#and Baal in his silly era

[nicosraf]

would you be open to elaborating on the trilogy that ABM takes place in? What are the other books?

Hm. I've been sitting on this ask for a bit because, to be real with you, I'm really not sure how secretive I want to be. I think I'm just used to being secretive, but I don't necessarily gain anything from it, and I feel bad keeping people in the dark when they really want to know. So, here it is:

Book 1 is about Lucifer's rebellion, Book 2 is about the Flood (and Eden), Book 3 is about Armageddon and everything after that.

Book 2 is about angel Azazel, Book 3 is about angel Dina. (Don't worry, they're also all about Lucifer, Lucifer and Michael, and everyone you've already met.)

I pitched the trilogy once as "three books about three gay angels falling in love and destroying the world" so take of that what you will.

I have to mention that I planned to release the trilogy pretty quickly but given ABM doing.... better than I expected, to say the least, I got a lot more on my plate than planned. Things could take a little more time, so take this as my apology :')

[writer-of-the-lamb]

Hi tysm for my request about the Aym/Baal scenario I loved it 🥰! I wonder how the bet turns out in the post game era after they got resurrected and reunited with their mother, especially how Narinder and Lamb interact now.

so glad u liked it!!!! another awesome idea teehee, excited to write this one

---

Baal trekked through thick green foliage, wandering past empty villages and the occasional lit fire.

If he remembered correctly, the cult should be somewhere east, but a portal would be needed to exit Darkwood.

In any other circumstance, he'd be enraged he was visiting that infernal lamb once more, but now he was content. Upon resurrection, Baal had taken the tiniest of likings to life in a cult, much like Aym, even if he didn't admit it.

The biggest change of heart Baal had had was when the lamb took them to Darkwood to someone he thought he had forgotten. His mother had apparently aided the lamb many times, and as a repayment, he had delivered the brothers home.

Baal did not understand how this creature could slaughter hundreds, only to commit the vastest act of kindness 3 minutes later, but it earned his respect. He reached a still circular portal, like a puddle waiting to be splashed. Stepping into the centre, he cringed at the cool water and shut his eyes.

Magic whirled around him, and suddenly he stood in front of a green, cracked door. The crossed-out green crown symbol loomed over him. Baal clutched his satchel, smiling brightly at the statue ahead and the cobbled path past it.

He set off toward the cult, watching as the lush greenery around him seemed to float out of his way, clearing a path to stone steps and a large, flower archway.

Then, Baal saw, a looming statue built from stone and gold, bearing the lamb's face and the red crown.

However fearful he appeared, he was still a lamb. Prey does not forget its initial instinct, no matter how predatory it becomes in the wild.

Baal felt the eyes of followers on him, all seemingly suspicious. Some gave him smiles, and one seemed to dash in another direction.

A small dog tapped his shoulder.

Turning around, Baal saw the lamb, adorned in a pink layered robe with golden hearts along the collar.

"Baal!" The lamb chirped, dark eyes happy. "What brings you to the lamb fam?"

"The w-? Nevermind. I have a question, if that's okay?"

The lamb's eyebrows raised. "Interesting. A long trek just for a question? Must be important."

Baal's smile grew. "It certainly is. It revolves around The One Who Waits. Waited? Waits."

"Ohh, we call him Narinder here." The lamb grinned, "Only thing he waits for now is for me to get home." he said fondly, chuckling as if sharing a secret.

Baal snickered. "How odd to hear. I am glad he has found company." he began, watching the lamb sway on his feet. "He doesn't hold anything against you?"

The lamb hummed. "I don't think so. He has shame, that's for sure, but he seems to favour me just fine."

"Favour?" Baal asked, smiling. "Like....like?"

The lamb squinted. "..Noooo, I said fervour."

"Does The- I mean, does Narinder...like you? As in..." Baal waved his hands, "As in perhaps romantically?"

The lamb's face changed into one of smugness. "Why do you wanna know?"

"It may be silly, but I have a long overdue bet with my brother."

The lamb gasped in mock outrage. "You and Aym bet on me and your own leader??" he laughed, "Insanity, for both of you. I am assuming you're the one for us, right?"

Baal nodded, chuckling.

The lamb looked around before leaning in. "Tell Aym you win." he whispered, giddy.

"What's this about?" came a voice behind them.

"Nari's here, wonderful." the lamb chirped, dragging Narinder by the robes. "Look, it's Baal!"

Narinder scowled. "And?"

Baal nodded in a sheepish greeting. "Just here for some inquiries."

"He wanted to know if you have the hots for me." The lamb interrupted, patting and smoothing Narinder's robes.

Narinder, disgusted, but not objecting to the lamb's touch, groaned. "What an insulting assumption. Baal, you were taught better." he scolded. "Your business does not belong here."

Baal smiled. "That's alright, I have my answer."

Narinder whirled around to the lamb, who shrugged.

"What did you tell him?" he hissed.

"I told him you purr when you sleep."

"What."

"Kidding. I told him we're married."

