#Another Trial Sword Strike E

[gundamfight]

[ghostinthelibrarywrites]

he will tear this city down

For my fourth fic for @witcher-rarepair-summer-bingo, I wrote a prequel to a soldier (who carries a mighty sword) You can read the first few scenes below or you can find it on AO3.

Prompt: Warlord AU

Relationships: Eskel/Geralt

Rating: M

Content Warnings: Canon-typical violence; Major character injury

Summary: After Eskel returns to Kaer Morhen gravely injured after being attacked by a group of angry villagers, Geralt decides to convince the witchers from all six schools to refuse to hunt monsters until laws are passed protecting them. But what starts as a simple strike escalates quickly once the witchers convene at Kaer Morhen.

***

It starts, as so many things in a witcher’s life do, with a pitchfork-wielding mob.

Eskel prides himself on being able to read people. He usually knows when a town isn’t safe for him to linger after he’s done killing their monster. He can see it in the way the fear that follows him like a bad smell starts to take on an aggressive edge, when smiles get a little too toothy and gazes grow sharp and suspicious. That’s when he gathers his pay and puts as much distance as possible between himself and the town.

But there were none of those signs this time. The hunt was uneventful, the pay was decent, and the alderman even offered to let Eskel stay the night in his brother-in-law’s barn, since it looked like rain. They even fed Eskel a hearty meal of mutton stew, bread, and ale. He retired to the barn feeling as content as he ever did on the Path— well-fed, uninjured, and warm. He’s only a day’s ride away from the Trail up to Kaer Morhen; he’ll be reunited with Geralt within days. When he drifts off to sleep, that’s what he dreams of.

Perhaps that should have been enough of a warning for him. Contentment never lasts long on the Path.

So it shouldn’t be a surprise when he wakes up to six armed men surrounding him, including the alderman who clapped him on the shoulder and thanked him earlier that day and the farmer who laughed and joked with him over dinner. Eskel’s reaction times are too slow— he must be drugged, he realizes— and he gets a pitchfork to the face and an axe to his side before he manages to drive them back with Aard and escape. He has to leave his horse, most of his gear, and all his coin behind, but he escapes with his life.

Eskel remembers very little of the journey to Kaer Morhen. Between the blood loss and the blow to his head, he’s barely conscious most of the time, moving on autopilot as he walks the same roads that he’s walked every year for the last fifty years. He just knows that he needs to get home. Geralt will be there. Gweld, Gascaden, and Lambert will be there. Vesemir will be there. He’ll be safe.

He doesn’t remember how exactly he ends up lying by the side of the road halfway up the mountain, unable to make it another step forward. He knows that the wounds on his face feel hot and he’s just cognizant enough to realize that it’s infected. His body is too weak and tired to stave off the infection. It’s flurrying as he stares up at the slate gray sky and he wonders if this will be the last thing he sees.

And then he hears the dulcet tones of Lambert. “Eskel! The fuck happened to you? You’re supposed to wait til we get to the keep before you start hitting the White— oh, fuck.”

When Eskel hears Lambert’s tone change from amused to worried— scared, even— he knows it’s bad. The younger Wolf’s face appears above him, expression pinched with concern, and Eskel closes his eyes.

When he reopens them, he’s in Kaer Morhen, his face and side bandaged up, and Vesemir is standing by his bedside, looking down at him with the saddest expression Eskel has seen on his face since the Trials.

***

Geralt almost doesn’t make it to Kaer Morhen that year. A contract involving a noble bastard who also happens to be a bloodthirsty werewolf goes sideways and he barely makes it out of Verden. Assassins hired by the werewolf’s family track him all the way through Redania and he ends up having to take a circuitous route to avoid them. It’s snowing full force by the time he makes his way up the Trail and he finds himself praying to gods he doesn’t believe him that his newest Roach— a temperamental young mare he’s only had a year— won’t break a leg.

When he makes it, dinner is in full force and the hall is filled with talking, laughter, and the smell of the hideous mushrooms they make the trainees eat. Geralt’s eyes scan the table of the returning Wolf witchers: Lambert, Clovis, Gweld, Gascaden, Hemminks, Remus, Berenghar, and more. He doesn’t see one face, the face he’s been waiting for eight months to see, and he feels his heart sink into his stomach.

“Geralt!”

He looks around to see Vesemir striding towards him.

“You made it.” The old fencing instructor claps him on the shoulder and looks him over. “We were starting to worry.”

“Got held up in Verden.” Geralt looks back towards the table, just in case he missed Eskel. Like he would ever miss Eskel’s face in a crowd. “Where’s Eskel?”

Something in Vesemir’s face shifts. “He’s up in his room. There was… an incident on the Path. An attack. He’s healed nicely over the past couple of weeks, but he was badly hurt.”

Geralt doesn’t stop to say hello to any of the others, not even Gweld and Gascaden. He makes his way up to Eskel’s room, his heart pounding so hard that it almost feels like a human heartbeat. He knocks on the door once, then pushes his way inside without waiting for an answer.

Eskel is sitting on the edge of his bed, back turned towards Geralt. He’s not wearing a shirt and a mostly healed wound in his side is visible, starting right under his armpit and traveling down to his hip bone. Geralt swallows.

“You’re back.” Eskel doesn’t turn around or stand up. His voice is the same deep, honey smooth voice that Geralt can never get enough of, but there’s something strangely stiff about his posture. It’s tense in a way he never is at Kaer Morhen. “We were starting to worry.”

“Got held up.” This would normally be the part where Geralt tells him all about the werewolf. Removed from the ever-present threat of assassination, it’s quite the story. But he can only focus on that angry red mark marring his lover’s side and the tension in Eskel’s shoulders. “Vesemir told me you were hurt.”

Eskel’s shoulders hunch a bit. “Yeah.”

“What happened?”

“Was stupid. Got drugged and ambushed by a bunch of angry farmers. Not sure if they just wanted their coin back or they didn’t like witchers. Didn’t stick around long enough to ask.”

“Farmers did that?”

“One of them had an axe. Another one had a pitchfork.”

Geralt crosses the room and lays a hand on Eskel’s shoulder. “Esk, look at me.”

“Not sure if you want that.”

Geralt frowns. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“One of them got me in the face with a pitchfork. It’s real bad.”

Geralt can feel the urge to march down the mountain in the snow and burn whatever piece of shit village did this to the ground. “Turn around. Please.”

Slowly, Eskel stands up and turns around.

***

Geralt’s face is perfectly, terribly blank, like it always is when he’s full of more emotion than he knows what to do with.

“Not as bad as it looks, Wolf.” Eskel wants to smile reassuringly, but that will just make the scars twist hideously, and he doesn’t want his lover to see him like that.

“What town?” Geralt asks in a low, even voice.

Eskel shakes his head. “No.”

“Eskel—”

“Lambert asked me the same thing. I’ll tell you the same thing I told him. It’s not worth it. I survived.”

“You’re lucky you didn’t lose an eye.” The blankness is cracking; the rage is starting to show in Geralt’s eyes. “Those fuckers could have blinded you.”

Eskel turns his scarred cheek away from Geralt, making a show of smoothing down the old, worn quilt on his bed. “But they didn’t. It’s just a scar. We all have them.”

Geralt is quiet for a long moment. “If they did that to a human, they would have spent the week in the stocks.”

“Well, they didn’t. They attacked a witcher.” There’s no justice for a witcher on the road, they all know. A man can walk up to a witcher in the middle of a busy street and gut him and there’s not a magistrate on the damn Continent who will do anything about it. Witchers have to have their own backs because no one has theirs. “I was just about to turn in. You should go downstairs, get something to eat. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You don’t want me to stay?” Geralt sounds hurt. When in Kaer Morhen, Eskel and Geralt haven’t slept apart in decades. Most nights, Eskel can be found across the hall in Geralt’s bedroom. Rennes keeps threatening to give away Eskel’s room.

“I don’t want…” Eskel doesn’t know how to put the maelstrom of feelings inside him into words. Geralt is stunning in a way five decades on the Path haven’t been able to diminish. Even before the scars, Eskel could never figure out why Geralt picked him and why he kept picking him year after year. “You shouldn’t feel obligated. I know I don’t look like I did when I left Kaer Morhen last spring.”

Geralt is quiet for a moment, then he says, “Neither do I.”

Eskel shoots a skeptical look at Geralt’s chiseled jawline, his long, straight nose, his full mouth. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Harpy took a bite out of my ass in Velen.”

Eskel lets out a surprised bark of laughter. “Fuck, not the ass.”

“Couldn’t sit on Roach for a month.” Geralt’s lips twitch, though his eyes are sad. “You still going to love me, even though there’s a chunk of my ass missing? It’s pretty ugly.”

“Of course.”

“Then why do you think it would be any different for me?” Geralt takes Eskel’s hand and pulls him close.

Eskel goes willingly. He’s always been helpless to resist Geralt.

Normally, when they reunite after a year on the Path, it’s fast and desperate as they try to fuck away the memories of months of blood, death, and loneliness. Tonight, it’s slower and gentler as Geralt takes the time to lavish every inch of Eskel with kisses, his lips painfully gentle when they brush over the scars on Eskel’s cheek. Eskel is so overcome, he almost feels like he’s going to weep.

When it’s done, and they’re entwined together in the dark, Eskel murmurs in Geralt’s ear, “You know, that scar on your ass is barely visible.”

“Hm. May have been a baby harpy.”

“Thank the gods you made it out alive.”

“I got lucky. It was close.”

Eskel presses a kiss to the corner of Geralt’s mouth. “Thank you.”

Geralt nuzzles into his hair, breathing deeply, and doesn’t say a word. He doesn’t need to.

***

Geralt spends the winter watching Eskel heal. Physically, he’s back in fighting condition within a few weeks, tussling with Gweld and Geralt in the training yard and guiding the trainees through their morning drills with his usual good humor. He rarely shows any more than a twinge of discomfort when he swings his sword the wrong way. The scars on his face stay angry and red, but they lose some of their puffiness.

It’s the wounds Geralt can’t see that worry him. The way Eskel startles one night when he wakes up to find Geralt standing next to the bed, his eyes going wide with a naked fear Geralt hasn’t seen in decades before he realizes who it is standing over him. The way he rubs at his face constantly, a faraway look in his eye as he remembers how he got them. The way he smiles less and turns his face away so no one will see his scars stretch when he does smile. The memory of Eskel’s smile has gotten Geralt through many a dark night on the Path and he aches from missing it.

Every time Eskel looks away to hide his scars, the ball of anger inside Geralt’s chest grows stronger. Not at Eskel. Never at Eskel. But at the cowards who attacked him while he slept, who smiled at him and welcomed him into their home, only to turn on him without warning. How easily they could have killed him, and Geralt never would have known. His lover’s body would have been buried in a shallow grave only days away from Kaer Morhen, and he always would have wondered what happened to him.

Geralt has been on the Path for nearly fifty years now, ever since he was eighteen years old. He goes out every year knowing that he’ll be alone, that no one will have his back. Worse, he goes out knowing that Eskel will be alone, and Gweld and Lambert and the others. Such is the life of a witcher.

He should be used to the knowledge that the people they protect will turn against them at the slightest provocation.

He finds he’s getting tired of being used to things like that.

Geralt doesn’t want to leave Eskel come spring, but there’s no other choice. The Path awaits and two witchers traveling together don’t make enough coin to live. He and Eskel tried when they were younger and quickly realized that it wasn’t sustainable. Still, Geralt lingers at Eskel’s side for days after they leave Kaer Morhen, coming up with excuses to stay at his side.

Finally, Eskel draws him close at a crossroads and presses a long, lingering kiss to his lips. “This is where we part ways, Wolf.”

Geralt has known this was coming, but he still bristles. “Should at least stay with you until you can replace your horse.”

The corner of Eskel’s mouth twitches upwards. “We both know I’ll be lucky to make enough for a horse this year. I’ll be fine. The longer we put it off, the harder it’s going to be.”

And Geralt knows he’s right, so he kisses Eskel one last time, and then watches him walk away. As soon as his lover is gone from his sight, he turns and heads north.

He’s spent the winter being furious. It’s time to fucking do something about it.

***

Read the rest on AO3!

[mistdrinkersblade]

Culmination

It’s time.

The heavy winds of Zadnor’s plains whipped his hair back harshly. Sand and dirt and ash beat against his clothes, but it didn’t bother him for a moment. Syla was ready. Nothing and no one could deny him this moment.

In the past few weeks, Syla had spent what time he had to spare amongst the members of Bozja’s resistance. Though at first it seemed like a far fetched dream, their movement had gone from a torch in the night to a roaring blaze. Fighters and supporters from nations all around rose up to aid their cause: stopping the Garlean Empire’s defected IVth Legion. Everything, every single moment, had led up to this. To this fruition.

The heavy leather armor he sported, a gift from “Bajsaljen Ulgasch, was designed to mimic the look of Bozjan aesthetics. And though it wasn’t his homeland, Syla proudly wore them. The large gunblade clipped to his back was another, but this one carried far more significance. It was a symbol of freedom and liberation to be driven directly into the IV Legion’s heart.

Syla stopped approach, turning his head for just a brief moment to see his allies. A small menagerie of fighters, of all creeds and races, had banded together behind him. As their goal loomed in the distance: the Dalriada. The IV Legion’s gargantuan airship, now permanently grounded thanks in part to the resistance’s clever plot. The hulking behemoth smoking from their attack as its crew could be seen scrambling like ants. Clearly preparing for a fight. And one was certainly on the horizon. Just as he was about to give the order to march, Syla’s ears picked up something. Footsteps. Armored ones. And all stepping in rhythmic unison.

He knew what was coming. It was him. He was here.

Without a second thought, Syla quickly drew his gunblade as several of his fighters prepared their weapons as well. The wind storm had kicked up so much dust it was obscuring their view of the path ahead. Only the sound of boots marching in unison growing louder face any indication. So in turn, he decided to make the first move.

“GABRANTH!”

His voice carried as hard as he could make it, throat straining from the volume of his shout. He wanted to be heard. He had to be heard. To shout above the raging wind for all to hear and to convince himself he was ready. It all came down to this moment. “COME OUT, YOU COWARD! FIGHT ME!”

It was now. This was the culmination of four summers. Four summers since that night.

-

“So. You’re the one causing all of this noise. And for what?”

The man’s voice almost rattled from inside of his helmet as he stared the pair of viera down. The halls of Castrum Valnaini were empty, save for the three men in the armory. Syla Mistdrinker, one of the Dalmascan resistance fighters who had made a name for himself recently. Vali, one of his companions, a tall and slender black mage with flowing silvery hair.

And Legatus of the IVth Legion, Noah van Gabranth.

Having been fed up with Lente's Tears’s indirect tactics as of late, Syla and a few of the more impatient members had concocted a scheme of sorts. Rather than starve the beast from their homeland, they preferred to cut the head off. An assassination of the sitting ruler, Grabanth. Even though it had been in violence of direct orders from their superior, they took matters into their own hands. Fran might have been furious when they returned, but that might be cushioned if they presented the Legatus’ helmet.

But things were different now. Face to face with the man who held the entire country by iron grip, and the two men of twenty summers could do naught but almost quake in their boots. His sleek, intimidating armor deterred them for only a moment before Syla spoke up. “Noah van Gabranth, we are here. To make you pay. For everything you’ve done to Dalmasca, you must answer with your life!”

And with that, the young viera charged at Gabranth, wildly swinging his axe at him in an almost supernatural frenzy. But it was short lived, as Gabranth’s quick swordplay quickly and easily deflected the oncoming axe to the floor. A few chunks of stone leaping into the air as Syla’s axe smashed into them, only to be swung back around. His companion, Vali, gripping his staff tight to unleash a rain of fire on the armored man, but almost seemed to have no impact. It was going to be a long, long night.

-

“Come now, is that truly the best you have to offer? I had thought you wanted to kill me.”

Gabranth stood poised and elegant, pointing one of his twin swords at the pair of viera. Mere moments of combat with someone so skilled had felt like entire eons.. “I will admit, boys. You show promise, you show skill. And most importantly, you show potential.” The echo of his voice from inside of his helmet drove Syla mad, but he could do nothing but guard himself as he panted. He had exhausted almost all of his strength trying to kill him, again and again. But he had only done so much as dent the Legatus’ armor.

Blood dripping from his face as he cupped it, one of Gabranth’s sword strikes had cut deep into his left cheek. “B...bastard…” Syla huffed, trying to take one more swing, which was deflected yet again. “But no discipline! You charge in alone, with little allies to cause distraction. And for what? To kill me? You should know better. You should know your limits. And you now will pay the price for such steep arrogance.”

The clanking of armor echoing as the Legatus moved in closer, weapons poised for one final strike down. That was, until, a brilliant flash of light filled the room. Vali, having fished out a small, makeshift bomb he had concocted earlier, smashed it on the ground. A loud, high pitched boom and a flash of light filled the room as the black mage grabbed Syla by his arm. “Move. Now!” He nearly screamed at him as he scrambled to his feet.

Half leaning on his friend, Syla grunted as he hoisted to his feet. He could only turn his head to see Gabranth growing smaller in the distance, attempting to recover from the blinding bomb. The redheaded viera could do nothing but try to keep up and shudder. He was bloodied. He was worn. He was fighting back tears and anger and unbridled rage. The Mistdrinker had failed.

-

“Now, that’s not a very nice thing to say, lad. Say, where’s your manners?”

Syla’s memories shattered in an instant. He had gotten distracted, but no more. The viera’s head shot up once he heard that voice. No. No, no no. It couldn’t be.

As the opposing group finally marched out of the storm, the viera’s eyes settled on the front figure. His leather gloves gripped to the handle of his weapon so tight they both sounded like they threatened to break. Syla gritted his teeth to the point for a moment he feared he might break one. His anger and fear swelled up for a moment and then sank along with his heart all in an instant.

Standing where the IVth Legion’s Legatus should have been standing was the older hyur man. Lyon rem Helsos.

“Expecting someone else? Sorry to piss in your tea, lad.” Lyon spoke up, the Pilus prior cocking his head to one side and then the other. His hand on his hip as if he were having casual conversation. And with two dozen imperial soldiers standing behind him, weapons at the ready. Syla took an instinctive step forward, which caused a number of Lyon’s soldiers to almost spring into action. And they might have, were it not for the Beast King’s hand jutting outward as if to say “Stay where you are. Or else.”

“Where is he? Where’s Grabanth, Helsos?” Syla barked at the older man, he couldn’t hide the anger in his face. His demand causing a laugh from Lyon as he casually picked at his teeth for a moment. Was he taking any of this seriously?!

The hyur picked his head back up with a smug look as he gestured back towards Syla standing opposite. “You see, our dear Noah is a very busy man. So busy in fact, that he couldn’t even make it. Had to oversee something back allll the way in Dalmasca.”

