Further Beyond: Ascension

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

[Winner of the Royal Road 2025 April Writathon]The Halaklands are a messy collection of feuding, squabbling, and warring petty kingdoms, clans, and realms. The Halak peoples are themselves a haughty, stubborn, disagreeable people who take great pride in their prowess as warriors. As the old saying goes, 'Each Halak man is his own king, his family his own kingdom', these people are fiercely independent folk. Add to this already chaotic tapestry a cadre of foreign influences from wesstern empires, proselytisation from missionaries, and magical beasts.

Thus is the situation Josias finds himself in within the court of his swordsaint grandfather's kingdom. The mightiest realm of all the Halaklands and the most prominent realm within it that considers itself christian. Yet even within his realm, chaos threatens to break out of the floodgates. Day by day his grandfather's health weakens and with that, so too would his influence. While many realms declare themselves as friends to Goria, many more look to them without such kindness.

Threats abound both from outside the kingdom as well as from within. Surely the neighbouring clans would look to disperse Goria's power in the midst of such chaos. All this while struggles within the realm between those who have embraced the new ways and those clinging to the old could prove to be a major problem.

With all of that, only one question remains. Will there be a hero that emerges to save his people? Or will the Halaklands descend further into chaos?

---

What to expect from the story:

- A strong MC but with some progression still involved.

- A slowburn story focused on setting and inter-personal relations

- Classic epic fantasy. No RPG mechanics. However some influences from Xianxia may or may not be present.

- Eventual kingdom building but still far away in the story

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: emssitumorang

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 156
Views: 68,001

Chapters(137 total)

