General tropes: Sci-fi + Xianxia/LitRPG-abstracted power system. Readers can expect: action, space opera politics, war, science fiction, in-depth world building interspersed with long and occasionally meditative conversations.  This story is about: the shadow politics of great houses, the exigencies of war, the control and exploitation of resources in the name of some nebulous goal; and, caught in the middle of it all, a common and introspective soul fighting like hell to change his received destiny. Nothing is so much as set in stone in the world of Manifold. Release rate: About 2-3 chapters a week. Manifold is intended to be a long journey, and will therefore be a slow burn. For a thousand years since the collapse of the interplanetary Old Empire, the trajectory of individual lives have been controlled by curious artifacts–Destiny Incunabula–gifted to each person in their 18th year. From birth to death, each individual's story is written and rewritten according to the power of their Incunabulum. In a world of unceasing competition, stories clash. Unimaginable power, vast wealth, profound knowledge–even control over other Incunabula–none of these are beyond the reach of those blessed enough to receive a Golden Incunabula from the Library at the Edge.  But at 18 years of age, Betelgeuse Sakar is gifted an ashen-colored Incunabula, the lowest-grade and most common of artifacts. In seconds, his life is decided for him–a one-way trip to the Sylvan Protectorate on the planet Desert, at the very edge of human civilization, where he will be drafted into the endless war against the Chimerae, alien creatures whose sole purpose for existence is the extermination of the human race. His destiny is clear: to serve as cannon fodder, one amongst many, to sustain the vast and apathetic Democracy, the greatest of all interstellar human empires that ever was and ever will be. Which is everything a mere Ash grade should want, for in the time-honored tradition of the human race, it is right for inferiors to sacrifice everything on the altar. Humiliation? It was Betelgeuse' great honor to serve and die for the great Democracy! But Betelgeuse is unwilling to accept the Bishopric's interpretation of the Scriptures, nor does he believe in the invulnerability of the Golden Incunabula. In the end, unto the end of all things, he fights for himself! This story is intended to be a slow burn of interstellar scale; from abused cadet to bloodthirsty warlord and beyond, Betelgeuse' story will take him throughout the universe across locales barren, bursting with life or overshadowed by concrete—in search of the secret to remaking his destiny.  Do comment if possible-any feedback and criticism is welcome!