Nightlit

Unfortunately, panic was inevitable as soon as they were trapped.

Despite the bustle around them, Asa and Brandon make only cursory attempts at interaction. Ardine is more forthcoming, using her experience as a teacher to help Tracy keep some semblance of order, but even she’s more visibly worried than usual. Eventually, Brandon and Asa retreat to the bedroom so they can talk without freaking people out. There they watch as the server population drops. Three batches of around thirty people are killed in a rather short time. When Ardine checks on them, she

Asa leaves Ardine’s room shortly after seeing himself in the mirror. He tells Collin, Lloyd and Tracy that he wants to be alone, but pulls Brandon along with him. They spend the rest of the night wandering town keeping each other company. At first, when the sun comes up, Asa feels a little better, but that quickly leaves him as he and Brandon notice that tensions are running high. After witnessing a few yelling matches, Brandon asks Asa if they can go somewhere else, so they end up in Asa’s

I interpreted the lack of anyone standing up to the fact that it was a funeral and Levi calling for a "non-violent" shift of power more than Levi being seen as an accomplished leader. Levi is not a strong wolf, not a true alpha, and not a well liked person. So I still think someone would likely stand up to him at some point. That said, I was speaking about Levi in specific. Removing Levi as alpha would do little to remove the McKinny hold on the pack. And they are clearly willing to sacrifice anything, including their own family members, in order to keep hold of their power. Getting rid of them would require something like a bloody civil war, or a full pack takeover by another pack, since I'm sure any new alpha that didn't act immediately, and by immediately I mean, storm every office with guns and kill everyone as their first act as alpha? Would meet a grisly end before they could make any real change if they weren't under the McKinny thumb. As for the Lycan council? I would hope that falsifying paperwork in order to implicate a rival pack would be against lycan council law. If not? That's a real can of worms, but... I suppose the Lycan council could just be that hands off when it comes to individual pack affairs.

Oh! It's absolutely a slaughter-fest, and the characters know it. No one is really happy with this, they just don't see any other solution. And this chapter has lasting repercussions for a lot of characters. I can say this because it's not really a plot twist or a spoiler: a lot of the PTSD that I warned about in the story notes? Stems from how the characters who did the culling during this chapter feel about their actions.

And! There is it! As I said? Getting rid of Dorian was stupid. It took Levi 5 seconds after losing Dorian's protection to get pwned. And as he himself admitted? Having a figurehead alpha of the pack is great. Even dumber, he killed someone who he'd been relying on to protect him literally his entire life. And sure, he'd kind of backed himself into a corner? But that was also dumb! And then killing him in the office after being called there specifically to be called out? That was also monumentally stupid. Since it was obviously a setup by someone who knew what was going on, there's no way there wouldn't be a contingency plan for that exact instance. I mean come on! Levi HIMSELF would have a contingency plan if their situations were reversed. Or at least, I'd hope he would. Since "kill the witness" is one of the oldest things in the book. And let's be frank? Even if Dorian HADN'T had the video? The chances of Levi not being challenged as alpha are low. And the chances of him being able to manipulate himself into not being killed? Either by one of his own pack members or some outside force, like the Silver Pines pack or someone from the Lycan Council? Are even lower. Since I'm sure that video? Is more confirming what people already thought rather than revealing anything new. Certainly, the only important character who actually trusted Levi was Dorian. Literally everyone else who was actually in the story? Was wary of him at least. And what was he going to do at the alpha conference when he was surrounded by actual alphas? Start a war with every other pack in North America? Especially once it came out what actually was going on. He's definitely been breaking lycan council laws, and since the packs that are nearby can vet for that, not to mention other people outside the pack know about the poison now, it would only be a matter of time before someone stepped in. Especially since he reached outside of his local pack. Perhaps if he'd left it just within the pack, then no one would care. Certainly, packs with terrible leadership happen on a regular basis, but manipulating others and taking over other packs, not by force, but by underhanded deals? That's cowardly and un-lycan, and the other lycan around would not let him get away with it for long. If nothing else? They'd want to make sure it doesn't happen to them. It's kind of unfortunate, I was kind of hoping Levi wasn't involved, that he was more of a tragic figure, because him being just the evil dick that he is? Is a bit predictable. Probably my only gripe with the story so far, and even then that's a minor personal taste issue. That he was manipulating Dorian the whole time is wholly believable though. As I said? Dorian was never an alpha personality. He's always been both a follower and someone who interacts with things reactively. He's also very trusting when in his sane state of mind, as shown by how fast he came to trust Ethan and his friends. That Ethan and his friends were actually trustworthy? Is lucky on his part. I am still holding out hope that he's not dead though. He has enough people who trust him in the pack who don't trust Levi that he didn't need an outside force to hand this video too. Certainly not an outside force as specific as the elementals, and yet, he did ask them for help specifically in a way that highly implies it needed to be them. Dorian also had to know that Levi was likely to pull something like that, so he could easily have been prepared. And if he is dead, then we still don't know what he asked Ethan for, because as I said, ANYONE loyal to him in the pack could have gotten the video and presented it at the funeral. Ethan has a specific role to play that is still undisclosed, and I have a feeling that's going to be the true climax of the scene. I'm looking forward to it.

