Vowron Prime

Ashborn 398: Prelude to War (Maiya)

“We strike from here, here, and here,” Riyan said, pointing to the enormous map of the Saian capital city that had been draped over an ornate oak wood table the eccentric man had somehow brought in.

Quite the feat, Maiya felt, considering they were deep underground in a sewer network. She wondered how they even fit the massive thing through the small doors. Did they break it into pieces and assemble it here? Regardless, she pitied the poor souls charged with the task. No doub...

Soulweaver 121: Shopping Spree

Being in the good graces of the city’s ruler had helped more than we thought. Being celebrities didn’t hurt either. The clerk flipped out when she learned we were the ones behind the collapse of the dungeon. 

She’d run out of the store and fetched the store owner, whom we ended up chatting for a solid hour.  He’d even asked for our autographs—something I hadn’t known was a thing in this world. Apparently, fame had the same hallmarks in any world.

In ...

Soulweaver 120: Oops

I rushed to Dominion’s temple with Aerion on my back. I barely noticed the hot, muggy air making my sweat cling to my skin.

It was just dirt. Dirt! And in just one attack, they took out an opponent with 40 points of Vigor? If [Launch] was this devastating with dirt, why the hell hadn't my earlier test wreaked utter havoc on my shield?

A few ideas came to me as a ducked and weaved around the city traffic. For one, I'd been closer to ...

Ashborn 397: To Wrangle With Gods

It was with heavy steps that Vir stepped through the Ash Gate back to the Bairan camp, and from there, to his garrison in the outskirts of the Ash, where he’d left Ekat’Ma in the capable hands of Tara and Balagra to acclimatize.

“Vir, never once in my life have I heard of anyone with the ability to read the future,” Ashani said as they walked through the Gate to Vir’s Nexus, at his primary base in the Deep Ash. Its location alone made it unassailable—though over two...

Soulweaver 119: [Launch]

Sinclair blinked. “You wish to defer selecting your treasure…”

“Not quite,” I said, tapping my finger against his Mahogany desk. While Sinclair didn’t ordinarily meet people on such short notice, Aerion and I were exceptions. We’d met him in his personal study, and were currently seated across his table. “I want to defer it, but I also want to take my pick of the spoils in Dominium’s vault. I don’t know when we’ll be back to Basecrest after this m...

Ashborn 396: Retribution of Fate

Vir and Ashani made short work of the other Gate, built in a similarly sized chamber as the other, though this one sat on the border of the Chitran neighborhood, making it strategically more important. As usual, Ekat’Ma followed from the shadows, unseen by all. All except Vir, that was.

“Will you build tunnels between the chambers your forces construct, my lord?” Janani asked, flanked by Ekta and Hiya, who’d remained silent this whole time, glaring at him with suspiciou...

Soulweaver 118: Countdown

Aerion walked around me as I got in and out of my suit, refusing to believe her own eyes.

“How?” she asked. “What even is your Blessing, to allow such a bizarre power?”

I shrugged. “You’ve got access to all of my stats. I don’t know any more than you.”

Sure, I’d picked this Blessing to be versatile, but even I was surprised by the wealth of powers available to me. From my inventory to armor sets, it felt like there were no limits to w...

Ashborn 395: The Plan

There was no silencing this madness, no quieting this crowd, and so Vir didn’t deign to try. He stood, unmoving, watching over those who chanted for Ashani. For their goddess… And for him. 

For the Automaton from the Age of Gods was not the only one these people deified. 

No, Vir was as much a god to them as Ashani was. The Akh Nara. The being who could never truly die. The Reincarnator who retained the memories of his past life. A being greater than mortals...

Soulweaver 117: Elf Cannon

[Elf Cannon]… Betrayed expectations.

I thought Aerion would shoot out of my inventory, ready to rain death upon whichever unsuspecting foe happened to be in her path.

I failed to account for two factors, however. One was the sheer force of Aerion’s momentum. Even as light as she was, she was a hell of a lot heavier than the swords I’d ejected until now.

That, and the fact that my inventory retrievals were impossible to halt partway, resulted i...

Ashborn 394: Goddess of Victory

“We were not expecting you,” Greesha said as she led Vir through Samar Patag’s city streets. She kept throwing glances at Ashani, who tagged behind Vir in her demoness form, though she kept her questions to herself for now.

Which was good, because Vir did not want to lie to Greesha. Nor did he have any reason to. She wasn’t a Raja to impress, but rather a trusted confidante. One whose respect he’d already earned, just like the urchins and rebel Laborer Calling demons ...

