{
"submission_id": "3499689",
"keywords": [
{
"keyword_id": "211",
"keyword_name": "bat",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "37284"
},
{
"keyword_id": "1007",
"keyword_name": "blood",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "21524"
},
{
"keyword_id": "5214",
"keyword_name": "combat",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "1263"
},
{
"keyword_id": "2362",
"keyword_name": "cyborg",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "5935"
},
{
"keyword_id": "62",
"keyword_name": "feline",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "154142"
},
{
"keyword_id": "54",
"keyword_name": "females",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "25137"
},
{
"keyword_id": "33",
"keyword_name": "fox",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "251110"
},
{
"keyword_id": "34",
"keyword_name": "goat",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "24309"
},
{
"keyword_id": "1440",
"keyword_name": "human",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "109988"
},
{
"keyword_id": "511",
"keyword_name": "hyena",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "19549"
},
{
"keyword_id": "174",
"keyword_name": "lion",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "43915"
},
{
"keyword_id": "5244",
"keyword_name": "males",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "43893"
},
{
"keyword_id": "420",
"keyword_name": "mouse",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "54679"
},
{
"keyword_id": "6492",
"keyword_name": "nix",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "118"
},
{
"keyword_id": "186",
"keyword_name": "rabbit",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "140753"
},
{
"keyword_id": "969",
"keyword_name": "violence",
"contributed": "f",
"submissions_count": "4495"
}
],
"hidden": "f",
"scraps": "f",
"favorite": "f",
"favorites_count": "0",
"create_datetime": "2024-12-14 19:06:10.534765+00",
"create_datetime_usertime": "14 Dec 2024 20:06 CET",
"last_file_update_datetime": "2024-12-14 19:00:11.657472+00",
"last_file_update_datetime_usertime": "14 Dec 2024 20:00 CET",
"username": "RexLeonum",
"user_id": "738722",
"user_icon_file_name": "206246_RexLeonum_leo_icon.png",
"user_icon_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/206/206246_RexLeonum_leo_icon.png",
"user_icon_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/206/206246_RexLeonum_leo_icon.png",
"user_icon_url_small": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/206/206246_RexLeonum_leo_icon.png",
"file_name": "5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.rtf",
"file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.rtf",
"file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.rtf",
"file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.rtf",
"thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.jpg",
"thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.jpg",
"thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.jpg",
"thumb_huge_x": "271",
"thumb_huge_y": "300",
"thumb_large_x": "181",
"thumb_large_y": "200",
"thumb_medium_x": "108",
"thumb_medium_y": "120",
"files": [
{
"file_id": "5343769",
"file_name": "5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.rtf",
"file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.rtf",
"file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.rtf",
"file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.rtf",
"mimetype": "text/rtf",
"submission_id": "3499689",
"user_id": "738722",
"submission_file_order": "0",
"full_size_x": null,
"full_size_y": null,
"screen_size_x": null,
"screen_size_y": null,
"preview_size_x": null,
"preview_size_y": null,
"initial_file_md5": "4d9cbc8d5390de304dd099a5e4be17ea",
"full_file_md5": "4d9cbc8d5390de304dd099a5e4be17ea",
"large_file_md5": "",
"small_file_md5": "",
"thumbnail_md5": "ab899907611d6c12f8c1ab04474e64cc",
"deleted": "f",
"create_datetime": "2024-12-14 19:00:11.657472+00",
"create_datetime_usertime": "14 Dec 2024 20:00 CET",
"thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.jpg",
"thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.jpg",
"thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5343/5343769_RexLeonum_black_hole-_iratus-episode_81.jpg",
"thumb_huge_x": "271",
"thumb_huge_y": "300",
"thumb_large_x": "181",
"thumb_large_y": "200",
"thumb_medium_x": "108",
"thumb_medium_y": "120"
}
],
"pools": [],
"description": "Episode 81 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.",
"description_bbcode_parsed": "Episode 81 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.",
"writing": "Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 81\n\nChapter 801\n\nThe air in the amphitheater was thick with tension with even the lights and lamps, flickering. The oppressive smell of death from the mass grave was reaching a painful point, where Iratus was feeling a sting in his nose.\n\nThe mouse boy gave a sigh before getting the batfolk's attention.\n\nIratus: \"Excuse me, Sucus.\"\n\nThe bat turned his brown eyes onto Iratus.\n\nIratus: \"Let's get back on track. You seem to have captured some non-combatants, innocents who have not done you wrong.\"\n\nBefore Iratus could continue, the batfolk gave a scowl and then interrupted.\n\nSucus: \"No such thing. Purple City has killed and will continue killing us and everyone around them until someone stops them. Every bit of manpower I can strip from them, the more favorable our chances of fighting them are.\"\n\nIratus's ears twitched as murmurs from some of the crowd nearby nodded in agreement.\n\nIratus: \"Three of them claim to have done nothing against anyone, so you can't just execute them.\"\n\nSucus: \"There are not innocents. Their existence increases Purple City's strength. If we are to win the inevitable war against the most hateful of civilizations in the Nexus Prime, then we must treat them as enemies, whereas if these so-called innocents don't want to die in the crossfire, then they should stop propping up their vicious city-state.\"\n\nIratus: \"I'm aware of how evil Purple City is, but regardless of the circumstances, killing innocent people is wrong.\"\n\nSucus: \"You and your tribe may live one way, but here, we take those who try to kill us seriously.\"\n\nIratus's ears flattened.\n\nIratus: \"I'm not going to let you just murder innocent people.\"\n\nSucus mockingly: \"Oh? Another tribe does their own thing, but because you don't like a few minor irrelevant things from us, your tribe will go through battle and war? So much death and the loss of resources for what, three nobodies?\"\n\nIratus: \"That, and I'd like to not cause more problems with Purple City until my people are ready.\"\n\nSucus: \"Ugh. Find a spot to sit, and we will continue this conversation in a few minutes. The ritual of Huitzilopochtli is late.\"\n\nCommercium snarkly: \"What kind of name is that?\"\n\nSucus: \"A god that Purple City abandoned after their victory in claiming the city they live in.\"\n\nCommercium: \"Makes sense. Their religious worship being a god that wants all this death.\"\n\nIratus gave a sigh and shook his head, but he did walk away, not to the stands but outside with his two allies coming with him, not wanting to watch the gruesome display of executions.\n\n---\n\nChapter 802\n\nDespite how hard he tried, Iratus could still hear the crowd cheer with the chop of an axe. Each roar from the audience struck him like a blow, the sound of steel on flesh and the rhythmic chant of \"Huitzilopochtli!\" creating an almost unbearable cacophony. He stood just outside the small stadium with various lights going out and generators going out, with only the stadium's lights being on now.\n\nIratus's tail flicked anxiously as his eyes scanned the festival. His ears twitched at the sound of approaching footsteps. Astrid, the merchant girl, moved with purpose, her armor catching the moonlight and reflecting the lacquered plates that were her armor.