“And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising as adherents of Christ. And no wonder, for the devil himself masquerades as an angel of light!”
———
Lucius was a man of many peculiarities.
Every day, he woke up at six-o-clock ...
2025-01-17 09:34:53 +0000 UTC
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“I never pondered much how my life would come to an end, only that it would be through my sacrifice. To perish in the throes of combat, valiantly protecting all those I love in a final, last stand, was the fate I always imagined the Stars to hold for me. At the very least, I wanted to die protecting another like a true hero.
“Now, even whilst my mind lulls and the world before me fades into nothingness, I do not regret my decision. With my death, I hope to spare that pi...
2025-01-15 12:45:09 +0000 UTC
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“Once upon a time, I too loved humanity. I cherished them, and I sought nothing else but to ensure their happiness in this new, imprisoned realm. It was difficult, so very difficult in the beginning, as I guided them in the place of their creator. I did all my power allowed to ensure their needs were met, yet destined was their inevitable estrangement from my care, for I was different: I could not understand them, no matter the years that passed.
“Even now, nothing has ...
2025-01-12 15:51:32 +0000 UTC
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2025-01-09 04:49:59 +0000 UTC
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“I don’t remember much about that day, the day mom died. It all happened so… suddenly, so loud and violent and—confusing. Maybe it was the shock, or maybe I just didn’t want to remember, but in my head it’s all foggy and dark. Except for one thing.
“That monster. I can never forget its appearance: its hideous maw, its giant crooked talons, and a body surrounded entirely in white. To this day I still don’t know what exactly that thing was, but what’s for ce...
2025-01-08 22:23:50 +0000 UTC
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“So you’re the brat causing trouble around here, huh? Libevich did warn me beforehand, but you’re feistier than I thought.
“Oh, relax. I’m not here to hurt you. Just listen to me for a bit. There’s a lot of hate in your eyes, far too much a kid like you should have. But I understand—what else can you do? This nation’s downright rotten: You either survive by licking the boots of those up top, or you fight, and rebel, and do everything you can to forge y...
2025-01-05 12:18:32 +0000 UTC
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“Greed and desire are kindred evils: so very alike, yet different in their purpose. While desire thrives in the pursuit of lofty, naive ambitions, greed is malevolent in nature. Greed is for the corrupt. There can be no goodwill in greed, nor can there be salvation for those consumed by it.
“Perhaps that is how that Thing discovered Luxmi. It could not understand her, how one could foster such boundless, pure-hearted desire, and so it sought after what it could never ha...
2025-01-01 16:38:38 +0000 UTC
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“My apologies for the sudden shock, Sarathiel. We must hurry to Ascalon’s side, and you’ve experienced far worse a wound than a measly slap.
“Come, only the two of us can contend with that creature now. The fate of this land rests within our hands.”
––––––
The Knight
The titan raises his colossal, bladed hand and cleaves through the Corvid’s skull. It is not a smooth cut, but...
2025-01-01 16:37:17 +0000 UTC
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2024-12-17 05:58:33 +0000 UTC
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“Thank you, Xeros. I really… mean it. It’s been a long run for us, huh? Look how old we’ve become. I’d say we did a pretty good job for a couple of gutter rats, though we lost a lot of friends along the way. I tried to ignore it, how lonely it was after their deaths, but… bit by bit, it built up. It grew and grew until I just couldn’t bear it anymore, and it hurt far too much. But you’ve always been a survivor. You pushed through no matter how bitter life was. So I––I...
2024-11-29 06:12:36 +0000 UTC
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“It required all our strength for Libevich and I to subdue Luxmi, then. The district was left ruined in the aftermath. I lost my right eye. There was not a moment to comprehend it: the destruction that poured forth from her grief-stricken mind.
“The public thought it to be an explosion wrought by insurrectionists, but never would they have believed the cause to be their beloved ruler. I could not believe it. Here she was, a woman I thought stronger, more composed, than ...
2024-11-24 09:01:31 +0000 UTC
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“I do not know much of Luxmi’s origins. Although she was a rash, boastful woman, never once did she confide in her confidants the troubles of her past. There was always a distance between us––a deep chasm with no bridge to cross. And though she tried to hide it between a feigned smile, it was evident something weighed heavily on her heart.
“I never pried any further than Luxmi was willing; why would I? We all had a history best forgotten. All that mattered was the...
2024-11-19 08:09:00 +0000 UTC
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“Ah, me? There were some… surprises to be sure, but I’ve always been a man of good fortune. Fancy that: a vent duct serving as a doorway. Never would have crossed my mind until then, but let us set that aside for a later date. Our little seed has requested for your help. I know your business with Libevich is not quite finished, but I assure you that this prey will be just as satisfying.”
———
Libevich
L...
2024-11-17 09:21:08 +0000 UTC
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“W-What? This can’t be… forgive me Xeros, but I’m just a little confused. I mean, I don’t understand! I don’t get it. Why is the former Grand General—
“I… okay. Keep my mouth shut, got it. I just gotta keep my mouth shut… phew, let’s talk realistics, then.
“Sure, I can build a conduit. Have some veins run along the city, connect them together, and lead them back to the spire: simple enough. The problem is… her body’s volatile. She...
2024-11-13 09:14:27 +0000 UTC
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“… Why have you called me here, Luxmi? You know I am a busy man: busy cleaning after the mess you’ve created. I do not understand—why change your mind so suddenly? To think you of all people would choose to spare those wretched magnates after everything we’ve suffered through! You were the most eager of us, the most vengeful. Now what do I see? A cowardly little crow bending under the demands of those we sought to cull. I just do not—
“Pardon? What do you mean...
