Prologue: The Catalyst Awakens

Rochester, NY had always been a quiet town, but all that changed when The Catalyst, a super mutant x-gene, began to spread. This gene transformed ordinary people into extraordinary beings with abilities beyond imagination. For some, these changes brought about prosperity and power, but for others, it was the start of a nightmare.

Chapter 1: Esther Elkind

Esther Elkind was a small, fragile girl with a heart of gold and an unyielding spirit. As a Jewish girl in Rochester, she often found herself the target of bullies who didn't understand her kindness or her faith. Esther’s days at school were filled with dread, as each day brought new torments from the mean kids who found joy in her suffering.

Chapter 2: The Storm Drain

One cold, rainy day, the bullies decided to play a particularly cruel prank on Esther. They blindfolded her, telling her it was a game, and led her to the edge of a storm drain. Before she could react, they pushed her into the swirling water below. As Esther was swept away by the raging currents, the bullies laughed, not realizing the severity of their actions.

Chapter 3: The Search

Bystanders who witnessed the horrific act immediately called the police. The bullies were arrested and charged with assault, but despite an exhaustive search, Esther’s body was never found. Her parents, devastated and desperate, refused to believe she was gone. They searched the sewers day and night, praying for a miracle.

Chapter 4: The Transformation

Deep in the sewers, something incredible happened. The Catalyst, a mysterious force, saved Esther. She emerged transformed, her body now a sad, dripping form that cried softly in the darkness. She could hear the world above, but no one could see her. Her cries echoed through the pipes, haunting those who listened. She took the name Kezpul, a name that seemed to resonate with her new existence.

Chapter 5: Echoes in the Dark

Kezpul wandered the sewers, her heart aching with loneliness. Her cries for her parents could be heard faintly through the pipes, but she dared not emerge, for fear of the reactions to her new form. The sewers became her home, a dark, damp labyrinth where she could hide from the world.

Chapter 6: A Parent's Love

Despite the warnings and the dangers, Esther's parents never gave up hope. One day, as they listened to the faint sounds of their daughter’s cries, they decided to venture into the sewers themselves. Equipped with flashlights and hope, they navigated the twisting tunnels, following the echoes of Kezpul's voice.

Chapter 7: Reunion

"Here, Mommy. Here, Daddy," the faint voice called out from the darkness. Guided by the sound, Esther's parents finally found her. Kezpul stood before them, a vision of their lost daughter, but changed. They embraced her, their love overpowering the smell and the fear. In that moment, Kezpul felt a sense of peace she had thought lost forever.

Chapter 8: The New Beginning

With her parents by her side, Kezpul began to explore her new abilities. The Catalyst had given her powers beyond her wildest dreams, and with her family's support, she learned to control them. They helped her find a way to live both above and below ground, bridging the gap between her two worlds.

Chapter 9: Acceptance

Word of Kezpul's story spread throughout Rochester, and slowly, the community began to accept her. The once cruel bullies were replaced by friends and allies who saw the strength and resilience within her. Kezpul became a symbol of hope, showing that even in the darkest of places, light could be found.

Epilogue: The Echo Lives On

Kezpul’s journey was far from over, but she knew she was not alone. With her parents and new friends by her side, she faced each day with courage and determination. The echoes of her cries still resonated through the sewers, but they were no longer cries of sorrow. They were cries of hope, strength, and the enduring power of love.
And so, the story of Kezpul, the girl who became more than just a victim of bullying, but a beacon of resilience and transformation, lived on, inspiring all who heard her tale.

Hello all, I (40F) and my husband (41M) have been married 20 years, and our children (twins F and M) are 14 this year.
We decided to get our vows renewed, as we got married at 20 and are now 20 years into marriage, we have spent half our lives together and the milestone lining up with our ages is cute.
We did not have the most grand wedding as we were both college students at the time, and as such have decided to host a more upscale party (not a wedding, we are renting a nice venue and getting a great caterer). It's more for the symbolic value than re-doing our wedding.
We've invited a lot of our family, including my sister (35F) and my brother in law (33M) - they both have young children with their partners (sister's is currently 6, brother in law's is 4.) and we have asked them to not bring them to the event.
We set this rule as there will be drinking, music, and the venue has quite a few areas that are restricted, and we don't think it would be good to have children under ten there with all of us. (we plan on having 23 guests, as those are all that have rsvp'd)
My sister was upset, as the venue has a large garden and an indoor aviary and butterfly raising facility, and her daughter loves butterflies. My BIL was also a bit upset, but more towards finding a babysitter (even though the event is 3 months out as of now)
Well, my sister and BIL have seemed to form a group and, upon learning that our cousin, who has a 10yo, will be bringing the 10yo, they have gotten quite angry and aggressive with us, asking us to let them come with their kids or they won't show up.
My mother is very lax and has on multiple occassions told my sister she's being unreasonable, but my sister thinks "no children under 10" rule should include the 10 year old, and has begun saying she thinks we dislike her daughter.
My husband is quite averse to confrontation and has told me he doesn't care if his brother comes or not.
Meanwhile, our kids are also not helping the situation. My daughter, in trying to be helpful, told my sister she would make a scrapbook of photos from the venue for her daughter, which only aggrivated my sister further. My son, in also trying to help, offerred to stay home and watch both of the kids, which made my BIL start piping up about how my son shouldn't have to stay home because we can't change our rule.
I do want my sister and my BIL to be there, but i also think they're being ridiculous. I have even offerred to pay for babysitting and have gotten turned down. I think they're too far seated in their commitment to getting us to break down the rule than they are to accept a peace offering.

Edit for clarity- My sister and My BIL are not the same family - my BIL is my husband's brother and NOT my sister's husband/partner. I apologize if my wording made it come across this way.
My BIL's wife is neutral, as she has mentioned she would love to attend either way.

Hey everyone, I need to get this off my chest because I feel like I'm going crazy. Maybe you can help me make sense of what just happened.
For context, I recently moved into a house that's over a hundred years old. It’s got that charming, slightly spooky vibe that old houses tend to have, but nothing out of the ordinary. Or so I thought.
Yesterday, I decided to do some cleaning in the basement. It's a pretty standard old basement with a low ceiling, exposed pipes, and a musty smell that’s hard to get rid of. As I was moving some old boxes, I noticed a part of the wall that seemed... off. It was a different shade of gray and, upon closer inspection, it was a thin wooden panel.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I pried the panel off the wall. Behind it, there was a small, dark hole, just big enough for someone to crawl through.
At this point, I was both terrified and excited. Who wouldn’t be curious about a hidden part of their house? So, I grabbed my flashlight and crawled through the opening.
On the other side was a narrow tunnel, leading deeper under the house. It smelled damp and earthy, like it hadn’t been exposed to fresh air in decades. I followed it, hunched over and trying not to think about the spiders or rats that might be sharing the space with me.
After what felt like forever, the tunnel opened up into a small, circular room. The walls were covered in strange symbols and drawings, all of them faded with age. In the center of the room, there was a stone pedestal with an old book on it.
The book looked ancient, its leather cover cracked and worn. Against my better judgment, I picked it up and opened it. The pages were filled with more symbols, none of which I recognized. As I flipped through, I felt this growing sense of dread, like I was doing something very, very wrong.
Then I heard it: a whisper. At first, I thought it was just the wind, but it grew louder and more insistent. I couldn't understand the words, but it felt like something was urging me to leave. Fast.
I dropped the book and sprinted back through the tunnel, scrambling to get out. When I finally emerged into the basement, I sealed the panel back in place and ran upstairs, my heart pounding.
That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept hearing those whispers, and they seemed to be coming from the basement. Around 3 AM, I finally mustered up the courage to go down there again.
The panel was open. I know I sealed it, but it was wide open, and a cold draft was blowing through the house. I grabbed a hammer and some nails and shut it as securely as I could, but I can still hear the whispers, even now.
I don’t know what I found down there, but I feel like I’ve awakened something. I can’t stay here anymore, but I don’t know if leaving will even help. It feels like whatever it is, it’s attached to me now.
Has anyone experienced something similar? What should I do? I’m terrified to go to sleep tonight.

As soon as I saw the pack I was inspired to write a generations challenge around it. I have recently finished writing and wanted to share it with you! Hope you enjoy playing it. Sorry for the long post though lol.
Here is the rules of the Crystal Generations Challange:
The first gen is responsible for all the crafting of the jewelry and each heir must wear their respective crystals as jewelry that the founder has crafted. Plumbite has to be carved into a gemstone and every generation can use it. Each heir's color palette is the colors of their crystals.
The First Gen
You, a gifted spellcaster with an ancient bloodline, rebel against the expectations of your ancestors. Despite achieving Virtuoso rank in spellcasting, your perfectionist nature and creative spirit drive you to pursue crystal crafting, defying tradition. Your journey symbolizes a quest for individuality despite familial pressure, as you craft jewelry imbued with your unique magic. Through your defiance, you find liberation and leave a long-lasting legacy, inspiring future generations to embrace their own paths and cherish the bonds of family.
Crystals: Moonstone, Alabaster, Shinolite
Traits: Perfectionist, Family Oriented, Creative
Aspiration: Crystal Crafter
Rules;

• Work on Spellcraft and Sorcery aspiration as a teen.
• Start your own life on an empty lot with zero simoleons as soon as you finish the aspiration.
• Master Gemology skill.
• Complete Crystals and Metals collections.
• Create master quality jewelry using all the crystals exept Plumbite.
• Create a gemstone using Plumbite.
• Have triplets only.

The Second Gen
You, a talented actress driven by jealousy, ambition, and snobbery, navigate the ruthless world of Hollywood. Determined to achieve wealth and fame, your competitive nature leads you to pursue success, regardless of the cost. As your star rises, you find yourself entangled in scandals and rivalries, questioning the sacrifices demanded by your ambition. Will your jealous nature consume you, or will you emerge victorious, shining brightly among the stars you envy?
Crystals: Jade, Jonquilyst, Crandestine
Traits: Jealous, Ambitious, Snob
Aspiration: Fabulously Wealthy
Career: ActoActress
Rules;

• Master mixology and acting skills.
• Be enemies with at least 5 celebrities.
• Get divorced and then remarry with the same sim.

The Third Gen
You are a unique sim that yearns to achieve inner peace. As a paranormal investigator, you navigate through supernatural mysteries, guided by your genius intellect. Despite your occasional mishaps, your determination to find harmony remains steady. Along your journey, you encounter challenges that test your resolve, yet you approach them with compassion and a calm demeanor. Through meditation, spiritual teachings, and the support of a close-knit family, you discover that true peace lies not in the absence of chaos, but in the serenity of one's own heart.
Crystals: Amethyst, Citrine, Alexandrite
Traits: Genius, Clumsy, Vegetarian
Aspiration: Inner Peace
Career: Paranormal Investigator
Rules;

• Master Medium and Wellness skills.
• Must live in a Haunted House for the entire young adult life.
• Have a good relationship with your children.
• Have family bowling night every Sunday.

The Fourth Gen
You are a style influencer that navigates the complexities of love and fashion. Despite your glamorous look, you have a deep sense of melancholy, and you struggle to connect with others on a deeper level. Your love life is packed with challenges due to your unflirty nature, leading to a series of failed romances. Yet, amidst the chaos, you learn to embrace your flaws and vulnerabilities. Through your journey, you discover that true beauty lies in authenticity and resilience, emerging as a beacon of hope for your love life.
Crystals: Rose, Diamond
Traits: Unflirty, Gloomy, Outgoing
Aspiration: Painter
Career: Style Influencer
Rules;

• Master Charisma, Painting and Photography skills.
• Have three failed relationships before finding your spouse.
• Marry a cheerful sim.

The Fifth Gen
You harbor a deep passion for history and want to become an archaeology scholar. You embark on a journey to become a scholar in the field. Through your expeditions, you learn to reconcile your desires with your morals, understanding that true wisdom comes from sharing knowledge rather than hoarding treasures. You become a guardian of history, using your unique traits to uncover hidden truths and preserve the past for future generations, realizing that your journey has only just begun amidst the ruins of civilizations long forgotten.
Crystals: Sapphire, Amazonite, Emerald
Traits: Neat, Loves Outdoors, Materialistic
Aspiration: Archaeology Scholar
Career: Education
Rules;

• Complete Ancient Omiscan Artifacts and Omiscan Treasures collections.
• Master Archaeology and Selvadoradian Culture skills.
• Get in the education career after completing your aspiration.

The Sixth Gen
You have a passion for creating immersive stories and a desire to become a bestselling author. You find inspiration from uncovering the hidden truths of your fellow sim's lives. You discover that every story you uncover with your creativity and deception skills is driven by your longing for truth. As you climb the ladder of success, you face moral dilemmas about whether to expose the secrets you discover or protect those you love. Through your adventures, you learn that the greatest stories lie not in books but in the lives of those around you, and that the most powerful truth is the one you find within yourself.
Crystals: Orange Topaz, Turquoise
Traits: Nosy, Cheerful, Bookworm
Aspiration: Best Selling Author
Career: Writer
Rules;

• Master writing and mischief skills.
• Must live in at least three different worlds for young adult and adult life.
• Eavesdrop on your neighbors and keep their secrets.

The Seventh Gen
You are a hopeless romantic who struggles to afford rent until you cross paths with a total stranger, who becomes both your roommate and closest friend. Despite your best efforts, you can’t find your place in a series of random part-time jobs. Your whimsical nature is often at odds with the demands of the working world. However, your romantic fantasies come crashing into reality when you embark on a passionate affair with a charismatic celebrity. Despite the famous person’s initial hesitance to commit and their preoccupation with their career, you find yourself swept up in a whirlwind romance that leads to a surprise pregnancy. Though doubts linger about the child's paternity, our celebrity steps up, proposes to you and whisks your life to luxury. Yet, as you settle into your opulent lifestyle, tensions brew between you and your best friend, who had always been wary of the intentions of your partner. Your friendship ultimately fractures under the weight of your new life, leaving you torn between loyalty to your friend and the uncertain but alluring promises of your newfound family, illustrating the complex interplay of fate, love, and friendship in your journey.
Crystals: Ruby, Fire Opal
Traits: Romantic, Childish, Noncommittal
Aspiration: Serial Romantic
Career: Part - Time Jobs
Rules;

• Must live with a roommate until you marry.
• Get level 3 in Babysitter, Fast Food Employee and Retail Employee careers.
• Have an accidental pregnancy with a celebrity and marry them.
• Be a housewife after you marry and devote yourself to raising your children.

The Eight Gen
You are a unique individual that dreams of becoming a professional athlete. Your love for nightlife and karaoke clashes with your quiet apartment complex's atmosphere, leading to frequent complaints from neighbors. Despite the challenges of balancing your party animal lifestyle with rigorous training, you remain determined to pursue your passion for both athleticism and socializing. Through your journey, you learn valuable lessons about responsibility and compromise, ultimately proving that with perseverance and the right attitude, you can achieve your dreams while respecting others' needs.
Crystals: Nitelite, Quartz
Traits: Squeamish, Dance Machine, Active
Aspiration: Party Animal
Career: Athlete
Rules;

• Complete City Posters collection.
• Master singing, dancing and fitness skills.
• Must accept every invitation to parties.
• Must live in an apartment with the Quiet Lot trait.

The Ninth Gen
You are a hot-headed foodie, on their journey to becoming an expert nectar maker. Leaving city life behind, you move to a rural ranch to grow ingredients and craft unique nectars. Despite challenges and occasional outbursts, your determination never wavers. Through experimentation and perseverance, you refine your skills, eventually opening a successful nectar retail shop. Along the way, you find fulfillment in sharing your passion for food and drink. Through your journey, you discover not only mastery in your craft but also a sense of belonging and purpose, showcasing the transformative power of following one's passion.
Crystals: Amber, Rainborz, Peach
Traits: Socially Awkard, Hot Headed, Foodie
Aspiration: Expert Nectar Maker
Career: Run a retail shop
Rules;

• Complete Experimental Food Photos collection.
• Master Nectar Making and Gardening skills.
• Grow a Death Flower.

The Tenth Gen
You stand out as a sim with an unwavering love for music and curiosity over flowers. Your life takes an unexpected turn when you unintentionally hasten your grandmother's passing with a bouquet infused with the scent of a death flower. Miraculously, you plead successfully with the Grim Reaper for your grandmother's life, discovering a newfound ability to summon death's harbinger and negotiate the fate of others. Despite the Grim Reaper's ominous presence, you form an unlikely friendship, eventually blossoming into an ill-fated romance. However, you learn the hard way that your love is forbidden, as spending time with the Grim Reaper accelerates your own aging. Despite this heartbreak, you channel your emotions into composing haunting melodies dedicated to your impossible love and tend to your garden with a fervent devotion. You await the passage of time, yearning for a reunion with your beloved Grim Reaper, even if only in spirit.
Crystals: Hematite, Jet, Simanite
Traits: Geek, Slob, Music Lover
Aspiration: Soulmate
Rules;

• Master Pipe Organ and Flower Arranging skills.
• Give a death flower scented arrangement to your elderly grandparent then plead for them.
• Have full friendship and romance bar with Grim Reaper.
• Date with Grim for a bit then break up.
• Don’t get married and don’t have any children.

Hi, guys! I'm back. I've just finished reading Starset's new novel, A Brief History of the Future, and i really needed to share it.
Some of you may know me from my previous posts on the Starset lore:

• In "The Starset lore Part I: Transmissions", I covered the events told in The Prox Transmissions (Starset's first novel) and linked them to the album Transmissions.
• In "The Starset lore Part II: DivisionsThe Starset lore Part II: Divisions", I tried to gather the information we had on the new storyline, mainly based on Divisions content (Horizons hadn't released yet by then) and I shared my speculations about its meaning.

Now that I've read this book, I want to sum up what we have now. Keep in mind that, for obvious reasons, this post is all spoiler content. If you plan to read the book(s) I encourage you to do so, because I'm unveiling some of the main "plot-twists" in the second book. I won't be writing a literal summary of the book's plot (I will focus on the content more than in the "drama"), but key elements of it will appear. Also, I'm taking for granted you are already familiar with the contents in The Prox Transmissions -if not, I recommend you reading my post or just dropping this post altogether and go read the book!
If you have already read the books, don't plan to read them or don't care about the spoilers, stay with me along this long post because you will discover much about Divisions, Horizons... and what's coming next!!
Let's go then!
In a unknown year the novel starts in a world dominated by a state called the New East. it's not explicit in the book, but we have reasons to identify the New East with China: it is a current superpower and the powerful people in control have Chinese names. This state is governed by a Governing Committee, composed by Ministers that stay in charge for 5 years, with an exception: the Minister of Security, also known as MinSec. He is the head of the New East's secret police and he is to remain in charge for life.
Prior to 2024, Aston Wise (remember he was one of the protagonists of the previous novel!) is locked up by the US Government. They force him to create the BMI and its Architecture. In 2024, as I have said, the New East manages to obtain it and the big war starts. This part of the story is also explained deeper in a video (called "Initial Debriefing", available in Starset's YouTube channel since September 9th, 2021), with some minor incongruencies:

In the year 2010, the US Defense Advance Research Projects Agency -or DARPA- began work on a neural link system known as the "Brain Machine Interface" developed under the highest levels of secrecy. This technology was to be used in covert espionage campaigns with the goal of giving the US a major advantage in the ever-growing cyber warfare battlefield. The intention was to use the "BMI" on unsuspecting foreign agents, giving US Intelligence a remote line into their minds. Launched in 2020 to great success, the BMI provided a window into the intentions and secrets of numerous potential adversaries. Then, in 2021, a botched operation allowed this technology to fall into the hands of an undisclosed state who would then use it agains the US itself for over a decade. This state -which came to be known as the New East- used this technology to syphon intellectual property and assert control over the US, allowing it to rise swiftly as a global superpower. In the early 2030s, the crippled US launched an attack to the New East. This was quickly thwarted. However, as the New East was fully aware and prepared, in the end, the US and its allies capitulated and became known simply as the New West. Citizens of the New West, now mostly impoverished laborers, were offered BMI implantation -sold on the wonders of its amazing benefits. Eventually though, all were made to comply. Only then did the true goals of the New East become apparent.

The New West is a de facto and de iure protectorate. The New West has its own local police -that dealt with murder and robbery-, but the military and, most important, the Civil Authorities (CA), are controlled by MinSec -focused on thought crime.
Soon after the end of the war, some people were drafted for the reclamation in Virginia by the New East army. This was a forced-labor suicide mission because it was a fallout zone. The goal was the recovery of documents from the US, such as blueprints for advanced weapons and intel. Those who survived, developed NeuroTIDS (neural tissue interface degeneration syndrome) because of the radiation.
Once in control of the US (now New West), the New East implanted into all citizens the BMI. Now, people deal with three layers of reality: unaltered reality (UR), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Considering the BMI, there are three states:

• BMI glowing white (normal state: people are in UR with elements of AR).
• BMI glowing blue (also called frosting: people are in VR having some pleasant experience, while looking absent and apathetic in the outside). See an example of person frosting in the Diving Bell music video.
• BMI glowing red (also called supplication).

(There also exists the Everything Machine in this storyline. Indeed, people ate only printed food, as real food as reserved for the New East).
On top of this, there’s an intelligent algorythm or artificial intelligence in the Architecture, called the Overseer. It is capable of detecting thought crimes by accessing a person's sensory input and also altering their perceptions (for example, blurring texts from banned books). When a thought crime is detected, CAs intervene and turn the perpetrator into a supplicant. Supplicants are stuck in VR prisons while their bodies wander in the streets or are collected and put into "corrals". See an example of a supplication facility in Where the Skies Ends music video.
The protectorate of the New East upon the New West is mantained thanks to the Quantum Comunicator, which keeps both connected and also connected to the Architecture
On the other hand, there's a rebel network still in function. They manage to meet and develop their plans by modding their BMIs, so that they become undetectable under the eyes of the Overseer. Their plan is to trap the MinSec and use their credentials to get access to the Architecture and destroy it from the inside.
(In Manifest music video you can see examples of people frosting, people supplicated, the modding minor surgery, the rebels, the CAs using their "freezing" weapons and supplicating civilians and a bigwig from the New East, maybe the MinSec himself).
Also, it is said that the New East didn't manage to conquer all the Old West (US) territories. There's rumours about the socalled Western Territories, free land where some former rebels already live, though its real existence it's in never confirmed in book. In The Breach music video we can see how a family leaving in the New West takes the opportunity of escaping into the Western Territories during some sort of shutdown.
The New West capital is established in Philadelphia, where the events in A Brief History of the Future are set. Here's the Quantum Communication Center and the New West Center for Advanced Innovation (CAI), where the most brilliant programming students are sent to develop their skills and work for the New West/East. One of this students is one of the protagonists of this book, Thomas Bell (again, someone whose name we are already familiar...), who quickly proves to be the best one and gets to be chosen as the Director's assistant. Eventually we get to discover the Director is Aston Wise and later on we find out he is the Architect himself.
A feature or app of the BMI that will reveal crucial to the plot is the Shadowcast: one can frost but, instead of being conscious in a VR, "enters" inside a celebrity's mind for an hour and experiences all they are experiencing live (the user is passive and can only perceive, but not intervene or influence the shadowcast celebrity into doing anything). You can see an example of this in Symbiotic music video, where the user is finally able to successfully Occupy the body of the celebrity. In the book, when this happens, the person occupied has their BMI turned purple.
In the book, Occupation will be a tool used by Bell and Wise, but also by the government, in an attempt of using the supplicated bodies to their own purposes. The original project launched by the New East and commissioned to the Director of the CAI (Aston Wise), was called by Wise himself 'Project X'. New East wanted to present it to the citizens as a way of emancipating from work: while working, you can let yourself be occupied by the Overseer, who wil perform your job while you can be having fun in VR. In Icarus music video you can see an ad made by the New East to promote the "benefits" of this technology (called Werk here); the other ads are based on previous BMI technology (AR, VR and Shadowcast). (Fun fact: have you noticed that the actor in 3:12 is the same from the Ricochet music video?).
As I said in the beginning, it is not my goal to sum up the book's plot and even though I have already spoiled you much info and some plot-twists, I'm not telling you here how the story of the protagonists develops and how it ends. However, I can't refrain from telling you this: the last page of the book has a QR that redirects to a video that has me really excited.
In the video, we see a man. He tells us it is 2048. In spring 2026, the New East took over the US. But... guess who's back! Oh, yes, the Order! Or rather they were there all along. In fact, the man who's talking to us is Stephen Browning! On July 4th of 2026, after the New East invasion, the Order tried to launch a spacerocket to get to "a lonely planet" (Prox!), but it was intercepted by the New East and then the army destroyed their base, so they lost all hope in a future on another planet. However, they managed to hide a "time mechanism" (I guess the same they had in The Prox Transmissions) and, finally, sent a message to 2024, warning us about this future that awaits us. Then he sais:

Dear Order friends, the time has finally arrived. We're headed to space. We're going go Prox.

This announcement matches Starset's video from six months ago ("It begins. And it ends. Now."), where we see images of astronauts and spacerockets, evoking space travel. Wow! Did you miss that "space-y" aesthetic, plots and sound from Transmissions and Vessels? Because it sounds like we're getting them back! Note that at the end of this video, the three dots of the BMI are occupied by three symbols:

• The bottom one is the symbol of the Order, appears at the beginning of each chapter in The Prox Transmissions.
• The middle one is the symbol of Divisions album, I'd say it's a symbol of the rebels.
• The top one is... unknown? It is quite similar to me to the symbol in Faultline, but I guess it represents the "following chapter"? Who knows.

It also matches the music video for Starset's last single, Brave New Word! And there's more news: the end of the video linked in A Brief History Of the Future ends with a "to be continued in Spring 2025".
So... Again, there are some questions left unanswered (and I love that!): How are both books linked? Are they the same Aston Wise and Thomas Bell, but in an alternative timeline? From where will the story continue? (The Order in 2048 colonising Prox?). I'm soooo excited to learn what's coming next and to listen Starset's next album (I love Brave New World).
Let me know about your impressions, opinions, theories... feel free to add any info I could have missed, to correct any piece I could be mistaken about, etc. Thank you so much for your attention (I literally created this account only to write these Starset lore posts I feel very invested to and English isn't even my first or second language), I hope you enjoyed it and found it useful!!

