No matter how long we have been together, I feel like there is always something new I am going to learn about you.

No matter how long we have been together, I will accept that I will always need to put effort in for us, and I won't stop doing so.

No matter how long we have been together, I will always treasure the family and life we built.

No matter how long we have been together, I will always admire your hard work, your passion, your beauty, your heart.

No matter how long we have been together, I will always enjoy your laughter, even if it is directed at me. :-)

No matter how long we have been together, I will always look forward to snuggling up close to you in the beginning and ending of each day.

No matter how long we have been together, I will always praise God for blessing me with this life with you and ours.

No matter how long we have been together, I will always be grateful that you see the best in me, even if I can't see it yet.

No matter how long we have been together, I will always look forward to this time of year, one of my favorite days to celebrate with you.

Happy Anniversary my love. I love you, always and forever.

*This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." This saga began with Chapter 134*

"You've already shown how much of a liar you are Mayor Aplonica, Cyclo, or whoever you truly are." The Pirate shot back. "Honestly, I bet you can't solve any of our problems even if you wanted to."

"Oh, I assure you this is the truth." Jahno responded with a grin. "Allow me to give you a sample."

Jahno pointed at the Pirate and pulled a small stream of dark liquid out of him. The liquid floated between the two of them.

"This is a sample of your blood that carries Glicko's curse. Now watch closely Pirate."

The liquid then swirled over Jahno. Jahno twirled his finger under the liquid, spinning it. Once he stopped moving his finger, the liquid had reverted back to clean, healthy looking blood.

"I have completely removed the toxin from your blood sample. Here, you can have it back."

The blood stream flew back at the Pirate, absorbing back into his body.

"That was just a sample, so not enough to remove the curse completely. Even so, I am capable of removing the rest of it from your system. Now it is your turn Rick. Do tell me if these folks look familiar."

Jahno summoned a virtual image out of his hand, revealing what looked like a shared common area of a college dormitory. Sitting on a couch was a middle aged man and woman, whose anxiety and fear was evident even without a single word being spoken by either of them.

"Mom! Dad!" Rick cried out. "Where is this, where are they?"

"I can't tell you too much before we have come to an agreement, but I can assure you that their captor is at least holding them in a comfortable living space." Jahno said reassuringly before making the virtual image vanish. "Now Cerissa and Essie, time to give you a taste of what I could return to you!"

Jahno pointed at the two mages, and two holographic like lock symbols floated out of their heads, resting above Jahno.

"These represent your memories that were taken away." Jahno explained calmly. "Your memories did not disappear completely, but appear to have been locked away within your minds by Glicko's spell. Unlocking these memories and returning them to you would be simple indeed. I shall open these slightly, and give you both a small fragment back of your memories."

A small white mist slipped out of both of the floating locks, one of each floating into Cerissa and Essie's heads. Almost immediately both of their eyes lit up, and they ran to each other and embraced.

"Cerissa, it is only a small detail I remember, but apparently we trained together as mages!" Essie gushed.

"Yeah, I only have a faint detail too, but I see my home village, and you're there!" Cerissa said excitedly as happy tears formed in her eyes.

"Awwwww, how sweet." Cyclo mocked, as he motioned for the two lock symbols to absorb back into the minds of the mages they came from. "As I have proven, I am more than capable of solving all of your problems, Pirate and crew. However, me bailing you out will not come for free. If I am to break Glicko's mutation curse, return Rick's parents, and unlock Cerissa and Essie's memories, I would require you to leave Aplonica and allow me to wipe the knowledge of this confrontation from the minds of my daughter and our people. I will clear the memory of this from your minds as well, so there will be no guilt hanging over you for taking what I feel is a superb deal. Tamma will forget who I really am, and I will be able to provide for her again as our people pay 'Cyclo' to keep Tamma and the village safe. And you my friends, will have everything you are fighting for taken care of. What do you say, heroes?"

"I'm sorry guys, I can't compete with an offer like that." Tamma said sadly. "I understand, and I hold no ill will if you choose to cooperate with my father."

Cerissa looked to the Pirate, Rick, and Essie, who each nodded approvingly. Cerissa then embraced Tamma, then turned toward Jahno. The Pirate joined her side, while Essie and Rick continued to stay close to Tamma.

"While I do believe you could truly do the things you say you could for us, we will never turn our backs on Tamma and Aplonica by accepting your deal." Cerissa said boldly, her soft tone not taking away any confidence that her words carried. "However, there is something I want to thank you for besides your kind offer."

"And what would that be?" Jahno asked in a bemused tone.

"You gave us enough time to prepare this." Cerissa smiled. "Take my hand now, Pirate!"

