Sorry guys, I just don't think much of him as a villain. He raises armies and hasn't done anything (and I have gotten the impression that someone else there is the real boss and Akio does nothing without permission from that one anyway). He's got spies - so do the good guys. And look at who he sent to lay the ground at DSM - not impressive to me. He got Freyja to take him to the wedding - everyone knew and knows she has mental issues and so are watching her, so did that gain him anything? One of his plots got shut down by people having sex, for gawds sake! He doesn't get stuff done because Corwin's cursed him - another reason why he's not all that, when his enemy can control him that way.

To me, a villain has to do damage, the kind that isn't brushed off with a smirk and a smart remark, but must be dealt with after it happens, long-term if necessary (if it isn't permanent). Akio's had his chances. A real villain needs to be responsible for something major. Maybe permanently turn or kill some people who aren't Red Shirts but rather those the reader already knows and maybe care about (Breaking News: AON goes to the Dark Side!)

I'd love to be surprised. Right now, I'm just not seeing him as being capable of it. So put him on the shelf and reveal the real villain that's been working behind the scenes. Just my opinion.

Jeanne

	Jeanne Hedge http://www.jhedge.com 1st Courier of the Heavenly Prophets for Tianxia "Never give up, never surrender!"