Sorcerers - Dead Land Arc

Book 2 of Sorcerers — but every story here stands on its own. New readers welcome.(you can find book 1 here - Sorcerers - The Silvery Soul)Connie studies the history of the Spiral and the Thirteen Ascended, legendary mages of the past, all while obeying — always obeying — the orders of the Count, ruthless lord of the Dead Lands who forces his servants to remain in the shadows. The living and the Undead, after all, cannot coexist: their souls, their magical energies, would neutralize one another. And for the Undead, that means disappear forever. But in her chest, Connie carries a longing no magic can hide: to travel the world and learn its entire history. Ian is an artificer from the famous City of Iron, land of invention and machines. But Ian is also cursed by a surname he never wanted: that of a father accused of treason by the World Church itself. Ian is running from everything — from the bounty on his head, from his past, from himself — but every port turns him away, and every ship betrays him. Both of them cross paths with Sett and Farahia, two sorcerers traveling toward the freedom to be themselves in a world that does nothing but tell them what they can't do — and who will shatter the fragile balance Connie and Ian have built. Sett is able to touch Connie, breaking the illusion of her isolation. Farahia carries the ambition Ian could no longer find in himself. Four fates that shouldn't cross collide on a continent where sorcerers are outlaws, the Undead serve a King no one has ever seen, and freedom always has a price. Connie will have to choose between the obedience that protects her and the freedom that could kill her. Ian will have to stop running, before running costs him everything. And someone, in the shadows, is willing to burn the Dead Lands rather than lose their power. WHAT TO EXPECT- High fantasy with strong magic system- Magic system deeply tied to lore and plot- Two PoV characters- Strong characters beyond MC- Growing and maturing MC- Bromance (including platonic bonds between male and female characters)- Mystery and supernatural elements WHAT DO NOT to EXPECT- LitRPG elements- Romance focus RELEASE SCHEDULEFirst part (five chapters total) published in the first week, then two chapters per week.P.S. I'm not a native English speaker. I'm using AI-assisted translation for my chapters, but not for the actual writing or the plot.