Hog Of The Forsaken

In the virtual reality game Tower of Eternity, players compete to ascend a 50-floor tower, each floor a unique world with its own challenges and mythologies. Azrael, a young professional gamer, is the only person to have ever reached the top. But when the tower suddenly descends onto Earth, merging with reality, everyone awakens to a game-like system. Azrael is granted a unique gift—the Arch-Angel Physique, a divine transformation that sets him apart from the rest of humanity. As the tower's floors become accessible, Azrael discovers that each floor is governed by deities and factions from various mythologies, all vying for control. Amidst the chaos, he crosses paths with Lilith, a captivating and dangerous fallen angel. Their connection is immediate, but their love is forbidden—Azrael, blessed with the power of an archangel, and Lilith, a being of darkness, are natural opposites. As Azrael navigates the tower's treacherous politics and battles legendary beings, he begins to suspect that his own identity is tied to the tower in ways he never imagined. Fragments of memories and cryptic clues suggest a deeper connection, raising questions about who he truly is and why he was the only one to reach the top. In a world where myth and reality collide, Azrael's journey is one of survival, discovery, and the quest to understand the true nature of existence—all while grappling with a forbidden love and the mystery of his own identity.

I closed my eyes and let out a long, shuddering breath. The needle slipped through my numb fingers and clattered onto the rough pavement. Nothingness swirled around me, bringing the first peace I'd felt in my short, miserable life. No one would miss me, and if any did...? Well, there was always someone else to beat or rape. They'd move on quickly. But then...gods? Since when did nothingness have so many gods? Chosen by the goddess of Fate, I'm thrust into a world of magic and wonder alongside nine other heroes. A world where the gods reign supreme, and evil is vanquished before it can spread its blight. Can such a place truly exist? Could life really be worth living? I've heard that the brightest lights cast the longest shadows, but my life has been nothing but darkness. Perhaps this new world will be the chance I need to find the light, to see the other side. Discord: https://discord.gg/PX3xqJdZMY

In the world of Aetherion, where magic, spirits, and powerful noble houses dictate fate, a young man from Earth finds himself reborn as Averis Ravenshade, the firstborn of the feared Duke of the North. But there’s a problem—Averis isn’t a hero. He’s a villain, a stepping stone in the tale of a regressed imperial princess destined for greatness. In his past life, Averis was an ordinary teenager who lost all hope, only to awaken in a world of grandeur and danger. Marked by his silver-white hair and piercing red pupils, he is the heir to one of the empire’s mightiest houses. But with his tragic fate already written, he refuses to be a mere obstacle in someone else’s story. Armed with knowledge of the future, a mysterious system. With war looming, demons lurking in the shadows, and power-hungry nobles plotting against him, Azriel must carve his own path in a world where only the strong survive. But as he struggles between revenge and redemption, he must ask himself: Can a villain truly live again? Or is he doomed to fall once more? This is the tale of Averis Ravenshade, the villain who refused to die.

"What if pain was the price to uncover the truth you were born for?" The cursed chosen one This is what I felt After escaping the darkness meant freedom, but I soon realized it was always with me. Breaking my chains was only the beginning—my past haunts me, and I’m left wondering: Did I truly escape, or am I just a shadow running from itself? Did I disappear into nothingness, or did nothingness consume everything?

Chronicles of the Forsaken follows Seraphina Valemont, a feared villainess born into a corrupt royal family. Once an ordinary woman obsessed with sci-fi novels, her life takes a dark turn when a car crash sends her into the very world she once read about—trapped in the body of its most despised character. Marked by a bloodline curse, Seraphina must navigate deadly court politics, uncover buried family secrets, and survive a kingdom on the brink of war. As rebellion brews and betrayal lurks in every shadow, she forms a fragile bond with a mysterious figure—her enemy, her fate, and perhaps her only salvation. With love, power, and destiny at war, Seraphina faces an impossible choice: embrace the villainess she was meant to be or fight for a future beyond the chains of fate. But in a world where monsters wear crowns, is redemption even possible?

Born into a world of magic and mystery, Sylas Vael is no ordinary child. From an early age, he senses the unseen forces that shape reality, the hidden power flowing through all things. But the path to strength is neither easy nor kind. As he grows, Sylas begins to unravel the secrets of mana, forging bonds and testing his limits in a world filled with warriors, mages, and rulers vying for power. Yet, beyond the peaceful life he’s come to cherish, shadows stir, and whispers of the unknown call to him. With destiny looming on the horizon, his journey is only beginning.

