#chapiter 1

[laupiehouppette]

Rien ne dure pour toujours - Les Contes de la Cité Pâle - Chapitre 1 : Deux Soeurs (Partie 1)

{ Index chapitre }

À deux c'est bien, mais ça serait mieux à plus.

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La vie dans les rues de la Cité Pâle ne fait pas de cadeaux. Les dangers guettent à chaque coin de rue et les allées sombre, et ce, même si elles ont l’air désertes par moment. D’où l’importance de rester alerte en tout temps, même quand on se croit en sécurité. Il n’y a que très peu de place pour l’apprentissage. Pas de « on verra bien » , ou de « on fera mieux la prochaine fois ». Une erreur d’appréciation, une distraction ou une simple erreur de débutant, et ça sera peut-être la dernière.

Si trouver un endroit relativement sûr pour se reposer est déjà bien, trouver à manger est le summum. Le plus important, c’est de garder les yeux ouverts pour la moindre opportunité. Et pas de place pour les bouches fine ou dédaigneuse. On mange ce qu’on trouve… si on trouve. Mais trouver de la nourriture n’est pas une tâche des plus facile. Bien souvent, la nourriture qui traîne ici et là, est pourrie depuis longtemps, et ça serait prendre le risque de tomber malade, ce qui pourrait être pire que d'avoir faim.

Cela fait depuis quelques jours que Fetta et Olivie ne trouvent que quelques miettes, dans les poubelles ; des restes de nourriture au fond de sacs en papier, des fonds de cannettes et autres traîneries. Ce qui est bien quand on vie dans un monde de géant, c’est qu’il ne faut pas grand-chose de leurs restes pour ne serait-ce que calmer la faim. Malheureusement, le peu qu’elles ont trouvé reste insuffisant, même pour une seule d’entre elles. Et aujourd’hui, les poubelles ne sont guère plus généreuses que d’habitude. Quelques bouchées d’un reste quelconque et godet de sauce rouge sucrée. Délicieux, mais trop peu.

La faim commence à se faire pesante et se déplacer devient une épreuve de plus en plus dure. Si elles ne trouvent pas bientôt de quoi se remplir le ventre, elles vont devoir aller se risquer dans des endroits plus dangereux ; des cuisines, des restaurants, des bars, où c’est-elles qui pourraient devenir le repas si elles se font prendre. Mais si elles tardent trop, elle et sa petite sœur n’auront plus la force pour une telle expédition. Si elles pouvaient éviter…

« Fetta, regarde là-bas ! » indiqua Olivie. Une fille, aux cheveux roux et courts, dirigea son attention vers sa petite sœur. La plus petite fille à la robe vert pâle, désigna des oiseaux blancs au loin. « Ils ont l’air agités, tu trouves pas ? » fait-elle remarquer. Pour être agités, ils sont agités ; tourbillonnant dans le ciel en poussant leurs cris si caractéristiques, des goélands commencent à se rassembler non loin de là où elles se trouvent. Ce qui ne veut dire qu’une chose : de la nourriture. Beaucoup de nourriture étant donné leur nombre grandissant et leur excitation. Parfait.

« On ferait bien de se dépêcher avant qu’ils aient tout mangé, » déclare Fetta en souriant, ouvrant la marche en direction du festin. Tous deux trottinèrent pour atteindre au plus vite leur destination. C’est juste derrière un bâtiment, à quelques rues d’ici. Elles se demandent bien ce que ces oiseaux ont pu trouver ; il n’y a pas de restaurant dans les environs. Et même s’il y en avait, il n’y aurait pas autant d’oiseau sans raison.

Elles ne tardent pas à rejoindre les oiseaux criards et leur festin. Et quel festin ! Les deux filles comprennent mieux la raison de toute cette agitation : une camionnette de livraison de nourriture avait répandu une partie considérable de sa livraison dans la rue. Son conducteur essaye tant bien que mal de chasser les goélands gourmands de piquer de la nourriture, mais avec son âge, l’homme peine à faire face à l’assaut des volatiles.

Avec les oiseaux qui tiennent le livreur occupé, c’est le moment de foncer, mais quoi prendre ? Fetta réfléchit à un plan. La fille aux cheveux roux regarde les options qui s’offrent à elles ; elles doivent choisir sagement, car elles n’auront qu’une seule chance. Une cannette serait le choix idéal, les oiseaux ne s’y intéressent pas, donc aucune chance qu’ils essayent de leur arracher des mains, ils préfèrent se concentré sur la nourriture répandue au sol.

Après avoir réfléchi, Fetta fait part de son plan à sa petite sœur. Elle est la plus grande et la plus forte, donc c’est elle qui va se charger de prendre le butin, et Olivie va pouvoir couvrir ses arrières et garder un œil sur l’homme et autres dangers sans trop attirer l’attention avec sa petite taille. Le plan décidé, il ne reste plus qu’à attendre une ouverture. Elles observent avec attention le vieux livreur, qui remet tant bien que mal la nourriture dans une des cagettes, en repoussant les oiseaux voraces. Quelques goélands trop avides se prirent des coups de cannettes ou de bouteilles brisées et se retrouvèrent sonnés, ou gravement blessés pour les plus mal chanceux. Olivie grimaça et frissonna à la vue des oiseaux gisants agonisant au sol, dans leur sang. Fetta posa une main rassurante sur son épaule.

Une foi la cagette remplie, il se relève et par vers sa camionnette, pourchassée par quelques goélands qui n’ont pas apprécié de se faire reprendre le festin. Il ferait presque de la peine à voir. Presque.

« On y va ! » signale Fetta en s’élançant. Olivie lui emboîte le pas, et garde un œil sur l’homme qui est presque rendu à sa camionnette. Fetta se dirige vers une cagette de cannettes renversées, et cherche celles qui lui semblent les plus prometteuses et pas trop dures à transporter. Celles avec des pois, maïs et autres sont bien, mais bien trop grosses, trop lourdes pour être transportées rapidement. Il en faut une plus petite, bien plus petite.

