I wonder... Death's sister, Ellerian? Is that the force behind the Thylari? It would make sense, I suppose. The Thylari absorbe all who are unlucky enough to cross them. Blind destruction. So that gives a great deal more importance to the name Ellerian. Of course she would want to let Tal and Nef know who they are. They are the ones who could stop her, and she almost succeeded in preventing that. I'm positive this is something she did not anticipate, and she will be most displeased. Things are becoming a great deal clearer now. And I like how you leave some areas open-ended, but guide the readers with an invisible hand in others. I'm talking specifically about how I keep modifying my opinions on certain characters. Kran doesn't seem so bad now. Still a jerk, but an honorable jerk. Kinda like Kuwabara from Yu Yu Hakusho (do you watch anime?). Kran's an okay guy, now, lol. Funny how he and Kuwabara have the same first letter of their formal names (since Kuwabara, if I'm not mistaken happens to be his last name and Kazuma is his first, but that also begins with K, doesn't it?).

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

That was rather... pleasant, as Tal put it. Quite naughty the way those two siblings 'explore' each other. It's actually strange. That made me view Nef in a new light. Even now, she seems as innocent, curious if you will, as she was in the dream. And Tal seems so much more... knowledgeable, corrupt. I don't mean corrupt in a negative sense. I suppose the best way to describe it is the Garden of Eden. I'm referring to it from a storytelling perspective, not a religious one. It's always fascinated me how innocent Adam and Eve were until they bit into that apple, and with knowledge came shame and guilt, and how it was Eve who convinced Adam to push matters further. Creation has always fascinated me, and it just raised another question. Do Tal and Nef represent a sort of Adam and Eve? Not from a religious standpoint, but with the same metaphor nonetheless? The innate desire of man to explore beyond the confines of certain boundaries? It's all rather interesting on a philosophical level. I'm actually fearing that I'm reading too much in to this, especially since you're Pagan and wouldn't care much for Christian/Jewish/Muslims takes on creation. But, if you do, just like me, it's probably from a storytelling/mythological aspect (ah, that's the word. Religions can be viewed as philosophy AND mythology in many ways.) But once again, I'm reading too much into that. As for the dream/not-a-dream sequence that you mentioned in your Author's Note, I don't think you should have explained it. Leave as much to be interpreted as possible. There was a scene in Song of Solomon where Milkman was telling his friend Guitar about this dream he had when his mother was being attacked by plants out in her garden that just grew down and smothered her. But she looked more like she was playing with them even as they claimed her breaths and buried her underneath them. And the interesting thing? Milkman did not tell Guitar that it actually happened (in the narration, it said he tried to pitch the idea like a dream). But nonetheless, Guitar asked him a question as if it had actually happened. "Why didn't you help her?" That was amazing for me, the ability to try and interpret the legitmacy and realism of dreams. So I say leave no explanation. Just leave the readers to their own devices, lol. But this is getting long, and I've rambled again. Twice. In the same review. Oh, someone help this poor soul that is me. Great, meaningful chapter, if you didn't already know, lol.

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

I'm in awe. What more can I say? Tal is so sweet. A little confused, but his heart's usually in the right place. I'm glad he was willing to drop everything and tend to his sister's needs when it truly mattered. That says a lot about his character. It's probably the most respect I've felt for him since I've started reading this (I didn't NOT respect him before... but this gave me a true reason to take a closer look at him). And as they both become more linked with the supernatural, I wonder... not so much Gods... but Demigods, maybe? It seems like their mortal abilities are becoming a lot more than that, stronger and more difficult to handle in some cases. So are they sort of becoming demigods? And I was also wondering if the Void and the Madness were also parallels between Greek and Roman, respectively. The Romans with a bloody disposition, and the Greeks more mysterious with a stronger emphasis on the absolute appreciation of the supernatural and ethereal. One of mind, the other of body. If it wasn't, I still think it's interesting that this could be interpreted in that way.

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

P.S.- I must bone up on mythology again. I was utterly fascinated by it when I was younger, and not much as changed since. I can't find the books I used to own. I wonder where they've gone...?

Poor Nef. She suffers more than anyone I've ever known, and for once, I understand that there are as many burdens to Necromancy as there are priveleges. I'm also beginning to see how the Madness and the Void will affect one another, and I'm also fearing that one will have to kill the other if this persists. This also makes me wonder if that is why the Gods and Daemons were so set in making sure Nef and Tal did not know the other's identity. I could practically feel every ounce of pain Nef felt in this chapter; such powerful conveyances. I only hope that Tal can find some other joy, ANY other joy, and that this latest occurence will return him to the only joy he's truly know; his loving sister's passionate embrace.

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

P.S.- It's also interesting how Nef is understanding Tal but Tal seems to be gradually losing his understanding of Nef.

Aww... sibling affection, so sweet, lol. Of course, sibling affection in this case has as many different meanings and interpretations as Freud himself. But I'm glad to see that they're at least still together in spirit, the most important part if you ask me. A strange idea hit me when she nested herself against him. It gave me the strongest image of when she would sit in Aurion's lap. I don't mean anything by this. That was just the thought that ran across my mind when it happened. I know Firia's not going to back down. No, sirree. Either screw the Captain, or die, lol! So Nef's going to see to the latter because of the former. And I can't believe I missed it! ARGH! *tries to pull out hair in frustration and fails miserably because it is so short* How did I not realize that the site in the dreams was Lanarin's shrine? Which again makes me question Lanarin's role in the future chapters. For such an important remedy to the ensuing plague, we've certainly not encountered him in any physical (I say physical with emphasis on the idea of meeting either visually or vocally) manner, as we have Death and Sadatix. Well, no time to dwell on questions. I may finally finish and be in a position when I can review as soon as you upload (if uploading ever comes back on... gr) Great chapter!