2024-11-10 06:12:22 +0000 UTC
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“Long, long ago, when Grand General Luxmi still ruled over the formerly known Lux Caelum, a mighty war raged in the east between the Steppe’s Overlord and the Chieftess of Antiqua. I was but a young Astrologian, ever burying my head in scholarly pursuits whilst foolishly ignoring all matters relating to the outside world. However, even I could not hide away from the aftermath of their conflict.
“The clash of the two rulers echoed across the land and brought forth terr...
2024-11-06 00:13:10 +0000 UTC
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“Libevich, get over here. Listen to me: this has to stop. I understand you don’t agree with the peace treaty, but I can’t believe you actually tried to assault the Polus diplomat! And for what—because you were bored? I know you want to go back to the old days when Caelum was picking fights with every nation on the map, but that’s not what I want. Isn’t peace nice for a change?
“Ugh, should’ve figured that wouldn’t work on you… fine. How about this: whene...
2024-10-31 03:34:35 +0000 UTC
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“Honestly, I do feel a bit out of place next to the other Templars. They’re very, hm, how do I say this nicely… straightforward: so pure and honest and loveable that I can’t help but think of them all as my own kids. Except I don’t like kids, so that’s not a very good analogy. Haha!
“I am not that nice of a person, Ascalon. I really don’t understand why you think so highly of me. It’s true what they say—I’m a wicked, wicked man. Do you really want an u...
2024-10-27 15:02:31 +0000 UTC
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2024-10-23 05:13:08 +0000 UTC
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“Aegis, the battlefield is a land filled with madness and destruction. You are far too young to witness such a sight, soul yet innocent of man’s darkness. There shall come a time when you must confront the cruelties of war, but for now, I want you to close your eyes. Entrust your wings upon me, and let yourself be cast adrift in the land of dreams. Sleep now, child. When you wake, everything shall be over.”
———
L...
2024-10-23 03:48:13 +0000 UTC
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“Joshua, you shall lead the Seraph and descend onto Caligos Imperium whilst the other Templars invade on foot. From what we know of the Caelum forces, only the enemy commanders or Xeros himself are capable of repelling Deborah’s attack. If you encounter a commander, continue with the plan and target the inner sanctum. However, if the Grand General makes an appearance, then you must alert Lorelai and occupy Xeros’s attention until I arrive. Do not attempt to slay him. Prioritize your...
2024-10-19 03:01:59 +0000 UTC
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“So it has finally come… today, either we stand victorious over Xeros’s corpse, or Polus will be writ as a mere footnote in history. My heart is ablaze, it beats with such thundering fervor, yet despite the dire straits I am not afraid.
“How swift has this month been. It is peculiar how much one can change in so little a time. I have borne witness to many travesties, but I have also deepened bonds the likes I never thought mendable. Hehe, a short journey to be sure;...
2024-10-16 04:35:21 +0000 UTC
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“Oh my, that certainly doesn’t look good.”
———
Xeros
Xeros collapses in his chair and lets out a deep, tired sigh.
Fortunately, the inspections of the other layers have not been nearly so eventful. The Proletariat’s production line is operating as planned, and the destruction wrought in the Erudite has since cleared.
Now, here he is—resting at the very summit ...
2024-10-09 15:42:07 +0000 UTC
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“Ah, Xeros… to think that cute little brat would grow up to become so dull. He was fun once, if you can believe it: a dirty, ragged bundle of rage who’d bite anyone that came close. I found him in the backstreets just after he chopped off an old pawnbroker’s head. Apparently the factory he was working for went under because of some shady dealings: the usual stuff. Back then, not a day went by without some type of backstabbing or sabotage or whatever the hell those magnates called ...
2024-10-08 17:08:16 +0000 UTC
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2024-10-05 15:27:10 +0000 UTC
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2024-10-05 14:13:46 +0000 UTC
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“Among Cosmos’s scattered Wills, Nox Caelum has inherited a rather puzzling aspect of our mother: the Will of Desire. Unlike the others which grant a set blessing, Desire molds its boon to match the inner, well, desires of its inheritor.
“Luxmi desired to see her nation rid of disparity, and so she was given the strength to render one’s bond with Creation void. In Lux Caelum, there were none that could abuse the divinity’s compassion.
“On th...
2024-10-04 15:44:14 +0000 UTC
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“Now, now, Madam Seraphina: Please calm yourself. The Grand General is many things, but even he is not so heartless as to kill a child. She will be safe in the upper layers. As for us… we have much to do. The time has come to realize your most fervent desire.
“Come, our preparations are set. All that’s left is to wait.”
———
Xeros
“Are you really going to take her in?” Luxanne asks ...
2024-10-03 01:54:27 +0000 UTC
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“All my life, I have been exposed to the dark underbelly hidden beneath this nation’s surface. The Caelum Luxanne remembers is one of community - one filled with light - but that light is and always has been deceitful. It only serves to veil the scum hiding in the shadows.
“She has never witnessed it—the agony of the trodden. Luxmi, that fool of a woman, always did coddle her. She shielded her eyes from all that was filthy, from the dregs dying on the streets and th...
2024-10-01 00:27:30 +0000 UTC
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“Of course I feel bad for Polus. I was still just a runt back then, but I remember meeting King Dainsleif with my mom during one of his diplomatic visits. He was a good man: a kind man. Where us Caelum folk are loud and bristly, he was soft-spoken and had an air of grace. I liked that part of him. It was nice to be around some different - less crass - and though I didn’t really understand all that chivalry and honor stuff, I respected him.
“And then, mom died. And Xer...
2024-09-28 23:24:17 +0000 UTC
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