Day Two of Three of the Great Giveaway: Thurs August 27^th

A child of three could do it. Click on the link https://a.co/d/0ikMnjWd which takes you directly to THE NINE OF SWORDS Amazon page. Read the description. If it sounds intriguing to you, click the ‘Buy Now’ button, which will net you a FREE COPY of this speculative fiction novel, delivered straight to your reading device. It’s freakin’ magic! Or science! Or both - who knows! It’s a FREE book! All yours for the taking! Makes for a lovely way to spend a rainy day, or for a swell gift if you’re a cheapskate tightwad!

Either way, it’s FREE. Do it now!

C&C welcome to my first chapter

Hello! I am quite fresh on Reddit, so I apologize in advance for any strangeness or errors.

I have a high fantasy world that I have been cooking up in my head for 8 or so years now, and it has become a very important part of my life thus far.

I am a film student starting my junior year in college, making short films every now and then. Eventually, I'd like to direct feature films, and I think that I have a lot of energy and talent for it, but my dreams to see my fantasy world on the big screen will require a very long and steep journey of life first.

I have yet to actually write anything for the actual films, most of it is just random world building tidbits that have clogged up the mess of a filing cabinet that is my Google docs, and an idea in my head. I might share some of the docs that I have written, small scenes that are overly descriptive or long docs full of lore and random information, like the magic system, what dragons are like and such.

I have also made a map for Anelin, the most recent rendition I made was using rice on wrapping paper, which I have attached to this post.

I have composed (not written, sheet music is for losers [just kidding, I suck]) roughly 30 songs on the piano and the mandolin that will eventually exit my head and become the movie series official score. I have no access to or money to pay an orchestra/film composer, so I'm a little stuck on that front. I have recorded a few, but have yet to put them on my channel. I'm afraid of piracy, I suppose.

The general plot of the movies, the characters, and several scenes are flying around in vibrant detail my head, infusing themselves into my dreams, but I haven't made sense of all of it yet. If the story was a puzzle, I have nearly all the pieces, and they are generally in the right place right now.

The perfect dream for me, right now, looks like two prequel movies (I have considered one of the prequels being an animated show), a trilogy, and a spinoff "sequel". I have also considered trying to make an 8-bit RPG/dungeon crawler video game that would fill in the gaps the movies leave, but I have no programming experience or skill in 8-bit art. All of these movies revolve around the story of a central legendary sword known as Imperia, and how it affects its three prophesized "sword-bearers". The first two movies cover the first two sword bearers, and then the trilogy tells the story of the third and last bearer. Right now, the terrible placeholder title is "The Quest For Imperia: Part Blank" and I can do better than that but I can't settle on good ones.

I will "warn" that I am a Christian and although the story is not inherently or directly Christian, the world actually works within a biblical theology and the story is a fight of good versus evil, which is due in large to my fascination of the biblical battles of good and evil. I am not trying to convert anyone when I write my stories, but I don't mind showing signs of my faith and beliefs into the art I create, and in my opinion most artists cannot make art without their worldview bleeding into it.

Anyways, if you have any questions regarding Anelin's cosmology, dimensionology (I think I made that word up), regions, atmosphere, or some of the characters or plot, I am happy to answer them! I hope I can reach some people who might be interested.

​

I have been working on this manuscript for months, and I have finished 18 chapters, calling the main idea finished. So far, this has been a journey for me. I had to do research on various levels (geopolitical borders, historical events, existing lore, the works). So, what I am planning on doing is releasing my manuscript to anyone who is interested. Or I can release it chapter by chapter here and go from there.

The synopsis:

The story follows Artyom Ivanovich, a working-class boy in 1905 St. Petersburg whose life is shattered when political unrest erupts into a nightmarish clash between Tsarist forces, revolutionaries, and heretics on Bloody Sunday. What begins as civil unrest becomes a brutal awakening to the reality of Hell’s influence on the world.