Soulweaver 116: Crouching Reaver, Hidden Aerion

“Quite a character, that one,” Richard said, munching on some potato crisps we’d had delivered to our door. One of the perks of renting the penthouse suite—24/7 concierge. Didn’t even have to pay for room service.

“Certainly is,” I said, kicking my legs up on an empty chair and clasping my hands behind my head.

Aerion, Richard, and I were currently relaxing around a reed table on our balcony that overlooked the street below. While it wasn’t quite the epic ...

Ashborn 393: Old Friends. New Enemies.

“No!” Annas roared, punching a wall, before slamming his back against it and slumping down. “No…”

“It is true,” Raja Matiman said. “Our spies confirm the Akh Nara was sighted entering and leaving Jalak Kallol. Welcomed by Ra himself. What’s more, he arrived on a most unusual contraption. A ship capable of flying high in the sky, and at terrible speeds. We fear he may have a fleet, ready to pounce.”

“That would invalidate our walls,” Annas said, gritt...

Soulweaver 115: Noble Ventures

NOTE: As per my vacation calendar, there will not be a chapter on Monday in observance of Veterans Day. Link: Vowron's 2024 Holiday & Vacation Schedule (Google Sheets) (You can also find it on my About page).

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“And I’m telling you, Vikings liked to fight with guile and subterfuge!” Richard said, as we walked down Basecrest’s ...

Ashborn 392: Clan Hopping

Despite wanting nothing more than to explore the hidden city of the Iksana, Vir knew he would not be welcomed there. As Sagun’Ra said, he had yet to win the clan’s seal of approval. His curiosity would have to wait for another day.

Upon reaching the surface, Vir was surprised to find a dozen Iksana Ghaels, all wearing gray hooded robes, awaiting him.

“The Iksana who will join you,” Sagun’Ra said, gesturing to them.

One among them, ...

Soulweaver 114: Spatialization

We returned to our inn in the early hours of morning, dead drunk, and barely able to walk at all.

Which really said something, because as I discovered, one of the stats—likely Vigor—not only improved your constitution, it also increased your alcohol tolerance.

Which meant Aerion and I ended up consuming an ungodly amount of booze. Everything from beer to ale to mead. It was so much that even Richard, with his very normal tolerance, looked at us like we were aliens. I ...

Ashborn 384: Idle Gossip (Maiya)

Maiya practically pranced her way back to her orb room. Yes, Maiya had an orb room, whose sole purpose was to hold Vir’s communication orb. Not only was it guarded at all hours of the day, she’s even assigned a squad of trusted handmaidens—the regular kind, not the elite warrior kind—to keep it charged and let her know if Vir ever called.

If that wasn’t the definition of luxury, Maiya didn’t know what was. As it so happened, the call came just as she was preparing for the da...

Soulweaver 113: We Are The Champions

As I looked into Richard’s confused eyes, I finally understood what my angst had been all about. It wasn’t keeping my origins a secret that had bothered me. Not when it had been necessary.

The difference was that it no longer was. I’d seen it with my own eyes, hadn’t I? How Passion hadn’t even been able to sniff me out, despite standing right next to me?

The gods couldn’t identify other Champions. The revelation was like a bombshell for me. Why hadn’t I real...

Ashborn 391: Of Alliances and Oaths

“I believe you owe me an explanation,” Vir said, his voice cold and low, barely above a whisper. And yet, it contained such authority that even Ra froze, regarding him as he would an Ash Beast.

The black flames burning off Vir’s body tended to have that effect. 

Sagun’Ra tossed his dagger to the floor, slumping his shoulders. “Come. Trial is over. Let us talk. Outside.”

Turning his back to Vir, the Raja skulked out of the chamber, heading for the stone door ...

Soulweaver 112: Bombshells and Penthouses

It was incredible what a long, hot bath did for the soul after weeks out in the wild. Well, that and waiting two long hours for Aerion and Richard—let’s be honest, mostly Aerion—to finish. Not only did she go first, she happily took a whole hour and a half to herself, though I had to admit, she positively glowed when she emerged.

Richard and I were a bit more frugal with our time, taking a half hour a piece in the beautiful marble bath pool. More than enough to feel like a new man...

Ashborn 390: Trial of The Iksana Bram (Part Two)

Maiya the bloodstained woman glared at Vir. In each hand, she held a head. The severed heads of her parents.

Apramor, grimacing, as if blaming Vir in his final moments. Aliscia’s beautiful face, her expression frozen in one of shock.

“You did this, Vir,” Maiya said darkly. “You killed my parents.”

Dropping their heads, she walked slowly up to Vir, her bare feet leaving crimson prints upon the grass. 

“One after another, all who know you...

