Imagine a war where strength isn't the deciding factor in victory, but rather strategy, character psychology, ideology, terrain conditions, logistics, socio-political dynamics, and tactical warfare all work together to create a multi-layered war. In this kind of fiction, the MC can't rely solely on the OP to determine victory. Often, alliances, morale, intelligence, and even luck outweigh an OP MC.
No matter how many times it's been repeated, the last knight standing trope remains cool. It's one of the most humane fictional tropes, inspired by real history.
I reject cheap redemption. Characters can sin, make mistakes, or commit crimes, but they must pay dearly for their sins. They must penetrate themselves through suffering, blood, tears and total regret.
I'm not Naruto, who lets Orochimaru and Kabuto live in peace after committing crimes against humanity (which in the real world would be prosecuted in the international court of The Hague).
I might be exaggerating... but I'm the kind of sensitive writer who cries with my characters. I write them as if I were experiencing or witnessing the tragedy myself.
The most cruel betrayal in the world of fiction is not bloody violence but "talk no justu" which is instantly forgiving the villain (without a high price) after the villain has killed thousands of innocent lives.
“I understand your pain! Your loss… but—” Clara bit her lip.
“We’re human… not superheroes who can save everyone!"
"Don’t let your past destroy you—we need you,” Detective Clara said sincerely to Commander Feroux, the Fallen Hero of Bloody Dust, who was depressed on the battlefield.
I avoid the trope of MC always winning, always getting everything she/he wants. MC can cry, get sadness: frustrated, angry, depressed, or even destroyed.
Even so, I want MC to always rise even if she/he has to crawl from zero. I want a small light that lights up in a dark world. I want a human MC who inspires, not a perfect MC who is invincible and always true.
After 130k words, I feel mentally and emotionally drained. I want to write the end of the story of these two ideological sisters. But the narrative doesn't allow me to get there yet.
I've always struggled mentally to write a dark chapter about human history. I dislike it, but I have to write it. Because pain, suffering, and depression need to be acknowledged.

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