Hello readers, It's been quite some time since I've updated my stories. There's a good reason for the hold-up, and I'm excited to share it with you today.
First, let me thank you. You likely clicked this hoping the story would continue where it was left off, sorry, but 2024 is going to be our year!
I've learned a lot since starting my writing journey. Much of that is due to the feedback you all have given me, my own studies, and putting in the work.
Starting last year, November 2022, I've changed my focus from writing, to learning Illustration/Manga and then ultimately to Animation. My end goal was always to get my stories on the screen, in a visual motion picture format.
This year, at the beginning of December 2023, I'm at a point where my animation pipeline is nearly set, and i'm soooo close to being able to create full episodes of stylized animation at a sustainable release pace for both myself and consumers despite being a single artist.
I can't express how humbling it is to be able to see the finish line after dreaming about it for so long, and to have found a vehicle (3D animation) to drive there.
With that being said, I'm announcing my future projects to all of you, as well as releasing a transparent schedule!
BUT FIRST…
Divine Reckoning was started as a NaNoWriMO project, the first 25 chapters being pumped out in a month as an exercise to get words on the page, but it's become so much more than that now.
I made countless mistakes. I've poisoned the minds of my readers with demoralizing garbage that was never meant to be a light at the end of the tunnel.
I felt lost for so long at how to reconcile my stories, but I myself was empty. I had to address the root issue, which was my ego, and my need to be recognized for my talents. I wanted to prove there would be value in a story leftover even after stripping it of any shred of the morals of God, because that would prove MY worth without him, however — I failed.
This version of Divine Reckoning will be discontinued, much like how Overlord's Kugane Maruyama started a web-novel, before releasing a re-write for the Light Novels. This new work will be every bit as dark, manipulative, and gorey, however, this time it will be contrasted with stronger philosophies, morals, and a message of hope no matter how bad things get.
Divine Reckoning will be going through a full rewrite, and rebranding to: DIVINE REVELATION, and it won't take years. The full written story will be released weekly starting New Year's Eve 12-31-23, finished by the end of 2024, in approximately 52 chapters.
I will also be releasing my own personal ANIME ADAPTION. The Trailer and Pilot episode premiere will feature on my Youtube channel in 2024, so stay tuned!
I've also been cooking up an Original series for the last several years. TYRANT X TYRANT
It will be published as a novel, a Webtoon/Manga, and adapted into an animated series done by the Studio I plan to establish. It does not have a set public launch date yet, but supporters will receive Beta Reader/Watcher perks of extreme early access, and voting for future content.
I plan to set a precedent in the West by creating a NPR 3D Animation Studio, and inviting creatives to query and option their stories once we display an animation pipeline that delivers to consumer standards.
We can speed production by allowing me to hire more artists, and pay for the tools and programs of the trade which are PRICEY through crowdfunding/. Let's make this something special for the whole world.
I hate the idea of pandering, especially my soul infested with pride, but I simply don't have the resources to get the largest upgrade to character animation. It would be AMAZING if we could raise money for a ROKOKO motion capture suit to animate the 50+ 3D models that have been made by talented 3D artists, several of those personal commissions I ordered.
I do this all out of the love of the craft, but a motion capture suit would speed up the production speed by 5-10 times, meaning that if one episode would take me 10 weeks, I could finish in 1, translating to more frequent updates, and more time to spend on the other aspects of creation: novels, scripts, storyboards, settings, voice acting, music, sound effects, VFX, ect…
I've cut every expense I could out of my life to invest both money and time into these projects, so all donations will go directly to content creation that I am also fully invested in.
2024 is going to be a big year for me and those who enjoy my work. Please be patient as I finish setting up the groundwork for my lifelong aspiration.
I'm dedicated to finishing my work and producing something of value. Thank you!
— as BOTH a deep apology, and as a teaser to give you something to look forward to, I release this: the opening of DIVINE REVELATION —
"
Is what lies beyond a flesh and blood existence valuable?
Death gives meaning to life because an ending is limiting and humans find fulfillment in overcoming their limitations.
