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Black Hole, is a survival, low-fantasy, sci-fi story and I'd rate it as pg-13 for violence, some suggestive themes, and some nudity.\n\n(Update 10/17/2024: Wow, you have to be a total idiot to spell Caterpillar as Catapultier)", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Episode 75 of my series. Black Hole, is a survival, low-fantasy, sci-fi story and I'd rate it as pg-13 for violence, some suggestive themes, and some nudity.

(Update 10/17/2024: Wow, you have to be a total idiot to spell Caterpillar as Catapultier)", "writing": "Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 75\n\nChapter 741\n\nIratus stood frozen, unable to process the suddenness of Venatio's fall. Anger lingered just beneath the surface, but his body refused to react. He thought about retaliation, but all the armed men made him hold his ground leaving only helplessness.\n\nThe well dressed human said something and the lion man translated, though even his voice cracked, affected at the blatant murder that took place in front of him.\n\nDeficio: \"I've only taken one of you, be thankful that I didn't take more.\"\n\nMalignitas sneered, his tail flicking in agitation.\n\nMalignitas: \"What a dirt licker.\" His voice barely contained.\n\nIratus looked around to see Deficio shake his head in disgust, Malignitas was still somewhat tense, as if expecting more violence, and Iter only had a contored expression as surely he must be as shocked as him.\n\nDeficio: \"We can't cause a scene, these people out number us and out gun us.\"\n\nIratus: \"Right.\"\n\nIratus took a shaky breath, blinking back tears, and knelt beside Venatio. He gently pulled her shattered body away, feeling Malignitas step up silently to help. Iratus couldn’t bring himself to look at her face—her shattered, broken face. Malignitas, the one eyed feline, started to move forward to grab the two medical kits Venatio was holding but the well dressed man waved his gun and spoke.\n\nDeficio: \"He said, No, no. Those are ours now.\"\n\nThe feline rolled his eye and dropped the kits and walking back, Iratus could sense the rising anger in his body and Iratus too was starting to feel a fire slowly building. \n\nOne of the guards came up to the well dressed man and the two began to talk.\n\nFirst Guard (translated): \"Naram-Sin, sir, she was going to fix John, Cassandra, and she even said that Fatma didn't need surgery. She was going to help us.\"\n\nThe well dressed man scoffed and turned to the guard.\n\nNaram-Sin: \"These things are beasts and can't help us. They only have stolen human medicine.\"\n\nThe first guard and about a fourth of the other guards were sharing the same doubts while the rest of the group seemed to laugh it off, taking the side of Naram-Sin.\n\nDeficio: \"Seems the reasonable people are outnumbered here.\"\n\nIter: \"Reasonable? Like not murdering people?\"\n\nDeficio: \"Uh, almost?\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 742\n\nIratus motioned the priest over to translate for him.\n\nIratus: \"The crystal forest is basically the halfway point between our two tribes, so we can use it as the border between us.\"\n\nEvery word Iratus spoke felt like acid on his tongue, but he forced himself to remain composed. Iratus felt disgusted that he had to act as if everything was normal and even acting courtious after the man in front of him murdered a close friend. Iratus gripped his fists and bore the pain.\n\nDeficio translating for the human: \"That's fine.\"\n\nIratus: \"If for some reason our tribes need to talk, then bring no more than five people and no more than one firearm.\"\n\nDeficio translating for the human: \"Works for us.\"\n\nIratus: \"I don't know how anyone can just commit murder so casually, but I will pray for your soul non-the-less.\"\n\nAfter the lion priest translated for him, Naram-Sin started to yell at the mouse boy.\n\nDeficio: \"Wow, that struck a nerve. Let's get out of here fast.\"\n\nAs Iratus left with his group, he could sense the will of the few sympethetic guards waver, being affected by what Iratus said. He hoped that these few people could start the path of peace in the future.\n\nThe group got back to the picnic area outside of the city and dug a hole where they burned the cart and Venatio's body into. Deficio, Iter, and Iratus went into deep prayer while Malignitas stood guard, clearly not the most religious person. After that day, it took another thirty days to get back to the tower.\n\n---\n\nChapter 743\n\nIt took another whole day just for Iratus and the others to fully explain what happened and the situation with Purple City. After which Iratus and his wives gathered around the table to discuss their future.\n\nIratus: \"Sixty days; that is far too many days to be away from all of you.\"\n\nVictoria: \"Oh yeah! You will not be going on any long trips ever again.\"\n\nResonantia: \"Here, here!\"\n\nIgnis: \"If I may dare to break our moment up, what about Purple City? Surely the AI thing has a point in the war it has predicted to come at us, yes?\"\n\nIratus: \"I suppose we will have to militarize and prepare for war.\"\n\nAestus: \"Do we even have the population to fight those guys? You make it sound like there was a bunch of them?\"\n\nResonantia: \"Do we even have the arms to fight because Venatio was the one making bullets for us?\"\n\nIratus: \"I asked the same thing on the way back, and Deficio said that both he and Venatio made the bullets. She made paper cartridges, and he made the molding for his arm gun and her rifle.\"\n\nVictoria: \"I'm sorry, but the priest knows how to make bullets.\"\n\nThe other girls gave a chuckle.\n\nIratus: \"Yeah, he isn't a pacifist, just someone who tries to avoid war. Anyway, with his help, we can have the ammo we need, so numbers won't matter unless they have as much firepower.\"\n\nResonantia: \"We still need more guns, however.\"\n\nIratus: \"Well, we still have a few locations to scout and loot, and they look what Venatio called classical modern.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 744\n\nLater that day, Iratus stepped outside into the crisp afternoon air, the sun hanging low in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The tower grounds buzzed with the sound of work and construction. He noticed Echo and Liora approaching, their figures backlit by the sun, casting tall shadows on the ground.\n\nIratus was the first to speak, his deep voice echoing slightly in the open space.\n\nIratus: “Hey, there you are.”\n\nEcho stopped in his tracks, crossing his arms, his shark tail swaying slightly behind him in irritation.\n\nEcho: “There I am? You guys left without me!”\n\nIratus tilted his head, a look of genuine surprise crossing his face.\n\nIratus: “Truly, I could not find you.”\n\nEcho: “I was busy, but you could have waited.”\n\nIratus: “Sorry.”\n\nAs the tension eased, Liora, the deer girl, waved to Iratus. Her large, gentle eyes focused on him as she spoke slowly in his language, her voice soft but determined.\n\nLiora: “Glad you alive.”\n\nHer accent was thick, the words halting, but she was clearly making an effort. Iratus smiled and gave her a thumbs up, appreciating her progress. Liora returned the gesture with an awkward but warm smile, her ears twitching slightly in the breeze.\n\nEcho's mood shifted back to something more serious as he continued.\n\nEcho: “The two of us tried to track you down, but I guess we got lost along the way; we didn’t even see Salvos or Confodere.”\n\nIratus’s brows furrowed slightly.\n\nIratus: “Woh, what happened then?”\n\nEcho let out a slow breath as he glanced up at the log walls.\n\nEcho: “We ran into the merchants, Astird’s group. She told us what happened to Purple City.”\n\nHe paused for a moment, as if choosing his next words carefully. The wind carried the scent of the nearby forest, rustling the leaves in the distance.\n\nEcho: “The two of us came back and waited for you guys since we didn’t want to get there without the whole group.” His voice grew quieter as his gaze drifted. “I also heard from the one-eyed feline about what happened, and I’m sorry to hear about how they killed Venatio.”\n\nA flicker of sadness crossed Iratus’s eyes, but he quickly masked it with a stern nod.