Waiting for the first gate to open was usually like standing in line at Tesco. It didn't really take that much time out of your hour but it was a bother all the same. Then again, the bi-weekly trip to purchase groceries didn't include the nagging and ever present weight of your parents' expectations for your life. There usually wasn't even the thick and heavy silence that accompanied missing familiarity. Usually, I wasn't under so much pressure when we went out. Mum would glance back at her watch every few seconds, even though that didn't help. Dad coughed and would send her a look every time she did so. My mum was a strong and easily scary person, with curly hair like mine, but a darker brown color. That she help up in a bandana most of the time. My dad was as English as they come, with slicked back orange hair, a handlebar mustache, he even occasionally walked the halls of our house in a coat and cane, muttering about old literature. Neither of them payed strong attention to me, but then again, nothing new there.

     We were standing in one of the less desirable of locations where gate one would appear. Usually the stakes were lower and we could afford to wait until it arrived somewhere more pleasant, like the gazebo less than a kilometer from the house. Unfortunately, I no longer had that luxury, which why the three of us were standing behind one of the less put together pubs in Dinshire. There were crates of rotting vegetables on the ground and questionable liquids staining the earth. The smell was less than pleasant and I was already not in the best of moods.

    "How much longer do you suppose?" I asked, suppressing the urge to swing my keychain around my finger.

    I didn't merit a response. "Mum?"

    She glanced up, snapping out of her thoughts. "Hm? Asher, we've only at this for three minutes, have patience."

    I frowned, but luckily the archway to the back door of the pub start humming faintly and a dim blue glow appeared on the edges of the damp, wooden frame. Mum instantly stepped forward and pushed the door open, the blue light tracing outline, like she was walking through a bubble. Dad followed her, muttering under his breath. I followed, feeling very much like a dog. As I passed under the archway the iron charm on my keychain grew larger and morphed into a large wood and metal contraption, a crossbow. Additionally, I was now equipped with a thin iron breastplate and a quiver of arrows. I loaded the crossbow in ordinary manner, looking to my parents as Dad's ring stretched into a broadsword and Mum took off her glasses as her double blades appeared seemingly out of thin air. Nobody else could see our weapons as we left the pub and recollected ourselves on the street outside. I watched as Mum shot Dad a telling look.

    "Asher." Dad started, to get my attention. "We'll be a few towns over checking out the alert, but there's always a possibility that it's a distraction so that's while you'll be hanging around here until we get back. Keep track of the gate for us."

    My hope promptly jumped off a bridge and I was left with a sour aftertaste of confusion and disappointment. "I thought you needed me to help you look."

    "We do, we need you to look out here, son." Dad assured, patting my shoulder. " Scour the hills. Call us if you need help."

    I watched them climb into the car and drive off. Then I was left alone on the side of the street. As an expert in detecting when my parents were lying to me, I began to wander around and wonder about what I might have done wrong. Maybe if I was lucky I would stumble upon a gnome or wraith or something of like. Then at least I would have something to show for, other then walking around in the forest for an hour while I waited for them to come back.

    The thought of sneaking after them came to mind, I don't know why they always insisted on keeping me separate from all the missions as of late. I could help. I was a valuable and skilled asset to them. I... I could help. They just didn't believe me, or listen to me, or take any interest in me whatsoever. Okay they're not that bad, but I do wish they'd take notice in some of my accomplishments. Or at least something else besides lightheartedly mocking the amount of time I spent getting ready for the day. A man is only as good as his wardrobe. Especially now that that considerably large moon that blocked all of the light from my parents had finally moved along its celestial path. My knuckles turned white against the dark wood of my crossbow as I unconsciously tightened my grip.

    The woods was always darker the deeper you went into the hypothetical onion of the fae realm. As a kid I used to think they were terrifying, and they were, but the gaining the knowledge of how to quickly load a fire a crossbow does do a lot for one's confidence. I was fairly good at it too, but it's not something one can brag about with mates. Friends were something dangerous. In my field, they required almost complete hand book and written test before you could even begin to attempt making any. You can't tell them about the gates. You can't show them your wicked crossbow. You can't even begin to explain why you don't need to plan for a line of work, because sometimes the ruse of 'inheriting the family business' prompted too many questions than what was allowed. All in all I just didn't bother. The few other teenagers that were in the circle of knowledge were almost enough, even if I rarely saw them. Plus, I always had... other means of filling the gap. Used to, anyways.

    A bush to my right rustled slightly, which could have been passed off as a rabbit had the plant not been shivering slightly with that faery energy. I raised my crossbow and kicked it, the glamour didn't look powerful enough to be anything bigger than a will-o-the-wisp. A little tiny wisp of light and dust zipped out and I heard a sylph cackle with glee as it zipped around my head, wings fluttering like a hummingbird. Probably female from the looks. I swiped my hand at her in annoyance, just great, I wanted something a little more interesting than a tipsy tinker bell. It was a good start, but knowing me would probably end in flames.