\n\nIratus: \"Oh, it's you.\"\n\nShe wore a bit of a smile.\n\nAstrid: \"I saw you up there with that bat guy. What was that all about?\n\nIratus: \"These Festival of Blood people have some captured innocents from Purple City, and I was demanding their release.\"\n\nAstrid crossed her arms, her gauntlets creaking softly as she adjusted her stance.\n\nAstrid: \"As if any of those monsters can be innocent.\"\n\nIratus: \"You seem rather off today.\"\n\nShe gave an empty laugh.\n\nAstrid: \"Back to the east, I've found many small hovels and settlements empty and burned down. Purple City is amassing power and purging their region of all others. My little merchant caravan adopted a few survivors, all children, and when a patrol from Purple City came by, they declared me an enemy and killed everyone—Musheer al-Nassif and Greg included.\n\nShe shook her head, her expression giving way to anger.\n\nAstrid: \"Those two sacrificed themselves so that I could escape.\"\n\nIratus's ears flattened.\n\nIratus: \"Seems different since the last time you met some Purple City people.\"\n\nAstrid barked a bitter laugh, shaking her head.\n\nAstrid: \"They were quite friendly every time, but once they saw that we were trying to save children from their purges, they became so intolerant and... evil.\"\n\nIratus: \"Still, the Festival of Blood? Why are you here?\"\n\nAstrid: \"I'm just here to see Purple City burn. I thought about just picking myself up again and heading out, but honestly, I think I want some justice.\"\n\nIratus: \"Two wrongs do not make a right. Are you aware that some of those people are innocents?\"\n\nAstrid crossed her arms.\n\nAstrid: \"And? This is war.\"\n\nIratus: \"Understandable, but this is an escalation that will be bad for everyone here. What, are these people here going to fight? They are only here for their hedonism. That warlord back there? Living under his rule does not seem any better than the philosophy of Purple City.\"\n\nAstrid: \"So what, we wait?\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 803\n\nIratus: \"I don't know what makes you, you. I am called to protect the innocent because I am religious, so I'm stuck with freeing these innocents from a warlord who could have been a great ally in the coming war with Purple City.\"\n\nAstrid sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of her armor.\n\nAstrid: \"So you're willing to jeopardize everything for some people you don't even know? You can't save everyone, Iratus.\"\n\nIratus: \"I don't need to save everyone. Just the people in front of me.\"\n\nAstrid rolled her eyes and leaned against the edge of a crumbling stone wall.\n\nAstrid: \"Your choice is too unrealistic and a bad decision.\"\n\nIratus's tail flicked with irritation.\n\nIratus: \"I get that a lot. All I can do is make my choice and follow it through, and me risking my life for those who shouldn't be murdered is what I am here for. You said Purple City killed innocents, well, the Festival of Blood is about to do the same. Evil is evil, let's fight it.\"\n\nThe two stood in silence for a moment, the sounds of the Festival of Blood continuing to hum in the distance. A sudden uproar of cheers erupted as another victim met their fate.\n\nAstrid glanced toward the stadium.\n\nAstrid: \"Alright, protector of the innocent. How do you plan to get them out of there? It's not like you can just stroll in and ask nicely.\"\n\nIratus: \"That depends. Are you willing to help?\"\n\nAstrid looked down at her gauntlets for a moment.\n\nAstrid: \"Ha, well...I guess this place is a bit too much for my taste. Better to fight with honest hearts like you and your settlement than these warmongers.\"\n\nThe mouse boy smiled.\n\nIratus: \"I knew you were a good person at heart.\"\n\nAstrid: \"I hardly see fighting the Festival of Blood as good, but I guess it cannot be helped. This place, the Nexus Prime, I have found myself more spiritual living here, not religious, of course, but despite its artificial nature, it is like we are really close to something godly. That ritual over there has a strange feeling to it. I've seen slaughter, but something like this feels like it is truly calling something. I'm just glad you're here to set me straight.\n\nThe priest clasped his hands and spoke.\n\nDeficio: \"Lord be praised, another has found their way home.\"\n\nResolutio: \"I...don't think that's what happened.\"\n\nAstrid: \"Alright, if you want to save those innocent people's lives, I assume there will be a fight.\"\n\nResolutio: \"That creature seemed to be hell-bent on killing people. If they refuse to listen to reason, then it seems we will be throwing away any chance to ally with these people to rescue people from our rival settlement.\"\n\nAstrid: \"Ugh. I hate doing the right thing.\"\n\nBy that time, Commercium was coming back with the rest of Iratus's troop, and Iratus could hear the ritual calm and figured it was time to debate with Sucus.\n\nCommercium: \"Yo boss, I got the crew.\"\n\nEveryone was grim with the thought of fighting, but each one clearly had the resolve to see things through.\n\n---\n\nChapter 804\n\nIratus and the others walked into the stadium, with Iratus himself trying to ignore the gore and blood that now littered the ground, despite the attempt to funnel blood away. Deficio seemed to be the most displeased by the sights and sounds of the arena and Iratus could see him physically restrain himself from talking, holding his tongue to remain courteous.\n\nFour humans were in a single cage, bound in chains and stuck in a hallway not far from the open area. Two young females, a particularly large Black-skinned human, and the fourth was a fit but skinny human with stiff, long, and blonde hair.\n\nRoy was already in the stadium trying to make his case for the release of Tristan.\n\nRoy: \"I'm sure the two settlements can live in peace together and become trade partners.\"\n\nSucus: \"Oh? And what do you say, Mister Tristan? Will our two nations exist in peace?\"\n\nThe human tugged at his red duster before giving something like a scowl at the batfolk.\n\nTristan: \"Not possible.\"\n\nHis voice did not match the frame of his build, for it was quite deep.\n\nTristan: \"I don't see how barbarians would ever keep their promises, much less stay in a state of peace. These things are monstrous, Roy. You're wasting your time, and you need to get out of here while you still can.\"\n\nThe batfolk seemed pleased by the answer despite it being an insult to him. The cage was now out and into the arena proper now but still on the edge of it.\n\nSucus: \"Straight from the top enforcer himself. As you heard, dear Roy, Purple City is too intolerant and will seek conflict because they are evil.\"\n\nRoy: \"If you free them, you could show Purple City that even after all the injustice they deal you, you are still the more virtuous person. There could be peace if you just tried.\"\n\nSucus: \"You still don't get it; many people in this stadium have told me their woes. They tell me of their peaceful lives until the military of Purple City arrived to take everything from them, and what you see here are those who barely managed to survive. We've released their soldiers multiple times already, and each time they return in greater numbers to kill my people.\"\n\nRoy: \"That can't be right. The people there would never commit such acts.\"\n\nSucus: \"You only have to ask your patron over there. This isn't the first time he has been chained by us.\"\n\nIratus crossed his arms as he and his people waited silently for this conversation to end.\n\nRoy: \"That's ridiculous! Tristan, tell me your side of the story.\"\n\nTristan: \"About what? These are monsters, so it's only right to try to kill them all.\"\n\nRoy: \"So you attacked innocent people?