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If Chris's absorption of a Demon general is truly unprecedented, then the Tower of Knowledge will have no information to provide. So, why do I feel that a trip to the Tower is still mandatory? (Even a prophesy scroll might be helpful at this point!) "I could feel a surge in power coursing through my veins, something different, foreign, something my body is trying to contain and assimilate into its own." Interesting to see that Chris's body is trying to assimilate--not just contain--the Demon essence. Once completed, will the assimilation turn Chris into a new Hybrid being, or will it be more like simple feeding, where the body takes in different food groups to support itself? (Luckily, eating a pig doesn't usually turn you into one. 😂)

Wonderful discussion by @Rosicky, which has saved me paragraphs of writing! If Chris can harness the chakra/power/life energy of his own personal Nine-Tails on top of his own, he will be the most formidable entity the world has ever seen. Of course, if Chris is merely imprisoning Yonthar, what happens when he (Chris) dies? Of more immediate concern, does Chris' body/soul have to trap the other 8 Demon Generals in a similar manner to win the Demon war? (It's going to get mighty crowded in there, not to mention the time and effort needed to assemble the entire baseball team!) A reworked Astra curse (to destroy the Demon race) seems the only workable long-term solution, but @gabz2000 has surprised me before! "...What I discovered was not only sickening and disturbing, but alarming as well." That's Demons for you! 😂 (@tigg615 has the absolute right of it, and Chris' thought is a mini-cliffie!) Elizabeth Taylor had violet eyes, and now we know she was fighting Demons! 😉

What if Chris can rework the Astra curse to annihilate Demons instead of Humans?

With three compounds to attack, the forces of virtue are effectively fighting a war on three fronts, which isn't good, as they have to divide their best and brightest into three fighting forces (instead of a single overwhelming force). Also, other than Chris, can any of his compatriots truly fight the Anami? (Heck, even Chris has to use a six-layered spell just to contain them in his own battle.) And what has Chris been doing in terms of teaching Tashik magic to his fellow Elves (oops--maybe later)? Patri has been watching too much Star Trek, sending the Crown Prince on an Away mission. (Just so long as he's not wearing a red shirt....)

Tashik magic is again emphasized. Hint, hint. The enemy has been engaged! (Poor Cleveland! [Why are so many horror films set in Ohio? 🤔])

Actually, Taran really doesn't know who his assailant was (though he can now identify him), and the perp was more warning him than "toying" with him. Further, if a man with a knife loses to a man with a gun, it's not a mistake: It's a power-balance issue. Taran was simply outclassed, and his view of his loss as a "mistake" shows how profoundly his parents have warped his perspective. Rather than accepting his defeat as some sort of personal flaw, he should be considering the best combination of heroes likely to apprehend the "bad guy" so that they can be ready next time he appears. Yay for Ronnie! How can Taran not want to broadcast their relationship? 🤗

I really enjoyed the trip to the donut shop! I love that Artie went "all Texas"'--so cute! Adam shows his smarts in giving Dizzie the right job, and Dizzie shows his mettle in wanting, not simply to do the job right, but to do it better than it was already being done. I love the vignette where Artie tells Colleen how Dizzie reflects what Adam used to be like--that Adam truly benefits from having Dizzy around and that Dizzy has turned into family. 🥰 Finally, I love that Artie acknowledges to Colleen his love for Dizzy: She doesn't even tease him about it. Rather, she colludes by suggesting a walk through the Marin Headlands portion of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area--the perfect place for Artie to bare his soul to Dizzy. (Sigh.) The only thing missing in this chapter: Where was the donut store coffee? 😉

"There was no reason to tell anyone [about Ronnie and him]." Why not, Taran? What's wrong with honesty? You'll be better off for sharing (start with Maya!). 😊 Taran is clearly outclassed, but the supervillain lets him go. He doesn't even burn him, though he could have, and his original assault is aimed over Taran's head (purposely?). So we have a see-through bad guy with scruples who speaks with an accent and is "something the world hasn't seen in years, and cannot possibly comprehend." We now have a clue that he represents something the world has indeed seen before--just not in years--that he's looking for something with arcane properties, and that he comes from "elsewhere": Because of the scruples, maybe he's not even a bad guy per se but is following his own agenda and looks like a villain for pursuing it. Certainly, his tussle with Taran raises more questions than it answers!

"There’s not a mistake in this world I won’t forgive you for”: Adam may not be the perfect role model, but that one line makes him damn close. For Artie, who actually gets to choose his father figure, it confirms that he has made the right choice. "Get the fuck out of here!" You see, Artie does have a way with words! (If nothing else, Ezra has inspired him to eloquence....) I’m your knight in shining armor?” [Dizzy] asked as he leaned his forehead against mine. “No, you’re my partner in crime.” Yup, that about sums it up. (That's my favorite line in the entire chapter! 😂) Can't wait to see Artie and Dizzy working in a donut shop (with plenty of sugar and coffee--just what Dizzy needs!). Can't wait to see Artie's plans for the perfect date! And what about Adam and Mason? Time for a proposal? (A donut looks suspiciously like a ring....🍩)

Why buy a house rather than stay in the lodge? 🤔 The guilds that the players are creating appear diverse. As Theo says to Stephan, "What do you want your guild to do? Do you want to form a guild with your friends like the Indecisive Ones? Or a guild of people that you just met like The Blue Hand? And what do you want from this guild? Ultimately, Stephan says that he wants to create a "vanity" guild, with the ultimate goal being to buy better furniture for his house! (Why not? 🤗) With so many differently-constructed groups, it will be interesting to see who succeeds--and why. I love that people are networking, with specific people having specific goals. (Jerome, for example, wishes to transition from pker to protector, and Armon wants to use a wolf). Thus, we have unique people creating guilds and unique guilds waiting to engage the game content. Can't wait to see the action!

