Acknowledgements

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A saga like The Nexus Chronicles cannot be built in isolation. Though the narrative takes place in a shattered, vertical world of kinetic iron and spatial fractures, the anchor that brought this book to life rests entirely on the support, insight, and patience of those on this side of the horizon. To my readers: Thank you for stepping into the Sprawl, taking the elevator into the dark, and standing in the cold wind with Bastion and Mira. A story is only as alive as the imagination of the person turning the pages. To my early readers and sounding boards: For every late-night discussion about spatial mechanics, kinetic energy laws, and narrative pacing. Thank you for asking the hard questions, pointing out where the world needed more weight, and keeping me grounded when the sky began to break. To the worldbuilders, sci-fi pioneers, and storytellers who came before: Whose vision of neon towers, high-stakes technology, and deep human cost paved the path for stories like this to exist. And to those who anchor us in our own lives: To my family, friends, and supporters—thank you for holding on to my history when the work was overwhelming, for reminding me who I was when I got lost in the draft, and for making sure I never had to pay the debt alone. This book belongs to all of you.