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Tag Archives: Forged in Fire

From book 2 of the Bringer of Chaos series, Forged in Fire.

#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."

The Ritual of Strength series

https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-00-video Video: Ritual of Strength performed by Nik Nitsvetov
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-01-powerful I am powerful, as fire is powerful.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-02-wind I own the wind.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-03-prevail-breath I prevail over the breath of my enemies.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-04-water-submits Water submits to my presence the way enemies submit to my will.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-05-trickle My enemies trickle into the pool of time.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-06-body-submits My body submits to my will.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-07-no-fear No fear touches me.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-08-my-will My will is absolute.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-09-prevail-every I prevail over every circumstance.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-10-every-foe I face every foe. (+Origin of the Ritual)
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-11-vanquish-enemy I vanquish every enemy.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-12-indomitable I overcome. I am indomitable.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-13-invincible  I am invincible.

Credits

My thanks to the performer, Nik Nitsvetov, and photographer Belyaeva Yuliya

The Ritual of Strength series

https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-00-video Video: Ritual of Strength performed by Nik Nitsvetov
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-01-powerful I am powerful, as fire is powerful.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-02-wind I own the wind.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-03-prevail-breath I prevail over the breath of my enemies.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-04-water-submits Water submits to my presence the way enemies submit to my will.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-05-trickle My enemies trickle into the pool of time.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-06-body-submits My body submits to my will.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-07-no-fear No fear touches me.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-08-my-will My will is absolute.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-09-prevail-every I prevail over every circumstance.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-10-every-foe I face every foe. (+Origin of the Ritual)
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-11-vanquish-enemy I vanquish every enemy.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-12-indomitable I overcome. I am indomitable.
https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-13-invincible  I am invincible.

Credits

My thanks to the performer, Nik Nitsvetov, and photographer Belyaeva Yuliya

Bringer of Chaos

Click covers for the buy link. Click text for the website page and excerpts.

#SciFi #SpaceOpera

Pick up the first story in the Bringer of Chaos series, Lights Out, plus an illustrated look at the series free by signing up for my newsletter
https://kayelleallen.com/immortality

Bringer of Chaos
Bundle 1

Bringer of Chaos Bundle 1 #SpaceOpera #SciFi

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.


~ Copyright ©2024 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!


To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Would he be a traitor to his people? Or their salvation... #SciFi Bringer of Chaos by Kayelle Allen #AudioBook

Now in audio - $1.99 each

Origin of Pietas

Forged in Fire

If you're fighting immortals who always get back up, you'd better have a way to do the same thing or it's Lights Out.

But what if the enemy you hate is your only salvation?

Exiled on a planet with no one but Six, the human who guarded him, the immortal king Pietas faces the ordeal of survival. Imprisonment transformed him from superman to a man who cannot even feed himself. He must surrender his pride and accept help. Pietas and Six must come to respect one another.

If the human deserts him, Pietas will die, permanently. But this particular human is the perfect foil for Pietas, who's a seething mess of ego, angst, and self-loathing, angry at the universe in general and humans in particular.

However much Pietas might need Six, that doesn't mean he'll humiliate himself by admitting weakness.

But saving his people means depending upon the one thing Pietas swore did not exist—the honor of a human...

Bringer of Chaos

Bringer of Chaos Bundle 1 - Science Fiction and Space Opera #SciFi #SpaceOpera #PietasFans

Click covers for the buy link. Click text for the website page and excerpts.

#SciFi #SpaceOpera

Pick up the first story in the Bringer of Chaos series, Lights Out, plus an illustrated look at the series free by signing up for my newsletter
https://kayelleallen.com/immortality

Bringer of Chaos
Bundle 1

Bringer of Chaos Bundle 1 #SpaceOpera #SciFi

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.


~ Copyright ©2024 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!


To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Photo shoot – Cosplay live on Instagram
with Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas

On September 1,  2018, Nik will portray Pietas, the immortal king from the Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen. The cosplay will be performed in a live feed from Russia.
To take part, follow Nik on Instagram.
The exact date is September 1, 2018.
It begins at 7:00 AM Eastern. The event runs for three hours (till 10:00 AM).
You can pop in at any time.

 Meet the immortal king Pietas live on Instagram #SpaceOpera #Cosplay @nitsvetov

 


About Nik

 Meet the immortal king Pietas live on Instagram #SpaceOpera #Cosplay @nitsvetov

Nik Nitsvetov is a photographer and award-winning cosplayer. A gamer and anime fan, he often cosplays characters from popular series.
He lives in Russia and is a strong supporter of Russian Cosplay. His personal photography ranges from cosplay to portraits and includes animals and nature.

 


JOIN US FOR BOOKHOOKS
Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. It’s a chance each week for you the reader to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors. Thank you for stopping by. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.

Proud to show you images from the Chaos is Coming cosplay featuring Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas, the immortal king. Members of my reader groups will receive a larger group of exclusive photos in the next newsletter. Info on how to sign up is at the end. Below is a quote from Elryk, the man Pietas considers his mentor and the father he never had. You’ll meet Elryk in a future series.

When you're proud, you must not only overcome adversity and obstacles, you must also overcome yourself. ~Elryk #SpaceOpera Click To Tweet

Chaos is Coming – Sci Fi Cosplay

On Nov 27th, Nik Nitsvetov wore the Pietas armor he hand made for the Chaos is Coming Cosplay, performed live on Instagram.

Last year Nik performed as Pietas from the Bringer of Chaos series doing the Ritual of Strength. You can see the video of him performing here. This  cosplay he portrayed Pietas as a younger version of the immortal king. Before he led his people, Pietas was a plebe in the Discord. After all, even the mightiest river has a beginning.

