Path Of The Wayward Souls (Arc 0)

Path of the Wayward Souls (Arc 0)

It’s said that not all those who wander are lost. But like any proverb, there are exceptions. And now, atop a grassy hill that is only one of many on a seemingly endless plain, there is an exception in the form of two weary travelers.

Or maybe just unprepared ones.

“I think we’re lost.” Nero had been looking at the map for the better part of five minutes before folding it with a huff. The map had been practically useless for a while now, but at least it could be kept for sentimental value.

“We could always ask someone for directions,” Ellie suggested, not paying attention to Nero at all and taking great delight in stepping on a poor unsuspecting anthill. Because she was too busy watching the ants scurry for their lives in the face of a malevolent giant, she didn’t see the very unimpressed look her best friend was giving her. 

“Ellie, we’re in the middle of nowhere,” Nero paused to take off his pack and put the map away, searching for a compass instead, “Who exactly are we going to ask?” 

Ellie had to think for a moment, becoming bored with the ants and settling on kicking the pile to bring about unimaginable chaos to the tiny community, before shrugging her shoulders and looking out across the horizon. Nero just sighed while muttering “Very helpful, Ellie…” 

The sun beat down on the two, Ellie shielding her eyes with a hand as she looked out over the grass, searching for something. Nero was searching too, but only for a compass that had migrated to the bottom of the bag somehow. 

And in only a matter of seconds, he had found the compass and had to steady himself after being nearly bowled over by a rather large wolf. 

“Hirudo-!” Nero had no time to say much else, as the wolf merely kept running toward Ellie, who greeted him with open arms and a very enthusiastic “PUPPY!” Nero dusted himself off while Ellie had her reunion with HIrudo, supporting the red wolf easily and letting him lick her face. He was happy to see the wolf, really, but that didn’t solve their current predicament. 

“Yes, yes, good to see you too, Hirudo. Next time, don’t try and knock me over please.” His hand sank easily into the soft fur of Hirudo’s scruff, and he rolled his eyes as Hirudo only let out a loud boof in response to Nero’s request. Oh well, you can’t win everybody. 

Ellie scratched at the fur of Hirudo’s back, praising him for being “Such a good boy, scouting the area,” before setting Hirudo down. She looked at Hirudo for one long moment, then at Nero, and then back at Hirudo to ask “Which way, buddy?” She purposefully ignored the sound of Nero’s palm meeting his forehead.

Hirudo barked once before beginning to run, circling around the two a few times before stopping in front of them, maw open like a smile. He took off again, stopping a little ways ahead to look back at them, tail wagging and barking again. 

“Well, you heard the baby, Nero. Hirudo says we’re going this way,” Ellie snarked, chuckling at Nero’s eye roll (fond as it may have been) before grabbing her pack where she left it and starting her trek down the hill. 

“Alright then,” Nero walked after Ellie, hand over his eyes and calling out, “Lead the way, Hirudo!” The grass was tall enough to come up to Nero’s waist, Hirudo a bright spot of red in a sea of green making the grass swish and sway with the movement. The sun was still high in the sky, bearing down on the adventurers with their focus on the journey ahead. “We’ve got a long way to go.” 

Hello! If it's not too much trouble, can I request some Narinder appreciation? He's my favorite character.

Where

You two hold me tight, hands clasped and it feels right.

Your strength unwavering, your kindness unending

Your loyalty, your gentle hands, with the callouses that don't catch and the claws that never left a mark.

Tell me, how can I not love it all?

You two teach me, to defend and protect and just be.

Your guidance calming, your wisdom all knowing

Your strong hands in mine, your kisses on my crown, the warmth so sweet an ache.

Tell me, how can I not love it all.

But I see your smiles and gestures, I see the emotions behind your eyes.

I see the gems that adorn you,

Ears, fingers, hearts.

I see this immortal love, what warriors and gods and men could never break. Is there a place for me here, in this ode to devotion, this worship of love?

It is an ache in me, for I know I have no place.

I cannot set foot on this holy ground, bringing blasphemy and ruin in my wake.

I would never forgive myself.

I stay in my role, I stay by your sides, but I can't help but wonder;

And I ask, with tears in my eyes

One day, will I be left behind?

First post on the hellsite, hi everybody!

Knew this day would come.

Anywho, I'll be posting some poetry and story ideas on here, let's see if I can figure out the tagging system.

It comes with a heavy heart to announce this. Starting April I'm no longer operating as a business and therefore will no longer accept any art related work and I need to cease my patron, ko-fi, and shop. I need to focus on me and my family's survival during this time.

The debt I've accrued since starting this business is becoming out of control and there is little incoming earnings from my art that justify maintaining it as a business. I pay nearly $700/mo on debts, my part time job pays roughly $1200/mo, and my art job pays anywhere from $300-800/mo, the higher end being a really good month. ECCC was a good time but I'm now left with just enough to get me through early April. My rent is $1700/mo. I haven't accounted for things like food. My partner is basically bed ridden and we may look into disability benefits for her soon. The math does not make sense and I have fallen behind on payments, because I am focusing purely on survival since the start of 2023. Since roughly September of 2023 I have been the only person with an income, and it has been very, very hard. I simply cannot operate like this anymore and making art feels absurd when everything around me that I've worked hard to maintain simply no longer works. There were promises of better opportunities that simply did not work out. The reality of it is, I have failed and my efforts have become too burdensome.

I will be completing any open work. I will try to fulfill any remaining rewards for Patreon and Ko-Fi. I will be mailing out remaining Kickstarter rewards when I have the income to do so. Everything in my shop must go. Considering the dire need to pay off debts I won't be hosting discounts. Recurring payments in Patreon and Ko-fi are halted as of today, March 20th. I am planning to have everything said and done by the middle of May.

I'm working on getting another job to control payments.

I'm going to still be making art, on my own time, as well as contributing to a personal project by some friends and myself. Maybe I can talk about that soon.

Thank you for your support over the years. Anywhere from liking, sharing, buying prints and my art. Thank you, and I'm sorry.

My shop is here: https://ko-fi.com/mxmorgan/shop

You’ve talked in the past about patreon’s anti-horny policies, and how they impact creator’s income streams, and so I thought maybe this could be of interest to you/others in that situation. Someone is trying to put together a collective legal action against Mastercard. https://x.com/pom_poison/status/1768753517651546540?s=46&t=366EMtqp8Vh2MIY7oWvoKw Please also feel free to ignore me! But it seemed neat.

PS I love your book, thank you for the excellent words!

Thank you so much! And thank you for bringing this to my attention.