This guide is unofficial, and subject to change based on feedback from users such as those reading this page.
If you have started with 'The Portal in the Forest' series, it is recommended to read the additional set of stories for further background prior to continuing with The Desolate Guardians
Want more context on some of the story points? Want to know more about the characters or strange entities that they encounter? Try the Main Page for more information. Have some theories or speculation, or want to check out other existing speculation on the stories? Check out the Enigmas section.
Want e-book or hardcopy versions of some of the stories? Check out Amazon
Like Matt's work? Help support him in writing more at his Patreon site.
Recommended order
The House Beyond The Edge series
The Back Paths series
The Fountain of Youth
- The Fountain of Youth (Part 1)
- The Fountain of Youth (Part 2)
- The Fountain of Youth (Part 3)
- The Fountain of Youth (Part 4)
- The Fountain of Youth (Final Part)
The Portal In The Forest
- The Portal In The Forest (Part 1)
- The Portal In The Forest (Part 2)
- The Portal In The Forest (Part 3)
- The Portal In The Forest (Part 4)
- The Portal In The Forest (Part 5)
- The Portal In The Forest (Final Part)
The Desolate Guardians
- Judging by the message I found, someone, somewhere, is lonelier than I am... (Part 1) - Missing Part indicator
- Judging by the message I found, someone, somewhere, is lonelier than I am... (Part 2)
- Judging by the message I found, someone, somewhere, is lonelier than I am... (Part 3)
- Judging by the message I found, someone, somewhere, is lonelier than I am... (Part 4)
- Judging by the message I found, someone, somewhere, is lonelier than I am... (Part 5)
- Judging by the message I found, someone, somewhere, is lonelier than I am... (Part 6)
- Judging by the message I found, someone, somewhere, is lonelier than I am... (Final Update)
(Small reference to The Angel Without A Face series regarding the encounter with the Shadow Entity)
(Further reference to the 'It Watched Us Play' series regarding a knife that could cut anything)
The Moon Aflame (Alek's Story)
Awakening
- Am I the only one that sees that the Moon is on fire? (Part 1)
- Am I the only one that sees that the Moon is on fire? (Part 2)
- Am I the only one that sees that the Moon is on fire? (Final Update)
Exodus
(Further chapters to Alek's Story can be read in the print version of The Moon Aflame)
The Empty Earth
- I think I may have somehow missed the end of the world (Part 1) - Missing Part indicator, check submission date
- I think I may have somehow missed the end of the world (Part 2) - Missing Part indicator, check submission date
- I think I may have somehow missed the end of the world (Part 3)
- I think I may have somehow missed the end of the world (Part ?)
- I think I may have somehow missed the end of the world (Part ??)
- I didn't miss the end of the world [Final part]
The Crushing Fist
- I was told that everyone I'd served with in the military died shortly after I left. Today, I saw one of my old squadmates, homeless, digging through the trash behind a convenience store. He had an unbelievable tale to tell.
- I was told that everyone I'd served with in the military died shortly after I left. Today, I saw one of my old squadmates, homeless, digging through the trash behind a convenience store. He had an unbelievable tale to tell. [Part 2]
- I was told that everyone I'd served with in the military died shortly after I left. Today, I saw one of my old squadmates, homeless, digging through the trash behind a convenience store. He had an unbelievable tale to tell. [Part 3] (Comes in three parts, two in comments)
- I was told that everyone I'd served with in the military died shortly after I left. Today, I saw one of my old squadmates, homeless, digging through the trash behind a convenience store. He had an unbelievable tale to tell. [Part 4]
- I was told that everyone I'd served with in the military died shortly after I left. Today, I saw one of my old squadmates, homeless, digging through the trash behind a convenience store. He had an unbelievable tale to tell. [Part 5]
- I was told that everyone I'd served with in the military died shortly after I left. Today, I saw one of my old squadmates, homeless, digging through the trash behind a convenience store. He had an unbelievable tale to tell. [Part 6] (Comes in four parts, three in comments)
- I was told that everyone I'd served with in the military died shortly after I left. Today, I saw one of my old squadmates, homeless, digging through the trash behind a convenience store. He had an unbelievable tale to tell. [FINAL PART] (Comes in two parts, one in comments)
Our Final Acts
- Our Final Acts [Part 1]
- Our Final Acts [Part 2] (Comes in two parts, one in comments)
- Our Final Acts [Part 3]
- Our Final Acts [Part 4] (Comes in two parts, one in comments)
- Our Final Acts [Part 5]
- Our Final Acts [Part 6]
- Our Final Acts [Part 7]
- Our Final Acts [Part 8] (Comes in three parts, two in comments)
- Our Final Acts [Final Part]
The Hungry Invader
The New Exodus Vanguard
- The New Exodus Vanguard [Part 1] (Comes in three parts, two in comments)
- The New Exodus Vanguard [Part 2]
- The New Exodus Vanguard [Part 3]
- The New Exodus Vanguard [Part 4]
- The New Exodus Vanguard [Part 5]
- The New Exodus Vanguard [Part 6] (Comes in two parts, one in comments)
- The New Exodus Vanguard [Part 7]
Optional extras
I'm not insane. There really is an otherworldly threat out in the woods.
- I'm not insane. There really is an otherworldly threat out in the woods. (References some creations of the Cordyceps Fungus plant entity)
Method Acting
- Method Acting (Reference to the Dream Stealers)
Scribblings
- Scribblings (Part of the Psychosis series of short stories. Occurs in the same reality as the Dreamer On High and Alek)
The Angel Without A Face series
The Disconnected (series by /u/mercurial9, connected to The Angel Without A Face series)
The Hungry Lights
It Watched Us Play (series by /u/astoryofmyown)
Nostophobia (Not directly connected, but appears to be set in the same multiverse, featuring a copy of Noah Fulmer and Chris)
Dreams of Inner R’lyeh or How I Discovered the Apocalyptic Behemoth that Killed the World (series by /u/armentitron, references the Shadow Sphere)
- Dreams of Inner R’lyeh or How I Discovered the Apocalyptic Behemoth that Killed the World
- Dreams of Inner R'lyeh Part II: The Waking World (aka What Happened Next)
The Roads Are a Lonely Place (References the Bright-eyed Mimics)
The Bugs Visit Every Day (Connected to Recurrence)
Isolation - A Diary (Multipart)
- Isolation - Part 1
- Isolation - Part 2
- Isolation - Part 3
- Isolation - Part 4
- Isolation - Part 5
- Isolation - Part 6
- Isolation - Part 7 (Final)
Recurrence (References 'Our Final Acts')