The Mask of Reality

by Fahad Alenezi, Sara Kelly (editor)

What is the nature of identity? How does one find meaning in a seemingly superficial world? What if our true selves, kept hidden from the world, could speak out and communicate with one another? What if those unspoken thoughts trapped deeply within the mind could emerge and be heard? These are all questions that Vahn Riot, an apathetic twenty-one-year-old art student, finds himself struggling to answer. Vahn, despite having popularity and artistic talent, feels detached and in search of meaning and purpose. Shouldn’t there be something more? At odds with everything and everyone around him, life is going downhill for him; that is, until a strange occurrence at a party abruptly throws him into the hidden world of Nōta Orbis, a shrouded parallel dimension weaved from the darkness of the real world.

Nōta Orbis, the face behind the mask of reality, allows Vahn to access the parts of existence that are beneath the surface of society. While time stands still in the real world, his friends and loved ones, unbeknownst to them, unravel their facades and open up to Vahn. Their hidden personas emerge and converse with Vahn about their true thoughts and feelings, things they would never reveal in real life. These vulnerable, meaningful dialogues slowly help him reconnect and emerge from his sense of hopelessness.

While becoming enlightened through human connections, Vahn must still face a coming threat within the realm of Nota Orbis. Erebus, a mythical entity known as a “Great One,” wants to create a rift and use Vahn as a catalyst to pass into the real world. Erebus desires more power by invading the real world and the humans within it, whom he perceives as unworthy beings he must spiritually conquer. Chaos and misery await if Erebus succeeds, as the Shadows confined in Nota Orbis will transition from preying on intangible personas to inflicting physical harm on those living in the real world. In order to create this rift, Erebus must coerce Vahn to give in to despair, which will keep him stuck in Nota Orbis, unable to go back to the real world. Fighting to preserve his life and his important relationships, Vahn must discover the secrets within Nota Orbis and use that knowledge to stand up to Erebus before it’s too late.

172 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2024

Reviews

[Wasela Alotaibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will unravel your self understanding to new level, you didn’t even know it’s reachable 👌🏼.

Absolutely Masterpiece 🙌🏼.