In the blackest stone, a flaming rose may bloom. Twenty-five years ago, Anarra Deimos was left on the doorstep of the Monastery of the Sacred Eye; in her eyes, the spark of magic flamed brightly. Shamed and punished by the clergy whenever her blood-born abilities would manifest, the young girl grew bitter and resentful. Mage academies and sorcerous masters sought her release: "teach the girl, let us show her control, and a better path" they said, to deaf ears. Alone and with no other recourse, she planned to take her freedom by any means necessary. To that end, she waited patiently, obeying the clergy while gathering secret courage and fostering her inborn abilities. And then that day finally came. Now, the monastery is a burnt ruin. None can say whether or not Anarra was born wicked and cruel, but that is the woman she is now: seeking power, wealth, and dominance through whatever means she can muster, bent on subjugating as many as she can under the heel of her boots and the lash of her whip. What To Expect I've always loved picking the evil option in video games. I've long since wanted to write a story featuring a bad-to-the-bone villainess, a femme fatale; sexy, cruel, power-hungry, with plenty of attitude. That's this story. I have high standards for myself, so I waited until I felt I was a talented enough writer to make it a reality. What you'll see: gritty adventuring, politics, betrayal, rich worldbuilding and lore, mysteries, suspense, seduction, and carnage. Expect a dark revenge story of one woman's rise to power. Update Schedule For now, I am aiming for 3-5 chapters a week as I "feel out" a good update schedule.