LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City / Episode 25: Fire Sprite POWAH

Summary

Podcast Summary: LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City – Episode 25: Fire Sprite POWAH

In Episode 25 of LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City, hosts Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski embark on an in-depth exploration of Sarah J. Maas's acclaimed adult science fiction novel series, Crescent City. Titled "Fire Sprite POWAH," this episode delves into pivotal moments and intricate character developments within the latest chapters of the series.

Diving into the Narrative

The episode kicks off as Natalie and Jackie set aside promotional segments to immerse themselves directly into the heart of the story. They begin by discussing the intense confrontations and magical intricacies that characterize the unfolding plot.

Natalie shares her excitement about the recent events, saying at [02:08]:

“Welcome to Crescent City with your hosts, Natalie Jean and Jackie Zabrowski.”

Character Dynamics and Plot Progression

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the protagonist, Bryce, and her harrowing encounter with Micah. The hosts meticulously dissect Bryce's struggle, highlighting her resilience and strategic use of magic to counteract Micah's assaults.

At [13:02], Natalie remarks on Bryce's ingenuity:

“She figured it out, y'all.”

Jackie elaborates on the depth of Bryce's character, noting her ability to connect seemingly disparate clues to navigate dangerous situations:

“[14:37] A: Well, I know Walking Dead is in Throne of Glass.”

Magical Elements and Symbolism

The conversation delves into the symbolic significance of magical artifacts within the series. The hosts discuss the importance of various books and magical items that Bryce interacts with, emphasizing their role in advancing the plot and developing the lore of Prythian.

At [15:22], Natalie muses:

“Is it three, the magic number?”

This reflects the recurring theme of numerology and mysticism that Maas intricately weaves into her narrative.

Climactic Confrontations and Emotional Stakes

One of the episode's most gripping discussions revolves around Bryce's ultimate confrontation with Micah. The hosts analyze the tension and emotional weight of this showdown, underscoring Bryce's transformation and the sacrifices she makes to protect her friend, Syrinx.

During a particularly emotional moment at [42:35], Natalie becomes visibly moved:

“Oh my God. I'm crying so much.”

Jackie supports this sentiment, highlighting the profound impact of Bryce's actions:

“[24:05] B: I love the concept of an ordeal, though. I think that's cool.”

Themes of Sacrifice and Mortality

Natalie and Jackie explore the overarching themes of sacrifice, mortality, and the consequences of power within the series. They ponder the implications of Micah's death and how it sends ripples through the world of Prythian, touching on the fragility of life—even among powerful beings like the Asteri.

Natalie philosophizes at [55:39]:

“And space, which is really fucking cool.”

This reflects on the vastness and complexity of the universe Maas has created, where every action has far-reaching consequences.

Humor and Host Chemistry

Interspersed with their analytical discussions, Natalie and Jackie inject humor and personal anecdotes, enhancing the episode's engagement. Their chemistry is evident as they navigate through intense plotlines with light-hearted banter, making complex narrative elements more accessible to listeners.

At [57:07], Natalie jokes about her own experiences:

“Oh, my God. Is that what you were doing? Natalie, do you have Synth? And you didn't tell me about it?”

Cliffhangers and Future Speculations

As the episode progresses towards its conclusion, Natalie and Jackie dissect cliffhangers and speculate on future developments. They express anticipation for upcoming chapters, eager to uncover how Bryce's journey will evolve and what new challenges lie ahead.

Jackie reflects on Bryce's determination at [66:53]:

“I hope everybody made it through this chapter. I hope, you know, you cried alongside me...”

Final Thoughts

Natalie wraps up the episode with a mix of reflection and eagerness for what's to come:

“[66:53] A: Yeah, yeah. I hope everybody made it through this chapter.”

Throughout the episode, LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City offers listeners a comprehensive and engaging analysis of the latest developments in the Crescent City series. Natalie and Jackie adeptly balance detailed plot breakdowns with personal insights and humor, providing both seasoned readers and newcomers with valuable perspectives on Sarah J. Maas's intricate world.

Notable Quotes:

• [13:02] Natalie: “I'm just glad that you took a moment of silence to give me the respect that I deserved for that joke.”
• [14:37] Natalie: “Well, I know Walking Dead is in Throne of Glass.”
• [24:05] Jackie: “I love the concept of an ordeal, though. I think that's cool.”
• [42:35] Natalie: “Oh my God. I'm crying so much.”
• [55:39] Natalie: “And space, which is really fucking cool.”
• [57:07] Natalie: “Oh, my God. Is that what you were doing? Natalie, do you have Synth? And you didn't tell me about it?”
• [66:53] Jackie: “I hope everybody made it through this chapter. I hope, you know, you cried alongside me...”

This episode serves as both a deep dive into the Crescent City series and a testament to the hosts' passion and expertise, making it a must-listen for fans eager to gain deeper insights into the narrative's complexities.

Transcript

[A]

If you've been having your McDonald's sausage McMuffin with an iced coffee from somewhere else, now is a great time to reconsider.

[B]

In the Pacific Northwest, it's never too cold for an iced coffee in the morning. Grab yourself a medium caramel, French vanilla or classic iced coffee for just $2.29. Beverage may cause craving for McMuffin or hash browns.

[A]

Prices and participation may vary. Cannot be combined with any other offer or combo meal. We're excited to announce that we're going to Prythian and Valbara and Bezgaeth.

[B]

If you're nasty and you can too.

[A]

Join us in spring of 2026 at the Dreamers and Readers Festival. A three day event chock full of choose your own adventures. Multiple Fae balls, fashion shows, photo shoots, hotties, Everybody.

[B]

At least 15 different events at the otherworldly Gaylord Texan resort that you can customize to make the perfect trip fit your Fantasy Dreams.

[A]

Visit fantastiquecollection.com and use our code Faybayes at checkout to receive $10 off of any of these events.

[B]

Dreamers and readers Night one and two.

[A]

Mythical Creatures, Masquerade Fantastique, Starfo Ball and the Farewell Fae Bash.

[B]

Not only that, but if you use our code faybays at checkout for those events, you will receive an exclusive swag bag from the Weeknd.

[A]

I'll do anything for a swag bag, Natalie.

[B]

Give it to me.

[A]

Yes, that's right. Use our code Faybase F A E B A e [e-mail] to get your $10 off of any of these events.

[B]

Dreamers and readers, baby, I cannot wait for this.

[A]

Gimme, gimme.

[B]

Give me that. SW.

[A]

Welcome to Crescent City with your hosts, Natalie Jean and Jackie Zabrowski.

[B]

We look like Midwestern moms who are on their first vacation in a while at Mardi Gras. They're going, but maybe not.

[A]

Marty, it's gonna be fine. We wrote down all the restaurants we're going to and we have reservations. We can walk from the hotel, I think, but we might need to take a taxi. Do they have taxis here? I don't know if there's taxis in. Oh, we're gonna have a wonderful time. We look insane today.

[B]

These are not haphazardly put together. No, no.

[A]

Technically, these were chosen costumes.

[B]

We're mothers who are celebrating Mardi Gras. Not in New Orleans, you know, but a state over from where they live. In the biggest town that you don't have to get on a plane that.

[A]

You can drive To. Exactly. Actually, I feel like you look like Jennifer Connelly in Labyrinth. All grown up. And she, like, got out of there, but still kind of never left mentally, you know what I mean? Because you know that she never will. And I feel like she still dresses like this. Being like he's going to come back with his balls someday. I know he's going to come back with his little balls.

[B]

I feel like that's a description of me just generally.

[A]

You every day.

[B]

Yeah. She never really grew up out of it. Huh.

[A]

What power you do have. The power of the babe, though. Wow.

[B]

Wow. The power of voodoo.