“LIAR!” Syla wailed, almost lurching forward for a moment as he interrupted Lyon’s speech. The fire burning in his eyes only focused on the older man instead. His outburst only earned a sneer from the Beast King, who in turn laughed heartily. “Oh, full of rage today, are we? Don’t worry, lil’ rabbit. I’ll still play with you!” With a hefty grunt, Lyon swung his axe over his shoulder and loudly cracked his neck as he jerked his head side to side. “After all, I do still owe you for Lacus Litore. And what you did to my precious beasts.” He stared at Lyon in long, angered silence for what felt like days. Gabranth...isn’t here? He’s not here? No, that’s. That’s impossible. He’s lying. He’s lying…

“E-Even if he’s not….” Syla grunted, stammering on his words at first as he tried to compose himself. He couldn’t show weakness, not to anyone. “We have a goal to accomplish today. You can either surrender yourself to us. Or…” He grunted, pointing his gunblade towards the hyur in front of him. “I can beat you to bloody consciousness and drag your senile old body back to put your arse on trial! And that’s if I don’t feel like cutting an old man down where he stands right now!”

The hatred and acid in Syla’s words fell on Lyon’s ears, making the old man grin wicked. This was what he was waiting for. Not some skirmish against a few untrained men. But a worthy, challenging opponent. This was what the Beast King craved. Waving his axe in return, Lyon clicked his tongue and shifted his stance. No more playing around, from either of them. Without a moment’s passing, Syla sprung forth off of one heel, launching himself like a bullet towards the hyur.

Lyon, in return, mimicked his movements and the two clashed. Metal against metal, gunblade against axe, as their weapons met and the two men poured their strength into the struggle. The groups behind each of them took that as a signal and began their attack, a skirmish breaking out around the Beast King and the Mistdrinker.

The assault on the Dalriada was about to begin. Bozja’s fate hung by a single thread. And a new chapter in history would soon have its bloody start.

[spaceoperajay]

I Bet on Losing Dogs

Maxwell dies of old age.

Read below the cut or on ao3.

A/N: this takes place in an AU (its not really alternate? it doesnt conflict with canon at time of writing) where wilson does magicscience and figures out a way to free charlie, bonding w/ her in the process's many trials and errors listening recs: I Bet on Losing Dogs (thank u inky for the rec!) The Never Ending Why and thank you to to all my pals who helped give me the confidence to post the damn thing

This was by far the weirdest death he had ever had.

He'd gone out in blazes of glory, striking his dark sword into the heart of the Bearger. Most of his violent deaths had been considerably less distinguished however, having all his organs tumble out after he tripped and let his tallbird egg prize crack open. Even more deaths had been caused by poor planning, his or others. He still resented Willow for the time the arsonist asked him to get honey without mentioning the dozens of homeless furious bees awaiting nearby.

He'd never died surrounded by loved ones before, well by loved ones who weren't furiously scrambling for their own lives. Someone, usually Wilson, would just patch him up with the magically quick healing they had at their disposal. Now, all Wilson could do was inject morphine in him to numb the pain and to hold his hand. Charlie sat right beside him on their bed, slowly petting the last wisps of hair he had left.

"You always liked my hair," he croaked to her, leaning his head into her hand.

"I still like it," she said smiling, her chubby face making even more wrinkles. It gave him joy over the years every time he noticed a new one on her face. He had grown old with her.

"You're a fool."

"I'll decide that. Now rest Maxy," she told him, putting a bit more pressure in her strokes.

"Seriously Max," chided Wilson. He put on a brave face, but Maxwell knew internally he was broken at how he couldn't out-science old age. Maxwell was glad that Wilson and Charlie were much closer in age, he wouldn't leave either alone and cold. Like he'd left them both on the throne. He was the one to bring them all home, They’d told him they forgave him. But as he felt his mind fading being wrapped in oily darkness he felt just felt some primal fear that they didn't.

"Bah, I'm resting, I'm resting," he said bringing his hand back down.

On the opposite side sat his daughters. "Papa," said his daughter Eunice. Well, being biologically his was unlikely, but that conversation had been had with his children long ago. "Can't believe you're actually listening to someone for once," she joked with tears in her eyes.

"That's one miracle, now another would be for you to actually do the same."

She snorted, tears cascading down her face, "With that many miracles we'd get your stupid ticker working again."

"Appreciate the little miracles. They're far enough and few in between in this cruel world," he said sincerely.

"Yes, I will," she told him grasping his boney arm, it was nice. He couldn't feel it very well though.

"You're going to continue working at the university?"

"Yes Papa."

"Good. Invent something that puts Dad to shame."

She chuckled harshly, "I'll try my best Papa."

"Oh, you know she will," reassured Wilson.

"And Christine," his younger daughter looked up nervous, "You're doing a much better at being a parent than I ever did."

"Papa, don't say that," she almost squeaked.

"Benefit of dying, I can say what I like."

As he said that Maxwell heard a child's voice announce, "He's awake, he's awake!" and the door opened to his son Oliver and nieces entering, with the grandchildren following.

"Uncle!" shouted Abigail, she knelt beside Christine with a flourish. Oliver sat beside Wilson, with a calm brave face on.

"If you had died without me here, I would have wept Maxwell," spoke Wendy, standing at his feet, her long blond hair greying.

"Oh? How come?" he asked with a dry smile that she returned.

"So many cursed souls having prayed for it, it would be shame to miss such an exodus."

If Maxwell had the ability to chuckle, he would have, it was only made funnier by Christine's harsh admonition of Wendy. Maxwell spoke, "I hope I will not disappoint you."

"You won't, Uncle," she said, with that barely noticeable touch of sadness to her voice. But he knew it well.

It felt so easy to close his eyes and sleep and imagine a world far away. He knew this feeling, but he had some things to say before he gave in. "Oliver, you've done me proud. A man of the community and industry."

Oliver nodded, crying.

"I wish I had been half the person any three of you grew to be," he looked at Oliver saying this, it took energy to turn his head. He was so weak.

His eyes moved to his sweethearts. "Charlie...Wilson...I could not have asked for better partners in life, but I still have something to ask-"

"Max if you would just rest," Wilson started nervously, "you could get better."

Keeping her gaze on Maxwell and hand in his hair, Charlie wrapped an arm around Wilson tightly, "Maxy, I forgave you, that night behind Pete's. And I haven't regretted it yet.

"Even though I made it hard?"

"Yes, even though you did," Charlie replied softly.

Wilson spoke sadly, “Max, do you really think we haven’t forgiven you?” and then almost a whisper he said more calmly, "I forgave you a long time ago, before you even realized."

And he found himself fading before he even finished his sentence, his last recollection was him sensing Wilson squeeze his hand tighter.

---

He looked up to see a high sun, yet his bones felt frozen to the ground. He stood; driven by a fighting instinct he hadn't felt in quite some time. He examined the snowy landscape around him. Uniform pines, irregularly spread-out high tufts of grass, and a carefully-made but primitive firepit with a chest next it.

He wasn't surprised to be in hell. He just didn't think it was going to be so personalized.

He bent down to open the chest, and saw he was wearing that old pinstripe suit. He'd thrown it out years ago. But here it was. And his joints didn't ache. Inside the chest was the basic resources to start a fire and he robotically set to it. He felt no grief for being here. In a way, it was comforting.

So cold. Starting a fire from scratch took time and the gloves had on were cheaper than he was used to. He took them off for the added dexterity, he had no reason to hide his claws here. He shivered; he knew the Buddhist hell was cold. Christianity got demons right, perhaps the Buddhists had gotten hell, right? He tried to recall the variances of the different frozen hells. But his mind wandered to their travels to Siam. Charlie with her keen skill at communication had picked up some Thai and regaled them from the knowledge she'd learned from the locals. Wilson had compared with her what he'd seen in the temples he'd studied. He smiled thinking about the warm conversations by the fireside. Well, he almost had fire at least, he felt sparks on his hands as he worked.

They'd traveled the world on Higgsbury money. Wilson showed them his pretty "fiancé" Charlie to his parents who were delighted to see normalcy in Wilson, and Maxwell had been a "friend" who had just happened to tag along. Truthfully not long after Wilson regained his memories of The Constant the already married couple had a private ceremony with Wilson. Not knowing that, the Higgsbury patriarch was happy to give them money to travel the world before settling down. The scheme had worked wonderfully, he had to say. Better than most of the ones Maxwell had had in life. Wilson had many anxieties about the plan, but he forgot about all of them when they first set out on that boat, adventure and new knowledge awaiting them. Charlie had been hesitant too, but her worries fell away earlier when she saw firsthand how every awful thing Wilson had said about his family was true. Then she took part in the plan with glee. Beautiful woman had even manipulated Madame Higgsbury into arranging their stay in Japan as well.

Maxwell startled and fell to his side as a flare went off beside him. Blinking and recovering, the string leading to a flare hook on the back of the was quite obvious now that he focused. It was equally obvious that someone else was here and they wanted to know about newcomers. He should have been more aware of his surroundings. He'd gone soft. He would need backup, someone ready to help him fight, someone to keep an eye on this spot as he hid.

He reached in his pocket and felt the cold slick oil he had expected. It felt both like yesterday and a lifetime ago he'd used the stuff. Maybe it was yesterday. Had he hallucinated growing old with two people he held closest in his heart? Hallucinated his children, Wendy, and Abigail growing up? Similar cruel jokes had been tried by Them before, though it hadn't been as nearly detailed. He'd disobeyed Them, used his knowledge to free Their pawns and Their Queen. It was a possibility. But could They really imitate human emotions so well? Imitate the tender way morning light fell on Wilson's face as his eyes slowly flickered awake. Imitate the way they traded sleepy insults in their code language that meant love. Imitate how Charlie would wake up giggling at them before rolling onto Wilson and pulling Maxwell close, even when he resisted out of some need to prove she'd keep pulling him.

He had to survive to figure it out. He took the fuel into his hands and molded it like Taffy, a Taffy that stretched and grew. The oil soon saturated his talons and perhaps instantaneously, he couldn't quite tell, he felt the fuel coat his mind. He promised Charlie he wouldn't use this again, hadn't he? He put it back in his pockets. Whoever left that flare couldn't torture him anymore than he had been already. And if they could kill him?

Maxwell laughed.

He might as well wait.

---

Some hours later deep into the night, as Maxwell roasted the rabbit he had trapped, Wickerbottom and Woodie had found him. The two other survivors who had died before him.

Wickerbottom greeted him with maternal hug and a gentle smile, and he returned the warmth.

"It's about time you got here," Woodie simply said.

"A kingdom is nothing without its king, now," Maxwell replied, amazed at how young his voice sounded. And arrogant, but he was having fun being his old pinstripe suit with his old voice and his old mobility.

"Haven't changed at all, not surprised," Woodie said gruffly.

"Can't fix what is already perfect," Maxwell shrugged with flair.

Woody just grunted in response, "Well him showing up coincides with your theory."

"It seems so," Wickerbottom replied, "Maxwell, have you died on Earth?"

"Yes, and to my knowledge only we three have." He didn't have to guess what Wickerbottom's theory was.

"Were you brought straight here?"

"Yes, where else would I have gone? The-" 'devil can't have competition and God is jealous' is what he would have said had the librarian not interrupted him.

"That does put hole in my theory."

"How?" he demanded.

"I hypothesized you would be put back on the throne, from the writings Woodie found." That did beg a certain question.

"Who is on the throne? What writings?" Maxwell asked, Someone had to be on the throne, else the entire Constant would never regenerate.

"No one," answered the Canadian. "I think uhm, They wrote it." Writing from Them?

"Impossible. They are unintelligent without a sentient being to channel Their will through." Maxwell replied.

"I saw it too Max," spoke up Lucy, "dunno what to tell ya."

"What did this writing look like?" he nearly barked.

"I have it in here," Wickerbottom said unperturbed, pulling a book out of her sack.

As she searched Maxwell asked, "Do you have notes on the magical field to keep Charlie safe?" He had lost all recollection how to build it, as one did.

"No. It is impossible to build without Moonstone, so there is no point in spending resources."

"What?"

The librarian looked up, looking pained. "I am sorry, but we do not have access to any of the resources from Charlie's reign as they never were created here."

"What?" Maxwell shouted. "Why haven't you started looking at substitutes? The thulecite is made of nearly the same material, it's just attuned differently!"

"Calm it hoser, we're just trying to survive. Maybe you can use some of that dark magic to 'fix' everything again, eh?"

Maxwell had no response but a huff. He'd spent the last few hours processing his failure. He had thought himself some big damn hero. They would all get some happy years but end up right back here ultimately.

Wickerbottom handed him the open book. Glued in was a rough sketch of the nightmare language. He felt that oily darkness of Them circling his mind as he read it, immediately recognizing what it meant. He created the symbols, and he created the thing. It was how he filled this world. He'd also needed to create glyphs to represent a soul bond to this world. This was Wilson's symbol. Right under it was a collection of symbols that roughly translated to 'second king of the humans'. Just some redundancy to be safe, huh?

With this knowledge in hand, he knew They were very intentional in not giving them the resources to free Charlie. Perhaps some residual intelligence in the Grue before it and Charlie had truly separated? It didn't matter. Nothing mattered.

This was Their payback. Let him have his few kind decades, let him think Charlie safe from the Grue and warm in his arms, let him fall in love with Wilson and be one of the few people the scientist could look in the eyes. Then take it away. He knew he was an idiot for hoping things could be changed.

"Maxwell," Wickerbottom spoke, "We should be getting back to camp." Maxwell said few words as they headed there.

---

He dropped his pack before the throne. He took a moment to catch his breath, the journey from the ruins to the throne room was a steep slog. Although, he was getting quite used to it with all his trips down here.

He pulled out drapes he'd sewn from Beefalo fur and dyed. He'd done his best to imitate the ones they'd had at home. They were ugly, garish, and the height of pretentious modern aesthetic, but Charlie adored them. He had let her put them up with limited snark. Their guests, either fellow artists or friends of artists, adored them as well. Charlie was better at actually relating to others than him, that was for certain. They were both better than Wilson, Maxwell snickered at the memory. Guests had come over early and Charlie had gone up to Wilson's lab in her red little flapper dress, only to rush down and whisper to Maxwell she couldn't find him anywhere. Maxwell's suspicion had gone to strange movement of the drapes, and hilariously confirmed. By some strange rationalization, Wilson had ended up hiding behind the drapes, too awkward to interact with the others. There were too many trembles in the scientist's voice as he explained for Maxwell to reveal Wilson callously. So, Maxwell distracted the guests with charm and slights of hand as Charlie slyly handed Wilson glasses of liquid courage, until Wilson found the confidence to reveal himself.

They laughed about the 'drapes debacle' for a long time after Wilson got over that depressive episode. There weren't windows for a drape here. Maybe one of the boulders would work.

Wilson wasn't going to get over depressive episodes anymore. The throne didn't let you. It only let you slide from one end from the other. The exhilaration of your dreams coming true, even though some part of you knows those aren't your dreams but you don't care, to crawling in the dirtiest pits a soul can reach.

He didn't know what to do for Wilson, who would be able to have any whim he wanted but freedom. His best idea was to keep Wilson company as king. But all it would be is honey for a sore throat when the real issue was that nightmare shadows would be suffocating him to every little alveoli (that's what Wilson said they were called right? he didn't want to forget a single thing from the world before). What to do for Charlie was a little more obvious, painful as it was to recall what she told him it was like. As the Grue she spent the day in the darkness surrounding the throne room. The rituals of civilization, from holidays, to decor, to clothes, let her remember what it was to be human as the Grue. She had little splotches of lucidity from seeing the twins celebrate their birthday or when Wolfgang celebrated Yom Kippur. So, he figured he would decorate there. For what it’s worth.

His hands trembled. He knew none of this would fix things. The mistake he'd made of trusting the Codex was a permanent one. Failure after failure. Every time Maxwell thought he a great achievement, he always reverted to failure. His natural state of being. Equilibrium, as Wilson would say. Every time he'd put his heart and soul into something, it didn't matter at all. Every time, every time. He was just damned; he had long known. He'd just let himself think he wasn't. He did wonder why despite knowing that the game was already lost, why he did this? Some baubles weren't going to be any sort of real alleviation for the pain of being tied to the darkness like Wilson and Charlie would be. Wilson's relentlessness had rubbed off on him, it seemed. He didn't deserve for it to. To be influenced by such a man to pick up a positive trait was an undeserved miracle.

If only, if only, he hadn't been so desperate and used that forsaken book. In all likelihood he would have never met Wilson or Charlie, but that didn't matter if they were happy. They taught him what love meant and for that'd he would give everything.

At first, he thought the crowd was love. The praise of the claps gave his heart warmth. When it didn't work out, his heart was as cold as the empty seats. But, when he started getting more popular, he thought he understood love, he thought he was known. Then once he got to know his beautiful assistant a little better, he was convinced he really really knew love. It was love to a degree, but infatuation to a bigger one, truthfully. Finally, when the shadows enraptured his mind, he had been surer than ever that that was true love. To be held tenderly for every thought, every impulse, and be so completed. What he knew They knew, he was known, they were known. He was on top of the universe, controlling it hand and hand with Them. What more could love be, he'd thought then. Truthfully, part of him still loved Them.

He hadn't ever real known love, the kind you give and return fully, until he had lived long past the age most people had. He mused that if it had taken him long enough to turn to dust, it must be a fact in the cruelty of the world, that some people do not ever know love. But he was lucky. When Wilson stood in front of him and said, quite plainly, "I'm going to free you." It wasn't a romantic love then, that didn't come until much later, but a love for humanity that Maxwell had never seen exist genuinely. Later was when he and Wilson had been sitting on a small cliff, feeling the light sprays of salt from the waves and Maxwell put his head on Wilson's shoulder. Wilson had loved him for a long time, he realized then. And it was in that moment that the ocean had eroded enough of his walls and pain for Maxwell to love him back.

The next time he experienced true love was back home. He'd been leaving through the back door of a sleazy bar. After performing, for chump change most likely, he'd sauntered out drunk. Then, in that dingy alley, with the full moon like a halo he saw Charlie for the first time in seven months and thirteen days. They'd stayed together after they returned, first to just try and cope with the earthquake's aftermath. But neither of them really knew what to do. Until one day he'd found a note saying "I'm leaving. I can't stay. I'm sorry. I don't know what I regret and don't." He didn't think he would see her again. But then in that alleyway she said, "I'm back Maxy. I'll stay for now. I'm going to try and forgive you Maxy, don't make me regret it." He'd sobbed to that beautiful clever charming and supremely dramatic woman that he would do whatever he could.

The last love he'd been taught was perhaps the silver lining in it all. His children would have happy lives free of the Constant.  When he held Eunice in his arms for the first time, he had been overjoyed. He had been afraid, afraid to be in charge of the care of such a pure creature. Right before her birth he'd almost messed things up again, but seeing her, made him promise to never touch Their magic again.  The midwives had locked out Maxwell and Wilson (although thankfully let in Winona and his nieces), so the two men were left to their own imagination. Wilson had that, the medical knowledge of everything that could go wrong, and his neuroticism, all in spades. Had it not been for all of that, Maxwell would have been perfectly calm. But it was enough for him to get out the Codex again. He'd almost used it to burst down those walls, but Wilson stopped him. And later that night, sitting with the people he loved, he tossed it into their bedroom hearth.

