Latest Chapter, A Walk in the Woods, is up!
Heres a snippet:
âWhatever I thought Oliver was is not the truth.â
âThe story⌠The story made him seem like he was intelligent, even witty. Is that how he seemed to you, too?â Not some mindless, mustache-twirling villain, right?
âOliver was a persona adopted by a powerful demon lord. He was not real.â
âWell, his persona then. What was it like?â Crafting a persona requires intelligence and wisdom, right? Wouldnât that mean⌠he could be reasoned with?
âIt doesnât matter what it was like! He never existed! To spend even one moment considering his past influence only adds to his demonic power!â Aleph slammed his war hammer into a nearby tree, splitting the trunk with a resounding crack.
I swallowed hard, frightened by his uncharacteristic rage. âIâŚâ I took a few steps back, and Alephâs eyes widened in sudden remorse.
âLittle one, I didnât mean to hurt you.â
âNo, no, I was just startled, thatâs all. Iâm sorry.â I scratched my right wrist absently at first. Once I realized I was doing it, I tried to stop but had little luck. âI shouldnât haveââ
âI am the one who wronged you. Do not apologize.â
âYou should apologize to me!â a soggy voice called out from the treetop. âKnock softer next time!â
âVernie?â Aleph shouted upwards in surprise. âIs that you?â