a_dragon

Necessary? Okay yeah, I'll bite. But only because I don't have to wait. Excellent chapter btw, with some really top tier quotables. Like this one: "Trust yourself. Once everything goes to shit, you are all you’ll have.”

Wow, you're fun. Not... Tell you what though, if you do make me cry again - which I doubt, very much, especially now I've been warned - I'll do you a review for this. And if you don't, I'll still do it. Fair?

"did you just fucking fly?” - Eon, resident expert at stating the obvious. So yeah, my cheeks are wet. Partly from laughing my ass off - my stomach legit hurts I laughed so hard - and partly due to the sheer emotion of it all, I guess. I dunno, I'm not much of a crier. Not because boys don't cry (which is crap & obviously needs to burn) or because I'm not moved, I just usually tend to cough awkwardly & be done with it, but that's twice you've done it now my dude, and while I'm sure my eyeballs have never been cleaner and whatever the hell else, that's enough, yeah? Cool thanks. This chapter though, man it's good. Maybe the best yet. I'll reserve judgement for now, especially since you've promised darker shit on the way and you're really good at that, but this one is definitely in the running for winner. Respect *fistbumps maybe a little harder than necessary because slightly put out about being made to cry. again*

Oh ho ho, little Eon's got himself a special new friend to play with - how nice! And, if you'll pardon my impertinence, Wren dear, feel free to hmu if FireBoy doesn't bite, 'k? Methinks the ShadowLord is pretty much off the menu, if his darling little Sunbeam's violent possessiveness (nice one btw) is anything to go by... Seems Kalian is finally growing into the force to be reckoned with he was always meant to be. Starting to anyway. A few more trials, a spot more tribulation, and perhaps just a smidge more nasty betrayal, and he should be good to go. Yippee-kai-A and all that jazz Poor Anders, he really has bitten off more than he can chew huh? By poor I mean, what a dumbass... Have to wonder though, if trying to save ye olde king-o is worth it at this point. Might be better just to buy a new one, yeah? Awesome chapter, dude!

I'd forgotten about your predilection for leaving readers clinging to fraying vines on cataclysmic cliff-edges. Jokes on you this time though, because this is the future, and aside from being bright (not really) the cliff is nought but a honeysuckle choked ditch, the other side a mere fingersnap away. Later, man.

Oh gods, I'm so blissfully lost in this world I'm never going to find the way out again. Which, tbc, is absolutely a-okay with me. You done good, boss.

Of course it's a trap... Just a question of who - or what - gets caught in it... Kalian isn't the brightest, is he? Haha sorry sorry, I'll see myself out.

Ah shame, poor twatface. He just wants a go on Talon's talented tongue but knows he doesn't stand a chance... Disowned huh? Haha like that actually means anything to anyone of consequence. Talon's got like 2? 3? houses countrywide, who knows how many little bags/chests/entire treasurys of coins stashed away in ShadowBank Inc. and at least 10prs of tight black pants he's willing to share with his prince. Eon is probably - after being in the military - really good at cooking over his own homemade little campfire, and stretching rations is just bootcamp 101, yeah? And LaserBoy's got ambient heating & lights well sorted. Also, weapons. So nah, they're fine. Look, I'm sure you've got all sorts of torture & terror planned for us (& the lost boys) but it's okay, I am strong. And patient. Also, the more you dish out, the more you have to pay the piper in the end so carry on, my good sir. Carry on.

Oh yeah no, that is absolutely clear. I mean, I could probably do a whole dissertation on how everyone's names speak their characters louder than a 10 000k characterisation essay could/would. And that's, honestly, just another reason why you're such a damn fine storyteller. But don't be talking crap about my favourite writer, man - 'dedicated' is the word or, 'diligent'. Leave the crazy for twatface, yeah? Poor lad doesn't exactly have anything else going for him anymore...

Oh man, that was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. So proud of our little sunbeam. Hope old Kingie McKingiePants comes to the party. I mean, he will eventually unless he wants to be a crispy fried kinglet, but would be nice if he did his job without needing any of that carry-on. Just this once, you know? And I'm glad to see Ms Bitch having a bit of a think on her terrible life choices, maybe next time someone goes to her for help she'll try a little harder. Or at least pay more attention to pest control... And those parents, such losers... I almost feel sorry for them. Almost... So, if I'm right (which I obviously may not be, but play along 'k?), the 'Mal' prefix in Mallex's name is from the Latin for 'bad' or 'evil' which, should that be the case, well played, my dude! But did you know that in Afrikaans 'mal' means 'crazy'? Which, haha yeah, twatface is, after all is said and done, crazier than a loony toon on crack. Good job, Mr Writer - you've earned yourself yet another gold star! ⭐

Well, twatface is back and dumber than ever. Good good, more fun for me later. "He tipped my chin up gently, his other hand rubbing my hip, “We have to. He’s not taking you. He can try if he wants but I’ve decided you belong with me. He’s going to have to get over it.” See twatface? That right there "you belong WITH me". That's why you've lost. You covet what is not yours and to make matters worse, you seek to own, not partner with. Bad twatface, no happily ever after for you. Go kneel in the corner and reflect on yourself. And you Mr Writer, I'm fine with the whole raw thing, condoms probably haven't been invented yet, but communal bath water up the jacksie? That's such a hard no it is a red. Yuck.

