Novels by Dan

The ritual began at midnight.Kael stood in the center of the Veilwood temple. The guardian circled him, chanting in a language older than time. The symbols on the walls glowed with golden light. The power was overwhelming.Don't do this. You'll be trapped forever. You'll never leave."Shut up."You'll be alone. Forever. No one will remember you. No one will care.Kael pushed the voice away. He focused on the ritual. The power was building. The symbols on his skin were burning.The guardian stopped. His eyes were bright with ancient power."Are you sure about this?" he asked. "Once we begin, there's no turning back."Kael nodded. "Do it."The guardian raised his hands. Golden light exploded outward.---Kael screamed.His body was on fire. His veins were burning. The symbols spread across his skin, covering every inch. The power was consuming him.No! Stop! You'll destroy yourself!Kael ignored the voice. He focused on the power. The golden light was blinding.You're making a mistake.

The journey back to the island was silent.Kael stood at the bow, his body broken, his mind fractured. The symbols on his skin pulsed with dark energy. The golden light had faded. Replaced by something colder. Something hungrier.You fought well. The Warden is weakened. But I am stronger."Shut up."You can't shut me up. I'm inside you. I'm everywhere. I'm growing stronger with every breath you take.Kael looked at his hands. The symbols were changing. Twisting. Becoming something darker. The Emperor was corrupting the binding. Making him into a vessel.You're becoming me, Kael. You're becoming the monster."I'm not becoming you. I'm becoming stronger."Same thing. Different words.Darian appeared at his side. The scarred guard's face was grim. "We need to talk.""About what?""About what's happening to you." Darian's voice was tight. "You're changing. The crew can see it. I can see it.""I'm getting stronger.""You're getting darker." Darian stepped closer. "You're becoming what you'

The journey to the Celestial Summit took three days.Kael stood at the ship's bow, watching the horizon. The symbols on his skin pulsed with golden light. The Emperor's whispers were constant now, a dull roar in the back of his mind.You're going the wrong way. You're running from your destiny."Shut up."The Summit won't help you. It will destroy you. Like it destroyed everyone else.Kael pushed the voice away. He focused on the sea. The waves were calm. The sky was clear. But the air was charged with something ancient. Something powerful."We're close," Lyra said. She stood beside him, her face pale. "I can feel it.""Feel what?""The Summit. It's calling to us."Kael closed his eyes. He could feel it too. A pull. A magnetic force drawing him toward the horizon.You're making a mistake. You're walking into a trap."I don't have a choice."There's always a choice. You could run. You could hide. You could let the Emperor win."No. I'm going to win."---The Celestial Summit emerged fr

The ship cut through the mist like a blade through silk.Kael stood at the bow, his hands gripping the railing. The symbols on his skin pulsed with golden light, casting eerie reflections on the water. His eyes burned with violet fire.Three days since the last attack. Three days since he had become something other than human.The whispers had grown quieter. He could still hear them, but they were distant. The island was far behind him. The Veilwood was ahead."You should rest." Darian appeared at his side. "You haven't slept.""I don't need sleep.""Everyone needs sleep. Even monsters."Kael laughed bitterly. "Is that what I am? A monster?""You're something. I don't know what. But you're still Kael. That's what matters."Kael looked at him. The scarred face was grim, but the eyes were loyal."Thank you," Kael said."Don't thank me. Just don't die."The mist parted. The Veilwood emerged from the darkness.It was a wall of trees. Massive, ancient, black as obsidian. Their branches twi

Kael woke with fire in his blood.The symbols on his skin pulsed with golden light. His veins glowed beneath his flesh. Power thrummed through his body, alien and intoxicating. The island's heartbeat echoed in his ears.He sat up. His room was dark. The whispers were constant now. They filled his head with images of death and destruction.You're awake. Good. We have work to do.Kael pushed the voice away. He walked to the window. The fog had cleared. The beach was pristine. But he saw more now. The spirits drifting through the jungle. The remnants of the dead trapped in endless loops.Beautiful, isn't it? The truth. The reality."Yes," Kael whispered.He had never felt more alive.---The crew gathered in the main hall.Their faces were pale. Their eyes were wide. They had seen him glow. They had felt the power radiating from his skin."What are you?" Corbin demanded. His voice cracked with fear."I'm the sovereign." Kael raised his hand. The symbols flared. "I control this island. I

The shadows consumed everything.Kael fought until his arms gave out. Until his legs buckled. Until his vision blurred with golden light and violet darkness. He had absorbed so many souls. So much power.But it wasn't enough.You're going to lose. You're going to die. You're going to let everyone down."Shut up!" Kael screamed. He swung his fist. Golden light exploded through three shadow creatures. They dissolved into mist.More came.They were everywhere. Clawing. Scratching. Biting. He couldn't see. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.Then the Warden appeared.He emerged from the jungle like a nightmare given form. Twelve feet tall. Armor of pure darkness. A face that was nothing but void. His sword dripped with shadows that screamed as they fell.Impressive, Kael. You survived longer than I expected.Kael's blood turned cold. "You."Me. The Warden stepped closer. His sword dragged through the sand, leaving a trail of darkness. I've been watching you. Testing you. You have potential.