The wolf romanticism

My favorite existing animal is the wolf. I came to love this creature a few years back, when I met my current partner. Ιt was a given that the lovely wolf would be honored in my main story. The male protagonist’s hidden personality (something like an alter ego) is expressed in the form of the wolf and some of his characteristics are sourced from the animal’s behavior. Wolves are predominately monogamous, the pairs mating for life. A regular wolf pack resembles the basic human family, the pair leading the pack and the younglings being part of it, until they mature and head out to create their own pack (this is not always the case, but it’s the most common theme). 

I believe it is obvious why I love the wolf so much. Apart from its raw power, senses and instincts, the animal inspires some sort of romanticism through their instinctive choice to mate for life. The relationship developed between the main characters goes side by side with the main story and gives me the chance to show off the male protagonist’s similarity to a wolf (his mind still very much above the regular human, I do not include werewolves in my story).

The wolf in my book is featured as an assisting, fierce, yet kind beast, its characteristics deeply embedded into one of the main protagonists. Yet in literature, wolves have not been viewed in such a positive manner. Let’s not forget the classic tales of the Grimm brothers, or the ever popular werewolves, creatures portrayed as violent killers, controlled by their most basic animalistic instincts (under the full moon in most cases). Lately the wolf has taken a turn in popularity and I notice more and more authors use the creature in a positive light. In addition to the recent love for antagonists and villains becoming mainstream, it was only expected and I believe it to be a good thing. We need to experiment with morality in our stories and realize that what makes something truly villainous and cruel has little to do with instincts and appearance and a lot to do with actual intentions.

(All opinions above are completely personal and not based in any sources.)

C.T.K.

A contrast within me (A vegan loving violence and gore)

(The following are personal opinions and thoughts not based on sources. They are also not meant to insult anyone.)

A fact about me is that I am a vegan. How do people picture vegans? Peace loving, kind people, hungry for justice against speciesism and potatoes (and vegan ice-cream). I am that kind of person, indeed. It was heartbreaking for me to watch documentaries and videos showing animal abuse, back when I decided to change my ways. Yet my favorite manga of all time is Berserk (picture above). Berserk is a seinen manga (manga targeted for adult men). It features violence, gore and mature themes and I absolutely love it. My series contains a lot of violence and mature themes and I would have it no other way.

So what is going on here? Why is there such a contrast within me? I am definitely not the only person in this position, but I would like to express my personal thoughts on the matter. Why do some of us get excited with violence and gore, but know damn well that we wouldn’t harm an ant? Well the key word is… it’s fake! That is the beauty of fantasy! That is the beauty of imagination! I would never pick up a sword and kill demons (well we don’t even have those), but I sure love seeing Guts do so! Fantasy is a gateway for the mind to experience everything. The problem lies with every single human and how they chose to express their psyche to the outer world.

C.T.K.

A king with no throne

I walked towards the high security prison, determined to receive the information I wanted. After explaining to the guards that I had permission to enter, they let me approach the king’s cell. He sat on the white bedding at the corner of the cell, the walls and metal bars of it were covered with intricate curses, designed to hold him in. When he noticed me walk near him, he crossed his arms over his chest and smiled ironically. He wore the white clothing all prisoners wore and did not seem to have lost his spirit even in the face of death. I frowned lightly and stood right in front of the railings.

‘’What do you want Eserith?’’, every word he spoke was laced with irony.

‘’Is there a way to bring her back?’’, I asked, cutting straight to the chase. He chuckled and I noticed how humane and somehow older he looked, now that his eyes were not red. It looked like ten years were added on him and even his obsidian hair had a few grey strands.

‘’There is.’’

C.T.K.

(From book2: Era of wrath. Available on Amazon.com)