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Tag: Ritual of Strength

The Ritual of Strength is a solemn ceremony performed by Pietas. It consists of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order, and used to affirm the strength and prowess.

He can save humanity. All it will cost is his life #SciFi #PietasFans #MFRWhooks

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

Lights Out

He can save humanity. All he has to do is die. Again.

Join the Ghost Corps. You'll live forever, they said. You'll save humanity, they said. They didn't say that to do it, first you 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, subduing and arresting the most lethal enemy of mankind—the immortal king.

Does the Corps expect success? 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—against all expectations for a ghost—find a way to keep himself alive...

In this scene, Tornahdo has been assigned to a mission and told he'll be briefed soon. He and eleven other members of Ghost Corps gear up and wait for orders.

Excerpt

The teamwork present in the regular army had no place here. Isolation was the point of being a ghost.

The unlit room where they waited closed in as if the walls pulled together and the ceiling sank. The longer they waited, the thicker the air. Warm, heavy with sweat and the tart bite of fear, every breath choked the senses.

More than one ghost pulled at his collar. Tension arced through the room, lightning skating over a metal fence.

Was the chip even working?

After half an hour of waiting, no one had spoken.

Probably another test.

Tornahdo, for one, wasn't failing it.

The door opened, bringing a shock of icy air.

They all knew they were being sent to die. They were ghosts. That's what ghosts did. They hammered at Ultras until they perma-killed them or they kept Ultras busy until others escaped. But at least they were getting to breathe first.

In walked a person close to seven Terran feet. Silhouette looked male. Tall enough to be an Ultra. He strode into the center of the room and beckoned everyone closer.

No clue who hid behind the full-body fake-face. It cycled through various images, too fast to keep up. Like trying to count air bubbles rising in a pool.

Remaining at the back, Tornahdo stood at ease.

"This is the best day in human recollection." Speaking through a voice changer, the voice took on genderless robotic tones. "Today, we make history."

If it was such a good day, why hide behind a fake-face and a voice changer?

The chip in Tornahdo's head pinged a stinging reminder to avoid such thoughts. He reined in his doubt and focused.

"This mission is called Lights Out. Your duty is simple. Chancellor Pietas is unconscious. You'll put him in a lifepod. That's it." The guy paused. "Questions?"

A tall ghost removed his helmet. "How can Ultras be unconscious?"

"The peace talks were a trap. When he and the Council arrived, we told them we'd jettison their module unless they entered their lifepods, which they did. Except Pietas, of course, so we siphoned the air out of the room. Before you go in, you'll hyperventilate, store up oxygen. This room is being pumped full at a high rate. Your chip will aid you."

Ultras held their breath ten times longer than humans. Tornahdo had trained to hold his five times longer. Pietas probably managed fifteen or twenty times.

Twelve of them. In a vacuum. Against the Ultra called Bringer of Chaos. Whose motto was, "Pain is a warrior's ally." No number of chips made that doable.

Bringer of Chaos

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

Series page: https://kayelleallen.com/chaos-series/

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

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

Forged in Fire: Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #SpaceOpera

 

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

Behind the Scenes: Bringer of Chaos series

Bringer of Chaos Bundle 1 – Sci-Fi & Space Opera #SciFi #SpaceOpera #PietasFans

 

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.

Claim your immortality:
https://kayelleallen.com/immortality

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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.


A howl of empathic rage rips the air #SciFi #PietasFans

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

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Pietas discovers a critical truth. He is plunged into an empathic rage that unleashes his emotions on the world. Everything changes. The scene below picks up after the reveal so as not to include spoilers. Pietas ventures into the night alone on Sempervia.

Excerpt

Lost in thought, Pietas walked for hours, finally becoming aware of his surroundings in the center of a clearing. Sempervian moonlight bathed the night in silver. He'd learned the secret behind Ghost Corps' rejuvenation process.

How ironic. He'd begun to have second thoughts about humanity. Since getting to know Six, he'd considered the wholesale slaughter of humans might be wrong. That his father might have a point, and humans might be worth saving.

He'd considered resigning himself to life on Sempervia. Leaving humanity to its own devices.

How pathetic.

He would go back if it cost him every vestige of strength, and make humanity pay for what they'd done.

He would kill every last one.

Every ghost.

Every human.

All of them. Every. Single. One.

Fury activated pheromones he'd long suppressed.

He loosed them.

The moon darkened behind a cloud of insects.

