#Book 2: Labyrinth

[townofslumber]

Coming Summer 2023!

[reggie-gremlin]

a single choice shall end his days

something something the choice not being percy's choice to give luke the dagger but annabeth's choice

wouldn't it make more sense? yes, percy gave luke the "cursed blade", but annabeth got through to him first. what would have happened if she didn't? maybe percy would have died instead by kronos's hand. the first time i read the last olympian i immediately connected the scythe's description to the prophecy (it's consistently described as something that affects the person's soul when injured)

there is a consistent pattern between annabeth's choices pertaining to luke and how they affect his fate. hermes is aware of this, getting angry at annabeth for not having done more to help luke when he'd gone to talk to her years prior, because he knows that she could have made a difference.

(more under the cut)

botl emphathises this point in multiple ways

it shows very clearly the duality between percy and luke and how their narrative foil can flip at any time. what happens to one can easily happen to the other and nothing is certain until it has come to pass. this is represented through the prophecy ("lose a love to worse than death"), which annabeth spends the whole book worrying about (what i would give for an annabeth pov of botl)

it shows how important annabeth is when it comes to fate:

(taken from riordan wiki)

the god of choices himself doesn't come to bother the first person he comes across. he was there for a reason, that being that he knew annabeth's importance in the grand scheme of things

furthermore, going back to the titan's curse brings a new player into the game: thalia. had she not chosen to become a huntress, she would have turned sixteen. here it get's harder to form theories as to what might have happened because, as i've just said, it's difficult to know fate before it happens, but there is one thing that we do know: thalia chose to not turn sixteen because she didn't trust herself to be able to save olympus. she had been a tree for several years, she was still getting used to life again, and the person she trusted most had hurt and betrayed her little sister.

no matter how you frame it, the prophecy is always going to come back to luke, annabeth and thalia

[guildofempyreans]

Chapter 1: "A Visitor"

//GOD DAMN, HERE I GO! It's Book 2 time!

Let's see how the next part of the journey through Lemuria begins...//

Emotions. Desires. Feelings…

Why did they have to feel like this?

They were distracting. They muddled his head, made him feel sick to his stomach. The feelings he experienced in the past. All the tears shed, the worry, the fear. All the weaknesses, plain to see. He wasn’t supposed to let himself feel this way. Nothing was supposed to phase him after Adhara took him in. That was what he’d decided.

But now they were trying to spill out.

Siegril reared his head back and smacked it into his knees.

His head was ringing, and the sounds around him didn’t make it any better. Even though he’d found a secluded alleyway, Maginia was never quiet enough. All sorts of noise from the main streets were able to drown him out, but now his mind was filled with white noise.

He needed any thoughts and memories of his parents and brother out of his head. All the unnecessary feelings he’d picked up in his time in Maginia. He couldn't stand feeling so…

Vulnerable.

Siegril raised his head, holding his legs tighter together. He couldn’t allow these feelings to keep affecting them like this. He couldn’t. He couldn’t.

He stood up, wiping his face off with his sleeve. He just needed to focus on something else. That was it.

The expedition itself. That was worth focusing on. He still felt too incompetent in battle. Training could be a good way to regain focus. Money wasn’t as much of an issue now, thanks to…

…Right, Luxes. He was supposed to be supplying him with Amritas, taking one of the biggest weights off his shoulders. It still seemed too good to be true, even with the caveat of having to help him in his research whenever he wanted.

Siegril quietly stepped out of the alleyway and blended into the crowd, deciding to set his sights on the hospital. Go there, then train. That worked.

Luxes seemed to spend a lot of time at Redray, so he was likely there. The one issue was that he seemed to always be sent off on missions with…

Siegril’s stomach churned at the thought.

If he was looking for Luxes, he’d likely find Flynn, given the track record. Normally, he wouldn’t care much what someone’s feelings for him were. But what happened between him and Flynn wasn’t his doing. He couldn’t stand seeing the fear in his eyes from something he couldn’t control. Something he didn’t want to happen.

Siegril looked up. The sun was nearly gone, but the moon wasn’t out… meaning it’d been about two hours since he’d left the inn. And he was still thinking like this.

All because he wasn’t strong enough to resist the Hollow Queen’s magic like everyone else. He wasn’t strong enough to do this or that. That’s all it felt like in this expedition. Every single time, something had gone wrong, and someone else had to step in for him.

I’m not always like this, am I?

Am I really this pitiful?

... ... ...

Siegril yanked the hospital door open. The cooler air inside was a welcome shock to the system.

Standing behind the desk was Uriel, putting a folder away. Her back faced the door, but her head spun around so that it faced Siegril.

“Welcome.”

Taking a quick look around, the waiting room only had one person in it. A medic, by the look of their white coat, who was reading a book. They had brown scruffy hair that covered their left eye, tied into a short, low ponytail. They also had some stubble, and generally seemed unkempt.

Siegril narrowed his eyes. There was something strange about them.

“Hello.”

He turned back towards Uriel.

“Is Luxes here?” he asked.

“Yes.” she turned the rest of her body towards Siegril. “Do you want me to call him?”

He nodded.

Uriel closed her eyes, and the circlet on her head changed from orange to bright blue. Siegril took a step back and hovered a hand to the inside of his sleeve.

“Luxes. Come to the front.”

She was silent for a few seconds. “Quiet. A visitor has requested you.”

Siegril, bewildered, dropped his stance. What exactly was she doing?

“Siegril. You have worked with him before.”

He heard the medic’s book close quietly.

After another pause, Uriel uttered a quick “Goodbye” before her circlet shifted back to its regular orange color.

“Luxes will be here soon.” she said, opening her eyes. “I suggest that you find a spot to wait.”

Siegril looked at the opposite end of the waiting area. There was no reason to entertain whatever odd feeling that medic brought in him. At least, not up close. Maybe if he observed them from a distance, he would–

“Siegril.”

