My stories. :)

[banmaixanh]

Well, writing something is so easy but publishing it is another story. *blushes* But I have so many things I want to share you so I love to have a threat here to post the things I wrote and will write or will translate.

[Firouz]

How sad, but at least Maeve's death saved Sinbad from Scratch forever!
And was Sinbad talking about Maeve in the present? As in, does she come to him in his dreams or something? Does she speak in his head? Or does she exist in his new knife blade now?
Its very interesting!
I liked it a lot!

[banmaixanh]

Thanks Firouz.

And was Sinbad talking about Maeve in the present? As in, does she come to him in his dreams or something? Does she speak in his head? Or does she exist in his new knife blade now?

Maeve visited him in his dream because she saw him was losing himself after her death. In his dream, they had a talk and Maeve reminded him of what she had told her before she died, reminded him of the reason she must leave and why he has to live. Sinbad woke up on next morning and found his purpose to live again after the time hiding in the endless drunkenness. About the knife, it's the thing remind him of her death. He kept it beside him as a memorabilia. The memory of that day still stays in that knife and he could never forget. Holding the knife in his hand, the memory came back to him. His heart beat painfully in his chest but he knew he must continue his life and he knew she was watching him from somewhere. He talked to her because he believed that from where she was she could listen. I hope my explanation makes sense.

[Firouz]

Yes it does make sense. I just wanted to make sure I understood the story correctly.

[Eric/Deamus]

hey ban the idea is interesting as i told you, that of Sinbad been forced to choose between Maeve and Doubar, i like it and you describe your thoughts very well,
but yeah i agree with Firouz that it's soooo tragic ,,, and the idea of him been really forced to kill one of them is somehow not expected to me, i thought the spell can be broken if he insist on his decision or for example trick Scratch again to agree to give his soul or may be he try to kill Scratch and during it he got badly hurt and his blood had flow due to Scratch attack and his sacrifice will cancel the spell,,,
i already read a fiction but it was Maeve who was in the situation to choose between Sinbad and Dermott by evil plan of Rumina, but i don't remember if she choose both or she tried to kill Rumina instead of choosing, but in the spell was broken and everyone lived

however i like 2 ideas here, the first is that the dagger has a spell on it and by it Maeve blood saved Sinbad soul forever from Scratch attack, and the other is that Sinbad was in his way to kill both Rumina & Scratch
as i said you described and expressed very well nice work

[Doubar]

Dear spirits, that was so sad!!!
The scene were Maeve helped Sinbad kill her was heart-braking, it nearly made me cry.
I agree with Teti, at the beginning I, too, still had hope that there was another way. That maybe, if Sinbad would choose to pay the blood dept himself such desicion would break the curse. But I then had to realize, just like Sinbad himself, that this was no option.
It's so cruel on the two to force such fate upon them (cruel of Scratch not you as the author ). Oddly enough for the most part of the fic I was certain Doubar's offered sacrifice would be the more sensible one as I couldn't see how Sinbad would ever be able to overcome Maeve's loss. And it fit Doubar so very well to willingly give up on his own life for his brother's happiness (for a second I could already see them two having a baby-boy who'd they name after his most beloved uncle). Yet, when Maeve explained just why it had to be her - that it was a logical choice rather than a choice of heart - I finally understood why there was no other possibility.
And that you then revealed that Maeve had another reason for that as well, that with her death she could cast the ultimate spell on Sinbad - save him from Scratch's grasp forever - that was such a great move. It means her ultimate sacrifice has not been in vain. Morever since she still seems to watch over him from where she is and still visits him in her dreams.

One thing I must say tho: as much as I understand what Maeve told him, that his brother was more important than her... I'm not sure if it's that easy indeed. I am pretty sure it would haunt Doubar to know Sinbad killed his one true love so that he might live. All Doubar ever wanted was to make sure his little brother was fine and happy, yet now he's the cause for his sadness and his scarred heart. It would be such a heavy burden on Doubar - and in turn on Sinbad. This said, I think Maeve's sacrifice would reach farther than she thinks, and it would bring trouble where she believed all would be fine.
But that's just my personal thoughts on this. Of course you are very right with saying that it wouldn't have been any easier on Sinbad had he killed his brother. The guilt might have destroyed him, no matter how much love Maeve would have brought to his life. So killing Doubar wouldn't have been an option anyway. Instead, in my head, had they been forced into such situation I think Doubar would have left them behind on his own. But again, that's just my spontaneous thinking on this. It shall not mean I disagree with what you created. Because what you did does make sense, and is bitter-sweet as well. <3

Once again a story that touches us deeply! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! And don't be so insecure about publishing your things. You got some amazing ideas that you can be proud of!

