SHADOW GENESIS: INCEPTION | REBOOT PROJECT Explained (Part 2)

They wonder how I keep up with it all.

Surrounded by minions here, there roams two twelve-year olds, a fifteen-year old girly teen entering sophomore level this year, and three rug-rats claiming to be ninjas. One of the three is stuck in a predicament of being a weapon of unorthodox skill or a pretty-pink princess. Summer break has to end… but I kid.

My room is always a hot spot in these cases.

No matter, for early mornings I write, edit, brainstorm, and as soon as 12:00pm hits… the chaos ensue. Call it good management, but it is no biggie. An uncle to two and a cousin to four, fortunate for them I have the means to keep them busy.

…video games.

Let me get back on course, for this is part two of my explanation as to why I chose to reboot Shadow Genesis. Previously, I explained how much the book felt inadequate even with those who have read it felt the story great and waiting ‘patiently’ for the second volume. When I revealed that I wanted to reboot, it was accepted with ease. Then again… waiting a few years (since 2010) is stretching the wait, but Rome was not built in a day.

I discovered I am not the only one who takes forever to write a book. Crafting a story is easier said and done, and making sure every single block fits together like a finely-built Lego masterpiece is as challenging as a pot-belly pig bricking up a house, reinforcing it with steel and gun turrets. A few alarm systems, with those hidden red laser thingies you see in those impossible mission movies (see what I did there?); all in the name of fending off the big bad wolf.

When rewriting SG, I did this whole write a book in a month step that required me to write a chapter a day. Literally, I wrote a chapter each day, scene for scene, for thirty days. I explained how I ended up with fifty chapters… right? Yeah, the thirty-day thing went fifty just like that! So… I kept writing until I felt the story ended in a suitable spot to pull a ‘To Be Continued’ and presto.

The reason the manuscript gotten so fatty is because I added new content (as previously explained). I wanted to show more of the characters and scenes for better understanding, plus diving more into the worlds without rambling and ‘fluffing just to impress’. Not going for that at all, but detail and flow is good. Like more of Malice and Hellion, and the main characters and their paths. Minor characters included. 

A Look At The Main Characters (Continued):

Na'Kaishia Nightshade

“Should never face an opponent unarmed! You are not up to perfection to fight naked… especially against a woman who prides herself a man,” - Kelin on Na'Kaishia

Her pole is not for dancing.

After getting a bit of feedback from the readers I discovered many liking Na’Kaishia and her ‘strong as nails’ ways. Na’Kaishia Nightshade is a Master Blackblade of Malice’s Blackguard, a group of ‘special ops’ (for lamest term) that do what the Shadowknight Militia does not. They are what ninjas are to samurai… I think that works for better explanation.

A fierce warrior servant of the Blackguard, darkgearian special forces under the realm’s sovereignty, Na’Kaishia is a well-known darkgearian woman throughout Shadara. Known for her high confidence and no nonsense attitude she tends to expose, and the strong sense of arrogance that--with her stubborn streak--has created a few challenges against her. 

Growing up with Malice, she has a strong bond with the ‘lady sovereign’, vowing to protect her as if she was of her own blood. Na’Kaishia is from House Nightshade, located in Darkgear Citadel’s royal residency, and is the only daughter of Na’Keem Raegul (exiled) and Kaiza Nightshade (deceased). She is also known as the woman who cannot be wooed, for Na’Kaishia has denied several proposals for her hand in marriage. Her reasons for such turndowns are that the men who ‘try’ are unimpressive, and inferior to her. Her weapon of choice is the notorious Blacjack, an extendable and powerful pole staff imbued with magi, packing a heavy blow so intense it can send any flying from a single hit.

A friend once asked what inspired me to make Na'Kaishia a bad ass with the staff. I simply answered: For one, Na'Kaishia Nightshade is a character formed by a unbreakable childhood bond with a special someone who knows who she is

Second, Na'Kaishia is suppose to be one of the toughest female characters in the gang. She is stubborn, fiery, witty, snappy, and all around strong heart when circumstance calls.

Third, my love for Soul Calibur kicked in, for I was inspired by Kilik and other staff users...think Monkey King, then mix Taki for that ninja flare which Na'Kaishia is also considered to be noticeable to when explaining the unorthodox skills ninjas are known for, but keeping it true to the universe my book is in, is the trick. Just an example and not pulling a knock-off, for I aim to make my own moves up, other than studying real-moves to implement a bit. They are not 'ninjas' per-say but it is a good comparison when trying to understand my Blackguard. Na'Kaishia leads Darkgear Sovereignty's special forces, the Blackguard, who are far worse than the Shadowknight Militia, and are as I said, sort of like ninjas or so. Speed and Stealth is their thing, and they are the most agile and dynamic fighting type who serve Sovereign Malice Khan, though Na'Kaishia and Malice are childhood friends. Her title is Blackblade, and she is famous for it. She also has magi at her disposal, which the original novel shows, but I have a bigger surprise in this 'Reboot'.

So yeah, you got a bad ass 'ninja' who uses a staff, and when not using a staff, she is dangerous when using hand-to-hand combat...plus her legs are a beast.

