Jace saw colors flash in front of him - red, blue, and finally a soft purple as he landed on his butt. “Ouch!” he yelped in pain from his now-bruised tailbone. It was not a soft landing and compared to the warm starlight he had been drifting in, the wind that caressed his skin was chilling and ominous.
Looking around he saw a stark, blasted landscape. Black cliffs of stone arced up in either direction, and a small passage led forward. Glancing back, he saw the same terrain ...
2024-09-08 01:39:04 +0000 UTC
View Post
Jace saw the world turn black around him once more. He was floating on an enormous ocean of sparkling white and yellow shimmers. The undulating waves under him buoyed him on the surface and the stark, black sky above was a swirl with thousands of galaxies and stars.
He had not seen such beauty before; the closest experience to this was mindscapes showing distant galaxies that telescopes in orbit were able to see. But even those could not compare to the gorgeous display in front of...
2024-09-08 00:27:09 +0000 UTC
View Post
Jace’s mind raced. No way. This isn’t possible. You can’t stop time entirely. He wished he could turn his head around to look at his pursuers, but he could not. He just knew that they were looking at his back, waiting for…whatever this was to end so they could kill him. He tried to move his mouth to ask something, but this…voice read his thoughts and answered aloud. The same bored, feminine voice.
--
[Alright, let’s get this over with. You g...
2024-09-08 00:26:37 +0000 UTC
View Post
Blurb:
One week. If you survive, you choose a Cosmic Power...If you survive.
Jace isn't one to give up. Not when his sister dies. Not when he loses his legs. And definitely not when The Cosmic System takes over Earth.
With nothing more than his street smarts, the clothes on his back, and a river otter companion; he must survive a planet full of vicious predators that see him as an easy meal.
If he can survive? He gets to choos...
2024-09-08 00:23:56 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
The evening passed quickly, and Lyn found herself laughing and smiling more than she had in the past month. The heroes had all gathered – Thomas, Trisha, Ben, Brad, and Lawrence – to have a meal and catch up. The throne room of the Demonic Dragon – now Lyn’s new throne room – had the large circular table set out under the hanging chandelier of obsidian. Vael and Gael were stationed at the main doors, and Bolvon was hiding in an alcove Lyn had carved o...
2024-09-05 14:00:02 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Lyn slept well that night. Everything is going perfectly according to plan, she thought. King Skir and his courtiers had all accepted her offered flight – save for the court mage who begged off saying he was afraid of heights. The flight had cemented the trustworthiness of King Skir in her mind; as he had to have known that she could have killed him with ease by just unshifting, letting them fall.
Now Trisk is secured....
2024-09-04 13:50:59 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Misty heard a loud ‘ding’ noise and looked to a small plate that sat on her desk. Under the glass dome, a rolled up bit of parchment appeared. She took the dome off and unfurled the paper, reading the message.
To the Mage hero,
I’m Maria, James’ wife (dictation note: current Queen of Khrelardia). My husband has been acting in a way that seems unwise. He refuses to even attempt dialogue with this so-called Destroyer. I’m sure y...
2024-09-03 13:45:41 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
James charged at the enormous snake, weaving between its lashing strikes as he stabbed at it with his sword. Once he got close enough to the main body of the creature, he planted the sword in its side and cast a spell. “Anno nin i gwelu en-galad.” At the speed of light, he moved the whole length of the creature – his blade ripping along the creature’s body the whole time.
He turned as it flailed and struck him. The blow sent him flying, and as he ...
2024-08-29 14:00:05 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Bolvon sat in the corner, unnoticed by the Foskor Diplomat sitting across from Rashanna. Lurgen Naskowitz, as he had learned, was a man who was very prudent and proper. But he had a secret, one that Bolvon had exploited at Rashanna’s behest. He listened in to the conversation, making out some of the words in Triskol. He was not fluent in the language, but the expression on the man’s face left no doubt in his mind that the blackmail had worked.
It had ...
2024-08-28 14:00:04 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
So, this is what the Valley of the Volcano looks like? Lawrence thought as he went over the large walls that appeared as mountains. He had never been inside, having been eaten prior to the hero’s assault on the dread fortress. But he knew that the mountains were not always walls. Whoever changed them must be insanely powerful. He could see the large rivers that met in a central lake, and the expansive, sprawli...
