Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 103

Chapter 1021

It was in the middle of Day 87 when Iratus padded silently across the wood-paneled floor, his tail brushing behind him, golden cat eyes scanning the kitchen. For once, the tower was quiet.

As he approached the grotesque mess of wiring—slapped together just to get electricity flowing—he heard the microwave humming. From the shadows, Resonantia emerged barefoot, walking toward the makeshift grill. She slammed down meat patties and splashed spices onto them with one hand, while the other precariously held a book between her fingers.

Iratus: "I thought you were on baby duty this afternoon."

Resonantia: "I can't look after the children when I'm hungry," the shark woman replied, not looking up. "Especially when Ignis is eating two full plates of meat and fruit."

Iratus smirked.

Iratus: "Considering our species carries multiple children often, I'd say she has the right to stuff her face."

They shared a quiet laugh, broken only by the sizzling of meat on the grill.

Iratus: "Can we even consider ourselves the same species?"

Resonantia: "Perhaps we can say we share the same over-species. Even if we all came from different planets, the fact that cross-reproduction is possible must mean we share something."

Victoria: "Sexy bodies?"

The raccoon girl was shuffling down the stairs, wearing a loose tunic with one hand resting on her rounded belly.

Victoria: "Bless you both. I was far too lazy today to cook anything nice."

Resonantia: "Yes, wouldn't want you to eat raw meat or anything."

Victoria chuckled and dropped into a chair, sighing as her weight settled into the seat.

Victoria: "Where's Aestus? Is she still outside?"

Iratus: "She went to check on the garden and the rabbits. Something about fixing a wire fence before the kits chew through it."

Outside, the base was at its peak. The compost area and gardens buzzed with the rustle of tools and the hum of conversation. Children's laughter rang out from the schoolhouse, which was filled mostly with small children, each under the watchful eye of a teacher.

Aestus returned just as lunch hit the table—muddy, but smiling, her fur slightly matted. She planted a playful kiss on Iratus's cheek and squeezed between Resonantia and Victoria on the long bench.

Aestus: "Fence held. Rabbit kits are savages."

Iratus: "You say that like it's not a compliment."

Aestus: "Oh no, I love a little chaos. Just look at our own army of children—you'll see that's true."

Once lunch was done, and Iratus had given a loving nuzzle to each of his loves, he headed to his workshop.

He sat hunched over a nearly finished wooden box, carefully crafting a toy for his children. The soft rasp of sandpaper filled the space. Beside him, Ignis worked on repairing a broken crib rail.

Ignis: "You've been quiet this afternoon. No zeal in your voice."

He stopped sanding and brushed wood shavings from his tunic.

Iratus: "Just thinking."

Ignis: "About military matters?"

He hesitated.

Iratus: "Yes. But also… just hoping our lazy days don't disappear because of the looming war."

Ignis: "Which is why we should enjoy them while we still can."

By evening, Iratus was surrounded by his loves and their many children. He gave a quiet prayer to his god, grateful for the life he'd been given—and continued to give his attention to those who needed it. Aestus was telling stories. Ignis was cooking dinner. Victoria wagged her finger at the more disobedient little ones. Resonantia, as always, struck up any conversation she could.

And for a moment, there was peace.

---

Chapter 1022

Four days later, Iratus was already making his way back to the oil refinery field to speak with Carmen. The midday sun glinted off the patchwork metal and pipes as the wind carried the faint tang of oil and hot steel. This time, Sagitta came along, the older man walking easily enough.

Once they arrived and settled into Carmen's cramped office — a place that smelled faintly of ink, coffee, and petroleum — the three got down to business. Carmen leaned forward over his desk, eyes sharp, before he reached into a drawer and set five copper coins down with a metallic clink.

Carmen: "I didn't see that your people were handing out currency. I believe I was promised eggs at one point."

Iratus leaned back in his chair, his tail flicking once behind him.

Iratus: "We can't always have goods available at all times. Besides, trading in metal is easier than trying to find things other people want."

Carmen picked up one of the coins, turning it between his fingers.

Carmen: "And what would stop someone from just mining this stuff for themselves?"

Iratus: "Uh, that's just history. Mining more metals makes more currency, which should match the growing society. So it's never a problem."

The otterman studied the lion head stamped into the copper before glancing back up.

Carmen: "There are also iron coins and nickel coins. Have you standardized the prices of your own currency?"

Iratus: "I guess we should explain the basics anytime we hand out coins. So, our money's called denarii. Iron's worth one denarius, copper's five, nickel's twenty, silver's a hundred, and gold's five hundred."

Carmen arched a brow.

Carmen: "If I didn't live in a time with proper currency, that would have been nonsense. Are you sure about the iron?"

Iratus: "We coat our iron in tin because we can't have it rust on us."

The otterman tapped the coins against the desk, the rhythmic sound echoing faintly in the office.

Carmen: "Five copper coins is twenty-five denarii. I guess I need to visit Lionheart to see some prices for myself."

Sagitta smirked from where he lounged in his seat.

Sagitta: "You've got vehicles. Can't be too hard."

