Empire Of Rust

Two hundred and fifty years after the zombie apocalypse, the surviving humans live under the rule of a regime which denounces technology and knowledge as the source of the Scourge... Gabriel, son of the emperor, has a vision. Though most people are forbidden to learn to read, his privileged position allows him access to find out about the past. He knows about democracy and freedom. He's intent on bringing knowledge back to the people and freeing the world of tyranny. But he doesn't count on a band of rebels in the north, who are erecting a trickster magician as a pretend messiah, who want to spearhead a revolution to tear down the empire. Nor does he foresee his sister's marriage to a necromancer-a man who can control the revenants, who can lead a revenant army, and whose talents are so intense a threat that Gabriel will be rendered powerless against them. The revenants surround the empire all the while, tearing at the fences, pounding on the walls, their jaws open and gaping. Hungering. For flesh. Empire of Rust was originally published in six parts. This is the complete text of the entire novel.

Basic template and breakdown of the Multiphase Multiverse ideology.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the world was overrun by the revenants: perfectly preserved dead things that feed on the living. The holy men claim this was a punishment on mankind for learning too much, for delving too far into technology. Now, only a privileged few even learn to read. Enthralled with the past, Gabriel, son of the emperor, is seduced by a vision. Democracy, electricity, and freedom to indulge his attraction to men. How could the enlightenment of the past be as evil as the holy men claim? But when Gabriel's father dies, Gabriel becomes the emperor overnight. He wants to bring knowledge and freedom to the people and defy the old scriptural laws. However, he doesn't count on his sister's marriage to a necromancer, a man who can control the revenants, who can lead a revenant army. And he doesn't expect her and her powerful husband to challenge his throne. Now it is down to war-men against revenants, the living against the dead. And how can they win against such an army? The revenants do not feel their wounds. They never tire. They never sleep. And they are always hungry.