“I…I don’t know what to say…”
For the first time since he’d been summoned to the world of Thea, Marcus Graham was looking at something he actually wanted.
“That makes a change,” Mari said, her voice hoarse as she held back tears.
To look at her was to look upon...
2024-07-24 15:12:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe roar of the crowd could be heard even through the thickness of the Eternal Dragon Quarters.
XJ-V and Feng-Lung sat staring at the ground, their heads almost knocking together as each man contemplated what was to come in silence. Until, finally, the silence was broken.
“THE TIME ...
2024-07-22 14:30:05 +0000 UTC View PostSilas stared through the cracked windows of his Summoning Chamber, watching the meagre force of ratguard bustle about as they tried to spruce up the place in preparation for the King’s arrival.
He smiled to see it. Ants, toiling under his vision.
Only a week ago they had...
2024-07-22 14:30:03 +0000 UTC View Post“We’re gonna make it, son!” Marvin screamed above the death-rattle of the rocket that was currently on course to turn them both into mincemeat.
No, Marcus thought again as he looked into the black column homing in on their position. Not this time…
Marcus’s hand flared up of ...
2024-07-21 14:30:01 +0000 UTC View PostThe First-Talon watched the eyes of the Talon-Commander of Clan Red-Eye in the split second he had before the latter lunged with his machete, killing instincts well and truly taking over now.
Marcus’s hand flew of its own accord to protect him, firing an arc of chained green lightning at ...
2024-07-19 14:30:02 +0000 UTC View Post“Sit down, Disciple Jung,” Longhua said.
The Disciple standing dutifully before both Masters of Ramor-Tai did as he was instructed. He moved as one unperturbed by notions of rebuke, perhaps knowing what was coming before the Planeswalker was even sent to grab him in the prelude to his n...
2024-07-19 14:00:16 +0000 UTC View PostThe unlit staircase of the Grindlefecht West Tower seemed to stretch on forever as he stumbled up their dank, dust-strewn steps.
“How much farther?” he asked his companion.
“To the top of the tower, Marcus!” Silas shouted up at him as they peered round the bend in the staircas...
2024-07-17 14:31:01 +0000 UTC View PostSilas licked his lips in the face of Marcus’s pain and the urgency of his question.
His answer was no less urgent: “In exchange for your transportation, I will require some small payment.”
Marcus’s raised brows asked his next question for him.
“That,” Silas said, nod...
2024-07-15 14:30:02 +0000 UTC View Post“VICTOR: XJ-V OF THE ETERNAL DRAGON!”
He really was getting tired of hearing that man’s voice…
But you’ll be traveling with him if you win, will you not?Arha was fond of reminding him. Arha thinks you should be getting used to the noisy Planeswalker.
“Yes,” he said...
2024-07-15 14:30:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe atmosphere of the arena had grown so quiet that you could practically feel the renewed tension in the air.
“Mark you, XJ-V,” Fai-Deng whispered as he nodded at the arena. “The arena floor favors my Brother. The dragon does not draw the same breath of fire in the cold....
2024-07-14 14:30:02 +0000 UTC View Post“Quite a thing, isn’t it? To live in terror.”
Marcus looked into the dark beyond his cell, trying to make out the creature that spoke in clearer tones than anyone he’d ever heard down here.
The cracking green light from his throbbing hand afforded him...
2024-07-14 14:30:02 +0000 UTC View PostJust looking for a quick rundown of where folk are coming from - it would really help me out if I understood where my traffic is at!
2024-07-12 21:30:14 +0000 UTC View Post“ARE YOU READY, RAMOR-TAI!?”
The Planeswalker was doing his best, but the atmosphere in the colosseum was decidedly less electric than XJ-V remembered. It had only been a few hours since his last fight, and it seemed the exploits of the last few duels had not impressed the Disciples and...
2024-07-12 14:31:01 +0000 UTC View Post“‘Honor’?” Marcus spat back at Skeever. “You have a funny way of showing it, Skeever Steelclaw."
The Talon-Commander shook his proud snout. Whatever his aspirations were, he clearly didn’t imagine that the man sitting across from him had the moral high ground here.
“You ...
2024-07-12 14:30:02 +0000 UTC View Post'Full Disclosure'
Master Longhua sat in quiet meditation high above the colosseum pit, having covered the viewing window with a thin screen of moving shadow.
It was a break sorely needed by the Master and his Brother, both – though Yoma-Dur had opted for contemplation within ...
2024-07-10 14:31:01 +0000 UTC View PostA single torch sconce burned bright against the darkness of Grindlefecht’s fourth dungeon.