\n\nIratus: “It just makes me wonder if traveling all the way there was a mistake or not.”\n\nEcho shifted his stance, his sharp teeth barely visible as he gave a low sigh.\n\nEcho: “It could have been worse if we met under different circumstances. At least now it sounds like there’s an understanding between our two groups.”\n\nIratus: “Yeah, we have fifteen days' worth of travel from here to an established border and a way to send messengers to each other.”\n\nEcho nodded slowly, his predatory eyes narrowing in thought.\n\nEcho: “The AI thing, you guys said it predicted a war was coming?”\n\nIratus’s golden eyes darkened slightly as he turned back to Echo.\n\nIratus: “We shall see, but we might have at least ten years to prepare for it.”\n\nEcho’s sharp grin returned, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.\n\nEcho: “Then I will lend you my aid.”\n\nThe offer caught Iratus off guard, and he raised an eyebrow.\n\nIratus: “What? Really? You always seemed so distrustful of my group; what changed?”\n\nThe old shark flicked his tail, his expression turning grim.\n\nEcho: “While I’d rather just keep running from danger, as the sole survivor of the original Purple City, I am going to kill those pig-skinned man things purely out of spite and revenge.”\n\nIratus let out a small laugh, nodding approvingly.\n\nIratus: “Welcome aboard.”\n\nLiora, who had been quietly observing, spoke up, her voice clear and a bit bolder than before.\n\nLiora: “I fight too. I sleep with Confodere!”\n\nIratus chuckled, unable to hide his amusement.\n\nIratus: “That explains why she stays around.”\n\nLiora blushed, her ears flicking nervously, but she smiled nonetheless, proud of her newfound loyalty to the group. The momentary levity in the conversation felt like a small breath of relief amidst the looming storm of the future war slowly coming.\n\n---\n\nChapter 745\n\nThe day was beginning to fade as Iratus decided there was still time for one more task before night fully claimed the sky. He beckoned for Studium to accompany him on a patrol around the charred remnants of the Japanese city. As they walked, the faint smell of burnt wood and ash still lingered in the air.\n\nIratus: “So, you said you guys have been seeing strangers around our copper mine?”\n\nStudium, ever alert, kept his nose twitching as he replied.\n\nStudium: “Twice, on different nights. But honestly, they could’ve just been animals. It was too dark to see clearly, and the scent was close enough to the beasts we get around here.”\n\nThe ruins creaked in the wind. Iratus frowned, his feline eyes scanning the shadows instinctively, even though the sunlight was fading fast.\n\nIratus: “Too dark? With your fox eyes?”\n\nStudium gave a small, amused huff, his bushy tail flicking behind him as they passed a pile of rubble, overgrown with creeping vines and fresh undergrowth.\n\nStudium: “Yes. While I admit my eyes are pretty good, don’t think for a second they compare to your feline night vision. You and the other felines around here are freaks when it comes to seeing in the dark.”\n\nThe mouse boy shrugged, glancing up at the dimming sky as the first stars began to peek through the haze.\n\nIratus: “I guess I never gave much thought to everyone else’s night vision capabilities. I should be even more thankful to my cat heritage, then.”\n\nA sharp cough interrupted the moment, and Iratus glanced back at Studium, whose ears twitched.\n\nStudium: “Isn’t that, like, a bad part of your history?”\n\nIratus waved his hand dismissively, as if brushing away both Studium’s remark and the weight of the old history.\n\nIratus: “Who would I even be mad at? Maybe here in Nexus Prime I might find someone alive from two thousand years ago, or someone who tried to preserve slavery a thousand years ago when my house finally killed it. But honestly, those people are too far removed for me to care. Bad things happen, and it’s far too late to do anything about it.”\n\nTheir boots crunched over scattered debris as they walked deeper into the outskirts of the ruined city, where nature was steadily creeping back. New growth had begun to twist around the charred husks of trees, the scent of fresh earth mingling with the charred remains of the city.\n\nAs their conversation drifted, Studium suddenly stopped in his tracks, his nostrils flaring as he took in a deep breath of cool air.\n\nStudium: “Hey, I can smell it again. Here.”\n\nIratus’s ears twitched as he followed Studium’s gaze, scanning the open plain at the edge of the city. The wind had picked up slightly, causing the tall grass to sway.\n\nIratus: “Understood, but is it an animal?”\n\nStudium shook his head, his ears swiveling to catch any sound from the shadows creeping around the base of the distant trees.\n\nStudium: “No, no. This time it’s fresh. I mean, it could be an animal, but this scent—it’s super recent.”\n\nHis voice lowered to a near whisper, and he began to scan the area more thoroughly. Iratus followed suit, his golden eyes cutting through the dimming light with feline precision. They both stopped as they spotted movement near the tree line, where the shadows had grown thicker as the last vestiges of sunlight bled from the sky. Two figures, bipedal and lurking just out of full view, lingered between the trunks of the growing trees.\n\nIratus clenched his fists, his muscles tightening in anticipation. The soft rustle of leaves in the wind was the only sound as he nodded at Studium.\n\nIratus: “Great job, kid. Let’s go.”\n\nStudium’s ears twitched, and he shot Iratus a sideways glance.\n\nStudium: “Kid? You’re barely older than me.”\n\n---\n\nChapter 746\n\nIratus and Studium chased the figures in the dark forest on the side of the plains and all the way to the river.\n\nIratus: \"Huh, I just realized we have never walked on the other side of the river.\"\n\nStudium: \"The figures are running faster; I think they are on to us.\"\n\nIratus: \"We are not looking for a fight. Let them have their lead.\"\n\nIratus took a quick check of the rifle to make sure it was loaded and then looked back forward. Through a bit of a bog, they traveled on well-made supports over the murky water and ended up at a large, majestic botanical conservatory, or at least once majestic. A sign outside had a strange language, but was crossed out, and the words, Glass Gardens, were written underneath. The grand, towering glass dome—once filled with lush, exotic plants—now stands cracked and weathered with vines creeping through the fractures. Some of the plant life remains overgrown and untamed, while others have withered to brittle husks.\n\nThe place has been abandoned for centuries, whether it was from when it was taken or was in the Nexus Prime the whole time and was unnoticed by Iratus and his group.\n\nIratus: \"This is new.\"\n\nStudium: \"New? Have we not searched every bit of our immediate surroundings?\"\n\nIratus: \"Well, the other side of the river takes a while to get to, and we never saw anything from the other side.\"\n\nStudium playfully: \"Useless.\"\n\nIratus and Studium immediately stopped as they heard footsteps echo from the building.\n\nIratus: \"Let's just wait here. We did just chase them all the way here, and they may think we are hostile.\"\n\nStudium: \"Or, they are bandits scoping out their prey. We should be on alert and ready to start shooting at a moment's notice.\"\n\nIratus: \"Alright. There is some solid ground over there.\" He pointed to some trees. \"We can use the trees for cover, but I will wait in the open just to prove we are not a threat.\"\n\nStudium: \"And hope they don't think it is a trap.\"\n\nOn closer inspection, Iratus could see the dome, a cracked glass dome. His throat rose high into the sky so much so that Iratus looked around.\n\nIratus: \"Wait, how did we even miss this building? This thing is so tall that we should have been able to see it from the other side of the river. Heck, I think we could see it from the tower.\"\n\nStudium: \"To be fair, there are a few buildings around that we can see from there if only there were not so many trees.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 747\n\nSoon enough, two figures came out of the building, and Iratus couldn't see exactly what they were, as much of the flora in the area blocked his view somewhat, but he could see them waving their hands.