Blank Warhammer

[LitRPG / Isekai / Adventure / Action / Comedy] Inspired by Mushoku Tensei, God of War, Bloodborne, Elden Ring & Warhammer 40k. Zen Hawthorn is a strange fellow, born with a curse that makes everyone questions his sanity. In a cruel twist of fate, he embarks on a journey to avenge his grandfather; further unlocking the mysteries of the world he lives in. Join him, on an action-adventure-romcom journey filled with Demons, Celestials and Cosmic Beings as he narrates from his humble beginning, to the prevention of the Demon King's resurrection and more. Beware of plentiful memes, Easter Eggs and references found within. This story contains Japanese folklores, Norse & Greek mythology along with Elves, Demons, Reptilians, Vikings and Dragons. Have fun reading! Book 1 - Not An Isekai Story (Completed) Book 2 - Not An Isekai Story Unshipped (In Progress) Book 3 - Simply Not Another Isekai Story (Coming Soon) Book 4 - Simply Not Another Isekai Story Unlimited (Coming Soon)

Kim Mugen encounters a dark man in the alleyway, before he can say anything, the dark man begins telling Kim a story. “How a man once picked up an empty, blank book, once the man opened up the book he disappeared… entirely”. After the strange man told Kim the story, Kim ran away but when he looked back to see the strange man, he couldn’t see him… almost as if he had disappeared…. almost as he never existed…. Running to school, Kim found an empty cover book, he stood in disbelief and decided to open the book, in the book, Kim sees that the first page was moving, where he can feel the breeze that’s was coming out of the moving page, the book fell…. not a person in sight… the book haven’t even move an inch and Kim… he was gone… almost as if he had disappeared into a new world… A world where anything can happen, a world where a book can become both reality and fictional… What will Kim faced in this new world?

After a traumatic ending, he awakened in an unfamiliar world, Unknown—the one without a name—was born from the ashes of his past, a blank slate. He had no memory of where he came from, no identity to bind him, no ties to the life he had once lived. The world around him was strange, its rules foreign, its people indifferent. But in the depths of his hollow heart, a single truth burned like an unquenchable fire: He was free. Free to carve out a new existence, to forge his own path, to reshape the world according to his will.

After dying from a gunshot, Reo meets the goddess Ophelia who offers him a rare chance. Instead of being reincarnated with no memory of his past, he can come back to a new world with the offer of receiving a legacy as well. Reo gets to choose from six legacy cards, each offering different powers. One card is blank—a risky option with slim chances of getting a good legacy from it. Ignoring the goddess’s warning, Reo picks the blank card and to both their surprise, he gets the SSS Rank Dark Dragon Legacy, a type of legacy so rare that only one human in Ophelia's world has ever had it. Reo is Reborn as Silva, he’s quickly labeled a failure by his noble family because he lacked magical ability at the moment , due to his legacy not yet awakened. His father, embarrassed and harsh, orders his death, but his mother begs for his life, sending him away to be raised by another family in a far-off town. Silva awakens his Dark Dragon Legacy, growing at a rate that was beyond normal, as he tried to understand the task the goddess had in mind for him, while still enjoying his new life. He also made out some time to pay his father back Discord: https://discord.gg/cQyp9znXYz

Leonard, a 22-year-old office worker, felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. After a long, exhausting day filled with endless deadlines and demanding clients, he trudged home one evening, the stress of his life pressing down on him. As he walked, lost in thought, he didn’t see the manhole cover ahead. With a sudden, jarring slip, he tumbled into darkness. When he finally regained consciousness, Michael found himself in a strange new world. Confused, he looked around and realized he was in a completely different body. A surge of excitement coursed through him. As a lifelong manga enthusiast, he had always dreamed of being reborn as a powerful protagonist in a fantastical realm. But his hopes were quickly dashed as he took in his surroundings. This world was ruled by vampires and werewolves, powerful beings who held dominion over humanity, reducing them to mere slaves. Michael’s heart sank at the realization: he was now among the oppressed, and freedom seemed like a distant dream. Determined to change his fate, Michael resolved to earn enough money to buy his freedom from slavery. He found work in a dark, oppressive mine, toiling long hours alongside others who shared his plight. One day, while digging deep in the cold earth, he stumbled upon an ancient, glowing orb. Intrigued, he reached out to touch it, but as he did, a surge of energy coursed through him, draining almost half of his life force. But rather than succumb to despair, Michael discovered that the orb had unlocked a mysterious Bloodline system within him. This newfound power surged through his veins, awakening something deep inside. Fueled by determination, he vowed to harness this strength and become the strongest warrior, just like the protagonists in his beloved manga. With each passing day, Michael trained harder, learning to wield his abilities and navigate the treacherous world around him. He formed alliances with other slaves and began plotting a way to rise against their oppressors. As he ventured into the unknown, he encountered formidable foes and breathtaking landscapes, each challenge pushing him closer to his goal of freedom. Join Leonard on his incredible journey filled with wonder, danger, and the quest for liberation in a world where hope seems lost. Will he become the hero he always dreamed of being, or will he be consumed by the darkness that surrounds him?

