The Shadow of Aenia

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Long time ago , there was a period when war prevailed all over the lands of Aenia , the arcanors lurked in the shadows their sole purpose being the destruction of the world. A group was formed by some humans. The one who lead them was S. That's what they called him. The group single handedly ended the wars and fought the arcanors. The group was called the Aetherblades.

Shinjiro is an 16 year old, who lost his family in his childhood. His life changes suddenly when he gets branded as a criminal without any explanation. He fights through the trials and joins the Aetherblades not for glory but for redemption

The Story has two styles of writing : Dialogue driven and Narrative Writing

What Readers Can Expect

Brutal fights & intense action – This world isn’t forgiving, and neither are its warriors.

Mystery & hidden truths – The past is filled with things people don’t talk about… for a reason.

A deep, immersive world – Aenia is old, full of lost history, forbidden magic, and secrets buried in blood.

Complex characters – Not everyone is good, not everyone is evil. But everyone has a reason.

A slow-burning catastrophe – The world is falling apart, and no one realizes it yet.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Kraetic

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.8/ 5.0
Followers: 8
Views: 3,850

Chapters(16 total)

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(6)

CjamesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am fascinated by the start of this. The world-building appears to be something that the author has spent a fair amount of time developing and it is interwoven in the text in a way that gives you just enough information but often leaves you with more questions than answers. I found this to be a very effective method of building intrigue in a world filled with so much mystery.
Our main character, Shinjiro, has all the makings of a classic protagonist. Beaten down from the beginning, thrust into a world he doesn’t fully understand, I am sure his rise (or perhaps fall?) will be of epic proportions.
Although descriptions can be sparse at times, some beautiful lines ground the setting allowing readers to form a complete picture in their mind. The choice to write this in a script-like style is new to me, but I feel adds to the experience in a unique and powerful way. It allows the author to push the action to the forefront and this is where they shine. Combat is fast-paced, snappy, and has an excellent flow to it.
To conclude, while the story is still in its infancy, I recommend you take a chance on this new author especially if you are a fan of engaging action and deep lore.
Ryujin2xdRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Alright, let’s talk about this story. This thing hits. It’s got atmosphere, tension, and just enough mystery to keep you locked in, wondering where the hell it’s going. And that’s what makes it work—it knows exactly how much to show you and how much to hold back.
First off, the worldbuilding is fantastic. You get just enough hints about Aenia and its history to make it feel real—like you’ve stepped into something ancient and unsettling. The way the past lingers like a ghost over everything gives it a weight that a lot of stories in this vein miss. Too often, writers throw lore at you like a textbook, but this? This makes you feel the history, without needing to spell it out. That’s good storytelling.
The characters? Solid. They don’t feel like walking plot devices—they feel like people dealing with some seriously messed-up circumstances. You can see their cracks forming, feel the paranoia creeping in, and the way they interact actually makes sense. No one’s holding the idiot ball. They react like real people—which is rare in stories that lean into the supernatural.
And the horror? This story understands that the unknown is scarier than any monster you can put on the page. It’s got that creeping, existential dread that sticks in your ribs long after you finish reading. It doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares or gore—it lets the horror breathe. That’s the sign of a writer who knows what they’re doing.
Now, if I have one nitpick? It could linger on certain moments just a little longer. Some of the buildup is so good that I wanted it to stretch just a bit more before moving on. Let the weight of some of those revelations sink in. But honestly? That’s a minor tweak.
TadashiRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The story is not bad, the writing style may be unappealing to some people as its written more like a script for a movie than a extremely detailed novel but i can get behind that. The main conflict as far as it has been shown is not bad (till ch 6), the actions scenes are fine. The character's are also good in my opinion, they're not bad nor are they extremely well written but that will probably improve soon since this is most likely the start of the story.
The world-building is quite appealing since it has lots of stuff mentioned which would be awesome if explored in great detail. If the author had to improve this I would as an author myself suggest add more discription's, describing the character's emotions better — "show, don't tell."
As far as it's standing right it's, it's pretty good for a first time author.
If i had to talk about anything else like the Villain's they're like your general bad guy goons at first but they do have the potential to become threating and scary.
The main character — is also okay. He's not extremely bad and he still has a lot of potential to grow both as a character and a person in the story.
TomaTheCarRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
If you're looking for a story that pulls no punches, The Shadow of Aenia delivers in spades. From the very first chapter, it establishes itself as a brutal and unrelenting ride where every battle carries weight. The action is raw, visceral, and beautifully choreographed, making each fight feel like a high-stakes showdown rather than just another skirmish.
The power system is another highlight. It is intricate without being overwhelming, and it genuinely adds layers to the world rather than just serving as an excuse for flashy abilities.
What truly sets the story apart is how unforgiving it is. There is a real sense of danger at every turn. Characters do not have plot armor, and when the story wants to hit hard, it does not hold back.
Beyond the action, the mystery woven into the story adds an extra layer of intrigue. The deeper I got, the more I found myself drawn into the unknown surrounding the Arcanors and the Tree of Araxis. These elements create a sense of wonder and discovery that keeps me eager to learn more, making the world feel even richer.
morphiwritesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This work presents a captivating blend of intriguing world-building and compelling action, despite its unconventional, script-like narrative. It took me several chapters to get into the flow reading, it can definitely be jarring at first but it began to feel more natural as the story progressed. The author skillfully unveils a richly layered world, hinting at deep lore that sparks curiosity and invites the reader to delve further. While the descriptions may occasionally feel sparse, evocative lines effectively paint vivid mental landscapes.
The protagonist, Shinjiro, embodies a classic archetype, facing adversity that hints at a significant character arc. Character dynamics feel authentic, portraying individuals grappling with challenging circumstances, fostering a sense of realism. Action sequences are dynamic and well-paced, showcasing the author's strength in conveying movement and tension.
The narrative excels in creating an atmospheric sense of mystery and dread, emphasizing the power of the unknown. It avoids gratuitous horror tropes, instead cultivating a pervasive sense of unease that lingers. While the antagonists initially appear as generic villains, they possess the potential for greater menace.
Although the author demonstrates a strong grasp of storytelling, a more deliberate pace in certain moments could enhance the impact of key revelations. Overall, this is a promising start, particularly for readers who appreciate engaging action and a world brimming with unexplored depths.
Interested to see where the author takes this story as it continues to unfold.
Ember1213Royal Road
★★★★ 4.0
The style isn't for everyone, being more like a movie script majority of the time. I'm personally not a fan of it but it's not bad. However, I am going to dock some points for the occasional times that the style shifts into something more traditional. The author should really stick to one style and commit or it may be jarring for the reader. The tone however, is amazing, feeling surprisingly dark at times, making the brighter moments stand out more. There are quite a few grammatical errors, especially in the early chapters but they seem to die down as you read on
The story is fairly simple, but told really well. Shinjiro's motivations are very well defined and a certain twist make the story feel a lot less predictable. The world building can be a bit "tell don't show" at times but when done right, it enriches the story. It says a lot when five chapters in, I already get exactly what these characters are talking about whenever they're using words I'd never heard prior to reading
Lastly, there are a lot of characters of varying importance. Shinjiro is an engaging protagonist with a backstory and motivation that would get almost anyone on his side instantly and Shun having his own side story makes me curious of how and when the two will reunite. Even the characters with less to them are still endearing through really good dialogue. My only real issue with the characters is how many are thrown at you so quick. However, these characters can be expanded upon as the story goes on