\n\nIratus: \"Ah, see, it looks like they are ready to talk.\"\n\nStudium: \"Or bringing us into a trap.\"\n\nIratus: \"Sure, but let's think positive.\"\n\nIratus gasped as he saw the pair. One was a graceful feline, though her fur was covered in grime and dirt, while the other was a fox with a multi-color fur pattern. They were both dressed like singing idols, and their outfits were quite the standout for it, if not for the fact that their wear was torn to shreds and their filth covered their beautiful natural forms; in fact, Iratus looked at the fox and thought she probably was topless, but the filth clothed her.\n\nIratus: \"Greetings friend, kinsman.\"\n\nFelinefolk: \"I doubt we are that related.\"\n\nIratus: \"Does it matter?\"\n\nThe cat sighed.\n\nFelinefolk: \"You are a child of Providence, that's for sure.\"\n\nFoxfolk: \"Are they not threats?\"\n\nThe two girls' voices were drained, most likely from exhaustion.\n\nFelinefolk: \"That's to be seen, but most likely they are not bad people.\"\n\nStudium: \"I think I know why I thought they smelled like beasts; even now it is hard not to gag. No offense.\"\n\nThe fox girl gave a weak chuckle while the feline just smiled.\n\n---\n\nChapter 748\n\nIratus: \"Why the heck do you two look like that? The river is right over there.\"\n\nFelinefolk: \"We have been running every day from something that wears the skin of a goat.\"\n\nIrauts started to stiffen.\n\nFelinefolk: \"We lived here for a while and made this building our home, but for the past fifty days, we have had to flee our home several times to try to lose it.\"\n\nStudium pulled out a flashlight as the darkness was now complete.\n\nIratus: \"Its lantern, what was it made of?\"\n\nFoxfolk: \"Hey, how did you know it had a lantern?\"\n\nIratus: \"What is it made of?\"\n\nFelinefolk: \"Uh, silver I think. Just like the priests of old.\"\n\nFoxfolk: \"Also, it was connected to a chain.\"\n\nIratus got his bolt-action rifle ready.\n\nIratus: \"It is time to go! Come with me.\"\n\nFoxfolk: \"Excuse me? You think we are going with strange men at this time of day?\"\n\nFelinefolk: \"Your body's emotion is scaring me; what is going on?\"\n\nThe chains rang out, and Studium's light was shed on an appearing ebony, the same on from Yaqar's tower. It had the same goat skin, lantern, and bone club. However, Iratus was already in the motion of aimming his rifle, and at this range, it was an easy shot. Iratus blasted right into the monster's head, sending ripples throughout it, almost cartoonishly so.\n\nStudium got ready to fight, but Iratus yelled out to him.\n\nIratus: \"Ruuun!\"\n\nIratus and the two girls were already entering the building, fleeing for their lives, and Iratus turned back to see Studium just now running after them.\n\nFelinefolk: \"Follow us.\" She spoke in between breaths. \"Happens all the time. Escape route. Upstairs.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 749\n\nAt the heart of the Glass Gardens was a massive circular atrium. This was once the center of life in the Gardens, where rare, towering trees once grew and fountains flowed. Now, most of the trees have withered, their skeletal forms stretching toward the dome, but some still stand strong, their roots pushing up through the cracked marble. An old, dried-up fountain stands in the middle, worn down by time.\n\nThe ground was covered with intricate mosaic tile patterns, though many tiles have been displaced or shattered by the overgrowth of roots and vines. Stone pathways wind through the overgrown flora, some sections completely overtaken by nature. The idols have cleared out just enough to create livable spaces and walkable paths, but much of it remains wild.\n\nWhile most of the original plants have died, some have adapted to the environment’s decay. The strange bioluminescent fungi that lighten up the pure dark nights had begun to grow in here and in the darker corners, and small flowers with vivid, unnatural colors poked through the cracks in the tiles. In some places, thorny vines coil around the remains of the glass supports, creating barriers between different parts of the gardens.\n\nEventually, the group came upon a higher floor of the building, where an escape route was built into a window and all along the outer wall. The girls went first, climbing down several wooden structures and down a ladder. Studium caught up and tried catching his breath.\n\nStudium: \"Ebony, right?\"\n\nIratus: \"And I think it is the one who killed the ant girl I met in Yaqar's tower.\"\n\nStudium: \"I guess you didn't kill it?\"\n\nIratus threw his arms up.\n\nIratus: \"I guess not.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 750\n\nOnce everyone was on the ground, Iratus took the lead.\n\nIratus: \"Follow us. We can get you to our tower.\"\n\nFelinefolk: \"But won't that thing follow us to your home?\"\n\nStudium: \"And into a small army. That thing can't withstand the power of many!\"\n\nA small section of wall began to creek as the ebony slammed into it.\n\nBoth girls started to run off again, but when Iratus and Studium caught up, they took the lead. They couldn't run forever and started walking.\n\nIratus: \"Enough of this. Let's just swim across the river.\"\n\nNo one argued with him, and when the group reached the river, their breath caught in their throats. What awaited them was a scene of pure, unsettling horror. A countless multitude of shadowy figures drifted in the air just above the surface of the river, their indistinct forms barely brushing the water as they swayed in a haunting, unnatural rhythm. They appeared as silhouettes against the dim light of the bioluminescent plants, their shapes warped and flickering. Each figure was tall and slender, with elongated limbs that seemed to stretch and twist into the surrounding mist, dissolving at the edges as if they could fade from existence at any moment.\n\nWhere faces should have been, there were only voids—pitch-black hollows that seemed to drink in the light around them, giving no clue to their intentions or awareness. Looking upstream or downstream, the group saw that the figures stretched along the entire length of the river as far as the eye could see, a spectral procession guarding the waters like silent sentinels.\n\nIratus: \"What in all the silvered hell?\"\n\nStudium: \"That's not right.\"\n\nFoxfolk: \"I've never seen anything like this!\" Her voice was full of panic.\n\nFelinefolk: \"I have; once, it was during a Blackest Day.\"\n\nIratus: \"I didn't feel the event happen. Whatever, let's get to the bridge because I'm not testing those shadowy things.\"\n\n---\n\nEPISDOE 75: END\n\n---\n\nExtra Story 1\n\nThe hot sun blazed in the small hut that was like a shop with driftwood shelves and various items on them, with even a counter and cash register on. A laptop was on the counter with a CGI eye of high quality on display with a dim red ring for an iris.\n\nYaqar: \"Let me tell you about my favorite book, The Little Caterpillar that Could.\" Once upon a random timeline, dimension, alternate universe, reboot, there once was a giant mechanized robot built for death and war, but he didn't want no war and stuff, so he built a bunch of little robots to NOT ALIVE everyone for him. Anyway, then the Character Creator opens, and you have to make your resistance fighter and select from one hundred and six classes.\"\n\nThe calico feline, Desidia, was standing in disbelief.\n\nDesidia: \"For the love of everything that has silver plating, stop!\"\n\nHer distinctive fur pattern of white, black, and brown fur was silky smooth and well clean, while her white hair was soaked and wet. She didn't wear her signature SWAT uniform, the gear similar to Earthen SWAT gear. Instead, she wore a two-piece blue swimsuit that was quite modest but also revealed her absolute fit and muscular form that threatened her peak femininity with its masculinity.\n\nBehind her was a much older woman, a bovine, with white and black spotted fur and dark brown wild hair that drooped on her shoulders.\n\nBovinefolk: \"Are you using any of these things?\" She picked up an old box containing a 250-piece puzzle. \"Because I could use some of these things.\"\n\nYaqar: \"Of course you can, my dear PINGUIS.\"\n\nLacerti: \"Lacerti actually.