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

Why did such an existence want to meet him?

In the grand scheme of things, he was nothing special. He was just one among many youths in the Sanctuary who aspired to grow stronger.

Did it perhaps have something to do with his abyssal powers?

He locked eyes with his adoptive father.

From the corner of his eye, he sensed Celeste was about to protest that both of them should be resting. Alden felt fine, though. Whatever Celeste had used to heal him, it had done wonders, taking away pretty much all the pain.

…Of the physical kind, of course.

Emotionally, there was still some lingering torment, but that was another matter for another time.

"A Paladin is waiting outside for you. They will escort you to the Donjon."

Keeper of the End