The Ethermal Chronicles - Chapter 11: The Robotic Emperor

Welcome! If you want to jump in without any spoilers, feel free. Otherwise, here's a story primer, with a list of more specifics on what to expect from my work further below.Our story follows a fallen knight haunted by his past, in a world afflicted by war and supernatural wounds. Alken is the Headsman of Seydis, an executioner tasked by the divine powers of his homeland to hunt dark sorcerers, warlords, and traitors of all varieties, lest they drag the world into calamity.Once a paladin, this role ill suits him. Forced to cross lines that shake his beliefs, tempted by dark forces, and seen as an ill omen wherever he wanders, his path is often a bloody one. The longer he spends in the shadows of his world, the more he comes to realize just how many have been disenfranchised by the existent order. During his lonely battles through a land haunted by the restless dead and ancient magics, his journey becomes increasingly strange and personal.Enter a realm where the dead stir in every shadow and brooding demigods wage a millennia long war for a ruined heaven, where blessed knights wield gilded flames and sorcerers battle with weapons forged of their own souls. Enter a world of faustian alchemists, of saintly demons, and of time-weary elves.From Oathbreaker you can expect— A setting heavily inspired by Forgotten Realms, Planescape, Fromsoft games, and authors such as Michael Moorcock and Kentauro Miura. — A first person POV from an older protagonist who already knows a lot about his world’s history and cultures, who shares this information with the reader as it becomes relevant.— A mix of action adventure and quieter moments where the focus is on character development. Lore is shared piecemeal, usually only as it relates to a particular arc or character beat.— A heavy focus on mystery, both with the setting and the protagonist. The main character’s backstory isn’t shared up front, and a lot of the narrative involves learning about him a bit at a time, either from his own narration or other characters interacting with him.— A semi-soft magic system where many mages manifest unique powers tied to their own soul, or gain unique powers through eldritch pacts.— Romantic elements. These don’t crop up much until later in the story.— A variety of supernatural beings, such as elves, vampires, gargoyles, chimera, and trolls. Many are familiar, some are not, and most of the familiar ones have my own twists put on them.—Nobledark fantasy. This means that the world is often themed around tragedy and horror, but it’s not dedicated to being gritty. There are elements of high fantasy intermixed with the scarier stuff.—Episodic arcs. Each story arc usually has a specific locale and antagonist or set of antagonists, but certain overarching plots tie them together.— A long running narrative. I don’t have a specific projection of how long or how many arcs or books, but you should expect this to be equivalent to a long running serialized work.This is my first web serial! I hope everyone enjoys it. For trigger warnings, readers should beware that there are some heavy topics in here. When I think something might upset certain readers, I’ll put a warning in the author notes above a chapter. If I miss or overlook anything, feel free to let me know in the comments! I am currently publishing the same story on my wordpress, which is linked below and in my profile. I release three chapters a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Thanks for reading!(I originally had a link to a wordpress, but I'm in the process of overhauling that space. It's not a priority since my readership is all here, but just in case anyone noticed and was wondering)

When Skye Moonstone’s wedding is interrupted by her former, supposedly deceased betrothed: her life becomes a series of complications, mystery, and excitement.

Knowing only of the boy that he used to be, Skye finds herself drawn to the man that Prince Tidas has become. Intelligent, strong, and charismatic; he had decided long ago to do whatever it takes to protect the love of his life. No matter the risk to his body or soul..

Throughout her many trials, Skye will learn that her home, family, and even personal history are all stories meant to keep her safe. That her true purpose is not just to save her love, but her entire world. The fates of both Humans and Fae alike will rest upon her shoulders..

Intrigue, legends, and her place in it all will lead Skye down a path that she knows she may not come back from. But to save the lives of her loved ones, she’ll risk her very existence..

Whatever it takes to save them.

Magic, Fae, War, Fate; they all reside within this epic love tale of fantasy. All can be found within the Dawning Skye.. One simply needs to look.

There was a big scandal in the Mu family.

The real daughter of the Mu family was switched by the nanny since she was a child. The Mu family didn’t bring her back from countryside until 17 years later!

After the true daughter returned – There was no affection, only sympathy.

The Mu family parents asked her, “We have a deep relationship with Yaoyao. We can’t let her lose face. We can only announce you as an adopted daughter to the outside world. You won’t blame us, right?”

Her fiancée also said: “My fiancée can only be Yaoyao! Get out of here country bumpkin.”

The attitude of her older brother Mu Qingyi was even more complicated.

Yet despite all that, the real daughter, Xu Xinduo, said indifferently, “It doesn’t matter.”

***

From a young age Xu Xinduo could swap bodies with a certain teenager. That teenager would always exclaim in an annoyed tone, “Let’s switch bodies, I just don’t feel like taking piano lessons.

Xu Xinduo helped the teenager to win various trophies, become a top student and honed his noble temperament and talent after taking over his body.

***

At a banquet, everyone in the Mu family watched as a rich young master strode towards Xu Xinduo and said, “Be my girlfriend, although you are from a small family… you are very beautiful.”

With a smile Xu Xinduo replied, “I’m starting to miss my parents already.”

Such a quick change of attitude?!

The romantic story of the indifferent real daughter x a filthy rich despotic young master

Note: Here “switching bodies” means swapping of souls. It’s temporary and doesn’t involve any physical changes.

Wang Bin unexpectedly gained the ability to travel between the post-apocalyptic world and the real world. In the apocalypse, he organized a powerful team and continuously transported gold back to the real world.Using the gold from the apocalypse, Wang Bin built a commercial empire in the real world, eventually becoming the wealthiest person on Earth. His every word and action could influence the rise and fall of entire nations.At the same time, his development in the apocalypse was equally impressive.Through countless brutal battles, he ultimately established the largest and safest settlement in the dying apocalyptic world, making an extraordinary contribution to the survival of humanity.