THE GUARDIAN OF THE ASTERKINJ: JAKE STORMOEN'S DEBUT AS DIRECTOR IN THE OUTPOST EP. 411

Guardian of The Asterkinj is a very special episode for fans of The Outpost, as it has been directed by our beloved captain Garret Spears, played by actor Jake Stormoen, who has taken the reins of the direction by joining in his debut to his classmate Imogen Waterhouse (Gwynn, for friends), who has also been behind the cameras in another previous episode of this season. Stormoen thanked both the casting and the stuff team hours before the episode was streamed for having given him this brightful chance, which will allow him to face the direction of other projects in the future. There have also been no shortage of words of appreciation for the community of fans that supports him through his social media and his streaming channel on Twitch, as the decision to cancel the series was officially confirmed a week before his debut, while he was enjoying a family vacation.

'Make no mistake', he recalled through a recent post on Instagram, 'I am sad, but also terribly grateful': the renewal of the series for four consecutive seasons is already a great feat in itself, especially when after the hostile criticisms poured out during Season 1 didn't bode well that the project would prosper. However, The Outpost has a small, yes, but solid base of fans who gather on Thursdays to celebrate by tweeting live during the streaming on The CW of the corresponding weekly episode, among which I include myself. 

There may only be two more episodes left for the captain to permanently sheathe his sword and hang his gate marshall leather jacket in the closet, but The Outpost has allowed Jake Stormoen to fulfill his childhood dream and, if anything, that doesn't means the series cannot be bought by any platform; maybe it could continue still in not too far future either on Amazon, Netflix, Freeform, Skye or similar, or simply through crowdfunding. Whatever the series may hold, Jake Stormoen is convinced this journey, which for him began almost four years ago, has been worth it, and the season finale, scheduled for October 7, won't be the end of the road but, rather, the closing of a chapter of the book of his life that will begin a new stage, as happened years ago when Dagen, the character he usually played in the films of the Mythica saga, became a pleasant memory for him.

In Guardian of the Asterkinj we have been able to observe how the director has tried by all means to preserve the essence of the series, maintaining internal coherence with the episodes previously viewed, while he printed his own personal brand. The eleventh episode of this season is featured by its cinematic beauty and the drama flooding all the sequences. Jake Stormoen, who is also a main actor at the same time, has shown us his own point of view, his personal perspective, of this overwhelming transition into the dark abyss that the main characters start, who suffer from their mistakes and bad decisions, an agony and existential anguish that Stormoen has tried to catch by using original resources and techniques rarely seen before. This is clearly seen in the scene starring Zed, as he struggles to drag, limping through, the wounded and almost unconscious Munt on a cot made of dry branches and leaves. The camera focuses on Reece Ritchie's face until it almost borders on distortion, a resource used when trying to underline the psychological dilemma experienced by a certain character, emphasizing his intimate emotions rather than narrative action. Normally this use of the camera occurs more frequently in series or films belonging to thriller, suspense or psychological drama. However, Jake Stormoen always keeps his mind open and lends himself to exploring multiple possibilities, especially when they let him do it in his favorite genre, where he feels at home.

The director has not only played with the cameras, but also with the colors, the landscape, the effects and the transitions, some really striking and sentimental like those that immediately precede the end of the episode, with Wren's song as an invisible backdrop, and Nedra's ashes dissolving into a passionately apocalyptic sky, presided over by a bleeding moon whose incandescent veins burn in lava, like an erupting volcano. These final sequences are of the utmost importance to the story, as they reveal a hidden facet of Talon's ancestors and must be cared for down to the smallest detail. Everything unfolds in a showy, emotional and solemn atmosphere. There is beauty and many subliminal, ethereal details that make this episode truly memorable and sublime. James Schafer's music is empathetic and exquisite and contributes to enhancing the narrative rhythm, much more leisurely than usual. Anyway, I must congratulate Director Stormoen for his impressive work. He is truly commendable.

