A. F. Kay

Divine Awakening - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

The Captain opened her satchel and protectively flipped through thick files. Ash caught the labels on a few of them—Wiki, Everest, Syntax, and Relay—before she removed one labeled “Shamrock.”

“Just a summary is fine, Captain.”

“Yes, sir,” the Captain responded as she opened the file. “Two hundred thirty-eight suspected fatalities last year, a twenty-eight percent increase over the year before. This year Shamrock is on pace to kill double that. In...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 15

[Author's Note - this chapter and the next have large portions from the epilogue of book 9 as we have finally caught up to that timeline.]

Chapter 15

Ash sat cross-legged on the floor of his room. Six days ago, his new Sisen had arrived, and she’d left four days ago. The two days in between had shattered everything he thought he knew about the Bamboo Viper Steps. His mind still raced with all the breakthroughs he’d accomplished. Shame filled him when he considered how arrogant...

March 16, 2024 - Update

Hey!

This week started off great. I dictated three chapters for book 10 and was really excited about the fourth. I fleshed out some character motivations and descriptions for Ash’s story and planned to get some of those chapters dictated. Then over a foot of snow arrived and threw the household into chaos for two days.

In the end, I only got two chapters of book 10 edited and none of the Ash chapters. I will try and make progress on those other chapters this weekend and will rel...

Divine Apostasy Book 10 - Chapter 5.5 (alternate Prologue)

This book is now published on KU. KU has rules requiring no more than 10% of a book be available by other means. Due to this restriction, I have removed this chapter.

If you wish to continue reading, please email me and I will send you the *.epub file for you to add to your Amazon device.

I'm sorry if this inconveniences you in any way. I am only doing this so I can remain in the KU program.

Thanks for your understanding.

AFK

Divine Apostasy Book 10 - Chapter 5

This book is now published on KU. KU has rules requiring no more than 10% of a book be available by other means. Due to this restriction, I have removed this chapter.

If you wish to continue reading, please email me and I will send you the *.epub file for you to add to your Amazon device.

I'm sorry if this inconveniences you in any way. I am only doing this so I can remain in the KU program.

Thanks for your understanding.

AFK

March 9, 2024 - Update

Hi!

The days after a book launch are chaotic and this last week proved it. The audio took almost an extra week to come out which frustrated many people, and book 9 disappointed more people than usual. The RSI in my left wrist and arm is getting worse and a cold wiped me out. So all in all, it has been a rough week in the AFK household.

I was able to get three chapters of book 10 done but didn’t write anything new for System of Ash. I managed to edit two chapters that I’d previ...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Ash’s confidence faltered. “You mean in a good way, right?”

Sisen shook her head. “No, not in a good way.”

Ash’s Throat chakra heard the truth in her words, which he had a hard time accepting. How could she call his mastery hard to watch? Maybe she couldn’t see well in the moonlight.

Anger flared in Ash’s chest, ignited by his Solar Plexus chakra, which contained much of his self-confidence. He immediately smothered it, as emotions just got i...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 13

[Author's Note - I never got a chance to go over this chapter or 14 so they will be rougher than normal.]

Chapter 13

Ash couldn’t sleep. The scene above the Mediterranean kept replaying in his mind, and the revelations from that event had overwhelmed him. Three world shattering shocks made focus impossible.

First, literal Death had arrived on a pale horse. Since the Pit had appeared rumors persisted of fairytale and mythical beings, but no proof had arrived that...

Divine Apostasy Book 10 - Chapter 4

This book is now published on KU. KU has rules requiring no more than 10% of a book be available by other means. Due to this restriction, I have removed this chapter.

If you wish to continue reading, please email me and I will send you the *.epub file for you to add to your Amazon device.

I'm sorry if this inconveniences you in any way. I am only doing this so I can remain in the KU program.

Thanks for your understanding.

AFK

Divine Apostasy Book 10 - Chapter 3

This book is now published on KU. KU has rules requiring no more than 10% of a book be available by other means. Due to this restriction, I have removed this chapter.

If you wish to continue reading, please email me and I will send you the *.epub file for you to add to your Amazon device.