The Pirate joined his hand with Cerissa's, which now glowed a brilliant white. The white light then expanded, completely consuming the two. The light then faded as quickly as it had shone, revealing a new figure now boldly standing up to their adversary.

To be continued....

"Thankfulness is like a door to God's presence."

- Kendra Barrow, Vineyard Northwest

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name (Psalms 100:4 NLT‬)."

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these based on prior prompts from the app. I hope these inspire you to reflect on what you are thankful for in your own life. :-)

1/6/2025

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- Seeing my parents later this week.

- Working on my gaming backlog.

- Getting back into a normal routine again (once the snow clears anyway).

1/7/2025

"What are you grateful for today?"

- The warm embrace of my wife.

- Coffee.

- Getting to work safely this morning.

1/9/2025

"How did someone help you this week?"

- Our landlord helping us with a leak issue at home.

1/10/2025

Affirmation: "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."

"Is there anything you would like to thank God for this week?"

Thank You God for helping me through a challenging work week (even though it was short, it packed a punch). Thank You for time with my parents this weekend, and for some fun to enjoy before taking on the first full work week of the new year.

*This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." This saga began with Chapter 134*

"I was born with my powers, although they skip generations." Jahno replied with a smirk. "I have never met this Glicko you speak of, but apparently there is a story here. Do tell me what this fellow has done to become your archenemy."

"He has put a curse into the world that mutates people into monsters, my ex-wife being one of his victims." The Pirate answered. "He claims that it only happens to those who choose to do evil. Even so, people should not be forced to choose their conduct to avoid mutating."

"He wiped my memories, but left me with the knowledge that he is the one responsible." Cerissa added.

"My memories were also taken away, except for the fact that Glicko is the one who stole them." Essie said. "Cerissa and I have no memories of our past, and we are currently relearning our magic."

"Glicko kidnapped my parents to test his curse on them, based on their pure hearts." Rick said. "They were unaffected by the curse, but he won't release them due to them knowing about his plans."

"Wow, this guy really did a number on you all!" Jahno laughed gleefully. "So that's why you were so eager to face me, you thought I would bring you closer to this Glicko! Well I hate to disappoint you, but like I said, I have no connection to him whatsoever. If I did, he probably would have cursed me too!"

"Shut up." The Pirate said calmly, promptly stopping Jahno's laughter. "Yes, we would have loved to have gotten one step closer to stopping Glicko, but we came here to help Tamma regardless."

"Thank you." Tamma said softly, wiping her tears as Rick and Essie went to her side to support her.

"You know, I kind of like you guys." Jahno smiled. "Maybe I don't know your pal Glicko, but what if I told you that I have the capability of undoing all of the terrible things he did to you all?"

"I would say you're a liar, just like you've been doing to your own flesh and blood." The Pirate said heatedly.

"I assure you, I am being completely honest with you." Jahno said, no longer speaking in a mocking tone. "I can break the curse on your ex easily. I sense that curse within your own blood Pirate, and I could easily remove it. It would also be child's play for me to restore the memories of your mages, and return the teenage boy's folks back to him. However, I won't do these things for free. Shall we make a truce Pirate?"

To be continued....

*This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." This saga began with Chapter 134*

The imposter posing as Jahno pointed at Tamma and laughed maniacally as she wept. The smile then faded from Cyclo's face as he pointed at the doppelganger of his human form.

"Useless minion!" Cyclo hollered as the fake Jahno suddenly found himself being pulled towards his boss. A laser blade shot out of Cyclo's finger and impaled fake Jahno. The imposter helplessly tried to grip the laser blade in a feeble hope of freeing himself, only to find his hands getting absorbed into the laser. He screamed as the rest of his body vanished into the laser, which then retracted back into Cyclo's finger. Cyclo's body then shrunk back into the size of a normal human as his features returned to those of the real Jahno.

"Dearest Tamma, please don't cry anymore, I did all of this to give you the life you deserve!" Jahno pleaded. "Precious daughter, a treasure like you should get the best of the best, including the mansion that has been in our family for generations. But you must realize sweetie, the money to maintain it had to come from somewhere!"

"So you created a monster alias and blackmailed our people to pay you to cover the mansion costs, all while pretending to be a helpless victim?" Tamma protested, standing up and trying to be strong, despite her tears continuing to flow. "I don't want the mansion.... never did! I just want to be like everyone else!"

"We aren't like everyone else, we are better than those commoners!" Jahno replied in disgust. "If you won't accept your rightful place in our family as the superior residents of Aplonica, then you leave me no choice!"

"What are you plotting now Cyclo, or Jahno, or whoever you truly are?" Rick said boldly, as he stood beside Tamma along with Essie, Cerissa, and the Pirate.