A torrent of nesting birds roused and with terrified wings, beat the sky.

Pietas threw back his head, flung out his arms, and poured forth a silent howl of empathic rage.

Bringer of Chaos

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

Series page: https://kayelleallen.com/chaos-series/

#SciFi #SpaceOpera

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

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

Forged in Fire: Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #SpaceOpera

 

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

Behind the Scenes: Bringer of Chaos series

Bringer of Chaos Bundle 1 – Sci-Fi & Space Opera #SciFi #SpaceOpera #PietasFans

 

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.

Claim your immortality:
https://kayelleallen.com/immortality

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ 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.


When your hero is a narcissist… Or is he? #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

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

One way writers allow readers to connect with a hero is to give him serious character flaws. In Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas, Pietas begins as an arrogant narcissist with a superiority complex. He is sooo above puny humans... but in this book, his immortal life could end when he winds up at the mercy of one.

Character Flaws

In this scene between the immortal Pietas and his father, the two are arguing a familiar topic: humans. To establish the main character's chief flaw, it's important to reveal it as close to the opening as possible. This conversation begins on the first page, but we join it here a few pages later. Pietas is speaking.

 

"You want us to treat humans as equals. They never treated us as such. Even now, we're hated and reviled. Putting them on the council will make them haughtier. I want nothing to do with humans."

"Then you want nothing to do with me, Son. Humans are all I care about."

And wasn't that the naked truth of his father's betrayal? He had turned his back on their people. He had turned his back on his son.

"You're right, Father. I want nothing to do with you. I care nothing for mortals. They all die."

"You were elected by the council and you serve at their pleasure." He jabbed a finger at the ground. "They want this treaty. Remember that."

"I never forsake duty." Pietas twitched his fingers, dismissing him. He waited until Mahikos reached the door. "Did it never occur to you?"

His father faced him. "What?"

"The council elected me to head these talks and removed you. You want to bring in humans. I do not. Perhaps the council hates humans more than you think."

A wave of aggravation emanated from Mahikos. Licks of emotional flame scorched Pietas's skin. Accustomed to the pain, he did not flinch.

"Son, surely you realize they elected you to keep you close and control you."

"To control--" Pietas broke into laughter. "Did they? How unenlightened." He shrugged. "Well, they can try. I must say, your annoyance today is a refreshing change from your usual indifference. I'd begun wondering if you had any emotions regarding my takeover. It must nettle, knowing your lowly son succeeded your rule."

"No one would consider you lowly."

Pietas lifted his chin. "Except you."

"I'm surprised you even bothered to show up, as much as you hate humans."

"It's nothing personal. I hate humans no more than a physician hates germs yet still takes time to eradicate them. Humans are dangerous."

"Humans are the reason we exist."

"Perhaps that was true in your reality. Humans have abused, misused, and betrayed their creations throughout their history. This peace everyone clamors for comes from concern about humans. I care less than nothing about them. As for their good graces? I have no faith they exist."

"You know, Pietas, one day you'll rely on the mercy of humans."

"You think humans show mercy? How amusing."

Head down, Mahikos rubbed a spot between his eyes. "I hope I'm there to see it. When you realize even humans have value, that will be a good day for all of us."

"How well you preach love." If only his father gave it half as well.

"Son, when the conference starts tomorrow, all your mother and I ask is that you try to be gracious."

"I'm certain I already am." He toyed with the circlet. "Just this morning when I knocked on your chamber door, I heard Mother say, 'Oh gracious. That must be Pietas.'"

"Why can you not be serious about this?"

"I consider these talks of utmost importance. It is you I do not take seriously."


Okay -- now tell me, aren't you irritated with Pietas right now? If I've done my job as a writer, you will be. However, as you walk in his shoes (or lack of them) through the rest of the story, you'll gain an insight into his arrogance and his hate-love-hate relationship with his father. One reviewer wrote that by the end, she loved this man (Pietas) she had been driven to hate.

Writing a character with serious flaws is like buying a diamond in the rough. You know the gem is in there. It takes time to grind and polish but eventually, you get to the good part.

Bringer of Chaos

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

Series page: https://kayelleallen.com/chaos-series/

#SciFi #SpaceOpera

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Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #SpaceOpera #PietasFans

Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #SpaceOpera #PietasFans

Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #SpaceOpera #PietasFans

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 #SciFi #SpaceOpera #PietasFans

Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #SpaceOpera #PietasFans


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.
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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.


