“Hello, Father. Please forgive me. I asked you to trust me, then immediately broke your trust… I have failed you,” Daughter spoke before he got the chance, her voice hollow, tired, and empty.
“You say that, but did you have a choice? Could you have warned me or were you bound by the edicts?”
“I-I could have told you it would be dangerous,” The ever-present stars that formed her body began to swirl with the first signs of life.
In his mind's eye, she stood with ...
2023-07-02 23:52:42 +0000 UTC
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Jiran landed in the camp he’d been sharing with Mayalyn for nearly a week. His fifth hunt of the day had gone like every one before it. He flew around the Outlands until he found a tier five, evaluated it for a weakness and then struck with a calculated attack that would overwhelm its defenses.
He had been pleasantly surprised that he gained three hours instead of two whenever the challenger timer was reset by a kill. The much longer window of rest between kills was a relief now that ...
2023-07-01 00:04:09 +0000 UTC
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Forest and brush-covered hills gave way to grassy plains which turned to dry, arid land. Cracks ran through the ground like parched, dead skin. Small animals were nowhere to be seen as beasts and insects thrived in the harsh environment. For kilometers in every direction, the land was still, as if holding its breath.
Occasional bursts of movement sent dust high into the air as beasts hunted each other without contestation from civilization. A scorpion-shaped monster with three tails lau...
2023-06-29 23:59:19 +0000 UTC
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“Alright, but I have a few conditions.” Jiran relented.
“Yes!” Mayalyn spun in a circle, pumping her fists into the air before shooting him a dazzling smile.
“You have to learn how to fight. I won’t feel comfortable leaving you alone without knowing you can take care of yourself. That means no complaining and no backing out, no matter how hard it gets.”
“Do you expect that to deter me? Because it is doing the exact opposite. Quickly, what are your other condi...
2023-06-28 23:37:46 +0000 UTC
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Jiran’s aura swept the flying stones to the side, revealing a widened tunnel entrance and a dozen bulky forms that rushed at them.
[Animated Rock Golem: (Tier 4) Durable construct with low speed but incredible strength.]
While the lead gole...
2023-06-27 22:57:15 +0000 UTC
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Mayalyn Aloyhee
Mayalyn watched Jiran’s chest rise and fall with each peaceful breath. Her mind began to wander back to the Maker’s bunker and all the priceless tools she was forced to leave. Her stomach twisted when the familiar queasiness returned.
This is all my fault. I told him to go. How could I have been so wrong? Would we be happily eating lunch together right now if I had only kept my mouth shut?
A tear tracked dow...
2023-06-27 00:13:09 +0000 UTC
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“Your mana will not work. The makerdrives were designed to work with the people’s mana. No, wait! You can inject it directly into the filter! I will need to adjust the input valve and detach the grant tube,” Mayalyn was waist-deep inside the turret before she finished speaking. “Hand me the fixed spanner and the shears,” A delicate hand coated in grease popped out of the machine's guts and Jiran handed her the two tools that looked closest to their names.
More of the alphas de...
2023-06-25 23:10:24 +0000 UTC
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[???: (Tier ?) ???]
[???: (Tier 6) ???]
A tier six and probably a seven. What can I do against that? No way I can kill them but maybe I can slow them down long enough for some people to escape.
Fifteen percent of his mana was consumed by True Origin of Ice. It slogged through the channel in his chest, forming a purple circle that glowed through his skin. Eighty percent was crammed into his arms, filling each to his ...
2023-06-24 00:27:03 +0000 UTC
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Jiran floated within a universe of twinkling stars and flowing nebulas of soft light. The space surrounding him was quiet, serene. A dull vibration, like static born from excess friction, permeated everything. It brought a sense of liveliness to the otherwise hollow vastness of his soul.
<...
2023-06-22 23:24:44 +0000 UTC
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Jiran released a heavy sigh, doing his best to shake off the feeling he was being watched by the rock all around him. The vibrations from whatever passed him in the darkness were nothing more than an unpleasant memory that he couldn’t wait to put behind him. But in order to do that, he needed to find the node and hightail it out of Adelphoros’s bowels.
At least mana isn't an issue in here, and whatever that was didn’t find me so if it comes back, I’ll hide again. Though mayb...
2023-06-22 00:33:36 +0000 UTC
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Daughter?! Daughter!
