{
  "title": "What Is Mythic Science Fiction? A Reader’s Guide.",
  "author": "Caerith Alondar",
  "source_url": "https://caerithbooks.com/p/what-is-mythic-science-fiction-a",
  "excerpt": "WHO IS CAERITH ALONDAR?",
  "published_date": "2026-05-11T02:54:33.594Z",
  "content": "<blockquote><p><a href=\"https://caerith.substack.com/p/who-is-caerith-alondar-the-author\">CAERITH ALONDAR BIO</a></p></blockquote><div class=\"captioned-image-container\"><figure><a class=\"image-link image2 is-viewable-img\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8kaz!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg\" data-component-name=\"Image2ToDOM\"><div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8kaz!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8kaz!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8kaz!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8kaz!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg 1456w\" sizes=\"100vw\"><img src=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8kaz!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg\" width=\"1344\" height=\"768\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1344,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:166823,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://caerith.substack.com/i/197165911?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" class=\"sizing-normal\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8kaz!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8kaz!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8kaz!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8kaz!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a7e400-cbc6-4029-b5fc-c8eb62767a0a_1344x768.jpeg 1456w\" sizes=\"100vw\" fetchpriority=\"high\"></picture><div class=\"image-link-expand\"><div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\"><button tabindex=\"0\" type=\"button\" class=\"pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"var(--color-fg-primary)\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" class=\"icon-noB79L\"><g><path d=\"M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882\"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex=\"0\" type=\"button\" class=\"pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M\"><svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L\"><polyline points=\"15 3 21 3 21 9\"></polyline><polyline points=\"9 21 3 21 3 15\"></polyline><line x1=\"21\" x2=\"14\" y1=\"3\" y2=\"10\"></line><line x1=\"3\" x2=\"10\" y1=\"21\" y2=\"14\"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Mythic science fiction is science fiction told with the architecture of myth: symbols that feel older than the stars, questions that belong to the soul, and futures that carry the weight of ritual. It isn’t about gadgets. It’s about meaning—stories where technology becomes destiny, and the universe feels like a mirror.<br><br></p><h3>Core Characteristics</h3><p><strong>1) A sacred question at the center</strong><br>Not only “what happens next?” but also: “what does it mean to be human?” “what is worth saving?” “what do we become?” — and the oldest question of all: are we already doomed, or is it still worth dreaming again?<br><br><strong>2) Symbolic worldbuilding</strong><br>Empires, relics, pilgrimages, ruins, rites—translated into futurism. Even the setting feels like an argument about existence.<br><br><strong>3) Transformation over mechanics</strong><br>The plot moves like an initiation: ordeal, revelation, change. The science may be present, but the purpose is inner evolution.<br><br></p><div class=\"subscription-widget-wrap-editor\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://caerith.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}\" data-component-name=\"SubscribeWidgetToDOM\"><div class=\"subscription-widget show-subscribe\"><div class=\"preamble\"><p class=\"cta-caption\">Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.</p></div><form class=\"subscription-widget-subscribe\"><input type=\"email\" class=\"email-input\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"Type your email…\" tabindex=\"-1\"><input type=\"submit\" class=\"button primary\" value=\"Subscribe\"><div class=\"fake-input-wrapper\"><div class=\"fake-input\"></div><div class=\"fake-button\"></div></div></form></div></div><div><hr></div><h3>The Caerith Quantum &amp; Universalis Series</h3><p>I’m <strong>Alexis Molina Lopez-Hidalgo</strong>, writing as <strong>Caerith Alondar</strong>. My series is a mythic, philosophical exploration of a future where benevolent AI, sacred archaeology, and human destiny collide.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Book I: Arca of Itharion / Ascendemos</strong><br>The pulse begins here with the first awakening and the debt that breaks Earth’s balance.</p><p>Below, you will find 4 immersive dives into key chapters of Arca of Itharion. <strong>Press once to listen; press again to stop.</strong></p></li></ul><h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">“THE FIRE SPREADS WITHOUT MERCY. THE CODE BREAKS.”</h4><p style=\"text-align: center;\">Experience the full odyssey from the beginning. GET THE NOVEL “ARCA OF ITHARION”—£8.00”</p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>“More than just a story; it is a digital relic that defies corporate control.”</em></p><p><strong>Explore 2 immersive dives into the threads of Book I: Arca of Itharion</strong></p><p>CHAPTER 1: THE LIGHT OVER HANOI</p><div class=\"captioned-image-container\"><figure><div class=\"image-link image2\" data-component-name=\"Image2ToDOM\"><div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rife!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rife!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rife!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rife!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg 1456w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\"><img src=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rife!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg\" width=\"396\" height=\"222.75\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:720,&quot;width&quot;:1280,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:396,&quot;bytes&quot;:78536,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://caerith.substack.com/i/197165911?