Lazy Salvation

“TheboogeymanofOuterGods,protectorofEarth,humanity’slaststand—Miratheris’ssonhasreturned.”Iwasdrowninginsloth.Thecoloroflifehaddrainedfrommyeyes,leavingonlyshadesofgrey.Doinganythingfeltlikepunishment.Lookingforajob?Alaughableidea.IdideverythingIcouldtostaydisconnectedfromreality.Gambling.Drinking.Evensuicidalstunts.Anythingtoescapethenumbnessthatclawedatmymindforevenasecond.Buteverythingcomesatacost.Iabandonedmyfamily.Broketheheartoftheonlywomanwhoeverlovedme.Andwastedeverydamndaylikeitdidn’tmatter.Ibecamethekindofmansocietythrowsoutwiththetrash.Butlifedidn’tspareme.NotevenwhenIhitrockbottom.Deceived,shackled,andsoldintoanotherworld— Ispenttherestofmydaysasaslave.Forcedtofightmonstersrippedstraightoutofmyth.Attheveryend,allIcoulddo…waswish. Justonemorechance.Oneshottomakethingsright.…Bornaprodigy,AshenHartmovedthroughlifelikeagoldenboy. Whatothersworkedfor,hemasteredwithease.Atfirst,itfeltlikeablessing.Thevalidation,pride,andaccomplishmentfeltsweet. Butevenhoneyspoilswhenyou’redrowninginit.Themoresuccesshetasted,themorehollowitallbecame.Andwhenamysteriouspowerawakenedwithinhim,lettinghimseemomentsintothefuture— Theworldlostallcolor. Andthenallmeaning…Nothingcouldsurprisehim. Nothingcouldmovehim.Hespiraled.Ashenthrewitallaway—ambition,love,purpose— andembracedtheslowdeathofapathy.Butfatewasn’tdonewithhim.Kidnappedbyashadowyorganizationandforcedintoahiddenwar, helearnedthebrutaltruth: hewasn’tspecial.Hewasfodder.Cannonmeattodelaytheinevitable.Butsomewhere,buriedbeneathslothandcynicism, thegeniusstirred.Theapathyrottedaway. AndAshenHart,thefailure,becameAshenHart,thewretched. Theunkillable.Fromadiscardedpawntothefinalhopeofmankind.Andwhenitwasover—wheneventhegodshadfallen— hewasleftalone.Athisdyingbreath,theEarth’sspirit,Miratheris,answeredhisplea.Sherewoundtime,givinghimonelastshot.Butnotwithoutaprice. Shekepthismemoriesintact…anddelayedtheirreturnjustenoughsohisyoungerselfcouldbeartheweight.Ashen’ssecondlifebeginsnow— andthemonsters,bothwithinandbeyond,areabouttolearnwhatregrettrulyfeelslike.═══⟲══════⟲══════⟲═══ThisbookwaspreviouslytitledTheSecondComingofTranquility(TSCOT).