Hello everyone. Just thought I'd stop by to give you all some insight into some change of plans.

  1. Firstly, I have been editing earlier chapters with Rewrites, and expect that to be done either today or tomorrow. This should include everything up to Chapter 26, to correct some consistency errors around language, characterisation, and other minutiae. It should also create a much smoother re-read when done. Currently, tidied-up Chapters are marked as [Rewritten].

  2. Secondly, I have come to realise that I cannot justify dragging Cataclysm Rising out all the way to the Rite of Ascension, because at my current word count, it would be extremely rushed. Therefore, the novel will end and transition to Book 2 sooner than planned. This is good, because it means I can do the Rite of Ascension Arc justice, and also because it means I'll get back on track with my Aethon contract and deliver them the first manuscript.

  3. Thirdly, I will be cutting Khan. He was a fun concept, but I don't really have room for him in my extremely vague mental outline. He may make a return, but I want to focus more on the Shakespearean family drama and the various politics of nearby Transmigrated Fantasies surrounding Dawnhaven. Book 2 will be heavily focused on this, so it feels like the right choice.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  4. I will be making some edits to small parts of the novel around timeline and consistency, including a possible change to make Leonidas' first day back on Earth not include all it does. I may give our boy a bit more of a break, but this is still undecided.

  5. Finally, I will be cleaning up Leonidas' characterisation and portrayal, specifically, especially surrounding earlier chapters and more uncertain writing. Some of the critiques around his relationship with Ceruviel, feeling coerced or lacking agency, will be addressed; some won't. I am mostly happy with how that affiliation mapped out, but there is room for some improvement for sure.

  Finally, I want to thank you all for sticking with the story, and thank you especially for being patient with my hiatuses. As a gesture of my thanks, I have attached a preview of the Book 2 cover to this post. A Chapter might be up today, but more likely tomorrow, so stay tuned!

  Any feedback, questions, concerns, or other input is welcome. I will answer each comment to the best of my ability.

  Cheers.

  BOOK 2 COVER CONCEPT (TITLE NOT FINAL)