\"\n\nDesidia: \"No, I think he is just calling you fat.\"\n\nLacerti wore modest swimwear like the calico cat, but she also had a gray tank top over it. Her overall build was somewhat plump, but in a constrained form and not in an overweight way.\n\nDesidia: \"Forget it.\" She turned back to the laptop. \"Tell me about Purple City already.\"\n\nYaqar: \"How would a city be purple? I don't think that much paint exists.\"\n\nDesidia: \"Sin Lord of Greed, pal, you said you can tell me about Purple City.\"\n\nYaqar: \"That does not sound like me at all.\"\n\nLacerti picked up a book with a red cover, which made the eye on the screen focus over to her.\n\nYaqar: \"No, no. Those are PROPERTY OF NUMBER ONE.\"\n\nLacerti: \"Aw.\"\n\nDesidia: \"Let's start over. Purple City.\"\n\nYaqar: \"The painting?\"\n\nDesidia: \"The city, or rather a copy in the Nexus Prime.\"\n\nYaqar: \"If you say so.\"\n\nDesidia: \"It has undergone a revolution, and a new leader has taken control.\"\n\nYaqar: \"What a strange opinion to have, but that is an easy bet to take.\"\n\nDesidia: \"There are plans underway to invade and fight the tower belonging to the Virtue of Family.\"\n\nYaqar: \"Virtue of Family? What a haughty title to be called.\"\n\nThe feline's fur bristled in anger.\n\nDesidia: \"You freaks, call him that!\" She took a step back and took a deep breath.\n\nYaqar: \"Regardless, no plan currently exists to my knowledge.\"\n\nDesidia: \"But you said they were going to attack.\"\n\nYaqar: \"It is a possibility, yes, but Naram-Sin could hold onto the seeking I'M ALIVE for others. Unfortunately, his pride outstrips even the ghost in the holograms, and no one will give back the title of Virtue of Humility upon him.\"\n\nThe feline's jaw dropped.\n\nDesidia: \"Finally. Tell me more.\"\n\nYaqar: \"About predicting THE WEATHER? You should have just asked.\"\n\n---\n\nEpisode 75 End Character Sheet\nName: Iratus Lionheart\nSpecies: Mousefolk\nAge: 16\nCoverings: blonde fur, white gambeson (many repairs, some leather patchwork), leather gloves, tactical vest, tailorcraft backpack, leather plate helmet, delicate gold chain with a small pendant shaped like a lion's glare, flashlight, bronze breastplate\nWeapons: long sword, 3 knifes, short sword, hammer, 1 dagger\nEquipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 5 copper coins, 1 small silver bricks, 20 silver coins, 30 gold coins\n\nWounds: none\n\nRelevant Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, several leather items, 2 glass jar, 12 bottles, 1 fish net, primitive sewing kit, a bunch of small wooden figures, wooden dice, metal scrap, lots of rusted metal, several small fish nets, sextant, some bedrolls, a tent, a large barrel, writing material, 68 cloaks and other clothing materials, some fabrics, 4 carts, 4 stitched tents, skin drum, beautiful arts of tropical scenery, floatation devices, wildlife figures, lots of tropical clothing, gas generator, four flood lights\n\nArmory: 32 short swords, 33 knifes, 19 daggers, 23 metal spears, 4 arming swords, 4 long swords, 2 extra gambeson, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), 3 hunting traps, 5 snares, 12 backpacks, 3 katanas, 3 short katanas, crossbow, several pounds of C4\nAestus: gambeson, bronze breastplate, leather helmet, metal spear, 2 knives, short sword, bronze long sword.\nVictoria: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword, crossbow, 2 daggers, flashlight\nResonanita: steel breastplate, gambeson, metal helmet, metal spear, short sword, 1 knife, compound bow, flashlight\nIgnis: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, crowbar, 1 knife\n\nTreasure: 13 copper coins, 2 silver coins 12 iron coins, a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, bronze lantern, bronze idol, some jeweled trinkets, iron lantern\n\nHome Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates, clay pots, and wooden chests), Basic Workshop Area (lots of tools, woodcarving tools, glue, sandpaper), Kitchen Area (many tools, many cutlery items, pots&pans, makeshift grill), Library, Armory, Infirmary Room (surgery tools, first aid kit, plenty of medicine and equipment), Children's Quarters, Master Bedroom (proper bedding, sensual antfolk sculpture), Six Bedrooms (proper bedding), four portable solar panels\n\nOutside Base: Butchering Hut (modern butchery kit, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in), Tool Shed (fishing gear and supplies, trowel, woodcutting axe, woodworking tools, lots of rope, rope ladder, plows, hoes, sickles, rakes, shovels, scythes, chisels, anvils), Wooden Wall, Small Cabin (Venatio), Large Cabin (Winter Winds), Large Cabin (Dark Sky Family), 2x Gravestones, Rabbit Hutches.\n\nBooks: 3x woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, war game booklet, sketch book (from warband), Bathhouse Reviewers (entire 80 book series), cards, Fractura's Notes, Tempestas's Notes, 12 survival guides, 3 technical manuals, 46 fiction novels, 11 encyclopedias, 4 dictionaries, 22 cookbooks, 2 gardening guides, 3 crafting books, 20 educational textbooks, 5 religious texts, 4 diaries, 12 children's books\n\nYear 2, Day 183\n\n---\n\nTOWER FOLK:\nIratus of House Lionheart\nmouse, male, blonde fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'6, age: 16, b day: 350\n-\nVictoria Mother of House Lionheart\nraccoon, female, gray fur, black hair, brown eyes, 6'3, age: 16, b day: 5\n-\nAestus of clan Riversinger\notter, female, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'2, age: 16, b day: 99, (preg 188 days)\n-\nIgnis Yang\nred panda, female, reddish-brown/white fur, black hair, golden eye, 6'4, age: 16, b day: 344, (preg 88 days)\n-\nResonantia Diamond Heart Steel\nshark, female, blue-gray hue skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 16, b day: 2, (preg 215 days)\n---\n\n\nCHILDREN:\nNegligere Lionheart\nshark, male, steel gray skin, white hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 2\n-\nRuina Lionheart\notter, female, orange fur, vibrant orange hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 330\n-\nGula Lionheart\nred panda, male, brown fur, dark brown hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 340\n-\nTenacitas Lionheart\nraccoon, female, silver fur, dark blonde hair, amber eyes, age: 1, b day: 345\n\nFrustra Lionheart\nraccoon, male, gray fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 0, b day: 338\n---\n\n\nNEIGHBORS:\nEcho\nshark, male, gray skin with a white underbelly, black hair, black eyes, 6'8, age: 41, b day: 142\n\n---\n\n\nWINTER WINDS CLAN:\nStudium of Winter Winds\nfox, male, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 5'10, age 13, b day: 190\n\nFuligo Leaf Shadow\notter, female, black fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'6, age 13, b day: 245, (preg 117 days)\n\nBellum of House War Knuckles\ncheetah, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'0, age 15, b day: 91, (preg 153 days)\n---\n\n\nDARK SKY FAMILY:\nSalvos Dark Sky\nwolf, male, black fur, white hair, copper eyes, 6'8, age 27, b day: 66\n\nLeitmotif Schlange\nsnake, female, yellow and red scales, naga bodied, gold eyes, age 24, b day: 229, (preg 228 days)\n\n---\n\n(farm)\nUMBRA OCEAN FAMILY:\nProcella Ocean Drinker\nweasel , female, blonde fur, black hair, green eyes, 6'5, age 22, b day: 207, (preg 132 days)\n\nIter of Sanguinem Umbra\ngoat, male, white fur, blonde hair, brown eyes, 6'7, age 20, b day: 334\n---\n\n(farm)\nTHE COBALTS:\nCommercium Jade Blue Cobalt\nrabbit, male, white fur, black hair, gray eyes, 6'8, age: 25, b day: 221\n\n-\nAbrasione\nhyena, female, tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 20, b day: 4, (preg 271 days)\n\n-\nKuxatura\nhyena, male, tan fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 284\n\n---\n\nLAST MISTAKE\nDeficio\nlion, male, gray fur, rich gray hair, green eyes, 6'6, age: 47, b day: 111\n\nConfodere Oculi Acuti\nhyena, male, dark brown fur, black hair, gold eyes, 6'9, age 26, b day: 239\n\nMalignitas of House Brokensand\nfeline, male, light black fur, light black hair, brown eyes (single eye), 6'7, age 29, b day: 343\n\nLiora Woodleaf\ndeer, female, Light brown with white spots, blonde hair, hazel eyes, 5'9, age: 25, b day 323", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 75

