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Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 41 - The Price of Procrastination

Echo is gone, fled to my enemies for sanctuary. Wash is dead, turned over to the Coyotes in order to maintain the peace. And Ashleigh got herself killed by some upstart in the Emporium. As a result, I’ve begun to lose my grip on the Specters. They are only a hair’s breadth from mutiny, and war is the only thing keeping them in line. I don’t know what to do.

Nora Lancaster

The sub-level was not what I had expected. Upon stepping through the door, I found myself in a long co...

Chapter 279 - Sneaking Out

A couple of weeks later, Zeke was sitting on his cot in the barracks, his back against the wall as he said, “I’m going tonight. I don’t think anybody will even notice I’m gone.”

“Do not be so sure, my friend,” Jasper responded. “People have noticed you, now. They know you are stronger than you look. The incident with the golem told everyone that you have a penchant for survival.”

Zeke shook his head. After word of his escape from the living statue had spread, he’d become something of a minor celebrity. Curious...

Chapter 278 - Loophole

Zeke hammered the living statue’s knee, hoping to find some minor weakness. Even throwing the thing off balance would have been a victory. However, he found no such vulnerability when his weapon hit home. Instead, it felt like he’d just hit an entirely immovable object, which wasn’t far from the truth. His hands violently vibrated, and a few cracks appeared in his bones, but he was already channeling [Metallurgical Repair], so they only lasted a split second before they were healed.

And then he repeated the process all over again...

Weekly Check-In (4/23/23)

I'll confess - I didn't get quite as much work done this week as I would've liked.  I kept up with my schedule (barely), but the biggest feature of the last few days has been lethargy.  I don't think I'm sick, per se, but the combination of my meds and my chronic medical condition (leukemia) sometimes leaves me without a ton of extra energy.  But on the bright side, I'm feeling a bit better, so I'm sure I'll be able to tackle this next week with the vigor to which I've become accustomed!

Anyway, Death: Genesis is progres...

Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 40 - Mad Scientist

I hate some of the things I’ve had to do. But that’s how the world works. There’s only so much room at the top, and if you want to be the one in charge, someone has to fall.

Nora Lancaster

As soon as I was out of Bourbon Street, I stepped into a corner convenience store – deactivating the surveillance camera inside – and headed straight for the bathroom. Upon my entry, the attendant didn’t even look up from her hand-held screen. I didn’t blame her. The pay...

Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 39 - Cages

Loose ends can’t be left hanging. As terrible as it can sometimes be, they must be trimmed, or else the whole thing will unravel. Heather was one of those loose ends, and though I wanted to keep her around, I knew it wouldn’t work out well. So, I did what I had to do. Still, it keeps me up at night.

Nora Lancaster

I crawled across the floor until I reached the end of the bar. Then, I poked my head out, took aim, and fired. My R-14 spat three bursts of superheated pl...

Chapter 277 - Moving Up in the World

Zeke gripped his cheap cudgel, his senses trained on the tunnel before him. With it being at least a hundred feet from one wall to the other, it was wider than most of the other tunnels he’d experienced. It was also laced with silvery ore and studded with green-and-red gemstones that flickered beneath the light of the miners’ mana torches.

“Any idea what kind of dangers we can expect?” asked Zeke, refusing to tear his eyes from the tunnel.

“Rats,” grunted the other guard. Zeke didn’t know his name – he hadn’t bo...

Chapter 276 - Regicide

Pudge crouched as he crept through the corridors of the hive, his skill [Concealed Steps] keeping him from being seen by the constantly patrolling warriors. A series of clicking footsteps announced the arrival of another group, and he flattened himself against the wall as they passed him by. Then, he continued to explore, mentally mapping the entire complex until he finally reached the large atrium where he had first appeared. Once he knew the layout – or more importantly, the location of his ultimate prey – he settled down to figure out...

Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 38 - Long Overdue

I lost a fight today. First time that’s happened in years. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. It’s like I feel less and less like myself every day. Thankfully, it was just a spar, but I can’t help but wonder what’ll happen next time I get into a real fight.

Nora Lancaster

“We need to get out of here,” Patrick said, pacing back and forth across the compound’s common room. “It’s not safe.”

“This was always the plan,” I pointed out. “Be...

Chapter 275 - The Ixilak Hive

Pudge stomped down on the Ixilak warrior’s bulbous torso, feeling its body explode from the force. Golden blood, furry carapace, and the monster’s innards erupted into the air, splattering across the interior of the hive. The bearkin pivoted, the claws of his feet digging into the ground to keep from slipping, and launched a ball of [Hellfire] at another of the insectoids, engulfing it in the black-and-red flames. The force of the attack drove it into the honeycomb walls, where it spent the next second shrieking in pain before collapsing...

