Lexi (2:35)

Gift yourself a new Alienware 16 Aurora gaming laptop giving you high end performance with Intel Core processors.

Nicole (2:42)

And even better, you can get it during Black Friday starting at $899.99. Plus you can save on all kinds of displays and accessories like Alienware 32 4K QD OLED gaming monitor for Ultimate Visual Fidelity. These really are incredible deals on PCs with otherworldly performance. So visit alienware.com deals soon and grab what you can before their biggest sale of the year goes dark. Welcome, welcome welcome to the Fantasy Fangirls podcast where two sisters dive deep into beloved fantasy lore, characters, themed series and more.

Lexi (3:30)

I'm Lexi, older sister and Fantasy Lore nerd.

Nicole (3:33)

And I'm Nicole, younger sister and romantic at heart.

Lexi (3:36)

And today is our final episode of Deep Diving Quicksilver by Kali Hart. This episode six covers chapters 44 and 45 because yes, we need a whole episode for these last few chapters. Our spoiler warning feels a little silly today, but you know we always have to do our due diligence spoilers for all of Quicksilver and any of the bonus chapters.

Nicole (3:56)

We are literally talking about the ending of this book, so if you clicked on this episode, you know what you're getting yourself into. But if there's a small chance, a teeny tiny little chance that you have not finished this book, then please go finish the book. We will be here when you're done.

Lexi (4:15)

Next, we at Fantasy Fangirls are adults who say adult things about adult books. In other words, friends, this podcast is rated rich. Fun fact. We have new merch that says this very line about how we are adults who say adult things about adult books.

Nicole (4:26)

Honestly, we are unraveling the Gods chapter today. I feel like the only reason we have the R rating today is because we need PhDs to comprehend whatever we're about to get into. So please be mindful of those little listening ears.

Lexi (4:39)

Additionally, we are so excited to see you at upcoming live events.

Nicole (4:43)

We are hosting a Brimstone Midnight release party with Tattered Cover and booking gather on November 17th in Denver, Colorado which includes a live Q and A start, so many fun activities and of course getting our books.

Lexi (4:56)

Then tis the season for an ACOTAR Trivia Holiday Party at Novel Strand Brewing Company on December 12th again in partnership with Book & Gather in Denver, Colorado and on March 6th through 8th in Dallas, Texas. We will be podcast partners at the Dreamers and Readers Festival.

Nicole (5:12)

Check out our website or the links below for more information to all of these events, including a promo code for dreamers and readers. In addition, we welcome, welcome, welcome the Fantasy Fan Fellas to the Fantasy Fangirls Media Network. They're finally here.

Lexi (5:28)

Our very own executive producer Hayden and Book Talk star Stephen Walker just launched a new podcast where every week they dive deep into Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn.

Nicole (5:39)

But here's the twist. Hayden is an expert in Sanderson's Cosmere and this is Steven's first time reading. So each episode only includes spoilers up to the chapters that are covered on the episode. Episodes one, plus a special bonus episode where the Fantasy fanfellas interview Pierce Brown, author of Red Rising are all available on the Fantasy Fan Fellas feed.

Lexi (6:04)

I am so jealous they got to interview Pierce.

Nicole (6:07)

I know.

Lexi (6:08)

Last thing before we jump into this final Quicksilver episode. If you love Fantasy Fangirls and want more events, more content, more community and so much more, please check out Fantasy Fan Club.

Nicole (6:18)

We have three membership tiers you can join. Number one, the Hive Mind which includes access to our Boppin d Discord live Q&As from Lexi and I Book club, often featuring the authors themselves. Like this month where we have spell shops. Sarah Beth Durst on with us. We're so excited. Community events like Quicksilver Trivia coming up this weekend, promo codes for live events plus 20% off and access to exclusive merch that is all for $6 a month. Or you can join the Spice Watchers which includes everything from the Hive Mind plus early access to ad free episodes, our free full episode outlines which are great for Brimstone prep and special voting privileges that is for $10 a month. And last but not least, we have the Feral Fans which includes everything from the previous two tiers plus more behind the scenes content, a welcome gift, giveaways, private Discord channel and your name shouted out on the podcast that is for $25 a month.

Lexi (7:16)

Join the party at fantasyfangirls.com fan club. The link is also in the show notes and really and truly friends, thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts as we've this podcast into an absolute dream come true. It is literally all because of you.

Nicole (7:30)

And now it is time to sit down for a chit chat with Zarath, God of Chaos and change.

Lexi (7:37)

Would you say that he is here to spill the tea or not?

Nicole (7:40)

Really, I feel like he's here to make the tea because literally he has a root in front of him that is capable of making some pretty intense tea.

Lexi (7:50)

Fair enough. To start off every episode Nicole does us the honor of summarizing this stretch of chapters, so gather round as we sing Laura's ballad to discuss what happens in chapters 44 through 45 of Quicksilver.

Nicole (8:04)

Chapter 44 pain cuts through Ceres like a hot knife. Taladeus venom might just save her life, but a voice calls to her, one she's never heard before. She agrees to an audience that the voice asks for. She's pulled through the air. There's no time to react. Down through the quicksilver. Her body's been hijacked. Cerys wakes up and in an unfamiliar place with tween gods all up in her face. But there's no time to play. The twins will have to wait, for their father needs to talk to Seiros about their future and fate. The Tree of Life is dying of rot. It's spreading through the realm, leaving Xerath distraught. But huzzah, there's hope for them all. Cerus is the alchemist the gods have viewed as their doll, although there is just quite this catch. When her and Fisher collide, the rot strikes like a match. There is a way, though, for the universe to continue on. Serious just has to sever herself and be gone. She agrees to cut her thread of fate, turning into something new and returning to her mate. Chapter 45 serious floats through the darkness of stars without weight, and it's only when a bird flutters by that she remembers her mate. She jolts out of bed and looks in the mirror. Her appearance is off and gasp. Oh dearer. Her skin, her eyes, her hair is the same, but her ears and teeth are sharp in the frame. She's half a vampire, but also half Fae. She's something brand new that not even the healers can say. Now it's Carrion's turn to show and tell. His look is different, his human glamour saying farewell, he tells Sarris of how he escaped from Finran to Orlenna and how his childhood was shaped. Kingfisher arrives, much to Carrion's dismay. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. For what Fisher has to say, Cerys isn't the only thing that's transformed. She's the new Queen of Sannesroth. Once the coronation's been performed.

Lexi (9:57)

It is time to dawn our pendants and step through the Quicksilver to explore key insights, character analysis, lore, foreshadowing theories, and oh, so much more. As we dive into this episode, let's quickly set the scene of where we left off. Serris is fatally injured from Malcolm gutting her Though she successfully did take his head off and all of him burst into blue flame. So he's seemingly dead. Dead Gilthrite is no longer a magic torture maze and amphitheater. The lifeless dark magic was swept away with Malcolm's death. To save her life, the second most powerful vampire, Taladeus, has bitten Ceres to turn her into a vampire as well, so that she has a chance at surviving this injury. So Cirrus is actively starting to turn into a vampire after being bit in this moment. Now that Malcolm's evil hold on this place is gone with his death, magic is back. That is why Kingfisher is now able to make a Shadow Gate to get them out of here, whereas he couldn't while Malcolm was alive.

Nicole (10:56)

As the crew is running towards the conjured Shadow Gate, Saera starts to hear this little voice in her head. Note not voices like she normally is heard with the quicksilver. No, this is just a singular voice of someone calm, focused and direct. We will soon know that this is the voice of Zarith, God of chaos and change. My boy. He starts off by saying, quote, the mountain that weathers all storms, he is the storm. You are the peace that must come after it. Okay, so I imagine the Heaven is Kingfisher, right? Or is the he Malcolm? Or is the he Carrion? Or is the he someone else?

Lexi (11:34)

That is a rhetorical question for this moment.

Nicole (11:37)

Okay, but if the storm slash the he, I'm gonna. I'm gonna call it Fisher just because that's what my gut is telling me to say it is. Then what is the mountain that weathers all storms or weathers all Fishers? Is it is the mountain. Love is the mountain. The universe is the mountain. Gods, what is something that would outlast any storm that Fisher would bring?

Lexi (12:01)

Or what if Fisher is the mountain that weathers all storms? Although I do agree with you that Fisher, it makes more sense that he is the storm in this, but I'm still not entirely convinced.

Nicole (12:14)

Okay, what if the universe is the mountain and the storm is actually Malcolm or the triumvirate, and that way whenever the triumvirate is the storm, the universe mountain still withstands.

Lexi (12:29)

I am going to go with something different then, because I'm just gonna say that Fisher is the mountain. Then there is a he who is the unknown big bad villain. Because I don't think it's Malcolm, because this is a present tense of he is the storm versus he was, and Malcolm is already dead by now.

Nicole (12:46)

Well, okay, so then there's another line, because there's a reason that you and I are not thinking that Seira says either of. Because then Zarath says, quote, you are the peace that must come after it. So. Meaning she is what comes after the storm.

Lexi (13:01)

Okay, so now I really am back to thinking Fisher is the mountain. There is a he who is the unknown big bad villain. And then Ceres is the peace that the mountain gets after the storm. Yeah, this is all way too abstract. Why can't Zara feel a little more straightforward?

Nicole (13:19)

To be fair, it's the ending of book one, and I feel like this is going to be hopefully making a lot more sense after Brimstone, after Seiris says she does not want to go through this metaphorical door to see what lies beyond. This is the door that is literally death. The voice says, quote, a shadow falls across Evalia. It will alter all it touches. You would rather remain here, knowing that suffering and hardship loom on the horizon, that sacrifice will need to be made. To which Sarys is like, yeah, looking at her mate, I think I would like to stay here. That sounds great. Also, I love that she looks at me, Fisher, whose largest tattoo is sacrifice. And as Zarath is asking, you'd rather stay here knowing that sacrifices have to be made. Oh, that's so good. So I am assuming that this shadow falling across Evilia that this Zarath voice is talking about is the rot that we're going to see in the tree in just a few minutes. But if that's the case, he's saying the shadow falls across Evilia, meaning it hasn't touched evil yet. But it is getting close. I'm concerned because I'm assuming this rot, whatever it is, is going to be much, much worse than the demons and the Feeders we've already seen. If it hasn't touched evil yet, which is deeply concerning because those are already very scary.

Lexi (14:35)

So what if the shadow is the Vampire Empire and even though Malcolm is gone, they are still a threat and suck the life from the land where Fae magic does not exist. I'm really leaning into this idea that the Blood Curse is connected to the shadow, so that there's a bigger, scarier evil than Malcolm Loomy. And yes, it's heavily connected to what the rot represents. Though not sure how it crosses realms with the Blood Curse and all of that. I will also say we know that there is one branch in particular that has a lot of rot on it in the tree that will be introduced to here soon. So what if this shadow, what if Yvelia is already getting a lot of Rot on it. But Zarath is refusing to prune Yvelia because he needs the people in there.

Nicole (15:22)

Maybe I just assumed that Evelia was not a realm, Silver Leaf realm that has been touched by the rot. Yet I assumed that the rot has been touching the other realms. And he's, like, protective.

Lexi (15:35)

Remember last episode when Ceres struck a bargain with the Quicksilver? She agreed to a small favor in exchange for the Quicksilver to guide her in the right direction toward the correct coin that Fisher has been looking for for 110 years. Yes, in the moment, Serious knew it was a foolish decision. She's finally learned her lesson about making vague bargains. But there was too much on the line to not agree to this fake deal. Well, now, the quicksilver. Or supposedly it's that, but really it's Zarth communicating through the Quicksilver. It is ready to call in its favor. Sure would seem like bad timing with Sarris on the brink of death and, you know, just bit by a vampire. But with Sarah's preposition, he'll half her. That's kind of the point. It has to be now or never if she wants to survive and stay with her mate. And in order to do that, she needs to go zoom, zoom, zoom elsewhere.

Nicole (16:24)

Zoom, zoom, zoom. Make my heart go boom, boom. Suddenly, Ceres is ripped from Kingfisher's arms, a magical force pulling her through the maze. In a split second, everyone is gone. She's zipping through the labyrinth, straight through the Quicksilver pool. I see this so vividly, and I am not ashamed with how much I have giggled at this little mental image I see. Seiris barely has time to acknowledge what is going on before she's pulled into the quicksilver pool, which pause because she does not have a relic on her, meaning she should not be able to survive going through the quicksilver. But I am convinced that because she's an alchemist, she can go through the quicksilver. And I love this little note from our content researcher, Brooke, as well. She wonders if going through the quicksilver is what caused other alchemists to actually go mad. So it's not just an alchemist thing. Instead, it's a Zara thing. And because Sayeth was blessed and protected by Zarath, she is okay to pass through the quicksilver, which we'll talk about more. The Quicksilver in the connection with the gods in just a second. I loved that idea. I think that's brilliant. Really quick, though, because I want to imagine that your kingfisher and your mate. Her stomach is open, just open for the world to see. She's in your arms. She's turning into a vampire before your very eyes. You just consented for her and you have no idea if she's going to hate you forever. And then she zippity doo dahs out of your arms, arms through the maze and suddenly you're not even sure where she's going. You don't know where she's gone. You don't know. She just got called to Zarath. I feel so bad for him. Like he must be panicking. This podcast is brought to you by Squarespace. I remember when we first started FFG and honestly one of the best decisions we ever made was to put some real time and attention into our website. Websites are east essential for any small business success. That's why we at Fantasy Fangirls use Squarespace for our own website.

Lexi (18:23)

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Nicole (18:42)

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Lexi (18:57)

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Nicole (19:07)

Listen, the holiday season is so much fun and it can also be really stressful from figuring out the perfect gift for your mother in law, creating holiday magic for the kiddos, and last minute potlucks and bake offs. Everyday life stressors pop up like a game of Whack a Mole.

Lexi (19:23)

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Nicole (19:37)

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Lexi (19:54)

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Nicole (20:06)

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Lexi (20:28)

I don't know about you all, but as much as I love the fall weather, I don't love how early it gets dark outside. Changing seasons can be hard on a lot of people. This November Better helps encouraging everyone to reach out, check in on friends, reconnect with loved ones, and remind the people in your life that you're there.

Nicole (20:44)

Here at Fantasy Fangirls, we can get bogged down in the day to day with so much work and cons and all these things happening on the docket that we're so excited about. And it can be so important to reach out to those people who make you feel just a little more grounded. For instance, I have a group text with my friends and it has come up multiple times in therapy as my saving grace during times of stress because they definitely help me step away from the office a little more.

Lexi (21:11)

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Nicole (21:18)

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Lexi (21:39)

Wow. This month, don't wait to reach out. Whether you're checking in on a friend or reaching out to a therapist yourself, BetterHelp makes it easier to take that first step. Our listeners get 10% off their first month@betterhelp.com FFG that's betterhelp.com FFG.

