Early Access: STORMWEAVER 3 - Chapter 28 [ROUGH]
Added 2024-12-13 17:38:20 +0000 UTCGetting to the juicy stuff, but I do think there's a better place to end this chapter. Realizing what I wanted for Chapter 29 will fit a lot better in longer 28.
So IF next week is "only" a Chapter 28v2, that's cause I'm adding a LOT to this scene/sequence. There's another reveal I want to get a lot closer to in this chapter, or the pacing will feel jilted.
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NEW REMINDER: BOOK 3 CONTENT/SPOILERS ARE NOT TO BE MENTIONED OUTSIDE OF CHAPTER LEAK ANNOUNCEMENT POSTS. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.
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A FEW RULES & REMINDERS:
Chapters will be dropping as Bryce completes them. That means anywhere from every 1 to 2 weeks on average, though sometimes waits may be longer.
Recall that these are rough chapters, with no editing other than a single pass-through as Bryce writes.
On a similar note, we are not asking for advice or corrections at this time. If Bryce wants feedback, we will certainly reach out, thank you! If you want to voice concerns or complaints about the chapter, you may now do so over on the Reddit discussion thread below! Notifications are turned off on those conversations, so they're a free-for-all now (within the rules of the subreddit, obviously)!
👉 👉 👉 THE REDDIT THREAD 👈👈👈
Comments
Dude, I wish my dreams were this cool lol
Dorian Grey
2024-12-18 11:09:00 +0000 UTCGreat explanation! At first I was thinking more along the lines of maybe because of Shido has been with him for longer making him more able to withstand the abuse and lets face it, his poor body is used to immense amounts of pain so his brain may not register the pain as severely as Viv. Or maybe it all has something to do with Shido watching over her as of this new development? Either way, what you said makes perfect sense though. Way more sense than I was overthinking it to be 😂
Bill Hilliard
2024-12-17 23:40:04 +0000 UTCOh yeah. I didn’t know why I didn’t think about that. That makes perfect sense. :-)
Tim Kilgore
2024-12-16 16:55:42 +0000 UTCTime. For Rei it all happened in one go, with no time for him to go unconcious, meaning the damage was more in his muscles and stuff due to rapid contraction than anything else. For Viv though, she had a long period of time inbetween the FDAs, meaning her body and brain had time register the "deaths". Add to that the amount of times she did this, and you get your answer. Imagine being hit by a train at full speed, surviving that, waking up and doing it all over again, then you get the picture
TheCatDemon
2024-12-16 13:45:44 +0000 UTCI think I'm missing something here. why was Viv's brain and nervous system almost destroyed and Ray's wasn't. Didn't something similar happen to both of them? In fact Ray seems to have gotten a worse beating as he had like 6 s-ranked holos attacking him. What was the difference?
Tim Kilgore
2024-12-16 11:48:10 +0000 UTCalmost the same question as 'how does a CAD materialise out of thin air'
Richard Jackway
2024-12-16 04:56:01 +0000 UTCHow did a Shard of Shido get buried in Viv’s brain? Love the chapter.
Lorenz
2024-12-16 04:05:54 +0000 UTCNo not just you, Bryce has been busy it seems as I don’t remember some of those expanded conversations before. The only one missing is discussing Rei’s true injuries and the option to exit combat.
Iron Akela
2024-12-15 20:35:51 +0000 UTCI had a dream last night, a nice dream (which is a switch for me as night terrors are much more common). As it was fuelled by this chapter ruminating in my head, I figure I’ll share it. It’s later in this school year, the ISCM for some reason has the Astra Systems collegiate championship SCT at Galens. I’m sat in the stands of the Galens arena, and it’s PACKED!! Like standing room only, with several ISCM officers having conniption fits over the number of people in the arena. I’m sat in the lowest section available to the general public by the east ramp to the north duelling/team battle zones. The arena is going absolutely MENTAL!!! We’d been told ahead of time that Firesong will be in the first team battle match, so myself and a couple thousand others in the seating section around me are going British football hooligan nuts chanting “SING THE SONG!” Over and over. This is the section for the most hardcore Firesong fans, like the Black Hole or the Dogpound… the amosphere is a mix of a mosh pit and football hooliganism. It’s utterly insane! And very cool! When the announcer starts to introduce the teams, we only get louder! Then we go even more mental as Firesong walk out of the ramp next to us. We feel like we NEED to get louder, to shake the very arena itself! To be heard across the whole ISC! Rei waves at us as they’re moving towards the projection plating, and it’s like someone added a literal ton of magnesium to a giant fire as we all start bouncing and chanting even louder! The teams are called into position, and the field starts to form. Its grasslands, just a huge empty meadow surrounded by huge oak trees, with a stream running through the middle. As the arbiter tells the teams to call, we change our song. We’re now chanting “Burn them all!”, and it’s like if we don’t hit 100000 decibels we’ve failed or something. I watch as their devices form; Rei looks like he does now, except he has 2 externals that sort of peak over his shoulders (like Gypsy Danger) and