JustABoy

Fifty years ago, the gods issued a warning—the Underworld will be unbound in two centuries, unleashing an apocalyptic catastrophe upon both Earth and Elysium. To prepare, humanity was granted access to Elysium, a realm of magic, monsters, and ancient power. Through the Soulweave System, humans could grow stronger, their abilities transferring between worlds. But death in Elysium was absolute, and the struggle for survival was merciless.

Now, with only 150 years remaining, Earth has fractured into a dystopia ruled by factions that control access to Elysium’s resources. The Nightspires lead brutal expeditions, the Dawnbuilders refine Aether to sustain Earth, and the Bridgers maintain a delicate balance between the two realms. Meanwhile, the rogue faction known as The Unbound seeks to force the apocalypse forward, wielding forbidden magic to accelerate the collapse of reality itself.

Elias Varian, a chemist and alchemist, has spent his life studying Aether, bridging the logic of science with the chaos of magic. But when an experiment with Void energy mutates him, he loses the ability to return to Earth through sleep—physically stranded in Elysium with a body unraveling under an unknown affliction. Hunted by those who fear what he is becoming, Elias must navigate a world that no longer sees him as human.

As the countdown to the Unbinding continues, forgotten truths resurface, ancient forces stir, and the gods remain silent. But something else is watching—waiting.

When the Underworld breaks free, will humanity rise… or shatter?

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I am writing this novel purely for fun and a curiousity of wanting to try something new. I will not be asking you guys to donate to or motivate me by anything that costs real money as that is not my aim or goal. I will do my best to make as many readers satisfied with my work but i need your support and honest reviews about my book. If you believe there is anything lacking in this novel please coment it as I am doing this without any prior experience. I sincerely thank you for spending your time on my work.
-JustABoy

Dual Eternity: Fractured Dawn

The rhythmic hum of machinery filled the workshop, a stark contrast to the organic, flowing magic of Elysium's wilderness. Massive gears turned with the steady pulse of Aether energy, channeling power into intricate devices that lined the walls. Unlike the raw, untamed magic of Elysians, Dawnbuilders relied on refined Aether technology—synthesizing ancient techniques with modern engineering. It was here, amidst the scent of heated metal and oil, that Elias sought answers.

He pulled his cloak tighter around him as he stepped inside, the workshop's artificial heat clashing against the cool air outside. Towering constructs loomed in the background, their rune-etched frames pulsing with stored Aether. At the center of it all stood a woman clad in a reinforced work suit, lenses covering her eyes as she carefully adjusted the flow of Aether within a stabilizer core.

Liora, a master Dawnbuilder, barely glanced up as he approached. "I was wondering when you'd show up, Elias."

"You heard?" he asked, though he already knew the answer. News traveled fast in places like these, especially when it concerned something as dangerous as Void energy.

Liora set down her tools and finally turned to him. "The Void Affliction. It's not just a rumor, then?"

Elias hesitated, then nodded. He unwrapped the bandages around his wrist, revealing the darkened veins pulsing beneath his skin. Aether struggled to flow properly within him, flickering like a flame caught in a storm.

Liora's gaze hardened. "Damn it, Elias. You know what this means."

"I was hoping you could tell me," he said, forcing a weak smile. "You're the expert on Aether refinement."

She sighed, grabbing a nearby instrument and pressing it against his skin. The device pulsed, scanning the corrupted pathways within his body. "This... this isn't normal corruption," she murmured. "Void energy doesn't just drain Aether—it erases it. The pathways inside you are unraveling."

Elias clenched his fists. He'd suspected as much, but hearing it out loud made it feel all too real. "Is there a way to stop it?"

Liora frowned. "Maybe. But you're not going to like it."

She walked over to a nearby console, flipping through schematics displayed on a glowing Aether screen. "Void Affliction isn't just a disease. It's a rejection of everything Elysium's magic stands for. If you keep pushing, your body won't just break down—it'll turn into something else."

Elias's breath caught. "Something else?"

"I don't know what yet," Liora admitted, her voice grim. "But I do know this—Soulforge Gateways have been acting up lately. More unstable than usual. And the weird thing is, that instability?"—she tapped a schematic of a collapsing Aether Core—"it looks almost exactly like what's happening to you."

Elias stared at the screen, his mind racing. Soulforge Gateways—bridges between Earth and Elysium—had always been heavily regulated. If they were connected to his condition…

"Something's happening to the Gateways," Liora continued. "And whatever it is, it's tied to the Void."

He exhaled slowly. If his mutation was linked to the instability of the Soulforge network, then his condition wasn't just an anomaly. It was part of something much bigger.

"What do I do?" he asked, his voice flat.

Liora studied him for a long moment. Then, finally, she said, "You need to stop using magic. Stop experimenting. Let your Aether settle before it's too late."

Elias laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You and I both know that's not an option."

Liora shook her head. "Then at least be careful, Elias. Because if the Guild Syndicate or the Nightspires find out what's happening to you first?"—her eyes locked with his, filled with warning—"They won't hesitate to put you down."

Chapter 5 - The Dawnbuilder’s Warning