The suffering and pain of the characters is truly remarkable from beginning to end, as circumstances have led them to follow the same strategy as their adversaries, who also intend to awaken Aster, albeit with malicious ends. And for that, the noob director has also had a very good eye. Doubts attack them everywhere and any decision can mean many deaths. Janzo and Wren have suddenly found themselves with a child as misunderstood and disconcerting as 3-1-3 who they have had to learn to educate and re-educate, which is a challenge for them as parents, especially considering that he is part of the enemy race of the Masters. Garret is determined to protect Gallwood with his life and questions everything that Wren and Janzo do for the well-being of 3-1-3, who to him is only a murderous and merciless monster, while Talon and Luna run into each other an strange resurrected Aster who promises not to harm them and who they don't trust at all after the genocide perpetrated by his own kind. And we are not finished yet, because we cannot forget the tragedy that took place in the forest, and the internal sorrow that Zed is going through, from whom the only two things he possessed have been taken from him: his kinj and Nedra.

For 3-1-3, events represent a turning point. Levare teleports with an order that the kahvi wipe out everything in his path at Gallwood, while Janzo goes out of his way to teach him why helping his own kind is a mistake. 3-1-3, or Marvyn, as he is later baptised, apparently had a duty to protect the children of his kind, and only that makes him finally reason, precisely when he realizes Janzo and Wren are acting on behalf of their future baby. Killing children is forbidden, but if he does as Levare asks, he will make the same mistake as Janzo by accident, prompting him to rush to Garret before Levare skewers his body on a pike. Everything ends in harmony between the two parts, after a powerful scene in which Levare corners Garret between a wall and a blade, with the edge brushing against his throat.

At that moment, Spears unleashes all of his strength to push the weapon away from him, which he unexpectedly achieves thanks to the ring that Tobin entrusted to him before dying, an area from which he begins to flow blood. It's a confrontation to the death with the murderer of a very dear friend, the person who took him out from behind bars, gave him a second chance as gate marshall, and the one who personally entrusted him with the realm. The ring symbolizes Tobin's spirit and is the seal of a promise that Garret must fulfill with sweat and blood. It's a scene that stands out for its narrative force, more for what is not seen than for what actually happens on screen.

The episode itself is full of powerful and symbolic scenes like this one, with Nedra's blackblood funeral being very noteworthy as well. Zed is the one who intends to honor her, but in his personal way and not under the supervision of the High Priestess, as would be mandatory. In a way, Zed is not only angry with himself for not having died in Nedra's place, but for having revered monstrous beings throughout his life who simply turned every surface on their feet to ash. He feels deeply deceived, as he has been fighting to perpetuate his culture and race, which has ultimately only brought death to a world whose beauty he can't appreciate because he feels it's not his home. Wren tries to shed light on his mind: religion is based on myths, legends and rituals that help to understand and explain the world. In many cases they only have a psychological utility, providing existential comfort where science can't go. And that's why she and Zed celebrate Nedra's funeral ritual in the woods. Obviously that's not going to immediately heal his wounds, but it will make him feel better about himself. He lacks the sensitivity that Nedra had to perceive the beauty of his surroundings, but, as Wren says, he will be able to teach it and pass it on to blackblood children. Ultimately, Zed now has a legacy to keep fighting for. He and Wren are both on this mission together.

The solemn ritual, accompanied by Wren's song, blends slightly with the sequence starring Talon, Luna and Aster as in an infinite cycle of death and life. Aster is the one who shows them through an ancient epigraph the names of the guardians of the Asterkinj, who are nothing but Talon's ancestors. Both she and her ancestors are descended from Aster and the first inhabitants of Gallwood, confirming the theory that had been brewing for weeks that the blackblood are a hybrid race between humans and Masters. It's a crucial moment in Talon's life that will greatly influence what happens to him in the final two episodes. Talon has never known where her place was, and dialogue with Aster helps clear the fog. It's likely Talon plays a major role in the final conflict with the Masters, for perhaps she is the one who fulfills the will of this ancient being, who regrets not having erased his brothers when he had the opportunity.

The end of the series thus becomes sharper. It would mean that the kinjs were either destroyed, or buried somewhere they could never return. That would give Talon the opportunity to be that heroine who needs to reconcile with her fate. However, not only is she destined to be the key to saving humanity, as Marvyn, or 3-1-3, is the key that could allow them to fight the Masters if they manage to convince those who still remain in their cocoons of they have been used as slaves in the service of their gods. In any case, for Talon, Garret and her friends there is no going back. They have no more cards to play. They must have faith and trust in themselves. The truth is, now, their best asset.