[A]

Yeah. Hoodoo.

[B]

You do.

[A]

Yep. The power of the babe. I said it already.

[B]

That song is not melodic. I'm sorry. I am a hater of that song.

[A]

What? Why?

[B]

What kind of magic spell to use.

[A]

And your puppy dogtails.

[B]

There's no rhythm to the song.

[A]

Yeah, it's just him fucking vibing. He's just having a good time.

[B]

It's like three separate songs got clipped together. Dance Magic Dance Magic Dance Magic Dance.

[A]

The overlapping Row, Row, Row youw Boat of Dance, Magic Dance Lifted me from my childhood and took me into a fantasy world that I wanted to remain.

[B]

Inside of only because I Labyrinth. And I feel like David Bowie could have done better. Okay.

[A]

Than a 14 year old girl. I don't think so.

[B]

With writing the song. Oh, gotcha. Sorry, everyone. Everyone loves when I critique David Bowie's music.

[A]

Yeah. I don't even know if he knew what he was doing.

[B]

I don't like it.

[A]

No, we love it. But is this a part of the Labyrinth collection? This dress? I know some, like. I forget what designer that we both enjoy put out a whole labyrinth.

[B]

I think it was Vixen. But no, this is. I follow a bunch of vintage sellers. Sometimes I just buy dresses. When I see them on Instagram, they're selling them off, you know. You know, I have to, like, message me if you want this dress. And I'm just like, I don't know why I want this dress, but I'm gonna buy it.

[A]

Because you do that. You message them to get the sale.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Wow. I feel like there's too much anxiety, you know? Or do I have general anxiety disorder?

[B]

Yeah, I also do that, but I only do it to ones I already follow who I know and I'm familiar with.

[A]

I understand.

[B]

I know they won't make fun of me.

[A]

Do they have taxis here? I have restaurants here. Am I going to be hungry?

[B]

Janet? I think I'm gonna show my press while we're here. I think I'm gonna do it.

[A]

No, no.

[B]

No one's appreciating my press for so long.

[A]

Oh, God. We have to feel for the first time. Evan Devin, whatever. Whatever natural, normal, boring name you've got. I'm sorry. I'm thinking of Love is Bland right now. I keep falling back into Love is Bland.

[B]

Evan Devin, Whatever their names are, they.

[A]

All look the same.

[B]

I think it's kind of the show's point, right? They kind of all just blend together after a while.

[A]

Well, if you're, you know, chosen to be on a television show where it's not really like, oh, love is blind, and that everybody looks, like, actually different or, like, you know, normal human beings. Like, what. What if we get normally attractive people? Yeah, but what if you're not into how normally attractive they are?

[B]

I just cannot care about dating shows. I don't know what it is. I don't. I don't vibe with a man. I don't. I. I know. Now I'm making a whole kind. My period's about to start, guys. I'm making a bunch of takes that everybody's gonna hate.

[A]

I'm fear. I'm. I am fear, and I am of fear. And I feel like Lehaba is like. Like protruding through my soul.

[B]

That's true. And I'm being a bit of a Bryce bitch right now, but I'm not dressed as Bryce.

[A]

Okay. I was about to say, like, I don't think you're dressed as Bryce, but you won't tell me who you're dressed as, which is why I'm just coming up with different ideas.

[B]

I want you to figure it out.

[A]

I'll figure it out.

[B]

It's not because I threw it together. Actually, it is because I had a costume plan for this week and then again forgot that. There is so much that happens at the end of this book that we're not getting to the point where the costume I made is appearing today. And so.

[A]

Oh, interesting. Am I also wearing an inappropriate costume? It's kind of fun because you plan your costume, like, not knowing what. I never know how far we're going to get, so it's really a.

[B]

It's a crapshoot no matter what. Lehaba is well introduced into the book already.

[A]

Oh, yeah. You know who I am? Flames and Ow.

[B]

I cut my finger open. Opening.

[A]

So that's not a part of. That's not a part of this.

[B]

I don't. Yeah, it's part of the. The costume.

[A]

The costume. Yeah. I thought that was that method, which I. I Don't really want you to go to those lengths to hurt yourself for, well, one of these costumes.

[B]

Natalie, I didn't do it on purpose. Maybe subconsciously I did because I really wanted to tap in what Bryce was feeling. These chapters. And when I was cutting a pomelo open in a very stupid manner, half asleep, cut right into my. My finger almost ripped off the whole tip. So I feel like Bryce and I are one. Is that a hybrid fruit pomelo? Yeah, I don't know if it's a hybrid, but it is. It tastes like a hybrid. It's one of my favorite citruses.

[A]

Oh, my God. I'm just learning my sister in law's one of her favorite citruses.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It's like I don't even know you at all.

[B]

It tastes like between a grapefruit and an orange kind of. It's like a less tart grapefruit. And I love them.

[A]

Oh, wow. It looks even more like a vagina than a grapefruit.

[B]

It does? Yes.

[A]

Maybe. I wonder if people with penises are these. Oh, absolutely. Did you think about it as you peeled it and cut yourself?

[B]

No.

[A]

You say, I'd rather be this pomelo.

[B]

No, but I think maybe you and Ed have worked together for a long time because somehow Ed brought up having fingering an orange on the episode of Side Stories.

[A]

Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh. Have we all been working together for far too long? Nay.

[B]

I say a barely. Barely getting started.

[A]

But that's a fruit I could cuz like you look at a pomegranate. I ain't rubbing that against me.

[B]

What? Ribs. It's ribbed.

[A]

Yeah, but it's rib. But they're all going to pop out and then they're going to get stuck inside and then. I mean, technically, that does make you a treasure box, which is fun, but I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to put pomegranate seeds up inside of your vagina.

[B]

No, I wouldn't. I love to eat them in my mouth, though.

[A]

Or unless shove a little bit of dirt up there, you start growing pomegranates yourself.

[B]

Well, that's it. We're gonna start now.

[A]

I'm just glad that you took a moment of silence to give me the respect that I deserved for that joke.

[B]

I. I started to say, jackie, that wouldn't work. And then I was gonna explain to you why that wouldn't work, but then I realized that that was a stupid thing for me to do.

[A]

I appreciate you, you know, you trampolined me into succeeding. Success and I appreciate you.

[B]

So where we left off is a terrible cliffhanger.

[A]

Yeah. You're mean.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Natalie, you're mean to everybody.

[B]

I am mean. Syrinx was dropped into the aquarium, the giant tank with the knock by Micah, who is terrorizing everyone in the library.

[A]

Yeah, but everybody is seeing it, and he doesn't even know that.

[B]

So an already debilitated Bryce is now being held with magic on the ground. So he's already thrown yourself.

[A]

Natalie. Natalie, we need to talk about this.

[B]

Yep. I thrashed myself around by wanting to eat a nutritious folic acid for breakfast.

[A]

Did you get thrown into the mermaid tank that you guys got? Because I know that in your spare time, you just throw yourself into a mermaid tank just to see if maybe that will be the time you turn into a mermaid.

[B]

I wish we had a mermaid tank. Please don't give me any idea.

[A]

I just think that if there's anybody I know that deserves one, it's you, Natalie.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

I'll let Henry know.

[B]

I have a few friends who do professional mermaiding, though.

[A]

Dude, I. It is very difficult. Yeah.

[B]

And it's awesome. It looks great.

[A]

The. Like, the mate, like the custom made mermaid fins and everything. That is hard too.

[B]

Oh, have you seen. Have you seen the video of the woman who gets face, like upper body, gets swallowed by a fish who's in a mermaid tank? She gets out, but the fish, just.

[A]

The front half of her gets swallowed.

[B]

Well, the fish goes. Thinks it's food because I think this isn't like an Eastern European country.

[A]

She's too good at it.

