Ash_Monarch

The Apocalypse is in full swing. 

Defiled - powerful creatures corrupted by the Great Collision - prowled the lands in search of prey. Unfortunately for them, the human race had long since retreated behind the secure walls of the Sanctuary of Everlast. 

During one of his regular excursions outside the Sanctuary, Alden is separated from Celeste. - his childhood friend and crush. In that moment, he came to regret never summoning the courage to confess. 

Somehow managing to survive thanks to some trickery, Alden awakens as a mage. 

Instead of receiving a normal power, he gains the ability to decay. What's more, during his ascension, he received a vision from his future self advising him not to trust the Asterons - celestial beings who had saved his race from inescapable doom.  

Normally... such a revelation wouldn’t faze Alden. 

However, there was only one major problem with the declaration, though. 

Celeste was bound with an Asteron. 

And not just any normal Asteron... 

She had made a pact with one of the Divine Sovereigns.
________ 

Cover is not mine. I found it on Pinterest.

The Inner Odyssey

Celeste sat cross-legged on the ground, motionless, behind the ranks of the Ember Clan and Paladins.

The latter two sent wave after wave of fire. It was as if they sought to drown the vast army under an ocean of flame.

In response, ice fulgurated within the horde, offsetting the heat and dowsing any flame.

So far, both sides remained in a stalemate.

Celeste felt that would soon change.

Whether that would be a good thing for the humans, she did not know.

Was that Alden was out there battling, surrounded by enemies on all sides.

A seed of unease bloomed in her heart.

She felt very uncomfortable just sitting here, protected from the mighty army. Celeste also hated the anxiety and trepidation clashing within her - any second now, Alden could potentially meet his end.

Stalemate