Runeverse: Dawnstrike Assassins

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

From being an orphan to becoming an outcast, Fenrius' life has been an endless struggle. Born as a little beggar in a war-ravaged village, he and his Children's Gang join the fight against the monsters on Mount Gronoa. Later, he disguises himself as the Witching Night Boy, stealing royal cargoes from the Atria Kingdom to bring blessings to the village of Nightville. Through rebellion and redemption, he fights to survive amidst the looming threat of the Sorcerer. However, escalating conflicts of theRune Warsamong the Sovereign Kingdoms force him to leave the central continent of Ardaenor, seeing it as his last chance for rebirth.

On the northeastern continent, the explosion of the Kaliyuga Scepter obliterated the Chthonians from the Runeverse world, transforming the once prosperous land of Malazen into a desert wasteland. Yet, at the edge of this desolation, the resilient Dawnstrike Fortress stood tall, evolving into the renowned Academy of Assassins. Within its walls, Fenrius and other cadets were trained to becomeDawnstrike Assassins, dedicated to battling the remnants of the Chthonians. Upon completing their final mission, they were given the freedom to join factions or become mercenaries for the kingdoms of the Runeverse.

***

Rating:Even at a PG-13 level, this story is too intense for young viewers. It contains graphic scenes of gore and frequent instances of swearing, but I want to give you a fair warning.

Tone:The content delves into the realms of extreme grimdark, exploring the unsettling aspects of war, death, grief, and unflinching violence.

MC:At the outset, the MC bears the weight of despair, but through an arduous journey, undergoes a profound metamorphosis, evolving into a beacon of hope, and ultimately emerging as an indomitably powerful force. The story thus carries a Strong Lead tag.

Inspired by Seinen Manga like Berserk, Vinland Saga, and Vagabond.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2023
Author: Anti_Heroes

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 31
Views: 24,673

What readers say about Runeverse: Dawnstrike Assassins

“This story...WOW. That's the one word reverberating through my mind after reading. Wow. The author has nailed this one. The beginning has a very epic, over-arching feeling as the scene is set and we get immersed in the world-building but, then, my favorite…”
keeganashleyliveRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“I feel like I'm just scratching the surface of this story and this world but I can already tell its going to be quite a ride! I suspect the author has thought a lot about this world and this MC and has big plans for what is to come, a lot left to be reveale…”
Wolfgang HuxRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

keeganashleyliveRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story...WOW. That's the one word reverberating through my mind after reading. Wow. The author has nailed this one. The beginning has a very epic, over-arching feeling as the scene is set and we get immersed in the world-building but, then, my favorite part comes, which is, admittedly, Fenrius.
Having a likable main character in a story is always a must, but Fenry takes that need and kicks it up ten notches. Not only is he a stand-up, good guy (I don't want to give away any spoilers, but you'll see) but he's, also, incredibly determined and humble in the midst of outrageous pain, cruelty and imprisonment. I was wowed by the odds stacked against him and felt immediate, righteous anger on his behalf. His character shines like a beacon leading this story, and I would follow him anywhere just to learn what battle he's facing in that moment.
I didn't see any glaring grammatical mistakes or anything that took away from my enjoyment of the story. In fact, I was completely immersed, and that's a testament to excellent writing!
Kudos to the author. I am going to follow and favorite this work right now out of sheer enjoyment. EASY five out of five stars in every category for me!
Wolfgang HuxRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I feel like I'm just scratching the surface of this story and this world but I can already tell its going to be quite a ride! I suspect the author has thought a lot about this world and this MC and has big plans for what is to come, a lot left to be revealed. It starts off with a lot of captivating drama and darkness and it honestly felt super bleak, but it drew me in. And then once our MC grows and overcomes some things we meet his friends and see his origin and feel a sense of purpose again... only for something dark and dangeorus to re-emerge! Really hooks you!
Style: I like this style, the plot moves fast where it needs to and slows down for dramatic parts. We sometimes cover large periods of time and sometimes we drill down and focus on short. It has good description and is easy to read.
Grammar: No major issues here, pretty standard and on point. If there were any issues they were minor enough that they slipped past me.
Story: Where this piece shines! A rich story with a dark and captivating hook with lots of action! I want to read on to find out what happens next!
Character: Man! Those cruel guards were really well described as evil so the villains are well done, and our MC really grows as a character and we see how he is becoming a true hero. And now we are seeing more of a cast of characters as the plot progresses. Overall I look forward to seeing how the characterization deepens as the plot progresses!
All in all this is a great story worth checking out :)
CatVIRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
In the morbidly engaging cosmos of Runeverse, the reader is submerged into the abyss of trials faced by its central figure, Fenrius, through a narrative of grotesque realism and detail. It is within this unsettling reality that Fenrius contends with a world of horrors, where his visceral, raw emotions are intricately illustrated through an ominously descriptive style. The narrative tempo vacillates skillfully, permitting moments of intense focus and speedy transition through broad swathes of time.
Fenrius, along with his youthful confederates, emerges as a kaleidoscope of believable characters, each one prematurely aged by their grim circumstances, yet paradoxically retaining vestiges of a lost innocence. Fenrius, in particular, takes center stage owing to the breadth of his development and the believable metamorphosis he undergoes in the course of the narrative. His progression from a scrappy child of the gutter to a resourceful hero speaks to the potential of further compelling evolution as the tale unravels.
While the language is executed with precision, a few minor discrepancies surface sporadically, barely tarnishing the fabric of the overall narrative. These slight anomalies may easily be expunged with a modicum of careful editing.
Runeverse triumphs in constructing a viscerally vivid, bleak world teeming with adversity. The portrayal of Fenrius' bitter survival struggles, the depth of character development, and the engrossing storyline, further heightened by the cryptic enigma of the Chthonians, coalesce into a mesmerizing reading encounter. The author's palpable passion and receptivity to critique, evident in the noticeable improvements, assure a tantalizing journey into the abyss. Runeverse invites exploration for those brave souls seeking an intense, character-centered tale set amidst the unspeakable horrors of a meticulously crafted setting.
LUCIFER36Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Step into a world cloaked in darkness and despair with Runeverse: Dawnstrike Assassins, a captivating tale that explores the grim and gritty consequences of an endless war. Set in a village on the verge of collapse, the story introduces us to Fenrius, a courageous young leader of a gang of children.
Characters :
The character development is commendable, particularly Fenrius, whose journey from a broken soul to a resilient and determined individual is riveting. The selfless acts he performs, combined with his unwavering spirit, make him a protagonist worth investing in. The gang of childrens are yet to be fully explored but we are already seeing unique characteristics among them.
Grammer and Style :
The writing style masterfully conveys the somber atmosphere of the war-torn world. Descriptions paint a vivid picture of the hardships endured by the characters, immersing the reader in the harsh realities they face. However, there are moments where the offhanded tone seems at odds with the brutal events unfolding, raising questions about its intention or potential development in future chapters.
Story :
The story of Runeverse: Dawnstrike Assassins unfolds against a backdrop of a ravaged land, where thievery becomes a means of survival and good people are pushed to commit desperate acts. It explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and moral ambiguity, captivating readers with its dark and intense plot. The promise of grim and sadistic trials ensures a thrilling reading experience.
In summary, Runeverse: Dawnstrike Assassins is a compelling read for enthusiasts of the grimdark genre. With its well-developed characters, impeccable grammar, and immersive writing style, the story hooks readers from the start.
RestuIbuRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Runeverse delves into the captivating tale centered around our protagonist, Fenrius, as he wrestles with his aspirations to transcend the confines of a decaying society. He exhibits resilience in the face of adversity, showcasing the unflinching brutality he endures and the subsequent ascent from it. This is definitely a Grim Fantasy based on the settings of the world itself, so for those who craved something similar to Berserk, you might want to delve into it!
Style: The writing style took a third point of view, mostly on Fenrius, our MC himself. I personally need to prepare myself for the ambiance brought by the writing because it is fairly long (not a bad thing of course), and mostly it's full of somber and mature undertones. While I think the author still needs to learn to find his "voice" in the writing, the current style itself is pretty vivid, and manages to carry the weight of the genre the author offers. The pacing is alright; the author manages to adjust when things need to be accelerated, and when we need to feel the drama and contemplate it, although there are time skips for the sake of the plot that I don't quite fancy.
Grammar: Grammar is alright, I don't see any glaring issues.
Story:
The author masterfully constructs a fully realized world within the narrative. The kingdom's condition, the destitution in the slums, and the broader scope of the world itself are intricately depicted as realms of unrelenting struggle. Despite the hardships, the indomitable spirit of the people shines through as they persevere and endure. The callousness exhibited by the soldiers serves as a poignant contrast, emphasizing the strength and resilience of the citizens. Moreover, this cruelty serves to strengthen the profound bonds of friendship among the marginalized and downtrodden. It's a bittersweet portrayal that also offers glimpses of hope.
