Hey guys :)
I just wanted to check in with all of you on a few things that I've been wrestling with.
As supporters who obviously think investing in my novel is worthwhile, I want your honest thoughts on improving my Patreon site. I know that my pace is slow (seems like I've become known for that) but besides that, I just want to hear directly from you guys on what I can do to b...
2017-12-17 23:18:40 +0000 UTC View Post“Where’s my mask?”
The witch’s hands fumbled over her face, still angled away from my line of sight.
“My mask. I need my mask,” she kept repeating as she realized her face was now bare. The witch tore away at her unruly black mane, clawing at her ponytails and using her undone hair as a curtain to cover her face. She kneeled on the ground, gathering the small s...
2017-12-17 22:34:03 +0000 UTC View PostMy heartbeat quickened and my palms grew slick with sweat as Sylvia’s emotions leaked onto me, but I had no time to rest; with their conjurers and archers nearby sustaining serious injuries, the enemy augmenters and soldiers were quick to approach us.
“We got some headed our way. Don’t get cold feet on me now,” my former professor chuckled. Her lighthearted tone didn’t suit ...
2017-12-11 00:04:09 +0000 UTC View PostHello!
It was a random epiphany that came to me but I realized that I'm not very talkative. Yes, I post weekly about updates, but besides that, you guys don't really hear from me (if you guys want to, that is).
So I just wanted to take this time and just remind you guys how much I appreciate every one of you wonderful readers who find it worthwhile to support my novel. I know that I...
ARTHUR
I gnashed my teeth at the sight of Cedry’s body falling limp on the ground. The enemy axe-wielder pried his weapon out of the ground and prepared to swing down, his arrogant sneer exposing his yellow teeth, when a thin blade protruded out of his gorget.
As the axe-wielder’s body slumped, Jona—Cedry’s friend—came into view. With a firm tug,...
2017-12-03 16:04:55 +0000 UTC View Post
Thank you, my beloved supporters. I hope you like it :)
2017-11-26 23:32:19 +0000 UTC View PostMultiple battles going on at once, the sound of metal clashing and spells firing resonant in the air. The musty stench of burning wood overwhelmed all other smells as a thin layer of smoke surrounded us.
However, despite the chaos, my battle with the augmenter seemed confined—almost isolated—as if the soldiers around us deliberately left us alone. Whether the people nearby w...
2017-11-26 23:30:16 +0000 UTC View PostBoth captains behind me remained in a daze as we all stared at the severed arm—hand still clenching the sword—forming a pool of blood beneath it.
“Soldiers on guard! Stand by for battle!” I roared, projecting my voice as loudly and distinctly as possible to get everyone’s attention.
The soldiers present roused out of their daze at my commands. The ne...
2017-11-19 17:41:01 +0000 UTC View PostI lifted my makeshift practice sword, a crudely carved piece of wood wrapped in towels for weight. As I counted in my head with each downward swing, a soft voice shook me out of my trance. “Grey. It’s time for breakfast.”
Looking over my shoulder, I spotted Cecilia by the door with a fresh towel folded neatly in her arms. “Oh, thanks!”
As I walked over, Cecilia h...
2017-11-12 16:32:55 +0000 UTC View Post“Just a cook?” I repeated. “Somehow, I have a hard time believing that.”
The head chef shrugged, untying her apron and tossing it over to Nyphia. “Titles are merely an embellishment stuck in front of your name to establish a hierarchy, so yes, I am Chef Astera. Nice to meet you.”
Taken aback by the sudden words of wisdom, I dipped my head in reply. “And...
2017-11-05 18:12:40 +0000 UTC View PostAs I lifted the tent flap, I caught sight of the guard stationed outside. As soon as our eyes met, his giant body stiffened into a frantic salute. “G-Gen—”
“Remember…” I reminded, winking at the terrified guard as I pressed my finger to my lips.
Without waiting for a response, I made my way back to the growing cluster of soldiers cheering louder th...
2017-10-29 18:57:23 +0000 UTC View PostA cloud of frosty fog formed with each breath as I made my way toward the bustling encampment. The soldiers had set up their tents and lit fires behind a formation of large rocks standing over a couple dozen feet high underneath a cliff by the shore. The soft flickers of fires and trails of smoke stood out from the distance but the towering barricade of boulders served as a natural defense ...
2017-10-22 17:53:05 +0000 UTC View PostIt was a dreary afternoon with a thick layer of haze lingering in the small town of Ashber that I now had to call home. The founder of this outpost must’ve had a minimalistic outlook on life as the only way to describe this town would with the word “lackluster”. The children we passed by were either doing chores for their parents or playing around; kicking rocks and playin...
2017-10-22 17:49:41 +0000 UTC View PostAs Virion and Aldir headed back to the castle, I remained behind to wish my mother and father, who were adamant on rejoining the Twin Horns and helping out in the war, off. As we said our goodbyes, I had tried to dissuade them from going near the western shore where the fighting would be the heaviest, but they were against it.
What frustrated me was that I couldn’t blame them ...
2017-10-15 19:24:12 +0000 UTC View PostVirion, Rahdeas, the lances, and the two royal families all turned to me as I walked up towards the balcony edge. The applause rose to a deafening crescendo at my appearance as Virion waited for me at the very end.
While Bairon and Varay had calloused expressions on their faces as they let me through, Aya’s lips curled into a coy smile as she nodded approvingly.
Te...
2017-10-08 15:32:16 +0000 UTC View Post“I look ridiculous,” I grumbled, hobbling closer to the mirror to study myself.