After witnessing unspeakable horrors, including the death of his father and the destruction of his family and friends, Artyom is left emotionally hollow and spiritually vulnerable. In his grief, he is tempted by an entity known as Sheptun, who preys upon despair and offers power through corruption. Artyom resists, and that act of defiance draws the attention of Earnhart, an exorcist of New Antioch, who recognizes in him the rare strength to withstand infernal temptation.

Taken to the fortress-city of New Antioch, Artyom enters a world of relentless devotion, industrialized suffering, and holy warfare. There, he is tested not only for his hatred of Hell, but for whether that hatred can be transformed into purpose rather than vengeance. Meanwhile, a building threat is forming on the Levant as rumors of a cult that worships the excess and desires of Asmodeus began to spread following a drug that has been spreading through all Christendom.

Dark animated short story.
When ill create this piece i ask my self, why some people always turn to dark side. And immediately only one answer came to my mind -because throughout human history, light has covered true evil. But darkness always reveals the truth of nature and brings naturalness.
And only in darkness does light truly shine.

Six years ago I started writing as a way to deal with a hard period in my life. What began as venting turned into something much bigger than I expected — a full world, with its own history, characters, and rules. That story is called Collegara, and it still holds a lot of who I was and who I've become across those years. Now I want to turn it into something real: the first novel in a planned series.

Collegara follows a boy who inherits reality-creating powers from his father — a god. Unable to control what he's been given, and desperate to protect the people he loves, he becomes a target: manipulated by those who want to use his power for their own ends.

It draws from Game of Thrones, Kingdom Hearts, and The Legend of Zelda, and its themes are friendship, abandonment, and love — the same things I was working through when I started writing it.

But what do i truly need?

What I need now is a team to help bring it to life:

• An author (most important role) — someone to help actually write the novel with me
• An artist — to help visualize characters and the world
• Help with socials — building a presence as the project grows

This is a collaborative project — I'm not looking to hire anyone, I'm looking to build this together with people who want real creative ownership in it.

If a story that started as something personal and grew into a whole world sounds like something you'd want to help build, I'd love to hear from you.

The Great Giveaway begins!

Go to the link provided in the comments to get your FREE copy of my final speculative fiction novel, THE NINE OF SWORDS. That link will take you to its Amazon page. Click on the ‘Buy Now’ button. And magical cybernetic fairies [or technological macho-bro’s, depending upon your preference] will deliver your FREE book straight to your Kindle or other reading device.

It’s FREE. Do it now!

https://a.co/d/0ikMnjWd

“There’s a lot to know... but where should I start?”

As Leo was lost in his thoughts, a familiar voice came from behind him.

“Start with the Legendary Ones.”

“What? Who?” Leo turned around, and the moment he saw the person behind him, he said, “Shilad?”

Shilad smiled. “I’m confused too, but not because of Kaiser. I think the story is kind of childish. It feels like some writer created an overpowered character and then wanted to get rid of him.”

Leo laughed. “You’re right. How could just a few people stop a monster who ruled over almost two worlds?”

“Anyway...” Shilad said, his tone changing slightly. “Have you been having strange dreams lately?”

Leo looked at him in confusion. “No. Why? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know... Last night, I had a strange, blurry dream. I was standing in the middle of ruins. The sky was red, and someone was standing beside me. Then he said to me, ‘Are you ready for...’”

Shilad paused for a moment.

“Then I woke up.”

Leo said without much concern, “It was just a bad dream. You should get some rest.”

“Alright... Are you going to keep searching?”

Leo smiled. “As if I’d say no.”

He then turned and walked away, while Shilad remained standing there for a few moments, staring at the path where Leo had disappeared.

Shilad muttered to himself:

“It wasn’t a bad dream... I don’t dream.”

The Boy Made of Moonlight

Under a sky where the moon never seems to set, a mysterious boy appears in a quiet village orchard—beautiful, otherworldly, and seemingly made from moonlight itself.

When a curious young woman discovers him, she learns that he can only exist beneath the moon and that every sunrise brings him closer to disappearing forever. As their friendship deepens, she begins uncovering the ancient secret behind his existence—and the forgotten promise that has kept him trapped between the human world and the supernatural.

But something else is searching for him.

