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Black Hole, is a survival, low-fantasy, sci-fi story and I'd rate it as pg-13 for a violence, some suggestive themes, and some nudity.\n\n(This one has a few extra chapters because I numbered my chapters wrong in my previous two episodes before I fixed them)", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Episode 7 of my series. Black Hole, is a survival, low-fantasy, sci-fi story and I'd rate it as pg-13 for a violence, some suggestive themes, and some nudity.

(This one has a few extra chapters because I numbered my chapters wrong in my previous two episodes before I fixed them)", "writing": "Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 7\n\nChapter 59\n\nIratus's once blonde fur and hair were drenched in smoke and ash, with his quiver of arrows empty, and he was rubbing his eyes often because of the ash, smoke, and heat that came from the ashborn. His fur that was open to the air became heat rods as the heat felt like fuzz that pricked into his skin, combined with the fact that the heat from his gambeson and the hot and humid day was overwhelmingly too much heat for Iratus, causing him to have difficulties breathing.\n\nAestus coughed from the ash being thrown around. Her form was also covered in ash, and the tip of her wooden spear was smoking and ash-covered.\n\nIratus, \"Back, let's get back.\"\n\nTen ashborn were on the ground, slain and slowly dissolving into ash and embers. A horde of at least thirty was slowly converging on the two, so they decided to retreat.\n\nThe pair got closer to the treeline when, from far away, a massive group of treeskins ran out into the ash land, which drew the ashborn in the monster's direction. Once Iratus and Aestus got into the woods proper, the other group met them.\n\nGelus, \"So now that you are done, how about some help with us being homeless?\"\n\nIratus slightly angry, \"I'll eat you alive. You want to work together or not?\"\n\nGelus, \"What do you mean? No one here wanted to go back down there, so why should they, because you said so?\"\n\nIratus, \"Dude, you folks said you wanted to work with us, the people of the tower, so how about you prove it?\"\n\nGelus, \"We are not going to risk our lives for morbid curiosity.\"\n\nThen Avaritia spoke up as well.\n\nAvaritia, \"Sorry brother, Gelus is right here.\"\n\nIratus, \"I'm losing my patience. Whatever, you guys better be able to work when we get home.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 60\n\nAt the whip end of the river, next to the stone city, Iratus held up the group and stopped traveling.\n\nIratus, \"Look, there are three of us in total. I need to get permission from our third member to see if it is ok for you guys to bunk with us.\"\n\nGelus, \"Why, you two are allowing us to live with you, correct?\"\n\nIratus, \"Yeah.\"\n\nGelus, \"Well, it's two to one. You have the majority, so it is already decided.\"\n\nIratus, \"Excuse me? We work together, and...like, what you said makes no sense.\"\n\nGelus, \"Well, you are not going to make a decision because one person in the whole group said otherwise.\"\n\nIratus slightly dumbfounded, \"This is what \"cooperation\" is. We talk and work together and not burn anyone because a majority says so.\"\n\nGelus, \"That's undemocratic.\"\n\nIratus, \"Not a democracy.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Iratus, please ignore this idiot. This one assures you that we are honorable folk who will fight with you when it counts and post certainly work ourselves overwhelmingly so to survive with the tower folk.\"\n\nIratus was clearly affected by Ignis's words, and so he spoke again.\n\nIratus, \"Just stay here. Oh, and don't get eaten by the treeskins.\"\n\nIratus thoughts, \"These people are becoming more odd by the hour. If this keeps up, then I am not going to have a good time living in the same tower with them. Gelus clearly is willing to take advantage of others, with that democracy thing being the biggest reason to not let him in the tower. The problem is that if we reject just him, then what would the others do? At this stage, I'm willing to give the others a chance, but I honestly am starting to fear having this larger group in the tower.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 61\n\nIratus and Aestus finished their travels to the tower, where the racoonfolk Victoria was waiting.\n\nVictoria, \"Greetings, yer back a little early. By his holiness, what happened to you two?\"\n\nThe pair debriefed Victoria, and then the three discussed the situation further.\n\nVictoria, \"I understand being careful, but I agree that we can't let these folks have no shelter, even if it's temporary. I hesitate to say, keep an eye on them when none of us had to do so with each other.\"\n\nIratus, \"The difference here is that they are a larger group than us. Unlike me living with you or vice versa, these people are already partners, like we are now. At the end of the day, if everyone focuses on staying alive, there shouldn't be any problems. All we have to do is set some ground rules and say, we are in charge.\"\n\nVictoria, \"We huh?\"\n\nIratus, \"Consider my tower your tower.\"\n\nIratus's mousey ear twitched as he could hear a physical response from the bodies of Victoria and Aestus. Iratus guessed that they appreciated being trusted so much.\n\nVictoria, \"Then they should have that trial run like we did, and maybe then we three will accept them?\"\n\nIratus, \"That's the plan.\"\n\nWith that out of the way, Iratus headed back to the second group and told them of the trial run. While a few of them grumbled, the rest looked up hopefully, and once they got to the tower, the group got to work settling in. The day was already getting late, so everyone mostly just relaxed and started to get to know one another.\n\n---\n\nChapter 62\n\nThe 8th day came, and everyone got ready to work. Heinrich was the first one waiting at the table for breakfast.\n\nHeinrich, \"And of course I have yet to find someone forged from blood to wake up at a proper time. Yes, you should practice waking up earlier.\"\n\nIratus, \"In the morning? Who has the energy for that?.\"\n\nHeinrich, \"Go to sleep, earieir?\"\n\nIratus, \"Or maybe everyone here has a bit of a nocturnal nature?\"\n\nHeinrich, \"Oh yes, makes sense since all of your bloodforged kin have night vision.\"\n\nAfter some time when Iratus was finishing up his breakfast when everyone else started to fill the communal floor.\n\nResonantia, \"So do we get schedules or something?\"\n\nAestus, \"Nope, we just do whatever, whenever.\"\n\nResonantia, \"Then how will you know if we are working for the tower?\"\n\nAestus, \"Well, I think it is more in the way of, do your own life, and if you want to add to the tower, go ahead.\"\n\nAvaritia slammed down a smoked piece of meat on the table and joined in the conversation.\n\nAvaritia, \"That makes no sense. How are you all planning on surviving without a plan?\"\n\nIratus, \"There isn't anything to plan. The only things we can do is raid the stone city or go hunting.\"\n\nAvaritia, \"How about having everyone have specific jobs?\"\n\nIratus, \"Everyone already seeks out what they do best. Aestus fishes because she is the best at it, while Victoria hunts for prey, fruits, and vegetables. I myself have just been the muscle. Despite this, sometimes we explore places or make things like my wooden pieces over there.\"\n\nIratus pointed to the terribly plain wooden pieces of folk that have some hint of what they are designed to be.\n\nIratus, \"No plan needed; just do. Then there is the papyrus, which should be done soaking soon, I think. Oh, bless it, the ink. Victoria, do we still have animal parts?\"\n\nVictoria, \"Well, we can go grab some, why?\"\n\nIratus, \"Glue.\"\n\nVictoria, \"What does glue have to do with ink?\"\n\nIratus, \"I'll need a binder for the ink. Normally I would use egg white, but since we lack eggs, I'll have to get creative.\"\n\nAestus, \"Egg white?\"\n\nIratus, \"The non-yoke part of an egg.\"\n\nIgnis, \"That which is called starch would also work. My folk kind used corn, rice, and wheat as a binder for ink.\"\n\nAestus, \"Do you always talk funny?