Welcome to the World of “Veil of the Abyss”
Hi everyone,
My name is Jatin Kainth, and I am your author. First, let me thank you for picking up my debut novel, Veil of the Abyss. This is the first time I’ve ever ventured into the realm of storytelling, and I couldn’t be more excited to share this journey with you.
This book is far from perfect, and I’m still learning the ropes of writing. I’ve missed some details along the way, and I deeply apologize for that. For instance, I started diving into the chapters without properly explaining the fundamental laws of the world or how its unique power systems work. But don’t worry—I’ll address those gaps here in this introductory chapter.
If I still manage to miss something, I’d love for you to let me know. Your feedback will help me grow as a writer and make this story even better. So, let’s step into the world of Gloamara together, and I’ll walk you through its wonders, its dangers, and the forces that shape it.
The World of Gloamara
Gloamara, a name derived from “gloam” (twilight) and “ara” (land), is a realm eternally kissed by dusk. For thousands of years, it was a land of happiness and prosperity. Its people lived in harmony, their lives intertwined with the gentle rhythms of nature. But such peace is rarely everlasting.
One fateful day, darkness surged from the depths of the Abyss, corrupting everything it touched. Monsters, creatures of unimaginable horror, began to emerge, and a plague spread like wildfire. The once-peaceful people, despite their strength and knowledge, struggled to defend themselves. Wars broke out, alliances fractured, and Gloamara descended into chaos.
Amid this turmoil, humanity endured. Times of hardship forged them into resilient warriors, and they fought back, clawing their way toward peace. Yet the shadows of danger still linger, just beyond reach.
Our main character
Our story begins in the town of Duskwood, nestled within the domain of Count Lucien Darius Valerian de Roman. This domain belongs to the Kingdom of Thaloria, a land to the east of the continent, renowned for its rich culture, magical traditions, and diverse landscapes.
The protagonist, whose past will unfold as the story progresses, is a member of a guild known as the Azure Axe, led by his mentor, Albert Rodrick. Together with his companions, he finds himself at the heart of the brewing storm, where danger and mystery intertwine.
The Magic of Gloamara
Magic in the world of Gloamara is an extraordinary and elusive force that manifests in various forms, weaving itself into the fabric of life. It is not merely a tool of power but a profound gift, requiring discipline, study, and an innate spark to wield effectively. Despite its existence, magic remains a privilege few can master, shrouded in mystery and guarded by those in power.
The Origins and Nature of Magic
Magic is an internal force, emanating from within the wielder's soul and essence. It differs fundamentally from the external energy of Aura, drawing instead on the latent potential that lies dormant within specific individuals.
* Magic is a manifestation of the elemental forces of the world—fire, water, air, earth, light, and darkness.
* It is not inherently learned; rather, one must first possess the innate capacity to awaken their magical abilities before they can begin to train in its use.
The Awakening of Magic
Not everyone in Gloamara is born with the potential for magic. For most, their appearance is defined by black hair and black eyes, a sign of their mundane nature. Those who possess the spark for magic, however, exhibit unique characteristics that distinguish them:
* Silver Eyes: A universal sign of latent magical talent. Even before awakening, individuals with silver eyes are marked by their potential.
* Hair Transformation: Upon awakening, the individual’s hair changes color to match their magical element:
* Red for fire
* Blue for water
* Green for air
* Brown for earth
* White for light
* Golden for mana manipulation
* Grey for healing magic
The Awakening Process
Awakening occurs in moments of great emotional or physical distress—a life-threatening event, a profound shock, an overwhelming need to survive, or it could happen naturally after the certain period of time . However, awakening is neither predictable nor guaranteed, even for those with silver eyes.
When an individual awakens:
1. Their magical element manifests as a surge of power, often beyond their immediate control.
2. The transformation of their hair and eyes becomes permanent.
3. Their connection to their magical element deepens, granting them an intuitive understanding of its nature.
Types of Magic
1. Elemental Magic:
* The most common form of magic. Wielders can manipulate their corresponding element to produce powerful effects.
* Mastery takes years of disciplined study. While awakening grants potential, true control requires extensive learning and experimentation.
* Examples include fireballs, creating water currents, summoning winds, or shaping stone.
2. Light Magic:
* Practiced by those with glowing white hair and eyes.
* Light mages are resistant to poisons and low-level dark magic. They can heal wounds, illuminate dark places, and summon weapons or projectiles of pure light.
* They are often revered for their purity and are typically associated with the Church of Altia.
3. Golden Magic (Mana Manipulation):
* Individuals with golden hair possess unparalleled control over mana, allowing them to shape it into any element.
* This power is extremely rare and requires incredible discipline. The wielder must train for decades to achieve proficiency in even a single aspect of this craft.
* Mana manipulators are considered prodigies, capable of feats that no ordinary mage can replicate.
4. Healing Magic:
* Those with grey hair specialize in restorative abilities, capable of mending wounds and curing illnesses.
* Most healing mages are bound to the Church of Altia, serving the goddess by aiding the sick and injured.
5. Dark Magic:
* Feared and shunned, dark magic is associated with corruption and destruction.
* It is primarily used by demons, advanced monsters, or cursed individuals.
* Those born with an affinity for dark magic are considered cursed children and are often killed at birth to prevent the spread of plague and misfortune.
The Cost and Challenges of Magic
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Magic is not without its limitations. Mastery requires immense dedication, resources, and study:
1. Knowledge Barrier: Only the wealthy and noble families have access to the resources necessary to study magic. This knowledge is deliberately hoarded, ensuring that commoners remain ignorant of its true nature.