The red square on his mini map has stopped moving. Luke knows he must be careful with this one, they’ve killed at least seven people already, and he’s not about to be the eighth. Luke wishes he knew how much stealth they have. All he knows is that his target is hiding and that he has enough perception that it’s not working, at least not entirely. But he can’t see them from where he is, and he has no idea if they can see him. He doesn’t even technically know they have stealth, since the forest ha

Jumanji! Love the book and the movie. The TV show was fun too. I already commented on your comment on the next chapter, so I'm mostly commenting here to show my appreciation at the comments!

Thanks for the note! I love it when people read into stuff! I would like to point out that Asa does notice a toilet, but doesn't comment on it, since it could just be for show. I figure you just missed it, since it's essentially only mentioned in passing. But interesting comment on the government possibly being the "culprit." I'll leave that to your imagination, though you do bring up a number of good points. A government doing this is plausible! In any case? Glad to get a response!

As they exit the Guild application area, Asa turns to the group, “You mentioned rooms?” “Yes! Apparently we each get our own room!” Collin’s clearly excited by this. Asa frowns, “But… that’s...” Ardine nods, “You realized too? That means they probably intend to keep us in here for a while.” Collin’s smile flattens, “I guess you’re right.” Tracy scoffs, “That’s obvious.” Brandon sighs, “What’s obvious? I’m not sure what you mean.” Lloyd looks at him incredulousl

BunnyAce grins and turns his his spiral menu as he moves, equipping his main gauche over his dagger mid parry. The goblin attacking him staggers, its damage reduced to a measly few points. His grin sharpens as he flash steps, seamlessly equipping his dagger again while striking the goblin’s blindside, instantly defeating it. His partner, Tall&Zxy, wears a more determined expression as he spins his own spiral menu. He turns to parry another goblin’s attack, his long sword blurring to a k

Bonehead Throkdar BunnyAce ForTheThes GoldenrodBoy JiantHippo KillRAss MasterAshley Skydaculous Tall&Zxy Talyris Trjreska The list goes on... After winning a contest for an afternoon spent in a new fully VR version of Ring Spiral Online, a popular MMO, 1000 players find themselves unable to log out and unable to respawn when they die. Given no clue what has happened to them, nor goal or time frame for their release, they must find their own path in what may be the rest of their lives.

This is not what I was expecting, though I personally am not convinced this isn't an act. I also am beginning to wonder where the story as a whole is going, considering that, unless this is an extremely well played elaborate ruse? The main character is dead. And sure, Levi may get what's coming to him? But ultimately, unless something changes immensely? That would mean very little. The McKinney's would still own the pack in every way that matters. The alphaship would still be up in the air. And it's very plausible that the loss of Levi wouldn't be a problem for anyone else in the McKinney line. As for what the video is? I suspect it's merely Levi being fucked by Dorian, showing everyone how NOT alpha material he is. Though it could be something more damning. There isn't that much to say about this chapter honestly. And, the truth is? I'm less concerned with the contents of the video and more concerned with the eventual end result of all of this, because as it stands? Whatever the eventual resolution to all of this will be is, AT BEST, extremely unclear. While that MAY sound like a harsh critique? I am extremely excited to find out! It's rare that I'm surprised by a story, so I'm hoping the resolution will be interesting!