Nicole (21:57)

Hey guys, it's Danny Pellegrino from Everything Iconic. There's an all new season of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives returning to Hulu November 13th. Mam Tak might have started as a sisterhood, but these Latter Day Saints are no angels. This season there are new secrets, lies and truths coming out and you won't want to miss all the drama. Watch the new season of the Hulu.

Lexi (22:17)

Original the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on November 13, streaming on Hulu and.

Nicole (22:22)

Hulu on Disney plus for bundle subscribers terms apply. Twas a cold winter's night and without any heat. I wore Bombas socks so they'd warm up my feet. Yay. My feet cried. These socks are the best. So cushy and warm I can finally rest. But don't rest, I said.

Lexi (22:38)

There's more if you please.

Nicole (22:39)

Bombas also makes underwear, slippers and tees, and for each thing you purchase, they donate one new to someone who needs it. So they're cozy too. Everybody deserves to feel good all the time.

Lexi (22:50)

So gift Bombas this season. That's the end of this rhyme.

Nicole (22:52)

Go to bombas.comaudio and use code audio for 20% off your first purchase. Mint is still $15 a month for premium wireless, and if you haven't made the switch yet, here are 15 reasons why you should 1. It's $15 a month. 2. Seriously, it's $15 a month.

Lexi (23:09)

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Nicole (23:10)

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Lexi (23:29)

After traveling through the quicksilver, Cirrus wakes up in a very, very strange place. Buckle up, friends. It is time to deep dive the infamous scene with the gods. All right. Gotta like crack my knuckles.

Nicole (23:42)

I know, right?

Lexi (23:43)

First, let's describe where Ceres has been brought. It's these gods. Corcoran. Did I say it right? Did I say it right?

Nicole (23:51)

You did so good. Good.

Lexi (23:53)

Because I say it a lot this episode.

Nicole (23:55)

Good.

Lexi (23:56)

She's laying in a vast grassy field at the foot of a hill. On top of this hill is a gigantic, magnificent oak tree, which, as we'll soon learn, is the universe. More on this universe tree in a moment. Above them is a bright blue sky and the sun is shining down. And Ceres even spots a singing bir bird watch. Always important to note when Sarah sees a bird because it seems to represent fisher. However, I will say Kingfisher birds don't sing like other birds. They have more of a rattling call. So while it seems fitting that the bird here would be kingfisher, if we're going off of kingfisher bird noises, it would not be accurate. Though I do think that this is the same. Though I do think this is the Same bird she'll see as she floats.

Nicole (24:44)

Back to her world.

Lexi (24:45)

And that definitely seems to be a kingfisher, despite the singing. I might just need a cross.

Nicole (24:49)

You might just need to put your bird lore away, is what you're saying. I do love that there's this moment where she instinctively tries to reach for the bird. It's like even in the God world, she connects her mate with this bird and she instinctively tries to reach for him, like, oh, that's so sweet. It is in this world that we meet two twins, roughly 18 years old, or at least they look 18, 19. They're dressed identically in loose gray dresses with no shoes and their black wavy hair is flowing down to their waist. Pause real quick before I get into their eyes, because loose gray dresses, I think are to represent quicksilver. And then their long black hair. Who does that remind you of? Oh, probably fucking Sarah's fame. Which brings me to their royal blue eyes with silver threads. Here's that blue again. I really think you are onto something, Lexi, with the Zilvarin twin sons being ringed in blue having something to do with these twin goddesses. But then there's also this silver thread in their eyes, and I think it's quicksilver.

Lexi (25:55)

Yes. And that would actually make a lot of sense with how the gods are connected to the quicksilver. And I'll say too, with Kingfisher being a champion with quicksilver in his eyes. And it is a way that he is also connected to the gods here too.

Nicole (26:09)

Yes. Anyway, these two youths are not really what you think of when you think of goddesses. They're playful, they're young, they're very horny. While our scene here with the two twins and Seirys is rather short. Don't worry, they've still got time to ask what sex is like with Kingfisher.

Lexi (26:29)

What a first impression. Seras was literally just dying and then she was zippity doo dahed into the God world. And all of a sudden she being asked what sex is like with her mate.

Nicole (26:39)

It's talk about whiplash. I know. I'd be like, I think there's a few things a little more important right now than a good orgasm. Just a little. Back up, bitch.

Lexi (26:51)

He's mine.

Nicole (26:54)

Down, youths, down. But let's jump to a bonus chapter where we get a lot more of Bal and Mithin. In the Gate, Part one, Kingfisher is brought to this God world to chat with these two young horny twins. First, I want to highlight how it is that Kingfisher got to the God World. In this bonus chapter on the Battlefield Fighting Cry, Fisher is bleeding and starts to get to the point of tasting blood. It's then that he realizes he, like, touches his lips and it's not blood, it is quicksilver. And then the sky explodes with light. I think this is so cool. So I am assuming that in order to get to the God Realm or the God World, one has to go through a pool of quicksilver, much like you need to do for any realm. Maybe it is as simple as them needing to have the intention of, I want to go to the God Realm. And then they go through the quicksilver like we do with any other quicksilver pool. Or the gods have to call them through the quicksilver pool. Is that why.

Lexi (27:54)

That's what I think? Yes, absolutely. I don't think that anybody could come to the God World if they are not brought there by one of the gods themselves. Yeah.

Nicole (28:01)

If a God wants to call you to the God Realm, though, they would need to have you somehow, some way, go through a pool of quicksilver, much like we see with Sarus. But because Kingfisher has Quicksilver within him, it's like the twins manipulated the quicksilver so that it poured into him in order to call him to their God World. That's how I got it.

Lexi (28:21)

That's how I interpret it too. And again, one more reason why maybe Zarath let Kingfisher live with the quicksilver bound to him. The quicksilver is a literal connection for Kingfisher to the God World in that way.

Nicole (28:34)

Exactly, exactly. But as soon as Kingfisher gets to that hillside with the ladies, they are very much in playful mode. They try to convince Kingfisher that Bal is Mithun and Mithun is Bal. It's so funny that he sees right through it. He's like, I am not fucking with you right now. I was just fighting a dragon, assholes.

Lexi (28:53)

I think it's also pretty notable that Fisher alone is able to tell who is who like that when no one else can. And also, just clarifying here what we're talking about here with Kingfisher going to the God world. This happened 400 years ago and it happened in the Azhen Gate Bonus chapter Part one.

Nicole (29:11)

Yes, exactly. Yes, really quickly with the Balan myth and stuff. This reminds me of when our grandpa, who is an identical twin, swapped with his twin brother on a date with their respective girlfriends, their future wives. But I'm pretty sure Grandma saw right through that ruse.

Lexi (29:27)

That's the way I remember it too. Yes. And then Uncle Roy would take Grandpa's math tests for him in college, and the professor could not understand how Grandpa was so good at tests, but terrible in class otherwise. And yes, friends, their names were Roy and Troy and they were the most adorable grandpas who would also, like, switch ties at parties when they were like 90 years old. RIP we miss and love you both so much.

Nicole (29:51)

Miss you both so much. Now for the most awkward transition in fantasy fangirls history. I do wonder what has these two twins. The Ballad myth. And I want to be very clear. Those are the twins I'm talking about. Why they're so hot for Kingfisher. I don't know. Maybe grandpa and I'm sorry, Grandpa. Oh God, if I get struck by lightning. You know why? Especially because when Mithun drags her finger to Fisher's blood. So mouth. And then pops that finger into her own mouth. I feel so weird saying this right now. The young girl twin says that Kingfisher tastes like hope. Fear, unmet potential and love. Damn, girl. Jesus. Hope makes a lot of sense given that this is pre maze Kingfisher. This is when he's filled with a lot of hope for the world. Fear also makes sense. He was just facing a giant dragon and one of his friends just died. So yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Unmet potential. I wonder if that's because he hasn't gotten Nimarel yet. Or the romantic in me wonders if it's because he actually hasn't met Sarus yet and like, together they would, you know, be their full potential. Which brings me to the wild card. Love. This really surprises Kingfisher. He's like, why the fuck do you think I taste like love? That's weird. We don't really know a whole lot about Fisher's romantic life pre serious. Only that he's fucked a lot in his 71733 years. Honestly, I would hope so. Get it, my guy. But love is something that I don't think that Fisher's done a lot of. Especially because when he has the conversation with Murrell, this is again in the bonus chapter about the possibility of them having been able to have something more. He seems pretty closed off to the idea of letting someone into his life like that. So it makes sense that he's like, why are you saying I taste like love? That's very weird.

Lexi (31:51)

I think it's. There's a future timeline playing out between Seras and Zarath right then. And Fisher, tasting of love is a reflection of this different Timeline Mating bond with Seras. So yes, the future. And that his love will have a big part to play in what's to come.

Nicole (32:09)

Well, and we'll get into this in a second. But literally, his love is standing on the other side of the hillside right there. Like so it makes sense that they're like, oh, you taste like love. And he's like, why? But like, literally, the woman that he loves more than anything is right there. Oh, it's so good.

Lexi (32:23)

I'm also curious about the twins nickname for Fisher. Fierce heart. It absolutely checks out. He has a big heart with all of his self sacrifice and the way he will fiercely love Ceres. Despite this not being Kingfisher's first or even second time here in the God world. This is the first time the gods have intervened for Fisher. Kind of beg to differ because of Xarth letting Fisher live when he was a boy and traveling through the quicksilver without a relic. But anyway, the twin goddesses are doing this without their father's permission. He is distracted by his discussion with Ceres off in the distance, which is a future timeline, while the twins are here in the past with Fisher. Oh, do you think the twins help Fisher here in this past timeline? Because Ceres has just arrived in the future and they know he has to survive in the future timeline, so he needs their help in the past timeline because Fisher and Seras will have the opportunity to save the universe once when they are severed from Zaris. So the twins here want to give Fisher Nimmerel to help his future self. And maybe it's also because, you know, he's on their horny minds after they asked Saris about sex with him. So they're like, oh, let's go see what he's up to. Oh dear. He needs our help.

Nicole (33:31)

I love that. Oh my God. Well, that makes so much sense. Why they. Here's a sentence I never thought I'd say. It makes so much sense why their. Their first question to say Rose is about sex, and then they're like super horny and all ready for Kingfisher.

Lexi (33:44)

It's like.

Nicole (33:44)

Like they're already primed up and ready for when he comes over.

Lexi (33:49)

Overlapping timelines aside, do not worry, we will still get more into that here shortly. The twin goddesses of the sky have brought Fisher here to heal his wounds and importantly, to gift him a God sword. This bonus chapter is when he gets Nemorel. The twins give this ancient blade to Fisher in this God world. They say it has been waiting millennia for him. This right here is Why? I assume Nyerel has magic within it when none of the other God swords have. Until Ceres arrives 400 years later. Because it was gifted to Fisher directly from the gods.

Nicole (34:23)

Well, and also it's gifted to him from two twin goddesses. And Morel, who died and her spirit is in the sword is a twin. And I just love that twin connection. Alright, friends, you know, we are not done talking about these overlapping timelines. Because in this, this bonus chapter, the moment that made me go is that Fisher gets a scent from something on the hillside breeze. It smells like lilies and sugar and light and laughter and smoke. And in the distance. Remember, this is 400 years before the events that we're actually talking about. This episode in the distance, on a hill, Kingfisher sees a woman talking to Zarith. And her smell changes everything for him. Hello, Saeris. In our current timeline, I don't think he knows in this moment that that is the woman that his mother drew. Because of that moment that he realizes it in the maze, which is a different bonus chapter. But I do think an innate part of him knows that this is his mate. It is so sweet that he's like, she's hurt. She's hurt. I need to go help her. I need to go help her. It's like he can't get to her. And it's just so sweet. I love him so much. But the twins will not let him get to her. After all, this is the past. And that, dear Fisher, is the future.

Lexi (35:39)

So here we have every Deep Diver's greatest fear. Multiple timelines.

Nicole (35:49)

Oh God, I can't wait.

Lexi (35:52)

We have to keep in mind this was dropped in a bonus chapter. So I think that this idea of multiple timelines will be a officially introduced in the story, perhaps in Brimstone. I know in chapter 44 Zarath teases it. But here in this bonus chapter, we see it actually on the page. I wonder if this timeline concept applies to Finren and why some of those timelines don't add up. Like, was Finryn here in the God world for an unknown amount of time, which changed how he was part of time in his world? Or when Fisher came here to the God world as a boy for the first time that did something. Zarth does say that he orchestrated events and maybe he orchestrated a little too hard. We have more than a 600 year gap of time inconsistency with when Fisher was young and his father disappeared through the quicksilver. And Callie confirmed there is a reason for that, which we may find out in Brimstone. I bet you we will. Pulling back a little bit, though, I do think that ultimately these past and future timelines represented here in this bonus chapter symbolize more so how time exists differently here in the God world. Where we are right now is separate from the universe our main characters live in, and therefore there are different rules to time and space. And the consequences of this will play a part in our bigger story.

Nicole (37:04)

You know what I just realized? There's that moment where Everlane gets Kingfisher's age wrong at the very beginning of the book, and he's like, it's 1733. I feel like there's this little wink, wink, nudge, nudge to there's something happening with Kingfisher's timeline.

Lexi (37:18)

And Callie has very specifically put people's ages into this. Yes, she did not have to do that. We have real time stamps and she has this very well plotted out. So that is not a mistake. She confirmed it is not a mistake.

Nicole (37:33)

We did not ask if it was a mistake, though.

Lexi (37:36)

No, we were very careful with our question.

Nicole (37:40)

Back to these two goddesses in our current timeline. These two gals do say something rather interesting to Sarys in the scene before we move to Xarith. Quote, we've been waiting an aeon for him to gift us with our own playmate, but thus far, no other of our kind has braved the journey to visit our Corcoran. First off, Zarath is quite the strict dad. I understand not dating until you're 18, but an eon, that actually would be our dad. If our dad had that option, he would have probably made that rule for us.

Lexi (38:09)

Well, it's like, oh, Yenna wants you to be with these mortals.

Nicole (38:12)

I know, the mortal men. Oh, dear. But this quote, no other of our kind has braved the journey. That really stood out to me. So I'm assuming when they say kind, like they're kind meaning a God or a godlike being. So are there other gods we don't know about in other realms? And no one else has braved the journey through the quicksilver to find them? Or are they referencing that no other Fae, slash human has come to their God realm in order for them to, like, have their playmate?

Lexi (38:40)

I think that of our kind insinuates that an ideal playmate would be another God. And we know that the gods do live in different Corcorans, and we can presume other gods have their own domains of the universe. So yes, good catch. I absolutely think that it is gods who are responsible for other domains There is a lot more to the God Society. I'll call it.

Nicole (39:02)

Yeah, I think that's a good word. We know.

Lexi (39:03)

Yes.

Nicole (39:04)

Okay, I do have an official crack theory. Last thing before we get into Zarith. What if Carrion ends up with the two goddesses?

Lexi (39:13)

Oh, that's canon to me. Well, then at one point they're like, oh, fish is the second most handsomest person we've ever seen. What if the first most handsomest is Carrion?