\"\n\nIgnis, \"Why does the many folk express such comments? Your language is beyond salvage, and it is up to me to revitalize it and bring it to a proper standard. Though perhaps you could be referring to our planet's common folkish, which Victoria's geographical location spoke too, which must sound abrasive to the likes of you.\"\n\nVictoria, \"On our planet of Ascendance, the People of Air spoke this common-like language.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Oh, yes, I most definitely should tell you the fate of our world.\"\n\nVictoria, \"Well, I lived in 1455 SD.\"\n\nIgnis, \"The worst time for your kin with a series of bandit revolutions in a wheel of eternal revolution.\"\n\nVictoria, \"Wait, the bandit clan won?\"\n\nIgnis, \"Of course, but since they only ruled the same as the previous government, the rhythm of bandit revolution would begin again and again once more when they succeeded. A wheel of revolutions that, to my knowledge, has not ended.\"\n\nVictoria, \"Why would the Most Holy allow this? I can't understand why my people would continue the suffering.\"\n\nIgnis, \"When fighting the evil enemy is a legitimate form of forming a government, then violence is what you will get. Ironic as the People of Fire abandoned the cycle of revolution to adopt the southerners form of political change. The Whiteflame Empire, er, republic now, has taken the world stage as the master of policy. The People of Earth were integrated into the nation, with the People of Wind still choosing their islands over the mainland. I am also aware that the south was breaking up from being a singular nation, so take heart in the hope that my people might just save your home province.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 63\n\nAfter several conversations started dying down, Iratus continued.\n\nIratus, \"Anyways, just go out and be your own person, and if anyone has an idea or job, they can bring it up here since everyone is here for at least breakfast. Speaking of which, Victoria, want to help me make some glue, and I'll let you keep the excess glue or make some ink for you?\"\n\nVictoria, \"I guess I could use some glue.\"\n\nGelus, \"Like, for the community, right?\"\n\nIratus, \"What?\"\n\nGelus, \"Any extra glue should go into the community stash, right?\"\n\nIratus, \"Victoria and I are making the glue, so we will decide what will be done with it.\"\n\nGelus, \"But that does not help the community.\"\n\nVictoria, \"We are not talking about the community; we are talking about our labor, and honestly, if you heard Ignis talk about those bandits, they existed because a lot of people abandoned civilization for the actions of our government refusing to let people keep what their labor made.\"\n\nAvaritia, \"What my friend is trying to point out is that you two wouldn't go hunting and keep all the meat to yourselves.\"\n\nVictoria, \"Food is something else entirely.\"\n\nIratus, \"We are not gonna let people starve, like, as long as you do something and not do nothing everyday and expect others to keep supporting you.\"\n\nGelus, \"You'd let people starve?\"\n\nIratus, \"Food isn't infinite. The tower would be harmed if we gave out food to those who didn't work and have less for then those who did.\"\n\nGelus, \"So then you have to work for the community?\"\n\nIratus, \"No, you just have to make something, and again, everyone can do what they want with their stuff, so if someone grabs some berries or something, they can give it to whomever they want.\"\n\nGelus looked like he wanted to continue this discussion, which was slowly becoming argumentative, but Heinrich stepped in.\n\nHeinrich, \"Let's shelve this discussion for now. We are still guests here.\" He said it almost menacingly.\n\n---\n\nChapter 64\n\nIgnis, \"You require eggs, correct? This one knows where we can pilfer some.\"\n\nIratus, \"Perfect. Let's hear it.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Along our train riding journey, we passed by a circle of tents that have long since been abandoned, we assume anyways, I've seen some wild chickens around it as the train passed by.\"\n\nHeinrich, \"Yes yes. We thought about grabbing some hens, but we were under a particular time restraint, and we had voted to move on.\"\n\nGelus, \"I'd also say check out the place we were in a rush to get to as well, but the hospital might be more than a day away from here.\"\n\nIratus, \"That sounds worth the trip; we could use the tools and stuff.\"\n\nGelus, \"Except that it's a bit more advanced than what you folk can use.\"\n\nIratus, \"It's a hospital.\"\n\nAvaritia, \"The conductor told us that it holds technology more advanced than what any of us had in our worlds. Even his train was really advanced.\"\n\nHeinrich, \"Far more so than, uh, in my time.\"\n\nGelus, \"My point being that most of the stuff there wouldn't be of any help.\"\n\nIratus, \"Still, if there are some rudimentary tools, it would be worth the trip. Anyways, I suggest going to the stone city and picking up some backpacks and sheets. You folk only have your clothes and weapons.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Then the eggs?\"\n\nIratus, \"Are you up for today?\"\n\nIgnis, \"Powerfully so.\"\n\nResonantia, \"Ignis, alone?\"\n\nIgnis, \"Unless Victoria or Aestus say otherwise.\"\n\nVictoria, hearing this, stood up and walked to Iratus, where she rubbed her face over his. Iratus could only act paralyzed while Victoria smeared her smell over him and gave some shocked expressions to the other folk except Heinrich, who didn't understand its importance.\n\nIgnis, \"See, safe as can be.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 65\n\nIratus only took his longsword this time, leaving the bow and gambeson behind.\n\nIgnis pointing at the bow, \"How did you tower folk make such a thing? The string—where did you find it?\"\n\nIratus, \"That's sinew, animal, uh, tissue stuff.\"\n\nIgnis, \"I do not understand. Strings in animals?\"\n\nIratus, \"Yes actually.\"\n\nIgnis, \"This one chooses to ignore animal gore being made into things.\"\n\nIratus, \"This one asks if that one knows anything to help tower folk.\"\n\nHe opened the door, and the two walked outside.\n\nIgnis, \"I feel as though those words were as much a question as satire.\"\n\nIratus, \"She's onto me.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Also, your armor—didn't you need it?\"\n\nIratus, \"For a long trip?\" No way! This heat makes it already too hot for me to wear, and I prefer not to die of a heat stroke.\"\n\nIgnis led Iratus to the river in order to follow it upstream.\n\nIgnis, \"To answer your question, most of my knowledge is useless without the proper tools. I also have a few years in a junior military academy to assist me, but alas, military strategy and logistics have no bearing here.\"\n\nIratus, \"Well, we have enough people to form a squad now.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Those people would resist not only orders but combat itself. They do not seek to protect but only want to be civilians on the sidelines.\"\n\nIratus, \"Not Avaritia.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Ah yes, the soldier culture that exists in your world resonates with Resonantia and I, but everyone tires of the threat of death looming every day—the monsters, the betrayers, and this whole planet itself. Avaritia as well has given up, or maybe it is that his name should have been sloth?\"\n\nIratus, \"I guess the rigors of battle isn't for everyone, but we still have to fight..\"\n\nIgnis, \"Perhaps so.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 66\n\nThe pair would eventually break off from the river and head back to the ashlands, where the train was. Once there, Ignis led Iratus east along the tree line. Iratus looked at the ashlands and noticed some changes within them.\n\nIratus, \"Is it just me, or does it look like the ash has receded a bit from the forest line?\"\n\nIgnis, \"From what I've learned, each monster faction brings with it an environmental effect. The treeskins restore and heal the land while vitalizing the trees around them. If the treeskins win the battle here, then the ashlands in this area will be dispersed and replaced with greenery.\"\n\nIratus, \"How bizarre.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Incorrect. I'd say, how normal.