Ep 7 Brimstone: Chapters 46-52

Summary

Fantasy Fangirls Episode 7: Brimstone Chapters 46-52

Podcast: Fantasy Fangirls
Hosts: Nicole and Lexi (with recurring guest Andrea)
Episode: Ep 7 Brimstone: Chapters 46-52
Date: January 19, 2026
Main Theme: Wrapping up the deep dive on Brimstone, the second book in Callie Hart’s Fae & Alchemy series (SPOILERS for Brimstone and Quicksilver). The sisters analyze the book’s final chapters, character arcs, lore, plot twists, and look ahead to book three.

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Episode Overview

Nicole and Lexi close out their analysis of Brimstone by examining chapters 46-52, which cover the climactic conclusion of the novel. They break down Seras’s quest to rescue Kingfisher, the unraveling of major lore mysteries (true names, shadow magic, the nature of the Hazrax, the origins of the portal to Diaxis), and the set-up for the trilogy’s finale, including a deep-dive into dragons and the underworld. The hosts also discuss the overall strengths and challenges of the book, offer their ratings, share favorite quotes, and place final bets on Daddy Watch (who is Kaidan’s father?).

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Loreth’s Ballad: Chapter Summaries in Verse

[06:18 – 10:46]
Nicole, in rhymed “Loreth’s Ballad,” recaps the major events of each chapter:

• Seras entering the dreamscape to find Fisher trapped, Kalash overtaken by the Rot.
• Use of the Hazrax rune to break into the Wicker Wood and face Belacon and his men.
• Fisher/Kaidan’s resurrection via his true name, the sword Nimarel, and the big action sequences.
• The portal chase, Onyx’s (temporary) death and resurrection, and the introduction of the dragons of Diaxis.
• The final setting: chained in the dragon realm, negotiating with undergods, and the cliffhanger about Kaidan’s lineage.

2. Plot Deep Dive and Character Analysis

Seras & the Dreamscape:

[10:47 – 16:42]

• Seras accesses the dreamscape with Danya’s punch, finding Kalash corrupted by the Rot—a visual symbol for the stakes.
• The Hazrax’s magic is the only thing that works against the Rot; they debate whether the Hazrax is responsible for creating it.
• The sisters joke about dealing with fae bargains and the importance of asking the "five W's"—a running theme of fae loopholes.

The True Name Reveal & Oathbreaking:

[28:44 – 61:16]

• Seras finds Adina’s page, learning Kingfisher's true name, “Kaidan Greystar Finvarra," which becomes a key to breaking his oaths and saving him from Belacon’s control.
• Quote:
  “Kingfisher of the Azjan Gate, I hereby call you by your true name...I declare all oaths you have sworn null and void. Rise, Kaidan Greystar Finvarra.” – [57:01] Nicole and Andrea in dramatic tandem, with visible excitement.
• Detailed breakdown of the name: Kaidan (spirit of battle), Greystar (link to divinity and fate), Finvarra (king in Irish folklore, ruler of the dead).

Rescuing Fisher, Defeating Belacon (For Now):

[34:46 – 73:14]

• Battle through the Wicker Wood with gnoll blades, magical duels, God swords, and the resurrection sequence.
• Debate over whether Belacon is truly dead after decapitation due to the Triumvirate magic—hilarious visual of “regrowing a tiny head” [72:39] Andrea.
• Onyx’s death devastates both the hosts and characters, only for Seras to risk everything to resurrect him (with debate about the cost and necessity of this trope).

Hazrax and Rune Magic:

[75:29 – 85:21]

• The Hazrax’s rune is the only thing that can undo death and break Fae oaths; Seras uses it at great personal cost, exhausting its power.
• The sisters highlight the idea of sacrifice running as a strong theme:
  “It’s all about sacrifices.” – [85:48] Lexi

Arrival at Azjin Sky / Facing the Underworld:

[86:21 – 112:24]

• Fisher and Seras arrive at Azjin Sky, learn more about the Knights of Erithian, and the nature of the Daixis gate.
• Recap and theorizing about timelines, portals, and the consequences of breaking the wards keeping monsters at bay.
• The portal only opens for three hours per day, and the duo decides to enter while they can, despite the dangers.

Diaxis, Dragons, and Under-gods:

[103:00 – end]

• Seras and Kaidan/Kydan face Arisen, a massive dragon, and ultimately are captured and presented to the half-god brothers Gethrand and Crave.
• Reveal: Only half-gods can wield shadow magic; Kydan’s powers and ancestry become central to the next phase.
• The episode ends with Kydan’s chilling demand:
  “Summon our father. Tell him, I’ve come to make a trade.” – [124:18] Lexi

3. Daddy Watch: Who is Kaidan’s Father?

[128:48 – 134:41]

• Breakdown of arguments for and against Styx (the King of Dragons, lord of shadows) being Kaidan’s (Finryn’s) father.
  • Against: Finryn doesn’t act like a god, other gods are referenced, shadow gifting seems a second-hand inheritance.
  • For: Lines like “the gods gifted my father with shadows” suggest a half-god heritage; summoning “our father” at the end hints at a deeper connection.
• Verdict: Both hosts bet that Styx is not literally Finryn, but rather the divine “father” in a mythic sense.

4. Library Segment: Lore on Dragons and the Underworld (Diaxis)

[138:28 – 142:38]

• Dragons originate from Diaxis, ruled by Styx, with connections to ancient magic and shadow.
• The portal to Diaxis (the “gate”) is key—used as a plot device for bringing brimstone to heal the rot, but also a potential security risk for the realms.
• Details on dragon abilities, the politics of Azhin, and the threat from the underworld.

5. Book Ratings and Critical Reflection

[143:02 – 148:13]

• Both hosts found Brimstone a "vibes book"—atmospheric, with memorable moments and fun, but full of continuity errors that made deep analysis challenging.
• Ratings:
  • Vibes/entertainment: 4.5/5
  • Deep-dive/structural/continuity: 3.5/5
• Both are eager to read Book 3, hoping it will resolve many loose plot threads and inconsistencies.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Seras’s impulsive deals:
  “Never forget the five W's when making bargains. Who? That's very important for you here, Seras... Who, what, when, where and why?” – [17:21] Lexi

• On Onyx (the fox) and the emotional cost:
  “I don't know if I can cover it. I'm a blubbering mess when I read this every single time...” – [73:17] Lexi

• Nicole on the resurrection trope:
  “I'm starting to get a little burnt out on the resurrection trope simply because I need those consequences. I like it when deaths mean deaths...I feel like this was a little more for shock factor versus for actual character progression.” – [83:07]

• On Kingfisher’s true name reveal:
  “Kingfisher of the Azjan Gate, I hereby call you by your true name. I declare all oaths you have sworn null and void. Rise, Kaidan Greystar Finvarra. In honor of your full name you were given at birth. Rise up and fight. Oh my god, this was so satisfying.” – [57:01] Andrea

• On Brimstone's worldbuilding:
  “I love the magic and lore nuances of this world…It’s such rich world building and I love the little details and the way that Callie leans into the magic.” – [143:58] Lexi

• On the cliffhanger:
  “I’ve come for a dragon, as is my right. Summon our father. Tell him I’ve come to make a trade.” – [124:18] Lexi

• On the emotional resonance of animal friends:
  “We believe that animals are too pure for this life. They are all ascended beings who live in the after. Everything is perfect there…sometimes they peer beyond the veil…they come to us as dear friends when we need them the most.” – [149:19] Nicole, reading Fisher’s thoughts

• Meta moment riffing on fantasy tropes and bets:
  “Did not the last time we had one of these lengthy bets, it come down to the most technicality of technicalities?”
  “I did not go through all of that just to let it go on a single-sentence chapter!” – [136:34] Lexi/Andrea on their “new realm” bet

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Key Timestamps for Reference

• [06:18] – Loreth’s Ballad (chapter poetry summary)
• [10:47] – Entry into the dreamscape, rot in Kalash
• [28:44] – Discovery of Adina’s page, Kingfisher’s name
• [34:46] – Battle in Wicker Wood; magic combat
• [57:01] – True Name Unleashed/Resurrection moment
• [73:14] – Onyx’s death, loss and resurrection
• [86:21] – Arrival at Azjin Sky, Knights of Erithian
• [103:00] – Entering Diaxis; facing the dragon
• [124:18] – "Summon our father" cliffhanger
• [128:48 – 134:41] – Daddy Watch: Styx or Finryn?
• [138:28] – Library: Dragon & Diaxis Lore
• [143:02] – Reflection, ratings, and gripes about continuity

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Tone, Running Jokes, and Callbacks

• Sisters’ banter: Self-deprecating, playful, and nerdy (“Huzzah,” “I refuse to let it go,” “Don’t be impulsive, Seras!”)
• Meta-awareness: Jokes about their own bets, ongoing “Daddy Watch,” and comparisons to other series (“Is this our new K-pop demon hunter reference?”).
• Quotes as anchors: Memorable snippets are often read dramatically and attributed in real time.
• Deep dive fatigue: Open frustration with continuity issues and overused tropes, especially around resurrection and plot armor.
• Warmth & sincerity: Despite their criticisms, the hosts remain enthusiastic and emotionally attached to the world and characters.

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Conclusion and Looking Forward

• Book 2 leaves many threads unresolved: The hosts repeatedly note that the book’s deepest mysteries (the Rot, true parentage, consequences of resurrection, dragon-Brimstone connection, the true role of the Hazrax) are set up for Book 3.
• Major questions remain: Will sacrifices stick? Is Kaidan truly the son of Styx, and what does it cost to gain a dragon? What is the fate of the realms if the Diaxis gate fully opens?
• Overall sentiment: Brimstone is a wild, immersive ride with excellent worldbuilding that sometimes falters under its own complexity. The hosts are eager for the trilogy's resolution and to see if the coming installment will pay off lingering mysteries and deliver consequences with real emotional weight.

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End of Summary

Transcript

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[Nicole]

This episode is brought to you by Royal Match, the free to play mobile game played by millions of people around the world, including yours truly. The holiday season is great, but also stressful and something I've started to enjoy when I need to blow off steam is a quick break with a game on my phone. That is where Royal Match comes in.

[Lexi]

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[Andrea]

Huzzah.

[Lexi]

So you can get right to that fun even on a plane, subway and while waiting in line.

[Nicole]

Royal Match has so much content to keep the party going. They always have tons of minigames, site returning and new players alike and with high quality graphics and over 10,000 levels. Challenge accepted. This is truly a game that you can keep coming back to again and again.

[Lexi]

Download Royal Match for free on the App Store or Google Play today.

[Nicole]

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Fantasy Fangirls podcast where two sisters dive deep into beloved fantasy lore, characters, themes, theories and more.

[Lexi]

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

[Nicole]

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

[Lexi]

And today is our seventh and final episode of Brimstone by Kali Hart where we are covering chapters 46 through 52. We are literally talking about the end of this book in today's episode. So spoilers, spoilers, spoilers for all of Brimstone. We may also reference any of the bonus chapters from Quicksilver or Brimstone.

[Nicole]

Like Lexi said, it is literally the end of this book. So if you have not read every single thing down to the last line.

[Andrea]

Because you know we're talking about that for a while, then please go finish the book.

[Nicole]

We will be here when you're done.

[Lexi]

Next, we have Fantasy Fangirls are adults who say adult things about adult books. In other words, friends, this podcast is.

[Nicole]

Rated R. I will be screaming profanities at Bellicon, but mostly at Diaxis.

[Andrea]

Yes, the whole place is going to.

[Nicole]

Feel my profanity, so please be mindful of those little listening ears.

[Lexi]

They'll probably feed off of it there. Additionally, we are so excited to see you at upcoming live events. On March 6th through 8th in Dallas, Texas, we will be podcast partners at Dreamers and Readers festival.

[Nicole]

Then on April 8th we are partnering with the Denver Nuggets and Rebecca Yarros for a fourth Wing themed basketball night at Ballerina.

[Lexi]

We are so excited to do a live show at the neptune Theater on April 19th in Seattle. Tickets are on sale now for you to dive deep into how to Train youn Dragon with us.

[Andrea]

Yes, my favorite movie.

[Nicole]

We will also be attending Fantastique's Starfall Ball on May 29th in Larkspur, Colorado.

[Lexi]

And we're honored to go back to the Dragon Gauntlet Chapter 3 in Boyne City, Michigan on September 11th and 12th.

[Nicole]

Check out our website or the links below for more information to all of these events, including a promo code for dreamers and readers. And in case you missed it, welcome, welcome Fantasy Fan Fellas to the Fantasy Fangirls Media Network.

[Lexi]

Our very own executive producer Hayden and Book Talk star Stephen Walker will start season two of their podcast diving deep into Brandon Sanderson's book Two of Mistborn. Well of Ascension.

[Nicole]

Hayden is an expert in Sanderson's Cosmere and has already read the Mistborn series.

[Lexi]

But Stephen has not, so each episode only includes spoilers up to the chapters covered as Hayden takes Stephen through his first time reading these book.

[Nicole]

Season one is available on the Fantasy Fan Fellas feed, available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. And season two kicks off February 4th. Be sure to give them a follow.

[Lexi]

Last thing before we jump Into Brimstone Episode 7 if you love Fantasy Fangirls and want more events, more content, more community and so much more, please check out Fantasy Fan Club.

[Nicole]

We have three membership tiers that you can join. Number one, the Hive Mind, which includes access to our Bop in Discord, live Q&As from Lexi and I book clubs, often featuring the authors themselves for a live Q and A community events promo codes for live events plus 20% off and access to exclusive merch that is for $6 a month. Or you can join the Spice Watchers which includes everything from the Hive Mind level plus early access to ad free episodes, our full episode outlines and special voting privileges that especially came in handy this past week as you all voted for the fourth book for you all to vote on. For us to deep dive the SP Spice Watchers 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]

We're still running a special where if you get an annual membership, you get three months for free. That offer does end on January 26th. Thank you so much for supporting us as we've turned this podcast into a dream come true. A whole media network that we're growing. It's so exciting. We're we appreciate you with all of our hearts. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Nicole]

And now it is time to save Kingfisher.

[Andrea]

Or should I say Kaiden Graystar Finvara.

[Lexi]

To start off every episode, Nicole does us the honor of summarizing this stretch of chapters. So gather round as we sing Lore's ballad one more time to discuss what happens in chapters 46 through 52 of Brimstone. The Nicole, let's wrap up this book.

[Nicole]

Chapter 46. You know shit's getting rough when Seras asks Danya for help. Just one perfect hit and she goes down without a yelp. Cerus wakes up in a dream, but this is not right.

[Andrea]

The Rot has completely covered Kalish and everything in sight to the window, to the wall. Rot drips down Kalash's halls till all the chandeliers fall. That's just for you, Lexi.

[Nicole]

Fisher's bedroom door is locked tight, even against Cerus's magic. The Rot puts up a fight, but thanks to the Haz, the Rat's attempts are in vain. Ceres breaks through the vines to see what Fisher's room contains. Once she's inside, everything feels wrong. Cerus turns to the Hasraks, her favor so strong. Chapter 47 Cerus wakes with a start in a snowy wicker wood, the Hazrax in tow, not speaking. Understood, but she's not the only one in these trees. Belacan's men soon find themselves on their knees with the guards. Taken down to the tree save King Fisher, but one sword's not enough, so she'll take Nimmerel with her. Cerus may be quick, but Belacan's quicker. With a punch of his fist, he wraps his hands around her ticker, Cerus plunges her blade into Belicon's belly, giving her time to make her knees not so jelly.

[Andrea]

Kyden Graystar Vanvara, I order you to rise. Fight this piece of shit so we can leave before sunrise.

[Nicole]

Chapter 48 Kingfisher opens his eyes to see half his body stuck in a tree. The sights before him steal his breath. His mate fighting the king in a dance of death. Onyx protects his lady with everything he has, giving Kingfisher the chance to destroy Orias with pizza. Without a second thought, Fisher takes Belacan's head. But stepdaddy dearest is protected from being dead. Chapter 49 with nothing left for them here, they step through a gate where one becomes two, then seven, then eight. Twelve gates later, they have finally arrived to the city on the mountain known as Azhin Sky. Risking it all her magic and her life, Cerus undoes the fox tragedy brought on by a knife with sweet so much power. The task is done, but the rune now gone. Nothing else can be undone. Who gives a fuck?

[Andrea]

Our furry friend is back.

[Nicole]

They better get inside before they're attacked. Chapter 50 the Azin Gate cracks open.

[Andrea]

And what do you know?

[Nicole]

Here stands Renfus of the Erithian out in the snow. His oath was called in and now he's here. But there's more to the story. Maybe Fisher needs a beer. You see, the portal in the city is one we've heard of before. Back with wee Fisher when Bellacon sent him through the quicksilver door. It leads to him to a place where Fisher would rather not return. But the brimstone they need can be found here with no extra concern. Chapter 51 Kydan Greystar Finvara hates dragons. He's not going to like the next stop for our bandwagon. Chapter 52 the realm that they find is hell indeed. Welcome to the land of dragons. Half breed, Seras and Kaidan almost end up melted to the floor. But Erison has other plans for them in store. Serious wakes up upside down. But her weapons are here. Too bad the people are not keeping near. Kydan goes and opens his mouth, spilling out secrets that serious didn't know about. These shadows of his are not what they seem. Only half gods of this realm can wield them outside. A pipe dream. But there's one final twist. Callie drops in our hands. Turns out Kayden's father hails from these lands.

[Andrea]

Here we go. Here we go.

[Lexi]

All right. The episode we've all been waiting for.

[Andrea]

We've all been waiting for.

[Lexi]

It is time to don our Relics and step through the quicksilver to discuss key insights, character analysis, lore, foreshadowing theories, and oh so much more. We ended last episode with Danya all too happy to punch Saris and knock her out. Which, yes, is exactly what Saris intended. She needed to get to the dreamscape, where even realms apart, she can be reunited with Fisher. I still couldn't tell you the technicality of how all this works, but I'm sticking with my belief that this is part of their God bound mates bond and maybe even to do with Saris's own powers. We have yet to learn specifics about. Hopefully going to this dreamscape will be very useful for Serris as she tries to figure out where Fisher is and how to get to him, since our crew needs the guy with powerful magic and you know, who can transport people to other areas of the realm. One punch later and Sayers wakes up in a dream state.

[Andrea]

Huzzah. It worked.

[Lexi]

And double huzzah. Because instead of the Huntsman cottage that she has previously been to in her dreamscapes, she is right now in the college estate, exactly where she focused on to end up. But that's where the huzzahs end. Because Kalash, even in this dreamscape, is in terrible condition since the rot invaded. The windows are all smashed out in the dining room and the fire burning in the hearth is gray and black. The rot is covering the room, draining this entire space of all life. And we see firsthand the devastation the rot brings to all it touches. This makes me so sad to see Kalash in this state. And I just hope that it gets resolved and this home can come back to life thanks to brimstone, destroying the rot and maybe carrying regrowing the land.

[Nicole]

Well, okay, so this was a question I had for you in foreshadowing. Do you think that Kalash is going to be saved because of the brimstone that lives beneath the land? But in order for that to happen, wouldn't the fire sprites have to use a lot of their brimstone and thus kill them?

[Lexi]

I don't think that the brimstone associated with the fire sprites are going to. Yeah, because they would literally have to bleed and that is how the brimstone would come out. So no, I don't think it'll have anything to do with the existing brimstone that is currently there. I'm thinking it'll be really beautiful symbolism for Ceres to save the Kingfisher's home here, because now it's going to be their home together. And So I do think that it will be fixed, but Cirrus is going to be the one to fix it. I am also very curious how this whole dragon thing is going to work out. Because technically, Fisher could get on his dragon. The dragon could breathe fire and brimstone all on everything. Yes, everything would be destroyed and they'd have to rebuild. But that's a hell of a lot better than the rot.

[Nicole]

The rot is also locked down down tight to the door for her in Fisher's bedroom. Not very nice rot. So using her power saver, sends a bolt of white blue energy into the door. But the second her magic comes into contact with that vine wrapped door, the tendrils of rot and surrounding the walls.

[Andrea]

Flare white and double in size. Womp, womp.

[Nicole]

Remember from the super feeders in episode one? They fed off the power that Ren and Fisher threw at them. Same thing here. The rot expands and knots within itself, forming a hard shell over the door.

[Andrea]

So she's worse off than she was two minutes ago.

[Nicole]

So using magic on the rot, even in the dreamscape, is not gonna work. The door is warded by magic, meaning that Cerus needs magic to get in. So, assessing her magical options on hand, Seirys remembers her rune from the Hazrax. The rune that means undo or break. So closing her mind, serious reaches out and finds the energy of this run. It immediately wakes up and answers Seirs in the same moment. Unlike her other runes, this one does not light up on her hands and, you know, burn them instead. A jolt of energy surges through her and vibration buzzes in her fingertips. Probing the warning spell, Seirs feels an almost sentientness to this spell, like it's trying to avoid her and slip through her fingers. Not so fast, rot. Before it can escape her mental grasp, Ceres tells it to break. The rune tingles and the rot crumbles and disintegrates to the floor.

[Andrea]

Huzzah.

[Lexi]

Ah, so it's so good for us to know that at least the Hasrax magic that it has imbued into this rune, it works against the rot that no other magic works against the rot.

[Nicole]

Which, considering that the Hazrat. I'll talk about this later. Has veins that look like the rot.

[Andrea]

I find that very suspicious. We'll talk about that later.

[Lexi]

Yes. Entering her and Fisher's room, we have good news and bad. Good news.

[Andrea]

Yay.

[Lexi]

Fisher's here. He's sitting in the chair in front of the dead fire. Bad news, he might be physically here, but he's not actually here. And he's in really tough shape. His eyes are clouded, deathly pale skin, split lip and bloodied. I'm guessing this is the shape he's actually in as he's being encased by the tree. And he is in some kind of coma where he's semi aware, but trapped within his mind. All in all, Fisher is lifeless. He might not be dead dead, but something horrible has happened to him.

[Nicole]

This is chilling, suspensive storytelling. I love this. But Fisher is not the only other presence in this room. If you can even really call him a presence. The Hasrax is watching. Quick note. Like I was just saying, on the Hasrax, there are, quote, the same kind of black veins that marked the infected feeders on the Hasrax's pale skin.

[Andrea]

Why are we not talking about this?

[Nicole]

Does this mean that the Hasrax has something to do with the rot? Especially considering its rune works against it. Could it somehow be a God? Or the God that created the rot? Or the God from the realm that created the rot? Or does it hail from the same place that the rot was created in? I refuse to believe that it is helping the rot. At least now it might have created it long ago. The Hazrax is good. I will not be convinced otherwise.

[Andrea]

I love the fairy God Hazrax.

[Lexi]

Well, I don't think the Hazrax is any kind of aid to the rot, like you're saying here. It has said to Seras that it feels partially responsible for what she's going to have to go through, which could be related to the rot. I'm right there with you, though. I don't think the Hasrax is directly connected to the rot here. The Hasrax also. Oh, is that not what you're saying?

[Nicole]

No, that's not what I'm. I see. I'm. I think the more and more I'm thinking about it, I think it created the rot and now it's like, oops, my bad.

[Lexi]

Okay, well then let me rephrase. I don't think that the Hasbrax is directly related to. To the rot here. The Hasrax also says it does have a hand in everything, but Serris will learn that soon enough. When it says soon enough, is that like, soon enough when she travels to the Other Realm to Diaxis, or around when she seals the brimstone? And part of what she'll have to face and what it'll cost her is tied to the Hasrax. I can't imagine how that would go down. Just throwing Spaghetti at the wall.

[Nicole]

I think I'm gonna go with it is either a God from the realm that created the rot, or it is one of the gods that created the rot. One of the reasons it' it's watching is because it's seeing how badly it it might have fucked up a little bit. In accordance with its deal with Sarris, she said that it could watch over.

[Andrea]

Her on the same terms as Malcolm. Thinking this is where you missed the boat.

[Nicole]

Serious. Thinking it would be watching over the Blood Court. But no, the Hasrax deal was that it could watch Malcolm, not the Blood Court.

[Andrea]

Always ask for the fine prince.

[Lexi]

Never forget the five W's when making bargains. Who? That's very important for you here, Sarahs. Who, what, when, where and why?

[Andrea]

I honestly do feel like kind of a genius when we figured out that all Fae bargains just hit all five of the W's.

[Lexi]

Oh, I am absolutely stealing that for my story. Oh, 100% I'm stealing that.

[Nicole]

Understandably, it irks serious quite a bit. She feels duped, not to mention pretty fucking helpless at the sight of her mate. And she looks for a loophole of her own. And she thinks she's being smart, but.

[Andrea]

She'S just a little impulsive.

[Lexi]

Here.

[Andrea]

I'm just gonna say it a little. Well, I'm gonna call her impulsive a lot in this. So I'm starting small. I'm starting small. Okay.

[Nicole]

In return for the Hazrax watching her, she does have a favor that she can call hidden Fairy God Hasrax. I call in the favor for you to tell me where Fisher is. Sorry, it cannot do that. I'm assuming because Fisher is in the oubliette. Meaning he's unreachable.

[Lexi]

I believe so. And that's what it means by accords that prevent this from being within its power.

[Nicole]

Fine, so if it cannot do that, then go away. Her favor is that the Hazrax is not allowed to watch her anymore. And in one year's time, when they make the bargain again and it's up for renewal. She is not interested in going into another contract with the end.

[Lexi]

Okay, first of all, I commend her business communication skills here. And at the same time, Saris, I need to shake you and be like you have an all powerful being trying.

[Andrea]

To help you continually.

[Lexi]

I get it. I do. I wouldn't want a creepy mysterious creature watching me constantly either.

[Andrea]

But never be alone. Which sounds nice. What? Yeah, in the end of the world.

[Lexi]

And your mates lives are literally at the stake. And The Hazrax only shows up when it is ready to offer help. It has continually offered good help.

[Andrea]

I don't know. I would take it. Well, the unfortunate thing is that the Hazrax can fulfill this bargain. But luckily, it's like, don't do it. Don't, don't, don't you do it, Saverus.

[Nicole]

Don't do it. It knows that shit's about to go down, and she's going to need this fairy God Hazrax's help.

[Andrea]

Remember how I said she could be.

[Nicole]

Impulsive, but the Hazrax is kind. It will allow for one minute for her to change her mind. And remember, she has a purpose for being in this dream state that she's.

[Andrea]

Just been a little distracted from.

[Lexi]

You know what I'm about to say, Nicole?

[Andrea]

You're about to compare her to a toddler.

[Lexi]

No, this time I'm going to say that the Hasrax is wonderful at gentle parenting because it's reminding her why she really came here. It's giving her an opportunity as well as some good boundaries around it.

[Andrea]

You know what? I am not gonna fight you on that, because I agree with you wholeheartedly on this one.

[Nicole]

So final agree.

[Lexi]

At the end of last episode, Serious remembered the paper bird slash stargazer that fell from the library sky. And she ended up leaving here in their college bedroom. She need to come back here to this dreamscape to find the paper that she correctly realizes is the missing page from Adina's book. The one that will tell her what to do. Now that she's at the White Cliffs, racing against the Hasrax time limit, Sarris finds the paper on the bookshelf.

[Andrea]

Huzzah.

[Lexi]

It's underneath the kingfisher bird figurine that the fire sprites had set down earlier in the book. Boom. Reading it, Serious knows how to change her fav. Knows where to go. While we don't find out exactly what the paper says, we can easily gather that it says at least two things. Number one, Fisher is in the Wicker Wood. That's how Saris now knows where to go for her favor from the hasracks. And number two, very importantly, Fisher's true name, which Saris describes as the tools to save him. Tools is plural. There. Not sure if that's notable, but something I noticed if there might be more tools to this piece of paper here that we. You know that phrase New Year, new me? Well, how about instead we go with New Year, new wardrobe? Quince has got you covered for your wardrobe refresh. With luxe essentials that feel effortless and look polished. They're perfect for layering, mixing and building a wardrobe that lasts. Their versatile styles make it easy to reach for them day after day.

[Nicole]

I know that's true if you see me wearing jeans. They are from quints every single time.

[Andrea]

No exceptions.

[Nicole]

My favorite are the Bella Stretch Patch Pocket wide leg jeans. I wear them so much because not only are they super comfy and stretchy, but they also fit me so well. I love quints.

[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Andrea]

Yay.

[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

And as many of you know, I'm gluten and dairy free and it is so easy to find things that I not only love but that tastes delicious. In Hungry Roots, you're going to love.

[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Lexi]

Don'T know.

[Nicole]

So I actually think that the tools is referring to here's his name and here's what to do with his name in order to break the oath and all that kind of stuff. So he's not fucked with Belacon hearing it. That's my guess.

[Lexi]

Okay, yeah, we'll put a pin in that. We'll talk about that here soon. What Idina does not say on this piece of paper is the means to reach Fisher in time because she says that will be up to Serris. I'm guessing either Adina knows as an oracle about the Hasrax being here in this moment, but Serris needs to make the choice to call in her favor herself, or Adina does not know about the Hazrax because its power like blocks Adina or something. However, we do know that the Hazrax knows about Edina the Oracle. Adina saw what's about to happen go down and knew Ceres and Fisher would be in this predicament and this would be the moment that his true name must be revealed. So this is where I'd love to bring up that question you were just asking Nicole. I wonder if she also told Sarris about using the Hasrax rune to break Fisher's true name binding as much as I wonder and probably assume that is the case, I want to believe that was all serious based off our previous conversations about the journal being a crutch for our character's own agency and ability. Especially since Serris did just break the magical wards intertwined with rot on her own. So I like to think that gave her the idea to then use this with Kingfisher.

[Nicole]

I also want to think that, but then I put myself in Saris's smarts and she is street smart. Do not get me wrong, she is scrappy. Like that whole thing with the coin and the bag and how she, you know, all that last book like that was so smart and intelligent. I really enjoyed that. However, this type of Fae bargain manipulation smart, I don't know if we've seen that from Seyrus and it's actually we've seen the opposite called to attention multiple times. So for that reason I do think it was Adina in her journal saying, you're going to use the Hazrat's rune, you're going to break the oath like this. I mean it's Adina, so she was.

[Andrea]

Probably like the rune of the Hasrax moves within you.

[Nicole]

But like I. I agree. I want it to be serious, but if I'm looking from a story lore perspective and grasping on to what we.

[Andrea]

Know, I. I want to.

[Nicole]

I don't think I can fulfill that want.

[Lexi]

Yeah, I'm right there with you. Yep, yep, yep. But we don't know.

[Nicole]

At least with only seconds remaining before the Hazrax has to follow her first favor and disappear. For a who Seiris is able to change what she would like from the Hazra. Thank goodness. To the Wicker Wood we go. This does mean that her bargain with the Hazrax will remain one year of being watched.

[Andrea]

I don't know, I think it's pretty useful, so I'm happy to have it now.

[Lexi]

Which this also means that the Hasrax will definitely come into play again.

[Nicole]

Now a question people had after reading was how did the Hazrat transport her physical body, not her dream state body that we're seeing in Kalash, to the Wicker Wood? Seirs also questions it and quickly dismisses it to magic. And I'll do the same thing because with what we do know about the Hasrax and how all powerful it is, I am not surprised that it has the ability to take her physical body, tools, weapons and all, and transport that to the Wicker Wood rather than what it's seeing a college.

[Lexi]

I absolutely agree. And serious knows that her physical body has been transported. Because back when she was in Astara with Danya, she had her sword on her. When she went into the Dreamscape, she did not have her sword with her. But once when the Hasrax transports her to the Wicker Wood, she does again have her sword, which means that her physical body has been transported. I will say she should have some kind of black eye or something from Dania's Pudge, but I don't think I pick up on that for the rest of this book. Seras wakes up in the snow covered ground of The Wicker Wood. Thanks to her one way ticket a la the Hazrax. But don't worry, the Hazrax is sticking around. Everybody in silence.

[Andrea]

Shh.

[Lexi]

It's ready to watch whatever happens next. Quick refresh about what the Wicker Wood is and why this place is super spooky. Back in Quicksilver, we learned that the Wicker Wood is a prison where only those guilty of the most heinous crimes are sent and they are entombed in the trees. The woods are full of haunting shades which are ghosts as they scream, forced to relive their last moments over and over again, just like we predicted from our Quicksilver coverage. Now that Seris has heightened face senses, including sight. She can see everything here and it is a terrifying scene as she sees all of these gruesome deaths and people trapped in their own pain and torment just playing out over and over again.

[Andrea]

It's so sick. I love it.

[Lexi]

Serious is pulled in the direction of Fisher. She can sense that tiny little bit of quicksilver within Fisher and she follows that, leading her to a camp of 10 of Bellicon's warriors. With Belkhan and Orayas lurking in the.

[Nicole]

Shadows, these soldiers waste no time. The first of the warriors rushes towards Cerys and whips out a Gnoll Blade.

[Andrea]

Fuck.

[Nicole]

Seris notes that the Gnoll blade feels like a blind spot in her vision. Black holes that are sucking her energy and magic out of the woods itself.

[Lexi]

You all know me and how much I love these kind of descriptions of magic. Callie is so good at making me feel like I can visualize the magic and feel how it is moving within this world.

[Nicole]

Even though Serious cannot manipulate these blades like she can other metals, Serious is fueled by her need to find her mate. So she is ready to take these motherfuckers down in the normal way without magic. Remember how I said she was scrappy? One of the warriors shoots an arrow at Serious, but she ducks just in time and parries another attack. In the same moment, with a flick of Aramar, one of the guards blades go sailing into the darkness and giving Sayers the perfect opportunity to plunge her own blade into his ribs. Holy Fire comes out of his eyes and mouth as he lights up like a Christmas tree. I wonder if Holy Fire is her God sword's power, which I think of like as that, like white blue light that we keep hearing about that Renfus also has. So I'm gonna keep an eye on it because it's never stated.

[Lexi]

I don't think of it as Quite the same as Remphes white light. But I do love the idea of Ceres's godsword powers being more on the light side of magic. And then Fisher's, of course. With Nimmerel is like the dark side of magic and how those two complement each other.

[Nicole]

One after another. The guards keep coming, and Cerus knocks them down again and again. But she's running out of stamina and fast. Belacon sees this too, yelling at his guards to pin her, and they oblige. One of his guards launches themselves at Serious, but she thrusts her blade up into him, frying him from the inside. Ouchie. Three others land on her, and when a fourth set of hands make contact, Serious lets go of her magic. Her rune starts glowing brighter and brighter, lighting up the gnarly trees in the surrounding areas. Bellakon notices this too late to save his men, as her shield flares to life, projecting itself into the air and as, quote, a falling star. Oh, I love that. Her quicksilver rune burns brightest and pulses with just with a flick of her wrist. The shield rotates and grows larger as her magic swells. When it finally detonates with a pulse of energy, the guards are launched into the air and obliterated in a fine mist of blood and pulverized meat.