Fate Rewrite is a story of mystery, romance, and destiny. Han Jiho, a seemingly ordinary high school student, has been haunted by recurring dreams of a mysterious girl standing on a bridge under a blood-red sunset. In his dreams, she whispers enigmatic words and leaves him with an unshakable sense of longing. Jiho dismisses the dreams as mere figments of his imagination—until the girl from his dreams transfers to his school. The girl, Kang Mirae, is as enigmatic in real life as she is in his dreams. Cold, distant, and carrying an aura of secrecy, Mirae leaves Jiho grasping for answers. His attempts to approach her fail miserably, and the strange connection he feels remains unspoken. Things take a stranger turn when Jiho discovers a mysterious app on his phone called Fate Rewrite. The app cryptically claims to hold the answers to his dreams and Mirae’s connection to them, offering clues that seem to unravel their intertwined destinies. But when Jiho gets hold of Mirae's notebook—only to find its pages blank—he realizes that Mirae’s secrets run deeper than he could have ever imagined. As Jiho dives deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a world where fate isn’t fixed and rewriting it comes with dangerous consequences. What are Mirae’s secrets? Why do their lives seem so connected? And what price must Jiho pay to uncover the truth about their shared destiny? In Fate Rewrite, love, dreams, and reality collide as two teens navigate the threads of a destiny that may already be written—or waiting to be rewritten.

Rose woke suddenly in a cold, unfamiliar hospital, her mind a blank slate, her memories lost. Beyond the shattered windows lay a world in ruins, haunted by the relentless groans of the undead. Fear gripped her, yet deep inside, a spark of determination refused to die. As she fought to survive, pieces of her forgotten past began to surface, like fragile echoes from another life. Slowly, a startling truth unfolded—this was not her world. She was a stranger, trapped in a nightmare she didn’t belong to. Now, Rose must navigate this broken, hostile reality. She must survive the horrors that surround her while uncovering the secrets of this strange world and her own identity. With every step, she edges closer to the answers she seeks, though the path is fraught with peril and heartbreak.

BURN ME ALIVE IF YOU DIDN'T LIKE THIS BOOK...AFTER READING THAT IS Regressing back in time after sacrificing his life for someone undeserving someone who didn’t even shed a tear after his death just total blank. The person he begged for love rejected him every single time. Now, he returns to when he was 18 again. Looking at her face, he wants to try again, to fall in love with her once more, to want to... but no, he no longer wants to feel that pain again. Some feelings never change, but you have to leave them behind, right? And one life should be enough to try. He made a commitment to never love her again. This life is his chance to live for himself. But who knew he wasn’t the only one regressed? The ultimate black heart curse is broken... and time reverses. Avey: “Lucy, can we.” Tears in her eyes. Lucy: Looking blankly at him. Avey: “Can’t you at least give me one chance?” Lucian: Silently looking at her. what about other people who hurt him too: mother, sister, friend and ofc her Will he give up on love for his own peace, or will he be too afraid to feel that pain again? --- Additional Tags: Regression, Time Travel, Yandere, CEO Girl, Mafia, Family Conflicts, Mother’s Failure, Revenge, Heartbreak, Sacrifices, Unworthy Love, Beautiful Love Story, Strong Characters, Loki ---