Video: Who Are the Ultras #PietasFans Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #VoiceActor

"Who are the Ultras" performed by Nik Nitsvetov
Voiceover Artist Zack Black
Music: Dreams of War, Licensed via Dual Horns, Ltd
Charon's Boat image by Nano-Core
From the Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen
Photographer Belyaeva Yuliya

Original book covers by Romance Lives Forever Books

In this scene from book 1 of the Bringer of Chaos series, his father has just joined Pietas. Less than sixty seconds in, they are already insulting one another.

"I find it incredulous that the indignant and righteous Mahikos who led our people in rebellion against humanity has fallen so far from his ideals. What happened to the motto 'Freedom, Fairness, Fortune' that rallied our people? I was four years old. We were still hidden then. No one knew Dessy and I existed except you and Mother. But you hoisted us both onto your shoulders and we stayed behind darkened glass and watched as thousands of our people cheered in the streets. You'd won them freedom and they shouted your name. Oh, in that moment, Father, I wanted to be just like you. No, I wanted to be you. Now?" He ignored the angry twitch tugging at one eyelid. "You want us to treat humans as equals. They never treated us as such. Even now, we're hated and reviled. Putting them on the council will make them haughtier. I want nothing to do with humans."

"Then you want nothing to do with me, Son. Humans are all I care about."

And wasn't that the naked truth of his father's betrayal? He had turned his back on their people. He had turned his back on his son.

Bringer of Chaos

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

Series page: https://kayelleallen.com/chaos-series/

#SciFi #SpaceOpera

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

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

Forged in Fire: Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #SpaceOpera

 

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

Behind the Scenes: Bringer of Chaos series

Bringer of Chaos Bundle 1 – Sci-Fi & Space Opera #SciFi #SpaceOpera #PietasFans

 

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.

Claim your immortality:
https://kayelleallen.com/immortality

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ 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 I am invincible. Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen. Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #PietasFans #SciFi

#Ritual I am invincible. Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen. Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #PietasFans #SciFi

I am invincible.

In this scene from Origin of Pietas, Pietas is free of the lifepod, but his injuries have incapacitated him. He must rely completely on Six. Depending on others is not the king's forte. In his ritual, the final line is that he is invincible. Here, he is anything but.

Excerpt from Origin of Pietas

Six brought out a metal box and opened it. "Plain soap. Scrap of cloth. You'll be clean before you know it." Six lathered the soap and gently scrubbed Pietas's face.

Afterward, Pietas rested on the blanket. Six dried him and worked his uncooperative arms and legs into the clothes.

Mortifying to be so useless. He hadn't been this helpless since he was an infant.

The ordeal of movement and cold exhausted him. Pietas dozed and woke to find himself clothed, dry and warm.

"Ready for a manicure?" Six used the knife to pare the claws on Pietas's hands and feet. As he had on board the ship, Six passed the time with tales.

How many were fanciful stories and how many true? Pietas doubted he would ever know. It didn't matter. He could rest his throat and learn more about this ghost. The thought that he no longer gathered intel in order to kill him was unsettling at first. How long since he'd listened to someone without thinking how he could use the information to his advantage? Since he'd listened to enjoy a story?

This time, when Six told a bawdy story, Pietas laughed aloud.

Six grinned at him, threw back his head and laughed along.

The ghost cleaned up the area. He put the bar of soap back in its box and withdrew a metal comb. "This comb is also a magnet and it's strong, but it's not getting through that rat's nest. I can take care of it, if you don't mind a haircut with a blade."

The last haircut he'd had, at Dessy's hand, had been with a blade. Then, he'd thought he would trust no one else near his neck with a sharp weapon. For Six, he did not hesitate. "Please."

The knife sawed through his wet hair faster than Pietas's dagger. And didn't that tell a story all by itself?

"You okay for a few minutes while I grab a quick swim? Wash off some of this dirt?"

"Yes." He soaked up the sun. The reflective blanket warmed beneath him.

Six stripped. Like most soldiers, he showed no concern about baring his body. However confined he'd been on board the ship, he'd kept up with exercise. The ghost turned and waded down into the water.

Spread across Six's entire back was a tattoo of a mythical beast, teal outlined in black. Wings unfurled. Claws out. Fangs bared.

A dragon.

The sense of destiny coming full circle hit with the impact of a tornado slamming into a shack.

Pietas thought about the dragon while Six finished bathing.