Chapter 274 - Natural Treasures

Zeke asked, “So, what’s with the humming?”

“Oh,” said Jasper, who’d finally recovered enough to hold a proper conversation. The pair were sitting at the kitchen table, having just finished a meal comprised mostly of monster meat Zeke had added to a stew. “That. A terribly story, my friend.”

“Lay it on me,” Zeke responded. “I’m sure I’ve heard worse.”

Jasper sighed dramatically, then pushed his white hair behind a pointed ear. Then, he began, “As I have told you before, I was intended to follow ...

Weekly Check-In (4/16/23)

Woo!  Another week in the books, and I'm super excited about how everything's progressed so far.  Everything's shaping up well, and I've been spending a lot of time brainstorming various ideas to improve my output.  I hope the extra effort shows.

In Death: Genesis news, I've been writing a really cool arc that I think serves to seriously flesh out the world (and the dwarves).  It's also cool because we've got a lot of progression in store, and that's always fun.  Otherwise, I'm just hammering away at this thing...

Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 37 - Frame Job

They’re all idiots. Echo, for stealing from me. Ashleigh for tempting fate in the Emporium. The morons who thought they could get a quick payday by killing those Cyberdogs. I feel like I’m the only one trying to keep everything together.

Nora Lancaster

I stood atop one of the most central mega-buildings, looking down on the Garden. I was almost high enough to see into the more affluent districts. Almost. But I knew they’d never allow that to happen. They didn’t ...

Mistrunner 2- Chapter 36 - Fall of a Champion

The entire world is open to me now. My future is brighter than it’s ever been. So, why can’t I stop thinking of the past?

Nora Lancaster

The hammer whistled through the air, barely missing me by an inch. The so-called Red Terror’s swing was so violent that its momentum sent her spinning around. I could have ended the fight right there; in only an instant, I saw a dozen vulnerable spots. But I restrained myself, dancing backward.

“Is that it?” I taunted. “All that talk, ...

Chapter 273 - The First Trial

Pudge stood before the pyramid, intently studying the structure. Before, when he and the others had been in what Flick called the Mortal Realm, Pudge hadn’t paid attention to things like architecture. Back then, he was too concerned with his animalistic drive. Sure, that was diluted somewhat by the bond to Zeke, but at his core, he still wasn’t completely sapient. That had changed with his ascension to the Eternal Realm, and now, staring at the majestic pyramid, he couldn’t help but be filled with wonder.

“It’s impressive, hu...

Chapter 272 - Blood Wraith

Zeke strained against his uncooperative muscles, pushing as hard as he’d ever pushed before. But it was useless. The cloud of red energy was too oppressive. It wrapped around his body, squeezing until his mana began to seep from his very skin. And the ephemeral creature readily absorbed it. Nearby, Zeke heard Jasper’s weak, muffled screams, but he could do nothing to help his own situation, much less save the dark elf.

Defiantly, Zeke gritted his teeth and swung his fist, but it was like attacking smoke.

But Zeke had other tr...

Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 35 - The Red Terror

Weakness is not to be tolerated. The moment we show anything less than absolute strength, we lose everything. That’s just how Nova City works.

Nora Lancaster

I sat in the private room, massaging my temples with my knuckles. It had been six weeks since I’d begun my conquest of the Emporium, and in that time, everything had changed. Not only had I fought my way through a dozen battles against proven gladiators, but I’d also continued with my plan to bring the city to its knees. And f...

Chapter 271 - Avarice

Zeke and Jasper reached the edge of the Rainbow Forest after two more days, but thankfully, they weren’t subjected to the volume of attacks that had dogged the initial leg of their journey. Still, Zeke felt his shoulders sag in relief when he saw the series of yawning passages arrayed before him.

There were six of them, all at least ten yards wide and blessedly free of the ubiquitous and multi-colored vegetation that had been the duo’s constant companion throughout their trek through the Rainbow Forest. Two were adorned with aggres...

Chapter 270 - The Importance of Adaptation

When Pudge first stepped from the clearing, he stumbled at the sight of the village. Regaining his balance, he couldn’t help but stare. Village might have been a misnomer; the settlement sprawled across the entire valley before them. Even with everything as spread out as it was, it was clearly home to thousands of people.

At first glance, the architecture, which was characterized by rough stone and thatched roofs, seemed primitive, save for the towering pyramid standing at the center of the valley. When Pudge gazed upon it, he was gr...

Weekly Check-In (4/9/23)

I know everyone's been waiting with bated breath for the weekly check-in, so I'll just jump right into it.  First, I think I'm just going to officially move this thing to Sundays.  That's when I do my editing and scheduling for the coming week, so it kind of makes sense.  And this has nothing to do with the fact that I'll probably forget it otherwise.  None at all.  So stop looking at me like that.

