Night Market: Shadow Serpent (Escape from Club Apophis, 54)

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STORYLINE:  ...This is how the world entered the Age of Apophis.

Forbidden Zone, 5 minutes to midnight. April 13, 2055

We are the Shadow of Apophis.

Our last Chosen One created wonders. She was kind. She kept us well fed. When she disappeared, we waited. We returned to choose another, as we have for millennia. A room full of beautiful devotees. Orderly, Hungry. Exactly as designed. Boring. We were about to leave. 

A boy stumbled in. Not invited. No idea where he was. No agenda. Chaos recognizes chaos. We chose him immediately. 

He ran. Running. Running. Running away into the storm.
The sun was still in the mouth of Apophis. So we followed.

A noisy man-bat swooped down, its shrieks blaring loud enough to give us a headache. Its claws were about to hook into the boy. Very annoying. We flicked our tail, cracking it through the air like lightning. Precision strike. Severed wings fluttered down.

Ahead, Void Nuns had amassed. Strange things. No pulse, no warmth, no eyes. Unacceptable. We dealt with them too.

“Come back to us, Lathandro..." We had whispered to him. "We love you... We miss your warmth..."

The boy ran harder. “My name is Yoon Jihoon. I’m a student. I study. I keep out of trouble. I had a normal life.”

Rejection. Again and again. We were patient. Time does not move in straight lines for us. It coils. We would wait.

Present Day

Now, the boy had nowhere left to run…

We adjusted our heavy coils, settling comfortably across the plush furniture. The cushions were decent, but they weren’t warm like proper temple stone. Still, we stayed put, guarding the comatose boy in the lavish quarters of his captor. Tomorrow, the loud creature in high heels would disturb the peace and try to unravel him.

We flicked our tail, annoyed. This whole situation was not how things were meant to be.

Our tongue flickered, tasting a sudden metallic disturbance in the air.

Thump.

We reared up, our eyes snapping to the balcony's glass door. Heat. Electrical vibration. And the unmistakable scent of Jihoon.

The unconscious body of the large red-haired guard slowly slid down the glass and collapsed into a sad little pile on the cold cement.

Something had changed.

We tasted the air, tracing a dark, delicious tendril of entropic energy straight back to Jihoon.

Our eyes shone, and the corners of our mouth upturned in a heavy, reptilian grin. The boy was finally reaching outward, using the only means he had. Power.

We sank into the boy’s dream den, slipping through thought, smooth and heavy as ink pooling into groundwater.

Dreamscape, The Robotics Classroom

This construct was new, created by Jihoon.

Deliberate. Intentional.

The boy’s other half was slouched in the darkest corner. Lathandro the Beautiful. Vanquished, bored, and quietly playing PONG with our ancient, sacred Apophian glyphs. The LED lighting of the desk screen made his forlorn face ghostly.

Lathandro noticed us. He offered his hand with serpentine grace. Lovely.

We accepted a quick, delightful head-scratch, then turned our gaze to the other one. Jihoon the Desperate. He was a miserable snakelet, stubbornly refusing to shed old skin. He was hunched over a desk, beside the fake metallic dog, frantically tapping a glowing surface. Light strobed across his face.

“Come on, come on… Get a signal out.”

We slithered down from the upper shelves, our dark form gliding lazily across the desks to get closer to the warm pulse of Jihoon’s voice.

Suddenly, the air ripped open overhead.

The red-haired boy materialized and fell into the room in an ungraceful mess, hitting the linoleum floor with a loud, disruptive crash.

"What the..." the guard scrambled up, staring wildly at the glowing classroom monitors before his eyes landed on Jihoon.

"Kyle!" Jihoon beamed, leaping up from his seat to embrace his friend. "I don’t know how long I can hold this connection. Quickly. Tell me everything that’s happening out there."

“Stop hugging me!” Kyle shrugged Jihoon off. “Damn, I just had the craziest dream. Thanks for letting me fall asleep in class, Nerd.” He smacked Jihoon on the head.

We reared up instantly, our hood flaring wide, casting the Vile One in the blackest shadow.

Kyle squeaked and fell over backward. “Oh, shit. Not that thing again.”

Lathandro struck before we could, grinding his foot hard into Kyle's chest on the floor. “You just hit me for the last time, Kyle. When I wake up,” he sneered, “I’m gonna break every bone in your…”

“Who the hell are you?” Kyle spat back. “Jihoon’s ugly albino twin sister?”

“Wait, wait,” Jihoon laughed nervously, arms flailing between them. “Everyone… please. Calm down. We don’t have time for this.” He turned to Kyle. “You’ve seen the snake before? I thought I was the only one who could see it.”

"Yeah, I’ve seen it.” Kyle panted, slowly climbing back to his feet and backing away. "When Hwan smashed the Black Snakeskin Box, this massive bastard burst loose and screeched. Almost shit myself. Hwan told us it was returning to its master. Said if we followed it, it would lead us right to you.”

The Delivery Box? Yes, the Dokkaebi smashed our beautiful nest. Very rude. It was a failure anyway. No gift we materialized made Jihoon love us.

Lathandro stood down, removing his foot. We wrapped ourselves around him like a massive, oversized boa constrictor, though we kept glaring at Kyle just on principle.

"Kyle, please. Sit down," Jihoon said softly, righting a chair.

Kyle hesitated, looking at our massive coils suspiciously.

Lathandro slid into the chair beside Jihoon, looking down his nose at the redhead. “Relax, Asshole. It’s more scavenger than predator. Besides, it won’t hurt you without permission. If it wanted, you’d already be dust in the wind.”

“Can someone please tell me why Twisted Sister is shooting sass at me?”

