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12/29/2020 c29 11FloweryNamesLover
One little thing I wanted to add. I know I mentioned before that Jiayi pointed out that Reiko took advantage of and manipulated Olivia’s desperation into sleeping with him. And I am so glad you had him state that because it’s always bothered me that everyone else uses the word “seduce” to describe what happened. Olivia had just turned 18 years old, for all intents and purposes, she was still a child, a scared and confused girl struggling to understand everything that was happening to her and around her, and Reiko saw/knew all of that. He basically might as well have acted like a pedophile because a grown man who’s hundreds if not thousands of years old slept with a girl who’d just technically become an adult, and then he all but victim-blamed her. Obviously, it wasn’t also Fujin and the others’ intentions to make such terrible implications when they also used the word “seduce” but the effect remains the same. Olivia was backed into a corner, and while Jiayi did also use the word “seduce” with her, he more or less makes up for it by telling her that Reiko is the one in the wrong and she should not blame herself for it. And that’s certainly more than Alex, for all his good intentions, was able/willing to do even after he was convinced to sorta see things her way. Jiayi is the first person to really understand her in that regard and that’s the main reason that I appreciate this excellent character you created so much more.
12/18/2020 c31 FloweryNamesLover
The reason I find Xinyi worse than both Rain and Reiko because he’s more of a wolf in sheep’s clothing whereas the other two are blatantly evil and make no effort to hide, to the point of someone having to be blind not to notice. Sure, Reiko has his false charms but that’s just a more calm way of rubbing his power in other people’s face than Rain. Scary as they are, I always know exactly what to expect from them, there’s no real deception from them, whereas Xinyi lures (almost) everyone into a false sense of security. I just find that more scary and despicable.

And frankly, both Rain and Reiko are equally abusive to women as Xinyi. Rain assaulted, kidnapped, and brainwashed Anya all the time (among many other crimes) whilst Reiko beat up Skarlet on a daily basis, kept sex slaves, and manipulated Livy into sleeping with him (as Jinyi pointed out in the latest chapter). And Xinyi cut part of Livy’s ear off and brags about women have no rights among his people. Every single one of them is a rapist and blatantly proud of it.

So yeah, the only real different between those three arrogant sexist dimwits is that Xinyi is an actor that knows who to fool and how to do so, whereas Rain and Reiko don’t know the first thing about deception and couldn’t lie even if they wanted to.

It also amuses me when all three try to act like they are fearless when Rain got gotten his ass handed to him multiple times and only survives thanks to luck from his heritage, Reiko is blind to Havik’s schemes and is inane enough to think that a Shao Kahn wannabe would stand half a chance agonist the champion who defeated his father, and Xinyi in vain ties to act like he’s isn’t afraid of Hanzo but bawls like a baby when someone manages to corner him. They go after weaker and more vulnerable people as much out of practicality as from cowardice, both when taking slaves and fighting enemies.

At the end of the day, they talk a big game but are pathetic losers and only know to make up for insecurities by hurting other people. A true trait of an abuser.
12/3/2020 c31 DinoLord00
Well, this is a pretty bright chapter, not that two of the parties have been reunited and Olivia's officially escaped from Reiko's grasp. I'm really starting to like the developing friendship between Olivia and Jiayi. You'd think that Jiayi would've become the next Rain, but he's actually turned out to have a hidden heart of gold. I especially loved it when he gets his first taste of Earthrealm cuisine. When this adventure's over, maybe Olivia can take him out to Earthrealm restaurants.

Also, Jiayi's reminiscing of how he used to swim with Xinyi is actually quite saddening. Now that Xinyi's true nature has been revealed, there's no way that the two brothers can reconcile at this point and I've got a bad feeling that it's going to end with one of them dead. Don't get me wrong, Xinyi is despicable, but his past shows that he used to be better and could've stayed on that path. I also wanted to applaud you on how you've managed to make Xinyi both well-intentioned, but far too hateable to root for. Authors sometimes paint extremist characters in a sympathetic light like Kingpin from "Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse." Heck, even the extremist Hotaru was portrayed more sympathetically in this series. Given that Xinyi wants to enforce order, a noble goal on the surface, you'd expect him to be easy to root for, but given all of him crimes, you just can't. It strikes that balance between a character that's hateable, but not moustache-twirling evil and it astounds me, now that I've realized it.

Another part that I found interesting was the mention of Titans, including Kronika, who I suspect will play a role when Shinnok appears. I'm glad that they were set up early, unlike in the canon series, where they had to be shoehorned in, to the fandom's mixed reception. Given that the One Being is the creator of more Titans beyond Kronika, I wonder if they'll also play a role in the series at some point.

