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Ritual of Strength: “Water submits to my presence.” #Cosplay Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen #Ritual #SciFi

#PietasFans Ritual: Water submits to my presence as enemies submit to my will #SciFi

Water submits to my presence the way enemies submit to my will.

I wanted readers to see Pietas as he was before he met Six and had gone through a transformation. In this snippet, he's aboard ship, in the chamber used for the ritual. Each word and thought is concise, straightforward. There is no misunderstanding his words. Pietas means exactly what he says.

In the bathing area, Pietas took six steps down into a waist-deep pool. "Water submits to my presence the way enemies submit to my will." He cupped water in his hands, lifted it and let it pour down his arms. "The blood of my enemies trickles into the pool of time, is absorbed and forgotten." He pushed wet fingers through his hair and released it.

For Pietas, every thought, every action, every plan wraps around victory. He does not see defeat in any area of his life. His life defines purpose and resolve. He's invincible. Unshakeable.

But all that is about to change.

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Lights Out, the first story in the Bringer of Chaos series,
plus an illustrated look at the art and weapon designs commissioned for the series.

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


“Even their breath is mine…” Ritual of Strength, performed by Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #Ritual Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen #PietasFans #Cosplay #SciFi

#Ritual "I prevail over the breath of my enemies." Ritual of Strength, performed by Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen photographer @by_cosphoto #PietasFans #SciFi

 I prevail over the breath of my enemies.

Pietas performs this level of the ritual by thrusting forth his hands, making fists, and yanking back both arms; a symbol of taking life from those who opposed him. He carries out each step in a calm manner. To him, each statement is true. He's simply stating facts.

The first time Pietas performs the ritual in Origin of Pietas, he's in a beautiful chamber aboard his flagship. Everything in the room is geared toward the ritual. The elegance of the chamber reflects his confidence.

The second time, he's in exile. Wearing rags, gravely injured, he hobbles about with a heavy stick, his once-perfect body ruined by a brutal imprisonment. Not only can he no longer perform the ritual correctly, but he must perform it with the help of a lowly human.

Excerpt Origin of Pietas

In this scene, Pietas and Six are on the planet Sempervia, and Pietas has been performing the ritual on his own. Six, being human, is unworthy of taking part.

Taking care in the slippery mud, Pietas left the creek and once more, knelt beside the fire. He unwrapped the leaves holding the small amount of paste he'd created for his mask and applied it with his fingertips. There was no mirror to guide him, but he'd performed the ritual countless times. Once satisfied the mask blackened his eye area, he rested, preparing himself for the injury he must suffer.

He would perform this part alone, having no one worthy to accept his sacrifice. He picked up the knife.

"I, First Conqueror, War Leader of the Ultras, suffer for my people. I bleed for my people." He made a cut along one cheek, not as deep or long as Dessy had made. He bent forward to pull his hair toward the top of his head so he could cut it and was stopped, cold, by the inability to lift his arms far enough to reach. His muscles were still too tight, too drawn and withered to allow the movement.

Pietas remained on his knees, casting about in his mind what to do. How to complete the ritual.

The presence of Six brought both relief and a spike of anger. He sat up and tilted back his head to meet the man's gaze.

"Look, Pietas, before you yell at me, let me speak, okay?" Six knelt beside him. "I'm sorry. I know you said not to watch, but I couldn't look away. I can tell you're having trouble with this part. Let me help you. What do you need?"

The point of this part was to surrender his pride, was it not?

"I'll bow. Pull my hair toward the front and hold it in your fist. Then say, 'What sacrifice do you offer as proof of devotion?' After I answer, cut off the hair in your fist." He held up the knife.

Pietas resumed his position of supplication.

Six lifted Pietas's hair and drew it upward, toward the top of his head.

The sensation of being in his friend's capable hands sent a shockwave of gratitude over Pietas.

"What sacrifice do you offer as proof of devotion?"

"I surrender my pride."

Six's knife went through the wet hair in one clean motion.

Pietas righted himself. "I want to see how you sharpen knives."

Though it was full daylight, they were in shade and the firelight cast flickering shadows on Six's face. "Oh?"

"That blade is impressive."

"Thanks." He folded the knife and holstered it. "It does the job."