The voice was so quiet that he’d hardly heard it. Yet he whipped around, eyes wide open. Hearing, and looking closer at the medic who gave him a lazy little wave, that odd feeling turned to…

Familiarity.

But Siegril didn’t know what to say or do.

In the end, he chose to sit in the chair across from them, and quietly look on. Waiting for them to speak first.

“Well…” they began. “Never thought I’d see you outside of Etria. Or away from the old man’s hip.”

He wasn’t too surprised he had forgotten, but…

Oz. That was this medic’s name. Despite working in the proclaimed slums of Etria, they were a licensed doctor. When Siegril had first moved in with Adhara, Oz was living in the house as well. They were the one who patched him up and got him eating, again.

  Around six months later, however, Oz had left. Siegril hadn’t seen them since.

  He didn’t pry the subject, especially since Adhara had given enough of an explanation for him. Oz had gone to find new work. That didn’t explain how the mood of the house briefly shifted after the fact, but again, he didn’t want to pry. It was always just odd. The house had gotten quieter for a time, even though the loudest of the three wasn’t the one who’d left.

“It’s been a while.” If his guess was right, it had been about seven years since he’d last seen Oz.

“Mmmh… Hey, stand up.” they said.

Siegril did so, despite wondering why. 

“Huh.” Oz leaned to the side of their chair, propping an elbow up and placing their cheek on their hand.

“You were… ‘bout this tall last time I saw you.” they noted, raising their hand near the top of their forehead. “Really been a while.”

Siegril nodded, then sat back down. …Had he really been that short? He still wasn’t considered tall now, but… time had flown. Enough for him to not immediately recognize Oz. While he technically hadn’t known them for long, they were a constant presence in that short time.

“How’s life treatin’ you, Siege? Better?”

He had to twitch his ears to hear Oz, but once he did, he looked down. “I…”

Guess so, is what his brain was piloting him to answer. But, was that true? Between then and now, shouldn’t he be more sure of how things have been?

He was. He knew. Despite how he was feeling at the moment…

“Yeah.” he kept his head lowered to hide the small smile as he admitted it.

“That so? Glad to hear it, you know? Really am.”

Despite the monotonous tone that some may interpret differently, he knew Oz’s words were genuine.

“Kinda wish I could’ve stayed, but…” they sighed. “Life wanted me elsewhere, and your old man...”

They shook their head. “Ah, ‘nough of that. Speaking of ‘Dara… You here with him?”

“No.” he answered plainly, more caught up on whatever Oz was going to say before changing the subject. Back then, it didn’t matter. Oz left, and that was that. Now, though? Siegril’s curiosity was building. It wasn’t enough to ask yet, but it was going to remain in the back of his mind.

“So. Made any friends here?” they asked, reclining into the chair.

Siegril nodded. “We’re in the same guild.”

At least, two people who plainly said they were friends. As for the others in the guild, he doubted Ylva or Ruki would say they weren’t friends. Wing was Wing, and Alverion…

Well, he was an acquaintance, if that. More like a coworker.

“I was joking, you know? But that’s good.” With a breathy chuckle, they continued. “Quiet lil’ Siegril, going out on his own? Making friends, joining guilds. Grew up fast.”

“You’re quieter than me.”

Oz snorted, looking up with a crooked smile. “And grew with some sass, huh? I meant the amount you speak. You’ve spoken ‘bout a thousand times as many syllables in this talk alone than you’d done in all the time I was living with you two.”

“Hm.” Back then, he could barely bring himself to speak, even when he wanted to. He just couldn’t. Oz believed the reason was linked to his experiences with the Wyvern, his brother, and his parents. Siegril never fully understood it, but he wasn’t one to doubt Oz.

“Wait…” Oz sat up straighter in their chair. “You’ve gone an’ become an explorer, fighting monsters n’ all? Does that mean your Mana–”

“No.” Siegril took a quick look around.

No one else was here except for Uriel. He wasn’t sure if she was even able to hear the conversation, though. As a member of the staff, her knowing wouldn't be the worst case. Then again, everyone else he’d met here already knew one way or another. She likely had some idea.

Still, even if people knew, most didn’t know the extent. Oz was made aware when they’d first met. They tried what they could to help, but nothing worked.

Siegril couldn’t bring himself to look at Oz. He lowered his voice in shame. “I still have to drink it.”

Neither said or did anything, until Siegril heard the leather and slight creak of the chair Oz was in. A moment later, they sat down next to him.

He felt a pat on his shoulder, then another. Siegril was happy to see Oz again, but there was always this underlying melancholy between them. It felt strange to go back to that ‘normal’ the two had so quickly.

He hoped something could change about that.

As minutes passed, he wasn’t sure if the ticking of the clock in the room was making the otherwise quiet hospital better or worse.

A door had clicked open further within the room.

“Good to see you, Siegril.” 

He listened to the clicking of Luxes’ shoes as he got closer. A heel-to-toe walk… Expected, from someone like Luxes. He seemed to think highly of himself.

Without warning, he practically fell into the chair across from Siegril with a groan. His head was thrown back, and his arms were reclined over the adjacent chairs. “Apologies…! I’ve just been running ragged this past week…”

“One of your friends?”

“Huh?” Luxes grumbled. His head lolled to the side, and he opened his eyes. Oz gave him a similar, halfhearted wave.

Luxes’ visible eye widened as he sat up. He cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair. “It’s nice to meet you, indeed. Are you a new employee?”

“Maybe one day.” Oz replied. “I’ve just been scoping out the medical facilities on this ship.”

His ears twitched as Oz spoke. He leaned in with an arched brow. “What was that?”

“They’re not an employee.” Siegril answered. “They’re checking out other hospitals to see if they wanna work at one.”

“Ah!” Luxes had stopped adjusting his hair and addressed Oz with a smile. “You don’t have to be so meek around me, you know?”

“Meek?” they droned before yawning.

Luxes laughed. “If you’d like to know more about the place, feel free to come to me tomorrow.”

“Oh. So, you work here?”

