Avatar of the Frozen Behemoth: Volume 1

About the Author

As far back as I can remember, I've always been lost in my imagination. It started when I was young, watching The Chronicles of Narnia and being completely mesmerized by the idea that another world could exist, hidden just beyond what we know. The magic, the adventure-everything about it sparked something in me. I didn't realize it at the time, but that was the beginning of my love for creating fantastical stories.

Growing up, I was a huge extrovert, bursting with creativity and energy. During recess and in my backyard, my friends and I would dive into epic roleplays, transforming into characters from Harry Potter, Dragon Ball Z, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and many other worlds. Those playful adventures filled my childhood with laughter and imagination, allowing me to explore creativity in its most vibrant form. However, when quarantine hit in 2020, everything changed. The world fell silent, and I found myself retreating into my own head. That's when I developed what's known as maladaptive daydreaming, a tendency to spend hours lost in vivid scenarios that often felt more real than my surroundings. I can still picture the summer afternoons when I'd grab my iPad and retreat to my favorite spot under a giant oak tree in my backyard, sketching characters and plotting stories that felt so real, even if they existed only in my mind. It wasn't until those quieter moments that the early pieces of what would become Avatar of the Frozen Behemoth started to form.

Gaming became another escape during those years. Titles like Red Dead Redemption, A Universal Time on Roblox, and Kaiju Universe weren't just for fun; they ignited new ideas for my story's power systems, mythical creatures, and character dynamics. There's something about getting lost in those virtual worlds that inspired me to create one of my own, a realm where reality bends, and anything is possible.

By 2022, winter began to have a profound impact on me. I became fascinated with snow, especially how it looks under the moonlight-so peaceful yet so harsh. That duality became a symbol for what I wanted Avatar of the Frozen Behemoth to embody. I aimed to capture the beauty and serenity of snow while also highlighting its danger and isolation. Winter, to me, became a metaphor for survival, and it plays a significant role in the world I built.

Space has always intrigued me too. The vastness and mystery of it, the sense that there's so much out there beyond what we know, creates an awe that permeates AOTFB. The Frozen Behemoth, the immense power, and the idea of characters being part of something far bigger than themselves all stem from my fascination with space and its ability to make us feel both small and limitless.

Initially, I dreamed of turning AOTFB into a manga. I loved how manga could bring stories to life visually, with dynamic characters and action-packed scenes. The thought of seeing my characters fully realized, even adapted into an anime one day, excited me. But I quickly realized I wasn't an artist; I can't draw, and animation was beyond my skill set. I shifted my focus to writing the story as a traditional novel, but I still dream of collaborating with talented artists who can help me bring this world to life visually.

My love for monsters plays a huge role in my storytelling. Growing up watching the Godzilla franchise, I was always captivated by Kaiju-these massive, destructive creatures that humans struggle to survive against. Godzilla, Behemoth, King Ghidorah-these monsters didn't just wreak havoc; they represented something bigger. The sense of scale and power beyond human control really stuck with me, shaping my creation of the Frozen Behemoth in AOTFB.

By October 2023, I finally decided to take my writing seriously. After years of daydreaming and letting ideas swirl in my mind, I knew it was time to put them on paper. Writing wasn't easy-it often felt messy, filled with self-doubt and frustration. I faced many moments when I struggled with consistency, doubting whether I could commit to writing. There were times I didn't want to write at all, but deep down, I knew that if I truly wanted to pursue my dreams, I had to push through. Writing became my way of expressing what I couldn't say out loud.

As I crafted AOTFB, I realized I was learning more about myself. Characters like Yukio reflect parts of my own journey-the isolation, the struggle to find strength, and the search for meaning in a world that doesn't always make sense. Writing this story hasn't just been about building a fantasy world; it's been a path toward understanding my own experiences.

One night during the early drafts, I felt overwhelmed by the weight of my story. I took a break, went outside, and stood in the snow, letting the chill seep into my bones. In that quiet moment, surrounded by dancing snowflakes, I realized my journey-my extroverted past, my introversion during quarantine, and my daydreams-was just as much a part of this story as the epic battles and mystical powers I was writing about. It grounded me and reminded me why I was doing this in the first place.

Ultimately, Avatar of the Frozen Behemoth isn't just a story. It's a reflection of everything I've experienced-my imagination, my childhood adventures, my struggles with consistency, and my love for worlds beyond our own. I still dream of seeing it adapted into a manga or anime one day, but for now, it's my way of sharing the worlds inside my head with others. I hope that, as people read it, they can find a part of themselves in the story too.