I am very curious to see what's about to happen. As I said? I don't think Levi WANTED Dorian dead. He had it pretty good, and in the case they need to pick a new alpha? Levi has a good chance of getting fucked over. Any actual challenge that requires a fight? And Levi would be FUCKED! Possibly literally. Because he's no fighter. His manipulations would not help him in the ring. And there's no guarantee that he'd be able to manipulate the next alpha the same way as he could manipulate Dorian. If the McKinneys felt they could instill one of their own as alpha? They would have done it already. Since they'd BEEN poisoning him to make him more pliable to their cause, killing him would be a simple thing. This tells me that his death? Is probably not an assassination. I think it's a spanner in the works for the McKinneys more likely than their plan. And if not for his family? For Levi himself. So while it's possible one of the other McKinney's is involved? I can see nothing Levi himself really gains for it. I also think Levi does actually respect and like Dorian, as much as he is capable of it. He didn't push the funeral forward, for example. And he didn't immediately cremate the body, which would be the safe thing to do if it was an assassination. Sure, the dead DO tend to stay dead? But there are other reasons to burn a body than fear of resurrection. You can't do an autopsy on a pile of ashes. And even though the McKinneys control a doctor? That wouldn't inherently stop someone from figuring out a way to get the body to an alternate doctor, especially if they, as many people in the pack MUST, suspect the McKinneys are involved in any potential assassination. IF a murder occurred? A body existing at all to be autopsied is a threat to the murderer! And since Levi has had control of the body for a week? That there IS a body makes me think it's unlikely that he was involved in the death. I think what's more likely is that either Dorian isn't dead at all, but in some kind of magical stasis or that Dorian killed himself as part of an as of yet unrevealed gambit to try and out Levi and the McKinneys. And in either case? Ethan's role (assuming he wasn't the one who put Dorian in stasis in the first place) is to get him out of it. Though, so far, I have no idea what the gambit actually is, because nothing that's happened so far has pointed fingers at the McKinneys. And aside of taking control of the body, which is not out of the ordinary in a werewolf pack, the McKinneys haven't done anything since his death that would paint them as traitors, at least nothing that was shown anyway. At worst, they've come off as a bit inconsiderate and self centered considering the death of an important figure in their pack, but that's not a crime (and shouldn't be). So the next (few) chapter(s) should be very revealing! I'm looking forward to it.

I didn't so much make an assumption as point out that there are good reasons for Levi to not be in the know. Since, just because Dorian can't do it NOW doesn't mean he couldn't gain the ability to do it later. And once Levi KNOWS? He can't UN-know. I was aware that not EVERY alpha has that ability, but that the ability EXISTS AT ALL is enough for someone trying to keep a secret to be cautious.

You're cool! I've written similar things for other chapters. You just challenged me to do the same for this one.

Not at all. You have to remember werewolf culture. His mom telling him "these are for the alpha" is a BIG DEAL. It would be disrespectful for him to take them after that. And, you might note that when the story is from Levi's point of view? It mentions that Dorian is complaining about his poison symptoms? But it does NOT mention that it's FROM POISON! Which, if Levi was aware of the poison? It probably would have. Since he'd know that was what the symptoms were from. But it never mentioned poison from Levi's point of view, not one single time the story was from it! And there would be no point in hiding it now, since the reader already knows and all signs point to the cookies and Levi. Which any mystery reader knows means that Levi CAN'T be the real culprit, because that wouldn't be a twist! Obviously, that's facetious and he still could be the culprit? But there are some pretty heavy narrative signs that he isn't. Such as the fact that, if Levi was AWARE of the poison? He'd probably have suspected that Dorian's change in behavior was the result of him stopping taking the poison. He's smart enough to realize that if Dorian realized that he was being poisoned? He and the cookies would be the most logical explanation, and it wouldn't be hard to test the cookies to see if said poison WAS in fact in it. The fact that Levi is running around like a chicken with his head cut off? Is another sign that he isn't aware of the poison. Because I'd think if he was? He'd have more immediately jumped to the conclusion that Dorian's change in behavior was either the poison was somehow failing or Dorian has become aware of it and not trusting him anymore. He isn't showing any indication of either. And it's actually more interesting overall IF he isn't because that would put Levi himself in a very precarious situation where he'd be given the opportunity to take a look at himself and maybe notice the error of his ways. And remember, his entire family is in on the cover up, and if Levi does in fact trust them? Which we have no reason to think that he doesn't? They could easily be covering it up from HIM too. Remember, if Dorian were to ORDER him to say it? He'd be SUPERNATURALLY OBLIGATED to answer truthfully. We've seen alphas do this in Running with the Pack. So if Levi is NOT the culprit? Him not knowing about it is actually safer for them them if he DOES know about it. So there are actually some practical reasons for his mother/aunt to keep him in the dark. As for Dorian figuring out it's the cookies? He absolutely figured it out the chapter Ethan told him about it. Unless, of course, the cookies are a red herring the author put in for us to obsess over and it's actually something else entirely! 😄 Which I think is unlikely, but I also never discount it! Cause it's totally the sort of thing I'd do! But we shall see. So far? This is all conjecture.

