Mystery of the Pale King is a grimdark meets cosmic horror novella written by Sam Flynn, and published by Timber Ghost Press. A piece that blends together eldritch horror with an interesting examination over the figure of heroes and cults, all encapsulated into a well-layered flintlock grimdark fantasy, slowly unleashing the truth over the reader while chilling their bones.

As page to the Bishop Antonius, Faron is sent together with him to Hathur, as the Church of the Sol Creator has tasked them and a small armed force to repossess those lands in the name of the Church from the hands of the Hero of Hathur, a semi-mythical figure for Faron, who grew listening about his stories. All the reputation and the inheritance of the Hero and his family have been wasted on the production of a profane play, with the Hero playing the main role. A journey that will show the horrors that are part of Hathur's past, and that will put Faron at the limit, questioning not only his devotion to the Church, but his own identity while he tries to save the Bishop from Hathur's people.

A story that slowly submerges us into a highly atmospheric setting, whose past is intimately related to cosmic horror (a bit in the style of Yharnam or Bloodborne); a past that the Hero is trying to bring back. Faron, acting as our narrator, will have to be careful while trying to rescue the bishop from this place, but in the process, he will slowly understand the nature behind Hathur and the Church, putting his own identity at play.

Flynn weaves a smart examination over how the stories and the real person may differ (such as the case of the Hero), leading to even messianic conducts, while also taking a look over how organized religion can be oppressive against identity. The atmosphere is carefully crafted, slowly creating that sensation of something wrong at the start, and shocking us once we get the first glimpses of what is happening.

Mystery of the Pale King is an excellent novella, that shows the great potential of Sam Flynn as an author, perfect for those that are looking for an atmosphere similar to Bloodborne. Perfect for reading in a sit, I wonder if we would ever return to this world, as there is much potential to explore.