On the eve of her engagement party, Vivienne discovered the ultimate betrayal: her stepmother and half-sister had framed her father for embezzlement, forcing him into prison. Worse, her fiancé Damian whom she had loved for years—had been part of the scheme all along, planning to marry her just to seize her family's wealth. With nothing left to lose, she crashed the party and made a shocking announcement—she would marry the most powerful man in the room, the ruthless CEO who had always been her family’s rival. To everyone’s horror, he agreed. Married overnight to the man feared by many, she used her new status to reclaim everything stolen from her, bringing down her enemies one by one. But just as she thinks she’s won, her husband leans in and whispers, “Now that I’ve helped you… when will you fall for me?”

Forsaken Bloodline – Once the blood is spilled, it cannot be undone. In a world where power is everything, secrets can be deadly. Julian was just an ordinary high school student—until everything changed. A mysterious drug spreads chaos, granting people superhuman abilities, and dragging him into a war he never asked for. As he uncovers the dark truth behind the powers, he is forced to question everything—his past, his identity, and the forces that seem to be pulling him into something far greater than he ever imagined. Dangerous enemies lurk in the shadows, watching his every move. A voice whispers from within, offering him strength—but at what cost? Betrayal, vengeance, and an unstoppable force loom over him as he fights to survive. But this is only the beginning. As secrets unravel, Julian is thrust into an even deadlier battle. The war is no longer just about survival—it’s about destiny. A storm is coming, one that will change everything. And when the truth finally comes to light, it will shake the very foundation of his world. Warning: This novel features intense action, mature themes, and complex characters. Reader discretion is advised.

HEED MY ADVICE, TO ALL WHO WILL LISTEN, THE FURY OF A WOMAN WHO LIVES ON REVENGE, EVEN IN THE FACE OF DEATH, IS A RECKONING THAT SPARES NO ONE. The Dukedom Heiress Luella Van-Rensselaer thought that by doing everything her family needed, she would have the beautiful and loving family she had always wanted. However, she ends up getting betrayed by her own twin sister and her fiancé. Having gotten fed up with her family and how badly they had put her through, Luella wishes for death, which her sister gives to her as she ends up dying in the hands of her sister and fiancé. Finally, finding the peace she had always wanted, she wakes up to when she was eighteen (18) years old as the funeral service of her father. And now filled with nothing but rage and memories of her past, she now aims to destroy the entire dukedom with its name. The Van-Rensselaer dukedom will end WITH her and BY her. ~+~ A MAN WHO LOVES HIS WOMAN WITH NO POWER OR WEALTH IS NOTHING BUT A DREAMER; BUT A MAN WHO LOVES HIS WOMAN WITH POWER AND WEALTH IS A PROTECTOR, WORTHY TO BE BY HER SIDE. And that was what Grand Duke Ozed Rhinelander was. A man who went to war for his woman, accumulated wealth for his woman, lives for his woman. And he would kill for his woman. When Luella decides to take revenge on her family, she goes to one person she fully trusts. ~+~ ~Fragment~ "Do you want this?" His voice was low, almost a growl, but there was a hint of something else beneath — something that made her heart skip a beat. She swallowed hard, her throat dry. The question hung in the air between them, heavy and tangible. "I… I don't know," She finally answered, her voice barely above a whisper. His lips curled into a smirk, a slow, dangerous smile that sent shivers down her spine. "Liar" he murmured, his voice a deep rumble that vibrated through her. "You want this. You want me." She opened her mouth to protest, to deny it, but he didn't give her a chance. His hand shot out, gripping her chin roughly, forcing her to look up at him. "Do you want me to prove it?" He asked, his voice dripping with challenge. ~+~ Tags: #Revenge #Strongfemalelead, #norape, #reincarnation, #Fakeidentity, #EdwardianEra, #VampireRomance #Smut #Supernaturalpowers #magic #darkfantasy #long-distance pining (The main characters are aware of each other's feelings but can't be physically be together yet. IN THE BEGINNING CHAPTERS). ~+~ Cover is mine. DO NOT USE ____ @AR

