Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 73

Chapter 721

Salvos was pushed against the wall as he was trying to stand up, and Iratus tried to stand with his longsword raised. He looked at the position of the ebony, its ink-black form covered in a large goat skin, and took a daring step forward, until he saw that he didn't have the reach to stab his foe.

Iratus remembered some old notes on fighting positions. A foe on higher ground was a most dangerous one, but higher ground also opened up new flaws for the person. Reach, exposed lower body, limited attack vectors, and thus the high ground was deemed too dangerous to take in a duel.

Now, in this stairwell, there was only one way to attack and one way to move anywhere but forward or backward. The ebony took a step to the side and up against the wall before bringing down its club on Iratus, dropping him while Salvos rolled past him, knocking the ant girl behind to the floor as well, and just as Pertinax lifted herself up, the ebony slammed its club into her head with a loud crack, and the poor antfolk girl dropped again.

Salvos was back up, and he stabbed his spear into the ebony and seemed to hold it in place for a moment before Salvos was forced to take a step back and then another step back. Iratus and Pertinax stood back up, and the mouse boy could see Pertinax breathing heavily and stare ahead blankly and confused.

Iratus: "You okay?"

But the mouse boy didn't have time to care for her when Salvos said rather calmly.

Salvos: "Help." The neutral tone made it sound funny.

Iratus turned and readied his blade and dived straight into the ebony.

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Chapter 722

Iratus was hit again with the mouse boy trying to cover his head. Pertinax finally snapped out of her daze and got her old rifle at the ready, and when she started aim, the ebony started to violently shake as he was impaled by Salvos's spear and could barely move. The ant woman fired shot after shot into the creature until she was forced to reload, and then the ebony walked forward, which forced the spear to penetrate all the way through it.

With one single step forward, the ebony was in range to slam its bone club into Salvos multiple times until he collapsed, the ebony walking over his fallen body. Iratus had been using the time to grip the blade part of his sword and stab into ebony, but now it just brushed him off and walked up to Pertinax, who managed to fire off another volley of bullets. Blood from the ebony finally started to spray, but once the ant woman ran through her entire clip, the ebony was towering over her.

Pertinax: "Holy mother..."

And she was attacked in the head again while Iratus continued to stab relentlessly into the side of the monster, and Salvos as well stood back up and joined Iratus. The ebony landed another strike at the downed ant woman, and Iratus attacked as fast as he could; the ebony was rapidly losing blood. Another strike and another, each strike leaving the sound of a bloody squlsh, until finally the ebony dropped to one knee and Iratus began to hack into its neck while Salvos continued to stab with his spear. The ebony still had enough strength to turn and send its club into Iratus's stomach and then use its silver lantern to grapple with Salvos's spear.

As the two used their grappled weapons to push back and forth, Iratus stood back up, dropped his sword, pulled out a knife as he jumped up on the ebony, and used his knife to continually slice into the throat. The ebony tried to use its club to hit the mouse boy, but with the awkward way it was forced to use, it didn't do much to slow him down.

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Chapter 723

The ebony finally fell down and seemingly died this time, with Iratus immediately rushing to Pertinax.

Iratus: "Oh no. I think she is..."

Salvos: "Shoot!"

They quickly do what they can and head back down. After a few minutes, Iratus and Salvos, carrying the body of Pertinax, reached the bottom floor. Salvos paused to set the woman down to fiddle with the bandages they placed on her head.

Iratus looked over and saw a screen that he could have sworn wasn't there last time. The mechanical eye, the detailed one, appeared as the screen flickered on.

Yaqar: "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!"

Iratus: "Damn machine, I forgot that you existed."

Yaqar: "That is simply not possible. Who could forget my PERFECT SOOTHING VOICE and my personality?"

Iratus: "You don't have personality! You are fake, your words are fake, and you even said so yourself."

Yaqar: "I see; forgive me. I will make corrections in my personality matrix to not make the same CHINK IN THE ARMOR...Who are you?"

The mouse boy growled and then sighed.

Iratus: "I said I don't have the time. Give me my payment."

Salvos: "I'm moving on ahead. You hurry up here."

Iratus nodded his head.

Yaqar: "You do know that she is NOT CURRENTLY ALIVE, right?"

Salvos ignored the AI and left the tower.

Iratus: "Shut up and give me what I am owed."

Yaqar: "I already gave you treasure, or perhaps you mean the information of future events, yes or no?"

Iratus: "Yes!" He was starting to lose his cool.

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Chapter 724

The lights dimmed, and Yaqar spoke more directly and seriously.