Like I said in the previous section, the time skips are not my preference, but nevertheless the author manages to seamlessly inco
Second LawRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Story : This is a grimdark story set up in a world torn by an endless war, and while everyone is suffering as a result of the war, some are suffering more than others. The village of Nightville in particular, is on the brink of collapse, when a gang of children starts robbing the caravans passing through the village and distributing the wealth to the needy. It is the leader of these children, Fenrius, who is our protagonist. And the story starts when Atrian guards with Black Hydra tattoos come to torment the village and discover the identity of the thieves. Since no one divulges that information, the guards get angsty and are out for blood. Fenrius offers himself as a sacrifice to placate those guards, without revealing that he is the one they are looking for. From there, the story is set into motion, and we see the grimdark and sadistic trials that the young kid is put through, and how he overcomes them.
Grammar : I did not find any noticeable issues.
Character : The story revolves heavily around Fenrius, and his character has been excellently developed. We get to see him in an impossible situation at the start of the story, where he offers himself as a sacrifice to protect his village, and from there, he only grows. There are side characters like Lieutenant Jack who have only limited importance, yet their personalities too are visible, even if that personality involves nothing more than sadism. Finally, we have the gang of children who start as random kids who are part of the collective, but slowly are getting their own unique characteristics as the story develops.
Style : The style of the fiction is a combination of straightforward dialogue that is reasonable considering the age of the MC, and grimdark narration ("His eyes held a vacant stare, and his body bore the marks of blood and scratches") that is appropriate for the tone of the story. Overall, the author does a great job balancing the two, and when need be, the MC does speak in a manner that defies his age
TheMadProfessorRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is, by far, a significant improvement in the writing. There is a much smoother execution in the writing which really allows you to enjoy the story and dive head first into the world and the characters you're with.
I love the darkness the world brings, and that fact characters go through situations where there won't be a happy resolution to it. It makes you know there are consequences and risks that they're taking and the outcome can be very intense as a result.
I also like that what happens in the story isn't simply for shock value, and that what you experience helps to reinforce the narrative on the whole. There's meaning in the moment and I appreciate that. On top of this, with the revisions, it's a lot easier to connect with characters, so when certain things happen, the punch as far mor weight to it.
The dialogue is excellent, too. Not too thick, or over ladened with exposition, but just enough to give you the information you need to understand context and move on with the story. Characters aren't trying to wow you with how many words they know, but interacting with people in a way that's natural with the character.
I would definitely recommend this story to people who are wanting something gritty and different from other stories on here (not knocking anyone, but this cuts away from a lot of other tales). I am definitely going to be following this story to see where things go from here.
VVerityRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Runeverse is a story focusing on our MC, Fenrius, and his struggle to become something more than the dreg of a withered society. He spits blood and bites back, and the story makes no qualms about displaying the full brutality against him and how he climbs above it. If you like seinen, this will probably be a story for you.
STYLE
The style is a very descriptive one that successfully carries the darker and more mature tone of the story. There is some purple-ish phrasing like an 'onyx' aura but that largely fits with the general atmosphere of the story. You get a nicely grimey feeling going on, the dirt under a forgotten kid's fingernails as he's basically pulled along by a callous Fate.
Grammar
Nothing wrong here!
STORY
As said earlier, this is very much a story that takes a lot of its general feel and beats from seinen manga. There's nothing wrong with that. You get angry when Fenrius is mistreated and cheer when he brutally turns the tables. We have a decrepit kingdom where cruelty wears the crowns, gradually grinding down its citizens even as distant monsters are feared. The real monster for most people however, especially Fenrius early on, is as droll as a soldier who gets his jollies from tormenting the weak, perhaps being used as a foreshadowing of more terrible things soon to come...
CHARACTER
The author has a strong sense for characterization, although the person who has the most development is the MC, which runs the risk of the other characters being orbital, time will tell how the other characters end up fleshing out but this is still mainly Fenrius' story first and foremost, so if you want an ensemble cast this may not be it for you. But if you do enjoy your MCs strong and well developed with realistic slow growth rather than just discovering new powers and ancient lineages at chapter one, this is definitely a good tale for it. We get the view of Fenrius as a scrappy and somewhat dangerous child, and how he grows from that while retaining the same foundati
Flowering DregsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Style
The style of the story carries very dark and heavy undertones. You know immediately that this world is not a happy one. Things are described in a sad yet persevering way.
Grammer
Overall what you should expect from a story. No glaring errors stood out to me and that's a very good thing.
Story
Desolate and unforgiving, we begin in a land ravaged by war and villages under siege by rampaging armies. Thievery runs rampant and good people are forced to do bad things. The hero holds no qualms about massacring evil.
Character
We start the tale through a flashback of a broken character rising up to be someone strong despite the horrible world he exists in. He's a fighter who is punished for standing up for his village even though he's also a kind soul who would part with his valuables just to see no one harmed. It's a dark tale and people die, both good and evil, but that makes it a story worth reading.
Overall Runeverse: Dawnstrike Assassins a good story with a good future and lots of soul put into it. You know it's only going to ramp up majorly from the first few chapters. I'd recommend it if you enjoy grimdark worlds with lots of killing and hardship and a hero who bends the rules to survive.
JujubeanzRoyal Road
★★★★ 3.5
Story is quite fast paced so it reads like a folk tale. I found the story enjoyable until the academy arc and exams. There we get introduced to a host of numerous characters but the MC isolates himself from them to a degree that makes me doubt they will be to revenant in the larger plot. MC is also so powerful by this point that none of the supporting casts actions can do anything but make him look stronger or more accomplished. He doesn't get outplayed, outmaneuvered, or outdone he just does his thing and progresses the plot. It's kinda stale especially in comparison to the introductory arc. There seems to be no purpose for him to behave the way he is, and the supporting class don't measure up to be much more than a litter of peanut gallery kittens in comparison. The Time skips don't necessarily help either. But overall it's enjoyable if you can overlook those gripes I have about it