"However, you disobeyed a direct order."

Six fastened the safety on the holster, securing the knife. "See, I'm not one of your soldiers." Using a thumb, he wiped away a smear of blood from Pietas's cheek. "Which means you can't give me an order. Therefore, I did no such thing."

He met the man's unwavering gaze. "How you frustrate me, ghost."

"To quote you, 'Good.' Now, what's next?"

"When I performed this ritual before my people, whoever cut my hair had sex with me afterward."

Six's eyes went wide. "You're...kidding, right?"

Pietas let his gaze travel slowly down Six's length and back up before breaking into a smile. "Yes, I am."

"Not funny, Ultra. Anything else?"

"The ritual is complete."

Six gestured to his own eyes. "So that mask is part of your ritual."

"I never wear the mask until I've made myself worthy. And I'm ready for war."

"That means the day we met, you'd done the ritual."

"Yes."

Six cursed under his breath. "So, what else do you need?"

"I'll settle for you helping me up."

"The great Pietas, War Leader of the Ultras, wants help from a mortal? How the mighty have fallen."

Pietas narrowed his eyes. "Ghost, don't make me eat you."

"Yeah? I got two words for you, Ultra. Bring. Salt."

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FREE for immortals.
Lights Out, the first story in the Bringer of Chaos series,
plus an illustrated look at the art and weapon designs commissioned for the series.

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


“I own the wind.” Ritual of Strength, performed by Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #PietasFans Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Cosplay #Ritual

I own the wind. Ritual of Strength, performed by Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen photographer @by_cosphoto #PietasFans #SciFi

I own the wind.

Part two of the ritual involves Pietas claiming power over the wind. Part three goes into more detail on how/why.

The reference to power of the elements is not a simple comment. Pietas discovers in this series that one of his latent abilities is actual control of certain weather attributes. In books one and two (Origin of Pietas, Forged in Fire), every time Pietas must deal with his father or confront feelings about the man, a storm blows up. Not a stiff breeze, but a howling gale with lightning and tornadoes. Considering how "well" he and his father get along, the storms speak volumes.

Excerpt from Origin of Pietas

If one must be marooned on an alien world, at least it was with a cheerful companion and not a naysaying obstructionist like his father. Why thoughts of the man evoked such longing Pietas could not imagine. His father was like a hole in the shoe, ever present, ever making one aware of what was lacking, but doing nothing about it. Whereas Six...

Perhaps it wouldn't hurt for Pietas to let down a bit of his guard. A bit. He helped Six clean up. Though it was still morning, the day darkened while they were finishing. By the time they reached camp, the sun was gone.

At first, Pietas thought it might be another flock of birds, but then he spied what had sent the birds fleeing.

Black clouds roiled. Thunder boomed. The sky went white with lightning.

In the north, the mother of all thunderstorms rolled over the horizon.

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Behind the Scenes: Bringer of Chaos series

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FREE for immortals.
Lights Out, the first story in the Bringer of Chaos series,
plus an illustrated look at the art and weapon designs commissioned for the series.

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


“I am powerful, as fire is powerful.” Ritual of Strength performed by Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #PietasFans Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #Cosplay #Ritual

#PietasFans "I am powerful, as fire is powerful." Ritual of Strength performed by Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov Bringer of Chaos @by_cosphoto photographer #SciFi #Ritual

I am powerful, as fire is powerful.

When I conceived the idea of Pietas performing a ritual to remind himself of his own prowess, I knew it would have to include the elements of fire, air, water, and wind. That he used to do it in public but now only in private made me wonder... Why? Why did he stop performing this in public? Why only with his twin sister? He and Dessy cannot be in the same room without sniping at one another. He doesn't trust her, not after she betrayed him many years ago. So why her?

I realized it had to be because he showed her his most vulnerable side to prove he had no fear. Not of injury, not of ridicule, and most certainly not of her.

But it was not until I wrote book two, Forged in Fire, that I realized why he started doing the ritual in the first place. More on that later in the ritual series.

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Behind the Scenes: Bringer of Chaos series

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FREE for immortals.
Lights Out, the first story in the Bringer of Chaos series,
plus an illustrated look at the art and weapon designs commissioned for the series.