Soulweaver 111: Homecoming

I gulped, not quite ready to have this conversation. Not now, and not here, of all places.

“Greg, Aerion…This may sound off to you, but…”

Here it comes…

“Would you two mind if I hid who I am when we enter Basecrest?” Richard asked, looking embarrassed.

I blinked.

“It’s not that I’m ashamed of my status as Champion. Quite the opposite, really,” Richard said, his eyes darting between myself and Aerion. “Just that I’d rather avoid ...

Book Three of Ashborn Primordial is Now on Kindle!

Hello everyone!

The third book of Ashborn is now on Kindle! Audio, narrated by Heath Miller, will follow later this fall.

I'm loathe to ask anything more of all of you, who've supported me immensely, but if you enjoy the series, consider dropping a rating or a review! And if you have Kindle Unlimited, downloading the book counts as a purchase and is totally free.

All of these help a ton to get the story picked up and promoted by the amazon algorithm.

If you're feeling ...

Ashborn 389: Trial of The Iksana Bram (Part One)

Vir left the suspended city with a heavy heart and even heavier legs. He’d scarcely soaked in the spectacle when the Raja beckoned him down a dark corridor.

One that led deeper underground, to the very bottom of the subterranean city.

“This Trial of Bram… What does it involve?” Vir asked, his voice echoing off the cold stone of the pitch-black passage. 

His query went ignored, as Vir half-expected. Silenced fell upon the group, allowing Vir to scrutiniz...

Soulweaver 110: Demigods

“Oh, gods!” Passion half-panted half-squeaked in a voice several octaves too high. She was currently squatting, hands covering her face. As if standing was too much for her swooning self to bear. “Have you ever seen such a heartfelt confession?”

The high rankers stood a respectable distance away during all of this, showing no indication of interfering. I had to admire their poker faces. Stone cold, those delvers. No, we were on our own.

Before anyone could answer ...

Ashborn 388: Jalak Kallol

And that's it for the year! I'll see everyone back here on Tuesday, January 7th. Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay safe and have a great time, everyone!

The entrance to the secret Iksana stronghold boasted no gate, nor any gilded archway.

No, it was nothing more than a hole. A hole that led into a deep, dark chute. With scarcely a pause, and certainly no instruction, Raja Sagun’Ra dove into the chute, clearly expecting ...

Soulweaver 109: A Passionate Embrace

NOTE: Welcome to Arc 5! Disclaimer for this chapter. There's a bit of sexual assault in this chapter. The sexual aspect is minor, but the related traumatic content is more significant. If that's an issue for you, you may wish to skip the paras starting with 'Sensing an impending calamity' and ending with 'What's wrong with you'
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The high-rankers’… presence was so intense, it actually took me until Aerion hissed at me to realize they weren’t a...

Ashborn 387: Of Nor and Ra

“I do believe we’re lost,” Ashani said. 

Vir didn’t need to turn around to know she had a smirk on her face.

“We’re not lost,” he grumbled, peering down around the airship. One would think that the visibility would be unparalleled in an open-air vehicle that flew high in the sky, but one would be wrong. In fact, it was nearly impossible to look straight down. To do so, Vir had to roll the ship at a steep angle. 

He could see in every which wa...

Soulweaver 108: Catamarans and Big Screen TV’s

A snap of Cosmo’s fingers had us leaning against the polished steel railing of the superyacht as the small waves broke lazily against its pristine white hull. The coastline of Maui where we’d just been stretched off into the horizon, disappearing into the beautiful reds and yellows of sunset.

Its enormous sails flapped in the breeze, and the catamaran bobbed in the unique way only twin-hulled boats did.

“Damn,” I said. “This is nice. Can you bring me here every ...

Ashborn 386: Liberation

Vir walked away from the kothi’s corpse, already eyeing his next target. There were few guards to begin with, and after the wolves’ attack, even fewer remained.

In the past, he might even have given the guard he’d killed a chance to redeem themselves. Back when it was only his safety on the line. But not when thousands relied on him. Not when his inability to make the hard decisions resulted in the deaths of innocents.

So Vir hardened his heart and surged prana thro...

Soulweaver 107: Pina Coladas and Coconut Bikinis

I stared at the option for a good, long moment. “Interesting…”

“What’s the matter?” Aerion asked. “Do you not have an option for soul evolution?”

“No, that’s the thing,” I said. “I do. Was not expecting that. Though, I suppose it makes some kind of sense. Gods want their Champions big and tough, and I’m guessing they don’t want us bashing our heads against evolutionary walls for years while the Cataclysm eats the world.”

“Indeed,” A...