Olivie surveille le vieux livreur qui est parvenu à son camion. Elle garde également un œil si d'autres visiteurs arrivent, attiré par l'activité. Personne d'autre pour l'instant. Pour ce qui est des oiseaux, ils ne semblent pas s’intéresser à elles, trop occupés à se chamailler et à s’arracher de la nourriture du bec, malgré son abondance. Olivie évite de regarder les oiseaux ensanglantés, à la place, elle redirige son attention sur le livreur, qui a fini de ranger la caisse à l’abri et fait demi-tour, revenant en direction des deux filles de cette foi. Oh, non !

« Fetta, il vient par ici ! » Lui signale Olivie pressante. Elles n’ont plus beaucoup de temps.

Alerté par le cri des goélands qui redouble d’intensité, le livreur regarde derrière lui et réalise que les oiseaux sont maintenant en train d’éventrer des sacs et répand leurs contenus au sol. Il recentre son attention sur les deux filles et les voit sur le point de disparaître derrière un virage au fond de la rue. « Pestes ! » Fustige-t-il. Avant de retourner s’occuper de sa cargaison, il saisit une bouteille parmi les déchets et la lance vaguement en direction de Fetta et Olivie, conscient qu’il ne les atteindra probablement pas, maintenant hors d’atteinte. Plus remonté que jamais, il retourne vers sa cargaison renversée, prêt à en débattre avec ces oiseaux voraces.

En revenant ramasser davantage de sa cargaison, le vieux livreur les repère rapidement , et en les voyant partir avec une conserve , il devient encore plus furieux

« Hey, rendez ça ! Revenez ici ! » Fustigea-t-il en se lançant à leur poursuite.

Déjà à mi-chemin, les deux filles continuèrent leur course et ne tardèrent pas à atteindre l’allée encombrée, l’adulte sur les talons. Olivie, moins chargé pris les devants, ouvrant la route pour sa sœur. Elle vit un petit espace derrière une benne où elles pourraient se glisser.

« Par là ! » S’exclame-t-elle. Fetta la suivit sans hésiter et toutes deux se faufilent derrière la benne. Le livreur quant à lui peine à enjamber les sacs poubelles et cartons tapissant l’allée, trébuchant à plusieurs reprises. Les deux filles continuèrent à le distancer , sans regarder derrière elles.

Alerté par le cri des goélands qui redouble d’intensité, le livreur regarde derrière lui et réalise que les oiseaux sont maintenant en train d’éventrer des sacs et répand leurs contenus au sol. Il recentre son attention sur les deux filles et les voit sur le point de disparaître derrière un virage au fond de la rue. « Et merde ! » Réalise-t-il. Avant de retourner s’occuper de sa cargaison, il saisit une bouteille parmi les déchets et la lance vaguement en direction de Fetta et Olivie, conscient qu’il ne les atteindra probablement pas, maintenant hors d’atteinte. Plus remonté que jamais, il retourne vers sa cargaison renversée, prêt à en débattre avec ces oiseaux voraces.

***

Bien en hauteur sur le toit d’un bâtiment, les deux filles se préparent à déguster leur butin bien mérité. Malgré l’envie dévorante d’engloutir le contenu de la cannette durement acquise, elles ont pris soin de bien s’éloigner ; les oiseaux attirés par le buffet à volonté auraient tôt fait de s'emparer de leur précieux repas. La dernière fois qu’elles avaient mis la main sur un butin semblable, les oiseaux noirs ont vite eu fait de leur dérober, et presque Olivie avec. Elles se sont juré de ne pas s’y faire reprendre.

Maintenant à l’abri de tout volatil gourmand, les deux filles s’empressent de déguster leur repas, et quel repas ! Fetta a vraiment eu l’œil pour cette fois : une sorte de poisson rayé dans de la sauce rouge, de petites rondelles noires et vertes. Délicieux ! Elles lèchent jusqu’à la dernière miette et goutte. Cela fait longtemps qu’elles n’ont pas mangé ainsi.

Olivie regarde la cannette vide et soupira. , tournant la tête, là où le festin avait lieu. L’activité s’est calmée, mais de là où elles sont, elles entendent encore quelques goélands se disputer avec les corbeaux qui se sont joint au festin.

Fetta remarque le comportement de sa sœur. Elle a sûrement encore faim, pense-t-elle, elle aussi d’ailleurs. Mais elle sait que ce n’est pas le problème

« Olivie ? » Demanda-t-elle inquiète sa sœur.

« Désolé…, » marmonna Olivie. La fille aux cheveux roux pencha la tête, interrogative. « J’aurais dû prendre quelque chose aussi…, » se lamenta Olivie.

Fetta baissa les yeux, regardant le fond de la cannette. C’est vrai que ça a un goût de trop peu. Peut-être que si elles n’avaient pas fui avant même d’avoir été repérées, elles auraient eu le temps de trouver une cannette ou quelque chose de transportable en vitesse pour Olivie. Mais ça aurait été prendre un risque considérable. Inconsidérable. Un tient vaut mieux que deux tu l’auras.

« Allons Olivie, on n’avait pas le temps, » conforta-t-elle en s’approchant. « Et puis ça fait une éternité qu’on a pas mangé un truc aussi bon, et c’est grâce à toi, » ajoute-t-elle. Olivie releva la tête pour regarder sa sœur l’air penaude , « mais c’est toi qui as trouvé la cannette » objecta-t-elle. Fetta lui sourit « et c’est toi qui les as vus ces oiseaux. » Fit-elle remarquer, posant sa main sur l’épaule de sa sœur. Olivie sourit, réconfortée par les mots de sa grande sœur.

« Allez, installons-nous pour dormir » Déclara Fetta. Elles sont fatiguées avec toute la route qu’elles ont faite.

