Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 106

Chapter 1051

It started with charcoal—bundles of branches and logs tossed into a pit, sealed, and burned for a full day. Sulfur was easier to obtain; the hot springs cave yielded it in abundance. The vents reeked of rotten eggs, and pale-yellow crystals clung to the stone like frost. They were melted into crusty chunks, impurities scraped away until only smooth golden lumps remained.

Saltpeter—potassium nitrate—proved trickier. Without proper mining knowledge, Lionhearth's people improvised. They dug a trench where manure, straw, and refuse were piled and watered down into compost. Over time, pale crusts bloomed across the surface. These were shoveled into barrels, washed with hot water, and purified into sharp white crystals.

It took trial and error to find the right proportions and refining times, but eventually, they had gunpowder. The powder was packed into cloth rags, one end sealed with wax. Lead bullets were cast from iron molds, though compatibility with existing weapons was a problem. The village had only one rifle capable of firing them—their other, modern firearms required factory-made ammunition scavenged from abandoned areas. It was rough and makeshift, but it worked.

Finally, one of these bullets was loaded into the old bolt-action rifle Iratus carried. He squeezed the trigger, and the shot rang out across the battlefield. The rifle would likely gunk up before long, but for now, it was functional.

Resonantia: "Iratus, we literally have ammo for all our real guns. You don't need that outdated thing."

Iratus: "Had to fire one for Venatio."

On the field, one of Lionhearth's Humvees roared across the dirt, drawing a wave of cavalry in pursuit. The horsemen fired old pistols, their bullets bouncing harmlessly against the armored frame. Yet the rocky ground and uneven terrain around the fortress left both vehicles and riders struggling to maneuver.

Across the line, Sagitta swerved his Humvee through the chaos, baiting the enemy's attention—until two cannon blasts screamed past, narrowly missing with startling accuracy.

The two core armies closed in, spears trembling as the sharp crack of firearms cut through the air.

Resonantia: "We could have brought everyone."

Iratus: "And leave Lionhearth unguarded? Their army may be twice our size here, but our goal isn't victory. It's to bleed them, battle by battle, until they can't recover."

Resonantia: "Then perhaps we should have focused on retreats, not a stand here."

The pair pressed forward, weaving through gunfire as bullets tore the air around them.

Iratus: "We've made enough plans that—no matter what happens, good or bad—most of our forces will make it out alive."

---

Chapter 1052

The enemy hesitated. Two fronts had opened in the middle, but Lionhearth's rifles held them at bay. Their own ranged weapons were useless against guns. Only the cannons posed a real threat. At first, the shots targeted Otiosus and Sagitta, but soon Iratus saw the barrels swivel toward him. He gave the command to fall back.

Salvos and Resolutio were already ahead of him, calling the retreat. Cannon fire thundered as Lionhearth pulled back, each blast flinging stone and dust into the air. Enemy gunmen pressed forward, claiming fortified positions as they closed the distance.

A cannonball smashed into the fortress wall. Rubble rained down, crushing soldiers beneath it. Iratus dove into the dust, dragging Interrogatio out by the shoulders before the man could even regain his senses.

Resolutio: "Iratus, it looks like the pull maneuver didn't work."

Iratus: "Probably for the best."

A shout from the window.

Iter: "They've got horses dragging their cannons!"

Salvos: "Should we take the shots?"

Resolutio: "Their gunmen are advancing. We should deal with them first."

She glanced at Iratus.

Resolutio: "Your call, sir."

Iratus: "Even if the cannons are farther out, they'll tear us apart if we don't act. Everyone with ranged weapons—focus fire on the cannons!"

His soldiers scrambled into position, unleashing a storm of bullets. Enemy crews ducked behind cover and fired back, the crack of rifles echoing through the stone halls.

When his men finally pulled back from the windows, Iratus spotted movement—several horses and crewmen had gone down. The cannons had fallen silent. For now.

Resolutio came striding back, her expression tight.

Resolutio: "I finally got a solid estimate of their numbers."

Iratus nodded, waiting.

Resolutio: "We've taken out maybe another six. But not all their soldiers are here."

Iratus: "Detachments?"

Resolutio: "I've got a bad feeling about our back door. We should call the ship and abandon the first plan."

Iratus: "Yeah. We're outmatched here. Get the flare—signal the escape boat."

---

Chapter 1053

Resolutio: "About a dozen of them are missing."

Her eyes were fixed on the smoke rising outside. 

Resolutio: "And I don't mean the horsemen chasing Otiosus and Sagitta. Several more have slipped away entirely."

The flare gun cracked. Echo fired into the sky, the red light burning overhead.

Iratus tightened his grip on his rifle.

Iratus: "I'm going to check on the squads. Hold them together."

Resolutio gave him a quick nod.

Resolutio: "Be careful, my liege."

From a high window, Iratus scanned the battlefield. Two Humvees swerved across the churned mud, engines howling. Otiosus drove the lead vehicle, Communiquer, Confodere, Levi, and Deficio huddled in the back, weapons ready. Sagitta's Humvee followed, Inlecebra, Bellum, and Commercium bracing themselves as the vehicle rocked under incoming fire. Pursuers dogged their path, but Iratus knew both squads would loop back once they shook the chase.