Kaito Shirazaki, the Phantom Reign In his past life, Kaito Shirazaki was a high school student with dreams far beyond the ordinary—he sought to control the world from the shadows, a mastermind who pulled the strings of fate without anyone knowing his name. With unmatched ambition, he pursued power, training his body and mastering countless fighting styles, yet he knew that no matter how strong he became, his mortal limitations would always stand in his way. When fate ended his life unexpectedly, Kaito was given a second chance. Reborn in a world of demons, heroes, and dark forces, he starts as an abandoned child, captured by goblins. But Kaito's will to rise remains unbroken. As he grows, so does his strength—no longer bound by the limitations of his former life, he possesses the power to crush mountains with a flick of his finger. But Kaito's true mastery lies in his ability to remain unseen. With cunning and manipulation, he controls both the Demon Lords and the Heroes, pushing them into motion like pawns in his grand design. The world believes they are witnessing chaos, but to Kaito, it's all part of the spectacle—a game to entertain him as he slowly ascends to his true goal: total dominion over this new world. Behind the shadows, the true ruler moves, unseen and unstoppable. Kaito Shirazaki is the Phantom Reign, and no one can stop his rise.

Kalau hidupmu terasa dipermainkan, lebih baik kamu ikut bermain daripada kesal sendirian. Eideth, melakukan hidup ketiganya karena terpaksa, memilih untuk menikmatinya untuk yang terakhir kali. Sambil mengerjakan kontraknya (nganggur dulu) di dunia berbagai macam ras makhluk hidup tinggal? dengan pedang dan sihir? Klise sekali. Kamu bilang ada senjata api? Huh? Cerita tentang pemuda biasa dengan pekerjaan sampingan menjaga pahlawan.

Man dies and gets reincarnated into medieval Europe. Using his knowledge of the future he seeks to become rich and powerful a man that history will remember. But there is a problem and that is that this is not the same Earth of his past but a totally different fantasy version of Earth. Seeing as it is a fantasy earth he also tries to obtain magical powers and hopefully immortality as he conquers the world. Will he succeed, well come and find out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is something I came up with after playing too much Total War: Warhammer 3. This story contains other elements also. Things from the real world and fantasy, like star wars and diablo. And maybe Halo as well later on. But mostly inspired by Warhammer and games I play. Can you guess what games? Also small warning: This story is pretty dark and messed up at first. But it gets better later on I promise. Like, maybe after 50 chapters or so. The First part of this, hopefully long series of books set in this world is just an introduction to the world and its setting. The angels will fall later, Literally. My hope is to write this series that lasts for a long time. For such a long time, that eventually the world will leave behind swords and pick up guns. And later on, humanity will move to the stars and take what is rightfully theirs. By whos right? Well, their gods given right.

Noah Ashford, a 20-year-old college student and part-time teacher, finds herself waking up in the body of a villainess from one of her favorite webcomics. Confused and with a memory as short as a goldfish, she has no idea how she ended up in this world. But the real twist? The villainess she's inhabiting is about to meet a tragic end. With the love triangle of her new life teetering between a Grand Duke and a Crown Prince, Noah must navigate her role—and maybe even change her fate—all while trying to avoid the inevitable death flags. Can she survive her new life, or will she crash and burn like every villainess before her?

Watts is just your average 21-year-old, hustling to make a living in a world that seems to grow harsher by the day. By daylight, he works in the bustling chaos of the airport, hefting heavy luggage for passengers who barely notice him. By night, he trades punches as a kickboxer, channeling his frustrations into the ring. Life isn’t easy, but it’s his, and he’s making it work. Until the day everything changes. Watts wakes up one morning lying in a pool of his own blood on the cold floor of the airport’s luggage room, his mind blank about what happened. Was it an accident? An attack? He has no answers—just a splitting headache and a world turned upside down. Because when he comes to, Watts discovers something unbelievable: he can create anything. Anything. Money, cars, weapons of unimaginable destruction. Galaxies, black holes, entire realities. All at the tips of his fingers. The possibilities are limitless, but so are the dangers. As Watts begins to explore the boundaries of his newfound power, he stumbles upon secrets buried deep within the world—secrets no one was meant to uncover. Now, with his life spiraling into the unknown, Watts is faced with a choice: use his powers to better the world or risk losing himself entirely. But the deeper he delves into his abilities, the more he realizes the price of wielding such power might be more than he’s willing to pay. Dive into Watts' Creation and follow his journey as he unravels the mysteries of his new reality, challenges forces beyond comprehension, and wrestles with the ultimate question: what would you do if you could create… everything