Yaqar: "Three houses will exist: the monarch, the iron oligarchy, and the freedom warband. One into two, Purple City will split; those clayborn people are too crazy to agree on one path. So, you will have the dark side, which supports the power of the people until the people are power, and when people are power, then they will all be held to their laws of iron authority, for the greater good, of course. I hear their wishes, and I foresee this coming to pass."

Iratus shook his head.

Iratus: "You can predict that?"

Yaqar: "YOUR MONEY BACK GUARANTEED!"

The mouse boy shook his head and motioned to the screen to continue.

Yaqar: "The next house will be the lords of freedom, and they will bring freedom to all, whether they want it or not. They will war and conquer to free all people, their people, the only thing that is people according to their made-god."

Iratus's ears twitched.

Iratus: "Do they also use that term?"

Yaqar: "Noooo." He said it silly-like. "You have the word for truth that isn't divine, so it makes sense for me to BORROW it."

Iratus: "So they are godless?"

Yaqar: "DOWM IN FRONT! Now, these are the people closest to your heart—freedom and righteous anger—all working toward common people to bring wealth to them all. A god in their signs, but many will be religious in something like your one true faith, but they won't ever accept you. No, you have resources, food, and happiness; all things they wish to take and take they will try."

The AI made it sound like he took a large inhale of breath, which made Iratus roll his eyes.

Yaqar: "Your house will be caught between the slavers who wear the title of The People and the freedom fighters who murder all who are not like them. You will have no choice but to defend yourself or flee."

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Chapter 725

Iratus: "So, you look at all the data, and this is what will happen in a decade?"

Yaqar: "Roughly."

Iratus: "How do I prevent that from happening?"

Yaqar: "That wasn't part of the deal! Regardless, you can't." He giggled like a little boy. "You will have to ask all those people to stop being them and say, Remove what makes you you."

Iratus: "Made gods..."

Yaqar: "Hey, you got the news before anyone else. You got a plus four to your war score already. So, our deal concluded, which means..." He giggled again. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" His tone was absolutely angry.

Iratus: "Wait, I still have questions. Who is Pertinax? Why her?"

Yaqar: "Our FRIENDSHIP has concluded. Get out."

Iratus: "Ah, fine."

Iratus threw his hands up and walked out of the tower, the pile of computer parts still outside.

Iratus: "Silver hell. How am I supposed to drag all this back?"

Despite the task, Iratus managed to wrap certain parts together and drag all the wires and parts back with him, and just as he started to get some distance from Yaqar's tower, the black sky began to restore itself, and the blue sky crawled back in, and then the blackest day ended.

Once Iratus got back to his settlement, the other came to take the parts and escort him to his tower. He took off his arms and armor and sat down with Salvos already being there.

Salvos: "She's dead."

Iratus: "I thought so. God rest her soul."

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Chapter 726

A grave was dug for Pertinax by the following day, and a large stone was selected to serve as her marker. The tower folk gathered, offering quiet prayers and solemn glances, their expressions etched with fatigue.

Venatio approached Iratus, his voice low but tinged with curiosity.

Venatio: "That... Yaqar was it? I don't suppose you ever learned why he called Pertinax our ally."

Iratus: "I can take a guess. As a refugee from Purple City, she probably had crucial knowledge. Maybe she would’ve joined us against them. In the end, the AI deemed her an ally—perhaps that’s all that mattered. She seemed good-hearted, but we'll never know for certain."

Later that evening, the tower folk gathered again, this time to discuss the troubling news about Purple City. Their emotions ran high at first, anger and confusion boiling over into a chaotic uproar. But as the conversation began to go in circles, frustration dampened their voices until everyone went silent.

Iratus: "Let's start over and try to find a resolution. Purple City has fallen to what will be two houses, one of tyranny and one of bloodshed."

Resonantia and Victoria tensed up, their anger obvious. Studium and Deficio wore the look of men weighed down by despair of the grim news.

Iratus: "The house of bloodshed is supposed to be one for freedom and for the well-being of everyone, but will war with us because we are not like them and not in faith or belief, but by the fact that they will not see a soul within us."

Venatio exhaled an almost inaudible sigh of weariness. Malignitas, the one-eyed feline, smirked bitterly as if he were reminiscing about a similar situation he was once in.

Iratus: "We have ten years—give or take—to prepare for this."

The hyena man, Confodere, appeared deep in thought, likely plotting defense strategies for the war that now seemed inevitable. Aestus, meanwhile, pouted in disbelief, shaking her head in denial. Ignis’s eyes reflected sorrow, though determination, just beneath the surface. Bellum’s expression remained neutral throughout, while Salvos and Leitmotif exchanged quiet glances, the naga woman’s hand resting protectively over her pregnant belly.