2024-08-27 14:00:03 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Thane Mol stood in the large vault. Right to business then, he thought as he shut the large door behind him. As part of Lady Rivers’ increased security measures, no one person was allowed in the vault alone at a single time, deep in the mountains where the Conclave of the fortress was hidden.
“Alright,” he muttered in Shereldian as he flipped open his notebook. “We need tae pull five hundred Gold Eagles, ten thousand Silver Kestrels,...
2024-08-22 16:00:04 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Kory growled at the recruits that passed by him. Fucking pathetic, he thought as the new additions to Valagonia’s military might wound their way past him. He hefted his large hammer on his shoulder and walked down the finished line. What a waste of time. He hated training wimps, but if it was what Cecily wanted, he had to do it.
Commander Sigurd stood in front of the new recruits, “Attention!” she shouted. There was some hesitant m...
2024-08-21 14:14:24 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
James sighed as he completed the dungeon combat encounter and entered the reward chamber. He walked to the wooden box, opened it, and consumed the dungeon core within; not even bothering to listen to the voice of the Elenthian’s echoes. There were body enhancing items that he scooped up and placed into a satchel. Another one down, he thought. His fourth dungeon he had cleared within a week. Thank Aelor I have so many scouts.
All h...
2024-08-20 13:54:45 +0000 UTC
View Post
GREAT NEWS!
I have signed a publishing deal with Mango Media!
You will keep getting Ruinous Return chapters, but in the near future I will be combining Books 1 and 2...and having to remove all but Chapter 1 from Patreon to comply with Kindle Unlimited's rules.
It will be in Ebook, Print, and Audiobook!
This is one more step towards full-time authorship...and I couldn't be here without you all. Being able to point to Patreon and say, "Look at this gro...
2024-08-18 15:29:48 +0000 UTC
View Post
We got new artwork from the wonderful nachtimmel on Vgen (link here!)
BEHOLD LYN RIVERS! DESTROYER! RULER OF THE ETERNAL EMPIRE! GODDESS OF GHOMAR!
ALL HAIL
2024-08-17 15:25:25 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Misty jumped slightly as Lyn inhaled deeply and sat up. She looked around before her eyes landed on Misty, and the disc atop the table. Where’s the mana core? Misty thought as she darted her eyes around. It’s not here! She turned back to Lyn with horror, “She’s gone…”
Lyn stood up, “I am Lyn. Just like I am Raevan and Yheron. I am the Destroyer. This world will bow to me, and I will make it t...
2024-08-15 14:24:30 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
After their mana had recovered, Lyn led the way down the corridor to the next chamber. There was another square chamber with a pedestal. “How many chambers were there the last time you did this?” Thomas asked in Arinol.
“Two,” Lyn replied. “But…now we know that repeated dungeons aren’t the same.” She looked at the group, “Ready?”
Thomas shook his head, “I’m going to re-do that damage split spell and have it on me as well – ...
2024-08-14 14:03:35 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Misty stood atop her tower, staring out across the vassal-state of Vharthos where her college was located, within the kingdom of Trisk’s borders. Much had been on her mind. She had been utilizing the inscribed pillars to monitor Thomas and Stellas’ journey, and saw the Valley of the Volcano, and what was being done there. Pulling up the icon Lyn had sent her; she activated the inscription that was unique to hers.
A window appeared next to her, and she observ...
2024-08-13 16:00:05 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Gael stood at rapt attention as Finala finished the report. “…Trisk appears open to becoming your first vassal state. Diplomat Rashanna’s letter lays out a date and a location for you to meet King Skir.” She walked forward, handed Lyn the letter, and then took her place behind Spymaster Velenna.
Lyn was silent for several seconds, and Gael glanced over at his sister who stood on the opposite side of the throne, deep in the council chamber within t...
2024-08-08 16:00:04 +0000 UTC
View Post
A few weeks ago, I had folks vote on 3 out of 6 possible 'Relationship' / 'Slice of Life' scenes.
The winners were...
Admiral Naila + Bodyguard Vael, Knowledge Hero Thomas + Mage Stellas, and Lyn + the Twins.
The Naila + Vael scene will appear in Book 4, Chapter 4 (Section 2) - It's been written!
(The 'date scene' took a pivot towards steamy - fade to black, nothing explicit, but just giving the heads-up. It's genre and age-appropriate for the young adult audie...
2024-08-08 03:46:58 +0000 UTC
View Post
Without any spoilers...there have been references throughout the narrative to something called 'The Abyss'.