CARPE DIEM, LIFE IS NOT FOREVER: THE OUTPOST, EP. 410 REVIEW

 

In Something To Live For everything happens at the speed of lightning. Every moment is so ethereal, so ephemeral, that it deserves to be lived, appreciated and enjoyed and, precisely that's the central theme of this unpredictable episode splashed with persecutions in which Talon, Luna, Zed, Nedra and Munt set out towards the tombs of Aster and Golu in order to prevent Tera, Vorta and the other Masters from recruiting them to lay waste to the little remaining life of this untamed wilderness. Something To Live for presents an interesting reflection to the viewer: life passes so quickly that the brevity of the moment is imperceptible, so that, no matter how impossible it's to catch it, because it runs like sand through your fingers, it's important to live it to the fullest, enjoy every moment, so unique and unrepeatable, as if it were the last, something to which Zed seems indifferent. 

The warrior maintains a selfish attitude by thinking only of himself, for nothing seems to distract him or make him forget that, as long as he possesses the Golukinj, he will be hunted day and night, without the possibility of seeing a single hint of happiness and serenity. Everything has to be said: Zed has spent half this season absorbed in his own thoughts; he has rarely participated in the council meetings summoned by Garret. The slaughter of his species on the Plane of Ashes has made him feel expendable and has virtually erased any long-term goal. Zed has dug not his own grave, but his own doomsday himself. He agrees to carry out orders, desires and wills of others, but doesn't feel master of his own destiny. He doesn't know what he wants. He's made progress with Nedra, but both of them have a hard time understanding each other at times, and while there seems to be true chemistry between them at times, some conversations indicate just the opposite, although, they say, polar opposites attract each other. Munt is the adhesive that both of them needed because, thanks to him, the trip becomes less sour.

When the trio stops to rest to stock up on water, Munt jokes about urging them to think about what it means to hunt. Hunting is an activity that is best done in pairs or in a group, which requires coordination and that members know both their strengths and weaknesses. Hunting is an activity that promotes social cohesion, according to Munt's deductions and that, in his personal case, helped him to know the late King Tobin better. However, Zed, so killjoy, is not at all trying to play along, eventually turning the conversation into more of an absurd discussion. Nedra accuses him of being superficial, as he is unable to value the beauty of the moments that both of them shared when, while they were still young, they hunted in the Plane of Ashes, which for Zed are only a vague meaningless memory.

Nedra is much more transparent and deep. Her virtue is to see beyond what her eyes capture, and it's only thanks to her that the three of them find the sanctuary of Golu. Nedra can perceive the spirit of the world, which she conceives as a living, beautiful and organic entity. She tries to encourage Zed to practice carpe diem, which he rejects in order to purposefully focus on the mission, something that she greatly dislikes, given that Zed is experiencing sensations or, rather, living life from the outside in, but not from the inside out. This kind of vital renunciation bothers her, although it's not the only thing. Zed doesn't stand out as a particularly empathetic or understanding man; the very naive, so short-sighted, he doesn't even excel in eloquence or dialogue; words, the fair ones. Perhaps his greatest virtue is obeying orders to the letter like a good soldier. Yet in this game of hide and seek, Zed has learned the hard way what it means to not enjoy the opportunities and rare pleasures this world has to offer. Both Nedra and Zed experience serious difficulties to agree on who should wear the kinj, and the blackblood warrior also fails to imagine that burning Golu's body is not going to be enough to stop Vorta's henchmen in their tracks, that while possessing Janya's helpful ability to restore corpses, they will continue to absorb the souls of all living things around them, no matter how many times they are skewered with their swords.

Tricking Tera and Levare into doubting who to pursue in search of the purple kinj seemed like an excellent plan, although  it was actually a suicide mission that ends with Zed suffering from an uncomfortable limp and, worse, with Munt deadly wounded; indeed that seems trivial compared to what happens to Nedra though. Not even she, despite her dexterous and agile legs, manages to get away from her pursuers. When Zed catches up with her, there is little he can do to help. Tera catches her off guard and, after a forceful blow to the belly, makes her drop to her knees to delight in the suffering of the powerless blackblood, who watches him reduce his beloved's body to ashes, shortly after they have both consumed their mutual love with a triumphant kiss, an epic kiss that, translated, would have meant "see you later." 