Nicole (39:24)

Oh, I like that. I like that a lot. Anyway, after Seiris is meeting with Bel and Mithun, they take her to meet their father, AKA Zarith, God of Cha and change. Ceres is instantly transported from the field to on top of the hill underneath the branches of this massive oak tree with silver leaves. The tree has streams of quicksilver running down its bark like SAP. Oh. At the base, its roots are surrounded by a growing 8 foot wide moat of pure quicksilver.

Lexi (39:59)

I wonder if this is symbolic of how quicksilver is so ingrained in the universe and that's why it's leaking out like SAP. Or is this more literal where the quicksilver is literally leaving the universe to then be eventually recycled back into it? I think about those weather charts that we saw when we were younger with the rivers being evaporated and then the rain clouds coming down, and then it's all the big circle of environmental life.

Nicole (40:25)

I pictured exactly what you were talking about less than halfway through that sentence. The fact that you brought up biology class was not on my. On my list list today.

Lexi (40:35)

Well, in college, I took a weather class because it counted as a science class, and I am so bad at science. And I really shot myself in the foot when I took a black holes class because I thought it would be interesting. And it was the hardest class I've ever taken. So then next semester I was like, I'm doing weather.

Nicole (40:53)

You went to the number one aerospace engineering school in the entire world. You were not an aerospace engineering major. Let me begin.

Lexi (41:01)

I was a journalism major whose degree was literally canceled the year after I left. And yet, somehow I still found myself a media.

Nicole (41:11)

A few of these branches are twisted into bare, blackened knots, along with a large part of the back of the tree and roots being covered in this black rot that we'll get into in a moment, leading the leaves to have to be pruned in order to prevent the rot from spreading. Note for people who are not gardeners like me and who can barely keep a plant alive if you prune a plant, it literally means like Taking off leaves that are killing the rest of the plant in order to ensure the rest of the plant grows healthier.

Lexi (41:41)

On a nearby rock sits Xarth, the God of Chaos, and as we'll soon learn, change as well. This is the God whose statue is turned away in the Fey world because people do not want his attention on them. It's fitting that our first introduction to him here in his Corcoran, you all. I am so proud that I could say this word. His back is also facing us. He is Bal and Mithun's father, and he wears the same dark gray robes as his daughters appearing in his mid years. Zarath has a kind and wise face and is as tall as Fisher. He has long brown hair that is tied back into war braids. And he radiates power. And it's here that we get confirmation that it has been his voice speaking to Saris about going through the door or staying in Yvelia with fishermen. Seras even wonders if this is who she's been talking to through the Quicksilver for a long time. Like we have discussed a lot here on the podcast, we think that the Quicksilver is a bridge between the gods and the world. Though the Quicksilver has its own sentience too. So I think that Sarris is partially right here, where it's not Zarth channeling through the Quicksilver the entire time, per se, but he is still puppeteering events and things like that. Was that how you would take it?

Nicole (42:50)

Yeah, I think the only time that he himself was speaking through the Quicksilver was in the maze just a moment ago. I do not think that he was the one talking to her this whole time. She's had enough conversations with the Quicksilver, with the many, many voices of the Quicksilver to have a recollection of. Oh, this is the guy I've been speaking to the entire time. She doesn't say that. She says just this amount of time. Zara tells Sarah that he's been spending a great deal of time watching the threads of the universe. What a God of fate there. And he's been waiting for an alchemist who is strong enough to quot reset the balance and clear the way for what's to come. Clear. That's very clear, Zarif. So no pressure or anything, but he was very intrigued when he saw Cerus, an extremely powerful alchemist, enter the fate of the universe. Long story short, he's been waiting for her.

Lexi (43:44)

And we officially have the Chosen One trope. Yes, there's a lot to unpack in that statement of his. But that is what this whole episode is for. Zahra says something else interesting when greeting. And you are Serris. Sister to Hayden, daughter to no one. Now, this could be a simple, straightforward statement. She is indeed sister to Hayden, and her parents are dead. So technically, she is daughter to no one. But knowing that lineage has to play a role for Serris, considering how powerful of an alchemist she is, that whole daughter to no one feels a little more mysterious and pointed. I will be honest, though. I think he is just making a statement to show he knows a little about her. Or maybe it even means the opposite. That her lineage is not important.

Nicole (44:29)

Are you serious?

Lexi (44:32)

What?

Nicole (44:33)

No, I. Oh, God. Oh, Lexi. Oh, God, you sweet summer child. There is no way him saying daughter to no one is just in reference to you. Your parents are dead, remember? No, I think. Okay, I. I've been cooking up this little theory in my. In my back pocket, you all.

Lexi (44:50)

Can I just say real quickly, Nicole assigned this part to me, to the outline, because I thought.

Nicole (44:56)

I thought you'd be different, Lexi. I thought you were different. I think that this is actually a reference to how he change the fates to make sure that she was born somewhere else. What if she actually is daughter to no one? She does not really look a whole lot like her family. Or like she didn't look like her family. So what if. I'm not going to call this a full Virgin Mary situation, but what if somehow, some way, she is actually a daughter to no one? Zarith plopped her in the middle of Zolvarin because he needed to get her away from Kingfisher, which, again, we'll talk about more in a second. So, in order to do that, he literally made her daughter to no one. But he just assigned her to Iris. When Sarys was born out of nothing.

Lexi (45:45)

How was she born?

Nicole (45:47)

Then she appeared When. When a man loves a woman, a stork flies down from the sky.

Lexi (45:58)

There's that bird watch again.

Nicole (46:03)

Now, crack theory or no crack theory, don't go thinking you're too special there, Seiris. There are millions of other alchemists out there in other realms. And even hundreds in, quote, the city you once call home. So Madra's attempt to kill off all the alchemists is clearly not working. I guarantee you that there are at least several alchemists in the rebel in Zolvarin in the Third. Absolutely, I am convinced. What if it's Elroy? I have no idea. I. This is what I've been saying. I am dying on the hill, actually, that Madra herself is one of those hundreds of alchemists, but there's a whole slew of other ones there. Is that a theory you can get behind, Lexi?

Lexi (46:46)

Okay, yes. I do think that we will be introduced to at least one alchemist when we go back to Zalvarin. I agree that there are some alchemists among the Raubels, but maybe they aren't powerful enough or have enough resources to properly be a threat. And I also believe Karion can point our characters in the right direction to these other alchemists. He's got to have more connections to the rebels. And again, maybe even alchemists in Zelvarin.

Nicole (47:09)

Whoa, you think that he knows alchemist and Sylvarian?

Lexi (47:13)

I think that he knows a lot more than we currently know. And he's a lot more connected to the rebels and knows more about alchemists. Yes, in there.

Nicole (47:23)

That was a very safe answer. That was not direct.

Lexi (47:27)

I don't think that he's like, oh, let me go help you find an alchemist. But instead it is very much like, oh, like I know of a few people who can do this with the metal as well, and things like that.

Nicole (47:38)

I just. I don't think he knows any alchemists in Zelvara. And interesting. I think. I definitely think he's connected to the rebels, but I don't think he knows about any alchemist in self activity.

Lexi (47:48)

Okay then.

Nicole (47:49)

Okay then.

Lexi (47:50)

I think he's been working a little bit harder than some people might give him credit for.

Nicole (47:55)

Oh, wow.

Lexi (47:56)

His last 1,000 years. Yay.

Nicole (48:00)

Hi, Lexi. Keep going.

Lexi (48:04)

I think we're both in agreement here that Seris will have a mentor at some point. Probably introduced in Brimstone.

Nicole (48:10)

Do you agree with me? I don't know. I don't believe any. I don't believe we are aligned on anything anymore. Yes, I do believe that. I do think that will happen whether.

Lexi (48:17)

This mentor is from Zvarin, Yvelia, or another realm entirely. Here's also what I think. I'm going a little crack theory here. There is something like an alchemist society among the realms. And now that the quicksilver is open again, they are reconnecting across realms. And with Ceres being the most powerful, this alchemist society will find her.

Nicole (48:39)

Yes, yes, sure. I don't know if I'd go as organized as that. Yeah, sure. Back to this all important tree. The tree and the surrounding Quixel remote are a physical representation of the universe. Like we've been saying, the roots of the tree are the anchors of fate. The best way I can describe this is as the tree grows and life goes on, the roots deepen and spread because there are new fates being created with time each time. Each silver leaf on the tree marks a realm with billions of people in it. And the silver leaves are all realms of Zeraths and his brothers and sisters domain. So they are in charge of watering the roots of fate, directing the growth of the branches both old and new, pruning the leaves, and therefore taking care of the overall health of the tree.

Lexi (49:31)

So I admit that I'm a little bit confused about what Xareth means by our domain. Same it sounds like he is saying his family, including his brother's sister and twin daughters. So all of the gods of this domain are responsible only for part of the universe. And this part of the universe that they are responsible for is their domain, a section of the greater tree. And like Sarah says, you know, everything you see here is our domain. And so what Saris is seeing is there a section of the overall tree. Even though it appears as a whole tree here and it is representative of their domain, it immediately begs the question, who is assigned to the other domains? Other gods that other realms worship? Like we were saying earlier about other gods coming into this Corcoran. So can one travel through different domains via the quicksilver? So you can enter a world where they have completely different gods and it's not a realm in these gods domain because I think that if you go between realms in this domain, they will all have the same gods. Very much like Zelvaran used to have the same gods until Madre made sure that they were forgotten. But if they are somehow able to go into another domain's realms, then there would be completely different gods, because those are the gods that are in charge of those domains.

Nicole (50:46)

That's exactly how I took it. It does beg the question, how the fuck is this only three books like that that opens up so much?

Lexi (50:57)

Because the quicksilver is so closely tied to the gods. I am going to say, I think it's going to stay strictly within each of these God families domains though. What if the rot is coming from another domain and the Big Bad is associated with another domain's God? Nicole, I'm never going to survive the rest of this deep dive in this series. If any of your hands out.

Nicole (51:22)

I. I could absolutely see that because I, I feel, I feel it in my bones that this rot that is spreading through the tree, the shadow that is falling over Evilia, is more powerful, more intense than the Triumvirate than Malcolm. Malcolm was the stage one big bad. We've got now the biggest bad, which I feel like a God would make a lot of sense for that. So I'm actually kind of here for this. It could be a God in this domain, but I'm leaning toward it being another one, which again begs the question, how the fuck is this only gonna be three books? Well, I mean, I guess three books with spin off series, but, like, still.

Lexi (51:59)

I'm still convinced that the rot is from the Blood Curse, but I'm gonna get to that shortly.

Nicole (52:03)

Okay, well, let's talk about this rot spreading through his domain. And the tree realms that are infected with this rot have to be destroyed in order to protect the rest of the tree. Remember the pruning friends. And thus prevent the rot from spreading to other leaves realms. These pruned realms will fall into the most of quicksilver. But that also means that the realms themselves are destroyed. Just like that, at the drop of a hat. And while this is extremely doomsday for us and for Saris, I am also really curious how this would work. These are dark thoughts, Nicole. Like, what would happen in the realm? Like, just, does a wave of quicksilver pour over them, killing them instantly? Do they drop dead out of nowhere? Does, like the sky explode into light and then suddenly everyone's dead?

Lexi (52:49)

Like.

Nicole (52:49)

Like their dinosaurs during the extinction with the meteorites? Like, what happened?

Lexi (52:53)

Yes. I was wondering the same thing, if.

Nicole (52:58)

That makes you feel okay. That does make me feel a lot better.

Lexi (53:01)

It does feel very ominous that they all just disappear into the quicksilver. Yeah. I also find it interesting that Zarith does not seem so concerned with what is causing the rot. He's a lot more all about how to prevent it from spreading. Perhaps he already knows how it originated. Or it honestly doesn't even matter at this point. Only for us to figure out how to stop it from spreading.

Nicole (53:24)

That's a question we can ask, Does Zarith know how the rot started? It's not asking how the rot started, but does Zarith know?

Lexi (53:33)

I really do think that I am convinced that the rot has to do with something with the Blood Curse or the triumph for its single source of power. And until our crew finds a way to eliminate it altogether, there is no hope for the future. There just feels like there are too many Easter eggs with the Blood Curse for it to be an entirely separate plot. And what if the timeline math adds up with the start of the rot and the Blood Curse? Could the Blood Curse be powerful enough to Cause a whole universe to start rotting potentially. And that's the reason Fenrin was researching it all those years after there was a cure.

Nicole (54:05)

I've learned to trust you when it comes to Papa and research. So you know what I say? Fly free, the little King fisher.

Lexi (54:13)

Okay, I'm not even halfway done with all this timeline stuff.

Nicole (54:15)

Of course you're not.

Lexi (54:17)

Like we were saying, maybe the rock could be coming from a different domain and another God is the culprit. Or one of Zara's siblings is the cause of it for their own gain, somehow, some way, I could definitely see.

Nicole (54:29)

It being, like a God who bestowed the curse. Like, I. Like it's kind of a chicken or the egg situation. And I think that this is a chicken, so I think it would be the God who started it. Then the egg is the curse that came about. And then the rot is what occurred on the tree because of the curse.

Lexi (54:48)

So how does Ruic Dianthus fall into all of that? Because he was one who technically started the blood curse. Or is his blood that started it?

Nicole (54:55)

What color are Carrion's eyes? Oh, blue.

Lexi (54:59)

Blue.

Nicole (54:59)

What do we associate with blue right now?

Lexi (55:02)

Gods. Yeah.

Nicole (55:03)

So what if he was touched by the gods, or manipulated by the gods somehow to be the kickstart of this curse from this evil God who is the chicken.

Lexi (55:13)

And that is why he was so set on getting the cure to it. And Finren is trying to figure out the bigger source of it.

Nicole (55:21)

I think we're onto something here. Watch us be.

Lexi (55:24)

I barely even know what we're on to right now.

Nicole (55:28)

Let's talk about Xarith putting some leaves in the quicksilver. Because despite literally just committing genocide, Zarath doesn't feel a damn thing. He is completely without emotion, despite having killed billions of people. Zarath, I know you're good. You saved both Kingfisher and Seras. But no, no, no. Bad. So bad. I don't even have words enough to say how bad this is. But this is of no consequence to him. He is moving pieces on a chessboard, sacrificing some for the betterment of others. Like, this is the psychological train problem, but on a very scary large scale. But because as a God, this is just what it is. Like, it's no, like, I'm saying it's no consequence to him. Especially because he's talking to the one and only thing he believes who can save the entire Tree universe from turning to rot. And him having to be like. And down in the quicksilver, you go.

Lexi (56:24)

Zarth does make one thing clear and it is that he is extra interested in Seras. She is after all the alchemist who can reset the balance and he has been waiting for someone like her to come along. What's more, he was very intrigued when he saw Sarris while consulting the Fates because along with her was Kingfisher.

Nicole (56:41)

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Lexi (57:00)

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Lexi (57:49)

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Nicole (58:09)

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Lexi (58:10)

All.

