Only Skeleton Bones Remain

Part 1 is available on AO3, under the title “Beyond the Path of Reason”.

dynamite update, i have to say. really starts with a bang. things really start to pop off. Ash just has a blast.

*me who literally wrote a chapter where Ash tends to Clancy’s wounds and then Keons does the same to Nico*

*SPOILERS*

I love when magic systems destroy you slowly, so introducing the fact that because of how much Nico seizes and smears it’s literally making him rot, I was so excited. it’s also something I’ve literally not seen yet and wish there was more of.

I’ve not explained it, only implied it, but the Bishop’s power comes from something ancient that they’re tapping into. while they think they’re controlling it and using it for their own benefit, it’s actually using them. they think they’re in control, but it’s actually the opposite, which is how a lot of addictions and vices feel.

this ancient thing is something I’ve referenced a bit, but haven’t explained. Clancy sees/feels it when he escapes in HDS. he makes reference to seeing a “monster with nine faces” that tries to drown him in ink.

when Keons loses his temper, his voice gets distorted, and it sounds like he’s speaking with a hundred different voices. Nico does the same when Clancy mentions the Torchbearer. the voices are actually the past Bishops and Clancy’s that have succumbed to the cycle btw ; same with when torchbearer goes to the in between void when he’s projecting and he sees shadows with red eyes those are dead Clancys

when Ash meets Nills, it implies this. sure there’s the connection between them, a Bishop meeting a soul they own, but she mentions feeling something ancient staring back at her. something that doesn’t feel human. I’ve also implied that Nills is the oldest Bishop and that he doesn’t reset every cycle and is the only bishop that knows exactly what’s going on

also implying that Nico’s not as old as he looks, and neither was the previous Nico. the “miraculous power” is killing him slowly. and since he’s getting weaker, he’s only encouraged to seize more so he has strength to move. something something symbolism.

Beyond the Path of Reason

Chapter 31: Under is Sword to Sleeve

this is by far my favorite scene I’ve written for beyond the path and I just really wanna share it here, from both POVs. mostly because I’m hoping a clique artist likes it enough to draw it because I can’t pay for a commission.

*SPOILERS, Obvi*

good question, and there’s a couple answers. (again this is my own interpretation)

first thing we need to understand is that the Elite are not one group, but a bunch of different groups just lumped into one blanket term:

bureaucrats. while Dema is theocratic (government is run by a religion), there is a bureaucracy that exists. those higher up in the system, like Overseers, vicars, and rectors, are among the Elite.

bloodlines. families who’ve been in the same district for generations are called Legacy Lineages. overtime, they’ve gained notoriety, wealth, and permanent estates in their districts.

there are artists in Dema and they gain notoriety. Art is heavily regulated in Dema so to be an artist you have to be a very, very devout Vialist. (yes Clancy is technically an Elite even though Nico keeps him anonymous)

Bishop’s Wards — those training to become a Bishop are considered Elite citizens.

Vialism works as any other authoritarian system. those who participate, who help maintain the status quo and order are rewarded with more privileges. they get better homes, luxury goods, etc. joining the Elite makes your chances of Ascending during the Assemblage skyrocket, which is the ultimate goal of Vialism.

hope that makes sense.

also I feel like I dropped a bunch of words I’ve never defined so—

Vicar: someone who works directly under a bishop to run the district, basically a governor or a mayor.

Rector: similar to a vicar, but they run the religious practices in Dema and maintain the chapel.

Overseer: basically a citizen who runs an individual aspect of the city: like an administrator.

The BANDITO FILES #1

Bernard AKA “Badger”

Age: 27

Bishop: Sacarver

Camp: Kynedall (eastern camp closest to the Dema)

Rank: Lieutenant

Attributes: tech-savvy, intelligent, and friendly.

(yeah, Mark Eshelman’s Bandito-sona is named Badger in my universe)

Badger grew up in Sacarver’s district, one of five children with Unglorified parents, rare for Dema. by the time he escaped at 20, he was the last living member of his family.

Badger would dissect old radios and broken cameras as a child, eventually building his own. it was found during a contraband search and smashed in front of him when he was fourteen.

knowing he had a knack for cameras, Sacarver assigned him to work on Good Day Dema when he came of age. Badger discovered one day that a host had been killed, and was being Seized by Sacarver during a taping. this was his final push to escape.

Badger contacted the Banditos himself, sending out distress signals from a modified radio until he got an answer. Zeev, one of the eldest Banditos, helped him escape and took him in, joining the Suduratt Camp, who are stationed on the southern shores.

a few years after his escape, Badger found an unconscious escapee in a field and got help. the escapee was mute, due to a horrible wound on his throat that should’ve killed him. they learned he was an Unclaimed that went by Torch. Badger kept the escapee company while he healed.

Badger and Torch became close friends. every time Torch would try to break back into the City, Badger would cover for him, and eventually, Badger would be the only person who knows about the Torchbearer’s abilities.

when the Torchbearer became leader of the Kynedall camp, he appointed Badger as his second in command.

SPOILERS

Willing and Able

“I wasn’t alone. I had… I guess you could call him a brother.”

“‘Had’? So, he was a Vialist.”

“No, he hated it. Hated the City. Practically spat in the faces of the Niners every chance he got. I think that’s why they wanted to send him to Nills. Figured he would finally break him. I guess he did, in a way. Smoke never even made it to his District.”

Oh, we can fight like we used to fight Bony-limbed, red-faced, and teary-eyed

Under the glow of the TV light, oh, I wish you could know me

And I wish I could know you much more sometimes

Wish I could do nothin' with you

Sit in the yard while the day dies, leave it all on the table

And I'll say, "I love you, " and mean it this time

Say, "I'm sorry for everything else"

If we found a way to the other side

I'd be willing and able

self-indulgent post where I angst about Torch’s brother Mato, AKA Smoke. though they weren’t biologically related, Torch and Smoke shared a dorm room in Dema until they were 18. Smoke was lively, loud, and everything Torch felt he wasn’t. they grew apart after Torch met Clancy, and Smoke fell further into his addiction, often neglecting his real younger sister, Ash. Torch frequently took care of Ash, never knowing where Smoke was. when Smoke was told he was being sent to live in Nills’ district and would have to leave Ash behind, Smoke took his own life.

Torch doesn’t talk about Smoke to the other Banditos, or even Clancy, as Torch blames himself for Smoke’s death. he often wonders why his abilities to help and guide people didn’t alert him to Smoke’s true mental state.