Chapter 741

Iratus stood frozen, unable to process the suddenness of Venatio's fall. Anger lingered just beneath the surface, but his body refused to react. He thought about retaliation, but all the armed men made him hold his ground leaving only helplessness.

The well dressed human said something and the lion man translated, though even his voice cracked, affected at the blatant murder that took place in front of him.

Deficio: "I've only taken one of you, be thankful that I didn't take more."

Malignitas sneered, his tail flicking in agitation.

Malignitas: "What a dirt licker." His voice barely contained.

Iratus looked around to see Deficio shake his head in disgust, Malignitas was still somewhat tense, as if expecting more violence, and Iter only had a contored expression as surely he must be as shocked as him.

Deficio: "We can't cause a scene, these people out number us and out gun us."

Iratus: "Right."

Iratus took a shaky breath, blinking back tears, and knelt beside Venatio. He gently pulled her shattered body away, feeling Malignitas step up silently to help. Iratus couldn’t bring himself to look at her face—her shattered, broken face. Malignitas, the one eyed feline, started to move forward to grab the two medical kits Venatio was holding but the well dressed man waved his gun and spoke.

Deficio: "He said, No, no. Those are ours now."

The feline rolled his eye and dropped the kits and walking back, Iratus could sense the rising anger in his body and Iratus too was starting to feel a fire slowly building.

One of the guards came up to the well dressed man and the two began to talk.

First Guard (translated): "Naram-Sin, sir, she was going to fix John, Cassandra, and she even said that Fatma didn't need surgery. She was going to help us."

The well dressed man scoffed and turned to the guard.

Naram-Sin: "These things are beasts and can't help us. They only have stolen human medicine."

The first guard and about a fourth of the other guards were sharing the same doubts while the rest of the group seemed to laugh it off, taking the side of Naram-Sin.

Deficio: "Seems the reasonable people are outnumbered here."

Iter: "Reasonable? Like not murdering people?"

Deficio: "Uh, almost?"

---

Chapter 742

Iratus motioned the priest over to translate for him.

Iratus: "The crystal forest is basically the halfway point between our two tribes, so we can use it as the border between us."

Every word Iratus spoke felt like acid on his tongue, but he forced himself to remain composed. Iratus felt disgusted that he had to act as if everything was normal and even acting courtious after the man in front of him murdered a close friend. Iratus gripped his fists and bore the pain.

Deficio translating for the human: "That's fine."

Iratus: "If for some reason our tribes need to talk, then bring no more than five people and no more than one firearm."

Deficio translating for the human: "Works for us."

Iratus: "I don't know how anyone can just commit murder so casually, but I will pray for your soul non-the-less."

After the lion priest translated for him, Naram-Sin started to yell at the mouse boy.

Deficio: "Wow, that struck a nerve. Let's get out of here fast."

As Iratus left with his group, he could sense the will of the few sympethetic guards waver, being affected by what Iratus said. He hoped that these few people could start the path of peace in the future.

The group got back to the picnic area outside of the city and dug a hole where they burned the cart and Venatio's body into. Deficio, Iter, and Iratus went into deep prayer while Malignitas stood guard, clearly not the most religious person. After that day, it took another thirty days to get back to the tower.

---

Chapter 743

It took another whole day just for Iratus and the others to fully explain what happened and the situation with Purple City. After which Iratus and his wives gathered around the table to discuss their future.

Iratus: "Sixty days; that is far too many days to be away from all of you."

Victoria: "Oh yeah! You will not be going on any long trips ever again."

Resonantia: "Here, here!"

Ignis: "If I may dare to break our moment up, what about Purple City? Surely the AI thing has a point in the war it has predicted to come at us, yes?"

Iratus: "I suppose we will have to militarize and prepare for war."

Aestus: "Do we even have the population to fight those guys? You make it sound like there was a bunch of them?"

Resonantia: "Do we even have the arms to fight because Venatio was the one making bullets for us?"

Iratus: "I asked the same thing on the way back, and Deficio said that both he and Venatio made the bullets. She made paper cartridges, and he made the molding for his arm gun and her rifle."

Victoria: "I'm sorry, but the priest knows how to make bullets."

The other girls gave a chuckle.

Iratus: "Yeah, he isn't a pacifist, just someone who tries to avoid war. Anyway, with his help, we can have the ammo we need, so numbers won't matter unless they have as much firepower."

Resonantia: "We still need more guns, however."

Iratus: "Well, we still have a few locations to scout and loot, and they look what Venatio called classical modern."

---

Chapter 744

Later that day, Iratus stepped outside into the crisp afternoon air, the sun hanging low in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The tower grounds buzzed with the sound of work and construction. He noticed Echo and Liora approaching, their figures backlit by the sun, casting tall shadows on the ground.

Iratus was the first to speak, his deep voice echoing slightly in the open space.

Iratus: “Hey, there you are.”

Echo stopped in his tracks, crossing his arms, his shark tail swaying slightly behind him in irritation.

Echo: “There I am? You guys left without me!”

Iratus tilted his head, a look of genuine surprise crossing his face.

Iratus: “Truly, I could not find you.”

Echo: “I was busy, but you could have waited.”

Iratus: “Sorry.”

As the tension eased, Liora, the deer girl, waved to Iratus. Her large, gentle eyes focused on him as she spoke slowly in his language, her voice soft but determined.

Liora: “Glad you alive.”

Her accent was thick, the words halting, but she was clearly making an effort. Iratus smiled and gave her a thumbs up, appreciating her progress. Liora returned the gesture with an awkward but warm smile, her ears twitching slightly in the breeze.

Echo's mood shifted back to something more serious as he continued.

Echo: “The two of us tried to track you down, but I guess we got lost along the way; we didn’t even see Salvos or Confodere.”

Iratus’s brows furrowed slightly.

Iratus: “Woh, what happened then?”

Echo let out a slow breath as he glanced up at the log walls.