Carmen: "Not like yours. Those things aren't meant for long travel — not until we can refine raw oil into something more suited for what we've scrounged up. We've got bikes, though."

Sagitta tilted his head, doing the math in his head.

Sagitta: "That's got to be around twelve hours from there and back."

Carmen shrugged.

Carmen: "A sacrifice for buying and selling these days."

Iratus leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

Iratus: "Now that military matters have come into play, money is about to become very important. Speaking of which… how have your thoughts on Purple City been?"

Carmen's expression shifted — his ears angled slightly back, a subtle sign he had been weighing this for some time.

Carmen: "I've asked around my refinery, and I will say that now… I do have an opinion on Purple City."

Iratus leaned in, golden eyes narrowing in focus, ready to listen.

---

Chapter 1023

Carmen leaned back in his chair, rubbing the back of his neck thoughtfully.

Carmen: "I actually have a few workers who used to live there. So, yeah, now I know a few facts about the place."

He let out a slow sigh, eyes narrowing slightly.

Carmen: "What's been going on with Lionhearth and Purple City?"

Iratus gave the otter a quick summary of the escalating tensions and recent confrontations between the two settlements. Carmen listened intently, his expression growing more serious with every word.

When Iratus finished, Carmen took a moment to absorb the information, tapping a finger against his desk.

Carmen: "I guess I never thought all-out war would break out in the Nexus Prime. For four years, I've met a few travelers and learned some things about this place, but civilizations… well, they weren't really a thing. Of course, once people start settling down and making homes, you get good old-fashioned war."

He pushed the copper coins aside and unfolded a hand-drawn map of the local area, spreading it out across the desk.

Iratus: "Purple City isn't going to stop at Lionhearth. Once they learn about this oil field, this refinery, you know you'll be next on their list."

Carmen's eyes traced the lines and markings on the map before he spoke again.

Carmen: "I believe that. Still, I lack a lot of information about their true motives. For now, though, I have a good standing with you and Lionhearth, so I'm willing to enforce wartime policies in exchange for debt."

Sagitta, leaning casually against the doorframe, grinned.

Sagitta: "So basically, we can ask for anything relating to the war effort, but we'll have to pay for it later?"

Carmen nodded with a small smile.

Carmen: "You'll still get a big discount. After all, if Lionhearth falls, then surely my little operation will too."

Iratus's eyes flicked back to the map, then to Carmen.

Iratus: "Speaking of which, does your refinery have a name?"

Carmen shrugged, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Carmen: "Huh, I guess I never put much thought into it. Well, if our times are changing to something more civilized, then we might as well give it a proper name. We can call this place by its old name: Rise."

Iratus: "Rise?"

The otterman nodded, eyes gleaming with a nostalgic edge.

Carmen: "Rise something… but 'Rise' was the only word still visible outside. Or was."

Iratus leaned forward, interest piqued.

Iratus: "Alright then. What can Rise provide us in preparation for the likely coming war?"

Carmen tapped a finger on the map and smiled wryly.

Carmen: "Maybe one or two volunteer fighters. A handful of service people, some tools, and of course, fuel. You'll win by having vehicles — that's all that really matters, I say."

He slid the map closer to Iratus.

Carmen: "There's a city over here — abandoned and ruined like most places in the Nexus Prime — but it has a few buildings you might find interesting. The only problem is, monsters have moved in. Clear them out, and my boys will bring you some of the spoils."

---

Chapter 1024

The next day, Iratus led a small group to inspect the abandoned city. A weathered sign stood at the entrance, its faded lettering in a language none of the team could decipher. The Humvee rumbled steadily down the cracked, overgrown road, its tires crunching over scattered debris and patches of stubborn weeds forcing their way through the broken asphalt.

As they neared the city's outskirts, the skeletal remains of buildings rose against the dull gray sky—twisted metal frameworks jutted at odd angles, and shattered windows gaped like hollow eyes. Patches of scorched earth marked where fires had once raged, and a faint, acrid smoke still lingered in the air. Vines and moss clung tightly to the lower walls, strangling the ruins with green tendrils. Somewhere in the distance, faint echoes hinted at creatures lurking just beyond sight.

Despite the decay, the city's planned layout was unmistakable—orderly blocks led to a central plaza where the remnants of a once-grand fountain stood, cracked and dry. Nearby, a cluster of larger buildings suggested former government or research facilities.

Ardens shifted in her seat, her red panda tail flicking nervously as her gold eyes darted between shadows.

Ardens: "Where are the monsters, boss?"

She let out a small huff of disappointment.

Bai Xue, the fluff dragon, looked around with a mixture of caution and curiosity, her thick accent coloring her words.

Bai Xue: "If our mission wasn't to clear out the monsters, I'd say it's better we don't run into any trouble."

Sagitta, staring out the window with a sigh, adjusted the bolt-action rifle resting on his lap.

Sagitta: "If we start slaying all the monsters, the real problem will be knowing if they're all dead. Hate to miss any, especially when our allies come through here."

Laedere, the hyena, grinned broadly from the passenger seat, trying to lighten the mood.

