Apollos Thorne

Update and Heaven's Laws

Sorry to leave you guys hanging on that cliff after the last Heaven's Laws chapter. I've been tight lipped because I have a tenancy to say too much. So one of the things I've been doing the last two weeks is making sure the cultivation system that was started in Heaven's Laws Prodigies, mainly the Energy Cultivation and the laws Chao and Huifen discover, fits with the rest of the universe. Chao is about to go through a fundamental breakthrough. I need to make sure that Body and Soul Cultivati...

Body Cultivation Hurts - Chapter 35

Yuma watched as her grandfather Takao Jun approached the northern region boss with Elder Ma Mencius. Jun’s katana was held at ready to the side as he rounded his approach. Mencius did the same with his spear drawn as he circled around the massive bear in the opposite direction. They both stayed clear of the lake so they’d have an opportunity to retreat if they must.

Her grandfather wore the traditional Kendo Gi with a blue jacket and silver pants. Mencius wore the traditional Chines...

Body Cultivation Hurts - Chapter 34

Many kilometers above the first floor in a floating, five-story pagoda, Divine Lord Isacara observed what was going on below. Her perceptions had reached such a level that there was no place hidden from her senses. She’d been watching the training camp put on by Nathaniel Kane. It was exactly what it seemed. His knowledge and skill shouldn’t be possible unless he really had returned from the future. And now, watching the men and women he trained advance on the remaining region bosses was ...

Heaven's Laws - Book 3 - Chapter 2 b

“You’ve already refined the first drop of Esh Vine Nectar,” Zan said, addressing his son who sat shirtless in his old room in the Ice Phoenix Palace. His daughter-in-law was also there. She was once again wearing a blue Ice Phoenix gown and would be helping with her husband’s advancement.

He continued, “As for treasures capable of helping you break through, you have many. So many, in fact, that even I’m having difficulty deciding which we should use.”

The couple gave...

Heaven's Laws - Book 3 - Chapter 2 a

There was a glimmer in her eye as Huifen laid eyes on the Ice Phoenix Place as they drew near. It was like a mountain peak of icy quartz. She’d grown partial to the Divine Spire in their living quarters on the seventh floor, but she’d grown up here with Mother Quinyuan and Sister Pangfua close by. She knew that it would always feel like a true home to her.

As if sensing something, her Chao grabbed her hand.

The smile she gave him came naturally. It was almost relief she felt a...

Heaven's Laws - Book 3 - Chapter 1

They floated outside the Divine Spire near its peak. Chao admired the silver specks covering its glassy black surface. It was made of a divine marble not found on Lifestone. Its durability allowed for intergalactic travel. That wasn’t something they’d be needing it for anytime soon.

Expert Ji, the artificial tower spirit, had given them several options that would allow them to transport the tower as they wished. The one they had chosen wasn’t possible for most in this lower realm....

Heaven's Laws Quick Update

Chapter 1 is getting close. I've ended up doing some outlining, which I rarely do. The pacing with this book is going to be faster then the first two.

Heaven's Laws Update

I had a false start on where I was starting book 3, but everything is looking good now. Should have chapter one out tomorrow.

Cheers!

Body Cultivation Hurts - Chapter 33

Jared wasn’t shy about using his jade to communicate with his contacts at Citadel News who he’d been invited to join this large group of cultivators heading to the Mountain King of the northern gate. He’d only been with them for a few hours and the things he’d seen left him questioning everything he thought he knew about the different Paths. This group wasn’t flashy. There weren’t any fliers, teleporters, impressive magic spells, or rage monsters, but they walked through everythin...

Body Cultivation Hurts - Title Poll

Body Cultivation Hurts has always been a title place holder for this series. So this is a series name, not the name of this novel. The series can stand alone but it's also in the Heaven's Laws universe.

Yes, there is a planned meet up between characters in the future. Think Avengers meets cultivators. Cultivengers? Avengivators?

