Through Darkness Eternal

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Sol Voss wakes from cryosleep aboard Jericho—humanity’s last great colony ship. Part ark, part war machine, it drifts through the void carrying Dragon, Earth’s final fusion core, on a mission to save the dying colony of Haven. If Jericho fails, so does the last remnant of humankind.

But the vessel carries more than technology. Built by Voss Enterprises, the corporate empire that once ruled Earth through science and war, Jericho is the final creation of Dr. Julian Voss—the man who tried to rewrite the limits of life itself. Now, with Voss long dead, only his daughter and his secrets remain.

To the crew, Sol is a relic of nepotism, a reminder of a past better left buried. Yet in her blood lies something engineered—something hungry—something she doesn’t understand.

As Jericho glides through deep space, its ghosts begin to stir: a locked lab, a vanished scientist, and an enemy that shouldn’t exist.

The deeper Sol digs, the more she realizes the Jericho may be more than just a vessel.The crew keeps secrets. The ship remembers.And Sol may not be human at all.

Survival has a cost—and she’s not sure she can pay it. Her mind is slipping. The isolation eats at her. The bottle helps less each time.

The whispers make her wonder if her father’s mission was ever to save humanity…—or to remake it.

Contains themes of body horror, existential dread, and grief. Reader discretion advised.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2024
Author: Chaotickeagle

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 84
Views: 29,446

Chapters(62 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(3)

ShygigRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Scifi and grimdark in a story? That's all I wanted and something you don't find often on this site, at least not in great quality such as this. Which is why I'm stumped as to why this isn't more popular, if not for the main themes, then for the quality.
The story starts off strong, we're in the dark but the stakes are already really high and hooks the reader in straight off.
It's a first person story which is really delicate to handle since you truly only get, well, the person that's telling the story's side of things, and most who write first person, at least in my experience, succeed at developping the main character but fail miserably at expanding on other's characters. If not at the beginning, then later down the line the characters become less distinct and more streamlined as the author loses focus on their very existence and moves on with the story. Chaotickeagle succeeded in both and I'm not seeing that changing any moment.
The narrative centers on Sol Voss, who awakens from cryosleep aboard the colony ship Jericho, a vessel that stands as a relic of a doomed Earth, a last bastion of hope, and a vessel filled with secrets. The story excels at crafting a claustrophobic, atmospheric setting where the ship feels almost alive, harboring its own mysteries that slowly unravel alongside Sol's personal journey.
One of the most compelling aspects of the story is its exploration of identity and legacy, as well as the idea of the sacrifices one must make for the sake of the 'greater good', for humanity. Sol is not only burdened by the weight of her father's reputation, Julian Voss, a visionary who reshaped human destiny through his cutting-edge technology, but also by the dark experiments and hidden truths he left behind. As Sol confronts the possibility that she might not even be fully human, the narrative delves into themes of existential horror, the cost of survival, and the inherent conflict between human nature and the monstrous sacrifices demanded by technology an
jimsworthRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I’ve always been into darker fantasy and horror stories—there’s just something about the creepiness and suspense that gets me every time. Growing up, I was all about movies like Alien and Event Horizon (that one doesn’t get enough credit, by the way). Those kinds of stories really stick, you know? The ones where you’re constantly wondering what’s out there and freaking out just a little bit.
Chaotic Eagle’s story hits that same vibe in the best way. From the beginning, Sol’s journey on the Jericho pulled me in. The ship feels weird and unsettling, like it’s almost got a personality, but not in a good way. Every chapter makes you feel like something bad is about to happen, and I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know what was next.
The details are super cool, too. You can picture the Jericho in your head, and it’s freaky how empty it feels while still making you feel trapped. Sol’s whole thing—her nightmares, her doubts, and trying to figure out her place—makes you want to root for her, even when she’s being kinda whiny or unsure of herself.
Honestly, I’m so ready to see where this goes. It feels like there’s a ton more secrets and crazy stuff to uncover, and I’m all in for the ride. Here’s hoping for more twists, scares, and wild moments! I’m sticking with Sol till the end.
justrandomRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
I'm not one to usually like first person narratives but this one has started off very intriguing. I think the author has done a good job of establishing and drawing interest to the main character even in the first three chapters. I like the main character, but I wish in the future she'll learn to understand and appreciate her dad. I like Dr. Vos as a character as well. Over all I like where the story is going.