Il fait encore jour, ou plutôt, il fait encore plus clair que sombre. Avec l’épais couvert nuageux, la ville est plongée dans la peine d’ombre, même en plein milieu de la journée. C’est l’intensité de la noirceur qui permet de savoir s’il fait nuit ou jour.

Les deux filles aménagèrent quelques cartons et papiers journaux, ça sera mieux que le béton froid et sale, et la boîte de carton empêchera le froid de leur tombé déçu. Leur abri terminé, les deux files s’allongèrent dans leur abri de fortune, et prirent un moment pour souffler. Ça fait du bien de se poser enfin. Au loin, les goélands et les corbeaux se font toujours entendre. Fetta repense à tout à l’heure. Elle aurait espéré voir d’autres enfants, ne serait-ce juste un, aussi attirer par l’agitation. Auraient-elles dû attendre avant de se lancer, ou rester dans les parages après ? Elle fixe l’air perdu sous le plafond de leur abri, pensive. Si elles pouvaient rejoindre un groupe, ça faciliterait beaucoup les choses. Surtout les périodes de repos. Avant, elles pouvaient dormir en même temps, ensemble, se tenant chaud l’une l’autre. Mais il y a plusieurs semaines de cela, elles ont été contraintes de quitter leur maison, si on peut appeler ça ainsi.

« Est-ce que je fais la première garde ? C’est mon tour. » Demande Olivie.

« D’accord, vas s’y. » Accepta Fetta. Elle réfléchira à un plan pour demain, après s’être reposée. Maintenant, elle a juste envie de dormir.

***

Olivie monte la garde sur les environs, pendant que sa plus grande sœur dort dans leur abri de carton.

La noirceur commence à s’installer ; quand elle a commencé, il faisait encor assez clair. Elle commence à être vraiment fatiguée, elle ignore depuis combien de temps elle garde. Elle devrait bientôt aller se reposer, mais elle n’a pas envie de réveiller sa sœur, elle a l’air de si bien dormir. Pas étonnant avec la journée qu’elles ont eue. C’est la routine, mais ce n’est jamais drôle de devoir réveiller l’autre.

Aller, juste encore une ronde. Olivie se leva et fit un dernier tour d’horizon. En plus de l’aider à rester éveillée le plus longtemps possible, ça lui dégourdit les jambes.

Elle regarde au loin, à la recherche de tout potentiel danger. Des adultes vont et vienne par endroit. De la où elles sont, elles ne risquent pas grand-chose des adultes, mais, il n’y a pas que les adultes qui représente un danger. Bien qu’ils aient une préférence pour les cadavres , ici et là, les rats, les corbeaux, sont aussi des menaces que chaque enfant doit garder en tête. Elle sait de quoi elle parle. Mais là aussi, rien n’a signalé pour l’instant, certainement plus intéressé par le festin de tout à l’heure.

Pendant qu’elle se rendait au bord de l’autre côté du toit, Olivie commença à se surprendre à piquer du nez ; il est temps d’aller réveiller sa sœur pour qu’elle prenne le relai. Elle n’a pas envie, mais, si elle s’endort, il n’y aura personne pour surveiller. Si seulement il y avait quelqu’un d’autre.

Elle se dirigea vers l’abri, et avec précaution, réveilla Fetta.

« Hey… Fetta… » essaie-t-elle doucement en frottant les cheveux roux de sa sœur. Elle se réveille un peu péniblement, gémissante. Elle était partie plus loin que d’habitude. « Désolé… » s’excusa telle. Sa sœur lui sourit tendrement. « shuut…. ». Elle n’a pas à être désolée, c’est la routine.

« J’arrive… » marmonna Fetta. Olivie hocha la tête et alla attendre sa sœur un peu plus loin. Fetta se leva et s’étira. Elle époussette son corsaire marron et alla se rafraîchir à une marre d’eau pour se donner un petit coup de fouet avant de prendre son tour de veiller, et puis vas rejoindre Olivie. « Alors ? » Demande Fetta.

« Rien. » Annonce Olivie. Rien de particulier à signaler. Pas d’adulte qui rôde anormalement autour du bâtiment, pas d’agitation particulière des oiseaux. Tout est bien tranquille, en apparence.

Fetta remarque que sa sœur observe des adultes qui vaquent à leurs occupations au loin et voit bien que quelque chose lui trotte dans la tête.

« Pourquoi on a dû partir ? » Marmonna Olivie.

Fetta comprend bien ce qu’elle veut dire. Olivie sait très bien pourquoi elles ont dû partir. Ce qu’elle ne comprend pas par contre, c’est pourquoi l’homme des lieux, qui semblait au moins se contenter de les ignorer , est soudainement devenu agressif envers elles du jour au lendemain.

Manifestement, tôt ou tard, aucun adulte ne semble au moins se contenter d’ignorer les enfants comme elles. Et même être chassée en douceur semble être trop demandé.

***

Environ trois semaines plutôt

Comme tous les matins, elles profitaient des restes du déjeuner de l’adulte. Elles et sa sœur pouvaient, sans trop de problèmes, prendre de la nourriture, même devant l’homme des lieux. Du moment qu’elles ne touchaient pas à son assiette, ça pouvait aller.

Mais un matin, alors qu’elles grignotaient les restes d’un gros biscuit fourré laissé sur le comptoir, quelque chose à changer. Olivie vue du coin de l’œil, l’homme s’approcher lentement d’elles, un torchon à la main. Rien d’inhabituel, il arrivait qu’il les regarde, sans rien faire, avant de retourner à son occupation du moment. Mais cette foi-ci… Olivie ne sait pas pourquoi, mais elle a senti qu’il y avait quelque chose de différent, quelque chose de mauvais. Peut-être dans la façon dont il les regardait, ou plutôt les fixait, elle et Fetta. À ce moment-là, une petite voix à l’intérieur d’elle lui a crié COUR !

