Not every hero is destined to win. The land of Elaria has known peace for nearly a century, but deep beneath its surface, darkness stirs once more. Whispers of prophecy echo through the halls of kings and the dreams of seers-a prophecy that speaks not of triumph, but of a hero fated to fail. Darius never asked to be the hero. Burdened with a destiny he doesn't understand and haunted by the knowledge that he is doomed, Darius sets out to stop an ancient evil before it awakens. With nothing but a black obsidian greatsword and the cryptic words of an old seer, he journeys into a world unravelling at the seams. Joined by a ragtag group of unlikely companions-Rowan, the wild and sarcastic rogue; Ingrid, the fierce axe-wielding warrior; and Lyra, the kind-hearted mage hiding more power than she knows-Darius must face eldritch horrors, corrupt kings, and his own slow descent into something he doesn't recognize. But this is no ordinary hero's tale. There are no promises of victory. No guarantees of survival. And the further they go, the more it becomes clear: This story might not end with the hero slaying the villain. Dark fantasy. Found family. Eldritch horror. And a hero destined to fall. Perfect for fans of The Witcher, Dark Souls, and John Gwynne, this debut novel launches an epic new series that blends brutal magic, emotional character arcs, and terrifying twists. Book Two is already in the works-Darius's journey is only just beginning.