Holiday season is upon us, so I figure I'd give another update for Dec/Jan release schedule. Essentially, I'm doing the same thing as previous years, which means no chapters the last week of December and the first of January. I'm also taking a personal day Dec 11. There are, however, no editing breaks for Dec/Jan.
Tl;DR schedule:
December: No chapter Dec 11, 25-29.
January: No chapte...
2023-11-30 10:58:29 +0000 UTC View PostZac's consciousness loathed being pulled from the past to face the uncomfortable realities of the present. A powerful rocking rendered the resistance futile, and Zac was shocked wide awake. The confused state of overlapping lives was forced away by memories flooding back. Memories of the fight leading up to his breakthrough.
His body was still covered in wounds from Yselio's onslaught and drained of energy, but it was nothing compared to the pain he felt from the hollow sensation coming...
2023-11-29 20:07:05 +0000 UTC View Post"We survived?" Bubbur muttered with disbelief when the escape pod's screams from having its hull twisted and rent calmed down to a cautionary susurrus.
The vessel seemed just as surprised to have survived the journey through that chaos, and the atmosphere was suddenly sucked out of a breach. Emily quickly grabbed Galau and another soldier before the whole thing collapsed, and they were spat out into the boundless expanse of outer space.
She had seen which way the wind blew and had...
2023-11-28 18:57:59 +0000 UTC View PostThe ship gently sailed atop the clouds that stretched across the horizon. Dusk was approaching, painting the horizon in orange and pink. Hidden formations kept most of the wind at bay, and the only clear sign of their great velocity were the gaps in the clouds that occasionally flashed by. They provided a welcome change to the monotone view by showcasing an untamed expanse untouched by human hands.
The Void Herald had called it the edge of the Thousand Beasts Ridge. It was a region full...
2023-11-27 18:05:57 +0000 UTC View PostAn ominous presence filled the court when light and darkness were inverted, and the three glowing runes above the throne seemed to have taken on an entirely different meaning. The dusk was pervasive and suffocating, leaving Zac stunned at the realization that Yselio possessed not one but two Earthly Daos from the Peak of Taiji.
The prince's path appeared surprisingly similar to his own. Two opposing Daos from one peak, while Yselio used the Dao of Faith to give shape and context, instea...
2023-11-25 20:38:42 +0000 UTC View Post"This is the central console for the [Centurion Spear]. When I activate it, it'll trigger all the protocols I've installed over the past day," Galau said, looking at Zac nervously. "After that, it shouldn't take more than half a minute before it's launched."
"If I stay longer?" Zac said, his voice hoarse from tension. "How long before it'll reach its target?"
"Uh," Galau hesitated. "I don't know. Half an hour, maybe? It'll continuously speed up after piercing thro...
2023-11-24 20:46:46 +0000 UTC View Post"You're planning on going out in a blaze of glory?" Zac frowned. "There's no way out?"
Zac looked at the huge room with its hundreds of consoles, pillars, and the screens displaying the situation outside. The storm had drastically worsened since he escaped into the tower, and long streaks of broken space danced through the air. The Mystic Realm wasn't long for this world, and there was no way out?
Would he have to throw Emily and the others into a Spatial Tear and hope for the bes...
2023-11-23 18:39:26 +0000 UTC View PostSorry, the rest of this week's chapters delayed 1 day, so chapters on thur-sat instead.
2023-11-22 13:55:10 +0000 UTC View PostZac blankly looked at the spherical hole left in the wake of the seal's escape, the surprise so great he was brought back to reality. Had his bloodline really scared the seal to the point it escaped prematurely?
"Uh," Zac said as he stepped forward to inspect the damage. "Maybe?"
It was extensive. The seal hadn't just carved a hole through the ceiling, but also the two floors above. The devastation below was the same, giving the two a good cross-section of the tower's makeup. The ...
2023-11-21 19:23:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe corridors turned into a blur as Zac rushed forth, guided by the memorized floor plans. Emily buffed herself with her speed-elevating buff. She tried the same with Zac, but his bloodline rapidly consumed the foreign energy. It lasted less than a minute before collapsing, so they gave up on the idea. She would only hasten his breakthrough if she kept feeding him like that. Furthermore, whenever his cells feasted on high-grade energy, Zac felt the hunger grow more intense.
The only sol...
