Lizbeth_Williams

In a decaying city where the powerful prey on the powerless, *Liam Carter*—a broke janitor with nothing but a mop and a mountain of debt—discovers a tattered journal in the trash. Its pages, scrawled by a homeless man named *Old Joe*, hold brutal truths: *“Fear is fuel. Pain is a teacher. And even the weakest can burn empires.”*  

When Liam’s younger sister *Mia*—chronically ill and running out of time—becomes collateral in a corrupt politician’s scheme, he has two choices: die quietly or fight dirtier. Armed with guerrilla tactics from Old Joe’s journal and a **survival instinct** sharpened by desperation, Liam wages war against the **Iron Fist Gang**, their billionaire puppeteers, and the broken system that wants him dead.  

But survival has a cost. Every victory leaves scars. Every ally—a cynical nurse, a retired boxer, a hacker teen—demands loyalty Liam isn’t sure he can give. And as he rises from janitor to folk hero, Liam must answer the question haunting Old Joe’s journal:  
“Will you be a spark… or the wildfire that consumes everything?”

From Dust to Dawn

Liam's scar burns as the Veil fractures, bleeding Eidolons into the city.

Rook (gripping his rifle): "We need a plan. Now."

Zee (typing furiously): "I'm working on it!"

Liam discovers a Veil Shard embedded in his chest—a fragment of the Eclipse Core. It whispers to him, promising power… and destruction.

Veil Shard (in his mind): "You're not strong enough to control me. But you can merge with me."

Liam (gritting teeth): "And lose myself? No thanks."

The team fights through a horde of Eidolons to reach the Veil Nexus, a portal to the Broker's stronghold.

Liam steps into the Nexus, his scar glowing brighter than ever.

Chapter 18: The Fractured Veil