Thank you so much for reading this story thus far!
It's very encouraging to see the number of views I get in the analytics every time I check. I know it's not a huge number for most people who post, but it still blows my mind when I was only expecting around 5-10 people or so to read it LOL.
Your time and attention mean more than I can express, and I truly hope you're enjoying the world, characters, and unfolding story.
If you have a moment, please consider leaving a comment or rating good or bad. It'll help me continue to grow as a writer. I'm new and I'm learning as I go. Your feedback helps me understand what you'd like to see develop as the story continues.
I have a general direction for the story in mind, but I could focus on how that happens depending on what you're looking for.
Let me know things like:
How do you feel about the pacing so far?
Did you like the initial starting chapter shorter lengths that moved the story along in bursts or do you like the longer chapters that happen less frequently?
Did the chapter titles spoil anything for you? I removed them to not, but I could bring them back if you preferred them.
Do you want the battles expanded or in this world are small quick skirmishes against monsters supposed to happen but more frequently?
Do you want me to indulge in love interests for character pairs or just focus on the adventure?
Are there specific characters you'd like more development for?
What elements of the world or lore intrigue you most?
Do you want a larger amount of side characters and give them backgrounds we can dive into?
Do you want more side quest content or interjected stories from side character points of view to maybe make the world feel more alive.
Do you want a more upbeat environment or lean more towards an emotionally taxing situation for these heroes?
I started writing to see if this was something I could find a new community to interact with.
Did you want a community discord?
I've also been looking at trends for types of novels that do well. Is a final fantasy isekai something you may enjoy if you like this story so far? Maybe go on a deep dive on a chocobo ranch or crafting?
Is the story enjoyable enough to support me a bit to continue writing more in a Patreon?
Every bit of feedback, big or small helps me.
Thank you again for being a part of this journey.
Characters
Moss – The main protagonist, skilled chocobo rider, and spark holder of the Eidolon Titan, calm and observant even under extreme pressure.
Bran – Moss's chocobo companion, loyal and strong, often used for patrols and scouting.
Dole – Part of Moss's main party, pragmatic, witty, and capable with black magic, often providing comic relief and blunt advice.
Lyra – Member of Moss's party, measured and thoughtful, often providing guidance, support, and healing when necessary.
Rynne – Young chocobo knight trainee, enthusiastic, admiring Moss, occasionally shy or nervous, developing skill and confidence.
Serra – Lead alchemist, brilliant and obsessive with understanding aether and crystals, sometimes making outlandish theories, deeply curious about Moss's aetheric presence.
Cid – Friend of Moss's group, blacksmith and crafter of weapons, including flare bombs, often works behind the scenes but assists during critical moments; has a chocobo recovering from injury.
Kain – Dragoon commander, stoic and precise, experienced in leadership and training, deeply aware of potential crises, subtly observant of morale and security.
Rosa – Leader at the southern farm settlement (Balamb Fields), practical and strategic, controls food supply to maintain influence, cautious around other settlements and the Empire.
Cecil – Commander within the Empire, strategic and dutiful, follows orders from Emperor Gestahl but is wary of some of the Empire's actions.
Emperor Gestahl – Ruler of the Empire, ambitious and intent on harnessing aether and crystals for expansion, commands the alchemists and military.
Dr. Marro (lead scientist) – Oversees crystal research under the Empire, coordinates with alchemists, skeptical of the Empire's full intentions, closely monitors aether experiments, unaware of some of Serra's field discoveries.
Locations
Vector Hold – The original base settlement for Moss and his party, includes stables, living quarters, and alchemist quarters.
Narshe – Forward ore settlement, initially focused on mining and resource gathering, eventually given its name by settlers.
Balamb Fields – Southern farm settlement, strategically organized around food production, overseen by Rosa.
Empire – Central kingdom sending convoys, controlling alchemists and resources, experimenting with aether and large crystals.
Eastern Woods – Forest east of Narshe, location of aetheric phenomena, Miqote encounter, and Shiva ice statue.
Miqote Lake / Shiva Ice Statue – Remote lake in the eastern woods with a giant ice sculpture, location of Moss's encounter with the Miqote and Shiva.
Eidolons
Eidolons are ancient elemental beings born from the world's deepest aether currents, embodiments of pure primal forces rather than mortal will. Their power resonates across time and memory, and only those whose souls share the same frequency. They are known as aether-borne vessels who can withstand or wield even a fraction of their strength. An Eidolon's spark may slumber within such a vessel until awakened by crisis, proximity, or the Eidolon's own choosing.
Known Eidolons
Titan
Element: Earth
Appearance: A towering, stone-bodied colossus with a core of molten yellow aether, Titan embodies endurance, gravity, and overwhelming physical force. His shape resembles humanoid rock given life, with plates of stone shifting like muscle and deep aether-lines glowing across his body. The air around him trembles with each step, and his presence feels like the weight of mountains pressing into the soul.
Shiva
Element: Ice
Appearance: A statuesque, crystalline figure of elegant but lethal beauty. Shiva's form glimmers with layers of living ice, her body sculpted from translucent frost that refracts light with every movement. Cold radiates from her effortlessly, and her eyes glow an intense blue that can freeze resolve as easily as water. Her presence is both serene and unyielding, a winter storm shaped into a woman's silhouette.