Introduction: In a world devastated by an interdimensional corruption known as the Forgotten World, humanity clings to existence in isolated settlements. The largest remaining city, Valtaros, is ruled by the Church of the Maw, which controls resources and maintains power through religious devotion to a mysterious entity called the Black Maw.Elias, a survivor from Valtaros''s slums with a hidden past, is chosen by the Black Maw along with eleven others to undergo its trials. Unlike most participants who enter the Maw out of obligation, Lyara, another chosen one, has volunteered, carrying secret knowledge passed down through generations of her family.The Maw''s trial consists of two phases. In Phase One, the twelve participants are transported into a historical scenario—the Heraclea Expedition—humanity''s first documented encounter with corruption. Here, Elias acquires two unique artifacts: Sable Kiss, a dagger that feeds on life essence, and Mourning Coil, a thread-like entity that can heal others at the cost of causing Elias pain.As the participants navigate the Heraclea scenario, they discover that the historical setting ended in tragedy that cannot be changed. Those who survive Phase One are transported to Azimuth, a sprawling metropolis preserved in a state of perpetual twilight. This ancient city was the pinnacle of human achievement before the Fall, and Phantom Citizens populate its streets—echoes of the original inhabitants—and corrupted entities that hunt the participants.In Azimuth, Elias and Lyara form an uneasy alliance as they journey toward the Central Spire. Along the way, they encounter Phantom Citizens representing different archetypes—Deniers who refuse to acknowledge corruption, Witnesses paralyzed by horror, Resisters fighting against corruption, the Transformed showing early signs of corruption, and Archivists dedicated to preserving knowledge.As Elias''s artifacts evolve, he discovers they''re fragments of a single entity, split into opposing aspects of destruction and creation. The pain he experiences when using them together is the artifacts attempting to reunite. His journey through the trials gradually transforms him from a self-centered survivor focused solely on his own preservation to someone capable of genuine sacrifice.The novel builds toward a critical moment where Elias must choose between his survival instincts and saving Lyara, marking a significant evolution in his character. This decision unlocks new potential in his artifacts and reveals deeper truths about the Maw''s true purpose—not as a divine entity as the Church teaches, but as a mechanism created by an enigmatic figure known as the Architect to produce warriors capable of understanding and potentially controlling corruption.Upon completing the trials, Elias returns to Valtaros transformed, with unique dual-natured powers that depend entirely on how others perceive him. When viewed as good, he can access healing abilities; when seen as evil, he can wield destructive powers. This perception-based limitation forces him to confront how his actions affect those around him, creating a feedback loop between his choices and his abilities.As Elias navigates the political landscape of Valtaros and the wider world beyond its walls, he uncovers the truth of his own past—that he survived a corruption breach as a child through an unprecedented natural resistance—and the true nature of the Forgotten World''s invasion. What appears to be random destruction may actually be something far more complex, with implications that could reshape humanity."Ash and Shadow" is a dark fantasy with elements of cosmic horror, exploring themes of duality, adaptation, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between destruction and creation. Through Elias''s journey, it examines how survival often requires transformation, sometimes at the cost of what made survival worth fighting for....