Description

Kai Psyolm found himself lost in the 3rd layer of the world. Having recently become an Unbound rank Master Shaman, he led a team of 8 on an exploration mission at the bottom of the Blue Sea, away from the dangers of the Siren war.

Ambushed by a squad of Unbound rank sirens, they were forced to flee, eventually making a mistake and being sucked into an underwater current that carried them through a tunnel in the bottom and spat them out underground above the Red Sea - an ocean of boiling magma covered with a permanent mist veil.

This short story explores his group's attempt to navigate the evermist, cross the floating islands, go beyond the red siren’s territory, and return to the Blue Sea and rejoin the White Swamp Expedition Force.

With an electrifying sorceress, a whimsical high shaman, a pair of stoic twins, a beautiful mystic, a wounded seer, and an old explorer, Kai soon finds himself with more problems than he can manage.

Especially when one member has already betrayed him, one is using him to escape a failed assassination, and one is hiding a zealous and nefarious scheme.

[Winner of the Royal Road Writathon challenge]

What readers say about Aithein in the dark - Kai's Saga

“A dark fantasy story that starts strong and keeps the tension high. It follows Kai Psyolm, a young shaman who just earned his rank. He joins a group of Unbound adventurers on a mission under the Blue Sea, but things go wrong fast. They’re attacked, separate…”

RandomWriter777Royal Road5.0 / 5

Community Reviews(1)

RandomWriter777Royal Road

★★★★★ 5.0

A dark fantasy story that starts strong and keeps the tension high. It follows Kai Psyolm, a young shaman who just earned his rank. He joins a group of Unbound adventurers on a mission under the Blue Sea, but things go wrong fast. They’re attacked, separated from the main group, and end up stranded in a dangerous, volcanic part of the world called the Red Sea. From there, it’s a fight for survival and trust.
The plot is fast-paced, and there’s a good mix of action, mystery, and character drama. You never quite know who to trust, and that makes things interesting. It’s more than just a survival story—there’s a lot going on beneath the surface, and the tension within the group adds a lot to the story.
The grammar and writing are solid. It’s clear the author knows what they’re doing. There are a few moments where descriptions go on a bit long, but they don’t drag the story down too much. Dialogue feels natural, and the worldbuilding is well done without being confusing.
Characters are one of the strongest parts. Kai is a solid main character—capable but not perfect. The side characters stand out too, especially the twins and the wounded seer. Everyone has a distinct personality, and you get the sense there’s more going on with each of them.
Overall, Aithein in the Dark is worth checking out if you’re into darker fantasy with a survival twist. It has a strong setup, good writing, and interesting characters. If the rest of the series keeps up this quality, it’s going to be a great read.