Early Book Access
A Sneak Peak
Hi friends! Thanks for taking interest in this project. I'm excited to announce the launch of The Shadow Thief and give you early access to some chapters from the book (and 3 new art pieces). Below, I've put together two different versions of Chapter One, each with a different opening to the story.
1. The first story jumps forward in time, a sign of what’s to come... 👀
2. The second story drops you straight into a high stakes chase scene!
Please note that these are early drafts and the finished version of the book will be refined further. I appreciate you being part of this and I hope you enjoy!
The God Slayer
A man cloaked in shadows danced along the night sky, his blade serenaded the moon with a melody of divine blood. Amongst the stars he twirled, slashing at the throats of the new gods. His rage composed a symphony of destruction executed by his unyielding will. One by one, the new gods fell and nine motionless bodies laid at the gates of hell. The man once forgotten by the world sheathed his scythe and ascended towards the throne. A new era would arrive at dawn.
The era of the Shadow King.
This short passage is intended to read as a dark poem and set a gritty apocalyptic tone for this YA fantasy story. The next option for Chapter 1 is a more classic start to a traditional novel. Here we'll get to meet the main characters, get a glimpse of the world, and start building a layered story. You'll get to see a fusion of fantasy, magic, cyber punk, and sci-fi as I blend those genres into a thrilling narrative. We'll also get to tie in Sorin's suit from the image above!
The Hunt
Sorin leapt over the metallic platform into the abandoned city. His gravity boots launched him 20 ft into the air. As he ascended, he activated his infrared contacts and drew his severing blade.
Let the hunt begin
His senses dialed as his speed increased but the system still detected no life forms across the next four blocks. “Damn it”, he cursed. He needed to move faster. Sorin's frustration grew as he realized he was losing the target. He rocketed from building to building, continuing to survey the area. As he sprinted forward, a magic arc flashed across the diamond district 2 klicks east. He should’ve been happy. He could get there in time but a scowl drew across his face. His automated battle suit (ABS) had traced the mana fluctuation but Sorin still couldn’t sense any magic. “Whatever” he muttered as the ABS gear directed him toward the anomaly. As he glided over the diamond district, he watched carefully. Perfect stillness. 1, 2, 3, 4, CLICK.
There it was. It came as fast as it left and his target melted into the shadows of an alleyway. “All right, time to get back what’s mine. Let’s drop!”. He went in at full speed, rage and anxiety coursing through his veins as he blasted through the alleyways of Old World Chicago. “System, activate trackers!”. Three spuds whipped out of his back following the figure into the subway tunnels. Usually, this is where the chase would end but his target was moving too fast. “Alright, mana lock engage, visuals switch to arcane targeting, propulsion thrusters increase to max speed”, he commanded as he rocketed down the red line. There were only 2 exits from this tunnel. One led to a dead end. The other led to the 2nd story train line in the mirror dimension. Sorin panicked as he realized the target’s plan. “System, run trajectory estimates and send over the GPS coordinates, NOW! We cannot have the hunt go there”. Sorin closed in on the divergent point, maxing out his top speed. His vision blurred as what was ahead of him blended in with what had just passed. His focus became singular moments of thought. Split the wires. Calibrate thrusting engines. Lock target signal. Detonate the trackers. Slow. Him. Down. Now! He could not let the target reach the mirror dimension. Sorin crashed through the subway doors onto the 2nd track of the brown line. They were out of the city and near the edge of reality.
He was too late.
The target approached the door in front of him, ready to escape into the maze. Even at top speed, Sorin wouldn’t get there in time. His body tensed with dread. “How could he have let this happen", he thought. At the last second before opening the door, the target swung his head around and gloated, “I guess they were wrong about you, Shadow Thief. You’re just a magicless worm like the rest of the lower worlders. And now… you’ll never even get a glimpse”. He then reached into his pockets and popped a tiny glowing rock into his mouth. For a moment, time stood still. The air froze suspended in Sorin’s lungs and a dense fog of mana concentrated in the area. Suddenly, the target’s eyes began to glow, overflowing with light. The fog dissipated and the man’s movements were now twice as fast. He placed his hand on the door in front of him and laughed maniacally. Sorin watched in defeat as a concentric circles of ruins appeared in the center of the frame and an interdimensional door swung open.
The targets last words were, “Catch you later Shadow Thief, better luck next ti-”
“Alright fine! Get him now!” Sorin interrupted.
An arm reached out from behind the door swinging around the target's back and grasping his neck. Darkness spread from the arm wrapping the target in a cocoon of shadows, paralyzing his movements. Sorin watched as the obsidian threads slowly engulfed the target's face and the muffled screams subsided. Immobilized and suffocated, the target fell to the ground unconscious. Then there was silence.
Sorin approached the man who had emerged from behind the door and shouted, “You’re such a show off Sybil! Always swooping in late to take all the credit. While I have to do all the hard work, damn it!”
