by AricThorne
“If we’re going to die, I’d rather you do it quietly.” A sacred rite fails. A Zmey tears free beneath a winter village. And Nayden, a young soldier of the Solar Order, survives only by binding himself to the white-eyed Whisperer he was trained to kill. Their only hope is a novice priestess carrying the creature’s corruption in her blood. To save her—and stop it from spreading—they must cross hungry forests, bargain with silent gods, and survive oaths that refuse to stay buried. Their journey will carry them through a full Slavic calendar year, one season and one sacrifice at a time. No leveling. No UI. No respawns. Just brutal combat, ancient folklore, psychological warfare, and a deeply dysfunctional group trying to save the world before they destroy one another. Expect blood, betrayal, dangerous tenderness, and a slow-burning toxic obsession that may prove deadlier than any monster. Updates every Thursday, with occasional bonus chapters. Also available on AO3 under AricThorne.
