The Skypiercer.

The tallest object in the world, the last unexplored frontier. Filled with countless wonders but also immense dangers, it stood straight like a primordial spear piercing the heavens. Visible from beyond the horizon, but its upper reaches eternally obscured from view by an unnatural haze, countless legends had been spun around this structure over many millennia.

In the last few centuries, people have begun earnestly to challenge its staggering heights both on the outside and the inside. Still, no clues that would point to the existence of a summit had been discovered. It had become clear that this structure defied all understanding.

Over time, a city had grown around the Skypiercer's base, lovingly called Base Camp by all of its inhabitants. As if being charmed by irresistible magic, people born there would always go on to challenge the tower. Base Camp was a place solely dedicated to exploring the greatest wonder in the world.

Many of the Skypiercer's challengers died young, perishing in their pursuit of the countless strange artifacts called fragments found inside it. The few who gave up the climb and retired in Base Camp would pass on their knowledge to those who followed in their footsteps. Their destinies were irrevocably intertwined with the tower that had bound their hearts. It was the watchful guardian over their cradles; it was the solemn tombstone over their graves.

Those who devoted their lives to climbing were called Aspirants - seekers of ascension.

This is essentially the first draft of this story, which I intend to publish as an ebook and paperback later on. As such, this may be subject to takedown once that happens.

Chapters will be uploaded once every few days until all the chapters on my Patreon are spent. Afterward, it will be at the rate I'm writing them. If you can't wait, head over to read all the chapters by becoming a Patron of any tier.