And I am finished.
Well, "finished" is maybe the wrong word. There are still two short chapters to write — detailing Scapegrace's little adventure - but basically, essentially, that's it. I'm done. I've just sent the official first draft of The Dying of the Light over to Nick, my editor, and Michelle, my agent. They've both read a rough version a few weeks ago so I know there's not going to be much in the way of changes when I start editing next week. Which is a relief. And word count, you ask? Word count?
Well, at the moment, before the edit and missing two little chapters, the word count stands at 153,193. I can't find the exact count, but I think LSODM was about 161,000, so it'll be pretty close in size. I genuinely thought this would be a much smaller book, closer to Dark Days in terms of length. My editor, however, knew the word count would just explode once I started to do what I planned. The book is, he has told me, "hugely ambitious". So there's that.
And I'm glad it's taken me this long to write it, to be honest. I'm glad TDOTL is going to be a heavy, substantial book. It is the end, after all. It deserves to be weighty.
It has still to hit me, by the way. The fact that this IS the end. I think when the edit is finished it'll occur to me that there'll be no more Skulduggery books. Not exactly looking forward to that moment.
On a cheerier note, I've seen Tom Percival's rough sketch of the cover, and it will literally KILL YOU with feels.
Which, now that I think of it, probably isn't a cheerier note at all.
We have such cool ideas for the coming year, plenty of AMAZING events to announce, and I can't wait to let you all in on what we're planning. The next two days, in fact, I will be spending in a massive meeting about those very same events.
The Year of the Requiem is gonna ROCK.
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*is held suspended in the air looking..*
*..well bloodthirsty*
*and angry*
*Blue gets up, her eyes wide and fearful. Her hand closes and the grip on the vampire gets tighter too. She looks at her other hand and notices it is no longer bleeding, but has fully healed, due to the energy*
*starts squirming and hissing*
*Sends wave at vampire sending it through several time periods until it is in prehistoric times*
*sighs* wish I could join in. But no I have to get dragged off to sit through religious class when I honestly dont care anymore
((Prehistoric times?))
((If I get eaten by a t-rex I will not be happy))
((And neither will Matex for that point))
((Am I still unable to move?))
((But at least you won't hurt anyone))
*Walks through time to where vampire is* Here vampire vampire
*Blue looks at Edward, her eyes still wide. They slowly room back into her head and she falls to the ground*
(Okay, I'm sorry, I'm actually going to leave now. Goodnight!)
Bye Blue
((Religous education is boring Zaf, but our teacher just lets us watch the simpsons))
(Hello Zafira.)
((Good night!))
((Okay I can move now))
*hisses and starts shuddering*
Dude you guys realize he'll do that all the time? You won't be free if he leaves, then he'll try to conquer the world, or destroy the human race. Believe me, he does it everytime. Nic has had to stop him, I have, you guys should never fight him unless he's doing something conquering.
((I didn't. You know that if a human is in front of a shed vampire they won't care who it is.))
((Confused))
*swipes at Edward*
*still shuddering*
*Backs away into cave*
*backs away hissing and snarling*
*human skin begins to reform over the vampire*
*Appears back in present*
((Did you? Are you deserting me in the past?))
*falls to the ground and becomes human once more*
*looks around and eyes widen*
*she is so not in Blogland anymore*
*grabs a nearby leaf*
*wraps it around her body looking around*
*Hologram appears in past*
You need to control the vampire, you know
*looks wide eyed at the hologram*
Where am I? Edward what's going on? WHERE THE HELL IS THIS?!
The year 50,000 bc. You are a hunter, I need you to find something which I cannot retreive, then you may return.
I. Told. You.
I told you he would! And I'm not going to get you. I don't hae enough time (irl)
Silente- do not do it. Listen to me, he will want yo to help destroy mankind. Do not do it.
Edward. Bring me back. I don't even have clothes! You can't just dump people in...in...did you say 50,000 BC? You've dumped me in prehistoric times?! Edward. Bring. Me. BACK!
*Appears in past* I will help, but I need this *Holds up picture of spear*
((Zaf. I'd rather not have to live through history. Again.))
*wraps the leaf tighter around her*
Why do you need a spear?
((I won't try to destroy the world aagain. Don't worry))
It is an artifact, and I am a collector *Walks into forest*
*walks after him*
Why don't I trust you?
