Goddamn. Goddamn! What an amazing ending. I've been waiting for the full badass Orpek is and the two fights he gets into here do not disappoint. They're so cool. I expected you to not go for the obvious unforgivable monster character, but you still took it in a way I never expected. I never would've guessed the "monster" would have a companion. Beautiful.
In the gulf between who they were and what the other saw, both knew, something had split.
God this, and then the flash-forward for Anhol and Etkin absolutely demolished me. No idea if story starring that Anhol will ever be written, but I am very happy with that ending for them. My most sincere thanks to Zip and Akam reminding you to finish their stories, I am surprised to say it because I love Orpek in everything and I loved him so much in this story but that ending is my favorite part of this piece. It is so heart-wrenchingly tragic. And setting up the line for what the story is for the next ending? Amazing. So peak.
I'm fascinated by the implications of monstrousness and hardening for the world of root and loam too. So much to chew on