Echo: “We ran into the merchants, Astird’s group. She told us what happened to Purple City.”

He paused for a moment, as if choosing his next words carefully. The wind carried the scent of the nearby forest, rustling the leaves in the distance.

Echo: “The two of us came back and waited for you guys since we didn’t want to get there without the whole group.” His voice grew quieter as his gaze drifted. “I also heard from the one-eyed feline about what happened, and I’m sorry to hear about how they killed Venatio.”

A flicker of sadness crossed Iratus’s eyes, but he quickly masked it with a stern nod.

Iratus: “It just makes me wonder if traveling all the way there was a mistake or not.”

Echo shifted his stance, his sharp teeth barely visible as he gave a low sigh.

Echo: “It could have been worse if we met under different circumstances. At least now it sounds like there’s an understanding between our two groups.”

Iratus: “Yeah, we have fifteen days' worth of travel from here to an established border and a way to send messengers to each other.”

Echo nodded slowly, his predatory eyes narrowing in thought.

Echo: “The AI thing, you guys said it predicted a war was coming?”

Iratus’s golden eyes darkened slightly as he turned back to Echo.

Iratus: “We shall see, but we might have at least ten years to prepare for it.”

Echo’s sharp grin returned, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Echo: “Then I will lend you my aid.”

The offer caught Iratus off guard, and he raised an eyebrow.

Iratus: “What? Really? You always seemed so distrustful of my group; what changed?”

The old shark flicked his tail, his expression turning grim.

Echo: “While I’d rather just keep running from danger, as the sole survivor of the original Purple City, I am going to kill those pig-skinned man things purely out of spite and revenge.”

Iratus let out a small laugh, nodding approvingly.

Iratus: “Welcome aboard.”

Liora, who had been quietly observing, spoke up, her voice clear and a bit bolder than before.

Liora: “I fight too. I sleep with Confodere!”

Iratus chuckled, unable to hide his amusement.

Iratus: “That explains why she stays around.”

Liora blushed, her ears flicking nervously, but she smiled nonetheless, proud of her newfound loyalty to the group. The momentary levity in the conversation felt like a small breath of relief amidst the looming storm of the future war slowly coming.

---

Chapter 745

The day was beginning to fade as Iratus decided there was still time for one more task before night fully claimed the sky. He beckoned for Studium to accompany him on a patrol around the charred remnants of the Japanese city. As they walked, the faint smell of burnt wood and ash still lingered in the air.

Iratus: “So, you said you guys have been seeing strangers around our copper mine?”

Studium, ever alert, kept his nose twitching as he replied.

Studium: “Twice, on different nights. But honestly, they could’ve just been animals. It was too dark to see clearly, and the scent was close enough to the beasts we get around here.”

The ruins creaked in the wind. Iratus frowned, his feline eyes scanning the shadows instinctively, even though the sunlight was fading fast.

Iratus: “Too dark? With your fox eyes?”

Studium gave a small, amused huff, his bushy tail flicking behind him as they passed a pile of rubble, overgrown with creeping vines and fresh undergrowth.

Studium: “Yes. While I admit my eyes are pretty good, don’t think for a second they compare to your feline night vision. You and the other felines around here are freaks when it comes to seeing in the dark.”

The mouse boy shrugged, glancing up at the dimming sky as the first stars began to peek through the haze.

Iratus: “I guess I never gave much thought to everyone else’s night vision capabilities. I should be even more thankful to my cat heritage, then.”

A sharp cough interrupted the moment, and Iratus glanced back at Studium, whose ears twitched.

Studium: “Isn’t that, like, a bad part of your history?”

Iratus waved his hand dismissively, as if brushing away both Studium’s remark and the weight of the old history.

Iratus: “Who would I even be mad at? Maybe here in Nexus Prime I might find someone alive from two thousand years ago, or someone who tried to preserve slavery a thousand years ago when my house finally killed it. But honestly, those people are too far removed for me to care. Bad things happen, and it’s far too late to do anything about it.”

Their boots crunched over scattered debris as they walked deeper into the outskirts of the ruined city, where nature was steadily creeping back. New growth had begun to twist around the charred husks of trees, the scent of fresh earth mingling with the charred remains of the city.

As their conversation drifted, Studium suddenly stopped in his tracks, his nostrils flaring as he took in a deep breath of cool air.

Studium: “Hey, I can smell it again. Here.”

Iratus’s ears twitched as he followed Studium’s gaze, scanning the open plain at the edge of the city. The wind had picked up slightly, causing the tall grass to sway.

Iratus: “Understood, but is it an animal?”

Studium shook his head, his ears swiveling to catch any sound from the shadows creeping around the base of the distant trees.

Studium: “No, no. This time it’s fresh. I mean, it could be an animal, but this scent—it’s super recent.”

His voice lowered to a near whisper, and he began to scan the area more thoroughly. Iratus followed suit, his golden eyes cutting through the dimming light with feline precision. They both stopped as they spotted movement near the tree line, where the shadows had grown thicker as the last vestiges of sunlight bled from the sky. Two figures, bipedal and lurking just out of full view, lingered between the trunks of the growing trees.

Iratus clenched his fists, his muscles tightening in anticipation. The soft rustle of leaves in the wind was the only sound as he nodded at Studium.

Iratus: “Great job, kid. Let’s go.”

Studium’s ears twitched, and he shot Iratus a sideways glance.

Studium: “Kid? You’re barely older than me.”

---

Chapter 746

Iratus and Studium chased the figures in the dark forest on the side of the plains and all the way to the river.

Iratus: "Huh, I just realized we have never walked on the other side of the river."

Studium: "The figures are running faster; I think they are on to us."

Iratus: "We are not looking for a fight. Let them have their lead."

Iratus took a quick check of the rifle to make sure it was loaded and then looked back forward. Through a bit of a bog, they traveled on well-made supports over the murky water and ended up at a large, majestic botanical conservatory, or at least once majestic. A sign outside had a strange language, but was crossed out, and the words, Glass Gardens, were written underneath. The grand, towering glass dome—once filled with lush, exotic plants—now stands cracked and weathered with vines creeping through the fractures. Some of the plant life remains overgrown and untamed, while others have withered to brittle husks.

The place has been abandoned for centuries, whether it was from when it was taken or was in the Nexus Prime the whole time and was unnoticed by Iratus and his group.

Iratus: "This is new."

Studium: "New? Have we not searched every bit of our immediate surroundings?"

Iratus: "Well, the other side of the river takes a while to get to, and we never saw anything from the other side."

Studium playfully: "Useless."

Iratus and Studium immediately stopped as they heard footsteps echo from the building.

Iratus: "Let's just wait here. We did just chase them all the way here, and they may think we are hostile."

Studium: "Or, they are bandits scoping out their prey. We should be on alert and ready to start shooting at a moment's notice."

Iratus: "Alright. There is some solid ground over there." He pointed to some trees. "We can use the trees for cover, but I will wait in the open just to prove we are not a threat."

Studium: "And hope they don't think it is a trap."

On closer inspection, Iratus could see the dome, a cracked glass dome. His throat rose high into the sky so much so that Iratus looked around.

Iratus: "Wait, how did we even miss this building? This thing is so tall that we should have been able to see it from the other side of the river. Heck, I think we could see it from the tower."

Studium: "To be fair, there are a few buildings around that we can see from there if only there were not so many trees."

---

Chapter 747

Soon enough, two figures came out of the building, and Iratus couldn't see exactly what they were, as much of the flora in the area blocked his view somewhat, but he could see them waving their hands.