Nicole (58:10)

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Lexi (58:35)

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Lexi (59:12)

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Nicole (59:36)

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Lexi (60:38)

Can't I just let it go? Thank you so much.

Nicole (60:46)

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Lexi (62:44)

Xarth attempted to sway the Fates to prevent the this spark from occurring. Saris was supposed to be born Fae. And in Yvelia. Oh, my gosh, that would piss me off so much to find out that I, first of all, should have been born Fae in this beautiful snowy land. But then instead, I was born a human in the third in Salvarin. Oh, what if. What if she was supposed to be born in Ballard, and Wendy somehow had an inkling? And that is the connection Wendy has with her that we've been wondering about.

Nicole (63:13)

Okay, wait, wait. But. Okay, I'm gonna layer another theory on top of this, because I saw. I can't remember who it was, but someone in our DM said what if Wendy is the alchemist that Malcolm used to work with? That's one of the reasons, like, she. She escaped into Ballard. She's living her little cozy fantasy life now. And that's with the biscuits. So what if she not only had an inkling because she's a fellow Alchemist, but what if she was supposed to have been Cyrus's ancestor?

Lexi (63:41)

I still think Sarah should have been a Dianthus. I'm sticking to that.

Nicole (63:45)

I'm still thinking Sarus is a Dianthus, even though that is definitely not what I believe anymore. But I've made a bet on it, and I have to stick to it.

Lexi (63:54)

However, to push Saris and Fisher apart so they wouldn't meet and cause the end of the universe. Hundreds of years before Sarris was born, Zarth shifted the events around her birth, he separated her and Fisher, ensuring that Sarris would be born in a realm that, quote, should have never come into contact with his. Yeah.

Nicole (64:12)

Yes. What if in the Gate, chapter the, everything was exactly as it should have been? They never were supposed to have met, but because they were in the God Realm at the exact same time, that caused the Axis of the universe to shift again in order to make it so that she and him met. Yes. Yes.

Lexi (64:31)

Okay. So going back to how she was born in Zelvarn, a realm that never should have come into contact with kingfishers. That's very interesting, because the two realms have been in quite a bit of contact with each other before the Quicksilver stilled a thousand years ago. So this absolutely sounds like Zarath orchestrated events so the Quicksilver pool would still physically making it impossible for Sarris and Fisher to meet. And Zarath interfered. And that is why our timeline is so messed up about when Finryn went through the quicksilver and stilled it, and when Fisher was brought here to the Gods, traveling through Quicksilver after his mother died. I'm still gonna get more into this soon. Here. Wait, that's what I think. I think that Zarath ensured insured events happened so that the Quicksilver would still. So that Seras and Fisher would never meet each other.

Nicole (65:20)

So then would that mean that Xarith was moving the timeline pieces in order to make sure that Belakan killed the Dianthus family line, except for Carrion?

Lexi (65:28)

I think that it also had something more specifically to do with Fenrin. For now, the important takeaway is that Xarth tried to separate these two people across realms, across species, and across hundreds of years, but Sers and Fisher found their way to one another anyway. And I love that idea that when they were both in the God world in different timelines, that almost, like, ignited this pull toward one another.

Nicole (65:53)

I do wonder what Zarath's reaction was when he finally saw them meeting. Or like, the right before he saw them meeting on the Tapestry of Fate. I wonder if he was just, like, calm and like, okay, like, I tried my best, but here we go. Or if he was like, fuck. I just. I really wonder what his reaction. But he doesn't seem like a super emotional guy. I'm gonna guess the first one I.

Lexi (66:15)

Am so hung up on. The fact that Serris and Fish are meeting causes a spark that leads to the collapse of most of the world. I think the two of them igniting this spark might also actually be the reason magic is back the way that it is. Yes, it is Serris. But it's also these two together. And perhaps the magic that they are combined can either stop or continue spreading the rest.

Nicole (66:37)

Now, this does not mean that it's the end of the world. The end. With Tsarus Meddling, he found outcomes that led to the end of the world, yes, but he also found some that were uncertain, basically, where he could not see the way that the Fates played out. So there's a little bit of hope. However, he never saw an outcome that resulted in good prevailing over evil, which is not the greatest of odds, but not completely abysmal, because there's a small chance, just a tiny, small chance, that these uncertain paths where it's blocked from his sight, in those futures, there is a chance that life will continue on in this tree.

Lexi (67:15)

So, as I understand it, there are futures that are uncertain that Zarath cannot see, because those futures only happen if Seras and Fisher are severed from his protection and the threads of life. That's another reason why Zarath proposes this to Ceres. He's orchestrating the fact for him to be unable to see the outcome, to give it any chance of even happening in the first place.

Nicole (67:38)

That's exactly how I took it. Yes.

Lexi (67:39)

The first time Kingfisher traveled to this God world, in his words, he was barely more than a boy, and Belacan forced him to go through the Quicksilver without a relic. According to Fisher, he learned that the gods were full of misdirects and mischief. When he came here the first time, he made an enemy of Zara's family, his three godbrothers and goddess sister. And Fisher only lived because Zarath demanded it. Because the Quicksilver hinted to Sarris. Back when Saris was talking to King Fisher Silver, some chapters ago, the Quicksilver hinted to Sarris that Fisher accepted his fate when being bound to it. So we are guessing that he made an agreement with Sareth. However, you see, young Kingfisher in the God world was rather rude. His mother had recently died, after all. Aha. Timestamp. I'm calling this timeline math, Nicole, because. Yes, we are not done with this yet. King Fisher's mother was killed right after giving birth to everlane, who is 1486 years old. If Fisher is 1733 years old, that means when he first visited these Godlands, he was 247 years old. I also bet that Bellicon sent him through the Quicksilver as a way to try to kill Fisher. This evil stepfather did not want Fisher around. His mother was no longer in the the picture. So he tried to get rid of Fisher by making it look like it was Fisher's fault. He didn't go through the Quicksilver without a relic. That's my headcanon here with how things went down. Yet remember how Zarath said he orchestrated events to get Fisher in this Godland in the first place? Because here we have another bit of confusion with the timeline. Finren, Fisher's father, disappears through the Quicksilver, never to be seen again. The quicksilver stills from Zavara and. And Belakan blames Finryn for stealing the Quicksilver portals throughout the universe. Okay, so we have two different timestamps here. One time stamp we have is from the UK bonus chapter, Carrion, seeding his age and how long Madra has been in power. That is just over 1,000 years. But the other timestamp we have is Fenryn leaving and Belkhan claiming him a traitor. And then as the King, Belcon forced Fisher's mother to marry him. That was more than 1,700 years ago. What I'm getting at is the Quicksilver stilled before Fisher's mother died. It stilled before she married Bella Khan. So Fisher should not have been able, literally physically able, to go through any Quicksilver in the first place under Bellocon's rule. And with all of these mentions that Fisher was barely more than a child and a young boy, it doesn't seem like he would be 247 years old. So what if he was actually younger, like 10 when he came here, but it was somehow in a different timeline because the Quicksilver had not been stilled yet, and Czar's meddling with these events have fudged the timeline. You all, I am convinced that we are working with two separate timelines here. There is a 600 plus year gap and events that have very clearly happened that should not be able to happen according to other events in that same timeline.

Nicole (70:39)

So correct me if I'm wrong. One of the timelines is heavily associated with Evelia. One of the timelines is heavily associated with Zelvari. I'm going back to this idea that what if in one realm, time moves slower than it does in the other? So this would be Zelvarin. In that case, Zolvarin would move slower than it does in Evilia. Which would mean that when Kingfisher and Carrion go over to Evelia next book, they would be well in time for even light ceremonies they would like. Not as much time would have passed since Seyrus left, while X amount of time has passed. In Evelia Samusroff.

Lexi (71:16)

While I do love that idea how time does work differently, I will argue that when Kingfisher did go through the Quicksilver to go get Hayden, but actually got Carrion, that timeline did seem to add up with how long Seras had been gone.

Nicole (71:31)

True.

Lexi (71:32)

Okay. And then, as far as I know, separate from these timelines, 700 years ago, from. From our current story, Fisher came here to this God world again because Zarath had a proposition for him. How do we know it was 700 years ago? Because his bonus chapter was 400 years ago. And in his bonus chapter, he said he came here for the second time 300 years ago. So 700 years ago for our story. And when he did come here for the second time, Zarath had a proposition for Fisher. And Fisher rejected this proposition. What was it though? Did it have something to do with Fisher and a future God bound man, Nate, saving the world? And when Fisher rejected it, that's when Zarith moved the pieces on the board to separate him and Saris?

Nicole (72:12)

I don't think so. Because would not have wanted Fisher and Sarus to have met? I don't think so. See, this is when I thought that it was the champion.

Lexi (72:20)

Yes. So you think that the second time is when Zarath dubbed Kingfisher his champion, but then only in maybe Kingfisher's perspective, he rejected it.

Nicole (72:30)

I could see Kingfisher thinking he rejected it and Zarith being like. Like, but I'm a God, so, yeah.

Lexi (72:37)

I've always assumed that Zarath made Fisher his champion when he was a boy. The first time he traveled here, when he agreed to let the Quicksilver bind to him.

Nicole (72:46)

Oh, see, I could see that being a. I will call in a favor someday and you're going to have to obey.

Lexi (72:53)

Maybe.

Nicole (72:54)

Maybe. So we don't really know the details as to why is Arthur made Kingfisher his official champion, but for whatever reason, he did save Kingfisher from death. I am assuming that it is Zarith who bound the Quicksilver to Kingfisher inside of his mind, as the Quicksilver says when Saras is talking to it. In Kingfisher's mind, it is a weapon. They are him and he is them. The Quicksilver cannot leave, or else all meaning Fisher and all the Quicksilver will die.

Lexi (73:22)

So when Zarath saw Ceres and the Threads of Fate, he was intrigued by how Kingfisher was with her. So that is when he orchestrated for Fisher to come here when he was young. Because Fisher was key in these uncertainty Paths. And I think that is when Zarth dubbed him his champion.

Nicole (73:40)

So I have a crazy half baked theory.

Lexi (73:42)

Are you?

Nicole (73:43)

This whole episode is crazy half baked theories. Okay, then this is an ooey gooey theory. Ooey gooey. Kingfisher at the end of this book will have way less quicksilver in his eye. So what if Zarith saw something with how Quicksilver could aid Kingfisher, keep him alive or so on and so forth. Should Kingfisher be able to get a hold of the Quicksilver in his mind? Almost like Zarath knew that eventually it would make him an even greater champion. Should Kingfisher not fall prey to the Quicksilver's madness. Zarath very much seems like a what doesn't kill you makes you stronger kind of a person. So I could see him binding the Quicksilver to Kingfisher in order to down the line, make Kingfisher a very strong champion.

Lexi (74:33)

I see what you're saying there. I like that. And I'm gonna piggyback on that here. Because by the end of this book, after King Fisher and Saris are severed from the gods and the threads of fate and all of that, that is when the Quicksilver starts starts leaving him. Now we do know that it is because Thailand and Isha Ball are partnering together in order to be able to heal him. And it'll take a long, long time, but he is getting that quicksilver out. That was seemed like it was impossible. For what if it's only possible now because he is severed from the gods? And so now it's like his agreement that he had way earlier with Sarah is void now after Zara's conversation with Saris. And that is why the quicksilver is now able to leave him. Him.

Nicole (75:17)

Yes. Oh, I'm hop hop on board. Two. Two. All aboard the two. Yep. Absolutely. Yes. Yes. Oh, I love that.

Lexi (75:24)

Awesome.

Nicole (75:25)

Okay, back to the God because we're. Where are we?

Lexi (75:32)

Shifting topics to the God bound oaths marked on Sarahs and Fisher. They are Godbound mains as we know. A phenomenon that hasn't been seen in so long, it is now considered myth. Not even Malcolm has had seen it. And think of how many thousands of years old he was. The God bound oaths mark Sarris and Fisher as Zarus Ward. These markings protect our two main characters from the unwanted attention of the other gods in Zara's family. I wonder if this right here is why God bound mates always have such tragic endings where one of them dies being Godbound. Mated is Connected to this well of power that their access together creates. And the Gods want to put a stop to it every time it happens because there is a negative counter.

Nicole (76:11)

Oh my God, that's so good. Yeah. Yeah, I could. That makes sense. That makes sense.

Lexi (76:17)

Okay. I'm glad something does.

Nicole (76:19)

Here goes something.

Lexi (76:21)

So I'm guessing that when Ceres and Fisher found their way to each other and caused the spark, this was Zara's way of doing damage control to protect them. Serris will reflect in the next chapter how she, she and by proxy Fisher are Zara's wards now. So as I understand it, these two are severed from the threads of fate. They are on their own when it comes to intervention. But that doesn't sever them from the God of Chaos himself. Only the connection to the Fate tapestry or ability to move the pieces on the board. So I see this as the internal connection between Sarris and Fisher and Zarth are still there. That's why they still have the Godbound mark. Orcs that bind them as his wards. But the external connection is now gone. Where he could intervene or see what the Fate has in store. They're not even on the board anymore. For him to move their pieces around.

Nicole (77:10)

The other gods are far less patient. Slash wanting to be optimistic, they would rather kill Kingfisher. So him and Seiros never fight side by side and thus snuff out, you know, the entire universe. And because of that, with Kingfisher gone, Sarus is the one who can, you know, save the world, so to speak. The other Gods are willing to roll the dice on the unknown of what's next by removing Kingfisher entirely from the picture. This is where I think that your theory about the God bound mates being so tragic only because God intervention like this would be a God intervention. God bound tragedy right here. Oh my God. That's so good. So the gods will either allow Sarrus alone to, you know, kickstart the beginning of the world, or should she fail, they'll weather the storm of the rot. They'll tear out the tree. They'll replant a new one with no rot or decay. It's a clean slate to start over without them having to worry about anything. Especially a pesky God bound mating pair.

Lexi (78:06)

However, Zarath is not ready to call it quits on this tree, this universe. Yet. First and foremost, it would break his daughters hearts. They're attached to Kingfisher, this tree, to this universe. Universe. And they don't want to completely start fresh. They like Kingfisher and don't want him to be killed either. He's a girl dad and wants to make his daughters happy by making this big attempt with Cerys to save the tree from the rot. That's the only reason Xerath gives Cerys for why he's willing to take a chance on her and Kingfisher. But I think as the God of chaos and change, he's also driven by his pride. Zarath has been waiting for Cerys to come along. He's intrigued by how Ceres and Fisher's fates keep pulling toward each other despite his interference. And as terrifying as them together is, Sarath seems curious and fascinated by these two and the energy that they draw together. These two's union may have sparked doom, but their union is also the only common factor in any uncertain scenarios. So if there is a chance saving the future, it's these two fighting side by side as God bound mates. Basically, this God of Chaos wants to see what happens between this most powerful alchemist and his champion.