But now the Codex was in his jacket pocket.

He could burn it.

But he'd die.

And it would just come back. With him.

Maxwell lit a torch. He walked with the drapes to two gold boulders close to each other. Yes, that would be the perfect place to put the drapes.

[xb-squaredx]

Please Don’t Sleep on Hades

2020’s…been a real year, huh? At a time when in-person gatherings aren’t much of a thing and people have to stay in, video games are suddenly a pretty attractive option. That said, few games have really grabbed me this year; in a roundabout way, 2020’s been a year of reruns, as I go through a lot of games I’ve already played or games that are just yesterday’s news (but new to me!). However, in the nick of time, the folks at Supergiant Games delivered unto us their latest title, Hades. While they’ve been working on this game for years, with it hitting Early Access on Steam back in 2018, the full version of Hades finally hit Steam, the Epic Game Store and made the leap to consoles with the Switch, which is where I picked it up. It has been a WHILE since I’ve had a game grab me so strongly so early on, and I’ve been hearing this game’s praises for years now already, so allow me to happily state why I think Hades is worthy of the hype and is a fantastic game I’d easily recommend!

DADDY ISSUES

OK, so first things first…you don’t actually play as Hades in this game, but rather his son Zagreus. Ol’ Zag has had it with his father, and tries to literally fight his way out of hell to reach the surface, and no matter what his old man puts in his way, Zagreus (and the player) will meet the challenge. And probably die, but hey, that’s OK! In the underworld, death is more of an inconvenience than anything else, so after taking a moment to dust himself off, Zagreus will head out for another attempt. For as long as it takes.

Hades is a rogue-like, meaning it’s a game based around randomization and adaptation. On any given “run” of the game, the level layouts, enemies present and the variety of power-ups Zagreus can find will be left to chance, with the player challenged to amass the best build they can to eventually break out of hell and reach the human world and if you die…start from scratch. That said, Hades is among the ever-growing sub-genre of rogue-lites, in that there IS some permanent progression, which takes a bit of a sting out of dying, but more on that later. Now, most games of this type aren’t really big on story. They have a premise that’s little more than an excuse to play. Splunkey wants you to explore a cave, The Binding of Isaac sees you escaping a basement and in Enter the Gungeon you uh…e-enter the gun—you get the point! But what separates Hades from most rogue-likes/lites is that there actually IS a very interesting story that unfolds as you play.

There’s more to Zag’s desire to get to the surface than just getting away from his father, though their strained relationship certainly doesn’t help matters, and over the course of your many, MANY escape attempts, players learn of the rather screwed-up nature of Zagreus’ family of deities, though any mythology nut could tell you to expect that. Hades has an incredibly charismatic cast, superb voice acting across the board, and some real sharp writing that really got me wanting to meet anyone and everyone and learn more about this world. You’re likely to run into Hypnos first, who always has a “tip” ready for you when you meet your end to a given enemy or hazard, or the fabled hero Achilles, who acts as a mentor to Zagreus. There’s Dusa, the adorably frazzled flying gorgon head who acts as the House of Hades’ maid, and of course…Megaera, of the Furies.

She serves as the first proper boss in the game, and will be a pretty sizable challenge for most players, but as you eventually overcome her again and again, she and Zagreus end up attempting to reconnect with each other, and her recurring fights become an excuse to flirt and test each other. I may as well say too that it’s easy to fall in love with the characters in this game because…I-I mean, just look at them! This game is a bisexual’s paradise, that’s all I’ll say.

A bit of a fun fact, but Zagreus’ voice actor, Darren Korb, is also a composer at Supergiant, so he’s a man of many talents, since Hades has a killer score. From the laid-back tunes at the House of Hades where you can unwind and recharge after a botched run, to the pulse-pounding boss theme, there’s some GREAT music on display here. And that’s before you meet Orpheus and Eurydice, two characters with amazing singing voices that, if you play your cards right, might start singing together. The game’s visuals, meanwhile, aren’t a slouch either. While the level layouts are randomized, everything manages to look well-crafted, each region of the underworld having their own distinct look and feel. The fiery pits of Asphodel end up juxtaposing well with the paradise that is Elysium. Now, character models are generally less-detailed since the camera stays zoomed out to give players a good view of the action, but the portraits for the various characters more than make up for it with their distinct, detailed designs. A-And I’m not just saying that because everyone’s hot! Now, admittedly you might take a look at Zag and think he’s nothing but an edgelord and the game itself might be taking itself too seriously, but in reality, Hades strikes a pretty good balance, and definitely carries a sense of humor. Characters love to snark at each other, the various Shades chilling in the House of Hades’ lounge have some funny conversations you can listen in on and all told, the game only gets serious when appropriate. Really, I have no real complaints with the game on a presentation level; it’s all aces so far, and thankfully the game-y part follows suit!

LIVE.DIE. REPEAT.

Hades is best described as a dungeon-crawler. You have an isometric view as you move about, avoiding hazards and fighting off enemies as you climb each chamber on your way to the surface. Defeat every enemy in a chamber and get a reward. Sounds simple enough until you factor in all of the various permutations of events; Hades aims to make sure no two runs are alike, with different enemies, power-ups and challenges awaiting you. All of this is doled out slowly, as with each subsequent playthrough you begin to have more of the game unraveled. First and foremost, Zagreus can gain various Boons from the other Olympian Gods, who are sympathetic to his plight and lend him some power if he makes contact with them. Each God has their own twist on the abilities they grant Zagreus. They can all increase his stats in some way, or affect either his dash ability or his Cast, a projectile attack. For Zeus, naturally, all of Zagreus’ moves will gain an electric effect, whereas Artemis focuses more on upping Zag’s critical hit chance. Dionysus, the God of Wine, grants you the “hangover” status effect, allowing your attacks to uh…make enemies drunk? Sure! You’ll be given a random selection of three Boons to pick from, of varying rarities. Over the course of a run, you might try to nab as many Boons from the same God as possible, or vary it up and see which abilities synchronize together. At times, you might even be granted a Duo Boon, where two Gods decide to combine their power for a special ability that plays to both of their strengths. Still, at other times, you might be forced into a Trial of the Gods, where you must choose one God’s Boon over the other, with the snubbed God lashing out afterwards. Hey, just because they’re Gods, doesn’t mean they’re nice. Of course, you’ve also got a variety of health and weapon upgrades too. In fact, let’s gush about the weapons for a second, shall we?

At the time of writing, Hades has six weapons to play with. You start with a sword, which is the all-rounder of the set, but as you gain keys to unlock more weapons, you can start to really experiment. The bow and rail cannon serve as ranged options with different approaches, while the spear is the melee weapon with the best range at the cost of pure power. The shield grants you absolute defense at the cost of range, while the gauntlets let you unleash your fisticuffs on underworld scum, though leave you with limited ranged attacks. Each weapon has specific Boons and weapon upgrades you can find as well, some of which can radically alter how a weapon works. The rail cannon, for example, fires a lot faster than the bow, but this is balanced by needing to manually reload…unless you get a weapon upgrade that gives you unlimited ammo with the only catch being that you can only do burst fire. Adding to this, players eventually unlock hidden Aspects of weapons, morphing them into different forms which can also influence their moveset. Change the shield to the Aspect of Zeus, and when you throw your shield Captain America style, it stays out and continually spins, dealing tons of damage over time and effectively forcing enemies to get sliced to bits if they want to get near you. I didn’t expect this game to have half this many weapons or to have them balanced so well. Really, just like anything else, weapons are another tool you can poke and prod and experiment with until you get a truly killer collection of Boons and upgrades that let you just demolish anything in your way. It’s very satisfying when you finally clear a run with a great build…though depending on the RNG, you WILL get some crummy builds, but that’s the nature of the rogue-like!

It’s likely that a bad build (or really, just getting hit with a new boss or enemy you aren’t prepared for) will lead to a death, but as already established, death isn’t really that much of an inconvenience in the underworld. Zagreus just spawns back at home and is free to immediately try to escape again, but this brief reprieve lets you chat up whoever happens to be around, give them gifts, advance some side-quests, pet your dog Cerberus and practice with weapons and such before you’re ready to go at it again. It’s after a run that you also get to spend a lot of the spoils of your escape attempts. While you lose Boons and weapon upgrades and the like upon death, there’s a LOT of various items you keep with you that have plenty of uses. Darkness shards are used for permanent skills that can be applied to Zagreus, like Death’s Defiance, which grants Zagreus another life upon dying, which can eventually be upgraded to give him THREE extra lives, just as an example. Precious gems can be used to fund a variety of cosmetic changes to the House of Hades. Just because Zagreus doesn’t want to live there anymore, doesn’t mean he can’t at least make it look good! Nectar can be gifted to other characters to improve your relationships with them, with bottles of Ambrosia being required later on, while special keys can be used to unlock weapons, more upgrades for your Darkness shards, or just used as a secondary currency for trade. There’s really a LOT of different items to mess around with, though admittedly if you’re the type to want to max out EVERYTHING you’ll be in it for the long haul, as there is not only a LOT of stuff to upgrade and purchase, but the random nature of things means rewards are never a guarantee. Though it’s worth noting the game’s totally beatable without going nuts with completion. Which I guess leads me to the biggest compliment I can give this game: even after “beating” it, I still can’t stop playing, and there’s plenty of reason to keep going.

REPLAYS AND REWARDS

So, full disclosure, I’ve gotten Zagreus to the surface. Several times, actually. But I haven’t quite “beaten” the game yet. In fact, at the risk of sounding pretentious, it is as if the true game begins after you’ve beaten it once. Without getting into specifics, let’s just say the game gives you a very good in-story reason to keep playing, and you won’t reach credits without several completed runs under your belt. And even then, there’s still stuff to do. I’m almost 30 hours into Hades and I’ve barely scratched the surface honestly. Every major character has their own sidequest you can undergo, but it can be slow goings when it comes to advancing them. Trying out all the weapons and boons and different combinations will easily take dozens of hours to fully experience, though the game has a handy in-game list of what you’ve done and haven’t done, as well as in-game achievements with tangible rewards that will spur you on. I was admittedly surprised at how dense of a game Hades can be. A successful run will likely take you somewhere between a half-hour to an hour, which is pretty devious. Just long enough to stay engaging throughout, and short enough that I can keep convincing myself that I have time for “one more run” and then suddenly several hours have gone by. Strangest thing.

Something that’s become a bit of a staple of Supergiant’s work is customizable difficulty, various modifiers you can flip on to make the game harder if you so desire, which in Hades takes the form of the Pact of Punishment. After a successful run, you can turn on a given pact to spice things up for subsequent runs. Maybe enemies do a bit more damage, or you give yourself a super strict time limit to clear a run. You can give enemies armor that makes them sturdier, or jack up the in-game shop’s prices. You can even be forced to give up Boons in order to advance past certain doors! Probably the most impressive Pact is Extreme Measures, which ends up greatly affecting the boss fights in the game…trust me when I say you won’t be ready for them the first time you flip that on. Activating a given pact increases a “heat gauge” that, should it reach a given level, will end up granting you various special items to help with fully upgrading and unlocking stuff. Of course, with each successful run completed with a given Pact activated, you’ll have to raise the heat more and more in order to keep getting these upgrade materials so be prepared. You can also still gain these materials (albeit at a much slower rate) playing through the game normally though, and there’s really no penalty for choosing NOT to activate a given pact. On the flip side of things, there’s also a God Mode you can toggle on that makes Zagreus a little stronger with each death, which can help those that want to see more of the story but are struggling with the game. Have your God Cake and eat it too!

All and all, this game just delivers on every level and I’ve been devouring it since release whenever I have a spare minute. You can see that Supergiant is taking all the lessons they learned from each previous game and combined it to make what is easily their best game yet. I don’t throw around words like “masterpiece” lightly, but Hades is just such a slam dunk that I’m sorely tempted to call it just that. I mean, if you hate rogue-likes, I’m not sure if Hades will really push you over the edge admittedly? You get way more rewards retained after death than just about any other rogue-like I’ve played, but if you’re the type that hates having to constantly adapt and not being able to memorize what’s coming, I can see this not working for you. But for me at least, I’ve had an absolute blast with the game and the only issue I really have with it is a small nitpick at best. When it comes to getting to know various characters, you can talk to them and give them Nectar or Ambrosia as a gift right? But what happens if they don’t show up on a given run? Or what if they DO show up, but they’re locked into a conversation with someone else? That means you can’t really advance anything with them until a given dice roll pities you. MEGAERA I THINK YOU’RE COOL, PLEASE JUST TALK TO M—oh sorry, don’t know where that came from… So yeah, that’s the nittiest of picks.

I adore this game’s cast, the voice work and music is excellent to the ear, the combat is engaging, the gameplay loop is addicting…need I say more? I mean, I’ve said almost 3000 words, but to really sum it up…I highly recommend Hades and I hope you don’t pass it up if you’re even remotely interested. You can find it on Steam, the Epic store and Switch as of right now, and I don’t think you could go wrong with any version.

Blood and darkness await you.

-B

[lysiluna]

@deercrest Support Rank || F

ლ↷————————————————————————↬

   THIS  WAS  THE  MOMENT  she had been dreading ever since their separation at the Academy. From the moment in the mud, angry clouds crying for an unsalvageable, broken bond, Lysithea had kept this nightmare under lock and key. It was responsible for countless nights spent petrified in her sleep with the horrid imagining. Now, once more,   she  faced  it.  Not as a nightmare, but as an inescapable reality. This time seemed   DIFFERENT  . Salmon eyes no longer held the firey fervor they once did. Instead, her iris had become laced with weavings of despairing detetchment. In the wake of Edelgard's passing, she had become a desperate martyr with no master.   RABID  AND  RECKLESS.

     THE  WOMAN  BEFORE  HER  was not a warrior named Hilda.NO. To Lysithea's crazed eyes, ( hidden behind wild, unkempt bangs ) she appeared to be an indistinguishible blur. As   BLADE  and   AXE  clashed!! and clashed!! their feet danced in the mud, the last warriors standing in the shadow of Garreg Mach being partners in a routine of do or die. And yet, Lysithea could feel the   h e s i t a t i o n  of her opponent. There was no room for   P R I D E  , and Hilda's reluctance would be her undoing.      ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!  you will die and the dream will survive.  EDGE SLICES SKIN, MAGIC BURNS FLESH.  a painting on the ground, of ash, mud, and blood.  PRIMAL SHOUTS DISCONNECT THE SOUL.  but reveal the spirit broken.  A WILD EAGLE SINKS HER TALON INTO THE DEER...       THE THUNDERBRAND PIERCED THROUGH.  A mage's breath, heavy and clinging to every morsel of oxygen through the flamebourne ash, occupied the silence alongside her opponent's own defiant, furious lungs. The accuracy of this strike had been far from vital, yet Lysithea ceased to fight on. They were on the   CUSP  of a moment, the fringe of a time.   A time, having gone out. 

   THE WARMTH  of the Thunderbrand faded, it's crackling energy weakening as it's wielder trembled. (yet still, she held on for dear life) Soon, darkness befell the sword, cold bone now dormant in Hilda's shoulder.   AFTER SIX YEARS OF WAR, THEY WERE CONNECTED.  In defiance of this connection, Lysithea released the blade. A shallow step back. Another. Finally, the weakening villain stumbled over as a tumbling tower of cards might. One last, futile glyph formed in her hand before shooting off a pathetic spark of embers.   F A I L U R E 

     A CASCADE OF CLAMOR  sounded suddenly throughout the silence of their arena beneath Garreg Mach. Alongside the form of what had once been a family's home, brittle planks had been crushed beneath her density.   COUGH! COUGH! COUGH, COUGH, COUGH!  .     U p o n  h e r  t h r o n e  o f  d e b r i s  s h e  r e m a i n e d  u n m o v i n g.     THE TICKS OF TIME WAIT FOR NONE.  This fate was one that had been accepted in her heart many years before the war. Now, finally, it was a matter of waiting. As if a song from a dying raven, she croaked a short, gut wrenching laugh. For the first time in her short life, she was waiting for nothing, in particular. The world and it's magics began to fade from her mind's eye. All she could think of, was the darkness that awaited to welcome her failures.      DEFEATISM WAS BANISHED  for but a moment, as the racket of weapons falling jolted her instincts. This noise was punctuated by the sound of hesitant steps crunching against desolate dirt. As far as her recollection could reach, the traitourous mage could remember no more a tender sensation than that of the hand that held hers with fright. ( right. you should be afraid. ). A force unknown to Lysithea had began to brush the war warn hair away from her eyes -- and their dullness was revealed to her enemy. Small lips opened briefly at the hazy sight of pink in front of a flickering white.