Everyone trusts me, I am a trustworthy person *Turns and starts to climb small mountain*
*stands at the bottom of the mountain*
No. They don't. And no. Your not. Now tell me why you really want it.
*Stops climbing* That is why I want it. Nothing to do with the fact it is a key to another dimension. Now, stay there if you want but only I can send you back to the present. *Continues climbing*
*thinks*
*sighs and climbs one handed still clutching the giant leaf around her*
Another dimention. Why would you want access to another dimention?
That is not important oh and here is a shirt by the way *Drops shirt* All I have spare, sorry.
*glares at him*
*stops and ducks behind a rock*
*quickly slips the shirt on*
*wraps the leaf around her bottom half and fashions it into a sort of skirt*
*starts climbing and quickly catches up*
Yes it is important. I'm not helping you without information.
Just because I apparently try to kill you all in the future, doesn't mean I am evil.
Yeah it kinda does. Or it means you will be. If its not evil then you can explain without fear or me turning it down, can't you.
*stops and crosses arms over chest*
*one eyebrow raised*
*Sighs* Every sanctuary has a warrant for my arrest, but if I went to another dimension, I would be free.
Back in 10 minutes: dinner
*smiles at him*
Your not the only wanted person you know. You have to learn to deal with it. You can't avoid you comeuppance.
((Kk))
((Back))
((Wb))
*smiles at him*
Your not the only wanted person you know. You have to learn to deal with it. You can't avoid you comeuppance.
Well this way I don't have to worry about being caught
**your
*Relaxes against the ground, leaning against a rock* *Waves* Hello, Edward. It's nice to see you wreaking havoc again. *Lights her holder*
Edward you can't just hide in a different dimention. Do you even know what the dimention it opens is like? Or if opening it will have bad conciquences for this dimention.
((Adra we're in prehistoric times.))
Adra, how nice to see you after so long. I am sure you won't try to stop will you?
Of course not, Edward. You're tempting me to join you, actually.
*Shrugs* But that's no problem. I can find some other place to destroy.
*just stands looking at them both*
*shakes her head*
*two peas in a crazy pod*
No idea Silente. But it will be a new dimension
By all means Adra, come along. Silente, I am not crazy.
I can't help you if it would destroy this dimention. Your an idiot if you think I would.
Well, you have a choice of helping me, but the door to the present has opened at the site of the spear
No thank you, Ed. I prefer taking one person at a time. *She stretches, getting to her feet*
Why can't you find it yourself?
Very well Adra. Silente, because if I die, then I don't stand a chance
Why would you die? What the hell is guarding that spear?
*Looks warily at the sky* Prehistoric vampires and werewolves.
*She shrugs, making a small portal on the ground* I'll send your condolences to Alastair, then. And for the record, your futile attempts to break through to him are absolutely adorable. *Winks, and walks trough*
*sighs* of course it prehistoric vampires and werewolves, what else would it be. And what'll stop /them/ from eating /me?/
Bye then adra
Goodbye Adra if you see Trip, ask him if I can enter the bar yet please.
The vampire code will protect you against the vampires, the werewolves i don't know.
*laughs*
Oh they still have that rubbish code of theirs? Even now? That's just /sad/
*Reaches top of mountain*
That code, may just keep you alive. *T-rex appears behind and eats me whole*
*looks up at the t Rex*
Oh. Not good.
*backs away slowly*
Hello. Don't even think about it.
*runs and stands between its giant legs so it can't eat her*
*Head falls off t-rex allowing a glowing portal to appear in its mouth*
*frowns*
That's not normal.
*Portal begins to shrink*
*wonders if she should go through the portal*
*pokes a stick into it*
*pulls the stick back out looking at it*
((It leads to the present by the way))
Hello??
Hello Rhydian
((Good to know))
((Hi Rhydian))
*realises there's nothing wrong with the stick*
*dives through the portal*
*ends up back in the present*
*dusts self off*
*nods*
((Hey Edwin! heya Sil!))
((How are you?))
*The portal leads to a room in the present with clothes and a potion in. A door leads to blogland*
Oh hello there Eddie...And Sil. Where have you two been then?
((I am dead at the moment, eaten by a t-rex))
*puts the clothes on instead of the leaf and shirt*
*looks at the potion*
*slips it into a pocket*
*walks through the door*
*smiles recognising Blogland*
Oh...Doesn't sound too pleasant. I'll make a note about not getting eaten
Prehistoric times.