Laedere: "If it's those lazy monsters, they'll make perfect training dummies. You all need to stop being so gloomy and look on the bright side."

The Humvee pulled into a large, cracked parking lot, its engine cutting off with a low rumble.

Iratus climbed out first, surveying the scene with a steady gaze.

Iratus: "Let's move, people."

Everyone grabbed their gear—Sagitta slung his rifle with its paper cartridges, Laedere checked his pistol and ammo, Ardens held a finely crafted bow, a prized loot from a previous location, and Bai Xue and Iratus prepared their standard melee weapons.

Iratus pointed toward the looming shape of a small mall ahead.

Iratus: "We're going in. Laedere, guard the vehicle."

Laedere gave a questioning look.

Laedere: "Did you see something in there?"

Iratus shook his head.

Iratus: "No, but I want to see how old the stuff is. Get a feel for how long it's been abandoned."

The group nodded, and together they stepped forward into the shadowed entrance of the mall.

---

Chapter 1025

The mall was stripped bare, with hardly any remnants of its former life left behind. Once a modern and surely pristine place, it now lay in ruin as if a riot had torn through it. Painted graffiti scarred the walls, and holes gaped in the structure like open wounds.

The two girls returned from the clothing store with a single jersey, while Sagitta brought back a smashed-up keyboard.

Iratus: "Is that it?"

Sagitta: "This place was plundered—whether in life or after it was brought here, I do not know."

Bai Xue: "This place isn't secure either. There are other stores connected, so there's no way it can be used as a base."

Iratus: "Darn. There goes my plan to use it to funnel monsters. Alright, let me think. Okay, let's fan out around and see what we can gather. We can still use this mall as a fallback point until we've searched every building in sight. Also, keep a look ut for any tower like structure. The people at Rise mentioned something like that after giving us the map."

Bai Xue: "Everyone, make sure your senses are sharp. Not every monster is mindless and a tower is much suspicious."

Iratus nodded and sent people to the surrounding buildings, but twenty minutes later, they all returned with the same report—no real sign of monster activity, only more destruction.

Gathered around the Humvee, they tried to come up with other options.

Laedere: "It's just a single block. We could just drive farther down."

Iratus: "Don't forget our drive up here—still nothing has shown up."

Bai Xue: "Everything is also damaged, even though we were promised loot."

Ardens: "We must be hitting the wrong buildings. Let's just find the shops or whatever."

Sagitta: "Not with monsters around. We must find them first."

Iratus: "Let's see if we can find another location to try and lure the monsters in."

Laedere: "What, not here?"

Bai Xue: "The mall has too many problems to funnel anything in there. Maybe we could block off some of the paths?"

Iratus: "Yeah… does everyone else think that would work?"

Sagitta: "I guess we could use shelves and stuff."

After a minute of silence, Iratus made the call.

Iratus: "Let's try to barricade the mall and draw up some escape plans."

---

Chapter 1026

As the barricades were being set up, Iratus had Laedere honk the Humvee's horn down a few streets before parking next to the mall at a fallback position. After ten minutes with no noise or movement, Iratus gathered everyone together.

Iratus: "Okay, now I'm mad."

Sagitta: "It's a big city. Let's explore the eastern side and work our way around in a circle."

Laedere: "Hey, look— the roads aren't completely clear. We can hit the local area and the road we came in on, but there are too many vehicles blocking the way."

Sagitta: "Then we walk."

Iratus: "I guess we walk. We have no reason to drag this out any more than we already have."

The group drove a short distance up a random street before Laedere parked near a blocked-off area. Police cars and various other vehicles sat abandoned, their interiors gutted and their frames hollowed out by fire. The other four disembarked and began walking down the streets.

After a few blocks, one building stood out. It was a humble white structure that didn't match the city's aesthetic and was far less damaged than the surrounding ruins. The group exchanged silent nods and moved toward it.

Inside, the building was just as white, with benches and a small empty pool by an altar.

Iratus: "A place of worship?"

Ardens: "No pamphlets, no texts."

The building hadn't been ransacked, so the group began opening cupboards and searching. They found signs of stored food, miscellaneous items, and even a few stray bullets.

Sagitta: "Quite an interesting place."

Iratus: "The supplies stored here are gone, but was it looted like the rest of the city… or not?"

Ardens: "Did you two get any information on what monsters are here?"

Iratus: "Before we left, we were told that Rise doesn't actually know anything about the monsters."

Ardens: "What?"

Iratus: "There was a tower, gunshots… so their people stayed away."

Bai Xue: "Distasteful. Is that all it took to freeze them with fear?"

Iratus: "Don't be too hard on them. They're not armed or as trained as we are in Lionhearth."

Once they had checked every room and hidden storage space, they regrouped and stepped outside the white building. Immediately, the sound of a hooved creature approached from across the street.

Ardens and Sagitta moved into cover while the rest kept their eyes on the road. The steps grew closer until the creature came into view—an abomination of purple flesh, mangled together like a grotesque pile of meat. It still retained a discernible form: the lower body of a hoofed beast, and above it, a fleshy, centaur-like torso writhing with numerous eyes that gave it a full 360-degree field of vision.

