ArmorKaptis
Ashes of the Black Crown
Jecht is a man trying to survive a life that already ended.
After the death of his fiancée, Sophi, and their unborn son, Shinyu, he moves through the world behind a mask. He works, breathes, and pretends he is still whole. But when he is alone, the guilt returns, and so does the voice that sounds like the woman he lost.
Then the Mark of Sin awakens.
Older than the mysterious Kingmarks born into select people, the Mark of Sin is tied to the truth behind the Crownfall, a repeating curse where kings and queens rise, fall, and leave their sins behind for the next generation to inherit.
As Kingmarks begin to awaken across the city, broken people are drawn to Saint Ash Tattoo, a place known for healing pain without judgment. But the artist behind the needle, Silas, is not saving them.
He is claiming them.
His cursed tattoos create the Ashborn, servants bound by ink, pain, and obedience.
Silas believes broken people need a king.
Jecht believes even sinners can still stand.
And as the Crownfall begins again, Jecht must face the truth of his own sin before every crown in the city burns to ash.