A/N 1:
Hi to my goblin readers. Here is your goblin king once again with another chapter.
I love giving names to chapter titles.
Last chapter I lost the chance to name it something like "The Hero Party Who Challenges the Demon King", because Samuel got the Baran template... it is what it is. You can't get every single one.
Titles for this chapter:
Alternative 1: Understanding the Nature of Sacred Gears.
Alternative 2: The Calm Before the Storm.
One thing I know is that I really like the title of this one, for obvious reasons hehe.
I will keep it short in Author Notes 1.
There are very important topics in Author Notes 2 that I want to talk about.
- Why I think slow burn fanfics don't work and some solutions (personal take).
Let's go with the chapter.
---
- Third Person POV -
"We need to talk," Samuel said loudly to everyone present, mostly Azazel and Sirzechs.
"Besides, you guys are a little too late...as usual." With Leonardo in his hands, he walked toward Azazel.
Of course, he was going to throw the problem to Azazel.
"Here. The kid is called Leonardo, from the Hero Faction of the Khaos Brigade. He was recruited against his will." Samuel gave the kid to Azazel.
"And you want me to take care of it?" Azazel asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You are the one with a big organization. Give him another chance at life." Samuel knew Azazel had the infrastructure and the money.
Of course, Samuel would not give the child to Sirzechs...it was the Devil faction after all. The situation could become something...bad, and let's leave it at that. He didn't think Leonardo would be reincarnated as a devil or made a servant for life, but prevention was better than cure.
"You killed them all," Vali said absentmindedly while peeking his head through the bounded field, the same as the rest.
"Yeah...they weren't taking no for an answer."
Samuel looked at the many different expressions of the group.
'Mmmh, they are using enchanted armor now. Fucking finally they stopped fighting in school uniforms.'
Both peerages were using personalized armor now. From the Gremory, they had scarlet leather looking armor with the crest of the House of Gremory. Issei was the exception, as he had scale mail from his Sacred Gear.
Rias looked like a high level RPG character right now, boob window included in the armor. Usual Rias exhibitionist behavior.
Rias was living up to her potential, finally leaving behind the title of "potential woman," making Samuel let out a small smile.
From the Sitri peerage, it was leather too, with their crest, a darker blue. After all, it was the color of the noble House of Sitri.
'Good design, with Saji leaving free space where his Sacred Gear activates. Guess it's still too early for his full armor.' Samuel nodded; he was a design enthusiast.
Sona had a more proper design than Rias.
(Images)
"Lancaster, what happened? We felt the magical spikes," Sirzechs said, taking Samuel out of his thoughts.
"Khaos Brigade again, that's what happened. The Hero Faction specifically," Samuel said. "They wanted to kidnap me for some reason. Of course, they made a fatal mistake," he added.
Sirzechs seemed to age a bit at the mention of Khaos Brigade.
Azazel just sighed.
"What a waste...if we had arrived earlier, I could have removed their Sacred Gears painlessly," Azazel said with a thoughtful expression.
Azazel looked at Leonardo now in his arms.
"I'm surprised you can take Sacred Gears too, Lancaster." The Fallen figured it out easily.
After all, Vali told him about the Hero Faction and which Sacred Gears they had. Now Leonardo was still alive but without a Sacred Gear. Someone like Azazel of the Grigori could easily put two and two together.
"..." Samuel.
'Tch, damn you intelligent ones, troublesome bastards.' Samuel cursed a bit in his head.
"Oh yeah, I already did it myself," Samuel decided to double down.
"..." Everyone.
An absolute silence spread among all those present.
"Maybe we are more similar than I originally thought, kiddo," Azazel said with a smirk.
Samuel just scoffed. "Don't make me laugh, old man," he added.
"..." Everyone was baffled by their talk.
"How did you figure it out?" the Fallen asked, curious. Sacred Gears were one of his many areas of expertise.
"I'm that good at understanding the concept of the soul and the mechanism of Sacred Gears, how to connect and disconnect one," Samuel shrugged.
Everyone looked at Lancaster with different degrees of bewilderment.
'I knew he was smart too... but at this level? How many lucky stars can someone have?' Issei thought.
'Tryhard,' Vali chirped with a smile in his mind.
"...So, the True Longinus?" Sirzechs asked Samuel about the strongest Longinus.