The cover art is in the works, and here are a few of the titles I'm considering. Feel free to throw out any other ideas you have in the comments.
2025-08-05 15:17:44 +0000 UTC View Post

Heaven's Laws - Cover Update

Giving you guys a sneak peak at the next cover for Heaven's Laws book 3. I'm liking the new artist. They've done the last three covers.

Body Cultivation Hurts - Chapter 32 b

Nathan studied the trio as they fought the common desert monsters. There weren’t as many demon-zombies this far out except for rarer variants. Even the faster moving ones were much easier prey compared to the desert monsters found this deep into the southern gate. There were large snakes that liked to hide beneath the sand, giant scorpions, and the most annoying were spikey-backed jackals. The first two were ambush predators, while the last attacked in packs and were about the size of large...

Update

Heaven's Laws chapters should start early next week. I'll be trying to do Body Cultivation Hurts chapters at the same time since they are both in the same universe. BCH will likely be done first since it's almost complete already.

Cheers!

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 is Live!

Codename: Freedom - Dragonslayer is Live!

Book 5

https://geni.us/CFDragonslayer

Summary:

Vanguard continues.

Prodos’s competition is ranking up. Major Lucius Edwards is a year behind.

Without victory, Earth’s preparation will be severely lacking.

War is coming.

Can skill compete with overwhelming force…

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 39

After winning three of the four events in Vanguard including from the opening day, Prodos no longer had to worry about placement in the last event. It was impossible for them to lose. That allowed them to approach the one-on-one tournament that had been teased since the beginning without the same pressure.

There was also the question of the consequences Lucius would face which Victoria addressed in an interview. “It’s being discussed now and will be carried out after Vanguard is ove...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 38

Standing alone in a sim within a sim with a tube of chocolate ice cream, Krato Aeneus Raptis watched as his charge ascended to prepare his assault against the four rank D men in defensive position. He’d watched the event from the beginning.

It was unlikely he would ever see his wives and children again now that he was in custody of the enemy. He’d constantly questioned the point behind him remaining alive. His life was a life of honor, receiving glory for his deeds and a life of ser...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 37

The remaining six rank D users didn’t dare to scale the manticore or go around it. The exception was Brendon Black who jumped up to the monster’s side. With a shield in his left hand and Warhammer in his right, he stood lazily as he smirked up at me.

“Are you going to keep running?” the man challenged.

“Why would I leave when there’s a perfectly good point offering itself up to me?” I asked.

Grinning widely, the man showed his teeth. “So you want me to have m...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 36

After all the bloody scenes Mia had seen since Freedom had begun almost two years ago, rarely had she seen such a beating. Unlike the last four rank D users, Brendon Black didn’t rush in to face off with Mel. There were seven of them against one. Instead of clearing the distance when their bolts didn’t seem to work on him, Brendon kept his men back and kept attacking.

Bolt after bolt struck Mel even as he tried to avoid them, pushing the limits to his defensive psionics.

“Br...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 35

When Brendon Black and his men were halfway to the central flag array with Lethal Accord not far behind, Ebrima Okoro appeared at the podium with the last flag. It was the very one they had failed to capture.

What was surprising was that Ebrima was alone. He stood there momentarily as if he wanted Brendon to see him. Then he turned around, summoned his rank D aura, and sprinted away.

If it was anyone else, Brendon would’ve given chase. Ebrima was the only person to beat him when...

Codename: Freedom- Book 5 - Chapter 34

“Lethal Accord, takes the lead!” Mr. Rachet proclaims.

“It’s coming down to the wire,” Bolt replied, looking at the timer.

Countdown

1:11:59

Giving Mia an apologetic look, Mr. Rachet continued, “It’s due to the long-term strategy of Lethal Accord. They have more rank D users, so they’ve been able to field more people while allowing others to rest. They’ve been doing it systematically from the beginning. The Burden Bearers, who were keeping them in c...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 33

Twenty-four hours into the event, we were returning what would likely be the last of our “easy points”. Not that fleeing from a dozen rank D casters could ever be easy. It wasn’t even our intention to continue antagonizing Brendon Black and the Forefathers. They were just our only real competition when going after these the flags captured by weaker battalions. They were also helpful enough to attack the bases in question to give me all the distraction I needed.

