The Raven Thief
Born of the wastelands, Spheris Arnadel, a young skilled thief, finds himself subject to a twist of fate when he steals a powerful relic and becomes a Bearer — humans gifted with powers from the Gods. As a punishment for his theft, he is cast into an otherworldly realm alongside other Bearers, where he faces off against monstrous beasts and powerful enemies. Yet, in his determination to return to the Continent and save his dying mother, Spheris is hell-bent on surviving the abyssal world. Even if it means giving his body to the Dark God whose powers he had stolen... even if it means losing all of his humanity.
• Battle At The Infirmary (2)
The air in the corridor was thick with tension, every breath that left the four individuals present was laced with the scent of an awaiting battle and burning Essence.
"You have fallen from grace, Bastopher!" Grengo said, his voice as steady as a rock in a storm. "But you do not have to fall deeper. You can still be saved, your soul can be freed from that Demon inside you."
Bastopher tilted his head slightly, still unreadable, save for the glimmer of darkness in his crimson eyes. "Do I look like I want to be saved?"
Grengo shook his head disappointedly. "You do not want to do this, son."
"Why do people always say that?" Bastopher turned fully to face them. "What about me speaks indecision to you? What makes you think I have an ounce of hesitation within me? You do not know me, you do not know me at all."
Silence of tension reigned.
"The boy's mind is made up,' Zadoc whispered.