PSO2: Legend of Aki: REBIRTH

[Zorafim]

Spoiler!

Then that's a good way for him to end. He turned his back on society, and the only thing he cared about was part of that society. He wanted one thing, and couldn't get it because he took what he needed from the people who could help him.

Well, that release schedule seems good for keeping your motivation up. I know I certainly couldn't work long enough to get forward several weeks at a time.

[Zorafim]

Man, I'm starting to comment on this as a fan talking about a work he enjoys, and less like a fellow writer critiquing your techniques. It feels kinda good.

19.2 (4

Spoiler!

I swear if they end up in trouble due to the several seconds Akasha argued semantics...

So, if they're all fighting Typhon... aren't Akasha and Ivan supposed to be joining in? Isn't that why they came?

I've gotta say, I love Krauser. There's just something nice about an unironically nice hero.
Now how does he die?

Oh. They are helping. Man, was I just not paying attention during the briefing?

Yep. Krauser's a badass. We don't have enough pure-good badasses anymore. It's also great seeing the difference between a common ARKs soldier and someone near the top.

[stukasa]

@Zorafim: Whether as a fellow author or a fan, or both, I'll take any comments you may have.

Spoiler!

Akasha's team was supposed to be restoring the HELIOS anti-Darker system. They were never supposed to be directly engaged with Typhon. But when Akasha and Ivan fell off the central support column, they ended up getting stuck with Krauser's group, which was fighting Typhon. So they ended up fighting Typhon by circumstance. Krauser told Akasha and Ivan to return to their own team, but Akasha decided she needed to stay and help.

I included Krauser as a gauge for comparison. I wanted to show that as strong as our characters have become, they still have room for growth. Maybe one day they'll be as badass as Krauser.

Also, to comment on your previous message: It's not that I *want* to be several weeks ahead in my writing, it's that I *have* to be. It takes me nearly two weeks to write each part but I release them on a weekly basis, so I need a head start before I post them. Over the course of the season, that head start keeps shrinking until eventually it's gone by the end.

[Zorafim]

Spoiler!

Ah okay, that clears it up. Pure description like that isn't as easy to read, so I must have glossed over it. That makes more sense that there are some fighters that were torn apart by basic darker enemies in an area filled with them and worse.

I always remembered seeing characters like Krauser and thinking "Why can't I watch a show about them!". That's part of the inspiration for Levia and Zorael. I wanted to come up with something interesting about really powerful characters that don't have to deal with the same conflicts most protagonists do.

That strict schedule you kept yourself on really worked for you. You've been very consistent with your content. It's kinda great always knowing that I have a chapter to look forward to on saturday.
That being said, have you considered just doing a chapter once every two weeks? I think this format works great, since we know when to keep invested and when not to expect anything. But there might be some advantage to not having to worry about everything being out on time. It's probably best not to take scheduling advice from someone who tapered off his writing, but, it's there.

[StreetFighter2242]

Excellent work.

[stukasa]

@Zorafim: I've changed my release schedule slightly for the new story. Although I still release a new part every Saturday, I'm taking breaks between chapters until I get caught up. So for example, if a chapter is four parts long, you'll get a new part every Saturday, then a short break until I start releasing the next chapter. It gives me a little more breathing room while still keeping to a fairly predictable schedule. To me, the schedule is very important. It gives readers a sense of consistency. Also, I don't like to keep people waiting too long between each release. The longer I wait, the more I risk they'll forget what happened in the previous chapters.

@StreetFighter2242: Thank you very much!

[Zorafim]

Woops. I forgot to mention my comment was for 19.2. That gave me some confusion when I tried to find the next chapter...

19.3 (4

Spoiler!

With this many casualties, it seems like Akasha and Ivan should be having survival guilt.
Damn, even Krauser's death was badass. I kinda like that we never got any detail of anything about him. He just was, and he just did. That makes him even more awesome.

I liked how spoiled Lee acted. I love seeing calm and composed people throwing away their air of dignity and exposing that they're no better than anybody else.

[stukasa]

@Zorafim:

Spoiler!

They probably have survival guilt over Kira's death. Not sure about anyone else's death. As for Krauser, he served his role so it was time for him to go. I didn't want the readers thinking he might swoop in to save the day later. For the final battle, the good guys will be on their own.

That reaction where Lee loses his composure is the most "human" you ever see him. It's also the only time I ever show his eyes in a character portrait. Every other time, his eyes are covered by his sunglasses. Fun fact: the first time I introduced Lee, he said that eyes are the window to the soul (I'm paraphrasing). That's why he always wears sunglasses, because he's hiding his true self from everyone. That one chapter (19.3) is the only time you see him without them, so... symbolism and stuff.

[Zorafim]

yay symbolism!

You mentioned that in your comments with Yoshi. It must have really meant a lot to you.

[stukasa]

@Zorafim: Oh yeah, I guess I did mention it. Since I went through the trouble of making a special portrait for it, I wanted to make sure people noticed. xD