[Lexi]

Yummy.

[Nicole]

That rains down, speckling the snow red.

[Andrea]

Take that. So good.

[Lexi]

Instead of being horrified that his soldiers are now all dead and pulverized, me Bellicon is staring in wonder at Ceres's layered power. He has never in all his thousands of years, has seen anything like what she just did.

[Andrea]

In all my Fae days, I've never.

[Lexi]

Seen, well, all of his Fae plus immortal days.

[Andrea]

Who knows how long this motherfucker's been alive?

[Lexi]

And Bellicont is like mine. This kind of power cannot possibly be allowed to exist in this world. Unless it's bound to him, of course. Right? Remember how even before he saw everything Serious can do, he was interested in her as an alchemist and having her carry out his orders? That was only the beginning of Book One, before she could even awaken the Quicksilver. Think about how far Serious has come now and how much more potential she has too. And that's exactly what Bella Khan is seeing. He sees what she is capable of fighting here. The power she has, the potential to wield. And he needs control over it now.

[Nicole]

Belacan says something mighty interesting here. When Serious tells him that he shouldn't have killed off the other alchemists if he wants one so bad, he says, quote, is that what they told you that I killed off your kind. You should do more research before. And then serious fucking interrupts him saying, I don't want to hear it.

[Lexi]

I will go ahead and say I do agree that Serious in general does need to do more research.

[Andrea]

Oh, you say that saying, I think she needs to interrupt people less. That's also true. She's been doing this to this motherfucker since book one. So I think we could both agree that whatever he was about to say is extremely important, right? Yes, absolutely.

[Lexi]

Thank God. I think the seeds are being planted in these first two books that there is a lot more to alchemist history that will tie into the main story, especially in relation to Bellicon and Madra.

[Nicole]

But does this mean that the alchemist are still alive that he's referring to, or that the ones that she thought he killed off? Because I don't know.

[Lexi]

I don't think so at all. I think that the alchemists certainly seem like they are all gone. For instance, Bellakon was way too excited for an alchemist who was a human from Zelvarin. And if he had any others alive, I don't think Ceres would be his last hope.

[Nicole]

That's extremely fair. I do wonder if Madra took some of Evilia's alchemist and killed them.

[Lexi]

I think she had too many in her own realm.

[Nicole]

That's true. That's true. That was crumbling as I said it. Now I do wonder, did Bellicon use them all until they drained or like Adina? This seems very plausible for Bellicon. They lied to him. And I'm saying lied in major air quotes because they probably couldn't lie because of their oath to the Fear and Stone and all that kind of stuff. And he had them killed as a result. So it's like they were disloyal to him in his eyes.

[Lexi]

So what I'm hearing is it sounds like you do think that he very specifically did kill them off. I'll say. What I think, okay, is that all the alchemists were killed off, and we don't know the reason yet. The and Belacon is connected to it, but is not the direct cause. So other people are like, yes, he absolutely had a hand in them getting killed off. Off. And therefore he is responsible. From his perspective, he's like, fuck, no, I was not responsible for that. And it's all about subjectivity and who you hear it from.

[Nicole]

Okay, okay. I could definitely see that. I also wonder if there is or was a community of alchemists who were like, funneling power into him, like from the beginning. Bella Khan has not really given off this, like, I'm most powerful. Muahahaha. He's always given off, I want to be more powerful. I want to be more powerful. He's an evil villain, after all. So could he be siphoning that power from a group of alchemists? How that would work, I have no idea. Don't ask me. That would require them to still be alive, which I'm leaning towards. They aren't. I think you're right. I think that there's something we don't know.

[Andrea]

God forbid. I theorize.

[Lexi]

Now, going with your theory is that Zarth did say at the end of Quicksilver that there are still millions of alchemists in the universe and that there are still some in Zelvarin. He did not specify whether there were any in Yvelia. But I am thinking, no, there are not any in Yvelia. And yes, there are some in hiding in Zilvarin. And I am still sticking with my idea that there is some kind of. I'm going to call it a secret society of alchemists in another realm.

[Nicole]

I definitely agree about the secret society of alchemists in another realm. I definitely agree about there being some undercover in Zelvari. I absolutely think there are some undercover in Evelia.

[Andrea]

What are we making our first bet for?

[Nicole]

Fey and Alchemy 3?

[Lexi]

I feel very strongly that there are no more alchemists in Evalia. Yeah.

[Nicole]

Okay. I feel strong.

[Andrea]

I think about four.

[Lexi]

Grandfather was one of the last alchemists.

[Nicole]

Hidden Alchemists. Lexi. Hidden.

[Lexi]

They're hidden. I'm still thinking there's not any.

[Nicole]

No. Okay, well, I'm writing it down. All right. Here we go.

[Lexi]

And I would also like to give a little asterisk next to that. Of course, we do not ever find out. That is an automatic. I win.

[Nicole]

Okay. I. For this one. I accept that. Asterisks.

[Lexi]

I keep catching on the detail that Bellicont is dressed like for a great celebration. It could be his way of celebrating that he finally has Fisher. Or he's still dressed from the Winter Palace Even Light festivities, which was what, two days ago? Yeah. Yeah. So I'm bringing back the possibility of the power source from the Even Light fueling Bellakon's ability to grab Fisher from halfway across Realm. As he went through the Shadow Gate. Fisher's in an oubliette, which is a giant tree with black bark. He is literally trapped inside of the tree. It's as if he's within an open wound, and it has him up to his shoulders, almost about to swallow him whole. And once Fisher is fully inside the oubliette yet, it's game over. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment. More on that in a moment. Maybe if Cirrus behaves and becomes oath bound to Bellicon, serves him dutifully as a powerful alchemist, and does whatever he tells her to do, then he will consider releasing Fisher in maybe a few thousand years.

[Nicole]

Oh dear.

[Lexi]

Fisher looks like he is seconds away from death. This is all very, very bad. Quick, mini archives on oubliettes. Because these are not ordinary trees, they used to be a clan of dryads who stood up to one of the northern witch clans. Well, they lost. And the witches cursed them, turning them into these tree prisons and into everything the dryads abhorred. And if you're curious about what a dryad is, dryads are like tree nymphs, tree spirits. So think of like a humanoid tree species that is connected with the Earth. These dryads, turned oubliads, are doomed to feed on the suffering and misery of others. That's where their prisoners come in. Because they keep them alive. Feeding on their fear and never ending pain. Which, yes, is exactly what is happening to poor Fisher right now, as he is trapped in an endless darkness, sort of alive. As he endures this torture, as Oraya says before Belcon interrupts him, quote, their relationship becomes symbiotic. It's fascinating, really. I have. Okay, maybe I'm delusional and always suspicious when there's an interruption, but why do I think this might come back into play later? Especially as we anticipate the witches playing a bigger role in book three, and our crew will need all the help they can get. So maybe these curses will be broken and the dryads will help the world heal from the rot. Or rise up against Bellakon and take their spitefulness out on him. Maybe that's wishful thinking, though.

[Andrea]

I will wishful thinking there.

[Nicole]

Right there with you.

[Andrea]

That is so cute. And I love that your cozy little fantasy heart would like that, because that is very sweet.

[Lexi]

I feel for the dryads.

[Andrea]

Okay, I know you. Fun fact.

[Nicole]

An oubliette in real life is actually not a type of tree or plant at all. I had a whole plant watch and then I was like, never mind.

[Andrea]

It's a late 18th century French watch.

[Nicole]

So oubliettes are from late 18th century France, from the word oublire, which means Forget. Oubliette means a secret dungeon with access only through a trapped door in its ceiling. The primary purpose for those Oubliettes were to keep keep prisoners hidden and forgotten about, much like Fisher here within the tree. Oubliette.

[Lexi]

So back to why Fisher has been sentenced. Major air quotes around that. To this life imprisonment with the worst possible punishment. Belcon is bringing this back to Gilthai. Remember the scene in his great hall early in quicksilver. I believe it was chapter seven called the Dog, when Fisher is presented and crazy from the quicksilver. And Belconn calls for a trial where Fisher needs to answer for his crimes against Gilthry burning the city and its people 110 years ago. Well, apparently that trial occurred without Fisher present. And surprise, he was found guilty of this massacre. Now we know this is a load of bullshit. Belakan and Malcolm were actually the ones responsible for Gilthrite. And our crew, who knows the truth, haven't exactly been near the Winter palace to spread the news that Belkhan is indeed a bad guy. This is Belkhan's way to get Fisher out of his way once and for all. He's been trying to do this for the last 1700 years and this is his opportunity to serve the revenge he's wanted against Fisher, who has always been a threat to Belacan.

[Nicole]

While there are many, many reasons that Belacan would want Fisher trapped and on the brink of death in an oubliette, one main perk is access to Fisher's godsword. Belacan has been thirsting after a godsword since we've known him. I do wonder what happened to Ruin God Sword, because Belacan was holding it right after he killed him many, many, many years ago. But last book we saw how badly Bellacon wanted to keep Solace, and he's pissed at Fisher for taking it from him when they fled for Kalish. Last book Bellakon sees it only fit that he takes Fisher's God sword in return, which is currently at the base of the oubliette, lying on top of a stone, spewing thick black shadows from the blade. I love that. Where it's like it's trying to fight and get back to its owner. But also more on that later in Daxis. As time will go on for Kingfisher in his oubliette cage, his connection to Nimarel will eventually fade because he's basically as good as dead. And Bellakon is ready to claim that sword for his own when it's ready for a new master. And with such a legendary godsword, not just any godsword in his hands, he will use it to bring any who refuse to bow to Belacan to their needs for the good of Evilia.

[Andrea]

Fuck this guy.

[Lexi]

He certainly does not know the power of Nemoral. But knowing later on when Krave says that this sword could end worlds in the right hands. First of all, Belkhan would never be possible to be the right hands. But he doesn't seem to even have this knowledge whatsoever about the sword. So good thing he doesn't know the real origin of it. Good thing he didn't get it.

[Andrea]

Yes, exactly.

[Lexi]

Cerus ever so kindly informs Bellakon of a few important things about Nimarel. Number one, it was given to Fisher by the gods themselves, Bao and Min. In the bonus chapter the Gate that you can read for free on Callie's website, we're going to learn a whole lot more about its origin in a few chapters. Like I was just mentioning. Number two, Nimmerel is made of iron, which is unheard of for a Thae's sword. A Thae should not be able to wield the weapon. They are weakened by iron. But Fischer proved strong enough to wield it after he closed the iron Azhen Gate, even knowing it would and should have killed him.

[Nicole]

Do you think that he's able to withstand iron better? Yes, because he trained himself, but also because he's a half God.

[Lexi]

Oh, possibly. I wonder if he was able to train himself because he is a half God.

[Nicole]

Yeah.

[Lexi]

I just always assumed that him proving himself with that iron gate and that he had trained was further reason why Bal and Min saved him and healed him and thought he was worthy. But that's not all. Seras has to share with Bel Khan about this sword. Number three. The soul of Fisher's friend and twin to Remphys bound her soul to this blade after she died by dragonfire at the battle of Azhen Gate. That's why Fisher named the sword Nimmerel for Morel. Again, we really do recommend reading this free bonus chapter that is this battle and we see all of this unfold on the page. I love that bonus chapter. That is like a Pinnacle kind of bonus chapter where it provides some good extra information but it's not necessary for the main story. All of this coming to light doesn't bode well for Belacan. It is clear Nimarel cannot be wielded by anyone but Fisher. Belkhan is weakened by iron. He can't touch it. Therefore he would not be able to touch the sword with his bare hands. And the soul of Fisher's friend will never let Belakan call this sword his own. She doesn't really like him very much. Fisher has a partnership with Nimrel. The godsword instead of ownership over it, which a villain like Belakan could not possibly comprehend.

[Nicole]

This whole time that Seirce is talking about Nimarel, she's stepping slowly forward, closer and closer to the blade. Until finally she calls onto Nemorel and.

[Andrea]

Prays as it's flying through the air towards her that it does not kill her.

[Nicole]

It slams into her palm and surprisingly, there's only a brief unpleasant shock. And then nothing.

[Andrea]

She lives.

[Nicole]

There's no voice in her head, nothing coming through the quicksilver or the gods or even Morel. There's a faint smell of juniper and a distant playful laughter on a non existent breeze. I think that's Morel.

[Lexi]

I thought it was the twins. The goddess twins. Oh, like that's who I automatically associate with playful laughter.

[Nicole]

But we also know that Morel laughed a lot and she was like very easy and like, you know, a very playful person.

[Lexi]

I love that.

[Nicole]

I kind of like that. It could be both.

[Andrea]

I love. Yes, absolutely.

[Lexi]

I do think it's Morel though, now.

[Andrea]

That you say that. That's so cute.

[Nicole]

Cause it's like it's her approving of Fisher's mate, of her wielding the sword. So simultaneously, the godsword in her left hand. This is now the fused together. Solace forms a pillar of blazing white light, while the godsword in her right hand, Nimmerel, erupts into a wall of shadow and smoke.

[Andrea]

Fucking badass.

[Nicole]

This is the first time in Evilian history that a godsword has entrusted itself in a handsome of someone it was not bonded to.

[Andrea]

Holy shit.

[Nicole]

This is only possible because Kingfisher loves serious and she came here with the sole purpose of saving him.

[Andrea]

Yay, mate.

[Nicole]

Shit.

[Andrea]

Oh.

[Lexi]

The sword accepts its owner's mate or his partner's mate, and she is wholeheartedly on the sword's side. Together, Cirrus and Nimmerel can defeat the bad guys and save Fisher. Orion rushes to the tree to seal Fisher in once and for all. Let's not play games here anymore, everybody. As his hand touches the trunk, Sarris hurl Solace like a spear. The sword hits its mark, cleaving through Ory's side and into his chest. I'm very confused how this does not kill or is. Especially after Sarah's using her God's short swords on the soldiers and smoke puffs out of him before he's dead. These are magic swords. But it's fine. He'll die here soon anyway. These are magic swords, Bella Khan. Okay, fine. You're immortal because of the triumvirate. But Arias should not be alive after this anyway. It's fine. He'll eventually die here soon. But the damage is already done. The trunk is closing around Fisher.

[Andrea]

No.

[Nicole]

Serious focus drifts for one second and Bellicon is suddenly standing in front of her. The next second his fist has slammed itself into her chest with the force that should have sent her her flying backwards but instead it punches through her breastbone and into her chest cavity.

[Andrea]

Not again. It's a little. You know that one line where it's like if I read this line twice I'd have two nickels which is not a lot but it's odd that it happened twice the number of times that you referenced that squaw. Well yeah.

[Lexi]

I will ask though. Does. Does it seem odd to you that almost this exact same thing happened last book with Malcolm? Is this like some kind of. I'll call it a superpower of the Triumvirate.

[Nicole]

I definitely think that it's here for very one to one symbolism of this is exactly what Malcolm did. This is definitely some kind of Triumvirate thing. If it happens a third time next book with Madra I'm going to be.

[Andrea]

Like where's some fucking armor?

[Nicole]

But I do think it's some kind of connection that maybe we just don't have a through line yet for. Or maybe this is just to show how powerful they are.

[Andrea]

But again where's the fucking armor? Seiros distracted by his assumed victory. Honestly it's. I'd also assume victory if I was Bellicon too literally having punched through serous.

[Nicole]

You know chest cavity. It's finally time for serious to drop the bomb.

[Andrea]

She's been holding onto like Bellicon is holding onto her literal beating heart.

[Nicole]

She's got a message from his dead wife. Before we get into the contents of that message I want to highlight Bella Khan's reaction because he flinches.

[Andrea]

Little flinchy flincher.

[Nicole]

I think deep down, deep deep down he knows that Idina's oracle predictions that he called lies they were truth. Since she was oathbound she literally had to be telling the truth. And he killed her for telling quote unquote lies. And here I wonder if he knows that one of the predictions she told him is about to come true. Also considering that he killed her hearing that his dead wife has a message from for him. Yeah you.

[Andrea]

You better flinch.

[Lexi]

Well and then Seras continues quote she told me to tell you never. So I'm wondering what this never is referring to because that's my understanding that that is the message specifically for Bellacon here. That never. So did he make a command before killing her? And this is her getting to finally answer since she wasn't able to before because she died too fast. Is this her giving him a reply as an oracle and she's saying he'll never win? Or something to that effect? Did he try to make a demand of her related to her children? And it's her mama bear answer. There's so many possibilities, but I love that idea. I do think that is something tied to an oracle response. And she's like, you'll never ever win kind of thing. Yeah. With this quick throwing of Belcon off, Cirrus calls Solace back and at the same time drives Nimmerel into Bellicon's stomach and up, up, up out of his back. Same stab that Fisher gave him back in guilt. Right at the end of Quicksilver. Belkan has two God swords in him right now. One in his stomach and one in his chest.

[Andrea]

Ironically, that's not the last time we're gonna be referencing difference in K Pop. Demon Hunters this episode.