"Just what I've been doing all along." Jahno smirked. "I will simply wipe Tamma's memories of this, along with the other townsfolks' as well. Did you really think this was the first time Tamma, or anyone else in town has uncovered my dark secret?"

"You altered my memory?" Tamma cried out in horror. "All of this has happened before?"

"Too many times to count." Jahno laughed. "After all, if an outsider like this Pirate fellow could figure out who I really am so easily, did you really think that people we live with every day couldn't uncover it? But once I eliminate these wannabe heroes and clear your memory my sweet girl, then we can go back to the way things should be. You will only remember me as your loving father, doing all he can to protect his beautiful daughter from an evil monster!"

"This sounds similar to the amnesia Glicko gave us!" Essie cried out to Cerissa.

"You're right." Cerissa said in a troubled tone. "Just like our enemy, Jahno is also taking away memories and manipulating others as he pleases."

"I have a question for you Mr. Mayor." The Pirate calmly asked Jahno. "Where did you get your powers, including that cyclops transformation? Was it given to you by a warlock, or a man posing as a doctor? If that is the case, then you my friend are being used by our enemy Glicko."

To be continued....

"[28] You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’

[30] He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less (John 3:28, 30 NLT)."

I love how John the Baptist didn't seek glory for himself, but wanted people to run to the glory of God instead. John had no qualms about people going to Jesus to be baptized over him (despite his namesake), and John was "filled with joy at his (Jesus') success (John 3:29)." This is an attitude I want to incorporate into my own life. Should any success I have inspire someone, I want people to know that it is all thanks to the blessings and gifts God has put in my life. I want to want Him to get the glory, and I want to want eyes to go on God and not me. This is easier said than done, as getting attention for the things I do well in is certainly addictive and makes me feel good, but I don't want this to be my prime motivation for using the talents and abilities God has empowered me with.

Lord, thank You for once again giving me something to ponder and work on due to journaling about Scripture. Please forgive me for the times I get prideful when I succeed thanks to the gifts that You have given me. Please help me to be better about pointing to You in these accomplished moments, and may people flock to You over me as a result. Please help me to desire this and work on it. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

*This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." This saga began with Chapter 134*

"And what exactly are your terms for negotiation?" Rick asked.

"Now that's a good lad!" Cyclo jeered. "You and the Pirate must lay down your weapons, and your girlfriend and the other mage are to come with me. Do this and I will let you two go and live your miserable lives lamenting your failure, although you could take solace in preventing the deaths of Tamma and Mayor Jahno. Or, I could just snap their necks, and then finish the rest of you off. How shall we proceed?"

"Please... don't surrender...." Tamma managed to get out while the possessed Jahno continued to grip her neck tighter.

"There's no way we can give in to him, but Tamma and Jahno.... what do we do, what do we do?" Rick muttered in a panic while Cyclo continued to sneer at him. Meanwhile, the Pirate kept his gaze on the mayor and Tamma. After what felt like an eternity, he finally entered the negotiation with his own thoughts.

"Don't worry Rick, he's not going to hurt his daughter, I can guarantee that."

"Ha ha ha ha, I don't think the good mayor has much of a choice in the matter!" Cyclo laughed.

"Drop the act Cyclo! Or should I call you by your real name, Honorable Mayor Jahno Aplonica?"

"Excuse me?" Cyclo replied, no longer smirking or laughing.

The Pirate drew one of his swords and charged at the possessed mayor, slicing off the hand that was choking Tamma. Jahno's dark red eyes reverted back to normal, and he began screaming in pain.

"How could you Pirate, it wasn't his fault!" Tamma screamed, her face red with anger and soaked with tears. "Hang in there daddy, I'm right here!"

"Don't touch him!" The Pirate yelled sharply, then granting Tamma an apologetic look before addressing her in a softer tone.

"That's not your father Tamma, he's an imposter. I'm not sure if you had any suspicions before, but your father has been Cyclo all along!"

"Well done hero, you are the first to have figured it out!" Cyclo laughed as he clapped enthusiastically. "Do tell me, how did you figure it out?"

"Well, when you are able to afford the price to maintain a mansion while the rest of your townspeople are struggling, it's kind of obvious." The Pirate smiled. "Of course, had I been wrong, then Tamma's wrath against me would have been justified. But if the Jahno over there had been the genuine article, then we could have restored his hand with the Reflection Dimension or through the healing magic of Cerissa or Essie, so I decided to take the chance and undo your little checkmate. Fortunately, you're dumb and arrogant enough to have confirmed my suspicions."

"Daddy...." Tamma said softly as she fell to the ground weeping. "How could you?"

To be continued....

