Brave Frontier Joy To Ashes Novels & Stories

It uncurled its pale new leaves, reaching upward toward the bright blue sky. It was the first living thing to grow naturally in the North in ten centuries. A deafening, triumphant cheer erupted across the valley. The beast kin roared, slamming their heavy fists against their chests. The refugees wept and embraced one another. The sound of pure, unadulterated joy echoed off the volcanic mountains, completely drowning out the howl of the northern wind. Ashren stood up. He pulled Valen into his arms, lifting our son high above his head for the entire city to see. I wrapped my arms around my mate’s waist, leaning my head against his chest. I listened to his steady, uncorrupted heartbeat.

By every name that walked before. The Ashborn are waiting. When they see her emerge, They do not cheer. They stand. Because no banners are needed. No crowns required. Only choice. And it has been made. And it is hers.

He carefully wipes the tears from my face as he turns my head up to look at him. “Little Bear, you've been through hell and back, no one would ever expect you to come out of it even the least bit affected. You've suffered more trauma than anyone I know, and yet you're still fighting. You are a true warrior. Don't ever think otherwise. What they did to you would have anyone second guessing themselves. Don't let them win. They want to see you fail. Just because they got to you, doesn't mean that they've won. The fact that you were able to see through their lies only proves how strong you really are.”

"A great victory. One worth celebrating. So go—take shelter, rest, prepare yourselves. Tomorrow, we feast." The sound that rose up was raw, relieved, almost desperate. Not the polished cheer of a planned celebration, but something deeper—gratitude mixed with leftover fear, pride tangled with grief. It rolled through the crowd, grew louder for a moment, then broke apart into smaller voices, murmurs, a few tired laughs. Ashley felt it in her ribs, but her face stayed blank. She couldn't quite let it in yet.

The fear and grief I had been holding in broke loose the moment I saw her. "Cassia!" My voice came out hoarse as I shouted with everything I had: "Save my father! Hurry, save my father!"

So when a Necromancer terrorist group waged war against law-abiding citizens and started wreaking havoc, the Chicago became a shitshow and immediately converted to a worst kind, not even the local normie police could handle. Which meant the best counterattack came not from local human authorities but in the form of government-backed Awakens. “Where the fuck is our cover fire?” Knight Adamson gritted his teeth and raise his hand casting a shield but flinched when magic bullets started raining down at them. He glanced over at his second-in-command and communications and infiltration specialist Sergeant Rina Abello, as she dropped down beside him, magically enhanced AKR-75 assault rifle tightly

My brother’s broken expression. “I reached for him. I begged him to step back. He smiled sadly and said I finally got the better deal. Then he jumped. Just like that. I screamed for help and tried to go in after him, but the crew held me back. By the time they got boats in the water, it was too late.” Lila’s eyes filled with tears. She cupped my face. “Zane…”

Ashara’s black eyes met hers. “Of ruin. Of fire. Of the world that once was.” And far below, in the shadows of the valley, the Prophetess raised her hands and whispered: **“Let the ashes rise.”**

The love in their eyes made me feel that this trip through the human world had been more than worth it. I slowly closed my eyes. Right before they shut completely, I had a strange feeling and turned my head toward the narrow glass window in the door. Through it, I saw a handsome face with red eyes and trembling lips. It was Cole. My vision, my sense of touch, and my sense of smell began to fade as I waited for death to take me. Seconds before I lost my hearing too, I heard people shouting my name from all around. In the midst of all the noise, I caught one voice that wasn't loud at all. It should've been clear and cool, but right then it was hoarse. Its owner called out, "Izzy."

Ten years hadn’t dulled his instincts. “You didn’t sleep,” he said, voice low. Aria shook her head. “The deep is calling. Not Maris. Something older.” Before he could answer, the door slammed open. Ash stood there, breathing hard, holding a torn scout report. Mud on her boots, dirt under her nails. She hadn’t even changed after patrol. “Northern border,” Ash said without preamble. “The broken oak isn’t the only tree with names anymore. We’ve got three more glowing. All in the Wastes.”