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


Ritual of Strength performed by Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #SciFi #PietasFans Bringer of Chaos by Kayelle Allen #Ritual #Cosplay #Video

Ritual of Strength performed by Nik Nitsvetov
Voiceover Artist Zack Black
From the Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen
Photographer Belyaeva Yuliya

In this scene from book 1 of the Bringer of Chaos series, Pietas is preparing for a ritual with his twin sister.

 

While Pietas readied himself, his sister twirled the dagger, showing off her expertise.

"You know, Pietas, you should let our people know you still do this ceremony. They'd be impressed by your devotion."

"I don't do it to impress anyone. I do it to ready myself for-- Stop!" Dessy had been sliding one fingertip along the edge of the dagger. He removed it from her grasp, and examined the blade.

"Honestly, Pietas! I was just testing the sharpness."

"I didn't want you to cut yourself."

"I'm as adept with blades as you. More so, if you ask me."

"Not the point. If you'd cut yourself, I'd have to consecrate it again. It can only have my blood or my enemy's."

"You think I'm witless? As if I haven't performed this ceremony with you a hundred times. And here I thought you were concerned for my well-being."

"Stop playing. I told you, I'm busy."

She let out a harsh sigh. "Fine. Let's complete the ritual."

Dagger in hand, Pietas unfastened the clip in his hair, and let it fall. The wet tail slapped the middle of his back. He tossed the clip aside, placed the dagger on his palms, and offered it.

She poised her hand above it. "Who offers this weapon?"

"First Conqueror, War Leader of the Ultras."

She took it from him. "For whom are you willing to suffer?"

"I suffer for my people." Pietas turned his cheek.

Dessy slid the knife tip gently along his face, from cheekbone to chin, drawing a thin trail of blood. "For whom do you bleed?"

"I bleed for my people." By the time the first drop of blood had risen, the cut had healed, leaving no scar.

"What sacrifice do you offer as proof of devotion?"

He went to his knees, and lowered his head. Here was the true reason he no longer performed this ritual before his people. Pietas abased himself before no one.

Except the one woman who held the tattered remnants of his trust, and what little remained of his heart.

"I surrender my pride."

His sister went behind him, and gathered his hair in her fist. Using the razor-sharp blade, she sawed through the wet tail. She crossed to the table, and moved the hide back in place.

Pietas picked up the pants as he stood, and slipped them on. He ruffled his fingers through his hair. It hung around his jaw line.

Dessy brushed it back from his face, and thumbed away a smear of blood.

He clasped her wrist. "Take it out of your pocket."

"What?"

"Whatever it is you took."

"I don't--"

He tightened his grip, and she grimaced. "Take it out of your pocket."

"Let me go." She glared in defiance, the ice in her emotions fierce as a blizzard.

He released her, and the room warmed. He held out his hand.

Dessy reached into a pocket and withdrew his tail of hair. "I'm not giving it back."

"It's mine. I intend to burn it."

"I know. That's why I took it."

He tried to snatch it from her.

She slipped out of reach. "It's mine now, and I want it."

He regarded her a long moment. "I see. You want my DNA because you think I'll be defeated."

"Can you imagine Father's face if told him I wanted to recreate you? He'd sooner burn his lab to the ground."

Those words bit his pride, but the truth of her emotions, her love for him, assuaged it. He motioned for her to give it to him. "Now, Dess."

She stuffed it back in her pocket. "I have nothing of yours, and I've always loved your hair. Let me keep it." She added, "Please."

The last time she'd said that word to him, they were sixteen. His decision to comply had cost him his relationship with his father, and ruined what he'd had with her. She had never said please again. Not to him. That ought to be warning enough. But back then, he'd still had a heart that could break.

It wasn't breakable any more.

"It's hair. Not important." He set a fist over his heart, and bowed.

Smiling, she pressed her palms together and put her hands before her mouth. "Thank you. Now, are you ready for the peace talks?"

"No." He squared his shoulders. "I'm ready for war."

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FREE for immortals.
Lights Out, the first story in the Bringer of Chaos series,
plus an illustrated look at the art and weapon designs commissioned for the series.

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


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FREE for immortals.
Lights Out, the first story in the Bringer of Chaos series,
plus an illustrated look at the art and weapon designs commissioned for the series.