[banmaixanh]

@teti&Doubar: Thanks for your comments.
I knew you wished for another ending and myself don't want to end the idea like that but I wanted to write something which is hurt and I decided to not change my idea. Even I have another solution for this but.... Maeve's death is the reason why I wrote this one so I shouldn't change my idea no matter how hurt it is. As soon as I read your reply when I asked your opinion for this one, I already knew that it would hurt you no matter how much I try to explain it in the most logical way but I still decide to write it because I want to share my idea to you.

@doubar:

The scene were Maeve helped Sinbad kill her was heart-braking, it nearly made me cry.

I'm happy to hear that because it's my purpose to write this thing. I really cried when I wrote this part.

Yet, when Maeve explained just why it had to be her - that it was a logical choice rather than a choice of heart - I finally understood why there was no other possibility.

If it was Sinbad chose the person who he loved more, it wasn't nice. I wanted him to make to choice which he didn't want to but must to. And I want to tell the readers that he loved both his brother and his woman equally. He killed Maeve just because he didn't have any choice. The logic in this situation is seem to unreasonable but it's reasonable because it's the only reason for Sinbad to be able to kill his woman. If Maeve hadn't told him such things surely he wouldn't have killed any of them but died along with them. If I was Sinbad I couldn't make the choice even the idea is mine.

Instead, in my head, had they been forced into such situation I think Doubar would have left them behind on his own.

Well, this opinion already crossed my mind when I wrote the story so I said already in the fic. Sinbad must kill them himself to break the curse. If it only needs Maeve or Doubar die, the solution is so easy as you said: Doubar surely would sacrifice himself for Maeve and Sinbad. And if so I have nothing to write anymore. I know I'm evil. You don't have to say.

This said, I think Maeve's sacrifice would reach farther than she thinks, and it would bring trouble where she believed all would be fine.

You got the point here. The idea for part 2 of this one is forming and I'll write it as soon as I have time. I brought Dim Dim and the blood spell to the fic isn't for nothing.

[Doubar]

You're very welcome, dear. <3

Aw, yeah, I can imagine you would have wanted for it to end differently as well. But sometimes such stories just need to be written no matter how much they hurt us as the authors even.
And I can easily imagine you, too, cried while writing it. Had it been me who created the scene, I wouldn't have been any different.

If it was Sinbad chose the person who he loved more, it wasn't nice. I wanted him to make to choice which he didn't want to but must to. And I want to tell the readers that he loved both his brother and his woman equally. He killed Maeve just because he didn't have any choice. The logic in this situation is seem to unreasonable but it's reasonable because it's the only reason for Sinbad to be able to kill his woman. If Maeve hadn't told him such things surely he wouldn't have killed any of them but died along with them. If I was Sinbad I couldn't make the choice even the idea is mine.

I agree. If it hadn't been for Maeve he most likely wouldn't have been able to kill either of them. He would have died along with them, making it more tragic than it already was. And the logic is indeed reasonable in its very own way.

And if so I have nothing to write anymore. I know I'm evil. You don't have to say.

Nha, it's not evil but necessary. Sometimes such rules are needed in order to make sure the fic works out the way we want it to. Or why do you think did I add the rule that neither DimDim nor Chiara were allowed to tell Sinbad he's the keeper? The biggest part of my fic would have been futile if they had been allowed to tell him. So, don't you worry. Sometimes such rules just are needed for the sake of the story.

You got the point here. The idea for part 2 of this one is forming and I'll write it as soon as I have time. I brought Dim Dim and the blood spell to the fic isn't for nothing.

Awww, there's a second part to this? Awesome! Can't wait to find out more about the blood spell. Do go on writing, dear!

[banmaixanh]

Aw, yeah, I can imagine you would have wanted for it to end differently as well. But sometimes such stories just need to be written no matter how much they hurt us as the authors even.

I worried that you wouldn’t like it or my idea is too merciless or the solution I have for it is too weak for an epic show like AOS. But then I still decided to write the idea down because it’s what I wanted to write long time ago. Not that I want Maeve to die but the ending the producers gave us make me wanted to have another ending which is near to the producer’s but more beautiful and Maeve would have an reasonable death not just like what we have in the show. But after enjoying this painful thing I think it’s not the ending but can be the opening of the new event so I decided to put something into it to have reason for the next part (parts) to exist. And this time I should come back to the main idea of the show: hero, demon, magic, love, mystery and maybe the rainbow bracelet. I don't know how much I can write but ....

