Infinity in the Void – Freedom in the Abyss

Hello hello, everyone~ it has been a year since I started writing and posting this series. I don't have much to say, really... I don't know how I should feel. Joy? Be proud of myself? I think those are the feelings.

Since this is the anniversary, I'll reveal some background stuff, how I started the series, why I started it, and what pushed me to get it going. There isn't much to say, to be honest, if you realize my erratic style of storytelling.

How I started. Well, nothing too ideal and unique, it all started from an idea of "What if the entirety of humanity was crammed into a single person?", what would that person feel and be like? Then I spiral down this rabbit hole of disgusted at humanity for what it does and appreciating humanity for what it is.

Charlotte's gender was decided on a coin flip, her name could've been Charles! There is a timeline where Charlotte was a boy, I wonder how it would've turned out.

Why I started Infinity in the Void. The simplest reason is I just want to tell a story, to see what this world in my head would look like and how other people, you readers, would feel about it. I was a Dungeon Master before I was an author, creating worlds and seeing my players enjoying them was something that made me happy, you guys are the same.

I am not a good writer, far from it actually, but somehow this series got onto trending twice! Even number one for a short time!! That almost gave me a heart attack lol, I was going "Stop! Stop! Why are you climbing?! This isn't Everest!"

What made me keep going? It might be a bit cringy, but for the most part, it's you guys who helped it continue. Well, I would still continue to write what I started to the end, but I wouldn't post it since I write for myself first and foremost. Seeing the views increase, showing that there are people reading this story gives me motivation. Even a simple tftc or a favorite, you guys aren't obligated to do it, but you guys still do. I makes me feel like I owe you guys, so I have no choice but to continue it lol.

I love you guys. Platonically, because it would be weird if it wasn't.

Now, let's talk about our girl, Charlotte!

As someone pointed it out very early on, saying that Charlotte was inspired by Big E, or the God Emperor of Mankind from Warhammer 40k. Well, you just missed the shot by a tiny bit.

Lion El'Jonson, Lord of the First. Charlotte rarely lets her guard down, always keeps people guessing, and tiptoe around her. Her racism mainly stems from him, being REALLY good at genociding xenos. Maybe a dash of Peter Turbo too, might be the reason why Charlotte is such a bitch.

"Even at the council of war, the Lion moves like an apex predator. He is always watching, always planning, always hunting."

Then there is Elysia from Honkai Impact 3rd. Those who had experienced the Elysian Realm would understand. Don't spoil for people who are looking forward to playing the game in the comment section, okay? Basically, she loves everyone.

"The monster that was more human than humanity itself."

Surprisingly, no Gilgamesh despite me being such a Fate nerd¹Help me the rabbit hole is too deep

They are just inspirations, all other aspects of Charlotte came to my mind as I searched deep into history. The apex of humanity was more inhuman than a monster, and a monster destined to destroy humanity was more human than anyone.

As for how she represents humanity? In my eyes, humans are inherently evil, or more prone to commit evil. One concept I enjoy the most is the concept of Justice, to me it's something we made to rationalize the evil we committed, like a survival instinct or a coping mechanism. Yet despite all of that, we do have some good in us, trying to be the better version of ourselves.

Charlotte reflects that as she continues to interact with people, with her being their canvas. She understands what is good and what is bad. Finding pleasure in doing bad stuff, as it is fun to indulge. But she always has a line she will never cross, since that boundary is what allows her to be human, not a monster in human form.

Despite being sadistic and violent, Charlotte always reaches out to those she considers precious to her, or in her mind, those she finds fun. She would never give her friends up, never let them down with her insane stunt, or run around and desert them. She would never make them cry unintentionally, say goodbye, or tell a lie and hurt them.

You see, the main theme of this series is Duality and Contradiction. I believe that everything has two sides that are completely opposite yet complement each other perfectly. Everything I write, from dnd stories to my novels, I always found those two fascinating.

Like one of my dnd bosses, Gervaudan, whose first phase is a stitch-up amalgamation of wolves. It wasn't too difficult, but it hit very hard if you messed up. Then the second phase the abomination turned into a sexy wolf dommy mommy whose gimmick was so busted it traumatized my players to this day... that wasn't a good example of behind the beast there is a beauty. 

That beauty was even more dangerous, to the point my players went from simping to desperately trying to run away in one turn.

Back to my novel, ahem. An example of contradiction beside Charlotte is Seria. Besides being the absolute evil in my story, she is a protector who always keeps her promises despite everyone fearing her for life. Who wouldn't be? When she can casually burn an entire country and every trace of it in a few days. Someone who is capable of casually committing genocide but also the best protector of the country she swore loyalty to.

Here is something for you all, a little riddle about Charlotte's final power :)

"If Hope is the end of the tunnel, then what is the road to that light?"

The World of Infinity in the Void, world-building for me is easy since I was, and still am, a Dungeon Master for about 6 years now. I have created dozens of worlds. From sci-fi to fantasy, dystopian, cyberpunk, and even grimdark. This one is a bit different, as the complexity is way larger than all of the others.

Because I created Charlotte first before the world, I didn't have much freedom in where I could put her in. But I did what I do best, creating worlds. I want it to feel unique, and different in some aspects. And I think I did just fine with how insane and massive it can be. Especially with the introduction of the Eldritchs, making this feel universal, not stagnant but alive.

My writing philosophy is quite simple compared to the world itself, "Everyone has their own story, everyone is their own protagonist.". It doesn't feel stagnant, as different pieces are moving in the background, those the readers will not experience but they are there. Time doesn't begin to flow where Charlotte goes, she just happens to stumble upon places where other people's tales meet, like the last four chapters, she was a side character in the grand plotline.

Well, here are some places in the world Charlotte may or may not visit in the future and what special characteristics I put in.

I ran out of things to say. So here is one last thing I asked of you before I went on a 1-month break since uni and work are ganging up on me from both sides.

I want you to decide what I will write. I have three ideas, all have 3+ chapters already written. I want to write them all but because of time constraints, I can't. So choose for me what sounds the best to you.

30 Silvers

Protocol: Outis

Ren, Chains of Glory

Vote now! For the story, you want to see next!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy and keep on enjoying my novel, until next time, stay safe, stretch, move around, and touch grass!! Bye~