#ch: Luxa

[returntoregalia]

Ep 45 - Marks of Secret Ch. 13-14

Oona and John discuss chapters thirteen and fourteen of The Marks of Secret, in which the fireflies join the group and Luxa declares war. Other topics of discussion include Gregor's OTB (One True Bond), how Katniss and Gregor honor the dead, and the teachings of René Descartes.

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[mindifirelax]

Boss Ass Bat

(SOTW CH 14 Excerpt)

Aurora chittered softly, the sound echoing off the cavern walls as she craned her neck to face Owen. Her golden eyes gleamed with a mixture of concern and something bordering on amusement. “And you,” she began, her voice smooth yet edged with the kind of wisdom that only a creature of her years could possess.

“While personally, I find your perspective to be... refreshing, there are moments when you really should mind what you say. From our vantage point, Aiden truly was worried.”

“Sure. Worried I was gonna mess it all up,” Owen muttered, his voice tight as he brushed the fine layer of dust off his armor. Each swipe of his hand was sharp, as though he could erase his unease as easily as he could the grime.

Aurora’s gaze softened, her wings shifting slightly as she considered his words. “Not for certain,” she replied, her tone taking on a more thoughtful quality.

“Aiden was not concerned that you would cause everything to go wrong. His worry was rooted in something more specific. He was concerned about his accuracy, Owen. Accuracy that he depends on to protect those in his care. And believe me, there isn’t much that unsettles him.”

Owen’s hand froze mid-swipe, the weight of her words settling on him like a shroud. A slow, triumphant smirk began to spread across his face. If there was anything that could get under Aiden’s skin, it was a small victory in his book. He reveled in the thought that, despite Aiden’s cold exterior, he had managed to worm his way into the warrior’s mind, even if just a little.

But before his smirk could fully take hold, Aurora’s massive form shifted. In a single, fluid motion, she turned her body completely around, her size now towering over Owen. The air seemed to grow heavier as her shadow enveloped him, her wings outstretched in a way that made it clear she was not to be underestimated.

“Luxa’s life may depend on his accuracy,” Aurora said, her voice now carrying the weight of command, no longer the gentle chitter it had been moments before. “And that accuracy hinges on Aiden maintaining his composure. Something that Vikus, The Queen, and Howard have worked very hard to preserve.”

Her words cut through the air, each one deliberate, as if she was carving them into stone mural behind him. Owen felt the pressure of her presence, the reality of the situation settling into his bones. This was no game, no petty rivalry to be won with clever remarks. The lives of those around him hung in the balance, and any disruption, no matter how small, could tip the scales in a direction they couldn’t afford.

“Do we understand one another?” Aurora’s question wasn’t really a question at all. It was a command, a demand for acknowledgment that left no room for defiance.

Owen swallowed, the earlier smugness draining from his face as quickly as it had appeared. He nodded, the smirk long gone, replaced by a seriousness that was hard-earned in the Underland.

“Yeah” he replied, his voice steady but quieter now, the weight of her gaze still pressing on him. “I feel you."

[returntoregalia]

Ep 44 - Marks of Secret Ch. 11-12

Oona and Nate discuss chapters eleven and twelve of The Marks of Secret, in which the questers experience an earthquake, a flood, and an avalanche. Other topics of discussion include Luxa's character growth, Ender's Game, and Suzanne Collins' efficient writing.

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[returntoregalia]

Ep 43 - Marks of Secret Ch. 9-10

In today's episode of Return to Regalia, Oona and Lily cover chapters nine and ten of The Marks of Secret, in which Howard and the kids crash Gregor and Luxa's "picnic." Other topics of discussion include Collins' comedic timing, the questers' trip to Canada, and Underland symbols of death.

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[returntoregalia]

Ep 37 - Curse of the Warmbloods Ch. 25-26

Oona and Mike analyze chapters twenty-five and twenty-six of The Curse of the Warmbloods, in which the questers return to Regalia (eh?) and confront Neveeve. Other topics of discussion include Paul Boehmer's voice acting crimes against humanity, Mike's Solovet Is An Opp Agenda, and Luxa growing into her queenhood.

Find all our social media and merch links at returntoregalia.carrd.co.

[returntoregalia]

Ep 33 - Curse of the Warmbloods Ch. 20

Oona and Lily analyze chapter twenty of The Curse of the Warmbloods, in which Gregor catches up with Luxa. Other topics of discussion include Luxa's trust issues, dislocated joints, and Nike's interpretation of the prophecy.

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[returntoregalia]

Ep 31 - Curse of the Warmbloods Ch. 19

Oona and Audie dive into chapter nineteen of The Curse of the Warmbloods, in which the questers finally find water. Other topics of discussion include Luxa's growth, Twitchtip's absence, and Gregor and Lapblood's touching moment.

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[returntoregalia]

Ep 42 - Marks of Secret Ch. 7-8

Oona and Nate cover chapters seven and eight of The Marks of Secret, in which Gregor fights some jungle snakes. Other topics of discussion include Ares and Luxa's pet names for Gregor, Gregor's fear of becoming evil, and Luxa's hubris.

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[returntoregalia]

Ep 14 - Prophecy of Bane Ch. 4-6

Oona and John talk about chapters four through six of The Prophecy of Bane, in which Gregor reads the prophecy, eavesdrops on Vikus and Solovet, and meets Luxa's cousins. Other topics of discussion include Pre-Regalia Sandwich, Luxa-Annabeth-Astrid parallels, and Vikus and Solovet's emblematic conflict.