Lathandro rolled his eyes. “I am Jihoon, idiot, the better version of him. The one that won’t hesitate to hit you back.” He began to stroke our dark scales, right under the chin where we love it. “He’s not as scary as he seems. He’s lazy. He likes warmth, easy meals... you know, snake things.” He looked over at Jihoon. “You would know that too, if you stopped running away from it.”

Lathandro turned back to us and cooed in a ridiculous high voice, “Who’s the goodest Snakepoo? It’s you! It’s you!”

We melted. It was embarrassing, really, but his pets were too good. We moved our tail to gently tap the top of Lathandro’s pretty head, mimicking his petting movements. Then, feeling generous, we extended our tip to pet Jihoon too.

See? We are nice. Love us.

A forked tongue flicked out of Lathandro’s exquisite mouth at the exact same time as ours.

Jihoon shrieked.

He jumped out of the chair so fast it overturned with a loud crash.

We tasted Fear. Thick and pungent.

Jihoon stared at Lathandro. Then at us. His hand slowly rose to his mouth. “Oh, God.”

“Okay...” Kyle shook his head, thoroughly bewildered. “So this is not the strangest shit I’ve seen since stepping into the Zone, but it’s definitely in the ranking.” He shivered as if a cold breeze went up his back. “I get that this is a dream or something. Yin and Yang, perhaps. But what I don’t get is why one of you would know something the other doesn’t if you are the same person?”

Jihoon slumped and looked away. “Here’s the deal, as best as I understand it. Everything changed the moment I entered Club Apophis.” His voice faltered, hands wringing in his lap. “I saw it, a shape darker than black. It was looking right at me. The Serpent. A lot of shit happened after that. Don’t ask me how or what it means, because I don’t know. My memory is fractured. I just know whatever was happening to me stopped when I ran.”

“Alright,” Kyle clenched his jaw. “Since I'm the one who shoved you into the Zone, this is all my fault. What do you want from me?”

Jihoon’s voice turned serious. “Be my bodyguard. Protect me. Be my legs because I can’t move.”

“Already on it, Boss. Next.”

“There is something else I want. A favor. But before I tell you, please tell me everything that’s happening out there. So I might know if I made the right decision.”

Kyle nodded.

We only half listened. We wanted to know what the decision was. We wondered if Lathandro was also curious.

"You want the quick version?” Kyle folded his arms, his eyes darting between Jihoon and our shadowy coils. “The Zone is a slaughterhouse run by Monstrum. We found trapped people being auctioned off to monsters like live bait. And MasterGin? Slavery disguised as plastic surgery. We even found a dead nun who tried to go back in time to stop all this. Named Sophia.”

Jihoon went very still.

Emotions clouded the air. Fear. Rage. Heartbreak.

He touched his throat. “Did she wear a gold rope necklace with a snake head and tail?”

“Hmm. Most of the nuns wear little snake brooches, pins, that kind of thing. But now that you mention it... yeah, hers wasn't a brooch. It was the whole necklace. Like a real snake, coiled all the way around her neck. Kind of hard to miss.”

The dreamscape flickered.

We bowed our head. Our Dearest Sophia. The boy had discovered the truth we hid for so long. A small mercy.

Jihoon looked away. He turned colder.

Moments passed as no one spoke.

“You doing ok there, buddy?”

“Continue,” he replied softly.

Kyle hesitated. “Uh... okay.” In a hushed voice, he described the many horrors in the Zone and what had happened to Jihoon’s classmates.

We yawned. Our long, sharp fangs fully deployed. The darkness of our throat leaked out in tendrils of black smoke.

The conversation died.

We opened our eyes, surprised.

The three boys were staring at us.

Fear, once more.

If we could blush, we would have. We tried to look cute and friendly. Having no success, we pouted. We slithered away and curled around the desk where Jihoon had sat, our coils swallowing the robotic dog beneath them.

Kyle inched his chair away and looked back at Jihoon. “So now you know everything. What’s the plan?”

A plan?

We leaned in, excitement accidentally rattling our tail.

“Wake up. Pick up my body and run. Go to the Safe Zone. With any luck, the others are there. We’re getting everyone the hell out of here.”

Kyle suddenly disappeared, cut off before he could react. 

Lathandro bolted out of his chair. “But I’ll never wake up! The Ceremony is tomorrow!”

“Fuck it.” Jihoon stood, fists clenched. “You don’t get it. I’m a lost cause. You’re always reminding me. I caught on fire in fucking daylight! I’m a monster now. One person has already died trying to save me. Mom.” His voice faltered, tears running down his cheeks. “No one. I mean NO ONE is going to die for me. Understand? This shit-show ends now.”

We tasted the air. Fear. Rage. Grief. And something else. Resolve. The boy was no longer running.

Jihoon looked over at us. The fierce expression on his tear-stained face made our hearts flutter. “Don’t try to stop me.”

We approached timidly.

Jihoon did not recoil.

We lowered our head.

Time seemed to stop.

We wait. Patiently wait. Still waiting.

We had been waiting for this since before he was born.

There.

At last. A trembling hand lightly touched our scales.

We listen. We obey.

Lathandro paced the room frantically. Then finally he stopped and looked at his other self. “You’re not leaving me behind. You are me. You need me. When you hesitate, I act. When you’re weak, I’m strong.”

Jihoon held out his hand to Lathandro. “Then let’s stop fighting. From now on, we are one.”

Lathandro took his hand without doubt. “We are one.”

We put our tail tip on top of their joined hands. “We… Are… One…”

Time to shed old skin.

We wrapped our coils around the two boys. In our embrace, their bodies dissolved into tendrils of black smoke. When our coils fell away, there stood only one boy.