Zed offers her eternal goodbye between tears and cries, picking up the blue flowers that she liked so much to place them on her remains. It's a truly emotional scene with beautiful cinematics, with Zed sinking the edge of his sword like a tombstone for the woman he once fell in love with.

With the death of Nedra, there are already four characters who have succumbed to the Masters. Season 4 of The Outpost has chained more deaths in four or five episodes than The 100 or Game of Thrones in an entire season, and it does so in the knowledge that there will be no Season 5 waiting for us next year. However, it's perhaps the most desirable, because, in the few remaining episodes, we don't know who else we will lose. Like Tobin, who perished shortly after seeing Falista fall, Zed has all the ballots not to tell this story. With only three chapters on the horizon, it's impossible for a new ship to emerge that fixes his life, so he will most likely die later, sacrificing himself to save Talon or Garret, so that Talon and Wren become the last survivors of their race.

Leaving for a moment the plot that revolves around Zed, the rest of the episode allows little footage to advance what happens to those who remain in Gallwood or the adventurers who go to Aster's sanctuary. For the first time in a long time, Talon confesses to Luna she rejected Garret's marriage proposal, which is, to date, the only show of sincerity on the part of the chosens towards whom she considers her friend. It's not surprising that Luna doesn't understand why she did it, since her confession denotes that she still loves him and that she regrets that decision. At the end of the day, she didn't think that they might never meet again ... however, she has Luna by her side, which is like having a version of herself to talk to, a girl who reminds her in many ways also to Gwynn, especially for her ability to cheat in the octor.

I have found Gallwood's narrative unremarkable compared to the others, especially because of the way the writers have treated certain characters and the resources they have used to drive the action. Garret sometimes acts impulsively or incredulously, but I am not entirely pleased or satisfied with the fact that, being aware that 313 had escaped from his cell, he is so unwise as to end up hitting the ground with a blow to the ground because of the Kahvi. It seems to me a redundant narrative element, because it seems that no one is a match for 313, the creature who, not many days ago, barely understood who he was or what choosing or deciding consisted of, and who knocked out Janzo by striking him with a wooden plank as well. I think the writers have been carried away by the simplicity and the lack of new ideas, at least as far as that portion of the ep is concerned. 410. Nor do I understand how, suddenly, the Kahvi goes out of his way to awaken the children of his own species ... it's as if, in the blink of an eye, a mysterious rational spark had reminded him that they existed ... and that, even though Janzo mustn't have told her about Wren's pregnancy.

But that wouldn't the only weakness I have noticed. As far as I know, Talon and her friends were already well aware of the Janyakinj's powers. Wouldn't it have been better to come up with a plan to kill Janya and thus stop the so-called gods from continuing to slaughter villages? Without Janya's help, the others, namely Tera, Vorta, Kultor, and Levare, would not be able to regenerate themselves or rise from the dead. I just wonder that...

THOUGHT, REFLECTION, CHOICE, LOVE... THE OUTPOST: EP. 409 REVIEW

 

The Price of Immortality is a purely emotional transition episode, as moving as it's crucial to the plot that surrounds the race of the mysterious Masters and their slaves, the kahvi, as we already observe some slight brushstrokes related to the historical puzzle of the origins of the Blackbloods, who have a lot to do with the invaders. The time has come to make difficult decisions in difficult times, but this chapter is, first and foremost, an emotional meeting between our friends. 

They are preparing to toast for their deceased colleague, since they had all been apart for a long time, without having the opportunity to discuss and share the information they had gathered during their latest misadventures. Reinforcing ties of friendship and courtship, too. However, the latter seems inconceivable between Talon and Garret, as she continually evades him, leaving the young captain with the word in his mouth, who, on the other hand, assumes without question all the responsibilities and tasks that Tobin used to perform, although since prudence and lies, a theater of behavior that can be useful to pacify the ignorant peasants of the outpost, but which is useless when used as an argument or as an excuse to a friend who is well known: Munt. Munt is about to make the most important decision of his life, and it's thanks to him that he discovers Garret's lie on Tobin.