    I guess the fae wasn't too kind on the comparison to the renowned Disney character because then I heard a whizz fly by my ear. The tree directly above my head gained a sizable hole that sizzled and dripped off multi-colored residue. I gulped, this was one of those very few moments I was glad I barely reached a meter and fifty two centimeters. The sylph laughed again and zoomed off, probably assuming I couldn't hit her with my crossbow, but now I has something else on my side, a suppressed history of English angst and a temper to match.

    "I very much did not appreciate that." I called after the sylph.

    I held my crossbow up to my face as I ran (something that had taken months to perfect) and fired off a shot that whizzed by her and hit a tree. It only reserved another cackle. The pixie zapped leaves as we raced through the woods, turning them into caterpillars and various small woodland herbivores. I had to be care and not let one of those beam me, my dad loved to tell the story of the time he got hit and his hand was a possum for three months.

    My eagerness dilapidated very quickly as I realized she was flying towards the town. Oh cheers. Time for another round of the Northcott household creating suspicion in our name. If I was lucky I wouldn't see anyone I knew, but since I am Asher Northcott and this is a small town, luck was not on my side. The best that could happen now is it somehow not raining while I hunted down the sylph, but then again, this is rural England.

    The area was bustling with late morning activity, shopkeepers were walking around and manning their wares. School children were mucking about the streets, enjoying the day off. I scanned the walls and alleys carefully, looking for the deviant fae. I had to catch her before she caused too much trouble. I couldn't help but think about how if my whole family were with me this whole ordeal would have been over by now. We could have caught her within minutes and released her a few miles off before the day was done. I thought I might have lost the sylph when all of a sudden I spotted her sitting on a pub sign (lots of pubs here) one of the ones with a nice organic pub name, The Red Lion. She walked along the red metal lion's back and slid down the curve of its tail, before twitching her wing and glancing my direction. She blew a raspberry at me, and laughed when my jaw dropped, rude. No matter then, I reached into my quiver and pulled out a messily folded up weighted net. Used in instances where I didn't want to waste arrows. That, and I really didn't want to look like I was aiming an invisible weapon at thin air, while this was still along the same lines, it was easier explained.

    Upon spotting my she frowned in caricature fashion and flew off down the street, to which I sped after her. The fae landed on a kids head as he run by, the boy being completely oblivious. I ran towards him but kids these days could replace thoroughbreds on the track and still be as equally entertaining.

    "Hey kid! I called after him.
He slowed and twisted around toward my direction. The sylph on his head cackled and I watched as the boy's hair adapted a green hue. Hilarious. I probably should have said something, or given a warning, but I was in a tired and impulsive mood and ended up chucking the net at this toddler's dark brown curls at full force.

    Like a duck being shot, he fell to the ground, tragically stuck by something he couldn't even see. The net clung to his head like an iron, fae capturing, hairnet. The child shot me a bewildered look as he sat up, probably reeling. The sylph was trapped however, I spotted her struggling underneath the fabric. Unfortunately for me the kid's Mum was nearby and watched the whole thing conspire in glorious HD quality.

    "Excuse me?" The mother appeared, like a trapdoor spider lunging for the kill. 
I let out a noise similar to mice chatter, realizing it probably looked like I took down her kid matrix style and was probably about to become her next victim.

    "Sorry!" I forced out, very much awkwardly as I scrambled down an alleyway. 
From around the corner I watched the mother tend to her child and unknowingly swied the net off the top of the boy's head. It fell to the ground and the sylph escaped, flying off into to the air. I could maybe catch up to her from a different street. Weaving through alleyways between brick houses with moss dripping off the sides, I kept my eyes to the sky, catching glimpses of the sylph every few seconds. She seemed to be taunting me, and let me tell you it was very much getting on my nerves!
I followed her to a wider street, intending to speed up. Though I would have to think of a new way to catch her now that my net was gone. Only to be confronted with another terribly appalling sight. On the street ahead a me an assembly sheep were being herded through the square, momentarily blocking the flow of traffic. The little tiny fae chuckled once more, which was quickly becoming the most annoying sound on earth, each separate laugh grating against my skull in the most unpleasant fashion. Then she landed confidently on the roof on a building across the sheep line, a smug smile present on her face even from the distance we were at. I stared at her in utter disbelief, as seemingly miles of sheep poured across the road, while she danced back and forth from her perch, taunting me.

    It's safe to say I was no longer interested in catch-and-release.

    Jerking my crossbow up to my shoulder I took careful aim and fire off a shot in the sylph's direction, the arrow hit the roof with a solid thud, the little fairy doged and cackled, zooming off in another direction, but not before landing atop a passing ewe and turning it into a plump watermelon. The other sheep found this very confusing and gave the strange green orb a wide berth, baaing loudly.
I watched the watermelon roll around, and the fae fly off, and almost screeched in indignance. Then I pushed it aside and threw all my cares to wind as I hopped over both sheep and fruit, determined to hunt down and possibly exterminate this mind-numbingly impossible pest, who derived wicked pleasure from my misery.

    I hopped streets again. That's when I spotted the sylph on one of spires in the church. I promptly skidded to a stop in the courtyard. This time taking a moment to articulate myself, which means letting out a shrill screech of rage. It was a battle cry if you squint.

