best dark fantasy novels

2021/05/21

The exciting sequel to Behind Blue Eyes. By the end you have no idea who is good or bad. Required fields are marked *. But when shadowy forces begin to call their daughters, Odessa and Haidee, back to the site of the Breaking, the two young goddesses along with a powerful healer from Aranth, and a mouthy desert scavenger set out on separate journeys across treacherous wastelands, desperate to heal their broken world. About the book: When the Emperor dies on campaign, destinies clash. Glimpsing the future is one thing, but with the hand of the First of the Magi still pulling strings, changing it is quite another. Meanwhile, Rikki struggles to control the Long Eye. Also, grimdark has some sense of hopelessness or nihilism. Cant wait for the sequel! With a monstrous pilot as guide, and an ex-assassin as captain, Chang, Zaya, and the crew of the mighty Prince sail into uncharted waters. Add in a barrel aged stout to sip on after a cheeky body surf under the Australian sun, and that's his heaven. After the Skaa have slaved in misery, living in fear in the ash-covered world, Kelsier, a half-Skaa, discovered within himself the powers of a Mistborn. Theres high fantasy, full of fire breathing dragons and kingdoms with names you can hardly pronounce, and theres contemporary fantasy, set in a world similar to our own with magic elements sprinkled throughout. But one truth overpowers all the rest: Vaelin Al Sorna is destined for a future he has yet to comprehend. Prince of Thorns is an excellent beginning to the Broken Empire trilogy. It covers a lot of very adult subject matter, portrayed fairly graphically. They point to a tribe of devilish and mystical creatures who promise to fulfill the residents deepest desires, however grand and impossible, for just a small favor. To save herself and her family, Joan will have to do what she fears most: embrace her own monstrousness. Shes like him, but finds it hard to trust. Shes no stranger to a fight, though, and shes prepared to go to extreme lengthsand court ruthless dangerto secure her title. There she discovers that nothing is what it seems and that Metatron is much more cunning and dangerous than anyone suspects. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Having left her homeland with only a knife and a dream of adventure, she finds herself captured by pirates. Then check out our previous best of lists for: Adrian Collins runs Grimdark Magazine and loves anything to do with telling darker stories. She survived an unsolved homicide, and at her hospital bed, she is given a second chance. For hundreds of years, the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wardssymbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile. But becoming the Queen Crowned isnt solely a matter of royal birth. No one is allowed to know the shocking truth about who the victims are: Guardian Angels. Something happened to her and her two older sisters when they were children, something they cant quite remember but that left each of them with an identical half-moon scar at the base of their throats. But you can have darkness and brutality without being grimdark. A book can have anti-heroes, but offer redemption for some of them. Capitalization of fantasy and sci-fi races: when you do or dont use a capital letter. Thanks for letting me know! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I will be the worst monster they ever created. Meanwhile, Countess Ilanda Pavidale struggles to hold the kingdom of Hanifax together with the recent passing of its twisted immortal monarch, a court full of treacherous nobles, and barbarian horde on its borders. He hopes that the crown will help, but the kings son, Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in disappointments. She will tell no one of the white-eyed beasts that follow her. As darkness falls after sunset, the corelings risedemons who possess supernatural powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. But that requires a cache of human bones and a sacrifice: for each day he lives, she will live one less. Great list, but I dont believe The Black Jewels series is YA. Literally the OG of dark gothic high fantasy, mixed with real world Norse, Celtic and Anglo Saxon influences. Three years ago, he stood by when the Authority condemned Jason to the brutality of the Rift for non-compliance. Site Powered by Supadu, The Official List of Harpers Winter 2023 YA Cover Reveals, The 16 Most Anticipated YA Books to Read in August, Choose a Trope, Well Give You a Book Rec, 30 Queer Fantasy/Sci-fi Books That Should Be On Your Radar, 35 Standalone Fantasy Books for When You Cant Commit, 45 Books That You Should Be Reading with Your Book Club, 92 Standalone Novels to Read When Youre Not Feeling a Series. Though she dropped out of school early and was sucked into the world of drug dealers and much worse, she still ends up at Yale. On here, you can find full book reviews, along with monthly mini-reviews, new releases, and more bookish stuff. The GdM reviewer team gives you our favourite books of 2021. To hunt down the clues, she needs to call on Zimbabwean magic and her Scottish pragmatism. Iraya, her revenge taken and magic unfettered, turns her sights on a bigger goal: freeing Aiyca for the Obeah. Press J to jump to the feed. and the weight of a leaden sky threatens to crush her people. Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms, but those days are gone. Their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light. You think youve come across this story before. Even the world we live in. But their true intentions are much more sinister, and Ellerie finds herself in a race against time before all of Amity Falls, her family, and the boy she loves go up in flames. As such, youll find several books in this list, both of the supernatural horror kind and of the anti-hero kind.. A seam, where the shadow meets its source. Nephilim will have to decide on what side she wants to stand . But his good fortune is fleeting. Each sister has to fight for it. In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, something lies buried. But, as may be expected, getting initiated as a Blade of the Lady of Blessed Murder is not just about following and passing her classes. And yet some of them are lies. Her prose interweaves realistic human emotion into her character motivations. In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Check out our list of dark fantasy stories you wont be able to get enough of. To that end, the magical blademighty, single-minded Szaadashaelawont allow the slightest waver of their commitment.But the empire is a bubbling cauldron of turmoil with the sudden passing of its undying queen. Because in this storyshe is not the hero. Not even Ben Van Brunts grandfather, Brom Bones, who was there when it was said the Horseman chased the upstart Crane out of town. If you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission. His father, too, has motives that Vaelin will come to understand. Retelling the English folk ballad The Twa Sisters, it is both rooted in folklore and mythology, but also in medieval history and culture. They are called alakinear-immortals with rare gifts. Riva, Keyne and Sinnethree siblings entangled in a web of treachery and heartbreak, who must fight to forge their own paths. Not after they sent her away to the boarding school of Saint Bridigs. Genre: YA Dark Fantasy RomancePublisher: Roc NAL (New American Library) Penguin. Vaelins father was Battle Lord to King Janus, ruler of the unified realm. Are you? Those are all things Mia struggles with. Everything changes when Nephilim accompanies Metatron on a trip to Olympias City III, formerly Rio de Janeiro. She can only find one person corrupt enough to help her: Ramson Quicktongue. The girls realize that something dark is lurking behind their foray into fictionand they will have to rewrite their own arcs if they hope to escape this nightmare with their lives. Where had she come from? About this book: AT LONG LAST, EVEN GODS WILL KNOW REGRETAgnes Manteo now bears her fathers sentient Djao sword, along with a terrible revelationthe gods are charlatans, ancient sorcerers who draw their strength from the suffering of humanity. The latter is the focus of this listicle today. Will is thrust into a world of magic, where he starts training for a vital role in the oncoming battle against the Dark. Today she will be a saint of Haven. But when a supply party goes missing, some worry that the monsters that once stalked the region have returned. But what if the law is wrong?Tashus faith in the law is beginning to crack. Twenty-five years ago, five heroes defeated the bone maker Eklor: a corrupt magician who created an army out of animal bones. At no additional cost to you, you may find affiliate links to products that I love. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Genre: Adult Dark Epic FantasyPublisher: Voyager. This isthelist with the best dark fantasy books all the way to 2021. So they're really not mutually exclusive. So when the girls are tempted by a mysterious man to enter the world of the book, they hardly suspect it will work. Too many people use the term is a kind of slur for anything with a lot of bad stuff happening to people. Some parts of this novel made me laugh, other parts made me cry. But whos hunting who? Your email address will not be published. And with the pressures of alumni bureaucracy and past failures weighing on her, Scarlett finds herself at risk of losing the very thing that defined her: her magic. Dont forget the rule. Coldfire Trilogy? Hi! About the book: Hell die as many times as it takes. Or the girls she saw kissing in the elm grove. Definitely worth checking out! But suddenly they are in the