   ∘ who's there...? ∘ Her voice was low, a whisper hardly audible over the hot, midday wind. A subtle sound. Was that a whimper she caught? A sigh? Perhaps it was merely an animal. Perhaps that animal was herself, meeting a demise where she could not even conceal her own pathetic state. No, it was not her. It was a voice, from the figure on the other side of her foggy lenses. The voice offered an answer she already knew -- she simply wanted to live the lie. Hilda rambled, as she was bound to do. Meaningless questions, powerless pleadings, wishful thoughts. They were all weaker than the sounds of her own heavy, lethargic heartbeat. The only word that pierced the viel of her drumming heart, was   WHY?  ( why did you continue on? Edelgard was gone, I would have fought for you to have another chance! You had the chance, so WHY?? )    ∘ It was always my dream — Edelgard simply gave me the strength to believe in it.∘ The stale air became riddled with reticence. Moments passed by, Lysithea's lips stayed sealed shut. It was not long before the pressure in her chest began to well up, and her eyes began to sting with the unfamiliar introduction of mistiness. With an unyielding determination tied to her very soul, she withstood the trial. Words were let loose, however. ∘Do you think the children of tomorrow I had sworn a promise to will be able to forgive me? For failing them? ∘ A mistake. The muscles in her chest tightened, every shallow beat pounding against anguished tension as she shuddered at death's door. Eyes shut tight, and her face turned away in shame.    ∘ I had nothing to sacrifice, for I had no future.That much, I convinced myself of. But now I — I feel like I’ve lost everything. I should have — tried — to share my dream with you. Instead, I — cheated myself. ........      Hilda? I never thought that....I would....die...with regret... ∘    A weak arm raised from her side, searching, reaching for something until she found the shameful prize. Dirtied, spindly fingers molded to Hilda's cheek. With her own palm as a guide, and a second hand pathetically clingling to the warrior's armor...    ...brittle, thin, and dry lips connected with a frantic, supple admittance.   THIS WAS NOT THE PATH WE WERE MEANT TO TRAVEL.  In her final moments, there was a first: for Lysithea von Cordelia, the sands of time froze.     ⋆ I...suppose I'm...selfish...aren't I? Truly...the worst... ⋆

[nayrawayne]

❚Opeɴιɴɢ Bᴀᴛᴄᴀᴠᴇ Fιleѕ❚ L o a d i n g….. ❚eɴтer тнe pαѕѕword❚ « ∘∘∘∘∘∘∘∘∘ » ❚Acceѕѕ Grαɴтed❚ P R O C E S S I N G…. ❚Selecт ғιle yoυ woυld lιĸe тo opeɴ❚ 【Iɴᴅɪᴠɪᴅᴜᴀʟs ᴏғ Iɴᴛᴇʀᴇsᴛ】             ↳ Gᴏᴛʜᴀᴍ             ↳Mᴇᴛʀᴏᴘᴏʟɪs             ↳Bʟᴜ̈ᴅʜᴀᴠᴇɴ             ↳Sᴛᴀʀ Cɪᴛʏ             ↳Cᴏᴀsᴛ Cɪᴛʏ             ↳Cᴇɴᴛʀᴀʟ Cɪᴛʏ             ↳Lᴇᴀɢᴜᴇ L o a d i n g…..             ↳ Aʟɪᴇs             ↳Eɴᴇᴍɪᴇs L o a d i n g…..   [Aʟғʀᴇᴅ Pᴇɴɴʏᴡᴏʀᴛʜ | Pᴇɴɴʏᴏɴᴇ]   [Rɪᴄʜᴀʀᴅ Gʀᴀʏsᴏɴ | Nɪɢʜᴛᴡɪɴɢ] →〘ᵘᵖᵈᵃᵗᵉ ʳᵉᵠᵘᶤʳᵉᵈ ᵗʳᵃᶰˢᶠᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᴮˡᵘ̈ᵈʰᵃᵛᵉᶰ ᶠᶤˡᵉ〙   [Jᴀᴍᴇs Gᴏʀᴅᴏɴ]     [Bᴀʀʙᴀʀᴀ Gᴏʀᴅᴏɴ | Bᴀᴛɢɪʀʟ]   [Jᴀsᴏɴ Tᴏᴅᴅ | Rᴇᴅ Hᴏᴏᴅ]   [Tɪᴍ Dʀᴀᴋᴇ | Rᴇᴅ Rᴏʙɪɴ] ➤ [Nᴀʏʀᴀ Wᴀʏɴᴇ | Jᴜsᴛɪᴄᴇ]         ➵ [Yes]      [No]   [Kᴀᴛʜʀɪɴᴇ Kᴀɴᴇ | Bᴀᴛᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ]   [Dᴀᴍɪᴀɴ Wᴀʏɴᴇ | Rᴏʙɪɴ]   [Sᴇʟɪɴᴀ Kʏʟᴇ | Cᴀᴛᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ]     [Cᴀssᴀɴᴅʀᴀ Cᴀɪɴ | Oʀᴘʜᴀɴ]   [Sᴛᴇᴘʜᴀɴɪᴇ Bʀᴏᴡɴ | Sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ] L o a d i n g….. ❚eɴтer тнe pαѕѕword❚ « ∘∘∘∘∘∘∘∘∘ » L o a d i n g….. ██░░░░░░░░ 20% ████░░░░░░ 40% ███████░░░ 70% ██████████ 100% → Aᴄᴄᴇss Gʀᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ Fɪʟᴇ: Nαуrα Ɯαуηє ❚Do yoυ wιѕн тo coɴтιɴυe?❚ ✔ Yes No Ｆｉｌｅ  ｌｏａｄｅｄ   ｓｕｃｃｅｓｓｆｕｌｌｙ． ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬          ┊ Sᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ₁﹕ Gᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟ Iɴғᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ┊ ┃ ᴺᵃᵐᵉ:     ─Nayra 映月 Wayne ┃ ᴺᵃᵐᵉ ᴹᵉᵃᶰᶤᶰᵍ:       ─Nayra:〘 Pronounced: Nah-y-ra 〙                    Nayra is another spelling of the girl name Naira. They are the same name and have the same meaning and pronunciation. Both spellings are acceptable. A name of India origin which means Beautiful         ─映月:〘 Pronounced: Ying Yue 〙                  Reflection of the moon        ─Wayne:〘 Pronounced: w AI n 〙                 This interesting name is of early medieval origin and is a metonymic occupational name for a carter, a driver of a wain or waggon, and sometimes for a waggon-builder. The derivation is from the Olde English pre 7th Century "Waegn", "Waegen", Middle English "Wain", meaning "cart" or "waggon". In some cases, the modern surnames, which can be found as "Wain(e)", "Waines" and "Wayne", may derive from a topographical name, used to denote residence at a house distinguished with the sign of the "Wain". This was probably so from the constellation of the Plough, known in the Middle Ages as "Charles's Wain", referring to the Charlemagne. One John Attenwayne (1327, Derbyshire) is named from this source. Church recordings include one Margaret Wayne who married Morgayne Cotterell on January 30th 1568 at St. Dionis Backchurch, London, and Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wain who was christened on October 10th 1652 at St. Dunstan's, Stepney. One John Waine and his wife Amyte are recorded as early setters in Virginia in 1624, having arrived in 1618. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Wayn, which was dated 1319, The Essex Fees Court Records, during the reign of King Edward 1st, Edward of Caernafon, 1307 - 1327. ┃ ᴺᶤᶜᵏᶰᵃᵐᵉˢ:     ─N     ─Birdy ┃ ᴬˡᶤᵃˢᵉˢ:     ─ Swift               :  Swift; like the small birds from her was chosen by a young Nayra after first becoming a vigilante at the side of the Green Arrow, she wanted a name that would pay homage to Dinah Lance the Black Canary while still remaining something of her own. She chose the name specifically for the birds were common and still are in er home and it was a small detail she longed to commemorate.   ─ Justice              :  After returning from her time with Salde Wilson and the League Of Assassins, Nayra no longer felt like the child she had been and in an effort to reflect that and step into a new realization of herself and her abilities she took the name Justice as a promise to others and a reminder to herself of what she stood for. ┃ ᴬᵍᵉ:     ─ 16+ ┃ ᴳᵉᶰᵈᵉʳ:     ─Female ┃ ᴺᵃᵗᶤᵒᶰᵃˡᶤᵗʸ:     ─Chinese     ─American ┃ ᴿᵃᶜᵉ:     ─Half Chinese half Caucasian ┃ ᴼᶜᶜᵘᵖᵃᵗᶤᵒᶰ:     ─Student     ─Vigilante       ┃ ᴬᶠᶠᶤˡᶤᵃᵗᶤᵒᶰ:     ─Arrow Family     ─Batfamily     ─Teen Titans ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬   ┊ Sᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ₂ Pʜʏsɪᴄᴀʟ Aᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴀɴᴄᴇ ┊ ┃ ᴴᵃᶤʳ:     ─Black     ─Usually falls to her mid back in characteristically straight fashion ┃ ᴱʸᵉ ᶜᵒˡᵒʳ:     ─Dark blue eyes ┃ ˢᵏᶤᶰ ᵀᵒᶰᵉ:     ─Olive ┃ ᴮᵘᶤˡᵈ:     ─Lanky     ─Lean     ─Extremely fit and toned ┃ ᴴᵉᶤᵍʰᵗ:     ─5’8 ┃ ᵂᵉᶤᵍʰᵗ:     ─130lbs ┃ ᴰᵉˢᶜʳᶤᵖᵗᶤᵒᶰ:     ─Nayra is a beautiful young woman with features that greatly resemble her mother and asian heritage. With soft features, large moonlit eyes and dark hair. Her eyes are her most striking feature and the one which lingers in the memories of others while she is long gone, the dark almost unnatural blue. She shares those blue eyes with her father and cousin Bruce Wayne, although not in the exact same shade. While she looks like her mother the resemblances to her father’s family are quite visible after only a short period after meeting her as all of her mannerisms and even some vocal intonation resemble her stoic cousin.        She is tall and often described as lanky, as a child she was quite gangly with knobby knees and bruised elbows however as she has grown up she has grown into her body. While she lacks the curves of other women her age her body is quite muscular and toned from years of training and a demanding physical lifestyle. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬              ┊ Sᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ₃﹕ Pᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟ ┊ ┃ ᴾᵉʳˢᵒᶰᵃˡᶤᵗʸ:     ─In her youth Nayra was known for her quick temper and callous remarks as well as a stubborn nature which has yet to lift. Never one to let people see her own weaknesses she constantly pointed them out in others and frankly bullied those around her whenever they  attempt to get close. To stubborn to admit she wanted the affection of her family she constantly acted out to get her cousins attention, which when received was rebuked like a Anxious Ambivalent Childs attachment. This lasted for the four years she lived in Gotham after the death of her parents     ─Her anger has always been an issue for her, as she has never found a proper and healthy outlet- and could greatly benefit from seeing a therapist. It has often lead to many short relationships and unsteady friendships. That being said, once she regards someone as a close friend the facade she puts on for the world falls away and she can be quite calm and charming.     ─She is regarded as aloof and guarded when it comes to those she does not know, she goes out of her way to alienate people and make them feel unwelcome in her presence. When out of the costume she is known to flaunt her wealth and lives vivaciously, when in the costume she flaunts her talents and her skills.     ─These childish antics however have calmed in past years and as she has matured she has grown to be extremely loyal to those she trusts as well as protective. While not a bad person Nayra has gone through many trials in her life and they have left her scared and broken, she is healing but it takes time and reaching out is hard. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬              ┊ Sᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ₄﹕ Fᴀᴍɪʟʏ ᴛɪᴇs ┊ ┃ ᶠᵃᵐᶤˡʸ:     ─Parents:                       Father: James Wayne 〘ᴰᵉᶜᵉᵃˢᵉᵈ〙                       Mother: 阮歌飞 ‘Ruǎn gē fēi’ 〘ᴰᵉᶜᵉᵃˢᵉᵈ〙     ─Extended Family:                       Grandmother: Unknown name〘ᴰᵉᶜᵉᵃˢᵉᵈ〙                       Grandfather: Patrick Wayne 〘ᴰᵉᶜᵉᵃˢᵉᵈ〙                       Aunt: Martha Wayne〘ᴰᵉᶜᵉᵃˢᵉᵈ〙                       Uncle: Thomas Wayne〘ᴰᵉᶜᵉᵃˢᵉᵈ〙                       Cousin: Bruce Wayne                       First cousin Once removed: Damian Wayne     ─Adoptive siblings:                       Brother: Richard Grayson                       Brother: Jason Todd ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬              ┊ Sᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ₅﹕ Wᴇᴀᴘᴏɴs ᴀɴᴅ Aʙɪʟɪᴛɪᴇs ┊ ┃ ᵂᵉᵃᵖᵒᶰˢ:     ─Escrema sticks:                       : While she can fight hand to hand she prefers to have Escrema sticks on her when in the suit     ─Extendable batons                       : When she is not in suit N carries with her two extendable batons that are easily concealable and transportable. while most of the time they are not needed- she does live in Gotham.     ─Utility Belt:                       : Birdarang: explosive, electric as well as a few others                       : Handheld Grappling hook/gun:                       : Smoke pellets/ bombs                       : Rebreather                       : taser                       : lock picks                       : Binoculars/night vision goggles                       ─Wrist Computer                       : Small computer built into the armored glove she wares on her right hand. It is linked to the Bat-computer and can be used for analytical problems and to track police wires.               ─Bow and Arrow                       :  Nayra was trained with a bow for the first few months with a bow and arrow. With Oliver as her mentor it was to be expected but it soon became clear that she was much better suited to be using a more physical weapon. Even though she does not use it in the field she has a decent shot and can fight with the bow as a weapon.     ─Hooked Swords                       : During the five months that Nayra was held captive and trained by Slade Wilson she discovered a talent with Hooked swords. She only used them for a short amount of time but still can leave devastating injuries as well as fight non lethally with them. ┃ ᴬᵇᶤˡᶤᵗᶤᵉˢ:     ─Genius level intellect                       : Something she inherited from her parents, her mother was a renown doctor who traveled the world going to school and working with patients. Her father had a mind of business and while not as bright as his wife was not by any means dull. N is very bright exceeding in school although she doesn’t apply herself and can many times out think her opponents. Although in the past she has not always put her mind to the best work, whether it be devising ways to get out of school or things she wants.     ─Trained in hand to hand combat                       : Nayra Wayne has been trained by some of the best fighters in the DC universe, beginning with the Green Arrow and the Black Canary she continued her training under the watchful eye of Batman, later in life her list of teachers Included the famed Mercenary Assassin Deathstroke and the Ancient League of Assassins. She is one of the best hand to hand fighters in the world due to her training and constant practice and is truly a formidable opponent.     ─Master instigator                       : Ever since she was little N has been unruly but that morphed into blatant instigation as she got older and while she still works to keep tendencies under locks, she often times insults opponents. This started in school when she would instigate fights with other children, even without training she did it for the attention, this later transitioned to her hero work when she would take on those way above her caliber to an extent its been referenced as almost suicidal.     ─Leadership                       :  Having mellowed considerably with age and having worked with many different groups and organizations in her life N has developed a very strong sense of leadership. She is intuitive when it comes to battle and while she might clash with people on e personal level there is no doubt she is a strong leader who keeps the best interests of others in mind._     ─Tactician                         :  After much training and experience N has learned how to properly read a situation and strategize to her own benefit, she is a remarkable tactician on the field and even capable of commanding teams to success._ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬              ┊ Sᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ₆﹕ Bɪᴏɢʀᴀᴘʜʏ ┊ ┃ ᴾˡᵃᶜᵉ ᵒᶠ ᴮᶤʳᵗ��:     ─Nanning China ┃ ᴾˡᵃᶜᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᴿᵉˢᶤᵈᵉᶰᶜᵉ:     ─Nanning China     ─Gotham City     ─Star City ┃ ᴮᶤᵒ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Pᴀʀᴛ ₁﹕ Oʀɪɢɪɴs ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Nayra Wayne is the daughter of Billionaire James Wayne and Doctor Ruǎn gē fēi Her father was James Wayne, Tomas Wayne’s younger brother. The two brothers didn't get along through any of their childhood and when James turned eighteen he left. He took his part of the family fortune and became an entrepreneur as well as a globetrotter. On one trip back to America he met and fell in love with a Harvard Medical student by the name of  阮歌飞, after she finished her PHD they moved to Nanning China. While she didn’t have any family this was where she had grown up and preferred to live. James had the money to help and after a few years of dating they married. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Pᴀʀᴛ ₂﹕ Eᴀʀʟʏ Lɪғᴇ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Nayra was born a few years later and as her parents had done everything in their power to keep their lives out of the spotlight that had followed the Wayne family for years, Nayra was rather unknown to the public. She grew up in all the comforts she could ask for but more then anything she reveled in the attention of her parents. Amazed by both their professions she was constantly asking questions and became very intuitive at a young age. Her father took special pride in raising her, he made sure she never had to want for anything but at the same time that she understood her standing. His dislike of his family tainted her view of America however and while she took to english easily she rejected that part of herself. That was until the fire. One night when Nayra was eight the home her parents had raised her in caught fire. Her parents rooms were on the top floor of the house and the fire started just below them. Trapped they never made it out of the fire. A rescue team however was able to find and save N as she attempted to get up the flaming steps towards her parents. In the process off her attempted rescue she burned her hand leaving her forever scared on her left palm. She was taken by authorities to a nearby hospital where she was treated for burns and smoke inhalation. In that time not only were her parents confirmed dead but her only living relative, a now adult Bruce Wayne was contacted of the tragedy. Bruce willingly agreed to become guardian of his younger cousin and traveled to Nanning to meet her for the first time. She was kept in the hospital for over a month as the Doctors made sure she was safe to travel, in that time she got to know her cousin and came to realize the harsh terms of what had happened. Everything she had ever known and loved was burned away in the fire. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Pᴀʀᴛ ₃﹕  Gᴏᴛʜᴀᴍ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Bruce took her back to Gotham, a place she already disliked from her father's stories and began her life there. Albeit begrudgingly. Incredibly stubborn by nature and still traumatized by what had happened N refused to attempt to connect with anyone she met, instead of speaking English which she spoke brokenly and understood perfectly she only spoke in Mandarin. This shared lasted for well over half a year as she struggled to cope with her new life. While she did not know this, Bruce was already Batman, her new cousin Dick Grayson, already Robin and she was not to know of any of it. While she did not know of the secret between her and the other members of the household she felt it, she never felt truly accepted in the home and her cousins long absences only fed into her anger. While it was not his fault that he was busy N needed someone to be there for her, and while she had Alfred and Dick she wanted Bruce to be the figure she lost. But he never was. His seeming lack of interest caused N to lash out to get his attention, she caused problems at school and more often than not there was a call home about her behavior at least once a week. She in the four years after moving to Gotham she moved schools four times. Despite her disciplinary record her grades were always top notch showing just how brilliant the young Wayne could be- if she actually tried. When she was twelve a combination of things happened, one she was kicked out of the fourth school she had attended, the first Middle school and there were serious talks about her eligibility to continue attending schools in the District. The second was a different fault of her own, having become very close to her adoptive cousin Dick Grayson, who she thought of as a brother by then, she was shocked when he left the manor. She knew that he was old enough to leave but the bad blood between him and her cousin made the move worse for her. At that time Jason Todd was also brought into the fold and while the two hit it off quite well the secret’s forced between them once again turned N sour. The final was the decision of the girl herself that Gotham would not make her happy, despite her young age she knew that the city, which she had always found to be dark and dismal and so completely without hope, was no home for her. So she began researching programs outside of Gotham that would challenge her academically and provide enough distance between her and the cursed city. The program she chose was one in Star City, across America and closer to her native home. Bruce, realizing that her decision to leave was one that would not only keep her away from the family secrets but also be better for her in the long run agreed and Nayra enrolled in the Academy as soon as she possibly cool. It was a move that arguably changed her life for the better. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Pᴀʀᴛ ₄﹕ Sᴛᴀʀ Sᴛᴜᴅᴅᴇᴅ Aᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇs ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬  The school was wary of accepting N at first due to her record but Bruce payed them a substantial amount of money which helped soften their decision. While in the academy, which featured a language intensive program Nayra flourished. She didn’t feel the need to show off or act out in anyway that harmed her learning or that of others. She easily stayed in the top of her class, challenged by the courses and with much of her day focused on something she loved, her birth language, N thrived. It was in Star City that N met the man who she would come to think of as the closest thing to a father she had. Oliver Queen, aka the Green Arrow. There first meetings were quite by chance, Nayra had a tendency to find danger and the Green Arrow had a tendency to be there when she did. After the fifth or six time they had met under similar circumstances Oliver decided enough was enough and that if Nayra was to be in constant danger she would need to learn how to defend herself. The training started five months into her schooling in Star. Oliver keep his hood up but the more N grew to be a very proficient protégé the more Oliver realized she was made for the job. He revealed his identity to her and her training took on a more official sense. N spent months training rigorously with Oliver until he deemed she was ready to put on the mask. She chose the mantle of Swift, not only due to her speed but she had recently completed a biology unit and the Swift birds were one of the first that came to mind. She was fourteen when she took up the mantel publicly and gained media attention in Star city. Media however wasn’t the only attention she gained, her cousin was soon aware that GA had taken up a new protégé. It didn’t take the Batman long to realize what had happened but it did take some time for him to decide how to act. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Pᴀʀᴛ ₅﹕ Tʜᴇ Rᴇᴛᴜʀɴ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Nayra was 14 almost fifteen when she returned to Gotham, her cousin having come to her in Star City and quite blatantly told her what he knew. Before he could reveal his secret however N put it together. Shocked and angered by the revelation N did not wish to return to Gotham despite her cousins insistence that she was not ready to wear a mask. It took many hours of deliberation with Oliver before she agreed to return to Gotham. Swift changed her life in more ways than one, besides giving her a second life it also gave her a place to channel her anger and her rage. She changed when she put on the mask, becoming in many ways a better person then she had been before. She was not a lost as she had been when she first came to Gotham and her return was very much a rebirth. Her first months in Gotham she was not aloud to venture out in mask. Instead her cousin kept her under strict training until he deemed she was ready. It took weeks before he let her out on patrol and despite his staunch stance that she was not to patrol without him, she did it anyway. During her first few months and her first few years she was not alone in the Batcave; an old school friend was wearing the mantel as Robin. Tim Drake- one of the few people she’d deemed acceptable for her young self to be around. He had started out as Robin a few months before Swift took to the streets of Star and the shared age made the two not just rivals but close friends. For the next few years Nayra, as Swift grew up on the streets of Gotham. She threw her whole life into it. School took up exactly six hours, homework another six and then- and then she was flying. She learned quickly on the streets and after a few ass kickings she found and made a name for herself. She never took the Bat symbol anywhere on her suit a stark distinction to most of the family- even though her ties were obvious enough. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Pᴀʀᴛ ₆﹕ Fᴀᴍɪʟʏ Tɪᴇs ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ As she grew older N began splitting her time between Star city and Gotham less and less, she found it harder to leave Gotham- the unhealthily pull her rathe thad talked about that kept so many people trapped it in. She felt as though no matter what she did as Swift she never truly made much of a difference and so each night was a mother chance to prove that she was making a difference. It became almost addicting and as such her time spent elsewhere decreased dramatically, though her work with the titans still continued the free time she spent with them decreased noticeably as well. Finally after some deliberation with Dick and Tim, both of whom knew and shared her struggles she took a break from Gotham and traveled to Star City. She stayed with Oliver in Star for two months and when she returned she barely recognized Gotham. A new vigilante was on the scene, one who didn’t subscribe to Batman’s strict no killing code- The Red Hood. Nayra arrived just as the newcomer had secured his position with the local drug trade, killing off competition and any who got in his way. Swift found herself in a deadly game between her cousin and the Hood, one that ended with the latter’s unmasking. Getting caught in the cross fires however brought a very painful truth to the surface however when the Red hood revealed his identity to her some days after Bruce himself had discerned it. Jason Todd, one of the many uncertainties of her life had come back from the dead. Since N had been in Star when he had died she hadn’t made it back for the funeral, she had never been given a clear answer as to how he had died either. No one wanted to talk about it and left Nayra questioning the morality of leaving some villains alive.  In an attempt to keep them out of further play in the Hood’s game, Bruce grounded Tim and Nayra. Nayra did not take to it very well but before she could disobey her cousins orders it was over. Jason had revealed himself to Bruce who already knew of him- the Joker had been put back in prison and Jason had disappeared seemingly getting what he wanted. This didn’t last long, however as Jason made the Red Hood a regular player on the streets of Gotham- taking his own version of justice to those he felt needed it. Despite this Jason and Nayra met a few times in and out of the mask, working together to take down criminals and reconciling the past. Things changed once again however when Talia Al Ghul dropped her ten year old son on her cousins doorstep- pretty literally. Damian Wayne was precocious, spoiled, violent and everything Nayra had been when she came to Gotham for the first time- with the added benefit that the young boy was a trained assassin. Damian represented a unique challenge for Nayra- a way for her to make up for her troubled past she did everything in her power to protect the youngest Wayne. Often times her attempts fell to mockery but every now and then, the slightest hint of gratitude would shine through the sarcastic and venomous exterior that N was used to portraying herself and she knew it was worth it. Her actions worked however, her attempts to make her young cousin feel at home aided in the development of their relationship, both of them quick to call the other out on bullshit they became like siblings and for the first time N found someone she truly felt responsible for. She would do anything to keep him safe. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Pᴀʀᴛ ₇﹕ Bʀᴏᴋᴇɴ Bɪʀᴅ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Despite the many changes that came with Nayra putting on the mask, she always had trouble connecting with people. She loved her family and her friends but it didn’t stop her from feeling isolated and alone from them. She felt trapped by her anger and her rage and it wasn’t long before someone used it against her- and those she loved.   While out on patrol one night with Robin and Batgirl, the three vigilantes where caught in an explosion which left them all unconscious and dazed. Red Hood and Red Robin responded to the explosion in time to find Damian and Barbara before to much damage could be done to them, but the body of Nayra was never discovered. Due to the insensitive of the fire, it was assumed she had perished in its blaze, and without another clue or idea as to what might have happened to the vigilante her family mourned her death. Nayra however, while having been caught in the blast did not perish instead she was taken by Slade Wilson, the man who had set the trap in the first place. Beaten and then incapacitated she was taken to a safe house where the man used a drug to turn her anger into a weapon. He convinced the drugged Nayra that all her insecurities were true, that her family did in fact feel the gap between them- that she would never be one of them. That no matter how hard she tried she was nothing but another soldier, he turned her inside out with her rage and her hate until she truly believed she hated them. The process took weeks but once successful he offered her a place to call home, a family. For six months he trained her, pushing her farther and harder than anyone ever had or ever would. She learned from him, her anger driving every action as her talents moved from impressive to deadly. And then Deathstroke deemed her ready, the two returned to Gotham and Nayra staggered back to her family. Playing the victim of a villainous plot she was taken back in by family who for all their paranoid graces did not realize what they truly had brought into the cave. Nayra spent less then a day undercover with her family before Deathstroke was ready, in that time she incapacitated Tim and Damian, making sure they would not be a problem. She had given Deathstoke information as to how to access the Batcave and once inside he took Batman by surprise. Bruce had realized something was different about his cousin but he didn’t realize how far she had gone until Deathstroke attacked, sadly Bruce was not the only one in the cave. Dick Grayson was also there, Dick Grayson the one person Nayra held on a pedestal and who despite everything she had not found it in herself to hate. Despite this N fought her pseudo brother, all the while unable to block out his words. The battle lasted longer then N might have expected, her new training and her brothers unwillingness to truly harm her made it hard for him to get the upper hand. Once he did however he was able to incapacitate Nayra. Bruce managed to win his battle against Deathstroke, taking it out of the cave. Slade escaped however but the bat family was more worried about taking care of their own, Nayra was taken to the sick bay were an antidote for the drug she had been on was introduced into her system. When she woke up she woke up to the truth of what she had done. She realized that she had turned against the only family she had on the words of a madman and had been ready to end them all. It showed N how dangerous her rage could be, it showed her how toxic that part of herself was and she vowed never to let it dictate her life again- at least not without much thought. It took months for her to fully recover from the incident, mentally, emotionally and physically she was unstable for many weeks before Bruce finally forced her out onto the street and she began her own path to redeeming herself. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Pᴀʀᴛ ₈﹕ Tʜᴇ Mᴏsᴛ ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀғᴜʟ Wᴏᴍᴀɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ After the ordeal with Slade Wilson, Nayra Wayne found herself to once again be a very broken girl. Struggling to understand exactly what to do with herself given the circumstances she was soon approached by a man she had never expected to meet. The grandfather of her cousin, Ras al Ghoul, the man invited her to dinner and over dinner they discussed many things. Nayra at first believed this was another attempt to get close to the family and his grandson, however the conversation soon turned towards her and she found that she was the object of the meeting. Ras told her he had known of everything that happened with Slade, he gave her his condolences and then offered her a proposition. He offered her a place in Nanda Parbat with no strings attached, a stay for as long as she liked, training from the best in the world and a place for her to once again find herself and what was important to her. Nayra, who had felt so lost for so long accepted and only a few months after returning to Gotham once again left this time on even more dubious reasonings. True to his word N was given a place in Nanda Parbat free of all charges, she trained there and she found peace and for a while she began to heal again. She became well acquainted with various other members of the league and for a while felt as if she’d found her place there. But, she could not bring herself to accept their ways and so after six months while around them, she left. She returned to Gotham, this time healed from her ordeal and a considerably larger threat then she had been before. Many of her former rivals now found themselves underestimating her, her return while not quite in the public eye- was felt by the criminal underworld of Gotham. Of course, the new found power Nayra had found only lasted a short time and that respite- the return to what seemed normal to her was ended abruptly when Ras returned again to her and this time asked her to do something which would forever color her future. He asked her to become the next Head of the League of Assassins, to take his place. Kill him and become the most powerful woman in the world. She wanted to say yes. If she did, all she would have to do is rid the world of one of its most toxic individuals and she would be able to influence it for good. Or in truth, anything she wanted. She could become one of the most valuable allies of the Justice League, she could finally step out of her cousins shadow. By taking what he had refused, she could surpass him and make sure her name survived outside his shadow. And she said no. Instead, validated by what Ras, Slade and Oliver had seen in her- Nayra realized she truly had surpassed her cousin in the way that mattered. She was no longer dependent on her teachers, she had become a skilled enough Vigilante to make a name for herself. And furthermore she realized that staying in Gotham, and Star City was now no longer an option. Wishing to start anew and fully grasp the new skills and life that had been bestowed upon her through years of hardships Nayra left the name Swift behind in turn favoring the Alias Justice. Justice as a promise to others, and as a reminder to herself for what she stood for and what her mission was. And so she left Gotham, instead choosing to strike out on her own, blaze her own trail instead of following in the footsteps of others. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬               ┊Aᴅᴍɪɴ ┊ Hello! Its Admin Elle. This is a DC OC which means everything written on this page is mine (Unless expressed otherwise) So please do not take anything without asking. Feel free to reshare posts but if you use something of mine please give credit! → Ƭнιѕ ρяσƒιℓє ƒσямαт ωαѕ cяєαтє∂ ву мe , ρℓєαѕє αѕк вєƒσяє υѕιηg ιт ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