The fortress walls trembled under constant gunfire. Salvos and Resolutio barked orders above the battle sounds, their squads moving like clockwork despite the chaos. Echo, Leitmotif, and Interrogatio kept to the flank, rifles cracking in steady rhythm. At the front, Astrid, Ardens, Malignitas, and Disputatio fought shoulder-to-shoulder, their muzzles flashing in bursts of light.

Somewhere between bursts of gunfire, Completio's voice drifted to Iratus.

Completio: "You know, once I was trapped in a library for years." She laughed. "The Nexus Prime's got a real sick sense of humor. First, I thought it was a magical adventure… and now? Now it's just a bloody shootout. When did the Nexus Prime decide to become this?"

Iratus ducked as a round shattered the stone above his head. Dust rained down. He spat grit from his mouth before answering. 

Iratus: "This is just one corner of it. Most of the Nexus wouldn't even allow a settlement to exist. Wars like this aren't supposed to happen. I was only lucky enough to beat the gray masks until we had room to grow."

Another barrage rattled the fortress. Men shouted. Stone cracked.

Iratus clapped Completio on the shoulder.

Iratus: "Keep firing. You're holding your weight."

Completio: "Like I have a choice."

Iratus pushed deeper into the corridors, passing Pusillanimitas, Certamen, and Iter as they reloaded in cover. He glanced at their former post, where Laedere and Invidia still crouched by the shattered window, rifles spitting fire.

Iratus: "Good to see they didn't mow us down in the open."

Laedere: "Technically, they tried. Now they're just throwing everything they've got at us."

Invidia reloaded with quick, practiced hands. Her eyes flicked to Iratus.

Invidia: "They're circling, sir. If you want to help hold them off, you'd best get to the entrance."

Iratus frowned: "And you two?"

Invidia: "We'll do what we're meant to do. Slip around and give them a proper scare."

Iratus hesitated for only a moment, then nodded. 

Iratus: "Alright. Good luck."

He turned and sprinted for the main hall, boots echoing against stone. Above, through the smoke-choked air, the hyena and the mousegirl crawled through a jagged hole in the wall, vanishing into the chaos outside.

And from the entrance, Resonantia's voice rose, sharp and urgent, calling his name.

---

Chapter 1054

To Iratus, it looked like a suicidal charge. He watched five of the enemy — men and things that resembled men — get gunned down before they even reached the gatehouse. Yet somehow, impossibly, they broke through. The doors splintered. Smoke and fire filled the entry, and Iratus realized the enemy's gambit had worked.

He cursed under his breath and turned back, forced to circle around the inner corridors.

Iratus: "Salvos! Resolutio! Get a new position set up!"

Both answered at once, their voices cutting through the chaos. "Yes, sir!"

Iratus pushed on until he rejoined the main hall. Through shattered walls and windows he caught sight of the Humvees, his men in the turet section and firing their guns which tore into the exposed enemy flank. For the first time since the breach, the tide slowed.

He found Resolutio near the center. The goat-woman's armor was bloodied, her flank pierced by a bullet and her arm slashed open. Still she stood firm.

Iratus: "Report. We just lost the front gate. Where are they?"

Around them, his forces had turned every passage into a barricade. Furniture and stone plugged the gaps. Men and women crouched at firing holes, weapons steady.

Resolutio: "We can't run the Lull Tactic, the Fake Face, or Side-to-Side. They've forced us into our first plan."

Iratus: "Yeah. Never got the chance to play 'out of ammo' or any of those tricks."

Resolutio: "Disputatio's down, but he'll live. The enemy's holding the gatehouse for now. If they press further, they'll start pushing squads through the corridors to flank us."

Before Iratus could answer, a shout came from the rear. Commercium and Laedere stumbled in, dragging a limp figure between them. Blood trailed across the floor.

Iratus: "Invidia—what happened?"

Resolutio cut him off. 

Resolutio : "Doesn't matter. Get her to a Humvee, now."

Commercium shook his head, wide-eyed. "We pulled up, and these two threw themselves into the vehicle. We dropped out, lit up their flank, but Invidia caught the worst of it."

Laedere's voice cracked. 

Laedere: "She's riddled, Iratus. I don't… I don't know if she'll last."

Resolutio: "Take her anyway. And Disputatio too — he's done fighting."

Orders snapped down the line. people carried the wounded toward the vehicles. Commercium lingered a moment, rubbing his forehead.

Commercium: "Yo, uh… I think the boat's gone, or dead, or something. It ain't coming."

Resolutio swore, blood dripping from her chin. 

Resolutio: "Two for two. What even is my luck?"

Iratus: "Then we move to retreat plan two. We knew this could happen."

Resolutio: "We'll still bleed hard for it."

Iratus: "If we must. Salvos—prepare everyone for Plan Fallout."

Salvos: "Yes, my king."

Iratus almost corrected him, the word catching in his throat. But he saw the eyes of his people — looking to him, holding faith he wasn't sure he deserved. He swallowed the denial, and simply nodded.

---

Chapter 1055

One by one, the hallways were sealed off. Iratus's soldiers pulled back, barricading every corridor as they withdrew toward the heart of the fortress.

