AUTHOR NOTES – INTERLUDE INTRODUCTION

Dear Readers,

First of all, thank you for diving into Echoes of the End. Your feedback has been invaluable, and I’m excited to share a new addition to the story—a 4-chapter interlude that expands on the world of Blackthorn, the Mark, and the history behind Eleanor and Lena.

I’ve received many reviews mentioning that the background of the story and the characters’ backstories were unclear or felt rushed. I hear you! The goal of this interlude is to:

1. Clarify the world-building: Explore the origins of Blackthorn, its eerie connection to the Mark, and the strange forces that haunt the town. You’ll get a clearer picture of why the Obelisk and the Mark hold such significance.

2. Develop the characters: Delve into Eleanor and Lena’s childhood, their bond, and what shaped their personalities. This interlude highlights Lena’s admiration for Eleanor, her possessive loyalty, and her eventual resolve to stand by her sister—no matter how dark the path becomes.

3. Reveal family secrets: The interlude sheds light on the sisters’ parents, the Codex Umbra, and the family’s deep ties to the strange occurrences in Blackthorn. It will provide much-needed context for the events that unfold later in the story.

4. Set the stage for the future: These chapters lay important groundwork for the escalating plot and foreshadow Lena’s growing role as a secondary protagonist. Her choices will become just as pivotal as Eleanor’s as the story progresses.

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WHERE TO READ THE INTERLUDE

This interlude takes place between Chapters 4 and 5. It’s designed as a “pause” in the main narrative—a chance to breathe, reflect, and uncover the deeper layers of the story. While the mystery and action will continue in Chapter 5, the interlude ensures you’ll understand the emotional stakes and the history driving Eleanor and Lena forward.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Here’s what you can expect in the interlude:

* Chapter 1: Foundations of Blackthorn

The origins of Blackthorn and the first whispers of the Mark.

* Chapter 2: The Shadow’s Claim

The family’s legacy, the Mark’s influence, and its tragic cost.

* Chapter 3: A Sister’s Promise

Lena’s perspective on Eleanor—her admiration, her possessiveness, and the promise she made as a child.

* Chapter 4: Whispers of the Forgotten

The disappearance of the sisters’ parents and Lena’s growing fear of the shadows that bind them.

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WHY THIS MATTERS

The interlude enriches the story without disrupting its flow. By slowing down here, we’ll dive deeper into the characters and the world so that every event that follows—every choice Eleanor and Lena make—feels more impactful.

Thank you again for your support and for sharing this journey with me. I hope this interlude brings the clarity and depth you’ve been waiting for.

Let me know what you think—your feedback continues to inspire and guide me.

Onward to the darkness,

LightChaser