Nicole (79:11)

Okay, so with all of this info, what does this mean for Seris? At the end of the day, she has a choice. Number one, continue into the beyond and leave this world. Say goodbye. Not have to deal with any of the stress or the pressure of the world ending. Or number two, go back and live your life with a big old asterisk next to that. She would no longer have the protection from Zaria, so the other gods would not be able to see her or interfere as well. Which is great. Basically, she's cutting herself away from the threads of the universe. Like we were just saying, she will officially be on her own. So while this seems like a big deal, especially to Zarith, having the protection of a God sounds kind of nice, especially on when you're on your way to, you know, a war. But for Serous, it really wouldn't look anything different. She would just continue living her life as is, making her own decisions now that the God gods can't interfere in it. And I mean, for Seiris, who is extremely independent and extremely strong willed, this sounds like exactly what she's been fucking wanting this entire book. So my guess is if she's on the brink of death again, she won't be able to have the I'll call it the phone a friend slash phone a God moment where he swoops in and saves her. Or for example, should a horde of feeders be headed their way and the God gods maybe had the power to stop it, they wouldn't be able to.

Lexi (80:38)

That's how I understand it. They will have no way to interfere with fate or any events that affect them, or timelines that do either. Timelines. There's that word again that Zarath just says. Just say it.

Nicole (80:48)

This does bring me to a question, though. If it is just Sarus and Kingfisher who is cut off from this tapestry, what if she's with, like, Lorath, who's not cut off from the threads of the universe, Would the gods still be able to interfere in scenarios that involve Lorath? So let's say she's on a battlefield. Lorath and Renfys on either sides of her. There's a horde of Feeders heading their way. The gods might have had the ability to change the events, but because she's there, can they not?

Lexi (81:20)

I think that's how it works. It really depends on how much the outcome impacts Sarris's future.

Nicole (81:25)

That sense makes. Makes sense. That does make sense. Sort of. But all of this comes down to one line that fully sways Seras. Zarith asks her, does she want her mate to die? And when she says, no, you of course not. He tells her, this is how you save Kingfisher. And why would Fisher die if Seiris doesn't agree to this? Because the other gods really don't like Fisher. They see him as a threat to their domain. He's already made an enemy of them when he first visited the Corcoran when he was young and very rude, which.

Lexi (81:58)

Cali.

Nicole (81:59)

Please give us that in a bonus chapter. That would be amazing.

Lexi (82:02)

Since episode one of this Deep Dive, we've been discussing the prominent theme of the importance of mastery and control over one's own life. Seras has always been a fiercely independent fmc. We've been saying that since episode one. Growing up, she was hardened to be that way, and then people took her ability to choose away from her. And it makes her feel powerless and weak. Understandably so. Here, Ceres is being presented with the ultimate choice to have full agency over her life, severed from any God's interference. It is such a full circle moment for her character arc, and very interesting as we propel forward with the story. It's like now she has that independence completely. What is she going to do with it? What choices will she make? And at the same time, she is still enthralled to Tallades, which we will get to here soon.

Nicole (82:47)

Soon.

Lexi (82:47)

I just can't wait to find out what's next in the series.

Nicole (82:49)

Sayris has a pretty fair question for this God, though. What the fuck are you saying to me? She sadly does not ask that. But she does say this whole severing thing. How is he going to do it to her? By making her into something completely new. Something that the universe has never even seen before. And just by making that happen, the universe, fate will not be to able. Able to focus on it solely because it does not recognize it as part of the universe. This is so fucking cool. Props to Cali for creating this. My brain hurts. We will soon find out that this means she will officially be half Fae and half vampire. Something that has never been seen before. I'm guessing because vampire and Fae have never successfully procreated.

Lexi (83:36)

Or perhaps only a God can create. Or I think that's where my mind mind was going. I also wonder if becoming half Fae makes Seras more in touch with her alchemist magic. Like now, as a Fae, she'll be more capable of channeling her powers that she already has within her.

Nicole (83:51)

Question. Does Zarith ever say, I will make you into something the universe never has seen before and that will be half Fae, half vampire? Or does he just say the first part of that sentence? Because I think it's just.

Lexi (84:04)

I think it's just the first part. But I always understood that as more of like, shock value once Cerys wakes up.

Nicole (84:10)

Oh, that's fair. I could also see it as, this is what we understand her to be, but there's actually more layers to it. It's time to go back to the realm where everything makes sense. And how does kind, loving Zarath girl dad of the century do that? By shoving her into the quicksilver moat. Thanks, bro.

Lexi (84:30)

We did it. We deep dove chapter 44. But we're not done with this book yet. Yet. As chapter 45 opens, Saris is in a dreamlike state, floating on a sea of darkness. It's like she's caught in the bridge between the afterlife and the world where time and space don't quite exist. Just like how it did in God World. This is Ceres, either literally or metaphorically, floating down the quicksilver river that Zarath so politely sent her through. Overhead, she can see all the stars that represent other realms. Ah, yes. It's like. Like she's like floating through the quicksilver moat. And she's looking up at all the silver leaves from the trees. But now they are stars. Because she's back in her own universe and she feels civilizations rise and fall like the civilizations of the realms that fall into the quicksilver moat. It's like she's floating in limbo, being made anew as she is returned to her home to her mate.

Nicole (85:22)

I have a theory. Remember how earlier in the book when Sarus was scratching, scratched by the feeder, she sees stars shining over Kingfisher's head and it was like a crown of stars. Could that be connected to her seeing stars in this moment in the moat in some way? What if Kingfisher's true name is something to do with stars? Or Star Realm? Star Realm Explorer, but like less Star wars and way cooler.

Lexi (85:51)

And. And like we were mentioning way earlier in this episode, we have to wonder if this dreamlike states observation of a bird is the same bird that Saris had seen in the God world.

Nicole (86:02)

Let's talk about this bird real quick because yes, I absolutely think it's the same bird from the Corcoran. And it's the same bird that is on her via the tattoo. It same bird that's the wings on Kingfisher. It's the Kingfisher bird, but especially because it's blue and green, which, yes, is a color that is associated with a type of the Kingfisher bird, but also is the color of their mating metallic tattoo and Kingfisher and Sarah's eyes. I want everyone to look up what a. A Kingfisher bird sounds like. And if we do not have the call of the Kingfisher bird at the midnight release party in Denver, I'm gonna be so disappointed.

Lexi (86:39)

And then Ceres wakes up. As she mentally reaches for Kingfisher, her mate, she's confused about how she's wound up in a bed, and she definitely is not feeling so good right now, soaked with sweat and emptying her stomach. Apparently there's a name for that part of the recovery after turning vampire. The Great Purge.

Nicole (86:58)

When Saera sees herself in the mirror, she is initially worried that she would not recognize the person that she would see because she knows she's something different. And Talladeus is looking at her with very much that inclination. She has, though. The same eyes, the same eye color, the same hair, the same mating marks.

Lexi (87:16)

Yay.

Nicole (87:17)

It stays the same. She has some new bags under her eyes, but that's to be expected given, you know, everything that she's gone through. But when she turns her head to the side, the first change is obvious. The tips of her ears are pointed and poking through her hair. Then when she opens her mouth, the biggest change of them all is noticeable. Her canines are now long and sharp. You know what they say about long and sharp canines, Lexi. But she's not just a vampire. She's half vampire, half Fae, which according to Taladeus they don't really know a whole lot about what that's gonna mean for her. What traits is she gonna pick up from each species? All they know is that she is no longer human. Which becomes painfully obvious when Cerus opens the curtains and lets light burns her eyes. But she does have this strange burn in the back of her nose when she breathes in. She actually mentions it twice. So do you think that this is a vampire first thing or a nod to fey smells and how they're extra powerful now?

Lexi (88:20)

I assumed it was a Fae thing and how it smells wrong here, but I love the idea that it's both of her different senses almost like competing with one another.

Nicole (88:30)

Oh, I love that. Oh my God. Okay, new excitement for Brimstone unlocks. I cannot wait to see what changes Sarris has and how they will affect her. Because I have a feeling this is going to be a whole nother layer of a mystery that's going to, you know, come about as we go throughout the series.

Lexi (88:47)

Well, I think a great example is, and some of our Discord members have actually asked about this, is that vampires cannot touch silver. And Kingfisher has quite a bit of silver on him to protect himself from the vampire. But I do think that Seras will be able to still maybe touch silver and then vice versa. Iron affects Fae and Kingfisher has had to literally train himself to be more susceptible to iron, as we learned in his Ajangate bonus chapter. So what if the two weaknesses like cancel each other out? And Seras, this feels like a very FMC thing. She can touch both iron and silver because she's not, not technically either one of those species. But like that could be one example of how her two different sides really do create something entirely new. And again, I do think that this is going to unlock a lot of her magical potential as well as she's becoming a magical creature. Side note here on Sarah's now looking. Fay Fisher's mother did draw Saris correctly. As we discussed last episode, Tallades played a center central role in Ceres's newfound condition as the second most powerful vampire. Only second to Malcolm. Taladeus also has the ability to enthrall someone and turn them into a vampire with only one bite. So he did just that to Seras. And with that one bite and her then biting and drinking from him, they solidified the transformation. It seems to be pretty big deal that Taladeus is this powerful. He would have been a big threat to Malka. So he pretended to be weaker and never allowed Malcolm to find out just how strong he truly was. I think Tal is going to be a big character moving forward in the story and he might be one of those is he good or is he bad characters that we don't know if we can trust, which I always love for a good deep dive.

Nicole (90:32)

Literally the fact that he is. He has already been playing both sides. He pretended to be weaker than he actually is. Means that he could could still be pretending to be weaker than he actually is. Like there is no ceiling to if this guy could be good or could be bad. Like was he just pretending with Malcolm or is he also pretending with Kingfisher and Sarah's now? Ah, I don't know. But because Sarus is technically enthralled by the vampire standard, we could see this having some major political ramifications. If Talladeus is able to control Sarah and she is the queen, that doesn't really look so good for the kingdom, because who's really in charge here? Also, would she have agency over her own life? That's a huge thing for Saris. But now being at someone else's mercy, if she is enthralled to Talladeus, that would really suck for our girl. But will Talladeus not use this extra. He calls himself a sire. Will he not use this extra sire power over her because he's a good guy? Or because she's something entirely new? Is she not even enthralled to begin with? That is something I could see is because she's Fae. I want to go back to this sire call thing because this feels like a very interesting word choice that is conveniently not master or something like that. I'm pretty sure he's calling himself sire in order to. I'll call it soften the blow. And also because if he called himself Master, Sarah's and Kingfisher would eat him for lunch.

Lexi (92:04)

Yes, I agree that he's trying to use the least attached and most respectful label for what is going on here. Yes, I definitely do agree that the enthrallment will work a little differently. It might be a little bit weaker for her because she is half Fae.

Nicole (92:20)

Now I do want to point out that in this whole Is Talladeas good or bad? Is he working with other? Each evil? Is he working for good? I do want to point out that Kingfisher does seem like a really good judge of character. So if he trusts Taladeus, dare I say it, I think I do too. I am very concerned as Talladeus does become more a part of the story. I could absolutely see him being a political mentor for Sarah's next book. I really feel like that's going to be a huge part of his role. And I, am I, am I the only one who does feel like there's a little bit of disconnect? There's some discourse when Seiris wakes up and it's only Tal. I feel like that's rather odd. A, because Kingfisher's not there when she wakes up and B, there's this moment where Tal is very evasive in this conversation.

Lexi (93:09)

I, I know what you're saying there. Definitely. I did take his evasiveness as not wanting to be the one to share this vital information with her. Kingfisher said he needed to be the one to share where she is. And if Tal even gives any information, it's going to be. The whole thing is unraveling. It's almost like he didn't mean to be the one here when she woke up. And he's kind of looking around being like, Fisher should really be here for you to get this information. Yeah. Where is he? Yeah, this is not supposed to happen.

Nicole (93:37)

Okay, so there is this moment where she asks Talladeus where Fisher is. And Tal does seem very closed off to giving her answers until she asks him to remove the memory block. I think if he refused to remove the memory block, I would be firmly in the Talladeg has some fishy shit going on. But I do think that because he abided by that wish of hers, I feel like there, I feel like he's good. I don't think he's going to be black and white where it's like, he's definitely good or he's definitely bad. I think that there's. He's been in the Vampire court for how long? There's no way he will still have a heart of gold after living there for some so long. There's definitely going to be some of his own rot that is seeped into him and he's going to have to learn how to balance that with these two people with hearts of gold now leading the palace.

Lexi (94:23)

Yes, I agree and I do think that we will be called into question whether or not we trust him. But yes, I do agree that he is ultimately a good guy.

Nicole (94:33)

Yes. So I do have a question, because Talladeas could put a memory blocker on Sarah, does that mean that Taladeus can also see her memories? If so, does that mean that he knows what happened with Zarif? And if he does, my confidence in Tal is very quickly Dwindling.

Lexi (94:51)

I feel like that'd be really weird for him to be able to, like, read all of her memories like that.

Nicole (94:54)

Like, if he's her master or whatever, like, it wouldn't be out of the question for him to have that control over her mind.

Lexi (95:03)

Okay, I'm going to go with. With that memory in particular being untouchable because it happened in a abstract land.

Nicole (95:14)

But that is a very good question.

Lexi (95:16)

If he now does have that access because she remembers her talk with Sarath after she gets her memory back. I'm gonna go with no, he does not know.

Nicole (95:25)

I think I'm gonna go with yes. Shocking.

Lexi (95:29)

Is that a bet? No.

Nicole (95:30)

I don't know. Are we wanting it to be?

Lexi (95:32)

Yes. Let's walk through everything that has happened while Seras was on the brink of death and then went through the quicksilver. Backing up first. Backing up. While Seras searched for the silver coin in the maze and defeated Malcolm Fisher, Carrion and Lorath fought and nearly died at Bellicon's hands. Real quick. Holy. I know that the warriors didn't have their magic, but that seems crazy that three on one could not overthrow Bellacon. Like, I assume that Belacan could use his magic. That also brings up the fact that Belacan could defeat Ruik Dianthus and that whole bloodline. Bellicon is extremely old. He's around the same age as Malcolm because he's immortal, because of being triumphant. So wow, I didn't think about that.

Nicole (96:13)

Wow is right. And I also want to point out that if he is that powerful, remember when we first met him in the courtroom, there was this element of he's just kind of this performer. Bad actor King.

Lexi (96:27)

Yeah, yeah.

Nicole (96:29)

Oh, God, that's so scary. How much there is to still uncover about Bellakon.

Lexi (96:34)

After Malcolm died and the death magic was swept away from Gilthry, Maga fled through the quicksilver. And as soon as Lorath's angel breath ignited from his God sword, Belkhan also fled.

Nicole (96:45)

Like we mentioned earlier, Tal put a memory blocker around Cerus from the moment he bit her until she was just waking up now. But it wasn't for ill intention, or at least it doesn't seem that way. I don't trust anything when it comes to Taladeus.

Lexi (96:58)

You trust Everlane.