Iratus: "How's the rear holding?"

Salvos: "Sagitta's been keeping it clear for us."

A deep boom rolled in from the distance, rattling the cracked stone.

Salvos: "And Otiosus said he'd deal with the cannons. I'll take that as his handiwork."

A few last stragglers staggered into the main chamber. Interrogatio was not among them. Iratus glanced toward Echo, whose somber shake of the head told him everything. The dusty-furred rabbit lay dead.

It had been a long time since Iratus lost someone from Lionhearth. Near-misses and medicine had kept most alive until now, but war was different. Bullets didn't always miss. Wounds couldn't always be patched.

Salvos: "That's everyone. Time to light the powder and pull out. I can already hear them swarming the corridors."

Iratus: "I leave it to you."

He led the main force outside, into the open air where the enemy still hadn't closed the gap. Now it was only a matter of waiting — the Humvees circling back, the retreat plan ready to trigger.

Then movement on the river caught his eye.

Iratus: "Well… looks like the boat was just late."

Malignitas: "Are you more blind than me?"

The one-eyed cat pointed with a bloody paw. Iratus squinted, focusing on the barge. Something was wrong. The vessel was moving, but the Rise mechanics who should have been crewing it were nowhere to be seen.

Iratus: "No… someone else is piloting it. Either something happened, or the enemy took it."

Resolutio's voice was grim. 

Resolutio: "Twelve of them were missing."

Iratus: "Then ready the guns."

Salvos: "I'll hold the flanks. Otiosus and Sagitta will be here any moment."

Behind them, the fortress gave a final groan and erupted. Five separate explosions ripped through the walls. A tower toppled, and whole sections caved in, leaving the old stronghold half-collapsed. The trap had been sprung. Whether it caught a handful of the enemy or none at all didn't matter — this war was never about winning, only cutting the foe down piece by piece.

The barge drifted closer. The Humvees arrived at last, their engines growling, but Iratus could already smell it — the copper stench of blood carried on the breeze. As the boat slid into view, the truth was laid bare. The deck was strewn with bodies, both the Rise mechanics and enemy soldiers alike, torn and scattered in heaps.

Then the driver's door opened.

A figure emerged: pitch-black fur, cropped black hair, clad in a SWAT uniform from the wolfen world. His presence was like a shadow stepping into daylight.

Iratus and Resonantia spoke at once, voices sharp with disbelief.

"Speculator!"

The wolf grinned, eyes hard as steel.

Speculator: "The legend himself. Good to see you again, Iratus."

---

Chapter 1056

Resolutio: "That accounts for all twelve of the missing enemy units."

Speculator: "Yeah… I was just wandering around when these guys tried to shoot and stab me. They're all dead now."

He tapped the crowbar strapped to his side with a casual confidence.

Resolutio: "Silver… even Otiosus and I would have struggled to take them all down."

Salvos: "Iratus… who exactly is this guy?"

Iratus: "It's been years, but I'm glad he's here. Things are getting messy out here." He turned to Salvos. "He helped us clear the Summoner's Tower near Lionhearth. If you remember Karish, that tower? It was thanks to him and his partner that it was cleared of enemies."

Astrid: "I remember those stories. He was the police officer, right?"

Speculator: "And I like to think I still am. Fighting criminals and killers wherever I find them."

Otiosus: "We don't have time for introductions! They'll swarm us any second. Orders, now!"

Iratus: "So far, only our primary plan has held, mostly thanks to our old wolf friend here. We'll continue with it."

The enemy had reached the fortress walls and unleashed a hail of crossbow bolts and gunfire. Otiosus's squad charged off, with Sagitta driving the barge while reinforcing the main force. Malignitas leapt into Otiosus's Humvee, making sure the counterattack had enough manpower.

On the barge, everyone opened fire. Laedere was hit, alive but no longer capable of fighting. Astrid took the next hit and went down. She could still move, but like the hyenaman, she was effectively out of the battle. The enemy's numbers had dwindled, or perhaps their main force had yet to advance. Soon, their firing ceased entirely — probably out of ammunition.

The barge drifted downriver, away from the fortress, baiting the enemy with the illusion of an escape. Only one enemy vehicle took an unexpected route, veering up the path instead of the road to pursue the barge. Time would reveal whether they would notice the trap.

Iratus: "Speculator… did you meet up with Desidia?"

Speculator: "Certainly. She was supposed to come out here, but she's… not battle-ready at the moment. My fault entirely."

Resolutio: "So much for wandering around."

Speculator: "I only intended to visit Iratus's tower for trade. My cart is parked right over there." He gestured to a cart piled with goods. "I wasn't planning to get involved — these thugs attacked me first."

Iratus: "So you won't be joining the fight?"

Speculator: "I shouldn't. You and I both know how the Nexus Prime works — eyes always watch the most interesting events. I shouldn't be here, yet here I am."

Iratus understood immediately. Shu'al, one of the summoner machines of the space station known as the Nexus Prime, rarely intervened for the sake of organics as the rest of his kind didn't beleive them to be of any value. Speculator, the wolfman, had acted as Desidia's temporary replacement, which likely made him Shu'al's agent as well.