At last, the ghost picked up his shirt and began drying himself. He dressed and came back up the slope. "Okay. Let's get you back to camp to rest and I'll fish. I'm ready for some solids and I think you could handle some tomorrow. Ready?"

"Ready."

Six picked him up.

"You like teal."

"What?" Six tossed wet hair out of his eyes.

"The color. Teal. Turquoise."

"Turq-- Oh! You saw my dragon. Took a lot of visits to complete that."

"Why?"

"It's the detail. They draw the outline first, and then--"

"No, why a dragon? Why teal?"

They'd reached camp, and one end of the parachute cloth had pulled loose. It flapped in the wind.

Six put Pietas down, and began refastening the cloth. "Dragons are primal. They're protectors. They represent courage. Teal because it's the color of sky and sea. It's heavenly energy. Pure. You ever get a tattoo?"

"Ultras could never keep them."

"Oh, right, forgot. Tattoos tell you about a person. Who they are, where they belong. Some, who they belong to."

Pietas smiled. "Yes. They do."

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

[bctt tweet="Watch Pietas perform the Ritual of Strength | Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #PietasFans Model Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #Ritual https://youtu.be/GLoKzpp8_mY" username="KayelleAllen"]

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

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ 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 I overcome. I am indomitable. Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen. Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #PietasFans #SciFi

#Ritual I overcome. I am indomitable. Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen. Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #PietasFans #SciFi

I overcome. I am indomitable.

In this scene from Origin of Pietas, as Pietas is healing from catastrophic injuries, he's literally at the mercy of Six, the mortal who'd captured him. After nearly a year and a half trapped inside a lifepod, Pietas's once-perfect body is little more than grime and filth loosely gathered around emaciated skin and broken bones. Six tells him that the shuttle that delivered them had pushed Pietas's pod out the door and let it fall, and then shoved himself after it. His parachute had been little help, but it did break the worst of the fall.

Excerpt from Origin of Pietas

They'd shoved Six out of the shuttle? Someone had dared to force one of his men to-- Pietas caught himself. Six was not his. He owed no loyalty. Had sworn him no oath.

Not yet.

"Let me cut these clothes off you, Pietas. They're ruined."

"Good...riddance." Broken and scratchy, but getting his voice back was like taking a step off the high dive into the pool. Exhilarating.

Six grinned at him. "Welcome back."

"Missed...words."

"I've missed having an answer when I talk." He smiled, but then sobered. "I'm showing you my knife. Let me take it out of its holster."

It hung at his side and he released it, then placed it on his palms.

The full tang blade was black with teal trim. Those colors embellished the uniforms worn by Pietas's troops. The serious end was a good five, five and a half inches, Terran. The same length took up the handle. It curved to fit the hand and had a butt shaped for hitting. Pietas had often carried one. You could pound with it. If no other weapon was handy, with the right angle and the kind of force an Ultra could wield, it would bash in the brains of an enemy. The blade had a mild drop point, serrations that began halfway down and looked thick enough to do good work around a campsite. Not the best for skinning or gutting. A solid defensive knife if attacked and not what you'd carry for attack, but Six could have used it to kill him permanently while he was asleep. Cut him up and burned him. Ghost Division had been trained to kill Ultras.

Pietas looked him straight in the eyes. "You--" he coughed "--did not kill me."

"One warrior to another, I'm pledging I won't use this weapon, or any other, to do you harm."

"Why?"

"Back there, back home, it was my duty to kill you. That's not my duty any more."

"What now?"

"My duty is survival."

"You think...that buys your life?"

Head down, Six remained still for a long moment, the knife on his outstretched hands. At last, he looked up, mouth in a straight line. "I spent the last year finding out who you are. What I was taught about you doesn't jive with the man I've come to know. You're not a mindless killer. You have more courage than anyone I've ever met and more honor than ten men. After what I did to you, if you wanted to kill me, I wouldn't blame you." He gave a firm shake of his head. "But I will not kill you, Pietas."

"You show your enemy mercy?"

Six squinted at him. "I give no mercy to enemies. You are not my enemy."

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

[bctt tweet="Watch Pietas perform the Ritual of Strength | Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #PietasFans Model Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #Ritual https://youtu.be/GLoKzpp8_mY" username="KayelleAllen"]

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

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ 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 I vanquish every enemy. Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen. Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #PietasFans #SciFi

#Ritual I vanquish every enemy. Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen. Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #PietasFans #SciFi

I vanquish every enemy.