Sans réfléchir, elle bondit et tira sa sœur par le bras, évitant de justesse un cinglant coup de torchon. Ni une ni deux, elles sautèrent de la table. À peine elles eurent le temps d’atterrir, que l’homme se rua sur elles. Elles couraient aussi vite que possible vers la salle de bain, direction la ventilation. Elles ne regardèrent pas derrière eux, le simple bruit des pas lourd et le grondement de mécontentement étaient suffisant pour leur donner une idée d'à quel point il était proche.

Une foi dans la salle de bain, toutes deux faillirent de glisser sur le carrelage mouiller, mais parvinrent à garder pied. Olivie et Fetta se précipitèrent dans la ventilation, hors d’atteinte de la furie soudaine de l’homme. Au même moment où elles disparaissaient dans le conduit, les grognements furent brutalement interrompus par un choc sourd. Le silence prit aussitôt la place.

Toutes deux haletant par la course soudaine, elles restèrent un court instant, à écouter le silence, seulement perturber par le ronronnement des conduits.

« Qu’est-ce qui est arrivé ? » demanda toute ébranlée Olivie. Fetta se redressa « Reste là, je vais aller voir » indiquât-elle.

Lentement, la plus grande s’approche de la bouche de ventilation, prête à faire demi-tour au moindre signe de danger. Elle tendit l’oreille ; rien. Fetta émergea de la ventilation et…

Elle étouffa un cri devant la scène qu’elle découvre : l’homme est effondré au sol, inerte. Du sang coulant de sa tête se mélange à l’eau sur le sol.

Fetta s’approche, avec prudence et appréhension. C’est étrange de s’approcher d’aussi proche ; les adultes sont tellement énormes, et encore plus d’aussi prêts. Elle vit le sang sur le coin de l’évier ; pas de doute sur ce qui s’est passé.

Alors… il est mort ? Elle ne sait pas pourquoi, mais elle a poussé l’épaule de l’homme inerte. Rien. Qu’est-ce qu’elles devraient faire alors ? Il est vraiment mort ou…

L’homme tressaille soudainement, poussant un gémissement grincheux. Non ! Il n’est pas mort ! Sans demander son reste, Fetta retourna dans la ventilation. Elle jeta un dernier coup d’œil, l’homme continuait à gémir, se retournât péniblement parterre, se tenant la tête en sang. Bien fait pour lui ! Ça lui apprendra de s’en prendre à elle et sa sœur !

Maintenant… elles vont devoir partir. Fetta rejoignit sa sœur.

« A… Alors ? » Demanda Olivie inquiète en entend les bruits au loin. « Fetta !... Tes pieds ! » Elle sursaute en voyant les pas ensanglantés de sa sœur. Bonne chose qu’Olivie ne soit pas venue avec elle, elle a horreur de voir le sang des autres.

« Ce n’est pas le mien. » Rassura-t-elle rapidement. « Mais il faut y aller, je t’expliquerai plus tard. » Dit-elle en entraînant sa sœur dans les conduits. Ce n’est pas le temps pour les explications, même s’il n’y a pas grand-chose à expliquer : elles ne sont plus la « bienvenue ».

***

Fetta s’assit près de la boîte en carton, prenant une pause. Elle observe sa petite sœur endormie dans le carton, qui est parvenue à s’endormir assez rapidement. Elle aussi était vraiment fatiguée. Elle dort sous la grande feuille de papier journal, pour se protéger davantage du froid de la nuit.

Ça lui manque de pouvoir dormir et se tenir chaud à deux, sans trop se soucier du danger. Elle sentit des larmes montées, qu’elle fut tentée de laisser passer.

Elles doivent vraiment trouver d’autres enfants, même juste un. Elles ne tiendront pas longtemps. Olivie fait tout ce qu’elle peut pour aider, elle est même très bonne. Après tout, sans elle, elles n’auraient peut-être pas mangé comme ce soir. Et plus important, elles ne seraient plus de ce monde.

Ça n’est pas son premier coup. Fetta ne sait pas comment se l’expliquer, mais Olivie a comme un sixième sens pour déduire si un adulte ou un monstre est une menace considérable ou pas. Sa petite sœur non plus d’ailleurs. L’attitude ? La posture ? La démarche ? Elle le sent, c’est tout ce qu’elle est capable de dire. Peu importe, c’est très bien ainsi.

Mais malgré toute sa bonne volonté, Olivie est simplement trop petite par moment. Ça a ses avantages, mais parfois, ça les met dans des situations… délicates. Fetta ne lui en veut pas, c’est comme ça, et personne n’y peut rien. Mais elle sait plus que quiconque que sa petite sœur s’en veut de ne pas pouvoir toujours aider comme elle le voudrait. Plus que de raison.

Dès demains, elles se mettront sérieusement à la recherche d’autre enfant. Et elle pense avoir une bonne idée par où commencer.

   - - <O> - -

Note :

Alors que penser vous de ce premier chapitre? Est-ce nos deux filles trouveront de nouveaux amis pour survivre dans cette ville? Une chose est sûre, ils feront des rencontres mémorables.

{ Index chapitre }

[completeoveranalysis]

[1]

Chapiter 182 - A Night For Vows

In which BATTLE HUSBANDS. 

Listen I don’t even care what else is happening we have the return of Battle Husbands. I’m happy.  

It’s giving the same vibe as the opening for Chapiter 17, but upgraded! They’re in battle, but now they’re facing the same way because they’re on the same page, plotwise, emotionwise, and directionwise. They’re not fighting different battles or aiming for different goals anymore - they’re united on the same path. And they’re no longer disguising their feelings through joviality or putting on a front. Now they’re both serious. 