---

Chapter 1057

Iratus walked up beside Resolutio, who stood silent, eyes fixed on the treeline.

Iratus: "See anything?"

Resolutio: "Huh? Oh… no. Just thinking. I feel like an injustice from long ago has finally been corrected. Well, mostly."

Iratus: "Oh? How so?"

Resolutio: "Instead of our allies riding in to save the day, it was a stranger. At least, a stranger to me. You have history with the wolf, but I don't — and it makes the whole thing feel… too much like a fairytale. Still, my first death has been avenged. I got my boat."

Iratus let out a low snicker.

Iratus: "Years in the making."

Resolutio: "It was."

Iratus eventually moved on, checking the condition of the others. Among his closest friends, four Lionhearth survivors, and two fighters from Last Mistake he hardly knew, the count came to twenty-seven left — including himself. Reports trickled in. Sagitta relayed Otiosus's account. Numbers were sketchy, but it looked like another ten enemies had fallen, maybe more with the explosion.

The barge drifted to an abandoned dock, where Iratus ordered the force to disembark and turn back upriver. It was time to spring their trap.

Minutes later, they returned to the fortress, Otiosus's squad sealing off the enemy's escape route. The army of Purple City hadn't yet regrouped from the earlier fight. Their defenses were sloppy — just a perimeter hastily drawn — but they still had ammunition. Gunfire cracked through the trees, forcing Iratus's men to advance under the cover of thick forest.

Echo caught a bullet but forced himself to keep fighting. Commercium wasn't so lucky. Multiple hits dropped him hard, and he needed urgent care. Iratus lacked proper medics, but some, like Pusillanimitas, carried enough supplies to keep him alive.

Gunfire kept coming as the enemy fell back into the ruined fortress. Iratus ordered his people to seize the cannons, still half-wrecked from before. The plan was to use the same forward fortifications Purple City had relied on when they first attacked — crude cover, but better than nothing.

Confodere was struck next, a non-lethal wound, but it took him out of the Otiosus's squad. Most of Iratus's troops clustered behind Sagitta's Humvee and, when Otiosus pulled in, his as well.

Two Lionhearth soldiers — the ones Iratus hadn't learned the names of — were badly wounded in the crossfire. Then, at last, the shooting faltered. Silence fell over the road. Iratus hoped it meant the enemy truly was out of ammunition this time.

The Purple City survivors didn't retreat — they charged. Lionhearth met them head-on. Iratus's two Humvees pinned their flanks, forcing their line into a choke. His people formed into two staggered ranks, rifles and sidearms spitting lead. Unlike Purple City, they still had bullets to burn.

Iratus scanned the chaos, counting as best he could through muzzle flashes and the clash of steel. From their last desperate push, he estimated perhaps twenty enemies remained.

---

Chapter 1058

The last of Purple City's crossbowmen fell when Lionhearth blasted apart their cover, scattering bodies in splinters and blood. A report came in that one of the cannons could be salvaged, but seeing the battle already locked in close quarters, Iratus ordered them abandoned. Leitmotif had led the push to seize them and nearly paid the price — a grazing shot skimmed so close to her skull it might as well have been death brushing past. Another of Iratus's orders that had nearly cost him a friend's mate.

Sagitta was already loading the wounded into his Humvee while Otiosus drove his squad hard into the flank. Iratus pressed the center with Resonantia at his side, her spear cutting gaps for his sword to follow. The two moved as they always had — a rhythm of thrust and step, slash and drive — a brutal dance they had perfected across their battles.

Around them, Salvos, Resolutio, and Otiosus shouted commands, their orders sometimes clashing, sometimes aligning, but together shaping a strategy that slowly constricted the enemy. Lionhearth's forces were tightening the noose.

Iratus and Resonantia fought on, their movements syncing so naturally that when their eyes met, each caught the other smiling, just for a heartbeat, before turning back to the fight.

That was when it happened. Two sharp cracks split the air. Both Iratus and Resonantia jerked as bullets struck, dropping them hard to the ground.

Resolutio reached them first, dragging them upright. Iratus forced himself to his feet, pain shooting through his chest, and staggered to Resonantia. She, too, had somehow managed to rise.

Iratus: "Love, are you okay?"

Resonantia: "I'm fine… but my body feels heavy. I think I'm done with fighting for a while."

Iratus felt the same crushing weight, his limbs locking with every breath.

Iratus: "I feel it too. God, the pain…" He drew in a ragged breath. "I need to sit down."

Resolutio: "Come on. Over to the medical Humvee."

The goat-woman guided them to where the other wounded lay. Nearby, Salvos moved among the fallen, finishing the battle. Enemy survivors groaned and writhed in the mud, but when Salvos looked to Iratus, the mouse only made a slit-throat gesture. The wolf nodded grimly. There would be no prisoners.

Iratus finally sank down. From his seat he could see the cost — surprisingly low. A handful wounded, some serious enough to require treatment back in Lionhearth, but most still standing. Incredibly, only Communiquer had come through completely unscathed.

Sagitta: "Look, I need to get these three back to Lionhearth immediately. Are you coming too?"

