Homeward Expedition

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

The story after the story: what happens after the chosen one has slain his ancient enemy?

While the armies of the free people have long lost all hope of winning their century-long war against the empire, one hero risks it all in a reckless suicide mission through enemy territory. Following an ancient prophecy, he gathers an arsenal of legendary weaponry and confronts the ancient, Undead Emperor in his own palace. Though the fight drives the hero to the brink of his demise, he manages to grant the Emperor a final death and frees the world from his tyranny.

The story, however, has only just begun...

On his rise, the hero sacrificed it all for a chance at victory, not fully expecting to make it out the other side alive. Not only is the emperor only the tip of the iceberg of the imperial hierarchy, our hero is also severely weakened by his journey and the fight against the emperor. Without supplies, suffering from magical withdrawals and stuck in the heart of the enemies' territory, he has to find his way back home to end his mission. His mind, meanwhile, is plagued by one thought:

"Haven't I done enough?"

What follows is an action packed adventure, but also a hero's struggle to find his place in a world after his prophecy has come to pass.

The central story will revolve around the hero's struggle to return home, both in a literal and a figurative sense. So expect some more slice-of-life esque bits and personal struggle, especially later on. This probably won't be a very linear story where he travels from A to B and the story ends there.

Romance will also be a central aspect of this journey, so expect some amount of steam.NOharem or poly relationships, though.

Content warnings:

- violence, blood and injuries- profanity- drugs / addiction

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2023
Author: placeholderer

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 2
Views: 2,212

Chapters(8 total)

What readers say about Homeward Expedition

“"Homeward Expedition" is an engaging fantasy tale that expertly weaves elements of adventure, survival, and the supernatural. The story follows the protagonist, a sorcerer and warrior, through an epic escape after defeating a tyrannical demigod emperor. Lef…”
DarkodiaRoyal Road4.5 / 5
“So, our hero, the supposed master thief and sorcerer, ends up in a dingy tavern with a wine-stained cloak. Talk about a downgrade. One minute, he’s pulling off a heist in a magical reagents shop, the next he’s practically begging for bread and fruit. And le…”
Ryker BaleRoyal Road4.5 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(3)

DarkodiaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
"Homeward Expedition" is an engaging fantasy tale that expertly weaves elements of adventure, survival, and the supernatural. The story follows the protagonist, a sorcerer and warrior, through an epic escape after defeating a tyrannical demigod emperor. Left in a dire state, with depleted resources and surrounded by enemies, the protagonist must rely on their wits, magical abilities, and sheer determination to navigate through the treacherous and chaotic aftermath of their victory.
The narrative is richly detailed, creating a vivid world where magic, legendary weapons, and mythical creatures coexist. The author skillfully portrays the protagonist’s struggle for survival in a hostile environment, highlighting themes of resilience, the cost of victory, and the unpredictable nature of prophecies. The story's pacing is fast, with each scene seamlessly leading to the next, maintaining a gripping tension throughout.
What stands out is the protagonist's ingenious use of their diminishing magical abilities and their psychological resilience. These aspects, combined with the atmospheric descriptions and intense action sequences, make "Homeward Expedition" a compelling read for fans of high fantasy and adventure genres. The story leaves the reader both satisfied and curious, making it a memorable experience. Ultimately, "Homeward Expedition" excels in its portrayal of the inner journey of its hero, paralleling the external adventure, making it a deeply engaging and thought-provoking narrative.
Ryker BaleRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
So, our hero, the supposed master thief and sorcerer, ends up in a dingy tavern with a wine-stained cloak. Talk about a downgrade. One minute, he’s pulling off a heist in a magical reagents shop, the next he’s practically begging for bread and fruit. And let's not forget the comedy of errors with that cloak. You'd think a big wine stain would be the least of his worries, but no, it's practically a character in this story.
The tavern scene's got all the cliches: shadowy figures in corners, drunks snoozing at tables, and a barman straight out of central casting with a beard that’s seen more action than our hero recently. And the big twist? That ominous-looking cloak is just a victim of a wine spill. It’s like expecting a dragon and finding a gecko.
Then there’s the whole ‘paying for information’ bit. Our hero's tossing around coins like he’s some high-roller, yet he’s scrounging for scraps. It’s like he can't decide if he’s a penniless vagabond or a suave, mysterious stranger. And let’s not forget his new name, 'Feo' - it’s like he picked it out of a hat. ‘Theo,’ the barman calls him, and he just rolls with it. Identity crisis much?
But the real kicker? He’s asking for info in the most conspicuous way possible. Nothing says ‘I’m up to no good’ like sliding a coin across the bar for a bit of gossip. It’s like he’s trying to get caught. Maybe deep down, he misses the thrill of the chase. Or maybe he’s just not as sharp as he thinks he is.
In the end, our hero’s sitting in a tavern, cloaked in mystery (and wine stains), playing at being an informant. It’s a long way from battling demigods and fleeing through palace rooftops. Seems like he's still figuring out his place in this post-heroic life. Either way, it’s entertaining to watch. Like a play where the lead actor forgot his lines and is just winging it.
Shizzle BlitzRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Homeward Expedition is a story about the Chosen One after he's done fulfilling the prophecy. What follows after is the story of how he survives and goes back home, while being hampered by the circumstances around him.
To begin with, the story starts off with an action scene and the main character escaping the palace. it quickly slows down from there to a pace some might find annoying, but was enjoyable to read through. That slow pace i think gives the readers time to explore what the main character is like and what his defining traiits are.
As far as I've read of the story, he seems to have an addiction to a magical substance, is proud of his powers but is also honourable enough to return things that he believes are valuable to others. There haven't been many side characters introduced so far, but the ones that have been are interesting for what little screentime they get.
For the story, this isn't going to be a big magical adventure off to complete a huge quest, but is setting up to be more slice of life and character-focused. There is some action, but it doesn't seem to be the main focusing point for the story.
The grammar is fantastic and the style, although the starting paragraphs can get a bit long, becomes more enjoyable later on.
In conclusion, this a story that feels as though its been thoroughly thought out, with hints and nods towards a greater world and lore that has been fleshed out. If you enjoy slower stories and interesting worlds and characters, that revolve around slice-of-life and survival, then I recommend this wholeheartedly!