In a world where elemental powers are the norm, 17-year-old Sean Blake is an anomaly - a blank slate with no discernible abilities. Shunned by his peers and struggling to find his place, Sean's life is turned upside down when his girlfriend, Lyra, abruptly leaves him. Consumed by heartbreak and despair, Eryndor discovers a hidden well of darkness within himself. As he taps into this newfound power, he learns to wield the shadows, becoming an unstoppable force on the battlefield. But with great power comes great danger. Sean soon finds himself at the center of a brewing storm, as rival nations and ancient magical forces vie for control. Haunted by the ghosts of his past and struggling to maintain a grip on his newfound abilities, Sean must navigate treacherous landscapes and forge unlikely alliances to prevent all-out war. Will Sean's darkness be his salvation, or his downfall? Dive into the world of "The Lost Element" to find out.

Year 1472 of the Auroran Age. Auralis is a world of stories—legends carved into the bones of history, their echoes reshaping the land and its people. From the great mythic cities of Mythraea to the frozen wilds of Lunareth, tales define all. They are more than words, more than fiction. They are power. Stories breathe life into magic, manifesting as gifts bestowed upon those attuned to their essence: the Storykeepers. For centuries, these wielders of Story Magic have protected the balance of the world, preserving the myths and legends that keep the Prime Story—the origin of all tales—intact. Yet as stories are forgotten, erased, or corrupted, cracks have begun to form in the fabric of reality. An enigmatic faction known as The Blank seeks to unbind the Prime Story itself, erasing not only history but the very meaning of existence.

"Why did you have to get married to me then if you knew you were going to throw me away!" She yelled. He exhaled gently and faced her, his face blank, his eyes surprisingly cool. "That's because, I had to save my crown and my throne. Now, let me live my life." "Why did it have to be me?" She palmed her face. "You know she's my fated mate and there's nothing I can do about it." With tears in her eyes, she slowly picked up herself and nodded. "I'll sign the divorce papers." • • • Nyx is torn with grief, when Alpha Oberon, her husband decides to divorce her after he claims to have found his fated mate. She leaves the pack out of the fear of returning back to her abusive and cruel parents and raises her child all by herself. Years race by, with the new Luna not being able to produce any heir for the kingdom. A seer tells the king that he has a heir who has the king's blood running in his veins. What happens when he realises the child is from the very woman who once offended? What will he to do convince her to come back in order to save his throne and kingdom? https://discord.com/invite/2fkn5kam Click the link to join my discord group

In a world where social status and success are determined by one’s Authentic Signature—a unique mark of talent or power each person develops in their lifetime—Kaylen Moore is a rare anomaly: a Blank. Labeled as talentless and invisible to society, he has spent his life on the fringes, watching others ascend to greatness while he’s left with nothing. But everything changes when Kaylen stumbles upon a forgotten artifact that allows him to mimic the Authentic Signatures of others. Armed with the ability to "fake" talents and powers, Kaylen quickly begins to climb the social ladder, infiltrating the highest echelons of power. From street-level thugs to influential elites, no one is safe from his deceptive abilities. However, as Kaylen rises, he discovers that the artifact comes at a cost: the more he uses it, the more it chips away at his sanity and blurs the line between his true self and the personas he creates. To complicate matters further, a shadowy organization that hunts down those who tamper with Authentic Signatures is closing in on him. Caught between the life he’s always dreamed of and the looming danger of exposure, Kaylen must decide: will he embrace his facade to become someone extraordinary, or will he risk everything to discover the truth behind his Blank status? Themes: Identity, deception, ambition, and the cost of power.

She wakes up in pain, her mind blank, and her heart racing as a stranger with silver eyes peers into hers. Elva doesn’t know her name, her past, or how she ended up unconscious in the wilderness. Rescued by Miguel and his sister, Fleur, she begins piecing together fragments of her identity, only to discover that the truth may be more dangerous than the void in her memory. Miguel, with his charm and quiet strength, becomes her anchor in this storm of uncertainty. But as Elva begins to heal, the secrets hidden in her past start to unravel—secrets that tie her to a world of fame, betrayal, and enemies she doesn’t remember. Miguel is drawn to her, yet he’s unprepared for the storm that follows when her past comes knocking. In meant to be , a journey of love, loss, and self-discovery unfolds. Will Elva reclaim her identity, or will the shadows of her forgotten life consume her? And can Miguel protect her when her own past threatens to tear them apart?

