Stolen Valor

In a kingdom of flawless light, the deepest shadows are hidden in plain sight. Nicholas is the perfect shield. Humble, unmatched, and fiercely loyal, he stands as the ultimate defender of Gretalis—a sprawling, golden utopia where children play without fear and soldiers train with honor. For centuries, the realm has flourished under the gentle guidance of Dahlia "Mother" Gretel, the beloved queen who single-handedly defeated the universe's ultimate evil to usher in an age of absolute peace. Nicholas has dedicated his blade, his honor, and his life to preserving that peace. He believes in the cause. He believes in his queen. But perfection is an excellent mask. When a terrifyingly powerful, ancient anomaly slips through the cracks of the empire, it doesn't arrive with an invading army. It arrives alone, carrying an unyielding wrath and whispers of a history long forgotten. As the gold begins to peel from the high white castle walls, Nicholas is forced to confront a nightmare: the enemy knows things about the founding of Gretalis that should be impossible. To protect his home, Nicholas must stand against an unstoppable force—but the closer he gets to the threat, the more he realizes that the peace he serves might be built on a foundation of horrific secrets. When the songs of heroes turn out to be lies, who do you draw your sword for?