\"\n\nTristan: \"These things are not people and cannot be innocent! They are irredeemable creatures that violate God's laws and must be killed. Don't let their deceptions fool you.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 805\n\nRoy: \"Dude, you can't be serious.\"\n\nTristan: \"Look at these public executions; you can't tell me this isn't evil.\"\n\nSucus: \"Huitzilopochtli is your god. I have humans and human-likes that have told me about the brutal public executions from Purple City. Do you have any idea how long the Festival of Blood has been around? And for all my years spent on this planet, we have never executed as many people as you did in those three days of blood. The day your kind took over Purple City and murdered so many people, children included. You can't stand there and talk about our ritual when you started it and we merely took your god's name for ourselves. The whole reason we opened a dialog in the first place was to compliment your faith in mass sacrifice. How dare you mock us for trying to praise your killing ability?\n\nIratus's nose twitched, and a pang of discomfort crept up his spine. Sucus’s voice grew darker, an unsettling intensity in his tone that suggested either deep conviction or growing instability. The crowd seemed uninterested in the conversation as Iratus could hear nothing but casual conversations within the stands.\n\nTristan started to shake the bars of his cage and started to yell at Sucus. By this point, Iratus and his men walked up near the viewing box where the bat stood from.\n\nTristan: \"You’re insane! Don’t you dare twist the truth like that. We were defending ourselves against your barbarism, not indulging in it.\"\n\nSucus raised a clawed hand to silence the human.\n\nSucus: \"Defending yourselves? How convenient. Always the hero in your own story, aren’t you?\"\n\nIratus came forward and Sucus looked down at him.\n\nSucus: \"Ah, cat in the form of a mouse, give me a minute, please, and we can begin negotiations.\"\n\nThe sound of someone struggling and shouting came from the stands until the tanuki woman, Metam, was pushed out into the stadium. She stood up, brushing the dirt from her brown fur and opulent red dress, something similar to the first clothes Iratus saw her in.\n\nMetam: \"The festival is ruled by two, and therefore, you can't do that to me, you filthy beast.\"\n\nSucus with a sarcastic tone: \"Please, we are not a couple anymore, so restrain from using such generous words.\"\n\nThe tanuki woman growled at Sucus.\n\nSucus: \"You were supposed to bring the broken and the lost...and instead you brought determined creatures. Iratus here even has an army all to threaten me because I want to do something he deems as bad.\"\n\nHe spat on the ground and gave a steely glare at Iratus who only crossed his arms.\n\nSucus: \"You brought conflict to the festival, so I say you are the traitor here.\"\n\nIratus looked around to see lines starting to form, and he could see the differences in the two warlords armies. Metam's had more formal and usually old-world armor, while Sucus's was either more advanced with kelar or other electric tech world items used as armor, much in the same way Purple City did their armor.\n\nMetam in a haughty tone: \"I have no idea what you are talking about; you clearly have gone mad, old man.\"\n\nIratus looked back at the batfolk, but there didn't seem to be a hint of age on him; of course, Iratus thought about the bloodforged souls and how he and others like him, the folk, didn't really age until much later in their lives compared to human-likes, but even Resolutio was slowing down, and her fur was starting to lose its richness.\n\n---\n\nChapter 806\n\nSucus: \"As I said, today is the day I stop being some irrelevant warlord and become a king.\"\n\nHe spread his arms wide.\n\nOne of his men, a squirrel with light brown fur, came out with a simple golden crown with a very large sapphire in it. They didn't move, though, as if waiting for something.\n\nSucus: \"The Festival of Blood will transform into The Nation of Wilds, and we will wage our vengeance on the enemy to the east, but there is a small problem with you, Metam.\"\n\nHe turned sharply toward the tanuki woman, his piercing gaze locking onto her. Metam, unfazed, tilted her head, her tail swishing lazily behind her.\n\nSucus: \"You have been trying to ruin my position here by sending problematic people, and I deem it as a violation of the truce, and therefore, you are banished from my glorious nation.\"\n\nThe tankuki woman gave a hearty laugh.\n\nMetam: \"To end everything we built here? I guess change found us once again. However, I've always been sick of your ugly face, and I think it is time to end our feud once and for all.\"\n\nSensing the tension, the people in the stadium were starting to disperse, with only a few moving to join a side. Iratus could also hear panic from outside the stadium, and it sounded like people quickly moving about.\n\nSucus: \"You choose bloodshed instead of returning to your hovel?\"\n\nShe gave a toothy grin.\n\nMetam: \"I didn't end up on top of the world because I chose peace. I've learned that killing is the most beneficial act for oneself.\"\n\nIratus raised his hand.\n\nIratus: \"Uh, excuse me, but can you two have your little civil war later? Either that or release your remaining prisoners, and I will be happy to leave.\"\n\nSucus: \"This lady brought you here knowing you'd shed blood, and you won't condemn her?\"\n\nIratus: \"I just want the prisoners, nothing else.\"\n\nSucus: \"Listen to me, lad, I too have a small army, and together we can defeat Purple City. They are overextending themselves and won't have a military force that can match both of ours combined. Support my kingship, let me end these foul humans, and we will win. If not, well, I have someone else I can ally with.\"\n\nIratus crossed his arms.\n\nIratus: \"Sorry, but I refuse to join with you if your faith is about killing innocents.\"\n\nSucus: \"You really would waste so much life just to help these poor souls? Disgusting! Then you are no longer welcome; leave or be destroyed.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 807\n\nIratus gave a glare before speaking.\n\nIratus: \"We are going over there to free these people. If you wish to stop us, you are free to try.\"\n\nThe batfolk gave an annoyed expression before making a sign for the squirrel man. His men below walked to the center of the stadium, pushing Iratus and his followers to the side. They sat down on some sort of machine device and sat the crown on the stump used for the executions.\n\nSucus: \"I have no choice but to ally with someone else then.\"\n\nWith a metallic click, the machine whirred to life. It was a red image and a humanoid form that looked rather like a chimpanzee, wearing a trench coat with leather-plated chest gear and military boots. Through the red glow, Iratus recognized the Sin Lord of Pride.\n\nIratus's heart sank as he recognized the figure.\n\nIratus: \"Blasted stones, that guy again.\"\n\nDeficio grimly: \"The Sin Lord of Pride.\"\n\nPride: \"Greetings mortals, it is I, the father of all pride.\"\n\nThe voice was deep and resonant, but there was a hollowness to it. Iratus squinted, trying to discern if the hologram was more than a projection, but its movements were jerky, almost puppet-like.\n\nSucus: \"Honored ally, tell these people why I am the monarch here!\"\n\nFor a moment, the hologram paused, its blank gaze scanning the arena. The silence felt endless, broken only by the faint hum of the machine.\n\nPride: \"My children did such good work in Purple City. Yet, when I arrived to take my seat in their faith, they denied me the power they once begged for. Now, they must be punished. Let the crown decide.\"\n\nSucus beamed, turning to the crowd with open arms.