\"\n\nWhile traveling, the pair would see a slew of normal-like animals such as elk, hares, and even some woodpeckers. They also spot some nighttime beetles with their bioluminescent glow. The journey took a considerable amount of time, giving the two plenty of time to chat. They talked about their worlds, their lives, their nations, and their cultures as well.\n\nAt one point,\n\nIratus, \"So everyone has to go through wilderness training and then, at the age of twenty, go through a hundred and eighty days of military service.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Military service? My people also go through something similar, though it only has to be community service to gain the right to vote.\"\n\nIratus, \"Then you should be able to see why Gelus rubs my fur the wrong way.\"\n\nIgnis, \"All I ask is for more patience with my group.\"\n\nAs they continued to travel farther into the afternoon, the two finally got to a landmark. It was some sort of chapel building.\n\nIgnis, \"Ok, we should have had a vision of our target from here. Over there between those hills.\"\n\nThe ashlands were slowly fading as normal brush and wilderness were growing over the ash. Across the ashen landscape were a thick pine forest, two long hills, and an open area in the trees where several tents could be seen. Down in the ash were many twisted trees and treeskins wondering about, perhaps forever hunting new prey or just mindless drones having a hard time being idle continuously on the train tracks.\n\nIratus, \"I see it. Hey, before we go, I want to see what's up with that religious-looking building over there.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Sure, I'll even join you.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 67\n\nIgnis and Iratus approached the chapel with cautious curiosity and saw several alterations had been made to it, each seemingly from another culture or style. As they walked up the winding path, they saw the chapel amidst a backdrop of lush greenery within a well-maintained lawn. The exterior of the chapel bore the markings of an Iron Age fortress, with towering stone walls adorned with weathered gargoyles and gashes that might have come from battles long past.\n\nThe entrance to the chapel was a grand wooden door, intricately carved with symbols that appeared alien yet somehow familiar to the two. As the group stepped inside, they saw the terrible condition of the chapel itself, which was somehow still functional.\n\nSunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors across the chapel's interior. The windows depicted scenes from a mythology that one could guess comes from wolffolk and foxfolk if the pictures were to be true.\n\nThe nave stretched out before them, flanked by rows of elegant but still old pews that were crafted from more tropical-like wood and seemed to radiate a soft glow from the sunlight. The ceiling soared high above, adorned with intricate murals that depicted celestial beings and cosmological wonders, interwoven with symbols that both Iratus and Ignis recognized.\n\nAt the front of the chapel, a grand altar stood as the centerpiece of the chapel. It looked like it was missing something, like candles, statues, and the like. It seems that maybe this place was pilfered long ago, leaving the chapel bare of its holiest iconography.\n\nAs the group explored further, they discovered there should have been more to this chapel or at least more buildings, but it was as if these buildings or areas were just gone.\n\nIratus, \"This place feels like it is devoted to God.\"\n\nIgnis, \"A place where the Holy One can be felt?\"\n\nIratus, \"Assuming their god and our god are the same person, regardless, it feels nice to have some sense of spirituality after all this time. Excuses me.\"\n\nIratus went off to pray, but Ignis joined him.\n\nIgnis, \"While it is annoying to be called pagan, the Church of One was fast spreading over my nation to the point that even I share a positive viewpoint of it. So, I'll just pray next to you if that is ok.\"\n\nAfter the two left the chapel, they both had a renewed sense of vigor, with their need for spirituality fulfilled.\n\n---\n\nChapter 68\n\nIratus looked out into the ash field and the treeskins.\n\nIratus, \"Honestly, if the treeskins are restoring the land, I think I'll leave them to it. Can we go around?\"\n\nIgnis, \"Considering the tree line crosses over there, we can go around the ashlands. This is the edge of the ash, luckily, but I do not promise no monsters are around the forest.\"\n\nIratus looked and saw that the biome had changed again, with a straight cut of pine intertwined with the maples and other trees, only to expand north and west completely, giving the feeling of a whole new environment.\n\nThe pair would continue to travel along the tree line to avoid the ash area, and they were able to get on top of the hill next to the location of many tents. They took a break in the shade and got out their rations to eat. Once they spent ten minutes resting, they got back to work.\n\nFirst, they surveyed the area and saw that nestled within the pine forest was a forgotten realm frozen in time. Within the rustling foliage and dappled sunlight filtering through the towering canopy, the remnants of a once vibrant medieval-like festival now empty and ruined could be seen.\n\nAs they treaded upon the moss-covered path that carved its way through the hill and the overgrown thickets, the wind almost sounded like it carried the whispers of forgotten times. Once the abandoned festival came into view proper, the pair was greeted by the weathered wooden arches, adorned with tattered remnants of colorful banners, standing almost like sentinels, their paint long faded. Beyond the arches, a clearing emerged, revealing the heart of the forgotten festival.\n\nAn amphitheater of stone, now crumbling and overgrown with delicate ivy, encircled the clearing while nature was weaving a tapestry throughout the area, its intricate design intermingling with the remnants of the alien artistry on display. Wildflowers and delicate vines entwine with the remnants of weathered wooden stalls and the cobblestone path, with the stalls long since collapsed.\n\nIn the center of the clearing, a once magnificent maypole stood tall, its weathered ribbons gently swaying in the wind. The surrounding trees felt ancient compared to the rest of the pine trees around them, and only the withered tents stood the test of time.\n\n---\n\nChapter 69\n\nIratus, \"By the Lord...I bet there is a ton of loot here.\"\n\nIgnis, \"Keep your eyes on the prize.\"\n\nThe two searched but of course Iratus would stop to gather a few items along the way. He grabbed many trinkets, jewelry, tarnished brooches, old coins, and small ornamental figurines as he could. \n\nIn total he pilfered: a tarnished silver brooch intricately carved with delicate patterns, a weathered leather pouch containing a collection of fifteen ancient coins from alien lands, their once-shimmering surfaces now dulled by time, a small ornamental figurine of an armored individual in the likeness of a goatfolk, its delicate porcelain form chipped and faded, but still exuding an air of valor, a brass ring, engraved with intricate knotwork, a faded velvet pouch containing a handful of sparkling glass beads in an array of vibrant colors, remnants of a forgotten costume or adornment, a pocket-sized, weathered leather-bound journal filled with faded ink, its pages readable if only Iratus and Ignis could read the language, a dainty silver bracelet adorned with tiny bells that, when shaken, emit a faint, melodic jingle and finally a small wooden trinket box, intricately carved with depictions of woodland creatures, its lid worn and hinged with care. Within it was a collection of delicate, hand-painted porcelain charms, each one a miniature work of art.\n\nWhile searching, some elk were disturbed and ran off into the forest.\n\nIratus, \"This is why I need more bodies. If I had more people with bags, then I could loot more stuff.\"\n\nHe grabbed a few bits of ruined and dusty parchments and ancient books, while Ignis found some broken musical instruments.\n\nIgnis, \"What I wouldn't do for some music.\"\n\nIratus, \"I found some more stuff over here!\"\n\nInside another torn tent were racks of weapons and shields. In a corner were broken pieces of armor no longer in any shape to be of use.