“I do not.” he replied. “Or… Hm. Perhaps I do. Albeit unofficially. But we’re getting off track. One; I work closely with the owner and his brother. I know more than the average employee. Two; what exactly have you summoned me for, Siegril?”

“It’s about the missions.”

“Oh? Well, what is it?” he asked, straightening up. “I already have a different guild to help me with one this week, in case you were hoping for a new request so soon.”

“No, I…”

He stopped, looking down in realization.

Right…

He had nothing to ask.

He just wanted a distraction. But he couldn’t just say that. And of all people to ask for a distraction from, why Luxes? They weren’t friends, guildmates, or anything like that. On the contrary, Luxes was basically his boss now.

“...Want you to be more clear about what’s in the places you ask us to go.” He figured he was a good enough liar for this to work. Besides, this was something he’d like Luxes to do. “Not just monsters. I mean stuff like the thorns in the Giant’s Ruins. And the amount of monsters. Didn’t you say you went in there before? Why didn’t you tell us?”

“What…?!” Luxes nearly whined. “Haven’t you already known that the Giant’s Ruins were similar to the jungle? And does the amount of monsters really matter? That’s the sort of thing you should expect, strolling into a monster’s domain! You could say I’m helping you learn a lesson! Never underestimate the labyrinth, as they say!”

Siegril could only glare at Luxes, who tilted his head and smiled innocently as a response.

“Oh, very well, I’ll see what I can do.” he added. “Actually, how’s this? I’ve been asked to investigate a labyrinth that’s been given the name ‘Untrodden Basin’. It’s a place with sticky patches of mud and tricky chameleons that conjure ice. Your guild’s assistance would be appreciated, especially with your ability to paralyze those chameleons in place.”

He pointed at Siegril with a grin. “Was that good enough for you?”

Siegril narrowed his eyes before looking away. “Yeah. Thanks. And we’ll see if we can help.”

“Good~!” he said, placing a finger on his chin. “Now, I’m hoping to have this Untrodden Basin cleared out by the end of the month. There’s much to learn on these islands, and more still, once the fog surrounding the Isle of Solitude has cleared. I can’t just waste my time in these small-scale labyrinths!”

“Alright.”

Coming here wasn’t all bad, then. He had a potential new mission, and even got to meet Oz again. He just needed to see if the guild was up to Luxes’ task before confirming.

…It was odd, needing to consult with others before taking on any tasks. He wasn’t a fan of having to wait for his decisions, but that was what being in a team meant. He just had to get used to it, for now.

“Well, then. If that’s all, I should be going.” Luxes stood from his seat. “Biscotti may still need some help.”

Siegril nodded. That was all he needed to do here, then. It was time to get up and leave.

“Wait.”

And yet…

“How’s… Flynn?”

“ Flynn? ” Luxes repeated. He turned to Siegril, crossing his arms and murmuring for a minute. “Well, his injury’s healing, if that’s what you’re worried about. I can’t say when he’ll be back out and about, though. Something else seems to be an issue.”

“What is?” Siegril asked.

Luxes shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure. Biscotti seems to know, but he’s not telling me. I figured the Hollow Queen’s magic had some residual effect, but that’s apparently not the case.”

What exactly did that mean? Flynn’s injury was fine, but something was wrong enough to make him think the Hollow Queen still had some effect on him? Siegril wasn’t sure if he wanted to pry further or not.

“I must say, I’m surprised you’re so concerned.”

Because it wasn’t him who did that. He didn’t want to. He didn’t mean to. And he could barely even think enough to stop himself. How could he possibly feel good about himself after that? And how could he possibly combat a power like that, if something similar happened? The chances weren’t low, with the unpredictability of the labyrinth’s monsters.

Luxes cleared his throat after a moment. “Well, if that’s all you need, I’ll hopefully be visiting the Baku Inn soon.”

“Okay.” He listened to the same heel-toe walk until Luxes left into the deeper section of the clinic before standing up, himself.

“Oh. You leaving?”

Siegril quickly looked over, having forgotten Oz was there. He nodded.

“Mind if I go with you? We don’t need to play anymore catchup, I just wanna talk with you a bit more.”

“Okay.” he murmured, nodding again. “But I’m going to the inn I stay at, then I’m leaving to train.”

“Hmmh… Got it. I should head home soon, myself.”

While he wasn’t too comfortable with chatting, he hated the idea of being left alone with his thoughts more. And so, the two left the hospital.

They walked in relative silence for a few minutes. People were still loitering around, whether they were civilians or explorers on their way to, or from, the islands. Never quiet, never peaceful… that just seemed to be how Maginia was. A person was never exactly alone here, for better or worse.

Oz strayed slightly behind. Siegril heard them rifle through their bag before pulling out a sort of wrapper.

They presented a bar, about the size of their entire hand. “Here ya go. Eat.”

Siegril glanced at the bar. Under the street light, he could make out that it was some sort of nutrient bar.

“You haven’t been eating enough, have you?” Despite their unbothered gaze, Oz’s voice was laced with a suspicion that Siegril couldn’t argue against.

“Been trying…” he hesitantly responded, snatching the bar. “The inn I stay at has good food.”

“That so? Guess I should check inside the place.” they said. “They still serve dinner at this time?”

“There’s probably something left.”

“Good, good. So you should get yourself some dinner if you haven’t already.”

Siegril sighed, turning around and walking ahead. “Okay…!”

Oz chuckled. “Alright, fine. I’ll shut up ‘bout you needing to eat. Now, about your guild…”

“Hey. Why do you want me to talk so much after giving me food?”

Neither spoke for a moment. Siegril used the opportunity to take a bite. It was pretty flavorless and, combined with their talk about the inn’s food, just made him want some of Leonidas’ cooking more.

“Guess I could’a thought that out better.” they admitted, scratching their chin.

The two remained quiet as they walked, even after Siegril finished eating and handed Oz the wrapper to put in their bag.