In another contrast, the chapiter 17 cover had them in opposite colours, which is relatively common for them, but this new cover actually unites them visually. They’re wearing the clothing in a way that matches their personality, but the colours are vastly the same - white all over with the emblematic flames, a slash of black across their middle, as well as across their wrists. The only actual point of difference is in their faces - where Kurogane has black hair with a white band, and Fai has the opposite, but even THAT is brought in line with the other through other elements - ie, The symbol on Kurogane’s white band is an exact match for the one at Fai’s waist, and they’re visually RIGHT next to each other, so you can’t miss it! Kurogane also has a long looping cord across this waist, in white, while Fai has a black cord tying his hair back, with the same kind of tassels. 

Also! In the Chapitre 17 cover their weapons were crossed in an X (a visual clash) while here they they’re angled to be held in the same direction. This brings the visual focus towards them both, together, in the middle of the page, with their differing styles now united in the same goal. OH, and the physicality of their weapons? Before they held the weapons BETWEEN them. The X of the weapons actually kept Kurogane and Fai physically apart (as if they were on opposite sides of a conflict), but now the weapons are on the OUTSIDE, bringing Kurogane and Fai RIGHT in close to each other, with the weapons on the outside. So now even physically they're together, closer to each other than anything else, and on the same side of any conflict around them.

So they're aligned now, both symbolically and physically, and it's with intention from the characters themselves. They’re worked for this, and they’re choosing it deliberately, and they DESERVE it. 

Also like, a FLAME SCYTHE? GO OFF Fai that is INCREDIBLE.

And OOPS I totally forgot that the cover will have splash text as well. What does it say.

The translation I have is something along the lines of:

“Measuring and delimiting one another

Even so, those days come to pass. 

Tonight, the men shall

Link those swords.”

Which is potentially the most homoerotic way they could have phrased that and I strongly approve.

[cosmicanger]

Tian Jianxin, Breathing Chapiter, 2021 brick column, 24 x 18 x 17 cm, 9 1/2 x 7 x 6 1/2 in.

[lilyosamu]

Sure, it's midnight but that will not stop me to finall get into ggz, I don't mind just reading and not playing

Damm i am getting nostalgic because when i was in muddle school i was reading at night mangas lol but not when i was in high school, i stopped my bad habit because of the baccalaureate (do we say that in englidh? I have no idea)

Anyways plus now I almost finish part 1 of Honkai Impact [i am lying, i mean kinda...let me explain, i am at chapiter 30 i think..? Anyways i am at the chapiter with elysia realm and i know that i have minimum 6 more hours to do untill chapiter 34 (??)].

I don't think I will start the story of part 2 of honkai impact because i want to continue playing reverse 1999 and i am very late and i will need to search the limited event stories on YouTube!

[marysittingathisfeet]

The Pillars of Solomon

When God includes details in the Bible, there is usually a message behind the details.

1 Kings 7:15-21

For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high (about 26.5 feet- the size of a fifth wheel trailer)a piece: and a line of twelve cubits (about 18 feet- a garage door for a 2 car garage) did compass either of them about. And he made two chapiters (ornamental head of a pillar) of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits (7 feet), and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits (7 feet): And nets of checker work (looked like branches), and wreaths of chain work (braided chains), for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates and so did he for the other chapiter.  And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits. And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.

Why name the pillars? first let's see what the names mean. Jachin (pronounced yaw-keen) means “he will establish,” and Boaz signifies “in him is strength.”  Thus the pillars were declaring that God in his strength would establish not only the temple but Israel with his strength. There are multiple references to 7 which symbolizes completion. Under Solomon the temple was completed in all it's glory. Solomon's reign was the pinacle of the Israeli kingdom.

pomegranates- (symbolizing God's righteousness- pomegranates hung on the bottom of the priests robes and jingled when they moved. If the jingling stopped, they could be dead. Consequences of God's judgement)

Lilly- (symbol of God's goodness and beauty. These were on the top of the pillars. God's judgement and righteousness are reflections of God's goodness and beauty.)

Brass- (Brass is traditionally known as being symbolic of God's righteousness and judgement.)

The pillars in front of the temple were large and made of brass. They probably gleemed in the sun and could be seen miles away calling all to go to the temple to worship the Lord and pray. Imagine as you walked toward Jerusalem, you could see the pillars shining in the sun reminding you that God was righteous and that sin would bring severe judgement from God. This was a warning to Jerusalem and Israel which the people ignored including Solomon who was led astray by his foreign wives and served many gods.

[fordecree7]

THE BIBLE THE BOOK OF GOD

Exodus

Chapter 38

1 And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof. 2 And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass. 3 And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass. 4 And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it. 5 And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves. 6 And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass. 7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards. 8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 9 And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits: 10 Their pillars were twenty, and their brasen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.

11 And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. 12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. 13 And for the east side eastward fifty cubits. 14 The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 15 And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 16 All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen. 17 And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver. 18 And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court. 19 And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver. 20 And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass.

21 This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest. 22 And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses. 23 And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen. 24 All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary. 25 And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: 26 A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. 27 And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket. 28 And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them. 29 And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels. 30 And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brasen altar, and the brasen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar, 31 And the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.

Exodus 38

Diane Beauford

[craftylovegentlemen]

Exodus

Chapter 38

1 And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof. 2 And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass. 3 And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass. 4 And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it. 5 And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves. 6 And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass. 7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards. 8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 9 And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits: 10 Their pillars were twenty, and their brasen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.

11 And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. 12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. 13 And for the east side eastward fifty cubits. 14 The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 15 And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 16 All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen. 17 And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver. 18 And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court. 19 And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver. 20 And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass.

21 This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest. 22 And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses. 23 And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen. 24 All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary. 25 And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: 26 A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. 27 And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket. 28 And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them. 29 And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels. 30 And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brasen altar, and the brasen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar, 31 And the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.

