Humanity has a dangerous place in the universe of Zealots of Eternal Dreams, and most people have no idea. As ancient beings carry their unfinished struggles into the modern world, ordinary life continues beneath the shadow of an extraordinary secret.
That tension sets the stage for Nightmares from Hereafter, the upcoming second installment in the science fiction trilogy by Fresco Jenkins, also known as Darren Jenkins.
Humanity at the Heart of a Cosmic Struggle
Being the prize in an intergalactic conflict is an unsettling position for a species that’s unaware of its involvement. It’s also one of the most compelling ideas behind Z.O.E.D. Humanity shares Earth with an ancient, shapeshifting alien race whose members were once revered as gods. Their presence connects centuries of human belief to a much larger history.
In Nightmares from Hereafter, the implications of that history become increasingly difficult to contain. The sequel will expand the conflict discovered in the first installment, Zealots of Eternal Dreams: At Last, allowing its consequences to spread across Earth and among the stars.
The earlier book follows the remaining members of that alien race as they investigate the murders of their own kind and the destruction of their home planet. Their search uncovers a struggle shaped by lies and betrayal, with origins reaching back before Earth’s common era. Each step toward understanding reveals how extensive the situation has become.
For the second novel, Fresco has pointed toward a broader mythological presence. More prominent names from mythology will be spoken about, and their emergence will accompany an intensifying conflict. That development offers an intriguing prospect for readers who enjoy seeing familiar legends placed within an unfamiliar framework.
A recognizable name can bring centuries of associations into a story. Here, those associations meet a universe of extraterrestrial identities, concealed histories, and unresolved violence. The upcoming book creates anticipation around how its expanding mythology will deepen the situation already established in At Last.
The continuing experiences of Hercules, Hestia, and Thrúd give this larger struggle a more immediate focus. Fresco has confirmed that the conflict involving them in the first book will receive further development. Readers who’ve followed their story will have another opportunity to explore what the unfolding crisis means for these characters.
Hestia’s words to Thrúd remain particularly relevant: “It only gets darker from here.” The warning supplies a powerful point of anticipation for the sequel. With its promise of escalating ramifications, Nightmares from Hereafter appears ready to follow the uncertainty that line leaves behind.
Alongside the cosmic intrigue, Fresco’s comments reveal a thoughtful concern with the world beyond fiction. He’s described Z.O.E.D. as a loose allegory for reality, among its other purposes. The state of the world has helped him recognize more clearly one of the reasons he created the trilogy.
That connection gives the project an emotional foundation. His reflections emphasize finding the will and hope to overcome darkness while becoming the best version of oneself. The effects of that growth extend outward to the surrounding world, adding a human concern to a story whose events span enormous distances.
For readers, this perspective offers something meaningful to carry into the sequel. A narrative filled with ancient secrets can also prompt reflection on resilience, responsibility, and the personal effort involved in moving forward through difficult circumstances.
Nightmares from Hereafter remains unreleased, with publication planned soon. The announced fall schedule also includes a new “Rebirth Edition” of At Last, arriving before the second installment. Its name draws on the progression of Zeus, the central character, and on Fresco’s own journey.
That release will give newcomers a chance to discover the trilogy’s beginnings before following its next developments. Returning readers can revisit the discoveries that set the larger conflict in motion.
About the Author
Fresco is a 30-year-old science fiction novelist, graphic novel creator, and graphic designer. His artistic interests began early, with painting becoming part of his life at around eight years old.
He’s preparing several projects centered on novels and art albums after a period spent developing his work. Nightmares from Hereafter will begin this forthcoming series of releases, continuing a creative journey that brings visual art and storytelling into his wider body of work.
A New Reckoning Awaits
The next stage of Z.O.E.D. places ancient identities and humanity’s uncertain future within an expanding web of consequences. With Nightmares from Hereafter, Fresco invites readers back into a universe where every revelation carries weight and the search for hope remains deeply relevant.
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!
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