---

Chapter 1027

Sagitta: "That's not right."

Iratus: "Some people just look weird. Don't be rude."

Laedere pulled the vehicle around a street, still a whole block away and completely unaware of what Iratus's group had spotted.

Bai Xue: "Iratus, do you actually have proof that… that creature isn't a monster?"

Iratus: "The only monster faction we haven't seen yet is the titan from the Sin Lord of Wrath."

Ardens: "Maybe something from the mists of Hate? I've heard the stories from your people. It fits, doesn't it?"

The purple creature turned its many eyes toward Iratus's group. Iratus saw it reach into one of several heavy satchels strapped to its horse-like frame and pull out a particularly long-barreled, fully automatic weapon.

Iratus: "Oh well, I don't think any monster uses guns!"

He dashed for cover, the others quickly following. Just as Iratus slammed his body against a car, a hail of bullets tore down the street. The gun's roar was deafening—each shot like a hammer strike to the ears. Muzzle flashes lit the road, and sparks flew where bullets smashed into metal. The car Iratus had thrown himself behind shuddered and splintered, holes ripping through its frame. He dove flat as the deadly spray swept over the space where his spine had just been.

From farther down, Laedere vaulted from his own vehicle, pistol drawn, sprinting toward the chaos. Sagitta snapped off a shot—Iratus caught a glimpse of her bullet tearing into the creature's torso—but it didn't even flinch. The weapon kept spitting fire.

Another barrage screamed his way. Iratus dropped again, whiskers twitching from the near miss. By now, the car shielding him was barely more than a smoking skeleton—thirty percent of it left, if that.

Then, silence.

The creature tossed its weapon aside—the barrel glowing red-hot—and drew a lance.

Iratus: "Silver hell… what even is that?"

Everyone's ears were ringing. Sagitta loosed another arrow; Ardens fired again. Both hit. Neither slowed it. The creature surged forward, hooves pounding, weaving between wreckage with inhuman precision.

Bai Xue planted her spear, bracing for the charge. The weapon drove deep into the beast's flesh—yet it didn't stop. Its own lance slammed into Bai Xue's armor, knocking her back hard enough to lift her off her feet before she crashed into a ruined car.

Iratus stepped in, long sword ready. The creature's forelegs stood braced on another vehicle, giving it height, but Iratus lunged in under the advantage. His blade bit deep. The creature made a low, muffled sound—half groan, half growl.

Iratus: "Well, you're alive."

He glanced up. Half of Bai Xue's spear was still embedded in the beast's torso. Its lance was shattered to splinters. But instead of faltering, it reached for yet another weapon—this time, a wicked glaive.

---

Chapter 1028

Laedere emptied an entire clip into the creature, but it still stood, forcing Iratus to deflect its relentless blows. The beast vaulted over a car, closing in aggressively while Iratus held his ground—each strike nearly forcing him to his knees.

The purple monstrosity ducked low, avoiding another arrow from Ardens, and then charged straight for the two ranged fighters. Iratus tried to intercept, landing a few strikes as it passed, but the creature's momentum carried it forward.

Ardens was driven back under the assault, while Sagitta stepped in to block. Several heavy strikes slammed into his Lionhearth armor. It held, but Iratus could see blood beginning to seep through at the old wolf's arms.

Iratus lunged again, trying to pull the creature's attention away from Sagitta. It worked—though now all that fury was directed at him. He sidestepped three rapid blows before catching a direct attack from the glaive. Shifting into his favored high-guard stance, Iratus let the blade slide harmlessly along his sword, then in the same motion brought his weapon up toward where he hoped its neck was, executing a draw cut despite the creature's towering height.

Stepping forward, he spun back into high guard, watching the creature clutch several of its wounds. Blood poured freely from its body. Then, without warning, it turned and fled.

Iratus: "Hey—wait! Our duel isn't over!"

It stumbled around wrecked cars, slower now, slamming into obstacles it had previously avoided with ease. Sagitta fired a bullet; Ardens loosed another arrow. The arrow struck true, and though the creature managed to stagger further down the street, it finally collapsed.

Bai Xue pushed herself upright, her breastplate badly mangled but intact. Laedere arrived from the other street, wide-eyed.

Laedere: "By the savior… what is that thing?"

Iratus rolled his shoulders with a few stretches.

Iratus: "I don't know, but it clearly overestimated itself."

Bai Xue: "Did it? It took how many bullets and arrows before it went down?"

Murmurs of agreement and complaint followed, but Iratus ignored them and approached the corpse. Soon, the others joined him. The body carried several weapons—javelins, ammunition for its machine gun—but something else caught Iratus's eye: a locket.

Inside was a family portrait—husband, wife, and two children—all of the same species as the purple creature. The "wife" even wore a shirt to cover a pair of breasts.

Sagitta: "I… don't believe it."

Ardens: "Is… is this thing a person?"

Iratus: "Told you. Some people just look weird."

Sagitta: "This is beyond weird. But… yeah, I have to admit—it's just a person. A very violent one."

