Valkyrie's Shadow - Chapter 2Before the Storm: Act 6,

DESTINY GAMES. It has been 85 years since Earth-11 became aligned with Yggdrasil and 73 years since Icon became the first demigod from Earth. Icon, as the first demigod, was privileged to weave the thread of fate for everyone. He was supposed to cut off Yggdrasil and free Earth-11 from the grasps of the other Earths and their god kings. That’s why everyone helped him climb the tower of Destiny. But instead of ridding earth of Yggdrasil, he turned the destiny of mankind into seven rings of immortality. The first ring was for the immortality of power. The second was for the immortality of the knowledge. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth were for the immortality of the mind, energy, body, and soul. The last ring, the ring of the paragon, was made to rule them all. Icon kept the ring of the paragon for himself and became a dictator. He ruled with an iron fist for many years. His was a reign of terror. But he was eventually vanquished by the collective effort of the world. It has been 62 years since then. Icon is no more, but the damage he had done still remains. Earth-11 is still connected to Yggdrasil. The deadly games of the Tower of Destiny still remain, and the fight for the seven rings of immortality still continues. Kelvin Thorn has just awakened his ability. It came at a good time too since he is running for his life. The ability he awakened saved him, but it came with a cost. He must climb the tower of destiny under the witness of the whole world and accumulate destiny, or he will die. His situation is not unique. Everyone that awakens, which is mostly everyone, must climb the tower of destiny. It is one of the curses that Icon left behind before he died. But Thorn is different because the seventh ring found him. The tower of destiny is where everyone granted power by destiny, be they humans, non-humans, or otherworlders, must fight in games of might, skill, and knowledge to gather the power of destiny. They will either die or eventually overcome death. Kelvin will be one of the latest in the line of billions of others in this struggle.

Athen had always lived a solitary life, as without any family or friends, he struggled to survive in his poor, forgotten hometown. The only escape from this grim reality came in the form of tales of magic told by rare visitors from the distant capital.That was, until one day, Athen discovered that magic wasn't just a dream. It was within him.With his newfound power, Athen completed a desperate heist, stealing a priceless diamond. But his triumph was short-lived when he realized the diamond was a fake.Yet... what seemed like a cruel trick turned out to be a blessing in disguise, for the fake diamond held the key to unlocking Athen’s greatest desire: the chance to truly learn magic.

Dust and blood scattered in an instant.Asahi and Aletha belong to a family of five that once governed a world known for its many powerful Rulers. When the twilight was swallowed by a mysterious radiance, their realm was transformed; the land, its people, and even the legends were reshaped by the ensuing light.Over millennia, the Adtraic Family’s world slipped into legend, leaving behind only whispers. Now, in this new, altered world shaped by the veil of light, the two descendants step from obscurity, determined to uncover the origins of the catastrophic radiance and recover their family’s concealed past.* * * * * * * *Cover art, map, sketches, and all other character illustrations are owned by me. (Turn on Paragraph Comments to see them.) Art by Rexsama, Rainbow Amee, and MeCurrent title is a place holderIf you're here for world building, you chose the right spot!Disclaimer: Truth and Family is a passion project, it will not be rushed, and it will be edited/published at my own pace. Thank you for reading!Tags: World building-heavy, complicated magic system, high fantasy, multiple leads, multiple protagonists. Strong to Weak, Adventure

Suddenly I died.Because of a heart attack, right after beating the hardest game I had ever played.But when I opened my eyes, I was no longer myself. I become Tristan Althrone, the main villain of the first arc, the wretched noble who tormented the protagonist, only to meet a gruesome end.I know how this story unfolds. I know how I die. I know who will betray me.So I refuse to play my part.I won’t follow the script. I won’t accept my fate.But the more I struggle to escape my doomed role, the deeper I sink into it.And the worst part?I have to deal with her, the naïve protagonist, destined to become this world’s hero.But she doesn’t even know that the fate of this world rests in her hands.And me?I just want to survive… even if it means deceiving everyone. Including her.