[theinternetownsus]

Requiem of Love

Request: Can I make a request for a Game Of Thrones story please? Red Viper of Dorne x oc where Oberyn saves a woman from Lannister men then holds and comforts her after and promises to protect her, then ends up fighting the mountain. Maybe includes some flashbacks about Oberyn teaching the woman self-defense or poisons and drinking while discussing revenge and love. Or you could just write whatever Oberyn plot fits your fancy, really just hungry for Red Viper feels. Thank you. : )

Requested by: @superwholockianhayniac

Word Count: 1,506

Character(s): Oberyn x Reader, Cersei Lannister, Jamie Lannister, The Mountain

Want to request? Click Here

Want to know what I will write? Click Here

What to see what else I have written? Click Here

AN: I changed it up just a smidge hope that’s okay !!!

This was it, this is your death. Your hands clutch the skirt of your thin dress, pulling it up slightly so you would not trip over the material. You knew you were living on borrowed time now. You should've escaped when you could've, instead of waiting until the last minute, when they had you in their grasp. Making a quick left, you keep your head down hoping to avoid or escape their hunt.

 The plan is quickly foiled when your shoulders are sent backwards, your head shooting to the offender, only to catch the glance of a Lannister Guardsmen armour. "Hello there (Y/N) Santagar " the guard puts emphasis on your last name, it was a noble name from Dorne. You go to take a step away, hands dropping your skirt, as you collide with a metal chest plate.

 "Cersei Lannister wants to see you, after all, you have been slipping under her nose," the same guard says with slight malice in his tone. Of course, you had been stealing from the King's Mother's wine supplies, but you didn't think she would notice, obviously you were not aware of her strong love for the liquid, unlike the Kings guard.

 "Well maybe the Queen should've spent more attention to her wine than her brother," you say with sarcasm dripping from your voice. You knew you were just making your case worse, but you were dying, either way, no need to make it a boring one. The man behind quickly grabs your upper arms, with immense strength, you know that bruises from underneath his hands.  The man opposite acts almost as quick, pulling out his blade from his sheath and holding it to your throat. He applied just enough pressure for it to hurt. Struggling, trying to get out of their grasps.

 "We should teach the bastard a lesson, shouldn't we men?"  The dagger quickly slices at a strap of your dress, causing you to shriek, as the dress falls down slightly. Tears making its way to your (E/C) eyes.

 As the dagger reaches under the second strap another voice joins the conversation, one native to your home. "I may not be a man from Kings Landing, but in Dorne, we don't treat our women with such disrespect." Your eyes meet the eyes of the Red Viper, Prince of Dorne. Immediately you bow your head in respect, despite the situation you are in.

"I highly suggest you let go of the pretty woman" after a quick kerfuffle you find yourself on the ground knees in the dirt, with tears still rolling down your cheeks.

 You feel a hand reach your cheek, the clang of his weapon hitting the ground, your eyes trace up the arm and towards the Prince's eyes. "I'm sorry for disgracing the Dornish people I-- "

 "You disgraced no one, the guardsmen disgraced themselves with how they treated such a pretty lady." he uses his thumbs to wipe away the tears on your cheeks, pulling your body into his own. Arms wrapping around your body with a small hum he says " I promise my lady, that these men will never touch you again and that I'll protect you 'til the day you die. Even if it means I die in the process" You never knew why after meeting him for a couple minutes he decided he would protect you, but you are glad he saved you that day.   

 This was it. This is your death. Oh, how you wished your saviour was here now, to help you escape death yet again, but no, his body lays in the sept back in Dorne. Which leaves the honour with you to try and avenge his death. It was a losing battle. But yet you still tried, tried to avenge your love. You lifted up the spear from the ground, lifting it up delicately a smirk on your face as you look at your opposition, the Mountain reborn.

 "Legend has it that the Martell men and women cannot rest in their grave until their death is avenged," you say as you circle the monster with the crowd watching in anticipation for your next move. "I believe tonight is the night my love will rest easy" you taunt the man with your words. Gripping the spear harder in anger as the man before you does not react, you charge at him in the fury, only to be tossed to the floor, by his hands.

 "You fight in anger my love, this does not achieve you anything," he says looking down at you on the floor, as you groan lowly, his spear no more than a couple inches away from your face. Your chest heaves up and down as your eyes meet his, a smirk on your face, holding your hand up silently asking for a help up. Smirking back to you, he grabs your hand, only to be pulled down to the floor next to you. In the flurry of movement, you manage to place yourself on his chest. Out of the corner of your eye, you see him reaching for his spear before he can reach it you kick it away from his reach. " You learn quickly," he says with a sultry tone ", what else do you have up your sleeve, my love?"

 "Well wouldn't you like to know, my Prince?" the reply was said in an equally flirtatious tone. You are quickly flipped on to your back, by The Red Viper as he leans down. Your lips connecting softly. 

 The cheers of the Lannister's and their followers bring you back into reality. Your gaze following the brute as he takes steps closer to you, the sword being unsheathed and pointed at you, only for you to kick at his legs. Not knocking him down, you were too small for that, but just hard enough for him to be shocked by your response. You shuffle away with your spear in hand, kicking yourself upright you look at the Mountain as he edges towards you. "It's funny you know," you say looking at the newly appointed Queen on the balcony of the arena and back to the Mountain, " if Oberyn hadn't stopped momentarily for praise, the Gods know how much he loved praise, you would be dead, more than you are now,  and the Red Viper would be still here." You make a quick swipe at the neck of the man. Only making a dent but a smirk comes to your face, Widow's Blood coated the end of the spear, all you needed to do was to get more in his system, and his death would be sealed.

 "Now onto Widow's Blood. What does it do my lady?" his voice whispers into your ear, his arm wrapped around your chest his cup of Dornish wine cradled in his hand as your sit on his lap, admiring the view from the balcony of his room.

 "It forces a man's bowels and stomach to fail, the man dies a slow death as his body's poisons floods the body.", you feel him smirk, as he places his lips against your neck.

 "Well done my love." he murmurs against your skin, placing kisses and bites up and down your (S/C) skin. "You are getting smarter and stronger by the day, I believe that one day you'll beat me in both of those things" a smirk is felt against your skin as he says that. You turn around, legs either side of your lover's lap.

 "The only way I'll ever be smarter than you is if by some sort of blood magic you have died." You chuckled at him, placing wet kisses in the crook of his neck, as his arms reach to your waist.

 What he says next sends worry coursing through your body. "If I am to die at Tyrion's trial, do not avenge me, my princess. Dorne does not need to lose us both." You move your forehead onto him, whispering "The only way that’s happening is if I am dead as well" he just shakes his head. Lifting you up into his body. Lips attaching themselves to yours as he goes towards the bed.

 Snapping out of the memory,  you swing the spear at the beast, knocking the helmet off him. Your (E/C) eyes connect with the red eyes of the man before you. This spurs anger throughout your body. You go into the fighting stance, swiping the spear towards his neck, a large gash appearing, but the monster does not even flinch at your attack.

 Twirling the spear in your hand, you quickly strike the ankles of the monster. Catching him off guard, he falls to the floor. Pulling the dagger out from the sheath that hangs around your waist. Causing a few murmurs amongst the crowd. You stand over the Mountain, placing yourself on his chest. Placing the knife on his neck, slowly pressing into the tainted skin. You should've known your little bit of weight couldn't have stopped him from getting up. He throws you onto the floor, whimpering as you feel the Mountains foot press into your back, not enough pressure to break your back. You know full well he could if he wanted to. That’s when you feel the blade hit the back of your neck.

 "Bring her up here." You hear the Queen's calm voice echo throughout the arena. The back of your armour is quickly pulled by the Mountain as he drags you up to his queen. Silence surrounds you, the only break is from the silence is the sound of you being dragged up to the Queen's seat. Her brother on her left looks between you and his sister. His emotion unreadable. "You are the last remaining Martell, your husband is dead, your child is dead, killing you in front of all these people," she says gesturing to the men around us, " it would be an act of war, an end to one of the great houses. I can spare that if you only bend the knee to me. Surrender all house Martell's soldiers, boats, and arms to the Queen of Westeros and be granted freedom"

 "What is the other option?" you growl to the Lannister.

 "Simply put you will die, but first you will watch the death of the traitor Ellira Sand and her bastard children, your husbands bastard children." She says looking down her nose at you.

 "Fuck you, you cunt." you groan spitting blood at her ", the followers of house Martell will never follow the house who killed their Prince, who slew Elia Martell and her children. You can beat us, kill us, imprison us but you will never win."

