What is Chrysalis?

Drama. Danger. Secrets. Banter and comfort. Reunions and romance. A realm where magic and science coexist. A group of loveable weirdos who have been through rough times but find strength in one another. Welcome to Chrysalis.Chrysalis takes readers on a science fantasy adventure in the magical realm of Ielora. We meet our main characters in the kingdom of Asteria, where they are about to embark on a journey that will forever shift the fate of their world.As they press on, they start to realize things aren't as they seem. There is so much more at stake than they could fathom.Ielora is changing. Something big is coming. Will our heroes be ready when it arrives?

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Mourning the loss of her older brother and haunted by memories of her past, Lumella first meets us with an attempt on her own life. Saved by a neighbor/ soon-to-be best friend, she learns to be more vulnerable and surround herself with caring people. However, there's this hazy feeling pulling at her more and more. As if there are pieces of herself that are missing. If she reaches for them, they only retreat just out of reach, leaving her with more questions than before.Tangled in this ever-branching journey alongside Lumella, is Maevis, the crown prince of Asteria. The king has ordered him to retrieve the celestial power from a thought to be untouched moon shard, and thus, he and his companions embark on this adventure. With his connections to a wind god and a time goddess, he strives to protect those dear to him. Though, this may be a more daunting goal than he originally thought.Traveling alongside these two, with the rest of the group, is Lumella’s best friend and Maevis's royal shield, Aiden. Bright energy and a bigger heart, Aiden is practically sunshine itself. Though he's still battling his own grief and insecurities. What he doesn't yet realize, is the source of that grief is tied into the very roots of this journey.New mysteries and complications meet them at each turn of the journey, from discoveries that contradict all they know to a surprise attack launched on their very home.Will they succeed in this mission, protecting those they love, remaining in the light? Or will they trip over these unexpected turns, finding themselves so tangled and lost that all light is blotted out?I suppose you'll have to read to find out. ~

About the Author, Rei Elle Maelstrom

Heya, readers! I wonder how many of you will read this part… Hmm… Anywho, I’m Arielle, or, you may call me by my author alias, Rei.I’ve loved writing for as long as I can remember. Before I could write sentences, I would tell stories through drawings. The amount of strange and wild drawings I’ve found over the years, phew. Another story for another time, though.I’ve continued to tell stories through various media as I grew older, as a photographer, an illustrator, a vocalist, and painter. Of course, I also spin stories through words. From about age ten to young teenager, I tried my hand at: murder mystery, dragon fantasy adventure, vampires, ghosts and afterlife, poetry and song. Though, most of these fell flat after a few chapters, and the songs & poems never left the confines of whatever journal I was scribbling in at the time.I’ve always viewed my mind and existence as a stormy sea– difficult to survive, with depths of darkness, but also fierce passion, courage, and life. Stories and art were how I navigated those waters, how I worked through and communicated my emotions. Stories provided a safe space for me, much like music and fine art did. Through writing, music, and various mediums of fine art, I could understand myself. I hoped to one day reach others as well.By age 16, I started my first finished novel, Knightingale. Over the years I edited this book on and off. As a nerd, it was difficult to make much time for it, considering I was dedicated to my medical/ scientific art studies and work in high school and university. The external world I lived in and my own stormy mind were also persistently unforgiving obstacles.As I grew older, Knightingale’s MC-kun, Liam, grew with me. This led to me rewriting and editing the story quite a bit. By my early to mid-twenties, book one was complete, and the several branching stories were planned and partially drafted. I desired to continue working on the Knightingale Universe, but I was running out of stamina to continue navigating the stormy sea. A darkness engulfed me, separating me from Knightingale and the other paths to my creative core.Thus, began my many year long artist & writer block. I kept fighting, and the light that eventually helped me find my way through was Chrysalis. This series took pieces of the unfinished stories & ideas I thought up over the past several years, and mixed them together with a new narrative. Chrysalis was officially born!Though, it didn’t quite feel right. It turns out my disconnection from Knightingale was also a disconnection from my inner self. This was a labyrinth I was meant to eventually find my way through.As I finally reconnected with Knightingale, I was able to create the Knightingale edition of Chrysalis. And here we are!I write not only for myself, but for these characters and stories to reach you, to help you feel a little less alone or less misunderstood.You are not alone. I know it feels that way. (Most of the time, I feel the same way.) But trust me, those around you see you, more fondly than you would think. You make the world a little brighter, just by existing, by being you.So, don’t give up. I didn’t, and now Chrysalis, the Knightingale Edition exists. You never know what you may create one day, or what you may see or experience, or who you have yet to meet. So hang in there, keep fighting, and keep trying. I believe in you. ♡