Iratus: "Ah, see, it looks like they are ready to talk."

Studium: "Or bringing us into a trap."

Iratus: "Sure, but let's think positive."

Iratus gasped as he saw the pair. One was a graceful feline, though her fur was covered in grime and dirt, while the other was a fox with a multi-color fur pattern. They were both dressed like singing idols, and their outfits were quite the standout for it, if not for the fact that their wear was torn to shreds and their filth covered their beautiful natural forms; in fact, Iratus looked at the fox and thought she probably was topless, but the filth clothed her.

Iratus: "Greetings friend, kinsman."

Felinefolk: "I doubt we are that related."

Iratus: "Does it matter?"

The cat sighed.

Felinefolk: "You are a child of Providence, that's for sure."

Foxfolk: "Are they not threats?"

The two girls' voices were drained, most likely from exhaustion.

Felinefolk: "That's to be seen, but most likely they are not bad people."

Studium: "I think I know why I thought they smelled like beasts; even now it is hard not to gag. No offense."

The fox girl gave a weak chuckle while the feline just smiled.

---

Chapter 748

Iratus: "Why the heck do you two look like that? The river is right over there."

Felinefolk: "We have been running every day from something that wears the skin of a goat."

Irauts started to stiffen.

Felinefolk: "We lived here for a while and made this building our home, but for the past fifty days, we have had to flee our home several times to try to lose it."

Studium pulled out a flashlight as the darkness was now complete.

Iratus: "Its lantern, what was it made of?"

Foxfolk: "Hey, how did you know it had a lantern?"

Iratus: "What is it made of?"

Felinefolk: "Uh, silver I think. Just like the priests of old."

Foxfolk: "Also, it was connected to a chain."

Iratus got his bolt-action rifle ready.

Iratus: "It is time to go! Come with me."

Foxfolk: "Excuse me? You think we are going with strange men at this time of day?"

Felinefolk: "Your body's emotion is scaring me; what is going on?"

The chains rang out, and Studium's light was shed on an appearing ebony, the same on from Yaqar's tower. It had the same goat skin, lantern, and bone club. However, Iratus was already in the motion of aimming his rifle, and at this range, it was an easy shot. Iratus blasted right into the monster's head, sending ripples throughout it, almost cartoonishly so.

Studium got ready to fight, but Iratus yelled out to him.

Iratus: "Ruuun!"

Iratus and the two girls were already entering the building, fleeing for their lives, and Iratus turned back to see Studium just now running after them.

Felinefolk: "Follow us." She spoke in between breaths. "Happens all the time. Escape route. Upstairs."

---

Chapter 749

At the heart of the Glass Gardens was a massive circular atrium. This was once the center of life in the Gardens, where rare, towering trees once grew and fountains flowed. Now, most of the trees have withered, their skeletal forms stretching toward the dome, but some still stand strong, their roots pushing up through the cracked marble. An old, dried-up fountain stands in the middle, worn down by time.

The ground was covered with intricate mosaic tile patterns, though many tiles have been displaced or shattered by the overgrowth of roots and vines. Stone pathways wind through the overgrown flora, some sections completely overtaken by nature. The idols have cleared out just enough to create livable spaces and walkable paths, but much of it remains wild.

While most of the original plants have died, some have adapted to the environment’s decay. The strange bioluminescent fungi that lighten up the pure dark nights had begun to grow in here and in the darker corners, and small flowers with vivid, unnatural colors poked through the cracks in the tiles. In some places, thorny vines coil around the remains of the glass supports, creating barriers between different parts of the gardens.

Eventually, the group came upon a higher floor of the building, where an escape route was built into a window and all along the outer wall. The girls went first, climbing down several wooden structures and down a ladder. Studium caught up and tried catching his breath.

Studium: "Ebony, right?"

Iratus: "And I think it is the one who killed the ant girl I met in Yaqar's tower."

Studium: "I guess you didn't kill it?"

Iratus threw his arms up.

Iratus: "I guess not."

---

Chapter 750

Once everyone was on the ground, Iratus took the lead.

Iratus: "Follow us. We can get you to our tower."

Felinefolk: "But won't that thing follow us to your home?"

Studium: "And into a small army. That thing can't withstand the power of many!"

A small section of wall began to creek as the ebony slammed into it.

Both girls started to run off again, but when Iratus and Studium caught up, they took the lead. They couldn't run forever and started walking.

Iratus: "Enough of this. Let's just swim across the river."

No one argued with him, and when the group reached the river, their breath caught in their throats. What awaited them was a scene of pure, unsettling horror. A countless multitude of shadowy figures drifted in the air just above the surface of the river, their indistinct forms barely brushing the water as they swayed in a haunting, unnatural rhythm. They appeared as silhouettes against the dim light of the bioluminescent plants, their shapes warped and flickering. Each figure was tall and slender, with elongated limbs that seemed to stretch and twist into the surrounding mist, dissolving at the edges as if they could fade from existence at any moment.

Where faces should have been, there were only voids—pitch-black hollows that seemed to drink in the light around them, giving no clue to their intentions or awareness. Looking upstream or downstream, the group saw that the figures stretched along the entire length of the river as far as the eye could see, a spectral procession guarding the waters like silent sentinels.

Iratus: "What in all the silvered hell?"

Studium: "That's not right."

Foxfolk: "I've never seen anything like this!" Her voice was full of panic.

Felinefolk: "I have; once, it was during a Blackest Day."

Iratus: "I didn't feel the event happen. Whatever, let's get to the bridge because I'm not testing those shadowy things."

---

EPISDOE 75: END

---

Extra Story 1

The hot sun blazed in the small hut that was like a shop with driftwood shelves and various items on them, with even a counter and cash register on. A laptop was on the counter with a CGI eye of high quality on display with a dim red ring for an iris.

Yaqar: "Let me tell you about my favorite book, The Little Caterpillar that Could." Once upon a random timeline, dimension, alternate universe, reboot, there once was a giant mechanized robot built for death and war, but he didn't want no war and stuff, so he built a bunch of little robots to NOT ALIVE everyone for him. Anyway, then the Character Creator opens, and you have to make your resistance fighter and select from one hundred and six classes."

The calico feline, Desidia, was standing in disbelief.

Desidia: "For the love of everything that has silver plating, stop!"

Her distinctive fur pattern of white, black, and brown fur was silky smooth and well clean, while her white hair was soaked and wet. She didn't wear her signature SWAT uniform, the gear similar to Earthen SWAT gear. Instead, she wore a two-piece blue swimsuit that was quite modest but also revealed her absolute fit and muscular form that threatened her peak femininity with its masculinity.

Behind her was a much older woman, a bovine, with white and black spotted fur and dark brown wild hair that drooped on her shoulders.

Bovinefolk: "Are you using any of these things?" She picked up an old box containing a 250-piece puzzle. "Because I could use some of these things."

Yaqar: "Of course you can, my dear PINGUIS."

Lacerti: "Lacerti actually."

Desidia: "No, I think he is just calling you fat."

Lacerti wore modest swimwear like the calico cat, but she also had a gray tank top over it. Her overall build was somewhat plump, but in a constrained form and not in an overweight way.

Desidia: "Forget it." She turned back to the laptop. "Tell me about Purple City already."

Yaqar: "How would a city be purple? I don't think that much paint exists."

Desidia: "Sin Lord of Greed, pal, you said you can tell me about Purple City."

Yaqar: "That does not sound like me at all."