Duuuuuuuuude, I just showered ffs... The queen seems nice. A bit touchy feely maybe and a tad uncouth, but eh what can you do? I'm joking obviously. She was a total bitch. Hopefully that means she's got a plan to help in other ways though. Guess we'll have to see.

The plot thickens. Ahem, along with a few other things it would seem... Anyway, totally here for all the intrigue & infighting - great chapter, as always!

Whew, quite the workout you gave us there, my good man. Definitely time for a shower Really enjoyed this one btw. For both obvious and maybe not so obvious reasons...

Och look at our boyo, snuggling his prince and preparing for battle. Does me a right proud... *sigh*

Last chapter had Kalian being a mega entitled donkey booger but this chapter had him realising it, reflecting on it, and resolving to do better. Nice!

The lost boys are having their - what are we up to now? 3rd? 4th? 100th? - nth lover's tiff and we all know what that means, right? Progress! Kalian is finally getting in touch with his shadow self and Talon, dear Shadow Summoner that he is, deserves all the credit. When Kal's light can finally blossom unimpeded, well...let's just say, Talon will benefit. As will this world because it would seem that our boys are here to change it. You know, jealousy is one of those things that I think gets an unnecessarily bad rap. Sure it ain't pretty or easy to deal with, and yeah things can get real nasty real quick but when you understand what jealousy represents - insecurity, fear or whatever - and address the underlying issues, whatever they may be - as opposed to just being mad because 'ugh I'm/they're jealous again, just grow a pair' it often becomes clear that either bigger problems are/were at play, of which jealousy is just a symptom or bigger feelings are/were at play, of which - again - jealousy is just a symptom. Jealousy is merely a signpost. The real issue is the wraith-infested swamp it's floating in. And there you go, a steaming heap of unsolicited advice in all its dubious glory. I would apologise but I am but a mannerless fool and that ship has long since sailed. And with that I'll say, thanks for the fish, Mr Writer - excellent chapter!

Ugh see now? That soft little kiss steamed up my glasses so much I jumped the gun... Anywaaaay, training is underway, twatface is missing - off plotting his own demise, no doubt - and we have a first kiss! Also, new characters! And the promise of a weapon! Also, books! All in all, a very yes please! With a side of thank you! Obviously...

Cue the training montage?

Well that escalated quickly... Certainly takes spank bank material to a whole 'nother level, yeah? Twatface is such a piece of nauseating douchebaggery domestic-abusing rapey bollocking poseur trash. Hope he chokes on his own blood-tinged spit long enough to see death coming for him with a rusty hacksaw. He doesn't need to see the necromancer lurking in the shadows waiting to bring him back so we can do it all again though. Let that be a nice surprise, 'k? Your writing man, so good. So.freaking.good.

As the previous commenter said, the casual way same sex relationships are accepted - as they indeed should be - is really nice. Can't say the same for the equally casual (implied) inequality in same sex unions though. That whole bit about "then I'll be your husband and allowed - nay, expected - to beat the crap out of you" did me a right shudder... I mean, I get that unions in this reality aren't exactly equitable by any means, women clearly still being viewed/treated as secondary, but still. Would be nice if society's casual acceptance of one's orientation, and right to civil union, didn't appear to hinge on an equally casual demand for the - hopefully figurative - castration of one party should a same sex couple actually be wed, no? Talon would never agree to, never mind allow, that. Twatface, on the other hand, not only demands it but relishes it. You'd better be planning a truly mindblowing twatface takedown, Mr Writer my dude. Because if I don't get handed a nice steaming bowl of twatbollock soup by the end of this, gloves are coming off... Yeah yeah I know, entitled af. You'll get over it.

Called it! Mindlink activated... Carry on twatface, every little act of douchebaggery now equals a more epic takedown scene for me later. Although tbf, and I never expected to say this, the lordling is being more than a bit prickish himself... Guess being exposed to all that competitive cleavage has addled his brains a bit. Or maybe it's the poor self-esteem & slight martyr complex taking the lead. Again. Either way, dude would benefit from a good whack upside the head. Also, field sutures? Nice touch!

Well damn, I love me a good fight scene, and that one was short, but bloody good! Nothing more delightful than a man with opposable blades for hands and a dark disposition - Talon, you adorable shadowbeast you, if things don't work out with LaserBoy, feel free to hmu, 'k? Poor Eon, it's hard coming to terms with what an utter eejit you've been your whole life *and* still being adored despite everything... Pity twatface didn't trip over a loose appendix or something. Oh well, maybe next time, yeah? Kalian my lad, nice to see you taking a spot of control there - very well done! Can't be easy turning overwhelm into overlording but hey, we do what we must. Phoenix huh? That means Talon's crest is a dragon, right? Right???

Your descriptions of mental/emotional turmoil and how the characters plot their way through are always so vivid. Makes it a bit too easy to forget I'm just reading a story, a third-party participant at best. And not actually, you know, standing at the window staring at the ocean trying to ignore the mindmeld-waiting light that keeps flickering annoyingly in my peripheral vision, and torturing myself over a sad, tortured man who only exists in the mind of a person who clearly lives only to torture their characters & theiir readers, particularly those readers for whom dumbassery comes naturally enough to carelessly fall in love with the previously mentioned sad tortured man because bicep-flexing is indeed a love language and hmmmm, I think I've made my point, yeah?