"Let's divorce. I'm finally letting you go," she said with scarce emotion on her lovely face. Seeing her resolve, he felt heaviness in his heart. His face darkened, clenching his jaw. "You can't leave me. You are bound to me for eternity." He forcibly grabbed her, pinning her on the wall, his hands started caressing her sensitive spots. "And your body... doesn't LIE," he whispered sensually, lips gently nibbling on her earlobe. Her breath hitched, her heartbeat racing.  Seeing her struggle to resist him, he smirked triumphantly. "You yearn for my touch and my kiss. You also desire me." The next thing she felt was his lips roughly brushing against hers in a hungry kiss. **** Neglected by the King Enslaved by the Queen Bullied by her royal siblings Hated by The Kingdom's Hero Ostracized by her own people EVE HAD ENOUGH! She ripped off her disguise and began to fight back, flaunting her skills and talents– extremely beautiful, highly intelligent, proficient in medicinal knowledge, great combat skills, and with rare talent– Beast Taming!  Eve– the Forsaken Princess will ascend to the throne, not just conquering kingdoms but also capturing the hearts of the powerful gentlemen– A Hero Knight, An Infamous Hunter, and the Tyrant Crown Prince! Like a phoenix rising from ashes, Eve reruns her life, determined to trample everyone with her vengeance. [ Warning: Mature Content, R18+ ]

A world ruled by Sovereigns, beings of absolute power bound by an eternal cycle. Every 1,000 years, reality resets, and history is rewritten. The strong ascend, the weak are erased, and none remember what came before. Except for one. When he awakens in a shattered battlefield, marked as “Forsaken,” he knows something is wrong. Fragments of past cycles burn in his mind. He remembers dying—again and again—fighting against a fate he could never escape. But this time, something is different. His power is corrupted, broken beyond recognition. His existence is an anomaly, rejected by the world itself. The cycle should have erased him, but he remains. Now, hunted by immortals who do not remember their crimes, he must uncover the truth behind the Pantheon of Sovereigns, the Architect who designed this prison, and the lost history of those who defied fate before him. For the first time in eternity, the cycle is fracturing. And he is the one breaking it.

Betrayed. Forgotten. Forsaken. When Kael Ardyn, heir to the noble house of Ardyn, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, his world crumbles in an instant. Branded a traitor, hunted like an animal, and cast into the dreaded Abyss, he is left to die in the depths where no mortal survives. But Kael is no ordinary man. In the darkness of the Abyss, he awakens something ancient—something that should have never been disturbed. The Primordial Abyss speaks to him, offering knowledge, power, and vengeance beyond mortal comprehension. Now reborn as the Abyssborn, Kael is no longer a forsaken noble. He is a harbinger of ruin, an entity that should not exist in the mortal realm. Armed with abyssal power and a thirst for retribution, he will ascend from the darkness and carve his legend into the world. They thought they had buried him. They thought they had won. But from the shadows, the Forsaken King shall rise.

Heaven’s Forsaken Tyrant In a world where only the strong have the right to live, Mo Xuanlong once stood at the peak of glory. But the trust he gave became the dagger that pierced his back. Betrayed by his sect, abandoned by the woman he protected, and destroyed by those who once swore loyalty to him—he died with an unquenchable hatred. But death was not the end. He was reborn, not as a victim, but as the tyrant forsaken by the heavens. With memories of his past life and power beyond human limits, Xuanlong swore to rewrite his destiny. The sects that thought him dead would witness the return of a being more terrifying than any demon. The traitors would kneel, begging for mercy—mercy that would never be granted. This world is filled with schemes, betrayal, and bloodshed. Only one law remains—those who are not strong enough to stand at the peak will be buried beneath it. If the heavens forsake me, then I shall tear them down myself.

"Long ago, the Cursed Supreme , Zorthaal was sealed away, his soul bound to a newborn child—Layron. He was meant to die, but a warrior saved him. Years later, weak and ridiculed, Layron longs for strength. That’s when he hears the voice—a whisper of power and revenge. Zorthaal has been waiting, and with every desperate wish, the seal weakens. Now, hunted by the Protectors and manipulated by the darkness within, Layron faces a choice: resist the voice or become the monster fate intended. Because once the seal breaks—Zorthaal will return.