Iratus: "I doubt we'll ever know why it attacked us."

Bai Xue: "Or there are too many possible reasons to narrow down."

Iratus: "Carmen mentioned gunfire and a tower. Not much to go on, but maybe enough to guess we weren't dealing with actual monsters."

Bai Xue: "The tower is still suspicious. We haven't seen it yet, but it's strange that the otter spoke of monsters at all."

Laedere moved toward the machine gun, then froze. The others stopped too, ears catching the sound—more of the same hoofbeats.

Far down the street, through a city park, two more purple centaurs emerged. Iratus's fur bristled.

Iratus: "We're not staying here. Move!"

Bai Xue just finished grabbing a new spear from the creature before being pulled away.

---

Chapter 1029

The group made it to their vehicle, and just as they climbed inside, gunshots—pistols this time—rang out. Everyone ducked as several bullets bounced off the Humvee's armor. Laedere slammed the gas, swerving them down another street as fast as he could.

Laedere: "Aw, man, wrong way. Uh… okay, we're leaving the city, yeah?"

Iratus: "If only. Let's see if our mall trick can work here."

Laedere: "What? Aw, man…"

Bai Xue: "This will be very dangerous. We never accounted for hostiles having guns here."

Iratus: "We just need them inside the mall. With all the back doors we found, we can lay down suppressive fire and escape when needed. Here's the plan."

The Humvee eventually pulled up to the mall. Iratus's group leapt out, taking up their positions, while Laedere drove around to park behind the building.

Iratus: "Here we go, people."

Iratus took his place and waited for the signal, with Ardens positioned in the next room over.

Ardens: "Let's hope they come all the way down."

Iratus: "Considering we killed one of them, I don't see why they wouldn't want revenge. If they're people, then they must have emotions and motivations like us—and anger is the easiest to manipulate."

Ardens: "Don't your people take pride in Wrath?"

Iratus: "We are the children of Wrath, yes. And that's why we know the weaknesses of anger."

Down the hall, Iratus saw Laedere slip into position inside an empty restaurant. Then, Sagitta fired his gun.

Iratus: "Looks like they followed us."

Ardens: "Now it's time to see if strategy can win the day here."

A second shot echoed.

Iratus: "I think that was ours."

Ardens: "He better not be getting into a firefight already."

Then came a third shot.

Iratus wiped his brow in anticipation—only for heavier, deeper gunfire to suddenly slam into the building.

Ardens: "Even their pistols… it's crazy."

Iratus: "But they're here. Okay."

Footsteps thundered down the hall.

Sagitta: "All according to plan!"

The wolf man bolted past, a deep gunshot chasing after him. The purple centaur-like creature charged down the hallway in pursuit. Ardens drew and loosed an arrow, striking it as it came into view. Iratus sprinted forward, catching the creature off-guard and nearly severing its arm in one slash. The thing still managed to fire a shot at him, the bullet whistling past.

Another arrow sank into its side. Ardens rushed in, snatching away its alien pistol. Somewhere deeper in the mall, Sagitta was still firing—Bai Xue should have been doing her part as well.

Iratus circled the creature as it drew a halberd, but before it could attack, a hail of gunfire ripped across it—Laedere's part of the plan. Iratus retreated toward the mall's entrance, the purple creature lumbering after him. He dove into a storeroom, where Bai Xue burst out with her javelin ready. The door behind her swung open from her sudden movement—just in time for a second purple creature to follow in.

Like before, her weapon plunged deep into the charging foe, who reeled back but managed to swing the halberd down onto her. Iratus lunged in, stabbing repeatedly along the creature's torso. Bai Xue regained her footing, striking alongside him. The beast attacked them both in turn, but in the end, it collapsed.

They had no time to breathe—the other creature had looped around through the back of the mall and was vaulting over a counter. Iratus and Bai Xue sprinted down the hallway toward Sagitta, Ardens, and Laedere. But they couldn't outrun it. Both dove aside as the purple creature charged straight into the hallway.

All three waiting fighters opened fire. The creature kept coming, its massive body slamming into Sagitta and Laedere. Ardens yanked out the alien pistol—a heavy, ugly thing—and fired two shots before the monster pulled a short sword and lunged at her. Laedere squeezed off the last round in his magazine, just enough to pull the creature's attention away.

---

Chapter 1030

That last shot clipped a knee, nearly hitting Ardens in the process.

Ardens: "Watch out!"

The purple creature dropped to one knee, taking a moment to recover while Iratus's group did the same. Iratus and Bai Xue finally rejoined the others.

Sagitta: "It didn't follow me as planned, but I think plan B is better."

Bai Xue: "Says you!"

The creature stood up again and this time fled, bolting for the side entrance. The party fired a few more shots, but even a leg wound didn't slow it down—and then it was gone.

Iratus: "Blackend silver! It's just gone."

Laedere: "Yeah, but we actually just fended off two of those things. The first one nearly killed us all, but these two went down like losers."

Bai Xue: "Are you a fool, Laedere?"

Sagitta: "Seriously, it's a case of location, location, location. Otherwise, those guns would've killed us, even if we landed many shots first."