 Cersei wipes the blood off her face, flicking it back towards the Martell. You try to dart towards the Queen but are quickly grabbed by the Mountain, as Jamie Lannister stands in front of his Queen, hand on his sword. Poised for the attack.  "Dear brother," Cersei says in a sickly sweet tone  "Please take the lovely (Y/N) Martell down to the cells"

[knightofbalance-13]

I’ve decided to switch focus for a moment from RWDE to this, a sort of hyperbolic series of videos criticizing Video Games. I will might also cover his Twilight Princess/Skyward Sword too but I wanna hit this because I am very well versed in Pokemon and I have been a fan of the series since I picked up an old Red Version back in the early 2000′s so yeah, I have been a long term fan having played the games from Red to X and the only reason I don’t play Sun or Moon is because I haven’t gotten the games. I have done quite a bit of research on them though so I feel confident that I can debate this. So let’s begin:

0:25

Actually yes, they have. A lot. Like the Steel Type which WASN’T a part of Generation 1, Berries, alternate Pokeballs with differing catch rates based on conditions, Natures, Physical/Special Split, Double Battles, Held items, Evs and Ivs, Abilities, Breeding, EV training, Poke-amie, Mega Evolution which completely changed the game, Roaming Legendaries, the Fairy Type and re typing of previous Pokemon, the Alolan forms, Poekpolaga, Z-Moves and many others because I don’t do competitive battles. And this is all coming without delving into how THESE aspects are changed and built upon, such as the Triple battle, Rotation battle and Inverse Battle being built off of the Double Battles along with the various new Pokeballs, The change with the Physical Special Spilit, the sheer variety of the held items and the Abilities that are rare like Hidden Abilities or Mega Abilities. And then we have spin off games, such as the Mystery Dungeon Series, the Ranger series, the Rumble series, Pokemon COnquest, Pokemon Snap, Poke Collseum, Pokemon XD, Pokken and such. This is simply not true.

1:50

This Mario analogy really bites him in the ass because if Pokemon is nothing but these turn based battles, then Mario would be, by his logic, nothing but jumping around. And once again, this only applies to the Pokemon main series, not the spin offs which have dungeon crawling, adventure games, beat em ups, stradegy games, photo shooting and fighting games. So this compliant still doesn’t hold up and with  the Mario analogy kind of gives an air of willful ignorance.

2:08

“Copy and Paste”? Really? So the fact that there are new characters, new locations, new cities, new types of battles, new items and so are completely disregarded? If so, then no wonder you have a problem: you aren’t taking things into account. And then there’s the fact that not every Pokemon fan watches trailers so that flaw doesn’t apply to them and is thus not a universal criticism.

3:22

*Groans and growls* A. That doesn’t even make sense considering wild Pokemon cannot stall the game like that, they would have no concept of such a thing being WILD Pokemon, another Pokemon means more experience points without having to look for more Pokemon, grinding is inherently slow so “quickly” doesn’t even make sense, you are pretty much guaranteed to be stronger than any none Legendary Wild pokemon in the game so a second pokemon would pose no threat and this could have just been avoided if you mentioned how in generation 5 when you are faced by two wild pokemon you could send out two. I know this is a joke but the joke is so poorly written and so badly enacted that there’s no humor for me to suspend my disbelief for him.

3:43

Gee, i dunno. Because that’s over 800 POKEMON that you would need to program into the game which is located on a hand held console meaning it has less space and less processing power than a console. Also, Pokemon following you around is your suggestion? Dude, that is the definition of a novelty: as cheap throwaway gimmick that in fact would be just like that “new coat of paint” you were complaining about. All the stuff I mentioned but you refuse to acknowledge actually impacts the gameplay.

4:22

...Would you believe it if I said that this exact analogy is why I decided to do all of this? Yeah, this is a TERRIBLE analogy. First off, you’d HAVE to order the Cheesecake, just like how you’d BUY a pokemon game. If you complain about getting the same basic formula as before, it’s no one’s fault but your own.

Secondly, stuff like Abilities, Fairy Types and Mega Evolution would change the game entirely so it would be exactly the same as before. But you know what IS essentially chocolate shaving? Having your Pokemon follow you around. The one specific compliant so far and it spits in the face of everything else.

Third: The part about not putting chocolate shaving on strawberry would be disgusting if it actually happened, just like how adding in Pokemon following you everywhere would clash with the gimmicks of some of the gyms.

Fourth: The part about being more expensive is just blatantly false: Teh starting price of Pokémon games, at least since Diamond and Pearl, has always been 50 dollars. Are older games cheaper now? Yes but that’s how prices go: The newest games are more expensive because they expanded more than the older games.

Fifth: You can stop ordering cheesecake at many time and look for another dessert, just like you can stop playing the main series of games and look at the spin-offs or just different games. Nobody is forcing you but yourself.

4:32

Hehehehe...

Remember this.

4:37

But if you change the battles, that would be a complete OVERHAUL of the game, that thing you said Pokemon didn’t need to do 5 SECONDS ago!

4:43 And Abilities, and new types, and Mega Evolution, and held items, and Double+ battles...

Also, no unique Z-Moves? Well, sorry Catasrropika, 10 000 000 Volt Thunderbolt, Stoked Sparksurfer, Extremem Evoboost, Pulververizing Pancake, Genesis Supernova Sinister Arrow Raid, Mailcious Moonsault, Oceanic Operetta, Guardian of Alola, Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike and Clangorous Soulblaze: None of you are unique enough!

4:52 Then don’t USE the Z-Moves: You have a choice to not use them. Even so, you cannot speak for everyone and if this is YOUR issue, that’s YOUR problem, not Gamefreak’s/

5:13 A. The opinionh about Totem Pokemon is personal opinion and without any proof is irrelevant.

And B. What about Kiawe’s trial which is about spotting the difference in the dancing, or Mallow’s trial where you have to find four ingredients or Sophocies’s trial where you have to answer several questions? A bit more expansive than most Pokemon Gyms.

5:30 Because if they did do that: Then the Gym Leaders (oir Captains here) would just feel like a generic trainer. It works for the rivals because you see their teams grow but with Gym Leaders? One battle and that’s it. The types give them more personality and more vibrancy.

5:39

Why are the rivals dumb? What makes them dumb? ... No answer? Well then, they aren’t the dumb ones here.

And if we talk about rivals as a whole: What about Gladion? He’s a call back to older rivals, specifically Silver with his personalty and parental troubles.

6:33

A. YOU DID NOT FINISH THE GAME. This explains why you have made so many mistakes here: You are talking out of your ass and pretending you know this stuff without seeing it for yourself or, lie me, doing any research on them. If you don’t even confirm what you are saying is true, why should anyone believe you?

And B. Exp. Share is OPTIONAL: You have no one to blame for that but yourself if you let your team get that overleveled.

.7:12

A. Pikachu’s voice is literally it saying “pik-a-chu” That’s it. Nothing else. You are directly lying here.

B. That skit is as unfunny as one form modren Family Guy

And C. Pikachu’s only appear in SOS battles and only in two places so they DON’T appear that often. And even if Hau has a Pikachu, he uses it three times and evolves it into a Raichu.

7:40 Then that would break the game, making attacks with low PP completely worthless and making super hard to defeat Pokemon like Shuckle a terror. You say, don’t do a big overhaul but this WOULD be a big overhaul.

8:04 THAT is the very definition of a complete overhaul. You just contradicted yourself AGAIN.

8:15 You mean like a dungeon crawler, or a beat em up or an adventure game or a fighting game? Like the ones that already exist? Yeah, kind of makes it look like you don’t do a lick of research.

8:27 Okay then, what’s your excuse for fans like me, ones who ARE older but still enjoy the new games? Nothing?

8:35 ... He says they should do a spin off game...and references a spin off game...

.. Do I even need to be here?

8:57

A. Teh E-Shop games cost about six bucks a piece: Not really a cash grab.

And B. That part ignores the legal side of things where, by using already existing Pokemon, the creators have every right to protect their intellectual property if they so choose. Not to mention this sin’t even exclusive to Pokemon, which around the time Uranium got hit a Metroid fangame was hit as well so this is clearly Nintendo’s doing.

9:39

...

You know...Nothing...and I mean nothing...pisses me off more than some whiny, entitled, arrogant, pissant pseudo-fan claiming that a creator is being lazy or some shit because all that says is that you understanding NOTHING about what they d Especially since this so called “artistic intergrity” was gone when you started not doing research, contradicting yourself and outright LYING just to push your narrative while insulting the real fans for paying attention to the changes that the creators have done over the years and teh chances tehy’ve taken.

And the most ironic thing is, you putting LESS effort into your videos would actually HELP. Because you already don’t do research or fact check anything you say, you already take footage from other places and the one thing you put effort into were the WORST parts of the video. Remove the original animations and you’d actually have a better product. Funny how stuff rebounds on you.

[operationrainfall]

Title KUNAI Developer TurtleBlaze Publisher The Arcade Crew Release Date February 6th, 2020 Genre Metroidvania Platform PC, Nintendo Switch Age Rating E for Everyone 10+ – Mild Blood, Fantasy Violence Official Website

I should point out that until I played KUNAI, I was totally unfamiliar with developer TurtleBlaze. Thankfully, I had some experience with The Arcade Crew, thanks to their also publishing the fantastic Blazing Chrome, by JoyMasher. All I knew early on was KUNAI is a game where you control a ninja tablet (no, you didn’t just suffer a stroke, that’s the actual premise) as he hacks and slashes his way through robot hordes with his magical energy stealing katana. That alone was enough to grab my interest, but when I learned that the game was also a Metroidvania, I was hooked. So I greatly appreciated the opportunity to review KUNAI for oprainfall. The question then is, was KUNAI able to live up to my hype for the game?

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The premise of the game is loosely based around some sort of undefined apocalypse that wracked the Earth, killing nearly all the humans. In the interim, apparently a bunch of robots achieved sentience and started spreading out, with some aiming to wrest control and others retaliating as a ragtag group of freedom fighters. You play the heroic ninja Tabby, who is activated by the resistance to set things straight. There’s also an evil A.I. referred to as Lemonkus which is apparently responsible for this scenario, and while you do learn more about them, I never learned enough for my satisfaction. There’s a cool concept here, but there’s too many opaque bits that prevent the story from being fully realized. For example, who built all of the robots? What endowed them with sentience? How exactly did humanity perish? Where did the sword that steals life force come from? Which ancient warrior is Tabby supposedly infused with? There’s a lot of questions, even after beating the game. Which isn’t to say it’s not fun and there’s not plenty to enjoy, there absolutely is, but in a game that is so mechanically fantastic, the overall lack of a coherent plot stands out all the more painfully.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

However, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s focus on what KUNAI does best – the gameplay. Early on you only have access to your katana, which is not only your primary means of offense, but also your only way of healing other than using save points. Every time you slay a foe, you’ll get a little bit of health back. Soon enough, you also come across a pair of the titular kunai with chains, which allow Tabby to swing from the ceiling and climb walls. They’re a lot of fun to experiment with, and allow you a wide movement range. Just keep in mind not all surfaces can be grabbed, usually ones that are coated with metal plates. You would be forgiven for thinking that’s all the tools at your disposal, but as the game progresses you get a lot of other nifty items. None that ever totally eclipses the effectiveness of the kunai, but many that do open up the experience. For example, you’ll get a shuriken that can trigger switches and stun foes, as well as a few guns that serve multiple functions. Take the dual SMGS, which can obviously be used to unload on foes from a distance, but can also be aimed downwards to essentially hover as you blast a stream of bullets below yourself (which is awesome). You’ll also get a very powerful rocket launcher that can scatter foes to dust or be used to catapult you vertically into the air.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Point being, everything in KUNAI has a variety of uses, and manages to make the experience more compelling. And that’s before you even take into account the upgrades you can purchase from the Tabos, accessible from old school routers littered throughout the game world. You can not only upgrade Tabby’s weapons, such as giving his katana a powerful charge attack or turning your rocket launcher rounds into homing missiles, but you can get important passive upgrades. Perhaps the most important is the one that lets Tabby slowly heal continuously, which is vital when you’re low on health, since the game never provides any disposable healing items. Generally I would clear out a room and then just take a breather for Tabby to heal back to full health. I really liked being given free reign which abilities I upgraded first, and my only real complaint is that there weren’t even more options, since I had pretty much maxed them out a while before the final boss. Which correlates to my only other major complaint about KUNAI – it’s too short.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

KUNAI is very fun while it lasts, exploring, regularly finding upgrades like double jump and dash, slaying enemies and fighting powerful bosses. Some of my favorite bosses were Furious Ferro, a giant gooey creature that crawled the walls and scattered minions on the floor, and the Guardian, which starts in a giant cocoon and then erupts into a dangerous electric butterfly. It’s also entertaining to talk to random NPCs as you wander, since they often have very funny dialogue that pokes fun at other popular nerd culture, such as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon, various anime and even a well known game store franchise. It’s clear the folks at TurtleBlaze not only love game culture, they love to poke fun at it as well, but never in a way that felt cruel or derogatory. Suffice to say, even though the plot of the game left me underwhelmed, the dialogue and humor were much better than I expected.

Exploring the various areas is a treat, and very rarely was frustrating. They range from deserts to lava filled mineshafts and haunted factories. There’s a fluidity to the combat that just made KUNAI a step above many others in the genre. I loved swinging around, jumping and slashing foes, and even blasting them to smithereens when I got testy. There’s also tons of hidden corners in the game, where you’ll find one of two items. Either you’ll find heart pieces which extend your maximum health (always handy) or you’ll find hats. And surprisingly, you’ll find a lot more hats than anything else. And while it’s fun to dress Tabby up with monocles and horned hoods and even plumber hats, sadly none of these serve any gameplay purpose. Once I discovered that, my desire to find them all withered away. If only the various hats would change up the combat or alter my stats in some significant way, I would have gone out of my way to discover all of them. As it is, I found hats a silly bonus without much function. Oh and apparently there’s also a hidden Time Trial mode in the game, but I couldn’t find it. And given that I hate feeling rushed when I play a game and don’t focus on speedrunning anyhow, that just didn’t provide me much incentive or replay value.

Ultimately, that’s where KUNAI fell short, the length. The whole experience is pretty linear, and though you are given some free reign to explore, there’s nothing really important for you to find. I managed to beat the game in 6 hours, which is 2 less than the developers said the adventure will take most people. If there had been more than one ending or a couple hidden areas or even a boss rush, I would have felt more satisfied. But without them, the game is just over way too soon. It’s a blast to play, and runs silky smooth, but once it’s over, it’s over.

Visually, KUNAI is a treat. It’s colorful without being too flashy, and managed to evoke classic games while still feeling modern. I loved all the silly faces that Tabby wears as you experience the game, and especially enjoyed the hand drawn cutscenes and sub item introductions. The various minor enemies were pretty distinct and varied, and there were none that were clones. Likewise, the bosses are all very different and quite a challenge to best. This is a game that makes great use of visual clues and storytelling, such as how Tabby’s face flashes red with a battery symbol when low on health. Musically, the games is frenetic and fun, and manages to infuse just enough ninja flair to keep things fresh. I also really loved all the mechanical beeps and boops and explosions for sound effects. I really had no complaints about the design of KUNAI whatsoever.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Now, even though I’ve touched upon the major issues with the game, the following is an assortment of minor quibbles that also kept this from being a perfect experience. While the game is a lot of fun, sometimes things aren’t as well balanced as they could be. An example is how one of the early areas, an airship, has a forced sequence requiring kunai swinging over instant death pits that felt way too challenging that early in the game. I also found how Tabby “climbs” vines incredibly awkward. Instead of climbing up and down, he kind of floats and you have to hold down to force him back to earth. And though I very much enjoyed the katana charge attack technique, which lets Tabby charge up and then rush all nearby foes with a flurry of katana strikes, it was very hard to tell at what range it would react to foes. One time it even glitched and managed to push Tabby into the background in the Mine area, forcing me to restart since I couldn’t get free. Another issue was that there weren’t really enough bosses in the game. There’s a hilarious pirate captain I thought would be a boss which instead is turned into comic relief twice, and there’s a long section where you escape from the police (dubbed Popo), but can’t actually fight back. And though the final boss was epic, it was also frustrating, and made me wish I had some way to heal quickly during fights.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In summation, I still rather enjoyed KUNAI. I just wish it was a longer experience with a more coherent plot. That said, there’s tons of charm and humor here, and plenty of challenging and satisfying gameplay. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong for only $16.99. I admire TurtleBlaze for this first Metroidvania, and even though it’s not perfect, I think it could be the starting point to many other tremendous projects. If you’re a fan of the genre, I’d say you owe it to yourself to pick this up.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

[easyreview cat1title=”Overall” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”3.5″]

Review Copy Provided by Publisher

REVIEW: KUNAI Title KUNAI

[mahdaviyat-ainul-islam]

The Coeval (Coming Together) Of EsaAS and MahdiAS Is Impossible (Ahadees)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

And he (EsaAS) shall be a known sign for the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me (Allah). This is the right path. (Az-Zukhruf, 43: 61)

1. Hazrath Jafar As-SadiqRA narrates that the ProphetSLM is narrated to have said, How can that Ummah perish, when I (MuhammadSLM) am at its beginning, Mahdi in its middle, and 'Masih (IsaAS) at its end. (Razeen, Haakim, Abu Nayeem,

Mishkat, Kanz ul Ummal, Alkanji, Al Arbali, Ibn-e-Asakir- Tareeq Damishq, Al Maghazli - Manaqib Ali, alkinji - Albayan, Jama al Suyuti, Al Juwaini - Faraid ul Sumtain fi fazail al Sabtain, al Alai - Al tahseel-Jalaluddin Suyuti - Tareeq-ul-Khulafa).

