Darrin Ward

In the land of Virethon, the gods once walked among mortals, bestowing their blessings and powers. But the world was shattered when the gods betrayed humanity, leaving them to fend for themselves. As punishment for their defiance, the gods cursed the mortal realm: now, all humans are Undying, incapable of death or aging. But the curse is a double-edged sword—those who have lived too long are transformed into horrific, broken creatures called Wraiths, consumed by madness and decaying slowly, their bodies falling apart. Society is in ruin, and the once-thriving cities now exist in crumbling ruins where resources are scarce. The last vestiges of the old world are the floating city of Solona, suspended high above the land, where the ruling class, known as the Eternals, live in luxury, sheltered from the decay below. The Eternals, though immortal, live in fear of becoming like the Wraiths. They live off a magical substance known as Essence, harvested from those below, prolonging their lives and enhancing their powers, but at the cost of the suffering of the Undying. You are a mortal in a world of immortals. The only known person who can still die naturally. Your family, once part of the high court of the Eternals, was executed when it was discovered that you had been born without the curse of the Undying. Now, you are hunted by both the Eternals, who see you as a threat to their power, and the Wraiths, who believe you to be the key to reversing the curse.