Most of its underground chambers had survived the initial assault and the subsequent collapse. The etched carvings on the cold iron walls were untouched by the chaos that had erupted above. Through ...
2024-07-10 14:30:01 +0000 UTC View PostMarcus stared through his groggy eyes at his servant, watching the high priest work his magic, weaving threads of restorative energy through his gnarled fingertips. Energy that he sorely needed himself, by the looks of his pallid features.
“We are born…in rot,” he said with an almost ...
2024-07-08 14:31:01 +0000 UTC View Post“Arha knew you would win! She just knew it!”
“Well…that makes one of us.”
XJ-V sat on the concrete bed of the tournament entrants’ quarters, thinking for the first time that if his body were capable of producing sweat, Arha would be addressing a puddle right now.
“...
2024-07-08 14:30:01 +0000 UTC View Post“How do you do it?”
He asked her the question in what felt like a vacuum, the stars above serving as the only reminders that he was still on earth.
“Do what?” Mari replied, turning over on the grassy knoll to face him. “If this is about my looks, I ...
2024-07-07 14:31:01 +0000 UTC View PostXJ-V unleashed a barrage of Dragon’s Teeth to keep Fai occupied while he charged his next technique. His Tiger Brother ducked through two of his firebolts before crashing through the last one, his barren arm crackling with scintillating light as he charged to deliver a final electric punch that...
2024-07-07 14:30:02 +0000 UTC View PostNew chapters today same time as usual - 09:30 CST.
Thanks for being here to support my writing. Coming up on Fantasy General we have the conclusion of book 1 (The end of the Siege of Grindlefecht) as well as some tournament action in Cog Cultivator.
See you soon!
2024-07-07 07:13:12 +0000 UTC View PostAs he let Ix’s limp arm fall from his hand, Marcus felt only a dull numbness take over him.
He ignored Deekius’ words meant to console his fading spirit, and instead stumbled away from the Kobold’s fallen form in silence, lumbering back up the crater to see the seven or so sti...
2024-06-14 14:31:01 +0000 UTC View PostThe tiger wasn’t holding back.
The Lightning Claws he sent arcing round the circumference were stronger, faster, and far brighter than ever before.
“Witness the staple of the Tiger Sect!” Ori’un shouted above the sizzling din of Fai’s strikes. “How shall our metal man dea...
2024-06-14 14:30:03 +0000 UTC View Post“Brother Mah-Jung has emerged victorious! Commiserations to good Brother Mal’Thorl of the Eternal Dragon!”
XJ-V sat in the seclusion of the Dragon Quarters of Spearclaw. He had been trying his best to meditate before his own duel came up, and the mention of Mah-Jung’s name startled ...
2024-06-13 14:31:00 +0000 UTC View Post“-ire! Sire!”
The world was a blur of sound and fury.
Marcus’s eyes opened to reveal the bloody form of Deekius above him, his hood long since singed and discarded, revealing a face scarred by the remnants of the explosion.
Around him was a field of burning ratman corpses ...
2024-06-13 14:30:03 +0000 UTC View PostThe once sprinting Kobolds of Grindlefecht had dropped their weapons before Talon-Commander Ix. They threw themselves to the ground, faces twisted, doubled-over with fear. As soon as the ashen cover had dropped, it seemed they had finally succumbed to rationality. They had realized just how insan...
2024-06-12 14:31:00 +0000 UTC View PostFrom the shuddering earth beneath Ramor-Tai monastery, something was rising.
The Disciples staggered back as the ground shook, cracks appearing in the ancient stonework of the Ramor-Tai courtyard before their very eyes. But it was not – each man would say afterwards – a spontaneous thi...
2024-06-12 14:30:01 +0000 UTC View Post“FIRE!”
The cannons roars ripped through the dank, dust-filled air, tearing into the Kobold’s uncoordinated mass with the ease of an eagle in a dovecot. The cannonballs struck true, splintering pieces of Kobold skulls and torsos and then rolling along a deadly path that cut right into...
2024-06-11 14:31:01 +0000 UTC View Post[Anima Cores: 158]
Not there…not…yet…
The fog was obscured. His path was uneven.
Closer…find the owl…
He was searching for the final scraps of memory that he needed. He had the visions of peaceful Hensha that venerated him after...
2024-06-11 14:30:01 +0000 UTC View PostMah-Jung found himself in a kind of trance these last few days.
He often wandered the walls and courtyards of the Eternal Dragon commune on the occasions when he was not Dao-Walking or training in practice Katas. In truth, he felt more disconnected from the world the more time he spent in t...
2024-06-10 14:31:01 +0000 UTC View Post