\n\nSucus: \"That's me. I will be the one to wear the crown.\"\n\nPride: \"Select your crown wearer. Any who say no may fight for the right, and only after the fight may one wear the crown. No sooner.\"\n\nSucus: \"This is why I placed the crown in the stadium; whoever wins this fight will be the lord of this region. Feel free to flee for your life, for this is where the battle begins!\"\n\nHe motioned for his men to move forward, and they drew their weapons, ready for a fight. Everyone was either already in the drawn lines or fled the stadium.\n\nThe hologram looked around as it talked. Iratus gave it a wave, but it seemed to glaze over him.\n\nIratus: \"It’s so robotic. Is it really Pride or just some pre-recorded nonsense?\"\n\nFraus groaned audibly, clutching her temples.\n\nFraus: \"My God, just how many Sin Lords am I going to run into?\"\n\nThe rabbitfolk nearby gave a chuckle.\n\nCommercium: \"How many have we run into Iratus?\"\n\nIratus sighed.\n\nIratus: \"Too many.\"\n\nDeficio narrowed his eyes at the machine, studying its glowing mechanisms.\n\nDeficio: \"I don’t know how hologram technology works here, but this thing doesn’t seem like the actual Pride.\"\n\nThe group moved deliberately toward Metam’s side of the arena, stepping over toppled puddles of blood and spilled drinks. The tension between them and Sucus’s men was a taut string ready to snap.\n\nMetam turned toward Iratus, an amused smirk on her face.\n\nMetam: \"Oh, you will be fighting with us then?\"\n\nIratus: \"You planned for this to happen. I don’t have much choice, do I?\"\n\nMetam: \"Sorry, my boy, but this has long since outstripped my plans. But since you’re here, we might as well expel this pompous fool together.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 808\n\nIratus stepped forward, his voice firm but tinged with exasperation.\n\nIratus: \"Sucus! Please, it's just a few prisoners; they can't mean so much that you would continue this.\"\n\nSucus: \"I told you, this is war. Either Purple City dies or I die. I'm not budging; you won't compromise, so all that is left is to fight.\"\n\nAbove them, the red hologram flickered faintly, its image distorted for a brief second before stabilizing. The Sin Lord of Pride’s voice cut through the tension with an unsettling calm.\n\nPride: \"May honor be won this day.\"\n\nIratus: \"How about you think about the future? Look at our three armies and realize that it would be better to keep everyone here alive. A war after this battle won't go well for anyone.\"\n\nSucus narrowed his eyes, his posture rigid with defiance.\n\nSucus: \"My nation of Wilds will recover and win. There is no doubt. It is you who should back down so that we may fight together.\"\n\nIratus: \"Then why not prepare? Create fortifications, craft better weapons and armor?\"\n\nPride: \"With the crown won, full authority will exist, the monarch.\"\n\nSucus: \"Because we can win now even with just the Sin Lord of Pride.\"\n\nMetam's tanuki tail swished once behind her.\n\nMetam: \"You are wasting your time, boy; this is a brutal man from a brutal time. He won't be swayed.\"\n\nIratus: \"I still have to try. War is bad for everyone here, and we can survive and thrive if we just work together.\"\n\nPride: \"We must destroy my wayward children, Purple City.\"\n\nSucus: \"The gods of blood are hungry. It is time to honor them.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 809\n\nIratus got his men into a proper formation while the rabble under Sucus and Metam dived into a fray with no strategy creating a chaotic maelstrom that Iratus used to get his forces into a more advantageous position. Enemy foes came with their improvised spears and clubs to which a line formation sucked them into and with various repositioning, quickly surrounded and dealt with.\n\nA few gun shots rang out and Arcus, the fox girl, was dropped clutching her arm.\n\nIter: \"Medic!\"\n\nLiora dropped down to render some sort of first aid. A few more gunshots rang out with both factions of the festival dropped. Commercium held up his rifle and shot at a rifleman in the stands which made the man drop into the seats.\n\nSeveral spears were thrown at Iratus who ducked out of the way and when his foes came forward, they were stopped by several spears held by his forces. Iratus came in and stabbed them as non-lethally as he could though weather or not they's live Iratus refused to think about.\n\nPride: \"Don't forget to drink water and stay hydrated.\"\n\nFrom the mass of fighters, Iratus saw Malignitas fighting for Sucus. The one-eyed feline was pushed towards Iratus's pack and the two started to clash blades.\n\nIratus was slightly surprised when they started to launch strikes at each other.\n\nIratus: \"Do you have a problem with me?\"\n\nMalignitas: \"I don't even know you.\"\n\nIratus thought that maybe Malignitas had something up his sleeve, which would be in character for him. Unfortunity, betraying Iratus and the tower was also in line for him. Without much of an answer Iratus pushed back and just missed the cat's neck and clipped his ear. Several of Iratus's men came forward with spears to drive Malignitas and a few other hostiles back.\n\nIratus saw Sanguinare, Metam's top soldier start to rally and get his forces into a proper position, similar to what Iratus had done. Unfortunitly, only a handful of them listined as both Metam's and Sucus's forces were just untrained rabble with too much eagerness for a fight.\n\n---\n\nChapter 810\n\nIratus saw the batfolk make a motion, and then Noah, the tall and deep-tanned human, had jumped into the arena. He had several soldiers from Metam's side clash with him, and it was clear these were some proficient fighters as they used their numbers to surround the human and attacked together, but Noah shrugged off the blows as if their sharp points did no damage, and then his left arm opened into a gun while his right shot a long blade into his hand. Whirling from one foe to another, Noah expertly cut into his foes and sent them to the ground. Iratus could see openings inside of Noah, like if he was some sort of machine himself.\n\nNoah looked around and covered his head as several bullets whizzed past him; most bounced off, leaving rivets, but one actually hit hard enough to tear a tiny gash in his metal skin. Sanguinare stepped forward to challenge Sucus's champion, but Noah raised his gun arm, and with one shot, ripped through his armor and sent him walking backward until he fell down. Then, another shot came in and slammed into Noah's cheek, caving a third of his metal face in.\n\nDeficio had his own gun arm opened, and he desperately tried to manually reload his gun, for he was using the same paper-cartridged ammo as the rest of Iratus's crew. Deficio and Noah both raised their weapons at each other at the same time, but both seemed to hesitate. Iratus knew that the two had some sort of friendly history even if they tried to kill each other multiple times. Iratus looked back and forth at the two before his eyes widened as Malignitas came by with a dagger to puncture down into one of the openings in the body of Noah, right where the neck was. Blood rapidly came out of the metal man, who dropped in a second as Malignitas quickly ran to Iratus's line and took off the heraldry belonging to Sucus.\n\nAstrid: \"Oh, that's the feline from your tower. Was he on their side?\"\n\nIratus: \"Who knows?\"\n\nDeficio was left in shock for only a few seconds before a few more gunshots took his attention away.\n\n Malignitas: \"Any reason you didn't fire?\"\n\nThe priest looked at the feline with a bit of distaste in his eyes.\n\nDeficio: \"Some people deserve more respect even when battle is the only option left. Never forget that cat.\"\n\nMalignitas rolled his eye.