Ryan

“The void shields were visible as a thin skin of purple-blue – not quite there in a real sense, they looked out of place upon reality, like pressed flowers slipped into a book of technical blueprints. They presented great danger.”
― Guy Haley, Titandeath

“A rippled ceiling of light hid the sky. Growths of fire, and smoke rippled across it. Vast spurs of blackened metal cut through the fire cloud like shark fins through an inverted sea. And then, as fast as it had arrived, it was gone. After a minute it was a fading star on the opposite horizon. Then everyone was shouting, and calling out. Amidst the clamour, the queen stood silent and still, staring at the abacus on her table. ‘Do you see now?’ asked the daemon. ‘The fire of inspiration falling from the sky,’ said Ahriman. ‘The manifestation of something so great and terrible, and outside of comprehension, that it opens these peoples’ eyes to the limits of their knowledge. If you know me as you claim, then you should know that this illustration of the power of enlightenment is wasted. ‘ ‘Yes, but no. Look at her face. Really look at her face. Think of the strength that was in those eyes before. There was worry of course. Doubt, naturally, but what is there now? ‘Fear, determination, anger, curiosity.’ ‘And what is gone that was there before.’ ‘I… do not…’ ‘The consolation of ignorance Ahriman. The simple comfort of knowing that no matter the terrors and possibilities that the world offers and threatens, those things are understood, measured. Known.”
― John French, Ahriman: The Omnibus

“power was nothing without balance. Reason to balance force, will to balance passion, coldness to balance fury.”
― John French, Ahriman: The Omnibus

“I better understood Galva and her goblin-troubled sleep—I would be dreaming of the goblins we had faced on the island, but more so now I would hear thundering steps, a hunting horn, see kynd leashed like dogs running after me, and after them, their masters with their long, long shadows. Hrava had become a whole city of long shadows.”
― Christopher Buehlman, The Blacktongue Thief