Iratus wanted to refuse, but his body betrayed him, locking again until even speaking became difficult. He let out an angry, frustrated sigh.

Iratus: "Yeah… my body's messed up."

Resonantia: "Same. Get us back home."

Iratus: "Resolutio, we'll see you in Lionhearth for part two."

Resolutio: "All in all, this battle never should have gone this way. But low casualties, and the enemy completely destroyed… that can only be called a miracle. Proof enough there is a God."

Resonantia: "And He has chosen us to be the victors."

Iratus: "Yeah. Despite what the priests of Purple City would say."

Iratus cast one last look at his battered but unbroken army. Then he turned and climbed into the Humvee with the wounded. The war was nearly over. Purple City's army was gone.
 
---

Chapter 1059

Hours passed in uneasy quiet. The war itself paused, but the pain of it lingered. Iratus had been knocked unconscious so that surgeons could dig a bullet wedged between his bones. Now, bandaged and heavy-limbed, he could hardly walk straight. Resonantia moved much the same, each step weighted by her wounds.

Despite his condition, Iratus pushed to return to the head of the army. Resolutio resisted, but at length he wore her down.

Resolutio: "From what we know, there should be little resistance left in Purple City. What remains is the grim act we must take to secure peace for Lionhearth. The fewer who witness it, especially the young, the better."

Iratus: "Then it falls to me. I feel it my duty to endure what must be done."

Resolutio gave him a long look before answering.

Resolutio: "Then wear the crown. Walk into Purple City as the King of Lionhearth, and you may come."

Iratus: "…So be it."

Preparations began again. Resonantia, Astrid, Disputatio, Laedere, Invidia, and Commercium were too badly wounded to return to the field. In their place, Odorem and Bai Xue joined the march. Nineteen soldiers would follow Iratus this time—far too few for the task ahead. But one way or another, Purple City would fall.

Iratus limped into his tower, the bandages beneath his armor pulling with every step. The moment his broad frame filled the doorway, his wives moved to meet him.

Victoria came first, careful in her movements with her swollen belly, but determined. She pressed herself against him, face buried in his chest fur.

Victoria: "They kept us out of the medical cabin. We couldn't even say hello when you got back."

Iratus wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, his nuzzle both weary and protective.

Iratus: "Don't worry. I'd never leave our children fatherless."

Aestus pushed forward next, her usual fiery energy dimmed by trembling hands. She struck his arm with a light, almost playful punch.

Aestus: "The war's over, right?"

Iratus: "There's one last duty to finish. After that… yes, it's over."

Ignis lingered just behind, her golden eyes wet with relief.

Ignis: "The waiting nearly broke us. But… our prayers were heard."

Iratus leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers.

Iratus: "Considering how little we lost, thank you for those prayers."

Finally, Resonantia—his shark lover—stood apart, bandaged and pale.

Resonantia: "Sorry I can't see this war to its end. But I'll stay with the children. I'll be a good mate now."

Iratus chuckled softly despite the pain.

Iratus: "I'll miss fighting beside you, but… perhaps it's better. The last part isn't something you should have to witness."

The five of them drew together then, a knot of fur, scales, and warmth, holding tight against the cold weight of what lay ahead.

When the embrace broke, Iratus left the tower once more. A crown now rested on his head.

The next day, under the dark hush of early morning, Lionhearth's army approached Purple City. This time they had a truck to help carry the soldiers. The vehicles slowed as the city's silhouette rose from the mist. Iratus peered ahead and saw a group approaching from the road.

They weren't soldiers.

---

Chapter 1060

The two groups were already in quiet discussion when Iratus stumbled up the road, his mouse ears twitching as he caught fragments of their conversation. These newcomers were refugees—people fleeing from Purple City.

That city had never been the bastion of hope it once promised to be. And now, with the military chokehold gone—its soldiers marching away or lying dead—the discontent within had boiled over. Some people left behind finally made their move to escape.

Iratus stepped aside and allowed them to pass. He even offered them the safety of Lionhearth, but not one of them accepted. Among the refugees, he recognized faces—Joe, the nixwoman maid, and even Rimush, who was acting as translator between the groups.

Iratus: "Rimush, right? Weren't you deep Purple City? Loyal to the core?"

Rimush gave a strained smile.

Rimush: "Ah, Iratus… no. Purple City was never whole enough for that. It's too divided to even claim there is a Purple City. Let me explain another way. My favorite game had this mechanic—loyalty not to flags or kings, but to ideas. How do you want to leave the world? That was the question. And when there's no clear enemy, the loyalty turns inward. It becomes purity tests until only one interpretation of the idea remains. It starts simple—good versus evil. Then it becomes rejection of the neutral. And eventually, even those who believe in 'good' start purging each other. It happened on Earth. Religions warring against siblings in God, each side insisting their version was correct, slaughtering the other in His name. And retaliation always followed."

Iratus: "So Purple City… was eating itself alive?"

Rimush: "I don't remember if anyone said it openly during your visit. But yes. The factions only existed to slow the bleeding. One wanted stronger laws, another demanded more freedom. One clung to their traditions, another pushed for a new, unified culture. Some wanted a true nation, others claimed nations were evil. Each faction held a core idea—but within them were a thousand visions, clashing constantly."