[Lexi]

Shadows swirl around Belacon, I assume from Nemorel. But no matter their effort, it's never enough to kill Bellacon. You can't defeat me. Even with two God swords in him, he cannot be killed. So real quick, we have to talk about this. A common theme throughout this scene is how and why is Belacan still alive While the Iron and Nimmerel dulls his magic and weakens him. It is not killing Belakan, but it sure as hell is useful against him in this moment and keeps him pinned down and helpless. Cirrus knows that today is not the day that Belacan will be killed. I'm assuming she recognizes this fact because he is part of the Triumvirate. Malcolm seemingly died because he was already severely wounded by Carrion. The godsword is what finished him off. Again, we are presuming that he was actually finished off, but he at least least went up into blue flames, which is a lot more than we can say about Bellicon here. Belacan, however, does not have the same weakness that Malcolm had as a vampire. Remember that Bellicon literally murdered the Dianthus family line to ensure Malcolm's Achilles heel would not ruin things. They needed to get rid of the one thing that could actually defeat Malcolm. And then Carrion actually came through with that one thing to defeat him, but because he was so powerful, it did not fully take him off the board. And that is where Ceres was able to do so again. Presumably With Solas. So that is where I think that difference is with why Bellakon is not dying in the same way that Malcolm did, even with the same wounds. And then when it comes to Ceres, thinking in her inner monologue that she's not the one who is supposed to deliver the killing blow for Belacan, I will say how in the world anyone will be able to defeat Bella Khan is beyond me. But I am guessing that it'll be Carrion. Maybe there's something to him being the rightful heir that'll give him a one up against Bella Khan. Or as a team, they can break the triumphant magic. So it gives carrying the ability to kill Bell Khan once and for all. What I'm saying is, though Serious knows it's not her blade that will kill Bella Khan. And I think she has a feeling that it should be carrying. That it will be carrying. But anyway, with two swords stuck in Bella Khan, Sarris focuses back on freeing her mate. We have to get Fisher out of this tree. There is no power in this realm or any other that can supersede an order given using someone's true name. Not even a king's order. And we know that names hold meaning here in this realm. And when a Fae is ordered by their true Name, they must obey. So when Ceres uses Fisher's full name in her order, she is able to declare all oaths he has ever sworn null and void. Yes, including the one he swore in front of the Finryn Stone that made him oathbound to the realm's ruler, AKA Belachon. We'll soon find out that in this moment, Serris will use the Hasbrax Undo break rune to release Fisher of his true name's oath. So this sequence is a two parter. Number one out loud. And using his true name, Cerus releases Fisher of all oaths he's sworn, making them null and void. He's no longer bound to Belacon, and therefore can get out of this imprisonment. And number two, Cerus uses her rune to break the power over Fisch's true name, so no one can use his true name to make him do anything ever again.

[Nicole]

So with a very carefully worded declaration. Quote, Kingfisher of the Azjan Gate, I hereby call you by your true name.

[Andrea]

I declare all oaths you have sworn null and void. Rise Kaidan Greystar Finvarra. In honor of your full name you were given at birth. Rise up and fight. Oh my God, this was so satisfying. I remember you and I reading this at God knows what got ungodly hour. And we were just losing our in this moment. It was so cool.

[Lexi]

By this time it would have been Tuesday evening.

[Andrea]

That is true. Yes, it would have. Thank you for the we would not.

[Nicole]

Be fantasy fangirls if we did not go through each of these names. Let's start with Kaiden. This is more of a contemporary adaptation of the Irish Gaelic name Caden, which means spirit of battle or fighter, which is very on par for Fisher. Gray, the color, it symbolizes neutrality, control and practicality, which control definitely see that for Fisher. But when I also looked through Quicksilver for any mentions of gray, I found one very interesting. The color of Zarith's robes and Bal and Mithun's dresses were all gray. The three gods we have seen and witnessed are all wearing gray. So I can absolutely see the gray of Graystar being a reference to his half God lineage. Then Star. If you have listened to fantasy fangirls, specifically our quicksilver coverage, you know I have been on major star watch when it comes to Fisher. He was wearing a crown of stars when Sarus was in and out of consciousness. There's stars in his eyes. We get his mother's connection to stargazers, AKA kingfisher birds. Even when Fisher hears his name, in a few moments he feels like it's a newly formed star. And then of course we got gray star.

[Andrea]

This was so satisfying.

[Lexi]

I would just like to give you a big round round of applause. Nicole. It's moments like this where it's so satisfying as a deep diver and I'm so happy for you.

[Andrea]

Thank you big sister. I'm happy for me too.

[Nicole]

Lastly, we have Finvara. Now immediately when I hear Finvara, I think of Finren and it would be a nod to his father. But then when I looked up Finvara, it actually turns out that Finvara is a king in Irish folklore. Some facts about Finvara. He is the king of Daenashi, which means the folk of the fairy mountains.

[Andrea]

I love them fairy mounds.

[Nicole]

He's seen as a benevolent figure who ensures good harvests and rewards mortals with riches. I love this full circle moment. Considering last book, Fisher never believed himself to be a good leader and here he is. His last name is based off of someone in Irish folklore who's known for being a good leader. Also, Finvara is in some legends as the ruler of the dead. Interesting considering Fisher's connection to Daxes AKA Hell.

[Andrea]

All in all, I love this name. Reveal.

[Lexi]

As this is all going down, Fisher can hear what's happening outside his tree prison. He can hear his mate call him by his true name and order him to rise up and fight. Fight. Fight. This is the first time Fisher is hearing his own true name since he never knew it because his mother died before it was supposed to be shared with him. On his 14th name day, however, Fisher knows his name. Deep in his soul. He can feel how it is. Part of him has always been part of him. The endless dark shatters. The cold thaws. Fisher is back, baby. The command sets his soul alight. Darkness and vengeance pour out of Fisher as he obeys his Majesty Mate's order. Get the out of that tree, Fisher. He obliterates his oubliette cage. See that?

[Nicole]

Five times fast.

[Andrea]

And is free.

[Lexi]

I do love when we are in Fisher's POV and he's taking in the scene around him. He's so proud of his mate and grateful she's come to save him. And he's like, how did Nimmerl get in Bellicon? Figure it out later.

[Nicole]

Having heard Saris say Fisher's real name.

[Andrea]

Bella Khan, is is riding a high right now.

[Lexi]

Yep. Because true names are hidden. They hold so much power over the individual that for those who know the true name, it is never uttered. For the risk of bad people finding.

[Nicole]

Out like Bella, Valentine's Day is on the way, and Meundies has cracked the code for the perfect gift.

[Andrea]

Chocolates.

[Nicole]

Old news. Flowers. Blech. Matching underwear. Now that's the perfect Valentine's gift.

[Lexi]

Meundies makes matching underwear specifically for couples. Same adorable prints, different cuts for each of you. All made from their signature ultra modal fabric that feels impossibly soft. Unlike other brands just slapping hearts on generic underwear. Meundies designs coordinating prints from the ground up. Their Valentine's collection has prints made for two. It's the kind of gift that makes you smile with your significant other every time you put them on.

[Nicole]

Okay, so over the holidays, I got Brett a pair of the narwhal underwear.

[Andrea]

And if you have been listening to the show, you know I how obsessed.

[Nicole]

I am with my Narwhal underwear. And now I am matching with my husband and it's my favorite thing. I cannot wait for my Valentine's Day underwear to come in from me undies and for my husband and I to.

[Andrea]

Just feel that little extra love.

[Lexi]

With over 30 million pairs sold and 90,000 five star reviews, people love Meundies because they actually fit well and feel amazing. Make this Valentine's Day one to remember with matching underwear from Meundies. To get exclusive deals up to 50% off, go to Meundies.com FFG and enter promo code FFG that's Meundies.com FFG promo code FFG for up to 50% off.

[Nicole]

This podcast is brought to you by Squarespace. I remember first starting FFG and honestly one of the best decisions we have ever made is when we put some real time and attention into our website. Websites are an essential part of small business success. That's why we at Fantasy Fangirls absolutely love, love Squarespace.

[Lexi]

And you know me, with my marketing background, I have pretty high standards for website tools. But Squarespace delivers in every way. One thing I love is their integrated Squarespace SEO tools. Every website is optimized to be indexed with meta descriptions, an auto generated site map and more. So you show up more often our search engines and bring in more of your ideal customers. Yes.

[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

Check out squarespace.com FFG to save 10 off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FFG. You know the saying New Year, New Me? Well, let's tweak that just a little bit and go with New Year new space. And there's no better way to revitalize your space than shopping on Wayfair.

[Nicole]

From bedding and mattresses to storage solutions for every room in the house, Wayfair is your one stop shop.

[Andrea]

My house is slowly being taken over by Wayfair and I love it.

[Nicole]

My shelves, my new counter, chairs, all from Wayfair.

[Lexi]

One thing I absolutely love about Wayfair is the convenience. They have everything from room decor to furniture. I just got a new bookshelf and even storage for your space. Wayfair has you covered. Covered no matter your budget. So as you can imagine, books are overflowing in my office and it was way past time for me to get another bookshelf. I just got one obviously from Wayfair. It's a corner bookshelf and it's absolutely perfect. And now I have no more books all on the floor. It's wonderful.

[Nicole]

Get organized, refreshed and back on track this new year. For way less, head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. That's W A Y-F-A-I-R.com Wayfair Every style, every home.

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This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.

[Verizon Advertiser]

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[Nicole]

Yeah, you're right.

[Verizon Advertiser]

Case closed.

[Nicole]

Buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply. Homeboy Bellacon thinks that he has now a one way ticket to command Kingfisher to do anything he wants. So first on that list is to.

[Andrea]

Draw his sword out of Belacon's chest.

[Nicole]

And use it to kill his own mate. The air around Kingfisher shivers. He can feel Belacon's will crashing over.

[Andrea]

Him, calling him forward, urging him to do what he just commanded him and.

[Nicole]

He reaches for his blade. So he does as is commanded.

[Andrea]

He walks over to Serious, aiming the.

[Nicole]

Point at her throat, whilst Belacan slowly gets to his feet.

[Andrea]

He's watching the show.

[Nicole]

He's eating the popcorn.

[Andrea]

But then Kingfisher swings his blade back, right, right back into Bella Khan's chest. Hold up.

[Nicole]

Kingfisher should not be able to fight Bella Khan's command. Quick pause. You'll notice that while Sarus in about chapter 50 starts switching Kingfisher's name to Kaidan. We are here going to follow the text which means if she is thinking Kingfisher, we're going to stick with Kingfisher's name. When she switches over to Kaidan, that is when we will switch over as well. Just want to address that up front in case you're like why are you.

[Andrea]

Still Calling in Kingfisher.

[Nicole]

Nicole. But back to why Kingfisher was able to disobey this command. We just learned how powerful Fae names are, so how is this possible? Sarus commanded Kingfisher using his True name to break all of his oaths. But then remember that Breaking Undo rune that was gifted from the Hazrax? That rune broke the command that others would be able to have over Kingfisher's True name. So while Seiris was was speaking his name and telling him to be free, breaking all of his previous oaths, she was simultaneously calling forth the Hasrax rune and undoing the magic that binds Kingfisher's True name, making sure that no one, including Belacan, will ever be able to use it against him or control him with it.

[Lexi]

This revelation has Belican pissed, to say the least. He fumes that as long as their friends are alive, he will always have leverage to control Fisher. I do worry that Lorath, Remphes, Dania and others are still oathbound and can be controlled. Controlled by Bellacon. If their friends are in danger, then Fisher and Seras will do what they have to to protect them. But I don't know Bella Khan. They do keep outsmarting you. But sure, you can help. While Cirrus is focused on attacking Belacon, Arias, again, somehow still alive from the God Sword to his chest, sneaks up behind her with his blade out, ready to slash Saris's neck. Out of nowhere comes our favorite fox, Onyx, and he's in full protective mode, launching himself at Aria's, scratching and biting his jaw, cheek and wrist.

[Andrea]

Onyx.

[Lexi]

Remember that? Fisher was holding Onyx when he went through the Shadow Gate back in college. So Onyx arrived here in the Wickerwood with him. And he has been with Fisher the entire time. Our furry little friend has been nothing but a nuance to Belkhan and his men. Huzzah. He has bitten three of the guards bit off. Or is his finger? And when he wasn't doing that, he was yelping and scratching at Kingfish's tree.

[Nicole]

Arias's null blade attack on Cerys unfortunately hits Onyx instead.

[Lexi]

Onyx.

[Andrea]

No.

[Nicole]

Sadly, so very sadly. Killing our furry little friend. Onyx. More on this Shortly, Arias lets out a victorious whoop, but he's fading fast.

[Andrea]

Good, you asshole.

[Nicole]

He's wobbling. He's staggering sideways while he's laughing maniacally. Cerus does not hesitate. She responds instantaneously and ruthlessly, burying her face into Orion's neck and ripping out.

[Andrea]

His throat, leaving the snow Covered in blood. God damn vampire Ceres is in the house. I love this energy. I fucking love it. Rip out more throatseras.

[Nicole]

In that same moment, Kingfisher releases his magic and orders it to destroy. The smoke and shadow funneling down Arias throat eviscerates him from the inside out. And Arias dies in extreme agony because.

[Andrea]

The shadows in his throat, they're unable to scream. Good riddance you bast.

[Lexi]

Now let's turn our sights on Bellakon. Because finally, Fisher has the upper hand on this Fae usurper who has ruined Fisher's life, his family and most of the realm. Belkhan caused his father's death and then falsely blamed him for the closure of the Quicksilver portrait. He tormented Fisher since his youth and tried to get rid of him at every opportunity. He is the reason Fisher has been plagued by madness from the Quicksilver most of his life. Belcon literally murdered his mother. He stole a court and doesn't give two shits about its people. And in all of this, Fisher has realized that Bellicon was actually always afraid of him and the threat and the threat he poses. And now Fisher is no longer oath bound to him. It's so freeing. Huzzah sound. So Fisher, what are we gonna do about that? After Seirrus removes Solace from Belcon, Kingfisher grabs ahold of nimeral with a 3, 2, 1. He yanks her free from Bellokan, leaving Bellakon with access to his magic again. But Kingfisher is faster. Fisher sweeps the sword up around his head and swings as hard as he can at Bellicon's neck. Not only does he cut clean through in one swing, but the sheer force of the blow sends Bellkhan's head spinning off into the trees and bouncing around the ground like a rogue soccer ball. The evil king has been beheaded. Huzzah.

[Andrea]

You'd think that being decapitated and having.

[Nicole]

Your head literally used as a soccer.

[Andrea]

Ball would be a pretty telltale sign of you're dead.

[Nicole]

However, Kingfisher notes that Belacan is not dead because of whatever dark magic is running through his veins. I'm assuming that means Triumvirate magic. Yes, because that is the only reason it would make sense that he is not not dead. As we learned last book, in order to kill one member of the Triumvirate, you have to kill all three. Which is why, even with Malcolm decapitated and bursting into flames, I wonder if he's still alive. With how Fisher is saying that Bellacon also is still alive, it makes me really think now that Malcolm would have.

[Andrea]

To be also, but literally fucking. How did they grow back a head? Like, you know how you could grow back a hand? Like when it was smaller than.

[Lexi]

Than before.

[Andrea]

So like just a little tiny head.

[Lexi]

I swear I've seen that in movies before.

[Andrea]

I can't remember which one, but I've seen it before. Like a little thumb.

[Lexi]

All I can think of is a guard who does show up and having to search for the head with Belan calling to him. No, you buffoon.

[Andrea]

I'm over here. See, I just see the little tiny thumb sized head sticking out of an adult male's body and it just has a little teeny tiny voice like this. And it's toxic. But then that's going to be the big bad next episode in our next book. That just kills me.

[Lexi]

I wonder if he does get his head back on.

[Nicole]

So then they just sew it back on.

[Lexi]

That's crazy magic involved. I don't know. So Fisher is freed from his imprisonment, from being an Oathbound Fay, and from the power of his true name. Or is dead. Belacon is beheaded, but still alive. But you know what? We'll take our wins where we can. Fisher knows of still one place that Belakan cannot follow him. And hey, they need to go there anyway. To Daxes and to its gate located in Azin. But remember, he has been very against this idea when Lorath first brought it up last episode. But Fisher does understand now that it is the only way for them to stop this rot is to go through that gate to Daxys. The guards are dead, but Fisher and Seras know more are coming soon. So they better move fast to their destination. And very, very sadly, Ceres is devastated by the loss of Onyx as she holds his little body. I'm gonna be entirely honest, friends, this part with Onyx is really hard for me. Last year I had to say goodbye to my dog, who is my best friend for 12 years. And this is just one of those things that I. I don't know if I can cover it. I'm a blubbering mess when I read this every single time and I don't know if I can talk about it yet. So Cirrus and Fisher race north, going through Shadowgate. After Shadowgate gate, one shadow gate turns into two, then three, then seven, then 10. And it's not until the 12th gate that Seras makes him stop. And remember, they have to go through these 12 shadow gates. Because if Fisher wields magic powerful enough, which is a Shadow Gate, then Bellakon can feel it. And Follow them up to 500 leagues away. So Fisher's goal is to get them as fast as possible out of that 500 league perimeter so that they can escape outside of Bellicon's senses. Ceres just needs one moment to process. Process everything that just happened. One moment to cry over Onyx. But it's a good thing for Ceres because they have indeed arrived at their destination. The mountainside just below Ajen and on the map. This is super Northern Yvelia. As Fisher reads the Rainbow Bridge poem to Ceres and tries to offer her comfort about sweet little Onyx. That he chose her and her soul because he wanted to help her more than any other and come to her as a friend when she needed him most. Sarah Ceres refuses to accept Onyx's death. She still needs her fox.