In this scene from Origin of Pietas, as he's healing from catastrophic injuries, Pietas muses about pain.

Excerpt from Origin of Pietas

Pietas had taught himself, disciplined himself never to fear pain. To welcome it. Invite it. Embrace it. Make pain and death a regular part of his life. Whatever frightened him, he ran toward. Pain was joy. He conquered it. Made it his lover. Made it his own. Absorbed it into himself.

When you fear nothing, nothing is a threat.

Now? Did he fear pain now? Pietas mulled that. Well, he no longer had to wonder about pain that didn't end. He'd experienced it.

Conquered it.

Did he want to repeat it?

He finished his food and took a long, satisfying breath of clean air.

Not if he could avoid it. But dying every day for a year would be a good exercise for his immortal warriors. If you survived that kind of peril, you'd survive anything. And no threat the enemy brought would be worse than what he could do to them.

He'd have to give that some serious thought. Maybe train them that way, one soldier at a time. Teach them to embrace death the way he did.

An army of soldiers like that...the galaxy could not stop.

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

[bctt tweet="Watch Pietas perform the Ritual of Strength | Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #PietasFans Model Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #Ritual https://youtu.be/GLoKzpp8_mY" username="KayelleAllen"]

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

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ 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.


#Quotes I face every foe. Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen. Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #PietasFans #SciFi

#Quotes I face every foe. Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen. Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #PietasFans #SciFi https://kayelleallen.com/ritual-10-every-foe

I face every foe.

Pietas performs the Ritual of Strength before battle, whether it be a physical or emotional one. In it, as a sign of humility, he cuts his hair with a dagger. If he has a partner, they cut it. But where did the ritual originate?

Pietas and a group of his followers served as mercenaries in the Gedarin Republic, a cluster of inhabited planets on the outskirts of the Terran Crescent. On the planet Kaffir, an influential warlord hired them to assist in taking over a neighboring country. Once they had, the warlord hosted a party and invited them to enjoy themselves. The warlord's youngest son flirted with Pietas, but Pietas rebuffed him. The young man kept coming back, always polite no matter how irritated Pietas got with him. One day, Pietas asked why he didn't give up, and the young man said that his father was always cruel also, even though he professed to love him. It broke Pietas's heart, having a father similar. He began spending time with the younger man, and discovered his name was Til.

For several months, he and Til enjoyed a casual relationship, which developed into a sexual one. Til taught him how to perform the ritual, insisting Pietas was worthy of the honor. Head over heels in love, Pietas involved himself less and less in the pursuit of war.

The warlord of Northern Kaffir asked Pietas to again attack a neighboring country, but the country was poor and had little of value to offer. When Pietas refused, the warlord killed Til to spite Pietas. In a rage, Pietas gathered every member of the warlord's bloodline and forced him to watch as every last one was killed. Finally, Pietas drove a dagger through the man's heart. From that time on, Pietas carried the name Slayer of Innocents.

He performs the ritual to remind himself that war has a price, and to honor Til. However, he never speaks Til's name aloud, keeping it only to himself. Because of Til, Pietas refused to have a friendship or love relationship with any mortal, because the pain of loss was so great. He only broke that rule for himself after coming to know Six.

Tiklaus, Pietas's panther, carries a name in the language of Kaffir. Tiklaus means loyal warrior.

The ritual concludes in three more steps.

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

[bctt tweet="Watch Pietas perform the Ritual of Strength | Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #PietasFans Model Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #Ritual https://youtu.be/GLoKzpp8_mY" username="KayelleAllen"]

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

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ 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.


#Quotes I prevail over every circumstance #SciFi #Immortal Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen. Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov

#Quotes I prevail over every circumstance #SciFi #Immortal Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen

I prevail over every circumstance.

In this scene from Origin of Pietas, Six and Pietas are deep into a journey across the planet, hoping to locate the other immortals. Pietas has said he has few lovers, and even fewer friends, and Six asks why.

 

"My troops all but worship me. Leading the council made me hated. I long for someone with whom I can be myself."

Six leaned forward. "They fed us nothing but lies about you. Well, except to say that you were a supreme fighter. That was true. Watching you in that room..." He uttered an expletive. "You had no defensive moves. Everything was offense. No wonder no one gets close to you. Like trying to hit a tornado."

Such praise from so valued a warrior! Pietas let himself smile.