The bartender realizes that something strange is happening, because everyone should be celebrating the return of Talon and, on the contrary, there are only tears. Munt has always been treated like a chump and worthless since the days when Miss Eleanor ran the Nightshade. His adoptive mother always ordered him to do the dirty work because, even if The Outpost didn't tell us about it, Munt is a man with an obvious psychiatric disorder. He is a kind of retard, a sick man who unfortunately possesses the mentality of a child. And, like any child, they will always try to spare him the pain of the loss of a loved one. In a way, Tobin, as king, was the father of everyone in Gallwood, at least from Munt's point of view, because both he and Janzo had a mother, but never a father. 

Tobin borrowed security on Munt and honored him by making him his personal servant and adviser. His duty was to advise, help and protect him, and for that reason he must avenge him, because for commoners of humble origins like him, a king means political and legal security, peace and sustenance. The king stands at the top of the pyramid of power, acting in the same way that a father would do as the head of the family defending the members of his household. Also, those horrible creatures could kill Warlita and the rest of her friends. Munt just got tired of being the madman on the hill. They always keep him out of the big events, but now more than ever he needs to set himself a new goal, and that's why he chooses to leave together with Zed and Nedra, who have already forgiven each other their sins, to the sanctuary of the Heptagram, the place where Zed acquired the Golukinj in Season 2.

But not only Munt has been decisive; each and every one of our characters must reflect and make vital decisions during the making of a strategy to defeat the Masters. The amazing thing is that none of us expected the seemingly innocent 313 to move token to pursue his own happiness, treacherously lash out at Janzo to escape, and activate the Skevikor in the crypt to awaken his companions. 

At first, we would all have supported Janzo's diplomatic attempt to find out more about the intentions of the Masters through the gradual and mutual trust between him and the creature, but it's no less true that our doctor has exceeded his enthusiasm for instruct the kahvi, who looked like nothing more than a baby lacking self-awareness, will, and reasoning. Let's not kid ourselves, we just have to look back to see how the brewer's eyes were sparkling with illusion when 313 began to speak. It looked like he get a new toy.

 Janzo has always surprised us with his intelligence, but he screwed up by showing 313 what it's to decide, since even knowing that his greatest desires were the Naviaspore (golden kinjs) and to join the mental hive with his kind, instead of avoiding it, he put it on a silver platter. He forgot who they are fighting against, and that has ended up proving Garret right, who did the right thing by caging him in right time, however much it gives us the impression that his methods are disproportionate and violent. Spears is not a violent guy, but rather restrained and sober and, if we have noticed him more irascible and irritable lately, it's because of Talon, who continually evades him as if he had committed some heinous and unforgivable crime. 

Garret feels Talon is pulling away from him for no reason, because if Janzo is the priestess's boyfriend, what's wrong with the two of them being lovers? Janzo doesn't stop Wren from playing her role as an educator; Rather, together they solve all mysteries by unrolling scrolls and diving through dusty, threadbare pages of ancient codices. Talon can perfectly combine his Blackblood duty with Garret's love, and that confuses the latter because, in addition to not giving him answers, Talon doubts even what she feels herself.

We have been claiming the scene in which Garret tries to talk to her for weeks. It's moving and rewarding, but with a sad ending. It needed to happen, and we don't have a sequence, but two because, at the end of the episode, Garret tries again, to end up even more open-mouthed. He throws into the pool does when it seems there will be another dangerous quest on the horizon that is going to take them along different paths, at the prospect of not knowing what will happen tomorrow, if they will survive or not, or if they will meet again. So he hastily decides to declare himself in marriage to Talon who, unable to assimilate or accept it, slips away without even saying goodbye. 

Actually, anyone can see that it was neither the time nor the place to do such a stupid thing, as Talon's priority is that everyone is safe, something that won't happen until they defeat the Masters. But you also have to understand Garret. He just wants to know if she is still in love and, consequently, tie up, set future plans, think about starting a family one day ... which, in essence, is the same thing that Tobin and Falista yearned for themselves. The difference is the inexperienced monarchs had a common goal, while Talon and Garret don't, because neither agrees with what the other thinks and, moreover, they don't share responsibilities.