2023-11-20 19:50:26 +0000 UTC View PostZac had already been grappling with the idea of contacting Leandra because of the sudden appearance of powerful Technocrats. It was part of why he returned to Earth with his Draugr side. He hadn't pulled the trigger yet, partly because of the emotional baggage that came with it and partly because he knew too little. What faction did the Technocrats belong to, and what were their goals in Zecia? Were they targeting him and Kenzie, or were they joining the struggle for Ultom?
With the new...
2023-11-16 20:20:16 +0000 UTC View PostA/N: Mid-week break from the editing fugue!
Reminder, DotF book 11 Audiobook came out today! So if 2 chapters of Defiance isn't enough this week, you can add 24 hours of audio on top of it!
You can find the Audiobook here!
--------------
The growing hunger could be endured, but it couldn't be fully denied. Th...
2023-11-15 19:37:52 +0000 UTC View PostA/N: Sorry bout the lateness. Some chapters are harder to finalize than others.
Also, a reminder that next week is Editing Week. So next chapter is on Wed 15th.
-------------
Billions of cells, from skin to bone, replicated [Void Heart]'s devouring ability. Golden cyclones sped up while rippling ponds grew darker, dragging all matter to its depths. Each could only swallow a minut...
2023-11-10 21:18:52 +0000 UTC View Post"You ready?" Emily's voice echoed from the control room.
Zac sent a mental tendril into the metallic throne beneath him to double-check. The temporary binding was solid, and there were no signs of it having been drowned in Tribulation Lightning just minutes ago. Everything was ready.
"Do it."
A familiar hum shook the hall as the protective gates slid shut. It was a completely different experience being in the center of it. The first spike lit up, and Zac closed his eyes.
... 2023-11-09 20:41:06 +0000 UTC View Post"Behind me," Zac said, hefting [Verun's Bite] as he stepped into the crackling mist.
Emily kept close, warily scanning the surroundings for Technocrats or different threats. The immense Dao of Lightning that suffused the interiors was almost blindingly bright, and it only took a second to confirm they were alone. The gates behind them closed, sealing them in a large circular chamber fifty meters across.
The room, from floor to ceiling, was made from the same alloy...
2023-11-08 20:04:34 +0000 UTC View Post"It looks like a captain's quarters," Emily commented as they observed the room. "God, this aura. Is this what you were talking about?"
Zac placed a collapsed piece of wall in the doorway to prevent it from automatically closing before stepping inside. The interiors weren't opulent, but it was at least 100 square meters with multiple rooms. Far more generous than the smaller domiciles Zac passed on his way. However, it looked like a hurricane had passed through the room, leaving it in u...
2023-11-07 20:22:44 +0000 UTC View Post"The fortress is already powerful enough to make the alliance go crazy. Can you imagine how dangerous the 'things in the depths' are? They must have the power to blow up half of Zecia," Emily said.
Beads of sweat had appeared on the shaman's forehead from applying medicinal paste to her wounds. Thankfully, the chef puppet only possessed raw strength, so the wounds would heal quickly and without leaving any sequelae.
"Well, it's been a long time," Zac said as he infused another str...
2023-11-06 19:30:45 +0000 UTC View PostThe unfamiliar, monotonous voice and the dense stench of blood permeating the room were enough to ignite a fire in Zac's chest. Seeing a bloodied Emily turned those smoldering flames into a blazing inferno. Cascading waves of power coursed through his reforged body, and any lingering sense of exhaustion was swept away. However, a shaky voice pre-empted Zac's plans.
"Welcome, Imperial Envoy!"
Emily's unexpected form of address made Zac stop in place and take in the situation proper...
2023-11-03 19:44:52 +0000 UTC View PostA feral growl escaped from Zac's throat, brought forth by the streams of malevolent energy rampaging through his body. The world was drowned in red, and the discordant roars in his mind pushed him toward a deviation. Zac furiously fought back as he searched for a solution. The painful throbbing in his heart was a poignant reminder that practicing the [Void Vajra Sublimation] wouldn't help. Last time, it let him endure the assault, yet it was [Void Heart] that...
2023-11-02 19:02:14 +0000 UTC View PostA/N: New Month, lot's of excitement! Thank you all for re-subbing, and welcome new patrons!
And in case you missed, DotF Book 11 out today! Check it out in case you need a refresher or simply some more defiance in your life.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCSPCRPB
-------------
Zac took in the large hall he'd entered, finding it ...
