Kingdoms of Vice

In a realm where each nation holds power over the prominence of certain ‘vices’, the Creidor massacre of the Ascali people—those who’s relationship with death determines the life expectancy for the rest of the world—shook the stability of the twin continents down to their foundations. Adamantine, one of the few survivors and the death deity's ward, took revenge and Creidoria sunk into political obscurity.   Adamantine travels to Tebrica, a peaceful nation on the southern continent, and becomes the red hand to its Sovereign. Their opposing vice is pain, which suits Adamantine well. Her powers stem from her deistic guardian and mentor, but since she duelled It for her own free will as a child her physical form has deteriorated drastically, resulting in a constant agony that even the most learned Tebriac minds can’t subdue.   A decade later, Tebrica’s neighbour, Thale, sends an envoy to begin treaty renegotiations. He brings with him a woman known as Crescent—his own variant of Adamantine—and they’re forced to partner up in a test of diplomacy. But Thale has secretly joined the northern continent’s lucrative slave trade that has so far avoided crossing the Barrier Sea. Through Adamantine, Tebrica has been the driving force keeping the detestable industry from taking hold of the southern continent for the last six years and Crescent is there for one reason: to kill her.   And there’s another complication. The morning before the delegation’s arrival, Adamantine received a warning from the death deity. After years of rebuilding their military might, Creidoria has set their sights on Tebrica. But with Crescent tailing her day and night, Adamantine has little time to set aside for the problem—even when the first signs of Creidoria’s impending invasion rear their terrifying heads.