Sybil: "Well, I mean that’s why they call me The Shadow Thief my friend and not you. I don’t have to work hard, I just get the job done”
Sorin: “First of all, you lost that title long ago. And secondly, they’d call you a sellout if they knew what you actually did these days”
Sybil: “Things change Sorin, I’ve got a real chance to escape that life now. Wouldn’t you take it?”
“Whatever man”, Sorin said shaking his head. “So what’s the damage? How much of the supply did this guy use up?”
Sybil: “Every last drop. There’s not even a spec of arcane dust left on him, let alone any full rocks”
Sorin: “Shit. No wonder he was moving so fast. I had my ABS thrusters and trackers on full cycle and still couldn't catch him”
Sybil: “I thought you always bragged about having the fastest gear in the Lower Gallows. You can’t even catch a drugged up mana addict on your home turf. God, good thing I’m always here to save you” he laughed.
Sorin: "Without those coordinates I sent you, you wouldn’t have even been able to see him, let alone catch him. You know how these fast mages can move on near lethal doses of arcane dust”
Sybil: “Hey, whatever greases your gears man. You can complain all you want, I’m still cashing in this bounty”
Sorin: “There is no bounty Sybil. He stole from my stash. And it looks like he used it all up in the chase”
Sybil: “Oh shit, how much did he get?”
Sorin: “He stole a pair of gravity boots, three rocket thrusters and all of the mana crystals. I’m gonna have to re-stock asap”
Sybil: “Re-stock, you don't say. Well I guess you’re gonna need my help for a little heist then huh?”
Sorin: “You sound like you might wanna help this time. Like you’ve been looking forward to it”
Sybil: “Maybe I have been. After all, it's not often I get to spend time with my little brother. Especially not since the… awakening”
Sorin’s stomach knotted into a tight fist as he glared at his twin. It had been over 3 years now since his brother’s had awakened. Yet Sorin still couldn’t produce even a spark of magic. Sorin had always been the better fighter: stronger, faster, and smarter.
He was the one who had learned how to climb the walls into the upperland.
He was the one who had stolen rations from the enforcers during the famine.
He was the one who had purified the mana polluted water after the floods.
And yet, it was his brother who had received the blessing and awakened. Not him.
“Why?” Sorin thought. “It’s just not fair”.
Sorin’s mind snapped back to the conversation about planning the arcane crystal heist. He quickly regained his composure and forced a smile.
Sorin: “Okay let’s do it together then. Just like old times. How’s the situation topside? Can we get an easy loot up there?”
Sybil: “No way, security is too tight. Plus there’s a mana shortage because of the upcoming Ascension Trials. The New Gods’ Enforcers are personally managing the shipments now. We don’t want to attract their attention. Especially with all the rumours going around”
Sorin: “What rumours? Actually never mind that. It doesn't matter since they can detect my gear now. Plus I sense something strange has been happening up there in the sky cities. We can’t afford to get caught again. Especially not now”
Sybil: “Agreed, so what do you wanna do? Are you thinking what I'm thinking?”
Sybil: “Of course, there’s only one choice left. We’ll have to go back to the old stomping grounds”
Sybil: “I was hoping you’d say that! I haven’t been back to the black market in ages. Does Bernard still brew up that mana ale that mom told us not to drink?”
Sorin: “We’re not going there to drink Sybil. We gotta get those arcane crystals asap”
Sybil: “Do you want my help or not bro? Loosen up a little. What happened to you? I never get to come down here anymore and we rarely even hangout. Let's go have some fun, catch up, and then we can go get those arcane crystals right after”
Sorin sighed, “Fine, you’re right. But if we’re going to drink, let's make it at least a few. And also… last one there is buying!”
Sorin slapped Sybil on the back and the brothers looked at each other. They shared the same cheeky grin as they bolted towards the open door and jumped into the mirror dimension...
To get more NEW CHAPTERS scroll down past the artwork below!
Get Early Chapters as They Release Weekly
I will be launching a page where I release new chapters weekly! As I release the chapters, you will be able to give your feedback and opinion to really influence the direction this novel takes. I will also be posting new artwork, sketches, photos, and other behind the scenes materials there.
This early access page is now bundled with the novel pre-sale! So you will recieve a copy of the final e-book AND access to this page with all the early chapters, art, etc. This is a limited time offer so get your 50% off pre-sale now before it's gone! Get your pre-sale here https://www.sorinsilverwind.com/pages/fantasy-novel .
Let Me Know Which Chapter Was Your Favorite?
Which of the two chapter options did you like best? I encourage you to reply to this email letting me know which chapter was your favorite or any other feedback. I will do my best to respond to all emails. This feedback will influence which version of the novel I move forward with as the official chapter one!
Thank you and I hope you have a great rest of your day!
Sincerely,
Sorin Silverwind (aka the brother of the shadow thief)