Hello everyone!

First up, I'd like to thank white_rabbit for bring something to my attention. Apparently someone lifted my story wholesale and put it onto Amazon. However it was reported before I could see it and the link that I was given is dead. So a massive thank you to whomever reported it. Got more than a little flustered when I saw that and I hope it doesn't happen again. (Also it would have had really bad grammar at the beginning, the word alot comes up frequently). So, with that hopefully sorted for good, we can move on to what's happening.

Arcs 2, 3 & 4, are going under heavy scrutiny and editing. It's very draining as I have to go line by line and check that it makes sense, not only as an independent sentence but also so that the characters aren't acting odd. It's a little tricky to remember how people acted at certain points, so that people don't start talking like they would 50 chapters from then. But it's going well, sort of. Got a few completely done and fully formatted.

That brings me to Arc 1. The problem child. It's the source of no small amount of grief, the main source of the negative reviews (I completely understand and accept them, and without those I'd have stayed at a relatively poor level of writing). They're also the source of many questions: why doesn't Anton use Tethra's power to make himself stronger or smarter or download some knowledge? The strength one can still be done, healing muscles so they recover quickly, but knowledge and whatnot can't. I'm my mind I'm certain I said it wasn't going to happen but never wrote it down so the question simply went unanswered and I had to respond to the comments rather than it already be answered and someone just missed it.

There's also the issue with Atros itself. As many have pointed out, in the beginning they act kind of dopey, putting it politely. Their village is a mess, no one has an issue with that, but it's like they haven't has basic thoughts like building a steep ditch or pooling their resources to try and survive. Like they were waiting for Anton to give them the ideas. Also the plot is kind of silly and the reason for people fighting against one another in a time of true peril doesn't make sense either. So here's the new general overview:

Beginning is the same, better written of course. Anton and everyone is killed and brought to this world. Anton gets left behind and gets the same powers. Told that he cannot abandon the village he wakes up in. (That's because of Kal, dark Elves and the dwarves but he doesn't know it yet) Anton is viewed well but a decent percentage of Atros wants to flee using Anton as a battering ram through the Goblins and other nasties. It is Anton's main function, to give the people some breathing room to recover and actually get ahead. A more natural and less forced introduction to the important people of Atros. Especially Anton and Verona's relationship which is quite poorly done compared to the others. Starts off as playful banter, something for both of them to keep their minds of their reality (Anton being stuck in a different world and Verona having just witnessed her parents deaths a few days before Anton arrived) Anton doesn't really give them ideas but helps keep them safe and adds a little of Earth's engineering to Atros. Build things like walls, basic spears and armour and slings, basic drills and strategies, and infrastructure like fixing roads and finishing a simple windmill. (Things like that were never really addressed until sometime in the second arc) Anton practices magic when he can. Easily discovers the sphere, receives help from Esperit to make the ring. Tries to form a sword, magic refuses to hold shape. Forces it and suffers terrible backlash: skin erupts in flame, cooking him from the inside out. Able to heal himself but the flames only slowly subside. When they're gone he's used all his mana and collapses for an entire day. Very weak physically and has very slow mana regeneration for some time afterwards. Gives Anton fear of using magic that he doesn't understand. Does try to use Tethra's power for knowledge and extra mana and strength. No backlash but half of the mana he used is lost. Goblins attacks escalate but they're pushed back. Villagers start fighting each other, treating Anton as a tool rather than a person. Anton says he's staying and that anyone is welcome to leave. Anton has women thrown at him in an attempt to seduce him to the escape side. Initially politely declines, becomes physical and Anton kills in self defence. When interrogating her shows the cold and sadistic side that Verona, and in future Kal and Cetina, hate. Internal issues culminate into a brawl just after the penultimate Goblin attack. Anton stops it with magic and a few hundred villagers try their luck. Run into a hidden Goblin pack and torn to shreds. Anton has them hang back and leave them to their fate. Attack Mount Aspire, recuse Dana, and return. Anton and Verona become physically intimate, especially since it could be their last day. Defeat Goblins. See the Orc thralls though don't know what they are. Begin planning visit to Maxill. Anton tells the leaders about his past. Gods visit him in a dream, wish him well and, in reward for trusting them, they will gather all the help they can. Arc ends with the New Heroes, heavily edited and the chapters shifted forward one.

So that's the gist of the first Arc. I think it addresses most of the concerns and issues people have. This way I think it'll be a lot more natural than it currently is and will set up future things as well.

I remember someone saying that Atros's water supply wouldn't be met with just one well. So there might need to be a change to the layout of the village and the surroundings. Perhaps a stream that runs down from the mountain to the side of Atros, for a source of fresh water and a place to launch Goblin attacks from, if there was a Goblin that intelligent of course.

These are just the little things that make the world seem a little more believable. Especially in a world that's essentially the medieval period, and a village that could best be called a frontier village.

Until Arc 1 is redone there's no real point in releasing the other Arcs. I can't give a timeframe, as I'm pretty bad at it, but my Patreon supporters will receive them all as they come out.

As for art and covers I have absolutely no idea. I want something a little bit different, style wise, than what I’ve seen about so I'll be going on some browsing adventures to find the right one.

I’ll be releasing the Arc 5 chapters fortnightly, giving me time to work on that and Arc 1. I’ll release the first chapter of Arc 5 next week and work from there. If anything happens I’ll be sure to let you all know.

I think that’s everything.

Thanks for coming with me this far, and I hope you’re still with me when I eventually finish this! (Sometime in the year 3000 probably!)

If you like my story consider supporting me on Patreon. Every dollar helps!

https://www.patreon.com/Terry78