"Got it. The other six too, plus whatever other magical things of value they had," Samuel nodded.
You keep what you kill, after all.
Azazel smiled, facing the new panorama. A much better outcome.
"So they lost all the Sacred Gears, huh...Twice Critical, Variant Detonation, Night Reflection, Blade Blacksmith," the so-called Sacred Gear expert said, counting on his fingers.
"And of course...Dimension Lost and Annihilation Maker." If possible, someone could see a bit of greed for knowledge in Azazel eyes.
Everyone perked up at the mention of the other two Longinus.
"Heaven will want the True Longinus back, Lancaster..." Sirzechs started with a calm tone.. he knew the teen would not let go of the spear. He fought them all and won everything by right of conquest. So naturally, all the loot was his.
"Sure. I will give it back personally to Michael within a week, max." Samuel took off his helmet, letting his mane breathe.
Sirzechs eyes went comically wide. Azazel too.
The rest of the teens were a bit in awe.
Nobody could figure out the anomaly called Samuel Lancaster.
"...Really?" Rias asked, unsure. This was out of character for the Lancaster they "knew."
"I already have a Sacred Gear," Samuel dropped another bomb.
!!!?
"Really? x3" Vali, Issei, and Sona asked, perplexed.
Samuel smiled a bit.
"Well...I never denied it when Kiba asked me about it," Samuel stated calmly.
Kiba stiffened a bit, opening his eyes and remembering the talk. That was quite some time ago.
"...So you do have one in the end. Can I ask what Sacred Gear you have?" Kiba said with a calm smile, already expecting a big NO.
"Later, after all of this crap with the Khaos Brigade ends," Samuel gestured with a wave.
Azazel almost choked at the refusal.
He was hoping Samuel would feel comfortable around his peers, keep blabbering so he could pick up interesting information.
Azazel stepped closer to Samuel, already preparing a good offer.
"Well, kiddo, as expected of you. So what do you plan to do with the useless Sacred Gears you have?" Azazel was ready to buy them.
Samuel rolled his eyes because he knew Azazel was trying to scam him.
"I will keep them all, with the exception of the True Longinus," the lion said in a no-bullshit tone.
"Wait, hear me out first, kiddo~ I will give you almost anything for them...besides, you can only have one Sacred Gear, so the rest will gather dust, my father knows where." Azazel was already pulling out business skills he hadnt used since the Great War era.
Sirzechs sighed, because if Azazel convinced Samuel, things would get troublesome. He would grow even older dealing with the chaotic nature of the two.
Samuel just snorted.
"You know thats bullshit. Someone can have two or more Sacred Gears." Samuel gave Azazel a gotcha face with a smirk.
Azazel face froze, his heart too.
Sirzechs and Vali closed their eyes and shook their heads, letting out low giggles at the exchange.
Samuel Lancaster got his ass for a second time.
'Crap... how much does he know?' Azazel cursed in his mind.
"Should I ask for 50% of the Grigori network worth? But I dont know if I should...Sacred Gears are priceless, especially the Longinus," Samuel said, bringing out his own businessmans skill that he hadnt used since his past life.
Azazel quickly tried to fix his mistake before it was too late.
"Sorry for skipping that information, Lancaster." Azazel bowed his head a bit, lying as naturally as he breathed, being a shameless bastard as usual. "But 50% is the wrong price," Azazel said with a calm smile.
"You are right. I'll ask for 75% instead, to the fraud 'cool uncle who tried to scam me." Samuel nodded, giving a mischievous smile to Azazel.
Hearing that, Azazel aged.
"Are you sure you are not a devil, kiddo?" Azazel chirped.
"Very. But let's talk about the Sacred Gear thing when all of this terrorist bullshit is over," Samuel said, changing the topic.
Everyone grew serious.
"They are getting more and more aggressive," Vali pointed out.
"And they aimed at you because you are not part of any faction," Azazel said, rubbing his chin.
"I offer you relocation, Lancaster, until the Khaos Brigade is dealt with, and I'm sure Michael will offer the same thanks to the spear, if you prefer," Sirzechs said, offering options.
"Actually, I've got a plan."
Everyone looked at him.
"I will keep being the bait," Samuel stated, wanting to keep farming feats.
Of course, he killed Indra's whole team, stole their Sacred Gears. The Heavenly Emperor was not going to stand idly by, for several reasons. Samuel neither.