The inn was beginning to bring him some level of comfort, especially after putting that table into his room. After his evening out, he was relieved to go back. Maybe introducing Oz to the inn, and whoever in the guild was awake and around, wouldn't be too bad of a way to spend time before going off to train.

Plus, there was a chance they’d be interested in joining the guild. It didn’t seem likely, considering Oz was scouting out various hospitals and clinics, but the guild would unquestionably benefit from more healing.

Nearing the building, Siegril could hear something unusual inside. He slowed his steps to listen better.

“What’s wrong?” Oz asked.

“People’re being loud in there.”

“Heh… Not a fan?”

“I don’t really care.” he said, walking towards the entrance. “I just dunno why they’re being loud.”

“Only one way to find out, Siege.” they noted, a bit of levity in their tone.

Siegril twisted the handle, pushing the door open.

The sight of Folze in the foyer was already enough to put him on alert. Ylva was speaking with him, and Wing was at her side.

“...think’s goin’ on?!” Ylva spoke with undeniable urgency.

“I…” Folze paused, turning to the entrance. “Siegril…”

“Sieg!” Ylva shouted. “Yer alright!”

Despite the pit in his stomach, Siegril nodded and started to walk towards the two. He could hear Oz quietly trailing behind.

“Yeah. Why?” As much as he didn’t want to be bothered, this seemed important. Folze didn’t just stand out in the open like this. Not to mention Ylva’s comment.

“Have ya seen Ain?!” she asked.

Siegril’s legs suddenly felt heavy. He shook his head. “Why…?”

“I felt a powerful, unknown presence enter your room.” Folze spoke in a slow, methodical voice. A part of his cloak weaved upward to touch his head. “It was only for a moment. But after that… Ain’s presence became weaker, and the unknown’s became stronger. Now, his presence is nowhere to be felt.”

“What?”

[aroaessidhe]

2024 reads / storygraph

The Liar’s Knot & Labyrinth’s Heart

books 2&3 in a fantasy trilogy set in a Venetian inspired city full of political intrigue

follows a young woman who conned her way into a noble family, a masked vigilante, and a crime boss, who eventually become allies while juggling multiple identities

and trying to save their people and city by joining a secret society to find origins of a corrupting curse, to eventually destroy the powerful magical objects at the heart of it

tarot magic & sigil/geometry magic, dreamworlds, sentient magical disguises

[beatriceportinari]

Wave model by Ekaterina Lukasheva, folded by me. The colors and patterns are inspired by Japanese woodblock prints of the sea

[yyyyanyan]

Book Club: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan

alright so I spent about a monthish trying to binge the whole series-series but it was not meant to be so I'm going to post ramblings first

Honestly, I spent the entire series silently screaming "THEY ARE SO YOUNG" because goddamn why are they doing all of this as tweens and teens ToT Looking back on it I totally get why they aged them up in the movie series because oh my god none of them could even DRIVE what were they doing alone with a hundred(?) dollars on a cross-country quest!!! I felt so old reading the first book especially LOL like omg they're twelve

Percy is just such a fun narrator and the whole series was so good that I couldn't put it down. I powered through it all as fast as I could. I also knew it was coming the whole time but I cried when Luke :(((((( just Luke :(((((

It was also interesting to look back on the "we can't use phones because it attracts monsters" since everyone has a smartphone these days. It's too bad because I just think it would be fun if they became tiktok stars (as a treat, for me).

The one thing I'm :[ about is I feel like Grover doesn't get enough time!! He's "best friends" with Percy but he's not treated like it :( and I guess like. once he's found Pan he's totally gone... he's never around... and I guess with Grover and kind of all the other non-Annabeth characters (but ESPECIALLY minor characters like monsters or whoever shows up just once) they can all be sort of one-note and have one defining feature/quirk. It's entertaining but sometimes I also wonder about the potential.

Percy is literally just like so freaking goated and I love him so much lol. I kind of thought I wouldn't find him entertaining anymore because I'm way older now than when I first read this but he is still a quirky dumbass and I still like him.

One last thing--rereading this made me appreciate Black Annabeth just a little extra. It was really easy to see where the earlier books had characters were imagined to be white by default (the specific example I can think of is how Annabeth's siblings all had gray eyes and blonde hair) and I'm glad that the later books worked to be more diverse.

[kazz-brekker]

if i had a nickel for every time i read a fantasy novel featuring a character loosely inspired by david bowie who was also raised by literal wolves, i would have two nickels. which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it’s happened twice

[thelittlestspider]

when i say i could just read an entire book or listen to a podcast about someone just describing weird shit in a collection or a museum.

[justabunchofdragons]

girl i've never felt so happy with a book than i am with the binding by bridget collins

[danielleurbansblog]

Review: Labyrinth of Lies

Synopsis: When the daughter of a high-profile businessman disappears from an exclusive girls’ boarding school, police detective Cate Reilly is tapped for an undercover assignment. It doesn’t take her long to realize that beneath the veneer of polish and wealth, things are not as they seem at Ivy Hill Academy. But the biggest surprise of all? The only man she ever loved is also working at the…

[townofslumber]

⭐️ Coming Summer 2023 ⭐️ ♈️ ♋️ ♏️ ♓️

[lover-of-mine]

People that want Leah and Walker to dye their hair have never actually touch their hair and it shows , I love dying my hair but I understand the amount of works it is and the fact you hair never truly comes back to the way it was and these are kids ! Why would you even think about wanting to make them do one potentially damaging to their hair when we actually have stories of young kids actors that as adults say they regretted doing stuff to their hair and also walkers curls and Leah braids are so beautiful, when she had the ponytail and pigtails there wasn’t a more annabeth look than that

Honestly tho, I don't think people realize that if they dyed Walker's hair, they would've probably be dyeing it every 2 weeks because of how light his hair is and how the roots would look, and that would be so damaging to his hair in the long run. And people are arguing that since Leah already had braids in, they could've used blonde braiding hair to make her blonde, but there is no point in making that, her braids following her natural color look perfect with the character. She embodies Annabeth so beautifully, her hair color should be the least of people's worries. And the way there are people who are mad they didn't put her in grey contacts too, like, do yall not realize you're actively telling a CHILD she shouldn't look the way she does??????? I knew I would be wanting to fight strangers on the internet over the trio but OH MY GOD

[guildofempyreans]

Chapter 3: The Day of the Summoner

//Wait, is it the day of the Summoner in the EO calendar already?