his head is fully enclosed. He still has hair though, but it’s part of Shido’s manifestation. Aria’s entire right side is armoured to hell and back! Including her right eye and a half face mask. Combined with her winged hewing spear and extra large heater shield she got at C8 she looks like she could form an utterly unassailable one woman shield wall! Viv looks like Rei at C9, full body manifestation. She also has an external module, pentagon hovering between her shoulder blades. And her weapons are now a pair of matching clip point falchions, single edged but the curve of the clipped point is also lined with vysetrium. Her perfect brown curls only seem to add to the sense of speed she gives off, as it’s already moving! Logan has armour to his hips and his entire arms and his upper torso. His head is covered, but his face isn’t. He does have a line of carbon steel coming from the armour down his nose and extending down to connect to his chest armour. His axe is HUGE! Way bigger than a B ranker should have - it’s a double headed monstrous thing, but now both sides are bearded and there’s spikes on the top and bottom of the shaft. Catcher’s armour is the same as this point in the story, except both his arms are fully armoured and he’s got head armour like Aria’s C8 (so right now). His left hand claws are longer but needle thin, and his sword is longer - it looks like a longsword, maybe longer, with little wings a few inches up from the crossguard. The pommel is a large ball of carbon steel. Chancery’s device is similar to Catcher’s in terms of coverage - legs to the hips, but with the lupine foot, and full arms. Her right upper arm is noticeably heavier armoured and her right chest is fully covered, and she has a very thin mesh over her abdomen. She has a face mask and forehead armour but no eye coverage/visor. Her spear has become a mighty glaive, possibly even a bardiche depending on how you’re feeling, with a sharp protrusion from the back that curves forward. I’d love to say how the fight went, or even who they were up against, but my dog kicked me and I woke up. First time ever I have been really annoyed at the dog for doing that!!!
Iron Akela
2024-12-15 20:33:42 +0000 UTCAnd the best bit, Viv has all of them to test herself against! Sure Shido might have capped out against certain Users, but has Gemela? Somehow I don’t think so, so I wouldn’t be surprised for her to get a rank while rehabbing!
Iron Akela
2024-12-15 19:58:21 +0000 UTCThis chapter is insane. The way this is going its has so many possibilities! If Shido can literally become a part of their biology how long before they even need a cad at all? Imagine team battles if the entire team is able to communicate not only with their CADs but the mind and their CADs could all individually communicate to pass on split second vital info to each other. They would literally be unstoppable! There are SO many ways this can go, it has me so excited for more! The anticipation is going to drive me crazy Bryce!!!
Bill Hilliard
2024-12-15 18:33:59 +0000 UTCThat is my exact thought! It is going to be SO cool to see how this all plays out. Im sure it is only a matter of time before Shido, and the MIND are talking to Rei like the Bishops CAD, but I cant help but wonder with this shard, will Rei now be able to talk to Gemela and Viv as well? This type of communication going into team battles they will literally be unstoppable! Add in her now s ranked growth, which we know she was already insanely fast, combined with the new training and Viv is going to be such a beast no one will want to mess with!
Bill Hilliard
2024-12-15 18:24:18 +0000 UTCLooking forward to 28 v2. Looking forward to all of the remaining books actually. lol :). Glad you are writing again.
Lyn Shirley
2024-12-14 23:11:18 +0000 UTCThink it'll be Aria. Bryce already dropped hints to her developing a User-Unique Ability (or at least I think it'll be that, could be something else) with her sending out "low pulses of heat" when she's agitated. So I think she'll be next since we haven't seen anything regarding Catcher in that context. In fact, Logan could even make huge leaps towards the shard next, since he didn't expierince an evolution the longest of the team, if developing one is tied to that
TheCatDemon
2024-12-14 18:28:53 +0000 UTCCould be either of them because I think it's going to be based on time but there is only 2 weeks difference between Catcher and Aria and Rei definitely has spent more time with Aria overall.
Sam
2024-12-14 12:21:19 +0000 UTCI look forward to seeing what Rei gets notified about as well.
Sam
2024-12-14 12:19:39 +0000 UTCI have recently read through the big PDF file with all 28 chapters. It seems to me, that a lot of the conversations and scenes throughout the entire part of the book have been flushed out and they seem more complete. Is it just me? :-) Awesome stuff!
Tim Kilgore
2024-12-14 05:40:29 +0000 UTCOur challenge is that we don’t know how long it takes to develop a shard, nor when Shido started on shard development, nor the extent to which Viv distracted him from development of the others shards. Lots of variables. Gaagh. If development is taking place seriatum (and I think the stats we have on Shido and shard development imply that others are underway) the issue that may be which shard Shido thinks would best assist Rei and or best assist Firesong? And lastly is Shido only sponsoring shard development in Firesong? Ouroboros anyone?