Exodus 38

Diane Beauford

[zoutilevanjil]

LESON DOMINIKAL POU DIMANCHE 15 OCTOBRE 2023

LESON DOMINIKAL POU DIMANCHE 15 OKTOB 2023.TIT: Rachte yo nan gran tribilasyon an LEKTI: Revelasyon 7:1-17 TÈKS DO: Yo p’ap janm grangou, yo p’ap janm swaf dio. Ni solèy la, ni okenn lòt gwo chalé p’ap kapab boule yo. Rev. 7:16 ENTWODIKSYON: Sen nou te wè nan Revelasyon chapit 4 rive chapit 6 se nan syèl la lapot Jan te wè yo youn aprè lot. Poutèt sa nou kwé 3 chapit sa yo mache ansanm; se istwa…

[minthy]

I love them

[snowdice]

Little Kestrel (Part 48) [Birds of Different Feathers Series]

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Relationships: Logan & Patton & Virgil (future Virgil/Patton but not in this story)

Characters:

Main: Logan, Patton, Virgil

Appear: Thomas

Mentioned: Janus

Summary:

It was supposed to be a quick job either way. Either Virgil would assassinate King Thomas of Prijaznia or he’d be caught and get executed. Yet, when Virgil gets the wrong bedroom and gets caught by Prince Logan and his future royal advisor, Patton, the job ends up getting way more complicated for the 14-year-old. He also ends up sleeping in a (actually pretty comfortable) closet for a few weeks…

Notes: Implied/referenced child abuse, assassination attempt, knives, torture mentioned, captivity, teenagers being really dumb, sexual coercion of minors implied, a minor offering sexual favors

This is a prequel to Kill Dear. I wrote it 100 words at a time on my blog, but this is the edited version. If you want to see how it was crafted (and possibly some future content), look at the tag proofread stories.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31 Part 32 Part 33 Part 34 Part 35 Part 36 Part 37 Part 38 Part 39 Part 40 Part 41 Part 42 Part 43  Part 44 Part 45 Part 46 Part 47

Thomas was leaving his office when he ran into his son. Or more accurately, his son almost ran into him. “Is everything alright?” Thomas asked.

“I…” Logan said. His hand came out to grasp Thomas’s shirt sleeve, odd behavior for him at least at this age. He used to do such things when he was very small. “Yes,” he said anyway. “Everything is perfectly fine.” He glanced behind himself down the hall.

Thomas looked at him and then looked down the hallway, concerned by his strange behavior. “Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes,” Logan said, but he wasn’t letting go of Thomas’s shirt.

“You seem a bit anxious, Logan,” Thomas said.

“I am not,” Logan denied, releasing his shirt. Thomas caught a glimpse of something moving above their heads. The hallway Thomas’s office was in had large pillars along the outer wall that really no one should be able to scale despite there technically being grooves in them. Yet, there Virgil clung to the chapiter of one of them. Even more bewildering, he was gripping a pouch of some kind in his teeth.

They met eyes briefly. Virgil tilted his head at Thomas. Then, he removed one hand from the pillar. How was he up there? He made a motion with his hand that seemed to be telling Thomas to step back.

Thomas looked back at his son. Logan hadn’t noticed Virgil, too busy glancing behind him and not looking up. Thomas looked back up at Virgil and took a big step back. The moment he did, Virgil grabbed the bottom of the pouch with his free hand and let go with his teeth. The pouch flipped upside down dropping its contents right onto Logan’s head.

Logan gave a high-pitched shriek that Thomas didn’t think he’d ever heard from him before. “Virgil!” he yelled, now absolutely soaked.

“Learn to look up,” Virgil said seriously, still clinging to the pillar.

“I hate you,” Logan replied.

“Don’t say things you don’t mean in anger,” Thomas reminded. He was a bit worried Virgil may overreact to Logan saying things like that to him, though he seemed perfectly calm at the moment.

Logan scowled at Thomas. “You’re on his side?! He just dumped water on my head!”

“He needs to be trained to be more observant!” Virgil said.

Logan turned his scowl to Virgil. “Come down here, you intolerable creature! I’m done with your so-called training!”

“And what would you do if I did come down?” Virgil asked while arching an eyebrow, wholly unconcerned. “Quote facts about animals at me?”

Thomas was unsure what about that comment angered Logan, but it apparently did.

“You little…”

“Boys,” Thomas interrupted. “What’s going on here?”

They both immediately started speaking at once, doing their best to talk over each other. Thomas didn’t catch much of either rants except something about ‘training’ and Virgil ‘stalking the halls’ and an “exploding muffin.”

“Okay, okay,” Thomas said, putting a hand up to tell both of them to be quiet. “One at a time. Virgil first.”

“Really?” Logan asked.

“Logan,” Thomas scolded.

He mumbled something under his breath, but he did quiet down.

“Virgil,” Thomas started again. “What’s going on?”

“I’m training him,” Virgil said.

“Training him?” Thomas asked. “Training him for what?”

“For life,” Virgil answered. “He isn’t observant enough.”

“Ah,” Thomas said, still fairly confused. “And how are you training him?”

“Right now, we’re doing situational awareness training,” Virgil said.

“And how does that translate to you dumping water on his head?” Thomas asked.

“He wouldn’t have gotten water on his head if he’d noticed me,” Virgil answered, seriously. Thomas tried not to laugh at the look on his face.

“That is, perhaps true,” Thomas said. “However, dumping water on people’s heads is not nice. Perhaps there is a nicer way to do this training?”

“People trying to kill them won’t be nice,” Virgil said.

“No one is trying to kill Logan,” Thomas said.

Virgil just pursed his lips. “Maybe,” Virgil said. “Not yet.”

Thomas was unsure where this fear had come from. Perhaps he had heard about the successful assassination of Lamir’s late queen. Thomas hadn’t exactly publicized the fact that the queen had been killed and not simply died when he’d returned, but he had told certain people including Logan and Patton. It was possible one of them had let it slip and Virgil had freaked out about it.