"WHAT."

Baal looked over. "..You're married? I assumed 'together' referred to a mutual interest."

"Oh, there's a mutual interest alri-"

"Enough, Lamb."

Baal laughed, still clutching his satchel. "I will be sure to tell Aym he owes me gold."

"No need."

Aym rested a paw on his brothers shoulder. "I've heard." he muttered, pressing coin into Baal's palm. "And I am...." he paused, looking at Narinder. "....amused, to say the least."

Narinder growled, glaring at both of them. "You are both disgraceful."

"Says you?" the lamb prodded, still fidgeting with his robes. "Please. You always liked me."

"I did not."

"Then why'd you keep my crystals?" "They were offerings."

[kyogre-blue]

Inazuma Act 2 now complete. It’s not aggressively awful, actually, but it’s nothing good either. It’s very Genshin standard in terms of the writing and logic, though I’d say it’s still improved over Liyue. 

It’s also insanely short. 

Thoma got captured? 

There is a ceremony to mark the 100th Vision seized. In a year, they only seized 100 visions... Well, it’s actually only 99. How many are there in Inazuma anyway? 

Ayaka made such a big deal out of her duties and responsibilities... and then just casually throws it all away because she can’t abandon Thoma to have his Vision seized. I don’t disagree in principle, but seeing her being so blasé about this after all that fuss about her position is really annoying. 

Of course, we are equally blase about just straight up attacking Ba’al. We had NO plan, huh? No distraction, no cover, nothing to help us escape. We just ran off without thinking at all. We are all so stupid. 

 tbh I think the voice acting actually hurts Genshin because it’s usually kinda... it’s not bad, but it doesn’t really help the story in any way. The Traveler’s exaggerated grunting and squeaking noises are also very PS2 era. 

Ba’al tries very hard to be intimidating and cool, but I really can’t take her seriously. Those ridiculous platform and wedge heel sandals? That tiny loincloth? That looong drown out shot of the sword coming from her boobs? It’s not really as cool as MHY probably thinks. Plus, the cinematics have a tendency to feel very overproduced in comparison to the rest of the game. 

The red moon from the trailer is in Ba’al’s subspace of some sort. Cool, I guess, but I don’t really care... Also, why are the torii gates made out of stone? I’m pretty sure they don’t do that in real life. 

Why did it use my old party? I just switched Jean out because she reached bond 10?? 

Funny story, you can teleport out of Ba’al’s subdimension or whatever, but the game doesn’t know how to handle this, so it resets the entire cutscene. This is RIDICULOUS. 

Anyway, in case anyone else is wondering, the battle against her goes until she’s down about 20% of her health, then she locks everyone except the Traveler out of skills and bursts, and after you run around another minute or so, it ends. I was very confused at first because I wasn’t doing much damage, so I was wondering if I needed to bring a serious party. 

Ba’al completely owns the Traveler buuut lets Thoma drag us off because... well, because, I guess. It’s dumb. 

I like how we agreed to help Ayaka with the resistance stuff only to basically never do any helping because we immediately get a warrant for our arrest and have to flee. Very cool! Very important and useful story thread that was! 

Thoma is intensely shady. He really is Kaeya in a Childe skin. 

We are now fugitives again. Inazuma is like... constantly recycling plot elemnts, except that it’s only the second chapter, so it’s very silly to be doing this. Storm wall? Decarabian. Wanted criminal have to flee? Liyue start. Thoma’s entire character? Kaeya and Childe fusion, like completely. Etc, etc. 

I actually don’t have too much to say about the journey to find the resistance. 

I like how Paimon immediately starts bullshitting. We “grabbed the Vision bearer [Thoma] and whisked him off to safety.” No, it was the exact opposite? Thoma had to half drag us away because Baal trashed us so bad? 

Teppei is very generic, but cute. The resistance are weirdly accepting so far, but also incompetent lol. 

I’m not sure how we’re training in archery when the Traveler uses a sword? Since I was leading with Childe, I just used his bow skills...

This buddying up to the resistance is a little silly, but I appreciate that they at least tried. Kinda funny doing it out in the rain and thunder. 

I like how Sara goes “let’s have an honorable duel to decide whether we’ll arrest you,” then sends three guys after you one after another, and then just casually disregards the result and orders an attack anyway. Sure, she’s against torture, but who cares about honor, amirite? 

No one in this battle has any concept of strategy. Archers shooting from a safe position? Nope, all charge in. Any kind of ranks? Never heard of them. 

Kazuha is here??? What the fffffffffffffff

Beidou is here too. Why is she involved in this civil war? This is WILD. What stake does she have in this? And then she says “oh, we’ll always help you, you’re part of our crew :)” Based on WHAT--

Kokomi is a Divine Priestess of Watatsumi. Ayaka mentioned that Watatsumi’s people have had conflicts with the Shogunate even before the recent decrees, so I wonder if there’s some kind of... religious schism going on. 

The resistance is using mercenaries. 

??????? It’s over?