[Nicole]

So thank goodness we have a fairy God Hasrax. Ceres notices the Hazrax's rune, meaning undo or break, is glowing. What color? It's glowing blue. This color is haunting me. Question for you real quick, Lex. Do you think that this is glowing because the Hazrax is near or because the rune is being called forth to be used? Or both? Maybe the Hazrax is purposefully making it glow so that she remembers she has this power since the Hazrax kind of.

[Lexi]

Warns her not to use it. My guess is something maybe even within her is calling to use it. Or the rune itself is reminding her of what she can do instead of the Hasrax reminding her through the rune. I know there's a very small difference there, but that's what I'm thinking.

[Nicole]

I think you're right on the money there. Yes, yes, yes. Calling the Hazrat forth to show itself. Ceres finally gets the Hazrax, a grumpy Hasrax, to show itself. And we get a rather interesting line of description. She notices that under the the stars, it looks more sickly. And she describes its slitted nose, gills at its neck, hairless waxen skin. She thinks, quote, I had seen something very similar in one of Foley's books. Alarm, alarm, alarm. We know what Foley was pulling out for her. It was all information regarding the alchemists and their powers. So why would she recognize the Hasrax from one of those books?

[Andrea]

Books.

[Nicole]

I looked for anything and I couldn't find any mention that we get earlier on in the book connected to this. But was there something that she read off page that was like. I'm gonna call it like an alchemist God. I'm always sticking to the idea that the Hazrat is a God, because I.

[Andrea]

Simply refuse to let it go.

[Nicole]

Now. Also, is this why it was mentioned earlier that Serious is so close to figuring out what it is? Because she knows what it is is deep in her subconscious. Earlier when the Hasrax was like, you're so close to figuring it out. And she was like.

[Andrea]

And we both were like, is she though?

[Nicole]

I wonder if this is a call to that where it's like she's so close to figuring it out because she's read about it.

[Lexi]

Maybe that research is paying off the.

[Andrea]

Very little that she did. Yes, I agree.

[Lexi]

But there is a very good reason Seras has decided to call the Hasrax here. She needs to know if it can see the dead.

[Andrea]

She.

[Lexi]

She needs to know if Onyx has already moved into the beyond. If Onyx has moved on, then Serious will have to accept that it is what it is. But if he hasn't, which he hasn't, then there's still hope. And exactly, he has not moved on yet. He's still sticking right by Cerus side even in death, not even aware of what has happened to him. He just needs to be near his person. This decides things for Serious because she has realized something important. Alchemists were feared by power hungry rulers like Belacan and Modulus because they're capable of things others can't possibly do. Among everything else, alchemists chased immortality and could heal even wounds like holes in one's chest. Seris is fully healed now from Bellkon grabbing her literal heart back in the Wicker Wood. Then there's what Tal told Ceres and what else we know about alchemists. They can have regenerative magic. So yes, in conclusion, Ceres is all three types of alchemists. I think that this is pretty confirmed now, right? But even the alchemists can't bring back the dead, no matter how hard they tried. Cirrus, however, is confident in her ability to bring this little fox back. He's not a whole person like what the alchemists failed to bring back. They were always trying to bring back Faye. And this little fox is much smaller. And she knows that she is an extra powerful alchemist with regenerative magic. And most importantly, she has the Hazrak's undo rune where she can undo death for just a moment. And in that one little moment, she can push all her healing magic into Onyx so he is revived and can stay alive. After the undo spell.

[Nicole]

Taking Onyx's little body from Fisher, Serious drops to her knees. In the snow and calls all of her magic into herself, ignoring the Hasrax and its concern for what she's doing. Because never has this been done before and never should it ever be done. Cerus pushes on. The magic inside of her is starting to hurt now, clawing at her insides, trying to get out. The Hazrax gives one final warning. All magic has its limits. Proceeding will shatter the rune it gifted her and she will no longer be able to use it to save anyone else. AKA she will not be able to use it to free her other friends from their oaths. Just as she freed Kingfisher. Sarris doesn't care. It's a problem for a later date. Have I mentioned this girl is impulsive? The Hazracks rather rune flares to life, lighting up the night as Seiris funnels her magic into the rune itself. And then she sees Death's door. Death standing on the other side of it.

[Andrea]

Oh, this is cool.

[Nicole]

And it's threatening to take serious should she not succeed in her goal. He's like, we did not have an appointment, madam. Pushing past the pain blisters form on the back of her hands, but they only have a brief moment of existence before they burst open, leaving behind raw, singed flesh. With one last push, Cirrus feels the door between life itself and then slams it closed. The coldness in her chest fully disappears and Onyx's paw moves.

[Andrea]

He's still broken and bleeding, but he is alive.

[Nicole]

She only has one moment, though. She reaches for all of her regenerative magic and finds nothing.

[Andrea]

Dun dun dun.

[Nicole]

She used in it all, trying to undo death. Determined not to panic, she reaches beyond her magic, beyond her runes, beyond anything she knows, until she finally finds what she's looking for. A small kernel of energy that she thrusts into her body and into her alchemy and shield, and then channels it all into the White Fox. The world trembles as a shockwave ripples through Azin and Onyx.

[Andrea]

Onyx is healed. He lives. He lives. But Serris is not looking so good. She literally just accomplished something that never.

[Nicole]

Has been done before. Onyx is alive and running next to them as Fisher carries Seras to Azhin Gate, past the bones of Om Nom Nom Nom Nom Shakrai, where he fell all those centuries ago and all the way to the Azin Gate.

[Lexi]

Before we move on to Azen, let's talk about this choice to resurrect direct. Because in all honesty, it is a pretty common occurrence in fantasy books and it is Certainly not the first time that we have had this conversation in our deep dives. So I personally believe that sometimes it works really well within the story, and other times it does feel like plot armor. Now, in this instance, it is not a completed series, and I never like to speak too soon, because who knows how it'll go. But focusing only here on book two, here's my personal opinion. Please know I want Onyx to live. I celebrated when that little paw moved. And at the same time, I don't know, I was bawling like baby to the point where I actually needed to take a break from reading. And then it was fixed. And it wasn't just fixed like the next page. It took, you know, like half a chapter or so to get to that point. But it felt like all of these emotions that I had, and I don't cry like crazy during most books here, but for me to have that kind of emotional impact and then it not really matter. I felt like all of those emotions and all that crying was not for any good reason.

[Nicole]

It goes back to what we've been saying about consequences. I feel like, where it's like, in this book, I feel like the things that should have major consequences are either not that big of a deal or they're resolved really quickly. Yes. And I agree that when you're put through the emotional wringer as a reader, I mean, first of all, what a high we all chase. But then to just have it, not really. I'm not gonna say not mean anything, but.

[Lexi]

But to kind of feel like the. The rug is pulled out from under you.

[Nicole]

Yeah, it feels a little like whiplash, but not in the last hundred pages of a fantasy novel way. Like, we love that. Like, oh, my God, this plot twist. This plot twist. But I'm. I'm starting to get a little burnt out on the resurrection trope simply because I need those consequences. I like it when deaths mean deaths. I love it when authors are not afraid to kill off characters but have it have meaning. That's a huge asterisk with it. I feel like this was a little bit more for shock factor versus for actual character progression.

[Lexi]

Yeah. Yeah, I agree. This was some really heavy plot armor. And again, it's like, I love these characters. It's okay to love the character and not want them to die and to not want to have there be that ultimate plot armor. Yeah. So, of course, there is a question. Will Onyx play a larger role in book three? And will this become central to the overarching story? I know that there's also the theory that Onyx is actually a person. And I don't think that is the case. I really do think that this is showing that your pet is part of your family. And I know that Callie does feel that way about her dogs. That's why I was crying like such a little baby, because it brought up some very emotional stuff for me. And I think that the bigger reason that this did have to happen here with Onyx was to eliminate Serris's undo rune. That is very all powerful for a story. It served its purpose with Fisher's name change. And then it did need a reason to be gone. And this is a great. Here's a lot of magic that has to be used and for that to then be gone there.

[Nicole]

I'm not gonna lie, though. I almost would have preferred it to have eviscerated in her, you know, rune arsenal for Kingfisher's true name. Because then that would have absolutely worked. That would have. I think that we could have seen this level of digging deep with magic because she's undoing oaths that bind someone to something.

[Lexi]

Yes.

[Nicole]

And that it's at birth.

[Lexi]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Nicole]

I just. I. I kind of feel like that this level of consequence, again, going back to consequence, because yes, she did have a consequence with her rune breaking, but that could have been for Kingfisher. And. Yeah, I just feel like this was not needed.

[Lexi]

As I'm thinking about this, I can't help but keep going back to this concept of costly sacrifices. Fisher says that Serris made a costly sacrifice to save a friend. We know that there will be a steep cost for her to seal her brimstone rune. I can't imagine how these would be connected. But that similar verbiage caught my attention and I wanted to bring it up in a maybe coming back into the story kind of way. It's all about sacrifices.

[Nicole]

Okay. I actually am really glad you brought that up because that's a really great point with that being a very central theme to the this Fae and Alchemy trilogy. So, yes, I do see that as how it represents in the theme. I could see this having a repercussion or a through line for book three, but it kind of goes back to what we've been saying since the opening of episode one. It's hard to rate this book and give final thoughts with this book when we don't know where a lot of these storylines are going in book three. Yes.

[Lexi]

Yeah, exactly. All right, friends, we are at Ajen Sky.

[Andrea]

Ah.

[Lexi]

I'm so excited to be Here. We were hoping we'd come here at some point in the series, but according to the people gathering on the parapet at the gate, the Black Tide comes.

[Andrea]

Jack Barlo is throwing candidates off.

[Lexi]

He's coming for them.

[Nicole]

Just kidding.

[Lexi]

I just get so excited when I see similar words from fantasy stories. But what is this Black Tide that is coming? It is a thousand of Bellicon's guards heading toward Fisher and Saris with startling speed, armed with swords and bows. Fisher even notes that they should not have found them this quickly. And that is correct. He and Seras sprinted through Shadowgates to escape them. They should not have found them and gotten here so fast.

[Andrea]

Okay, okay, but seriously, hey, how did.

[Nicole]

They get here so quickly? Because especially Bellacon, the man who would have ordered them to go was literally decapitated. And secondly, this is one of those things where I'm like, oh, when we open up book three, whenever they come back through the portal back to Evilia.

[Andrea]

From Daxes, because I really hope that happens.

[Nicole]

At some point, I. I would assume that this is going to be a through line, that we're going to see Belacan's men at Ajin Sky. And I can't wait to see what they were doing there and get reasons for this.

[Lexi]

I keep thinking about how Madras seems to have known where to send the Zilvarin feeders, and how Belacon was able to grab Fisher from the Shadowgate from so far away when they were moving from Kalash to Inishtar. I believe that Belacan and Madra are working with really strong magic that changes the rules of the game. And I think Somehow getting those 1,000 soldiers caught up to Fisher and tracking where he's going in the first place is associated with Belacan wielding that extra power. The infamous black iron Gates of Aisne slowly open for Fisher and Seras. And they get inside just in time before Bellakon's soldiers catch up. By the time these thousand soldiers get to the gate, it is once again closed. And no way in hell get it is Ajin opening it for Belkhan's guys? Doesn't matter that there's a thousand of them hurling their magic and weapons at the gate. It will not budge. Have I mentioned that there are a thousand of them there that have caught up to Fisher and Ceres.

[Andrea]

Lo, who's this? Someone's coming to let our friends in. And he has a Scottish accent. It can only be Renfes.

[Nicole]

Turns out Renfes has been here at Azhen sky the whole time.

[Andrea]

Welcome back to the story.

[Nicole]

Renfys. Of the Erithian, which we learn what the Erithian status means. After the Lupa Pro Alia killed Om Nomnomnam to cry, the Horde left Azhen and the people in the city came out to bury their dead. Ren's twin sister Morel among them. Morel had always loved Azin, so Ren asked the city elders in the she could be buried here. They gave her a burial site at the very tippy top of the mountain. A very high honor in thanks for the sacrifices that she made to protect the Azhin Fae. Remember, she was burned alive by Om Nomnomnom. As soon as Morel was laid to rest, Ren felt a burning pain inside of his chest and he let out.

[Andrea]

A terrible roar so loud it caused an avalanche. Watch out, Everlane. The roar I was talking about.

[Lexi]

I know. The other Kingfisher roar.

[Nicole]

The other mourners who'd been burying their loved ones at the top of the mountain knelt with Ren and began to pray with him. None of the wolves had any clue what was happening. But then the Ajin Fey told him that as soon as their blood was one with the mountain, they belonged to it in a way. So because Ren buried his blood relative, his twins here, he was now a member of the Azhin Fey. And only a member of the Azin Fae can be called to join the knighthood here to guard the gate. What gate?

[Lexi]

Not the iron gate, as it turns out. There's always been a city here which is Ajin. Because there has always been a gate between this world and another. Dun dun dun. It's similar to quicksilver in many ways, but at the same time, it's not. Also with quicksilver, it can transport you to any realm's quicksilver pool. Just focus on where you need to go. This portal, on the other hand, is strictly between Evelia and Dyaxis. Long, long, long time ago, the gate would open by itself and it would not close. Foul creatures would use it as a doorway into this realm to cause chaos and terror. Not sure if that is the demons like Morthil or Joshen. I feel like if it was the phrase or something like it, ancient demons would come up at some point, and since no one could close the portal, including alchemists, the name Knights of Erinthian were created to guard this portal gate. These knights are imbued with an old line of powerful magic. And at all times, there are six knights standing watch over the gate to protect the entire realm, channeling their special magic into wards that can prevent all manner of evil from spilling into this world. The knights take shifts to protect not only Azhen, but all of Yvelia.

[Andrea]

Huh.

[Lexi]

This feels like the Knights of Arinthion would be very useful with their power to warp like an entire realm from evil. Like what our crew has to do next book. Yes, and like Nicole said, Remphas is a knight of the Orinthian. He has been since his twin sister died here at the battle and was laid to rest. No one has been called to replace the knights guarding it for centuries. Until now. When shit is hitting the fan, let's.

[Nicole]

Talk about this realm pool slash portal. Because this is the exact gate that Belacan sent Kingfisher through when he was an 11 year old failing. Something has always been different about this pool. Not only was it left open and not stilled when Madras stilled all the rest of the quicksilver pools, but Belacan declared that because it was left open when all the other gates were stilled, it was a sign that this particular gate would lead them to riches and glory. Whether he actually believed that is anyone's guess. Because Bellacon sent little 11 year old Fisher here, put a sword in his hand. We don't know which one, but we know it's not Nimral, because he got that much later in life. And Belacan declared that Fisher would be the first to go through this particular gate. And behold the paradise that waited for them on the other side. Since this pool is different from all the other quicksilver pools, Belacan said that Kingfisher will not need his relic that he received from his mother using the oath that Kingfisher just took from the Fear and Stone less than a week after his mother died. I'm gonna ignore the fact that it's canon from book one that they take the oath in front of the theory stone at 21. But alas, fucking Zarith has meddled with this timeline. We're just gonna brush over that.

[Lexi]

So I have a theory on that.

[Nicole]

Okay.

[Lexi]

The way that Fisher explains it, I got the context that Bellakon forced him to kneel before the Fear in Stone and swear his oath early. Because Bellakon knew this would be the only way to control Fisher now that his mother was gone.

[Nicole]

I actually agree with you. I think that that makes a lot of sense. Sense. The only thing is, I'm going to put an asterisk next to is. I just. I wish that was written in the text where it could be canon. Where it's like that is like immediately like, oh, that makes total sense. Rather than us having to Guess the in betweens.

[Lexi]

Fair enough.

[Nicole]

But because Fisher was already under the oath, it was very easy for Bellicon to command Fisher to go into the pool. And as soon as this young failing's feet touched the liquid ore, Kingfisher knew he was going to die. And that was when he was trying to transported into Daxis, or hell, as Kingfisher calls it. But that's all we know from what occurred in the realm. Belacan and his men waited for two hours. And when Kingfisher did not return, Belacan.

[Andrea]

Pretended to be devastated over the loss.

[Nicole]

Of his stepson and his last remaining link to his dead wife. But eventually the pool erupted and Kingfisher was spat out. And that signature silver rim was now in his eyes. Now, how he got Quicksilver in his eyes in the realm of Brimstone through a. A pool that was not Brimstone.

[Andrea]

I would also like to know.

[Lexi]

I wonder if it might not have been from this portal. Necessarily. Yes, but maybe it had to do with his interaction with the gods.

[Nicole]

That is exactly.

[Lexi]

Because he was tortured too.

[Nicole]

Yeah, exactly what I'm thinking. Luckily, one of the knights returned his relic immediately to him, quieting the quicksilver noise. But this left Belacan mighty disappointed. He thought he had successfully disposed of Kingfisher. So instead, the King of the Avelian Fae sent Kingfisher to one of his war camps to start learning the ways of being a warrior. At age 11 with newfound quicksilver in his eye. Poor Fisher. This is the day that the pool has closed for good. Except it has opened three times since each without warning.

