RhaegarRRL
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Chapter 751 Remnants
🕑 Added 2021-08-21 11:12:26 +0000 UTCAuthor's note: Heya. Only one chapter today. Bit of a creative funk these past few days but I hope to catch up next week. Tournament arcs eh.
PDF/EPUB: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32241245
Chapter Index: https://www.patreon.com/posts/37813894
New project ch1-21: https://www.patreon.com/posts/project-chapter-55087157
Chapter 751 Remnants
Aryvia felt the wagon rumble over the road southwards. She supposed the gold they had was spent on more important things than comfortable transportation. She did have it better than the chained up slaves sitting on the floor a few meters away.
She gave them a look and sighed. Poor things. Waste too, some of them look workable.
“Shame,” one of her travel companions said, following her gaze.
“It’s what we have left,” she said. The plan was simple enough, but they required blood. As much as they could get.
“We’re here!” someone shouted from outside.
Already. Aryvia moved out behind the other hooded figures in the cart. The sunlight blinded her as she landed on the ground. Trees? They had stopped on a clearing in the middle of a small patch of forest. She wasn’t particularly familiar with the southern Plains but this didn’t look at all like Morhill, or anywhere close to it.
“Why aren’t we getting closer?” she asked one of the higher leveled mages.
The man turned her way. “Sentinel scouts.”
“What do you mean? So far out? I can barely make out the mountains,” she said. What are we even doing so far away.
“We will hound them southwards,” the man said.
“Kind of defeats the point with causing chaos. If we’re just running alongside a bunch of demons towards their walls,” she said.
“I didn’t make the plan, alright?” the man said. “Grovo decided we’re stopping here, so we’re stopping here. Plus we’re not the only ones, not by a long shot. Dozens of cells will conduct their rituals and summonings. High chance we won’t even be noticed until we reach the city walls.”
“Then why not go closer now, if there’s chaos already?” Aryvia asked.
The man nodded. “Hold on, you’re right. Well I’m sure Grovo considered it. He’s not an imbecile.”
“Maybe you could bring it up with the man himself?” she suggested.
“Me? No. Bad idea. Last time someone made a suggestion they were fed to his pet demons. You can try if you want to,” he said, crossing his arms.
“I’m getting a bad feeling about this,” she said.
The man chuckled. “Largest operation the Red Blades have ever managed. This is our time to shine. Every influential figure in the Plains is watching.”
“Right,” Aryvia said. “Shouldn’t that be even more concerning? There will be some insanely powerful people amongst the crowd. Then you have the Sentinels, Shadows, Lilith herself.”
He scoffed. “You don’t really believe in those fairy tales, do you? Lilith is just made up by the Empire. She doesn’t exist. And Lys is on its last legs, considering deals with Ravenhall of all places. Just a demon destroyed ruin in the mountains.”
Aryvia raised her brows. She wasn’t so sure the man was right, but then it wouldn’t be the first time her information had proven wrong. Maybe this was one of those cases.
She watched the mages prepare the ritual. They formed a massive circular stone platform before they crouched down and started their rune etching work. It would take some time. Aryvia turned away when they started killing slaves to fill in the runes with blood. She just didn’t enjoy violence like some others in their organization. According to the screams and laughter, some were downright reveling in the process.
She didn’t mind it much. Since Baralia had fallen, their traditions were far more difficult to conduct. Slaves were harder to find and buy, they were more expensive, and their vitality left a lot to be desired. She had her own fun a few times but her preferences had little use in summoning or blood magic. Crossing her arms, she looked towards the distant mountains.
“That’ll be a long way. Can you control the demons for the entire distance?” she asked the same mage she had talked to before.
“Probably not. But they keep on running once they choose a direction,” the man said.
What happened to our well planned out rituals back home? She sighed.
“Can you be a little more positive?” he asked, a slave screaming behind them before she was silenced. “Maybe smile a little, or put the hood up so that we don’t have to see your frown.”
“I just like our cave more,” she said. “Doesn’t feel like we’re as prepared as we could be.”
“Well well well, Miss Aryvia knows best. I’m sure you could’ve done a better job in the little time we had since this thing was even announced. Weeks of travel, a wonderful ritual circle, live sacrifices, even hostages,” he said, spreading both arms. “It is how it is. Can’t always be a perfect fucking operation.”
She sighed and rubbed her temples. “Yes yes. I know. I’m sorry. I’ll be more positive.”