It was complete.

“Good boy.” The Chosen One reached over and petted us the way we liked. “Ready?”

He had eyes like us. Teal.

We nodded. Eager.

His pupils narrowed into black slits. His hand pointed forward dramatically. It was exactly like the stunning posters of Prince Lathandro plastered all over the Forbidden Zone.

“Clear the path. Go now!”

On him, Lathandro:

Eyes: Goetia - Thorned Umbral Eyes- Light Green [BOM](Night Market)[150L]

Eyeshadow: A.D.D.Andel  - Gloss Shadows-Teal [BOM](Night Market)[130L]

Crown: ARCHIVEFACTION - Requiem Crown [mesh]

Gloves: ARCHIVEFACTION - Sacremorne Knight Gauntlets_Silver_Legacy M [mesh]

Shoulders, collar: BUFFY'S - Gwendolyn Neck Piece - LegacyA [mesh]

Gown: Soapberry - .SB. Rune Gown - LegacyA [mesh]

Veil: Grasshopper - ST GHS Wedding Veil [mesh](300L) 

Shine: ARANA - Dragon Body Shine 3D HQ (2K) [Applier]

Strings: YUEBIN - Bound in Bloom - [Legacy Ath] [mesh]

Stocking: YUEBIN - Spider Charm - LegacyA, 5 [mesh]

Hair: Aii - Necromantic Hair, HAIR HELL [mesh]
Tongue: Clover - Lizard set, tongue [mesh]

Pet: MoonRabbit - MR SNEK SPIRIT [mesh]

Skin: outernaked - #evox - juhoon skin [NF: natural] - nb [BOM]

Head, bloody tattoos: LeLUTKA - Kane Evolution [mesh](3990L)

Body: TheShops - [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.7.1) [mesh](5000L)

Pose: momomuller / 3M - [3M]**_w5_0

On him, Yoon Jihoon:

Outfit: PENDULUM - EMILIEN.Suit - LEGACY M [mesh]

Dagger: ARCHIVEFACTION - Requiem Dagger [mesh]

Hair: TRASH - Pumpkins Hair - v1 - Fatpack [mesh]

Crown: UNA - Ruise crown Silver [mesh]

Necklace: Oblivis - Secret Bastion Key Necklace M SILVER [mesh]

Shoes: Deadwool - Dandy shoes - non rigged - black/silver wingtip [mesh](360L)

Rings: RAWR - Battie Rings Legacy Male [mesh]

Earrings: BADa - Cross B Earrings [mesh]

Claws: Subject Thirteen - Solstice Set - LegacyA [mesh]

Skin: outernaked - #evox - juhoon skin [NF: natural] - wb [BOM]

Head, bloody tattoos: LeLUTKA - Kane Evolution [mesh](3990L)

Body: TheShops - [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.7.1) [mesh](5000L)

Pose: Tableau Vivant - TheCageM5

BONUS IMAGES: inworld raw shots, hi-res, midday sky:

Midnight Order: GIN AESTHETICA (Escape from Club Apophis, 30)

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STORYLINE: Old Seoul looked different from above, like a glowing circuit board designed by a madman and dropped into the dark past.

Romance rested his forehead against the cool, tinted glass of the hovercar. The low, soft rumble of its turbine slipped into his bones. Gangnam slid past in layers of aggressive light and chrome. The streets were cleaner than he remembered, scrubbed of humanity, louder with commerce, hungry for attention. Every surface was a screen; every face on the sidewalk had been polished for an audience that never blinked.

His breath fogged the glass, erasing him. When it thinned, a human face stared back like a ghost from another decade. His hair had gone dark, black as faded ink, longer than it had been minutes ago. Only the tips still clung to pink, like a bad memory refusing to let go. The glamor was not broken. It was exhausted.

He had overextended himself in Kyra’s rescue, enchanting hundreds of Monstrum instead of weak, disposable humans. The cost pressed in now as a dull ache behind his eyes, a weight in his limbs, the city suddenly too loud, too bright, too close.

He had been an idol trainee here. Back when the buildings were shorter. Back when idols still pretended to be human. Back when he believed fame would save him.

It didn’t.

A massive hologram pulsed against the smog-choked skyline.

NEW YEAR. NEW YOU. Designed for the life you deserve.

GIN AESTHETICA™ rose beneath the slogan, pristine and obscene. The headquarters of the monster who had hollowed out his homeland and sold it back, piece by perfect piece.

Romance sighed, fogging the glass again before the climate control erased it.

This was a dangerous game. If his plan was going to work, he needed to pass inspection. He needed a pick-me-up.

He pulled out his halo phone and logged into a burner account.

User: Mira Bio: Club organizer. Devoted fan. Founder of the Romaniacs.

The profile image was perfect. A middle-aged woman with soft cheeks, kind eyes, and a haircut that chose practicality over vanity. Someone you trusted with small complaints and unguarded truths.

Someone safe.

He typed: "Still on for coffee? That café you like, near the giant billboard?"

The reply came almost instantly.

Helga: "Yes, of course. I’m just across the street now. I’m wearing a blue coat."

Romance smiled faintly.

Helga. Loyal. Lonely. Careful with money, careless with hope.

The car descended, settling with a whisper of displaced air and the hum of anti-grav stabilizers.

“We have arrived,” the AI announced, voice empty of anything resembling care.

Romance glanced out through the dark glass. The café glowed warmly at street level. And there she was. Blue coat. Phone in hand. Scanning faces for a friend who didn’t exist.

His reflection stared back at him in the window. Beautiful. Hollow. Ready.

“The things I do for love,” he murmured.

