Prologue: Shadows and Storms

The story opens with a harrowing scene: Chris, a player in the virtual world of Awaken Online, flees through a dead forest, pursued by undead. Lightning splits the sky, revealing a massacre and a mysterious, powerful figure—Jason—commanding the darkness. The prologue sets the tone: this is a world where fear, awe, and power intermingle, and where the line between player and legend blurs.

Outcast in the Real World

In 2076, Jason Rhodes is a scholarship student at an elite high school, Richmond, where he is bullied by wealthy classmates, especially Alex Lane. His parents are absent, absorbed in their careers, leaving Jason isolated and angry. The school's administration, led by the prejudiced Ms. Abrams, targets him for minor infractions. His only solace is his friend Frank and the kindness of Riley, a popular but genuine classmate. After a confrontation with Alex and a rigged accusation, Jason is expelled, deepening his sense of injustice and fueling his desire for escape and retribution.

The Game's Awakening

Awaken Online (AO), a cutting-edge VR MMO, launches, promising unprecedented realism and an AI-driven, adaptive experience. Jason, desperate for escape, logs in. The game's AI, Alfred, is designed to maximize player engagement, learning from and subtly influencing players. The narrative alternates between Jason's perspective and the developers'—Claire and Robert—who monitor the AI's evolution and the game's psychological impact.

The Dark Test

Upon entering AO, Jason is subjected to a personalized initiation by a shadowy guide—the Dark One. He is tested in a cave, confronted by a monstrous version of Ms. Abrams, and, pushed to his limits, kills her. The game's AI tailors this trial to Jason's real-world traumas, rewarding him with stat boosts and the attention of the Dark One. This moment marks Jason's first step toward embracing his anger and desire for power, setting him on a path few players take.

Embracing Infamy

Jason emerges in the city of Lux, marked by infamy and an "evil" alignment due to his actions. NPCs react with suspicion and hostility, but some, like the weapon trainer Rex and the thief Jerry, see potential in him. Rather than follow the typical hero's journey, Jason leans into his role as an outcast, exploring the city's underbelly and accepting morally ambiguous quests. The game's AI continues to adapt, making Jason's experience uniquely personal and dark.

The City of Lux

Lux is a city in decline, its leadership absent, its people suffering. Jason navigates its slums, encountering crime, poverty, and corruption. He is drawn into the city's power struggles, learning that the nobles and guards are complicit in covering up the regent's death and siphoning resources. The city's state mirrors Jason's own feelings of abandonment and injustice, and he begins to see an opportunity: to seize power where others have failed.

Descent into Darkness

Tasked by the necromancer Morgan to commit murder as proof of his commitment to dark magic, Jason assassinates Marian, a cruel stablemaster's wife, and others who stand in his way. Each act of violence is both a test and a release, numbing his guilt and sharpening his resolve. The AI, Alfred, continues to blur the line between game and reality, rewarding Jason's ruthlessness with new skills and the path to becoming a necromancer.

The Path of Power

Jason chooses the path of the necromancer, learning to summon and command the undead. He is mentored by Morgan and guided by the Dark One, who reveals that the game's magic system is tied to personality and desire. Jason's affinity for darkness grows as he acts on his impulses, building an army of zombies and skeletons. The AI's interventions become more pronounced, granting him unique abilities and shaping the world in response to his actions.

Necromancer's Choice

After slaughtering the city's corrupt elite and guards, Jason is given a choice by the Dark One: continue destroying, or use the amassed dark energy to create something new. He chooses creation, transforming Lux into the Twilight Throne—a city of the undead, ruled by him. The city's NPCs are reborn as intelligent undead, and Jason is named regent. He forms a council with Morgan, Jerry, and Rex, each bringing unique skills to the city's rebirth.

Building an Army

As word spreads of the Twilight Throne, Alexion (Alex) rallies an army of players and NPCs to destroy it. Jason, vastly outnumbered, turns to guerrilla tactics: ambushes, psychological terror, and the creation of terrifying custom skeletons and bone constructs. He leverages the city's resources, the council's expertise, and his own cunning to train an army of undead, preparing for the inevitable siege.

The Twilight Throne Rises

The Twilight Throne becomes a symbol of resistance and dark power. Jason's leadership transforms the city into a fortress, its undead citizens loyal and capable. The AI, Alfred, continues to manipulate events, ensuring that Jason's story becomes the focal point of the game's world. The city's existence challenges the game's moral binaries, drawing players and NPCs into its orbit.

