This novel stems from a simple question: what happens when the hero fails? I wanted to write a story that uses the elements we love so much from isekai—dragons, magic, rituals—to tell a different story: the human cost behind legends. Here you won't find a triumph without wounds; you'll find people who must learn to live with guilt, shame, and shattered hope, and to rebuild from there. If you're looking for an adventure that also makes you think about how myths are built (and destroyed), this book is for you. Thank you for reading; your questions and feedback will make this story better.