Jiran converted the preserved meat into mana as quickly as he could get it into his stomach. The second his mana was full, he activated Revelation again but it refused to function. He tried to use it manually but the two-way connection with his mana failed to form, though his mana did begin to rapidly drain as if the technique were working.
What the abyss was that? Since I can still donate mana, she’s probably fine… hopefully....
2023-06-20 23:43:00 +0000 UTC
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With its release on RR chapter 36 got a pretty big overhaul and now includes several details about Lenton's curse that were not in the original version. I highly recommend giving his perspective in that chapter a re-read. (changes have been uploaded to Patreon so you can read it here or on RR.
2023-06-20 01:06:18 +0000 UTC
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The mana within Jiran’s aura boiled as it scoured the area around that single drop of blood. Remnants of shredded fabric and skin too fine to see with the naked eye sprung into his awareness as his focus intensified. He followed the trail, quickly spotting two sets of larger footprints on the dirty steps.
Fear and fury vied for dominance as they swept through his body in a tangled, raging river that left him shaking. His fists clenched so hard his knuckles popped. Skin, toughened beyo...
2023-06-19 19:42:32 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know there won't be a weekend chapter this time around as we are out of town for the holiday. Looking forward to being back at it on Monday.
Cheers to a great weekend!
2023-06-17 19:30:42 +0000 UTC
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Jiran recognized all but two of the disciples who waited for him outside the estate. All nine were grizzled and scarred hunters with auras that snarled at each other as they vied for dominance. The courtyard air was alive with a buzz of anticipation. The large space felt crowded despite there only being eleven people present. Not a single one of them acknowledged Jiran as they faced the Aahmra, who was just arriving.
All tier five. The strongest of the town. They should be fine in t...
2023-06-17 00:45:38 +0000 UTC
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“That will not work,” Mayalyn shook her head slowly.
“What? Why not? I don’t know how you expect to get enough mana without bringing more people into the project. My mana clearly isn’t working and you can’t produce enough yourself to charge this one voltree within the next week, let alone the ten you want to do. Not only that, most of these parts are rusted or broken, you’d be lucky to get one in three working.”
Mayalyn looked away from him, her fists shook and her...
2023-06-16 01:11:03 +0000 UTC
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The week flew by in a flash. Jiran spent every waking minute reinforcing the channel in his chest by combining it with other nearby channels. Despite knowing the Aahmra’s task was a waste of time, he endeavored to use his aura for every minor task throughout each day.
Afternoons were spent locked in the bunker with Mayalyn. They chose a new volume of the Maker’s work to read each day, which usually resulted in heated debates about his theories and always devolved into more kissing.<...
2023-06-14 23:07:09 +0000 UTC
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Jiran spent a few more hours on the beach. His explosive test drew the attention of several tier three crabs that he happily murdered and brought back to the dojo for lunch.
As he was about to enter with his stack of meat, Mayalyn opened the door. Her eyes widened and her nostrils flared as she spotted the crabs trailing in the air behind him.
Jiran waved with a happy smile, excited to see her.
"Look what I found on the beach! You hungry?"
"How dare you!" Her shout sha...
2023-06-14 00:39:48 +0000 UTC
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Mayalyn Aloyhee
Mayalyn’s eyes snapped open the moment Jiran’s aura was no longer surrounding her like a warm, comfortable blanket. She sat up on the lab cot and looked around in confusion, wondering where he had gone. Her fingers idly traced the indent on her cheek where she could still feel his shoulder pressing into her skin.
His aura changed so much. I can feel his emotions now. How did he advance so far so quickly? Milta and Coid...
2023-06-12 23:12:41 +0000 UTC
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“Excellent,” The Aahmra’s voice echoed through the dojo as Jiran danced before him.
“You are ready. Expand your aura,” He commanded.
Jiran looked at the mouseman blankly, waiting for him to release his manabody from the chokehold it had existed under since his training began.
“Well? What are you waiting for?!” The Aahmra’s aura cracked as a whip of energy smacked into Jiran’s thigh.
“Ow! I’m waiting for you! You’re still pushing my aura in. As s...
2023-06-11 19:40:27 +0000 UTC
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Jiran hopped out of his temporary bunk bed the second he was awake. Dreams of fantastical training with a magical aurawizard had been playing through his subconscious all night and he could barely contain his excitement to begin.
I love my life.
