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Writing is fun. You make characters. You give them names, likes, dislikes, relationships, goals, and all the other fun quirks that come with writing a novel.

But what no one tells you is that you may very well fall in love with them. I’m speaking from experience, because I’ve fallen in love with two of the characters out of the hundred or so I have created.

So, why not I share these two characters with you all? Here they are!

Felix Kaizer Adelric: Army General of Switzerland. A rather gentle soul, focused on building a strong sense of trust between him and his soldiers.

He was born in Russia, and used by his own military to create a virtually “invincible” army, as he is a seer, able to foresee the deaths of others. He is tortured whenever one of Russia’s soldiers dies, but is kidnapped by Germany as they wish to use his ability to better their military. While in Germany, he is brainwashed to believe he was born there, hence allowing him to fight to escape the Russians when they kidnap him back. He successfully escapes his captors in Switzerland, and joins their military, rising to become the nation’s Army General.

He is sent to Forchheim, the city he was brainwashed to believe is his birth city, to protect its borders from a terrorist organization’s supposed attack. While staying at his assigned post, he realizes one of the soldiers he is assigned to look over- Reko- has gone missing. Felix finds Reko being attacked by one of his own peers, and kills them, ensuring Reko is okay before heading back to his post. He finds the entire area in ruins, his superiors picking valuables off of their own soldiers for money. Felix kills them, leaving him and Reko as the only survivors.

Felix spends the three months off he receives for recovery in his office, contemplating taking his own life, but never building up the courage to do so. When the night finally does arrive, Reko interferes, hugging Felix and telling the young man that he loves him, which puts Felix at peace.

Currently, Felix is leading Switzerland into its war with Russia, as the latter country desires to finish what they couldn’t twelve years ago in Finland- killing all the mechanical soldiers. And that’s where Reko comes in.

Reko Levo Erkki: A mechanical soldier, created by the young genius prodigy Kirsi Vilho. These soldiers were mass produced by the young man, as requested by Finland’s government at the time, so the nation can better respond to threats. Unfortunately, news of Kirsi’s work reached Russia, and rumors of a possible war began to circulate. Reko was the last soldier Kirsi created before going into hiding.

Reko lives with a childless couple that decides to adopt him and raise him until he can eventually enlist into Finland’s military and become their best soldier. But Reko does not get that future, as his adoptive parents are killed by the Russians, and the boy escapes the Russian soldiers who try to kill him, joining an orphanage that is burned down in the war with the goal of trying to kill Reko again and any remaining Finnish mechanical soldiers.

Reko lives amongst the rubble and debris of a war-torn Finland, barely able to survive from day-to-day. Until a group of Swiss soldiers- with orders to rescue any survivors and chase away the last of the Russian soldiers- arrive in Finland. This is how Reko meets Felix. Originally, the two do not get along, but Felix continually attempts to chat with Reko, and the boy eventually begins to respond and appreciate the time Felix takes to talk to him and build a friendship.

Now, mechanical soldiers have one goal: protect the country in which they are created. This means Reko is loyal to Finland, so when he finds himself in Switzerland, he wants to do everything in his power to go back. And that is the case for awhile, until he begins to build a stronger bond with Felix. Reko learns emotions from Felix. Mannerisms. Even German. He learns what it means to be human from Felix, and it is actually what Reko’s true purpose was.

Kirsi originally made mechanical children for couples who couldn’t have children, or others who just wanted a child. But he gave that up when the government requested he make soldiers. These soldiers did not understand emotions, and were extremely violent in nature. Reko, being the last soldier Reko created, was half-soldier, half-child, so to speak. He is able to understand emotions and learns more about humans (hugely thanks to Felix), but is still violent.

Reko comes to love Felix, and vows to do anything to protect him and ensure he does not suffer, especially after knowing what occurred in Forchheim. He unhesitatingly kills (or rather attempts to kill) anyone who dares to even insult Felix, and is determined to face the Russians that threaten Switzerland with a new vow of loyalty to both Switzerland and Felix.

I absolutely adore their relationship! Felix and Reko have nothing but familial love for one another. Felix keeps Reko grounded and stops him from killing anyone who even throws a dirty glance in Felix’s direction, while Reko ensures Felix remains the gentle and loving person he is by threatening those who aim to ruin Felix’s life.

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And…here’s his weapon (Coward’s Sin) story, fully decoded! God, I love his survivor’s guilt storyline so much. Makes him a far more lovable and sympathetic character than if he didn’t learn from his past mistakes.

My comrades slumber eternally after falling in battle.

White gravestones form neat rows, and I offer a flower to each.

Then, from out of nowhere, a single

black feather floats in front of my eyes.

The bulk of wings grow louder. A storm of black birds descends, scattering my proffered flowers. They ridicule me without mercy; they know my strategy sent my squadmates to their deaths.

As black feathers rain down, I look into the birds’ eyes and see reflected in them the faces of my dead comrades. They hate me. They scream at me. They curse me.

This is my fault. All my fault—all my sin. Yet only the birds understand this. They know I am hated for it, and so I extend a hand and gently reach out. Come to me…

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He’s finally here! After eight months (probably more, though) of waiting, Abyssal Captain Griff has arrived! Although I’m slightly disappointed that he is a strong light-elemental character (just like his Bloody, Fractured, and Guardian costumes), I am in love with his design and both his costume and weapon story, the latter of which I was able to successfully decode!