    I slipped in the front door of the church, there was a service going on (of course) but it looked like simply a rehearsal, because the pews were empty. There was a set of stairs to the right and I took them two at a time, a million excuses flying through my head as I rushed to pick out the best one in case I was caught. I sincerely doubt the Reverend would believe I came to confess. If they only knew the extent of it (obligatory teenage eye roll) but that was hopefully something I bring to my cold, dead, heterosexual grave, cheers!

    I paused as I reached the top of another flight of stairs, now standing in the attic where the bells were. Basking in the light of a stained glass window and leaving a distinct silhouette were two figures: the sylph and a figure around the same size of myself, covered in many layers of furs and scales and yet obviously female from the tell-tale markings across her armor (given to only the highest-rank female warriors). The two horns stretching up from a bird's nest of bright red hair and behind her mask confirmed her fae status, and she was holding a large bag of something probably edible and probably stolen from the church. I froze in the doorway, praying that it wasn't a large bag of holy wafers-- ah, this might be a bigger bite than I could chew. However, being the impulsive teenager boy I am, I still lifted the crossbow and fired off a shot right at her. Both of them dodged it easily, and to my horror I hit the intricate stained glass window behind them. It promptly shattered, and I winced. Ah, maybe I just shouldn't mention this to Mum and Dad, or to anyone for that matter. I'll just add this to the list of many things I'll die without telling.
The two fae, now alerted of my presence, then jumped out the window. I heard footsteps on the stairwell behind me and ran to the window sill. Below me I spotted the larger wingless fae sliding down the steeples of the church. I considered my options and then weighted them against the approval of my parents after they connected this incident to me.

    I jumped and slid right after her.

    My body hit the stone of the roof and I regained the wind in my lungs before I raised my crossbow and managed to get three shots out before my feet hit the lip of the roof. Propelled by my own momentum, I jumped to a smaller steeple and slid down again before falling almost three meters before I hit the ground and rolled. I still came up on my feet (thought my jumper was effectively ruined, blast) and that was still quite the accomplishment. I popped up running and really put the pedal to the medal as I made my hasty escape from the scene of my crime.

    "Asher Northcott!" A voice called out from behind me.

    Bollocks.

    The rain began to hit the cobblestone as I followed the two fae through the town and back into the bloody forest. I was wheezing and gasping  and almost out of arrows. It wasn't until we were well in the thick of the trees and I reached behind my back to find I only had one left did I come stumbling to a stop. I guess I was left to no other choice then to make this one count. I planted my feet in the ground and loaded my last arrow. What a pain. I would have to make more now. They don't exactly manufacture the type of projectile that's capable of taking down any of the fae folk. I held the crosshair up of my cheek and aimed carefully at the the redhead. One, two, three... I pulled the trigger and let her fly. To my satisfaction, I heard a shrill yelp. I think I hit the larger one; it wasn't a mortal would, but it was something.  I was a contributing member of this family who would carry on the proud name of Northcott. Probably. Somehow.
The walk back into town was miserable and damp as the English rain mercilessly poured down from above. I was soaked to the skin and lacked an umbrella because I've tried before and they are a hassle to bring on missions. It took me half an hour to walk back into town, my whole morning was gone. The only thing I was looking forward too was the mission results from my parents, that, and maybe changing into something dry but equally as fashionable. My parents car was parked in front of the post office, I checked the watch on my wrist and saw if I didn't hurry up the gate would switch again, and that would be bothersome.

    "Good heavens Asher!" Dad remarked upon seeing the state of my appearance, I didn't blame him. "What in God's name did you do?"

    "Long story. Chased a sylph, it got away. What happened?" I could feel the chill return to my lungs as I waited, hoping desperately they wouldn't say what their faces told me.
Mum glanced away at the horizon, Dad at his broadsword.

    "It was just a small raid for supplies, nothing we can't handle." He explained.

    "No I mean... what happened?" I repeated, with much more urgency.

    They were silent and the two of them shared a look. I knew what that meant.

    "Still no sign of him." Mum whispered under her breath.

    I let out the breath I had been holding and my shoulders sunk in defeat. Just another day then. Just another twenty four hours to add to the increasing amount of time I spent alone and unchallenged, for once, without my parents batting so much of an eye in my direction. Just another day in the glamorous life of me, Asher Northcott.

    We made our way back through the first gate and returned home, defeated.

__________________
hELLO HELLO MY FRIENDS.

thank you for picking up this book! Let me tell you some things about it:

It's a collaboration book! There was not just one but two creative minds working hard to make this as good as it is. I'm the one who is writing all the Asher chapters, but ChronaLilly is the name behind the Gus chapters. I take no credit for all that absolute creative genius. Seriously guys she's going to blow you away, I love Gus Washington so much.

Please check her out it's so so worth it!

Second, we're hoping to update bi-weekly on ever Thursday and Sunday, so you've got all that to look forward too!

I say this every time but if you draw any of theses characters we will put it in the book! Dm me or Chrona if you got art :3

That's it, hope you're ready for this adventure! I know I am.
~Jay