Ultras are immortals in books by Kayelle Allen. There are at least four factions, each called something different.
I've changed a lot of basic things in the last year, learned new ways, and changed my mind about some things. So I figured it was a good time to update the look of my logo.
I created the first one, back in 2004 - almost 20 years ago. That in itself would be reason to update!
For this version, I asked Les (aka GermanCreative) on Fiverr for her input on giving the logo a fresh look. I'm more than happy with the final image, and can use it in many ways. She gave me a version I can use on a plain white page, as well as one that has no background (other than within the circle).
Even better, it matches the look of other items I updated.
Purr - G to PG / Growl - PG13 / R - Adult
Welcome to Book Hooks!Book 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.
Feel free to say hello or leave a note in the comments.
Any of my characters mentioned on this page may be found in multiple books in my story universe. (Pietas images - Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay) 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!
Experience Art, Sci-Fi, MM Romance, and Space Opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them by joining my newsletter.
The books in this book fair might be in Kindle Unlimited, but they might also be on non-Amazon sites as well. Some are on sale.
Join us!
[bctt tweet="#SciFi Stellar Sci-Fi Reads from $0 to $.99 #BookFair #SpaceOpera https://storyoriginapp.com/to/nIAnH2d?via=kayelle" username="KayelleAllen"]
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
Any of my characters mentioned on this page may be found in multiple books in my story universe. (Pietas images - Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay) 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!
Experience Art, Sci-Fi, MM Romance, and Space Opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them by joining my newsletter.
In this scene from A Divided Heart, Brinn and his co-teacher, Hahlibeth, have just gotten their foster child into bed.
On the stairs, Brinn turned and sat, elbows braced on his knees, thinking back over the day. How bizarre was it to have a student of his own in this house, where he had so many memories? Graduation parties for reaching the various levels in the Guild. Long nights spent studying. Being quizzed by Luc, asking him questions, getting his advice. Learning the laws that pertained to the types of theft Brinn planned to pursue. Understanding contracts for theft and how to protect himself against dubious clauses and demands.
He was still sitting there when Hahlibeth came down.
She sat beside him. "I got two pages into a story, and she was out. I thought she might be faking it at first. My brother and I used to do that sometimes. We'd talk in the dark. I finished reading and sat there, waiting, but she didn't move."
"You think she's happy?"
"I don't think she knows what to think."
"Probably right."
Hahlibeth gripped one of his hands and leaned toward him. "She's young. She's in a new place. Her life has been disrupted. We can't expect anything like normal. She doesn't even know what normal is right now. At least, not what's normal for an Academy student."
Brinn set one arm around Hahlibeth's shoulders and hugged her. "I'm so glad to be doing this with you."
"Me too." She leaned against him and then away. "So, what's with the sexual tension between you and Kam?"
He twisted to face her, putting his back against the railing. "Um... What?"
"Oh, don't pretend. It was so thick you could cut it with a knife."
"Hahlibeth, I promise you. There is nothing going on between Kam and me. If you're sensing anything, it's frustration and annoyance."
She chuckled. "Uh huh."
COMING SOON!
#SciFi #MMRomance
Any of my characters mentioned on this page may be found in multiple books in my story universe. (Pietas images - Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay) 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!
Experience Art, Sci-Fi, MM Romance, and Space Opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them by joining my newsletter.
Welcome to Book Hooks!Book 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.
Feel free to say hello or leave a note in the comments.
In this scene, Pietas is getting to know Tiklaus, a massive black panther. The animal has appointed itself guardian over the immortal king. But who knew panthers liked belly rubs?
Flipping onto its back, belly exposed, Tiklaus huffed twice.
"You want a belly rub." Laughing, Pietas rubbed with one hand and stroked with the other.
Tiklaus lolled on its back, legs spread wide, the position trusting and submissive. The big cat sneezed and then rocked to its feet, shaking its head. Claws retracted, the panther batted at him, knocked Pietas onto his back and then flipped itself down beside him. Tiklaus wrapped its front legs around his arm and gnawed at it in gentle play while the hind feet kicked him without injury. Claws flashed, but did no harm.
Now I know how a chew toy feels. He blew out a breath.
When the panther draped itself over his chest, Pietas struggled to slide out from under but could not get up. The animal weighed less than he did, but with no visible effort, it kept Pietas from rising.
"I concede, my friend. You win."
The panther ignored him.
"Tiklaus, off."
Nothing.
"Off, please."
The panther yawned, opening a huge maw. Fangs flashed.
Pietas tried a signal that worked with sparring partners and asked for release by double-tapping the panther's side.
The cat stood at once and stepped over him. It shook from nose to tail, then sat and groomed itself.
He stood and brushed himself off. Standing beside Tiklaus, who reached him mid-thigh, Pietas took pride in knowing this sweet, playful cat was also the snarling ball of animal rage that had nailed his father to the ground. Mahikos had not seen it coming.