\n\nIratus focused back on the battle at hand. Many of Sucus's forces were barely fighting, more just running around than anything, but Metam lost a lot of capable soldiers from Noah's rampage, and it seemed like they were looking anywhere for leadership and a plan.\n\nArcus was getting back on her feet while Deficio and Malignitas headed for the crown at the center of the small stadium.\n\nIratus: \"Come with me, guys; I have an idea.\"\n\nHe and his forces started to mix with Metam's lost forces.\n\nIratus: \"Rally to me!\"\n\n---\n\nEPISDOE 81: END\n\n---\n\nEpisode 81 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 jars, 8 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, 64 cloaks and other clothing materials, some fabrics, 4 carts, 3 stitched tents, skin drum, beautiful arts of tropical scenery, floatation devices, wildlife figures, lots of tropical clothing, gas generator, four flood lights\n\nArmory: 30 short swords, 23 knifes, 17 daggers, 21 metal spears, 4 arming swords, 4 long swords, 2 extra gambeson, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), 3 hunting traps, 5 snares, 10 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, silver 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 (Resolutio), Large Cabin (Winter Winds), Large Cabin (Dark Sky Family), Small Cabin (Fraus and Arcus) 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 208\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, (preg 21 days)\n-\nAestus of clan Riversinger\notter, female, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'2, age: 16, b day: 99, (preg 213 days)\n-\nIgnis Yang\nred panda, female, reddish-brown/white fur, black hair, golden eye, 6'4, age: 16, b day: 344, (preg 113 days)\n-\nResonantia Diamond Heart Steel\nshark, female, blue-gray hue skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 16, b day: 2, (preg 240 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\nFraus\nfeline, female, bright gray, white underbelly fur, white hair, blue eyes, 6'7, age: 18, b day: 90\n\nArcus\nfox, female, slightly dark brown fur, slightly dark brown hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 20, b day: 326\n\nResolutio\ngoat, female, black fur, black hair, blue eyes, 7'0, age: 52, b day: 13\n\n---\n\n\nWINTER WINDS CLAN:\nStudium of Winter Winds\nfox, male, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 5'10, age 14, b day: 190\n\nFuligo Leaf Shadow\notter, female, black fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'6, age 13, b day: 245, (preg 142 days)\n\nBellum of House War Knuckles\ncheetah, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'0, age 15, b day: 91, (preg 178 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 253 days)\n\n---\n\n(farm)\nUMBRA OCEAN FAMILY:\nProcella Ocean Drinker\nweasel , female, blonde fur, black hair, green eyes, 6'5, age 23, b day: 207, (preg 157 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\nAbrasione\nhyena, female, tan fur with black spots, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 20, b day: 4\n\n-\nKuxatura Jade Blue Cobalt\nhyena, male, tan fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 284\n\nVulnera Jade Blue Cobalt\nhyena, male, white with black spots fur, black hair with some golden strands, gray eyes, age: 0, b day: 189\n\nRuptura Jade Blue Cobalt\nhyena, male, pale tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 0, b day: 189\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 81
Chapter 801
The air in the amphitheater was thick with tension with even the lights and lamps, flickering. The oppressive smell of death from the mass grave was reaching a painful point, where Iratus was feeling a sting in his nose.
The mouse boy gave a sigh before getting the batfolk's attention.
Iratus: "Excuse me, Sucus."
The bat turned his brown eyes onto Iratus.
Iratus: "Let's get back on track. You seem to have captured some non-combatants, innocents who have not done you wrong."
Before Iratus could continue, the batfolk gave a scowl and then interrupted.
Sucus: "No such thing. Purple City has killed and will continue killing us and everyone around them until someone stops them. Every bit of manpower I can strip from them, the more favorable our chances of fighting them are."
Iratus's ears twitched as murmurs from some of the crowd nearby nodded in agreement.
Iratus: "Three of them claim to have done nothing against anyone, so you can't just execute them."
Sucus: "There are not innocents. Their existence increases Purple City's strength. If we are to win the inevitable war against the most hateful of civilizations in the Nexus Prime, then we must treat them as enemies, whereas if these so-called innocents don't want to die in the crossfire, then they should stop propping up their vicious city-state."
Iratus: "I'm aware of how evil Purple City is, but regardless of the circumstances, killing innocent people is wrong."
Sucus: "You and your tribe may live one way, but here, we take those who try to kill us seriously."
Iratus's ears flattened.
Iratus: "I'm not going to let you just murder innocent people."
Sucus mockingly: "Oh? Another tribe does their own thing, but because you don't like a few minor irrelevant things from us, your tribe will go through battle and war? So much death and the loss of resources for what, three nobodies?"
Iratus: "That, and I'd like to not cause more problems with Purple City until my people are ready."
Sucus: "Ugh. Find a spot to sit, and we will continue this conversation in a few minutes. The ritual of Huitzilopochtli is late."
Commercium snarkly: "What kind of name is that?"
Sucus: "A god that Purple City abandoned after their victory in claiming the city they live in."
Commercium: "Makes sense. Their religious worship being a god that wants all this death."
Iratus gave a sigh and shook his head, but he did walk away, not to the stands but outside with his two allies coming with him, not wanting to watch the gruesome display of executions.
---
Chapter 802
Despite how hard he tried, Iratus could still hear the crowd cheer with the chop of an axe. Each roar from the audience struck him like a blow, the sound of steel on flesh and the rhythmic chant of "Huitzilopochtli!" creating an almost unbearable cacophony. He stood just outside the small stadium with various lights going out and generators going out, with only the stadium's lights being on now.
Iratus's tail flicked anxiously as his eyes scanned the festival. His ears twitched at the sound of approaching footsteps. Astrid, the merchant girl, moved with purpose, her armor catching the moonlight and reflecting the lacquered plates that were her armor.
Iratus: "Oh, it's you."
She wore a bit of a smile.
Astrid: "I saw you up there with that bat guy. What was that all about?
Iratus: "These Festival of Blood people have some captured innocents from Purple City, and I was demanding their release."
Astrid crossed her arms, her gauntlets creaking softly as she adjusted her stance.
Astrid: "As if any of those monsters can be innocent."
Iratus: "You seem rather off today."
She gave an empty laugh.
Astrid: "Back to the east, I've found many small hovels and settlements empty and burned down. Purple City is amassing power and purging their region of all others. My little merchant caravan adopted a few survivors, all children, and when a patrol from Purple City came by, they declared me an enemy and killed everyone—Musheer al-Nassif and Greg included.
She shook her head, her expression giving way to anger.
Astrid: "Those two sacrificed themselves so that I could escape."
Iratus's ears flattened.
Iratus: "Seems different since the last time you met some Purple City people."
Astrid barked a bitter laugh, shaking her head.
Astrid: "They were quite friendly every time, but once they saw that we were trying to save children from their purges, they became so intolerant and... evil."
Iratus: "Still, the Festival of Blood? Why are you here?"