world ofMoira, living among characters theyve obsessed about for years. But even with such a grand criminal crew, Kels plan looks like the ultimate long shot, until a girl named Vin enters his life. The planet ceased to spin, and a Great Abyss now divides two realms: one cloaked in perpetual night, the other scorched by an unrelenting sun. He escapes his home and becomes an immoral boy leading a band of outlaws in a world of chaos. Sistersong is one of those special books that doesnt come along all too often, and I adore it. The Ipian Empire was once a land that welcomed dragons and spirits alike, but a century of war and bloodshed saw them all but vanish. In a city where winter reigns amid the fires of industry and war, soot and snow conspire to conceal centuries of death and deception. This searing and lyrically written novel by the critically acclaimed author ofSawkill Girlsbeckons readers to follow its fierce heroine into a world filled with secrets and bloodwhere the truth is buried in lies and a devastating power waits, seething, for someone brave enough to use it. The age of machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. Join the mightest group of book nerds around. The Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves trailer is out. Her job is to monitor the activities of Yales secret societies, together with Daniel Arlingtonor Darlington, as hes called. It brings with it Myrdhin, meddler and magician. Thanks for visiting my little bookish corner on the internet. Hes a cunning crime lord with very sinister plans. In the isolated mountain community, when this happens, they call the child a striga. Her ability to control blood has long been kept a secret, but when her father is murdered, she is the only suspect. Genre: YA Dark Adventure FantasyPublisher: Anthony Ryan. Deep in the Brakewood, Myjun is learning new skills of her own as apprentice to Oyru, the shadow assassin who attacked the village of Chaenbalu but the power of revenge comes at a daunting price. . Brom says thats just legend, the village gossips talking. So, a real definition is hard to pinpoint. Ropa dices with death, discovering an occult library and a taste for hidden magic. Struggling with memory loss, Nephilim barely survives an attempt on her life. We start off our list with the best dark fantasy books withWicked Saints: a girl who can speak to the gods, a prince in danger, and a boy with a monstrous secret. In a turn of events that find him trapped in thorns, Jorg becomes the Prince of Thorns from the title. The dead whisper to her that someones bewitching childrenleaving them husks, empty of joy and life. Mirens grandmother is determined to restore their glory, even if the price is Mirens freedom. Trust me - I promise you OP - this is what you are looking for. About the book: The Kaul siblings battle their rival clans for honour and control over an East Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis in Jade Legacy, the page-turning conclusion to the Green Bone Saga. Im a huge fan of this subgenre, so if youre looking to expand your reading list with some dark books, youre at the right place.. Not to mention, Jorg is a great character youll just love to hate or hate to love. Riva can cure others, but cant seem to heal her own deep scars. While its not a book- it really embodies the genre perfectly, YEAH! At once haunting and lyrical, Sistersong is nevertheless dark and macabre (just go and check out the bone harp from the story that Lucy crafted with artist Becky Pepperdine).Read The Wisdom of Crowds by Joe Abercrombie. Both are each others only hope. But now Eleanor finds the courage to return home and confront her family, but they already seem to await her and welcome her with open arms. Gavin Lorren has finally escaped the life of being a trained assassin. The world has been turned upside down: The lavish balls and star-crossed love affairs are now interlaced with unspeakable horrors. definition of dark fantasy, as in fantasy with horror elements, try the Coldfire Trilogy. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. The vampires in Kristoffs gothic grimdark masterpiece are terrifying predators with preternatural strength and speed. It leads her into the underbelly of Olympias most notorious district, Oldtown, and also into the Inner Circle, where the elites reside. But then Ben and a friend stumble across the headless body of a child in the woods near the village, and the discovery makes Ben question everything the adults in Sleepy Hollow have ever said. Then an old servant tells him of his destiny to fight beside the Stewards, who have sworn to protect humanity if the Dark King ever returns. About the book: For nearly three decades, vampires have waged war against humanity; building their eternal empire even as they tear down our own. About the book:Feared pirate and scoundrel Lucky Chang has a dirty