Before anyone could say something, he kept explaining his plan.
"They think I'm vulnerable because I'm factionless. I will use that to my advantage to cut down whatever bastard the Khaos Brigade sends. Besides, no matter how big the fight becomes, they can't hold accountable the Abrahamic pantheon, or me for defending myself," Samuel enlightened the unaware ones.
The teens were flabbergasted while listening to Lancaster. They couldn't believe this crazy bastard still wanted to fight, even if it meant waging this war alone.
"They will not care if you are defending yourself or not. They are not good people, after all. You are someone who is a pain in their ass. Many of their subordinates and resources were lost because of you," Azazel stated.
"Exactly. They are not good people, so nothing of value will be lost... that's why I will ask you two to do something..." Samuel said to the two leaders.
"Reveal this whole fiasco."
!!!
"Say that the Hero Faction of the Khaos Brigade marched against Samuel Lancaster and lost. And that I took their Sacred Gears. Every single one," Samuel said in a cold tone.
"Wait, Lancaster. You are stirring up a hornet's nest. I get it, but...that will be dangerous... even for you. We don't know very well the capabilities or the identities of the members of the Khaos Brigade," Sirzechs said, knowing the possible implications.
'But I do,' Samuel said in his mind.
"Indeed. But you need to trust me on this one."
"Kiddo— Lancaster," Azazel corrected himself given the situation. "If we reveal that you killed them and took their Sacred Gears...someone stronger than the Hero Faction will come, probably with others too...you could die. Please, Lancaster, it's not time to be reckless." Azazel warned him. He was dealing with a teenager, he knew how reckless they could be.
"Thanks for the concern, really...but it's not needed."
Samuel spread his magical power. It shot up into the sky like a volcano.
(Image)
Everyone there felt it.
Azazel and the rest widened their eyes. Samuel was strong—and he kept surprising everyone time and time again.
Right now, Samuel stood as the strongest human in history.
"If they come... they will find me strong enough."
He declared it, taking the breath out of everyone.
"So that's why I'm asking you all this favor...let me be the bait." Samuel shifted to a more amicable tone like nothing had happened.
"Is this really what you want, Samuel Lancaster?" Sirzechs asked with a sigh, already knowing the answer.
"Absolutely. If I die, I will do it happily and with no regrets, all for the love of my pantheon." Samuel let his true feelings slip, unwittingly showing a small, genuine smile.
Xenovia clenched her fists tightly when she heard him say that.
"Mah~ Okay, I'm in..." Azazel agreed with a smile, while Sirzechs let out another tired sigh, but nodded nonetheless.
"Reveal the truth in three days...I'll be preparing myself when the time comes," Samuel indicated to the two faction leaders.
After a bit more discussion, Azazel, Sirzechs, and Samuel wrapped things up.
Issei stepped forward.
"Wait, Lancaster."
"Yes?" Samuel asked, curious.
"Let us fight with you." Issei spoke in a slightly pleading tone, surprising everyone.
Mostly because he was making the decision himself.
"Absolutely not." Samuel shut it down immediately.
"...Why?"
"Should I tell you the truth, or do we keep being somewhat friends?" Samuel said with a hint of humor.
"The truth." The Red Dragon Emperor said it seriously.
'Ah, Issei... you will do wonders with that new seriousness. Right now? Too soon man...to soon,' Samuel thought.
"You would be deadweight."
Vali snorted.
"Damn right.. guess we're taking this one, right, Lancaster?" Vali stepped to his side.
Samuel just looked at him like he was an idiot.
'Blud decided to invite himself to my fight.'
"That applies to you too. I'll take this one myself. I don't want any bullshit. End of story," Samuel stated, leaving no room for argument.
"Tch, you're no fun." Vali scoffed.
"Relax. After this, we can spar again to make up for it."
"You bet." Vali accepted the consolation prize.
"Oi...why are you deciding to carry everything on your own, Lancaster!?" Issei raised his voice.
"You're shutting everyone out!"
At Issei's words, Kiba stiffened a bit, remembering his own past.
"I know you're strong, but if we stand together...please, Lancaster, let us help you."
Everyone nodded, from Rias peerage to Sona and hers.
Samuel just smiled.
For the second time that day, it was genuine.