“Well,” Thomas said. “It still isn’t nice to ruin someone’s day over a threat that doesn’t exist yet.”

Virgil just huffed at him. He was being surprisingly petulant which actually made Thomas smile just a tad. He’d not even been able to imagine this side of him a month ago. “Why don’t you come down here?” Thomas suggested. “We can talk through the issue and come to a compromise.”

Virgil stared down at him with skeptical eyes.

“Perhaps with tea and cookies?” Thomas suggested.

Virgil tilted his head and slid down the pillar until his feet touched the floor. “What kind of cookies?” he asked.

“We’ll have to see what Helen has made lately,” Thomas said. He turned to Logan and frowned. “You should probably change before you get sick being wet and in the cold.”

Logan nodded and shivered a little bit while rubbing his own arms. Despite the castle being warm, it was no fun to be completely soaked during the winter. Thomas wasn’t even sure if Virgil would have thought to not use freezing cold water. Even with heating elements, the water in the castle could be very cold if you didn’t wait for a bit for it to warm up. Thomas didn’t think Virgil would have thought too far ahead in this ‘training.’

“I’ll take Virgil down to the kitchen and get some tea and cookies for all of us,” Thomas told Logan.

He gave his son a look trying to communicate ‘I’ll talk to him.’ Logan pursed his lips, but nodded, seeming to receive the message.

“Why don’t we meet you in the royal dining room, so the conversation is more private?” Thomas suggested. It would be a much calmer environment than the main dining hall or the kitchens.

“Sure,” Logan agreed, turning to walk off in the direction of the royal wing. The poor thing was huddled in on himself and cold.

Thomas looked over at Virgil and smiled at him softly as Logan left. “Let’s go see what cookies Helen has ready,” he suggested.

Want to read more? Click below!

Birds of Different Feathers Master Post

My Masterpost

[laupiehouppette]

To lose yourself to find yourself

Chapiter 1 : Hope and betrayal

Finally

He did it...

She is finally free.

He managed to free her from her prison. After breaking that hypnotic music box, he finally managed to free her.

Mono and Six slowly rise to their feet. They stare at each other for a moment. He is unable to see her face under the hood of her yellow raincoat.

But before he has time to check on her, he realizes they are not alone. Out of nowhere, a... an eye? A gigantic eye! Looking down on them! Their confrontation must have attracted the attention of this thing (or was it watching in the shadows all along? Six doesn't waste any time and runs away and Mono quickly follows her lead. They must get out of this chaos as soon as possible. This... Thing, with so many many eyes, oozes everywhere, staring at them with greed and lust. The concrete walls are crumbling under the weight of this amorphous mass, taking advantage of every crack to slip through. The ground rises under their feet, cracking all over the place, forcing them to jump and climb like never before. For Mono, running without tripping is a feat in his condition. Every inch of his body aches, begging him to stop, already pushed far too long to continue beyond his limit. But he can't afford it, not now. He'll rest when they get out of this place. The thing is still on their tail. Six is ahead of him. His bright yellow raincoat contrasting against the dark surroundings of the tower allows him to focus on his goal, to think about anything but the horrors around them.

As he runs like never before, he... he has, for some reason, the impression he has already seen this creature. And this simple fact frightens him even more. When? And where? No! Later! Escape. Think later, escape now.

Suddenly, the ground broke open in front of him! Revealing a huge eye fixed, on him. He almost falls head first into this sea of hideous flesh, but stops just in time. The boy looks about him, seeing that the other side is out of reach, even by jumping. He calls out to his friend to help him out of there, but with all the noise and moaning caused by the thing, it's quite likely she didn't hear anything.

He desperately looks for another way out, another passage, but unfortunately, no option is presented to him. He hopes to see his friend appear. That she has heard his calls, that she has noticed that he was not following anymore. But, nothing in sight. Yet they always made sure they followed each other when they had to flee from other dangers. That's how they've survived this long. Maybe something happened to her. Maybe she is also stuck like him? Maybe... Maybe this thing has already caught her? The thought makes him shudder.

The mass of flesh looming over him gets closer and closer. He turns around and faces this mass of flesh and eyes, dominating it, slowing down for a moment, seeming to enjoy the moment. So this is where he is going to die? So close to the goal and after all those efforts? Again, as he faces this living nightmare, he has this strange feeling of déjà vu. Where? What difference would it make, it's over for him. The thing advances to engulf him, he prepares for the inevitable. At least, even if it wasn't enough, he knows he gave it all he could.

Then something happens: the platform he is standing on suddenly lifts up, pushed from underneath by the mass of flesh, closing the gaping crevice before him! Not wasting a moment, he seizes his luck. He takes his momentum and jumps with all his strength, and reaches the other side without too much trouble. Saved! He pulls himself up and resumes his race without waiting. The thing moos in frustration, enraged at having allowed its prey to escape so foolishly. As he runs, he looks for the yellow figure with his eyes, and... there! Nothing happened to it. Good. Let's continue! With this renewed hope, he redoubled his frantic race for survival.

  They are almost out. He can see the exit at the end of a long narrow walkway past this frame. Always on their heels, the mass tries to catch up with them. Six has already gone through the frame and onto the thin bridge, and Mono is almost there. Just as he has almost reached the frame, the grotesque mace increases in speed, more eager than ever to engulf its prey, and lunges at him in a last desperate attempt to submerge

BROOM!!

  ..!!!

...

  Everything is blurred. Where is he...

There was a powerful shock wave and

The thing smashed against the wall with all its weight, shaking the whole tower. The wall resists despite everything.

Stunned, Mono struggles to get up. He looks again for his only point of reference, it is always in front, but it does not seem to have noticed that he fell.

He tries to get up laboriously. He hears again awful growls of frustration behind him. He throws a fast glance last behind him. The enormous creature smashed against the wall with all its weight. The wall resisted in spite of everything.

