The Freedom Stone

Hours passed while Anya sat atop the mountain and stared out over the savanna toward the setting sun. Eventually, Jalmar arrived at the summit. He looked to Anya, who noticed he bore no more wounds than when she had last seen him, then proceeded down the other side of the mountain. Anya stood, dusted herself off, and followed. Ahead of the travelers was a nearly endless stretch of thick forest canopy that ended halfway up the mountains. Somehow, the heat seemed more intense as the journeyed down the eastern slopes. As they entered the thick forest, they heard the endless buzzing of insects mixed with the chatter of animals in the distance. The air was heavy and damp, which trapped heat against the body. Anya immediately began to sweat, which soaked her loose linen clothes thoroughly. Jalmar, however, barely noticed the change in climate apart from denseness of the air. Unhampered by the climate, Jalmar began to walk through the underbrush of the steamy rainforest and crashed through the thicker foliage like a stone passing through glass.

Nightfall arrived, but went unnoticed by the travelers under the dark blanket of the jungle canopy. Several times Anya began to fall behind and had to job to keep up. Sweat dripped from her brow and ran down the length of her arms. All her clothing stuck to her, and she nearly collapsed twice. Jalmar noticed her difficulties, and around midnight he stopped. Fatigue overtook Anya, and she plopped down on a moss-slick fallen log. Several feet down the log, Jalmar sat and leaned back against one of the tree’s branches. Anya slept, though fitfully given the heat, while Jalmar stayed awake and kept alert for danger. After about four hours of rest Anya awoke, still about as tired as she was before. With groggy eyes she slid off the log and stood wearily. Jalmar looked her over, with her exhausted look, shirt clinging to her torso and her pant legs sticking together when they touched, and realized she was going to be slow moving.

Anya nearly squeaked in surprise as Jalmar hoisted her from her feet and slung her onto his shoulders. She wrapped her legs around his neck and down his chest, and rested her arms on the top of his head. Then, without delay, Jalmar continued walking through the dense jungle. Around midday, as Anya was regaining her stamina, Anya thought about how little she knew about the man she was traveling with. So, she decided to ask. “You know, you don’t talk much about yourself. Or anything really. I get the feeling you’ll only answer direct questions though. So, where are you from?”

“The Realm,” Jalmar answered directly.

“Really? Wow, you don’t look it. What’s with the red hair?” Anya was genuinely surprised to learn the Jalmar was from the Blessed Isle.

“My family came from the North.”

“Ah, that makes more sense. I’m from the North as well, captured by Guild slavers and sold through the Realm. It’s a beautiful country, ruled by awful people. Is that why you left?” Anya leaned down so her chest pressed against the top of Jalmar’s head and she could see his face.

“No.”

Anya leaned back upright, “So, why did you leave?”

“To find my father and kill him.” Not a hint of doubt or fear was in Jalmar’s voice, nor in his heart. Anya stared blankly for a moment, realizing the kind of people Jalmar had been tangling with back in Chiaroscuro and in the Varang.

“Your father is one of the Exalted isn’t he?” Anya was suddenly a bit nervous.

“Yes. Fire blooded.” With that, Anya became very quiet. She considered just how dangerous one of the Exalted could be if they were old enough to sire Jalmar all those years ago. The man would be at least a half-century old, and possibly a match even for someone as powerful as Jalmar. As Anya began to collect her thoughts, Jalmar said one last thing before continuing on in silence through the jungle.

“Don’t worry, I’ll never let him hurt you.”

And his mind jumps straight to rape.

OBSESSED!

Legendary Mumbler wrote:

OBSESSED!

You think?

I'm sure he also meant that in a "Mortal versus godking" sort of way too.

I was convinced she said that to HIM *chuckles* that would have been GREAT.

I can just imagine, halfway through the battle, Jalmar is losing, and Anya trys to interfer. She gets hit, and the DB goes in for the kill. As he is beating Anya up, she Exalts.

Oh for the love of whatever fuzzy or not so fuzzy god you people believe in, STOP SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT!
ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT THEM TO HAPPEN!

It drives the author, in this case the great and powerful Amazon Princess Niz (ALL HAIL NIZ!), away from the concept! You see it again and again, time after time, on webcomic forums.