The plated armor was gaudy and inefficient in design. My chest and shoulders were protected by a silver pauldron and a gorget that reached up to my chin, allowing for only minimal movement of my neck. Even more restricting, my hip and thighs were guarded by a tasset that prohibited me from raising my legs. ...
2017-10-01 17:04:22 +0000 UTC View PostI sent out an email to my subscribers and an announcement on my website but I realized I never formally said anything here, and I apologize for that.
I was on vacation in Hawaii for a week with my girlfriend. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by not just my weekly chapters but the fact that I'm working alongside a professional editor in preparation of a full revamp on TBATE. This has barely starte...
2017-09-25 23:57:05 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 144: Invaluable Allies
“I understand your problem, Grey, but I’m not sure if I’m the best person to help you with this,” the headmaster said with a sigh. “No matter how lacking your ki pool may be compared to most kids your age, you’re still a child with plenty of time for that to change. However, and I say this as a general life lesson, if you find yourself lacking in resour...
2017-09-17 16:51:19 +0000 UTC View PostTESSIA ERALITH’S POV:
I stepped out of the teleportation gate and onto a platform, feeling weary and frustrated. I could’ve helped back there, but they wouldn’t let me. The soldiers that stayed behind to fight all echoed the same words—that I needed to go and my safety was priority.
What the hell was the point of training so damn hard if everyone tr...
2017-09-10 19:09:04 +0000 UTC View PostThe title pretty much says it all, and every pledge here knows how much support is important to a self-publishing author such as myself.
I've given an incentive to my non-pledges that they'll receive a landscape wallpaper of the Volume 5 cover as a token of appreciation for purchasing my novel on Amazon and leaving a supportive review but I won't give that incentive to you guys.
As my pled...
2017-09-04 03:31:57 +0000 UTC View PostJust a little insight into the mind of infant Arthur! Hope you enjoy :)
It was a dreary afternoon with a thick layer of haze lingering in the small town of Ashber that I now had to call home. The founder of this outpost must’ve had a minimalistic outlook on life as the only way to describe this town would with the word “lackluster”. The children we passed by we...
2017-09-03 20:02:40 +0000 UTC View PostLeaving Sylvie with my sister, I made my way to my parents’ room. I strode down the corridor, my gait growing faster with each step as I arrived in front of the door labeled “Leywin Family.”
I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. The thought of what Ellie said, that my parents really planned to take part in the war, filled me with unease. A dull thud resounded as I knocked on the ...
2017-09-03 19:58:31 +0000 UTC View PostThe haunting images of Alea’s bloody corpse, limbs brutally severed and core destroyed, flooded my mind as I stared at the chip in Uto’s left horn.
Any form of inhibition that had kept me from killing the Vritra had disappeared as I advanced towards Uto.
“Was it you?” I asked, my voice dripping with malice as I approached Uto.
Sylvie’s concern seeped into...
2017-08-27 16:24:30 +0000 UTC View PostScenes of the memories I thought I had forgotten flashed in my head at every blink, haunting me in broad daylight as we prepared to make our way to the designated location where we would meet with the messenger.
‘Are you okay, Arthur?’ Sylvie’s concern touched my mind.
‘I’m fine, Sylv. Other than the fact that you call me by my name now,’ I replied...
2017-08-20 15:12:51 +0000 UTC View Post“You’re clear, Nico. Hurry!” I whispered, looking over my shoulder in case someone passed by, since seeing two adolescent boys huddled up in front of a house door only spelled trouble.
“Just stay on guard, Grey. I think I’m close to unlocking it,” my dark-haired companion hissed back as he worked on the doorknob.
I watched in doubt as Nico fumbled with the hairpins he had...
2017-08-13 14:54:50 +0000 UTC View PostI bolted up from my seat at the soldier’s news. “Where exactly did you see them?”
“J-Just a few miles south of Etistin… Sir,” he replied, hesitant on what to call me because of my age.
I rushed past the guard and headed out the door. “Come on, Sylv.”
“Wait! Arthur, what are you thinking?” Virion called from behind, his voice laced with concern.&n...
2017-08-06 17:43:08 +0000 UTC View Post“Are you ready, King Trume?” the judge asked as he backed away from us.
“Yes.” I unsheathed my blade.
“King Grey?” The judge turned his head to ask.
With a stern nod, King Grey readied his saber in a motion that reminded me of liquid mercury rolling onto a glass tabletop: effortless and supple. His expression was intent, yet his body was relaxed, as if he had just nonchal...
2017-08-04 01:05:29 +0000 UTC View PostARTHUR LEYWIN’S POV:
As I stepped into the large white tent, I was immediately pulled into a bearhug by Grampa Virion.
“Damn you, boy! Why didn’t you tell me you came back?” He loosened his grip on me, grasping me at arm’s length to get a better look.
“Nice to see you again, Gramps.” I turned to acknowledge the hooded asura. “Aldir.”
“...
2017-07-30 18:37:45 +0000 UTC View PostSTANNARD BERWICK’S POV:
At the referee’s signal, the match began.
All traces of pompousness from Darvus disappeared as he carefully circled around Arthur. As our leader’s childhood friend remained standing in the same position, Darvus continued to side-step around him, warily looking for an opening.
Darvus had in his hand two identical axes that di...
2017-07-23 15:55:06 +0000 UTC View PostTESSIA ERALITH’S POV:
The image of Arthur on top of that mountain of corpses, drenched in blood, looking down at us with a cold glare, had been burned into my head for hours now. I recognized him almost immediately, but my voice got caught in my throat. I couldn’t call out to him; I was scared to.
Even after gathering the courage to finally say his name, he staye...
2017-07-16 00:44:19 +0000 UTC View Post