As of now, this story is on a break. I have exams coming up, so the hiatus will last about 2 to 2.5 months. However, the fic won't stop completely. I have some side stories planned to post during the break.
Don't expect anything on the level of Volume 1; these will just focus on what other characters are doing to keep the world feeling alive.
They will be short chapters, only a few thousand words each.
Here is the order for the side stories:
Sunless: Shadow of the Dojo
Caster: Rusty Crown
Nephis: [Binding Vow]
Cassie: Seer's Gambit
Jet: Pressure from the Clans
Kath: Chains of Fate (1)
Kath: Chains of Fate (2)
Kath: Chains of Fate (End)
Updates will be completely random and the chapters will be small. Let me know if you guys even want these side stories, if not, I will just stop.
Regarding the Dream Realm, I am going to create my own content. Trust me, it will be good. I have some ideas inspired by the 1986 film and book.
There were some plot holes in Volume 1, like Sunless having four shadows due to the angle of light, which is not actually possible. There is nothing I can do about that now.
That is it for the main info. Below are just my thoughts; feel free to read them, but the important updates end here.
***
Now that Volume 1 has ended, there is so much I want to talk about. To be blunt, I love the story of Volume 1. Kiyotaka entering the world of Shadow Slave by breaking all connections to his old world, then doing the same in the ending by entering the Dream Realm and breaking the connections he made in the waking world.
What I do not like is the presentation. Honestly, the story of Volume 1 is stupidly dragged out. There are 15 chapters for the First Nightmare and 14 for the waking world. Volume 1 is 191k words long for just 29 chapters. Can you believe that?
I really want to work on my word choice and pacing, so let us hope Volume 2 improves on that.
I know the prose can be rough, but I actually prefer it that way. It makes it much easier to display emotions. Overly proper prose can feel monotonous to me sometimes.
As for the ending: it was rushed and weird. You could not see him walking until he reached Cassie and the bed, which was exactly what I wanted. I wanted to display the consequences of his actions.
I guess this is it!
Peace!