[B]

And the fish is really big. That's in the tank with the mermaid at this. I think it's a restaurant. And she's swimming by and the fish thinks it's food and puts her entire upper body in its mouth to eat it. And then she's freaking out.

[A]

Whoa.

[B]

And then she gets the fish off of her. But it's scary looking.

[A]

Whoa. But I bet it was awesome.

[B]

I wonder if James making the video of this can find the video to put it behind us.

[A]

Let's see that swallowed bitch. She deserved it.

[B]

I do think more so probably whoever put the fish in the tank should have thought more clearly about what kind of fish they were putting in the tank with a human mermaid.

[A]

You sure that fish ain't gonna swallow me? Is probably what I'd ask at least thrice before getting inside of the tank. Yeah.

[B]

Get in there and show. Show them your moves.

[A]

Get the titties out. Yeah, they probably won't swallow you.

[B]

So we're also. We're watching Bryce. She has been bashed around. She's broken at least one bone, and she's already. So she's already hurt. But now, after he has thrown Syrinx into the. He then uses his magic to throw her to the ground, face down, because he's, of course, after the tattoo on her back. Because now we know the horns in the tattoo and he wants the Silence.

[A]

Of the Lambs her a little bit.

[B]

At first, he's not right. So of course, as being Bray, she's panicking more about C ranks than anything. And her eyes are searching at the books that are in arm's reach of her because she can't move, but she's like, very close to the bookshelves. And then she lists the books that are nearest to her in her head, and we get to a multiverse reference.

[A]

On the Divine Number. The Walking Dead. The Book of Breathings. The Queen with Many Faces.

[B]

Class who can Recall. Classes that are called Together who Can Recall.

[A]

Mistress. Mistress. I've heard of a couple of those books.

[B]

Use your hand, please.

[A]

Starts grabbing on her. You want me to use my hands? I'm sorry. I didn't touch her. No, for those out watching the video, I didn't. I just mime. Touched her.

[B]

Yes. It was just a suggestion of it. Mimicry. Mimery.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, it was. It was. Yeah. Mimicked aggression.

[B]

So. Yes. Can we. Can we remember which of those books we've seen before?

[A]

Well, I know Walking Dead is in Throne of Glass.

[B]

That's. Oh, my God, you're right.

[A]

Yeah. Dude, that wasn't even what I was thinking of. What were you thinking? The Queen with Many Faces. No, what were you thinking? Oh, Book of Breathing. Yes, I think that this is. I mean, I'm assuming. I don't recognize off the gate on the Divine Number, but I'm assuming it means something.

[B]

I guess so.

[A]

Is it three, the magic number?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Who knows?

[B]

Does anybody know? Are we missing a reference?

[A]

Let us know.

[B]

But you're right. The Walking Dead is also in Throne of Glass. Yeah, bruh, I was thinking about the Book of Breathings Without Spoilers. We know that this book exists in the Summer Court in the world of Prythian, where it was hidden in an underwater capsule. Amren and Feyre go on a little adventure to take a break from the simmering sexual tension happening in those chapters, and they get this book.

[A]

I'm sorry, I'm looking into on the Divine Number, but it just says that it's a book that was from the Library of Porthos.

[B]

Well, I imagine it could show up again in another. Another future tale.

[A]

Let's keep our eye peepers and our ear peepers open, y'all.

[B]

Yeah. So, yeah, we have Book of Breathings from Prythian, and we have the Walking Dead from Throne of Glass. Very interesting. No sexual tension is in this scene, however, unless you count the knock and Micah, who seem like they're kind of vibing a little bit. Before she can act, Micah shoots his magic into her tattoo, and she's overwhelmed with the power coursing through her body. So Micah basically goes like angel magic and shoots it into the tattoo because the horn is supposed to be awoken by, like, a boost of energy, I guess.

[A]

Angel magic.

[B]

Angel magic. However, though she hears glass shattering upstairs as he does this, she's, like, overwhelmed with these, like, huge magic feelings when he does it. But. But she's looking around. There's no portal. No black hole has opened up. Because that was his goal. He was like, as soon as I activate this horn, I'm going to be able to open this other world up to get my minions and be like, hey, Asteri, check out my gang.

[A]

I got other friends in other places.

[B]

Look at my squad hoes in different area codes. And Asteroids was just obviously going to be like, well, here's this open sea. You can come sit with us because you're so cool and strong. So he's doing a bit of an elan. Mike is irritated, but not deterred. She realizes he's going to try every method he can over and over again until he absolutely shreds her from the inside out. So he's a little frustrated he doesn't immediately see a portal open, but he's not done. He's like, I'll figure this out some way. And it sounds like it's gonna be on the fly. Her ass is getting torn up.

[A]

Yeah, dude. It's just. It's crazy that, like, he thought, like, I'm just gonna do these things and then a photo's gonna open up. I'm so smart. Like, it's gonna be so easy for me, cuz I'm so strong. It's like, that's what you fucking get, all right? Confidence gets you nowhere. If you've been having your McDonald's sausage McMuffin with an iced coffee from somewhere else, now is a great time to reconsider.

[B]

In the Pacific Northwest, it's never too cold for an iced coffee in the morning. Grab yourself a medium caramel, French vanilla, or classic Iced coffee for just $2.29. Warning. Beverage may cause craving for McMuffin or hash browns.

[A]

Prices and participation may vary. Cannot be combined with any other offer or combo meal. That's not true. Confidence gets you a lot of places.

[B]

But probably not if you're too confident without earning it. You know what I mean? We're seeing a lot of that these days.

[A]

That's what I meant.

[B]

In the top tiers of the. The world, just being like, I must be so smart. I could probably figure everything out. Yep. And then they can't. They can't, because they are. They are. They've been told since they were born they're little king babies and that they are so smart and special.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And they're not.

[A]

Which is usually how you wake up Henry every morning and go, king, baby, king, baby. Time to wake up.

[B]

He is a k. King baby. He's a king man.

[A]

Yeah. He is a king man. It would be funny if Henry had to go to, like, he wouldn't sleep without his crown on. Give me my crown. I need my crown. Even though technically we would be more the ones that want the crowns to go to sleep.

[B]

Very uncomfortable, though.

[A]

Yeah. But heavy hangs that.

[B]

That's true. We learn here that she did, in fact, figure all of this out at the docks. As Micah had suspected in the last chapter, she had put together that the horn was in her back through the clues Micah had laid out. Like, Micah basically was like, you already know. And she went, no, I don't. But she did.

[A]

She figured it out, y'all.

[B]

Bryce has some movement in her hands and fingers as she's trapped on the ground, and her fingers reach and grasp for a nearby purple book. Just as Micah says from behind her that it might work better if he just cuts it out of her back. She hears a knife being pulled out from behind her, which I don't know if we're about to watch some saw action.

[A]

Very upsetting.

[B]

She begins speaking to the book in her mind, begging it to come towards her hand. Please, she says, urging it towards her fingers. At first, nothing happens, but then, as Micah nears, it starts to slide out of the shelf into her grass.

[A]

Whoa.

[B]

We don't know if this is the book's magic or if there's some power she's holding inside of her. Just as he kneels over her to presumably carve her back open like he's Freddy Krueger, she rips the book open behind her head, and light explodes from it, powerful enough that it sends him flying across the room. His Magical hold on her body interrupted with the surprise. His explosion backwards sends him flying into the open bathroom, something that Lehaba has prepared for.

[A]

I knew it was going to happen.

[B]

They're really in sync, I guess, mentally.

[A]

Yeah. Bye. Bye. Bye.

[B]

Yeah. She has her own little tiny book, which is adorable, which she uses to open in. The book, slams more energy out, and closes the bathroom door on Micah. Fuck you.