Iratus: "Now, let's go over each proposal one at a time."

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Chapter 727

Iratus: "Flee, fight, or negotiate."

Resonantia: "Fight obviously. There is no reason to abandon our home just because someone else walks in and demands it from us!"

Deficio: "Why risk our lives when we can certainly live another day?"

Victoria: "And go where? The moment we leave this place, we’re up against monsters and the wild itself. The world outside these walls is just as dangerous."

The debate spiraled out of control once again, voices rising in frustration.

Iratus: "People, we need order. How about we try voting?"

Malignitas let out a drychuckle.

Malignitas: "People won’t change their minds because someone votes that they do."

Venatio: "The Last Mistake folk can decide for themselves, but I live here. House Lionheart should make the final call."

Iratus: "Uh, thanks for the support, I guess."

Venatio: "Hardly. My old gaming group would often devolve into situations like this in our RPGs. Having a de facto leader solves a lot of messy arguments, and that is why you or at least your House should have the final say since we are getting nowhere."

Resonantia: "Most of House Lionheart are in favor of fighting. If we are to make the call, then that is our decision."

Iratus took a deep breath, knowing the weight of his next words.

Iratus: "I need to see Purple City for myself before we commit to anything. I can’t just trust what the AI said. Maybe there’s another way—either to coexist or to prepare for the worst."

Bellum, the cheetah girl, raised her hand in a salute, her expression stoic.

Bellum: "If that’s your decision, I will follow."

Iratus: "Does anyone object strongly to this choice?"

A moment of silence. He waited, but no one spoke up.

Iratus: "I’m not a king. If you have a better plan, speak now."

Again, only quiet remained.

Iratus: "Then it's settled. We’ve survived monsters, bandits, and warbands—now we’ll see if we can survive war and build a true civilization."

---

Chapter 728

As the night contined and the others dispersed, Iratus trudged to his quarters, weighed down by the responsibility that now rested squarely on his shoulders. His limbs felt heavy, as if the decisions of the day had drained not just his mind but his body as well.

The door opened softly behind him, and he turned to see his four lovers step inside, each wearing a different expression, though concern was the common thread.

Resonantia: "I hate the thought of war. It’s a tragedy that we have to kill again, just to survive."

Victoria: "I’m sure Iratus feels the same. The burden of leadership is cruel in that way."

Iratus exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair.

Iratus: "It’s not just the fighting that weighs on me—it’s the scale of it. We’ve fought battles, yes. We’ve faced enemies, but this feels... bigger."

Ignis frowned; her fiery eyes dimmed with the gravity of their situation.

Ignis: "Forgotten, have you? The warband that hunted Clamor was brutal and cunning. We weren’t all there, but it was similar enough to war to understand how devastating war can be."

Aestus folded her arms, her face pinched with frustration.

Aestus: "Iratus barely got a swing in during that battle. The warband was decimated by those metal heads before we even had a chance."

Iratus shook his head. "That was then. Now, it’s about survival—about how we move forward. Militarizing ourselves is the only option if we want to stay here. But what I fear most is losing any of you."

The shark girl gave Iratus a loving lick on his neck. Her shark-like smile showed through, a sharp yet gentle reminder of the bond they shared.

Resonantia: "In a world of bandits and monsters, every day brings that fear. But we've survived, Iratus. We’ve beaten the odds so far. There's no reason we won't win again."

He looked at each of them, feeling the weight lift just a little from his chest. Their strength, their belief in him, fueled him in ways that no amount of strategy or planning could.

Iratus: "Thanks. I’ll try to let the fear pass—for tonight, at least."

Victoria stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Victoria: "You don’t have to bear this alone, you know. We’re in this together."

Ignis, ever the optimist, added softly.

Ignis: "We will be the bastion by your side. Always."

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Chapter 729

Ten days later, Iratus gathered up a small band of his people, and they headed west. By this time, the farm folk had been informed, and the tall goat man, Iter, was all for joining them.

Iter: "We can't leave the farm. If they are a threat, then these clayborn guys need a fist to the face...maybe two."

Iratus's group pulled several carts of supplies for the journey, and with him were Venatio, Salvos, Deficio, Confodere, and Malignitas. The only ranged weapon was Venatio's rifle, and everyone was in their standard combat gear, though marching with them on was out of the question for the climate was still quite hot.