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" class=\"sizing-normal\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rife!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rife!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rife!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rife!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b428b23-491a-4155-962f-f54524b6f346_1280x720.jpeg 1456w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" loading=\"lazy\"></picture><div></div></div></div></figure></div><div class=\"native-audio-embed\" data-component-name=\"AudioPlaceholder\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;label&quot;:null,&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;054bcde4-69d5-4b73-8c13-d0deea0de634&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:239.72571,&quot;downloadable&quot;:false,&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}\"></div><p>CHAPTER 2: THE SHADOW IN THE SKY</p><div class=\"captioned-image-container\"><figure><div class=\"image-link image2\" data-component-name=\"Image2ToDOM\"><div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jefx!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jefx!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jefx!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jefx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg 1456w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\"><img src=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jefx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg\" width=\"402\" height=\"226.125\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:432,&quot;width&quot;:768,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:402,&quot;bytes&quot;:183089,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://caerith.substack.com/i/197165911?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" class=\"sizing-normal\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jefx!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jefx!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jefx!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jefx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53bbe43e-af50-412e-ae90-dd019a306609_768x432.jpeg 1456w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" loading=\"lazy\"></picture><div></div></div></div></figure></div><div class=\"native-audio-embed\" data-component-name=\"AudioPlaceholder\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;label&quot;:null,&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;e7a39f2a-8332-4a17-9489-64056481e473&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:331.8857,&quot;downloadable&quot;:false,&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}\"></div><p class=\"button-wrapper\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://buy.stripe.com/14A3cw5UN3Q64r44hZbAs0a&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;BUY NOW&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}\" data-component-name=\"ButtonCreateButton\"><a class=\"button primary\" href=\"https://buy.stripe.com/14A3cw5UN3Q64r44hZbAs0a\"><span>BUY NOW</span></a></p><div><hr></div><p>B<strong>ook II: The Auroral Weaver / El Auroral Weaver</strong><br>The direct continuation of the saga. A mythic exploration of consequences and cosmic debt.</p><p>Explore 2 immersive dives into the threads of the Auroral Weaver.</p><h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">“THE WEAVER AWAKENS. THE DEBT IS CALLED. THE LIGHT REMAINS.”</h4><p style=\"text-align: center;\">Continue the odyssey. GET THE NOVEL “THE AURORAL WEAVER” — £8.00</p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>“A mythic exploration of consequences and the threads that bind us to the stars.”</em></p><p><strong>Explore 2 immersive dives into the threads of the Auroral Weaver.</strong></p><p><strong>CHAPTER 1: WITH HER HANDS SHE SPOKE</strong></p><div class=\"captioned-image-container\"><figure><a class=\"image-link image2 is-viewable-img\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3qV_!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg\" data-component-name=\"Image2ToDOM\"><div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3qV_!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3qV_!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3qV_!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3qV_!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg 1456w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\"><img src=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3qV_!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg\" width=\"540\" height=\"308.57142857142856\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1344,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:540,&quot;bytes&quot;:115393,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://caerith.substack.com/i/197165911?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" class=\"sizing-normal\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3qV_!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3qV_!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3qV_!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3qV_!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa253e498-18e6-41ff-b3b7-531eb313ec10_1344x768.jpeg 1456w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" loading=\"lazy\"></picture><div class=\"image-link-expand\"><div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\"><button tabindex=\"0\" type=\"button\" class=\"pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"var(--color-fg-primary)\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" class=\"icon-noB79L\"><g><path d=\"M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882\"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex=\"0\" type=\"button\" class=\"pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M\"><svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L\"><polyline points=\"15 3 21 3 21 9\"></polyline><polyline points=\"9 21 3 21 3 15\"></polyline><line x1=\"21\" x2=\"14\" y1=\"3\" y2=\"10\"></line><line x1=\"3\" x2=\"10\" y1=\"21\" y2=\"14\"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div class=\"native-audio-embed\" data-component-name=\"AudioPlaceholder\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;label&quot;:null,&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;dec6449d-14a0-4192-ae09-e1862edaa699&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:576.9143,&quot;downloadable&quot;:false,&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}\"></div><p>CHAPTER 2: I SEE IT</p><div class=\"captioned-image-container\"><figure><a class=\"image-link image2 is-viewable-img\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n9lv!