“Good. Before Grovo sees you. He’s in a foul mood,” the mage said.
“Isn’t he always?” another man said as he approached. “We.. eh… need some blood from you two as well. Not enough slaves if we want to keep some hostages.”
Aryvia groaned, the mage giving her a glare. “Alright. Sure. Yes. Blood,” she said and showed him an incredibly forced smile. She got out a ritual dagger and started slicing into her arm, hissing at the pain. She hated providing blood herself. That’s what they had slaves for. Damn the fucking Empire and their backwards laws. All our cities will be overpopulated soon enough.
“Where do you want the blood?” she asked.
A hooded figure appeared next to her with a cauldron. He huffed before he set the thing down. “Heavy,” he said and laughed.
She nodded. “Yeah. You know you don’t have to use a cauldron.” Aryvia held her arm out over the thing and looked away. The feeling of her own blood rolling down her arm was enough. She didn’t have to see it.
“I’ve had the best results with cauldrons. I know it’s not proven or anything but if you read the old scriptures of Benjamin Greyson, he clearly has a preference for the unwieldy containers. I saw the word cauldron sixteen times in the three hundred pages of his first book,” the man explained.
“Look Davis, I don’t care,” she said.
“Right… right,” he murmured. “More one for… sexual theories.”
She glared at him.
“Sorry,” he said and turned away slightly.
Grovo appeared in the center of the ritual circle, crouching down next to one of the corpses before he put his hands into the deep wound on their neck.
Aryvia looked away. Disgusting.
He walked over and smeared the blood into his hair before he took in a deep breath and smiled. “What a wonderful day for a summoning! Don’t you think?” he looked at the two of them.
“Yes, indeed. A great day, Grovo,” Davis said.
“Wonderful day,” Aryvia repeated.
He tapped her shoulder with his bloodied finger. “I don’t hear the enthusiasm. Look, I know the journey was long… and arduous… poor Jester… didn’t stand a chance. I still hear his screams sometimes when I sleep,” he said and pointed at his head. “Anyway. Just pull yourselves together, for me, for everyone, alright? It’ll be worth it. And we can go drink together later, maybe even an orgy,” he said and pointed at them with both his index fingers and a charming smile.
Aryvia smiled back. He did have a way to get to them. Maybe that or it was the unspoken threat of being skinned alive. His sudden outbursts were well known among their group. It was just one of those things one had to deal with. He wasn’t the worst team leader she’s had. And she had to admit that the parties he organized were really quite something.
One of the mages appeared nearby and whispered something to Grovo.
The man in question clapped his hands. “Alright then, hurry up everyone! And keep those knives on the hostages. We might get company sooner than expected.” A wide grin spread on his face as he took off his robe and shirt, dozens of scars visible on his torso, with the occasional tattoo in between.
Let’s get this over with and go back home. I’m tired.
___________________________
Ilea watched Kyrian finish his ritual circle, power vibrating through the arena as the barriers struggled to keep his magic contained.
Pierce sagged down to one knee, spitting out blood as another flail came her way. She wouldn’t last much longer.
“Lilith,” Wayland said as he appeared next to her.
“What is it?” she asked, establishing a telepathic connection.
“Cult in a forested patch northwards. Mid scale summoning ritual. Demonic. Hostages prevent us from moving in effectively, levels unknown. City on high alert due to it being a potential distraction,” he answered.
Pierce was flung aside, her armor dented in and reforming as she stumbled in the powerful curse. She laughed like a maniac, charging the floating form of Kyrian with an appearing blade of lightning.
“How likely is a ritual or attack right here?” Ilea asked.
“Unlikely, but I won’t disregard the possibility. It could be one of the groups we cleared out before the festivities started. There were leads that suggested more connections. An attack from anyone here would be nothing less than a declaration of war. Based on the information I have I deem that highly unlikely,” Wayland explained.
“Where exactly?” Ilea asked. “Call me through the mark if anything happens here.”
“Only in an emergency situation,” he said. “Follow the Shadow.”
Ilea found the man in question and vanished.
The shadow was masked and hooded, giving her a slight nod before he jumped up, flying with wings of dark energy.
She followed.
The two stayed low on the ground, quickly moving down the side of the mountains and out onto the Plains. She spotted a ground of Sentinels flying in the air, two with dark wings, one being carried, and a fourth one with what looked like wings of ice.
