In SerialThe Last Science Fantasy Sci-fi Drama Supernatural
[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.
Nestled deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, something is emerging. Kept in absolute secrecy, it seeps into a fading town, quietly shared from person to person. For Alden Bensen, a directionless high school graduate, this discovery could mean an escape from his empty existence. To Rachel DuValle, perpetually underestimated and dismissed by the world, magic represents a chance to become something much greater than herself.
In the face of an unsuspecting world, their decisions shape the growth of a budding society discovering untold power. This potent force offers anyone the power to change humanity forever—or send it cascading into swift and total annihilation.
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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. Each chapter is pretty long (average ~8000 words), so find somewhere comfy to read.
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!
This story will also be published weekly at my website (https://etzo.li). There will be no differences in content, but slight differences in formatting. Feel free to read at whichever site or app you prefer. If you're enjoying the story, consider dropping me a vote over on Top Web Fiction, or come say hi on Discord. Thanks!
Need more to read? Check out my other story, Epilogue — a post-fantasy psychodrama. Now complete!
This story is a participant in the Write til the End pledge. It will be completed, no matter the cost.
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1. Book I — Awakening (Table of Contents)
2. Book I — Awakening — Cast of Characters
3. Chapter 1 — The Last Train to Rallsburg
4. Chapter 2 — Rachel DuValle
5. Chapter 3 — Making Connections
6. Chapter 4 — The Council of the Awakened
7. Chapter 5 — Apathy
8. Chapter 6 — An Impossible Marketplace
9. Chapter 7 — Misdirection
10. Chapter 8 — Tidings of Fire
11. Chapter 9 — First Lessons
12. Chapter 10 — The First Summit of the End of the World
13. Interlude I.I — A Year in the Life of Hailey Winscombe
14. Interlude I.II
15. Interlude I.III
16. Interlude I.IV
17. Interlude I.V
18. Interlude I.VI
19. Interlude I.VII
20. Interlude I.VIII
21. Chapter 11 — Foreigners
22. Chapter 12 — Deputies, Detectives and Deities
23. Chapter 13 — Fugitives
24. Chapter 14 — What It Means
25. Chapter 15 — The Heart of a Leader
26. Chapter 16 — Angels and Devils
27. Chapter 17 — A Gentleman and a Doctor
28. Interlude II — Selling One's Soul
- In Serial85 Chapters
Humanity's End
Given a year to prepare by the mysterious ‘system’ for contact with the wider galaxy, humanity must work to ensure the Earth’s defense is ready to meet any challenge. Sadly, most of the world seems dedicated to tearing itself apart as the year-end deadline gets closer. The west is in barely contained Chaos, while the east descends into internal conflict and war. The Pillar Forts, one of the few successful projects of the United Nations headed by the United States, stand ready to defend humanity against any invasion that may come through the strange Connection Pillars that appeared on each continent. Massive steel and stone walls that surround the Connection Pillars. They are filled with deadly men and women trained in all manner of warfare, each trained in the newly acquired System with skills and magical abilities that they put to deadly purpose. Beside these brave warriors, tanks, helicopters, artillery and more stand ready to defend humanity at each of these powerful installations. But, can they overcome the disparity in levels and experience between themselves and the forces that threaten them and the rest of humanity? Main Characters Jessica Brown- A young African American girl. Her 18th birthday in Detroit was the same day the systems message appeared. She discovered she was Level 7, much higher than most of the rest of the world. Why she is blessed, or cursed, with the power she doesn’t know. But what she does know is that she rather likes the feeling that comes with manipulating magic. The week after her birthday, government workers started testing every person in the US in a massive census effort of skills and abilities. Jessica Brown found herself conscripted into the US Magical Corp, a new branch of the US Military, and shipped off to a Pillar Fort. Somewhere hot and muggy in her ancestors’ home of Africa. As she grows stronger, she finds she has some connection to the pillars. While everyone else sees beauty or danger when they look at the pillars, after connection is made all Jessica can see is a Tree. A tree the size of the entire universe. Isaka Smith - is a third generation American and farmer who just wants to be left alone. But she is dragged into the situation by events beyond her control. When people in her small town had to deal with rioters and looters after the system announcement, she rallied them to defend themselves, earning her a trait that the government found extraordinarily useful. After a visit to a local reservation, she finds herself conscripted to lead one of the many small support towns erected around the great pillar forts. Not near her old home, but in far-flung Africa. John McIntire, the “Fighting Bull” -The commander of the African Fort, but because of circumstances beyond his ability to contend with shortly after taking command after being re-activated from retirement, he finds communication with his chain of command increasingly difficult. The US government, hell, even the United Nations, seems to have fallen into complete and utter chaos. The African Union is embroiled in a bitter civil war just outside his door, and supposedly, most of the world governments are in similar situations. Meanwhile, John must do his best to be ready to facilitate diplomacy, or to match the hostile argument of whatever force might come through the pillar of light when the year timer finishes counting down. Can our heros defend Earth from outside threats, while it tares itself apart? Or will they need to rebuild from the ground up? DEDICATION: This story is dedicated to my father who passed away recently. Jim Holloway, you’ll be missed you old silverback gorilla. Love you dad. Always have, always will.