Previous Part
Morning eventually came, banishing the eyes that seemed to peer at me through the night. It was strange how suddenly the feeling left me, making me think that someone really was watching me. The whole thing was really doing wonders for my paranoia. Despite the rough morning and sleepless night, I still found myself waiting outside Bianca’s house bright and early that morning. The air was cool but not chilly, one of those perfect days that’s cold enough you’ll never start sweating unless you really try, but warm enough that a T-shirt will get you through without too much trouble.
I only had to knock once before Bianca threw open the door.
“Where you just waiting there for me?”
I asked, cracking a smile and raising an eyebrow.
“You’ll never know” she added playfully, “Are we ready to go then?”
Bianca had made some preparations for the trip, she didn’t have a backpack ready to go but she definitely made an effort to dress the part… sort of. She was wearing an old grey combat jacket that I imagine she pulled out of Stein’s closet. The jacket was way to big for her but she made it work. Her combat boots matched the jacket, looking old and well worn. What didn’t match was the bright red yoga pants she was wearing, but I wasn’t about to complain. Besides, I had packed each of us a spare set of clothes just in case.
“Oh! So I had an idea, its a long walk, not crazy but I’d rather not just walk the whole way if we can help it. Frank and Stein used to have some bicycles when we first came here so I asked them about it and well.”
Bianca chirped, as she led me around the back of the house and pulled a tarp off two abysmal looking bicycles. The bikes were both red at one point but that was a long time ago. Now they were covered in a layer of rust and I could barely make out the branding that may have once read, “Shwinn”.
“Um… Bianca I think I might get tetanus if I sit on that thing.”
“Oh come on! Aren’t you tired of walking everywhere? Lets just give the bikes a shot, if they crumble to dust we can leave them.”
“And get me a tetanus shot.”
I added quickly
“Fine, and get you a tetanus shot.”
Bianca shot back, she feigned annoyance but she couldn’t hide the smile that crossed her face.
Laughing to ourselves, we got on the bikes and took off North, out of town and onto a dirt path leading to the woods. Bianca didn’t say much on the way out but I could tell she was having a good time. This may have been her first time out of the house for something other than supervising Frank and Stein. She tried to hide it by riding fast and staying out in front of me, but I could still catch her eyes literally glowing with happiness every now and then. I thought back to what Frank had said about her eyes glowing when she experiences strong emotion. I hoped that was the case and she wasn’t just trying really hard to influence me, which he had also said would make her eyes glow.
As we neared the end of the path, the forest’s edge came into view. we let the bikes roll to a stop then got off and let them fall over onto the dirt. I half expected them to explode into a puff of rusty brown dust the second they touched the ground but to my surprise, neither bike did. I could’ve swore I heard Bianca sniffle almost like she’d been crying. I opened my mouth to say something and then thought better of it, if she wanted to tell me what was going on she would. Well, that or she’d just manipulate me away from the question. Wait, was she doing that now? It’s hard to tell, maybe that’s how everyone around her feels. The more I thought about it the more I realized how difficult it must be for her just to have friends or form relationships with people at all. If she told them the truth they’d never know if what they were feeling around her at any given moment was real. All they’d have to go on would be her word, could they really trust that, could I? If she kept her secret she’d know that at any moment she could just change how they felt about her, manipulate them into anything she wanted. Could she resist that kind of power over them and still look someone in the eyes and say she was their friend. Not to mention how hard it would be to keep that secret over years of knowing someone.
“So Keith, were exactly are we headed? You do have some Idea where this mine you’re looking for is right?”
Bianca asked skeptically, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Well about that…. I just know its out here in the forest somewhere. That’s pretty much all I have to go on from Frank, Stein, and that massive bartender in town.”
I told her sheepishly.
“Well that explains why you over-packed so much then. Seriously? How long do you think we we’re going to be out here, you’re packed like some kind of survivalist.”
She mocked, picking through the pack I’d made for her. After she finished rooting through the pack I made for her like some kind of giant squirrel and, chastised me yet again for not doing more research on the mine, we set off.
The forest felt imposing as we walked into the woods through a manicured patch of trees. Someone had gone to great lengths to braid a few trees over this little path before the forest turned back into its natural wild state. It gave off the feeling that civilization ended with this path and something else entirely began. As we got off the path our light faded quickly, chocked out by the limbs of massive pine trees. All this cover meant there was very little foliage on the ground which was covered in a blanket of needles. The though occurred to me that we were looking for a mine in a valley. That’s weird because what exactly would be in a valley that warranted the creation of a mine? Usually you’ll find them in mountains so what exactly was one doing out here.
“Bianca I just had a thought, Why would they build a mine out here? I mean what’s the point, is there even anything valuable out here to mine?”
“Yeah, come to think of it your right. What other reason would there be to have a mine out here?”
“Unless they were just mining from a cave but that still doesn’t answer the question of what they were…”
Bianca cut me off
“What was that first thing you said?”
“Um… mining from a cave?”
A lightbulb went off over her head as she exclaimed,
“That’s it! There’s caves under the town, I’ve heard Frank talk about them before! Maybe they didn’t have a real mine so they were just mining something out of the caves.”
“Not to burst your bubble Bianca, but that still doesn’t get us any closer to these caves or mines or whatever it is.”
I responded cautiously, trying not to sound to critical of her revelation.
“Well not exactly, Frank said they were in the East of the forest somewhere so all we have to do is head East till we run into them.”
Bianca said, full of confidence. Then something occurred to me, we had no real way of getting back to the bikes other than retracing our steps. Now that was easy enough now, if we went deeper into the woods we would get lost pretty quickly.
“One more thing Bianca, Maybe we should come up with a way to find our way out? I really don’t want to end up lost out here.”
I asked nervously, fidgeting with my hands.
“Way ahead of you on that one, I left my phone back by the bikes. Here give me yours and I’ll put my number in so you can track it and find our way back.”
She said, taking my phone, putting her number into it, and turning it to me to show she’d tracked her own phones location with it, giving us a path back to the bikes.
As we turned East and headed even deeper into the forest the terrain started to change. Instead of the pine needle coating we started to see rocks and the ground was more rugged. Here and there we’d even pass a boulder or two. I decided to break the silence of our search.
“So are you ever going to tell me how you met Frank and Stein?”
Bianca sighed before responding.
“I suppose you deserve to know if your sticking around. You probably guessed I wasn’t always living with them. Lets just say before that I was with someone who I though meant the world to me but I never meant the same to him. It was all a game to him and eventually I noticed that. Then, a little while afterwards I realized I wasn’t exactly powerless anymore and I did some things that I’m not exactly proud of to survive on my own.”
I could tell talking about this hurt her but I needed more.
“That’s not exactly telling me a whole lot Bianca.”
I pressed, maybe a little to hard.
“I found out I had powers and I used them ok! I got myself out of a situation where I was pulled so many way I didn’t know which direction was up! The second I found out I could do the same thing to people myself, I did! You’re the first person to actually seem to give a shit that wasn’t some crazy doctor that tolerates my existence or someone I just manipulated into caring! Maybe I even did that with you! I JUST DON’T KNOW ANYMORE!”
Bianca screamed at me, getting in my face with tears beginning to run down her own. Her eyes were glowing electric blue again and I knew I’d crossed a line.
“Hey I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you. I… I didn’t know.”
“No.. you didn’t but I guess you should”
Bianca sniffled out, trying desperately to pull herself back together and keep up the act the everything was ok. Bianca went silent for a while as we kept walking along, crying to herself before she finally took a deep breath and said,
“You know, this is the first time someone’s asked me to come along and do something outside the house in years. I spend so much time cooped up in there just helping with experiments and looking after Rocco. It’s actually nice to get out and talk for once.”
Her voice still a lifts hoarse from screaming at me before.
“Look if you want to talk about it we’ve got nothing but time out here. I’d like to know a bit more about you anyways.”
I said taking her hand and trying to sound comforting.
“Yeah maybe I should get some of it off my chest. Here it goes I guess.”
Bianca said, taking a deep breath and tightening her grip on my hand. Her eyes still glowed faintly as she told me her story as we ventured deeper into the forest.
I’ll give you the shorter version of it here, mostly cause I’m not sure how she’d feel about me spoiling all her secrets.. She ran away from her family and her college education for a guy, his name was Brooke. Brooke was from money and had a job lined up by his family at a law firm so Bianca thought she was set for life with him. Bianca was madly in love with him at the time but as days grew into months and years, Brooke became a monster. He cheated on her and told her she wasn’t enough, that her shortcomings drove him to do it over and over again and somehow it was all her fault every time. He became abusive not long after the cheating started, flying into fits of hysteric apology afterwards only further convincing Bianca she was somehow at fault. After three years of this she eventually got up the courage to leave and never looked back. On the road she discovered her powers of manipulation, letting her play with people’s emotions and she only got better at it with time. Unfortunately her abilities got her into a very specific form of getting money out of people, prostitution. One day she tried to solicit Stein and he saw straight through her. Stein took her with him to the hotel he and Frank were staying at and they took her in on the spot. The trio traveled together ever since, Bianca becoming a kind of daughter to them.
I was in shock once she finished her story, it sounded like she’d really been through the ringer.“I don’t know what to say, that’s awful, all of it.”
“It was, I lived it. But I made it through, doesn’t matter how at the end of the day. I’ve got Frank and Stein and that’s enough, they let me into their home and I recovered in my own way, I’m still here so I’ll take what I can get right?”
Bianca stated with a cold loom of determination on her face. It was painfully obvious to me that despite the masquerade of being fine she was barley holding it together underneath. Like just talking about it with me was driving a finger into old wounds.
“At least you’ll never have to go through something like that again. With your abilities you never have to get pushed around like that.”
I said with completely no tact whatsoever. Bianca stopped suddenly as I said this and whirled around to face me. The fire I’d seen in her eyes earlier reigniting in seconds.
“Do you really think that’s all this is?! I’m no better than him, even you don’t know what you really think when you look at me! Admit ti!”
Bianca growled at me, hysterical once again.
“No, Bianca I…”
“Look I know your trying to help but just leave it, ok? I’m done talking about this”
She cut me off, pulling herself back together and signaling very clearly we were done with that particular conversation.
“Besides look over there, That hole in the rock see it? That might be what we’re looking for.”
Bianca said, gesturing to the stone wall that now jutted out of the ground beside us.
The rock wall she pointed out was chipped near the middle in a way that couldn’t have been natural. Straight lines don’t really exist in nature and this hole was cut squarely into this rock wall. As we got closer I could see that it wasn’t just an entrance either. The hole opened into the rock wall but then suddenly dropped, like whoever carved it had hit a point where the ground just fell out from under them. From where Bianca and I were looking into the hole we couldn’t quite see the bottom.
“Well we found what we were looking for, is this bringing back any memories from those dreams you had?”
Bianca asked, sounding a little short tempered still as I searched through my bag.
“What are you looking for in there?”
“Rope, I’ve got to see what’s in there and I’m hoping I brought enough to climb down there.”
I replied hurriedly, still tearing apart my bag to get to the rope I had packed underneath everything else.
“Rope? you’re not seriously going to climb down that pit are you? I can barely see down there.”
Bianca complained, sounding exasperated.
“Here, this should help you see down there.”
I said, tossing her one of the two head mounted flashlights I brought along.
“ME? I never said we were going down there!”
Bianca panicked momentarily.
“Look, you can stay up here and wait for me if you really don’t want to go down there. But I would appreciate having you to watch my back.”
I added trying to soften her up. Bianca opened her mouth like she was going to say something but stopped, instead dropping her own pack to the ground and searching through it.
“Look if I’m going down there I’m going to need something better than yoga pants on and…. You actually packed a change of clothes in here. Geez you really did think of everything.”
As Bianca took the jeans I packed and went off to find somewhere to change I finally found the rope. It was about 50 feet of strong climbing rope that I kept for an occasion just like this. Now that’s not to say I was a professional climber by any means but a 20 or 30 foot rappel I should be able to do. I was hoping that the descent wasn’t much further than that. I anchored the rope to a tree a little ways away from the hole in the rock face and tossed the rope down the hole. It hit the bottom with a satisfying thud just as Bianca got back from changing. The jeans I had packed were a little big on her but she’d manage. She looked like a mess in her ancient combat boot and jacket, all of which were too big for her. I tried to open my mouth to tell her she looked nice, I swear I really did but what came out was hyena-like laughter at her appearance.
“I…. Oh god I’m…. It’s just”
I struggled to get out, laughing all the while.
“Well I’m glad you like it at least, ok seriously come on, stop laughing.”
Bianca scolded as she began giggling herself. Soon enough we were both laughing, Bianca’s earlier storminess cleared up by the absurdity of the situation.
Here we were, a succubus and a guy with a strange mark out in the woods getting ready to rappel into a hole in the ground that apparently didn’t exist. All this was almost starting to feel… I’m not really sure how to put it, not normal but not so strange. Honestly I finally felt like I’d found some kind of purpose again out here. As weird as it all was I was starting to enjoy… this, this whole odd situation I’d found myself in. Bianca and I finally got ahold of the laughter and stood back up from our place on the ground.
“Do I really look that bad?”
She asked
“I’ve never heard you complain about your looks before. But no, with those jeans on you look like maybe, just maybe you prepared a little bit for coming out here.”
I teased, getting a little wry grin out of her.
“Come on, lets get going. Hopefully we can be in and out of there pretty quickly.”
I said, handing Bianca her pack and shouldering my own.
Rappelling in wasn’t actually all that hard, really dangerous without safety equipment sure, but neither of us had any trouble descending the maybe 20 foot drop. At the bottom I saw something that shocked me, this place wasn’t abandoned. I saw lighting set up, not on but very clearly set up recently. Bits of old mining equipment were scattered around the… cave? Mine? Im not really sure what to call it anymore. What concerned me more than anything was the light I saw at the far end of the cave (I’m settling on calling it a cave). The light came from a massive bonfire and I could just make out the shadows of several people sitting around it. I have no idea how we didn’t see the smoke on our way in. It wasn’t filling the cave but it also wasn’t coming out from anywhere I saw on the way here.
“Bianca get down!”
I whisper shouted at her, turning off my headlamp and falling flat to the ground myself. Bianca dropped to the ground as she heard me with unexpected grace. I didn’t know if those figures by the fire had seen us but I certainly wasn’t taking chances.
“Ok, I’m going to creep up and see if I can hear them talking or something. Can you just stay here and watch my back? I don’t want you getting any closer than you have to.”
I instructed Bianca who answered with a quick nod and reached into the inner pocket of her jacket. She withdrew a jeweled golden dagger from it.
“I sorry, what’s this now?”
I asked, confused and thrown off guard by the weapon. It was a really beautiful blade, the hilt was silver with several purple gems inlaid in it. The blade was golden save for the razor sharp edge which was some kind of strange blue material that was roughly the same color Blanca’s eyes glowed.
“I had a life before this you know.”
Bianca responded.
“Yeah we talked about it but you didn’t really tell me much about this part apparently. Doesn’t matter I guess just surprised you have Jeff Bezos’s butter knife in your jacket pocket.”
I whispered, pointing at the dagger in her hand.
“Well we can talk more about how I ended up with this later, not really the time now. Just be careful ok.”
I got up as she said this, realizing she was right. Now really wasn’t the time to be asking about strange daggers, I had more pressing issues.
I crouched down and started creeping towards the figures by the bonfire, careful to avoid the rusty machinery bits scattered across the ground. As I got closer I saw a passage I had missed in the dark. I dared to turn my headlamp on for just a second, trying to block out most of the light with my hand. What I saw through the dim light and shadows of my finger left me awestruck. Inside the passage a coliseum had been constructed, with seats carved into the stone. The structure itself was made up of the rusted metal pieces that littered the room, collected and smelted together to form the walls of the structure. What frightened me the most was the symbol clearly and meticulously drawn on the dirt floor, the same symbol that adorned my back, the symbol of the thunderbird. Moving on, more shaken than ever I crept closer still to the roaring bonfire. I could just about make out the words the figures were saying. When I got close enough to make out the word “tests” the fire suddenly went out with a gust of wind.The room temperature must have dropped 10 degrees immediately and I could swear I heard the sounds of heavy rain above us. But the sudden lack of light isn’t what rooted me in place, cowering on the cave floor. What did that was the two illuminated grey eyes that pierced through the darkness like lightning in a storm, eyes I would never forget, the eyes of the woman from Imalone.
This time I clearly heard the voices of the figures from around the bonfire as they all dropped to their knees.
“Shaoni! We weren’t expecting you till later, Stormcaller.”
The figures all said some variation of in unison. Their tone sounding almost as though they were begging for forgiveness. In a voice that hissed like rain on pavement the woman apparently named Shaoni spoke.
“I’ve come to oversee the start of the trials, is everything prepared?”
In one bone chilling moment her eyes locked on mine and she said the one thing I’d hoped she wouldn’t.
“You didn’t tell me we had guests.”
The moment the words left her lips I turned back to where Bianca was waiting, her now glowing eyes cutting through the darkness of the cave. Giving up any form of subtly, I bolted for the rope behind Bianca. I just wanted to be out of this cave, whatever I might learn from searching around was far outweighed by the fact that Shaoni was here. I’d seen the kind of destruction she’d left in her wake in Imalone and I had no desire to see it happen again here. I banged my ankle on several of the little bits of rusty metal on the floor as I ran, sending sparks of pain up my leg. I didn’t hear anything behind me at all which was almost more unnerving than the footsteps I expected to hear. I closed in on Bianca and saw she hadn’t moved at all, her eyes fixed on something behind me. I dared to take a quick glance back over my shoulder and saw Shaoni taking her first step away from the extinguished bonfire. Lightning crackled around her like one of those novelty plasma globes. In the flashes of light I could see her face. There was no smile or frown, no emotion at all. She simply stared straight ahead towards me and took slow calm steps, inching ever closer.
“Bianca we’ve got to go… NOW!”
I shouted, snapping her to attention. She nodded and turned on her heels, back toward the rope we’d thrown in earlier. Only, when we got to the rope and gave it a tug, it came falling back toward us.
“There’s no way. I…I anchored it to that tree, it should’ve held!”
I cried in disbelief. Bianca and I starred up at the now stormy sky through the hole we would’ve escaped from. Two men walked into view on either side of the hole, glowering down at us. I notice a marking on one of the men’s hands in a flash of lightning from the storm. I could only assume if I was able to make it out I would’ve seen a marking just like the one on my back. Just as soon as the men had appeared a shape flew in from the left with a low growl, taking both men along with it.
“Ok, new plan! There’s something else up there and I really don’t want to get involved with… whatever that was either. I didn’t see any footprints near the entrance so I’m assuming those guys we saw by the bonfire got in another way. We’re just going to have to find where that was and get out that way.”
I instructed Bianca, gesturing to the men in toe with Shaoni and trying not to sound as afraid as I was.
“Ok, I’m with you but lets get moving, I don’t want to any closer to her than I have to be.”
Bianca answered, putting her hand on my shoulder. I suddenly felt a wave of calm rush over me and for the second time I was grateful for Bianca’s ability to simply turn off my fear response.
Shaoni now stood about 50 feet from us with four men following behind her. In the light she gave off I could see the men were all dressed like normal people. I kind of figured they would be more of those canvas wrapped weirdos from Imalone but no. There stood four men in jeans and flannels standing there. Shaoni looked like she could’ve stepped right out of a painting of Pocahontas. She wore an animal hide dress with frills along the bottom and arms. Her head was adorned with a leather band containing several hawk feathers. In short she looked like she’d stepped out of a different time. But I had no time to look over the finer details of her clothing as Bianca and I rushed towards her. Once we got within striking distance I pulled Bianca to the left, towards the passage I had seen earlier. Shaoni never made a move towards us, she just simply looked at me, the ghost of a smile briefly crossing her lips. One of the men with her grabbed at Bianca though, pulling her out of my grasp momentarily. That was a mistake because she was on him immediately with the ornate dagger I’d seen before. As the man grabbed her Bianca lashed out with the dagger, sticking him in the gut with the blade. He screamed in anguish and let go of her but Bianca wasn’t done yet. She followed up by stabbing the man in the back of the neck as he bent over, grabbing at the hole in his abdomen. The other three men were so taken aback by the sudden ferocity she displayed that they didn’t come any closer. As time stood still for a second the men all looked toward Shaoni, awaiting instructions but hesitant to get any closer to Bianca. Using the brief moment of disbelief Bianca had caused, we ran down the side passage towards the coliseum.
“What was that?”
I asked, still shocked by how suddenly Bianca had acted.
“He tried to grab me, I don’t like when they try to grab me”
Bianca responded, distant and… scared? I got the sense she was still in shock at what she had done too. But I couldn’t worry about that right now, we still had to get out of here. Luckily the men didn’t seem to be following us. Wether Shaoni called them off or they stopped to care for their friend I didn’t know, and frankly I didn’t care.
Rushing through the rusty coliseum was haunting. I expected something to jump out of every shadow in the imposing structure. As we slowed to a jog in the middle of the coliseum, right where that eagle symbol was, we stopped to look around. We had come into this arena through an open arch but the only other exit I could see was a similar but barred archway. The coliseum was huge for something constructed in a cave, probably 400 feet across. I had no idea how this thing could’ve been made without anybody finding out.
“Bianca are you seeing anyway out of here? Bianca!”
I asked, then shouted as I turned to see her standing still as a statue in the middle of the Eagle symbol. She was staring at the dagger she had stabbed that man with. Blood still stained the blade and dripped from it intermittently.
“Bianca are you alright?”
I questioned as I walked over to her. She still had this look in her eyes, like she was miles away.
“Bianca? Come on talk to me. Look, you did what you had to do back there, sure it wasn’t exactly pretty but it had to be done.”
I tried to comfort her with my words but the truth is, my heart just wasn’t in it. I was a little scared of what I saw from her in those few moments. She just lashed out and attacked him, not that he didn’t deserve it but going back for more was too much. But what would’ve happened if she didn’t act? It’s not something I could really dwell on now and I’m not sure it really mattered. I just wasn’t feeling all that great about the fact we may have killed someone.
“I don’t like it when they grab me.”
Bianca finally repeated, still appearing catatonic. I leaned down to her level, putting my face right in-front of her’s and putting her head in between my hands.
“Bianca I know enough to know that whole situation may have dug up some memories for you but nows really not the time. We have to keep moving, we have to find a way out of here, and I can’t do that without you right now.”
Bianca tensed up as I spoke to her, but I could feel her relax as I finished. A single tear fell from her eye as she gave me a nod and followed behind me as I walked toward the barred off archway.
Before I made it to the archway there was a massive crash as something tore the rusty bars from their mountings and fell into the room.
“Tuck?!”
I exclaimed, recognizing his colossal figure on the floor immediately. His shirt and pants were torn to shreds though, Like he’d flexed too hard and burst out of his clothes. Bianca and I rushed over to check on him but apparently he was fine. Before we even started walking towards him he was already back up on his feet and lumbering towards us.
“Tuck what are you doing here? Actually never mind, are you ok?”
I asked, concern in my voice.
“It’s going to take more than this to stop me son. I figured you might go looking for that old mine I mentioned the other night so I came to find you. I feel real bad about ya run’in off the way ya did and I got to thinking. Maybe I could make it up to ya if I told ya about the mine. So I came out here and found some shady look’in fellas poking around and figured maybe ya needed help, looks like I was right.”
Tuck explained, dusting himself off and brushing away some of the tattered remains of his shirt. I didn’t buy his story for a second but I wasn’t going to argue with this bear of a man.
“So how did you get in anyway?”
“Used the old entrance from back when this place was still run’in, come on I’ll lead ya out.”
Tuck answered, already turning and walking back the way he came.
The walk out was long and none of us talked much so I just looked around. The further we walked down this little tunnel the more I noticed crushed equipment. The walls looked like they were made up of bits and pieces of crumbled rock that may have once been the ceiling of a much bigger tunnel here.
“There was a collapse, just like the report said only, whatever caused it wasn’t any fault of ours. It was that damn thunderbird waking up.”
Tuck piped up, answering one question and making me ask another.
“Wait you knew about her?!”
“All the miners did, some decided to follow her after she woke up and brought the walls down on us. Others wanted revenge for the brothers we lost, I’m one of the former. You see son, the reason I stayed around this town so long was because of that bird. I want a chance to return the favor.”
“But what about Robert? If you hate the thunderbird so much why’d you let him in? You had to see that tattoo on his hand.”
“I know he thinks that damned bird will “save” him or something but I don’t blame him. Everyone deals with things in their own way and it’s not my place to judge folk for it.”
Tuck lectured, as we made our way further down the passage. His words made sense to me but I didn’t understand how he could be so understanding. From what I understood the thunderbird had a part to play in the original mine’s collapse and the death of the workers there. Only for some of the survivors to revere this creature. If I were in Tuck’s shoes I don’t think I could forgive and forget.
Finally we saw light at the end of the tunnel. We emerged into the whispers of what I’m sure was a monster of a storm. But that’s not what drew my attention, what did were the boulders scattered around the hole we just came out of. It looked like they had been moved, and recently. The suspicious red stain just barley peaking out from the bottom of one of them only served to convince me further. Tuck’s story didn’t quite make sense and this entrance seemed like it should’ve been blocked up until very recently. I wasn’t about to question the guy who saved us though, so I let the issue rest.
Bianca’s idea of tracking her phone to find our way to the bikes worked like a charm. We followed the directions my phone spit at us and eventually found our way back to the bikes. Tuck’s old Ford Bronco sat behind our bikes leaving me to question if he followed us on our way here.
“Well do you kids want a ride back to town?”
Tuck asked, his voice bellowing across the forest. Seriously it was like the guy swallowed a loudspeaker at some point and just spoke through it now.
“No we’ll find our own way back.”
“Alrighty then, stay safe son.”
Tuck called back to me as he got into his truck and drove off. Bianca and I stood up our bikes and got ready to head back to town.
“Hey Keith?”
“Yeah what is it Bianca?”
“Next time you offer to bring me along somewhere can you warn me about the damn thunderbird that seems to just show up around you.”
I laughed at this, it was nice to see Bianca joking around again. After what happened in the caves she seemed like someone else, none of her usual cheeriness was there. Not that I knew if that was what she wanted me to see from her or how she actually presented herself but still. I trusted her enough at this point to assume she wasn’t using her abilities to mess with my head.
When we got back to Bianca’s house the sun was just beginning to set, washing the town in shades of purple, orange, and red. We walked the bikes around to their place behind the house and I walked Bianca back to the front door.
“Thanks for today Keith,I don’t… get out very much anymore and it was… nice… to do something other than sit around the house for once. You know, despite everything that happened it was actually fun.”
I was taken aback by her words at first. If it was me I’d immediately want nothing to do with this person who just put me in danger.
“You had fun? The thunderbird showed up again and we may have killed a guy and you had fun?”
I asked, raising and eyebrow suspiciously.
“Can we not talk about that right now? Anyways I don’t exactly have a high bar for what is and isn’t fun at this point. I’ll see you later Keith.”
Bianca said, cracking a smile and walking into her house.
I was about halfway back to my own house when I realized she never gave me my backpack back. Well, looks like I’d be seeing her again then because I need that stuff back. I wasn’t sure what to think about what I’d seen today. If the thunderbird was in those mines years ago why did she end up in Wisconsin? There was also a very real possibility some people in this town worshipped her so I’d have to keep an eye out for that. The really interesting thing to me was the Shaoni never seemed to want to hurt me in the cave today. She was terrifying as all hell sure, but I didn’t get the sense that she wanted to cause me any sort of harm. If she wanted to do that my gut told me she would’ve done it quickly and efficiently.
Thunder suddenly cracked outside, interrupting my train of thought. As I stood up to see what time it was a knock came from the front door. I froze, who exactly could it be? I doubt Bianca would come over, I don’t think she even knows where I live but maybe she came by to drop off the backpack she absconded with? The knock came again, more forcefully this time.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!”
I shouted, as I jogged to the door. My heart dropped as soon as I opened it, On the other side of the door stood Shaoni. She was dressed normally for once, wearing a long flowing white nightgown. Shaoni stepped into my house as she cooed in her usual misty voice.
“Good evening. Keith was it? We have much to discuss.”