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

ThuanAnRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The story doesn't begin with swords and sorcery, but with a question: "What is a Hero?". The opening, a journal entry from an old missionary named Ludwig, immediately caught my attention. Here was a man at the end of his life, grappling with the subjectivity of glory, the idea that one man's hero is another's villain. He understood that a great victory for humanity was built on the corpses of elves, that saviors can also be cataclysms. This is a very nice take that set it self apart from tons of high stake fantasy by providing a strong framework underneath
The author has built a detailed world, with political and religious conflicts that are well-established. The central theme is the clash between tradition and modernity, framed as the "Old Ways" of Halak paganism versus the encroaching influence of Christianity and the outside world. This conflict is not merely theological but also deeply personal, causing rifts within the ruling family itself.
The writing style is one of its strongest asset with a descriptive and immersive prose style. The dialogue feels natural, and the cultural details create a vivid and believable setting. The action sequences, like the rhinoceros hunt, are dynamic and well-choreographed, effectively conveying the danger and excitement.
Overall this a nice story with solid center conflict not just in the plot, but the theme itself. I would to see it reach the finish line and totally recommend this to other who looking for a slow-burn, immersive vast yet personal and strong foundation. Keep up the good work!
J. A. PowersRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Mana and religion harmonize in this world instead of following the common trope of religion hating/outlawing/abhorring anything magic related. Follow this story of what appears to be about a strapping young hero who braves the jungles but is actually a complex and beautifully written accounting of how religion impacts and is integrated into new societies. Along with the strife and discord that comes with that integration.
Style Score
What makes a hero? That is the thought-provoking question that the author starts the reader off with and seems to be a constant reverberating hum in the back of your mind as you read about the characters. The line, "for what is a hero if he who strives in all ways to achieve Glory, Honor, and dignity within this life" really struck a chord within me.
Grammar Score
This might be the greatest failing of the story as a whole, as the author shifted to typing on his phone at one point and that the author is willing to fix any mistakes pointed out are definitely points towards a good score, it doesn't fix that there are some simple grammatical errors within the text. For example, in the quote (which I adored) above all three traits should be capitalized or not capitalized, not a mix. Even though there are grammatical errors that jarred a bit, they weren't overwhelming.
Story Score
This is where the story really shined, it is so often that religion is demonized or worhispped. There isn't an in-between of positives and negatives that try to harmonize and balance within the confines of the space the story takes place in. Too often we have stories like Philip Pullman's Darm Materials' series, we need more Further Beyond: Ascension! Bravo author!
Character Score
With a complex and wonderful world aligning to something as vast as religion the characters seem a bit one-dimensional in contrast. One-dimensional, or simple, characters in stories can be a boon to certain styles of writing, but in this one the contrast is a bit too noticeable. Still, thi
OliverBlairRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story places you right in a big world that feels lived in and well-realized. It's immediately evident that the cultures presented are steeped in traditions and have long histories.
Style- The narrative style dives deep into the setting and the character interactions. You get a good look at the layered relationships of a large cast of connected characters. The multiple POVs add to this too, especially as the story starts to expand in scope. The setting descriptions are also very evocative. Magic is introduced slowly and subtly while being treated as a common aspect of society, with the characters reacting to it accordingly.
Story- The story has a slow burn, where you are introduced piece by piece to the society and the different players. My favorite part of the story was the family drama aspects that are set against a grand fantasy setting. You get to read a young lover's spat that takes place in the middle of a crowded church. Where I left off as of this review (Ch. 10) things are ramping up, and I expect some good politicking is on the way.
Grammar- The author's vocabulary is very rich. Some passages read almost like something from a history book, and I mean that in a good way--it adds some gravitas and works well to give context about the world's history with religion and other world-building details (medicines for example). My biggest criticism here is that some sentences go on a bit too long with too many different ideas. I also think that some paragraphs could be broken up for better clarity.
Characters- As I mentioned earlier, its a big cast of characters with their own clear motivations. Many of the major players are part of one family, and there a lot of interesting dynamics there. The general tone of the story is fairly serious, but there are quite a few funny character moments. The characters are placed in difficult situations to which they react realistically. My favorite example of this where one character sees his brother receive a harsh punishment
OnceWrittenRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm not entirely sure where to begin with "Further Beyond: Ascension," except to say that it is unapologetically heavy. This is not a light fantasy romp; instead, it feels like a dense work of historical fiction that just happens to be set in a world of elves, mana, and mythical heroes. The author masterfully blends these elements, but what truly stands out is the deep, intricate weaving of its religious element. The story reads like an epic chronicle of faith, colonialism, and cultural clash, setting a profound and serious tone from its very first pages.
The narrative achieves this weighty feel through its unconventional prologue, which takes the form of a long and detailed journal entry from a missionary named Ludwig Johan Rappmeister. Rather than action, we are given a deep, academic dive into the world's history, the subjective nature of heroism, and the harrowing, often brutal, history of his mission to convert the native Hallack people—a chronicle that includes theological reflection alongside graphic accounts of martyrdom and ritual cannibalism. It's a bold and challenging start that firmly establishes the story's thematic depth.
After this dense opening, the story shifts into what feels like a more traditional fantasy adventure, following the brave young warrior-prince, Josias, on his first heroic hunt. This section is filled with satisfying genre beats: a thrilling battle against a mana-enhanced beast, the hero's ascension to a new level of power, and the warm camaraderie of family and friends celebrating his victory . But the story's true power lies where these two modes collide. The heavy themes from the prologue's historical chronicle don't remain in the past; they erupt dramatically into the present. This is powerfully demonstrated in a raw, emotional scene where a bitter family argument reveals a deep schism between adherents of the new Christian faith and those clinging to the 'Old Ways' of their ancestors . It's in this collision of grand history wit
OneDropRainRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Further Beyond Ascension shows a solid grasp of classic epic-fantasy themes, blended with a sharp eye for political drama and moral dilemmas. Author builds up a consistent atmosphere of tension, shifting alliances, and social fracture that feels authentic to the world the author is constructing. While sometimes a bit dense in dialogue, the narrative holds up with a good mix of intrigue and character-driven stakes.
The prose is clear, generally well-paced, and mature without being overly ornate. The author strikes a decent balance between narration and dialogue, though in a few places exposition can feel a touch heavy. Descriptions of ceremonies, feasts, and traditions are evocative and immersive. Some repetition of ideas (particularly around the old-vs-new conflict) could be tightened, but overall the style fits the epic-fantasy genre nicely.
