JMH

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Other Master Once Aaron was in the back of Graft’s black SUV’s Gordon’s demeanor changed. He went from playing the part of the a snooty young gentleman to a man who knew what he wanted and what he wanted more than anything at the moment was Aaron. “You’ll never look back and regret this trip, I promise you.” “I don’t doubt it. One way or another you’re going to make sure I have a good time.” “It is what I designed myself for. Now that you’re seventeen it’s ti

They are including the whip scene but I have my doubts they will stick to the books as much with the third. Shudder...

I like the series which is why I hated the trailer... It makes it appear Liam's character is the costar when in the books he is more of a minor character. I can only guess they're trying to use the media blitz surround him and Miley Cyrus to bring in movie goers. Poor Peeta always coming in second.

Chapter Twenty-Two: Paying One’s Way Looking at the clock Aaron slipped out of bed, got dressed and left the apartment. In the parking lot he found a car waiting for him. Knocking on the tinted driver side window, it was lowered. He recognized the driver. “Ryan?” “Get in you silly kid.” Aaron walked around to the passenger side and hopped in. As soon as the door was locked he turned to face Ryan only to run into his lips. They kissed. Get your seatbelt on and we’ll be on ou

Chapter Nine: The Plan ******************************************************** Warren, returning to his men at the arena, had to give them the terrible but not surprising news that they were to be used for the amusement of the people, fighting as gladiators. After he was given his test and dressed in gold like Harper, Warren gathered all the gold-shirted men to form a new alliance. As far as the former High Inquisitor cared, the ones who had failed to earn a gold shirt were traitors, men

Chapter Twenty-One: Dueling Loves Two years later: Now seventeen Aaron had grown to his full height. Though still below average, his participation in gymnastics and soccer had given he the body of an excellent athlete. It was a body that two of his closest friends lusted after. For whatever reason, the headmaster had paired Aaron with his top students. Those included the telekinetic Andrew, Sam the school’s strongest empath, and Jon and his superhuman physique. Aaron was the

Terms and hierarchies in Talent of the Fallen The Coven: As an organization led by the Master it aims to spread the Talent abilities to as many as possible. One of its rituals is known as Cake Day, where the flesh and blood of past followers is consumed. To rise in rank one must prove one’s strength by killing their rivals. Hierarchy of the Coven The Master ll The Chosen ll Prelates ll Prefects ll Captains ll Acolytes ll Initiates ll Unconverted The Ma

Sure... I'll try to post something before the next chapter is posted.

Chapter Twenty: Confronting the Truth When Aaron was made comfortable Greg moved on to more serious business. After a few calls to his father and other higher ups on the Council he soon assembled an ambassadorial level mission to Chicago’s Chosen. Without warning he and twelve councilmen marched into the old Sears Tower and took the elevator to the 70th floor. There they were met by the Chosen and his top aides. Landon was not at all amused by their sudden appearance. “Well gentlemen… I

Chapter Nineteen: Secret Entrance When Greg saw the state the twins were in, he demanded answers but didn’t get ones he wanted. The stupid boys had overdosed on Taint. And for what? The two had thrown their lives away just to humiliate their siblings. That they had tried to kill Aaron in the process only enraged the headmaster further. That night of the storm the roof to Aaron’s dorm collapsed. The twins had damaged the support beams so badly that when the storm’s winds pressed on th