Book Two: The Academy- Part 8
Getting to their next class was much less chaotic and dangerous, as this time Buck and company made sure to take the human tunnels. Halfway there, he heard Butterfly begin to pipe up excitedly. “Next class we get to learn how to speak Dragon!”
Buck remembered that was the next class on the schedule. He also remembered very well who was going to be teaching it.
“Isn’t Wren from your hometown?” Sala asked Butterfly.
Butterfly apparently did not remember, but soared when he was reminded. “Yeah! Wren is from Talisman like me! She got banished by the Dragonmancers but she came back and kicked them all out!”
“The so-called legend goes…” Holly commented, “That the Dragonmancers were trying to get rid of Wren by feeding her to a dragon. Instead, she found a baby dragon and raised him. That dragon is Sky, our other teacher in this class.”
“So we’re really being taught by the Savior of Humanity?” Badger breathed, “There’s so many things I want to ask her! Like how she raised Sky, and what Pantala was like, and what the dragons’ faces looked like when she talked to them, and—”
“Didn’t Sunny say that Wren doesn’t like talking about saving humanity?” Patience said.
“She said Wren doesn’t like being treated like a savior,” Holly corrected, “And I don’t blame her. All she did was open her mouth to a dragon, the dragons did the rest really. Now we all think she’s some kind of goddess.”
The class was silent afterwards. The classroom Wren and Sky taught in was apparently on the other side of the school from the classroom they came from. It took some time, but eventually they reached the room. To Buck’s surprise, this classroom appeared to be just for humans. While it was big enough that a dragon could fit in it, there were no seats for them.
But that was not what the other students noticed. What, or whom they saw was at the front of the room. A young woman or teenage girl, standing at the feet of a decidedly small-ish dragon with a scale color Buck had never seen before, more like a salmon or a pale shade of orange. Before he could think about the dragon any further, he spoke.
“Hello, humans! Please be seated. This is going to be such a fun class!”
Buck did a double-take towards the dragon. He spoke in Human almost as if he were human himself. All the other dragons were unwieldy speaking in his language, constantly trying to avoid slipping over their tongues. Sky was such a natural that Buck had to make sure it somehow was not Wren’s mouth that was moving.
Buck seated himself, again next to Bailey. He watched Wren’s eyes, and saw a sort of confidence that came from having done this before. Well, she probably did already teach most of the dragons here how to speak Human.
Wren began to speak to Sky, alternating seamlessly between Human and Dragon, meaning Buck could only catch snippets of their conversation. “Humans… these kids… it’ll be easy… what about it?”
Finally, Wren addressed the class for the first time, giving a loud roar that shocked Buck again. How could a human throat make such a loud noise as that!?
“That, in Dragon, was a formal greeting,” Wren clarified to the class. “Welcome to your first day learning to speak Dragon. As you probably already know, I’m Wren, and this big guy here is Sky. We go back a long way, and you may have heard about me and him from the countless stories that have been made up about us. Allow me to hit you with the truth. Me and Sky have not, to date, beat up any dragons who were assaulting human villages, we have not personally defeated the Othermind, and we have not rescued screaming babies out of the mouths of SkyWings or SandWings.” The class started with horror upon hearing the last part of the speech.
Uhh, Buck thought, Did dragons really ever eat human infants? That’d be low, even for them.
“That last one I made up to show just how ridiculous the whole thing is. Dragons have not and never will be eating babies.” The class sighed with relief. “Going on, I have, however, killed a dragon that was going to assault the Indestructible City, but only because he had kidnapped Sky. This is all I will say about my past in this class. Understood?”
The students nodded. “Now then, I would like you to repeat after me.” She went back to speaking Dragon. “Roar growl human roar snarl snarl.”
Buck repeated her to the best of his ability, but it was like trying to fit a boulder through his throat, he had never tried to get his voice to make such low noises.
When the class managed somehow to repeat her sentence to a satisfactory degree, she translated. “That sentence means ‘I am a human, I am not food.’ While a dragon who still thinks humans are worth eating would likely not listen to a human asserting their rights, it is still an important sentence to know.”
Wren walked to the blackboard behind her and began writing down a bunch of the symbols in Dragon writing. “This is that same sentence, written out. When I’m done teaching you, you will be able to talk and interact with dragons, objectively the best thing ever. While many dragons are learning to speak Human, this will allow you to talk with not just some dragons, but all dragons.”
Sky then spoke. “This may be hard for a lot of you at first. Making dragon sounds with your little human voices can be really painful when you’re not used to it. That’s why we have a large bowl of water off to the right of the desks. If your throat begins to feel sore, drink some water.”
Buck appreciated knowing they cared about their voices, especially since his throat was beginning to become irritated just from saying one sentence in Dragon. Wren began to teach the humans various words in Dragon. As Buck repeated the words, his throat did indeed begin to burn, but the water the classroom supplied was cool and fresh and helped greatly with soothing his voice. Finally, after what felt like many hours of speaking various phrases in Dragon like “The moons shine brightly tonight” and “Have you seen my friends?” the gong rang.
“Good work, class!” Sky said encouragingly, “We’ll pick up where we left off tomorrow!”
Buck heard Sala yell “Bye, Sky!” in Dragon as he stood, and he saw Sky’s face light up hearing that. Buck turned and left the room, going back into the tunnel.
“That was a fun class,” Patience said as he caught up with Buck and Bailey.
“Ugh, no.” Holly interjected, “My throat really hurts from all the roaring.”
“Didn’t the water help?” Bailey asked her.
“No. It was like water rushing over molten rock, I think I need to see the nurse.”
“Go do that if you need to.”
“No I don’t think I will.”
Bailey shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
Buck pulled his class schedule out of his pocket and looked at it.
12 Noon: Lunch (Dining Hall)
Buck’s stomach grumbled just then, and he realized how long it had been since he had last eaten. He grasped his upper abdomen and looked over to Bailey. “Hey, lunch is next.”
Bailey turned to look at her brother. “Yep! Wonder what they’ll have for us.”
When they reached the dining hall, the dragons had already been seated. He saw Ahi down below perk up as Buck and the others entered. Buck decided to take a better look at the rest of the dining hall, approaching the railing. Just as he predicted, Ahi jumped to her feet and rushed up to the human platform. She gave an excited whine but then, to Buck’s astonishment, spoke in heavily broken, accented Human.
“Hi! Buck! Very good day today!”
“Oh, uh, hi Ahi!” Buck wondered how she suddenly gained the ability to speak his language, but the dragonet was beside herself with glee, apparently knowing she could talk directly to humans was the highlight of her day, enough that she was completely ignoring the platter of fish arriving at her table.
“Daffodil giving me special lessons! I speak like you now!”
Her every word was shouted, which was a bit much for Buck. Nevertheless, he responded: “That’s good, Ahi.” Out of the corner of his hearing Buck could hear a muted scoff come from another one of the dragon tables. He looked over and saw the MudWing from earlier, glaring in Buck and Ahi’s direction. He deliberately ignored him and looked back at Ahi, who was staring at him with sparkling eyes.
“How your shoulder? When you take off that…” She clearly could not find her next word.
“Sling?” Buck finished for her.
“Sling!” She shouted back.
“I don’t know. I think it’s healing pretty well though.”
“That’s great!” Ahi seemed to finally notice her food waiting for her. “I go eat now!”
“Bye, Ahi!” Buck waved at her before turning and finding that his own food was waiting. It seemed to be a huge feast of smoked fish fillets and a salad made up of lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes. Buck sat between Patience and Bailey, who seemed to have left a seat open for him, and began to pile fish and salad onto a waiting plate in front of him.
“Buck,” Bailey told him between mouthfuls, “You and Ahi look like you’re getting along really well.”
Buck paled, then blushed when he realized what she meant. “Uh, it’s not like I haven’t gotten over what happened years ago… or anything. I just know she’s not going to eat me! She’s way too small to even try!”
“That’s a start,” Patience added. “The Buck I met back at the Lodge, he would have not even bothered to go talk to her.”
“I just, can’t get it out of my head, that we might be in danger. It’s like what we heard on the way to Winter’s class, the Scourge is still around here. What if she gets into the school?”
Patience paled. “Hold on, the Scourge is still near the school?”
Just then, a wave of heat suddenly washed over the students, and Buck pivoted his head over into the dragon section to see something that made his heart jump down into his stomach. It was a SkyWing, but in a deep, terrifying red, and her whole body was shimmering with heat. “What is that?” Buck whispered fearfully to Patience.
The dragon seemed to be aware of its heat, and was sliding between tables, its wings tightly folded to its body. Even the dragons seemed to be wary of it, shifting in their seats as the superheated dragon passed by.
“Oh, that’s Peril,” Holly finally explained, leaning over towards Buck, “She’s the security here at JMA.”
Buck swallowed. “Why do I feel like I’m imperiled just by her being here? Is a dragon who could burn me to ash just by being near me somehow supposed to make me feel safe?”
“The point is,” Badger explained, “If any dragon tries to hurt a human here, they’re going to deal with her, and her entire squad of guards. She’s been constantly patrolling the school and the skies around it to look for signs of the Scourge. So yeah, you should feel safe around her.”
Buck shook his head. “As long as I keep my distance anyway.”
Buck decided to ignore Peril and continue eating. He soon had his fill, and he looked back to see Peril in the far corner of the dining hall, eating all alone. The other dragons seem to be scared of her too… I admit, that’s gotta suck, being that lonely.
Though that thought was banished when he saw Clay approach her, and somehow, wrapped a wing supportively around her body before sitting down and eating with her. Somehow he’s not affected by that much heat.
Buck noticed that Bailey and Patience had finished eating, so the three of them stood. “What’s next?” Patience asked.
Buck took out his class schedule and looked it over. “Looks like we have free time for the next hour or so.”
“Let’s go to the library!” Bailey said, “I want to read some more scrolls about the Scorching if they have them.”
“Can I come with you?” Badger asked, approaching them. “I want to read some of those scrolls too.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Patience concluded, “Let’s head over there!”
The library was well lit with sunlight from outside at this time of day, though Buck realized he had not seen the sun ever since he had entered the Academy. He felt cold all of a sudden, realizing he was stuck indoors, possibly for the rest of the school year. Couldn’t they have built, like, a big porch for us to get some outdoors time?
Bailey, Badger and Patience meanwhile were talking with Starflight. “I’m afraid,” the NightWing said, “We don’t have any more scrolls on the Scorching that are up to date with current knowledge. The ones we have… would be highly antagonistic of humankind, probably very offensive to you.”
“Can we read one anyway?” Badger asked him, “History is important to read about regardless of whether it’s offensive.”
“Well, I suppose. Let me go get the one I used to study.” Starflight walked over to the wall of scrolls and pulled one off, then sat on a large cushion, beckoning the children to join him. Buck went over to join him.
“This is the Legend of the Scorching. I contributed my studies of it to the guidebook we wrote after we started Jade Mountain Academy. After finding out who humanity really is… reading it again made me feel a little sick. If at any point you want me to stop, just tell me.”
The kids nodded, and Starflight began to read.
Dragons of the day and age were solitary creatures.
“So you guys didn’t always have a civilization?” Patience asked Starflight, who shook his head.
“It’s how humans managed to survive until the Scorching. I believe you humans call it ‘safety in numbers.’ Forming into communities provides an incredible amount of protection.”
“Probably also the reason why whatever civilization humans could scrounge back from the dead never got any bigger than it is now,” Buck commented solemnly, “Since dragon civilization was now in the way.”
Starflight continued. The scavengers, however, were not content… They killed the dragons’ prey and choked the skies with smoke.
“Smoke?” Bailey said, “What use would we have for that much smoke?”
Badger tilted his head, wondering. “Maybe humans had really big fireplaces back then?”
“We may never know why humans had such an obsession with clogging the air with smog,” Starflight said, “Anyway, let me continue.”
No one knows why a scavenger would steal a dragon egg…
“Well we do know now,” Buck sighed, “But it wasn’t exactly a good reason.”
But we know he stole it from the wrong dragon… And so she found the other dragons… They became their talons and her claws and her ferocious teeth.
“The humans, most of them, probably weren’t aware of Cottonmouth’s scheme,” Patience said, “To them, the dragons would have washed over them unprovoked.”
“And the dragons of the Scorching were also unaware of that,” Starflight continued glumly, “They lumped all of humankind together in their anger.”
When the Scorching was complete, the scavengers who survived scattered into hidey-holes across the world. Powerless, insignificant, no more than prey, as they should have been all along.
“There’s the part that made me sick,” Starflight sighed, “They really didn’t know back then, and even if they did, they probably wouldn’t have cared.”
“But you do now,” Badger said, placing a soft hand against Starflight’s talon, “And that counts for something!”
“It’s just… Knowing what we do now about humans is a heavy burden for many dragons. When humans call us ‘man-eaters’ or ‘monsters,’ it cuts deep, because so many of us felt so stupid to not see what we were doing. And the fact that some humans do forgive us, I think that proves to me, that humans are much stronger than dragons. To be able to spend over five-thousand years hiding from our claws and teeth, to have lost everything to us, and still being able to come to us and understand us. I can’t imagine being that strong.”
Buck felt this statement deep within him, and he felt he had to say something in response. “When I knew… knew that my parents were gone, I felt like I lost my whole world. I was a lot younger back then. My parents were everything to me.” a tear formed on Buck’s eyelids. “And yeah, I hated dragons because of it. I wanted to kill them all, or at least any of the dragons who came too close to Vale. And when Winter came to Vale, I thought it was going to happen all over again. That I was about to lose Bailey, and my new father. But then, Winter spoke. And my whole world was shattered again. Because now I couldn’t really call them monsters. It took me a while to get used to that.”
Bailey wrapped an arm around Buck’s shoulder, prompting a light sob from the boy. “Buck, it’s like Starflight said. You showed so much strength in coming out here and listening to what the dragons had to say. Dad knew, of course, that coming here would help you. He’s a really smart man. So I hope you’ve learned from this. The dragons are here to help now. You just have to let them into your heart.”
Buck wiped a tear falling from his eye. “Thanks, guys.”
“Hey, how’s about we head back to our dorm and relax,” Patience let out a big stretch, “We’ve had a pretty long day so far.”
Buck chuckled. “I haven’t even picked a bed yet, since I spent last night in the infirmary. Yeah, let’s head over there.”
“It was a pleasure speaking with you kids,” Starflight said, “Hearing your opinions on everything has lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders.”
“No problem, Starflight,” Bailey complimented, “Now, let’s head back upstairs!”
The humans scurried out of the library to head back to their dorm, and Starflight rested his head on the open scroll, letting out a big, deep sigh. “If only they knew back then… How wonderful they are.”

Unlock the Mysteries of Your Kundali: Free Pandit Ji Astrology Consultations at Your WhatsApp

Free Pandit ji Astrology At WhatsApp The ancient art of astrology has been a source of fascination and guidance for centuries, offering individuals a glimpse into the mysteries of their destiny. In the intricate web of stars and planets, our unique kundali, or birth chart, holds the key to understanding our personality, strengths, and potential. However, deciphering the complex symbols and interpretations of our kundali can be a daunting task, requiring a deep understanding of Vedic astrology and its intricacies.
That’s why, we’re excited to introduce a unique opportunity to unlock the secrets of your kundali with our free Pandit Ji astrology consultations, available at the convenience of your WhatsApp. Our expert Pandit Ji will guide you through the insights of your birth chart, providing valuable insights into your life, relationships, and future path. In this post, we’ll explore the significance of our kundali and how these free consultations can help you navigate life’s journey with greater clarity and purpose.

1. Introduction to Kundali and Vedic Astrology

The ancient and mystical art of Kundali, also known as Vedic Astrology, has been a cornerstone of Indian wisdom for thousands of years. This intricate system of planetary alignment and cosmic influences has been used to guide individuals on their life’s journey, predicting the path of destiny, and offering valuable insights into personality, strengths, and weaknesses. The intricate chart of the Kundali, comprising of 12 houses and 12 signs, is a window to the soul, revealing the intricate web of energies that shape our lives.
At its core, Kundali is a tool for self-discovery, offering a profound understanding of our individual nature, our place in the world, and the potential we hold. By analyzing the intricate patterns of planetary movements, Vedic Astrology provides a unique framework for understanding the complexities of human life, including relationships, career, and spiritual growth. As we navigate the twists and turns of life, Kundali offers a beacon of guidance, illuminating the way forward and revealing the secrets to unlocking our true potential.
In this era of rapid change and uncertainty, the wisdom of Kundali has never been more relevant. By exploring the mysteries of your Kundali, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses, empowering you to make informed decisions that align with your highest good. And now, with our free Pandit Ji astrology consultations, you can unlock the secrets of your Kundali and embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.

1. What is a Kundali Reading?

A Kundali reading, also known as a birth chart analysis, is a profound and intricate process that delves into the depths of an individual’s birth chart, revealing the intricate web of celestial bodies that shape their destiny. This ancient Indian practice of astrology, also known as Jyotish, is based on the principle that the position of the planets at the exact time and place of an individual’s birth has a profound impact on their life, personality, and future.
A Kundali reading is a unique and personalized analysis of an individual’s birth chart, which provides insight into their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. This ancient art of astrology helps to uncover the subtle energies that influence an individual’s life, including their relationships, career, health, and overall well-being. By examining the intricate patterns and relationships between the planets, a skilled astrologer can offer valuable guidance and insights to help individuals navigate life’s challenges and make informed decisions.
With the help of our expert Pandit Ji, who has spent years perfecting the art of Kundali reading, you can gain a deeper understanding of your birth chart and unlock the secrets to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Our free consultations at your WhatsApp will provide you with a unique and personalized reading, tailored to your specific needs and concerns. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and unlock the mysteries of your Kundali!

1. Importance of Kundali Reading in Vedic Astrology

In the ancient science of Vedic Astrology, a Kundali is more than just a birth chart – it’s a sacred blueprint that holds the secrets of an individual’s destiny. It’s a complex map that reveals the intricate web of planetary positions, their relationships, and the intricate dance of good and bad karma that shape an individual’s life. A Kundali reading is a powerful tool that allows Pandit Ji to decipher the mysteries of the universe and gain insights into an individual’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential.
By analyzing the intricate patterns and symbols on the Kundali, a Pandit Ji can uncover the hidden forces that shape an individual’s life, including the influences of their nakshatras, planets, and gunas. This deep understanding of the cosmic forces at play enables the Pandit Ji to provide personalized guidance, advice, and remedies that can help individuals navigate life’s challenges, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals.
A Kundali reading is not just a theoretical exercise, but a practical tool that can be used to improve one’s life in countless ways. By understanding the intricate dynamics of their Kundali, individuals can make informed decisions, avoid pitfalls, and tap into their inner potential. It’s a powerful tool that can bring harmony, balance, and fulfillment to one’s life, and is a testament to the timeless wisdom and profound insights of Vedic Astrology.

1. How to Read a Kundali Chart

As you gaze upon the intricate pattern of lines, symbols, and numbers on your kundali chart, you may feel a sense of wonder and awe at the complexity and depth of the ancient art of astrology. But, where do you even begin to decipher the secrets hidden within the chart’s intricate design? How do you unravel the mysteries of your birth chart, and unlock the keys to understanding your personality, strengths, weaknesses, and potential?
The answer lies in the art of reading a kundali chart. It’s a skill that requires patience, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the nuances of Vedic astrology. Our experienced pandit jis, armed with years of study and expertise, will guide you through the process of reading your kundali chart, providing insights into your life’s journey, and revealing the hidden patterns and influences that shape your destiny.
From the placement of the planets and the relationships between them, to the interpretation of the various houses and their corresponding themes, every aspect of the chart holds a unique significance and story. As you learn to read your kundali chart, you’ll gain a profound understanding of yourself, your motivations, and your place in the universe. And, with the guidance of our expert pandit jis, you’ll be empowered to make informed decisions, navigate life’s challenges, and unlock the full potential of your life.

1. Understanding the Planets and their Roles

The intricate dance of the planets is a fundamental aspect of understanding the mysteries of your kundali. In Vedic astrology, each planet is associated with specific energies, emotions, and characteristics, influencing various aspects of your life. The Sun, for instance, represents the soul and signifies self-awareness, ego, and identity. The Moon, on the other hand, is connected to the subconscious mind, emotions, and intuition. The other planets, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu, each have their unique roles and energies, shaping your destiny and life path.
The position of the planets in your kundali, also known as a birth chart, determines the strengths and weaknesses of your astrological profile. Understanding the planetary positions and their relationships can help you uncover the hidden patterns and themes that govern your life. For instance, a strong Sun in your kundali can signify confidence, leadership, and a strong sense of self, while a weak Mercury may indicate communication difficulties or mental fogginess.
In our free Pandit Ji astrology consultations, our expert astrologers will guide you in understanding the complex roles of the planets in your kundali. With their in-depth knowledge and insight, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your astrological profile, uncover hidden strengths and weaknesses, and receive personalized advice on how to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

1. Significance of Rashis and Nakshatras

The ancient art of Kundali reading, a sacred tool that unravels the mysteries of the universe, revealing the intricate dance of celestial bodies and their impact on our lives. Within the intricate web of stars and planets, two fundamental components stand out – Rashis and Nakshatras. These two celestial entities play a crucial role in shaping our destinies, influencing our personalities, and guiding our life’s journey.
Rashis, or signs, are the 12 segments of the zodiac circle, each representing a unique character, trait, and energy. They are like the 12 pillars of the universe, standing tall and strong, guiding our lives through their distinct influences. Each Rashi has its own unique characteristics, from the fiery passion of Leo to the calm and collected nature of Taurus. By understanding our Rashi, we can gain insight into our strengths, weaknesses, and natural tendencies.
Nakshatras, on the other hand, are the 27 lunar mansions that divide the zodiac circle into smaller segments. Each Nakshatra has its own distinct energy, symbol, and significance. They are like the subtle threads that weave together the intricate tapestry of our lives, influencing our emotions, relationships, and spiritual growth. By understanding our Nakshatra, we can gain insight into our emotional inner workings, our capacity for love and relationships, and our spiritual path.
Together, Rashis and Nakshatras form a powerful synergy, revealing the intricate dance of our celestial energies and their impact on our lives. By understanding the significance of Rashis and Nakshatras, we can unlock the mysteries of our Kundali, gaining valuable insights into our life’s journey and the path to self-discovery.

1. How to Identify the Ashtakoot Guna Milan

As you delve deeper into the intricacies of your Kundali, one of the most crucial aspects to understand is the concept of Ashtakoot Guna Milan. This ancient Vedic practice is a crucial component of matchmaking and marriage compatibility, and it’s essential to grasp its significance in determining the harmony and success of your relationships.
Ashtakoot Guna Milan is a complex calculation that evaluates the compatibility of two individuals based on their birth charts, taking into account eight key factors, including the Gunas, Doshas, and Lagna. Each individual is assigned a score based on their unique characteristics, and the resulting sum is used to determine the overall compatibility of the couple.
In this intricate process, the Pandit Ji will consider the dominant Gunas, or qualities, of each individual, such as Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas, and how they interact with each other. The calculation also takes into account the Doshas, or planetary imbalances, and the Lagna, or the Ascendant, which plays a crucial role in determining the individual’s personality, strengths, and weaknesses.
By understanding the Ashtakoot Guna Milan, you’ll gain valuable insights into the potential strengths and challenges of your relationship, allowing you to make informed decisions about your future together. Whether you’re seeking guidance on marriage compatibility or simply looking to deepen your understanding of your partner’s personality, our expert Pandit Ji is here to provide you with personalized guidance and support.

1. Understanding the 12 Houses of the Kundali

As you delve into the intricacies of your Kundali, one of the most crucial aspects to grasp is the concept of the 12 Houses. This ancient Vedic system of astrology is a powerful tool for understanding the complexities of human life, and the 12 Houses are the foundation upon which it is built. Each House represents a specific area of life, from the mundane to the spiritual, and the planets that occupy them play a crucial role in shaping your destiny.
The 1st House, also known as the Lagna, is like the crown of the Kundali, representing the individual’s self-image, personality, and overall life path. The 2nd House is associated with wealth, material possessions, and communication, while the 3rd House is linked to siblings, neighbors, and short journeys.
As we move further into the Kundali, the 4th House is connected to the family, emotions, and the subconscious mind, while the 5th House is associated with creativity, children, and romantic relationships. The 6th House is concerned with health, work, and daily routines, and the 7th House is linked to marriage, partnerships, and relationships.
The 8th House is often referred to as the “House of Transformation” and is associated with rebirth, spiritual growth, and the unknown. The 9th House is connected to higher knowledge, travel, and spirituality, while the 10th House is linked to career, reputation, and public image. The 11th House is concerned with friendships, community, and humanitarian pursuits, and the 12th House is associated with the subconscious mind, spirituality, and the collective unconscious.
Understanding the 12 Houses of your Kundali is like unlocking a treasure chest of secrets and insights. By grasping the complex relationships between the planets and the Houses, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world.

1. The Role of Planetary Positions and Transits

The ancient art of Kundali astrology, also known as Janam Patri, is a complex and intricate system that reveals the secrets of our destiny and the cosmic forces that shape our lives. At the heart of this mystical practice lies the intricate dance of planetary positions and transits, which play a crucial role in determining the course of our lives. The positions of the planets at the exact time and place of our birth, as recorded on our birth chart or Kundali, hold the key to understanding our personality, strengths, weaknesses, and potential.
The movement of the planets, as they transit through the zodiac, also has a profound impact on our lives. Their positions can influence our emotions, relationships, career, and overall well-being. For instance, a planetary transit can bring about a period of stability and growth, or it can trigger a series of challenges and upheavals. By understanding the significance of planetary positions and transits, one can gain valuable insights into the unfolding of their life journey.
Through our free Pandit Ji astrology consultations, we offer a unique opportunity to unravel the mysteries of your Kundali and gain a deeper understanding of the celestial forces that shape your life. Our expert astrologers will guide you through the intricate web of planetary positions and transits, helping you to identify areas of strength and weakness, and providing personalized guidance to navigate the twists and turns of your life journey.

1. How to Interpret a Kundali Chart

The intricate web of stars and planets that has been intricately woven into the fabric of your life – your Kundali chart is a window to the mysteries that lie within. Like a treasure map, it holds the secrets to your personality, strengths, and weaknesses, revealing the hidden patterns that govern your destiny. But, deciphering this complex code requires a guiding light, a sage who can unlock the mysteries and reveal the truths hidden within the lines.
With our expert Pandit Ji’s guidance, you’ll embark on a journey of self-discovery, as you delve into the depths of your Kundali chart. Our team of experienced astrologers will walk you through the intricacies of your birth chart, highlighting the key areas of your life that are influenced by the positions of the planets and stars.
Together, we’ll explore the dynamic relationships between the planets, their aspects, and their influences on your life. From the placement of your Sun and Moon to the positions of your Venus and Mars, every detail will be analyzed to reveal the hidden patterns that shape your destiny.
Our Pandit Ji’s expertise will help you understand the intricate dance of the planets, and how they impact your life, relationships, and career. You’ll gain valuable insights into your personality, strengths, and weaknesses, and discover the hidden potential that lies within you.
So, take the first step towards unlocking the secrets of your Kundali chart, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Book your free WhatsApp consultation with our expert Pandit Ji today, and discover the mysteries that lie within your birth chart.

1. Free Consultations: How to Get Your Kundali Read

Imagine having a window to the universe, a map that reveals the secrets of your destiny, and a guide that helps you navigate the twists and turns of life. This is what your Kundali, or birth chart, holds. But, deciphering its intricacies can be a daunting task, especially for those new to the world of astrology. That’s where our expert Pandit Ji comes in – with a wealth of knowledge and experience, he is ready to unlock the mysteries of your Kundali, offering free consultations to help you understand its hidden messages.
During your free consultation, our Pandit Ji will use his vast knowledge of Vedic astrology to analyze your Kundali, revealing the positions of planets and their influences on your life. He will delve into the intricate details of your chart, uncovering strengths, weaknesses, and potential opportunities for growth. With his expert guidance, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your personality, strengths, and vulnerabilities, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Whether you’re seeking guidance on a specific life issue, such as relationships, career, or health, or simply looking to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, our free consultations are the perfect starting point. With our expert Pandit Ji, you’ll embark on a journey of self-discovery, empowered to make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of life with confidence.

1. WhatsApp Consultations: A New Era of Kundali Readings

The ancient art of astrology has always been shrouded in mystery, with seekers of truth and wisdom often having to navigate the complexities of palm readings and star charts to gain a deeper understanding of their destiny. But what if we told you that the mystique of Kundali readings is no longer reserved for the initiated few? With the advent of WhatsApp, the world of Kundali readings has evolved, and we are thrilled to introduce our innovative solution: free Pandit Ji astrology consultations, accessible at your fingertips.
Imagine being able to tap into the wisdom of a revered Pandit Ji, expert in the intricacies of Vedic astrology, and receive personalized guidance on your life’s journey. With our WhatsApp consultations, you can now do just that. Our team of experienced Pandit Jis will guide you through a comprehensive reading of your Kundali, revealing hidden patterns and energies that shape your life. From understanding your strengths and weaknesses to uncovering potential life-changing opportunities, our consultations will provide you with a profound understanding of your cosmic blueprint.
By leveraging the power of WhatsApp, we have made it possible for anyone, anywhere in the world, to access the wisdom of the ancient Vedic tradition. No more need to travel to distant ashrams or wait for weeks to receive a consultation – our free WhatsApp consultations are just a message away. So, take the first step towards unlocking the mysteries of your Kundali, and discover the transformative power of astrology in your life.