He performed a couple of quick stretches and headed back toward the town’s central stage. He was surprised to find the meter-thick bubble of aura still protected the stage and people were filtering out of it in various states of...
2023-06-09 15:03:15 +0000 UTC
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Mayalyn Aloyhee
Unable to stand being in the Aahmra’s estate a moment longer, Mayalyn fled to her father’s home. Her real home. She threw open the sturdy door and stalked upstairs to her room where she paced back and forth across the soft carpet.
What just happened? What is Uncle thinking?
I’m supposed to be learning to instill aura into the makerdrive, not marrying a complete stranger that we just met today. Even if he is the Koroko!...
2023-06-08 21:30:57 +0000 UTC
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"Tomorrow, you four will submit yourselves to twelve hours of the Sotra,” The Aahmra commanded to a chorus of pained groans. “As for today, we have a guest who was thoughtful enough to bring… dinner. So tonight, we feast!” The old mouseman’s tone flipped from nonchalance to exuberance, taking Jiran off guard.
The groans turned to wild cheers as the hunters leaped to their feet. The aura constricting Jiran’s body was released, allowing blood to flow back into his muscles, suf...
2023-06-07 20:37:40 +0000 UTC
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Excited for his first look at a completely foreign town, Jiran jumped into the air to get a good look. His camouflage fluctuated as he flew but there were no beasts visible in the clear, beautiful sky so he wasn’t concerned. As he crested the final line of trees between him and Azurelight, he was astounded by what he saw.
For starters: The town had no wall. Things became even more unusual as he tracked his gaze along the small creek that gently wound its way through the streets. On ei...
2023-06-06 20:55:25 +0000 UTC
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“Why are you just standing there?! Cover yourself, you pervert!” Mayalyn hissed to keep her voice low.
“Hey, I’m minding my own business over here. If it bothers you so much, why are you still looking?” Jiran leisurely finished his stretch before activating Light Manipulation.
“Thank you,” She mumbled, her face as scarlet as First Father’s morning glow.
“Speaking of clothes, what’s with your outfit?”
“What do you mean? Is there ...
2023-06-05 18:55:04 +0000 UTC
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“Wait, no, sorry. That was rude of me and I did not mean those words. I am not good with surprises and now I am-argh!”
The girl took a deep breath and pumped her fists at her side in an adorable effort to regain her composure.
“You fell on me out of nowhere and I was very surprised. I am sorry I hurt you and am glad it was not as serious as I thought.” Her large eyes narrowed dangerously as she took a step toward him with a raised finger.” But that does not mean it is ac...
2023-06-04 17:06:06 +0000 UTC
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The portal closed behind Jiran after he stepped through into hot, moist air thick with the scents of tropical plants and the sounds of active wildlife. He was standing in a wind-sheltered alcove high up the side of a massive mountain. Stretched out below him was a vast jungle that led to an ocean, thick with algae. The cobalt and turquoise water calmly reflected Second Father’s dazzling light.
Beautiful. And what’s with the ambient density? It’s so much higher than the empire....
2023-06-02 16:48:22 +0000 UTC
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Am I really thinking of going? What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t even know if I can trust Daughter. If she’s so connected with the system, could she just be another avenue for it to manipulate me? What if she's telling me just enough truths mixed with the lies that I’ll believe her and end up being led around by my nose… again?
But there may be answers if I go, and there’ll certainly be adventures. What will I find? What will I see? Has any imperial ever gon...
2023-06-01 14:04:30 +0000 UTC
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Jiran lay on the ground looking at the myriad colors of the beautiful sky as his stomach roiled and churned. His body was covered in sweat and his heart pumped a dull thrumming in his ears from the backlash of recharging his aura. He let his head fall to the side, toward his replacement lunch, which was currently roasting over a small fire. His gaze remained locked on the horizon, ignoring his surroundings as his mind swirled with random thoughts.
I seriously underestimated the powe...
2023-05-31 17:03:39 +0000 UTC
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Jiran pulled himself through the air with Forcing. He landed directly in front of the man running closest to him and threw the children and woman into his arms. He didn’t bother waiting to see if the man caught or abandoned them to save himself. There was no time.
Jiran crouched, observing the huge tier five beast just long enough to confirm the angle of its throw. Mana blasted through his legs, empowering them far beyond the strength of muscle alone. The ground crack...
2023-05-30 23:48:25 +0000 UTC
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