The immortal king began life as a soldier when he was still a teenager. Imagine being abandoned on a new world where you have no idea about customs, no identification, no money, no food, and no friends. No one will hire you, and you are too proud to steal and too stubborn to beg. That was Pietas at age sixteen. Part of his story is revealed in the Bringer of Chaos series. These images (and nearly 700 like them) will be used for covers and banners for that new series. I can’t wait to start writing!

I hope you enjoy the images!

 

Follow Nik

Nik Nitsvetov is a photographer and award-winning cosplayer who often serves as judge at conventions. A gamer and anime fan, he often cosplays characters from popular series. He lives in Russia and is a strong supporter of Russian Cosplay. His personal photography ranges from cosplay to portraits and often includes animals and nature. You will find him online through various social media.
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nitsvetov/posts
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nitsvetov/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nitsvetov.photo/
Twitter https://twitter.com/nitsvetov
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nik.nicvetov
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OnframeCosplay/
World Cosplay https://worldcosplay.net/en/member/Onframe
Origin of Pietas: Bringer of Chaos is on sale through December for 99 cents.

Kayelle Allen writes space opera with larger than life, unforgettable characters. Come walk in her worlds and meet a few!
Reader Groups https://kayelleallen.com/reader-groups/
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/710889.Kayelle_Allen
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Kayelle-Allen/e/B003ZRXVN8

Bringer of Chaos Bundle 1 #PietasFans #SciFi

In this excerpt, Pietas and the search party sent to find him have become lost and have walked for hours. When he realizes they're near a summit that will allow him to see the valley they searched for, he heads for it. Joss, the telepath and warrior he loves tries to keep him from going, insisting she has a better vantage point. Pietas suspects a trick.

Excerpt

"Joss. The truth this time."

While she studied him, he remained motionless. The gentle prod of her mind across his shields reminded him she'd seen his thoughts despite his best efforts. Or perhaps she'd allowed him to be aware. In the past, he'd noticed such intrusion during training but not outside it.

"Pietas, if you want to see the caldera from this point, I can't stop you, but once you see what's out there, you can't un-see it. I want to spare you the devastation until you've had a chance to see the good side. If I take you in through the pass, you can appreciate the true beauty of this place first. Maybe come up with a way we can make it work here. Survive."

Devastation.

According to Joss, half a million of his people lay in helpless cryosleep within lifepods on the other side of that hill. Over three thousand pods had been damaged beyond saving. The frozen immortals within them shattered.

A short hike above, the summit waited. In two short minutes he could see for himself. "How long would your route take us?"

"Less than a half hour."

Once more, the short distance to the actual summit drew his attention. How many steps?

"Pi?" Six nudged him. "Is that even a blink in the life of an immortal?"

"No, ghost, it's not." How grateful he was for this man. "Besides, I'm patient."

His sister scoffed. "You?" Turning to the twins, she pointed at Pietas. "That is not my brother."

No, he was not. He was far better. His sister could see the change. Why would she not accept it? Resisting the urge to respond with cynicism, Pietas shut his mouth.

He indicated the route Joss wanted to take. "Let's go your way."

"Thank you for listening to me." Joss took Pietas by the hand, reached up, and dragged a fingertip down the cleft in his chin. "This place is stunning. I hate that so much of it will be spoiled by our being here."

"Why? Has Mother released environmental impact studies?"

"No, she--" The look Joss sent his way resembled pity. "You'll see. Not far now."

"You've been saying 'not far' for hours. Did I not teach you to mark trails?"

"I'm sorry, Pietas. It won't happen again."

Oh, but it would. She wouldn't mean for it to happen, but it would. He'd tried for centuries to teach her how to find her way, to no avail. He kissed her cheek and drew her into his arms, savoring her warmth.

"Joss." He placed his mouth near her ear. "You couldn't find your way out of a round room with one door."

She jerked up her head and looked at him, eyes wide.

"And I adore you for it."

Bringer of Chaos

Click covers for the buy link. Click text for the website page and excerpts.

#SciFi #SpaceOpera

Pick up the first story in the Bringer of Chaos series, Lights Out, plus an illustrated look at the series free by signing up for my newsletter
https://kayelleallen.com/immortality

Bringer of Chaos
Bundle 1

Bringer of Chaos Bundle 1 #SpaceOpera #SciFi


Welcome to Book Hooks!
Book Hooks is a weekly cooperative meme 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. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.


~ Copyright ©2024 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!


To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

 

He can save mankind. All he has to do is die. Again #SciFi #SpaceOpera #FreeBook

Join the Ghost Corps, they said. You'll live forever, they said.

You'll save mankind, they said. They didn't say that to do it, first he had to die.

When Tornahdo signs on the dotted line, he puts his life into the steady hands of the mighty Ghost Corps. Three grisly deaths and three agonizing resurrections later, he's assigned duty on the space station Enderium Six.

He's facing his most dangerous mission yet, the very reason the corps exists.

Do they expect him to win? Fat chance. Tornahdo and his team are already dead and this mission is codenamed "Lights Out." No, there's more to this than he can see.

To discover the truth, he must face an unbeatable, unkillable enemy, and this time--somehow--find a way to keep himself alive...

Get this book free by signing up for my newsletter.

Sequel books: Origin of Pietas and Forged in Fire.

Lights Out - Bringer of Chaos series

 

Subscribe to my newsletter and pick up Lights Out.
Choose the Citizen Journey and get emails from the Empress herself.*
Then, choose the Immortal Journey to hear from the immortal king.*

 

*Wi-Fi between Earth & Tarth are killer expensive, so pretend these aren't from me, okay? ;p