The Origin of Eternity

Volume 1

The painter Alice Watson lives, seemingly unnoticed by the rest of society, in the small coastal town of Owls Head. Until the day she becomes the victim of a kidnapping that makes her realize her secret is not as hidden as she always thought: Alice is one of 8 Dark Stars, whose presence disrupts the mental balance of those around them. To understand what lies behind the attack on her—and also to uncover the background of her curse—she embarks on a search for clues. She is supported by William Albury and Max Bennett, who are connected to the secret society Serendipity and soon find themselves in the crosshairs of their enemies.

Her greatest enemy is John Adams, who is both the cause of her suffering and the man she once married out of love. In the present, they are bitter enemies, but Alice has long since given up trying to exact revenge on Adams. Moreover, she is paralyzed by the loss of her great love, Stanley Houseman, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances 20 years earlier and is presumed dead. The investigations that repeatedly put her, William, and Max in great danger reveal that Stan was himself destined to become a star. However, it seems he was meant to belong to a different group of stars: the Bright Stars. A group of unknowns about whom Alice had no previous knowledge. It becomes increasingly clear that inheritance plays a role in becoming a star. Thus, Alice learns that her fate was apparently passed down to her by her father.

It is traumatic for her to discover that Stan had an affair in the early years of their relationship, resulting in a child whose existence poses a great challenge to her: Should she take responsibility for this person’s fate, or leave it to John Adams to decide the life of Stan’s heir?

After her rescue by Max Bennett and Lea Brannigan, Alice learns the truth about Will’s origin: He is Stan’s son and, as his heir, and through his awakening, the last member of the Bright Stars. The gift from the unknown leader of the Bright Stars shields her from the effects of her curse, but Will’s absence initially causes her to revert to her passive behavior. It is only an encounter with Helen Albury that makes her rethink. Shocked by the cold and calculating nature of her adversary, she decides to help in the search for Will. She suffers a severe setback when she realizes that the effect of the gift is only temporary.

She welcomes Will’s return with great joy, yet she senses that the now awakened star is drawn back to the mentorship of Zephyr Addams. As the brother of John Adams, he seems to be on a mission to destroy Adams. Although described by Will as a kind-hearted and just ally, Alice remains skeptical and seems torn about whether to leave Will in Addams‘ care.

After Bill Albury awakens from his coma, Alice and her friends learn the truth about the sanatorium run by Zephyr Addams and also discover who is being hidden there: Stan is alive and has long been in the custody of the Bright Stars. A rescue mission ends differently than planned when Zephyr Addams makes an offer to her and Will that they both accept: Will returns to Addams‘ mentorship, and Alice and Stan reunite after over 20 years, staying separately from the others in the sanatorium.

John Adams forces his way back into their world, and Alice realizes that she is standing in the way of the Bright Stars‘ mission, prompting her to decide to turn away from Will so he can follow his destiny. She also rejects Stan, who tries to make it clear to her that she is on the wrong path and should instead focus on the positive in her life: Will.

She eventually accepts his message. With Stan’s help, she reaches the meeting point between the Bright Stars and John Adams in time, but she loses him as he collapses, dying, in her arms. With her last strength, she faces the battle with Adams, which results in the awakening of the lead star’s powers within her. Adams dies at Alice’s hand.

In the end, Alice is freed from her curse and travels into their shared future with Will.