In truth, the two act for the welfare of the people, but the Gallwood command knocks on Spears' door, while ethnic duty does the same with Talon, who has discovered through the altar's memories that the holder of the Blue Kinj, Aster, nicknamed The Betrayer by the other six, developed a close bond with a human, preventing her from murdering her baby, something she was about to do unconsciously, controlled by Golu's kinj, which is the one Zed carries. There's no doubt Aster must have been one of Talon's ancestors, and his union with a human was what gave rise to the Blackblood race, as a similar passage reads in the books consulted by Janzo and Wren. Aster's descendants, the first Blackbloods, were the ones who received the Asterkinj, who kept it and passed it on from generation to generation, as Talon's mother did with her daughter. 

The flashes of their memories perplex both Zed and Talon. They are aware that they will have to travel to the locations pointed out by Luna's medallion on the map to find the last two tombs, but even so, they are not entirely sure about to kill Aster is the best choice. If he betrayed the Seven, he could become a future ally. However, Talon's desire to find more answers about the enigmatic traitor of the Seven induces her to choose more to murder him, because he was who owned the ability to open portals to other worlds, who informed the rest of the Gods to invade and absorb the energy of all living things that inhabited their land in the past. Thus, Talon plucks up the courage and tells herself that she will be in charge of ending his existence as soon as he is awakened, something that has inevitably had a fatal outcome for Garret's plans, and that will take her further away from him in the next episodes. Talon is stubborn by nature and she always achieves whatever she sets her mind to. If she destroys Aster, she will avenge those who paid the price of his life for the immortality of the Seven.

THE SECRETS OF THE DISCORD KEY: REVIEW FROM EP. 408 OF THE OUTPOST

The fight has begun. Only in this way could we summarize the essence of the 8th episode of Season 4 of The Outpost, a chapter that wastes action and tension, as our friends have obtained the long-awaited Skevikor key, but even more complicated than that is to find out how it works and, above all, decide what to do with that artifact, which in turn implies diversity of opinions and that some of our heroes end up facing each other, immersed in a leaden climate of mistrust getting worse when Talon is kidnapped by the Masters.

Talon's kidnap divides their hearts, in the same way the enigmatic key does, which we could nickname "key of discord", since there is no topic or conversation that doesn't revolve around it itself or 3-1-3 , the creature of the cocoon. If in other seasons of The Outpost Talon, Garret, Janzo & Co. walked in the same road, listened to any opinion or were condescending, now the responsibilities and the role that each one plays in this world stand between them and their true enemy. They are confused, terrified and fascinated, but, above all, very confused, as confused as the viewers when it comes to tying up loose ends and understanding this puzzle that, now, we know is related to Yavalla's kinjs.

As Naya and Luna manage to escape the brawl at the gates of The Reliquary in extremis, Tobin teleports with the Skevikor under his arm, only to return a few minutes later to find that Talon finally succumbed to the ambition of the divine. His mission has been a complete failure and he doesn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Falista and Gwynn have been killed by these unscrupulous horned abominations and have now dragged Talon to her death. He is the highest authority in Gallwood, but what does that matter if he had always been the shadow of the queen? Tobin only became a king in fact, but not in law. It's Munt who comforts him with words of comfort and encouragement, and perhaps for that reason, because he still has a kingdom to watch over and move on, and friends like Garret who don't deserve to live without love in a world doomed to turn to ash, Tobin is willing to save Talon not caring not to see another golden sunrise.

Tobin thus consummates his last will, perishing under the clutches of Kultor and his disciples... with honor, knowing that he sacrificed himself for those who depended on him. However, that doesn't soften a bitter farewell. The Outpost writers have claimed the lives of two beloved characters, a direct warning to the hearts of fans, not to let their guard down. Yes, The Outpost may be a fantasy series, but that doesn't mean everyone is going to be happy and eat partridges. At least Tobin died in a dignified way and the showrunners highlighted with a flourish the end of the character played by Aaron Fontaine. We first met Tobin, son of Gertrusha, as one of the Aegysfort village barons in Season 2, a lord as gracious and outgoing as he is smug and persuasive in offering his innards as a wedding gift to Gwynn. During the course of those disquisitions, both fell in love, and Tobin didn't hesitate to set out again for his homeland to recruit new soldiers with whom to stand up to Yavalla. Sadly, the two were possessed by the priestess, killed, and resurrected. Death has kissed Tobin three times and that is why he was no longer afraid of it.

