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Joseph L. Wiess's avatar

The brave Terran Explorer and his forsaken crew

Sought the Star-walker to journey through.

By artificial means, their plea was made,

And the kosmovoi agreed—but a price must be paid.

Not a soul, but wraith-energy rare

To fuel its passage through the void’s despair.

Niv, bold Niv, his soul did offer,

But the kosmovoi refused the proffer.

A deal was struck—a goddess to feed,

The foul Jearn’s energy met its need.

Wrapped in tentacles, the soldiers were borne,

Appearing where the Jearn had sworn.

There, the Terran found the unexpected—

Humans taken, their fate neglected.

Among them, a flame-haired seer,

Her presence strong, her purpose clear.

With Nile’s weapon, swift and sure,

He shattered chains, the captured pure.

Love he found, fierce and bright,

A priestess bound in sacred rite.

But still his duty was not done—

For the Nile-dwellers, he forged the Virbroblade.

He trained them well, their strength renewed,

To fight the hunters through and through.

(I think I'll go with option 1 Better to have everyone armed because Terrans would rather die fighting than as victims.)

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The Black Knight's avatar

With each new poem, the chapters get grander and the next poem, more glorious!

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Chris J. Franklin's avatar

Another amazing chapter! So this week, I think the captives definitely need rest and training first, before they can contemplate another battle, so it has to be 'Option 2'. But that graveyard full of mummies does sound like it needs investigating, as well... 😎

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote! Indeed and I think that this week the votes will be split :D

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Vote for 2, time to rest and gather intel, a way of fortifying internal as well as physical strength going forward.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote! Yes, information here is king… and queen :D

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Michael Persin's avatar

As the saying goes, "knowledge is power."

I vote #2. The potential knowledge the slaves may have over the Jaern could make for a massive momentum boost.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for voting :) Yes, I agree!

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Harold Ember's avatar

3.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote! What made you choose this option?

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Harold Ember's avatar

It intrigued me

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The Black Knight's avatar

:D

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MoraleOfficerGran's avatar

I know all lived through the battle. But it still takes my breath away how close they come to death. I vote for #1. Train them all to fight.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for voting :) I think that most will pick one. What do you think?

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Terrance Ó Domhnaill's avatar

Truth be told, a combination of all three at this point.

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The Black Knight's avatar

That may be the best possible option, yet… they have time for only one.

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Terrance Ó Domhnaill's avatar

I am at a loss then. Option two?

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The Black Knight's avatar

Alright! Option 2 it is :)

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MaKenna Grace's avatar

Ooh, my favorite chapter yet! So much going on here. My first instinct is to go with option one. Better preparation for the enemy’s possible return is paramount.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for voting! Will see how things turn out :)

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