Nha, it's not evil but necessary. Sometimes such rules are needed in order to make sure the fic works out the way we want it to. Or why do you think did I add the rule that neither DimDim nor Chiara were allowed to tell Sinbad he's the keeper? The biggest part of my fic would have been futile if they had been allowed to tell him. So, don't you worry. Sometimes such rules just are needed for the sake of the story.

I know. It's just my rule is so ... I bet some of Maeve's fans would want to kill me if they read this one.

[Doubar]

Awwww, Ban. You really shouldn't worry about epicness or such stuff. AoS wasn't always epic and if you have a close look at them most fanfics aren't so either. But that doesn't make any of them less beautiful.
Your idea is heart-wrenching and beautiful and indeed it gives the loss of Maeve so much more meaning. I agree tho: it holds so much potential for a sequal - you really gotta write on. ;D

Ooh, heh, and btw: I don't think Maeve fans would fry you. With her surpreme sacrifice she saved Sinbad after all.

[Firouz]

I'll be excited to see the sequal!

[MJ]

I finally got around to reading your fic! I really love the idea of Sinbad having to choose like that, it's so cruel and that makes it really beautiful.

I'll try an give you some constructive criticism, this is not meant to point out flaws or anything, it is just my opinion after all, it's just me giving you some things out of which you get to pick and chose what you might take with you for further projects and what you discard as not relevant to your work. Both are equally valid options.

-It might be worth it to get a betareader. Someone who reads your work before you post it to help you get most of the mistakes out. Personally I have had up to five betareaders for a single story and sometimes they're very annoying! But most of the time they're right. Which makes them more annoying. I'm not a native English speaker either so I made some pretty weird mistakes that my Australian beta-reader very patiently corrected for me. It taught me a lot. Like when you wrote: Sinbad shook his head painfully. That actually means that the shaking of his head is the thing that causes him pain instead of the pain which makes him shake his head.

-On spacing and dialogue: If you put diaglogue between 'those little high comma things' or even between "those double high comma things" it makes things clearer when someone's speaking. Also if helps to put a line of space between someone's dialogue and action and the following person's dialogue and action. Just to make it easier to read. Mind you, this site deletes all the extra enters you put into your story if you copy it from word so you have to put them back before posting :S

-One some story points: Why does everyone just take Scratch's word for it that he can randomly kill them? He's always needed some trickery before... Why does everyone immediately resign to their fate? They don't even try to find a way around Scratch's threat. I mean if Scratch is the devil there must be a temple to some god/godess who oposes him. Even if they come to the conclusion that they can't make it there or something, they should try.

Now on to what I loved!

I really loved the end where Scratch thinks he's won but then there's Maeve getting the last laugh after all.
And I was really touched by Doubar going to Maeve, totally ready to make the ultimate sacrifce for his little brother. He is such a good guy and has already given up so much to be there for Sinbad...
And I loved that Maeve totally went behind his back and did what she felt was right. Because that's so like her, totally stubborn even in a situation like that. She had made up her mind that she had to be the one to die and she was going to talk to Sinbad until he agreed.
And I loved the mood of anguish and despair, it was so dark and sad... very beautiful.

So yeah! Loved it! Keep on writing!

[banmaixanh]

MJ: Thank you for your advices. Yeah, I must say I'm not a careful person. All of my stories are contain so many grammar mistakes even they're all in my mother tongue. That's why even I have written so many things, no one has read my fanfic. I don't publish them when they still have so many mistakes but don't want to correct the grammar mistakes because I'm very lazy. I seldom re-read what i write and even I read I also don't notice those things. And most of time, I write the story by writing some different parts first and them put them together and finally write the connected sentence. So I fear that sometime you can see the rupture in my story.
But the most important thing here is I'm not good at English. That's why you see so many things in my story have problem. Sorry for that.

Another thing you say about my story, I think not only you think that way. The part you read isn't the starting of all things. Sinbad had done something before he found Maeve. Maeve also had tried to again Scratch before but she had fail. There was no way for them to escape from the curse but they didn't take it that easy. Maeve caste the spell on her death to protect Sinbad's soul and he would fight again the darkness. If I don't write anymore I think that ending is enough. The good will win over the dark but not always in that way. Sometime in a battle, we must lose some people for the final win. Sinbad, Maeve, Doubar, they're all human. Only Maeve who knows magic but she isn't strong enough to fight again Scratch. Sinbad and Doubar can't do anything for sure. What way they could again that curse? The strength of the men is limited. I know you all want the story works in the different way but how? Maeve agains Scratch? How could she win when she even couldn't win Rumina? Sinbad kills Scratch? How? By his sword? He couldn't. Giving Scratch his soul? It's not the way the story should work. You said Scratch isn't the devil, Sinbad and his crew also aren't the god. I don't want to idolize their strength but I idolize the beauty of their souls.

