
A disoriented traveler awakens on the dust‑choked surface of an alien world, his senses slowly returning as a disembodied voice explains that he has been taken from Earth by mysterious “Masters of the Worlds.” The voice tells him he is Yandro, the prophesied “Stranger,” destined to lead on Dondromogon—a planet split between a searing, molten side and a frozen, darkness‑shrouded side, with narrow twilight zones where life clings.
In those fragile belts, two opposing societies wage an endless war for control of the planet’s scarce resources. The newcomer is thrust into this conflict, urged to choose a side and fulfill a purpose he barely understands. As he stumbles into a strange settlement, he discovers other humanoid figures, their metal‑clad bodies hinting at a technology far beyond his own.
Caught between an unfamiliar environment, a looming invasion, and the weight of an ancient prophecy, he must grapple with his fragmented memories and decide whether he can become the leader the planet’s fate demands.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (102K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2020-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1903–1986
Best known for eerie, folkloric tales set in the Appalachian Mountains, this prolific American writer brought regional legend and old-time music into fantasy and horror in a way that still feels distinctive. He also worked across science fiction, mystery, westerns, and historical fiction, building a career that ranged far beyond one genre.
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