Afterword - Book 4 - Chapter 30 (Patreon)

Chapter 30: With Varied Dramatics

(Original Chapter Title: A Weary Mind)

I never did a ton with Sentinel Aurora in the OG draft, beyond her brief fight with Ranthia, but I've really grown to like the woman since I expanded her role. She's definitely a career soldier, but she's a career soldier that's confident and comfortable with her own rank and authority. And she's not above flexing it, especially if she gets to crush a self-important jerk.

She also obviously hates the cloak and dagger stuff—similar to Ranthia, she considers it nonsensical—but Ran never quite noticed that much.

But the crux of this chapter is obviously Ranthia reading a book that was gripping and grand, but had an ending mired in inaccuracies and frustrations! We've all read similar books (or seen shows/movies/games) that were engrossing and incredible... and then betrayed everything with a clunky ending that felt like it ignored everything the characters had strived for and believed.

To be clear, this chapter doesn't reference any specific book. Though there is a Metaworld Chronicles easter egg (the Amulet of "Sobel"), I'm still enjoying that series and I'm pretty sure it's ongoing! I hope no one thought I was alleging it had disappoint books; I'd like to think I can trust Wuto's writing chops.

This is a touch random (but since when am I not during afterwords?), but I just kind of want to dwell on the existence of the Dead Zone for a bit. An insidious absence that you can grow accustomed to, yet exposure to the world beyond feels life-changing? That's kind of terrifying, and it undoubtedly causes major morale issues when people try to return to Remus after spending years beyond its border. And morale issues might be putting it mildly.

Avyna definitely struggles with it. It's the only time we've seen her shut down entirely like that and be so vulnerable.

But our girls are safe, Night is happening to whatever problem has arisen, and it's time to revisit Coalition City!