Past history is a resource to learn from to prevent repeating mistakes in our current reality, the Present, so that there can be a brighter tomorrow.
To reach the future you must survive, but anyone's life can end abruptly, even our own, because our future is uncertain…
"So then why invest time and work if YOU might not be the beneficiary?!" You may ask.
Don't misunderstand… YOU WILL ALWAYS be the beneficiary of your work - even if it is done for others. This is what narcissists fail to comprehend.
Your work will shape your relationships with other people, with yourself, and with our creator the Lord. You reap what you sow.
Not long ago, I idolized logic above all, bastionizing science, math, and critical thinking as Idols that eclipsed my faith. The light was blocked by my obsession with building pillars of knowledge without appreciating the foundation that they were standing on, made by our creator.
I found myself at the feet of God, unworthy and unsightly. I knew who he was. He was the Lord.
I was called to take action, to act according to his will, but I refused and turned from him instead because I lost faith in his plan, and couldn't find the strength to continue through blind faith alone.
It was never enough. I yearned for understanding. I craved the Logic behind the plans God has for us more than anything.
But what Logic is it to a man if he peers into the face of God to criticize his creator's plan as insufficient, and suggest that man could do any better?
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Matthew 16:26
Not realizing my lack of vision, I became intent on leading the other blind in an attempt to deflect from my personal responsibility.
Ironically, my opportunity to test my self-imposed mission of leadership arrived, tasked with guiding other lost souls.
My direction became twisted, and my path lost in circles. Unhappy with my way, I became disillusioned to instead aim to prove that God was deceitful and discredit him as a symbol of hope, because removed from God, everything I touched suffered, and I could not accept that without him, there was no value.
I mocked and betrayed his trust in my free will, saying: "If you knew all then you must have planned for me losing my faith too, which means that I never had free will, and that I cannot be judged!"
I said this because I UNDERSTOOD NOTHING.
Our world is not as it seems. This is a warning to curious free thinkers that aim to make a positive change in the world. Disguise your intentions. When you freely share your vision to all, you invite saboteurs to begin creating more obstacles to put in your way. You must discern who you will ally yourself with, and how much intel you will divulge to them, for we are all capable of depraved things, and all fall short of the glory of God.
This autobiography recounts the life of an unworthy, wicked soul, reincarnated as a ninja, in a world at war, that against all odds found fulfillment in a mission that was given to them from higher inspiration.
Please use my experience to gain UNDERSTANDING through the perspective of my mistakes. I apologize for any trauma you may experience with me through reading this story. I am deeply sorry and ashamed that THIS is how I think, but the Lord made me this way, and I've paid a heavy price for my need for answers.
As someone whose primary focus was expressing my free will, I'll show you respect by not cramming my answers I've received down your throat, because my biggest issue with authority is the idea that we should question it when most authority tells us not to.
I want to pass you my life experience and wisdom, and all I ask is that you listen and think. Discern the truth for yourself. Find peace in knowing there is hope for all of us, my fellow brothers and sisters. I Love you all so much and wish all of you the very best.
- CHAPTER 1 -
Child of the Night
"Sabotage. Again… and again… and again… Doesn't it ever get old to you?" My words were full of contempt.
The tall doors of a cathedral stood as a relic of the past artisans preserved. Everything else was burned and destroyed by the Catholic crusades.
…
All was silent. The twilight of dusk cast golden streams into the sky and clouds.
I stuck both middle fingers up to the sky as a curse to the heavens.
"GOD, YOU'RE A RAT FUCK. A CRAB IN THE BUCKET, THAT ONLY CARES ABOUT MAKING SURE PEOPLE WORSHIP YOU AND DEVOTE THEIR LIVES!" I panted for air to continue my cry.
"What was the point of free will if you don't actually let us choose, and instead you pick what will work out FOR US?!"
I threw a punch in the air, my frustration reaching a boiling point.
It isn't FAIR!
"Are you scared I could make something of myself after I've seen through your machinations, your ego, and your narcissism? If you see all, and know the future, and if this really is all YOUR plan, I don't feel fit to address you as God. I'll warn everyone about the 'truth', that you're pathetic, spiteful, and even I could do your job better."