[Lexi]

We talked about this in an earlier episode, so I don't want to rehash too much, but yes, there is a clear timeline discrepancy that we're working with around when Fisher's mother died. In Quicksilver, we learned that Fisher was 11 years old when his father disappeared through the quicksilver. All the quicksilver portals were stilled, and his mother and him were forced to leave college and go to the Winter palace where she would be Belcon's bride. Also in Quicksilver we find out that Everlane is 247 years younger than Fisher, and that it took their mother a long time to fall pregnant with her. We may have gotten the reason for Carrion being 700 years younger than Fisher Co here in Yvelia, despite supposed to be the same age. But there doesn't seem to be an explanation for how in Brimstone, an 11 year old Fisher's mother just died and he's forced to travel through this portal, there is no feasible way for Idina to go to the Winter palace, fall pregnant with his sister, then birth her and be killed within the same year. And then there's of course the 247 year gap between the siblings. Could there be another timeline explanation we don't know about? During our interview interview with Callie, she said the timeline Differences are a 2.5 important scale out of five. So right in the middle there could very well be more that we don't know about. And this will make sense then like Carrion's age compared to the fate and Evelia from Quicksilver or and I unfortunately think this is more likely, it is an error and it makes me sad that that is the case for two books.

[Nicole]

Now, all of this brings us to why Renfes is here in Azen sky as a knight of the aristia. Now, since 11 year old Fisher came out of the gate and it closed again, this portal has only opened unannounced three times in the last 1700 years. Ish. But its most recent time was about a week ago when a beast crawled out and killed all six knights on watch and then dragged their bodies back into the portal when it left. Oh dear.

[Lexi]

Well, what do we know happened about a week ago? The quicksilver from Everlane's earrings were whispering to Serris to open the gate and somehow she opened it and this beast came through. Poor guys.

[Andrea]

I'm not gonna say that Saerys is responsible for all six knights dying because she didn't know. She didn't know. She didn't know.

[Lexi]

And we still are very curious about how that all went down. I know we talked a lot about and speculated a lot during that episode, but just flagging it here and also, how is that only a week ago?

[Andrea]

Oh my God. That's the thing is like when we're.

[Nicole]

When we're deep diving a book for so long and it is such a lengthy book, it's hard to remember sometimes that these are happening in such condensed timelines.

[Andrea]

When Sarah unknowingly murdered six people, this.

[Nicole]

Led to the first time in centuries that new knights had to be called to replace the fallen members. That is where Wren comes into play. He was summoned while on his. While on a trip to Ballard as a result of this massacre. Since then, the portal has opened every day for a period of three hours at a time. Remember when Everlane was thrashing in bed screaming, the gate is open. The gate cannot be closed. The gate is open. The gate is open. The gate is that was assumably during one of these three hour time periods when the pool was open. And now the monsters within the pool, they are waiting for these wards that are keeping them locked out to break down once and for all, making the portal open for them 247 and all. The monsters can come out and wreak havoc on Avelia. They know it's not a matter of if it'll happen, but when it's going to happen. And even as Seiros approaches this pool, she can feel the monsters on the other side, wanting Evelia to burn.

[Andrea]

Burn.

[Nicole]

Should they be able to get through freely?

[Lexi]

I wonder if them being able to break down these wards is in any way connected to the rot infecting this realm. Possibly even because the Knights of Aristean are still imbuing their magic for these wards right now, and it's not working as well. So I'm curious about how their magic is no longer working as well, and how they are able to break through these wards that they are providing. So with all that super scary stuff said about this gate, that is where Fisher and Cirrus need to go. Not tomorrow, not next week.

[Nicole]

Week.

[Lexi]

Right now, while the gate is still open within that three hour time window, the rot is moving too fast. Feeders could show up anytime, anywhere, and it might be too late by tomorrow when it reopens. So Ceres needs to seal her Brimstone rune asap. And remember, it only has one source through the gate and into the other realm. Fisher does not like this option one bit. But Lorath is right. This is the only way to secure any Brimstone without killing the Firestore.

[Nicole]

I do wonder if being stuck in the oubliette for you know how and however long he was, like, about a day. I wonder if that made Fisher finally realize, okay, yeah, Lorath was right. We need to do this. We can't keep running away. Like, we have to take action. I'm gonna go with that.

[Lexi]

I think that also, it's just like so many things are happening. And like we were saying last episode, it's like you do have an option here. It's just not a fun one. And Fisher's realizing, I mean, there are no fun options here.

[Andrea]

We just gotta do something. Three options on the table. None of them are fun.

[Nicole]

Likely mentioned. This is not an average quicksilver pool. Quicksilver pools connect all realms. This one only connects to Daxis. We don't know why this gate is so different, other than the fact that it's connected to Hell. But as Ceres goes through it. It sticks to her, going up her nose, coating the inside of her tongue. Unlike when she passes through quicksilver pools, it feels like it's rolling off of her. This is more like drowning in a tar like substance. Gross. Which Fisher is adamant that she does not swallow. I wonder if that's what happened to him and why the quicksilver lodged itself in him. I like your what you were saying earlier though, about when he was in this realm when he was 11, he had some kind of interaction with the gods and that's what gave him the quicksilver. It is interesting though that this is described as rot tasting and I will admit that can be a little confusing because this is not the rot that we've been fighting against this whole book. Personally, I would have made a different word choice. I do know that there are some readers who are a little confused by that.

[Lexi]

I think it's like junkie yucky magic. Cirrus thinks how it just doesn't feel right. Back in Aisne, she can feel the monsters wanting to come through. So my guess is those monsters are in this like void space in like that darkness and the yucky magic and all of that.

[Nicole]

Oh, I thought she was either referring to arson, so the dragon who she can feel like almost on the other side. And that was like the monsters or, and or the multitudes of people who are going to be cheering for their next meal when they're dangling upside down via chain.

[Lexi]

All this like beasts and foul creatures and things like that. Like it really does feel like they are, are, I'm gonna say monsters in its own way. Like all I can think, and I highly doubt this is accurate, but I think of like the orcs in Lord of the Rings and how like they're in like this yucky goo and they're created in that yucky goo. Well, what if there's just like this ether space of a bridge between Daxis and the world? I have been watching way too much Stranger Things. Oh my God.

[Andrea]

Meanwhile, all I can see is Gima.

[Nicole]

And his demon world. And all I can see is these people living in Diaxis, looking like the demons in Gima's world. And they're like, you know, the.

[Andrea]

They're like oh yeah, that would totally work.

[Lexi]

So quick, heads up for our listeners right now. You'll notice that Seris starts calling Fisher by his true name, Kaidan midway through chapter 50. We always like to honor what characters call one another. So since Seras switches to Kydan, this is when we fantasy fangirls will as well. While initially reading, neither of us minded the name change because we feel it makes sense for Seras to embrace this name wholeheartedly. It's part of her mate's soul, which makes it indirectly like a piece of her too. His true name represents his freedom and all the important things about this particular name that Nicole had been saying. This piece of him was missing, and now it's like he's whole. And by calling him his true name, that feels so right for his character and therefore. Therefore for Seras, I personally totally get it. So goodbye to the name Kingfisher. We had a great run, and hello, Kaiden.

[Nicole]

Cus already knew that this portal was going to be very different. But stepping through it is another beast.

[Andrea]

In and of itself.

[Lexi]

Get it?

[Nicole]

Beast.

[Andrea]

Because she faces a dragon. Because on the other side of it.

[Nicole]

There'S literally a fucking dragon.

[Andrea]

It's so hot.

[Nicole]

Not the dragon.

[Andrea]

The air.

[Nicole]

It's painful.

[Andrea]

Like, I don't know, maybe the dragon is hot. I don't know.

[Lexi]

I bet it is.

[Andrea]

I bet it is.

[Lexi]

Yeah.

[Nicole]

Oh, my God.

[Andrea]

All I could imagine is the dragon. You're a lady dragon.

[Lexi]

I like big butts of kids.

[Andrea]

I cannot lie. The air reeks of sulfur. What a transition. Nicole and Cerus is met with a wall of extreme heat, leaving her lungs and eyes burning.

[Nicole]

Hello, Brimstone. Even after having spent her entire life in a desert. Desert. The heat of this place is unimaginable, even compared to how hot it was during the reckoning in Zolvarin.

[Lexi]

You know, when someone from a realm with only two suns is hot, it is like, hot, hot, hot. This is like people from Arizona getting hot outside.

[Andrea]

I don't know how you all do it.

[Lexi]

I am in awe of how you live in the desert.

[Andrea]

I can already see the tag that we're gonna get from our mod. Anna being like, listen.

[Nicole]

Everything around these two is pitch black.

[Andrea]

And it's not until Kydan cracks open an even light glowstick. No, I'm not joking. It is literally a glow stick. It is so funny that Cerus is.

[Nicole]

Able to see still nothing. The darkness here is thick.

[Andrea]

And just to make things even more.

[Nicole]

Challenging, they are here on a time limit. With the heat, Seris can only be here for two hours or else her body will literally, literally cook. Because her body was not made for a place like this. Note that as Kaidan is saying it, he says that you will need to leave or your body was not made for a place like this. Not you and I will need to leave. I Think that this is because he does not have that internal time clock here. Given that he is half God and gifted powers from the literal gods of the underworld.

[Lexi]

As Kaiden and Seras walk through the pitch black guided by their little even like glow see sticks to light their way. Big glowing orange red eyes pierce through the dark.

[Andrea]

Hello dragon.

[Lexi]

Yes, dragons are officially on the page now in Fae and Alchemy series. And yes, I mean in the main books we were already excited from the bonus chapter. Speaking of that dragon from the bonus chapter. This giant dragon with black scales is mommy. Oh yeah. Kayden killed her son. Not a good start. This dragon is arson. Which I love that little tie in to sounding like. Like arson. Like you know, fire arson.

[Nicole]

Yeah.

[Andrea]

Yes.

[Lexi]

She is the keeper of the gate and has been guarding it for 2000 years. Never has Emile walked willingly in here. Dragons and Diaxis are today's library topic. So I'm going to save my dragon lore dump for then. As much as I want to go on and on right now, Kayden tells Ceres not to run because she's definitely thinking about going back through that portal and he's taking the lead here with the dragon. But the dragon is wants Seras to answer. I do love the little side note of Nimrel kicking out so much smoke. Which serious wonders if it's Morel's spirit reacting to the presence of a dragon.

[Nicole]

I personally wonder if it's the fact that it's in. I'm going to call it its homeland, but it's not really its homeland. It's like it's with it's the land of the Shadows. So I wonder if that's one of the reasons it's like acting all excited. Arizen has quite the special gift. She's able to look into mines and see see literally everything. Kaidan has trained himself to protect against her probing. But there was not enough time for Serous to learn such a skill. This is why he has not told her about his half God heritage. He doesn't want Arisen to know. But Kaidan did not guard how he himself killed off Om nom nom nom nom. AKA her only surviving offspring. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised that she.

[Andrea]

Did not kill Kai and Sairis right off the bat. Like that's actually kind of kind of surprising.

[Lexi]

Saris is being serious and accuses the fire breathing, enormous, very dangerous dragon with three foot long teeth of hiding and waiting to do her master's bidding. Naturally Arson gets a little pissy though I do love how serious Fully acknowledges she's insane, and maybe that's what she needs to be to make it out of this alive. I feel like that's very FMC spirit here. It's Fisher who answers who this master is. And considering what we're about to learn, this is very important information. This dragon's master is Styx, lord of the charred aerie. And if you're wondering what an aerie is, it's a large nest or dwelling. King of dragons. He is his dragon's master, who she must obey. In Ivelia, Styx is known as the God of shadows. Yes, shadows, but this is new. To find out he is king of the dragons. All these titles that sticks has seems kind of badass, I'm not going to lie. And obviously I have so many questions, but I won't even get into those right now.

[Nicole]

I cannot wait to meet him next book.

[Andrea]

Oh, my God, I'm so excited.

[Lexi]

Fisher insists he and his mate come as ambassadors of their realm and request an audience with Styx, quote per the rules of engagement between our realms etiquette. And then he's cut off. Ah, so there are established rules of engagement between the realms. How in the world does that work with these bad creatures coming through? I'm not quite sure. Is it somehow related to Kaidan's family having an arrangement with Styx here? And those are the rules of engagement he's referring to. Referring to. That's kind of what I'm leaning toward.

[Nicole]

I like that. I like that a lot. With no warning, the dragon arisen spews a jet of stinking, superheated air, followed by a plume of fire and molten rock.

[Andrea]

Brimstone. Hey, we need that.

[Nicole]

Serious attempts to throw up her shield, but she's not fast enough, and the brimstone tears right through it. The flames are barely missing their heads and slamming into a wall behind them as Kai and Ceres hunch over each other on the floor. Serious grips Kaidan so tightly, her hands start to go numb, but her brimstone room starts to tingle and glow the more and more brimstone arisen spews at them.

[Andrea]

I'm wondering what would have happened if.

[Nicole]

She literally just went and, like, put.

[Andrea]

Her hand up and just. Do you think it would be enough to seal it?

[Nicole]

Probably not, because she says she's called to it, but she can't reach it.

[Lexi]

I think that means.

[Nicole]

Means, like, magically she can't reach it.

[Lexi]

I also don't think that she's prepared enough, whatever that might mean.

[Nicole]

Yeah, I also think she needs to submerge herself in Brimstone. Which actually brings up a point, because if she needs to submerge herself in Brimstone, wouldn't that negate this whole two hour time limit thing?

[Lexi]

That's a good point. Although we don't know if that is the same rules as were applied with Quicksilver.

[Nicole]

True.

[Lexi]

I think there's something very different with the Brimstone seal because there's a lot more complexities and sacrifices and things like that associated with it.

[Nicole]

However, there is what she learns about the Tria Prema earlier in the book, which includes Brimstone and the Tria Prema. In order to seal the shield, you need to do X, Y and Z. And that's just for the Tree of Prema as a whole. Because remember earlier when she's reading and it says the Tree of Prema, in order to seal your runes, you need to do you. You need to become one with it and da da da da da.

[Lexi]

Oh yes.

[Nicole]

So it's. That's for all the Tree of Prima.

[Lexi]

True. However, becoming one with it might not necessarily need submerging yourself in it. That's true.

[Nicole]

Maybe she'll need to breathe fire and that's how she becomes one with it. She becomes a dragon.

[Lexi]

Serris wonders if the dragon didn't direct her fire on them and instead made a warning. Because this dragon sees that they are at a nexus in the threads of fate. If Serris and Kaidan die, die, billions of lives and millions of realms will also die. So maybe this dragon understands that if she kills them right now, she will also eventually die too. Do you think this argument would work on Belican? Like, just kidding, but something to think about. Arsene's reasoning, however, for sparing them is so Kaidan will be brought before Styx for judgment. After all, Kaidan has a crime to answer for. The murder of her offspring. She'll let the under gods of Daxes charge Kai with murder and they'll probably give him a more painful death than she could with fire. So from her perspective, yay for him getting what he deserves, which is torture.

[Nicole]

While arson spares them, she still knocks them out. But when Ceres does open her eyes, they are not in a better position. They are chained up by the ankles, being dangled upside down in a hall 10 times the size of the hall of Tears.

[Lexi]

Whoa.

[Nicole]

Above them is a statue of a large robed figure who's holding the chains. I'm assuming this is a depiction of Styx. There's another rotting corpse hanging from a different set of chains held by the statue and oh shit, that person has a white cape.

[Andrea]

So this is one of the Knights of Aristean who was taken while on guard that seriously unknowingly killed. But wait, let's make things a little.

[Nicole]

Worse because below them there are thousands of people cheering and celebrating, quote, something monumental. Bad, bad, bad, bad. Like super, super, super bad. I do wonder if these Fae are celebrating the fact that they know the gate will open soon and they're ready to like storm Avelia.

[Lexi]

So I thought that they were celebrating that they have Kydan and Seras, specifically Kydan here to answer for his crime. But you're right, Serious does notice that they have weapons strapped to them. And then the two brothers are going to be dressed for battle.

[Nicole]

So that's exactly what I think is happening.

[Lexi]

As Ceres and Kaiden are being lowered down toward the crowd. The descriptions we get of these thousands of people are that they are sickly pale, probably from being in the dark all the time. They are evenly split between male and female. And get this. Some are Fae and some are human. Once again, I have so many questions about how this came to be. I also find it so interesting that Sarah can feel her quicksilver energy within her chest, begging to be unleashed. The quicksilver rune is awake and alert, and I don't think it's only because it's responding to Seras in a pickle. I think it has to do with this realm and being close to the God or something to that effect. Seras and Kydan are lowered to the center of the Grand Hall. A circle formed in the center of the crowd where Kydan wastes no time killing a male and taking the arm off a female real quick. The fact that she. She doesn't even dare cry as her arm is chopped off, really, to show the culture here, you do not cry even when you get your arm chopped off.

[Andrea]

But even with these two attacks, everybody.

[Lexi]

Just stay calm, okay?

[Nicole]

Love Kydan.

[Lexi]

With that. Here at the center of the crowd, we're introduced to two new characters, Gethrand and Crave. They are almost identical in features and stature, so I believe that they are brothers or even twins. But Craith has has sunken black pits for eyes and Githran has glowing red coals in his eyes. One has a much lower voice and the other is slightly higher. They are both commanding, with long black hair knotted in the most elaborate war braids. They are dressed for battle based off of what we learn with shadow magic. These two brothers are half gods and seem to command these halls. So I'm going To call them middle management to the big boss Sticks.

[Andrea]

Not back to our HR assignments. Oh, there is no HR here in.

[Nicole]

Diaxis, I'll tell you that right now.