The plot progression is steady and thoughtful, focusing on internal conflict rather than flashy external threats (at least so far). The depiction of social fracture, the decline of a traditional hierarchy, and the threat of war on the horizon all build a compelling throughline. There aren’t a lot of sudden surprises, but the consistency in tone and stakes makes up for it. The way the exile arc sets up future conflict is especially well done.
Technically, the writing is quite polished. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are reliably clean with no serious issues. Sentence flow is professional, and the author seems to have proofread carefully. There are a few stylistic redundancies, but nothing that truly breaks immersion.
The protagonist is believable and sympathetic, carrying the burden of tradition while trying to manage political chaos. Side characters, while numerous, are distinct enough to keep track of. Motivations feel authentic, though a few secondary characters could use more development beyond their immediate loyalties. The family rift and the handling of exile showed strong character-driven conflict that promises deepe
RainyLiquidRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Further Beyond: Ascension is a story that blends intricate worldbuilding, religion and fantasy in an interesting and detailed plot that explores the relationships and histories of its characters and society.
In terms of its style, this story leans into worldbuilding, expanding on some details and aspects of the world that other authors might not consider, including detailed explanations for things like the architecture of the world’s buildings. The use of multiple spoken languages (and their translations) adds a wonderful spice to this detailing, lending to the relationships characters have with the culture.
Story-wise, the plot sets out to flesh out the characters. Like I mentioned, the usage of multiple languages helps to explore the characters and how they interact with each other. It starts off somewhat slowly, but that just makes the eventual conflict all the more satisfying and worth waiting for.
The characters are complex, with plenty of inter-personal drama brewing, and the plot threads bend and twist in fun ways. The magic used in the story also leans into this drama, lending impact to tense and heavy moments between the characters.
Overall, I think that this is a delightfully intricate story with a detailed world that warrants a read with a good drink and some quiet music.
TheKnight220Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
So I began reading this story a couple of weeks ago because my brother recommended it to me. Now, I'm not much of a reader myself but this story blew my mind with how thoughtful it was. So much so I decided to give this review to support the author.
I love the aspects of my own rich culture put to story like that. I've never seen fantasy like this, not in manhwa or manga or even the animated shows I like watching. The general vibe of the story was engaging and specially the characters really made me feel for them a whole lot.
I like how the vibe of the story isn't a typical good vs evil kind of spiel, but instead the conflict comes out of clashing character motivations and other believable strife and drama. It had me really rooting against the 'antagonist' uncle.
Now, I'll be honest it was pretty hard to immediately get into the story because of some long sentences that would do well to be broken up, but as I continued to read, the problem became less and less pronounced. Perhaps a few careful line edits.
This story's a slow burn but I'm very looking forward to seeing more from this author! Horas!
AddictednovelicRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
First of all, I like the author storytelling. It is very grounded. I especially like the dynamics of it. The author paints a vivid picture.
As for the style, it fits well with the novel. I see no problem with it. Each author has their way of writing. I myself has one. So, I respect the author in that right. Also, I truly like it.
Besides that, the grammar seems well written. I see the author put effort into correcting the mistakes which I admire. It takes a lot of effort to get a story right. I myself know how hard it can be.
Lastly, the characters seems pretty interesting, especially Josis and Serena. I am looking forward to how things will progress between the two of them. Also, I am looking forward to see how the story plays out. It's worthy of the slow- burn genre.
If you want something to binge read, I highly recommend someone to read the novel. It's definitely something to invest in. It will keep you going to the next page.
Kiddos to the author. Keep up the good work, you've got my attention. Also, my support. I promise I won't drop you. Good luck to your novel.
Roman StoneRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
This one's really good. The author built a realistic fictional world by drawing from elements of real-world history and jumbling their geography and chronology, then interposing real Christian dynamics over them. The concept is one I've only ever seen done once before in Miles Cameron's The Traitor's Son Cycle--one of my favorite fictions of all time. A simple progression system (power levels measured in stars with advancement based on deeds in battle) is then layered over it all, creating what feels like a tribal, Christian Xianxia with great characters and a better plot. Super unique and worth reading, I'd recommend to everyone!
The characters are as memorable as their setting, each having a very unique voice which comes through in every interaction. Josias and Serena feel alive, as do the their wide family nets which bring spice to every scene. The conflict between them (especially when matters of faith come into play) is palpable, and keeps me reading.
The story's biggest flaw is the density of its prose. Every detail of every scene is explained explicitly, from the character's height, dress, posture, emotions, observations of the characters around them, small items in their environment--everything. And this is in every paragraph. It causes chapters to stretch long, and soon had me skimming from paragraph to paragraph, mostly just reading the dialogue to pick up the plot's key details. It's a testament (hah) to the author's skill that the dialogue is sufficient to keep the plot engaging, but I strongly believe the story would benefit from stripping a lot of the extraneous detail out.
All in all, a glorious premise executed well, but with room for improvement. Read on!
SaltspireRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
The absolute strongest point of this WN is the characters. They feel real, yes, but more so than that, they're genuine. There's so much nuance packed into them in six chapters alone its actually a little shocking. It's not just shown through pure dialouge, either, its filtered in through plenty of culturally important moments. The best part is that these moments aren't shoehorned in to fill in some kind of quota, they weave into the text naturally and build up slowly over time. Overt exposition dumps are avoided, leaving the reader to have to read more to learn more. It, along with the character development, creates a feedback loop that actually makes you desire more of the painting, so to speak. The characters, religious conflict, and overarching story themes genuinely work together very well. Back to the painting anology, its like seeing a perfectly balanced piece that gives you something to look at in every single space. There's really nothing thats unfilled.
The absolute largest detriment to the story, however, is the prose. The style runs on far too much, and though it does improve somewhat, it leaves something to be desired. The grammer isn't nessecarily wrong, and the punctiation is all there (or simply unnoticed), but the techincal aspects really do drag down on my enjoyment a fair bit. If it were improved, I'd go so far as to say all of the major issues would be effectively done away with. The largest changes would come from very simply cutting some sentences in half with a period, or saying what the author intended in fewer words.
Overall, I think its a very worth it read. Even if you don't like the characters or connect with the story, the culture being presented directly to you certaintly will, and the power system doesn't gunk anything up. Its a secondary or even teritary to the character/story writing, as it should be.