Burning Embers Part I: Origins [Arc 1-5]

Afterword

So, Part I is finally complete. The journey started in the August of 2018, and now, in the January of 2020, after sixteen months of ups, downs, and pained fingers in the winter (my fingers always freeze in the cold), one part out of four is complete. I hope you enjoyed the journey of the ten main characters so far, which might seem like a lot, but there is good reason for it to be that way.

More than fantasy, and more than action/adventure, this story is about the underlying themes of humanity, and how each character represents a different part of it. As seen in the Arc 5 Interlude, there is a stark contrast between how Findaris and Andrea handled the same situation.

While Findaris fell into despair and was never pulled out of it, sinking further and further till he came to represent some of the more dangerous aspects of humanity, Andrea was "saved", and thus able to live for herself, and eventually, with help, let go of her grudge, or at the very least, did not get consumed by it.

Findaris needed a saviour. Humans cannot survive on their own. He thought he found a friend in Vector, but Vector had to go. The next person he grew close to betrayed him in such a way that he never recovered. While Andrea saw both the best and worst of humanity, Findaris was exposed to the latter from the beginning, and never found joy in living.

And thus it came to be that he represents an "evil" of humanity while Andrea represents a virtue. All of the major characters, in a way, highlight one or more aspects of humanity, and they will grow as they interact with each other. This story is about those aspects, and the growth when the clash, which leads to inevitable change. For that is what defines humans.

Sean represents curiosity
Nat represents kindness
Lediga represents bravery and honour
Andrea represents selflessness
Findaris represents hatred, despair and vengeance
Vector represents arrogance and ambition
Zero represents strong duty and an insatiable desire to grow better
Kuri represents freedom
And finally, Kotori represents compassion and uncertainty

I did not mention Luuk as he is not human, but he has a vital role to play. By offering the perspective of a much older race that is now near-extinct by making the same mistakes the humans make now, he is the "control group" of this "experiment".

And so, the journey goes on. I hope you enjoyed Part I, and I'm extremely grateful to those who stuck throughout. A special thanks to my beta readers as well, who did a great job (mostly). And last but not least, thank you inorieh for the excellent cover!

See you in Part II!