Behind the Scenes June: Volume 6 Plot Review

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If you have not read up through Chapter 303, DO NOT READ THIS POST.

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CANNOLI ART FOR EXTRA PROTECTION!

Okay, if you're still here, then you've either read up through Chapter 303, or you're good with spoilers.

Either way, we thought it would be fun to review our thought processes behind some of the main plot twists and character developments at the end of Volume 6.

The Timeline

This was the first time we sat down and had to figure out an outline and a timeline for everything that would happen by the end of the sixth volume. We also had to be very careful since we had so many split paths with each man's Party on a different trajectory. Since we chose to open the narrative to the catgirls, it also opened the opportunity for a lot more voices.

I will admit, looking at this again, I don't remember Misha and Dana.

We started sorting out the chapters in a separate document, and had to pin down each day spent to figure out a chronological order. We figured out a few chapters that we can move around if need be for volume 6. We know for sure we'll have to bump chapter 280, Yomi's meeting the prophet, further ahead so readers can more easily recall what happened.

Which brings me neatly along to...

Yomi

Before I delve into this, I want to say that Yomi has been one of my favorite characters to write in this series. I love her complexity, her flaws, her enormous mistake. I've loved hearing your thoughts and feedback during every step of her journey. She is truly the Gatekeeper of EaC! and the very first look into how truly dark the world can be.

That being said, Ry and I have talked about Yomi's death for a very long time.

Our first idea was to have Cailu hunt her down and make an example out of her. Then she'd break free, summon Belial, and there'd be a big fight.

We didn't tell anyone about this, but Jack, Joe, and Alex grabbed these art pieces from Aridan that are exactly what we had in mind.

It was the readers who helped us realize that dedicating a guard to finding one woman that they couldn't prove what she'd done made no sense. So we nixed the idea entirely.

For a little while, I wondered if she would actually find her redemption. It was something I'm proud to say a lot of readers wanted for her. But as we moved the Timeline along, a new opportunity arose.

It's gutting and sharp. Both of us cried working on her chapter. But, in the end, this made the most sense for the narrative.

The Men

Krethik

Getting to write Ai's point of view from the side quest votes was as fun as it was challenging. I chose to go with present tense, and stuck with the previous men of the world. I'm considering a 2.0 chapter with the present men.

But I wanted to show what it looks like from Ai's POV when a man dies. Since there's still a request for Janusz vs. the dragon out there, that made Krethik the best choice.

I haven't had an opportunity to write a lot of chapters with him, but I really loved his stances and views on the world. His very peaceful, harmonious outlook made me believe that his death would have been more of an accident than anything.

Finn

Ry worked on this chapter for weeks. I was a mess when I edited it.

Going through Ravyn's memory and seeing her "Fairy Tale" destroyed in front of her eyes was an emotional, meticulous process. We get to see a Ravyn who wasn't so abrasive and was more open-minded. Seeing her friendship break apart with Yomi and the death of her lover really tainted her view of the world.

Ry thought about this scene for the better part of a year. There's a lot behind Ravyn's belief of fire, and why she thinks it's so strong. Seeing how Finn died is one of the factors that make up her persona. Ry didn't want to hold back on the battle, because clean deaths are very rare. Few people are fortunate enough to die peaceful deaths, and he wanted to make sure people understood why Ravyn is so traumatized.

Elias

My God, I've been teasing this man since 2023. I'm so sorry. He's here, you guys. We've finally made it. We can't wait to write him.

Janusz

His chapter with the dragon is coming. Please look forward to it.

Melasia

The split of opinions with Cailu's murder of Melasia have honestly been very interesting to read. There's a camp of readers who believe he's a cold-blooded villain, and a camp that sees this as a tactical advantage that needed to be done.

I received some feedback that there's an opportunity to show more of Melasia's poor leadership, and I plan to go back and flesh this out a bit better during the edits and compilation for the final draft of the 6th volume.

One of the toughest parts about this scene was making sure every detail from the previous chapters connected. Why Espada had her crown, why she showed up on Nauka's doorstep bloody and beaten the night of Melasia's death, why Kirti laughed when they briefly stepped inside Espada's shop.

I played out at least three other scenarios before I settled on an immediate attack that would take them off guard:

• The dinner actually happens. But that would have given Espada plenty of time to run if Melasia was going to warn her.

• Don't introduce Cailu in the throne room. Instead, have Nehalennia take Melasia to a room after the proceedings and it happens there. But then Melasia wouldn't have a reason to get the crown to Espada, as she wouldn't suspect foul play.

• Have Cailu stay in Ronona and wait things out. Try to feel out the best time to do it. I was on the fence with this one. There were too many variables at play. Cailu's Party growing suspicious, one of the guards investigating him, the "crime of passion" label losing its weight, and/or Melasia/Espada trying to get the jump on him. This one threw the door wide for numerous potential issues.

I loved having this chapter right before we get to see Nehalennia for the very first time. It's a perfect juxtaposition of Cailu when he first came to Nyarlea versus the man he is now.

Kirti and Magni

We loved crafting these journal entries. We finally got to see a little bit of Magni's book and Kirti's background.

It's fantastic how many readers began to panic when she broke down after Magni's essence vanished. She's a challenging character to write, always keeping her emotions and cards close to her heart. She finds so much joy in arming herself with the secrets of others while her own consume her. I'm excited to write her more.

Thank you for reading!

We did it! We made it to the end of Volume 6! Your support, encouragement, love, comments, and spreading the word of our series have been phenomenal. We couldn't do this without you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

See you soon.