"This is so like you," Samuel said, shaking his head, making Issei pause.
"What do you mean?" Issei asked, confused.
'Good heart. Shonentard, but good heart... that's one of the reasons I'm doing this, for people like you,' Samuel thought.
"Thank you, Issei. Everyone. But my decision is final."
No power of friendship. No nakama bullshit. No goofy ahh situation.
Only his might.
"Lancaster!" Issei started again but stopped when Rias placed a hand on his shoulder.
"He made his decision, Ise."
"But-"
"Ise." Rias' tone shifted into that of a king.
"Tch." Issei clicked his tongue and dropped the matter, moving to Asia's side.
'True potential woman indeed,' Samuel thought, amused.
"And Lancaster?" Rias said.
"Yeah?" Samuel raised an eyebrow.
"Best of luck, and don't take too long. If you do, we'll come help you regardless of your decision." Rias turned to Sona. "Right?"
"Indeed. It would be quite embarrassing if you needed help after all this," Sona said with a smirk.
Samuel rolled his eyes at the two teasing him.
"As if." With that, Samuel walked back to Azazel and Sirzechs.
"You have no heart, kiddo. How harsh you are with your school friends," Azazel jabbed lightly.
"It's for the best." Samuel glanced at Sirzechs, who nodded gratefully. He didn't want his sister involved.
"Tell Michael about this too. I trust him."
"Really? You didn't talk much with him," Azazel said.
"I trust my gut. It tells me to trust him. Besides, I'll be giving him the spear later on," Samuel explained.
"I see."
"Well, that's everything." Samuel looked back at the still-active bounded field.
"Help me clean up the bodies and the damage?" Samuel shamelessly asked.
With a chuckle, Azazel agreed. Sirzechs followed, gesturing for the teens to help.
---
- Samuel POV -
I finally finished cleaning this mess. I entered my house with Xenovia.
After quickly cleaning myself with magic, I sat down on the couch.
I wanted to give Xenovia something before I spent a few days preparing for the next fight.
Before I could say anything, Xenovia came and sat beside me.
"Sam...who is coming next time?" Xenovia asked, a little worried.
No need to lie to her.
"The Hero Faction was basically owned by Indra... so he'll come in a couple of days, looking for answers and to retrieve the Sacred Gears," I explained.
After this gets revealed, Indra won't sit still. His pride won't allow it. And he can't let go of the Sacred Gears, too important and powerful.
Xenovia widened her eyes.
"...Isn't he one of the strongest gods?"
"He is. Right now, he would be the four strongest in the world," I confirmed, avoiding saying universe.
"You really need to fight him on your own?" Xenovia said with a sad expression.
Ah...don't make that face.
"Yeah...after that, I'll ascend. I'm becoming a god," I stated plainly.
Indra will come. Maybe alone, maybe not, but he will come. I basically spat in his face.
Doesn't matter if he brings someone. I have a way to force it into a 1 vs 1.
Xenovia grabbed my hand.
"I'm scared for you...what if something goes wrong?"
"Relax. I have countermeasures...and you know I'm the strongest. Stronger than him." I caressed her hair.
She stayed silent, looking down.
Understandable. Indra is old, very old. Im expecting insane experience.
And of course, his divinity, and the Vajra.
But I can do it.
I pulled Xenovia closer.
"So it's okay. I'll win, and everything will be fine...don't worry." I tried to reassure her.
"...I'm worried because I love you," she admitted.
Ah. Heat rose to my face.
I looked away instinctively to hide the blush.
Tch, that's cheating...you can't just say that out of nowhere.
Guess this makes things official.
I turned back and pulled her into a hug.
"I love you too."
We shared a soft, warm kiss before pulling apart.
"You can relax...in that fight, I'll give everything. He won't have any chance of winning."
"Mmnh."
Time to give her the gift.
"I want to give you something, Xen. Do you want Blade Blacksmith?" I pulled out the shiny Sacred Gear. "A present for my woman," I said with a smirk.
"Really?"
"Yeah. I think you'll become even stronger with this one. You can create holy swords," I explained.
"Sure." She agreed easily.
"Then let me." I brought the Sacred Gear closer to her chest, gently pushing it into her soul to attach it.
After a moment, I confirmed everything was fine.
"There... can you feel it?" I pull back my hand after caressing the outline of one of her breasts.