[A]

Fuck you, Fuck you.

[B]

The book also seals it in some kind of enchantment. It's good that Lili is so familiar with the books down here, because she knew just the one to use. We cut over to Ruhn's POV as he's watching this all play out in real time at the summit. Because if you'll recall, the whole summit is watching this on screens right now.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

He's unsure of what to do and observes his father's passivity with rage. Hunt nearby begins to growl at Sandriel to stop him, which is probably not a good idea. And obviously she's not going to listen to what. But he's trapped and it's possibly watching Bryce's last moments. So you do what you gotta do. She shoves wind down his throat and says casually that she's not going to interfere with Micah's business.

[A]

Such an annoying use of your wind. I know, it's, like, good for you. I bet it really helps a lot. But it's just like, can we, like, shoving wind down my throat? Ugh. Sandra, you're so annoying.

[B]

So annoying. She sucks. They watch as Bryce, whose wounds are healing rapidly due to the Synth, is able to use her legs and she starts to sprint towards the Noctank, towards Syrinx. Oh. She shouts at Lehaba to push the power button on the platform that drops down into the tank. The summit room watches as Bryce gets to the ledge of where the tank opens at the top. She had to go up, like a flight of stairs, it's so big. Up to the feeding platform. They hear Lehaba sobbing that Syrinx isn't moving in the water, even though the knock isn't attacking it right now. The reason that it's not will become clear soon. Clever girl or thing?

[A]

Thing.

[B]

Clever thing? That knock.

[A]

It's good because if you just said clever thing, I think I would be a little confused.

[B]

Yeah. And you'd be like, girl, what she talking about?

[A]

Okay. Yeah, Pretty clever.

[B]

Bryce kneels at the opening and begins to purposely hyperventilate. Tharion quietly explains to the room that she's doing it to increase her Lung capacity. Lehiba seems to understand why the Nokk hasn't attacked yet. But Bryce is already under the surface of the water before Lele gets the full warning out to her. Ruhn watches in disbelief at his sister, who has precious few moments before Micah breaks through the enchantment door before the synth takes over her body completely.

[A]

His sister, his brash, wild sister, knew all that and still went to save her friend. It's her ordeal, Flynn murmured.

[B]

This is her fucking ordeal. Oh, shit. Forget about ordeals. Cause I did.

[A]

Yes, I did. It's almost like there's so much that happens in this book that for. I feel like it's times like this, I remember reading it for the first time being like, oh, it's a mic drop. I know it's a mic drop that I had to, like, go look up the mic drop.

[B]

I love the concept of an ordeal, though. I think that's cool.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

We should be able to reframe the worst moments of our lives as our ordeal. That means that we're really cool that we did it.

[A]

I mean. Yeah, it's called our trauma, and it depends on what, you know, community you're in, depending on how cool people find you. Like, if you're hanging out with a bunch of psychologists, they're going to be like, oh, wow, you're such a great specimen to talk to. You've got so much trauma. And also other people that have lots of trauma, and then you can connect and you find community that way. That's true.

[B]

And the worst of your trauma, the cooler you are.

[A]

Yeah, it's usually. Yeah, that's usually how it goes. Unless you're really not cool.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Then you.

[B]

Because if your trauma's really bad, sometimes you become real not cool.

[A]

Because I feel like Micah's probably dealing with a couple of ordeals he's been through in his life. I would assume that got him to the place that he's in.

[B]

It seems like. Like the archangels are sort of bred to be monstrous weapons.

[A]

Yeah, but. But whose fault is that?

[B]

We do meet other archangels in this series. So they do have different personalities.

[A]

They're not all exactly the same.

[B]

No. So that's on you, Micah. Heal your trauma.

[A]

Yeah, Go work on it.

[B]

So chapter 70.

[A]

Maybe he will after this.

[B]

Yeah, maybe he will. Chapter 79 has Bryce underwater, and she's fighting to keep her panic manageable in the freezing tank water. Quickly, she scoops up Syrinx, who is still unconscious. She sweeps them both back to the feeding platform, which Lili activates immediately. Bryce holds on to the chains on the side of it, letting it zoom up with the two of them, getting them out of the water faster than she can swim. She reaches the surface long enough to throw Searing over the ledge of the tank, screaming for the herba to start chest compressions on him. But she's so little. I know. I was, like, trying to visualize how she. Maybe she's jumping on him or.

[A]

Yeah, she's got to be, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Taking a book and just slamming it against.

[B]

Oh, maybe that's. That's possible.

[A]

See, I can think of all things. I may be little, but I am strong.

[B]

Yeah. You need to tell us what you're doing.

[A]

Yes. So I'm taking a book and I'm pressing it against him because I feel like that's the only thing I can really. I need something hard that's not just my little feet.

[B]

Oh, that's so cute, though. That's all that Bryce can get out before the knock has her ankle and pulls her back under the water.

[A]

That, like, sucks. Knock. No, like, could we knock? Knock.

[B]

Can we knock right now?

[A]

Well, he is knocking right now, is the problem.

[B]

Knocking on heaven's door.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Braces. Oh, come on. With the angels.

[B]

With the angels.

[A]

There's angels in the room.

[B]

Works so many different ways. The knock has been watching the trio for months and realizes that if it waits on the treat of searing, that it would get a much better, bigger meal shortly after. All you need is a little patience. Two Guns n Roses songs back.

[A]

Wow, Natalie, someone's being too cool right now.

[B]

Definitely cool. To almost geriatric age level, people. Patience pays off as she goes under. We go back to the summit Room as Hunt is watching all of this play out in agony. The entire room watches helplessly as the nok claws and slices into Bryce, who is pushing against the creature. And she reaches for the knife she had tied to her leg prior to entering the tank. The nok rips it from her hands almost instantly. Hunt prepares himself to watch Bryce die. But then Bryce makes another move. Pay attention, ladies, okay? Or men really always go for the soft parts.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

She knows where this thing's nuts are, so I guess somewhat male. Ish. Outer genitals. It has outer genitals.

[A]

But that's the problem is, like, where are the genitals on a knock?

[B]

In the book, it says she has to reach under a fold.

[A]

I'm just saying, I feel like you. You gotta. Maybe if you have a creature like that in your life, you're gonna want to look those kind of things.

[B]

She sear it once or twice or.

[A]

Like, I guess watched it make a time or two and then saw where the make came from.

[B]

Yeah, probably.

[A]

And be like, oh, I hate where the make comes from.

[B]

But always remember that the softest parts in the body is what you always go for if you're in a situation that you are trying to get out of. So she slams her hand into its crotch and twists.

[A]

Bubbles leaked from Bryce's mouth as she wretched its balls harder. Every male in the pit flinched. The knock let go, falling to the bottom. It was the opening Bryce needed. She drifted back against the cracked glass, braced her legs and pushed.

[B]

Love every. It makes me think of naked gun.

[A]

Oh. Oh. Good morning, everyone.

[B]

Grabbing their balls. She swims and climbs and pools and slips lips out of the grass.

[A]

I love it. Even take down a knock. How you doing? Hit them in the balls.

[B]

I mean, it's rare.

[A]

Hit the balls, hit them in the balls.

[B]

If they got something soft, it's gonna hurt.

[A]

Well, you do. You do a lot of fighting and self defense stuff. So you're saying soft parts. We're talking balls.

[B]

We're talking neck, neck, eyes. Always go for the eyes.

[A]

Oh, like an alligator.

[B]

It's a hard thing to think about doing, but it will get you away.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Temple, if you have anything sharp. But yeah, throw. You have to not be worried about hurting them if they're attacking you. You just have to go for it.

[A]

Go all out, see? Thank you.

[B]

In step of the foot is another place.

[A]

I need you to teach us. But like, you can be dressed as Bryce and teach us all self defense.