Yeah. Faking a Death should be easy for Ethan. This chapter does make me think that Levi isn't aware of the poisoning though. Though he's definitely selfish, he does actually seem concerned for Dorian. He's got views that he feels are "best" and he wants his best friend to follow them. He's also an entitled ass, so it probably doesn't even occur to him that his friend might have a point. Unfortunately, other than showing me that Levi might not be in on the poisoning? This chapter didn't really tell us much of consequence. A build up chapter to be sure. I'm eager to see what happens next, as I suspect things will come to a head. I'm also wondering what's going to happen going forward. Because, honestly? This entire bit feels like a precursor to a larger story. After all, we're only just now starting the part that isn't flashback. So here's to the ride!

I'm not saying Levi is innocent, but it's also totally possible that Levi's mother is behind the whole thing (though I don't think that's likely, now that its pretty clear the poison's purpose was to alter his behavior rather than kill him). If nothing else, it's clearly a conspiracy that goes beyond Levi, since it involves his mother, his aunt and who knows how many others. It's also possible (though, once again, unlikely) that Levi is taking part in the poisoning unwillingly. Regardless of whether Levi himself is directly involved, his family is definitely responsible, and he's at least partially responsible, if for no other reason than he keeps delivering the cookies despite his mother very overtly telling him not to eat them. Levi's definitely smart enough that, even if he isn't aware of the poison overtly? That he should realize that is a suspect thing to say about some cookies, and also that the symptoms are pretty clear. Not to say I specifically think Levi isn't involved, but I'm not going to assume he is until we have confirmation either way. In a way, it's actually kind of tragic if he isn't involved. Because, sure, he's manipulating Dorian? But I'm sure Dorian's response will be... extreme. And Levi may be many thing, a fighter is not one of them. I'm sure the punishment will fall on Levi regardless of who actually instigated it. No that he wouldn't deserve it. But I hope Dorian at least has the gall to interrogate him before he only has a corpse he can't ask questions of anymore.

Indeed! Dorian is a good leader, when he has guidelines and constraints he understands. But you don't have to be an alpha to be a good leader. Being an alpha is about taking charge and making decisions. And sure, in some ways is appeared that Dorian did that? But, for the most part? The times he "took charge" were either reactionary, or the expected thing for him to do with his position. And his decisions were also reactionary, either what he should be doing in his position, or in response to what happened around him and his emotional state. He never really spends a lot of time ruminating on his decisions, and he almost never actively makes decisions when not prompted to, and that's really why he isn't an alpha. Alpha personalities don't just take charge when the world forces it on them. Alpha personalities are in charge at all times. They utilize their agency when the only paths available to them are the ones they make. In some ways, Levi is the opposite of Dorian. While Dorian is a good man, and a good leader, he's not an alpha. Levi is an alpha, at least personality wise, but he's also rotten, and he's not a particularly good leader either. While Levi may be a manipulative bastard? He does take charge of his own future. It's a mistake to think that one HAS to be overtly in charge to be an alpha personality. After all, intelligence and agency are not mutually exclusive, and one doesn't have to APPEAR in charge to BE in charge, as Levi is demonstrating.