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


“Saying ‘I forgot’ was inexcusable in our home.” #Excerpt Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #PietasFans #MFRWhooks

Origin of Pietas: Bringer of Chaos - #SciFi #SpaceOpera

When I was writing the first Bringer of Chaos book, I looked for songs that evoked the mood on the characters. Remember Everything© by Five Finger Death Punch is a song of pain from the viewpoint of a child who grew up unable to please his father. Early in the book, Pietas faces off against his father, the former Chancellor. As the current Chancellor, Pietas must oversee peace talks between immortals and humans. He and his father are yin and yang--complete opposites on the spectrum. That truth comes out later in a scene between Pietas and his mortal companion, Six.

I forgot...

Pietas dangled a length of fishing line in the water. "How good the weather is on this world. I'm quite pleased with it. If we have to be marooned here, at least we're not facing constant storms or stuck in a desert."

"I hope it lasts."

"You think it won't?" Pietas craned his neck, but in this part of the creek, under the canopy of trees, the sky showed up as blue specks.

"No place has perfect weather. It must rain sometime. Trees don't get as big as these or the creek full without rain."

"Ah, of course. I knew that. My mother is a consummate terraformer. She taught me about the cycles of life and renewal and how planets replenish themselves before I was ten. She made me learn the name of every plant and animal in existence, I think. I got caught up in enjoying the beauty and forgot my lessons."

"You know, Pietas... It's okay to admit you forgot a detail." Six shot him a smile.

"For you, perhaps. Such excuses were unacceptable when I was growing up. Saying I forgot was equivalent to saying please beat me now."

Six chuckled. "Sounds like a tough childhood."

Pietas settled back against the boulder. "My friend, you have no idea."

Remember Everything - Five Finger Death Punch

Song: Remember Everything©
Artist: Five Finger Death Punch
Album: American Capitalist
Copyright: 2011 Five Finger Death Punch

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Welcome to Book Hooks!

Marketing for Romance Writers Book HooksBook Hooks is a weekly cooperative blog hop hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.
It's a chance each week for you to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors.
Thank you for stopping by.

Links below lead to other sites also taking part. You can "hop" from mine to theirs with one click.

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


He hadn’t come to reconnect. He’d come to negotiate. How utterly vexing #PietasFans #SciFi #MMRomance

Ring of the Dragon: Heart of the Immortal King #SciFi #MMRomance

In this scene, Pietas had waited all day for Cyken to arrive, and now that the man has come aboard the ship, Pietas is eager to reconnect. They're in Pietas's quarters, and they've seated themselves on a couch.

But Cyken wasn't here to reconnect, was he? No. He'd come to negotiate on behalf of his new love. The young immortal Pietas himself had created.

How utterly vexing.

With a hesitant motion, as if reaching out to a wild animal, Cyken pressed the back of his fingers against Pietas's cheek in a hand-kiss.

He leaned into the touch, and returned it. "I've missed you, Cyken."

"You haven't cut your hair."

No 'I've missed you too?' No 'I can't live without you?' No 'I need you more than air?' Or 'You are my soul's fire. Stay with me forever.' No, he got, "You haven't cut your hair." Cyken might as well have stabbed him.

The man picked up a strand of Pietas's hair and rubbed it between fingers and thumb. "I'm glad you kept your hair long. Such pure platinum. I like it down. Always have." Luc released him and sat back.

Pietas only cut it in preparation for battle; he'd worn it long far less than he'd like. "I'll cut it for the ritual when I judge your Changeling."

Cyken's visage remained impassive and unreadable. Those solid black eyes hid much, but Pietas had angered Cyken before. A long-familiar blaze of fury flickered across the man's face and disappeared.

Which told Pietas he'd scored a hit. Why didn't that feel like a victory? One leg tucked under himself, he faced Cyken.

"You talk first." Cyken gestured. "Since you claim to know what I'll say."

"You want me to exempt Izzorah from the fealty test." Pietas required the test of all immortals who followed him. The only proof of immortality was coming back from the dead.

Anyone with the courage to die to prove loyalty deserved a place at Pietas's side.

"You never let anyone skip. Everyone knows that."