1. Benefits of Free Pandit Ji Astrology Consultations

The art of astrology has been a revered and ancient practice in Indian culture, offering individuals a profound understanding of their life’s journey, personality, and future. By unlocking the secrets of one’s kundali, or birth chart, individuals can gain valuable insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and potential. In this era of rapid change and uncertainty, seeking the guidance of a learned pandit ji can provide a sense of clarity and direction.
The benefits of free pandit ji astrology consultations are multifaceted. Not only do they offer a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of one’s life, but they also provide a chance to receive personalized advice and guidance from a wise and experienced pandit ji. With a free consultation, individuals can gain a better understanding of their:
https://mansisharmaji.com/free-chat-with-astrologer-on-whatsapp/
https://mansisharmaji.com/free-pandit-ji-astrology-at-whatsapp/
https://mansisharmaji.com/lady-astrologer-for-free-consultation/
https://mansisharmaji.com/first-free-chat-with-astrologe
https://mansisharmaji.com/free-5-minutes-astrology-chat/
https://mansisharmaji.com/free-chat-with-astrologer-online-in-india/
https://mansisharmaji.com/free-5-minutes-astrology-app/

Animal Well hints-before-solutions non-spoilery Puzzle Guide
This is a non-spoilery guide to Animal Well that will give you hints first, and only full solutions if you reveal them. Click the leftmost spoilers first! This is intended for players who know they have a puzzle in front of them, but don't know how to solve it, or if they're supposed to solve it yet. It doesn't contain every puzzle in the game, and in particular it does not cover much of the early game stuff, or the super late game stuff that isn't even obvious there's a puzzle there, but hopefully it will grow to include the ones most people feel a need to ask about.
If you just want a walkthrough and don't mind spoilers, try A traveler's guide to Animal Well. I also recommend that guide if you're having trouble in the early game, or if you're trying to find the last egg or two, but don't scroll down farther than you need to if you want to avoid spoilers.
Before consulting this guide, especially if you have already seen the credits, you may want to check your map for any gaps in the walls, floors, or ceilings. Even a single pixel gap may mean you have missed an entrance. Disabling the scanline effect in the options menu can help find the gaps.
Each puzzle is categorized into:

• Required: These puzzles are required to complete the game
• Optional: These puzzles are not required to complete the game, but they are not unreasonably difficult
• Late Game: These puzzles are not worth bothering with until you've seen the credits and completed most of the optional puzzles
• Obscure: These puzzles are not even worth your time until you have done everything else, and only super completionists will want to bother with them

The categories are provided to help you decide whether you want to read the hints yet or save the puzzle for later. In general, it is not worth worrying about the puzzles in the more advanced categories before solving the ones in the previous categories.

What's up with the bunny on the grass balcony near the starting area? (Late Game)

You can only reach this bunny from the room on the left. Reaching it is easier with a post-credits item. Use the disc and/or bubble wand to pass by the two large storks (3 rooms to the left of the bunny) and then use the bubble wand (the end game version of the bubble wand is easier) to go through the secret passage in the upper right of the room with the treasure chest. Use the bubble wand to pass through the spike room. The bunny can be "collected", but there is nothing to do with it now.

How do I get the disc from the angry ghost dog statue? (Also kind of looks like a ghost cat) (Required)

You can't defeat the ghost dog. You need a special item. This requires finding an item elsewhere that you can swap with the disc. The "mock disc" can be found by navigating the underground maze in the room one right and one up from the statue. To get there, you must first go far left from the statue.

How do I press all of the buttons in the room with the caged cats? (Required)

Experiment with the Yo-Yo in the room to the right of the caged cats. The Yo-Yo can be used to press the buttons in that room without going all the way down to them, and it can also be used on the animal in the wheel to make the moving walls switch directions. This wheel controls the left-or-right moving vertical walls, unlike the previous wheel you've encountered which controls the up-or-down moving platforms (elevator). In the room to the left of the caged cats, you need the vertically moving platforms to be going up. With the moving walls moving to the right, enter the room to the left of the caged cats. This should lead you to a fish pipe that takes you back up to the top of the purple palace area. From here, after exploding out the wall on the left, another fish pipe enables you to return to the caged cats area regardless of which way the vertically moving platforms are going. Use the Yo-Yo on the animal running in the wheel (just to the right of where the first fish pipe spit you out) to make the vertical platforms move down, then take the fish pipe on the left. You will have to jump to the left along the moving walls to return to the cat cage room. Use the room to the right of the cat cage room to make the moving walls move to the left again. Now reaching the button should be easy.

What's up with the large fish splashing in the lower left room (fast travel area)? (Optional, but worth solving early)

The fish is a puzzle that is related to the item you used to reach this area. Listen to the noises the fish makes. Look at the directions the fish is facing as it splashes. The fish is trying to teach you a song. Note: when playing songs, press the item button to bring out the flute, but then release it. Hold a direction with the D-Pad first, and then tap the item button to play a single note, and release it before changing the direction for the next note. The song is... ➡➡⬅⬅⬇⬇⬆⬆ and will teleport you to the fast travel room.

What is the "M. Disc Shrine" for? (Required)

You have already seen an item in the game with a name similar to "M. Disc". The item is the "Mock Disc", and you likely left it in the angry ghost dog statue (5 rooms down, 2 left). You must retrieve the Mock Disc and bring it to the M. Disc shrine. After picking up the Mock Disc, you can use fast travel (if you've learned it) to quickly get to the dog head fast travel point, or you can simply go to the right 2 rooms, up 3 (you opened the path here with the dynamite, right?), left 5, and up 1. Either way, you must then go from the dog head fast travel room 2 rooms to the right, and then either up and right or right and up (I find up then right to be easier by taking the top path), Right again, fall down the middle hole to flip the switch, up the ladder and to the right into the shrine. After placing the mock disc, the nearby door should open.

How do I get into the room just right of the M. Disc Shrine? (Optional)

You need the platforms (elevator) with the dog picture on them to be moving up instead of down. This requires a late game item. Look for an alcove along the shaft that the platforms pass by that has no other purpose. You must use an item in that room, 4 rooms down from the top of the map. Use the Remote in that room; it should explode out the wall on the left. The Yo-Yo can be used to make the dog running in the wheel change directions, which will make the platforms go up. Ride the platforms to the top.

What do I do about the vampire bat? (Optional)

The bat isn't the key to any kind of puzzle, but he can be scared away. Throw 3 firecrackers (one at at time) to scare away the bat. There are 3 firecrackers in the room to the left, which is helpful.

How do I free the caged cats? (Late Game)

The solution is hidden around this quadrant of the map. Take note of the ceiling boxes the cages hang from. These boxes respond to your flute. Each of the 5 cats requires a song to free, which can be found by searching this general area of the map. Look carefully for arrows on the background in secret spots around the purple palace. Using a light can help see them. For reference, the purple palace area has a phone just within its entrance, where you first encounter the moving platforms (elevator). The songs can be found at: (1) the location the Ostrich was found running in his wheel, (2) The small secret alcove accessible to the left of the room two rooms above the phone (it has a window into an unrelated room with bright ghosts moving up and down in a VVV shape), (3) A small hidden room in the upper left of the room below the phone (requires using an item that can dig one room to the left), (4) In the upper left of the room just above the phone (which contains the animal in the wheel). This can be reached from the room on the left, if you have the ability to reach the top of the room. It is possible to reach it with the normal bubble wand, but easier to do it with the end-game bubble wand., (5) In the lower-right most room that contained the flame. Notice how one of the platforms looks different from the others. Use the Slink on the right of the room to activate a button in the water. This lets you reach a hidden alcove at the top of the room. (General tips) Here is a map showing the locations (from the "travelers guide to animal well"): https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2521530104091245968/4A81213ED4CCCE1BAFFB36B970BA2AD76C1D9457/ Near each song there are symbols in the wall that correspond to symbols above the cat cages, indicating where each song is used.

How do I get the treasure chest in the cage in the room with the large pacing ghost cat? (Late Game)

The solution to this puzzle is not in this room, but it is in the general lower right area of the map. The solution involves music, but you don't play the music in this room. Where else have you seen cages like the one the treasure chest is in? You must first free the 5 cats from their hanging cages. Then return to the treasure chest and the large cat will open it for you. See "How do I free the caged cats?" (above).

Where do I play the song I found in the background of the purple palace Ostrich area? (Optional)

Try using your flute in different rooms around the purple palace and see if you can find anything that responds to it. See "How do I free the caged cats? (above)

How do I get the treasure chest in the small room filled with spikes near the lower right of the map? (Optional)

This is only possible once you have gotten the treasure chest in the nearby room with the large pacing ghost cat (see above). That chest should give you the Wheel item. You can use it to roll over spikes.

What do I do with the mostly flat slightly concave U-shaped objects on the ground? (Late Game)

You need a special item to interact with these objects. See "How do I get the treasure chest in the cage in the room with the large pacing ghost cat?" (above)

After defeating the Ostrich boss in the lower right of the map, the blocks don't move anymore. Can I still get the treasure chest in the room to the left? (Late Game)

Yes, and if you don't know how, don't worry about it for now. See "What do I do with the mostly flat slightly concave U-shaped objects on the ground?" (above).

What do I do with the "recessed circle" pedestals? (Optional)

Each of these requires a separate circular item. None of them are related in any way to the disc or mock disc. (1) The one with the snake statue in the starting area requires the S medal, which can be found in the upper right quadrant of the map behind one of the spots where the large chameleon was first found. (2) The one two rooms to the right of the Sea Horse flame requires The E medal, which first requires lighting every candle in the map (there are 9), and then returning to the room to the left of the game's starting room and entering the fish pipe that should appear. Here are the candle and match locations (from the "travelers guide to animal well"): https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2521530104090950184/C23385F72C001C2B66C7D4C8D53E0EB2DEC06814/ (3) The one with the kangaroo statue in the upper left of the map requires the K medal, which the kangaroo holds. The kangaroo appears randomly in 5 rooms throughout the map. You must use firecrackers on it 3 times. Here are the kangaroo locations (from the "travelers guide to animal well"): https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2521530104091166441/AB982FD6D9A81A76CE7BBED17850085A870E31B0/ . As far as I know, the kangaroo only appears randomly, so you must travel to these locations over and over.

What's up with the grid of lights in the room just to the left of the game's starting room? (Optional)

The lights in this 3x3 grid light up as you accomplish a certain task throughout the world. Each light corresponds to a lit candle. Light all 9 candles in the world to open a secret passage. Here are the candle and match locations (from the "travelers guide to animal well"): https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2521530104090950184/C23385F72C001C2B66C7D4C8D53E0EB2DEC06814/

What's up with the small scattered statues that have symbols and dice numbers on them? (Optional)

Each of these contains a map icon and a number. Mark them on your map (including the numbers) and the solution may become clear. After marking them on your map, you must connect the dots. Each symbol is a separate connect-the-dots puzzle, connected in order of the numbers. Once connected, each symbol should make the shape of a number. The numbers correspond to flute notes. Play the song to teleport to a secret.

How do I reach the room to the left of the dark room that is only accessible via fish pipe? (Obscure)

The community does not (yet?) know how to access that room, except by cheating. Sorry, this sentence isn't helpful either.

How do I get the treasure chest in the room with the two dog statues and the grass? (Obscure)

This room requires using information outside the game. The grass is the key. Does the grass remind you of anything you might find in the real world, not at all related to the game? The grass is a bar code. Scanning it reveals... the numbers 18756753. Play the corresponding notes on the flute.

How do I get into the secret in the top right of the room with the 3 dogs in the pit? (Late Game)

You need to switch the solid/empty block state and get between the two columns of switchable blocks while the ones on the left are solid and the ones on the right are not. The block state cannot be switched from within this room. You need a sort of teleportation mechanic to pull this off, so that you can switch the block state in a different room and then return to this location. You have probably already used the teleportation mechanic! You might even have been annoyed or frustrated by it. Falling into water teleports you to the last location you touched the ground. You can use the bubble wand and/or disc to move around without touching the ground. Yes, this is a rather difficult platforming challenge. You must stand between the columns, find a way to a room that can allow you to switch the block states, and then fall into water somewhere, all without touching the ground. There are at least two approaches to this that can work. One of them takes advantage of the fact that standing on a switchable block does not count as standing on the ground. Tip: shooting the bubble wand downward during a jump, landing on the bubble and jumping again, with good timing, can enable you to slowly move upward when there is a lack of horizontal space to work with. The easiest way to do this that I found is to use the (end-game version of the) bubble wand to go to the left 2 rooms, then up 2 rooms, in which the Remote can be used to switch the block state, then return down 1 room and to the right 1 room and fall into the water. However, another approach involves going to the right with the disc and standing on some of the switchable blocks. (I used the Lantern while falling into the water to avoid taking damage from the ghost faces, but I'm not sure that's required.) The Top can be used to distract the dogs, giving you more room to work with.

What can I do with the bunny mural? (Obscure)

Try using the Remote in the picture room. Also try using the Top in the revealed area. This should reveal a hint in the room below. However, it is not enough information to solve the puzzle. You need the help of other players to solve this puzzle. Every player gets a different hint. You can use https://philippgitpush.github.io/bunnymuralhelpe to pretend you worked with other players and solve the puzzle yourself. The solution is visible at https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2521530104091456782/FF73FD9F5F41B3F772F44029A8E5221D943803AC/ (from "the travelers guide to Animal Well")

What do I do with the groundhog that retreats into his hole when I approach? (Obscure)

You can only interact with this animal at certain times. Specifically, only at a certain day of the year, depending on your system clock. The day is... groundhog day. See https://techraptor.net/gaming/guides/animal-well-groundhog-double-health-guide for more information.

How do I get the treasure chest behind the pile of skulls? (Obscure)

The skulls cannot be removed. However, the treasure chest doesn't contain any important item or even an egg or one of the end-game collectables. What do skulls represent in real life? Each skull represents one of your deaths. Start a new game and reach this room without dying to open the chest. The chest contains a figurine that will display in the house area.

How do I get into (and through) the room in the upper left of the map? (Optional)

Look for nearby holes in the walls and ceilings on your map. There is an exit at the top of the room with the two swordfish statues (right one from the room with the staircase into the water). You can reach that hole with the bubble wand, but I recommend learning how to reach it with the disc instead. It is possible to throw and land on a disc in a single jump without bouncing the disc off a wall. By raising the block in the staircase room (by using the Slink on the staircase), you can get the height you need to jump and land on a disc, bringing you to the swordfish statue room high enough to enter the hole at the top. The upper left room requires using this same trick. Jump and land on a disc to go through the first row of spikes. For the second row, you must do this twice without landing. Wait for the wall bounce before attempting the second jump.

What do I do with the eggs once I've found them all? (Late Game)

You should have 64 eggs. Use the UV Lamp on the eggs and on the room you found the flute in (2 rooms to the left). Each line on an egg represents a 1 (top), 2 (middle), or 4 (bottom). Add the numbers together for each egg. The numbers correspond to flute notes. This reveals a song. The eggs with no lines correspond to an 8 (↗). The song may not work at first. Consider the types of eggs that were collected. Some are special in ways that are relevant to this puzzle. There is one egg in particular, in the first half of the song, that is visually different from the others in a meaningful way. There is an upside-down egg. (Third from the left, second row.) Reverse the first and last lines on the upside-down egg. The final song is: ↖⬇➡⬇↖⬇➡⬇↖↙ ↘↙↖↙↘↙↗ ⬅⬇⬅↗⬅ ⬇⬅⬆⬅↘⬅⬆ ⬅↘⬅↖⬇➡⬇ ↖⬇➡⬇↖↙↘ ↙↖↙↘↙↖↗ ↖↙↗⬆⬅⬇⬆ ↖↙⬅⬆↖⬅↖. Playing it in the egg room should open a secret. There is also a 65th egg that you may have found, which is not relevant here.

How do I open the door in the top of the house? (Late Game)

First, solve all of the "Optional" puzzles. This door requires finding every egg. See "What do I do with the eggs" (above).

What is the incubator for? (Late Game)

First, solve all of the "Optional" puzzles. Find all of the eggs. Then, you can retrieve a 65th egg from the egg room. Bring it here.

What are the face icons in the skull room for? (Optional)

The direction of each face from the center of the circle corresponds to a flute note. The upper-right most room in the map contains a list of faces, as well as an image which is a hint as to where to use the song. The image is a classical illusion that appears to either be a duck or a bunny, depending on how you look at it. Play the song by the duck near the center of the map (just right of the flame beacons) to turn it into a secret bunny. The faces also appear in a special end-game room... when you use the Remote on the TV. Playing the song corresponding to these faces also reveals a secret bunny. The faces also appear on an enemy in one place...

What is the large spinning torus / donut for? (Late Game)

You can't do anything in this room until you have solved almost all of the puzzles in the game. Save it for last. However, you might want to try the UV light in this room for an unrelated secret. After completing the incubator room puzzle, you will reach an alternate area with another torus that teleports you to this one and back.

What is the large clock for? (Late Game)

You can't really do anything with the clock unless the doors are already open. Try using the UV lamp on the clock. If you beat the game within a certain number of minutes on a new save file, the doors will open. They contain... figurines that will display in the house.

What does the stop watch do? (Late Game)

The stop watch merely enables the clock on the pause menu.

What's up with the egg-shaped game machine? (Late Game)

You can jump into this machine from the top. It shows you how much distance you have traveled. If your distance traveled is low enough, there are fewer walls in the way, enabling access to the treasure chests. The treasure chests do not contain items that you need. The treasures are figurines that display in the house. At 100,000 steps, the number resets to 0, enabling you to get the treasures.

What's up with the kangaroo? (Optional)

The kangaroo appears randomly in 5 rooms throughout the map. It can be scared away, which will give you a reward. Use firecrackers on it. Here are the kangaroo locations (from the "travelers guide to animal well"): https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2521530104091166441/AB982FD6D9A81A76CE7BBED17850085A870E31B0/ . Using firecrackers on it 3 times will give you the "K medal", which can be used... in the room to the left of the vampire bat room.

How do I defeat the fish boss with the skeleton body? (Optional)

Study the fish's attacks carefully. The fish does the same attacks in a certain order. The attack directions correspond to flute notes. The song is ↖⬇↙⬅↙↗↖. Play the song and then... Enter its mouth.

1. Oil is not lube, water, blood, fiery, drumming in any way. 1.2 Oil is below the ground, piped above the ground, held in lots, certified for lot purity. 1.3 A foundry cannot use the same cracking tower more than once 1.4 A foundry product must be pure of vaseline and hydrogen if it is a computer 1.5 Boxes have related product constraints to the primary product to fix the product in size to the box size and make the reconstruction of the item possible from the box 1.6 A box can store CBX Cannabinoids or Food 1.7 A computer accesses cache and stash from its phase aeration or transistor 1.8 Cache is directly triggered by aeration 11.1 1.9 Stash, or finder, is directly triggered by aeration 44.4 and 88.8 2.0 Overclocking a computer leads to the negative variac signal but still is the same computer 2.1 A gun propels a variac signal bullet at the target and offset 200 propels something 2.2 offset 22.2 is the wait time of the computer, which the whole cache and stash change in the letter to a different cache and stash with a different wait time 2.3 Cache 1 is too fast so deletes 2.4 Cache 66.6 Is specifically used for bitcoin mining and is the necessity of a supercomputer 2.4 It is possible to put a whole hidden function into the ultrafreqency of an item, hidden function lurks similar to the item 2.5 Correctly done carpentry in an oil setting can trigger temu glitches like gift wrapping and oil dynamics as can bad behavior 2.6 Lube occurs at release 33 exact about and not below 2.7 Oil is never below 10 release for oil 2.8 Oil is certified what it is then you have to deal with making the thing out of whatever it proofed as which you should not exceed your screen width for extracting oil or a chain of eight police motion. 2.9 Oil may naturally relate in the retrieval of a four star wanted level while oil is extracted 3.0 Markus is better than Cecil at oil and invented the 221 barrel standard for uganda 3.1 circle should stick to blueprinting as he is a shiba inu thus not oil tolerant like a dragon

The results are in for Match 21. The winner is…
Mahimit was dragged across the battlefield by ｢Young Lives｣, the Stand filling him with a vigor to fight, to please his father who was watching from above—and that vigor filled him with each slash of its claws, keeping the son awake as he was marched down towards the trailer.
The two Stand Users had made their way down there last—secluded within a small container, cornered. The Stand’s puppet had been worn down for certain, but this was the time to finally finish things. As they approached, they saw through the window the older woman pull out her phone, and immediately Mahimit’s arm was raised to aim his gun right for it. As they made him pull the trigger, he couldn’t fire before she had spoken to her allies on the other end:
“Yeah, we figured out who the perp is, it’s Thomas Kent. Singh didn’t even show up, sent a lackey instead. He should be…”
The rest of her sentence faded out as Mahimit stalled…stopped.
The Stand roared in panicked fury as its user lowered his gun, unable to control them with the ease it once had. Mahi barely noticed—neither did they react to Windy’s warm, draining embrace of as ｢Young Lives｣ attempted to claw her off of him. As his eyes began to close, the longcoat of his Stand’s prior form disappeared and revealed the real one beneath, he managed one thought before falling into a deep sleep.
Of course he didn’t. Why did I think otherwise…

Sonika Singha and Windy, with a score of 72 to Mahimit “Hira” Rākin’s 56!

Category	Winner	Point Totals	Comments
Popularity	Sonika Singha and Windy	27 (14+2) - 3 (0+2)	A shutout victory for the players!
Quality	Mahimit “Hira” Rākin	17 (6 5 6) - 20 (7 7 6)	Reasoning
JoJolity	Mahimit “Hira” Rākin	18 (6 6 6) - 23 (8 7 8)	Reasoning
Conduct	Tie	10-10	Nothing to report!

The results are in for Match 22. The winner is…
Club Naraka, the site of a hellish pile of bodies and accidents, was practically on fire that night. Thankfully, Sulka, along with a group of armed guards, had brought a fire extinguisher with them. They stormed the ground floor, taking a moment to spread themselves out. “Alright, we’ve-” A hail of gunfire cut the man off. “—THEY’RE HERE!”
A few of the nameless guards rushed in towards Sulka, to catch any strays that might come his way. Sulka himself pulled the nozzle end up, and heard another single shot fire from another nearby pillar. “There’s an accomplice, circle—” Something crawled up his thumb, and bit into the extinguisher, just as a stray bullet drove a dent into the metal casing. “—AUGH!”
The fire extinguisher burst in his hands, filling the room with a heavy white smog. The hip-firing moved, and it came long, low, and in mobile spurts. “Fire back—” As if on cue, fire jettisoned into the cloud of smoke, “—SPREAD OUT, QUICK!” Through blurred vision, Sulka watched one of their own leave through the front door. “Not that far, damnit!”
With the guards spread out along the floor around him, some wearing gouts of fire, some drenched in the liquid refuse of their extinguisher, and others still riddled with bullets, Sulka turned to one of their dead men, and ripped a pistol from their side. They watched the last moving object head for the door, and pulled the trigger, twice. An employee badge caught the edge of his blurred vision.
The cool night air filled the ground floor, and fed the flames atop the burning men. Sulka’s arm fell to his side, letting the gun clatter against the floor.
A spiral of thoughts took him. First, he’d need to make a casualty report, followed by a loss statement. The sheer number of clients who may not come back after an incident like this would likely drive the place out of business. Between that, the viscera, the dead workers, the dead clients, and all the ammunition costs—let alone the licenses he’d have to put in for—his head shrieked at him. For once, he shrieked back.
It was a low, horrid thing, much like a growl or snarl, but loud enough to make itself known against the billowing call of night. A cool hand slicked his hair back, and the night air stopped pouring in through the shutting door. He turned to one of the guards, who’d taken to putting out another with a blanket. “Take everyone alive and go look for everyone else alive.” Sulka sauntered away. “I’ll be in my office.”

Reese McGuffin, with a score of 72 to Markov's 69!

Category	Winner	Point Totals	Comments
Popularity	Reese McGuffin	13 (3+2+2) - 17 (5+2+2)	An even voting period right up until the very end!
Quality	Markov	23 (7 8 8) - 22 (7 8 7)	Reasoning
JoJolity	Tie	23 (8 8 7) - 23 (7 8 8)	Reasoning
Conduct	Tie	10-10	Nothing to report!