2023-11-01 20:51:43 +0000 UTC View PostIt's that time of year again! Book 11 of Defiance of the Fall is now out on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited! As usual, there's also a sale on the older books for the collectors out there.
Unfortunately, the tight release schedule finally caught up to me over the summer. I finished work on the manuscript a tad too late, so the Audiobook will come out on the 15th instead. Preorder is open, though!
A/N: That's the last chapter for October, I hope you've enjoyed!
Thank you all for your patience with the irregular release schedule. Next month we'll hopefully be back to full normalcy. As usual, there'll be three editing days, namely Nov 13, 14, 17.
----------------------------
There was one more potential explanation for the [Court Cycle Token]'s energy loss, apart from the drain of opening doors—an explanation Zac had staunchly refused...
2023-10-31 19:06:00 +0000 UTC View PostZac's eyes roved back and forth for threats as he crept toward the tower. There were no direct streets leading him in the right direction, but that was fine since Zac preferred using walls and buildings as cover. Powerful bursts of deadly energy and the rumbling sky were a constant reminder of the disaster that could strike without notice.
A piercing scream of danger made Zac's head whip around, putting him face to face with a ghastly sight. An army made from turbulent energy and ancien...
2023-10-30 18:41:22 +0000 UTC View PostZac opened his eyes back in the ancient war fortress. He couldn't believe how well his meeting had gone. His goal was to help the Acheron Company, yet ended with him making significant gains. Certainly, Zac understood the Endemire Sage's gift was an investment rather than an act of benevolence. The pail was already there when Zac entered the room, which meant the impartment was premeditated and unrelated to the military operation.
The old man's word choice was really apt. He'd been serv...
2023-10-28 15:17:21 +0000 UTC View PostA/N: Next Chapter tomorrow.
----------
"He's ready to see you," Joanna said as the doors to Zac's temporary cultivation chamber slid open.
Zac emerged from a dense swirl of Miasma, though the observant onlooker would realize there were hints of Divine and Cosmic Energy in the mix. He had to give it to them. The Endemire Sage was quite accommodating, going so far as to set up a small death-attuned section in his War Fortress as soon as the Ca...
2023-10-27 18:04:09 +0000 UTC View PostUnfortunately no chapter today due to illness. Double tomorrow or Sat chapter depending on how things pan out.
2023-10-26 17:45:48 +0000 UTC View PostZac was almost certain the cultivator who left the immense scar was the equivalent of an early Autarch in the pre-system era. He simply didn't think it possible for a Divine Monarch to leave such an indelible mark. At the same time, the attack couldn't have come from anything higher than an early B-grade cultivator.
The fortress was undeniably much stronger than any weapon system he'd seen in Zecia, but it should still be a C-grade construction. Anything stronger than an Early Autarch w...
2023-10-25 17:48:34 +0000 UTC View PostAn echoing silence lingered in the chamber as the last motes of Imperial Qi dispersed.
"Interesting. A year of planning, yet the fish slipped through our net," Yselio hummed as he gently stroked his pet's head. "I wonder what caused the interference. That force completely eluded my senses. Zachary Atwood... Not simple, indeed."
"This is my mistake," Werui said, his face pale as he knelt on the ground. The demeanor of a noble and a consecrated knight was swept away in the face of t...
2023-10-24 18:14:55 +0000 UTC View PostA/N: Small error in last chapter worth mentioning here: the fractal he activated is on his left shoulder blade, not right.
-----------
Zac's left shoulder blade promptly exploded, unleashing a storm of opalescent Creation unsuccessfully caged by his Evolutionary Path. One moment, the deluge resembled a leafy branch. The next, a sharp-edged wing wrought from unfettered possibility. The sudden eruption almost blew his arm off, and he felt like a jet...
2023-10-23 17:35:14 +0000 UTC View Post"It's you?" Emily blurted, confusion and disbelief written all over her face.
Zac understood what was going through her mind. Her surprise wasn't over the betrayal. Emily had experienced much over the years, and there was no way she'd accept an outsider's words at face value. Especially when the old veteran had gone so far out of his way to provide assistance, even risking his life by joining a dangerous special military operation. Few who reached Late Hegemony were so selfless and gene...
2023-10-20 19:35:43 +0000 UTC View Post