

The Last Science [SE] Fantasy Sci-fi Drama
[SE has the same content as the original story, split into smaller chunks for easier reading. This story is on a temporary hiatus due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I work in healthcare and unfortunately no longer have the freetime to continue posting on a regular basis. As soon as our workload decreases, I will return. Thanks for reading! 💙]
No one ever knows the whole story.
Deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, the fading town of Rallsburg stumbles upon an amazing discovery—magic itself. Faced with potentially world-shattering power, the people of Rallsburg keep the secret for themselves. Led by Rachel DuValle, a perpetually underestimated college student with grand ambitions, they seek to found a new society.
The world beyond suspects nothing, but magic cannot stay hidden forever. A train arrives in Rallsburg carrying Alden Bensen, a directionless high school graduate. To him, magic could represent meaning for his life, an explanation for his empty existence. This potent force offers anyone the power to change humanity forever—or send it cascading into swift and total annihilation.
The Last Science is an ongoing science-fiction / low-fantasy web novel series, focused on the modern world with a twist. New societies bud and grow, but the people who make them up are imperfect and flawed. The story includes elements of mystery, action, crime, interpersonal drama, relationships, philosophy, sociology, politics, and much more, all centered on the perspective characters driving the tale.
This is the "Scraps Edition" of the story, where the chapters have been split up into bite-size chunks (roughly 1500-3000 words), for your convenience. The prose has been edited from its original form, with some improvements, but there are no content differences from the original. New chapters will be posted throughout each week starting on Friday and appearing on multiple days thereafter, depending on the length of the chapter.
Content Warning (by request): This series delves into some topics and situations which may be upsetting for some readers. In American rating parlance, the narrative would be rated PG-13 (except for language), but some have noted the story can get pretty dark on occasion. Please use your best judgment, and don't be afraid to take breaks and come back later. I'll still be here!
[Discord] - come hang out and chat!
[Patreon] - writing blog, epub copies, advance chapters and other goodies
Need more to read? Check out my finished novel, Epilogue — a post-fantasy psychodrama.
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Chapter 1 Book I — Awakening (Table of Contents)
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Chapter 2 Chapter 1 — The Last Train to Rallsburg [pt. 1]
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Chapter 3 Chapter 1 — The Last Train to Rallsburg [pt. 2]
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Chapter 4 Chapter 2 — Rachel DuValle [pt. 1]
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Chapter 5 Chapter 2 — Rachel DuValle [pt. 2]
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Chapter 6 Chapter 2 — Rachel DuValle [pt. 3]
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Chapter 7 Chapter 3 — Making Connections [pt. 1]
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Chapter 8 Chapter 3 — Making Connections [pt. 2]
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Chapter 9 Chapter 4 — The Council of the Awakened [pt. 1]
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Chapter 10 Chapter 4 — The Council of the Awakened [pt. 2]
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Chapter 11 Chapter 4 — The Council of the Awakened [pt. 3]
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Chapter 12 Chapter 5 — Apathy [pt. 1]
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Chapter 13 Chapter 5 — Apathy [pt. 2]
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Chapter 14 Chapter 5 — Apathy [pt. 3]
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Chapter 15 Chapter 6 — An Impossible Marketplace [pt. 1]
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Chapter 16 Chapter 6 — An Impossible Marketplace [pt. 2]
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Chapter 17 Chapter 6 — An Impossible Marketplace [pt. 3]
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Chapter 18 Chapter 7 — Misdirection [pt. 1]
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Chapter 19 Chapter 7 — Misdirection [pt. 2]
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Chapter 20 Chapter 7 — Misdirection [pt. 3]
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Chapter 21 Chapter 8 — Tidings of Fire [pt. 1]
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Chapter 22 Chapter 8 — Tidings of Fire [pt. 2]
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Chapter 23 Chapter 8 — Tidings of Fire [pt. 3]
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Chapter 24 Chapter 9 — First Lessons [pt. 1]
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Chapter 25 Chapter 9 — First Lessons [pt. 2]
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Chapter 26 Chapter 9 — First Lessons [pt. 3]
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Chapter 27 Chapter 10 — The First Summit of the End of the World [pt. 1]
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Chapter 28 Chapter 10 — The First Summit of the End of the World [pt. 2]