Astrid: "I'm just here to see Purple City burn. I thought about just picking myself up again and heading out, but honestly, I think I want some justice."
Iratus: "Two wrongs do not make a right. Are you aware that some of those people are innocents?"
Astrid crossed her arms.
Astrid: "And? This is war."
Iratus: "Understandable, but this is an escalation that will be bad for everyone here. What, are these people here going to fight? They are only here for their hedonism. That warlord back there? Living under his rule does not seem any better than the philosophy of Purple City."
Astrid: "So what, we wait?"
---
Chapter 803
Iratus: "I don't know what makes you, you. I am called to protect the innocent because I am religious, so I'm stuck with freeing these innocents from a warlord who could have been a great ally in the coming war with Purple City."
Astrid sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of her armor.
Astrid: "So you're willing to jeopardize everything for some people you don't even know? You can't save everyone, Iratus."
Iratus: "I don't need to save everyone. Just the people in front of me."
Astrid rolled her eyes and leaned against the edge of a crumbling stone wall.
Astrid: "Your choice is too unrealistic and a bad decision."
Iratus's tail flicked with irritation.
Iratus: "I get that a lot. All I can do is make my choice and follow it through, and me risking my life for those who shouldn't be murdered is what I am here for. You said Purple City killed innocents, well, the Festival of Blood is about to do the same. Evil is evil, let's fight it."
The two stood in silence for a moment, the sounds of the Festival of Blood continuing to hum in the distance. A sudden uproar of cheers erupted as another victim met their fate.
Astrid glanced toward the stadium.
Astrid: "Alright, protector of the innocent. How do you plan to get them out of there? It's not like you can just stroll in and ask nicely."
Iratus: "That depends. Are you willing to help?"
Astrid looked down at her gauntlets for a moment.
Astrid: "Ha, well...I guess this place is a bit too much for my taste. Better to fight with honest hearts like you and your settlement than these warmongers."
The mouse boy smiled.
Iratus: "I knew you were a good person at heart."
Astrid: "I hardly see fighting the Festival of Blood as good, but I guess it cannot be helped. This place, the Nexus Prime, I have found myself more spiritual living here, not religious, of course, but despite its artificial nature, it is like we are really close to something godly. That ritual over there has a strange feeling to it. I've seen slaughter, but something like this feels like it is truly calling something. I'm just glad you're here to set me straight.
The priest clasped his hands and spoke.
Deficio: "Lord be praised, another has found their way home."
Resolutio: "I...don't think that's what happened."
Astrid: "Alright, if you want to save those innocent people's lives, I assume there will be a fight."
Resolutio: "That creature seemed to be hell-bent on killing people. If they refuse to listen to reason, then it seems we will be throwing away any chance to ally with these people to rescue people from our rival settlement."
Astrid: "Ugh. I hate doing the right thing."
By that time, Commercium was coming back with the rest of Iratus's troop, and Iratus could hear the ritual calm and figured it was time to debate with Sucus.
Commercium: "Yo boss, I got the crew."
Everyone was grim with the thought of fighting, but each one clearly had the resolve to see things through.
---
Chapter 804
Iratus and the others walked into the stadium, with Iratus himself trying to ignore the gore and blood that now littered the ground, despite the attempt to funnel blood away. Deficio seemed to be the most displeased by the sights and sounds of the arena and Iratus could see him physically restrain himself from talking, holding his tongue to remain courteous.
Four humans were in a single cage, bound in chains and stuck in a hallway not far from the open area. Two young females, a particularly large Black-skinned human, and the fourth was a fit but skinny human with stiff, long, and blonde hair.
Roy was already in the stadium trying to make his case for the release of Tristan.
Roy: "I'm sure the two settlements can live in peace together and become trade partners."
Sucus: "Oh? And what do you say, Mister Tristan? Will our two nations exist in peace?"
The human tugged at his red duster before giving something like a scowl at the batfolk.
Tristan: "Not possible."
His voice did not match the frame of his build, for it was quite deep.
Tristan: "I don't see how barbarians would ever keep their promises, much less stay in a state of peace. These things are monstrous, Roy. You're wasting your time, and you need to get out of here while you still can."
The batfolk seemed pleased by the answer despite it being an insult to him. The cage was now out and into the arena proper now but still on the edge of it.
Sucus: "Straight from the top enforcer himself. As you heard, dear Roy, Purple City is too intolerant and will seek conflict because they are evil."
Roy: "If you free them, you could show Purple City that even after all the injustice they deal you, you are still the more virtuous person. There could be peace if you just tried."
Sucus: "You still don't get it; many people in this stadium have told me their woes. They tell me of their peaceful lives until the military of Purple City arrived to take everything from them, and what you see here are those who barely managed to survive. We've released their soldiers multiple times already, and each time they return in greater numbers to kill my people."
Roy: "That can't be right. The people there would never commit such acts."
Sucus: "You only have to ask your patron over there. This isn't the first time he has been chained by us."
Iratus crossed his arms as he and his people waited silently for this conversation to end.
Roy: "That's ridiculous! Tristan, tell me your side of the story."
Tristan: "About what? These are monsters, so it's only right to try to kill them all."
Roy: "So you attacked innocent people?"
Tristan: "These things are not people and cannot be innocent! They are irredeemable creatures that violate God's laws and must be killed. Don't let their deceptions fool you."
---
Chapter 805
Roy: "Dude, you can't be serious."
Tristan: "Look at these public executions; you can't tell me this isn't evil."
Sucus: "Huitzilopochtli is your god. I have humans and human-likes that have told me about the brutal public executions from Purple City. Do you have any idea how long the Festival of Blood has been around? And for all my years spent on this planet, we have never executed as many people as you did in those three days of blood. The day your kind took over Purple City and murdered so many people, children included. You can't stand there and talk about our ritual when you started it and we merely took your god's name for ourselves. The whole reason we opened a dialog in the first place was to compliment your faith in mass sacrifice. How dare you mock us for trying to praise your killing ability?
Iratus's nose twitched, and a pang of discomfort crept up his spine. Sucus’s voice grew darker, an unsettling intensity in his tone that suggested either deep conviction or growing instability. The crowd seemed uninterested in the conversation as Iratus could hear nothing but casual conversations within the stands.
Tristan started to shake the bars of his cage and started to yell at Sucus. By this point, Iratus and his men walked up near the viewing box where the bat stood from.
Tristan: "You’re insane! Don’t you dare twist the truth like that. We were defending ourselves against your barbarism, not indulging in it."
Sucus raised a clawed hand to silence the human.
Sucus: "Defending yourselves? How convenient. Always the hero in your own story, aren’t you?"
Iratus came forward and Sucus looked down at him.
Sucus: "Ah, cat in the form of a mouse, give me a minute, please, and we can begin negotiations."
The sound of someone struggling and shouting came from the stands until the tanuki woman, Metam, was pushed out into the stadium. She stood up, brushing the dirt from her brown fur and opulent red dress, something similar to the first clothes Iratus saw her in.