Silence stretched for a moment. Rimush's gaze drifted down the road.

Rimush: "I miss the old Purple City. It had flaws—serious ones—but it had one law, and everyone could live under it in peace. Iratus… what happened to our army?"

Iratus's voice was cold.

Iratus: "Zero survivors."

Rimush exhaled slowly, almost as if he'd expected the answer.

Rimush: "I see. And what will become of Purple City itself?"

Iratus: "It will cease to exist. You, and those here, will be the only ones left to remember it."

Rimush: "I see. Earth had rules of conquest. But in my era, conquerors often lost—not to other conquerors, but to those who played only to destroy. I know war, Iratus, and I won't complain. Happy living, to you and all of Lionhearth."

Iratus: "You could still come with us. Lionhearth has room."

Rimush shook his head firmly.

Rimush: "I'm the only one here who can speak across species. These people need me. I won't leave them to the wilderness without a voice. But thank you."

Iratus: "...Sorry it had to come to this."

The conversation faded, and the refugees pressed on down the road, carrying with them the knowledge that they would be the last living remnants of Purple City.

Iratus's convoy continued forward, toward the city itself. Anger gnawed at him with every step. Every time he thought of those people, he felt it rise again. He had begged them for peace, and they had chosen war. Their arrogance had condemned thousands to needless death.

Echo and Resolutio carried that same fury, silent but burning. Both had lost too much to Purple City's pride and folly. And now, at last, they would bring an end to its tyranny.

---

EPISODE 106: END

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Episode 106 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 20
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, bronze full arm guards, bronze shin guards, hearing protection
Weapons: long sword, short sword, hammer, 3 dagger
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack

Wounds: chest wound, gunshot (fresh)

Armory: 12 short swords, 2 knifes, 7 daggers, 12 metal spears, 1 long sword, semi-automatic rifle, 4 hunting traps, 18 snares, 17 backpacks, 2 katanas, crossbow, bolt-action rifle, 2 heavy pistols
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

Important Treasure: 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, gold crown with large sapphire

Lionhearth -
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, microwave), 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 house area

Outside Base: Butchering Hut (modern butchery kit, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in), Tool Shed, Wooden Wall, Second Wooden Wall, 9 Small Cabin, 14 Large Cabin, 2 Gravestones, Rabbit Hutches, Several Electrical Lights, Wooden House (Astrid), Kitchen Building, Guest House, Patchwork Garage (1 Humvee), Simple Dock, Watchtower, Schoolhouse, Compost Area, Small Workshop Hut, various private gardens, various small animal farms

Books: 5 woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, 2 war game booklet, sketch book (from warband), 2 sketch books, Bathhouse Reviewers (entire 80 book series), playing cards, Fractura's Notes, Tempestas's Notes, 18 survival guides, 5 technical manuals, 68 fiction novels, 12 encyclopedias, 5 dictionaries, 28 cookbooks, 4 gardening guides, 4 crafting books, 30 educational textbooks, 6 religious texts, 10 diaries, 18 children's books, Ever Dark RPG, 15 different tabletop games

Year 6, Day 149

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TOWER FOLK:
Iratus of House Lionheart
mouse, male, blonde fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'9, age: 20, b day: 350
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Victoria Mother of House Lionheart
raccoon, female, gray fur, black hair, brown eyes, 6'6, age: 20, b day: 5, (preg 128)
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Aestus of clan Riversinger
otter, female, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'4, age: 20, b day: 99 (preg 59)
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Ignis Yang
red panda, female, reddish-brown/white fur, black hair, golden eyes, 6'7, age: 20, b day: 344, (preg 153)
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Resonantia Diamond Heart Steel
shark, female, blue-gray hue skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'8, age: 20, b day: 2
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CHILDREN:
Negligere Lionheart
shark, male, steel gray skin, white hair, gold eyes, age: 5, b day: 2
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Ruina Lionheart
otter, female, orange fur, vibrant orange hair, blue eyes, age: 5, b day: 330
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Gula Lionheart
red panda, male, brown fur, dark brown hair, gold eyes, age: 5, b day: 340
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Tenacitas Lionheart
raccoon, female, silver fur, dark blonde hair, amber eyes, age: 5, b day: 345

Frustra Lionheart
raccoon, male, gray fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 4, b day: 338

Despero Lionheart
shark, male, blue-gray skin, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 3, b day: 249

Tempestas
otter, male, white fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 2, b day: 272

Nebula
otter, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, age: 2, b day: 272

Ventus Lionheart
red panda, female, reddish-brown and white fur, blonde-black gradient hair, gold with a hint of silver eyes, age: 3, b day: 17

Lignum Lionheart
red panda, male, fur of reddish-brown with golden-blonde highlights, especially around chest, muzzle, and ears, gold-blonde hair, amber-gold eyes, age: 3, b day: 17

Constantia Lionheart
raccoon, female, fur is pale gray with soft gold undertones, hair is light brown with streaks of black, eyes are bright gold with brown flecks, age: 2, b day: 118