50,000 BC
*Potion starts to glow red*
Okie dokie then...Care for a spot of tea Ma'am?
*cant see the potion*
*its in her pocket*
No thanks Rhydian.
*Potion suddenly sets on fire and dissapears*
Ok then. So anything interesting I miss apart from the dinos?
Ahh!
*pats the flames out*
*realises the potion has gone*
What the hell?
*A transparent version of me appears* That hurt
Am I missing something here? A lot of stuff is happening...I think I should just get the popcorn and enjoy the show eh?
*looks at Edward*
Oh hello. Finished being digested? I get the feeling your plan didn't work.
Somebody owed me a favour in the spirit world, now I am a half living being. I need your help please?
What now. I don't tend to do favours.
One drop of living blood, placed on that rock wil bring me back. I won't cause trouble
So me then? Cause Sil is kinda dead...But if I do this, ya owe me alright?
*sighs and leans back on a tree*
Hmm. You won't cause trouble you say. I don't think your capable of that. And why is it always me you ask for help from? I'm I the only person worth annoying now?
Of course Rhydian, I would owe you my life.
**Am
Actually that's a good point. I don't count as living. Only Rhydian can help you here.
Owe me your life? Sounds promising. Ok then. *cuts hand* Now which rock am I gracing with my magnificent bloody blood?
*grabs the rock*
Rhydian, don't take him on his word.
That one *Points at yellow rock* I can be very useful in a crisis, as are my magic
Hmmm.....A contract or sommat then? Cause I don't fully trust you...Even before I moved in here *taps forhead* So...Some insurance would be nice Eddie
*nods approvingly at Rhydian*
*sits and watches*
*Looks round* there is a ring in a box at the bottom of the lake, it will summon me once and only once, will that do?
Yeah sure...But if I find you've double-crossed me in anyway...Let's just say I won't be very happy. *smears blood on the rock* Now what Ed?
*mutters* should have got the ring first..
Now I ... *Body turns solid and returns to life* Thank you.
It's fine Sil...I know what I'm doing. I am not to be messed with, alright Edwin?
*Salutes* Yes sir *Walks over to lake and dives to the bottom*
*stands and stretches*
Well. This is boring.
It is, isn't it? What to do for fun...Hmmmm
*Dives through door at the bottom* *Thinks to self, idiots*
Yeah. What. To. Do.
*yawns*
I've just been back stabbed haven't I?
Yep. Told you not to do it.
Have to leave for a few hours back later, bye
Bye then Edward.
Bye Edwin!
You're usually right Sil...Oh well. He's just on my To-Be-Killed List now. I'll get back at him eventually, with your assistance?
Aw maybe not. People have to pay for my assistance, and quite frankly I doubt you could afford. But maybe if he continues annoying me.
That's my point. If it was up to me, I'd just let him go...Coz all he did was take a bit of my blood. But he's too reckless to live, and he creates way too many enemies than friends. You can kill him without my help if you want, but if you need a skilled assassin, then you know where I am
*laughs*
If I need a skilled assassin I'll just hire myself idiot. Your not the only person who doesn't play by the rules. Anyway.
*walks to the bottom of her oak*
*jumps to the doorway*
OK then...I don't care if I kill him or not. He's just a threat. At least with me or you, we have a purpose, we're not evil, vamps and Remnants just look out for themselves. But he isn't like that, he wants to destroy people for fun...So if you can kill him, you'll be doing me a favour
Now if you excuse me I have work to do *walks to house*
((Hi.
Might join in with the roleplaying in a minute - it depends.))
#ChaseForBookNine
*walks inside*
*frowns at Edwards blood on the floor*
*and at the blood from the white fridge*
*so much wasted blood*
*figures she should clean it*
((Hiya Starry! Okie dokie!))
((Hey Star!))
((Hai! Sorry, would've been here sooner but my phone hates me so I had to turn my PC on haha))
*walks downstairs into the cellar where a young woman is strapped down to the table* Hey there Lena
Lena: Hello bitch
Rhydian: Do I look like a bitch to you?
Lena: Well you used to, when you tried freezing me to death when you were possessing Hermione
Rhyds: Those days are over...Now I possess a rather handsome looking teen...So Lena, do you know where the Horseman is?
Lena: Why would I tell you?
Rhyds: because I have a knife
((Hello Corvo!))
((wbd))
((Hey Corvo!))
