WARNING!!!! This fanfic may contain spoilers!!!! This is a story about Cardan and Jude in the mortal world and how Jude is taking Cardan to play laser tag.

Celeste is the daughter of the Citizen Principia, but when she stumbles upon a conspiracy and is kidnapped by rebels, the future of Verium rests in her hands. ***** Celeste Navarie is the sixteen-year-old daughter of the Citizen Principia, which means she lives a life of privilege in a dystopian world that allows no personal freedom. Celeste dreams of adventure and smuggles herself beyond the walls regularly, to purchase books and documents from the outside world. During her journeys, she uncovers a conspiracy: members of the palace staff are part of the rebellion, and she finds evidence her father is a murderous tyrant. Not sure who to trust, Celeste is kidnapped and has no way to escape. The future of Verium rests on Celeste's shoulders, and if she makes a mistake it will doom not just her, but everyone. [[word count: 50,000-60,000 words]]

Dear Reader, The following work was found sealed in the library of a castle, belonging to an ancient noble family, in the Champagne region to the east of Paris. The dates of the events contained within are attributed to sometime in the 18th century. It appears that any other record of the Marquis featured within, and the estate that he kept, have since been expunged from historical record. It is as if there was an omertà (conspiracy of silence) which sought to erase him entirely from collective memory - one that might have succeeded if not for the astonishing recovery of these letters. It has been my duty to act as caretaker to this work since I agreed to its restoration. I have found, regrettably, that my colleagues have failed to grasp the momentous importance of these letters and their wider significance. There is, I admit, some question of authenticity that requires consideration. For my part, I have forcible reasons to believe that these letters are genuine. I have submitted the work to a broader audience, however, for precisely this object; I have hope that, by breaking outside the narrow remit of literary academia, I may yet find a willing readership committed to studying these letters as seriously as I have. As the Judge might once have heard it, so the Reader shall hear it now. Unfortunately, I must also include a notice of warning: the letters of Charlotte B--- speak of diabolical horrors and the direst human cruelty. I believe that, were these letters recognised, they would take the place as the first of the modern écritures maudits (damned writings), above de Sade or Corbière. Hence, I recognise that such subject matter is certainly not for everyone. Should you decide to turn to more pleasant reading, I certainly could not blame you. The world can be a sombre and unforgiving place without having to reflect on its grimmest parts. The choice to continue, Reader, is entirely your own. Yours faithfully, Dr. Samuel J. Collins

I promise you, there is light in this dark world, if only you know where to look. My tale is one of magic and wonder, of evil and justice-of power and servitude. But it is also a story of sacrifice and suffering. There are great feats of courage and and malicious acts of deception. But there is also the quiet heroism of one good deed and the unpraised comfort of one loving heart. #1 in Adventure 04/09/2019 #1 in Adventure 01/29/2021 #2 in Action 05/15/2022 #2 in Action 6/21/2024