Justus Lionheart
raccoon, male, fur is silver-gray with darker banding at the tail, hair is Dark blonde, slightly curly, amber-gold eyes, age: 2, b day: 118

Vindicta Lionheart
shark, female, dark steel blue skin with a pearly undertone, blonde hair almost white at the tips, blue eyes with golden rings around the iris, age: 1, b day: 159

Patientia Lionheart
shark, female, soft gray-blue skin with subtle mottling around the shoulders and back, white hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 159

Pudor Lionheart
otter, female, copper-red fur, golden-red hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 269
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NEIGHBORS:
Echo
shark, male, gray skin with a white underbelly, black hair, black eyes, 6'8, age: 44, b day: 142

Resolutio
goat, female, black fur, black hair, blue eyes, 7'0, age: 55, b day: 13

Dolor
hyena, male, rich brown fur, black hair, gold eyes, 5'1, age: 13, b day: 301

Diffido
mouse, male, black fur, black hair, brown eyes, 5'4, age: 15, b day: 145

Pusillanimitas of House Redtide
lion, female, tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'8, age: 21, b day: 1

Communiquer Zircon Beaumont
rabbit, female, soft gray with white patches around the nose and underbelly, chestnut brown hair, Amber-gold eyes, 6'7, age: 31, b day: 88

Sagitta Cloud Wake
wolf, male, dark charcoal with silver streaks around the muzzle and tail tipfur, steel gray hair, ice blue eyes, 6'9, age: 46, b day: 33

Parabula of Arcanum Vitae
goat, male, sandy beige with dark brown patches along his limbs, black hair, bright green eyes, 6'7, age: 35, b day: 55

Tonus Black Onyx
rabbit, male, fur charcoal gray with flecks of silver, silver hair, ice blue eyes, 6'8, age: 34, b day: 363

Invidia of House Bloodmoon
mouse, female, sandy beige fur, dark brown hair, green eyes, 6'5, age: 19, b day: 235

Completio
raccoon, female, dark mask markings and silver-streaked fur, black hair, brown eyes, 6'9, age: 42, b day: 144

7 others: a female tanuki, a male hyena, a female raccoon, and 4 others.
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WINTER WINDS CLAN:
Studium of Winter Winds
fox, male, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 6'4, age: 17, b day: 190

Fuligo Leaf Shadow
otter, female, black fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'2, age: 17, b day: 245, (preg: 50)

Bellum of House War Knuckles
cheetah, female, blonde fur with black spots, blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age 20, b day: 91
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Ambitiosus of Winter Winds
cheetah, male, blonde fur with black spots, black hair, blue eyes, age 3, b day: 322

Vertex of Winter Winds
otter, female, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, age 2, b day: 360

Virtus of Winter Winds
cheetah, male, sandy gold fur with dense black spotting, black streaked with blonde hair, blue eyes, age 1, b day: 162

Venatio of Winter Winds
otter, male, charcoal black fur with silvery undertones around the chest and face, blonde hair, blue eyes, age 1, b day: 207
Year 4, Day 210

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DARK SKY FAMILY:
Salvos Dark Sky
wolf, male, black fur, white hair, copper eyes, 6'8, age 31, b day: 66

Leitmotif Schlange
snake, female, yellow and red scales, naga bodied, gold eyes, age 28, b day: 229
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Ostinato Dark Sky
snake, male, black and red scales, white hair, bipedal, gold eyes, age 3, b day: 234

Discordia Dark Sky
snake, female, scales are crimson with deep onyx patterning along back and limbs, white hair, bipedal, bright gold eyes, age 1, b day: 6

Caligo Dark Sky
snake, male, scales are dusky gold with shadowy undertones, short, black hair with hints of auburn, bipedal, copper-red eyes, age 1, b day: 6
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OCULI ACUTI FAMILY
Confodere Oculi Acuti
hyena, male, dark brown fur, black hair, gold eyes, 6'9, age 30, b day: 239

Liora Woodleaf
deer, female, light brown with white spots, blonde hair, hazel eyes, 5'9, age: 29, b day 323, (preg 130)

Sutura Vigilia Nocturna
hyena, female, brownish-blonde fur with black spots, gold hair, gold eyes, 6'8, age: 22, b day: 364, (preg 29)
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Candela Woodleaf-Oculi
deer, female, fur is tawny beige with faint white spots that form a flame-like pattern across her back, hair is black with golden highlights, unusually thick and slightly wavy, amber-hazel eyes, age 2, b day 168

Caelum Woodleaf-Oculi
deer, male, fur is chestnut with darker brown shoulders and legs, with only faint spotting, hair is blonde with streaks of dark brown near the roots, gold eyes, age 2, b day 168

Ferox Vigilia Nocturna
hyena, male, dark sable-brown fur with dense black spotting, gold hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 219
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HOT WAVES AND BRASSMOON FAMILY
Odorem of Hot Waves
fox, male, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'8, age: 30, b day: 86

Fraus of House Brassmoon
feline, female, bright gray, white underbelly fur, white hair, blue eyes, 6'7, age: 22, b day: 90, (preg 215)
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Vana Hotbrass
feline, female, pale silver-gray fur with a subtle red-orange tint across the back and cheeks, deep auburn-red hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 174
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HOT WAVES AND WHITE SKY FAMILY
Inlecebra of Hot Waves
fox, male, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'8, age: 29, b day: 343