Naya's return as Talon's ally brings exciting new dynamics. She was the servant who tried to help Luna's little sister escape from the dragman shrine, but without success. In a way, Luna finds herself a bit resentful of Naya for not being able to rescue Ilyin, but Naya is presented with a second chance to show her that while she is not a warrior, she can also set out to do great things. Janzo's sister quickly returns to the outpost with Luna wounded in battle, giving Wren the opportunity to meet her sister-in-law and her baby's future aunt. There are no reasons to justify thinking that a similar romance will spring up between Naya and Janzo as they are both close relatives; however, her experience as her babysitter could come in handy for Wren once she has given birth to the mid-blackblood child, as it won't be easy to raise an infant between two cultures that regard each other with a grudge against each other. And nothing guarantees us that other births will not occur, because Zed seems to be one step closer to liking Nedra, who although she hates humans, has decided to start dressing like them. 

Zed's flirtations are the only sugary topping this season, which no longer delights us as it used to before with the enchanting scenes between Talon and Garret. The latter has been forced to seize the crown of the outpost, although for now he is oblivious to Tobin's terrible fate, a task he exercises with a diamond hand, as he continually rebukes Janzo and limits his inquiries in regard to 313, insisting on the need to destroy the key and to lock up the creature to prevent it from invoking an army of its kind, who still doze in the crypt.

The captain only sees armies everywhere and fears for the lives of Talon and the of the outpost citizens. As much as Janzo and Wren support him, our hero is lonely. The new parents do nothing but feed and drive this abomination that could kill them in their sleep, and in politics none of them have the experience required to ensure the well-being of hundreds of vulnerable villagers. With Tobin embarking on the difficult task of bringing Talon back safely, Garret only has Zed left to maintain public order on the streets of Gallwood. 

But Zed has a head full of birds. He allows himself his own licenses to distract himself by cajoling Nedra and it would be wrong for Garret to hand over a third of his responsibilities to him. That conversation over glasses of wine clears up many of the storms that are raging in Garret's mind universe. Not only is he concerned about Talon being hunted down and tortured, but about not being able to rise to the occasion, as Tobin's crown weighs more heavily on his shoulders every day. On the other hand, Zed, being honest with Spears, reluctantly acknowledges that he is not who to judge who should love whom. Of course, Zed spits it out now because he believes that he is a suitable candidate, the chosen one of his people to conquer Nedra's heart and resurrect the Blackblood race.

On the other hand, as regards the mystery that surrounds Luna or kahvi 313, it must be emphasized that we have come a little closer to unraveling it. Both the Vex Rezicon or Book of Names and the Skevikor belong to the same era and are surely objects made by the ancestors of the Blackbloods. It is clear that the Blackbloods didn't come from the Plain of Ashes; On the other hand, their counterparts, the Kahvi and the Masters, do come from that place, which according to 313, was initially a green and fertile paradise. The Masters are the guides of this wandering alien civilization, which would have perpetuated its cycle of life and destruction for centuries. And, somehow, their knowledge has crossed borders to integrate into the culture of Blackbloods and humans. That would explain the legends surrounding the end of the world, the Skevikor, which have been passed down from generation to generation among the people of Wren, Talon, and Zed.

But there is something else. When Luna approaches or is near the Skevikor, she begins to hear strange voices that may be the souls that the Masters have stored in their bodies and that the key can channel as if it were a TV antenna. These gleaming souls must be what 313 calls naviaspore and, as Janzo has concluded, would function in the same way as the kinjs of Yavalla. It's pretty sure once the Skevikor is introduced at the right moment in the machinery of the crypt by the so called gods, these will transfer through it the essences of the souls and allow them to control the will of the sleepers, since it's meaningless that, at the precise moment when Tobin and Garret were about to smash the key, Luna perceived hundreds of voices shouting in her head, as if those souls were in serious danger or were going to die. Perhaps Luna's mission is to prevent the Skevikor from being activated.