I write this as of October 7, 2024, intending to release it on New Year's, hoping my thoughts have changed, but since you're reading this, they have not.

Fun fact: the first official announcement for publishing this rewrite was January 1, 2024; it's been one complete year. Unfortunately, I don't write this with the same excitement I had then…

This fanfic has been and always will be a hobby. I don't make money off it; I do it simply because I had an idea that went through multiple edits and even a rewrite to reach where it is now, spanning more than 3 years. However, what should be a hobby has begun to feel like a chore. I started publishing with 175 drafts. In other words, the most recent chapter you read was written before Chapter 1 was published… This means I had a whole year to build on that headstart. Unfortunately, things didn't go as hoped.

My drafts were a little over 200 as of August. Even by Chapter 175, this number was still the same. I'm unsure if I'm burned out or stuck at a block, but I don't feel the same fire I used to for this fanfiction. Back then, I was reading fanfics and keeping up with dozens of anime and manga, and I haven't touched an anime or manga since COVID ended.

On top of that, my classes are only picking up in workload, and maintaining the schedule is becoming harder to manage. At this point, it feels like another indefinite hiatus is inevitable, and I don't want to let this story drag me down. At the very least, I did what I could to reach a conclusive point before hitting the brakes. Chapter 175 marked the end of Rocks' Era, the climax of Damien's journey thus far. He has also risen above obstacles since meeting his father and putting aside his past with Xebec. It's nowhere near the end, but hopefully, it's a decent place to hit that pause/stop button—it started at Renaissance with a weak Damien in Chapter 1, and now it stops at Renaissance with a Damien who can protect what is important to him by the end of Part One.

For the sake of my studies and my well-being, I’ve decided to stop updating for now. Letting go at a fitting point feels better than being forced to stop as my drafts run dry.

To everyone who has joined me on this journey, thank you. I appreciate your support and enthusiasm for this story. But as it stands, I can't promise it will continue. I would rather be honest about where I am than risk producing rushed or hollow work that doesn’t meet the standards I’ve set for this fanfiction.

This story has been a part of my life for years, and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. I don’t know if or when it will continue, but I wish you all the best.

Happy New Year to you all!