Arcus of White Sky 
fox, female, slightly dark brown fur, slightly dark brown hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 23, b day: 326, (preg 15)
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Excelsa Hotsky
fox, female, deep reddish-brown fur with subtle orange undertone, dark auburn hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 235

Fidelis Hotsky
fox, male, mahogany brown fur with red-tinged highlights and darker markings along the shoulders, deep red hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 235

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HOUSE OWLEYE
Otiosus of House Owleye
mouse, male, dark gray fur, dark gray hair, blue eyes, 6'8, age: 26, b day: 105

Bai Xue
fluff dragon, female, white fur, white hair, green eyes, 7'1, age: 28, b day: 309

Astrid Kuivuus
nixman, female, slightly purple skin, black hair, blue eyes, 6'0, age: 24, b day: 71
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Tranquilla Owleye
fluff dragon, female, white fur with light silver-gray patterning along her back and neck, pale silver hair with white streaks, deep green eyes, age: 1, b day: 246

Eirik Kuivuus
nixman, male, pale lavender skin, black hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 81
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LOST FIRE
Certamen of the Lost Quickness
raccoon, male, dark gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 6'9, age: 27, b day: 76

Ardens Ignifera
redpanda, female, red fur, black hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 24, b day: 187
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Fulgora Lost Fire
redpanda, female, fur is deep reddish-orange with charcoal-gray markings on the arms and legs; tail is ringed with darker red and slate-gray stripes, black hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 251
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MALONDO FAMILY
Laedere Malondo
hyena, male, fur is sandy beige with darker brown spots and a stripe down spine, white hair, orange-gold eyes, 6'4, age: 20, b day: 22

Praevalidum
ant, female, blackish-brown chitin, dark gray skin, brown hair, green eyes, 6'5, age: 23, b day: 77
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Ferrox Malondo
ant, male, deep brown-black chitin with subtle sandy undertones on the limbs and thorax, white hair, green eyes, age: 1, b day: 3
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RENNICK FAMILY
Collaboratio Diamond Rennick
rabbit, male, fur is pale cream with soft gray ears and speckling along the shoulders, orange hair, hazel eyes, 6'11, age: 24, b day: 284

Vesper Red Queen
moth, female, gray fur, silver hair, brown eyes, 6'4, age: 23, b day: 37
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Aurora Diamond Rennick
moth, female, soft silvery-gray fur with creamy undertones around the cheeks, forearms, and tail base; subtle pale speckling across her shoulders, fluffy orange-tinged hair, brown eyes, age: 1, b day: 65
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(farm)
UMBRA OCEAN FAMILY:
Procella Ocean Drinker
weasel, female, blonde fur, black hair, green eyes, 6'5, age 26, b day: 207

Iter of Sanguinem Umbra
goat, male, white fur, blonde hair, brown eyes, 6'7, age 23, b day: 334
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Bothynus Umbra Ocean
weasel, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, brown eyes, age 2, b day: 351

Lamentia Umbra Ocean
weasel, female, creamy golden-blonde fur with subtle white patches around the shoulders and chest, black hair, olive green eyes with a golden ring around the iris, age 1, b day: 210
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(farm)
Levi Ackerman
nixman, male, light purple skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'1, age: 26, b day: 303
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(farm)
THE COBALTS:
Commercium Jade Blue Cobalt
rabbit, male, white fur, black hair, gray eyes, 6'8, age: 29, b day: 221

Abrasione
hyena, female, tan fur with black spots, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 24, b day: 4
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Kuxatura Jade Blue Cobalt
hyena, male, tan fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 5, b day: 284

Vulnera Jade Blue Cobalt
hyena, male, white with black spots fur, black hair with some golden strands, gray eyes, age: 2, b day: 189

Ruptura Jade Blue Cobalt
hyena, male, pale tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 2, b day: 189
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LAST MISTAKE
Deficio
lion, male, gray fur, rich gray hair, green eyes, 6'6, age: 51, b day: 111

Malignitas of House Brokensand
feline, male, light black fur, light black hair, brown eyes (single eye), 6'7, age 33, b day: 343

Disputatio Sapphire Halberd 
rabbit, male, fur is tawny tan with salt-and-pepper flecks along his back and cheeks, hair is dusty brown with streaks of white at the temples, green eyes, 6'5, age: 58, b day: 183

And 8 others.
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(Last Mistake)
Clan Sootdrinker:
Pulvis of Clan Sootdrinker
otter, male, dark‑brown fur, dark-brown hair, blue eyes, 6'7, age: 36, b day: 180

Caedes, Mother of Clan Sootdrinker
mouse, male, black fur, white hair, green eyes, 6'5, age: 28, b day: 105
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Inertia Sootdrinker
mouse, female, jet black fur, silvery white hair, deep blue-green eyes, age: 2, b day: 315

Fumus Sootdrinker
mouse, male, smoky gray-brown fur that is darker around the limbs and tail, white streaked with faint brown undertones hair, pale blue eyes, age: 2, b day: 315