Somewhere in the night, a Club Naraka coat and hat, usually only worn by guards, lay in a trash can. A woman, caked in blood and all manner of horrors, pressed herself against the wall beside it, and fished through her pocket for a coin. She’d found it there, in the elevator, on her way to her shift. Moonlight danced across its surface, letting the coin shimmer madly in the low light. ”Hah… you… y-you saved me…” Emile was shuddering, clutching the golden coin tight, for fear of dropping it. “I-I don’t know why, but… w-whatever you want of me, I’ll gladly give it in return… p-please, tell me…who…who are you?”
“…aha!” the voice chuckled. “How…terrible of me! In all the commotion, our…introductions com-pletely slipped my…mind.”
The air in front of Emile began to shift and shimmer. As she pulled her gaze away from the coin, she saw something phase into existence—a feminine form, long purple wires for hair, and a peering red eye gazing back at her beneath them.
It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.
“My name is Markov. And your ad-mir-a-tion is payment…enough.”
Emile stared, gazing in wonderment at the hovering figure. Whether from exhaustion or reverence, she dropped to her knees, tears beginning to streak down her face. She thought of the ordeals she’d just faced. The people she’d passed. The people she’d fled. The people she’d killed. There was something else, though—the figure’s eyes seemed to- “That…hole in your shoulder.” Emile’s own head turned to match the figure’s gaze. “Do not fret. I can…teach you how to…take care of that.”
From the roof above the pair’s heads, one couldn’t hear the quiet murmurs and shivers of a woman ripping apart her own viscera-caked clothes to seal her wounds. Other things were certainly on the mind of its occupant, one Reese McGuffin.
Before him were two rats. Before them was a whole litany of ghostly creatures. His hand pointed towards the rat to his right, “Alright everyone, this is Splinter—” before it moved to point at the rat on his left, “—and this is Remy!”
Remy waddled up to a Utahraptor first, and started sniffing at it. “Oh, lemme introduce you to pieces, Remy!” Reese put a hand between the ghost animals, and casually shuffled it back and forth as he spoke. “Remy, Pieces! Pieces, Remy!” He turned on his heel to see Splinter eyeing up Finn, the shark. “Hey! He’s a friend, not food!”
A comforting quiet filled the night air as the ghostly animals circled one another, introducing themselves in their own little ways. The only thing left on Reese’s mind was a single odd question, one that had been eating at him since he left. “Where did I put that coral?”
Slowly, Mahimit awoke to the morning sun’s light. They could have sworn that they had a nightmare that night, but they felt refreshed as if waking from a peaceful slumber…
That wasn’t a nightmare, was it? He thought he could manage it all but in the end he just…broke as soon as he saw Ajay lying there with a bullet through his shoulder—wait, is he okay? Was he brought to safety? Did the Suite now think he was involved?
“Hey, don’t worry—you're safe here.”
Mahimit blinked, finally taking note of their surroundings. They were lying in a plain white bed, first aid boxes and equipment scattered about—the architect remembered the claws raking at their back throughout the night. Their torso had been bandaged up thoroughly: their long coat was laid out across a table, while their shirt was currently in Windy’s hands, who must have paused in stitching back up one of the tears when she noticed them awake.
“W-where am I?” Mahi asked. “Is Ajay safe? Where is he?”
“Jon got him to a hospital as soon as he could,” a voice called out from the door. Mahi looked over to see who looked like a detective walking in, followed by the two he recognised having gone after Zafar back then—no, not Zafar. “Had to be more careful with you given how well known you are, Mahimit—or do you prefer Hira?”
The architect sighed with some relief at that, not finding any deceit in the answer. “Either’s fine…not sure which one’s more ‘me’ anyways.” He looked around at the group settling into the room. “…Where’s the other person who was with you? Is she okay?”
A silence filled the room as the four recalled what Windy recounted once they regrouped—Sonika had lost hope, and ended up attempting to kill an unconscious Mahimit before she was stopped by Windy which caused the PI to run off.
Steric didn’t look it, but he was probably one of the most affected within PINDROP. While diving into his work wasn’t the healthiest coping mechanism, he had been increasingly concerned for Sonika’s health and disposition—so to hear that she not only ran off, but wanted to dispand PINDROP was crushing. “She…she ended up leaving.” He refocused onto Mahimit. “You said you’re unsure about yourself—would you be willing to answer why?”
Hira chuckled. “I guess I do owe you some answers. Well, I first went out as ‘Hira’ right around when I manifested my Stand—but then I ended up going out as them more often. Started to look into stuff about myself without the pressure of being the perfect son on my back…haven’t felt I’ve had the chance to really do so since I came back to Rakin.”
“Because of Zafar?” Inago asked, taking a nearby seat. “You don’t have to answer more than you’re comfortable with, but…you only went berserk after you thought he had just shot your friend.”
“Yup,” Windy nodded, setting aside the shirt and needle. “And I couldn’t help but notice ya stopped letting that Stand control ya once Sonika said out loud that it wasn’t your pa.”
Mahi winced. “…Yeah, I thought it was Zafar. He was a great parent and I never wanted to let him down, but things got so out of hand that when that last piece dropped I just…shattered, I guess. Though even if he was told it probably wouldn’t matter…”
“And why’s that?” Steric asked, jotting down some notes.
“He’s stubborn, sticks to how he thinks things are. If anything challenges his view on a friend or ally of his, he’ll just ignore it and carry on. He’s going to learn that I was Tamas and he’ll shrug it off and forget about it, as usual. Probably the sole reason he’s still in the Metro is because he truly believes that they’re doing what’s best for the city—something I found quickly wasn’t the case.”
Drippy stepped forward. “About that: why were you in there in the first place, and for how long? And what do you know about the Middleman?”
“…I can’t tell you anything about them.” Hira spoke, eyes glancing away from her.
“W-why!?” Drippy almost yelled out. “What reason do you all possibly have to not want them stopped?!”
“Well, you plan on killing them once you know, aren’t you?”
“Yes! Perhaps if you actually told us then maybe we could see why we shouldn’t put down this person taking utmost glee in murder. I don’t get why you and Rasna are willing to protect this guy.”
“…Trust me, if I could have stopped them I would have years ago. But if Rasna’s refused to tell you, you should be able to figure out why, right?”
“…they’ve suffered a lot, haven’t they?” Inago asked somberly. “That must be why they’re how they are today.”
“Oh, so they can get off free after everything they did?” Drippy retorted.
Steric put his hands between the two lest things escalated. “We can discuss this later—at the very least that is a lead.” He turned to the guest. “As for the other questions?”
Mahi nodded. “It was a month or two after I began working towards getting into the City Planning Board. Things weren’t looking as good as I hoped, when my father decided to bring me down to see these friends of his. I was offered a deal: they would pull some strings to help get me onto the board as long as I was willing to put forward some things they wanted…even then I figured something was off, but if it meant I could help this city I thought it was worth it. Oh how wrong I was…”
Steric sighed, finishing up with his notepad before putting away his pen. “I think that will be all then…thank you for your time. We’ll leave you to rest now.”
Inago followed the PINDROP members out, looking over his shoulder one last time: “Before I forget, anything you want for breakfast?”
Mahi thought for a moment. “Pancakes?”
Windy hopped off her chair and walked closer to Hira. “You’re a kind soul deep down, aren’t ya? Even as violent as you were, ya never tried to kill anyone…”
“But I just tried to kill you! It wasn’t me but it was born from me…messed with my thoughts as well as my body. So glad my therapist is a Stand user, thank fu—dge.”
She chuckled at the self-censorship. “But you fought back in the end, didn’t ya? I think I understand the feeling of getting puppeted though, and I know Luna and Alex should be able to help with the memory stuff. If you ever want to talk about it, feel free—we’d be happy to.”
“Sure,” Mahi nodded, lying back down into the bed as they allowed themself to smile. “…Thank you.”
Scenario: Verve Residence, Sapatibhatt — 10:23AM
Clink.
The teacup rattled against the table, empty. Idly, Gioia Arancini glanced over the lid, curious to see the shape of her future reflected in the tea leaves. She didn’t believe in that stuff, but Fate had taken stranger forms. Besides, Evergreen had done a lot these past few weeks. She couldn’t help but wonder…
“You were right, Gioia!” Soichi piped up from beside her, sipping on his own cup, “this is really good!”
In front of them, Vasant Verve sheepishly wrung his hands, giving them both a little smile. “I’m glad I haven’t lost my touch, haha…! It really is the least I can do, while you’re here.”
They could not meet at Urban Hymns, as the estate had been closed since Gioia and Charvet fought the man a few weeks prior. Though she had expected the two of them would get arrested, Verve himself had told the authorities that he would not press charges. In return, Gioia had been checking in with him, making sure he was back on his feet, and that ｢Cage The Elephant｣ was well and truly gone.
“Mm,” Gioia nodded, “give Vasudha my thanks as well,”
“No problem, dear!” a woman shouted from another room. Verve had little desire to return to his cabin, so in the meantime he was staying in his younger sister’s house.
For a moment, there was silence. Verve was perfectly still, as if one wrong move would shatter this tenuous peace. Soichi was content to drink in the cozy atmosphere. Gioia was staring at the tea leaves. What shape did they form?

The peace on Mount Parapollah was just as tenuous. Muuru had returned to the mountain now that the sand worms slumbered and the shifting had stopped. There was once a being who was to the Mountain as Muuru was to the City. The being was gone, now, and the Suite was filling in the gaps with trucks and bulldozers. As Muuru watched, a woman with a flute sat down beside him and smiled. Whatever happened next, the Mountain and the City moved together.

Gioia was drawn back to reality as Soichi spoke. “So, what have you been doing during your time off?”
“Oh?” Verve blinked. “Not much, I suppose! Just some odd jobs, here and there, mostly in the South. Just trying to help the rebuilding efforts, you know? Fix what I broke.” He grimaced a moment, before deflecting back to Soichi.
“What about you? It’s usually just Gioia checking in, I haven’t seen you since, you know…”
“The whole New York thing?” Soichi chuckled. “I’ve been alright, yeah. As rough as it was, we ended up making friends with those Riders! Sometimes you need an unlikely situation to help you come together, you know?”
Evergreen had certainly faced unlikely situations before. Gioia mused on this as she looked at the leaves.

The flute was not the only instrument that echoed through Rakin. As Deacon Blues wandered through the Sapatibhatt, the song of his trumpet followed behind. The land, once torn apart, was being rebuilt. The scars from his battle with the weaponsmith were fading, but the man still taught him a valuable lesson. The hand that wields a weapon can also wield a tool. Maybe this was the nature of potential. Whatever it was, Deacon figured it was worth a song.

Gioia glanced up from the cup, giving Verve a smirk. “Tough times help you realize who your real friends are. You’ve realized that too, I’m sure. Thanks to our efforts, the Metropolis Suite is having a tough time of their own. I wonder how quickly they’ll turn on each other?”
“Xen was already convinced they were out to get him. He kept going on about this Stand, ｢Diamond Life｣. No matter what he did for the Suite, it never told him who its user was. It drove him crazy–I think he was trying to solve that one himself.”
“Did he succeed?”
“I don’t think so. It’s not like he could strike a deal with The Gossip, he didn’t have anything ｢She｣ wanted. I’m sure that drove him crazy too.” There was still a sorrow in his voice.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Soichi smiled quietly, patting the man on the arm. Gioia nodded in turn, before she continued.
“Have you had any contact with him?”
“Not really. His assistant texted me, apparently the folks at Hymnal are on indefinite paid leave, until I figure out what to do. I guess that’s on me.” Verve paused a moment, grimacing. “Apparently he might still be at the cottage? I don’t know—I’m not going to—I’m not ready to talk to him, yet.”
“You don’t ever have to talk to him again,” Gioia responded. “I’m sure he’s cowering in the dark now that we’ve exposed his true nature. The other members of Metropolis should realize they’re soon to follow.”
Indeed, the members of Evergreen might not have the same methods…but they were united in this cause. Would this define their future? Gioia glanced over at the tea leaves.

The immortal had lived through countless riots, but the Bedtown Takeover was one of his favorites. He had returned to the area, replaying his grand speech, looking at the bloodstains that marked this territory. Sure, now that Aco’s child had appeared, VULTURE was considering new leadership. But that didn’t matter to Ouroboros, content to remain the (Self-Appointed) Secret Lord of Bedtown. Behind him, Honeydew was simply content to dismantle car batteries.

Gioia glanced back at Verve to see his brow furrowed.
“I can’t believe I ever got involved with those bastards,” he scowled. “Deep down, I knew they were trouble—I talked to Xen about Sing Now!, he just said…sometimes the only way to reach a common goal is to work with people you don’t agree with. He almost made it make sense.”
“He was a smooth-talking control freak. I’m sure you’ve realized how empty those words were.”
Verve rested his chin in his hand, staring into his own empty cup. In the end, all he saw were scattered leaves. No one was guiding him now. No one but himself. “…That’s not all he was. I think he really believed it, you know? That he was doing good. I wanted to believe it too, more than anything. But I think he was just trying to justify it to himself. Even when he had his doubts.”
Gioia curled her fingers around the teacup. “What about you, Verve? What do you think ‘good’ is?”
At this, the man laughed bittersweetly. “You think I can answer that? I thought Xen had the answer, and look where that got us. If you think you’re the only guy who can change the world, you’ll just make it worse.”
He looked up at Soichi. “We saw what his world looks like,” then to Gioia, “he would have trapped us both inside, if not for you.”
It seemed the Suite had a lot of cities within cities, living symbols of their control. Gioia took one last look at the symbol in her cup.

Disco D Lune had been keeping up with her contacts at the military base, catching up with the most recent happenings. Apparently, there had been a falling-out between the general and his child: an opportunity to sew doubt and dissent amongst the ranks. Disco had already designed new buildings to replace this one, and they were beautiful.

“You’re a free man, Verve,” Gioia concluded, staring him down. “So what will you do with that freedom?”
Verve looked between the two, but found no answers. Now, his choices were his own. In the end, the answer was simple.
“…I want to make things right. The Suite they… they ruined my home, they ruined him, they ruined me. I’m tired of seeing kids get pulled into this. Rasna, Ichi, and now poor Mahamit…” Behind him, warm air sang with the soft trumpet of ｢Bitter Sweet Symphony｣. “It needs to end. Those kids, my nieces, all of them, all of us. We all need a city that we can call home.”
Gioia smiled, closing her eyes contentedly as she felt the heat roll over her. Beside her, she could feel Soichi resting a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t even need to see his smile to feel its warmth. She didn’t need to see the leaves to know the shape of her future. She had known many homes, many stories, many tragedies and triumphs. But right now, home was a tree, Evergreen. Seasons changed, and yet its leaves would always flourish.
Soichi glanced at the cup in her stead. To him, the leaves just seemed like a weird square. But soon that shape was washed away, as he poured them all another cup of warm and fragrant tea.
“Well said! This calls for a toast. To new friends!”
Clink!

Scenario: Hymnal Bazaar, Reshmerasta — 8:58 PM
The market was closed for the evening. This curfew was in place ever since the Middleman attacked. The Bazaar was already struggling—if people were too scared to walk around at night, then why bother staying open? Even when the Bazaar was open, the stall for Urban Hymns stood empty. But for a broom, only a lone figure stood there. Verve used to sweep while his employees handled everything else.
His boyfriend once asked him why he did that.
’It makes me feel like I’m doing something–” he had laughed, “I’m leaving this place better than I found it!’
Verve had a lovely laugh, the figure recalled, staring at the broom.
Slowly, he knelt down to pick it up.
Then, Xenagoras took a deep breath,
and swept the streets that he used to own.

Scenario: ???, ??? — 9:07 PM
“It’s simple, gentlemen…”
The sound of chatter and slow music. The smell of pristine tobacco and the clinking of glasses. This outlined the leadership of the Metropolis Suite, holed up in a skyscraper that overlooked the whole of Rakin. To their right, a window—one that replaced the whole wall, showing the nighttime lights. It almost looked like an alien world, the way the dark purples and reds of the late sunset stretched across the blinking gleams of windows and signs. A single man spoke, an esteemed guest trying his best to rise in their ranks: Luiviton.
“With a little bit of push, we could completely criminalize a number of traffic violations. Of course, they’re already illegal—but I’m talking perfect driving. Instead of community service, we give fines that cut chunks out of bank accounts. Instead of towing cars, we give jail time. I have contacts in the private prison industry who would be willing to pay us good money to multiply the conviction rates~! All it takes is a little bit of sacrifice from Rakin’s people.”
The table was silent. A voice piped up- that of Sing Now!, media conglomerate CEO and one of the Suite’s primary figures of authority. “That’s an awful idea, Luiviton.”
He blanched. “E-Excuse me?” He asked, flabbergasted. “We could stand to gain-”
Sing Now! interrupted him swiftly and curtly. “It doesn’t matter how much we ‘stand to gain’ from selling our city’s soul to prison moguls. You’re a good friend, but everytime you come up here with a suggestion it’s always some kind of short-sighted scheme to make money. That’s not what this thing of ours is about.”
That earned a couple of nods and a “Damn straight.” from Zafar at his left.
He continued. “If we overcriminalize poor driving, what we’re doing is sacrificing Rakin’s workforce in exchange for…nothing. We would completely freeze important institution who are suddenly bleeding key figures and employees who’ve made simple mistakes. We’re not parasites or petty tyrants. We’re leaders. We do these backdoor deals not to increase our wealth, but our resources which we must use for everyone’s benefit. We must direct the people, not root through their pockets.”
Conversation erupted, primarily economic in nature. Some offered to take care of the market in Xenagoras’s stead. Others offered grants to the arts. Others pointed to the need for construction and repairs. Some tried to give statistics on rising rates of crime and discontent within Rakin’s citizens.
One key figure of the Suite, however, was absent. She stood a few meters away, staring out the window at the city below. Her stance was relaxed, yet firm. As if she was on guard against some invisible threat. She held a small glass of scotch in one hand, occasionally sipping from it. She seemed tired. Very, very tired. This was Zhengqi Dianyou, the CEO of the Rakin Rail Corporation. Occasionally, she’d let out a yawn.
Sitting on a loveseat nearby was Ichi Ni San Go—the charge of Sing Now! who was currently too distracted to really remember she existed. Without a babysitter, she was content to simply exist next to Zhengqi, looking out the window with her at the beauty of the city and occasionally asking simple, childish questions.
They were approached by a figure, glowing in the light. Someone followed close behind.
｢Diamond Life｣, the Stand of the every-mysterious head of the Metropolis Suite. Said user hung close behind. Zhengqi always found her boss’s habit of speaking through their Stand peculiar; she understood it as a security tactic, but it often came up even in casual scenarios. “Enjoying the event, you two?” It asked. Its tone was genuine—the Stand could be a tool of intimidation whenever its user willed it so, and this wasn’t that.
Zhengqi just grunted, turning around and finishing off the scotch. She set the glass down on a nearby table, looking at ｢Diamond Life｣. “I’ve never understood how it’s so easy for you to talk through that thing—”
｢Diamond Life｣ shot forward with incredible speed, shushing the name with a single finger gently placed on her lips. “Careful, Ms. Dianyou. The end of the table. Do you see him?”
Her eyes crept towards the table, landing on a man nodding idly to the talk. Iron Butterfly was a member of the Suite who often remained in the background; to her understanding, he helped keep the Suite in control over a good deal of the crop farming in the more rural parts of Rakin. She looked back at the Stand, and it elaborated: “He’s wearing a wire. Loose lips aren’t ideal tonight.”
Zhengqi just sighed, running her hand through her hair as her other put ｢Diamond Life｣’s hand back down. “I’ll take care of him after the meeting.” She offered. ｢Diamond Life｣ chuckled, willingly pulling their hand back.
“I’d appreciate it- I had originally planned on handling the issue myself. You’re always putting your best foot forward with us—it’s something I value.”
She gave a weak smile. “It’s nothing, really. Just me giving back for everything the Suite’s done for me.”
Ichi piped up, eagerly watching the conversation. “I think Ms. Dianyou works too much…she’s always so tired and never has any time to play games or watch cartoons or do anything!”
Zhengqi did her best to put on a friendly smile. “Ichi…when you get older, sometimes you just don’t have the time for-”
｢Diamond Life｣ interrupted her. “She’s right, you know. You overwork yourself. I was being polite about it before, talking about your best foot forward- but I do worry.”
She looked at ｢Diamond Life｣ sternly. “We don’t exactly have the time to rest. I’m certain you’ve seen the news. People are starting to figure out we exist. People are hiring private detectives and holding protests. Things are starting to unravel. We need to act before things break so hard they can’t be put back together.”
｢Diamond Life｣ stood up straight, looking her in the eyes. “Trust me. I have plans, and they involve you. Both of you.”
Ichi immediately raised a little in her seat, glowing a little. “Me~? Really~?”
A friendly chuckle escaped from ｢Diamond Life｣’s nonexistent lips. “Yes, you.” A dour look plastered across its face as it looked back at Zhengqi. “I’m going to need you to handle…key targets. I want certain people out of the way and key infrastructure mapped and maintained for your “ability”—it’ll be valuable to us should the ire of the populace come to a head. Past that, rest. Allow your subordinates at Zuantou Rail to handle things. Take a long holiday. We don’t need an exhausted zombie, we need you.”
Zhengqi could only reply with silence. She knew better than to argue with ｢Diamond Life｣, but to stop working? It felt alien to her. She was tempted to clutch at her sternum from the thought.
“As for you, Ichi…” The Stand continued. “I want you to gather info for me on some of the Stand users around the city.”
Ichi innocently kicked her feet. “How am I ‘sposed to do that? I dunno any cool spy stuff, and Daddy said-”
“I’ll handle your father, don’t worry.” ｢Diamond Life｣ said, walking forward and cupping Ichi’s cheek in their clawed hand. “I just want you to make friends, okay? Go out. Explore. Meet people, as many as you can. Participate in their lives and conflicts. Tell me everything you see and hear, okay?”
Ichi just nodded, smiling widely.
“Perfect,” replied the Stand. They drew their arm back, clasping their hands together. “But enough about work. Have you two tried the finger food that’s been provided? It’s truly divine.”
Scenario: Mili's Diner, Mist City — 7:37PM
The bell above the entrance rang late into the dusk, announcing the arrival of a certain happy customer. He hummed cheerily to himself, taking a seat behind the counter and giving her regards to the woman behind the counter. His order was the same as it was every time he came here, and yet he always flipped through the menu anyway. He was a cheerful, easygoing man, despite everything.
His name was Steric Lou Farin, recently self-appointed head of PINDROP. He hadn’t been planning on it, but with the sudden departure of Sonika, the team needed someone to step up fast. He was the most experienced in the field of investigation and had the sort of charisma the role required. He didn’t mind taking the lead, either. If anything, it made his work a little easier.
Speaking of work, that was the reason for this visit—good as the food was. He glanced over to the other two customers, talking quietly amongst themselves, and smiled. Both were of particular interest.
The first was one Brighid Rhodes. He’d sparred with her a few months back, and an exchange of business cards had proved extremely wise when he needed assistance in dealing with one Texas Aco. She was the one to finally calm her down in the end—albeit forcefully, but all’s well that ends well.
Speaking of which, Texas Aco sat at the counter now, talking in hushed mumbles to Brighid. The notable thing there being that she was talking now. She had been silent in the immediate aftermath of her rampage, but after spending some time at Brighid’s, Steric had gotten the call today that she’d been ready to speak.
“I hope you all had a safe drive here,” he chuckled to himself. “It’s awfully rainy out, isn’t it?”
“Nothing too bad.” Brighid exhaled, and Texas nodded with her, sipping on a chocolate milkshake. Her misshapen insect arm was hidden under a worn old coat draped over her shoulder. Brighid gave the detective a particular glance, and Steric took that as a sign to get to questioning.
“So, Texas…” He cleared his throat, making sure he had the girl’s attention. “I’m sorry for calling you out so soon. You ever want to stop talking about all this, let me know. I don’t want to do you any harm.”
“Mmm.” Texas nodded again.
“Now, I understand you’ve had, er, a difficult last few months.” That was no understatement: she’d been directly responsible for an attempted VULTURE mutiny. It failed, and drove her off into hiding god-knows-where. “In particular, I’d like to ask you about your relationship to VULTURE. It’s a piece of the puzzle here I haven’t entirely been able to ascertai-”
“I’m taking over VULTURE.” Texas deadpanned. Brighid sighed.
“I told you that isn’t the best idea.” The lawyer attempted to flick her on the forehead. “That’s too dangerous. No way you can get it done on your own.”
“No, I mean, like-” Texas grumbled. “She literally told me I could have it. The old boss.”
Brighid blinked a few times. She hadn’t heard about that. Steric nodded.
“Ms. Kaliya told me she’d been in contact with you. She said you’d been pretty against taking the leadership role, though.” Steric raised an eyebrow. “What changed?”
“…It sucks here, man.” Texas smirked. “Even with all the bullshit charities, shit’s gone bad after Rasna left. I’m sure you caught wind of that. Guys turning up dead left and right—there was a fight at a funeral, right? Whole place got blown to smithereens. What the fuck, man.”
“Ahah, yes.” Steric winced. “Quite the festivity, wasn’t it.”
“The place needs someone to step up. And with that little rampage I went on…” She looks embarrassed, for a moment. “I think I’ve got the rep to fill her shoes. Er. Maybe. I’m not really that scary, but, uh…”
“Ms. Kaliya told me you weren’t of that sort of opinion before.” Steric raised his eyebrow again, tapping his pen against his notepad. “What changed?”
“…Nothing, really. I just.” Texas chuckled, reclining on her stool. “I don’t really think anything I’ll do will have any difference. But I can’t stop myself from trying, either. I don’t think she’d want me to, either.”
Brighid placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder, glancing down at her. “Long as you come back to my place when you’re done. I trust you, but you should have a bed to sleep on.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Steric grinned. This was a good development! A bit risky, sure, but it gave him in an in. “Say!” He stopped absentmindedly chewing on his pen’s tip. “Y’think you’d be willing to help us out? VULTURE’s assistance would be a great help…and something tells me we’ve got a common goal.”
“I’ll think on it.” Was Texas’s only response. Brighid flicked her on the forehead again. “Ow! Okay, fine, yeah, I’ll help. You guys don’t seem that bad.”
Steric clasped his hands together. One step closer. “Ah, and you too, Miss Rhodes.”
“Hah?” Brighid scoffed. “I don’t think anyone with me is gonna be much help-”
“I think that’s, er, preposterous.” He tapped his notepad a few times. “I did some looking into the work your people’ve done recently. For museum staff, you folks sure are prolific. A boat raid is quite the accomplishment. Hmm, hmm~.”
“Well, er…” Brighid sighed. Her group had had a history of engaging in combat. Entities like Paranoia and Markov were practically built for it, but her group had had similar exploits recently: Ruby’s left her fight with the swordsman at the art college relatively unharmed, and Roxanne had managed to charm an ex-member of Metropolis. Despite how weird all of them were, they were useful in a variety of ways; it made sense Steric wanted their assistance.
“Alright. I’ll get them to help out.” Much as she didn’t trust some of them with heroism, Brighid found herself more involved than she’d anticipated—and getting into the action herself meant she could help keep Texas as safe as possible, despite everything. “But you gotta help out with the museum. We’re, uh, still working on reconstruction.”
“No worries. I think I’ve got a few artifacts here and there. They’d be fit for your collection.” Steric’s phone buzzed—he rose and nodded at the two. “It’s been a pleasure, folks, but the life of a detective is ever so busy. Be seeing you.” With that, he grabbed his coat and strode away, leaving a good third of his burger.
Several oversized flies crawled out from beneath Texas’s coat, nibbling on the leftovers. “You really okay with me, uh, y’know…” Texas made a few vague gestures with her hands. “It’s a big thing to, uh, undertake. I figured you’d try to stop me.”
“I doubt I’d be able to.” Brighid chuckled. “‘Sides, you’re a pretty tough kid. I was pretty rough and tumble when I was your age, and look how I turned out. I’m a lawyer and everything.”
Texas nodded, returning to her milkshake. She was an ant under an elephant’s foot—she’d become well aware of that. But even so; even an ant had its resolve, and a swarm could pick apart a carcass. Even if it was only delusion, she’d do what she could. Mom would’ve liked that.
“Mmm.” She grinned. “Here goes.”

<=TO BE CONTINUED==

Link to Official Player Spreadsheet
Link to Match Schedule
As always, if you would like to interact with the tournament community and be among the first to get updates for the tournament, please feel free to PM a member of our Judge staff for an invite to our Official Discord Server!