[Lexi]

The way Craves says Kaiden and Seras are warmbloods, makes me guess they are not alive in the same way. And Gethren says there's a scent on Ceres he doesn't like. I'm wondering if this scent is the vampire in her. Or it could be Zelvarin. Or that she's an alchemist. Alchemist? The possibilities of Ceres's uniqueness are truly endless.

[Andrea]

It was a very nice way of saying the possibilities of her smelliness are endless.

[Nicole]

Crave and Get Thrand are mighty interested in something Kaidan is holding. That is Nymarel. Now Nimarel is a godsword, so it's not surprising that these two distinguished gentlemen have their eyes on it. Especially considering how this is is a sword that could end worlds in the right hands. And even more especially considering that they have a sad imitation of Nimarel in their own hands. But then Kydan says it was a gift from the gods.

[Lexi]

So real quick Serris notes how even here Kayden has no choice but to tell the truth. While I think Kai knows exactly what he's doing as he tells the truth right now, I don't think she's right. He can lie now. He's not oath bound anymore because his true name broke it for him him to be freed from the tree and Bellicon.

[Nicole]

But then Crave and Githren mention that this is a weapon from quote one of the dead houses which. What? I'm assuming that Crave is referring to the other gods. Since Kaidan got his sword from Bell and Mithin as the dead houses, I would not be surprised if they refer to the gods as the dead houses. Or maybe the other gods who aren't Sticks or any of the under Gods. But this might give us some some really interesting insight into how Styx is going to act when we meet him next book.

[Andrea]

We're highly assuming we're meeting Styx, but I think that's a given.

[Lexi]

Yes, we might have a bet to see how early he's makes his appearance. But I do think that we're gonna get him.

[Nicole]

Definitely.

[Lexi]

I'll call it within the first five chapters or something.

[Nicole]

Oh, I was gonna say within the first chapter.

[Lexi]

Possibly.

[Nicole]

Possibly. If Styx is the ruler here, or at least one of them, and the and his subjects are referring to the other gods as the dead houses, it would seem that Styx does not hold the Other gods like Sareth, Bal and Mithun in very high regard.

[Lexi]

That's certainly the impression Xarith gave back at the end of Quicksilver. Kayden being here and vulnerably walking into this realm could be Styx's opportunity to wipe Kai off the map, to plant a new universe tree that Zarath said his siblings wanted to do. But none of that, which we know from Xarth at the end of Quicksilver seems to line up with with this version of the God of Shadows. So there's a big crucial piece missing here about whether Styx is indeed brothers with Sareth. And obviously there's a million other pieces to this Diaxis puzzle that we don't know yet. But I am now wondering, are they technically brothers?

[Nicole]

I would love the tension it would cause if they're in a meeting with Stiff meeting. I say meeting, it would be like over a fire pit with sticks. And sticks is like, what's stopping me from killing you both right here? And just the conference room.

[Lexi]

Sorry, the conference.

[Andrea]

Don't you get me back in my office assigning. I will assign Sticks the God's conference room with the zoom.

[Nicole]

I do wonder, because I think that that would be really delicious tension at the very beginning of, like, I could literally wipe you two off the map, and that would really bring that full circle moment with Zarith from the end of Quicksilver into the story as well. Yes, yes, indeed. But then Crave says about Nimrel, quote, it's one of the forgotten blades of our ancestors, so I'm assuming he's referring to all of the gods as their ancestors, which, considering that these two are half gods, that would make sense. But why are they referring to. Because this is a Balan Mithin sword. Why would they be referring to Balan Mithin as one of their ancestors? Would this mean that half gods are children of all the gods?

[Lexi]

So I wonder if the dead houses he's referring to are dead houses within the under gods, like houses that died out. That's at least what it sounds like it should infer. Although apparently Nimrel is older than this kingdom of Dioxus, which is older than Evilia. I'm gonna say it's like Og under gods. And here's what I also think think somehow Bao and Min got a hold of it. They're mischievous enough to get up to some trouble with a sword from the underworld. And I do not mean that as an individual.

[Andrea]

No, I don't mean it like that. I love this novella. This is great. A heist between the two twins. That would be awesome.

[Lexi]

I don't think that it was theirs to give. I don't think that. I don't know how they would have gotten it, but they're mischievous.

[Andrea]

I love that something happened with all of that. This is canon. In my head. This is fully canon. And we know they're horny too, so maybe they wanted to get up to.

[Lexi]

Some mischief in the underworld. Crave.

[Andrea]

Ooh, Gethran, with your deep voice.

[Lexi]

Also, how can Nymrel end worlds? Fisher has had it for a thousand years, and then he says that it's been defending Evelia for 400. Hence why I thought Ajahn Gate battle was 400 years ago, before Brimstone. My point is, does Kaidan know that his sword has this level of power? And how will he access it? Not in an end world kind of way, but in a save the world kind of.

[Andrea]

I hope, save the world.

[Lexi]

Especially since it couldn't kill fucking Belkhan.

[Andrea]

Okay, that's a great point, but it.

[Lexi]

Does smell like death. Is that because it's a death sword or because of Morel dead in there? I know that's really dark, but it's something to wonder. Or maybe because it's killed a lot, lot of people.

[Andrea]

I think it's because it's killed a lot of people. But I love the idea that Gethren and Crave are just saying hello to Morel. I love that. That's so cool.

[Lexi]

And she's in Nimrel. Like, I want to fight him.

[Andrea]

Let me at him. Get me at him.

[Lexi]

Kaiden is insistent that he knows his place here and that he knows what's about to happen next. I'm guessing that he knows that he's about to prove himself equal, but get is like, nah, buddy. You're about to suffer for what you did to Arison's child. Child. Plus the fact that Kaiden killed Aerith. Like we talked a lot about in early Brimstone episodes, and how Aerith worshiped these under gods. Remember, he was a vampire who was the keeper of even light until Kai, formerly known as Fisher, killed him.

[Nicole]

Aha.

[Lexi]

So he was not just a religious leader in Yvelia. He was Styx's emissary. And Kaiden severed Styx's only threat of power in Evelia, weakening him.

[Andrea]

Oh. Oh.

[Lexi]

What if the trade is Kaiden replacing Aerith as an emissary, re establishing that threat of power? It would have to not harm anyone in Evelia, because otherwise Canon would rather die and he would never do it.

[Nicole]

But just think, it just Noodle, I love this idea.

[Lexi]

Gethrent is all too happy to share what's about to go down. Ceres will watch as they dismember her mate piece by piece, then do unspeakable things to her and make her a breeding mare. You do not say that to Kaidan though, buddy. A powerful blast of shadows and smoke tear out of Kaidan. The magic creates a tall, semi translucent wall between the crowd of Dioxins, our two main characters, and Gethren and Krave. Just in case these brothers command them to attack, there's now a wall to make it a little bit more difficult. Kai shrugs off the magic that bound him like it's no big deal. Making serious wonder how he does that. Because she's still chained up. How indeed? Because he's one of these guys. Their magic comes from the same origin. He can shrug it off because it's his magic too. At least that's how I understand it. Mind to mind, promising his mate he will explain things as soon as they're safe. We get crave and get stunned and furious reactions to Kaidan's extremely powerful Shadow Magic.

[Nicole]

This is the moment with your partner when you like look at them and it's that look of we're going to.

[Andrea]

Have a conversation in the car like on the ride home.

[Lexi]

Shadow Magic is their magic, but what the heck. It's nothing compared to Kayden's Shadow powers. That overpowers their Shadow Magic very easily and sends the some flying. This is crazy. Shadow Magic does not belong in Evelia. How did Kydan get this power? Here's the real kicker though. Only half gods can wield shadows.

[Andrea]

Ah, plot twist. This was so good. Oh my God. I also have 40 million questions because.

[Nicole]

Kydan says he got the Shadow Magic from the same place that he got the sword. He got the sword in the God Realm that we assume is Zarath's realm.

[Andrea]

Realm?

[Nicole]

Considering this seems to be Styx's realm. Unless Styx just walks around this world like the other gods used to walk around Evilia.

[Lexi]

I didn't take it as the literal same place, but rather same place. Like from different gods, that's for sure. But both still gods who gifted him his powers and then his weapon.

[Nicole]

But this does bring up a question of when did he get his shadows? Was it before his trip to dioxus as an 11 year old? Or after? We know that he can travel to the God Realm realm with Zarath without a quicksilver pool. And you know, because of the quicksilver in his eye. And we know that he's been to that God realm a few times before he got Nimrel. So I'm assuming one of those times maybe Styx was there and just booped Kaidan and gave him shadows.

[Lexi]

Oh, let's see here. Anything I have to say is an argument that sticks is in Kai's DNA so to speak. Maybe not his biological father but connected in some deep way that would give the same kind of meaning. We already know another example of this exists with Malcolm being the vampire's father, but not like their biological father. I keep going back to the verbiage that the gods gifted these powers to Kaiden's father and Kaiden got these powers from his father. There's also the fact that Kai is so much more powerful than these other two half gods. I guess what I'm trying to say is I think Kaiden was born with his powers.

[Nicole]

I like that. I guess then it would mean like I got this from the same place that I got the sword. Would just mean that the gods just gifted his powers upon birth.

[Andrea]

Maybe we're gonna get into Daddy watch much more. I'm getting mad at myself. Alright, go for it.

[Lexi]

Let's get to the very last lines of this book. Because as he ignores Krave's question asking who Kayden is, where he can wield these shadows, Kydan says quote I've come for a dragon, as is my right. Summon our father. Tell him I've come to make a trade. We'll get to the father part in a minute, but let's. But let's first unpack the rest. I've come for a dragon, as is my right. Styx is king of dragons. So does that mean his children however we're going to interpret that have the right to a dragon. That's certainly how it seems though that makes me wonder if Crave and Gethren have dragons or did Finryn have a dragon? He sure doesn't seem like he did.

[Andrea]

That's a great fucking point.

[Lexi]

Does someone who gets a dragon have to do something thing? And Kydan has done it, proving himself worthy of a dragon. I'm guessing getting a dragon is Kydan's ticket. His final card to pull to get access to the Brimstone. It's like Brimstone belongs to the dragons. It is their source to grant access. And Cerus needs the Brimstone to seal her rune to then be able to save everyone. I'm still sticking with my theory that Kydan can fly his dragon all over Evelia and the dragon breathes Brimstone all over the rotten areas. But anyway, you're welcome. Then there is the final sentence of the book. I've come to make a trade. Remember that Idina has a page in the journal that says Read on. After the trade. I think whatever she says will have to do with preparing Saris to seal the Brimstone. Or maybe it's a whole explainer of how Styx is Kaidan's father and we get it all nice and delivered to.

[Andrea]

Us on a silver platter early in.

[Lexi]

The the next book.

[Andrea]

Honestly, I need it. At this point, I need it.

[Lexi]

But let's talk about this ominous sounding trade, especially with so much sacrifice foreshadowing throughout this book. Rimthus said that there would be consequences, more sacrifices to be made if they were to go here to Daxis. I'm guessing it has something to do with this trade. Kaiden will have to sacrifice something very dear to make it happen. His lineage and slash or connection to a God is out in the open and I bet there will be some consequences around that too that he has not been ready for all his life. But this also sounds a lot like what Cerys will have to do to seal the Brimstone rune. Idina told her that sealing this magic to her soul will come at a great cost and she will change if she walks down this path. Remember, like the intensive therapy session. I don't think these sacrifices are necessarily related, but Kydan and Cerys are going through some shit early next book. One thing that I do feel very certain of with this trade is that Kayden would never be willing to trade anything that would put his mate in harm's way. With Morel in his godsword, I can't imagine him giving Nimarel up in the trade. That would be my first guess, but that's not the case. Let's keep going. Maybe it's his Shadow magic that he'll have to give up. Although that also would not make sense with Styx having a hand and him getting his Shadow magic in the first place. It could be an oath to Sticks, or it could be a blood bond where Kai has to give Sticks a favor. It could have something to do with Zarath. Knowing that Kydan is still hiding a lot, I wouldn't be surprised if what he's willing to bargain comes out of left field and is connected to him being a half God.

[Andrea]

I don't know.

[Lexi]

Like what do you think their trade is referring to? Nicole? I'm not gonna lie.

[Nicole]

I think Nimoral is still highly on the table even with Morel being in the sword I could actually see him wanting to give up his Shadow magic or half of it, or his half godlike status. I'm going to throw something out of complete left field and let's say it is just for a favor, but Sticks will have to call that favor. Like in the trade meeting. I could see Sticks wanting them to do something to Zarith or interfere with Zarath in some way. Kai is Zarath's champion, so I could see him having to give up that champion status or betray his master is not the right word, but you know what I'm trying to say. Maybe they would have to kill Zarath.

[Andrea]

I don't see a world in which that would go very well, but I.

[Nicole]

Feel like it's going to have to be something where I could see it being a plot B next book where they have to go off and do it. I also also really really like your idea from earlier of him having to take Aerith's place and be the ambassador for Evelia, so. But I would want that to have some major consequences to him and what that would look like.

[Lexi]

Maybe the trait is that Kai has to kill Madra because she's been a thorn in six aside too. And it all just comes together so nicely.

[Andrea]

God, I hope not. It is time for the the final.

[Nicole]

Daddy watch where we try to determine and make our final decisions on whether or not we believe Styx, Lord of the Charred Aery, King of Dragons and God of Shadows, is indeed Finryn, Kaidan's father. Let's start with the argument against Styx and Finryn being the same person. First, Finren is Fae and considered to be dead. Not very godlike. Second. Second, from what we know about Finren, he just hasn't given off God vibes. Like we mentioned, he doesn't have a dragon God. Third, he was wielding Shadows in the Orlenna bonus chapter, but that could just mean he is a half God. Fourth, in Diaxis, Githren and Crave mention our ancestors. I called this to attention earlier and they were referring to the gods. Given that it's plural, it it sounds like here if you're a half God or a child of the gods. It's not. I am a son or a daughter or a child in a literal form, but it's more like everyone's my daddy in the pantheon. It's mentioned that Finryn had been doing research on alchemists. This is not necessarily a vote against Finryn being a God, but gods do seem to be this all knowing. We saw this from Zarith last book.

[Andrea]

Oh my God, was he all knowing.

[Lexi]

I think that Fenrin was gifted his Shadow magic partly because of what he was working on. And this is all something to help Fenryn and now his son be able.

[Nicole]

To help the world. Yes, I could totally see that. Sixth, because we're not done yet with the arguments against we got a whole story about Finryn losing a toe and making a deal with the Graven. I pulled this then, I'll pull it now.

[Andrea]

Losing a toe is not very godlike.

[Nicole]

And seventh quote, the gods had gifted my father with his shadows so that he might do good with them. I mean literally, the gods gifted my father with shadows. That right there sounds like Finryn is a half God who was given powers, just like Kaiden is a half God who was given powers. How Finryn then gave his Shadow magic to Kydan, I'm not entirely sure. So that was the argument against seven power points. Now for the argument for sticks being Finryn, AKA Fin Sticks. First, in the Quicksilver bonus chapter the Fox the Boots Dress, Fisher says that he got his shadows from his father. I literally just said this a second ago. It does seem to be in alignment that no matter what, Fisher got his powers from Finryn from his father. Giving that the father line here at the end of the book, it does seem to connect those two together. Meaning sticks. Second, Gethen and Craves Shadows appear to be way less strange strong. Is that because they're more distantly related to Styx? And Styx is directly related to Fisher giving him more powers? Although considering Kaidan says summon our father at the end, that might be a moot point. Third, in the Orlenna bonus chapter it is mentioned that Finryn speaks into Orlenna's mind. This is mighty powerful and something normal Fae cannot do. So could this be a God power? Fourth, this is complete speculation. All of this is technically but this one especially. We know that there was a time manipulation with Carrion and Finryn when they traveled to Zilvarin. Like we discussed in episode two. Could Finsticks use God Daddy magic to manipulate time for him and the Dianthus heir, given that 700 year gap from when they left Evilia and when they entered Zelvarin. Fifth, there's multiple mentions of Finryn and then immediately talking about the gods. That could be some literary connection symbolism. Sixth, the Graven Story. It's mentioned that Finryn had Shadows, but nothing else. We're going to ignore the fact that I literally just brought up a point that he was talking into someone else's mind. Could this be a Nod to the God of Shadows being pretty all encompassing in that one bucket. And seventh, the final line of this book, Summon Our Father. All right. It is time. Make your final decision. I think I know what yours is.

[Lexi]

I have been adamant about Fenrin not being Sticks, but I'm gonna be honest. Suddenly, in this final moment, as I look at Summon Our Father, it does make it very hard to stick with that. However, I am sticking to my gut. Finryn is not Styx. I think that there is another godlike way to father someone. Almost like bless them. Not like how Zarath did with making Fisher's champion. I mean, Finryn threw sticks or his power from Styx was able to gift his son Kai Shadow Magic. There's also an oracle in the mix who is very much already a wild card. So there could be prophecy about Kaidan and Styx needing to ensure he got his Shadow magic doing it through Finryn so Kaidan can save the world with his Shadow magic. That doesn't seem like something Sticks would want based on contextual clues about him, but I'm doing my best.

