By: Marjorie McCubbins
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Body Horror, Shadow Magic
This story contains graphic violence, body horror, child endangerment, psychological trauma, and mature themes. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
Leizar Blackthorne has always known something was wrong with him. His shadow moves independently, children die when he sleeps, and darkness whispers promises he's terrified to understand.
When he arrives at the Academy of Ages, he discovers he's not alone. His new friends each carry their own impossible secrets: WindRaven guards something that shouldn't exist, and Sylas's ancient eyes see far too much.
But the Academy isn't what it seems. Ancient instructors watch their every move, testing them for purposes they can't comprehend. And when the truth finally surfaces, Leizar will discover that the person he thought he was is only half the story.
Love is the foundation of the most profound manipulations.
It began with fingernails scraping against coffin lids. Leizar's shadow walks the graveyard while he sleeps, and when he wakes screaming, there's grave dirt under his nails.
Topics: Body Horror, Shadow Walking, Corruption
Isaac and Leizar bake blackberry cobbler together, clinging to normalcy while corruption spreads. That night, Leizar's shadow walks away from him entirely.
Topics: Domestic Horror, The Shattering, Cosmic Dread
Leizar wakes covered in blood that isn't his. Clara Stanton's broken rosary is clutched in his fist. Pendacore gives him a binding tonic. Isaac tearfully sends him away.
Topics: Soul Extraction, Goodbye, New Beginnings
During weapons training, a mercenary named Garrett ignores warnings and touches the Blackened Blade—Alerath. It feeds. When the screaming stops, only ash remains.
Topics: Memory Suppression, Cursed Weapons, Identity
WindRaven's 'rock' cracks open. It's a dragon egg. Ulric hatches in obsidian and starlight scales. For the first time in weeks, Leizar falls asleep without nightmares.
Topics: Dragon Bonding, Hope, Calm Before Storm
Ulric's exponential growth creates chaos and wonder. The tiny dragon reaches six feet overnight, forcing the friends to move to Starlight Tower.
Topics: Dragon Growth, Magic Training
The tonic wears off and Leizar's true nature begins to surface. During combat training, Leizar's blood triggers a transformation: he shadow-walks.
Topics: Identity Reveal, Cosmic Horror, Shadow Magic
Roku drags them to an ancient room for 'emergency intervention.' He reveals he's Apocalyptica's grandson, that Ulric is a divine clone, and that Leizar's shadow is tainted by Aether.
Topics: Philosophy, Manipulation, Divine Revelations
Leizar witnesses a vision of ten children having their souls extracted. He flees the Academy with his friends, seeking safety at Isaac's farmhouse. Then night falls and something begins tapping at the window.
Topics: Horror, Soul Extraction, Flight
Leizar is possessed by Aether. His body transforms into cosmic horror. Isaac breaks the possession with a silver pendant but is immediately arrested. They leave at dawn.
Topics: Possession, Body Horror, Sacrifice
© 2025 Marjorie McCubbins • The Immortal Monster Series
"Love is the foundation of the most profound manipulations."