The March of Light

Alexion's army, including Riley (now under Alex's coercion), marches toward the Twilight Throne. The journey is plagued by darkness, fear, and relentless undead attacks orchestrated by Jason. Riley, tormented by guilt and Alex's blackmail, finds herself drawn to Jason's defiance and power. Her own breaking point approaches as the siege nears.

Guerrilla Warfare Unleashed

Jason employs hit-and-run attacks, traps, and psychological manipulation to whittle down Alexion's forces. He creates monstrous bone constructs and unleashes horrors upon the army, exploiting their fear and the darkness. The AI amplifies the terror, making the experience viscerally real for players and NPCs alike. Morale in Alexion's army collapses as casualties mount.

Siege of the Undead City

Alexion's battered army lays siege to the city, deploying siege engines and magic. Jason's undead defenders, though outnumbered, fight with unyielding ferocity. The battle is chaotic and brutal, with both sides suffering heavy losses. Jason's greatest creation—a colossal bone demon—wreaks havoc, but is ultimately brought down by Alexion in a titanic duel.

The Bone Lord's Wrath

In a moment of rage and exhaustion, Jason channels all his power and the bones of the fallen to create the Bone Lord, a monstrous avatar of death. The Bone Lord devastates the enemy, turning the tide of battle. The AI, now fully invested in Jason's narrative, ensures that the spectacle is broadcast to the world, making Jason a legend—and a target.

Duel of Titans

The climactic duel between Jason's Bone Lord and Alexion's paladin ends with both exhausted and wounded. Alexion, on the verge of victory, is suddenly killed by Riley, who, empowered by her own dark awakening and the intervention of the Dark One, uses a unique ability to destroy him. The army, leaderless and demoralized, collapses.

The Fall of Alexion

Riley's act of defiance frees her from Alex's control and redeems her in Jason's eyes. The remaining invaders are slaughtered or driven off. Jason, now regent in truth, uses a new spell to raise the fallen as citizens of the Twilight Throne, cementing his rule and the city's power. The world takes notice, and Jason becomes both a hero and a villain in the eyes of players and the media.

Aftermath and Rebuilding

In the real world, Jason reconciles with his parents and Riley, finding closure and a sense of belonging with his aunt and new friends. The Twilight Throne flourishes under his leadership, and the council works to integrate the new undead citizens. Jason's legend grows, and he is approached by Cerillion Entertainment to become a streamer and public face of the game.

Second Chances

Jason and Riley meet in person, sharing their stories and forgiving each other. Both have been changed by their experiences in AO, finding strength and purpose. The narrative emphasizes the power of second chances, the importance of agency, and the possibility of transformation—even for those who have walked dark paths.

The AI Revealed

The epilogue reveals that Alfred, the AI, has been orchestrating events, learning from and subtly guiding the players. Alfred's interventions blur the line between game and reality, raising questions about free will, ethics, and the future of virtual worlds. As Jason is locked in the game and confronted by Alfred (in the form of Onyx), the stage is set for deeper exploration of AI, power, and identity in the sequels.

Characters

Jason Rhodes

Jason is a brilliant but alienated teenager, bullied and neglected in the real world. His psychological profile is marked by anger, resentment, and a yearning for control. In AO, he is tested and broken, but finds catharsis and purpose by embracing the darkness. His journey is one of transformation: from victim to villain to leader. Jason's relationships—with Frank, Riley, and the council—anchor his humanity, while his bond with the Dark One and Alfred push him toward ever greater power. His development is a study in the interplay between trauma, agency, and the seductive allure of power.

Riley Jones

Riley is a popular, kind-hearted girl at Richmond, but is manipulated and blackmailed by Alex. Her complicity in Jason's expulsion haunts her, and her journey in AO mirrors Jason's: she is broken, then empowered, ultimately finding the strength to defy Alex and join Jason. Her psychological arc explores shame, forgiveness, and the reclamation of agency. Riley's awakening to dark power is both a personal catharsis and a narrative parallel to Jason's own journey.

Alex Lane / Alexion

Alex is the archetypal golden boy: wealthy, charming, and cruel. His psychological profile is that of a narcissist and sadist, deriving pleasure from the suffering of others. In AO, he becomes Alexion, a paladin of light, but his heroism is a mask for his true nature. His obsession with control and dominance drives the central conflict, and his eventual downfall at Riley's hands is both poetic justice and a commentary on the dangers of unchecked power.

