Shyrka: A sad tale of sacrifice and loss, but when you have the opportunity to give as good as you get, then sometimes it just has to happen. Paradoxical situations like this happen far too often, really…destruction of important places and artifacts to keep them out of the enemies’ hands. If only things didn’t ever have to be that way.
Daysman: I’m not familiar with foreign festivals, as the only time I’ve been out of the country ever was briefly to Canada for a couple of hours. This reminds me of what I’ve heard of the Festival of Lights from Japan, though of course this is for an entirely different reason. This, to me, was a sweet little story of hope, but sounds like it is a last-ditch effort, and I can only hope that this would be a success.
Perpetual Man: A story of combat and action, in some ways this reminds me of a joke I was read online somewhere. But from this story comes the old adage, desperate times call for desperate measures, and sometimes, while you know you’re boned from every direction, at least one option seems to give the two-way street you would hope for. When you know you’re done for anyway, it’s just best to say screw it and go for the dirty play.
AstroZan: Be careful of who you trust, and don’t reach for the stars when you should know they are out of reach. To have to create planets for sustainable life is a horrifying thought, but an interesting one. I’d just wonder, though, why create a second earth in terms of fauna, when there could be many other interesting creatures to make?
Scarpelius: The sad truth of humanity is, we’re easy to fool. There are, of course, a few skeptics amongst us here and there who wouldn’t fall for this kind of trick, I don’t think, but ultimately, in the end, if we’re to be cattle for the slaughter, we’re done for. This hit me hard because as much as I’ve lost faith in humanity in general, I really don’t want to see us end in this way.
Johnnyjet: This kind of picture used for this 300 challenge can be interpreted in many ways, and this interpretation of what is pretty much basically late-night Mardi Gras, it warms me a bit to see a story break off with a happy ending. A second chance at life is always something to rejoice about, and let’s hope the one who faced Thanatos down and survived will learn from their mistakes.
stormcrow: All sorts of sacrificial rituals across many ancient and indigenous tribes occurred throughout history, yet to me, this one seems just unnecessarily cruel and insidious. I don’t know to who/what these sacrifices would be going to, and I am all the happier for lacking that knowledge. Usually, sacrifices involved volunteers who went to a relatively quick death, but to be selected by one’s peers out of fear, to be sent out alone to die of toxin in your bloodstream, it just sends shivers down my spine.