\n\nIratus, \"Can you carry this stuff? I don't think most of this will fit in the bag.\"\n\nIgnis rolled her eyes and gathered up some of the rusted junk.\n\n---\n\nChapter 70\n\nIratus and Ignis finally discovered some nests around the festival area. Some were basic bird nests, while others held chicken eggs. A few wild chickens cluck around the area, but the two decided now was not the time to do anything about them. They took the eggs and began their long trip back to the tower. They started heading east to follow the forest along the ashland and head back west, but instead they saw a flood of slow-moving metal heads, monsters that looked like metal skeletons of various species of folk.\n\nIgnis, \"My word, a plague upon us at this moment?\"\n\nIratus, \"I think we will have to cover the open area to get back.\"\n\nThe treeskins engaged the metalheads and were seemingly doing a fair job, but the number of metalheads did not stop as more kept pouring out from the east. The party moved west to find a better break in the ashlands, and after some time they did see a hole where they could cross as the treeskins that used to be here were moving east to fight the metal heads.\n\nThey crossed the ashlands, got back to the southern forest, and headed back home without a second thought about the battle. During one of their breaks, as they looked out upon the ash-covered land, the ashborn also started becoming animated. They started to head eastward as, in the far distance, the metal heads could be seen, a massive horde making their way through the many ashborn.\n\nIratus, \"Didn't that hyena lady say that those things were NOT a threat? It looks like they are winning every battle.\"\n\nIgnis, \"With weapons, one rarely needs to fear a few tens of them. However, if they have many more in numbers, no one, monster or folk has the ability to win. I did hear the conductor say that their natural enemy is the edax, as they do well fighting metalheads.\"\n\nThe two got their stuff together and moved out once again.\n\nIratus, \"Is there a ranking system to determine which monster faction is strongest?\"\n\nIgnis, \"Each monster species has the ability to transform into forms perfect for whatever is causing them to stop their advance. The metalheads and gray masks are the exception, but they have endless numbers, so there are no downsides to them.\"\n\nIratus, \"Geeze. \"Ok, did the conductor have any advice on how dangerous they are to folk?\"\n\nIgnis rather bluntly and dryly, \"Ashborn burn the lands, but are not too terrible to deal with. Treeskins grow the land but are viciously determined in combat. Edax Examina consume everything, even the land itself, if they get hungry enough, and they are also the deadliest, though not very durable, of the monsters. Gray Masks are mostly unknown, only showing up when there are large pockets of population to bring ruination upon them, keeping civilization ruined and dead with their vast cunning and intellect. Finally, the metal heads are the least deadly, least tough, and by far the weakest group, but they seem to have endless numbers, allowing them to be the rulers of the Nexus Prime, in a sense. This is the extent of what the conductor told me anyway.\"\n\nIratus, \"I have not seen any...what does a gray mask look like?\"\n\nIgnis, \"A figure clad in all black, a gray mask upon their face, and tools of destruction held on their belts.\"\n\nIratus, \"So if I gather a huge group of people together, I should expect to see these guys?\"\n\nIgnis, \"We should expect to see them spying on us any day now, actually. Even the train could never fully outrun them, and there were not too many of us at any given time.\"\n\nIratus, \"Wait, hold on. What about ebony-bone monsters?\"\n\nIgnis, \"Excuse me?\"\n\nIratus, \"I've fought a very bizarre biped with the blackest skin, sharpest bones, and a screaming lantern.\"\n\nIgnis, \"This one has never heard of such a thing. Maybe it was a normal folk but happened to be bizarre to us?\"\n\nThe day was in its last embers by the time the two came back to the tower. Once inside, they heard a conversation and investigated, though Ignis dropped off the rusted metal in the community stash first. At the table, Heinrich was doing his best to cut out a large treeskin branch that had grown along Aestus's arm, with some of her blood leaking on the table.\n\nIratus, \"What in the thirteen did I miss!?\"\n\n---\n\nEPISDOE 7: END\n\n---\nEpisode 7 End Character Sheet\nName: Iratus Lionheart\nSpecies: Mousefolk\nAge: 14\nCoverings: Blonde Fur, White Gambeson (lightly damaged, leather patchwork), leather gloves\nWeapons: Long Sword, Knife, Bow\nEquipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 33 oval copper coins, 7 small silver bricks, 6 gemstones\nCommunity Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, small metal pot, several leather items, a lot of animal bones, a lot of animal hide, 3 glass jar, 50 oval copper coins, 1 fish net, primitive sewing kit, trowl, woodcutting axe, several wooden spears, crossbow, some woodcarving pieces, wooden dice, lots of sheets, metal scrap, a tarnished silver brooch, fifteen ancient coins, a small ornamental figurine, a brass ring, a handful of sparkling glass beads, weathered leather-bound journal, a dainty silver bracelet, a small wooden trinket box, a collection of delicate, hand-painted porcelain charms, lots of rusted metal\nHome Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates and clay pots), Basic Butchering Area (few tools, smoking rack), Basic Workshop Area (some tools), Kitchen Area (many tools), Outside Makeshift Tannery, Muddy Hole\nWounds: several moderate wounds (nearly healed)\nYear 0, Day 8\n\n---\n\n(Extra Stories)\n\nExtra Story 1\n(A few hours ago) Heinrich examined the wet sheet over the door.\n\nHeinrich, \"Fascinating. I'd never have thought of this, uh, uh, interesting form of air conditioning.\"\n\nAvaritia, \"Nothing is as fascinating as that dirt hole over there.\"\n\nVictoria, \"Iratus was trying to make a cold room, but we can't really cover this thing, and it rains a lot here, so.\" She finished with a shrug.\n\nAestus, \"So, human thing, what animal are you? Surely you have one that looks like you.\"\n\nHeinrich, \"Yes, well...I think the chimpanzee might be the closest thing that looks human where I am from.\"\n\nVictoria, \"I can see it. I found it slightly bizarre that every beast seems to have a folk equivalent. How about everyone else?\"\n\nAestus, \"I think it makes sense.\"\n\nGelus, \"We are already quite diverse where we come from. Fur-, er, I mean fictional folk stuff was already common by my time.\"\n\nAvaritia, \"I don't think your fictional folk stuff could ever come close to our obsession with it. It was quite common to have children serve as family scribes, which allowed the mass production of books and written material. Just let me tell you, we loved the fictional other.\"\n\nResonantia shyly, \"I can't say such an idea was around in my time.\"\n\nHeinrich, \"Same. Uh, the idea of folk, I think, didn't really come into the public mind, at least beyond some basic cartoons. A serious idea of beast-looking people is beyond anyone on Earth. As the years passed, I found my heart softening to the bloodforged.\"\n\nVictoria, \"For folk, God used the blood of the living to forge bodies around our souls. It is also written that clay was used for some other souls, but there isn't much written about those people, only that the clayfolk were skin things that owed the greatest debt of all forged kinds.\"\n\nHeinrich, \"And again, most bloodfogred religions refer to themselves as being born from blood, just as humans were born from clay. It boggles the mind!\"\n\nAestus, \"It is starting to get pretty late; we should probably grab some stuff from the stone city.\"\n\nGelus, \"No way. It makes no sense to risk our lives.\"\n\nAestus, \"But you lot don't have anything but your clothes.\"\n\nAvaritia, \"Just make some stuff for us, then.\"\n\nVictoria, \"You people are annoying. \"I guess I'll have to grab something.\"\n\nAestus, \"Right, let's go!\"\n\nResonantia, \"I'll come too. We will have a girls-only party.\"\n\n---", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 7