Nicole (96:59)

I don't trust Everlane. I barely trust Kingfisher and Lorath and Carrion. I don't trust people easily. Transitioning is extremely traumatic. It's quite painful. You do things that sometimes Vampire Lords really wish they didn't remember. Like Taladeus but this is Seiros. She needs to know everything and be in control of her life life. So she demands to remove the memory blocker.

Lexi (97:21)

When her memory is returned to her, Saris recalls the bite from Talladeus Fisher carrying her through the Shadow Gate until she went zoom, zoom, zoom to the quicksilver pool. Now she remembers the conversation with Sarith Fisher pulling her out of the quicksilver while Fisher and Carrion argued. I can't wait for these two. The Banter Then Saris laid in this bed for three days in the worst pain imaginable. Lorath would sit by her bedside and play the lute and sing I just love him so much. Then she bit Talladeus on his neck because if she did not bite him back, then she would have turned into a feeder. After those three days, because she drank her biter's blood, the transition process was completed and Sarah's turned into a vampire. Or in her case, half Fae, half vampire. After her conversation with Zarath coming out of the quicksilver pool. I know we sound like a broken record with all this about the process of. Of transitioning and about vampire bites and enthrallments, but that is because we strongly assume it'll play a big role heading into Brimstone. With Ceres now Queen of the Vampires and enthralled by someone, it feels like it might be a big deal, a political risk, and having to put a lot of blind trust into a character Fisher might know well, but we readers don't. Since Talladeus bit Seras as a vampire, she will be enthralled to him, which means he can control her, just like Malcolm could with Tal. Now we've made it clear that we wonder if being half a half vampire and and something entirely new will subdue this enthrallment. But as far as we know, Serris, the new Queen of Vampires, is enthralled to Malcolm's right hand, the second most powerful vampire. This might not go over so well with the other vampires. Or like we've been saying, we're going to have some trust issues with Tal in Brimstone.

Nicole (98:57)

Speaking of trust issues with Tal, I want to pull out one thing that he said in response to Sarus admitting that a part of her is grateful and a part of her wants to kill Taladeus for what he's done to her. He says, quote, I felt the same way for a long time. There were whole centuries where I hated what I'd become and I wanted to destroy Malcolm. I wanted nothing but to Die and be gone from this world so badly. That's in past tense. That is not in present tense. Could this be explained away by him no longer wanting this all because Malcolm is now dead? His enthraller is now dead. Yes, possibly. It could also mean just throwing it out there that he wanted that previously. But now he wants something different. Like power that Malcolm had or the Triumvirate. Or he wants to be the vampire Triumvirate. Like it seems like that is what he used to want and now there's something new that he wants. I am on such high alert when it comes to Daladeus. He is the new Everlane is evil theory. Which I'm still not done with, by the way.

Lexi (100:03)

Okay, I took that what he said completely differently. Because it is actually a way for him to connect with Seras and be like, I hated being a vampire too. And you are able to move on. You are able to embrace this new life. There is life beyond what you are feeling right now. There is still a whole eternity to live like this. And it's going to be okay.

Nicole (100:28)

That's what I think he wants us to think. That's what I think he wants Ferris to think that he's being all nice and connecting with her. But what if Lexi. What if he's instead saying something like I also wanted that too?

Lexi (100:42)

Remember how GFDD aged after her chat.

Nicole (100:45)

With Talladays meets with Gary? And after seeing his appearance, it is quite the shocking change. He tells Seiras that when Fisher's father, Finren brought him to Silvarin, he not only left him some books to learn about his Fae heritage, he also glamoured his ears and canines to protect him. So he didn't, you know, stand out like a sore thumb amongst the humans. Carrion now, however, has pointed ears and pointed canines. And he grew. He's even taller now. Okay, two questions. Questions here. One, how did he take the glamour away? Did he just like will it?

Lexi (101:21)

It's explained. No. When Malcolm bit him and drank from him, it literally broke the glamour. Yeah. So he is not glamoured anymore because of Malcolm's bite on him. Yeah.

Nicole (101:32)

All right. Well then speaking of glamour. Who the fuck else is glamoured? In Sylvarin? That cannot be a throwaway line that.

Lexi (101:41)

Fae can glamour themselves in.

Nicole (101:43)

Zolvarin.

Lexi (101:45)

Okay, put the pencil down, Nicole.

Nicole (101:52)

Excuse me?

Lexi (101:52)

Put the pen down. That's very pretty. Now is as good a time as any to get into the very popular theory that Elroy is Fenryn and he is, you guessed it, glamouring. Himself. First of all, Elroy is described as a giant of a man. And what do we know about tall people in Salvarin? It's likely there is Fae lineage. Elroy used to be a legend among the criminals in the Third. Similar to Carrion. A very well connected guy. And Elroy worked with the rebels, help supply them with weapons. That would be a very sneaky, sneaky thing for Finryn to be doing in the background there. What if Iris Serris's mom, knew that Elroy was Fae himself and that is why she insisted her daughter be his apprentice in the forge? Well, what if.

Nicole (102:36)

If Finran, if he is Elroy, what if Elroy then knew that Sarus was a alchemist and that's why he insisted on her being in the forge?

Lexi (102:44)

Exactly. Yes, that too.

Nicole (102:46)

I also want to point out that the name Elroy is a French name, meaning the King. Now, Finran is not the king. He is a Lord of Cal, or he was a Lord of Kalish. But he is definitely very kingly in our story. The way he looms. But there's also a Hebrew meaning of the name, which means God who sees me, which is quite interesting. Okay, so that's. That's some evidence to support this theory. While I love, love, love, love this theory, there's a few reasons I'm not jumping on the bandwagon yet. Number one is that Elroy was in love with Iris. Serious mother. If Finryn was in love with Iris. Now that also could be an unreliable narrator moment, but let's take it as canon. If Fenren was in love with Iris, I do feel like it diminishes Fisher's view of his own parents. I don't love that. I feel like that's a little bit of a crossover. Apparently Sarah's sleeping with her brother. Who's the diet. This is fine, but that is too much for me. Number two.

Lexi (103:49)

Do you really think that he would be her brother?

Nicole (103:51)

Not brother, like distantly long, long ago, cousin or uncle or something.

Lexi (103:56)

It's a little different than brother. Just had to clear that up before the commenters come at you.

Nicole (104:06)

Okay, that's fair.

Lexi (104:07)

That's fair.

Nicole (104:08)

Okay. Number two, I love the idea of Elroy being Sarah's father figure and only Sarah's father figure. I feel like there's so much power that comes from that connection between an FMC and that father figure. And keep on just having Taylor Swift's song going through my head. I selfishly want that to just be for Sarus, not something she shares with Kingfisher. Specifically Meaning like the person she would share with KingFisher. And number three, I love the idea of Finryn being someone we have not seen on the page yet from a storytelling standpoint. This man who seems larger than life in. In the first book in Quicksilver, it's. I love this idea of him hiding out in the shadows. And we will have that big reveal, but not the big reveal in a way that it's like he's been here the whole time. You know what I mean? Yeah.

Lexi (104:57)

I feel like we already kind of had that with Carrion. And if we had that with two secret hiding Fae that obviously connected to Saris and her life, it would be like a. Oh, okay. I don't know. Like exactly. The shock factor would kind of be gone there. I will also add that Elroy is going up to the palace every day to try and get Serris back. That is the last we heard from Karion. If he was Fenrin, he would have felt the Quicksilver activate too, and would know something is up in a similar way that Carrion did. Probably even more so because Carrion only had a hint of. He didn't even know what it was supposed to feel like. Finwin would know. So he would know way more than Carrion. And the fact that Elroy does not seem to know that this. That to me, right there is proof more than anything that he is not Fenrin. However, I will say this. I really do think that there is more to Elroy and his part to play with. Helping the rebels or knowing more about alchemy and what Saris is capable of doing. More so than he has already let on. I don't think he himself is an alchemist. Well, actually, you know what? I could see him being an alchemist because he does have like a little bit of that Fae lineage. And that's why I. He's not like, I'll say, freaked out by what Seras is able to do.

Nicole (106:09)

I could also see that. I could also see that's a reason why he's wanting her to keep it under wraps as much as possible. That's another reason I can't see him as Finryn. Finran gives off this, at least through the stories we've heard. He's a sneaky papa. He's doing research in the background. He seems like someone who would act a lot. And yes, Elroy used to be that way. But then his spirit was crushed after Iris was killed. So I just. I don't see that as a Finryn character trait.

Lexi (106:37)

I think that Elroy is going to have his own great character arc of growth and all that that we talked quite a bit about in episode one. Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Yes.

Nicole (106:47)

That feels so special and powerful that a human or an alchemist or someone with distant, distant Fae lineage is going to have his own rise up moment.

Lexi (106:57)

Moment.

Nicole (106:57)

And yeah, I like that being just his. Yes, yes.

Lexi (107:02)

Now with the truth out, Carian has quite the story to share real quickly. I just love a great plot twist like this. And especially that it was Carrion. There was so much build up that it might be Ceres who's this long lost heir that has been lost in Zelvarin all this time. But no, it was Carrion. And I really loved it so much because the whole time I was like, I loved a side character, but it was also like where are we going with him here in this world? And boom, we got this. And I was like, ah yes, it all makes sense. So here is the info download from our favorite sneaky sneaky royal heir. Carrion is actually 1095 years old and he has been the heir to the Yvellian Fae throne hiding in Sylvarin for most of his life. Surprise. Belkhan killed Carion's father and mother, the King and Queen of Yvelia. Because the Dianthus line was the biggest threat to Malcolm Bellicon's ally Uruk. Dianthus blood was used to create the Blood Curse and Malcolm could not drink from a living member of his creator's bloodline. But Fisher's father rescued Baby Carrion from the same fate and took him through the Quicksilver with a relic with a stag engraved in it. Yep, exactly. With Finryn, he brought Fae books for Carian so he could grow up knowing about his heritage. In this book are the handwritten words that end in Prepare for war. And I am so convinced that Finryn wrote that in. A former slave of Madra's named Orlina Perry pulled Baby Carrion out of the Quicksilver over a thousand years ago. That night she fled the palace and into the third. It was there that she raised Carrion like a son. She ended up getting married to a man with the last name Swift and had a daughter. The books Fenryn brought over with him and Carrion were passed down the female Swift line. The Swift women would do their best to keep carrying out of trouble and be there for him as the only other ones who know his truth. And so that's his story. Carrion has been a Fae royal living in the third of Zelvarin for the past 1000 years. Years or more like 1095. Because from that UK bonus chapter or Lynna describes him as only looking like he's a few days old when she gets him out of the Quicksilver. Carrion kept an eye out all this time, waiting for the Quicksilver to reactivate so he could return it to his home realm when the time was right. Carrion felt an energy shift in the air on the day Saris awakened the Quicksilver. And again the second time. When Kingfisher went through to find Hayden, Carrion just knew that it had to do with Sers, so he went searching for her. And that is when he ran into Fisher, who then brought him back thinking he was Hayden real quickly. I wonder if a bunch of other alchemists felt the Quicksilver activate as well. And in the several weeks to a month since then, they have been doing a whole bunch more work in the background.

Nicole (109:33)

Yes, yes, yes.

Lexi (109:35)

Serris notes how interlinked this all is. Fisher's father sending baby carrying away for his protection and his son Fisher bringing the heir to the throne back to his homeland. Seras reflects quote. It meant something. Yes, Serris, I agree. Especially after that whole chapter about Threads of Fate and Kingfisher being Xerath's champion.

Nicole (109:55)

So as you can imagine, this official knowledge of Carrion being Fae is quite shocking to our girl Serous. Yes, because she slept with him. And you know, he was supposedly human, but he was actually well over a thousand. But that just feels like the surface level reasoning for her ire. This is just another instance of the known world for Saris crumbling down. What she thought was true keeps getting flipped upside down over and over again. And I just have the feeling that that's just the start of what that's gonna be for her. Especially when it comes to Zolaren.

Lexi (110:26)

Yes, I agree. And I'm sticking to my belief that Karion will ultimately kill Bella Khan. It's so fitting, it's almost cheesy. And while a lot of people have the right to take down Bell Khan, like Fisher for instance, he slaughtered Carrion's parents and is the reason he's been hiding in Sylvarian for the past 1,000 years. That throne is Karion's and I want to see him take it back in spectacular fashion. I am also a little worried for Carrion's well being now that his secret is out. Undoubtedly Bella Khan will be on a mission to eliminate the last Dianthus. Also, can you just imagine Fisher and Remphus and company Having to kneel to King Carrion. This is gonna be so much fun. Also, I bet that Danya will now be interested in him too.

Nicole (111:04)

Too.

Lexi (111:04)

Yeah.

Nicole (111:05)

Oh, if she becomes interested in him now that he's just Fay and. And a king or whatever that. Just.

Lexi (111:13)

The rightful king.

Nicole (111:14)

The rightful king or whatever. I love the idea of Fisher having to kneel for Carrion and Karan being so smug about it.

Lexi (111:23)

He'd be like, no, I will not. And Carrion's like, but I'm your king. He's like, I don't care. Kill me. Oh.

Nicole (111:30)

And it's now the moment we've all been waiting for, because Fisher walks into the room and our two lovebirds are finally reunited. But remember the last time these two were both conscious and talking was when Fisher made quite the important decision for his mate, saying that she consented to Taladeus biting her, thus making her a vampire. Remember what Saera said around his first idea, which was giving her part of his soul? She said that in this life and after it, and in the next and all of the other ones, she would reject him and their bond if he took away her free will. Wolf my guy now. Yes, she's referring to that free will being him giving her part of his soul and dying in the process. Because that's what would have happened and she just doesn't want that to happen. And still, it makes a lot of sense that when Fisher comes into this room, he's quite worried about her attitude toward him. Did he take away her free will again? Is she going to reject him? So that's why he asks her, did he do the right thing? I love how he like hangs his head and asks her, like this softy little fissure. Oh God, I love him.

Lexi (112:42)

Yes. Seras refused to let him heal her with his soul and he consented for her to survive this other way. While she knows his is huge and she's not herself anymore. She's the word of a God and there's a lot else going on. Sarah's is happy to be alive. The world is brighter and sharper. She wants to be here and will not take it for granted. I also do think that, yes, this is a reflection of her new face senses with the world being brighter and sharper. But that is a real double meaning. She is looking at things in a new light. Sarah said to Tal that part of her feels like she should thank him for saving her life, though the rest of her wants to kill him for what he's done. And I think in this instance, Serris cannot blame Fisher for his part to play. He did not sacrifice for himself and she is alive and with him. And that is what matters in this.

Nicole (113:25)

Moment, in this reunion. There is something else that is quite notable. There is way less Quicksilver in Fisher's eyes. Hooray. Note it's not gone, but it is significantly less. It turns out that Talena found a way with Isha Ball to both quiet the quicksilver and tease it out of him. It won't be an overnight fix. It will take a long time and a lot of sessions, but eventually he will not be going mad. Yay, Fisher.

Lexi (113:54)

Yay. And like I was saying earlier, I really do think that the reason Fisher can be free of this quicksilver now is because he is not bound to Zarath in the same way that he had previously been.