Metam: "The festival is ruled by two, and therefore, you can't do that to me, you filthy beast."
Sucus with a sarcastic tone: "Please, we are not a couple anymore, so restrain from using such generous words."
The tanuki woman growled at Sucus.
Sucus: "You were supposed to bring the broken and the lost...and instead you brought determined creatures. Iratus here even has an army all to threaten me because I want to do something he deems as bad."
He spat on the ground and gave a steely glare at Iratus who only crossed his arms.
Sucus: "You brought conflict to the festival, so I say you are the traitor here."
Iratus looked around to see lines starting to form, and he could see the differences in the two warlords armies. Metam's had more formal and usually old-world armor, while Sucus's was either more advanced with kelar or other electric tech world items used as armor, much in the same way Purple City did their armor.
Metam in a haughty tone: "I have no idea what you are talking about; you clearly have gone mad, old man."
Iratus looked back at the batfolk, but there didn't seem to be a hint of age on him; of course, Iratus thought about the bloodforged souls and how he and others like him, the folk, didn't really age until much later in their lives compared to human-likes, but even Resolutio was slowing down, and her fur was starting to lose its richness.
---
Chapter 806
Sucus: "As I said, today is the day I stop being some irrelevant warlord and become a king."
He spread his arms wide.
One of his men, a squirrel with light brown fur, came out with a simple golden crown with a very large sapphire in it. They didn't move, though, as if waiting for something.
Sucus: "The Festival of Blood will transform into The Nation of Wilds, and we will wage our vengeance on the enemy to the east, but there is a small problem with you, Metam."
He turned sharply toward the tanuki woman, his piercing gaze locking onto her. Metam, unfazed, tilted her head, her tail swishing lazily behind her.
Sucus: "You have been trying to ruin my position here by sending problematic people, and I deem it as a violation of the truce, and therefore, you are banished from my glorious nation."
The tankuki woman gave a hearty laugh.
Metam: "To end everything we built here? I guess change found us once again. However, I've always been sick of your ugly face, and I think it is time to end our feud once and for all."
Sensing the tension, the people in the stadium were starting to disperse, with only a few moving to join a side. Iratus could also hear panic from outside the stadium, and it sounded like people quickly moving about.
Sucus: "You choose bloodshed instead of returning to your hovel?"
She gave a toothy grin.
Metam: "I didn't end up on top of the world because I chose peace. I've learned that killing is the most beneficial act for oneself."
Iratus raised his hand.
Iratus: "Uh, excuse me, but can you two have your little civil war later? Either that or release your remaining prisoners, and I will be happy to leave."
Sucus: "This lady brought you here knowing you'd shed blood, and you won't condemn her?"
Iratus: "I just want the prisoners, nothing else."
Sucus: "Listen to me, lad, I too have a small army, and together we can defeat Purple City. They are overextending themselves and won't have a military force that can match both of ours combined. Support my kingship, let me end these foul humans, and we will win. If not, well, I have someone else I can ally with."
Iratus crossed his arms.
Iratus: "Sorry, but I refuse to join with you if your faith is about killing innocents."
Sucus: "You really would waste so much life just to help these poor souls? Disgusting! Then you are no longer welcome; leave or be destroyed."
---
Chapter 807
Iratus gave a glare before speaking.
Iratus: "We are going over there to free these people. If you wish to stop us, you are free to try."
The batfolk gave an annoyed expression before making a sign for the squirrel man. His men below walked to the center of the stadium, pushing Iratus and his followers to the side. They sat down on some sort of machine device and sat the crown on the stump used for the executions.
Sucus: "I have no choice but to ally with someone else then."
With a metallic click, the machine whirred to life. It was a red image and a humanoid form that looked rather like a chimpanzee, wearing a trench coat with leather-plated chest gear and military boots. Through the red glow, Iratus recognized the Sin Lord of Pride.
Iratus's heart sank as he recognized the figure.
Iratus: "Blasted stones, that guy again."
Deficio grimly: "The Sin Lord of Pride."
Pride: "Greetings mortals, it is I, the father of all pride."
The voice was deep and resonant, but there was a hollowness to it. Iratus squinted, trying to discern if the hologram was more than a projection, but its movements were jerky, almost puppet-like.
Sucus: "Honored ally, tell these people why I am the monarch here!"
For a moment, the hologram paused, its blank gaze scanning the arena. The silence felt endless, broken only by the faint hum of the machine.
Pride: "My children did such good work in Purple City. Yet, when I arrived to take my seat in their faith, they denied me the power they once begged for. Now, they must be punished. Let the crown decide."
Sucus beamed, turning to the crowd with open arms.
Sucus: "That's me. I will be the one to wear the crown."
Pride: "Select your crown wearer. Any who say no may fight for the right, and only after the fight may one wear the crown. No sooner."
Sucus: "This is why I placed the crown in the stadium; whoever wins this fight will be the lord of this region. Feel free to flee for your life, for this is where the battle begins!"
He motioned for his men to move forward, and they drew their weapons, ready for a fight. Everyone was either already in the drawn lines or fled the stadium.
The hologram looked around as it talked. Iratus gave it a wave, but it seemed to glaze over him.
Iratus: "It’s so robotic. Is it really Pride or just some pre-recorded nonsense?"
Fraus groaned audibly, clutching her temples.
Fraus: "My God, just how many Sin Lords am I going to run into?"
The rabbitfolk nearby gave a chuckle.
Commercium: "How many have we run into Iratus?"
Iratus sighed.
Iratus: "Too many."
Deficio narrowed his eyes at the machine, studying its glowing mechanisms.
Deficio: "I don’t know how hologram technology works here, but this thing doesn’t seem like the actual Pride."
The group moved deliberately toward Metam’s side of the arena, stepping over toppled puddles of blood and spilled drinks. The tension between them and Sucus’s men was a taut string ready to snap.
Metam turned toward Iratus, an amused smirk on her face.
Metam: "Oh, you will be fighting with us then?"
Iratus: "You planned for this to happen. I don’t have much choice, do I?"
Metam: "Sorry, my boy, but this has long since outstripped my plans. But since you’re here, we might as well expel this pompous fool together."
---
Chapter 808
Iratus stepped forward, his voice firm but tinged with exasperation.
Iratus: "Sucus! Please, it's just a few prisoners; they can't mean so much that you would continue this."
Sucus: "I told you, this is war. Either Purple City dies or I die. I'm not budging; you won't compromise, so all that is left is to fight."
Above them, the red hologram flickered faintly, its image distorted for a brief second before stabilizing. The Sin Lord of Pride’s voice cut through the tension with an unsettling calm.
Pride: "May honor be won this day."
Iratus: "How about you think about the future? Look at our three armies and realize that it would be better to keep everyone here alive. A war after this battle won't go well for anyone."
Sucus narrowed his eyes, his posture rigid with defiance.
Sucus: "My nation of Wilds will recover and win. There is no doubt. It is you who should back down so that we may fight together."