He should have let the cat eat him when he had the chance.
Pietas ensured no one was on the path in either direction before he knelt and scratched the cat's ears. "Who's a good kitty?"
The animal sneaked in a lick of his hand and face and flopped down on its back.
"My Tiklaus, that's who. Tiklaus is a good kitty." He rubbed the smooth belly. "Yes, you are! Such a good, big kitty. You're my kitty, aren't you? Good, good kitty."
The panther accepted the attention, one paw twitching. After a moment, it stood and shook itself. A purring sound rumbled from its chest. It sat, licked one paw and added a lick of Pietas's face as well.
He chuckled. "Thank you for the bath." He hugged the panther's neck. "You have as soft a heart as I do but you don't show it either. Pact, my friend. I won't tell if you won't." He kissed Tiklaus on the nose.
The panther bumped its head against Pietas, then bounded to a tree and up it.
Welcome to Book Hooks!Book 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.
Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.
Any of my characters mentioned on this page may be found in multiple books in my story universe. (Pietas images - Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay) 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!
Experience Art, Sci-Fi, MM Romance, and Space Opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them by joining my newsletter.
In this scene, when Pietas is attacked from behind, the panther who's been his shadow for months leaps into the frey and protects him. It costs the cat its life. But this panther is far more than what it seems. While Pietas watches, the cat revives and sits up, facing him. It's as immortal as he is.
On the planet Kaffir, they had a word for loyal warrior. Pietas cupped the animal's jaw, his face inches from the cat's. "You answer to no man, but when I speak and think of you, I'll call you Tiklaus."
Tiklaus gave him a long, wet lick and nudged him before backing away. The panther made a huffing bark sound. From the group of cats, a smaller panther padded close, dropped and stretched out, belly up. With its nose, Tiklaus butted the cat. The smaller animal stood and came alongside Tiklaus. Side by side, the smaller cat's more noticeable rosette pattern showed, dark brown on black.
Six nudged Pietas. "What just happened?"
"Not sure. I get the sense they're not mates."
Tiklaus and the other panther walked toward the Ultras, who all backed away.
"Stand still." Pietas raised one hand. "You're not in danger."
Leading the other cat, Tiklaus padded before the Ultras, pausing to sniff each one.
Pietas had hugged each of them. No doubt his scent remained.
Erryq went down on one knee as Tiklaus approached. "Hello, there." She held out one hand and the panther put its nose in the center of it. Erryq stroked Tiklaus while the other cat sniffed her. Its breath ruffled the long red curls around her face. "That tickles." She stroked the other cat.
Tiklaus moved past Erryq and headed for Helia and Dessy, the smaller cat keeping pace.
Helia remained at Dessy's side. When Tiklaus approached them, his mother held down her hand. Dessy did the same. They stood still while the cats inspected them.
The smaller cat sat beside Helia and wrapped its tail around her feet.
Tiklaus trotted toward Six, who backed away.
"No." Pietas held onto him. "Let the cat smell you."
The cat snuffled Six's legs, walked around him, and then did one more revolution, dragging its tail along him.
"Marking you, ghost. You've been accepted."
Tiklaus plopped down between them, wrapped its long tail around Pietas's legs and leaned against his thigh.
Six whistled. "I can't tell if you just got a pet or became one."
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
Welcome to Book Hooks!Book 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.
Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.
Any of my characters mentioned on this page may be found in multiple books in my story universe. (Pietas images - Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay) 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!
Experience Art, Sci-Fi, MM Romance, and Space Opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them by joining my newsletter.
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.
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."
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.
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"]
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
Any of my characters mentioned on this page may be found in multiple books in my story universe. (Pietas images - Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay) 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!
Experience Art, Sci-Fi, MM Romance, and Space Opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them by joining my newsletter.
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.
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."
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.
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"]
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
Any of my characters mentioned on this page may be found in multiple books in my story universe. (Pietas images - Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay) 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!
Experience Art, Sci-Fi, MM Romance, and Space Opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them by joining my newsletter.
In this scene from Origin of Pietas, as he's healing from catastrophic injuries, Pietas muses about pain.
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.
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.
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"]
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
Any of my characters mentioned on this page may be found in multiple books in my story universe. (Pietas images - Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay) 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!
Experience Art, Sci-Fi, MM Romance, and Space Opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them by joining my newsletter.
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.
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.
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"]
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
Any of my characters mentioned on this page may be found in multiple books in my story universe. (Pietas images - Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay) 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!
Experience Art, Sci-Fi, MM Romance, and Space Opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them by joining my newsletter.
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.
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.
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"]
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
Any of my characters mentioned on this page may be found in multiple books in my story universe. (Pietas images - Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay) 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!
Experience Art, Sci-Fi, MM Romance, and Space Opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them by joining my newsletter.