*This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." This saga began with Chapter 134*

Cyclo waved his right hand over himself, resulting in all of his cuts and bruises disappearing. He then stood up and stared at Rick and Essie triumphantly.

"This isn't ideal, but I'm sure your magical abilities aren't unlimited." Rick countered verbally.

"True, but do you think you're the only one that has healing items bud?" Cyclo answered while summoning a bottle with a light blue liquid in it. "I have a large supply of ether that I can turn to for replenishing my magic when it runs low. And I can also show you some more healing items in my possession if you wish!"

"Still not a problem for us." Essie said boldly. "If this comes down to being a battle of endurance, Rick and I will prevail, no matter what it takes!"

"You teens have spunk, but I can tell you're bluffing." Cyclo sneered. "However, fighting till one of us runs out of resources was never your intention. No, I believe you were just starting things off till the grown ups in your group were ready to take me on."

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Rick lied, embarrassed on how obvious he actually came off trying to deny Cyclo's accusation.

"Sorry kid, you're not fooling me. The other mage over there isn't just shielding your pirate leader, the mayor and his daughter with that force field. She is also powering up some other kind of magic, a very powerful attack I am presuming. Am I right, sweetheart?"

"Sorry Pirate, it looks like he's on to us." Cerissa said softly. "I am almost ready though, so we should be ok."

"No worries Cerissa!" The Pirate replied enthusiastically. "You, Rick, and Essie did great! Don't you worry Mayor Aplonica and Tamma, we've still got this!"

"Of course." Tamma smiled appreciatively. "I have always believed in you guys. Don't worry dad, we'll be just fine."

"Will you though?" Cyclo mocked. "You may be in a force field darling, but are you sure that your friend's spell is truly keeping you safe? Here, let me show you what I mean."

Jahno's eyes turned dark red, and he lunged at Tamma, gripping her neck tightly. He then gripped his own neck with his other hand, grinning ear to ear.

"Tamma!" Rick and Essie cried out, as Cyclo laughed maniacally. Cerissa and the Pirate also looked on with expressions of horror.

"Checkmate heroes, your feeble coup is finished!" Cyclo jeered. "Now if you don't want me to snap the necks of the mayor and his lovely daughter, I suggest you negotiate with me immediately!"

To be continued....

For my wife on her birthday :-)

Not so long ago, this world got a lot more beautiful.

Not so long ago, this world became a lot more inspiring.

Not so long ago, this world got a lot more passionate.

Not so long ago, this world got a lot more fun.

Not so long ago, this world got a lot more intelligent.

Not so long ago, this world got a whole lot cooler.

Not so long ago, this world got much hotter (in the best way possible).

Not so long ago, this world got a whole lot better.

Because not so long ago, you were born.

*This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." This saga began with Chapter 134*

"Ha ha ha ha, she may be hot, but she isn't superior!" Cyclo jeered. "But once you are done relying on her magic, and I have crushed you permanently, maybe I will keep her as a second bride to go along with Tamma."

"No you won't!" Rick snarled as he charged at his foe. Cyclo pointed at Rick and fired an icy blast at him, but it bounced off his armor. Rick answered with a sword slash to the right arm of the monster, not deep enough to remove the limb, but enough to cause his enemy to scream in pain. Cyclo countered by pointing at him and firing a lighting bolt, which also bounced off of Rick's armor. Rick slashed at Cyclo's left leg, leaving another deep cut that resulted in more screams of agony. Once he regained his composure, Cyclo pointed at Rick and blasted him into the air with a gale spell.

"Looks like the buffs are down already!" Essie cried out. "Don't worry Rick, I've got you!"

Rick appeared next to Essie, and he once again caught her as she began to lose consciousness. He summoned a blue grenade into his hand, and threw it down to heal them both.

"Thanks Essie, sorry to tax you so much." Rick apologized softly. "My refills arrived at the perfect time at least."

"That's good." Essie said weakly, smiling despite needing support from Rick to stand up.

"Well well well, you've drained your girl's magic so much that your healing items aren't enough anymore!" Cyclo laughed. "What an awful boyfriend you are!"

"Here Essie, I'll give you another one." Rick said kindly as he ignored Cyclo and summoned another blue grenade. He tossed it down, and this time Essie's strength was completely restored.

"I think it's time to admit that this fight is over kids!" Cyclo declared. "You were in over your heads from the beginning, and your situation is only getting worse. Time to let the grown ups in your crew step in and take over!"

"That's rich coming from you." Rick replied boldly. "If you had a mirror, you would be able to see that you aren't looking all that great yourself!"

"True, you both did inflict some bruises, and those sword strikes are quite severe." Cyclo replied, smiling while wincing from his injuries. "But, did you both forget that you're not the only ones that have healing abilities?"

To be continued....