The Shadow didn’t slow down, circling around before coming to a stop on a small hill overlooking a small forest. “They’re in there. At least twenty three people. The likely leader is a shirtless fellow. We found them too late to stop the killings. I believe they spotted one of our scouts and are now continuing with the threat of killing the hostages.”
Ilea sighed. Can’t escape the lunatics. “Why are they even here?”
“Excuse me?” the shadow asked.
She looked at him but just shook her head. “Can’t people just… not sacrifice slaves or something?”
He nodded slowly. “It would be… preferable. Yes.”
“Alright. Tell me exactly where you saw the hostages. I’ll take care of it.” Ilea cracked her neck and formed a few ashen copies. “Let’s get back before the finals.”
The Shadow nodded slowly, looking at the ashen forms.
____________________________
Aryvia watched the mages work. She smiled when the ritual thrummed to life. It was always an exciting moment when the runes aligned. This thing was far bigger than what they usually did as well. They won’t know what hit them.
The very fabric of reality screeched as the blood magic took hold, a connection with the demonic realm established in mere moments. She watched the sphere of dark red energy float up as the first demons came out. Their mages used their mind magic and necromancy spells to push them towards the distant mountains.
The sight sent shivers down Aryvia’s spine, the sheer savagery of these creatures, the death and chaos they would cause. There was little else in life that came close to this sensation.
The ritual came to a crescendo as the sphere grew larger. Birthed from it and slapping to the stone platform came a creature so massive and vile, the stench alone sent Aryvia reeling. She watched as it loomed forward on a dozen long legs, its torso a collection of claws and teeth.
Mages shouted as their efforts focused entirely on the beast, pushing it forward and towards the mountains.
She felt the power emanate from it and shivered. If it breaks free…
[Slithering Claw Demon – lvl ???]
A three mark, she thought and forced herself to stand her ground. The others wouldn’t let her live it down if she ran.
The creature turned towards the mages but then whipped its torso forward and rushed into the underbrush, far faster than she had ever seen anything move. Out and towards the mountains.
She breathed out, feeling her heart beat in her chest, sweat on her brow.
Grovo stood on the platform and laughed, the last bits of blood magic dissipating as a rain of red drops fell on his naked chest.
“The hostages!” someone shouted with a panicked voice.
Aryvia turned, annoyed that someone would interrupt this perfect moment. She raised her brows when she saw all the hostages gone, the people who had held them looking around with confused and panicked expressions, their weapons still drawn.
She turned and saw the corpses on the platform gone as well. What.
Grovo looked around with a grin on his face and blades of blood forming on his hands. “Everyon-”
Something black flew past, a mist of blood and bones flying up and out from where Grovo had stood. The wind hit Aryvia a moment later, drops of blood and bits of flesh splattering against her face as her eyes widened. She staggered back and looked at the still black winged form, horns of ash on the intruder’s head.
The figure slowly stood up from their crouch, wings spreading out behind her back, flapping once to discard the bits of flesh still stuck to them.
“Lay down your weapons. Lie down on the floor and please… for all that is holy, don’t try to talk,” a female voice resounded in her head.
Grovo. Realization hit. But the demons. Why…
She watched on as most of her allies charged the ashen form.
“Your choice,” the woman said again, deflecting three simultaneous blows before she struck back with lightning fast punches, bones snapping and faces cracking inwards. She kicked through the leg of one charging warrior before she turned his blade around and stabbed it through his hooded head. Bolts, mist, and explosions of blood magic crashed against her armor, the ashen form neither staggering nor stopping as she looked around.
She raised her arms before every mage who had sent out an attack vanished and appeared in a group before her. The being brought their arms down as an invisible force slammed down from above, everyone in the group breaking against the ground as if they had fallen from a cliff. Screams resounded and were silenced, bodies downright exploding when the brunt of the force slammed into their forms. A mist of white flame spread out over the bodies, burning away in mere moments what was left of their corpses.
One mage had survived, her leg flattened as she crawled away. She glanced back to see the slow moving ash creature approach. It grabbed her good leg and flung her screaming form against a tree, the sound silenced instantly.
The being stopped and looked around at the few survivors, Aryvia one of them. She twitched when the blue eyes moved over her. Run.
She teleported away and started running through the forest, uncaring as to the direction. Her entire body moved with a primal fear she had only felt a few times in her life. Sounds of battle came from behind, silenced mere seconds later. The trees made way for a meadow, Aryvia not daring to look back as she rushed up the small hill and teleported again. She slowed down when she saw the demons running a hundred meters ahead, towards the mountains.
