[[ AI Generated ]]

High-ranking government official Sheng Ch'en has been found dead in his bed, sparking speculation and raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise. Ch'en, known for his distinguished career in public service, was discovered by his wife in their home yesterday morning.

According to initial reports, Ch'en's wife, Mrs. Liang, claimed that her husband had appeared to be in good health prior to his passing, leading authorities to suspect natural causes. However, suspicions were raised when the results of Ch'en's autopsy proved inconclusive, failing to provide a definitive explanation for his death.

Sources close to the investigation have revealed that while the autopsy did not reveal any obvious signs of foul play or underlying medical conditions, traces of unidentified substances were detected in Ch'en's system. These findings have led forensic experts to consider the possibility of a drug overdose as a potential cause of death.

Mrs. Liang has vehemently denied any suggestion of drug involvement in her husband's passing, insisting that Ch'en was in good health and had no history of substance abuse. She has adamantly maintained that her husband's death must have been the result of a tragic accident or undetected medical condition, dismissing any insinuations of foul play.

Ch'en's sudden and unexpected death has sent shockwaves through political circles, where he was widely respected for his contributions to government and public policy. As a high-ranking official, Ch'en held a position of considerable influence and was known for his dedication to serving the people of China.

[[ Note: The Atharim cleaned and covered this one up with the drug overdose autopsy report ]]

[[AI Generated]]

In a shocking turn of events, the self-proclaimed returned god, Earth God Tu Di Gong, met his demise yesterday during a demonstration of his purported divine powers. Tu Di Gong, who claimed to be the ancient deity revered in Chinese folklore, suffered a fatal heart attack while showcasing his abilities to a group of followers in Tangshan China along the Yellow Sea.

According to eyewitnesses, Tu Di Gong had gathered a crowd to witness his supposed powers of manipulating earth and controlling the elements. As he was about to showcase his abilities, he suddenly clutched his chest in agony and collapsed to the ground. Despite immediate attempts to revive him, the self-proclaimed deity could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following his untimely death, authorities conducted an autopsy to determine the cause. The results revealed a startling discovery - Tu Di Gong had experienced a separation of the aorta from the heart, a condition known as aortic dissection. This rare and often fatal medical event occurs when there is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, causing blood to flow between the layers and potentially leading to catastrophic consequences such as heart failure.

The news of Tu Di Gong's demise has sent shockwaves throughout the community of believers who had placed their faith in his divine powers. Many had regarded him as a figure of worship and had eagerly awaited his demonstrations, hoping to witness miracles firsthand.

However, skeptics and critics have seized upon this tragic event as evidence of the dangers of blindly following individuals who claim supernatural abilities without scientific evidence. They caution against placing unwavering trust in charismatic figures who exploit people's beliefs for personal gain.

Authorities are now urging the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent claims of divine powers and to exercise critical thinking when confronted with extraordinary assertions. As investigations into the circumstances surrounding Tu Di Gong's death continue, questions linger about the authenticity of his claims and the true nature of his demise.

In the wake of this sobering incident, the saga of Earth God Tu Di Gong serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked faith and the importance of discernment in an age of uncertainty.

Training with Eido during the day, and spending more nights in the past week with Jaxen was paying a toll on Zef's mental health.  She needed a break.  But that didn't stop her from doing either activity. They were after all relaxing in their own rights.

It was yet another fun filled rockstar of a night filled with a little vodka, a lot of sex and maybe even a relaxing shower or two. Jaxen's home didn't feel like home so every morning before training with Eido Zef slipped out of the warm bed and into her clothes while the man she'd started to enjoy more than just his body and sexual prowess slept.

The apartment was quiet, and they'd left a mess on their way to the bedroom which Zef straightened up on her way out.  She felt good, sore in all the right places and knew they'd be enjoying each others company again soon.

Zef flicked of the lights and opened the front door.  She stepped into the hall way, her heels clicking on a smooth jet black glass surface, the door behind her vanishing and the sounds of foreign currents tickled her ears.  What the fuck!

PSA: Trigger Warnings -- In this thread there will likely be mention of rape, child abuse. There will be depictions of cannibalism and torture.

After take off Nox offered an ear bud to Sae and let her choose the music and he listened.  Thankfully she liked the same things he did and it was all working out well.  He pulled down the terrarium the moment he could stand and set to pruning some smaller branches to start from scratch.  He wasn't sure when he had made up his mind, but he had and now was going to gift the pot to Raffe.  He'd made it, raised the plants himself.  That was an accomplishment in and of itself.  But Raffe liked plants.