"Yes. It's...a strange sensation." She closed her eyes, trying to summon a holy sword.
After a moment, she sighed.
"It's complicated."
"Keep trying over the next few days," I said. "I'll be in my room, fully focused on working with the other Sacred Gears. No interruptions."
"What Sacred Gears will you keep?"
"Only three. Dimension Lost, Night Reflection, and Annihilation Maker." I have a crazy combo in mind and if it works...damn.
"You said someone can have two...but three?"
"I'm built different," I smirked.
After all the changes my body went through, I could take more, but no need.
"So for the next few days, I'll be busy. You should train too, and practice your new Sacred Gear."
She nodded.
Ah, right...better explain this beforehand to avoid misunderstandings.
"I'll be using Annihilation Maker. If you hear voices, they're probably summons." Need to try that one too after all.
"...I see." Xenovia blinked. "So you'll be busy these days hummmmnh..." She hummed with a thoughtful expression.
"Sam."
"Yeah?"
"Make love to me." She leaned closer, kissing my neck.
I smiled, grabbing one of her breasts.
"Kyan~" Xenovia let out a soft moan.
"How cute," I said.
I lifted her effortlessly in my arms.
---
After a couple of hours...
I took care of Xenovia and left her sleeping in her room.
"Lock in." I sat cross-legged in the middle of my room.
Now...how to better understand Sacred Gears.
Everyone knows Sacred Gears work better if you are human or half-human. That's how Yahweh designed them, for humans.
They grow stronger through emotion, desire, and ambition...in some cases allowing a breakthrough.
The famous Balance Breaker sub-species.
Sacred Gears that have taken on unique characteristics because of the thoughts, emotions, desires, ambition, and feelings of the wielder.
Sub-species are stronger than the base versions.
And that's what I'm aiming for.
I pushed Dimension Lost from my chest into my soul.
Mmmmh...I see. As expected, my understanding is high enough.
Now I ask myself this...
What if an individual gets multiple Sacred Gears for himself, one way or another?
And this individual is an insanely strong human who has gone through multiple assimilations, polishing his body, mind, and soul beyond comprehension?
Now this particular human has a clearer picture, thanks to all the knowledge he has assimilated, to work with Sacred Gears.
I'm the perfect forge to craft a sub-species Balance Breaker in record time.
Now...
This is more my personal take on Sacred Gears.
They are prone to having karmic inclinations.
After all, they are very old and change hosts after each life. From one soul to another.
They react to emotions, like I said earlier... so I wouldn't be surprised if the "karma" of previous hosts lingers within the Sacred Gear and unintentionally affects the new host.
A big example is Forbidden Balor View, when Gasper uses Balance Breaker, his personality changes.
Going back to the topic. Sacred Gears are with you for life, and who knows what the host used them for. For good? For evil?
And it makes sense. Things need balance. The universe needs balance.
Order and chaos.
Light and darkness.
Life and death.
Good and evil.
Now Sacred Gears...
Some of them have counterparts.
Blade Blacksmith makes holy swords, while Sword Birth makes demonic ones.
Albion and Draig too.
Supremacy and domination.
Divine and Boost. Perfect to counter each other.
Hehehe...Butt Dragon Emperor and Breast Dragon Emperor.
See how everything is about duality!?
The duality of man!
You could say many Sacred Gears are counterparts of others.
Incinerate Anthem and Absolute Demise. Fire and ice.
Regulus Nemea and Canis Lykaon. Both independent avatar type Sacred Gears. Classic cat vs dog.
Time to center my attention on Dimension Lost.
What intentions did past wielders have when using this gear?
You can block attacks with the mist...sure. But its true strength is trapping someone, to kill them.
I can tell it leans toward a darker spectrum.
Killing someone is wrong...but necessary in many cases.
I endure the bloody horror of murder. I must destroy that idea, show them what a messy, terrible thing it is to kill someone.. and then show them that I relish in it.
Attack the wound, then execute the wounded. I burn them. I engage them in close combat. I destroy their preconceptions of what a man is, becoming their personal monster.
When they fear me, I become stronger. I become better.
But I must never forget... it's a display.
It's a posture, like a lion's roar or a gorilla thumping at his chest.
Never lose yourself in the display.
If I succumb to the horror, then I become the monster.
I become reduce. Not more than a man, but less. Can be fatal.