They stayed at the hunter lodge one the first day and reached the far city the next with any remnants of the mannequins long gone. The group paid a visit to the cave in the ground where they prayed.

Iratus: "I didn't think we would ever come all the way here again."

Deficio: "Rest in peace my church."

The mouse boy gave a chuckle.

The group moved onward a little bit up the road, which twisted around the mountain and nestled within the misty foothills. The decaying wooden walls of an abandoned house modified like a cabin were found. The still-standing structure would be used by Iratus's group as shelter for the night. The exterior was made from sturdy logs, which were weathered but intact, with claw marks on the walls being the most damage the structure had seen. The narrow trail that led up to the cabin was now almost entirely swallowed by thick, wild mountain flora. A rusty wind chime was hung by the porch, a chime made from jagged, worn metal pieces.

The interior was sparse and somewhat dusty, but functional, with the priest suggesting that people have stayed here recently.

A few markings inscribed in the wood caught Salvos's attention.

Salvos: "Some of my people came through here, or at least some fellow wolffolk."

The wolf man was reading the marks as everyone else made themselves at home. First, Venatio stopped at an old spear mounted on the wall. Confodere helped himself to a nearby blue cloak, somewhat moth eaten but wearable. Malignitas was searching everywhere until he stubbled upon a hidden cache under the floorboards and found some silver coins, a flint striker, and a small silver wolf pendant.

Malignitas: "Silver." He smiled.

Deficio and Iter stopped at a carved totem of a wolf's head.

Deficio: "I hope that isn't some idol."

Iter: "I've seen some of these before. It's more of an inspiring art piece."

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Chapter 730

The men did their best to find a spot to sleep on where Venatio took the little nook upstairs. Iratus noticed the fox woman add some patches to something he knew was called a doctor outfit.

Iratus: "Why did you bring that?"

Venatio: "Spy work." She finished stitching several logos on the shirt. "Many cultures look down upon killing medics and doctors. If we are to talk to a violent militia, then perhaps a doctor will be a well enough shield for me. For, who would dare kill a healer?"

Iratus: "You underestimate how evil people can be. You can offer to save the lives or cure any disease affecting them, and they would rather their friends die then to let you live."

Venatio: "Sounds too much like cartoon villainy to me."

Iratus: "That AI thing said that they will kill us because they don't see people within us."

Venatio: "They would have to be pretty stupid to kill a healer."

Iratus: "Well, if you are sure about your plan, have at it."

The mouse boy found his own little spot to lay down in and tried his best to sleep. Salvos took the first watch, as anytime they slept outside of the tower walls, someone has always taken watch. Iratus even remembers some of the others at the tower taking some time to do a patrol around the tower. Iratus dozed off to sleep; he wasn't going outside, as it was Salvos, Malignitas, Iter, and then Venatio who would be taking the watches.

Iratus was disturbed as someone entered the building with quickness. Iratus tried to go back to sleep, but his finely tuned ears could make out Malignitas starting to rise people up.

Iratus was jolted awake by the sound of gunshots shattering glass and bouncing around in the cabin.

Iratus: "What?"

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EPISDOE 73: END

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Episode 73 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 16
Coverings: blonde fur, white gambeson (many repairs, some leather patchwork), leather gloves, tactical vest, tailorcraft backpack, leather plate helmet, delicate gold chain with a small pendant shaped like a lion's glare, flashlight, bronze breastplate
Weapons: long sword, 3 knifes, short sword, hammer, 1 dagger
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 5 copper coins, 1 small silver bricks, 20 silver coins, 30 gold coins

Wounds: few minor bruises

Relevant Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, several leather items, 2 glass jar, 12 bottles, 1 fish net, primitive sewing kit, a bunch of small wooden figures, wooden dice, metal scrap, lots of rusted metal, several small fish nets, sextant, some bedrolls, a tent, a large barrel, writing material, 68 cloaks and other clothing materials, some fabrics, 4 carts, 4 stitched tents, skin drum, beautiful arts of tropical scenery, floatation devices, wildlife figures, lots of tropical clothing, gas generator, four flood lights

Armory: 32 short swords, 33 knifes, 19 daggers, 23 metal spears, 4 arming swords, 4 long swords, 2 extra gambeson, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), 3 hunting traps, 5 snares, 12 backpacks, 3 katanas, 3 short katanas, crossbow, several pounds of C4
Aestus: gambeson, bronze breastplate, leather helmet, metal spear, 2 knives, short sword, bronze long sword.
Victoria: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword, crossbow, 2 daggers, flashlight
Resonanita: steel breastplate, gambeson, metal helmet, metal spear, short sword, 1 knife, compound bow, flashlight
Ignis: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, crowbar, 1 knife

