Izdahl receives positive news about the Resonance Ceremony. However, there are still challenges to his relationship with Armando, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 31. Here’s a portion:
He was truly happy that being closer to Avila, spending time with her had helped to reveal that they were not suitable Shield partners. Armando would be pleased that he had not needed to sleep with Avila. However, Izdahl still had to meet with his second potential partner, Matero Nolasca.
Kouta and Ryuu deal with the aftermath of meeting Alexis, Greg and Natasha in person in Balance, Chapter 26. Here’s a bit:
Kouta stirred in the tortellini, as he thought about how to broach his next question. He was ambivalent, wondering if he should leave the day’s interactions alone for the time being. Ryuu had sounded overall pleased about what had happened and optimistic about what the future held. However, Kouta knew him well enough to see that some insecurities remained.
Armando reveals to Izdahl a far-reaching decision that had been made decades ago in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 30. Here’s a portion:
Izdahl sighed, feeling overall contentment but still wishing that his doubts could go away. He truly hoped that the decisions made decades ago by their families would not take away their happiness. Nitelge grew up with the understanding of just how much they were connected to the Shield. Humans rarely had the same level of requirement. So few were intricately entwined with it. Why was it that his lover, a human who completely had his heart, had been required to make such a great sacrifice? Even most Nitelge would never have to deal with this kind of burden.
Izdahl loses his temper in a stunning manner, once Armando makes a troubling request in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 29. Here’s a portion:
Izdahl could see that things were getting out of control. He knew that it was reasonable for him to be upset but he thought that the level of anger he was feeling was out of proportion to the circumstances. Yes, Armando’s dream worried him. Of course, he was incredibly eager to participate in the tournament. Definitely, he’d reconsider, given what Armando had told him. Naturally, he was furious that he wasn’t told this earlier. Still. The rising tide of fury was already too high. He was now changing into his second Nitelge form, his cuspids lengthening.
Darion deals with some unexpected repercussions from the conflict with Ersha in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 26. Here’s an excerpt:
Approximately an hour after his slumber had ended, he left his home to go to the VSB. As he was walking into the building, he heard the unmistakable sound of incoming missiles. Two missiles hit the VSB, reducing the front of the building to rubble. Various individuals who had also been on their way to work either immediately lost their lives or were severely injured.
Dagmar focuses on the dark arts to further his plans in The Architect’s Guaridan, Chapter 28. Here’s a portion:
Dagmar planned to make a blood replica of Armando. With enough blood and the correct spell, one could craft a miniature version of a person. The replica could be used to bend the person to his/her will. As a result, this type of spell was forbidden throughout the entire planet.
Sunja delves into Armando’s mind and finds out much about him in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 27. Here’s a portion:
Armando became livid, angry that Sunja had discovered something he hadn’t even wanted to admit he’d been dreaming. He’d convinced himself that his dreams hadn’t included the death of his lover. By her finding it locked in his mind, it was clear to him just how deep she was able to go.
Armando is stunned, when Xersa reveals his connection to Zaitis Havad in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 26. Here’s a portion.
“When we had you tested for the strength of your spiritual energy, our machines couldn’t handle the calculations,” Xersa told him. “We completed the process with you twice, using different systems each time. We wanted to make sure our data was correct. We received the matching results. When we looked at your charts, we realized that your strength, and aura, was almost identical to that of Zaitis.”
Kouta and Ryuu take steps to make Ryuu’s daughter part of their life, in Balance, Chapter 25. Here’s a bit:
Kouta believed they were close to finding the equilibrium it took to maintain a healthy relationship. Yet there were still some concerns. They hadn’t quite worked out Natasha’s place in their lives. He knew Ryuu wanted to be a father and completely supported that. He just wasn’t sure what else that meant for his life.
Darion and Tolrek continue their much-needed conversation and come to terms in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 25. Here’s an excerpt:
Twenty minutes into the conversation, Darion was restraining curses, trying to figure out if they’d even made any progress. He’d thought the rebel would want answers about what Darion had known about the death of his friends, his family and Beilon’s future plans. That had been Tolrek’s intention, at first. Then, after waking that morning, he’d become more interested in discussing his relationship with Darion. He’d thought that if Darion could be straightforward about his feelings, then they’d have a foundation. The conversation was not going as expected.