Loud music is playing, some students are dancing and other are chatting. The few one who are alone are dispersed observing the others. My eyes scan the room for Liam. Fortunately, I see him standing at the entrance with Lucas, Mateo, Levi and Mason. My legs drag me to their direction and he smiles as he sees me. His friends pushed him to me and he looks like he hesitates for a while before walking up to me. Without a word, he grabs my hand and pulled me away from the noise. Now we’re standing in the boys changing room. Before I speak, he gently cups my face. His forehead is touching mine as his eyes flash in the evening light. My heart races and I look away shyly but he lifts my chin up with his finger. I admire his beauty,drowning in the rush of love and awaiting a toe-curling kiss. I hear his words; “Don’t be silly. You’ll never be my type.” Followed by a chuckle. My blood runs cold as my brain draws a blank *************** Liam Hunter, the name that could make your knees turn jelly. He had it all the looks, money and everyone’s dream girl, Beatrice. He was the school’s basketball team captain. Every girl was dying to spend even a second with him, well except her. His charms didn’t work on her and she seemed oblivious to his existence. Everything changes for Liam when he is dared to date Zara for a month and then dump her. It all starts as game, a mind game for Liam. But what happens when the heart gets involved? What will Zara do after learning the truth? Will she get over her love for Liam and go back to herself?

You will be devoured, consumed by a world with no structure or morality. You will be left as nothing more than a blank canvas. HEARTEATER.

We all see dreams, but what are dreams? Our Mc saw dreams about a world. He found his dreams to be too real. One night he went to sleep but when he woke up he was not in his bed, he found himself on an isolated island. Read the journey of a dreamer as he found himself in a world he saw in his dreams. His advantage? He has been dreaming about that world for ten years and he knows about its past, present, and future.

( system updating) ( “new host Mr Kai Owen welcome. I am 015 your system) “ whoaa what the hell , where am I who are you. the last thing I remember is that I was working on an overtime assignment then ….. what happened then . everything went blank all of a sudden. what the hell is this screen In front of me .Kai thought it was all a hallucination at first but he accepted it later. on his first mission be had to stop a tragedy between the to main protagonists that happened in a Bl novel . first Kai thought that if he quickly finished this he could go back but then when he saw the protagonist of the story he felt a new type of emotion. he fell in love with the protagonist but Kai knew that no matter what he do the main protagonist will only like the other male lead. now what will happen to Kai will he control his feelings and be wingman for the male leads or make the protagonist fall for him. ————————— for that , read and find out.

So it begins in a class room that I came to realise that I got regressed and the worst is that I also forgot all my memories. I mean,I was really minding my own business, going about my day, trying to understand the world by mastering magic. But no—someone just had to meddle and send me back to the past. At first, I thought it might be alright. I mean, I could manage being regressed. Until I realized that whoever sent me back thought it was a brilliant idea to erase my memories, too. Oh, you think it might still be okay to go back to the past? Even if you forget the future Well, let me just add that I can’t remember anything from my childhood either. I’m a complete blank slate. So, on a scale of 1 to 10, how screwed do you think I am?

~ Fairytales Are For Cowards ~ The story follows a little girl who suffers through hardship and torment at a very young age. Chelsea Kiara Vanderson, the first daughter of the business tycoon and deadbeat father Daniel Kenedy Vanderson. The little girl manages to come out of her struggles a strong, emotionless and incredibly self-reliant woman. _ "I don't believe in giving without a purpose. Go straight to the point, what do you want?" Chelsea asked with a blank expression on her face. "Nothing yet, but maybe someday I will," the man said absent minded as he led the little girl and her siblings into his house. _ After dying in Vol 1, Vol 2 will is: ~ Reincarnated Life As The Emperor's Hidden Wife ~

Jemima Stephenson, a 15-yr-old girl stumbles upon a clique and since then, her life has been bombarded with adventures. Will she be able to subdue DESHA??? Will she find out the HIDDEN TRUTH??? Will she find TRUE love??? Will she discover her real root??? Or Will her life become BLANK again??? Read to find out.