A figure clad in black armor and a layer of ice landed onto one of the creatures, glittering claws ripping off the creature’s head before they moved on to the next enemy.
More of them were around, some flying, some on the ground, each taking out demons faster than she could even make them out. The clawed demon they had summoned was at the center of it all, screeching as the dark figures moved around it, deep wounds already visible in its sides. Most of its legs had been cut away.
Aryvia’s lips quivered as she watched the figures teleport and fly past the large creature, slicing it apart as if it was a mere wolf in the wilderness. The stories…
She heard a noise behind and turned. Bolts of blood magic formed in front of her as she staggered back, looking at the ashen being. It had the same form as the one she had seen before, but something wasn’t right.
It’s eyes were entirely black.
“What are you?” she demanded, shooting her bolts forward at the waiting creature.
The thing dodged to the right with a strange floating motion, rushing forward before it gripped her neck and turned.
Aryvia saw her shoulder from a strange angle, the world turning as she fell, her vision going dark.
______________________________
Ilea landed near the last of the cult members, already killed by one of her copies. She had instructed them to keep track of those who ran, attacking if they remained hostile. The impacts in the grass and collected blood suggested the woman had done exactly that. She looked at the body and dissolved her copy, setting the ash aflame and moving it on top of the corpse. Ilea kept it there until nothing was left, watching her Sentinels rip through the small group of demons sent out to attack Morhill.
I hope that was the last of them. The only good thing about this situation was the fact that they could rescue a group of hostages. Former slaves from Baralia. Maybe I should go visit at some point. Help the Empire enforce its rules. She grit her teeth and sighed. No. That’s not my job. And before long I’ll be breaking down doors of innocent people based on incomplete information. Maybe just Wayland and his information network. He could provide high value targets, if any remain after this mess.
Comments
I fully subscribe to the above. I copy and paste the part about trust towards the author and about his creativity. Don't worry about the story, you're doing fine. Don't think what readers want to read, just write what you want to write. Do you want to write other characters? it's okay. Do you want to write more about organizations and countries that you fight? No problem. If you have writer's block, there is also no problem in focusing on the other project for a while, and then picking up momentum with this one.
Vortozan
Wow, that was a highly informative perspective on things. I give an A+ for this short essay xD. Also, best parts about what you said that couldn't be more true. - The Trust I have for this Author - This Author's writing always having that extra spark and creativity I just live for those moments when Karian is see's a really big angered monster and he's like, "Yeah, ahhh Ilea? That's all you, go solo it. I'm out" xD And also, this arc has been beyond amazing. It has so many things in it that I didn't know I needed. The dawning of a new age combined with all these different characters meeting in situations I would have never expected. God I love this book, It's given me more joy than any story has any right to. I don't pay money for the updates G. Harthane, I pay money cause you deserve it you absolute legend!
Camelopardalis
This tournament arc isn't really a tournament arc, so it's not at all boring and it doesn't seem familiar. Instead, it's something like the birth of the Federation - an important phase in the creation of a new, more enlightened society that values the worth and dignity of sentient beings, and understands the necessary balance of perseverance, healing, tolerance and self-overcoming that might allow humans to return to their place as equal partners with elves, dwarfs and dark ones, and overcome their provincialism to become part of the glue that holds the races together. This is inherently interesting. It's also a nice change from mass-market science fiction and fantasy that has become increasingly preachy and pessimistic. Chinese web novels often peter out in a tedious quest to elevate their protagonist to absurd heights of power. By the end, the main character goes from punching suns to wrestling with galaxies. (I've been stuck on book eight of I Shall Seal The Heavens for a few years - even after investing in thousands of pages, I can't bring myself to finish; despite the fact that the alchemy arc was quite beautiful at times. By the last books, the need for the character to become The Most Important Being In The Universe reduces every relationship to a puppet show.) This isn't you. Your writing always has spark and creativity, in part because your world isn't solipsistic-the peripheral characters, even those we touch briefly, have interesting back stories and motivations. Your universe is creative and cool, and far more than Ilea's progression. The tournament arc brings so many characters and possibilities together that I can see why you might want to ruminate. I hope this isn't depression but gestation. But if you are looking for ways to shake things up, maybe Ilea has been too cavalier about Iz? She's certainly been shaking a hornets nest. I could see The One Without Form engineering a diversionary Taleen invasion as a trap for Ilea, and capturing and sending some characters she cares about into a truly dangerous, far-off area she hasn't yet visited. It would take Meadow amplifying Cless' magic to open a portal there. Perhaps the rules of magic might be different, or other circumstances might work against Ilea, and other characters might need to step up. In the meantime, once she's out of the picture, The One Without Form might invade the human plains through places like Dawntree, and the Sentinals have to stand between them and destruction that would dwarf the Demon Invasion. (Perhaps we might discover that the Demon Invasion was engineered in the first place as a long game to prepare the Human Plains for the Taleen....) At the last minute, and unexpectedly, elves come to help. But the Monarchs and Oracles have their own agendas.... But this is just one of many possibilities. The world you have built is so rich there is no end to the interesting stories you could tell. I trust you. TLDR; Sometimes Patreon reminds me a of a poorly-moderated college writing class, where insecure authors pontificate on the failings of their peers. You are a breakout star of Royal Road for a reason. I hope you don't let negative comments get you down. We should be asking you for advice.