Well, no. But...//

Siegril could sense it. Similar to what he felt in the Primitive Jungle, a certain formation of Mana drew his attention. It could only belong to the kind that resided within recently-spilled blood. Still fresh and unaware that it was ‘free’ , so to speak, swimming idly within blood.

This time, he couldn't discern who or what it belonged to, which worried him. The duller presence felt similar to an Earthlain or Therian, but there was something else within it entirely. It was an unpleasant trace that nearly made Siegril stop in his tracks.

But he had to keep going. The second set of ruins were in this direction, and that was their last lead.

“Ugh… think that Boundin’ Beast lost interest in us by now?”

He looked back at Ylva, who was walking close behind. She held her spear with both hands, her eyes darting this way and that.

Though, from what he understood, she wasn’t able to see far ahead. Why was she wasting the energy and focus on looking around?

Nevermind. That wasn’t important right now.

“Maybe. I’m… starting to sense someone’s blood. …Someone’s Mana.” he corrected. “I don’t know whose it is.”

He hesitated, but there was no reason not to tell her. He didn’t like being so unsure in the matter of potential life or death, but that was what this entire night had been. One more uncertainty on the pile was hardly worth any secrecy.

“Huh… So that’s how ya do it? Scannin’ Mana, I mean. I thought Celestrians could just sense Mana by itself, but you… like ta sense it from blood?”

“I don't like it, it’s the only way I can.” Why was this the topic she had to settle on? “Unless it’s volatile enough inside the body. Or it’s just that strong. Then I can feel it.” 

“Oh. Gotcha. Uh, sorry if I hit a nerve.” she hesitantly replied. Wing inched closer to Siegril, taking care not to “lead the pack” like she usually would. Even she wasn’t able to see as far and vividly in the dark as Siegril.

Once they scaled a small hill, a welcome sight came into view. Dilapidated, gray pillars scattered along a path. Blue veins of energy ran through them, as well as the path of stone that snaked around a few trees. At the end of the path stood a similar building as the first island’s ruins. Parts of these ruins were also overtaken by vines, but it was comparatively more maintained.

“Lookit those lights…” Ylva said, placing her hand above her eyes. “I can finally see more than a foot ahead! ‘bout time!”

“Wait.” 

Siegril warily looked around before closing his eyes.

He could hear the faint sound of stone being struck by a dull object. Whatever it was, it wasn’t a blunt weapon like a hammer or mace. He didn’t hear the sound again before some wildlife flew out from the direction of the ruins. They were regular birds and owls, not monstrous ones. That was good, but…

“Something’s happening at the ruins.” he took out two knives. “Follow me. And be quiet.”

He could hear the dull pound against stone, again. The errant flow of Mana was getting more noticeable as they drew closer. They had to be connected. The noise turned into a crack against the stone. Siegril's ears twitched at the change, but he was otherwise undeterred.

Getting closer, he could make out a figure hunched towards the building. He stopped behind a pillar.

“What is it?” Ylva whispered.

“Hide.”

He could hear the two huddle up near them. He would have sighed and grumbled, in a less stressful situation. They were all crowded behind the same pillar, which was not at all what he meant, but that wasn’t important. The figure ahead was.

lt was unmistakably Zandiel.

“Whaddaya see?” Ylva murmured. Siegril held up a finger in response.

He saw Zandiel, and no other entity. The only thing to note was the disconcerting, bright red glow coming from the spot on the wall in front of Zandiel. He was staring at it.

Had he escaped his captor? Was someone hiding in the shadows? Or chasing after him? Was that someone inside the ruins?

“Ain.” he replied.

“What?!” Ylva shouted. Siegril covered her mouth without looking away. Zandiel either hadn’t heard, or was unaffected by, Ylva’s voice. He didn’t flinch.

“In front of the ruins.” he spoke quietly on instinct. If Zandiel didn’t respond to Ylva’s yelling, then there was no way he’d respond to him. “He’s…”

And then, Zandiel moved. He stepped back from the door as if he’d been pushed, nearly falling over.

He felt concern inching its way into his chest, but his instincts told him to keep his distance and watch.

“Don’t move yet.” He couldn’t tell if that was for Ylva, Wing, or himself.

What was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he just calm down and focus?

“Yeah, yeah, is he okay?! ” she hissed.

“Let me focus.”

Zandiel struggled to raise his arm, slow and labored. A scarlet red liquid emerged from it and swirled around. Siegril looked on with a sense of foreboding. It wasn’t blood, but it was too evocative of it to not feel that way.

In the blink of an eye, Zandiel drove his imbued arm into the ruins. It slammed against the stone with a force beyond his capabilities. The red liquid sprayed out, as if the stone had burst open in a shower of blood.

The situation called for even more caution after that, yet Siegril was sprinting into the fray.

He stopped at the bottom stair to the entrance, catching his breath and calming his nerves as the dust settled. Ylva stopped next to him, but Wing ran until she was ahead of the two. She took one of the few steps up and let out muffled barks through the knife she’d placed in her mouth.

“Ain!” Ylva shouted. “What the hell happened?! You okay?!”

Bits of rubble and liquid dropped into the pile in front of Zandiel. The stone in front of him had been destroyed, leaving a gaping, unnatural entrance to the shrine. Siegril watched as bits of stone, engraved with carvings that glowed red, lost their luster and color entirely.

Zandiel’s arm fell slack. Then, he faced everyone. Siegril took a step back and raised his arms defensively.

“Ain?” Ylva asked again.

