Manaborn

This is the story about how I died. Not really... I mean, I don't remember most of it, thank goodness. Long story short, I was betrayed. Some people I thought I could trust invaded my sky palace, stole my women, and enslaved my pet shadow hounds. I was destroyed, utterly. Or so they thought. Somehow, mana, the source of my previous power, brought me back. The backstabbing weasels think they are safe, barricaded in their strongholds. Here's the horrible part. They willingly sacrificed their own flesh and blood for security. And they had the nerve to call me evil? Death wasn't all bad, I guess. It showed me what was truly important. But before I can get around to living my second life, I have some retribution to dish out. Yes, some will call me unnatural. Others, evil. Blah blah blah. I call myself the Manaborn. Contains mature themes.

Not everyone gets a second chance at life. I, however, kind of lucked into mine. Thrust into the body of a dying man, I fought to break free, made a few friends along the way, and started down the long and treacherous path of revenge. But things aren't what I'd expected. Not all of the bad guys I'd set my sights on were actually bad, and the good guys... well, let's just say it is complicated. The emperor, in his righteous quest for true immortality and power, has sent his agents to the City of Bones. Why? Simple. The local lord, Tairon, had accumulated too much power, so it was time to clip his wings. To replace him, they will hold a tournament. The winner takes control of the City of Bones. I was granted the honor of starting my own sect. I've only failed at this sect leadership thing once before. What could go wrong? Only any number of a hundred things - the monster pit just down the lake shore could explode and consume us in our sleep, a creepy band of bug-infested assassins could step out of the shadows and kill us during breakfast, or I might get a sliver while hanging a sign on the outhouse. Mana brought me back, so it is up to me to... not die again. Contains mature themes.