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

Alden internally cursed. He recalled Morrigan's warning and gritted his teeth.

Enduring some trifling pain was nothing compared to becoming a vegetable if he failed this Trial.

Alden was determined to persevere.

"The first question. Which Domain do you hail from?"

Alden's mind rapidly dissected the man's words.

Back in Arkanis, they didn't have any Domains, so he didn't know how to answer the cruel man.

That was… if he could even speak.

Alden tried to open his mouth but discovered that his body didn't respond to that command. He struggled some more, but the result was the same.

It was as if his mouth was sewn shut.

That, or perhaps there was sinister magic at play preventing him from revealing his Domain.