2. Hazrath AnasRZ narrates the ProphetSLM is narrated to have said, whoever of you finds Esa Bin MaryanAS convey my Salaam to him. (Haakim)

3. The ProphetSLM is narrated to have said, what will be your state of affairs, when EsaAS will descend among you, and lead you in prayers. (Sahih Muslim)

4. Hazrath Abu Sayeed KhudriRZ narrates the ProphetSLM is narrated to have said, When Bai’ah is given for two Khalifa’s, slay the last one who takes the Bai’ah (because his Khilafat is batil with the presence of the first Khalifa). (Sahih Muslim)

5. Hazrath Syedna Huzaifa Asad GhifariRZ narrates, while we were discussing the ProphetSLM came to us and asked, what you were discussing? We replied, we were talking about Qayamah. He said Qayamah will not be established until 10 signs are not seen before it, then he narrated about smoke, Dajjal, the animals on earth, the rising of the sun from West, the descending of EsaAS, the coming of Gog and Magog, the sinking of earth at 3 places i.e. the penetration of earth, one in East, another in West and the third one in the Arabian Peninsula, and after all these signs a fire will be born it will start from Yemen herding the people and take them towards Mahshar (Mahshar is the land in Syria). (Sahih Muslim)

6. Hazrath Nawas Bin SammanRZ narrates, one morning the ProphetSLM narrated about Dajjal, sometime he shortened it and sometimes he lengthened (i.e. sometimes he cut short and sometimes he said this fitna is a big one, sometimes he spoke in low voice, sometimes his voice was raised) until we thought the Dajjal might be hiding in between the group of date trees. In the evening when we went to see the ProphetSLM he enquired about (the fear on) our faces. He asked, how are you, we replied O! ProphetSLM you have mentioned about Dajjal and sometimes you shortened and sometimes went into the details, we thought Dajjal might be hiding in between the group of date trees (i.e. his coming is near). The ProphetSLM replied, apart from Dajjal I fear from many other things on you (regarding the trials and infightings). If I am alive and Dajjal appears then I will face him first (I will fight him) and save you from his mischief. If he appears and I am no more in between you, every Muslim Man should face him and Allah will be Khalifa and defender on every Muslim Man. But Dajjal is young with curly hairs, his eyes are protruded similar to Abdul Uzza Bin Qattan. Whoever of you finds Dajjal should recite the opening verses of Surah Kahf over him. Definitely, he will appear the route in between Syria and Iraq spreading evil on his left and right side. O! Servants of Allah, stay firm on faith, the companions asked, O! MessengerSLM of AllahSWT how long will he be on Earth? For 40 days, he replied. Each day will be equal to a year, each day will be equal to a month, each day will be equal to a week, and the remaining days would be similar to yours (i.e. as per our days Dajjal will exist for 1 year, 2 months and 14 days). The companions asked, O! ProphetSLM the day that is equal to a year, on this day we would be suffice with only one day of prayers? HeThe Coeval of EsaAS and MahdiAS is Impossible (Ahadees) Compiled by Team

KhalifatullahMehdi.info 2 | Page

said, No! On this day (the prayers of the year) (Now clocks are available and time can easily be measured). Imam

NowawiRA says, if the ProphetSLM would not clearly said about this, it was thought that offering of only 5 prayers was

sufficient on this day, because in each day and night how long it might be, Allah has made only 5 prayers obligatory,

but this thought was nullified on the basis of nus i.e. as per Qur’anic injunction. The translator says, on the planet

Earth on the 9th degree from the equator where the sunrise is similar to morning, this place has 6 months day and 6

months night. So a complete day and night equals to a whole year. For example if a man reaches to that place and

survives, he has to offer only 5 prayers in a whole year. The companions asked, O! ProphetSLM how he will walk on

earth? He replied, like this cloud, which is driven by wind from behind. He would come to a Qaum community and

would invite them, they will bring faith on him and would follow him, he will direct the skies and it will start raining

and on his command the earth will bring forth grass and grains. On dusk when their cattle returns their horns will be

longer than before, udders would be spread (with milk) and their bellies would be arched (i.e. too fat). Then Dajjal will

visit another Qaum community, he will invite them also but they will not accept his words, he will move away from

them, draught and starvation will befall upon them. Their hands would be empty nothing of their wealth would be

left with them. When Dajjal walks on barren land he will say, O earth! Bring forth your treasures, the treasure would

appear and gather around him similar to honey Bees, which gather around the Queen Bee. Then he will call a young

man and would cut him into 2 pieces with a single strike of sword with perfect aim. Then he will bring him back to life

and would call him, with this the boy will come jumping with a smiling face. Dajjal would be in this condition and

suddenly Allah will send down Hazrath EsaAS. EsaAS would descend in the city of Damascus at the eastern side near the

white minaret, he would be draped in yellow dress. Both his hands would be resting the shoulders of two angels,

when EsaAS bends his head sweat will drip, when he lifts his head the drops will fall like pearls, wherever the fragrance

of EsaAS reaches the infidels would die. His fragrance would reach till the extent of his sight, and then he would start

searching for Dajjal until he finds him at Bab-e-Ludd (this mount is situated in Syria) and he would kill Dajjal. Then

those people will come out towards EsaAS whom Allah had saved them from the trials of Dajjal. Then he will soothe

their faces with his palms and will give them glad tidings of their high stations, which were kept for them in Paradise.

He will be in this condition, Allah will send inspiration to him saying, “I have brought out my servants, nobody has the

strength to fight with them, and you take them towards the mount of Tur for refuge”, and Allah will send Gog and

Magog and they will come out from all peaks. Before them people will cross over the river of Tibristan and would

drink all of its water making it dry, from among them those who came after would say, there used to be water in it.

They would continue to walk until they reach a mountaineous region filled with trees i.e. the mountaineous region of

Bait-ul-Muqaddis and would say, we have killed the inhabitants of earth and now come we will kill the inhabitants in

the skies and they will start shooting arrows in the sky, but Allah would fill their arrow with blood and return them

back, they will think the inhabitants of the skies are also killed (this article is not from this narration but was taken

from the forth coming narration). EsaAS the Prophet of Allah and his companions would be locked inside, their

condition would be, the head of a bull with them would be better than your 100 gold coins (i.e. food would be

scarce). EsaAS and his companions would supplicate. Allah will send a torment on the people of Gog and Magog in the

shape of a worm, which would take birth in their necks, and until morning they will all die similar to the death of a

man. Then EsaAS along with his companions would step on the ground, they will not find space even the size of a

palm, from their stink and carcass (i.e. their stinking corpses would be spread across the earth), then EsaAS and his

companions would supplicate and Allah will send flocks of birds with their necks similar of camel necks, they would

carry the dead bodies and throw them where they have been commanded by Allah, on that day Allah will send

showers of rains and then the earth would be commanded to gather all its fruits and return back to its blessings, on

this day a single pomegranate would be consumed by a whole groh community and from its peelings a house similar

to a bungalow would be built and people would take rest in its shadow and milk will also be blessed, so that milk

laden she-camel would be sufficient to quench the thirst of a big whole group. Milk laden Cow would be sufficient for

a big group. Milk laden Goat would be sufficient for a big family. People would be in this condition then Allah would

send fresh and pure soothing breeze which will pass through their armpits and with its effect the souls of each and

every Momin and Muslim would be extracted, the wicked and the evil ones would be left out, they would copulate

with women openly similar to donkeys and the Qayamah will be established on them. (Muslim)

[nemzetinet]

Az USA iszonyatosan beijedt a két Korea közeledési terveitől

A vezető amerikai lap, a New York Times rendkívül veszélyesnek tartja azt, hogy Kim Dzsong-un észak-koreai vezető a nukleáris fegyverek és interkontinentális rakéták idei tömeggyártását beharongozó újévi beszédében új stratégiai fordulatként azonnali közvetlen párbeszéd megindítását ajánlotta fel Dél-Koreának. Az Észak-Koreával szembeni harciasságot trombitáló Trump elnök és a dél-koreai vezető közötti izzó feszültséget érzékelve Kim Dzsong-un ugyanis éket akar verni Szöul és Washington hét éve tartó szövetsége közé. Mún dél-koreai elnök már megpengette, hogy gazdaságilag és diplomáciailag nyitni szeretne Phenjan irányába, amit eddig az észak-koreai média mereven elutasított, mert Mún elnököt az USA gerinctelen lakájának ábrázolta.

((Echo TV nemzetközi lapszemléjéből, először ma 11:55-kor)

E blog egyik olvasójának nagy hála azért, hogy elküldte a kommunista Korea elnökének újévi beszéde teljes szövegét, mivel – és ilyen közülünk nem sok van – előfizetője az észak-koreai hírügynökségnek.

Egyszerűen megdöbbentő, hogy a nyugati média miként hazudhat ekkorát e beszéd tálalásában is. A fentebb ismertetett NYT-rész viszont egyfajta áttörés: mert ott láthatóan elolvasva az eredeti beszédet, a Sulzberger lap (ha nálunk lehet Vajna-tévé, akkor talán mi is megengedhetjük magunknak a „Szulberger-lap” kifejezést) iszonyatos félelmét tükrözi, hogy netán nem neokon-inspritálta atomháború lesz, hanem béke a két Korea között.

Csatolom Kim beszédét,  hátha valakinek van ideje azt elolvasni. (Annak megszólítása:

„Kedves honfitársak és a néphadsereg bátor állománya

Kedves Honfitársaim!”)

Csupán egyetlen bekezdést fordítok le a szokásos kötelező rohanás és így időhiány miatt:

„Az újévi   üdvözletem szól a déli és külföldi honfitársaknak is, akik az ország újraegyesítéséért dolgoznak és mindazon progresszív embereknek és más barátoknak világszerte, akik ellenzik az agressziós háborút és szilárdan szolidárisak a békét képviselő ügyünkkel”.

/Most ehhez képest olvassák el, mi van a hazai sajtóban is e beszédről…/

    Kim Jong Un Makes New Year Address

  Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) — Respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un made the New Year Address for 2018.

The full text of the New Year Address reads:

Dear fellow countrymen and brave service personnel of the People’s Army,

Dear compatriots,

Today, recollecting with great pleasure and pride and deep emotion the proud achievements we performed last year through our diligent and worthwhile labour and sincere efforts and by the sweat of our brow, we are all seeing in the new year 2018 with fresh hopes and expectations.

Greeting the hope-filled new year, I wish the families across the country good health, happiness, success and prosperity. I also wish that the beautiful dreams of all our people, including the hopes of our children in the new year, would come true.

Comrades,

As I look back upon last year, when I worked strenuously on the road of achieving national prosperity, gaining great strength and wisdom from the pure minds of the dauntless people who invariably trusted and followed the Party even in the face of manifold difficulties and trials, I feel my heart swelling with the pride in waging the revolution shoulder to shoulder with a great people.

On behalf of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, I extend sincere thanks and New Year greetings to all the people and service personnel who won miraculous victories to be noteworthy in the national history of 5 000 years by sharing mind and purpose with the Party and supporting its determination on the road of arduous yet glorious struggle.

My New Year greetings go also to the compatriots in the south and abroad who are fighting for the reunification of the country and to the progressive peoples and other friends across the world who opposed war of aggression and gave firm solidarity to our cause of justice.

Comrades,

The year 2017 was a year of heroic struggle and great victory, a year when we set up an indestructible milestone in the history of building a powerful socialist country with the spirit of self-reliance and self-development as the dynamic force.

Last year the moves of the United States and its vassal forces to isolate and stifle our country went to extremes, and our revolution faced the harshest-ever challenges. In the face of the prevailing situation and the worst trials on the road of advance, our Party trusted the people and the people defended the Party death-defyingly, turning adversity and misfortune to good account and achieving brilliant successes on all the fronts where a powerful socialist country is being built.

Through last year’s grandiose struggle we powerfully demonstrated at home and abroad our immutable faith and will to follow to the end the road of Juche-oriented socialism opened up by the great Comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and the single-hearted unity of socialist Korea in which all the people are firmly united behind the Party.

An outstanding success our Party, state and people won last year was the accomplishment of the great, historic cause of perfecting the national nuclear forces.

On this platform one year ago I officially made public on behalf of the Party and government that we had entered the final stage of preparation for the test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. In the past one year we conducted several rounds of its test launch, aimed at implementing the programme, safely and transparently, thus proving before the eyes of the world its definite success.

By also conducting tests of various means of nuclear delivery and super-intense thermonuclear weapon, we attained our general orientation and strategic goal with success, and our Republic has at last come to possess a powerful and reliable war deterrent, which no force and nothing can reverse.

Our country’s nuclear forces are capable of thwarting and countering any nuclear threats from the United States, and they constitute a powerful deterrent that prevents it from starting an adventurous war.

In no way would the United States dare to ignite a war against me and our country.

The whole of its mainland is within the range of our nuclear strike and the nuclear button is on my office desk all the time; the United States needs to be clearly aware that this is not merely a threat but a reality.

We have realized the wish of the great leaders who devoted their lives to building the strongest national defence capability for reliably safeguarding our country’s sovereignty, and we have created a mighty sword for defending peace, as desired by all our people who had to tighten their belts for long years. This great victory eloquently proves the validity and vitality of the Party’s line of simultaneously conducting economic construction and building up our nuclear forces and its idea of prioritizing science, and it is a great historic achievement that has opened up bright prospects for the building of a prosperous country and inspired our service personnel and people with confidence in sure victory.

I offer my noble respects to the heroic Korean people who, despite the difficult living conditions caused by life-threatening sanctions and blockade, have firmly trusted, absolutely supported and dynamically implemented our Party’s line of simultaneously promoting the two fronts.

My warm, comradely greetings go also to our defence scientists and workers in the munitions industry who made devoted efforts all the year round, to demonstrate to the world that the plans and decisions of the Party Central Committee are a science and a truth and that they automatically mean their materialization.

Last year we also made notable headway in carrying out the five-year strategy for national economic development.

As a result of our vigorous endeavour to establish the Juche orientation in the metallurgical industry, an oxygen-blast furnace of our own style was built at the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex to maintain regular production of pig iron by relying on anthracite, and prospects were opened up for consolidating the independent foundations of the chemical industry and attaining the five-year strategy’s goal for the output of chemical products.

Numerous light-industry factories in such sectors as textile, footwear, knitwear and foodstuff industries raised high the banner of Juche orientation and made proactive efforts to propel the modernization of several production lines by means of our own technology and our own equipment. By doing so, they provided a guarantee for making the range of consumer goods varied and improving their quality.

The machine-building industry, by upholding the banner of self-reliance and relying on science and technology, creditably attained the Party’s goal for the production of new-type tractors and trucks, and thus laid solid foundations for speeding up the Juche orientation and modernization of the national economy and the comprehensive mechanization of the rural economy. The agricultural sector, by actively introducing scientific farming methods, increased the ranks of high-yield farms and workteams and reaped an unusually rich fruit harvest in spite of unfavourable climatic conditions.

Our service personnel and people built magnificent Ryomyong Street and the large-scale livestock farming base in the Sepho area, and completed the task for the first stage of the forest restoration campaign, thereby demonstrating the might of great army-people unity and the potential of the socialist independent economy.

Amid a vigorous struggle for the creation of the Mallima speed, new model units emerged one after another, and a large number of factories and enterprises fulfilled their quotas of the yearly national economic plan ahead of schedule and made a proud achievement of surpassing their peak-year levels.

Successes were also made on the scientific and cultural fronts last year.

Scientists and technicians resolved scientific and technological problems arising in the building of a powerful socialist country and completed research projects in the cutting-edge field, thereby giving stimulus to economic development and the improvement of the people’s living standards. The socialist education system was further improved and the educational environment upgraded, while medical service conditions were bettered. An example of artistic performance activities was created to infuse the whole country with revolutionary optimism and the militant spirit, and our sportspeople won victories in different international competitions.

All the successes made last year are the triumph of the Juche-oriented revolutionary line of the Workers’ Party of Korea and a precious fruition of the heroic struggle of the service personnel and people who are firmly rallied behind the Party.

Our Party and people achieved such signal victories others could never think of achieving by their own efforts in the face of the sanctions-and-blockade moves the United States and its vassal forces perpetrated more viciously than ever before to stamp out the rights to sovereignty, existence and development of the DPRK. Herein lies the source of their dignity and their great pride and self-confidence.

I would like to extend my warm thanks once again to all the people and service personnel who victoriously advanced the cause of building a powerful socialist country, always sharing the destiny with the Party and braving all difficulties and trials on the eventful days of last year.

Comrades,

This year we will mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the glorious Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. To mark the 70th anniversary of their state with splendour is of real significance for the great people, who have raised with dignity the status of their socialist country, the greatest patriotic legacy of the great Comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, to that of a strategic state recognized by the world.

We should make constant innovations and continued progress until we win the final victory of the revolution by carrying on the tradition of heroic struggle and collective innovation which adorned the founding and course of development of Juche Korea. A revolutionary general offensive should be launched to achieve fresh victory on all fronts of building a powerful socialist country by taking the historic victory in the building of the DPRK’s nuclear forces as a springboard for fresh progress.

“Let us launch a revolutionary general offensive to achieve fresh victory on all fronts of building a powerful socialist country!”‒this is the revolutionary slogan we should uphold. All officials, Party members and other working people should launch an all-people general offensive to frustrate the challenges of the hostile forces who are making last-ditch efforts and raise the overall strength of our Republic to a new stage of development as they brought about a great upsurge in socialist construction overcoming all difficulties through the great Chollima upswing after the war.

A breakthrough should be made in reenergizing the overall economic front this year, the third year of implementing the five-year strategy for national economic development.

The central task facing socialist economic construction this year is to enhance the independence and Juche character of the national economy and improve the people’s standard of living as required by the revolutionary counterstrategy put forward by the Second Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the Party.

We should concentrate all efforts on consolidating the independence and Juche character of the national economy.

The electric-power industry should maintain and reinforce the self-supporting power generation bases, and direct a great deal of efforts to developing new power sources. A dynamic campaign should be conducted to drastically increase thermal power generation, and lower the loss of electric power and increase its production as much as possible by maintaining and reinforcing imperfect generating facilitates. Provinces should build power generation bases to suit their local features and put power generation at the existing medium and small-sized power stations on a normal footing to satisfy the needs of electric power for local industry by themselves. Alternated production should be organized scrupulously throughout the country, and a vigorous struggle waged against the practices of wasting electric power to make effective use of generated electric power.

The metallurgical industry should further improve the Juche-oriented iron- and steel-making technologies, increase the iron production capacity and drastically raise the quality of metallic materials in order to satisfy the needs of the national economy for iron and steel. It is necessary to ensure a preferential, planned and timely supply of electricity, concentrated iron ore, anthracite, lignite, freight wagons, locomotives and funds for the metallurgical industry. By doing so, we can fulfil next year’s iron and steel production plans and make the industry Juche-oriented without fail.

The chemical industry should step up the establishment of the C1 chemical industry, push the projects for catalyst production base and phosphatic fertilizer factory as scheduled, and renovate and perfect the sodium carbonate production line whose starting material is glauberite.

The machine-building industry should modernize the Kumsong Tractor Factory, Sungni Motor Complex and other factories to develop and produce world-level machinery in our style.

The coal and mineral production and rail transport sectors should make concerted efforts to make the country’s self-reliant economic foundations prove their effectiveness.

Notably, the rail transport sector should make the best use of the existing transport capacity by making transport organization and control more scientific and rational, and maintain discipline and order in the railways as rigid as in the army, so as to ensure an accident-free, on-schedule rail traffic.

A turn should be brought about this year in improving the people’s standard of living.

Light-industry factories need to transform their equipment and production lines into labour- and electricity-saving ones and produce and supply more diversified and quality consumer goods with domestic raw and other materials, and provinces, cities and counties should develop the local economy in a characteristic way by relying on their own raw material resources.

The agricultural and fishing fronts should effect an upswing. We should introduce seeds of superior strains, high-yield farming methods and high-performance farm machines on an extensive scale, do farming scientifically and technologically so as to fulfil the cereals production plan without fail, and boost the production of livestock products, fruits, greenhouse vegetables and mushrooms. We should enhance our ship building and repair capacities, launch scientific fishing campaigns, and reenergize aquatic farming.