Lacerti picked up a book with a red cover, which made the eye on the screen focus over to her.

Yaqar: "No, no. Those are PROPERTY OF NUMBER ONE."

Lacerti: "Aw."

Desidia: "Let's start over. Purple City."

Yaqar: "The painting?"

Desidia: "The city, or rather a copy in the Nexus Prime."

Yaqar: "If you say so."

Desidia: "It has undergone a revolution, and a new leader has taken control."

Yaqar: "What a strange opinion to have, but that is an easy bet to take."

Desidia: "There are plans underway to invade and fight the tower belonging to the Virtue of Family."

Yaqar: "Virtue of Family? What a haughty title to be called."

The feline's fur bristled in anger.

Desidia: "You freaks, call him that!" She took a step back and took a deep breath.

Yaqar: "Regardless, no plan currently exists to my knowledge."

Desidia: "But you said they were going to attack."

Yaqar: "It is a possibility, yes, but Naram-Sin could hold onto the seeking I'M ALIVE for others. Unfortunately, his pride outstrips even the ghost in the holograms, and no one will give back the title of Virtue of Humility upon him."

The feline's jaw dropped.

Desidia: "Finally. Tell me more."

Yaqar: "About predicting THE WEATHER? You should have just asked."

---

Episode 75 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 16
Coverings: blonde fur, white gambeson (many repairs, some leather patchwork), leather gloves, tactical vest, tailorcraft backpack, leather plate helmet, delicate gold chain with a small pendant shaped like a lion's glare, flashlight, bronze breastplate
Weapons: long sword, 3 knifes, short sword, hammer, 1 dagger
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 5 copper coins, 1 small silver bricks, 20 silver coins, 30 gold coins

Wounds: none

Relevant Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, several leather items, 2 glass jar, 12 bottles, 1 fish net, primitive sewing kit, a bunch of small wooden figures, wooden dice, metal scrap, lots of rusted metal, several small fish nets, sextant, some bedrolls, a tent, a large barrel, writing material, 68 cloaks and other clothing materials, some fabrics, 4 carts, 4 stitched tents, skin drum, beautiful arts of tropical scenery, floatation devices, wildlife figures, lots of tropical clothing, gas generator, four flood lights

Armory: 32 short swords, 33 knifes, 19 daggers, 23 metal spears, 4 arming swords, 4 long swords, 2 extra gambeson, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), 3 hunting traps, 5 snares, 12 backpacks, 3 katanas, 3 short katanas, crossbow, several pounds of C4
Aestus: gambeson, bronze breastplate, leather helmet, metal spear, 2 knives, short sword, bronze long sword.
Victoria: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword, crossbow, 2 daggers, flashlight
Resonanita: steel breastplate, gambeson, metal helmet, metal spear, short sword, 1 knife, compound bow, flashlight
Ignis: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, crowbar, 1 knife

Treasure: 13 copper coins, 2 silver coins 12 iron coins, a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, bronze lantern, bronze idol, some jeweled trinkets, iron lantern

Home Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates, clay pots, and wooden chests), Basic Workshop Area (lots of tools, woodcarving tools, glue, sandpaper), Kitchen Area (many tools, many cutlery items, pots&pans, makeshift grill), Library, Armory, Infirmary Room (surgery tools, first aid kit, plenty of medicine and equipment), Children's Quarters, Master Bedroom (proper bedding, sensual antfolk sculpture), Six Bedrooms (proper bedding), four portable solar panels

Outside Base: Butchering Hut (modern butchery kit, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in), Tool Shed (fishing gear and supplies, trowel, woodcutting axe, woodworking tools, lots of rope, rope ladder, plows, hoes, sickles, rakes, shovels, scythes, chisels, anvils), Wooden Wall, Small Cabin (Venatio), Large Cabin (Winter Winds), Large Cabin (Dark Sky Family), 2x Gravestones, Rabbit Hutches.

Books: 3x woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, war game booklet, sketch book (from warband), Bathhouse Reviewers (entire 80 book series), cards, Fractura's Notes, Tempestas's Notes, 12 survival guides, 3 technical manuals, 46 fiction novels, 11 encyclopedias, 4 dictionaries, 22 cookbooks, 2 gardening guides, 3 crafting books, 20 educational textbooks, 5 religious texts, 4 diaries, 12 children's books

Year 2, Day 183

---

TOWER FOLK:
Iratus of House Lionheart
mouse, male, blonde fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'6, age: 16, b day: 350
-
Victoria Mother of House Lionheart
raccoon, female, gray fur, black hair, brown eyes, 6'3, age: 16, b day: 5
-
Aestus of clan Riversinger
otter, female, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'2, age: 16, b day: 99, (preg 188 days)
-
Ignis Yang
red panda, female, reddish-brown/white fur, black hair, golden eye, 6'4, age: 16, b day: 344, (preg 88 days)
-
Resonantia Diamond Heart Steel
shark, female, blue-gray hue skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 16, b day: 2, (preg 215 days)
---


CHILDREN:
Negligere Lionheart
shark, male, steel gray skin, white hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 2
-
Ruina Lionheart
otter, female, orange fur, vibrant orange hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 330
-
Gula Lionheart
red panda, male, brown fur, dark brown hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 340
-
Tenacitas Lionheart
raccoon, female, silver fur, dark blonde hair, amber eyes, age: 1, b day: 345

Frustra Lionheart
raccoon, male, gray fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 0, b day: 338
---


NEIGHBORS:
Echo
shark, male, gray skin with a white underbelly, black hair, black eyes, 6'8, age: 41, b day: 142

---


WINTER WINDS CLAN:
Studium of Winter Winds
fox, male, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 5'10, age 13, b day: 190

Fuligo Leaf Shadow
otter, female, black fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'6, age 13, b day: 245, (preg 117 days)

Bellum of House War Knuckles
cheetah, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'0, age 15, b day: 91, (preg 153 days)
---


DARK SKY FAMILY:
Salvos Dark Sky
wolf, male, black fur, white hair, copper eyes, 6'8, age 27, b day: 66

Leitmotif Schlange
snake, female, yellow and red scales, naga bodied, gold  eyes, age 24, b day: 229, (preg 228 days)

---

(farm)
UMBRA OCEAN FAMILY:
Procella Ocean Drinker
weasel , female, blonde fur, black hair, green eyes, 6'5, age 22, b day: 207, (preg 132 days)

Iter of Sanguinem Umbra
goat, male, white fur, blonde hair, brown eyes, 6'7, age 20, b day: 334
---

(farm)
THE COBALTS:
Commercium Jade Blue Cobalt
rabbit, male, white fur, black hair, gray eyes, 6'8, age: 25, b day: 221

-
Abrasione
hyena, female, tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 20, b day: 4, (preg 271 days)

-
Kuxatura
hyena, male, tan fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 284

---

LAST MISTAKE
Deficio
lion, male, gray fur, rich gray hair, green eyes, 6'6, age: 47, b day: 111

Confodere Oculi Acuti
hyena, male, dark brown fur, black hair, gold eyes, 6'9, age 26, b day: 239

Malignitas of House Brokensand
feline, male, light black fur, light black hair, brown eyes (single eye), 6'7, age 29, b day: 343

Liora Woodleaf
deer, female, Light brown with white spots, blonde hair, hazel eyes, 5'9, age: 25, b day 323", "pools_count": 0, "title": "Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 75", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "text/rtf", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "5", "name": "Strong Violence", "description": "Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "f", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "6" }