The King of Galbore made a promise that the hero who ends the worst war of the century will marry his daughter. He did not expect that the hero will be Prince Cassian from a foreign kingdom which he never got along with. Trying to keep the promise to upkeep his reputation, he lets the prince marry the child from his first marriage instead of his gem. What the king did not realise was that the prince knew of his scheme and he intentionally went ahead with the marriage with the forsaken princess. Moreover, Cassian has an unexpected history with Princess Isabelle. But she does not seem to remember him… Isabelle posed as her sister Adeline during the wedding and thereafter, hoping to save her father and kingdom she learns how to be a princess she should be, facing the challenges along the way and many heartbreaks.

When the human princess, Lareina is sent as a bride for a peace treaty between the demons and humans, she ends up in a political marriage with the second prince of demons, Prince Azrael. Lareina falls for his gentleness that sets him apart from the rest of the demons in her eyes but on the night of their wedding, he is deployed to the war. Years after his abrupt departure, Azrael has finally emerged victorious and returned. However, much to Lareina's dismay, he has brought back a beautiful demoness with him. At the receiving end of his hatred, a heartbroken Lareina tries to save their marriage until all her hopes are shattered. Determined to carve a way for herself, she decides to end the marriage but she is met with a new challenge when her seemingly uncaring husband suddenly refuses to let her go.

Ethan Vale had read Eclipse of the Eternal Empire more times than he could count. He knew every twist, every betrayal, and every tragic fate written in its pages. But when he wakes up inside its world—not as the protagonist, not as a villain, but as a nameless soldier doomed to die before the real story even begins—he realizes something is wrong. Armed with only his unreliable knowledge of the novel and a pathetic Martial Aura, Ethan barely escapes his scripted death. But the story isn’t unfolding as it should. Forgotten side characters are still alive. Key events are happening out of order. And Seran Durell, the novel’s future villain, is watching Ethan far too closely—almost as if he, too, knows the future. As Ethan navigates political conspiracies, deadly warriors, and a world that seems to be rewriting itself, he must answer one question: Was Eclipse of the Eternal Empire just a book? Or had it always been real? And most importantly—who is pulling the strings of this world’s fate?

Of the Night follows Astra, a young man born in the harsh outskirts of a vast magical world, who awakens a rare and dangerous form of magic—Star Magic. Tied to the Stars, this dark power grants him control over shadows and the night sky. As Astra learns to harness his abilities, he uncovers his bloodline’s connection to ancient gods and an overwhelming force that demands both mastery and sacrifice. The more Astra delves into his power, the more he risks losing himself to its darkness. With enemies around every corner, including powerful factions who seek to control or destroy him, Astra must decide how far he is willing to go to achieve his ambitions. Of the Night is a tale of magic, ambition, and the struggle between light and dark as Astra fights to master the power of the stars without losing his soul.

Reincarnated as a dragon. Branded a failure. Left for dead. In a world where power is absolute, Hibana is cast aside—too weak, too small, unworthy of even being called a dragon. He should have died. He was meant to die. But the world is wrong. The gods are wrong. The weak do not exist to be trampled. Fate is not set in stone. Through fire and blood, through pain and defiance, Hibana will carve his own path—not as a pawn of the Divine Law, but as its undoing. They abandoned him. They will learn to fear him. The gods are watching. The world is changing. And a dragon once discarded will rise beyond their sight.

Kieran Valtheris awakens to the stench of blood and the roar of an execution crowd—only to realize that he has been reborn in a body that isn’t his own. Sentenced to death for crimes he never committed, he fights his way to freedom, escaping into the shadows of a city that should not exist. The memories of his past life are fractured, glimpses of a war that already happened—or should have happened. The kingdom he remembers falling still stands. The people he once knew are gone, their legacies erased. Something is deeply, horribly wrong. As Kieran navigates a world both familiar and foreign, whispers follow him, voices of something watching, waiting. With no allies, no power, and an identity that isn’t truly his, he must unravel the truth before history itself collapses around him. Because if he was reborn in the wrong time—what else has been changed?

