Introduction: Centuries have passed since a scourge of monsters and undead befell the world. From the ashes, five sovereign states emerged, sculpting a new dawn.In a forgotten corner of this reborn world, Varne believes his future holds nothing more than staying hidden in his village, where his greatest concern is whether he will bury his friend Eiran or be buried by him. Eiran, despite his determination to become a Decima and voyage across the vast Inner Sea to uncover his origins, finds his path closed off by his chronic illness.Yet, an unforeseen dusk descends. Whispers of Terzion鈥檚 grand invasion against the other sovereign states threaten to reignite an ancient catastrophe.Swift and fierce, the invasion unveils buried secrets, ancient disciplines, and forgotten pacts. Leaders scheme, cold forges are heated anew, and shattered alliances are recast. Sacred orders and nameless forces wield their unseen but ever-present authority.As his father's past dealings with the Inquisitor catch up with him, Varne is swept into a past he never knew, stumbling toward a destiny entwined with the future of the world鈥攁 world he never cared for.Eiran, in his pursuit of justice for his companions, risks losing the very thing he seeks and finds himself plunged into the heart of the invasion. Yet, protecting what truly matters may exact the steepest price.-----Author鈥檚 Note: This story is a rewritten version of the author鈥檚 work from when he was in junior high. Although it is intended as an epic dark fantasy, the author admits that some parts of it, especially the earlier chapters, are more fittingly described as YA fantasy.And although the author didn鈥檛 check the Graphic Violence and Profanity tags鈥攕ince he believes there is no excessive amount of either in this work鈥攊t still contains a small, necessary amount of both....