His visible eye lowered until it met Ylva’s.

“Ain…” Zandiel looked at his arm, attempting to raise it as it tremored. Despite the clear signs of pain, he was utterly expressionless. “ That is… the moniker of the vessel?”

The voice that came from Zandiel’s mouth spoke slowly. The voice was his at its core, but it was deeper, and came with a slight echo that Siegril could barely parse. It spoke slowly, each word holding equal intent.

Siegril glared at the arm that’d broken into the ruins. The scarlet red was gone, and all that remained was a blackish-red substance that came from his palm.

This was the source of Mana. This had to be connected to who–or what–had taken Zandiel. But what was it? A wraith? A person controlling his mind and body?

“What’re you talkin’ about?!” she demanded. She took a step forward after receiving no answer. “Hey!”

Zandiel snatched his arm into his clean hand, and took a deep breath.

“Ylva…” Zandiel said, causing her stance to falter. he looked down. “Wing.” then, he looked back up. “Siegril.” he concluded, taking a pause as he let his arm fall back down.

Slowly, the arm ceased its writhing.

“This vessel… cries for these three. Who are you, to be so important?” his body did nothing to convey his curiosity. His expression lacked emotion, and his body was still.

“Ain’t no way yer askin’ who WE are!” Ylva shouted, pointing her spear forward. “Yer the one draggin’ Ain around, ain’t ya?! So who or what the hell are YOU?! Start answerin’!”

Siegril remained in his stance. As challenging as staying focused was, he kept his eyes on his potential target. If this was going to lead to a fight, he had to be ready to subdue… whoever this was.

“Heed me.” his voice had become louder, more commanding. “I shall bring about prosperity to the suffering, war-torn land of Lemuria.”

“Wha…?” Ylva’s voice and confidence had fizzled out.

Zandiel closed his eyes and took a single step forward, not leaving the platform he stood on. “The Seals placed upon Lemuria’s shrines. Assist this vessel in his task. He must deactivate them. Break them.”

He turned away, and Siegril followed his motion. They landed on the foggy expanse, engulfing the sea that surrounded the island.

“Two have been broken. Two remain. To bring about prosperity, break the Seals, and slay their Guardians. There is… no other choice, should you wish to venture beyond the mist.”

“So that’s how you get rid of the mist.” Siegril noted.

Zandiel nodded, not bothering to look back.

This entity was amiable enough to answer questions. That meant that this was the best time to gather information. Siegril told himself as much, stomping down his personal feelings in the process.

“The entrance to this shrine was a seal.”

“Correct.”

Then that meant… “That hand in the first set of ruins was a seal, too.”

“Hm. Weathered as it was.”

So the first seal was a weak one. Maybe that explained why there was no mist barring the path between the first island and the second one.

“Hold on, what hand are y’all talkin’ about?” Ylva asked.

“The room in the first ruins that we saw,” he replied. “There was a hand carved into that wall, but…”

He narrowed his eyes on Zandiel, who faced him at last. Siegril’s blood chilled at the sight.

The pitch-black sclera and piercing red eyes were still new to him, but that didn’t explain why Zandiel’s eyes looked so devoid . Was he even looking at him? Aware of him? Was anyone truly in that mind, right now?

“Something… happened to Ain and the symbol after he put his hand on it.” Siegril kept his voice as even as he could while pointing a knife and a venomous glare at him. “What was it? What did you do? Explain, or I’ll…”

Kill you.

Kill. You.

That was all he needed to say. A simple threat to get things going. It was one he used all the time, to the point where threatening lives had no meaning.

…So why couldn’t he say it? That lifeless look in the eye that bore a hole into him. That echoing voice. This wasn't Zandiel he was speaking to. And yet…

“Wait, so you…” Ylva turned back to Zandiel. “YOU hurt Alverion?!”

Zandiel turned his gaze to Ylva, and Siegril felt a crushing weight lift from his body.

“This vessel was accosted by one who wished to disrupt us. A vile act, of which the cost was death.” He paused, though nothing changed in his stance or demeanor to suggest he was thinking of anything. “However, this vessel… reminded me of our priority.”

Ylva took a breath, one that was shaky and uncertain as she held a tighter grip on her spear. “You… you tried ta kill Alverion, ‘n you expect us ta help you?”

He narrowed his eye and let a visible frown grace his features. “I allow you this chance. Should you prove ill-suited, I will assume control of this vessel once more.”

Ylva grit her teeth.

“My time grows short.” he exhaled. “ The task of guiding this vessel to the remaining Shrines falls to you. Do not let “Ain” come to harm. “Ain” must not perish.”

He paused again before continuing. This time, he placed a hand under his chin and let his brow furrow, seeming to give his next words genuine thought.

“The day of the Summoner. If you do not complete this goal by the day of the Summoner…”

His eyes snapped open.

“ I will. ”

He opened his mouth after a pause, holding the daunting look he’d given, but nothing came out. Instead, his body swayed to the side. Ylva reached out, but flinched back when “Zandiel” practically snarled at her. He caught himself, looking down at her with an unreadable look.

“What’s your goal? What’s your name?” Siegril quickly asked. They needed answers, now. If it was telling the truth in not coming back, then this could be the only time…

Zandiel’s face contorted in pain as he gripped his right arm. “I sh-shall… bring about Prosperity to Lemuria! I am…!”

With a heavy gasp, he fell forward. Ylva dropped her spear to catch him from below. “Ain?!”

“Y-Your…” The echo in Zandiel’s voice had nearly dissipated.

“Mn…” he grumbled something else out, but no one could catch it before he fell silent.

The abnormal Mana had dissipated in an instant. The change was so quick that Siegril’s body shuddered as it adjusted. It felt wrong to have detected it in the first place, somehow.

With a breath and a shake of his head, he tried to clear his mind. Wing ran up to Ylva, whining and pawing at her leg.

“Your…” Ylva repeated in a whisper. She crouched down to hook an arm behind Zandiel’s knees. Wing took the opportunity to get up on her hind legs and shove her snout in Zandiel’s face.