In a world where advanced technology and ancient traditions collide, jōki—an energy fueled by emotion—defines strength. Those who wield it shape the course of history. Those who cannot are left behind. Luka Viazemsky was born different. He cannot feel. He cannot wield jōki. To the world, he is nothing. An outcast. But when his peaceful island is destroyed by the alien race known as the Xeno, and his parents are killed in the massacre, his fate is forever changed. Left to survive in a society that rejects him, Luka’s life takes another turn when he is pushed off a cliff and left for dead. Instead of dying, he is rescued by a mysterious man—someone like him, someone without emotion. Under his brutal training, Luka awakens a rare and unknown power, one that should not exist. Now, armed with a strength he barely understands, Luka embarks on a dangerous journey across a world ruled by warriors and corrupted by hidden forces. He must learn the emotions he was born without, search for his missing sister, and face the Xeno race that shattered his life. But the deeper he delves into his own existence, the more he realizes—this world is built on lies. And at its core lies a secret that could change everything. Because in a war where power is everything, what happens when the one who feels nothing is the key to peace—or total destruction?

The System defined the fate of the world. For the lucky, it is the key to power. For the unlucky, it is a death sentence. Kiyen was born without a System, without opportunities, without a future. To save his mother, he throws himself into the mines, the place where the weak disappear. But when his survival instinct pushes him beyond his limits, something impossible happens.

In a world where monsters walk among men, hidden behind human faces, the Grimms have long stood as the last line of defense. But for Aldric Vael, being a Grimm was never a choice—it was a curse he was born into and a destiny he was abandoned to. As a child, Aldric’s parents, both legendary Grimms, were imprisoned by the Elderkind Dominion, a secretive order that seeks to control the balance between humans and the monstrous Veydir. To protect him, they left him behind, alone and hunted. Surviving on sheer instinct, Aldric roamed the wilds until an old Grimm found him and forged him into a warrior. Now, years later, Aldric has uncovered the truth—his mother escaped captivity and has been searching for him. But she is not the only one looking. The Dominion has resurfaced, tightening its grip on the world, while powerful Veydir factions like the Blackfang Pact and the Hollowborn Cult conspire in the shadows. Worse still, supernatural beings long thought to be myths—the Forgotten Ones—are awakening, bringing chaos in their wake. Armed with more than just the ability to see the Veydir, Aldric wields forgotten Grimm powers: the Veil Sight to glimpse hidden truths, the Blood Awakening that grants him terrifying strength, and the Echo of the Ancestors, allowing him to channel the skills of Grimms long past. But even with these gifts, he is still just one man against a world that wants him dead. To uncover the fate of his parents and break the cycle of war between Grimms and Veydir, Aldric must walk the fine line between hunter and hunted. But as enemies close in from all sides, one question remains—will he reclaim his legacy or be consumed by the darkness he fights?

Auri doesn’t care about book restoration. He doesn’t care about repairing old books that no one bothers to read anymore. But when he wakes up in a fantasy world with nothing but a strange system that classifies everything and everyone as a book, he realizes that learning book restoration is a priority if he wants to ensure his survival. As his unique talent and reputation grow, Auri starts drawing the attention of dangerously captivating individuals, throwing him in the middle of three opposing forces within the Holy Empire. A flirty inquisitor keeps testing his limits, a battle-crazed mage always seeks him for a challenge, and a sly diplomat from the east always schemes behind the scenes. They hover around like flies, each with their own agenda as they try to get close to him. But deep within the holy grounds, in a place where the empire’s influence doesn’t reach, a revolution is starting to take place. And when Auri’s circumstances in the empire becomes especially dire, he stumbles upon an unexpected ally; one who opens him up to the hidden corners of the realm—and one who ensnares him in an untamable romance he never expected to find.

It’s 2100, and Vincent Carter – Ying – is a twenty-year-old virgin with a penchant for profanity, he has but three guiding principles: “In a world where honour and valour seem like unaffordable luxuries, cowardice remains the pragmatist’s ultimate virtue. Spinelessness isn’t shameful, it’s simply self-preservative romance.” “Doubt is unironically the cheapest superpower a person can have, after all if it’s human, it’s probably plotting something. And if it’s plotting something, it’s probably hiding something. And if it’s hiding something… well, you get the idea. So question everything, one sceptical step at a time.” And lastly, “Muscle heads – because who needs brains when you can just flex your way through life? Couldn’t be me, I’ll tell you that much.” Armed with nothing but these… questionable (?) values, as well as experiences shaped by a hellish life in the slums, Ying dives headfirst into the latest VR sensation – Cultivation Climax, a world brimming with great magic, ancient mysteries, and blood-curdling conspiracies just waiting to be unravelled. However, because Ying’s life is just that kind of special, he is greeted with a rather ‘lovely’ surprise upon opening his eyes to the new world… Ding! [Your misfortune is truly astounding!] [You have awakened the absolute WORST talent for Cultivation!] ‘…’ “…W-what?!” Yes, what indeed. https://www.royalroad.com/profile/633482/fictions. I'm the author.

