The Bloodforged Kin

Chapter 251 - Book 3 Recap

The Cryptid Challenge arrived and truly put the world to the test. The residents of Safehold came together (finally!) under the guidance of Madison Bouchard and the strong backhand of Tess Torres. They built Safehold into a compound capable of withstanding pretty much anything - complete with walls electrified by Madison's steampunk genius. But even the best defenses need defenders, so the Torres family split up to recruit heroes and rescue survivors.

Enter The Misfit Toys, the dynamic quartet from Milwaukee's Climb scene. The Climb is a gladiatorial competition where you win by being better than everyone who shows up to face you, and no one was better than the Misfit Toys. They climbed to the top of the ranks (literally), and then the worst possible thing happened to them - they got bored. So naturally, when some kid named Cass rolled up talking about his little town, they figured why not? Had to be more exciting than Milwaukee, right?

Tagging along were the Mehta sisters and their dual powerset that could swap between them like trading cards. One light, one dark, each expressing their power in completely different ways. Oh, and they can combine their abilities into a single massive attack, which is pretty badass. Cass also made a deal with a shady items broker which, I'm sure, will not come back to haunt him at all.

Meanwhile, Tess found "Ash" Saito, the Soul Domain Specialist. He doesn't have flashy powers on his own, but he stores the souls of those he defeats and pulls them out to fight for him. Like everyone who gets near the Torres family, though, he found ways to push his skills past their limits. Where he used to need the souls to fight independently, now he pulls their powers directly into himself, combining different powersets into new attacks. And if it happens to eat away at the souls themselves? What does that matter to him? In his eyes, every person is just a bag of powers waiting to be consumed. Last we saw him, he had his sights set on the Mehta sisters...

Luna came across Jaidyn the Orphan - an adorable girl with an absolutely terrifying power. She's a Contract Domain Specialist who can pull people into the twisted playground of her domain. Win and you get a prize. Lose and she does. If you've ever wondered what happened to Jaidyn's hometown and why she has so many different powers - well, don't ask. After joining Safehold she got bored and went exploring. She found some friends and was getting along great with the friendly forest spirits until Lady Tutu tried to murder one. In the ensuing battle, Jaidy pushed her power to the extreme and built a second domain called Home - a place of peace and healing where beings can remain safe, just so long as they help her when she needs it. Think of it as her internal sanctuary where everyone inside owes her a favor.

Luna also got to explore her Echoes of Luna skill, pulling out her Crimson Scythe echo for battle, which was awesome. She's advanced enough to recruit another echo, but doesn't know what's needed next. How can she pick the right one if she doesn't know what she'll be facing?

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Cass got a little too excited to show off in the Cryptid Challenge and accidentally killed a guy while taking down an Abominable Snowman. The town didn't hold it against him - death is a part of life these days - but Cass's growing fear and desperation to be accepted worked its tendrils in. Gabriel spent months manipulating Cass, both magically and emotionally, and he buried those doubts and fears deep. Cass may have been strong enough to overcome them, if he'd been willing to admit to himself that he'd been manipulated. But, in the way of so many teenage boys, he is convinced that he's in control and isn't willing to admit weakness. So he fled to the zoo, the refuge for him lately, and discovered an individual trial (the kind that calibrate themselves to the person entering it). He was left with choosing to do things the hard, but slow way, or to use others to get powerful quickly. Do I even need to say which he chose?

Maisy and the other intelligent animals faced their own version of the Cryptid Challenge - they not only had to survive, they had to retain control of their domains. Maisy and Solstice struggled daily to keep their people alive and cohesive, but animals aren't as forgiving as humans. A successful leader is strong enough to keep their people alive, and if they can't - there's always another looking for the Alpha spot.

As for Zavier? We saw his first run through the trial and its subsequent failure. Not because he was bad at it - honestly, he kicked its ass pretty hard. He just wasn't strong enough, not even at his peak. The trial forces him to face that reality every single day. He doesn't gain points for the monsters he kills, only for pushing his powers in creative ways. This may be a trial to get stronger, but Zavier doesn't get stronger through punching - he gets stronger through figuring shit out. And the trial master understands that perfectly. If he wants to become a System Architect, he's going to have to earn it.

And now we come to phase 2 of The Cryptid Challenge. In this book you're going to get some glimpses of what is happening with the people of Safehold and, as always, Mason and his army - but mostly you're going to see Zavier face challenges that will either help him finally grow into the power he's been chasing or die trying :

** Congratulations! All citizens of Earth are now level 10! Phase 2 rewards and difficulty have been adjusted accordingly.

The first phase of the Cryptid Challenge served its purpose: to temper your species. Most of you survived through cooperation - a vital strategy for continued success - while a select few carved their path through sheer power. Phase 1 built your armies and your strength. Phase 2 will test what you can create.

This phase introduces opportunities beyond combat. Those without martial inclinations must now find, craft, and innovate. Unique items, weapons, and tools must be forged using scattered components. These resources can be found in a variety of ways - some familiar, others new. Competition will be fierce. In densely populated areas, expect conflict over limited supplies. How you acquire what is needed is up to you.

Additional Rewards Unlocked:

New Trials: Individual and group challenges are now accessible, each offering rare skills, spells, abilities, and items.

Unique Opportunities for Growth: Each trial is a one-time attempt. Failure to complete the challenge carries consequences, the severity of each determined by the difficulty of the challenge.

Phase 2 will begin in 12 hours.

Adapt. Create. Survive.**