Iratus: "It left a blood trail—we can easily follow that scent."

So the group left the mall, some patching themselves up as they walked, but the tension in everyone's shoulders began to melt away once they found their foe—far away, back at that city park, now nothing more than a corpse.

Laedere: "Oh yeah!"

Ardens: "I'm still not happy about this. We keep nearly dying."

Bai Xue: "Life is hard. Combat and war are just the deserts you have to cross."

As they approached the body, the group caught sight of a tower. The surrounding buildings had blocked the view before, but now it stood clearly visible—and Iratus recognized it.

The spire was a deep crimson monolith, as if it bled color into the surrounding air. Its surface was a chaotic patchwork of interlocking hexagons, pressed together at odd angles, like the work of a mason who cared nothing for symmetry. Some segments jutted outward like jagged ribs, while others sank inward, creating a shifting illusion of movement—as though the tower were inhaling and exhaling.

Thin lines of golden light traced the seams of each hexagon, flickering with a pulse too erratic to be mechanical, yet too precise to be natural. The entire structure seemed barely contained within the crater it stood in, as if it had erupted upward, tearing its way into existence and anchoring itself with stubborn defiance.

Standing before it, Iratus felt the air tremble—not with a hum, but with a slow, heavy thrum that rippled through his chest and settled in the pit of his stomach—an alien heartbeat drumming just beneath the skin of the world.

Iratus: "That looks very similar to Yaqar's tower."

Most of the others didn't know what to make of the name, giving him questioning looks.

Laedere: "I've only heard that name once. You're going to have to fill us in."

Iratus: "The Sin Lord of Greed. What, did you people not do your homework?"

Bai Xue: "It doesn't come up often."

Iratus: "Yeah, understandable. But now you know—we're dealing with a major player in the Nexus Prime."

---

EPISODE 103: END

---

Episode 103 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 20
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, bronze full arm guards, bronze shin guards
Weapons: long sword, short sword, hammer, 3 dagger
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack

Wounds: None

Armory: 12 short swords, 2 knifes, 7 daggers, 12 metal spears, 1 long sword, semi-automatic rifle, 4 hunting traps, 18 snares, 17 backpacks, 2 katanas, crossbow, bolt-action rifle
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

Important Treasure: a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, bronze lantern, bronze idol, some jeweled trinkets, iron lantern, silver lantern, gold crown with large sapphire

Lionhearth -
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, microwave), 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 house area

Outside Base: Butchering Hut (modern butchery kit, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in), Tool Shed, Wooden Wall, Second Wooden Wall, 9 Small Cabin, 14 Large Cabin, 2 Gravestones, Rabbit Hutches, Several Electrical Lights, Wooden House (Astrid), Kitchen Building, Guest House, Patchwork Garage (1 Humvee), Simple Dock, Watchtower, Schoolhouse, Compost Area, Small Workshop Hut, various private gardens, various small animal farms

Books: 5 woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, 2 war game booklet, sketch book (from warband), 2 sketch books, Bathhouse Reviewers (entire 80 book series), playing cards, Fractura's Notes, Tempestas's Notes, 18 survival guides, 5 technical manuals, 68 fiction novels, 12 encyclopedias, 5 dictionaries, 28 cookbooks, 4 gardening guides, 4 crafting books, 30 educational textbooks, 6 religious texts, 10 diaries, 18 children's books, Ever Dark RPG, 15 different tabletop games

Year 6, Day 92

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TOWER FOLK:
Iratus of House Lionheart
mouse, male, blonde fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'9, age: 20, b day: 350
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Victoria Mother of House Lionheart
raccoon, female, gray fur, black hair, brown eyes, 6'6, age: 20, b day: 5, (preg 71)
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Aestus of clan Riversinger
otter, female, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'4, age: 19, b day: 99 (preg 2)
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Ignis Yang
red panda, female, reddish-brown/white fur, black hair, golden eyes, 6'7, age: 20, b day: 344, (preg 96)
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Resonantia Diamond Heart Steel
shark, female, blue-gray hue skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'8, age: 20, b day: 2
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CHILDREN:
Negligere Lionheart
shark, male, steel gray skin, white hair, gold eyes, age: 5, b day: 2
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Ruina Lionheart
otter, female, orange fur, vibrant orange hair, blue eyes, age: 5, b day: 330
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Gula Lionheart
red panda, male, brown fur, dark brown hair, gold eyes, age: 5, b day: 340
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Tenacitas Lionheart
raccoon, female, silver fur, dark blonde hair, amber eyes, age: 5, b day: 345

Frustra Lionheart
raccoon, male, gray fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 4, b day: 338

Despero Lionheart
shark, male, blue-gray skin, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 3, b day: 249

Tempestas
otter, male, white fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 2, b day: 272

Nebula
otter, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, age: 2, b day: 272

Ventus Lionheart
red panda, female, reddish-brown and white fur, blonde-black gradient hair, gold with a hint of silver eyes, age: 3, b day: 17

Lignum Lionheart
red panda, male, fur of reddish-brown with golden-blonde highlights, especially around chest, muzzle, and ears, gold-blonde hair, amber-gold eyes, age: 3, b day: 17

