Lorin

Chapter 23: Hello, my name is

Samara flashed one of those politically amicable smiles at us, “I can read and influence the  emotions of others.”

Creepy. Creepy and very messed up. Or just useless. Getting a degree in psychology would practically be the same. 

She turned to me and tilted her head. “Though, for some reason, I can’t seem to get a grasp on you? I suppose that’s the work of your Blessing. Something about your mind, I assume?”

I shook my head. “I can conjure strings of ...

Some character art I messed around with

Tried making tarot cards for both Sera and Cal but didn't end up with the same character as my favourite art piece, and when I finally figured out how to proceed my credits ran out T-T.
Anyway, hope you enjoy it. i certainly do :) Especially the horned Sera one.

Chapter 22: Judas

Elana tore through the planks as if they were paper. I aimed the barrel of my wand at her. 

“Stop this Elana!” shouted Samara. 

She glanced back. Flames of madness in her eyes. “Why? Things are just getting fun!” 

I gritted my teeth and fired. Despite the bullet’s terrifying speed, she dodged effortlessly, fast as lightning. My bullet rustled her hair and slammed into the door, engulfing it with flames. 

On the upper floor, the fire spread...

Chapter 21: Surprise party

The attic was rank with the smell of mold. Crates and bookshelves littered the floors with their broken cadavers. Thick layers of dust covered every surface and made my every move send small clouds of it swimming through the air. 

Behind me, James’s hurried steps up the ladder smattered. 

Pillars of light broke through the battered roof. There was no light source inside, yet when I turned, I could see the rough outline of his body. 

He groaned and pulled the...

Chapter 20: The damned

Yusuf's knees shook violently. Samara grabbed him before he could hit the floor and let him lean on her. 

Thick smoke snaked through the sea of stumblers to the rampaging flesh golem. It swirled around its limbs and solidified. The large body of the golem crashed into the ground with a resounding bang, crushing a large swathe of friendly forces. 

Samara whipped her head to the archers, to me. “Now! Kill the thing!” 

Simultaneously, we released a rain of de...

Chapter 19: Crushing waves

Silent scream ripped through the wooden leg like a hot knife through butter. Sharpening it into a pike was simple work. Beside me, Yusuf’s forehead shined with the gloss of sweat. He panted like someone he just came back from a marathon. 

I threw my pike into the pile of sharpened sticks. “Need help?” 

“Yeah, thanks.”

He handed me the wooden leg with shaky hands. His knife had left uneven indents in it, like he’d gone at it with no purpose, no strength....

Chapter 18: Solburne

Anna held the door open for us. Her free hand gripped the pommel of her sword hard enough that her knuckles whitened. The booming march of the horde kept its rhythm. The noise of it rolled across the city like a tidal wave.

“How are things looking?” she asked.

“Not great,” Yusuf answered truthfully. He smiled at her, “But don’t worry. We’ll get through this just like we always do. You’ll make it back home to your kids.”

Poor woman. I hoped her chil...

Chapter 17: Fires of conflict

“That’s not right,” I mumbled.

The only reason the stumblers weren’t a very scary bunch was precisely because they stumbled around. These guys could see. They didn’t stumble. They could run. I found that out real quick as they set off in a sprint at me. 

“Shit!” I cursed and turned my heel to them. 

The footing was uncertain. The cobbled cracks had filled up over time to become deposits of soot. Dark clouds exploded out from underneath me as I stormed...

Chapter 16: Flesh golem

“Should we report this?” I whispered. 

Yusuf crouched down next to me, “Nah, they’ve been standing there for a week or two. Don’t seem to have much of a plan, really.” 

“They don’t pose a problem?” 

He shook his head, “They help keep the Slitherstitch away. Doesn’t like to mingle with its victims, apparently.”

“Aren’t you taking this too lightly? What if they move to the library?” 

“Then we’ll deal with it,”...

Chapter 15: Tick tock

“What do you mean?!” The indignation burned hot in my chest. 

“That mark is worse than I thought. It escalates the rate at which you turn.” 

“Turn? Turning into what?!” I snarled and took a breath. I couldn’t act like this. Hopefully the rustle and bustle of the place kept everyone busy enough that they didn’t notice. “What the fuck do you mean turning?!”

“As I told you time and time again. I. Cannot. Say. Do you ever listen to me?” she pout...

Cherished blasting wand

The inside of the chest was abnormally large. It was much more like a shipping container than a chest.

“What the hell…” I mumbled.

“Pretty neat, huh?” Elana smirked and elbowed me in the love handle.

“Definitely. Now I want it even more.”

She whistled and looked away while resting her head against the wall, using her hands as cushions.

A plethora of items had sprinkled the bottom, somewhat sorted into piles separated based on the type of item. Most ...

Coffee cliché and a mimic

Coffee. 

I didn’t know how much I relied on the beverage before coming here. I’d never been much of a drinker before meeting the priest and Joanna. They both loved the stuff and forced it on me every time I came over. 

The cook laughed and poured me a cup, “Here ya go.” 

I cradled it reverently while inhaling its wonderful aroma, “Sorry, what did you say?” I asked Yusuf and took a sip.

“I asked where you came from.” 

“Oh, Lon...

Chapter 12: Bed and breakfast

“Cal?” Anna asked carefully through the door. 

I jumped to my feet and cleared my throat, “Yeah?” 

She gently pulled the door open and looked around, “Sorry. I thought you had company. I could have sworn I heard voices.” 

She muttered the last part under her breath and handed me a glorious plate of food along with a piece of beautifully golden and crispy bread. 

“Nope, just me here,” I laughed dryly. 

“Alright… Remembe...

Chapter 11: Ztumblers

It felt as if a switch went off in my head. 

With swift motions I pulled out Silent scream from the skull of the feasting stumbler, and dashed to the next, dodging under its swinging arm and kicking its feet from under it. Before it smashed against the ground, I pounced on the next, stabbing it clean through its eye socket while the noise falling Stumbler distracted it. 

It slumped to the ground without resistance. 

The misericorde slid out of the cavity as ea...

Chapter 10: Waltz in a house of mirrors

Step. Step. Stop, take a breath, plan the next steps. Repeat. 

Our waltz continued through the labyrinth of shattered windows. Each shard threatened to make our presence known should one of us misstep. The crystal’s glow shone against them, sending reflections every way like a stationary disco ball. Only where our silhouette danced did the light die down momentarily.  

The waltz was one of dire consequence, and we were both painfully aware. Neither making a mistak...

Chapter 9: The Layered Empire

“Just hold on,” I said with my gentlest voice and put my hand on her head. She jerked back in fright. “I’ll unstitch your lips. But you can’t move around like this. I don’t want to cut you.”

Might be a bit too late for that though.

The lithe blade slid into the small gap between her lips. Ever so gently I sawed through the thin cords. She twitched whenever the strain of a stitch loosened, which, while understandable, made me cut her on more than one occasion.  2025-06-16 08:11:37 +0000 UTC View Post

Chapter 8: The Chambers of Crushing

Shrines of overlapping, recycled metal lined the walls. There seemed to be a theme to the corridors. Shrines led to something cool, nothing led to something not so cool, and portraits led to offices of the depicted officers.

Now that I knew how the vial ammo looked, it was clear that the small shrines were made of the same brass-like material. They all bore marks of errors as if hand-made, none looked the same as the other. 

I berated myself for not inspecting the runes earli...

Chapter 7: Something precious ahead

The winding halls seemed nigh eternal. Every step sent echoes bouncing through the winding web of paths. I’d been walking for hours, trying hallway after hallway, but they always led to a dead end. 

If I knew better, desperation would set in right about now, but I’d be damned before giving up. Escaping this place was the home stretch. I lost too much in this place to succumb to its cursed solitude. My humanity had been forever stained by murder, only to be partly stripped away ...

Chapter 6: Things best left unseen

“After all, why shouldn't I ... Why shouldn't I open it?” I whispered and reached a hand to the safe, then stopped just shy of it. “Just kidding.”

Sera deflated like a balloon, “Do you not crave knowing what lies inside?”

I shrugged, “Of course I want to know, but in case you didn't notice, there are three very ominous words carved into the door. I don't think anyone would take the time to carve something like that unless they really fucking meant it.”

She sn...

Chapter 5: Roach

I scrambled to my feet, “Hey, you alive?” The last remaining recoil faded away, making me feel human again. 

He lay motionless. I leaned close with Silent Scream at the ready. I bounced back with my heart in my throat, the bastard still breathed. I bounced back with my heart in my throat, clutching at the dagger, pointing it toward him in an awkward attempt to create some distance. Still, he didn’t move.

I crouched just out of range from his whip and gazed tiredly at hi...

Chapter 4: Bloodied hands

The stone floor underfoot made no sound as I carefully cushioned my feet, making sure to roll each step from my heels to my toes, without stomping.

I almost had sneaking down to a science. Growing up around a violent drunk came with its very own set of perks. I still remembered the mantra I taught my younger brother after he got his first beating. Move carefully, but not too carefully. If you move without intent and confidence, shoes squeak, floorboards creak; and bottles fly.&...

Chapter 3: Battered and bruised

Amidst the soothing hum of the dagger, I stared in awe as the sanguine runes painted the veil.

Name: Caleb Kane

Race: Human 

Title: One of reviled flesh

Blessing: Weaver

Acclaim: Whisper

Accolades: None

I shifted my gaze to the vibrating dagger.

Silent Scream

Rank: Unsung

Type: Unbound armament

Descrip...