iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

+ curling and crisp like calligraphy at the bottom. Tapping on the final blank line, Zan offered the pen. “Sign here, if you please.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

“If you’re feeling particularly gothic, I suppose you could sign in blood. But ink will work for this just fine,” he hummed, producing a fountain pen. Once she signed, he’d be taking the power immediately. He couldn’t risk letting her reconsider things. Zan signed his name, the letters +

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

+ be bound to an undisclosed artifact in my collection where it will remain, unused by myself or any others.“ The agreement would reflect just that. No intention loopholes, no tricks. Preventing Spim from sneaking back into the world was much more valuable than anything Cienn could offer.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

The cream was poured by a mage hand as Zan looked over the scroll, offering it to her so she didn’t have to lean over. “Of course. The transaction will be as such; You grant me permission to siphon any and all power from your unborn child. Harmlessly, of course. Once siphoned, the power will +

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

+ across the coffee table, it would be a contract. “Are you hungry? I have some Crisped Inferno Weed.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

She would be right. “I appreciate it. I don’t entertain frequently. In fact, I think you’re the… second person I’ve invited in two hundred years.” He poured a cup of tea for both of them, offer Cienn hers. “Sugar? Cream?” Taking a seat, from inside his cloak, he withdrew a scroll. Spreading it out+

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

+ move. A fireplace burned to @cienn.sunder.my’s left, a small sitting area with two leather and wood armchairs, a matching coffee table between them. A steaming pot of tea sat there, cups at the ready. “Welcome. Please, do wipe your feet.” Zan hummed, motioning at a small rug beside them.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

+ display sat. Inside, a chunk of amber encasing what appeared to be a face hugger, something Cienn would most definitely recognize. Though, upon closer inspection, this would be different. Thin webbing ran between the legs, the tail more akin to the look of a Xenomorph Drone’s tail. It did not +

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

+ room made more claustrophobic by the large display cases that sat on lifted platforms, surrounded by stanchions and rope. In the case directly in line of sight, a monkey’s paw sat, imprisoned in the glass. Three of the fingers bent inwards. Next to that case, another display sat. +

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

+ extend, the floors a golden pecan shade of wood, which extended up corners and around door frames as trimming. The building… realm… whatever this place was somewhere between an art museum and some pretentious private collection. The walls were lined with shelves. What would have been an immense +

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

“That can be arranged.” The gateway silently hummed, exuding energy that would have the hairs on Cienn standing on end. Passing over the threshold would only make the buzz against her skin tenfold before, like your ears popping, it gave way to a relieving quiet. Around her, room after room would +

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

+ the image wavering, like an oil painting. “I suspect you will still want safe guards in place to ensure no… loopholes or shenanigans are afoot, yes?”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Perhaps the girl could learn after all. “There would be no price,” he stated plainly, turning to face her fully as the smirk dropped from his face. “I, myself, would love to ensure that the Spider has no way to claw its way back. Come, let’s walk.” With a snap of his finger, a doorway appeared,+

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

“Ash.” There was a certain irony to the name, given the Spider’s ability to seemingly crawl back from the brink… And what would be left if it did. “Only fitting, I suppose, that she inherits your name along with its legacy.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

@cienn.sunder.my “Big day is almost here. Have you two picked a name?”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Yes, and it does seem to suit you. I suspect to find you’ve taken up knitting. When you, I’d like a sweater. That is the question… around four to six individuals? This task will not be easy nor will it be for the faint of heart.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

I need a recommendation from you. I am looking for a few talented individuals for a… mission. Once the dragon is defeated, I’m quite they’ll all be bored out of their minds and need some entertainment. Unfortunately, you and I are both not suitable for this little side quest.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Lingo from another realm. But here you are, right on cue… well, almost, but I won’t hold it against you.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Where is my ‘problematic fav’?

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

There is beauty in everything, even endings.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Then perhaps you should try it and see how it goes.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

I would but I couldn’t be in those big open pumpkin patches. I’m a-gourd-aphobic.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Hm. He definitely prefers not to waste either of their time with pointless suggestions.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

A wise man knows that kindness does not always mean niceness.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Perhaps. Or perhaps answers are not to be found without more extreme measures. What is Gil willing to risk to find what they’re searching for?

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Oh, surely it will have the information they seek. And if not, there are only a few hundred more to search.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Ah, he loves learning nothing of use. He has a section of his library dedicated to those books.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Ah, that’s what the pungent aroma was.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Any books they can recommend?

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

“That seems to be the one consistency between worlds.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

“Like a politician taking money directly from a veteran’s pocket.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

“That is definitely a metaphor.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

“I joined a cult once. The Lamb was nice enough but didn’t care for the Goat.” Anyways… “Well, I have done my due diligence in warning you. It’s unfortunate for you that you didn’t listen,” he tutted his tongue, stepping away from the dragon. “I’m sure I will be seeing you soon enough.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

“Because there is nothing to be gained from dead worlds. I have seen enough of them to know.” The Sundrinker, the antithesis of everything Zan had been working for. “I suppose there is nothing I can say to convince you to give up this crusade? Maybe form a cult to meet your needs instead?”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

“It’s a perk of the job.” Zan, though smiling, watched the dragon closely. It was going to be a problem, one he didn’t have time to deal with now. Other forces were at play, ones that worried him more than a petulant being like Sundrinker. “No, I suppose you saved that for the baker.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Good to see you having fun. Don’t forget to change back before returning to your wife.

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

+ carefully, Sundrinker, lest it be the last one you tread.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

“Making any moves against her could have disastrous consequences. Not simply for you, but for everyone. And your splashing will draw the attention of much more dangerous fish,” Zan warned, pushing off of the wall, meeting its gaze. “You stand at a crossroads. Choose your path very +

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

“Funnily enough, that tale is incorrect. It was his mother, age 97, who did him in. Grew tired of her son’s bragging, I suppose… or the bloodshed he left in his wake.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

“I know of them but I did make a point to avoid the Spider. By the time it would have become a problem, the bakery and her troupe had dealt with it,” he muses, eyes studying the surprisingly docile Sundrinker. “The same will happen to you if you’re not careful.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

+ hummed to himself before looking over at ‘dragon.’ “You are Cairn in this scenario, and the baker is the elderly man... if that wasn’t clear.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

“According to the tale, you would be correct. Cairn, in all his power, bragged too loudly, challenging anyone who dared to take their best shot. An elderly man, tired of the braggart, walked up behind Cairn and gave him, apparently, a very effective wallop to the skull with his cane.” Zan +

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

“Then do so at your own peril.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

“Hubie, do not speak to that one.”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

+ none of them bringing Cairn the challenge he sought. Time passed and though he grew old, he was no less formidable. Do you know who finally bested him?”

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Zan @doomsdaycollector.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

“Have you ever heard the story of Cairn the Goliath?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Cairn was a formidable fighter, able to beat any challengers he came across. He travelled the land far and wide, searching for someone to give him a real challenge. He fought knights and kings and beasts, +

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