Fan A:"You know what would be cool? If x happened"
Fan B:"Yeah! Hey Author! x Should happen!"
Author:~thought bubbled~You know, i was gonna put that in the comic here soon...
Fan C:"Why hasn't x happened yet?"
Fan D:"Yeah! Why not?!"
Fan E:"I WANT x NOW!"
Fan F:"Yes, x is totally cool. It totally should happen"
Fans G-Y:"PUT x IN NOW!"
Author:~Thought bubbled~ Fuck that! every one will expect it..I'm gonna come up with something else to happen.
Fan Z:"OMG! x didn't happen!"
Fan A-Z:"YOU SUCK!"
Author:"Thats it, I QUIT!"


Like over at OoTS... Rich is eventually going to have a melt down with all the people ruining his storylines and bitching about his work. Then ~I~ won't have my OoTS anymore, then blood will flow.

Did..Did I kill the thread? That wasn't my intention... I just wanted too...wow...

Critrol Saltrock wrote:

Did..Did I kill the thread? That wasn't my intention... I just wanted too...wow...

Did what?
Sorry, I just haven't been around for a bit.
^_^

Anya shouldn't exalt, She should just progress at such speeds she goes straight from heroic mortal to being a god.

Goddess of Mortal Strength.
Turn all of Creation on it's head! Heroic Mortals beating down Exalts!
Craziness!

Oh, honestly, you guys. Conjecture sucks. Just let the story progress.

And... that was awesome. Jalmar didn't show stupid useless compassion, he showed sense, which .... ended up looking like stupid useless compassion!

Legendary Mumbler wrote:

Anya shouldn't exalt, She should just progress at such speeds she goes straight from heroic mortal to being a god.

Goddess of Mortal Strength.
Turn all of Creation on it's head! Heroic Mortals beating down Exalts!
Craziness!

DEIFICATION PARADOX!

Critrol Saltrock wrote:

I was convinced she said that to HIM *chuckles* that would have been GREAT.

Jalmar's Father: "HAHA! Now I shall destroy you!"

Anya: "NO HURTING MY JAL-KUN!" *Kawaii Little Girl Dynast-slicing ensues*

Jal+Anya=<3 4eva *blatantly rips off Konpeito* >_>

CelestinaStar wrote:

And... that was awesome. Jalmar didn't show stupid useless compassion, he showed sense, which .... ended up looking like stupid useless compassion!

Yup!
That was pretty much conviction kickin in.
I have a pretty fluid idea of how to handle virtues.
^_^

New Chapter???

When you read the whole thing in one sit you realize how ironic the whole thing is. Jalmar has been punching his way trought dynast and ghost with the full conviction of finding his father.

The only clue he has so far is that he is fire aspected. That means he'll just have to beat 2000 more dynast to be sure he got his dad.

Awsome story Niz. You are masterful when using virtues to tell a reaction and Jalmar is just what the second age solars are supposed to be. Not to mention we can't get tired of seeing him trowing dynasts trought the walls.

And that scene with the ghost was pure comedy. All the teatrics to have him smashing his skull as if he was the lowest extra.

Darksoul wrote:

Awsome story Niz. You are masterful when using virtues to tell a reaction and Jalmar is just what the second age solars are supposed to be. Not to mention we can't get tired of seeing him trowing dynasts trought the walls.
And that scene with the ghost was pure comedy. All the teatrics to have him smashing his skull as if he was the lowest extra.

Glad you're enjoying it!
I was hoping Jalmar would recieve interesting reactions, and he seems to get a good blend of "wow he's awesome" and "that bastard!" meaning he's actually a pretty diverse character for a walking wrecking ball. ^_^
Sometimes a comedic situation is what's needed, after and before all the grisly deaths that have happened around this man, something to lighten the mood (via Zenith smiting powers) was warranted I think.

And don't worry, I'll be writing a new episode soon, I hope. I've been busy lately.

Understandable...we will entertain ourselfs with "re-reads" of older chapters.

Cole the Demon Hunter wrote:

Understandable...we will entertain ourselfs with "re-reads" of older chapters.

^_^

Also gives anyone who's behind a chance to catch up.

Anya will become the Goddess in charge of Putting Up with Jalmar.

>.<

Lady Aiaru wrote:

Anya will become the Goddess in charge of Putting Up with Jalmar.
>.<

Which is an important position nonetheless.