Tell you a little about the story I read when I was young. It's the story about the man who had to stand from the distance to look at his wife and his new born child be struck until they died. It's very painful, very very painful reading a story like that. I had really thought he would come out from his hidden place to save them but he hadn't until it was too late.
"The mother collapsed on the ground, she couldn't protect her one month old child anymore. The rod hit him on his stomach, he screamed out and then fell to silent. He couldn't stand that anymore. He felt a hand on his shoulder, keeping his from storming out there but he must, they are his wife and his child. The hand released his shoulder. He didn't know how he could fight again that big guy. He only knew that Mai dragged the baby and crept into his arms."
"He was imprisoned but he felt safe, felt peaceful. His child was dead, his wife, she was also gone but the others were safe now. The new leaders would protect his people, they would guide them the way. He had nothing to worry about anymore. He could leave this world now."
I cried a lot when I read that story. Why that man didn't come out earlier? So his family would be safe? Or didn't come out so he wouldn't be imprisoned and tortured? It's because he was the leader, his safety is the lives of his people. He must be strong, he must protect his people's lives. What could he do to protect his family? Fighting again the attacker? He couldn't win but he could risk the lives of so many people. But he is still human not the god neither demon to look at his woman being killed feeling nothing. He is still a man, a normal man after all. His reaction at the end was normal, the heart isn't made by rock. All the battle cost the blood. Fighting again the dark force stubbornly isn't the wise way. Sometime we must accept the loss because there are so many other things, so many people depend on our simple behavior. It's how I write this one and why I share it with you when my English doesn't allow me to write anything long. (the other stories of mine is all in my mother tongue.)
And you know, the story is based on my theory of war and my idea of life, also all other things are my imagination only. I don't force you to understand the story in my way. Writing it is me but reading it is you. Just take it your way.

Thank you for your comment. And sorry for all mistakes you may find in my post.

[MJ]

Oh no, I agree with you that it makes a story more interesting if the hero has to do or endure something horrible for the greater good. I just don't think that killing one of your loved ones is the first option you consider after being given a problem. They didn't even consider finding someone who was more powerful than Scratch for example. Then they could have failed at that and just as the dawn was colouring the sky red Sinbad could've plunged the knife into Maeve because there wasn't any more time or any other option.
It's like being given hope and then taking that hope away again makes it even more heart-wrenching.

And the story about the leader who has to watch his wife and child get beaten to death. Man! That's heartbreaking, beautiful, but I don't want to hear that story ever again because I'll cry.
Have you read 'Brave New World'? Where at some point the boy is cruelly punishing himself for what he did and everyone around him just comes in droves to watch him do that because they find it entertaining. It's horrible! It's a brilliant book but I'm never ever reading it again.

[banmaixanh]

@teti: Thank you a lot for your review and again sorry because I can't have it in English for you. It's very long and hard for me to translate the whole story into English.

Here's the answers for your questions.

why Bryn hided her true disappointed and hurt feelings from Sinbad and didn't confront him with frankness ? what are her plans ? because really i can smell darkness in this, and believe she will try to avenge her heart from them ... i'm not feeling good by her faked reaction,,

Yes, as I told you before in the summary, Bryn has a plan to take back what she thinks hers in the part 2 and part 3 of the story so she must hide her true feeling. As less people think that she has trouble with Maeve's presence as good for her. She cans do her plan without any prevention from Sinbad, Maeve or the crew. Only Doubar, who feels Bryn's feeling but he cans never think that Bryn will harm Maeve. I'm sorry if I made Bryn being a bad woman but in my story, Bryn is darker than her sister so you know...

bringing Rumina memory and how she disappeared for the same two years Maeve vanished as well as Bryn exists really is weird and Maeve thoughts about this is valuable ... it leaves me in wonder does it related to Bryn in any way ? could it be Bryn here is a transformed and memory-washed Rumina ? don't know but how you give hints about it in the very last part of the chapter makes me believe so,,,

Actually, Rumina's disappearance relates to Maeve not to Bryn. In the storm, Rumina pulled Maeve off the ship in the purpose of killing Maeve but naturally Maeve fought for her life, Maeve fought against Rumina's magic but she didn't know it. Maeve's magic pushed Rumina's magic to its limit and near to kill them both. But Dim Dim appeared just in time, he pulled Maeve out of the sea and sent her to another world to hide her from Rumina. The only thing Dim Dim too didn't know is when he saved Maeve, he accidentally saved Rumina too. The magical war in the storm broke the magic of the two sorceresses and they need time to recover their magic. Maeve needed two years to get back her magic, Rumina needed the same time.