads from his face to the tip of his elven ears that quickly buries his face into his drink taking very deep glugs, Vernon equally looking very embarassed that Astarion and Halsin no longer able to hold in the laughter let it out knowing precisely what Iorveth means.

"Oh…..my…..you must spread a lot of pheromones, Iorveth. Or that it…..splahhagggh….Did you just chuck that ale in my face!!!?"

Astarion begins to say, only for Vernon to grab Halsin's still very fill tankard to splash the liquid in his face soaking his hair and white tunic - the black was at least less see through then the white - spluttering in shock and surprise at it.

"Oh, you know. I'm itching to let have whirl with my daggers. Care to join, Lily-one." Astarion snarls out, grinning with fangs exposed - this Dhoine knew how to fight dirty and he liked it.

"Gladly. Need to release some pent-up tension anyway." Vernon retorts back, getting up and following Astarion leaving Iorveth and Halsin sitting at the makeshift stone table with a severed Mindflyer head between them smirking at their lover's and their antics.

------------------------------

Part 1 - 'The Importance of Identity'

Identity.

Identity was important when Foltest was alive and Vernon was a Blue Stripes commander, commanding his own men in doing tasks which some would fear doing in case of risk of never returning from what they called 'Suicide Missions' but it all changed when Foltest died - a thing Letho had apologised for doing to him, after realising how deeply affected Vernon had become - that he lost that status and identity.

Accusations begin to fly around he was the one who caused King Foltest's death, he was the Hound which Foltest kept leashed to his side and controlled and so many other degrading things he did not want to remember even they haunted him at night.

He never really had told Geralt and Iorveth about it, choosing to lock it away deep in a mind vault never wanting to access those memories again - ever again.

However today it been a sentence from a young elvish brat close to Emerald Grove as him, Iorveth and Geralt had been sent by letter by Halsin that some unknown beasts from where they had come from had entered the surrounding area near the Grove and Halsin was concerned they could try and attack people.

"Vernon Roche you just a Whore…." they begin say to him, only to baulk heavily when Geralt unsheathes his sword from behind his back and Iorveth, gives the sternest glare ever to the young elvish boy at the sametime Vernon can feel a muscle twitching in his face - just who was this damm brat and why did he get Astarion and Halsin vibes from them.

Stepping forwards to confront them, he sees the awkwardness spreading on their face, how sweat is beading down their temples and eyes darting about here and there looking for escape route at the sametime saying "Sorry….." it surprises him.

Blinking, he goes to retort when a flash of silver light happens and next moment the young elvish boy is no-more but instead a field mouse in their place who makes dash for into the centre of the grove, Iorveth hot on it's heels leaving Vernon to look at Geralt who sheathing his sword walks down with to see Astarion berating Iorveth and holding in his hands the field-mouse.

"You….attack my own son!!!?" Astarion screeches, startling some birds from the trees, forcing heads to turn to the source and Vernon wishing he could now just disappear.

This was going be awkward and embarassing to even explain why Iorveth had done so.

"YOUR SON, CHOSE TO CALL MY….MATE…A VERY RUDE THING, FANG-SUCKER!!!?" Iorveth shouts, before standing up straight to calm himself muttering as gets out his pipe to smoke it with Astarion placing his son down to talk with him - a flash of silver light and the field mouse is now the elvish boy who has his head lowered and looking very meek and frightened.

"Is this true, Halin? Sweetie, I already told you….you don't just say random words like that. Has Kalina being say things to you again?" Astarion asks his son, who gives a meek "Yes" quickly rising his head to look at his Mama.

"But….she only said because she thought he looked he'd been one….I'm sorry…Mama….I didn't mean…..to…"

"Apologise to our guests, not to me." Astarion sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose to relieve a headache coming on. "Especially, Vernon Roche, particularly. Now do it, turn and face him."

----------------------------------------

Notes:

Notes:

A fanstory connected to 'A Plague Tale: Innonence and Requiem'

Acting as third sequel, ignoring the ending of Requiem which went into modern times

Slight canon diverging with flashbacks going be in italics

Images used above sourced from https://www.artstation.com/search?sort_by=relevance&query=plague%20tale

--------------------------------------------

Prologue - 'Shattered Hope' (1 of ?)

Many Years Earlier (set during the outbreak of the Justinian Plague, Basilius Imprisonment and Aelia)

Location - Sacred Chapel Lands of La Sucaros, Island of La Sucaros - 541 A.D - Late Evening

A figure wearing a hooded robe, plus some type of armour walks calmly up a stone-path carved into the side of a large mountain that protects a valley down below, huggin the sides where parts of path have over years of weathering collapsed forming large gaps revealing a long drop down below.

Finally reaching the top of the mountain's plateau, they look back down the valley - the town with it's harbour filled with various sizes of fishing vessels, the large light-house to bring ships home and finally the once great palace where the children Basilius and Aelia Dragas once lived before they had disappeared never to be seen again.

A sudden large explosion coming from two other mountains with a large gap between startles them, quickly turning towards the source of the noise to see a cloud of dust rising upwards into the night-air.

"No....No....No....they couldn't have!!!?"

They begin to run, passing a series of vegetable fields and cultivated vineyard where workers who'd been heading home are watching the plume of greyish-black smoke continuing to raise upwards and blot out the moon's light.

--------------------------------------------------

"PILE MORE BARRELS BY THAT DOOR!!? I WANT IT OPEN IMMEDIATLY!!!?"

Slaves in tattered rags and chains on wrists and ankles ferry back and forth carrying large amphora jars of Greek Fire from a cart over to a massive double door bearing a faded fresco on it that almost looks like it is respresenting death.

"Is this wise?"

"Do you have better ideas??"

"No, Senator Vitalis I."

A sudden commotion, followed by a hooded figure being flung down onto the stone-ground to be quickly pinned down by heavy armoured soldiers where they claw in desperation to try to get free, only for a dagger to stab straight down into their hand, interrupts the conversation between the Senator and the soldier.