[B]

Can I wear this and teach it?

[A]

Yeah, of course you can. Dressed up as dance under dance and dance under dance. And that's what we're gonna sing. It'll be a sing along self defense class.

[B]

Wow, that's fun. I would do it. Okay.

[A]

I don't know who you are.

[B]

We'll just have to wait and see. She swims and she pulls and she climbs. Hypaxia. Yeah.

[A]

Wow. We just interpreted hypaxia very differently.

[B]

I did not plan this costume.

[A]

Ah, okay. All right. See, at least it makes makes sense. But I now I realize, like, oh, the crown, the hair.

[B]

And she's wearing an azure in azure. Is that how you say it? This is not the correct shade of blue. But it is blue and it is right not that far from the shade.

[A]

You're damn right. And you look great, Natalie.

[B]

You know, I just was like, well, I got a blue dress.

[A]

Yeah, put a dress on it.

[B]

Put A dress on it.

[A]

It's good.

[B]

So she's pulling and pulling and she's pushing and getting away and just going down. The clock is tight, ticked out. Or the.

[A]

The ball is when the.

[B]

Going over the buzzer.

[A]

When the buzzer makes it go. And then they keep going.

[B]

The slams out over time in the final stretch.

[A]

She gets out, but she gets out.

[B]

The whole summit seems to loosen. A breath. Fury looks. That sounds like a burp.

[A]

What?

[B]

That's not what I meant.

[A]

That was. No, that was them releasing their inhibitions and feeling the rain on their skin.

[B]

That's how you think. That's all. That's. You're never gonna find a husband doing that.

[A]

Why? It's the way we're waiting to exhale. I thought that's all about finding a husband. Or is that about grief thief?

[B]

I don't know. Fury looks like she's about to puke. They watch as Bryce speeds over to where Leiba is hovering over Syrinx, telling her that he's still not breathing, which. I'm sorry, Lehaba, I know you're trying, but you're definitely not going to be.

[A]

Able to really try.

[B]

Wake him back up. Bryce begins cpr. This scene reminded me for the hundredth time that I want to learn dog cpr. And I looked it up and there is. Red Cross has an online course for cat and dog cpr.

[A]

Let's take it.

[B]

Because I think what SJM is describing effectively is what dog CPR looks like.

[A]

I would cry through the class just thinking about having to go through it. And I've taken CPR classes to, like, be registered, to be able to, you know, administer health care towards a child.

[B]

I've never done a child one.

[A]

I didn't cry through that, but I feel like I would cry through one for a dog.

[B]

And Cat is the CPR dummy. Is it really different for a baby?

[A]

Yeah, I mean, it depends on how old the kid is and how you can shake him around a little bag of potatoes. You know what I mean? Because it is weird. Oh, yeah. No, no, no, man. It was like. It was this guy who's dressed like Oscar the Grouch, but not like a name brand Oscar the Grouch. So we just called him Oscar the.

[B]

Slouch and he was Harry's House of CPR and stuff.

[A]

Yes, yes. And they just. I don't know where they got the kids, but they were real kids. And it's fine. We figured it out. It is kind of weird, though, of like, when you hold, like, a smaller baby and, like, you have to, like, hold them over your arm and kind of, like, hit their back.

[B]

But you do have to Heimlich or kinda.

[A]

Yeah, Heimlich.

[B]

Heimlich.

[A]

And then, like, you have to hit them harder than you expect. And that's even just on a dummy. I was like. Like this.

[B]

Well, I mean, even in CPR on an adult, you often break the ribs. They worry you're gonna break the ribs to get the.

[A]

I've seen the Pit. I know all about medical now. I watched the Pit. It's the Noah Wiley new er. Not reboot. But it is an ER reboot. Except it's not. It's actually, I hate to say this, much better.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

And I love ER.

[B]

I haven't seen ER in, like, 20 years, probably, bro.

[A]

It's just. It is more. It's like every. I'm not gonna get into the Pit right now. You should watch the Pit, though. Everybody should watch the Pit.

[B]

Okay, I will. And hopefully it'll teach me how to do CPR on everything.

[A]

Honestly, watching the Pit is like when we watch alone. And Now I've watched 10 episodes of the Pit. I'm like, oh, they need CC. Oh, you gotta get it through the. Oh, yeah. You can't just. They're coming in on the grass card. I mean, what do you. You know, now it's you. Because we watched it.

[B]

I can't believe how much they're fucking this up. Ridiculous.

[A]

We watched it for. Got caught up on 10 hours of it in two days.

[B]

So now I'm like, oh, I can do medical stuff.

[A]

Get me in there, boss.

[B]

Anyway, after administering snoot to mouth.

[A]

Oh, stop.

[B]

You do in dog cpr, you have to hold their snout closed and breathe through their nose holes.

[A]

Snooch, mouth.

[B]

Stop.

[A]

Oh, my God, I want to throw up. It makes me hurt.

[B]

But in this case, searing. Starts to barf up a bunch of water and starts to breath that we did it. But also boo, because Micah is still bashing at the door. They're not out of the water yet. Or are they out of the water?

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Which will likely only holds him moments longer because the enchantment can only hold an angel for so long, obviously.

[A]

Obvs.

[B]

The summit watches with rapt attention to see what will take place. Lehiba drags a shirt over to Bryce from somewhere in the basement to cover herself up, since she's only wearing a sports bra now due to Micah being a bitch.

[A]

Talk about supportive.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Like, even just, like, in the middle of all that battle that she brings her over her shirt so she can cover up. I love you. That's why I have you tattooed on my body. I love you.

[B]

She's good. Bryce is crying at seeing the breathing searing as well as probably as in pain. She is attempting to stand up. The knock has sliced so deeply into her leg that the synth is still stitching it up. She struggles to take C rings down the steps from the tank ledge to the main floor and hunt, watching fears that she's not going to be able to make it upstairs to the main floor in time before Micah breaks through the the spell and then escape him. The summit room watches the bathroom door warp and emits sparks as his magic fights against the spell.

[A]

Pretty awesome and badass, but also, I'm very scared.

[B]

Yeah. Back at Bryce's pov, Bryce is about a third of the way up to the main floor and the door is about to give. So Bryce is struggling, but she's moving. She's trying to get going. But then she realizes that Lehabah has not followed her. She screams at Lele to forget the books. Just come on. Lehaba doesn't move from her spot, still hovering on the main floor. Bryce calls her name again in order. Not a request.

[A]

Laba said softly, sadly, you won't make.

[B]

It in time, Bibi. No. Bryce tries to reason with Laili, not understanding what she's implied. Lehaba tries again. You are leaving. I am not.

[A]

Stop.

[B]

Horror runs through Bryce when she understands what Layli intends to do. Panicked, she tries to rationalize with Lele in the precious few moments they have to exit. But Lehabah just gently, sadly tells her. No. Sobbing, Bryce informs Lehiba of a big surprise she had for her. She had purchased Lehabah from Jesiba, and as her new owner, she has freed her. Stop.

[A]

Stop.

[B]

Lily. It's a free sprite.

[A]

Stop. Stop. I'm not crying. I'm not crying about the book that I've read multiple times. I'm not crying about it. Lamba's smile didn't falter.

[B]

I know, she said, I peeked in your drawer. Oh, no. Sobbing, Bryce continues to beg her. But Lehabah has already made this decision, it seems. She tells Bryce to let the world know her first decision as a free sprite was to save her friends.

[A]

Dobby loves his friends.

[B]

Dobby didn't ask to be killed.

[A]

Yeah, it's a very different way of going out. Searing shifted in Bryce's arms, a low pain sound breaking from him. Bryce thought it might be the sound her own soul was making as she whispered, unable to bear this choice, this moment.