Iratus: "Then why not prepare? Create fortifications, craft better weapons and armor?"
Pride: "With the crown won, full authority will exist, the monarch."
Sucus: "Because we can win now even with just the Sin Lord of Pride."
Metam's tanuki tail swished once behind her.
Metam: "You are wasting your time, boy; this is a brutal man from a brutal time. He won't be swayed."
Iratus: "I still have to try. War is bad for everyone here, and we can survive and thrive if we just work together."
Pride: "We must destroy my wayward children, Purple City."
Sucus: "The gods of blood are hungry. It is time to honor them."
---
Chapter 809
Iratus got his men into a proper formation while the rabble under Sucus and Metam dived into a fray with no strategy creating a chaotic maelstrom that Iratus used to get his forces into a more advantageous position. Enemy foes came with their improvised spears and clubs to which a line formation sucked them into and with various repositioning, quickly surrounded and dealt with.
A few gun shots rang out and Arcus, the fox girl, was dropped clutching her arm.
Iter: "Medic!"
Liora dropped down to render some sort of first aid. A few more gunshots rang out with both factions of the festival dropped. Commercium held up his rifle and shot at a rifleman in the stands which made the man drop into the seats.
Several spears were thrown at Iratus who ducked out of the way and when his foes came forward, they were stopped by several spears held by his forces. Iratus came in and stabbed them as non-lethally as he could though weather or not they's live Iratus refused to think about.
Pride: "Don't forget to drink water and stay hydrated."
From the mass of fighters, Iratus saw Malignitas fighting for Sucus. The one-eyed feline was pushed towards Iratus's pack and the two started to clash blades.
Iratus was slightly surprised when they started to launch strikes at each other.
Iratus: "Do you have a problem with me?"
Malignitas: "I don't even know you."
Iratus thought that maybe Malignitas had something up his sleeve, which would be in character for him. Unfortunity, betraying Iratus and the tower was also in line for him. Without much of an answer Iratus pushed back and just missed the cat's neck and clipped his ear. Several of Iratus's men came forward with spears to drive Malignitas and a few other hostiles back.
Iratus saw Sanguinare, Metam's top soldier start to rally and get his forces into a proper position, similar to what Iratus had done. Unfortunitly, only a handful of them listined as both Metam's and Sucus's forces were just untrained rabble with too much eagerness for a fight.
---
Chapter 810
Iratus saw the batfolk make a motion, and then Noah, the tall and deep-tanned human, had jumped into the arena. He had several soldiers from Metam's side clash with him, and it was clear these were some proficient fighters as they used their numbers to surround the human and attacked together, but Noah shrugged off the blows as if their sharp points did no damage, and then his left arm opened into a gun while his right shot a long blade into his hand. Whirling from one foe to another, Noah expertly cut into his foes and sent them to the ground. Iratus could see openings inside of Noah, like if he was some sort of machine himself.
Noah looked around and covered his head as several bullets whizzed past him; most bounced off, leaving rivets, but one actually hit hard enough to tear a tiny gash in his metal skin. Sanguinare stepped forward to challenge Sucus's champion, but Noah raised his gun arm, and with one shot, ripped through his armor and sent him walking backward until he fell down. Then, another shot came in and slammed into Noah's cheek, caving a third of his metal face in.
Deficio had his own gun arm opened, and he desperately tried to manually reload his gun, for he was using the same paper-cartridged ammo as the rest of Iratus's crew. Deficio and Noah both raised their weapons at each other at the same time, but both seemed to hesitate. Iratus knew that the two had some sort of friendly history even if they tried to kill each other multiple times. Iratus looked back and forth at the two before his eyes widened as Malignitas came by with a dagger to puncture down into one of the openings in the body of Noah, right where the neck was. Blood rapidly came out of the metal man, who dropped in a second as Malignitas quickly ran to Iratus's line and took off the heraldry belonging to Sucus.
Astrid: "Oh, that's the feline from your tower. Was he on their side?"
Iratus: "Who knows?"
Deficio was left in shock for only a few seconds before a few more gunshots took his attention away.
Malignitas: "Any reason you didn't fire?"
The priest looked at the feline with a bit of distaste in his eyes.
Deficio: "Some people deserve more respect even when battle is the only option left. Never forget that cat."
Malignitas rolled his eye.
Iratus focused back on the battle at hand. Many of Sucus's forces were barely fighting, more just running around than anything, but Metam lost a lot of capable soldiers from Noah's rampage, and it seemed like they were looking anywhere for leadership and a plan.
Arcus was getting back on her feet while Deficio and Malignitas headed for the crown at the center of the small stadium.
Iratus: "Come with me, guys; I have an idea."
He and his forces started to mix with Metam's lost forces.
Iratus: "Rally to me!"
---
EPISDOE 81: END
---
Episode 81 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 jars, 8 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, 64 cloaks and other clothing materials, some fabrics, 4 carts, 3 stitched tents, skin drum, beautiful arts of tropical scenery, floatation devices, wildlife figures, lots of tropical clothing, gas generator, four flood lights
Armory: 30 short swords, 23 knifes, 17 daggers, 21 metal spears, 4 arming swords, 4 long swords, 2 extra gambeson, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), 3 hunting traps, 5 snares, 10 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, silver 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 (Resolutio), Large Cabin (Winter Winds), Large Cabin (Dark Sky Family), Small Cabin (Fraus and Arcus) 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 208
---
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, (preg 21 days)
-
Aestus of clan Riversinger
otter, female, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'2, age: 16, b day: 99, (preg 213 days)
-
Ignis Yang
red panda, female, reddish-brown/white fur, black hair, golden eye, 6'4, age: 16, b day: 344, (preg 113 days)
-
Resonantia Diamond Heart Steel
shark, female, blue-gray hue skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 16, b day: 2, (preg 240 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
Fraus
feline, female, bright gray, white underbelly fur, white hair, blue eyes, 6'7, age: 18, b day: 90
Arcus
fox, female, slightly dark brown fur, slightly dark brown hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 20, b day: 326
Resolutio
goat, female, black fur, black hair, blue eyes, 7'0, age: 52, b day: 13
---
WINTER WINDS CLAN:
Studium of Winter Winds
fox, male, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 5'10, age 14, b day: 190
Fuligo Leaf Shadow
otter, female, black fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'6, age 13, b day: 245, (preg 142 days)
Bellum of House War Knuckles
cheetah, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'0, age 15, b day: 91, (preg 178 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 253 days)
---
(farm)
UMBRA OCEAN FAMILY:
Procella Ocean Drinker
weasel , female, blonde fur, black hair, green eyes, 6'5, age 23, b day: 207, (preg 157 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 with black spots, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 20, b day: 4
-
Kuxatura Jade Blue Cobalt
hyena, male, tan fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 284
Vulnera Jade Blue Cobalt
hyena, male, white with black spots fur, black hair with some golden strands, gray eyes, age: 0, b day: 189
Ruptura Jade Blue Cobalt
hyena, male, pale tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 0, b day: 189
---
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 81",
"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": "11"
}