The Fifth Yanai Series by Juniper Lake Fitzgerald

The Fifth Yanai is a story of the value of free will, the triumph of love, and the fight to live life on one’s own terms.In a world ravaged by famine and drought, kindhearted cultist Ohkai lives on the outskirts of society in service of the Yanai when he is sent from his home in the Sect on a Calling of divine origin... moreThe Fifth Yanai is a story of the value of free will, the triumph of love, and the fight to live life on one’s own terms.In a world ravaged by famine and drought, kindhearted cultist Ohkai lives on the outskirts of society in service of the Yanai when he is sent from his home in the Sect on a Calling of divine origin. As he travels into the heart of a society that opposes the existence of his kind - a people who worship the same Gods, but in a manner corrupted by the Temple - he realizes what he expected to be a simple errand and test of his devotion, will bring him face to face with one of his greatest rivals - a Temple appointed assassin - a Urai. 
When the life of an old friend is in danger from the Urai, Ohkai must risk not only discovery, but his life, to save his friend and fulfill his Calling. What will he do when one contradicts the other? How can he choose between them when the Gods demand obedience above all else?Velyr is a Urai, cold-hearted and ruthless. A Temple assassin, raised in the confines of the Temple walls, he is a well oiled killing machine, trained for one thing - to fulfill the will of the Gods. Sent on a simple mission, to eliminate after a target in the township of Obeaon, he encounters an unexpected obstacle - a Cultist who claims to serve the Yanai. An impossibility and blasphemy on the lips of his enemy. 
When his mission fails and he nearly loses his life, only to be saved by the embodiment of everything he hates most - the Cultist. Velyr is made to question everything he’s been taught to believe - and experience thoughts and feelings that will change his life forever. A strange and unlikely connection builds between Ohkai and Velyr, Cultist and Urai. And little do they know their meeting was fated, and meant to be something more than even they - or their Gods - could have ever foreseen. less

The Fifth Yanai is a story of the value of free will, the triumph of love, and the fight to live life on one's own terms. Apotheosis is the second installment.Through harrowing trials and godly visions, rival zealots became allies and an ancient prophecy has revealed itself to be true.Ohkai and Velyr are more intricately connected than they could ever have imagined, but the mystical ties that bind them raise more questions than they answered... moreThe Fifth Yanai is a story of the value of free will, the triumph of love, and the fight to live life on one's own terms. Apotheosis is the second installment.Through harrowing trials and godly visions, rival zealots became allies and an ancient prophecy has revealed itself to be true.Ohkai and Velyr are more intricately connected than they could ever have imagined, but the mystical ties that bind them raise more questions than they answered.The unforgiving season of Frost has arrived and Ohkai is called against his will to fulfill the wishes of the Yanai, leaving his life, his Sect and his friends behind, as he disappears beyond their reach.Velyr is left to navigate a strange new life and brand new home without him, and he struggles to find normalcy on the outskirts of the frozen Continent in the camp of his once sworn enemies.But still danger lurks, as the Temple reveals its own agenda, and a force is birthed into the world that will change the course of every soul alive, forever. less

The Fifth Yanai is a story of the value of free will, the triumph of love, and the fight to live life on one’s own terms. Catharsis is the final installment.The Gods are dead. The world blooms.At first glance, all is as it should be. But Ohkai’s return brings other, more foreboding tidings.A sinister presence stalks the shadows, destroying all in its path as it chases after any taste of the life-force that bleeds from the abundant earth... moreThe Fifth Yanai is a story of the value of free will, the triumph of love, and the fight to live life on one’s own terms. Catharsis is the final installment.The Gods are dead. The world blooms.At first glance, all is as it should be. But Ohkai’s return brings other, more foreboding tidings.A sinister presence stalks the shadows, destroying all in its path as it chases after any taste of the life-force that bleeds from the abundant earth. Abilities once believed to be Gods-given emerge in common folk, killing many and driving more to madness. Storms rage, bringing destruction and chaos, leaving cities across the Continent desolate. Those who survive cower in fear and uncertainty under the Temple’s lack of guidance and ever-tightening oppression.Far away in the depths of the obsidian mountain, Ohkai holds the knowledge of how to right their world—if only he can find his brother and convince him to follow their true calling.Meanwhile, Velyr is mired deep in his quest for revenge. Despite his uncertainties and doubts, he will stop at nothing to achieve it. And, perhaps, not even what Ohkai shares will have the power to sway him.New allies emerge, as do formidable enemies, while the fate of the Continent lies in the hands of two reluctant young men, who must decide whether to follow their own desires or to finally come together and embrace their purpose, restoring balance to their world. less