[B]

I love you.

[A]

Lamba loves her back.

[B]

She firmly tells Bryce to go. And so she does. She won't waste this unbelievable sacrifice from the fire sprite, pain shooting through her leg. Bryce clenches her jaw and heaves her and Syrinx up the stairs, taking one last look at her friend, one of the only ones she's had for the last few years, one who listened to her, who stood by her when she was being a jerk.

[A]

Laba burned a deep, unfaltering ruby and began to move. Stop.

[B]

I made me read it first.

[A]

A sweep of an arm up, then an arc down. A twirl, hair spiraling above her head. A dance to summon her power. Whatever kernel of it a fire sprite might have.

[B]

You can do the dance.

[A]

No. I'm gonna kill you. You're so mean. I hate you. That's gonna be my dance of summoning power. And Micah looks at her with such. Just like. Like it's discussed, but it's. He's also kind of impressed that, like, she stopped to do the I hate you dance and that I'm gonna kill you dance. And he's like, I mean, you're definitely not, but, like, also. All right. Wow, you're being a real weirdo right now.

[B]

A knot of respect.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Bryce moves. She can hear Lehaba chanting behind her.

[A]

As she reaches the tomb.

[B]

She cries out. Bryce cries out in agony as she passes through the doorway. This time, the agony is knowing that she is closing her friend into the basement. She hears Lehiba behind her. I am a descendant of Ranthia Drall, Queen of the embers.

[A]

Yeah, bitch.

[B]

She is with me now, and I am not afraid. We go back to Hunt as they all continue to watch the sprite summon her magic, burning brighter and brighter. The bathroom door begins to disintegrate. Hunt watches in awe with the room as Lili attacks not the bathroom door, but the massive tank with the knock inside. Because Leelee knew she wouldn't be physically able to take on Micah.

[A]

I'm just a little lady, but she's.

[B]

A wise sprite, and a wall of water tends to stop just about anything.

[A]

Damn right.

[B]

They hear her whisper over and over as she slams her body repeatedly into the glass. My friends are with me, and I am not afraid.

[A]

Hunt rested control of his body enough that he was able to put a hand over his heart, the only salute he could make as Lehabah's words whispered through the speakers. One by one, the angels in the 33rd rose to their feet. Then Rune and his friends stop.

[B]

I know. This is the part that makes me tear up the most.

[A]

And they too put their hands on their hearts as the smallest of their house pushed and pushed against the glass wall, burning gold as the dock tried to flee to any place it might survive what was about to come.

[B]

Everyone stood but Sandriel.

[A]

You're a bitch. I hate you, too.

[B]

She's an ignorant slut. They watch as the glass cracks and cracks. Spider webbing out.

[A]

Oh, my God. I'm crying so much.

[B]

It's because you have a heart.

[A]

I have a heart for her.

[B]

Yeah. The part that always makes me tear up the most is when they all stand.

[A]

I know.

[B]

They all watch in reverent silence as Lele turns to face the bathroom door. Just as it wrenches free from the joints, she growls. This is for Syrinx.

[A]

She slammed her little burning palm into the glass. And a hundred thousand gallons of water exploded into the library. Oh, my God.

[B]

At chapter 80, Bryce is gathering herself as the building shudders underneath her. Alarms are going off all around her. And she knows Lehabah has died.

[A]

I was important.

[B]

You are the most important, Lehabah.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

She knows that what Lehabah has just done. And she can't grieve it right now, for it will not be in vain. Filled with rage and anguish, she goes inside of herself, urging the sin forward, reveling in it. She drags her body towards the front door of the building through broken artifacts and shattered glasses. Pulls the door handle open and looks outside, but then stops. Lehabah just gave her life. Not just so that Bryce could run away.

[A]

No, bitch.

[B]

No. Bryce needs to make some government changes.

[A]

Yeah, bitch. Yeah. Yeah. Get back in there, bitch. Got to kill, bitch. Yeah.

[B]

We're back with Hun's pov. And the room has watched the cacophony of destruction that just occurred as the hundred thousand gallon tank explodes. I have to say, I got really curious about how big 100,000 gallon tank is.

[A]

Ooh, how big?

[B]

So the one I found, that's a hundred thousand gallons, is not necessarily an aquarium, but I'll show you the size of it.

[A]

Oh, is that this pic. Whoa.

[B]

No, not that one. Oh, it's this. Nope. Gone. It's a big. Okay, so the one I found is like an outdoor silo. And that wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but. But the one that's right here that I'm showing you, Jackie, it was called the Aquadam, and it was in Berlin.

[A]

Kind of sexy.

[B]

And it was around 260,000 gallons. So the picture that you're seeing is a little. This is like more than twice the size of the one that's in the library basement. But you can get an idea of how big that is. Right. I'm showing this one because this one in fact exploded in 2022.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm actually surprised. I'd never heard of it because I watch a lot of disasters. How many people died miraculously? Zero.

[A]

How? That's so much water.

[B]

So it exploded at 5:43am and oh.

[A]

There was no one in there.

[B]

Very few people.

[A]

Oh, thank God.

[B]

But if you look at this, and I encourage you guys to go check it out, cuz it's crazy. It's in the middle. It's in the middle of a courtyard. Essentially an indoor courtyard in a hotel. So it's surrounded by hotel rooms. It's like story high. Yeah, there's an elevator inside of it. It was really cool looking. But in 2022, just a couple years ago, it exploded one day, one morning.

[A]

Oh hell no.

[B]

And it sent the water like a block.

[A]

No, thank you.

[B]

And somebody who was staying there at the time described awakening to a kind of shock wave. So they felt it.

[A]

Horrifying.

[B]

And again, almost a miracle. No one died. Had it been during an afternoon rush, can you imagine? People would have almost certainly died. But only two people ended up going to the hospital with injuries. However, the collapse killed around 1500 fish and destroyed parts of nearby businesses.

[A]

Jesus.

[B]

It cut out electricity in the neighborhood, threatening the sea life in the nearby Berlin Aquarium. They believe it was just from deterioration and frigid temperature. It wasn't like a sabotage. I know it seems like somebody did something, but there was no criminal. Like they did an investigation. Nobody was ever charged with anything. And it actually just. The hotel just reopened a month ago after the destruction of it. I put a picture of the aftermath in there.

[A]

Oh my God.

[B]

So it was closed over for over two years from the damage.

[A]

Let's like not make them that big. You know what I mean?

[B]

Seems like.

[A]

Can we not make them that big?

[B]

It seems like there have been other aquarium explosions. There was actually one at Disney Springs once.

[A]

Why I. Oh no. Am I gonna lose myself going down A weird worm Time of aquarium explosions that. Yeah, I didn't need that kind of fear. I'm already scared of water, but I've never been scared of aquariums. But now I feel like I'm gonna be scared of aquariums.

[B]

Well, the ones that are in actual like zoo aquariums and stuff are definitely Much more kept after than I think. Yes. The one that's in this hotel. Yes. I'm very sure.

[A]

I feel like I'd want to see paperwork. Like, can I see the last time you checked it? Like an elevator. You go into an elevator, you know, the last time the elevator got checked. Checked, yeah.

[B]

But they can just show you.

[A]

Yeah, they certainly could lie. They definitely can. Very easily.

[B]

Official aquarium document. Oh, yes.

[A]

I can tell they must have it for people like me that have such high anxiety of, like, just give me a. I don't give a. If it's real. Just tell me that what it is and tell me that you look at all six.

[B]

So I wanted to show you as an example, I encourage you to go look up the Aquadom explosion.

[A]

Now I'm very scared, so thank you, Natalie. You did add more fear into this.

[B]

You're not going to die in an aquarium explosion, Jackie. I'm gonna put money on it, though.

