From an ideal, a dream is created. This dream gives birth to hope. From hope, courage is forged. Courage springs forth the spirit. And from the spirit, a legend begins. Destiny... said to be cruel, fearsome, unbreakable... It dictates the flow of time, it dictates the flow of history. The indestructible chains that bind it, that made it unchanging and unavoidable, were now painted Crimson. A new journey, a new world, where Gods were not out of his reach, where Evil was powerful and mighty, Link will rise and become a legend. This is his tale.

The only thing Mia Hope has in common with Jake Carpenter, Artwood High's most popular quarterback, is a love for the coffee served at The Coffee Pod. He wants her to tutor him - and if she can do it without a single cup of coffee, he'll pay her triple. Easy. Nothing could go wrong, right? ***** When Jake learns he's failing English, he knows he needs to pull his grades up or he'll risk being kicked off the football team. He strikes a deal with the elusive Mia - the quiet girl with secrets. If she can't go without a single cup of coffee, she has to tutor him for free. If she can, he'll pay her triple, and with Christmas around the corner, there's nothing Mia needs more than money. But as the pair grow closer, Jake learns the real reason for Mia's bad habit, and what starts as an innocent bet between enemies grows into something more serious. Can the pair survive the next two months with their hearts - and secrets - still intact? Content/trigger warning: This story contains themes of assault and abuse. [[word count: 60,000 - 70,000]] Cover designed by Jenna Conrad The Coffee Pact now has a sequel: The Kissing Pact