Chapter 59

Iratus's once blonde fur and hair were drenched in smoke and ash, with his quiver of arrows empty, and he was rubbing his eyes often because of the ash, smoke, and heat that came from the ashborn. His fur that was open to the air became heat rods as the heat felt like fuzz that pricked into his skin, combined with the fact that the heat from his gambeson and the hot and humid day was overwhelmingly too much heat for Iratus, causing him to have difficulties breathing.

Aestus coughed from the ash being thrown around. Her form was also covered in ash, and the tip of her wooden spear was smoking and ash-covered.

Iratus, "Back, let's get back."

Ten ashborn were on the ground, slain and slowly dissolving into ash and embers. A horde of at least thirty was slowly converging on the two, so they decided to retreat.

The pair got closer to the treeline when, from far away, a massive group of treeskins ran out into the ash land, which drew the ashborn in the monster's direction. Once Iratus and Aestus got into the woods proper, the other group met them.

Gelus, "So now that you are done, how about some help with us being homeless?"

Iratus slightly angry, "I'll eat you alive. You want to work together or not?"

Gelus, "What do you mean? No one here wanted to go back down there, so why should they, because you said so?"

Iratus, "Dude, you folks said you wanted to work with us, the people of the tower, so how about you prove it?"

Gelus, "We are not going to risk our lives for morbid curiosity."

Then Avaritia spoke up as well.

Avaritia, "Sorry brother, Gelus is right here."

Iratus, "I'm losing my patience. Whatever, you guys better be able to work when we get home."

---

Chapter 60

At the whip end of the river, next to the stone city, Iratus held up the group and stopped traveling.

Iratus, "Look, there are three of us in total. I need to get permission from our third member to see if it is ok for you guys to bunk with us."

Gelus, "Why, you two are allowing us to live with you, correct?"

Iratus, "Yeah."

Gelus, "Well, it's two to one. You have the majority, so it is already decided."

Iratus, "Excuse me? We work together, and...like, what you said makes no sense."

Gelus, "Well, you are not going to make a decision because one person in the whole group said otherwise."

Iratus slightly dumbfounded, "This is what "cooperation" is. We talk and work together and not burn anyone because a majority says so."

Gelus, "That's undemocratic."

Iratus, "Not a democracy."

Ignis, "Iratus, please ignore this idiot. This one assures you that we are honorable folk who will fight with you when it counts and post certainly work ourselves overwhelmingly so to survive with the tower folk."

Iratus was clearly affected by Ignis's words, and so he spoke again.

Iratus, "Just stay here. Oh, and don't get eaten by the treeskins."

Iratus thoughts, "These people are becoming more odd by the hour. If this keeps up, then I am not going to have a good time living in the same tower with them. Gelus clearly is willing to take advantage of others, with that democracy thing being the biggest reason to not let him in the tower. The problem is that if we reject just him, then what would the others do? At this stage, I'm willing to give the others a chance, but I honestly am starting to fear having this larger group in the tower."

---

Chapter 61

Iratus and Aestus finished their travels to the tower, where the racoonfolk Victoria was waiting.

Victoria, "Greetings, yer back a little early. By his holiness, what happened to you two?"

The pair debriefed Victoria, and then the three discussed the situation further.

Victoria, "I understand being careful, but I agree that we can't let these folks have no shelter, even if it's temporary. I hesitate to say, keep an eye on them when none of us had to do so with each other."

Iratus, "The difference here is that they are a larger group than us. Unlike me living with you or vice versa, these people are already partners, like we are now. At the end of the day, if everyone focuses on staying alive, there shouldn't be any problems. All we have to do is set some ground rules and say, we are in charge."

Victoria, "We huh?"

Iratus, "Consider my tower your tower."

Iratus's mousey ear twitched as he could hear a physical response from the bodies of Victoria and Aestus. Iratus guessed that they appreciated being trusted so much.

Victoria, "Then they should have that trial run like we did, and maybe then we three will accept them?"

Iratus, "That's the plan."

With that out of the way, Iratus headed back to the second group and told them of the trial run. While a few of them grumbled, the rest looked up hopefully, and once they got to the tower, the group got to work settling in. The day was already getting late, so everyone mostly just relaxed and started to get to know one another.

---

Chapter 62

The 8th day came, and everyone got ready to work. Heinrich was the first one waiting at the table for breakfast.

Heinrich, "And of course I have yet to find someone forged from blood to wake up at a proper time. Yes, you should practice waking up earlier."

Iratus, "In the morning? Who has the energy for that?."

Heinrich, "Go to sleep, earieir?"

Iratus, "Or maybe everyone here has a bit of a nocturnal nature?"

Heinrich, "Oh yes, makes sense since all of your bloodforged kin have night vision."

After some time when Iratus was finishing up his breakfast when everyone else started to fill the communal floor.

Resonantia, "So do we get schedules or something?"

Aestus, "Nope, we just do whatever, whenever."

Resonantia, "Then how will you know if we are working for the tower?"

Aestus, "Well, I think it is more in the way of, do your own life, and if you want to add to the tower, go ahead."

Avaritia slammed down a smoked piece of meat on the table and joined in the conversation.

Avaritia, "That makes no sense. How are you all planning on surviving without a plan?"

Iratus, "There isn't anything to plan. The only things we can do is raid the stone city or go hunting."

Avaritia, "How about having everyone have specific jobs?"

Iratus, "Everyone already seeks out what they do best. Aestus fishes because she is the best at it, while Victoria hunts for prey, fruits, and vegetables. I myself have just been the muscle. Despite this, sometimes we explore places or make things like my wooden pieces over there."