...And I will fall prey to the inferior mindset.
From my hands, black mist started pouring out...
"Oh~? I see..."
With a wide grin i keep working in Dimension lost for the day.
.
..
...
(One day later)
I pulled another Sacred Gear into my soul, Night Reflection.
It surprised me how easy it was compared to Dimension Lost.
Maybe because it's not a Longinus...or maybe because it feels right at home.
The Pitch Black assimilation is insane. I can control shadows and manifest the nightmares of others as shadow constructs.
Just like Pitch Black in the movie...
This one is too easy.
The shadows started moving and twisting in my room like tendrils.
They were pitch black. Not dark purple like Connla...just pure void darkness.
They swallowed the entire room, leaving me sitting alone in the dark with my eyes closed, untouched.
Then they clung to my body... slowly covering me completely.
"[Night Reflection - Balance Breaker]"
"[Lord of Shades]"
(Image)
I opened my eyes.
My body was covered in shadows, but my eyes... my eyes were pure gold.
I could feel my mastery over shadows increasing.
Now it's time.
With this...
I can become the perfect sculptor when creating with Annihilation Maker.
Annihilation Maker is a shadow-based Sacred Gear.
Who would be crazy enough to use a Sub-species Balance Breaker to boost himself while using a Longinus of the same theme?
Me.
There's a reason I chose these three.
Dimension Lost mist is now basically shadows. I can trap anyone, no teleportation, no escape.
I'll refine Dimension Lost further, then move to Annihilation Maker.
I take inspiration from the Shadow Monarch powers of course...but one thing must be clear.
Annihilation Maker is about quality.
The Shadow Monarch powers is about quantity.
But with time, both become army-generating powers.
And a king needs an army.
.
..
...
(Two days later)
"Captain, can i ask you something?" The black knight holding a small dog in his hand ask me a question regardless.
"You just did. And stop it with the captain thing...anyway go on." I said gesturing with my hand.
The knight got closer, It was a tall shadow covered. In his back he has a big shield and a greatsword.
"After all you told us, will you allow us to help in in your next battle?" Artorias said.
"No."
"Can i know why?" Artorias asked calmly caressing the small dog.
"Its will be a 1 vs 1. A clash of ideologies, of mentalities and after the Superior mindset win..." I say.
"...You will ascend." He finishes.
I didnt respond as i keep working in my shadow form the final touches of Annihilation maker. Dimension lost is ready to use when Indra comes.
"What you two think of this?" Artorias asked the other two that were similar looking like him.
"My liege will win." Said with conviction. The knight with long red hair-like ornament extending out of the back of his helmet.
I took the liberty of leaving its most iconic part the same color everything else are shadows.
Artorias just sighed at Igris.
"And you friend?" Artorias asked the most quiet of the three.
The Berserk knight just shrrugered. He was the strong silent type.
In this one i didnt make Guts inside the armor...im experimenting. After i got more time i will think about it.
"Thats it?" Artorias asked the two.
"Hey hey dont bother him...he is the senior of you two hehe." I joke signaling the Berserk knight.
(Image)
"Captain, please reconsider your decision." Artorias pleaded while the small Sif just barked in agreement with his companion.
Ah...the hero types, always like this.
"Relax i will be a walk in the park for me." It will be not but i'd win.
"Trust our King, Artorias." Igris said. "Forgive me to ask...you are not planning to fight along the dog dont you? he is still a cub." Igris added looking at Sif.
"Fear not, Sif can defend himself." Artorias said with a glint in his eyes.
And he really can...i make sure of it even if right now is a cub hehe.
"Is that so? he dosent look dangerous to me." Igris said looking at Sif who was now in the floor.
Sif just barked and make a perfect flip.
A small reminder of the insane acrobatics that Prime Sif performs.
"Oh!" Igris said in surprise at the perfect acrobatic.
(Image)
"See? the captain take this time creating Sif after all." Artorias said.
I roll my eyes at him calling me captain again.
He somewhat feel that im Ornstein but i already explain that is not like that.
I let out a sigh.
Its complicated.
And indeed i make Sif special...he can grow stronger along Artorias. And he will grow in size too.
An even stronger Sif the Greywolf...
Just wait when Artorias himself lead The Farron legion, The Abyss Watchers.
Its will be so fucking peak.