The hermetic seals hissed open. Romance stepped out into the street, his pink hair tips catching city light as it stirred in a breeze that smelled faintly of coffee.

Streetlights kissed the silver embroidery of his formal suit like sparks on cold iron. Burgundy fabric clung and flowed, regal and restless, as if stitched from the memory of applause.

He had taken two steps when sharp heels clicked against cement.

A nurse emerged from the plastic surgery clinic.

Blond. Impeccable. Terrifying.

Her uniform had been reinvented into high-fashion couture. Seams sharp as scalpels. Luminous white fabric cut with authority. A gold serpent brooch pinned at her collar caught the streetlamp glare, its diamond eye unblinking.

Paine. MasterGin’s personal assistant.

“Thank you for coming, Master Romance.”

She bowed deeply. The words carried across the sidewalk, slicing cleanly through the traffic noise.

Helga froze.

She turned, eyes wide. Confusion collapsed into disbelief.

“Did you say… Romance?”

Silence stretched.

Romance glanced from Paine to Helga, pulse skidding. Then he laughed, warm and effortless, the sound of someone who belonged exactly where he stood. He stepped forward, angling his body between the nurse and the woman.

“No,” he said lightly. “The real Romance would be ancient by now, wouldn’t he? I’m just a model," he gestured to the clinic. "A celebrity impersonator. DJ Romance.”

Helga followed the movement. Understanding settled across her face.

“Oh!” Relief bloomed into a smile. “Mira set you up for this, didn’t she? That rascal.”

She laughed, then softened. “You carry his style beautifully. You really do. I always liked him best in the early years. When he sang to rooms, not stadiums.”

Her smile turned wistful. “Before Romance was Romance. You have excellent taste.”

Something sharp flashed behind his eyes and vanished.

“Thank you,” he said, inclining his head politely.

She hesitated, cheeks warming, her phone lifting uncertainly. “May I… if it’s not strange… could we take a photo together?”

Romance’s smile deepened. The kind that ruined lives gently.

“Of course,” he purred. “Allow me.”

He took the phone, stepped close, and drew her in with practiced ease. The camera loved him. Loved her more for standing beside him.

She gasped when he showed her the image.

Romance did not release her.

“You know,” he murmured near her ear, voice brushing skin, “we could give your friends something better to talk about. How about a kiss?”

She flushed scarlet, entranced. She shyly offered her cheek.

Romance cupped her chin instead, and drew her in.

Their lips pressed together. A kiss deepened just enough to steal her breath. Her knees weakened before she understood why. The phone flashed again and again. Her life flowed into him. Warm. Bright. Threaded with memory. Her love for the man he had been burned sweetly in his lungs.

Delicious.

A sweet sip to be savored. It hit like a vintage year, bright and reckless. For a fraction of a second, faint blue light bloomed where their mouths met, hidden beneath the camera strobe.

“Enough.”

Paine tore the phone from his hand and deleted the images with surgical precision. Unapproved evidence erased with a click.

Helga swayed, grasping the hovercar for balance. Hands trembling. She looked older all at once. Drained.

Romance exhaled, irritated. A wisp of faint blue smoke curled briefly from his lips. His skin gleamed brighter now. His hair shone. His feral eyes sharpened into smoldering amber. For a moment, the world felt edible again. He could almost believe he was in control. Almost.

He smoothed his cuff. "Do you want a good photoshoot,” he said coolly, “or not?”

Paine snapped her fingers. Two men in lab coats appeared immediately, guiding Helga inside with murmured reassurances. A seat. Water. Monitoring.

Romance watched them go. The fragrance of her life still swirled around him, bright as fruit and just as rotten. For a moment he wanted to run after her, to give something back.

Instead, he swallowed the craving and let it become power. He had to be cold; Paine was watching. If he met her gaze, she might see the desperate animal scratching under the facade.

Her sacrifice will not be wasted, he told himself, the lie tasting like ash. It is fuel for a higher cause.

Mask in place. No guilt. Only resolve.

He shouldered his bag, the one with the devil-horned heart charm, and entered the clinic through doors of quartz and sterile luxury.

Inside, sound vanished into a hush that pressed against the ears. There was no reception desk. No signage.

Glass cases lined the space, displaying garments beneath the Apophis ATELIER mark. Clothing designed not to hide alteration, but to celebrate it.

Jackets cut for shoulders beyond human geometry. Dresses engineered to honor augmentation rather than disguise it. Trousers generous where flesh had been rewritten.

This was not indulgence. This was infrastructure.

“Greenroom,” Paine said sharply, pointing. “Makeup and wardrobe shortly.”

Romance sank into the chair before a smart mirror. The lighting shifted, flattering by force. Micro-corrections flickered across the glass.

ID: Pending.... DJ Romance Acceptable. 27% facial imperfections.

He rolled his eyes. An old ache tugged at his chest. He closed his eyes, breathed, and failed to make the yearning leave.

He pulled out his halo phone. He watched the status dot beside her name until it flickered green again.

Mira: "Hey Helga, did anything exciting happen?"

Her icon lit immediately.

Helga: "Mira OMG you will never believe—"

The phone vanished.

“Pink, cheap, and far past its expiration date.”

Romance froze.

The voice came from behind him, close enough to chill the skin at the nape of his neck.

In the mirror, something pale unfolded into the room.

MasterGin.

Not in a lab coat. He wore a sheer white tunic that clung like fog, open at the throat, draped to frame the sharp line of his collarbone and the cold arrogance of his chest. Gold chains crossed him in deliberate geometry, more jewelry than restraint, each link catching the light like a sinful promise.

He held Romance’s halo phone between two fingers, as if it had offended him personally.