Iratus pointed to the terribly plain wooden pieces of folk that have some hint of what they are designed to be.

Iratus, "No plan needed; just do. Then there is the papyrus, which should be done soaking soon, I think. Oh, bless it, the ink. Victoria, do we still have animal parts?"

Victoria, "Well, we can go grab some, why?"

Iratus, "Glue."

Victoria, "What does glue have to do with ink?"

Iratus, "I'll need a binder for the ink. Normally I would use egg white, but since we lack eggs, I'll have to get creative."

Aestus, "Egg white?"

Iratus, "The non-yoke part of an egg."

Ignis, "That which is called starch would also work. My folk kind used corn, rice, and wheat as a binder for ink."

Aestus, "Do you always talk funny?"

Ignis, "Why does the many folk express such comments? Your language is beyond salvage, and it is up to me to revitalize it and bring it to a proper standard. Though perhaps you could be referring to our planet's common folkish, which Victoria's geographical location spoke too, which must sound abrasive to the likes of you."

Victoria, "On our planet of Ascendance, the People of Air spoke this common-like language."

Ignis, "Oh, yes, I most definitely should tell you the fate of our world."

Victoria, "Well, I lived in 1455 SD."

Ignis, "The worst time for your kin with a series of bandit revolutions in a wheel of eternal revolution."

Victoria, "Wait, the bandit clan won?"

Ignis, "Of course, but since they only ruled the same as the previous government, the rhythm of bandit revolution would begin again and again once more when they succeeded. A wheel of revolutions that, to my knowledge, has not ended."

Victoria, "Why would the Most Holy allow this? I can't understand why my people would continue the suffering."

Ignis, "When fighting the evil enemy is a legitimate form of forming a government, then violence is what you will get. Ironic as the People of Fire abandoned the cycle of revolution to adopt the southerners form of political change. The Whiteflame Empire, er, republic now, has taken the world stage as the master of policy. The People of Earth were integrated into the nation, with the People of Wind still choosing their islands over the mainland. I am also aware that the south was breaking up from being a singular nation, so take heart in the hope that my people might just save your home province."

---

Chapter 63

After several conversations started dying down, Iratus continued.

Iratus, "Anyways, just go out and be your own person, and if anyone has an idea or job, they can bring it up here since everyone is here for at least breakfast. Speaking of which, Victoria, want to help me make some glue, and I'll let you keep the excess glue or make some ink for you?"

Victoria, "I guess I could use some glue."

Gelus, "Like, for the community, right?"

Iratus, "What?"

Gelus, "Any extra glue should go into the community stash, right?"

Iratus, "Victoria and I are making the glue, so we will decide what will be done with it."

Gelus, "But that does not help the community."

Victoria, "We are not talking about the community; we are talking about our labor, and honestly, if you heard Ignis talk about those bandits, they existed because a lot of people abandoned civilization for the actions of our government refusing to let people keep what their labor made."

Avaritia, "What my friend is trying to point out is that you two wouldn't go hunting and keep all the meat to yourselves."

Victoria, "Food is something else entirely."

Iratus, "We are not gonna let people starve, like, as long as you do something and not do nothing everyday and expect others to keep supporting you."

Gelus, "You'd let people starve?"

Iratus, "Food isn't infinite. The tower would be harmed if we gave out food to those who didn't work and have less for then those who did."

Gelus, "So then you have to work for the community?"

Iratus, "No, you just have to make something, and again, everyone can do what they want with their stuff, so if someone grabs some berries or something, they can give it to whomever they want."

Gelus looked like he wanted to continue this discussion, which was slowly becoming argumentative, but Heinrich stepped in.

Heinrich, "Let's shelve this discussion for now. We are still guests here." He said it almost menacingly.

---

Chapter 64

Ignis, "You require eggs, correct? This one knows where we can pilfer some."

Iratus, "Perfect. Let's hear it."

Ignis, "Along our train riding journey, we passed by a circle of tents that have long since been abandoned, we assume anyways, I've seen some wild chickens around it as the train passed by."

Heinrich, "Yes yes. We thought about grabbing some hens, but we were under a particular time restraint, and we had voted to move on."

Gelus, "I'd also say check out the place we were in a rush to get to as well, but the hospital might be more than a day away from here."

Iratus, "That sounds worth the trip; we could use the tools and stuff."

Gelus, "Except that it's a bit more advanced than what you folk can use."

Iratus, "It's a hospital."

Avaritia, "The conductor told us that it holds technology more advanced than what any of us had in our worlds. Even his train was really advanced."

Heinrich, "Far more so than, uh, in my time."

Gelus, "My point being that most of the stuff there wouldn't be of any help."

Iratus, "Still, if there are some rudimentary tools, it would be worth the trip. Anyways, I suggest going to the stone city and picking up some backpacks and sheets. You folk only have your clothes and weapons."

Ignis, "Then the eggs?"

Iratus, "Are you up for today?"

Ignis, "Powerfully so."

Resonantia, "Ignis, alone?"

Ignis, "Unless Victoria or Aestus say otherwise."

Victoria, hearing this, stood up and walked to Iratus, where she rubbed her face over his. Iratus could only act paralyzed while Victoria smeared her smell over him and gave some shocked expressions to the other folk except Heinrich, who didn't understand its importance.

Ignis, "See, safe as can be."

---

Chapter 65

Iratus only took his longsword this time, leaving the bow and gambeson behind.

Ignis pointing at the bow, "How did you tower folk make such a thing? The string—where did you find it?"

Iratus, "That's sinew, animal, uh, tissue stuff."

Ignis, "I do not understand. Strings in animals?"

Iratus, "Yes actually."

Ignis, "This one chooses to ignore animal gore being made into things."

Iratus, "This one asks if that one knows anything to help tower folk."

He opened the door, and the two walked outside.

Ignis, "I feel as though those words were as much a question as satire."

Iratus, "She's onto me."

Ignis, "Also, your armor—didn't you need it?"

Iratus, "For a long trip?" No way! This heat makes it already too hot for me to wear, and I prefer not to die of a heat stroke."

Ignis led Iratus to the river in order to follow it upstream.

Ignis, "To answer your question, most of my knowledge is useless without the proper tools. I also have a few years in a junior military academy to assist me, but alas, military strategy and logistics have no bearing here."

Iratus, "Well, we have enough people to form a squad now."

Ignis, "Those people would resist not only orders but combat itself. They do not seek to protect but only want to be civilians on the sidelines."

Iratus, "Not Avaritia."

Ignis, "Ah yes, the soldier culture that exists in your world resonates with Resonantia and I, but everyone tires of the threat of death looming every day—the monsters, the betrayers, and this whole planet itself. Avaritia as well has given up, or maybe it is that his name should have been sloth?"

Iratus, "I guess the rigors of battle isn't for everyone, but we still have to fight.."

Ignis, "Perhaps so."