8 301 - In Serial15 Chapters
STORIES // OTHER - Short Story Collection
A collection of thought-provoking science fiction and fantasy short stories with a focus on emotion. Each entry involves a unique potential future, morally gray technological advances, and the complex relationship that humans and their creations share. Every chapter is a stand-alone short story and can be enjoyed in any order. A brief synopsis can be found at the top of each chapter if you'd like a preview before reading. Stories are 5 - 10 minute endeavors from start to finish. Thanks for reading!
8 77 - In Serial26 Chapters
A Curious Bird
One person awaking in body that is not his own. In order to survive he has to get stronger. For this bird will survive and evolve. He will also find out where he is and why he is here. But along the way his thirst for knowledge begin to grow.
8 146 - In Serial8 Chapters
Quest
A light Sci-Fi Coming-of-Age Novella. Luke travels with his alien friend on his coming-of-age journey, when his friend falls ill. Luke must find a job and help others in order to save his friend. He is helped by Dawn and others, and is able to help many others in return. He thwarts a terrorist attack, saving friends and others, and in the end manages to save his friend. At a pivotal moment, he realizes he has found the love of his life.
8 165 - In Serial9 Chapters
Heroics of an Overlord
The story revolves around a man who often day dreams about being so powerful and able to fix all world problems. One day his dreams become true but not exactly how it was supposed to be, summoned to a strange world and now an overlord who is seen as the root of all evil, Eli will now plan to work in shadows to see if he could still achieve world peace in his new home. Will he really do so or will he fool around? The story will take us in an adventure, suspense, comedy, misunderstanding, action and finally unleash a tale never heard before. A tale of a misunderstood hero who is also a demon lord.
8 97 - In Serial50 Chapters
Vanisher
Joshua Hall is an intelligent and promising college sophomore. But when he accidentally witnesses Sara Wilder, a new and quirky acquaintance, receive an eldritch mark of possibility from her mother, everything changes. Josh can now see marks, eldritch symbols of power brought from another plane of existence that empower the weak and the futureless, that are invisible to most. But that's not the only thing that he's seeing, as strange dreams haunt Josh's sleep and threaten to destroy his sanity. With his mind and body struggling to handle the impossible things he can now perceive, Josh has to decide: accept a mark himself, or attempt to forget everything. This is a bit of an experimental project for me, as it isn't my norm in genre or topic. Expect: -Slow build storytelling -Character details -Foreshadowing -Dialogue driven narrative -Dynamic action scenes -Some mild graphic descriptions of injury -Sexuality is a factor -No explicit content (at least not directly) -Mild body horror -Light cosmic horror Reviews and critique are highly encouraged. I am a civil and fair responder, don't be afraid to initiate a conversation. If you see this story posted anywhere outside of RoyalRoad or Inkitt, please let me know as those are the only sites I currently host on. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 98
Boy
Girl