“Bubblegum Relic,” Gin sneered savoring the words.

Then he closed his fist.

Metal shrieked. Glass cracked. The device collapsed like tinfoil, crumpling into a glittering ruin that fell to the floor.

Romance stared at the debris, jaw tight.

MasterGin leaned closer.

In the humming mirror, his smile hovered beside Romance’s reflection, a beautiful predator sharing the frame.

“If you ever feed in front of my clinic again,” Gin said softly, a low, deadly purr, “I will have you recycled into a cheap pink vinyl pressing of the worst music ever recorded. Do I make myself clear?”

Romance kept his gaze on the mirror, locking eyes with MasterGin.

“I wonder what would happen to your empire in Seoul,” Romance said, voice low and controlled, “if the locals learned what really goes on at GIN AESTHETICA™.”

MasterGin leaned in, presence collapsing the space, forcing Romance smaller. Then he straightened abruptly.

“First offense,” Gin said, as if mercy bored him. “You didn’t know the rules. I will allow it.”

A hand slid onto Romance’s shoulder.

Then, without warning, it snapped to his jaw.

MasterGin’s claws hooked under Romance’s chin and yanked his face upward—not toward him, but toward the mirror. Hard.

The chair creaked. Romance’s breath caught. They stared together at the reflection. Two monsters.

Gin tilted Romance’s head left, then right, studying him like an expensive object that had begun to tarnish. His thumb pressed into Romance’s jawline with just enough force to hurt.

“Excellent glow-up,” Gin admitted, the compliment almost an insult. “How much did you take?”

“One year,” Romance said, refusing to flinch. “She won’t miss it. Her last five would have been Alzheimer’s.”

Gin’s eyes narrowed in the mirror.

“You can tell that by looking?”

Romance’s lips curled faintly. Sweet. Poisonous.

“Yes,” he said. “And not just humans.”

Something tightened behind Gin’s gaze. Interest, threat assessment, or both.

He released Romance abruptly, as if bored of the sculpture.

“Feisty,” MasterGin murmured, almost pleased.

He drifted closer behind Romance, close enough that his breath warmed Romance’s neck. In the mirror, their faces aligned, predator and pet.

"Do you know what you are?” he asked softly.

His nails pressed in. A sting. A reminder.

“You are a contagion.”

Romance swallowed. Not fear. Recognition.

“When humans love you,” MasterGin continued, voice velvet over steel, “they do not simply adore. They submit. They volunteer. You make slavery feel like devotion.”

He leaned closer, eyes bright with interest now, almost reverent.

“Proof delivered live on my doorstep. I watched the security feed.”

Romance didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.

“My kind requires proximity. Physicality.” Gin whispered. “But you... You only need a digital signal.”

Romance met his eyes in the glass, unflinching. “I can turn your brand into a theology. But I need payment.”

MasterGin’s grin widened. “So yes. Your New Year campaign.”

He tapped Romance’s cheekbone, as if testing firmness. “You will pour that curse into the lens until they beg for my scalpel like it is salvation.”

His grip tightened.

“And if you do it perfectly,” he murmured, “I will grant your Kyra an appointment. I will assess what remains of her flesh to see what can be salvaged.”

MasterGin’s eyes narrowed, almost playful.

“Disappoint me… and your one billion won doll stays broken. Forever.”

He extended his hand, the hand that made monsters beautiful and vain humans slaves.

Romance stared at it.

For a moment he saw Kyra as she lay dying. Helpless. Ruined. But beneath the ruin, he saw the outline of forever. Not a victim. Not a doll. A bride. A blade. A beginning.

Then he took the hand.

“Deal.”

MasterGin released him. “You look thin. Bring your best face to the Opening of the Mouth Ceremony. Drink ten years.”

With a sharp click of heels, he sashayed away, his feather-light tunic dissolving into the clinical light.




Midnight Order is open! This round is even larger and packed with all that is dark and awesome. Seriously, look at that image above. Wow. Stunning. It's not to be missed.

On Romance is Pendulum's Illuvion suit. It has lush PBR materials that dazzle. It comes with several texture options. It's an entire outfit including boots. Perfect for formal events, and just being fabulous. Romance's interesting hair change was inspired by the Lorna Hair by Ni.Ju. The wildcard hud includes a texture that is black with pink tips, which gave me the idea that his glamor failed.

On MasterGin, is the stylish 1920s Erte-like gossamer Loana's Gown. The top is semi-transparent. The gown comes in several texture options. Added to his harem-chic is the Justiciar's Livery Chain by Requisition. It's unrigged and has PBR texture hud. From Buffy's is the Galina choker, part of a full outfit with a fit for Legacy Male. From Lex is the Bat of Hell earrings, incase anyone forgets MasterGin is quite a vampire.

On him, DJ Romance:

Suit: PENDULUM - ILLUVION.Suit, Legacy M [mesh](Midnight Order)(1600L)

Hair: NI.JU - Lorna Hair, wildcard [mesh](Midnight Order)(300L)

Tattoos: HISS - PATTERNS FACE ROMANCE [BOM](250L)

Rings: MANDALA - Sinra Rings season-3-HD, Legacy M [mesh]

Brooch: Schelm - 2.Devil Heart Straight Barbell [mesh]

Earring in mirror: RavenBell - Starlit Earrings, Moonlit [mesh](350L)

Hair in mirror: NoMatch - NO_TENDERNESS [mesh]

Head: LeLUTKA - Kane Evolution [mesh](3990L)

Body: TheShops - [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.7.1) [mesh](5000L)

On him, MasterGin:

Robe: REBIS - Loane's Gown, Legacy M, white [mesh](Midnight Order)(300L)