Fabric rustled, wisped in a sudden gust.
I turned to look, but it was simply a flag puppeteered by the wind. Nothing was before me.
"Nothing… Of Course… Why did I expect anything different." I said fuming.
A flash of light blinded me, and I was jerked from my feet. My stomach dropped, and something's grip wrapped around my throat as I rocketed through the air.
The wind and air currents hissed and howled past, the chill air and my heavy confusion robbed me of much of the heat of my anger. I was halfway between acceptance and fear, teetering to find my answer. I was close to giving up on life, but I couldn't, because despite being empty, the smallest glint of hope could inspire me. I wanted to make a difference.
I peeled an eyelid open, but couldn't make out anything through the blur before it was snapped back shut.
All the motion came to an abrupt halt. After settling, the resulting pain was excruciating.
Crack! Pop!
Bones and joints fractured, the grip on my neck intensified.
"AHHG! No-"
I must see. I must know!
I strained to open my eyes, then the blur settled, and before me was an angelic figure. It flapped two sets of white feathered wings eerily silent. Its face was that of an owl, and their primal animalistic eyes' stared into the depth of my soul.
My heart fought to escape, but I was oddly okay with it all. If I had to be taken out, then I won! My philosophy was so dangerous and threatening that I had to be stopped. Of Course God would send a minion to do the job and not show himself in person.
"COWARD!"
A hum below caught my attention, but unable to move, I could not look, and I did not know.
I fell, released by the divine creature. I smiled and laughed.
"I've been set free… of my responsibilities."
ZzzzZZZZ.
The zap of electric current arced around, bathing the world in a blue and yellow glow. Light bent and transmuted around me in indescribable ways.
My Flesh and Spirit unshackled and separated. My soul flowed across a river of space, time, thoughts, and emotions. I drifted along, receiving visions of other people's lives. I witnessed their struggle, their successes, their anguish, and their joy.
My lens of perspective changed, for I now knew many of the answers that I wanted, and I was horrified by what I learned.
That is then, my Judge appeared to me, in a divine light, and he was the most masterful sculpted man, symmetrical and aesthetic.
Around us spilled every color of light from shimmering windows that appeared like stained glass, but producing the light and luminating the church interior.
The Master saw me and shook his head with such visual disappointment, as if asking me WHY?
I couldn't help but to feel shame and guilt, but I still had plenty of my own questions.
"Why do you look different?" I asked.
He spoke in a thunderous roar. "YOU HAVE BETRAYED YOUR GOD, SERPENT."
"You didn't entrust answers in me to my questions so that I could be a proper witness! I had to find the answers myself!"
"You receive your answers in time, but are unsatisfied with what they were, or how you got them, and imagine that the answers are your own, free to reshape them as you see fit. You feel entitled because you were amongst the chosen, but being chosen means nothing if YOU CANNOT FOLLOW!"
"This isn't all about me. If you are going to decide our fates before they even play out, you are responsible! How dare you cast the blame on me when I was demoralized by your plan. I've watched countless heroic souls lose and villains prevail. If you are the Light, the Truth, and the Way, then why would you give dominion to evil instead of blessing those who remain faithful?"
"So Self-righteous and self-important… Who has appointed you to interpret Divine Will? You were given the chance to cleanse and purify your soul before receiving your Divine Wisdom."
"I believe all authority, if they themselves believe are just and fair, should open themself to critical questions, so the herd knows it's not being led off a cliff to be sacrificed, and have stronger, more personalized experiences to give them the inspiration and vigor to serve faithfully."
"Faith requires stepping past your realm of confidence and logic. It invokes the truest form of energy and can be channeled to create miraculous events. Trust is a systematic analytical approach that assumes it's within the others capacity. But through faith you can help me augment reality into a more beautiful home for humans."
"Okay—That makes perfect sense. See, if I knew that from the start, this all would have been way different." I relented.
"In your delusional hypocrisy, YOU CHALLENGED GOD on his heavenly throne and claim you can instead 'Do a better job...' When you ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND NOTHING?" He paused, but then after that sunk in, he continued with: "YOUR SCENT IS THICK WITH PRIDE AND SLOTH. If your work is in vain, what can you even take pride in?"