secret: he loves his crew, and would die to protect them. The elders will mark her and place the red hood on her head. But a darker path may still claim him . This is the story of Ted, who lives with his daughter, Lauren, and his cat, Olivia, in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. As Iris retraces Greys last known footsteps and follows the increasingly bizarre trail of breadcrumbs she left behind, it becomes apparent that the only way to save her sister is to decipher the mystery of what happened to them as children. To survive, Eleanor must embrace her family and join forces with the ghost of Grandma Persephone to confront the monstrousness lurking deep within her Grandmere, and herself. All these things are true. Hi guys, after trying to figure out what was dark fantasy and what was grimdark fantasy, i got tired and just decided to read some dark fantasy books to figure out. None of the subjects are particularly fleshed out, but Leigh doesnt shy away from them either. Those darker fantasy stories that grip you and take you along for a dangerous ride. As bodies fall, the two discover a foul truth hidden beneath layers of deception and violence: Come the thaw, what was buried will be revealed. Rhenwars Saga by ML Spencer is a fantastic book series that I think you'd very much enjoy. And its not just a game of win or loseits life or death. Get new inspiration & recommendations straight to your inbox. When it comes down to it, its a story about a girl training hard to become the best and most deadly assassin of them all, but it also begs the question as to how far shed go to reach that goal. Night by night, the demons grow stronger while human numbers dwindle under their relentless assault. Gabriel de Len, half man, half monster and last remaining silversaint a sworn brother of the holy Silver Order dedicated to defending the realm from the creatures of the night is all that stands between the world and its end. FromNew York Timesbestselling author Claire Legrand comes a new, bone-chilling YA horror novel about a girl who joins a coven to root out a vicious evil thats stalking her village. When the school is attacked, she flees with one of the tutors, determined to hide both from those who would kill her, and those who would use her. Della has little to lose. About the book: Catherynne M. Valente, the bestselling and award-winning creator of Space Opera and The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland returns with The Past Is Red, the enchanting, dark, funny, angry story of a girl who made two terrible mistakes: she told the truth and she dared to love the world. with the weight of her dead. Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of ten when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order. Long live the Empire. Spencer. But when her eldest sister, Grey, goes missing under suspicious circumstances, Iris learns just how weird her life can get: horned men start shadowing her, a corpse falls out of her sisters ceiling, and ugly, impossible memories start to twist their way to the forefront of her mind. Fans of fantasy, science fiction, horror, alt history, and more can all find a home with us. Who would tattoo a child? If he wants to survive, he needs to uncover parts of his past that hed hoped to forget. In the ancient kingdom of Dumnonia, there is old magic to be found in the whisper of the wind, the roots of the trees, and the curl of the grass. If any of these things trigger you, I wouldnt recommend reading it. A thrilling tale which takes a well loved classic and makes it new. This is an evocative, rich piece which I particularly enjoyed thanks to the relevance and crisp, fresh voices given to the original characters as their lives and dynamics are reworked. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. So, the book is all about Jorg Ancrath, a Prince and heir to the throne of Ancrath. That's exactly what i have in mind when i think of Dark Fantasy. But a new threat is awakeningan enemy with vicious intent and an army of nightmares from beyond the veil. As a plague of spirits sweeps across the land, the Onryo leave a bloody trail for Haruto to follow. Katyusha Leonova, desperate to restore her family name, takes a job with Norylskas brutal police force. Its safe to say Ive never read anything like The Last House On Needless Street. Preferably with some gothic elements. Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life shes ever known. Kelsier recruits the underworlds elite, planning the greatest heist in history, and the downfall of the divine despot. But only four of the heroes survived. If youre looking for a darker take on magic, want to explore the secret societies of Yale, while also follow the threads to solve a murder, definitely give this book a try! The future is blue. And whats something that could have all, One may be the loneliest number, but not when it comes to books! Iris has spent most of her teenage years trying to avoid the weirdness that sticks to her like tar. No matter the sacrifice it demands. And Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear them apart. But the powers of the presidency have their own pitfalls. You must never tell anyone about monsters. The epic conclusion to the horror/fantasy Iconoclasts series, Idols Fall follows adventurer Agnes Manteo as she takes up her fathers sentient blade and quests to slay a pantheon of cruel pretender gods. The perfect blend of classical fiction and grimdark. Kreya, the leader, has exiled herself to a remote tower with one purpose: resurrecting her dead husband. Why was he the only one who cared? Ropa dropped out of school to become a ghostalker. However, the princess might be the most dangerous player out of all of them. It often has an element of horror and a dark tone. For the traditional(?) Genre: Adult Epic Dark FantasyPublisher: Orbit. Genre: Adult Historical Dark FantasyPublisher: Titan Books. Fifteen-year-old Sloane can incinerate an enemy at willshe is a Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods. Tetley Abednego is the most beloved girl in Garbagetown, but shes the only one who knows it. Genre: Adult Dark Adventure FantasyPublisher: Harper Voyager. The Dark Kingdom is preparing to fulfill an ancient prophecy: the arrival of a new Witch Queen, who will wield more power than even the High Lord of Hell himself. I think the general rule of thumb is that grimdark deals with amoral or antiheroes whereas dark fantasy mixes elements of horror with fantasy. Her memories of them are vague: the fanged snout of her grandfather, the barrel full of water her mother always soaked in, and the hunting trips in the dark wood with her sister and cousins. More than thirty years after those storied events, the village is a quiet place. Note: Spoilers for Iconoclasts 1 and 2 ahead! Please dont hesitate to leave me a comment below! There are lighter fantasy stories, with exciting magical worlds and adorable creatures, and then theres darker fantasy stories, full of heavier elements like magical wars, supernatural creatures, corrupt kings and queens, and magic being used for evil. Not that Gavin knew it involved sorcery, but by the time he does find out, its already too late. We reserve the right to remove discussion that does not fulfill the mission of /r/Fantasy. The world is plunged into near constant darkness, crops fail, and creatures of myth turn out to be real and no longer have the constraints of daylight to hold them back. Genre: New Adult Dark Epic FantasyPublisher: St. Martins Press. Then Tetley discovers a new friend, a terrible secret, and more to her world than she ever expected. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallantbut not. Also a big influence on Michael Moorcock's Elric series. Dont missFive Dark Fates, the thrilling conclusion to the series! I am particularly taken by Lucy Hollands take on Merlin without spoiling anything more and loved Keyne most out of the siblings. But she does so with the help of a friend, a creature made of shadows, drawn to her by the gift she possesses. Someone is hunting the almost invincible cyborgs with the neon-blue eyes. Is there a book you would add to this list? Now that belief will be tested in the crucible of revolution: the Breakers and Burners have seized the levers of power, the smoke of riots has replaced the smog of industry, and all must submit to the wisdom of crowds. The striga tribe there share the same belief as humans: to follow the impulses of their other hearts is dangerous. Exceptall is not how they remembered it. So what are some good dark fantasy books that you can recommend ? About the book: Annev has avoided one fate. Each goddess has raised a daughter, and each keeps her own secrets about her sisters betrayal. Maybe the dead dont rest in peace after all. While one sister rules Arantha frozen city surrounded by a storm-wracked sea her twin inhabits the sand-locked Golden City. All you must know is that today she will become one of the four saints of Haven. That no matter what good some people may do it ultimately won't change anything or it will come back to bite them. r/Fantasy is the internet's largest discussion forum for the greater Speculative Fiction genre. I could barely put this one down and hope to see more set in this world. Its been my favourite read of 2021 and Im so excited for the second installment. Even cold-blooded killers have a bit of a heart left in them, you know. A post-apocalyptic slice of life novel about people living on the remains of what we left behind when we destroyed our planet, with a compelling protagonist who loves her world even as she hates what we did to it. Despite being hardened by life on the road, going back to his fathers castle and confronting the horrors from