Sunderlight
FellBrand Series - Book 1 - By Nate Johnson
Chapter 1 - The Awakening
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Caedril awakens in a dark, twisted forest, disoriented and unable to remember his past. Surrounded by dead trees and strange whispers, he encounters Spindle, a mysterious woman with gray skin and teal eyes, and Hayjack, a heavily armored knight. As they struggle to understand where they are, they are attacked by creatures called rendrals. After a fierce battle, the three allies, who all suffer from memory loss, realize they are in an unfamiliar and dangerous realm. With no clear answers, they begin to head toward a faint light in the distance, hoping to find civilization.
Chapter 2 - The Wallbridge
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Spindle, Hayjack, and Caedril journey through a dangerous forest, pursued by Rendrals, strange creatures they don’t fully understand. As they run toward a flickering light, Spindle struggles with her lost memories and newfound ability to summon daggers instinctively. The trio reaches an ancient, crumbling bridge where they are greeted by an eccentric old man named Garrick, who guides them to safety within a mysterious sanctuary called Eldervale. Garrick explains that Valoria is a fractured land filled with strife and strange magical anomalies like the Rendrals. As they enter Eldervale, Spindle senses something unsettling, a connection to the place and the creatures that chase them, but she is left with more questions than answers.
Chapter 3 - The Withering
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Hayjack, Spindle, and Caedril arrive in Eldervale, where they learn of the village's mysterious curse, the "Withering," which causes people to lose their will to live. Old Garrick leads them to the mayor, Elara Thorn, who reveals that the curse began after the construction of the wallbridge and the appearance of strange blue faeliri lights. She offers them a chance to find answers in exchange for their help—she sends them on a quest to find a shard of a broken crown hidden in the forest, which is believed to cleanse Eldervale of the darkness. Elara promises to give them information about their origins if they succeed. Reluctantly, the trio agrees to the perilous mission, though they remain skeptical of the mayor's story and uncertain about their future in this cursed land.
Chapter 4 - The Veiled Herald
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In the dilapidated inn of Eldervale, Caedril, Spindle, and Hayjack try to rest, each burdened by their struggles in this unfamiliar world. Caedril battles the frustration of magic withdrawal, while the group is interrupted by a cloaked herald from the Veiled Queen. The herald, offering assistance, reveals the location of the first shard of Valoria's broken crown, which they must retrieve to cleanse Eldervale. He also offers them a powerful magic, Tetherghasting, in exchange for the right to place the shard on the altar. After some debate, Hayjack reluctantly agrees to the deal, and the herald marks them with a glowing rune, granting Caedril a surge of magic. With newfound power, Caedril feels a sense of wholeness again, though the price of the pact remains unclear.
Chapter 5 - The Silver Shard
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As the trio travels through the Whispering Woods, tensions rise between Caedril, Spindle, and Hayjack. Caedril, excited to have his magic back, questions Hayjack about his mysterious nature, suspecting he might be a golem. Spindle, meanwhile, grapples with memories of her past as a princess and sailor, which resurface as she navigates the dark forest. The group eventually stumbles upon a ruined structure, where they uncover a stone container beneath the severed head of a statue of a forgotten king. Inside, they find the silvery shard they were sent to retrieve. However, Hayjack remains wary, aware that their actions may have unintended consequences, especially with The Veiled Queen's minion involved. As they prepare to leave, an ominous presence stirs in the depths of the forest, setting the stage for what’s to come.
Chapter 6 - The Rekindled King
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Hayjack, Spindle, and Caedril make their way through the Whispering Woods, with Hayjack troubled by the unanswered questions surrounding his identity. Their journey leads them to a mysterious altar, where they encounter the Veiled Herald. The Herald, having made a deal with them, reveals his true intentions: he demands the silver shard in exchange for granting them answers about their past. However, in a surprising turn, the Herald swaps the silver shard with a skyvault shard containing Hayjack’s lost memories. As the Herald casts a powerful spell, the sky splits and a young, translucent prince is summoned above the altar, his body incomplete and tethered by dark magic. The Herald mocks the prince, declaring him the Veiled Queen’s new pawn. With his promise fulfilled, the Herald watches as the prince is bound to the Queen’s will, leaving Hayjack and the others to face the aftermath of their deal.