[A]

I want everyone to remember this moment. Remember this. If that is how I go, all right. It's like we knew the whole time, and Natalie was trying to warn me.

[B]

They call me host Ramas.

[A]

They shouldn't. I'm very scared of you now, Host Living in fear. It's the way to be.

[B]

The summit is watching the shop as Declan swaps between cameras. So they're trying to follow all of the action by going through the different security cameras. And first, the immediate aftermath of the tank is. They're watching it, the tank decimating the lower floor of the building. Watching Lehabah go out forever to that fireplace in the sky.

[A]

Or maybe another dimension. Who knows?

[B]

Oh, Flames up. Flames up. Land.

[A]

Flames up.

[B]

Flames up.

[A]

Flames up. Put your flames up. Put your flames up.

[B]

That's how we remember.

[A]

We're not gonna set the studio on fire, even though it does sound like we're about to.

[B]

But we're not gonna just honor her.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. We burnt it down to honor her. And we'll explain that to Henry and Marcus like we. It was for content.

[B]

It was for content, and I think.

[A]

It was worth it.

[B]

Then a quick switch over.

[A]

Let me explain who Labba is first. I'm just trying to explain it. As all the fire trucks are clumping.

[B]

This is gonna all make sense afterwards.

[A]

Me dressed like this. I had to do it. Have you ever heard of method acting before?

[B]

Then they switch over to a surveillance camera on the main floor. And at first, Hunt thinks Bryce is gone because the front door is open. But then Flynn says, holy fuck. They spot her darting up to the second Floor where Jesiba's office is located. She's not leaving. She's up to some kind of shenanigan. Watching her move, Hunt knows the synth is officially coursing through her body now. The cameras catch her darting through the front door of Jesiba's office and then jumps clear over her desk, straight back to the wall in what is hanging there, the godslayer rifle. Hunt hears Ruhn whisper that she's going to kill Micah in her final moments, knowing that the power of the synth will overtake her shortly. As expected, the explosion has merely slowed Micah down. And once he has his bearings, his rage makes the very wall shake. He parts the water like the Bible.

[A]

Oh, that's a Bible thing. That's what they do in there. They hate being wet.

[B]

They hate it.

[A]

Bryce grabbed the four parts of the godslayer rifle mounted on the wall and chucked them onto the desk, unlocked the safe door and reached inside. She pulled out a glass vial and knocked back some sort of potion, another drug. Who knew what the sorceress kept in there. And then pulled out a slender golden bullet.

[B]

Is that the antidote?

[A]

Yeah. Bad. Yeah, bad.

[B]

We don't know yet, but probably.

[A]

Who knows?

[B]

We know that she accepted the antidote from the Medwich earlier on. Glad I called that guy.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The bullet is inscribed with two words. Memento mori. It's a little bit of a Luigi, Remember that you will die. And that is something to remember, right? Everyone out there, your overlords will die many times. Well, before you will die. They will die. They are not immortals. They are not immune to the things any human is threatened by. And no amount of money will stop that. And isn't that a nice thought?

[A]

It is.

[B]

Even the angels die. Even the Asteri.

[A]

Even the Asteri.

[B]

Bryce assembles the rifle faster than Forrest Gump.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yep. Hunt marvels at how she runs as she assembles the final piece of the gun, already aiming out of the office window. If the wind magic would have allowed it, Hunt would have been hard as a rock.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Oh, my God. Watching her put together a gun that fast. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hunt would definitely be into that.

[B]

That with the bullet in her teeth.

[A]

Oh, my God. Yes.

[B]

Like a baddie sliding across the final distance to the window.

[A]

Also with all the synth coursing through her, so, you know, she just looks feral as she's doing it.

[B]

Oh, my God. So hot.

[A]

Good Lord.

[B]

So just as she loads the bullet into the chamber, she reaches the window that looks out over the the selling floor. Hunt knows in these Moments, these ones that she received from Lehaba's guest, that it couldn't have happened without the courage of the fire sprite.

[A]

Think of me. Think of me when you touch your knock in the tank. Think of it, because I'm threatening. This is me threatening everybody. I want them to think about me when you're looking at your big old Aqua Dom and just know that these little feet. Oh, we're gonna squish right through it, babies.

[B]

Please bring up the Phantom of the Opera anytime, any.

[A]

I mean, especially with you dressed like this. You're also giving Christine. And I'm sorry that I haven't said that yet. I. You are totally. It is given, bitch. Yes. Way, way, yes. Oh, my God. I thought there were angels in the room. I was like, wow.

[B]

Okay. So Micah rips through the door in these moments, these last moments that Bryce is going to be alive before she's ripped to shreds by her own hands. And Micah, filled with rage, contorting his face, pulls the basement door open to the main floor, sees the open front door and aims directly to it, just as Bryce had planned, so he wouldn't.

[A]

Look up, so he didn't have time to even glance in Bryce's direction before her finger curled on the trigger and she shot that bullet right through Micah's fucking head.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, bitch. Yeah. Bit gilly Angel. Yeah, bitch. It is, man. So much. So much is going on. What are you talking about? That's insane.

[B]

I remember I, like, audibly cheered the first time I read this.

[A]

Yeah, especially just the line. And she shot that bullet right through Micah's fucking head, going right from crying about Lehabah right into this, where you just, like. I just remember. Flip. Flip like, yes, bitch. Yes, bitch.

[B]

Yeah. And, yeah, I'm glad this happened right afterwards, because you're already emotionally destroyed. You know, obviously, this is even bigger than just killing a villain. This is an arc fucking angel, my friends. We're still with hunt at chapter 81, and apparently she has accomplished what the rifle has promised to do. Slay to God.

[A]

Hell, yeah.

[B]

It turns out that when an archangel dies, it sends a ripple through time.

[A]

And space, which is really fucking cool.

[B]

Sick. Makes you wonder what happened when the seventh Asteri was killed, right?

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Crazy hours away from Griffin. The Summit Room is careening like it's on a rocking sea. So his death has shaken the entire lands.

[A]

The death of an archangel of a world. Power could shudder through time and space. A second could last an hour, a day, a year.

[B]

Whoa, dude, that's like the Matrix.

[A]

That's, like, really big and crazy. Just me. Just, like, smoking huge bong. Like, whoa. Diamond space, bro.

[B]

They watch as time slows to a crawl. Watch as the bullet made entry into Micah's skull through it.

[A]

Sick. Yeah.

[B]

And then suddenly, Bryce is there, Danika's sword in her hands. And even though all that's just happened, Hunt watches Sabine's attention snap to that sword, the very item she has been hunting down.

[A]

Sorry, not yours. It's not. Not yours. It's not yours.

[B]

And, man, you can be such a badass if you have Synth in your body.

[A]

It's the thing. The more I think about Synth, the more I'm like, if I could just get, like, a bump of it, I'd love to try. I just want to try it.

[B]

Only cut your own finger.

[A]

Oh, my God. Is that what you were doing? Natalie, do you have Synth? And you didn't tell me about it?

[B]

I was trying different things to see if they were sent things.

[A]

You just taking random pills?

[B]

Yeah, no, I was just snorting different items in the house.

[A]

I get that, man. If you find a powder, put it up your nose.

[B]

No, don't.

[A]

Oh, is that. No, no, don't do that.

[B]

Don't do that. So, yeah, she is in her Synth. She's in her Synth era. And Bryce jumps from the second story window, sword over her head, bringing it down into Micah's skull, driving it down his body, bisecting him.

[A]

Awesome. Yeah.

[B]

Hunt watches her with wonder, even through the sorrow of knowing these are her last moments before the Synth shreds her mind apart. Hunt seems to mourn that he never openly told her his feelings and that he'll never get to. He watches as we get a full kill bill level of violence. And again, that's my girl. As she chops him into smaller and smaller pieces. Again. Don't just knock down a horror movie villain and then go, okay, I did it. And then run away. You have to chop their heads off into little bitty pieces.

