Hey guys.
Chapter 18 was really hard to write. Not because of difficulty, or anything of that sort.
It just really hurt. I don't think I've teared up like that since writing the first story in the main trilogy. It hurt writing about the deaths of so many characters and how Vao was too late to see them one last time, or too caught up in the past to realize he still had time to make just a few more memories. Hekue's life ended much different, which is why he wasn't using his magic throughout this story. That will be told in full later.
And then there was him finally admitting he loves Sapphire, and the crushing guilt he feels over abandoning her, even if it was from Wonderland taking over his mind.
And then there was Chapter 17, where Sapphire looked for him and apologized for something that wasn't her fault until she finally began to believe she was alone again.
Mono's story is also a hard one to write. I nearly teared up writing about the Grinning Cat and the Mad Hatter's encounter at the beach, and Mono calling out to the First Vao as she struggles not to turn into a demonbeast. We'll see Mono's story through the diaries, which Sapphire still has a few more to collect.
Those diaries are important chapters. They talk about how Wonderland came to be, and is the backstory for many of Wonderland's characters. You've probably already recognized a few - Lily, Nik, Victoria, Strid. There's a story to how they became monsters, as well as what happened to the First Vao.
Buckle up, guys. I think this story is going to be painful. And remember; this is the GOOD Route.