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

Endless darkness surrounded Alden.

He didn't know where it ended or began. His self-awareness was extremely faint akin to a candle on the verge of being snuffed out.

It felt like he was on a dangerous precipice. If he succumbed to the blackness, his existence would likely become no more. Unfortunately, because of his weakness, Alden had no strength to resist his oppressive surroundings.

All he could do was float within this never-ending blackness and hope.

Luckily for him, it suddenly receded after an interminable length of time.

Alden's eyes slowly fluttered open.

He braced himself for the heavenly sight that would doubtless greet him. At the back of his mind, the young man wondered why it had taken him so long to die. It would be foolish to assume he still lived - the severity of his injuries was too much.

Angel