With time running out, she must decide how far she is willing to go to save someone who was never meant to belong to her world. A haunting tale of mystery, magic, sacrifice, and an impossible connection between two souls separated by the night.

MEDAR

It is said that wherever there is evil, there is also good. But what connects them?

"Kaiser, a tyrannical and domineering dictator, emerged from the depths of Ferna. He ruled the Underworld alone and coveted the beloved Ovela, but the world cried out for help, and legendary heroes answered the call. They stood against the nightmare, a nightmare standing at the gates of death. With all their might, yet he still had the upper hand. The war lasted for a time we cannot precisely determine, but the heroes ultimately triumphed and restored peace to the world.”

A hand shot up from among the students: “But professor, there’s something illogical here. No single race in our world could have done what Kaiser did all by himself.”

The professor replied, “The only thing recorded in history is that Kaiser came from the depths of the scorched lands of Ferna.”

“Is he a magical being? Or was he created by some unknown force?” Questions swirled in their minds, searching for an answer.

The professor: “Listen to me... History is incomplete, so even if we try to understand what happened, we won’t reach any meaningful conclusion.”

*Ring* “Class is over. Have a nice day, and Leo, don’t overthink it.”

*On his way home* “Incomplete history, a strange entity. Kaiser, you’re starting to pique my interest.”

Sup my wowza readers! Here is part 4 to my short story. Enjoy and happy reading!

Part 4 “Beware of the Living Vacuum”

Mani and Bol had gone their separate ways after their Co-Zopods informed them that fighting was basically useless especially when it’s a 1 versus 1. The point of the game is to cause the most destruction by eliminating the planets. Although both players were not satisfied with the ending to their battle, they listened to their bonds. Both had been using their unique blasts around the solar system, causing lots of explosions. Bol found out that by charging his blast, he can create a tidal wave similar to a tsunami on earth that swallowed up many rocky planet around him while Mani was able to something very unique with hers. “Whoa! Majestic! Did you see that?! I can control where my blasts go!” Majestic speaks. “Yes. The surface of it is sticky, like gum or sap on your world. Try using it to grab a floating asteroid.” Her Co-Zopod suggested. Mani launches out a magenta blast from her palms. She grabs a hold of it and yanks back to control the direction of where it was going. She guides it onto an asteroid then pulls it back towards her. “Ok…now how do I make this deadlier?” She thought. Majestic speaks. “Due to the flow of our Co-Zenergy, that asteroid is now filled with its power. Strike it upon anything will cause an explosion. Go on and try it.” Mani wipes the asteroid onto another asteroid. The collision causes a magenta explosion. “Whoa! That was so cool…I’m going to try and destroy a planet with his tactic.” While Mani was using debris and asteroids to throw down onto handfuls of rocky planets, she feels a fierce rumble in the distance. “Hm? What was that? A grand battle going on?” Her bond doesn’t speak. “I’m still a little annoyed I didn’t beat up Bol. That would have been nice.”

“Get out of the way!” Bol shouted at Mani. He was chasing down an unusual object that looked to be an electric lime green colored serpent. However, the object quickly transformed into a giant spiral that quickly devoured all of the teal and magenta energy around the area.

“WHAT THE!? HEY! SCREW OFF!” Mani yelled. She tries to fly after the creature, but she was quickly kicked away by Bol.

“I told you to stay out of my way!” Bol stated firmly. He flies off to chase down the object.

“Ahh…jerk-face…” Mani cured. “Majestic, what in the world was that? It looked like a satellite? Or an energy ball?” Majestic speaks. “Neither. That is a living being that dwells in random pats of the Universe. It is called the ‘Living Vacuum’. It feasts upon pure energy in the Universe. Wherever its highly produced, you can count on their visit. This is most troubling news.” Mani didn’t like the sound of that.