“That's enough, Wing. He’s… fine, I think. I hope.”

She stood back up, with her other arm supporting Zandiel's back. She looked at Siegril. The two shared a moment in bewildered silence before Ylva’s brow furrowed.

“A-Alright, enough standin’ around. Let’s get back ta… base camp. Yeah! I’unno what we’re gonna do once we’re there, but, uh, let’s start there!”

Being brought out of his own addled state, Siegril looked down at Zandiel. He didn’t seem to be in any pain, but he also looked as if he had no life in his body.

He nodded before leading the way back, moving with much greater stealth and alertness than before. They had to avoid attracting any enemy’s attention, now. They wouldn’t survive much in this state.

Siegril’s mind reeled over the conversation as they walked. That entity who spoke through Zandiel, the “Bringer” , as he’s decided to call it… Did they really have to follow that thing’s orders?

“The day of the Summoner…” he murmured, quiet enough that Ylva couldn’t hear. Wing still managed to whine in response, though. Siegril sighed.

Last he’d checked, the month of the Stallion was nearly over. That left them with around five months to complete the Bringer’s task.

“Stay with Ain at base camp. I’m gonna see if Oz is still in the ruins.”

“Shoot! Oz ’n Alv! They’d better be okay!”

“Oz is good at what they do. We don't need to worry about Alverion.”

Ylva was silent for a moment. Siegril listened to the owls and the breeze of wind that passed by. It actually was a nice early morning…

“Look, before I say what I wanna say next, are ya sure yer gonna be good walkin’ back ta the shrine by yerself?”

He nodded. “It’s easier to stay hidden when I’m not moving in a group.”

“Can't argue with that.” she said. “Yer a real stealthy type, ‘n all. Now, next thing I was gonna say. You… you really don't like Alv fer some reason, don't ya?”

Siegril crossed his arms. “I wouldn’t care if he didn’t always act so elusive.”

“Hm… Alright, he ain’t the most reliable– he just comes ‘n goes whenever he feels like it– but I don't think that’s enough ta just… act how you do about ‘im. He’s a guildmate at the end ‘a the day.”

“I’m not gonna do anything stupid just ‘cause I don’t trust him, if that’s what you’re thinking.” She was right, after all. Alverion had proven himself to be a powerful guildmate. He’d keep an eye on him, but he’d be stupid to deny the help he’d given during battles.

Ylva hummed. “I feel like you ain't ever tried ta talk to him ‘bout this.”

Siegril didn't react. If he said or did something, then this pointless conversation was just gonna continue. It wasn’t like it mattered right now, anyway. Alverion was probably still unconscious, to start.

“Maybe he’ll seem less dodgy if we ask ‘im what he’s always up to by himself, once he’s better. Especially after what just happened.” Her voice had become quiet as she continued. “If Ain wasn’t able ta stop that, uh, Prosperity-whatever, Alv… probably would’a died. And none’a us would’a known ‘til we went in those ruins on our way ta the second island, at the earliest.”

“...Yeah.” It was a worrisome, yet possible reality when he thought it over. If Zandiel wasn’t strong enough to resist, what else could have happened? The Bringer relinquished control either because it was weak enough, or because Zandiel was strong enough. If neither were the case, and it was still in control, then…

Siegril shook his head. He was thinking too far into a reality that didn’t happen. Still, he worried for what would happen once Zandiel woke up. How much would he remember? Would they have to explain what they knew to him?

Was the Bringer truly gone from him?

He looked back at the limp body in Ylva’s arms, then walked with just a bit more urgency.

The rest of their trek to base camp was done in silence. Once they arrived, they found an empty tent and placed Zandiel inside. With a small box of medical equipment already in it, Ylva got to work. Siegril only offered a quick ‘bye’ before leaving, and Wing chose to stand guard outside.

With a sigh, Ylva looked around. There wasn’t much to see in the tent, but at least she could see. There was a paper lantern hanging in the middle of the tent, with a low light emanating from it.

Looking down at her patient, she found a black-red substance dried up on his hand, hiding a cut underneath. She cleaned there, first.

“You holdin’ up, Wing?”

A quiet whine made her sigh. Even from here, she knew that Wing was lying down right outside the tent, dejected. “He’ll be fine, Wing. Well, both of ‘em. Ain ‘n Alverion. Sieg trusts that doc ta heal Alv, so I’ll trust ‘em, too.”

Wing whined again, turning her head.

“And Ain… We just gotta trust he’ll be fine!” she noted with a grin. She held it for a moment before dropping it and getting back to work with a forced chuckle.

…A bringer of prosperity. That’s what they called themself. Some sort of person or entity with the power of mind control or possession.

They said they wouldn’t take control of Ain as long as they helped him break these seals in time, and that did nothing but infuriate Ylva. Who were they to boss them all around like that? Especially in the case of Ain’s entire body!

But if they didn’t listen, then… she wondered what would happen. It took over Ain’s body and ran off with him like it was nothing. They couldn’t just be all talk.

Placing the cloth down, she took out the bandage from the kit. Zandiel didn’t stir as she applied it, making her wonder if he was too exhausted to even feel pain.

“Can’t believe this…” she murmured. What was the guild even supposed to do from here? Everyone needed to know, right? But then, where would the guild go from there?

Ylva’s throat felt dry.

The Empyrean Guild. What exactly tied them together? Nothing, right? They didn’t have a unified goal.

What would it take to make them break? This guild was friendly, but not the most coordinated or tight-knit. It was difficult to even get everyone in one room.

And with the mission Ain had been given, not just any guild member would stick around for that, right? The point of a guild wasn’t to run around and perform tasks for some… bringer of bullshit.

Ylva nodded at the title, letting herself feel more assured for a moment, even if it was over something so ridiculous.

A groan from below roused her from her thoughts. She felt a pit grow in her stomach as she held her guild leader’s half-bandaged hand. His eyes were still closed as he turned his head and moved the arm in Ylva’s grasp.