Constantia Lionheart
raccoon, female, fur is pale gray with soft gold undertones, hair is light brown with streaks of black, eyes are bright gold with brown flecks, age: 2, b day: 118

Justus Lionheart
raccoon, male, fur is silver-gray with darker banding at the tail, hair is Dark blonde, slightly curly, amber-gold eyes, age: 2, b day: 118

Vindicta Lionheart
shark, female, dark steel blue skin with a pearly undertone, blonde hair almost white at the tips, blue eyes with golden rings around the iris, age: 1, b day: 159

Patientia Lionheart
shark, female, soft gray-blue skin with subtle mottling around the shoulders and back, white hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 159

Pudor Lionheart
otter, female, copper-red fur, golden-red hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 269
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NEIGHBORS:
Echo
shark, male, gray skin with a white underbelly, black hair, black eyes, 6'8, age: 44, b day: 142

Resolutio
goat, female, black fur, black hair, blue eyes, 7'0, age: 55, b day: 13

Dolor
hyena, male, rich brown fur, black hair, gold eyes, 5'1, age: 13, b day: 301

Diffido
mouse, male, black fur, black hair, brown eyes, 5'4, age: 15, b day: 145

Pusillanimitas of House Redtide
lion, female, tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'8, age: 21, b day: 1

Communiquer Zircon Beaumont
rabbit, female, soft gray with white patches around the nose and underbelly, chestnut brown hair, Amber-gold eyes, 6'7, age: 31, b day: 88

Sagitta Cloud Wake
wolf, male, dark charcoal with silver streaks around the muzzle and tail tipfur, steel gray hair, ice blue eyes, 6'9, age: 46, b day: 33

Parabula of Arcanum Vitae
goat, male, sandy beige with dark brown patches along his limbs, black hair, bright green eyes, 6'7, age: 35, b day: 55

7 others: a female tanuki, a male hyena, a female raccoon, and 4 others.
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WINTER WINDS CLAN:
Studium of Winter Winds
fox, male, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 6'4, age: 17, b day: 190

Fuligo Leaf Shadow
otter, female, black fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'2, age: 17, b day: 245

Bellum of House War Knuckles
cheetah, female, blonde fur with black spots, blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age 19, b day: 91
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Ambitiosus of Winter Winds
cheetah, male, blonde fur with black spots, black hair, blue eyes, age 3, b day: 322

Vertex of Winter Winds
otter, female, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, age 2, b day: 360

Virtus of Winter Winds
cheetah, male, sandy gold fur with dense black spotting, black streaked with blonde hair, blue eyes, age 1, b day: 162

Venatio of Winter Winds
otter, male, charcoal black fur with silvery undertones around the chest and face, blonde hair, blue eyes, age 1, b day: 207
Year 4, Day 210

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DARK SKY FAMILY:
Salvos Dark Sky
wolf, male, black fur, white hair, copper eyes, 6'8, age 31, b day: 66

Leitmotif Schlange
snake, female, yellow and red scales, naga bodied, gold eyes, age 28, b day: 229
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Ostinato Dark Sky
snake, male, black and red scales, white hair, bipedal, gold eyes, age 3, b day: 234

Discordia Dark Sky
snake, female, scales are crimson with deep onyx patterning along back and limbs, white hair, bipedal, bright gold eyes, age 1, b day: 6

Caligo Dark Sky
snake, male, scales are dusky gold with shadowy undertones, short, black hair with hints of auburn, bipedal, copper-red eyes, age 1, b day: 6
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OCULI ACUTI FAMILY
Confodere Oculi Acuti
hyena, male, dark brown fur, black hair, gold eyes, 6'9, age 30, b day: 239

Liora Woodleaf
deer, female, light brown with white spots, blonde hair, hazel eyes, 5'9, age: 29, b day 323, (preg 73)

Sutura Vigilia Nocturna
hyena, female, brownish-blonde fur with black spots, gold hair, gold eyes, 6'8, age: 22, b day: 364
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Candela Woodleaf-Oculi
deer, female, fur is tawny beige with faint white spots that form a flame-like pattern across her back, hair is black with golden highlights, unusually thick and slightly wavy, amber-hazel eyes, age 2, b day 168

Caelum Woodleaf-Oculi
deer, male, fur is chestnut with darker brown shoulders and legs, with only faint spotting, hair is blonde with streaks of dark brown near the roots, gold eyes, age 2, b day 168

Ferox Vigilia Nocturna
hyena, male, dark sable-brown fur with dense black spotting, gold hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 219
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HOT WAVES AND BRASSMOON FAMILY
Odorem of Hot Waves
fox, male, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'8, age: 30, b day: 86

Fraus of House Brassmoon
feline, female, bright gray, white underbelly fur, white hair, blue eyes, 6'7, age: 22, b day: 90, (preg 158)
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Vana Hotbrass
feline, female, pale silver-gray fur with a subtle red-orange tint across the back and cheeks, deep auburn-red hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 174
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HOT WAVES AND WHITE SKY FAMILY
Inlecebra of Hot Waves
fox, male, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'8, age: 29, b day: 343