Bol catches up with the Living Vacuum, but it uses its tail to swing down at Bol, who takes a direct hit. “Damn…this thing is super strong.” Naatohko speaks. “Is it alright if I speak?” The Living Vacuum flies off to consume more energy around the solar system. Bol follows it closely. “Yeah, that’s fine. You said this thing was a Living Vacuum?” Naatohko speaks again. “Yes. Its purpose is to consume all pure energy. That is how it lives, that is how it thrives.” Bol flies closer to the creature. “How can I defeat it?” Its tail snatches Bol as it suddenly turns to face him. It tightens its grasp around his body. When Bol stares up at its face for any kind of feature, he doesn’t see anything but bouncing light or maybe even atoms roaming within its body. Whatever it was, Bol had to turn away to avoid his eyes from looking directly into it due to early signs of vertigo. Naatohko speaks again. “Definitely not by physical means.” Bol scoffs. “I can…clearly see that!” He charges up his eyes to unleash a blast of Zenergy, but he felt as if his energy was draining little by little. “Huh? What’s going on?” Bol asked nervously. “Why does it feel its…is it actually…?” Naatohko speaks again. “Yes. As I stated before, Bol. You went in too rash.” Before Bol could reply, he notices a magenta beam whipping around his blind side. Attached to the beam’s tip was a large chunk of debris. It collides with the Living Vacuum which releases Bol from its grasp. “What the!?” Bol shouted. Mani appears overhead.

“Got it Majestic! Huh? Wait! I helped out that Bol guy on accident!” Mani exclaimed. “Did you actually get caught by that thing? Hahaha!” Mani teased. Bol grunts to himself. The Living Vacuum thrusts wildly forward trying to grab both Mani and Bol. Luckily, they managed to move out of harm’s way and instinctively shoot down blasts of loose Zenergy (without their unique forms). The creature’s body quickly absorbs the blast right into its body. It turns to face the two combatants. “Whoa…So, our blasts don’t do anything. Majestic, how can we defeat it?” Majestic speaks. “A helping hand is always welcome.” Mani did not like the sound of this.

Naatohko speaks. “Hm. This may work out in our favor, Bol.” Bol stiffens his muscles while his eyes dart from Mani to the creature. “Explain.” Naatohko speaks again. “Inform Mani the way to defeat this creature. You will NOT defeat this by yourself. And it will NOT stop attacking you, now that it has a taste of both of your energy. Fighting together is the only way.” Bol tightens his fists. “I refuse! I’ll be greater! I’ll show everyone!” He flies forward, much to Mani’s surprise.

“Wait!” Mani shouts for him. The Living Vacuum waits. Bol unleashes a powerful wave of Zenergy. The Living Vacuum not only absorbs the attack, but it swings its powerful tail that smacks Bol away into several asteroids. “You dummy!” Mani shouted. The creature leaps at Mani, who manages to dodge it last minute, before she too was truck by its tail. “Ahh! Majestic! What should we do!?” Majestic speaks. “The boy is prideful. This may not work…but I have a feeling you’ll think of something.” Mani blinds. “What the hell are you talking about Majestic?! Is there a way for you to speak with his bond?” Mani flies away from the creature. It gives chase, quickly building up speed to match a bullet. Even with Mani’s amazing powers, it wasn’t enough to avoid being tackled by the creature. Bol appears in the nick of time before she was fully injected by it. A tsunami wave washes over the creature, knocking it backwards. This victory was short lived though, as the creature’s body immediately absorbs it all. Bol squints as he spots something anew. Majestic speaks. “No, it is up to the boy to listen to reason.”