his childhood is still worse. So, yes, theres also a romance subplot to fill the romance need in your heart. Having absolutely loved A Little Hatred and The Trouble with Peace, my expectations for The Wisdom of Crowds by Joe Abercrombie were absolutely sky high. Then a dead girl washed up on the bank of the Brightwash, tattooed and mutilated. I can second the Rhenwars by M.L. There are few things we love more than a good fantasy or sci-fi book with positive LGBTQ+ representation. Stay on top of all the latest book releases and discussionsjoin our mailing list. . The book tackles a diversity of issues, such asvictim-blaming,assault,drug use, andrape. No matter how different best friends Adelle and Connie are, one thing theyve always had in common is their love of a little-known gothic romance novel calledMoira. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs. What we are. Unfortunately, the slums boil over with the kind of rage that money cant control. 19 Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Releases of May 2021, April Writing Update: Fighting Against Resistance. How can the empire survive should Agnes succeed in tearing away its very foundations? Genre: YA Dark Epic Adventure FantasyPublisher: ASH Publishing. And then, Give us books, friends, and food (in that order) and well be happy. Gavin finds himself facing a new enemy, fast and deadly Elaras warriorsan ancient race with innate magical talent. And in the bloody North, Rikke and her fragile Protectorate are running out of allies . But Vivis studies in witchcraft take a deadly turn when she uncovers a new form of magic, one that has mysterious ties to Kappa Rho Nus past and the vengeful demon once tied to their talisman. That's not grimdark. You think you know whats inside the last house on Needless Street. Or does something even more sinister stalk the woods? Seventeen-year-old Iris Hollow has always been strange. The Doyenne is dead, and the throne is empty. After surviving the destruction of Chaenbalu, new mysteries and greater threats await Annev and his friends in the capital city of Luqura. Someone who knows their secrets and who uses a formerly unknown technology. And Sinne dreams of seeing the world, of finding adventure. It is SUPER dark but very well done. Kings of Paradise is kind of the edge of grimdark and fantasy period but it's a fantastic book trilogy. I would highly recommend Nevernight to anyone who loves reading a story with a dark protagonist. It gets dark, and it gets real. If you can imagine the love child of Interview with the Vampire and The Name of the Wind, youre close to Empire of the Vampire. When your classmates are all killers, and the challenges presented in each class can get you killed, its about survival. To this day, visitors are few and rare. Their activities may be more sinister and extraordinary than expected, and Alex soon has to deal with more than she bargained for. The dual narratives following the story of Gabriels life from childhood and the catastrophic events of adult hood slowly converging. About the book: Follow the law and youll stay safe. The book combines my passions for diverse and queer stories and all things medieval, and introduces the reader to a wonderful cast of characters. Brutal by James Alderdice is another great Dark Fantasy series that deals with a Man with No Name figure in a fantasy setting. I think I'll read it next month. Its outstanding. She will rid her family of her mothers shame at last and save her people from destruction. This book opened a new chapter in the world of Ash and Sand bringing back someone I think is one of the most compelling and iconic dark fantasy protagonists in recent years Ruka. Keyne battles to be accepted for who he truly isthe kings son. I've not read it, but Mike Shel's The Aching God (Iconoclasts trilogy) has been called dark fantasy and is very beloved. Now, with hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. If you're looking for dark fantasy, I'd suggest any number of Tanith Lee's works, especially her Tales from the Flat Earth and her Paradys books. The review in short: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo a thrilling read bound to keep you up at night. No more working alone. Idols Fall is everything I hoped for and more in a conclusion to one of my favorite series with a masterfully woven plot and the single most brutal dungeon since Gygaxs Tomb of Horrors. Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? This time you see him through the eyes of others who see him as a living legend. The banks have fallen, the sun of the Union has been torn down, and in the darkness behind the scenes, the threads of the Weavers ruthless plan are slowly being drawn together . And back in Chaenbalu itself, left for dead in the Academys ruins, Kenton seeks salvation in the only place he can: the power hoarded in the Vault of Damnation .