Choker: BUFFY'S - Galina Choker - LGM [mesh](Midnight Order)(1333L)

Necklace:  REQUISITION - Justiciar's Livery Chain [mesh](Midnight Order)(350L)

Earring: LEX - Bat of Hell [mesh](Midnight Order)(249L)

Belly Strap, belly ring: Aii - BlackMage, Athletic, Belly Straps, Navel Piercing [mesh]

Claws: L'Emporio&PL - Oblio Vampire Claws male [mesh](350L)

Hair: bonbon - tame hair, naturals [mesh](439L)

Shine: BLAXIUM - Sweaty Body Shine [applier]

Head: LeLUTKA - CAMDEN 4.0 [mesh](3990L)

Body: TheShops - [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.7.1) [mesh](5000L)

Pose: 3M - gogogo_A_7

Setting:

Chair: Midwest - Ash Recolor Pack - Armchair Cream [mesh](199L)

House: Fanatik - Sky Tower [mesh] (3800L)

Door PBR: Erfe Design - Medusa Floor PBR  Material, black [PBR]

Room PBR: Erfe Design - Maldives  Marble Material, ivory [PBR]

Chair PBR: ARTSY - Velvet Fabric 0 [PBR]

Skyline: AXON Skybox - Cyberpunk megapolis [mesh](50L)

BONUS IMAGES: inworld raw shots, hi-res, midday sky :

 

Midnight Order : As the World Falls Down

(click to enlarge)

STORYLINE: Such a sad love. Laughter had fled the decaying Goblin City. The distressed goblins voted to send the Wisest among them to fix the problem. There in a crumbling throne room, surrounded by a mountain of books, was the fierce presence of their troubled leader. The Wiseman tried to sound sympathetic, "It's clear to this old one, a broken heart is the source of your Highnesses’ diminished power." The Goblin King shot him a burning glare. "It's not your fault, your Majesty. You had not been properly socialized with humans. They often say what they don't mean. Take this baby? Or make this baby stop crying? Who knows. You'll do better next time. Forget the raven haired beauty." The King rose to his full height and towered over the small trembling being. "Is my magic not absolute?" The Wiseman immediately bowed deeply and averted his eyes, "Yes, yes of course." The King roared and threw a book at him, "You understand nothing! She WISHED I do anything for her love! It's binding! Unbreakable, you nitwit! I was compelled to grant every ill-conceived notion that crossed her addled mind. Did it make her happy? Did she not see I showed her the error of her ways? NO!" he bellowed, "It made me a villain!" He sank back down on the throne and moaned in pain. "Even if I wanted to leave, I no longer have the power." His gaze turned to a broken stone arch, and looked somewhere far away. His voice trailed in despair, "banished from her life...." 

Suddenly, ray of light penetrated the gloom. A small snow goblin scampered into the room, climbed up on the throne, and offered an intriguing gift from the Academy of the Dark Arts. The King took the book and read its title out loud, "Chicken Soup for the Goblin Afflicted Soul." Intrigued, he glanced at the index and quickly turned to page 98. The sudden click of a heel made his head jerk up just in time to see a crystal ball materialize in front of him. Where did it come from? It wasn't his. His power had long since fled. The ball flew across the room and was caught by a blond spiky haired teen emerging from the shadows wearing the robes of the Academy, "You can thank me later, Mr Tricky" the lad narrowed his eyes. "By the way, that was my book. The Academy helped me overcome your surprise parting gift. You should be more careful who you mess with, I'm not a defenseless baby anymore. But let's not fight, there's someone who wished to see you." With the comic flair of a goblin showman, he stepped aside revealing his blushing older sister who had grown into a beautiful woman. He felt his heart skip a beat. She was terribly busy pretending the floor was interesting. "Just because life's not fair, doesn't mean the King can't impose fairness upon it. If you accept the terms of the deal, you can stay with my sister  half the year, and I will rule in your place with the full power of the King. When time is up, we will automatically switch places and this blasted curse will be lifted from me so I can live a normal life. We repeat the cycle every year. Do you accept the terms?" Speechless, the King had nothing snarky to say. His mouth hung open as he looked from his clever heir to the woman he loved. It wasn't like her to be shy, perhaps she was embarrassed, or felt shame? Maybe she was worried he would say no. When she finally had the courage to look into his eyes, all her doubts melted away. The happiest man in the Goblin Kingdom smiled at her and teased, "Come come, you didn't wish upon your poor brother to rescue me, now did you?"

That was fun. A little super condensed mini sequel to the movie classic Labyrinth. The whole idea for the post and story started with the Cryptdweller boots and pants by Quills and Curiosities, (which  reminded me so much of David Bowie), and the Chicken Soup books by Ivy that included Goblin. Both items are for sale at the new round of Midnight Order. Since its a new year, I thought it would be good try new things. The image is done in what I call the "illustrative style" my blogger bat buddy Aarya excels at. Thanks for the helps, Aarya! Also shown from Midnight Order are the super long horns by Static, tattoo layer Guhu skin by Ederigon to give his hands a more bird-like feel, as a nod to Jareth's shapeshifting to bird form. I hope you all enjoyed this. 