how else are we going to see Primordial Flesh trigger
Mr Bork
The fact that someone would try to kill her wouldn’t be much of a twist. Especially if they fail. A real twist would be that they kill her.
hill44
That...would actually be fairly amusing. And I also now have an image in my head of a scene like from Independence Day(I think it was) where the guy just sits there and reads his paper while the city blows up around him.
Derze
And fails
James Faulkner
Humans adapted to create mana within themselves, rather than drawing it from their environment. So Illea will never have the restrictions that certain creatures (like dragons) do with regards to avoiding low mana areas
James Faulkner
I’m down for a bit of earth, maybe reconnect with that vampire chick from a while ago? But definitely not involve her family, it would be pointless. Plus they’re Cless’s family now
Dragons have repeatedly destroyed human cities, humans are deeply scared because of them.
Martin Brandel
People still think the world is flat and blowing yourself up will grant you a paradise of virgin's (and this last bit is likely uninformed as well)
Martin Brandel
Yeah, honestly I feel involving earth will just cause more problems than its worth. Wouldn't personally want it either
Daniel D.
Event/plot idea: an exhibition match at the end of Ilea vs. everyone at once, whoever wants to participate. The twist is that at least one faction actually tries to kill her for real.
Daniel D.
Plot idea: attempted industrial espionage of the gate tech. Event idea: a pure "Smash you good!" style of event based on what she learned from pleasing the Pit.
Daniel D.
Character idea: a Forrest Gump analogue who is very down-to-earth, happens to live in Morhill, and happens (through no intentions of her own) to be a bystander at lots of significant events (that she isn't impressed by).
Daniel D.
The whole reason why Ilea has an ashen class is because she saw Jyriau doing magical performance art and was determined to get wings, so she just lived in a bonfire for awhile (while hiding in a dungeon because elves attacked during the performance). So it would be kind of weird if Ilea held a tournament and Jyriau was there and nah, it's all just combat.
sharkattack
Could have a reaction chapter from a rando noble's POV; inter-noble snark, backbiting and scheming, mixed with conspiracies (eg: tease out Lily members / other gov'ts/secret societies future plans/movements), misinformation (eg: underestimating the Meadow Accords / Lilith, trying to predict other faction's responses), reactions from different people/factions. Merchants and future-minded nobles freaking out about the trade / development opportunities.
Brian P.
I really like this idea. Some illusionist/bard has to exist who has basically created movies, or some sound mage who helps make plays more dramatic. We've seen Helena continue baking despite being over 300, more people should be shown making public art for the love of the craft. There was a great bit of some show I saw recently talking about how humans painted/carved cave walls in such a way that the moving shadows of a torch or lantern made a movie of various events, such as a moving elephant or an elk being alarmed. If we can do that with nothing but our minds and some stone tools imagine what wonders could be done with actual magic.
fbt
i don't think people "outgrow" artistic expression; children don't often get it, but as folks grow they may appreciate it. And, depending on the context, it might be an artistry competition, vs a simple fight; those exist, yano. I agree a dimension is missing here vs the prior example (and look how that turned out, eh?), but it's a minor thing. I could totally see a sep "artsy fartsy" segment of the event...and honestly, if I were there, that's the only part I'd attend. I do wonder wtf is up w/ Jyriau. He clearly doesn't love babysitting a drunkard, but seems to think it's his best/safest option. We don't know much about him, or his sitch, tho.