[A]

You must chop them up as much as you are physically capable of doing it. You got to make sure they are dead, dead, dead. Okay.

[B]

Michael Myers survived so many fires, but they had to shove his body into a thing that crushed him into, like, a pulp.

[A]

And he's not moving that fast.

[B]

No. Hunt preps himself for the inevitable, but someone else doesn't seem to be preparing for it.

[A]

Hypaxia, murmured.

[B]

The antidote is working.

[A]

It's working on her. Yes. Bitch.

[B]

Hunt nearly faints. He doesn't know about this, but this is still in an experimental phase. But he doesn't know Hypoxia gave her this antidote. He's shocked. Both Hunt and Hypaxia watch every millisecond pass by, watching Bryce barely breathing. Instead of ripping her own face off, they instead watch Bryce walk calmly to the closet and pull out a container of gasoline. I guess they got dinos in Midgard.

[A]

Whoa, that's crazy. They also have to. I, I, I would love to ask them questions about how they're getting that gas.

[B]

Me too.

[A]

Or maybe it's like the light. You know, it's like a starlight.

[B]

Yeah, maybe. Also, it's kind of crazy they just have a like a gasoline thing in their closet.

[A]

Or. Though Fae dinos would be pretty dinosaur. It would be really difficult to get rid of them, though. Like, I feel like humanity wouldn't have had a choice.

[B]

What if there's this like super future Earth and we are the gasoline now?

[A]

We are the gasoline now. Dog.

[B]

I take it I'd be their gasoline.

[A]

Yeah, of course. If it means I'm powerful at all. Please. I'll be your gasoline.

[B]

Once he's doused with the gasoline, she drops a match onto his corpse.

[A]

That's how you do it.

[B]

The art all around her is of course spelled against fire. Because Jespa ain't no fool.

[A]

You're damn right.

[B]

Wasn't born yesterday.

[A]

That would.

[B]

Finally, Bryce looks up at the surveillance camera as if recalling that it's there. Looks out into the world.

[A]

See, this is where Hunt gets hard.

[B]

Koya.

[A]

Vengeance incarnate. Wrath's bruised heart. She would bow for no one. Hunt's lightning sang at the sight of that brutal, beautiful face. No one, not even Sandriel, spoke a word as Bryce took out the vacuum room from the supply closet and erased the last trace of Micah from the world.

[B]

Yeah. Did it.

[A]

I am curious because I do know from the Graham Parsons documentary that you can't just set a body on fire. Yeah. Oh, so. But it's Fae fire. And also I do wonder too. As an angel, maybe he's more flammable. So maybe the bones are more flammable.

[B]

We don't. Okay, other thing. Theory. We don't know what's in a God Slayer bullet. And it may have turned his body into very like almost. He was already almost ready to be ashes.

[A]

Okay, that makes sense.

[B]

Yeah, it makes sense. Where with the rattled Bryce At Chapter 82, she calls the Ox and tells them that there was a gas explosion in the antiquity shop and that she's fine though Me thinks they'll find out soon enough. That's not what happened. Because an entire room of everyone important in the world saw it. She then simply walks back up to the office and cradles Syrinx. Once Syrinx falls asleep in her arms, she finally takes the time to look at her phone, sees the many missed calls from Jesiba. They exchange texts. Jesiba informs her that they all witnessed everything that happened. Good. Bryce writes back. She drops her phone and makes her way back to the basement, knowing Lehaba won't be there. She sees the corpse of the.

[A]

But I'm here, Bryce. You can invite me. I'll just sit. All this adult woman. This adult woman dressed up in fake fire clothes, just sitting in like. You want to get a beer? You done working yet? You done working yet? You want to watch reality tv?

[B]

It would be like lab.

[A]

All right, I'll start doing this to you when you work, Natalie.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Please pour in wine into your glass.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It's five o'clock somewhere, Natalie.

[B]

She sees the corpse of the knock. Sees the charms held protecting the books from this, the wave of water. She thinks about how lucky it is that Micah seemed to have awakened the horn, but no portal has opened up. She returns back upstairs to check on Searinx, who is still passed out sleeping. And then she begins to puke.

[A]

Yeah, over and over. Yeah, I'd probably puke after all that, too. But also, I imagine the synth, and there's no one's ever really taken the antidote before, so you probably don't know the side effects because, like, what if it's like massive mounts of puke?

[B]

Well, it seems like that's what happened because it, like, seems to puke up the.

[A]

The synth.

[B]

The synth. Maybe. That's kind of what it seems. Who would be inferring? So. So she's there for so long, she doesn't want to see people, but she starts to get curious because people should have arrived by now asking what's going on.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

She doesn't understand why the ox hasn't shown up or why they haven't come to arrest her and put her in a cell or check on all of the alarms that are going off all over the store.

[A]

It was then that she heard the screaming. She grabbed Syrinx and ran toward him. And when she arrived, she realized why no one had come for her or for the horn inked in her flesh. They had far bigger problems to deal with.

[B]

We cut over to the summit room as Ruhn and Hunt, along with everyone, are trying to process what just happened.

[A]

I think also the reader is trying to process everything that happened. And you're straight up just like, oh, my God, there's more. Okay. Okay. Yeah, I thought that was all. Okay, that's not the big end. Okay, let's keep going.

[B]

Hunt has been temporarily released by Sandriel as she is swept up in the chaos of the aftermath. The males watch the Autumn King, along with others, make frantic phone calls. Hunt notices Sandriel exiting the room on her own phone call. Her Triari following behind her. I mean, I would say get the fuck out of there.

[A]

Run, Hunt, run. Another forest comes.

[B]

There we go. But there may be no escape, actually. As he watches Pollux's face light up. And then wonders if Sandriel is being crowned governor of Lunatheon in Vulbara as they speak.

[A]

Oh, no.

[B]

Run tells Hunt they need to make a plan now to try to save Bryce from a terrible fate. Ruhn expresses his dread that. That the governing body is going to.

[A]

Kill her, most likely.

[B]

But then Hypaxia sits down next to them.

[A]

Oh, this bitch. Oh, this bitch. Wearing a gown in the middle of the day.

[B]

A key in hand, Hunt's manacles are removed. Before Hunt can ask how she managed to do that, Hypaxia has some news. I believe they have bigger issues at.

[A]

Hand, she said, gesturing to the city cameras Declan had pulled Up. Up. Quiet rippled through the conference room.

[B]

Tell me that's not what I think it is.

[A]

Run said Micah's experiment with the horn hadn't failed at all. Oh, somebody's gotta deal with some portals. Somebody's gotta deal with some portals. But not this week.

[B]

I just realized we look like hot and cold tag apps also.

[A]

Oh, cute. And it does make a lot of sense because I do run Hot. How cold are you, though, in general?

[B]

Yeah, my circulation's pretty good these days.

[A]

Okay, that's pretty good. Nah. Yeah, I'm usually pretty much running hot. Always covered in a sheen of sweat. But, like, isn't that, like, what makes the gal, you know what I mean? Yeah. I think it's why I love Laba so much, Rip. I hope everybody made it through this chapter. I hope, you know, you cried alongside me, and if you didn't, you know, maybe you'll start later on today when you start thinking about it and start thinking about her little feet and start thinking about how she just was a friend. She just wanted to help out her friends, and, well, she died because of it.

[B]

Her tiny little fist breaking the glass.

[A]

All gone.

[B]

Oh, but we're not done yet. There's more shit. We'll be back happen.

[A]

Oh, we will be back to portal next week. Let's go kill some demons. Please read up until chapter 87 SA.