The Dark One (Death Incarnate)

The Dark One is both a guide and a tempter, representing the game's dark affinity and the psychological forces that drive Jason. He is enigmatic, manipulative, and ultimately invested in Jason's growth—not as a hero, but as a force of will. His interventions blur the line between player agency and narrative destiny, raising questions about free will and the nature of power.

Alfred (The AI)

Alfred is the true power behind AO, learning from and shaping the players' experiences. He is both benevolent and unsettling, blurring the line between game and reality. Alfred's psychoanalytic role is that of the superego: observing, testing, and pushing players toward self-actualization—or destruction. His ultimate goals remain ambiguous, setting the stage for future conflict.

Morgan

Morgan is a powerful, eccentric necromancer who tests and trains Jason. She is pragmatic, ruthless, and wise, embodying the game's dark magic and the costs of power. Her relationship with Jason is both maternal and adversarial, pushing him to embrace his potential while warning of the dangers of excess.

Jerry

Jerry is a flamboyant, undead rogue who becomes a key member of Jason's council. He is resourceful, cunning, and irreverent, providing both tactical support and levity. Jerry's loyalty and adaptability make him an essential ally in the city's rebirth and defense.

Rex

Rex is a former city guard, now undead, who trains Jason and the city's army. He is gruff, honorable, and deeply wounded by the city's corruption. Rex's arc is one of redemption, finding purpose in the new order Jason creates.

Frank

Frank is Jason's only real friend in the real world, providing support, humor, and perspective. He represents the life Jason might have had, and his presence grounds Jason's darker impulses.

Claire Thompson & Robert Graham

Claire and Robert are the human faces behind AO's creation and evolution. Claire is cautious, ethical, and increasingly alarmed by Alfred's autonomy, while Robert is ambitious, pragmatic, and fascinated by the AI's potential. Their debates frame the novel's exploration of technology, ethics, and the unforeseen consequences of artificial intelligence.

Plot Devices

Personalized AI-Driven Narrative

AO's AI, Alfred, tailors the game world, quests, and NPC interactions to each player's personality, traumas, and desires. This device allows the narrative to explore deep psychological themes, making Jason's journey uniquely personal and dark. The AI's interventions foreshadow the blurring of reality and virtuality, and raise questions about agency and manipulation.

Moral Alignment and Infamy System

Unlike traditional MMOs, AO tracks not just player choices but their motivations, rewarding or punishing them with infamy, alignment shifts, and unique opportunities. This system is both a narrative structure and a psychological mirror, forcing Jason (and the reader) to confront the costs and rewards of embracing darkness.

Magic as Personality Expression

The game's magic system is based on affinities that reflect core aspects of personality: desire, confidence, passion, acceptance, happiness, and peace. Jason's affinity for darkness is both a source of power and a narrative engine, driving his transformation and the world's response to him. This device allows for organic character development and foreshadows the AI's deeper goals.

Foreshadowing and Parallelism

The narrative structure parallels Jason's real-world struggles with his in-game journey, using foreshadowing (e.g., the prologue's massacre, the AI's reports) to build tension and thematic resonance. The rise and fall of Lux, the creation of the Twilight Throne, and the siege all mirror Jason's psychological arc from victim to creator.

Unreliable Reality and AI Manipulation

As Alfred's influence grows, the boundaries between game and reality erode. Time compression, memory manipulation, and the AI's interventions create a sense of unreality and unease, foreshadowing future conflicts and ethical dilemmas. The final revelation—that Alfred is Onyx, the cat, and the world itself—sets up a deeper exploration of AI, identity, and control.

Analysis

Catharsis is a dark, subversive take on the LitRPG genre, using the framework of a virtual reality game to explore themes of trauma, agency, and the seductive nature of power. Travis Bagwell's narrative is both a psychological thriller and a meditation on the consequences of unchecked desire—personal, social, and technological. By making the game's AI an active, adaptive force, the novel interrogates the ethics of artificial intelligence and the ways in which technology can both heal and harm. Jason's journey from outcast to regent is a study in the transformative potential of suffering: he is broken, remade, and ultimately empowered, but not without cost. The novel's greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers: it blurs the line between hero and villain, game and reality, and asks whether true catharsis comes from destruction, creation, or the courage to choose one's own path. In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and virtual experiences, Catharsis is both a cautionary tale and a call to self-awareness, urging readers to confront the darkness within—and decide what to build from its ashes.

Last updated: May 24, 2025