Marvel : the Author

Hello everyone and sorry about the delay ! Started a three weeks vacation yesterday and I completely forgot to update ! Don't how much rest I'll be getting since I've have tons of stuff to do. Same for writing. A chapter a week isn't much, compared to some other writers but I'm a lazy bum. Especially when I don't have the drive to write on a particular story anymore. Anyways, I'll post at least a chapter a week and try posting other stuff.

Now, as usual I beseech you to visit my Patréon page to read advanced chapters, or some of the other stuff I write. And also, you can leave behind comments, reviews or the occasional stone here.

Now, what to talk about… Let's talk about Wakfu since it's from my country. But first, I think I should start with DOFUS, a French MMORPG that's quite old now… it poses the context of the later anime série and game Wakfu. Some people say it's for children b cause of its cartoonish drawings and the childish situations. I disagree. More so since the people saying this generally have never played the game or watched the série. They judge based on their own preconceptions or those of people from the Internet… anyways, all this to say, I recommend you try the games (it's mostly free) and watch the série.

Enjoy !

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Darkness. Pressure. Feeling constricted. As if my eardrums are about to burst. My blood vessels on the verge of exploding. It's difficult to keep my position at this very moment, even though I really need to if I'm to complete this round of body reinforcement. As for how and where I am, it's rather simple : my room, magically expanded to have more space, curtains closed and ritual circles drawn on the ground in my ink. I sit in the middle of the biggest circle, with four other smaller ones around me.

It's been a week since we took the stone tablets from Kingpin's building. And I've been feeling dread, as well as a need to improve myself ever since. The four of us decided that it was best if we showed what we found to my parents, since they're the magical experts and all… Peter was a little reluctant and mocking, since despite it all, he still doesn't really believe in magic. But in the end, he knew there was no other real choice.

Well… I guess I could have called the Ancient One, too. I didn't because the woman's busy. What, with defending the Earth from Extradimensional beings, evil sorcerers or magical threats in general.

Thing is though, when my father saw the tablets, he frowned. My mother's reaction was pretty similar and it didn't take a long time for them to decide to give the tablets to the Ancient One, anyway. I did ask what they were… They didn't answer me. Which is kind of frustrating. Not to mention dangerous for me and my friends.

We still don't know what Wilson Fisk is mixed up in. The only thing we know for sure at the moment, is that the sight of the tablets was enough for my parents to freak out, shut me out and call on the 'big guns'. That, and Kingpin's now dealing in magic, probably with the help of the Hand…

So, here I am… I've worked on the code tirelessly whenever I had free time. It's ready. Or at least, I think it is. Otherwise I wouldn't be undergoing the cycle right now.

According to my code, my body is currently experiencing a pressure similar to what fishes experience in the depths of the ocean. Similar, being the key word. I'm not a fish and I've never gone through anything like that. I need time for my body and myself to adjust to higher pressure. Also… I'm not sure how well I can breathe under water. Never tried, ya know ?

Another aspect of the abyss I try to accustom my body too is… the low temperatures. Among other things… Basically, this whole body tempering business revolves around the idea that, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. At least, it my head it is.

And since I'm at least, part octopus, or squid or whatever… I thought : « What the hell ! Let's go crazy and experience what it's like living in the abyss ! »

Which is why it's pitch black in my room right now. Have I mentioned that ? Meh, whatever… I actually want to talk about something else. Maybe I did talk about it ? Hey, tell me if I've told you about the pain ? Yeah ? No ?

At the moment, I'm not sure what's what. My whole body's in pain. I feel sticky and icky and I'm pretty sure I'm sweating. Perhaps, even bleeding. That's if the iron taste in my mouth is to be believed, but then again, my mind can be playing tricks on me.

Why ? Because it feels like my brain's being squeezed bare-handed by John Cena. Assuming he's got a strong grip… Is his name even John ?

Oh man… How do I stop this ? I'm pretty sure I should stop this right now… Especially since I can't seem to remember what this is. Actually… Who am I ? What am I ? Why is it so dark ? Why is there no space ? Why am I… Why ? Why ?

And then, suddenly, it's like the lights were turned on. In my room and in my head ! My quickly fading consciousness has come back and the spell's been lifted. I can breathe… which I do, in big, great, heavy gulps. I really don't relish the idea of going through this again. Unfortunately, I know I have to.

No. I need to. That's the urgent feeling I've been feeling in my bones ever since the incident with Kingpin's stuff. Like there's something terribly, just around the corner, and I don't know what it is… So, yeah. I need a power up, like ASAP !

I sigh heavily :

« It's good I set a predetermined time for the cycle… » I comment to myself aloud.

With how confused I was by the end of the cycle, I wouldn't have been able to stop it by myself. This is crazy ! I am crazy ! I really should find another way to gain more power… And yet, despite my unease, that's actually closer to fear, I affirm my determination to continue undergoing those cycles.

I won't do it for hours, but at least, one cycle, every day. Until I'm used to it. IF I get used to it… God, I hope I get used to it ! Still in my natural form, I can already feel the effects. My body's strained like after a good work-out. So's my brain, but hey ! As they say, you can't make an omelet… Yadda, yadda, yadda.

« Let's start with the recovery cycle… » I mutter once again.

The ink's magic is already gone and only its form remains. With two successive actions, I first wipe out all the ink present on the ground, including the one I add to do it and then start drawing another 'magic' circle.

I created this one in order to heal… Or rather speed up the recovery. Hopefully, it'll help with the aches my body would no doubt experience after I put him through an ordeal. I just have to test the theory right now…