See? Now THIS is how I expected Levi to be an asshole if he was one. Like I said? Why the fuck would he KILL Dorian? That would just undermine his position. Like, Levi says he'd order the pack warrior to kill the other alpha if Dorian lost. But let's be frank, the two enforcers have more power over the pack warriors than Levi does. Levi is a businessman, and he's been doing things that are alienating people. If he made that order? It's entirely possible the warriors would just turn on him. His position is actually quite tenuous. And the ONLY reason he has it is because Dorian is blind to his best friend's manipulations. Most other people? See through him. And he's not a fighter, clearly, so if he were to be challenged? He'd PROBABLY lose. In short? IF Levi IS the one who poisons Dorian? Then he was a FUCKING IDIOT for doing so. This chapter does confirm a lot of things that were tenuous, or at best implied, before though. While it was obvious Levi was manipulating Dorian, before he was always depicted as being, well, rational. So while it was clear that he was taking advantage of the situations whenever he could (like putting his own family in places), it was never clear he was actively creating false situations before. Now that's officially changed. It makes me wonder if the two from the previous chapter were manipulated by Levi into that decision or not. Also, when exactly Levi started doing this. Was this always his goal? Or was there a point when he realized Dorian would do anything he said and took advantage of the situation? Was he ever sincere? Or was everything always a carefully planned out deception? It can't have been Levi's plan from the beginning, because even if he DID goad Dorian into it? He had no way of knowing that Dorian was going to be able to defeat the previous council. And Dorian was undecided as to what to do. Also? Dorian made the offer for someone else to be alpha, and Levi should have known he'd do that. Meaning that if the way Dorian became alpha WAS a plan on Levi's part? It was ill thought out and full of holes. And that doesn't seem like Levi, especially given the reveal in this chapter, so my guess is, even if he did start his manipulations back then? It was tentative and opportunist, rather than methodical and pre-emptive. What I WOULD buy is that Levi is a cog in a plan concocted by his family to grab power, that has many other potential avenues, and this was simply the one that came to fruition. Like I said? I don't believe that Levi would be stupid enough to kill Dorian, not when Dorian is basically the only reason Levi has any power. But I would not be surprised at all if Levi's mother poisoned him. After all? Levi was the only member of his family actually happy to see Dorian become alpha. Or at least, the only person from his family we saw happy, and we definitely saw some members of his family unhappy. That said? Dorian is kind of asking for it. He's not a very good alpha. Nor has he ever been. He's not an alpha personality really. If he was? He wouldn't be so easily manipulated. He's full of machismo, but when it comes down to it? He's a follower, not a leader. And he kind of never has been. He's good at delegating within the confines of a role that he clearly understands, but when it comes to making actual decisions? He's always, essentially, allowed someone else to make them for him. Well, someone else, or something else, like tradition. Basically? He's been lucky. I mean... frankly? The only reason he wasn't shot in the initial assassination attempt was because he chose to sit with his mother rather than on the council. And that wasn't something that anyone could have reasonably predicted with any amount of certainty.

Hmm... The big question you have to ask is... why? Like... why would Levi poison Dorian? Levi has it pretty good right now. He has the Alpha's ear. He can convince Dorian to do what he wants him to as Dorian intimately trusts him. Poisoning him now would make no sense! Levi doesn't NEED to grab power, as the man behind the man? He already has it, and without the target on his back being alpha would bring. If Levi betrays Dorian right now? That would be a phenomenally DUMB move on his part! While Terry is acting VERY shady. He described something as “It’s a normal fluctuation, Alpha. These things tend to go in cycles. I’m sure as the season progresses we’ll be back up.” Except later in the conversation it's made very clear that PRIOR to the alpha shift? The numbers were consistently in the black. And now, the've consistently been in the red. That's not a fluctuation, that's a pretty clear pattern. And it can't just be Levi manipulating things, because Terry confirmed the information himself. Unless Terry and Levi are in cahoots, but that ALSO doesn't make sense. He talks about how it was something he discussed with the previous Alpha and then tabled. But then rather than bringing it up with the Alpha himself? He waits until he gets called in when his numbers were down. I believe that he IS stonewalling Levi, because Levi has no reason to lie about it. If his numbers were down and his solution was to try and merger the companies? Why wouldn't he bring it up with the alpha himself? Sure, he did mention it in the conversation, but that was after he'd already been called in. And he's a pretty shotty business man and manager if he didn't think, "the beta is looking into my company, maybe I should bring up THE PLAN I WAS WORKING ON WITH THE PREVIOUS ALPHA now?" Since he's not? My guess is, whether or not the merger was something open with the previous alpha? It's something he wanted under the table now. Though WHY is still in question. After all, it could also be that Terry doesn't trust Levi. And is trying to consolidate control, not to grab power, but to protect the pack from the beta. But there isn't really any hint of that in any of the interactions. Now all of that being said? I would believe, based on previous chapters? That Levi's PARENTS might attempt to poison Dorian, and might use Levi in order to do that, both because it's their easiest method, but also to drive a wedge between the alpha and beta. Since, if Levi is currently at odds with Dorian, and there was some kind of coup? He'd be way more likely to side with his family, than if he and Dorian are still on good terms.