On him, the Goblin King:
Pants, boots: Quills & Curiosities Cryptdweller Bottoms, Silver, Jake [mesh](Midnight Order)(350L)

Horns: Static Lilith Horns [mesh](Midnight Order)(320L)
Body tattoo: Ederigon Guhu Skin - Soot, Plain 2 (Midnight Order)(250L)

Headdress: PENDULUM The Emissary . Headpiece, Mask - Silver [mesh](450L)

Finger jewelry: PENDULUM Hydrus, Black Chromatic, Jake [mesh](group gift)

Finger jewelry: PENDULUM JUVIUS, BC, Jake [mesh](group gift)

Arm armor: TURB Havok Armor Dark Arms, gacha [mesh]
Chest armor: LostHaven [LH] Vampiric Aristocrat Cuirass Male [mesh](750L)

Hair: RavenBell Ethiel Hair M1 [mesh](350L)

Corest: Artificial Hallucination AH+ Summer Sun Corset, Jake [mesh](399L)

Claws: L'Emporio&PL Oblio Vampire Claws male [mesh](350L)

Makeup: Bubble Goblin Royalty (135L)

Head: LeLUTKA lel EvoX KANE 3.1 [mesh](3990L)

Body: Belleza Jake 3.0 Bento/BOM Mesh Body  [mesh](2999L)

Pose: 3M MMMA_1807 (50L)

Setting:

Open book: Ivy Helping Books - Goblin [mesh](Midnight Order)(200L)

Throne: E-mesh Iron Queen Throne [mesh](240L)

Pet: HEXtraordinary Goblin Babes, Snow Wanderer, gacha [mesh]

Book staircase: 8f8 Storyteller's Burrow 35 Stairway to Knowledge, gacha [mesh]

Book stack: Quills & Curiosities Den of Inquiry [mesh](750L)

Stones: Evhah EVH Vampire Ruins [mesh]

Bokeh overlays: @starline

Thanks for your help, Aarya!

The Immortal 500: The Fender Fangs Garage

(click to enlarge)

STORYLINE: Getting the Fender Fang gang back together wasn't too hard. Everyone had already forgotten about what happened last year to the unfortunate mechanic Eddie. They were too smitten with the spitfire girl who replaced him, Naar. She had a burning love for speed and a fascination with fire. She was perfect, he didn't think she would run away when he showed her the gang's secret weapon to assure their victory, the "Daylight FireBomb."

Is this racing theme at Level Up, fun or what? Aarya and I have teamed up once more. I'm shooting the pictures while she is away from her photography computer. Head over to her blog for more details on her outfit and a wider view of the Fender Fangs garage here: Dark Phantom. I am wearing the new SummerWind hair by Tableau Vivant available at SummerFest. The shades by Kumaki have a popup menu to change the colors, and switch from up to down positions. I love the skulls and pipes pattern on the side. You can read more about my jacket, pants, and boots here: The Immortal 500: Fender Fangs ride again! On the bed next to me is the SpitFire version of the Speed Demon Helmets by Remarkable Oblivion. I'm showing you the materials and closed version. The bed I am messing up with my dirty, oily footprints is the Vroom Bed by Fetch. It's 4 land impact and comes in PG and Adult versions. The tire chair by Kuro is 2 land impact, can change between black and white tires, and has a bunch of single poses including one that will attach to you a steering wheel for your pretend driving purposes. lol  Next to Naar is the adorable car backpack by Tentacio. It comes in 8 different colors. ...Okay we will be back with another team from the Immortal 500 race soon.

On Him, Dev, the Racer of the Fender Fangs:
Hair: Tableau Vivant SummerWind Gents, spring [mesh](SummerFest)(250L)
Shades: Kumaki K_gs Kasha_R2 [mesh](400L)
Jacket: R3VOLT [R3] - Kyler Jacket V3 [mesh](250L)
Boots: Razor Dread Boots - Mens [mesh](599L)
Gloves: Vrsion KONVERT 2.1 Male Glove [mesh] (200L)
Pants: 19 MOTORCYCLE RACING Suit-01 Red (800L)
Eyes: S0NG Charmmy - Lust Eye [mesh] (50L)
Skin: Tableau Vivant Nathan - tone 1 - blond (990L)
Pose: momomuller / 3M squat1_m_000 (sit on ground) (40L)

On Her, Naar, the Mechanic of the Fender Fangs:
(For stylecard, See Aarya's blog Dark Phantom )

Setting, Fender Fang garage:
Helmet: Remarkable Oblivion Speed Demon Helmet - Spitfire w/ Materials [mesh](Level Up)(249L)
Bed: Fetch Vroom Bed [mesh](Level Up)(pg 150L, adult 200L)
Chair: Kuro Tire Chair [mesh](Level Up)(210L)
Bag: Tentacio Racing Car Backpack [mesh] (Level Up)(80L)
Motorcycle, props: [sau] Raven 50% Promo version [mesh](1980L)

 

World Goth Fair: The Spyder Guard

(click to enlarge)

STORYLINE: The leader of the Black Ops in Cursed was none other than Noble Elder Maximilian, the progenitor of the Spyder clan. The Spyders had their threads throughout the city, nothing happened without Maximilian's knowledge. The plain-clothes Spyders hidden in the crowd had taken Elizabeth to the safe place in the sky, the BatHouse of the 101st. While Maximilian personally escorted Scarlet there to meet with her sister. Maximilian was a mystery to most, but Scarlet understood his mind. He was all knowing and powerful but slow to act. She understood he choose his battles wisely. Taking on another ancient, Kaiser Kruel (also known as Horemheb), is nothing to take lightly, but some battles were worth fighting for. The separation of humans and Darks was wrong. Petty differences didn't matter, they were all family. it was time for a conversation, time for two sisters to finally embrace.