Remember this takes place thousands of years in the future. All of Jason's children have grown up and in the case of Brutus (Jason/Thomas) has died. While it won't go into this very much I'll share a bit of the family tree. Sven=Odin's son. Jack=Jacob's son. Owen=Varrus's son. The Symbiotes of the present era are the same ones Jason despised, and if you haven't guessed yet Avery Winters=Brutus's heir. The Persona's start off as a bit of a mystery but when you discover who/what they really are some of the pieces will fall into place. Persona 13 will be revealed as a familiar character to those who read the last two books but it too is not what one would assume to be. Julian Lordon,Jason's High Priest has turned against the Argot family for reason's that will be discussed in the second book. The easiest way to put it is that Julian has lost his faith. In an attempt to recreate the Domus Empire he corrupts the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Brutus, just as the name suggest, is the tragic historic figure who died defending the Republic. The story of Jason pretty much ended with the First Cycle. He entered the Dreaming to escape the horrors he saw in his final vision. He will wake up but not because he wanted to. He foresaw what would happen while he slept the millenniums away. He knew much of what has happened while he slept is due to his failure and the failure of his friends. One might ask why has Jason let the world fall apart as he has. In the case of his children, he wished them to live out their lives free from the burden of their father's legacy. Still escaping the shadow of Jason was never going to be that easy. With Julian and the others becoming lost sheep without their shepherd they began to doubt Jason would ever return. This has led them to replace Jason with gods of their own making. The Second Cycle deals with those he left behind to enter the Dreaming. In particular it deals with the Winters family and to a lesser extent the other Scions. Jason left behind a mess that his heirs have been left to clean up. Like Jason, they don't like finding themselves in the position of having to save the world. In a few cases they come to resent Jason for it. Right from the beginning of the First Cycle I intended for the people of Ares to end up on Earth. Of course that leads to the problem of fitting everything to what we know of world history such as the lack of modern day Centurions. There was no grand landing on Earth or alien conquest of mankind. At that point in time Jason's followers were committed to follow Jason's commandment that his people to join with the people of Earth and not repeat the mistakes of the past by recreating the societies that had destroyed their homeworld As planned from the beginning of the series the Centurions planted the seeds of Spartan culture just as the Legatio were based on the Athenians the Togo Egyptian, and Lahorians Persian. Living in separate societies the Spartans and Athenians could not survive and were eventually conquered by, of course, 'Alex' Alexander the Great. In time his empire falls to Julian's Romans (Jadoorians) In all these cases none of the attempts at recreating the Domus Empire fails. That does not mean Jason's fallen followers gave up. Julian in particular has gone mad in his attempt towards recreating the past. It's complicated I know, and maybe I should have skipped the prelude and gone straight into the first book but that one too does not focus on Jason as it does his heirs. One of the problems I've run into is trying to create a followup series that didn't require someone to know the entire lore of the First Cycle. The problem is that it seems I over did it for those who read the first series. People like yourself were hoping to dive right back in as if no time has passed and things would start off right where things ended in the first series. That I didn't do that has disappointed people. The Prelude is broken up into three basic sections. 1. The story of Harry Winters 2.The young adulthood of Avery Winters. (Which we are on now) 3.The later adulthood of Avery. (Haven't gotten to yet.) The Second Book, Scions, deals with the rediscovery of the people of Ares and the last final attempt by Julian towards recreating the Domus Empire. I can't tell you what the other books deal with without revealing spoilers but the rough draft of the third is complete but still needs a lot of work. Will need to get that one done before posting the second book in order to make sure they don't end up contradicting each other. Right now finishing up the second draft of the third book is in my to-do list. I need to get some other writing done before I can go back to it, namely, finishing the third book in the 'Fallen Series'. about 25% through the rough draft of that one and hope to have it finished by the end of March. When that's done with will go back to the Second Cycle and finish up the Second Draft of Book III which will let me write the final draft of Book II. Hope to have that finished sometime in May. I'll then have to decided what to work on next either Mir or High Sun. That's the problem with working on multiply series at the same time, so little time and so much to do. I hope all this helps. Can only put so much down in the review section without giving away too many spoilers. If you have any questions or have things you would like to have explain you can always send me a message and I'll try my best to answer them.

Chapter Seventeen: The Specimens Given Everett’s desire for the ceremony to take place as soon as possible, it had lacked the pomp of a full state wedding. Among the few guests, however, were three of the Personas. When Avery had been told the Personas were AI robots, he had pictured C-3PO from Star Wars. Instead, the three Personas were a solid block of metal carved into the shape of a woman. Each arm was joined to the body while the legs were like a mermaid’s sans flippers. It had

Chapter Sixteen: The Bargain With no distinction between night and day Lanyon had no idea of how long he sat in his cell. It did not matter. All he could think of was the danger Avery was in. Why were they separated? Was he being kept in another cell? He doubted it. Avery was too rare a prize to waste in the brig. He was ruminating on just that when another prisoner was shoved in his cell. “Avery!” The figure remained where he fell. When he reached him