"Well im done for now." I said desactivating the night reflection balance breaker.
My six sense in telling me...the time has come.
In half of hour of less someone will come.
And my gut never lie to me.
The calm before the storm.
"Good luck." Artorias said as the other two nod.
I dispel the summons.
Damn they cost me a lot of mana to make. But i can afford it. Its me after all.
I told them to reveal the whole thing in three days and someone is already coming?
It has to be Indra.
---
(Background Music: Tales of Symphonia - Starry Heavens)
(Author notes: This is basically Xenovia's theme song in this fic. I like the song itself and because the lyrics match her situation.)
- Samuel POV -
I go out of my room.
Full Ornstein armor but no helmet.
I go downstairs, to the living room, as I find Xenovia watching TV.
She freezes mid-bite while eating a chip.
After a bit, she relaxes again.
"You are going to fight?" she asked me.
"Yeah...half an hour, someone is coming here...I feel it."
"Indra?"
"Most possibly," I said.
She stands up and hugs me, then she kisses me.
"Win," she said, serious.
"I will."
"And after that, give me a couple of children." Of course...blue haired twat.
I let out a smile after that.
"....Xen, a couple? You asked for one last time." I try to negotiate.
"Interest rates go up," she said with a deadpan face.
"Xen, can you comprehend interest rates!?" I joke, feigning surprise.
"Hey." Xenovia just pouted.
"I will wait on the balcony until that good for nothing comes...it will not be too long of a fight...just sit here and relax," I say to her, trying to ease the situation.
"Un. Go." She separates from me as I go to the balcony on the second floor.
I feel her eyes on me...damn, she is worried. I curse a bit in my mind as I walk the stairs.
Opening the door of my balcony, I go outside.
"It's a gray day..." I said, looking at the sky covered in grey clouds.
And I wait.
For the fate I crafted for myself.
---
A/N 2:
Lets goooooo!
Next chapter, a small part with Indra, then we will get The Strongest human of history vs The Heavenly Emperor.
Probably the biggest and best fight I will write.
Lets go with the first topic.
Why I think slow burn fanfics doesn't work.
Slow burn is a slow, insidious killer of motivation for authors. My honest take.
Basically, 9 out of 10 authors drop nowadays...for many reasons, which I will name the ones I remember and do a small analysis.
It's fucking rare if an author finishes a fic nowadays.
Yeah, as an author you can say it's not an obligation, you write for fun/for yourself. If you are not feeling it, you can quit the fic.
All of those are right. Authors are right in this one...it's not an obligation. I even say I do this for fun and for myself.
But dropping the fic is so fucking ass.
You can pull 50, 80 or more chapters without missing a day...but if you drop the fic and don't give an ending, everything is worthless.
I've seen several times when an author makes a new fic, some readers review saying "Don't read this guy fanfics because he always drops. He never finishes a fanfic."
It's crazy, but it is what it is...some people are unaware that readers ALWAYS REMEMBER. Im telling you this as a reader myself.
The solution to slow burn fatigue as an author?
Write shorter fics. 30/50 chapters. Not every fanfic needs to be something from 100 to 200 chapters or even more.
I can see and understand an author who loses motivation when he is writing the chapter 87.
Worst case is when fics stretch out so much over the years. It's insane when a fanfic goes on for four/five years with no intention of ending. They almost always crash and burn.
Im telling you this as a reader who is following a fanfic from 2017 that updates one chapter ANNUALLY. Twice if lucky. I want to die.
It's insane.
Nowadays, we are taking the L.
I'm chilling, reading a cool and fun fic, then the author announces he got a new fic... brother, i grab my head and curse.
Of course, then comes the usual "Guys, I will not drop this fic, relax," as the fic slowly enters an indefinite hiatus state.
This one is the curse of indefinite hiatus.
Another one I think of is the author ghosting curse.
Self-explanatory. We get the classic excuses...Okay bro, just tell me its fucking over.
Next one is the one I hate the most.
Rewrites.
What a waste of my damn time.
I can yap more about this but i will leave like this or i will never ends.
So to resume: write shorter fics, fast paced. think of the story beforehand before you start writing, take breaks, and have other hobbies to not burn out.
Thanks for reading my rant. I hope you have fun reading the chapter and the rant as much as I do writing it.
See you guys in the next one.