My theory is that the U.S. became a superpower because we drink two-thirds of the world's coffee! 😂 One of the nice things about the Church of the Morning Caffeine is that you can purchase an alter (e.g., a Keurig or Mr. Coffee) almost anywhere! "As Lyssa turned to stomp back into the house David’s brain was forever seared with the image of his daughter’s butt storming off in a thong bikini bottom, not to mention the top had barely covered her, and she wasn’t even a big girl in that department." Wet willie on the one hand, and femme fatale on the other! (They grow up too fast anyway, but not that fast!) A lovely day of pool and poker! Owen is obviously ready for Las Vegas! (Good to see that everyone enjoyed each other's company!) Lyssa would like Southern California--lots of horse trails where I live. My uncle had a horse which he kept stabled in the Griffith Park area, and he rode quite frequently. While I enjoyed horseback riding at camp as a boy and a teen (yay, Cottontail Ranch and River Way Ranch!), it's just one of those things that has slipped away from me as an adult. (One of many. Sigh.) David obviously revels in his role as a Dad, and it's very clear that he's good at it! 😃

So the "murder" of Peris is tabled in the fine tradition of "don't make waves." That said, I doubt that the situation will stay "buried." 😁 Don't worry, Phillip, it's only blood! I presume that, by the time the father presents, he already has gangrene. Alternatively, he may have had a severe cellulitis that was creeping up the leg, with no way of stopping the infection excepting for amputation (thank goodness for antibiotics!). Either way, amputation would have been an appropriate treatment. Additionally, I love Alexios' interchange with Clodia and Thalis: While considering that the true diagnosis is a lack of exercise, and addressing it by recommending walking, Alexios tells Clodia that she has an "imbalance of bodily fluids" because it would make more sense to her (and be more acceptable than the diagnosis of "lazy slob" 😂). Likewise, the dill oil is a placebo, but it makes Clodia feel that she's gotten her money's worth. (Part of a physician's role is in leaving the patient feeling better for their visit [otherwise known as a good bedside manner], and Alexios leaves the customer satisfied while giving some sound advice. While modern physicians would not espouse the quackery, they would understand what Alexios is doing completely!) I have more respect for Alexios now, and I suddenly think that the brothers may indeed be successful in their new Roman practice!

"David was still ramped up and even though he was pushing forty he still managed to get excited again." And at such an advanced age. (I'm shocked!) 😂 While TC was practicing shibari on David, all I could think of was David tied up like a present with a bow. (And who gets to open his present?) Renee and Mike are a lovely couple, and I'm happy to see them enjoy David's company--and vice versa. (I hate the trope where divorced people are always at each other's throats, so thank you.) The kids are also nice, and it'll be great to see Lyssa, Owen, David, and TC interact with a family dynamic.

Interesting game theory--fun to read about, but I have no questions (being spoon fed is just fine). Yay for Pig Latin! (Otherwise, I'd be monolingual. 😂) Love the depiction of Sanctuary--and it's customizable! Fascinating discussion of what may happen on returning from their avatars to their real bodies--especially as regards the younger kids, and depending on how long they've spent in the game. Of course, it's too soon to PANIC! Communal living? Why not? (Teleportation circles would really give the feel of a four room apartment.) And little by little, the A team is turning itself into an amily-fay! 😊

The alliance has been officially signed, but what now? There is no demon army to fight, and the demons are fighting like terrorists (achieving a specific goal and then vanishing). How can you destroy an enemy that can pop up anywhere at any time? The answer is intelligence, but then, the question arises as to how you obtain it.... "Victor and I stood looking through the large window, as we silently enjoyed the sunset bathing the skyline in various shades of red." I guess a bloody sky might be a good omen to a vampire, but as a Human, I'm not so sure...

Hi, Bard, I did not mean to be mysterious in any way. While Elliot was a sub, he chose a tattoo (presuming it to be an Asian Dragon) indicating power/strength, nobility, wisdom, balance, and (as a corollary to balance) half of the yin/yang. Thus, despite being a sub, he did not see himself as weak. Rather, as a sub, he felt empowered--noble--and a balance (the "yin") to his Dom's "yang." Being a sub, far from making him feel diminished, gave his spirit its unique strength, and the Dragon tattoo was his way of announcing it the world. 😊

Sad that some people need to have an object lesson to understand the truth, but the General is one of those people. He is lucky that N'than hates violence and understands mercy. (As with @droughtquake, I though that the Shark King would take a toe or two for his trouble, as the General would still be left functional, but the scarring will be an excellent reminder--and better than the General deserves.) Smeeth is willing to go after what's important in his life, though Qa still saves the day. (That said, the fact that Smeeth tries his best makes all the difference.) The end is lovely, where N'than chooses Smeeth and "our simple life" for his future. 🥰 My thanks for a heartwarming story!