Brian P.
Creating art and entertainment is a human need, as much as socializing with other people is. We've been doing it since before we have a written history; as far back as we can trace humanity we find humanity's art. So I'm not really sure where you're getting the idea that people "outgrow" performing for themselves and others or consider being entertained as "wasteful," but I vehemently disagree.
Sondre Grøneng
I think most people in the 200s have outgrown "showing off". Additionally. Even if it was impressive it would be looked down on simply for being wasteful. Additionally, it's a major show of contempt for your opponent.
Nitrous_Hail
Oh man, i would love this so much if we could see some of the creative ways these people use their skills.
Brian P.
Hey, remember how back in chapter 12 there was a whole entertainment part of the tournament, with artistic displays of power, rather than martial? I think there should be more of that. Or rather I think Ilea should see more of that, be amused or impressed by the nuance of their control. There's certainly some ~200 creator or manipulator whose control would impress even a 500+ battle healer. Honestly I'm surprised Jyraiu isn't putting on some shows; it's not like taking care of Edwin was his passion.
Forrest Minter
Literally all they had to do was go look at ravenhall
Forrest Minter
From what I remember, ambient mana density mostly affects mana regeneration. Owl said she could survive in the human plains as long as she didn't overuse her magic because it would be hard to regenerate.
SunderGoldmane
“Just a demon destroyed ruin in the mountains” wow, this guy is not informed at all.
Shin
Maybe wait with skydiving until his shoulder is healed fully...
StarWolf
How is Cless’s painting going? Did she enjoy meeting Owl and Elemental smith? Hope you take the time write a nice chapter about Cless’s auction. What about the auction of items Lilith and the Shadows might have for sale. It would be interesting to know what the Empress and the others think about all of this…. More of the tournament would be entertaining…. But down burn yourself out if your are running out of ideas.
StarWolf
Hrm had forgotten she didn’t care for her family.
LordDark
Also arcane resistance lowers the requirements.
Noble Defect
I don't think Ilea would bring her family as she stated that they do not get along nor has she shown any interest in seeing them at all.
StarWolf
An idea for another interlude such as the tournament - Lilith around level 750 or 1000 could learn to navigate the realms and maybe goes home to earth, goes shopping for a number of different items. Brings Cless with her and then in the end brings most of their two families back with her.
Han Pol
I think for it was mostly a the extra mana helps but is not needed as somebody born human at level 0 or 1..can't remember
Razavn
It's been a long time since I read it, so I could be mistaken. But I believe I recall that due to humans starting at lvl 1, they have much less mana requirements and indeed can even generate their own.
StarWolf
Don't know why this chapter got me thinking in this direction... but by the time Lilith is able to navigate the realms and travel between them effortlessly - and can find earth, will she even be able to enter that realm? Her requirements for mana level in a realm may keep her from visiting home. Similar to the dragons "not being able" to come south?
buca117
She got a skill for them a while back, so now they aren't haphazard.
Straven
Nicely done and most of all thanks for the chapter, was thinking you might need a week+ to get back up and running which I doubt anyone here would have an issue with, not with how fast you keep things running. Thanks again for the chapter, hope your doing well or better.
Grond (James)
I guess they really were living in caves. There was ample proof for RavenHall's resurgence as well as Lillith's legitimacy and strength.
mightguyishot
Yeah! What they said!
IJustWannaRead
How out of touch do you have to be to think raven hall is a pile of rubble? Their information network must be absolutely horrendous lol.
Rainer
Who said anything about these being nobles?
Nopkar
"someone" is going to be upset and basically say if I can't have this, no one can.
Vortozan
As always an amazing chapter, you always blow my mind away.
It is most definitely for the best to stay away from trying to become the Big Sister of the human plains. Unless you take away free will then there will ALWAYS be people ruining the lives of others in one way or another even if your would devote every waking second to trying to stamp them out. About the best you can do is minimize the damage by punishing them properly when caught in breaking the law and making sure no one with a conflicting ideology gets a bigger stick.
Thank you, I very much enjoyed this chapter. Tournament arc is ok, but as I am personally not fond of Lily or Edwin, I don't enjoy it as much. However the writing is good so take care of yourself, and do something fun to recharge :)
Not sure if there is an appropriate person, but seeing a Sentinel class evolution would be very interesting. Especially if there are Lilith influences. We haven't had litrpg skill porn for a while.