This year the service personnel and people should join efforts to complete the construction of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area in the shortest period of time, push ahead with major construction projects including the renovation of Samjiyon County, the construction of the Tanchon Power Station and the second-stage waterway project of South Hwanghae Province, and channel steady efforts into the construction of houses.

Building on the success we achieved in the forest restoration campaign, we should properly protect and manage the forests that have already been created, improve the technical conditions of roads, conduct river improvement on a regular basis, and protect environment in a scientific and responsible manner.

Every sector and every unit of the national economy should enlist their own technical forces and economic potential to the maximum and launch a dynamic struggle to increase production and practise economy, so as to create a greater amount of material wealth.

A shortcut to developing the self-sufficient economy is to give precedence to science and technology and make innovations in economic planning and guidance.

The scientific research sector should solve on a preferential basis the scientific and technological problems arising in establishing Juche-oriented production lines of our own style, ensuring domestic production of raw and other materials and equipment, and perfecting the structure of the self-supporting economy. Every sector and every unit of the national economy should make a contribution to achieving production growth by intensifying the dissemination of science and technology and waging a brisk technological innovation drive.

The Cabinet and other economic guidance organs should work out a realistic operational plan to carry out the national economic plan for this year and push forward the work for its implementation responsibly and persistently. Positive measures should be taken by the state to ensure that the socialist system of responsible business operation proves its worth in factories, enterprises and cooperative organizations.

Socialist culture should be developed in a comprehensive way.

It is necessary to strengthen the ranks of teachers, improve the contents and methods of education as demanded by the trend of developing modern education, apply the people-oriented character in public health service in a thoroughgoing way, and boost the production of medical equipment and appliances and different kinds of medicines.

We should conduct mass-based sporting activities briskly, create sporting techniques and tactics of our own style, and produce artistic and literary masterpieces which truthfully depict the heroic struggle and life of our service personnel and people in the Mallima era and the beautiful and sublime features proper to human beings. In this way, we can crush the bourgeois reactionary culture by dint of our revolutionary socialist art and literature.

A vigorous struggle should be waged to tighten moral discipline throughout society, establish a socialist way of life and eliminate all kinds of non-socialist practices, so as to ensure that all the people, possessed of ennobling mental and moral traits, lead a revolutionary and cultured life.

The self-reliant defence capability should be further consolidated.

In this year of the 70th anniversary of the development of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army into a regular revolutionary armed force by the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung, the People’s Army should perfect its features as befits the revolutionary armed forces of the Party. It should organize and conduct combat training in a highly intensive way, in a real-war atmosphere, to develop all its units in different arms, services and corps into the ranks of a-match-for-a-hundred combatants.

The Korean People’s Internal Security Forces should sharpen the edge of the sword of the class struggle and detect and frustrate the schemes by undesirable and hostile elements in time. The Worker-Peasant Red Guards and Young Red Guards should enhance their combat capability in all aspects through intensive combat and political training.

By consistently holding fast to the line of simultaneously promoting the two fronts in accordance with the strategic policy set by the Party at the Eighth Conference of Munitions Industry, the defence industry should develop and manufacture powerful strategic weapons and military hardware of our style, perfect its Juche-oriented production structure and modernize its production lines on the basis of cutting-edge science and technology.

The nuclear weapons research sector and the rocket industry should mass-produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles, the power and reliability of which have already been proved to the full, to give a spur to the efforts for deploying them for action.

And we should always be ready for immediate nuclear counterattack to cope with the enemy’s manoeuvres for a nuclear war.

The political and ideological might is the first and foremost strength of our state and the great propellant for opening up an avenue for building a powerful socialist country.

In order to successfully carry out the fighting tasks facing us, we should rally the whole Party more firmly on its organizational and ideological basis and establish a thoroughgoing revolutionary climate within the Party. In this way, we can constantly enhance its fighting efficiency and leadership role in the overall revolution and construction.

All Party organizations should never tolerate all shades of heterogeneous ideas and double standards of discipline that run counter to the Party’s ideology, but strengthen the single-hearted unity of the whole Party centred on its Central Committee in every way possible.

The whole Party should launch an intense struggle to establish a revolutionary climate within the Party with the main emphasis put on rooting out the abuse of Party authority, bureaucratism and other outdated methods and style of work, so as to ensure that the ties of kinship between the Party and the masses of the people are as solid as a rock.

Party organizations should intensify Party guidance to ensure that the work of their respective sectors and units is always conducted in conformity with the ideas and intentions of the Party and the requirements of its policies, and find satisfactory solutions to the problems arising in the building of a powerful socialist country by giving definite precedence to political work and motivating the people ideologically.

We should rally all the service personnel and people firmly behind the Party ideologically and volitionally so that they throw in their lot with it whatever the adversity and fight with devotion for the victory of the socialist cause.

Party and working people’s organizations and government organs should orient and subordinate all their undertakings to strengthening the single-hearted unity. The benchmark in planning and launching their work should be the people’s demands and interests. And they should go deep among the people, sharing good times and bad with them and solving their mental agony and difficulties in their lives. They should ensure that the shorter the supply of everything is, the fuller play is given to the beautiful traits of comrades and neighbours helping and caring for one another with all sincerity.

We should give free rein to the indomitable mental strength of the heroic Korean people on the present grand Mallima march.

Party and working people’s organizations should ensure that all the working people cherish patriotism in their hearts and bring about collective innovations one after another in the great campaign to create the Mallima speed with the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance and science and technology as the dynamic force. They should see to it that officials, Party members and other working people carry forward the fighting spirit displayed by the elder generations who brought about epochal changes on the grand Chollima march and all of them become Mallima pioneers who vigorously rush forward in the vanguard of the era.

Comrades,

Last year, too, our people made strenuous efforts to defend the peace of the country and hasten national reunification in keeping with the aspirations and demands of the nation. However, owing to the vicious sanctions and pressure by the United States and its vassal forces and their desperate manoeuvres to ignite a war, all aimed at checking the reinforcement of the self-defensive nuclear deterrent by our Republic, the situation on the Korean peninsula became aggravated as never before, and greater difficulties and obstacles were put on the road of the country’s reunification.

Even though the conservative “regime” in south Korea, which had resorted to fascist rule and confrontation with fellow countrymen, collapsed and the ruling circles were replaced by another thanks to the massive resistance by the enraged people of all walks of life, nothing has been changed in the relations between the north and the south. On the contrary, the south Korean authorities, siding with the United States in its hostile policy towards the DPRK against the aspirations of all the fellow countrymen for national reunification, drove the situation to a tight corner, further aggravated the mistrust and confrontation between the north and the south, and brought the bilateral relations to a fix that can be hardly resolved. We can never escape the holocaust of a nuclear war forced by the outside forces, let alone achieve national reunification, unless we put an end to this abnormal situation.

The prevailing situation demands that now the north and the south improve the relations between themselves and take decisive measures for achieving a breakthrough for independent reunification without being obsessed by bygone days. No one can present an honourable appearance in front of the nation if he or she ignores the urgent demands of the times.

This year is significant both for the north and the south as in the north the people will greet the 70th founding anniversary of their Republic as a great, auspicious event and in the south the Winter Olympic Games will take place. In order to not only celebrate these great national events in a splendid manner but also demonstrate the dignity and spirit of the nation at home and abroad, we should improve the frozen inter-Korean relations and glorify this meaningful year as an eventful one noteworthy in the history of the nation.

First of all, we should work together to ease the acute military tension between the north and the south and create a peaceful environment on the Korean peninsula.

As long as this unstable situation, which is neither wartime nor peacetime, persists, the north and the south cannot ensure the success of the scheduled events, nor can they sit face to face to have a sincere discussion over the issue of improving bilateral relations, nor will they advance straight ahead towards the goal of national reunification.

The north and the south should desist from doing anything that might aggravate the situation, and they should make concerted efforts to defuse military tension and create a peaceful environment.

The south Korean authorities should respond positively to our sincere efforts for a detente, instead of inducing the exacerbation of the situation by joining the United States in its reckless moves for a north-targeted nuclear war that threatens the destiny of the entire nation as well as peace and stability on this land. They should discontinue all the nuclear war drills they stage with outside forces, as these drills will engulf this land in flames and lead to bloodshed on our sacred territory. They should also refrain from any acts of bringing in nuclear armaments and aggressive forces from the United States.

Even though the United States is wielding the nuclear stick and going wild for another war, it will not dare to invade us because we currently have a powerful nuclear deterrent. And when the north and the south are determined, they can surely prevent the outbreak of war and ease tension on the Korean peninsula.

A climate favourable for national reconciliation and reunification should be established.

The improvement of inter-Korean relations is a pressing matter of concern not only to the authorities but to all other Koreans, and it is a crucial task to be carried out through a concerted effort by the entire nation. The north and the south should promote bilateral contact, travel, cooperation and exchange on a broad scale to remove mutual misunderstanding and distrust, and fulfil their responsibility and role as the motive force of national reunification.

We will open our doors to anyone from south Korea, including the ruling party and opposition parties, organizations and individual personages of all backgrounds, for dialogue, contact and travel, if they sincerely wish national concord and unity.

A definite end should be put to the acts that might offend the other party and incite discord and hostility between fellow countrymen. The south Korean authorities should not try, as the previous conservative “regime” did, to block contact and travel by people of different social strata and suppress the atmosphere for reunification through alliance with the north, under absurd pretexts and by invoking legal and institutional mechanisms; instead, they should direct efforts to creating conditions and environment conducive to national concord and unity.

To improve inter-Korean relations as soon as possible, the authorities of the north and the south should raise the banner of national independence higher than ever before, and fulfil their responsibility and role they have assumed for the times and the nation.

Inter-Korean relations are, to all intents and purposes, an internal matter of our nation, which the north and the south should resolve on their own responsibility. Therefore, they should acquire a steadfast stand and viewpoint that they will resolve all the issues arising in bilateral relations on the principle of By Our Nation Itself.

The south Korean authorities need to know that they will gain nothing from touring foreign countries to solicit their help on the issue of inter-Korean relations, and that such behaviour will give the outside forces, who pursue dishonest objectives, an excuse for their interference and complicate matters further. Now it is not time for the north and the south to turn their backs on each other and merely express their respective standpoints; it is time that they sit face to face with a view to holding sincere discussions over the issue of improving inter-Korean relations by our nation itself and seek a way out for its settlement in a bold manner.

As for the Winter Olympic Games to be held soon in south Korea, it will serve as a good occasion for demonstrating our nation’s prestige and we earnestly wish the Olympic Games a success. From this point of view we are willing to dispatch our delegation and adopt other necessary measures; with regard to this matter, the authorities of the north and the south may meet together soon. Since we are compatriots of the same blood as south Koreans, it is natural for us to share their pleasure over the auspicious event and help them.

We will, in the future, too, resolve all issues by the efforts of our nation itself under the unfurled banner of national independence and frustrate the schemes by anti-reunification forces within and without on the strength of national unity, thereby opening up a new history of national reunification.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I extend warm New Year greetings once again to all Korean compatriots at home and abroad, and I sincerely wish that in this significant year everything would go well both in the north and in the south.

Comrades,

The international situation we witnessed last year was clear proof that our Party and our state were absolutely correct in their strategic judgement and decision that when we are confronting the imperialist forces of aggression who are attempting to wreck global peace and security and make mankind suffer a nuclear holocaust, our only recourse is the power of justice.

As a responsible, peace-loving nuclear power, our country will neither have recourse to nuclear weapons unless hostile forces of aggression violate its sovereignty and interests nor threaten any other country or region by means of nuclear weapons. However, it will resolutely respond to acts of wrecking peace and security on the Korean peninsula.

Our Party and the government of our Republic will develop good-neighbourly and friendly relations with all the countries that respect our national sovereignty and are friendly to us, and make positive efforts to build a just and peaceful new world.

Comrades,

The year 2018 will be recorded as another year of victory for our people.

At this moment when this year’s gigantic march has begun, I am filled with confidence that our cause is ever-victorious as it is supported by the people, and I harden my resolve to make devoted efforts to live up to their expectations.

The Workers’ Party of Korea and the government of the Republic will never cease to struggle and advance until achieving the final victory of the revolutionary cause of Juche by relying on the trust and strength of the people, but surely hasten the future of a powerful socialist country where all the people lead a dignified and happy life.

Let us all march forward dynamically towards fresh victory of the revolution by displaying the unyielding mettle of heroic Korea under the leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea. -0-

    Az USA iszonyatosan beijedt a két Korea közeledési terveitől a Nemzeti.net-en jelent meg,

[a-m-proudfoot]

BlogTour ~ Rise of the Deva’shi ~ Excerpt

Blog Tour ~ Rise of the Deva'shi (Parthalan #3)

Author: Jennifer Allis Provost

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction/ Young Adult

Tour Dates: 20th-24th of March

Hosted by: Ultimate Fantasy Book Tours

 Blurb:

  A stolen girl. A legendary champion. A plan that might destroy Parthalan once and for all…

 Aeolmar, First Hunter of Parthalan, leads a solitary life. Having long since abandoned his quest to kill Mersgoth—the demon that murdered his family—Aeolmar moves through his days with cold efficiency. Everything changes when he leads a training mission in Brennus, where he’s attacked by Mersgoth himself, and saved by an unlikely heroine.

 Latera, first born and heir to Gannera’s throne, is kidnapped and left for dead in Parthalan’s vast forests. A lone human amongst Parthalan’s fae, she makes a home in Brennus, and lives a quiet life—until she finds herself defending a wounded First Hunter from a clutch of demons.

 Back in Parthalan, Harek warns Asherah of something called the deva’shi—a warrior loyal only to the demon lord, Asgeloth. Both Aeolmar and Latera suspect that there is more to this deva’shi than what Harek has told them, but before they can learn the truth, Parthalan’s borders are attacked. Will Aeolmar and Latera be able to stop the deva’shi in time, or is it a distraction to hide Harek’s true plans?

 RISE OF THE DEVA’SHI – book three of the Chronicles of Parthalan

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6587080-rise-of-the-deva-shi

 ↓Buy Links↓

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1438978987

  Author Bio:

 Jennifer Allis Provost is a native New Englander who lives in a sprawling colonial along with her beautiful and precocious twins, a dog, two birds, three cats, and a wonderful husband who never forgets to buy ice cream. As a child, she read anything and everything she could get her hands on, including a set of encyclopedias, but fantasy was always her favorite. She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior.

Visit her at:

 Website: https://authorjenniferallisprovost.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/copperraven/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/parthalan

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Allis-Provost/e/B003LXSUFU

   Excerpt:

Latera spent the rest of autumn and the entire winter in the sola, training with the other nuvi. There she learned how to fight with swords, spears, and her bare hands. While she had adequate skill with a broadsword, two smaller swords better fit her frame and speed, and she wore them strapped across her back.

Every few days, Aeolmar observed the nuvi train. He watched from the gallery, scowling down into the arena as they went through the motions of swordplay. On occasion Latera caught him watching her. Once, he almost laughed as Latera knocked Adhaire onto his backside in the dust.

Spring burst forth across Parthalan, and the Prelate, Harek, returned to the palace from his winter abode in the south. The nuvi watched from the palace gates as he marched inside with the con’dehr.

“Are the soldiers hunters too?” Latera asked Adhaire.

“Anyone can be a soldier,” he replied. “If you prove yourself good with a sword and can follow orders, they’ll welcome you into their ranks. You need to be selected for the sola.”

“Then we outrank the soldiers?”

“We do. We’re trained to engage demons, whereas soldiers are only trained in standard combat. They cannot make fire, and they aren’t trackers like we are. But Harek outranks Aeolmar, and he doesn’t let the First Hunter forget it.”

“I didn’t think anyone outranked Aeolmar,” Latera said.

“Only Harek and the queen do,” Adhaire continued. “Harek was with Asherah when she took the throne, and has been loyal to her ever since.”

The day after his return Harek inspected the nuvi. They lined up inside the arena, Latera in the last position since she was the newest. He walked past the first nineteen, stopping at every third or fourth nuvi to speak with Asherah, as Aeolmar followed them.

“I still don’t understand the ultimate purpose of that powder,” Asherah was saying. “And would it really be safe to house it in Teg’urnan?”

“It’s a well-known weapon in the southern lands,” Harek replied. “And safe enough when stored properly.” He stopped before Latera, and she got her first look at the Prelate. He was a short, stocky man with a chest like a barrel, small club-like hands, and coarse brown hair. He stood at least a head shorter than the queen and First Hunter, his rough face a sharp contrast to their delicate features, and Latera wondered if some troll blood coursed in his veins. As Latera contemplated Harek’s heritage, Aeolmar spoke.

“This is Latera,” Aeolmar said.

“Where do you hail from?” Harek barked.

“Brennus, my lord,” Latera replied.

The Prelate’s face hardened. “This is the one you told me of? She’s too small to hunt. Any demon could rip her in two.”

“No,” replied Aeolmar, “one could not. I’m standing here today because she defended me against three demons. Mersgoth is dead because of Latera.”

Harek scrutinized Latera. “We shall see,” he grumbled, and the three of them continued on their way.

 ###

 Five days after the Prelate’s return, the Trial by Combat was held. As the nuvi readied themselves, and wagered on who would win, Adhaire bragged about winning the last Trial by Combat.

“I expect I’ll win this bout as well,” he said as he strapped on his gauntlets.

“What will that change?” Alia asked. “You’ve won the last three, yet you’re still a nuvi.” The other nuvi laughed as Adhaire scowled, but Alia laughed them off. “Calm, Adhaire. You know we all want you to win again.”

“If for no other reason than to get him out of here,” Latera muttered.

It was well after midday when the nuvi entered the hot, dusty arena. Every last seat was filled. Latera saw the queen seated on the gallery with Harek and Aeolmar flanking her, an outpost of calm amidst the excited crowd. A gong sounded, and the Trial by Combat began.

Three nuvi rushed Latera at once, and she evaded two as she disarmed the third. Dust churned across the arena, and Latera soon lost count of how many she faced.

An unknown warrior entered and made his way across the playing field, waiting for his opponent. He was clad in gray leather, with a matching helm that covered most of his face. Latera had only glimpsed him before she spun to face her next opponent: Alia. As Alia fell into the dust, Latera turned to the next nuvi and learned that only she and the unknown remained.

They circled one another. Then, the unknown rushed Latera. She parried and stepped aside. He advanced with a great arching blow. Latera crossed her swords and blocked him mid-strike. As they struggled, Latera glanced toward the gallery, which only held Asherah and Harek. In a burst of recognition, she twisted out from under the unknown’s sword and snatched his helm. Aeolmar’s hair fell around his shoulders, and he pulled Latera’s back against his chest, his sword at her throat.

“You did very well,” Aeolmar breathed into Latera’s ear. She twisted free and faced him.

“That is not your sword,” Latera snapped.