a dark path

Heads rolling across the ground, cities burning in flames, terrifying creatures rising from the darkness of night, a society pulling the strings of the Empire from the shadows, a mysterious faith seeking to restore destiny to the path it should never have strayed from, the end of the world, sword fights, magic, humor, foul-mouthed characters, the odd sumbitch running loose, and, as always, struggles for power.

Emperor Upodis has managed to seize the Imperial Throne with the help of the Black Hand. To legitimize his rule, he plans to obtain the seven sacred Orbs. To that end, he assigns the mission of recovering these ancient and mysterious objects to a select group of intrepid characters.

Driven by an ancient prophecy, a ruthless warrior will fight to take the Empire for himself. In his pursuit of glory, a mercenary will be dragged into ruin by his dissolute ways. An unexpected twist will force an assassin to ally with the very person he was meant to kill in order to survive. To obtain what he desires most, a scholar will risk bringing about the end of the world. Pushed by greed, a thief will seek the wealth he longs for.

A journey across a world filled with dangers, betrayals, strange alliances, conspiracies, shattered dreams, and magic, in which all of them will strive to recover the Orbs...

…if the Night Hunters do not finish them off first.

Content Warning

This work of fiction contains themes and scenes that may be disturbing or sensitive for some readers.

Throughout these pages you will encounter scenes involving violence, strong language, sexual content, physical or psychological abuse, substance use, death, discrimination, horror, and supernatural or fantastical elements. Reader discretion is advised.

This book is recommended for an adult or mature audience capable of distinguishing between fiction and reality.

Not recommended for readers under 18 years of age.

Contents

Capítulo 1: Cleaning Day Capítulo 2: An Unexpected Promotion Capítulo 3: A Risky Bet Capítulo 4: Lost in the Desert Capítulo 5: A Lovely Black Hair Capítulo 6: A Very Convenient Superstition Capítulo 7: A Long Wait Capítulo 8: Seen in the Flames Capítulo 9: A New Destination Capítulo 10: A Rad al-dawsa Has to Learn to Suffer Capítulo 11: A Successful Plan Capítulo 12: A Crooked Pillar Capítulo 13: A Dark Passage Capítulo 14: Not Even Telorum Himself Would Tell You Capítulo 15: A Second Edition Copy Capítulo 16: Fallen Fruits Capítulo 17: On Behalf of the Black Hand Capítulo 18: A Sailor on Land Capítulo 19: Under Examination Capítulo 20: A Precious Cargo Capítulo 21: A Brittle Branch
Capítulo 22: A Closed Door Capítulo 23: Between Two Monasteries Capítulo 24: A Tempting Apple Capítulo 25: An Easy Job Capítulo 26: Broken Toys Capítulo 27: Friendly Fire Capítulo 28: A Steep Slope Capítulo 29: A Rapid Descent Capítulo 30: Treacherous Cuts Capítulo 31: A Road Filled with Tears Capítulo 32: A Heavy Burden Capítulo 33: The Father Commands and We Obey Capítulo 34: A Lake of Dark Waters Capítulo 35: Drops in the Sand Capítulo 36: Wrong Diagnosis Capítulo 37: Child’s Play Capítulo 38: A Puppet Show Capítulo 39: May The Father Guide You Capítulo 40: Defective Material Epilogue