I'm sorry if this inconveniences you in any way. I am only doing this so I can remain in the KU program.

Thanks for your understanding.

AFK

Divine Apostasy Book 10 - Chapter 2

This book is now published on KU. KU has rules requiring no more than 10% of a book be available by other means. Due to this restriction, I have removed this chapter.

If you wish to continue reading, please email me and I will send you the *.epub file for you to add to your Amazon device.

I'm sorry if this inconveniences you in any way. I am only doing this so I can remain in the KU program.

Thanks for your understanding.

AFK

March 1, 2024 - Update

Hey!

I had hoped to have another chapter or two for tonight, but too much got in my way. If the weekend goes well, I might get something else up by Sunday.

Launch days are always stressful, and today was no exception. To make things worse, the audio is still stuck inside Audible somewhere and they don't work weekends. Which means the earliest the audiobook will be released is Monday, but it could take even longer. I have plans to smooth this process out for next time. I'm sorry to...

February 29, 2024 - Update

Hi!

Book 9 is going live so I wanted to post two chapters of book 10. I will have a longer update tomorrow. Audio is stuck in Audible land so I have no idea if it will be released on March 1st or next Friday.

I opened up System of Ash chapters 7, 8, and 9 to Root.

I opened up System of Ash chapters 10, 11, and 12 to Harvester.

I added Book 10 Prologue and chapter 1 for Step Master, Blapy’s Favorite, Divine, and Axiom.

Enjoy!

Talk to you tomorrow. Thank yo...

Divine Apostasy Book 10 - Chapter 1

This book is now published on KU. KU has rules requiring no more than 10% of a book be available by other means. Due to this restriction, I have removed this chapter.

If you wish to continue reading, please email me and I will send you the *.epub file for you to add to your Amazon device.

I'm sorry if this inconveniences you in any way. I am only doing this so I can remain in the KU program.

Thanks for your understanding.

AFK

Divine Apostasy Book 10 - Prologue

[Author's Note - I'm not sure this is the right PoV for the prologue. Usually, that becomes more apparent to me later in the book. So if this changes you are getting a free glimpse into future world building. Similar to what happened with the System quests in the early chapters of book 9. Also, this is a very rough first draft so be prepared. Let me know your thoughts.]

Prologue

Zylkin pulled the nearest shadow around him like a cloak. The shadow covered him and slid over his body...

February 23, 2024 - Update

Hi!

Travis finished narrating Tarot’s Ninth Harbinger earlier this week. It is in proofing now, but I’m not confident anymore about the March 1st audio release. I think it’s likely we will miss it by a few days. I will do my best to get it out as soon as possible.

I worked some more on the major beats/scenes for The Tenth Muse and think I’m close. I will likely start writing chapters for book 10 next week and should have something to release next Friday, March 1st. My plan...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Ash watched the Grandmaster out of the corner of his eye as she finished her piece of cake. The perfection of her movements seemed impossible. She never lost her center, regardless of where her arms or legs shifted. His grandpa glowed with pleasure, obviously enjoying the company of the Grandmaster.

It had taken a while, but Ash’s Throat chakra led him to believe the Grandmaster’s words hid some great sorrow under her smiles and laughter. He knew those smiles were g...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The unexpected fight didn’t mean Ash could take the rest of the day off. He had searched the bodies for cash before letting the lake claim them and now added that money to his hoard. Each group had fifty thousand in American hundred-dollar bills, their payment to kill him and Grandpa Pine. The vehicles had another five thousand in them, and Stash had ten grand.

Ash used his Root chakra to increase his strength and lifted a massive boulder near the shed. Pulling the ne...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Ash glanced at the tree line twenty feet away, assuming he would flee in that direction, but his Root and Third Eye chakras both warned him of danger. Surprised, he spun his intent in a circle and found, to his shock, the safest path his survival instincts suggested went through the oncoming cops.

Not giving it another thought, Ash jumped toward the knife wielder, now five feet away. To the man’s credit, despite the wounds, he managed to lunge at Ash.

Ash grabbe...