Alsia
Thanks for the chapter :) Get some rest! See you next time you post
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Alex Galaitsis
I've really been enjoying the tournament arc, but if you wanted to finish it up more quickly, you could have a scene with someone dueling the destroyer, have Lily join the Sentinels (or whatever your plan was), and have a few POV chapters of the gates and Dark Ones being revealed, and then finish it up? For more tournament stuff you could maybe include some information that summarizes who won in the different categories. Have a group of Sentinels selling resistance training at a market stall. Have a portal-based response to an elf attack that happens in some other linked city during the tournament, where the elves get overwhelmed by people porting in, and POVs of the nobles reacting favorably. You could have some POVs of regular people using the portals and arriving at distant places for the first time, or low level people leveling up in Morhill and getting offered Lilith-related classes from their chance encounters with her. But yeah, soon enough I'd like the story to return to its main focus of Ilea and her exploits. I've been wondering where you would take things now that Ilea is so strong. It seems like she needs to be stronger before she and her friends assault Iz, though, or even before she feels confident finding the last few Keys. I've been hoping you'd have Ilea travel to another new realm as an arc, where she could be like a mysterious outlander helping to fight a war where one good faction was being routed by another, where both factions had a large number of triple mark fighters, or maybe it's a remnant Ascended and his minions trying to steal their sun, or there was a ritual that knocked their planet too close to another and they're trying to save themselves before a collision, etc. She could bring some friends from home with her for parts of the conflict, or portal back home periodically to keep the arc grounded and continuous with the rest of the story. I dunno. Alternately you could have her fly across the oceans around Elos and visit another continent. Maybe the ruins with the other portal technology that she found under Ravenhall are from a civilization that still exists elsewhere, with more powerful people and monsters to fight? I don't know, maybe you have plans for all of this anyway, but it seems like there's a lot of fertile story ground to plow and plant in.
poor mob haha thank you for keeping us informed and for chapter!
Andrew
Thank you!
Null
I find the actual tournament boring but not what's happening in the background. I would like more moments where ilea, Claire and even VIOLENCE reaction in the background, like imagine if violence out of boredom/accident find the responsible for this rituals and to make to to it name... teleport them to the north dungeon and make them fight for their lives!!! Hahahab
Sean Wilner
Thanks for the chapter! I hope your funk passes 🤞 "... a ground of Sentinels..." -> " ... a group of Sentinels..."
Alexander Dupree
Thanks for the chapter. Get some rest. Creative funks are a reality and pushing just makes it worse.
Blackmoon11
I think if this chapter had an alternate title, it would be "the life of an evil minion". Fairly normal people who are in the background, their job being to agree with everything the boss said, and cackle maniacally whenever appropriate. I actually felt a little sad, her death much like her life was ultimately ..... meaningless.
Woronve
For the tournament, maybe a creator segment were the challengers are graded on their mastery of the element they wield. Or some other categories for pure magic (as opposed to combat magic). Have someone remind Elos of the beauty of magic... Someone like a low-key four mark Gandalf like human putting up fireworks using low-grade flame spirits or something.
Woronve
Thanks for the chapter! Hope you get better.
Martin Brandel
I also find tournament arcs boring; just skip through it and give us more awesome politics in the bg like this one!
Rhain
Thanks for the chapter today!
thkiw
Cool. An orgy. Btw, being so 'normal' and talking casually makes no sense. People like that are obsessed with power. Power mean suppression. Not strength. Power over someoe. Which meams hurting other people. Nothing nornal about it. They were likely educated from birth about manner and bullshit to look imposing and domineering. Their attitude towards life revolves around it. Fucking nobles.
Herald
Wonderful chapter, I really like that your playing up the complete lack of information gathering and sharing that goes on in societies like this. Coupled with whether or not any one would believe it. It's like that expression fact is often stranger then fiction. It's also like when people would complain that superman using glasses as a disguise was unrealistic and there's no way it would work, but as recent years have taught us it's probably overkill. Sorry to hear about the funk your feeling but you've still turned out quality work. Maybe plan a trip and take a vacation, do something fun, I recommend skydiving be included, it's lots of fun.
Andrei
Thank you!
Luciaron
Thanks for the chapter! Maybe you just need an orgy like this character wanted
Robert Mullins
When they're so weak your haphazard ashen copies can slaughter them while you go play with the demons...
