CincyKris

Just imagine if Gracie was besties with a couple of twin beans from Denver!

I think Matthew Crawley better stay in his lane! Perry has been waiting 3 full years and counting for Kyan (and himself) to be ready for a relationship! But, this might be the necessary instigation for the big change.

Here is my current understanding of this world. The Ancients arrived on this world from Earth. They were technologically advanced. They were not magickal. The other nonhuman people of the forest also arrived from other worlds. This world ignited magical abilities in people, which eventually led to the wars in which the Ancient's tech and buildings were destroyed everywhere except the lower forest. Magick spread slowly amongst the survivors, we don't know how many magickal or non magical people survived the destruction. The evil mages found the Ancient's cities in the lower forest and are taking advantage of them. We don't know their goals, just that they are up to no good. I'm wondering if the crazy animals populating the forest were native to this world? What causes the lack of magical abilities in the beings of the lower forest? Obviously the cities were intended to be operated by mages. So many questions in this adventure mystery!

Fast-paced and action-packed, amazing that regardless of the technology or time period, this battle scene was consistent with one happening in a 20th century war or a sci-fi war! Great detail, you keep us involved and tense.

I was crying along with all the sad-i-pillars! At least it's my day off, last week I read your story at lunch with other people around. Damn allergies!

Also, maybe some ice cream!

Finally, I'm all caught up! Before, the group posited that the ancients were wiped out by rival mages. Why then would their doors open only to those with magical abilities? Wouldn't the opposite be true? Unless their systems were reprogrammed to only open for mages of a certain ability. Perhaps by mages that want the ancient's tech only for themselves. If this guess is true, they need to be very careful of whomever accomplished this feat.

I'm still on the "we are the ancients" bandwagon! Miles and kilometers would suggest the good old US of A. Americans are stubborn about keeping our British based measurement systems. I wouldn't imagine Europe would list miles on a map. Could the "Arkport pinnacle" be one of the automated launch sites? Perhaps to a space station in orbit? Pure conjecture on my part, but the "ark" suggests a journey to a different, safer location.

I'm playing catchup here and this may have been discussed already, or in future chapters, but my gut was telling me last chapter and in this one, that we are the ancients. This is earth many centuries in the future.

Thank heavens that Wyn is as stubborn as his dads! He saved the day!

He's really getting into it now, if he still thinks he's dreaming, then he is at least immersing himself into the dream! It's a good thing he has Val, he would be figuratively and literally lost without him.

Apparently I'm the only one who feels that Kavan threw a temper tantrum worthy of a petulant 13 year old girl. I will agree that Konstantin should have handled his side of the conversation better, Kavan jumped to conclusions, made up his mind, then refused all attempts by Konstantin at an explanation. I was hoping his time away would help get his head out of his ass, but refusing to speak with Gideon, regardless of Gideon's mistakes, shows that Kavan is still guided entirely by emotion. He has a lot of growing up to do if he wants to survive in this world!

As powerful as Shay became in this chapter, it wasn't enough to kill the monster. But he learned a lot in the exchange. If our heroes could just figure out how to prevent them from healing and regenerating, the enemy, both the Herald and the fleet around Earth, can be hurt, even killed. Will the Stone of Dagen help them with this? If not, what purpose will this mineral-based life form serve? We need the A-team to see and talk to the Stone, especially Yugan, what will he see? But how do they get there without the Herald following?

Thank you so much for the satisfying ending! Michael had it in him, he just needed some prompting. He'll do well in college, I hope his summer of exploration will match his self exploration.

Its amazing what a little communication can accomplish! Now, Michael needs to try it with Eric.

Did he remember socks? He got a lot of stuff for a pair of jeans! Too bad he doesn't have an insulated fleece jacket, it would come in handy flying around on dragons.

Thanks for the emotional chapter. And, for the record, Meep has a looooong way to go before he approaches Kalian's level of "spoiled brat"!

Oops, I got the wrong Dr!

All in all this was an entertaining chapter and two douchebags got a comeuppance. But I agree that Devin is not honorable in the way he uses his abilities. Also, as @drsawzall pointed out, they are making very little use of the house. If it is so out of the way, why did they walk to the house to get the car, drive to Arby's and back, then walk back to the dorm. They will go through all that to get fast food for one evening, but not to study? I thought studying was the whole reason behind all the deception?

I survived! I loved the story, you created an amazingly intricate world and I look forward to rejoining it!

Please let this be a moment of weakness, a blip, a temporary wrong turn on the road to happiness! Until he decides he is worth it, Michael can’t help himself. I just hope Eric doesn’t give up on him, and that Pete gives him a much needed kick in the ass!

Thanks for the organizational breakdown. I'm very happy to see you're still working on this fantastic story!

I’m hoping that Pete makes the decision easier on him. Pete has been going through his own transformation, thanks to Eric then Maggie. If Pete no longer needs a caretaker, due to gaining a partner in Maggie, Michael will lose his big excuse. He will have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Talon would have turned me into charcoal if he heard my "aaaaaawe" at the end of the chapter! I agree with @drpaladin, they need to let Wyn help. I have a feeling that even if they leave him behind, his minders will again become "indisposed". If Wren is left behind as his minder, I think Wyn can convince him to join the fight.

If you're ever in my neck of the woods, visit Jungle Jim's supermarket. HUGE international supermarket, biggest beer and wine selection around, privately owned with two locations, ever evolving, no self-checkouts, thriving in Kroger's corporate home. Independent stores can work. I loved the short story, and the message.