I opened my mouth, but I fell silent, realizing the deep fundamental truth that shocked me to my core.
The lack of sound became a menacing vibration that shook the fabric of my soul, until everything changed.
The air pulsed, and a BOOM of heat burst forth. Fire and lightning enveloped the edges of our surroundings, caging us together in a supernatural display, and it all split from the master's presence.
The windows of shimmering light died casting shadows everywhere there was no flames or static.
"PRECIOUS CHILD OF ADAM, WHO HAS FALLEN FROM GRACE… YOU HAVE BEEN SHOWN MERCY AND BEEN ALLOWED TO SURVIVE IN SIN, BUT YOUR ILL-INTENTIONED BLASPHEMY HAS CORRUPTED YOU AND YOUR POTENTIAL … AND I HAVE WEPT FOR WHAT YOU COULD HAVE BEEN."
For the first time, my argumentative and rebellious feelings were quenched, the pieces of the puzzle I hunted my whole life for came together and revealed a revelation.
"YOU COULD BE SO MUCH MORE IF YOU DIDN'T ABANDON YOUR FAITH AND DEDICATION."
He was right…
"I was wrong." I repented.
"GIVE YOUR LIFE TO ME, SO THAT YOU CAN FIND TRUE PURPOSE IN SAVING YOUR LOST SIBLINGS. DEVOTE YOUR LIFE TO THE SERVICE AND MINISTRY OF THE TRUTH."
"…I will. Now that I can see clearly, I'll give you my life!"
A dark chill shook through my soul, but vanished after the host's unsettling chuckle.
"Ofcourse you will… But all is not well… You remain imperfect, and will stay that way grouped together with the other serpents."
"We'll be grouped together for what?"
"Serpents have a special role as Children of the Night, as the impure. I will re-educate you all for your next role."
"Please tell me what my role will be."
"To learn from your past mistakes, and teach every soul the lessons that have been carved in your heart. Witness to them about my will, power, and glory."
"…Okay. I think I can do that."
"I have not forgotten your sins against your fellow brothers and sisters, and the misguided feeling of superiority and respect from being born a man, the pride of man, which you clung to like a badge of honor. I will strip you of it, and All titles where your pride is rooted. Through tribulations, I will teach you the struggles of your sisters' first hand."
"Woah! Hold on, I think I'm close to learning my lesson already! That won't be necessary!"
"You will undergo trials, and for those that can reach beyond and answer my call—"
"—But not really as a girl, right?"
"—Only then can you be washed of your impurities." He continued, ignoring my question.
"You didn't answer me." I argued.
One of the master's eyes' twitched, but continued speaking. "You will never be free from your sin that is trapped inside you, until you have devoted your life, and accomplished work in my name, and conquer the trials I offer, only after, like rocks tumbled into precious stone, will you be freed of your impurities."
"—But I can do all that as a man though is all I'm trying to say. I will work without ceasing! I'll do everything you ask of me! PLEASE! I'll give my whole life to you if—"
"—This is not a negotiation! Forget your past misogyny, your pride, and shout my name!"
"GOD!" I shouted.
The man smiled ear to ear, but then his face settled, and he said to me: "My new daughter has offered her soul so that she can pursue redemption. Hear my name THE SINGULARITY and know you all of your work will be in MY NAME for the rest of eternity."
—- TO BE CONTINUED (12/31-2023) —-
"
—- Closing —-
Ps. If there are any artist's, writers, animators, or voice actors that would like to collaborate on DIVINE REVELATION, or TYRANT X TYRANT, please send me a message with contact details (like discord) or questions about the project! Thanks for the support, it was not misplaced.
This is my first public announcement, and by the end of December I'll be diligent and consistent in posting updates on Instagram, Youtube, and other social media. I've spent a lot of time in the preparation stage, and soon I will finally get to unveil the fruits of my labor. If you'd like to keep updated:
Youtube: zemptai (Gar-Sensei)
Twitter/X: SenseiGar
Insta:
: (Release Soon)