"What are these for?"

"Help me stay calm.  Gives me something to do when I'm anxious -- like right now."

Nox trimmed a spring off each plant and wrapped them in a wet paper towel from the restroom.  Perfect for starting a new plant.  "Valerian, sage, sweet orange and bergomet. Helps with the nightmares too."

Nox busied himself with texting Sage asking about a home.  He didn't want to go Kallisti to spend even one night -- he might never leave.  But he would go back.  He wondered if his job was still there.  He never asked.  Though did he want to be a bouncer or a dancer?  Or did he want to do something different -- hunting was not a favored option.

Well that was a lie -- he had some hunting to do before he called it done.  The horde would forever be his problem to fix.  He didn't start it, but he was damn well inclined to end it all.

There was so much to do when he got back.  Hopefully one of those things was not find a place to stay.

By the time they landed, with no incidents other than a few bumps here and there, Nox was ready to be on solid land.  Sage was happily chattering away at him now that they were once again in the same timezone.  It was still relatively early.  Nox was drained and he was grateful that Sage had finalized everything for the new place -- fully furnished.  Nothing big or fancy and just off the Red Light District.  Not too far a walk from Kallisti and had a balacony with good lighting.  All great things.  Just what he wanted.

Hopefully Sage didn't do anything too bad to get him that place.  He would expect Sage to handle everything and tell him anything he needed to know.

Target: Unknown Woman - Tokyo Japan [dossier attached]  [[real name: Ishihara Satomi]]

***

Time was relative.  It all burred together after London.  Trains, busses, ferries, boats, walking, biking, travel and the shit that came with it.  This had been his life for so long that he'd never really understood what it meant to have roots.

And now?  Now, he had roots.  His time in Moscow had changed him in so many ways.  So many... Not all for the better.  Not all bad either.

Nox wanted a home.  Wanted a family.  Wanted to let his world revolve around something other than monsters.  It all started with amnesia -- forgetting everything that made him him.  And then reforging himself in the pits of hell.  It wasn't all hell.  There was Aria.  And Raffe.  Most of all there was Raffe.

Raffe wanted to find himself.  Told Nox to do the same in not as many words.  Their break up though Nox didn't remember it fondly might have solidified one thing -- Nox didn't want to live this life anymore.

Hunting monsters was all he could do.  All he thought he could do.  How was he going to get out from under the Atharim? or even the Ascendancy. They either hunted him, or he hunted for them.  There was no way around it.  Unless there was.  Hayden wasn't Atharim -- yet knew knew enough to be in the game.  Nox suspected he was more in the game than Nox really knew.  He didn't care that he was planted to spy on him.

To be used against him should it be needed.  Nox expected the Atharim to have him followed. If the Ascendancy had him followed he'd never seen them. But they likely employed more people like Sage than the Atharim.

Catching the green eyes watching him became a game Hayden didn't know he was playing.  Wherever Nox went Hayden was always there. But Nox didn't let him in on that secret.  It was better to know your devil than not.  But it was tempting to find the man, seek him out when shit got rough.  But Nox didn't.  He saught other means -- other solutions.  Sex with a stranger.  A rare steak.  A call to Thalia.  A text to Raffe with a picture of whatever scene he saw.  Letting the other man know he was still alive if only so he didn't worry.  The lingering message still a plague on his mind.

Sage kept him company.  And in the flurry of weeks he was gone Sage was always there -- maybe not a bird on his shoulder, but Nox could count on him.

Always count on The Wicked Truth. 

  I want to stay in Moscow.  Find me an apartment to buy. 

The conversation went on for several days.  What Nox was looking for, where.  How many bedrooms?  What could he afford.  Sage always told Nox to let him handle the finances.  But Nox delved into his own accounts.  He wasn't going to let Sage do something shady. 

It was an eye opening encounter.  His bank accounts were more than well padded.  He didn't spend money.  At least not anything out of the necessities.  He expected there would be room -- maybe for a down payment of equitable size between his and Aurora's stash.

But there was way more than that.  Sage enlightened Nox to the deals he'd been making -- the bonds he owned.  The companies he had a share in.  All the shit Sage did in his name -- legally of course.  But none of it was legal, Nox had no clue -- it wasn't bad.  He was grateful for Sage and his ambition -- his help -- his love for his sister.