Nicole (114:06)

Absolutely.

Lexi (114:07)

Technically, this good news means that the looming inevitability of Kingfisher's doom is gone. Yay. I know they have plenty of other problems to still sort out, but I'm guessing this is Callie's way of saying this issue is solved. I admit it feels. Yeah, you're looking at me like it's.

Nicole (114:23)

A little too straightforward. That's way too straightforward for a world like this where there's multiple timelines.

Lexi (114:29)

Possibly. But maybe as the series does open up to bigger and better problems across the universe, we do have to solve some problems. And maybe this is one of those problems that is being solved.

Nicole (114:40)

That's true. That's definitely true. I think that this is going to unlock. Well, first and foremost, we're going to be seeing Kingfisher clear headed, which is going to be so exciting. I can't wait for that.

Lexi (114:51)

I bet that's also a big reason why we are able to be more in his pov. It'll make more sense. Not saying that the bonus chapters don't make sense because we are are of course in his head in those, but moving forward, we are going to get way more clarity in his own internal monologue.

Nicole (115:07)

Well, and remember in those bonus chapters, there's moments where the quicksilver, especially in the audio, I keep bringing this up because it's fucking brilliant. There's moments where the audio overlays with his internal monologue and the audio is the quicksilver saying like move, move, go, go. Don't get me wrong, I'm gonna miss that because that was editing brilliance. But I, I am for very excited for a sane Kingfisher. I can't wait to see how happy he will be. But shockingly, that is not the most interesting thing that's happening today. Not even close. Peeling back the curtains, it's darkness now. Cirrus stares into the night and sees distant campfires and a river. Not just any river, but the darn. And it's a darn indeed, because it's the wrong side of the Darne.

Lexi (115:55)

Darn.

Nicole (115:56)

Darn it. She is on the Amon Treeth side. But it's just the tip of the iceberg. Because due to the rules of Fae courts, Seris is technically the new Queen of Sanazroth. Or about to be the new Queen of Santa's wrath once she is coronated. They are currently at the vampire stronghold of Sanisroth. That is Almontra. This is where Malcolm ruled from and it is the enemy territory for Evelia. But to argue technically, Evelia is now the enemy territory because of Belacon.

Lexi (116:29)

Because you see, the crown is passed down to a Regent's heir. But if the Regent is murdered, the crown is claimed by the one who slew them. Malcolm never named an heir because he planned on living forever and especially never imagined anyone might kill him. Him and Serris killed Malcolm. Ergo, Sarris claims Malcolm's crown. Quick pause. Because the way Fisher points out that Malcolm never had an heir, I think it's only if there's no heir already that the crown then goes to the killer. So that would mean Carrion is the rightful heir to Evelia. And with him being alive, Belicon now does not have the claim to the throne. But I really do think Malcolm's dead. Or at least not coming back on the page in the the story. I say this very hesitantly because I'm traumatized from past dead assumptions, but this one does feel pretty certain.

Nicole (117:18)

No, I definitely think Malcolm is dead right now though. Right now. But they said that in order to kill one of the Triumvirate, you must kill all of them. A line like that is not dropped and then the threat of Malcolm is dropped. Just gone for good. No.

Lexi (117:40)

Okay, so when you say you think that he is dead, at least right now, do you think that he is coming back?

Nicole (117:48)

I think that he is dead for now. But after some time, either he or his spirit or his part of the Triumvirate will be respond. Which reiterates our bet, Lexi, because don't worry, we already have this bet is that that is Malcolm dead. You said yes and I said no. It is the only bet that you said yes on.

Lexi (118:12)

And to be clear, yes, I do think he is dead for all intents and purposes. But I have also said that the Triumvirate. I don't think that his. We were saying it's not necessarily his soul, but maybe like some spirit or some tether is still part of that Triumphant. But I do think for all of our intents and purposes, he is dead. Him. There. There might be some other repercussions for the Triumvirate, but I do think that for our intense. I don't think that he is coming back.

Nicole (118:43)

I could see some version of him coming back.

Lexi (118:47)

In two days, Cerus will be coronated and officially become the new queen of Sanis Wrath. So we can gather that Brimstone's early chapters will be this coronation and. And, ah, we can't wait. Bring on the vampire politics. I'm so curious to learn more about Malcolm's court and the new characters that will be introduced and the new conflicts to arise, because I don't think they're going to welcome serious with open arms whatsoever. Plus, again, there's that tether she has to Talladeus. That'll either go over very poorly with the other vampires or they will try to take advantage of her through him. Ooh. And then his loyalty will really be tested, whether it is to Sarris and Fisher or to the other vampires of his court. Let's tap into our Inner Oracle and turn our full attention as if we haven't already been speculating this entire episode. For more predictions and speculations for book two, Brimstone that comes out next week. A lightning storm rages in Bal's eyes during their discussion over which goddess does serious favor more. And serious can feel the electricity in the air. First of all, that's a great callback to how these two twin goddesses are rumored to form because of a lightning strike splitting them up and making them two. But I also can't help but remember the lone rainy day in Zelvarin that Seras told us about. These two are the goddesses of the sky, after all. So I'm calling it. They caused the rainstorm all those years ago in Zelvarin, and there is a reason behind it.

Nicole (120:13)

I have an overarching question about Zaria. Do you think we're going to see Zarif again and, like, have a conversation with him? I agree. Do you think we're going to meet the other gods?

Lexi (120:23)

Absolutely.

Nicole (120:23)

I agree. Okay, cool. Just had to get those out of the way, made sure we had something to agree on. This episode, when Seiris first wakes up, she reaches out for Kingfisher, and he's concentrating super hard. On something. What is he concentrating on? Is he researching what his mate is? Because they don't really know. Half vampire, half fate. Is he researching vampire politics? Considering he's probably going to be there for a minute. What is he look like? This is one of the things I love about this book. Even when a character is not on the page necessarily, they're doing something, and oftentimes we don't know what it is. And I love it.

Lexi (121:01)

This reminds me of once when we were talking to an author and she was saying that something that film really does look for when they are adapting these books is what other stories can they tell that we don't get on the page? And so this is something that Kali captures beautifully with how there is so much else going on with characters who are not on the page in the moment. And it does really lead into the plot. And so I am so excited to see this come to life eventually, whatever that might be.

Nicole (121:27)

I cannot wait for this movie. I like this is this was made for visuals like you because you can see everything so vividly. I can't wait. We learned from Lorath that Everlane should be waking up any day now. Do we know what condition she's gonna wake up in? Evil Everlane might be taken to a whole new level.

Lexi (121:49)

I do wonder if Everlane and Serris will form a stronger bond because of their experiences and how it'll be very interesting that Everlane is no longer vampire. But what if she does have, like, an extra little bit of thirst or like that one little lingering thing that stays back?

Nicole (122:06)

I mean, I can think of someone she can use that first.

Lexi (122:10)

Grimpis would be sure happy about that, huh?

Nicole (122:12)

Would be like, bite me. Oh, man. Next, Fisher promises Carrion that he will tell Carrion about his parents at some point. I want to be part of that conversation so badly. I really hope we get that early in Brimstone.

Lexi (122:29)

I foresee the two of them having so many of those conversations. You know what? All I can think of is Jack, Jack Sparrow telling Will Turner about his father, Bootstrap Bill. And Will Turner's like, my father was not a pirate. And he's like, yeah, he was. I have not watched that movie.

Nicole (122:46)

Oh, yes.

Lexi (122:47)

That's all I can think of. And I think that we are going to get our own version of that in Brimstone.

Nicole (122:52)

I have one last bit before we get into some major players, and that is. It's more of a question because this is the first book that we've deep dove in that has chapter titles. And I feel like it's been so much extra fun because we get to see how those chapter titles are picked. Basically, most of them are fairly straightforward. They have a theme in the chapter or person, or they're a word or phrase in that chapter that I feel like Callie wants us to pay extra attention to. And this last one, Choose Wisely, is extra interesting because I think it's something we have haven't seen yet. The big decision of choosing to die or come back as Fae Vampire was made the previous chapter.

Lexi (123:33)

So real quickly was called Access because it represents what Sarris and Kingfisher have done.

Nicole (123:40)

Exactly. But this chapter, this Choose Wisely implies there has to be a decision or that a decision is presented to her. And we get it in the last line from Talladega where he says, quote, there are two kinds of Forever Alchemist. One is Heaven, the other is Hell. It doesn't matter what I do. Make sure you choose your version of immortality wisely. There it is. Choose wisely. So the way I take this is that Callie really, this is the last chapter in a book. It could have been named Sanazroth. It could have been named the New Queen, but she decided to choose wisely. She wants us to pay extra attention to that line from Talladeus of all people. I feel like that. Which one are you going to choose? Heaven or Hell? What is your version of immortality? That's going to be the theme of next book.

Lexi (124:32)

I love that so much. That is way better than what I was going to say about this quote. I will also add that the previous chapter, when she was talking to Zarith and she's like, how am I supposed to make these kind of decisions? And. And he's like, just live your life. And so that really does tie into this where she has these choices now, putting aside the enthrallment and all that. But I think that she's going to have these choices and it's really about her embracing living her life and how she wants to go about that.

Nicole (125:01)

Oh, I love that. Where it's like, it's finally Choose Wisely because it's finally her choice. It's no longer the gods exactly. Directing fate. Oh my God. Fuck Lexi. That's so good. Good. I love chapter titles. I want every book to have chapter titles now.

Lexi (125:16)

Me too.

Nicole (125:17)

Oh my God.

Lexi (125:17)

We honestly, we didn't talk too much about them during the deep dive just because there's so much else to talk about. But I love also, just as a Deep Diver, it is so better to.

Nicole (125:26)

Refer to the chapter titles than it.

Lexi (125:28)

Is sometimes for those other ones. Oh, my God.

Nicole (125:30)

Yes.

Lexi (125:30)

I'll add too that the fact that this choose wisely is coming from Talladeus, who is the one who would be able to to prevent her from choosing.

Nicole (125:39)

Yes.

Lexi (125:40)

You know what? I think that he is definitely a good guy. I'm gonna be defending him a lot next book. Okay.

Nicole (125:48)

Unless there is a solid I've been the bad guy all along or a very much like he is in the gray area revealed next book. I'll say yes, I definitely think you will be defending him because I'm gonna be looking at everything he does just. Just like I did with Everlane. This book.

Lexi (126:05)

Well, and I will say too, it does seem like by him saying that, it's almost like he has chosen hell. And it's like, okay, now you have this choice. But the fact that he is telling her that she has a choice is in and of itself way different as a sire than, let's say Malcolm was. He was like, you do not have a choice.

Nicole (126:22)

That's very true. You make good points there, Lexi.

Lexi (126:26)

As we wrap up our deep dive of quicksilver and eagerly wait a week for Brimstone, let's make sure we hit all our bases and go through final speculations for what's next for our key players.

Nicole (126:35)

Let's start with our current biggest of bads, Belacan. After Malcolm was killed and the godsword started channeling again, homeboy fled like the coward he is. But we don't technically know where if the Winter palace is still a stronghold because there is an if. Given that if everyone's dead or is a feeder, we don't really know. So I could see if that's not the case. Or honestly, even if it is, I could see him going back to Evelia, to the Winter Palace. A because it's his kingdom, he's going to want to, you know, grab onto it for as much as he can. And there's also a major quicksilver pool there. And as of right now, he does still have members of the Avalon Guard on his side, although that loyalty seems very unsteady.

Lexi (127:21)

I'm very worried about what went down at the Winter palace. And I also don't think that Everlane will be returning there anytime soon.

Nicole (127:28)

I don't think she'll be returning there, period. I think she's gonna stick with Renfes and crew. I also want to point out that he, Bella Khan, is sending men to the Balcony or Clan Lance, so he could have gone there to do whatever it is he's wanting to do there. Although I don't feel like he would have gone up. A because he doesn't seem like the kind of guy to get his feet wet unless he has has to. And B, because it's mentioned that they hate him up there. So I doubt that he would put himself in danger. He's going to let other people put themselves in danger for him.

Lexi (127:59)

I agree that he's only sending others there, and I can't help but wonder if the reason that he is sending others there is because of the Blood Curse.

Nicole (128:06)

Yes.

Lexi (128:07)

And it's obviously a plot he's cooking since before Malcolm died. So he might be either more invested in it now that his allies is gone, or it doesn't matter anymore because again, we found out this information in a bonus chapter. So it's always like if it's only mentioned in a bonus chapter. Yes, it can still be very important, but it was not important enough to have to be in the original book. I could see word spreading that Belacan is working with the bad guys. And he is definitely one of the bad guys. He might even work with Ceres, adversaries within her own court. If the vampires don't take kindly to their new queen, which we definitely don't think they will, Belacon could likely strike a promising deal with those who were close to Malcolm, who are right there in the Vampire Court. I could totally see that.

Nicole (128:55)

Yeah. Yeah.

Lexi (128:55)

Belkhan may also be focused on taking Carrion off the board because Carrion is a threat to his Evilian throne and absolutely think that. Yes, I do too. And we got to bring back this whole thing with the balcony or clan plans. What is he up to sending his people to go there? I really do think that it has to do with the Blood Curse.

Nicole (129:12)

I think so too. Next we have the other member of the Triumvirate Madra who did go through the quicksilver to flee like a coward. And we can assume she went back through to Salvarin. How? As a human, probably without a relic.

Lexi (129:27)

Cough. Cough.

Nicole (129:28)

Because she's an alchemist, maybe. Cough.

Lexi (129:30)

I think that what happened at the end of Quicksilver will have definitely freaked out her out. Her brother Malcolm died. They are not as immortal as she thought. I think back in Salvarin she'll be even more paranoid and take out her fear on the citizens. And something really bad is going to happen at the Evenlight Festival the Guardians have been preparing for. Now that the Triumphant is down one of the three, as far as we know. Does that mean Belacan and Madra are less powerful because they are incomplete without Malcolm. How does this impact their source of magic and even their immortality? Because while I think they're still strong, Belkhan and Madra are a little weakened without their full trio. And of course we've been speculating whether Malcolm can even be dead if the other two are still alive. If he had a soul, I would say maybe his soul could stay tethered so he's not truly dead, but I suppose if that's possible There's a lot of unknowns regarding this Blood Curse and how powerful Malcolm was was except Karion's blood really Malcolm up. So maybe that right there is the reason Malcolm surprisingly could die die despite being part of the triumvirate. But yeah, I'm leaning toward Belacan and Madra not being the big bosses in this trilogy. And there is more to the Blood Curse and the tree rot or even the Triumvirate source of power that ultimately ties back into the bigger threat.

Nicole (130:50)

Lastly, and let's chat about our two main characters, Saris and Kingfisher, which we know the next book is about a 5050 split with 50% being in Kingfisher's POV which is awesome. I'm so excited. We also know that they are going to be spending at least a portion of the book in different realms, or at least we can strongly assume based off what Callie has said in interviews with Kingfisher and Carrion in Zilvarin and Sarus assumably in Sanisroth.