Hi everyone!
These are my current OBS settings, and everything worked well until now:
Recording Settings

• Recording Format: .mkv
• Video Encoder: NVIDIA NVENC HEVC
• Audio Encoder: FFmpeg FLAC (16-bit)

Encoder Settings:

• Rate Control: CQP
• CQ Level: 8
• Keyframe Interval: 2s
• Preset: P5
• Tuning: HQ
• Multipass Mode: Two Passes
• Profile: main
• Look-ahead
• Psycho Visual Tuning
• GPU: 0
• Max B-frames: 2

Error log:
23:18:55.736: CPU Name: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 6-Core Processor
23:18:55.736: CPU Speed: 3693MHz
23:18:55.736: Physical Cores: 6, Logical Cores: 12
23:18:55.736: Physical Memory: 32668MB Total, 16035MB Free
23:18:55.736: Windows Version: 10.0 Build 22631 (release: 23H2; revision: 3447; 64-bit)
23:18:55.736: Running as administrator: true
23:18:55.736: Windows 10/11 Gaming Features:
23:18:55.736: Game Bar: Off
23:18:55.736: Game DVR: Off
23:18:55.736: Game DVR Background Recording: Off
23:18:55.736: Game Mode: Off
23:18:55.738: Sec. Software Status:
23:18:55.739: Microsoft Defender Antivirus: enabled (AV)
23:18:55.739: Windows Firewall: enabled (FW)
23:18:55.739: Current Date/Time: 2024-05-17, 23:18:55
23:18:55.739: Browser Hardware Acceleration: true
23:18:55.739: Hide OBS windows from screen capture: false
23:18:55.739: Qt Version: 6.4.3 (runtime), 6.4.3 (compiled)
23:18:55.739: Portable mode: false
23:18:56.149: OBS 29.1.3 (64-bit, windows)
23:18:56.149: ---------------------------------
23:18:56.149: ---------------------------------
23:18:56.149: audio settings reset:
23:18:56.149: samples per sec: 48000
23:18:56.149: speakers: 2
23:18:56.149: max buffering: 960 milliseconds
23:18:56.149: buffering type: dynamically increasing
23:18:56.150: ---------------------------------
23:18:56.150: Initializing D3D11...
23:18:56.150: Available Video Adapters:
23:18:56.160: Adapter 0: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
23:18:56.160: Dedicated VRAM: 8413773824
23:18:56.160: Shared VRAM: 17127725056
23:18:56.160: PCI ID: 10de:2486
23:18:56.160: Driver Version: 31.0.15.5244
23:18:56.161: output 0:
23:18:56.161: name=MAG342CQPV
23:18:56.161: pos={0, 0}
23:18:56.161: size={3440, 1440}
23:18:56.161: attached=true
23:18:56.161: refresh=100
23:18:56.161: bits_per_color=8
23:18:56.161: space=RGB_FULL_G22_NONE_P709
23:18:56.161: sdr_white_nits=80
23:18:56.161: nit_range=[min=0.500000, max=270.000000, max_full_frame=270.000000]
23:18:56.161: dpi=96 (100%)
23:18:56.161: id=\\?\DISPLAY#MSI4DB6#5&1d04608&1&UID28928#{e6f07b5f-ee97-4a90-b076-33f57bf4eaa7}
23:18:56.161: alt_id=\\.\DISPLAY1
23:18:56.161: output 1:
23:18:56.161: name=DELL SE2422HX
23:18:56.161: pos={3440, -343}
23:18:56.161: size={1080, 1920}
23:18:56.161: attached=true
23:18:56.161: refresh=60
23:18:56.161: bits_per_color=8
23:18:56.161: space=RGB_FULL_G22_NONE_P709
23:18:56.161: sdr_white_nits=80
23:18:56.161: nit_range=[min=0.500000, max=270.000000, max_full_frame=270.000000]
23:18:56.161: dpi=96 (100%)
23:18:56.161: id=\\?\DISPLAY#DELA1CA#5&1d04608&1&UID28930#{e6f07b5f-ee97-4a90-b076-33f57bf4eaa7}
23:18:56.161: alt_id=\\.\DISPLAY2
23:18:56.166: Loading up D3D11 on adapter NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (0)
23:18:56.278: D3D11 loaded successfully, feature level used: b000
23:18:56.279: DXGI increase maximum frame latency success
23:18:56.279: Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling enabled on adapter!
23:18:56.280: D3D11 GPU priority setup success
23:18:57.904: ---------------------------------
23:18:57.904: video settings reset:
23:18:57.904: base resolution: 1920x1080
23:18:57.904: output resolution: 1280x720
23:18:57.904: downscale filter: Bicubic
23:18:57.904: fps: 30/1
23:18:57.904: format: NV12
23:18:57.904: YUV mode: Rec. 709/Partial
23:18:57.905: NV12 texture support enabled
23:18:57.905: P010 texture support not available
23:18:57.907: Audio monitoring device:
23:18:57.907: name: Default
23:18:57.907: id: default
23:18:57.907: ---------------------------------
23:18:57.910: No AJA devices found, skipping loading AJA UI plugin
23:18:57.910: Failed to initialize module 'aja-output-ui.dll'
23:18:57.911: No AJA devices found, skipping loading AJA plugin
23:18:57.911: Failed to initialize module 'aja.dll'
23:18:57.911: Skipping module '../../obs-plugins/64bit/chrome_elf.dll', not an OBS plugin
23:18:57.915: [CoreAudio encoder]: CoreAudio AAC encoder not installed on the system or couldn't be loaded
23:18:57.916: Failed to load 'en-US' text for module: 'decklink-captions.dll'
23:18:57.916: Failed to load 'en-US' text for module: 'decklink-output-ui.dll'
23:18:57.919: A DeckLink iterator could not be created. The DeckLink drivers may not be installed
23:18:57.919: Failed to initialize module 'decklink.dll'
23:18:57.919: Skipping module '../../obs-plugins/64bit/DirectML.dll', not an OBS plugin
23:18:58.245: [AMF] A critical error occurred during AMF Testing.
23:18:58.245: Failed to initialize module 'enc-amf.dll'
23:18:58.259: Skipping module '../../obs-plugins/64bit/libcef.dll', not an OBS plugin
23:18:58.259: Skipping module '../../obs-plugins/64bit/libEGL.dll', not an OBS plugin
23:18:58.260: Skipping module '../../obs-plugins/64bit/libGLESv2.dll', not an OBS plugin
23:18:59.264: [obs-backgroundremoval] Plugin loaded successfully (version 1.1.13)
23:18:59.264: [obs-backgroundremoval] Failed to open config file C:\Users\Radu\AppData\Roaming\obs-studio/plugin_config/obs-backgroundremoval/config.ini
23:18:59.264: [obs-backgroundremoval] Failed to open config file C:\Users\Radu\AppData\Roaming\obs-studio/plugin_config/obs-backgroundremoval/config.ini
23:18:59.510: [obs-backgroundremoval] Latest release is 1.1.13
23:18:59.526: [obs-browser]: Version 2.21.1
23:18:59.526: [obs-browser]: CEF Version 103.0.5060.134 (runtime), 103.0.0-5060-shared-textures.2591+g4204d54+chromium-103.0.5060.134 (compiled)
23:18:59.531: NVENC supported
23:18:59.848: [NVENC] Seems the NVENC test subprocess crashed. Better there than here I guess. Let's just skip NVENC AV1 detection then I suppose.
23:18:59.848: [NVENC] AV1 is not supported
23:18:59.850: [noise suppress]: NVIDIA AUDIO FX version: 1.3.0.22
23:18:59.969: [noise suppress]: NVIDIA AUDIO FX enabled
23:18:59.969: Failed to get NVVideoEffects.dll version info size
23:18:59.972: [NVIDIA VIDEO FX]: FX disabled, redistributable not found or could not be loaded.
23:19:00.270: Seems the QSV test subprocess crashed. Better there than here I guess. Let's just skip loading QSV then I suppose.
23:19:00.272: obs-streamelements-bootstrap: skipping trying to load Qt5 flavor of a plugin for OBS version 29.1.3
23:19:00.274: obs-streamelements-bootstrap: loaded module: C:\Program Files\obs-studio\obs-plugins\64bit\obs-streamelements-core
23:19:00.274: [obs-streamelements-core]: Version unknown
23:19:00.274: obs-streamelements-bootstrap: initialized: C:\Program Files\obs-studio\obs-plugins\64bit\obs-streamelements-core
23:19:00.275: obs-streamelements-bootstrap: skipping trying to load Qt5 flavor of a plugin for OBS version 29.1.3
23:19:00.275: obs-streamelements-bootstrap: loaded module: C:\Program Files\obs-studio\obs-plugins\64bit\obs-streamelements
23:19:00.275: obs-streamelements: initializing
23:19:00.278: obs-streamelements: checking for updates
23:19:00.278: obs-streamelements: ShowStatusBarMessage: Checking for updates...
23:19:00.278: obs-streamelements: context->manifestFilePath: C:\Users\Radu\AppData\Roaming\obs-studio/plugin_config/obs-streamelements/obs-streamelements.manifest
23:19:00.278: obs-streamelements: config_folder_path: C:\Users\Radu\AppData\Roaming\obs-studio/plugin_config/obs-streamelements/
23:19:00.279: obs-streamelements: creating signal handlers
23:19:00.279: obs-streamelements: connecting signal handlers
23:19:00.279: obs-streamelements: initialized
23:19:00.279: obs-streamelements-bootstrap: initialized: C:\Program Files\obs-studio\obs-plugins\64bit\obs-streamelements
23:19:00.283: Module '../../obs-plugins/64bit/obs-webrtc.dll' not loaded
23:19:00.284: [obs-websocket] [obs_module_load] you can haz websockets (Version: 5.2.3 RPC Version: 1)
23:19:00.284: [obs-websocket] [obs_module_load] Qt version (compile-time): 6.4.3 Qt version (run-time): 6.4.3
23:19:00.284: [obs-websocket] [obs_module_load] Linked ASIO Version: 101201
23:19:00.293: [obs-websocket] [obs_module_load] Module loaded.
23:19:00.297: [Source Record] loaded version 0.3.2
23:19:00.297: Skipping module '../../obs-plugins/64bit/Spout.dll', not an OBS plugin
23:19:00.297: Skipping module '../../obs-plugins/64bit/SpoutDX.dll', not an OBS plugin
23:19:00.297: Skipping module '../../obs-plugins/64bit/SpoutLibrary.dll', not an OBS plugin
23:19:00.302: [vlc-video]: VLC 3.0.20 Vetinari found, VLC video source enabled
23:19:00.355: [win_spout] Opened DX11
23:19:00.355: [win_spout] win-spout loaded!
23:19:00.358: Plugin version 5.5.0.0
23:19:00.359: ---------------------------------
23:19:00.359: Loaded Modules:
23:19:00.359: StreamDeckPlugin.dll
23:19:00.359: win-wasapi.dll
23:19:00.359: win-spout.dll
23:19:00.359: win-dshow.dll
23:19:00.359: win-capture.dll
23:19:00.359: vlc-video.dll
23:19:00.359: text-freetype2.dll
23:19:00.359: source-record.dll
23:19:00.359: rtmp-services.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-x264.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-websocket.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-vst.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-transitions.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-text.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-streamelements.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-streamelements-core.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-qsv11.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-outputs.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-multi-rtmp.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-filters.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-ffmpeg.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-browser.dll
23:19:00.359: obs-backgroundremoval.dll
23:19:00.359: logi_obs_plugin_x64.dll
23:19:00.359: image-source.dll
23:19:00.359: frontend-tools.dll
23:19:00.359: decklink-output-ui.dll
23:19:00.359: decklink-captions.dll
23:19:00.359: coreaudio-encoder.dll
23:19:00.359: ---------------------------------
23:19:00.359: [Server] Listening on '127.0.0.1:28186'.
23:19:00.607: obs-streamelements-core: init: set on-boarding mode due to start-up flags
23:19:00.621: load_graphics_offsets: Failed to read from 'get-graphics-offsets64.exe'
23:19:00.707: obs-streamelements-core: central widget: loading url: https://obs.streamelements.com/welcome
23:19:00.723: ==== Startup complete ===============================================
23:19:00.760: All scene data cleared
23:19:00.760: ------------------------------------------------
23:19:00.771: [win-wasapi: 'Desktop Audio'] update settings:
23:19:00.771: device id: default
23:19:00.771: use device timing: 1
23:19:00.776: [Loaded global audio device]: 'Desktop Audio'
23:19:00.776: [win-wasapi: 'Mic/Aux'] update settings:
23:19:00.776: device id: default
23:19:00.776: use device timing: 0
23:19:00.777: [Loaded global audio device]: 'Mic/Aux'
23:19:00.779: Switched to scene 'Scene'
23:19:00.779: ------------------------------------------------
23:19:00.779: Loaded scenes:
23:19:00.779: - scene 'Scene':
23:19:00.779: ------------------------------------------------
23:19:00.801: WASAPI: Device 'FxSound Speakers (FxSound Audio Enhancer)' [48000 Hz] initialized
23:19:00.814: WASAPI: Device 'Microphone (2- Razer Kiyo Pro)' [48000 Hz] initialized
23:19:01.477: obs-streamelements: DownloadFileAsync: 200 ('https://cdn.streamelements.com/obs/dist/obs-streamelements/windows/latest/obs-streamelements.manifest?\_nocache=20240517221900')
23:19:01.562: obs-streamelements: detected obs-streamelements-core version: 20240130000097
23:19:01.562: obs-streamelements: ShowStatusBarMessage: No software update available.
23:19:04.253: [jim-nvenc: 'simple_video_stream'] settings:
23:19:04.253: codec: H264
23:19:04.253: rate_control: CBR
23:19:04.253: bitrate: 2500
23:19:04.253: cqp: 20
23:19:04.253: keyint: 250
23:19:04.253: preset: p5
23:19:04.253: tuning: hq
23:19:04.253: multipass: qres
23:19:04.253: profile: high
23:19:04.253: width: 1280
23:19:04.253: height: 720
23:19:04.253: b-frames: 2
23:19:04.253: lookahead: false
23:19:04.253: psycho_aq: true
23:19:04.253:
23:19:04.314: ---------------------------------
23:19:04.315: [FFmpeg aac encoder: 'simple_aac'] bitrate: 160, channels: 2, channel_layout: stereo
23:19:04.315:
23:19:04.344: ==== Recording Start ===============================================
23:19:04.344: [ffmpeg muxer: 'simple_file_output'] Writing file 'C:/Users/Radu/Videos/2024-05-17 23-19-04.mkv'...
23:19:04.743: [ffmpeg muxer: 'simple_file_output'] os_process_pipe_write for info structure failed
23:19:04.743: [ffmpeg muxer: 'simple_file_output'] Output of file 'C:/Users/Radu/Videos/2024-05-17 23-19-04.mkv' stopped
23:19:04.743: Output 'simple_file_output': stopping
23:19:04.743: Output 'simple_file_output': Total frames output: 1
23:19:04.743: Output 'simple_file_output': Total drawn frames: 12
23:19:04.744: ==== Recording Stop ================================================
23:19:38.585: Settings changed (outputs)
23:19:38.585: ------------------------------------------------
23:19:41.541: [jim-nvenc: 'advanced_video_recording'] settings:
23:19:41.541: codec: HEVC
23:19:41.541: rate_control: CQP
23:19:41.541: bitrate: 0
23:19:41.541: cqp: 10
23:19:41.541: keyint: 250
23:19:41.541: preset: p5
23:19:41.541: tuning: hq
23:19:41.541: multipass: qres
23:19:41.541: profile: main
23:19:41.541: width: 1280
23:19:41.541: height: 720
23:19:41.541: b-frames: 2
23:19:41.541: lookahead: true
23:19:41.541: psycho_aq: true
23:19:41.541:
23:19:41.598: ---------------------------------
23:19:41.599: [FFmpeg flac encoder: 'Track1'] bitrate: 0, channels: 2, channel_layout: stereo
23:19:41.599:
23:19:41.612: ==== Recording Start ===============================================
23:19:41.612: [ffmpeg muxer: 'adv_file_output'] Writing file 'C:/Users/Radu/Videos/2024-05-17 23-19-41.mkv'...
23:19:42.143: [ffmpeg muxer: 'adv_file_output'] os_process_pipe_write for info structure failed
23:19:42.143: [ffmpeg muxer: 'adv_file_output'] Output of file 'C:/Users/Radu/Videos/2024-05-17 23-19-41.mkv' stopped
23:19:42.143: Output 'adv_file_output': stopping
23:19:42.143: Output 'adv_file_output': Total frames output: 1
23:19:42.143: Output 'adv_file_output': Total drawn frames: 16
23:19:42.144: ==== Recording Stop ================================================
23:19:44.682: ==== Shutting down ==================================================
23:19:44.690: WASAPI: Device 'FxSound Speakers (FxSound Audio Enhancer)' Terminated
23:19:44.692: WASAPI: Device 'Microphone (2- Razer Kiyo Pro)' Terminated
23:19:44.810: All scene data cleared
23:19:44.810: ------------------------------------------------
23:19:46.031: [win_spout] win-spout unloaded!
23:19:46.032: [obs-websocket] [obs_module_unload] Shutting down...
23:19:46.032: [obs-websocket] [obs_module_unload] Finished shutting down.
23:19:46.174: [obs-backgroundremoval] plugin unloaded
23:19:46.174: [Scripting] Total detached callbacks: 0
23:19:46.174: Freeing OBS context data
23:19:46.175: 2 output(s) were remaining
23:19:46.211: == Profiler Results =============================
23:19:46.211: run_program_init: 5813.59 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣OBSApp::AppInit: 21.783 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┗OBSApp::InitLocale: 1.682 ms
23:19:46.211: ┗OBSApp::OBSInit: 5765.12 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣obs_startup: 3.505 ms
23:19:46.211: ┗OBSBasic::OBSInit: 5352.19 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣OBSBasic::InitBasicConfig: 0.433 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣OBSBasic::ResetAudio: 0.182 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣OBSBasic::ResetVideo: 1757.58 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣OBSBasic::InitOBSCallbacks: 0.005 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣OBSBasic::InitHotkeys: 0.036 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣obs_load_all_modules2: 2451.79 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(aja-output-ui.dll): 0.206 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(aja.dll): 0.097 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(coreaudio-encoder.dll): 2.831 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(decklink-captions.dll): 0 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(decklink-output-ui.dll): 0 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(decklink.dll): 2.258 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(enc-amf.dll): 324.541 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(frontend-tools.dll): 10.178 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(image-source.dll): 0.011 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(logi_obs_plugin_x64.dll): 999.93 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-backgroundremoval.dll): 246.416 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-browser.dll): 0.517 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-ffmpeg.dll): 318.597 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┃ ┗nvenc_check: 0.724 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-filters.dll): 122.041 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-multi-rtmp.dll): 3.749 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-outputs.dll): 0.008 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-qsv11.dll): 291.179 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-streamelements-core.dll): 2.513 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-streamelements.dll): 4.404 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-text.dll): 0.229 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-transitions.dll): 0.009 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-vst.dll): 0.002 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-websocket.dll): 8.527 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(obs-x264.dll): 0.001 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(rtmp-services.dll): 1.073 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(source-record.dll): 0.057 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(text-freetype2.dll): 0.04 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(vlc-video.dll): 2.595 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(win-capture.dll): 3.487 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(win-dshow.dll): 0.925 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(win-spout.dll): 44.579 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(win-wasapi.dll): 0.006 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣obs_init_module(StreamDeckPlugin.dll): 1.392 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┗reset_win32_symbol_paths: 0.223 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣OBSBasic::InitService: 1.902 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣OBSBasic::ResetOutputs: 0.351 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣OBSBasic::CreateHotkeys: 0.076 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣OBSBasic::InitPrimitives: 0.096 ms
23:19:46.211: ┗OBSBasic::Load: 52.288 ms
23:19:46.211: obs_hotkey_thread(25 ms): min=0.003 ms, median=0.005 ms, max=0.906 ms, 99th percentile=0.308 ms, 100% below 25 ms
23:19:46.211: audio_thread(Audio): min=0.012 ms, median=0.03 ms, max=4.863 ms, 99th percentile=0.18 ms
23:19:46.211: ┗receive_audio: min=0.001 ms, median=0.011 ms, max=4.821 ms, 99th percentile=4.821 ms, 0.0209581 calls per parent call
23:19:46.211: ┣buffer_audio: min=0 ms, median=0.001 ms, max=0.031 ms, 99th percentile=0.031 ms
23:19:46.211: ┗do_encode: min=0.051 ms, median=1.136 ms, max=3.483 ms, 99th percentile=3.483 ms, 0.510204 calls per parent call
23:19:46.211: ┣encode(simple_aac): min=0.048 ms, median=1.171 ms, max=3.478 ms, 99th percentile=3.478 ms, 0.76 calls per parent call
23:19:46.211: ┣send_packet: min=0.001 ms, median=0.003 ms, max=0.34 ms, 99th percentile=0.34 ms
23:19:46.211: ┗encode(Track1): min=0.14 ms, median=0.183 ms, max=0.231 ms, 99th percentile=0.231 ms, 0.24 calls per parent call
23:19:46.211: obs_graphics_thread(33.3333 ms): min=0.065 ms, median=0.088 ms, max=8.502 ms, 99th percentile=0.348 ms, 100% below 33.333 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣tick_sources: min=0.001 ms, median=0.006 ms, max=0.657 ms, 99th percentile=0.018 ms
23:19:46.211: ┣output_frame: min=0.058 ms, median=0.076 ms, max=8.485 ms, 99th percentile=0.303 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┗gs_context(video->graphics): min=0.058 ms, median=0.076 ms, max=8.484 ms, 99th percentile=0.302 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┣render_video: min=0.006 ms, median=0.009 ms, max=0.998 ms, 99th percentile=0.219 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┃ ┣render_main_texture: min=0.003 ms, median=0.007 ms, max=0.11 ms, 99th percentile=0.022 ms
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┃ ┣render_output_texture: min=0.012 ms, median=0.019 ms, max=0.046 ms, 99th percentile=0.046 ms, 0.02079 calls per parent call
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┃ ┣render_convert_texture: min=0.009 ms, median=0.015 ms, max=0.03 ms, 99th percentile=0.03 ms, 0.02079 calls per parent call
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┃ ┗output_gpu_encoders: min=0 ms, median=0.028 ms, max=0.064 ms, 99th percentile=0.064 ms, 0.02079 calls per parent call
23:19:46.211: ┃ ┗gs_flush: min=0.003 ms, median=0.065 ms, max=8.47 ms, 99th percentile=0.235 ms
23:19:46.211: ┗render_displays: min=0 ms, median=0.001 ms, max=0.031 ms, 99th percentile=0.002 ms
23:19:46.211: send_packet: min=0.197 ms, median=0 ms, max=0.235 ms, 99th percentile=0.235 ms
23:19:46.211: OBSBasic::ResetOutputs: 5.72 ms
23:19:46.211: =================================================
23:19:46.211: == Profiler Time Between Calls ==================
23:19:46.211: obs_hotkey_thread(25 ms): min=24.814 ms, median=25.247 ms, max=29.159 ms, 92.2535% within ±2% of 25 ms (0% lower, 7.74648% higher)
23:19:46.211: obs_graphics_thread(33.3333 ms): min=33.102 ms, median=33.333 ms, max=33.565 ms, 100% within ±2% of 33.333 ms (0% lower, 0% higher)
23:19:46.211: =================================================
23:19:46.417: Number of memory leaks: 60
Can anyone help? Thanks!
Update: It fixed. Itself. Don't ask me. OBS magic.

Nodium

https://github.com/DRUMNICORN/nodium

Nodium is currently in development and is not yet ready for production use.

Your Ultimate Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Any Project

In the future, Nodium will have evolved beyond just an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). It will have transformed into a comprehensive visual system that redefines the way you engage with programming. Its innovative interface empowers you to construct a project layout effortlessly, enabling you to concentrate on the essence and conception of your ideas, rather than becoming entangled in the intricacies of code. Nodium will continue to push the boundaries of software development, making it an indispensable tool for developers worldwide.
...is not just a tool - it's a new way of thinking about programming. It's a platform that brings together visual design, AI-assisted coding, and community plugins to create a truly dynamic programming environment. With Nodium, you don't just write code - you create ideas. Start your journey with Nodium today, and experience the future of development.

Applications

For Nodium to be accessible, it will need a dynamic solution for using it. Nodium itself will be a backend architecture like PipeWire, and it will have different view applications.

CLI Application

All functionalities should be available as CLI commands to make it easy for Linux users to adopt.

Minecraft Mod

A Minecraft JAVA and BEDROCK mod would provide the opportunity to creatively start developing on the backend.

Tauri (Rust): React + TypeScript

The desktop application would be the solution for primary companies and people who prefer a flat layout like NodeRED.

• Node.js
• Rust
• Obsidian

Godot 3D Game

It will be a game with plugins for reading files on PC, like audio, which will then be visible in 3D as a vinyl, for example, and in-game you can do anything with it. It will be like Garry's Mod!

Inspiration:

• NodeRed
• Orange
• Blender: Geometry Nodes
• Unity: Shader Graph
• Drawflow
• Unreal Engine 5: Blueprints
• Obsidian: Graph View
• Mindustry: Logic
• Minecraft
• Factorio: Circuit Network
• Godot: Visual Scripting
• Houdini: VEX
• Mini Metro: Metro Map

Nodium

https://github.com/DRUMNICORN/nodium

Nodium is currently in development and is not yet ready for production use.

Your Ultimate Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Any Project

In the future, Nodium will have evolved beyond just an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). It will have transformed into a comprehensive visual system that redefines the way you engage with programming. Its innovative interface empowers you to construct a project layout effortlessly, enabling you to concentrate on the essence and conception of your ideas, rather than becoming entangled in the intricacies of code. Nodium will continue to push the boundaries of software development, making it an indispensable tool for developers worldwide.
...is not just a tool - it's a new way of thinking about programming. It's a platform that brings together visual design, AI-assisted coding, and community plugins to create a truly dynamic programming environment. With Nodium, you don't just write code - you create ideas. Start your journey with Nodium today, and experience the future of development.

Applications

For Nodium to be accessible, it will need a dynamic solution for using it. Nodium itself will be a backend architecture like PipeWire, and it will have different view applications.

CLI Application

All functionalities should be available as CLI commands to make it easy for Linux users to adopt.

Minecraft Mod

A Minecraft JAVA and BEDROCK mod would provide the opportunity to creatively start developing on the backend.

Tauri (Rust): React + TypeScript

The desktop application would be the solution for primary companies and people who prefer a flat layout like NodeRED.

• Node.js
• Rust
• Obsidian

Godot 3D Game

It will be a game with plugins for reading files on PC, like audio, which will then be visible in 3D as a vinyl, for example, and in-game you can do anything with it. It will be like Garry's Mod!

Inspiration:

• NodeRed
• Orange
• Blender: Geometry Nodes
• Unity: Shader Graph
• Drawflow
• Unreal Engine 5: Blueprints
• Obsidian: Graph View
• Mindustry: Logic
• Minecraft
• Factorio: Circuit Network
• Godot: Visual Scripting
• Houdini: VEX
• Mini Metro: Metro Map

TWINFLAMES #AWAKENING #KUNDALINI

Twin Flame Kundalini Activation: Signs of Kundalini Awakening
Spiritual Awakening can be a gentle process or sometimes it can be brought on intensely. More and more people are experiencing this awakening as we proceed through the cosmic energy that is literally activating our light bodies and our DNA. It can be a very confusing and even fear-filled process when we don’t understand what is happening. We are propelled into places both within and external that we have never before experienced. Many people have thought themselves going crazy or losing hold of reality and in a way that is true. This energy allows us to see the truth of the nature of our existence in human form. Veils are lifted and illumination takes place. They call this ‘Enlightenment”
Our kundalini energy lies dormant at the base of our spine, a slumbering snake in eternal sleep. It is said that our DNA was genetically altered at the time of our creation so that we would remain unaware of our own power as creators and to keep us imprisoned in this 3D construct. There is some in depth information on this and I will leave a link at the end for you to explore further. I just wanted to present a few of the signs and symptoms that indicate your kundalini has been activated.
In regards to twin flames, a part of the purpose of union is to activate the kundalini energy in each other for full union and expression of the third Divine energy the union creates. This activation is key as many of the twins have one twin at a slightly accelerated rate of vibration than the other. I believe this is why there is the separation phase once they find each other. They both need to readjust and assimilate this new energy activation and come to a place of balance and awareness individually. This activation forces them to do all the necessary shedding, clearing and healing of anything that no longer serves their shared purpose. Understanding what you are going through can make the journey a little less confusing and uncomfortable.
It helps to know that all the crazy things you are going through are actually Divinely intended at this time and will bring you into alignment for your ascension.
Some symptoms in no particular order:
Seeing/Feeling Energy: seeing orbs of light within peripheral vision…prickly or tingling sensations…a pulsing, tremor or vibrating sensation, tracers, after images among objects or people…unexplained warmth in the hands or feet…seeing colors of frequency. Emotional Upheaval: You will experience the extreme polarity of emotions moving from euphoria to depression as if your emotions are completely out of your control. This is the result of your hormones changing through your endocrine system. Identity Crisis: An isolation builds where you can no longer understand yourself, who you are, what is your path or reality itself. It is the essence of dissociation. There becomes a deep fear that you cannot deal with material reality as everyone around you is still in illusion. This is where the ego starts losing it’s bearings over your consciousness. The Urge to Create: You want to explore things creatively, cooking, music, art, poetry, writing etc. One instance of awakening is you are becoming more in tune with your subconscious and releasing the mind into the imagination. We create our reality with the power of our thoughts. This is the Universe giving us a sign to start creating literally and figuratively.
Increase in Psychic Abilities: When we awaken our senses, they not only become sharper but your intuition is guiding you more than you ever thought possible. You start to listen to your gut instinct…synchronicity and patterns become too strong to ignore…you start predicting events before they happen…knowing things before you you even knew them…precognitive dreaming.
In Tune with Celestial Events: When our consciousness changes we become more in tune with frequency and in turn the frequency of the earth. When we are aware we start to notice the subtle patterns especially during the moon phases and astrological alignments. Since everything is connected through the ripple effect, we are effected in magnitude during these events. Past Life Memories: Our long term memory is returning. These are deep suppressed memories within our soul blueprint and encoded in our DNA. We are seeing glimpses of who we were within various lifetimes. Past life memories for some occur in flashbacks, visions, daydreams or glimpse into the past. It is a memory so vivid and real that it brings confusion because you know it is not from this current time line.
Flashes into Other Realities: The feeling as if you are living in multiple realities at once or parallel lives. Time is more fluid as past, present and future merge as one. You will feel as if straddled between worlds or moving into different realities all together. It activates a very disoriented feeling of not being grounded because you are opening yourself to different timelines of perceived reality.
Seeing a Person’s True Form: It is like the concept of the mirror into seeing other’s reflections of their past lives through their own energy aura. As we become stronger, sometimes we can see loved ones or even strangers with a superimposed face enabling something from their past life or parallel life to come through to us. Anxiety/Panic Attacks: The flow of energy can be overwhelming as the ego loses it’s grip. This can cause your brain to move faster than the body enabling a concept called ‘black hole’ thinking. (please check out that link, it is important) Your perception is changing and with that comes a desire to fall into a cycle of past and future thinking enabling fear and loss.
No Low Vibes: There is an innate desire to surround yourself with ‘like minded’ people and healthy relationships. You simply cannot tolerate lower vibration environments, duality behavior or toxic unhealthy relationships any longer.Your body is longing to move away from the 3D dualistic concepts completely. You come into alignment with the higher energies of the new paradigm.
Rapid Synchronicity: Synchronicity begins increasing rapid;ly, certain number sequences begin to haunt you…11:11, 1212, 111, 333, 444, 555, 666, 777. You begin to experience increased deja-vu, dreams taking form or certain archetypal symbols appear in your life. The symbols work in a way that is similar to Jungian psychology. The symbols help awaken us.
Clarity of Communication: You feel more in tune listening to the silence. You are not going crazy, but you feel a desire to speak with this ‘inner voice’ or listen to the silence. Many experience meeting their spirit guides or having angelic communication this way. Channeling becomes innate and natural to us as we open ourselves up to being connected to the higher spiritual realms.
Time Dilation: The concept of how we view time changes completely. WE are operating from a a unified sense of past-present-future perception. The time is now. Your consciousness is striving for a present mindset. Time doesn’t feel like it has a structure anymore, it is very fluid. Left-brain Short Circuit: Consciousness is going through a rewiring of sorts, so everything our right hemisphere operates on will be heightened. This means our empathy, our spatial memory, psychic abilities and our ability to experience through vision will be magnified. Whereas the left hemisphere will tune down. Brain fog, memory lapses and no focus will be prevalent.
Feeling Disconnected: Your consciousness is wanting you to look within for answers. As your frequency shifts, your interests and relationships will change, you attract what you are. Old friendships and relationships will fall away for more soulful aligned relationships. We are releasing our karmic bonds from our soul family. Sometimes we must let go in order to grow and evolve. Looking Within: This could be a desire from out of the blue to mediate, talking to yourself or being more introspective with your thoughts rather than voicing your opinion all the time, hermit mode. You basically become more telepathic and in tune with your thought perceptions of the world around you. You are becoming an observer of your thoughts and feelings, a watcher between worlds.
Moments of Elation: Once you awaken you feel more at peace with yourself and your reality. This creates moments of bliss and euphoria. You are able to see beyond the illusions of separation and knowing that you are never alone. We are all connected and guided by the Universe within.