Nox let Sage handle it all.  Let him buy the apartment, renovate and whatever else the hacker felt was necessary.  He was capable of taking care of whatever Nox needed.  Nox trusted in that.  Trusted that the Wicked Truth had his back.

Nox sent his report to the Ascendancy.  Though he wasn't sure what to expect afterwards. 

  Target eliminated 

Matías is the youngest son of the former Nicaraguan cartel leader, André Amengual. As a young child, he had no awareness that his family was different from others. Yet during this time, visions of terrible things plagued his dreams, and while he yearned for his mother, it was his niñera who comforted him during those awful nights. His mother was a good woman as far as he knew, and he loves her to this day. She was not overly involved in the lives of her children, and he mostly remembers her as a formal woman, devout to her faith, and loyal to his father.

His father, on the other hand, was in many ways an evil man. His love for his family was a reflection of himself. Raising his children to be brutal and iron-fisted meant that he was all the more brutal and iron-fisted. As Matías came of age, he became increasingly aware of his family's true nature. This awareness triggered a profound internal conflict, as his moral compass was at odds with his loyalty and love for his family. Unlike the ruthless heirs his father had hoped for, Matías found himself repelled by the violence and corruption that funded their lavish lifestyle. He lived in denial for much of his teenage years, attempting to rationalize or ignore the cruel acts his family committed. Matías found solace in his Catholic faith during this time, which offered a sense of peace and stability amidst the turmoil of his family life, but as a result of his suppression, his visions become more vivid and consequential, forcing him to confront the possible outcomes of his inaction. It pushed Matías to realize that he could not remain passive, even as guilt for the future loomed, but he had yet to change.

At 24, the violent world his family ruled was rocked by a tragedy that would forever change his path. While in Mexico City, news of his father and brother's brutal murders reached him, an event that shattered any illusion of immunity their power might have offered. The murders stripped away the remnants of his denial. Matías was thrust into a period of deep conflicted grief and reflection, questioning the legacy he was a part of and what his family's existence had cost others. 

It was shortly after, outside the US Embassy building in Lomas de Chapultepec, that Matías’ latent power surged forth in a moment of desperate necessity. As an explosion tore through the structure, Matías instinctively extended his soul, and to his astonishment, the debris veered away from the innocent bystanders, including himself. Before the chaos of the moment barely allowed him to comprehend what happened, he delved into the wreckage alone, using his power to lift and clear obstacles, saving those trapped beneath. This was the day he found a sense of purpose, realizing that he could take direct action to undo some of the damage of his bloodline. He wanted to save lives.

After beholding a vision of a free and peaceful world ruled by Damien Oakland, he sought the man out, believing that service to such a soul was his destiny. Upon meeting the man, he saw many strange visions but most bizarre was that serving Damien would lead him to Moscow. He thought nothing of it, as almost nothing he glimpsed came to pass, yet the myriad visions of Damien living myriad lives suggested that he was a good and valiant person. He was welcomed into Damien's safety. During this time, Matías learned to harness his powers, and fervently dedicated himself to Damien's cause.

When Zacarías's reign over the cartel ended in violence, dismantling the Amengual legacy, Matías’ contributions did not go unnoticed. He found himself dispatched to Moscow. His transition, orchestrated by Damien in an ambassadorship exchange with a Custody-based Rod of Dominion, was less than welcome by Matías, who desired to continue making a difference to a place he now called home, but he accepted this fate and resolutely departed.

When Matías arrived in Moscow, he was greeted by a government official and escorted to a secure military base. 

Matías' sacrifice in a previous life earned him status as Hero of the Horn.

The 1st Age – Matías Ángel Amengual
The 3rd Age – Sajir Nareth 
The 5th Age – Gabriel 
The 6th Age – Quetzalcoatl

On a completely different day in which Morven was definitely not in his office, Michael was sifting through the weekly reports on each of the students at the Garden. The records were fairly simple - how much power they could hold, what talents they had and their strengths and weaknesses. Michael tried to attend at least one training session a day even if only for a few minutes but if there was a particularly difficult student he would be there to put out any fires - metaphorically, but indeed sometimes literally. 

At the knock at his door, Michael took control of the Power and opened it for his guest. He found doing mundane tasks with the Power to assist in control and swiftness of technique. "Come in," he said, looking up. 

He smiled at the sight of one Jay Carptenter. The man had proven to be competent from what he read, and Nikolai Brandon was not one for idle praise. "Ah, Mr. Carpenter. Or do you prefer Rod of Dominion? What brings you to the Garden?"