Lexi (131:15)

I remember Callie saying something on the line that book one is their love story and then the rest of the series really opens up more to the world and conflict. So I'll be curious to see how these two's relationship evolves and grows, what it means for them to be God bound mates and now severed from the Gods protection. How he'll help her navigate being the queen of the vampires who is his mortal enemy. I hope we still get lots of banter moving forward between Seras and Kingfisher, but maybe instead we'll get Kingfisher and Carrion banter which. Which honestly I am so here for totally different kind of banter. But I love it. I could really see Kingfisher getting higher on the top tier book boyfriend list now that he's not being such an asshole to Sarah.

Nicole (131:55)

I absolutely agree. I think our days of hot, flirty or Elworthy are gone when it comes to him and Sares. I think we might need to adjust the game slightly for like bro, no.

Lexi (132:08)

Ls are going to be given in any of those exchanges. I will tell you that right now.

Nicole (132:12)

That's so true. Oh, my God.

Lexi (132:15)

I might need to have a rule that Kingfisher and Carrion, they cannot give each other Ls because they'll just can't. Everybody's just so awesome.

Nicole (132:23)

I will not agree to that, because who knows what kind of shit they're gonna get up to. Oh, my God. But I absolutely see Kingfisher skyrocketing on the book boyfriend list. Because if we get the last third of Quicksilver Kingfisher for an entire book.

Lexi (132:38)

Now, now.

Nicole (132:39)

Holy. I'm so. My God, I'm so excited.

Lexi (132:43)

We didn't talk much about it during the section because there was just too much lore to detangle. But I'll be curious how Fisher and Serious handle the pressure of, quote, living their lives and someday fighting side by side, Godbound, and to stop the root from overtaking the tree. The end of the universe. Cirrus is understandably a little unnerved with the weight of the universe on her and her mate's shoulders like that. But I can also imagine there to be a certain. Certain freeing element to them being entirely on their own. Though I bet that'll come back to bite them when they know the gods can't interfere and help them when they need it most. And then they'll figure it out all on their own because they are smart cookies.

Nicole (133:18)

Well, you know what, Lexi? While we're on the subject of Sarris and Fisher, there's one bet that we have not made yet, and it would not be a new book bet on the Fantasy Fangirls podcast if we did not have it. The sex bet, I am going to guess. And I cannot believe this was under duress. I. I have said it, though. I have committed. I am ashamed. I am going to bet that there are two or less sex scenes next.

Lexi (133:49)

Book, and I think there are four or more.

Nicole (133:54)

But you're like, where's three? Lexi and Nicole. That's where our wonderful hairstylist Whitley comes in. If there are three. Exactly. Whitley wins the bet. And here's how it works. Winner gets to pick out the other person's primary shade. So, like, Lexi would get to pick out my shade of blue if she wins. And the pop of color. So, for instance, I have pink pop of color in my hair right now. If I'm not going to say you're going to win again. If I win, I get to pick out both Lexi shade of purple, and whatever pop of color we intertwine with the Purple. But if Whitley wins, she gets to cover the mirrors and surprise us both. Honestly, I love it when Whitley wins. We always turn out with our favorite hair. Here is officially how we define a count towards a sex scene. At least one member orgasms on the page. Any other qualifiers? Lexi?

Lexi (134:52)

Good orgasm.

Nicole (134:53)

Yes.

Lexi (134:54)

Yes.

Nicole (134:54)

I don't see Kingfisher dishing out anything that's not good. Fair enough. Now, okay, so question. If Carrion sleeps with someone else and it's not Kingfisher and Saras, but it's Carrion, does that count?

Lexi (135:09)

No, this is.

Nicole (135:10)

Okay, so it's only for our two main character. Okay, sounds great.

Lexi (135:14)

And it is on the page sex scene where there is an orgasm.

Nicole (135:18)

Correct. But it does not have to be. For example, does not have to be full on penetration of one person to another. It can be a digit penetration, for example. Or like, let's say.

Lexi (135:34)

As long as there is a good orgasm.

Nicole (135:36)

As long as there's a good orgasm. I will take it. All right. It is time to enter Rosarius Library. Don't forget your crackers. Where each episode Lexi guides us through a world building topic to help us deepen our understanding of this world world and its magic. Good fucking luck today Lexi.

Lexi (135:52)

Today is Rosarius Library. Topic is the Gods and the Universe. Tree and Fates. Because we need an all in one explainer after chapter 44. Let's start with a rundown of the gods themselves. The gods as a collective are known as the Corcoran. But their names and temples have been forgotten in Zelvarin, thanks to Madra. But in Yvelia, the gods are revered. The gods left Yvelia a long time ago ago. And since their departure, certain elements of fae magic died or waned over time. We only know this about the gods leaving Yvelia, but not the other realms. So I'm assuming they also left the other realms too. But we just don't know that. It is hoped that the gods will return someday. There are four gods and three goddesses, most of whom we don't know much about. There is Styx, who is the God of shadows. Kirin, the God of secrets. Nichinai, the goddess of magic masks. Malleus, the God of dawn and new beginnings. And then of course we have Balmuthen, who are twin sisters, the goddesses of the sky. Legends say that they were once one God. But when a storm came and Balmuthan refused to take shelter, the powerful spirit within the storm became furious that Balmuthan didn't cower before him. He lashed her with forks of lightning. But she did not die. Instead she cracked and split into two, becoming BAAL and Mithid Bal, the goddess of the sun and goddess of day, and Mithun, the goddess of the moon and night. They are also known as Belia and Min, the twin sons of Zelvarin and whose likeness is startlingly similar to faces carved into the walls in the hall of Mirrors in Madras Palace. I wonder if there is a reason Sylvarin only has the twin suns where the goddesses are both sons instead of a sun and moon. Like what happened was to make them both sons and Madra kind of had to keep the names of these sons, but then just kind of stripped them of the goddess goddess association with it. They are described as looking about 18 or 19 in age, though they are probably older than this universe. They are completely identical with waist length black hair, royal blue eyes with silver threads in them, and they're dressed in loose dark gray dresses with bare feet. They are both playful and curious, especially about what it's like being with a man. They need to read some romancy. Their father Zarath forbids them from being with anyone, claiming that no living creature from any realm is is worthy of their touch. According to them, they have been waiting an aeon for their father to gift them a playmate, but no other of their kind has braved the journey to visit their Corcoran and reminder that Aeon is a unit of geological time equal to 1 billion years. Lastly, we have Xarth, the God of chaos and change in Yvelia. His statue is always turned away, so his back is out and his face is hidden in the winter palace. He is also tough, sucked further into his alcove than the other gods. This means his face is to the wall. While the Fae respect him, they would all rather he pays attention to others rather than themselves, and that is why his face is turning to the wall. There are very few people who enjoy his attention being focused on them, and when they walk past the statue, they touch his foot to guide him away from them. Zarath is described as wearing a dark gray robe with long brown hair tied back into war braids. He has cool blue eyes and lips, looks to be middle aged and about the height of Fisher. So while he doesn't look God like, immense power emanates from him and it's very obvious he is indeed a God. While Fae pray to each member of the Corcoran that they'll someday return to Yvelia in secret, a lot of them pray that Xarth gets lost on his journey back home. The realm of the Gods is accessed through the quicksilver. But I'm guessing only the gods can call upon someone to come there. The portal doesn't work like it does with the other realms in the universe. Universe? This is a place separate from the realms from the universe. Time and space exist differently here outside of those realms from what we've seen of the gods. Corcoran. There is a vast grassy field at the foot of a rolling hill. Atop the hill is a single massive oak tree with silver leaves. The tree has streams of quicksilver running down its bark like SAP and trickling into the quicksilver moat at its base. The tree's roots are surrounded and growing into an eight foot wide moat of pure liquid quicksilver. One of the branches is covered in a black rot. Shriveled and has fewer leaves than the rest. And a large chunk of the tree and roots are dying. The root is slowly growing and infecting the rest of the tree.

Nicole (140:09)

Oh no.

Lexi (140:09)

Leading to leaves needing to be pruned in order to prevent the rot from spreading. The tree and the surrounding quicksilver moat represent the universe. The roots of the tree are the anchors of fate. And each silver leaf marks a single realm of Zarth and his family's domain. With billions of beings per realm. Zarth and his family are the stewards of this domain. Or as Zarth puts it, our domain. Watering the roots of fate and training the branches and pruning the leaves to prevent the rot and decay from spreading. However, the rot is spreading through the God's domain. And these realms that are being infected with this rot have to be destroyed to protect the rest of the tree and further prevent the rot from spreading. These pruned realms get added to the mote of quicksilver and. And it's very sad for the people who lived in those realms. We do know that these gods are also able to replant the tree if slash when it dies. Starting a whole new universe. Then there are the Fates which bless true mates with marks. And the threads of fate determine path and futures of those woven into the tapestry. Not every path on the tapestry is good or bad. Some are shrouded in uncertainty, hidden so well that not even the gods can see the outcome. It's my understanding the Fates are not not people or their own versions of gods, but rather the fates of the universe. The deciding threads that weave what happens in this universe across different timelines in the future and such. The gods can consult the fates and sway them as well. Or at least try to. Zarith attempted to sway The Fates changing the realm in which Sarrus was born into. But the boughs of the universe tree grew against nature to allow Kingfisher and Sarris to still meet. There is a counterweight to everything. Light and darkness, life and death, joy and sorrow, good and evil. This law applies no matter the realm. Meaning no matter how hard someone tries to change fate, it cannot be done without major intervention. Someone's life thread can be severed from the tapestry of the universe. And once that happens, none of the gods can interfere with timelines or events that will affect this person. The only way for this to be done is by transforming the person into something that has never been seen before. To quote Zarith, the universe cannot focus on that which it does not recognize. And there you have it. There is at least a tiny little bit that we know about the gods.

Nicole (142:18)

Add this to the list of ones we'll probably have to redo when Brimstone comes out. But that was so good, Lexi. Well done. Now it is time to prance through the snow with Onyx to discuss our favorite moments from this stretch of chapters that we haven't discussed already. At length. I love that the women of the Swift line are so bossy. And they're very concerned with Carrion's love life. Like, that feels so fitting.

Lexi (142:43)

Oh, do you think that Kingfisher is going to meet Grandma Gracia?

Nicole (142:46)

Grandmama Gracia, Grandmama Gracia. God, I hope so.

Lexi (142:51)

I bet she'll fall in love with him, too, just like everybody else has. Like, Wendy and stuff like that.

Nicole (142:55)

She's very. She's very mathematical. So I don't know, like, that's what Sirus was saying. So maybe she's gonna, like, kind of hand him a new asshole. Know. I don't. I love this.

Lexi (143:03)

I am so excited for the culture shock that K. Fisher is going to experience in Zalvarin.

Nicole (143:08)

I'm so excited.

Lexi (143:09)

While we're on the topic of Fisher and Carrion, when Fisher walks into the room with Saris at the very end of the book, Karion goes. Are you going to tell me about my parents, or are you going to start undressing each other? Because I can leave. I don't have to, but I can. With these two as mates and the way that Karion talks. How many times do you think that Fisher is going to punch him in the. In the face?

Nicole (143:28)

Oh, God, I'm so excited. I can't wait. Well, especially because Fisher's already a little, like, not jealous, but he's definitely a little overprotective. Of Sarah. So I'm oh, especially when it comes to Karen. He's like, no, you don't get to share with him. God, I love it.

Lexi (143:45)

That's a wrap. Friends. Thank you so much for being on this journey as we've all deep dived Quicksilver. We did it. Yay Huzafra.

Nicole (143:54)

Next Monday is an extra special episode as we interview Callie Hart before Brimstone releases that evening. Then we are taking the week of November 24th off for the holiday season. So no new episode. Lexi and I are so excited because this is like one of the first holiday seasons we're actually taking breaks and then we will be jumping right into brimstone episode one on December 1st.

Lexi (144:15)

We would love to give the biggest warm welcome, welcome, welcome to our newest feral fans. Thank you. Thank you so much for being here. You are amazing.

Nicole (144:23)

Welcome, welcome, welcome. Megan D, Rachel B. Alexandria, Jesse, Tabitha B. Sophie, Anne Marie, Misty S. Danielle, Sarah K, Elisa T and Brianna. Welcome, welcome, welcome.

Lexi (144:37)

Yay. Thank you so much for being here. We are so happy that you are part of the community, part of the Pharaoh fans. And if you're like hey, I want my name shadow on the podcast and be showered with all this love too, join our fan club@fantasy fangirls.com fan club. The link is also in the show notes.

Nicole (144:53)

Thank you as always to our Master librarian AKA our content researcher Brooke and of course our Executive producer AKA our sanity manager and co host of the new Fantasy Fan Fellows podcast, Hayden.

Lexi (145:07)

We are very active on social media with weekly trivia book guides. We recently put out out a Quicksilver comprehensive guide you all. It is amazing and perfect. Before you head into Brimstone, we have so much more on social media friends so please be sure to check us out on Instagram and slash or TikTok at fantasy fangirlspod. And if you're watching this on YouTube or you want to watch on YouTube, pretty please hit that subscribe button to keep following along. And while we're talking about all of this, same goes for Fantasy fan fellas to give them a follow at Fantasy Fan fanfellas. Get all the latest on the new show where Hayden and Steven deep dive into Mistborn.

Nicole (145:42)

While you're pressing buttons, don't forget to hit that five star button on whatever podcast platform you are listening on. And also if you're feeling extra generous, write a little love note in that review section. It is not only one of the best things you can do for this podcast, but for any podcast you listen to Spread the love people. And last but certainly not least least share this episode with your fellow Quicksilver friends. If you finish the chapter access and you texted the group chat being like, what the. What did I just read? And they all said, I don't know. But we're all in this together. This is the episode to share with that group. All right, everyone, thank you so much for listening. We will see you with our interview with Cali Hart. Bye bye bye.

Lexi (146:26)

Sarah says it's C. Scott. Yeah, C. Scott.

Nicole (146:30)

You spelled it wrong, but it's said correctly. You spelled it Cor. Cor. No wonder I'm not able to pronounce this word. Hey guys, it's Danny Pellegrino from everything Iconic.

Lexi (146:49)

There's an all new season of the.

Nicole (146:51)

Secret Lives of Mormon Wives returning to Hulu November 13th. Mom tells might have started as a sisterhood, but these Latter Day Saints are no angels. This season there are new secrets, lies and truths coming out and you won't want to miss all the drama. Watch the new season of the Hulu.

Lexi (147:06)

Original the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on November 13, streaming on Hulu and.

Nicole (147:12)

Hulu on Disney plus for bundle subscribers terms apply. We all love our pets, but we love to travel too, and sadly, they can't always come along for the ride. Don't stress. Trusted House Sitters connects you with verified sitters who will stay in your home and care for your pets, all in exchange for a place to stay on their travels. So while you're off exploring, your pets get to stay safe and happy at home, right where they belong. Find a loving in Home Pet sitter today@trustedhousesitters.com.