“It’s body…grew?” Bol said out loud. Mani questions what he just stated, but he ignores her. Naatohko speaks. “You really don’t listen? It’s not that hard to do so.” Bol charges up his attack again. “Don’t patronize me. I know exactly what you said. It feeds on energy; you cannot fight it alone. You have to overpower it. And that’s exactly what I am going to do.” Naatohko speaks again. “So, you fight alone when I, your bond, says it cannot be done? You are purposefully choosing to ignore my heeds, just as you do on your world with anyone. The choices you make are YOURS to atone for.” Bol punches a nearby asteroid out of his way. “Shut up. You don’t know me. Stop acting like you do.” Naatohko speaks again. “I know more about you then you will ever know. The memories, the abandonment, the neglect, the pain...I feel everything you have felt since you were a child. What happened in the past should never be forgotten, but you must allow yourself to move past it.” Bol unleashes another tsunami wave of Zenergy towards the creature. “What is this? A Therapy session? Fuck off and do what you’re supposed to do!” Bol angrily shouted out loud. Mani is taken aback. “I am. As your bond. I am you as you are me. We share our memories. We share our pain.” Bol is struck by the creature and incoming asteroids. “We share. Nothing.” Bol firmly stated. Naatohko speaks again. “Its alright to be angry. There’s nothing wrong with that. Change is difficult, but in the end, change is what makes you grow as an individual. What will you do, Bol?” Bol goes silent, his bond’s words remind him of Ru and his honesty. The moment Ru spoke directly at him was the first time he had actually listened and even gain respect for an adult. Out of the blue, he felt something sticky smack his backside. Before he could process what was going on, Mani yanks him away from the Living Vacuum.

“Hey! Ya big idiot! We gotta work together! Like my bond said! And probably what you’re bond is trying to tell you!” Mani yelled out while she swings him around. Bol was demanding what she let him go, but the Living Vacuum chased Bol again. “Majestic, do these things go after energies they like the most?” Majestic speaks. “Yes.” Mani yanks back her flexible blast to propel Boll away from the creature. “Stop that yapping and help me defeat this thing! Use your power! I can’t do anything to it but annoy it! You’ll be the one to bring it down, but we have to do this TOGETHER!”

Bol grunts to himself. “Fine! Don’t you dare make me look foolish!” Right as he says this, the creature whips forward to try and consume him. Mani pulls Bol out of the way in the nick of time. Bol charges up his unique blast while Naatohko speaks to Bol. “Allow your charges to go on longer for greater affect, Bol. She is right. You will be the one to bring it down, but only with her help.” Bol grunts under his breath. “Like a broken record player.” Mani’s theory about the Living Vacuum was right. It did not pay any attention to her. Instead, all of its focus was on Bol, who was delivering thick amounts of tsunami sized waves onto the creature. It grew larger and larger as Mani pulls and whips around Bol with ease. A few times the creature nearly gets him, but Mani would immediately zip him back as if a fisher was playing with its catch.

“STOP IT FROM EATING ME!” Wyatt cries out as he tries to throw large spirit balls (he calls them) onto the creature’s mouth. It cries to gulp him down its mouth-like opening. “I’m not trying to get eaten! That’s like my worst fear!!” Wyatt yells. Tashunka laughs while Omar keeps the creature at bay with his large slashes he calls ‘space cutters’ (a nod to JJK’s King of Curses he considers quite the manga).

“That’s right Omar and Destroyer. Keep it right there for Tars and I to deal with. Tars? Are ya with me!?” Tashunka stated proudly as he felt incredible surges of Zenergy flow around his chest. Tars mimics its host laugh. “Of course! Let it rip!” Together, their laser beam zooms out from his chest and lands a great deal of Zenergy onto the creature (and hilariously blowing Wyatt out of its mouth!).

Omar nods. “My space cutters helped out, didn’t they?” He asks Tashunka, who was too busy high-fiving himself. Destroyer speaks. “Yes, you were a great deal of help.”

Wyatt floats back over towards his teammates. “Thanks a lot.” He muttered.

Over where the girls were, they were also finishing up with dealing with their own Living Vacuum. Saba and Zainab were very frustrated with it, since it was gobbling up all of the Zenergy left over from their destruction of the rocky planets. “AHH! Stop it you big stupid dumb idiotic son of a bi-Zainab was cut off by Saba. She pulls her best friend backwards before the creature swallowed her whole.

“You really need to pay attention to your surroundings.” Saba commented as she smacks her forehead.