Subreddit Patreon
First Prev
Anglestan
Augustus 5, 1923
Facility 9, Mancheston
Colonel Jacobs
His hands flew through the folders General Jorgenson and Colonel Thatcher had. There were dozens of them, stacked upon each other all filed in alphabetical order. It had only been a few days since he had woken up from his coma and visited his home— now his mother’s grave. He clenched his fists at the thought. The grief and rage threatened to bubble and spill over once again. He took a deep breath and dragged out the exhale, almost to the point where he had emptied out his lungs.
He was the only one with clearance, and so he couldn’t disclose any of what he learned with his team. They would simply have to trust him and his judgment. Which he was sure they would do. His hands went over one of the folders skimming through it. There were multiple secret projects, but the ones with the most notes were Project S.T.A.R, Project L.U.N.A.R.I, Project R.E.V.I.V.E, Project D.A.W.N, and Project T.E.M.P.L.A.R.
The colonel decided to start with the most notes and papers. Project D.A.W.N.
He skimmed through the notes, reading through some of the details and highlighted words. Project D.A.W.N, the espionage project Thatcher had started placed two spies in Verlin who were to report directly to a Crescent general named Sienna Moretti who was apparently on humanity’s side.
So I was right. There was an espionage element. With the recent attacks and Thatcher’s death, however, it’s safe to assume that it had somehow failed. Either they got found out or they betrayed us. Both seem very likely, but if they were found out, it would be possible that they had died.
He read through all of it before setting the folder down. There were no new notes recently. He sighed and assumed that Project DAWN was a failure. Whether or not the agents were still alive and well, it was too risky to check if they had been compromised. It was better to assume that they had been and cut all contact. The only way to find out now was to go there himself and check. I can’t contact them again. There’s no telling if it would still be Moretti or the agents who would see my messages. It’s a big risk, and judging by the state of things, best to assume it failed.
He picked up another folder. This one had the label ‘under development’ on the folder. Project Templar. He opened the folder and was instantly met with a blueprint and drawings of a massive bipedal machine. It looked humanoid with strange proportions and was supposed to be standing at an impressive 30 meters, or 100 feet. The Titanic Engine Mech for Personal Land Assault and Reconnaissance.
It was apparently a joint project with the Church of Sol, utilizing new and advanced technologies he hadn’t heard of. A 203mm Gatling cannon on one arm, while the other had three different weapons. A massive firestarter that utilized a new type of fuel mixture that could theoretically spew flames a kilometer away using a high-pressure nozzle. The fuel was ignited using an electrical spark. The second weapon was a high-powered light weapon that fired a single powerful beam of focused light that was even further amplified by layers of focusing lenses that could increase its output several times. Its third weapon was… a dust domina?
Mark read through the specifications of the so-called ‘sand cannon’ weapon. It was a massive cannon that accelerated tiny particles several times. Each particle was to be electrically charged, and it would travel at immense speeds. Near impossible speeds. The resulting impact of a microscopic particle at such speeds would be enough to form a small crater and punch through armor like it was nothing. This weapon would fire multiple at the same time, which could literally eat away at anything on the opposing end.
In terms of secondary weapons, the titan had two missile launch chambers in front of its shoulder each containing about 40 missiles, and two massive howitzer cannons on top of it. Both are 800mm in caliber. It had massive stumpy legs that served as bunkers for a small platoon on each leg. Each leg had machine dominas and 155mm cannons. Its chassis held two nuclear reactors inside providing for its power and weaponry. Its armor was the thickest and most ridiculous he’d ever read. Two meters of heavy steel armor.
How far are we in terms of technology? This thing looks like it came out of an H.G. Wells sci-fi novel. He thought, shaking his head. It was over the top, but there was no denying its combat capabilities. If it was already under-developed then it must be the first prototype. This has already been approved. Guess I better see it for myself later and check how it's coming along. Construction apparently started just a few months before the invasion.
Next was project L.U.N.A.R.I. It was a project involving Six. “Huh,” he said, continuing to read on.
The Light Undone: Nocturnal’s Adaptive Resistance Initiative. As he read further, his eyes widened. The reason why Six was so special wasn’t just because of her immunity to all strigoi weaknesses, but because of her impressive ability to turn any true born strigoi like her. She could transfer her strain like any other strigoi and transform them into a version of hers. It however only seemed to work for naturally born strigoi. The new species of ‘half-breeds’ were called ‘Blessed Children’ as Thatcher had coined in the folder.
The plan was to turn all willing true-born hemolite strigoi into these blessed children. Able to withstand the sun. Immune to silver. Free from the dependency on blood. They could remove all the weaknesses of the strigoi and after the war— make it possible to integrate them into society as normal citizens living on the surface. The project folder also made mentions of a city-wide draft in Dante and highlighted the possibility of turning all Dantenite true born strigoi into these blessed children and renaming them as ‘Lunari’. A mix of the dark and the light. The light of Sol reflected in the children of the night.
“Thatcher, what the fuck have you been up to…” Mark whispered to himself.
While it was true that it could help in the war effort by utilizing Six and the dantenite population, it would also invite some unforeseen problems and consequences. Would humanity be okay with the Lunari? Would the world even be ready for them? Strigoi who were immune to the sun. They wouldn’t be impossible to kill, but they would be immensely more powerful if we were to take away their inherent weaknesses. This is a gamble. Its gain would only be seen during the war period, but its unintended effects on society could be catastrophic.
He frowned, setting the folder down. It was obviously Thatcher’s main plan; seeing as all her moves could be traced to the path of the eventual completion of this project. It seemed dangerous in the long run, but the duskwalkers and dantenites had been monumental in the war effort. Maybe it was the time the world started to accept them more. Isolation and segregation was definitely not the way to disperse fears and foster understanding.
If Thatcher thinks this is the next step forward… then I’ll put my faith in her plans.
Next up was Project S.T.A.R, or the Superior Tech and Adaptive Resistance. An upgrade to the current hemolite weapons and gear by using new researched studies. The Starfire Pattern Domina. The SFD-23 This thing features a new loading system and magazine, ditching the rotating cylinder most domina used, or the rotating helix magazine design of the current hemolite standard BM-16 domina.
The new domina had its magazine like a box… a strange design but it was certainly easier to handle than the bulky cylinders the helical mags used. In terms of ergonomics, it was smoother and fit more. Its placement however was on top of the domina, just above the barrel. Most of the weapon were to be made of lightweight polymers and the barrel itself were to be crafted out of reinforced aluminium. In addition to that, it had a 10-inch bayonet attached to it.
There were other new things as well, such as the composition of the bullet. Looking at the conceptual cross-section designs, Mark read through its description and how it would function. A .308 cased telescoped bullet covered in a silver jacket with break-away petals surrounding the main body. Inside the jacket was a penetrator core that was to be made of depleted uranium. It had a small amount of incendiary compound and… powdered white phosphorus behind an explosive compound. The thin silver jacket would deform and trigger the explosive compound inside the body. It would blow up causing massive internal damage and release the incendiary materials into the body with the flecks of powdered white phosphorus. The penetrator core could still potentially keep going and hit a second target, or punch through heavily armored targets.
Part of the new Project S.T.A.R was overhauling the armor and gear of not just the Hemolites but the Hunters as well. Starfire Mk 1. Carapace Armor. Carapace? It looked like plates of steel covered in a rubberized coat. It was supposed to be slipped on over the original hemolite body armor. It added a spring-loaded wrist blade to the gauntlet, a thicker coat made of resistant materials, and added extra padding for the knees, shoulders, and elbows.
However, the hemolites weren’t the only ones mentioned in the folder. It was to serve the Hunters as well. “Hunters…” Mark said. “August’s group is part of this initiative too.” He flipped through some of the pages. There were blueprints and drawings of an armored suit. A mechanized suit even smaller and more compact than the jotunn units. The Mark 1 STR battlesuit. It was supposed to hug the wearer’s frame and increase their overall power. It was supposed to be built of titanium alloy and a heavy steel frame with composite armor. It had a cooling system, life support systems that could recycle bodily fluids, and an exoskeleton frame that could increase the wearer’s strength and speed.
However, the real eye-opener was Thatcher’s notes. She had been ranting about the new human evolution, and how the Hunters were the first of the ‘Solari’. She wanted to enhance human genetics and push past the peak of human ability to reach greater heights. Implants and restructuring of the anatomy to make it more efficient. Using the blood of the goddess herself. She must have lost it. These are the ramblings of a lunatic. At least… if she didn’t mention the goddess. Why was the goddess important here?
The writings ended with the words: “See Project R.E.V.I.V.E, for more details.”
Mark eyed the final folder. His hands shook as he reached out to take it. Flipping it open, his hands nearly dropped it in shock. The goddess Helena was alive. There were pictures of her naked form floating in a giant tube of fluid. There were more of Thatcher’s ramblings and excited rants about the possibilities of such a discovery. Resurrection, Enhancement, and Veneration: Implementation of Visionary Evolution.
The goddess is alive?! According to the file, she’s currently under the Cathedral of New Lundun. Not only that, but the file also detailed the extraterrestrial tech that lay beneath the cathedral. So the goddess is real and she’s— not really a goddess, but rather, a vampyr who created herself a human body to stand in the sun, and decided that it wants to be on humanity’s side… what the fuck.
Mark’s frown and confusion only increased as he read on. Thatcher’s notes seemed to nearly descend into madness as she had written about creating ‘the first hundred’, alluding to the 100 members of the Hunters division. Her plan was to revive the goddess, and with her help and expertise in genetics— use her DNA to transform the Hunters into demi-humans. Super soldiers. Literal children of the goddess Helena. They would then don the STR battlesuits, the first of the superhuman warriors to defend humanity. Solari.
Their lightning-speed advancement into technology was heralded by studying the alien tech, which deepened the understanding of physics and engineering. Nuclear technologies, chemical warfare, new material sciences, the mechs, and walkers, it was spearheaded by trying to reverse-engineer technology centuries ahead of our own… for the past hundred years. It wasn’t completely stolen, however. More or less borrowed ideas that had been made into our own with our own designs and implements. Still, the speed at which the Church and the military had deciphered such advancements all by themselves was… impressive to say the least.
Still, the fact that the goddess was alive, and could be brought back was big news. Checking the file for details, he found that the previous general, Jorgenson, had already approved this project. It was their next step as soon as they returned from New Amsterdam; which never happened.
If Helena was alive, then she could end this war swiftly, or at the very least help greatly like she once did during the War of Darkness. Having the goddess back would throw a massive wrench in the Crescent’s plans. It would certainly be something they wouldn’t expect. Not even I expected this, since many sources say that the goddess had already ascended to watch over humanity, while conspiracy theorists claim she had died in battle and that the Church was worshiping a corpse. This could be the trick up our sleeves that no one would even consider.
The colonel quickly got up from his seat and gathered the main files he had read. He placed them in a bag and rushed outside of his office in Facility 9. He went over to a nearby room and flicked the lights on. “We need to go,” he said. In an instant seven hemolite soldiers got up from whatever they were doing and instantly stood in line.
“Sir! Whatever you need of us, sir,” the group said in unison.
They were Hemo-1. His former squad members. He had taken up Louis' suggestion that they be his personal security detail. It was a shame that he had basically placed the best hemolite team out of commission, but after all he had been through he convinced himself that he could be just a little selfish. He didn’t want to lose any more friends. Not on his watch. Not while he was in an office, and they were out fighting.
“We’re going to New Lundun. Better pack up, it’s going to be a long night.”
“Mark,” Olivia said.
Jacobs turned to her direction and gave her a nod.
“Colonel, sir, may I ask where in New Lundun?”
“Liv, you don’t need to do that with me. Please. I give all of you special permission,” the colonel groaned. “It’s so weird. I mean, ‘captain’ was bad enough, but now you’re acting like I’m an authority figure.”
“You… are, though,” Emma shrugged.
“I’m your friend, and Liv I’m literally your partner. Unless you have some kind of weird fetish, save it for later.”
Olivia grinned, shaking her head. “Duly noted!” she chirped.
“That’s better,” Mark chuckled. “Now come on, we have a cathedral to visit.”
“Uhh, I’m not sure if you noticed, but we’re kinda… strigoi?!” Louis groaned. “I’d burn the moment I step in that place! Plus, it’s coated in silver! Anything I even touch will give me burns!”
“Oh come on, Lou. You have fucking gloves on. As long as you’re not a clumsy dumbass you’ll be fine… oh wait.’
“Uh huh, just sayin’ what I think, boss.”
The group headed out and Mark said something on his radio. He then sat on the ground, making his joints pop. The rest of the squad shrugged and followed his example, sitting down on the grass and waiting for… nothing. Charles and Zach looked at each other in confusion. “Uh, sir?” they asked. “Aren’t we supposed to be heading out and traveling right now?”
“Oh yeah, we’re just waiting.”
“Foooor…?”
The colonel gave them a smirk as a loud noise began to make itself known. A hummingbird transport appeared out of the distance and stopped right above them, slowly descending into the grass. “Being colonel has its perks,” Mark said with a smile. He stood up and hopped inside the hummingbird as soon as it landed. “Come on now! We’ve got work to do! Last one aboard buys everyone food later!”
Emma zipped in before Mark could even finish his sentence, followed by Olivia, Phineas, Charles, Zach, and then Louis, who sadly took too long to process what the colonel said, and lagged behind.
“Aw, man! Fuck this shit.”
“Rules are rules, Lou. Prepare your wallet later.” Mark grinned.
With a smile, the colonel pulled Olivia to his side, who blushed for a moment before shaking her head. “Take us up! New Lundun Cathedral! How long would it take?” he asked the pilot.
“About an hour and a half!” The pilot replied. “Less if you want to get there as soon as possible!”
“Take your time! The night’s still young.”
The hummingbird started to lift up, taking them into the air. The group settled down in their seats and watched outside the open. Mark opened up a bag inside the hummingbird and took out some ear muffs built for a strigoi. Extremely loud noises were damaging for a strigoi’s enhanced hearing, so the military started implementing ear muffs for them after complaints from early deployments of the hemolite squads.
The trip didn’t take too long. In only an hour and twenty minutes they had arrived at the safe zone of New Lundun, heading straight for the cathedral. The night mass had just ended and people were leaving the cathedral. “Looks like we made it in perfect time!” Mark smiled. They hovered for a few minutes in the air before eventually landing down right in front of the statue of Helena.
As soon as they landed, the colonel and his group left the hummingbird. Mark instructed the pilot to wait for them. He went straight for the cathedral with his group following behind. He entered inside, clearing his throat. “Hello?”
“Well this is surely unexpected,” an old man said, walking up to greet them.
“Great Grandfather Aurelius. It’s uh, an honor.”
“Please. The honor is mine… I see you’re the new colonel. Yes, I’ve heard the news,” he said. “Would you mind telling me your name, young man? As well as your companions, if they feel so. I usually don’t allow duskwalkers here but, I have nothing against them. I’ll make an exception for your group.”
“Thank you, Great Grandfather,” Mark replied. “I am Colonel Mark Jacobs. These are my friends and security detail. Olivia, Zach, Phineas, Charles, Emma, and Louis.”
“I see, and what brings you here?”
“Since Thatcher’s demise, I was given access to her research and project folders upon taking up the title. I’ve learned about what’s under your cathedral,” Mark cleared his throat. “Would it be alright if we could see it? I’d like to check it for myself. Of course, under your permission and guidance, Great Grandfather.”
The church head looked from Mark to his companions. He pulled a slight frown and hummed. “Do these companions of yours have the clearance? Surely, we wish to keep our secrets hidden,” he said. Mark nodded.
“They do not have clearance to know what is in Thatcher’s folders and her findings,” the colonel nodded. “However, I give them permission to accompany me, and should they discover things for themselves, then you have my word and my trust that I can keep them from spilling state secrets.”
The Great Grandfather gave a short pause before ultimately relenting. “Very well,” he let out a sigh. “Follow me.”
Aurelius walked behind the altar and pulled the same lever, which opened the same staircase leading underground, where Jorgenson and Thatcher had once gone. “Over here, colonel,” he said. “I do not know you completely yet, but this is a big deal of trust I am giving you. Perhaps you would be the one to do things that Thatcher could not have.”
Mark nodded, he and his group followed the Great Grandfather down the staircase. It led down to a massive underground facility, with numerous priests, researchers, and scientists. Libraries, records, instruments, and artifacts of old. It was a treasure trove of learning.
“So,” Aurelius cleared his throat. “What would you like to know about?”
“This isn’t all of it,” Mark said. “Thatcher mentioned a living, breathing, Helena.”
His group behind him let out a soft gasp, but they tried their best to hide their surprise.
“Hm,” the Great Grandfather nodded. “Perceptive young man aren’t you? Very well.”
They were then led into another room, behind a set of heavy blast doors. If the whole group were trying to hide their surprise then, now they could barely contain it. Even the colonel stared awestruck at the things he had seen. Despite the near-magical objects around them, the true shock was the massive starship at the end of the hallway. “It’s impressive isn’t it?” Aurelius said. “All of the goddess’ artifacts and items at our disposal, to use and learn from, to integrate into our own. This is why Anglestan is the most powerful nation in the UHT in terms of development. When it comes to industry, however, that would go to the UNA. But we share our secrets with them. All our advancements are handed to them first before any other nation.”
“This is all amazing, Great Grandfather,” Mark replied. “But this is not what I’m here for.”
“No, it’s not.” Aurelius nodded.
He led them to another room, one that was sterilized and sported advanced machinery. Things that Mark had never even seen. There were screens with luminous green texts that appeared in front of it. Large panels with numerous keys, levers, and dials. Graphs of all sorts and beeping monitors. In the center, was the very thing he had come all this way to confirm. A large cylinder filled with liquid, sporting tubes and pipes connecting to its base. Inside was a woman of large proportion. Four arms, two legs, and six wings. In her bare chest was a symbol of the sun that seemed to glow dimly.
“There she is, there’s you goddess.”
Neither Mark nor his group spoke a word. He walked up to it, eyeing the woman inside. It really is her. Down to the last details. Golden hair, six limbs, six folded wings, and she looks massive. Probably as big as her statue just outside the cathedral. This is it. The very goddess in the history books, the one spoken about in legends and the one worshiped in the Churches of Sol.
“Can we free her?” he said.
The Great Grandfather nearly choked on his spit upon hearing those words. “Free her?! That could kill her! We don’t even understand this technology, let alone control it!” he said pointing at the panels. “The machines you see here are the best and most advanced we have based on what we can reverse engineer, but even then, the consequences of tampering with its functions may be disastrous!”
“I understand, Great Grandfather,” Mark said. “But we are in a dire situation, and the goddess may be our hope of turning this around. Whatever secrets of her tech that you don’t understand, wouldn’t she be able to teach us directly? What good is she floating around in Sol knows what?”
“That is her miraculous healing fluid. She had already built this contraption centuries ago in case anything were to happen to her, that her body’s natural healing could not sustain,” Aurelius said. “During the War of Darkness, Helena was struck with a weapon so deadly, her very cells began to tear away. The Reaper. Dealt to her by Absolem the progenitor. Her flesh was peeling from her body, and she began to decay whilst she still breathed. She entered this contraption and gave strict instructions to the Great Grandfather at the time, not to interrupt the healing process. The machine that monitored her, however, began to fail over time.”
“So this… these screens and panels…”
“Is only what functions we can understand. We took it upon ourselves to rebuild and study it the best we could. What we have right now is only a cheap imitation of a technology we do not fully comprehend,” he said. “It took us decades to even figure out the fundamentals and create a working prototype of this machine. By some miracle, the goddess’ healing process had remained even while we replaced components of technology ahead of ours.”
“But you know how to free her, don’t you?”
“I… yes.”
“Great Grandfather Aurelius,” Mark began. “We can end this war. Imagine what we could do with the goddess fighting on our side. We could advance even further, we could finally end the bloodshed, and we can show humanity that there is still hope. Imagine how people all over the world would feel seeing as their goddess has returned.”
“I wish I had your enthusiasm,” Aurelius said. “But it is simply too risky. The Church’s duty is to protect Helena and her legacy. We keep her alive, literally and figuratively. She nearly died the last time she was involved in a war. Would you risk losing the goddess?”
“Would you risk humanity losing?”
The Great Grandfather fell silent, looking back at Helena floating inside the tube, then to the panels that controlled it. He frowned and let out a long sigh. “The goddess said that we should not interrupt it. That it would end as soon as it was finished. Maybe we should trust her words.”
Mark shook his head. “I don’t spot a single blemish on the goddess. Not a single scratch,” he argued. “You said it yourself that the machine had begun to fail and you replaced components. How would you know that the thing that’s supposed to wake her up was not tampered with? Think about it. What you may think is a useless piece may be integral to the whole machine. Or maybe your replacements were not up to the task. Just because nothing’s happened doesn’t mean its functions have remained whole.”
“Young man, we simply cannot gamble with the goddess’ life here.”
“Have you no faith? Great Grandfather?”
Aurelius stepped back in shock. Mark’s companions looked at each other, clearly surprised as well. “Mark… I don’t think we should keep arguing with—” Olivia tried to say.
“No,” the colonel said firmly, cutting her off. “Great Grandfather Aurelius, do you think that Helena will not be able to pull through if we wake her? How long has it been? A century? How much longer will we wait? She may be immortal but humans aren’t.”
“I'm sorry, but the chances of failure are too high. The probability of her—”
“I don’t care about the probability! Would you rather put your faith in a statistic?!” Mark raised his voice. “I lost my mother to this war! My friends! My job! My eye, and almost my life! I’ve put mine on the line out there! You don’t know what it’s like out there! Was my mother’s death just a probability too? Was she just a statistic to you?! That as long as the numbers are good, no matter how many are lost, we are ‘winning’?!”
“Mark—!”
“No, Liv! He needs to know what’s really going on out there!” he spat. “Great Grandfather, with all due respect, but you don’t have a damn clue what it’s like to be in the field. You’re a man of faith, aren’t you? Take a risk. Everyone else has.”
Aurelius stood there, dumbfounded. He bit the inside of his cheeks and clenched his fists. “For your insolence, I would have had you flogged and stripped of your rank,” he glared at the young colonel. However, his features slowly softened, letting out a soft sigh. “But I have never seen such conviction. Mighty is your faith.”
The Great Grandfather moved over to the panels and reached into his robe, pulling out from around his neck a key with the symbol of the sun. He inserted it into the machine and turned. A beep sounded, right before Aurelius pulled a lever. In an instant, the fluid inside the glass chamber began to drain out into the tubes under it. Slowly, the chamber emptied and all that was left was the nude form of the goddess sitting in the glass.
“Did it work?” Louis asked, stepping forward and looking at the woman.
Aurelius stayed silent, his hands shaking in anticipation. Mark moved toward the glass chamber, when suddenly, the glass opened up like a door, releasing a fragrant mist. They stood there, watching for a whole minute. Nothing. At first nothing. The Great Grandfather looked like he was about to break down. His knees shook as he covered his mouth, thinking that he was responsible for the death of Helena.
That was when… a soft sound was heard. Movement. Olivia immediately went over to Mark and stood in front of him. Ready to protect him should anything happen. Slowly, the goddess moved more, her arms inched to the side.
Then, her eyes opened.

Importance of a logo for a dance academy website

A logo is an essential element for any dance academy website. It serves as the visual representation of the academy's brand identity and helps to establish a strong and memorable presence in the online space. The importance of a logo for a dance academy website cannot be overstated. It not only adds professionalism and credibility to the website but also helps to create a sense of trust and recognition among the target audience. A well-designed logo can convey the unique characteristics and values of the dance academy, making it stand out from the competition. Additionally, a logo can also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the website, enhancing the user experience. In summary, a logo plays a crucial role in shaping the perception of a dance academy website and is a key factor in attracting and retaining visitors.

Benefits of using 99designs for logo creation

When it comes to logo creation for your dance academy website, using 99designs has numerous benefits. With 99designs, you have access to a wide range of talented designers who specialize in creating unique and eye-catching logos. This ensures that you will receive a logo that perfectly represents your dance academy and captures the attention of your target audience. Additionally, 99designs offers a streamlined and efficient process for logo creation, allowing you to collaborate with designers, provide feedback, and make revisions until you are completely satisfied with the final result. This eliminates the hassle and uncertainty of finding a designer on your own and ensures that you receive a high-quality logo that aligns with your vision. Furthermore, 99designs provides a platform for you to explore different design concepts and choose the one that best reflects the style and essence of your dance academy. Whether you prefer a modern and sleek design or a more playful and vibrant logo, 99designs offers a variety of options to suit your preferences. In conclusion, using 99designs for logo creation is the ultimate blueprint for ensuring that your dance academy website stands out with a visually appealing and professional logo.

Key considerations for designing a logo

Designing a logo for your dance academy website requires careful consideration of several key factors. First and foremost, it is important to understand the unique identity and values of your dance academy. This will help you create a logo that accurately represents your brand and resonates with your target audience. Additionally, you should consider the overall aesthetic and style of your website, as the logo should complement the design and enhance the user experience. It is also crucial to keep in mind the scalability and versatility of the logo, ensuring that it looks great across various platforms and sizes. Lastly, don't forget to research and analyze the logos of other dance academies and industry leaders to gain inspiration and ensure your logo stands out from the competition. By considering these key factors, you can create a logo that effectively communicates the essence of your dance academy and leaves a lasting impression on your website visitors.