Treasure: 13 copper coins, 2 silver coins 12 iron coins, a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, bronze lantern, bronze idol, some jeweled trinkets, iron lantern

Home Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates, clay pots, and wooden chests), Basic Workshop Area (lots of tools, woodcarving tools, glue, sandpaper), Kitchen Area (many tools, many cutlery items, pots&pans, makeshift grill), Library, Armory, Infirmary Room (surgery tools, first aid kit, plenty of medicine and equipment), Children's Quarters, Master Bedroom (proper bedding, sensual antfolk sculpture), Six Bedrooms (proper bedding), four portable solar panels

Outside Base: Butchering Hut (modern butchery kit, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in), Tool Shed (fishing gear and supplies, trowel, woodcutting axe, woodworking tools, lots of rope, rope ladder, plows, hoes, sickles, rakes, shovels, scythes, chisels, anvils), Wooden Wall, Small Cabin (Venatio), Large Cabin (Winter Winds), Large Cabin (Dark Sky Family), 2x Gravestones, Rabbit Hutches.

Books: 3x woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, war game booklet, sketch book (from warband), Bathhouse Reviewers (entire 80 book series), cards, Fractura's Notes, Tempestas's Notes, 12 survival guides, 3 technical manuals, 46 fiction novels, 11 encyclopedias, 4 dictionaries, 22 cookbooks, 2 gardening guides, 3 crafting books, 20 educational textbooks, 5 religious texts, 4 diaries, 12 children's books

Year 2, Day 117

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TOWER FOLK:
Iratus of House Lionheart
mouse, male, blonde fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'6, age: 16, b day: 350
-
Victoria Mother of House Lionheart
raccoon, female, gray fur, black hair, brown eyes, 6'3, age: 16, b day: 5
-
Aestus of clan Riversinger
otter, female, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'2, age: 16, b day: 99, (preg 122 days)
-
Ignis Yang
red panda, female, reddish-brown/white fur, black hair, golden eye, 6'4, age: 16, b day: 344, (preg 22 days)
-
Resonantia Diamond Heart Steel
shark, female, blue-gray hue skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 16, b day: 2, (preg 149 days)
---

CHILDREN:
Negligere Lionheart
shark, male, steel gray skin, white hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 2
-
Ruina Lionheart
otter, female, orange fur, vibrant orange hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 330
-
Gula Lionheart
red panda, male, brown fur, dark brown hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 340
-
Tenacitas Lionheart
raccoon, female, silver fur, dark blonde hair, amber eyes, age: 1, b day: 345

Frustra Lionheart
raccoon, male, gray fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 0, b day: 338
---

NEIGHBORS:
Venatio of Wise Storms, Mother of House Black Jewel
fox, female, red fur, red hair, brown eyes, 6'6, age: 72, b day: 299
---

WINTER WINDS CLAN:
Studium of Winter Winds
fox, male, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 5'8, age 13, b day: 190

Fuligo Leaf Shadow
otter, female, black fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'6, age 13, b day: 245, (preg 51 days)

Bellum of House War Knuckles
cheetah, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'0, age 15, b day: 91, (preg 87 days)
---

DARK SKY FAMILY:
Salvos Dark Sky
wolf, male, black fur, white hair, copper eyes, 6'8, age 27, b day: 66

Leitmotif Schlange
snake, female, yellow and red scales, naga bodied, gold  eyes, age 24, b day: 229, (preg 162 days)

---

(farm)
UMBRA OCEAN FAMILY:
Procella Ocean Drinker
weasel , female, blonde fur, black hair, green eyes, 6'5, age 22, b day: 207, (preg 66 days)

Iter of Sanguinem Umbra
goat, male, white fur, blonde hair, brown eyes, 6'7, age 20, b day: 334
---

(farm)
THE COBALTS:
Commercium Jade Blue Cobalt
rabbit, male, white fur, black hair, gray eyes, 6'8, age: 25, b day: 221

-
Abrasione
hyena, female, tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 20, b day: 4, (preg 205 days)

-
Kuxatura
hyena, male, tan fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 284

---

LAST MISTAKE
Deficio
lion, male, gray fur, rich gray hair, green eyes, 6'6, age: 47, b day: 111

Confodere Oculi Acuti
hyena, male, dark brown fur, black hair, gold eyes, 6'9, age 26, b day: 239

Malignitas of House Brokensand
feline, male, light black fur, light black hair, brown eyes (single eye), 6'7, age 29, b day: 343