Why I Wrote Redemption's Scars

How God leads in the writing process

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you.

I’m so grateful for the responses to Redemption’s Scars, that not only have people enjoyed the story, but that so many of you were willing to sit with its themes, wrestle with them, and take them seriously.

One of the reasons I wanted to write Redemption’s Scars is because it acts as a necessary follow-up to Dedecus’s repentance in Transcendence. Book 2 ends with a massive, dramatic moment, Dedecus relinquishing the Creativity Stone, choosing repentance, and beginning the work of restoration. It’s powerful, and it needed to be. But as I sat with that ending, something felt incomplete.

From the very beginning, The Creativity Stone Series—and Downfall especially—has wrestled with justice. And it didn’t feel just, or realistic, for Dedecus to be welcomed back with open arms after everything he had done. Repentance doesn’t erase memory. Forgiveness doesn’t dissolve pain. Trust takes time.

Originally, the series was only meant to be two books. It was supposed to end with that moment of repentance. But the more I sat with the story, the more I realized that stopping there simplified redemption in a way that didn’t sit right with me. Big turning points matter—but in Scripture, and in life, God so often chooses to work through slow, uncomfortable processes instead.

So the story grew.

I ended up adding a third book, set five years after the events of Transcendence, which is scheduled to release this spring. And honestly, I wasn’t sure how to follow the scale and intensity of book 2. But what God led me into writing surprised me. Book 3 became the true epic conclusion of the series—not just in terms of plot, but for the character arcs of Joshua, Namid, and Dedecus.

In Transcendence, Dedecus forgives God.

In book 3, he forgives the village.

But something was still missing.

There needed to be space for Dedecus to face himself.

Then at one point I sat down intending to write what I thought would be a short, five-minute piece—a simple story where Wane tries to kill Dedecus, they talk, and both walk away changed. Instead, Redemption’s Scars emerged. It was darker, longer, and far more intense than I expected. But as it took shape, I realized it was exactly what the story—and the series—needed.

This was the missing piece.
The place where repentance meets shame.
Where justice meets mercy.
Where forgiveness finally turns inward.

I can honestly say that while I felt God’s help while writing Downfall and Transcendence, I felt His presence in a unique way while writing Redemption’s Scars and book 3 in guidance for what story needed to be told.

If you haven’t yet read Redemption’s Scars, you can find the full story here.

If you’re new here, Redemption’s Scars is set between Transcendence and the final book. If you’ve been following the series, it’s meant to prepare both Dedecus—and the reader—for what comes next. And you can find links to read the first two books in the series here.

I’ll have more to share as the spring release approaches. For now, thank you for reading.

– Caleb