"You're right, and I won't start now." Good, then. That was settled.

Cyken broke into a slow smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling, making him look far less deadly than Pietas knew him to be. Cyken had aged during this lifetime, giving his face character, and... What was the word... Gravitas. Nobility. Revealing the majestic warrior Pietas had fallen so deeply in love with.

The one he loved still.

"Pietas." Cyken reached over and clasped Pietas's left hand. A touch strong but gentle, commanding yet yielding. As it had been with them from the beginning. But this time, Cyken had clamped his entire hand over Pietas's, immobilizing him. Holding him in place. Shifting the power.

If Pietas pulled back his hand, he acknowledged the shift. If he did not, he acknowledged the shift. For him, lose/lose either way.

Shrewd of Cyken. And downright cold-blooded.

Heart of the Immortal King

Heart of the Immortal King #SciFi #MMRomance #BisexualRomanceSeries page: https://kayelleallen.com/hot-series

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Ring of the Dragon: Heart of the Immortal King #SciFi #MMRomance #BisexualRomance

For millennia, they fight side by side. Now one king faces a lonely quest.

As Light and Shadow, King Pietas and General Cyken share every battle, as well as a fierce and passionate love.

But, torn apart by the king's rage, Cyken ends their stormy relationship.

When General Cyken falls in love with another man, Pietas undertakes a perilous quest on the dangerous world of Felidae to prove he is the better choice for Cyken.

If he succeeds in his quest, it will either bring Cyken back, or drive him even closer to his new love.

Pietas must try, for he cannot walk into eternity alone.

He must have a shadow to balance his light...

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


Tornahdo’s world moved in slo-mo #Excerpt from Lights Out #SciFi #PietasFans #MFRWhooks

Lights Out: Bringer of Chaos, futuristic military sci-fi #SciFi #MilSF #SpaceOpera

In this scene, Tornahdo enters the chamber with seven other ghosts, having been given orders different from the others. Fighting Pietas with only seven others — what advantage can that possibly offer?

The world shifts to slow-mo

As ordered, Tornahdo illuminated the beacon on his chest. Not smart. Pietas would know from the level of brightness how many had entered the unlit room, but there was no sense saying so. Ghosts did what they were told.

Maybe the next team would subdue the Ultra after Tornahdo's crew exhausted him. Assuming there were ghosts left who hadn't been shot by their own leaders.

Inside, as instructed, he stayed near the back. Two of the eight ghosts closed in on the pod.

Pietas lay on the floor behind it. His body showed, not his face.

Tornahdo tingled with a fighter's high. The mix of anxiety and excitement kept his instincts on maximum alert.

Beside Pietas, a ghost stooped. The change in lighting angle showed the Ultra, limp on the floor. When turned, the body flopped. The ghost pressed two fingers against the throat.

With a jerk, Pietas yanked the man down while thrusting a hand up.

A pierce of mindless fear stabbed Tornahdo. He'd faced that snap of terror before. It meant two things. First, the Ultra was controlling their emotions. Second, the chip was worthless.

Pietas tripped the next ghost, jabbed an elbow into his neck.

Another spurt of fear and confusion.

All that training. Days of suffering, learning control. For nothing.

Pietas flashed into speed mode.

Tornahdo's world moved in slow motion.

A blur showed where the Ultra had been. Pietas halted, braced both hands on a pod and kicked a pair of ghosts behind him.

They flew backward. Slow.

Momentum carried the Ultra straight toward Tornahdo.

Stumbling out of the way, Tornahdo went down in a tumble, taking out the ghost beside him, who knocked down the last two.

Tornahdo rolled to his feet, out of range of those long arms and carbon-hard fists. But for how long?
---

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Bringer of Chaos

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Lights Out: Bringer of Chaos, futuristic military sci-fi #SciFi #MilSF #SpaceOpera

Origin of Pietas: Bringer of Chaos - #SciFi #SpaceOpera

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Watch Your Six – Bringer of Chaos series 3 #SciFi #SpaceMarine #PietasFans

Behind the Scenes: Bringer of Chaos series

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Welcome to Book Hooks!

Marketing for Romance Writers Book HooksBook Hooks is a weekly cooperative blog hop hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.
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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.