Going through one of these moments where I find myself crying for no reason. I really can't say what I hate most, being depressed over a certain issue like my family or being so when you don't know what the hell it is about. Had to drop out this semester yesterday because I wasn't coping very well. As always it had no effect on my grades but I was starting to cry in class and would have to excuse myself which was very hard on me. I know if I let myself became a recluse things will only get worse but right now I don't very much feeling like leaving my little hobbit hole. Changing meds which is always a hellish trip with getting used to all the new side effects. Very stubborn where those are concerned. Doc tries to put me on some real strong ones that might really help the depression but I refuse to take any that leave me feeling zoned out all day. I hope these new ones don't. Anyhoo, trying to hang in there. One thing about meds is that you might find yourself in such a deep hole that when one starts to get out of it things can feel worse. Gets like that when I get completely emotionally drain for a long time you are not able to feel anything. When the meds start to kick in I feel more depressed at first before I feel better.

Chapter Six: The Monster *********************************************************** With his gift finished, and since Philip had admonished Jason to no longer travel to the palace because of the danger of assassination, Logan had the choice of either walking the miles of tunnels through the Labyrinth, or take the shortest route and fly. Having never used his wings, and having no wish to, Logan chose the former. After hours of traveling through the maze of tunnels, Logan reached the mo

Chapter Eighteen: The Storm “Damn it Frank.” Fred hiss from the bottom of a ladder. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Standing on the roof of the bungalow Frank had been sawing into the supporting beams. “What? You’re asking that now? How many times do I need to ask you? Do you or don’t you want those brats to get away with snubbing their noses at us?” “But you might get someone killed.” “So what… they deserve it. I would see them dead before letting them get accepted to La

Chapter Four: The Weight of the Crown ******************************************************* Aegis wrapped an arm around Zophar’s waist, wishing he could take away the pain his lover was feeling. Even after Lukas was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in Drakor’s shale pits, Zophar could not get past his own guilt. After losing both his brothers, Aegis was not about to lose the man he loved. This time, however, he knew that he could not use his manipulations to fix thei

Landon is indeed an interesting character. The Master might have broken him to the point where resistance is pointless but he still holds out hope that by saving Aaron he will be able to free him. As for Aaron's true Talent, it will soon be revealed. Soon a series of events will occur that will change everyone's lives. As a result many secrets will be revealed and not all of them will be for the good of all involved.

Chapter Seventeen: Reshaping the World Dr. Balthazar hated these visits to the Reformatory. It reflected the worst his people were capable of. To the outside world it was a private psychiatric research institution that only accepted specific rare cases of psychosis. In actuality it was where Talented and Untalented alike were imprisoned and reeducated by the ruling members of the Elected. While the hospital claimed what they work was a merciful form kindness compared to being executed, a

