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Having attended multiple EXIT festivals over the years, I can say that each one feels like a celebration of music, community, and resilience. I’m not Serbian and don’t claim any special insight—just genuine appreciation shaped by my own time there.
If you’re curious about EXIT’s atmosphere, here are a few standout performances from the 2010 and 2016 festivals. The Prodigy’s 2016 set, in particular, became the spark that inspired Chapter 18 - Reunion. I was genuinely surprised to see the crowd lighting their own pyrotechnics in the middle of a live show—an energy so wild and unfiltered that it practically demanded to be written into a story.
David Guetta @ EXIT 2010
Faith No More @ EXIT 2010
The Prodigy @ Exit 2016 — Flare in the Mosh Pit
--CCTW
The past never stays buried; it just waits for the right moment to surface.
This chapter finds Michael in a steady place — well past the breakup and simply hoping for an honest conversation that offer a little closure or even renew old friendships. Meanwhile, Mitsy and Hanna gleefully torment him about his tragically nonexistent love life — self-appointed “Love Doctors” with zero restraint and far too much enthusiasm — reminding him that his world didn’t stop after everything that happened.
He looks forward to the Serbia trip not with fear, but with the hope that it will be a happy stretch of days spent with people he cares about. At the same time, the chapter reminds us that old adversaries aren’t idle and that new danger is quietly taking shape. It’s the last calm breath before the next turn in the story.
In addition to nuclearstranger continuing his excellent editing work, I’ve now added dookie to the process as well. He brings a great eye for local color and continuity, and together they’re helping shape the text into something sharper and more polished than I could produce alone. I’m genuinely grateful for their time and generosity.
With their support, and with SOL 17 about to go live, we’re a third of the way through the story — and the biggest arcs are still ahead.
--CCTW
p.s., additional portraits in the story
I wanted to wish all my American readers a very happy Thanksgiving. Even though I live in Europe, I’ve been to many Thanksgiving dinners over the years, and it remains one of my favorite holidays. The side dishes alone are worth celebrating—stuffing most of all.
This morning I corrected a small typo a kind reader spotted. I felt a little guilty about it since my editor had already cleaned the draft, and I managed to introduce the typo afterward. Proof that no good deed goes unpunished.
We’re now about a third of the way through the story. Soon, Michael will be heading to new destinations, and for those waiting for more hockey action, don’t worry—the season will pick up again. I have several great games lined up as inspiration for the upcoming scenes.
Thank you, as always, for reading, for the messages, and for the steady support. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend.
—CCTW
This week’s chapter delivers a mix of ice time and tension as Michael finally faces off against the NCAA.
A special thanks to Dookie for sharing some University of Michigan Easter eggs—those details add authenticity and help ground the story in Ann Arbor’s real culture.
You’ll also find new character portraits at the end of the chapter, completing the visual set for the remaining key cast.
Another thank you to Nuclearstranger for stepping in once again to help edit the chapters.
As always, I appreciate every comment, message, and suggestion.
— CCTW
Update – SOL 14: Counterstrike & Consolidations
Hi everyone,
A few readers reminded me that endless intrigue can wear thin if it isn’t balanced with what first drew us here — the game, the camaraderie, and the world that’s grown around Michael Stewart. With that in mind, SOL 14 shifts gears. This chapter weaves together the tactical side of AEGIS with the rhythm of hockey and the quiet discipline that still defines Michael’s world. The story breathes again — not every battle needs a villain; sometimes the fight is just keeping balance between ice and ambition.
You’ll see more of the Ann Arbor circle this time — Kiyomi, Melissa, and Bill tightening the legal walls while David Keane steps in to professionalize Michael’s brand. The rink, the boardroom, and the dojo finally move in sync. It’s part consolidation, part recovery — a reset before the next wave of chaos.
At the end of the chapter I’ve included several AI-generated portraits of the principal characters. Each was built using cues from Cold Creek’s original descriptions and the canon files that guide this continuation. I tried to stay as faithful as possible to their established looks and personalities. Feedback is welcome — if you’d like to see additional characters visualized, just drop a comment and I’ll add them to the next release.
Thanks, as always, for reading and for keeping the conversation alive. Your notes and questions continue to shape where this world goes next.
— CCTW
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