Of course, Brendon ...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 32

It was like Lethal Accord had been waiting for this moment. Even if it wasn’t obvious to the battalions that didn’t have surveillance on every base, it was to Prodos. I had only just sat down to eat dinner when Destiny relayed it to me and the intelligence team.

The three major players all had a squad of rank D users by the central flag array. Only the Forefathers had formed up there with every rank D user they had. It was what forced a tentative stalemate.

Lethal Accord was o...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 31

Lethal Accord and The Burden Bearers captured their first flags with little effort. They both had similar strategies even if they used different approaches. Thirty-one rank D users gave Lethal Accord the advantage in overall military might. They had several powerful squads with multiple rank D members a piece lined up along the path from their base to the central podium. As soon as their first flag was taken and captured, another person grabbed a flag and sprinted toward their base.

The...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 30

Mia and the metacaster panel were on the edge of their seats as the Forefathers retreated only to use their auras to leap up to the top of the maze walls. Even if they were holding their breaths while their shields were down, the gas also affected their eyes. Many of them struggled momentarily, but someone figured out that intensifying your aura blasted much of the gas from the surface of your skin. That included your eyes. It was then that the Forefathers ran across the inner walls, leaping ...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 29

The longer the Forefathers waded through the gaseous compound, the faster they moved. Much of Prodos had run ahead in force to be ready for a fight on their way back from capturing a flag. The mortar team was there guarded by a platoon to secure the entrance to the arena. There were several teams behind them in the maze and upon the walls at the entrance to the second layer. The approach of the overpowered enemy was relayed to them early. So when the army of green psionic shields appeared mar...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 28

What I saw below caused me to think well of the battalion in my sights. They weren’t a major player and didn’t have any rank D users, but they had two lines of men facing off against their Manticore King. The front row of forty focused their rank E psionic bolts on the creature. The row behind them was the same except they wielded modern firearms. There were a few rail rifles, but nearly half of them had laser or plasma weapons.

“They’re trying to overheat it,” Destiny said in...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 27

Note: Needs some editing, but you guys have waited long enough.

---

“I’m just concerned that Brendon Black is going to make things difficult for Lucius, is all I’m saying,” Mr. Rachet insisted from where he sat next to her.

Mia and LeLisa’s eyes met. Her fake-ditsy friend rolled her eyes. They were sitting next to each other on one side of the panel where Bolt was on the other side of Mr. Rachet.

“You promised Lucius you wouldn’t be making the same mist...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 26

For the last week until the event, I continued my training with the same relentless fervor. Except for a few meetings, the development team, and my time with Victoria, I didn’t even see anyone else. Destiny didn’t count, of course. As much as possible, my life became one of aerial combat. Not just free falling from above and surviving. I was confident with the basics.

I upped the difficulty. Destiny did her magic and I faced simulated versions of the best rank D users. Not just of t...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 25

There wasn’t a day that passed that I didn’t improve. Even though it probably would’ve been wiser for me to sleep more often, I tried not to. About once a week my mental fatigue caught up with me and I slept when Victoria did.

She attached herself to my side as we slept. It made me feel bad that I didn’t allow it of myself more often for her sake, but I was training for the same reason. Our future depended upon my progression. So did the future of Prodos, and possibly even the E...

Codename: Freedom - Book 5 - Chapter 24

Mel’s time came sooner than we expected. It was just a week later when he broke through. Victoria had been keeping a close eye on him, commanding he make his way to the recovery chamber before he broke through.

I only made it after he’d broken through. Even Krato insisted I go to congratulate him which I found curious, but it didn’t really surprise me. I doubted my Ekseliksi trainer would admit it, but the more my training progressed, the easier going he was. Or maybe he didn’t ...