The Candlemaker's Lament

Phoenix, a quiet candle maker and devoted follower of Hecate, never imagined his craft and rituals would tie him to the fate of multiple realms. But when a vision from Hecate declares him the chosen gatekeeper, his life takes a dramatic turn. Entrusted with maintaining balance between light and darkness, Phoenix is thrust into a battle against the Brotherhood of Adar, a cult bent on unleashing an ancient, apocalyptic entity.
Accepted by the Watchers-ethereal beings of immense power who safeguard the realms-Phoenix is tasked with wielding a talisman that could lock or open the gates of reality. His journey takes him through shadowed realms, where his destiny intertwines with an unlikely group of allies: Astrid, an angel who becomes burdened by her own darkness; Lilith, a demoness who is bond by loyalty; and a band of elemental beings whose ties to the mortal world run deeper than they appear.
As Phoenix navigates the delicate balance between opposing forces, he forges bonds that challenge his preconceptions of good and evil. These relationships grow from mere alliances into something more profound, as trust, loyalty, and sacrifice deepen the connections among them. But these bonds come at a cost-temptation, betrayal, and the looming shadow of his own humanity threatens to unravel everything.
Phoenix's trials with the Watchers reveal unsettling truths: the ancient entity the Brotherhood serves seeks not just destruction, but to merge with him as a vessel, giving it direct access to the realms he is meant to protect. To survive, Phoenix must embrace both light and darkness, not as opposites, but as necessary forces within himself.