((OMGLENASALIVEATLEASTSHEISFORNOWIDONTEVENKNOWWHICARESOMUCHBUTYESSHESALIVE!))
*starts cleaning the fridge putting the empty bags in the bin and the full ones on the hooks*
*mops up the floor*
*Rhyds gets a knife out and cuts Lena's arm* *She cries out in pain but then bites her lip to try and stop*
Rhyds: Nothing you'd like to say?
Lena: Nope *tears stream down her face* *blood spilling from the wound*
*smiles at the blood free floor*
*puts the cleaning supplies away*
*licks her fingers free of blood*
*makes sure everything is neat and tidy*
*jumps back out and looks around*
Rhyds: I know...Tell Rhydian, and not me. How does that sound?
Lena: You are Rhydian now...He's gone now.
Rhyds: You had a soft spot for this one...Come on? For old times sake?
Lena: Why are you so desperate to know where the Horseman is anyway?
Rhyds: Mind your own business slut
((I keep shouting at my tablet because you keep insulting her. My sister is giving me a wtf look.))
*Rhyds cuts deep into her flesh and she screams in agony*
Be quiet or I'll rip your throat out! This can all end if you tell me how to contact him at least
Lena: Ok fine...On my phone, there's a man called Tithe...He can get in touch for you. Please let me go
((OMG sorry! Technically it's the douchebag remnant!))
*heads a faint scream*
*frowns*
That's not normal..
*listens carefully for more noise*
((Ah, Snow. XD
"Friends - a Compalation by the Mind of Jenny Hilyer
Friends are like potatoes, if you eat them they die
Friends are like slinkys, only fun when you push them down stairs.
Friends are like trees, they fall down if you hit them multiple times nwith an axe
Friends are like balloons, if you stab them, they die
Friends are like bananas, if you peel off thier skin and eat them, they'll die
Friends are like Snowballs, if you throw them, they are bond to hit something
Friends are like cake, if you drop them off a building they'll go splat
Friends are like wood, highly flammable when drenched with gasoline"))
#ChaseForBookNine
**hears
Rhyds: You're lying...
Lena: I'm not really...Sil, she's a vampire right?
Rhyds: I know what you're thinking...Super hearing right? If you try and scream, you will die and I will run. So don't even bother
*frowns not hearing anything*
*glares at a tree knowing she's not crazy*
*walks around hoping to hear something to set her in the right direction*
Rhyds: Lena...Tell me about your life.
Lena: What? Why?
Rhyds: Make me feel sorry for you...Then maybe I'll let you go, out of pity...
Lena: My parents abused me...Thats how I came to know the Horseman...I asked him to get rid of them for me. But instead he gave me magic and told me to do it myself. So I did...I was twelve, and I killed them both out of hatred. The my boyfriend attacked me a few years later and In killed him as well...Everybody I loved, anybody I cared about turned on me. So how do you think I feel, knowing that Rhydian, the only person who cared for me is gone, taken by a monster?
Rhyds: I do feel sorry for you...I really do...But, I'm not sure if I can let you go
Rhyds: Unstraps her* Go...get out of here. The Horseman will get you anyway, there's no escape. So make the most of your life...For the real Rhydian Sky
*turns and punches a tree*
*the tree creaks and falls with a resounding boom*
*stalks back and forth listening carefully*
((Actually, I may NOT join you, because Hunter's off-roleplay decided he doesn't want to be here at the moment, so I may have to think a way around that . . . D:))
#ChaseForBookNine
((Poor hunter!))
Lena: Thank you...so much. How will I get out of here without being noticed?
Rhyds: What? After everything I've put you through, you are not going to tell anyone?
Lena: You had your reasons...I understand.
Rhyds: I don't understand?
Lena: If i tell someone, they'll hurt you. And Rhydian is still in there, so that means they'll hurt him. I won't allow that. Is there a back door?
Rhyds: Yeah...See ya some other time?
Lena: Yeah...Hope so anyway
Rhyds: You are completely mad...
*Len leaves the house and Blogland quickly, and isn't spotted* *Rhydian sits down and sighs...What had he become? he swore, back before he was a Remnant, that he wouldn't become a monster* *things never quite work out*
((Poor ME! /I/ have to deal with the ?!!???!??!?!?-y related consequences of his decision! He just has to do nothing! Or not even that! He just has to not be here! Which is easy! It doesn't require you to do anything!))