Like the others, I do think Levi is probably going to be the big conflict... but I don't think it'll be a typical betrayal. Dorian is an honorable man, but he's also a traditionalist while Levi is an innovator, and a bit of a rebel. Levi may be manipulative, but I don't think he's intentionally manipulating his friend. I'd guess that, more likely, a conflict will arise that Dorian and Levi have conflicting views about. That tradition will clash with the new and it will all fall apart. Traditions aren't always right or best after all. Many purely exist because they've been done so much that they're habitual. And even if they may have been perfect for what people needed at the time, needs change, and traditions can do more harm than good if they don't change with those needs. That said, new isn't always better either. Then there's the fact that Dorian? Actually is somewhat autocratic in his dealings with people. Especially when it comes to tradition. He may be being good about that at the moment? But we have to remember that A: He's not confident in his abilities yet, and wise enough to realize he needs help; and perhaps more importantly B: He doesn't really want the responsibility right now, so he's willing to listen to others because that spreads the workload of a job he didn't ask for. While A shows intelligence and thought? B is at least somewhat selfish, and has the potential to greatly change if he ever embraces the job.

Hmm... I personally think Dorian is making a mistake. He's so obsessed with honoring his lost alpha that he's not paying attention to what's going on around him. He's rushing something that shouldn't be rushed, if for no other reason than security on it needs to be tight after what happened. And he's ignoring OBVIOUS signs that things aren't on the level, like the fact that the council isn't actually in contact with him about a thing that's ostensibly supposed to be done within a day. An amount of time, I might add, that is not typical for a funeral. Preparing something that like usually takes longer than that, especially without a lot of warning. And given that no one had done anything yet, there wasn't much warning. He's also ignoring the fact that there are obviously members of the council who don't want this to happen at all. Taking charge in a crisis is all fine and good, but Dorian is worrying more about the honor of one dead person over the welfare of the entire pack. He's not stepping back and looking at the situation for what it is, instead trying to force things to be how he wants them to be. Which is, I might add? Exactly what he does in the future, during the whole fight with Ethan. In fact, that's probably his biggest character flaw. It'll be interesting to see what happens now, because in his attempts to do the right thing? Dorian has created a recipe for disaster.

I'm not entirely sure that paying respect to departed leaders is the most important thing. I personally think establishing order IS the most important thing? But that's ALSO irrelevant as the pack council wasn't doing that either! Infighting and grabbing for power is generally not a good way to establish order, while paying respects to dead leadership? Actually CAN help in that regards. Even if it doesn't directly address the issue at hand? It can give people something to rally around aside of the chaos until things settle down. To be frank though? I actually think the council was RIGHT to an extent. Regardless of how difficult the job is? It IS the enforcer's job to ensure that something like this doesn't happen. So Dorian IS partially at fault. And the fact that he won't even ADMIT that he has some culpability here? Is a sign he's starting his downward spiral. And the fact that he WASN'T sitting with the council at the time, even if it was because he was sitting with his mother, and thus it was likely innocent and incidental? Is also something to note. Whether or not you assume he was in collusion, it might make someone wonder whether he'd have let that happen if he was sitting at the table that night, rather than in the "safety" of the crowd.