[Nicole]

I think you and I are going to actually end up on the same side in this bet. And I'm actually a little sad because a part of me was. Was like, should I just go with Fin? Sticks is the same person just to make that bet for book three. But I have to go with my gut as well. Listing off the analysis against Fin Sticks, I started being like, yeah, I think that this has to be a thing. Especially because there's that line that the gods gifted my father's shadows that right there locked it in for me that Finsticks is not the same person. It is Finryn and then Sticks. Now what that's going to look like next book? I do think we're going to see Sticks and he's going to talk to Kaiden and say, my child, my son, all those things like, just like Malcolm would have done in the Vampire Court. So as much fun as it would have been to have that bet, I do think you and I are on the same side. It is a more figurative father versus literal. Although I'm not gonna lie, having that as the cliffhanger, you and I flipping out over that, that was a very, very fun. I'm not gonna lie.

[Lexi]

That is something that I love about this book is after you read that last sentence, it makes you want to go back through and reread it with all these new contextual clues.

[Nicole]

And even like I. I felt I went back and read Quicksilver and then Brimstone.

[Lexi]

Again.

[Nicole]

And there's so much foreshadowing for Kydian being that half God. And that was brilliant. I loved that. Yes.

[Lexi]

Yes, indeed. Also, can I just say, how fun to do a four and a half against theory analysis again. It's been a minute and just excellent job. Those were classics in our Empyrean coverage. Let's tap into our inner oracle and discuss anything else that we feel like we've missed that are speculations for book three and beyond. Okay, so this isn't necessarily foreshadowing or speculation, but I need to put this somewhere. We have to bring up chapter 51. First of all, when we interviewed Callie, we asked her what her favorite Brimstone chapter was. Was. And she said this chapter, chapter 51, which ended up being one hilarious sentence, I hate dragons.

[Nicole]

But that's not necessarily why I'm bringing.

[Lexi]

It up right now. You and I had a bet that main characters would travel to a new realm. And we argued over what counts as traveling to a new realm because I thought that they would not spend too much time in a new realm. Nicole, you, on the other hand, thought our characters would go exploring elsewhere and spend a chunk of time in another realm. We debated how to measure this length of time in another realm because of course, it's us. We have to be specific and agreed on if they are in a new realm for more than two chapters. It's enough time that adds up to multiple scenes and advancements in the plot and new lore and all of that. And if it's less than two chapters, then that's not enough time on the page. We have in a different realm and this. Then as they are traveling into the other realm, we get a one fucking sentence chapter. And I'm sorry, but I'm going to fight that. This does not count.

[Andrea]

I don't care.

[Lexi]

I don't care if it is the biggest technicality of a win. The bet was focused on amount of time in a new realm. And we don't even know if in this chapter 51, Fisher is in the other realm yet. He's just about to travel to it. He is mid travel. So this is my petition to win, because chapter 51 does not count as enough time spent in the new realm. I will die on this hill. This was way too unfair. And the chapter part of the bet was an outcome of our real bet, which was measuring in time on the page to be in a new realm long enough. I rest my case.

[Andrea]

I'm happy to let you in. That is not what you've been Telling me, I literally said, let's take it to the family. But if you fight, I understand. I was going to say actually in this episode that I'm okay with you winning because at the top of chapter 52, she is mid travel to the next realm. Thank you so much.

[Lexi]

I didn't need to go through all of that.

[Andrea]

But you know what? No. I am gonna take this now to the fandom and let them vote on if it's true or not. I don't care, guys. I'm happy to let you win this one. No, no, you already let me win. No, you are passionate. And now I gotta get passionate too. We've been wondering for a while now about Kayden's tattoos.

[Nicole]

Why they sometimes shift and why they sometimes don't. In Diaxis, we see the tattoos go wild, which I wonder if it's something to do with the shadows being closer to their origins, like it's causing them to go wild.

[Lexi]

Ooh. I thought it was them signaling that they're in danger or something to that effect. But I love this idea. We know tattoos can be gifted by the gods. What if the tattoos sense being close to said gods?

[Nicole]

I love that. Yes. Now it is time to enter Owlgut's library with Guru the Shadow Cat, where each episode Lexi guides us through a world to building topic to help us deepen our understanding of this world and its magic.

[Lexi]

Today's Allagates library topic is everything we know about dragons and Diaxis. Daxes is the realm that dragons originate from, and it belongs to the pantheon of under gods. It doesn't have an official name in Evelia, but its own people call it Daxes. It is ruled by the God Styx, lord of the charred airy king of dragons. We've talked about him to death on the podcast. You know the guy. The realm itself is hot, hot, hot. And everybody's taking off their clothes. No, just kidding. The air is so excruciating, it feels like inhaling razor blades and having your lungs shredded to ribbons. It's such a harsh environment that Seras can only be here for two hours before she risks being cooked alive. The people here are described as having sickly pale casts to their face, with cold, oddly flashing eyes, threadbare clothes and worn leathers and weapons. Weapons strapped to their chests, hips and backs. There is even a split between males and females with a mixture of rounded and pointed ears. So humans and fae. Now, by God, I want to know more about all that. They're also huge fans of torture, like hanging people upside down. From chains and stabbing them with huge black spears with serrated razors. Their realm is also the realm where shadow magic originates. The realm portal between Diaxys and Evilia does not have have a stone basin to contain it like quicksilver pools. But it has always been present in Evelia, and it led the city of Azhen to build around it. This gate, as the portal is called, used to be open and foul creatures would come out of it. That's how the Knights of Erithian came about to ward the gate and prevent all manner of evil from spilling into this world. This gate remained open when the quicksilver pools stilled. However, it closed after Kaidan returned, turned through it. How interesting. It's almost as if Daxis sealed itself from his world. Om nom Nom was the last dragon, so it would make sense that nobody else came through the gate because it was mostly closed for the past 1700 years. Although it has been opened three times over the centuries. And now it is opening every day for three hours. This gate is organic, like a festering wound, and the roiling liquid is black, smells like salt, sulfur, and tastes like rot. Blech. It's thick and vicious and doesn't roll off like quicksilver does. It clings to those who pass through it, working its way into their nose and coating their tongues. While we haven't seen these foul creatures ourselves in Daxes yet, the malevolent forces gathering on the other side are ready to break through and make Evelia burn. This is why I keep going back to what if the rot is somehow connected to Diaxis and it's infecting the realm to make it weaker, weaker, so eventually they can break through. Because how are these wards weakening so much? I know we had been talking about that earlier. Anyway, now let's move on to dragons. Dragons are very large, fearsome creatures standing at over a hundred feet tall. Like I said, they originate from Daxes and are ruled by Styx. At one point, dragons were known to have lived up north in the wastelands, far beyond Azen sky. Which makes sense because that's pretty close to where the gate to their realm is. We don't know very much about dragon abilities, but we do know that they can see into the minds of the fae and the people around them. Or at least the dragon we met today can. She can even hear the conversation between Kaiden and Cerys through their bond. Very importantly, dragons can breathe brimstone or a white hot hellfire. The only two dragons that we know about in this world are Erison current keeper of the Daxis Gate. She is the mother of Om Nom Nom Shakrai. She has deep black scales that almost flash gold in the light.

[Andrea]

Oh my gosh.

[Lexi]

Like another dragon we know. A horned ridge protrudes from her wide bony head like a crown. And she has enormous bulky wings and her teeth are three feet long and jagged. And then of course we have Om Nom Shakrai AKA Old Shakrai. He was the last dragon to enter Evelia, and therefore the last dragon in Evelia. He was slain by previously known as Kingfisher at the Battle of Ajahn Gate. And his skull is mounted in the throne room in the Winter Palace. What if that's the trade? I don't think it is at all, but probably not to trade his skull.

[Nicole]

Can you imagine?

[Andrea]

Skull heist Dun dun. Like they're like dun dun dun dun dun. Oh. Oh. And Cus does have the power of invisibility. Oh my God. Oh my gosh. Okay, as we finish up with the Fae and alchemy world for now, let's.

[Nicole]

Touch quickly on our final thoughts on Brimstone now that we finished the Deep Dive.

[Lexi]

You know, I thought my opinion about Brimstone would change with the Deep Dive because it really did with Quicksilver, but I don't think it has. Although I definitely understand more about the magic system and who's where when and, you know, all of that. I love the magic and lore nuances of this world. I know I keep pointing those out throughout the Deep Dive, but I really do love them. It's such rich world building and I love the little details and the way that Callie leans into the magic. I love Carrion's character arc in this book and Tal shines as well. I loved both of them so much. Much. I don't know if I'm as enthusiastic about Fisher being my number two book boyfriend as much as I was initially. And I admit I feel the least connected to Saris out of all the FMCs that we have covered. If you're listening to this now, you've been with us through the Deep Dive and heard our struggles with analyzing her character that I don't really think that we've experienced with other FMCs, specifically when it comes around leadership.

[Nicole]

No, I think because without their FMCs, even without when they were challenging and.

[Andrea]

Boy, have they been challenging.

[Nicole]

Yes, there were moments that we can always. They were consistent in their mind. We can get there. They were consistent. We could get in their mind and really see their point of view, which even if we didn't agree with it, we were able to discuss it on the deep dive. And it's been really challenging to do that with Saras because there has been some inconsistency and because in order to get into her mind, I just, I don't see her, her goals or her three dimensionalness as much as I do as other FMCs that we've deep dove in.

[Lexi]

I think that's a great point. Yeah, the three dimensionalness there too. I think that this is very much a fantasy lore heavy versus character heavy with all of that.

[Nicole]

Yeah, agree.

[Lexi]

To me, Brimstone is a fantastic Vibes book. There are so many memorable moments that made me laugh out loud, feel immersed in the story, on edge and of my seat in the best way. Nicole, you and I had such a great time reading it.

[Nicole]

We were laughing out loud at like three in the morning. Oh yeah, exactly.

[Lexi]

Lots of five star moments in Brimstone. And with that said, in all honesty, this has been a really challenging deep dive because of the continuity errors. I like to think we at Fantasy Fangirls are very forgiving about editing errors because we understand some of the behind the scenes of publishing where, yeah, it happens, happens. And yet it was so much more than a few editing errors in this book. It was very hard to trust what is an Easter egg, what's a possible theory, and what's an error or plot hole. As we're looking at Brimstone, Quicksilver and the bonus chapters, there are not consistent things across the board there and that makes it very, very difficult for us to do our job. With that said, I'm still really excited for book three to see how the story wraps up. I said this earlier how I love this kind of cliffhanger that makes you want to go back and reread. It's been so much fun with Daddy Watch and looking at Fisher Kaiden with new perspective. So overall I'm keeping my rating at a 4.25. But if it's a vibes read, it's a 4.5 is if it's a deep dive only, probably more like a 3.5.

[Nicole]

You and I actually have the exact same ratings because for me, when we first started the deep dive, I had just done my second reread and I was like, oh my God, things are making a lot more sense. But then for the deep dive, things started crumbling on the feet that they were, they were standing on. And I think you said it perfectly as a Vibes book. This is a four or five. There are so many Great moments. Everything with Kingfisher and Carrion in Zelvarin was perfect. There were so many great moments. I. You mentioned Tal and Carrie, and I'm gonna throw Foley in there as well.

[Lexi]

Oh, y. Yes.

[Nicole]

Love him. I cannot wait to see where his character arc goes in book three, which, yes, I'm definitely still planning on reading. I'm so, so, so excited. And as we especially got into these last two episodes where the big climactic moments of the book happened, where everything starts coming together, the things did not come together. It was like square pegs were trying to fit in round holes. And that was really, really, really difficult for us to do, I like to think. And I really do hope that we looked at it from all perspectives. And there were some moments where I caught myself just having to throw my hands up in the air. And that is really about Zarith's gone rogue.

[Andrea]

Zarith went rogue a lot in these last two episodes.

[Nicole]

And that can be rather frustrating as a Deep diver and a lover of fantasy books, where you want these worlds to be as rich as the world we live in. And I understand also that that is so fucking difficult.

[Andrea]

I understand a lot, actually, how fucking.

[Nicole]

Difficult that can be as an authority. And I think, and I. I really do hope that there are some moments that we were like, oh my gosh, well, this makes no sense. That are resolved in book three. I'm very excited to read book three, because like we've been saying since the beginning, a lot of my opinions will really be solidified when we read book three. And I also understand that that can be frustrating for listeners being like, well, we're gonna have to wait a year. So if I'm ready. Rating solely off of book two, I'm going the same as you, Lex. Vibes. 4.5. Deep Dive 3. 5 is as good as I can go.

[Lexi]

Yep.

[Nicole]

Let us close out this episode and this Fae and Alchemy coverage with prancing through the snow with a newly healed Onyx and discussing our favorite moments from this final stretch of chapters. I'll go first.

[Andrea]

I kind of love how hopeless Saris is with Fae bargains in this world.

[Nicole]

Like, it's.

[Andrea]

It's very on brand for her.

[Nicole]

She's very impulsive.

[Andrea]

She's, you know, she has a sprinkle.

[Nicole]

Of I know Best.

[Andrea]

And I love the Hasbrox calls her out on how terrible she is at Fae bargains. It's so funny. This is a moment that hits extra good.

[Nicole]

As an FFG fan, Cerus thinks during the battle with Bella Khan that she is going to need two hands and.

[Andrea]

Two is in italics. The worlds have collided.

[Lexi]

I also love this phrase and it always hits me in the feels when I read it. Quote, a heart ruled by hatred and fear could not experience miracles. You had to know love, joy and trust for that. I love that line so much. I think that is very applicable in the real world as well as in fantasy worlds.

[Nicole]

I love that writing.

[Andrea]

Gorgeous.

[Lexi]

Yes.

[Nicole]

Everything that Fisher says about animals. And I'm reading the whole damn quote because it's two perfect not to to quote. We believe that animals are too pure for this life. They are all ascended beings who live in the after. Everything is perfect there. No pain or misfortune or heartbreak. But sometimes they peer beyond the veil between this life and the next and they see us here in the depths of our suffering and they choose someone. One soul they want to help over any other. They come to us as dear friends when we need them the most. I love this and I am going to choose to adapt this way of thinking too.

[Lexi]

I love that when Ceres and Kaidan are inches from death with the dragon, she thinks that she should have drunk from him. I love how she's like, I gotta.

[Andrea]

Go out on a high. Let's dose each other, baby. Just got a good chuckle out of that.

[Nicole]

So good. While walking through Azin, Ceres notices Isadoran fascias. Time for a quick plant watch. Fascias symbolize fascination. Makes sense. Prosperity and strength in numbers. Sounds about right for a place that has knights who have just been called in. And last but not least, even in the midst of hanging upside down in literal hell, Kai.

[Andrea]

Dan's got jokes. After Kai slices someone's literal arm off, Sars is like, oh, this is really bad. This is really bad.

[Nicole]

And he's like, don't panic. Stay calm.

[Andrea]

And I'm with Seras. I'm sorry, I'd freak out on him because if someone tells me me to stay calm, I'm like, just stay calm. Get away from me. She says, are you calm? You just disarmed someone. And he chuckles and he says, disarmed and Kaiden. I got a good chuckle out of that, thank you very much. I love it so much.

[Lexi]

And that's a wrap on our Brimstone coverage. Friends, thank you so much for being on this journey with us as we have returned to Evelia and Zelvarin for this Fae and Alchemy series.

[Nicole]

Next Monday's episode is all about the fabulous Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson. Ahead of the sequel, the Wicked and The Damned releasing in February. But that's not all because for the.

[Andrea]

First time on a fan guys episode.

[Nicole]

We will be having the author Rebecca Robinson on during the second part of the episode and chatting with her.

[Andrea]

I cannot wait. She's one of my favorite people on the planet.

[Lexi]

We'd love to give the biggest warm welcome, welcome, welcome to our newest feral fans for the fan Club. Oh my gosh, there are so many of you here. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being here for supporting us. We appreciate you.

[Andrea]

Take it away.

[Lexi]

Nicole.

[Andrea]

Welcome, welcome, welcome. Andrea Ann Marie W. Kelsey S. Brenna M. Leanne, Kirsten, Jordan H. Faith, Nicole M. Danny B. And Lacy K. Welcome, welcome, welcome. Yay. We're so happy to see you.

[Lexi]

And if you're like hey, I want my name shout out on the podcast, you if with all this love to join the fan club@Fantasy Fangirls.com Fan Club Link is in the show notes.

[Nicole]

As always, thank you so much to our master librarian, AKA our content researcher Brooke and of course our executive producer.

[Andrea]

Our sanity manager, the co host of Fantasy Fan Fellas Season two coming soon.

[Lexi]

Hayden we are very active on social media. Specifically this week we are having a whole vote on what we are covering next. It's elimination style. We want to hear it. You are deciding your fate. So go head over to socials at Fantasy fangirlspod and help us decide. And if you're watching this on YouTube or want to watch on YouTube, pretty please hit that subscribe button to keep following along. Same goes for Fantasy Fan Fellas to give them a follow at Fantasy fanfellas where you can get all the latest on the new show as Hayden and Steven Deep dive into Mistborn.

[Nicole]

While you're hitting buttons, go ahead and hit hit that five star button on whatever podcast platform you're listening on. And writing a little love note in the review section is one of the nicest things you can do. Not just for this podcast but for any and all podcasts you listen to.

[Andrea]

It is like giving your favorite podcasters a big hug.

[Nicole]

And last but not least, share this episode with your fellow Brimstone friends. If you were screaming with your friends about Kingfisher's Our Father line, this is a great episode episode to send to them for the final all encompassing Daddy Watch.

[Lexi]

Thank you so much for being part of this deep dive journey. We cannot wait to see you for what's next with our fan guide series of Throne of Glass. We will see you on the other side everybody.

[Andrea]

Bye bye. If your true name was. There's no idea where you are going with this.

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