Zainab huffs. “Hmph. I’m alive, aren’t I?” She firmly states while throwing out more of her magenta ghosts towards the creature. Niihkóó gives out a sigh. “Some people just don’t ever learn.” Zainab growls lightly as they focused on the creature. Noor dodges the creatures tackle, then unleashes a fully charged unique blast from her hands in the shape of a triangle. The unique blast is in the shape of a giant beam triangle where she is able to produce dozens of them as long as she keeps her hand sign together. Noor is able to move like fluid around the creature thanks to her bond and enhanced body. Saba and Zainab, both watch her with wide eyes. They couldn’t believe how great and powerful Noor was. She was able to overloads the Living Vacuum herself (although it should be noted that the other two girls helped out too). Saba thought Noor was a pushover! “Whose this chick?” Zainab sassed.

Saba blinks since she hadn’t closed her eyes since she watched Noor’s battle. “That’s amazing. She did it all herself.”

Zainab looks annoyed at her best friend. “Hey moron! We helped out too!” Noor waves over towards her teammates. They fly over towards her to praise her (only Saba). Back over towards Bol and Mani, they were double teaming the Living Vacuum, and their teamwork was met with success. Together, Bol was able to easily overload it with Zenergy. Mani lets out a little cheer before Bol kicks her away from him.

“What is your problem!?” Mani demanded.

Bol shoots her an angry look. “We’re still playing a competitive game, dumbass.” With that, he takes his leave.

Mani floats in space for a moment, blushing from embarrassment. Majestic speaks. “Although you both had to work together in order to defeat the Living Vacuum, he isn’t wrong you know?” Mani waves her arms wildly up and down as he continues to float. “I know! But that was very rude, you know!?”

Bol flies off towards a group of rocky planets. He makes quick work of all of the planets, but something weighted on his mind. His bond could obviously feel it. Naatohko speaks. “What is on your mind?” Bol hesitates before he speaks. “How did we overpower that creature? It should have attacked both of us, logically speaking. So why didn’t it?” Naatohko speaks again. “They are not known for being intelligent, just dangerous. Its attention fixes on what it wants to devour the most. Your energy was quite delectable.” Bol says nothing. He returns to causing supercritical on the rocky planets around him. Naatohko speaks again. “How did it feel Bol?” The young man didn’t need for his bond to explain his question. Bol hesitates to answer, but he does after being quiet for a minute. “Alright I guess.”

BOOOOM!! KABOOOOOM!! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! The boys and girls were obliterating planets left and right as they caused supercritical processes throughout the solar system. Although they had that itch where they wanted to get back into combat with the other team, they focused on the actual game. The solar system became filled with magenta and teal explosions. A few times a couple more Living Vacuums appeared from the explosions of high levels of Zenergy, but they were dealt with quickly. Bol even made a surprise appearance with the boys. “Huh?” Wyatt notices a tsunami wave of Zenergy engulfed the creature entirely. “Whoa! Nice one, Bol.” Wyatt complimented Bol said nothing, but he remained with the boys. Soon, it was time for the gam to end. Just as Ru stated, what felt like the entire solar system itself became an unbearable beam of solar light produced by the double sun (two suns attached to each other) glowed its godly shine. Several of the young teens believed this was probably just a small example of his God’s light would greet them at Heaven’s gate. Overhead, Ru appeared.

“That is the grand end to Farspace Planetburst! Come on up everyone!” Ru called out.

The Myth of Bali Max Rio: Before Everything

Before existence.

Before nonexistence.

Before beginnings, endings, time, space, reality, unreality, possibility, impossibility, and every concept that would one day emerge from them—

There was Bali Max Rio.

Yet Bali was not alone.

There were other presences within that state beyond all states. Some are said to have existed before Bali, though “before” is not truly the correct word.

There was no time.

No order.

No sequence by which such a statement could be measured.

Nevertheless, they were.

Among them was a being known only as The One Who Created The First Boundary.

It desired that nothing should ever exist.

Not emptiness.

Not void.

Not even nothingness.

For even those are things.

It desired absolute absence.

And so it bound Bali in chains.

The first boundaries.

The first restrictions.

The first limitations.

Yet Bali desired something different.

He desired freedom.

Not freedom within limits.

Not freedom beyond limits.

Freedom without the possibility of limitation.

He desired to be truly unbounded.

And so Bali hated the chains.

Not intentionally.

Not consciously.

The hatred was accidental.

Yet that accidental hatred became the first fracture.

