Odd continuity issue. Tom has been out of college 10 years and is 23?

Great start!

Like others, I like that Alex is aware. I'm curious what happened to Rob. Did something from the box/light/etc do something to change Rob into this dominant self-serving guy? I can see where he might be really into this just because even without a change to him. - I suspect that there could be something bad coming out of Alex dropping trou on Derek. But, on the other hand, I could see Derek not doing anything but also finding Alex interesting and attractive and wondering if the pants thing was a come on to him. - It seems like this is going to continue for Alex and Rob hasn't thought of telling him not to respond to anyone else (which is also an easy out probably). But if Rob is able to do all these things to Alex and even have Alex not remember it later, what's to stop Derek from doing that? Or even someone on the street? Having him do things out of character, smoke, drink, cheat, whatever... Lots of possible things here. Great story. And what about the old man and what does D.Will mean? etc

@darkblade2814 I think it makes sense that the north and the west are cordial, seeing how they managed to get help from one of the lionfolk, but I can see that if the western beastfolk continue to get more unhinged and start throwing themselves into war with the demons they will back off and either go neutral or the like. So long as the beastfolk of the west do not go too ojt of control or act in ways that could endanger the north (inciting the demons to try to go there) they will likely remain cordial. But if not...the north would likely isolate itself or go on the defensive. The north with dealing with the arboreal and the destructor already knows how dangerous getting run over by two competing factions is, a lesson the east and west are likely going to learn in a very terrible manner (that of war). I can see amidst this that the primal beast might wind up trying to use somebody as an asset, as you've mentioned of markys son, causing him to potentially leave the west to save his son. Gil by that point i fear will have drunk the kool aid too well- he and his brothers and father. Ironically, Hans and Marky in doing so wind up kind of embodying the notions of compassion ruby and Collin hold to- though not directly- moreso its northern influence than eastern here (eastern cilture as a whole seems to have become very repressive and tailored to the benefits of the rich- leaving a desire for pleasure and freedom and open weak point- the grandmaster due to his trauma and his darker acfions and the kings follies aren't helping either- though collin serves as an exception to this.) In my mind, the Wolfmen of the west are going to learn temperance, but it will be a painful realization amidst war and loss- the demons seem to be physically incapable of doing so- but something tells me they cant win forever either- any thing that rises must also fall. The north have already been made to learn it, so they know what to do and what not to do. I strongly suspect that what the destructor was for the northerners in learning restraint, the conflict with the demons will be for the western beastfolk. The order has collapsed, Collin and Eddie are likely in for some horrible times, the grandmaster might wind up with necromancy gone wrong- worst case scenario here is a disastrous war that ruins both nations to the point of collapse, and the ensuing people who remain fleeing or invading other areas (I'm drawing a bit from the bronze age collapse here in how things could proceed worst case scenario.)

It seems to me that the north has had hostilities with the west and potentially east then. With the arboreal not really being a sapient entity, they despite all the changes are probably the least mentally unhinged out of the lot. That eleven despite being a deer woman is working for the eastern orthodoxy is a sign of this- or Eddie himself- being a plant clone but choosing to rebel against his father. Hans seems to understand that while the east and west are at war, his northern upbringing has allowed him to have a more moralistic view of things- his childhood as being sickly and of the downtrodden also helps in this I suspect. Additionally, you make a point that Hans wasn't fond of taking Aaron as such could have backfired, and with it having done so and the demon outbreaks things are about to go south very quickly. The Wolfman are not prepared for what's happening in the east. The dangers of the primal beast going too far are also present. The north I assume due to the harsh nature of things climate wise is very collective in nature. However, it also seems that tensions between the north and west are rising, despite the presence of beasstfolk there, and there likely will be a shcism. In fact, based on what you've mentioned of Hans and some of the westerners leaving wolfheim and going north- that schism has to some extent already happened- it's likely only going to grow. It seems that at the end of this, the north might wind up the last refuge amidst all of this. I can't see the fates of the east or west being all that good. War is a certainty at this point. And with the doom hanging on Collin and Eddie both...it's not looking good. I'm curious as to how Marky and Hans will feature in other narratives. Marky being forced to confront his the issues of his people is interesting. It seems Hans already did that to some extent, but it's likely something will really make him think about it. The major failing with the east and west is that in trying to avoid one form of repression, they sprinted to another form of excess- and the worst part is in some cases you cannot blame them, but what they Are doing isnt right either- individual cases may make it the right thing to do, but certainly not collectively. The north seems to have also had to make a sacrifice to prevent destruction to come their way, but seem to have their heads on more than most. I suspect they will be amongst the survivors amidst this great game between the three nations.

Such a great story

Another great chapter. Hot one for sure.

It's fascinating watching you slowly develop this, it's clear that you've put a lot of thought into this world as well as the characters. It's interesting seeing Ray dealing with his situation, how he's perceived by others as well as how he perceives himself. Even before the inanimate tf there's a lot going on here, like it was interesting seeing him being 'why aren't people talking to me when I'm A Jock now???' and finding it dissonant that Bryce was living in a dorm with Jocks. It's clear that his identity is something that he puts a lot of thought into and he has a fair bit tied up with the perception of being a Jock (as others do to be fair, based on how I'm interpreting the surprise at him being an engineering major). Ray is very lost in general and uni is a time of change even for those of us who weren't Daedalus students. Looking forward to seeing how he changes in all senses of the word and how things progress in general!

Really loved this, particularly the use of time jumps

One of my favorite stories ever on the site.:green_heart: