For the characters of Zealots of Eternal Dreams, discovering the truth has opened the door to greater danger. Their next chapter arrives in Nightmares from Hereafter, the forthcoming second novel in the science fiction trilogy by Fresco Jenkins, also known as Darren Jenkins.
With familiar mythological figures caught in an expanding intergalactic struggle, the unreleased sequel promises deeper complications for a world that’s barely aware of the forces surrounding it.
When Discovery Opens the Door to Darkness
A solved mystery can feel like a destination. Within the universe of Z.O.E.D., each discovery carries the possibility of another unsettling revelation. That sense of uncertainty gives Nightmares from Hereafter its intriguing starting point, as the consequences of the first installment continue to unfold.
The trilogy began with Zealots of Eternal Dreams: At Last, which follows the remaining members of an ancient alien race. These beings can change their appearance, and humans worshipped them as gods for centuries. Behind those legendary identities lies a devastating history involving the destruction of their home planet and the murders of their own kind.
Their investigation gradually exposes the reach of a conflict extending across the cosmos. Earth has a place within that struggle, and humanity’s importance comes with troubling implications. People are the prize in a contest of deception and betrayal that stretches back before the common era.
For a species unaware that aliens walk among them, the eventual arrival of such knowledge carries enormous weight. It raises questions about how people understand their past, whom they trust, and what happens when the stories they’ve inherited acquire an entirely different meaning.
Fresco is taking those possibilities further in Nightmares from Hereafter. He’s shared that more prominent names from mythology will be discussed in the sequel. As additional names enter the story, the conflict established in At Last grows more intense, with consequences unfolding on Earth and among the stars.
That development gives the upcoming novel an appealing sense of scale. Readers already familiar with the first book have a foundation of discoveries to consider. The sequel builds anticipation around how a broader mythological presence will affect an already unstable situation.
Hercules, Hestia, and Thrúd remain especially important to that progression. The conflict involving them in the first installment will be expanded, bringing their experiences further into the developing narrative. Their continuing involvement offers readers a connection to the larger struggle through characters they’ve already encountered.
One line from Hestia captures the atmosphere surrounding this next stage. Speaking to Thrúd in the first book, she warns, “It only gets darker from here.” As the trilogy advances, that statement hangs over the sequel’s promised developments.
There’s also a personal purpose behind Fresco’s interest in darkness and conflict. He’s described the trilogy as a loose allegory for the real world. Recent world conditions have helped clarify one of his original reasons for creating the series, strengthening his awareness of the ideas beneath its science fiction setting.
His reflections place particular emphasis on hope, determination, and becoming the best version of oneself. Personal growth matters within that outlook, along with its effect on the surrounding world. Those concerns give readers another way to approach a story populated by ancient aliens and powerful mythological identities.
The planned release sequence provides a route into the series for new readers. A “Rebirth Edition” of At Last is scheduled to arrive before Nightmares from Hereafter in the announced fall rollout. The edition’s name reflects the progression of Zeus, the central character, as well as Fresco’s own journey.
With the second novel still awaiting release, that return to the beginning offers useful preparation for the events ahead.
About the Author
Fresco’s creative background spans writing, graphic design, graphic novels, and painting. The 30-year-old artist began painting at around eight years old, giving him years of experience exploring ideas through visual expression.
He’s now preparing a collection of projects involving novels and art albums after spending time developing several works. Nightmares from Hereafter will begin this next period of releases. Through the continuing Z.O.E.D. trilogy, he brings together an interest in imagined worlds and a personal commitment to exploring the strength people draw upon during difficult times.
The Story Moves Into Uncertain Skies
With Nightmares from Hereafter, the discoveries of At Last become the foundation for a wider and increasingly dangerous struggle. Fresco’s upcoming sequel invites readers to follow its characters toward fresh revelations, carrying the question of how hope survives when the darkness deepens.
We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Thank you so much for joining us today! Since our last interview, how has your vision for the Zealots of Eternal Dreams trilogy evolved?
Since last time, the state of the world has given me clarity on one of the reasons why I created Z.O.E.D. to begin with. Unfortunately, that’s a good thing, but also somewhat of a bad thing. It was always supposed to be a loose allegory for the real world, along with other things. But with all that, it brings me to the other side of the coin in terms of writing the trilogy more, which is being able to have the will and hope to overcome darkness while becoming the best version of yourself, for yourself, and the world around you.
What can readers expect from “Nightmares from Hereafter” without giving away any spoilers?
Well, the conflict that Hercules, Hestia and Thrúd find themselves in from the first book will be expanded more, and as Hestia said to Thrúd in the first book, It only gets darker from here.
What inspired the Rebirth Edition of Zealots of Eternal Dreams: At Last?
The Rebirth term came from the characters and their arcs, especially for the central character in Zeus. They all go through many chapters in their lives that shaped them, and it led them to become hidden from the rest of existence, until they’re inspired to go through a resurgence to leave the shadows and finish what they’ve started before it’s too late. Another part of the name is really for myself. I was gone for a while due to professional and personal things. Now I’m somewhat going through a personal renaissance, figuratively and literally. It’s like I’m “back from the dead” in a way. Inspiration hit me in different ways to the point that I had to return to Z.O.E.D. and other creative projects. It’s something in me that made me also feel like I had to do this, I had to finish what I started, and I still feel like I have a lot to say.
How will Part 2 expand the mythology and intergalactic conflict introduced in the first book?
I don’t want to spoil anything, but “Nightmares from Hereafter” will reveal more prominent names within mythology to be spoken about. And the more other names are spoken about, the more the conflict that was discovered in “At Last”, along with its ramifications, intensifies on Earth and among the stars.
How does your background in painting and graphic design influence the world of Z.O.E.D.?
For the most part, graphic design helped me with some of the illustrations, like the book covers and the teaser art pieces. I always play around with designing abstract and pop art every now and then. But my imagination creatively always ran wild, and I combined that with my love for some history we have in the world, along with some of the greatest mysteries that are still here today, physically and within some of our thoughts.
What are you working toward next?
After Z.O.E.D. Part 1 and 2, I’m working on a graphic novel that takes place towards the end of the 20th century. I’m also working on an art album for new fine art paintings, as well as the final installment of Z.O.E.D. to finish the trilogy. I’ll definitely have updates and news for now on my Instagram @fontayworld.
Thank you so much, Darren Jenkins, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