Gwydion
2024-12-14 02:27:33 +0000 UTCStormbreaker, loved it. 90% sure it’s not canon but it’s heavily influencing how I’m perceiving shard
Gama
2024-12-14 01:26:48 +0000 UTCLoved the material!
Kory Leach
2024-12-14 01:20:39 +0000 UTCA while back we got a sneak preview of a future work. I swear it had Rei using Viv’s ability.
Kory Leach
2024-12-14 01:19:46 +0000 UTCI suspect Shido prioritized Viv because without it she was lost as part of the team.
Kory Leach
2024-12-14 01:18:03 +0000 UTCI agree to it being a Shido server and one sided most likely. But I do think Shido will link them and Rei will get their abilities. Additionally I think Rei will just upgrade Temporal Step enough to bring her along with some more of Shido vystetrum beads in her than anyone else
Gama
2024-12-13 23:09:56 +0000 UTCI’m betting the shards turn other Users into clients to Shido’s server, so it’ll be one way. But if she does have an effective Growth of S, it might be both ways. Or one ability per squad mate, as I think Aria will be able to access Temporal Step eventually. Either that or it upgrades to the point Rei can take her with him.
Iron Akela
2024-12-13 22:21:55 +0000 UTCWow, an awesome chapter! Can’t wait to see the next bit, and the team’s reactions to having a piece of Shido in her head. It also explains how she could handle the S ranked hits, and I’d be shocked if she doesn’t have a much higher pain tolerance now. I wonder what Viv and Rei can see about the shard and networking and stuff in their NOEDs. And how Gemela is handling Shido’s presence in Viv’s brain. Other than the S-rank growth
Iron Akela
2024-12-13 22:19:39 +0000 UTCIn book 2, we’re told after each hack that Shido was taking care of Rei. So I’d be willing to bet he has one too as part of Shido’s growth thus far. I am of the opinion that Shido did it as the only way to preserve Viv - both alive and functional, and also as a member of Firesong. Viv is, as far as I can tell, the ONLY friend Rei ever had until arriving at Galens and meeting Catcher. If Shido is as smart as I think it is, and has been influenced by Rei’s emotions and morality, Shido knows that it must preserve Viv (and Gemela). That same protection now, my gut says, extends to Firesong. Firesong = blue outline = close allies = protect at all costs
Iron Akela
2024-12-13 22:18:02 +0000 UTCI’m not going to place a bet until we see Viv’s new manifestation
Iron Akela
2024-12-13 22:12:44 +0000 UTC1000% agree with you!!!
Iron Akela
2024-12-13 22:12:06 +0000 UTCI believe book 1 Rei calls them networked AI’s though he admits that’s what is presented to the populace. Bigger tell may be Dent’s reaction early in this book to Rei’s shard notification.
gratch42
2024-12-13 21:46:57 +0000 UTCGratch’s poll: Who gets the next shard: Catcher cuz longer Rei association or Aria cuz more “SCT time/matches” spent with Rei? Guessing Aria myself.
gratch42
2024-12-13 21:39:39 +0000 UTCCool chapter/reveal! Brave of Viv to break Colonel Guest’s orders and talk about shard in front of more than Rei/Aria. Though we didn’t see Guest giving Viv an order. Best for Firesong to trust each other with so many secrets. Wonder if any of the rest of Firesong is going to complain about Rei/Shido “ear worming” their brains. Will be cool to see what Shard brings to combat.
gratch42
2024-12-13 21:37:13 +0000 UTCSo the question running around my mind is - is Viv becoming an Archon? Someone else who has reread more recently might be able to let me know if I missed a description of the Archons somewhere but I don’t think we know whether they are organic or inorganic ie cylon-like or borg-like? We do know they are networked and that seems to be what the shard is doing. I wonder when the rest might twig to the fact that it might be happening to them as well. Did Shido prioritise Viv’s shard because what she was doing was so dangerous to her and thus Firesong as a unit.
Gwydion
2024-12-13 21:09:16 +0000 UTCOh yeah! Rei has got to have access to her ability then. If Shido is linking them. The question is it only one way and Rei can use theirs but they can’t his or… God I’m loving book 3 but hate how addicted I am
Gama
2024-12-13 20:49:51 +0000 UTCDude.... That last line.... That last line in that chapter... So much packed in ONE LINE. I'm dying to see the rest!!!!
Dorian Grey
2024-12-13 20:13:23 +0000 UTCThis is a great chapter so far. Can't wait to see what's next
STANSTAN42
2024-12-13 19:23:30 +0000 UTCProgress in this chapter was awesome! Keep up the good work 👍
William Anderson
2024-12-13 17:57:58 +0000 UTCTYFTC! Can’t wait to see what’s next!
KG9
2024-12-13 17:48:12 +0000 UTC