In Death: Genesis news, the second book's release went way better than I expected, and it's been pretty consistent...

Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 34 - Gladiator

When I saw the video, I felt only a brief sense of elation, the result of knowing that I had won. I’d beaten the unbeatable. I had toppled a giant. And the prize was mine for the taking. However, as I watched them rip him apart, piece by piece, the guilt set in. I can still hear his screams. I can still see his decapitated head staring at me with those accusing eyes. I know that image will stick with me for the rest of my life.

Nora Lancaster

“You know the deal, rig...

Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 33 - Poking the Bear

Often, I find myself thinking back to Mira. I did what I could to ensure her survival, waiting until she was gone before I revealed Jeremiah’s location, but I fear it wasn’t enough. Did she die on her training mission? Or was she one of the thousands of casualties? I can’t say, and not knowing haunts me.

Nora Lancaster

As soon as I stepped into the Silo’s lowest sub-level, I felt like I was suffocating. The humidity was so thick that it was nearly solid, and a v...

Chapter 269 - Layers

Zeke’s chest heaved as the head of his hammer thudded against the ground, resulting in a sizable divot in the Rainbow Forest’s soft, mossy turf. Raking his hand through his sweaty hair, he looked around at the devastation he’d wrought. Behind him, a path of fallen trees stretched for miles, while he stood at the epicenter of destruction that stretched for almost a hundred yards in every direction. Fallen trees, crushed kobolds, and churned, bloody turf surrounded him.

As it turned out, the miners avoided the Rainbow Forest for go...

Chapter 268 - Wood Elves

Abby was miserable, and she knew she deserved it.

Looking around, she barely noticed the paradise surrounding her. She hardly saw the majestic trees, their branches all growing together to produce seamless bridges between the homes of her hosts. Nor did she care to study those dwellings, which stood in the crowns of those trees, looking more like they’d been grown than built. With their graceful arches, supported by a latticework of patterned branches that looked like nothing so much as natural lace, the elven city of Kel’janik was...

Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 32 - Plans on top of Plans

I completely lost it today. Just snapped and killed two of my captains because they had the audacity to question whether we should consolidate our territory. As if I wasn’t strong enough to hold what we had. Beat them both to death with my bare hands. Nobody complained much after that.

Nora Lancaster

I sat across from Patrick, shoveling Nutty-Oats into my mouth. The cereal could best be described as “sugary,” which wasn’t exactly tasty, but I didn’t want to wa...

Chapter 267 - Colossal Force

Facing off against the kobold legionnaire, Zeke felt more at home than he’d felt since ascending from the Radiant Isles. And that feeling only grew more palpable as he raced toward the hulking creature. Zeke was rarely more comfortable than when he was in a life-or-death struggle, and while this fight against the legionnaire hadn’t forced him anywhere near his limits, it was close enough to provide the conflict he’d sorely missed since his ascension.

The legionnaire loomed over him, but Zeke didn’t mind the size difference. He�...

Chapter 266 - A Good Fight

Zeke tore through a pair of kobolds with a backhanded blow that filled the air with the sound of cracking bones. They were nasty, little creatures that reminded him of the adolescent trolls he’d fought so long ago. Certainly, aside from their bestial demeanors and scaly skin, they weren’t that similar in appearance; however, Zeke couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. For one, he only had the durability of his body to protect him, which hadn’t been the case for quite some time. Armed only with his club, he felt like a man pitte...

Weekly Check-In (4/2/23)

Whew.  This week was a busy and exciting week for me.  As most of you know (I've spammed it enough, I think), this past Tuesday was release day for Death: Genesis 2.  And I have to admit, I expected it to do well.  I've been seeing the presale numbers, so I was prepared for a good launch.  However, I was NOT prepared to see it flirt with the Audible or Kindle top 100.  I also wasn't prepared for it to hit #1 in multiple categories (including some big ones, like fantasy adventure) and spend a few days as a #1 new...

Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 31 - Echo

I just want respect. Obedience. They all gave it to Jeremiah so willingly; would it be so hard to give me the same? Haven’t I earned that much?

Nora Lancaster

My arrival back at the compound in Algiers came with no fanfare. Patrick didn’t even look up from his study materials when I ascended from the basement, and I didn’t want to disturb him. Instead, I headed straight for my quarters where I quickly stripped down and hopped in the shower. I’d only been in the ...

Mistrunner 2 - Chapter 30 - The Back Door

I had to kill three upstarts today, two of which I’ve known for more than a decade.  I didn’t even give them the chance to explain themselves. I couldn’t afford to. Not when doing so would only be interpreted as weakness. Jeremiah never had to deal with that kind of thing. When he spoke, people listened. I don’t have that kind of effect on people, so I don’t have a choice but to rule with an iron fist.

Nora Lancaster

I swung around Nova City, taking a wid...