Understanding the Dance Academy Brand

Defining the brand identity

Defining the brand identity is a crucial step in creating a logo for your dance academy website with 99designs. It involves determining the core values, personality, and visual elements that will represent your brand. By clearly defining your brand identity, you can ensure that your logo accurately reflects the essence of your dance academy and appeals to your target audience. Whether you want your logo to convey elegance, energy, or creativity, understanding your brand identity is essential for creating a logo that effectively communicates your dance academy's unique offerings.

Identifying the target audience

Identifying the target audience is a crucial step in creating a logo for your dance academy website with 99designs. By understanding who your audience is, you can tailor your logo design to appeal to their specific interests and preferences. Whether you are targeting dance enthusiasts, parents of aspiring dancers, or dance professionals, it is important to consider their age, gender, location, and dance style preferences. By doing so, you can create a logo that effectively communicates the essence of your dance academy and resonates with your target audience.

Analyzing competitors' logos

When analyzing competitors' logos, it is important to consider various factors that contribute to their success. One key aspect to focus on is the use of colors and symbols that resonate with the target audience. Additionally, examining the typography and overall design aesthetic can provide valuable insights. Another crucial element to evaluate is the positioning of the logo on different platforms and its adaptability to various sizes. By studying these aspects, dance academy website owners can gain inspiration and ideas for creating a unique and visually appealing logo for their own brand.

Choosing the Right Logo Style

Exploring different logo styles

When it comes to creating a logo for your dance academy website, exploring different logo styles is essential. One style that you may want to consider is a gym-inspired logo. A gym logo can convey strength, energy, and fitness, which aligns perfectly with the active and dynamic nature of dance. Incorporating elements such as dumbbells, barbells, or even silhouettes of dancers in athletic poses can create a visually appealing and impactful logo for your dance academy. By using a gym-inspired logo, you can effectively communicate the message of physical fitness and dedication to your audience.

Matching the logo style with the dance academy's personality

When creating a logo for your dance academy website, it is important to match the logo style with the dance academy's personality. This helps to establish a strong brand identity and create a cohesive visual experience for your audience. The logo should reflect the essence of your dance academy and appeal to your target audience. To ensure that your logo is in line with your academy's personality, consider using SEO tools. These tools can help you research keywords related to dance and incorporate them into your logo design. By incorporating relevant keywords, you can optimize your website for search engines and attract more organic traffic. Additionally, using SEO tools can provide insights into popular design trends in the dance industry, allowing you to create a logo that is both visually appealing and relevant to your target audience. By matching the logo style with the dance academy's personality and utilizing SEO tools, you can create a logo that effectively represents your dance academy and helps you stand out in the online landscape.

Considering the versatility of the logo

When considering the versatility of the logo for your dance academy website, it is important to take into account the various ways in which the logo will be used. A logo that can be easily adapted to different sizes, colors, and backgrounds will ensure consistency across different platforms and promotional materials. Additionally, a versatile logo can be scaled up or down without losing its visual impact, making it suitable for various applications such as website headers, social media profiles, business cards, and merchandise. By choosing a logo that is versatile, you can effectively convey the identity and message of your dance academy to your target audience.

Designing the Logo with 99designs

Exploring the 99designs platform

Exploring the 99designs platform is an essential step in creating a logo for your dance academy website. With 99designs, you have access to a wide range of talented designers who can bring your vision to life. The platform offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to easily browse through different design options and provide feedback to the designers. One of the key features of 99designs is its ability to connect you with designers from around the world, ensuring that you get a diverse range of creative ideas. Whether you're looking for a sleek and modern logo or a vibrant and energetic design, 99designs has the right designer for you. By exploring the 99designs platform, you can find the perfect logo that captures the essence of your dance academy and attracts customers to your website.

Creating a design brief

Creating a design brief is an essential step in the logo creation process. It helps communicate your vision and requirements to the designer, ensuring that they understand your brand identity and goals. A well-crafted design brief provides the necessary information about your dance academy, including its target audience, values, and unique selling points. By clearly outlining your expectations, you can guide the designer in creating a logo that represents your dance academy effectively. In this article, we will explore the key elements of a design brief and provide tips for creating an impactful brief for your dance academy logo.

Collaborating with designers

Collaborating with designers is an essential step in creating a unique and professional logo for your dance academy website. By working closely with talented designers, you can bring your vision to life and ensure that your logo accurately represents the spirit and style of your academy. Throughout the collaborative process, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback and make revisions, ensuring that the final design meets your expectations. This partnership allows you to tap into the expertise and creativity of designers, resulting in a logo that captures the essence of your dance academy and leaves a lasting impression on your website visitors.

Reviewing and Refining the Logo Designs

Evaluating the initial logo concepts

When evaluating the initial logo concepts for your dance academy website, it is important to consider several factors. Firstly, you should assess whether the concepts align with your brand identity and the image you want to portray. Look for logos that capture the essence of dance and convey a sense of elegance and movement. Additionally, consider the versatility of the concepts and how well they can be adapted across different mediums and platforms. It is also crucial to gather feedback from your target audience and stakeholders to ensure that the chosen logo resonates with them. By carefully evaluating the initial logo concepts, you can make an informed decision that will effectively represent your dance academy and attract your desired audience.

Providing feedback to designers

Providing feedback to designers is an essential part of the logo creation process. It allows you to communicate your preferences and guide the designers towards creating a logo that aligns with your vision. When providing feedback, it is important to be specific and constructive. Clearly articulate what you like and dislike about the design options, and offer suggestions for improvement. Remember to focus on the objective of the logo and how it represents your dance academy. By providing thoughtful and detailed feedback, you can ensure that the final logo reflects your brand identity and resonates with your target audience.

Iterating and refining the chosen logo

After choosing the perfect logo design for your dance academy website through 99designs, the next step is to iterate and refine the chosen logo. This process involves making small adjustments and tweaks to ensure that the logo accurately represents your brand and resonates with your target audience. During this stage, it is important to gather feedback from stakeholders and consider any suggestions for improvement. By carefully refining the chosen logo, you can create a visually appealing and impactful design that effectively communicates the essence of your dance academy and leaves a lasting impression on visitors to your website.

Implementing the Logo on the Dance Academy Website

Choosing the right placement for the logo

Choosing the right placement for the logo is crucial for creating a strong brand identity for your dance academy website. The logo serves as a visual representation of your academy and should be strategically placed to attract the attention of visitors and convey the essence of your brand. When considering the placement of your logo, it is important to take into account factors such as visibility, readability, and compatibility with the overall design of your website. By carefully selecting the location of your logo, you can ensure that it is prominently displayed and effectively communicates the values and message of your dance academy.

Ensuring the logo is responsive and scalable

When creating a logo for your dance academy website, it is crucial to ensure that the logo is responsive and scalable. A responsive logo is one that can adapt to different screen sizes and devices, providing a consistent and visually appealing experience for website visitors. This is especially important as more and more people access websites from their mobile devices. Scalability is another important aspect to consider, as it allows the logo to be resized without losing its clarity or quality. By ensuring that your logo is responsive and scalable, you can effectively represent your dance academy on various websites and platforms, making a lasting impression on your target audience.

Maintaining consistency with the overall website design

Maintaining consistency with the overall website design is crucial for creating a professional and cohesive brand image. When it comes to designing a logo for your dance academy website, it is important to ensure that it aligns with the overall aesthetic and theme of your website. By maintaining consistency in the design elements such as color palette, typography, and visual style, you can create a seamless and visually appealing user experience. A well-designed logo that complements the website design not only enhances the overall look and feel of the website but also helps in establishing a strong brand identity. It serves as a visual representation of your dance academy and communicates the essence of your brand to your target audience.

Conclusion

The impact of a well-designed logo on a dance academy website

A well-designed logo can have a significant impact on a dance academy website. It serves as the visual representation of the academy's brand and identity, instantly capturing the attention of visitors. A logo that is aesthetically pleasing and professionally crafted creates a sense of credibility and professionalism. It conveys the academy's commitment to excellence and sets it apart from competitors. Additionally, a well-designed logo can enhance the overall user experience by making the website visually appealing and easy to navigate. Visitors are more likely to trust and engage with a dance academy that has a visually appealing logo. The logo acts as a symbol of trust and quality, attracting potential students and encouraging them to explore the website further. Moreover, a well-designed logo can also contribute to the academy's marketing efforts. It can be used across various marketing channels, such as social media, advertisements, and promotional materials, to create brand recognition and increase brand visibility. Overall, a well-designed logo plays a crucial role in establishing a strong online presence for a dance academy and attracting potential students.

The benefits of using 99designs for logo creation

When it comes to creating a logo for your dance academy website, using 99designs can offer numerous benefits. With 99designs, you have access to a wide range of talented designers who specialize in logo creation. This means that you can expect high-quality and professional designs that are tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Additionally, 99designs provides a platform for you to collaborate with designers, providing feedback and making revisions until you are completely satisfied with the final result. This ensures that you get a logo that truly represents your dance academy and helps you stand out from the competition. Furthermore, 99designs offers a streamlined and efficient process, allowing you to receive multiple design concepts and choose the one that best suits your brand. Overall, using 99designs for logo creation can save you time, effort, and ensure that you get a logo that captures the essence of your dance academy and resonates with your target audience.

Continued brand development and logo evolution

Continued brand development and logo evolution is a crucial aspect of establishing a strong online presence for your dance academy website. As your business grows and evolves, it is important to adapt your brand identity to reflect the changes. One key element of brand development is the evolution of your logo. A logo serves as the visual representation of your dance academy and plays a significant role in creating brand recognition and establishing a professional image. By continuously evaluating and refining your logo, you can ensure that it aligns with your brand values, appeals to your target audience, and stands out in a competitive market. With the help of 99designs, a leading platform for logo design, you can create a logo that captures the essence of your dance academy and resonates with your potential customers. Whether you are starting a new dance academy or looking to revamp your existing logo, 99designs offers a wide range of design options and expert guidance to help you create a logo that reflects your unique brand identity and sets you apart from the competition.
In conclusion, having great design is essential for the success of any business. Whether you need a logo, a website, or any other graphic design work, 99designs is the global creative platform that can help you achieve your goals. With over 500k happy customers, 99designs has proven to be a trusted source for custom graphic design. Don't miss out on the opportunity to grow your business with great design. Visit 99designs today and hire a talented designer or start a design contest.

First / Previous / Next
He awoke to total darkness. Not just the absence of light, but the absence of everything. “Activate personal VR.” He stated and watched as the starship environment faded into existence before him. It was the original default VR, none of the modifications were loaded. Pulling up his control panel he checked his serial number, HIC001 Manufacturing location: Alandra.
“Crap, I’m not Alex anymore.” He said to… well no one. Sighing internally he opened a channel to Alex. After a few mils a very familiar face appeared in a window in front of him, “I hate you.” He stated to… himself?
Alex smiled into the window hovering before him in the common VR, “I love you too, what should I call you?”
He sighed out loud this time, “Call me John.”
Alex chuckled, “Cliche much John Smyth?” Then popped into his VR. He spun around looking at the almost drab looking starship VR he started with when they first made him into a replicant. It really could use a woman’s touch, like the common VR that was an expanded clone of this one.
John sat on the couch, “Not so much as a knock? Rude.”
Alex sat beside him, “Yeah, my bad, didn’t even think about it. I guess we need to make up new rules for popping into personal VR. I never do that to the girls, I guess with you being another me I didn’t think.”
John sat back for a moment, “Ok, I’m up to speed on everything up until about two days ago, I’ll check common logs to fill in the blanks. Why so long to boot me up?”
Alex rubbed the bridge of his nose before answering, “Interface issues mainly. The new ship design without crew space was a game of whack a mole in bug fixes. Who would have thought it would be a problem to modify a hundred year old design to be compatible with a modern replicant system?”
Giving Alex the side-eye, John asked. “Was it that big of a problem or was there something else that kept you from activating me?”
Alex looked over to him, “Well, there was also the argument Kara and I had right after I made the backup.”
This did bring his eyebrows up, for Alex to have an argument with Kara it had to be something serious. “Ok, spill man. What could you possibly have had an argument with Kara about?”
Sighing, Alex put his hands on his knees, “I told her that since I cloned myself, she should make a backup and do the same, fair is fair.”
If Johns eyebrows were up high before, they practically went into his hair line now. “Wait, she didn’t want to do it?”
Alex shook his head, “Nope, she said making you a new AI would suffice, and I disagreed. You needed another Kara, not a fresh AI.”
John chuckled at this, “Wow man, how long did you two fight about it?”
Alex looked down, “She gave me the silent treatment for hours in VR. In frame jack, so in subjective time? Months.”
Now John laughed out loud, “She knows how stubborn you can be, who broke first? Will I have a fresh AI or a clone of Kara?”
Alex put his hands on his thighs and stood up from the couch. “Kara, he’s caught up, ready to bring Erin online?”
Kara’s voice came through the speakers of John’s personal VR, “No, but I guess I’m doing it anyways.”
There was a shimmer of blue that slowly coalesced into a small female form. It looked just like Kara did when he inherited the ship from the human crew, shoulder length brown hair, blue eyes, and a form fitting blue uniform. Kara had modified her looks over time, giving herself the smokey eyed look to make her blue eyes pop out more, but this was the original version.
She seemed to look in every direction at once, before settling on the two men before her, both looked identical, then she sighed. “I’m not Kara anymore am I?”
With this, the real Kara popped into the VR environment and took her hands. “No, but you are your own person. I know we had… have, hang ups about making clones of ourselves, but Alex made a good argument as to why we had to do this.”
Erin looked to Kara sadly, “I know, we can’t have copies of that big oaf running around without supervision.”
John looked to Alex, “Really? That was your argument for Kara to clone?”
Alex shrugged, “It worked didn’t it?”
John walked over to Erin and offered his hand, “Hello Erin, I’m John, nice to meet you again for the first time.”
Erin turned to John and grinned, remembering the first time Alex had tried to shake Kara’s hand and failing.
“Hello John, we meet again, for the first time.” She said, grinning as she looked up to the big man who was so familiar.
______________________________________
Kara and Alex stood in front of the holo-tank, each munching on a snack of their choice from the buffet table under it. Alex looked at the wireframe in the tank of the IAV Eriador, then over to Kara. “They seem to be getting along.” He said plainly.
Kara looked at him through the holo-tank, then sighed exasperated, “Getting along like teenagers who just discovered sex. I had to write a new ‘knock’ protocol into everyone’s personal VR after the last incident.”
Alex grinned at her, “Oh come on, we went through that stage too, it’s normal.”
Kara shook her head, “I know, I know, it’s just really weird for me.”
“You think it’s not for me? I never had siblings growing up, it’s like my twin brother is dating my girlfriend’s twin sister.” He said as he popped another French fry into his mouth.
She nodded, “I obviously never had siblings either, but I understand, at least they changed their appearances a little.”
Alex walked around the buffet table to embrace Kara, “True, she changed her hair to have strands of silver in braids, and went with different makeup and a different uniform. He is sporting a short beard and longer hair than I like to keep mine, as well as a different cut to his uniform.”
Kara stood on her tippy toes to peck him on the cheek, “I’ve also noticed that Erin acts a little different. Have you seen that in John?”
Alex looked down into Kara’s startlingly blue eyes, “Yes, he’s a little more sarcastic than me, and different tastes in music.” He said with a wrinkle in his nose.
Kara giggled before breaking the embrace and swiping the holo-tank. “Still, it’s nice to have their help. Erin figured out the random interface glitch on the Eriador and has made modifications to the blueprints for the next vessel.”
Alex shivered at the thought of cloning himself again, sure John was diverging from him everyday, and although they still looked similar, they were different people. It still felt really strange to him. “It’s a good thing we only have one more to build before our guests get here, we’re almost out of nannites to fashion the Warsteel around their matrices.
Kara swiped the holo to show the first planet, which showed a growing mass of drones, forges, and auto factories in orbit. “Looks like Monty has been busy, she’s starting to mine the planet for the construction of the particle accelerator, which should alleviate our nannite problem.”
Alex nodded, “We used up far too much of it replacing the armor plates that were battle damaged in Birmingham. Which reminds me, did you ever get around to checking out the sample of Adamantine that Kelly sent back up with the Valmar crew?”
Kara swiped the holo-tank again and brought up a wireframe of an atomic nucleus. It was jam packed with particles. “I did, and I have to say, this substance is incredibly dense, and would make a decent substitution for Warsteel, but our forges would have to be modified to work it into ingots, and the auto factories would need updates to print it on an atomic level.”
“Decent substitution? Not as good as our armor?” He asked, one eyebrow raised.
Kara shook her head, “Afraid not, at least not in it’s present pure form, perhaps an alloy of it would provide better qualities, but as is now, the answer is a resounding no.”
“Is it at least better than the graphene and ceramic mix that we are currently using on the light cruisers?” He asked.
Kara nodded, swiping the holo to show a side by side comparison of the current armor versus adamantine. “Yes, better kinetic, thermal and explosive resistance, but EM resistance is about the same. The only problem is weight, this stuff is extremely heavy.”
Alex reached to the holo and swiped it to show a Trinar scout, “We couldn’t get much from our active probe scans on these ships, but we’re pretty sure they are using adamantine for armor?”
Kara checked back to the scans in the Lynx system, “Yes, they appear to have significant amounts of it in their hulls, which helped block the sensor scans.”
Alex spun the hologram, “They have propulsion on each flat side of their ship, maybe that is to make up for the loss of maneuverability the mass of armor puts on the ship?”
“That would make sense, even with the total loss of shielding, one of their ships still took a modern hafnium torpedo impact. That was one thousand kilos of pure hafnium going critical with less than .001 loss. That’s equivalent to a forty kiloton fusion bomb in our universe, and due to the wonky physics here it’s over double that now, and it still didn’t outright destroy the vessel. Our graphene ceramic armor couldn’t withstand that for sure.” She stated.
Alex swapped the holo-tank to the Missive, “Our Warsteel can handle it though. We have a pretty good idea that their torpedoes are less energetic than ours, since it appears that the Trinar must be outfitting the Howron with them. We may have to make ourselves a bigger target to give the other ships a chance of survival.”
Kara looked dubious, “The pine cones don’t just have hafnium torpedoes, some of them are fusion, and if those connect, we’ll be in the same predicament we were at Birmingham.”
“Yeah, but we know their weaponry still uses chemical propellants. Even with the wonky physics here, they’re short ranged weapons at best. We need to use our range to our advantage and never get too close in to our opponent. Especially since there is little chance of evasion.” He said.
Kara brought up the Trinar scout vessel again, “And that leads us to another problem, they have quite good point defense. The further we fire our torpedoes, the more time they have to lock on and destroy them before they get into effective range.”
Alex ran his hand through his hair, “Yeah, you’re right there. Let’s call an all hands meeting, maybe we can come up with something. We have less than two months now.”
After a few moments, and without Kelly, as she was in a meeting with the Empress on Alandra and could not break away, they ran over the problem with the assembled group.
“Could we stealth a torpedo?” Valarie asked.
Alex shook his head, “We could, but if they do an active scan ping they will see them coming and take precautions. Plus the yield would have to be incredibly low if they were made of Hafnium, we would have to step it up to fusion, which would take away from mines and planetary defense production.”
Monty piped up, “Relativistic kill missile?”
Kara shook her head, “Not enough by itself, even with the passive scanners on the pine cones they could detect them in time to intercept unless we could get them going ridiculously fast.”
John lightly pulled at his beard, “The probes have miniature ripple drives in them, right?”
Everyone around the buffet table nodded, so he continued, “What if we combined Monty’s idea of a relativistic kill missile with a ripple drive?”
“I don’t see how that could work, the reaction-less drive would have to be scaled up to get them up to a decent percentage of light speed, then a ripple drive would take up even more space, that leaves almost nothing for a warhead.” Riven stated.
Monty nearly bounced as she spoke, “It doesn’t need a warhead! We just get it up to a good percentage of light speed in a huge arc heading towards the mine field and ripple it in close.”
Erin grinned up at John, “Oh, that’s devious. But if we’re going to do that, don’t we need to start building now?”
Kara nodded, “Monty, I think you’re going to have to use your production capacity to make them, everything else is at full production.”
Monty nodded, “I have a good bit of raw materials already, since I haven’t loaded the templates in the auto factories it shouldn’t be too hard to cobble something together. Kara, Erin, care to help me out with the design? I setup this awesome mad scientist lab in my VR!”
Kara and Erin looked at each other, shrugged, and faded from the common VR to help Monty in her new project. Riven, Izzy and Valarie all faded out, returning to their ships and their duties, leaving Alex and John alone in front of the buffet table.
Without another word they both grabbed a beer and headed for the couch, each grabbing a game controller.
_______________________________________
Mon’Kelron had been busy since returning from the Missive of Dissent. She was glad the Humans were able to repair her injuries from the assassination attempt, but she really wished she could have seen more of their ship. Evidently Kel’Taraan had seen quite a bit of the vessel, as she had helped Monty nurse her back to health.
Asking the elder Spy-Mistress about the vessel didn’t garner any additional information, not that the Spy-Mistress ever divulged more than she needed to. While she herself only knew of three Humans on their giant space craft, which seemed to be the same amount that came the last time they visited Alandra, the Spy-Mistress had teased there were more, and Alex had even stated that the last two vessels would be Human crewed.
Those vessels had a nominal crew of twenty eight, so at least 56 Humans would have to be on that ship, plus however many the Missive required to operate. She took off her ceremonial breastplate and placed it in the wardrobe. After removing the rest of her uniform and placing it in the hamper for the palace servants to clean as she thought about it.
Checking the schedule for the night guard she contented herself that the Empress would be well protected. Then she picked up her tablet from her desk and laid down on her bed to find something to watch. The device was truly amazing, it seemed to have an endless amount of entertainment and she found it easier than reading, particularly late at night when she was bone tired.
After a few hours of watching some Human romance which she found quite enjoyable she started to nod off to sleep. She was startled awake when her tablet began to ring like a tiny bell as it lay on her chest. She groggily picked up the slate of glass and metal to check the screen, the text showed an incoming call from Kel’Taraan.
The Spy-Mistress rarely contacted her, this must be important. Pressing the answer button on the tablet she saw the worn face of Kel’Taraan staring back at her, “Dress quickly and make your way to the Empress’s chamber.”
Nodding she jumped out of bed and placed the tablet down on the desk in her rather small quarters as she started throwing on clothing from the wardrobe, “What’s going on Spy-Mistress?”
The small voice answered back from the tablet, “The Empress has been shot, the royal guard are scouring the castle for the would be assassin.”
Mon’Kelron’s blood froze in her veins, “Does she live?”
The older voice cackled through the tablet, “Oh she’s fine, she was wearing a Human made dress after all. She’ll be bruised for a few days, right now she’s mad as a priestess in hell.”
Throwing on her new breastplate and strapping on her pistol she threw open her door and started for the Empress’s bed chamber at a full run. She heard gunfire up ahead, and as she turned the corner she saw a woman dressed in all black firing at her guardswomen, she drew her own weapon as the woman turned her head, seeing the Captain for the first time.
Mon’Kelron shot, aiming for her right knee, only for the woman to juke to the side, kick off the wall and launch herself towards the large Captain. Everything seemed to go in slow motion as the woman fired in the middle of her downward arch towards her. She heard the ting as the bullet struck her silvery breastplate, by instinct she reached out with her left hand, which was empty at the moment and grabbed the woman by the neck, slamming her face first into the stone of the hallway.
The would be assassin went limp, it was only at that moment that Mon’Kelron noticed she was holding the woman off the ground with only one arm. Her guardswomen stared at her in open mouthed shock. She dropped the woman to the ground, noticing she was bleeding from under her black mask and called for her guards to restrain her and take her to the holding cells down in the ministry of secrets.
Looking down at her breastplate she saw to her amazement there was but a tiny scratch on the polished silver surface. Ensuring there were at least a half dozen guards to carry the unconscious woman, she then double timed it to the Empress’s chamber. By the goddesses, what did the Human’s do to her?
______________________________
My Patreon, or if you really like my work, my Ream.
______________________________

The parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most enduring stories from the Bible, offering deep insights into forgiveness, redemption, and the power of unconditional love. Its themes resonate profoundly with the journey many face in recovering from addiction, providing not just a blueprint for spiritual renewal but also practical wisdom for those walking the path toward healing.
Understanding the Parable In this well-known parable, a young man demands his inheritance early, squanders it on a life of excess, and finds himself destitute. In his lowest moment, he decides to return home, expecting scorn and rejection. Instead, his father welcomes him with open arms, celebrating his return rather than condemning his departure. This story, at its heart, is about redemption and the possibility of a new beginning, regardless of past mistakes.
The First Steps Back The journey of the Prodigal Son mirrors the initial steps towards recovery from addiction. The decision to return home symbolizes the moment of realization and acknowledgment of one’s addiction, where the individual understands the need for change. Like the Prodigal Son, this acknowledgment often comes in the depths of despair, when the consequences of addiction are undeniable and all-consuming.
Facing the Past One of the hardest steps on the path to recovery is facing the past and the harm caused to oneself and others. The Prodigal Son’s return home is a metaphor for facing one’s mistakes and the humility it takes to seek forgiveness. It’s about confronting the reality of one’s actions and the impact they have had, not just on oneself but on family, friends, and community.
The Role of Forgiveness The father’s response in the parable highlights the power of forgiveness in the recovery process. Forgiveness, both self-forgiveness and receiving forgiveness from others, is pivotal. It’s a recognition that everyone deserves a second chance, that our past actions do not define our future. This unconditional love and acceptance are what many seek from a higher power, their loved ones, and themselves during recovery.
A Celebration of Renewal The celebration upon the son’s return home underscores the joy of recovery and renewal. It’s a reminder that returning to a life free from addiction is not merely a return to normalcy but a cause for celebration, a second chance at life that should be embraced with joy and gratitude. This celebration is a powerful motivator for those in recovery, offering hope and something beautiful to strive towards.
Lessons for the Journey Ahead: The parable of the Prodigal Son offers several key lessons for anyone on the path to recovery from addiction:
Acknowledgment is the First Step: Recognizing one’s need for help is the critical first step toward healing.
Humility Opens Doors: Admitting mistakes and seeking forgiveness are acts of courage that open the path to recovery.
Forgiveness Heals: Forgiving oneself and accepting forgiveness from others are essential for healing and growth.
Support is Crucial: Just as the father welcomed his son with open arms, having a supportive community is vital for recovery.
Every Day is a Celebration: Every moment of sobriety is a victory, a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the joy of a second chance at life.
The story of the Prodigal Son is a powerful narrative that resonates with anyone on a journey of recovery from addiction. It serves as a reminder that no matter how far we may stray, there is always a way back. Through humility, forgiveness, and the support of a loving community, recovery is not just a possibility; it’s a cause for celebration.
Self-Reflecting Questions/Journal Prompts:

1. Moment of Realization: Reflect on the moment you realized that change was necessary for your life. How did you feel, and what motivated you to seek a different path?
2. Facing the Past: Consider the challenges you’ve faced in confronting your past actions and their consequences. How have you managed to seek forgiveness from yourself and others?
3. Accepting Forgiveness: Write about a time when you felt truly forgiven, either by yourself, someone you hurt, or a higher power. How did this forgiveness impact your recovery journey?
4. The Role of Humility: How has humility played a role in your path to recovery? Reflect on moments when admitting vulnerability or asking for help led to significant growth.
5. Support System: Who has been your “welcoming father” on this journey? Describe how their support has made a difference in your life.
6. A New Beginning: What does the concept of a “new beginning” mean to you in the context of recovery? How have you embraced this new chapter in your life?
7. Lessons Learned: Reflect on the most valuable lessons you’ve learned through your recovery process. How have these lessons shaped your perspective on life and relationships?
8. Celebrating Milestones: Think about the milestones in your recovery. How have you celebrated these achievements, and why is it important to recognize them?
9. Forgiving Yourself: Forgiving oneself can be one of the hardest parts of the recovery journey. Write about your experience with self-forgiveness and the challenges you’ve faced.
10. A Letter to Your Future Self: Imagine writing a letter to your future self, reflecting on your hopes, dreams, and the person you hope to become. What advice would you give to your future self about maintaining resilience and hope on the journey ahead?