The thing tries to pass by force in this frame, managing only to slip there a ''small'' part of its immense mass. He gathers his last strength and finally manages to get up and painfully resumes his race, who knows how long this wall will resist. He catches up with his friend as fast as he can, and quickly reaches half of the bridge, when...

BOM ! .... BOM !

The mass throws itself against the wall, desperately trying to make it crack under its weight.

BOM ! .... BOM !

The mass of flesh continues its desperate assaults against the wall that holds it captive. The thin ramp shakes and begins to crack. They must hurry. The exit is not far away. They can see the soft light emanating from the portal, the only exit that will take them far, far away from this hell.

BROM ! BRO-CRAC !

The wall which held the thing prisoner finally gives way under the repeated charges. The mass launches itself like an avalanche on the bridge, but this last one gives up immediately under the disproportionate weight of the creature. It tries to cling as well as possible to the narrow footbridge, but slips lamentably of this one, carried away by its own immense mass, and sinks at the bottom of the tower. Mono can hear a howl of rage between them. Good riddance! She can't reach them now. It's just a straight line now, they'll...

BOM!

He celebrated too soon: By reaching with force the bottom, the mass caused a trembling in all the tower. The already weakened walkway starts to crumble! No, not so close! Six begins to stagger between the cracks that form when suddenly, the footbridge gives way in front of her! She has no choice but to jump and hope to reach the other side. And... just barely, she crashes on the other side.

  She made it! Mono is relieved. But that joy is short-lived, he... he may not be able to make such a leap, not in his condition. Unless... Yes! He knew he could count on her! She is waiting for him on the other side, ready to catch him if he didn't jump far enough. Just like she always did. They will get out of this place. Together.

Mono gathers his last bit of strength, jumps with all his might, and, stretches his hands as far as possible.

And... ...

Saved! She catches him, by a short margin. He strikes with force the side of the bridge, triggering a stabbing pain in his bruised body, tearing him a whimper. But it is infinitely better than falling into this abyss under her feet. They managed to do it. She only has to pull him up.

"We... We made it Six," he managed to utter out of breath.

  Still suspended at the end of the arms of his friend, he waited for her to help him to pull himself up. The few seconds seem to last an eternity. She must be completely out of strength too, he thinks. She is going to pull him up any moment. He glances over his shoulder and, at the bottom of the tower, despite the depth, he sees this sea of glowing eyes and hideous flesh. With greedy eyes, this thing moans, and, now that he pays attention, the countless eyes stare at him, avidly: this thing wants him. Why does it want him? He doesn't even want to think about it, and he doesn't plan to stay to find out. What is she waiting for?! She has to pull him up! The platform could collapse at any moment! Hurry! He redirects his gaze to her, about to encourage her. But he finds himself unable to open his mouth at what he sees. Something is wrong. Why is she looking at him like that? In a voice choked with doubt, he tries to figure out what is going on.

"S-Six? What... what wrong?" He chokes.

He feels his blood run cold. Never has he seen a look like that. Her eyes... her face is marbled. No fear, no anger, no joy. Nothing. Why? Then a terrible thought comes into his mind and he becomes completely immobile. No... she is not going to... She is not going to...

Before he even has time to react, the hand that was holding him back from falling into that sea of shapeless flesh suddenly withdraws.

No...

Everything slows down.

In a state of stupefaction, he is unable to react.

No... this is not possible. Not after everything they've been through. Not after risking everything to find each other and get out, together, of this nightmarish tower. He tries to shout his friend's name, but nothing comes out, speechless, unable to make a single sound.

As he falls into this abyss, she looks at him falling. Falling to his death as if it was nothing.

Why? Did she do this?

Tears stream down her face.

Why?

He closes his eyes, and he feels his mind slip. At least he won't be here when...

But before he completely loses consciousness, the boy feels a warm, slimy mass slowly enveloping his body, finally engulfing him completely. He suffocates, unable to move, buried under the mass of flesh.

Then, everything becomes dark.

- - <O> - -

[completeoveranalysis]

[1]

Chapiter 174 - The Path Believed In

Splash text reads something like: He beats everything of his on this sword, to walk even the pathless path

Aka me squinting at the sword and trying to remember if Syaoran took it with him when he left. I don’t even think I’m going to check - no. No wait I will. Ok. 

PENDING PENDING PENDING. 

Ok YES he does. And he specifically takes his own sword, and not Kurogane’s, which I thought I remembered happening because of that weird bit with Mokona but no it was definitely Hien the whole time. 

How I wish I had paid attention to the swords at any time before now. 

Also if we were talking about Character-Identifying-Symbols-That-Are-Technically-Manufactured with Sakura, then surely Syaoran’s fire symbol on the sword is even more relevant, as an icon of who he is (or was) as a person, but the fire here on page is just a man-made imitation of fire - just like he’s a man-made imitation of a Syaoran. 

And the pensive frown as he glances at the camera? Implying he has awareness and feelings about what he’s doing? Heartbreaking thanks. Just what I needed. 

Oh actually just as I was about to post I noticed the circle symbol on the sword too, which seems to have a small notch in the inner centre. WHICH, like, the fact that it’s two circles, with one within the other? Like a smaller soul growing inside the shell of another? But the inner circle isn’t complete, like something that is Almost Finished but has a tiny piece missing? It’s ALMOST a full circle, but not quite there, just a tiny sliver away from being a complete circle in its own right. Even more heartbreaking! Thanks!!

[houseki-no-suffering]

I feel a little dumb. Since chapiter 1, everyone have been telling Phos not to be so reckless, to be careful and mindful of their action. I thought it was part of the problem. Turns out, the characters that were most prudent were right. Why is it so hard to predict anything in this manga

yeppp

[jjsmithmg]

Super Gear - Chapiter 1

[didanawisgi]

And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.

1 Kings 7:18 (KJV)