Arcus of White Sky 
fox, female, slightly dark brown fur, slightly dark brown hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 23, b day: 326
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Excelsa Hotsky
fox, female, deep reddish-brown fur with subtle orange undertone, dark auburn hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 235

Fidelis Hotsky
fox, male, mahogany brown fur with red-tinged highlights and darker markings along the shoulders, deep red hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 235

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HOUSE OWLEYE
Otiosus of House Owleye
mouse, male, dark gray fur, dark gray hair, blue eyes, 6'8, age: 25, b day: 105

Bai Xue
fluff dragon, female, white fur, white hair, green eyes, 7'1, age: 28, b day: 309

Astrid Kuivuus
nixman, female, slightly purple skin, black hair, blue eyes, 6'0, age: 24, b day: 71
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Tranquilla Owleye
fluff dragon, female, white fur with light silver-gray patterning along her back and neck, pale silver hair with white streaks, deep green eyes, age: 1, b day: 246

Eirik Kuivuus
nixman, male, pale lavender skin, black hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 81
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LOST FIRE
Certamen of the Lost Quickness
raccoon, male, dark gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 6'9, age: 27, b day: 76

Ardens Ignifera
redpanda, female, red fur, black hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 24, b day: 187
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Fulgora Lost Fire
redpanda, female, fur is deep reddish-orange with charcoal-gray markings on the arms and legs; tail is ringed with darker red and slate-gray stripes, black hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 251
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MALONDO FAMILY
Laedere Malondo
hyena, male, fur is sandy beige with darker brown spots and a stripe down spine, white hair, orange-gold eyes, 6'4, age: 20, b day: 22

Praevalidum
ant, female, blackish-brown chitin, dark gray skin, brown hair, green eyes, 6'5, age: 23, b day: 77
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Ferrox Malondo
ant, male, deep brown-black chitin with subtle sandy undertones on the limbs and thorax, white hair, green eyes, age: 1, b day: 3
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RENNICK FAMILY
Collaboratio Diamond Rennick
rabbit, male, fur is pale cream with soft gray ears and speckling along the shoulders, orange hair, hazel eyes, 6'11, age: 24, b day: 284

Vesper Red Queen
moth, female, gray fur, silver hair, brown eyes, 6'4, age: 23, b day: 37
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Aurora Diamond Rennick
moth, female, soft silvery-gray fur with creamy undertones around the cheeks, forearms, and tail base; subtle pale speckling across her shoulders, fluffy orange-tinged hair, brown eyes, age: 1, b day: 65
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(farm)
UMBRA OCEAN FAMILY:
Procella Ocean Drinker
weasel, female, blonde fur, black hair, green eyes, 6'5, age 26, b day: 207

Iter of Sanguinem Umbra
goat, male, white fur, blonde hair, brown eyes, 6'7, age 23, b day: 334
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Bothynus Umbra Ocean
weasel, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, brown eyes, age 2, b day: 351

Lamentia Umbra Ocean
weasel, female, creamy golden-blonde fur with subtle white patches around the shoulders and chest, black hair, olive green eyes with a golden ring around the iris, age 1, b day: 210
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(farm)
Levi Ackerman
nixman, male, light purple skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'1, age: 26, b day: 303
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(farm)
THE COBALTS:
Commercium Jade Blue Cobalt
rabbit, male, white fur, black hair, gray eyes, 6'8, age: 29, b day: 221

Abrasione
hyena, female, tan fur with black spots, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 24, b day: 4
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Kuxatura Jade Blue Cobalt
hyena, male, tan fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 5, b day: 284

Vulnera Jade Blue Cobalt
hyena, male, white with black spots fur, black hair with some golden strands, gray eyes, age: 2, b day: 189

Ruptura Jade Blue Cobalt
hyena, male, pale tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 2, b day: 189
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LAST MISTAKE
Deficio
lion, male, gray fur, rich gray hair, green eyes, 6'6, age: 50, b day: 111

Malignitas of House Brokensand
feline, male, light black fur, light black hair, brown eyes (single eye), 6'7, age 33, b day: 343

Disputatio Sapphire Halberd 
rabbit, male, fur is tawny tan with salt-and-pepper flecks along his back and cheeks, hair is dusty brown with streaks of white at the temples, green eyes, 6'5, age: 58, b day: 183

And 8 others.
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(Last Mistake)
Clan Sootdrinker:
Pulvis of Clan Sootdrinker
otter, male, dark‑brown fur, dark-brown hair, blue eyes, 6'7, age: 36, b day: 180

Caedes, Mother of Clan Sootdrinker
mouse, male, black fur, white hair, green eyes, 6'5, age: 28, b day: 105
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Inertia Sootdrinker
mouse, female, jet black fur, silvery white hair, deep blue-green eyes, age: 2, b day: 315

Fumus Sootdrinker
mouse, male, smoky gray-brown fur that is darker around the limbs and tail, white streaked with faint brown undertones hair, pale blue eyes, age: 2, b day: 315