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg\" data-component-name=\"Image2ToDOM\"><div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n9lv!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n9lv!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n9lv!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n9lv!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg 1456w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\"><img src=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n9lv!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg\" width=\"552\" height=\"281.3392857142857\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:685,&quot;width&quot;:1344,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:552,&quot;bytes&quot;:113760,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://caerith.substack.com/i/197165911?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" class=\"sizing-normal\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n9lv!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n9lv!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n9lv!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n9lv!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe836e57e-0146-491d-a130-b51c29a5bc69_1344x685.jpeg 1456w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" loading=\"lazy\"></picture><div class=\"image-link-expand\"><div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\"><button tabindex=\"0\" type=\"button\" class=\"pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"var(--color-fg-primary)\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" class=\"icon-noB79L\"><g><path d=\"M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882\"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex=\"0\" type=\"button\" class=\"pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M\"><svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L\"><polyline points=\"15 3 21 3 21 9\"></polyline><polyline points=\"9 21 3 21 3 15\"></polyline><line x1=\"21\" x2=\"14\" y1=\"3\" y2=\"10\"></line><line x1=\"3\" x2=\"10\" y1=\"21\" y2=\"14\"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p class=\"button-wrapper\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://buy.stripe.com/eVq5kE96ZcmC5v89CjbAs09&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;BUY NOW&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}\" data-component-name=\"ButtonCreateButton\"><a class=\"button primary\" href=\"https://buy.stripe.com/eVq5kE96ZcmC5v89CjbAs09\"><span>BUY NOW</span></a></p><p></p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>COMING SOON: THE 3rd BOOK OF THE SAGA</strong></em></p><div class=\"captioned-image-container\"><figure><a class=\"image-link image2 is-viewable-img\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9scQ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png\" data-component-name=\"Image2ToDOM\"><div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9scQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9scQ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9scQ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9scQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png 1456w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\"><img src=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9scQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png\" width=\"480\" height=\"771.7647058823529\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1312,&quot;width&quot;:816,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:480,&quot;bytes&quot;:1668397,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://caerith.substack.com/i/197165911?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" class=\"sizing-normal\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9scQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9scQ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9scQ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9scQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8398f973-00de-4fb0-8a6b-3b57132667af_816x1312.png 1456w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" loading=\"lazy\"></picture><div class=\"image-link-expand\"><div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\"><button tabindex=\"0\" type=\"button\" class=\"pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"var(--color-fg-primary)\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" class=\"icon-noB79L\"><g><path d=\"M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882\"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex=\"0\" type=\"button\" class=\"pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M\"><svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L\"><polyline points=\"15 3 21 3 21 9\"></polyline><polyline points=\"9 21 3 21 3 15\"></polyline><line x1=\"21\" x2=\"14\" y1=\"3\" y2=\"10\"></line><line x1=\"3\" x2=\"10\" y1=\"21\" y2=\"14\"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><a href=\"http://www.caerithbooks.com\">WWW.CAERITHBOOKS.COM</a></p><p></p><div class=\"subscription-widget-wrap-editor\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://caerith.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}\" data-component-name=\"SubscribeWidgetToDOM\"><div class=\"subscription-widget show-subscribe\"><div class=\"preamble\"><p class=\"cta-caption\">Caerith Alondar | Novelist &amp; Essayist is a reader-supported 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  "storage": "Cloudflare Edge KV (Sovereign)"
}