2. Physical Strain: Magic draws upon the wielder's life force and can leave them exhausted or even fatally drained if overused.
3. Training: Even after awakening, years of rigorous training are required to refine one's abilities. Without proper guidance, a mage’s power may remain dormant or uncontrollable
Cultural Perceptions of Magic
Magic is seen differently across Gloamara:
* Nobility and Royalty: Often associated with magical power, they maintain their dominance through control of knowledge and resources.
* Commoners: View magic as an unattainable and mysterious force, believing it to be the domain of the elite.
* Church of Altia: Reveres magic as a divine blessing, particularly healing and light magic.
Swords, Spears, and the Balance of Power
In the world of Gloamara, the mastery of weapons such as swords, spears, and axes is not merely a matter of physical skill—it is a profound connection to the natural energy that permeates the environment. Over centuries, warriors have refined their craft, achieving feats of strength and precision that defy ordinary human limitations. This art revolves around the concept of Aura, an ethereal force derived from the essence of nature itself.
The Concept of Aura
Aura is an external energy harnessed through deep understanding and mastery of a weapon. Unlike magic, which originates from within an individual, Aura is a manifestation of the environment's latent power. Warriors who devote themselves to their craft over years of rigorous training and introspection can imbue their weapons with this energy. The process is called Aura Channeling, and the weapon thus enhanced is known as an Aura Blade (or its equivalent for spears and axes).
An Aura Blade is not a mere physical weapon—it transcends its material limitations.
* Strength: The weapon becomes significantly more destructive, capable of cleaving through steel or stone with ease.
* Precision: Aura sharpens the user's reflexes, enabling them to read the flow of battle and strike with uncanny accuracy.
* Defense: When wielded with mastery, Aura can also form a protective barrier, deflecting attacks before they land.
The potency of a warrior’s Aura grows with their understanding of their weapon. This understanding is not limited to combat techniques; it includes the philosophy and spiritual connection to the weapon, making the warrior's soul resonate with its essence.
Weapons and Their Specializations
Each weapon offers unique pathways to mastering Aura, reflecting the diverse disciplines of combat:
1. Swords:
* Swords are the most balanced weapon for Aura mastery.
* Swordmasters focus on agility and adaptability, their Aura flowing with precision and grace. The Aura Blade manifests as an extension of their intent, slicing with unparalleled sharpness.
* Legendary swordsmen have been known to create Aura waves, long-range energy slashes that can decimate opponents without physical contact.
2. Spears:
* Spearmen excel in extending their reach and dominating the battlefield.
* Aura manifests as a piercing force, amplifying the spear’s ability to puncture armor and shields.
* Advanced spearmen can generate Aura surges that extend the weapon’s effective range, creating a phantom spear that strikes from afar.
3. Axes:
* Axes harness raw power, and their Aura is concentrated on overwhelming force.
* Aura Axe strikes are capable of splitting the ground or shattering defensive barriers.
* Axemen are known for their resilience, using Aura not just offensively but as a reinforcement to endure enemy strikes.
The Balance Between Magic and Aura: A Detailed Breakdown
The coexistence of Magic and Aura in the world of Gloamara is a delicate equilibrium. These two forces are fundamental to the power systems in the world, yet they are inherently opposed, making their combination nearly impossible. Below is a detailed exploration of their balance:
1. Magic: The Internal Power
* Magic originates within the individual, drawn from their soul and spirit.
* It requires focus, discipline, and knowledge to harness effectively.
* The flow of magic is deeply personal, bound by the user's will and shaped by their emotions and intellect.
* The body acts as a conduit for this energy, and overexertion can lead to exhaustion or even death.
2. Aura: The External Energy
* Aura is a force from the natural world, drawn from the ambient energy in the environment.
* It enhances physical abilities, strengthens weapons, and can manifest as protective or destructive force fields.
* Mastery over Aura requires an acute connection with nature and the physical self, cultivated through intense training and experience.
* Unlike magic, Aura draws its power from external surroundings, meaning the wielder must adapt to the environment.
3. The Conflict Between the Two
* Magic and Aura are fundamentally opposed energies:
* Magic is internal and controlled, while Aura is external and wild.
* Magic flows inwards, while Aura radiates outwards.
* When these energies are channeled together, their conflicting natures create immense instability. This clash can lead to:
* Severe physical strain.
* Uncontrolled energy explosions.
* The death of the wielder and destruction of their surroundings.
4. The Impossibility of Simultaneous Use
* A mage may wield a sword, and a warrior may dabble in minor spells, but the simultaneous use of magic and Aura in combat is unattainable.
* Balancing the internal force of magic with the external flow of Aura requires a level of harmony that the corrupted world of Gloamara no longer supports.
* Even if one attempts this balance, the imbalance in energy flow causes catastrophic reactions, often destroying the wielder’s body.
5. Historical Exceptions: The Arcane Sworders
* In the distant past, the legendary Arcane Sworders mastered this balance.
* They used Aura to amplify their physical attacks while simultaneously unleashing devastating magic.
* However, with the pollution of natural energy brought on by the Abyss, their methods became unsustainable.
6. Modern Attempts and Failures
* Contemporary warriors and mages have sought to recreate the feats of the Arcane Sworders, but every attempt ends in disaster.
* The corrupted Aura of the present day overwhelms the user, disrupting the delicate balance and leading to catastrophic energy surges.