Malice being the calm regal woman while Na'Kaishia is the 'bad-ass'. Both of them are a 'girlfiends for life' pair. To bring some balance in the equation, I have two male versions of the whole buddy-buddy set: Kuma and Lucius, who unlike the two women of power status are free roaming individuals... adventurers without bounds.

Kuma Akumodo

"I make love, not war," Lucius corrected slyly.
"With you, that still counts as a war," replied Kuma.

Bald and Brutal - When necessary.

Bald, bold, and completely covered in tattoos, Kuma is a chill-headed wayfarer from Murkshroud with a strong wanderlust as he travels the shadaran world. He is a native born of Bongolia, located in Dawngully, and belongs to the Kumodo Clan of Miasma Bush. His choice of weaponry is small blades, and two jamdharas (katars) he possesses on hand giving him incredible aptitude once wield. He is—as many men of Murkshroud are noted for—a fierce and silent fighter who knows no fear. He is also a spiritual man, one with the shadaran earth, and has an interesting knack for understanding natural forces as well as the communication with animals. 

Kuma has two faithful friends: the Casanova Lucius Allistar, and his faithful steed Kojo.

The idea of Kuma came along the same time I created Lucius. I wanted two adventurers, one more of a 'will sell my sword for money' type while the other travels the land, and living off of it when called for it. Never really seen many katars used (well, other than what I've seen) and found Kuma the best man for using these dangerous hand blades based on his nature. He is born in the jungle, his people are tribal, and their fighting skills range from martial arts to straight up hand-to-hand brawling without the fancy kicks. With Kuma, he can stand up to the bulk of the fighters... including savage beasts. It is said that when one becomes a man in the tribes of Murkshroud, they have to face their first beast. Need I say more? Will just let you read that event when time.

Luscius Allistar 

"Wait-wait...you want us to turncoat against the little lady sovereign and join your reign, or die?  Just like that. It's that simple huh? Okay...fuck you, kill me." - Lucius

Smooth Operator - Humor Included.

A clever paramour with a blade, Lucius hails from Saffina, Eden. He is a sellsword, a mercenary who hires out his services to those able to fill his pockets with coin. There has not been much of a use for his services in broad, so he often takes up contracts surrounding those of big establishments that require cavaliers to guard or escort, or the usual small time contracts in ridding out the criminal of sort human and the like. Lucius answers to no one, has a smart mouth of sharp wit, and lives his life the way he sees fit thus making his own rules. His sharp tongue is capable of getting him out of almost any situation, and if that fails, his magi and blade speaks for him. 

However, there is but one he considers worth his time due to close connection and respect, his longtime friend, the wayfarer Kuma Akumodo. Aside from his occupational hazards, Lucius can be found drinking away in various pubs, getting into a few one sided scraps with him the victor, or traveling the lands when not up to his neck in alcohol if not immersed in his most favorite of pleasures…women.

From Shadow Realm to Shadara

Welcome to Shadara

Shadara, also known as the 'Nightrealm' is a world of eternal night created by Umbra, Divinius of Dark during Alphas Dawn. Its world is extremely bioluminescent in vegetation, with the sky bright during the night by its aurora borealis effects and bright luna for 'days' (being Shadara has no sun), and a duller luna, low bioluminescence, and thinner array of sky aurora for their 'resting period' known as a siesta (night is day). They have twelve months in a year, with each month being thirty-one days. They also have four periods (seasons). Their world heart is the Umbra Prism Crux, with world streams or spritz, traveling beneath the world naturally.

There are four continents: Darkgear, Murkshroud, Eden, Bale, and three main island bodies: Chivera Isles, Darkgearian Isles, and Nathala Isles.  Each land is populated by various races all of diverse cultures with each considering Eden as the point of their origins which date back in ancient history when the Firsts appeared.

The Sovereign of Shadara governs all territories. The sovereign oversees the entire realm from Darkgear Prime, mainland of the Dark Elementai after migrating from Eden.  It is home to the Shadow Clan, the last true blooded Dark Elementai. Darkgear is under rule by the Khan family line. The first to establish territorial rule is by Sovereign Odema Khan.

Arbak Pryme, with the shared vision of Odema Khan, was the first to create Darkgear Citadel from within Mt. Nocturnus and establish the first largest civilization known as Centra. Odema then creates an alliance with Murkshroud, Eden, and Bale.

***

You know, I never expected my brain to start pulling this. I wanted a world that knows no sun, with weather like our own but 'mysteriously' happens even without a sun blazing a summer heat (hey... it's fantasy after all). Everything is 'alive with light', from the trees to the grass, soil... even its sands crystal-laden in wonderful-looking colors. The sky is always filled stars, with one lunar globe doing the rise and fall... the world having a 'siesta' phase and all.

Took me awhile to get it right, and I 'wish' I could show a planet picture of Shadara and its Luna, for in my head it is really spectacular in its own way. The realm is separate from the actual 'Outerverse' (which I'll explain in due time) being in its own plane of existence. Umbra has 'spoiled' this world I say, keeping it pretty in its own secluded space that is still capable of otherworldly intrusions no matter how 'lone' it is.

I am glad I recreated the main world of interest. Shadow Realm was just too cliche' sounding, and that's not the only realm's featured.

Next up, part three of my extensive talk on this reboot route. Will explain a few more characters both major and minor (those in the book thus far), and... more on how I changed the Damned.

Stay tuned.