Cynus

Dogo was always a fun character for me. From his very first moment, I had a specific plan for him, and he's one of the few I never deviated from. Unless that's the plot twist to this retelling.

Yay! Even though I never use this word (and I feel a little sick doing it) Grim is BAE. Ooh... I love how you have it divided. Hopefully I don't disappoint! It worked for Star Wars... (DO NOT count this as a confirmation. LOL)

I did not know that, but I think that's amazing! I really hope that I remember this come the end of the series, because there is SOMETHING funny about that connection with Fasha/Farsa, though I'm not saying it has anything to do with him being anyone's dad. Hah! Well, as with all the others, of course I can't confirm anything until there's a reveal in the chapters themselves. However, I CAN confirm that Salidar is SOMEONE'S Father. There is a way to get advance chapter readings. I just can't advertise it on GA. If that's something you'd actually like to hear more about (literally only saying something because it came up), feel free to either PM me or email me. L) I love all the thoughts about the tattoos, too! The whole initial idea for the story came from a desire to make a character who could "fly" by means of a magical tattoo. The rest just fell in place from there. The characters mostly popped out of nowhere, heh.

I've been known to use false death before (and plenty of real death before, too), so it's worth looking for. Note: Grim is my favorite character in the entire series, and he was created on a whim. When I wrote the scene where Styx enters the gladiators' cell, I needed another character to serve as a buffer of sorts to Kutos. Thus, Grim was born. I had to figure out how to write him into the rest of the story, and I think you'll like his journey.

Oh! Here's a cool question! But I should probably save it after the next chapter posts.... nah, I could always ask it again. Of the characters currently in the story, who is your favorite? Who do you want to know more about (I'm pretty certain you get to know more about all of them)?

And about two years before I wrote that book! For anyone who has read Shadow Honor but hasn't read the other story, this is what he's referencing:

Welcome, Wesley. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Cool. I wonder what other people will say?

Well, I'll ask you guys a question, because I'm curious what you think. Do you feel either of Styx' parents have been introduced, or not yet? If you do, who do you think they are?

Yay! Then I'll mark it as one of my greatest compliments of all time, and sincerely thank you.

If you'd like to ask anything here, too, I'd be willing to address anything which won't be a spoiler. But I'm really hoping the discussion will mainly be between the readers, and I only interject when necessary. Not because I don't want to talk about it, but I think the reader theories will be more fun and build the intrigue even more.

This is a general forum for discussion of anything in the series. Fan theories welcome! I'm tagging everyone who has commented on the story so far, but please feel free to participate no matter if you've commented before or not! @drpaladin @Sweetlion @Hellsheild @BlindAmbition @Wesley8890 @Stephen @deville @Puppilull @Buz @tor200534 @Lux Apollo @JeffreyL

I'm going to take that as a compliment. Getting compared to the great playwright is only a good thing, right? As for the connections between these lovely people, only time will tell. There are many things remaining in the shadows. Many will be revealed in this book. Many more will be revealed in the books to come (this is a series. One I originally abandoned, but reader response has brought me back into it, and I'm going to finish this now. I love all of you. I'm not two chapters into book two). Your observations of The Shade are great, and important, I think. One of the things I wanted to explore more when I thought of rewriting this was extending Styx's stay with Maxthane for awhile. I believe if I paced things correctly, I could absolutely make everything up to this point a book in itself and expand on all these characters and back stories a little more. Maybe someday I'll come back and do exactly that. I love all the speculation on the Underking's lover! This is the kind of thing I live for, people batting ideas back and forth in the comments. Maxthane's ideals are certainly more enlightened than his father's though bear in mind they are both the product of their environment and culture. Maxthane wouldn't be who he is if his father hadn't wanted something different for his son. As for Styx's origins... Hah! Hmm... is Styx the chosen one? Is that what we're asking here? What a marvelous question! Ooh... and great question about Prism. I can say this without spoiling anything, but the next book doubles as both a prequel and a sequel. We'll be spending a lot of time 800 years in the past with Prism and Grim and all the others from their time. What isn't answered here, might very well be answered there. Also, I'm starting a forum topic for the series. Everyone look for it!

That's one of the two reactions I see often to this chapter. People either identify with Max feeling that way or think he's falling too hard too fast (which he totally is, but what 15 yo doesn't, right?)

It's a bit intimidating for our star, isn't it? How's it going to play out for him?

Great question. It's good there are additional chapters available to help you find out! A Day in the Life of a Shade. Maybe I should've written this as a sitcom?

I'm so sorry for my delay in responding to this. I meant to, but somehow time got away from me. I'm glad you enjoy the names! They're actually all based on something, or recycled from earlier projects. Maxthane thulu-Khant was actually an anagram of one of my early Dungeons and Dragons characters, heh. Yay! Welcome, my friend! Yes, it is a bit of a tricky situation, isn't it? Who is right here? Do the ends justify the means? I'm glad to see you questioning as ever.

It might take me a few weeks worth of postings to share it, will that be all right?

Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing to know?

Grim.

Breathing was becoming more difficult with each inhalation, and Styx found it impossible to focus on anything other than gulping for air. The searing pain from his arms and the wetness he felt spreading across his chest told him that he was also losing blood quickly, but that no longer seemed important. He was going to suffocate, and that would be his end. He shut his eyes and prepared to meet his fate. He felt strong hands lifting him from the ground and his eyes flashed open to see two men

I love it, darling. I often have similar thoughts, and it's what ends up becoming my art, just as you've done here. Welcome to the world of the creators, and thank you for sharing your spirit with us.

Good observations. I think the Shade would look at you being unsure and wonder why you would've ever thought differently of their chaotic home.

Awesome questions! I'll revisit Salidar and Fasha in the future, possibly at the end of the novel. I'm curious how you'll react to the reveals to come.

Kutos' death was difficult for me to write (it's only the second time I'd ever killed a "good guy" character in a story, actually, as this is an older work), but sometimes the impact of things like that help show the darkness these people live in. I needed a clear sign that Styx was in very real danger, that the world he's a part of is cruel and does not show mercy just because someone is good and honorable. As for Maxthane and Styx, there is a bit of hope on the horizon in the midst of that darkness. Maxthane wants to save Syx's life, that alone is something. But you've all already mentioned some possible avenues for Styx to find salvation. Will they work? Or will Styx also succumb to the cruelties of his environment? The next chapter will hold some answers, my friends. It will post on Friday night (MST).