#ChaseForBookNine
((Poor Star))
*sighs and gives up*
*glares at the fallen tree*
Rhydian walks out of the house and looks over at Sil* Hey there Stranger...Why you look so frustrated?
Stuff. Just stuff.
*moves to the tree*
*slips her hands under it*
*strains and straightens it up*
*leans against a different tree*
((THANK YOU.))
((I have to be doing my essay anyway. :/))
#ChaseForBookNine
((Is it bad that I ship Rhydian/Lena? OMG SHE SOOOO LOVES HIM!!!! EVEN THOUGH HE'S KINDA EVIL NOW!!!! I'M WRECKING MY OWN FEELS WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!))
((I should be doing work too...oh well))
((Lenian))
((Yes...Lenian *nods* Too bad it's just a waiting disaster :( ))
((Lenian . . .
Reminds me of lenient. :)
I find that music really helps me stay on track, Silente, but then again, I can only think of one thing at a time and music kind of clogs up all my exit routes, whereas it might not do the same for you as you have more roads.
#ChaseForBookNine
((It's not a waiting disaster.
Never give up hope. :)))
#ChaseForBookNine
((Yeah. How's the Horseman meant to get her? I though he was locked in that other dimention chasing down the guy who took his head..))
((He got the the guy who got his head and came back...Basically once her contact is up, he'll kill her and collect her soul and torture it until he's bored. He's a lovely block really...Few daddy issues))
bloke**
((I can listen to music and write if I do it turns into:
After the French gave up on the snowman the American continued and play. They provided Elsa with weapons and pictures.))
((Yeah just a few issues..isn't there a way to stop him? Trading soul...prolonging the deal...fighting..?))
((He can't really be stopped...Once he has a deal with someone, it's unbreakable...But am I currently trying to find a loop hole, coz I actually like the Lena character I've created. So i'm trying to save my own character yeah))
((Well couldn't you offer a different soul in exchange for hers?))
@Silente: Yeah, a lot of people say that . . .
I actually can listen to music and write without ever experiencing that problem, but I can't concentrate as well. :P
And - :/ That's a shame . . . :(
#ChaseForBookNine
((I was thinking about that, but it actually doesn't work...OMG YOU JUST HELPED ME SIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *tacklehugs* YOU. ARE. THE. EFFING. BEST!!!!!!!!! (It's not EXACTLY what you said...But you did help me loads :D) THANKIES!!!!!!!))
((Hunter says he can stop him.
Or doesn't, because he's not here.
But he's half-lying (or would be); he doesn't actually know.))
#ChaseForBookNine
((Er...okay? Your welcome...I think. What are you going to do?))
((I want to tell you...But spoilers! I am now debating whether to tell you or not...If I tell you now, you'll be gob smacked, but if you find out latyer it's a huge plot twist... ARRGGHH CANT DECIDE!!!!!!))
((Do you think the horseman could seperate a bound remnant from a human? Or mage?))
((Well I don't actually know where you write all this up..))
((Want me to tell you now?))
((YES!))
((Hermione Poetry is a Natural...I dunno what kind, she just is. her magic is a little weird, The Remnant was in her for a few weeks and didn't get stuck (her magic wouldn't allow it to settle) so perhaps a little bit of it rubbed off on remnant, so if we could get enough magic/power we MAY be able to separate it from Rhydian! Then it could possess Lena, the Horseman kills her and take THE REMNANT and we try to save her before she's gone forever...Am i a genius or what?!))
((Back again! I hate my art grr.))
((But then the Horseman's possessed!))
#ChaseForBookNine
So???
((YOUR A GENIUS! But seperating the remnant won't be easy. And neither will any other part of that plan..))
He can't be possessed. But the remnant then can gets its revenge on him.
((Wb Corvo!))
Yeah. I'll continue thinking. Gtg bye!
((What was all that about him being a nice bloke really?))
#ChaseForBookNine
Bye Rhydian!
I dedicate this page to...My unicorn (Corvo Lavender)
Because she has that awesome nickname
((Sarcasm Starrry.....sarcasm))
I don't believe in revenge.
So, like, NO.
(This is not a I-don't-believe-in-it-so-no thing.
This is a I-don't-believe-in-it-for-a-very-good-reason-and,-like-characters-splitting-up-in-horror-movies,-it-is-just-a-NO.)
#ChaseForBookNine
*mutters something about forgiveness and the lack of it in this world*
#ChaseForBookNine
I gtg.. bbl! Bye! :-)
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