Oops, almost forgot: I love the mention of Elliot's dragon tattoo, and I love what the choice of a dragon says about Elliot. 😊

A 5.2? You're right in thinking that most Californians would find this pretty tame. The location of the epicenter would also make a difference in how the earthquake was perceived (was it out in the ocean, a mile underground, several cities distant, or in your face?!). Most earthquakes at this level would probably last around 20-40 seconds, but aftershocks would be a possibility. The minimal damage observed in the story is realistic. This chapter is primarily spent in TC's head, and his grief is healing. As his desire for exclusivity with David does not make sense (in the context that they are just "friends" and that their present level of commitment was never meant to last), I wonder if TC's subconscious is trying to tell him something. 🤗

I don't think that Havar, despite his irritating demeanor, is in league with the Demons: First, if he helped the Demons to enslave the earth, the negative energy would destroy him too, no matter what reward had been promised to him. (Of course, he can just be an idiot. 😅) Second, in promoting Human genocide, he is actually acting against the Demon's interests, which is not the action of an ally at all. While I hate to say it, Havar probably feels that he is doing the Elves (not to mention all other Supernaturals) a favor by advocating destruction of the Humans, so he's probably a hero in his own mind. Further, knowing that other Elves are unhappy with Humans, I'm afraid that some part of the Elven population would also support the use of the Astra spell. (I wonder if Elves picket: I can visualize a rabble of protesters outside the palace with signs saying "Death to all Demon Food!" 😄) On reflection, I wonder if Chris could indeed survive casting the Astra spell: Instead of killing him (being 50% Human), maybe it would just "burn out" his Human side, leaving him pure Elf. 🤔 Finally, why was the Astra spell invented anyway? (Someone really had it against Humans! That said, perhaps it was merely an outlet for someone's anger, as the spell is so high level that the inventor figured it could never be cast. Of course, if a spell of genocide can be created against Humans, can such a spell be created against Demons? Should Demon genocide be considered even if feasible? If the Elves can build the Realm, why couldn't they build the equivalent of the Kryptonian Phantom Zone? The trick would be getting the Demons inside it!)

Not that Chris would ever cast the Astra spell , but if he did, he'd be killing himself. 😱 (Of course, if Prince Havar convinces him to cast the spell anyway--dissembling about Chris's personal danger and the little fact of genocide--he will have had his revenge on the hated Humans and removed a rival for the throne at the same time. (Prince Havar has already proven a liar, so Chris shouldn't believe a word he says.)

I love the lodge and how the rooms seem to shift depending on the person in residence and the invite. (Hilton would pay dearly for the technology. 😂) Hmmm. A top friend. I'm not even going there! 🤣 Ardine, Asa, Brandon, and Wake have an excellent team dynamic. Wake's being gay is a non-issue. No one is trying to be a star. (And they hug. 😊) So Asa and Luke have outgrown their dependency, and it's time for them to go their separate ways. They still care for each other, and it's nice to see that their decision is mutual and amicable. And as for Asa and Wake? Why not? (Carpe diem.)

A lovely chapter, sweet as it was sexy. Throw in the talk about the kids, and it even seemed domestic. (TC himself said it felt "familiar.") Hot waxing? Nope, uh-uh, not ever! Yes, the kids know everything! (If you ever want to turn bright red, just ask them what they know. 😂)

While most players are now engaged in laying the groundwork for their adventuring--finding complementary players to join into guilds (creating complementary builds and skills)--I can't help but feel excited about the next step--moving on to actual game content. (They started "playing" the game the moment they began to strategize.) In view of the disastrous temple raid, we know for a fact that the game content has changed. So which is more important to the puppeteers who have arranged for this scenario, the game play itself (a la Ender's Game) or the interactions/ behaviors of the players? Are the "winning" players pre-selecting themselves (essentially auditioning) for another assignment/ undertaking based on their performance in the present module? (In passing, Asa Butterfield played Ender in the movie: Are you giving us a hint?) Hmmm. Granting the players genitals but no erections. I have a sneaky feeling that that's going to change. Asa, congratulations on coming out. That said, I'm really not sure why you felt the need to do so now unless you did it to build trust (a pretty good reason in and of itself).

A mystery! The missing/harvested Humans are sent to various locations involving low-life trafficking syndicates, but when Frusi attacks, there is a counterattack, and the Frusi strongholds across the nation are decimated. The bodies? All Human, but with surveillance footage showing those attacking Humans to exhibit supernatural traits. Then, the victorious enemy Humans just fall down and die. (Wow.) My best guess as to what is happening (and I just have to guess!) is given below: Of course, I could be wrong, and I love that @gabz2000 frequently surprises me. Another great chapter!