Some of the natives of Ghomar have referenced it (Book 1, Chapters 4, 18 / Book 2, Chapter 25 / Book 3, Chapter 4). Normally with the phrase, "What in the abyss?"
I'm curious what people think it is. Give your best guess below!
And...if the Patrons can guess correctly, each child will get a 1000-word epilogue segment dedicated...
2024-08-08 03:39:34 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
The prior day was spent relaxing with Trisha and Ben’s family, as well as meeting their kids who were extremely excited to ‘fight’ the Destroyer. She had played along with their make-believe, letting the three ‘hero’ children beat her with the wooden swords as she wrestled with them on the ground. After, she, Ben, and Trisha sat and enjoyed a long catch-up. Mostly, the couple talked, and Lyn listened. She did pepper in a few questions here and there, ...
2024-08-07 16:00:05 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Lyn turned and walked to the gate, placing her palm on the inscription and pouring mana into the etched words. The metal structure lifted, and she walked under. She repeated the process on the other side to close it.
The Duskari squad commander atop the wall clambered down a ladder and bowed, “My Lady, your orders?”
Lyn looked to the various soldiers, marines, and cavalry. If they were smart, they would not just sit around here. Leave a smal...
2024-08-06 14:18:21 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Lyn Rivers, the Destroyer, sat in tense silence as she waited for Thomas – the Knowledge hero who had just committed himself to her cause – to unveil whatever hidden learning he had unearthed in the Ruins of Elent.
Thomas let out a shaking breath, “I read a passage. A prophecy. One written by a prominent Elenthian researcher. Quote, ‘In the age where the heroes vanquish the Destroyer, whatever form it may have taken, a new vessel will rise. Thus, ...
2024-08-02 16:00:07 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Vael stood behind and to the side of Lyn’s throne. The whole council was assembled for their daily meeting, and she zoned out as the various going-ons of empire-building did not really interest her. She glanced sideways at Gael and saw him making eyes at Bolvon across the room. Of course, she thought as she smiled slightly.
Her brother and Bolvon had gone to Lyn that morning and told her that they desired more time together, and to be give...
2024-08-01 16:00:09 +0000 UTC
View Post
I'm still working hard on Book 4 (every chapter is 10k words minimum! I'm going a bit overboard with it). I've determined where the story ends, and have the plot sketched out already.
But...as I write, I want to ensure that audience members who are paying Patrons get to have some influence on how the story is shaped.
QUESTION FOR THIS POLL - Which relationships and 'slice of life' scenes do you want to see more of?
You can choose multiple options, and I'll squeeze in t...
2024-07-31 17:09:50 +0000 UTC
View Post
No Lyn this chapter, as I’m setting up several plot points and having an outsider perspective on what’s going on in The Valley of the Volcano.
1
“Let me through!” Vinic shouted at the guards at the far, exterior edge of the palace. He held up his family’s noble seal; a metal disc inscribed with a pair of crossed lances on a field of blue. “The Lancet family of Ishtok!”
One of the guards chuckled, “Right. You think we ju...
2024-07-31 16:00:07 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Lyn was led by Finala to a staircase near the far end of fortress, the furthest wing that split off from the main complex under Shiverburn Summit where Lyn’s treasury, quarters, and council chamber were located. They ascended to the heights of a large tower, and Finala pointed out several rooms with various Newen and Duskari who were tending to ravens in various stages of development.
They arrived at the highest room, where Lyn was greeted with the cawi...
2024-07-30 16:00:08 +0000 UTC
View Post
1
Lyn heaved a sigh of relief as she finally arrived at the mountains surrounding the Valley of the Volcano. She had spent the past two days propelling herself along the riverbank with an earth elementalism spell. And wherever she had traveled a stone wall had been raised behind her. The only places that she skipped were the two main bridges that facilitated trade – she made sure to set up a gatehouse and a gap for a fortified gate. Eventually, she tho...
2024-07-29 16:00:06 +0000 UTC
View Post
This chapter has some heavy development for Rashanna (the Diplomat serving Lyn, under Chancellor Vehenna). Lyn has her own part at the end of the chapter, but there’s a lot of this side character to set up a large plot point.
1
Rashanna arrived at the outskirts of Trisk with her escort squadron of Duskari. All except for her were heavily cloaked and had their features concealed. Alright, showtime, she thought as she crossed i...
2024-07-28 16:00:09 +0000 UTC
View Post