---

Chapter 66

The pair would eventually break off from the river and head back to the ashlands, where the train was. Once there, Ignis led Iratus east along the tree line. Iratus looked at the ashlands and noticed some changes within them.

Iratus, "Is it just me, or does it look like the ash has receded a bit from the forest line?"

Ignis, "From what I've learned, each monster faction brings with it an environmental effect. The treeskins restore and heal the land while vitalizing the trees around them. If the treeskins win the battle here, then the ashlands in this area will be dispersed and replaced with greenery."

Iratus, "How bizarre."

Ignis, "Incorrect. I'd say, how normal."

While traveling, the pair would see a slew of normal-like animals such as elk, hares, and even some woodpeckers. They also spot some nighttime beetles with their bioluminescent glow. The journey took a considerable amount of time, giving the two plenty of time to chat. They talked about their worlds, their lives, their nations, and their cultures as well.

At one point,

Iratus, "So everyone has to go through wilderness training and then, at the age of twenty, go through a hundred and eighty days of military service."

Ignis, "Military service? My people also go through something similar, though it only has to be community service to gain the right to vote."

Iratus, "Then you should be able to see why Gelus rubs my fur the wrong way."

Ignis, "All I ask is for more patience with my group."

As they continued to travel farther into the afternoon, the two finally got to a landmark. It was some sort of chapel building.

Ignis, "Ok, we should have had a vision of our target from here. Over there between those hills."

The ashlands were slowly fading as normal brush and wilderness were growing over the ash. Across the ashen landscape were a thick pine forest, two long hills, and an open area in the trees where several tents could be seen. Down in the ash were many twisted trees and treeskins wondering about, perhaps forever hunting new prey or just mindless drones having a hard time being idle continuously on the train tracks.

Iratus, "I see it. Hey, before we go, I want to see what's up with that religious-looking building over there."

Ignis, "Sure, I'll even join you."

---

Chapter 67

Ignis and Iratus approached the chapel with cautious curiosity and saw several alterations had been made to it, each seemingly from another culture or style. As they walked up the winding path, they saw the chapel amidst a backdrop of lush greenery within a well-maintained lawn. The exterior of the chapel bore the markings of an Iron Age fortress, with towering stone walls adorned with weathered gargoyles and gashes that might have come from battles long past.

The entrance to the chapel was a grand wooden door, intricately carved with symbols that appeared alien yet somehow familiar to the two. As the group stepped inside, they saw the terrible condition of the chapel itself, which was somehow still functional.

Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors across the chapel's interior. The windows depicted scenes from a mythology that one could guess comes from wolffolk and foxfolk if the pictures were to be true.

The nave stretched out before them, flanked by rows of elegant but still old pews that were crafted from more tropical-like wood and seemed to radiate a soft glow from the sunlight. The ceiling soared high above, adorned with intricate murals that depicted celestial beings and cosmological wonders, interwoven with symbols that both Iratus and Ignis recognized.

At the front of the chapel, a grand altar stood as the centerpiece of the chapel. It looked like it was missing something, like candles, statues, and the like. It seems that maybe this place was pilfered long ago, leaving the chapel bare of its holiest iconography.

As the group explored further, they discovered there should have been more to this chapel or at least more buildings, but it was as if these buildings or areas were just gone.

Iratus, "This place feels like it is devoted to God."

Ignis, "A place where the Holy One can be felt?"

Iratus, "Assuming their god and our god are the same person, regardless, it feels nice to have some sense of spirituality after all this time. Excuses me."

Iratus went off to pray, but Ignis joined him.

Ignis, "While it is annoying to be called pagan, the Church of One was fast spreading over my nation to the point that even I share a positive viewpoint of it. So, I'll just pray next to you if that is ok."

After the two left the chapel, they both had a renewed sense of vigor, with their need for spirituality fulfilled.

---

Chapter 68

Iratus looked out into the ash field and the treeskins.

Iratus, "Honestly, if the treeskins are restoring the land, I think I'll leave them to it. Can we go around?"

Ignis, "Considering the tree line crosses over there, we can go around the ashlands. This is the edge of the ash, luckily, but I do not promise no monsters are around the forest."

Iratus looked and saw that the biome had changed again, with a straight cut of pine intertwined with the maples and other trees, only to expand north and west completely, giving the feeling of a whole new environment.

The pair would continue to travel along the tree line to avoid the ash area, and they were able to get on top of the hill next to the location of many tents. They took a break in the shade and got out their rations to eat. Once they spent ten minutes resting, they got back to work.

First, they surveyed the area and saw that nestled within the pine forest was a forgotten realm frozen in time. Within the rustling foliage and dappled sunlight filtering through the towering canopy, the remnants of a once vibrant medieval-like festival now empty and ruined could be seen.

As they treaded upon the moss-covered path that carved its way through the hill and the overgrown thickets, the wind almost sounded like it carried the whispers of forgotten times. Once the abandoned festival came into view proper, the pair was greeted by the weathered wooden arches, adorned with tattered remnants of colorful banners, standing almost like sentinels, their paint long faded. Beyond the arches, a clearing emerged, revealing the heart of the forgotten festival.

An amphitheater of stone, now crumbling and overgrown with delicate ivy, encircled the clearing while nature was weaving a tapestry throughout the area, its intricate design intermingling with the remnants of the alien artistry on display. Wildflowers and delicate vines entwine with the remnants of weathered wooden stalls and the cobblestone path, with the stalls long since collapsed.

In the center of the clearing, a once magnificent maypole stood tall, its weathered ribbons gently swaying in the wind. The surrounding trees felt ancient compared to the rest of the pine trees around them, and only the withered tents stood the test of time.

---

Chapter 69

Iratus, "By the Lord...I bet there is a ton of loot here."

Ignis, "Keep your eyes on the prize."

The two searched but of course Iratus would stop to gather a few items along the way. He grabbed many trinkets, jewelry, tarnished brooches, old coins, and small ornamental figurines as he could.

In total he pilfered: a tarnished silver brooch intricately carved with delicate patterns, a weathered leather pouch containing a collection of  fifteen ancient coins from alien lands, their once-shimmering surfaces now dulled by time, a small ornamental figurine of an armored individual in the likeness of a goatfolk, its delicate porcelain form chipped and faded, but still exuding an air of valor, a brass ring, engraved with intricate knotwork, a faded velvet pouch containing a handful of sparkling glass beads in an array of vibrant colors, remnants of a forgotten costume or adornment, a pocket-sized, weathered leather-bound journal filled with faded ink, its pages readable if only Iratus and Ignis could read the language, a dainty silver bracelet adorned with tiny bells that, when shaken, emit a faint, melodic jingle and finally a small wooden trinket box, intricately carved with depictions of woodland creatures, its lid worn and hinged with care. Within it was a collection of delicate, hand-painted porcelain charms, each one a miniature work of art.

While searching, some elk were disturbed and ran off into the forest.

Iratus, "This is why I need more bodies. If I had more people with bags, then I could loot more stuff."

He grabbed a few bits of ruined and dusty parchments and ancient books, while Ignis found some broken musical instruments.