It has been quite dark and there is one last tragedy to occur before the sun starts shining again. Jason will have tragedy in his life but he will also have many good moments as well. If you remember from the first book there is the scene where he is crowned king. He made it clear he didn't want it but was given no choice but to wear it. As hinted in the prophesy Jason and Philip are the keystones in saving their people. It has been pride and hubris that has led the Centurions to their low point and it will take Jason to lead them out of it. Along the way Jason will have to decide what it is he really wants in life. While Philip is his savior and lover it would be hard for anyone who desires a committed relationship to think they'll get one from a Centurion. This will lead to a conflict that Jason and Philip will struggle to solve. There is also the fact that while their bonding has expanded Philip's lifespan he is still mortal while Jason will never die. After all he has lost in his life, his fear of losing Philip will always be an issue between them. As for Gideon... he is not quite gone and will play a major role in the future. The thing between him and Philip was to stress to the reader that Philip's selfishness can at times prove destructive. In the long term what happened between the two will save Jason's life. While Jason has learned how to stand on his two feet there are some scars that never heal. He will do his best to be brave but there will be moments when his past life in the Tower will get the better of him. When the Centurions save him from his mother they gave him a new reason for living. On the negative side it is the sudden stark change in his life that Philip gave him that will also leave Jason the terrify fear that all that Philip and the others have given him can as quickly be taken away. This insecurity will weight on the pair as much as Philip's lecherous ways will come to. You can already see that in Jason's resistance towards creating more Saints. If he had it his way, he and Philip would live a simple life on a farm somewhere, just the two of them. But just as Jason is the product of his childhood, Philip is a product of his. Centurions are what they are which will be as hard as Jason to accept as much as Philip struggles to be the man Jason wants him to be. Something that might help you is for me to explain what led to the creation of the series in the first place. I didn't have what you would call the most loving of families which is why the home I grew up in was in many ways no different than the Labyrinth Tower Jason spent his childhood in. It was after my second suicide attempt that it was suggested I write about my life as a form of therapy. Finding writing a direct biography of my life too hard and painful I came up with the idea of writing a symbolic version of it. The Tower and Jason's life is symbolic of my life. The Labyrinth itself is meant as a metaphor describing the sexual confusion I went through after I left home. Having said that there is no Philip in my life and I am not sure I would want one. What Philip and the Centurions represent is the more public notorious side of gay culture and usually the first one learns about as is the case with Jason. In comparison what James and Kyle are a more monogamous couple. The same is true for King Aidan and his Centurion lover. I will say one will work out and one won't. Having said all that there will be a few warm surprises in store for you. Every king needs an heir and Jason is not what you would call completely gay. He will want to start a family eventually and he will be quite an amazing father. In The Road to the Future many of the major plots will reached their conclusion. It also sets the stage for the remaining half of the series. In the second half the focus of the series will shift from the threat posed to Jason and the Centurions by the Federation and the Confederacy towards their true enemy, the Dominus. The Dominus are evil, corrupt, and barely human. They started the experiment that created the Centurions and Legatio for their own selfish reasons. Jason is the end product of the project. When they are certain Jason is the one they want, they'll resort to anything to get their hands on him. If all this sounds quite dark it is because it is. Jason and Philip are the ones spoken in the prophesy which if you read it carefully will give you great insight into what will eventually happen. From Red Sun to Blue Star neigh.

Prelude: ******************************************************** Harper could not remember the last time he had seen a flower, tree, bush, or even a weed. For a sea captain, used to seeing endless blue, the ocean of yellow sand was getting to him, as it was the rest of the men… all but Warren. Even with his burned and scared skin peeling, he continued their forced march across the endless desert. Not taking the advice of the Isilians, Warren had insisted on taking horses instead

As the armies of the Eastern Confederacy close in on the capital new friends and hated traitors will make themselves. On all sides Jason is besieged by enemies. There are those who wish to kill him while others desire to use him as the means of obtaining greater power. Jason and his friend are in for the fight of their lives. Lurking in the shadows the agents of the Dominus watch in silence while waiting for their chance to strike.

Chapter Thirty-Four The Traitor So, Lord Rondus... Prince Calebos still lives and you want us to hand the throne to him on a Tosian silver platter," the oily Count Sirrus of Huron snickered. "Only because I will deliver the heads of the Centurion usurpers over to you on the tip of a bloody pike," Rondus grunted. "Tell me, Lord Rondus... was it your prince who sent you here or are you doing this on your own initiative?" Sirrus asked, playing with his long black

It is a little confusing I agree. I'm sort of cheating here and it is very fragmented but if I didn't do it this way just writing the prelude would have taken three books in itself. This in itself is not meant as a continuous narrative. The closest way I can describe this section is JRR Tolkin's Silmarillion book in a sense that this is very much meant as a background book setting the stage for the Second Cycle. I could have started posting the first book in the series right off the bat but that in itself would be very confusing. With the prelude it is like jumping off a 20 foot board. Without it it's more like a 50 foot plunge. Since you've read Red Sun to Blue Star you should remember the last days of Ares and the returning of Jason's power of Foretelling. For him it was very much a curse which is why he went into the Dreaming. In the Dreaming he was safe from what he foretold. Jason knew this future would come and was so terrified of it he would rather live in a dream world than confront it. Because of his absence he has caused the future he so dreaded to come about

Chapter Fifteen: The Better Prize Before he would meet with Talon’s near twin, Everett insisted on confronting his betrothed. Once he saw Talon’s ragged state, he discarded the tirade he planned. Talon was thinner, paler, and he looked more frightened than he had ever seen him before. He demanded Talon be let out of his cell when the young Legate responded by curling into a ball and sobbing. “Why did you do it Talon… haven’t I always been good to you?” “It’s not me… it’s the others.”