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

P.S.- And Kran is as much a jerk as Cassius. I was hoping he wouldn't survive that little encounter.

I hope Nef can save Tal's heart. It's kind of sad that he's become so dark now. I wonder what it was exactly that made the bandits accept him as their Captain? Oh, well. I suppose like everything else, it has been explained in the later chapters. I'm also wondering: do you pay close attention to the language you've created? That would be interesting, rather than just saying a foreign phrase, you carefully consider each word and its meaning. I had wondered that awhile back in the beginning. That would certainly be cool, lol. _ Well, onwards and upwards, I say.

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

Sorry I haven't reviewed as of late. However, here I am. I must say, this is definitely getting interesting. I hope you don'y kill either of them! Please? I hate it when beautiful stories, such as this, ends sadly. They deserve to be happy after all they've been through...sigh...update soon.

Very sweet, i like the way you switch between emotions, nef, not having any babies eh? that seems to me as if you're gonna end this story with one/both of their deaths... *sigh* i better get my tissues ready lol. Thanks for your reviews, and you're welcome to use my arky *pets arkinsaw affectionatly* as long as i get to see the finished result of his use lol

Wow, that was amazing. Something not even the Gods knew. And just as the Scarlet Madness is blind, Ellerian's blind death that governs Nef's Void seems fitting as well. I don't know. This story, like wine, gets better with age (or chapters, as the case may be). I need to finish as much of this as possible. I'm aiming for chap 52 before the library closes. Wish me luck!

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

P.S.- Nice seeing Aurion picking himself up off the ground after being so vulnerable. I also like how each chapter shows someone else recovering from the discovery of the truth, whether the recovery is ultimately good or bad.

Wow. Tal's character is becoming extremely interesting. And so that is the Scarlet Madness taking over... I wonder... "All of them will pay." Does this mean everyone except Nefertarin? The way I interpreted that was that the sentence was also condemning any other Sagate blood, but since all the Sagates are dead save Nef and himself, and since he won't kill her (for now, as you said), does that mean his destruction is virtually blind to the Dorians and the Luts (can't remember the actual word for the entire group)? Masterfully captured, as always.

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

Wow. Now those are clues that not even I would have seen. So secrets can flow even without the intention of sending them... It's sad, how Nef must now bear all that pain, and I can only hope that it is through Tal that the Tortured Void stops (is their strange connection to one another a way to stop it, if there is any way at all?). But if it doesn't, I only hope that the sadness I bear for her does not reach her. And also, when we ask about insanity, you constantly ask us what our definition is. I have no definition, but in terms of Aurion and Nef, I'd say the best word to describe an idea of what I meant is "broken." But what is YOUR definition? That would help me better understand Nef's fate, though I already know where it lies in general. As for Tal, is the Scarlet Madness similar to bloodlust? Oh, my goodness. Blood and fire. When I think of blood, I think of the fuel for our fiery passions. These past few chapters have been particularly gripping. Must. Not. Stop.

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

Another chap from Feranion. Love it. He's so insightful, often seeing things not even Aurion sees because he views the world from a different perspective. Now that Nef has changed, I wonder if the change in the ritual is due to the change in her spirit. Perhaps she had a particularly strong quality to her aura that far exceeded the rest? And when she lost it, the next best one, though it was leagues beneath her own, happened to be that of Lirissa's? Lol, it's strange how such a serious matter had a small moment of humorous relief. And that is one of the things that make Feranion cool.

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

This one is as powerful as the last. It does nothing to change my opinion on Nestus, though, and now all I feel is a bitter pity. I also forgot to ask from last chapter. Is tzuni real? I can't find it anywhere. What kind of drink is it, if it is? But wow. These last two chapters are clear proof of the great writer behind them, should doubt ever arise from the readers, or from within yourself. Absolutely splendid. I almost cried when Nestus requested that Aurion ask Tal if he knew the Priest did love him.

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

Passionate warmth turns to devastating hatred. Spiritual afterlife turns to cold mourning. They'll never be the same again. And I feel sorry for them. And I hate Nestus because he caused it. Not Aurion, who did play a part in it nonetheless, but Nestus, whom I remember saw the signs and misinterpreted them for selfish gain. His was the only one that was selfish, and it backfired. And I hope Nef and Tal collaborate to kill him. And he will be engulfed in raging fire and the cold darkness of death, not its alluring embrace. Up till now, I have not seen a better entry from you concerning Tal's POV. This is by far the best scene you've written from his POV. It rivals most of Nef's good scenes, and I liked all of hers immensely. This scene was powerful, and I'm still shaking from the emotion of it. Incredible.

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman

-Yusef "The B.A.T."

That was beautiful. I really enjoyed reading this passage. The bond between Nef and Aurion has been proven to be incredibly strong here. And it also feels like the betrayal of trust that every child goes through with their parental figure at some point. I think I would have liked to see him tuck her in and kiss her on the forehead for good measure, maybe as a gesture of the innocent side of the love he has for her as a daughter and not a woman, or maybe as an acceptance that he will always only be a father to her. But it's good to see that this did not become a disaster. But I suspect it will with Nestus. I just don't like that guy. *shudders* I hope the change in her aura does not mean a change in her nature (turning evil... but you said you prefer evil people in black, so who knows?)

-Yusef "The B.A.T." Pittman