February 17, 2024 - Update

Hey!

The big news this week was that Travis started performing Tarot’s Ninth Harbinger. I don’t know how far he made it through the book, though. If you’ve been listening to him on his discord, please comment and let us know.

I pushed myself hard to get Travis a polished manuscript by Monday morning and that, coupled with the weeks of revising, burned me out a bit. This meant I didn’t get any writing done this week at all. What I did accomplish is the list of items that I ...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Once in the tree line, Ash slowly turned in a circle as he walked, intensely focusing on his Root and Third Eye chakras to confirm the danger originated from this side of the farm and opposite the driveway and road to town.

The narcos almost always attacked at night, which made this incursion out of the ordinary, but Ash didn’t hesitate and dashed through the trees toward the threat.

Ten minutes later, Ash reached the border of the grove. This section shared a bo...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Ash sat at the dinner table chewing a tortilla, and studied Grandpa Pine, looking for the effects of Bruja’s magic. His grandpa looked young for his age, easily passing for someone in their fifties despite being at least a decade older. He still had his hair although it had turned white, which made his brown skin look even darker.

“What?” Grandpa Pine asked catching Ash’s stare.

Ash looked away. “Sorry, you just look—I don’t know—rested, I guess.”...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Ash stepped out of the bathroom with hair still wet from the quick shower, crossed the hallway, and entered his room. The smell of singed corn tortillas filled the house as his grandpa finished cooking them lunch. The old man always left them on the comal a tad too long, but Ash had grown to like them that way as well.

Dropping the towel, Ash opened his dresser and grabbed clean shorts and underwear, quickly pulling both on. He used a foot to flick a t-shirt off the floo...

Travis has started recording book 9

Hi all,

I just got word that Travis has started recording book 9. If you want to listen along here is a link to his discord: https://discord.gg/vStAuvh3tN

Have a great week!

Cover Reveal for Book 10

Let me know what you think!

February 10, 2024 - Update

Hi!

I’m finishing up the final read through of Tarot’s Ninth Harbinger which is taking me far longer than I thought. I’ll hand it over to Travis this weekend, and when I know for sure he is recording, I’ll spread the word.

After posting this update, I’ll post the cover for book 10. I’m interested in what you think of it. I am super behind on responding to comments but will rectify that once I get this revision finished.

I have confirmed a slot next month with a m...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Ash closed his eyes again, removed his hands from his lap and placed them on his knees. He made a circle with his thumb and middle finger and took a deep breath through his nose. He let the air sit in his lungs, feeling the energy form as the oxygen replenished his blood, before releasing the air in a controlled exhalation that mirrored the time of his inhalation exactly.

On the ninth cycle Ash hummed a perfect middle “C” note through his barely parted lips. The soun...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

“Let’s get the basics out of the way and teach you some breathing techniques,” Phoenix said as he stood up from the table.

“How do I explain you to my grandpa?” Ash asked worriedly.

“Your grandpa won’t get up for a few hours, as the goddess knew we needed some time. Let’s find a nearby place to relax.”

Ash took Phoenix into the avocado grove that surrounded the house. He didn’t take them very deep, as he wanted to stay in earshot of his gr...

Divine Awakening - Chapter 4

[Author's Note - This is the Royal Road story I have planned, foreshadowed, and talked about. In the timeline of the Divine Apostasy series, this story starts at the end of The Eighth Harmony. It runs parallel to the Divine Apostasy series and there is overlap between the two stories. I hope you enjoy it.]

Chapter 4

“Would you have believed me?” the girl asked.

Phoenix swallowed hard and his hands trembled.

“What’s wrong with me?” Ash asked, concerned by the ...

February 3, 2024 - Update

Hi!

I’m currently working on the fourth draft of Tarot’s Ninth Harbinger in preparation for Travis’ narration later this month. I haven’t started book 10 yet, so today, and likely for the next couple of weeks, I’m going to release the other story I’ve worked on. This is the story I intend to eventually place on Royal Road.

I’m not sure what the title will be of this story and if you have a suggestion place it in the comments. For now, I’m going with System of Ash. ...