To her surprise, he moved it pretty effortlessly. He mumbled a few incoherencies before she could understand.

“...eri… on…”

She paused, then reached over to squeeze his left arm slightly.

“Alverion’s alright.” she spoke clearly. “He ain’t dead or anything.”

He groaned, and his right hand started to clench and unclench. Before Ylva could speak again, Wing pawed at the entrance.

“He’s sleep-talkin’, Wing.”

With a snort, she turned away.

“Maybe you needa get some sleep yerself, huh?”

Wing didn’t respond, leaving Ylva to address Ain again.

“Alverion’s alright, Ain. You ain’t gotta worry.” she decided to speak as though she were having a regular conversation. Maybe that would help her settle her thoughts. “There’s, uh, this doc that Sieg knows who’s helpin’ ‘im. He’ll be fine. I dunno much about the doc, but if Sieg trusts ‘em ta do their thing, then who’m I ta not trust ‘em, right?”

She was starting to ramble, she knew, and let out an embarrassed cough when she was done. “...Yep.”

Ain’s hand relaxed, and his breathing was more even. He didn’t say anything, and didn't move much more than that.

…Alverion, huh?

Would he resent Ain? Did he know whether he was in control or not? Did that even matter to him? She wouldn’t be surprised if he left the guild after this. Being attacked by your leader and left in a puddle of blood wasn’t something to easily get over. Did he even have the chance to ask questions or fight back?

Ylva gave Ain’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“It’ll… It’ll work out, boss.”

Alverion, Ain himself, this whole mission they were given, the guild, it all had to work out, right?

She closed her eyes.

She wasn’t a leader anymore, but all of this still felt like her responsibility. She didn't want this guild to fall apart, too…

[aroaessidhe]

2023 reads // twitter thread

Into The Labyrinth / Facing The Shadow

2&3 in a middle grade fantasy trilogy about a 12yo girl who discovers she has the ability to enter a magical world in her dreams, and has to save it from darkness

while also dealing with anxiety, bullying, and friendships in the real world

set in Wellington Aotearoa

dreamrealm worldbuilding reflects the MC’s Māori/Chinese/Irish/Scottish heritage

aspec questioning MC

[sizzlingsandwichperfection-blog]

It's still so weird to me that the guy who wrote the fault in our stars and experienced global adulation and then global reprobation from the backlash and everything from SNL skits to being soft canceled on tumblr ....

was me.

Like, that guy was me. He lived in the same house I live in. One time he walked down to the river and cried and then yelled at himself for crying because who cries about having such a ridiculously good life.

I guess my big takeaway from that whole experience is 1. past me gave current me a lot of opportunities and freedoms for which I am grateful, including the opportunity to support cool people doing cool stuff, and the freedom to write about whatever I want (a memoir in the form of five-star reviews! A book about tuberculosis and its discontents!).

And also 2. the actual experience of Proper Fame is so unpleasant that I do not know how anyone who lives with regular pop culturey fame continues to seek it after getting a good hit of it. I admire the people who do--they get to make a lot of difference in the world in many cases. I am just baffled by them.

I would like to write books that seek large audiences again someday, but I'm not sure I'll ever be able to. I may need to stay in these small happy places where I've been able to live over the last five years.

But the complicated and ever-evolving tension between on the one hand wanting to have my own life, a life that truly and fully belongs to me, and on the other hand wanting to make stuff that is beloved by people and useful to them and so on ... it's a hell of a labyrinth to navigate, and I'm nowhere near out of it.

[burins]

I know this is the Take Personal Responsibility for Systemic Issues website, but I keep seeing weirdly guilt trippy posts about libraries and ebook licenses, which are a labyrinth from hell and not actually something you personally need to feel guilty about. here are a few facts about ebook licenses you may not know:

in Libby/Overdrive, which currently operates in most US public libraries, ebook licenses vary widely in how much they cost and what their terms are. some ebooks get charged per use, some have a set number of uses before the license runs out, and others have a period of time they're good for (usually 1-2 years) with unlimited checkouts during that period before they expire. these terms are set by the publisher and can also vary from book to book (for instance, a publisher might offer two types of licenses for a book, and we might buy one copy of a book with a set number of uses we want to have but know won't move as much, and another copy with a one year unlimited license for a new bestseller we know will be really moving this year.)

you as a patron have NO way of knowing which is which.

ebook licenses are very expensive compared to physical books! on average they run about 60 bucks a pop, where the same physical book would cost us $10-15 and last us five to ten years (or much longer, if it's a hardcover that doesn't get read a lot.)

if your library uses Hoopla instead, those are all pay per use, which is why many libraries cap checkouts at anywhere between 2-10 per month.

however.

this doesn't mean you shouldn't use ebooks. this doesn't mean you should feel guilty about checking things out! we buy ebook licenses for people to use them, because we know that ebook formats are easier for a lot of people (more accessible, more convenient, easier for people with schedules that don't let them get into the library.) these are resources the library buys for you. this is why we exist. you don't need to feel guilty about using them!

things that are responsible for libraries being underfunded and having to stretch their resources:

government priorities and systemic underfunding of social services that don't turn a profit and aren't easily quantified

our society's failure to value learning and pleasure reading for their own sake

predatory ebook licensing models

things that are not responsible for libraries being underfunded:

individual patron behavior

I promise promise promise that your personal library use is not making or breaking your library's budget. your local politicians are doing that. capitalism is doing that. you are fine.

(if you want to help your local library, the number one thing you can do is to advocate for us! talk to your city or county government about how much you like the library. or call or write emails or letters. advocate for us locally. make sure your state reps know how important the library is to you. there are local advocacy groups in pretty much every state pushing for library priorities. or just ask your local librarian. we like to answer questions!

also, if you're in Massachusetts, bill h3239 would make a huge difference in letting us negotiate ebook prices more fairly. tell your rep to vote for it!)