Books 1 and 2 are complete! Book 1 - Sins of a Dying Empire Molam longs to return home after successfully stealing from the Empire. But the enigmatic Oracle dangles it just out of reach, assigning him another task: to steal wood from the sacred World Tree from the Empire. The task sends Molam to an Empire city on the brink of collapse, its inhabitants desperate to survive the impending Winter's Sorrow. United with a group of allies handpicked by the Oracle, Molam realizes he is the Oracle's last piece in a decades-long plan to thwart the Empire's relentless ambition to reach Heaven.  Entering the fray comes with lurking enemies, mistrust among allies, and lethal scrutiny from all sides. Continually at risk of having his lack of aura exposed, Molam relies on his wits to navigate powerful individuals with misdirection and a facade of powers. To obtain the group's help and trust, he must balance his new responsibilities against his deeper, more personal goals. There is no synopsis after Book 1 to avoid spoilers. Book 2 - Beyond a Broken HorizonExpectations:- MC has no powers in a world of magic. Wits and strategy only.- Meaty chapters averaging 3500+ words.- Expansive secondary world.- Updates once a week! (With breaks after each interlude) Come chat on Discord — I'm happy to engage with readers or other writers on writing and storytelling. Cover art by the wonderful Kiguri.