On a more minor, but equally intriguing point, this chapter shows how some people haven't quite forgiven Kitana just yet for the crimes she committed under Shao Kahn's name. Granted, she was manipulated into doing so and is trying to redeem herself, it's understandable why some would be more reluctant to move on and it would've definitely been an interesting idea to be pursued in canon, so I'm glad that it's at least getting a nod here. Hearing Jiayi lament Shao Kahn's crimes is also quite tragic, knowing that the damage created by him will never truly go away, despite having been killed long ago. It goes to show the harm that totalitarian governments can create in fiction and even reality like with communist and fascist nations.

Overall, an intriguing chapter that contains both heartwarming moments and elements that open up new stories in the future. Hearing about how Ashrah will most likely be relegated to one cameo, I don't really blame you. I agree that she's a pretty vanilla character, but if you ever decide to flesh her out, I have faith you'll make her into an interesting character. And, yeah, writer's block sucks. :)
12/2/2020 c31 5Praxus84
Alrighty, happy to see a new chapter from you again, with so much emotion here: I laughed at Himavat popping up with a family barbecue (seriously, an Elder God flipping around burgers :-D?!), I smiled at Olivia being reminded that not all men are vicious bastards (though, admittedly, a good number of us are) and her comforting Jiayi who is actually a regal sheep in sheep's clothing (or a liar so good he's fooled an Elder God), I winced in sympathy at the argument between Miyuki and Kabal, I respected Erron's thankless job as the guy who has to keep heads cool, and I breathed a sigh of relief at the reunion. Oh, and I also had a strange sense of foreboding at the mention of Kronika.

So, bravo!
12/2/2020 c31 12ROCuevas
Really great job.
12/2/2020 c31 Reptaliator
Wait, so is Kronika also going to be a cameo or does she actually have a part in the story. I hope it's the former because she's kind of a bland villain really. But hey, if you can make it work go for it, after all look what you did with Rain and Mileena! Also that Halloween short was amazing, looking forward to the new Lin Kuei shenanigans.
12/2/2020 c31 MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior
Well, that was a nice reunion scene. I'm surprised this didn't last another chapter, but hey, at least the story can continue now. I'm a bit surprised you added in Kronika and the Titans into your story, but I suppose since MK11 brought them up, I suppose you could bring them up. I am a bit curious as to whether Kronika will actually appear in your story, but I'm going to guess probably not...although you have surprised me before, so I guess I'll see. Anyway, curious to see what they'll do once they all reunite.
12/2/2020 c31 9alwaysdoubted
Olivia's slowly getting there. It helped that Himavat subtly fought on Jiayi's behalf, prompting a rather intriguing conversation. I don't blame her for feeling a bit gunshy. But she has to remember. Without Jiayi, Livy's probably dead or in Reiko's grasp, which I know she doesn't want to happen again. Count your blessings while you can. You may not get a second chance.

Something told me Kabal and Frost were going to butt heads again, and boy, I thought they were going to come to blows. Good thing they didn't, or it would've cost them even more time to find Livy. As expected, the group was quick to jump on Jay for supposedly kidnapping Livy. There will be a lot of explaining to do in the next few hours.

On a side note, I'm glad that at least Livy acknowledged Frost's assistance in helping the group track her, though there's still a long way a good as far as their relationship is concerned.

alwaysdoubted
9/20/2020 c30 11FloweryNamesLover
Well, this might be a long one, as it's been awhile since I last reviewed and I've got a lot to say.

First off, wow, you've seriously been outdoing yourself here. I've gotten hit in the feels more times than in your trilogy and Ascension combined, so bravo.

"Kuai Liang's Night" definitely gave me some hope for the better, but I genuinely am expecting a tragic ending for this one. If Kuai Liang is freed, I fear he may end up dying in a heroic sacrifice, and staying dead this time. I don't know if this is something he can really fully come back from, and by extension I doubt Anya can either. I bite my nails every time we see more of his brainwashing and Anya's condition.

The worst of the worst are back, Reiko, Reiko, the revenants are involved, possibly the ascent of Shinnok, etc,. Onaga's war was devasting to say the least for all involved, but the stakes seem bigger. So yeah, like I said, the angst and feels are extra painful in this one.

Regarding Xinyi and Jiayi, you handled them very well. Both brothers always acted strange and secretive and untrustworthy at various points, so I never really felt anything like "oh it's obviously gonna this brother who's evil". I bounced between who I thought would be the traitor pretty frequently and I sometimes wondered if both could be traitors, so I never quite trusted nor distrusted either of them. I was starting to lean more towards Xinyi again one chapter before his betrayal so it wasn't much of a shock, but again you did a very good job keeping me intrigued and questioning both of them throughout the chapters.