"Anyway..." Six picked at a broken thumbnail. "I'm sorry we didn't meet under different circumstances."

"Are you?" A long strand of hair had fallen over the ghost's face and Pietas moved it aside. "Why?"

Six tossed his head and that strand fell back into his face. He tucked it behind an ear. "I would have liked sparring with you. Learning from you."

"I will teach you anything you want to know. But I hope here, you'll never have to use it."

"Yeah? Well, we find your people I might."

"Indeed. But not if I can prevent it. You are my friend. I will stand between you and anyone who thinks to harm you."

Six set a fist over his heart in an Ultra salute of tribute. "Thank you, Pietas."

He nodded. No doubt his family would think the ghost stayed with him only for protection, but if there was anything Pietas was good at, it was recognizing honor.

Six blazed with it.

How long had he spent in Six's presence before he'd considered him a friend? Now, he could not imagine life without him. He refused to accept that so mundane a thing as death might take Six away from him.

While his father was the better geneticist, his mother had a deft understanding of human needs. Surely the two of them could find a way to lengthen the ghost's life. Six had often said he'd lived past his "expiration date" and was on borrowed time. They would have to borrow more. How often had Pietas wished for humans to die?

Now he wanted one to live forever.

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

[bctt tweet="Watch Pietas perform the Ritual of Strength | Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #PietasFans Model Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #Ritual https://youtu.be/GLoKzpp8_mY" username="KayelleAllen"]

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

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ 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.


For #PietasFans My will is absolute. Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen #Quotes #SciFi Performer Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov

For #PietasFans My will is absolute. Ritual of Strength, Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen photos @by_cosphoto #Quotes #SciFi

My will is absolute.

In this scene from Origin of Pietas, Six and Pietas are crossing the planet, searching for the other immortals. After cleaning gear and laying out what little clothing they own to dry, they sit on a grassy area side by side. Pietas asks if Six wants to return to his homeworld.

 

"Not really. I don't want to go back, except to see family. I have nothing there. All my life, all I've ever known is war. I enlisted at seventeen. Thirty-eight now. Too old to fight. Tired of it."

"Too old? I'm almost two thousand. Try another excuse."

"Best I got. Thirty-eight's old, in my book."

"I've been thirty-eight a few times. Most lives I'm dead by then."

Six's attention snapped back to Pietas. "What?"

"I'm a warrior. I don't live to see forty. Hazards of the profession." He picked a yellow wildflower and twirled it between his fingers.

"How many times have you died?"

Pietas tossed the flower aside. "I've lost count. Felt like a thousand times in that pod." He shuddered.

"If it would get you off this planet, would you get in the pod?"

"Six, I will never do that again, but if we get stuck here, ask me in a few thousand years. Might be a different story then. I think I'd go crazy if all I had to do every day was hunt and fish, eat and sleep." He tossed himself back on the grass and tucked his hands behind his head. The bright blue sky held wisps of clouds, moving on the wind. "I miss entertainment more sophisticated than deciding what shapes the clouds are taking."

Chuckling, Six stretched out beside him. "I hear you. I miss women."

"So do I. And men, too."

"You weren't kidding about having sex with whoever cut your hair in that ritual?"

Pietas gave a short laugh. "That was a joke, ghost. I was-- How do you say it? Messing with you."

"Get out!" He shoved Pietas's shoulder. "Okay, so you're not bisexual."

"I'm pansexual. Most Ultras are. When you live forever you get bored with the same thing every day. At least I do."

"Pansexual. What? Someone with a pulse?"

"I'm a bit more discriminating than that, thank you. But I'm open-minded. I appreciate sexual activities of various kinds. Ultras can never become pregnant or sire children--except for my parents--impart or contract sexually transmitted diseases. For us, sex is pure pleasure. One we never grow immune to, the way we do drugs and alcohol."

"So you didn't grow up being slapped down for experimenting?"

Pietas coughed. "I wouldn't say that, but my people are born adults and we're far less restrictive than humans. According to my friends, I'm less picky about lovers than I am about food. Sex is one of the few times I don't feel the need to be in charge. I like equality in a lover. Someone who can be as strong as I am." He let out a long, sighing breath. "The longer I live, the less of those there are."

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

[bctt tweet="Watch Pietas perform the Ritual of Strength | Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #PietasFans Model Nik Nitsvetov @nitsvetov #Ritual https://youtu.be/GLoKzpp8_mY" username="KayelleAllen"]

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

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ 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.