Enter this novel now The forsaken lost By night_silent If you are a good reader Or you can prove yourself

In a world where divine remnants fuel technology, humans implant Mods—fragments of fallen gods—to wield unimaginable power. But these gifts come at a cost. The gods are not truly dead, and their whispers grow louder with each modification, driving the users toward madness, obsession, or something far worse. Atlas, a veteran adventurer trapped in a cycle of death and rebirth, seeks a way to break free from fate. His only clue lies deep within the dungeon—a labyrinth of horrors where the boundary between man and monster blurs. Joined by a reluctant party and shadowed by the enigmatic Kailashan, Eugene must navigate treacherous alliances, eldritch foes, and the ever-growing corruption of his own Mods. As the past begins to repeat itself, Atlas must decide: will he embrace the gods’ power or defy them at the risk of losing himself?

In a world dominated by the tyrannical Overlord, where society thrives on the power of Q-Energy, those deemed unworthy are discarded and left to perish. Ishizaki, a scavenger barely scraping by in the outskirts of civilization, never imagined he was anything more than another forsaken soul. But his life changes forever when he unearths a strange, sentient device hidden beneath the rubble—Solus, an advanced AI fused with Q-Energy. From the moment he touches it, Ishizaki is marked for death. The Overlord’s forces descend upon him with terrifying efficiency, forcing him into a desperate flight for survival. As he struggles to stay alive, he finds allies in the most unlikely places: Drax, a grizzled warrior with a thirst for vengeance; Kaede, a rogue scientist harboring dangerous secrets; and a group of orphaned children who have lost everything. But the deeper they flee into the ruins of the old world, the more Ishizaki realizes something is wrong. He is changing. Visions of a past he does not remember. A voice whispering in his mind. An unbearable sense of déjà vu as he draws closer to the Overlord’s darkest secrets. When the group uncovers the remnants of Project Ascension, a forbidden experiment buried beneath layers of deception, Ishizaki is confronted with an unbearable truth—he is not who he thought he was. The answers lie within a heavily guarded research facility, a place where monsters were made, and humanity was lost. It is there that Ishizaki encounters Unit 01, a being fused with both flesh and machine, a prototype of something greater—the first subject of Project Ascension. But what shakes him to his core is not Unit 01’s power or the horror of their existence. It’s the fact that they recognize him. “You were meant to replace me.” Before Ishizaki can demand answers, the facility begins to collapse. Unit 01, unstable and dying, makes a final sacrifice to ensure the group’s escape. But freedom is an illusion. As they emerge into the broken world beyond, a chilling sight awaits them—the Overlord’s forces are already there, waiting. Their arrival was expected. Now, with the truth about himself unraveling, Ishizaki faces an impossible choice: accept that he is nothing more than a failed experiment and keep running, or embrace the terrifying possibility that he was created to end the Overlord’s rule. Even if it means sacrificing his own humanity. The path ahead is uncertain, but one thing is clear—he is forsaken, but he is not alone. And for the first time, Solus speaks not as an AI, but as something else entirely. “Ishizaki… you were never meant to survive. But now that you have, what will you do?” With enemies on all sides, time running out, and the weight of the past crushing him, Ishizaki must forge his own path. A path of vengeance. A path of survival. A path of the forsaken.

Pralaya, a young boy named after a god abandoned by even the heavens, endures a living hell at home. Brutalized by his alcoholic father and ignored by his timid mother, Pralaya's very name is a constant reminder of his parents' disdain. He lives in the lower depths of Gaia, a city once envisioned as a utopia but now fractured into rigid social classes. When a sudden explosion rocks the city, Pralaya's bleak existence is violently disrupted, thrusting him into a world far beyond his abusive home. As chaos descends, Pralaya discovers that his cursed name might be more than just a symbol of misfortune, and that the forsaken god within him may hold the key to Gaia's future, and his own survival. Will he succumb to the darkness that surrounds him, or rise to defy his destiny and reshape the entire world