I messaged you about this already, but Xinyi is worse than both Rain and Reiko combined. He has the same scheming, manipulative, fake charming nature as Reiko and the same sexism and hubris as Rain. The traits that make each of them so terrifying combined into one person, a fine villain. Of course, like Rain and Reiko, he always ends up biting off more than he can chew, and thus I imagine his true downwall will be...intense. So now I look forward to all three of these fuckers getting their permanent comeuppance in the end. They're all just so wonderfully despicable.

Speaking of Rain and Reiko, I kinda chuckled at their argument. Two arrogant generals with God complexes and obsessions with two particular women, and being in complete denial about said obsessions. Seeing them snark at each other and pull the "If you say so" in response to the other's denial was amusing. At some point, I muttered,"Okay, you two, cut the dick-measuring contest and get back to scheming. Both of you are Havik's pawns now, anyway."

Oh and I LOVE how you write Havik. Until the MKX comics, he was so underrated and underused. His insane scheming is a delight to read from such a talented writer. He's actually my favorite character in both this story and Ascension so far, even if his role isn't quite as big as the others for awhile. It's clear he is the main person holding the cards, maybe alongside Shinnok from the shadows, and I never get tired of seeing what he could do next.

Overall, your writing never fails to impress and all the best parts just mesh together perfectly in this latest story. I cheer every time I see an update.
9/18/2020 c30 12ROCuevas
Really awesome work as always. Can't wait to see how it goes next time.
9/18/2020 c30 DinoLord00
Good to hear that you're lives are improving.

This is definitely one of the more intriguing chapters of this story. After being a major pain prior to this moment, it's nice to see Jiayi show a softer side of himself to Olivia like letting her get to call him 'Jay,' even if he doesn't want her to say that in front of the other Cryomancers. I also liked how more of Jiayi's character was revealed in this chapter. It helps show that he's beginning to warm up to Olivia and develop into allies from this point onwards. It'll be interesting to see how their relationship builds from here, for better or worse.

I was also surprised that Ashrah made an appearance here. Given that she saves the two, but also warns them to leave before she reconsiders killing them, I'm guessing she'd fall with the anti-hero archetype rather than the full-on hero she is in the canon series. Not that I'm complaining because Ashrah was a pretty vanilla character and I'd actually be interested in exploring more of her character, though I guess that will have to wait.

I'm hoping that Olivia can finally reunite with the other heroes, but I fear that is still a long ways off and the journey through Outworld won't be an easy one. Great chapter and I look forward to the next chapter you publish for this story.
9/18/2020 c30 MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior
Huh, I never thought we'll see Ashrah in here. I always thought it was strange how she never appeared in the Netherrealm games. Still, pretty great chapter and great fight with the squid creature.
9/17/2020 c30 5Praxus84
Ah yes, the Spine Rip. Delightful little way to finish someone off ;-). As for the latest part of your adrenaline-spiking work, it's nice to see more of Jiayi and his past (of course, there is the possibility he's just a very good lier, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now). The fight with the Teuthos (did I spell that right?) was fun to read, Olivia's getting back into the groove. And Ashrah knows how to make an entrance, I'll give her that.
9/17/2020 c30 Reptaliator
Sorry, Havik was auto corrected to Gavin. I'm also surprised Asrah made it to this chapter, very nice welcome. But one thing I did want to question, I was re-reading this story and realized Cassie's brutal beatdown of Skarlet was very similar (if not exactly the same) to what Skarlet did to Takeda. Was that intentional or a mere coincidence. Also I'm really liking Jiayi, a true lad. I wish he had been more polite in the beginning, but if I had to deal with people like Xyni, Tsai Bing, and prejudiced Cryomancers in general I wouldn't exactly be the paragon of virtue either.
9/17/2020 c30 9alwaysdoubted
The dynamic between Jiyai and Olivia seems to be growing within their limited interactions. Livy is finally starting to ease up in her distrust for the Prince, though there's still some uneasiness from time to time. Eventually, there would come a moment where she'll be more than thankful for his assistance. And it came as the two encoutered that foul beast that nearly swallowed them whole.

Luckily, their saving grace came in the form of Asharh, though I find it curious why she was there in the first place. Regardless, she directed them to the portla for their eventual escape. Not a big point in the story, but could become one later that people won't notice.

alwaysdoubted
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