The Debt of Light
Aethelgard was swallowed by the grey. The Void, a cosmic imbalance twisted into a suffocating reality, has claimed the world, leaving behind only silence, ash, and forgotten ruins. Within this desolate landscape, a small child named Kael awakens, the sole survivor of a village erased from existence. Traumatized and alone, his only companion is a warm, guiding presence he names Vispera – a whisper of light and life in the all-consuming darkness.
But Kael is not just a survivor; he is a vessel. Within him lies a raw, uncontrollable power, a pure light born from the Cosmic Equilibrium's desperate struggle against the Void. This power can push back the grey, repel its monstrous manifestations, and perhaps, restore what was lost. Yet, every time the light flares, Kael pays a devastating price – the Bedel. It steals his memories, his emotions, his fundamental awareness, leaving behind aching voids in his soul. Found by a wary group of survivors in a crumbling sanctuary, Kael's secret is revealed, forcing them to confront the terrifying choice: is the child a cursed harbinger of destruction, or their only hope against the Void and its tyrannical master, Lord Corvus? Bound by his tragic power and the ever-growing Debt of Light, Kael must learn to survive in a world that steals not just lives, but souls.
Just finished reading the first 16 chapters, and WOW, this is a really unique story! The world is so dark and mysterious with this "Grey" and the Void. It feels truly post-apocalyptic and dangerous. Kael is such an interesting character. Waking up with no memories and this incredible light power, Vispera, but at such a heavy cost with the Bedel... losing pieces of himself every time he uses it is a terrifying concept. It makes his power feel really fragile and dangerous, not just to the enemy, but to him. That mystery around what the Bedel is, and what it will eventually take from him, is a huge hook. Finding the sanctuary felt like such a relief, finally some other survivors! I'm really curious about Captain and Elara, they seem like important figures, and the glimpse into the sanctuary's rules and daily struggles is cool worldbuilding. The feeling of balancing hope (Kael's light, finding the sanctuary) with despair (the constant threat, the Bedel's cost, the grey world) is really well done. You get invested quickly. What is the Void exactly? Why does Kael have this power? What else will the Bedel take? So many questions after these first chapters! Definitely hooked and want to see where Kael's journey in the sanctuary goes and how he deals with this power and its price. Looking forward to reading more! Really cool start, Author!