The situation surely emphasizes how much Asara has changed towards Juneas, finally seeing and actually admitting how much she actually -does- feel for him... An excellent ending character wise, but i felt it a bit lacking of action, but maybe that's for the better, after the action-filled last one ^^

I considering extending it to actually show what was going on with Elric and Karst instead of just telling it, but with Juneas basically an immovable object I chose to just focus on the important conflict, i.e. his and Asara's feelings for each other.

A great conclusion to a fascinating story! The character development throughout all five parts was top notch.

Thanks a lot. :D

14 years and a new name later, I still enjoy The Use of Power and The Meaning of Strength. I was thinking about these stories again recently, and I was long overdue for another read.

Oh jeez I'm afraid to even think about stories this old >_>;

They're oldies, but still goodies. :)

Very nice, and I thought a good conclusion to the series. Certainly some of your best characterization to date.

So now get going and write us something else! *cracks whip*

Hehee, thank you. I was of similar opinion. ;)

...but I just got this done! And besides, no clue what to write next anyway. >.<

*brandishes whip menacingly*

But, but... no ideas, and work, and the depressing lack of my watchers bothering to read this story, and...

Now that you mention this - I'd like to ask something. Back then, when you had to learn a lot, wasn't this whole thing (being a writer, and in general, being on FA) taking up too much of your time? Actually, one of the main reasons why I keep visiting FA only rarely is because I want to or have to do other things.
That is also a reason if I skim-read (or at least, fast read) a story. I just usually get too deep into the story, and it takes quite some minutes minimum to get back to "normal mode" :P Really, that only shows that you are a good writer. It's like, tomorrow I go to a bunch of my friends for the whole day. I don't want to have dragons or stories on my mind. The last time that happened, I was just standing with my back against a banister, looking forward and thinking, because I usually think stories over after reading. You can't want that ;) That's nothing against the stories, though, I've read all of yours, so far. Normally.
On a sidenote, the beginning was just sweet. And you might just not get that much views because FA and its users are primarily visual art-based, so they don't often take a look at writings.
So yeah, really; keep writing up so long as you feel good about it, I'll read them.

Sorry for the wall of text, it actually looked organized when I was writing it, but the comments show a different letter style :|

I have more free time now, but significantly less energy.

I see, understeadable ^^

Heh, I'm hardly one to complain about people taking too long to write something. So I guess I'll give you some slack. *grudgingly puts away whip*

In all seriousness, I'm always looking forward to your next story, whenever it may come about.

Fantastic! I've been waiting for this continuation <3

I think at least a few people were...

Ahh, dragon love. So powerful.

Great story <3

Well I've read the story, and all parts of the series as well. And I think it's great.

I gave a short 'woot, fav' on the last part/story, making my reply short and sweet, but I think I'll go into details as to why I have liked this series.

First off you made the readers connect with the characters well, that’s a talent of yours that I’ve noticed, and the reason that I follow you.

Secondly, you pulled off a redemption story, pulled if off well, and that's hard to do without it looking like the author is just giving the character a 'get out of jail free' card. Juneas earned his chance of redemption over years of work, effort and commitment towards trying to be a better dragon, truly showing that over time he isn’t the dragon that he once was.

The characters have faced genuine threats that they have struggled with to overcome, physical ones along with more importantly, the emotional and mental ones. And from their trials, have grown stronger as a result, this story here tackling the most hardest ‘optional’ obstacle, the willingness to forgive another for their wrongdoings, They could have lived and survived without doing so, admittedly a less happy life, but chose to do so regardless of the difficulty of doing such an act, allowing them a shot at a happy life.

Through these things, the story and its characters truly show ‘The Meaning of Strength’.

Thank you so much <3 Your comment pretty much encompasses the things I was going for with the story.

Great story, glad to see a reasonable resolution to their trials and tribulations with one another - keep up the good work... and maybe a side story on the Elric/Karst thing?

Awwwr, thanks a lot. :) I dunno if I want to revisit Elric and Karst, though.

Wonderfully written, this whole series was a privilege to read from start to end

The difficult history between Juneas and Asara was carefully thought out; even though Juneas deserved everything Asara could ever think of (and more), you gave us a glimpse into how he had changed and genuinely cared, regretted what he had done more than he knew how to express in words, even managing to coax some empathy from the reader towards him when Asara decided to punish him for admitting his feelings (or at least for me)

I think he did deserve a little more than what he was put through, but being able to see he had accepted and understood his punishment, and was never willing to leave her side, helped to form a genuine connection to how he had changed. I was concerned at some point that Asara would have felt too weak to punish him as much, but she seems to have fairly kept at it for those ten+ years he was captive

This is quite an impressive turnaround in writing, for a dragon who did unspeakable things to her and Toma.

Your way of writing is also an inspiration, how to make things flow freely, help the reader to imagine the world you are describing, and to help place emphasis on the characters and how they feel :)

Thank you so much <3

Oh man. I just read this one. I'm in tears, man! When she first said "I forgive you". That's when I broke down. And I thought the infection would kill him! I should have known better but this is an older one. Had he died I don't think I could have made it through the night. Oh man I'm still sobbing I'll have to reply later. I loved it! The happy ending felt earned!

Thanks a lot! This story, the last 2-3 parts especially, has always been one I thought came out well.