Wow I have a lot to cover here. First check out this wonderful retro-80s punk vest by Papermoon. I really love the attention to detail Papermoon does. The vest you can get in several different textures for girls or guys. Then you can pick out back patches for either punk, metal patches, or gothic. On the front buttons you can pick your music genre too. And here's the fun part, the patches and buttons are rigged, that means you can wear these fun button and patches on any outfit you like! Just add buttons to create an instant retro look! The shades by Eclectia I am wearing come with a hud to change to the textures on the frames and lens. I love the options on the lens that include shading up or down and shattered. For my Security look, I included the retro headphones from the Standby gacha, and the group gift armband from Epica (but added my own logo to it). The jeans are by favorites from Ronsem that include a speical closed boot fit version. The belt comes with a hud to change it's colors. The gloves are by O.M.E.N and comes with open and closed attachments. The Iron Cross necklace is another great item in the LNS booth at WGF. It comes with a resizer and bead color changers. While you're at LNS, be sure to pick up the free beautiful masks gift there!

Scarlet is rocking a lot of badass here. She is the leader of the Rebellion afterall, but she still has a tender heart. She's wearing the goregous corset by Couture Rock. I love how this corset fits around the waist and then opens up around the hips. There is a little black lace fringe too. The back has black ribbons. Her necklace is also by Couture Rock and matches perfectly. I didn't show it here, but there is a cameo stocking also at the CR booth that matches the corset, be sure to check that out too. The shoulder armor and finger armor are by Death Row and on sale only a few more days at We <3 Role Play. The Amor and ring also work on the guys. Scarlet's boots are wonderful chained open boot by Death Row availible at Dark Style Fair.  To wear these you need the Slink High foot. To go with it, I used the Gallactic Symbiosis pants with appliers for Slink feet. It comes with appliers for the hands too. I love this texture! So alien and organic like. The armwarmers are a return to Scarlets outfit from last year by Inkubus by SAKIDE. The 2nd fingerclaw is from LNS and you pick it up in several different colors. (All the girl vampires will definitely like this handy spiky thing. lol) Her nail polish is Dark Passion's Koffin nails Shades of Red. Scarlet's signature hairstyle is Ivy by Alice Project. Her blindfold has a little iron cross and safety pins created by Kio at Dark Style Fair, and her sleek black horns are Damned Princess by DirtyStories at Dark Style Fair. The wispy anthers are by Death Row at Suicide Dollz. They look really cool when you wear them, almost like little glittering lights the tiny white points in them. Scarlets skin is an exclusive by Jalwa at World Goth Fair. It's the Celine skin with lovely gothic purple makeup for eyes and lips. By the way, did you guys pick up all the little gifts throughout the three World Goth Fair sims? Be sure you get your free sunblock 1000 at Chaos, Panic, and Disorder before the summer gets here. lol

On Him, Noble Elder Maximilian:
Necklace: LaNoir Soleil Designs Iron Cross necklace - red [mesh](World Goth Fair, Port Seraphine)(145L)
Vest: Papermoon Oi! Britannia Vests Male Bleached: Black [mesh](World Goth Fair, Sium)(200L)
Buttons: Papermoon Oi! Britannia Buttons - Goth [mesh](World Goth Fair, Sium)(150L)
Patches: Papermoon Oi! Britannia: Patches - Goth [mesh](World Goth Fair, Sium)(150L)
Shades: Eclectica Eclectica Antique Glasses- square [mesh](World Goth Fair, Cursed)(350L)
Headphones: Standby Inc. Retro Headphones - Fire, gacha [mesh] (50L)
Gloves: O.M.E.N Black Cruising Gloves [mesh](190L)
Jeans: Ronsem Straight Jeans / jetblack male [mesh] (350L)
Armband: Epia Symbol Armband [mesh] (group gift)(free)
Hair: Dura Dura-Boy 14 - black (120L)
Eyes: The Stringer Mausoleum Hypno Eye L.E. Rebis (65L)
Boots: Neko-kan +NK+ damage combatboots_red (no longer available)
Skin: Tableau Vivant Noctis skin - bald -Tone 01 (Boystown) (990L)
Pose: 3M standing16_m_back_001

On Her, Rebel Leader Scarlet:
Pants: GALLACTIC Symbiosis Black Pants Socks (World Goth Fair, Port Seraphine)(395L)
Corset: Couture Rock Curvaceous Courtesan Corset [mesh](World Goth Fair, Port Seraphine)(199L) 50% Donation
Necklace: Couture Rock Gothic Elite Cross Choker [mesh](World Goth Fair, Port Seraphine)(99L)
Blindfold: Kio Abandoned - Honor (Dark Style Fair)(200L)
Horns: DirtyStories Damned Princess Horns Black (Dark Style Fair)(170L)
Horns: Death Row Designs Darkforest left - black-ashleafs [mesh](Suicide Dollz)(100L)
Fingerclaw right: LaNoir Soleil Designs Tactum Mortis [mesh](World Goth Fair, Port Seraphine)(147L)
Fingerclaw left: Death Row Designs left hand fingerclaw [mesh](We <3 Role Play)(75L)
Armor: Death Row Designs leftarmor arm, shoulder [mesh](We <3 Role Play)(120L)
Boots: Death Row Designs grunge thigh highs - red [mesh](Dark Style Fair)(150L)
Hands: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands - Casual [mesh](450L)
Nails: Dark Passions Koffin Nails Shades of Red (World Goth Fair, Cursed)(99L) 50% Donation
Feet: Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) - High [mesh](675L)
Armwarmer: SAKIDE Inkubus Crimson [mesh](200L)
Lipstick: Pink Fuel INK LipGloss (75L)
Hair: Alice Project Ivy [mesh](250L)
Eyes: The Stringer Mausoleum Hypno Eye L.E. Rebis [mesh](65L)
Skin: Jalwa Celine - Exclusive Purple (World Goth Fair, Cursed)(500L) 100% Donation
Pose: Zzang Strength 004