This is the original first draft of Aegis in all its inexperienced glory. The pacing is a bit awkward, some dialogue is stiff, and everything is much less explained/detailed than the rewrite. Still, for those who wish to peruse my humble beginning as a writer, this draft will remain up for the more curious souls. If you would like to visit the rewrite, the link is here: Aegis Thank you to those who joined Aegis during its initial run. You gave me the motivation to keep on writing, and this series would not be the same without the valued feedback and encouragement I received from the kind people in this community. Regards, QuiteTheSlacker  "Rise, my beloved. As you always have. As you always will." Humanity has always yearned to reach the Stars. It is an inevitable instinct, a deep-rooted desire that festers within them all. It is the realm of their creator, and where endless possibilities await them. But not all wish for humanity to ascend. A single being known as The Constellation has chained them to the earth since the world's beginning, an ever-vigilant warden shackled to the past. Its true origin and appearance remain a mystery for none that meet its gaze ever return to the realm of the living. Only a single entity has the ability to usurp The Constellation and guide humanity to the Stars above. They are humanity's hope, a blinding ray amongst the darkness, but their light has been snuffed out long ago. Now, humanity is doomed to stagnate amidst their fragmented land, nations waging war on each other in a desperate attempt to hold dominion over what little authority they have over the earth. One day, hope returns to the continent for their savior has finally returned. A baby boy bearing the mark of The Comet has been born somewhere in the world, and the various rulers that occupy the land are desperate to control the baby's power and use it for their own ambition. However, his birth also awakens the slumbering atrocity from its rest, ready to fulfill its duty as it has time and time again. O' child of the Stars: Shine bright, shine bright. Your journey shall be long and arduous, but this world will soon fall. Two choices lay before you: Rally humanity together and bring about an end to the age of fracture; Or burn the world to its very core, and from the ashes will rise a new beginning. Shine bright Aegis, for this is your story.  Thank you so much to GabbieMok for the cover illustration! Their art is amazing, and I highly recommend them for anyone looking to get a cover for themselves! Here's a link below to their page. https://www.fiverr.com/gabbiemok https://www.deviantart.com/gabbiemok  Here's a link to my patreon. If you'd like to support my work, then feel free to leave a tip! QuiteTheSlacker