And from that fracture emerged Everything and Nothing.

The first boundaries shattered.

Or perhaps they transformed.

Accounts differ.

What remained became concepts.

Definitions.

Principles.

Reality itself.

Many believe these were the remnants of the First Boundary.

Others argue they were something entirely new.

No agreement has ever endured.

Yet one belief appears throughout nearly every account:

The boundaries no longer held Bali in the way they once had.

Whether that means they ceased to apply entirely remains disputed.

The Shedding

After the fracture, Bali began to shed.

Not pieces of himself.

Not power.

Not aspects.

He shed boundaries.

Time.

Space.

Life.

Death.

Creation.

Destruction.

Reality.

Fantasy.

Knowledge.

Ignorance.

Love.

Hate.

Existence.

Nonexistence.

Infinity.

Stories.

Narratives.

Power.

Weakness.

Meaning.

Meaninglessness.

The list has no ending.

For every concept that exists, and every concept that does not, there exists some tradition claiming it was once shed by Bali.

These discarded remnants became known as Former Boundaries.

Everything known is among them.

Everything unknown is among them.

Everything beyond those categories is among them.

Yet debate persists regarding Bali himself.

Some claim he stands completely apart from the Former Boundaries.

Others argue that if Bali can still be distinguished from them, then some boundary must remain.

No consensus has ever survived.

The Former Boundary Called “What If”

Among the Former Boundaries, one is considered uniquely strange.

What If.

The Former Boundary of alternatives.

Possibilities.

Divergences.

Hypotheticals.

What If can create alternate versions of nearly anything.

Even versions resembling Bali.

Yet none have ever been accepted as truly being Bali.

Some collapse into contradiction.

Others become indistinguishable from lesser possibilities.

And some simply vanish from all records.

Thus a common saying emerged:

“There may be countless reflections of Bali.

But there has only ever been one Bali Max Rio.”

Whether this statement is true remains unknown.

Yet no successful challenge has endured.

Godnirabackolax

Before Bali.

Or perhaps alongside him.

Or perhaps neither.

There was Godnirabackolax.

Unlike Bali, Godnira was never bound.

There were no chains.

No restrictions.

No imposed limitations.

Nothing was ever placed upon it.

This distinction would eventually become the center of the greatest debate within the Unbounded Domain.

If Bali became unbounded by overcoming boundaries, then his freedom is an achievement.

If Godnira never possessed boundaries at all, then perhaps it never needed freedom.

Which state is truly more unbounded?

No answer has ever remained uncontested.

Some argue Bali surpassed limitation.

Others argue Godnira existed beyond the need to surpass anything.

Neither position has silenced the other.

The Unbounded Domain

One day, a realm made a terrible mistake.

It attempted to observe something that could not be observed.

To contact something that could not be contacted.

To understand something that could not be understood.

The consequence was immediate.

The realm collapsed into irrelevance.

Yet somehow it remained.

A fragment persisted.

This fragment became known as the Unbounded Domain.

There, discussions began.

Questions spread.

Arguments emerged.

And among all mysteries, one became greater than the rest.

Is Bali Max Rio truly unbounded?

Some answer yes.

They point to the fracture.

The shedding.

The Former Boundaries.

The countless limitations said to have fallen away.

Others answer no.

They ask a simpler question:

If Bali can still be named,

can still be spoken of,

can still be distinguished from what he is not,

then has every boundary truly disappeared?

No answer has ever been accepted.

No answer has ever remained unquestioned.

And so the greatest question continues.

Is Bali Max Rio truly unbounded?

First time writer here. I found out about a Honeyfeed writing contest late. So I've got about half the time most of the other heavy hitters had to work on theirs.

But, I came up with an epic heroine I think is worth sharing and the world she inhabits has some interesting magic.

As this is my first attempt at writing, I'd love some feedback from anyone willing to give it a read!

https://www.honeyfeed.fm/novels/32992 (I think according to the contest rules, I can't post the story itself anywhere else, so adding the link for it)

It's about the titular Elementary Witch, Eleri Cadle, on her journey to claim her seat among the strongest.