The Endless Dark: The First Ember

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Persist. Prevail. Prosper.

The Dominion’s rule spanned the known galaxy, upheld by the Four Sovereigns: Valor, Unity, Fortune, and Justice. They were each bound to an Ember, a mind implant, a living principle forged to shape civilisation itself. For centuries, the Embers guided their bearers to build and protect, not destroy. Until now.

When Valor annihilates Valeri Prime, it shatters centuries of peace and plunges the galaxy toward ruin. Yet a greater truth lies buried: a Fifth Ember, the first and most potent, hidden from history.

Syra Jharis, a disgraced pilot turned smuggler, accepts a high-risk mission to retrieve an artifact that could earn her freedom. Instead, she awakens Calyix Solvaris, the last heir of Valeri Prime, frozen in stasis for one hundred and fifty years, with the First Ember bound to his mind.

Thrust together in a fragile alliance, Syra and Rix navigate a galaxy of fractured loyalties, dangerous politics, and an attraction neither dares name. As the First Ember stirs, so too does the possibility of reshaping the galaxy or watching it burn.

Some fires forge. Others consume. This one could do both.

18+. Explicit and graphic depictions of heavy themes.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: SRDAuthor1

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 5.0/ 5.0
Followers: 6
Views: 2,022

Chapters(16 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(1)

nuclearbooknerdRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Didn’t expect this book to hit so hard. Thought I was just in for a cool sci-fi ride, but it’s emotional. The characters feel real, the world feels massive without being confusing and the slow-burn tension is already unreal. After reading the latest chapter I just kind of sat there thinking about it. Highly recommend.
What really stuck with me were the characters. Syra and Rix feel like actual people. They’re not perfect or polished. But there’s this underlying connection between them that's building in such a slow, satisfying way.
I didn’t expect it to linger the way it has. Even now, I catch myself thinking about certain moments, or what might happen next. It’s the kind of book you quietly carry with you for a while. Not just good sci-fi, good storytelling, period.
Also, some of the imagery in this book is stunning. There’s a scene with a vision in a temple that literally gave me goosebumps. And the themes hit way harder than I expected. No spoilers but really got me thinking.
It's not a light read, but it’s not trying to be. It’s layered, emotional, and honestly kind of haunted me after I finished. Definitely one of those stories that lingers.
If you like sci-fi that actually has a heart, this one’s worth your time. Have a feeling I might be seeing this up on screen in the future 👀🙏🏼