Ignis, "What I wouldn't do for some music."

Iratus, "I found some more stuff over here!"

Inside another torn tent were racks of weapons and shields. In a corner were broken pieces of armor no longer in any shape to be of use.

Iratus, "Can you carry this stuff? I don't think most of this will fit in the bag."

Ignis rolled her eyes and gathered up some of the rusted junk.

---

Chapter 70

Iratus and Ignis finally discovered some nests around the festival area. Some were basic bird nests, while others held chicken eggs. A few wild chickens cluck around the area, but the two decided now was not the time to do anything about them. They took the eggs and began their long trip back to the tower. They started heading east to follow the forest along the ashland and head back west, but instead they saw a flood of slow-moving metal heads, monsters that looked like metal skeletons of various species of folk.

Ignis, "My word, a plague upon us at this moment?"

Iratus, "I think we will have to cover the open area to get back."

The treeskins engaged the metalheads and were seemingly doing a fair job, but the number of metalheads did not stop as more kept pouring out from the east. The party moved west to find a better break in the ashlands, and after some time they did see a hole where they could cross as the treeskins that used to be here were moving east to fight the metal heads.

They crossed the ashlands, got back to the southern forest, and headed back home without a second thought about the battle. During one of their breaks, as they looked out upon the ash-covered land, the ashborn also started becoming animated. They started to head eastward as, in the far distance, the metal heads could be seen, a massive horde making their way through the many ashborn.

Iratus, "Didn't that hyena lady say that those things were NOT a threat? It looks like they are winning every battle."

Ignis, "With weapons, one rarely needs to fear a few tens of them. However, if they have many more in numbers, no one, monster or folk has the ability to win. I did hear the conductor say that their natural enemy is the edax, as they do well fighting metalheads."

The two got their stuff together and moved out once again.

Iratus, "Is there a ranking system to determine which monster faction is strongest?"

Ignis, "Each monster species has the ability to transform into forms perfect for whatever is causing them to stop their advance. The metalheads and gray masks are the exception, but they have endless numbers, so there are no downsides to them."

Iratus, "Geeze. "Ok, did the conductor have any advice on how dangerous they are to folk?"

Ignis rather bluntly and dryly, "Ashborn burn the lands, but are not too terrible to deal with. Treeskins grow the land but are viciously determined in combat. Edax Examina consume everything, even the land itself, if they get hungry enough, and they are also the deadliest, though not very durable, of the monsters. Gray Masks are mostly unknown, only showing up when there are large pockets of population to bring ruination upon them, keeping civilization ruined and dead with their vast cunning and intellect. Finally, the metal heads are the least deadly, least tough, and by far the weakest group, but they seem to have endless numbers, allowing them to be the rulers of the Nexus Prime, in a sense. This is the extent of what the conductor told me anyway."

Iratus, "I have not seen any...what does a gray mask look like?"

Ignis, "A figure clad in all black, a gray mask upon their face, and tools of destruction held on their belts."

Iratus, "So if I gather a huge group of people together, I should expect to see these guys?"

Ignis, "We should expect to see them spying on us any day now, actually. Even the train could never fully outrun them, and there were not too many of us at any given time."

Iratus, "Wait, hold on. What about ebony-bone monsters?"

Ignis, "Excuse me?"

Iratus, "I've fought a very bizarre biped with the blackest skin, sharpest bones, and a screaming lantern."

Ignis, "This one has never heard of such a thing. Maybe it was a normal folk but happened to be bizarre to us?"

The day was in its last embers by the time the two came back to the tower. Once inside, they heard a conversation and investigated, though Ignis dropped off the rusted metal in the community stash first. At the table, Heinrich was doing his best to cut out a large treeskin branch that had grown along Aestus's arm, with some of her blood leaking on the table.

Iratus, "What in the thirteen did I miss!?"

---

EPISDOE 7: END

---
Episode 7 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 14
Coverings: Blonde Fur, White Gambeson (lightly damaged, leather patchwork), leather gloves
Weapons: Long Sword, Knife, Bow
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 33 oval copper coins, 7 small silver bricks, 6 gemstones
Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, small metal pot, several leather items, a lot of animal bones, a lot of animal hide, 3 glass jar, 50 oval copper coins, 1 fish net, primitive sewing kit, trowl, woodcutting axe, several wooden spears, crossbow, some woodcarving pieces, wooden dice, lots of sheets, metal scrap, a tarnished silver brooch, fifteen ancient coins, a small ornamental figurine, a brass ring, a handful of sparkling glass beads, weathered leather-bound journal, a dainty silver bracelet, a small wooden trinket box, a collection of delicate, hand-painted porcelain charms, lots of rusted metal
Home Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates and clay pots), Basic Butchering Area (few tools, smoking rack), Basic Workshop Area (some tools), Kitchen Area (many tools), Outside Makeshift Tannery, Muddy Hole
Wounds: several moderate wounds (nearly healed)
Year 0, Day 8

---

(Extra Stories)

Extra Story 1
(A few hours ago) Heinrich examined the wet sheet over the door.

Heinrich, "Fascinating. I'd never have thought of this, uh, uh, interesting form of air conditioning."

Avaritia, "Nothing is as fascinating as that dirt hole over there."

Victoria, "Iratus was trying to make a cold room, but we can't really cover this thing, and it rains a lot here, so." She finished with a shrug.

Aestus, "So, human thing, what animal are you? Surely you have one that looks like you."

Heinrich, "Yes, well...I think the chimpanzee might be the closest thing that looks human where I am from."

Victoria, "I can see it. I found it slightly bizarre that every beast seems to have a folk equivalent. How about everyone else?"

Aestus, "I think it makes sense."

Gelus, "We are already quite diverse where we come from. Fur-, er, I mean fictional folk stuff was already common by my time."

Avaritia, "I don't think your fictional folk stuff could ever come close to our obsession with it. It was quite common to have children serve as family scribes, which allowed the mass production of books and written material. Just let me tell you, we loved the fictional other."

Resonantia shyly, "I can't say such an idea was around in my time."

Heinrich, "Same. Uh, the idea of folk, I think, didn't really come into the public mind, at least beyond some basic cartoons. A serious idea of beast-looking people is beyond anyone on Earth. As the years passed, I found my heart softening to the bloodforged."

Victoria, "For folk, God used the blood of the living to forge bodies around our souls. It is also written that clay was used for some other souls, but there isn't much written about those people, only that the clayfolk were skin things that owed the greatest debt of all forged kinds."

Heinrich, "And again, most bloodfogred religions refer to themselves as being born from blood, just as humans were born from clay. It boggles the mind!"

Aestus, "It is starting to get pretty late; we should probably grab some stuff from the stone city."

Gelus, "No way. It makes no sense to risk our lives."

Aestus, "But you lot don't have anything but your clothes."

Avaritia, "Just make some stuff for us, then."

Victoria, "You people are annoying. "I guess I'll have to grab something."

Aestus, "Right, let's go!"

Resonantia, "I'll come too. We will have a girls-only party."

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