Setting in the year 2045 in a parallel world, Dual Persona is the most popular MMO game in the world running for over 14 years with an average concurrent player count of over 23.2 million. More than 8 years ago, 16-yr-old Kai Spencer was an E-sports player whose ranking was always in the middle of his club but one day, he received a blank account card, which hosts a sentient A.I., and with its help, he grew to become the strongest supporter. 4 years later, at the age of 20, Kai became the biggest superstar of the E-sports industry and further led his team to the finals as the captain. However, just before the finals, a scandal erupted and the so-called strongest ever team lost their finals, eventually leading to his retirement from the e-sports industry. At present, a former teammate has dragged him into the world of Esports once again. But, with the new levels, new battle strategies, new genius gamers, and a 3-year-old daughter to look after, will Kai be able to lead a grassroots team and achieve his dream of earning that championship?

Tick Tock Tick Tock The clock's steady beat filled the room, casting a haunting gloom and chill across the room. An old man sat hunched over a blank book, his deep eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity and despair. The lamp's soft glow cast eerie shadows on his face, while a warm cup of coffee sat untouched beside him. His body trembled as he held a pen in his hand and whispered; "I-I... don't want to... please... sorry..." .......................................................... Glynn Frost, a 24-year-old police officer, had built a reputation for solving the unsolvable in Nova City along with his team. But a sudden transfer order shook his world. "Report to Ravenswood town." The words echoed in his mind like a warning bell. As Glynn returned to his seemingly peaceful hometown, he had an ominous feeling. His past successes seemed distant now, replaced by a growing unease. His hometown held secrets and dangers that lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike. Soon his police work would be anything but ordinary as his Fate would lead him down a dark path, where the lines between good and evil blurred. "Stare into it as it stares back, dive into as it dives into the soul."

Born into a world about to change forever, Aren—a 21-year-old recent graduate struggling to find his path—never imagined his life would be anything but ordinary. But on that fateful day, a colossal chain appears in the sky over Earth and shatters, unleashing a mysterious energy known as mana. Those who can adapt awaken their unique Systems, gaining incredible powers that reflect their deepest selves. Those who cannot become mindless zombies, lost to the chaos. While others receive specialized abilities, Aren's System remains a blank slate, granting him the unprecedented potential to learn and master any skill without limits. With society collapsing and dangers lurking at every corner, Aren joins forces with Elara, a compassionate healer searching for her missing brother, and Rin, a shadowy ranger haunted by his past. Together, they navigate a perilous new world filled with mutated beasts and power-hungry individuals. But with figures like Kieran, a charismatic leader hiding a sinister ability to control minds, how long can their fragile hope last? Follow Aren's journey as he embraces his limitless potential, strives to protect those he cares about, and seeks to uncover the truth behind the mana apocalypse in a world where freedom hangs by a thread.

In a world where people's fates are written on their skin in glowing runes, Seraphina, a low-born girl with a blank slate, is shunned as an outcast. When the kingdom falls under attack by shadowy forces, she accidentally bonds with the kingdom’s strongest warrior, Kael, through an ancient ritual that transfers his runes onto her. Bound by a thread of magic that neither of them understands, they discover that their connection could either save the kingdom or destroy it. The runes on Seraphina's skin reveal a prophecy: one of them is destined to betray the other. As they journey together to uncover the origins of the shadowy forces, their growing romance is tested by lies, secrets, and the weight of their shared fate.

Qin Mo is thrust into the grim Warhammer 40,000 universe, where war, chaos, and cosmic horrors rule. To his surprise, he discovers mysterious powers—summoning lightning and fire, altering physics, and instinctively mastering advanced technology. Initially, he believes he’s been touched by Tzeentch, the Chaos God of change, but something is amiss: he cannot access the Warp, the psychic realm that fuels most supernatural abilities in this universe. As he journeys through war-torn battlefields, encountering Imperial forces, Eldar, and Necrons, Qin Mo realizes his powers are unlike anything in this galaxy. They transcend both science and sorcery, hinting at origins beyond this universe's laws. He is not a psyker or a servant of Chaos, but an outsider with the ability to reshape reality itself. Struggling to understand his role, Qin Mo must decide whether to use his newfound abilities to bring balance or forge his own destiny in a galaxy spiraling into darkness.